It’s always a pleasure when Cali crew Windmills unleash some of their psychedelia-tinged hip-hop and new vinyl 7″, California Sunshine/ Dry Skin, is no exception. The title track is initially all contemplative synths, jazzy sax and Windmills emcee Frameworks considering beats, rhymes and life whilst cruising down the highway. But then suddenly, as if Mr Works had switched radio
…MORE
WINDMILLS & CELSIUS 7: California Sunshine/ Dry Skin (Vinyl 7″)
L’ECLAIR: Funky Splash b/w O Caminho Do Bem (Vinyl 7″)
Rating: 
Just like Lexsoul Dancemachine before them, L’Eclair emerge seemingly out of nowhere with a highly accomplished debut 45 release – their new Funky Splash 7″ which has nailed them the endorsement of no less a man than Poets Of Rhythm’s JJ Whitefield. And with good cause too, for this original track is certainly set to disturb the surface tension of the funky
…MORE
FLEVANS: Who’s Got Me (feat. LAURA VANE)/ Take Your Money (Vinyl 7″)
‘Whither next for Flevans?’ you might ask regarding the party breaks veteran who has lately signed to Jalapeno – a natural artist/label fit if ever there was one. Turns out the first destination on this new stage of his musical journey is a vinyl 7″ featuring a certain Laura Vane – last heard of in these parts in the company of The Vipertones. What’s that Laura – Who’s Got Me? Well it’ll be
…MORE
ARETHA FRANKLIN: Won’t Be Long (MANOSJMT Remix)
It seems the Queen of Soul is the favourite singer of Manosjmt (i.e. he of the nifty Rag N Bone Man/ Human remix from the other year) although frankly Aretha Franklin is almost certainly top of a large proportion of the world population’s favourite singer lists such was her skill. But if you’re a remixer and your favourite singer sadly passes, you might feel you want to give something back
…MORE
KIBOSH: Globetrottin’ Freemix
There was a time when the music formerly known as ‘ghetto funk’ became decidedly unfunky. Come to think of it, it was around the height of ghetto funk mania, when people started jumping on the bandwagon, skipping the vital step of including anything related to actual funk, and letting the wobble bass tail wag the breakbeat dog. Some might disingenuously claim it was never meant to be
…MORE
BACAO RHYTHM & STEEL BAND: The Serpent’s Mouth
Rating: Turns out it’s been two years since Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s heavy-hitting debut 55 on Big Crown Records so it’s not really surprising that the follow-up is here already. Of course, if the band were following the traditional pattern of releases then new long player, The Serpent’s Mouth, would provide us with similar thrills to LP number one with perhaps a bit of the
…MORE
THE NICEGUYS: Hacienda Funk
Possibly figuring that an EP entitled That Ass might send out the wrong kind of message in these times of renewed enquiry into gender politics, The Niceguys (or Bombstrikes) have plumped for sort of naming it after the ‘other’ track Valley Hacienda. And if Hacienda Funk possibly conjures madcap ‘Madchester’-style fun for a few aging musos (which this release definitely does not
…MORE
LUCKY BROWN & THE S.G.’s: Mesquite Suite
Mesquite Suite? ‘Mesquite Schweet’ more like as Tramp Record’s latter-day funky heroes Lucky Brown & The S.G.s return with their latest full-length offering. Brown has been a Tramp regular since 2011 when his Lucky Brown’s Space Dream solo album appeared offering earthy blues and swamp funk, an effort followed by more of the same on 2015’s Mystery Road. The script has been flipped a bit for Mesquite Suite however with
…MORE
A TRIBE CALLED QUEST: 1nce Again (RHYTHM SCHOLAR AtariFunk 8-Bit Remix)
The summer holidays are over, a new cycle of academic rigor begins again and what better time to welcome back Rhythm Scholar, eh students? And his role this term is both to (re)familiarise you with the classics and experiment with creating something new from said classics. Now then, what’s all that bleeping? I do hope someone hasn’t got a phone out. Oh it’s you Mr Scholar – sorry I
…MORE
BACAO RHYTHM & STEEL BAND: 1 Thing
Ok so here’s one thing that’ll get you trippin’ – Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band’s 1 Thing cover of Amerie’s massive 2005 funky rnb classic. So that means they have to play drums like The Meters’ ‘Zigaboo’ Modeliste and deliver a steel drum melody that covers the guitar and Amerie’s vocals right? Right. It’s a tough call but the monkey reckons they’ve nailed it up pretty tight and
…MORE
