Guitarist Eddie Roberts is a legend in contemporary funk – famous first for his work in the New Mastersounds, then for some great records on his own – now working here as a key part of The Lucky Strokes – a group who open up a whole new chapter in Eddie's career! The group's a lean quartet, and features vocals from Shelby Kemp – a raspy-voiced singer who's clearly versed in the more soulful sides of the blue-eyed rock spectrum – working here in modes that evoke The Face and some hipper currents of southern rock – but all delivered with the lean funky style you'd expect from Roberts! The rest of the lineup just features bass and drums – which makes for a mighty spare, guitar-forward album – with titles that include "Whiskey Makes Me Stronger", "Holy Fire", "Grits Ain't Groceries", "Rambler", "Gonna Get In My Way", "Home Sweet Home", and "Gonna Get In My Way". CD

The deepest jazz funk material Madlib has ever laid down – possibly the best album yet from Yesterday's New Quintet – featuring turns at freewheeling avant funk, electro jazz groove, furious sound library styles, a few chill moments, and a boundless sound overall! Yesterday's Universe features 15 unique tracks – purportedly played by 10 acts (The Last Electro, The Jahari Massamba Unit, The Eddie Prince Fusion Band, Young Jazz Rebels, etc), but in truth it's all from the feverishly talented mind of Madlib – with special guests including drummer Karriem Riggins and Azymuth precussionist Mamao! It's heavily steeped in fusion funk, but we're equally impressed by the cooler, slightly straighter moments – which display just how wide of a grasp Madlib has on the deepest, darkest corners of the spectrum. The wide range of influences flows naturally – amazing work from one of the most talented wizards in the game! Titles include a heady adaptation of "Bitches Brew", "Umoja (Unity)", "Slave Riot", "One For The Monica Lingas Band", "Street Talkin'", "Marcus, Martin & Malcolm", "Two For Strata East", "Cold Nights And Rainy Days", "Mtume's Song", "Vibes From The Tribes Suite (For Phil)", "Upa Neguinho" and more. CD

That's a real Roger Dean-styled image on the cover, which maybe heralds the sound that's going on here for the Budos Band – an approach that's even heavier than before, with maybe stronger guitar and bass at times – yet a vibe that still bristles with the group's great use of percussion and horns! There's maybe a new sort of majesty going on here – as if someone whispered to the band that they could be at the top of the deep funk spectrum if they stepped on the gas a bit more – which they definitely do on this super-sharp set, delivering a half-dozen tunes that are completely smoking throughout! Titles include "Devil Doesn't Dance", "Kritn", "Crescent Blue", "Passage To Ashinol", "Curled Steel", and "Frontier's Edge". CD

The killer debut of a group we hope are going to be huge – as they definitely bring a whole new vibe to the world of funk – by combining lean combo instrumentation with some much larger arrangements, all at a level that's almost more in the David Axelrod side of the spectrum! There's a really majestic quality to the record – as the slow funk elements are expanded with strings in all the right ways – deepening, darkening the sound incredibly – so that there's way more going on here in terms of colors and tones than on the usual funk record! And if you're worried about things sounding too soft, don't – because the drums are heavy throughout, even when slow – and arranger Lou King really knows how to balance the elements perfectly. Titles include "The Web", "Ligurian Dream", "Shades Of Silver", "Violet Vanished", "Outlines", "West Wind", "Changing Light", and "A Return From Ashes". CD