UK

Official, remastered reissue of this disco tinged, afro funk treasure and the first time the ‘Karam Bani’ single has been cut to 12” – maximising every ounce of highlife soul from Sidiku Buari’s productions.That undeniable US funk flavour coupled with Buari’s Ghanaian rhythms bring a zest to these grooves even the tangiest of forbidden fruits couldn’t draw out. Those fuzzed keys and dusty highlife guitar licks sprinkle the West African flavour, whilst drumming demi-god Bernard Purdie provides the wizardry behind the infectious, yet precision like beats that make the track so unique. Purdie’s killer breaks combined with Buari’s jubilant vocals give a spirituality to this cut that’ll liven up any dancefloor - alongside being a gold mine for samples.Flip it over and you’re hit with the joy filled jam, ‘Ye Koaba’. Tribal drums lead the way for a chorus of jubilant chants supplemented by glistening synth sounds and funk fuelled guitar riffs. It’s a feel-good slice of Ghanaian sunshine, capturing that community spirit and good-hearted nature Ghana’s famous for.Two afro funk sensations sure to put a smile on your face, even when the skies are grey and you’re 5000 miles away from the glorious West African coastline.

Sinnamon’s ’83 NYC boogie scorcher ‘I Need You Now’ gets the official remastered, reissue treatment - complete with the ‘Fierce Reprise’ dub mix alongside the accapella, providing essential sampling material.Marrying the old with the new, ‘I Need You Now’ is drenched in funk bass slickness and colourful chords, yet embraces a wealth of synthesized sounds from electro sequencers to synth-based strings, giving it that early ‘80s post disco, boogie feel. Bernard Fowler of Peech Boys fame steps up on guest vocals bringing a deep, R&B tone to proceedings, complimented by the all-female vocal prowess of Sinnamon adding their trademark feminine touch to the track.First up on the flip side, the six minute ‘Fierce Reprise’ mix. Reversed rides that suck back into the skull, tape delayed vocals and spacey synth echoes blend together, as elements are overlaid and dubbed out for maximum, heavyweight, proto house vibrations.Last up, a favourite and much used vocal accapella that’s been sampled by a whole host of early house, hardcore and garage producers from 808 State and Criminal House to Ray Keith and Paul Johnson.An essential bit of kit for anyone with a penchant for that early ‘80s boogie flavour.

No deep dive into the Local Records back catalogue would be complete without a reissue of the prized jewel that is Jaye Williams ‘Let Me Be The One’.Electro tinged street soul from the N17 ends, with ever reliable label boss and in-house (literally, in his front room) producer John Collins working his magic once again. That sultry voice? Local singer, Jaye Williams blessing the mic with some of the most dynamite lyrics Local Records had to offer…“I can see that you’ve been looking, for a love that’s new. Well let me tell you I’ve got something cooking… I know you’re feeling hungry and I’ve got enough for two”.The flip houses the instrumental, bringing Tim Sanders on tenor sax and John Kpai on guitar to the DIY living room booth and adding another layer of sensuality to compliment that punchy synth bass oh so well. Think smokey, low lit bars, Cabernet Sauvignon flowing as easy as the conversation - this is one for the lovers and those that got away.Pushing £100 on Discogs ‘Let Me Be The One’ is A grade, rarefied street soul gear, long buried deep within the wantlists of many a collector, who never thought they’d see this glorious day.

An instantly recognisable intro that Daft Punk turned into one of their most well-known anthems, ‘Harder Better Faster Stronger’ - Edwin Birdsong’s ‘Cola Bottle Baby’ is straight up insatiable, late ‘70s funk fire.To think this was made nearly 40 years ago – it sounds as delicious as the day it was released and one of those classics that was way ahead of the game. It’d be hard to find anyone that doesn’t feel some level of nostalgia in those opening 15 seconds, but not many would be able to name the original behind the sample.A futuristic leaning jazz funk sound, in part created by the quacked-out bass synth and ringing ride cymbal but grounded in the grooving funk bass, twanging guitar and electrifying keys. An amalgamation of sounds from pop, disco and funk to jazz and electro, there’s no denying Birdsong’s talents - a flair that would lead him to collaborate with the mighty Roy Ayers.On the B side, ‘Freaky Deaky Sities’ ramps up the tempo but carries on that mix of the futuristic and the funk – an ode to all the disco dancers out there. Talkbox business married with Birdsong and his backing’s call and response, bongos and cowbells side by side with rock styled guitars, it’s a pure power play for the dancefloor.An underrated talent given a new lease of the life - officially, remastered and reissued for the first time on 12-inch vinyl for a fuller, louder pressing.

Rain&Shine continue the love for Steve Elliott’s self-produced music by giving his second LP ‘Completion Of A Miracle’ (1982) another lease of life.Remastered from the original reel-to-reel tapes. Includes dancefloor cut ‘Wake Up’. Another essential release from Rain&Shine, set to become a future collector’s item.

New to the Modern Boogie Scene, Funk’n’Sly seem to have come out of nowhere – from waiting in the wings, honing their production, until it was on point to delivering this bonafide early 80’s soul sound.This EP brings you 4 x original cuts with vocals from Ivanmore, Ty Gabriel, Emma Brammer and Ashleigh Jane.The pièce de résistance is the killer dub from Ron Basejam, taking you on a dubbed out dancefloor trip, like a late night ode Larry Levan and the heady days of the Paradise Garage.

Tipped for big things, Alex Virgo presents the first release for his brand new Label ‘Pomme Frite’. An imprint influenced by his love of Disco & his keen ear for sampling in House music.The title track ‘Let Me Through’ builds energy fluidly, effortlessly chopping & changing. Destined to make an impact on the dance floor.The B side features two more originals from Virgo. The first is a ruthless French house inspired bomb ‘Come On Baby’ and collab with new comer & long-time friend Benjamin Groove entitled ‘Private Caller’. A groovy house number with skippy drums & hypnotic sax sampling.

The mysterious Kayroy appears on his second Whiskey Disco record bringing the heat by way of sampladelic dancefloor collages packed with funk and a slight left-of-center aesthetic. Like Damn and the titular, Pavlova Casanova, are both hands-up, disco gaiety that will rip the heart of your chest.Sandy Shackles closes out the EP conjuring the disco dub vibes of editors like Idjut Boys or Ray Mang. Just who is Kayroy – and who was he on his first Whiskey Disco appearance?