More great grooves by this incredible band with a real talent for mixing jazz funk organ with a much freer sensibility – hitting a range of influences that run the gamut from Jimmy Smith to Larry Young, and blending them into something all their own. Titles include "Spy Kiss", "Night Marchers", "Kenny", "Lifeblood", "Henduck", "Think", and "Dracula". (Jazz, Deep Funk) LP, Vinyl record album

A funky soul double-header – one that features live material both by Osaka Monaurail and the legendary Marva Whitney! The set starts out with a few tracks by OM – playing in that razor-sharp, James Brown-inspired groove that we love so much – easily the greatest contemporary JB-driven funk we can think of! Singer Ryo Nakata throws in a bit of vocals over the group's instrumental grooves – but then steps aside so that Marva Whitney can take center stage for the remaining three-fourths of the album – singing with the same raw fury as on her recent studio set with Osaka Monaurail! The sound here is incredible – easily some of the best funk-revival work we can think of, and the sort of record that should make Marva plenty proud after all these years. Titles include "New New Type Thing", "Evil", "I Made A Mistake", "It's My Thing", "Your Love Was Good For Me", "Things Got To Get Better", "What Do I Have To Do", and "Daddy Don't Know About Sugar Bear". (Soul, Deep Funk) CD

The jazz component of this wonderful series just seems to get deeper and deeper with each new release – despite what you might think from the title – and this time around, the presence of LA collective Katalyst really knocks things out of the park! The set's an all-instrumental one – and the Fender Rhodes, saxes, and other elements of the group really warm up the core sound laid down by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad – so much so that while other volumes in the series seem to have an artist joining the core duo, this one feels a bit more like they're sitting in on a session that's wonderfully driven by the soulful flow of Katalyst! Tracks are long and beautiful – with a masterful way of building, and a sense of energy that just seems to build as the record goes on – on titles that include "Dogon Cypher", "Juneteenth", "Summer Solstice", "Corridors", "Daybreak", "The Avenues", and "Reflections". LP, Vinyl record album

If our jukebox was like this, we'd be rich! The compilation's a much-needed overview of the limited edition 45s issued by the Stones Throw label – a genre-busting blend of hip hop, deep funk, and turntable work – always exciting, and with a style that's unlike anything else we can think of! The package really offers a great sampling of the work on these hard-to-find singles – 22 ultra-hip titles that are as appealing to any fan of classic funk as they are a fan of underground hip hop. Titles include "Getcho Soul Togetha (part 2)" by Breakestra, "Rocket Ship" by Stark Reality, "Harlem River Drive Interlude" and "I Am Singing" by Yesterday's New Quintet, "My 2600" by Captain Funkaho, "Breaks Of Meditate" and "Chops & Thangs" by Beat Conductor, "Things Could Be Better" by Ernie & The Top Notes, "On Point" by Lootpack, "Poppin Popcorn" by The Highlighters, "Devotion 92" by Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf, "Take Me" by Fabulous Souls, "Color" by LA Carnival, "Enter Ralph Wiggum" by A Trak, and "Place Your Bet" by Medaphor. (Hip Hop, Deep Funk) CD