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Bugz In The Attic: Back In The Dog House [V2]
After years of production and remix work the nine strong collective finally deliver their debut album. As you would expect it’s largely a broken affair and features a whole host of guest artists such as Bembe Segue, Sharlene Hector, Vanessa Freeman, Michelle Escoffery, Yolanda Quartey, Alex Lattimore, Izzi Dunn, I.G. Culture, Colonel Red and Mark de Clive-Lowe. The singles ‘Booty La La’ and ‘Sounds Like / Once Twice’ are present along with the monster ‘Redhanded’ with Bembe and Don Ricardo on vocals. The vocal hook, "I caught ya you stupid motha f**ka" is absolutely devastating. Other highlights include the Vula fronted ‘It Don’t Work Like That’ and ‘Consequences’ both of which have an 80s boogie flavour, the P-Funk influenced ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’, ‘Happy Days’ and the conscious message of ‘Worla Hurt’.
Various Artists: Spain Is Different Volume 2 [Hitop Records]
Hitop bring together a selection of ten recent Spanish nu jazz cuts for the second instalment of ‘Spain Is Different’, including ‘En La Calle, On The Street’ by Gecko Turner, Mojo Project’s ‘Nana For Child’ (instrumental) and ‘Cabo Verde Strut’ (Wagon Cookin Mix) from Casbah 73. Better though are Pablo Sanchez’s ‘Umba’ where afro-beat meets broken-beat, the bright and breezy ‘Summertime’ by Soul Dynamics featuring Wanda Felicia and JP Duet’s ‘Charanga Pa Gozar’, a more traditional Latin offering.
Various Artists: Fantastic Freeriding [The Next Chapter] [Switchstance Recordings]
Out of Moers, Germany comes the third in the compilation series ‘Fantastic Freeriding’ which showcases music from Kabanjak, Protassov, Deela, Subrok Mission and Ancient Astronauts. The beats are heavy throughout with touches of soul, funk, hip-hop, dub and electronica all thrown in along the way. The set’s opener, ‘The Rain’ and ‘Night People’, both from Kabanjak along with Ancient Astronauts’ ‘Until The Stars Go Out’ all beautiful atmospheric outings but also check out the funky fusion sound of ‘Makulu’ by Deela. This one could go massive if given the right exposure.
Various Artists: Republicafrobeat Vol. 2 [Love Monk]
Compiled by DJ Floro, ‘Republicafrobeat Vol. 2’ further explores the sound of modern Afro-beat. From it’s West African roots this music has truly spread worldwide particularly during the past decade and this disc draws together fine examples from Spain, France, US, UK and of course the motherland. ‘Elephants’ by Karl Denson & Tiny Universe featuring Fred Wesley, Raw Deal’s ‘Afro Rainbow’, the Hi-Perspective Remix of Franck Biyong’s ‘Power Brain’ featuring Wunmi and Bukky Leo’s take on Timmy Thomas’ ‘Why Can’t We Live Together’ all hit the spot. Al Green is not a name you would normally associate with Afro-beat, but the rare 1989 Bwana Mix of his 1975 cut ‘Love Ritual’ works perfectly. This album is worth the purchase price for this track alone.
Various Artists: Groove On Down 2 [Soul Brother Records]
More boogie business this month from Soul Brother and their 2nd volume of ‘Groove On Down’. Classics of the genre are present and correct; Cheryl Lynn’s ‘Got To Be Real’, the Larry Levan remix of ‘Seventh Heaven’ by Gwen Guthrie and Carol Williams’ ‘Can’t Get Away (From Your Love)’ which was recently covered by Only Freak on Freerange Records. Also included are Brooklyn Express’ version of Eddie Kendricks’ ‘You Need A Change Of Mind’ and ‘Help Is On The Way’ by The Whatnauts which Fat Larry’s Band lifted the groove from for their ‘Act Like You Know’ a year later (1982). The real winners here though are Mandrill’s intoxicating ‘Stay Tonite’, ‘Bizzaar’ by Rhyze which has more than a hint of the Spinners’ ‘Ill Be Around’ and the super slick production of ‘Our Hearts Will Always Shine’ from Ozone.
Various Artists: Boogie Times presents The Great Collectors Vol. 3 [Boogie Times]
This latest edition of ‘The Great Collectors’ features a further 12 early to mid 80s independent boogie cuts. As is often the case with tracks from this period, not all of the productions have stood the test of time. However there are some real gems contained within, such as the gospel flavoured ‘Lovelight’ by Love Light, Eddie Cornelius’ ‘Release Yourself’ plus Gift Of Dreams’ ‘Better Day’ and ‘Hold On For Love’ from Sho Nuff, both of which have been on my wants list for some time. Takes me back to the good old days of curly perms and formation dancing!
Various Artists: The Soul Of Disco Vol. 2 [Z Records]
Joey Negro and Sean P are back with another selection of disco delights. The sleeve notes estimate that to buy the originals featured here would set you back over £2000! With the likes of the northern soul favourite ‘How Can I Tell Her’ by Curtis Anderson, Sparkle’s funky New York styled ‘Let Yourself Go’, the awesome ‘Can I Take You Home’ by Mel Shepperd and Sabatta’s George Kerr produced ‘Man For My Lady’ you know this is the real deal. As if that wasn’t enough you also get the remixed version ‘Movin On’ from GD & The Big J, here credited as ‘Summer Groove’ by The Joneses, Charles Mann’s ‘Sho Nuff No Funny Stuff Love’ and a great version of David Bendeth’s ‘Feel The Real’ by Adrenalin. The standouts for me though are the killer groove of ‘We Had Enough’ from Arnie & The Lovlettes and Vance & Suzzanne’s ‘I Can’t Get Along Without You’ as sampled on the house track ‘Eyes Of Love’ by Brother Of Soul (Guidance 2000).
Various Artists: Early Morning Hush [Castle Music]
‘Early Morning Hush’ continues where ‘Gather In The Mushrooms’ left off and further explores the music of the British acid-folk scene of the late 60s, early 70s. Simple but beautifully crafted songs such as the string laced ‘Peacock Lady’ from Shelagh McDonald, Pentangle’s ‘Sovay’, ‘Sheep Season’ by Mellow Candle and John Renbourn’s ‘The Cuckoo’ featuring some wonderful sitar work, all standout. I’m currently hooked on Keith Christmas’ ‘Forest And The Shore’ though, an orchestrated folk-funk trip with haunting yet alluring backing harmonies.
Various Artists: You Better Believe It! Vol.2 [Rhino Records]
Compiled by Richard Searling, the 2nd instalment of ‘You Better Believe It’ features 23 (22 on vinyl) rare and modern soul gems from the vaults of Atlantic, ATCO, Cotillion, Reprise and Warner Bros. 1967-1979. It opens in fine style with Al Hudson & The Soul Partners’ up-tempo ‘I’m About Loving You’, before moving through to Darrow Fletcher’s version of ‘Rising Cost Of Love’, Johnny Bristol’s ‘Strangers In Dark Corners’ and ‘You’re All I Need In This World’ from Prince Phillip Mitchell. The Chicago soul sound is represented by Frankie Newsome’s ‘We’re On Our Way’ and Windy City’s ‘Hey It’s Over’ which are both pure class. Other standouts include the haunting ‘Signed, Miss Heroin’ by the legendary Sam Dees, presented here with an alternative mix, the heart wrencher ‘I Want Sunday Back Again’ from Bettye Swann, and Betty Lavette’s ‘Waiting For Tomorrow’, both of which are previously unreleased recordings. Further evidence, should you need it, of why after all these years Searling is still held in such high regard on the soul scene.
The Prime Element: Alborada [Kindred Spirits]
Kindred Spirits launch their new imprint, Free Spirits Series, in fine style with this much sought after rarity. ‘Alborada’ was originally released on Trova Records in 1976 by The Prime Element, a band formed by Argentinian musician / composer / arranger, Carlos Franzetti shortly after his move from Buenos Aires to New York. It fuses spiritual and modal jazz with soul and a heavy dose of Latin, to take us on a truly satisfying musical journey, with delights such as ‘Southamelodic’, ‘In The Dawn Of Time’, ‘The Prime Element’ and ‘Lola’. One not to be missed!