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From weaving thought-provoking poetics to channeling the spirit of vintage West Coast gangsta rap, acclaimed Los Angeles emcee Blu is a dynamic musical presence, forever evolving and defying expectations. Supremely talented producer and musician Shafiq Husayn has a similarly diverse skill set, with a storied history as a member of Sa-Ra Creative Partners and solo production credits for top artists across the musical spectrum, from Erykah Badu to Ice-T to Anderson .Paak to Jurassic 5 and many more. After linking up for the mixtape The Blueprint back in 2018, Blu and Shafiq Husayn are reuniting for the new album Out Of The Blue, elevating their collaboration to a new level. “The Blueprint was just me rhyming over some of Shafiq's beats that I found online,” Blu explains. “This time we were actually in the studio together. We’ve been working together since 2008, but this is our first official album.” Awash in Shafiq’s dense sonic architecture, Out Of The Blue showcases the intricacy of Blu’s spiritual street talk while simultaneously delivering a series of bass-heavy L.A. anthems. Entirely produced by Shafiq Husayn, the collection features guest appearances by MED, Exile, Chuuwee, Thurz, Speed Walton, Jimetta Rose, and Freestyle Fellowship members Myka 9 and Self Jupiter. “Out Of The Blue is my G-Funk album,” Blu explains. “Big brother Shafiq gave us a master class in production. We just in here being funky and having fun.”

Known for classic collaborative albums with artists like J Dilla, MF DOOM, and Freddie Gibbs, widely celebrated producer Madlib is a sampling savant who has crafted beats for the likes of Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Tyler The Creator, Logic, De La Soul, and many more. The California artist’s latest project is Liberation 2, his second collaboration with hip-hop icon Talib Kweli. A global call for unity through space and time, the acclaimed album features appearances by Q-Tip, Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Roy Ayers, Goapele, Wildchild, Pink Siifu, and more. Now, the remarkable jazz-inflected Madlib instrumentals from Liberation 2 are receiving a proper vinyl release. Following in the footsteps of past Madlib instrumental classics, this limited-edition collection features 14 compelling tracks from one of the most gifted musical minds in hip-hop history.

THE COMPLETE DILLA INSTRUMENTALS FROM THE CLASSIC ALBUM PRESSED ON RANDOMLY MIXED COLORED VINYL

The contributions of the late Detroit producer James DeWitt Yancey - better known to the world as J Dilla- to the world of hip-hop can’t be overstated, and nowhere is his legacy more apparent than his work as a member of Slum Village. A founding member of the trio, (Alongside rappers T3 and Baatin) Dilla provided the groups distinctly esoteric, free-wheeling sound, built around winding basslines, quirky drumbeats, subtle low-end frequencies, and classic jazz & soul samples. After the success of Slum’s 1997 studio debut, Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, the group went to work on their follow up. Though the project was completed in ‘98, label turmoil kept the project on ice until 2000. By the time Fantastic Volume II hit, Dilla was well on his way to his status as a hip hop legend having produced cuts for Common, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. Later works from Slum Village may have had more of an impact sales-wise (in the immediate) but Fantastic Volume II had fans and many critics saying that Slum Village, and Dilla in particular, may single-handedly save rap music. Perhaps that statement is hyperbole but many consider Fantastic Volume II to be Slum Village’s, and J Dilla’s, finest work ever. Ne’Astra now presents the complete Dilla instrumentals from this landmark release.

2024 Repress

The late, great J Dilla is widely regarded as one of the greatest hiphop producers of all time. An innovator who pushed the genre in new sonic directions, the Detroit native born James Yancey crafted timeless soundscapes for the likes of Slum Village, Busta Rhymes, Common, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and many more. Since his death in 2006, Dilla’s mother Maureen “Ma Dukes” Yancey has worked tirelessly to further her son’s legacy, and her latest effort is the new posthumous album Motor City. Inspired by Dilla’s beloved hometown, Motor City is a collection of rare and unreleased Jay Dee instrumentals, hand-selected and sequenced by Ma Dukes. Conceived as a “letter” to her son, Motor City is packaged in a limited-edition mailing envelope, complete with a handwritten message from Ma Dukes to J Dilla inside. Both CD and vinyl formats also include access to an exclusive mix of the album by Dilla’s close friend J Rocc, a world-renown DJ and founder of the Beat Junkies.

Zum ersten Mal auf Vinyl erhältlich, wird Brainfeeder am 9. Februar 2024 eine wunderbare Deluxe-Edition von Austin Peraltas Album aus dem Jahr 2011 veröffentlichen. „Endless Planets“ war und bleibt ein Meilenstein im Brainfeeder-Katalog und markierte den ersten Vorstoß des Labels in den Jazz. Es erschien ein paar Monate vor dem Debütalbum, „The Golden Age Of Apocalypse“, seines Freundes Thundercat, und vier Jahre vor Kamasi Washingtons „The Epic“. Austin Peralta, ein wahrhaftiges Ausnahmetalent am Klavier, verband mühelos neugierigen Futurismus mit unglaublicher Musikalität und einem gesunden Respekt vor dem Erbe des Jazz, und auf diese Weise ist es eine beispielhafte Brainfeeder-Platte.

Die Neuauflage enthält vier bisher unveröffentlichte Tracks, darunter eine Live-Version von „DMT Song“ aus Flying Lotus’ 2012er Album „Until The Quiet Comes“, die Austin Peralta mitgeschrieben hat. Aufgenommen in den legendären BBC Maida Vale Studios in London im Juli 2011, leitete Austin Peralta eine britische All-Star-Band bestehend aus Richard Spaven (Schlagzeug), Tom Mason (Bass), Jason Yarde (Altsaxophon), Heidi Vogel (Gesang) und Jason Swinscoe von The Cinematic Orchestra (Elektronik). Austin Peralta stammte aus L.A. und war der Sohn von JC Caldwell und Stacy Peralta. Er war ein Jazzmusiker. Nicht in dem Sinne, dass er oder ihm nahestehende Personen das Wort „Jazz“ in Bezug auf seine Musik in den Mund nehmen würden. Eher im Sinne von jahrelanger Übung und Hingabe an eine bestimmte Kunstform. Oder in dem Sinne, dass er unter anderem mit Chick Corea, Hank Jones und Ron Carter gespielt hat. In dem Sinne, dass er wirklich etwas drauf hatte. Dass er Klavier spielte und komponierte wie ein echter Veteran. Und das alles im Alter von nur 20 Jahren. Und das, bevor man sich mit seiner Arbeit als Session-Spieler für jeden und jede, von Erykah Badu bis Shafiq Husayn, oder die Zeit, als er in der legendären Big Band aus Los Angeles, Horace Tapscotts Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, mitspielte.

COTONETE is back!

After releasing numerous and now collectable standalone singles, plus some now famous collaborations with Dimitri from Paris, 2019 saw Parisian based 8 piece, Cotonete release their first long player in 15 years! Under the guidance of Melik Bencheikh from Paris’ rare record emporium, Heart Beat Vinyl. The dark moody mover "Super-Vilains" came out to great success on Heavenly Sweetness.

After playing some packed live shows around France and the UK, including the acclaimed Sunday at Dingwalls in Camden, hosted by Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge. Somewhere along this part of the journey, they came across the Brazilian music legend and vocal powerhouse, Di Melo. He softened their souls, and from this love affair came the album "Atemporal". Released on Favourite Recordings, this 8 track album would end up being sampled by Canadian superstar Drake, for his 2023 album ‘For All the Dogs Scary Hours
Edition’.

So now into 2024, and we have Cotonete full length number two. They’ve enlisted the producer Guts to guide them towards sunshine, groove, warmth and all the colours in his rainbow. With their tongues firmly in their cheeks, the album is titled ‘Victoire de la Musique’ - a dig at the annual French music award ceremony. Taking the band deep, producer Guts showed them new and exciting rhythms from all corners of the world. The record’s first example of this is ‘Venezuela’, a track directly inspired by the jazz funk from the great Caribbean nation.

Other key musical exploration on the record can be attributed to the late composer Francis Lai. On ‘Cinq Pour L'aventure’ - an almost 15 minute epic monster showcasing the band’s love for 70's French movies soundtracks. “L’aventure c’est l’aventure”, was a movie by one of the most famous French directors Claude Lelouch The single from the soundtrack was sung by French music superstar Johnny Halliday.

Guests are scattered very tastefully across the album, on the only cover version of the record, the Brazilian master Jorge Ben’s ‘Bebete Vãobora’, Sabrina Malheiros was invited to lend her lungs. The daughter of Azymuth’s Alex Malheiros helps join perfectly the dots from a band that are without a doubt Cotonete’s biggest influence. Brazilian jazz funk, now with an added French touch.

On ‘Day in Day Out’ a powerful performance is given from Leron Thomas on vocals and trumpet. Perhaps also known for his role as the musical director for Iggy Pop and touring member of his band. This track is an already tried and tested dance floor filler, emphasizing just how tight the band really can play - the track even found its way into BBC Music’s Craig Charles’ ‘Track Of The Year’ selection.

No record so soulful would be complete without a trip to the UK. Omar, London’s Godfather of New Soul pops in. Having recorded with artists like; Courtney Pine, Level 42 & Erykah Badu, in his distinctive smooth style, he blesses the track ‘What Did Run You For?’ The final vocal visitor is Gystere Peskine, a Parisian based musical hero, who shows off his retro future funk feels on ‘O Ceu es Preto’ - which literally translates as ‘the sky is black’ - although given the hugely uplifting and almost Gospel Soul of this Russian/Brazilian singer, he
has us seeing things far brighter.

Cotonete have endeavored to build a worldwide rainbow warrior team of merry boys and girls. Fighting the brave fight to shine light towards the fact that music will always win…. "Victoire de la Musique" - a symphony of spring, songs of the new world, a "Victory Of Music”

"A true heiress of the rich musical history of her native New Orleans, Britti is an arresting new voice in her triumphant debut, titled straightforwardly, Hello, I’m Britti. Inspired by musical luminaries from Diana Ross to Dolly Parton, and influenced by contemporary legends from Beyoncé to Sade, the album is one of immense gravity and a personal love letter to the place she calls home. Co-written and produced by Dan Auerbach, who flexes his signature ability to uplift genuine raw artistry, the album is a heartfelt confession that frames a window into Britti's soul, revealing her true spirit: fresh and wondrous, with a levee-like hold on her own heritage.
Similar Artists & Influences: Sade, Jill Scott, Solange, Corrine Bailey Rae, Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, Diana Ross, Valerie June, Norah Jones, Lauren Hill, Biig Piig, Orion Sun
“Britti's lush debut is an invitation to a stoned soul picnic somewhere between New Orleans and Nashville, a porch hang on a hazy summer afternoon, and a late-night slow dance party, all at once. Recommended if you dig: Diana in ’71, Dolly in ’78, Sade in ’86, Erykah in ’97” - Dan Auerbach, Producer "

Während die Lichter für 2023 ausgehen und wir ins Jahr 2024 vordringen, melden sich die Rough Trade-Shops mit ihrer jährlichen Counter Culture-Auswahl zurück. Die LP enthält 13, die Doppel-CD ganze 35 Tracks. Alles ist abgedeckt, von der chaotischen Partywut von Snooper über den aus den Fugen geratenen Metal von Pest Control bis zum biertrinkenden Spaßfest der Mary Wallopers. Du bekommst Lip Critic im Death-Grips-Style, ein elfminütiges Sludge-Workout von Slift, den Badu-Future-Soul von Liv.e und die 'new kids on the black' Lifeguard mit ihrer einzigartigen Interpretation von Post-Punk. Wie immer leben und atmen die Rough Trade-Shops neue Musik und diese Serie steht dafür.

Der 1997 erschienene Hip-Hop-Klassiker von Busta Rhymes, der Ende letzten Jahres sein 25-jähriges Jubiläum feierte, wird noch in diesem Jahr im Rahmen der Warner HIP-HOP AT FIFTY Feier veröffentlicht.

Das mit Platin ausgezeichnete Album enthält die kolossalen Hits "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See" und "Dangerous", sowie Fan-Favoriten wie "Rhymes Galore" und "Turn It Up". Das Album erscheint in einer limitierten Silber-Vinyl-Doppel-LP und ist mit Sicherheit eine tolle Ergänzung für die Sammlung eines jeden Hip-Hop-Heads.

Box Set #6 ist die neueste in einer Reihe von umfangreichen Box-Set-Neuauflagen des beliebten Backkatalogs des Afrobeat-Pioniers Fela Kuti. Nach früheren Ausgaben, die von Künstlern wie Chris Martin, Erykah Badu, Ginger Baker, Brian Eno und Questlove kuratiert wurden, wurde das neueste Box Set der Reihe von dem Schauspieler, Produzenten, DJ, Rapper und Sänger Idris Elba alias Big Driis zusammengestellt und enthält die Klassiker Open & Close (1972), Music of Many Colours (1980), Stalemate (1977), I Go Shout Plenty!!! (1977), Live in Amsterdam (1983) und Opposite People (1977).

Die auf 5.000 Exemplare limitierte Box enthält das Artwork jedes Albums, das originalgetreu von den Vinyl-Originalpressungen reproduziert wurde, sowie ein 24-seitiges Booklet mit den Songtexten, Kommentaren des bekannten Afrobeat-Historikers Chris May zu jedem Album, bisher unveröffentlichten Fotos und einer Einführung von Elba. Alle Boxen werden von einem speziellen 16" x 24" Poster begleitet, das von Lemi Ghariokwu, der kreativen Kraft hinter vielen von Felas bahnbrechenden Albumcovern, entworfen wurde.

Justus Jonas ist einmalig - oder etwa nicht? Unerwarteter Besuch und ein Diebstahl führen die drei ??? auf die Yacht des Verrats. Justus, Peter und Bob trauen ihren Augen kaum, als ihnen Ian Carew wieder gegenübersteht. Ein alter Fall verbindet die Detektive mit dem Sohn des ehemaligen Premierministers von Nanda. Kein Wunder, dass Ian erneut ihre Hilfe sucht. Er ist im Auftrag seines Landes in Rocky Beach, doch jemand verfolgt ihn und in sein Hotelzimmer wurde eingebrochen. Können die drei ??? ihrem Freund helfen?Trackpunkte1. Tokoloshe 09:032. Die Vodoo-Frau 08:353. Ein gefährlicher Plan 07:544. Mission Peter 06:275. An Bord 10:456. Leinen los! 07:257. Mann über Bord! 10:228. Enttarnt 12:13Gesamtspielzeit: 01:12Sprecher:innen Erzähler Axel MilbergJustus Jonas, Erster Detektiv Oliver RohrbeckPeter Shaw, Zweiter Detektiv Jens WawrczeckBob Andrews, Recherchen und Archiv Andreas FröhlichIan Carew Sascha DraegerMambo Mawu Regina LemnitzKommissarin Martinez Caroline KiesewetterLarry Stephan SchadMorton Michael PrelleThabani Mathoho Tim GrobeClayton Badu Frank Roder Cumba Balewa Heidi BerndtProduktionshinweise:Buch und Effekte: André MinningerRegie und Produktion: Heikedine KörtingRedaktion: Maike MüllerTitelmusik: Simon Bertling & Christian Hagitte (STIL)Musik: Jan-Friedrich Conrad, Jens-Peter Morgenstern, Constantin Stahlberg Cover-Illustration: Andreas RuchDesign: Atelier SchoedsackBasierend auf dem gleichnamigen Buch von Ben Nevis, erschienen im Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart. Die drei ??? © 2022 Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG. Based on characters created by Robert Arthur.Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Universität Michigan.

Justus Jonas ist einmalig - oder etwa nicht? Unerwarteter Besuch und ein Diebstahl führen die drei ??? auf die Yacht des Verrats. Justus, Peter und Bob trauen ihren Augen kaum, als ihnen Ian Carew wieder gegenübersteht. Ein alter Fall verbindet die Detektive mit dem Sohn des ehemaligen Premierministers von Nanda. Kein Wunder, dass Ian erneut ihre Hilfe sucht. Er ist im Auftrag seines Landes in Rocky Beach, doch jemand verfolgt ihn und in sein Hotelzimmer wurde eingebrochen. Können die drei ??? ihrem Freund helfen?Trackpunkte1. Tokoloshe 09:032. Die Vodoo-Frau 08:353. Ein gefährlicher Plan 07:544. Mission Peter 06:275. An Bord 10:456. Leinen los! 07:257. Mann über Bord! 10:228. Enttarnt 12:13Gesamtspielzeit: 01:12Sprecher:innen Erzähler Axel MilbergJustus Jonas, Erster Detektiv Oliver RohrbeckPeter Shaw, Zweiter Detektiv Jens WawrczeckBob Andrews, Recherchen und Archiv Andreas FröhlichIan Carew Sascha DraegerMambo Mawu Regina LemnitzKommissarin Martinez Caroline KiesewetterLarry Stephan SchadMorton Michael PrelleThabani Mathoho Tim GrobeClayton Badu Frank Roder Cumba Balewa Heidi BerndtProduktionshinweise:Buch und Effekte: André MinningerRegie und Produktion: Heikedine KörtingRedaktion: Maike MüllerTitelmusik: Simon Bertling & Christian Hagitte (STIL)Musik: Jan-Friedrich Conrad, Jens-Peter Morgenstern, Constantin Stahlberg Cover-Illustration: Andreas RuchDesign: Atelier SchoedsackBasierend auf dem gleichnamigen Buch von Ben Nevis, erschienen im Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart. Die drei ??? © 2022 Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG. Based on characters created by Robert Arthur.Mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Universität Michigan.

A quietly funky collection that repays repeated play by creating a mesmeric, almost
hypnotic, cocoon to lose yourself in" Echoes
Examining our relationship with the cosmos as well as more intimate liaisons closer
to home; new transatlantic future soul duo Cosmic Link are set to release their
eponymous debut album on 24th November.
The duo consists of Florida based Jay Myztroh and Bristol based producer Ben
Dubuisson, best known for the Hundred Strong project. Citing influences of Erykah
Badu, Prince, Alice Coltrane, Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding; the album
crosses cosmic soul/RnB, low-end weighted hip hop, and conscious jazz. While the
musical vibrations lay down a groove on a sensory level, the lyrics prompt deeper
subconscious thought.
Under a “Cosmic” header, side one of the album starts with ‘Let It Go’, a song about
releasing the things that no longer serve you in your life, before exploring
meditation (‘Quiet Time’), karma, and responsibility in the way you live your life
(‘Metaphysical’).
Side two of the album is grouped with the theme “Link” and as narrative, explores
the evolution of a relationship: ‘Cellphone’ expresses the desire to be close to
someone, ‘Shoot’ is the introduction to the courting stage, and ‘Show U Love’ is a
request to take a step into a committed relationship.
“All of these songs are personal,” says Jay. “They explore either my experiences or are
written to me as understandings to help me navigate this plane of existence. The
personal nature of the music is what makes it universal to all humans”.
The overall theme of the album is summed up in the lyrics of the closing title track,
“Our motion is perpetual/together we move/at the speed of life/ intertwined by our
timelines/which coincide”.
Jay explains, “There is no separating the all from the source. With all living things
being products of the Cosmos, we are forever linked to it. We all share a source, atimeline, a planet, air, a sun etc. We are linked by simply being and doing the things
beings do”.
Introduced by mutual artist friends, the catalyst for their collaboration was the 2017
album 'Black Diamonds' by Jay's previous project Stono Echo, produced by the late,
great Paten Locke. Over the course of a few years they began remotely exchanging
music and lyrics, building a catalogue of finished tracks. During this time, Myztroh
was also completing his Masters degree in choral conducting that focused on
discovering and promoting compositions from the African Diaspora. Run by Ben
Dubuisson, High Noon Music has been based in Bristol since the early 2000s,
releasing records by artists including Ben’s own Hundred Strong, plus Boca 45,
Joseph Malik, Kali Phoenix, One Cut, Mr Fantastic, and Numskullz.

With this reissue, Verve By Request celebrates the 20th anniversary of this landmark, genre-busting album, conceived, led, and produced by trumpeter Roy Hargrove, who considered it a tribute to his childhood love of hip hop. Featuring a 10-piece band, special guests include D’Angelo, Q-Tip, Erykah Badu and Anthony Hamilton. This Verve By Request title is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Third Man in Detroit.

Kamikaze is the fourth studio album by American rapper Twista. It was released on January 27, 2004 by Atlantic Records. Following the success of the lead single "Slow Jamz", the album reached the top of the US Billboard 200 chart in early 2004.

It sold 312,000 copies in its first week of sales and received generally positive reviews. It is Twista's most successful album and was certified platinum by the RIAA.

Little Dragon, die allseits populäre und Grammynominierte Band, wird am 7. Juli 2023 ihr neues Album, „Slugs Of Love“, bei Ninja Tune veröffentlichen.

Die Band besteht aus den Schulfreunden Erik Bodin (Schlagzeug und Perkussion), Fredrik Wallin (Bass), Håkan Wirenstarnd (Keyboards) und Yukimi Nagano (Gesang) und hat sich zu einer der beständigsten, respektiertesten und beliebtesten Bands der letzten Zeit entwickelt. Aufgenommen in der musikalischen Oase ihres Göteborger Studios - demselben Studio, in dem sie seit fast 20 Jahren arbeiten - bringen sie auf „Slugs Of Love“ ihre unverwechselbare Mischung aus gefühlvollem Pop, Elektronik und R&B - untermauert von der unverkennbaren Stimme der Leadsängerin Yukimi - in elf Tracks zum Ausdruck, die die ganze Bandbreite ihrer individuellen musikalischen Einflüsse widerspiegeln.

Das Album enthält einen Gastauftritt von Damon Albarn (Gorillaz/ Blur) auf „Glow“, einem „langsam triefenden, glitzernden Ritt zu einem Tagtraum im Wunderland“ und eine Zusammenarbeit mit dem angesehenen Rapper JID aus East Atlanta (der bei J. Coles Dreamville-Label unter Vertrag steht) auf der zuvor veröffentlichten Single „Stay“, einem Song, der die Höhen und Tiefen einer Beziehung beschreibt. Sie sind die neuesten Zusammenarbeiten in der langen Liste der Band, die bereits mit Künstler:innen wie Kali Uchis, Kaytranada, Brittany Howard, Flying Lotus, Badnadnotgood, Moses Sumney, Kelsey Lu, Gorillaz, Big Boi (OutKast), Sbtrkt, Yo-Yo Ma und vielen anderen zusammengearbeitet hat. Darüber hinaus zählen SZA, Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Diplo, Flume, Ava DuVerney, Ali Wong, Syd, Disclosure, LaKeith Stanfield, The xx und viele mehr zu ihren Fans, was ihren Status als eine der einflussreichsten Bands ihrer Zeit zementiert.


Durchsichtige Vinyl-LP mit orange/schwarz/blauem Splatter. Inklusive Poster und MP3-Album-Download. Gemälde von Yusuke Nagano. Fotografie von Jakob Ekvall. Grafische Gestaltung von Alice Winroth.

Drumfunk/braindance don dgoHn (John Cunnane) returns to Love Love for a collaborative 4 track EP, 'Talk To The Planets', alongside avant-garde experimentalist Danish friend Oliver Duckert. Oliver is an electronic evangelist and the founding member of chameleonic cyberjazz group Badun, created in Århus, Denmark, but often found tuning in and out of the space/time hyperlink. John who needs no introduction at this point makes his first appearance on the label since widely-lauded 2020 album 'Undesignated Proximate' and follow-up 2022 remix project which featured an array of peers such as Skee Mask, Djrum, Meat Beat Manifesto and Equinox.

The contributions of the late Detroit producer James DeWitt Yancey -better known to the world as J Dilla- to the world of hip-hop can't be overstated, and nowhere is his legacy more apparent than his work as a member of Slum Village. A founding member of the trio, (Alongside rappers T3 and Baatin) Dilla provided the group's distinctly esoteric, free-wheeling sound, built around winding basslines, quirky drumbeats, subtle low-end frequencies, and classic jazz & soul samples. Against the backdrop of Dilla's rich production, T3 and Baatin's free-flowing style of rhyming would also earn wide critical praise, leading to comparisons as the successors to A Tribe Called Quest. (A label they themselves have rejected.) After the success of Slum's 1997 studio debut, Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, the group went to work on their follow up. Though the project was completed in '98, label turmoil kept the project on ice until 2000. By the time Fantastic Volume II hit Dilla was well on his way to his status as a hip hop legend having produced cuts for Common, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. Later works from Slum Village may have had more of an impact sales-wise (in the immediate) but Fantastic Vol. 2 had fans and many critics saying that Slum Village, and Dilla in particular, may single-handedly save rap music.' Perhaps that statement is hyperbole but many consider Fantastic Volume II to be Slum Village's finest work ever to this day. Ne'Astra Media Group now presents the album reissued on vinyl, for the first time in several years. Every wobbling bass note of J Dilla's production has been preserved to maintain the legacy of this hip hop rap classic and maintain the legend of one of hip-hop's greatest beatsmiths.

2024 BLACK VINYL REPRESS.
One can hardly imagine the genre-busting, culture-crossing musical magic of Outkast, Prince, Erykah Badu, Rick James, The Roots, or even the early Red Hot Chili Peppers without the influence of R&B pioneer Betty Davis. Her style of raw and revelatory punk-funk defies any notions that women can’t be visionaries in the worlds of rock and pop. In recent years, rappers from Ice Cube to Talib Kweli to Ludacris have rhymed over her intensely strong but sensual music.

There is one testimonial about Betty Davis that is universal: she was a woman ahead of her time. In our contemporary moment, this may not be as self-evident as it was thirty years ago – we live in an age that’s been profoundly changed by flamboyant flaunting of female sexuality: from Parlet to Madonna, Lil Kim to Kelis. Yet, back in 1973 when Betty Davis first showed up in her silver go-go boots, dazzling smile and towering Afro, who could you possibly have compared her to? Marva Whitney had the voice but not the independence. Labelle wouldn’t get sexy with their “Lady Marmalade” for another year while Millie Jackson wasn’t “Feelin’ Bitchy” until 1977. Even Tina Turner, the most obvious predecessor to Betty’s fierce style wasn’t completely out of Ike’s shadow until later in the decade.

Ms. Davis’s unique story, still sadly mostly unknown, is unlike any other in popular music. Betty wrote the song “Uptown” for the Chambers Brothers before marrying Miles Davis in the late ‘60s, influencing him with psychedelic rock, and introducing him to Jimi Hendrix — personally inspiring the classic album ’Bitches Brew.’

But her songwriting ability was way ahead of its time as well. Betty not only wrote every song she ever recorded and produced every album after her first, but the young woman penned the tunes that got The Commodores signed to Motown. The Detroit label soon came calling, pitching a Motown songwriting deal, which Betty turned down. Motown wanted to own everything. Heading to the UK, Marc Bolan of T. Rex urged the creative dynamo to start writing for herself. A common thread throughout Betty’s career would be her unbending Do-It-Yourself ethic, which made her quickly turn down anyone who didn’t fit with the vision. She would eventually say no to Eric Clapton as her album producer, seeing him as too banal.

In 1973, Davis would finally kick off her cosmic career with an amazingly progressive hard funk and sweet soul self-titled debut. Davis showcased her fiercely unique talent and features such gems as “If I’m In Luck I Might Get Picked Up” and “Game Is My Middle Name.” The album Betty Davis was recorded with Sly & The Family Stone’s rhythm section, sharply produced by Sly Stone drummer Greg Errico, and featured backing vocals from Sylvester and the Pointer Sisters.