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- Turn Around
- Oops!
- Haven't The Poor People Suffered Enough Bring Me The Head Of The Deckhand Boy
- A Whole Lot Of Nothing But The Blues
- Dunkel Party
- Smile Now, Cry Later
- The Death Dance Of The Busty Hot Lifeguard Vvinstructor Babe
- At The Rasco
- Schmücke Dih O Liebe Seele
Charlie Megira's self-reflexive final album found him far from his Beth She'an Valley home and surrounded by a new cast of Hillbillies. After spending 15 years toying with goth, sound collage, grunge, and dark wave, Boom Chaka Boom Boom is a sprawling mix of plunking country blues, Black Lodge terror, ambient montages, 17th century Lutheran hymns, and noodling spaghetti western kitsch. Deck his soul with gladness.
Debut single from the mighty Tim Maia! Released upon his return from the USA in the late 60's. Highly sought after and prized in its original form, we are very proud to reissue this record.
Maia sings in English here - influenced by his time spend travelling and working in the USA. Both songs are very soulful, reminiscent of the great soul singers of 1960's USA, who were clearly a powerful inspiration to him. Official Mr Bongo reissue. Licensed from Som Livre.
Holy grail of Memphis Boogie Funk! Subway Featuring Wave is an absolute gem of a mini Lp and is reissued for the first time ever on Past Due Records. Original copies are known to fetch in the thousands...
Produced by Lee Moore with Stax musicians, including guitarist Michael Toles, keyboard player Lester Snell, and drummer Willie Hall, all members of the Isaac Hayes Movement. He also hired bassist Ray Griffin who recorded numerous sessions for both Stax and Malaco Records.
- A1: Eets - Savage
- A2: Jeremiah - Jae Tell Me
- A3: Father - Cruel
- A4: Max B - Flash Dance
- A5: Caleb Stone - Slayer Cake
- A6: Budgie - On My Shit
- B1: Jayallday - 1-800 Killer Whale
- B2: Jonwayne - Welchs Grape
- B3: Lovibe - Gd
- B4: Prince Naeem - Shiraz
- B5: Mndsgn - Noodles
- B6: Fifth - And I Swear
- B5: Manchild - Cold Blooded
- B8: Nahh G - Moma
- C1: Kaytranada - Well I Bet Ya
- C2: Kojaque - Whitney
- C3: House Shoes - Intergalactic
- C4: Quelle Christopher - Brain Of The Ape
- C5: Chester Watson - Time Moves Slower Here
- C6: Blu - Hip Hop
- C7: Dream Panther - Kcrw
- D1: Oh No Madlib - Big Whips
- D2: Onra - Cant Buy Luv
- D3: Maze Mountain - The Powers Of Your Mind
- D4: Your Old Droog - Ugly Truth
- D5: Defari - Ackknowledgement
- D6: Softest Hard - Sincerely
Imagine if you could put together a dream line-up of MCs and producers from all four corners of the rap world
That's what artist and illustrator Gangster Doodles set out to do when he put together a stellar collection of tracks by the rappers and talent that inspire his work.
The all-star line-up features everyone from hotly-tipped emerging producers like Eets, Caleb Stone, Maze Mountain and LoVibe next to underground perennials like Onra, Mndsgn and Jon Wayne all the way up to top flight producer Kaytranada and established rap vets like Madlib, Oh No, Blu and Defari.
This second collaboration between All City Records and Gangster Doodles is a jam-packed sonic adventure featuring 27 killer tracks from some of the finest creators out there. Doodles had the idea for a comp two years ago. Hyped after partnering with All City for Knxwledge's "Wraptaypes" project back in 2015, they initially set out to put together an EP but as the tracks kept coming in it exploded into the sprawling double LP of low-slung grooves and bangers from the best in the business.
With everyone on the record being a friend or friend of a friend, the comp just kept growing as GD went to work with the hustle he has learned from penning his post-it sketches day in day out for the last decade.
Word spread fast and soon he was being sent beats from all over, even reaching behind the prison walls of Bergen County Jail, New Jersey and securing a track from former Dipset affiliate Max B.
The last few years have been busy for Marlon "Gangster Doodles" Sassy. He released his acclaimed Gangster Doodles (The Book) alongside an ever-expanding array of prints, original works, apparel and exhibitions across the globe. Topping that off with animation projects, a graphic novel in the works and now, with this LP titled " Gang$ter Music Vol 1", he is about to debut his first ever music compilation.
He says himself: 'Every time a new track came in it was like running down the stairs on Christmas morning to open a present. What started as a slow trickle of work coming in soon turned into a tsunami with some of my heroes like Onra, House Shoes, Blu, Jeremiah Jae joining up with young guns Kojaque, Kean Kavanagh, Dream Panther and others to beef up the record'
'When an email pinged through with a track from brothers Oh No and Madlib it felt like the final gift and Gang$ter Music Vol. 1 was complete.'
- A1: Arnold Albury & The Casuals - That's A Bet
- A2: You & I - Make Time
- A3: The Standing Ovation - Cgo
- A4: Combo Guarajeo - Alamo
- A5: Willie Johnson - Lay It On Me
- A6: Mark Mciver - Soul Thing
- A7: Dayton Sidewinders - Go Ahead On
- B1: Thee Midniters - Chicano Power
- B2: The Hitchikers - Mr Fortune (Feat The Mighty Pope)
- B3: John Fitch & Associates - Romantic Attitude
- B4: Living Color - Plastic People (Vocal)
- B5: Black Earth Plus - How Can You Say You Love Me (Part 1)
- B6: Sloan Bey - Look At Your Brother
"Perlman's got beats and it ain't no secret." - The Beastie Boys
This lyric might have slid right by you while you were listening to Ill Communication, but the Beastie Boys were not playing when they said that. Robert Perlman, a native New Yorker, was way ahead of the curve and would stockpile an arsenal of heavy duty vinyl way before the 45 record craze took over. This compilation of over a dozen tracks represents a taste of the fruits of his hard work uncovering these often overlooked gems.
Including some personal notes from the artists you can find on this compilation.
- A1: Junie - Suzie Thundertussy (4:11)
- A2: Funkadelic - You & Your Folks, Me & My Folks (3:39)
- A3: The Detroit Emeralds - You're Gettin' A Little Too Smart
- A4: King Errisson - Back From The Dead (4:41)
- A5: Pleasure Web - Music Man (Part 2) (2:11)
- B1: Magictones - Good Old Music (3:53)
- B2: Funkadelic - I'll Bet You (4:09)
- B3: Junie - Tight Rope (Single Mix) (4:06)
- B4: Caesar Frazier - Funk It Down (5:04)
- B5: Fuzzy Haskins - The Fuz & Da Boog (3:27)
- C1: Ohio Players - Funky Worm (2:40)
- C2: Spanky Wilson - Kissing My Love (4:15)
- C3: The Detroit Emeralds - Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms) (3:41)
- C4: Unique Blend - Does He Treat You Better (3:17)
- C5: Fantastic Four - Mixed Up Moods & Attitudes (5:32)
- D1: Funkadelic - I Wanna Know If It's Good To You (2:53)
- D2: The Counts - Pack Of Lies (4:12)
- D3: Fantastic Four - Disco Pool Blues (4:45)
- D4: Denise Lasalle - Heartbreaker Of The Year (2:52)
Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, Westbound Records is the Detroit institution that discovered Funkadelic and the Ohio Players, with a rich catalogue that is probably amongst the most sampled in the world.
Our 'Super Breaks' series makes a welcome return, throwing the spotlight on the records which have been sampled on both Westbound and its Eastbound subsidiary. These come not only from the more obvious names such as the Detroit Emeralds, Denise LaSalle, Junie Morrison, Funkadelic and Ohio Players, but also the lesser-known Pleasure Web and the Magictones.
The list of artists who have sampled these records reads like a Who's Who of the hip-hop and dance worlds. These tracks will be recognised from well-known records by Kanye West, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Fatboy Slim, and many more.
Both the double vinyl and the CD come with extensive sleeve notes and a breakdown of where each track has been sampled.
- A1: I'll Bet You
- A2: I Got A Thing, You Got A Thing, Everybody Got A Thing
- A3: Funky Dollar Bill
- A4: I Wanna Know If It's Good To You
- B1: Hit It & Quit It
- B2: You & Your Folks, Me & My Folks
- B3: A Joyful Process
- B4: Loose Booty
- C1: You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure
- C2: Cosmic Slop
- C3: Red Hot Mama
- C4: Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On
- D1: Let's Take It To The Stage
- D2: Get Off Your Ass & Jam
- D3: Undisco Kidd
- D4: Maggot Brain (Live)
* Out of print since 1997
* Sixteen carefully selected tracks including their most renowned work
* Covering Funkadelic at the height of their career (1970-1976)
* Double LP set that comes with OBI-strip, Limited to 1000 copies
Tidal Waves Music proudly presents: FUNKADELIC Finest
Compilations are tricky and hard to get right ... Finest is that rare one that knocks it out of the park. This release focuses on George Clinton and crew at the height of their career & on their most renowned work.
Comprised out of sixteen carefully selected tracks and covering a six-year period (1970-1976) Finest may be the best-assembled Funkadelic collection from this period yet, as both renowned band standards share space with several oft-overlooked tracks.
The early tracks "I Got a Thing" and "I Wanna Know if It's Good to You" show the band-members still honing their rich 'n' funky sound, before they hit their stride with selections from the classic 'Maggot Brain' album. As a result, you get a healthy sampling of some of the best funk the '70s had to offer, including "Hit It and Quit It," "You and Your Folks, Me and My Folks," "Loose Booty," "Cosmic Slop," "Red Hot Mama," and "Get Off Your Ass and Jam."
Finest is an exceptional sampler for those discovering the wild and wacky universe of Funkadelic. Out of print since 1997 and transferred from the original analogue master tapes, now finally back available as a deluxe Double-LP set with some of the craziest psychedelic crumb-style artwork you'll ever see.
DJ Support: DJ Spen, Honey Dijon, Tedd Patterson, Mousse T, Terry Hunter, The Shapeshifters, Groovy P and more
I Feel The Love" is a vibrant 4-track EP from the Serbian duo Mirko & Meex, Known for their high-energy blend of funky house and nu-disco, the duo delivers a cohesive package designed for peak-time dancefloors. Expect heavy, driving basslines paired with shimmering disco strings and infectious vocal loops that lean into the classic "Groove Culture" sound championed by label heads Micky More & Andy Tee. Each track is built for utility, featuring extended arrangements that allow DJs to bridge the gap between soulful house and more aggressive disco-house sets. The EP oscillates between sun-drenched daytime energy and sweatier, club-focused grooves, cementing the duo's reputation for "feel-good" house music.
LYAM welcomes duo M1NT and STRNGE with 'Spheres', a breathtaking EP that embodies late night star gazing, all encompassing introspection and deep immersion in feeling.
M1NT and STRNGE, known as NRMNT, have built a compelling foundation for their sound, which speaks broadly with a deft, organic approach and enables intimacy, emotion and mood. They combine their production knowledge with M1NT's trumpet playing, a cornerstone of their unique sound, and move effortlessly through the realms of dance music, drawing inspiration from soft undulations, tonal waves and euphoric melodic frequencies, with strong emphasis on musical evolution.
'Spheres' encapsulates their musicianship, giving the music room to grow and morph as the EP unravels. 'New Horizons' has a hopeful gleam, with synths hinting at sun kissed skies and optimism, while M1NT's trumpet offers graceful cameos and expressive chordal lines over soft yet purposeful drums.
The title track leans into its dream-like synth intro before highly energised drums take hold, and its polyrhythmic keys and tight groove create spiritual release.
'Let Go' leans into the emotive power of melodics, with angelic touches that create a divine atmosphere, sparkling in softly spoken intensity as its wave-like approach washes over the ears.
Edmondson's remix of 'New Horizons' picks up the core motifs, softens the drums and shifts the mix, allowing new features to surface and creating a playful interchange between the trumpet and a creative vocal sample, offering a tour de force that homages the original.
Gap Mangione's monumentally influential Diana In The Autumn Wind. AKA BEWITH200LP. And, without question, Be With's White Whale.
They said it could never be done. And with good reason.
We've spent the past 12 years trying to license this legendary 1968 recording from Gap and, after much work, it's finally here. Remarkably, this is the first ever vinyl reissue of Gap Mangione's Diana In The Autumn Wind, produced with the full and extensive participation of Gap. An exceedingly rare album, it's been coveted by funk, soul, jazz and hip-hop sample fiends for decades.
It's unarguably *the* most sought after album for J Dilla / Madlib sample collectors. It has also been brilliantly sampled by A Tribe Called Quest, Large Professor, Ghostface Killah, Kendrick Lamar and Talib Kweli.
But this record is so much more than a sample-spotters curio. It's solid gold throughout. Bursting with killer funky-jazz grooves and tracks adorned with warm electric piano, the release is notable for featuring some extremely significant players at the very outset of their careers; Tony Levin, at 21, whose superb playing on both acoustic and electric bass was the harmonic mainstay of the trio and Steve Gadd, at 23, one of the greatest drummers of his generation.
With acceptable copies of this holy grail changing hands for $400, to call this reissue "much-needed" underplays just how vital it is. Gap's story is told in his words alongside rare photos across a sumptuously designed 2-page insert and, to augment this deluxe edition further, its all wrapped up in a beautiful, no-expense-spared luxury tip-on sleeve, as per the original hens-teeth release. And, while we're talking packaging, just take a look at that cover - a work of art in and of itself.
The tracks are short but complex, with that extraordinary rhythm section backing the beautiful piano, organ and electric piano work of Gap. It's like the best ever library funk breaks record you never heard - but all your favourite golden age rap producers were all over it, long ago. It's a stunning blend of the vibrant, driving music of the Gap Mangione Trio coupled with the sensitive composition and superb orchestration of Gap's legendary brother, Chuck Mangione, who helmed an amalgam of seemingly disparate elements – rock, big band jazz, solo improvisation and "classical" music - into a spectacularly cohesive whole that has aged wonderfully well. As Gap himself notes in the liners, "with this group I was able to explore and add new and exciting elements from rock, Brazilian and then-current pop music."
Opener "Boy With Toys" triumphantly swaggers out the gate, all big band horns, flutes and dextrous organ work. The synthesis of everything going on is nothing short of stunning. When one wise YouTube commentator called this tune "old school superhero music", Gap agreed. Rap luminaries did, too, amongst them Talib Kweli, who rapped over DJ Scratch's chopped up intro for "Shock Body" on his Quality album back in 2002.
You've barely recovered from that incredibly affecting opener when you get hit over the head with the exquisite title-track. And now you see how two of the greatest beats of all time emerged from one single track produced nearly 50 years earlier. Unforgettably utilised by Dilla for Slum Village's heartbreakingly good "Fall In Love" and then Madlib for his "Official" beat for Dilla to rap over, on the Jaylib record. Regardless of the records it went on to spawn, this is just a staggering tune in its own right. Be beguiled by the flutes and the flutter tonguing, the counter-melody from the trombones, the soprano sax solo. All of it. Simply beautiful.
The questing organ and horn workout "Long Hair Soulful" deserves a lot more attention, overshadowed somewhat by the opening two monsters but no less fantastic. It swings, it grooves and Gadd and Levin truly cook. Up next, Gap's wonderfully percussive, mellifluously piano-heavy cover of "Yesterday" by some fellas called The Beatles. It's a subtly arresting gem. "The XIth Commandment" is damn fine, with thick, gorgeous electric piano and snappy drum work underpinning chaotic soundtracky horns. To close out the side, "St. Thomas" showcases the "fourth" member of the Gap Mangione Trio, conga drummer Dhui Mandingo. Having performed with the Trio since 1965, Dhui‘s African-based and jazz-latin-influenced style amazed listeners and its way to hear why.
Opening the B-Side, standard "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You" breezes along in the late-night jazz club fashion before things get super deep with the outstanding and - up to now - un-sampled "Pond With Swans". It's simply heavenly, and how its moody, melancholic intro has yet to be pilfered is anybody's guess. It oscillates between gentle, sombre movements and bombastic grooves, equally hypnotic and joyous. The rendition of "You Are My Sunshine" is yet another showcase for Gap's virtuoso playing and Gadd's mastery of the pocket. Indeed Gadd's drumming on "Free Again" is nothing short of neck-SNAPPING! Ghostface took it for not one but two "Iron's Theme" tracks across his seminal Supreme Clientele. It's got that Galt MacDermot "Coffee Cold" feel. Suuuuuper cool. The frantic "Dream On Little Dreamer" hurtles along and must've surely had the whole room absolutely swinging from the chandeliers back in Rochester in the late 60s. The album closes with the magnificent Graduate Medley, featuring memorable renditions of "Scarborough Fair", "The Sounds of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson". The warm electric piano lines of the former were sampled by The Ummah (Dilla again!) for Tribe's "Pad & Pen" from their reappraised final album, The Love Movement, as well as by Large Professor on his much-loved "The LP (For My People)".
Under the watchful eye - and extremely attentive ears - of Gap Mangione himself, the audio for Diana In The Autumn Wind has been carefully remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, with a few much needed tweaks here and there, according to the artist's wishes. At the prestigious Abbey Road Studios, Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at the always stellar Record Industry in Holland. The artwork restoration has taken place here at Be With HQ and has that drop-dead gorgeous cover artwork popping like new. Buy on sight!
For the first time, several tracks from Machomover's second album 'Bare, Deep & Long' from 2006 are being released on vinyl.
Originally released as a double CD, the album was considered groundbreaking for German deep house at the time. The first four tracks from this album selection are now being released on Flaneurecordings. The two Berlin DJs and producers Oliver Marquardt, alias DJ Jauche, and Björn Brando combine warm grooves with precise drums, atmospheric basslines, warm pads, strings and the unmistakable depth of their house sound. For music lovers who appreciate deep house with substance, this release clearly bridges the gap between the original underground character of the album and its timeless range. Anyone who wants to understand the origins of modern German deep house productions will find a tangible snapshot here, stylishly remastered and presented on a 12-inch that is definitely worth listening to.
- 01: Dune
- 02: Kundela Mawedi
- 03: Paco
- 04: Cameo
- 05: Cacopoulos
- 06: Khettara
- 07: Hell Dorado
- 08: Papambra
- 09: Porpora
Killer Groove Records proudly presents the self-titled debut album by Italian cinematic funk trio Atabasca. A sonic journey where funk, psychedelia and desert groove merge into a timeless narrative suspended between rhythm and vision.
"Atabasca" marks the debut release from the cinematic funk trio, dropping March 27th on limited edition LP, CD digipack and digital formats, the latter featuring an exclusive bonus track. This is a project built on evocative imagery: each song unfolds as an open scene, an emotional landscape where listeners can step inside and write their own ending.
Lap steel, kalimba, percussion and guitars interweave with bass and drums, striking an original balance between tradition and experimentation that evokes unwritten soundtracks for worlds at once distant and familiar. The record navigates between melancholy and irony, tension and release, with a sharp focus on dynamics and sonic narrative.
Deserts, seas, imaginary villages, getaways, pursuits and collective rituals: "Atabasca" emerges as a collection of musical landscapes that unfolds through vivid, evocative imagery.
Jazz-funk, world music, afrobeat, psychedelia and the Italian Golden Age of movie soundtracks merge into a singular emotional geography: warm, analog and deeply human.
The musical journey opens with "Dune", a melancholic statement that leaves room for imagination, before igniting with "Kundela Mawedi" and its cascading lap steel over haunting vocal chants. "Paco" tips its hat to classic westerns, tracing a bandit's trajectory, while "Cameo" drifts back to childhood through minimal rumba and shimmering kalimba. The cinematic imagery continues in "Cacopoulos", a nod to Spaghetti westerns and Eli Wallach, built on raw drum patterns and distorted guitars. Intensity builds in "Khettara", where afrobeat rhythms and Middle Eastern textures intertwine, before "Hell Dorado" tears off in pursuit of the American dream's funk-fueled mirage. "Papambra" weaves hypnotic polyrhythms between kalimba and lap steel, while "Porpora" delivers a sensual, visceral tango of passion and tension. The digital edition closes with "Reprise", a sequel that stretches the album's central theme into an expansive, meditative interpretation.
The tracks were recorded in single takes, capturing the raw energy and natural atmosphere of the performance. Artistic production was handled by the trio alongside Andrea Fabrizii (digger, musician, producer and catalogue curator for CAM Sugar), while Riccardo Ricci mastered the album at Velvet Room Mastering Studio in Brighton.
Like a desert blooming within the evergreen forests of the planet's far north, a unique, alien, disruptive environment. This is the vision behind Atabasca, the project of Luca Mongia (guitars, lap steel, keyboards, vocals), Paolo Mazziotti (bass, keyboards, vocals) and Valerio Pompei (drums, percussion, vocals).
Individually active for over twenty years on both the national and international scenes, the three Italian musicians came together in 2023 to create a project that merges experience, experimentation and creative freedom. Their music is imaginative and at times dreamlike, blending the classic concept of the instrumental trio with the worlds of film scoring and sound design.
Atabasca's sound moves through jazz-funk, world and cinematic territories, weaving together afrobeat, desert and psychedelic influences into a personal and timeless language. Each piece is a scene; each sound, a fragment of a world, a journey between reality and imagination where groove, texture and organic timbre merge into a singular sonic ecosystem: a perpetually shifting balance that generates new inner landscapes.
For fans of Khruangbin, Surprise Chef and instrumental psych-funk!
BLAH Records is proud to announce the official release of BeTheGun's debut EP 'Miami Deco' - Entirely produced by Lee Scott & Jack Chard. BeTheGun is one of the most unique voices in the UK's underworld of independent rap, the talisman of the infamous COTD crew. A unique turn of phrase and unmistakable delivery with a panache for the finer things. A debut EP to behold.
- A1: Legacy
- A2: First Step
- A3: Auditory Hallucination
- A4: Between Worlds
- A5: Healing
- B1: God Of War
- B2: Next Dimension
- B3: Through The Roof
- B4: Foggy Times
- C1: Thought Bubble
- C2: Dark Corners
- C3: Purgatory
- C4: Eyes Of A Ghost
- C5: Lump Sums
- D1: Overnight
- D2: Feeling Strange
- D3: The Climb
- D4: Problematic
- D5: Blind Faith
High Focus Records are proud to present the latest collaboration from Verb T & Illinformed. ‘Stranded in Foggy Times’ both continues and completes the trilogy that began back in 2015, with ‘The Man with the Foggy Eyes’, before broadening the horizons with last year’s release ‘The Land of the Foggy Skies’. This final chapter returns to the same conceptual landscape as its predecessors, but also sees Verb T & Illinformed returning to a more classic approach to album making. In spite of its concept, the Foggy Trilogy is something of a personal outpouring for Verb T, with the original aim being to vicariously discuss the trials and tribulations that play a part in his life, including his struggles with chronic illness and the feeling of alienation from leaving his hometown, while also reflecting on the state of the world as a whole. Their approach to making the album meant taking it back to the most natural form, where the idea for the track would be outlined, Illinformed would make the beat, Verb T would write to it and then they would tweak and adjust accordingly. The result is 19 of the most finely crafted tracks to emerge from the UK shores this year. As with the previous albums, ‘Stranded in Foggy Times’ finds Illinformed moving away from the more rugged sound that has shrouded the British scene over the last few months, thanks to his collaborations with the likes of Datkid and Wish Master, instead providing Verb T with an arguably more mellow backdrop. From the string and piano driven introduction on ‘Legacy’, to the blissful head-nod vibes of the closing track, ‘Blind Faith’, the union between beats and rhymes sits at the perfect level. The album also boasts one of the most impressive guestlists of the year, one that is very much a product of both players’ worlds. Thanks to Illinformed’s Bristol connection, there are features from the likes of Res One, Datkid, Leaf Dog, Smellington Piff and Chillman, as well as some locally sourced cuts from DJ Rogue. While on Verb T’s side of the fence, we have features from Rye Shabby and Moreone, along with a collaboration that reignites the same creative spark he found in his early days, as King Kashmere steps into the booth on Feeling Strange. All in all, ‘Stranded in Foggy Times’ does exactly what it sets out to do, by drawing the trilogy to a close while also providing insights into Verb T’s personal world and the world at large. The fact that it also happens to be one of the strongest rap albums of the year is the icing on the cake
A few words for the album
Moment’s Aeternity:
a 12/8 composition celebrating the raw power of the “moment”, marked by whirling improvised moments between drums, bass clarinet and Harris P’s Armenian duduk.
Pajko, fire in the forest on the mountain:
in Sokratis own words: “I have a really vivid memory as a child. I was staring at the Djena mountain from my window in Archangellos which sits on the Pajko mountain. A little beam of light shone far in the horizon; it was a fire that in my little eyes looked as if the giants of Almopia were trying to communicate with each other using phryktoria (a way of contacting through fire in Ancient Greece).”
Footprints of some Giant Steps:
While the classic compositions of two true Jazz Giants- Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane- are certainly different, they do both connect in a mystical way. Rearranged in 5/8 combining half of each melody and half of each one’s chord progression, keeping the form of the piece for improvisation, still in 5.
Oson Zeis Fainou (Seikilo’s Epitaph):
found in a tomb stone in the Northeast of Greece, this is the only melody saved from the ancient times. It is accompanied by lyrics contemplating the meaning of life:
Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου
μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποῦ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶ τὸ ζῆν τὸ τέλος ὁ xρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.
‘’While you live, shine
don’t feel blue for anything because our life is short and time demands an end.’’
Here is to Oghene K:
’’Hey man, where is the groove?’’, he would say, just to trigger another wave of inspiration for Sokratis. Oghene was a true force of nature, a well of kindness, a masterful artist that left this world too early. This one is for him.
Balkan Riff (for Milcho Leviev):
Milcho Leviev (1936-2019), was a long-time friend and collaborator and a true inspiration for expression, creativity and colorfulness. Expressing the deep sentiments evoked by the Balkan sound and history, this is a sorrowful dialogue between bass clarinet and contrabass.
Spirits of Djena:
one of the most esoteric and personal moments of the album. Composed and recorded during the challenging times of the COVID-era, you can hear the baritone and tenor saxophone firmly grounded on a crispy, hypnotizing contrabass groove.
Sokratis Votskos Quartet
Kostas Anastasiadis / Giorgos Klountzos - Chrysidis: Drums
Leandros Pasias: Piano
Vaggelis Vrachnos: Contrabass
Sokratis Votskos: Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet and Compositions
Sokratis Votskos is a jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, educator, and bandleader from Greece. Deeply invested in unearthing the folk sounds and heritage music of Greece and Eastern Europe, he weaves these into modern jazz compositions though the use of melodies, polyrhythms, and his reedy, timeless tone. He leads the Sokratis Votskos Quartet, he is one half of Kolida Babo and member of the Reggetiko Project. A highly regarded sideman and ensemble player, he has worked extensively with renowned jazz musicians with several highly acclaimed releases (MiC, Jazzman, Walt Disney and now Fair Weather Friends Records).
He has performed his music in numerous venues and festivals worldwide from Vinterjazz in Copenhagen, to the EFG London Jazz Festival where he performed at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s alongside Greg Foat.
He is also an archaeoacoustics researcher and enthusiast, having completed his Master studies on the field of ancient ritualistic caves of Greece research.
Leandros Pasias was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. At age 10 was introduced to piano, continuing his studies at the Modern Conservatory of Thessaloniki and later at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the department of jazz piano.Ηe holds a classical harmony diploma and a BA at the Department of Music Studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In 2020 he received jazz improvisation lessons from Aaron Parks.
With a series of appearances in multiple international jazz festivals, Leandros has collaborated with a wide range of musicians from Nicolas Masson and James Wylie to Marina Osk, Ivo Papasov and Haris Lambrakis, among others.
A member of the Yako Trio, he released “OdesSea” on Fair Weather Friends Records (2021).
Vangelis Vrachnos was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1989. While he started playing the bass at the age of 12, alongside his brother, his studies would commence a few years later. Introduced to double bass at the age of 23, he undertook jazz double bass studies at the Codarts Αcademy of Rotterdam. He has participated in several festivals such as the Technopolis and Odessa international jazz festivals. Since returning to his hometown, in 2015, he has been a founding member of Mordana and Yako Trio and has collaborated with a series of musicians like James Wyllie, Sokrates Votskos and Dimitis Agelakis, among others.
Kostas Anastasiadis is a tireless researcher, that has been diligently studying Tradition and its evolution, creating a fresh amalgam of sound moods. His mature improvisational virtuosity highlights a uniquely individual artistic expression and was recognized with the ̈Unique Individual Stylist" award by the PIT (Percussion Institute of Technology) in Los Angeles, California. He has been associated with various ensembles that have garnered significant interest in the global music scene. As an educator, he is the founder of "The Harmony of Rhythm" musical method, which aims to explore and establish the elements that constitute the concept of rhythm.
Giorgos Klountzos-Chrysidis was born in Thessaloniki in 1991. Following studies at the Modern Conservatory of Thessaloniki, he moved to France and the Conservatoire de Nice. With performances at well-known festivals like Nice Jazz Festival, Nuits du Sud and Jazz à Vienne, he had the opportunity to meet the American drummer Leon Parker, who encouraged him to move to Paris, where he spent the next two years under his tutoring and guidance.
In 2016, came a defining moment in his career as he traveled to New York for the first time. He participated in the quartet of saxophonist Diego Rivera for a series of performances and attended lessons by Rodney Whitaker and Randy "Uncle G" Gelispie at Michigan's State University.
Collaborations include Xavier Davis, Ricky Ford, Nicolas Masson, Diego Rivera, Craig Bailey, Baptiste Herbin, Marc Abrams, Pantelis Stoikos, Antonis Anissegos, David Lynch, Ziad Rajab and Ivo Papasov, among others.
Plastico makes a striking entrance with a release that commands attention.
Jojo Hofmockel acts as the bridge between the electro sounds of the mid-1990s and the early minimal wave of the 2000s. The result is a strong, highly personal release, showcasing clear artistic vision and fresh, distinctive creative ideas. The tracks, composed between 2004 and 2006, carry a sound unmistakably rooted in the early years of the century.




















