Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

2017 was a serious year for Von D, with releases on a number of great labels including our long-format imprint Khaliphonic, plus Amar, Moonshine, Lion Charge and more. For ZamZam, Von D has delivered 'Over' -- a brooding, burning 140 anthem providing serious heat as we head into the dark winter months.
'Over' features a powerful half-time reggae riddim built from Von D's signature warm, enveloping bass and restrained but powerful drums. Tambourine and guiro add flavor while the snares slap, and Meekman's kete drum rocks throughout, adding a swing and live feeling missing from many contemporary in-the-box sound system tunes. Melodica and synth skank in unison, underpinning a dizzying spread of analog signals & sonics.
With reality lyrics straight from Kingston JA courtesy of Shamarie Kamar Bogle AKA Digital Sham, the tune is brought to a boil with heady verbal vapors on poverty, struggle, corruption, daily stresses caused by the political shitstem, and the inevitable end of the wickedness that is so prevalent in these times.
The dub version spools out the echoes and forwards the kete drum in fine style, displaying brilliant filter-sweep moves and reverbs so luscious the space they define seems to breathe. 'Chalice Overdubs' also features gorgeous guitar work starting halfway through, adding another melodic, rhythmic and textural element for much more than a simple version.

Digital and massive dancehall booster

10 song hits compilation originally released in 1970. Includes "September" and a cover of the Beatles' "Got To Get You Into My Life". Standard black vinyl with download code insert.

One digital reggae Top Class sound and its digital dub instrumental on the flip.

Re-press. Early rocksteady, Clancy Eccles production from 1967.

Re-press. 1978 recording, originally issued on Augustus Pablo's Rockers label, taken from his 'Africa Must Be Free By 1983' LP.

Kingston, Jamaica, spring 1978, and Lloyd Parks is taking his We The People band in to Joe Gibbs' Studio to record the 'Meet The People' album. Lloyd has already achieved big local hits both as a solo singer and with the Termites, and had three solo albums released by Trojan in the UK. Now, as a session musician, he is at the heart of Joe Gibbs' quest for international success. That February his bass playing helped to propel Althea and Donna's 'Uptown Top Ranking' to number one in the British charts.

By 1978, Joe Gibbs was really starting to taste international success, with the 'African Dub' series and albums by Culture and Prince Far I having found a wide audience overseas, and Dennis Brown just about to break through.

As the We The People band became increasingly in demand as a live act, Lloyd's collaborations with Dennis Brown for Joe Gibbs created a huge hit with their recut of 'Money In My Pocket', and a brace of albums for A&M. Yet just as the studio's global reach seemed assured, Joe Gibbs found himself caught up in a dispute over songwriting royalties for JC Lodge's 'Someone Loves You Honey'.

The 'Meet The People' album may have had limited distribution, but its rarity has only added to its strong reputation with afficionados over the years. Today its songs of reality still resonate, and vibrancy of the musicians still jumps out of the speakers.

ORANGE ST. SPECIAL VERSIONS ! EARTH SOUND RECORDS IS SHAKING THE PLACE WITH TWO RARE CUTS OF PRINCE BUSTER & THE ALL STARS CLASSIC HITS.'THE BLUES' AKA EARTHQUAKE (ALT. TAKE) B/W SHAKING UP ORANGE ST. VERSION

Perhaps the greatest crossover artist that ever was, it is impossible to overstate the impact that Ray Charles had on the evolution of both R&B and rock 'n' roll. Charles' distinctive style transcended genres and influenced musicians from every musical background and from every corner of the globe, but it was during the mid-fifties that Charles really began to rule the R&B charts. His legendary debut LP - originally released in 1957 (and later renamed Hallelujah! I Love Her So) for Atlantic - was essentially a collection of those hit singles. In 1955 Ray had his first number one hit, 'I've Got A Woman,' followed by his second and third number one hits, 'A Fool For You,' and 'Drown in My Own Tears,' over just the next few months. Almost all of the remaining tracks on the album were also top ten hits from that same period, including 'Greenbacks,' 'Hallelujah I Love Her So,' and 'This Little Girl of Mine.' This was undoubtedly the era that defined the legend."

Excellent good feeling style of an digital dub ina Dancehall style

Includes a download card to WAV files of the entire album and a digital booklet.
World's Experience Orchestra's first album was recorded in and around Boston, in the mid 1970s and committed to vinyl in miniscule press runs by a visionary, bassist/ composer / arranger John Jamyll Jones. Jones is a magical type, who communicates with his instrument, his ensembles, and jazz's ancient lineage in a manner so profound that his late-'70s album are out of time with jazz's trajectory, but timeless when presented today. By the late '90s the music of World's Experience Orchestra was circulating throughout the collections of esoteric jazz fans, the likes of Gerald Jazzman' Short and Gilles Peterson, who played The Prayer' for those, the Coltrane-enthralled searching for something new, something different. Something spiritual and honest. Peterson first offered to reissue The Prayer,' as part of an anthology he was putting together with Los Angeles reissue label Ubiquity Records and that, to date, is the only official issue of any of Jones' music. I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't know when,' says Jones of the road to seeing his music re-issued. It's 35 years or more now, and I've been waiting for this, and I'm quite sure I'm not the only one.'

First making waves with the almost cult level 'Hype Williams' project, and then more recently solo and as part of the group Babyfather, the new 8 track LP sees Blunt step back into the shadowy role of producer for a new band called Blue Iverson.

2017 Remastered and fully authorized edition !
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On the original 1965 The Magic City LP, issued on Saturn, the monster 27-1/2 minute title track sprawled across side A. Ra customarily supervised the Arkestra's improvisational process via keyboard cues or hand signals. He was always in charge—hence critic Simon Adams describing the title track as "27 minutes of controlled freedom." "The Magic City" was never performed in concert, saxophonist John Gilmore said it was "unreproducible, a tapestry of sound." Although shorter in scope than side A's magnum opus, the four works on The Magic City's flip side reflect the same improvisational approach, spatiality, and lack of structure.
One session outtake, "Other Worlds," an alternate version
of "Shadow World," is included as a bonus track on side B.
First-generation Saturn pressings of The Magic City were monophonic. A full stereo version had been issued on Sun Ra's Thoth subsidiary label sometime after 1969, however, it suffered from a technical flaw that prevented many copies of the LP from tracking cleanly through the first cut on side B. A 1973 gatefold LP reissue on Impulse featured reprocessed stereo. For this definitive reissue, Cosmic Myth Records used stereo sources which are superior to the Thoth pressing.

For this definitive edition, historical and technical notes are provided by noted jazz historian Ben Young, who restored and remastered the album with his Triple Point Records partner Joe Lizzi. Both men have been recognized for their extensive work on the Grammy Nominated Albert Ayler boxset, released on Revenant records in 2005.

Cosmic Myth Records issues recordings under license from Sun Ra LLC. The series is being co-produced and supervised by Irwin Chusid (Raymond Scott, Esquivel, Langley School Music Project) and Michael D. Anderson, who maintains the Sun Ra Music
Archive, the world's foremost collection of original Ra session masters.

Danish born/Stockholm based house producer, Anders and serves up his debut release - Love on 12 vinyl. This marks the first physical output for Brown Fat, a fresh new label out of Stockholm. A rich patchwork of influences have made up his exotic sound, along with the artists' experience in living and studying in London for 7 years, where he developed a raw style that fuses complex jazz, African drumming and blissed out ambient grooves together into something refreshingly original - it's no wonder why he is considered to be one to watch in 2017. The Love mini album takes you on a journey through a range of musical timbres, meticulously arranged acoustic samples into complex blends of sound, with surgical precision yet raw and rough production methods. The artist has re-contextualised lost snippets of gospel and soul within this record, with a keen interest in expression through rhythm and organic percussion - giving it the perfect vibe for a sultry summer's evening. The album has been influenced by everything from primal ethnic music, jazz and soul, through house and techno, all the way to textural ambient. In this album, Anders and displays his skills of dissonance and tension as a way to bring more energy and emotion to music - resulting in an uplifting, warm and grandiose expression of love through his sound. Vital Sales Points: - Already played by Mall Grab, Will Lister, Bradley Zero, Axel Boman - Radio appearances on: Radar radio, Balamii radio, RTR FM - Stockholm and London shows with support from Will Lister, Alexander Nut & Judah

The warm dim light of the bedside lamp conjures up a kind of shadow theatre, sends the little stars on the ceiling into a spin, and fills the bedroom with a sense of profound peace. A small music box rounds out the evening atmosphere with soft little melodies. Perched at the side of his daughter's little bed, he watches over his little beat princess' slumber and her dreams, all while enjoying with satisfaction the unencumbered lightness of being at night...

The EP Hannah by the Leipzig-based beatmaker Duktus is a musical tribute to his three-year-old daughter and a personal instrumentalization of fatherhood.

A story told from Duktus' point of view in six different pieces, we can become part of little Hannah's world, as she plays in her room and runs around the playground, goes on adventures during the day and dreams at night.

In EP Hannah, Duktus casts his musical gaze backward in two different ways - both in terms of the experience of being a father and the moments, great and small, that this involves, as well as in terms of his musical influences over the past three years. This produces an atmosphere which, however, does not waver from Duktus' musical direction between uptempo broken beats and downbeat house grooves.

The EP Hannah cover was painted by Hannah herself at the age of two. And it is being produced in a complicated silk-screen process, printed in purple - Lila's favorite color! - on uncoated paper, making for a tactile homage to the little beat princess.

It is only a matter of time before Hannah discovers the record for herself as well. She already got her own record player as a present - from her dad, of course - and is a big fan of old fairy tale records. In the eyes and ears of a DJ and beatmaker, this is all a matter of early musical education.
- I dedicate this record to my daughter Hannah'
- Duktus -

Original pressing. Canadian import.

Essential Disco right here - 'Act Like You Know'! What a banger, famously sampled by De La Soul on 'Ring Ring Ring'. Old school CLASSIC!

Midnight Star - Freak-A-Zoid / Operator / No Parking On The Dance Floor

Storming vocoder Boogie produced by Reggie Calloway and remixed by the legendary Timmy Regisford!

Essential business for the Electro and Funk freaks out there, pressed on a nice loud 12".

Jazz classic alert! Reissue from this soul/jazz-funk fusion album originally released in 1982 on Poet Records. 500 copy LTD edition!

In May 1976 a record was released that would have an unforeseen and lasting impact on the music industry Ten Percent' by Double Exposure was an early release on the New York independent label Salsoul Records. America was in the grip of a disco explosion with new clubs opening on a weekly basis, Salsoul saw what was happening and swiftly created a sound for their label, heavily influenced by the music then coming out of Philadelphia, aimed directly at New York's dance-floors. Records like Salsoul Hustle,' Tangerine' and You're Just The Right Size' by The Salsoul Orchestra borrowed heavily from the beautifully orchestrated Philadelphia International records but added a more percussive, bass heavy depth that New York's DJs loved. So what was so special about this particular single then Double Exposure was, after all, just another band, Ten Percent' just another song, one of many disco' records released that week. First of all Salsoul became the first record label to make a twelve inch single available to Joe Public - the exotic format was previously only available to DJs as promotional items or bought under the counter at certain record stores. Not only that though, the extended version was created by Walter Gibbons, a DJ at New York's Galaxy 21 who'd built his reputation making exclusive versions of tracks to play in his sets. In 1976 it was unheard of for a DJ to set foot in a recording studio, being seen as little more than living jukeboxes by the serious music industry. Recording studios were strictly the domain of recording artists and producers so Walter found himself in a unique position, gaining access to a world no DJ had been granted before. Or so we thought...
The Men In The Glass Booth tells the full story. Featuring ground breaking re-edits and remixes by some of the Disco era's most influential DJs including Walter Gibbons, Bobby DJ Guttadaro, Tom Savarese, Jellybean Benitez, Tee Scott and John Luongo, this opulent release also includes a 40 page book which features exclusive photos and insights from some of the story's key figures.

P2s is back with a second Break Beat Maboul edition by Dj Clif. Including breakbeat, scratches & acapella ! .

2 track Single from Brimstone released by Fam's/Dub Store Records

Maestro Bruno Zambrini's soundtrack masterpiece originally recorded for the the TV series "RACCONTI DI MARE" in 1970, directed by Nestore Ungaro. Mental Vintage Underwater Score, one of the best from Library/Soundtrack music production. Music is a total trip with insane Psychedelic and Underground beats to die for, killer drum breaks, acquatic Lounge & Bossa themes and huge Underwater drama moods. The loungy atmospheres remind of sea trips nostalgia with the flowing sweet scat vocals broken by the spaced-out Underwater marine vibes. Unmissable Italian OST!

Taking a tiny break from the vintage sounds of his stunning La Sombra album, Chip Wickham lets his hair hang down with surefire floor filler 'The Beatnik'. Funky wah-wah guitar licks, an uptempo breakbeat and his signature transverse flute give the tune an impetuous feel - the perfect soundtrack for a high-speed car chase.
The flipside is not quite as stormy. In fact, 'Rebel No.23' is a return to the jazz grooves of his debut album, or indeed a taste of what's to come on his followup album, slated for release in 2018.

Notes On A Journey present Dreamin a essential reissue of the private press masterpiece from Chuck Senrick.

2 track Single from Family Man & The Rebel Arms released by Cobra/Dub Store Records

Originating in a New York apartment and completed in a garage in suburban Sydney, Jonti's new album Tokorats is out on Stones Throw Records on 3rd November 2017. Following on from 2012 releases Twirligig and Sine & Moon, Tokorats is a psychedelic, harmony-rich dream-hop journey. Recording for the album began in 2013, and four years and up to 100 versions of each song later, Jonti is finally ready to invite you into his Tokorats universe.

Luiz Mendes Jr or "Junior Mendes" was a ubiquitous figure in the
Brazilian Soul / Funk scene of the 70s and early 80s, contributing to
compositions for bands such as Banda Black Rio , Tim Maia, Sandra de
Sá and many more. This, his only solo album has remained off the map
(unless your a collector of rare Brazilian vinyl). Despite his huge
contribution to Brazilian music the LP has remained unissued until
now, 35 years after its recording.

Obscure and much sought after Junior Reid title, originally released in 1984 on W.O.W. Music, reissued for the first time.

Tightly produced steppers track backed by the Revolutionaries and mixed at Channel One by Barnabus.

Lee Scott teams up with Jazz T on the production dropping two killer jazz laced boombap bangers "Ceiling" and "Urn Money".

Lee shows why he is one of the best lyricists out there killing the beats with intricate flows and raw hooks!

On remix duty we have Sleepwalker, AKA King Kashmere from Strange U, flipping "Ceiling" and Pitch 92, the legendary Mouse outfit producer, with his take on "Urn Money"

The 12" and digital also come with instrumentals of all the versions.

Artwork is by Stilts who completes this dope package.

'Eye Contact' comes 18 months after the release of his debut smash LP 'Chaos 93', which left a massive dent in the scene. 'Eye Contact' showcases his signature rapid-fire flow like never before, as he seems to even surpass the speeds demonstrated in his 2015 breakthrough debut single 'Walkin' (4m+ views on YouTube). In late summer 2016, Unilad posted an article claiming that Ocean Wisdom had dethroned Eminem as the 'fastest rapper' after managing to fit an impressive 4.45 words per second into his track 'Walkin' compared to Eminem's 4.31 words per second in 'Rap God'. This article and ones of a similar nature would go on to become viral, drawing praise for Ocean Wisdom, as well as being shared and commented on by some of the industry's forerunners such as The Game, D12 and Akon. It's hard to imagine that he could develop his speed further still!
To celebrate the release, we have also decided to release a limited run of 500 hand numbered 7 vinyls which feature 'Eye Contact' and a vinyl only exclusive remix by Strange U's Dr Zygote!

Following on from our extremely well received re-press of Pasteur Lappe's second album "Na Man Pass Man" here at Africa Seven we are really pleased to be heading back to the beginning with Pasteur. It is a another fine repress. The debut album "We, The People".

The story begins in the 60's with a charming 19 year old Nicolas "Pasteur" Lappe becoming a sensation on Radio Adele in Douala, Cameroun. He goes on to become the editor of the Douala Gazette newspaper and become friends with other African music stars such as Tala AM, J Moboule and Fela Kuti. He also works tirelessly promoting new and upcoming local Cameroonian talent. After moving to Paris, a stint in journalism school and publishing a book of poems "Chansons Negres" he finally settles into a new life of music in Paris.

Pasteur's first album was recorded in 1979 with the backing band and production collective called the Zulu Gang, which include Douglas Mbida (who went on to release several top flight albums himself) and Jacob Desvariaux (who went on to form Kassav). The album is full of diverse sounds, from driving funk, sweeping disco grooves, syrupy ballads, reggae, Jackson-five-esque pop to finger-lickin' soul. At its core though is the custom "Sekele" groove... a movement to encompass the dance, grooves and vibes from his native Douala.

The album opens with the pulsing grooves of "More Sekele Movement" which features driving bass groove, snappy percussion and catchy vocal lines from our hero. "Dora" is next. It is a sparkly Afro pop gem with stabby horns and a smooth catchy melody.

Things take a slow route for the next track - "Watch Get My Day Dreams" which is a slow smooth vocal number. Lazy Rhodes and a end-of-the-disco sway. It also features Maryse Lappe guesting on vocals. Things heat up on the flip with "Sekelimania (Nku Bilam)" bringing back the funk. Choppy guitar riffs, percussive clavinet and top-of-the-world horns power this smooth power funk along.

Next "The Sekele Movement" keeps the horn department busy with its Afro swing drums, walking bass lines and funky keys. This track was featured on the recent Analog Africa - "Pop Makossa" compilation. A real find. The album closes with a slow and forlorn love song. A partly spoken, partly sung love song which talks of separation and longing. The perfect thoughtful ending to a fine LP.

The nostalgic poet, with Africa at his essence Pasteur Lappe.