Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Afro futurist sensations Onipa unleash their debut album, combining Afro grooves, electronics and fierce energy for an effervescent celebration of cultural and musical encounters.ONIPA means ‘human’ in Akan, the ancient language of the Ashanti people of Ghana. It’s a message of connection through collaboration: from Ghana to London, our ancestors to our children, Onipa brings energy, groove, electronics, Afro-futurism, dance and fire! Born out of deep collaboration between long-time friends K.O.G (Kweku of Ghana of KOG and the Zongo Brigade) and Tom Excell (MD, guitarist and writer of acclaimed jazz/ soul afrobeat pioneers Nubiyan Twist), the group features KOG on vocals, balafon and percussion, Tom Excell on guitar, percussion and electronics, Dwayne Kilvington (Wonky Logic) on synths and MPC and Finn Booth (Nubiyan Twist) on drums.

The group have worked closely with Ghanaian star Wiyaala who features on three tracks, singing in the Sisaala language from the North of Ghana. The album also features collaborations with South African rapper Spoek Mathambo, Lesotho star Morena Leraba, Ghanaian percussion master Afla Sackey and Tanzanian sisters Pendo & Leah Zawose, each adding their own flavour to the project. “Through the musical prisms of London and Ghana our influences join together to create, a fundamental thread of traditional African rhythms, instrumentation and storytelling, interwoven with electronics, urban soundscapes and synth bass. We use technology, but it should never use us, our music is live and about deep human connection.” (Onipa)

The story began when three Stornoway Cove’s (Innes, Uilly and Boydie) met up in the house to have the craic on a Saturday night playing music with just the dog and the cat watching. After a few tunes getting thrown across the room Boydie stated muttering a few sentences. As he is a man of few words not attention was really given to him until he shouted ‘Quick, line me out!’ Not a second to spare a set of old broken headphones were cable tied to a guitar amp and out came a few cobwebs followed shortly after with a sound nobody had ever heard before.

The band play homemade songs that tell stories in a funny kind of way about the island life. It’s not for everyone but they’ve sold out Glasgow Barrowlands and 5 other dates already for their Spring 2020 tour with a second night announced for Barrowlands in November. They won BEST LIVE ACT at the Scot Trad Awards 2019!

Peat & Diesel – Light my Byre takes you on a journey to the heart of the Western Isles, where #peatlemania was born. You might have time for a brandy in the ‘Airidh’ but don’t miss your ride in Calum Dan’s Transit Van, we ain’t stopping till we lose the water.

Earl Gateshead retells the story in a different style as Babe Roots reconstruct the rhythm with a spiritual dub vibration.

After a highly-regarded debut single on Names You Can Trust back in 2014, Combo Chimbita returns, expanded and transformed into one of the most original and wild ensembles currently cutting their teeth in the New York City live arena. Their latest 4-track studio effort, EL CORREDOR DEL JAGUAR, co-produced by NYCT's Greenwood Rhythm Coalition and featuring the powerhouse Carolina Oliveros on lead vocals, is an explosive tour de force of unbridled psychedelic energy and futuristic fire with firm roots in the ritmo of the African diaspora. With connections and inspiration drawn from the vast sea of Caribbean music - specifically the band's native Colombia - these transplanted first-generation New Yorkers have carved a unique corridor in the thriving underground jungle of the big bad city.

10" label that delves deep into the jazz vaults and this series opens up with a cracking double header from Willis Jackson.

An essential purchase for anyone who doeS not own these masterpieces currently, do not miss the chance to do so now. Limited pressing, so don't snooze...

A real classic from the disco era, one for the countless gems mixed by the champion Jellybean. The Chain Reaction were definitely at the forefront of the US dance scene, and still considered among the most respected and fully talented funk-disco band. The reissue come courtesy of Harold Sargent, the driving mind behind the above mentioned project and Sparkle, Wood, Brass & Steel and Hott Ice to name a few.

Repress!

Vocal powerhouse Izo FitzRoy exploded on to the scene in 2017 with her debut LP 'Skyline', the album incorporating a stunning fusion of styles spanning gospel, funk and soul as Izo's raw bluesy tone and direct lyricism took centre stage.

Her new album 'How The Mighty Fall' builds further on the soul foundations of her debut. Recorded between Paris, London and Sheffield, it sees her collaborating with three stellar producers and a host of talented musicians.

Disco royalty – Dimitri From Paris (Glitterbox, BBE) directs fellow Parisians Cotonete on her smash single 'I Want Magic'. Studio wizard Shawn Lee (BBE, Ubiquity) brings the funky AOR vibes on 'Slim Pickings' and the Mercury Prize nominated - Colin Elliott (Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker, Paul Weller) who produced the bulk of the album, completes the trio. Guesting on the record are the UK's most in demand brass section – The Haggis Horns and Izo's long-time collaborators - Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir.

Conceived during the aftermath of the breakdown of her long-term relationship, Izo looked to this personal experience for inspiration for the album as well as casting further afield at the wider themes of mental, societal and communication breakdowns.

Despite the strong material, at one point it seemed the record might never materialise. Just as the world was getting on board with her debut LP and international touring was taking off, Izo lost the use of her voice and required surgery on her vocal chords in the second part of 2018. A long schedule of vocal rehabilitation was necessary to get back to a position where she could first talk, then sing regularly enough to get back to work.

Thankfully after this difficult personal period for her, the silver lining from the experience was that post-recovery she gained a whole new octave at the top of her vocal range! This in turn has influenced her song writing on the album & allowed her to enhance her compositions with more vocal light and shade from this unexpected gift.

Parallel zur Veröffentlichung des neuen Albums "Todesverachtung To Go" über Grönland Records, erscheinen auch vier Klassiker der legendären Hip Hop-Formation Kinderzimmer Productions nach langer Zeit wieder neu auf Vinyl: "Die Hohe Kunst Der Tiefen Schläge" (1998), "Wir Sind Da Wo Oben Ist" (2002), "Irgendjemand Muss Doch" (2004) und "Asphalt" (2007).

Jetzt erscheint mit "Todesverachtung To Go" das siebte Album der Kinderzimmer Productions, mit dem sie ihren sehr früh und eigeständig entwickelten Ansatz weiterverfolgen. Teil des Plans ist es, planlos schier endlose Räume zu bauen, in denen sich Bassläufe verirren können, durch die Orgeln spuken, Stimmen abheben und Drums wie Heuballen rollen. Nur hier hat Textor genügend Platz, sich durch ein Niemandsland zwischen Gymnasiastensprech und Battle-Rap zu assoziieren. Es geht um Mehrdimensionalität in Text und Musik, also nicht zwingend, was man sagt, sondern "die Art, in der man Scheiße labert". Und am Ende ist das Rap, wie es immer schon Rap war. "Die Leute dachten, ich mach smarten Rapp, doch ich bin – dödum dödum – 'Shark Attack'!" So rappt es Textor in "Es kommt in Wellen", der ersten Single, einem brummenden, smarten, funkigen, unterhaltsamen Brecher, der anrollt wie zugekiffte Deichkinder und zum "Arsch versohlen mit Badeschlappen" lädt. Als Gäste surfen mit: Fettes Brot, Flo Mega und Fantasma Goria.

Parallel zur Veröffentlichung des neuen Albums "Todesverachtung To Go" über Grönland Records, erscheinen auch vier Klassiker der legendären Hip Hop-Formation Kinderzimmer Productions nach langer Zeit wieder neu auf Vinyl: "Die Hohe Kunst Der Tiefen Schläge" (1998), "Wir Sind Da Wo Oben Ist" (2002), "Irgendjemand Muss Doch" (2004) und "Asphalt" (2007).

Jetzt erscheint mit "Todesverachtung To Go" das siebte Album der Kinderzimmer Productions, mit dem sie ihren sehr früh und eigeständig entwickelten Ansatz weiterverfolgen. Teil des Plans ist es, planlos schier endlose Räume zu bauen, in denen sich Bassläufe verirren können, durch die Orgeln spuken, Stimmen abheben und Drums wie Heuballen rollen. Nur hier hat Textor genügend Platz, sich durch ein Niemandsland zwischen Gymnasiastensprech und Battle-Rap zu assoziieren. Es geht um Mehrdimensionalität in Text und Musik, also nicht zwingend, was man sagt, sondern "die Art, in der man Scheiße labert". Und am Ende ist das Rap, wie es immer schon Rap war. "Die Leute dachten, ich mach smarten Rapp, doch ich bin – dödum dödum – 'Shark Attack'!" So rappt es Textor in "Es kommt in Wellen", der ersten Single, einem brummenden, smarten, funkigen, unterhaltsamen Brecher, der anrollt wie zugekiffte Deichkinder und zum "Arsch versohlen mit Badeschlappen" lädt. Als Gäste surfen mit: Fettes Brot, Flo Mega und Fantasma Goria.

Parallel zur Veröffentlichung des neuen Albums "Todesverachtung To Go" über Grönland Records, erscheinen auch vier Klassiker der legendären Hip Hop-Formation Kinderzimmer Productions nach langer Zeit wieder neu auf Vinyl: "Die Hohe Kunst Der Tiefen Schläge" (1998), "Wir Sind Da Wo Oben Ist" (2002), "Irgendjemand Muss Doch" (2004) und "Asphalt" (2007).

Parallel zur Veröffentlichung des neuen Albums "Todesverachtung To Go" über Grönland Records, erscheinen auch vier Klassiker der legendären Hip Hop-Formation Kinderzimmer Productions nach langer Zeit wieder neu auf Vinyl: "Die Hohe Kunst Der Tiefen Schläge" (1998), "Wir Sind Da Wo Oben Ist" (2002), "Irgendjemand Muss Doch" (2004) und "Asphalt" (2007).

This release is the soundtrack of the sound system parties we used to host in various places in Paris through the years. It's also a tribute to all the fantastic friends we've met along the way (hint : a small lot of them are behind every mixtape of this project). We're also pretty sure this can be the soundtrack for your next decade of car ride, or cycle ride, or e-scooter ride - you name it -

Bayetë’s Native Dance 01 starts off an willfully mysterious edits series, with four off-the-wall tunes, flitting between low-slung street soul, 90’s digi-afro and zouk, with notable appearances by venezuelan digger-extraordinaire Trujillo and russian wizard Beard in Dust.

The Devonns dust off the golden age of 70's Chicago Soul with their self-titled debut album on Record Kicks. Straight from the streets of Chicago, Illinois, The Devonns (pronounced "De vaughns") are the brand new soul outfit and the latest addition of the Record Kicks' family, whose self-titled debut album that drops April 03, is an assortment of influences taking us back to the heyday of soul.

Drawing influences from bands such as The Dramatics, The Isley Brothers and Leroy Hutson, yet bringing in their own unique modern twist, influenced by artists such as Jamie Lidell and Raphael Saadiq; singer Mat Ajjarapu explains how unintentionally, the rich heritage of Chicago's history with soul music influenced him.

"The city was at the epicentre of a lot of good music back in the 50's all the way to the 80's, a lot of the labels specialising in soul were based in the Chicago and we even had our own sound known as "Chicago soul". Through several years of crate digging it surprised me how many songs I loved were recorded in this city, for example one of my favourites is this great little song by The Natural Four, produced by Leroy Hutson 'Can This Be Real', and released via Curtom Records."

The band started in 2016 after multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Mathew Ajjarapu dropped out of med school and found himself unemployed and drifting. Listening to music constantly at the time, he found inspired to put a band together and create his own music. Pairing up with some of the best musicians Chicago has to offer, he founded The Devonns: the rhythm duty is entrusted to Khalyle Hagood (bass), Ari Lindo (guitar) and Khori Wilson (drums).

Originally he wanted to focus on 50s style doo-wop, similar to The Flamingos; rich in reverb and vocal harmonies, but in the first initial practise they had it was evident the band clicked on their love of soul music from the 70s, so their music took a natural turn towards that sound, with tracks such as the Wilson Pickett-esque single 'Tell Me'.

The release took almost two years to complete as Mat explains "I am a perfectionist, I had a very specific vision in my head about how it should sound and I wasn't going to rest until I achieved it."

"This is a definitely a throwback soul record, as well as being drawn to lush and intricate arrangements of Motown, I was also inspired by the more lo-fi works of smaller labels such as Chess and Capsoul, and I wanted to capture the magic they had in those recordings in our record, as everything feels too precise nowadays" clarifies Mat.

It was thanks to his engineer Mike Hagler, who introduced him to Paul Von Mertons (Mavis Staples, Paul McCartney, Elton John) who arranges and conducts for Brian Wilson's live touring show and after a 45 minute phone conversation about what Mat wasn't keen on, on the album, he realised Paul totally understood where he was coming from.

After a few months wait for Paul to get back from touring they entered the studio with "Paul's players" and as soon as they hit record, Mat explains "I was getting chills up my neck, it was one of the happiest days of my life, and finally we had nailed it!"

Tracks such as 'Come Back; which Mat wrote in ten minutes on a $300 Daneelectro Singlecut guitar initially, came to life, with Paul's rich string arrangements and features guitarist and percussionist Ken Stringfellow (R.E.M.).

It still took a few months to get the recording process finished but finally after a torturous nineteen months they album was finally finished.

The result is an album filled with lavish arrangements and catchy melodies which take us on a nostalgic musical journey inspired by chic 70s soul, yet the band don't hesitate to add their own unique and elegant contemporary stamp to the record.

Here comes another bundle of Timmion soul to decorate your record shelf and grace your turntables. It's a fantastic opportunity to sink yourself into Pratt & Moody's second release, the crossover gem "Words Words Words", the equally sublime rolita by Thee Baby Cuffs "My My My Baby" or continue your soulful trip with Willie West's latest deep offering "I Can't Leave You Alone".

In case you didn't yet get your hands on Carlton Jumel Smith's beautiful dancer "This Is What Love Looks Like", it's naturally included in this box of joy, as is jazz funker Ernie Hawk's non-album blaxploitation tinged track "Tracking Down", which can only be found as the b-side of "Cold Turkey Time" single release. Buy now and you'll be unboxing in no time.

Soul Jazz Records are releasing Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelation’s seminal 1975 album Tales of Mozambique in an expanded double album/single CD/digital format, fully remastered and with the inclusion of two bonus rare single-only tracks, full sleevenotes, exclusive photographs and interview.

Count Ossie is the central character in the development of Rastafarian roots music, nowadays an almost mythical and iconic figure. His importance in bringing Rastafarian music to a populist audience is matched only by Bob Marley’s promotion of the faith internationally in the 1970s.

Count Ossie’s drummers performed on the first commercially released single to integrate Rastafarian traditional music with popular music: the vocal group The Folkes Brothers’ groundbreaking song ‘Oh Carolina’, recorded for producer Prince Buster in 1959. In 1966 his drummers greeted the momentous arrival of Haile Selassie at Kingston airport.

His legendary jam sessions up in his Rastafarian compound in the hills of Wareika, Kingston, are famous for the many Jamaican musicians who attended including The Skatalites players – Roland Alphonso, Don Drummond, Johnny Moore, Lloyd Knibbs – and many others.

The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari formed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1970, a union of Count Ossie’s Rastafarian drummers – variously known as his African Drums, Wareikas or his Afro-Combo – and the saxophonist Cedric Im Brooks’ horns group, The Mystics.

The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari are the defining group in bringing authentic Rastafarian rhythms into the collective consciousness of popular music, their unique music is at once rooted in the deep traditions and rituals of traditional drumming and chanting alongside a forward-thinking, even avant-garde, artistry influenced by the likes of John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and other pioneering African-American jazz artists radicalised and charged by the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Tales of Mozambique is a truly unique and fascinating ground-breaking album.

Count Ossie and The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari are the central group featured on Soul Jazz Records recent "Rastafari - The Dreads Enter Babylon” a collection showing the influence of Rastafari in Reggae and Jamaican popular culture.

Soul Jazz Records will also be releasing Count Ossie and The Rasta Family 'Man From Higher Heights’ in the near future.

* Bonus tracks

REVIEWS

" All roads in Rastafarian roots music lead to Count Ossie.He’s the lead character in this compelling subplot, the musician who was one of the first to put Rasta tenets into the heart of popular music.

He did so from his camp in the hills above Kingston, Count Ossie and his drummers casting a spell on the musicians who gathered to check him out and then went on to spread the word about the powerful nyabinghi rhythms and mesmerising percussion.

This is a reissue of the 1975 album Count Ossie made with his Rastafarian drummers and saxaphonist Cedric ‘Im’ Brooks’s group The Mystics.

It’s a groundbreaking, majestic work, by turns righteous in tone and joyous in execution. It’s the sound of Ossie and his ensemble narrating a history lesson and you’d be daft not to want to find out more." IRISH TIMES

Written and produced in 1991 by the duo Andrea Gemolotto and Claudio Zennaro, Atmosphere E.p. is the perfect expression of the Italian Deep House of the early 90s. The Sun, the Rain and the Wind the three elements that give the name to the three unmissable traces of this rare and sought after Ep.

Soul Jazz Records' new album Rastafari: The Dreads Enter Babylon 1955-83 charts the many links between reggae music and the Rastafarian faith.

Featuring the music of Count Ossie, Johnny Clarke, The Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus, Bongo Herman, Roy Ashanti (Congos), Earth & Stone, Mutabaruka and many more, this is an in-depth look at some of the most unique and righteous music ever made and comes complete with a 40+ page outsize booklet, containing exclusive photography and extensive historical and contextual sleevenotes.

At the source of the music of Rastafari is the figurehead master drummer and leader Count Ossie, who first brought the deeply spiritual nyabinghi and burro rhythms, heard and played at sacred Rastafarian grounation (reasoning) sessions, into popular Jamaican music through his many collaborations and performances with artists - from The Skatalites to The Folks Brothers - and producers, including Clement Dodd, Prince Buster and Harry Mudie.

At the start of the 1970s Count Ossie formed the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari with saxophonist Cedric Brooks, which immediately became the most significant group of the Rastafari faith, bringing together authentic rastanyabinghi drumming together with spiritual and avant-garde jazz influences of Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and Albert Ayler into a truly unique and groundbreaking sound.

From the earliest proto-rasta beginnings on vinyl, Lord Lebby's 1955 mento recording 'Etheopia', through to the raw, afro-jazz roots sounds of Count Ossie to the deep and heavy roots reggae of the 1970s (Johnny Clarke, Earth & Sound, Roy Ashanti of the Congos and others), this album covers nearly 30 years of revolutionary music.

This album comes in two separate formats: Deluxe CD with slipcase and 40-page outsize booklet, and deluxe limited-edition heavyweight gatefold-vinyl edition + free download code (with full sleeve notes etc.).

This is the new digitally remastered 2015 expanded edition of Soul Jazz Records' biggest ever selling release, 100% Dynamite! Ska, Soul, Rocksteady and Funk in Jamaica.
Since the album's original release nearly twenty years ago, 100% Dynamite has become a cornerstone of reggae: eighteen killer tracks that show the influence that American Jazz, Funk and Soul music had on Jamaican Reggae.
The proximity of the West Indies to the USA meant that many Jamaican musicians were influenced by American styles of music whilst at the same time defining new styles of their own such as Ska, Rocksteady and Dub.
100% Dynamite features some serious Jamaican funk by Jackie Mittoo, The Upsetters and Toots & The Maytals, the cream of Jamaica's jazz musicians such as Tommy McCook, Cedric Brooks and Lennie Hibbert. Also included here are heavyweight Reggae versions to Soul classics by Marlena Shaw's 'Woman of the Ghetto', Aretha Franklin's 'Rocksteady', Syl Johnson's 'Is It Because I'm Black', William DeVaughan's seminal 'Be Thankful' and more.
100% Dynamite also features revolutionary tunes such as Johnny Osbourne's 'We Need Love', Sound Dimension's 'Drum Song' and Lloyd Robinson's 'Cuss Cuss', songs that helped define a unique sound for Jamaican music in the sixties and seventies. These influences went both ways - check Brentford All Stars massive 'Greedy G', the basis for Boogie Down Productions' 'Jack of Spades', or Willie Williams' 'Armageddon Time', later covered by The Clash.
This new expanded edition features seminal tracks from the greatest Jamaican producers - Clement Dodd, Lee Perry, Winston Riley (Techniques) and many more.
The album is available as CD, heavyweight double vinyl (+download), plus digital.

New one-off limited-edition special edition yellow coloured vinyl pressing of Soul Jazz Records’ seminal reggae meets funk and soul collection!

This is the new digitally remastered 2015 expanded edition of Soul Jazz Records' biggest ever selling release, 100% Dynamite! Ska, Soul, Rocksteady and Funk in Jamaica.
Since the album's original release nearly twenty years ago, 100% Dynamite has become a cornerstone of reggae: eighteen killer tracks that show the influence that American Jazz, Funk and Soul music had on Jamaican Reggae.
The proximity of the West Indies to the USA meant that many Jamaican musicians were influenced by American styles of music whilst at the same time defining new styles of their own such as Ska, Rocksteady and Dub.
100% Dynamite features some serious Jamaican funk by Jackie Mittoo, The Upsetters and Toots & The Maytals, the cream of Jamaica's jazz musicians such as Tommy McCook, Cedric Brooks and Lennie Hibbert. Also included here are heavyweight Reggae versions to Soul classics by Marlena Shaw's 'Woman of the Ghetto', Aretha Franklin's 'Rocksteady', Syl Johnson's 'Is It Because I'm Black', William DeVaughan's seminal 'Be Thankful' and more.
100% Dynamite also features revolutionary tunes such as Johnny Osbourne's 'We Need Love', Sound Dimension's 'Drum Song' and Lloyd Robinson's 'Cuss Cuss', songs that helped define a unique sound for Jamaican music in the sixties and seventies. These influences went both ways - check Brentford All Stars massive 'Greedy G', the basis for Boogie Down Productions' 'Jack of Spades', or Willie Williams' 'Armageddon Time', later covered by The Clash.
This new expanded edition features seminal tracks from the greatest Jamaican producers - Clement Dodd, Lee Perry, Winston Riley (Techniques) and many more.
The album is available as CD, heavyweight double vinyl (+download), plus digital.

'Soul Jazz Records' new journey into the mighty vaults of Clement Dodd's Studio One steps once more into the fertile musical environment of Jamaican music in the late 1960's and early 1970's, from the sweet harmony vocals of seminal 1960s Rocksteady right up to the nascent birth of Reggae and Roots music at the start of the 1970's. Sleevenotes to this album are by Steve Barrow, author of 'Rough Guide to Reggae' as well as Soul Jazz Records' own 'Reggae Soundsystem Cover Art' books.

While Ska at the start of the 1960's had taken American Rhythm and Blues as its main influence, Rocksteady focused on the emergence of American Soul music - with Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, John Holt & The Paragons, Carlton & The Shoes showing a particular fascination with the close harmonies of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions and other US Soul acts. Here The Heptones even feature with a cover of Bob Dylan's 'I Shall Be Released'.

The influence of Soul music on Jamaican Rocksteady and Reggae is almost palpable, so much so that one wonders how much more successful singers like Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, Slim Smith and John Holt would have been had they been born in Chicago, Detroit or Memphis. Artists such as Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson and Owen Gray defined the era - a slowed down beat as Jamaican political and social heat slowly increased when the 1960's progressed into the start of the 1970's - and the music evolved further from Rocksteady into Roots Reggae. This album is released on heavyweight gatefold sleeve double vinyl (plus download code), CD with slipcase and digital album (ex-North America).

Soul Jazz Records set Sounds of the Universe:
Art + Sound 2012-15 features some of the heaviest Afrofuturistic producers out there, PITCHFORK.

Soul Jazz Records new Sounds of the Universe: Art + Sound 2012-15 is a new double album CD (and two separate volumes of double-vinyl) featuring a line-up of some of the most forward-thinking and progressive artists and producers working with electronic music around the world today.

This lovingly compiled collection features a stunning array of contemporary artists: Chicago’s Afro-futurist genius Hieroglyphic Being; Kaseem Mosse (aka Gunnar Wendell/Siege of Troy), one of the most talked-about, respected artists in underground house and techno; out of Detroit’s Moodyman stable comes Andres; also featured is Los Angeles-based Ras G, associated with the Brainfeeder label established by fellow producer Flying Lotus; and many more!

This new collection features a first CD of tracks recorded exclusively for Soul Jazz Record’s bespoke Sounds of the Universe label. These were originally issued under their Art + Sound series between 2012 and 2015 as unique hand-etched and original commissioned art pieces (reproduced here) collectors’ 12” singles - all pressed in micro-editions of 250 copies for each artist’s release that were only ever available exclusively from Soul Jazz Records’ boutique Sounds of the Universe shop in Soho, London.

The second CD features a fantastic set of all brand new exclusive tracks from the likes of Seven Davis Jr, Drexciya collaborator DJ Stingray, deep house virtuoso Mike Huckaby, Glaswegian noise-punk six-piece Golden Teacher, and lots more – all created and commissioned especially for this release. These songs are not available anywhere else in the world.

Together these 2CDs comprise an amazing selection of new progressive electronic music.

This album is released as double CD pack with slipcase and booklet. It is also available as two separate limited edition double vinyl editions in heavyweight vinyl and gatefold sleeves with full artwork + free download codes, and as a worldwide digital release.

The hugely anticipated second full length album from the incredible Stormzy.

Following the release of Gang Signs and Prayer, his award-winning, platinum-selling debut album, Stormzy may no longer be stepping between the street and the sermon, but he’s still walking between two worlds: that of the celebrity and of the Everyman. His desire to stay grounded is evident; as his career continues to soar, he seems more and more determined to help others reach new heights of their own.

Wo versions of the same release with The Boys In The Band version never seeing a commercial vinyl release and in our opinion far superior! Little Flint version sells upwards of £400- £500 when you can find a clean copy. Hand-numbered to 500 units one off limited pressing.

Wayne Perry & Randy Mcnutt decided to record a version of Pain in a power Soul Rock mode which were all the range in Cincinnati, Ohio at the time of the recording around 1973. The Boys In The Band version features Wayne singing solo but was never released.

What was released was the Little Flint version (a name that Wayne had chosen as an alto ego guise ) and assisted with that version by an uncredited vocalist from Alaska singing live singing on top of the same rhythm track. Other band members included Roger 'Jellyroll' Troy on bass, J erry Love on drums,Gary Boston on guitar, Craig Shenafield & Terry Burnside on brass (all five had played on sessions/backed James Brown at certain points in their careers) plus the young B-3 Organist Terry Hoskins who was just 17 at the time.

New fully remastered re-release of Soul Jazz Records’ ‘The World of Arthur Russell’, the seminal collection of Arthur Russell’s essential music is being released on limited-edition heavy deluxe triple vinyl and deluxe CD edition.

This album brings together some of Russell’s best-loved and most accessible works including his wide-ranging music both solo and in groups including Dinosaur L (the essential ‘Go Bang’), Loose Joints (the equally classic ‘Is It All Over My Face’) as well as rarities such as the 7” only ‘Pop Your Funk’, Indian Ocean’s ‘Schoolbell/Treehouse’, Lola’s ‘Wax The Van’ and more.

Arthur Russell’s music effortlessly crossed musical boundaries making it timeless. His dance music credentials are faultless and this collection features mixes from Larry Levan, Françcois Kervorkian and Walter Gibbons. Similarly, his song-writing, musicality and performance skills are equally cherished as composer Philip Glass wrote, ‘this was a guy who could sit down with a cello and sing with it in a way that no one on earth has ever done before or will do again.’

When Soul Jazz Records’ The World of Arthur Russell first came out in 2003, Russell’s music had slipped into near obscurity. Nearly 15 years later there are over a dozen releases of his music, reissues of his original albums and more. ‘The World of Arthur Russell’ is the classic first collection of his work available once more.

“Arthur Russell fused the avant-garde with disco and sounds like nothing else on earth.” The GUARDIAN

“Russell is the great enigma of the New York music scene” THE WIRE

“Simply one of the best compilations of this or any year.” RECORD COLLECTOR

Soul Jazz Records are proud to present this new collection of music from the great Fashion Records, one of the
most important and iconic independent reggae labels to come out of the UK, and which ran from 1980 for nearly
20 years.
In that time Fashion released hundreds of records that successfully reflected, and indeed set, the changing styles
and perspectives of reggae music in the UK - from UK dancehall and lovers rock in the 1980s through to the
mighty rise of jungle in the second half of the 1990s.
While nearly all other UK re
gae labels focused on releasing Jamaican music - from the early days of Island
and Trojan in the 1960s, through Island and Virgin in the 1970s, and Greensleeves that came up in the 1980s
- Fashion's focus was firmly on music produced in the UK. This unique British perspective shaped both lyrical
content and musical fashion. And like all the great music labels - from Studio One to Blue Note - Fashion was
able to create a significant roster of its own artists.
Amazingly for a small independent label, a number of Fashion artists achieved mainstream UK chart and
crossover success - including Laurel & Hardy, Smiley Culture and General Levy. But although this success was
welcomed, crossing over into the mainstream was never the main focus for the label owners Chris Lane and
John McGillivray (who also runs the successful Dub Vendor record shop) whose starting point was always
primarily focused on producing quality music first.
In the early 1980s, Fashion Records captured the rise of the emerging British dancehall scene in its ascendency.
The large roster of first generation British-born artists and MCs on the label - including General Levy, Papa Face,
Smiley Culture, Bionic Rhona, Asher Senator, Laurel & Hardy, Top Cat and many more - often gave a unique
and sometimes humorous British lyrical perspective to Fashion releases, discussing everyday subjects, from
police harassment to road safety!
Throughout much of the 1980s and into the 1990s Fashion continued to release an almost relentless array of
UK dancehall releases as well as continuing with lovers rock, and the occasional dub releases. Then, in the mid-
90s, with the dancehall and reggae releases still coming on strong, Fashion released a superb series of early
jungle tracks linking Jamaican and British MCs and dancehall artists with young jungle mixers, re-mixers and
producers. By this time dancehall artists General Levy and Cutty Ranks had become the staple vocal samples of
literally hundreds of white label jungle records and Fashion took advantage of this, often getting young
producers to work in exchange for sample clearances - don't get mad, get even!
This album is a subjective and scatter-gun ride through some of the many unique and heavyweight tracks to
come out of the Fashion stable that we love - some classics, some lesser-known, all 100% killer!
The album is released on heavyweight triple vinyl (+ download code), deluxe double CD with outsize booklet
and slipcase, and digitally. The album comes with extensive sleevenotes, interviews, exclusive photography and
original artwork and flyers, etc.

As Soul Jazz Records enter into the mighty vaults of Studio One,
the most respected label in reggae history, we present you with this showcase of Jackie Mittoo, one of the defining figureheads of reggae music!

From forming The Skatalites, at age 15, alongside Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso, Tommy McCook and others, to his work as writer, arranger, producer at Studio One records during the sixties, writing and playing for artists such as Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths and The Heptones (to name a few), to his career as a solo artist as well as leader of bands such as The Soul Brothers, Soul Vendors and The Sound Dimension, Jackie Mittoo is at the heart of reggae music. He was one of the instigators of Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae. In the seventies, DJ music and Dancehall were based upon classic rhythms of the sixties, many using the instrumental tracks that Jackie Mittoo created at Studio One at this time.

This compilation features the work of Jackie Mittoo at Studio One. It features music recorded as a solo artist (as opposed to the numerous singers that he accompanied). Most of these are taken from his recordings in the mid sixties where he was recording on an almost daily basis at Studio One's Brentford Road studios developing the funky reggae sound that was his trademark.

Soul Jazz Records are releasing this CD as the first of a series of Reggae artists to be covered following the success of the 100% Dynamite releases. Jackie Mittoo is as much an icon of Reggae as he is to fans of Funk music. He is without doubt the funkiest keyboard player ever to come out of Jamaica!

Reviews:
CD of the Week: "The coolest man who ever lived" THE GUARDIAN. Named by MOJO as one of the 100 cult heroes of all time, this is a lovingly curated compilation" THE INDEPENDENT. "After Soul Jazz Records' groundbreaking 100% Dynamite CD's comes Jackie Mittoo.
If you've caught the funky reggae bug, you need this" MUZIK. "Rocksteady, compulsively funky Ska and Soul. An excellent Soul Jazz compilation" by MOJO.

Soul Jazz Records' returns with their most successful series to date, New Orleans Funk. This new instalment subtitled 'Two-Way-Pocky-Way, Gumbo Ya Ya and the Mardi Gras Mambo' features more classic New Orleans funk in all its forms.

The syncopated percussion beat of the second line jazz parade bands, the secret language and dances of the Mardi Gras Indians, the mambo and latin rhythms of Professor Longhair and the city's many piano players help make New Orleans a unique musical melting pot.

New Orleans long musical heritage begins at Congo Square with the creation of jazz, the original creole culture clash of African heritage and European instrumentation.

In the 1960's and into the early 1970's add to this the creative powerhouses of Allen Toussaint, The Meters, Eddie Bo and others alongside the famous musical families of the city - the Nevilles, the Marsalis's, the Lasties - and we find ourselves at the birthplace of the original sound of funk - New Orleans Funk.

A seemingly endless line of amazing singers - Lee Dorsey, Betty Harris, Willie West, Eldridge Holmes - released a constant stream of stunning 45's, backed by the super-funk Meters and produced by Allen Toussaint. The multi-talented Eddie Bo, similarly wrote and produced for an elite set of artists including The Explosions, Chuck Carbo and others.

But limited local record distribution meant that most of these artists remained unknown outside of the city borders and as a consequence many of these records are serious collectors items today.

Add to this the syncopated poly-rhythm funk of Mardi Gras Indians with a rare version of the carnival classic Two-Way-Pock-A-Way, and the parade band jazz of the Rebirth Jazz Band (with their twisted take on the Blackbyrd's rare groove classic Do It Fluid) and you have the latest instalment in Soul Jazz Records' New Orleans Funk series.

This is Soul Jazz Records’ new journey into the heart of New Orleans and a guide to the city’s finest Funk music produced in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Featuring everyone from The Meters to Eddie Bo, Lee Dorsey to Betty Harris, this is a who’s who of the Crescent City’s most famous and most funky!

The city of New Orleans has deep musical roots that stretch back to Africa. New Orleans first gave birth to Jazz music, a Black musical form centred on rhythm, improvisation, freedom and collectivity at the turn of the century. Similarly in the late 1960's New Orleans Funk came to define a unique sound, mixing Caribbean rhythms, New Orleans second-line syncopation and rhythm and blues, all played by the Big Easy’s finest musicians.

Whilst Jazz and Funk music spread throughout the world, many African-American musical traditions remained within the city limits such as Mardi Gras and Carnival, Saturday Night Fish Fries, Funeral Marching bands and much more which partly explains why New Orleans music is so unique.

The album comes with extensive sleeve-notes, exclusive photography and more, and is an essential guide to the musical landscape of New Orleans and - together with Soul Jazz Records’ earlier New Orleans’ releases - presents the definitive story of New Orleans Funk. Although on the mainland coast, New Orleans is also surrounded by lakes giving the city an island feel. Similarly its proximity to Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti and the other West Indian Isles means that Latin and Caribbean musical influences are in its veins as much as American musical traditions. The upside of this city’s isolation is that New Orleans musical traditions flourished away from those of the rest of America. A thriving city full of artists, musicians, singers, producers, record companies, studios (well one studio actually) led to a 24 hour, 7 day a week musical life, playing in clubs, bars, brothels, carnivals and parades.

The downside of the cities isolation from the rest of the US was that the city never developed a solid music industry to back up the creative over-supply. Whilst New York had Atlantic, Detroit had Motown, Memphis had Stax, Chicago had Chess, Los Angeles had Modern, New Orleans had a multitude of small businesses fighting for space - and often each other. Without the marketing, promotional weight, business nouse and financial clout, New Orleans labels found it hard to get the nationwide distribution necessary to fill the million-odd jukeboxes throughout the country. So whilst every family in America knows the music of Gladys Knight or Smokey Robinson few could tell you about – let alone hum a tune from - Benny Spellman, Inell Young, Warren Lee….

This is far from being a reflection of the artists creativity or musicality - as anyone can tell you New Orleans melodies are the catchiest of all - more it is a reflection of the limitations of the local music industry. Some New Orleans artists became successful throughout the US such as Fats Domino in the 1950's and in the late 1960's The Meters and Lee Dorsey, but many artists remained within the city limits.

This makes for a fascinating goldmine of music released by a complex myriad of small labels run mainly by New Orleans producers, promoters and artists themselves. New Orleans Funk 2 brings together many of these artists along with text, sleeve-notes and photographs that gives social and historical context to the incredibly funky music of New Orleans.

More classic Reggae from Jamaica's most important label ever. Studio One Soul tracks the link between American Funk &Soul and Jamaican Reggae at the legendary Studio One Records.

Curtis Mayfield, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, The Temptations, King Floyd, Booker T and The MGs - all these artists had a huge influence on Jamaican artists and this CD contains versions of songs by all of them. Featuring classic and rare Reggae Funk and Soul cuts from the Reggae giants alongside rarer cuts, Studio One Soul spans over 20 years of classic Reggae from the Rocksteady Funk through to the deep Roots music.

Following on from Studio One Rockers, this second journey into the vaults of Studio One tells the story of the important link between American Funk and Soul and Jamaican Reggae. Ranging from music taken from the mid of the 1960's (and the arrival of Rocksteady) through to the beginning of the 1980's, Studio One Soul features versions of US Funk and Soul hits (many rarely heard before) from some of the many classic artists who recorded at Studio One. American Soul music has always been an important influence on Jamaican Reggae.

The beginning of the Jamaican recording industry at the end of the 1950's started with Clement "Coxsone" Dodd (owner of Studio One) and a group of select in-house musicians (originally The Skatalites) recording their own version of American RnB. Playing on the off-beat this music became Ska. As American R'n'B progressed through Funk, Soul and Disco, Jamaican music was going through it's own musical changes, from Rocksteady throught to Reggae and Roots music. The house-band at Studio One recorded on a daily basis behind all Studio One vocalists as well as recording instrumentally in its own right.

Soul singers such as Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions (Queen Of The Minstrels) had a profound influence on Jamaican artists and many other US artists were constantly re-interpreted and re-worked. Artists such as Aretha Franklin (Respect), Charles Wright (Express Yourself), King Floyd (Groove Me), Otis Redding (How Strong) were all very popular in Jamaica in the 1960's. At the end of the 1960's Black Consciousness became an important part of American Soul music. At the same time many Jamaican artists were starting to look to their roots. Many artists would shortly become involved in Rastafarianism. The "conscious" lyrics of American Funk and Soul again struck a chord with Jamaican artists. "Message From A Blackman" (originally by The Temptations) and "Is It Because I'm Black" (Syl Johnson) are examples of this. Through the 1970s Soul/Disco artists such as Barry White ("Can't Get Enough" and "Deeper and Deeper") and The Detroit Spinners ("I'll Be Around") became the flavour of the day. This CD finishes with Willie William's interpretation of Ashford and Simpson's classic "Ain't No Stopping Us Now".

"Compilation of the month" MOJO "Another essential purchase from Soul Jazz" SEVEN "Latest in Soul Jazz's indespensible compilations" I-D "Near perfect" JOCKEY SLUT.

Featured here is a new collection spanning Studio One's dancehall period - singers and deejays on classic Studio One rhythms, studio and electronic wizardry from the Brentford Road headquarters, lots of rare 12' singles, all effortlessly brought together to nice up the dance.

When Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd first ruled the dancehalls of Kingston in the 1950's, fighting off the soundsystem competition of Duke Reid, King Edwards and others, few could imagine how far the reign of Studio One would last. But the emergence of  'Dancehall' as a distinct style of reggae at the end of the 1970's, as upstart competing producers began recording vocalists and deejays performing over replayed classic Studio One rhythms, in many ways made the influence of Clement Dodd's vision more omnipotent than ever before (and lasting to this day).

Not surprisingly, Clement Dodd's creativity and business acumen made him quick to respond to this musical phenomenon - he soon began voicing the new stable of Studio One singers and deejays, such as Sugar Minott and Lone Ranger, over original classic Studio One rhythms recorded in the late 1960's - by producing some of the most innovative, time-bending and creative music of his career.
This album comes as CD with slipcase, super-loud, SUPER-HEAVY TRIPLE VINYL with free download code and as a digital download.

Yellow heavyweight vinyl double LP with digital download.

Orange-cased cassette format.

18 years on from its original release, ‘Studio One Women’ remains one of the ‘Studio One’ series’ most in demand titles and, like all the earlier special coloured editions, is sure to sell out fast.

Ska, rocksteady, funky reggae, roots, dub mixes, disco mixes - they’re all here from the queens of the Jamaican music scene - ‘Studio One Women’ features a wide mix of classics and obscurities from the finest female voices in reggae.

Until now most of these tracks have only ever been available as extremely hard to find Jamaican 7” and 12” singles, and even if you were lucky enough to find them, they’d cost you a small fortune.

Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley (here with her first group, The Soulettes, whose iconic image features on the cover) are two of Jamaica’s most famous female singers, hugely popular today. Both artists became internationally famous as The I -
Threes (along with Judy Mowatt), Bob Marley’s backing singers alongside The
Wailers. Also featured are Hortense Ellis, sister of Alton, who cut many smash hits on
the island, and Jennifer Lara, a lady who had a long career with Studio One, singing
on countless sides.
‘Studio One Women’ refers not just to the small selection of artists featured here but
also to those who took integral roles throughout the Studio One empire, starting with
Doris Darlington, mother of Clement Dodd. Sir Coxsone’s Downbeat Soundsystem,
which ruled the dancehalls of Kingston throughout the 1950s and 60s, started off as
the musical entertainment for customers of Mrs Darlington’s Nannys Bar.
Clement Dodd often referred to his mother as ‘Jamaica’s first female DJ’, as she
would play records at the bar whenever he was on trips to the US, hunting down R&B
records. Other important women behind the scenes included Norma Dodd (wife of
Clement), whose sleevenotes featured on many Studio One releases, and Enid
Cumberland who, as well as being a successful artist (half of the duo Keith and
Enid), taught harmony in the studio and ran the studio shop.
It would also be impossible not to mention Sister Ignatius, who ran the infamous
Alpha Boys School for over 50 years, encouraging students which included Tommy
McCook, Johnny ‘Dizzy’ Moore, Lester Sterling and Don Drummond, Theo Beckford,
Cedric Brooks, Johnny Osbourne and countless other musicians and artists to excel
at music, and many of whom became integral to the success of Studio One.

Orange-cased cassette format.

18 years on from its original release, ‘Studio One Women’ remains one of the ‘Studio One’ series’ most in demand titles and, like all the earlier special coloured editions, is sure to sell out fast.

Ska, rocksteady, funky reggae, roots, dub mixes, disco mixes - they’re all here from the queens of the Jamaican music scene - ‘Studio One Women’ features a wide mix of classics and obscurities from the finest female voices in reggae.

Until now most of these tracks have only ever been available as extremely hard to find Jamaican 7” and 12” singles, and even if you were lucky enough to find them, they’d cost you a small fortune.

Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley (here with her first group, The Soulettes, whose iconic image features on the cover) are two of Jamaica’s most famous female singers, hugely popular today. Both artists became internationally famous as The I -
Threes (along with Judy Mowatt), Bob Marley’s backing singers alongside The
Wailers. Also featured are Hortense Ellis, sister of Alton, who cut many smash hits on
the island, and Jennifer Lara, a lady who had a long career with Studio One, singing
on countless sides.
‘Studio One Women’ refers not just to the small selection of artists featured here but
also to those who took integral roles throughout the Studio One empire, starting with
Doris Darlington, mother of Clement Dodd. Sir Coxsone’s Downbeat Soundsystem,
which ruled the dancehalls of Kingston throughout the 1950s and 60s, started off as
the musical entertainment for customers of Mrs Darlington’s Nannys Bar.
Clement Dodd often referred to his mother as ‘Jamaica’s first female DJ’, as she
would play records at the bar whenever he was on trips to the US, hunting down R&B
records. Other important women behind the scenes included Norma Dodd (wife of
Clement), whose sleevenotes featured on many Studio One releases, and Enid
Cumberland who, as well as being a successful artist (half of the duo Keith and
Enid), taught harmony in the studio and ran the studio shop.
It would also be impossible not to mention Sister Ignatius, who ran the infamous
Alpha Boys School for over 50 years, encouraging students which included Tommy
McCook, Johnny ‘Dizzy’ Moore, Lester Sterling and Don Drummond, Theo Beckford,
Cedric Brooks, Johnny Osbourne and countless other musicians and artists to excel
at music, and many of whom became integral to the success of Studio One.

Kêtu Records proudly presents, after two years looking for the artists in Nigeria, the reissue of this album from The Faces!!Originally released in 1975, Wake Up Today, differs from the Afro-Funk productions of that time by its Afro-Rock/Afro-Funk Garage style.

We let you discover this UFO and thank you for your support to the label.

Revive the legend Faces,
Vibrate the dancefloor,
!! Wake up today !!

The 36 track 2CD album comes with 50-page book featuring text, biographies and photography. It also comes in a limited run two volume double-vinyl super-loud super-heavy gatefold sleeve editions. Compiled by Stuart Baker (Soul Jazz Records) and sleevenotes biographies by Jonny Trunk (Trunk Records).

TV Sound and Image features British composers who worked in television, film and music libraries the second half of the 20th century.

Aside from John Barry, whose work on the James Bond films made him a household name, or Tony Hatch and Laurie Johnson, the majority of composers featured here - Simon Park, Keith Mansfield, Reg Tilsley, Syd Dale, Keith Papworth – remain relatively unknown. And yet ironically they have created some of the most recognisable songs in British popular culture, their music widely disseminated on television.

A quick role call of these would include Neil Richardson (who composed the theme tune to Mastermind) and Barry Stoller (who wrote Match of the Day). The Simon Park Orchestra’s Eye Level, theme song to the BBC series Van der Valk, reached number one in 1973. CCS’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love was the theme tune to Top of the Pops. And so on.

This album is not however a stroll through the TV memories of the mind, but an exploration of the serious contribution that these creative musicians have on the landscape of popular music in Britain.

Here then is a guide to the amazing music of many of the composers (both well-known and obscure) responsible for some of the most widely known music ever to come out of Britain in the second-half of the 20th century.

Reviews:

Quietus

Der Spiegel: "spannende Klänge ... die oft funky und immer lässig klingen"

"thrilling sounds.... often funky and always chilled"

New Zealand Herald: ***** "Every track is a killer... This is more than just music to mooch too."

Irish Times: **** "downright funky"

Volkskrant: "Ze leverden spanning op maat, die onbekende makers van fenomenale Britse film en tv-muziek. Door de cd TV Sound and Image opnieuw in de aandacht"

Evening Standard: "deeply funky"

Uncut Magazine "excellent 36 track set ... welcome additions to your collection"

Q Magazine: ****