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Favorite Recordings comes back with the 2nd edition of its compilation series: Fusion Global Sounds. 8 rare and hidden tracks produced between 1976 and 1984 in various parts of the world. As a fine collector of Jazz-Funk and Fusion for many years, Charles Maurice cooked another fine selection of forgotten Fusion Jazz productions, this time driven by a common Brazilian influence.

On this 2nd edition, recordings come from Brazil, Philippines, Netherlands, Poland, and US, all again from underrated artists mostly unknown from the masses. You'll find here the best elements of the Fusion genre: fine vocal arrangements, catchy Fender Rhodes and synthesizers, irresistible basslines, and classy horns section, altogether bringing a unique groove infused with Brazilian flavors.

The compilation starts with Lerma dela Cruz, a quite occult songstress from Philippines. “Free” was part of a very rare compilation titled “Tropical Jazz Fusion”, released in 1983 on A&W Horizon label (also home of Boy Katindig). With its blowing Samba / Jazz-Funk vibes, it was an obvious match to open this collection. The following song could only enhance this ambience, since that of Brazilian saxophonist, Nivaldo Ornelas, present on this opus with 2 titles taken from his album A Tarde (1983). On “Cactus”, Nivaldo is supported on keyboards by his friend Marcos Resende, both also known for their album on the MPBC series released by Phonogram-Polygram between 1978 and 1981, which has clearly been an inspiration for Charles Maurice in building this second edition.

We could continue telling stories and details about the others great tracks included in Fusion Global Sounds Vol.2, but we believe that the best way is to listen to it and pursue your trip through Fusion Jazz combined with Brazilian styles, including surprising stopover in Poland, or Netherlands.

Jeigo dropped a thrilling debut album Cerulean back at the end of 2022, worked in a tune with Elkka for her DJ-Kicks mix and also remixed Bicep not long ago.

Now he follows all that up with a firing four-track EP on Tread Records that again collides different club sounds, great samples and hooky melodies. 'Hatchet's Cave' is hands-in-the-air house euphoria with blistering drums and warped pads, then 'Move X' is a gritty tech bouncer and 'Compulsions' is a bubbly one with crisp hits.

Nervous Horizons label boss Anunaku remixes the title track into a bass-heavy banger and four locked grooves feature on this 12" for adventurous DJs to play with.

repress !

Since bursting onto the scene with their multi award-winning compilation ‘The Stanton Sessions’ back in 2001, the Stanton Warriors irresistible and inimitable sound has consistently remained the soundtrack to some of the world’s biggest and best parties; from East London warehouses, Miami boat parties and illegal Detroit raves, to smashing up the stages of Coachella, Glastonbury, Burning Man and Ultra, selling out global tours, topping DJ lists and arguably having the largest number of band logo tattooed fans in the world!!

In the studio, Bristol’s Mark Yardley and Dominic Butler have honed a trademark, uncategorizable sound that is at once all their own, but also utterly indefinable, leading to high-profile releases on XL Recordings, Fabric, Cheap Thrills, Central Station and Universal, alongside official remixes for everyone from Daft Punk and Fatboy Slim, to MIA, Gorillaz and Danny Byrd. This phenomenal output and remarkable longevity have ensured the Stanton Warriors legendary status amongst not only their fans, but also their peers.

Stanton Warriors 2015 album ‘Rebel Bass’ featured a host of new & exciting bass artists such as Cause & Affect (aka Chris Lorenzo & Kane), which went to #1 in the Apple Music general album chart and Top 10 in the iTunes dance album charts in eight countries.
They also continued their sold-out tours across the USA, Europe, Australia and the Far East, collaborations on Claude Von Stroke’s Dirtybird label and a slew of exciting releases on their own tastemaker label Punks.

‘Rise’ is Stanton Warriors strongest album to date, with all twelve tracks ready to set dancefloors alight. Stanton Warriors have called on some of the scene’s most exciting and diverse artists to collaborate with – across hip-hop, grime, house, dancehall, drum’n’bass. Featured artists include Foreign Beggars, Stush, Taiki Nulight, Sian Evans, Ami Carmine, Keith Thompson, Lily McKenzie, Danny Dearden and Scarlett Quinn. Each track on ‘Rise’ showcases Stanton Warriors’s trademark rolling breakbeatbass sound.

Also included in the package on disc 2 is their ‘Rise DJ Mix’ that contains a selection of new remixes of tracks from their previous albums, releases from their own label Punks artists inc Plump DJs, Chris Røyal, Cosella & Vanilla Ace & tracks from Rise, remixed by the Punks family, plus an unreleased Stanton Warriors remix of Danny Byrd – Salute.

The vinyl format is a double LP cut onto heavyweight vinyl.

They remain fresh, original and relevant, obstinately dancing to the beat of their own drum, helping to pave the way for new talent, proudly ploughing their own genre for twenty years and as the new album title points to, still continuing to rise.

Lady Tazz's Mind Medizin label welcomes Marcal for an adventurous new techno two-tracker.

Brazilian-born and based, Marcal has now reached a global audience with his spellbinding techno and haunting atmospherics. His intelligently designed sounds on labels like Rekids Special Projects have found favour with everyone from Charlotte de Witte to Richie Hawtin. He has built a local scene in his hometown of Goiânia and now lands on the forward-thinking Mind Medizin label.

Opener 'Infectious' is a mind-altering and wonky techno workout. The unbalanced synths warp and wrap around each other to dynamic effect, while oversized hi-hats ramp up the pressure. The drums hit hard and it results in supple, stylish and high impact backroom techno. The equally excellent 'LambdaCore' is more dark and glitchy, with scraping hits and scuffed-up kicks. The textured sound designs really bring this track alive as ghoulish vocals and hyposonic loops take you down a late-night techno tunnel.

This is a brilliant brace of muscular and emotive techno tunes.

Cologne-based afro-fusion collective Muito Kaballa announces their signing to Batov Records with the new single "Live A River Part I": Acting as the introduction to the musical world and lyrical narratives of the upcoming record "Like A River, the track leans into the river theme, providing an all-encompassing, flowing journey. Tim von Malotki"s percussive bass clarinet lines cut through the meandering wash of Benjamin Schneider"s rootsy, highlife-inspired guitars and atmospheric piano flourishes, courtesy of Jan Janzen. Vocalist Nora Beisel floats across the arrangement, backed by emotive horn harmonies whilst reflecting on the change of path at the end of a relationship; a new orientation and course set.

Back in 1998, legendary Metroplex Records released ''Techno drivers''. It became one of Erik Travis' best known songs. Despite many requests, there hasn't been an updated mix until now... ''Techno drivers 2023â?Â� is styled with the Techno sound that enhances it to the next level. Also included is the original instrumental version and two additional fast paced Electrofunk tracks that have that trademark Erik Travis style we love so much.

Whatever condition your condition is in, Soul4Real have huddled together a team of the finest soul physicians to make you feel good.

We scoured all the shelves in the soul pharmacy and discovered some potions that were only just through the trial stage. Just one listen to the brilliant Aretha, Gladys, Walter Jackson and the Purify’s tracks convinced us not to wait for FDA approval, so we took the plunge and shared them with the world on vinyl for the very first time.
Recorded in 1968, Arthur Alexander‘s magnificent “I Need You Baby” reached legendary status during the tape-swapping epidemic of the late 70s/early 80s. The first traces of Alexanderitus were linked back to a tape dispensed by a north London mod by the name of Randy Cozens, which went viral. Even today, the mere mention of the title to any of those C60-swap-survivors can cause severe heart palpitations.
Down in Memphis, they tend to practice the holistic approach to heartaches. Southern folk understand it’s about the voice and its natural healing powers, especially when it’s being administered by the likes of the Soul Children and Shirley Brown, who instinctively inject the perfect amount of ache, warmth and emotion to hit just the right spot. May we prescribe at least two listens a day, taken with or without food.
Helping with recovery we have included tracks by our care team Maxine, Gil Scott-Heron and the Isleys, whose gentle grooves will help nurse you back onto the dance floor in record time.
And finally, my personal favourite, Dr Johnnie Taylor. Frankly, it beats me how someone who delivers the lines "she don’t break no records when it comes to good looks” and “she burns up the food when she cooks" to his girlfriend manages to avoid a trip to A&E. We decided such foolish bravery should be rewarded by having his picture on the album cover.

12 tracks, all great examples of real soul music, a mix of well known classics, overlooked gems, and 4 original unreleased songs.

Record number 3 from Unveiled Nuance brings a new confidence in the further developed sound of owner Means&3rd. A continued eye for detail as well as a roughness that breathes dark soul into the production aesthetic that we have yet to hear from the artist.

“Hardship Repackaged As Growth” Opens the EP with boomy, rugged low end and grainy driven synth lines with sharp hits of wide sonic impact and a depth of layered atmosphere, placed on a bed of dense percussion until its break point exposes contorted, abrasive stabs just surviving the crunch of their processing, that then take the forefront. “Countenance” replies to the previous track with a more calculated, rounder and organic palette of audio that focuses on a cadenced synth line that breaths with the arrangement, fizzing to break point and engaging the deeper listen. Swung percussion keeps the groove providing a propulsive backing that sits on ganrled bass hits before the focus returns on the charged lead line.

“Character Ethic” carries deep suspense from the off, with filtered menace being teased below the surface, warping atmospheres are stacked and build the apprehension against a militant 16th shaker before an almost vocal like modulated synth reveals itself and is left to dance prominently across the stereo field. Layers of energy providing percussion complete the picture for a mesmerising trip. “Desperate And Relevant” the most driving of the 4 cuts takes an effectively reduced stand where square wave accents build new levels of intensity. Propulsive low-end and cohesive percussion writhe through the track’s arrangement closing out the EP with a powerful ending, a blistering siren sees the track’s breakpoint provide a release worthy of the pressure built.

Two leading lights of UK house join forces for a special collaboration which delivers every bit as much as you would expect from anything with the Jimpster & Crackazat stamp on. Having been introduced to Crackazat’s vocal and lyric writing on his acclaimed Evergreen LP from last year Jimpster was keen to team up to bring some of that flavour to his own sound. Born out of a desire to stretch outside of their comfort zones, and with a mutual respect for each others productions, the Natural Child EP brings us two original vocal tracks and two dub versions covering a spectrum of moods from classic soulful to deep, atmospheric, contemporary house.

Opening track Natural Child leads the charge with Crackazat’s trademark jazz-influenced piano part, swirling moog lines and vocal being complimented with Jimpster’s punchy drums and warm, rounded bassline. The result is a spacious and deceptively simple track which will wrap you up in its warm confines.

Next up we have a completely different take on Natural Child which ups the BPM and adds a more live, percussive and rolling vibe which will no doubt get the house dancers throwing down.

My Harmony comes next with its slick and soulful sound which draws inspiration from golden era NYC sounds of Blaze and Louie Vega while Nick Cohen’s live bass brings a bounce to the chunky, shuffling house beats.

Closing out the EP we have a dub version of My Harmony which loops up the Rhodes part, strips back the groove and adds layers of FX and arpeggiating synths resulting in a heads-down deep and soulful track to warm up the dance floor.

Grand River and Sofie Birch are set to unveil their collaborative EP, titled “Our Circadian,” on November 24, through Melantónia.

The two-track release follows Grand River’s final release under the now-discontinued Editions Mego label earlier this year, and Sofie Birch’s two solo albums from 2022. Our Circadian represents the second collaborative release on Melantónia, a platform founded by Hanna Maria & Mattia Onori in 2021, dedicated to music for non-dance environments, featuring early contributions from artists like Polygonia, Plants Army Revolver, and Melantónia co-founders Hanna Maria & Mattia Onori themselves, amongst others.

“Our Circadian” was conceived remotely in 2021 during the lockdown, with the aim of encapsulating two distinct moments of those days – early morning and late afternoon – along with their subtle emotional nuances. The first track of the release – 7PM – conveys dreamy atmospheres that flow into colorful rhythms, recalling the electroacoustic nature of the label’s melancholic sounds. The gloomier 3AM, on the other side of a 7“ record, offers a timeless introspection of a gently intensifying synth sound’s fling.

Grand River, a composer and sound designer, brings her background in linguistics to her work. She draws inspiration from minimalism and ambient music, resulting in atmospheric and rhythmically intricate compositions. Her artistic pursuits traverse the realms of art and electronic music, exploring forms of communication that transcend language, often influenced by nature, scale, and movement. Grand River’s impressive portfolio includes sound installations at 4DSOUND/Monom and Terraforma’s Il Pianeta, as well as performances at prestigious venues like Barbican, Rewire, MUTEK, Le Guess Who?, CTM, Draaimolen, and Atonal’s Kraftwerk. She has also worked on remixes for notable acts like Tangerine Dream. Since 2016, she has curated the label One Instrument, offering a unique creative challenge to artists: creating music using only a single instrument.

Sofie Birch, a celebrated sound artist and producer, is known for her lush ambient releases, art installations, live performances, DJ sets, and her NTS show “Ambient Abracadabra.” Her sonic creations can manipulate space, infuse it with a profound sense of calm, and invite listeners to engage in meditation and introspection through the healing qualities of sound and vibrations. Her music acts as a conduit for understanding the complexities of the mind and body through artistic expression, characterized by a distinct emphasis on stillness, suspension, and sustain. Sofie’s soundscapes open gateways to dream-like states of perception and heightened presence, providing a transcendental journey into an alchemical biosphere. Her extensive repertoire includes performances at renowned events such as Barbican, Roskilde Festival, MUTEK, Unsound, CTM, Rewire, Monom, and Terraforma, as well as award-winning compositions for VR experiences and animated films, in collaboration with artists like Baum & Leahy and animation director Pernille Kjaer.

As Our Circadian takes its final form, it promises a narrative of resilience, creativity, and the indomitable human spirit guided by the artistic mastery of Grand River and Sofie Birch.

On their long-awaited debut album Morning Ritual, Chartreuse have found the light in the darkness, sifting through the ruins of an anxious age in order to find the hope in it "There's a strange optimism in pulling all of your negative traits out, revising and reviewing them, and then putting them back, in order," says Mike Wagstaff, of the band's intricate, gorgeous songwriting. Chartreuse resist easy definition. The Black Country four-piece have been close friends since they were at college. In 2013, Mike and Harriet Wilson started playing folk music together ("We were not good at all," laughs Harriet), and a year later, they added a rhythm section, with the addition of Mike's brother Rory on drums and Perry Lovering on bass. Mike and Rory live together in Kidderminster in the West Midlands, while Harriet and Perry live just ten minutes away. They are very close friends and the songwriting is an extension of this intimacy. Their songs might find Harriet singing Mike's lyrics, or vice versa. "It takes a lot of trust, because the songs are not short of emotion," says Harriet. Morning Ritual has been a long time coming, with Chartreuse honing their craft over the course of four well- received EPs and the standalone 2022 single 'Satellites', a collaboration with Orlando Weeks. Having experimented with partly producing their previous EPs, Mike stepped up as sole producer on 2021's 'Is It Autumn Already?'. But they had big decisions to make. Should they build on the tracks from the last EP, and turn it into a full-length album? Would they work with a producer, or would Mike do it himself? They had more than enough new material to start an album from scratch, and Mike was ready to produce it. The framework for Morning Ritual was starting to take shape. "It was a natural progression," says Perry

Swarm Intelligence’s unique take on industrial techno is back, with the second instalment on his self-titled label, coming this November.

Fiercely intense, dramatic and cutting-edge, Swarm Intelligence’s distinctive take on techno has garnered him a solid following amongst the true underground of the scene. Following on from the widely supported launch of his label, SWRM002 is a striking next step – a testament to the quiet confidence of a skilled artist unafraid to eschew norms and carve his own path. This second EP continues to draw inspiration from dystopian themes of new and imagined technologies and their resulting societal impact.

‘Critical Signal’ was produced during the global pandemic, and iteratively refined over the following years. Grinding basses and tense atmospherics sit atop a thunderous four-to-the-floor. Its message to humanity is as relevant now as it was then – “you are resilient, you will prevail”. In ‘Mass Disinformation’ a visceral, bleak and unsettling sonic landscape punctuated by a slamming groove is an apt metaphor for the psychological warfare being unleashed on the world today.

Opening the B-side, the uplifting glory of ‘Digital Immortality’ lifts the tone of the release. Here, Swarm’s signature glitchy, broken beats complement beautiful melodic swells and a rolling bass line. The track imagines a digital afterlife where, upon uploading our consciousness, we leave our bodies behind. Bringing the EP to a close, “Singularity Dawns” is the most freeform, cinematic composition. Its obscure broken rhythms and traversing sequence tells the tale of an AI becoming self-aware and discovering its capacity to feel.

Nick Leon, Swimful, DJ Znobia. One of the first artists from outside of Africa to sign to Hakuna Kulala, WULFFLUW XCIV brings his borderless productions to the label's ongoing Whitelabel series following a slew of dancefloor agitations from T5UMT5UMU, Menzi & Scratchclart, and others. "Toxica EP" builds on the mutant fusion of 2020's acclaimed "Ngoma Injection", stripping back the woozy psychedelia and chromium ambience and replacing it with pure soundsystem pressure. 'Take a Ride' bends acid techno machinery around rubbery East African rhythms, anchoring block party hedonism with a 4/4 bump that wouldn't be out of place in Kreuzberg and vocal shakes straight from São Paulo. But this isn't a mindless mashup of aesthetics, its a conversation with the world's fringe agitators, using stylistic and rhythmic strokes to highlight commonality, not exclusivity. Hakuna Kulala's own Chrisman appears on 'Tetemeka', and the two producers adapt the syrupy tarraxinha inversions the Congolese engineer perfected on last year's "Makila" full-length. Low, resonant gqom atmospheres underpin the entire track, but WULFFLUW XCIV's squeaky toy synths prevent it from slipping into darkness. Elsewhere 'Kluck' distorts the timeline completely, wedging flute-led Latin American tribal sounds into a riddim vs. trap superstructure, and 'Exp' sublimes speed dembow into delirious trance and minimal techno vapors. The boundaries between dance subgenres are slowly dissolving, and WULFFLUW XCIV's digital-era intermixture sounds like the cyberpunk carnival we're all desperately in need of

"Serenity / Rage" focuses on the contradictory human capacity to do both good and evil, where clarity and insight can turn to blind overwhelming rage and how we find ourselves moving back and forth across this vast expanse of human emotions. With hints of classic Death Industrial and a unique cover version of Brighter Death Now's classic track "Necroses Evangelicum", Johan Levin exposes a new facet of his expanding discography. Nothing is Black nor White, we all fade to Grey…

CD Edition of 300 copies in 4 panel Digipak. 6 Tracks. Running Time 36:41 EAN: 0679628554211
Vinyl Edition of 300 copies, 3mm sleeve, Matt Lamination with printed inner sleeve. 6 Tracks. Running Time 36:41

WNCL Recordings is back with a series of 2-track 10” vinyl battle weapons for your record box.

South London badman Pepsi Slammer rounds off a bumper year for WNCL with this previously dubplate only affair, backed with a killer remix from Planet Wax cohort, Dexta

180g virgin vinyl pressing, limited edition of 750 copies only - the complete album + 2 bonus tracks A superb performer with a real knack for the blues, Debby Moore (1924-2017) only recorded one LP. She sang with the bands of Earl Hines, Rex Stewart, and Count Basie, and mentored by none other than Louis Armstrong. On 'My Kind of Blues', the pinnacle of Debby Moore's career, she is backed by brilliant jazz soloists, including Harry "Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Jones, Barry Galbraith, and Elvin Jones. "As its title promises, My Kind of Blues captures a distinctly personal interpretation of familiar blues and jazz standards - Debby Moore's uncommonly warm and gentle vocals soften the blow delivered by some lyrics transforming their melancholy into profound compassion and understanding. Nuanced contributions from trumpeter Harry 'Sweets' Edison, pianist Jimmy Jones, guitarist Barry Galbraith, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Elvin Jones further underscore the session's feather- light beauty." - **** Jason Ankeny, AllMusic

The #2-charting, debut album from Potter Payper, 'Real Back In Style' releases on vinyl for the first time. A 2-disc product, pressed on black vinyl. The album is a true testament of his dedication to music over the last decade, betting on himself and surpassing every expectation he once had for his life. Raising the bar for UK Rap, ‘Real Back In Style’ is a frank and deeply honest record that sees the award-winning musician bare all - his boldest and most intentional body of work yet.

Back To Titanic is an album by Ost, released in 2023. Back To Titanic includes a.o. the following tracks: “Titanic Suite”, “Alexander's Ragtime Band - I. Salonisti”, “Lament”, “A Shore Never Reached” and more. The album is a Coloured Vinyl, High Quality, Gatefold Sleeve original soundtrack 2-LP.

Repress!

IZIPHO SOUL are thrilled to collaborate with music producer extraordinaire Julian Jonah!

Two wonderful tracks from earlier this year now gain a 7” vinyl release.

NOW’S THE TIME FOR US is filled to the brim with early 80s soulful influences - sultry vocals from Tamika Tyan, a bass line riff to die for, catchy chorus, synths, strings and a horn solo!

COMIN’ BACK FOR FOR YOUR LOVIN’ maintains the high standard, rooted in the same era and is the more uptempo side. It features the powerful singer Ada Dyer who first came to the attention of Soul Music fans through her contributions on a couple of Norman Conners late Seventies albums.

After the release of their highly successful self-titled album in summer 2021 (#1 in Germany and Spain etc.), HELLOWEEN -- one of the most respectable German metal exports and pioneers of German melodic speed metal -- are finally bringing their new anthems to the packed arenas, leading them all around the globe with their »United Forces« tour. The creators of the albums »Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt. I & II« (87‘/88‘), which are considered to be among the most successful German metal records of all time and are reckoned internationally as absolute milestones of power metal, haven’t only cemented but even expanded their status as giants of the scene. Caused by the pumpkinheads‘ aforementioned triumphant wave of success, the group’s back catalogue albums are also more in demand than ever which is why Atomic Fire are now set to release a series of brand new vinyl editions including the following hot HELLOWEEN records: »The Dark Ride« (2000), »Rabbit Don’t Come Easy« (2003), »Keeper Of The Seven Keys - The Legacy« (2005), »Gambling With The Devil« (2007), »Straight Out Of Hell« (2013), »My God-Given Right« (2015), and last but not least their latest offering »Helloween« (2021).