Max Graef and Julius Conrad are Ratgrave. ‘Rock’ is their
second album - ongoing transmissions of Electronic PFusion from Earth. It follows a stellar debut on Funkineven’s imprint Apron. The duo’s sound palette draws inspiration from 80's funk, soul, rock and electronic but through a contemporary lens from two versatile multiinstrumentalists.
In their own words: “Rock is the essence of energy and
vibration we felt in different styles of music, almost like a
parallel component connecting all things we like. In the
process of recording the new album we kept coming back
to this essence no matter what style the original idea was.
There was the raw and brutal energy of Jazz-Rock, a lot of
video game influences that somehow adhered this essence
just as well as quieter Pop and Psychedelic passages that
we recorded. Among other things we absorbed a lot of
heavy music during the time of the recording like Blue
Cheer, Black Sabbath, Frank Zappa or Jimi Hendrix and
realized while writing our own music how much impact
they had even on quieter songs. This is why ‘Rock’ felt like
the perfect title although the music ranges from P-Funk
and Spiritual Jazz to various styles of Pop and beyond.”
Max Graef has previously collaborated with Glenn Astro on
records for Ninja Tune and both artists have previously
released on Tartelet.
This marks the fourth official album on Black Focus, a
London label founded by Kamaal Williams.
4pp digipack. 180g vinyl LP in reverse board printed sleeve
with 3mm spine and digital download card.
Cerca:frank styles
Stating their influences range from Prince, The Weeknd, Janet Jackson to Frank Ocean, Secret Rendezvous call their sound 'Indie R&B' and their latest track - 'Back In The Day' is a sentimental slow jam that showcases flashes of these elements set against bedroom and lofi styles.
Lyrically Morsch reminisces over the 90's, conjuring up imagery of baggy clothes, listening to Tupac on the basketball court, and going cruising with a bottle of Bacardi at night.
Her silky delivery and sing-along chorus is perfectly suited for the 808-led backdrop from Lauw.
Dwight Druick’s born in Montreal to a professional gambler and an ex-Radio City Rockette. One of five children, he grew up in a family buoyed by music and beleaguered by the vagaries of miscalculated risk. After attaining a McGill University bachelor’s degree in Art
History, Dwight fully embraced both music and risk by traveling to London, where he signed a contract with Pye Records and Joe Cocker’s management company. The ensuing record,
Druick & Lorange was released to critical acclaim and relative success. After returning to Canada, Dwight recorded two albums with Phil Vyvial: Midnight and Minuit. Recorded with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in Alabama, the duo’s work achieved airplay success in Quebec and across Canada. Dwight subsequently released his first French language solo album, Tanger, released in 1980 by the Canadian label, Bobinason.
Today quite hard to find in its original version, Tanger is first of all an incredibly solid album, clearly underrated and deserving more credit. Mostly known by collectors and DJs for the
stunning cover of Toto’s classic hit, “Georgy Porgy”, which was produced and arranged with the help of George Thurston (Boule Noire), it includes many other tasty titles, with amongst
them another fine rendition of “Open Your Eyes” by The Doobie Brothers. In fact, with its brilliant mix of Modern-Soul, Disco and AOR styles, the whole album is already considered
by many connoisseurs as a classic, and clearly a must have for anyone enjoying this musical blend. Never reissued on vinyl until now, there was not much more needed at Favorite Recordings
to make it happened. Officially licensed to Dwight Druick, who was unfortunately not able to provide the original tapes, Tanger has been perfectly restored and remastered by Frank Merritt, at The Carvery, London. CD and digital edition will also come with “Georgy Porgy (Version Disco)” as a bonus track.
- A1: Dim Grimm -Drivel To Balsam
- A2: Zimpel / Ziolek - Wrens
- A3: Tujiko Noriko - Tennisplayer Makes A Smile
- A4: Gerhard Zander - Wabi Sabi 35
- A5: A.p.a.t.t - Young Free & Parasite
- A6: Ssellf - Visitors
- B1: The Reboot Joy Confession - Enjoy Solitude
- B2: Merz Feat. Sartorius Drum Ensemble - The Hunting Owl (Julian Sartorius Drum & Vocal Rendition)
- B3: Helen Money - Mf
- B4: Oceaneer - The Sea
'For The Colleagues Of Ubu & Their Authorities' is the brainchild of Vienna based vinyl enthusiast, DJ & producer The Reboot Joy Confession. What once started as a series of mixes has been expanded into this compilation, on which he brings together diverse genres of music like electronica, modern minimalism, folk, post-rock, avant-garde or modular music, which also reflect his own versatile musical taste. 'As I stopped thinking in genres, my attempt was to merge my musical taste in the most fluent way possible onto one record. There are mesmerizing songs from some of my favourite contemporary artists - I feel a timelessness in their music, I can ´t get tired of. With the compilation I wanted to create a contemplative, fictitious, surreal world, merging those different styles together. Giving it that title, I wanted the listener to be able to imagine a tale that is building up with each song. I am really happy about the outcome of this compilation and hope that many other listeners can feel the magic.' The compilation includes the surreal work of Swiss producer Dim Grimm (also known as Dimlite), as well as a collaboration between Merz & Julian Sartorius Drum Ensemble who radically altered the original version of 'The Hunting Owl' into a monstrous percussive live version. Taken off the debut album from one of Poland ´s most interesting musicians at the moment, Waclaw Zimpel & Kuba Ziolek, 'Wrens' is a fusion of folk, jazz and modern minimal music. Experimental pop musician & filmmaker Tujiko Noriko appears with an emotional piece that challenges the paths between pop and avant-garde. Gerhard Zander, whose musical work started on the outskirts of experimental pop music in the early seventies in Germany, delivers a modular synth masterpiece with unique sounds, textures and a far-out synth choir. Rock and ambient influenced musician Helen Money (also known as Alison Chesley) is a Los Angeles based cellist and composer who appears with a massively dark post-rock song called 'MF', which was recorded at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio in Chicago in 2009. Often compared to Frank Zappa and known for their richness of ideas, Liverpool's a.P.A.t.T. contribute the hypnotic 'Young Free & Parasite', with references to British glam, post-punk or synth rock, but in a fresh and obscure sounding outfit. SSELLF, the moniker of New Zealand ´s Christoph El Truento, inspired by post-punk and noise. 'Visitors' is simple and simply in your face, with lo-fi drums, distorted synths and raw vocals by Christoph himself. After a few seclusive years, The Reboot Joy Confession returns with a new, crispy and soulful track. Cinematic strings written by Martin Riedler, arranged by Flip Phillip, and recorded at the established Vienna Konzerthaus, based on a properly arranged drum outfit and played by a villain named Gurlimu. Both strings and drums are guiding through the whole song and culminate in Glockenspiel and Rhodes melodies. Oceaneer aka Japanese pianist Oneechan Nanashi completes the compilation with her beautiful and profound composition 'The Sea, Forever'. She describes her music as 'improvised instrumental underwater music from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, played with broken instruments, directed by the spirit of drowned people who are talking through the hands of the pianist. It's lonely and bleak music for the dead.'
- A1: Markus Gibb - Kuru
- A2: C O N T R A - Taurus
- A3: Ben Shemie - A Million Kinds
- B1: Drvg Cvltvre - Last Rites
- B2: Sutja Gutierrez - Allodoxaphobia
- B3: Théo Muller - Douce Transe
- C1: Dave E Brun Vs Frank Agrario - Grace
- C2: Benedikt Frey - Iaon
- C3: Lauer - Pythor
- D1: Bajram Bili - Restart
- D2: Il Est Vilaine - Fahrenheit 451
- D3: Jonathan Fitoussi - Cercles Polaires
- D4: Lumi - Izerditan
In just a year of existence, Chloé's Lumière Noire has brought emerging artists and promising newcomers together - and this first compilation of 13 brand new tracks expands the roster, exposing the label's eclectic vision in full daylight. When Chloé talks about her label, she puts forward the fundamental values that informed her own musical journey, her trust in her own musical taste - and, of course, the predominance of human relationships: 'I followed
my bliss and only commissioned tracks from artists that I respect and whose music I love. That to me is Lumière Noire's musical palette.' With this 13- track, unmixed compilation, Chloé makes a case for a label aesthetic that is based in open-mindedness. Familiar, elemental Lumière Noire artists are represented, as are new faces, producing a kind of group photo presaging what's next for the fledgling label. Lyon's Markus Gibb leads the track listing with Kuru with a deep chiaroscuro matching the label's ethos, followed by other mainstays Il Est Vilaine's Farenheit 451, which evokes Ray Bradbury's retro-dystopic angst with the
band's usual electro-pop elegance. Sutja Gutierrez, who released in debut EP, The Legend of Time on Lumière Noire in April, pursues his electro Shamanism with the ceremonial Allodoxaphobia, while Iñigo Vontier (whose EP Aluxes came out on the label in late 2017) brings his C O N T R A project
online with track Taurus, a further development in voodoo house. Elsewhere, Suuns lead singer Ben Shemie, who lent his fascinating art-rock croon to Recall, a single from Chloé's Endless Revisions LP, contributes A Million Kinds, a synthy, psych-pop debut that is as brilliant as it is surprising. On to the freshman class: Dutch producer Drvg Cvltvre (who gets personal kudos
from Chloé with each new 12') brings the uncompromising dark electro of his hypnotic and claustrophobic Last Rites. Jonathan Fitoussi's airy, minimalistic Cercles Polaires brings the respite of his recent Versatile Espaces Timbrés LP (a collaboration with Clemens Hourrières): 'I met him at Xavier Veilhan's
Studio Venezia at the Venice Biennale. He's a great guy, and his universe is unique,' says Chloé. Benedikt Frey's deep techno track Iaon, is on par with his smash 2017 album, Artificial, out on ESP Institute. First-timers are also part of the recruits: Bajram Bili with the ten cerebral minutes of Restart, Théo Muller with the ultra-deep Douce Transe, and Lumi, a Basque band that fuses
electronic sounds with acoustic instruments, brings the ompilation to a close with a track commissioned by Chloé. These audacious choices are anchored down with the likes of Permanent Vacation pioneer Lauer's hooky, 80s-infused Pythor ('Just like him, I was a resident of the Robert Johnson, and he was a guest of mine at one of my Lumière Noire nights at the Rex. He is one of these people whose music I highly appreciate'); Aergeworc & Franck Agrario, half of English duo Swayzak David Brown's project, weaves an ethno* mood into Grace's techno. Bringing together different generations, genres, and styles That may not necessarily be Chloé's MO. She invokes a more arbitrary, personal logic: 'I like to mix of-the-moment tracks and more timeless one, but the rule is above all 'do I love this or not'. That was my ethos when I started Lumière Noire.' In that way, the label is definitely in keeping with its time
- A1: Zavoloka -.Transmutatsia
- A2: Mimicof - Love Control Feat. Hprizm
- A3: Benjamin Brunn - Joy
- A4: Retina.it - Horses
- B1: Mads Emil Nielsen - Unfold
- B2: Mads Emil Nielsen - Untitled Percussion Loop
- B3: Mimicof - Spark
- B4: Pierce Warnecke - Bogusstratagem
- B5: Mads Emil Nielsen - Circles
- C1: Zavoloka - Inflame
- C2: Retina.it - Rodeo
- C3: Retina.it - Gauchos
- C4: Benjamin Brunn - Alloy
- D1: Pierce Warnecke - Shiftform
- D2: Pierce Warnecke - Hddxenoglossy (And The Machine Spoke)
- D3: Mads Emil Nielsen - Framework 12
- D4: Mimicof - Cycle
- D5: Benjamin Brunn - Coy
»sichten« refers both to »opinions« as well as the »examination of material«. in lose sequence, we will invite friends and colleagues, but especially music lovers to share their opinions on music with us or to look through their collected materials in order to present music that tends to be out of the focus of current media channels. as a label for electronic music our focus is on examining exactly this genre. but in the context of the series, we are rather looking for more hidden, unknown, perhaps forgotten music. we want to present the yet undiscovered, and also offer a platform for other cultural environments with different musical approaches. each issue will be supervised and compiled by a curator. an introductory text shall explain the ar- tistic approach of the respective curator. in this sense, the format of a double lp can only provide a first insight and wants to invite to a more in-depth research. for the first issue of the series, »sichten 1«, we asked frank bretschneider to compile his own, very personal selection of current electronic music. his choice fell on six artists, whose different styles me- ander between accessible music on the one hand and very abstract compositions on the other hand.
"sichten" bezieht sich sowohl auf "Meinungen" als auch auf die "Auseinandersetzung mit dem Material". In loser Folge laden wir Freunde und Kollegen, vor allem aber Musikliebhaber ein, ihre Meinung zur Musik mit uns zu teilen oder ihre gesammelten Materialien durchzusehen, um Musik zu präsentieren, die nicht im Fokus der aktuellen Medienkanäle steht. als label für elektronische musik liegt unser schwerpunkt auf der untersuchung genau dieses genres. im rahmen der serie suchen wir aber eher nach verborgener, unbekannter, vielleicht vergessener musik. wir wollen das noch unentdeckte präsentieren und auch eine plattform für andere kulturelle umgebungen mit unterschiedlichen musikalischen ansätzen bieten. Jede Ausgabe wird von einem Kurator betreut und zusammengestellt. Ein einleitender Text soll den künstlerischen Ansatz des jeweiligen Kurators erläutern. In diesem Sinne kann das Format einer Doppel-LP nur einen ersten Einblick geben und will zu einer vertieften Recherche einladen. für die erste ausgabe der serie "sichten 1" haben wir frank bretschneider gebeten, seine eigene, sehr persönliche auswahl aktueller elektronischer musik zusammenzustellen. seine auswahl fiel auf sechs künstler, deren unterschiedliche stilrichtungen ich zwischen zugänglicher musik einerseits und sehr abstrakten kompositionen andererseits unterscheiden.
Smoove & Turrell's second single outing from their album 'Mount Pleasant' is a double helping of up-tempo dancers for those that like to shake it...
Never one's to stop experimenting and pushing their musical boundaries, this single is a perfect example of exactly that, featuring two tracks with massively contrasting styles but with a quality of song writing and production that these guys have got down to a fine art in their years together.
'I Feel Alive' is a tasty electro disco cut inspired by a hedonistic night in Paris. It's the perfect blend of Smoove's trademark groovy productions with Turrell's sweet tones and honest relatable lyricism. Keys man - Mike Porter gets a chance to engage the arpeggiator function on his synth collection as he and the rest of the band create a host of spacey sounds to form the backdrop of this catchy number.
On the B side is 'Mr Hyde' - a beast of a track that opens with energetic live drums and a memorable guitar riff that form the backbone of a rocking tune that sees John Turrell manically singing through a distortion effect delivering the lines "I'm Jekyll and baby you need to hide" in a suitably menacing style...
Fusing garage rock, psyche, northern soul and pop sensibilities it's a Frankenstein's monster of a track that works on multiple levels with the lyrical subject matter.
Musique Pour La Danse takes a short break from reissuing rare and essential music to bring you a selection of four new and exclusive tracks from the French underground entitled Equipe de Danse. Curated by label co-manager Ed Isar, a DJ and promoter active in the Paris underground since more than a decade, this EP brings together different producers and styles, highlighting the diversity and the creativity currently flowing through the French scene and providing DJs and ravers with quality tunes to work with and dance to.
Automat - Disco Trax
Everyone has a story about how one electronic music experience changed their lives forever, for Ed it was seeing Automat live in Paris in 2006 when he was 18. Automat's Electrospectif LP is still one of the best and most underrated French electro albums of the 21st century. Hearing Disco Trax many years later and realizing this fast-paced banger never got pressed on vinyl was the spark that encouraged Ed to work on this EP. This is irresistible jakbeat with electro and italo influences, timeless and compelling.
Cuften - bgt55ujp0
Cuften is a unique artist from Normandy who prefers being called a musician rather than a producer: he creates and records all his music live on a 100% hardware setup with absolutely no computers involved. With IDM and acid influences as well as a passion for hardcore, his music bridges the gaps between Aphex Twin, Marc Acardipane and Legowelt. This track is a perfect introduction to his world where hard hitting kicks get bodies moving while acid madness gets minds melting and it's actually his first tune ever released on vinyl. Keep an eye out for Purusu, Cuften's own record label which he runs with the help of Ed, a strictly underground affair that is already gathering support from established DJs around the world.
Sina - Faith
This is the very first track by Sina pressed on vinyl and what a belter it is! He is part of the new wave of electronic music activists in Paris with his Subtyl parties that were among the first to encourage today's ravers to side-step the clubs and go party in warehouses half a decade ago. We immediately signed Faith upon hearing it for the first time, spellbound by pounding and dreamy atmosphere, full of dramatic and ecstatic moments. This track exists in a techno universe of its own, as gritty as it is melodic. It never fails to get a reaction from the crowds and has been a staple of Ed's peak time sets lately.
Raymond D Barre - I Don't Know Dave
He's an up and coming producer and live performer from Paris who released a great EP on Nocta Numerica in 2016 and has several projects in the works. Clocking at 108 BPM, this tune is the downtempo cut on the EP. Driven by an 808, structured by FM bass and embellished with some lovely acid touches, this track could be described as 21st century orientalist New Beat or perhaps Egyptian Lover on codeine. Either way, this nod to Belgian vibes and BPM did not go unnoticed by both label managers and this fun and quirky track is often the highlight of downtempo sets.
Points of interest
- Four essential and totally exclusive tracks outside the beaten path and the usual formulas, a great snapshot of the French underground in 2018
- Various Artists, different vibes, something for everyone
- A Musique Pour La Danse release (Frankie Bones, Orlando Voorn, Cron aka Todd Sines, Break The Limits aka Bay B Kane, ..), a label founded and curated by Olivier Ducret of Mental Groove (Miss Kittin, Orbe, Donato Dozzy, Brodinksi...) and Ed Isar (33RPM +8% and Radio Belleville in Paris), releasing forgotten and unforgettable dance music of yesterday and tomorrow.
Juxta Position returns once more to his own imprint with two slices of epic techno. Kinaesthesia is a subtle tool track with added depth, as waves of synth chords wash over deep percussion in increasing intensity. Barrier Block however hits straight between the eyes, with its fusion of varying styles. A half breakbeat rhythm section builds in intensity before an early 90's Frankfurt influenced melodic synth construction reveals itself, culminating in a spectacular crescendo. Two more essential cuts for your box, do not miss!
- A1: Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
- A2: Mandingo Griot Society With Don Cherry - Sounds From The Bush
- A3: Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Red, Black And Green
- A4: Philip Cohran And The Artistic Heritage Ensemble - Malcolm X
- B1: Sarah Webster Fabio - Sweet Songs
- B2: Phil Ranelin - Vibes From The Tribe
- B3: Horace Tapscott With The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra - Desert Fairy Princess
- C1: David Mcknight - Strong Men
- C2: Joe Henderson - Black Narcissus
- C3: Oneness Of Juju - African Rhythms
- D1: Doug Carn - Suratal Ihklas
- D2: Duke Edwards And The Young Ones - Is It Too Late
- D3: Carlos Garnett - Mother Of The Future
Underground Jazz, Street Funk & The Roots Of Rap 1968-79. Soul Jazz Records' new release 'Soul of a Nation: Afro-Centric Visions in the Age of Black Power' is released in conjunction with a major worldwide art exhibition, Soul of A Nation: Art in the The Age of Black Power which takes place at the Tate Modern, London, UK (July-Oct 2017) and The Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA.
The album shows how the ideals of the civil rights movement, black power and black nationalism influenced the evolvement of radical African-American music in the United States of America in the intensely political and revolutionary period at the end of the 1960s following the assassinations of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and the rise of the Black Panther party.
Featuring groundbreaking artists such as Gil Scott-Heron, Roy Ayers, Don Cherry, Oneness of Juju, Sarah Webster Fabio, Horace Tapscott, Phil Ranelin and many others, Soul of A Nation shows how political themes led to the rise of 'conscious' black music as new afro-centric styles combined the musical radicalism and spirituality of John Coltrane and radical avant-garde jazz music alongside the intense funk and soul of James Brown and Aretha Franklin and the urban poetry and proto-rap of the streets.
The Soul of a Nation exhibition draws on the links between Black art forms - art, music, poetry - and how they came together during the civil rights and black power era as part of the wider black arts movement across the United States.
Iconic African-Amercian revolutionary figures such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Angela Davis, John Coltrane, Muhammad Ali all appear in the radical artworks of Barkley L. Hendricks, Romare Bearden, Norman Lewis, Lorraine O'Grady and Betye Saar.
A selection of original radical jazz record sleeves artworks which appear in Soul Jazz Records' earlier groundbreaking Freedom, Rhythm and Sound - Revolutionary Jazz Original Cover Art book will also be on show at the Tate, London throughout the exhibition. The Freedom, Rhythm and Sound book is also newly back-in-print in conjunction with this major exhibition and the release of the Soul of a Nation album.
Stuart Baker (founder of Soul Jazz Records) will appear on the panel of Jazz for Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power discussion at the gallery as part of the show. Soul of a Nation comes with extensive sleeve-notes and exclusive photography in a large 36-page outsize booklet and slipcase. Double gatefold vinyl album edition comes with full colour inners + bonus download code and includes full sleeve-notes/photography.
Born on Chicago's southside 1970, Robert has an expansive Musical career that started at the age of 14 with Djing and remixing from the age of 18. In his cellar Robert started organising parties that became very popular in his neigbourhood. Some of the diehard visitors of Robert besement parties were inspired by him and became also DJs, amongst them was DJ Rush others became Rapstars like R Kelly. Robert was going to become a police officer up untill he spun abroad in Italy and realized his true passion. It was actually in Italy where his female fans named him Armani because of his designer clothes he loved to wear. Robert's Influences include Armando, Mike Dunn and Frankie Knuckles. He sees his music sticking with old styles and doing whatever comes to mind'. Producing with labels including Dance Mania, Pushpac, AVC, BML, High Octane and many more Armani has captured the ears of fans and promotors all over the world . He has played many international parties givig people his hard Techno fell. You name the place Armani has played there from Chicago to Japan.
- 1: Roland Alphonso & His Alley Cats - Jerk Pork
- 2: Neville Esson - Lover's Jive
- 3: Monty & The Cyclones - Lazy Lou
- 4: Owen Gray - Get Drunk
- 5: Monty & The Cyclones - Dog It
- 6: Clancy Eccles - More Proof
- 7: Tommy Mccook & The Skatalites- Exodus
- 8: Clue J And His Blues Blasters - Swanee River Rock
- 9: Delroy Wilson - Spit In The Sky
- 10: Roland Alphonso - Federal Special
- 11: Owen Gray - Grandma Grandpa
- 12: Don Drummond - Cuban Blockade
- 13: Theophilus Beckford With Clue J & His City Slickers - Little Lady
- 14: Tommy Mccook - Away From You
- 15: Clancy Eccles With Hersan & His City Slickers - I Live And I Love
- 16: Roland Alphonso & His Alley Cats - Hully Gully Rock
- 17: Delroy Wilson - Lion Of Judah
- 18: Tommy Mccook - Two For One
- 19: Toots & The Maytals - Sweet Sweet Jenny
- 20: Roland Alphonso - Grand National
- 37: Don Drummond - Mr. Propman
- 21: Owen Gray With Hersan & His City Slickers - Sinners Weep & Mourn
- 22: Tommy Mccook - Peanut Vendor
- 23: Toots & The Maytals - Shining Light
- 24: Lascelles Perkins With Clue J & His Blues Blasters - Lonely Moments
- 25: Toots & The Maytals - Six And Seven Books Of Moses
- 26: Cecil Lloyd - It Happens
- 27: Bunny & Scully - Don't Do It
- 28: Don Drummond - Scrap Iron
- 29: Lascelles Perkins And Clue J & His Blues Blasters - Creation
- 30: Tommy Mccook - Don't Slam The Door
- 31: The Rhythm Aces - Joybells Of Independence
- 32: Roland Alphonso - Jack Ruby
- 33: Toots & The Maytals - Hallelujah
- 34: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Habits
- 35: Frank Anderson & Tommy Mccook - Wheel And Turn
- 36: Busty & Cool - Kingston To Mo'bay
- 38: Higgs & Wilson - Mighty Man
- 39: Tommy Mccook & Roland Alphonso - Trotting In
- 40: Bunny & Skitter With Count Ossie And His Wareikas - Cool Breeze
- 41: The Mellow Larks - Light Of My Life
The Sound Of Young Jamaica - More Early Cuts From The Vaults Of Studio One 1959-63
This is the second collection to bring together many of the visionary producer Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd's early recordings made with Jamaica's most exciting young artists and musicians who helped define the world of reggae music over the decades following Jamaican Independence. These recordings were made when Sir Coxsone ruled the dancehalls of Kingston in the late 1950s and early 1960s with his number one Downbeat Sound System, where songs were tested out on dub plates at a dance to see a crowd's reaction - the most popular of which were then released commercially. Featuring early material by Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond, Tommy McCook (all of whom would form The Skatalites), Toots and The Maytals, young singers such as Bob Marley and The Wailers, Delroy Wilson, Owen Gray all captured in their formative days. The music here spans a wealth of styles - Jamaican rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, proto-ska, Rastafarian - all of which were drawn upon to create the future sounds of Jamaican reggae that Sir Coxsone and the artists featured would soon create at Studio One which opened its doors in 1963. This collection is released on heavyweight triple-vinyl plus download code and double CD with slipcase. Sleevenotes and text is by the author Noel Hawks.
- A1: Willie Williams - Armageddon Time
- A2: Toots & The Maytals - Night And Day
- A3: The Marvels - Rocksteady
- A4: The Upsetters - Popcorn
- A5: Bunny Clarke - Be Thankful
- B1: Tommy Mccook - Green Mango
- B2: Brentford All-Stars - Greedy G
- B3: Lennie Hibbert - Real Hot
- B4: Horace Andy - My Soul
- B5: Johnny Osbourne - We Need Love
- C1: Bunny Brown - I Love The Way You Love
- C2: Jackie Mittoo - Stereo Freeze
- C3: Phyllis Dillon - Woman Of The Ghetto
- C4: Cedric Brooks - Give Rasta Glory
- C5: Alton Ellis - Son Of Man
- D1: Sound Dimension - Granny Scratch Scratch
- D2: Lloyd Robinson - Cuss Cuss
- D3: Sound Dimension - Drum Song
- D4: Ken Boothe - Is It Because I'm Black
This is the new digitally remastered 2015 expanded edition of Soul Jazz Records' biggest ever selling release, 100% Dynamite! Ska, Soul, Rocksteady and Funk in Jamaica.
Since the album's original release nearly twenty years ago, 100% Dynamite has become a cornerstone of reggae: eighteen killer tracks that show the influence that American Jazz, Funk and Soul music had on Jamaican Reggae.
The proximity of the West Indies to the USA meant that many Jamaican musicians were influenced by American styles of music whilst at the same time defining new styles of their own such as Ska, Rocksteady and Dub.
100% Dynamite features some serious Jamaican funk by Jackie Mittoo, The Upsetters and Toots & The Maytals, the cream of Jamaica's jazz musicians such as Tommy McCook, Cedric Brooks and Lennie Hibbert. Also included here are heavyweight Reggae versions to Soul classics by Marlena Shaw's 'Woman of the Ghetto', Aretha Franklin's 'Rocksteady', Syl Johnson's 'Is It Because I'm Black', William DeVaughan's seminal 'Be Thankful' and more.
100% Dynamite also features revolutionary tunes such as Johnny Osbourne's 'We Need Love', Sound Dimension's 'Drum Song' and Lloyd Robinson's 'Cuss Cuss', songs that helped define a unique sound for Jamaican music in the sixties and seventies. These influences went both ways - check Brentford All Stars massive 'Greedy G', the basis for Boogie Down Productions' 'Jack of Spades', or Willie Williams' 'Armageddon Time', later covered by The Clash.
This new expanded edition features seminal tracks from the greatest Jamaican producers - Clement Dodd, Lee Perry, Winston Riley (Techniques) and many more.
The album is available as CD, heavyweight double vinyl (+download), plus digital.
The world of roots reggae & dancehall has been fully awoken to the fantastic analogue sounds of Kalbata & Mixmonsters' music - and even Rob Da Bank, Robert Elms, & Toddla T and The Wire magazine have supported and enthusiastically raved about their brand new yet wonderfully old school music.
And now - in time for summer festivals and carnivals, the floor shaking, speaker rattling track Congo Beat The Drum featuring Major Mackerel gets the 12 inch single treatment. The pounding drums and the larynx busting vocal performance from the Jamaican veteran is an unstoppable, unforgettable and frankly mesmerising experience!
Released alongside the original (and an instrumental version of stand out album track Out Of Road) is an amazing remix by Kahn - the Bristol based producer, renowned dubstepper, remixer, member of the Sureskank Collective - who with this remix displays his mastery of blending all kinds of styles, and injects his remix with some of his favourite influences - including Middle Eastern music scales - which ensures his reworking of Congo Beat The Drum is fresh, original and inspiring.
This single will be one of the sound system hits of summer 2014!
Murphy Jax delivers a fresh full length EP entitled ``Teleport : Echo City`` this September, via the Frankfurt based Chiwax imprint.
Murphy Jax, over the past few years, has been steadily building up a back catalogue of solid electronic workouts. Delivering content for the likes of Clone`s Jack For Daze Series, Hypercolour, Exploited and Turbo, Jax’s style meanders through a variety of styles, ranging from low-slung, chuggy grooves through to straight up Chicago inspired house rhythms, always keeping the production intriguing and melodic. Here Murphy joins the Chiwax roster (A sub-label of Rawax, also running the Dubwax and Housewax labels), alongside heavy hitters like Gemini and Perseus Traxx.
Jax tells us the story of the album ´´Imagine a pre-apocalyptic generation of robots on a planet of machines. This is the last generation before the big war against the darkness, slowly coming from space. Some groups are fighting each other in chaos, others party before everything seems to end and lots of them don’t know - yet, but they all dream of Echo City. The one and only safe point, founded by Dr. Nigel Echo in the deep, cold and blue core of the planet. Dreams, desires, rebellion and chaos. They´re all going to fight the coming darkness, united by the prince of nanomagica. Taking place at several different locations, we are looking into the last hours before it all begins and ends at the same time.´´
``Teleport : Echo City´´ embraces a variety of styles, ranging from Chicago House, Classic Deep House, Movie Theme style cuts and raw Acid workouts. The mood of the records goes from child like melodies to dark, hypnotic and brooding synth heavy tracks. As expected Murphy Jax delivers an incredible LP of uncompromising quality here, ``Teleport : Echo City´´is out on Chiwax 4th September 2013.
It is a great honor for us to welcome such a living legend, a pioneer from the Chicago House scene: Mr K' Alexi Shelby !
At the age of 12 he was already moving in the right circles, befriending Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy whilst frequenting the famous Warehouse. His upbringing in Chicago in the 70s and 80s meant that he was exposed to a range of genres and different styles of music including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Curtis Mayfield and David Huff. These same names would prove to be the roots of his influences.
















