Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Thirteen track LP collecting 1970's versions and dubs from the labels of producer & singer Milton "Billy Hutch" Hutchinson, including three previously unreleased tracks. With several tracks mixed by King Tubby himself and several backed by the Wailers Band, plus many other JA musical luminaries, this is a prime collection of real raw '70s roots reggae in dubwise style. The ten previously released tracks are all culled from rare 45's on Bill's Rocking Time, Judah Music and Gemini labels. Housed in two sided hand silk screened jacket.

In the early eighties, Edmond Mondésir, professor of philosophy and Léon Bertide, trade unionist, founded the Bèlènou group. They were actors of the great agricultural strike of 1974, which resulted in the death of two workers (Ilmany and Marie-Louise) and left many wounded. Activists of the patriotic movement Asé Pléré An Nou Lité (Stop crying, Fight), they were part of the identity and the cultural affirmation la revendication identitaire et culturelle of the time. Like the Guadeloupean musician Gérard Lockel and his work on the Gwo Ka, they put the Bèlè, in its traditional form, back in the spotlight during Swaré Bèlè (Bèlè nights).Minimalist and spiritual, a true rural ancestral art from Martinique, the Bèlè combines dance and music from responsorial monodies, which is a choir that responds to the lead singer (Respondè / La vwa dèyè), on codified drum rhythms and ti-bwa (2 sticks that hit the back of the drum or a piece of bamboo). It comes in a series of collective choreographies, working up into the trance. The texts are simple, short and tell the story of everyday life and struggle. While preserving the emotion and the drum’s central place, the fundamental contribution of Bèlènou is to keep the traditional form of Bèlè while adding a modern instrumentation: bass, guitar, saxophone, drums...
Emosyon Tambou-a (Emotion of the Drum) was released in 1990. This third opus of the band expands the musical spectrum in harmonies, arrangements and influences to create a contemporary music anchored in the Bèlè matrix, while keeping the beat, the energy and ancestral roots of music. Bèlènou adapts some classic rhythms: Bélya, Gran Bèlè, Bèlè Pitjé or Ting-Bang rewritten here for an orchestra.With the appearance of long couplets and a complex harmonization of the choruses, Bèlènou's music brings a form of modernity, it opens notably to jazz territory as well as to other forms of music and grooves. Also, Bèlènou leaves the musicians with space for improvisation: not only on the saxophone or the guitar, but also with the drums (cleverly adaptating traditional rhythms to the drums).

The texts sung in Creole are of a social nature, appealing to the solidarity and self-denial of the people (Bélya pou péyi-a, Tout pèp-la sanblé), to the struggle for political emancipation towards a new democracy (Wi ny ké rivé, Ni dé jou, Démokrasi); land protection (Sové tè-a); finally, to the vitality of the Bèlè culture ... (Emosyon Tambou-a, Dansé Ting-Bang)...Culture participates, according to the expression of Aimé Césaire, as "Miraculous Weapons". Bèlènou sings a project of a new and united society. A precursor group, experimental in the its early years, Bèlènou reconciles with talent tradition, modernity and cultural identity.

Lovely crafted tip-on sleeve. Remastered. 700 copies

collecting orders for repress

Fela Anikulapo Kuti is to african music what Bob Marley is to reggae : its prophet.

Susan Subtract is well known for any electronic body music connoisseur as the alma mater of the worldwide acclaimed High-Functioning Flesh act. His solitary project Physical Wash (debut on vinyl) it does nothing but deepens into that successful combination of piercing EBM, samples and electro funk rhythm compositions that makes his proposal unique on the international scene. All tracks have been specially remastered for long cut vinyl by Eric Van Wonterghem at Prodam Berlin.

Remastered & reissued with original labels as per the '71 press on 7 inch. Famously covered by The Brothers Johnson, which achieved big chart success, Shuggie Otis' 'Strawberry Letter 23' is an instantly recognisable masterpiece of psychedelic soul.

The flip side houses 'Ice Cold Daydream' a funk bomb full of bouncing organs and squelching wah wah guitars with Shuggie's trademark vocal tones laid over the top.

Spine tingling greatness for the LA master.

Large / dinked centre hole.

This year, First Word Records celebrates its fifteenth year in the game. The year commenced triumphantly with First Word being named "record label of the year" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards 2019. Over the past six months, we've seen new music from 14KT, Souleance, Myele Manzanza, Teotima, Don Leisure, Children of Zeus and a range of artists across Europe, on the 'Music! Musik! Musique!' compilation.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary, First Word has a series of releases in the works for the second half of the year which see collaborations by artists from the label's current roster. To kick off, we have this special double-AA sided 7" single featuring Darkhouse Family, Kaidi Tatham & Tyler Daley.

Darkhouse Family consists of two Cardiff beatmakers & musicians, Earl Jeffers - founder of Melange Records and producer of 'A Library Excursion' from 2018, and Don Leisure, who recently provided us with 'Halal Cool J', the beat-tape sequel to 2017's 'Shaboo'. Over the years they've had releases, solo & individually, on Fat City, Metalheadz & Earnest Endeavors to name a few, bridging the gaps between various strains of dance music, beats and hip hop, with the organics of jazz and funk. Recently making noise across the UK with their new live band, and production work for the likes of Kamaal Williams, this is their first new release since their highly-acclaimed 2017 debut album 'The Offering' & subsequent remix project which also featured DJ Spinna, and one Kaidi Tatham.

Kaidi Tatham is one of the most revered multi-instrumentalists in the game. His endless contributions have included Bugz In The Attic, Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Moonchild, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler and loads more. Dubbed by Benji B last year as "the UK's Herbie Hancock", his versatility as a musician is actually more akin to Prince. He can play most things, and play them well. Providing flute duties on this track, he also graces the flipside with a full "flutestrumental" version. Aside from numerous other projects, Kaidi released three EPs on First Word to date, 'Changing Times', 'Hard Times' and 'Serious Times', and an album last year, entitled 'It's A World Before You', which featured daddy of 2000 Black, Dego, son of Jazzy Jeff, Uhmeer and Children of Zeus, Konny Kon & Tyler Daley.

Tyler Daley hails from Manchester, alongside son of Zeus, MC / DJ / beatmaker, Konny Kon. Somewhat of a veteran in the game, Tyler is currently one of the most-recognisable talents in the British soul scene, also lending his talents to dance music royalty along the way, including the likes of Goldie, Zed Bias, DJ Marky & Lenzman. With Children of Zeus, the duo have had a whirlwind 12 months since the release of their debut album 'Travel Light', performing shows across the globe & gaining new fans daily. The record was named "album of the year" by Complex magazine and BBC 6 Music's Huey Morgan, amongst a number of other notable tastemakers & selectors. Hot on the heels of the 'Excess Baggage' EP, Tyler laces this one with his inimitable brand of bars and soul.

A veritable super-group amongst the First Word stable, this low-slung slinky joint sees the guys work up a unique blend of jazz, soul, beats and hip hop - guaranteed to go 'All The Way'…

'All The Way' is released on First Word Records on July 26th 2019, limited 7" vinyl & digital.

Produced & mixed by Darkhouse Family

Vocals by Tyler Daley (Children of Zeus)


b B1. All the Way (Flutestrumental) [feat. Tyler Daley & Kaidi Tatham]


[b] B1 | All the Way (Flutestrumental) [feat. Tyler Daley & Kaidi Tatham]


[b] B1 | All the Way (Flutestrumental) [feat. Tyler Daley & Kaidi Tatham]

You know we like the hit 'n run specials here at All Ears !

HOT PEAS 'N BUTTER got in touch with a simple, but oh-so effective set of EP's ready to drop over the next few months.
Time machine tear-ups from the golden era, as likely to be heard on Mom & Pop's turntable as they were rattling the cones on the home-made block party stacks or basement sound systems.

100% DJ material - and available in VERY short supply...you snooze, you lose !

Hand stamped vinyl only 12" series in poly-lined kraft sleeves

The illusive Nelson of the East reappears with his forthcoming EP Phase Alternating Lines – a first class two-tracker.

The Swiss-born, Milanese artist released his first EP Night Frames just last year, making a strong entrance on Tartelet Records. This time around, N.O.T.E explores 80s electro boogie with ‘Phase Alternating Lines’ on the A side, and delivers his very own take on obscure tribal house with “Burning Palm” on the B side.

N.O.T.E is young, thirsty, and dead serious about his music. His admirable work ethic shows off not only in his own releases but also in his collaborations with other artists. In the past year alone, he has produced for Wayne Snow and several others that are keeping their work under wraps – while simultaneously creating music as N.O.T.E and under his Verner moniker. All the hard work seems to be paying off on this new 12’, where he comes through with two outstanding dance-floor bombshells.

If you’re into the 80s, Beverly Hills Cop, or just sad that you missed out on Studio 54, you’re going to love EP opener, “Phase Alternating Lines”. It’s got it all: hot drum programming, an electric boogie bassline and a cheeky melody that sticks. “Burning Palm” takes us into obscure tribal-meets-afro-house territory, utilizing percussion, synth marimba and hypnotic melodies – all held together in a tight, driving groove. This track is exotic at its root and perfect for any late night outdoor activity. Both tracks come as extended edits for the vinyl release.

This is a limited-edition release of 400 copies, written and produced by N.O.T.E, arranged by N.O.T.E in close collaboration with Tartelet Records’ label head Dirk 81 and mixed at Panalama Studios in Copenhagen on the Neve 5088 Shelford console for good measure.

Lapsus Records proudly presents the third release in its “Perennial” series, dedicated to reissuing
contemporary electronica classics from established artists.

The third release is from Christopher Scott Leary, who over the last two decades has produced a plethora
of material under his pseudonym, Ochre. 2019 marks 15 years since the original release of “A Midsummer
Nice Dream” in 2004; on British label Toytronic, which pushed Leary to the forefront of the experimental
electronic music sphere. To celebrate the releases’ fifteenth anniversary, Lapsus Records will reissue a
special collector’s edition of this IDM classic in the form of a double tri-colour vinyl release, re-mastered by
John McCaig (panicStudios). It will also include a full-colour print of the new artwork, re-designed by
Portland (Oregon) illustrator Nathaniel Reeves, who has worked alongside Ochre for almost a ten years.

This special deluxe reissue entitled “A Midsummer Nice Dream (15th Anniversary Edition)“, features
unreleased material from the same period and includes three bonus tracks on its vinyl version, six on its
digital version, making it a truly unique release. It therefore offers a golden opportunity to rediscover an
album that navigates through several genre domains such as ambient, IDM and experimental electronica in
its purest form, stylistically reminiscent of the likes of Autechre, conveying a sound considerably ahead of its
time. In its entirety “A Midsummer Nice Dream” is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable electronica glitch
albums to be released in the 2000s, when the genre experienced its zenith, largely thanks to the advent of
significant breakthroughs in digital production tools.

Little-known trio The Bees put out only one full album, 1988's She's A Witch (Tikoloshi). Its six tracks all offer dancefloor-ready, distinctively South African grooves that show how bubblegum in the late 80s embraced house music. Produced by Steve Cooks, who would go on to work with heavyweights Senyaka, Spokes H and Umoja in the years that followed. Searing vocals and percussive synth basslines are best on 'Hlabalaza' (already a DJ favourite) and the title track, it lyrics telling the spooky tale of an evil woman who rules the night - 'Tikoloshi' being the mischievous creature of Zulu folklore (usually a man) who is still widely blamed for all manner of mysterious happenings in the middle of the night.

On Eternal Children, “forward thinking music group” Equiknoxx, comprising of – (Shanique Marie, Bobby Blackbird, Gavsborg, Kemikal Splash & Time Cow) do something they have never done before: express themselves as a collective.

For the better part of a dancehall decade, producers Gavin “Gavsborg” Blair and Nick “Bobby Blackbird” Deane have created a who’s who list of collaborations including Aidonia, Busy Signal, Masicka, Kabaka Pyramid, Spice, Beenie Man & Missy Elliott; while Jordan “Time Cow” Chung and Gavsborg have scored numerous ‘Album of the Year’ accolades from publications such as FACT, Pitchfork, The FADER, Passion Of The Weiss & Rolling Stone with their Bird Sound Power and Colón Man releases parsed and pieced by Demdike Stare & Jon K for Demdike Stare’s DDS imprint.

Eternal Children however is the result of five (5) creative forces combined to form the group Equiknoxx. Three producer/vocalists (Blair/Chung/Deane) combine with two (2) vocalists: Shanique Marie and Kemikal for a comprehensive family affair. Shanique Marie’s debut EP “Uno” was produced by Gavsborg & Bobby Blackbird while the lyricist Kemikal’s only previous solo foray “Graffiti” was handled exclusively by Chung. Eternal Children represents the synthesis of ideas as the group created the album in typical organic style, recording half of it in a single session at the legendary Anchor studios in Kingston, Jamaica.

The resulting eight track effort is as eclectic as the collective; spanning experimental and classic dancehall, hip hop and even a ballad, all while staying true to the unique sound they have become known for. From abstract sound and astral storytelling from Kemikal and Shanique Marie on the opening track Solomon Is A Cup, the pace jumps several notches on the energetic ode to the borough of Brooklyn. Shanique Marie returns to the dancehall lashing line after line on the Riddim driven Corner and takes the lead once more on a tribute to the city of Manchester (fast becoming a second home to the group). The track also features Swing Ting lyrical heavyweight Fox and was co-produced by the younger brother of Gavsborg: Brent Blair aka Brent Bird.

Side C sees Time Cow on the buttons for Good Sandra complemented by the pen of a witty Kemikal & Gavsborg plus the suave of a cool Shanique Marie. Move Along performed by Shanique Marie & Time Cow is a sub 150bpm belter that was conceptualized somewhere in Eastern Europe prior to an Equiknoxx Live Set. Both tracks are reminiscent of the hard hitting off-kilter rhythms of Bird Sound Power and Colón Man with vocals that could only be delivered by those intimately familiar with the psychedelic offerings. In keeping the family close, longtime Equiknoxx collaborator Alozade makes a feature appearance alongside Kemikal & Gavsborg on the penultimate Grave: a dark assault on the senses. Eternal Children closes with the soothing Rescue Me, a duet with Blackbird and Shanique Marie that occasionally trespasses into a pseudo-pop territory.

Eternal Children represents a new direction for the collective, venturing into parts unknown. They are not totally alone on the journey as several familiar faces were key in the release of the project: Karen Cazabon (Sleeve design), Rub-A-Dub (Distributor), Mothashipp (Mixing) and Nick Sinna (Mastering). The cover art was done by Bobby Blackbird himself. The direction of the entire project would have been an impossible task without the guidance of Balraj Samrai of Swing Ting Records

Irie Mona goes for a Dub adventure on Mystery Booms ! An already two classic tunes EP in town. He’s a producer based in Lyon since a decade and he perfectly knows how to inject new digi-attitude in the old-school way of dub productions. A perfect ballad for some delicate sunbath. Two songs to sing onnnn! Its a tribute to Dub Masters Tubby and Pablo, delivering Sunshine Skanks, Spring Beats and Sisters and Brothers Love for the Summer.

Early Support : Judaah (BFDM), Tarba (BFDM), The Pilotwings (BFDM), Sacha Mambo (Macadam Mambo), Leo James (Berceuse Héroïque), Nummer, Chez Emile Crew, NVST, Folklore Crew, Groovedge, Emeline XIII (Sumo Smash), Warzou (Jump, Nous Disques), Eddy Larkin…

PYRAMID TRANSMISSIONS presents the 1st solo release on the label from PT partner PATHIC.

PATHIC (John Cranmer) is no stranger to Electro heads as he has been releasing beautifully crafted Electro trax for 20 years now, releasing on Outside Recordings, Cultivated Electronics, Minimal Soul, Earthlings, Ai and Pyramid Transmissions.

REBIRTH ep is a sublime mixture of Electro music with stunning tinges of Detroit Techno and lush pads over deep and funky 808 beats that is the signature of PATHIC's music.

1977, East Hartford, Connecticut. Rahni Harris — a 21 year old reverend and multi-instrumentalist — and his band, ‘Family Love’, were not afraid to embrace their love of R&B and Gospel. They laid down ‘A Different Drummer’ LP - One of the most forward thinking LPs recorded during this period and arguably of all time.

‘Syncopated Love’, 'He’s My Friend’ and ‘Make It Easy’ have been supported by DJs and collectors in the know for many years. Now, Rain&Shine give Rahni’s’ seminal record another lease of life for discerned collectors, DJs and music lovers worldwide!

"The past 5 years we have taken our music all over the world: Europe, Asia, Africa besides our homeland Denmark, and even though we cannot speak with many of the people we meet, our music is a universal language that transcends borders. The meetings we have had (and continue to have) all over inspire us to create new music. But of course we are the composers of the music, so this is our representation of those meetings.

Our 3rd album is called AFROTROPISM. Tropism is a biological phenomenon that indicates growth of a plant in response to the environment; so when you see a plant turning for the sunlight, this is tropism. In other words, this is not so much about the plant's roots but more about how it reacts when it touches the air, feels sunlight or rain - in other words the outside world. So AFROTROPISM refers to the fact that we are drawn towards the African traditions, but we are "growing" our own music.

On our first two albums we have recorded extensively with African musicians, and AFROTROPISM is centered around The KutiMangoes (TKM) as a band. We are developing our artistic direction by going more in depth with how we can mix our inspirations with our own musical heritage. Our musical mission is (and has always been) to mix cultures and create our own sound.

With our background in jazz music, TKM counts virtuoso instrumentalists with a heartfelt intent and sound innovators with our horns, effect pedals, synthesizers, drums and percussion from all over the world. AFROTROPISM is a further and deeper development of our trademark bold sound that experiments with synthesizers, soundscapes and a bit of electronic effects without losing it's focus on groove, melody, atmosphere and musicianship."

The KutiMangoes, July 2019


About each track:

STRETCH TOWARDS THE SUN
This track opens up with a synthesizer groove that is inspired by the polyrhythmic grooves played by the balafon (a predecessor of the piano) from West Africa. Our rolling sequence could not be played on the balafon because of the key changes, but the basic idea comes from that instrument. Quick and light, we wanted to write a song where you can feel the sun coming out and feel the energy it's rays give. The combination of the programmed groove, the horn-arrangement, the huge percussion section and the live instruments makes for a sound that we have not heard before, and it illustrates what this album is all about (and what the track's title refers to): that we stretch towards the things that give us energy – and that although our roots are in Denmark, when we encounter a musical tradition as rich as in West Africa, it changes us and our music.

A SNAKE IS JUST A STRING
The first time we saw Mali-bluesman extraordinaire Vieux Farka Touré on stage was just after we had played at a huge festival in Burkina Faso, and we almost literally caught on fire. Their groove was so strong and insistent that we were mesmerized, and it inspired us to come up with the opening guitar part of this song. Basically a bluesy tune with some unusual chord changes and a crazy synthesizer solo by Johannes Buhl Andresen reminiscent of that fuzzy guitar-sound we love so much in the Mali blues. The title is an homage to the Nigerian writer Chinua Acheba, who in his masterpiece novel "Things Fall Apart" tells that in the village during the night, to ward off the fear of darkness, people would call dangerous animals by a different name: don't be afraid, a snake is just a string.

KEEP YOU SAFE
It is a basic human necessity to have a place where you can feel safe. But there are far too many people in our world that fear for their safety, their livelihood, their children, their relatives – and this is surely not a feeling that helps us to flourish as humans. With this song we are saying that we all need to make it a priority to help our fellow humans to feel safe. And of course, if our song can offer a feeling of safety and comfort for a short time to those who listen, we are truly thankful.

MONEY IS THE CURSE
This track is directly inspired by Fela Kuti's ability to create music that is both physical and political. Dance music with a serious message about our times. For the solo part we wanted a more melancholy, pensive feel (than the full-on baritone-trombone melody) and also wanted to experiment with some choppy, stuttering effects to make the horns sound desperate. Money is the curse because it can become the objective of our life; money is the curse because it changes the relationships we have with our fellow humans. Money is the curse.

THORNS TO FRUIT
This melody is inspired by the scales and developments of a traditional Bambara folk-song. We love the way these melodies constantly evolve with small developments and changes. We felt like an accompaniment that is really dry, sparse and earthy would fit well and then made a contrasting solo part. As a group we are interested in how to develop our improvisations together and create sonic landscapes that evoke a distinctive atmosphere – so here, we have no soloist, but a collection of synthesizer parts, saxophone lines and guitar-sounds that together create a dreamy and lush ambience.

SAND TO SOIL
We started out with a short ngoni riff played by our good friend and master musician Aboubacar Konaté. We then sampled it, built soundscapes and our own both meditative and pumping groove around it. We created a melody with both melancholy and joy, with afterthought and impulse and then the brilliant Aske Drasbæk added an emotive and blistering saxophone solo. The title refers to the contrasts in our humanism. As part of our human nature, we have a dark side that drives us (and each other) towards destruction – making the fertile soil into barren sand. The title is an encouragement to emphasize the opposite movement in our nature: to create life and help it flourish. We keep ourselves human by insisting that we must never forget this side of our nature no matter how tough, tiresome or trying it might be. Let's keep our focus on the light, the warmth, the positive energy – that can turn the cold stone into fertile ground.

Mediterranean pop songs screwed with dirty RnB sounds. Disorientating, freudian slip disco edit takes to the clubs; up-tempo, left of field and a down right dub siren infused banger - confused yet? Slow-mo dub melting in the heat of the eternal summer, untether yourself and drift away.

The legendary Blade is back on vinyl with this limited edition 7" and digital release from Boot Records! These are 2 killer tracks from the archives, "Dark Friends" and "Make it Connect", both with cuts from Boots Jazz T. The cover art is by Stilts cementing this as a record not to be missed!



General Information

Title: DARK FRIENDS

Lyrics Written & Performed by: Blade

Produced by: The Manos

Recorded @: The Lion's Den

Mastered by: N/A

Label: 691 Influential

Catalogue Number: N/A

Recorded: 2003

Blade had met a couple of young guys whilst selling his records on the streets around 1991 and kept in touch on a regular basis as they both had a love for the creative side of music making. At this time the guys were just fans of Blade's music but one day turned up at Blade's flat to produce a beat with Blade's help and ever since then have been good friends and later went on to be called THE MANOS

12 years later and with the release of Blade's "STORMS ARE BREWING" album, his distribution company had declared bankruptcy and left him on the verge of losing his house. Not being able to provide for his family, he called up on his close friends THE MANOS to produce a couple tracks while he focussed more on just writing and performing the lyrics while doing what he needed to do to make sure the bills were paid and his house saved from repossession

The first helping of their production skills was showcased on Blade's "SOLDIERS" track which also featured LIFE MC & RESPEK BA. "SOLDIERS" was officially released in 2003 and around the same time Blade & THE MANOS hit the studio again and recorded "DARK FRIENDS"


Due to constant unexpected and sudden unpredictable changes in Blade's personal life, "DARK FRIENDS" never got to see an official release and was shelved as an incomplete demo until years later when it saw an underground release on "BOOT RECORDS". At this point the track was still missing the scratching and now again almost 10 years later and with Blade's very close friendship with DJ JAZZ T and with the addition of the scratching by the one and same, "DARK FRIENDS" now complete with sharp and to the point cutting finally sees the light of day.

Blade retired in 2006 and has been off the radar since until December 2018 when he became a little more active on Facebook and has reconnected with a lot of the fans and friends, with which obvious conversations about unreleased material was bound to surface and as a result "DARK FRIENDS" now is finally released on a limited edition 7" vinyl

General Information

Title: MAKE IT CONNECT

Lyrics Written & Performed by: Blade

Produced by: Blade

Recorded @: The Lion's Den

Mastered by: N/A

Label: 691 Influential

Catalogue Number: N/A

Recorded: 1997

"MAKE IT CONNECT" is one of those rare demos that Blade just threw together in about an hour to pass time and over the years turned out to be one of his favourite tracks, but at the time being completely broke and homeless, living in the basement of a local equipment store in New Cross, releasing this was simply not possible. This track has been sat on a cassette tape for over 20 years and having been played over and over again the quality has completely worn down. Unfortunately the version on the cassette tape was the only version available so separating the channels to get a proper mix is not possible either

However, thanks again to DJ JAZZ T that only made it more interesting to make something of this gem of a track. Blade having been retired now for 13 years, it would only really take one of two things to see Blade on tracks again for public consumption

You just can't keep a man like Carlton Jumel Smith down. This time around we get another soulful K.O. from his debut album in the form of "Love Our Love Affair", a mid-tempo groover drawn from that sweet well of southern soul.

One of the fortes of Carlton's "1634 Lexington Ave." LP is that it flows along as an entity but also revels in the strengths of its individual parts. This fourth single brings out another stylistic strain from Carlton and Cold Diamond & Mink's repertoire. After the tight intro and the vibraphone licks have set the scene there are twists and turns plus some classy action from Jukka Eskola on trumpet, did we mention the instrumental on the flip side?

This single might be just the thing you needed to jump start the morning or blast in your Sunday evening radio show.

London based Brazilian specialists Far Out Recordings venture further out to Uruguay to record a new album with fusion legend Hugo Fattoruso. After a twenty-year search for the man behind the cult 70s jazz-funk group Opa, Far Out are honoured to present Barrio Opa: a new work from Fattoruso and his team of world-class musicians, including the sensational Candombe drumming of the renowned Silva brothers. Recorded at Sondor Studios, Montevideo, the album is the natural development of the original Opa sound, fusing Afro-Uruguayan rhythms, jazz harmony and heavy funk attitude, under Hugo's unique musical vision.

Born in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo in 1943, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Hugo Fattoruso has had a profound influence on every aspect of Latin American musical culture. From early beginnings, playing in his family band at street festivals around Uruguay, to fronting Los Shakers: South America's answer to the Beatles, and one of the most successful rock and roll groups from the continent. At the end of the sixties Fattoruso was looking to broaden his musical horizons, and in 1969 he moved to New York where he formed Opa and went on to rub shoulders with the likes of Ron Carter and Creed Taylor.

Fusing Candombe (traditional rhythm of Uruguay) with rock, jazz, funk and other Latin American rhythms, Opa created a distinctive Afro-Uruguayan voice within the global jazz vernacular, influencing a generation of musicians throughout the seventies and beyond. During the eighties Fattoruso moved to Brazil, where he continued to work and record with Brazilian artists including Milton Nascimento, with whom he composed the World Music Grammy winning Nascimento album in 1997. Fattoruso also famously collaborated extensively with Airto Moreia, arranging and playing on a plethora of hit records including Fingers and I'm Fine, How Are You. More recently Fattoruso's music has been sampled by the likes Flying Lotus and Madlib.

With such a prolific career, Fattoruso's relative obscurity seems odd. Uruguay is dwarfed on either side by Brazil and Argentina, and while geography may have something to do with it, Hugo's own elusiveness may also explain why someone so influential has been hitherto, so underappreciated. A deeply humble figure, never settling for too long in any one place, Hugo has dedicated his life to music and little else. It has taken twenty years for Far Out to track down the man behind Golden Wings and Magic Time, and it wasn't until label boss Joe Davis met a Uruguayan producer (over one too many artisanal beers) at a world music conference in Budapest, that he finally made contact with one of his musical idols.

Following a few internet meetings and some very long impassioned conversations about Hugo's life, music and mutual musical friends in Brazil, Hugo began writing the new album, and Joe booked a seat on the next flight to Montevideo. Recorded at the state of the art Sondor Studios in Montevideo's iconic Barrio Sur district, the album features some of the world class musicians at the forefront of today's Uruguayan jazz scene, including Hugo's son Francisco Fattoruso on bass, Tato Bolognini on drums, Albana Barrocas on percussion and Nicolás Ibarburu on electric guitar. The album also features the Candombe drumming of the legendary Silva brothers, Mathías, Guillermo Diaz and Wellington, who give the album its Afro-Uruguayan identity, transporting the listener to Barrio Sur, the spiritual home of Montevideo's Candombe heritage.

In Hugo's own words this is the sound of Opa today.' This is most prevalent on 'Goldenwings' the fresh take on the funk-fusion masterpiece which became an underground hit in London jazz clubs in the 80s '. The stripped back yet equally rip-roaring trio piece 'Botijas' is led by Hugo's virtuosic piano playing and hypnotic wordless vocals, and backed by an inventive, heavy grooving fusion of Latin rhythms from Tato Bolognini on drums. The shining moments for the Silva brothers' Tambor playing are 'Candombelek' - a beautifully moody Afro-Uruguyan groove with characterful rhodes and vocal harmonies - and 'Candombe Alto', a carnival-esque track, awash with soaring synth lead, wah-wah guitar and pulsating keys.

Far Out Recordings are honoured to have had the opportunity to travel to Uruguay and work with a true hero of Latin American music. Hugo, his musicians and everyone at Sondor Studios welcomed us with open arms. We were overwhelmed not only by the musical brilliance we found in Montevideo, but also by the warmth and humility of everyone we met along the way.

Prince will forever be remembered as a commanding live performer, chart-topping recording artist, and music business revolutionary. Yet for all the time he spent in the spotlight over his four-decade-long career, Prince also worked tirelessly behind the scenes to nurture talent and pen songs for the rising artists he respected.

Sourced directly from Prince’s vast archive of Vault recordings, ORIGINALS is a brand new 15-track album featuring 14 previously unreleased recordings that illuminates the vital, behind-the-scenes role Prince played in other artists’ careers. These are more than just demos, the production quality has been kept high and the recordings resemble a pristine quality similar to that of Nothing Compares 2 U released last year.

By the mid-1980s, Prince was dominating the charts even as a writer/producer with songs he’d composed and recorded for others. In addition to releasing nine of his most commercially successful full-length albums, he also wrote and recorded endless reels of material for proteges The Time, Vanity 6, Sheila E., Apollonia 6, Jill Jones, the Family, and Mazarati. Several of the iconic songs found on ORIGINALS were considerable hits for the artists who recorded them.

Packaging: CD / 2x 180g purple vinyl / hardback 12” gatefold book with glued pocket holding 2x 180g purple LP and 24 page 4 colour booklet.

As one of Jamaica’s leading record producers Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid embraced the new reggae sound. London based reggae giant Trojan Records brought together a dozen of his finest works under the title “Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae”. If features many of the biggest Jamaican hits from 1969 to 1970. Tommy McCook & The Supersonics is one of the main artists to be found on this record. The 12 tracks bringing the best Jamaica had to offer during the heydays of their musical days.

Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

Heavy Linval Thompson cuts! Incl spaced out dub versions of the title tracks..

Aura Safari are: Alessandro Deledda, Andrea Moretti, Lorenzo Lavoratori, Daniele Melloni and Nicholas Iammatteo.

The band started with the meeting of a musician and a group of DJ's / producers coming from different musical backgrounds and generations. Aura Safari is the union of various musical eras and influences such as Jazz Fusion, 80's Boogie, World Music, Italo House, Balearic Beats and Jazz Funk.

Years spent in the local scene of Perugia (Italy) attending Umbria Jazz Festival every summer and winter nights at the legendary Red Zone Club have shaped the sound of Aura Safari.

The LP is an example of their true love of music across a vast spectrum.

Full Intention's Michael Gray returns with his re-work of one of best Italo Soul anthems from the 80's, being Advance's 'Take Me To The Top'! Originally released on the Italian 'X-Energy' label in 1982, this one was in fact the record that built the X-Energy label. Released in cooperation with Michael's new outfit 'Sultra', High Fashion brings you the Michael Gray 'Sultra' remix together with his very playable 'Michael Gray Dub' on the flip side. A must have for all Disco lovers.

Repress!

10" vinyl, handstamped, no digital, no repress, single-sided

Following multiple classic re-issues and freshly produced dubplates from UK Dub innovators, we bring you 2 brand new productions on 10' vinyl: Inna Mount Zion / Prophecy Step.

Dinosaur L is an alias donned by Arthur Russell, a man whose contribution to dance music from the late seventies and through the eighties was formidable but only quietly acknowledged. His innovative and left field dance records were way ahead of what people were used to hearing at the time. He was a cellist who studied classical and Indian music. As well as his great strides in dance music he was also involved in the New York downtown avant-garde music scene and produced some albums in a more avant-garde / experimental vein as well as trying his own unique approach to pop. He scored several hits on the underground New York dance scene at clubs like The Paradise Garage (Larry Levan was a huge supporter). His biggest tunes, 'Go Bang!' and 'Is It All Over My Face' were worldwide club hits and are still played today as classics. His records have influenced the scene from his first dance record in 1979 to the present day and his work has been much sampled. Sadly Arthur
died in 1992, but his music lives on and his influence is still felt on the dance music scene, his tunes still sound great and are still moving many dancers around the world, so his spirit lives on. Sleeping Bag Records and Traffic Entertainment Group is proud to present Dinosaur L's '24-24 Music' for the first time ever on double LP. Includes the original album tracklisting plus rare 12'remixes and edits.

All Tracks Written and Produced by S3A
Mastered by Kuniyuki Takahashi

This house project, based on the idea that electronic music is a blend of different cultures and music, started 15 years ago when Max began jamming on analog machines and samplers with different projects from techno (FriendShip Connection) to house (S3A).
It is through this project that he expresses, among other things, his taste for soul and House music. Such as his beloved artists MCDE, Floating Points... he uses the process of sampling as a basis to color his music with sounds of all his inspirations, he always add his own touch and groove to get his own vision of electronic music: dynamic, warm, emotional and dirty.

Although he discovered electronic music in 92 through UK hardcore with DJ as Tanith or Producer, his culture is based on a solid knowledge of house music, soul, funk, hip hop, making him one of the most promising house artists of the French scene since 2009.

He first came to Paris with Zadig to realize his childhood dream: building a studio and later collaboration, Frendship Connection (All is just a matter of time has actually been playlisted by Marcel Dettmann).

His residency at Concrete helped him to confirm his DJ position since the last 4 years adding as well releases on Lazare Hoche Records, Hold Youth, Concrete Music, Local Talk, Phonogramme and Faces. With these releases, his remix for Laurent Garnier on Music Large and his booking request from the French legend to play with him for his residency at Rex club and Concrete, gave him legitimacy and visibility in all over Europe.


In 2014 he decided to make his own label Sampling As An Art Records and focus on finding new-blooded artists and release his very personal music. A perfect definition between underground quality emotional house music and dancefloor efficiency!
In 2015, he released a collaborative EP on Uncanny Valley Label with Max Graef and Cuthead (whom released S3A RECORDS 03 the same year), made his first live representations and currently continue to spread his vision of music.

Second release for LCT, straight up fire. Might have heard this one being played in the clubs and festivals - All about the B side here!

Debut single from Austin, TX duo! Fresh psychedelic soul for fans of groups like Alabama Shakes or Curtis Harding. Comprised of seasoned producer Adrian Quesada (Brownout) and new singer/songwriter Eric Burton, this duo is set to take the soul crossover world by storm with their upcoming album.

Reed Records presents the fifth single from Mohawkestra ‘Mo Heavy’ b/w ‘Buffalo Bill’ available on 7” vinyl

Mo Heavy is the first Mohawkestra single to feature one of their original compositions as the A Side and it’s a belter! Replete with the signature Mohawkestra heavy organ working alongside driving guitar chops and the percussion gets plenty of time to shine.

As the a-side is a Mohawkestra original on this one the B-Side is ‘Buffalo Bill’ which is a rather unique funk fuelled take of ‘The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill’ from The Beatles’ White Album. The hint of the title and the melody are the only similarities though as Mohawkestra take the groove far out into the Funk spectrum and stripped back to raw elements.

Available on 7” vinyl

The fifth and final Mohawkestra 45 in this series for Reed, and for this final donut they have gone into the realms of soundtracks vibes, a lost 70s cop show theme immediately comes to mind. This is a wide open joint, a spaced-out arrangement with super tough drums n' bongo breaks that keeps building into a killer jerkin' funk burner, just needs a cop car's siren wailing at the end! Special mention to Joe Wilkins for the raw as **** guitar riffs, heavy stuff. All in all a wicked and furious 45 for B-Boys & B-Girls.

Since emerging as a producer and MC back in 2004, Skepta has become one of the most significant British artists working in music today. The Mercury Prize winner and BRIT Award nominee has built a broad and diverse audience through his enigmatically energetic live performance and era defining catalogue of hits. An inspirational icon of future facing fashion. Skepta’s enduring influence is felt throughout contemporary culture on a global scale. Meanwhile, Skepta is set to perform across Europe throughout the summer. These shows include a headline appearance at this year’s Field Day Festival (7th June) which takes places at London’s Meridan Water – a stones through from the Meridian Estate where Skepta grew up – and is set to be a huge homecoming show. He is also a headliner at this year’s Manchester International Festival alongside Yoko Ono and Idris Elba & Kwame Kwei-Armah, where we will be debuting his truly unique, immersive DYSTOPIA987 show. Double vinyl Gatefold LP package printed with touch sensitive, heat signature liquid Cristal applied. Revealing a spectrum of colours when touched. Gatefold CD packaging printed with touch sensitive, heat signature liquid Cristal applied. Revealing a spectrum of colours when touched. Love Me - “This track contains a sample of the recording “Murder on The Dance Floor” as performed by Sophie Ellis Bextor courtesy of Polydor Records a Division of Universal Music Operations and Polydor Limited”.

A limited edition 7” DOUBLE PACK release by TARIKA BLUE, this outstanding band release two LPs back in 1976 & 1977 on the Chiriucuro, label. Here are four of the best tracks from the second LP self titled “Tarika Blue”.

DYNAMITE CUTS give you a super fresh cuts of these wonderful jazz fusion classics. Loved and collected by all good music collector around the world. This LP has become sort after and sells for the original around £350. Dynamite cuts has reissued the best four songs from the LP to give you a wonderful limited edition vinyl pack, don’t miss out x600 only

Il Bosco is back at the controls ably assisted by The Bat & Flemming Dalum.

Edit not edit tackle.
Four Red Laser bangers ready for your local diskotek - Forgotten Euro dreams, euphoric Italo & boogie tinged pop-pretenders.
A bona-fide insider selection.

Limited press comes with wrap around riso print poster sleeve in pvc cover...

*Starting the year we present our eighth release on 7' format, another great collaboration between Ojah and Nikolaj Torp Larsen 'Nik Torp', keyboard player from The Specials.

The A side contains the track 'What Goes Around Comes Around', a Hammond and melodica version (both played by Nik Torp) of Ojah's 'Packy' riddim, that was recorded at Nik's studio back in 2015 and is finally seeing the light. It also features new guitars by Puppa Shan and Javier Martin Boix. Next up on Alchemy Dubs will be a 12' featuring a legendary trombone player on this riddim and another one, so these are the complementary versions of side B.
On the B side we find of course a dub version, mixed live in analog by Ojah in classic style. It was difficult to pick just one but we think this one is very special...

Limited edition of 500 copies, hand-stamped and hand-numbered, served in a thick custom reversed kraftliner sleeve.
Produced by Ojah, recorded at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London.
Hammond & melodica by Nikolaj Torp Larsen 'Nik Torp', recorded by Nik Torp at Squat Sound Studio, London, UK, 2015.
Guitars by Javier Martin Boix (lead) and Santi Mijarra 'Puppa Shan' (rhythm) recorded by Puppa Shan at Discoinferno, Madrid, Spain, 2018.
Mixed & mastered by Oscar Pablos 'Ojah" at Alchemy Dubs Studio, London, 2018.
Graphic design by Victor Castro.

Back with that low-end pressure, PAWSA delivers another tech house slammer with this single sided, 180g funked-up riot on his own PAWZ imprint. A humongous, hypnotic bassline, shuffling percussive hits and a thundering kick lay the foundations for that renowned and charismatic vocal to take centre stage on ‘Funky Brother’.

Another sure-fire winning roller destined to tear up dancefloors across the circuit, further validating PAWSA’s meteoric rise to the top.

Acid hartechno Special :) With a raggacid tune

Featuring Sly & Robbie, Alpha Blondy, Marcia Griffiths, Horace Andy, Morgan Heritage, Gregory Isaacs, Inna De Yard, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, Jimmy Riley, and many more.