After bringing us their solid debut album in 2009, Dojo Cuts have since hit us with a number of equally fine 45s and collaborations which make them seem like they’ve been around a whole lot longer. Having now finished their second album, they’ve also re-cut a totally new version of their excellent “You Make Lovin’ Real Easy”, a tighter, rawer version with some awesome instrumental breaks and a looser vocal from singer Roxie Ray, which really shows the benefits of the band’s experience. Just as the track appears to end, it relaunches into a very funky breakdown showcase for various parts of the band – really great stuff! Take a listen for yourself at the bottom of the post and then download a free copy here:
FREE DOWNLOAD of “You Make Lovin’ Real Easy (Tighten Up Version 2011)” here

Exclusive Dojo Cuts track in FREE DOWNLOAD only at www.recordkicks.com by Record Kicks

We’d just like to wish everyone, everywhere a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. What could be better than enjoying time with friends and family, some good food, good music and a drink or two. However you are spending your Christmas and New Year, we hope you have a wonderful time. Funkalicious loves ya, baby!

Here’s something for 45 collectors everywhere. 45 Central have a range of good looking spindle adapters for the 45 vinyl connoisseur. Crafted from heavy, solid aluminium they offer better performance and user satisfaction than hollow or plastic spindle adapters. They won’t break the bank either, priced at £7.45 each or £14 for a pair. Coming with recommendations from DJs such as Keb Darge, Jazzman Gerald and Joey Negro, you can find them at 45central.co.uk

A new album from Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings is always an eagerly anticipated event. Any regular at Funkalicious will know how much we appreciate these guys – we just can’t stop playing their catalogue. So what do we know so far about this? Not much. Only that it is titled “I Learned The Hard Way”; The Impressions style cover shot is taken in the yard of the “House of Dap” recording studio in Brooklyn; it is slated for a May 4th release; and that it is likely to be a mixture of both soul and funk styles, played to perfection by craftsman-level musicians, sung by the strongest female voice in the business and produced to a standard reflecting, but seldom achievable back-in-the-day by expert analogue producer Gabriel Roth. Oh yes, we can expect greatness!

Oh and we have a tracklisting too:

I Learned the Hard Way:

01 The Game Gets Old
02 I Learned the Hard Way
03 Better Things
04 Give It Back
05 Money
06 The Reason
07 Window Shopping
08 She Ain’t a Child No More
09 I’ll Still Be True
10 Without a Heart
11 If You Call
12 Mama Don’t Like My Man