Funkadelic
Maggot Brain

This long-awaited inaugural release from DJ Fred Spider's Voom Voom Records visits an iteration of the legendary South African jazz funk ensemble of the 20th century. Spirits Rejoice recorded two incredible jazz fusion albums in the late 70’s with amble lashings of funk and soul. As the currents of popular music shifted in the 1980s, the group got behind a modern dance side project led by guitarist Paul Petersen and produced by the genius Patric Van Blerk.The result was Doctor Rhythm and an album entitled I Feel It Rising from 1981. Based out of Cape Town's premier vintage vinyl emporium, Voom Voom presents the album's sultry slow-burner "I'm So Strong Now" (paired with a modern remix) and well as two versions of the disco-boogie swinger "Hook It Up" written by the pianist Mervyn Africa (the original track alongside a Fred Spider & Simbad edit and a crisp rework by DJ Turmix from NY to boot). The result is an essential dancefloor release documenting what is surely South Africa's best take on band-driven New York boogie from the disco years. Calum MacNaughton (Sharp-Flat Records/As-Shams-The Sun)

Before they found fame with their 1975 debut album, Azymuth divided their time between working as backing musicians (attending recording sessions with some of Brazil's top talent) and recording experimental home demos. Recently rediscovered, these demos are finally being given a release thanks to the efforts of Far Out chief Joe Davis. There's much to admire on this first batch (a second volume is also available) of previously unheard early recordings, from the high-octane Brazilian funk insanity of "Prefacio" and Jimmy Smith-esque "Melo De Cuica", to the spacey samba/jazz-funk fusion of "Xingo (Version One)" and the relaxed, slow-burn brilliance of seven minute B-side opener "Laranjeiras".

Ce n’est que justice que les premiers albums live officiels de Khruangbin soient des doubles albums en collaboration avec leurs compagnons de tournée : des artistes dont ils aiment et admirent la musique, des amis qui sont devenus leur famille en cours de route. La série d'albums "Live At" de Khruangbin ne retrace qu'une petite partie de la feuille de route du groupe au fil des ans : c'est un avant- goût de certaines de leurs villes, scènes et soirées favorites. Surtout, la série "Live at" de Khruangbin fait ressortir les deux aspects de la magie du groupe : la sensa7on chaleureuse et prismatique de leurs albums et l'énergie envoûtante de leurs concerts. Live At Radio City Music Hall, le deuxième volet de la série Live, comprend des performances de Nubya Garcia et contient les titres "Time (You And I)", "Pelota", et "So We Won’t Forget".

Irrepressibly funky four-piece Mildlife are back with their third album, Chorus. Steeped in 70s cosmic disco, Italo, Polish jazz and all kinds of good, honest grooves, the Aussie psych fusion outfit take their music to the next level on this incredibly assured follow-up to 2020's Automatic. You can hear the joy bursting out of 'Musica' in every sassy synth line and throbbing bass pulse, coming on like the best Cerrone-approved synth-disco record you never heard. There's plenty of space for low slung, Balearic whispers like 'Return To Centaurus' too, just hinting at the range Mildlife are capable of on their finest album to date.