#12 Feat. Staff Picks in Nu Disco / Disco

Reel People Music expands the fizzing dynamic between highly accomplished label associates Opolopo (AKA Peter Major) and Angela Johnson with the release of their brand new album Best of Both Worlds. The nine-track record is a sublime meeting of soulful musical minds, building on the pairs previous track-by-track collaboration, as well as influences ranging from Quincy Jones and The Gap Band to Ohio Players and The Isley Brothers, with purpose, poise and punch. Opolopos vibrant live-sounding studio craft meets Johnsons rich and deliciously textured vocals – nuff said! Actually, Johnson spells it out for us on Best of Both Worlds short, but sweeping Intro – an effective prologue for the fresh, feel-good music to come thatll make you want to dance…move… maybe love on somebody. Buffalo is an immediate proof point, infectious percussion and scat play chopping between deep down synth-bass and cosmic jazz-funk solos before firing euphorically into full-on 4-4 groove. Theres a similar energy pulsing through The Ones You Love, with its struttin disco mix of bass guitar and piano, as well as Possibilities, which adeptly weds live house drums to spacy swirls of synth and quick-fire guitar plucks. Johnson is ever attuned to tempo and melody, adding depth and momentum in equal, captivating measure. Elsewhere, on Somebody, her song of selfish love and redemption is performed with suitable sass over an Opolopo production beautifully primed by peacocking b-lines and guitar riffs. For She Knows, meanwhile, Johnson addresses the theme of betrayal with emotional nuance and grit, her delivery climbing confidently upon mid-tempo licks of piano-stabbed nu-soul. In The Meadows slows proceedings further, tender vocals riding a relaxed, horn-polished flow with grace and charm. That leaves the heart-swelling, call-to-arms uplift of Show Up, Show Out – classic soulful chords, driving horns, soaring song - and a propulsive Outro – further reminders, if reminders are needed, of Best of Both Worlds searing song and studio credentials, as well as of the unique chemistry and electric creativity between its makers. Angie and I didnt have any agenda when making this record other than just living in the feeling. The vibe between us was easy, as always, so the grooves and songs flowed organically, Major explains. The quality and range of Angies vocals blow me away. They add so much soul and feel-good energy to the tracks we create. More than that they pull everything together and take you on a journey. Best of Both Worlds is funky, driving, danceable… but it also has honesty and depth. We didnt want to make anything obvious, Johnson adds. This album looks to connect with the themes that concern and inspire people around the world right now. Peter challenged me. His musical ideas are really wide-ranging, which was a breath of fresh air in terms of pushing me to perform in different ways – from soul beats to uptempo to my gospel roots. Were from different parts of the musical spectrum but fit together perfectly. It really is the best of both worlds, hence the album title. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, DJ-producer Opolopo continues to fruitfully explore the frontiers of funkiness after some two decades of productions right across the soulful dancefloor spectrum for labels such as Local Talk, Z Records and Defected. His remix discography includes Gregory Porter, Jungle, Leroy Burgess and Mothers Favorite Child. New York native Angela Johnson was a member of acid jazz group Coolys Hot Box before enjoying solo success via a string of acclaimed R&B albums including They Dont Know, Its Personal and Naturally Me. During the Noughties, Johnson featured on Reel People singles Cant Stop, In The Sun and You Used To Hold Me So Tight. Most recently, she has collaborated with Opolopo on hit Reel People Music singles Stay This Way, Good Lover and Sunshine. Reel People Music is a label borne out of the success of acclaimed collective Reel People but representing so much more. Launched in late 2009, the imprint has built a fiercely loyal international fanbase through its passion for artist development, musicianship, song-craft and soulful groove. Produced in Sweden and the US last year, Best Of Both Worlds marks the latest shining output from a renowned record label and talented studio partnership with so much soulfully to say. Its a joy to listen.

Angela Johnson, Opolopo, Kaidi Tatham