Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: This delightful 7" features a collaboration between two Star Creature veterans from Northern and Southern California who deliver a raw, uncut boogie track. The wonderful 'Girl Ur Freaky' is both breezy and laidback but irritably dance. The vocal harmonies are heart-melting, the wispy synths bring cosmic cool and the drums and squelchy bass sit together perfectly. The vocal version really is where it's at with this one but if you want it more subtle then the flip-side instrumental is the one for you.

Review: The remastered 7" reissue from Brazil 45s/Mr Bongo features two highly coveted tracks from Quinteto Ternura and their predecessor, Trio Ternura. This pressing revives two rare gems from the past with a fresh, high-quality cut. On Side-1, Quinteto Ternura delivers 'Baby,' a dazzling Brazilian modern soul track penned by Caetano Veloso and arranged by Arthur Verocai. Originally from their 1974 self-titled LP, this song is a smooth blend of tropical bliss and has long been a cherished rarity. Flipping to the Side-2, Trio Ternura's 'Filhos De Zambi' offers an upbeat samba-funk delight. Released in the same year, this track is filled with vibrant energy from the original trio, featuring a catchy chorus and a dynamic key change. Co-written by the siblings' father Umberto Silva and Jose Ribamar, it remains a dancefloor favorite. This reissue provides a valuable opportunity to own these classic tracks in their prime.

Review: After a pause since last March, Soul Flip Edits returns with a fresh new logo and a highly anticipated new Soul Flip outing on 7" vinyl. To mark this comeback, the much loved label has reimagined a classic: Sam & Dave's 'Soul Man' and they have givien it a punchy update that stays true to the original's vibe. On the B-side, they've reworked 'Now That We Found Love' by The O'Jays by adding a smooth touch that promises to keep dancers moving. Both tracks bring timeless soul energy with an enhanced twist so are two perfectly "flipped" soul anthems ready for the party.

Review: Steve Taylor is credited with just one single on Discogs, and this is it. It's as hot and infectious as his name is plain and it now gets reissued on 12" after first being put out back in 1986. 'Shine Down (Light Of The World)' has some big sultry trumpets, lovely synth basslines and a hip-swing grave that is part disco, part funk, part street soul. The vocals are buttery smooth and the production is very much of the time. A more crisp Menu remix appears on the flipside. A second-hand original will cost you somewhere in the region of 250 quid so do not sleep on this one.

Review: Some cynics say there's no romance *without* finance, but the one hit wondrous German funk and soulers Thirty Two Soul Band begged to differ. A formerly unreleased lowrider soul beauty from 1975, 'Finance Or Romance' was shelved for nearly half a century, but now it finally steps out of the vault and chooses love. Woozy horns collide with a plaintive groove that could've easily lit up any Eastside cruise: "what's it gonna be, what's it gonna be?". On the flip, 'Body Wave' also resurfaces for the first time since its scarce 7" run, a sultry midtempo cut, dusty fidelity intact.

Review: BGP's 33rpm 7" release features two sought-after cuts by Leon Thomas, both full-length versions that have become favorites among DJs. From his 1973 Flying Dutchman LP Full Circle, 'It's My Life I'm Fighting For' is a standout track featuring top New York session players like Pee Wee Ellis, Joe Farrell and Neal Creque. Clocking in at ten minutes, it's a funky jazz classic with an apocalyptic feel. The second track, 'Shape Your Mind To Die,' is a dramatic five-minute piece also penned by Thomas and Creque. Originally appearing on Thomas' Blues And The Soulful Truth album in 1972, this track is fueled by Pee Wee Ellis' amazing soprano saxophone.

Review: First released back in 1973, Flying Dutchman aver their grand standing on the parapet that is the New York jazz scene with a timely new reissue of Leon Thomas' 'Just In Time To See The Sun', which now appears with a different B-side counterpart. Shaker-uppers, these sonic sailers are! Where As 'Just In Time...' itself first surfaced as the B-side to a stirring album cut 'Never Let Me Go' - which also graced the pimpin' Tennessee blues-jazz musician's later record Full Circle - it now comes paired with the pentatonic skiffle 'China Doll'. FD's new curative duopoly on Thomas' bellowing sound flaunts the singer and musician's deep range, contrasting the styptic funk explosions of the titular Santana cover on the A with the shaker-laden Orientalist groove on the B.

Review: 'Warlock' is the latest release to be pushed via Bob Stanley's Measured Mile imprint, and pulls two floor-friendly but still retrospective gems from the storied De Wolfe music library, based in the UK and widely known as the progenitor and originator of what has now become known widely as library music. To demonstrate the gestation times common to this corner of the music industry, these two tracks have never been heard before, and yet were recorded in 1983! First comes Reg Tilsley with 'Warlock', a full yet light-winged flight through linns of flute, funk bass and notes inegales. Meanwhile, 'Flashpoint' by Roger Jackson is a space-age tittup of booming, long-tailed proportions; it's tempered by the nagging nip of a clavichord and the formidable frown of the lowest piano note.

Review: Transport's Move Your Body is a thrilling rediscovery from a once short-lived Portland outfit, featuring members from Ural Thomas' 1960s band. This eleven-piece disco-funk powerhouse recorded an album's worth of gems in 1978, but they remained buried for over four decades. The steady groove of the A-side captures their original essence, yet it's their dynamic rendition of 'Always There' that steals the showiarguably the finest cover of Ronnie Laws' classic to date.

Review: Famously featured on NY Style Vol. 46 by DJ Masaru, Tranzit's 'Necessary Love' is a rare boogie gem from the 1980s that deserves more shine - and will not get it with this reissue. Smooth and soulful to its core, it delivers a mid-tempo groove wrapped in dreamy chords, lush textures and heartfelt vocals. With its romantic message and mellow energy, it's perfect for slow dancing or late-night reflection and is more than just a love song. It captures the emotional essence of 80s modern soul, so if you love overlooked r&b treasures, 'Necessary Love' is a crucial pick up.

Review: The relaunch of the BRZ45s series brings back some of the most coveted Brazilian 45s, this time with a vibrant new design. This release features two standout tracks sure to captivate collectors and DJs alike. On Side-1, Trio Ternura's 'Vou Morar No Teu Sorriso' delivers an energetic blend of funk and soul, with powerful drums, dynamic breaks, and rich horns that drive the track forward. Originally from their 1971 self-titled LP, it's a perennial favorite in DJ sets, known for its infectious rhythm and big, soulful vocals. On Side-2, Eliana Pittman's 'Quem Vai Querer', a samba-funk gem from 1977. This track rolls out with a groovy samba beat, layered percussion and Eliana's captivating lead vocal, building beautifully into a catchy chorus, with the intensity of the drums amplifying as it progresses. Both tracks are perfect for the dancefloor, offering a taste of Brazil's rich musical heritage with a fresh, modern twist.

Review: Ebo Taylor, a towering figure in highlife and afrobeat, recorded his latest album during his debut US touria milestone that came at the remarkable age of 88. Teaming up with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Taylor crafted a psychedelic journey steeped in 70s-inspired rhythms. Tracks like 'Beye Bu, Beye Ba' and 'Kusi Na Sibo' reflect his spiritual depth and lyrical wisdom, exploring themes of gratitude and divine guidance. Recorded at Linear Labs, the album pulses with fuzzed-out guitars, polyrhythmic percussion, and Taylor's signature vocal style, standing as both a testament to his enduring brilliance and a crown jewel in the Jazz Is Dead series.