With a string of classic Brit Funk, Dance Anthems notched up in the late 70’s and early 80’s there is no doubt that Light of the World laid the foundation for the British Dance/Street Soul movement. The bands stunning musical prowess carved a formidable reputation both on vinyl and with their live stage work, before the band (initially an 8 piece aggregation) split into 4 units, Beggar & Co, Incognito, Brit Funk Association and Light of the World. However the good news is LOTW are back in the studio again led by a creative nucleus of Gee Bello (Vocals/Percussion), Nat Augustin (Vocals/Guitar) and Mel Gaynor (Drums) accompanied by other great British and American musicians. The new album Jazz Funk Power showcases a unique hybrid which meshes their considerable musical and authentic abilities. Gee explained “the Jazz Funk Power album came about after realising that many of our favourite bands like Earth Wind and Fire, Incognito, Jamiroquai, Tower of Power, Brand New Heavies, Kool and The Gang and Chic were still enjoying success many decades later. With our records still being played across national and worldwide radio with digital streaming platforms too, we realised our music also has a timeless quality, therefore Jazz Funk really does have Power and Energy … so it felt right to name the album Jazz Funk Power.”
Vega Records present the re-release of EOL Extensions by Elements Of Life, the second album from Louie Vega’s critically acclaimed live orchestral project. With an allstar cast of remixers the lineup is a who’s who of worldwide talent. On the repertoire are Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Dope, Dj Spinna, Joe Claussell, House of Rumba, & DJ Gregory, along with EOL Alumni lead vocalists Josh Milan, Anané & Raul Midon. The Vinyl release is in two parts, two double packs, get it on your turntable, close your eyes and listen to the cosmic sounds of EOL. The new tracks “Messin’ About”, “Our People”, and the unreleased mix of “Love Is On The Way” are ones not to be missed.
Signed to the Fontana label when she was just 16, Kiki Dee’s first single, “Early Night” (penned by Mitch Murray) was released in May 1963, before Cilla Black, Sandie Shaw, Lulu or Dusty Springfield (as a solo artist) had released a record. She released a further eleven singles (plus several European versions) and an album on Fontana, before being signing to the Motown label, the first British artist to do so. This is the first comprehensive collection of all of Kiki’s 60s releases, compiled with her involvement. Discs One and Two feature all of Kiki’s singles for the Fontana label, including “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” and her Northern Soul classic “On A Magic Carpet Ride”, as well as the “I’m Kiki Dee” album (with all twelve tracks in stereo on CD for first time). Also included are Kiki’s ten European Fontana singles together on CD for the first time, seven on CD for the first time ever. Kiki manages to sing in Italian, French, German and Spanish! Disc Three features her recordings for the Motown label – the original album “Great Expectations” and nine bonus tracks (two of these appear on CD for the first time, and one mix is previously unreleased). Produced by Frank Wilson, Kiki covers such classics as “For Once In My Life”, “I Second That Emotion”, “Walk On By”, “Put A Little Love In Your Heart”, “You’re My World” and “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”. The 28 page book features extensive brand new annotation by Alan Robinson, based on a 2020 interview with Kiki, as well as rare photos from Kiki’s own collection.
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