Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Dibia$e has cemented himself as a producer on the forefront of today's burgeoning beat scene. A product of Watts, CA, Dibia$e found his style in his mothers garage banging out beats while playing video games to avoid the strife of the street life - and he continues to grow with each and every release. Originally released on CD/Digital in 2011, Sound Palace has remained an absentee in Dibi's vinyl catalog...until now. Throughout the instrumental record, Dibiase shows his incredible ability at crafting spaced out 8 bit Nintendo beats merged with a Dilla-esque smoothness and a South Central twist into a sound wholly his own. From Baker's Dozen to Looney Goons to Schematiks, Dibiase's vinyl releases have garnered a reputation for selling out with a quickness. Strictly limited to 500 units and housed in a 2 color chipboard jacket, Sound Palace enables new fans and enthusiasts alike to add a sure shot to their collection.

HOLY SMOKE is the fabled collaboration between producer/rappers Jeremiah Jae & Zeroh. The nine songs recorded together in Los Angeles 2012 focus on the spirit, health and the sacred use of cannabis. The swiftly-produced HOLY SMOKE sessions got buried in Jae's relentless release schedule, ultimately archived in 2013 after a fresh signing with Warp Records and return to Chicago. The world's only clues to these lost sessions came in the appearance of tracks Trusted Friends' (2012) and Black Myth' (2013) on HIT+RUN compilation albums. Excavated from the vaults in early 2016, the nine-track self-titled HOLY SMOKE album (HNR63), finally sees a proper release on September 13th via HIT+RUN. Available on limited-edition cassette tapes, as well as special 10' colored vinyl (containing unique trails of silver smoke encased in clear wax) and housed in a one-of-a-kind silkscreened jacket (featuring artwork by Zeroh & PsyteOne). Only 400 quantity pressed and each album comes with HOLY SMOKE matches!

Five Parts of the Soul is inspired by the ancient egyptian concept of the Soul, which says that a human soul was made up of five parts: Heart, Shadow, Name, Soul and Spark. 5POTS is a five-part journey into the past, passing through desolate canyons and scorching deserts, obscure rain forests and crowded thrift markets. All of the songs have different styles and takes on what Soul music could be.

Limited edition of 300 records. Spot-glossed cover and lyric sheet insert included.

With the clarity of a lucid dream, Milo's new album So the Flies Don't Come combines sharp spoken words and riveting beats into an irrefutable work of art. His music is expansively original, like a science experiment whose constants are poetry and philosophy. So the Flies Don't Come features a crisp cast of guest artists: Myka 9, Elucid, Open Mike Eagle, and Hemlock Ernst a.k.a. Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands all bring their distinctive talents to the sonic table. Interesting breaks create a refreshing cadence in Souvenir (feat. Hemlock Ernst),' a stroll through the park that playfully pauses in thought. Let your soul fly with Zen Scientist (feat. Myka 9),' and tilt into the bright light as Yomilo' wrenches down the beat. A breathless finale to the album, Song About a Raygunn (An Ode to Driver)' sends off the listener with an undeniable burst of energy. Chill but aware, clever yet inviting - So the Flies Don't Come is a skillful showcase for Milo's articulate wit, expressive warmth, and gifted production

The stunningly prolific Manchester-based beat-monger My Neighbour Is has returned to the Cold Busted label for his eighth album of head nodding delights. Elegantly titled Moon's Reflection On A Quiet Lake, this set of funky dance floor nuggets showcases the producer's acumen for punchy, rolling rhythms, smooth melodic textures, and cleverly woven sample tapestries. Moon's Reflection On A Quiet Lake is perhaps the most accomplished effort yet from My Neighbour Is, evidencing an innovative producer on the rise. Don't miss it.

Plain Speaking is the lucid new release by Scallops Hotel, the candid alter ego of Chicago poet and producer Milo. A robust introduction for his new label imprint Ruby Yacht, the album blends experimental production and endearing beats with open, honest rhymes. Plain Speaking is profound yet accessible, a solid handhold to grasp onto amidst the chaos of the modern world. Easy yet serious, lighthearted and sincere, Plain Speaking immediately draws the listener inward. The album's first single Lavender Chunk' -- featuring Hemlock Ernst a.k.a. Samuel T. Herring of Future Islands -- leans back into a simpler time, remembered like a hazy dream. Slanting darker and submerged inside echoes, Tense Present' flips from contemplative flow into a stream of comforting clarity. True Nen' is a thoughtful track that breathes deeply, an offering of assurance over discord. Plain Speaking is a remedy, the cure for the common conversation. The familial tones and straightforward flow of Scallops Hotel function like an outstretched hand. Plain Speaking never pushes, rather it invites you to sit and listen. To have hope, and to heal through art.

Detroit blue-eyed Soul group Shades Of Blue are best known for their Edwin Starr penned gem "Oh How Happy".
It sold a million copies in the USA, although financial meltdown by a distributor meant their label, Impact, did not receive the financial rewards due.
In the UK, Island's now iconic Sue label released the disc, and it became a favourite for armies of Mods at Britain's underground Soul clubs.
The record's producer, John Rhys, flew to London to sign the deal and deliver the master tapes to Sue. As an off shoot he developed a relationship with Island boss Chris Blackwell and ended up supplying him with American sports cars, after being asked to drive them Michigan to build up mileage to meet UK import laws!.
What John - an Englishman dreaming his dream by being a songwriter. engineer and producer in Detroit in the middle of the Motor City's halcyon Sixties Soul golden era - did not tell Chris was that he had two unreleased tracks by "the Shades" in the vaults.
They stayed unknown until last year when John visited the UK to attend a Northern Soul Weekender to answer questions about his career including co-writing the classic "Time Will Pass You" recorded (without him knowing!) by Tobi Legend and regarded as THE best song adopted by the Rare Soul movement.

John let slip that he had with him the two Shades Of Blue tracks "Treats Me Right" and "New Spark Of Life" and after hearing them they were instantly snapped up by the Soulvation label.

John then went back into his paperwork and it turned out the musicans on the recording were The Funk Brothers - Mike Terry, Jack Ashford, Dennis Coffey, George McGregor, Bob Bobbitt and Johnny Griffiths - moonlighting away from Motown. The recording was made at Golden World Studio and the session was the last one at the legendary 3246 W Davison building before it was sold to Motown.

And John reveals in his sleeve notes that it was also the last ever recording by the Shades Of Blue because of a massive fall out by two of the group during the session.

The catalogue number, Impact 1033, follows the original USA Impact label numbering system.

"Treats Me Right" was written by John and Dino Fekarris, two thirds of the team who composed "Time Will Pass You By" whilst

"New Spark Of Life" was written by Edwin Starr.

Together they are both what would have been unknown Detroit Soul gems had John not made his visit to the UK last year. .

With many new roads traveled over the last few years, The Gaslamp Killer is back with the full-length LP Instrumentalepathy. Releasing on vinyl, CD and digital formats, GLK will initiate his new imprint Cuss Records with Instrumentalepathy. French surrealism artist Albane Simon designed the cover, supplying an array of psychedelic imagery that contains a brilliant sense of connection to GLK's music & the chaos he's survived. Instrumentalepathy features an impressive cast of artists tied closely to GLK over his music career with Brainfeeder, Low End Theory and beyond. Guests include Gonjasufi, Miguel Atwood Ferguson, Niki Randa, Kid Moxie, Mophono, Amir Yaghmai and The Heliocentrics. It's been over a decade since GLK and Gonjasufi have collaborated on new music, bringing the two natives of San Diego back together for something truly special. As many know, GLK used the triumphs of battling a near death experience three years ago when shaping his debut Cuss Records album. A handful of the tracks were even captured from his bed, unable to walk, with morphine running through his veins and staples in his body. A musical illumination that one could argue helped save his life and steared him towards the achievements he has accumulated with his live band The Gaslamp Killer Experience. Instrumentalepathy marks the catalyst point of an important road for GLK and the electronic community at large. Instrumentelephy, like his latest releases, continues down the rabbit hole of his debut full length Breakthrough (Brainfeeder) and the recent live record with his band The Gaslamp Killer Experience. Molding psychedelic ethos and heavy drum breaks with the traditional music language of his ancestors and the futuristic landscapes of modern electronica, GLK continues to push the boundaries of contemporary music.

LUGNUT BRAND RECORDS is very excited to bring to you this very special, vinyl-only release by THE M-TET PLUS TWO. Bringing in Erik Mekkelson on Tenor Saxophone and Dave Berger on Congas, The M-Tet expands their sound out to six pieces. Inspired heavily by Jimmy McGriff's Organ and Blues Band' and his dance-floor classic, The Worm', The M-Tet gets down to brass tacks and lays out some stuttering organ and funky drums. Larry Grogan of Funky16Corners says about this track, ...sounds like what Young-Holt might have done had they set themselves up around an Organ instead of a piano.'

The 3rd Generation band was formed in the late 70's led by 'Rockson', who was a soldier at the time. The band recorded only six tracks, all for Essiebons, including the two featured here - 'Because of Money' and 'Obi Ye Saa Wui'.Our man Gary Johnson bought a 7' from a dealer in New York on digging trip some years ago. He knew 'Because of Money', and was delighted to find that the B side was just as strong. 'Because of Money' was originally released on Essiebons - EB 398 7' and was featured on Soundway's excellent 'Ghana Soundz' compilation. The record is extremely rare - yet to make an appearance on either Discogs or even Popsike.This reissue is a replica 7', including the picture paper sleeve, carefully restored by Andrew Edwards.

Dubiterian is a Brazilian dub music producer and melodica specialist, graduated in audio engineering in Munich, Germany. He has performed since 2004 all over the world sharing the stage with the likes of The Skatalites, The Roots Radics, Ras Michael, Fully Fullwood, Mad Professor, Sister Nancy, Ranking Joe, Gentleman, Mungos Hi-Fi, Jahtari and Soom T, and has collaborated in the studio with heavyweight producers and artists such as The Scientist, Adrian Sherwood, and Dub Syndicate, amongst others. This tribute to Augustus Pablo, the great Jamaican roots reggae and dub record producer active from the 1970s onwards, is mixed by the legendary dub master Scientist

Giggs is set to release his new album, Landlord, on 5th August on SN1 Records. Album guests include Stormzy, Casisdead, Kyze, Dubz and Donae'o among others, and the lead single, Whippin' Excursion, is getting its premiere play as Zane Lowe's Hottest Record Thursday 21st July on Beats1.Whilst Landlord is Giggs' first album since 2013, the South London rapper has maintained a healthy profile in recent months thanks to several impressive guest features including anthem 'Man Don't Care' with Boy Better Know's Jme and '3 Wheel Ups' with Kano and Wiley. To date, Giggs has sold 100,000 albums and over 100,000 mixtapes, performed all over the world, and worked with household names such as Mark Ronson, B.O.B, Waka Flocka Flame, Jeremih, G-Unit's Whoo Kid and Mike Skinner. His distinctive flow and creative wordplay - coupled with the ability to traverse road rap, grime and hip-hop - has won him a loyal and growing army of ardent fans far and wide.

This Double CD collects repertoire from the labels Grover Washington Jr recorded for Kudu, Motown, Elektra, Blue Note & Columbia. Package includes the Grammy winning 'Just The Two Of Us' which featured vocals by Bill Withers, which won Best R&B Song, and 'Winelight' which won the Grammy for Best Jazz Fusion performance.
Also included are the full length versions of the classics 'Mister Magic', 'Knucklehead', 'It Feels So Good' and the much sought after 'Summer Song' from the Live At The Bijou' album. Grover played with some of the best Jazz (Funk) musicians and this package features many of them including Bob James, Eric Gale, Marcus Miller, Richard Tee, Idris Muhammad, Harvey Mason, Randy Brecker, Louis Johnson & Ralph MacDonald to name but a few.
But Grover Washington Jr was not all about instrumentals: as well as featuring Bill Withers on 'Just The Two Of Us' check out Patti LaBelle's stunning vocals on 'The Best Is Yet To Come'. Also this package features tracks by Eric Gale, Bob James and Idris Muhammad where Grover is a featured artist, playing memorable sax solos. This album has the lot. Topped off with liner notes from Charles Waring, contributor to MOJO & Record Collector magazines.

In advance of his attendance as a participant at the 2016 Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal, rising UK producer Hyroglifics has prepared the 'All Talk' EP for release in September via London's drum & bass purveyors Critical Music. That title might under-promise, but on tracks like "Persuade," debuted here, Hyroglifics certainly delivers. Featuring verses from long-running British rap crew Foreign Beggars, "Persuade" eschews Hyroglifics junglist tendencies in favor of more linear hip-hop. Following a mellow intro, it explodes with energy off the back of vocals that are paranoid, partially uplifting, and certainly boastful ("This is what you want / let me show you what you need"). There are shadowy slips of sound tucked throughout, with woodblock rhythms knocking at the door of otherwise fragile, glassy details that compete with the verses for attention. It's not jungle, and it's not drum & bass, and maybe it's not really hip-hop, either - it's just Hyroglifics. Clear, Black & Transparent Blue mixed coloured 12"

Re-release for this JAMES VINCENT McMORROW 2014 Album !!!!!!

Back Irishman James Vincent McMorrow with the new album " We Move " after the acclaimed and compelling album " Post Tropical" of 2014 that gave him enormous satisfaction worldwide .
The last album had in fact obtained :
- A nomination for Choice Music Prize ;
- Sold out dates around the world ;
- Exceeding the 100 million streams ;
- Collaboration with Kygo dj on the song " I'm in Love " ;
- The cover " Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak used for the trailer of Games Of Throne ;
- Sampling by Drake in the song " Views" .
Outdoing himself , James with " We Move " was able to develop a lively and colorful record, while maintaining the signature style of their bellissimii crepuscular passages , the difference can be felt from the choice of producers involved in this new work : Nineteen85 ( Drake ) , Two Inch Punch ( Years & Years ) , Frank Dukes ( Kayne West ) and Jimmy Douglass ( Timbaland ) .

Back Irishman James Vincent McMorrow with the new album " We Move " after the acclaimed and compelling album " Post Tropical" of 2014 that gave him enormous satisfaction worldwide .
The last album had in fact obtained :
- A nomination for Choice Music Prize ,
- Sold out dates around the world ,
- Exceeding the 100 million streams ,
- Collaboration with Kygo dj on the song " I'm in Love " ,
- The cover " Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak used for the trailer of Games Of Throne ,
- Sampling by Drake in the song " Views" .
Outdoing himself , James with " We Move " was able to develop a lively and colorful record, while maintaining the signature style of their bellissimii crepuscular passages , the difference can be felt from the choice of producers involved in this new work : Nineteen85 ( Drake ) , Two Inch Punch ( Years & Years ) , Frank Dukes ( Kayne West ) and Jimmy Douglass ( Timbaland ) .

The original eight-track 1983 album is supplemented by four cuts produced by famed musician Stanley Clarke which remained in the vaults until they were included in a '90s U.S. reissue of the original LP.
Following her hit-filled tenure with Capitol Records (1975-1982), Natalie's move to Epic came among personal challenges (outlined in her 2000 memoirs). Nonetheless, I'm Ready' saw her reunited with the team of Chuck Jackson & Marvin Yancy who had helmed her '70s string of award-winning best-selling singles and album for five tracks including 'Too Much Mister', a Top US R&B hit. Multi-talented music man Stanley Clarke produced three tracks, co-producing one with a member of Natalie's band, Chuck Bynum.
Natalie (who sadly passed away on December 31, 2015) wrote two songs - 'I'm Your Mirror' and the bonus cut 'How Can You Stop' - as well as co-writing two more with her brother Eddie Cole, and 'Winner (Takes All)' and 'Movin' On', which were also part of the Stanley Clarke sessions.
Remastered by Nick Robbins, this 2016 SoulMusic Records reissue follows the label's release of two other Cole classics, Natalie...Live!' (SMCR-5009) and Thankful,' an expanded edition (SMCR-5028) and includes insightful notes by renowned U.S. writer Justin Kantor and a personal tribute to Natalie by SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan, who began interviewing her in 1975.

Over 50 years since his discovery by ethnomusicologists Dr. Harry Oster and Richard Allen in the prison farm of Angola, Louisiana, what is it that makes the blues as sung and picked by Robert Pete Williams such a singular listening experience, unequaled elsewhere in that musical form As Peter Guralnick, in his Feel Like Going Home book writes: It's difficult to approve the banalities of most blues singers after listening to Robert Pete Williams. More than anyone else he shatters the conventions of the form and refuses to rely upon any of the clichés, either of music or of lyric, which bluesman after bluesman will invoke. Instead he sings blues which reflect a unique and personal vision, he makes each song unmistakably his own.' Unfamiliar keys, cliché-free lyricism, spontaneity, an individualistic style in invoking his particular blues, all make Robert Pete Williams an idiosyncratic entry into the canon. It's impossible to listen to blues artists before him and hear strains of his particular style. None have matched it since. Louisiana Blues contains 10 songs recorded in the month of July 1966 out in Berkeley, California for John Fahey's Takoma imprint. Comes with a 8 page booklet. Limited edition of 600 on bottleneck brown vinyl.

For the first time in more than a year, Because Music is running a limited repress of Selah Sue's sold out EP 'Alone'. Released in late 2014, it paved the way for her second album 'Reason' (more than 185,000 copies worldwide since its release in March 2015). Shifting to a more pop-oriented sound under the supervision of producers Robin Hannibal (Rhye, Kendrick Lamar) and Ludwig Goransson (Childish Gambino, Haim), this EP features her flagship collaboration with American rapper Childish Gambino 'Together' and an exclusive acoustic version of the track 'Won't Go For More'. A throwback to the exciting times when everybody was impatient to hear Selah's new creations after her best-selling debut album.

Ghanaian Afro funk and Boogie from Sidiku Buari is the focus of the next Soundway 12'. On the A side a classic Ghana style afro funk cut recorded at Ghana Film Studios has a characteristc Lo-Fi sound led by George Amissah's (Ebo Taylor, K. Frimpong, Uhuru Dance Band) trademark sax over a squelchy synth and drum groove. This is backed on the fip by a boogie funk cut (Music) recoded in NYC in the early 80s with Fant chants and soulful vocals from the big man himself. 'Alhaji' Sidiku Buari gained fame in the 70s in Ghana and the USA afer moving to New York and recording an album (which featured the soul-jazz legend Bernard Purdie) for RCA that was one of the frst mainstream afro-funk LPs ever to hit the market in the USA. Afer two subsequent albums that produced some afro disco classics including the seminal 'I'm
Ready' he eventually returned to Ghana where he became the chairman of the Ghanaian Copyright Society (COSGA).
The two tracks are taken from an obscure 12' release from 1983 that unfortunately had a pressing defect on 'Anokwar', so with some twiddling and editng Hide & Smile have restored it ready for
some overdue dance-foor use once again.

Rare disco and boogie

The debut album from Chicago band Ted Sirota's Heavyweight Dub was recorded, mixed, and mastered by the legendary Dub Chemist' Overton H. Brown aka The Scientist'.

Sirota, a veteran of the Chicago music scene, decided to address his 30 + year love for Jamaican music by putting this new band together in early 2013. Only weeks after starting the band Sirota had a chance encounter with one of his biggest influences - The Scientist.

With this band Sirota & cohorts hope to bring back some of the serious musicianship that was emblematic of the golden age' of Reggae. Through his original music, and arrangements, Sirota hopes to creatively pay respect to legends like Tommy McCook, Cedric Brooks, Ernest Ranglin, Jackie Mittoo, Winston Wright, Leroy Sibbles, Roots Radics, Soul Syndicate, The Upsetters, The Revolutionaries and many others, while still keeping an eye on the future (...)

Zweiter Tribute-Sampler für den legendären, britischen Soul-Club Blackpool Mecca. Mit 12 legendären Northern Soul-Perlen und Raritäten aus den Playlisten von Ian Levine und Colin Curtis aus den letzten 45 Jahren. Mit Bobby Womack, Lou Courtney, The Charisma Band, Diane Jenkins und The Boogie Man Orchestra.

Wally Badarou was at the cutting edge musically with his fusion of African grooves with the emerging electro sounds of the early 1980s. His debut album 'Back To Scales' in 1980 has been long out of print and is considered a treasure by many connoisseurs. 
Wally plays synthesizer, co-writing and performing Level 42 often considered their 'fifth member'. He also played with Robert Palmer, Talking Heads, Foreigner, Grace Jones and Manu Dibango. He also known for a later hit single Chief Inspector', and Mambo' from the same year (1984) was sampled by Massive Attack
This is a great album deserving appreciation by a wider audience with such an amazing collection of important songs. It was recorded in France, the country of his birth, originally released on French label, Barclay

We return with our next release and at this time we proudly present a local production by a young Estonian musician - Bisweed. At this time we issue a 45 record on the A side of which there is a vocal support by the living legend Earl 16 with a song called Righteous Groove', and on the B side, an exclusive dub mix called Righteous Melodica" by label boss Simon Chaozlevel and melodica played by Bisweed.

Bisweed hasn't yet worked with dub music but over the last years he has established himself as a potential dubstep producer. His skills though help him record vocals, classical dub melodica and a dub mix with ease. Since Bisweed is mostly inspired by the British dub music, on the A side of the record you can hear disconcertingly dark, deep and heavy sub and a strict stepper beat. However the horn section in the chorus parts adds composition a delightful elevation and melodiousness. Earl Sixteen's legendary voice wafts through the rough and tough riddim. The roots and culture lyrics add this creation even more harmony and balance.

Since we are trying to keep classical tradition, we have a dub version on B side. The version differs from original much: it's much more raw, it's not a stepper, the expanded bass gives the music more meditational atmosphere while melodica played by Bisweed clinks just at the right moments. Light and minimalistic percussions by Simon Chaozlevel add rhythmical allure to the composition. Righteous Melodica! Music on the both sides was composed, arranged and mixed by Bisweed in his studio in Tallinn, Estonia. Earl Sixteen had a record session in Birmingham, UK, in Friendly Fire Studio. The mastering sound quality and lacquer cut is guaranteed by Sam from Precise Mastering. Simon Chaozlevel recorded the dub version and made everything possible issuing this wonderful record for you! You won't often hear a combo of dub from Tallinn and a Jamaican singer!

Big Crown Records is proud to present the reissue of this uber rare underground cult classic Running The Mardi Gras' by Boco. From the title to the sound to the cryptic lyrics Running The Mardi Gras' seems to confirm all the mystique that surrounds the southern Louisiana Bayous and Cajun culture. This record is a family affair. It started one morning when one Mr. Latour, the father of the group, was shaving in the mirror and a song struck him. It was to be about Mardi Gras, not the beaded revelry of New Orleans familiar to most, but the traditions of rural Louisiana, where one would run the Mardi Gras,' going house to house getting home cooking from the neighbors. He would sing the song every day in the car and the children of the family soaked up the spirit of the song.

Disparate producers with complimentary sounds, Evil Needle and Sivey met in an online beat community 6 years ago and to this day have never met in real life. Nonetheless, they present their first official EP, 'Constructive Interference', to the world. 'Constructive Interference' was created over the span of 3 years and embodies the unique soundscapes of each producer. Evil Needle, based in Strasbourg France (just on the border of Germany) pulls inspiration from traditional hip hop, neo-soul and trap music while seamlessly weaving in open synths and chunky chord progressions. Manchester, UK-based Sivey incorporates soulful beat-oriented music with what he calls emotional highs and lows that are still musically stimulating' adding a beautifully uptempo sensibility.

This Is Her is LAKIM's first full-length album. Multi-genre producer born and radummyised in Lynchburg, Virginia whose personal motto reads: keep it simple', is a part of the storied Soulection crew. Well known for his EP Esoteric, which dropped in summer 2012, the twentysomething year old has collaborations with other stellar artists like Sango and Mr. Carmack as well as various remixes of premium artists such as Erykah Badu, Kanye West, and Frank Ocean range from electronic chillwaved dance to spacey yet refined hip-hop. With a unique sound that seamlessly and effortlessly combines the perfect amount of bass, bounce and vocals, This Is Her becomes palatable to many. The album has an overwhelming feminine vibe to it - light and airy, soft and beautiful. As LAKIM draws the soundscape for this project from some inspiring ladies in his life, the sounds come through as traits: calm & collected, sexy & sassy, grounded & driven, loving & unconditional. During the course of the year I probably spent making this, I met three woman that embodied some of these traits but not all of them. So, this is essentially me taking the best bits from each of them and creating in my mind a Bride of Franksteinesque ladyfriend and putting it into song form, lol...' - LAKIM.

After spending 13 years in Queens, New York, Lewis Parker returned to London in early 2015. Release The Stress is the first new material released since his return. The topic of the song is
fairly self explanatory dealing with the everyday pressure of living, in a fast pace modern city environment. Lewis speaks on he's production and how he balances this with day to day life.
The production captures the feel of the classic 90's hip hop but with a polished and very musical feel to it. Phat gritty SP drums, deep hypnotic bass lines, lush strings, catchy flutes, a dope late night sax, ill synths and wah guitars make this production up there with Lewis's best work.

With a title that suggests great things, making reference to 6 Victoria Crosses awarded to the Lancashire Regiment in World War 1, Mr Fantastic and Coherent (of Journeymen fame and much more) have set themselves a tall order. Before you have even listened to the music, the presentation points to success in this venture, with original artwork by the brilliant Stilts and marbled camouflage coloured vinyl to boot!

100 years after the press reported 'the winning of 6 VCs before breakfast' during the Gallipoli campaign in World War 1, S.O.E. (Special Operations Executive) opt for beats and rhymes rather than guns and bombs, and the resulting record is essential. The initial salvo is fired in 'Ready For Combat' which sees Mr Fantastic combine hard-hitting drums with stabbing guitar chops for Coherent to set the tone. The result is an instant smash which will have you rewinding, as I was, time and time again! From there, the duo, joined by Rola (The Numskullz/Journeymen) and Truck (also a member of The Journeymen), stage a three pronged assault over a haunting beat, spitting verse one after another like a creeping barrage before Mr Fantastic delivers the final victory courtesy of his trademark tight scratches. The concept for this EP is highly original and perfectly apt and on 'Foreign Lands', this is perfectly demonstrated as Coherent weaves tales of carnage that would sound at home on a jungle warfare documentary. 'Lyrical Assassin' once more sees Coherent dropping vocal hand grenades over double bass and electric piano skilfully fused together by his fellow soldier Mr Fantastic. Throughout, the subject matter and music is dark and 'Heavy Artillery' encapsulates this perfectly - Mr Fantastic's thumping, bass-heavy production would have sat perfectly on Show & AG's sophomore LP next to tracks like 'Night Time'. On 'Carcasses', Coherent shows the enemy why he is such a skilled MC, delivering surgical strikes with his tight metaphors and hard-hitting punch lines.

The question, then, given the highly ambitious nature of this project, is whether S.O.E. have won the battle they set out to win. With meticulous artwork, dark brooding beats and Coherent's masterful wordplay, the result is clear. They didn't just win the battle but the whole darn war!

Following instinct & synthesizing earthly pulses into universal offerings. A close listener illuminating the invisible stratum in audible form, channelling inspirations into rhythmic mysticism. AKA Dakim, the Detroit native attuned to the progressive continuum honoring those who laid the path: Ellington, Dilla, Scientist, Monk, and Rza are amongst his sages. He gives forth his own voice to merge with their resonance. Illumination bringing forth evolution through sound. Always onward, giving us glimpses into a radiant wellspring. There is deep soulfulness in his shattered sounds. Amplifying intuitive consciousness and bounces it back in layered brilliance. An intimate reflection of the universe within. Life vibrations fuel exploration. Receiving Detroit techno transmissions while his mom cooked dinner. Slum Village shaman Baatin imparted wisdom. New worlds unfolded in LA with Project Blowed's infinite hip hop possibilities. Dub opened ears through boundless echoes. Pauses to click with crickets for their cadence. Filters his influences into wholly original forms: a dusty mist flowing through the air, a swing that won't stop, a breath of acknowledgment to the WOW of the world. He is forging paths between now and forever. Music is the language of life that Dakim is living. Synchronize with him and elevate your own existence.

Swarvy's Elderberry comes crunchy and warm from the jazzy and soulsonic EP of some really raw beat-making. Hailing now from L.A., originally from Philadelphia, Leaving welcomes multi-instrumentalist & producer Swarvy to the circle of synergy.

What you have in your hand is Tappa Zukie's legendary 'Escape from Hell' album.
Originally released in 1977 as a dub follow up to Tapper's exceptional 1976 release 'Tappa Zukie in Dub' (JRLP044).
The 'In Dub' album was cut using the great talents of engineer Philip Smart, but when the tracks were pulled together for its follow up 'Escape to Hell' Philip Smart had left Jamaica for New York and his replacement at the controls was Prince Jammy.Who had just returned from Canada at the request of King Tubby himself.
The purpose was to fill Mr. Smarts position.
Tapper was definitely in good hands and at the time he would tell the Prince was soon to become King Jammy due to his outstanding studio work.
The 'Escape from Hell' set was initially overlooked more to the fact of the small numbers of its original pressing.The album makes great use of Tapper's extraordinary Channel One rhythms cut with Sly and Robbie's The Revolutionary's Band.
Great rhythms matched the magic from King Tubby's studio at the hands of Prince Jammy.
We added the cd release for this album and at Tappers request some alternative dubs and tracks that seem to compliment this set.
So drop the needle on this great album and judge for yourself..
....A FINE ALBUM CUT IN FINE STYLE...

Limited seven inch vinyl pressing. Direct from Nashville, TN comes a new group on the soul & funk scene, The Gripsweats! The group started off as a studio project at the G.E.D. Soul Records studio, but eventually migrated to bandleader Andrew Muller's basement studio where things got very rough and raw! Ziggy's Walk' is a nasty midtempo burner with dirty drums, heavy bass, and nasty horns!

It's the crate digger's dream or nightmare. The modern day musical archaeologist is always in search of that elusive piece of a musical puzzle. Dusting off a slice of unknown vinyl or a mystery tape in a battered box might just open up another chapter of discovery that illuminates the art of the people. Enter 180 Proof's Amir Abdullah who, since 2010, has been getting dusty digits sifting through the master tapes in the Strata studio in Detroit. It's there that he discovered and was blown away the voice and vibe of TJ.

I came across the TJ demo tapes back in 2012 when I secured the exclusive license to the whole Strata Records catalog,' explains Amir who plans an imminent release of the four tracks on 10' vinyl in conjunction with BBE Records. My first response to hearing the demo was WOW! Frankly, the sound quality was not good but the soul and passion of the music was unbelievable. I immediately thought about a young Shuggie Otis when hearing the songs.'

As with the rediscovery of Shuggie Otis' 'Inspiration Information', by the likes of Gilles Peterson back in the 90's, there are always questions to be asked. With Shuggie Otis there was lineage plus the image of a hip young guy with a big 'Fro and acoustic guitar. Two decades on he'd simply dropped off the radar. What happened With TJ there's only the tape and says Amir, There was no info on the master just the name TJ. I don't know when the TJ was recorded at all. The strata catalog is from 73-75 and it's one of many recordings that were recorded but never released. I sat on the music for three years because I couldn't afford to clean it up and remaster it properly until now.

As the Strata curator, I felt that this recording def fits in with what the Strata catalog is about. The soul and passion of the lyrics are heartfelt. As you can hear, most of the songs are about love. The raw form of just him, a guitar with vocal layers is so rough but it def represents the grittiness of the sound of Strata. I think the TJ represents what the Strata mottos were about: 'The Sound of Detroit' and 'All Musics For All Peoples'. What makes me want to release this in its raw and rough form is that the genius of this recording cannot be denied. I hope that TJ somehow hears that the recording is out. I would love to give full credit to him and the musicians.'

Fat Beats Records is proud to present the next installment of Baker's Dozen, an exclusive vinyl series that shines a light on the best minds of instrumental hip-hop, ambient, and electronic music. Each instalment gives one artist carte blanche to capture their signature sound. Every volume's 500-unit strictly limited vinyl pressing features one artist and twelve tracks, and comes equipped with a 5x7' postcard insert that features a photo of the artist's workspace along with the equipment used in their music-making process. Visually cohesive and packaged with the utmost attention to detail, Baker's Dozen is a series that speaks up for artists whose craft renders voices superfluous, whose instrumentals alone suffice to make a statement. Volume Three highlights German producer Wun Two, whose inspiration and process is best described in his own words: I used to listen to all kinds of music when I was a small child. As a teenager I decided to try to make my own music, but I never had the intention of making it available to the public. Maybe five or six years ago a good friend told me to put some stuff on a Soundcloud page, and everything else took its course. When it comes to making beats, I tend to follow the same scheme...I listen to a lot of music and if I find something that I'm feeling I try to make something with it. I'll program an easy drum pattern and chop the sample or a whole loop to it and add a bass line. I try to make simple instrumentals, because I don't play the instruments myself, but rather create something that I would call a 'collage'. I grew up and studied in a small quiet village surrounded by forests. In this context I would say my music, this collage', sounds calm and very much inspired by nature. I just do what I feel, the compositions always mimic this inspiration.'

As co-founders of the label MoFunk Records, and the production team behind one of modern funk's signature anthems, 'Press Play' (featuring Zackey Force Funk), XL Middleton + Eddy Funkster's album is truly an opus long overdue. In sound, it draws heavily from LA's musical well over the last several generations, bringing forth hard electro funk styles on 'Show Some Respect,' bouncy lowrider funk on cuts like 'Solicitation,' and giving a progressive nod to 90's g-funk on the LBC'd out 'California Fly,' which features Domino of 'Getto Jam' fame. Furthermore, XL + EF channel the more modern feel of ambient, pad-heavy funk on songs like 'On Our Way To Funkmosphere.' In spirit, it's more of a P-Funkesque party, as the entire MoFunk roster plus extended family join in variously on all of the album's 7 songs, contributing everything from vocals to guitar and talkbox. This is kind of party you'll want to join in - an ongoing celebration known as modern funk.