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It's a mark of the quality of Mad Mats' A&R skills that GAMM has managed to notch up almost a decade of releases without really resorting to releasing the sort of stinky cheese that usually plagues bootleg and mash-up imprints. This EP from newcomers The Reflex continues that record, offering two excellent, funk-laden bangers that get just the right balance between anthemic pomp and heads-down stomp. First up is "ABC", a stretched-out re-take of The Jackson 5's most famous hit that boasts a completely different (but very good) musical backing. "I Feel Good" is even better, turning a loose funk classic into a tight dancefloor bumper thanks to snappy new beats.
A destination label for fans of classy disco and funk edits, GAMM introduce The Reflex to their roster with these new additions to their "ReVisions" series. Marvin Gaye's "Ain't No Mountain" gets a subtle boost to the beats and bottom end, while on a similar Northern Soul vibe, The Reflex treats "Rehab" with a new set of drums and a few added strings and stiff guitar chanks. Best of all, the beatless instrumental of Marvin's seminal "What's Going On" is reconnected with the original acapella in a superbly tasteful mixdown that shows off every nuance of that incredible recording.
A lost treasure from 1974, this exquisite re-release from Jazzman showcases the incredible Cali-funk and psychedelic soul of Gold. After initially intending just to re-release single "What About The Child", the Jazzman team set about trying to relocate the tapes of the whole album, which miraculously turned up in a shed in Las Vegas. Such efforts were clearly worth it, as the tight and ebullient funk of songs like "If You Can Dance", "Plastic Lady" and "Ain't That Funky Enough" sit right alongside the best of Bootsy, Earth Wind And Fire and The Temptations.
Blundetto's second album for Heavenly Sweetness is simply a must for fans of deep, Ethio/Afrobeat grooves. Joined by a cast of distinguished sessioneers and guests such as The Akale Horns, Tommy Guerrero, Jamaican singer Courtney John and rapper Aqeel, tracks like the brassy "Rocroy", the slow and luscious hip-hop of "It's All About" and the slow soul of "Final Good Bye" make this a deeply rootsy and slowly affecting LP. Worth checking out solely for the lovely cover of Lee Dorsey's "Hercules"!
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