7"

Immortalised, smooth psychedelic soul from The Isley Brothers that's every bit as powerful as it was in '83. Much loved and often sampled in the hip hop world, with 'Footsteps In The Dark' most famously sampled by Ice Cube and 'Between The Sheets' by Notorious B.I.G. A huge record for sample spotters and funk / soul lovers alike, they don't get much more iconic than these two tracks - now fully remastered and reissued for the modern dancefloor.

Culross Close follow up their 2016 debut album HOME with a potent offering entitled MOMENTS. The quartet (a moniker of K15) meld fusion and future grooves to create a captivating ride through some of their recordings.From the opening MANIFESTO, the listener is thrust into a world of purpose and understanding. SLOW YOUR STROLL is where the record begins to unfold, as floating synths and percussion carry the groove. What follows next is the hypnotic INNA TRICE, the rawest of all the recordings where snares and sincerity collide.The record closes with UNISON (a future groove if there ever was one), a number that showcases the quartet's ability to truly explore their moments."Man, this is beautiful" - Glenn Astro (Money $ex Records / Tartelet / Ninja Tune) "As always, raw and from the heart. Beautiful compositions just the way a 7" should be!" - Henry Wu (Black Focus / Eglo Records)

Two sun shine soaked, Latin infused Eddie Palmieri joints from the 1978 album Lucumi, Macumba, Voodoo get the official, remastered reissue treatment – with original copies of the 7” trading hands for upwards of £60.Born in New York to Puerto Rican parents, multi Grammy award winner Palmieri is a stratospheric salsa master. And for the Lucumi, Macumba, Voodoo LP he assembled a powerhouse, 30 strong jazz orchestra, featuring the likes of Dom um Romao, Steve Khan, Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis, Hiram Bullock and Palmieri’s brother Charlie.In an era dominated by disco, ‘Spirit Of Love’ took to the dancefloor, drawing on the glamour and magnetism of the late ‘70s. Palmieri’s distinctive style still weaves its way through though, melding Afro-Caribbean rhythms with modern jazz. ‘Spirit Of Love’ is full to the brim with striking vocals, cow bells and big horn sections, blended with psychedelic guitars that riff off against clavinet touches and expressive Montunos melodies. Spirit of the salsa, for the disco dancer!On the flip ‘Lucumi, Macumba, Voodoo’ is a masterpiece of Latin fusion, with Palmieri’s unique arrangements squeezing that Puerto Rican flavour out of every added instrument. Trumpet blasts and sax solos marry with woops and whistles and Latin chants. Couple that with sensuous piano melodies and irresistible percussive elements and it’s a recipe of Caribbean spice that’ll liven up any record collection.

First release of 2019 for Ice City and this one needs no special introduction. One of the ultimate "crossover" soul records - ever. Mid 70s Chicago masterpiece Pamoja written and produced by Keith Stevenson."Oooh, Baby" is an uptempo soul groover designated to light up any proper dancefloor. Due to its scarcity and overall demand, it has become a treasure hunt nightmare for cratediggers worldwide. Finally, the official reissue is here! And if that's not enough, flip the 45 over and go deep on the ballad "Only the Lonely Know", with the throbbing, shrill falsetto vocals from Keith himself.

Volume 9 of Mukatsuku Afro series kicks off with 'M'Ongele M'Am' from Cameroon artist Eko Roosevelt Louis taken from his early 1980's self-titled album and licenced for this 45 from Nubiphone & Africa Seven. The track was one of the highlights of the 2017 Pop Makossa compilation for Analagog Africa and it's the first time ever on a single in its own right.Driving brass funk fuelled afro disco does not really get much better than this. On the flipside Georges Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso gives us us the dance floor bomb ''Deni'' taken from his 1978 long player ''Gnanfou Gnanfou'' also licenced from Africa Seven and also the first time ever on a single. Punchy brass offset by those hipnotic vocals and funky wah-wah guitar has a deserved place on the flip. Strictly no repress. Essential 45 for the dancefloor !

Probablement peu connu parce que porté par des textes dits en français, Je suis un sauvage / Le Moral nécessaire mérite plus que l’assentiment récent des seuls amateurs de grooves rares. Car aujourd’hui encore, ce disque à ne pas négliger demeure un brûlot séminal subtilement militant et par endroits non dénué d’humour. Il représente un grand moment de Great Black Music au même titre que Seize The Time d’Elaine Brown, Nation Time de Joe McPhee, There’s A Riot Goin’ On de Sly & The Family Stone ou Attica Blues d’Archie Shepp. Pas moins.

Kicking off 2019 two tracks the first time on a 45 from prolific Japanese producer DJ MItsu The Beats from the Sendai hip hop group GAGLE and licenced from the Jazzy Sport organisation . Mukatsuku put out two GAGLE 45's produced by DJ Mitsu back in 2008 so this is a welcome return to the label for the producer . A side kicks off with a dreamy jazzual affair featuring Kaneko Takumi on keys.On the flipside an excellent low slung jazz hip hop instrumental.