funk/soul albums
Album Review: Femi Kuti + Made Kuti – Legacy +
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no afrobeat scholar, but there’s something undeniably enticing about a double album calling itself Legacy+ that’s attached to the Kuti name. I don’t even think this is necessarily limited or limiting, either, because the work of Fela Kuti is something that you’re likely aware of even if …
Album Review: Tommy Guerrero – ‘Sunshine Radio’
Tommy Guerrero’s ‘Sunshine Radio’ is the latest release in his pretty consistent turnover of albums, with the skateboarding legend turned musician averaging at least an LP every three years since 1997’s ‘Loose Groove And Bastard Blues’, as well as slotting in other projects (check out last year’s ace Los Days). On a similar path to …
Album Review: Simon Jefferis – Vibrations
Brixton based polymath Simon Jefferis returns to rising label DeepMatter with his debut LP ‘Vibrations’. From the golden era energies of ‘Back 2 Ours’ featuring Austin’s Abhi The Nomad, through to the silky smooth melodies of ‘White Rabbit’ (featuring the incredible Rosie Lowe on vocals) and shoulder swaying rhythms of ‘Something In The Water’, ‘Vibrations’ …
Album Review: Maceo Parker – Soul Food – Cooking With Maceo
Fans of Maceo have had a whole 8 years to wait for his latest studio album. Well let me tell you I don’t think they will be disappointed. Soul Food – Cooking with Maceo serves up a nourishing, all you can eat buffet of classics and originals infused with New Orleans Funk. ‘Cross The Track’, …
Album Review: The Phenomenal Handclap Band- “PHB”
The highly praised group return after an extensive break, coming eight years since 2012’s “Form and Control”. Their brilliantly eclectic debut, blending prog-rock flute sections and soul reminiscent vocals, drew compliments from Sir Paul McCartney, while also leading to supporting artists like Bryan Ferry and Franz Ferdinand on tour. The current line-up consists of band …
Album Review: Cassowary – Cassowary
Following hot on the heels of the new Thundercat album ‘It is what it is’ it just in terms of timing but style as well (and quality as well, let’s get that out there), with a new name, Cassowary, aka 25 year old Miles Shannon. He’s got form though, from playing piano on Childhood friend …
Album Review: Tom Misch & Yussef Dayes – What Kinda Music
In these almost unprecedented times for UK jazz, two of its foremost protagonists – Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes, have joined forces to make ‘What Kinda music’ which is out today via Blue Note / Caroline Records, apparently having crossed paths firstly as children before hooking up around the time of Misch’s 2018 debut album …
Album Review: Lettuce – Elevate
“This album definitely stretches the boundaries,” says chief composer and percussionist Deitch of New York funk sextet Lettuce, before pretty much summing up the album succinctly, saying “The idea was to keep exploring the different areas of funk and hip-hop beats, then writing melodies to those songs that made sense.” And that’s at the essence …
Album Review: Sir Was – Digging A Tunnel
That this album by Joel Wastberg AKA sir Was is his debut album as a solo artist is almost inconceivable, accomplished that it is.His background as a multi-instrumentalist gun for hire for the likes of José Gonzalez (both in solo guise and as a member of Junip) appears to have been a catalyst to finally …
Album Review: Dr. Dog – Abandoned Mansion
Like a friend wanting to console you after a great disappointment, Dr. Dog have emerged from the wilderness of the post-election shock and awe to give us something to ease our worried minds and pained hearts. It seems the Philly folk/soul/rock philistines entered their studio and for two weeks belted out a song a day …