Shaka Loves You presents Joints n' Jams Vol. 1, a new and fitting addition to the Bombstrikes series of compilations. The ever-increasing number of Shaka fans will already be aware of the Joints n' Jams ethos, either through their monthly Soho Radio show or the hugely successful night in their hometown of Glasgow, both delivered under the Joints n' Jams banner. The duo has now brought that same approach to its next logical step with a fully-fledged album, delivering a fine selection of 24 tracks of the finest hip-hop, funk, disco that are dancefloor tested, straight from the SLY crates. The assembled track listing really does encapsulate the signature 'SLY' sound. The curation has been executed to perfection with the Shaka boys choosing some of their favourite tracks, both past and present, spanning genres that they love to play regularly in their sets. For a track to make it on to the album it quite clearly needed to pass a high bar of quality control in terms of production, groove, feel and funky-ness and of course, make sense together as a body of work. The result is a dazzling array of music and artists including new and exclusive music from the Shaka guys themselves alongside DJ Nu-Mark & Quantic, Kraak & Smaak, The Nextmen & Kiko Bun, Izo FitzRoy, Chali 2NA & Krafty Kuts, Andy Cooper, The Allergies and Fort Knox Five. Also not forgetting the Disco vibes of Hobbs & Ron Mexico, Birdee & Andre Espertue, Afriquoi and Art of Tones. There is also a DJ Mix from Shaka Loves You, delivered with the seamless high quality you would expect. This is the first volume in series which looks set to be a real stand out for Bombstrikes and a future classic.

It feels like Bombstrikes have made us wait a long time for the fifth instalment of their eponymous Bass Funk series, but boy was it worth the wait! The one and only Krafty Kuts has stepped into the hot seat and taken on curation duties. When it comes to all things Bass, Funk and Beats there is quite simply no one more qualified for the task and he has delivered an album of the highest order. When looking back at the body of work Krafty has delivered over his many years in the industry, be it alongside Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, or via the music that kicked started the global electronic breaks scene, it is easy to see how he is revered as a legend. The assembled track listing testifies to how he is still top of his game as it is packed full of new exclusives alongside some epic moments from the scenes' biggest artists. A perfectly curated collection that regardless of tempo maintains the Bass Funk ethos. When Krafty Kuts starts to pull together a track listing, expectations are always going to be high and he has delivered on that promise in some style. There are a multitude of new exclusives from the man himself alongside music from such luminaries as Delta Heavy, Haywyre, Opiuo to name a few. The Midtempo sound is more than catered for with the inclusion of North American heavyweights such as Kotek, Fort Knox 5, K+lab, The Funk Hunters and Stickybuds. Not to mention appearances from the UK Maestros A.Skillz, WBBL and Shaka Loves You. There is also room for legendary MCs such as Jungle Brothers' Baby Bam and long-time associate Dynamite MC. Pushing up the tempo but still keeping the bass front and centre are tracks from Sharam Jey and Kolombo, Infekto and Dubra. There is even space for an absolute classic from Stretch 'n' Vern to be given the Krafty treatment. If that wasn't enough, the funky technician has also pulled together an outstanding DJ mix, showcasing the skills that Krafty Kuts has used to rock dance floors all around the globe. An outstanding album that raises the bar for this already much-loved series

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