Category Archives: Reviews

As I was listening to “Trunk Fulla Funk” I was left wondering what size trunk Athony Smith is actually referring to. Certainly there are moments when Anthony Smith and his band are grooving but its never enough to hold your interest. “That What It Do” is a nice midtempo cut and “Marching Orders” is easily the best track on the disc. The band really tears into this one and Anthony Smith provides impassioned Rhodes work. However tracks like “Funk Out With Your Junk Out” and “You got Mopped” were uninspiring at best. Most of the selections here feel more like pop tunes and are simply lacking that groove to make you move. This is certainly worth listening to but I can’t promise that you’ll want to keep listening after that.

Reg Dancy

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Hailing from Germany, DJ/Producer Sepalot showcases a global presence on his third release “Red Handed”. Sepalot creates a hip hop album that provides plenty of funk, a slew of talented vocalists, a dose of electronica and much more. “She Likes Me” is a definite party banger that features Detroit’s Frank Nitti of Frank n Dank. Rapper Blu is enlisted for the irresistibly funky “Surrender”. Fellow German native Esther Adams, who has worked with Sepalot on her own solo project blesses the track “Liquid Embrace” with her soft buttery voice. On “Jump” Olivier Day Soul sounds like a young Bootsy Collins as he croons over this funky track. He also returns on the soulful “Lights” which is one of the best tracks on the disc. With seventeen tracks, the disc began to loose some momentum. The omission of two or three tracks would’ve made this a much stronger record. Having said that, “Red Handed” is an enjoyable disc that displays the beat making prowess of Sepalot and will undoubtedly expand him to a wider audience.

Reg Dancy

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Finally! We’ve been waiting over a year since the original release date but the sophomore project by Stephanie McKay is here. “Tell It Like It Is” is gritty no holds barred soul with a 70’s vibe. Not to mention the passion and intensity that we heard on her debut “McKay” in 2003. The disc starts with the title track in which she laments on the problems that surrounds her community in particular and in the world in general. She advises a young girl to avoid some of the mistakes she made at her age. The wah wah guitar is a perfect compliment to this funky track. “Jackson Avenue” is the perfect summertime jam.. It evokes images of kids playing in the street and relying on the fire hydrants sprouting cool water for relief from the heat. The compostion has a classic Holland-Dozier-Holland sound and would’ve fit in perfectly in the Motown catalogue sans the Eric B & Rakim samples that add spice to the track. “Where Did Our Love Go” is a sweet ballad that features soul crooner Anthony Hamilton. With just twelve tracks, this disc sticks to the strong material and lays off the filler. One year after the EP of the same name, Stephanie McKay delivers with a disc full of soulful tasty treats that touches on social issues and everyday life experiences. This certainly emerges as one of best records of 2008 and an much needed voice to breathe life into soul music.

Reg Dancy

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I hope you were one of the fortunate ones that didn’t sleep on "New Tones", the 2006 release by Nomo that dropped on Ubiquity records. The Michigan based band’s combination of free jazz and Afro beat rhythms was too good to resist. From the opening track, you were drawn in to the pulsating rhythms, the blaring horns and the energy these guys bring to the table. On their new release "Ghost Rock", the energy is bursting more than ever. The tighter, more electronic grooves are evident on the opening track "Brainwave", a spacey, looping, hypnotic intro. The percussive rhythm of "All the Stairs" is heightened by the brilliant work of Hamid Drake and Adam Rudolph, both renowned for their drumming and percussion work. "My Dear" provides more of the same, only the beats are raised to another level and the horn section is off the charts. Although there is only nine songs here, Nomo certainly proves that less is more. If you liked the previous disc, you will love "Ghost Rock". These guys have developed into a band to be reckoned with. If you ever get the chance to see these guys live, don’t hesitate. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and pick up this exceptional disc. I dare you not to move.

Reg Dancy

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This is a collection of spaced out post disco rarities hand picked by Tom Wieland, best known for his work as one half of 7 Samurai and Panoptikum, Tom has uncovered some cool electronic European gems. Some of the highlights are "Rebel On The Run" by Selection, a funk injected disco track, fueled by lively guitar work and a tight bass line. A nice boogie tune, "Take Time" by Jagg, that would easily fit into the Prelude catalogue. This was one of my favorites because of the soulful vocals, funky rhythm guitar and clever synths. "Feeling Love" by LEB Harmony has that electronic disco sound reminiscent of Cerrone from the late seventies. Not all the tracks measure up however, "Blow You Out Tonight" was just average and the vocals don’t do the track any justice. Out of place here is "Nepa Dance Dub." but it’s still a nice dub tune that provides a change of pace. All in all this is a nice foray into a collection of forgotten dance tracks that get a second life with new fans.

Reg Dancy

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Folks outside of Detroit and New Zealand may not be familiar with Matt Chicone aka Recloose but ever since his debut "This Is The Dining Room" on Carl Craig’s Planet E  records, his talents as a DJ and producer have been in much demand. That was followed up with two outstanding records, "Cardiology" and "Hiatus On The Horizon”"  His fourth lp, "Perfect Timing" is a lot more funkier than some of his previous releases but in many ways it is an extension of Matt Chicone’s burgeoning talents. It’s apparent that the objective of this record is to make you dance and there are several selections worthy of that goal. There is also the usual assortment of talented vocalists here as well. "Catch A Leaf" is a nice piece of broken soul that features newcomer Rachel Frasier. "Can It Be" is a rousing electronic funk stomper that should find it’s way to many dance floors. Joe Dukie has worked with Recloose before and on “Deeper Waters” he is in top form. This is easily one of the best dub tracks I’ve heard in a while and should become a big hit. Recloose may have caught us by surprise when he first came on the scene but we’re well aware of his skills now. This is another fine release and a great signing for Sonar Kollektiv.

Reg Dancy

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For me the bar was raised significantly last year when Gilles Peterson dropped Brownswood Bubblers 2. Now Brownswood Bubblers 1, the first compilation on Gilles new label had some tasty treats but Bubblers 2 was off the charts. I’m not certain that Bubblers 3 is on the same level but it’s not far off. Either way the Brownswood Bubblers series are the compilations that trumps all compilations. There are many excellent selections here as proof such as the soul funk club banger "Turn It Out" by Joey Negro and The Sunburst Band. "How Bout’ Us" by Katalyst is definitely one of the hottest cuts this year thanks to the voice of Steve Spacek. One of the best records I’ve heard that few know about is the ballad "Where would I Be" by Yaw who simply sounds like the second coming of Sam Cooke. Another highlight is the funky spoken word gem "Prayers for Angry Young Men" by Charlie Dark.  Once again Gilles has shined the light on underground hits. Let’s hope that a larger audience will take notice. Highly recommended.

Reg Dancy

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Love this, the man has dub flowing through him and lets all his studio skills fill the CD with a wide range of dub influences from the safe to the adventurous. There’s a conscious sprit flowing through as well, evident especially on my pick of the tracks ‘Baghdad In Dub’. Highly recommended.

Graham Radley

From Kila, this is his second solo release (although you have to go back to 1994 for the first!) and very good it is too.  My favourite track ‘Uaireannta’ has Lisa Hannigan on backing vocals with the Gaelic lyrics bringing a little magic all of their own.

Graham Radley

Good thought provoking lyrics, which are delivered in catchy songs, that stand well alongside others at the top of the female singer songwriter genre  with influences ranging from Kate Bush to Carol King.

Graham Radley

Sometimes you forget how uplifting soukous is but just a few seconds of those twinkling guitar ripples soon brings a smile and the need to dance. Over the years KBM has brought in a few other subtle and related influences like zouk but it’s when he hits the groove of ‘Amani’ that troubles can take a back seat and the musical sun shines. Very good.

Graham Radley

Recorded live at 2008’s Celtic Connections, the title translates to The Journey and is based on emigration from Scotland to America. ‘Heart Of America’ evolved from a 2004 trip to the US where a visit to Ellis Island was very significant and proved to be  the catalyst for the project. Donnie’s band is joined by guests like Fraser Fifield, Sandy Brechin and the Glasgow Islay Choir plus strings from RSAMD Glasgow. Rousing.

Graham Radley

To celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary Putmayo bring us this collection of some of Quebec’s finest. Featured artists include Anne Villeneuve and the magnificent La Bottine Souriante, the funk meets African of DobaCaracol and the excellent Le Vent Du Nord. A rich musical city.

Graham Radley

Makasound find another gem, with this release originally recorded in 1979. plus various singles including Mikey’s first one ‘Got To say Love’ from 1975 and others through to 1984, great collection of musicians too including Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh and Robbie Shakespeare. Sweet.

Graham Radley

Elsa Rovayo  aka  La Shica started off as a flamenco dancer but then singing took over as did taking a contemporary view of flamenco. She integrated hip hop into her music, not the most obvious of fusion partners but one that works really well taking both genres into new territory . There’s still a place for the traditional though with ‘Dos Carnes Paralelas’ being a beautiful ballad with guest Miguel Poveda. Very good.

Graham Radley