Back in stock: Funk/Reissues

Review: American r&b and jazz fusion singer, arranger, musician, composer and conductor Dexter Wansel made an indelible impression with his debut album back in 1976, Life On Mars set a new standard for fusion sounds while also serving up what is still considered a space-funk classic. More than that, though, the album which was inspired by David Bowie's Life On Mars also has the seminal 'Theme From The Planets' on it - the drum beat from which is often said to be one of the foundational beats for the hip-hop scene that emerged soon after. As such it's not a shock to know that the record has been sampled endlessly by greats like Drake, Ice Club, Lil Wayne and Kanye. Stick this one on and prepare to be wowed all over again by Wansel's masterful use of his ARP 2600 synthesizer.