Aktion
Groove The Funk

Jorge Ben's first full-length record, this 1963 release contains the hit singles "Mas Que Nada" and "Chove Chuva" and exemplifies the light yet propulsive rhythms that kept Ben in a decades-long career in Brazilian pop. Full of big-band sway with sweeping Bossa Nova touch and lively choruses, it's fantastic to track Ben here as he evolved into more rock and Afro-percussive ballads. An incredibly enjoyable listen from the young superstar.

After 15 successful years, Spanish new wave artist Juan Alberto Arteche Guel left his band to experiment with new ideas. He bought a four-track reel-to-reel recorder, and began exploring imaginary global music worlds with a core of like-minded adventurers. Finis Africæ was born, and across 18 years and 7 albums, the best cuts have been compiled here. Deeply influenced by African music, Juan blended modern electric instruments with traditional acoustic instruments from many cultures to create reverberant, organic minimal funk, new wave compositions. INCREDIBLE stuff.

French producer Shelter began his production career re-editing quirky Balearic cuts, which resulted in an original EP release on Über (not the car bois). Those woozy, horizontal gems clearly resonated with International Feel's head honcho, as they've put Shelter on for his debut. Combining his usual new age-inspired melodies and tropical flavours, we also get post-disco pop, rubbery dub, woozy ambient and the kind of fluid, sun-baked electronica that defies easy categorization. A stunning blend of electronic and acoustic instrumentation. Big tip for the tropical heads!

Re-issue of 1998 West-Coast hip-hop classic! As Quik explains, “the name Rhythm-Al-Ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy”. Quik's signature gangsta meets George Clinton sound defined a place and an era and he sounds as buttery on the mic and behind the decks all these years later. Necessary for the heads!