Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

"In The Midst Of The Storm" brings together two exceptional talents and two generations of reggae musicians. Jah9's previous release "9" was critically heralded as one of the most re-freshing reggae albums of 2016. And now, fans will get the fully de-constructed, dubwise version of the album with nine newly recorded dub sessions from the legendary dub master, Mad Professor. He's renown for hundreds of productions with the who's who of jamaican veteran artist like i.e. Lee Perry, U-Roy, The Congos, Horace Andy, and did also great dub re-mixes for Massive Attack, Sade, Depeche Mode, Grace Jones and many more. This release marks the first Mad Professor title with VP Records as well as the first commercial recording of Mad Professor and Jah9 together. The press and media coverage will include interviews with Mad Professor and Jah9. The great original cover illustration is by artist Richard Nattoo!

Before Aretha hit big with her stomping southern soul sound in the late 60s, she'd already had quite a career. Beginning as a gospel singer Franklin spent the early 60s recording in a variety of styles to varying success. While her other releases were overproduced and poppy, these very early recordings with the Ray Bryant group are beautiful jazz vocal stylings in the manner of Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald. Beautifully recorded with no overdubs this is fantastic early 60s jazz and her voice is as perfect a fit for this material as it is for the soul she's famous for.

Following the sucess of 'Train Wreck' and 'Tree's' on ASXXX001, Ash Walker returns with a bang for his second installment on his Vinyl only, White Label series, with 'Put it on' & 'Bush Weed''

A-side 'Put It On' is a straight up summer sizzler! A hip-hop meets rocksteady mashup, Ash Walker style. The tune carries with it the now well-established 'live' sound that Ash has been developing over the last few years, and the addition of his trademark reverbs and effects ensures that this one will get a great reaction whether being enjoyed to at home or played out to a dancefloor.

AA-side 'Bush Weed' comes like an Augustus Pablo classic updated by Ash and his band for the 21stCentury. The delicate acoustic intro sets the tone for what is sure to be a big tune this summer, before a powerful bass line enters the mix and becomes the tune's backbone. We later hear a melodica added to enhance even further to the track's expansive sense of atmosphere. The crisp guitar at the start of the track reappears towards the end to wrap up four minutes of sun-drenched and beautiful music.

Ash's unique fusion of jazz, dub and trip-hop has been getting consistent support from producers and DJs across the board, from Gilles Peterson and Don Letts at BBC Radio 6 Music, through Joe Kay at Soulection to Tim Parker, Throwing Shade and Trevor Jackson all at NTS Radio.

Given the success of Volumes 1 & 2 it would have been rude for Mako & Mr Bristow not to follow-up with a Stank Soul Edits Vol. 3 so that is precisely what they have done. And this time they're hitting you with both barrels of the sister-funk shotgun. On the A-side, is "How Strong Is Your Booty", which re-tools a horns-toting southern soul ballad into a sho' nuff, dancefloor anthem while on the flip, a different diva's late-night love-song to her man becomes raunchy, stone-cold banger So Glad. Oohh, mama's got a bag of her own !

Our Soul7 label is back with bang with a double sided treasure from the early '80s by a little known Detroit band called Pure Pleasure


DJs and dancers alike will love this full-sounding remastered 7" repress!

It's hard to decide which of the two sides is better, the outstanding, uplifting "By My Side" is considered 'the track' - but don't dismiss the flip! Co-written and sung by Barbara Love, 'By My Side' is a super charged mid-tempo vocal dancefloor fave that's a blinder from the start with driven, tight horn and bass stabs swinging into a stunning two step soul track with the perfect beat. It,'s as wonderful on first hearing today as it was back in 1981. 'I remember heading down to Indianapolis to cut this record. We had a lot of fun' Barbara told us recently, 'I don't know why we went all the way down there, it was all over in a day'.

On the flip "Dancin & Prancin", a true dancer from the off, disco jazz funk bass groove and a top class vocal from Tony D. Perfect sounding for today's modern soul clubs - it even includes a nice b-boy disco drum break!

The band members all went to the same school in Detroit back in the late '60s. Upon leaving school the boys started a band called The Soulful Sonics in the early '70s. Barbara used to gig with them on occasion but nothing was ever recorded. The band changed their name to Pure Pleasure in the mid '70s and in 1979 they asked Barbara to join. Around June 1980 'By My Side' had been written and the group were finally readly to release a 45 on their own label. QC Records was born - it stood for "Quick Cash"!

Unfortunately, like many bands after their first release, tensions arose which caused a breakup. In this case it was disruption within the band due to Barbara getting the lion's share of credit and attention. But years late Pure

Pleasure

is back together doing gigs and rockin' the crowds

, and this 45 lets the music live on.

The next instalment in the Dubplate series sees our very own Scrimshire step up to the plate for the fourth time!

Having gained huge amounts of radio play for his own productions, as well as the occasional cheeky re-edit, Scrimshire brings us two firing reworks of somewhat unsung soul singer, Margie Joseph.

Her version of I Can't Move No Mountains is given extra fire for the dance floor with plenty of twist and turns along the way, while her take on the Bill Withers classic The Same Love That Made Me Laugh, is given a little extra bounce that makes it a slightly more subtle club killer.

Silicon Valley The Soundtrack, music from the original series. Features a collection of new exclusive songs and song highlights from past seasons from an array of legendary and rising artists including the likes of Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Danny Brown, DJ Shadow, Hudson Mohawke, Too $hort and more.

Anticipated full length major label debut from multi platinum certified rapper/artist 21 Savage. A 14 track album available on vinyl format only. Producers include Metro Boomin, DJ Mustard & Southside. The animated cover is by popular artist Somehoodlum. Radio support at R1, 1Xtra, Kiss, ILR. Specialist press ads & reviews. Online & social media activity.

'We Are Vinyl' reissue - a 10 track double vinyl on 140 gm black vinyl with download code.

Jay Glass Dubs remixes Guerilla Toss, more details to be announced soon.

Names You Can Trust teams up with spacey synth wiz Donatinho and his father, the legendary João Donato, to release an exclusive 7-inch single from the duo's fantastic new album, Sintetizamor. While the full-length is only available in Brazil, this crisp single, mastered especially for vinyl, will be reaching stores in the US and around the world this summer.

Included are two cuts that set modern boogie funk fans alight when they leaked out online: "Lei Do Amor," with a sophisticated slinky groove that brings to mind a Brazilian Kashif, and the talkbox feature "Surreal," a knowing nod to Herbie Hancock's classic "I Thought It Was You" with all the hip touches the Rio de Janerio Donato duo do so effortlessly.

The single comes housed in a custom screened NYCT company sleeve with a full color postcard reproduction of the album cover art, a spectacular image crafted by Allan Jefferson of D.C. Comics.

Keyon Harrold is one of the most sought after trumpet players in the world, having worked with Beyonce, Keith Richards, Maxwell, Jay-Z, Rihanna and more. Keyon played the trumpet sound of Don Cheadle playing Miles Davis in the 2015 biopic. This new album is a 12 track hybrid of jazz, hip hop, blues, rock and reggae with featured artists including Robert Glasper, Gary Clark Jr, Bilal, Pharoahe Monch and Guy Torry. Specialist promo/marketing. Single LP format will follow in mid October.

Record Kicks proudly presents "A little taste of Soul" / Unwind Yourelf" a little appetizer of the much awaited new album by James Brown's protégée Martha High produced and recorded in Tokyo by mighty Osaka Monaurail. This 45 vinyl is limited to 500 copies worldwide and anticipates Martha High's forthcoming new album "Tribute to my soul Sisters".

The "funky diva" Martha High has been an integral part of James Brown's life and career for more than 30 years. After a lifetime spent shoulder to shoulder with the Godfather of Soul, she flew to Tokyo and teamed up with Japanese funk ambassadors Osaka Monaurail to pay homage to the great Soul Sisters of the JB Revue.

Born in Victoria, Virginia and discovered by rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley, Martha took off her career with soul band The Jewels, with whom she scored the national hit 'Opportunity" in 1964. Soon The Jewels caught the attention of James Brown in the same year the group joined the "James Brown Revue". Martha stayed with James Brown and continued to work with him as his personal vocalist for 32 years. Mr.Brown produced several Martha's singles on his own label "People" such as "Georgy Girl", "Try Me" and "Summertime",meanwhile Martha launched her solo career in 1979 with the self-titled debut LP for "Salsoul Records". Since then she released five albums under her name and, being one of the "hardest working ladies in the show business", she became as well the lead singer of the legendary funky music machine Maceo Parker. Throughout her career Martha shared stages worldwide with some iconic artists like Little Richard, Jerry lee Lewis, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson and George Clinton to name a few.

It was the year 1977 when a bunch of musicians went into a small studio somewhere in North Carolina. They called themselves Mel-O-Madnezz and what they were about to record was nothing but a monstrous 2-sider. "What You Getting High On" is what the funk fans may prefer over the flip side. But let me tell you, "Beautiful Day" with its charming intro is no less exciting! Regardless where you listen to both songs, either on a loud sound system in a club or in your living room at home, as soon as the needle hits the grooves you will have a Beautiful Day!

A brand new collection of 13 dance classics & fans favourites. Includes "Thriller", "Blood on the Dancefloor", "Scream", "Dirty Diana", "Xscape", "Ghosts" & more plus a brand new bonus track which is a 5 song mix ('The White Panda Mash Up'). Fans can unlock an immersive augmented reality experience from their mobile device. Includes a collectable poster.

Deep Funk out of Seattle! Camelot Records, operated by Jan Kurtis Skugstad from 1964 to 1966, released an astounding number of 45s during its short time of existence. Mr. Clean & The Cleansers' "Karate" was one of them and remained their sole 45 for the label. It was co-written by Ron Buford who is best known for his own recordings on Camelot. Those of you who are familiar with his playing will certainly recognize him on the Hammond B3. As most of the 45s on Camelot they are not that easy to turn up so here you have one hell of a re-issue.

1985 in Tokyo, the Japanese ska scene saw the dawn of a new era when Ska Flames run into the circuit.

Back then there wasn't even a club scene, although the city had some ska hot dances where live music was happening and DJs were playing out their gems. In fact that was the only place in Japan where you can buy or even listen to the Jamaican ska music. Those ska musicians and DJs were seen as cool and hip players causing this movement by drowning themselves into the Skatalites records.

That's when an English gentleman, goes under the name of Gaz Mayall, who discovered the Ska Flames while his visit in Japan. The band released their first album "Ska Fever" for Gaz Rockin' Blues in 1989, successfully debuting the London gig the same year spreading their name across the globe. What's interesting is their song titles, "Samurai", "Kurosawa" and even "Hot Sake". They are all seemingly named by Gaz who perhaps felt the Japanese romance to their music. The Ska Flames indeed is a band that deserves it all.

The Ska Flames music is unconventional - like if they only play what they felt the best ska at times. It's manly, but rich in variety and humorous at the same time. Their first single "Tokyo Shot" sounds miraculously refined like Showa pops.

When you talk about the live shows of the Ska Flames, it's like a Japanese local festival. Full of atmosphere and good vibes. Every band member stands on the stage like bosses, confidence would be the only word that can explain their presence. Legendary, it is also known that their gigs sell more booze than anyone else's.

In 1989, when the Skatalies and Prince Buster toured Japan, the Ska Flames represented the Japanese ska scene receiving applause from every punter. Since then, they played the same roll supporting other Jamaican legends at numeros occasions, acting as a bridge between the two countries.

It's been over thirty years since the beginning, meanwhile the Japanese ska scene has strongly been established and is as bold as ever. We cannot measure how much contribution the founding members such as Kenji Miyazaki, Koji Ise, Akihito Nakasu, Seiichi Nagai, Toru Shibagaki and Kei Miyanaga, as well as the next generation Michihisa Ishii, Kei Mizorogi, Jin Shimura and Naoki Tanaka have rendered to the Japanese music.

The Ska Flames have been and will always be leading the Japanese ska music spreading the good vibes all around. Right about now, I would like to present this stunning album to all the great musicians of Jamaica and no other than Prince Buster.

Naoki Ienaga (Dub Store Records)

Bottoms Up: Two Decades of Sofa Surfing! - The celebration of 20
years of band history presents a selection of new songs and freshed
up connections with old companions for all crucial reworks including
features by Dälek, Oddateee, Jeb Loy Nicols and Junior Delgado. The
longplayer is available as CD-Digipak and heavyweight LP-Vinyl
180gram ltd. edition!

We welcome back long-time First Word family, Souleance, with 'Bamboule', fresh from their respective cut-ups for our sister label, Excursions, and their recent 'Raw Funk' set, we have a 5-track EP containing something for all the family, crafted with love once again by France's Fulgeance & DJ Soulist. A truly eclectic collection, comprised of afro grooves, tropical vibes, b-boy rhymes, head-nodding shakers and intensely hype floor-fillers. A seriously fun selection.

It kicks off with 'Partay', a mid-tempo slice of bouncy tropical boogie that does exactly what it says on the tin. An effervescent synth-bassline rides on top of a delectable disco shuffle, complete with classic reggae chants.

Title track 'Bamboule' is a seriously energetic afro-funk beast. A truly infectious percussive rhythm track, laced with an immense bassline, vocal chops and synth rides, this one is 100% guaranteed to entice any dancefloor into a trance-like state of bugged-out body moves.

'That Guy' is some uptempo piano-rolling hip hop business, enlisting the help of Brooklyn MC, Von Pea, from the crew Tanya Morgan, who've been making noise on the independent hip hop scene for over a decade, as well as recently collaborating with GUTS.

We dip down to around the 85BPM mark for 'J'aime Marcher', a lounging boom bap bumper with sloppy drums, jazzy rhodes and vivacious horns.

Closing the EP is 'Brown Bags', an almost Dilla-esque cut-up, complete with rolling neck-breaking drums, sweet soul samples and stabs of prog rock. An abundance of variety, we think you'll agree.

For those that don't know, the Parisian duo hooked up just over a decade ago, and haven't stopped to rock & shock parties, clubs and festivals globally since, building a fan-base of solid party people and revered selectors along the way. As always, the wonderful Alice Dufay provides the artwork, making this an essential package for you and yours.

Hidden fire from the Ra archives! A double 10' set featuring Sun Ra recordings from the outer limits and the underground. Initially released on2 seperate 10"s back in 2010/13 respectively and both quickly became collectors items. Don't miss them this time around...TIP!
.
Volume 1 features 'Along Came Ra', was a previously unissued live track recorded in Paris in 1983. With June Tyson in full voice, the Arkestra announce Sun Ra's arrival on a sleeping planet.

The flip features two previously unreleased cuts from the legendary Disco 3000 concert tapes, a mind-blowing quartet session that releases the full power of Sun Ra's Crumar Mainman synth. Volume 2 lifts three fine selections from the ultra-deep Sub-Underground series of Saturn LPs. The transcendent ballad 'Love Is For Always' and the driving, rootsy 'The World of Africa' come from 1974's Live at Temple U, while the myth-science poetics of 'Space is The Place/We Roam The Cosmos' is beamed down to earth from the 1975 What's New set.

As with the previous volumes, the third edition is also released on this ultra limited, lavishly produced 1940s style 6 x 10" album set which boasts four exclusive extra tracks. Issued with extensive biographical notes and exclusive photographs.

3 John Tejada produced tracks for Just Another Beat.

ABRI & the DREAMFLEET'S bold debut album features 10 tracks of groovy mid tempo songs from Dubai's most soulful. Singer/songwriter HAMDAN AL ABRI and DJ/producers ADRIANO K and MEGADON BETAMAX combine to produce an album of chilled out soul, house and reggae grooves. Fans of WONDER WHEEL, TRU THOUGHTS and BASTARD JAZ Z should dig it. A truly soulful experience from DESMO RECORDS. Vinyl comes in a picture sleeve.

New label which will showcase top funk producers on the scene under an alias umbrella of B Boy Funk Breaks personna. The label will focus on the important elements of any hip hop or funk dj ie the drums. Doing what it says on the tin taking rare funk tracks and re editing the fat back drums the imprint will aim to deliver limited edition small pressings of peak time jam hot dancefloor fodder for the breakers, B-Boys & B-Girls to give them the ammo to throw their best moves.... Hopefully some sound to follow.

Most of the musicians who gathered to record this fantastic spiritual jazz record for the Strata-East label on May 24th, 1974 had crossed each other's paths in various musical pairings over the preceding few years. Husband and wife team Dee Dee Bridgewater (vocals) and Cecil Bridgewater (trumpet) had been working together on albums like Frank Foster's "Loud Minority", and Roy Ayers' "Coffy" and "Virgo Red". Ten weeks before the "Freedom Of Speech" session, the couple had been joined in Tokyo by Cecil's brother Ronald Bridgewater (tenor saxaphone) to record Dee Dee's debut album, the beautiful "Afro Blue". Also in the studio on May 24th, 1974 was Donald Smith, (piano, vocals), fresh from recording on his older brother Lonnie Liston Smith's "Cosmic Funk" - on which Ronald Bridgewater had also played percussion. Cecil McBee (bass) was also there - just two weeks before, he'd completed his own Strata East date "Mutima", and in February he'd played on Mtume's "Rebirth Cycle" - with both albums also featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater on vocals. He'd also played on Lonnie Liston Smith's "Astral Travelling".

So 1974 was a huge year for all five of these people. Donald Smith and Cecil McBee were six months away from recording on Lonnie Liston Smith's massive "Expansions", with McBee fitting in a few Pharoah Sanders albums in between.

AND THEN, THE MYSTERY ... So with all this fervent activity, the question has to be asked ...Who was Billy Earl Parker Jr (drums), the leader of this session

Billy Parker remains unlisted as a musician on all major jazz sites. His only other recording appears to be as a percussionist on Charles Tolliver's "Impact" in 1975. Then there's nothing.

Finally, by backtracking one of those Zoom info pages, I found a summary of a "SUNY Rockland Community College" 2002 press release that no longer exists :

"Billy Parker's Fourth World Legacy Concert ...The concert, Billy Parker's Fourth World Legacy, is the eighth annual tribute honouring the late percussionist and RCC educator, Billy Parker. A long-time Rockland County resident, Parker began his affiliation with RCC in 1987, building its jazz program and maintaining his life-long tradition of teaching and inspiring others. A lifelong student himself, Parker was near completion of his doctorate in music education at New York University when he died in 1996.

But then people began to read this blog post, and in the comments, Aaron Fuller said :

"Billy Parker was my uncle. He was an incredibly talented, smart, and kind man. I'm very happy to see that folks are still enjoying his masterpiece. Just to give you a bit more information about him... He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and then attended college at Michigan State University. He met my aunt in Lansing. They lived in NY and toured in Europe for quite a while. Sometime later they relocated to Nyack, NY and he ended up on the faculty of the community college while he pursued advanced degrees from NYU. He was an Ellington scholar. Although his name isn't well-known even among the most avid jazz fans, I think that if you were to talk to some of the great NY musicians that were around in the late 60s and 70s you would find that most knew him. He also had a huge impact as a music educator and I have no doubt that his former students are all over the place, continuing to put his love of the art into practice."

Funeral Balloons is the new album from acclaimed producer & NYC fixture Blockhead (real name, Tony Simon). Funeral Balloons is as bold and irreverent as the title suggests, from the uplifting and energetic mood of Bad Case of the Sundays' to the spaced out airy grooves found on UFMOG' all the way to the 1970s car chase anthem like Escape from NY', the songs never stop in one place. While, at its core, Funeral Balloons doesn't stray far from the kind of music Blockhead has been making since his debut Music by Cavelight, his evolution as a producer is on full display, exploring different avenues and sounds with every new release and continuing to forge his own lane between the worlds of hip-hop and electronic music.

Originally this was an ultra rare 1989 album from Buster Bloodvessel of Bad Manners fame. This spin-off group's LP is one of the most sought after collectable Ska releases of the 1980s, Mad Butcher is pleased to present this high quality reissue on their sub-label Black Butcher Classics.

This one take, all-vinyl mixtape was created by Damu The Fudgemunk in 2014 for the legendary (but now defunct) Ego Trip Magazine's Top 10 Sample Flips' feature, in which he highlighted and analyzed his favorite sample flips ... 10 wasn't enough so he highlighted his favorite 20. Consider this the soundtrack / companion piece to the written article. The mix consists of classic rap songs mixed along with the original samples that were used to construct the beats. Damu says: This is music that I cherish and enjoy. I take pride in having these records in my collection. Please do you your research and dig deeper into the catalogs of each artists to keep their music alive. Much respect to the talent and efforts of all the people who were a part of these songs. Thank you for listening.'

What happens when the best of the Bronx meets ATL's finest Nothing less than a 'Black Tie Affair'. Having met back in 2008, Dillon & the legendary Diamond D have been friends and artistic associates from day one. Those paying attention would have noticed a Diamond produced track on Dillon's 2010 EP, 'Dillon Ain't Playin' + Dillon's mixing credits on Diamond's 2014 'The Diam Piece' and most recently Sadat X's 'The Sum of a Man' (produced entirely by D Squizzy). All the while, they've been cooking up classy joints together on the side, waiting for the right time to let the heads in on 'the next kept secret'. Black Tie Affair is not only a celebration of the finer things in life, but it's also a tribute to the B-Boys/Girls & Hip Hop heads worldwide who appreciate that Boom-Bap with a bow tie. It's sophisticated rap music strictly for the connoisseurs. As soon as the needle drops you'll be sure to say...'That's that shit!' Black Tie Affair is a 5 track, vinyl-only EP that features Paten Locke + additional help from Boog Brown, Alexa Lima on piano, Ben Hameen on guitar, Terminus Horns & DJ Harrison. The B-side of the record features all of the Diamond D produced instrumentals.

Leaving Records presents new material from Opio of Souls of Mischief/ Hieroglyphics. The project was produced by Dakim (Leaving, Stones Throw, Detroit), features Homeboy Sandman and was mixed and mastered by Matthewdavid.

'Kiss, Cuddle & Torture Volume 1' is the debut album from London outit The Hempolics. If variety is the spice of life then this album embodies it, taking a heavy reggae roots infuence and mashing it with hip hop, electro, soul, rock and pop to provide an antdote to the atenton-defcit generaton. Some bands talk an 'all killer no fller' album, The Hempolics walk it.
Over years of recording top internatonal talent The Hempolics enigmatc leader, Grippa Laybourne, has been carefully honing his own masterpiece and selectng a gang armed and dangerous enough to execute it. Alongside mainstay vocalists Nubiya, Dandelion and Harry come other top talent including Maxi Jazz and Paolo Nutni. Singles of the album have already picked up massive support on BBC Radio.
With a unique modern yet vintage sound and a serious punk DIY ethic this working class band are destned to have the rich kids and performance school drones dominatng the industry quaking in their wake. This is the sound of the underdog
coming to bite.

"Absolutely fabulous"
Shaun Keaveney, BBC6

"Absolutely one of the best reggae acts in the UK right now."
Chris Hawkins, BBC6

"Super special"
David Rodigan, BBC1Xtra

Invisible Starlight is a ripping tune by an unknown midwestern funk outfit with a driving backbeat and soaring horns. It sounds like Ohio to us, but we can't be certain.
However, we are sure that this band must have rocked local bowling alleys and lounges wherever they went. Universal Cave is proud to present our edit to
our fellow 45 loving movers and groovers.
On the flip, The Beat Broker rounds out the original with his signature style and an impeccable ear. The Kind Dub's sun drenched delay and reinforced drums ensure that Invisible Starlight will shine on any dancefloor.

Official Cassette Store Day 2017 title. AMERIGO GAZAWAY's all time classic mash-up that takes ATCQ productions and re-orchestrates them by using the original jazz, soul, and funk recordings sampled paired with vocals from THE PHARCYDE. Vocals side A, instrumentals side B. Green shell. Ltd ed 100.

ASTRO TAPES & STAR CREATURE team up with the GREAT LAKES ACCELERATED TRANSIT ALLIANCE to create a soundtrack of original music produced by DJ MOPPY (BOOGIE MUNSTERS CREW) representing the underground electronic dance sounds of both Chicago and Detroit.

Unleashing his debut release, Preacha steps out on NICE UP! with an instant classic. Channeling some deep 80s dancehall vibes, the production is a sweet marriage of old & new - referencing the classic digital drum machines of the past whilst keeping the vibes modern and fresh. Vocals are delivered courtesy of Jay Spaker, a veteran Brooklyn mic man and singer, who holds the vibe perfectly.

Already hot on soundsystems such as Reggae Roast, Mungo's Hifi and Dub Stuy, this track should be getting constant rotation on a sound near you soon!