Neck-snapping soul masterpiece from Freddie Scott, famously sampled by Biz Markie for his melancholic pop-rap hit "Just A Friend" and a surefire piano-driven basement party anthem in its own right.
The work of the legendary producers Gamble & Huff, the track was also sampled by Ghostface Killah for the wonderful "Save Me Dear" with Jay Dilla also utilising the crunching drums to lace many memorable productions for A Tribe Called Quest and Slum Village.
A peerless piece of deep soul and hip-hop history, here's your chance to own the first ever officially licensed reissue on 45.
On the flip, "Powerful Love" is uptempo guitar-soul with finger-popping swing. Featuring delicate horns and gorgeous backing vocals, it's an unfairly slept-on gem but, given the weight of the A-Side, this is perfectly understandable.
This special 7" single comes housed in a heavy duty custom printed full-colour company sleeve and is limited to just 500 copies.
Search:freddie mas
After a health-induced hiatus, Popa Chubby, the legendary blues-rock guitarist, roars back with "I Love Freddie King," a heartfelt tribute album to the late great Texas Cannonball himself. Produced by Popa Chubby and Gulf Coast Records' executive producer Mike Zito, this 11-track masterpiece was recorded at G.B.'s Juke Joint and features contributions from an all-star roster of modern guitar heroes: Joe Bonamassa, Mike Zito, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Eric Gales, Albert Castiglia, Arthur Neilson, and V.D. King. Reflecting on the album, Popa Chubby calls Freddie King his lifelong muse, whose music "changed my soul forever." The album brings King's legacy roaring back to life, spanning his early instrumental hits, Shelter Records era, and more. With a core band of Mike Merritt (bass), Andrei Koribanics III (drums), and Mike DiMeo (keyboards), this record captures the sweat, soul, and unrelenting energy of Freddie King. Tracks like "I'm Going Down" (ft. Joe Bonamassa) and "Big Legged Woman" (ft. Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram) explode with fiery guitar work and passionate vocals. Other standouts include "She's A Burglar" (ft. Mike Zito) and "Hideaway" (ft. Arthur Neilson). Each collaboration brings something special to the table, making this album a must-listen for blues fans and guitar lovers alike. Despite battling a rare spinal disorder during production, Popa Chubby pressed on to create what he calls "a journey of love and homage." His raw determination, combined with the extraordinary talent of his guest musicians, resulted in a fitting tribute to Freddie King--the bridge between blues and rock, who forever altered the genre's course. The Texas Cannonball's legacy brought to life, grab your copy of "I Love Freddie King" today and let the blues thunder on!
- Freddie Mcgregor - Beat Down Babylon (2.44)
- Cornel Campbell - No Man's Land (2.54)
- Judah Eskender Tafari - Danger In Your Eyes (2.54)
- Tony & Howie - Fun It Up (2.45)
- Liberation Group - Namibia (3.44)
- Winston Francis - Love Me Today, Not Tomorrow (2.44)
- Roland Alphonso - Jah Shakey (2.07)
- Joe Higgs - Dinah (3.15)
- Brown Eagle - Natural Living (3.29)
- Freddie Mckay - So Long, Farewell (2.40)
- Jackie Mittoo - Mixing (2.07)
- The Heptones - How Can I Leave You (3.11)
- The Skatalites - Sudden Destruction (2.39)
- Lone Ranger - Dance A Fe Cork (3.19)
- Horace Andy - Mamie Blue (3.13)
- Johnny Osbourne - Run Up Your Mouth (3.10)
- Bob Marley And The Wailers - One Love (3.00)
- The Cables - What Am I To Do (4.49)
Soul Jazz Records' Studio One Showcase 45 features a roll call of classic Studio One
reggae legends including Horace Andy, Cornell Campbell, Bob Marley and The
Wailers, Jackie Mittoo, The Heptones, The Skatalites and more – seminal reggae
artists who all launched their careers at the legendary Studio One label.
The album was previously only ever released as a long-deleted limited-edition
seven-inch box set for Record Store Day. This album has now been expanded into a
super double-vinyl album edition as well as first time on CD, with both featuring a
massive eight bonus tracks of wicked Studio One classics and rarities. The album
also comes with newly commissioned sleeve and track notes by Noel Hawks.
Featuring seminal cuts like Bob Marley and The Wailer's original version of 'One
Love', Freddie McGregor's take on the classic 'Beat Down Babylon', Judah Eskender
Tafari's re-version of 'Danger In Your Eyes' plus more from The Skatalites, Lone
Ranger, Johnny Osbourne and more!
- Cantern N2
- Blue Monk
- Lennie
- Tango
- Kenny's Blues
- Body & Soul
- Cantern N1
- Don't Worry Baby
- Mr P.c
CLEAR MARBLE VINYL[43,28 €]
2LP - 180 Gram Vinyl Jazz Standards Live is a remarkable collaboration between two iconic jazz musicians: Kenny Wheeler, a legendary trumpeter and composer known for his versatility, and Rain Sultanov, a saxophonist celebrated for his rich tone and innovative style. This album captures an unforgettable performance that has never before been released physically. Blending the expressive power of Wheeler's trumpet and Sultanov's saxophone, the quintet delivers a warm and resonant sound that harks back to the golden era of jazz in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fans of Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P. quintet will recognize the vibrant interplay reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. This double vinyl LP is a treasure trove for jazz enthusiasts, featuring a mix of beloved standards and original compositions by Wheeler. Adding depth and character to the performance is Shahin Novrasli's masterful piano work, which infuses the album with a distinctive mood. Meanwhile, Paul Clarvis on drums and Ruslan Guseynov on bass provide a dynamic and cohesive rhythm section that elevates each track. Jazz Standards Live is not just an album; it is a testament to the boundless creativity and artistry of two jazz maestros, uniting their talents to create an experience that is both timeless and fresh. Whether you're a longtime jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to captivate and inspire.
Black Vinyl[38,45 €]
2LP - 180 Gram Vinyl Jazz Standards Live is a remarkable collaboration between two iconic jazz musicians: Kenny Wheeler, a legendary trumpeter and composer known for his versatility, and Rain Sultanov, a saxophonist celebrated for his rich tone and innovative style. This album captures an unforgettable performance that has never before been released physically. Blending the expressive power of Wheeler's trumpet and Sultanov's saxophone, the quintet delivers a warm and resonant sound that harks back to the golden era of jazz in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Fans of Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P. quintet will recognize the vibrant interplay reminiscent of Freddie Hubbard and Wayne Shorter. This double vinyl LP is a treasure trove for jazz enthusiasts, featuring a mix of beloved standards and original compositions by Wheeler. Adding depth and character to the performance is Shahin Novrasli's masterful piano work, which infuses the album with a distinctive mood. Meanwhile, Paul Clarvis on drums and Ruslan Guseynov on bass provide a dynamic and cohesive rhythm section that elevates each track. Jazz Standards Live is not just an album; it is a testament to the boundless creativity and artistry of two jazz maestros, uniting their talents to create an experience that is both timeless and fresh. Whether you're a longtime jazz aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to captivate and inspire.
The long-awaited new album by the Belmondo
Brothers, their first in a decade.
Renowned internationally for their collaborations
with such luminaries as Milton Nascimento and
Yusef Lateef, trumpeter Stéphane Belmondo and
his brother saxophonist Lionel - the most famous
jazz siblings in France - celebrate their artistic
reunion.
The brothers salute their masters and synthesize a
quarter of century of musical adventures via a
series of new original compositions.
Featuring songs inspired and dedicated to Wayne
Shorter, Bill Evans, Yusef Lateef, Woody Shaw
and their late father Yvan.
Featuring the great Belgian Eric Legnini on piano
and a tight and full-bodied jazz quintet.
An original mix of modal and spiritual jazz with
hints of classical liturgical influences and ethnic
vibes.
For fans of John Coltrane, the Blue Note albums of
Wayne Shorter, Bill Evans, Freddie Hubbard,
Yusef Lateef, Herbie Hancock, Jacky Terrasson,
Lili Boulanger.
- A1: Satta Massa Gana-Ken Booth
- A2: Guiding Star-Horace Andy
- A3: Shame&Pride-Leroy Smart
- A4: Stick By Me-Dennis Brown
- A5: Can’t Get Me Out-Cornell Campbell
- A6: Riding For A Fall-John Holt
- A7: Once Upon A Time-Delroy Wilson
- A8: The Village-Gregory Isaacs
- B1: Ride On Girl-Johnny Clarke
- B2: Mighty King -Freddie Mcgregor
- B3: Whip Them King-Linval Thompson
- B4: Lead Us Jah Jah-Barry Brown
- B5: Everybody Needs Love-Pat Kelly
- B6: Alton Ellis - Play It Cool
- B7: Count Prince Millar - Mule Train
- B8: Owen Grey - Natty Bongo
The Sound System has become part of today’s musical/cultural heritage, playing the people’s favourite hits or just as important, breaking some new tunes.
But perhaps less known are the roots of the Sound System, which began way back when…in Kingston….
Around the late 1940’s the Sound System began to overtake the big bands that usually played at the dances in Kingston.
The American Rhythm and Blues records that were so popular at the time would find their way to Jamaica via the merchant sailors and migrant workers returning from their stints in America. For economical reasons alone it would pay to have a DJ on hand to play these hits rather than a 10 piece band that could eat and drink the promotor out of the house and on curried goat!!
The early Sound Systems were basic affairs built around a single record deck, a valve amp and a speaker.
But by the 1950’s they had grown to purpose built speakers the size of wardrobes that could be heard blocks away.
Record producer Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee would remember the time ‘Sound Systems was like our radio station…not many people on the island would own a wireless, so it was the way for the people to hear their music.
So this selection of Lovers, Ballads, Root’s classic’s made the Sound Sytems of Jamaica the place to be.
So sit back and enjoy the ride….SOUND SYSTEM ROCKERS …one and all
- Brigitte
- Keep Your Soul Together
- Spirits Of Trane
- Destiny's Children
"Keep Your Soul Together"" (1973) is Freddie Hubbard’s fifth studio album released on Creed Taylor's CTI label. The album features Hubbard alongside an ensemble that includes Junior Cook on tenor sax, George Cables on keyboards, Aurell Ray on guitar, Kent Brinkley or Ron Carter on bass, Ralph Penland on drums, and Juno Lewis on percussion. The album’s sound, though occasionally funky, is rooted in creative jazz, showcasing Hubbard in peak form across four of his original compositions.
Though some writers have often underrated Hubbard’s CTI recordings, mistaking them for his later, more commercial output on Columbia, this particular album stands out as a testament to his ingenuity. Hubbard’s blend of bravado and subtlety shines through, as does his ability to fuse technical mastery with emotional depth. His ability to maintain a consistent, rich tone across both slow and fast passages placed him among the greatest trumpeters in jazz history.
Influenced by legends such as Miles Davis and Clifford Brown, Hubbard nonetheless crafted a sound entirely his own, becoming one of the boldest and most inventive trumpeters of the bop, hard-bop, and post-bop eras. His impact on jazz extended far beyond his solo recordings, as he collaborated with many of the genre's greats, leaving behind a powerful legacy. Down Beat magazine described Hubbard as “the most powerful and prolific trumpeter in jazz” shortly after his passing in 2008. His influence continues to shape the world of jazz, inspiring generations of trumpeters and musicians alike. "
- A1: Grass Roots
- A2: Venture Inward
- A3: Mira
- B1: Soul Special
- B2: Bayou Red
Andrew Hill’s 1968 album Grass Roots stands as one of the most immediately accessible albums in the pianist’s beguiling Blue Note discography. Featuring Lee Morgan, Booker Ervin, Ron Carter, and Freddie Waits, this set of five Hill originals is imbued with a deep sense of feeling, groove, and lyricism. This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
- A1: The Hub (Freddie Hubbard) 16’44
- A2: Blue Moon (Rogers/Hart) 7’44
- B1: Crisis (Freddie Hubbard) 24’46
Re-mastered from the original Mono Master Tapes. Limited repress 1000 copies.
180 gr vinyl pressed by Pallas in Germany.
Deluxe high-gloss flipback album jacket.
Essay written by Brian Priestley.
Double insert using an original photo by JP Leloir from the concert.
Artwork by Jean-Louis Duralek.
Each record has been visually checked to prevent defects.
A never-before released Art Blakey 1965 live recordings.
First official release with the full permission and cooperation of the Art Blakey Estate & INA (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel).
Art Blakey, Live in ’65 boasts an exceptional one-hour concert from Paris in 1965. This performance showcases one of the few undocumented Blakey bands, the New Jazzmen, featuring Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Jaki Byard on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, Nathan Davis on sax, and, of course, Blakey on drums.
Freddie Hubbard’s incendiary playing on “Blue Moon” and the blistering 24-minute version of his own “Crisis” shows that he was one of the most innovative trumpeters in jazz history.
On this live session, the audiences seem to have been enthusiastic and appreciative. “Everywhere we’d go people would say, This is the best Jazz Messengers we’ve heard!”, according to Davis. “And because of the way Jaki would play and Reggie would go, it was like a semi-freedom thing – with Messengers heads, you know, but when we got to soloing…! And Blakey was ridin’ and floatin’ the time…but he would always be loose enough to follow, to keep it going. He’s one helluva musician.”
Recorded at Palais de la Mutualité, Paris, France, November 3, 1965.
Freddie Hubbard (Trumpet)
Nathan Davis (Tenor saxophone)
Jacki Byard (Piano)
Reggie Workman (Bass)
Art Blakey (Drums)
2024 Repress
Re-mastered from the original Mono Master Tapes. Limited repress 1000 copies.
180 gr vinyl pressed by Pallas in Germany.
Deluxe high-gloss flipback album jacket.
Essay written by Brian Priestley.
Double insert using an original photo by JP Leloir from the concert.
Artwork by Jean-Louis Duralek.
Each record has been visually checked to prevent defects.
A never-before released Art Blakey 1965 live recordings.
First official release with the full permission and cooperation of the Art Blakey Estate & INA (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel).
Art Blakey, Live in ’65 boasts an exceptional one-hour concert from Paris in 1965. This performance showcases one of the few undocumented Blakey bands, the New Jazzmen, featuring Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Jaki Byard on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, Nathan Davis on sax, and, of course, Blakey on drums.
Freddie Hubbard’s incendiary playing on “Blue Moon” and the blistering 24-minute version of his own “Crisis” shows that he was one of the most innovative trumpeters in jazz history.
On this live session, the audiences seem to have been enthusiastic and appreciative. “Everywhere we’d go people would say, This is the best Jazz Messengers we’ve heard!”, according to Davis. “And because of the way Jaki would play and Reggie would go, it was like a semi-freedom thing – with Messengers heads, you know, but when we got to soloing…! And Blakey was ridin’ and floatin’ the time…but he would always be loose enough to follow, to keep it going. He’s one helluva musician.”
Recorded at Palais de la Mutualité, Paris, France, November 3, 1965.
Freddie Hubbard (Trumpet)
Nathan Davis (Tenor saxophone)
Jacki Byard (Piano)
Reggie Workman (Bass)
Art Blakey (Drums)
1965’s Dialogue was the debut by vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson who had already proven himself a versatile sideman on albums from Idle Moments to Out To Lunch. Dialogue showcased his more adventurous leanings with a sextet featuring Freddie Hubbard, Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, Richard Davis & Joe Chambers. This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
- CD1: Queen I (2024 Mix)
- Keep Yourself Alive
- Doing All Right
- Great King Rat
- Mad The Swine
- My Fairy King
- Liar
- The Night Comes Down
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll
- Son And Daughter
- Jesus
- Seven Seas Of Rhye
- CD2: De Lane Lea Demos - 2024 Mix
- Keep Yourself Alive
- The Night Comes Down
- Great King Rat
- Jesus
- Liar
- CD3: Queen I Sessions
- Keep Yourself Alive (Trident Take 13 - Unused Master)
- Doing All Right (Trident Take 1 - With Guide Vocal)
- Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Take 1 - With Guide Vocal)
- Mad The Swine (Trident Take 3 - With Guide Vocal)
- My Fairy King (Trident Backing Track In Development)
- Liar (Trident Take 1 – Unused Master)
- The Night Comes Down (De Lane Lea Takes 1 & 2 - With Guide Vocal)
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll (Trident Takes 8 & 9)
- Son And Daughter (Trident Takes 1 & 2 - With Guide Vocal)
- Jesus (De Lane Lea Take 2 - With Guide Vocal)
- Seven Seas Of Rhye… (Trident Take 3)
- See What A Fool I've Been (De Lane Lea Test Session)
- CD4: Queen I Backing Tracks
- Keep Yourself Alive
- Doing All Right
- Great King Rat
- Mad The Swine
- My Fairy King
- Liar
- The Night Comes Down
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll
- Son And Daughter
- Jesus
- Seven Seas Of Rhye…
- CD5: Queen I At The Bbc
- My Fairy King (Bbc Session 1, February 1973)
- Keep Yourself Alive (Bbc Session 1, February 1973)
- Doing All Right (Bbc Session 1, February 1973)
- Liar (Bbc Session 1, February 1973)
- Keep Yourself Alive (Bbc Session 2, July 1973)
- Liar (Bbc Session 2, July 1973)
- Son And Daughter (Bbc Session 2, July 1973)
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll (Bbc Session 3, December 1973)
- Great King Rat (Bbc Session 3, December 1973
- Son And Daughter (Bbc Session 3, December 1973
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll (Bbc Session 4, April 1974)
- CD6: Queen I Live
- Son And Daughter (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Guitar Solo (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Son And Daughter (Reprise) (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Great King Rat (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Keep Yourself Alive (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Drum Solo (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Keep Yourself Alive (Reprise) (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Liar (Live At The Rainbow - March 1974)
- Hangman (Live In San Diego - March 1976)
- Doing All Right (Live In San Diego - March 1976)
- Jesus (Live At Imperial College - August 1970)
- I’m A Man (Live At Imperial College - August 1970)
- 1: Lp Side One: Queen I (2024 Mix)
- Keep Yourself Alive
- Doing All Right
- Great King Rat
- Mad The Swine
- My Fairy King
- 1: Lp Side Two: Queen I (2024 Mix)
- Liar
- The Night Comes Down
- Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll
- Son And Daughter
- Jesus
- Seven Seas Of Rhye
LP[34,41 €]
Queen’s self-titled debut album will be remixed and released this October. This is the first time that a Queen album has been remixed. Retitled Queen I for this release, the front cover’s Queen logo, originally designed by Freddie Mercury, will be updated with the addition of the Roman numeral “I”. The original album was recorded in 1972 and was released in July 1973 on EMI Records in the UK and Elektra in the USA.
Featuring the singles “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Liar”, the album achieved Gold sales in the UK and USA, and has been a fan favourite ever since.
This Collector’s Edition sees the album presented in a whole new light, having been newly mixed from the original multi-track masters, and with the song “Mad The Swine” now reinstated into the album running order in its originally intended place.
The bonus discs that complete the 6CD+1LP set include: De Lane Lea Demos (also newly mixed from the original multi-track masters for the very first time); a CD comprised entirely of previously unreleased Queen I session out-take music and dialogue; a CD of instrumental and backing track versions of the album; a live CD featuring some of the best and most interesting live performances of songs from this album (some of which are previously unreleased); and finally, a disc comprised of Queen I tracks that were recorded for BBC Radio One (including DJ announcements).
Queen I – including “Mad The Swine” – is also presented on 180g black vinyl.
The Collector’s Edition is complemented by the addition of a 108-page 12” hardback book, which features a treasure trove of rare and previously unseen photography, hand-written lyrics, Freddie Mercury’s sketches, and more.
Presented in a rigid two-piece box with fold-out poster and four photo prints
Queen’s self-titled debut album will be remixed and released this October. This is the first time that a Queen album has been remixed. Retitled Queen I for this release, the front cover’s Queen logo, originally designed by Freddie Mercury, will be updated with the addition of the Roman numeral “I”. The original album was recorded in 1972 and was released in July 1973 on EMI Records in the UK and Elektra in the USA.
Featuring the singles “Keep Yourself Alive” and “Liar”, the album achieved Gold sales in the UK and USA, and has been a fan favourite ever since.
This Collector’s Edition sees the album presented in a whole new light, having been newly mixed from the original multi-track masters, and with the song “Mad The Swine” now reinstated into the album running order in its originally intended place.
The bonus discs that complete the 6CD+1LP set include: De Lane Lea Demos (also newly mixed from the original multi-track masters for the very first time); a CD comprised entirely of previously unreleased Queen I session out-take music and dialogue; a CD of instrumental and backing track versions of the album; a live CD featuring some of the best and most interesting live performances of songs from this album (some of which are previously unreleased); and finally, a disc comprised of Queen I tracks that were recorded for BBC Radio One (including DJ announcements).
Queen I – including “Mad The Swine” – is also presented on 180g black vinyl.
The Collector’s Edition is complemented by the addition of a 108-page 12” hardback book, which features a treasure trove of rare and previously unseen photography, hand-written lyrics, Freddie Mercury’s sketches, and more.
Presented in a rigid two-piece box with fold-out poster and four photo prints
Das selbstbetitelte Debütalbum von Queen wird in einer neu abgemischten Fassung als ”Queen I” im Oktober veröffentlicht. Diese Neuauflage präsentiert das Album in einem völlig neuen Licht, da es von den
originalen Mehrspur-Mastern erstmalig als einziges Queen-Album neu abgemischt wurde und somit Hörern
und Fans ein völlig neues Hörerlebnis bietet .
Das Originalalbum wurde 1972 aufgenommen und im Juli 1973 durch EMI Records in Großbritannien
und Elektra in den USA veröffentlicht. Mit den Singles „Keep Yourself Alive“ und „Liar“ erreichte das
Album in Großbritannien und den USA Goldstatus und ist seither bei Queen-Fans ein Klassiker.
MARKETING TAGLINE: „Queen I: Das kultige Debütalbum - neu abgemischt, gemastert, erweitert.“
Die 6CD/1LP Collector’s Edition wird durch ein 108-seitiges, gebundenes Buch ergänzt, das eine Fundgrube seltener und bisher ungesehener Fotos, handgeschriebener Songtexte, Skizzen von Freddie Mercury
und vieles mehr enthält.
Blu’s music has been championed by outlets like XXL, Pitchfork, Okayplayer, HipHopDX, and more. In recent years, he has been interviewed by Billboard, Complex, LA Weekly, Noisey, Red Bull Music Academy, and more. Blu has collaborated with prominent artists like The Roots, Logic, Miguel, MF DOOM, Madlib, Anderson .Paak, Lupe Fiasco, Freddie Gibbs, Aloe Blacc, Roc Marciano, Slum Village, 9th Wonder, and more. Classic 2014 album on gatefold 2LP vinyl, now available after years out of print. Good To Be Home features guest appearances by Evidence, Fashawn, Alchemist, Casey Veggies, MED, Planet Asia, Oh No, Pac Div, Strong Arm Steady, Thurz, Visionaries, Chace Infinite, Cashus King, and more. L.A. rapper Blu burst onto the scene in the late 00s with the widely acclaimed Exile collaboration Below The Heavens, igniting a West Coast hip-hop renaissance in the process. With his cool Cali demeanor and undeniable lyrical talent, Blu drew praise from fans and tastemakers alike, launching a remarkable career that continues thriving to this day. His first ever double album, the 2014 masterpiece Good To Be Home is an essential part of this story. An unapologetic celebration of Los Angeles music and culture, the album takes listeners on a vivid journey through Blu’s storied stomping grounds. With sweeping strings and hypnotic bass lines supplied by producer Bombay, Good To Be Home features a host of West Coast hip-hop luminaries, including Evidence, Fashawn, Alchemist, Casey Veggies, MED, Planet Asia, Oh No, Pac Div, Strong Arm Steady, Thurz, Visionaries, and more. A cohesive collection with 20 tracks and no filler, this classic release is now available again on vinyl after years out of print.
Don’t let the list of stellar sideman gigs (with Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Woody Shaw et al.) make you overlook the solo work of saxophonist Azar Lawrence; for over 45 years he has recorded a string of spiritual ‘n’ soulful jazz albums that come closer to the ethos and aesthetic of John Coltrane than probably any of Lawrence’s contemporaries. Recorded for the legendary Prestige label in 1976, People Moving is his third solo album, and it’s one of his best; it features such luminaries as Lee Ritenour, Patrice Rushen, Harvey Mason, and Mtume on a soaring set of funky tunes produced by a young Skip Scarborough, who would go on to helm recordings by Bobbie Humphrey, Con Funk Shun, and Phyllis Hyman among others. First vinyl reissue!
- A* | Blood (1:08)
- A1: Bullies Of The Block (4:55)
- A2: Everything’s Everything (3:47)
- A3: Shammy’s (4:16)
- A** | Heat Mizer (1:08)
- B1: Six Tray (4:39)
- B2: Danger (3:58)
- B3: Inner City Boundaries (4:39)
- B* | Bomb Zombies (1:06)
- C1: Cornbread (4:21)
- C2: Way Cool (4:22)
- C3: Hot Potato (4:30)
- C4: Mary (3:45)
- C5: Park Bench People (4:59)
- D1: Heavyweights (6:11)
- D* | Tolerate (1:01)
- D2: Respect Due (3:53)
- D3: Pure Thought (3:14)
2024 Repress
Innercity Griots, the second album from Freestyle Fellowship, is perhaps *the* essential West Coast left-field rap album of the early ’90s. Released in 1993 on 4th & Broadway, it’s a towering, progressive hip-hop masterpiece that expanded rap’s boundaries through lyrical elevation and production innovation. Their talent was ahead of everybody else by light years. This is pure b-boy jazz.
The original single vinyl LP is now hideously scarce, and of course the sound suffers from not being officially released as a double. This Be With re-issue fixes both problems, and for completeness also includes “Pure Thought” from the CD version of the album. This incredible display of imaginative hip-hop sounds better than ever.
Freestyle Fellowship were some of the earliest technically dazzling rappers to come out of California. Mikah 9, P.E.A.C.E., Aceyalone and Self Jupiter - along with DJ Kiilu - forged their famed lyrical dexterity in the ultra-competitive crucible of the Good Life Cafe. Founded in Leimert Park, South Central LA in December 1989, this earthy health-food store and cafe was where the city’s finest microphone fiends would gather to showcase their freestyle skills at the Thursday night open-mic.
Innercity Griots has been described as the Rosetta Stone for rap styles. The group’s dense, vibrant wordplay and enviable interplay quickly earned the attention and respect of the city’s hip-hop underground. Frenetically trading acrobatic rhymes with agility and grace, the Fellowship used their voices as instruments like true virtuosos, spraying improvised raps like a Coltrane sax solo.
With the bulk of the album’s production handled by The Earthquake Brothers, and Bambawar, Daddy-O, and Edman taking over for some of the tracks, Innercity Griots dances between organic and programmed music, largely forgoing sampling and instead built around live jazz jams. The likes of Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay” and Miles Davis’s “Black Comedy” were used more as templates for house band The Underground Railroad Band to spiral out from. As Pitchfork noted in their recent 9.0 review of this classic album, “Freestyle Fellowship embodied the style and spirit of jazz on a molecular level. They shared the effortless cool and tough countenance of the great bebop players from the ’50s without verging into jazz-rap parody. Their innate jazziness felt tangible and hard-earned”.
The unusual approach to the music was matched by the Fellowship’s lyrics. Eschewing the tired rap tropes of the time, this multifaceted album instead explores their ruminations on greed and homelessness, weed, sex, survival, insecurity and tribalism.
Remastered by Simon Francis for double vinyl and cut by Pete Norman, we hope this long-overdue re-issue of Innercity Griots satisfies the legions of fans that have since been bewitched by the majesty of this record. It should also introduce some new listeners to yet another overlooked classic.
2024 Reissue
Although he rose to prominence in the NYC jazz scene, working as Nina Simone's exclusive touring pianist, he never blossomed as a solo artist, so he decided to take the plunge and create "Liberated Brother" on his own. This work, which was completed in just 2 days of rehearsal and 5 hours of recording with trusted musicians, is an important work that instantly boosted his popularity as a composer!
The opening title track, "Liberated Brother," is a Latin-taste instrumental covered by Weldon's mentor, Horace Silver. Freddie Hubbard, J.J.Johnson, Peter Hervorzeimer and others have covered "Mr. Clean", which has a complex melody but a memorable phrase. Stanley Turrentine covered jazz-funk "Sister Sanctified" with comical synth phrases, and the version was re-evaluated with the sampling of Boogie Down Productions' "My Philosophy". The album "A Tribute to Brother Weldon" released in 2004 on Stones Throw after Weldon's death covers Blakestra. And jazz funk with a strong blues taste, "Homey" is a super classic that was heavily played on the dance floor in the 90's. The simple and groovy drums with few sounds and the melancholy melodica played by Weldon are cool and very sophisticated songs, and I agree that it was useful in the rare groove scene.
A work that triggered the recognition of his talent as a composer, with such a large number of masterpieces recorded. Don't miss this opportunity!
LEE MOSES is a cult figure amongst rare funk and deep soul collectors with his lone album, Time And Place, the holy grail of his brief but majestic recording legacy. Despite working with the likes of Eddie Billups, King Hannibal, Freddie Terrell, Barbara Hall and Gladys Knight & The Pips, he remains obscure and yet revered. He recorded just eight singles over a period of eight years and scratched a living playing the bars and R&B clubs in Atlanta. “Bad Girl” is a funk/soul masterpiece that is heavily in demand around the world as the three million views on YouTube lays testament. It was recorded in New York in 1967 and is produced by the legendary Johnny Brantley who captures the very soul of Moses in every tortured second of this 5-minute opus that stretches over both sides of the 45.



















