Hip-Hop Nouveau en stock

RNT is rebooting the beloved House of Spirits project with a 7Inch series streamlined for the dusty donut heads. First up is the one that started it all 'Holding On' on the A side with it’s P&P meets rare-groove-gospel flavor that essentially defines Tom Noble’s HOS sound, and crowd favorite album cut 'Love Trip' on the flip. Never-leave-the-bag material!

Love Raid is first in a series of cassette-only mixtapes with the cult WFMU show and blog Bodega Pop collecting assorted digs from across New York's bodegas and cell-phone stores. This first edition is focused on leftfield, novelty, and protest 45s from across the Arabic world recorded between 1960 & 1974.

"A series of random discoveries in the mid-1990s led me to abandon American and British pop and focus on non-English-language music, predominantly Arabic, for the next two decades.

Feeding my ears required biking down to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, or hopping on the subway to Steinway Street in Queens, where I would pop into a handful of the local bodegas and immigrant-run cell-phone stores, some of which offered music from North Africa and the Middle East on cassettes and compact discs.

When CDs spiralled into obsolescence in the mid-2010s, I reluctantly made the switch to vinyl, concentrating on 45s and intentionally filling holes not well represented in the digital era – more artists than not hadn't made the transition from analog in the 1980s. This meant focusing on singles by a lot of artists I'd not heard of, and it quickly became evident just how much of the era – from approximately 1960 to 1974, when 7" records were all but abandoned in Egypt and Lebanon – had been forgotten.

What also became evident was the breadth of popular music issued by even hegemonic titan Sono Cairo. The consensus is that state radio and music publishing ignored traditional folk, shaabi, and other lowbrow pop in favor of the exalted art song we associate with Oum Kalthoum, Abdel Halim Hafez, and Farid al-Atrash.

While this active neglect of the broadest Arabic pop spectrum is mostly true, I accumulated a not inconsequential number of what I can only describe as "novelty" records by mostly one- and two-hit wonders. From catchy gimmicks like the "doktor, ya habibi" of Maha's "Doktor" and the "boom boom boom" of twins Thunai Badr's "Love Raid," to the Monty Python-level silliness of Sayed Mandoline's fake Italian crooning and maniacal laughter in "I Present to You the Mandolin," these were sounds I was genuinely surprised to hear.

Even more remarkable were the songs recorded in English: Karim Shukry's celebratory "Ramadan" and Motyaba & Nada's civil-rights plea "No Black No White" are two of my favorites, and thus included in the present collection.

The tracks compiled here are often as beautiful as they are beguiling, but while the intention was to absolutely put together a solid listen, it was also my hope to slightly expand our understanding of Arabic music of this period beyond not just the usual suspects, but also subjects – and treatment of same."

--Gary Sullivan.

Fruits Records proudly presents ‘Let Peace Reign’, the brand new instrumental single by Nat Birchall and The 18th Parallel.

Hailed by Gilles Peterson as ‘one of the best musicians in the UK’, jazz and reggae saxophonist Nat Birchall has grabbed listeners attention with his soulful sound and inspirational spiritual music. He has produced some of the finest vintage roots reggae instrumentals including majestic works with Vin Gordon and Al Breadwinners. His ethereal tone reminiscent of reggae giant Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks (Light of Saba) is the perfect match to The 18th Parallel raw and heavy sound.

Recorded fully live on 2-inch tape by the Swiss rhythm section, the session captures the raw, authentic energy of roots reggae at its purest. With warm, organic tones and a timeless feel, ‘Let Peace Reign’ not only pays homage to the greatest days of instrumental music and to the golden era of reggae recording, but also send a much needed message to a troubled world: Let Peace Reign. Pressed with care on 7-inch vinyl, with a super heavy dub mix on B side by French duet Dub Shepherds, this release is more than just a record – it’s a tribute to the culture of collecting records, preserving sound, and sharing vibes across generations.

Rare deep funk gets a re-edit from label boss Kenny Dope!

It Takes Two is at it again. The 45 duo, founded in 2020 is here with a repress of there fifth release.

Supported by DJ Koco aka Shimokita, DJ Robert Smith and Marc Hype of Dusty Donuts many more. Edits by DJ's for DJ's filled with scratch samples and perfect intros/outros. After 001, 002 and 003 sold out, they're back with 005!

Previously released as ITT003 (SOLD OUT) white label Dilla Tribute. Now available as ITT005.

The A side is a remake of Dilla's 'You Know How I Feel' beat, that got lost.
The B side is an edit of 'Fall In Love' and a cover of Fall In Love.

Limited to just 200 copies.

‘Pearz is the evocative project of Italian-born, LA-based multi-instrumentalist Francesco Perini. His debut album, Pacifico is the culmination of a five-year journey through the cities that shaped him: Florence, London, and Los Angeles. Drawing inspiration from a mix of disco, electro, nu-jazz, and Japanese City Pop, Pacifico, reflects his eclectic musical evolution. The title, Pacifico—meaning “peaceful” or “calm” in Italian—embodies the album’s theme of the closing experience of his travels.

The album features collaborations with a diverse range of artists, including Kuntessa (East London’s DIY queen), Vanbasten (The voice of Roma’s suburbs) Natalie Findlay, Jules Apollinaire, Gimmy El Helou, David Bardon, Oscar Robertson, Ruari Meehan, Luca Landi, Fabio Ricciolo, Andrea Palombi and Jamie Allen.

‘BORN LIKE THIS.’ is MF DOOM’s last solo album. Featuring Ghostface Killah, Raekwon and seminal American poet and writer Charles Bukowski with beats from J Dilla, Madlib and ol’ Metal Fingers himself. “I’ve been a fan of Bukowski for a while. It was a friend of mine – damn, I forget the n*gga name – from Life Sucks Die, it’s a graffiti magazine but it’s real kinda edgy, out of Minneapolis. They did an interview with me and then me and Andrew Broder was friends ever since then. He said, ‘Your shit reminds me of this dude Bukowski, you gotta read his stuff.’ I was a little apprehensive at first, ‘cos I was like, ‘What kinda weird shit is this?’ Then he gave me a book, The Most Beautiful Woman In Town, and after that I just got into it. “So for this album, to celebrate all us writers, emcees, if you look at it, it’s a lot of words that we say, and we all write those words: if it was written down on a piece of paper it could be a short story or like a good book. So I saw where Andrew was coming from where he sees the similarities. In tribute to Bukowski I said let me get him as a guest appear ance…” DOOM as quoted in HHC. “Whatever caused DOOM to scale back his output and go off the grid, he’s only come back from it sharper, stronger, and more powerful than before.” Pitchfork “DOOM still has the sickest vocabulary, broadest frame of reference, and densest, most quotable rhymes in hip-hop… he has created an album of sublimely half-assed super-genius.” Onion AV Club

Grey Matter - Lost In Thought, originally released in November 1996 on Axia Records as a 5 track EP is now back on vinyl.

Dave Mothersole had this to say in his review of it for Muzik magazine in February 1997.

"Acid Techno, slo-mo Hip Hop breaks, right through to old school, bottom heavy warehouse grooves and Depeche Mode-meets-Juan Atkins purism. The real surprise, here, though, is how thoroughly listenable the whole thing is. Innovative, imaginative, and pretty bloody good."

This release includes all 5 tracks from the original AX001 release which has been selling for over £60 a copy on Discogs, spread over two 12"s with 3 extra unreleased tracks 'Never Die Just Multiply', 'Musical Electronic Poetry', and the 'Melt Into The Floor Mix' of 'Gloomy Encounters'.

All tracks are remastered from the orignal DAT tapes by Paul Mac & Simon @ The Exchange.

Bunzinelli,the man behind Chambre Noir and member of the MOAB collective, with a recent release in Amsterdam’s Knekelhuis, presents Original Wisdom, a long-format EP exploring memory, experience, and spiritual awareness. A free rhythmic journey across a six-track format, resulting in a juxtaposition of droning ventures, spiritual journeys, and frenzy slow-burners.

Fishing for Gravel is the debut solo mini-LP from Dublin-born, Amsterdam-based producer Paraflow (aka Niall Rogers), via Superconscious Records. Known for his work as a music supervisor and dream pop collaborator (Officer John), Paraflow dives deep into a world of EBM and dub-infused electronics-granular textures, mid-tempo chug, and flashes of blissful uplift driving seven tracks of earthy, drum-heavy synthesis. Includes a rugged remix from Superconscious' own FIO. For fans of Jonquera, Parchman, BPM AM.

For the sixth release on Burning Bug Records, Lewis Bennett meets veteran Jamaican Reggae music legends Eek-A-Mouse and Roots Radics on a 7" single.

The timeless, authentic styles of Roots Radics and Eek-A-Mouse fuse with Lewis Bennett's contemporary instrumentation to create a unique modern Reggae production while still exuding original Jamaican Reggae flavour.

Strut proudly present the brand-new studio album from Nubiyan Twist, 'Jungle Run'.

Now one of the leading lights in the UK's new generation of soulful, genre-fluid artists, the Leeds-born and now London-based 12-piece collective have created their finest recordings to date, effortlessly weaving together elements of jazz, soul, hip hop, African styles, Latin, dub, hip hop and electronics in a flow of thought-provoking and life-affirming music.

Recorded at the band's own self-built Henwood Studio in rural Oxfordshire, the album effortlessly moves through different voices from the band's circle. The inimitable, timeless vocals of Nubiya Brandon lead the way on the album's title track about breaking preconceptions and promoting equality, 'Where you from I'm from wherever I be.' Saxophonist Nick Richards vocals the killer first single from the album about inner turmoil and a search for the truth, 'Tell It To Me Slowly' while rising Ghanaian star K.O.G. appears on the Afro jams 'Basa Basa' and 'They Talk'. Percussionist Pilo Adami (Nina Miranda / Afrosamba) voices the infectious bossa-jazz jam 'Borders'. The band also draft in two African legends for guest duties with the original Afrobeat maestro Tony Allen on 'Ghosts' and Ethio jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke contributing vibes on the sinuous 'Addis To London'. 'The depth of talent and ideas that every member of this group has brought to the table for this album is incredible,'

says producer and orchestrator Tom Excell. 'Conceptually, 'Jungle Run' is all about connecting different people and cultures whilst exploring the journey of individuals. This album is the pinnacle of everything we have done to date and to collaborate with the godfathers of Afrobeat and Ethio Jazz and celebrate their music in a modern context was very humbling.'

The album is another landmark for a band that has been consistently developing their sound since their formation in 2015 at Leeds College Of Music. 'One of the biggest factors in our sound was the exciting music scene in Leeds,' explains saxman Joe Henwood. 'From a reggae night called 'Sub Dub' to venues playing whacked out experimental jazz.' Since then, the band's self-titled debut album (2015), EP 'Siren Song' (2016) and single 'Dance Inna London' (2017) have become classics in their own right and their live show has become an essential ticket; previous live highlights have included high profile slots at David Byrne's Meltdown at the South Bank and Glastonbury West Holts

'Jungle Run' is released on 15th February on CD, 2LP and digital. Cover artwork comes from acclaimed designer Marcus Davies and the album is mastered by The Carvery. Nubiyan Twist tour across Europe from November.

Long kept in the shadows, "+ Ou – 8000" is a rare gem of the French musical avant-garde, born from the meeting of three
composers at the peak of their inventiveness. Initially intended as sound illustration, this album crosses the boundaries of
library music, space jazz, and electronic experimentation, with a freedom and boldness that today give it cult status.
Teddy Lasry, an iconic figure from the MAGMA universe, has always moved between jazz, progressive rock, and electronic
music. A saxophonist by training, he explores here synthetic and spatial territories with striking modernity.
Francis Mercier, discreet yet remarkably effective, is a sound craftsman who left his mark on many library music records
in the 1970s. Here he delivers precise rhythmic textures, tense atmospheres, and a minimalist groove mastery.
Christian Perraudin, a chameleon composer bridging academic music and film scoring, brings his cinematic touch—
floating melancholy and sci-fi tension. A true artisan of sonic ambiance.
Boldly visionary, + Ou - 8000 is an invitation to active listening, a journey into the heart of a fascinating sound laboratory.
This unprecedented vinyl reissue is a unique opportunity to (re)discover a crucial record that remained out of reach for far
too long.
Limited edition – for lovers of rarities, analog synths, and genre-defying musical exploration.

Long Beach legend Scotty Coats links the West Coast eclecticism of Stones Throw to the NYC cool of DFA and Rong to the Balearic gods of DJ Harvey et al. He personally introduced Be With to Ned Doheny 10 years ago and he was immortalised on Smith & Mudd's last LP. And he's the main man behind the mysteriously titled duo Todd Russell & The Dangerous Coats, alongside Erick "Todd" Coomes (Lettuce founder/bassist).

In very real danger of being lost forever, we unearthed two of their private recordings and present them as a double A-Side 12", adorned with S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G artwork, courtesy of Arizona artist Frank Gonzales.

"Playa Larga" is a melodic, mellow masterpiece and is quintessentially Balearic. It's stretched out, low slung, guitar-soaked drum-machine soul music. It's multi-layered and contains multitudes: it builds and builds and builds and mesmerises as it does so. On the flip, "1900 Ocean Avenue" is a super slo-mo, sunbaked drug-chug which is already blowing minds thanks to early leaks of this cosmic, psychedelic detonation.

On first listen back, Erick said to Scotty: “So wait, nothing really happens, I mean nothing bad happens but nothing really happens”. Apparently these tracks were a bit foreign for Erick, musically, because of the lack of structure in the songs.

One morning, years later, Erick called Scotty and excitedly declared: “dude, I get it now!”. He was listening to random music with a lady friend while watching the sunrise in his 1900 Ocean Ave apartment and "Playa Larga" came on randomly. He'd forgotten all about it and said he had to get up and see what song it was because "it was the perfect soundtrack for a psychedelic sunrise over the ocean."

And that's exactly how we came across it, circa 2018, randomly popping up on a playlist while we were busy doing other things. It stopped us in our tracks but, when trying to find any info on iTunes, we were out of luck. It was only years later that we worked out Scotty had sent it to us. Ever since, we've been working on getting this out to you all. It's finally time.

We've only 500 pressed for the world, with many of them spoken for by those lucky enough to be already ITK, so these are gonna fly: be warned!

Scotty is a world class raconteur so we'll hand over to him to explain how these songs came about and why they mean so much to him in the context of his wider raison d'être:

"These were made 13 years ago when I was a new dad and left my job at Ubiquity Records to provide security for my newborn son, Nolan Liam Chai Coats. I became miserable working a job outside of music for the first time in my life and I was laid off 4 months into it. I was left wondering how the fuck am I going to provide for my family?

I lived in Long Beach and Erick lived a few blocks away. I would walk to his house when Jen finally got Nolan to sleep so I could escape my panic, drink some beers (is it beerlearic?) and make some music. He lived overlooking the ocean with the Queen Mary on the horizon, so I guess mellow Long Beach nights unintentionally inspired the music. These songs were the first two songs we ever made and they embody the desperation and hope I really needed at that time. 12 years later, when Rob at Be With expressed an interest in releasing it, we had Erick's brother Tyler Tycoon Coomes play drums on it at Jazzcats Studio in LBC, with Jonny Bell.

Shortly after I was laid off, I discovered The Stepkids. I was blown away by "Shadows On Behalf" and sent it on to Gilles Peterson. He played it on Worldwide the next day. The Stepkids pulled me back into music and made me realize I wasn't prepared to do anything but be involved with music. After I heard their unreleased album, I knew there was something there so I sent it to my good friend Jamie Strong who was at Stones Throw at the time. Jamie passed it along to Peanut Butter Wolf and the band asked me to be their manager. I didn't think I was the right guy for the job but wanted to see them do well so I told them I would help shop their album. Jamie suggested I take his place at Stones Throw, just as he did when he left Ubiquity Records. I always joke that Jamie can call me Scotty Coat Tails because I had been riding his for years.

Wolf told him that "Scotty is a nice guy but has horrible taste in music", which was ironic because he was literally trying to sign the band that I brought him. The Stepkids signed with Stones Throw and found a real manager. 6 or so months later Jamie sent me a note saying "Stones Throw is hiring and you should apply lol". I told him I was going to send my resume and the subject of the email was to read I HAVE GREAT FUCKING TASTE IN MUSIC. I did just that and got a call the next day from their new GM asking me to come in for an interview. When I walked in I was in Wolf's office where I had been 6 months before, signing The Stepkids
deal. Wolf and Jason McGuire were asking me some questions and wanted to introduce me to Jeff Jank. Jank walked in and said "Isn't this the guy that Jamie wanted to bring on 6 months ago?" They confirmed and he threw his hands up and walked out saying "I've seen enough". I got the job. I worked there for 2 or 3 years until I left to join forces with Jamie Strong at his label and stayed there for almost 7 years."

Scotty wanted to use a painting by his good friend, Frank Gonzales, for the front cover image. Frank was incredibly generous in letting us use this one, and Scotty was completely honoured. We think you'll agree, it's pretty striking. Simon Francis carefully mastered the original audio for both tracks and Cicely Balston's precise cut for Alchemy at AIR Studios ensures this double A-side 12" sounds appropriately outstanding. The immaculate Record Industry pressing will ensure these previously unheard, recently discovered recordings finally get a chance to shine.

Extreme digger bomb from Down-under, Sri Lankan born Australian, Alston Koch is a highly decorated musician and the mastermind behind "Kookaburra Connection" project, a collaboration with the aboriginal musicians of Australia. "Dreamtime Trance" explores indigenous themes over a highly unique sounding beat and truly refreshing groove, game changing on the floor. Accompanied with a new extended version featuring a long intro buildup. On the B side, a heartfelt "Midnight Lady" balances out this EP with a harmless ballad featuring another side of Koch's exploits, to be served with Piñacoladas during after hours. Remastered and re-issued with original artwork.