Contemporary Funk Vinyl 393 Items

Yakul are James Berkeley (vocals and keys), Tom Caldwell-Nichols (bass), Sam Hughes (drums) and Leo Utton (guitar) who are based out of Brighton UK. The band marry introspective lyrics with deep grooves and jazz infused progressions, blending a range of styles into a sound they call “Future Soul”. Their collaborative works with London beatmaker edbl were also great, so they have become a topic of conversation among music fans not only in Europe but also around the world. In 2022, an album co-produced by South London producer edbl and the band's frontman James Berkeley was released in Japan, and in 2024 the band was invited to perform at the Java Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz festivals in Indonesia. In 2024, the band will be invited to perform at the Java Jazz Festival, Indonesia's largest jazz festival, and is also attracting attention in Japan and other Asian countries. Here is their brand-new album from P-vine.

First Word Records is very proud to present a brand new EP from Yazmin Lacey - 'When The Sun Dips 90 Degrees'.
This EP follows on from her two recent singles, '90 Degrees' and 'Something My Heart Trusts', both of which are included here, along with three previously unreleased tracks, 'Heaven', 'Body Needs Healing' and 'Burn & Rise'. This set illustrates again Yazmin's candid songwriting delivered in her uniquely laidback soulful style, whilst a glorious fusion of neo-soul and jazz performed by Pete Beardsworth and her trusty band rides throughout.
In recent times, Yazmin has made live appearances on Jazz FM, BBC Radio 4, 1Xtra and NTS, & received widespread acclaim across the airwaves, including BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, Worldwide FM and Mi-Soul, plus Spotify love from the likes of The Independent and heavy support from DJs such as Gilles Peterson, Jamz Supernova, Tom Ravenscroft, Huey Morgan and Jamie Cullum. Yazmin appeared heavily in The Guardian / The Observer's recent extensive feature on the UK's new Jazz movement too.
Initially a Brownswood 'Future Bubbler' graduate, Yazmin self-released her debut EP, 'Black Moon', last year. This lead to a Maida Vale session late 2017 with Jordan Rakei, Moses Boyd, Oscar Jerome and now label-mates, Children of Zeus. She kicked off the year with a performance at the Worldwide Awards with Skinny Pelembe, and has recently done shows with artists such as Ezra Collective, Tall Black Guy and Fatima. Yazmin has a UK tour scheduled for later in the year, as well as several festival appearances across Europe locked in. There's a lot more to come from this Notts-based Londoner yet.
In Yazmin's words: "'90 Degrees' is about that time of the day / night when there's a shift in pace and energy. When you decide to lock off from the 'outside' world and create your own atmosphere, take some time to give thanks for what's breathing love into your life and smoke off the fuckeries. Everyone needs a little routine for self preservation."
The 5-track vinyl & digital EP is released worldwide on June 15th.

YĪN YĪN, the highly touted Dutch quartet from Maastricht, returns with a sonically expansive third album Mount Matsu. Recorded collectively in their own studio in the Belgian countryside, the album is a kaleidoscope of sounds and influences, occupying a no man's land between Khruangbin and Kraftwerk, surf music and Southeast Asian psychedelia, Stax soul and mutant 80s disco, City pop and Japanese instrumental folk (sōkyoku). Mount Matsu sees YĪN YĪN at their most mature and adventurous stage yet. Infectious pentatonic melodicism calling for multiple rewinds.

YPY is back with his third full-length album, his second on EM Records, following his 2016 debut Zurhyrethm, and 2020 on Where To Now? YPY is the solo alias of Osaka-based Koshiro Hino, who has honed his rhythmic instincts as leader of the acclaimed Japanese band goat and the sound installation/theatre project GEIST and Virginal Variations. His preoccupation with propulsion is on full display here, across five tracks of varying density and intensity, all thoroughly beat-oriented, with skeins of synthesized and sampled sound stretching to the horizon, rising from a bedrock of minimal drum machine pulses, all lovingly embraced in a cassette-borne sonic fug. The cover image and title hearken back to Hino’s past, with the image obscurely referencing his yesteryear green mohawk, and the title derived from Talking Heads, but this effervescent album, though recorded using cassette technology, is not a sad tale of nostalgia, rather a look at a present/pleasant reality. Cover drawings by NAZE.

A long-awaited analog version of the gem of Japanese mellow fusion, which has been receiving a lot of attention from the City Pop~Balearic side of the music scene! The album contains many masterpieces such as "Ka Ri Bu No Yu Me", a Balearic/light fusion song with the scent of the ocean, "Manhattan Blue," a popular number that she also arranged, and "Click My Heart," a techno-pop song with a lovely and catchy electric organ. This is a piece that overflows with a unique sense of floating and loveliness, fully showcasing the diverse charms of the electronic organ known as the "Electone". The cover illustration by Tom Akamine is also excellent!

With echoes from the works of Quincy Jones and Roy Ayers and other western influences alive in his tracks, Yuma Hara mixes jazz, soul and funk with high intensity virtuoso performances on his second album "Reality". That’s not to say that this is a strictly solo album as he invites many guests on to collaborate with him including a latin-inspired track with Monique Marian on “Stay With Me”, and AA-side includes a cover of Chaka Khan's smash hit tune "I Feel For You" which was originally written by Prince and polished with Hara's musical characteristic and danceable jazz-like arrangement.

To celebrate his 10 years of activity, French beatsmith Zerolex allies forces with double bassist Claudio Ibarra and saxophonist/composer Chromé to deliver a heavenly and contemplative 2-tracker. Le Temple / Le Nectar perfectly blends warm synths and downtempo beats with choir vocals and organic jazz harmonies.

Composed during summer 2019, set free during spring 2021 by BMM Records Production: Zerolex & Chromé Saxophone: Côme Rothé Double bass: Claudio Ibarra

Le Temple written by Simon Saint Hillier

Le Nectar written by Vinolex Drums by Hugo Dordor, recorded by Fravien Van Landuyt at Le Zèbre studio

The choir: Coline, Noémie, Alice, Florian, Ismaël, Jérémy

Mixed by Xavier Dromard at Caius Audio Mastered by Thomas Jacquot at Le Zèbre studio

Illustrations by Renaud Vigourt

Lava Love is the new album by Zoe’s Shanghai. Led by singer Zoé Renié Harris, the band has made a splash into the crowded neo-soul scene with their debut EP A Mirage (Meant To Last Forever) released in 2019 - a deeply evocative sound and Zoe’s extraordinary voice gained them immediately the spotlight as ones to watch (“a worthy torchbearer for heady and hearty soul music”- Earmilk). Following a successful string of EPs and singles, the Barcelona & Paris-based four-piece band is now ready to share with the world their first full-length album. Lava Love was recorded in an old stable in the French region of Auvergne - known for its mountain ranges and dormant volcanoes, this region could not have been a more apt setting. Lava and love portray in fact a dynamic flow of memory and meaning pouring out of Zoe’s Shanghai’s heart. In and out of the metaphor, Lava and love can be powerful, frightening, beautiful, dangerous and at the same time are essential elements that create fertile change and growth. Through the 11 songs, the band evoke memories and pose questions - inner dialogues, life stories, encounters and relationships – the album depicts a kaleidoscope of moods and feelings, prompting the listener to open to the conversation: while each song presents a microcosm on its own, the album manifests itself in the shared musical experience - immersive music to listen to and enjoy with your loved ones. Produced with Oli Barton-Wood (Nubiyan Twist, Joe Armon-Jones, Nilufer Yanya), the sound of Lava Love brings together hypnotic melodies, groovy rhythms and thoughtful lyrics - fusing the essence of multiple music styles and forging Zoe’s Shanghai unique contemporary soul. The album follows the critically acclaimed EP ‘A Mirage’, which garnered the support of Gilles Peterson & Huey Morgan (bbc 6 Music), Jamz Supernova (bbc Radio 1Xtra), Worldwide FM and Earmilk to name a few.

The Japanese Soul Diva and the Talkbox Funk Queen reunite once again!

Their previous releases, "21st Century Kiss" and "pride OF YOU," were limited edition 7-inch records that sold out quickly and continue to inspire dancers worldwide. Now, their much-anticipated third single, "Fire feat. Woddyfunk," is set to drop on Record Day!

Side A: "Fire" is a must-have disco track that will shake the dance floor. With producer K-Muto's compelling beats, the groovy rhythms of renowned female talkboxer Woddyfunk, the melodic piano lines by Yoichiro Kakizaki (known for his work with Toshinobu Kubota and Kreva Band), and the tight, distinctive guitar sounds of soulful guitarist Kaoru Hoshikawa (who has also collaborated with Vaundy), this track bridges the 70s and the present. Together with ZOOCO's powerful vocals, they've created a unique and unmatched new sound.

Side B: "Still..." is a track that channels the laid-back vibe of the 70s, sung in Japanese. Featuring bassist Yuki Sekiya from Tri4th and Kaoru Hoshikawa's guitar playing, which pays homage to the Isley Brothers with vintage equipment, this track will captivate fans of Philly Soul, Motown, and disco-goers alike. This sweet soul ballad, reminiscent of the past yet modernized, is sure to enchant listeners.