Forgotten Treasure: Real to Reel “Love me like this” (1983)
This is one of the best modern funk tracks money can buy. Yes, it isn’t the rarest track in all of the 80’s Boogie Funk era, probably because it was released on Arista a major label at that time. But what it lacks in prestige, it makes up for it based on …
Future Classic: Aquarian Dream “Look Ahead” (Subotic Edit)
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with edits, especially the last few years with the influx of producers doing unnecessary edits of everything from jazz classics to boogie anthems. Luckily, that’s not the case here! Aquarian Dream were an 8-piece band developed by the great Norman Connors in 1976. Serbia’s …
Future Classic: Nicole Willis “Happiness in Every Style”
Celebrating a decade together, the chemistry between Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators is still as strong as ever. Having waited a good 8 years for their sophomore album, I was pleasantly surprised to see the soul-funk group releasing their third album “Happiness in Every Style“. It’s a groove laced …
Future Classic: Fat Freddy’s Drop “Bays”
Via Fat Freddy’s Drop: Introducing BAYS a 9 track boil up heralding a fresh chapter in Freddys fantastic voyages. BAYS opens with slow burn funk of ‘Wairunga Blues’ journeying through a hybrid of reggae, hi-tek soul and jazz with techno rhythms underpinning Freddy’s signature horns and Joe Dukie’s smooth & …
Version Excursion: “Hurt So Bad” (original by Anthony & The Imperials)
A perfect song is usually a combination of songwriting prowess and interpretative brilliance recorded in magical circumstances. There is a rare instance where a song is so naturally incredible that even when covered by highly different artists in varied genres/eras its immaculate qualities still resonate strongly. Hurt so Bad, orignally …
Forgotten Treasure: Norman Weeks & Revelations “Hold On” (Rent Productions)
This amazing slice of disco-funk with a gospel touch has been a favorite of mine for a number of years now. I love playing this one in the dying moments of a club night filled with beautiful music and people. Since I played this one last night at our monthly …
Future Classic: Benny Sings “Studio”
It looks like the fine folks at Jakarta Records have been saving some gems and will be finishing 2015 with a bang with three highly anticipated album releases. In the next few weeks they will be introducing the upcoming LP’s for Ivan Ave and Fred Fades, Bluestaeb, an EP from Olivier St-Louis …
BALANCE Radio Show #506 – Hosted by Spacewalker
For over 10 years, the fabulous Balanso Radio Show was a one of the most impactful and influential radio shows in South East Europe. Founded in 2003 by Spacewalker and Jazzmate, based in Belgrade (Serbia) and aired on B92, the biggest radio station in the country. I am really happy …
Forgotten Treasure: Joe Bataan “Singing Some Soul” (1972)
Joe Bataan, the Afro-filipino vocalist and self-proclaimed King of Latin Soul has released many classic records during an illustrious career that includes 15 albums covering a variety of musical stylings from Boogaloo (Subway Joe) to Disco-Rap (Rap-O-Clapo). However even if Bataan is famous for uptempo dancefloor hits (Latin Strut), I …
Forgotten Treasure: Five Stairsteps “Danger She’s a Stranger” (1967)
The Five Stairsteps were the original ‘First Family of Soul’ (before the J5) and literally grew up through the Chicago Soul tradition. Danger! She’s a Stranger features mature harmonies from a group of tweens and the song itself is a risky attempt at hovering between melancholic and joyful tones. The …
Onra & Lexis “Throw Em’ Up” Vol. 1-2-3
In late 2012, french producer Onra and Lexis, founder of Music Is My Sanctuary, got together in Montreal and recorded a mix inspired by a period that was really influential for both: mid-90’s R&B club classics. Vol.1 was so well received that they decided to keep the concept going for …
Future Classic: SiR “Seven Sundays”
I get so mad at myself when I let great releases fly right under my nose to only realize a few weeks later that i’ve been caught snoozing! That is the downside of having a 1000 of music releases a week vs about 50 a week (all styles combined) in …