Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: Chris Bangs' varied and eclectic musical journey is a key reason he was chosen to curate a compilation for Ace. With a background ranging from space rock with The Mighty Om to DJ residencies across London, Bangs' career spans numerous genres, from jazz, funk, to soul. Bangs' DJ sets and parties - in such time-honoured venues as Special Branch in Brentford, London - were seminal in the evolution of the acid jazz genre alongside Gilles Peterson, where "acid jazz was never meant to be more than a pisstake". His foray into production, such as the proto-acid jazz classic 'Psychedelic Jack' with Peterson on vocals, cemented his legacy, but it's curation highlights such as this that really get our gears going. Hold tight as we scour early acid jazz brilliants from Gunky to Vera Cruz to Brazilian Skies to Jubilation.

Review: This Is Retro Soul 1969-1979 offers a vivid journey through the golden age of soul, spanning from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. Featuring a carefully curated selection of tracks, the album highlights the creativity and innovation of artists like Isaac Hayes, Millie Jackson and cult figures like George Jackson and Darrow Fletcher. From the deep emotion of ballads to infectious dance grooves, each track offers a fresh experience for both longtime soul fans and those new to the genre. Songs like Millie Jackson and Isaac Hayes' duet 'Sweet Music, Soft Lights And You' and George Jackson's 'Love Highjacker' evoke the elegance and passion of the era. Meanwhile, rarer gems like Cesar's 'See Saw Affair' and Ty Karim's 'Lightin' Up' reveal the depth of the soul scene's more obscure talents. The diversity of this collection, blending funk, r&b, gospel and jazz influences, creates a lively and sophisticated atmosphere. This Is Retro Soul is more than a trip down memory laneiit's a timeless reminder of the depth and brilliance of soul's most innovative period, inviting listeners to rediscover this iconic music anew.

Review: This Is The Breaks is a 12-track journey through the history of influential breaks in jazz, funk and soul. Each track featured has not only shaped the golden age of sampling but continues to be used by contemporary artists. The album opens with Millie Jackson's 1974 version of 'If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want To Be Right', famously sampled in 2023 by NLE Choppa. It also includes Debbie Taylor's soulful 'Let's Prove Them Wrong', used by JID in 2021. The collection highlights the enduring appeal of atmospheric tracks like Little Ann's 'Deep Shadows', which has been sampled by Grand Puba, Loyle Carner, and others. DJ Premier's masterful use of Joe Simon's 'Drowning In The Sea Of Love' for Gang Starr's 1997 hit 'You Know My Steez showcases his unparalleled production skills. Classic breaks like Lowell Fulsom's 'Tramp' and Fatback Band's 'Gotta Learn How To Dance' add to the album's richness, alongside iconic cuts from Bernard Purdie and Lonnie Liston Smith. These original songs continue to inspire, making This Is The Breaks a timeless celebration of musical innovation.