Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: Craig Charles, renowned for his soulful groove, presents The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Volume 3, a collection of 19 tracks that epitomize his passion for soul, blues, disco, and funk. This compilation, curated with long-time collaborator Greg Boraman, showcases Charles' lifelong dedication to soul music. With a career spanning poetry, acting, and television hosting, Charles' love for soul and funk has remained constant. His BBC 6 Music shows and global DJ sets have solidified his reputation as a premier ambassador for these genres. Volume 3 is a blend of club classics, contemporary hits, and timeless soul tunes. The collection, available in double LP gatefold sleeve and CD, is a testament to Charles' ability to seamlessly blend old-school classics with modern beats, creating a dynamic and infectious musical experience. Whether you're a long-time listener or a newcomer to his trunk of funk, this album will make you a fan.

Review: Self-proclaimed "complete package" Craig Charles (actor, poet, DJ, radio host, stand-up) seems to be enjoying life as Britain's most famous funk and soul fan. Here, he curates a second installment of his Funk & Soul Club compilation series. Predictably, there's plenty to tickle the fancy, from the reggae-soul-house shuffle of Lack of Afro's remix of Hidden Jazz Quartet's "High Heels", and the psychedelic funk madness of The Bongolian's "The Riviera Affair", to the celebratory release of Jessica Lauren Four's "Happiness Train" (featuring a brilliant vocal from old Jocelyn Brown), and a pair of ripsnorting cover versions (Cookin' On Three Burners' fantastic take on Numan's "Cars" and Hot Eight Brass Band's famous remake of the Specials' "Ghost Town").

Review: Having re-invented himself as the UK's favourite funk and soul selector via shows on BBC 6 Music, comedy actor-turned-Corrie cab driver Craig Charles brings his wildly successful Funk & Soul Club brand to CD for the first time. Pitched at newcomers rather than confirmed diggers, it features a mix of well known nu-funk floor fillers (The Apples' version of RATM's "Killing In The Name", Nostalgia 77's ubiquitous White Stripes cover), lesser-known cuts from modern soul 'names' (Speedometer, The Haggis Horns, The Bamboos), older gems (Al Wilson, Incredible Bongo Band), a dash of reggae and a few curveballs (Treva Whateva's long-forgotten banger "Singalong"). Good times guaranteed.

Review: Craig Charles' annual "Funk & Soul Club" compilations are fast becoming as much of a Christmas tradition as turkey, dodgy decorations and ill-advised snogs at office parties. As with its predecessor, this sixth volume does a good job in showcasing the best in modern funk, soul, Afrobeat and heavy Latin jams, with a few stone cold classics thrown in (see the Mighty Ryeders' peerless "Evil Vibrations"). Look out for deep and heavy funk gems from the Bamboos, the New Mastersounds and Lance Ferguson's Rare Groove Spectrum, some suitably smooth fare from Courtney Pine and Omar, a scintillating, salsa-focused cover of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by Scotland's Grupo Magnetico, and a dash of dancefloor goodness from funk breaks scene stalwarts Smoove and Turrell.

Review: We can think of few finer stocking fillers for funk aficonados than this fifth Funk & Soul Club compilation from actor/comedian-turned-radio host Craig Charles. As with previous volumes, the Red Dwarf star and BB 6 Music host has included a mixture of original funk era cuts and recent revivalist gems. In the latter category you'll find a stellar instrumental cover of Rick James' "Super Freak" by The Traffic, the dancefloor-burning sound of Nicole Willis and the UMO Orchestra and the brilliant boogie revivalism of Australian singer Kylie Audist. In terms of deeper older selections, look no further than the 1973 jazz-funk re-make of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues" by Brian Auger's Oblivion Express and the Afro-funk explosion that is "Nawa" by Ginger Baker & His African Messengers.

Review: Craig Charles' CD round-up of cuts that have done that business at his popular Funk & Soul Club events is becoming something of an annual tradition. This fourth volume in as many years is, predictably, stacked high with high quality fare. While there are plenty of straight-up funk and soul cuts - check The Traffic's killer cover of "White Lines", Brian Auger & The Trinity's 'Black Cat', and John Heartsman & Circles' tasty "Talking About My Baby", for starters - Charles's on-point selection also include nods to jazz-dance, Afro-funk, Latin beats, retro-futurist boogie-soul, and simmering torch songs (a sublime contribution from '80s star Lisa Stansfield).

Review: Red Dwarf star turned soap actor and longtime BBC Radio 6 Music funk master Craig Charles has put together a first volume of classics for your delectation. On a double vinyl collection that spans 20 tracks he traverse every conceivable style from the earliest days of the genre right up to today. The cuts remain pleasingly underground and carefully dug out rather than veering into obvious filler territory and there are up-tempo cuts with more deep and pained offerings. It also includes two 'Trunk Of Funk Edits' that are 100% exclusive to this compilation and not available anywhere else.

Review: Who knew an entertainment career spanning the likes of comic sci-fi series like Red Dwarf and kitsch game shows vis-a-vis Robot Wars could result in a side stint curating soul compilations? Well, it's exactly what happened to Craig Charles, who also happens to have been manning BBC6 Music's soul and funk corner for almost 20 years now, not to mention regularly touring the world as a DJ. This isn't his first 'Trunk of Funk'. The first was overwhelmingly well-received by a "funk hungry public", and now, our national treasure Craigy-boy has ensured said public doesn't starve a second time round. Backboned by Charles' introductory yells to imaginary screaming crowds - "are you ready!?" - we cycle through funk bits both old and new, exclusive and widely-available, from Cha Wa to Luther Ingram to Joel Culpepper. Craig says: "Give your ears and feet enough mellifluous musical fodder to last you until Volume 3 - Awooga!"