ultrafunkmag » Records

Dirty Loops – “Covers” unofficial EP

Rune Johnsrud — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:15:17 +0000

Currently the boys are busy in the studio recording new original songs for their first album according to their official blog. I hope they’ll be able to use their awesome musical chops to create some unique and cleverly arranged material to follow up on their previous efforts. Until they are ready with that, here is a convenient collection of all the cover tracks released so far on their soundcloud page (6 in total):

Download link: Dirty Loops – “Covers” unofficial EP (31MB zip).

Balance and the Traveling Sounds – “Departure” free EP

Rune Johnsrud — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:00:12 +0000

Modern soul music played live with real instruments is pretty rare these days, which is really a shame, because when it sounds as good as this, it is truly a pleasure to be enjoyed. This free 6 track EP is an excellent release from a band that I hope will continue to bring us more of the same in the future, and I really look forward to hearing whatever they come up with next.

Departure EP by Balance and the Traveling Sounds

JBrown & The Mic Smith – “JB&TMS EP” free download

Rune Johnsrud — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:54:47 +0000

My favorite funky fresh hip-hop duo from down under in New Zealand are back with their debut EP simply called “JB&TMS”, and as always, they really deliver the good vibrations! You can check out two videos from the EP right here: “Cookin Soul” and “Where Ya At“, and you can also download the full 5 track mini album free of charge or for a small donation (you decide!) from the official JBrown & The Mic Smith bandcamp page.

Soulive – “Cash’s Dream”

Rune Johnsrud — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:57:19 +0000

An outstanding track from the first album (“Get Down!”) by Soulive that was recorded back in 1999 but not released until 2002, featuring their jazz organ trio lineup: Alan Evans, Neal Evans and Eric Krasno.

The Herbaliser Band – “Session One” (2000)

Rune Johnsrud — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:00:41 +0000

Quite possibly the finest Herbaliser album so far, and also some of the best crime movie music never actually used in any soundtrack:

“The Missing Suitcase”:

“Goldrush”:

Ole Børud – “Keep Movin” (2011)

Rune Johnsrud — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:00:18 +0000

Ole Børud, a young soulful gentleman from Norway who started as a singer at the age of five, has just released his second solo album. His first record (“Shakin’ The Ground“) placed him in funk territory, and while some of the tracks on this one brings him closer to mainstream pop and rock, the sheer amount of talent and skillful musicianship displayed throughout still makes it a solid step up from his first effort.

The James Taylor Quartet – “The Template” (2011)

Rune Johnsrud — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 14:00:21 +0000

25 years and still going strong with a new anniversary release called “The Template”, and what a celebration it is! This is one of the bands finest albums so far featuring an inspired mix of new songs and cover tracks, all of it played with a level of energy and enthusiasm that is truly admirable, and it keeps getting better with each listen. I really hope that James and the lads keep going for at least another 25 years.

Opolopo – “Voltage Controlled Feelings” (2010)

Rune Johnsrud — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:36:01 +0000

Originally from Zirc, Hungary, but now based in Stockholm, Sweden, Opolopo is a highly skilled producer, musician and composer who grew up listening to artists like Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and Kraftwerk. Inspired by those and many other sources, he has created his own very unique blend of electronic funk, disco and soul. You can listen to a couple of sample tracks below, the first from his “Voltage Controlled Feelings” album, the second from a SoulParlor record titled “Evoluzion” (both released by the Tokyo Dawn Records label):

Opolopo – “Reversed” feat. Blacktop & Amalia:

SoulParlor – “Real” feat. Colonel Red (Opolopo Roller Skate Remix):

Amalia – “Art Slave” (2011)

Rune Johnsrud — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:05:49 +0000

With strong roots in early 80′s boogie disco and more modern nu-soul and electronic music, Amalia’s debut effort (out March 4.) is clearly influenced by artists like Chaka Khan and Erykah Badu to name a few, but the album still manages to sound like her own creation, overflowing with fresh grooves and rampant creativity! The very kind people at her label Tokyo Dawn Records, allowed us to select a track for you to listen to, enjoy and download for free:

Download link: Amalia – Bonafide (11.3MB mp3).

Ronny Jordan – “The Quiet Revolution” (1993)

Rune Johnsrud — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:00:53 +0000

After almost twenty years, this vintage acid-jazz album that mixes hip-hop, jazz, instrumental and vocal tracks, still manages to sound fresh thanks to its very tight production and excellent guitar melodies played with superb skill by the man himself, just have a listen to one of the standout tracks called “In Full Swing” (sorry about the lo-fi sound):