Search:j soul

Mr Bongo are thrilled to have one of the leading lights in contemporary soul joining the label. Melbourne-based vocalist, musician, and songwriter Ella Thompson is an artist whose name is being championed by some of the best in the business. She’s been building a reputation as one to watch, with two standout releases on Hopestreet Recordings, Domino EP in 2023 and Ripple On The Wing LP in 2024, alongside a heavy touring schedule and a stacked list of support slots and collaborations.

For this new 7” single, Ella collaborates with a selection of artists at the forefront of Naarm/Melbourne’s soulful DIY community. Featuring members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, Liam McGorry from Temporary Blessings (College Of Knowledge) joins Ella as co-writer and co-producer, with go-to Melbourne engineer Henry Jenkins also producing and recording the track.

Bridging the worlds of classic and contemporary soul, Ella’s songwriting is drenched in emotion and personal experience. With a timeless feel that is hard to tie to any particular period, she has crafted a sound that instantly hits deep. It’s warm, tasteful and distinctly Ella. That talent has also seen her tour with Mark Ronson, and support other contemporary greats like Jalen Ngonda, Lee Fields, and Thee Sacred Souls.

‘Promise To Keep’ is the first taste of Ella’s new material on this 7” single. An irrepressible upbeat groover that echoes mid-to-late-sixties vocal groups. That influence though never overpowers Ella’s own unique creative voice or distinct sense of self. She draws from it, but the colour is all her own. The song tells a story of being carried by the current that keeps us moving, giving us courage. A commitment to oneself that speaks to action shaped by vision, and the pull of following what feels correct even when the distance is far.

The flip side finds Ella in a different mood. ‘Change Of Heart’ is a heavy sweet-soul ballad. Rich in drama, Ella’s falsetto vocals build to a stunning climax in the final section, with triumphant horns that signal the release of letting go. The lyrics reflect on temporality and impermanence, and the way moments can be missed or arrive with synchronicity. It’s that bittersweet paradox of triumph and sadness, where everything contains its opposite: absence and presence, innocence and experience. The song is underpinned by a brooding production quality and atmospheric, beat-heavy flavour that Surprise Chef and cinematic soul fans will relish.

Mixed by Wayne Gordon (Daptone, Womack Sisters), ‘Promise to Keep’ and ‘Change of Heart’ are a glimpse of things to come from Ella. Keep an eye open for more new music incoming from this phenomenal artist at the top of her game.

WRWTFWW Records unleashes the first ever release of legendary post-disco, funk, soul and electronic UK trio Imagination's cult album Night Dubbing in (well deserved) double LP format. The limited edition full-length comes with pristine audiophile treatment and luxurious packaging : a 45rpm and Half Speed Mastered DLP housed in heavyweight silver cardboard sleeve.
Imagination's singular 1983 album Night Dubbing is a refined deconstruction of black British soul and club pop, filtered through the deep studio and mixing techniques of dub music. Elegant, restrained, and, in its very own subtle way, radical, the record reshapes choice selections from the group's stellar catalogue into an immersive and out-of-this-world listening experience.

The special mixes on Night Dubbing are built on time and space. Basslines elongate and dissolve. Vocals appear, vanish, and reappear like ghosts. Drums fall away into vast silences, while echoes, tape edits, and precise engineering manoeuvres smoothly slide across the stereo field, revealing themselves like magic over repeated listens. Far from simple extensions or 12" versions, Night Dubbing treats the studio itself as an instrument, opening new dimensions of sound.

Often cited as a foundational record in the genesis of the house genre, the album also features the historic Larry Levan remix of "Changes", a Paradise Garage anthem that helped shape the direction of club music for decades to come.

More than 40 years on, Night Dubbing remains a seminal work. Its influence continues to echo through contemporary dance music, offering a blueprint for how pop could be transformed into something darker, stranger, more physical - a timeless sound that drifts effortlessly from the dancefloor into space.

Important note : it sounds amazing played on 33rpm too !

Who could have imagined that Ryo Fukui had left behind a recording like this? Captured on June 8, 1977, this previously unreleased live session was recorded at the Sapporo jazz club Vidro by Masataka Ito, the producer behind Fukui’s albums Scenery and Mellow Dream. It is unmistakably the Ryo Fukui Trio of that era, yet the performance possesses an overwhelming intensity and freshness that far surpass any studio recording—excitement in its purest form.

The 16-minute, searing performance of “Mellow Dream” is just the beginning. The propulsive energy of “Speak Low”, the beautifully woven lyricism of “Body & Soul,” the blistering drive of “Love For Sale”, the weighty depth of “Mr. P.C.”, and the crystalline fragility of “My Foolish Heart”—each track is delivered with feverish brilliance. It was this very live recording, excerpts of which were evaluated at the Trio Records headquarters at the time, that ultimately led to the production of Fukui’s second album Mellow Dream. In every sense, this is an extraordinarily precious document.

King Street Sounds Sampler Vol. 7 continues the long-running series from the legendary King Street Sounds catalogue, bringing together a selection of classic house cuts from some of the label’s most respected artists.

Featuring productions from Mood II Swing, Jovonn, Roy Davis Jr. and Osunlade, the release highlights the soulful, groove-led house sound that has defined King Street across decades of dancefloor culture.

Including standout tracks such as Mood II Swing’s Nafara and Osunlade’s The Fifth Dimension, the sampler brings together several proven records in one DJ-friendly vinyl package.

With warm grooves, musical depth and timeless club arrangements, these proven King Street records offer strong crossover appeal for both long-time house collectors and DJs looking for reliable dancefloor material.

As the seventh edition in the King Street sampler series, this release presents a selection of essential house cuts on one highly playable vinyl release.

A strong catalogue addition for stores serving soulful and deep house buyers.

Ryo Fukui, the renowned pianist from Hokkaido who sadly passed away in 2016, has earned global recognition among jazz listeners through his highly praised early works Scenery and Mellow Dream. A Letter From Slowboat, recorded in 2015, marked his first leader album in sixteen years. The sessions took place at Slowboat his musical home together with two young musicians whose talent Fukui himself deeply trusted. The lyricism that seeps through “Sonora”, the poetic warmth enveloping “Stella By Starlight,” the vibrant energy coursing through “Speak Low” each performance is filled with life. His touch grew more forceful, his emotions more profound, his musical fragrance even more luxuriant.

In the last two years, Barry Can’t Swim has released two albums – When Will We Land? and Loner. The debut was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, winning 2024’s Best Dance Act on BBC Radio 1 and being nominated for Best Dance Act at the BRIT Awards in the same year. The latest album, 2025’s Loner, hit the top ten in the UK charts and was number one in the dance charts. This summer, Barry Can’t Swim cemented his position as one of the most singular new voices in electronic music with a gangbusting performance as a headliner at All Points East in London’s Victoria Park, building on his back-to-back performance with Bonobo at Coachella in 2024. Barry’s Late Night Tales mix brings together disparate styles and forms them into a coherent narrative. The powerful house tracks, like Lance DeSardi’s ‘Power of Suggestion’ and Daniel Avery’s remix of Factory Floor, intertwine with the abstract grooves of Freddie Da Stupid or Ronald Langestraat’s leftfield reading of Boz Scaggs’ ’70s smash ‘Lowdown’. There are exclusive tracks from Barry Can’t Swim himself (in the form of new single ‘Chala’ and an exclusive edit of Superpitcher’s ‘Yves’) and from friends and contemporaries, like Ninja Tune labelmate O’Flynn. Leaving aside the obvious quality of the mix, with its serpentine twists and dramatic turns, you can tell Josh is a fan of this series by bringing in his own personal poet, the brilliant Seamus, for the spoken word section right at the end. He’s a one-man Late Night Tales programmer.

In the last two years, Barry Can’t Swim has released two albums – When Will We Land? and Loner. The debut was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, winning 2024’s Best Dance Act on BBC Radio 1 and being nominated for Best Dance Act at the BRIT Awards in the same year. The latest album, 2025’s Loner, hit the top ten in the UK charts and was number one in the dance charts. This summer, Barry Can’t Swim cemented his position as one of the most singular new voices in electronic music with a gangbusting performance as a headliner at All Points East in London’s Victoria Park, building on his back-to-back performance with Bonobo at Coachella in 2024. Barry’s Late Night Tales mix brings together disparate styles and forms them into a coherent narrative. The powerful house tracks, like Lance DeSardi’s ‘Power of Suggestion’ and Daniel Avery’s remix of Factory Floor, intertwine with the abstract grooves of Freddie Da Stupid or Ronald Langestraat’s leftfield reading of Boz Scaggs’ ’70s smash ‘Lowdown’. There are exclusive tracks from Barry Can’t Swim himself (in the form of new single ‘Chala’ and an exclusive edit of Superpitcher’s ‘Yves’) and from friends and contemporaries, like Ninja Tune labelmate O’Flynn. Leaving aside the obvious quality of the mix, with its serpentine twists and dramatic turns, you can tell Josh is a fan of this series by bringing in his own personal poet, the brilliant Seamus, for the spoken word section right at the end. He’s a one-man Late Night Tales programmer.

Blair French shifts course with The Migration, his debut release on Choose Better Friends Records. The title track unfolds as a leftfield disco chant, driven by Jess Minnick’s vocals—hypnotic, ritualistic, and rooted in the idea of returning to the source. On the flip, Thermal Soaring moves into deep, soulful jazz-dance territory. Named for the moment a bird rides rising warm air, it lands as a hard-earned metaphor: French lifted without escape, moving forward by feel rather than force.

The arrival of REAL, Vol. 1 marks a seismic shift in the global music landscape, uniting two of Nigeria’s most formidable forces for a project that defines the current zenith of Afrobeats. This collaborative effort sees Wizkid, the smooth-talking pioneer of the genre’s international expansion, and Asake, the "Mr. Money" whose neo-Fuji sound redefined the street-pop aesthetic, finding a middle ground between luxury and grit. The project serves as a sonic bridge between eras, blending the minimalist, high-fashion sensibilities of Wizkid’s recent output with the high-octane, choir-backed energy that has made Asake a household name. It is less of a competition and more of a conversation between two masters of their craft, exploring themes of spiritual gratitude, the weight of superstardom, and the unyielding pulse of Lagos.

With soundscapes both cinematic and deeply rhythmic, the production moves beyond standard club formulas, opting instead for a sophisticated fusion of traditional Yoruba percussion, shimmering synths, and the heavy, resonant log drums of Amapiano. Wizkid provides the effortless, melodic swagger that acts as the project's anchor, while Asake injects a spiritual intensity through his signature layered chanting and rapid-fire flows.

Ultimately, REAL, Vol. 1 is a celebration of authenticity in an era of global crossover. By stripping away the pressure of conforming to Western pop standards, Wizkid and Asake have created a body of work that is unapologetically Nigerian yet universally resonant. It captures the spirit of a city that never sleeps and the ambition of two artists who have conquered the world without losing their souls. This is more than just a collection of hits; it is a blueprint for the future of African music, proving that when Wizkid and Asake occupy the same frequency, the result is nothing short of legendary.

Deep Detroit-rooted house for a release overflowing with soul, class and underground authority. An absolutely massive release for lovers of true house music, and another stunning chapter for Detroit Boogie Assemble.

Arpy Brown & Kapote Announce Collaborative Album Memento Ludi via Toy Tonics

A sun-drenched fusion of yacht rock, house and modern indie dance energy – out June 26, 2026
BERLIN, GERMANY — Toy Tonics is proud to announce Memento Ludi, the first collaborative album by label founder Kapote and multi-instrumentalist producer Arpy Brown, arriving June 26, 2026.
The album is a funk-driven journey that bridges the warmth of 1970s analog recordings with the pulse of contemporary dance music. Blending neo-soul grooves, yacht rock harmonies and modern house rhythms, Memento Ludi captures the spirit of classic musicianship within a forward-looking club context.

But Memento Ludi is more than a typical house record. The album moves fluidly between dancefloor tracks and fully developed songs. Every instrument was performed live by the artists themselves: guitars, bass, keyboards and percussion recorded in the studio by Arpy and Kapote. After jamming and recording the basis of every song in a live procedure they carefully resample the parts to create the organic, human touch that defines the Toy Tonics sound.

The title Memento Ludi — Latin for “remember to play” — reflects the album’s philosophy: bringing joy, spontaneity and musicality back into dance music at a time when many club tracks feel increasingly mechanical and formulaic.

The collaboration arrives during a particularly busy moment for both artists. While spending countless hours in the studio, Kapote and Arpy Brown have also maintained intensive international touring schedules with the Toy Tonics crew, road-testing many of the tracks as “secret weapons” in their DJ sets from Melbourne to Los Angeles via their homebase Berlin.

“We wanted to make a record that felt like a lost studio session from 1978 — resampled and synthesised in 2026,” says Kapote.

Jack Smooth is back with a brand new 4 tracker - Featuring 2 collaborations with Greekboy this one has to be heard to be believed. Drum & Bass at it's diverse best. Genre bending title track Future Abstraction sets the scene for adventures into deep dnb territory and the pace never drops.

A light yet ominous atmospheric intro opens Pugilist’s account on Waveforms, quickly showcasing the Spatial family debutant’s shrewd prowess for mid 90’s breakbeats. An instantly familiar vocal sample gunning for your mind body and soul punctuates proceedings while solid breaks lead into a crunching amen throwdown - edited superbly with tricky arrangements and glorious melodic synthwork.

Straight into the breaks without delay, a DJ-friendly intro from Pugilist quickly escalates into a scintillating amen showcase with crisp, detailed edits taking you right back to a dirty basement dancefloor rippling with underground energy in 1994. Peppered with samples and light vocal hits - not to mention the doomsday basslines ready to tear holes in your sub - Pugilist has announced himself in style to the waveforms label.

Franck Roger has been busy this year. The Frenchman is already an assured deep house mainstay who has worked with plenty of the most tasteful labels. Here he lands on the Seasons Limited imprint as they head into their 30th year in 2026. This typically soulful EP opens with 'My Illusion', which has Roger again centreing his own vocals to beautiful effect. 'Organika' is a supple, subtle and smoky deep house gem for cosy vibes and 'Emotive' shuts down with a lush, slow-burning sound that taps right into the earliest house roots. Sublime.

For over two decades, FLOX has been shaping a unique musical
identity - a vibrant blend of roots reggae, dub, electro, and
nu-soul. This French-British artist h a s become a cornerstone of
the alternative scene, known for his genre-bending productions
and powerful live performances. With seven studio albums and
countless shows a c r o s s Europe, FLOX h a s carved out a distinc-
tive path, merging analog warmth with digital precision.
crédits

With over 20 years of intense production work and prestigious collaborations, Irie Ites Records has established itself as one of the most respected reggae labels on the international scene. In 2025, the label continues it's strong momentum with a brand-new volume of it's flagship series: Cream of the Crop 2025. Following the success of the previous editions (2022, 2023, and 2024), which each reached several million streams and gained strong visibility in reggae media and playlists worldwide, this new release stands as a must-have for all roots & culture reggae lovers. True to it's reputation for excellence, Irie Ites Records has once again teamed up with some of the finest musicians and producers in reggae: Mafia & Fluxy, Bongo Herman, Earl "Chinna" Smith, Lone Ark, Naram, The Ligerians, King Jammy, Willy William, among others. All tracks were mixed at the Irie Ites Studio (France), ensuring a warm, powerful, and authentic sound. To conclude the album, four exclusive dub versions add the final touch to this outstanding compilation.

UK tech stalwart Aubrey has dropped many classics, but this one from all the way back in 1997 takes some beating. It came on the Offshoot label and has been in demand and much coveted ever since, and now reappears on his own Solid Groove imprint. 'Marathon' opens up with a liquid synth and dubby bass combo that comes to life with a warm, fizzy lead that suspends you just above the floor. 'Evacuation' has a more rigid lead and mechanical drums that work you into a lather and '6 Pole' sits somewhere between the two as a stylish, soul-infused tool that sounds as good today as ever. This is a top reissue that will excite all the real heads.

Finally, finally, FINALLY! After many years of fruitless praying, a true collector grail can finally grace every turntable the world over. Bright And Shining is a miraculous leftfield library classic from the genius mind of Barbara Moore. It's Highly Addictive Happiness Music TM and one of the coolest records to come out of anywhere...ever! With originals almost impossible to find - and, when they do, going for over £300 - you already know how crucial this beautiful reissue is.

Recorded in 1981 for Sylvester Music Company, Bright And Shining is breezy, dreamy and funky in a perfectly smooth jazzy-soul-groove fashion, with Moore's patented celestial male-female vocal harmonies this time benefitting from the addition of Fender Rhodes and pumping bass lines.

As one particularly enthusiastic Discogs user put it: "If Eno is responsible for Music for Airports, Moore is responsible for Music for Holidays." Indeed, this is brilliantly unique, "maximum happiness music". If you miss the sun-dappled soft-psych soul of Koushik, the heavenly vocal arrangements of the great Library Music doyenne Barbara Moore - her depth, richness, sophistication and warmth - will see you just right.

The gigantic title track, "Bright And Shining", gallops out the gate, all sophisticated, jazzy leisure-soul with sax and guitars backing Moore's effortless vocal swag in this relaxed, mid-tempo head-nod strut. Worth the price of admission alone. Up next, the sunny, vibey "Fly Me High" features strolling, "unworded" vocals (aside from the refrain of the title) alongside breezy alto sax and electric guitar. Pastoral and perfect. The slow'n'sultry "Affluence" presents a moody elegance, a classical "downlifting" gem. Another crucial highlight is the breezy "Going On Holiday". It's happy. It's sunny. It's lively. It's cool and happy. Did we say happy? A mid-tempo, romantic sax workout, "Alto Sex"presents smooth jazzy funk before the first side closes out with the soaring, jazzy "Stay With Me". Seriously uplifting.

Side B opens with "Feel Fine", an excellent uptempo and bright jazz groove. Up next, "Canon" is wracked with refinement, a peaceful, smooth vocal harmony over repeating bass making for an elegant, late-night classic. It's followed by the laconic "Smooth And Soft", a laidback, casual sophisticated soul and easy-feeling jazz gem. The jazzy "Real Thing" is another exercise in strolling sophistication, complete with wordless vocal harmonies. The fairly self-explanatory "Voice Over Sax" sounds precisely how you would expect; a relaxed sax number with heavenly vocal support! To close, the carefree "Feeling Free" is a pleasant, light and breezy mid-tempo groove.

The audio for Bright And Shining has been meticulously remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, ensuring this release sounds better than ever. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at Record Industry in Holland. The original, iconic sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue. We'll grant the final word to MillionDollars. on discogs from about 10 years ago: "If you listen to the record on a sunny day you feel like going out surfing in a white linen suit with a blunt on your lips, catching a cool breeze."

Continuing the acclaimed Mood Edits series, our latest release delivers a tightly curated set of reimagined cuts that are already turning heads in the sets of house heavyweights like Jamie Jones, ANOTR, Marco Carola, and more.

Side A leans into sophisticated, warm, percussive grooves with Latin and Middle Eastern touches, featuring Colombia’s Valek, UK talent Mike Morrisey, Italy’s Baglione, and Dutch artist Nick Edwins. Flip to Side B and the intensity lifts, with peak-time edits from label boss Manda Moor, Spain’s Souler, and Venezuela’s Fran Romero.

A true nod to vinyl purists, these exclusive edits are available only on limited-edition wax.

A limited edition tribute to Chris Hill who recorded this record in 1979. Features Luther Vandross!



Recorded jointly in Germany and the USA, Mascara were the creation of soul legend and Mafia club DJ, the late Chris Hill. The vocalists are Ula Hedwig, David Lasley, and Luther Vandross . Ula was a former member of The Harlettes with Sharon Redd and Charlotte Crosley who used to support Bette Midler. David Lasley was also a supporting singer for Bette Midler, and later Luther Vandross, David Lasley’s prolific career as songwriter alone spans more than 30 years. He is best-known as a composer for the hundreds of songs he has written recorded by the likes of Anita Baker ("You Bring Me Joy"), Boz Scaggs ("JoJo"), He sang backgrounds on numerous classic disco hits for acts including Chic ("Everybody Dance", "Le Freak", "I Want Your Love"), Sister Sledge’s ("We Are Family", "He’s The Greatest Dancer") and together with Luther for Odyssey on "Native New Yorker".