It’s been a while since the monkey’s had any proper bashment business to report but that particular drought is over now with the arrival of this new DJ’s Choice 45. Hitherto, DJ’s Choice has, of course, been the collective term for Rome’s ‘soul shakedown’ party-starter the Rebel DJ and Lisbon’s Dedy Dread. Now, however, it is also the name of the record label started by the Rebel DJ. The first
…MORE
DJ’s CHOICE: THE REBEL feat. DARK ANGEL/ DJ VADIM feat. MACKA B (7″ vinyl)
SMOOVE & TURRELL feat. IZO FITZROY: You’re Gone (Vinyl 7″)
Musical history is full of blazing, soulful duets – Carla & Otis, Marvin & Tammi, Smoove & Turrell. Wait – no – that’s not right – I meant John Turrell and Izo FitzRoy on new Smoove & Turrell single You’re Gone! Not that Smoove is ever far away from any action involving JT and here he supplies a pumping disco groove over which Turrell and FitzRoy explore the classic soul duet trope of
…MORE
SECOND HAND AUDIO: Yes, We’re Open EP
Hey what’s that musty smell? Kind of like body odour with the underlying tang of piss? Just kidding! They might be called Second Hand Audio but there’s no way you’ll find the works of DJP and the Breakbeat Junkie nestled between Sonia ‘s Everybody Knows LP and Now That’s What I Call Music 21 in your local Cats Protection League shop – and that is because they have a new EP out –
…MORE
GROUP MODULAR: Black Ray b/w Acid Wheels (Vinyl 7″)
If your life has been missing out on menacingly heavy paranoid psych-funk since the last MNP single on Markey Funk’s Delights label then you’re in luck. For Markey Funk (who else?) and Mule Driver are about to sort you right out with their new Group Modular 7″ – Black Ray b/w Acid Wheels. It’s the kind of release that sets the record straight if you think library music is for
…MORE
SHURE: Discontinuation of phono products summer 2018
In an statement sure to strike a chill into many a deejay’s heart – especially turntablists – Shure today announced discontinuation of all their phono products from summer 2018. The announcement contained echoes of Technics’ 2010 revelation that they were ceasing production of their SL1200 and 1210 turntables. While Technics blamed dwindling parts suppliers however, Shure were somewhat less specific saying that it was becoming
…MORE
PAN AMSTERDAM: The Pocket Watch
Rating: 
And now, after two singles (Plus One and The Lotion Song) destined for classic status once the word on Pan Amsterdam reaches critical mass, comes the debut album Pocket Watch – also destined for classic status. Why? Simple – the combo of lushly mellow, jazz-laced hip-hop beats from producer thatmanmunkz and Leron Thomas’ lazy drawl as he delivers bars of effortless wry humour and
…MORE
THE KING ROOSTER: The King Rooster (album)
Just in time for Record Store Day, London-based raw funk outfit The King Rooster follow last year’s low-key cassette-only EP, Charisma Cafe, and a string of much higher profile 45s by scratching up a full-length LP of lowdown and dirty funk grooves – the self-titled The King Rooster. And said business is heavyweight in multiple senses of the word. There’s the funk of course; there’s the fact
…MORE
MADISON WASHINGTON: ‘Facts’ video premiere
Producer thatmanmonkz’ other hip-hop project apart from Pan Amsterdam is, of course, Madison Washington, along with rapper Malik, and the duo return today with a new single, Facts. Actually, more strictly speaking, it’s ((((Facts)))) but either way, there’s an accompanying video in in which they take a hefty swipe at the man. Well, it’s not like he doesn’t deserve it. And so it is that Malik spits venom over relentless rock guitar-laced boom-bap
…MORE
THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS: Renewable Energy
Sixteen years into their career, The New Mastersounds have spent nearly as long sounding like The Meters and Grant Green (in his funky period) as Grant Green and The Meters did. Combined. And that’s without Green’s drugs to help them along the way. It’s the kind of undertaking requiring an impressive amount of creative energy to keep things fresh, I think you’ll
…MORE
TIMEWARP INC: Funky Bob Timbales b/w Cinemafilm (Vinyl 7″)
The resurgence of the 45 format continues with no sign of a market awash with old 45 reissues, first time-on-45 reissues, new originals and new booties drying out any time soon. On this drop, Timewarp Inc. digs deep into the back catalogue for a 45 reissue of a brace of eleven year old tracks that previously saw light of day in seven inch format a full decade ago. Funky Bob Timbales
…MORE
