Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

2 years after the release of her first EP MHAW (My Heart Ain't Wrong) and the success of the hit song All In You, in collaboration with Synapson, Anna Kova reveals"PIGMENTS" her new EP. Anna Kova partners up with the producer and beatmaker MiM to feed this composite genre that she's exploring since the beginning.

Azumah was the coming together of a group of talented young dancer-musicians from Soweto (South Africa) with musician and instrument-maker Smiles Mandla Makama of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland). Long Time Ago is the surprising and enticing, resultant album from 1985, recorded in the house of theatre stalwarts Des and Dawn Lindberg in Johannesburg.

Produced by David Marks (3rd Ear Music, Hidden Years Music Archive Project), Des Lindberg and Smiles Makama, this album takes us back to a priceless musical moment in the dark and wild eighties of apartheid South Africa. Smiles Makama is a gifted and visionary music-maker. He was born in South Africa but grew up in eSwatini, the small kingdom enveloped by South Africa and Mozambique on each side. He tells the story of the process leading to the recording of this remarkable album: “I was invited from Swaziland by a Soweto-based group, Azumah. … One of the members knew that there was a wizard in the mountains in Swaziland, building instruments. As I was in the mountains in my hut and then I saw people arrive. They found me. It all started there.”

Instead of simplistic images of a generic ‘Africanness’ or ‘South Africanness’ and pictures of constructed and exotic ethnic identity, a contemporary, fresh listen to this album encourages an appreciation of the composition and musical skill at play in this music. Few people speak about the individual innovation and experimentation involved in the creation of this music (or the music of Amampondo for instance). “Woza Moya” sticks out as a dark and melancholy creation, different tonally to what has come before, evoking the work of Naná Vasconelos or Don Cherry. One thing that remains the same decades later is that encouraging deeper listening to the sounds of the mbira, the nyunga-nyunga, the uhadi or makhoyane bows is still challenging. Discouraging the superficial, short-lived acknowledgement of this ‘unchanging’, ‘African cultural expression’ is the everlasting hurdle. This is made so much easier by albums like Long Time Ago: when artists create music to be loved and entangled with, to be challenged by, derived from the musical roots and structures of these instruments and then expanded upon with creative freedom, risk, humour and funk.

Azumah did this in 1985 and we have this album again today, newly released, to remind us of that moment and the moments since when musicians have urned inward and done similar. As Smiles has it: “Indigenous music doesn’t fade out. It’s just waiting to be discovered, all the time.”

Bohemia After Dawn, the soundtrack of a lifestyle compiled in 12 sunsoaked songs. After an endless time of silence from the German Nu-Jazz outfit they're back! Laid back and lovely, matured and mellow to spoil us with their uber-cool vibe coming directly from the breezy Algarve. Bahama Soul Club's 5th album draws deep inspiration from the multicultural verve of young worldy folk drawn to the Bohemian coasts of the most southwestern part of Europe, where hippiesque hedonism, infinite musical diversity, and offbeat enchanted lifestyles fuel the scene.

"From countless ideas and numerous demos over the past four years, we handpicked those few songs that shone the brightest. 2018 saw a single release 'Never Roam No More' featuring the legendary John Lee Hooker. 2019 'Aint Nobody's Business' featuring Billie Holiday hit the scene. Another real legend, Sister Wynona Carr is featured on 'Tears Run Down'."

"Increasingly during production we became aware of the amazing complexity of local artists, talented individuals to be found performing all day and night in the bars and near the beaches. It would take more than a couple of albums to bring these troubadours together. For this album we began with just a few, an eclectic mix, and we found our studio blessed with some serious vibes. Josephine Nightingale 'Mercy Me', 'Castelejo' and Taly Minkov-Louzeiro 'Troubles all be gone'. The ultimate track on the album 'Castelejo' is dear to our hearts and an homage to the late Vitor Hugo, featuring Rui Correia on accordeon and vocals by Cutty Wren and Hedvig Larsson. These artists are from the local neighbourhood; quite literally across the lane. What a blessing, what a discovery! Last but not least, one of the most exciting voices in the Bahama Soul Club family so far ... Cuban artist Arema Arega is something of a permanent feature and shows her talents in 'Mango' and 'Alma Sola'."
As if this weren't enough there are two cool remixes from the masters of the scene: Mighty Club des Belugas and SMOOVE himself!

Super-loud vinyl!

The ever-prolific Ed Upton aka DMX Krew is up next on Utter with 'Turn It On', a four-track EP of Level 42 cover versions. Yes, you read that right... as if 2020 couldn't get any stranger!

This is no exercise in irony though. This record is a true labour of love for Ed, a sincere tribute to a band he adored as a youngster. The original Level 42 tracks he has covered - 'Turn It On', 'Love Games' and '43' - all appeared on their acclaimed self-titled debut album way back in 1981, which also featured the talents of a young Wally Badarou and Atmosfear's Leroy Williams.

Ed has stayed faithful to the tracks' excellent arrangements, swapping out live instruments for drum machines and synths, vocals for vocoders.

The result is a record that retains the original material's brit-funk charm but with that unmistakable DMX Krew electro-funk and boogie flavour. It breathes new life into these classic tracks without deviating from what made them so catchy and fun in the first place. We hope they put a smile on your face too.

Limited 12" in fluorescent green sleeve.
Dedicated to Rowland 'Boon' Gould (1955-2019).

Powerful new spiritual jazz from Chile on Soul Jazz Records!

This album comes as a very limited one-off unique pressing of 1000-edition vinyl, limited editon CD and digital release.

Enrique Rodríguez and the Negra Chiway Band group have an instantly powerful and unique sound that is reminiscent of the ensembles of Sun Ra and his Arkestra as well as Horace Tapscott and his Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra, one that channels the righteous spirits of Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp and McCoy Tyner together with a stunning Latin rhythmical and new consciousness and percussive energy. Added to this are elements of the Samurai film soundtracks of Akira Kurosawa, Popol Vuh’s musical spirituality (especially their work with film director Werner Herzog), Tibetan Buddhism and over-blowing chants, that all combine to give a truly unique new sound.

Enrique Rodríguez is a composer, percussionist, keyboardist, and producer from Santiago, Chile, whose work shows many similarities with the music featured on Soul Jazz Records’ recent collection ‘Kaleidoscope - New Spirts Known and Unknown’, featuring new forward-looking jazz artists including Mathew Halsall, Theon Cross, Emma-Jean Thackray and Makaya McCraven.

Like all these artists, Rodríguez’s work is a progressive and experimental fusion of earlier influences that combine into a new and definitely 21st century ground-breaking sound that, on account of its South American setting, give the group its truly unique feeling. Hypnotic modal piano riffs, powerful brass and flutes, an army of Latin percussion instruments, and addictive vocal chants all combine in this powerful mix of radical 60s Afro-centric jazz, eastern spirituality and cosmology, and Latin American rhythmical movement.

TERRENG - a constitution of an open-ended landscape of contrasts defining space both in time and depth. a set of structuring elements forming by its positionally interaction a common platform created through its dimensional properties.

The drums and electronics on TERRENG trade off each other at times creating a sense of improvised space, but also comes together in parts to form a narrative structure of almost concrete sensibilities. Where the instrumental identities gradually bleed into each other to form a flowing texture of sonically defined terrain.

The multi-layered structure of the two tracks presented here draws upon a well of material, sources and references. Pandi and Wesseltoft build up a detailed and idiosyncratic work by the use of their constructive material. In parts quiet and open. In other parts chocked with information and intensity. Beautiful and fractured. Chaotic and meditative. TERRENG is a highly dynamic blend of improvisation, and a narrowly constructed electro-acoustic narrative.

Balazs Pandi is a versatile drummer with an almost encyclopaedic level of experience ranging from improvised music and modern jazz, to metal, noise and experimental electronics. Here he at times performs the role of improvising drummer trading off the collaborator, and at other times creates an almost ritually constructed sense of rhythmic space perfectly embedded within the overall structure.

Jon Wesseltoft is a musician and composer with a long history of work within the often overlapping fields of improvisation, sound-art, noise and electro-acoustics. He has a longstanding interest in musical systems and its concepts of representation, and psycho-acoustics and the phenomenology of sound and its narrative power. He has explored this interest in various forms ranging from solo work to various collaborations and projects to larger ensemble work.

As Maya Jane Coles career continues to unfold, “Pull Up” that features. Gangsta Boo & Young
M.A captures the London based producer’s assured, and bold studio skills, executed teeming with
confidence.

Taken from the British-Japanese Producer/DJ’s sophomore LP as Nocturnal Sunshine that includes
a broad mix of collaborators including Peaches, Catnapp, Gangsta Boo & Young M.A. “Pull Up”
features Three 6 Mafia’s legendary Gangsta Boo and anchors Maya’s form and talent in mastering
many genres, an approach that has in incubated even further in the recent absence of dancefloors
and intensive home-studio sessions.

Taking Maya’s alias in a new direction and delving deep into her hip-hop influences “Pull Up” is a
album standout track that has seen support as diverse as from Resident Advisor and Mixmag to Q
Magazine, FADER and Billboard. This continued across the airwaves with support across Rinse FM
and BBC Radio 1, rounding off with Maya appearing on BBC Radio 6 Music for a guestmix with
Nemone’s Electric Ladyland.

A black hole full of early UK Hardcore intensity, the minimalism of MF Doom's beatmaking and the imaginative dancehall productions of Steely & Clevie.

Duality Research presents it's first release with the sounds of the lost african Rahsaan Nova. Taking a peek into the mind of this mysterious producer, Rahsaan explores the world of afrofuturism and delivers a fresh and diverse release on this new imprint. check!

Soul Jazz Records are releasing this latest Studio One compilation which features non-step 100% stone-cold classic Studio One killers! Spanning 40 years of the legendary label, this album is a fitting tribute to Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd and is a who's who of Jamaicaan Reggae.

Studio One Rocksteady is the fantastic new instalment in Soul Jazz Records' journey through the mighty vaults of Studio One, reggae's number one record company and its legendary pioneering producer Clement Sir Coxsone Dodd.

With excellent sleevenotes by Lloyd Bradley (author of the classic book Bass Culture - When Reggae Was King (Penguin)) this album is dedicated to rocksteady at Studio One as well as covering reggae soul and the birth of reggae. Featuring an all-star selection of artists: Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Jackie Mittoo, The Heptones, John Holt, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown and more.

Soul Jazz Records' Studio One Rocksteady is released in CD- jewel case, 16-page booklet with card slipcase, as well as a heavyweight double-vinyl edition in deluxe strong gatefold sleeve (with full sleeve notes and free download code).

Superb EP, exmploring various kind of Dub possibilities... from the Ska dub-tel to Cumbia Ragga, and through the Electro Dub in a High Tone instrumental style.This is FAT !

2 broken tunes, with one very The DEEP or Melvins style on the A Side, oldschool crossover Noisy/Industrial broken beats and one electronica hip Hop instrumental on the flip. Brain dance.

Welcome vinyl reissue for this ultra-rare slice of warm and dreamy down-tempo disco heaven from one-hit wonders Byron. Originally released in 1985 on tiny Italian label Golden Sound, 'Too Much' is highly sought after today in Balearic circles for its gorgeous sun-drenched atmosphere and the understated chugging funky combination of hypnotic bass, other-worldly vocals and heady chiming synths. A must for any discerning Balearic record bag, grab a copy while you can.

Fred broke out on scene with his slept on debut, the crossover soul gem "Love Can Last Forever" in 2016. After a four year hiatus between releases, it's time for his sophomore single "Sweet Thing", and it's clear that his talent is like fine wine, a thing that needs its time. Since his premier release kicked off Stylart, the Timmion sublabel, Cold Diamond & Mink has put soul on the table with a steady pace and from this new track it's clear that they shine some special love for Fred.

As a result,"Sweet Thing" is as lush as it comes with a shimmering electric piano, horns on full blast and strings to boot. When fused with Fred's delicate delivery, passionate lyrics, overdubs and a mid-tempo soul dance groove, it all really comes together. There's a gentle southern breeze in the air and can we really demand less from Espoo's finest.

We are nowhere nearer to cracking the enigma of Fred's personality, but he does seem less complicated than on his first release. "Sweet Thing" is exactly what it sounds like, a soothing piece of soulful sunshine. Something to enjoy in good company.

Fred broke out on scene with his slept on debut, the crossover soul gem "Love Can Last Forever" in 2016. After a four year hiatus between releases, it's time for his sophomore single "Sweet Thing", and it's clear that his talent is like fine wine, a thing that needs its time. Since his premier release kicked off Stylart, the Timmion sublabel, Cold Diamond & Mink has put soul on the table with a steady pace and from this new track it's clear that they shine some special love for Fred.

As a result,"Sweet Thing" is as lush as it comes with a shimmering electric piano, horns on full blast and strings to boot. When fused with Fred's delicate delivery, passionate lyrics, overdubs and a mid-tempo soul dance groove, it all really comes together. There's a gentle southern breeze in the air and can we really demand less from Espoo's finest.

We are nowhere nearer to cracking the enigma of Fred's personality, but he does seem less complicated than on his first release. "Sweet Thing" is exactly what it sounds like, a soothing piece of soulful sunshine. Something to enjoy in good company.

Despite the troubles globally faced in 2020 it's safe to say that The Allergies have been a shining ray of light, having had an absolutely glorious year, releasing their fourth studio album, achieving the 'A playlist' on BBC 6Music and Radio Eins, climbing high in the NACC US college charts, and generally receiving critical acclaim from a world that had an understandable appetite for some joyful and fun music in their lives…

And they are not done yet! As they return once more to continue their mission of reshaping vintage sounds for the modern dance floor. Packing a couple of dope tracks that of course fit their ethos of creating music that is both fun and funky.

Not content with sampling everything they can get their itchy scratchy fingers on, they've decided to look back into their own catalogue to appropriate their own material into something new. Yes indeed, the samplers become the sample…

And given their expansive funk-filled legacy, why wouldn't they? Especially given that the sample in question is of the third unofficial Allergy - Andy Cooper (Ugly Duckling) and his jumping vocals from their track 'Main Event'.

'Jumping Off' sees that vocal restyled from a classic hip hop cut into a party-starting, beat-tastic, dance floor bomb a la Fatboy Slim, this is one that has the magnetism to make it a surefire crowdpleaser from the moment the needle drops…

And flip it over for more fire - 'Gather Around' is a chic, good time, upbeat, soul shaking track with so much bombastic-ness packed in that could make Shaggy blush.

The good news doesn't stop there as these two DJ weapons are going to be packed together on 7" on a limited run of 300 just before the festive season really gets going. As always they sell out fast so act quick to get in on the action!

Restock !

180g clear marbled vinyl + stamped sleeve + inside out printed cover

Mood of departure presents the 50th release of ORNAMENTS. "Roadmap" LP is crossing borders,
forests, mountains and deep atmospheres on a trip of finest electronics from the past and today
combined with recordings of destructions.

Some Previous here

Resident Advisor

German label Ornaments Music is putting out its 50th release, Mood Of Departure's Roadmap.

The album comprises twelve tracks of melodic ambient and trip-hop, and is due out next month. The LP will be pressed up on marbled vinyl on November 6th, while the digital album is slated for November 23rd release.

This summer, Ornaments Music put out Assemblage, a dub techno collaborative project from Paul St. Hilaire and Rhauder.

Groove MAG

„Man soll die Feste feiern wie sie fallen.” Hachja – 2020 ist wirklich vieles anders. Sogar manche Lebensweisheiten treffen in diesem Jahr nicht mehr zu, wie sie das noch letztes taten. Zum Glück dürfen wir uns aber über eines umso mehr freuen, über tonnenweise neue Musik. So feiert unter anderem Ornaments Music Release-Jubiläum. Das Berliner Label bereichert seit 2008 mit Künstlern wie Marko Fürstenberg, The Analog Roland Orchestra und Rhauder die Dubtechno-Sparte mit maßgeblichen musikalischen Beiträgen. Mit dem 50. Release Roadmap beschreitet Ornaments nun neue Wege und veröffentlicht ein emotionales Album, dass sich irgendwo zwischen Ambient und Electronica wiederfindet.

Mood Of Departure heißt die Person, die dieses Werk vollbracht hat. Wer dahinter steckt bleibt vorerst geheim. Nur soviel sei gesagt. Es ist nicht ihr erstes. Oder seines? Weil es nur spärliche Informationen über den/die Künstler*in gibt, stehen die einzelnen Stücke ohne Personenkult oder seitenlange Lobeshymnen an erster Stelle. Und wenn man mal ehrlich ist, gibt es schon genug Ablenkung in der heutigen Zeit. Durch das Intro des Albums, durch „Scan”, wird sofort deutlich, dass es sich hier nicht wie gewohnt um ein klassisches Dancefloor-Album handelt. Die Stimme der Sängerin, die auch in einigen weiteren der insgesamt zwölf Stücke vorkommt, verleiht dem Track eher Band- statt Producer-Charakter. Ein sanfter Ambient-Teppich aus luftigen Flächen und wiederhalendem Gesang wird durch simple aber präzise Hip Hop-Beats fortgetragen, und man ist nach dieser Einführung gespannt, was noch folgt.

Faze MAG

Mit dem Debütalbum „Roadmap“ von Mood Of Departure veröffentlicht das Label Ornaments sein 50. Release!

2008 startete das Label, das bekannt ist für sein marmoriertes Vinyl, mit einer EP von Marko Fürstenberg, Acts wie youANDme, Sascha Dive, The Analog Roland Orchestra, Steve Bug oder zuletzt Rhauder & Paul St. Hilaire haben hier auch ihre Spuren hinterlassen.

7" Black Vinyl Respected French DJ & producer, Thomas Arroyo AKA ‘Laroye’ has teamed up with Andre Espeut (recording a few new vocal parts) to create a James Brown style take of Beyond Compare, with a real a funk extravaganza of a remix. This is Situationism's first funk 7” specially crafted for RSD 2020.

Sutja Gutierrez is back on Lumière Noire. The finesse of his productions and his implacable stage performances have given him a special place within the Parisian label. In 2017, he released the EP "The Legend of Time" and one year later, he appeared on the compilation From Above with his track "Allodoxaphobia". He comes back here with an LP entitled PHYLAX SOCIETY, which confirms that Sutja Gutierrez is indeed an artist in his own right. Phylax means guardian in Latin, and the album’s title is directly inspired by the “Phylax Society”, a group of people who, in the late 19th century, wanted to create the ultimate canine breed, but who due their lack of consensus failed and dissolved. Later on, an ex-member eventually bred the very first German Shepherd. On this heartfelt record, as emotional as it is catchy, the artist deals with the feelings that come after the loss of a loved one, chiefly nostalgia and melancholia. The result is an ardent record where crooning is sincere and never a posture. The artist’s lo-fi psychedelic pop trademark oozes in every track of this album. Many of these songs feature his vocals, often doused in ethereal echoes or even shrewdly chopped and distorted in a way that reminds us of the great musique concrete experiments of the past. A DIY approach sometimes indebted to punk and post-punk music, all mixed with a vast variety of traditional pop instruments such as guitar, bass, electric keyboards and real drums, but also drum machines, synth bleeps, found sounds and other strange but fascinating samples. EMPTY FLOWER POTS, which was released as a single ahead of the LP, is definitely one of the album’s standout tracks. This catchy mid-tempo song is the perfect entry point into Sutja’s finely twisted world. A world in which you can find that particular balance between nostalgia and optimism. Oh, life is great, what is life? Life is death. . he sings. It is one of those songs that stays in your head for a while. Do not let the idea of alternative pop fool you, it is quite impossible to listen to any of these songs without reacting in some way or another through moving, dancing or thinking, regardless of the tempo or meaning. I’M DIGGIN’ might be the perfect example of this. Deceptively simple and far removed from dance music, this rock-infused number will not only have you singing along instantly, but you will also find yourself dancing and responding accordingly to the energetic mantra of this song... I'm digging for the truth, I am so diggin' into it. Truly, the dance floor is never too far, sometimes quite blatantly and sometimes in a more oblique fashion. Another case in point is PHYLAX SOCIETY, the eponym track which closes the album, a song in two parts, where a slo-mo club groove carries Sutja’s trademark singing to yet another level of uniqueness, with his surreal soundscapes, twisted melodies and everyday life sounds. An ode to humanity and an homage to the ones who are risking their lives every day in the mediterranean sea. It is rare to encounter an album which is immediately satisfying on one hand but also reveals more and more beautiful secrets with each listen. PHYLAX SOCIETY is clearly one of those special albums.

Flute Grime, Fever in you bed with U'r Girlfriend... & Grimy R'n'B, fever on MTV !

Second remix 12'' of the Firecamp Stories Nettle's album. Enjoy ! Last copies ever !

Be not afraid! Whether you’re simply sightseeing, enjoying temporary flights of fancy or considering a more permanent relocation, the all-new Spirit World Field Guide offers twenty-one insightful chapters of firsthand know-how into the terrain, wildlife, and social customs of our parallel universe. The narrator’s vast expertise of multiple global entry points and various modes of interdimensional transport informs a rich tapestry of tips, tricks and tools to unfailingly aid in your ultimate survival. If you are among the countless individuals who find themselves feeling both dead and alive at the same time, the information contained within may serve as an invaluable asset to your journey. Godspeed and good luck."

PULP is inaugurating this year's summer season with a lengthy affair by a certain Barry Helafonte called "One Night'. Not much is known about the artist that delivers the 12th installment for the PULP series. Nevertheless, production wise the sound is mature, and the drum machines sound like they are being hit by someone with vast experience. The balanced production quality of "Keys to The City" is prominent. A squelchy bassline is dictating the rhythm whilst washes of pads and an outlandish lead come together to form a dripping whole.

"Keys to the City" resumes with friend of the label Moon B on rework duties, turning the spaced out drums of the original

Re-releasing Bill Withers ‘Greatest Hits’ on vinyl including some of his most loved songs ‘Just the Two of Us’, ‘Lovely Day’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’

We are proud to welcome the latest members to our ASW family: Digital Afrika.
Digging deep into the depths of African rhythms and melodies, and influenced by international club music from Lagos to New York, DIGITAL AFRIKA is pushing the frontiers of live dance floor orientated Afro House in Australia and beyond.
Digital Afrika’s second EP and single “Asiko” is due to drop on Record Store Day 24th October 2020.

This vinyl exclusive release features Digital Afrika’s trademark rhythmic fusion and high octane vocals from African-Australian artists Remi, Thando Sikwila, Olugbade Okunade and Cazeaux Oslo.

Asiko showcases the production powers of two Australian producers: Future Roots and Si Fixion.

As we keep exploring the outer wilds of dubwise music, we're happy to welcome Jah Schulz with a very special release on the basscomesaveme label.

With more than a handful of releases on Railroad Records, the german dub producer already made himself a name in the soundsystem scene. Legends like Jah Shaka playing his tunes regulary on their sessions. His heavyweight basslines and powerful drums are shakin' up every dance.

Jersey Shore's finest funk. Minority Band hails from the beaches of Monmouth County New Jersey. The septet performed locally from New York to Neptune City in the late 70s and recorded only one LP on JSR records entitled "Journey To The Shore". Widely unknown and hyper-collectible, these recordings fetch those 4 figures... Unattainable until now. We've taken two of the best cuts from the album and pressed them proper on 12inch.

New record from Mitro - a moniker of Natal Zaks. 6 experimental, downtempo, ambient, IDM-ish cuts.

Sano ha vuelto! Todos lo conocen por su ya famosa serie de Latino Body Music. Esta vez trajo a Siwo de Mozambique en la voz. Juntos presentan 6 éxitos garantizados para mover los pies. Hi nkensa a misava ni matiku ya Colombia na Mozambique. Khanimambo ni lirhandzu hi nkensa: M&V at PP. Phran & DJ Phidias at Vimana Studios, Barcelona. Mixmaster Leo Li at Mockba. Palma. Bailar es una terapia!

After a short hiatus, The Gaslamp Killer has returned with turbulent, moody, and gorgeous symphonies on his third full-length album, HeartMath. An intense and emotional masterpiece, it reaffirms why he remains one of the best DJs and instrumental hip-hop producers of his generation. This is a work conceived and creative with every last ounce of love and pain, all of it made in turmoil and psychic unrest, with music providing the only form of solace or opportunity to find even a fleeting moment of happiness. It is as pure as catharsis gets. Heart music to survive a season in hell

Volume number two in the Trip Hop Vibes Series.

It seems that every major jazz artist has a one-off sort of record in their discography, be it with strings, voices, spoken word or - as in this case - a foray into the funkier side of jazz. Charlie Rouse (going here as Charles Rouse) gets his chance on Two Is One, a funky soul jazz excursion on Strata-East, the artist-run label where creativity and pushing boundaries was at the forefront. Playing mostly with a group of session musicians, Rouse put together an album that may stray a bit from his hard bop roots, but is nonetheless an enjoyable and at times inventive record. The style of music played here - sophisticated soul jazz with some post bop and spiritual jazz thrown in for good measure - is very much a product of it's time. 1974 saw a whole slew of artists stretching the boundaries of what jazz music could be, combining elements from the past two decades into electric jazz adventures. The piano-less group that Rouse put together is a funky one, with lots of rhythmic playing behind either the searching solos of Rouse on the tenor or some inventive electric guitar work from either George Davis or Paul Metzke who appear together on all but a couple of tracks. Cal Scott gets plenty of time to shine throughout on what sounds like an electrified cello, an unusual instrument for modern jazz to be sure, but one that manages to fit in just fine here.

The first side of the album is all slow burning soul jazz, highlighted by the opening track "Bitchin'" where Rouse shows off that he is more than capable of setting down soulful lines over a funky backbeat. The second side is where the group gets a whole lot more inventive, particularly on the title track where they mix some post bop madness with the soul jazz sound. "Two Is One" features different tempos throughout: in the "first section" the bass plays in 9/8 time, the drums in 6/8 time and the cello and tenor are in 3/4 time. For the "second section" the rhythm section switches to 7/8 time while cello and tenor move to 4/4 time. Stanley Clarke is on bass here and his deep and twisty electric bass line is placed prominently up front.

"Two Is One" is certainly the highlight of the album from a pure jazz standpoint, and it lives up to it's title, which according to Gene Lewis' liner notes is taken from a Thelonious Monk phrase meaning two people so in tune with one another that they become one. The album finishes off with "In His Presence Searching," a spiritually informed jazz number that is reminiscent of the work being done during this period by the likes of Pharoah Sanders and Gary Bartz, (while not being quite as out there as their best work). The tune is all rhythmic glory, with Rouse and Scott playing introspective and penetrating solos throughout. It's a nice album closer, and a good reminder that while Two Is One may be best known for it's funkier excursions, Rouse had a few tricks up his sleeve and the album, when taken as a whole, is a complete statement from a legendary jazz musician.

Nearly 30 years into an already impressive career – which includes 8 studio albums, tours with Descendents, blink-182, Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, Snoop Dogg, Bad Religion, and more, and over 365 shows on the Vans Warped Tour – Less Than Jake has never been a band to rest on its laurels. Today the ska punk veterans have shown the best is yet to come with the release of their first new song in 3 years, “Lie To Me,” and announcement of their new album Silver Linings, out December 11th via Pure Noise Records.
“We made a new record! Our first full length with our new drummer, Matt Yonker, and it sounds amazing,” shares vocalist/guitarist Chris Demakes. “More vocal hooks than a tackle box, horns galore and that bombastic and upbeat energy that we’re known for. We didn’t try to reinvent the wheel with this one, it’s still undeniably Less Than Jake. Just a bit punchier and in your face. We can’t wait for our fans to hear it!” On how it feels to still be writing music together after so many years, vocalist/bassist Roger Lima shares: “It’s still so freaking exciting!! After decades of working on songs together, we still love it, and with our new drummer Matt Yonker, we feel reignited and refuelled”.