Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: Given that Gilles Peterson and Stuart Baker's Cuba: Music and Revolution - Culture Clash in Havana is one of the standout compilations of 2021, hopes are naturally sky-high for this speedy sequel. Like its predecessor, volume 2 focuses on music and made and released on the Caribbean island between 1975 and '85, this time round largely focusing on rare fusions of salsa, Latin jazz, disco, soul and funk, mostly licensed from records that have never been available outside Cuba. It's another stunning selection all told, with highlights including the heady Cuban disco/salsa fusion of Orquesta Los Van Van, the fiery disco-funk of FA 5, the heavily percussive hedonism of Luis Carobonell and the fuzzy psychedelic rock of Grupo De Experimentacion Sonora Del ICAIC. In a word: essential.

Review: The expansive box set celebrating The Salsoul Orchestra's groundbreaking albums, meticulously curated and remastered, is a must-have for any disco aficionado. Boasting 103 tracks across six albums, including collaborations with icons like Carol Williams and Charo, it encapsulates the essence of the legendary Salsoul sound. Led by Vincent Montana Jr, the orchestra delivers floorfillers like 'Salsoul Hustle,' 'Magic Bird of Fire,' and 'Run Away' featuring Loleatta Holloway, showcasing the signature Philly soul sound with vibrant brass, infectious rhythms and lush strings. The inclusion of rare tracks from The Salsoul Strings and remixes by esteemed producers adds depth and variety to the collection, ensuring there's something for every disco lover. The deluxe booklet, featuring comprehensive notes by Joe Marchese, provides valuable insights into the albums and the era, making it a treasure trove of musical history. With its stellar lineup of musicians and timeless grooves, this box set truly embodies the spirit of Salsoul and proves once again that disco is indeed good for the soul.

Review: Satellites' self-titled 2020 debut album won plenty of plaudits, with critics the world over hailing the Tel Aviv-based band's blend of vintage, Turkish style psychedelic folk-rock and dancefloor adjacent grooves indebted to funk, soul and disco. Aylar, the six-piece's belated sequel, continues in this vein, with the band arguably being bolder with their musical choices. For proof, check the cosmic strut of opener 'Tisaldi Mehmet Elmi', a psych-funk transformation of a traditional Turkish folk song, the low-slung grooves and sweet retro-organ melodies of 'Midnight Sweat', the gritty, thrusting and hallucinatory 'Yok Yok' and the future dancefloor anthem that is psychedelic Turkish disco gem 'Zuluf Dokolmus Yuze'.

Review: Famously, Shadow's Sweet Sweet Dreams album was panned by critics when it first appeared way back in 1984. In the years since, it has attained cult status, with collectors of Trinidadian music particularly enjoying its curious blend of bustling boogie electronics, Soca rhythms, traditional instrumentation and sassy disco-pop style. As this tasty reissue proves, the album has lost none of its lustre over the last 30 years. Put simply, it still sounds ahead of its time, with intergalactic dancefloor workouts such as "Let's Make It Up" (with its "we're gonna have a party" refrain) and "Way Way Out" resonating particularly loudly.

Review: Steel pan, disco and dub from the 1970s in Steel An' Skin's 'Reggae Is Here Once Again'. Yet another lost gem from EM. Ultra-postive consciousness from Afro-Caribbean London, circa 1979. Members of the legendary 20th Century Steel Band (one of Grand Master Flash's favourites) sailing Trinidad-wise over gratifyingly intricate African ritual rhythms. Strong vocals compliment reggae, funk, disco and soul influences to form a relentless groove machine. Steel 'n' Skin, a unit composed of young nightclub musicians born in Ghana, Nigeria, St. Kitts, Trinidad and the U.K., who once performed with Ginger Johnson's Afrikan Drummers, a highlife band under the tutelage of the late Ginger Johnson and played at Johnson's Iroko Country Club in Hampstead, London. Steel 'n' Skin began performed concerts and workshops in London schools, expanding nationwide to schools, prisons, psychiatric hospitals and summer festivals, including the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival. The group combined a mix of musical forms with community outreach, non-cynical and untainted by preachiness or "social work." Good feelings from good hearts. This EM reissue consists of Steel 'n' Skin's 1979 debut 12 inch single "Reggae Is Here Once Again", featuring "Afro Punk Reggae (Dub)", a fine disco-dub workout, plus 2 tracks from their 1984 LP ACID RAIN as well as one un-issued track. Also included is documentary DVD by Steve Shaw featuring commentary from Steel 'n' Skin's founder Peter Blackman, killer live and rehearsal footage of the band, workshop scenes (check out the 1970s suits and parkas!) and devastating views of inner-city Liverpool. Steel 'n' Skin soars above the 1970s ruins.

Review: At the tail end of the '80s, Sylvia Striplin quit Norman Connors' jazz-funk group Aquarian Dream in order to pursue a solo career. Joining forces with producers James Bedford and Roy Ayers, she recorded 1981 debut album "Give Me Your Love", a well regarded but largely overlooked set that has since become a sought-after item amongst soul collectors. This Expansion reissue presents the album on CD for the first time in two decades. As with many soul albums of the period, it sashays between jazz-funk, boogie and heartfelt slow jams, contrasting memorable dancefloor workouts (see stone cold classic "Give Me Your Love" and a stellar cover of Roy Ayers favourite "Searchin") with more saccharine, loved-up fare. This edition also boasts a couple of bonus cuts, including the superb 7" mix of "Give Me Your Love".

Review: Sylvester's Live At The Opera House is a monumental release capturing a pivotal moment in his career, celebrated with unrivalled splendour. Recorded in 1979 at San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House, this first-ever complete release of the concert showcases Sylvester's commanding stage presence and profound musicality. Backed by a 26-piece orchestra, the performance unfolds over 13 unedited tracks, including the mid-show ceremony where he received the key to San Francisco, a poignant tribute during a tumultuous time for the city's LGBTQ+ community. From the electrifying opener to his iconic hits like 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' and 'Dance (Disco Heat),' Sylvester delivers a transcendent blend of disco, soul, and pop, amplified by the impassioned vocals of Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead, known as Two Tons o' Fun. The setlist spans from soulful ballads to exhilarating dance anthems, each moment infused with Sylvester's signature blend of glamour and vulnerability. Joshua Gamson's liner notes enrich the experience, offering historical context and personal insights into Sylvester's legacy. Whether revisiting classics or discovering unreleased gems, Live At The Opera House is glimpse into Sylvester's enduring artistry and cultural significance, marking a definitive chapter in the history of disco and LGBTQ+ music.