Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Wenn ihr Dub-Reggae der 70er Jahre liebt, dann ist diese Limitierte Yellow LP eine wichtige Ergänzung eurer Sammlung! Der Produzent Joe Gibbs war für die vier Mitte der 70er Jahre unter dem Titel African Dub All-Mighty veröffentlichten Scheiben verantwortlich, aber die Musiker waren in Wirklichkeit eine wechselnde Ansammlung von Mitgliedern der Bands Soul Syndicate, We the People und The Revolutionaries sowie das ergänzende Genie hinter dem Mischpult Errol Thompson.

Mr. Fingers second part of the Around the Sun series of albums!!! Larry Heard's (under his most notable monniker) continuation on the path from last years "Around the Sun part 1".

Encompassing all his influences from Jazz, R&B to Techno and Ambient these lush tracks with a feel that no one else expresses quite like him. No need to further elaborate... Larry Heard at his finest.

For the ninth release on Flat White Records, we welcome U.S based producer, rapper, singer and all-around artist, VRGO.

Located in Alabama, Anthony Jamal (VRGO) takes pride in basing his music on feelings and emotions, rather than targeting specific genres and audiences. Something that can be felt in his productions.

Just to keep the listeners on their toes, FW009 strays slightly from the usual sound of Flat White Records as the record features two original Hip Hop productions.

These are followed up by a more “true to form” raw house jam to complete what is a very versatile A Side.

On the flip are remixes by fellow Alabama resident, Byron The Aquarius as well as label boss, Flat White Chris. Some tracks from this EP will feature on a larger LP by VRGO in the near future, so keep your ears peeled.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the 26th release on the Mania Dub label:

“Another Moses” by UK’s legendary reggae dub pioneers Alpha & Omega, a brand new killer album of heavy dubwise bass-music!

This release will be a one-time limited edition vinyl for Record Store Day April 2023.

La Maison Venturi & Bazaar Records proudly present the first 12inch EP of the French duo Cee-O-Funk.
Expect deviant house with boogie/funk touch and bizarre/weird sexy things.

"T'as le cul qui dit oui" ("You got the ass that says yes"), is a sexy groove carried by a heady and sharp bassline to pay homage to the moving bodies on the dancefloor and the little music of their buttocks when the whole stuff moves to the sound of the beat.
"Sex with the beat" is a joyful ode to love in all its forms, whether it is libertine or tidy or whatever. We all love without limit with or without music, but with music it's still better.
"Naked on the dancefloor" looks like a huge electronic blues, a postpartum blues, with the memory of someone on their lips, inseparable from this feeling that one can have in a trance on the dancefloor.
"Rock with U" is a repetitive, unifying, loving hymn ... let's do things together, forever.

Official reissue of this obscure Hawaiian psych-pop rarity.
Meticulously restored for reissue by Jessica Thompson.
Pressed at Gotta Groove Records.
A beautiful album celebrating Hawaii’s warmth and spirit. Enterprising composer and musician Eddie Suzuki made his own path throughout his lifetime. Born on October 4, 1929, Suzuki worked as a young shoeshiner in 1940s Honolulu, saving enough money to take piano lessons. In high school, he led a big band orchestra of 16, and sometimes up to 40 members. By the age of 18, he owned a piano shop that pivoted to become Honolulu’s top guitar store.
For Eddie Suzuki, music always came first. In 1973, after performing and composing songs for many years, Eddie Suzuki and his group, New Hawaii, recorded the now impossibly rare album, High Tide.
The LP isn’t a rock-outfit, local music journalist Wayne Harada ruminated in a 1973 review. Rather, it’s one man’s vision and version of the now Hawaii. A seasoned mix of psych, Hawaiian, and pop sensibilities, the music on High Tide gave the listener a look into Eddie’s singular vision celebrating the sights and sounds (and spirit) of Hawaii.

Flower Storm is a new multi-disciplinary project from the minds of Sepehr and Kasra V -- recontextualizing classic Iranian sounds and folklore, with the modernity of each artists aural palettes to create a sharp-edged musical sword. Birthed from the desire to combine contemporary club culture with the deep roots of their nationalities and motherland, Flower Storm is a simultaneous deep dive into the history of their ancestors as well as a nod to underground electronic soundscapes. Their debut EP entitled 'Yek' (translates to the number 1 in Farsi) is a fierce, four track collection of music alluding and akin to the mythical journeys of ancient stories like Shahnameh. New and classic sounds interlay and converse with each other in an explosive yet intimate manner, like flowers raining from the sky.

Fully remastered reissue with replica artwork of rare double header funk 45 by Miami band Human Race from 1971. Black 7" dinked centre hole vinyl.

This is an exclusive dubplate mix, a version featuring a classic Judah Eskender Tafari vocal, with Ruben Alexander playing sax. As for the other musicians, the late Judah Eskender Tafari told interviewer Peter I: “Yeah, it was like Pablove Black, Bagga, Earl Walker, Sowell Noel Bailey was the guitarist. Dem time deh, Freddie McGregor a play drums ‘pon that song deh...”

Madre Lingua is a collection of songs born via the constant interactions among the Artists that gravitated around Mother Tongue in the first two years since its opening.
On the back of this continuous exchange of musical ideas and vibes MT’s own Patrick Gibin full time coordinator and producer of many of the songs here worked on this project like painting a blank canvas inviting Tiombé Lockhart, Kaidi Tatham, K15, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Tommaso Cappellato, EDB, Gary Superfly and the mysterious 黒舌 (Infectious Madness) to bring their colourful and heartfelt contributions to this unique collection of songs.

Now six 7" releases deep, New Directions In Funk is plotting a new course with an excursion to São Paulo courtesy of your guide Zopelar whose 'Mensagem' marks the first LP on the label. Fresh off a pair of fire releases on Apron Records and Selva Discos, we're thrilled to welcome Zopelar back to Soul Clap Records.

'Mensagem' is a tribute to all the Brazilian OG DJs, collectors, and musicians that were responsible for spreading the funky music in the 70’s, laying the foundation for the sounds of today. Over the course of fifty years, Brazilian dance music has morphed into distinct genres and sounds, from underground techno to 'baile funk', but the roots always remained. It all comes back to the power of bringing people together to enjoy the energy of dancing and having fun, and the key rhythm behind the movement is the FUNK.

Combining these classic drum machine rhythms with a modern approach to synths, chords, and melody, on 'Mensagem' Zopelar orchestrates a new vision of the music played in the old Bailes. Timely and timeless, this music is a message from the future to all the pioneers of the Brazilian sound. A resounding message that in Brazil and beyond, the funk is going to be alive forever.

Highly anticipated debut from 2020 breakthrough artist, London-based musician and poet Arlo Parks.
“My album is a series of vignettes and intimate portraits surrounding my adolescence and the people that shaped it. It is rooted in storytelling and nostalgia
- I want it to feel both universal and hyper specific.” - Arlo Parks
This album news continues an outstanding year for Arlo, who was included on the BBC Sound Of 2020 poll and Radio 1 Brit List, as well as the Dazed 100 list,
and was named as an ambassador for mental health charity CALM.
Winner of the BBC Music Introducing Artist Of The Year 2020.
Includes the Radio 1 A-listed singles ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Hurt’.
First LP pressing is on 180g deep red vinyl with foldout poster and digital download code

“Home Ward Bound” is an exclusive dubplate mix, and different from the issued 45 and LP mixes, which were included in the reissued CD of the classic “Bobby Babylon” set. . The flute is probably played by Tommy McCook.

This isn’t an actual vinyl record, but a piece of playable artwork made from machined card and spot UV especially created by Haroon Mirza, and is packaged in a record sleeve. Comes with a unique download code to download the full visual movie and audio files.

Intro

hrm199,the studio of artists Haroon Mirza and Gaia Fugazza, is pleased to announce OUTPUTS, a new label run in association with musician and artist Nik Void (Factory Floor). OUTPUTS will launch with the release of The Wave Epoch, the long-awaited concept album by Haroon Mirza and Jack Jelfs featuring GAIKA.

The Label

OUTPUTS will initially focus on releasing projects by artists already associated with hrm199, starting with The Wave Epoch. This will be followed by two long form compositions, created by Gaia Fugazza and Nik Void. As well as developing new collaborations, the label will also delve into hrm199’s archive containing previous collaborative works with artists such as Okkyung Lee, Shiva Feshareki, Beatrice Dillon and Mark Fell.

Available as a limited edition playable artwork made from machined card and foil especially created by Haroon Mirza.

The product will come with a download code and a download for the full visual film created by Haroon.

Originally conceived by artists Haroon Mirza and Jack Jelfs during their 2018 residency at CERN – the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, and home of the iconic Large Hadron Collider – The Wave Epoch is an album and film developed in collaboration with artist and musician GAIKA amongst others who joined them on the residency. An immersive and multimedia live performance version of The Wave Epoch has previously been performed at the Brighton Festival, Lisson Gallery and the Ministry of Sound nightclub.

Incorporating music, poetry, incantation, archive and original video footage and homemade electronic instruments (including some built from discarded scientific equipment from CERN), the album imagines a distant future in which the forgotten remains of the Large Hadron Collider have been rediscovered. How would a civilisation several thousand years from now interpret this vast octa-circle carved into the landscape, with its miles of underground tunnels, cathedral-like spaces and forbiddingly complex machinery?

Taking this scenario as a starting point, the album and accompanying film are a visually-led sci-fi exploration of knowledge and belief, matter and consciousness, scientific activity and shamanic ritual, and of our quest to find patterns and order amidst the endlessly shifting realities of human experience.

Editors notes

hrm199 is a studio founded in 2004 by artist Haroon Mirza as a platform for collaborative artistic production. Today the studio is run by Mirza and the visual artist Gaia Fugazza, from where they make their own work, as well as facilitating collaborative projects and residencies. They work in a wide range of disciples spanning visual arts, music, architecture, design, physics, fashion, neuroscience and bioecology. The studio has collaborated with Factory Floor, Okkyung Lee, Assemble, Wayne McGregor, OSMAN and scientists from Imperial College, to name but a few.

Gaika Tavares, better known simply as GAIKA, is an artist and writer who describes his sound as Ghettofuturism. His creative output has always straddled different worlds, taking influence from academia, philosophy and political theory. His debut album Basic Volume (2018, Warp Records) was described as "gothic dancehall and industrial electronics" while The Guardian have said that his music blends "Caribbean dancehall tradition and London grime but also nod to R&B, trip-hop, grunge and Prince."

Jack Jelfs is a British artist whose work combines sculptural, video and text elements with electronics and live performance. His interests include questions about the nature of consciousness, ontology, ritual, divinatory systems and the limits of language. He has released music under various aliases and performed or exhibited at venues including Tate Modern, the Barbican, Serpentine Gallery, FACT and CCCB.

Haroon Mirza has won international acclaim for installations that test the interplay and friction between sound and electrical signals. He devises sculptures, performances and immersive constellations of objects, moving image, light and sound. An advocate of interference (in the sense of electro-acoustic or radio disruption), he creates situations that purposefully cross wires. He describes his role as a composer, manipulating electricity, a live, invisible and volatile phenomenon. Exploring myriads of socio-political, scientific and theological discourses, Mirza invites us to become aware of our physical experience, which engages our systems of belief as opposed to a notion of truth.

Mirza lives and works in London and is recipient of several prestigious prizes such as the Silver Lion at the 54th Venice Biennale, The Calder Prize and The Nam June Paik Art Centre Prize. He has been presented internationally including Tate Modern, MoMA, Lisson Gallery, The Paris Opera and The Australian Centre of Contemporary Art.

Nik Void is a composer and performer whose work blurs the lines of techno, ambient, avant-garde, and noise. Her interests lie in unconventional encounters with her tool, both analogue and digital as a means of expression. Voice, Guitar, and Modular are her key instruments, engaging in a new language using extended technique and cut-up sampling through synthesis. She has released critically acclaimed albums as Factory Floor, Carter Tutti Void and NPVR, on record labels that include Mute, DFA, Editions Mego and Blast First. Void's improvisational nature led her to explore the intersection between electronic composition and visual art interpretation, with visual artists, including Haroon Mirza, Gaia Fugazza, Hannah Sawtell, Phillip Parreno, and Francisco Lopez.

‘Nitely’ is the debut album from Jonny Wildey; written recorded over three years at North London’s creative haven Total Refreshment Centre.

Although ‘Nitely’ will be his first release under his own name, Wildey has been making electronic music under the name Alphabets Heaven for the last decade, releasing a string of acclaimed singles on Nightmares On Wax, Tru Thoughts, Soundway, and King Deluxe.

Recording upstairs at Total Refreshment Centre proved an inspiration in itself for Wildey – he recorded at night, which happily meant that some of the most exciting music around was happening in the same building: “The TRC had gigs on at the time, so I’d go there, start working on something, then would see the Neue Grafik Ensemble, or some amazing jazz band, and go back upstairs and carry on working, which was a lot of fun.” Unsurprisingly, he soon attracted some like-minded collaborators – ‘Nitely’ features Danalogue (The Comet Is Coming, Soccer96), Emma Gatrill (This Is The Kit, Laura Marling), Marcus Hamblett (James Holden, Timber Timbre) and London based beat master Deft (Yip Wong).

‘Nitely’ represents a musical shift, with Wildey embracing more traditional songwriting and a drawing upon his wide range of musical tastes – Shuggie Otis, Yes, Arthur Lee’s Love, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, A Tribe Called Quest, John Frusciante, Milton Nascimento, Steve Miller. “I really just wanted to take a lot of influences from the 70s and 80s that I was maybe a bit embarrassed about earlier in life and try and apply that to everything I’ve been doing for the last 10 years. I’m not ashamed to write songs and put my vocals at the front, which is a huge step for me. The big connecting thing is that a lot of the music I like is fun – say, Shuggie Otis has a lot of what I like in dance music, in that it just feels so light – it will just make whatever you do feel a bit better, that’s the kind of music I wanted to make.

Spanning 12 tracks, ‘Nitely’ is a record from the heart; it’s direct, warm and unequivocally honest. The sound palette of the record effortlessly meshes the crunch and warmth of 70’s funk & soul (Lonely, Violet, Your Dreams), the dreamy air of bedroom pop (Don’t Fall Asleep, Love is Out There) and sub heavy frequencies from beats/electronica (Roll, Too Much). The result is a modern day Pop / New Soul classic, an album that from start to finish is an endearing look into the mind of Wildey. It’s familiar-yet-new, nostalgic and straight forward, wearing its emotions very clearly on its sleeves.

Experimental producer Parallel Action - aka Jude Greenaway - continues to cement himself as a key player in the trip-hop resurgence with his cinematic, self-titled album.

Released via his own label C7NEMA100, Parallel Action is a space for Jude to combine his passion for Trip Hop, Contemporary Classical and Future Jazz, with sonic storytelling. His unique style is married with collaborations ranging from soulful singers and spoken word artists to scratch DJs, taking the listener on a journey that speaks to the uncertainty of a society on edge. It’s a fascinating and cutting-edge body of work that seamlessly blends experimental Jazz drums with heavy Hip-Hop elements, allowing Jude the freedom to tell stories in his own beguiling way.

Pie Eye Collective has been a part of the Albert’s Favourites family for a little while, working with Hector Plimmer and Scrimshire on studio and live performances, he has also played alongside Emma-Jean Thackray and And Is Phi.

Pie Eye Collective is the solo project of sound scientist and explorer Matthew Gordon.

While at its heart electronica, Gordon creates an organic collage of influences and evocative noises, even drawing from jazz and soul music. Time signatures and rhythms, sometimes hard to pin down, only lead to a more hypnotic sense of being afloat in a sea of harmonics and strangely familiar musical memories.

It is music that wants you to completely free yourself and let it move through you.

Did you know that if we go back 10 generations, we could count for each of us some 2,046 ancestors, going back 20 generations there would be 2.097.150 ancestors and going back 40 generations each of us would have more than a trillion ancestors, which is more than all the people who have ever lived on earth?

This complicated paradox, known as the Pedigree Collapse, however, leads to the simple conclusion that we all share at least one ancestor with each other.

Inspired by this reflection, "How many ancestors do we have?" is the latest EP by Woxow, sound mixologist and mastermind of Little Beat More, translating the concept into a profound journey in search of the roots of music, to find that ancestral vibration that has resonated in every human being since the dawn of time.

Jazz atmospheres, refined hip hop beats, world music overtones, dub rhythms and reggae reminiscences, all enriched by the dense and meaningful voices of London's Reggae RoastMC Natty Campbell, the eclectic and electric Raashan Ahmad and the legendary rapper and
performance poet Azeem, bringing to light the infinite connections that unite all humanity.

The album is further enriched by the precious remixes of underground legend Koralle, electronic shaman Deela, dub master Paolo Baldini Dubfiles, and gifted hip-hop head Luke Beats, who hybridise Woxow's ancestral vision with their skillful artistry, giving a new dimension to the tracks.

The artwork by visual artist and filmmaker Simone Brillarelli captures the essence of the album in a vibrant bloom of colourful flowers sharing the same soil, and ultimately the same planet, reiterating the message of shared family and unity that is celebrated in the music.

The EP is available both as a gatefold with two 7-inch vinyls and as a single 12-inch vinyl, as well as digital. Join the family now.

Following up from both his debut split tape; NCA PAN (2016) and his ROOT BEER EP (2017), Ashtrejinkins is back with another full-length solo project. This time; 50 mins of original ATJ tracks, presented in a blood-red casette shell (+ digitals).

Booty Haul has been honing his Hip Hop craft since the late 1980’s, perfecting the 12bit “Boom Bap sound over decades and amassing all the tools of the trade in that time. More known for his house and techno (under different names), Booty Haul digs deep into his floppy disks to pull out some of his choice cuts for Alloy Cuts.

AC 001 sees Mr Haul refreshing the iconic “MVP” acapella from Big L, one of the most auspicious storytellers in hip hop history. The outcome is a more funked up, party focused slap of hip hop goodness.

Repress!

10 Years after his last LP on Vinyl, the Legendary FUNKMASTER OZONE, one of the Kings of the Underground Funk Movement is back with an explosive New LP! As always on his records, there is a P-Funk side and an E-Funk side. There are all the elements that have characterized its unmistakable sound since the beginning of the Funkmaster Ozone Era!

Power Analog Synthesizers, Talkbox, Vocoder, DMX, 808 and his absolutely amazing Funk touch. The LP includes a featuring with the wonderful voice of JAMIE DAVIS & the touch of H.M.KLOTZ in the song 'Freaky Friday', an incredible Master Piece which seems to have come directly from the 80s! And also a great collaboration with another superb artist like EDDY FUNKSTER on 'Integrity'. The LP, is a full trip into the universe of Funkmaster Ozone, a must have reléase!

Raised on Colombia's Caribbean coast and united by its capital, Bogota, Ghetto Kumbé combines the rich musical heritage of their home, to invoke the spirit of digital rumba in audiences all over the world. The secret behind their irresistible electronic ritual lies in their powerful percussion base; Caribbean house beats and traditional afro-Colombian rhythms inherited from West Africa. The album's co-producer, The Busy Twist, adds all the legacy of UK's Bass scene to the Afrofuturistic sounds of the 3 Colombians. Inspired by the different revolutionary movements emerging all over the world, Ghetto Kumbé will release their first full-length album in July 2020 on pioneering Latin Ameri-can electronic label ZZK. Their self-titled debut is visceral, committed, and rebellious, denouncing through frantic rhythms the inequalities and abuses imposed by corrupt governments, while simultaneously enticing listeners to join in the fight. Dance mingles with awareness to create a global community, where family, friends, and strangers come together through our shared love of music and activate change amongst themselves. Using musical motifs from Africa and Colombia's Caribbean coast such as the gaita, call-and-response vocals, and an array of hand drums and rhythms, coupled with the elegant electronic production of Tech/House, Ghetto Kumbé creates an Afro-futurist soundscape with lyrics to motivate, elevate, and inspire. Their first single to come out, `Vamo a Dale Duro', is a fluorescent criticism of the unjust divide between the poor and the rich, the rising prominence of dirty politicians, and the ethics of the capitalist sys-tem while encouraging people to stand up and fight for a dignified existence. The al-bum's tone fluctuates fluidly between tracks that include ancestral chants, voices both deep and resounding, and anthems to uplift and inspire, as well as features by up-and-coming Réunion island artist Melanie and the Palenque-based folk/hip-hop band Kombilesa Mi. In the Americas, Ghetto Kumbé has become one of the most important alternative groups to come out of Colombia. They've played Barranquilla's world famous Carnival, Bogotá's recent Boiler Room, and have even opened for Radiohead. The ancient yet modern sound of the three powerful musicians has made them a legitimate representative of the new Afrohouse scene burgeoning all over the world.

"Darkness Darkness" and "No Services" are songs by Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) and William Tyler. The first song "Darkness, Darkness" contains samples from Gloria Loring's version of "Darkness, Darkness". The songs were produced by Kieran Hebden. The guitar was perfomed by William Tyler and recorded by Jake David at huge Planet in Nashville.

This Autumn, Nicole Willis rolls out with her third album made together with The Soul Investigators "Happiness In Every Style". It is bound to send shivers through backs all around the world. As the name suggests, the new album will offer variety and tilt towards a more positive note after the murky "Tortured Soul" from two years back.

This means Nicole and the boys have made things a bit more soothing for the listener, offering upbeat modern soul and even embrace more sophisticated melodies alongside their highly evolved raw funk sound. To get a taste of this, one only has to put on "Let's Communicate" or "One In a Million" to have their hands clapping and toes tapping in no time, or respectively, witness the dance floor explode. From minor key ballads such as "Thief In The Night" to the unapologetically poppy "Angel", the new album is bound to bring to the hearts of humans in every shade and style.

Whether you know Nicole Willis from before or not does not hold any weight here. After hearing her with The Soul Investigators on this new album, you will know they are for real, and out to offer you everything you need to fill up your soul supply. With Nicole's insightful lyrics and the band's hard-hitting music you are in good care.

Second release on the reissue series MTMB (Music Take Me Back) features two amazing dance floor tracks by U.X.B., the six-piece disco band founded by lead singer Keith Pole in the early 80’s. Both “Sting Me” and “Your Starring” were dedicated to Keith’s first love who he eventually married. After being featured on a Disconet Program Service compilation in 1982, Sting Me was later picked up by Belgian label Rainbow to receive a single release including an extended vocal and dub version. A 7″ single was pressed too that included the otherwise unreleased “Your Starring”.

Top Studio One compilation album of 70s roots rock and soul reggae, released in 1981. The set includes rare tunes that command high prices in the collector's market. "Born A Freeman" by Al Campbell & Freddie McGregor is one of the most sought-after tunes in the Studio One catalogue, currently valued at more than £2000. “Homeward Bound" by Freddie McGregor,“Jah Light" by Cedric Brooks are exclusive dub plate mixes for this release, and “Instrumental by Brentford Rockers is a famous killer dub plate on the UK scene. All previously unreleased. Lennie Hibbert's “Chinese Beauty” has a suitably oriental-sounding melody, with a dread combination of the former bandleader at Alpha School on vibes, ably assisted by Jackie Mittoo.

Rarities but goodies of 70s top tunes that even a seasoned collector would struggle to find.

The enhanced reissue comes with new liner notes.

Available on vinyl for the very first time. ZERO 7 4th album Yeah Ghost from 2007, spans everything from dance pop to acoustic folk and everything in between it's an idea-splattered work of genius that even includes a quartet of instrumental tracks derived from their experimental side projects and sampled, overdubbed and rebuilt from scratch.

“Enter a path few can follow, but many can appreciate. A studio or sound’s dub-plates are like a Shaolin monk’s sacred teachings. London-based Alpha & Omega take us into their world of mesmerising roots and divulge their exclusive ‘specials’.”
MUZIK

“Through minimal manipulation, (Alpha and Omega) deliver the listener to a place of great sonic peace.” OPTION MAGAZINE

“The compelling presences at the heart of these airy sonic worlds have a harder edge than some of their ancestors.”
WIRE

“Massively thunderous bass lines, galloping drum tracks and a willingness to tastefully adorn dubs with digital flutes and various electronic sounding washes.”

‘Yemaya’ is the long-awaited new album and Tru Thoughts debut from future soul and electronica duo Anushka. Therelease features proceeding singles “You My Love”, “Speak To Me” and “Brave” which have seen support from the likes of GillesPeterson, Lauren Laverne, Jamz Supernova, Nemone (BBC 6Music), Jack Saunders (BBC Radio 1), EARMILK, Music Is My Sanctuary, Clash Magazine and Toshio Matsuura.

Released on limited edition transparent numbered double vinyl, the LP takes its name from the Orisha Yemaya – the Goddess ofthe Sea, protector of women and the Eternal Mother in the Santeria/Yoruba religion. It is believed in Santeria that Yemaya guidesand supports her children, helping them to grow; as explored with the reference to the life-giving essence of water in focus track“Bad Weather”. Celebrating their progression and those who have helped them on the way, the title expresses the oneness that theduo felt making the record.

This growth is explored on album opener “So Far Journey”. Written by Victoria Port (singer/songwriter) as a “call to the ancestors”,the track explores coming back to yourself and who you truly are after a period of feeling displaced and lost. With astrally chargedsynths from Max Wheeler (producer), it sits alongside the cosmic love story of “You My Love” and the luminous “Serenity”.Speaking of the latter, Port adds: “It’s that feeling when a person makes it feel like home wherever you are. When something isstressful and you know they can help you find your peace”.

Drummer Rich Legault, bassist Denny Lewan, singer/guitarist Mike Peace and rhythm guitarist Ben Wiesneiwski were all members of Wisconsin-based band named Attila and the Huns which later became Filet of Soul. The latter 45 has been reissued from us some years ago, now it is time to shed some light on Attila and the Huns.

Back with his second full-length release of 2022 and follow-up to the wildly successful album, “FACE,” Babyface Ray gifts fans with “MOB,” an 18-track album featuring tightly selected appearances by Lil Durk, Blxst, Ninja, Doe Boy, Samuel Shabazz,King Hendrick$ & GMO Stax. 2022 was a banner year for Ray, with him being named to XXLs Freshmen class of 2022, as well as being elected to be part of the 2022 class for YouTube Music’s Black Voices Fund. He also embarked on his first sold out nationwide headlining tour, and appeared at several notable festivals, including Rolling Loud, Lyrical Lemonade's Summer Smash, Made In America, Wireless Fest, Broccoli City and others. After making a late night appearance on Jimmy Fallon, Ray announced his second headline tour slated for 2023, entitled “Courtesy of the MOB.” If one thing is clear, it’s that Babyface Ray is a force to stay for years to come.

Junei, the guitarist behind The Space Army Band, who would team up with his brother, General Lee, to form The Lost Weekend remains a pivotal character amongst the music scene of his hometown, Gary, Indiana.

Working closely with local indie groups & producers, such as Gordon Keith of Steeltown (Jackson 5's first manager), Junei would spend the 70s writing & recording whilst touring with artists such as The Emotions, Curtis Mayfield & Albert King.

Junei's calling card came to be in 1987, when he released his single 'Let's Ride' & 'You Must Go On' on local imprint, Pharoah's Records. The following year, he teamed up with Bernard Walker to produce a signature of that late-80s bedroom indie sound, cemented by the ideology & instruments used.

As Junei recalls..

"Bernard Walker approached me based on my reputation around town. He told me about this song that he wrote called "My Lover." Initially, he wanted to record a demo but I convinced him that I could do an actual finished production of his song, right from my small project "tape based, 8-track" basement studio. The sessions took place in Gary, Indiana in the basement of my parents home inside my small bedroom recording studio. The equipment used was a Fostex 1/4" 8-track recorder, Fostex 1/4" 2-track recorder, Fostex 12-channel mixer, Sennheizer vocal microphone, Korg DW8000 Synthesizer & a Roland R8 Drum Machine. As he sang the lyrics, I began composing what I heard in my head, then I recorded to tape each instrument one at a time (keyboards, drum machine, etc..) until we were satisfied with the production, then he laid down his lead vocals and I helped him sing the background vocals. Afterwards, I did some tweaking and then I transferred it to my 2-track reel-to-reel recorder, and that was it. He was totally pleased of the outcome."

A modern soul number that fits today's disco sound, and on 45, what's not to love here ?

"Sweet Maybe" is a driving slice of sassy modern soul. A honeyed, sizzling affair with proper live band delivering the goods and featuring Bart Davenport on vocal duties. Over on the flip, the Synthstrumental version is a party jam that romps along in full-on disco-funk mode.

If there's one thing that drives Casbah 73 as a DJ and a producer, more than anything else, it is his love for the music. An all-encompassing, life-consuming affair that gives shape and direction to the distinctive sounds he creates, whether on the dancefloor or in the studio. And he has been on fine form of late, with a superb string of releases combining craftsmanship, live musicians and dance floor suss.

Featured singer LA's Bart Davenport is an old Lovemonk friend of
The Loved Ones, Incarnations & Honeycut fame.