Released: 14/02/2008

This ensemble are no strangers to the funk and soul scene. With three full length releases out since the debut 7″ “Bullfrog boogaloo” in 2001, The Diplomats of Solid Sound have been joined by three Diplomettes (Abbie, Kathy and Sarah) for this years album release, and I must say it is good, very good.

The Iowa group is also produced by no other by Adam Gibbons aka Lack of Afro, and the man with the stellar name is naturally brought in for remixing duties on the stand out track on this 7″ - ”Hurt me so”. The Lack of Afro remix is funky, with loads of horns, percussion and loungy, multilayered vocals. Inspirations naturally goes back to people like the Bar-Kays, and Booker T and the MGs, but this is well placed in the same shelf as Alice Russell, Sharon Jones, Diesler, Quantic and other new funk and soul sensations. The title track “Plenty nasty” is alright too though, so full value for money!

There is no doubt that the funk and soul scene is truly global. The label behind this release, Record Kicks, is based out of Milan – not exactly your first guess was it?! Well, check out the Juno records link for a listen and some record shopping

MySpace | LastFM | YouTube | Official | Record Kicks | Juno Records |

Released: 01/10/2007

One of my top tunes of the 2007. Hot 8 Brass Band provided us with a tremendous cover of Marvin Gaye’s 1982 classic “Sexual Healing.”  This was first released on a small New Orleans label (no wonder!) just before hurricane Katrina almost destroyed it’s success before it even started.

However, TruThoughts A&R man Robert Luis and dj-favourite Quantic picked it up and made it a huge underground hit with support from dj’s like Gilles Peterson, Coldcut and Rob Da Bank. After an initial 500 exclusive copies, and later the full release, TruThoughts also released a full album entitled “Rock with the hot 8″.

I love to surprise my audience with this song. Starting off like with the slow live feel of the beat, then the horns kick in and people are dancing but wondering what this is. Finally they recognize the tune, and it’s all smiles. It’s a perfect blend of the traditional roots and new inspirations from genres like jazz, hiphop, funk and soul. 

TruThoughts | MySpace | Hot 8 Brass Band | YouTube |

Released: 17/02/2003

We are approaching the end of summer here in Oslo, but I am not ready to give up on the feeling just yet. This is the third year I pick out Spanish singer and producer Gecko Turner to provide a soundtrack for the summer. Gauapapasea! was his debut album and, as far as I know, it was originally released back in 2003.

There are a lot of gems on this album. Its so good in fact, picking out favorites does not do it justice. ”Un limon en la Cabeza” is an old favorite of mine, I still play Quantic‘s remix quite often. The album even includes a spanish language re-make of Bob Dylans “Subterranean Homesick Blues” and a cover of Bob Marley’s “Rainbow country”.

Influences ranges from almost every part of the world. You can hear the South American bossa, the african beats, Caribbean reggae and Iberian/Mediterranean sophistication. It is also musically diverse when it comes to the use of instruments and vocals. He is very much a part of the new wave/boss nova generation of musicians, so it is a record to celebrate life and opportunity. 

Gecko Turner | MySpace | Quango records | Amazon.com | Last.fm | YouTube | Juno |

Released: 14/06/1974

Well, this might end up being a week where the soul sisters take charge of this blog. Minnie Riperton was definitively one of the greatest, and sadly she passed away at the brutal age of 31. A musical talent from an early age, she first came of real prominence as part of the Rotary Connection. In her short career, she released five solo albums.

Her debut “Come to my garden” (1970) was considered a classic by critics, but did not achieve commercial success. However, after being signed by Epic Records and releasing the “Perfect Angel” album she entered the spotlight. It is from this album my favorite Minnie Riperton is taken, namely the second single “Reasons”. Riperton’s stunning vocals on top of an incredibly funky disco beat makes this a dance floor classic. 

YouTube | Amazon |

Released: July 2005

This is the first post I have written in the early hours of the day, but a beautiful girl just reminded me that I haven’t done justice to one of my favorite soul singers. Yes, there are loads to choose from, but my vote is for Alice Russell. Her sound challenges the likes of Minnie Riperton, Jill Scott and Aretha Franklin, and I couldn’t believe it the first time I heard she was a white british girl from Suffolk.

She has done lots of great stuff by her self and with artists like Nostalgia 77 and the mighty Quantic Soul Orchestra. It is difficult picking just one song by her, and the cover of “7 Nation Army” probably deserves a post by itself, but my favorite is “Don’t need this trouble”. She did it with funk favorites Natural Self, and it was released on Breakin bread. Her true home is on the excellent TruThoughts Recordings though, where she has released two albums produced by the fantastic TM Juke. I had the pleasure to see her live performance at the Friends and Family night in Manchester, and I sure recommend you to show up if she plays in your area. To listen to the song in question, click on the YouTube link.

PS! A brand new Alice Russell album is finished and ready for release! 

Alice Russell | YouTube | TruThoughts | Breakin’ Bread | MySpace | 

Most of you funk heads have probably heard a few gems from Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. “Keep on looking” is taken from their “100 Days 100 Nights” album that was released on Daptone back in October last year. This time it is all about Kenny Dope though, who delivers a stunning remix. It is all about the soul, vocals and breaks on this one!

There is also the original, as well as beats and acapella for those of you who really want to mix it up. This is the first release on the Soulplex label. It is based in German, but except for that I don’t really know much about the label. Anyone able to fill me in? 

Soulplex Recordings | MySpace | Daptone Records | Wikipedia

Released: 07/04/2008

After seeing their great live performance at the Lovebox Weekender in London last weekend, I thought it was a good idea to post a tune by Dutch funksters Kraak & Smaak. I have been playing their tunes for ages, and they are providing a steady stream of good music that blends funk, house and disco to form a unique sound.

For those of you not familiar with Jalapeno Records, the label is also home to artists like All Good Funk Alliance, Dr.Rubberfunk, Kid Créme and Skeewiff. ”Squeeze me” was the first single from Kraak & Smaak’s second album “Plastic People”, and features a collaboration with Ben Westbeech. There is a quality set of remixes on the release from Lack of Afro, ASkillz and Jem Stone.

Check out the YouTube link as well for a peak at the fresh video that accompany the single. 

Jalapeno Records | Kraak & Smaak | YouTube | 

Released: July 2008

Chris Joss is a firm favorite of mine ever since I first got hold of his 2002 album “Dr. Rhythm” on Irma, or more importantly the excellent “You’ve been spiked” that came out on the Thievery Corporation‘s ESL label in 2004. Check out “Part of that show”, an excellent track on the latter album.

A steady provider of a new generation funk for the dancefloor, the frenchman is drawing on influences from everything from Blaxploitation to Bollywood. Joss has released four albums and numerous singles and has done some interesting work in movie music as well. Joss covered a John Williams score on his Superman EP and his songs was used for the soundtrack to the documentary Inside Deep Throat on which he reinterpreted the songs from the original film’s score. There is a newly finished 5th album due for release soon, so keep your eyes and ears open.

“I want freedom” provides a groovy, kicking beat, “70s car chase”-style with additional layers of flute. I like the original extended mix the most, with the scratches and neat small electronic elements. The release comes with an extended mix, as well as remixes from Myagi, Smokey Bandits and Atfunk. 

Irma Records | Eighteen Street Lounge Music | Chris Joss | Amazon |

Released: July 2008

Just back from visit in Manchester, and obviously I picked up a few gems at the Fat City Record store. On this limited 7″ 7 Samurai covers Inner Circle’s 70′s classic. You probably know some of his released on G.A.M.M, and the releases is usually worth the money. The vocal’s are great and provided with the downtempo soul vibe and a slightly tougher beats on the flip side, references to Minnie Ripperton is not to far off. The vocalist is Gilles Peterson favorite Alicia Smith, an artist that also has provided Jamiroquai with quality backing vocals.

Poets Club Records | Fat City |

Another great mash up by the mighty Zamali. From the unlikely home base in Belgium (!) these guys are delivering funk gems faster than Coca-Cola bottles soft drinks! The keyword is combining and editing old Motown classics into contemporary dancefloor favorites. This 7″ single combines Jackson’s ABC and a great funkbeat from Krafty Kuts.

The b-side mash up Jurrasic 5 and The Detroit Spinners – decent enough work, but compared to the flip it is never able to compete.

Fat City | MySpace |