Mr Scruff’s record box: Matthew Halsall’s guest selections

Mr Scruff Keep it Unreal returns on 5th November, with guest selector Matthew Halsall spicing up proceedings in a back-to-back session with Mr Scruff. With a taste that may be as broad as that of the night’s host, we reached out to Matthew for this month’s record box selections and he didn’t disappoint, featuring some spacey african jazz, Nigerian funk and classic house.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids – We Be All Africans (Strut Records LP)

“Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids deliver a beautiful new album on the mighty Strut Records, if like me you’re into the likes of Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and lots of spacey african jazz music you’ll love this.”

BADBADNOTGOOD – IV (Innovative Leisure Records LP)

“Really digging the soulful vibes of the new BADBADNOTGOOD album on Innovative Leisure Records. Sits well with the likes of Michael Kiwanuka, Al Green and Bill Withers.”

Mike James Kirkland – Hang On In There (Luv N’ Haight LP)

“This is an amazing record I’ve only just discovered by Mike James Kirkland, it has a similar feel to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album, which is one of my favourite albums of all time.”

Various Artists – Jamaica Funk (Original Jamaican Funk And Soul 45’s) (Soul Jazz Records 2xLP)

“Soul Jazz Records have consistently put together amazing compilations and this one is no exception, definitely one that works nicely at home chillin’ or in a club.”

Johnny Osbourne – Truth And Rights (Studio One LP)

“I’ll never forget the first time I heard this record at saxophonist Nat Birchall’s house, it’s such an incredibly beautiful soulful reggae album and one I will cherish for the rest of my life!”

Various Artists – Kon & Amir – Off Track Volume III: Brooklyn (BBE LP)

“Kon & Amir compile another great compilation full of soul, funk and disco dancefloor grooves.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsxnIsvqRnA

Various Artists – Nigeria 70 (The Definitive Story of 1970’s Funky Lagos) (Strut 3xLP)

“There’s so many great funky African tunes on this comp, I’ve been hammering it ever since I bought it.”

Various Artists – Soul Spectrum Records Vol. 1 (Jazzman Records 2xLP)

“Decent soul, funk and disco tuneage.”

A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory (Jive LP)

“Jazzy hip-hop at it’s best!”

Theo Parrish – Roots Revisited (Sound Signature 12”)

“You can’t really go wrong with Theo Parrish, Dan Ryan has to be my most played 12” in my record collection, clubby african techno vibes.”