Funk | Soul 303 Items

Driving anywhere in Texas can cost you half a day, easy. For example, it'll take you over four hours just to get from R&B singer Leon Bridges' hometown of Fort Worth down to Houston, where the psychedelic wanderers in Khruangbin hail from. The state is vast, crisscrossed with rugged expanses of road flanked by limestone cliffs and granite mountains, forests of pine and mesquite, miles of desert or acres of sprawling grassland, all depending on what part you're in. And it's all baking under the Texas Sun that lends its name to Bridges and Khruangbin's new collaborative EP. "Big sky country, that's what they call Texas," Khruangbin bassist Laura Lee says. "The horizon line goes all the way from one side to another without interruption. There's something really comforting about that." On Texas Sun, these two members of the state's musical vanguard meet up somewhere in the middle of that scene, in the mythical nexus of Texas' past, present, and future-a dreamy badlands where genres blur as seamlessly as the terrain. It calls equally to the cowboys boot-scooting at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, the chopped-and-screwed hip-hop fans rattling slabs on the southside of Houston, the art-school kids dropping acid in Austin, the cross-cultural progeny who grew up on listening to both mariachi and post-hardcore out on the Mexican borders of El Paso. All of these things, overlapping in a multicolored melange, purple hues as vivid and unpredictable as one of the state's rightfully celebrated sunsets. A journey through homesick reminiscences, backseat romances, and late-night contemplations, the kind of record made for listening with the windows down and the road humming softly beneath you. Like the highways that inspired it, Texas Sun is guaranteed to get you where you're going-especially if you're in no particular hurry to get there.

In early 2018 they set out to record new tracks that would live up to Renaldo’s great early records. Assembling a crack team of Brooklyn’s best they pulled out all the stops, creating a mix between the lush arrangements of Chicago’s early soul style and the hard-hitting beat of current Brooklyn soul.

Produced by Jeremy Kay, arranged by JB Flatt (Eli "Paperboy" Reed, Durand Jones & The Indications), engineered by Vince Chiarito (Ikebe Shakedown, Charles Bradley), and backed by an all-star cast of some of the Brooklyn soul’s finest musicians this is without a doubt Renaldo’s strongest new work in many years.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the release of I’m New Here , the thirteenth - and last - studio album from the legendary US musician, poet and author Gil Scott-Heron, XL Recordings will release a unique reinterpretation of the album by acclaimed US jazz musician Makaya McCraven. Titled We’re New Again , the album will be released on 7th February 2020; exactly a decade after the release of Scott-Heron’s original Richard Russell-produced recording. It’s set to follow in the footsteps of Jamie xx’s highly acclaimed 2011 remix album We’re New Here and will be McCraven’s first release of 2020, following the huge global acclaim heaped upon his 2018 album Universal Beings . One of the most vital new voices in modern jazz, McCraven is described by the New York Times as a "Chicago-based drummer, producer and beat maker, [who] has quietly become one of the best arguments for jazz’s vitality".

For this first volume of Musax Background Music Library, Farfalla Records continues exploring the maze of the french library music through one of its most discreet and prolific representatives: Jacky Giordano and one of his many projects, the Musax label. Farfalla Records carefully selected this tracklisting among LPs recorded between 1978 and 1979 of which the originals became particularly sought after by the collectors. Jacky Giordano who appears under his aliases Joachim Sherylee and José Pharos, is surrounded by qualified and renowned musicians such as Jean-Pierre Decerf, Jean-Claude Pierric, Serge Planchon, Patrick Petitbon, Gérard Gesina, Jean-Charles Capon, Daniel Humair and also a band composed of members from the legendary Crazy Horse cabaret, namely Pedro Perea, Claude Brisset, Bruno Bompard, Jean-Claude Guselli, Claude Thirifays, Vincent Momplet and Joseph Gatineau. This selection mixing explosive jazz-funk, lascivious jazz and electronic music more spacey or experimental, which could also be the soundtrack for a TV show, a porn movie or a car chase between cops and gangsters in the bad neighbourhoods of Paris. A fascinating slice of the French music scene of the late 70 is brought to life before our very eyes. (Erwann Pacaud)

SOL DISCOS is extremely happy to introduce the second volume of their Message In Our Music compilation series, selected by WAXIST. This album is the result of more than two years of work in researching the original recordings, the artists involved & licensing the different songs. Focusing once again on the Modern-Soul genre, the album brings back to light eight extremely rare songs from the mid-70's to the mid-80's, all officially licensed.
From the heavy synth Gospel Boogie of Sharnell Morton's "You Are My Shining Star", to the magnificent Network & Co private Disco "Spirit Of The Boogie", most of these songs are highly difficult to find on their original format, not to mention at a decent price. Direct Connect Shun’s "He's No Good" records have been destroyed in a flood, and the few copies which have sold on the Internet reach the 3 figures price tags for example. Also, the album is proud to introduce to a wider audience some lesser known but exceptional recordings such as Janice "Nikki" Harrison's "Magic of Love", which is taken from a Broadway musical produced & composed by Ted Wortham - who also composed for Philadelphia International Recordings artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, Anthony White or Jean Carn.
Message In Our Music Vol.2 has been fully remastered, and features interview based liner notes, along with never seen before pictures of the artists selected.

Favorite Recordings proudly presents Recalling You, a dazzling Disco/Jazz-Funk new single EP by our longtime friend and label mate Andre Solomko.

Born in Ukraine and based in Finland for a while, Andre Solomko is a rich and engaging personality, but above all, a talented saxophonist, composer and engineer, with contagious passion. Since they met 7 years ago, Andre and Pascal Rioux’s (founder of Favorite Recordings) collaboration resulted in 3 albums and a couple of singles acclaimed internationally. Primarily known for a sound mixing Jazz-Funk, with European Soundtracks, Pop and Soul influences, Andre Solomko’s skills for composition and production are much wider. Almost 2 years ago, he’s therefore demonstrated his versatility when delivering the hot Disco anthem “Le Premier Disco Sans Toi”.
This first attempt definitely seduced many DJs and collectors, and it seems Andre enjoyed the trip too and decided to embark for it again with “Recalling You”. For this new single, Andre’s idea was to revive two of his past compositions, tailoring brand new glamorous Disco suit and arrangements for it. Backed again by a close team of musicians and the beautiful and charming vocals of Charlotta Kerbs, the new session was recorded live and analog as usual, and then brilliantly mixed in France by Jordan Kouby at Question de Son studios. It ended with what might be Andre Solomko’s best level of productions and sound so far.
To make it short, “I Recall” and “Teasing You” felt in love and had a baby at the nightclub… here comes Recalling You, packed in a 45rpm 12inch vinyl edition and coming with a hot Dub edit by Charles Maurice on B-side.

We are proud to present the first release of Believe! International Records – the re-issue of Kirk Reed "California" / "Shawn Lee Mix".
American songwriter and artist Kirk Reed first published the west coast gem "California" in 1979. It was the b-side of the Meca Records 7" release "Lazy Mind". The song is a folky groover that pays tribute to The Golden State through its imagery of sunshine and wide open roads. The original record is in high demand among collectors.
The flip side features an exclusive mix of the track by Shawn Lee (Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra/Young Gun Silver Fox). Shawn has performed a full studio re-work of "California" with added instrumentation, vocals and production. The result is a luscious adaptation of the original song that truly captures its casual west coast vibe. creditKirk Reed: California.

For the first time on 7-inch vinyl, the killer Dusty Fingers tune, "La Dimostrazione", taken from the soundtrack for the Spanish movie, "Metralleta Stein". A moody, dark-funk midtempo track, fueled with solid drum breaks and heavy basslines. A real classic for any beatmaker, this track has been sampled and compiled a dozen times.
On the flip side, you will find the more dynamic “Elikiller”, another smashing jazz-funk tune with great rhythmical and menacing tension. Limited Edition of 300 copies. Don't miss out on this one! This is Italian rare groove at its finest.

One of the Italian soul-mod tracks that every DJ has always dreamed of having on 7-inch! Taken from GLI ANGELI DEL 2000 OST by Mario Molino, ASH is an ace uptempo dancefloor burner, provided by a great brass section, and sung by the fabulous Edda Dell’Orso. On the flip-side is GLI ANGELI DEL 2000 - a lysergic Italian version of Pierre Henry’s retro-futuristic "Psyché Rock" anthem, featuring bells, fat bass lines, wah wah guitar, and electronic effects. Limited Edition 300 of copies. Don't sleep!

March 2017: Alessandro Alessandroni’s AFRO DISCOTECA is released on a blasting 12’’ containing 4 cosmic/disco tracks drawing influences from African music - never published before these incredibly powerful and evocative recordings were rescued from an old dusty tape found in the Maestro’s vaults. The EP became an instant classic for diggers and worldwide tastemakers, bringing the name of Alessandroni to new audiences, far beyond the circle of film scores and library music aficionados.
March 2019: Four Flies asks to a rock band (CALIBRO 35) and three amongst the most brilliant and visionary Italian DJs and producers (Jolly Mare, L.U.C.A., pAd) to rework the original tracks, giving them new life for refined modern dancefloors.
The result is a stunning collection of electronic/cosmic/balearic reworks, which respects the spirit of Alessandroni’s compositions, projecting them into our present.

The complete works, including newly discovered recordings, by South Carolinian funk/soul bandleader James Reese, a jazz-inflected producer as ambitious as he was talented. Trombonist, bandleader, songwriter, arranger and producer James Reese never issued an album with his Progressions band, only a series of 45s – some under his own name, some under that of his collaboraors – out of Spartanburg, South Carolina on his Najma label, from the late 1960s until the mid 1970s. He was as ambitious as he was talented, and his ouevre ranges from brutal, deep soul to sophisticated instrumental ballads to jazz-inflected funk.
Now-Again’s Egon first discovered Reese’s music on a 24 lock-in in Concord, North Carolina’s legendary record and antique clock repository, Ye Olde Clock Shoppe, in 1999. After he tracked down Reese, he officially reissued two of Reese’s songs on his seminal Stones Throw anthology The Funky 16 Corners. He later issued more of Reese’s music on the Now-Again anthology Loving On The Flipside. Sourced from rare 45s and multi-track master tapes, Wait For Me: The Complete Works 1967-1972 presents both issued and recently-rediscovered songs in the full-length format, in a cohesive set that shows the brilliance still arising from the American soul and funk sub-strata. Included among them is a remix of the track “Throwing Stones” from longtime Now-Again associate Kenny Dope. Also comes bundled with an extensive booklet detailing the trajectory of Reese and his band. Download card for WAV files included with the LP.

IZIPHO SOUL RECORDS are truly blessed to represent the vinyl element of JARROD LAWSON'S pseudonym project, ORPHEUS -
A beautiful, bewitching, viby brew of acoustic & electronic elements, featuring lush, soulful vocal textures and elegant melodies.
The fine artwork of Jaquelyn Cruz has been recreated in all the glory of a 12 inch cover, with printed inner sleeve and ORANGE vinyl!
In Jarrod’s words – VISIONS, a non-lyrical album of all original music which has been carefully crafted and tailored to tease your senses and guide you thru a peaceful, spiritually enriching experience. I am truly honored and humbled to have been a creative conduit through which came this vivid tapestry of dreamy, visionary tales. The original concepts which gave birth to these compositions are, in my mind, not unlike “visions" which are imparted to shamans during traditional consciousness-altering ceremonies, and much like the healing that comes through the use of associated sacred plant medicines, my intention is for THIS MUSIC also to produce healing vibrations, to soothe, and be a sort of medicinal balm for your soul. I have chosen to release this under the pseudonym, Orpheus, whom was a legendary musician in Greek mythology known for his unique ability to charm the very animals and trees of the forest with the enchanting melodies he performed on his lyre. It was important to me that I create some division between Jarrod Lawson, the soul singer as I have come to be known, and Jarrod Lawson, the purveyor of alternative artistic pursuits, such as this. Essentially, an alias gives me artistic freedom to explore other creative territories and (hopefully) not alienate my fervent supporters, to whom I am most appreciative and grateful!

DNA records have partnered up with Dinked Records to bring you this 45 sure shot.

An original funk/b-boy track with Afro/Latin percussion and big drum break. Written and produced in Kunming, China by DJ DSK and local musicians living there at that time.

Arrangment & Mixing - DJ DSK
Vocals - Angela Cory
Keys - Dane Urry
Bass & Drums - DJ DSK
Percussion & Backing Vocals - Sam Debell
Guitar - J.P.