Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Das ursprünglch 1994 veröffentlichte Album ”Some Old Bullshit” der Beastie Boys kommt nun als Reissue
und stellt mehrere ihrer frühen EPs zusammen, die in den 1980er Jahren aufgenommen wurden.
Diese Aufnahmen präsentieren einen Sound, der sich radikal vom Beastie Boys-typischen Hip-Hop-Sound
unterscheidet. Stattdessen repräsentieren diese Songs die Rolle der Band in der frühen New Yorker HardcoreSzene. Das Album enthält auch aufgenommene Teile, die ursprünglich in Noise The Show zu hören waren,
einer beliebten Hardcore-Radioshow auf WNYU in New York, die frühe Aufnahmen der Beastie Boys spielte.
Die Vinyl kommmt auf 180g schwarzem Vinyl, als 1LP.

Most fans of hardcore Hip-Hop know and love Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh's 2018 joint album Stabbed & Shot, yet many aren't aware that before that there was Cocaine Cowboys. The duo dropped this potent joint mixtape back in 2008. They split the project into two parts and added a couple hard-to-find bonus cuts for the vinyl release. Plus, new alternate art by the one and only Manuel "Cep" Concepcion only available on this second edition re-release. Cocaine Cowboys 1 features some early production from Spesh himself, Rick Hyde, and Beat Butcha, as well as some of Benny and Spesh's rarest freestyles. This is a must-have for TCF Music Group, Griselda Records, and BSF Records collectors.

A tumultuous selection of recordings from Black Ark, Perry's legendary studio and hotbed of creation. Rare 12" versions, unreleased mixes and featuring a stellar line-up, including:

Drums: Mikey ‘Boo’ Richards, Lowell ‘Sly’ Dunbar

Bass: Boris Gardiner, Radcliffe ‘Dougie’ Bryan

Guitar: Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, Ernest Ranglin, Robert ‘Billy’ Johnson, Lynford ‘Hux’ Brown

Keyboards: Winston Wright, Robbie Lynn, Keith Sterling

Percussion: Noel ‘Scully’ Simms, Lee Perry

Limited Edition repress of Punch Drunk classic.

* Bristol music Godfather Rob Smith (Smith & Mighty) was a major force in the 1st wave Bristol Dubstep scene, not only as a huge musical influence on the likes of Pinch and Peverelist but also as a producer in his own right. This typically dubwise 12' is one of his best from that era, repressed for 2016.

Dynamite cuts, has made x 250 CRYSTAL CLEAR VINYL WITH DAPPLE GOLD.
The Perfect Circle - Self titled “The Perfect Circle”, Part of the George Semper Musical Legacy. The LP was first released in 1977 on the Inner city records label. Since then this LP has become a holy grail among music lovers around the world. “The Perfect circle”. A superb disco-funk dancer. On the flip is “The hands of Time”, this is the Big one, a rare groove, b-boy disco jazz-funk floor shaker. ONLY X250 COPIES UP FOR GRABS ALL NUMBERED
Perfect Dj tool and one for the collectors. so don’t miss out.

New 2x12" on Ear Clip Series.

E.N.M. steht fur Endlich Normale Menschen (E.N.M. stands for finally normal people, editor's note). This double opus, compiled by Low Bat, can be considered as a collection of friendships and encounters, where phlegmatism and melomania are intertwined. It includes tracks by F. Æmbient or Vamilienfa†er, two sheet metal artists from the Berlin experimental scene with their respective labels, Kashual Plastik and Bohemian Drips, as well as a track by Dame Area, a Barcelona duo that Low Bat booked during their 4 years of Berlin penitence.

The nine tracks oscillate between two main lines. The first record offers to discover a palette of more introspective feelings, where twilight layers cross broken rhythms and almost acidic progressions. The second, on the other hand, allows one to step by step to break away from this approach and look at introspection in a different way, alternating between unbridled joy (4K - Schabernak) and consistent melancholy (3H by Blume Attempt).

3rd tape in this proper skuzzy series on the Group A related 'NO RECORDING'. On point for those who like the grimy things in life. TIP!

"Vol.3 is an Exquisite Corpse issue!"
The feeling of social isolation during the lockdown in the winter of '20/21 led us to work collectively and collaboratively. We explored the possibilities within the limitation of the concept of NO Recording project and adapted the method of Exquisite corpse.
Featured artists: Cienfuegos, group A, Horoscope, Isabella, Joachim Nordwall, Nick Klein, Tot Onyx, Wilted Woman

One side of a reggae and one side of the Dub version. Roots sound !

Must have rare groove classic from Hawaii.
Original tracklisting includes full version of “Powerslide”.
Meticulously restored and remastered by Jessica Thompson.
First official reissue outside of Japan.
Highly coveted Hawaiian jazz/soul album. The debut album from Mackey Feary’s solo band after departing seminal contemporary Hawaiian group, Kalapana.

This LP reads like a who’s who in the local 70s music scene: Nohelani Cypriano (of “Lihue” cult fame), Azure McCall (of Lemuria), Jimmy Funai (who produced Hal Bradbury’s debut), and Gaylord Holomalia (who now runs the island studio where stars record, incl. Kanye West, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey).

Unlike other reissues, this Aloha Got Soul pressing includes the full version of “Powerslide” in all its 7-minute glory. An all-time classic must-have record from the Hawaiian Islands.

Before there was Rimarimba, Suffolk-born, Felixstowe-based musician and home recording enthusiast Robert Cox assembled a cast of friends, some musicians and some not so much, for an experiment in group exploration and ecstatic expression under the name The Same. Sonically and gravitationally defined by Cox's collaboration with guitarist Andy Thomas (a partnership which formed in 1976 to record as General Motors), Sync or Swim, The Same's one and only album, also featured keyboards by Florence Atkinson and Paul Ridout, and vocals by Robert's sister Rebecca. Originally released in small cassette and vinyl quantities on Unlikely Records, Cox's imprint and a meeting point for many other musicians found at the fringe, the back cover of the original album jacket is as much a map of the personnel, place, and process fundamental to Sync or Swim as it is a table of contents for DIY music-making at the beginning of the 80s: "Recorded in peaceful Wiltshire between September 18th and October 6th 1981 (using a miscellany of home made devices) onto a Teac A-3300SX via a Teac A-3440. No noise reduction systems were used." Cox's own definition of British psychedelia is "folk music meeting technology and going bonkers." It's by this definition that Sync or Swim takes unexpected forms, from tape-speed tomfoolery, concrète sound collage and analog delayed marimbas, to the colorful spectrum of interwoven guitar play between Cox and Thomas reminiscent of Ghanaian Highlife but more accurately indebted to Jerry Garcia. On the album's culminating final track, "E Scapes," all of these elements are brought together in twenty-minute journey through layers of chiming guitar loops and spritely solos, keyed percussion, and tape experiments, all played as though the sun were rising over the standing stones of Salisbury Plain. Cox would later go to similarly greath lengths with certain solo sound endeavors, but the confluence of musicians on "E Scapes" pushes the piece to exceptional, unforgettable heights. Transferred and remastered from the original tapes, The Same's Sync or Swim arrives on LP July 16th, 2021 on Freedom To Spend, just in time for the album's 40th anniversary.

"Cramp Your Style" by All The People surely belongs among the canon of all time funk standards, sampled aplenty over the years, included on numerous compilations as well as being the recipient of cover versions from Breakestra and Killer Meters. Originally issued on the Blue Candle label back in 1972, a newly remastered edition of that 7" is now available for any funkateers out there without the 45 in their collections already. Robert Moore's yearning vocal sounds all the better for it too! And don't sleep on the bluesy delights of B side track "Watcha Gonna Do About It?".

Brace! Brace! That record is a bouncing riddim, and we never know where it's gonna land: here noise or miami bass, there dark disco and then Balearic. What could be an easy puzzle for diggers always feels true though. Sincere, like the 14-year-old DJ F16 Falcon, going nuts on some American nu hardcore - the back of the record are actual screenshots testifying of that moment. A life ago, DJ F16 Falcon used to be a part of the noise music scene in Paris, releasing music under the Roger mpr moniker. He dropped the complicated stuff for dance music but kept the industrial touch. We all need some dance. And we all need a Sugar Dada.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present their nineteenth collaborative-release in their Mania Dub series. The Disciples were formed in 1986 by brothers Russ and Lol. Together they played a significant role in the UK dub scene and produced some of the most distinctive instrumental dub music in that era, which shows significant influence in today’s dub and electronic music. They were given the name by Jah Shaka, after producing exclusively for him.

Return To Addis Ababa: a heavyweight 90's production and one of the most iconic UK Dub anthems ever! Originally released on Boom Shacka Lacka, it now finally gets a re-issue / re-master for RSD 2021 on Mania Dub! Played by all the big sounds through the years: Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti, Iration Steppas, and many more! Serious piece of soundsystem & UK-Dub history!

Fearless: hard and hypnotic melody, Disciples signature style, this tune is guaranteed to get any session going! This 12” also includes a previously never released-before mix 3!

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

Greg Belson is a veteran DJ and one of the premiere collectors of soul music worldwide. He's known as the go to authoritarian for Gospel Soul music, is the compiler of the Divine Disco series on Cultures of Soul and presents his radio broadcast Divine Chord Gospel Show on LA's creative hub.
and Paulo Fulci is a DJ and producer out of Bristol UK. His work as part of the Situation edit crew has been released and supported as part of the underground for many years....he now spends his days slangin' records, whilst honing his disco scalpel skills in the late twilight hours.Following on from their incendiary slab of two sided gospel goodness 'Born Again' & 'Soul Revival', the Divine Situation duo have crafted the next lot of bangin' spiritualized dancefloor destroyers for your record box.
Here we have an EP catering for several sides to your night. The lead off cut is the flat out roof raiser 'The Problem Solver'.....then it's boogified territory with 'Brand New Feelin', before they close out with the end of 'nighter, 'Try Love'.
Once again, Moton bringin' the heavyweight platters that matter!

Soulful house legend Timmy Regisford brings his trademark sound to DJ Spen & Thommy Davis' Quantize Recordings.

'Falling In Love' is a sumptuously sizzling heater, marrying Regisford's classic soul-laden production with Tiger Wilson's sensuous vocals. It's a combination that will ease any pains, calm any worries and bring a smile to the face, bottling up that sunshine feeling for those darker days when a little lift is needed.

Timmy then offers up three mixes to bring a real versatility to the e.p. First up, the 'Instrumental Mix' that lets Regisford's bumping bass, jazzed up piano, swelling strings and spiritual keys do the talking. Secondly, the 'Alternative Vocal Mix' switches the percussion of the original opting for more congas, shakers and bongos whilst leaving the claps at bay to give a deeper interpretation of the original. The final mix then drops the vocals of this alternate version completing what is a standout e.p. from Timmy Regisford that captures the essence of 2018's summer of love.

Early in 2018, the world was introduced to Mildlife through their debut album Phase. Few first releases amass praise from Mojo, The Guardian, BBC 6 Music, The Express, and Shindig, then go on to be celebrated by DJ Mag, Resident Advisor, Worldwide FM, Dummy and Indie Shuffle. But it's precisely this eclectic mix of genres, tastes, and influences that brought Mildlife together, and what they committed to reflecting in their sound. After a surreal start to 2018, the four-piece completed a sold-out national tour of Australia, and recently announced plans to cross the oceans for their debut Europe and UK tours.

With the release of their debut imminent, Mildlife took retreat at Research Records HQ in Melbourne, staying overnight after recording each morning and afternoon. It resulted in the evolution of the title track, newly imagined and re-contextualised at increased tempo with swathes of improvisation throughout. The studio recording was the culmination of the song's growth in a live setting, evolving on club stages and at festivals throughout 2017.


Mildlife's knack for locked-in grooves and celestial tones features heavily across 'Phase II', a more than 11-minute sonic journey. Kevin McDowell's synth soars while Adam Halliwell's growing prowess as a flautist is peppered over James Donald's shimmering percussion. Shortly after, Tom Shanahan phased bass appears, and the four lock into a groove that gives a subtle nod to 1960s Krautrock band, Can. It's not long before 'Phase II' erupts into a cosmic jazz-funk that urges you to move. It sucks you in, free of worry and consequence; utterly otherworldly. It's no surprise that the band has been described as "kaleidoscopic", "irresistible" and "enchanting". With Mildlife, you'll always leave wanting more.

Mystic Fyah Sound System hailing from Portugal delivering 2 cuts for this 008V release. 'Righteous'. Pure, solid Vibes. B-Side 'Nebula' steppin things up.

Three continents collide on 'Runaway', the latest single from Mozambican rapper / vocalist Simba Sitoi, featuring Canada's Kardinal Offishall, remixed by the UK's Chris Read. Simba Sitoi is a key player in the Hip Hop scene in his native Mozambique, where his vocals in both English and Portugese have graced releases including a full length album for UK stalwarts BBE Records. Kardinal Offishall is a 5 x winner at the JUNO Awards (Canada's equivalent of the GRAMMYs) and has collaborated with a host of artists including the likes of Scott Storch, Sean Paul and Eminem. London based producer Chris Read's production and remix credits include GRAMMY Award winning vocalist Bilal, BBC New Music Award winners Maylight and Hip Hop legends The Pharcyde.



The back story to this cross-continental collaboration features A Tribe Called Quest, Mozambique's colonial past and Nando's chicken. In 2018, Nando's flew Kardinal Offishal to Mozambique to film a short documentary exploring the history of the restaurant's Peri Peri sauce, an accompaniment to grilled chicken first developed by Portugese settlers in Mozambique. While filming, Kardinal visited Simba's studio to find out more about the regional music scene. The two vocalists hit it off and, in an unplanned studio session, 'Runaway', a track inspired by the UK's Broken Beat sound, was recorded. Simba had previously worked with Chris Read when he remixed Simba and Milton Gulli's cover version of A Tribe Called Quest's 'Scenario' for BBE Records back in 2013. Chris was enlisted to remix the track and has delivered a version which features Broken drums, a Latin flavored bassline and horns that add Dub feel.

Limited edition gold vinyl edition.
Hamburg's funk adventurers at the top of their game with special guests Ice-T, Charlie Funk, Peter Thomas, Gizelle Smith, Lee Fields, JSwiss & the Mocambo Kidz.

Original press release note (2019):
Carrying blistering funk lines in their fingers and worldly influences in their hearts, the unique and distinctive Mocambo sound is not one to be confused with retro bands trying to recapture an era. Eschewing traditional recording methods, this DIY crew are committed to driving forwards, and 2066 sees them at the height of their powers, broadcasting a call for unity.
After reaching new audiences worldwide and earning critical praise for their two long players on Brooklyn's Big Crown Records in their tropical guise as Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the band have reassembled and refocused in their original form, the workhorses behind dozens of 45s on the Mocambo label and beyond. Crossing generations, this album introduces some of the world's youngest funk talent to step up and rub shoulders with soul and rap legends, soul sisters, an elder statesman composer/arranger and a brand new emerging artist out of New York.
As with all Mocambo releases, the two sides of the record have been meticulously sequenced by the
band. Side A welcomes us aboard with joyous instrumental stomper Preaching To The Choir, and a call to build bridges from Mocambo chanteuse and percussionist Nichola Richards, duetting with emerging rap talent, New York MC JSwiss. B-girls and b-boys are called to the dancefloor as Superstrada and Concrete Stardust commence, all buzzing synth lines and relentless drums. New Jersey legend and Big Crown associate Mr Lee Fields is guest of honour for Where Do We Go From Here before a horn workout brings us to a close with Macumba. It's time for a breather.
The B side kicks off with the grand return of the Golden Girl of Funk, Gizelle Smith, a sister who's been busy taking on the world. Composer and presenter Peter Thomas narrates a Return To Space to mark the centenary of the debut of his score to sci-fi show Space Patrol, which first broadcast in 1966. We're back down to Earth and the mean streets for the furious drums and car chase workout of Golden Shadow. Today slows down the pace for a reflective ballad with Nichola front and centre - and here's the next generation: the Mocambo Kidz sing along to their parents' instrumentation for Here We Go, a new kids' block party anthem... with no sleep 'til bedtime. The album closer makes it clear that the Mocambos are nowhere near powering down as Ice T and Charlie F unk bring their A-game for an old school attack which, since you're up bouncing anyway, gives you no excuse not to flip the LP and drop the needle right back on to Side A. Onwards!
A summation of their journey so far and a celebration in anticipation of what's to come, the album is set
to take its place in a legacy of open minded, organically recorded music, showering listeners with the crew's maze of tantalising sounds pulled from funk, afro, hip hop with cinematic composition and storytelling.

Side A.
Re Mastered and Re 1967 -You Don't have to worry
Lost classic , sampled by so many.. 50cent, Common, Wu Tang , Royce 5'9
Such killer vocals right out of the gate. If you are not familiar with this song its gonna flip your wig!!! Must Have !!!

Side B. Bohannon - 1973 Save Their souls Remastered Re edited
Sampled by Jay z, Large Professor, Musiq Soul child, Craig Mack, Jay Dilla ,
Primo, Pete Rock..
Funk-filled tune timeless classic..

2 more essential hip hop bangers from 45 Kings never previously on 7”

Following the recent collaborative SERWED II and Square Fauna albums on West Mineral Ltd. and Firecracker Recordings respectively, Flaty is back on his own ANWO RECORDS with an album titled RAILZ. A year in the making, it's a product of solitary contemplative pursuit, an exploration of a metaspace where the varied worlds inherent to Flaty's artistic sensibility coexist, blend and collide true to the original kinship between electro and hip-hop. The altered footwork and fine-grained dubstep sonic structures, the freeform soundscapes and refracted beats, the consistently heavy bass and eventful razor-sharp high frequencies of the album are all bred, built, mixed and mastered single-handedly by Flaty who has also designed all the artwork and packaging. In comparison with the artist's previous productions, the tone is colder, the approach more detached, while the substance is no less personal and the experience neither less diverse nor less intense. The artistic, cultural and technological styles and eras of the last half-century fuse and productively dissolve in the utopian interferences of the LP. Expect RAILZ to be presented as the soundtrack to a forthcoming series of ANWO STUDIO collaborative audiovisual live performances.

Clear Vinyl

IZIPHO SOUL are thrilled to announce our forthcoming 45!

Alabama born, Mississippi raised and Louisiana transplanted native, Arthur Foy was a must see entertainer with his own band and show. In 1980 he recorded the absolute masterpiece: ‘Love Dreams’. Rich soulful vocals, expert instrumentation, production and ‘never enough Rhodes’ are everything that a gifted ear craves for.

The original MCS 45 is owned by only a select bunch of DJs and discerning collectors; a proven rarity with only seven copies documented on Popsike.

On the flip we present the southern strutter - ‘Love Storm’ - a song that builds as the title suggests. Co-produced and written with the legendary Carl Marshall adds to the credentials and charm. Sadly Arthur passed away in 2018, his music and performing meant everything to him; we are therefore proud to play our part in his musical legacy and dedicate this record to his memory.

IZIPHO SOUL are thrilled to announce our forthcoming 45!

Alabama born, Mississippi raised and Louisiana transplanted native, Arthur Foy was a must see entertainer with his own band and show. In 1980 he recorded the absolute masterpiece: ‘Love Dreams’. Rich soulful vocals, expert instrumentation, production and ‘never enough Rhodes’ are everything that a gifted ear craves for.

The original MCS 45 is owned by only a select bunch of DJs and discerning collectors; a proven rarity with only seven copies documented on Popsike.

On the flip we present the southern strutter - ‘Love Storm’ - a song that builds as the title suggests. Co-produced and written with the legendary Carl Marshall adds to the credentials and charm. Sadly Arthur passed away in 2018, his music and performing meant everything to him; we are therefore proud to play our part in his musical legacy and dedicate this record to his memory.

York Pennsylvania born and raised, R&B vocalist Carman Bryant has performed throughout the U.S. and all over the world. There’s a saying in the Harrisburg/York Pa.area “If you want a seat, you better get there early” for a performance by Carman and her band.
Carman's recording "Midnight Star” is an unreleased recording that was produced many years ago by Cecil DuValle of the Teddy Pendergrass band. The original studio masters were lost when Cecil moved to England because Teddy Pendergrass stopped performing. "Take a Chance" is a duet by Doug Payne and Carman from the same recording sessions at Alpha International Studios that was located in South Philadelphia. This was during the time that Doug Payne was on the "We are Family" tour with Philly recording group "Sister Sledge''. Doug Payne is a graduate of Howard University Washington D.C., and Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in New York City, this is the same school that was used for the movie and television series "FAME" starring Debbie Allen and Irene Cara. Doug had two songs signed with TSOP Gamble & Huff's publishing that were selected to be recorded by Phyliss Hyman before her death. In 1981 Doug Payne started his own label in Philadelphia with the release of "HOLIDAY" by Doug Payne & Polygon.
Carman and her son Terrell Bryant aka Nakuu both have been busy lately
recording new music to hit the scene around the same time.Terrell Bryant is
the son of Jason Bryant who started The SOS Band.
Doug's wife June Payne is a former member of Philadelphia recording group The "Three Degrees".

3 years after the release of his debut EP « Seize The Day », DJ, producer and founder of Roche Musique Cezaire is back with another evocatively named project : "Attraction".

Faithful to himself, he creates a sensual ambience made of warm and swaying tones, the sweet fruit of the melodic groove which always drives him. Once the eyes closed - the imagination becomes fertile and takes us back in a 90’s daydream accompanied by hypnotic synths. Regardless of the place, it’s all about lightness and smooth vibes.

Between G-Funk influences and francophone contemporary soul, the 5 titles EP unveils the producer’s taste for retro and voluptuous sounds, echoing to the universal theme of desire.

“This second EP is to me a logical follow-up which falls within my path. Of course, its central theme is attraction, but by that, I refer to one thing : making your dreams come true. ”

We are now taking wholesale orders for our next release, which is again a lovely double sided unissued affair.

The A side really is one for the connoisseur collector, lovers of rare groove soul and 2 step. With Mrs Roz Ryans vocals always being strong and on point. Accompanied with the class or ex Motown producers and legends Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey. The B side is a real funky little disco plodder but what sets this out from all the rest is the amazing breakdown which we have highlighted in the attached clip.

If i was still making beats on my Mpc id be all over this!!



Welcome to the 2nd release in the Roz Ryan studio reel discovery from 1980. Produced by the mighty Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey their production skills and arrangements never fail to deliver, and they always throw in a breakdown to keep it funky. Roz Ryan is a household name within the u.s and had some great success in the uk with her hit on Mirage records entitled "Boy where have you been".On the A side we have just a wonderful 2 step song called 'Life after love" which is sure to hit a note with those rare groove London collectors. Flip it over for "Sky high" a nice float along disco number, but what makes this track stand out is the huge breakdown in their middle section. One for the beat makers.

Another sure-shot from the 5 Boroughs - rare and classic hip hop & soul on 45

2 more cut up classics from DJ Shadow - limited to only 400 copies.

HONNE have announced the release of their much-anticipated new album, ‘Let’s Just Say The World Ended A Week From Now, What Would You Do?’ – a record that toasts the start of a new era of music from one of the UK’s most inventive and original outfits.

Releasing on October 22, ‘Let’s Just Say The World Ended A Week From Now, What Would You Do?’ forms HONNE’s third studio album following critically acclaimed LPs, ‘Warm On A Cold Night’ (2016) and ‘Love Me / Love Me Not’ (2018), as well as ‘no song without you’ – a surprise 14-track mixtape released last summer.

Written throughout the course of 2020, ‘Let’s Just Say The World Ended A Week From Now, What Would You Do?’ captures HONNE in limitless full bloom – as songwriters, producers and collaborators. “In the past, we’ve limited ourselves”, HONNE explain. “We might get to a section of a song and things are getting really exciting, but we then pull ourselves back and say, ‘Can we really do that?’. Now, we’ve sidestepped the rules and done whatever we wanted to do.”

This sense of freedom permeates the tracklist, which is defined as much by its eye-catching collaborations – Khalid (‘Three Strikes’), Griff (‘Back On Top’), 88 Rising’s NIKI (‘Coming Home’) – as it is by its musicianship, shimmering pop feel and intelligent song-writing; Sam Smith (‘Back On Top’) and MNEK (‘Easy On Me’) also co-wrote songs on the album.

Bold and ambitious , ‘Let’s Just Say The World Ended A Week From Now, What Would You Do?’ brings together everything HONNE have worked towards in their career so far, while simultaneously pushing them into broad and exciting new spaces.

7" of this funk classic re-issued for the first time from recently discovered Master Tapes.

Funky Soul (originally titled "Going To See The Man") was a routine crowd pleaser during live shows that even had its own dance "rock the ship." This was the part two of the song. It was part one that was created in the studio as a riff off of part two. The raw energy of this song when performed live created hysteria and drove spectators into a frenzy. It didn't take long for word to get around and catch the attention of the famous WYLD DJ Larry McKinley. McKinley wanted to capture this magic onto record and helped arrange the session at Cosimo Matassa's studio. He drove Isaac Hayes down from Memphis to New Orleans in 1968 and organized Issac Hayes to arrange the horn section on this record while he was working with the Okeh label and developing an emerging artist named Margie Joseph. It was during this time that Margie recorded two singles Why Does A Man Have To Lie/See (Okeh, 4-7304) and Show Me/A Matter Of Life Or Death (Okeh, 4-7313).

David Batiste & The Gladiators were a band David Batiste and several of his brothers formed while they were in High School in New Orleans back in 1961. The band won a talent show in 1965 at Harlem's famous Apollo Theater and are the pioneers of what is now known as "Funk." David Batiste & The Gladiators were legendary mainstays of every bar in New Orleans that every band was hustling trying to get booked at.

It's no wonder that this song was famously complied on BBE Records and Ubiquity in the 1990's, rediscovered and performed by Miles Tackett & The Breakestra in the early 2000's. Those compilations contained audio sourced only from the vinyl record originally pressed up twice in the early 1970s and sought after by collectors and DJs for years and years. This version is from a direct master tape transfer from recently discovered NOLA tapes. But wait… The party's just started. An entire album's worth of 1960s previously unreleased David Batiste & The Gladiators material from recently discovered master tapes is in the works and forthcoming on Family Groove Records.

A pair of heavyweight DJ tools comprise Mr. K’s latest endeavor on 7-inch for Most Excellent Unlimited, major staples in his DJ sets now ready for wider deployment.

Taking the lead spot is an intense percussion workout lifted from the middle and outro sections of Chicago’s anthem “Street Player.” The tune was written by David “Hawk” Wolinski of Rufus in collaboration with Chicago’s drummer Danny Seraphine, and originally showed up as the title track on a 1978 Rufus album. Chicago’s version the following year upped the ante considerably, with guest musicians of the caliber of Maynard Ferguson and Brazilian percussion maestro Airto Moreira, who shine in the segment Mr. K has worked over here. Harkening back to a well-loved NYC grey market 12-inch on the Rated X label which placed the percussion break at the beginning of the record, this new edit dispenses with the main body of the tune altogether, in the process leaving us with a gloriously lengthy, tension-building drum jam infused with Airto’s sparkling percussion, twisting unison horn lines and crisp claps.

For the second side of this unofficial “Breakdown Edition” of the Mr. K series, it is back to the master and undisputed king of breakdowns, James Brown. Krivit, well known for working with the original multi tracks of "Give It Up Turn It Loose” (originally featured in the late ‘80s Polydor release In The Jungle Groove), along with “Funky Drummer” (arguably holding the title of the most sampled song in history!) An early hip-hop standard, “Get Up Get Into It Get Involved” is an equally important part of his DJ repertoire. Mr. K takes the powerful live version and provides DJs with an essential breakdown, build-up and lead-in to wherever they’d like to go next; leaving things at peak emotion with the choice to get back to the original James jam or into another groove altogether.

Another sure-shot seven bound to find a place in DJs bags everywhere, and another high-quality remaster and pressing from Most Excellent Unlimited!

Originally conceived as a medium for Chicago-based multi-media artist/activist Damon Locks's sample-based sound collage work, Black Monument Ensemble (BME) has evolved from a solo mission into a vibrant collective of artists, musicians, singers, and dancers making work with common goals of joy, compassion, and intention. A genuinely multi-generational collective, ages of BME members range from 9 to 52 years old; members include instrumentalists and fellow IARC recording artists Angel Bat Dawid and Ben LaMar Gay. Their debut album Where Future Unfolds was released in 2019 by International Anthem glowing praise; landing at #3 on Bandcamp's "Best Albums of the Year," #25 on WIRE Magazine's "Best Albums of 2019," and being repeatedly dubbed "The Best Album of 2019" by BBC/Worldwide radio titan Gilles Peterson. Locks & BME's new album NOW was created in the final throes of Summer 2020, following months of pandemic-induced fear & isolation, the explosion of social unrest, struggle & violence in the streets, and as the certain presence of a new reality had fully settled in. Set up safely in the garden behind Chicago's Experimental Sound Studio, the music was recorded in only a few takes, capturing the first times members of BME had ever played or sang the tunes. For Locks, the impetus was more about getting together to commune and make art than it was about producing an album. In his words: "It was about offering a new thought. It was about resisting the darkness. It was about expressing possibility. It was about asking the question, 'Since the future has unfolded and taken a new and dangerous shape... what happens NOW?'"

Livity 10'' series 01

A few years ago Oonops was djing alongside Nightmares On Wax and heard him playing this tune while the crowd went nuts. Years later he discovered the song plus the producer behind it and asked him to do an exclusive 45-version for this series.

On the flip Oonops invited UK dj and producer Jim Sharp for another heavy hitter. He worked out a famous Digable Planets track and beefed it up with some crispy drums and beats.

"(Don't) Hold Me Down" follows "In Conversation" as the second single from PM Warson's debut album "True Story", out on April 23 on vinyl LP, limited edition CD and digital formats.

The first version of "(Don't) Hold Me Down" with its Brit-edged Garage R'n'B and Latin Soul and a girl-group chorus that had developed as a key extension of his live sound, was released by PM Warson himself on a 7inch vinyl single and proved a winning formula for soul collectors. The independent pressing sold out within a couple of days, and it began to spin at clubs from Toronto to Barcelona, its value briefly skyrocketing on collector site Discogs. The song was later picked up by Fred Perry to underscore their 'Soul Boy' short film, further establishing his presence on the UK soul scene.

Stepper roots