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LP,180, 2018 REISSUE - REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL TAPES, CAREFULLY REPRODUCED ORIGINAL ART

The 'vivid contemporary sounds for a fresh visual image' make up the now canonised Synthesis from Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett. These two greats go deeper than usual on this collection, and the end result is a synth concept record of sorts. Released in 1974, it's an essential companion piece to
their Synthesizer and Percussion LP, released on Themes International Music in the same year.
Like most of our favourite library records, Synthesis has that gloriously funky, 'weird electronic music' vibe without ever being inaccessible. With the awesome ARP Odyssey at the fore, Hawkshaw and Bennett have created a blissed-out soundscape that, whilst laid back in all the right places, somehow remains heavy on the funk. It's a sort of throbbing, proto-G Funk sound and you can fnd it on many of these low-lit basement workouts.
Take the ice-cool 'Alto Glide'. It's a sunset-funk highlight with an electro-fute refrain that conjures those dreamier Dre / DJ Quick instrumentals from '91 to '92.
Stereolab, Koushik (again) and all those Ghost Box artists were clearly listening very closely in the years since. The equally relaxed 'Mermaid' glides efortlessly with soft, shimmering piano, understated percussion and kaleidoscopic synths.
It's a really beautiful piece.With these two soft-focus closing tracks allowing the LP to foat away over the horizon, the preceding ten tracks have a more insistent, neck-snapping rhythm
section to back the synth overload. Highlights include the head-nod funk of 'Getting It Together' and the synth break in 'The Executive', which informed classic video game soundtracks.
For once Be With really is stuck for words to describe just how good this record is.
Best just to listen. As with all ten re-issues, the audio for Synthesis comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We've taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity.

LP,180g, 2018 REISSUE - REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL TAPES, CAREFULLY REPRODUCED ORIGINAL ART

Veteran library musician Alan Parker recorded with session vocalist Madeline Bell for his Themes International Music label and the result was 1976's The Voice of Soul.
The sensational uptempo dancer 'That's What Friends Are For' is probably the most well known track on the record, and is a big hit on the rare groove scene, but it is by no means an anomaly. The Voice of Soul is essentially a perfect, sophisticated soul album with heaps of swagger and sass from beginning to end.
Its once generic-sounding title is now deservedly defnitive.
And the whole LP oozes sex. It oozes sex so much that it could have soundtracked a period porn flm. Indeed, parts of it did. 'Love Is All' and 'You've Got What It Takes' both featured on the infamously banned Pretty Peaches from the same year.
As is usual with library records, The Voice of Soul was hard to get even when it was frst released. It's next to impossible now. So here's your opportunity to own what is in our opinion one of the fnest rare soul LPs of the late 70s, and a superb example of Madeline Bell's superlative vocal talents.
But that's not the whole story. As well as pitching the record as 'a varied selection of modern female vocal features which are equally suitable for background or radio programme usage', the original release notes go on to explain that 'the corresponding backing tracks are issued on TIM 1022 The Sound of Soul. Therefore it is possible to edit from vocal to instrumental version and vica versa where commentary or scene changes occur.'
So yes, all of the backing tracks from The Voice of Soul were released as The Sound of Soul, and we couldn't re-issue one without re-issuing the other.
As with all ten re-issues, the audio for The Voice of Soul comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We've taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity.

LP,180, 2018 REISSUE - REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL TAPES, CAREFULLY REPRODUCED ORIGINAL ART

Released in the same year as Synthesis over on KPM, 1974's Synthesizer and Percussion is its essential companion piece. 'This record features the many distinctive sounds of the ARP Synthesizer plus percussion in various moods and tempos' is the even more underwhelming than usual library record sales pitch for
Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett's second collection of what is basically minimal G-funk, with overtones of primitive acid house. This is ridiculously good.
This is one of Hawkshaw and Bennett's wilder joints and aeons ahead of its time.
Bennett's tough drums provide the underpinnings for the prominent bass, keys and bubbling synths high up in the mix, alongside Hawkshaw's deranged clavinet-funk-rock. There are heavenly break loops galore.
Opener "Mon Amour" is ultra-smooth funk, all inter-weaving melodic lines whilst the seminal "Oddball" is an incredible hard electro strut with a knocking break.
"Mile High Swinger" is a tranquil Spaghetti Western whistling theme over double tempo rhythmic movement and the pulsating "Auto Pilot" has a percussive groove elevated by electric piano and synthesizer. Check "Driving Force', 'Home Run' and "Pacesetter" for electroid prog-funk dripped in acid squelch.
All fve fnal tracks are beatless synth workouts, because they can.
As with all ten re-issues, the audio for Synthesizer and Percussion comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We've taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity.

LP,180g, 2018 REISSUE - REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL TAPES, CAREFULLY REPRODUCED ORIGINAL ART

LP,180, 2018 REISSUE - REMASTERED FROM ORIGINAL TAPES, CAREFULLY REPRODUCED ORIGINAL ART

Alan Hawkshaw (piano/Hammond) and Shadow's drummer Brian Bennett are responsible for some of the slickest, funkiest and most sought-after library records ever made in the UK, particularly ones recorded on the legendary KPM label. Their work has now become the go-to place for sampling in music today.
Artists such as Dilla, Nas, and the xx, right through to the billion selling Kanye & Drake have taken Hawkshaw's and Bennett's immaculate beat-driven soundscapes for their own usage.
Their new album, in full, iconic KPM cover is a return to the laidback jazz-funk that helped Alan and Brian demonstrate their library chops. The album is classic Hawkshaw/Bennett. It swings, it grooves, moves and thrills with a fair these two have perfected over years.
Standout tracks such as "Hole In One", "In The Clouds", "Interchange", "Oasis", "On The Nile" and "Corcovado" are no mere excursions in nostalgia, for they carrylots of deft studio work that many a producer would give their right arm for.
Hawkshaw's arrangements allow the drums, guitar, bass, strings, Hammond, fute and brass to swirl elegantly around the 12 original tracks; a masterclass in recording.
Cut by Pete Norman, housed in a beautifully designed Richard Robinson sleeve and pressed at 180g by Record Industry in Holland, this release has been aforded the care and attention it rightly deserves. Essential.

The Acid Master 'Steve Parker' is making his 'Be As One' Debut with a storming 4 tracker ep in the form of 'Shades Of The Unknown'. while keep exploring the diversity of the Acid sound, Steve, 'the man and the machine' crossing boundaries once again with his highly intelligent production style and trips between rough and soft cross genera techno .

Marti Caine's infamous Point Of View is a groovy blend of slow-mo funk, dark disco and precise pop. Originally released on BBC Records in 1981, it has attracted a considerable cult following this century. The odd charity shop score aside, it has been impossible to find a copy for less than eye-watering sums (often selling for over £200) and, as such, it's an honour to present the first officially licensed vinyl reissue of this sublime record. Featuring expert liner notes written by Bill Brewster - perhaps the record's most notable champion - this lovingly curated release is limited to just 500 copies.

Marti Caine was a popular UK TV entertainer in the late 1970s onwards and Point Of View presented her with an opportunity to proceed in a hip direction by working with British R&B heavyweight Barry Blue. His legendary reputation was secured with a string of great records, among them the first three Heatwave albums, the Balearic hit "Afro Dizzi Act" by Cry Cisco and the cult smash "Breakin' In" by Javaroo. However, despite the array of talent working on the album, Point Of View sank without trace at the time. It's something that Blue attributes to the bizarre way BBC Records worked, and he entertainingly expands upon this within the liner notes.

Musically, the highlights are many and memorable. Its most notorious track is the sublime soul stepper "Love The Way You Love Me", the reason most people covet this album so profoundly. However, from the dark dubby disco of "Snowbird City" to the moody ballad "Love Is Running Through Me", the lesser heralded tracks are nothing short of exquisite. Indeed, the chugging elegance of sleazy disco opener "Can I Speak To The World Please" showcases a string-drenched strutting-funk that would've been enviable the world over. It's that good.

The outlandish artwork - presenting a striking, green-eyed Marti treating a tiger to a headlock - has been faithfully restored and is arguably worth the price of admission alone. With access to the original tape transfers, Simon Francis' sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly weighty 180g. Sadly, Marti died of lymphatic cancer at the tragically early age of 50 in 1995, so is not here to experience what we hope will be a long overdue reappraisal of the hitherto underheard genius of Marti Caine, the singer

Brassfoot Makes His Dba Debut Following A Number Of Appearances At The Dba Presents Parties. Since Breaking Through With His Apron Ep On Funkineven's World-leading Label In 2015, Brassfoot Has Turned Heads With Releases On Uttu, Paul Du Lac's Bio Rhythm, And His Own Seminal Nca Recordings. On The Indentured Servitude Ep Brassfoot Showcases His Own Unique Stepping House And Techno Flavour Across Six Tracks, With Time To Meditate And Reflect Between The Party-starting Peak Timers Also Included.

"blinds Down, Crouched Over My Desk, I Switch On My Machines. Whatever The Final Result Is, I Wouldn't Even Bother Unless I Was Having Fun First. Sometimes There's Just One Tiny Portion Of Magic After A Long Recording Session, But It's Always About The Enjoyment First. It's Dark Inside And It Influences The Mood Of The Music. It's Also Dark Outside And It's Obvious Where That Leaves Its Mark." (brassfoot, 2018)

Here come The James Hunter Six! Serving yet another delicious dish of what you wish with the premier single off their upcoming LP, Whatever It Takes (DAP-051).

And I'll be a monkey's uncle if James hasn't delivered two of his most compelling sides to date on this one. I Don't Wanna Be With- out You' is a graduate level course in the Three R's of R&B: Rhythm, Rhyme, and Romance.

A sultry rumba sets the mood, as Hunter swaggers in - donning his finest voice like a crisp tuxedo, complete with ruffled vibrato and rhyming cuff-links - and proceeds to lay on an absolute heart-stealin', deal-sealin', panty-peelin' gem.

On the flip, I Got Eyes' loosens the collar and brings the metro- nome mark up a few clicks for a punchy tightened-up workout, edged-up with vibes and street corner backgrounds.

Bring your talcum powder and a change of clothes cause it's another jaw-droppin' showstop- per by that finger-poppin' pond-hopper, James Hunter

Upcoming french producer Matthieu Faubourg, who has worked extensively with guys like DJ Boring and Black Loops, is firing up

this heavy 12" on "Smile for a while." Stripped down House bangers all the way - from more laid-back, synth-oriended stuff over to some 90s-tingled House groover, ending up with a frantic 6 a.m. anthem on the B-side this EP is all you need to keep your floor dancing till the end of the year...

Linkan Ray is back to -Be As One- with his second release on the label in the form of -Universal Language-. Backed up with 2 excellent remixes from the Israeli label boss -Shlomi Aber- and the always on point - ROD-. Dark room techno boomers, Not to be missed..

Forthcoming on the "System" series.

You'd Think That Following "melodies Of Love" Would Be An Impossible Task. Not So, If You Happen To Be Genius Brit-funk Pioneers John Rocca And Andy Stennett. On Their More Understated - Yet, Pound For Pound, Stronger - Second Record, Pink Rhythm Stretched Out To Create A 4 Track Ep Of Richly Melodic, Exquisite Beauty. In The Process, They Trumped Their Most Well-known Release.

Cruising On A Funk-fuelled Journey From The Swaggering Title Track, Via The Blue-eyed Soul Of "trust Me", To The Stabbing Staccato Synth Heat Of "more And More" And Back Again ("india" Dub) This Ep Has Essential Seared Onto Its Substantial Grooves.

Jor-El making his Be As One debut with a smooth and well crafted spacey Techno EP (including Jay Clarke Remix).
A must have release for those closing your eyes moments when its time to deep dive and get lost into "dark places".

Mateis e. aqir is an artist currently based in Catalonia, living by the sea. Shortly after releasing his debut 12" he's back to share a 10-track LP recorded sometime during 2017. Psychedelic cuts from different moments and places, precisely reflecting his state of mind and inquisitive nature. Mateis develops an original technique based on the usage of subtle synthesis, drum-machines, field recordings and acoustic instruments, including his own percussion and bass guitar. Hope you enjoy : )

Stockholm's Linn & Freddie debut excursion with Dinked Records sees two wonderful summery tunes, taken from their their long-awaited second album Right Here in the Middle, pressed up on 7 vinyl for the first time. The aptly named Sunshine is the perfect head nodder for those summer BBQs and Festivals. Flipped with a reggae/ska-fused version of the William DeVaughn classic, Be Thankful For What You Got this essential for your crates. Limited pressing of 500 copies don't sleep!!

Berlin based electronic mainstay Marquis Hawkes has announced details of his second LP 'The Marquis of Hawkes', due out 24th August 2018 on fabric's in-house label Houndstooth (home to Call Super, Aïsha Devi, Special Request and more).

Ahead of this, Hawkes will also release a new single featuring acclaimed UK soul singer Jamie Lidell. The single, entitled 'We Should Be Free', features, alongside the low slung but melancholic original version, three reinterpretations of the song, remixed by Hawkes himself. Both this, and the essential previous single, Don't U', which featured the vocal talents of Ursula Rucker, will appear on the forthcoming album.