quête:i love

Malmö's own Sune fills in for Better Listen's tenth release, continuing a run of sweet Scandinavian finds for the label.

The Butter Love EP is a true reflection of the Crime City man's sound; jovial, dusty disco and soul samples adorned by heady drum machine programming.

'Intimate Connetion' by Kleeer on US 7' single is one record that's been indemand in recent times and has seen it's value soar in price. The rare 7' mix has never been previously released in the UK. 'Intimate Connection' is one of the smoothest of cuts of the early 1980s and that has a groove that glides effortlessly with great ease. For us in the shop it epitomises the changeover sound from full live bands to electronic based recordings with the amazing Deodato at the production helm overlording the groups synthesisers & drum machines. On the flip with 'Tonight' the jam continues with great aplomb and features it's distinctive vocoder lead. This was always one of the finest double headers of the 1980s and one that we're proud to be re-releasing in 2018

Next up on Bodytonic Music comes a release from Tr One. In the past they have received critical acclaim and support from Moodymann, Prosumer and Ben UFO. Most recently, they have released music on Lunar Disko, Apartment and the acclaimed Don't Be Afraid imprint.

Inventions & Dimensions is the third album Herbie Hancock ever released as a leader and proof that he was not an artist who was willing to be pigeonholed. Featuring a quartet made up of a bassist and two latin percussionists, Inventions & Dimensions explores the possibility of latin percussion outside the context of a latin jazz album. Comprised of post-bop and modal compositions all from the pen of Hancock, this is a beautiful album that shows the promise of a young and confident pianist and composer who would blossom into one of the most celebrated talents in jazz history. Essential.

Driving Black Rock 'n' Roll killer!

* THE No.1 Wigan Casino and Northern Soul anthem
* THE most valuable record in the world
* THE first ever legal reissue, outside of Motown
* THE last record ever played at Wigan Casino

EXACTLY 40 years ago the original copy of Do I Love You' arrived on these shores and, for the first time the true identity of its author and performer was revealed.
The story of the world's most valuable record has been told many times and perhaps most authoritatively by Tim Brown in his book 'Wigan Casino Years'. In brief, here are the salient facts...
The tale begins in 1976 when Northern Soul pioneer Simon Soussan gained access to the Motown archive in Los Angeles where he discovered, and purloined, the original, promotional 45. At the time Soussan was the main source for rare Northern Soul that debuted at the famed Wigan Casino, and in due course he sent an acetate of the track to the club covered up as by Eddie Foster. It was an instant hit with the Casino dancers and soon attained exalted status.
By 1978 Soussan had turned his back on Northern Soul and sent his entire collection to the UK to be sold piecemeal. The original label of the disc was now revealed as the Motown subsidiary 'Soul' and the artist was the Motown writer Frank Wilson. The 45 was sold to record collector Jonathon Woodliffe for the handsome sum of £250. After the near collapse of Northern Soul in 1981 Woodliffe's attentions turned to Jazz/Funk and he traded the disc to former Wigan DJ Kev Roberts for £500's worth of disco twelves!
For 9 long years the legendary record languished in a frame on the wall of Roberts' Staffordshire home until a pending divorce prompted the sale to collector Tim Brown for, at the time, the unheard of sum of £5,000. It remains the property of Tim Brown to this day, the pinnacle of a lifetime of record collecting.
In 1997 Detroit producer, Frank Murphy, sold his entire record collection to Anglo-American, a company owned by Martin Koppel and the aforementioned Tim Brown. Lo and behold, a second copy of Do I Love You' was found and subsequently sold to Scottish DJ Kenny Burrell for an inflated sum of £15,000. In 2008, Burrell's copy was auctioned for a staggering figure in excess of £25,000 making history and further cementing the iconic status of the world's most collectable 45.
Today Do I Love You' has transceneded the strange world of Northen Soul and has become enshrined in the wider public's concsiousness due to mainstream radio play, TV advertising (most recently the 'Happy Egg Co.') and in 2017 an appearance on the country's most popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing.
Now you too can own a copy of Do I Love You'...

Try love was originally recorded by Norma Jenkins and pitched to Motown who passed on the track (this version only survives on acetate). Master of the girl group Herb Bernstein picked up the track and recorded the version you hear on this 45 which for whatever reason failed to make a dent until it was picked up first by the Belgian Popcorn scene and later the Northern scene, demand far outstripped supply and this rare 45 became very expensive. A haunting, odd and beautiful record to this day the members of The Sparkles remain a mystery.

Curtis & Dondi, brothers by name & nature, epitomise the strength of musical talent that Chicago was nurturing during the late 70's & throughout 80's. This is the first ever reissue of their hugely sought after 80s soul 45, 'Magic From Your Love / Don't Be Afraid' with full colour sleeve.

Offical reissue of this super rare, modern soul boogie 45 originally released in the early 80s - pressed in a loud 7" with lovely picture sleeve!

Back to back in-demanders from producer - King Jammy's vaults recorded and mixed by Jammy at Channel One studio, Two of Johnny Osbourne's finest roots classics seeing first time single release complete with their lethal dub companions. Hi-Times band in full effect, top draw vocal and dubs cut loud and proud and housed in the classic Greensleeves 12" bag.

"These are Love Notes" from Chicago this time as the Brooklyn based label offers a platform for a glimpse into the state of the Chicago undergound. Three original tracks from Chicago man-about-town, Shmoo, and a remix from one of the brightest lights in Chicago's modern scene and one of the more exciting young American producers out there, Garrett David. Standout tracks are Sidehacker, which opens the EP and is a wild ride through swirling pads, with a bedrock bassline that holds everything together, and David's remix of Intuitive Intellect's Waste, wherein he crafts the track into a very modern sounding slice of uplifting house. Another choice EP from this label.

Preservation Records dug out two killer blue eyed soul tracks from the Mirage vault.

Here is the original version of "Just Cause I'm Guilty", taken from the unissed tracks from the group. Shelved for over 40 years.

The soulful B side is another sureshot killer soulful track, you have probably heard it by Ruben Howell and Carl Carlton. This version made it to a mega limited demo 7" run on Warner Brothers, but never had an official release. The track is so good that it deserved a place on our Mirage releases.

Carefully remastered and cut by Timmion for Preservation Records.

"I Can't Love You Anymore" is the first single by hard working soul performer Carlton Jumel Smith recorded with Cold Diamond & Mink, and the man has revealed his middle name just for the occasion. Otherwise known simply as Carlton J. Smith, there's no doubt he has swallowed a large pill of soul since seeing James Brown live at the Apollo Theatre as an 8-year old.

Smith's Timmion debut single sinks him into drum heavy southern flavored deep soul, a style that comes out of him naturally as water from a mountain spring. Backing him up on the falsetto parts is Pratt, who recently turned some heads with his Pratt & Moody release "Lost Lost Lost" on Stylart Records, and together the two basically NAIL IT.

When looking for artists, who just seem to move through time effortlessly with a steady air of confidence, passion and precision, one might pick up the phone and give CJS a call. Even though his discography of couple of late 2000's albums and some guest spots in early 90's soulful house 12"s is a bit mysterious, there seems to be not one bit of difficulty to his craft or personality. As a recording artist, "I Can't Love You Anymore" is a new opening into raw soul territory, and it is just what the world needs today. He laid down an album worth of tracks on his last Helsinki visit, and this might be something to look forward to.

Another new series from Banoffee Pies Records. When will it end Probably never. Introducing the new imprint for miscellaneous sounds with BPMISC01 airing the newly A&R'd band, The Walls Of Love with their self titled 10" EP. Two tracks and a direction that reflect some influences of the past with some indie and alternative sounds. Plenty of live elements for you to wrap your ears around including vocals, guitar, a bass, drums, synths and a very saucy saxaphone. Get tuned in. TIP.

Should not need any introduction to deep disco heads, huge spin for red Greg, Floating Points, Jeremy underground etc.. Love Tempo is this years banger in January, well know to those deep in the game for some time but dog rare and good makes finding an o.g a fantasty, so here you go...my pleasure.

Our sixth release is two previously unreleased versions of 'Signs Of A Dying Love' with the A side being much slower in tempo than the vinyl release on OTB Records. Whilst on the flip the song appears to be the same as the OTB records version, but without the spoke rap at the beginning. This is a timeless piece of soul music that deserves a wider audience.

This is available for pre-order and is a Love Vinyl DRS Ltd distribution title.

A Danny Krivit and Harvey favourite, as sampled by J Dilla and Glenn Underground - a dubby disco cover of the Gamble & Huff penned O'Jays classic.

This sound was later pioneered by the likes of Arthur Russell and Larry Levan.

Replica original 7' artwork, official Mr Bongo reissue, mastered from our original DAT copy.