Luke Una Presents E Soul Cultura Vol.3

Almost three years after the release of E Soul Cultura, Vol. 2, Luke Una harvests another unmixed crop of deep dancefloor truffles that spans decades, genres, and continents. The well-traveled U.K. underground club institution asserts his intent with track one, "Spread Love" -- impelling disco-funk from Harris & Orr, a duo on the same wavelength as Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson. The 90s and 2020s are each represented with two cuts, including DJ Harveys aloft and beatless mix of DJ Foods "Peace" and a shadowy downtempo gem from Fatdog. All else dates from the latter half of the 70s through the late 80s, and though theres wide variety even among what was made within close proximity, a dialogue of sorts occurs from track to track. Only a couple years separate Japanese saxophonist Toshiyuki Hondas "Burnin Waves," an inspired mix of the Crusaders, George Duke, and Weather Report, from Terry and Deep Souths "Trying to Get By," a primarily instrumental disco burner that seems at least partly inspired by the Miracles "Do It Baby." The same goes for the selections by Nigerian musician Igna Igwebuike and ragtag Norwich post-punks Vital Disorders. The formers scratchy mix of highlife and disco-funk makes him come across as his countrys answer to Bohannon, while the latter reinterpret the Afrobeat classic "Zombie" -- by Igwebuike countryman Fela Kuti -- at a slower tempo. As with the first two volumes of the series, theres a rather inconspicuous cover, and this one is Janette Renees faithful if inflamed version of "Whats on Your Mind," originally recorded by George Benson (and co-written by Russ Ballard, a name some gray ravers might recognize as the one behind the Balearic-adjacent "Voices," among bigger hits outside clubland). Elsewhere, theres a rolling drum track from the Kano-related Gaucho, speedy roller-rink funk from Stars, and oddball Nigerian electro-boogie from Alphonsus Idigo, whose "Flight 505" (not a Rolling Stones cover) is one of two tunes issued during the pivotal year of 1987, though unlikely to have been played outside of Africa. As ever with Unas selections, theres a strong sense of excited discovery, not one of nostalgia. ~ Andy Kellman