TURNTABLE LAB

Various Artists
Strange Breaks & Mr. Thing II Digi-LP

top notch rare groove comp

Has BBE ever put out a weak comp? For his second go-around UK DJ/Collector (of Scratch Perverts fame) exposes 18 more unusual funk-dified moments and unexpected breaks. We're talking wizard level digger's selection here (I recognize 2 names out of the 18 tracks. Unmixed. Recommended.
reviewed by mgmnt

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Dam Funk
Toeachizown (CD Version) Digi-LP

much anticipated full length from the Ambassador of Boogie Funk

Dam-Funk's long awaited funk opus has landed! Toeachizown is a modern masterwork of the funk ("funk" meaning Boogie, Modern Soul, Electro-funk). The man himself hardly needs an introduction with the string of highly lauded singles and EPs he has released leading to this album (plus his fame has been steadily on the rise with recent remixes for Animal Collective and Cubic Zirconia and cover shots in the FADER). Completely produced with analog synths and vintage drum machines, Dam successfully brings the essence of funk to the masses while fusing it with his own funky swagger on tracks like "Let's Take Off (Far Away)," "LAtrifying," "Love Is Here 2nite," "Fantasy," and "Keep Lookin 2 The Sky." Of course the heavy G-funk inspired beats bump hard like the title track, "Hood Pass Intact," "Brookside Park" and "Killdatmuthafucka," while other tracks ride smooth and stay fly like "10 West," "Flying V Ride," "Burn Straight Thru U," and "Candy Dancin'" with Mark De Clive Lowe on keys. Dam even gets open on the mic and showcases his vocal abilities (not vocoded) on "Come On Outside" and "Searchin 4 Funk's Future." This is one seriously talented dude. Over 2 hours of original music. Don't miss it! Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / stones throw - digital / reviewer reccomended / and more

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Ultimate Breaks & Beats
Ultimate Breaks & Beats Instrumentals V.3 Digi-LP

replayed instrumentals of UBB classics, rock style

Wow, the guys behind these UBB instrumentals sure don't waste anytime! Here's volume 3 of the acclaimed series, this time with a decidedly rock slant to the track selection. All the tracks on here are huge classics that need no explaining - all replayed to be completely instrumental. No gimmicks, just plain replayed tracks in their entirety. The sound quality is pretty damn close to the originals too, if anything a bit cleaner and less grimey, so get those MPC's ready for tons of sampling possibilities. Big tracks on here like "Big Beat," "Cavern," "Dynamite," "Films," "Johnny the Fox," "Uphill Peace of Mind," "Tom Sawyer," and "Jack & Diane."
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Ultimate Breaks & Beats
Ultimate Breaks & Beats Instrumentals V.2 Digi-LP

replayed instrumentals of UBB classics

The first batch of UBB instrumentals was a hit, so here's a huge second helping! Like the first volume, volume 2 features no edits or computer trickery - just straight-up funk tracks recreated live by a tight group of UK musicians (lead by Mr. Chop) so the sound quality is pretty darn close to the OG (if not cleaner!). You should be familiar with most of these as they are classic jams that have been sampled by numerous hip-hop joints. Check the new instrumental versions of "Give It Up Turn It Loose," "Sport," "Different Strokes," "Hand Clapping Song," "It's My Thing," "T Plays It Cool," You Got What I Need," and "Rock Creek Park." A gold mine for produers looking for clean samples and drums. 14 tracks total.
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Mulatu Astatke
New York - Addis - London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975 Digi-LP

recommended vintage african jazz

Vibraphone and keyboard player, master arranger and bandleader, Mulatu Astatke is one of the all-time greats of Ethiopian music and the creator of his own original music form, Ethio jazz. Through the acclaimed Ethiopiques album series and through featuring on the soundtrack to the Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers, his music has belatedly reached a global audience and a new, younger generation of fans. In November of last year, he recorded an inspired new album with London psych jazz band The Heliocentrics for Strut's "Inspiration Information" studio collaboration series. Now, Strut are proud to present, for the first time anywhere, the definitive Mulatu career retrospective covering his landmark '60s and '70s recordings.

Mulatu is a true pioneer of African music. He was the first Ethiopian musician of his generation to travel extensively and to record abroad - he studied in the UK in Wales and at Trinity College Of Music in London, cutting his teeth on the buoyant London jazz scene of the early '60s. He became the first African student to attend Harvard and he lived and recorded in New York, developing a unique sound that fused Western jazz with traditional Ethiopian melodies. As Mulatu says, "it took a long time to get the balance, to let the colours and the feelings of the Ethiopian modes shine through." Returning to "Swinging Addis" during the late '60s, he became a pivotal figure, arranging for many of the country's top vocalists and developing rich, dense textures in his own music during the final years of Selassie's reign and the mid-'70s rule of the Derg Communist military junta.

Tracing the progression of his Ethio jazz experiments with full access to all of the labels for whom he recorded, Mulatu Astatke: New York-Addis-London is the essential Mulatu. Covering his first recordings in the UK during 1965, his groundbreaking fusions for the small Worthy label in New York and his key '70s recordings back in Addis on Amha, Phillips and Axum, the album features comprehensive sleeve notes by Miles Cleret, boss of the excellent Soundway Records imprint, and rare, previously unseen photos from Mulatu's personal archive.
reviewed by label review

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Jimi Tenor & Tony Allen
Inspiration Information 4 Digi-LP

modern afrobeat

Strut's Inspiration Information series moves on from the critically acclaimed Mulatu Astatke / The Heliocentrics collaboration with the fourth album in the series, a mouth-watering head to head between Finnish maverick Jimi Tenor and Afrobeat drumming legend, Tony Allen.

Jimi Tenor remains a fascinating enigma in modern day music. Consistently one of the best and most unpredictable live artists around, his work since his breakthrough album "Intervision" (Warp, 1997) has involved open-minded projects ranging from live film soundtracks and orchestral pieces to a series of Afro-based albums with his band Kabu Kabu. Tony Allen continues to attract new fans as one of the greatest drummers alive today. Celebrated as the creator of the Afrobeat rhythm and a lynchpin of Fela Kuti's Africa 70 band, his recent work has included The Good, The Bad & The Queen collaboration with Damon Albarn and his first album for World Circuit Records released earlier this year, "Secret Agent."

Recorded at Lovelite Studios in Berlin during November 2008 with further sessions this year in Finland and Paris, the Tenor / Allen collaboration whips up a raw, heavy analogue sound mixing the full range of Allen's Afrobeat repertoire with Tenor's off-kilter brew of dark humour, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and tight, firing musicianship. The sessions involved key members of Tenor's Kabu Kabu band and Berlin-based guest MC Allonymous with tracks evolving from jamming ideas together over five intense days of recording, fuelled by plenty of African food and whisky. Tenor's trademark range of home-made instruments rub shoulders with vintage keyboards and traditional African percussion.

The resulting set is one of the best recordings that both artists have produced in recent years. Tracks range from Jimi's S&M tableau, "Darker Side of Night" to apocalyptic commentary on our times, "Path To Wisdom" and the hilarious lampooning of the UK immigration system, "Mama England", composed on the Tenor tour bus. The album also features fusions based around traditional Afrobeat structures ("Sinuhe", "Got My Egusi") and ends with the extended freestyle builder, "Three Continents", a life affirming, mesmeric groove built around another belting Allenko rhythm base.

Topical, biting, funny and always funky, experimental but never straying from "the one", this is another high quality addition to the Inspiration Information series, a "no rules" set that brings the best out of both artists.
reviewed by label review

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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The Phenomenal Handclap Band
The Phenomenal Handclap Band Digi-LP

amazing psych, rock, disco, and soul from NYC supergroup

Mind blowing debut full length from NYC's Phenomenal Handclap Band. Led by veteran producers and DJs Daniel Collas and Sean Marquad members from the Dap Kings, TV On The Radio, John Spencer Blues Explosion, Si Se, Calla, and Tigra from L'Trimm put their heads together and bang out some serious tunes. Combining prog rock, disco, vintage soul, psych and even some early disco raps, the PHB kicks out the jams in a most invigorating and refreshing way. The gentle meditative moods of "Journey to Serra de Estrela" open the album up, like the calm before the storm, before exploding full force with a pumping synth driven jam that takes it to the limit. "All of the Above" comes next with more anthemic rock vibes till "Testimony" drops some hard knockin beats with wicked psychedelic guitar action by Jaleel Bunton of TV on The Radio. "You'll Disappear" is a perfect addition to any space/cosmic disco set, complete with cool as ice synth work (lasers and all), while "15 to 20" proves these cats can rock the party out on some good ol' disco rap shiz. The whole album is a fantastic listen, but check these other highlights - "I Been Born Again," "Tears," "Baby," and "The Circle is Broken." 12 tracks total. Totally recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Chromeo
DJ-KICKS Re(Mix) Digi-LP

disco, italo and 80's R&B compiled by those funky Canadians

Unmixed companion to the mix with original full length tracks. After a 2 year hiatus, !K7's DJ KICKS mix series is back. And who better to bring back the almost 15 year old mix series than the funky Canadian electro-pop duo Chromeo? Dave 1 and P-Thug do it up proper for the 30th entry in the series with a wide selection of cuts from artists that have helped shape and influence Chromeo's sound. Plenty of funky disco, grown n sexy 80s R&B, italo, and French love jams from the likes of Kano, Toba, Carmen, Lovelock, Diane Tell, and Pierre Perpall as well as contemporary joints from peers like Chateu Marmont, Lifelike, Shazam, and an original talk box laced jam from the Chromeo boys themselves. 11 tracks total, cool pic sleeve designed by Trevor Jackson.
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Various Artists
Jazz & Milk Breaks - Compilation Series Vol. 2 (Dusty, Greenwood Rhythm Coalition) Digi-LP

dowtempo, latin beats, modern funk

Jazz & Milk has never let down on the quality. Here's another well curated survey of the current downtempo scene in all its jazzed-out goodness. In addition to the usual beat and loop themes, you'll hear a strong latin influence on several of the tracks. Discoveries lurk around every corner. Go Greenwood! Recommended.
reviewed by mgmnt

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dwntmpo+electronic / funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / reviewer reccomended / and more

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Afrodisiac Soundsystem
Afro-Heat #2 Digi-EP

afro-remixes of mj, fela, ewf, roy ayers, kano

I must admit that when initially heard about the premise of these Afro-Heat remixes by a pair of west coast djs who shall remain nameless, I was a touch doubtful, but I've been won over by this second release in the series. The mix of Roy Ayers & Fela Kuti's classic "Black" over "Billie Jean" has all the potential makings of a mashup disaster, but the mix is pulled off with aplomb- skillful re-editing of the original tracks and the fact that both tracks are actually in key help matters. The resulting track should be a dancefloor killer for the right crowd. The conceptual implications of the mix of Fela's "ITT (International Thief Thief)" over Kano's electro classic "I'm Ready" appeal to the critical theory-loving Afro-futurist in me, and the two originals mesh together nicely, creating some interesting musical and ideological parallels (ed.note: vintage-Language!). The third track is a mix of Fela and Earth Wind & Fire. Recommended.
reviewed by Language

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Various Artists
Disco Juice: Volume 2 Digi-LP

excellent comp of rare NY disco

Killer comp of rare disco cuts by P&P! To say that these are sought after jams is a huge understatement. It has everything from staple deep disco jams like Super-Jay's "Super Jay's Love Theme" and Cloud One's "Dust To Dust," disco rap classics like Margo's Koolout Crew's "Death Rap" and Willie Wood's "Willie Rap," super disco soul cuts like Jesse Henderson's "I Did It Again," and hard dancefloor jammers like Golden Flamingo Orchestra's "The Guardian Angel Is Watching" and "Ahzz's "New York Is Moving." Super packed hard-to-find claims here. If you like disco, you need these in your life, nuff said. Highly Recommended!
reviewed by Cmish

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / hip-hop / hip-hop - new arrivals / and more

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Various Artists
Disco Juice Digi-LP

the holy grail of P&P comps!

The Holy Grail of P&P comps! As a fan of disco, I've spent a deal of my time in NY chasing down most of these songs. Thanks to P&P you can download them all here at once. Their catalogue has always been a huge target for collectors of rare underground disco jams and these are the some of their most sought after tracks. We've had a bunch of these on comps before, but never as one encompassing set. Some inlcude, Paper Doll's "Get Down Boy(1)" which was released on Prins Thomas Galactic Prism series, Cloud One "Patty Duke" and Foster Jackson's "Feel The Spirit" two famous staples for hip hop, disco and breaks DJ's alike, Clyde Alexander's "Got To Have Your Love" which appeared on Gray Davis' Chocolate Star Album, and Chain Reaction's "Dance Freak" which Lab's own Roctakon used to start his Finding Directions mix. More notable rare jams, include Queen Yahna's "Ain't It Time" which I've been watching on Ebay for a year(always catches 3 figures), Jessie Gould's prudent song, " Out Of Work"(I heard Love On The Run drop this at our last Easy Access party) and L.J. Walters "Hooked On Your Line." Only the finest picks here. Highly Recommended!
reviewed by Cmish

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Breakestra
Joyful Noise Digi-EP

funk and hip-hop from live SoCal band

More real live funk from the Breakestra band. Though they started as a cover band, Breakestra has now ventured into original material and it sounds so sweet. Check the feel good funk on "Joyful Noise," complete with authentic soul vocals. "Posed To Be" takes a straight hip-hop approach to the funk enllisting the help of Chali 2Na and Mixmaster Wolf on mic duties. Includes instrumentals for both.
reviewed by the mgmnt

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / hip-hop / hip-hop - new arrivals / and more

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Dam Funk
Toeachizown Vol. 2: Fly Digi-EP

modern boogie funk

Second chapter of the Toeachizown album from the ambassador of boogie funk, Dam Funk. This one is entitled Fly and focuses on and celebrates all aspects of "fly". From D-F himself: "They're joints that U can roll 2. Let your hair down 2. Vibe with a lady 2 (or vice-versa), + stay 'fly' 2. I know there's still some fly ladies & gentlemen out there." And if you are one of these fly ladies or gentlemen, you can defintiely get down to the serious funk of tracks like "10 West," "I Wanna Know" (showcasin Dam's vocal skills), and "Rollin." The other 3 tracks act as a funked out, sci-fly suite, with "Candy Dancin" featuring a killer synth solo and vocoder contribution by keyboard extraordinaire Mark de Clive-Lowe. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / stones throw - digital / reviewer reccomended / and more

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Various Artists
MJ RIP Digi-12

funky, spaced-out MJ edits

The gang at Plimsoll is back with a pair of surprising MJ edits to catch the dancefloor off guard. First up is Space Rangers' totally chopped version of "Thriller." Almost couldn't recognize it from the beginning till those sinister synth stabs kicked in! Sly & Robbie's dubbed out version of "Billie Jean" goes under the knife as the Onur Engin edit. Extra funky reggae disco vibes on this piece. Killer!
reviewed by snackmaster

file under:
funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / funk soul disco - new arrivals / funk soul disco - lab recommended

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Mayer Hawthorne
A Strange Arrangement Digi-LP

feel-good soul with classic Motown influences

Full length debut for Mayer Hawthorne on Stones Throw! The Detroit native burst into the scene with his first single "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" (which we sold through tons of on red heart shaped vinyl), and now he's back with an entire album of raw, true to the essence soul music to prove he's for real. Mayer lets it loose throughout the entire LP - laying down wonderful arrangements ranging from burning slow jammers reminiscent of the Dramatics ("I Wish It Would Rain" and "Shiny & New") to uptempo hip shakers like the Temptations or Four Tops ("Your Love Ain't Pleasin'" and "One Track Mind"). He really goes for it 110% on the vocals too, even hitting falsetto highs a la Curtis Mayfield on tracks like "The Ills." Also check standouts like "Green Eyed Love," the title track, and his previously released single "Maybe So, Maybe No." Refreshing and honest music through and through that makes you feel good. Recommended.
reviewed by snackmaster

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funk+soul+disco / top albums chart / stones throw - digital / reviewer reccomended / and more

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