Africa Seven Records presents volume two of their Africa Airways compilation, featuring 9 pure african funk tracks.
Continue reading “VA – Africa Airways Two: Funk Departures 1973-1982 [ASVN010]”
funk
Japan Blues – Stoned Bird [BH023]
Given the undoubted quality of Howard Williams’ first release for Berceuse Heroique under the Japan Blues moniker – the superb Brasserie Heroique Edits Volume 2 – you’d expect this second 12″ for Kemal’s imprint to be equally inspired. It is, of course, with Williams’ digging deep in his near bottomless crates of obscure Japanese releases for inspiration. He begins with “Spurned My Colour”, a delightfully jaunty and cheery fusion of chiming synthesizer melodies, broken electro drums and sampled vocal stabs. He goes dense and tribal on “Stoned Bird”, brilliantly cutting up, manipulating and rearranging a killer, African-inspired percussion track. As for closer “Beak”, it expertly joins the dots between wonky, undulating live percussion and the weighty pulse of contemporary techno, via some thrilling backwards drum hits.
La Mecánica Popular – Noche Triler [NYCT7023]
La Mecánica Popular takes to the night for a much anticipated follow-up to their critically acclaimed, self-titled album. This special edition single features a natural modification of their signature psychedelic style – a time capsule of 1970s Afro-Peruvian roots gone American Rock & Soul. Noche Triler (Thriller) takes the form of an uptempo instrumental stunner, a unique combination of styles from guaracha and cumbión, and a refreshingly thrilling flip of Michael Jackson’s iconic masterpiece. Already a staple in the band’s live performances, Mótame En La Tormenta (Riders On The Storm) transforms the Doors’ cowboy-jazz road saga into a brilliantly versioned Amazonian cumbia, a beautifully dark and shadowy trip into the heart of la selva.
Moon B – Measure Pleasure [PULP005]
The title track ”Measure Pleasure” has that buldging funk bass lying underneath some spacey pads and a great rhythm track. Golden Ivy’s version of the title track is emphasizing on the rhythm even more by adding bursting FX and obese kickdrums. Moon B’s Nada Clouds (A3) is a positive yet exotic journey which should be excellent for summer gig’s on rooftops anywhere in the world. For the B1 Moon B continues with the percussion laden ”PV Hills”, this bit has those signature chord switches and vibe changes, that are creating a very melancholic atmosphere throughout. British master of all things melodic ”Fudge Fingas” flips the original completely, making it more streamlined with just a hint more power.
A Band Called Flash – Mother Confessor [FVW002]
Some proper jazz funk here. Ron Trent executive produced EP that reminds of bands like Atmosfear. Inspired by the Jazz Funk elements of UK outfit Atmosfear and the alternative Disco sounds of Dinosaur L, presented here on this EP are five tracks that embrace the energy of live dance music. Reminiscent of the early 80s Boogie sound, A Band Called Flash will surely capture the attention of the more eclectic, global dance floor.
Throwback Zack – Sexual Satisfaction [SC7004]
Throwback Zack drops this new 7″ on label Star Creature featuring 2 original, unreleased coast-neutral g’d out boogie heaters. A-side is a spaced-out floor filler in his signature vocoder style b/w “Coolin’ Out” a mellowed out cut.
ORS aka Orlando Riva Sound – Body To Body Boogie [SG303]
Another huge seminal release from Salsoul. Contains the original Bobby “DJ” Guttadaro and Tom Moulton exnteded 12″ remixes of these fully fledged disco nuggets.
VA – Wet Play: Where Good Friends Meet #3 [RL017]
Red Laser’s Wet Play trilogy concludes with four of the juiciest disco treats of the series; “Streetboxx” is a sopping wet electro boogie jam that wriggles so hard its speedos pretty much fall off half way through. “Your Sunshine” splashes down in the early 80s with processed vocals, lounge chords and synth-toms that spurt so hard we should really sell towels with this EP. “Xanthan Gum” dives deep into an Ame-style tech pool while “Another Life” whips up a tsunami of nostalgia thanks to a well known arpeggio and a bassline that’s soaking in boogie feels and refuses to shake itself dry.
Doc Severinsen – DJ Harvey 12″ Cuts [PBRC1501]
”Back in 2009, DJ Harvey came knockin’ at PBRC HQ to deliver a special project he had in mind. Having a long and healthy relationship with the dudes at Pacific Beach, Harv essentially produced a couple of edits that could’ve well been next in line on his revered Black Cock label. Eventually released in 2010, the 12” cuts caused a stir as some will recall. Doc Severinsen is an accomplished American jazz/pop trumpet player, and as a band leader gained considerable notoriety on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Like most musicians in the 70’s, Doc took his shot at the disco and funk sounds of the time, gathered stellar musicians, and released impeccably sounding works. Two of these cuts, ‘Be With You’ and ‘Shine On Me’ are featured on this release. Harvey’s unfailing magic touch has yielded two DJ-friendly edits with a lot of punch and galactic energy, yet with a velvet undertone. Staying true to the mission, the label took great care throughout the production process in order to preserve the quality of the original recordings. Proprietary equipment was created to transfer the original cuts from the source. The mastering was conducted at Bernie Grundman in Hollywood, CA, known for its work on the greatest albums of all time, such as Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’. The 2015 edition is noticeably different on the exterior. The cover art, having been designed by Harvey back in 2009 for the original release, commands attention. At the time, however, the prevailing design had been already put into play leaving these amazing creative elements put aside for a later time – and so here we are.”
Tim Deluxe – Love Is [SRNYC018]
Dropping ahead of the release of Tim Deluxe’s new studio LP The Radicle, ‘Love Is’ is the next single taken from the album, presented here in its original form as well as an additional dub version. A jazz-fueled, bluesy masterpiece with a heart wrenching vocal , sublime live instrumentation and incredible production values.
Moton Records Inc. – Sister To Sister [MTN7003]
The fine folks at Moton, that’ll be Diesel and Jarvis, hook us up with something a little special this summer, slimming their usual 12″ format down into superb colored 7’s of edit delights. A-side cut “Sister To Sister” does its thang with plenty of soul and sass, blowing our minds with far out funk, and full on frequencies. Last but not least, Diesel and Jarvis go beachcombing with the blue eyed boogie of “We Are The Sunset”, a jazzed out, funked up cut ripe for early hours or end of night play.
VA – Highlife World Series (Uganda) [HGHLFWS003]
Esa returns with the final instalment for this Highlife World Series which included previous releases Cuba and Kenya. Having been invited to attend the East Africa music conference DoaDoa in Jinja, Uganda back in 2014 and again in 2015, Esa shares the sounds of a new breed of talent and ideas emerging from East Africa and beyond, showcases music not only from Uganda but artist from Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa who all attended the conference.
Bufiman – Altere Sachen EP [FAS008]
Disco and funk injected house release that will see new light through the nice Fasaan imprint. Released with the spiritual and physical approval of Dusseldorf – Malmo Love Association (DMLA).
G-Machine – Primo Contatto [BAP044]
Turning back the clock, before fast forwarding it, comes Giovanni Damico as G-Machine. A new virtuoso of space boogie. Buckle up, destination: Primo Contatto. Across eight tracks the Italian astronaut traverses the sounds of the cosmos. Warbling reverberations introduce “Flying Objects”, with thick bands of synthesizer throbbing in its veins. The ultra slick “Contact” follows. Electrofunk bars float beneath stratospheric synth. Styles co-mingle. Patrick Cowley melts with Afrika Bambaataa. Disco Magic meets Tommy Boy. An overarching groove permeates the album, a heady funk that courses through tracks like “Body on the Ground” and “Transmission”. The moon based mirrorball sounds flex and flow, “It’s A Shame” cutting floors with sleek vocoders and addictive analogue riches. If you’re waiting for re-entry think again, there is no return ticket. G-Machine will only be taking passengers further and further on his cosmic odyssey with tracks like “In My Arms” and “Boogie Down”. Buck Rogers in the 25th century breakdowns and rollerskate goodness from needle drop to the run-out.
DMX Krew – Abstract Forms Synth Funk Vol. 2 – Dogg Fungk [SYFUNK002]
DMX Krew continues to shine on Abstract Forms new Synth Funk offshoot. Like the first EP ‘Electro Worm’, ‘Dogg Fungk’ features more old school flavours and for Volume 2 Ed gets busy with some killer synth-driven Jazz and Funk grooves.
Napoleon Cherry – When You Had The Chance [PPU068]
N.C.M. is the independent production company/label Napoleon Cherry has been working under since the late 80s with releases as Cool Waters and Station To Station. ”When You Had The Chance” is from an unreleased slo-jam session from a few years back.
King Sporty & The Root Rockers – Fire Keep On Burning [K100003]
Pure badness all over this 1979 Jamaican Disco-Funk odyssey. King Sporty should be no stranger to those of you with a keen ear for esoteric underground Disco sounds, his tracks have been getting serious play by top shelf, discerning jocks since the 1970’s & his Konduko label has dropped many a left-field bomb on unsuspecting dance floors. “Fire Keep On Burning” is one such bomb, an LP crammed full of unstoppable stripped back island sounds, too many killer cuts to mention but just check out the OG version of “get on down” for starters. An essential & extremely rare record & one that deserves a spot in any self respecting Disco lovers collection. %100 heat on here, party jams from start to finish.
Ric Piccolo – Austral Works 3 [BAP048]
Albion – Albion [RSR009]
Albion is back with a 6 track EP of delightful cosmotropical disco edits. In true Rotating Souls tradition only the freshest cuts make it to the table. Bursting out the A1 like a chrome clad sapce pimp, “Veni Vidi Voodoo” blasts psychedelic synths all over the shop before exploding into a crazy cosmic disco funk number. Somewhere between an obscure 1970s italian space opera and a sleazy blaxploitation jam. Next up, “Turning On” sees the vocoder in full effect as Albion turns out a percussive Italo disco chugger perfect for the pitch black warehouse. A3 ‘Mind Confusion’: outdoorsy psychedelic festival synth disco sounds. As we saunter over to the B-side, “Nightliner” gets properly cosmic with some totally galactic jazz-funk leanings. If you need some funky guitars, moog melodies, sweet strings, and tropical sounds in your set, throw this one on. “Shangri La” beams us down from the stars to the sun and fun of Miami thanks to a true electro disco stomp. Rocking Balearo-Beach style guitars and funky synth solos, this is undoubtedly one for the synth funk freaks. Last but not least, “All We Need Is Each Other” is a catchy vocal number which seems to blend the infectious guitar part from Barrabas’ “Woman” with another breezy Euro-pop gem for all out Balearic dancefloor destruction.
Tala A.M. – Arabica [ARTREC002]
Andre-Marie Tala is one of the father figures of African music. Born in the western Provence of Bandjoun, Cameroon, his early years were plagued with tragedy. He lost his mother at 4, his father at 12 and then when on to lose his sight 15. Thankfully, the love of music stayed with him throughout his career and with the help of Manu Dibango he made his first recordings in 1972 and had two hits in Cameroon with Sikati and Potaksima. He created a group, the Rock Boys, later the Black Tigers, with Sam Fan Thomas as guitarist. At this time, Africa was immersed in music from overseas and many American acts toured all over Africa. Whilst touring Cameroon, Tala handed James Brown a demo of his song ”Hot Koki”. Seemingly, the Godfather liked it a lot, he actually re-recorded it and released it as his own song, entitled ‘Hustle’. In doing so, he took all credit for composing, which meant Tala had to sue Brown and luckily he won the case! We had so many great LP’s to choose from Tala but we decided to start with ‘Arabica’ where we find Tala in experimental mode. We hit the ground running with the lead track ‘Arabica’, disco drums, phased guitar licks and sweet soulful backing vocals, what’s not to like? ‘Black Gold’ takes the same path as laid out on ‘Arabica’ but we see the introduction of the Moog Synthesizer and the funky Rhodes Piano. ‘Sugar Lump’ is once again up-tempo and has bassline to get your body moving in the right direction. ‘I know what you want’ has a more traditional song approach Tala simply asks his love interest ‘not to let him down’. ‘Soweto’ is a Balearic DJ classic! Beautiful layers of guitar and flute ease you through this one. Soweto was a troubled place and high on the thoughts on African people around this time, this song reflects that. We end with ’20 ans’ a more tradition song with some Hammond organ and super sweet guitar playing from Tala once again. This record demands a high fee for obvious reasons so don’t miss your chance to own this official reissue which has been made with love.
The Hipodrome Of Music 