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

Killer work from leading lights of the neo classic funk scene – the mighty Breakestra – their debut for Strut Records and some of the best work they've ever done! Music Man Miles & the crew knock us out each time, and the 4 years between the stellar Hit The Floor LP and this one was worth the wait. The funky undercurrent is the common connective tissue, with deep soul sounds in the mix, too, with multi instrumentalist Miles on lead vocals on a number of tunes, Mix Master Wolf doing his thing on others, plus guests Afrodyte, Chali 2na and the late DJ Dusk – and some tight instrumentals. They run the gamut from stripped down JBs style feverishness, to gritty jazz funk, Latin percussion, and beyond. Breakestra helped kick start the underground funk scene back in the late 90s, and they're as strong as ever a decade later! Titles include "Need A Little Love", "Dark Clouds Rain Soul", "Come On Over" feat Afrodyete, "Back At The Boathouse", "Get It Right", "Show You The Way", "Me & Michelle". "Posed To Be" feat Chali 2na, Mixmaster Wolf & DJ Dusk, "Joyful Noise", "Lowdown Stank", "Set The Sun" and more. CD

That's a mess of vintage analog electronics on the cover, and there's plenty of that inside the record as well – as Eleven76 come across with all sorts of cool classic 70s styles that move between soundtrack funk and some leaner, more cosmic cuts for the clubs! The album's definitely trying to evoke a classic sound library style – but as with some of the hipper European electronic artists back in the day, these guys also have their ears tuned towards crossover fame in a world where moogy electronics can get some spins in the discos – a blend that makes for a mighty wonderful little album that definitely lives up to the promise of its cover! Titles include "Duosynchronic", "Canyon Chase", "Wolf At The Door", "Knock Out", "Minister", "Step Off The Ledge", and "Kreuzer Weight". (Sound Library, Deep Funk) LP, Vinyl record album

Chunky & funky New Orleans sounds from Galactic – as far reaching and and unpigeonholeable as ever on their second album for Anti- – possibly the the most diverse of their career! Ya-Ka-May rolls out some of the hip hop funk vibe that carried their previous album, but that's just one flavor in a boldly spiced entry – with brassy Crescent City funk, heavy percussive groovers, swampy soul & funk rock numbers and more. Galactic's been pumping long enough to earn the requests of young guns and legends alike, and this record features guests including Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty & Corey Henry and many more. Includes "Friends Of Science", "Boe Money" feat Rebirth Brass Band, "Heart Of Steel" feat Irma Thomas, "Bacchus" feat Allen Toussaint, "Cineramascope" feat Trombone Shorty & Corey Henry, "Dark Water" feat John Boutte, "Krewe D'Etat", "Speaks His Mind" feat Walter "Wolfman" Washington and more. CD

The original soundtrack to Trouble Man is nothing short of a masterpiece – a full-on moment of studio genius from Marvin Gaye, right in the middle of his classic 70s run – a record that's given a fantastic new treatment here by Lo Res, who delivers exactly what's promised in the title! The record's not a straight rehash of the original – as Lo Res clearly knows and loves, and has completely absorbed the original – so that he can take the whole thing and open it up with new arrangements, interesting instrumentation, and a mix of strings, jazz, and funky elements that are completely sublime. If anything, the set seems to more fully expand on the orchestrations of the original, while losing none of the sense of the soul – and apart from a vocal appearance by Blackwolf, most of the focus is instrumental – on titles that include "Cleo's Apartment", "T Plays It Cool", "Don't Mess With Mr T", "T Stands For Trouble", "Theme From Trouble Man", "Poor Abbey Walsh", "The Break In", and "Deep In It". LP, Vinyl record album

Mad sound library funk from a host of contemporary artists – all bands that have recorded singles for the hip ATA label, coming together here on a set of cuts that really lives up to the best funky 70s modes of famous labels like KPM or DeWolfe! The set doesn't list individual artists, but there is a nice sense of variety throughout – sometimes a bit more electric, sometimes a bit more percussion-heavy – jazzy one minute, funk the next – with a lineup of cuts that's all-killer, no filler at all! The numbers have a vibe that's every bit as strong as their evocative titles – and tracks include "Penthouse In Pernambuco", "Satan Stalks Among Us", "The Street Is Family", "Pineapple Diode Daquiri", "Ten On The Door", "Hips & Lips", and "Fear On Phobos". (Sound Library, Deep Funk) LP, Vinyl record album