William Onyeabor : Fantastic Man

William Onyeabor is a funk musician from Nigeria. His songs are often heavily rhythmic and synthesized, occasionally epic in scope, with lyrics decrying war sung by both Onyeabor himself and female backing vocalists. In recent years a number of his songs have appeared on various compilations. Some biographies claim that he studied cinematography in Russia, returning to Nigeria in the 1970s to start his own Wilfilms music label and to set up a recording and production studio. He was later crowned a High Chief in Enugu, where he still lives as a businessman working on government contracts and running his own flour mill. According to the Luaka Bop record label, Onyeabor "self-released 8 albums between 1978 and 1985 and then became a born-again Christian, refusing ever to speak about himself or his music again. By attempting to speak with Onyeabor himself, and by talking to people who seem to have firsthand knowledge, Luaka Bop has been trying to construct an accurate biography of him for the past 18 months... without success.

The Pointer Sisters : Send Him Back

Here we find the Oakland group teamed up with Nola's Wardell Quezergue for this brilliant meeting of west coast and New Orleans soul. Special mention must be made of those heavenly sisterly harmonies and bass playing that deserves an award. Kind of rare 45 record from 1972, Atlantic pressed on both the east and west coast. All west coast pressings (from the Monarch plant) were styrene. Just about all the other plants Atlantic did business with offered exclusively vinyl pressings.

Bobby Byrd : Hot Pants

Bobby Byrd recorded "Hot Pants - I'm Coming, I'm Coming, I'm Coming", released on Brownstone Records in 1972. This version of the song was also frequently sampled for its drum loop. Notable sampling songs include "Fools Gold" by The Stone Roses, "Papua New Guinea" by Future Sound of London and "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The song was featured on the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack on the Master Sounds 98.3 station. Byrd's wife Vicki Anderson also recorded an answer song, "I'm Too Tough For Mr. Big Stuff (Hot Pants)", for Brownstone. The J.B.'s recorded the instrumental "Hot Pants Road" as the B-side of their 1971 hit "Pass the Peas".

Isaac Hayes : Do Your Thing

In early 1971, Hayes composed music for the soundtrack of the blaxploitation film Shaft, in the movie, he also appeared in a cameo role as the bartender. The title theme, with its wah-wah guitar and multi-layered arrangement, would become a worldwide hit single, and spent two weeks at number one in the Billboard Hot 100 in November. The remainder of the album was mostly instrumentals covering big beat jazz, bluesy funk, and hard Stax-styled soul. The other two vocal songs, the "Soulville" and the 19-minute jam "Do Your Thing," would be edited down to hit singles.
Later the track was succesfully covered by Lyn Collins on James Brown's Funky People Pt. 2 Polydor in 1972.

The Meters : People Say

Opening track on "Rejuvenation", the fifth album of The Meters, released in 1974. In 2003, the album was ranked number 138 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
 

Charles Wright : Express Yourself

"Express Yourself" is a 1971 single by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. It was released in 1971 as the title song of their 1970 album, Express Yourself, and is their signature song. It reached 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was also their biggest hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reaching 3.
 

Idris Muhammad : Loran's Dance

This is one of the reasons that Idris Muhammad is regarded as the drumming king of groove. Featuring the arrangements and keyboards of Bob James, the saxophone punch of Grover Washington, Jr., guitarist Joe Beck, trumpeter Randy Brecker, percussionist Ralph MacDonald, and the knife-edge slick production of Creed Taylor, this 1974 issue is a burning piece of deep, jazzy soul and grooved-out bliss.
 

Nathan Haines : Navarino Street

The follow-up to 2012's "The Poet's Embrace", Haines' 9th solo album produced by Mike Patto, "Vermillion Skies" was recorded at Auckland's famed York St Studios with the use of 'real room' reverb and with all band performances played live and together and in the same room. The Ampex 300A half inch tape machine was used once again, and Haines features on two-self penned vocals this time - the tongue-in-cheek "Navarino Street" about uber-trendy East London, and the psychedelic "single "First Light". Haines also wrote arrangements for the six-piece horn section, and the album closer "Lament" written by J.J Johnson as recorded by Miles Davis in 1958 was arranged by Wayne Senior and exudes a classy and lush sound rarely heard on modern jazz records. "Vermillion Skies" was released earlier this year on Warner Music in NZ and Australia.
 

Just Brothers : Sliced Tomatoes

Just Brothers was the American musical duo of the brothers Jimmy and Frank Bryant and several session musicians. Their song "Sliced Tomatoes" was a dancefloor hit in 1972, and was sampled in Fatboy Slim's "The Rockafeller Skank."
 

Salt : Hung-Up

One of the rarest and most collectible funk records is by a mystery group named Salt. Nobody knows who they are or where they’re from, all we know of them is that they put together these two minutes of hardcore funk. An original pressing of this 45 is worth thousands of dollars, if you can even find it. Take a listen, it’s solid funk.

Ikebe Shakedown : The Beast/Road Song

Combining traditional African rhythmic textures with melodies and grooves steeped in American funk, soul, and jazz, Ikebe Shakedown offers a unique and powerful sound. The 8-piece, Brooklyn-based band formed in early 2009 and, after a slew of dates around NYC, recorded their debut 7” single and EP, Hard Steppin', at Dunham Studios (home of Menahan Street Band, Budos Band, Charles Bradley and more). This limited single is a precursor to their much anticipated sophomore full-length album.

Ben E. King : Street Tough

"Street Tough" was Ben E. King's 14th album and 13th studio album, and his final record released directly with Atlantic Records. The album was released in 1981 and written by the great Willie Hutch. Two singles sprouted from this album. "Street Tough" came out first, then "You Made The Difference In My Life", both in 1981. These are the last known singles released before the movie "Stand By Me" returned the song of the same name to popularity.
 

The Impressions : Rhythm!

What do you get when you cross the legendary group harmony of the Impressions, with the savvy production stylings of Daptone’s very own master of ceremonies and guitar dynamo, Binky Griptite? Easy, you get one of the finest collaborations that has ever been realized onto 7 inches of high quality vinyl. The first single by The Impressions in over 30 Years. Featuring original members, Fred Cash, Sam Gooden, as well as Reggie Torrian, who has been singing with the group since the early ‘70s – this single is the sweet soulful beauty you’d expect from the Impressions. This is real soul music played by a real band and how sweet it is!
"Rhythm" the aptly titled A-Side, is a Curtis Mayfield penned tune that was a big hit for Major Lance in the Mid-Sixties. The Impressions revive this classic with their iconic sophisticated harmonies and a new horn arrangement by "The 4th Impression", Johnny Pate himself, that moves the song along at a laid back, yet dance friendly pace. This track is Soul of the highest order.
 

Alice Russell : Drinking Song (Full Version)

Alice Russell back on Thru Thoughts with her latest album "To Dust" released in the beginning of 2013, that was very exciting news... Now the full version of the interlude track "Drinking Song" popped up on the Japanese edition of the album. We have nothing but love for Alice Russell !
 

Peshay : Generation EP

Drum ‘n’ bass legend Peshay turns his musical touch to live funk, jazz and tropical compositions in a vibrant new direction on his first album for Tru Thoughts.
Like a lost ‘70s film soundtrack, “Midnight Express” takes things in a decidedly funk-fuelled direction; cutting together archive session recordings from live musicians at various times, Peshay has managed to create the suspenseful, driving frisson of a tight group of players jamming live and in-the-moment.
“Kickin’ It With The Piano Trio” is a live, expressive freeform jazz jam that spirals into a snaking, swinging groove with propulsive drums. The impeccable musicianship comes care of Munich-based funk/jazz group Tounion, whom Peshay approached with collaboration in mind after hearing them in a club and being blown away.
 

In Motion Collective : Jesse's Jing

In Motion Collective delivers a powerful and eclectic blend of afro-funk and soul. Formed as a trio in 2010, the group is now comprised of a 10-piece, horn-heavy powerhouse that is guaranteed to excite the dancefloor. The groups anticipated debut 7" single is out now on Ohio-based indie label, Colemine Records. A follow up full length LP is in the works.
 

Little Willie John : Fever

The idea for the song was presented to Otis Blackwell by an old friend, Eddie Cooley. Blackwell said: "Eddie Cooley was a friend of mine from New York and he called me up and said 'Man, I got an idea for a song called "Fever", but I can´t finish it. I had to write it under another name because, at that time, I was still under contract to Joe Davis'."
Little Willie John reportedly disliked the song, but was persuaded to record it, on March 1, 1956, by King Records owner Syd Nathan and arranger and producer Henry Glover. His version was released in April 1956 and became a double-sided hit along with the top-ten R&B song "Letter from My Darling". "Fever" reached number one for three weeks on the R&B Best Sellers chart. It also made the pop charts, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard chart.
 

The Getup : Get Lucky

The Getup are back with a stunning cover of the tune of the year. This is a heavy breakbeat, crazy Hammond organ cover of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky in. This is a guaranteed dancefloor filler and definitely not your average version!
 

Ray Bryant : Up Above The Rock

Ray Bryant was an American jazz pianist and composer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although he could always play bop, Ray Bryant's playing combined together older elements (including blues, boogie-woogie, gospel, and even stride) into a distinctive, soulful, and swinging style.
Bryant started his career playing with Tiny Grimes in the late '40s. He became the house pianist at The Blue Note in Philadelphia in 1953, where he backed classic jazz greats (including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Lester Young) and made important contacts. Bryant settled in New York in 1959, played with Sonny Rollins, Charlie Shavers, and Curtis Fuller; and soon had his own trio. He had a few funky commercial hits (including "Little Susie" and "Cubano Chant") that kept him working for decades. After a lengthy illness, Ray Bryant died in Queens, New York on June 2, 2011; he was 79 years old.

 

Jukka Eskola : Orquesta Bossa

"The Orquesta Bossa project started actually with a live gig in January 2012 when I had a chance to produce a concert for a line up with a quintet plus a string quartet. The material was Jazz and Bossa standards, nothing unusual. The sound of the combo got stuck in my mind, I just loved the traditional Bossa sound of the rhythmic section, combined with the front line horns and the string quartet adding a little bit more modern angle to it. So I decided to make more of the project and compose some original tunes and make an album.
"The musicians on the album are the cream of Finnish jazz players, and classical players when it comes to the strings. The recording sessions were made in a very traditional way, all 9 musicians playing 100% live takes in the same small space. We used old 50's and 60's tube microphones and recorded on an analog 8-track tape recorder." Jukka Eskola
 

Perez Prado : Circle (Gerardo Frisina Edit)

Taken from “Escandalo” by Perez Prado & Don Alfio, “Circle” was written by Mario Rusca and performed by some amazing musicians such as Tullio De Piscopo, Hugo Heredia and Pino Presti. Perez Prado is Pantaleon Perez Prado, the younger brother of the “King of Mambo” who came to Europe in the 50s and recorded several albums with Unifunk. “Circle” is a strong track with a killer groove and it’s not hard to imagine it as the perfect score for a car chase. On the b-side we have Gerardo Frisina with an edit of “Circle”.
 

Nightmares On Wax : Now Is The Time

Nightmares On Wax returns after a five-year absence with ‘Feelin’ Good’, an eclectic collection of playful, sun-soaked tracks that sees Warp Records’ longest-serving artist George Evelyn at his most joyful and musically ambitious.
Having grown up in Leeds, George Evelyn decided to pack his bags and move over to Ibiza seven years ago, and this drastic change in both lifestyle and climate is more evident than ever on this new album. “It was always a natural dream to make music in the sun like I do now,” Evelyn said.
While every Nightmares On Wax release draws from a staggering number of influences, ‘Feelin’ Good’ relates very closely to Evelyn’s own Ibiza club night, Wax Da Jam, where he soundtracks a night of groove, experimentation, percussion and improvisation, featuring guests such as DJ Shadow and Roots Manuva. Evelyn explains: “It’s been pivotal to my music making... everyone turns up as individuals but everybody leaves as one.” Listening to ‘Feelin’ Good’, you can feel the same euphoric, positive vibes seeping through the music, providing the perfect soundtrack to a blissful Ibizan sunrise.
Evelyn recruited a truly virtuosic line-up of musicians for the recording of ‘Feelin’ Good’. With orchestrations and strings by Jazzanova arranger Sebastian Studnitzky, drums by the masterful German jazz percussionist Wolfgang Haffner and a vocal feature from Mozez of Zero 7 fame, this album is full to the brim with undeniable talent.
 

Four Tet : Parallel Jalebi

Kieran Hebden (born 1978) released the seventh Four Tet album, Beautiful Rewind, in October 2013. Four Tet is a post-rock and electronic musician. Hebden first came to prominence as a member of the band Fridge before establishing himself as a solo artist. Hebden has an abstract approach, his sound and melodies incorporate elements of hip hop, electronica, techno, jazz, grime and folk music with live instrumentation. His newer works are inspired heavily by house and electronic music.
 

LascaMão : Caminho De Minas

Names You Can Trust presents the International debut release of the Brazilian percussion ensemble LascaMão. Comprised of eight members including one of the true masters of Brazilian percussion, Robertinho Silva, the sound of the group is the fruit of several years researching the different rhythms and interactions of Brazil's rich musical influences. The result is a modern & heavy mix of Afro-Brazilian traditions created specifically for the dance, an invitation for your feet to travel throughout the sound of the drums and the texture of the voices. This sure-fire single lets the rhythms breath in full on both tracks, lead by the seductive timbre of the cuíca on Rufar dos Tamborins, and the bubbling intensity of the vocal chants on Caminho de Minas.
 

Floating Points : Vacuum Boogie

A repress of the 12" Vacuum Boogie is an excellent excuse to post this classic clubtrack. "Vacuum Boogie," as the title suggests flows upwards, straight into air. The melodies reach, reach, reach until you're nearly ready to dive into the track yourself and push them where they so obviously want to go. This sort of unresolved tension is where Points, AKA Sam Shepherd, excels. You're either hanging on to the edge of your seat or hanging on to your dancing partner waiting for the hit. The same goes for "Truly" and "Argonaute II," on a more muted scale. The groove is paramount, the instruments locked into a Bolero build that only rarely gets extinguished, only to be built up again. Shepherd's talent on this particular EP is in creating glowing bits of soul and then simply letting them run their course.
 

Mala : Como Como feat. Dreiser & Sexto Sentido (Theo Parrish Remix)

Fresh from inaugurating his new Wildheart imprint with a killer collaboration with Tony Allen, cult Motor City producer Theo Parrish (Sound Signature / 3 Chairs) maintains the languorous, dreamy vibe of Mala’s original but opens out the groove, allowing the South Londoner’s warm sub-bass to flex its muscle. The bass weight is tempered by deep, mantric keys; the soft choral vocals of Sexto Sentido; and Dreiser’s spiritual incantations. The results of a true culture clash, ‘Mala in Cuba’ marries the intricate rhythms and deep, spiritual roots of Cuba with Mala’s own roots in South London and his dedication to bass culture. Travelling to Havana with DJ / broadcaster / record collector Gilles Peterson and fellow producer Simbad in 2011 – where they were recording sessions for Gilles’s ‘Havana Cultura: The Search Continues’ album at Abdala Studios – Mala installed himself in a small studio across the corridor from the main hub. With a constant stream of gifted local musicians and vocalists passing through, from diva Danay Suarez to the legendary percussionist Changuito and acclaimed pianist Roberto Fonseca, this was a true journey of discovery for everyone concerned.
 

Zero 7 : Don't Call It Love

Zero 7 have decided to follow the model of self-reliance that epitomised their early days and chimes in with the post-Internet musical landscape. Their first new material since the release of 'Yeah Ghost' is a white label 12-inch, which features two vocal tracks recorded earlier this year in their London studio. Speaking about the new songs, Sam & Henry said: Both tracks were written with singers we haven't worked with previously. Title track ‘On My Own’ features Danny Pratt (AKA Danny Boy), a native of Canberra, Australia who we met in London last year. This is the first of a couple of songs that we plan to release featuring Danny on vocals. ‘On My Own’ is a hypnotic song, restless, alive with melody that surfaces imperceptibly over spectral guitars before burrowing into your brain, never to leave. Flip-side track ‘Don't Call it Love’ is one of many tracks that we have co-written recently with the mysterious and benevolent singer/songwriter Tom Leonard from Los Angeles. ‘Don't Call it Love’ is soulful, warm and provocative, with Leonard’s voice drifting to the foreground, gliding dreamily through the seductive rhythm of entrancing bass lines, brooding synths and keyboards.
 

Gregory Porter : On My Way To Harlem (Jazz & Cole edit)

Gregory Porter is an American jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actor. His debut album, Water, released in 2010 via Motéma Music, was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. He was also a member of the original Broadway cast of It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues. His sophomore album, Be Good, which contains many of Porter's compositions, was released on February 14, 2012, and garnered critical acclaim for both his distinctive singing and his compositions, such as "Be Good (Lion's Song), "Real Good Hands", and "On My Way To Harlem". He was signed by Blue Note Records (Universal Music Group) on May 17, 2013 and his third album Liquid Spirit will be released on September 2, 2013 in Europe. The album is produced by Brian Bacchus
 

Frank Booker : Movin' On

DJ & Producer based in Auckland City. Release records through Sleazy Beats Recordings & Black Ops, Untracked Recordings, Wonderful Noise (Japan), Fine Art Recordings (FAR), KAT, Razor'N'Tape & Kolour Recordings LTD.
 

Sir Own : Hooked (Kon’s Nite Time Remix)

It’s finally here, one of the most talked about and sought-after reworks in recent time, Kon’s stunning remix of Cerrone’s ”Hooked On You”. Originally released back in 1981 and featuring Jocelyn Brown on vocals this updated version has been given the royal treatment by Kon and is now finally out on coloured marbled vinyl.
 

Ondatrópica : Linda Mañana

Ondatropica is a musical collaboration lead by Mario Galeano and Will Holland. The foundation of the project was laid in a three week recording session at the legendary Discos Fuentes in Medellin, Colombia. It was there that over 40 musicians came together to revisit, revive and celebrate tropical music of the country. An 'Onda' is a soundwave, a charge of sonic energy projected out into the atmosphere. Musical explosions like Ondatropica don't come out of nowhere, each participant of Ondatropica has their own history and experience contributing to the whole. This mix celebrates the music of the individuals that make up the Ondatropica collective and the diversity of Latin America's tropical music scene. The mix features the music of Peregoyo y su Combo Vacana, Flowering Inferno, Residuo Solido, Afrosound, Grupo Canalon, Esteban Copete y su Kinteto Pacifico, Michi Sarmiento, Frente Cumbiero, Anibal Velasquez, Romperayo, Pedro Ramaya Beltran, Piano Negro, El Combo de Pepe, Alfredito Linares, Ray Perez and the Meridian Brothers!
 

Jungle Fire : Chalupa

The Jungle Fire sound digs deep and resurrects classic afro/latin funk music with an approach that is both authentic and highlyexplosive!. Members have performed with Stevie Wonder, Joe Bataan, Breakestra, Ozomatli, Quantic, Alice Russell, MDCL, Simple Citizens, Celia Cruz, Orgone, The Greyboy Allstars and the list goes on. Keep a watchful eye out as JUNGLE FIRE continues to scorch dance floors and heat up clubs across the nation!
 

Fatboy Slim : Praise You (Mr Shuffle Remix)

Catching Flies : Stay Forever

22 year-old London based musician/producer, Catching Flies, made quite a splash with his debut EP ‘The Stars’ in October 2012. The ‘four track trip down paradise lane’ (Indie Shuffle) received unanimous praise from the blogosphere and saw Catching Flies reach the No. 1 spot on The Hype Machine. The latest insight into the musical universe of Mr Flies comes in the form of a new EP: ‘The Long Journey Home,’ released on 17th June 2013 via Indigo Soul. The EP will be available on iTunes, Amazon & all other online stores. You can pre-order the EP and get 'Stay Forever' NOW from: www.catchingflies.bandcamp.com
 

Chuck Brooks : Behind Closed Doors

The name Chuck Brooks first showed up as composer for The Bar-Kays songs in the early 70s and First Choice material, later he worked with Joe Wilson, Ann Peebles, Little Milton, but never really got in the spotlight himself. One of his own rare songs, Behind Closed Doors, became quite popular in the northern funk soul revival with compilations like Superfly Soul in 2003.
 

Betty Wright : Clean Up Women

Bessie Regina Norris, better known by her stage name, Betty Wright (born 1953), is a Miami-based soul singer-songwriter, who won fame in the 1970s with hits such as "Clean Up Woman" and "Tonight Is the Night". A pioneering singer-songwriter and entrepreneur, she remains one of the few black female musicians to have a gold record on her own vanity label. She is adept at using the whistle register.

 

Barbara King : What I Did In The Street

Released in 1978 on Alwa, re-issued on Fryers and Jazzman who are used to dealing with tracks that fall under the radar for all kinds of reasons, but this legendary Sister Funk cut out of sunny Florida is almost unique in that it missed its chance to shine twice. Originally recorded as a hard-nosed James Brown inspired funk number, then again years later as a more open disco-soul inspired dance floor cut that fits in with the current trend of the new funky Northern sound. To say the 45 of the original version is rare is putting it mildly, you have more chance of finding a hen’s tooth in rocking horse shit on the 29th of February. The ONE time it’s ever appeared on eBay (badly listed) was around 2005, it finally sold to a very quiet stealthy London collector who will remain unnamed. The later version has popped up a few times however, yet routinely commands a $500 price tag. So I think you can safely say there is at least $2500 worth of o.g action on this killer double sider 45.

 

Electric Guest : This Head I Hold

Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band formed in 2005. The group comprises Asa Taccone and Matthew "Cornbread" Compton. On April 24, 2012, the band released their debut album, Mondo. Electric Guest has received a great number of accolades in their young career. They garnered attention in late 2011 and early 2012, earning them a month's long residency at the Echo in Silverlake, California. They performed their single “This Head I Hold” on an April 2012 taping of the Late Show with David Letterman and have made major international festival appearances. Their album Mondo hit the Billboard charts upon its release, reaching No. 11 on the Heatseekers Albums chart and No. 49 on the Independent Albums chart. Their lead single, "This Head I Hold", reached No. 30 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Brian Burton (a.k.a. Danger Mouse) produced Electric Guest's debut album Mondo after a year of exchanging advice and music with Asa Taccone, who happened to be a friends' younger brother. Taccone then moved to Los Angeles by taking the room Burton was moving out of. Their relationship continued, and ultimately blossomed into their collaboration on Mondo.
 

First Choice : Let No Man Put Asunder (Moplen remix)

First Choice was an American girl group vocal music trio from Philadelphia. The group produced the disco hits "Armed and Extremely Dangerous", "Smarty Pants", "The Player", "Love Thang", "Let No Man Put Asunder" and "Dr. Love". They were signed to soul label Philly Groove Records and to disco label Salsoul Records. The group was influential to early house and techno music, because of sampling by numerous artists, including Todd Terry and The Jungle Brothers, mostly from First Choice's 1983 track, "Let No Man Put Asunder."
 

Chicago : Street Player (Le Visiteur Edit)

One of the biggest-selling bands in U.S. history, hailing from the Windy City (Chicago, Illinois). Formed in 1967 as "The Big Thing", they were one of the first groups to successfully fuse rock with a horn section. This blend worked well for them into the late 1970s, until they started to shift towards a more adult-contemporary style, with bassist Peter Cetera becoming the main vocalist. They haven't put out much original material in recent years but tour to the masses every year since they started. In dance music circles, they are best known for their minor hit, "Streetplayer", which Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez sampled for his 1995 track, "The Bomb!", released under the alias of The Bucketheads.
 

D. D. Sound : Burning Love

Released in 1977 in Italy and written by A&C La Bionda a musical duo formed by brothers Carmelo and Michelangelo La Bionda, who are considered the inventors of Italian disco music. The two brothers began in 1970 as composers, artists, record producers and publishers. The popularity came after turning to the disco scene. They moved to Munich, and their first successes came under the pseudonym, D. D. Sound, that accompanied them for their entire recording career.

Chanson : Don't Hold Back

Released in 1978 and written by David Williams and James Lee Jamerson Jr.
David Williams was an American rhythm guitarist, producer and songwriter, born November 21, 1950; died March 06, 2009. He collaborated with many artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, The Jacksons, George Howard, Boz Scaggs, Michelle Gayle, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Bryan Ferry on Roxy Music. He also was part of the back up band for The Temptations.
His signature funky strumming famously anchors the end of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
 

Aretha Franklin : Get It Right

"Get It Right" is a song written by Luther Vandross and Marcus Miller which was a hit for Aretha Franklin in 1983. Released from the album of the same title, it reached number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in August 1983 and peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single reached number nine on the Hot Dance Club Play chart and number 74 on the UK Singles Chart.

Chain Reaction : Dance Freak (Moplen Edit)

Chain Reaction was the project of piano keyboard player Dwight Brewster and percussionist Harold Sargent. They released a couple of 12 inches under this name during the eighties.
 

Mr Shuffle : Tropical Sounds

Mr Shuffle : Tropical Sounds Part 1 by Mr Shuffle on Mixcloud

Orchestre Laye Thiam : Kokorico

Taken from the self-titled album "Orchestre Laye Thiam" superb music from Senegal, the band is related to the Star Band de Dakar and friends of Youssou N'Dour.

Fela Kuti : Sorrow, Tears & Blood (Mr Mendel edit)

Released in 1977 "Sorrow Tears and Blood" was the first of Fela’s self released albums on his own Kalakuta Records, after being dropped by his label following the raid on his commune. Of course he was forced to go to court to get these masters returned, and was eventually successful. Whilst it’s easy to attribute the sentiments expressed in this piece to the violence Fela and his authorities experienced at the hands of the military and government, the tune was inspired by the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa in which students rioted against the forced teaching of Afrikaans. It’s Fela’s Ohio, and it’s easy to see how the events in south Africa appealed to his own struggle against authorities. They leave sorrow tears and blood, their regular trademark he offers on a much moodier, more subdued mid-tempo piece that is laden with enough emotion to be one his best works.

Charles Bradley : Strictly Reserved For You

From the upcoming album, Victim of Love. Out in April 2nd, 2013 on Dunham/Daptone Records.
In 1996, Bradley's mother called him and asked him to move back in with her in Brooklyn so she could get to know him. It was there he began making a living moonlighting as a James Brown impersonator in local clubs under the name "Black Velvet." During this time, Bradley experienced more hard times, including almost dying in a hospital after being given penicillin (to which he has an allergy) and waking to the police arriving to the scene of his brother's murder just down the road from his mother's house. While performing as "Black Velvet," he was eventually discovered by Gabriel Roth, co-founder of Daptone Records. Roth introduced Bradley to Daptone artist Tom Brennek, who invited Bradley to his band's rehearsal. Bradley asked that the band simply perform while he made up lyrics on the spot. After writing several songs, with Daptone releasing some of them on vinyl starting in 2002, ten were chosen and released as Bradley's debut album "No Time For Dreaming" in 2011.

Mr Shuffle : In a Jazz Mood

Banbarra : Shack Up

If this one doesn't get you moving, than I don't know...
The original was recorded by Washington DC funk band Banbarra in 1975 and remains obscure like the band itself. The only thing we know is the band consisted of Joseph Anthony Carter and Moe Daniels and that's about it. The track is the only released by the band and got a lot of play in Northern Soul clubs at the time. The track's got monster basslines, funky hooks that are totally South Bronx, and a heavily percussive sound that will take you to the bank ! A classic !

Wganda Kenya : Bayesa

Gems? Diamonds, more like. Sparkling funky diamonds that shine from every guitar, horn, bass and deep belly-driven chants. First up is a 1976 number from Wganda Kenya who actually come from Colombia. You'd never tell; with vast harmonies and a sonic span that's as wide as the Serengeti plains, its heart beats to a strict Kenyan rhythm. M'Bamina add a French African touch to the B on a specially edited version of "Aitde O Sika". Watch out for the deconstructed percussion and bass break. A finer example of an edit you will not find. see + hear+ buy other Mukatsuku releases here www.juno.co.uk/labels/Mukatsuku/