Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Dancehall knowledge Felix Hall presents a momentous 20 year follow-up to Mo Wax’s pivotal, highly influential 2001 instrumental showcase ‘Now Thing’ a blueprint of sorts for the likes of Equiknoxx almost two decades later. This new set - almost two years in the making - reunites original comp players Lil Toby, Will Bankhead and Oliver Payne (on compiling and artwork duties) and features 16 prime Jamaican bullets for Felix Hall’s shockout label, Chrome.

Resetting the timeline to 1997-2020, ‘Now Thing 2’ expands on the crucial first set - which was a gateway to the world of dancehall for many heads - with deadly cuts from the scene’s leading producers; spanning Dave Kelly to Steely & Clevie, from NYC’s Bobby Konders to Ward 21, and including killer side-spins on ‘90s rave and R&B. bTwo decades since the first set, it’s astute to say that dancehall has exerted a huge degree of influence over dance and club music of all stripes over the interim. Much like how roots reggae and dub influenced disco and post-punk in the ’70s;

Dancehall, with its origins in the digidub of Jammy’s ‘Sleng Teng’ riddim, has irrevocably informed jungle, rap, garage, and even pop and techno for the past generation, and ‘Now Thing 2’ is the strongest primer you’ll likely come across.. It’s a proper sound-system thing, deeply rooted in the competitive, inventive nature of Jamaican music, which would, according to ‘Bass Culture’ writer Lloyd Bradley’s liner notes “constantly reinvent itself as a way of staying ahead of the sound system on the next corner.” With access to new technology, producers persistently pushed their paradigm along the axes of function and distinction, with each asserting their individuality in a syncretic style and its permutations of tresillo drum patterns, all at the service of bringing bodies to the dance and keeping them there.

The 16 tracks here lead directly from its predecessor but really comes into its own via its more obscure, mutant workouts. NYC’s acid house legend Bobby Konders supplies 1999’s rolling ‘Lickshot Rewind’ from his dancehall label Massive B, and Crown Star Productions let off zinging rave hoovers on the mighty ‘Fire Cracker’, with Donovan Germain’s half step 140bpm rework of Timbaland’s Aaliyah classic ‘Are You That Somebody’ highlighting the vital dialogue between dancehall and mainstream charts. Compiled by Felix Hall, Lil Toby and Richard Browne, with art and design by Will Bankhead and Oliver Payne (also behind the first volume in 2001), ‘Now Thing 2’ is future-proofed for the next 20 years, and should be considered ultimate listening by a new generation of listeners and ravers who are increasingly cognisant of dance music’s important roots in Jamaican dancehall culture.

We enjoyed comping Volume one so much and had such a positive response, we went right onto producing For the Love Of You Volume 2.

Having bumped this in the car for months I can assure you Sam's selection here probably betters the first. Again it is strictly soul covers featuring interpretations of Grover Washington Jr., Midnight Star, Meli'sa Morgan and Simply Red and loads more.

Its been great working with Sam brining attention to such a wonderful UK music scene and we both would like to thank all the artists and producers who went the extra mile to make this happen…


…The end of 2021 just got a bit sweeter.

Wicked compilation with works by Ghanaian producer Dick Essilfie-Bondzie, soaring synths.., wicked grooves, smacking drums, hypnotising organs and bumpin' basslines. This one is fire!

INCL 12-PAGE BOOKLET

Back in stock ! Ltd Edition! Allotments will be necessary! Your Old Droog is back with "Dropout Boogie", a collaboration with dearly departed rap god MF DOOM. These two master lyricists trade verses on the track, reminiscing about their school days over an amazing Edan beat. "This the first song I ever recorded with DOOM," Droog explains. "This man’s work renewed my interest in hip hop and rhyming at a time when I got tired of hearing what was on the radio. Rest easy, villain." This 7? vinyl release features an illustration by Metalface art director SCOTCH 79th, and includes the Droog solo track "The Glitch" on the B-side, also produced by Edan.

REPRESS!!

4 new dub plates from the Lee Perry Upsetter cannon.

All are previously and all exclusive to Pressure Sounds!

Side one is taken up with two mouth watering cuts of 'Keep on moving' both cuts are bass heavy, echo drenched sound system friendly mixes.

The second cut was mixed at King Tubby's studio and features all the dynamics associated with his style... Sparse sounds over clattering drums.

With the passing of time, Tubby's mixes are actually better than ever.



The two cuts on the flip are further explorations of 'Mr Music' and 'Police and Thieves'. Stern stuff that takes it to the edge.

More genius from Mr. Perry!!!

We will have a limited amount of the 200 only silk screen printed sleeves!

Enki's promises have brought me to Eridu, now im full of hope and expectations.

In my dreams night falls over the city of art and creation and magic while my eyes adjust to the rays of the sun.

The Grammy® Award winning original motion picture soundtrack Almost Famous is now available on 2LP 180-gram black vinyl with unreleased photos to enhance the packaging. Featuring songs from Led Zeppelin, The Who, Elton John, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Todd Rundgren, Rod Stewart, The Seeds, The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, David Bowie, Clarence Carter, Cat Stevens, Thunderclap Newman, original score track by Nancy Wilson and “Fever Dog” by the film’s fictional band Stillwater.

There may not be a more suitable name than Hard Hitter to grace an album cover ever again. The drums hit, and they hit hard. From cinematic funk (“Speed Trap”, “Hard Hitter”, “Decisive Action", and “Big Dipper”), to strutting grooves (“Fun Seeker”), along with jazzy ("Three’s A Crowd") and erratic (“Super Drive”) recordings, this record sounds like a 1970’s action movie. Released in 1975, Hard Hitter features compositions by Keith Papworth, who, in addition to writing hundreds of tracks for de Wolfe Music's production library over the course of three decades, is best known for having his recordings featured in Monty Python skits and movies. Hard Hitter is beloved by crate diggers of all genres for its minimalist orchestration over heavy grooves.

Upgraded gloss 2xLP gatefold sleeve (original press was 2lp non-gatefold and standard weight) with new liner notes and printed sleeves.
With a career spanning two decades and 12 releases, L.A. hip hop duo
People Under the Stairs bid farewell with their final LP last year.
Their unique self-produced legacy earned them the designation “The Steely Dan of Hip-Hop” and built a fanbase of millions around the globe. Now, for the first time ever, they are re-issuing their long out of print, 2002 classic O.S.T. with a revamped gatefold gloss cover, updated liner notes and printed sleeves featuring 100+ print reviews from the original release date.
Almost two decades in the making and with the original vinyl constantly fetching over 125$ online this highly anticipated reissue is sure to please both new and old fans alike. .
Focused Facebook, Instagram and Twitter campaign to combined 150K followers with distinct purchase call to action and ad budget allotted, as well as
10K+ group email list.

Dreadwise Music is proud to present: Bukkha: “Back To Roots” An instrumental 4 track 10” single + Digital release. Featuring live Sitar by Lance Hume and live Flute by Don Fe.

By now the name Bukkha should be synonymous with quality productions and heavyweight dub sounds. Releasing on labels such as: Lion Charge, Zam Zam and System Music. Hot on the heels of his debut album on Moonshine Recordings. Dreadwise Music brings you “Back To Roots” an exploration of world sounds and dub.


A-side: “Sitar Cut” Showcases multi instrumentalist Lance Hume, as he skillfully weaves a mystical tapestry of nimble and expressive playing over the deep, earthy, 140 sub bass riddim that Bukkha crafts. Laden with percussive nods to India, dark synthy drones and a bright steady skank. “Sitar in Dub” is as hypnotic as it is heavy, a soundscape constantly being peppered by an ever changing array of echos and colour. B-side: “Flute Cut” features the superb Don Fe, playing joyful quick phrases accompanied by the warm reverb of picked guitar. While the moody Dub Version “Flute in Dub” takes us back down the dub rabbit hole, building slowly and then lurching ever forward dripping in echo and atmosphere!

Cut and Mastered by Beau at the legendary Ten Eight Seven Mastering. “Back to Roots” is a serious slab of pure heavyweight Dub goodness. A plate no self respecting head can be without. This is the 5th release from Dreadwise Music, a contemporary Dub label based in Nottingham UK. Focused on pushing a sound steeped in world music and Jazz whilst maintaining a dark Dub sensibility.

Piano, synthesizer enthusiast, composer, and arranger, Eric Borders aka Captain Supernova, makes first release under new moniker, E. Lundquist. Pushing the boundaries of funk fusion, it’s as much 70s library music, as it is Pink Floyd and The Flaming Lips at times. It often feels as if the planet is going to unfold.

Borders, born and raised on the westside of Los Angeles, is known for his cinematic and cosmic compositions that push jazz into a different time and space. ‘Multiple Images’, the debut release as E. Lundquist, is the composer's first attempt at making a Library Style record. A genre that lends itself well to the Sci-Fi and Jazz Fusion vibes that Borders has been known for in the past. The music often plays as if it is the soundtrack to something happening both simultaneously in and out of this universe.

“As we finished the record it sort of evolved from a library piece into a full fledged album with a mix of different inspirations from blaxploitation, 70s funk, soundtrack, themes, cinematic, and contemporary jazz-funk. It only felt right to break away from the fictional character and give this music a composer name as if you read it on the back of a KPM record. Then E. Lundquist was born.”

The new name pays homage to old family bloodlines, and is the last name of his biological grandfather. While Eric Borders was his given name, Borders has no actual blood relation to his family, it was the name his father had adopted from his Step-grandfather. The name of the album “Multiple Images” is an ode to one of Lundquist’s favorite Library tracks by Brian Bennett “Images”.

STAR CREATURE drops this 7" featuring special guest E. LIVE on the A-side which is a beach dripping, convertible seat soaker. Sweet & deep. The flip is a big stomp romp instrumental that's left field enough to be sick. Limited picture sleeve edition of just 300 copies.

Nas King's Disease II Album Following the Grammy Award winning album, King’s Disease, the king returns to his throne with the second coming, King’s Disease II. The star-studded project offers tacit game on life, love, and loss, uplifting through action and lived experience in a way only Nas can. This is a body of work for the fans, for the day 1’s that contributed to the legacy. Alongside the decorated production savant, Hit-Boy, Nas remains rooted in lyrical prophetism while proving that he constantly reinvents the wheel. The sequel to last year’s King’s Disease features Ms. Lauryn Hill, Eminem, EPMD, Hit-Boy, Charlie Wilson, YG and more.

Dass Lounge-Musik mehr ist als wohltemperierte Hintergrundbeschallung für Bars, stellt die Vinyl-Kompilation "Spirit Of Lounge" sympathisch groovend unter Beweis. Mit Acts wie unter anderem Kruder & Dorfmeister ("High Noon"), St. Germain ("Alabama Blues"), Thievery Corporation ("It Takes A Thief"), Goldfrapp ("Lovely Head"), Gotan Project ("Diferente"), Morcheeba ("Enjoy The Ride") und Moby ("Natural Blues") huldigt die Zusammenstellung den Neunzigerjahren, die gemeinhin als das goldene Lounge-Zeitalter gelten. Damals begannen immer mehr Künstler damit, gesetzte elektronische Varianten wie Ambient und Trip-Hop sowie ruhigere Spielformen von House mit Easy Listening, Jazz, Acid Jazz, Nu Jazz, New Age und sogar Tango auf ungekannte Weise zu fusionieren. Die Ergebnisse klangen recht unterschiedlich, was Lounge letztlich zu einer Sammelbezeichnung machte. Doch eines verbindet alle Stücke: sie klingen einfach total entspannt und eignen sich so perfekt als Soundtrack für den Alltag.

This is some truly irresistible hip swaying instrumental Hammond organ funk heaven from The Sugarman 3, who have been rocking dancefloors since 1998 . With "Dirty Water" we get a 1960's R&B/Mod arrangement with soaring tenor saxophone, while on the flipside there's a low down instrumental funk-inspired blues number, heavy with emotion and screeching at every possible twist and turn.

*Dark, triumphant and mysterious; the new Menahan Street band 45 single "Light's Out" conjures
images of hard-fighting pugilists battling it out under a bare bulb, of a matador's graceful
execution of a lumbering bull, of sweat, romance and victory. Brought in by a rollicking, almost
tipsy, Hammond melody and backed by a smoky smooth guitar line, 'Keep Coming Back'
eventually erupts into a swanky nightlife anthem, complete with red velvet curtains and a
garnished highball.
*Both songs are featured on their upcoming full-length titled, The Crossing, out October 29th.

For fans of - St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Mayor Hawthorn, Nathaniel Ratelif. Oliver James is a time capsule. Raised in a family of musicians and a man who has been performing live since he was a child, Oliver comes to his love of soul music in a most honest and authentic way. Growing up listening to gospel, blues, and R&B from the classic early Stax era, his influences as a musician, songwriter, and producer are clear. After a stint working as a songwriter for Rick Hall, Mr. James is now set to start his own career. Producing, editing, mixing, and performing completely to tape, Oliver makes his mark with his debut single "One And Only" on Colemine Records

Los Yesterdays made a big debut on Penrose with their first single and it is still getting heavy plays by soul DJs all over the place. Now they return with another perfect delivery of mid-tempo excellence that will appeal to fans of Eddie Holman and Billy Stewart. 'Nobody's Clown' pirouettes on splashy cymbals with natty chord riffs and twirling drums that dance their way into your heart. On the flip is the more forlorn and beautifully pained 'Give Me One More Chance.' It's about a love lost, like all the best tunes, and frankly, given the performance, it is a chance Mr Victor Benavides well deserves.

The Badasonics mixes soul and funk together with Jamaican riddims and horns with the soulful rock and reggae voice of Caz Gardiner to deliver a pulsating party of soul steady beats. Caz has performed with the BandHouse Gigs, Newmeyer Fyler productions and The Beat Hotel. She was the lead singer for The Ambitions, a 60's influenced soul/rock band which in 2008 was nominated for a Wammie (Washington Area Music Association) in the best new band category; and the rock steady/reggae band Caz and The Day Laborers. In 2010, she was nominated for a Wammie in the best traditional blues/RnB vocalist category for her work with Caz and The Commotions. The Badasonics, consisting of former members of The Moon Invaders & The Caroloregians, were also known as the busiest backing band for Jamaican artists in Europe and have played with Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, Dave & Ansel Collins, Rico Rodriguez, Doreen Shaffer, Pat Kelly, Derrick Harriott & many more.

We are gonna call this one Dwight's Baby... "On The Rocks" Written and produced by Dwight Sykes for L.U.S.T. Productions. The album he would have released in 1980 is complete. Cell phone shadow photography by Dwight Sykes.

COLLECTING ORDERS FOR RESTOCK

wight Sykes & Jahari 12" featuring two unreleased demos versions of 'Fire and Desire' and the remastered studio version of
Situations.' 30 years overdue!

Daptone bring you 'He Upset Your Dreams' from Hank "Soul Man" Mullen for their new reissue imprint, to share their love of some of their favourite rare and unreleased soulful tracks. The A side is an up-tempo groover concerning the saddest subject of all; not one, but two broken hearts. This is an effort from the Avengers on the Audel imprint out of Buffalo NY. The band formed in the mid-60s and toured a dynamic show with three very different vocalists: Hank Mullen, Moe Jones and Carlena Weaver; they released two singles in 1970 on their own label. In the 70s the group toured as backing band for Eddie Floyd, Arthur Conley, Betty Wright and Betty Swan. Sadly, soon after the records' release, Hank Mullen, then in his mid twenties, died tragically due to a heart attack.

LTD. CLEAR PINK & BLUE SPLATTER VINYL

In 2020 Brooklyn's Holy Hive introduced us all to something we didn't know we needed. Homer Steinweiss' thickly pocketed drumming paired with Paul Spring's floaty falsetto vocal produces a sound that's like a salve. It's been dubbed Folk Soul and Holy Hive not only expertly overlay the more apparent musical aspects of folk and soul-but they also draw from the more profound: being able to pull traditions from the past and make them their own. When Homer wasn't playing drums for Lady Gaga or Adele or Bruno Mars, he'd produce Paul's solo folk records. Along with original bassist and frequent collaborator Joe Harrison, these sessions proved to be Holy Hive's foundation. And their fi rst record, Float Back to You, expertly combined what each musician does best: Paul's heady, reflective approach to folk with Homer's universal classic soul sound. With their new record released on Big Crown, Holy Hive's beautifully simple-and-sparse Folk Soul sound is back-but updated. With new influences and the challenge of creating and capturing music during a global pandemic, this new self-titled album, is more personal, more reflective. They describe three distinct phases when piecing together Holy Hive: this first stage was pre-pandemic in California while traveling as a group, then-like the rest of us-they were separated, creating together but apart, and lastly an explosion of output once they reunited in New York. There is a natural but subtle evolution for Holy Hive on this record. Homer and Paul drew from new and maybe more obscure-yet-honest influences. It's still very much Folk Soul-how could it not be. But, like all artists, they've taken in what they've made and how they've made it, only to push it into new places. We know of Holy Hive's ability to lyrically convey the abstract and complex in poetic and palatable ways. But where the first record was soulfully silver-tongued with chill songs about love and affection, Holy Hive widens the lens with these novel influences, reflecting the points both Homer and Paul are in their own lives.

Within the House of Soul, the Daptone Staff is affectionately referred to as The Hate Crew,' a name they have earned from their years of ruthless evisceration of anything which doesn't meet their impossibly idealistic expectations. Armed with rolling eyes and barbs of sarcasm, they are the true guardians of the Daptone Sound.
The problem is, this new James Hunter single has turned them all into adorable little kittens. They spend all day mewing to the ballads and scampering about to the uptempo cuts instead of selling records.
In an effort to save the company, label Boss Neal Sugarman declared a Hunter Free Zone,' but when he tried to pry the test pressing of Hunter's latest single from the office turntable and replace it with something a bit more hate-able, the needle slipped and dropped back into the grooves of Something's Calling,' irreversibly morphing him too into a small playful kitten. Meow, James Hunter. Meow. grooves of 'Something's Calling,' irreversibly morphing him too into a small playful kitten. Meow, James Hunter. Meow.

LaRose Jackson, who you may remember from "Luv Jones" - the 2014 party-certified smash duet with the incomparable Charles Bradley - steps into the spotlight with her funky solo debut, "How Did I Get Here?".
Born and raised in Coney Island, LaRose's rich timbre and assertive vocal delivery caught the attention of producer Tommy "TNT" Brenneck one night when he was in attendance at Charles Bradley's legendary "Black Velvet" show at Club Essence - where Jackson was also a regular performer. The two hit it off and began collaborating on several sides, the fruit of which we humbly offer up here.
LaRose's tough-as-nails delivery coupled with the infallible groove and sure-shot horn arrangement courtesy of the Menahan Street Band distills the track down to Soul in its purest form, without sacrificing any of the rawness one comes to expect from a TNT production.
Expect much more on the horizon from LaRose and Co.. This is just the tip of the iceberg!

First vinyl issue of these raw experimental dub collaborations between Muslimgauze and The Rootsman, written, recorded and mixed at the Third Eye Studio, Bradford, UK between 1997 and 1998. Originally released on CD by Russian label Aquarelist.

Following persistent requests, Mr Bongo has finally relented and dedicated an edition of their popular Brazil 45s series to Orlandivo Honorio de Souza, a composer, singer and percussionist whose 1977 album Oelandivo remains high on my collectors' wants-lists. Wisely, their A-side pick is 'Onde Anda O Meu Amore', a cosmic and spacey fusion of samba-soul and jazz-funk rich in ethereal flute lines and intergalactic keys. This time round it comes backed by the equally as impressive 'Gueri Gueri', an insatiable samba-rock number wrapped in heady accordion, jangly acoustic guitar and punchy horn sounds.

Repress of 2018 cult album! Pink Siifu is a 27 year old artist from Birmingham Alabama raised in Cincinnati Ohio who started making music in 2012. Also apart of a duo group, B. Cool-Aid, (consisting of producer Ahwlee ) and always working on music with producer Swarvy, Siifu makes music tht reflects the ideas, life, and struggles experienced through blackness even in light. Most times his music stretches from soul, punk , jazz, rap, and experimental. These days not enough truth, love and clarity are represented so that is aim and foundation. His debut project “ensley” consisted of faith, family, and community and inspires both his art and communication. He’s always working on new music and ways to express whether it be thru visual, audio, or in physical and plans to forever expand the gap and connection between and thru the whole culture.

In 1980 while listening to songs submitted for what would become the LP ‘Splash’ by Freddie Hubbard, several of those—including this one (That Someone’s U) did not make its way to the final album tracks. It was never mixed down and the vocal tracks were ‘work takes/scratch vox’. Written by Sydney Justin (aka ‘Steele’), Sanifu Al Hall, and the late David Shields; the song languished on an outtake reel for decades until it was a part of a group of tracks that were converted from analog to digital to be considered for release in association with the Super Disco Edits label. Hall notes that prior to David’s death; he, Sydney, and David agreed to revisit and attempt to make the track viable-- “We felt like the song itself was solid.”

The rhythm section is a who’s who in first-call studio players of the period, including James Gadson (drums), David T. Walker & Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitars), Clarence McDonald (keyboards)(RIP)
David Shields (bass) and a couple of players, lead singer, and background singers not mentioned due to contractual
agreements as they are currently members of groups with outside performance restrictions.

The track was originally produced and arranged by Sanifu Al Hall, Jr.; recorded at Hit City West (Los Angeles CA) with additional tracking and the rough mix made at Fantasy Records Studios (Berkeley CA). The group decided that any outtakes subsequently released would be under the moniker-- The L. A. Propinquity. There is, at least, one more track recorded by this same lineup.

The song was remixed and arranged by Sanifu Al Hall, Jr. and mastered at Pine Studios (Jacksonville FL) with engineer Jacob Darrell Hudson. Juan Carlos Rollan was brought in to add his tenor saxophone as an added highlight during the remix production session.