quête:courtesy

Bread & Souls is a new project dreamt up by Italian entrepreneur and music lover Franco Fusari. Franco invited Mark de Clive-Lowe on board to direct and produce an album of collaborations with some of our favorite artists including the likes of Bembé Segué, Vanessa Freeman, Paul Randolph, Rich Medina, Tommaso Cappellato and more...

Opening with the broken beat, soul-drenched I See You featuring Detroit’s Paul Randolph on vocals along with Taku Hirano on percussion Chapter 3 is here! Vanessa Freeman and Bembe Segue absolutely radiate on the head-nod of Little Did I Know, complete with Marcus Machado lacing classic D’Angelo-meets-Prince guitars. You heard the Domu remix on Chapter 1, and finally here’s the original! The EP wraps up with two remixes courtesy of Alex Attias and LTJ Xperience. Alex reworks the Bembe Segue featuring Never Gonna Leave into a deep tech house dancefloor workout while Italy's LTJ Xperience’s remix brings the mid tempo 4/4 to Rich Medina and Bembe Segue on Working On It (original version still to come!).

Jose James has showcased his rich and graceful baritone voice through a series of unpredictable projects that have blurred the lines between traditional and contemporary jazz, soul, funk, rock, house, and other genres. Now, with a new collaboration on the "Saturday Night" remixes with Grammy winner Louie Vega, Jose proves his versatility and variation in his unique vocal ability, able to adapt to all types of grooves with ease. "Saturday Night" is a feel-good summer song penned by Jose James himself and seasoned songwriters/Grammy winners Talia Billig and Kaveh Rastegar, who have worked with Moby, Aloe Blacc, and Bruno Mars, to name a few. Taking it to the clubs, as we say in nightlife, Jose takes us on the dancefloor once again all around the world! Enjoy the Louie Vega remixes with long versions of each interpretation and the hot guitar dub on Vega Records, with license courtesy of Rainbow Blonde Records! Available at all digital outlets and a vinyl double pack coming to you early summer 2024!

Streaming Amsterdam’s D Stone and Milion join forces this May for the sixth release on Cinthie’s 803 Crystal Grooves Collective Cuts imprint. Since the inception of the 803 Crystal Grooves imprint in 2018, Cinthie has been steadily unveiling her own material on the main label, while the sub-label Collective Cuts was inaugurated in 2019 as a platform for friends, associates and beloved producers in her circle. The past five releases on the platform have welcomed material from the likes of UC Beatz, Azuni aka Washerman, Anaxander, S3A (Sampling As An Art) and KETTAMA among others, while here the label welcomes some fresh talent from the Dutch capital, namely D Stone and Milion,who’ve been releasing their raw house sound on the likes ofHardlineMoscow Recordsand Cécillerespectivelyin recent years. ‘The Next Morning’ leads the EP, employing classic house tropes with smooth string melodies, twinkling synth chimes and choppy stab sequences, underpinned by a swinging drum groove, bumpy bass line and hooky vocal lines. ‘The Night Before’ follows and retains a similarly classic house aesthetic courtesy of a snaking bass melody, hypnotic spoken word vocals, crunchy saturated percussion and an amalgamation of organ melodies. ‘Floor Call’ then rounds out the release on a darker tip, flipping focus to murky bass swells, and skippy drums, intertwined with gritty stab sequences, Hammond organ tones and a loopy vocal chant.

2023 sees the return of multi-talented Norwegian producer Espen Horne to Wah Wah 45s, after a 24 year hiatus. The man behind the label's very first release, the now seminal Magnetica, never lost his connection with the imprint and has remained very much part of the Wah Wah family, making a comeback this year with his first solo material under his own name since that club classic from 1999.

Back in the spring, the first single from the project, the gorgeous soul-jazz beauty Bakeren, featuring the stunning vocals of Resonators' Faye Houston, quickly found a home on Gilles Peterson's internationally renowned BBC Radio 6 show as well as that of Jazz FM legend Robbie Vincent, Bandcamp Weekly and the Fresh Finds Jazz Spotify playlist.

Following that, Bergen Sunrays, became a weekly fixture on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on BBC 6 Music, with the limited 7-inch of both singles selling out within hours of release.

Next up was the wistful Den Franske Gitaren, a lugubrious soul-jazz piece with drum & bass leanings featuring Bergen based MC and vocalist Aich, which found favour with legends Laurent Garnier and Jazzanova as well as hot Japanese production outfit Dazzle Drums.

This was closely followed by the final single to be taken from the album, the stunning and outspoken vocal jazz waltzer Nada Pode Me Calar (which roughly translates to Nothing Can Shut Me Up!) featuring the sublime talent of Olav Wöllo on vocals and Juno - anotherr big one with Gilles Peterson on Worldwide FM and Deb Grant on BBC 6 Music.

And now the full album, entitled The Anatomy Of Serene Eloquence is available for your aural delectation. Recorded largely during lockdown, the LP is a sophisticated and composed piece of work that sees the Norwegian producer make connections with musicians from across Europe, and some closer to home, to collaborate on this sedate and peaceful collection of songs.

The aforementioned Faye Houston also appears on the soulful, dub flavoured Don't Fall Asleep, a piece of music that explores the feeling of being isolated whilst sharing a mutual love and drive to explore new sonic possibilities.

Elsewhere, Olav Wöllo pops up again too, this time on O Mar E A Lua and once again singing in Portuguese to give this track a certain Tropicalia feel, as Espen explains:

"Olav Wöllo is a close friend, an excellent musician and vocalist, and a capoeira professor here in Bergen. He has spent much of his life living in Brazil and speaks Portuguese fluently. He wrote the lyrics for this tune years ago and had just been waiting for the right collaboration to come along.

We went to his lovely studio out on this remote island, made a massive gyoza meal, had some serious good wine and stayed the whole night to record his vocal harmonies and outspoken lyrics."

The single Bergen Sunrays also appears on the album in instrumental form with featured keys courtesy of London based player Rory More - here entitled Rory's Sunrays. His Lowrey organ adds a more melancholic feel to the track, as it does on the stunning Belle Époque, alongside the ivory work of Eirik Blåsternes - an emotional, contemplative and atmospheric track that was tested and shaped in the eclipse of Covid.

As with Belle Époque, La Psychosomnie is a playful yet explorative cut that examines insomnia, paralysis and hypnosis courtesy of some enigmatic French spoken word spinning around a framework of drums, bass and swirling keys.

And finally, the album offers up an alternative version of the single Den Franske Gitaren, this time featuring Martin Halla, a vocalist out of the Bergen Grieg Jazz Academy and winner of the Norwegian version of The Voice back in 2012! The perfect flip to Aich's more mournful interpretation of this bass and drum future classic.

Bread & Souls is a new project dreamt up by Italian entrepreneur and music lover Franco Fusari. Franco invited Mark de Clive-Lowe on board to direct and produce an album of collaborations with some of our favorite artists including the likes of Bembé Segué, Vanessa Freeman, Paul Randolph, Rich Medina, Tommaso Cappellato and more.
Chapter 2 EP continues with more future classics, kicking off with the jazz dancefloor workout Never Gonna Leave featuring the Queen of Broken Beat Bembé Segué on vocals and shredding sax solos courtesy Teodross Avery. In classic soulful broken beat fashion, Bembe reunites again with Vanessa Freeman for Technicolor Sunshine – drenched in MdCL’s signature production sound. Two remixes complete this installment with Mr Scruff and Kaidi Tatham’s downtempo reworking Anybody Out There (check out the original version on Chapter 1) and Italy’s G&D coming through

Pastime Paradise, first released by Stevie Wonder in 1976 got a new lease of life when sampled by Coolio on his Grammy Award winning Gangsta’s Paradise. It has also over the years been covered by Patti Smith as well as our fave version, courtesy of Latin percussionist Ray Barretto. First released on CTI in 1981, to this day it remains a staple for both the jazz and soul rooms. Never before released on a 12 inch, Major Keys continue their fine form with this extended floor filler that will appeal to DJ’s and collectors alike. It also flips it with La Cuna and Mambotango taken from the same 1981 LP. This is a special EP and one that you will want for your collection.

Mint Condition - A record label focused on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics, overlooked gems and never heard before material, mined from the last 30+ years of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. From Chicago, Detroit and New York to Manchester, London and beyond. Mint Condition have got their digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been in your wants list for years. Dig in......

MC065 presents a highly anticipated reissue of Kilowatt's 'The Last EP' – a coveted 4-track compilation featuring a blend of technoid electro-funk and Detroit-inspired house grooves. Originally unleashed on Rob Gretton's legendary Manchester label 'Rob's Records', this EP seamlessly meshes with contemporary sounds and promises an immersive experience on a powerful sound system. Catering to aficionados of the more intricate and funk-infused facets of electronic music, Kilowatt unleashed this underground gem in 1995, earning it a well-deserved cult status among dedicated music explorers and DJs alike. Secure your copy of this exceptionally rare piece of UK musical brilliance now, courtesy of your friends at MC.

All tracks have been lovingly remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original sources especially for Mint Condition. 100% legit, licensed and released. Dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your favourite reissue label - Mint Condition.

Memory Remains boss Kirik joins forces with Miami’s Imbue for their collaborative ‘On Distance’ EP.

This time Kirik pairs up with the Miami-based trio Imbue who add their dynamic instrumentation to the project through guitars, piano, and synthesizer improvisation.

Opening the release is the jazzy funk-infused ‘On Distance’, laid out across seven minutes with an amalgamation of guitar licks and looped hooks alongside plucked bass tones, strings and organic rhythms combined to create a psychedelia-tinged twist on House. ‘All Right’ follows next and shifts gear into a more classic house feel, employing Latin percussion and wandering keys alongside guitar melodies and soulful vocal chants.

Opening the flip-side is ‘Lovers’ with its acid bass groove, intricately intertwined synth stab sequences and crisp drums all underpinned by Imbue’s hypnotic musicality. ‘Son Us On’ then rounds out the release, diving deeper into the House courtesy of bumpy low-slung drums, airy synth chimes and plucked guitars merged with an underlying dubbed-out and subtly unfurling feel.


early support by Massimiliano Pagliara, Archie Hamilton, youANDme, DJ Heather, Moskalus, Jean Pierre, Red Pig Flower, Red Rack'Em, Just Her, Michel De Hey and many more...

4 fresh canvases courtesy of Terrence Dixon. Made in Detroit.

Originally released on the seminal self-titled Nucleus Roots album at the turn of the millennium, Under De Kitchen is finally getting a well-deserved vinyl pressing with new dubs and remixes!

Vocals come courtesy of Manchester's Des Nia Lashimba, accompanied by Moses, Dub Dadda and Maria

Bristol's Sasha Steppa steps up on remix duties with her debut production, elevating the track even further with her trademark high-energy peak-time stepper style

Normandy via Glasgow dubber Stalawa strips everything back for his futuristic interpretation, channeling plenty of Rhythm & Sound inspiration

As usual, Dub Junction isn't doing things by halves, with three separate records being pressed to house all six mixes, all with their own unique two-colour marbled effect.

Romania’s Constratti delivers his ‘Late Summer’ EP via Yecad, comprising two originals and accompanied by remixes from fellow Romanian producers Sepp and Mihai Pol.

Residing in the capital city of Bucharet, Romania’s Constratti has been grown to become a beloved producer and DJ on the local scene and beyond, racking up releases on the likes of Storytellers, Aesthetic, Eagervision and more. Here though, Constratti joins the roster of Yecad, following on from material on the label by Barac, Dragutesku, Vlad Arapusu and Swoy amongst others.

Title-cut ‘Late Summer’ leads and sees Constratti lay down crisp drums and ethereal atmospherics intertwined with acid tinged bass in unfolding with a subtly nuanced feel. Sepp’s remix of ‘Late Summer’ follows and shifts focus to a more rhythmic fuelled feel, bringing additional percussion to the mix while stirring in vocal chants and fragments of the original’s atmospheric core.

‘Tempura Rolls’ opens the flip-side, diving deeper via bubbling synth textures, twitchy resonant glitches and airy chord sequences, underpinned by a rumbling low-end drive and low-slung drums. Mihai Pol’s twist on ‘Tempura Rolls’ then rounds out the EP, taking things in a more peak, dance floor focused direction courtesy of a gritty bass groove, saturated drums and the original’s smooth chords.

Limited 100 copies.

London lyricist Slim Papi returns for the 3rd and final release in his ‘Châteauneuf-du-Papi’ series with this 4-track EP.

Following collaborations with the likes of Crimeapple, Sonnyjim & Jam Baxter, this time London’s Slim Papi teams up with the Madlib-cosigned Chris Crack, who makes a rare appearance singing his way through the Max-B reminiscent hook as well as handling a 16 bar verse. Crack appearing fresh off the back of his latest ‘Free Sex’ LP and fellow wine-afficinado Griselda/Alchemist affiliate, Willie The Kid.

Continuing the trend set through his ‘Chateauneuf-du-Papi' EP series, the EP once again sees artwork courtesy of Dublin’s Johnny Brennan and includes tracks named after cult a movie directors, iconic restaurants and highly coveted bottles of plonk. The Jon Phonics produced lead single ‘Wim Wenders’ also features Luke Mills-Pettigrew of psychedelic-jazz experimentalists, Lunch Money Life, on bass guitar. Making the 4 track opus a truly all star cast.

Continuing the self proclaimed ’travel rappers’ world hopping theme (his last ‘I’ve Long & Prosper’ project written & recorded during a stint in Brazil) the EP was written during a short stint working the harvest at a friends vineyard in Portugal’s Douro valley, working 16 hour shifts, breaking only to cook twice a day. A vibe summarised in Papi’s effortless lyrics - “Precipitation, maceration, elevation, information highway generation, microphone mathematics, fry the amoratics” - and a work ethic translated to the music we hear. With his trademark themes of vintage vehicles, water sports and the finer things in life, the guest verses from Willie The Kid & Chris Crack match this energy with a little more bravado to spare.

'Tema di Susie' is one of the main themes from the soundtrack composed by Alessandro Alessandroni for the 1976 Italian noir Sangue di sbirro, known in English as Blood and Bullets, as well as Knell, Bloody Avenger (the Susie in the original title refers to the female love interest of the film's hero, who is on a mission to seek revenge for the gangland murder of his policeman father).

At once sweet and sentimental, haunting and melancholic, 'Tema di Susie' stands out from the other tracks in the film, which are more action oriented. Like the rest of the score, however, it exemplifies the way in which, during the '70s, Italian film composers created their own version of the sound of American blaxploitation cinema, with its groovy blend of funk, jazz, and soul. It is no coincidence that the film's director, B-movie specialist Alfonso Brescia, specifically requested music in the style of Shaft, the iconic film that defined that sound in 1971.

Though seemingly simple, 'Tema di Susie' is a perfect example of Alessandroni's style – in particular his unique ability to effortlessly blend groove and melody, funk and feeling, into one musical piece. So, we invited different artists with different backgrounds, influences and approaches to bring their individual take on this elegant and now timeless tune.

Neapolitan duo Fratelli Malibu have taken Alessandroni's melodic theme and woven it into a mesmerizing tapestry of rhythmic beats, world percussion and ethereal atmospheres. Drawing inspiration from funk/Afrobeat, synth-pop and Italo-disco, they've conjured a psychedelic-tinged, afro-cosmic groove that's bound to transport you to another dimension.

As the music unfolds, you'll feel like you've stepped into a vibrant, fantasy world. The breaks, outro, and intro are woven with a psychedelic thread that leaves you yearning to return once the final note fades away. And that's not all – they've injected an irresistible pop sensibility into the track with the use of drum machines and synths. The result? A rework that not only amplifies the dreaminess of the original but also seamlessly marries the past with the future.

We love the track so much that we decided to double the fun with a vocal retouch version, courtesy of the Italian funk/soul collective Banda Maje. Their vocalists, Chiara Della Monica and Cristina Cafiero, elegantly infuse cinematic and Balearic vibes into the mix, paying a wonderful homage to Fratelli Malibu's exquisite arrangement.

Aphrose reveals her sophomore album, 'Roses,' a captivating amalgamation of Neo-Soul and R&B, delving into the wellspring of ancestral strength and love.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Aphrose, also known as Joanna Mohammed, unveils her sophomore album, establishing her as one of Toronto's best-kept musical treasures. Known for her commanding vocal prowess within her hometown, this gifted songwriter and vocalist is rapidly garnering global acclaim and accolades from both fans and music critics alike. Signed to independent Soul label LRK Records, 'Roses' remains firmly rooted in Aphrose's signature style characterized by resounding R&B vocals. However, it also embraces a softer, more introspective aura that brilliantly showcases her remarkable versatility in navigating diverse genres, moods, and musical approaches with remarkable finesse.

This album offers a little something for everyone, catering to enthusiasts of Neo-soul, traditional Soul, Hip Hop, and R&B. Produced by her longtime friends/collaborators at SafeSpaceship Music (Scott McCannell, Chino De Villa, Ben Macdonald), the album serves as a compelling testament to the collective creativity of Aphrose and this exceptional production trio, delivering a kaleidoscope of soundscapes, textures, rhythms, and grooves. 'Roses' weaves together both lighthearted and profound elements as Aphrose explores her life journey, delving into her familial past and present, grappling with the challenges of new motherhood, and contemplating her relationships with herself, her partner, and her friends. Across the 35-minute LP, Aphrose draws inspiration from Neo-soul icons like Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, pays homage to Soul legends such as Aretha Franklin and MJ, and infuses contemporary R&B influences from artists like Frank Ocean, SiR, and SZA. The result is a sound that distinctly bears the 'Aphrose sound,' reflecting her deep admiration for her inspirations while imparting a refreshing twist to familiar genres.

The album commences with its title track, 'Roses,' which was released as a single on August 25th. This song sets the stage, invoking the strength of Aphrose's ancestors, particularly her late Grandmother Rose. Following suit is 'YaYa,' also released as a single on July 7th. This buoyant dance track whisks listeners back to the disco era of the late 70s and early 80s. The album's third track, 'Heavenly Father,' offers a brief interlude featuring a recording of Aphrose's Grandmother Rose engaged in prayer, setting the tone for the subsequent track, 'In The Time Of Sorrow.' This contemplative, chill piece captures Aphrose's musings on navigating a world often shrouded in fakery, while craving authenticity. 'Honey (Don't) Come Back' seamlessly transitions between two distinct musical personalities, commencing with a deep, almost Trap-like bass/drum beat before transforming into a spirited Funk/Soul jam—an anthem of empowerment encouraging the listener to leave a situationship that is no longer working. 'What You Don't See' strips the production down to its core, as Aphrose and guitarist/co-writer Heather Crawford craft an intimate ode to a friendship's sad ending.

The B-side opens with the evocative 'Weapons,' featuring a five-person choir including LRK label-mate Claire Davis, Nevon Sinclair (Daniel Caesar and LOONY), Kyla Charter (Aysanabee and Alessia Cara), Lydia Persaud, and Marla Walters. The track is adorned with a stirring string arrangement courtesy of Jessica Deutsch. 'Chop The Cake' acts as a breather, interlude-style, easing the intensity. 'Soft Nuclear' channels the spirit of the early 2000s R&B movement, bearing traces of influence from Lucy Pearl. 'Good Love,' released as the first single off this body of work on May 19th, transports listeners to the 70s with its soulful resonance, drawing inspiration from the likes of Michael Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass. 'Higher' stands as Aphrose's tribute to Prince, capturing the essence of his music within its hook and production. The album's culmination arrives with 'ZAG,' an acronym derived from Aphrose's daughter's name, commencing with the sound of her daughter's heartbeat in-utero from a sonogram taken when Aphrose was pregnant. This heartfelt composition serves as a dedication to her daughter and all parents navigating the rollercoaster of parenthood, emphasizing the imperative of nurturing love to shape the future.

'Roses' stands as Aphrose's homage to her history—her Grandma Rose and the ancestral trailblazers who paved her path to the present life she enjoys; her current experiences—her self-discovery, her relationships with her partner and friends; and her aspirations for the future—her daughter and the generations to come. This album crystallizes these temporal dimensions, prompting introspection, celebration, laughter, and tears. 'Roses' is a musical odyssey that scrutinizes the multifaceted beauty of existence, inviting listeners to partake in this thing called life.

The radio world has taken notice of Aphrose's talent, with national Radio Capital's Italy Massimo Oldani spinning her latest single "YaYa" for the entire month of July on his show "Vibe." And both singles getting to number 10 in the UK soul chart.Additionally, Aphrose has received national radio play on renowned stations such as BBC in the UK, RTVE in Spain, and Radio France FIP.

Aphrose has also made CBC's Top 100 finalist list for their Searchlight competition.

Huey Morgan played "YaYa" the second track off the album on his BBC radio six show

Memento Records’ boss Idriss D goes back to his more experimental side on this release, pushing the boundaries like he did on his first Lunatic EP, coming up once again with another Jungle-infused mesmerizing piece of Electronica that mixes breakbeat influences with melodic soulful vibes.

A very welcome follow up, aptly titled “Lunatic 2”, this tune is fiercely uptempo and energetic: the psychedelic melody swirls inside, outside and around your mind, while the fluid bass line counterparts the schizophrenic rhythm. On top of this, powerful emotional vocals take you into another dimension.

The prestigious remix comes courtesy of Gilb’R, founder of Versatile Records and one half of Chateau Flight: a slower downtempo piece with an infectious, almost improvisational synth melody, with vocals taking center stage here, full of atmospheric sounds all over that land into a deep dreamy break.

A true work of art - opening things up in epic fashion with the lucid dreamscape.
Another adventure for Maximilian, another expertly curated EP touches down courtesy of EVIDEON Studio records.
Somehow, the world keeps turning and with it the MIKROKOSMOS universe keeps.

The latest offering from Astral Black comes in the form of the 'Metropolis N' LP, courtesy of Queens, New York's number premier importer/exporter of Jungle & D&B, NIGELTHREETIMES. Having initially garnered a name for themselves as one of New York City's most versatile club DJ's, with the release of their 'Call Of The Void; project in 2020 Nigel also began to build a reputation as a producer in their own right. Resulting in residencies on Rinse FM & The Lot Radio, radio support from the likes of Tom Ravenscroft & Uniiqu3 and press support from Resident Advisor, OkayPLAYER & Mixmag – amplifying their talents throughout New York City and beyond.

With 'Metropolis N' NIGELTHREETIMES distills their eclectic influences through the lens of rolling 160bpm breaks – taking in Jazz, 8-bit game soundtrakcs, science fiction & jump up D&B. Starting off the LP with the rhodes tinged double header of 'TSQ MELTDOWN' & 'EARLY MORNING FROM 103RD STREET', the latter featuring some of the best double bass work heard on a jungle track since 'Brown Paper Bag'. Elsewhere, on 'ROAD2RAILS' and 'PHANTOM SHORES', the producer ditches the instrumentation in favour of oscillated square waves, dubbed out vocal FX & 8-bit melodies, without ever losing site of the projects underlying sense of optimism. On the album closer 'INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION', 3X manages to bring together the influences heard throughout the project, tying together a muted rhodes chords, squarewave basslines, flutters of alien melodies and finely tuned, slices breakbeats into a 5 minute symphony.

The consistency and exacting production skills heard throughout the offering elevate this project from another drop in the digital ocean to a landmark opus, from a producer carrying the torch for this timeless sound and making the project worthy of a spot alongside some of the classics this genre has produced.

'Metropolis N' is available Oct 13th on digital and limited edition vinyl via Astral Black.

Seriously sought after, classic rare groove 2 stepper from Maxi, ‘Lover To Lover’ gets its first ever official reissue on vinyl with this also being the first 7 inch pressing of this oasis of joy, courtesy of South Street Soul.

Previously only ever available on Maxi’s self-titled 1977 LP, released on Blue Note. With originals of the album selling for over £160+, South Street give these glorious grooves space to breathe with a 7 inch reissue of two choice cuts. Soaring vocals, top drawer production, sumptuous instrumentation, with a string section to melt any heart out there – all arranged to perfection. The sort of track that will sweep you off your feet before you even know what’s hit you. Famously sampled by Tom & Jerry aka 4 Hero for their ridiculously rare Jungle anthem ‘Maximum Style’.

To complete the package, another hand-picked hit from Maxi’s one and only LP with a cover of the Van McCoy penned soulful serenity ‘Walk Softly’.