Babe Ruth - "The Mexican" (Mr Fantastic edit) (3:37)
Organised Konfusion - "Prisoners Of War" (4:35)
Review: Consistently on-point and expertly dug, Originals continue to join the dots with creativity. Here we rewind to 1973 for Babe Ruth's biggest cut "The Mexican". Its lolloping, rolling bassline and spacious drums have been sampled by many but Organised Konfusion's use is definitely one of the best. Needle down and listen as Prince Po and Pharoahe Monche lay down lucid 1991 flows with a serious political agenda that's still just as resonant today. Timeless on both sides.
Review: In 2011, Banda Achilifunk & OJO served up Gitano Real, one of the year's most essential albums. It was caned far and wide by funk lovers, in particular Craig Charles on his 6 Music show. Now, two cover versions taken from the essential album have been pressed to limited edition translucent yellow vinyl. First up, 'I Believe in Miracles' is an overwhelming take on the Jackson Sisters classic with plenty of happy Latin vibes and rumba funk rhythms. Flip it over for a more abstract version of McFadden and Whitehead's seminal 'Ain't No Stoping Us Now' which is a soulful disco number packed with sunshine.
Review: If we said 'a Latin funk cover of Michael Jackson's "Bad"' what would you say? If the answer is anything other than 'WTF? I need that in my life' we are officially worried about you. Who wouldn't want that? Not to let the cheeky b-side outshine the A, "Feelings" is a Banda Achilifunk original; rolling with a rhythm n' blues motif and some fly Spanish lyrics, it's feel good party joint with heaps of distinction.
Review: Second time around for Banda Achilifunk and Original Jazz Orquestra's sought-after 2011 cover of disco classic "I Believe in Miracles", original copies of which now change hands for serious sums online. The expansive Spanish crew's baggy, sun-kissed and rumba-soaked Latin disco cover of the Jackson Sisters' classic is perfectly pitched, adding layers of crunchy Clavinets and punchy horns to a sumptuously summery groove. Over on the flip we get two different takes on McFadden & Whitehead classic "Ain't No Stopping Us Now": a decidedly Balearic Spanish language cover ("No Nos Pararas"), and an instrumental cover full to bursting with superb grooves and even more scintillating horn solos.
Review: ,Joe Bataan has been busy in East L.A. with Orquesta Rene for this new Latin jazz double 7" courtesy of Steady Beat. It features four all new pieces drenched in soul and percussion, starting with 'So Fine' (feat Big Sandy), a mid tempo groove with vocal longing and languid horns. 'Mestizo' is a more steamy and intimate piece with sung-spoken lyrics and glowing, golden chords. 'Mom & Dad' (feat Claudia Lennear) has s steamy shuffle to its rhythms and classic Latin percussive sounds next to a call and response vocal and 'Time After Time' closes with a sentimental feel.
Review: Across two LPs and seven 7"s issued this week the Funky Chicken series looks to bring together some of the best dance music to have surfaced from Belgium throughout the early 1970s. Overall it's a compelling selection to work through, and where better to start than this inaugural seven which features tracks from Chakachas and Open Sky Unit. The label states virtually every music wave passed through Belgium in this period, and the two tracks here provide compelling evidence with "Stories" by Chakachas a perfect example of the long running group's mastery of Latin-tinged soul and funk. On the flip is the supple psyche funk of "Sunshine Star" by Open Sky Unit which has been something of a hidden compilation gem for a while (it featured on the ace Broad Casting comp by Karen P for Sonar Kollektiv a few years ago) and still sounds sublime.
Review: The nucleus of the dirrty south, and the birthplace of trap, Atlanta has more to offer than sleazy, grinding 808s. As proved by this fantastic dubby disco 7 from Smokecloud. Applejuice takes a well known Etta James sample (previously used by Pretty Lights and pilfered by Flo Rida) and massages it into a much smokier, trip-hop template while Osmose dubs out a vibrant Silver Convention string hook, drops the tempo and adds a whole bucket of low-end. Funky.
Review: Agogo Records put out some serious jazzed out funk this year and Hidden Jazz Quartet's EP was among its best to date. The title track "High Heels" features the voice of Omar and it's a blissful modern funk piece - exactly what we want to see! On the flip it's the Lack Of Afro remix, a irresistibly upbeat and feel-good bundle of piano chords and gentle lyrics.
J Blue - "I Can't Keep Crying Sometimes" (part 1) (3:25)
Original Gravity Allstars - "I Can't Keep Crying Sometimes" (part 2) (4:02)
Review: London imprint Original Gravity keeps the 7" heat coming with a two-part reimagining of the blues standard 'I Can't Keep From Crying Sometimes'. J Blue takes the A-side, laying down a smoky, melancholic vocal over a stripped-back hip-hop groove, bringing 60s soul pathos into sharp modern focus. It's the kind of cut that creeps up on you-restrained, ghostly, all mood. On the flip, the Original Gravity Allstars stretch things out dub-style with a Pt. 2 version, turning the track inside out into something moodier, heavier, and bass-led. Another strong entry in the label's ongoing campaign to bridge vintage sonics and contemporary pulse-perfect for deep selectors and collectors alike.
Review: Mr Bongo's Brazil 45s series is like catnip to all collectors of Latin music. It has turned out more than 85 editions that cover all forms of South American soul and funk. This time out it's a is sublime four-tracker from the much loved Brazilian pair of Luli Lucinha e O Bando. It first saw the light of day in 1972 but has long since been lost to the public. Aspects of psychedelic rock, MPB and folk are all stirred dup with the tunes being held together by Luli and Lucinha's vocals. The EP is packed with magic and musical brilliance and also features Brazilian percussionist Alyrio Lima, who was a member of the iconic Weather Report in later years.
Review: The charming 'Xango' by Magalhaes from his 1986 album E Sua Guitarra on Gravasom Records is an electrifying Lambada track with haunting vocals and infectious energy that now gets reissued as part of the superb series from Mr Bongo. It is a guaranteed dancefloor rescuer for DJs worldwide and has in fact been building momentum in recent years. It remains a favourite for its driving rhythm and captivating intensity and on the B-side is 'Lambada Pauleira' by Os Panteras, which was released in 1987 on Gravasom. Known for Joutro Mundo's popular re-edit, this original version stands out with its quirky charm and undeniable appeal and is a staple for renowned Brazilian DJs, including Augusto Olivani (aka Trepanado).
Review: The previous instalment in Mr Bongo's ongoing Brazil 45s series offered up two sought-after cuts from Di Melo's 1975 self-titled debut album. This volume takes a slightly different approach, instead delivering killer cuts from two different artists, both of whom hail from the North of Brazil. On side A you'll find Magalhaes' 1986 gem 'Xangos', a cheery and energetic Lambada workout rich in jangling guitars, shuffling percussion, ear-catching vocals and restless bass. On the reverse Os Panteros takes over with 1987 jam 'Lambada Pauleira', a quirky chunk of Lambada full of fuzzy synths, infectious percussion and lo-fi guitar licks. The cut was famously re-edited some time back by Joutro Mondo, though this original version is - in our opinion - far superior.
Review: French label Act Of Sedition returns this week with another splendid 7' double pack. A1 is Mikeandtess with a nice edit titled 'Preacher Man' that's seriously Dusty and slo-mo as you like it, while Oldchap's 'Big At The Jazz Club' chugs along just as slowly with its locomotive and jazzy groove with rap vocals. Over on the second disc, Bully Boy gets the late night boogie-down vibes in effect on 'Central Train' followed by Vibes4yoursoul with the sunny and low slung goodness of 'Delicious'.
Review: Mukatsuku has got another little treasure on its hands here with a tune from MBE and UK Soul legend Omar. It dates back to 2004 and has never been on 7" before having become something of a classic after original release on 12". Dons like Gilles Peterson and IG Culture were early supporters of the driving, peak time broken beat sound and the tune was often a highpoint of Omar's live sets. It has never been released as an instrumental either - until now. Both tunes now together on one 45 make for an essential cop for soul fans and, as always, there is strictly no repress on this one so move fast.
Turn It Up (Exclusive unreleased instrumental) (4:04)
Review: The latest storming 45 from Mukatsuku is a vocal version fronted by Tyra Hammond & is classic textbook explosive femme funk with brass stabs galore and twangy southern styled guitar.On the flipside an exclusive never heard before instrumental unleashes breaks heavy b boy drums and enough melody to carry on its own merit compacted into a loud cut funky dinked 45. Juno copies come in an exclusive sleeve only available to Juno customers...As played by DJ Koco,Skeme Richards,Smoove,Charlie Dark & DJ Moneyshot from The Allergies,
Turn It Up! (Exclusive unreleased instrumental) (4:04)
Review: London funk outfit Mukatsuku are among our prime go-tos whenever we're in need of anything with a Latin edge. 'Turn It Up!' is the latest from one of the most eminent bands in their roster Opensouls: the track is a monster of a downtempo funker that leans largely into its instrumental, but features a sprinkling of euphoric vocal from the band's singing mainstay Tyra Hammond. Packed to the brim with crashing fills, bright brasses and lollicking bass licks, this is a prime set-opener and summer soundtracker.
Review: "Mundafunka", by O Cravo and Fabiola, has support from Spiritual South, Toshio Matsuura, Eddy Ramich (Croatia), John Armstrong, Dom Servini, Michael Rutten, Patrick Forge, Mike Chadwick, Askew, Kev Beedle and Bruce Q.
Review: Classic soul band The Moments serve up a couple more gems for this red hot series on Dynamite Cuts. First is a steamy, seductive, sexy version of the Lee Forsey classic 'Ride Your Pony'. The gentle drums, the swinging synths and the sting sounds are all topped with butter-smooth vocals. On the back side is something just as majestic and heart warming - 'Sugar Sugar' is a real singalong gem with nice sax stabs, freaky synth bass that never stops squelching and just good vibes that you never want to end.
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