Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: Conceived for maximum floor-lift, Daje Funk is the namesake of both artist and label; here the elusive but fun-loving moniker brings another four whopper disco edit-remixes to vinyl, further charging the collective body with a haul of kitsch spirituals. Three out of four tracks here are "lovely edited" - intentional or not, we can't resisting stealing such brilliant turns of phrase - by longtime Roman disco purveyor Les Inferno, with the support of a cracking cadre made up of fellow producers and engineers Max Pottini, Emiliano Patrick Legato and Dom Scuteri. Stefano Fusco also handles the B1; and though we don't know the original IDs of any of the tracks here, the vibe is consistently spirited, and the artists only carefully betray their access to the original stems (made eventually obvious by faint vocal delays, extra-thwacking kick EQs, etc.).

Review: Boom! Ultra rare outernational funk reissue action by the new Habibi Funk imprint! Dalton were a late '60s soul band formed in Tunis by a group of American music enthusiasts, and their one and only LP under the Dalton name was independently released and super rare until now. "Alech" nears psychedelic territories thanks to its echoing vocals and trippy percussion, whereas "Soul Brother" is more of a classic soul ballad, but filled with the band's own native roots, of course. Be sure to check, this is hot and recommended for the diggers.

Review: P-Vine Japan does great work once more here by bringing back into print some hugely sought-after sounds from the blues and r&b world. The first release in their new series revives Larry Davis' 1969 Kent Records single, which was originally written by Sherwood Fleming. The A-side, 'For 5 Long Years' delivers a gritty mid-tempo funk-blues groove while the B-side, 'I've Been Hurt So Many Times' (a classic subject for a blues tune) channels Willie Cobbs' signature sound. These will be familiar to anyone who has danced at a Northern Soul event and cannot be slept on.

Review: William DeVaughn hears two cuts from his classic D.C. album Be Thankful For What You Got reissued for the first time on 12" since 1974. A rare ode to gratefulness in a world of material gratuitousness, but two lines from the title track of the original eight-track opus resound, and capture the sentiment perfectly: "you may not own a car at all... but remember, brothers and sisters, you can still stand tall!" As sampled by N.W.A, De La Soul, Outkast, Ludacris, Big Tymers, Rihanna, Hip Club Groove and L'Imperatrice, the A-sider is a historical record; its strength lies in its affecting singularity of theme and moral sway, and, on the instrumental side of things, we can say the same of its tight playing and serene sound. Backed by the cream of Philadelphia session groups MFSB (Norman Harris, Vince Montana, John Davis), DeVaughn wax continues to wax poetic over themes of inheritance, love, and compersion; a great foundation laid for the gangster rap that would follow from it.

Review: Diplomats of Soul is the duo of Mike Allin and Ralph Tee and they are celebrated not just for their funk and soul expertise but also for releasing a steady stream of soulful gems since 2006 through their Expansions label.Continuing their solo project, they deliver a stunning cover of Barbara St. Clair's rare groove classic 'Teacherman' here. Distinct from their earlier hits, 'Teacherman' continues to redefine their promise by offering two lush 70 soul tracks: one vocal and one instrumental, continuing their tradition of soul innovation with a contemporary and groove-heavy edge.

Review: Originally composed by Don Blackman and recorded by Weldon Irvine in 1975, this rare 70s groove has been reimagined in a brand-new recording that importantly stays true to the essence of the original. The updated version features Natalie Duncan alongside DOS on vocals and the music is arranged by Bluey and showcases a talented lineup of musicians from Incognito who bring a fresh yet faithful twist. It blends soulful instrumentation with a contemporary touch that is sure to connect with all new audiences.

Review: We're not going to tell you who is behind the Divine Who project, though if you have a working knowledge about gospel disco DJs and nu-disco producers, you can probably join the dots. Either way, their self-titled gospel rework series is genuinely top-drawer. After a couple of tidy 12" singles they offer up a seven-inch for the first time. A-side 'Weekend (Dubbed Out Mix)' takes a squelchy, joyous and infectious mid-80s electrofunk-gospel number - and subtly touches it up and even more subtly dubs it out for modern dancefloors. On 'Forget Me Nots', they deliver their altar-ation (sorry) of an exquisitely soulful, tactile and loved-up cover version of Patrice Rushen favourite 'Forget-me-Nots' complete with a killer slap-bass breakdown.

Review: DJ Bacon's new edits LP Super Disco Raps takes two forms: firstly as a full-length 16-track LP, and secondly as a selectors' single edition, the latter of which you see here. 'Vol. 2' hears two extra remixes that did make the big disc's cut, but Bacon decided they also suited a limited edition 7" release for good measure. Playability is the implied reason: on the A we've a glossed-out disco scratch-tool remix of Wu Tang Clan's 'Gravel Pit', on which ghostly rap acapellas are laid to a lackadaisical funk beat, and on the B there's a similar version of Ultramagnetic MC's's 'Moe Luv's Theme', which loops and skips about an unmistakable four-beat, wax-scrubbing hook.

Review: DJ Deviant and Swamburger join forces for a double-sided serving of feel-good hip-hop and r&b on this 7" release. 'Get On The Floor' is a surefire party starter, its infectious beat and catchy hooks practically demanding movement and setting the tone for a night of good times. The track is a vibrant blend of classic hip-hop elements and contemporary production, with DJ Deviant's cuts and scratches adding a layer of turntablist flair. On the flip, 'Where's The Party' sees DJ Deviant flying solo, keeping the energy high with a smooth groove and feelgood vibes that are reminiscent of 90s r&b classics. The ever enduring appeal of hip-hop and r&b in full effect.

Review: Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita is a hardcore 45rpm devotee. They are his chosen tools as a beat-juggling DJ who can do logic-defying things with his grooves. He is a regal on Bloom and already dropped serious heat in January with 'World Famous'. This time he is back with a fresh take on 'Made In New York' which is a 1985 classic by renowned Brazilian funk and jazz pianist Tania Maria. He brings his signature hip-hop flair and creativity with his trusted crew, 45trio, and enlists the dynamic saxophonist King TJ (DA-Dee-MiX) to elevate things further.

Review: Jalapeno jive maestro Soupasoul had another standout year, in 2024 and only heightened his reputation for crafting exceptional edits that bring new life into funk standards and hidden gems. With a sharp focus on the groove-rich breaks, he is back once again with another instalment that will ignite dance floors everywhere. This time his scorching rework of 'Give It Up' spotlights dynamic horn interplay and soulful jazzy choruses and 'Rock Steady' celebrates Aretha's powerful vocals paired with a killer breakbeat. These finely tuned edits honour the originals while adding fresh energy.

Review: All Right Fresh serve speciality brews of West and East Coast nu-funk, soul and hip-hop. Here they welcome DJ Spinna and J Rocc for the very latest edition in their Wrecka Stow Edits series, which hears two further majestic remixes of classic r&b reelers. First up is Spinna's version of Prince's 'Starfish & Coffee' with the renamed 'Maple Syrup Jam', which strains and thins Prince's already prickly granules to provide that extra ophiuroid zing. Then J Rocc follows up with 'Re Purple Music', also a remix of a Prince cut, 'Purple Music', providing ever further filtrated disco-funk panache.

Review: After the critically acclaimed Avoude (5 stars & 'Top of the World' on Songlines, Bandcamp top pick, Le Monde, BBC Radio, Pop Matters), Sol Power Sound proudly presents a scorching remix EP from West African psychedelic powerhouse Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band. Rooted in Togo's deep cultural and Vodun traditions, Dogo's sound is reimagined here by a heavyweight lineup of producers. Captain Planet kicks things off with a percussive African house groove, while Sol Power All-Stars ask, What if Prince joined Dogo in 1983? The result? A synth-laced funk HIIT workout. Detroit icons John Beltran and Blair French bring Afro-Brazilian and deep house flavors, before Glenn Echo closes with a mind-bending 12/8 dub trip.

Review: Selector Series is back with another gem, bringing us a slice of early 80s Detroit boogie with Gene Dunlap's classic tracks. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Gene Dunlap's musical journey began at the tender age of four, thanks to his father's drumming lessons. His talent flourished at Mumford High School and later with jazz legend Roy Ayers. In 1981, Dunlap released two remarkable solo albums, It's Just The Way I Feel and Party In Me. The title track "Party In Me," backed with "Take My Love," was originally issued as a limited 12" promo, making it a rare treasure among collectors, often fetching over L100 on the second-hand market. Now, for the first time in 43 years, this boogie masterpiece has been remastered from the original tapes and is available for fans to enjoy. This reissue offers an opportunity to experience the vibrant rhythms and impeccable drumming of Gene Dunlap as well as Detroit's boogie scene. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of music history, exquisitely revived and ready to reignite dance floors.

Review: Milo MacMahon and Raul Indipwo aka Duo Ouro Negro, arrived in Portugal in 1959 and built an international music career over three decades. Singing in Portuguese, Angolan languages, French and more, they also covered Latin American and North American songs and connected with the Civil Rights movement during their 1969 U.S. tour. This experience shaped their 1972 landmark album, Blackground, which was a powerful cultural statement influenced by Black Power, jazz and African independence movements. In 1981, Blackground was reworked with new arrangements including the instrumental 'Danca do Robalinho' which came in two parts. This jazz-funk masterpiece now gets reissued for the first time and is a must-buy.

Review: Jstar and Dubmatix's Scenario is an infectious mash-up of A Tribe Called Quest's 1992 classic, seamlessly blending hip-hop with dub and reggae influences. The remix revitalises the iconic track, infusing it with a modern, bass-heavy groove while retaining its original energy and lyrical parts. The instrumental version stands out on its own, showcasing the intricate production work and the deep, resonant basslines characteristic of Dubmatix. This remix respects the legacy of the original track while introducing it to a new generation.

Review: Over the course of two fine, full-length excursions, Don Glori (real name Gordon Li) has perfected a warm, breezy and frequently life-affirming trademark sound that cannily joins the dots between jazz, samba, MPB, jazz-funk and soul. He leans into the latter elements more on summery third set Paper Can't Wrap Fire, drawing on the talents of a wealth of Melbourne music friends across nine sublime tracks. There's much to admire throughout, from the sun-soaked jazz-funk/soul fusion of 'Brown Eyes' and summery head-nodder 'Janet', to the spiritual jazz joy of 'Song For Ants', the Brazilian brilliance of 'Precious' and the oceans-deep nu-jazz shuffle of 'Saturn's Return'.