Suche:funk lab

We’re proud to present the sixth record of our limited series, which marks the 15th year of our label.
On the A side we have legendary Analogue Cops with their track “Iron fist”: a raw-acid jam with a funk sample which makes this so unique and special.
A2 is all about Bologna finest Dj Rou with his “051 Deep Journey”: the title speaks itself for this hot track that matches soulful pads and funky high keys.
On the B side we have Riviera resistance: label owner Alessio Collina and Deep House master Deep88.
“Spoken Randomly” by Alessio Collina is pure House without compromises: old-school bassline, floating pads and a neverending groove.
“Darlin” by Deep88 is a pure bliss: melancholic atmosphere, dreamy strings and arpeggiated synths which make this jam deeper than expected.

Second volume of the "Rebirth of jazz" series, VISIONS explores an even wider sound territory, which connects the 90s to today, between hip-hop, soul, electro and hybrid jazz. More than just a compilation, the album brings together generations of artists able to transform their influences into sensitive, generous and singular works. From Léna C. to Dj Mat and The Excitements, through Moar, Lou Blic & Prof Jah Pinpin or Joël Brown, each piece draws a soundscape where spirituality, groove and organic poetry intersect. A musical manifesto open to emotion and beauty, like the vision of the Rebirth On Wax label.

How about a volley of hydraulic heaters from one of Denmark’s finest?

Already a man of many projects, both on the label side and in the studio, Natal Zaks has minted a brand-new alias… Enter Aquafaba, the ocean floor operator kicking it on a subaqueous tip.

Not many moving like this today. Properly submerged techno, masterful and ultra-essential by Aquafaba, self-monikered after the starchy, liquid byproduct of cooking chickpeas. Patrick Star would be proud for sure.

From Aarhus to the deepest ocean trenches in pursuit of that fathoms-below sound. Nods to the Midwest – chiefly mid-’90s Robert Hood and Cajmere’s ‘Percolator’ – felt in parts, but it’s also riddled with ultra-engrossing detail. Zaks goes heavy with the effects as tracky rollers are propelled to new mesmeric heights, even allowing for a moment of proper widescreen ascension.

Heads-down dynamixxx in full effect as we harness immense hydraulic power. Eschewing instant dancefloor gratification, Zaks emerges with tension and funk, like only the finest strains of techno can achieve.

Meltdown Deejays Recordings, a long-standing pillar of Finland’s underground scene, continues its beautiful streak with Kitkatone. Known for his stripped yet soulful productions, the Helsinki-based artist delivers four timeless cuts that capture the label’s spirit, honest, functional, and deeply musical.
Four tracks that balance tight drum programming with a dry sense of funk, shaping a sound that’s both stripped and full of motion.
No tricks, no drama, just proper dancefloor tools from start to finish.
Mixners and Slidey Thingys flows effortlessly between house and techno, balancing raw rhythm and subtle groove. A record full of character, made for DJs who appreciate precision, warmth, and that unmistakable Meltdown touch.

Following the acclaimed reissue of Sa Discossa earlier this year, Jo Tongo's third solo album Those Flowers returns to the spotlight.

Originally released just a year and a half after Sa Discossa, this 1982 gem came out on the small Context label and, in Tongo's own words, the two records are "like twins." Recorded with many of the same musicians, Those Flowers continues the vibrant fusion of disco-funk and reggae - this time dedicating one side to each, leaning slightly more into his Western influences.

But there's more than groove beneath the surface. Tracks like "People Need Peace" and "We Human Beings" channel his enduring themes of resistance, identity, and freedom. The synthesizer at the beginning of the song mimics the ominous drone of warplanes, and lyrics speak directly to global struggles - reminders that his music is both deeply personal and powerfully political. "I paid for these ideals in my career," Tongo reflects, alluding to the personal costs of his outspoken stance against colonialism and injustice.

Still, Those Flowers carries joy at its heart. Songs like "Ain't No Man Like A Real Friend" celebrate trust and loyalty, while the title track offers a tender ode to love and kindness - "picking flowers from the soul," as Tongo puts it. These songs reveal the inner world of a man who has always viewed music as a mirror of life.

This reissue marks the second installment in the African Edge series from The Outer Edge label. Fully restored and remastered, Those Flowers is now set to bloom again - another vital chapter in the legacy of Jo Tongo.

Synaptic Cliffs is barely able to contain the excitement for the release of the 4-track EP "Maximalism" where pdqb collaborates with DJ Sotofett in the most effective way. pdqb's sleek and melancholic electro originals carry a sexy 1980s reminiscing vibe, not too unknown from classic US electro disco-styled pop music. They meet warehouse remixes from DJ Sotofett, known for his top-notch electro productions on Clone and Tresor, as well as funky breakbeat, afro-dub and all-things-house on his own labels Wania and Sex Tags Mania. The remix of pdqb's electrocognition-beauty 'Giallactrus' has heavier, almost p-funk styled electro beats, live scratching complementing the block party approach while retaining the vibe of the original. Elysiaamore, pdqb's sonic love letter to Tangerine Dream, gets a bit of melodic menace treatment by DJ Sotofett, turning it into an intensified breakbeat juxtaposition with Junglized B-Boy elements... again without taking away the energy from the original. The vinyl version was cut by DJ Sotofett with optimal club sonics at Manmade Mastering, Berlin.

Mumbai-based musician, producer, and DJ NATE08 returns with his sophomore album Twenty Seven - a luminous fusion of r&b, deep house, and funk-leaning grooves, pressed to a single 140g LP in black vinyl.

Three years on from his acclaimed debut Furaha (which featured the breakout hit “Primrose” with over 7 million streams), NATE08 expands his sonic palette with Twenty Seven: a radiant collection of tracks that balance soul-soaked vocals, late-night basslines, and warm, sun-drenched production.

NATE08, aka Nathan Thomas, has become a central figure in Mumbai’s thriving underground, working as a session bass player, live performer, and genre-spanning DJ, while making an international impact through releases on label Needwant. Twenty Seven captures his full range: both organic and synthetic, smooth yet floor-ready, always driven by heartfelt groove.

From the dreamy opener “You’re The Reason” featuring Mary Ann Alexander’s velvety tones, to the nostalgic glow of lead single “Where Are You Tonight” (feat. Dishaan & Mallika), the album unfolds like a love letter to house music’s emotional core. Highlights include the syrupy r&b/house hybrid “Afterlife” (feat. Dappest), the golden-hour deep house shimmer of “Call Me Back” (feat. Sahirah), and the soul-drenched “What Was It” featuring Jamal Bucanon. Closing track “Stay” wraps it all with soft-focus chords and a bumpy, irresistible groove.

Twenty Seven is a sophisticated and inviting journey across mood, tempo, and texture, showcasing NATE08’s gift for weaving melody, rhythm, and soul into music that speaks equally to the dance floor and the heart.

The Break Cracker returns with a double sided delight for all funky, latin and soulful DJs with some tried and tested sure shots - showcasing two sides of latin club sounds

On one side- an extended version (33% extra!) of a Latin-soul crossover classic from New York in the late 60s. Originally issued on a Fania LP and then on their subsidiary Uptite label for a 45 release. It really gained attention in forward thinking soul clubs in the early 2000’s with its soulful vocals combined with a familiar riff - and now the original 45 now commands a hefty price tag - with sales up to the four figures GBP bracket

The flip sees an edit of a lesser known 1970s Latino funk bomb - chopped and looped for devastating dancefloor action - as witnessed on dub plate action over the last 6 months at select clubs and venues. From B-Boys to Jazz Dancers - to the Salsa familia - this whips up an instant storm anywhere !

Hot Creations Autumn 2025 Vinyl Sampler featuring four of the Hottest recent release on Hot Creations.

When Jamie Jones and Nicole Moudaber first collaborated on Hot Creations in 2020 with ‘Pepper Shake’, five years on, the pair return with ‘Where All My People’, a powerful anthem that merges Jamie’s signature groove-led style with Nicole’s unmistakable drive and energy. The record is further elevated by the infectious vocals of London-based duo House Of Molly, ‘Where All My People’ is a celebration of rhythm, anchored by a rolling bassline and crisp percussion that form a tight, understated groove. House of Molly’s commanding vocal hook runs through the track like a thread of energy, adding a human touch that feels both intimate and anthemic. Marking his second outing on Hot Creations, OMRI. is back with ‘Release The Pressure’, a pulsating, groove-driven heater made for full-throttle moments featuring Benny Ola on vocals. Crisp percussion, hooky vocals, sharp synths, and low-end pressure come together in a track that simmers with controlled intensity.

On the flip Joshwa makes a much-anticipated return to Hot Creations with ‘Lost In Music’ which reimagines a timeless disco classic through a contemporary house lens, delivering textured percussion, sparkling funk-laced synths, and an infectious groove that captures the euphoria of sweat-drenched dancefloors.As Hot Creations celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2025, label co-founder Lee Foss makes a long-awaited return to the imprint for the first time in half a decade with a powerful new collaboration alongside Colorado based talent GS5. ‘In The Ghetto’ hits with low-slung swagger and vibrant vocal energy, channelling a bass-heavy strut and hypnotic vocal loops that nod to early Hot Creations flavours while pushing into contemporary terrain.

The Finnish imprint Vuo Records continues its exploration of deep dub techno textures with Split Dubs Vol. 2, an essential follow-up to the series that bridges timeless atmospheres and dancefloor-focused grooves. This time, Gradient, Star Dub, and label-head Tm Shuffle join forces for four heavyweight cuts that perfectly capture the label’s raw, analog spirit.
Gradient opens the record with “Stone Jungle”, a masterclass in restraint and tension, the kind of dub techno that feels alive in its own pulse, crafted from only the bare essentials yet rich in texture and movement. Tm Shuffle’s Housedubreshapes the original with reverb-soaked accents and elastic low-end energy, turning it into a deep, head-nodding trip tailor-made for late-night systems.
On the flip, Star Dub delivers “Rubber Dub”, a funk-infused roller driven by breaky percussion, floating echoes, and a deep-rooted bassline that vibrates straight through the chest. Once again, Tm Shuffle takes the controls for the remix, pushing the dub dimension even further: thick layers of delay, washed-out atmospheres, and sub-heavy pressure built for those endless outdoor jams and sweaty basement sessions.
Split Dubs Vol. 2 embodies everything Vuo Records stands for, authentic, handcrafted dub techno from Finland’s underground. Warm, analog, and irresistibly groovy, this record continues the label’s commitment to pushing deep frequencies into new, soulful territory.

Blue note / Schema / Far Out recordings artist shares a new compilation of golden age italian library music.

Following his acclaimed five-part Viagem compilation series celebrating Brazil's forgotten bossa nova and samba jazz, Far Out, Blue Note and Schema recording artist and international DJ Nicola Conte turns his curatorial attention homeward with Viaggio, an extraordinary exploration of Italy's library music renaissance 1970-79.

The 12-track compilation spotlights the remarkable creative explosion that occurred during the seventies: when some of the greatest yet most historically overlooked composers, including Amedeo Tommasi, Alessandro Alessandroni and Max Rocci, were composing and recording huge amounts of original music for film and television libraries.

Unlike commercial releases designed for mass consumption, library music was created specifically to accompany images on screen. This meant creative freedom for composers who imagined scenarios, feelings and worlds to soundtrack. Pressed in limited quantities, these recordings were distributed only to internal circles of music supervisors, journalists, and television professionals – making them virtually invisible to the general public for decades.

"This is a journey through a largely forgotten world," explains Conte. "While major jazz recording opportunities were scarce, an incredible network of small labels owned by publishing companies – often created by the composers themselves – began to flourish. This created an open space where musicians could express more experimental and free thinking sounds."

At the heart of Viaggio stands Amedeo Tommasi, the sophisticated jazz pianist who emerged in 1960 backing international stars like Chet Baker, Bobby Jaspar, and Jacques Pelzer. Tommasi was among Italy's earliest artists to introduce Black US modal jazz influences, and when traditional recording opportunities dwindled, he pivoted to soundtrack and library music, helping define a distinctly Italian sound that bridged experimental jazz with the emerging possibilities afforded by developments in synthesizer and recording technologies.

The compilation features rare gems from small label outputs, namely the Cenacolo and Rotary label catalogs. Tommasi's contemporaries include the great Alessandro Alessandroni and his vocalist wife Giulia De Mutiis (Kema), Stefano Torrosi (under the alias Farlocco - meaning fake/phony), and Belgian composer Joël Vandroogenbroeck. The recordings capture the technological evolution of the era as beguiling synthesis often combines with global influences spanning Brazilian rhythms, jazz-funk explorations, and Middle Eastern scales.

"You can hear both the haunting melodies and sun-kissed atmospheres so typical of Italian culture from that era," Conte observes. "Some of these albums could have been proper artist releases, while others were specifically designed for accompanying images on screen, yet all were crafted with exploratory creativity that still resonates powerfully today."

Coast-to-coast stripped back hypnotic techno with a funky edge.

Words from the label:

NYC’s premiere live techno maestro, Kanyon dials in three cerebral melters on the A-side that resemble the spiraling sound design of early Surgeon releases with his signature locked groove approach. Headbanger cuts from a hardware rockstar.

B.ROD hits the B-side with a Sterac-like touch that showcases the ease of his West Coast finesse. Both “Exit” and “Down With It” will be a TIP! for all long-blend DJs and perfectly molded for the turntable jugglists too. Vinylists take note!

During the 35 years of making music, Dave Lee has constantly been searching for new singers and writers to work with. A search that’s ended up with many fantastic collaborations and releases with the likes of Thelma Houston, Taka Boom, Dianne Charlemagne and Seal. More recently this quest led him to Maurissa Rose and the creation of their album ‘London / Detroit’. After hearing Maurissa's voice on a Theo Parrish record Dave reached out to her and after a few long phone conversations and mp3 swaps they both agreed a visit to London would be much more fun than trying to work together remotely. Maurissa made the journey from her home in Detroit to write and record an album with Dave at his studio in March 2022 - as they both feel that creating music together in the same room is always better. The fruits of their labour yielded 11 brand new songs (and 1 cover) tapping into their collective love of Soul, Disco and R&B, with a sprinkle of Soulful House. This album is a special one for Dave Lee as it’s the first time in his career he’s recorded an entire album with same singer on every track.

In the album’s liner notes Dave talks of how Maurissa is a naturally creative person, full of ideas, warm & unpretentious which is reflected in her vocal performances throughout ‘London / Detroit’. Dave’s expertly crafted music is backed up with a deeply passionate yet effortless delivery from the Detroiter, a marker of someone who has honed and perfected their art. When it comes to the music side of this LP, Dave Lee is once again proving he’s still at the top of his game and shows no sign of relenting. Drawing from his encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Soul/Funk/Disco, we are treated to a range of styles, BPMs and influences from 95bpm street soul to more uptempo disco and boogie flavours. Be it the rippling synth voyage opener of ‘You Decide’, taking the Johnnie Taylor classic ‘What About My Love’ into a modern Boogie realm, upping the tempo on the soulful houser ‘I Feel the Sun” or bringing the tempo back down to the bassy acidic chug of ‘You’re Giving Me Life’. Mr Lee is truly adept at creating a modern disco soul sound without the usage of samples.

London and Detroit might be two very different cities on opposite sides of the Atlantic but this album is proof that creative synergy knows no distance.

Out everywhere on Feb 28th on Gatefold Vinyl, CD and Digital/Streaming.

A surefire Salsoul classic and comfortably one of the label's finest moments, the self-titled LP from The Strangers was originally released in that golden year of 1983 and is one of the greatest albums of the post-disco era. It’s one of Be With's favourite ever LPs and it's a complete honour to be giving it our reissue treatment.

Still strangely overlooked but not for much longer, The Strangers contains flawless tracks with truly top tier production and includes the eternal Paradise Garage favourite "Step Into My Dream."

Are they Strangers to us? Well, no, they shouldn't be. The Strangers were a US electronic-funk studio concept group comprising Edward "Tree" Moore, Howard King and Hubert Eaves III, all key members of Mtume and Gary Bartz NTU Troop and, in the case of Eaves, one half of D-Train.

Now I KNOW you're gonna dig this!

We kick off with the dope electro-funk of "Wanna Take Your Body" which features Gary Bartz on sax (!) and becomes more sensational and irresistible the longer it plays. The wonky super-bomb "Let Me Take You Home" has a punk-funk, post-Prince feel, driving and delicate all at the same time while "Show Me How You Like It" is pure FUNK, the groove just pure fire.

Side B is perfection. It kicks off with the NTS favourite "Love Rescue", a track so slick it positively SLAPS out the gate and, while it bangs throughout, the vocals and melodies elevate this to the status of EMOTIONAL POP.

Next up, "Step Out Of My Dream" swaggers forth, the undisputed masterpiece that was huge with the London DJs and UK Soul fraternity; it's not hard to see why. It's a gliding, smooth, soulful piece of once-in-a-lifetime magic.

When Leng Records founders Paul ‘Mudd’ Murphy and Simon Purnell marked the imprint’s 10th birthday, they did so via a celebratory compilation that mixed classic catalogue cuts, remixes and exclusives. Five years on, and with the label’s 15th birthday upon us, they’ve decided to look to the future via a compilation made up entirely of fresh productions from Leng’s roster of current and new artists. Presented on limited-edition gatefold double vinyl with a bonus 10” single, the collection offers an updated showcase of Leng’s much-loved trademark sound, a distinctive fusion of mid-tempo sleazy-disco, Balearica and chugging house interspersed with elements of electronic psychedelia and synth-powered space disco. Fittingly for a compilation that wholeheartedly looks to the future, you’ll find first contributions from a handful of label newcomers.

Fast-rising duo Flying Mojito Bros give their spin on ‘Smoke Signals’ by label debutants Joe HarveyWhyte and Bobby Lee, turning in a heady and inspired revision that sits somewhere between dusk-ready cosmic disco and flash-fried desert blues. There’s also an appearance from Swedish producer Bo Wosticz with the dreamy and ultra-deep nu-jazz of ‘Bs As’. Naturally, you’ll also find plenty of heat from those who have already proved their mettle through prior releases on Leng. Danish duo Liminal, who made their debut earlier this year with the much-played ‘Keep Coming Back To Me’, open proceedings with the tactile, slow-disco flex of ‘Tzatziki Bay’ where sweet synth melodies and a heady electric piano riff ride a warming groove.

Roberto Intrallazzi and Dario Piana from Italy’s original Afro-cosmic movement return with ‘Plutos’, a typically deep dubbed-out cosmic chugger. Then there’s Rose Robinson AKA Tigerbalm, whose ‘Mexicana’ featuring singer Joi N’Juno is presented across the package in two different forms. Pete Herbert, who contributed to some of the earliest Leng releases, drops a driving dub disco take on the main compilation, while Robinson’s original mix – a more organic, percussive and horn-heavy affair blessed with plenty of hallucinatory intent – opens the bonus 10”.

There’s a welcome return to Leng for the brilliant Payfone, whose ‘Dime Algo’ is a typically classy, analogue-rich affair in which attractive Rhodes riffs, atmospheric female vocals and pitched-down house pianos rise above shuffling drum machine beats and a slow-motion bassline. Long-serving label contributor Lex (Athens) delivers the loose-limbed nu-disco breeze of ‘Stolen Dance’, while the imprint’s San Francisco connection – the ever-brilliant 40 Thieves collective – drop the dubbed-out Bay Area brilliance of ‘Such A Great Trip’.

Then there are the contributions of the label’s most storied artist, Andrew Meecham AKA Emperor Machine with ‘Eumig’, a deliciously slow, synth-rich chugger full of colourful chords, bubbly electronic melodies and jaunty electronic bass. Then, to round off the bonus 10” single, Meecham joins forces with Paul Murphy (as Mudd) on ‘Road To Nikko’, an extended, Japanese musical culture-influenced slab of pitched-down alien-funk packed to the rafters with squelchy synth sounds, effects-laden percussion, chiming melodies and rubbery bass guitar.

A song about Colostomy - from the opening bars you might think so. but it gets worse. 'X rated' stuff.
the label say 'Djoko is no stranger to Voyage Direct. Having first appeared on the label way back in 2012, he's returned numerous times since, becoming an integral member of the imprint's growing family of artists. Elsewhere, he's delivered material on Tuskegee, Mobilee and Leftroom, amongst others, developing an approach that takes inspiration from numerous styles of house and techno. However, little he's previously released can match the raw, eyebrow-raising lust and sexually charged funk of Dirty Talk'.

Driven forward by Djoko's sleazy, whispered spoken word vocal, the original version combines the rubbery, bass-heavy rhythms of classic, Dance Mania-style ghetto house, the delay-laden guitar flashes of vintage NYC proto-house, and the kind of darting, funk-fuelled keys - provided by fellow Dutch producer Kid Sublime - that recall the glory days of '80s electrofunk. Djoko provides an alternate version in the shape of the thrusting, stripped-back Club Dub', with his breathy Accapella' rounding off the A-side.

On the flip, two Voyage Direct stalwarts take it in turns to rework the track. First up is label boss Tom Trago, who builds on Djoko's elastic percussion with some dense new drum hits of his own. These are combined with spacey synths and sharp string stabs, giving Dirty Talk' a more classic techno/house fusion flavour. In contrast, Werner uses the opportunity to turn in a triple-X-rated interpretation full of bounding, Chicago-influenced beats, intergalactic pads, sleazy acid lines, and sweaty, surging drum fills. It's a fittingly breathless remix.'

A must have double sider from Harvey Scales & The Seven Seas, containing two of the rarest tracks from their much sought after back catalogue. Originals have sold for eye watering sums of over £1700 in the past, attaining to its rarity but also the sheer quality of the music pressed into its grooves. ‘Trying To Survive’ is one of the great social-consciousness anthems and a slice of pure lyrical genius, whilst ‘Bump Your Thang’ hits with a heavy funk workout, channelling James Brown-esque energy in Chicago shoes. Red label version original black sleeve.

Swedish DJ, producer and songwriter Johan Blende debuts on Hell Yeah with a journey to the heart of a grown-up dancefloor in the Med.

Blende is a master of mixing up retro 70s and 80s sound into modern dancefloor delights. He's been doing it for two decades on a wide range of cultured labels from Studio Barnhus to Eskimo, always with a rare charm and leftfield perceptive. With this EP, he taps into the magic of hazy afternoons turning into euphoric evenings by the sea.

'Off To Mallorca' jangles with taught bass notes and sunburnt vocals. Distant synths glow, the jumbled percussion injects just the right dose of ass-wiggling funk and this playful yet sophisticated cut builds toward a blissful rapture. 'Television' ups the ante with prickly acid panning about the mix over sleazy, low-slung drums. Tension simmers as edgy synth motifs stalk the groove and anticipation builds before the whole thing explodes into a cosmic disco payoff. It's raw, unpredictable, and perfect for when things start to get a little weird.

'Como No Brasil' gazes skyward and basks in a wash of shimmering melodies and breezy, wordless vocals that drift like clouds over layered, sun-drenched rhythms. It’s a dreamy, tropical float until a surprise acid storm rolls in and moves things from tranquil paradise to dancefloor hypnosis. Finally, 'Carousel Bagatelle' is a layered, late-night trip that feels both playful and introspective. Hypnotic synths swirl around screwy acid lines and supple, dubbed-out house drums that spin you into a daze.

Blende’s debut on Hell Yeah lands like a postcard from a perfect party - sun-dazed, acid-kissed and endlessly replayable.

Audiotech is one of the many visionary aliases of Juan Atkins, the Detroit pioneer widely recognized as one of the originators of techno. Originally released in 1987 on Express Records, "I'm Your Audio Tech" captures a crucial moment in the evolution of electronic music -- when raw machine funk and futuristic minimalism merged to form the Detroit sound. Now, nearly four decades later, this classic returns newly remastered and presented for the first time on Metroplex, the label founded by Atkins himself. The reissue preserves the deep pulse and metallic warmth of the original, giving new clarity to its hypnotic basslines and mechanized rhythm patterns that defined an era of innovation. A timeless piece of Detroit's musical DNA -- meticulously restored for a new generation of listeners and collectors.

Esteemed soul man of Panama Mr. Ralph Weeks has in recent years been enjoying a much overdue retrospective of his remarkable six decades-long musical journey with the help of Names You Can Trust. Now onto their fifth record release together since 2019, the label has covered both Weeks' original holy grail material as well as re-cuts and reimagining of some of his rarefied and unreleased songs.

One of Mr. Weeks' two iconic 45 releases on Panamanian label Sally Ruth was a funky soul side called "Let Me Do My Thing," originally recorded in 1971 as Weeks' answer to Charles Wright's big tune "Express Yourself," which had just hit the airwaves in 1970. Weeks' musical response would help define his legacy. He was gonna express himself, he was gonna Do His Thing. This golden age ultimatum recorded with the Dynamic Exciters of Panama as the backing band was a simple, straight ahead number with a defining message that would be carried on throughout Weeks' independent career. The funkified air and creative freedom of the original tune is a prime example of the crossover Combos Nationales sound that flourished in the prolific Panama recording industry of the era, and in the ensuing decades Weeks' tune would live on as a cherished rare groove for souleros, funk fans, and bootleggers alike.

Fast forward to 2023, when Ralph Weeks and Names You Can Trust prepared for a Bay Area appearance at the wonderful Latinos Con Soul weekender put on by San Francisco's Discodelic record shop, the groundwork was laid in the studio for a revival, a reawakening of Weeks' funky fan favorite. A spectacular ensemble of NYCT's All-Star artists and alumni was convened in the studio, including Caito Sánchez on drums, Victor Axelrod (Daptone Records) on clavinet and Sam Day Harmet (La Banda Chuska) on guitar. Anant Pradhan (The Skatalites), Eric Biondo (The Budos Band) and Alex Asher (Los Cumpleaños) occupied the brass section, and Ralph Weeks even lent his still formidable chops on electric bass and keyboards, a little OG flare to back up his silky voice with a deft musical touch. What came out of the sessions was a chance for NYCT to pay homage to Weeks' iconic original, without replacing it, and build a brand new version from the ground up with the maestro and composer himself!

Limited to 200 pieces. Each record comes on heavy 180g vinyl, handnumbered and with an exclusive art print inside. Launching both his debut record and the very first release on brand-new label Tennis Is Good, Justus Rokah kicks things off with the Disco Fizz EP.

The title track blends soul, funk and disco into a sparkling groove – a Motowninspired homage to Sektmate, evoking rooftop sunsets and live jam vibes straight out of the ’70s. Warm, musical, and made to get you vibing.

On the flip, Tennis Is Good (the duo of Justus Rokah & Flemming Bassedow) strip things down for the floor: a raw, driving house rework with pumping bassline, grinding kick and Detroit-tinged chords. Pure underground energy designed for peak-time moments. A strong first statement from Rokah – bridging soul, disco and house in his very own style.

Danny Krivit pairs a powerful reworking of a rare groove classic with a NYC boogie classic on this highly useful single from the ever-reliable Most Excellent Unlimited. Billy Paul’s ‘East’ was the opening track on the very first Philadelphia International Records LP release from Gamble and Huff’s legendary label. Written by bassist Tyrone Brown, it naturally has a monster bass groove that Mr. K makes the centerpiece of his DJ-friendly rework, which tightens the tempo while retaining the spiritual vibe of the original. Final Edition move us to the dancefloors of early 80s NYC with their ‘Can’t Keep Running Away’, a musical halfway point between the disco funk of the 70s and the boogie sound to come. Krivit’s edit pares the song down to its propulsive highlights, with the catchy chorus taking centre stage. As always, these handpicked classics from the crates of the renowned Mr. Krivit are mastered and pressed to the highest standards with the dancefloor in mind!

Punching in with his debut vinyl EP for Fluid Funk, Chilean house producer Massiande follows up to a string of head-turning releases on an array of labels, including Jimpster’s Freerange Records. His much anticipated new offering, “Essential”, packs all the attributes of his vivid, floor-focussed vision, taking us on a bouncy ride across densely forested coastal house scapes and heavy-lidded electronics. Draped in washed-out pads and cottony textures, Massiande’s tracks have us floating in a chromatic daze of sorts, light-hearted and somewhat nostalgic, but above all hopeful and resilient.

A textbook slab of Massiande’s ever-expanding palette of woozy house tropes and silken disco touch, A1 “Tears” (also presented in bare instrumental form on the flip side B2) has it all, from the euphonic synths arrangements to the no-nonsense, club-igniting jack and irresistible footwork, via the infectious bass and Chicago-style soulfulness of its vocals. Proper fiery number and absolute weapon for any DJ seeking either impactful elegance in a peak-time context or to rekindle the flame when the after gets a bit too prosaic and requires that extra funky boost to get back on tracks. Grooviness exemplified.

More of a straightforward affair, A2 “Essential” unflappably beckons us on the path of utter vaporous escapology with its pulsating tableau of FX-soaked machine talk, semi-acidic bass and zero-G synthwork painting the sky all shades of pastel. The result is a rather captivating piece of weightlessly intuitive though carefully engineered sonic daydream. Injecting further oomph to the groove, B1 “Come On” pulls out a symbiotic collage of Sino-flavoured melody, Stax-ian vox sampling and straight out Detroit house-indebted propulsion, neatly showcasing both Massiande’s broad spectrum of influences and that idiosyncratic take of his on the said genres’ tried-and-tested leitmotivs.

The third installment in Lance Ferguson's acclaimed Rare Groove Spectrum series builds on the success of Vol. 1 & 2, offering a fresh set of reimagined classics. From '70s Australian jazz-funk and Latin-fusion to big band soul and golden-era funk, Ferguson blends crate-digger sensibilities with modern studio craft.

Standout cuts include bold reworks of Idris Muhammad, Billie Eilish, Jungle, Billy Brooks and more, with the focus track "Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong" delivering a Gene Harris reinterpretation infused with Bossa Nova and Brasil '66 flair. Showcasing Ferguson's mastery as a multi-instrumentalist and arranger, the album brims with rich, cinematic productions throughout.

Selling Points

Known for projects The Bamboos, Menagerie, Lanu — widely regarded as one of Australia's most versatile producers.
Previously released 45 full-length albums and 100+ singles/remixes across labels including Atlantic, Universal, Sony, BMG, Tru Thoughts, and Ubiquity.
7× ARIA Award & 5× APRA Music Award nominations.
Co-writer/producer of the global hit "This Girl" by Kungs vs Cookin' On 3 Burners
#1 in 10+ countries
1.27 billion Spotify streams & 545M YouTube views
Multi-Platinum & Diamond certifications worldwide.
Collaborations with Aloe Blacc, Roy Ayers, Alice Russell, Durand Jones, Quantic, Joey Dosik and more.
Music featured in 200+ compilations and major syncs, including CSI NYC, Grey's Anatomy, Homeland, Suits, and House of Cards.

First Word Records are very proud to bring you 'Ghouls', the 6th studio album from Bastien Keb.

Through the reflective and introspective multi-mood journey of its 19-tracks, this album spans psychedelic-chamber-funk, warped anti-ballads, cinematic instrumentals, Ethio-jazz & ethereal ambience.

Part soundtrack, part beat-tape, part memoir, this is a dreamlike soundscape sewn together from half-forgotten memories & late night breakdowns.

Entirely sample-free, this album is full to the brim with musical experimentation, with Keb's compulsion to make all the individual pieces of music independently; combining strings, harps, saxophones, theremins, clarinets, flutes and trumpets.

He signals to the fuzzy, nostalgic nebulous of mid '90s skate videos, as well as harking back to the scores & moods of movies like The French Connection, Taxi Driver, The Warriors and La Haine. There are whispers of sounds in the air from jazz clubs, street preachers & Turkish restaurants.

Keb describes the sonic experience of this album simply as this… "You're half awake, and half asleep, but you're warm…"

For this 19-track opus, Keb is joined extensively by Malik Ameer Crumpler; a poet, composer, editor and professor based in Paris, who's been involved in numerous albums while writing for various forms of experimental media.

A multi-instrumentalist originally from the Midlands, Bastien Keb (aka Sebastian Jones) previously released his highly-acclaimed album '22.02.85' on First Word back in 2017; this new album being a very welcome return to the Worldwide Award-winning UK independent label.

His music has been widely supported across BBC Radio in the past by DJs including Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Huw Stephens, Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, Mary Anne Hobbs, Nemone and Tom Ravenscroft. This is in addition to glowing press reviews from the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian and The Line Of Best Fit.

He's built up a steady fanbase through his extensive catalogue over the years, with material for labels like Def Pressé, Gearbox, One-Handed Music and most recently for Shabaka Hutchings' Native Rebel Recordings imprint, on a collaborative project with South London's Confucius MC (Speakers Corner Quartet).

Keb concludes "this record is for anyone feeling lost in a world that seems to have lost itself without knowing it. It's for the people who know that the world is missing the beauty of the lights in the distance, whilst being distracted by new shoes and flashy phones..."

'Ghouls' is due to be released on vinyl & digital worldwide, November 14th 2025.

It's time to set those jaws to wobble mode as this funky favourite label is back with more serious sounds for the disco, this time from Hysteric. 'Italo Mystery Theme' is a brilliant timewarp to the 80s with its overtly streamy and seductive vocals over neat guitars and stepping disco drums with lush chords. 'After Dark' is more breezy and hip-swinging with its airy vocals and wet claps, then 'Sugar Daddy Again' brings rugged analogue bass sounds and snappy drums under some erotic vocal work. 'All Right' shuts down with a UK street soul-cum-disco groover that's lit up with nice neon chords.

Pacific Northwest native and a mainstay of the Portland and Seattle scenes since the late 90s, Trevor Vichas, now becomes part of the Selections label family with the sort of smooth cruising EP that will quickly become a staple in the record bags of deep house heads. 'With You' opens with the sort of gentle, meandering chords that get you daydreaming while the subtle sax lines add some soul to a warm groove. London's Max Sinal of Soul Quest Records remixes with extra drive, then 'Your Love' brings a Terrence Parker-style soul to the EP. Rising Toronto DJ and producer Nicholas Nothing adds a more funky perspective to round out a diverse and delicious EP.

DJ Support: Axel Boman, Coyote, Rune Lindbaek, Dr Rob (Ban Ban Ton Ton), Lefto, Johan Blende, Feel Fly, Marco Gallerani and many more

Secret Soul Society, aka South Wales's Cal Gibson, continues his red-hot streak of form with four original jams for Hell Yeah that effortlessly weave decades of influences into intimate, unusual sounds that go from Balearic daydreams to after-hours soul burners.

Gibson was one-half of Nottingham's deep house and downtempo outfit Neon Heights back in the 2000s, a collective that label head Marco has long admired. He has landed here before with the superb Keep The Mystique in 2023, a 15-track collection of brand new curveball cuts built from lovingly sourced samples. Since then, he has continued to collide jazz, funk, Afro, beats, dub, soul and reggae on Paper Wave and Magic Wand.

'To Be Happy' opens with gentle, sun-soaked grooves, swirling keys and dreamy pads that evoke a hazy Mediterranean sunset. Nostalgic soul samples tug at the heart while the track’s laid-back vibe is perfect for golden-hour moments. 'Orange Surprise' is a magical slice of downtempo bliss with hints of romantic vocals. It's built on soft broken rhythms and drifts between ambient soul and laid-back electronica, perfect for introspective moments or late-night winding down.

'Keep On Trying' flips the script with more texture. The synths are crystalline, the pads are sugary, and the meandering bassline unfolds in wonky fashion while soft male vocals bring a steamy edge. Last but not least, 'What You Do To Me' is funky and slow motion disco with 80s synths and reverb that drowns you in good vibes.

This EP is Secret Soul Society at his most expressive and emotive.

Kai Alce's NDATL is one of house's most authentic outlets, and now its sub-label NUTRIA is fast becoming just as essential. Its third outing marks the impressive debut of South African talent Reagan Ruler with his 'Trouble Man', which weaves deep house, soul and jazz-funk into a sophisticated new statement. Opener 'Hypnotize' delivers silky chords and airy vocals with a deep percussive flow that shows a real knack for melody. 'Don't Stop' bursts with shuffling drums and soulful uplift next to the horns and then a top reinterpretation of Marvin Gaye's' Trouble Man' pairs bite and boucle with deep and smooth drums and an almost Sade-like vocal. Instrumental and dub versions round out this expert 12".

Noumen returns to Central Processing Unit after a six-year absence with Altum. This bumper record, the Ukrainian artist's fourth release for the Sheffield label and first since 2019 double-LPObscurium, serves to remind us all why Noumen's music has been lauded by the likes of Mixmag and Resident Advisor in the past.Altumis a consummate piece of contemporary electronic production, a technoid exploration of outer-edges electronica that nods to genre greats like Autechre while still maintaining its own unconventional charm.

Across well over an hour of music here we find Noumen repeatedly playing punchy mid-tempo beat work off of some more cerebral tuned synths.Altumkicks off with the epic 'Oion' - beginning in that Autechre/AFX mid-tempo zone, full of deep-sea bangs and whirrs, the track slowly builds to a final stretch of delay-drenched keys which set us free amidst the outer cosmos, almost Sun Ra-style. It's a perfect liminal-space roller and an apt scene-setter forAltum.

'Oion' provides a blueprint for several of the album's other highlights - plenty of the joints here adopt that same approach of hitting hard with the drums and soft with the synths. Second track 'Splitter' takes on the baton from 'Oion' while souping up the kick to warehouse levels; the beats in 'Far Wind' splutter like a needle skipping on a mid-90s Tresor drop; 'Fate Carette', all eerie looped synth leads, is a highlight as the album enters the home straight.

The rhythm production (which, it should be noted, is exemplary throughoutAltum) is ratched up in intensity on a handful of numbers. 'Telemask' displays a delightful breakbeat - if you'd told me this was sampled from golden age A Tribe Called Quest, I'd have believed you. Mid-section anchors 'Awe' and 'Axis' are glitchers in the Mike Paradinas mould, with the latter showing off some pleasing steel pan-esque synth leads for good measure. And whileAltumgenerally maintains a processional pace throughout, there are points where Noumen toughens up the drums for club deployment - 'Unveilness' shows off a real chunkiness in the low end, closer 'Spurling Sign' plays a satisfying rolling groove off of ever-layering synths, and the title-track is an alien machine-funker in keeping with fellow CPU electronauts like Silicon Scally and Cygnus.

Noumen's third album for Central Processing Unit is a pleasingly hefty double-LP which builds on the zany invention of acts like Modeselektor and Autechre to delightful effect.

FFO: Autechre, Aphex Twin, Modeselektor, Bochum Welt, LFO

Building on the foundations of his Braindance Records label (2017–2020), Korean musician Go Dam now presents the second release on Stellar Systems. The Digifuga Series: Stellar EP finds him in interplanetary hyperdrive, charting trails blazed by pioneers from Hashim to Mad Mike to Gerard Hanson.

The four tracks were written in the studio Go Dam built with his own hands in Eulji-ro — once Seoul’s printing district, now a hive of small businesses. That same meticulous, artisanal approach runs through all of his work, whether composing film scores, producing K-Pop for online personalities, or fine-tuning sound systems around the city. The EP opens with the irrepressible electro funk of 'Fevernova', its slapping beat driving growling bass and wide-eyed synths. 'Dream Powder' is a stormy banger, surfing waves of filtered acid and noise before breaking into light. 'Chrono Flux' sustains the high energy, like the soundtrack to an anime motorbike chase at sunset, while 'Quasiverve' drifts into deepest night, its sinuous leads creeping over a stalking bassline.

Blending heavyweight vintage hardware with sharp digital tools, Go Dam conjures an epic widescreen sound that nods both to the sci-fi optimism of early electro and techno and to today’s fractured, machine-mediated music economy.

Cybernetic disco maestro Patrick Cowley graces Dark Entries once again with Hard Ware, an LP of far-out funk and synthpop celebrating what would have been Cowley’s 75th birthday. Best known for his chart-topping disco anthems, Cowley left us with an incredible body of work before his tragic death in 1982 due to AIDS-related illness. Since 2009, Dark Entries has been working with Cowley’s friends and family to uncover the singular artist’s lesser-known sides, including his soundtracks for gay pornographic films, which the label chronicled on compilation albums School Daze, Muscle Up, and Afternooners. Hard Ware presents the closing chapter in a trilogy of unreleased Cowley dancefloor bangers that began with 2022’s heavy-hitting Male Box and was continued with the soul and garage-inflected From Behind in 2024. The most expansive release in said trilogy, Hard Ware delivers ten tracks of pure, uncut Cowley: sultry, psychedelic, sarcastic, and just a bit sleazy. Cowley devotees will delight in “Tech-No,” a sparse instrumental demo version of his epically dystopian “Tech-No-Logical World.” You could soundtrack your next aerobics session with cheeky numbers like “Pajama Party Massacre” or “Shake It Up,” both of which feature Cowley himself on vocals. The frenetic “Big Ass in Motion” is built around samples from Rudy Ray Moore and The Madam’s infamous “Sensuous Black Woman,” an X-rated comedy record that would later feature in classic booty house records. Mid-tempo cosmic groovers are well-represented with jams like “Hellfire” and “Megablue,” which perfectly capture Cowley’s bathhouse-in-outerspace sensibilities. No collection of Cowley’s work would be complete without an interstellar floor-filler, and we’ve got quite a few here, like “Jungle Jump,” which pits whirling beats with dub-laced swirls of synth, or “Spellbinding Lover,” a Donna Summer-indebted melancholic boogie masterpiece that features Sylvester backup singer Jeanie Tracy. Hard Ware closes with the chilling synth-hymn ”Ice Age,” in which Loverde vocalist Peggy Gibbons sings of a coming frosty apocalypse. The story told in “Ice Age” mirrors the coming AIDS crisis and feels like a haunting premonition from Cowley. The record comes in a sleeve with a hand-airbrushed circuitboard-inspired design by Gwenaël Rattke, and includes lyrics as well as liner notes by Andrew Ryce and Peggy Gibbons. Hard Ware is another crucial document of a tremendous talent taken too soon.

“Round and Round” is a tale of depression and the brooding repetitious inner thoughts that drain us. Dubbed by producer Daniel David as “emo boogie”–partly as a joke–this newfound genre illustrates familiar personal struggles of the current age. This A-side rides the fine line of unraveling deep emotions, ultimately coaxing you to FEEL the groove.

Conversely, the B-side “Finely” feat. B.Bravo is a smooth rolling vocoder jam, a laid-back anthem perfect for a cruise or warming up a fresh dancefloor: a high to offset the low.

Zackey Force Funk
Born into this wild world in Tucson, AZ 1974, Zackey Force Funk found himself in and out of prison at the age of 17. Once released for good, Zackey ditched a life of crime to focus on raising his family and writing music. He thrived in the golden era of Myspace, producing eerie, gritty music on pirated software, and swiftly grabbed the attention of Kutmah–soon to be followed by a plethora of formidable producers. Zackey forged many collaborations later with the likes of XL Middleton, The Egyptian Lover, Salva, Lazer Sword, Lorn, Brian Ellis, Baron Zen, Daedelus and B. Bravo, as well as forming the group Demon Queen with Tobacco, and Delta Weapon with his brother N8NOFACE. As these tunes were scattered across various labels and on their respective collaborator's projects, ZFF continued to hone his style, delving deeper into the psychedelic future funk realm of which he has created for himself.

Daniel David
Daniel David is a Bay Area born multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer based in Dallas, Texas. 1/2 of boogie funk duo The Pendletons, Daniel’s solo music is a genre defying mix of organic and electronic elements including psych, dirty analog funk, hyphy, jazz, and more.
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East Kilbride’s Scott Fraser finally comes good on a 25 year promise to his younger self with his debut solo album on his own label DX Recordings out of London. This record represents the closing of this chapter and the opening of a new one.

A truly international and collaborative project pulling together the help and talent of friends around the world with mastering by Radioactive man Keith Tenniswood, cut by Frank Merritt at The Carvery and world class US visual art and design legends, Tim Saccenti and Nick Martin on photography, artwork and design.

Limited to 300 solid red heavyweight vinyl copies, brown kraft sleeves; individually hand stencilled and numbered by the artist, printed inserts feature a collection of moments and images from the last 25 years - the studio, the equipment, the people and the places that came together to make this release. Japanese rice paper inner sleeves.

Limited edition hand printed screen print by Niall Greaves at Newbridge Print Studios in Newcastle on the first 30 copies exclusively available via the DX Recordings Bandcamp page.

Musically diverse, crossing styles, flavours and moods, threaded meticulously with razor sharp Roland TR606 programming and glued together with a Space Echo, Expanded opens with the sub aquatic funk of ‘Eden And After’. Side one takes you through banging electro on ‘Energy In Constitution’, the dark dub techno of ‘To The Letter Of My Oath’, leaves you disappearing through a black hole on ‘The Path Of Helium Rain’ and the sound of aliens talking through FM synthesis on ‘Collected Stills’. On side two: a slice of dark, heavy instrumental hip hop gets things started with ‘Where Is That Perception? ‘. Next we get into some straight 4/4 club techno with cut up drums and bumping baseline in ‘Mi Dominante’ before moving through some blissed out Detroit vibes on ‘Earth Looking Inwards’, a rough as you like TR606 driven experimental electro groover ‘Object of Life’ and finally closing out with the Ectomorph inspired stark electro of ‘Steel (NB_BLOOD cut)’.

Mastered by: Keith Tenniswood at Curve Pusher, Hastings

Cut By: Frank Merritt at The Carvery, London

Distributed by: Rubadub, Glasgow

Artwork by: Timothy Saccenti, Nicholas Martin, Scott Fraser

Photography by: Kate Green, Javier Gonzalez, Scott Fraser, Timothy Saccenti

Solid red vinyl (300 copies), 30 coming with a limited edition screen print designed by Timothy Saccenti, Nicholas Martin and Scott Fraser, hand screen printed by Niall Greaves at Newbridge Print studios in Newcastle.

The third and final volume of Classic’s 30th Anniversary vinyl series brings the party full circle - blending deep catalogue cuts, future-forward house, and tracks from the label’s tight-knit family of collaborators.

Like the volumes before it, this 2x12” release arrives in a raw reverse board outer sleeve, a nod to the aesthetic of Classic’s earliest releases. Inside, bold yellow and red GMUND card stock inner sleeves with embossed detailing reflect the label’s long-standing commitment to design, artistry, and collectability.

Record One kicks off with a certified Classic family affair. Home & Garden’s ‘Sexuality...He's 2 Young’ features the unmistakable voice of DJ Colette, a staple of Classic’s early era. Included here is JT Donaldson’s Porno Beat Down Remix—a stripped, low-slung rework with an irresistibly funky bass line and pure dance floor chemistry.

Brett Johnson’s ‘Jiffy Pop’, from his legendary Bounce! EP, follows up with a jittery, swaggering groove that epitomises Brett’s playful, funk-laced production style. Infectious, weird, and entirely unforgettable.

On the flip, Tiefschwarz’s ‘Acid Soul’ delivers a moody, muscular roller. Originally released during their prolific run on Classic in the early 2000s, it fuses baritone sax stabs, a Berlin-borne bass line, and a sultry vocal into a deeply spiritual house cut.

Roy Davis Jr. closes Side B with the propulsive ‘About Love’ (Solid Groove Remix)—a tough and driving interpretation by Dave Taylor that’s long been a DJ favourite in the Classic vaults.

Record Two showcases Classic’s more recent sonic evolutions. JT Donaldson’s return to the label in 2019 came with ‘Stay Inside’, a rich and breezy groove featuring the soulful voice of Liv.e. It’s an elegant and understated slice of modern house with timeless appeal.

Then comes Dam Swindle’s funk-charged ‘Hey Mister’. A punchy, bass-driven jam built around a 70s reggae-disco vocal sample. Raw and infectious, it’s been lighting up dance floors worldwide since its release.

Luke Solomon’s catalogue on Classic is vast, but ‘Come on Over’, his collaboration with Amp Fiddler, earns its place here. Seeing vinyl release for the first time, this cut overflows with musicality. Amp’s passionate vocal, free-time breakdowns, and deep funk grooves deliver pure emotional punch.

And to close, a modern masterpiece: Honey Dijon’s ‘Work’ (Extended Mix), taken from her ‘Black Girl Magic’ LP. Featuring Dave Giles II, Cor.Ece, and Mike Dunn, this powerhouse track brings together fierce vocal performances, live instrumentation, and top-tier production. It embodies everything Classic stands for: collaboration and innovation on the dance floor.

Soul Jazz Records’ new Soul Jamaica brings together a wicked selection of
reggae funk and soul tracks from the legendary Studio One stable, featuring
a stellar line-up of artists including Jackie Mittoo, The Heptones, The
Gladiators, Sim Smith, Peter Tosh and The Wailers, Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks and
many more.
For a short period of time at the end of the 1960s and early 1970s, nestled
between the end of rocksteady and the arrival of roots reggae, Studio One
released a small stream of superb soul and funk reggae tunes – covering
everyone from Sly and The Family Stone, Diana Ross and The Supremes,
Nina Simone, Gene Chandler, Tyrone Davis and more.
Most of the tracks featured on Soul Jamaica were only ever released on
Studio One’s UK-subsidiary label Bamboo in small-run pressings and are
now consequently extremely hard to find.
The cover photograph features images of Air Jamaica, the new airline
created by the Jamaican government at the end of the 1960s, showing how
in the years following independence the
country assumed its place on the world
stage, with reggae music playing a key
role in creating the island’s new
cultural identity.

The latest release from the Villains Inc. camp delivers an Italian-made electro gem.

And as the saying goes: Villains do it better! After the soulful "Time To Go Back EP" back in 2022, the "Generation V EP" (limited to 300 copies) marks the arrival of fresh talents joining the collective. This new wave steps in after the tragic loss of some of the label key figures, carrying the torch and keeping the Villains Inc. spirit alive.

Side A opens with "Vaccin", a hypnotic yet funky electro-bass track by Deepvision and Lefka. Despite their young age, the duo U.A.G.L.I.O. shows remarkable musical maturity and delivers a powerful debut. Expect to hear much more from this awesome team in a near future.

Next comes "FM Resistance" by Jack Bags (half of Dr. Boomer). A synthetic ride of swirling URish style sequences, darkened by moody strings. Breakdance moves guaranteed on the dancefloor!

On the flip, Index Case teams up once again with the late X-Beat (RIP) to provide a furious "Against" anthem, calling for "revolution against the government, against the police". The frantic rhythm and unsettling atmosphere push the track into gloomier territory in a powerful way.

Closing the record, Antizer0’s founder Zora Neti concludes the 12" with "Stereocash_(Pt.2)", a downtempo storm built upon eerie voices and mental sororities. A haunting yet masterful finale.

The legacy of the original V members lives on. Special mention to Simonloop aka Urbanmagic, one of the OG Villains, whose artwork on the B-side captures the grit of the music and makes the vinyl worth owning on its own.

From start to finish, Generation V EP is a masterclass. Crafted with the unmistakable Villains Inc. sound by label owner Gab.Gato, it’s pure underground quality. This record is dedicated to the memory of X-Beat and Yo Flava. Once a Villain, forever a Villain. Support the underground!

This EP by Kitchen Crew unearths rare mid-90s gems from deep within the Swirl People archives, all of which first came on Belgium's Marguerite label. 'Want 2B With U' kicks things off with garage swing and disco signifiers, while 'All Funked Up' is full of rolling house energy and is a sound that the more attentive heads out there may well have heard at their favourite underground spots over the years. 'Reach 4 Me' leans into breaky tech-house sound that still suits through all these years on and is lifted by lush vocals. The closer wraps things up with a more deep, soulful atmosphere that is perfect for a more intimate setting. This is a well-received collection that deserves a second spot in the limelight.

Following on from Andres aka DJ Dez's well received last outing on David A-P's Hot Pot label, it is now veteran DJ and producer Marc Meistro from DC's Sol Power All-Stars who now brings the class. To kick off he brings his own spin to a Latin funk classic 'Mas Que Nada' and then turns the sunshine up to 112 on the shuffling samba sounds of 'El Platanal De Bartolo'. It's a pure party starter for Latin lovers and then comes some more drum-forward funk on 'I Wanna Go Downtown' with its rolling percussion and funky bass twangs. 'Make Your Mind Up' slows down to dubby disco bliss with leggy riffs teasing and pleasing. Four effective, charming essentials from Meistro.

Regarded as one of London's "leading disco labels" The Disco Express is one of the most consistent and influential forces in the modern nu-disco scene.

A record label, international event series and DJ collective, TDE is dedicated to original, soul-infused house and disco music. With a global family of artists, the label blends vintage warmth with modern energy to honour the past whilst envisioning the future.

TDE100 is a 15 track compilation that distills the label's essence. Packed with fresh originals and hand-picked gems, the compilation blends funk, soul, nu-disco, house, and electronica. Crafted to move seamlessly from peak-time dance floors to laid-back Sunday listening, it's both timeless and forward-thinking.

Pressed across 2 X LP’s in a Gatefold Sleeve featuring John Morales / Derrick Carter & Inaya day.

This is original house & disco for 21st century dance floors and this train ain't slowing down anytime soon…