funk/soul albums
Album Review: Various Artists – Chris Sullivan presents The Wag – 4CD remastered
David Bowie, Keith Richards and Joe Strummer were just a few of the big names to frequent Londons Hotspot club of the 80’s ‘The WAG’, a ‘haven for misfits’ that would attract such a following it would fill the floors seven nights a week with its various themed nights. Over the years The Wag would host a multitude …
Album Review: Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate review
I was immediately intrigued when I first heard Michael Kiwanuka. That feeling of intrigue later changed to one of being deeply impressed when I saw him live for the first time at Splendour in the Grass in the winter of 2012. There’s a lot to like about the guy – he writes his own sad …
Album reissue: Chaka Khan – What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me
It’s ironic this album is seen as one of Chaka Khan’s more jazzy albums as it is way, way funkier than most artists could ever hope to be. This is the latest in a long line of fantastic reissues by BBR of lost soul /funk classics, and this is an album that really stands the …
Album Review: SIA – This Is Acting
There is an uneasy amount of hype surrounding Sia Furler’s forthcoming album, This Is Acting – Sia is seen as the new bastion of hope within a bloated pop music scene with her offbeat musical output lauding her to not only critics but more crucially the general populous (no pun intended) of mainstream audiences. You …
Album review: Ashford & Simpson – Gimme Me Something Real (expanded edition)
Ashford & Simpson made their name knocking out tunes for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Aretha, Diana Ross and Chaka Khan before joining a long list of songwriters who one day decided to put their own names on the sleeves. Their debut album from this husband and wife team takes its cue from the pop …
Album Review : Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – It’s A Holiday Soul Party
The last few years have seen an explosion of Christmas music, the disposable nature and large numbers of traditional songs immediately available means the genre is ripe for releasing downloads in time for the holiday season. But here’s a whole album of unashamedly retro Christmas music! Funk and soul from perhaps the finest soul band …
Album Review: Youngblood Brass Band – Lux Volumi
Seems there’s a bit of a renaissance for brass bands at the moment. Not the colliery sort, instead these genre hopping, New Orleans ensembles, packed full of incredible players that, as well as being able to do things on their instruments that are almost beyond belief, they have this groove that is just infectious. Across …