Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Buena Onda 2021 is here! This second compilation of contemporary Balearic sounds is a perfect snapshot of the Berlin party of the same name, and a fine representation of the Hell Yeah label it comes on. Featuring 12 exclusive tracks and remixes from family and friends, this now annual collection of global beats housed on vinyl and digital now comes to you via cassette, compiled and mixed by Marco Gallerani & Gallo

This collection is all about updating and refining what Balearic means. It's exotic music for exotic people, grown-up sounds for those who still like to get down. From acid to disco, Italo to downtempo, it's all here and ready to transport you to a dance floor in paradise.

This compilation is jam-packed with heat including Cacao's standout summer sizzler 'Lambada.' You can also expect another classic Mellow Mellow Acid remix from the one and only Calm, Max Essa's Mediterranean deep house take on The Vendetta Suite, churning cosmic charms from Somerville & Wilson and the soft-acid-rave sounds of Gallo's Tropical Hinterhof remix. Add in music from a fine selection of talented Italian newcomers including Feel Fly, The Mechanical Man and Relative, and you have a bumper collection.

King Earthquake 12" from Winston Fergus - Bills Pressure / Fari

Cinematic Roots-Reggae from Ghana as it has potentially never been heard before! Y-Bayani and Baby Naa are giving the perfect blend of two natural talented voices, backed by the wonderful sounding Band of Enlightenment, Reason & Love, which features master drummer Josie Coppola, who gave his rhythmic energy to such artists as Gentleman, Junior Kelly, Dean Frazer, Don Corleone, Alborosie and many more.

The nine songs show the group's clear own interpretation of reggae music, a unique balancing act between afroretroism on "Nsie Nsie" or "Get Away" and some afrohyperfuturism on "Asafo Weyasi" or "Zooba Maka".

Produced by Maxy Weissenfeldt of Poets of Rhythm and Whitefield Brothers fame, who also worked with artists such as Dr. John, Dan Auerbach, Lana Del Rey, DJ Shadow, The Heliocentrics and many more.

In 2015, Optimo’s Autonomous Africa label released Youth Stand Up! A triangular recording project hatched at Glasgow’s Green Door Studio that brought together young musicians from Belize, Ghana and Glasgow for ten tracks of cross-cultural collaboration. The result was an infectious cocktail of traditional Caribbean and West African rhythms, hip hop, highlife and Glaswegian post-punk, featuring contributions from Optimo Music regulars Golden Teacher and Whilst, among others.

The proceeds from that project went directly back to the youth groups in Ghana and Belize, helping the musicians from Ghana’s Tafi Cultural Institute build a recording studio and performance space in their village. Two years later, a grant from Creative Scotland’s Open Fund spawned the sequel to Youth Stand Up!: Youth Stand United, recorded both at Green Door and at TCI’s new studio in Ghana (with Golden Teacher’s Laurie Pitt at the controls), and mixed by Green Door’s Stuart and Emily Evans.

Youth Stand United features backing tracks contributed by members of Golden Teacher, Pu$$y Mothers, Whilst, Kaputt, and Sordid Sound System, with vocals provided by the musicians from TCI.

Over 6 songs, it oscillates from the left-field disco of Diloeshutubui to the Juju-electro odyssey of Gidi to the Joe-Meek-meets-William Onyeabor space age gospel pop of Nobody Knows.

Proceeds from Youth Stand United will go towards a scholarship fund for musicians from Tafi Atome, Ghana.

Two Vinyl LPs (sold separately) Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the 20th and 21st release “Spirit Of The Ancients”, featuring two legends of the UK Dub scene, pioneers Alpha & Omega and Jonah Dan! This album was originally released only on CD format in 2003, and now on vinyl for the first time, spread over two volumes!

Both volumes bring us the vintage UK Dub sound: roots, spirituality and heavy basslines. A very distinctive and authentic, connecting like-minded people to each other. If the spirit of the ancients would make a sound, it would be BASS!

A one-time-pressing for RSD 2021, PLAY LOUD!

Amanaz were serious, and they made a serious stab at an album. They titled their album Africa, according to original band member Keith Kabwe, “because of how it was shared and how its inhabitants were butchered and enslaved, its resources stolen… all the atrocities slave drivers committed. “ Thus, their “Kale,” a blues sung in Nyanja, that traced the continent’s arc from slavery to Zambia’s independence closes the album. Kabwe and rhythm guitarist John Kanyepa have a winsome softness to their vocals, which sit politely aside the feral growl of drummer Watson Baldwin Lungu, bassist Jerry Mausala and bandleader/lead guitarist Isaac Mpofu. Africa’s vibe ranges from anxious (“Amanaz”) to escapist (“Easy Street”) to straight-up pissed-off. On the “History of Man,” his voice whiskeyburned, his distorted guitar buzzing like swarming hornets, Mpofu indicts his species.
There’s a darkness to Africa not found on any other Zamrock records, and a melancholy drifts throughout, specifically on Mpofu’s more restrained “Khala My Friend,” which stands as an effective, bleak situation for the Zambian everyman, the average citizen of a struggling, new nation, who might have had relatives in conflict-torn countries on the horizon, who might have been struggling to find his next meal, who might have seen a bleaker future than his president promised. Then there’s the clear Velvet Underground-influence on the nostalgic “Sunday Morning,” which, as Kabwe
recalls, was the first song written for the album, back in 1968, when Velvet Undergound and Nico was a new release - and the underground funk of “Making The Scene.” The album also tackles traditional Zambian music and early-‘60s rock – punctuated, of course by Kanyepa’s wah-wah and Mpofu’s fuzz guitars. But every time Amanaz get too deep, too violent, they come back with an accessible song and woo their listener back to the groove. “Green Apple” is a civil song, featuring Kanyepa’s sighing guitar. It is a perfectly arranged album, from the dichotomy of Mpofu’s and Kanyepa’s lead and rhythm guitars, to the vocal harmonies, to the rhythm section’s sense of space and time, which allows Africa’s funk to build. Inexplicably, Africa was given two separate mixes and two separate presses: one version is dry, with the vocals and drums mixed loud, the other slathered in reverb, with the vocals and drums disappearing into the mix, and with the guitar solos mixed much louder. We’ve presented them both here as they each have their appeal: it’s up to the listener to pick the one he or she prefers. This is a highpoint of the Zamrock scene and we hope that this can be seen as its definitive reissue.

In the mid-2000s The Diplomats were nearly unstoppable. The hip hop collective formed in the late 90s by Cam’ron along with childhood friend Jim Jones had grown in both membership and influence. Though solo efforts by Dipset members were abundant, only two full length Diplomats projects were issued during this heyday. Diplomatic Immunity 2 was first issued in 2004, filled to the top with verses from J.R. Writer, Juelz Santana, 40 Cal, Hell Rell and of course both Jim Jones and Cam’ron.

Ephemera (Stewart Whitmarsh) makes up one third of the Fixed Rhythms operational crew. He's here with an in-your-face, emotionally large EP representing his idiosyncratic blend of big bass, Southern rap hi-hats, lush synths and modular squelches. The tempo is such that you can dance hard and fast or find the beats in between and chill on a blunt. Either way, heady for sure.

The A-side hits hard, whereas the B-side calms down a bit for some reflection.

Limited edition of 100 professionally dubbed and printed fluorescent green cassettes.

Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann.

Aus der Fettes Brot-Reissue-Reihe GEBÄCK TO THE FUTURE (2001–2010): die 'Demotape (Bandsalat Edition)' als 2022 Remaster & Design-Update. Mit den Hits 'Schwule Mädchen' & 'The Grosser'. Erweitert um 10 Bonustracks wie 'Tanzverbot', 'Welthit' und dem unveröffentlichten Demo 'Die Bevölkerung braucht uns'. Mit den Stargästen DJ Pauly, Bela B, Memphis Horns, Heinz Strunk, Skunk Funk. Und ohne Ende ungesehene Fotos & brandneue Erinnerungs-Stories von Fettes Brot und allen Beteiligten.

“Signz” was born two years ago, not with music, but with a concept and a name. The idea was to create an album without paying heed to time, allowing space for creativity and letting chance encounters shape the music. A project that would evolve over its lifetime, without being rushed. Letting the signs reveal themselves over time, and taking advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves, whether on tour, during recording sessions or when travelling. This approach, a relationship with the present moment and the feeling more simply known as the “vibe”, defines the album. But beyondthat, it’s been the driving philosophy behind O.B.F. since they started making music.

Met trots presenteren Rosa Ana, Nosa en Soulution het album “GOLDEN HOUR”. Het album telt een zevental tracks, waarvan er geen één onder de drieëneenhalve minuut komt. Waardoor je volwaardige tracks kunt verwachten. Het is een bijzonder muzikaal project met kwetsbare onderwerpen die de drie bezig gebben gehouden. Producer Soulution heeft letterlijk alles uit de kast getrokken om zijn gevestigde sound (als vaste producer van Fat Windjacks en zijn internationale projecten met onder andere Edo G, Talib Kweli, Bahamadia enzovoort) te ontwikkelen.

Run-D.M.C.'s Raising Hell remains the turning point at which hip-hop crashed through mainstream barriers and never left. Anchored by the crossover smash "Walk This Way," the 1986 blockbuster still sounds like a revolution unfolding in real time. It has everything – hard-rock riffs, turntable scratching, itchy rhythms, hit singles – not the least of which are the trio's invigorating raps and inseparable chemistry. And now it's the first rap record afforded audiophile treatment, courtesy of Mobile Fidelity.

Sourced from the original master tapes and pressed on MoFi SuperVinyl, the reissue label's numbered-edition 180g 33RPM SuperVinyl LP elevates Raising Hell to sonic heights on par with its musical and cultural significance. Ranked the 123rd Greatest Album of All Time by Rolling Stone, 43rd on Pitchfork's Greatest Albums of the 1980s, one of the Top 100 Albums of All Time by TIME – and included on "Best of" lists by Spin, Paste, XXL, Entertainment Weekly, and basically every other significant media outlet – the triple-platinum effort rocks the house.

Benefitting from the ultra-low noise floor and groove definition of SuperVinyl, Raising Hell unleashes a torrent of massive dynamics and tsunami of frequency-plumbing details underlined by Rick Rubin's taut, crisp, albeit raw and streetwise production. Just as the Queens-based group both defined what hip-hop could represent – and displayed just how big it could get – Rubin's work melded ear-worm hooks, savvy drum loops, metal-leaning guitars, and, of course, Run and D.M.C.'s cross-fire lyrical interplay into watertight frameworks bursting with ideas, tones, samples, and beats. Heard anew on Mobile Fidelity vinyl, Raising Hell is in every regard the aural equivalent of a direct-to-console 1970s classic. And it sounds as fresh as hell.

As for the music, it ranks among the most influential, inventive, and invigorating ever released – rap or otherwise. Vanguard artists such as Ice-T, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Public Enemy's Chuck D – who declared it his all-time favorite and "the first record that made me realize this was an album-oriented genre" – have testified on behalf of its brilliance. And never mind the presence of the Top 5 single "Walk This Way," whose power helped make Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry relevant for the first time in nearly a decade – and literally put Run-D.M.C. in bedrooms ranging from the Bronx to Bartlett to Bad Axe.

Look instead to the rest of the entirely filler-free set, be it the corkscrew turns, slippery wordplay, and "My Sharona"-meets-"Mickey" mixology of the boisterous "It's Tricky," the fat-but-minimized bass grooves and warped turntable wobble of the hysterical "You Be Illin'," chimes-accented inertia and boombox-on- shoulder thunder of the now-iconic "Peter Piper," or voice-as-percussion attack of the funky "Is It Live." With Raising Hell, the answer to the question is always affirmative – a sensation bolstered by the fact the group always had something to say.

The definition of Golden Age Hip-Hop in every way, Run-D.M.C. avoids the negativity and misogyny that later plagued the style, spinning assertive tales about identity (the biographical and culture-changing "My Adidas"), work ethics ("Perfection"), and, most notably, pride (the Harriet Tubman- and Malcom X.-referencing "Proud to Be Black"). Pavement-packed inner cities, tree-lined suburbs, and cornfield-rimmed rural areas would never again be the same. And rocking a rhyme that's right on time would become trickier than ever.

Up until Raising Hell, the rap juggernaut we know as Run-DMC was still in its building and breaking-down- doors phase. In 1986 that changed, and in a dramatic way. With their third long-player, the group had reached the mountaintop. It was THE record that proved hip-hop wasn’t a fad. Raising Hell marked an important and significant new era for the group. Leaving producer Larry Smith for up-and- coming sonic innovator Rick Rubin (still co-produced by Run’s brother Russell Simmons), they began to fully transition not only their own sound, but the sound of the entire genre. Less live playing – with some exceptions – and a slicker, tighter sonic attack. Musical aesthetics aside, though, at their core they stayed true to the essence of hip-hop: two turntables and a microphone, or two. It’s impossible to talk about the album without its worldwide smash, “Walk This Way,” which hit #4 on the Billboard pop charts and saw the group digging in the rock crates to summon Aerosmith in the flesh, combining Steven Tyler’s and Joe Perry’s musicianship with the group’s own take on the ‘70s classic. The song’s video cemented Run-DMC as legit MTV idols, and both groups rode its wave to new heights. Beyond “Walk This Way,” the platter is full to the hilt with undeniable classic singles: “You Be Illin’”; “It’s Tricky”; “Peter Piper” and the fashion-world shifting “My Adidas.” Each song was new proof that Run-DMC’s sound was indeed new, but still familiar, and full of the energy, charisma and innovation that drew fans to their first two LPs. Aside from the singles, the reason the album stands up so well is the fact that there is virtually no filler. “Proud To Be Black” remains a pioneering and underrated cut when people talk about “conscious” hip-hop. And to make sure they never lost the streets that gave them their start, “Hit It Run,” “Son Of Byford,” “Is It Live” and “Perfection” all bring it back to the group’s early days in the park. Besides the triple platinum status the album achieved, it was more than just a pop smash. It signaled a new era for rap music, and it was the no-turning- back point for the entire genre. This was the beginning of what we now call the Golden Era, and it still sounds as fresh today as it did three decades ago.

Clear color vinyls + MP3 Download Code

Das Südlondoner Speakers Corner Quartet begann 2006 als Hausband der legendären Spoken Word- & Hip-Hop-Nacht Speakers Corner in Brixton und unterstützt seitdem Musiker live und im Studio (u.a. Sampha, Kae Tempest, Tirzah, Dean Blunt, MF DOOM, Lianne La Havas). Sie verfeinerten ihr Handwerk und ihre Vielseitigkeit als multiinstrumentale Produzenten und präsentieren nun ihr Debütalbum 'Further Out Than The Edge' mit einigen der aufregendsten Namen der unabhängigen Szene: Tirzah, Kelsey Lu, Shabaka Hutchings, Coby Sey, Sampha, Kae Tempest, Mica Levi, Joe Armon-Jones, Lawfawndah, Léa Sen und mehr.

In August of 2007, the Port Arthur duo of Bun B and Pimp C known as UGK released their epic fifth studio album, Underground Kingz. Sadly, this was the last release recorded by Pimp C before his untimely death in December of the same year. Production was overseen
by legendary Rap-A-Lot producer N.O. Joe and Pimp C himself with contributions from Three 6 Mafia, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, Scarface, Swizz Beatz, and Marly Marl among others. The second single "Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You) was nominated for a Grammy and won video of the year at BET's 2008 Music Awards.

Brazilian producer Zopelar has been breaking necks since few years already with his distinctive brand of space funk!

In this particular release for Mother Tongue he comes across like Sao Paulo meets West London on the a side Entre Viagens and turns into a heavy Detroit influenced Electro Funk jam the b side Vista.

Former Mind & Matter bandmates James "Jimmy Jam" Harris and Michael Dixon teamed up for 1978's gospel-boogie banger "You're All I Need" b/w "You're Everything" on the private Mad label.

A match made in dancefloor heaven, as two worlds collide with LDN partystarters Make A Dance committing their official remix of indie rock four-piece, Django Django’s percussive bumper ‘Don't Touch That Dial’ to vinyl for a limited pressing, complete with vinyl only dub mix on the flip.

Already squarely aimed at the club, the Make A Dance duo take the original to stratospheric heights, flipping it into a body-popping, electro bomb which sits Japanese singer Yuuko’s vocals centre stage intertwined with glitching synth lines and acid armoury to turn this into a full frontal, downright infectious firecracker.

On the B, the vinyl only exclusive dub mix let’s those juiced up, electro grooves fly as deft hints of Yuuko’s vocals bounce around your brain.

DJ Feedback:

Moxie / NTS - love the dub version

Yu Su / NTS - hell yes

System Olympia - I like this

Apiento / Test Pressing - Yeah that's a fun one : )

Bill Brewster - Really nice

Josh Cheon / Dark Entries – wow not sure how i missed this. its pure dancefloor
bliss! ecstatic euphoria

Arveene - I love this harks back to Major Force meets the Nyc electro-funk. 1980’s
popping & Locking! Right up my street

MLiR / Magic Teapot Records / Studio Barnhus - Lovely stuff from a lovely duo!

Lipelis - Great version! Especially the vocal mix for me

Rohan Rakhit / Daytimers / Balamii - That dance dub is a vibe. Seriously infectious.

Good Block - Yes loved this one, it’s on the key

Spatial & Co is a synth-drizzled, spaced-out bass-heavy discoid-funk masterpiece from French disco lord and Arpadys maestro Sauveur Mallia. Recorded for French library label Tele Music, in 1979, it's by turns cosmic funk and creeping crime funk, bursting with low slung, k-i-l-l-e-r basslines, loping drum breaks and sparkling percussion. It's so funky it hurts.

Confidently swaggering out the gate is "Future Vision", with its loping yet dextrous bassline across strutting beats setting the scene. "Cosmic News", with its live crowd noises over killer bass work is reminiscent of Bernard & Nile's "Chic Cheer". The bass vs synth workout "Baby Bass" increases the propulsion whilst the dark and mysterious vibes of "Star Odyssey" serve as cosmic respite from being overpowered by funk. The temperature and tempo are raised with the bouncing sophisticated funk of "Meteor One", a slinky interstellar instrumental of the highest order before the sultry, melodic "Bass For Love" offers some attractive slow-mo sleaze to close out the first side.

Opening up Side B, the menacing, beatless "Space Alert" sounds like all those sci-fi theme tunes from your childhood, synthesised into one glorious (black) whole. "Galaxy Wars" is next, another majestic cosmic gem, sans drums. The ultra-percussive flex of "All The Bass" sees the return of the frenetic funky bass and neck-snapping drums. The stretched out funk of "O.V.N.I. Telex" is irresistible and cavernous in scope whilst the swirling, dramatic "Galactics" is an ominous yet melodic wonder. The throwaway funk-lite "Animals Bass" is a bit of a daft way to close out this otherwise flawless set but, hey, flirting with perfection is probably always more fun than actually achieving it.

Sauveur Mallia is a crucial figure in the history of electronic and dance music and a hugely underrated French library bass player and composer from the Arpadys / Voyage crew. This is just the beginning of Be With's Mallia - Tele Music reissue campaign!

The audio for Spatial & Co Vol. 1 has been remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, ensuring the punch of Sauveur's bass and those sick drums come through to the fullest. Pete Norman’s expert skills has made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original and iconic sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue.

Repress!

Original Wailers member collaborates with Ruffi Ann to bring this monster hit from his album "Combination", which sees him team up with Sister Carol, Queen Ifrica, Lady G & Patra, to name a few.

Released by Sugar Pan Productions in conjunction with Archive Recordings, "Baddest", is a re-work of Wailer's "I'm The Toughest", an 80s tune from the living legend of Jamaican music.

Ruffi Ann, previously known as "Lady Shabba", has recorded with Sly & Robbie, King Jammy, Steely & Clevie and more

Repress!

Recorded at Clement Coxsone Dodd's Studio One as part of an album project produced by Cedric Myton, utilising some of the legendary backing tracks courtesy of the Soul Vendors, Sound Dimension and The New Establishment.

Edna Wright's idiosyncratic "Oops!" is one of the most sublime vocal refrains in soul music history. Anchoring its host album's leadoff cut, it sets the tone for a uniquely satisfying modern soul LP. Indeed, whilst many of its ilk come laden with filler, Wright's one solo record is an exercise in elegant restraint, a concise killer.

Originally released in 1977 on RCA, this rare and sought-after album followed the 1973 disbanding of Edna's much-loved Honey Cone. Produced by her husband, legendary producer/songwriter Greg Perry, the album was somewhat of a risk, a deep soul album released during the period when disco was altering the landscape of popular music. And perhaps inevitably, despite the stellar production and spine-tingling vocals throughout, the album glided gracefully under the radar, spawning only one single and seeing no chart action.

That single - the magnificent title-track - soon became a notorious rare groove stepper in its own right. However, in the years since, it has become a crate diggers classic. Its fame was elevated among hip-hop heads when Prince Paul memorably looped the shimmering intro when crafting the melodic hook for De La Soul's late-summer-stunner "Pass The Plugs", a wistfully melancholic back-porch nostalgia trip. And, more recently, Leon Vynehall liberally lifted the same intro for his sepia-tinged "Midnight On Rainbow Road" to augment the excellent Rush Hour compilation Musik For Autobahns 2.

Yet this album is so much more than its most famous song. An assuredly lean masterpiece from start-to-finish, the album features a further six dynamite tracks of warm, smooth soul. As such, it's an impossible task to choose certain tracks to highlight alongside the mighty title track. Throughout, Edna's strikingly mature vocals are wonderful, proudly stepping out with a sophisticated groove reminiscent of Jean Carn or Gloria Scott, whilst Greg Perry's gorgeous string-drenched backdrops add a rich depth. So much so, many of the other tracks have been sampled by producers with impeccable taste, from 9th Wonder to The Alchemist for songs featuring Nas and Talib Kweli.

Following her glowing role in the acclaimed documentary 20 Feet From Stardom, we pray this long overdue reissue will allow further light to shine on Edna. Officially licensed and beautifully remastered for vinyl by celebrated engineer Simon Francis, it has been pressed on audiophile 180g vinyl for the first time and features the original iconic artwork. Each copy includes a printed inner sleeve with a sumptuous black & white photo, full lyrics and heartfelt notes from Edna herself.

Songwriter Ron Stassens assembled a team of musicians in 1977 in anticipation of local side the Portland Trailblazers taking an NBA championship title. Milton Davis was the chosen front man and the music made got regional plays but not more so the band went their separate ways. But not before recording the album that is now presented here via Albina Music Trust. It is a funk work of the highest order with six super tight grooves all laden with percussion, disco energy and big vocals. These will all do plenty of damage in the right setting and remind why Davis is such a cult figure.

Frontier's Edge is the new EP by the fiery, energetic and genre-defying group The Budos Band. After a two-decade run with the legendary Daptone Records, Frontier's Edge is the first new music from the group on the new label, Diamond West Records - run by The Budos' saxophonist Jared Tankel and guitarist Tom Brenneck. The Budos Band's departure from Daptone was on good terms; the split from their long-time home base was an organic result of the band's evolution. "It's just a natural growth," Brenneck says, admitting: "We're going further away from the sound of Daptone and into territory they probably wanted to stay away from." As a result, Frontier's Edge finds the group hungry, passionate and primed to charge into their next epoch newfound sense autonomy within the collective. "We're a powerhouse in the studio; we can produce ourselves," Brenneck says proudly of a long process of self-containment. "I take the helm, but the band, they know what they want." As expected from The Budos Band, Frontier's Edge resists analysis; it represents the band as they are: a contained explosion. You don't pick apart Frontier's Edge; you feel it all at once. "Somehow, we wrote six songs in two days," says The Budos' drummer, Brian Profilio. "Tom was able to take what we were doing and put it together in a cohesive manner." Whether this is your first rodeo with The Budos Band or you've been following them throughout their two-decade run, Frontier's Edge contains their musical universe - Afrobeat, Ethiopian music, proto-metal, any number of other streams - in microcosm.

Repress!

Repress!

The debut album from the I & I Band, originally released in 1981. Excellent British roots, includes the tracks Marijuana,
Jah Made Them All and Marcus Children.

‘A Day in a Yellow Beat’ is Yellow Days’ sophomore record and his first for Columbia. George is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and self-medicated auteur who has never quite fitted into one style or space. As he readies his new album, his sound continues to warp funky, while his words dig deeper into modern malaise and mental health. It is, as he says, "Upbeat existential millennial crisis music."

On his current musical direction, George explains "I'm trying to brand my own version of ironic dance music full of depressing truths about feeling distant from your friends, or a sense that nothing is worth anything," In particular he's been diving into the '70s: fusion-era works of Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones, the funkier phases of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, and the keyboard wizardry of Don Blackman and Weldon Irvine. He's been staying up until 5 a.m. watching Soul Train on YouTube, and testing his falsetto. ‘A Day in a Yellow Beat’ is a real-time culmination of ideas, however wild they may be.

Having previously released music produced out of his garden shed in surrey, Yellow Days has spent a lot of time writing and recording this current wave of music in LA with a whole host of incredible artists and musicians – many of whom have / still play for the likes of Raphael Saadiq, Frank Ocean, Weldon Irvine, Kanye West. In doing so, George has taken it back to a more traditional way of making music – from hand-picking the collaborators, selecting the perfect studio setting to recording everything on analogue, vintage gear; all of which has vastly enhanced the sound Yellow Days is now capable of creating. By overseeing the production process, George is more in charge of his own fuzzed-out, technicolor vision than ever. "This is really my first record where I can let it fucking all out," he says.

Yellow Days remains at its heart, a project about youth. His career trajectory, which began at a very young age, has been a musical outlet for his teenage years and the complexities of transitioning into adulthood. ‘A Day in a Yellow Beat’ is the culmination of this process to date; a coming of age moment as he commits a wealth of emotions into a vision that projects well beyond his garden shed and onto the global stage. Ever-evolving creatively, George is always thinking of the next steps and where his journey will go, ‘When I become a bit older, maybe I'm not Yellow Days anymore' At which point, he'll most likely find himself leading the house band in a quantum disco at the edge of the universe. But until then, ‘A Day in A Yellow Beat’ is coming, so settle in for the ride.

OG Razor-N-Tape crew right here! Having graced the RNT hall of fame for only their third release back in 2013, Frank Booker returns in style for round two.

Straight off the bat 'Be Yourself' takes you on a sensuous journey around the disco cosmos. Interplanetary echoes, stratospheric strings and a bass and brass beamed down directly from the outer galaxy are brought together with those heavenly vocals alluring any lost souls.

'More' follows up - a hair raising, funk fuelled edit combining luscious vocals, a badass bassline and the kind of guitar riffs that will leave you straight up salivating for more. This is peak time, delectable disco with an added umph and rhythms that are kind to the discerning DJs out there.

Closing out the EP Frank slows things down to galactic chugger territory, marshalling the funky starship to the underground with the pied piper of supercharged jazz flutes leading the dance.

A raucous return from the masterful Frank Booker.

Six Nine Records Ltd. UK proudly presents Angie Gooden’s first release on the label with the two stunning tunes “All Day Long” and the amazing T-Groove remix of “Feelin’ Kinda Funky”, both of them new, fresh and making their premiere on to wax! Both tracks have been produced by Christopher Vignoli (Zapp ChrisFunk) and just oozes with that French fingerspitzengefühl, nothing but exquisite sounds from the first to the last beat.

The song writers consists of Magoo and Yuki “T-Groove” Takahashi togheter with Angie herself and all this combined makes this one a winner for sure.
In summary - modern and funky boogie at its best, these two tracks will definitely make this summer even hotter!

Repressed! Composed of members Buckshot, 5ft, and DJ Evil Dee, Black Moon simultaneously kicked off and defned the rap renaissance of New York with the release of Enta Da Stage in 1993. Whereas plenty of earlier groups had spit rage-flled rhymes to tear down the world’s unjust establishments, no one had evoked brooding pathos or introspective anger quite like Black Moon. Underground hip-hop might have been dominated by the sunny sound of G-Funk when Enta Da Stage dropped, but from then on the scene turned to the dark side. Black Moon was rising. Earlier this year, Fat Beats Records presented the defnitive Enta Da Stage box set, which was reissued for the frst time across three formats (6xLP, 3xCD and 3xCassette). This album is the complete encapsulation of an era for anyone seeking to understand the origin and the essence of New York’s Golden Age.The box set included vocals, instrumentals and remixes plus extensive liner notes by David Ma (Pitchfork, Wax Poetics) with rare and unreleased visual ephemera in an 18 page booklet. The story of Black Moon, alongside their peers Biggie, Big L, Nas, Kool G Rap, and Wu Tang, reminds us that the bleakest times produce the most profound agents of cultural change. And as we stand at the precipice of a new age of anxiety, Enta Da Stage has never been more relevant… or more necessary.
Although Black Moon would go on to release three more albums – and its members would go on to greatness with Da Beatminerz, Boot Camp Klik, and various solo projects – Enta Da Stage remains the perfect distillation of tight lyrical menace, rowdy crew hooks, stripped down breaks, and deep basslines on all of its fourteen tracks. Although Enta Da Stage might stand in the shadow of East Coast albums such as Enter the WuTang (36 Chambers), Illmatic, Liquid Swords, Ready to Die, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, and The Infamous, history will remember that Enta Da Stage
preceded those releases. To understand Enta Da Stage is to understand the origin and the spirit of New York hip-hop once and for all.

Pink Siifu’s latest release, GUMBO!, is another sprawling Afrocentric vision from one of the boldest voices in contemporary rap. Following up on 2020’s NEGRO, the album’s songs are as rich and varied as its titular stew. Siifu’s boundless style makes for an unpredictable but rewarding ride across the album’s 18 tracks, as he explores the diverse sounds of his influences and breaks new ground with a unique class of co-stars.

Siifu, born Livingston Matthews and raised between Alabama and Cincinnati, has already notched a conspicuous list of collaborations in his burgeoning career, from legendary producer the Alchemist to Australian electronic group the Avalanches. Siifu also embodies various inspirations through a range of alter-egos, often producing under the moniker “iiye,” or as half of the duo B. Cool-Aid with Ahwlee, both of which appear on GUMBO!.

The variety of guest features and production on GUMBO! only elevates Siifu’s ability to push the boundaries of genre and song structure. “Voicemails Uptown” (produced by Soulection’s Monte Booker) is the second of two back-to-back posse cuts, sporting five plus vocalists each. “Lng hair dnt care,” the album’s first single, was produced by Ted Kamal, who first garnered attention for his outside-the-box edits of contemporary rap staples. And while several of the album’s tracks are well within his bag, the jazzy, drumless loop on “Fk U Mean/Hold Me Dwn” could’ve been a cut off of his collab album with Virginia rapper Fly Anakin, FlySiifu’s.

Though rife with standout tracks, GUMBO! is greater than the sum of its parts. Siifu’s ambitious range and impressive pool of features create an otherworldly listening experience. Overall, it reflects an intense desire for self-expression and creative growth, one which he shares with many of his influences. Like Outkast, Sun Ra, Baraka, or Bad Brains, his unique soundscapes re-imagine a genre without restrictions, breaking new ground in search of artistic and personal freedom.

Miles Away Records are proud to introduce our latest single to land on the label: the cosmic soul gem "Super Star" by Ruth Waters and the State of Mind Show Band.

A Texas native, Ruth "Silky" Waters was best known for her two disco-infused album's "Never Gonna Be The Same" and "Out In The Open"- produced by the late, great John Davis (John Davis Orchestra). It was however some of Ruth's early material that caught our interest when we started the label as far back as 2018. "Super Star", released on the tiny independent KMBA Recordings label in the late 1970s, draws from the wells of modern soul and gospel with a touch of cosmic synthy goodness. An proper ear turner, it was like nothing we'd heard before. Flip it and "Super Star Pt.2" goes deeper into the cosmic essence of the track with extended guitar and synth solos making this a crackin' little 45.

The track has been lovingly remastered by Phil Kinrade at the legendary AIR Studios and the lacquer was cut deep by Jukka at Timmion Records. It's now presented in our custom teal green labels and house bag.

Acclaimed producer, songwriter, and vocalist Shafiq Husayn has been a vital force on the Los Angeles music scene for decades. A member of trendsetting trio Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq has produced tracks for a staggering spectrum of talent, including Erykah Badu, Ty Dolla $ign, Pharoahe Monch, Robert Glasper, Ice T, Bilal, Jurassic 5, and many more. Over the last few years, the Grammy winner has also become the leader of The Dove Society, an expansive L.A. musical collective. Now, Shafiq Husayn and The Dove Society are debuting the new album So Gold, an eclectic masterpiece emerging from sessions Shafiq describes as “pure love, magic, inspiration!” A worthy follow-up to Shafiq’s acclaimed 2018 opus The Loop, the album features contributions from Anderson .Paak, Syd (of The Internet), Peyton, Thurz, Jimetta Rose, Speed Walton, and many more. Bursting with the kinetic energy of vibrant creative collaboration, the album synthesizes disparate styles into a cohesive tapestry of lush cosmic soul. “It’s new age everything and above,” Shafiq explains. “Focused and direct in the songwriting and production, but still adventurous and refreshing.