Muyiwa Kunnuji played trumpet with Fela Kuti back in the day, and he definitely references Fela's legacy with the politics in the title of the set – yet his approach here is nicely his own, and a really fresh vision of the legacy of older Afro Funk! There's still plenty of the long tracks with rumbling grooves that you'd hear from back in the day – but things are maybe tighter overall, and definitely have more of a focus on Kunnuji's trumpet solos, which are occasionally peppered with some vocals too – all sewn together with maybe an ear for a wider range of West African styles too! Titles include "Bro Hugh", "Meeting Point", "Sanitize Your Heart", "Giant Of Africa", "Recipe Of Death", and "Oshelu". CD

If we had a shop like this in our neighborhood – we'd be broke! Fatback are (of course) the legendary 70s funk group whose records we've loved for decades – but what's not as well known is that they also ran a little storefront office known as the House Of Fatback, located in Queens, and home to some really funky music! The office not only served as headquarters for the group, but was also a place where they caught new talent, and kept one ear to the street for other artists to work with. In the years before Fatback themselves broke big, the group ran a label – also called Fatback – and recorded some excellent local talent on the New York scene – a mix of soul and early funk acts, handled with a level of quality that ranks right up there with the best indie soul of the late 60s. This great set features 16 tracks from the Fatback label, along with great notes that really get at their story – and contains a wonderful range of tunes that are all winners all the way through! Titles include "The Cat Walk" and "Little Bit Of Soul" by Gerry & Paul & The Soul Emmisaries, "You're My Everything" and "Who Will It Be" by Mary Davis, "Right Or Wrong" and "I Need You" by The Puzzles, "Why Don't You Let My Love Go" and "Got To Find A Way" by Jimmy Williams, "Put It In" and "Keep On Brother Keep On" by Johnny King & Fatback Band, and "Quiet Waters" by GP & The Soul Emissaries. CD

Tremendous material from bassist Putter Smith – a player you may not recognize, but one who's been making some beautiful music on the LA scene for decades! Putter's got a soulful, soaring vision that makes him a perfect choice for Henry Franklin's Skipper label – and like Franklin's recent gems on that imprint, there's a quality here that takes us right back to the best indie soul jazz of the 70s – richly expressive material from a post-Coltrane era – with a vibe that's somewhere between Clifford Jordan on Strata East, and some of the hipper albums on Muse Records from the decade. Putter plays bass, but really manages to get some great horn help here, too – the alto of Jon Whinnery and tenor of John Gross – beautifully intertwined, and stepping along the modally-influenced rhythms of the set – which are played by Smith on bass, Theo Saunders on piano, and Kendall Kay on drums. The album's got an understated cover, but a wonderfully rich sound – and it's one we've been spinning often at the Dusty Groove offices of late! Titles include "Larance", "Home", "Early Morning Mood", "For Us", "Love Song For Kirsi", "Tonggeret", and "The Blessing". CD