Review: Founded in 2018 by DJ and producer DeniShain (the man behind acclaimed compilations Space Echo and Pop Makossa), Atangana Records (and its digital arm The Pusher) is the logical follow up to more than 20 years of travels - constantly on the lookout for new artists and music around the world. Looking to the Caribbean's Islands, especially into Haiti of late, with a reissue here that's highly expected by various diggers - the acclaimed single "Divizion" by singer Fedia Laguerre. Originally released in 1981, this evocative track comes with a respectful remix by Voilaaa (that adds a bit more modern dynamics) and an instrumental cut exclusively based on the additional work by the French - Afro collective.
Review: On their debut album, 2016's the Tony Allen Experiments, Naples twosome Nu Guinea re-invented tracks by the legendary Afro-beat drummer as synth-heavy chunks of deep jazz-funk and nu-Balearica. For this follow-up - their first full length entirely made up of their own compositions - the duo serves up a set of jazz-funk, disco and boogie cuts rich in both their trademark colourful analogue synthesizer sounds and live instrumentation. It's a formula that guarantees a string of memorable highlights, from the sun-kissed peak-time brilliance of "Disco Sole" and rubbery, funk-fuelled "Je Vulesse" (a killer vocal number), to the wobbly downtempo trip of "A Voce E Napule" and Mizell Brothers fizz of closer "Parev Ajare", the album's most synthesizer-heavy cut.
Review: Late last year, French imprint Chuwanga launched via a fine compilation exploring the early '80s Britfunk sound (think jazz-funk and electrofunk) in impressive detail. You'll find numerous aural nods to that style on this follow-up, a fine debut single from producer Koji Ono. Check, for example, the sparkling synthesizers, hustling guitars and house-tempo jazz-funk grooves of "So High", the wiggly Clavinet lines, whistling melodies and rubbery bass of "Inner Rhythms" and the luscious, misty-eyed warmth of ear-pleasing mid-tempo instrumental jam "Momoshima". All are exquisite examples of revivalist cuts that boast more than enough freshness and impeccable instrumentation to bear comparison to the records that inspired them.
Congress - "Something That You Got (Real Hot)" - (5:03) 130 BPM
Potion - "Catch The Feelin (Showstopper)" - (6:54) 126 BPM
Inch By Inch - "If Itas Magic (We Donat Want It)" - (6:42) 117 BPM
Index - "Starlight (The Break)" - (6:01) 123 BPM
Spookey - "Friends" - (4:36) 131 BPM
Review: Discomatin co-founder and all-round Parisian selector don Saint James co-launches his new Chuwanaga label with this expertly curated compilation. In The Red is a deep dive into the exciting funk fusion coming out of London between 1980-83 as a new movement of black British musicians honed a sound that owes as much to soundsystem culture as it does disco. From the glistening instrumental flare of Index to the lavish synths and slap bass of Equa, this captures a unique and currently under-documented moment in groove history. Complete with detailed liner notes, this is a fantastic way to launch a new label. Not to be slept on.
Review: This release marks two important returns - that of both the High & Fly label and the jazz funk band Trevor & Lisa. They may sound like an early couple of characters in Eastenders, but this Parisian outfit are chic as you like. "LA Nights" is a vintage West Coast g-funk jam with Roger Troutman vibes a plenty. "Breaks Droppin'" is a smooth, melancholic slice of Balearic soul and "The Battle" is a sassy 70s Latin-disco-rock explosion. Guaranteed to blow your mind.
Review: This release marks two important returns - that of both the High & Fly label and the jazz funk band Trevor & Lisa. They may sound like an early couple of characters in Eastenders, but this Parisian outfit are chic as you like. "LA Nights" is a vintage West Coast g-funk jam with Roger Troutman vibes a plenty. "Breaks Droppin'" is a smooth, melancholic slice of Balearic soul and "The Battle" is a sassy 70s Latin-disco-rock explosion. Guaranteed to blow your mind.
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