Rating: 
Here we go then – Megative’s debut LP channelling the sound of Ghost Town-era The Specials as if produced by Massive Attack across eleven tracks. What’s that – you wanted a proper review? Like that’s not enough to have you immediately seeking out a copy? Ok then, well, let me see now – I suppose there’s a bit of The Clash
…MORE
MEGATIVE: Megative (album)
BASEMENT FREAKS: 80s Disco Funk sample pack
Not enough of an Egyptian Lover feel to your last single? Can’t get the Cameo you wanted? Not yet Prince of the disco breaks? Is your life over? Don’t be daft, punk! Basement Freaks has got you covered with his recent 80s Disco Funk sample pack which loads you up with seven full song kits (including key and tempo), two brass loops
…MORE
THE LEWIS EXPRESS: The Lewis Express
Ooh hello, soul jazz and fat drum breaks ahoy. Step forward Leeds-based The Lewis Express with new mini album The Lewis Express channelling the vibe of Ramsay Lewis and sometime Ramsay Lewis trio members Redd Holt and Eldee Young of Young Holt Trio/ Unlimited fame. As you can probably tell, they dig Ramsay Lewis a bit – alright – a lot
…MORE
MR BIRD feat. MELO-D-MELO: Mind, Body & Soul Remix EP (B.I.R.D. 001)
It’d been a while since the monkey’d heard a chirp out of the Mr Bird camp until his new drop – the Mind, Body & Soul Remix EP flew in the other day. But what has he hatched out for us this time? Well there’s the original version of Mind, Body & Soul for starters which provides ever so slightly afro-tinged funk vibes with Melo D Melo providing a
…MORE
FAB SAMPERI: Moonshine Crossroads
Packed full of summer goodness, Moonshine Crossroads sees Fab Samperi finally follow up his debut long player (2011’s Power Bossa) with a tardiness matched only by the lateness of this bit of MB shine. As ever though, the contents provide ample recompense for the wait and, as with Power Bossa, Samperi mixes up the old and the new, lacing pumping new beats with samples while a
…MORE
STEPPIN’ TONES: 10 Free Bootlegs + Chambers Of Funk Part 2 mix
10 Free Bootlegs!? Christ! People normally send in one at a time! What is in the water on Steppin’ Tones’ side of town? Surely, so many at once must mean a sacrifice in standards though? Wrong! Our man has casually knocked out half a score of quality mash-up, booty, edit thingies featuring Beasties, Crooklyn Clan, Huey, Pete Rock, Busta
…MORE
PECOE: Funky Shizzle EP
Lookout – here’s the latest instalment from Breakbeat Paradise who ensure summer breaks parties are well supplied with – well – funky shizzle to quote the Snoop Dogg-referencing title of Pecoe’s Funky Shizzle EP. Enter a four-tracker which plays fast and loose with Sugarhill Gang and Stevie Wonder and restricts the wobble to closer
…MORE
DR RUBBERFUNK: My Life At 45 (Part 1) (Vinyl 7″)
Dr Rubberfunk reprises the wheeze of naming a release after a format and his age (first used on 2006 LP My Life At 33) with vinyl 7″ My Life At 45 (Part 1). Cue the psychedelic breaks of How Beautiful – once an exclusive on January’s Jalapeno Funk Vol. 9 now mixed for the 45 format on the A-side and available on the flip
…MORE
HAMMOND CLASSICS: Maculele 01
Is it afro-beat? Is it cumbia? It’s both! Say hello to Maculele 01 – the new release on Maculele Records from Hammond Classics (last heard of with his Vale A Pena EP) on which the music from opposing tropical Atlantic coasts get spliced. Of course, cumbia has some of its roots in Africa so it’s more a return to a source really. Dolor is the
…MORE
KATAKANA EDITS: Vol. 68 (MORLACK) + ‘Just A Lil Action’ Free download
Katakana Edits – blink and you miss ’em! Honestly, the last time the monkey covered a drop from this edits label was Vol. 63 in May this year which featured Morlack. A mere two months later and they’re already on Vol. 68 which – er – features the ever productive Morlack again. Obviously, it being himself, you might be expecting something in the way of DC go-go
…MORE
