Deep Funk — All Formats  

The coolest music we've heard so far from this fantastic funky talent – served up here in an ultra-cool package that also offers up four different cover images over two separate pieces of music! Sammi's got a name that's a bit unwieldy, but he serves up the groove with a sound so tight, we almost feel like we're back in the glory days of a good Quincy Jones funky soundtrack – thanks to a tight punch that Samuelsson brings to his large lead ensemble, which often moves here with the sharper sound of a much smaller funky combo! The arrangements are amazing – and the grooves run between styles that include touches of 70s Afro Funk, European-styled MPS jazz funk, and the promised blacksploitation modes mentioned above. Instrumentation is wonderful throughout – and honestly, there's nobody out there making music like this at the moment – and certainly nobody who gets the sound so right, tight, and on the money as Sammi! Titles include "Afromars", "1st Man From Iceland", "Ethiopian", "Afrobit", "Fola", "Peace", "Dubnotic", and "Ekki Stela Afrika Folkinu".

The coolest music we've heard so far from this fantastic funky talent – served up here in an ultra-cool package that also offers up four different cover images over two separate pieces of music! Sammi's got a name that's a bit unwieldy, but he serves up the groove with a sound so tight, we almost feel like we're back in the glory days of a good Quincy Jones funky soundtrack – thanks to a tight punch that Samuelsson brings to his large lead ensemble, which often moves here with the sharper sound of a much smaller funky combo! The arrangements are amazing – and the grooves run between styles that include touches of 70s Afro Funk, European-styled MPS jazz funk, and the promised blacksploitation modes mentioned above. Instrumentation is wonderful throughout – and honestly, there's nobody out there making music like this at the moment – and certainly nobody who gets the sound so right, tight, and on the money as Sammi! Titles include "Afromars", "1st Man From Iceland", "Ethiopian", "Afrobit", "Fola", "Peace", "Dubnotic", and "Ekki Stela Afrika Folkinu".

A compelling little set from Iceland – a large group effort that's half-funky, half-grooving in a more sophisticated way – almost with the depth of an MPS session from the 70s! Maestro Samuel Jon Samuelsson leads the group on trombone – but some of the best aspects here are in the rhythms – warm Fender Rhodes, organ, clavinet, and moog – all bubbling nicely next to a subdued bassy bottom, alongside some interesting percussion too! The funkiest tracks have a 70s soundtrack appeal – but there's way more going on here than just simple copycat modes – and Samuelsson brings a depth of color, tone, and timing to both his writing and arranging on the set. Given the size of the ensemble, this is clearly a majestic undertaking – yet the album's also free from some of the too-cerebral coldness that often turns us off with other contemporary orchestra projects. Titles include "Funk Mood", "Hardcore", "Mr Funky Goes Straight", "Boba", "Dansadi", "Eins Hratt Og Heagt Er", and "BBQ Ribs".

Cosmic hip hop soul with a love for classic keyboard-flavored jazz funk – and a heck of a convincing debut from Seravince! Seravince is the latest – and to date greatest project from Vincent Helbers – whose earlier work with Flowriders was excellent, too. That said, this is real leap forward! The more soulful strains of MPS jazz, the spacier J Dilla productions, and George Duke-style funky fusion inform the style, but it feels fresh and contemporary at the same time. Helbers plays Rhodes, Moog, percussion and more– and he's working with a great group of musicians that give it a strong working band feel! Singers Sharlene Hector, Renee Neufville and Esperanzah Denswil bring in some sweeter soul, but there’s some long jazzy instrumental passages, too. Very promising stuff! Includes "Sy", "Perfect Stranger", "U Love", "Lola", "High", "World Won't Stop", "RT Prince", "94", and "Rika".

A great step forward for The Bamboos – still as funky as ever, but in a much greater range of styles than before! The core deep funk sound we've always loved is still burning away at the bottom – thanks to the ever-trusty grooves of Lance Ferguson and crew – but this time around, there's also a host of guests who really seem to shape the overall feel of the record – Aloe Blacc, Megan Washington, Klye Auldist, Daniel Merriweather, Bobby Flynn, and Ella Thompson – each bringing in their own great flavors, and creating a depth of sound that's mighty nice! Most of these guests are vocalists, but their shifting styles seems to spur the instrumentation onto new heights too – adapting to suit the mood, yet never in a way that's too frenetic to keep the album from being unified overall. Titles include "Where Does The Time Go", "What I Know", "I Got Burned", "Cut Me Down", "Midnight", "Medicine Man", "Window", and "Hello Stranger".

A heavy record with a heavy pedigree – a smoking set of funky instrumentals, all recorded directly to tape! The trio has a hard-burning sound that takes us back to the Prestige records jazz funk sound of the early 70s – the sort of groove you might have heard from Leon Spencer or Melvin Sparks – with Mike Flanigin on sweet Hammond, Jake Langley on smoking guitar, and Kyle Thompson driving the whole thing with some mighty fierce drums! The CD version has a few great cover versions on top of the solid Dupree originals – and the titles include "The Turtle", "Malibu Classic", "KC", "Moto Guzzi", "Leon's Thing", a great take on the Bacharach/David classic "Close To You", Tina Brooks' "David The King", Horace Silver's "Cookin' At The Continental" and more, 10 tracks on the CD.

A heavy record with a heavy pedigree – a smoking set of funky instrumentals, all recorded directly to tape, then pressed directly on heavy colored wax! The trio has a hard-burning sound that takes us back to the Prestige records jazz funk sound of the early 70s – the sort of groove you might have heard from Leon Spencer or Melvin Sparks – with Mike Flanigin on sweet Hammond, Jake Langley on smoking guitar, and Kyle Thompson driving the whole thing with some mighty fierce drums! Titles are mostly originals – and include "The Turtle", "Malibu Classic", "KC", "Moto Guzzi", and "Leon's Thing". 6 killer tracks on the vinyl version.

Soulful funk with Colombian touches – a real triple-header of talents that features Alice Russell on vocals, and Quantic leading his cool Combo Barbaro! "Magdalena" has a sound that's really wonderful – vocals from Russell that really surprise us – with a mix of soaring soul and warmth that's almost Stevie Wonder, somehow sounding perfect here with the cut's slight Latin jazz touches! "Look Around The Corner" is another great cut from the project – but given two more contemporary spins here in a gospel mix by Simbad and another by Behling & Simpson.

The sound of 70s porn lives again – thanks to the mighty talents of Alex Puddu! "Black Orgasm" is a sweet blend of riffing acoustic guitar, bubbling Hammond, tripping beats, and a female vocal groan – all building to a beautiful climax by the end – but not without some instrumental sensitivity along the way! "Naughty Girls" romps along with a funkier, more badass feel – heavy drums, organ, and wah wah guitar – all stepping out with a 70s sound library groove!

Tremendous! "Boss Lady" struts and vamps like some lost JBs number – and Coko's vocals are right up there with the best work from Lyn Collins or Marva Whitney – a sound that blows away even the best of today's funky singers! Plus, the production is totally rock-solid – even more on the money for a funky 45 groove than most other labels – and just right for the flipside too!