Skyline At Juno Download

Review: For those who aren't in the know, Funkshone is a UK funk act formed by Mike Bandoni and Nino Auricchio back in 2006. The nine-piece outfit return to Skyline Recordings with their second full-length album entitled 2, and it's every bit as good as their debut set (2008's Shining). There's much to explore (14 tracks in total), with a heady mixture of beguiling late night funk jams, although the smoky textures of "Bushwacker", breakneck funk of "It Ain't Never Gonna Work" and soul anthem "Soul Survivor Part 1" are the picks of the bunch for our money. Well worth checking.

Review: Having initially worked exclusively on 7" vinyl, Skyline Recordings - the label who once brought us a cut-up funk version of the "Grandstand" theme tune - are now reissuing a load of their best wax as digital download releases. This cut from little-known Brit funk/soul band The Family Fortune is arguably the label's most essential re-release to date. Originally released back in 2008, it offers a bright, breezy and forthright funk fusion of snaking horns, crisp breaks and a rousing vocal from Jessica Darling. Think Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings or The Quantic Soul Orchestra, and you're close.