The funk, the funk and THEEE FUNK!!
Transcend oneself from the realm of what you know and feel
all that the groove can heal within you.
When the honorary P-Funk hits you ask ‘What You Gonna Say?’
meanwhile the A side ‘Vector Smector’ has the boogie stance
in affect whilst the island percussion simmers with a jazz lean.
SHOKAZULU will protect you. More

Comprising DJs Hugo Mendez and Frankie Francis alongside The Might Crime Minister, Sofrito has become one of the leading party collectives in the field of Afro, Caribbean and Latin music over the last
three years. From their legendary Tropical Warehouse parties in East London to the clubs and bars of Brooklyn, from beach parties in Greece to festivals and clubs across Europe including WOMAD and
the Big Chill, Sofrito has brought it’s own unique and accessible mix of styles to the world’s dancefloors. Previous guests include Manu Dibango, the Poets of Rhythm, the Souljazz Orchestra, Quantic,
Nickodemus and Nappy G (Turntables on the Hudson), Tropical Treats Soundsystem and Natural Self. With regular releases during the last two years, the Sofrito Specials label champions the Tropical Discotheque sound – mixing up raw Afro flavours with Disco and Latin rhythms. It’s less “world music”, more about some of the best dance music ever made. Their debut compilation for Strut mixes up amazing old and new sounds from cumbia and Congolese guitar grooves to highlife, calypso and descarga for a unique album - a deep selection but an immediate party soundtrack for the casual listener.
TRACKLISTING
VINYL TRACKLIST
A1. Banda Los Hijos de la Niña Luz - Quiero Amanaçer
A2. Les Ya Toupas du Zaire - Je Ne Bois Pas Beaucoup
A3. Victor Uwaifo – Ohue (Frankie Francis & Simbad Edit)
B1. Fair Nick Stars - Arrete Mal Parlé
B2. Adolfo Echeverria - Sabroso Bacalão
B3. El Timba - Descarga Bontempi
B4. Ti Céleste - Popilation Basse-Terrienne au Abois
C1. Mighty Shadow - Dat Soca Boat
C2. Kyerematen Stars - Maye Obi Den
C3. Dany Play - Fa’waka
C4. Frente Cumbiero – Pitchito
D1. Quantic y su Conjunto Los Míticos del Ritmo - Cumbia de Mochilla
D2. Roaring Lion - Carnival Long Ago
D3. Safohene Djeni - Mahu Wo Asie
D4. Gnonnas Pedro - Yiri Yiri Boum More

PANORAMA Records is thrilled to announce the reissue of 'Salsa Na Ma' by the legendary Colombian band Fruko Y Sus Tesos. Known for their infectious rhythms and vibrant energy, this track captures the essence of salsa with a dynamic blend of percussion, horns, and vocals. Originally released in 1973, 'Salsa Na Ma' is a timeless classic that continues to ignite dancefloors, with the B Side 'El Preso' originally released in 1976, pairing nicely here.

Following the successful reissues of Gitte and Inger's electrifying cover of 'Can't Hide Love' and Gustav Brom's dancefloor gem 'Calling Up The Rain,' PANORAMA Records once again proves its dedication to bringing hidden musical treasures back into the spotlight. This limited 7 inch release of 'Salsa Na Ma' comes remastered and packaged in a vintage-styled sleeve, complete with a handstamp for an authentic feel, as if you found it in a dusty crate in Bogotá.

The label has garnered serious support from a stellar lineup of tastemakers and selectors in just the first 2 releases, including Patrick Forge, Rainer Trüby, Gilles Peterson, Zag Erlat, and more. This reissue is a must-have for collectors and dj's, promising to deliver a heavy dancefloor reaction. Don't miss out as Panorama Records continues to set the standard for quality reissues in the music world. More

Brian Jackson dives into the world of Alfonso Lovo. Legendary musician Brian Jackson, known for his pioneering work in neo-soul and modern hip hop, has lent his extraordinary talents to retouch two tracks from Alfonso Lovo's remarkable album "Terremoto Richter 6:25 Managua.” As one-half of the influential duo Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, Brian began his career at an early age, having recorded nine albums by his 27th birthday. He is widely celebrated as a musical innovator, with New Yorker Magazine recently hailing him as “a musical pioneer” in a 2022 article. Alfonso Noel Lovo, moved by the devastating earthquake that struck Managua on December 23, 1972, recorded his first album in New Orleans the following year. "Terremoto Richter 6:25 Managua" stands as a testament to resilience and artistic fusion, featuring a stunning blend of psychedelic rock, mazurka, jazz, Louisiana blues, and African folk. More

Previously unissued from 1978 this is the follow up release to the very successful "Those Passing Words" single The Ellis Hall Group.

"Music, Sweet Music" sounds like a perfect little song with lovely summer vibes, a bit of vocal scatting and lovely organ licks from the multi talented Ellis Hall.

We love the feel of this one that sounds like The Crusaders/Blackbyrds, and Stevie Wonder rolled into 2:38 of soulful pleasure.

Flip it over and "Forward Motion" kicks off with some pretty generic 70's horn play, boom, rasping drums and melodies kick in with some fun interplay between Ellis , Patty Unitas and Pat Thomas on the background vox.

The full line up from these recordings are:

Ellis Hall Jr (Keyboards/Vocals)

Patty Unitas (Vocals)

Pat Thomas (Vocals)

David Fuller (Drums/Vocals)

Michael Thompson (Guitar)

Stanley Benders (Percussion) More

As with most things, this project started with a conversation in the pub between me and Martin.

As we discussed what J-Walk and BiD could do next we chatted about our mutual love of DIY, Post Punk, Reggae, Digital & Dub, how about using that feel as an initial jump off on the next thing and see how you get on? I suggested.
As is his way Martin considered the suggestion, then promptly disappeared, 6 weeks later something landed in my inbox, it was titled Broken Beauty and the music contained embraced all those symbiotic ideals and culture.
Nailed it!

Recorded entirely in Stockport using a mixed kit bag of cheap forgotten keyboards, guitar, bass and effects pedals, this LP takes the J-Walk aesthetic and applies the wider palette of these influences to create something unique, those past and present influences forged together to bring you something truly DIY - instructions below.
How To Make Such A Thing...

Deactivate social media. Ignore the internet, don't answer text messages, avoid other music, the telly and other people. This is a process where it's only you in the room with whatever's in your mind. You will be there for some time and the loneliness can hurt a little.

Forget any predetermined ideas. Forget everything you've ever done before. This is an opportunity to start from scratch, but with years of accumulated knowledge and craftsmanship. Trust yourself.
Be scared. Be excited about not knowing what will happen and what will result.

Don't use midi sequencing, virtual instruments or samples. Just plug a toy instrument into an amp, press a rhythm and play around to see what happens. If it sounds good and fresh then record it. Plug a bass in to jam around and you'll soon hear and feel what sits in the pocket of the beat. Record it as it is. Dirty is real and good. Cleanliness equals sterility. Loop the bassline. Plug a guitar in and do the same.

Don't think when doing any of this. Just experiment with interest and curiosity and the music will take care of itself. You will now have a groove which is also about half a song minimum. Play some keys from the toys on top of what you have. Put 'em through effects pedals. Again, don't overthink it and don't try to get it clean. Add sound effects in right and random places.

There you go. Something you've never made before. But more importantly, it's something you've never heard before.

You don't have to die to be reincarnated.

BROKEN BEAUTY...You can't be either without also having been the other. More

Marc Mac's Visioneers project returns after a long anticipated wait with a summary of everything we've loved about the project and more. The classic Hip Hop joints reimagined, BBOY bombs and the super-fly Jazz n' funky lounge originals have all become Visioneers trademarks. The record has you sitting back chilling and head nodding for one song and wanting to jump up and bust a move on another. The addition of guest musicians from all parts of the globe brings another dimension to the grooves and compositions. A very dope welcomed return for the Visioneers. More

London reissue label Discs of Fun and Love are back after the overwhelming success of their previous two releases and are excited to announce DFL003. A reissue of Mandisa’s “Summer Love”.
Originally recorded in 1980 at Omega Studios in Chicago, Mandisa’s “Summer Love” is another deep crossover glider with the deep and obscure jazzy floater “Love’s Dream” on the flip side. Both sides of the original 7 were versions of tracks taken from Prince Billy Madhi Wright’s album “You Got Dat Wright” and added Maggie “Mandisa” Epting on vocals. The players on the original 7inch session were Billy Madhi (William Wright) on Saxaphone, The Plaxico brothers on Bass and Drums, Bruce Jones on Keyboards and Gensia Williams on backing vocals
The record has been almost impossible to find in the last few years so we are incredibly pleased to release a fully licenced and remastered issue to the world.
Fully licenced from William Wright (Allibra Music) and Maggie Epting and remastered by Grammy nominated mastering house the Carvery. This elusive record is ready to set fire to dancefloors across the globe.

Discs of Fun and Love is a reissue label run by DJs and diggers Miche, Spiritland’s programmer and Frederika, a resident at Spiritland. It’s also a party, due to run regularly on some of London’s top soundsystems, focusing on modern soul, boogie, jazz funk and more. More