Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Originally starting out in the late 90s, Paris-based 8 piece, Cotonete originally gained fame for renditions of tracks from their contemporaries, the likes of: Deodato, Lalo Schiffrin and Banda Black Rio. Replicating the heavy grooves, sweaty jazz-funk with a nod to the Brazilian warmth and beach breeze. Before bowing out of the game thinking the fun was over….

Fast forward to more recent times, having had their flame reignited by Melik Bencheikh, head honcho of Paris vinyl emporium, Heartbeat Vinyl. He encouraged the band to get back together and over the last two years the band released four EPs of original material - including the collaboration with Dimitri from Paris - quickly becoming collectors items, and now gearing up for 2019 they are finally ready to present a full body of work, their album debut 'Super Vilains'.

La Fine Equipe blows this year the 10 candles of La Boulangerie.

An instrumental concept album about sampling, bringing together 35 producers (Fakear, Superpoze, 20Syl, Guts, Onra ...) on 3 volumes. A special anniversary box including 5 vinyls with 15 unreleased tracks.

Through this box that brings together the three opus of La Boulangerie (including an expanded version of La Boulangerie 1) and a bonus vinyl gathering unpublished tracks, La Fine Equipe remains faithful to his first love that are sample and beatmaking.

Der Opener I Feel Like Going Home war 1948 einer der DurchbruchSongs von Muddy Waters in den R & B-Charts. Anfang 1951 erreichte
Louisiana Blues die Charts, gefolgt von Long Distance Call. Die
Volltreffer setzten sich fort, als Honey Bee mit der zusätzlichen
Gitarrenarbeit von Jimmy Rogers die Top 10 erreichte, ebenso wie Still a
Fool mit Little Walter an der Mundharmonika und Leonard Chess an
der Bassdrum. Muddy Waters wurde im ersten Jahr (1980) in die Blues
Hall Of Fame aufgenommen und 1987 in die Kategorie Blues Pioneer in
die R & R Hall Of Fame aufgenommen. Dieses Album gibt einen
vortrefflichen Überblick über seine Jukebox-Hits im Zeitraum 1948-1958

King Jammy, bürgerlich Lloyd James (* 1947 in Montego Bay), früher Prince Jammy, ist ein
jamaikanischer Musikproduzent. Zu Beginn seiner Karriere machte er zusammen mit King Tubby
Dub Musik. Seit Mitte der 1980er Jahre ist er einer der einflussreichsten Dancehall
Produzenten. Er war zusammen mit Bobby Digital einer der Ersten, die digitale Rhythmen im
Reggae verwendeten.
Zu den Künstlern, die von King Jammy produziert wurden, gehören unter anderem Wayne Smith,
Shabba Ranks, Cocoa Tea, Horace Andy, Black Uhuru, Cutty Ranks und Eek-A-Mouse.
Kamikazi Dub ist ein Schatz aus der frühen Dub-Zeit - aufgenommen von Prince Jammy. Als
Schüler des kreativen Meisters King Tubby nahm Prince Jammy sein eigenes Meisterwerk auf.
Bei diesem Dub Space, den JAMMY geschaffen hat, sind Drum und Bass, unterstützt von Orgel und
Gitarre, im Reverb zu hören. Die intelligente Auswahl von Soundeffekten passt gut in die
psychedelische Musik. Das Album enthält einige andere Dub-Stars wie Sly & Robbie, Augustus
Pablo, Duggie, Bobby Ellis und viele mehr. Als das Album 1979 herauskam, wurde es zu einem
dieser Klassiker, die die Tür zu einer neuen Musikwelt öffneten.

Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Mystic voyage LP loaded with Gems... Brother green is a massive rare groove dancer and as for 'Life is just a moment' You only want on 45 !!!
All first time on 7'

For the last 20 years London-based author and party organiser Tim Lawrence has dedicated himself to excavating the history of New York City party culture and bringing some of the most powerful aspects of that culture to London's dance scene, from where it has ricocheted around the world.
Having conducted the first set of major interviews with David Mancuso, Lawrence started to put on Loft-style Lucky Cloud Sound System parties with David and friends in London in June 2003.
In early 2004 he published Love Saves the Day: A History of American Dance Music Culture, 1970-79, which tracked the influence of the Loft on the wider New York DJ, dance and disco scene.
In 2009 his biography of the iconic musician Arthur Russell became the first book to map the wider downtown music scene.
These beautifully written and politically insightful histories have educated, inspired and celebrated the previously overlooked foundations of contemporary dance music.

Lawrence's most recent publication, Life & Death On The New York Dancefloor, 1980 - 1983, published in late 2016, shines a light on 'one of the most dynamic and creative periods in the history of New York City'. Falling between the more regularly celebrated sounds of disco, house and techno, the period produced a uniquely hybrid series of sounds that never acquired a settled name.

This led them to be largely ignored by historians and even DJs, yet the power of the period's music and the scenes it birthed, Lawrence argues, remains undeniable. Met with a rapturous response, Life and Death On The New York Dance Floor saw Lawrence on the road for most of the next year as he spread the word about the characters, the records, the clubs and the bands that shaped the post-Disco, post-Punk, and burgeoning Hip Hop landscapes of New York City during the early 1980s — a period when freedom still ruled.

This, the second of a 2-part sonic tribute to the 1980 - 1983 era as well as a musical companion piece to Life & Death On The New York Dance Floor, sees recognised classics (such as 'Don't Make Me Wait' and 'Din Daa Daa') nestle up alongside the belatedly recognised (including the August Darnell remix of 'Contort Yourself' and Mark Kamins remix of 'Love Tempo') and the downright obscure ('Vena Cava' and the B-side of the 'Pop Your Funk' 7' promo).

Capturing the range and the mayhem, Material's under-appreciated 'Bustin' Out' features Nona Hendryx delivering lyrics inspired by Black Panther George Jackson's prison letters plus a music track featuring dance beats combined with a heavy electric guitar — a combination proposed by Michael Zilkha after the ZE label head rejected Bill Laswell's first effort. The mix comes courtesy of Better Days resident DJ Tee Scott. Everyone, it seemed, was open to everything.

Lovingly curated across 2 slabs of vinyl, the album introduces listeners to a stunning array of sounds, styles, vibes and feelings that encapsulate this most fertile and forward-thinking era, when music, fashion, sound system innovations, leaps in music technology, a DIY attitude and a freedom from corporate politics combined with extraordinary expressivity. All music contained within this album has been hand-picked and programmed by Tim Lawrence.

It represents a selective yet rich introduction to one of the most extraordinary periods in New York City's epic musical history.

This is the first release on Reappearing Records, a label led by Tim Lawrence and distributed worldwide by Above Board distribution.

Licensing courtesy of Tracksuit Music.
Mastering by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK.
Artwork & design courtesy of Atelier Superplus - 2018.

A] a1. Path of Stars
B] a2. From Creation ft. Murray Man
C] a3. Ascension
D] b1. Ancestors
E] b2. Galactica
F] c1. Marching Dub
G] c2. Man - Nough A Dem Afraid Away ft. Murray Man
H] d1. Mi - Knights Of Dub
I] d2. Back Inna De Yard

To say "Mo'Horizons is back" actually isn't the truth as they haven't been gone since their first release 20 years ago. But - of course - as usual for musicians working together over decades, their releases becoming more and more... let's say 'selected'.
So - on this release, in advance for their brandnew studio album 'MUSIC SUN LOVE' (release date 10th of May) and right on time for their 20th anniversary.

A1 "You Gotta Know It" feat. Noam Bar (7inch version)
Having her singing in their Soundsystem for quite some years, this is the first studio recording of Mo'Horizons with Noam Bar, singer and musician from Israel. after living in Tel Aviv and Madrid she is now based in Mo'Horizons' hometown Hannover. On this song you can hear her both talents to sing and rap.

B1 "Ella Dice" feat. Nené Vasquez (Instrumental version)
Long term Soundsystem member Nené Vasquez from Venezuela in another studio cooperation with Mo'Horizons, here on percussions, on the album version also singing.

* Debut LP from a UK based band
* Simiah on MPC, Dan Somers on Keys, Craig Crofton on Sax
* Lacquer cut by Pete Norman, mastered by Strype Audio
* Design by Rolling Drums Studio
* 300 copies. LP in PVC sleeve with sticker
* For fans of jazz, instrumental hip hop

The band was formed in Bristol, England and consists of 3 members; Simiah (MPC), Dan Somers (keys), & Craig Crofton (tenor & soprano sax).

The album is a collection of jazz inspired, hip hop instrumentals with MPC drums and live instrumentation. Simiah is well known for his live double MPC show cases and has performed alongside other live musicians so this new project is like a studio album of what he does naturally on stage. The unique sound has been developed through a monthly residency at Bristol's Gallimaufry bar where the band has improvised new material and fine-tuned ongoing compositions while welcoming special guests from the local jazz scene to sit in.

The Polyversal Souls are back with another collaboration with Ethopia's No. 1 soul singer Alemayehu Eshete. As they did on their first mutual release Alteleyeshegnem (PH45011), one more time the band presents a new interpretation of one of Alemayehu's classic songs.

Feqer Feqer Nèw is heavy soul at his best, completed by Alemayehu's trade mark vocal style. On Portrait of Alemayehu (Daytime), the Polyversal Souls are admiringly painting a picture of the master's gentle aura which surrounded him during the session.

It's that time again. The skies are calling and its time to board our trusty jet for the 5th outing of Africa Seven's premiere class compilation Africa Airways. For volume 5 its time to brace yourselves for 10 slices of Afro boogie goodness.

We up the boogie time groove with The Black Bells Group (the first band of lead singer Sidney 'Patrick Duteil' who went on to become the godfather of French hip-hop and a well know TV presenter. Here the groove is swinging... the perfect opener. Next up is German-based Cameroonian musician and cousin of Manu Dibango, Charly Kingson with this bass-synth boogie stomper. Big brass and jazzy trumpets add layers of sparkle too.

Next its time for some highlife inspired boogie from Ghanian Gyedu Blay Amboley. Highlife fused with reggae, disco, boogie and jazz just as the lyrics say.

Next we pair up with Africa Seven friend Eko once more under his Dikalo guise. The Cameroonian master musician is on fine form with his heavy brass and deep percussion with a driving afro boogie groove. To round off Side A its off to Cameroon again to groove with Jean 'Mekongo President'. Think Bernard 'Chic' Edwards on the bass with some African style and you can see it's the bottom end groove and afrobeat drums that power this gem along.

We open the second side slowly and purposefully with the highly sought after 'French Girl' from Fotso. Drippy bass synth grooves and a wondrous percussion and drum shuffle pair with piano riffs to make this a unique sounding track. Our friend Tala AM is next with the foot-stomping 'Sugar Lump'. JK Mandengue is next with most definitely the catchiest chorus you will hear today. Nigerian Jide Obe gets synth and clavinet rich with his doe to sensible dating advice 'Too Young'. We close off the album with a track from label good friend Jo Bisso under his Mulamba guise. Sounding like a long lost TV theme from a late night TV show circa 1977. Let's get down and boogie with the brand new dance in town folks... the Dashiki.

Until Volume Six takes flight it is time to unbuckle those seat belts folks.

Rain&Shine continue the love for Steve Elliott's self-produced music by giving his second LP 'Completion Of A Miracle' (1982) another lease of life.

Remastered from the original reel-to-reel tapes. Includes dancefloor cut 'Wake Up'. Another essential release from Rain&Shine, set to become a future collector's item.

SIde A. Free Soul 1969
The groove is heavy too ñ and a popular hip hop sample ñ but really itís all about Klemmerís blisteringly intense, stream of consciousness freak-out.
Been sampled over 16x from INI to Ed O G & Da Bulldogs to Kurious, Akinyele, Dred Scott to name a few. Klemmer just wyles out on the sax keep that Psychedelic funk moving!!

Side B. Up Above the Rock Edit
1968
You wonít find too many jazz songs that start with a drum break, but then this is probably one of the better jazz/soul hybrids Iíve heard in some time. Produced by Richard Evans this song is a perfect display of acoustic jazz funk with Ron Carter & Grady Tate filling out the Rhythm section.
Dance Floor classic!!!

The Chakachas are best remembered for their hit disco single 'Jungle Fever'. The album by the same name is a revelation of Latin funk, with horns playing against groovy rhythms and some fine vocal work. Exiting in every aspect it's a real tasty and nasty combination of sounds. The album is characterized by its versatile percussion, consisting of maracas, congas and drums, and funky guitar riffs and horns. There's a beautiful version of Earle Hagen's classic standard 'Harlem Nocturne', known for its groovy bassline and guitar breaks. Jungle Fever is a classic which should be included in every collection of funk and Latin music.

The Belgian based group of The Chakachas were a Latin soul studio musicians. They're also known as Les Chakachas or Los Chakachas. They started in the late 1950s, recording a playful mixture of Latin music, jazz, and European-style exotica.

A proud New Yorker, Emily King spent her first three decades
living on the same Midtown block. She loved her home, her
family, her friends and her life there. But last year, when she
finally resolved to challenge herself by moving out of her
comfort zone, positive changes started taking shape
immediately. In Upstate New York, the fresh air and fresh
mentality gave her the proper space and perspective to create
what would become the album of her career. Its name:
'Scenery'.
Without a doubt, King has carved out such a space for herself.
With 'Scenery', she has challenged herself to create new roots,
both in physical form as well as sonically. 'For me, 'Scenery' is
about taking a chance and having an adventure, with themes
of independence, confidence, and self-reliance throughout, and
having a sense of freedom and self-worth,' she says. 'I'm really
proud of this record because we took time to make sure it was
right. We let time pass in between creating, recording, and
listening, so that my true judgment can be revealed, ego goes
away, and you see it for what it is. Sometimes you have
blinders on because you want it to be good so badly. When I
listen to this record there are no cringe-y moments. I'm proud
of the process.'
'... an irresistible piece of anthemic R&B that captures the
retro-cinematic quality of that first drive and the breathless
feeling of greeting something new.' - NPR Music
'Next level sass' - Pitchfork
'One of the best songwriters around at the moment.' - BBC's
Radio 1
'Unreal talent. In complete awe of this girl. Thank you for the
music.' - Sam Smith
'I. Love. Her. Voice' - Justin Timberlake

Super dope and classic '88 double A side 7" release by Kev-E-Kev & Ak-B with 'Listen To The Man' on side A and 'Keep On Doin' on Side B (both tracks one record).
This release is sanctioned by the group and has never been released in this format before, with a nod to the original release label design by Mr Krum.

KzyBoost is the most talented Japanese Modern Funk artist over there, and you can be sure, you will hear a lot of talk about him in the next months. A new spicy Modern Funk touch has landed in this underground universe, mixing Hip Hop grooves & Nu Soul vibes with a strong Californian Funk Influence. The craziest thing is that this artist lives in Osaka, Japan! Talkbox and voices close the circle creating an amazing fresh atmosphere. This Album includes one featuring with the wonderful Italian voice of FWN! This is the kind of album that makes your mind travel. Sitting on the couch, with your foot tapping on the floor, your head going slowly with the rhythm, and that "I feel good" smile on your face. KZYBOOST will make your soul dancing.

EXPANDED 2xLP repress - record 1 is the vocal version, record 2 is the instrumental version.
Due to public demand we have repressed the debut release by Last Jazz Club, a crew formed of MC Veks and producer Mike B... this is a bit more than an EP, perhaps its a mini-LP! Essential release for any heads who support that vintage 90s sound.

Hip hop heads, 7" freaks - Check this one!

Earth shattering early 80's Bronx sounds transmitted back to us as fresh as the day they were terraformed!
NYC's Easy Street label is known for it's contributions to house music, electronic disco and boogie, but there was a handful of early rap singles on the label too including this megaton bomb from the freshly monikered Lil' Jazzy Jay & Cool Supreme from '85, all the way live. This record has it all, dubbed out FX, vox, cuts and brain frying vocoders..... not to mention the monolithic drum machines and dope braggadocios rhyming.

This is the FIRST TIME this mid 80's rap rarity has been made available on a 7". Both the 'club vocal' & 'dub instrumental' are featured here, cut at 33 rpm for maximum sonics. Made available courtesy of Above Board distribution for 2019. Shout out to Easy Street, %100 legit re-issue, re-master & re-press, essential wax!

The first new music from Open Mike Eagle since the massively acclaimed 'Brick Body Kids Still Daydream' album featured in many end of year lists in 2017.

Having spent much of this year working on his first tv show 'The New Negroes' for Comedy Central which will air next year Eagle returns to music and touring

with 'relatable (peak OME)' which gives a very current glimpse into OME's daily life.

Rockie Robbins is back! From a brand new album released in March 2019 comes the title track single 'Good Life'. Robbins is from Minneapolis but moved to Los Angeles in 1979 when signed to A&M Records. From his work with Skip Scarborough, Leon Ware, Richard Evans, Bobby Martin & Jerry Peters came a legacy of timeless quality music including the global hit 'You & Me', rare groove 'We Belong Together' and the celebrated interpretation of Earth Wind & Fire's 'Be Ever Wonderful'. The new single and album reunites Rocky with producer Ricky Peterson (George Benson, Chaka Khan, Rosie Gaines), 'Good Life' the track remixed in the UK by Boogie Back for the 7' release - and for the first time in the UK, Rockie performs live with band at the Jazz Café on 10th March.

From Mississippi, Veatrice Thomas moved to Los Angeles and in 1967 began recording as Ty Karim. She worked closely with her writer/producer husband Kent Harris since her debut single 'Lighten Up Baby' through to the rare groove/modern soul masterpiece 'Keep On Doin'' first released in 1980. Both the 7' and 12' have been highly desirable on the collectors scene, exchanging hands for vast sums of money. This is pure quality, as you would expect from Expansion. Features co-lead vocals by George Griffin.

Mit "Stay Dangerous" veröffentlichte YG 2018 sein drittes Studioalbum. Neben den bereits
veröffentlichten Singles "Suu Whoop", "Handgun" und "Big Bank" (ft. 2Chainz, Big Sean und Nicki
Minaj) enthält "Stay Dangerous" 12 weitere Tracks mit Features von Mozzy, Ty Dolla $ign und Quavo.
Produziert wurde das Album vor allem von DJ Mustard, aber auch Mike Will Made-It und TM88.
"Stay Dangerous' folgt auf das Debütalbum - My Krazy Life' (2014) und - Still Brazy' (2016). In den
USA standen beide Alben in den Top 10 der Billboard Charts, das Debüt erreichte Platinstatus.

"Pronounced Jah-Nay" ist das Debüt-Album der amerikanischen R&B-Gruppe Zhané, das am 15.
Februar 1994 auf Motown Records veröffentlicht wurde. Das Album enthält Songs, die von Mitgliedern
der Hip-Hop-Gruppe Naughty by Nature produziert und mitgeschrieben wurden.
Das Album landete auf Nummer 37 der Billboard 200 und erreichte Platz 8 der R&B Albums Charts.
Das Album wurde im April 1994 mit Gold und im Oktober 1996 mit Platin ausgezeichnet. Auf dem
Album findet sich die Hit Single "Hey Mr. DJ", die es in die Top 10 Billboard Charts schaffte, sowie die
Top 20 Billboard Single "Groove Thang". Beide Hits erreichten Platz 1 der Dance Charts. "Pronounced
Jah-Nay" wird von vielen Musikkritikern als eines der bessten R&B Alben der 90er Jahre angesehen.
Urban Legends/UMe hat Pronounced Jah-Nay als 2LP in schwarzem 180g Vinyl neu aufgelegt. Die
Neuauflage enthält auch die Remixe von Hey Mr. DJ (Produced by QD III) und Groove Thang
(Produced by Naughty By Nature).

The final release in the Eight Trigram series. Alpha Steppa concludes the Trigram series with an etherial heavyweight dub staying true to the Trigram sound. Super limited edition press housed in the reverse-board Trigram house bag. Raw, unadulterated tribal bass music with a deep roots foundation

Demuja embarks on the thirteenth expedition into the exotic lands of palm trees and blue skies with the soulful and feel good 'Soul Brother' EP.Expedition thirteen features four jams packed of playful chord patterns, dark basslines and catchy vocals.

Mit Eins Zwo, - Die Pfütze des Eisbergs' und seinen Auftritten im - Neo Magazin Royale' hat er
Rap-Geschichte geschrieben. Nun erscheint das dritte Dendemann-Soloalbum: Auf - da nich für!' führt
der Rapper Dendemann alle Stränge seiner Karriere konsequent zusammen. Dendemann ist so
politisch, wach und auf den Punkt wie noch nie. Einmal Drama-Trommelwirbel mit Tusch bitte, es ist
vollbracht: das Album heißt: - da nich für!'- Das neue Studioalbum des vielleicht besten deutschen
Rappers Dendemann -, darf als ein kleines Wunder bezeichnet werden. Ein wunderschönes Wunder.
Namhafte Produzenten wie The Krauts, KitschKrieg, I.L.L.Will, Dexter, Reaf & Torky Tork sowie
hochkarätige Featuregäste wie Trettmann, Casper, Beginner und Beatsteaks Frontmann Teutilla
machen - da nich für!' zu einem Fest für wahre Hip Hop Fans und zum wichtigsten Rap-Album 2018.

Mit ganzer Seele: Die legendären Stimmen des Soul präsentieren unvergessliche Hits.
Was wir heutzutage unter Soulmusik verstehen, entwickelte sich gegen Ende der 1950er-Jahre aus
Rhythm'n'Blues, Gospel, Blues und Jazz. Im folgenden Jahrzehnt war Soul ein Synonym für schwarze
Popmusik. Kennzeichnend dafür waren vor allem die Produktionen von Motown Records, zum Beispiel Diana
Ross & The Supremes oder den Temptations. Seither sind herzergreifender Gesang und groovige Vibes die
größten Stilmerkmale des Soul. Zu den weiteren Ikonen des Soul gehören Ray Charles, James Brown,
Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke und Wilson Pickett. Deren Erfolg ist eng mit dem Kampf der US
amerikanischen Bürgerrechtsbewegung gegen Rassentrennung und für Gleichberechtigung verbunden. 1969
benannte man die Rhythm'n'Blues- in Soul-Charts um. Der Soul-Orkan, der während der Sechziger in den
Charts tobte, ebbte jedoch wieder ab, kam aber runderneuert in den 70ern als Phillysound wieder zu
erneuten Hitparadenehren. 1982 änderte man die Chart-Bezeichnung von Soul in Black Music. Die
vorliegende Kompilation vereint die legendären Stimmen des Soul mit ihren unvergesslichen Hits.

Born Marian Himburg, Causa has been on the rise for several years now, with a tight and impressive discography on labels including Crucial Recordings, Infernal Sounds, and J:Kenzo's Artikal Music UK. Known for carefully focused cuts that marry dub sensibilities with dubstep weight, his debut for ZamZam is exactly what you'd hope: heavy 140 wares for deep dances.

'Space Dub' is an orbiting station of decaying delays and insistent bleeps that resolve into an absolutely massive riddim that causes pure murderation on the floor. Machine sounds and lasers spar over dread, lurching bass, while thick snares cut through the reverb haze to reveal the cold, starry cosmos beyond.
'Concrete Dub' works with a similarly industrial sound palette in the service of a minimalist, skanking steppers that drives hard into the heart of sound system. Disembodied voices, growling-deep horn stabs, a single piercing flute note, and a myriad of other sonic signifiers emerge and retreat, as if being pulled under by the unrelenting force of the primordial sub & kick attack. You've been warned!