Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

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.

From Utsunomiya, Japan - a place previously famed for its delicious gyoza - comes the equally tasty beat concoctions of producer Axion117. Also known by Sato Shuya, this disciplined rhythmologist has dropped releases for Collective Resonance, Expansions Collective, and Mellow Orange and is now revealing One Thousand Horizon, a nineteen track long-player for the Cold Busted label. These sample-built constructions swing and shimmy with the best in instrumental hip hop, showcasing intricate cuts and melodic intervals that'll bring the heads into a nodding state of smoked-out bliss. 'Through The Looking Glass' is a particular highlight, with its filtered flute, creative drum programming, and jazzy breakdown interlude ... this displays the skill of Axion117's technique in a brilliant twoand- a-half minute capsule. One Thousand Horizon's eighteen other nuggets follow through on this promise, capturing moods that can be jazzy, masterfully funky, dreamy, and soulful, all buoyed by solid breakbeats and a contemplative, laid-back attitude. One Thousand Horizon is the perfect soundtrack for a hazy afternoon.

Debut album from Chicago's 2-TONE ska champs available on limited edition cassette. Fans of THE SPECIALS, MADNESS, or THE BEAT will dig. B&W 2-TONE style sleeve & shell. Includes versions of NINEY's "BLOOD & FIRE", PRINCE BUSTER's "WASH WASH", BILLY BRAGG "LEVI STUBBS TEARS" and more.

Ltd to 200 copies !

Don't let the floppy hat and rolling English countryside on the cover fool you. Harry Mosco's Country Boy is a certified floor-filler, bursting with Studio 54 era disco-funk as well as a token reggae monster, complete with its own dub version. Harry Mosco always had swagger. A founding member of The Funkees, he'd stride out on stage in tight pants and dark sunglasses, commanding the attention of a population distracted by war. When The Funkees split in London, it was clear that his star would rise the fastest. Released in 1978 by fledgling Taretone label, Country Boy went on to become one of the best-selling Nigerian records of all time. The first few bars of 'It's Too Late' are guaranteed to get on the dance floor. Sam El'Salahi's slinky bassline on 'I Feel Funky' will keep you there. And 'Harry's Party' is a celebration you never want to end. The title track, and its dub doppleganger, are a reggae-tinged chance to catch your breath, before 'The Wanderer' drags you back on the dancefloor until the house lights come on. Grab this PMG re-issue and enjoy the sweat and the swagger of Harry Mosco in his pomp all over again.

CD Version

The 3rd studio album from James Brown and The Famous Flames, originally released in 1960. Though the title track was a cover of The 5' Royales, it's guaranteed that James Brown is who everyone on the planet now associates the song with. Absolutely essential early R&B from the Godfather himself, The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. Reissued on 180 gram LP with deluxe jacket, two bonus tracks, and a download card.

Debut 7" single from Korea's top roots reggae act who recently played the FUJI ROCK festival in Japan. A tribute to late great
Jamaican trombonist RICO RODRIGUEZ, pressed on yellow wax with big hole. Two gorgeous roots gems recorded in one take. Fold over sleeve art by Chema Skandal.

Based in the Havana Nightclub, in the central plateau town of Jos, the Sahara All Stars of Jos weren't part of the Lagos scene or the one in the east. Their leader, Dan Satch Ayo, had played with Dr Sir Warrior in the Orientals. He'd jammed with Mohammed Ahidjo and Sonny Akpan from The Funkees. Together with the All Stars he took the best of both scenes and created his own tight, hypnotic groove. First released in 1978, Sahara All Stars of Jos is a musical journey through all of those influences. 'Freedom For Africa' is a potent rallying cry sugarcoated with a sweet reggae vibe. 'World People' is an Afrobeat gem that condenses a night out at The Shrine into 10 min 43 secs. You can almost feel the steam coming out of New York manholes on 'Take Your Soul.' And the Highlife-tinged 'Alikali Adajo' brings it back, full-circle, to the Jos Hotel, just off the roundabout, where it all began. Engineered by Fela Kuti's regular knob twiddler, Emmanuel A. Odunesu, Sahara All Stars of Jos is a tight, funky sonic gem and a timely reminder that, in 70's, the groove was strong all over Nigeria.

CD Version

Recorded in 1956 in Chicago, Super-sonic Jazz is one of the earliest and most sought after titles from the Arkestra. Featuring Arkestra mainstays like Pat Patrick, John Gilmore, and Julian Priester, the album is, like Ra always was, years ahead of its time. Reissued on 180 gram LP with deluxe jacket, and a download card.

Released on the heels of the immortal hit title track which went to #1 on the charts in 1962, He's A Rebel is the second album from one of the greatest girl groups of all-time, The Crystals. Lead by legendary vocalist Darlene Love, and produced by Phil Spector, this record IS the sound of baby boomer teenagers. Nobody alive in the early 60s could avoid the infectious dance pop of The Crystals and the sound has held up and been emulated by retro-girl-groups for decades since. But nothing can top Phil Spector and The Crystals. Essential early 60s pop reissued on 180 gram LP with deluxe jacket, two bonus tracks, and a download card.

Debut album from Philly hip hop crew, originally released independently by the band in 1993. Originally sold on the band's European tour but it earned them so much buzz that they eventually signed to DGC. Back on cassette tape for the first time in 18 years, limited to 200 copies.

The formula was simple: marry bubblegum and soul to the absolute sincerity of an enthusiastic child, cross your fingers and pray for airplay. But while the youthful sums of that formula may have grown up and walked away from their illusions of stardom, their permanent records remain.

By 1973, Michael, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Jackie were as hip as kids could get—household names, with lunchboxes, coloring books, a Saturday morning cartoon, and an Alpha-Bits cereal commercial pushing the J5 brand onto any kid with television reception. Their impressive run of four consecutive #1 singles playing on both pop and R&B stations cemented their appeal to both whites and blacks, prompting MGM to launch the Osmonds as the safer (read: white) alternative. And parents Well Michael had that wrapped up with his impossible-not-to-love mini-James Brown thing. Even their song selection straddled both sides, with 'Zip A Dee Do Dah' and 'ABC' for kids, and contemporary standards 'Standing In The Shadows Of Love' and 'My Cherie Amour' for the older crowd. This extreme marketing and merchandising juggernaut created the kid soul explosion.

A decade removed from our acclaimed Home Schooled compilation comes a fresh batch of talent show titans. With enterprising parents, neighbors, and teachers turning play dates into recording dates, groups like Magical Connection, Little Man and the Inquires, and Five Ounces of Soul emulated the Jacksons, who'd made grade-school stardom appear easy as ABC. Afterschool Special: The 123s Of Kid Soul contains 19 tiny tunes ranging from bilingual D.A.R.E. anthem, to James Brown bio, to young love and life beyond the playground.

It's time to cruise with Ministry...

And, if you can kick it, we've got the ultimate hazy summers day soundtrack to give you that laid back feeling with the very best Chilled Hip Hop.

Featuring 60 of the biggest rhymes in rap, we start (whether you're Ready or Not) with classic Fugees before Notorious B.I.G then Warren G make us Regulate. Next, we got 5 On It from the lyrical skills of Luniz, Coolio, Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z and Nas.

CD2 help's you Express Yourself with the help of NWA, A Tribe Called Quest and Skee-Lo before the ultimate sixth form common room anthem 'Concrete Schoolyard' from Jurassic 5. Then come anthems from Ice Cube, Cam'ron, Ludacris and LL Cool J.

Finally, CD3 brings the newer flavours of The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Kent Jones and G-Eazy mixed with classics from Outkast, J-Cole ft Missy Elliott, Xzibit and Jill Scptt feat. The Roots.

So, throw your hands in the air, if you's a true playa, as Ministry of Sound presents... Chilled Hip Hop.























































[ZZA] CD3-13. Mase - Tell Me What You Want
[ZZB] CD3-14. Jay-Z - Wishing On A Star (D Influence Remix)
[ZZC] CD3-15. J Dilla - So Far To Go
[ZZD] CD3-16. Bishop Nehru - You Stressin'
[ZZE] CD3-17. Joey Bada$$ - Paper Trail
[ZZF] CD3-18. Xzibit - Paparazzi (Explicit Album Version)
[ZZG] CD3-19. Common - I Used To Love Her
[ZZH] CD3-20. KRS-One - MC's Act Like They Don't Know

Featuring some of his earliest recordings out of Detroit with The Falcons, and very early solo material, this collection shows the legend of soul music when he was just getting started. Though these are early recordings, Pickett's voice is fully formed and some of these tracks are the equals of later hits like In The Midnight Hour', and Ninety-Nine and a Half'. If you're a fan of American soul music, this collection is absolutely necessary. Reissued on 180 gram LP with deluxe jacket, and a download card.

Based out of San Francisco, Extra Classic is a unique live band formed with a keen appreciation of vintage reggae & vintage sounds. The aesthetic, and certainly the skilled method of their production, is an ode to the art of that classic style as referenced to the term coined by the Cool Ruler himself. Recording in their own studio, Nopal Recording, the band employs a taster's choice of analog equipment and is devotedly tracked, spliced and mixed in-house direct to tape. However, as the group's name itself implies, there is a dose of something extra and new in this swirling mixture of space echo, heavy phase, and emotive, psychedelic California-soul.Built upon the rock of an early-era dancehall swing, their first single in conjunction with Brooklyn-based imprint Names You Can Trust entitled In This Life, is a perfect slice of lover's rock gone sideways, a decidedly left-coast piece of roots and bliss driven by Adrianne deLanda's lovely lead vocals and the steady, dusty echoes of the locked in players. Presented in the traditional format with a version as per NYCT fashion, the dub mix incorporates a soothing dose of synare beams and underwater instrumental dreams.

Championed by turntablist whizz, Mr Thing, this killer soulful floater by guitarist Melvin Sparks never fails to summon up curiosity from the dance floor. And so it was for the bossmen at Rocafort Records who first heard it at Lausanne's Holy Groove festival in 2015 and couldn't resist the need to know "what's this track". Upon finding the original LP on Westbound Records, they knew it was time to give it the 45 Rocafort treatment.

The jazz conoscenti will be familiar with the bluesy Grant Green-inspired guitar sound of Melvin Sparks. He lent his hand to legendary soul artists such as Jackie Wilson & Marvin Gaye, and also to the funky jazzers like Jack McDuff, Lonnie Smith and Charles Earland to name but a few. After a releasing some handsome albums on Prestige, he dabbled in the more commercial soul style of the time which led to the Melvin Sparks '75 LP - then considered rather bland and unremarkable by the critics.

Thankfully tastes have changed - the handclapping, two-stepping 70s modern soul groove is back with a vengeance and collectable as ever. Pushed along by some punchy horns, nifty guitar work and catchy vocals by Jimmy Scott, 'If you want my love' exudes pure dance floor joy. The whistle-popping 'B' side, 'Get down with the get down' winks in the direction of the racey Blaxploitation soundtrack and also has feet tapping.

All in all, it's a win-win groovy situation that deserves a place in everyone's 45 box.e

Mukatsuku sets up the ongoing winter months with a couple of hot dance floor burners of gems from the legendary vibes master, Mr Roy Ayers. First up an monster club instrumental in the shape of 'Funk In The Hole' with driving driving electronic keys accompanied by a funky breakbeat ,brass stabs and strings. On the slipside is the sultry personification of sexy soulfulness that is ''Liquid Love'' ...,..Both tracks issued here for the first time on a single in their own right.

Eight track album taking in spiritual jazz, Brazilian fusion, disco and soul composed - performed and recorded by Marc Friedli aka Skymark. Limited edition Vinyl edition.

Steve Spacek links with Eglo Records, delivering an essential slab of futuristic, broken, dancehall wickedness!

Bass weight of the heaviest kind, topped with Spacek's butter soft vocals. Pure fiya, turn up the amplifier!

A limited new pressing of sought-after Strut LP from 2002, compiled by DJ Cliffy and celebrating the 'Black Rio' movement of the 1970s as Brazilian artists took the lead from James Brown and forged their own samba soul fusions. Artists include Jorge Ben, Uniao Black, Trio Mocoto and Banda Black Rio.This fresh reissue is fully remastered as a 2LP gatefold featuring original sleeve notes, rare photos and original flyer artwork. All
copies will feature the remastered CD version of the album within the package.

After launching with a killer reissue of a private press gem from Morrison Kincannon, Spacetalk presents its' first compilation: a superb selection of soul, disco and boogie obscurities curated by noted Parisian crate-digger and DJ Jeremy Underground.

Beauty has its' origins in a chance encounter between Jeremy and Spacetalk co-founder and Psychemagik's Danny McLewin at Bestival on the Isle of Wight. Having completed his regular festival set - keeping the dancefloor moving with his more familiar house and U.S garage sound - Jeremy was treating the crowd at Maceo's, the renowned backstage bar usually found at Glastonbury, to a tasty selection of soul, disco and boogie obscurities. Danny was getting crazy on the tunes and at some point went over to Jeremy to tell him how much he was loving it, they started talking which went on for hours and that's where the idea of Spacetalk's first compilation came from.

Jeremy Underground is well regarded within the record collecting community, and counts a number of high-profile "diggers" amongst his friends. He famously played alongside Red Greg at Floating Points' first You're A Melody party at Plastic People back in 2013, the four-hour recording of which is still available on the Eglo website.

The Parisian is also no stranger to putting together high quality compilations, having previously mined his house collection for two volumes of My Love Is Underground on Favorite Recordings. Beauty, though, is the first collection to showcase the depth and variety of his record collection. Stuffed full of rare, hard-to-find and little-known gems, it confirms the Frenchman's status as one of Europe's most open-minded record collectors.

Amongst its' 15 tracks you'll find the Creative Arts Ensemble's spiritual soul-jazz gem "Unity", the samba sunshine of Leila Pinheiro, the folksy, Latin-tinged breeziness of Ron Rinadli's "Mexican Summer", and the dewy-eyed, late night soul of Nu-Cleus's ridiculously hard-to-find "Needing A Woman".

The beating heart of the compilation, though, is a selection of heady, heart-warming cuts that blur the boundaries between Philly soul, disco, jazz-funk and boogie. These include the sparkling, synth-laden 1981 boogie of "Do Your Dance" by Shades Of Love (whose members included future '80s soul/disco star Meli'sa Morgan), the jazz-funk inspired library grooves of Christer Norden's "Lay Back", and the smooth, post-boogie soul of Richardi Mac's superb "Told You So". Oh, and "Let Love Flow" by Jamaican singer Sonya Spence, a deliciously sweet and loved-up disco-soul shuffler infused with the distinctive swing of the Caribbean.

These are just some of the highlights, repeat listens will uncover new favourites, hidden gems, and impossible-to-find cuts from the crates of one of Europe's most celebrated DJs.

The Sound of Now...mentioned in 'The Return of Jack Slade' by Derrick Morgan was the sound of 1969/1970 and that sound was the sound of Jamaican Reggae.The look at the time was the Skinhead fashion borrowed heavily from the Jamaican Rude Boy style.
The Skinhead movement started around 1968 and by the following year of 1969 became the style and fashion of many British teenagers.The uniform of the Skinheads consisted of boots,braces and jeans and the upbeat Reggae sound seemed to match the style perfectly.
Never before has a music matched a look more perfectly than that of the Skinhead/Rude Boy and Jamaican Reggae sound.
So stand up and move your feet one more time to the Skinhead Reggae Sound!!!
Hope you enjoy the set....

3 Track EP from the one and only Kaidi Tatham, on 2000Black.

Kaidi Tatham returns as a solo artist for the first time since the very sought after Japanese release 'In Search Of Hope'.This ep see's Mr Tatham explore jazz fusion,hip hop and soundtrack music with great arrangements warm analogue synths and a groove thats always strong.

Mind blowing Minneapolis boogie, there is so much to this story but lets start with their original 1982 press release

Hot Group, NOBODY, Definitely Going Somewhere!

During the 1960s the American popular music scene was overtaken and dominated throughout most of the decade by a creative surge emanating fromDetroit. "The Sound Of Young America," as it was called, was Motown. As Motown declined another inspired voice took up the slack. Under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Philadelphia International, i.e., "The Sound Of Philadelphia" (T.S.O.P.), became the new voice under the early and mid-'70s.

As is becoming quite apparent, the 1980s belong to the Twin Cities. Most people thought it would stop with Prince. It hasn't. A new band called Nobody is making sure that it doesn't. And although the group has been wrapped in mystery ever since they started just four months ago, their recently released demo tape (which will shortly be pressed on vinyl) is a monster that has music insiders buzzing with enthusiasm, "Right now nobody knows who we are. Once we become established, however, we will be casting a highly creative shadow that will be profound, and that other people will have to live up to," says the group.

The band has seven members: two vocalists-one male and two keyboard players, one guitar, bass and drums. All but one of the members are from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, providing how fertile our sometimes mild little town can be. They've all had a diverse amount of experience-from jazz to funk-but their music doesn't fit any particular category. Some of Nobody's members even started out in the church, which gave their music a genuinely soulful feeling that can't be denied.

Nobody was primarily put together by the female lead vocalist, a lady who's sung with manyTwinCityjazz and gospel greats. But beyond anything else the band is a team. A team with a mission. A mission to bring quality music to the community. Many of you will soon get to judge the sounds of their debut songs for yourself. KMOJFM is getting ready to add the single "I Saw You" to its playlist, and WLOL's music director said he "loved it." Along with the airplay will be an appearance on Scott Thompson's "Showcase" on KWTN

Meanwhile the group's manager, Jordanna Gold is keeping busy on both coasts attempting to hook up a deal with one of the major labels for this dynamic, multi-talented group that many people say will be busting out by grammy time.

Two tracks one from each Rim & Kasa recent albums out in latter part of 2015 on BBE get the official edit treatment from Mukatsuku that have never been out before as official singles before

The Filthy Six are back with a cover of Michael Jackson's 1983 mega hit 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'. Available from January 22nd on 7' vinyl (& digital download).

Already something a floor filler for a handful of DJs lucky enough to have a copy. It is expected to become the funk floor-filler over Christmas and the New Year, as well as a regular feature on Craig Charles Funk 'n' Soul Show.
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' is the bands' first single from their third album for Acid Jazz, More Filth' which will be released in February next year.

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' comes accompanied with jazz-soul instrumental, 'Iguana Strut', which also features on the album.

Limited to 500 units, pressed on black vinyl and delivered in an Acid Jazz house bag.


(feat Brendan Reilly - radio edit)

" The idea of " The Rockers " project came about a year ago and is part of a journey , now a real mission , which lasted more than twenty years - declares Alborosie - Inside project there are a lot of artists of all kinds and types . Giuliano Sangiorgi is one of the first companions of this journey . " An album thought for the Italian public in which we find our own collaborations with major artists such as Jovanotti , Giuliano Sangiorgi , Fedez sandy & Smith , Elisae Nina Zilli , then embracing the pillars of the national alternative scene like 99 Posse , Africa Unite , Sud Sound System , Caparezza and Après La Classe . A big project entirely " Made in Italy " , due out in the best shops and retail chains from Friday, August 26, 2016

Vinyl release of YEEZY material dating back to the 2001 "COLLEGE DROPOUT" era. Many of the tracks are alternate or original versions of official cuts, but there's a bunch of previously unheard music as well. 15 tracks on heavy weight random color vinyl in full picture sleeve. Limited to 1000 copies.

"The greatest dub album ever" (Jon Savage: author of England's Dreaming) / "Essential" (Steve Barrow & Peter Dalton: Rough Guide To Reggae). "Pick A Dub" showcased the enduring strength and pivotal importance of the rhythm to the development of reggae music. Keith Hudson's complete mastery of the genre and the unqualified praise that followed its release was fully justified. The album's 'austere sonic qualities' are awe inspiring, the superb rhythms are given full rein, unencumbered by extra effects and studio trickery. The overall effect is as mesmerising now as it was over forty years ago. The CD comes in a digipak with additional 12-page booklet and contains as extra tracks eight vocal cuts of the featured dubs including two previously unreleased tracks. As well the 2LP-set is extended to 20 tracks, the original album on side A and B, side C and D have the extra tracks of vocal cuts of the dubs including two previously unreleased ones.

Musicians include the Soul Syndicate session band, plus Aston Barrett (Bass), Calton Barrett (Drums), Earl "Chinna" Smith (Guitar), Augustus Pablo (Melodica)
Recorded and mixed at Harry J Studios, Kingston, Jamaica 1973-1974.
Produced by Keith Hudson and Aston "Family Man" Barrett.

The Spirit Of Philadelphia series is back with a fourth installment, a further 17 track feast of Philly gems from the music's heyday in the 1970s. In keeping with the tradition of the series, most cuts are either rare on CD or previously unreleased in this format. These are the recordings beyond the walls of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia International Records but involve many key musicians, arrangers and artists. At the disco end of the spectrum are three Tom Moulton mixes included here, Monday After's Merry-Go-Round' extremely rare on Buddah Records promo 12' unavailable commercially until now. Detailed liner notes reveal how events surrounding the Everett 'Blood' Hollins track lead to the birth of Chic and how Van McCoy's music was inspired by the sound of Philadelphia. This plus soul legends including The Temptations and Ben E. King at their Philly best.

Superb late-seventies soul from Hawaii.
Sleekly bumptious, with brilliant musicianship and classy arrangements, dosed with jazz and funk (by way of Kool And The Gang), easily traversing ballads and booty-shakers... just the kind of thing Wayne Henderson was doing across the Pacific at the time with At Home productions, for Side Effect, The McCrarys and co.
Great stuff.