Another Taste [2024] - Another Taste [Space Grapes] (Full Album)

Another Taste is a Rotterdam-born concept band formed by a group of long time friends Bobby van Putten (keys), Bob Roche (bass), Barend Lippens (keys) and Teun van Zoggel (drums). They are inspired by the obscurity and the do-it-yourself approach of private press culture of the late 1970s and 80s. 

Their first releases were mostly a product of late night sessions at the studio of their co-producer Danilo Plessow (MCDE) which led to the founding of Space Grapes Records. The results of these sessions were released under various pseudonyms such as Mad Honey, GALXTC or Jambonne and garnered support from the likes of Gilles Peterson and Kenny Dope.

Their debut, self-titled, album consists of six tracks blending boogie, 70’s funk and obscure disco birthed from unearthing forgotten sounds and reinventing them for the modern era.

Whilst it is listed on Amazon, it doesn't seem to be available to purchase there but you can buy it digitally on Bandcamp and it is also available on vinyl HERE.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/03/2024
Price:	€10

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Gloria Weems [2023] - Lovelight [Freestyle Records] (Full Album Reissue)

A digital and vinyl reissue of a quite rare 1983 boogie funk album "Lovelight" by South African singer Gloria Weems.

It appears to be her only album from which two singles, "Wanna Dance With You" and "Push It Up", were released, all in 1983. The album was only released in South Africa but the first single got a 12" release on Prelude in the US.

To be honest it's not really our thing as it has that 'tinny' early/mid 80s production that just doesn't stand the test of time (to our ears at least) but the French, in particular, seem to rave on this sort of material. We have a truck load of this sort of stuff on promo 12" from back in the day that doesn't get anywhere near a stylus then or now, so probably needs a better home that appreciates it.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital / Vinyl
Label:	Freestyle Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/09/2023
Price:	£3.49 / £23.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

T.A.X.I.E. [2023] - Dance / Taxie Band [Epsilon #EPS 022]

Epsilon Records owner Yann Vatiste tells us that in May 2022, whilst on a trip to California in search of new sounds, he met up with recording engineer Steve Fuji and arranged a meeting with Woody Whittaker, Ronnie Arch, Wayne Chatman and his wife Loma.

They were members of 70s group Taxie (T.A.X.I.E which stand for Talented Artist Xclusively In Entertainment) a seven piece group consisting of five males and two females. We believe that Brian Whittaker was another member (and probably the brother of Woody unless it is Woody's real name as one of the songs included Brian and Woody on writing credits) and Perri with the the other female member being Ivy Reeves.

They released just one single on their own Archwoods Productions in 1979. A boogie funker "Rock Don't Stop" (with Perri on lead) and the smooth and soulful mid tempo "I Think I'm Falling In Love With You" (with Ivy Reeves on lead) which sells for big bucks. The last one to sell on Discogs sold for £650 with only one currently listed for sale for almost £600. 

It was reissued on 12" by Melodies International in 2015 and both sides are included with another eleven unissued tracks on "The Best of Taxie" digital compilation in 2020 by the group  themselves on Archways Productions.

Epsilon reissued both sides of their only single in Dec '21 but with alternate mixes. The two tracks presented on the new Epsilon single are "Dance" / "Taxie Band" which are both previously unissued in any format which we would describe as modern soul / disco / boogie funk. 

They are ready to go now from Epsilon and also available digitally.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Disco / Boogie Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Epsilon
Cat No:	None
Date:	16//06/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17.50 UK / £22.50 Rest of the world

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Third Rail & Maxx Traxx [2023] - Just Had To Tell You b/w Let Me Love You [Numero Group] (Full Album)

A new digital release from Numero Group today from Third Rail is titled Third Rail & Maxx Traxx "Just Had To Tell You b/w Let Me Love You" but is in fact the first five of six tracks from their 1982 album "Reachin' For It" which sells for silly money. There is only one currently listed on Discogs priced at $909 (£780) and the last one sold for £553 in Oct '22.

Third Rail was a seven piece 80s group from Chicago who released this album as Third Rail and another self-titled one as Maxx Trax, both in 1982, along with two singles from it. 

This album is mainly boogie-funk with "Just Had To Tell You" and the ballad "Living Without You" being the highlights as they have lasted the test of time. It's OK but certainly wouldn't be tempted to shell out 80, never mind 800 quid, for it but now you don't have to as it's available digitally for not even a fiver!

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/06/2023
Price:	£4.95

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Stiggy James [2023] - Found [Self Released]

Well this threw us, as at first we wondered whether it was a new Numero Group reissue but of course it has a UK not US centre, so not that, then whilst listening wondered if it was a reissue of some obscure 80s boogie track, again not that. 

Stiggy James (aka Karl Holmberg) is a Swedish-Indonesian artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist who started making music at the age of 14 from his bedroom and taught himself to play different instruments by ear.

His latest single, "Found", is a brand new release with an 80s boogie feel.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk / Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/06/2023
Key/BPM:	8A/111
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Confection [2023] - Delectable U (T-Groove Remix) [Six Nine Records #NP 44]

Confection are duo Juanita Tippins (vocals) and Josh Beagley (musician) from Sydney who record boogie/modern/funk/pop/soul music. They emerged in 2016 and have released two albums so far and a batch of singles /EP.

Japanese producer Yuki 'T-Groove' Takahashi gets his teeth into "Delectable U" which was originally released on their second (and last so far) CD album "Private Conversations" in 2012.

It has been released digitally on 8 Mar and both the original and remixed version will feature on a 7" single via Six Nine Records in due course.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Six Nine Records
Cat No:	NP 44
Date:	08/03/2023 / TBC
Key/BPM:	3B/110 / 3A/105
Price:	£1 / TBC

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Chartz [2023] - Girls World [Freestyle Records]

Freestyle Records has reissued a 1983 single by Chartz, "Girls World", digitally and on vinyl, which appears to be their only recording and the only release on Digital Records.

The label was based in Birmingham (UK) with the song written and arranged by Bernadette Cosgrove and Kevin Clark and recorded at Zella Recording studios in Birmingham where Ozzy Osbourne's Black Sabbath also recorded some early unreleased songs in 1969

Presumably the record is in-demand by the boogie/funk scene as the originals now sell for three figures with only one currently listed for sale for £185 ... the seller will no doubt be delighted that it has been reissued!

The digital reissue includes a previously unreleased Extended Instrumental Dance Mix.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	7.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/03/2023
Key/BPM:	8A/118
Price:	£1.39 / £12.59

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

VA [2022] - With Love: Vol. 1 (Compiled by Miche) [Mr Bongo Records] (Full Album)

At the end of August a modern soul classic by The Ad Libs ("I Don't Need No Fortune Teller") was released as a single from a forthcoming compilation "With Love: Vol. 1" compiled by London DJ Miche. The full compilation  was released yesterday (23 Sep 2022).

Along with The Ad Libs another track listed for the album (but not yet released) was posted the same day by Sammy Acuna with a cover of Eddie Floyd's "I Never Found A Girl".

Other highlights include Smoke Inc.'s four figure rarity  "Waitin' For Love", Spare Hare's only release "Ain't No Doubt About It" which was 12" only, both from 1977. South Funk Blvd get two tracks included, both sides of their 1986 Captain Funk single "Skying High (Getting Off On Your Loving)" and "Be Together" which is titled "Skying High (Be Together)" on the single release. A one-off 1973 single from Sweet Mixture "House Of Fun And Love" on an early 70s Chicago label Bazar.

NB Click on cover image for full track listing with artists names.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Boogie Funk
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	Digital
Label:	Mr Bongo Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	23/09/2022
Price:	£9.99

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Take 3 [2022] - Tonight's the Night [Freestyle Records]

A reissue of an 80s Brit boogie funk 12" by Take 3 originally released in 1983. You may wonder why now? Well it transpires that the guys behind this are Hinds, Ellis & Sinclair aka Steve Sinclair, Peter Hinds & Kevin Ellis whose initials make up SHE who were behind the recent release of "What's Deep In A Man" by EKO. They had several other aliases and recorded through the 80s and 90s under different guises e,g, Sahara. Invision, Intimate Connection to name just three of many.

Peter Hinds was also in several other Brit funk groups including Atmosfear, Light of The World, Incognito.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Freestyle Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/03/2022
Key/BPM:	3A/117
Value:	£1.39 all tracks

McKenzie & Gardiner Feat. Shelley Hicks [2021] - Hold On Tight (OG Redux) (Nickee B Remix) [Headstretch]

Earl McKenzie and Clive Gardiner are lifelong friends who grew up together in Southall, West London. They formed a seven piece band The Class of '78 in their teens. A few years later they formed the duo called McKenzie & Gardiner with Earl on guitar, bass and lead vocals and Clive on keyboards and backing vocals writing songs individually and together. In 1983 they cut some demos and then a 12" single "From Time" which is now highly sought-after and hence re-pressed by Boogie Times in 2011. In 2013, Headstretch Records released a digital album "Songs From Time - The Lost Demos" which included "From Time" and " Hold On Tight".

"Hold On Tight" got a new Nickee B Remix on 31 Dec 2021 which features Shelley Hicks on lead vocals.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Headstretch
Cat No:	None
Date:	31/01/2022
Key/BPM:	5A/116
Value:	£1.38

TAXIE [2021] - Rock Don't Stop / I Think I'm Falling In Love With You [Epsilon #EPS 008]

The latest offering from Yann Vatiste's Epsilon imprint is a reissue of "Rock Don't Stop" / "I Think I'm Falling In Love With You" the only single released by L.A. group TAXIE in 1979 on Archwood. It was reissued in 2015 by Melodies International on a limited run 12". However, the new release contains alternative mixes of the two sides. I've included YouTube clips of the original versions for comparison.

"Rock Don't Stop" is boogie funk number with the flip "I Think I'm Falling In Love With You" being a sweet soul harmony ballad/stepper.

TAXIE were formed in 1978 by three friends Woody Whittaker, Ronnie Arch, and Wayne Chatman who founded Cabfare Productions under which they created Archwoods Productions and Archwoods Publishing. Adding musicians/song writers, Charles (Ice Cream) Williams, Oneida James, and  vocalist Carlita Durhan (the original guitarist for the group Taste Of Honey) they performed throughout L.A.'s Hollywood circuit as TAXIE (Talented Artist Xclusively In Entertainment) opening for Stevie Wonder, Dennis Edwards and the Mary Jane Girls.

The single is available digitally for £2 or on vinyl £17.50 incl. UK shipping or £22.50 with international shipping from Epsilon

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk / Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/7"
Label:	Epsilon
Cat No:	EPS 008
Date:	03/12/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£3 / £17.50 UK (£22.50 International)

XL Middleton Feat. I, Ced & Moniquea [2021] - Like We Used To Do [MoFunk Records]

A bandcamp only single (at present) from XL Middleton Feat. I, Ced & Moniquea titled "Like We Used To Do"  which has a throwback 80 Boogie funk feel. It comes with vocal and instrumental versions.

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	MoFunk Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	03/12/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	$2.50

A-P Connection [2021] - Wide Vision [B.P.T Investment]

A-P Connection are a French Funk music duo (Antoine Perez and Pierre Bonnet) founded in 2012 in Reims, France.

They debuted in 2014 with their first album "Stellar Groove" followed by "Dawn Of The Future" 2019, "Beyond" 2020 and now Wide Vision on 7 Jun 2021 which features several guest artists from the 80s such as Junior (Giscombe), Howard Johnson and Joyce Sims along with some more recent artists. 

As you'd probably expect, the album has a retro 80s feel with the opening track a jazz-funk instrumental and several boogie-funk tracks.

My preferred tracks are "Lifetime To Find" featuring Nate Williams and "Idylle" featuring Ava Baya sung in French. The rest don't really do it for me as the 80s boogie-funk dance tunes don't hit the spot for me, although 1-2-3-4 (The Beat Goes On) featuring Junior isn't bad and contains the opening riff from Lynx's 1981 Brit-funk hit "You're Lying" (at 2:44). 

I notice that Spotify doesn't give the featured artists, so click on sleeve image for full track listings.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.6
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk / 80s Retro
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	B.P.T Investment
Cat No:	None
Year:	07/06/2021
Value:	£7.99

B&The Family [2021] - Count On Me [Six Nine]

The latest offering from Newcastle based Six Nine Records is an 80s style boogie/funk outing from B&The Family "Count On Me" flipped with "Magic". Available as digital download or pre-order on 7" vinyl (£14,99).  

I think, of the two sides, I prefer the 'harder' flip "Magic". "Count On Me" sounds to me like the same hook from Soul II Soul's "Back To Life".

B&The Family is Brian Keith Morgan from Englewood, NJ, and his family members. He released a single in 1984 "Wanna Love Ya" They released a single on Super Disco Edits in 2016 and Austin Boogie Crew Records in 2018 which had a remix of his 1984 single on the flip.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.2
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / Vinyl
Label:	Six Nine
Cat No:	None
Year:	29/05/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£1 /£14.99

June Evans [2021] - If You Want My Lovin' (Sunshine Mix) / Hardly Need To Say [Izipho Soul #ZP64]

Izipho Soul are reissuing two rare sides from June Evans on vinyl due 30 Apr 2021 (available for pre-order). 

'Hardly Need To Say' was originally released in 1981 on H&H #HH0010 as a B side and has been reissued twice, on a 2016 compilation 'Jeremy Underground Beauty: A Journey Through Jeremy Underground's Collection' on Spacetalk #STLKLP001 and more recently in 2018 on a self-titled album by June Evans on Tambourine Party #TP001. (P.S. If you're happy with a digital version then it's still available for download on BandCamp).

'If You Want My Loving' was also issued on H&H #0058 on 12" in 1983 and appears on the June Evans 2018 album (and has a few 'unofficial' releases). The new verson is a remix, so has never been previously available.

A quick check on Popsike and 'Hardly Need To Say' currently sells for around £230 mark and 'If You Want My Loving' for around £150.

s7oul · If You Want My Lovin'#x27; (Sunshine Mix)

s7oul · Hardly Need To Say

Details

Rating:	7.5 / 8.5
Genre/Style:	Boogie : Modern Soul / Rare Groove
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP64
Year:	2021
Key:	N/A / 8A
BPM:	N/A / 109
Value:	£13