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RARE & PREV. UNRELEASED PSYCH-FUNK AND GARAGE ROCK !!!

Say hello to Down & Wired Vol. 7 as Perfect Toy Records unleashes yet another instalment in its long-running compilation series! Once more, the label provides a delectable selection of obscure funk and soul-influenced psychedelic and garage rock tracks to delight even hardcore collectors of both genres.

And make no mistake, there is plenty to discover among these eleven tracks. At the funkiest end of things, Function's Free Style morphs from West Coast psychedelia to country funk to swamp rock and back again in its sub-three minute length, Dandy King provide psychedelic funky-soul and The Whiz Kids take a heavy dose of funkiness with them into psych-rock territory – sample fiends watch out for the fat twenty-second drum break towards the end of the latter! Purer psychedelia can be found in the offering from Third Stone while Würzburg band Prisma provide all-out epic psych-rock carnage. And if rock carnage is your thing, you'll be feeling the dirty garage rock onslaught of The Comin' Generation and a previously unreleased cut by Synod - soon to be a 45 single on Perfect Toy. That just leaves The General Store, The Soul Society, The Vestells and another unreleased cut from The Villagers (from whom the label will be dropping more unreleased material soon!), to close the circle by adding a heavy dose of garage soul.

A worthy successor to the previous volumes, Down & Wired Vol. 7 is once again accompanied by an insert containing detailed information and photos of the bands and a download code is also included with every vinyl LP.

THE 7000 DOLLAR ACETATE
The year is 1971, a time when nightclubs still had live bands perform the musical hits of the day. Every city had its local stars and for the club scene of the city of Columbus, Ohio it was the CROWD PLEASERS. Founded in 1968 by June Carey along with her younger brothers, twins El & Al, the seven-piece band grew into an in-demand act that performed all over the city. In April 1971 they went into the studio to record eight songs, but an actual release never materialized. In time the master tape was destroyed and all that was left were two acetates. But as time passed, these too were lost. Over the years, a growing market for obscure funk and soul albums emerged. When one of the acetates went up for sale on eBay in 2011, it sold for $3,900! Eleven years later, in 2022, the last remaining copy also appeared on eBay. Collectors drove the price up until it finally sold for a staggering $7,000! So now, after more than 53 years, Al Carey & Regrooved Records proudly presents the previously unreleased 1971 album of the CROWD PLEASERS featuring renditions of hits by Marvin Gaye, Sly Stone's Little Sister, Neil Young, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Cold Blood, Dionne Warwick, The Lettermen and the original funk break track “Eggs & Bacon”.

DJ scratch tool by Ritchie Ruftone, featuring all female rapper scratch samples!

Straight Outta Soul N Palms, more soulful re-edits for the discerning ear.

This amazing album from 1974 was the natural predecessor to Johnny Hammond’s classic “Gears” recorded with the Mizell brothers the following year. It contains the rare groove/Jazz Funk anthems “Star Borne” and “Yesterday Was Cool”.

“Gambler’s Life” was the album where Hammond switched from his customary organ to electric piano at a time the Mizell brothers had just produced Donald Byrd and Bobbi Humphrey for Blue Note. They had become noted for their "multi-layered funky sound".
As much as Hammond shines on electric piano, this album is a true band effort, an all-star jam session of sorts, thanks to the presence of ace musicians such as George Benson, Eric Gale, Melvin Sparks, Ron Carter, Harvey Mason, Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Airto Moreira, Ralph MacDonald, Grover Washington, and of course the Mizell brothers themselves.

In addition to the 8 tracks that were on the original "Gambler's Life" album, this CD reissue includes 4 bonus tracks, all of which originally appeared on other Kudu/CTI studio albums in 1971 and 1974, and on those 4 tracks you get to hear Hammond's trademark organ. Title track “Gambler’s Life” was also sampled by Erykah Badu on "Mama's Gun" LP

Nick Bike returns for another 2024 Q1 appearance with a few sureshot mixes due.

Extended breaks and touches never heard before on this timeless class perhaps more if you got some heavy hands).

‘SUNNY DAY’ PRO UNO presented by THE REGIME

Smooth loved-up and sun kissed soul, melting over jazzy road-trip and summertime vinyl dust. The Regime’s sophomore release is strictly vintage, playfully psychedelic, smothered in funky soul, and irrefutably ‘on the One’.

Spawned from 70s soul, jazz and funk, combined with the plethora of free time the covid pandemic demanded, THE REGIME’s jazzy-soul outfit PRO UNO rose from the ashes, dousing the public with a whiff of the good ol’ days, where music was real, authentic and pure. Their 70s aesthetic and full in house production combines sounds reminiscent of Al Green, Steely Dan, Bill Withers and America, to create a state of total nostalgia and peace love n harmony vibes. This iteration of the Funk Collective THE REGIME is their most exciting and tasteful project yet. Expanding on the original hip hop, funk niche, ‘SUNNY DAY’ in undeniably one for all, and indeed all for one.

Remember Noema's legendary tribute edit of Ata Kak's “Daa Nyinaa” and the wicked re-rubs of Eddie C, Axel Boman and Soft Rocks? Then I have good news for you: AFRICAN SHAKETOWN is back!!! Coming in hot and rebranded with the letter “T” in the name, the essential Afro Disco series returns with four outstanding remixes and edits of ultra rare gems that without a doubt will make your summer.
On the labelside you'll find two funky Disco tunes, originally played with full band set-up and treated by MAGIC JAMS, while on the flipside NOEMA presents a choice of electronic and cosmic Disco flavors featuring synths and drum computers. David Benjamin aka NOEMA aka MAGIC JAMS is a DJ, Producer, Guitarist and Label Owner from Berlin. In his studio work, he has released one very well received album as well as several EPs, remixes and edits. In this context he collaborated with heavy weights like Apparat, Dj Dixon, and Grammy winners Basement Jaxx as well as electronic music underground heroes such as Lauer, Kalabrese, Shubostar, O/Y, Acid Pauli, Auntie Flo, Dreems, Khidja, Panthera
Krause and Mehmet Aslan.
Looking back at more than 25 years of DJing, David is a true master at the decks. Constantly refining his craft during a former 10-year residency at the legendary Berlin Club institution Wilde Renate, he developed a unique style combining an outstanding selection, ranging from Disco to IndieDance and House, with out-of-this-world mixing skills. While David releases and plays rather electronic, contemporary and psychedelic music under his NOEMA moniker, his MAGIC JAMS alias is all about acoustic sounds and crate digging, with focus on Music of the African diaspora, Cosmic Disco and Balearic Beat.
Furthermore David holds a diploma in classical guitar with focus on music theory, works as a teacher/mentor and runs the highly acclaimed The Magic Movement label and released music by the likes of Nicola Cruz, Axel Boman, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Xique-Xique, Eddie C and many more.

Sol Power Sound is back in a big way with a reissue and remix EP from the legendary Nigerian Ju-Ju king, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. The double A-side EP features 'Eyi Yato' a tune from 1981 that captures Chief Commander and his band at their absolute funkiest, with a driving drum and bass groove, wah-wah guitar, and signature call-and-response vocals. Remixers include the legendary dub producer Mad Professor, the disco don Eddie C, and the Sol Power All-Stars themselves.

The Sol Power All-Stars keep things organic with chugging drums, heavy analog synth bass and sequences, as well as Daniel Meinecke’s additional keys and solos. The Canadian disco don Eddie C goes a little electro and a little acid with his analog bass-heavy flip.
Like a good dub should, Mad Professor’s version accentuates the drum and bass groove and drenches everything in vintage sounding Mad Professor delay, reverb, and filtered dub-sauce, live and direct from his classic mixing desk. Alongside an extended edit of the original, the Eyi Yato EP is sure to find a permanent spot in DJ record bags around the world.

1971 and Black America was luxuriating in the soft soul of the O’Jays, the Temptations had just left behind their flirtation with psychedelia, James Brown was explaining Soul Power, Sly & the Family Stone were having a Family Affair, and Marvin Gaye was asking ‘What’s Going On’.
In their own inimitable way, Funkadelic were laying down their own statement about the ecology of the planet in the opening of lead and title track ‘Maggot Brain’, turning it into an elegy for the Earth in the ensuing heart-wrenching extended Eddie Hazel guitar solo – one of the most radical records of the period.
The album also spawned two Top 50 singles with the usual Funkadelic wry observational humour of ‘You And Your Folks, Me And My Folks’ and ‘Can You Get To That’. And just in case you think things have normalised, the set closes with nine minutes of the chaotic sound collage ‘Wars Of Armageddon’.

1979 Linda Williams gold from the Arista archives gets a much welcomed official, remastered reissue.

With an intro that does exactly as its title suggests, 'Elevate Our Minds' became a huge rare groove record in the mid to late '80s. Produced by the late, great Richard Evans who worked with the very best in the business, from Gene Chandler and Marlena Shaw, to Ramsey Lewis and Ahmad Jamal, it's supremely arranged, blending a Bossa Nova beat and trumpet trills with Linda's distinctly New York authenticity that comes through in the vocals. Like a trip to the blissful beaches of Rio whilst bringing a touch of the New York disco glam along for the ride. Exotic yet familiar, all in the same breath.

On the flip, 'City Living', a straight up New York disco killer - oozing with funk, dripping in brass blasts, off beat hats and spruced up synths, it's a primetime ode to the hustle and bustle of the city. Williams' glorious tones, assisted by a majestic troupe of backing singers, glisten alongside the classy drumming and polished bass badness that lays behind it.

Delights imprint returns after a long break with a special new treat from the label's head confectioner - Markey Funk!

On his first solo 7'' in four years, Markey blends cinematic funk, baroque psych and ghostly electronica to craft two cuts of quintessential Delights sound: sinister floor-killer "Barrier" and the haunting chase theme "Chronoscope" on the flip.

Regrooved Records proudly presents this limited 45 by Mutiny, the band led by the legendary Parliament/Funkadelic drummer Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey. These tracks, previously only released as a part of the limited J.Romeo edition of the album "Black Hat Daddy and The Silver Comb Gang" on Regrooved Records, now stand alone as a rare collection of fu nk mastery. Experience the raw power and unmatched talent of Mutiny in this essential release for funk aficionados everywhere. Secure your piece of musical history with this must-have 7" record!

Ruf Dug, the Mancunian record producer, radio host, and self-professed video game freak is back for round two on Pinchy and Friends recordings with a 6 song ep that truly defies categorization.

On this latest outing, Ruf Dug touches on genres as diverse as Dub, Zouk, Melodic House, Balearic Chug, Reggaeton and more....

On side A... 'Asking for Trouble' comes brazenly out of the gate with 'buttoned down'- a bold and instantly iconic Zouk-inspired dance floor destroyer.

It is then followed up by the soothing, downtempo sounds of 'Pomegranate Dub' - another instantly iconic track featuring a lead horn melody that evokes memories of the late, great John Hassall.

Jumping over to side two, things kick off with 'Watching', which, even at it's chuggy BPM, is as deadly as a dance floor track can get.

It’s a welcome return to the label with an EP that will sound as good by the poolside in Ibiza or on a wet Tuesday afternoon in Manchester. Buy or cry!

These dancefloor-inspired edits have been approved by BMG, Partisan Records and Fela estate, with all profits going to the UN World Food Programme in Yemen.

In Fela’s own words: Music is a weapon of the future, music is the weapon of the progressives, music is the weapon of the givers of life.

Supported by All City Records, Partisan Records, BMG France, NTS Radio, Dublin Digital Radio and Worldwide FM.

Very limited stock first come first served.


12 inch black vinyl, white disco bag in black outer sleeves with a sticker. Hand stamped labels

Review: Three German instrumental talents - Chris Haertel, David Nesselhauf, Julian Gutjahr - make up The Drawbars, whom together describe their music as 'off jazz'. Following up their prior outing for Basel's BurningSole, on which two instrumental originals stuck out like raw thrums, their latest is an unexpected curveball in the form of a standout rare groove version of Billie Eilish's modern classic 'Bad Guy'. Riffing of its madhouse hooks by way of a watery high electric keyboard part, the essence of the track pairs timely well the Northern-soulful form of breaks, fills and bass jaunts. The B, 'Smokes & Mirrors', returns to OG songwriting and hears electric glisses and portamento synths dance across sultry, incense-filled rhythmatic rooms and navy-noted blueses.

Texan / Mexican neighbours, the Silver Rider and the Funk District hold hands in disco diplomacy that will break down any wall.

What a time to be alive: 20 years ago, these would have been buried on the b-side, but in 2019 they rock down the house of the largest of clubs.

Wiederveröffentlichung des gefeierten Roots-Reggae-Harmony-Group-Klassikers aus dem Jahr 1977 mit Original-Artwork. Die entscheidenden Rhythmen kommen von The Aggrovators & The High Time Band. Aufgenommen bei King Tubby's. Excellent produziert von Prince Jammy. Enthält die drei seltenen und gesuchten Singles 'Jah Gave Us This World', 'Keep On Trying' und 'Black Black Minds'.

Introducing ATA's latest Disco sensation: "United Disco Organisation's 'Feel It For Yourself'". Following the success of "Send The Rain/Funky Thing," this release features Kweku Sackey and his phenomenal backing singers, delivering a sun-soaked 70s afrobeat hit perfect for those endless Summer nights! Crafted during a creative session for an upcoming United Disco Organisation project, bassist Neil Innes conceived a captivating Afro-Disco concept. Picture a rhythmic journey, laden with percussion, reminiscent of Manu Dibango with a dash of Tony Allen's flair. With the UDO lineup of Neil on bass, Chris Dawkins on guitar, Joost Hendrickx on drums, and Danny Templeman on percussion, the foundation was set. Adding a distinctive touch, ATA regular Richard Ormrod contributed a mesmerizing alto sax solo, steering the track towards instrumental brilliance. However, it didn't quite align with the album's theme, so it took a brief hiatus. Enter Kweku Sackey (K.O.G.), who, during a studio visit....

Get cozy for fall with our all-new seasonal Chillhop Essentials 2022 compilation.

Soothing, laid-back lofi instruments welcome falling leaves and cozy hoodies. Quiet rains, games with friends. It's time for coffee or tea and an evening of relaxation. With over an hour of beats and vibes, the song project includes an impressive list of producers.

DJ Support: Soul Clap, Walla P (Voyage Funktastique)

Nearly a decade after the first 'Tap Water,' XL Middleton delivers the sequel to what many consider a true classic of the modern funk genre. Weaving between singing, rapping, and the robotic refrains of vocoder, XL's vocals glide over his synth-drenched production, which manages to be simultaneously polished yet grimy. It's a perfect meeting ground for those steeped in the raw, underground approach to hip hop production and the cleaner, more organized ethos of dance music. Whether your jam is 80's boogie, 90's g-funk, or R&B-flavored dance music of any generation, 'Tap Water II' is sure to keep your glass full.

Sundub Society - featuring Josephine Nightingale, Ally Garrido, Tiago Saga, Naomi Falcon, Cutty Wren, Hedvig Larsson. The Bahama Soul Club are a German-based group whose unique blend of soul, jazz, funk, blues, bossa nova, afro and Caribbean influences has firmly put them on the map as one of the most exciting contemporary outfits of the black music scene. Inspired by the blissful energies of the sun drenched coast and the multicultural verve of tattooed wave riders, spiritual seekers, rainbow healers, mystic maidens and dreadlocked beauties, .... and of course the funky smell of sandy flip flops. Lush arrangements painted with sun-soaked brushes, captivating hangout vibes, shuffling bits of Reggae, woven threads of 70s roots, traditional rhythms and beats and sounds of the South Western Algarve. Sincere, artistic, full of spirit and definitely unique. No striving for the worldly charts. An album recorded mainly with the local legends. Stoned troubadoures, poetic pirates, authentic rebels. The songs were born from a vague idea after the release of "Bohemia After Dawn", the last album on which a few artist friends from the Algarve had already contributed. There is always a special magic in the neighborhood when sunny midday jams morph to sundown sessions to party-till-dawn skanks. We then just put those jams on tape. So, ten sundubby love songs to 'Oh, those sandy beaches'!

Brand New Label coming straight out of Woodside, Queens, New York but bringing together some real international flavour. Ibiza resident Mr Doris with Australian D Funk deliver a classic funk / hip hop mash up that will work a treat on dancefloors, whilst on the flip British mash up artists Dunproofin brings you the soul / punk mash ups you never knew was so essential, limited press so be quick!

"...too G to take a knee, still I gave you all of me.”

A pivotal force in the early ‘10s NYC rap revival, now LA-based rapper and producer Chuck Strangers steps into the limelight on new solo LP A Forsaken Lover’s Plea.

The album sounds markedly lush, candid rhymes bolstered by a slew of guest producers—including The Alchemist, Animoss and Strangers himself. Chuck’s own production feels current without ditching its previous homeliness, a seamless compliment to his honest, lived-in raps.

A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is laced with guest verses from a collection of fellow New York rap torchbearers, from Pro Era comrade Joey Bada$$ & Flatbush Zombies' Erick the Architect to Queens’ own Remy Banks.

Strangers’ tangled romance with hip-hop is the crux of the project—the culmination of a decade’s unwavering dedication to his craft, with its lofty highs, inevitable lows, and rough lessons of humility, patience, and process.

It’s Chuck’s most comprehensive solo project since Consumers Park, his 2018 debut, and follows The Boys & Girls EP, released May 2023.

A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is available on heavyweight green vinyl, silver tape and CD.

DJ Deviant drops ‘The Rhythm’ this June, complete with Make Em’ Bounce and Deviant Skratch Tools. Following a several well received releases singles over the course of 2022 and 2023, on the Regulate Recordings imprint, DJ Deviant prepares his latest single ‘The Rhythm’. The A-Side, "The Rhythm," by DJ Deviant, showcases classic hip-hop vocals, funk-fueled guitars, driving bass lines, and heavy horns, all layered over a combination of cut-and-paste B-boy breaks.

Guaranteed to rock the spot and bust out those b boy moves. The B-Side, "Make Em Bounce," is a mid-tempo, funk-heavy jam with classic '90s hip-hop vocals, horn stabs, organs, and boom bap drum breaks—perfect for making you bounce and groove on the dance floor.

A side loops at 83 bpm
B side ultra-pitch loops at 133bpm
Deep cut, light flex, weighting in at 135g

Ever since he remixed Abimaro & The Free’s ‘Mark’ back in 2014, NuNorthern Soul boss Phil Cooper has kept in touch with Daniel Stenger, the producer and self-taught multi-instrumentalist behind the Flashbaxx project. Cooper was always convinced that Sanger would be capable of crafting a very special release for the label but was willing to give him time to come up with something special.

With Take Care My Friend, a mini-album inspired by the German producer’s deeply rooted love of jazz-funk, Stenger has repaid the faith shown in him. He’s deliv-ered a collection of quality cuts marked out by audible warmth, effortless musicality and memorable, sun-soaked songs.

As he makes clear in the liner notes included with the vinyl version of the mini album, the project began with the recording of luscious, Rhodes-laden opener ‘Al-right’. After staying up all night recording the track, Stenger not only decided to continue recording with the same relatively limited set of instruments (think bass and electric guitars, drums, piano, electric piano, organ, hand percussion and a handful of synthesizers), but also stick to a hybrid sound that added a subtle Lat-in shuffle to his Balearic-minded take on jazz, funk and soul fusion.

We’re biased of course, but there’s no denying that Stenger’s creative choices have resulted in a superb set of tracks. While the restricted kit list provided focus during the music-making process, there’s still plenty of musical variety across the six tracks that make up the set.

For proof, compare and contrast the jazzy, loose-limbed headiness of ‘It Just Happens’, where simmer-ing synth-strings, twinkling melodic motifs and glis-tening guitar licks rise above smooth jazz-funk bass and a gentle broken beat rhythm, and the slow-motion soul brilliance of ‘Strangers’, where Kathryn Kempf’s evocative and poignant lead vocals rise above a sump-tuous downtempo groove and heart-aching piano lines.

This subtly varied but musically coherent vibe contin-ues across the mini album. Stenger indulges in a bit of New York daydreaming on ‘Brooklyn Love Boat’, a wonderfully musically detailed chunk of 1970s style jazz-funk heat that offers knowing nods to Roy Ayers, Herbie Hancock and the jazz-fusion stylings of Azymuth, before opting for a deeper, slower and even more seductive sound on the Hammond-sporting bliss of ‘Take Care My Friend’.

Closing cut ‘City Lights’, a gorgeous, soft-focus affair smothered in echoing Rhodes riffs and immersive chords, has the feel of an underground classic in wait-ing: a stirring, string-drenched future sing-along whose emotion-packed lyrics are delivered brilliantly by Glasgow-born singer/songwriter Chris Pookah.

Despite the song’s subject matter – the painful final breakdown of a relationship – there’s something strangely uplifting about the combination of Pookah’s pitch-perfect vocal delivery and the absorbing warmth of Stenger’s comforting and sonically detailed music. It provides a fittingly impressive finish to a mightily immersive mini album.

RIYL: Konk, Loose Joints, Chaz Janke. The DFA debut from longtime family member Jayson Green also marks the return of the classic DFA twelve-inch. Maybe it actually stands for Dying Formats Always? Jay’s sung in a lot of bands. Like, a lot. Panthers, Violent Bullshit, Cheeseburger, and the legendary hardcore band Orchid. There are probably more. He’s always been smart and hilarious, never quite cynical though always quick to point out the absurd. Now in a bandleader role, he’s delivered us a classic a-side in “Local Jerk,” which sounds like a party because it was actually recorded during one: tight disco drums, big claps, a neck-rolling baseline, horns, and group vocals. You can literally hear the bottles clinking. The head trip is the b-side, “I Need Love,” which is a most terrifying, ridiculous piece of nightlife satire. Produced by W. Andrew Raposo and James Murphy. Mixed by James Murphy for the DFA. Mastered and cut by Robert “Sparklebear” Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. Pressed at Furnace Recording Pressing. A1 Local Jerk B1 I Need Love