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2025 Repress

More than once Jay Richford and Gary Stevan’s Feelings has been described as the greatest library record ever released. Of course Be With can’t be seen to be playing favourites, but we have to admit, it’s pretty good. Insanely rare and immensely sought-after, it’s a tough funk, street jazz masterpiece coveted for many years by collectors of all musical genres.

Since its original release on Italian label Carosello in 1974, Feelings has appeared on several labels with different sleeves and even under a different artist. Indeed cult library label Conroy put it out in one of their iconic red sleeves in 1976 and yes, Feelings has indeed had more than one modern re-issue since these “original” releases. But a record this special deserves to be kept in press and we think it deserves the Be With treatment.

No, Jay Richford and Gary Stevan aren’t two of the most Italian sounding names. As the story goes these were the pseudonyms adopted by Stefano Torossi and Giancarlo Gazzani who wrote the album but couldn’t use their real names on the original release for legal reasons. But Stefano Torossi himself later both clarified and confused the tale further by explaining that Feelings was the work of four people not just Gazzani and himself. Fellow composers and musicians Sandro Brugnolini and Puccio Roelens also worked on the album and as Torossi himself explained “we all worked together”, with all four gents “dividing the royalties in equal parts… that’s the story.” Right, so, with that all sorted out let’s get back to talking about the music. And what music it is.

Long hailed as a holy grail of library music, Feelings is the epitome of the sort of cinematic orchestral jazzy funk that is “that 70s library music sound”. Infectiously funky, deliciously melodic and with impeccible, elegant production, this record is the showcase for a stunning set of compositions and arrangements and with performances that are nothing short of virtuoso.

The record’s first side lifts off with “Flying High”, soaring brilliant and shimmering. Funk licks, menacing strings and swaggering horns combine for an ice-cold intro groove that Isaac Hayes would surely have envied, before the steady-paced drums deliver the slo-mo TKO. The string-drenched cop-funk of “Going Home” raises the tempo. All funky quick-fire bass lines and killer electric guitar soloing. A real thriller.

“Walking In The Dark” positively drips in blaxploitation-funk drama strings and horn struts, all laced with delicate drums, velvet piano and more filthy wah-wah. “Fighting For Life” is another funk-fuelled workout built around an effortlessly relentless drum track that refuses to give up until even the stiffest-necked head is nodding.

The loping, open drum break that guides the much-loved “Feeling Tense” through its early stages would be good enough on its own. The heavy bass gloss, swirling strings and ominous horns that follow take things to the next level.

The second side opens with another favourite “Running Fast”, and the track does precisely that. This is one fine rollicking chase theme underpinned by frenetic (yet funky) Fender Rhodes and skipping bass and drums. Those sweeping strings are a gorgeous extra. It’s a deliciously feel-good groove that sets the heart racing.

“Loving Tenderly” envelops us in warm, velvety night-time vibes with easy listening horns and slinky strings dialing up the seduction. Definitely one for the lithe lovers out there. The pace picks up on the electrifying “Fearing Much” where strings dart around deep bass, buzzing guitars and another funky drum break. The lush, melancholic “Being Friendly” is another easy beauty, all warm Rhodes and strings. Majestic stuff that puts an aural arm around you. The climactic “Having Fun” rides a pulsating, bass-heavy drum break with snatches of a funky guitar refrain, some luxurious keys, sweeping strings and triumphant horns. Sensational.

If there is one person, who has been causing a stir on the international club circuit recently, it is Barcelona's John Talabot. Already his debut “My Old School“ (which is meant literally by the way) on Permanent Vacation in 2009 and shortly after that the single “ Sunshine”, which he put out on his own Hivern Disc imprint, made him one of the most promising musicians of the Spanish electronic scene. And those two releases also already set the mark for John Talabot’s unparalleled music: raw, loopy, heavy on the kick drum, sample based, moderate on the tempo, distorted on the drums and light years away from the clean and ever revolving house sound of today. This unique style which also blends influences from afro beat, Detroit techno, Chicago house and cosmic disco, but also northern soul or the energy of Flamenco, immediately turned some heads around. James Murphy, Âme and Aeroplane started including Talabot music in their sets like it was the most natural thing. However - and this is quite rare - he not only gained legions of fans in the house and disco community, but also amongst the leftfield pop and indie rock followers. NME and Resident Advisor both had “Breakthrough“ features on John Talabot and he can be proud of a “Best New Music“ dubbing on
Pitchfork. (Being rather elusive on showing his face in magazines or the web it also came to some funny rumors that John Talabot was the alter ego of a well-known techno producer from Detroit).
At the same time he drew the attention of like-minded artists like James Holden and Luke Abott from Border Community, Blondes or Delorean, which lead to a bunch of fertile collaborations: Luke Abbott and Blondes remixed Talabot’s “Sunshine“ single , John Talabot remixed a track by Delorean and vice versa Delorean’s Ekhi contributed vocals to the track “Journeys “ on John’s album). Another example is the Young Turks Label (home of Jamie XX, Holy Fuck, El Guincho or SBTRKT ) on which he released the “Families“ EP in 2010. It was praised beyond limits. Pitchfork for
instance hailed: “… where pop and house influences sweetly buffer up against one another to provide an unyielding sense of elation“ and even brought Talabot a comparison with artists like Four Tet or Caribou.
While staying true to his sound, John Talabot has nevertheless shown a constant evolution as a producer since his first release. He has traced a solid musical path that has turned him into one of the big references of European House and has made him also a highly in demand Remixer (for the likes of The XX, Francesco Tristano’s “Aufgang” project, Shit Robot on DFA, Thaiti 80, Joakim or Teengirl Fantasy to name just a few ).
A progression that now crystallizes in “ƒin”, his first full-length album for Permanent Vacation. A record, in which the Barcelona mastermind sets aside the danceable immediacy to expand his stylistic palette more than ever. For that purpose, Talabot melts all the elements that have constructed his distinctive sound until now and makes them emerge from a new perspective, in which the construction of complex song structures, intricate rhythms and superpositions of ever-evolving melodies and atmospheres pick up the baton of the “a kick-drum and a sampler” philosophy of his initial productions. The result brings us 11 tracks (we should call them songs really!) dominated by dark ambiances, gaseous textures and bittersweet moods that, above all, reveal a kind of vivacity that’s really hard to find in contemporary electronics. “Fin” is far from being a track collection. From the majestic opener “Depak Ine“ to it’s solemn ending with
“So Will Be Now“ , one of the two tracks that features Talabot’s soul and label mate Pional, each song traces an overall dialogue with the rest, culminating a highly emotional journey through Talabot’s always compelling and unique musical vision.

D Stone debuts on Heist Recordings with a record that shows us why he's one of the hottest talents in house music right now

Chloe Caillet is in on it. Cinthie is in on it. SG lewis and Demi Riquísimo are in on it too. So are Folamour, Barry Can't Swim and, of course, Dam Swindle. In on what exactly?

In on the fact that D Stone might be the most exciting young producer and DJ you will find in the house scene right now. Oh, and he's also a great guy who says Heist was his dream label to release on. When we found out we were fans of on each other, it was only logical that we signed his 'Time Selection' EP; A 5-track record that shows us how cool and catchy underground house music can be if it's done well.

D Stone, born Daan Steenhuizen has had a meteoric rise in the scene in the past years and has only just finished his study at the Conservatory, where Lars was one of his mentors. His vinyl debut was on Cecille in 2023 with that absolute anthem 'Total unison'. He then released on Cinthie's 803 Crystal Grooves in 2024 and has a busy 2025 with releases on Chloe Caillet's label Smiile, Semi Delicious, a release planned for Barry Can't Swim's fresh label 'Earth's only paradise' and now, Heist. He's been touring relentlessly in between, already playing legendary places like Ibiza's Pikes, Amsterdam's Shelter and with big shows planned at Warehouse project and in Australia, you can just feel all the right things happening for him.

The 'Time Selection' EP kicks off with 'Yes I Am', an upbeat house track with plenty of hints of the old school, playful vocal chops and above all, some lovely piano work. It's stripped back, but full of energy, with driving 909 percussion, retro flutes and a rolling bass line. It's as much a pallet cleanser in a set as it is a teasing mid-set highlight.

'Move Over' features the vocals of ELY and sees D Stone dive deeper into vintage house territory, with a classic bassline and percussion that stays true to the core of the classic drum machines, hinting as much towards the electro-pop sound of New Order and the futurism of early Mr. Fingers releases. The vocal is daring and cute at the same time, and does a great job tapping into the nostalgia of the pop-house cross-over songs of the early 90s.

'Time Selection' is arguably the heaviest cut of the record, much in style of his breakthrough track 'Total Unison'. This track is built around a strong piano theme, supported by driving 909 drums, strings and cleverly placed disco bleeps to keep the track accessible and uplifting. Add to that a big breakdown, and you'll understand why we've been reaching for this track peak set for the past months.

On the flip, we've got 'One Thing', a subtle and introverted track built around a bumpy disco bassline with a hook that's silly on first listen but will end up being the one thing you'll keep humming for the rest of the day. In short, it's a banger in disguise.

The last track of the EP is 'Everything from the Organ', a track where D Stone is not afraid to show his love for throwback ravey elements. There's organ licks, horns and chopped vocals that propel you straight to the front-left of whichever dancefloor D Stone is reigning at that moment.

Don't sleep on the Heist debut of one of Amsterdam's biggest talents, cause this one will go like hot cakes! As always, enjoy the music and play it loud!

Yours, Maarten & Lars

A1 - The Moon On The Moors
ASC opens the EP with a distinctive, purposeful and dancefloor-friendly piece, driven by an intensely memorable drum pattern that will have your head nodding instantly - that's before the deep, earthy room-filling bassline quakes below. Filtered metallic breakbeats join the mix periodically along with string melodies and a plethora of sci-fi effects and classic micro samples. Absolutely essential stuff from the atmospheric wizard that is ASC.

A2 - Persuasion
A measured approach introduces Persuasion, with light hats and a subtle bleepy melody gradually pulling us toward a stunningly crisp slice of breakbeat heaven. Impossibly detailed rapidfire snares dominate the mix with incredible clarity that just has to be heard to be believed. Light bongos and airy synthwork nestle beautifully alongside trademark old school high pitched female vocal hits to cap off another stunner.

AA1 - Time and Again
Setting the tone immediately with thunderous, deep Hot Pants breaks - finely crafted as ever - Time and Again sees ASC explore an other-worldly setting with an uneasy intrigue to the echoing keys, while rousing strings provide a suitably nervy backdrop to the mix. A mellow yet tense breakdown is quickly nudged aside with the crunching breaks and darkly bassline, while echoed vocal hits add further texture.

AA2 - Severance
A wonderfully old school slice of breakbeat action quickly unfolds as Severance sees ASC playfully experiment with varied break patterns riddled with delicious little details you will pick out with each repeated listen. Sublime intent is present throughout with a heavy undertone bassline, not to mention the excellent sampled quote from the show of the same name - eventually we all have to accept reality. If this is our reality, bring it on.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

18 acoustic guitar tracks from Steve Howe (Yes/Asia), features Yes classics "Your Move", "Disillusion" & "To Be Over" `Natural Timbre' features Howe, joined by his son Dylan on drums, in an acoustic setting with an array of instruments including acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, lap steel guitar, mandocello and koto across a range of original instrumental compositions and Classical interpretations to produce a deeply intimate collection of moving, atmospheric and stunningly beautiful music. Steve Howe: The idea behind `Natural Timbre' was to show that the beauty of acoustic instruments is universal" He goes onto say: "I really set about it, putting the electric guitar away wanting to do another kind of exploration, because like the piano, you can't get away from the tonality of acoustic sound. It's one of those beautiful, harmonising, soothing things"

Human Leather have always been a ferocious live act, unbelievably loud for a 2 piece. Their gigs are often an overwhelming wall of sludge, howls and amphetamine-addled drums, with spectators flying joyously around the pit. Previous recordings did full justice to the impact of the live show; however, the second helping is something else. On Here Comes the Mind, There Goes the Body the sludge is still present, rising, and lapping at your ankles, but there's a new clarity showing off exactly how f*cking good those riffs are. There are ear worm riffs for days, shout along vocals that roar, shriek and reform into a Greek chorus, drums that thump you repeatedly in the chest and then the whole thing vanishes in just under 30 minutes, leaving you bruised, deafened and with Some Questions about your life. Squint your ears a bit and you'll hear the influences of bands like Karp, Torche and Big Business but they're thrown into a much crustier stew. The lyrics span a variety of political issues, not limited to the landed gentry, global warming and consumerist harbingers of doom. Importantly the songs are also not afraid to discuss class issues (unlike many political bands who you suspect have a much sturdier security net). While this could easily feel preachy, every line is delivered with the knowing wink of the underdog and good humour (I am going to smile every time I think of "clod damn" or "QVC Hands" staring up at me from the lyric sheet), and the vibes are as they've always been in difficult times - "we know we're fucked, tonight we mosh, tomorrow we march". And what is the point of a revolution you can't dance to? Speaking of dancing, the final track features an honest-to-god dance beat, acid squelches and disembodied vocal samples, pointing to an alternative universe in which Human Leather are a heavy electroclash band. Here comes the record of the year, bring what is left of your eardrums. You didn't need that body anyway

Written and performed entirely by ELLiS
D himself (aka Ellis Dickson) at Hackney Road studios with Shuta Shinoda (Hot Chip,
Jenny Beth), 'Spill' is a seven song jetstream ofrocket-fuelled, goth-tinged glam-punk,
infested with 21st century paranoia:
"The Spill EP is a not so subtle expression of conflict between personality and
character", Ellis explains, "An uneasy alliance of nervous apprehension and joyful
abandon. Throwing myself dramatically onto the funeral pyre one moment, only to get up
and frantically twist my limbs about the next."
The brainchild of drummer-turned-solo musician Ellis Dickson, ELLiS.D has garnered a
growing reputation in the past 12 months for a tireless touring schedule and
increasingly electric live shows, recently described as"one of the most exhilarating live
sets I've seen in months."byFar Out Magazine.
Backed by continuously shifting set of Brighton musicians - in addition to playing
drums across the world with Fat Dog andJohnny Borrell's Jealous Nostril project - his
solo show has performed with the likes ofRazorlight (at Brighton Dome and Eventim
Apollo) The Goa Express , Flip Top Head , Melts , Plantoid, Vinyl Williams , Youth
SectorandThe DSM IV.

Dario Bassolino is pianist, producer and composer born in Naples, where he currently resides. With an eclectic taste and an genre-defying musical ability, he has produced for and played alongside alt-R&B vocalist LNDFK, jazz-funk legend Nicola Conte, Early Sounds boss Pellegrino and has collaborated with Nu Genea, Kurtis Rosenwinkel and rapper Pink Siifu to name a few. Inspired by the Brazilian funk greats Hermeto Pascoal and Airto Moreira and their Italian counterparts such as Franco Califano, Lucio Battisti, Panella, Enzo di Domenico and Gennaro D'Auria. Bassolino’s live show has a very organic form and is inspired by jazz, funk and disco improvisation, having extensive experience playing to enthusiastic international audiences as a session musician at prestigious festivals Primavera Sound, Montreux Jazz festival, Dour Festival and We Out Here.

Bassolino's new release is located where the sea begins and the sky ends. Two tracks that carry the horizon drawing a straight line between Naples, Tunisi and Beirut. A thin but tangible line that unites the Mediterranean poles. Hence the concept of "Popoli del Mare", the multiform sound waves intertwine a composition with an incessant rhythm: the Afro contamination of Charif Megarbane finds a fit with the Italian and dreamy harmonies of Bassolino. Baid Alik is a song of love and hope. The sound, purely inspired by the research of Habibi Funk, evokes the memory of an ancestral past shared by Bassolino with the Tunisian singer Marzouk Mejri.
His voice, halfway between proto- rap and melodic, mix perfectly to the disco-cinematic instrumental.

Percussive P (who has previously released on the label with FR037 & our remix on THCFR001) is a top quality producer who I wish had more music/releases out there. I used to play a tune of his called "Gunsmith" a lot in sets, as well as a lot of his collabs with Kid Lib which I was a big fan of. I'd previously collaborated with him on a tune for Dublinquents a few years ago and I was quite keen on doing a new collaboration with him for Meeting Of The Minds, so he sent me some tracks he had started, I picked my favourite to work on and that led to "Impatience".

Fluid Haunts is a solid producer who I was familiar with, but it wasn't until his music was drilled into my head by Dwarde who was playing a few select tunes from him in every single b2b set we had together, that I started to really appreciate his skills. Dwarde would play "Not Your Ordinary Love Song" without fail, in any given moment and time, and it would always get a great reaction from the crowd, so I had to get in touch to see if he'd be up for working with me & thankfully he was! We ended up making "Pineapple Soup" together & I can't remember why it's called that, I think he named the tune ????

Hobzee is one half of Silent Dust (him & Zyon Base) & I used to chat regularly with him and trade music with him on AOL Instant Messenger (showing my age here!) a long while back. He got back in touch with me about wanting to work on music together and he had an early version of "Sunspots" done. It was very promising sounding so I was quite keen to get involved with him on it and I'm grateful that I was able to get him on Future Retro London after many many years of IM chats!

Usually, I limit my collaborations on Meeting Of The Minds to producers that are fairly established and already somewhat known to other people, but for those who don't know who Eff is, she is a potentially familiar face to anyone who has attended a Future Retro London event, as she has been on the door for every single one. One day after a Distant Planet event in Bristol, she mentioned to me that she had an idea for a track inspired by a PFM tune and she already had the title in mind for it, which is "Wavebreak". I was curious about how this would sound in reality, so we met up to work on the tune & she said it was pretty much like how she had envisioned it & I liked how it sounded, so I thought it would be worth putting out on a future Meeting Of The Minds release, which ended up being this one.

Big up to all the artists involved on this edition of Meeting Of The Minds, it's quite a long and arduous task putting together each one, which is why there was such a gap between Vol. 9 & 10 and Vol. 11 & 12. I plan on getting the series back into something more regularly occurring, so hopefully I can actually stick to that plan!

When I played b2b with Sonar's Ghost on my radio show on NTS last year, he played a new tune entitled "Eggs2C" and it sounded really good, so I asked him what the deal with it was. He said that he was working on it with Outrage and that it was going to be part of an EP they were working on, with Future Retro London in mind for releasing it on. It was the first I'd heard of this EP being made for me haha, but I was curious about what the rest of the release sounded like. He sent me the rest of the tunes and I was into them, so here it is!

Vom "Klassik-Star der Gen Z" zum Pianisten der Stunde: Louis Philippson "My Way"Nur sieben Monate nach seinem Debüt "Exposition" beleuchtet "My Way" die rasante Entwicklung des jungen Pianisten, Social-Media-Stars und Moderators Louis Philippson vom "Klassik-Star der Gen Z" (Süddeutsche Zeitung) zu einem der Pianisten der Stunde. Vom britischen Sender Classic FM wurde Louis als einziger deutscher Künstler in die "Top 30 artists under 30 in 2025" aufgenommen, während BR-Klassik erklärte: "mit Louis Philippson hat die klassische Musik einen neuen Rockstar gefunden." Auch auf den 12 restlos ausverkauften Konzerten seiner Debüt-Tour im Mai 2025 und bei den Arena Shows der "Night of the Proms" im Winter 2024 begeisterte er tausende Menschen für die Klassik auf seine eigene Weise. Daran knüpft Louis Philippson mit seinem Album "My Way" an. Aufgenommen mit dem MDR Sinfonieorchester unter der Leitung von Dirigent Ben Palmer, verbindet es neue Originalkompositionen mit neuen Bearbeitungen bekannter Themen aus der Klassik oder Filmmusik für Solo Piano sowie Piano und Orchester. Zu den neuen Werken zählen unter anderem der virale Hit "Beethoven Virus" für Klavier und Orchester, "Show Waltz" für Klavier und Orchester, "Supernova" für Klavier, Sopran und Orchester, sowie mehrere Solostücke für Klavier. Unter den neu interpretierten Klassikern finden sich das mitreißende Medley "Dancing Bee" für Klavier und Orchester, "Cornfield Chase" für Klavier und kleines Ensemble, sowie eine Bearbeitung von Themen aus den Vierjahreszeiten mit dem Titel "Vivaldi Storm". Key Dates: • 6th June: German public broadcaster MDR broadcasting a studio concert featuring the MDR Radio Symphony Orchestra (reach 1 Mio)Pre-oder start and 1. Single "Für Elise"• 23rd July: German public broadcaster ARD "3nach9" talk show (reach 1 Mio)• 11th Sept: German public broadcaster TV gala ARD Deutscher Radiopreis - 2 performances live (reach 1 Mio +)• 12th Sept: German public broadcaster TV gala MDR Goldene Henne - Performance (reach 2 Mio)Album Release • September: pitch for ClassicFM Gala London • 26th Sept. German public broadcaster MDR Riverboat Talkshow (reach 2 Mio)• October - November: Concerts in GSA in venues up to 3,000 cap (e.g. Hamburg CCH / München Prinzregententheater / Düsseldorf Tonhalle etc.)• 6th Dec: German public broadcaster ARD charity show Ein Herz für Kinder (reach 3 Mio)• Dec: concert at Royal Albert Hall London • Spring 2026: Europa-Tour mit Konzerten in Paris, Benelux, Polen, Spanien usw.In the making: documentary about his life similar to Anastasia Kobekina

Includes insert with lyrics
Featuring the songs "Im Nin Alu-2000", "Show Me" and "Give Me a Sign" a.o.
Limited edition of 750 numbered copies on gold coloured vinyl

Ofra Haza is the eponymous 1997 album by Israeli singer Ofra Haza. It was produced by Frank Peterson (Enigma, Gregorian) and features

Pino Palladino on the bass guitar. The album was recorded in Hamburg and at Abbey Road Studios in London and contains an updated version of the

hit song "Im Nin' Alu". It also features the singles "Show Me" and "Give Me a Sign".

This was Ofra Haza's final full-length studio album before her passing in 2000.

JADE has announced the release of her hugely anticipated debut solo album 'THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!'. The record will be released on September 12th and sees JADE work with a variety of A list collaborators on the project including Mike Sabath, Lostboy, Cirkut, RAYE and Pablo Bowman. The album includes previously released singles ‘Angel Of My Dreams’, ‘Fantasy’, ‘FUFN (Fuck You For Now)’, ‘IT gir’l and ‘Midnight Cowboy’.

JADE has described this project as being about discovery, finding herself again and a love letter to little JADE.

JADE has announced the release of her hugely anticipated debut solo album 'THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!'. The record will be released on September 12th and sees JADE work with a variety of A list collaborators on the project including Mike Sabath, Lostboy, Cirkut, RAYE and Pablo Bowman. The album includes previously released singles ‘Angel Of My Dreams’, ‘Fantasy’, ‘FUFN (Fuck You For Now)’, ‘IT gir’l and ‘Midnight Cowboy’.

JADE has described this project as being about discovery, finding herself again and a love letter to little JADE.

"Room for the Moon Live" dokumentiert einen ekstatischen Abend, den die facettenreiche Produzentin und Performerin Kate NV ins Leben gerufen hat. Das Album wurde während einer einmaligen Show aufgenommen, die einige Jahre nach der Veröffentlichung von "Room for the Moon" (2020) stattfand. NV malt innerhalb und außerhalb der expressionistischen Linien ihrer Solo-Persönlichkeit und steht an der Spitze einer eklektischen achtköpfigen Band, die Material aus ihrem skurrilen und endlos faszinierenden zweiten Album aufgreift und weiterentwickelt. Für NV ist "Room for the Moon Live" mehr als nur ein Meilenstein, der die fünf Jahre seit der Veröffentlichung ihres zweiten Albums markiert. Die Aufnahme dokumentiert einen wichtigen und seitdem einmaligen Abend, an dem der Sound und die Seele des Albums und ihrer musikalischen Vertrauten einen Raum der Zuflucht in einer besonders schweren und isolierenden Zeit schufen. ,Das wichtigste Thema des Konzerts war, ein Team zu sein - zusammen", sagt NV. ,Musik zu spielen und zu versuchen, in dunklen Zeiten Freude zu verbreiten. Das war für mich sehr wichtig." Die Band wurde von NV aus einer eng verbundenen Gruppe von Musikerfreunden und häufigen Kollaborateuren zusammengestellt, wobei der Kern aus Mitgliedern von Glintshake besteht, der Post-Punk-Band, die sie 2012 mitbegründet hat. Unter NVs leichtfüßiger Leitung begann das Ensemble, die Richtung der Performance zu skizzieren und sich vorzustellen, wie sie einige der synthlastigeren Stücke von Room mit neuen Ideen und akustischen Texturen neu gestalten könnten, unterstützt durch ihre Offenheit für Improvisation, ,Jam"-Ästhetik und vor allem durch ihren freigeistigen Spaß an der Sache. ,Der Ansatz war in etwa: ,Leute, wir spielen Songs, aber hier können wir richtig wild werden`", erinnert sie sich. ,Ich hatte einige ,Musts`, die wir so originalgetreu wie möglich nachbilden mussten, weil sie für die Songs entscheidend waren, aber es war nie eine Priorität, alle in einen Käfig der Originale zu stecken. Die Tracks haben dadurch nur gewonnen und klingen kraftvoller als die Originalversionen." NV hebt ,Marafon 15" und ,Telefon" als besonders eindrucksvolle Beispiele für die tief groovenden, groovigen Art-Rock-Kräfte hervor, die die Originale auf der Bühne belebten. Aber auch über diese beiden Tracks hinaus sind alle Songs weiter ausgelegt und fließen freier, oft eine Minute oder mehrere Minuten länger als die Originale, da die Band einige der eher poporientierten Arrangements von Room aufbricht. NV verweist auch auf die ausgedehnten Solo-Passagen in ,Ça commence par" und die euphorische Coda von ,Lu Na", die während einer Probe der Band entstanden sind und dann für immer Teil des Songs geblieben sind, als einige der verspieltesten Momente des Albums. Live-Alben folgen, sei es aus Notwendigkeit oder aus Gewohnheit, meist einem altbewährten Muster: Sie dokumentieren eine Reihe von Abenden auf Tournee, an denen Künstler vor einem aufgeschlossenen, aber oft verschwommenen Publikum in fremden Städten spielen, die in einem impressionistischen Nebel aus Orten, Räumen, Bildern und Geschmäckern vorbeiziehen. Die Performance auf "Room for the Moon Live" ist etwas ganz anderes. Es ist Musik, die von Freunden für Freunde gemacht wurde, um zu heilen und zu fühlen, voller Freude und grenzenloser Großzügigkeit. Kate NVs "Room for the Moon Live" erscheint fast genau fünf Jahre nach der Veröffentlichung des Originalalbums, als limitierte Doppel-LP und in unbegrenzter digitaler Auflage.

If any album could conjure up the revolutionary spirit of Jamaica in the mid 1970’s, Tapper Zukie’s invincible M.P.L.A. set would surely be a fighting contender. The coming together of great rhythms and meaningful lyrics in a time of unrest in the country seemed to have made the album all the more urgent and relevant. As time would tell it would also prove to be a lasting success, not only with the hard core reggae fans but also their punk counterparts. Who embraced its militant themes and crossed the album over to a whole new audience. Tapper Zukie (b. David Sinclair, Kingston, Jamaica.) had already returned from a trip to London England by the mid 70’s .Initially sent with help from his parents, brother Blackbeard and producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee to remove the youth from his troublesome ways on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. He had performed some live shows in London and made some recordings for Larry Lawrence, that produced his debut ‘Jump and Twist’. Alongside other recordings that would emerge as his ‘Man A Warrior’ set. But feeling homesick he had returned to Jamaica in 1974 to work with Bunny Lee. His work would consist of arranging sessions and collecting payments to bodyguard, the now very successful producer. His frustration of Bunny Lee’s reluctance to record him led him cutting ‘Judge I Oh Lord’ for producer Lloydie Slim. Bunny Lee’s then recording of Tapper’s ’Natty Dread Don’t Cry’ and its subsequent release aboard, led to an altercation between Tapper and producer. The police had to be called and an offer to provide the singer with a set of rhythms put this matter to rest. The eight rhythms and a further two from Jo Jo Hookim and Ossie Hibbert alongside some free studio time at King Tubby’s Studio would result in the M.P.L.A album.

The rhythm provided by Jo Jo Hookim was a Channel One studio cut by The Revolutionaires based on Little Richards ‘Freedom Blues’ and provided the backdrop to M.P.L.A. The Ossie Hibbert rhythm again cut at Channel One based on The Royals ‘Pick Up The Rockers’ would provide the backdrop to Tapper’s ‘Pick Up The Rockers’. These and the remaining Bunny Lee rhythms, were all cut in a one hour session, at King Tubby’s Studio. ’Don’t Get Crazy’ cut on a rhythm based on the Joe Frazier rhythm to Tony Brevett’s ‘Don’t Get Weary’. ‘Go De Natty’ cut on Cornell Campbell’s ‘Please Be True’, originally a cut to Alexander Henry’s ‘Please Be True’. ‘Stop The Gun Shooting’ runs over Horace Andy’s ‘Skylarking’.’Ital Pot’ cut on Johnny Clarke’s version of Burning Spear’s ‘Creation Rebel. ‘Marcus’ see’s Tapper professing over Johnny Clarke’s ‘Poor Marcus’ .’Chalice To Chalice’ pulls on Johnny Clarke’s ‘Give Me a Love’,’ Don’t Deal With Babylon’ answers Junior Ross and The Spears ‘Babylon Fall’ and ‘Freedom’ rides on the great rhythm of Junior Ross and The Spears ‘Liberty’. An outstanding album cut by one of Jamaica’s finest DJ’s and producers the mighty Tapper Zukie. We hope you enjoy this now timeless set.

Limited repress!

What is it about New York City, that concrete jungle that continually inspires the creative spirit? From Warhol’s Factory to Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage to David Mancuso’s Loft, collectives that celebrate and nurture unfettered, organic artistry have been absolutely intrinsic to the story of this sprawling metropolis. Its latest chapter is being written at the hands of ‘The Maestro’, Grammy Award winner Louie Vega and his Expansions NYC parties, the sound documented in his latest album Expansions In The NYC (Nervous Records).

Starting in February 2019 in Manhattan and Brooklyn venues, Vega’s Expansions NYC parties have their origin not in his revered prowess as a DJ but rather his whole-hearted appreciation of the different elements of the dance floor surrounding him: the dancers, the musicians who bring their instruments to join him ad-hoc on the night, the small, dedicated crowd of clubbers whose ears to the ground keep them informed on the underground party information. The events included 6-hour DJ Sets with Louie under his select curation, and would usually end with 3 AM jam sessions involving keyboardists, guitar players and poets all performing in front of a jam packed crowd. In just a few short years the Expansions NYC events have evolved into an NYC-clubland institution, an intimate celebration of house, funk, disco, afro, R&B and more.

As with his parties, so goes his album. The collective vibe that forms the beating heart of Expansions NYC parties is absolutely front and centre in Expansions In The NYC, Vega drawing in one of the most comprehensive lists of collaborators in recent memory. House heavyweights Honey Dijon, Joe Claussell, Moodymann, Kerri Chandler and Anané rub up against legendary vocalists Bernard Fowler, Cindy Mizelle, Lisa Fischer, Audrey Wheeler and Tony Momrelle. Gospel royalty BeBe Winans and Debbie Winans, pop icon Robyn and rising star Karen Harding sit alongside disco-era champions Unlimited Touch, Cuban jazz pianist Axel Tosca, Nico Vega, Two Soul Fusion with Josh Milan and Vega and underground legend DJ Spinna. At the centre of it all, fingerprint on every beat, touch on every groove, sits a master at work, weaving the individual threads into a rich dance music tapestry.

"In the past few years I’ve found new inspiration both from the musicians I’m working with and the audiences coming to see me at my DJ shows,” Vega says. “So for me this album represents new beginnings, bringing together a beautiful mosaic of artistic perspectives to express musically what we call Expansions In The NYC."

At its heart, Expansions In The NYC is a love letter to New York, as much as melting pot as the city it represents, the scope of its line-up possible only because of the influence and reverence of Vega the artist, the DJ, the producer, the curator. In creating this album, Louie Vega has once again utterly enriched the lives and libraries of music lovers the world over, far beyond the hustling streets of NYC that have so indelibly left their mark on his work.

Star Feminine Band, hardest working women in Beninese show business, are releasing their third album on Born Bad, who went all out for their first. Some get malaria at the sight of that sticky world label : rest assured, the world is all they deserve after nine years of hard work. These eight young women, from a village that even Beninese can't quite place, started out in hard mode.

They had to convince themselves that it was worth a shot, but also their family, their village and an entire continent.

André Balaguemon, composer, manager and lyricist, does a lot, while remaining in the background. He put the group together, included his three daughters, houses everyone with his wife Edwige who also manages dances and costumes. He gave them a musical training, and created the framework for them to continue school while rehearsing hard. From local heroes to UNICEF ambassadors, the group has made it. The very existence of this new album is a testament to the perseverance of Grâce, Anne, Urrice, Bénie, Angélique, Sandrine, Julienne and Ashley. The personnel of this family affair has changed a bit : two new women have joined the group, which conquered bigger stages (Glastonbury in the summer, the X-mas BBC special).



This new album brings simple joys : watching them grow from Benin's first girl band to a band in its own right. And never forgetting why they took to the stage in the first place. Star Feminine Band makes straightforward music, taking no detours to express what's missing in the country. When Grâce advocates for kids getting a chance to get to school it's because there's nothing else more important to say that day. Teachers, don’t leave the kids alone, after all.



As they said on their first album, « music is our job », let them be that : musicians having a lot of fun on this album. It wanders through the vast territory of the countless West African styles. They even make a quick foray into reggae to talk about marriage (with a little rap thrown in), and interweave their voices in multiple languages (Waama, Ditamari, Bariba, Fon, Yoruba). And boy do they have hits. To each is own, but “L'enfant c'est un don de Dieu » (Child is god’s gift) is a mighty steamroller, methodically smoothing out the ground for dancing together to its final chorus, singing « debout-les-en-fants / get up, kids ! » along.



Smoother than the first two albums, supported by fine arrangements, ambitious keyboard parts and more complex vocal harmonies without losing any of their spontaneity, this third opus quietly adds to Benin's musical heritage. As they make clear in « Jusqu'au bout du monde », clever little number that we can already hear swelling up on stage: « oui, c’est Star Feminine Band qui a gagné - o / Star Feminine Band won».

Wah Wah 45s present two very special cover versions from our beloved Afro-electronic duo, Raz & Afla, available on 12" vinyl for the very first time! Having recently released their sophomore LP, Echoes Of Resistance, to great acclaim and support ranging from Nick Grimshaw on BBC 6 Music to Tash LC on BBC Radio 1, and the follow up remix project Remixes Of Resistance, the pair offer up their unique takes on two very different slices of club culture on twelve inches of wax.

First up, the pair tackle Aphex Twin's sleazy and sinister turn-of-the-century dance floor bomb Windowlicker and take it somewhere completely unexpected, as Raz explains:

"We wanted to go to a different place from our influences for this one. When we told people we will cover this tune everyone said 'but how?!' In Raz & Afla style. We had an idea of what elements to recreate from the original and how we can reference it within our spectrum of sounds. It was so much fun to do and really kicks off at our live shows."

It's a heavily percussive reinterpretation, replete with spooky wordless vocals, funky guitars and spine tingling synths that builds into something of a future Afro-house anthem, whilst respecting the genius of the original recording.

On the flip, Going Back To My Roots has become a mainstay in Raz & Afla's live sets, and means a lot to them personally, as Raz once again explains:

"We love this song. The lyrics resonate with us, talking about the meaning of connection to a land and its people. The history of this song is also fascinating, from Hugh Masekela and Orlando Julius through Odyssey and Richie Havens. We wanted to give it our own flavour. You can't choose your heritage and where you are born. It is always a part of you and we like to celebrate that."

Written and first recorded by Lamont Dozier in 1977, Going Back To My Roots was famously covered by Richie Havens in 1980 before becoming a huge crossover hit when interpreted by disco outfit Odyssey in 1981. Raz & Afla very much give their version their own unique dance floor feeling. It's one which has received much support on BBC 6 Music.

Die Black Lips sind mit einer 40-minütigen Rock'n'Roll-Odyssee quer durch die Genres zurück, bei der Garagenrock auf New-Wave-Pop trifft und verärgerter Country sich die Hand mit epischen Western-Soundtracks gibt. Das 14-Track-Album fängt die Energie und den Geist der frühen Black Lips ein und geht gleichzeitig neue Wege beim Songwriting. Das Album ist ein musikalisches Karussell, eine Trip mit straßengeschundenen Geschichten aus der Schattenseite eines lichtlosen Amerikas. Die Rahmung bildet "The Illusion", pt.I und II: eine Suche nach Hoffnung, Angst und Hass in einer Bar, die immer wieder von einem Gefühl der Resignation durchkreuzt wird: ,you reach for the sky / but it's an illusion". An anderer Stelle spielt sich "Wild One" wie ein Morricone-Taumel durch einen weiteren Tag in der Hölle ab. Ein Mantra für verkatertes, himmelschreiendes Klagelied zum Lob des Wilden im Herzen. "Tippy Tongue" zeigt, wie Black Lips den Soul der 60er-Jahre-Girlgroups aufgreifen, wie Shangri-Las oder Ronettes, die von Jayne/Wayne County infiltriert wurden, und ist eine Hommage an Buddha Records. "Kassandra" hat einen sonntäglichen Gitarrensound, der sich wie The Chocolate Watchband mit Zappa am Gesang durch immer wiederkehrende Salven schlängelt. "Zulu Saints" ist ein beschwingter Country-Hupf, ein Gute-Laune-Stück mit Bravour, gespickt mit Cole in einer ungläubigen Radio-Telefon-Show, der nach schwarzäugigen Erbsen sucht und an den Spielautomaten groß gewinnt. Für die Aufnahmen verschanzten sie sich in der idyllischen Umgebung von Schlagzeuger Oakleys neuem Sound At Manor Studio in den Catskills (das erste Album, das dort aufgenommen wurde, seit Oakley das Studio 2020 baute). In dieser idyllischen Umgebung entzog sich die Band dem Stadtleben und nahm ihre Musik analog auf Band auf - Teil ihres Bestrebens, Spontaneität zu leben und die Energie eines Live-Konzerts der Black Lips auf Platte einzufangen. Gelungen! "Simply masters in their field" NME" - Limitiertes, cremefarbenes Vinyl mit DLC sowie CD im Digisleeve