Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: .5 Borough Breaks are back with another essential slice of 90s hip-hop nostalgia. Their latest 7" revives a 1995 Hot 97 favourite-a gritty, golden-era banger that once ruled the NYC airwaves. Handily pressed for both DJs and collectors, Blahzay Blahzay's 'Danger' captures the raw energy of East Coast rap at its peak. As always with this label, the flip side features the original sample source: a soulful gem 'Rockin Chair' from recently departed legend Gwen McCrae whose legacy shaped generations of soul fans and hip-hop heads. As such, this 7" combines deep digging with authentic hip-hop flair and pays tribute to both the beatmakers and the soul pioneers who inspired them. Essential wax.

Review: Recorded following the release of his near-perfect What's Going On Album, with production and arrangement by the Mizell brothers, 'Where Are We Going?' was one of Marvin Gaye's most prophetic singles. Another conscious soul gem - albeit one with a warmer and fuller sound than the distinctively sparse What's Going On album - it was intended to be the centre piece of an album called You're The Man - a set that was subsequently shelved and eventually posthumously released many years later. This Expansion 7" reissue replicates the track listing of the original Motown "45", pairing the brilliant 'Where Are We Going' with the heartfelt and life-affirming celebration of female empowerment that is 'Woman of the World'. An essential reissue!

Review: G. D. & The Big J's 'Movin' On' is a primo funk, disco and boogie melange that has been heating up global dance floors ever since it was first released in 1980. It is a much sought-after jam which, if you can even find an original copy, will cost you upwards of three figures. 'Movie On' is seamless and smooth, a brilliant and vibrant mix of busy guitar riffs, and claps and upbeat drums that come with a lively vocal that says to the heavens with effortless soul. It sounds like basically the same tune is included on both sides you so never have to worry about this one wearing out - which it could well do given how often you will be playing it.

Review: Cult outfit The General Store laid down four songs in the year of 1967. They release two of them, but the other two have remained under wraps ever since. Now, more than half a century later, they are getting pressed up to vinyl for the first time thanks to Perfect Toy who have decided to cut just 300 copies. The band themselves have given full blessing for this one and as soon as the needle drops you're taken into a swirling, high-octane world of raw 60s rock heavy funk. It is very much a case of Tower of Power meets Funkadelic with a lo-fi twist.

Review: Tenth 45 release from Producer/Song writer/Arranger/Musician/D.J. Andrew Gillespie from Gloucester, UK who has also released three other 45s as The Aries Vibration and La Glosta Nostra
This is Andrew's seventh release for Funk Night Records, Detroit run by D.J./producer Frank Raines
This time we have a driving Gospel flavoured sister funk cover version featuring Gloucester based Church singer Tricia Bailey covering the famous English Anglican hymn All Things Bright And Beautiful written by Cecil Francis Alexander first published in her Hymns For Little Children in 1848
THE LINE UP
Andrew Gillespie - Congas/Flute/Producer/Arranger
Chris Lujan - Hammond Organ/Guitar/BassGuitar /Mixer
Tricia Bailey - Vocal
Sam Fryer - Drums
Manuel Trabucco - Tenor & Baritone saxes
Tim Kersey - Trumpet/Flugelhorn

Review: The PPU label of out DC is one of our favourites. It's lo-fi sound draws on disco, funk and soul and results in always magical 7"s of delightful dancefloor heat that not only serves up killer grooves, but also plenty of memorable and heart aching hooks. This new one from Glass Pyramid has it all. 'Stop It' is a lo-slung and dusty disco gem with lung busting diva vocals and hip swinging drums that will bring tears of joy to the eyes if dropped at the exact right moment in a set. On the flip, 'Better By The Minute' is another banger with hints of UK street soul in the drums and vocals.

Review: Be Strong Be Free's 7" series is on fire this year and now comes back with a third instalment. It is 'Nuit De Fievre' and it comes from label owner Gratts, aka the "Belgian down under," who revisits disco's golden era by assembling a stellar studio team starring the Moody Mae band in the company of Reinhard Vanbergen on violin and Jaj from Paris on vocals. What they cook up in return is elegant boogie and disco that will chime well with fans of Dimitri From Paris. The B-side features Pellegrino's jazz-funk rendition, adding Mediterranean flair straight from Vesuvius. Both sides promise deliciously uplifting grooves for any disco enthusiast.

Review: The superb Star Creature label has always been a treasure trove of disco brilliance whether old, new or reissued. This one very much falls into the latter category and finds Jimmie Green's magic 1980 tune 'Dance' reappearing on 45rpm. It's a seductive and funky number with warped and slinky bass, lush hand claps and big horns. Little is known about the mysterious man behind it but suffice it to say he sure has some vocal skills. On the flip side tune 'Let Yourself Go' they take a more slow and sensuous approach over languid grooves and deep rhythms topped with great Rhodes.

Review: Greenwood's 'Sparkle,' originally recorded in 1985 and long forgotten, found a second life thanks to Tokyo's DJ Muro, who included it in his Hawaiian Breaks mixtape in 2009. This unexpected resurgence of interest prompted Greenwood to return to the studio, resulting in a full-length album in 2014 that featured a newly polished version. Aloha Got Soul brings both the original 1985 and 2014 versions of together on a 7" vinyl, now available in a stunning 'sparkling' gold variant. The track, a brilliant English adaptation from the city pop master Tatsuro Yamashita's For You album, is pure 1980s city pop with its shimmering production and infectious groove. Greenwood's newfound success with "Sparkle" has reignited their passion, leading to the release of their sophomore album, Music Book, which continues their exploration of city pop with more Tatsuro Yamashita covers. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the band, this single is a delightful piece of music history, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia and timeless charm.

Review: Dynamite Cuts continue in their mission to share jazz, funk and soul deep cuts with the world, this time pulling a timeless gilded funk rabbit out of their hats. Gregory James Edition took on the collective mantle of "Prophets Of Soul" at the moment of their 1973 debut, which would only then be followed by the 1979 record Gonna Grow Some Gold before an eventual disbandment. A shame, since 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Changing Things' stand out as the record's finest offcuts; the first track uses its various clavinets and Farfisa Combo organs to estrange an existingly capricious funk sound, rendering it rather odd, alien, spacious. 'Changing Things' contrasts with upswells of gushing piano set to a funk backbeat, which come yet measured by an admirable key change control, again held down by lead player Gregory Bibb.

Review: Guest's Guest Mini Edits Vol 5, released on Cuts, is a delightful fusion of funk and soul. Side-1 features 'Strange Games,' a smoothed-out funk instrumental that exudes magic. The track is elevated by big 1970s strings, adding a touch of disco flair while maintaining a slower BPM, making it uniquely great in itself. Side-2's 'Niagara Falls' offers a deep tribal groove, evoking the vibe of a 70s drama theme show, reminiscent of something you might hear on 'Starsky and Hutch' or 'Emergency!' This EP beautifully captures the essence of that era, making it something to check out for fans of vintage funk and soul.

Review: The enduring electronic musical gene sequence that was Virginia-born pianist and keys player Lonnie Liston Smith's spiritual funk-jazz opus, 'Expansions' from 1974, now hears another re-disco-scription by keyboardist Gail Johnson and her unstoppable band, Jazz In Pink. Renowned for her keytar uplifts and relentless live schedule, this is a rare 12" for the modern genius LA live musician. Her rendition of Smith's 'Expansions' both mellows and sharpens the mood in equal measure, providing a renewed euphony come euphoria. 'Glow' backs up the B-side with a sheeny original, with dramatic phrase stops and trademark peak-out pianos from Gail.

Review: The Shake & Bake Band's Shake & Bake is an undeniable invitation to hit the dancefloor. Side-1 kicks off with 'Shake & Bake (part 1),' where the band lays down a groove that's nothing short of exhilarating. The track stands out for its originality, offering a vibe that feels almost hedonisticiperfect for those looking to experience something fresh and exciting. On Side-2, 'Shake & Bake (part 2)' strips things down, bringing in a hoedown-like twist with the addition of a harmonica. The drumming intensifies, building excitement as the funkiness truly shines through in this version. Overall, Shake & Bake delivers two distinctive takes on a groove that will keep the energy high and the dancefloor moving.

Review: Shinbangumi is the third LP from multi-instrumentalist Lew, marks a significant evolution for the Southern California artist Ginger Root. Seamlessly blending 70s and 80s influences like Japanese City Pop, Philly Soul, and French Pop, Lew's sound is a sophisticated mix of synth-pop, alt-disco, boogie, and soul. Shinbangumi stands out not only for its musical strength but also for its conceptual narrative, continuing from the 2022 EP Nisemono. Tracks like 'No Problems' and 'Better Than Monday' exhibit Lew's knack for combining catchy melodies with clever production. 'There Was A Time' and 'All Night' highlight his ability to craft both introspective and dance-worthy tunes. 'Only You' delves into true City Pop, while 'Giddy Up' channels the quirky energy of The B-52s and Devo. 'Kaze,' recorded in Tokyo, adds a unique texture inspired by Yellow Magic Orchestra's Harry Hosono. Lew's dedication to his craft and his fans is more than evident here.