A great little funky single from Franck Biyong – part of his continuing evolution and growth as one of the leading lights in the contemporary Afro Funk underground – an artist who's really moved past some of the slavish styles of years behind! Franck adds in both live drums and rhythm programs here – chanting out the vocals with Cristina Violle alongside him in the lead – while keyboardist Florian Pellissier and a jazzy combo keep things moving in the back! All three vocal mixes of the tune are great, but the club mix may well be the best – although the whole four track single works together almost as a mini suite based on the music! 12-inch, Vinyl record

A really tremendous record from the Lagos scene of the 70s – a set that's completely sharp from beginning to end, and which has the same sort of side-long jamming that you'd find on the best records by Fela Kuti at the time! King Bucknor's billed as "The Black Isaiah Of Africa" – and he's definitely got a strong spiritual core in his message – which is carried out in lyrics that begin to flow only after the Afrodisk Beat Organisation get things moving – really kicking up the groove with fast-riffing and very funky guitar over basslines that bubble along at a mighty quick pace – and which also get these completely great tenor solos from Dele Okonkwo, a player we'd like to know more. The set features two long tracks – "Soyoyo" and "Katakata" – both completely superb! LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing rare chapter in the career of the legendary Manu Dibango – and a darn funky one as well! This early 70s album was recorded in Paris, right before Manu's huge global "Soul Makossa" hit – and although it was done as an obscure sound library release, it really shows Dibango jumping into all the best funky modes that would soon make him a giant! In face, the whole thing might well be Manu's funkiest record ever – as the tracks have no vocals, and are tight and right on the money – with plenty of heavy drums and massive basslines – plus instrumentation from a very cool lineup of French jazz players that includes Yvan Julien on trumpet and Francois Jenneau on tenor. Manu himself blows lots of funky flute and sax solos – and also plays vibes, piano, and organ – on very groovy instrumentals that include "Iron Wood", "Coconut", "Zoom 2000", "Aphrodite Shake", "Soul Saxes Meeting", "Out Of Score", "Ba-Kuba", and "Groovy Flute". LP, Vinyl record album

The sublime first album from K Frimpong – a really unique blend of hi-life and Afro Funk, but served up with all these unusual touches that make the album stand out from even most of the rest of the revolutionary sounds that were coming from Ghana at the time! There's this sense of flow that has each side of the record moving with non-stop energy – and an approach to rhythm that's almost as if the whole thing was moving forward like water – a tide of bass, percussion, riffing guitar, and organ – bubbling, dipping, and chugging in a way that seems completely effortless – while Frimpong urges the group on with his well-inflected vocals and lead guitar! Titles include "Nana Bue Me", "Mofofoo", "Komofo Adu", "Otwie", "Osaw", "M"Anoma", "Moma Yen Sore", and "Susuansu". LP, Vinyl record album

A killer project from the Italian scene – a contemporary group, but one who really recreate some of the most playful sounds of European club from way back! The core group is a duo, but they get help from a nice variety of players on the session – including some added strings, horns, and keyboards that make some of the best cuts feel like the late 70s groovers that were often being licensed over here in the US on labels like Salsoul or Casablanca. Disco elements are mixed with some more sensitive scoring at points – almost creating the balance of a groovy 70s Italian soundtrack – and the all-instrumental setting allows for lots of great focus on groovy flute, sax, vibes, and keyboards! Titles include "Let's Do The Bombo", "South Alpha", "Cattivo Is Back", "Deep & Sweet", "Superlover", "It Was Too Hot In There", "The Fireplace", and "Seeds Of Glory". CD

Great work from this group who always seemed even better live than in the studio – with Jack Casady on bass, Jorma Kaukonen on guitar and vocals, Will Scarlett on harmonica, Sammy Piazza on drums, and Papa John Creach on violin! LP, Vinyl record album

Jorma Kaukonen on heavy guitar and lead vocals – with Jack Casady on bass, Sammy Piazza on drums and percussion, and Papa John Creach on violin and vocals! LP, Vinyl record album

Ahh, the dancefloor soul perfection of the beautiful Donna Summer – and classic late 70s production by Giorgio Morodor and Pete Bellotte – songs that are played often, even to this day, but will never be played out! Was this the one that coined the phrase "shipped gold, returned platinum?" We can't remember, but whatever the case, it's one of those sets that used to be ubiquitous, but which now we can hardly ever find in good shape! Includes shorter mixes of "Love To Love You Baby" and "I Feel Love" – plus the hits for the album "On The Radio" and "Enough Is Enough". Other cuts include "Last Dance", "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls", and a shortened version of "MacArthur Park". LP, Vinyl record album