Hip-Hop News

During the latter half of the seventies very few came close to emulating the success of the productions of Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson. 'The Mighty Two' took the greatest of Kingston's musical and technical innovations and transformed the cutting edge into a commercial proposition that crossed over to the rest of the world. 'Under Heavy Manners'' was an essential purchase as well as a defining statement on the sombre mood of the times in the year that two sevens clash and forty years after its original release, the raw reality of 'Under Heavy Manners' continues to hit home.

Sought-after disco funk recorded in Miami, 1981, available officially for the first time on reissue 45. Strength, Trust, Unity and Determination hailed from Augusta, Georgia. Bandleader and trumpeter Robert Blount played in The J.B's touring line-up for a brief time in the 70s and later started S.T.U.D. Band, forming a septet to gig and record in Miami, Florida.

J Hus is back with his highly anticipated third album ‘Beautiful And Brutal Yard’, preceded by the raucous street track ‘It’s Crazy’ which charted Top 15 and ‘Who Told You’ (featuring Drake) which debuted at #2 with the 3rd highest UK week 1 singles sales of the year and Hus’ highest single chart to date.

‘B.A.B.Y.’ is the follow-up to his chart-topping album ‘Big Conspiracy’ which earned him the Best Male Award at the Brits and his Top 10 platinum debut ‘Common Sense’ which won an NME award and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and Best Album at the Brits.

Fans have come to expect a range of influences and musical styles from Hus’ albums and they will not be disappointed. Across ‘B.A.B.Y’ Hus incorporates elements of afrobeats, drill, R&B and bashment, all delivered in his inimitable lyrical style. The album includes features from Drake, Burna Boy, Jorja Smith, Popcaan and Naira Marley as well as from UK up and comers CB, Villz and Boss Belly.

Having not played his own live shows since 2017 J Hus is announcing a UK Arena tour on Thursday 29th June.

J Hus is back with his highly anticipated third album ‘Beautiful And Brutal Yard’, preceded by the raucous street track ‘It’s Crazy’ which charted Top 15 and ‘Who Told You’ (featuring Drake) which debuted at #2 with the 3rd highest UK week 1 singles sales of the year and Hus’ highest single chart to date.

‘B.A.B.Y.’ is the follow-up to his chart-topping album ‘Big Conspiracy’ which earned him the Best Male Award at the Brits and his Top 10 platinum debut ‘Common Sense’ which won an NME award and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and Best Album at the Brits.

Fans have come to expect a range of influences and musical styles from Hus’ albums and they will not be disappointed. Across ‘B.A.B.Y’ Hus incorporates elements of afrobeats, drill, R&B and bashment, all delivered in his inimitable lyrical style. The album includes features from Drake, Burna Boy, Jorja Smith, Popcaan and Naira Marley as well as from UK up and comers CB, Villz and Boss Belly.

Having not played his own live shows since 2017 J Hus is announcing a UK Arena tour on Thursday 29th June.

Repress!

"Don't Stop" is the third album retrospectively released by Ghia. As the subtitle "Early Works & Artefacts 1984-1987" implies, it features some of their earliest compositions as well as tracks that were recorded during the same period as their "Curaçao Blue" LP.

The album is a fusion of diverse music styles. Listeners will delight in a range of genres, including electro, funk, soul, jazz-funk, synth pop, and even rap/hip-hop, all woven together as a cohesive work that remains mostly instrumental. As a whole, "Don't Stop" represents Ghia's funkiest and most experimental release to date. Notably, the LP features a rap version of Hermann Hesse's controversial German poem "Armer Teufel am Morgen nach dem Maskenball" ("Poor Devil the Morning After the Costume Ball") from 1926, accompanied by a drum machine rhythm and funky guitar. This poem depicts a person who drank too much the night before, telling the story and describing his hangover. The title track "Don't Stop" and the thrilling minimal electro-funk tune "3 A.M. at Moëf Gaga" both evoke old-school electro influences. The latter references the Spanish discotheque Moëf Gaga, located on the Balearic coast, which the dynamic duo of Lutz Boberg and Frank Simon frequented during their 1980s holidays. While the exact music played at 3 A.M. is unknown, listening to Ghia's track will undoubtedly capture the mood of the place.

One of the key tracks of the album is "Message From The Other Side", which could easily be noted as one of the nicest European synth-funk instrumental pieces ever. The track is based on a sick synth bass line, sparkled with DX7 chord hits, funky guitar, and a delightful "marimba" solo in the last third. The solo was actually played on Boberg's keyboard, using a special sound cartridge. This particular track had to be edited and technically revised by Marian Tone and DJ Scientist as the existing demo version of the song could not be used as is. With its stunning groove, this track will surely be a DJ's favorite.

Listening to the complete album, there is more of Boberg's keyboard wizardry: could you believe that the trumpet solo on "Jump In The Water" as well as the short but stunning slap bass solo on "Talk Too Much" were both played by on the DX7? However, this new release, unlike the jazzy "Curaçao Blue", is not about solos or virtuous playing - it clearly shows the duo's direction towards more electronic composition and clear song structures. The versions of "September Garden", "When The Rain is Falling" as well as "Talk Too Much" are actually instrumental mixdowns of vocal songs. And again, we get a blissful take of "Close To You", here a version from 1986. This soulful jazz-funk ballad could already be heard on "Curaçao Blue" while the final vocal version with singer Lisa Ohm can be found on the recently released "This Is" LP. This shows that the Ghia composers, Boberg and Simon, were perfectionists - tracks were reworked again and again, making them better and better.

The album was mastered and restored with great care, and we are pleased to provide you with a perfect example of mid 1980s home-recording pleasures, tinged with a youthful spirit and providing a sound that cannot be recaptured anymore nowadays. Alongside "This Is" and "Curacao Blue" it should be another perfect addition to any 80s groove collection as well as a great pick for DJs that love and play disco, leftfield electro and funk. The LP is limited to 500 copies.

Dynamite cuts 45s series is proud to release two gems from the Perception label both First time on 7” vinyl. One killer track by the legendary Fatback band – “Fatbackin” is a rare groove classic and a b-boy special. Part of the original breaks and dj tools from back in the early days. On the flip is the monster “Matrix” by Dizzy Gillespie, a massive hip hop sample and club dancer. two bangers on one 7” – What, more do you need!!

A – Fatback Band - “Fatbackin’” B-boy Dj dancer – must have 45!! super heavy flute break.
B – Dizzy Gillespie - “Matrix” Hip Hop sample and superb mid-tempo Jazz funk groove.

Bei Clydene Jacksons Debüt-LP von 1975 handelt es sich um ein Smooth-Jazz-Album. Ein Titel allerdings sprengte die anspruchsvolle Musiktradition und wurde von britischen DJs der Modern Soul-Szene aufgegriffen. 'I Need Your Love' wurde in GB und schließlich auch in Europa popular. Es folgte ein längst vergriffener 45er Release. Kent ergänzt die Neuauflage mit 'We're In Love' von der LP, auf der B-Seite.

'Hope For Love' erschien auf einem einmaligen Masterband, das mit freundlicher Genehmigung von Grapevine Records an Ace ging. Darrows Originalaufnahme des Gray & Hanks-Songs "No Limit" wurde 2012 von Kent auf CD und als Single veröffentlicht. Die limitierte Auflage war schnell ausverkauft, und der aktuelle Preis liegt bei über 100 £. Die B-Seite 'No Limit' wurde 1979 auch von Jean Terrell und Breakwater aufgenommen und veröffentlicht.

Ghostface Killah reunites with his partner in rhyme Raekwon to bring fans Bulletproof Wallets, which continues Ghost’s winning streak of delivering front to back classic material. Filled with the usual Ghost slang, bass heavy production, Bulletproof Wallets dropped not long after Supreme Clientele without skipping a beat. The fun Ghost & Rae are having on this record is beyond apparent. Bulletproof Wallets is almost like a party album, hit singles and street bangers. “Never Be the Same Again” (with Carl Thomas & Raekwon) and “Ghost Showers” play alongside “Maxine” and “The Forrest” all working off each others energy. Other stand outs like “Walking through the Darkness”, “The Hilton” all bang through the speakers and continues to add to Ghost’s undeniable catalog. On some groundbreaking production from The RZA, Alchemist, Carlos 6 July Broady and Mathmatics, Ghostface shines and the chemistry between Rae and Ghost is incredible!

The UK’s cosmic, psychedelic-funk ensemble issue their first album on maverick producer Madlib’s label, Madlib Invazion. The Heliocentrics’ albums are all confounding pieces of work. Drawing equally from the funk universe of James Brown, the disorienting asymmetry of Sun Ra, the cinematic scope of Ennio Morricone, the sublime fusion of David Axelrod, Pierre Henry’s turned-on musique concrète, and Can’s beat-heavy Krautrock, they have – regardless of the label on which they’ve released their music - pointed the way towards a brand new kind of psychedelia, one that could only come from a band of accomplished musicians who were also obsessive music fans. Drummer Malcolm Catto and bassist Jake Ferguson are the Heliocentrics’ masterminds and producers, and they are obsessive weirdos in today’s musical climate, searching, progressive humans who are often out-of-time with current trends. They have been playing together for nearly two decades and their collective drive is to find an individual voice. The Heliocentrics search for it in an alternate galaxy where the orbits of funk, jazz, psychedelic, electronic, avant-garde and “ethnic” music all revolve around “The One.” With Madilb’s label Madlib Invazion for Infinity of Now, the Heliocentrics have returned to develop their epic vision of psychedelic funk, while exploring the possibilities created by their myriad influences, Latin, African, and more.

The Madlib Invazion Music Library Series Entry #3: Drummer and Producer J-Zone offers his take on The Ultimate Beats, Breaks and Funk. This is the next up in a series of music library releases, with future volumes produced by DJ Muggs, Karriem Riggins and more. The Madlib Invazion Music Library Series was created by Madlib and Egon to give their creative friends a chance to stretch out and indulge in whatever type of music they wanted. This music was created for easy, one-stop clearance in film and television synchronization usage and for sampling. You can also enjoy these albums in the way that many do with the best of the best vintage library catalogs – listen, ponder, repeat.

Ohio independent Hip-Hop mainstays J. Rawls and Cas Metah put on a clinic with Criminal Blinded. As has become his signature, Dr. Rawls delivers 7 soulful tracks for Cas to spit carefully crafted conscious lyricism. The Buckeye state is represented to the fullest as Rawls & Metah are joined by OH legends Holmskillit on "G Rap", Donte of Mood on "Golden Arms", Blast Mega on "Seven Kings" and D1 on the title track. The talented group of guest appearances doesn't end at the border though! Other features include Stik Figa, Sheisty Khrist, Rel McCoy, Napoleon Da Legend, Sleep Sinatra, Taiyamo Denku and Scribbling Idiots.

'Higher Than High' ist eine gefühlvolle Disco-Nummer mit unerbittlichem Beat. Der Track wurde zusammen mit drei anderen Nummern um 1976 für den GRC aufgenommen. Die B-Seite ist eine Aufnahme von John Edwards. 'It's Got To Be The Real Thing For Me This Time' ist ein Uptempo-Song von Sam Dees.

Kalita are excited to announce the first ever re-release of "Adzagli (Jungle Funk)" and "A Song For You (Ayawa)", two phenomenal pieces of West African disco from Amsterdam"s Kofi Ayivor. Selected from his sought-after Nigerian 1981 self-titled debut album "Kofi", at last these two recordings see the light of day once more via a loud-cut remastered 12" single. In addition, Kalita enlists fellow Amsterdam resident, DJ and producer Mendel to create his own remix of each recording, using the original multitrack session tapes to rework both for the modern-day dancefloor.

Cosmic jazz from the Canary Islands. After a few years in London, where he worked with Archie Shepp and recorded a sought-after album for the famed library music label De Wolfe, Argentinian pianist Luis Vecchio settled in the island of Gran Canaria following advice from a superior entity from outer space. Vecchio subsequently opened the first jazz school in the Canary Islands, effectively planting the seeds of jazz in the archipelago.


In Contactos, recorded in 1978 in the Mayra studio owned by Ramiro González, Vecchio gives a free jazz account (with a dash of funky jazz rock) of his contacts with Adionesis, who delivers his ominous message upon the human race on side B of the album. Fellow Argentinean Fernando Bermúdez on percussion and Japanese bass player Yoichi Yahiro complete the line-up of Contactos.

Four years on from the original expedition, Masis returns to the Challenger Deep to reclaim his lost treasure. Armed with a loaded harpoon to skewer the circling sharks, he resurfaces once more, allowing all dub lovers to enjoy his prized cuts.

Breakbeat Paradise Recordings has teamed up with hip-hop legend Paul Sitter who has gather some of dopest MCs on the planet to feature on the epic LP: Hip-Hip Delivery.

The LP is a celebration to the oldskool hiphop vibes that started it all by cutting and scratching up the classic funk record, twisted in a brand-new way with MCs from around the world dropping fire on the mic.

Starting out with the intoxicating Global Chremistry with Craig G and some big funky grooves. Moving on to the Go Move featuring the awesome Andy Cooper on a smooth boom bap joint. The classic Wild Thing gets a oldskool hiphop twist with some big rhymes by Birdapres and cuts by DJ Robert Smith. The breaks are about to get serious as Chromedrops some high paced rhymes on the Who's Nice Kid track. Finally the A-Side finishes up paying some respect to some of the classics beat and breaks from the early hip days on the King Of Rock jam.


The flip side kicks off with more groovy, soulful hip hop featuring Andy Cooper on the catchy Chasing the Funk. Paul Sitter breaks is down nice on another slick hip hop anthem B-Boy Impressions before letting Dr Syntax take it over on the mic on the It's On Like That jam.

The last 3 joints on the album lets Paul Sitter get busy on some funky hip-hop creations showcasing his classic breakbeats and heavy sample techniques.


Breakbeat Paradise Recordings' first full album release since 2019 to drop on 12" vinyl but with an instant classic release like this we felt there was no other way to do it.

In the early 2000s, Slum Village was riding high on the success of their Fantastic and Fantastic Vol. 2 releases and upped the ante with the release of Trinity (Past, Present And Future). Despite Jay Dee’s starting to pursue solo efforts, the production team assembled for Trinity kept the Slum vibe found on the Fantastic albums alive. Producers on the release include Hi-Tek, Waajeed, Scott Storch, Karriem Riggins, T3, Black Milk, Young R.J., Shelton ""Ess"" Rivers with a significant contribution from Jay Dee himself.

Soulful R&B record from multi-instrumentalist, singer, producer and hip-hop DJ Stimulator Jones.

 Follow up to his 2018 debut album ‘Exotic Worlds and Masterful Treasures’.

 Draws on a range of styles and periods, from the 70s and 80s to the present day.

 Stimulator Jones is back with a new record out this summer on Stones Throw, featuring a variety of sounds such as hip-hop, lo-fi, jazz, psychedelic rock and R&B.

 Stimulator Jones was featured on fellow Stones Throw artist DJ Harrison’s recent album, ‘Tales From the Old Dominion’, which was critically acclaimed and received support from several major artists including Tyler, The Creator.

 Billie Eilish has posted Stimulator Jones’ track ‘Soon Never Comes’ multiple times on her socials and included it in her Billie Eilish at Home playlist.

 For fans of Dan Kye, Matt Martians, DãM-FunK, Mndsgn, Jitwam, DJ Harrison, Swarvy, Butcher Brown.

Lyrically gifted, socially aware, and politically insightful, Talib Kweli is one of the most influential hip-hop artists of the last 25 years. His early collaborative albums with Mos Def and Hi-Tek were among the most important releases in the genesis of modern rap, forging a future for thought-provoking lyricism and raw soundscapes at a moment when mass commercialization threatened the soul of the genre. Now more than two decades into a thrilling solo career, Kweli has evolved creatively while maintaining his artistic integrity, working with top talent across the musical spectrum in the process. Known for classic collaborative albums with artists like J Dilla, MF DOOM, and Freddie Gibbs, widely celebrated producer Madlib is a sampling savant who has crafted beats for the likes of Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Tyler The Creator, Logic, De La Soul, and many more. After releasing a groundbreaking collaborative project back in 2006, Madlib and Talib Kweli are reuniting for the highly-anticipated follow-up Liberation 2. Expansive in concept, the album is a vivid exploration of revolution, love, pan-Africanism, music, spirituality, and more, with Madlib’s jazz-inflected instrumentals providing the perfect soundtrack. “The materialism and debauchery that is stereotypically associated with hip hop has lost some of its luster,” Kweli explains. ìNever has there been a better time for such honest, message driven music that pays tribute to the sounds that came before us.” A global call for unity through space and time, Liberation 2 features appearances by Q-Tip, Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano, Roy Ayers, Goapele, Wildchild, Pink Siifu, and more, plus a posthumous verse by Mac Miller. Not on traditional digital outlets, the album is now available in physical form for the first time ever.

Teflon’s much-anticipated new album, 2 Sides to Every Story, is a celebratory moment for the Brooklyn native, who burst onto the scene as part of M.O.P.’s First Family during the late ‘90s New York rap scene. Following contractual headaches and some time away from the game, the acclaimed emcee is back like he never left. And he’s not doing it alone, either. Telfon is joined on this project by two of hip-hop’s finest producers and his closest collaborators, DJ Premier and Jazimoto, who split production duties down the middle. Together, they’ve crafted a raw, mature album that showcases Teflon at the top of his lyrical game. Teflon still has that distinctive, instantly gripping voice that pulls you in, just so he can hit you over the head with dope wordplay and straight bars. While Teflon goes solo for a number of cuts on the album, he also calls on his M.O.P. brethren to provide their signature energy. It’s a true full circle moment for Teflon, whose name is heavily linked to M.O.P.’s discography since their ‘96 album, Firing Squad. And for hip-hop heads who have been bumping his music since then, this album couldn’t have arrived any sooner.

Repress!


Epitomising the very best of their hometown’s unparalleled musical heritage, Detroit’s Dames Brown are the vocal trio you may not yet know by name but are sure to know by voice. Lending their exquisite range to a number of modern house essentials, including Sophie Lloyd’s ‘Calling Out’, The Vision featuring Andreya Triana ‘Heaven’ and David Penn’s ‘Nobody’ in recent years, Athena Johnson, Teresa Marbury and LaRae Starr now release ‘What Would You Do?’ on a limited 7” package. Produced by long-time collaborator of the group and fellow Motor City native Amp Fiddler and Mahogani Music regular Andrés, this slick, funk-filled and typically soulful vinyl release features the exceptional original version as well as Lyon house superstar Folamour’s remix, with his signature groove a perfect match for the Dames mesmerising vocal.

Pioneering DJ and radio host, Dan Greenpeace, invited legendary rapper, Bronx native and fellow producer Diamond D to appear on the first in his new series of vinyl and digital releases. As a founding member of the acclaimed production crew, D.I.T.C., Diamond is one of Dan’s biggest inspirations and this record is somewhat of an homage to his Hip-Hop peer heroes that paved the way for him and so many others. Nowhere To Run To sees Diamond spitting his trademark hard-hitting rhymes over Dan’s guitar stab heavy beats culminating in what critics have already hailed as a modern Hip-Hop classic.

The debut release from the new Studio 45 project features reworks of some classic Disco-infused blends from way back in the day, both remixed and refreshed for 2023, and available on a 45 for the very first time! First up, Del Gazeebo brings his own classic cut "Got to be Large" featuring Cheryl Lynn & Kool Keith up to date. On the flip, he turns his attention to LL Smooth K's "Can I Get a Soul Clap", breathing fresh life into Grand Wizard Theodore's old skool jam. Early support from Jalapeno Soundsystem, Nick Halkes (Disco Wonderland). And thanks to The Allergies for making it their "tune of the month" on this month's podcast.

A double shot of Y2K digi thrillers from Sydney via Bromley electro-dub producer Jeff Dread. Part of the city’s burgeoning network of blunted bass and sound system culture, Dread worked in parallel with the likes of Sheriff Lindo, Andy Rantzen and Ali Omar, issuing two dynamite albums on Creative Vibes in 1999 and 2001.

Utilising the Atari 1020 Ste, Dread would frantically live mix up to 9 tracks direct to CD-R, echoing the same rough and ready low tech intuition as Jamaican trailblazers King Tubby, Scientist and Jack Ruby and their UK-based disciples Jah Shaka, Adrian Sherwood and Mad Professor. While unmarked discs of his indulgently durational sessions litter the archives, this plate showcases versions immortalised by two crucial compilation CDs. Wicked stepper ‘Dub The Farmer’s Daughter’ burrows the ear canal with its addictive melodica and tightly coiled acid synth lines, edited for high impact by Sheriff Lindo for his volume of Dub For the Masses (Dread would curate its successor), while ‘Out On A Limb’ hails from Just Is, a double album sequenced by legendary Sydney queer party crew Club Kooky. A bass bin creeper that was extended with horns for his second longplayer Return From Alpha One, it’s this unembellished work in progress that really stings.

With Dread’s allegiance to local sound system heavyweights Firehouse, these totally brained studio jams are tried and tested weapons, finally blasting on the sacred 7” format.

Dispute Records is more than glad to welcome the fantastic Jonny Rock for the first release.

Three weird and wonderful jams for obscure dancefloors... and beyond.

"Dance My Hurt Away" is the first single from the upcoming debut album by The Faithful Brothers from Tel Aviv/Israel. Is there a Northern Soul scene in Tel Aviv? The surprising answer is - yes, there is. If you're a soulie and in town, look for the Tel Aviv Soul Club, and you might find yourself swaying across a talcum-powder covered floor to Tel Aviv's own unique blend of classic Northern Soul 45s and early 1960s R&B sounds. Chances are that those 45s will come out of the record boxes of one of the brothers Neeman, Johnnie and Bin. Tel Aviv Soul Club, aka TASC, is the brainchild of Yashiv Cohen, a DJ who, in 2006, lured the brothers Neeman, whose massive soul collections been hitherto confined to their respective living rooms, into playing their records to the Tel Aviv public. Yashiv is also the lead singer of Men of North Country (MONC), a Tel Aviv band with a distinct sound, blending rock, British pop and soul. Since Neeman means Faithful in Hebrew, Yashiv woke up one morning with the crystallization that MONC must create a spin-off, a more puristic soul band, called the Faithful Brothers. It took a few more years, but gradually the brothers succumbed to their fate, to continue their musical progression, from collectors to DJs to musicians. Johnnie took his guitar, Bin took to the piano, and the brothers began pouring out some of their influences, creating new songs. It is finally all coming together now.

Limited rerelease. Unavailable for years. The legendary album from 1984. Fully remastered by David Cunningham. These recordings were originally released on cassette by Touch in 1984 with the exception of 'Parts Of My Body', released on a single by Canal Records in 1979. Performed by: Steve Beresford: bass, piano, farfisa organ, prophet 5, trumpet, flugelhorn, euphonium, percussion, glockenspiel, voice, toy piano, melodica, noises, rhythm tracks, drumkit. David Toop: guitar, prepared guitar, bass, percussion, flute, alto flute, glockenspiel, voice, tapes, noises, rhythm tracks David Cunningham: tape treatments with guests: Lol Coxhill, Dawn Roberts and Maartje ten Hoorn 'The atmosphere which General Strike conjure together suits an old fashioned, cold war-ish scenario of technology. Their 'Interplanetary Music' is the space pop of George Pal and 'The Day The Earth Stood Still', of computers built like Blackpool Tower in order to struggle through simple trigonometry, of 'The Jetsons' and I.G.Y. They go no further than Expo 67, the world's last gasp of optimism. And although there are dark and disquieting moods set in this mosaic which their listeners have pieced together, it is made with a humour which is true to the spirit of adventure which those references apply. The sanitation merchants who make up most of the world's record-makers today would forbid our ears from hearing these strangely electric keyboards, earthworked textures, bizarre chattering of percussion, and voices that seem like puzzled robots. Cataloguing the sound in that way makes it all seem a bit of a joke, but it isn't: laughter is encouraged, but it's serious music, made with a great deal more serious spirit than the great and disheartening mountain of music which today implores you to hear and not listen.' (Richard Cook).

Wewantsounds continues its Akiko Yano reissue programme with the release of "Iroha Ni Konpeitou," another superb Akiko Yano album and one of her funkiest, highlighting her unmissable singing and songwriting talents. Recorded in Tokyo and New York City, the album features a superb line up of the best musicians from both cities and sees Yano mixing Japanese pop with funk and a touch of electronics, playing a wide array of keyboards programmed by YMO synth wizard Hideki Matsutake. This is the first time the album is released outside of Japan and this deluxe LP edition includes remastered sound, download card plus the original 4-page insert with poster, lyrics and full line-up.

My bioluminescent heart is glowing. My post-apocalyptic fae world is here for you to journey into. My wings have been ripped out, but I’ve built them anew using WEEDKILLER machine parts. I am the one sent here to eliminate you, WEEDKILLER.

Debut album WEEDKILLER is a collection of irresistible songs that perfect the bold, genre-blending sound that has defined Ashnikko’s work to date. However, as Ashnikko fans will know, she is known for transporting listeners into her universe and WEEDKILLER is no exception. The WEEDKILLER universe that Ashnikko has created is a dystopian fantasy that tells the story of a fae civilization occupied and destroyed by machines that feed on organic matter where the faerie protagonist seeks revenge by becoming part machine - a poetic commentary on environmental disaster and the rapid evolution of technology. Full of equal parts naked vulnerability and joyful rebellion, WEEDKILLER gives a thundering voice to the oppressed.

* Clear with Purple Center Vinyl * Fully printed inner sleeves * Liner notes by Larry Mizell Jr. // The album is named for the combs used to maintain an Afro hairstyle, and that's significant. The group's Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler said it summed up what they wanted to do with it: "It means the utilization of the natural, a natural style," he has said. Like with 1993's debut _Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)_, 'utilizing the natural' meant creating hip hop that blended jazz with the formidable rap skills of the aforementioned Butterfly, Craig 'Doodlebug' Irving and Mary Ann 'Ladybug Mecca' Vieira. Unlike that debut, it meant broadening to include guests such as Gang Starr's Guru, Jeru the Damaja, and Jazzy Joyce. Following the gold-selling commercial success of their debut, they here set out to prove their artistic prowess. This is intelligent, alternative hip hop that sounded like party music. Its lyrics are dense with wit, social commentary and politics - and its original inner sleeve was modeled on the newspaper of the Black Panther movement.

The return of Norwegian producer, musician, graphic / fashion designer and erstwhile goalkeeper Espen Horne is something quite momentous for Wah Wah 45s. The label's debut release, the now seminal Magnetica, was produced by the man himself, and in the best part of 25 years that followed he never lost his connection with the label and remained very much part of the Wah Wah family.

Now, almost a quarter of a century later, Espen returns with his first solo material under his own name since that club classic from 1999. Having produced music under the pseudonym of Bobby Hughes (his goalkeeping moniker when playing for Wigan!) and alongside soulful reggae vocalist Caitlin Simpson as Kinny and Horne for Tru Thoughts, Espen is back with another vocalist of a similar ilk, and one who is well known to fans of Wah Wah 45s.

Faye Houston was one of two great front women for the label's much loved, and much missed, dub outfit Resonators. On the A-side she returns to the fold with Espen on the deeply spiritual soul-jazz beauty Bakeren. It's the first taste of Espen's debut LP for the imprint, The Anatomy of Serene Eloquence, due out this winter.

The opening spoken words set the scene:

"For han bor helt alene på en bitteliten øy" which translates to "Because he lives all alone on his tiny island" and sums up perfectly how Espen lives his life in the beautiful, lush Western Norwegian coastal town of Bergen, surrounding himself with nature and focusing on it as one of the main inspirations for his new music.

This was never more the case than during the pandemic, when Espen began work on his new album. Grateful for the natural wonders that surrounded him, but keen to reach out to fellow humans to collaborate with, he started sharing musical ideas on-line with Faye, organist Rory More and bass player & vibes master Alexander von Mehren. Adding Eirik Blästernes on keys and Ivar Thormodsceter on drums were the finishing touches that created a very special and very moving piece of music that sets the scene for the album. The love and respect that the musicians share for each other, and their surroundings, is explicit in this song. A song which, rather wonderfully, draws its inspiration from an early 1970s Norwegian children's record, naturally.

On the flip, Bergen Sunraysemploys the talents of another sublime vocalist - this time rapper and singer Selim Mutic who is also, quite aptly, from the Norwegian's home town referenced in the song's title. The track was the first piece that Espen started working on in this new collection of songs, and what started as a rough sketch was soon picked up to be used as part of the Visit Bergen tourism campaign! The song's lyrics talk about loving their city for what it is - "raindrops, snowflakes, sunrays", all in one day! It's a melancholic and soulful love song to Bergen that incidentally also marks the first time that Mutic has written and performed a piece in English!

Curious keys come courtesy of Eirik Blåsternes alongside driving drums from Ivar Thormodsæter, but it's Chris Holm's heavy bassline groove, itself inspired, in typical Espen Horne style, by an obscure choral Christian record from 1970, that really propels the track forward.

Healing Force Project continues its sonic journey towards territories of dub/reggae derivation. In this case, creating for Analog Versions, two tracks with a dark flavor, introspective but never banal. In the piece "The Bathysphere Stalks The Ganja", which gives the title to the 10inch record, there is a well-defined rhythmic gait, obviously with a markedly dub timbre and a structure that almost transforms into a jungle mantra, almost giving the listener a feeling of sensory loss. Continuing on this type of production and composition, "Jah Connection" develops on a slow groove in the first bars of the track, and then opens up to contexts close enough to the breakbeat and with a voice that repeatedly punctuates the riddim that is created step by step. Bottom line: whoever listens to this project just has to let themselves be carried away by these timeless sounds.

Unstoppable elders of the L'Entourloop collective, King James and Sir Johnny, are proud to present on June 10, 2022 their long-awaited third and new album entitled "Clarity in Confusion". Featuring Alborosie, Promoe, Degiheugi, General Levy, The Architect ...

It is now official, 2022 will mark the return of the tireless seniors of the collective L'ENTOURLOOP! After a break to devote themselves to the creation of a new album and a new live show that promises to be exceptional, they are back on the road, more determined than ever!
The success of their last albums "Chickens in Your Town" (2015) and "Le Savoir-Faire" (2017), with their unique "Banging hip-hop inna Yardie Style" never cease to seduce sound-system, vinyl and French classics fans, all over the world.

After a ten year pursuit, Efficient Space finally presents Late, Late Show, the last recordings of influential Sydney-via-Newcastle band pel mel. Taped in the mid-’80s, these charmingly unvarnished sessions pare the combo back to their core, producing blue-collar sophisti-pop to a danceable LinnDrum beat. From the funky disco-not-disco of ‘Mr President’ to the effortless pop perfection of ‘Fool’s House’, the six tracks reveal a creatively open and well-oiled pel mel before they inevitably disbanded.

Formed in early 1979 as a misfit sextet from steel and surf town Newcastle, pel mel were inspired by New York and UK’s post-punk imports. Cutting their teeth speeding through originals and Joy Division, Wire and The Buzzcocks covers every Friday night to a regular turnout of dole bludgers, students and the under-age, the band would also cross-pollinate with electronic-leaning support act The Limp. In 1980, they decamped to Sydney to join the city’s flourishing alternative music scene alongside the likes of Laughing Clowns, Tactics, The Reels, Wild West and the M Squared crew, making an indelible mark with two albums and several singles as the only domestic signee of Factory’s Australasian licensee GAP Records. Catchy and intelligently experimental without being noisy, their musicianship and enduring legacy continues to be lauded by peers.

Undoubtedly some of their strongest output, this previously unreleased demo suite documents pel mel free from the pressures of a commercial outcome, naturally elevating them to a class alongside Orange Juice, Antena and Young Marble Giants.

Session Victim and Erobique join forces once again for a beautiful cover version of Mark- Almond's "The City", starring Jamie Lloyd's enticing vocals and featuring Linnart Ebel's subtle rhythm guitar. Ever since Hauke Freer stumbled over Mark- Almond's final studio album Other People's Rooms at Montreal record store Death Of Vinyl a few years ago, the pair would regularily finish DJ nights with this 1978 recording of their hit single "The City" - and since then, the idea of recording their own rendition had been tossed around frequently. Carsten "Erobique" Meyer was not the first but really the duo's only choice to see this through and well, just listen to the impeccable Rhodes/Clavinet combination he came up with. However, it is Sydney's Jamie Lloyd who steals the show and takes the song into his realm, putting his very own stamp and character on this certified classic. Long time collaborator Linnart Ebel complete's the band with his ever subtle rhythm guitar. The two, three, four, five man house, not house band branches out for all the right reasons and this is the result.

Brand new Studio One compilation of rare and unreleased tracks from the archives. Featuring Aton Ellis, Otis Gayle, The Thriller, Royals, Marcia Griffiths, Prince Jazzbo and loads more!.

Brand new Studio One compilation of rare and unreleased tracks from the archives. Featuring Aton Ellis, Otis Gayle, The Thriller, Royals, Marcia Griffiths, Prince Jazzbo and loads more!.

‘Over And Over’ is simply the greatest ever 7-inch disco edit, a nine-minute anthem which retains (or maybe even enhances) its appeal in the smaller format.

The tripped-out soul of ‘I Need Somebody To Love Tonight’ also has a great shorter version. Neither have been reissued since their original release.

With his third single release, Y-Bayani (pronounced like Why-Bayani) shows clearly that he is the most intriguing roots-reggae sensation coming out of Ghana. He is backed again by the lushly grooving Band of Enlightenment, Reason and Love.

Asembi Ara Amba, sung in Fanti language, is an old Fanti story about having bad luck if you see a vulture up in the sky. As Y-Bayani sees one suddenly and for no reason he gets in trouble with the police. Being hold back in the police station he finally takes his chance to escape into freedom while the police men taking a nap.

On We Are The Band of Enlightenment, Reason And Love the group presents their personal anthem. The song is a cinematic journey starting with a mighty horn theme, followed up by a mantric chant and enters finally into a wall of sound in double time. It's a small symphony for sure.

The album features 15 tracks, showcasing Bastien’s truly cinematic sound while exploring new sonic territories. The album touches on the melancholic funk drifting between voiceovers of longing and hurt, through surreal, hallucinogenic folk ballads. It’s the juxtaposition of these genres sewn together with ambient synth skits that really makes the album a musical journey. Playful and serious, as the album title suggests, Bastien manages to induce a rye smile with a tear in the eye.


In Seb’s words, “The album tells the story of a failed relationship, as the man narrators missing his other. Whilst he imagines her comforting him, before accepting the end of the relationship, and feeling that the love he feels, she never did.”

Sharing common ground with luminaries such as David Axlerod, Kate Bush, Roy Orbison, Madlib and The Delfonics; Keb plays guitar, trumpet, bass, drums, piano, flute and more Keb’s writing and recording approach is slightly unique. He explains a little about how his records sound the way they do...

“I have a lo-fi approach to recording, for me it’s about the moment, all my records are time capsules of a certain time in my life, so the sound of the recording is secondary. It’s all about heart, that’s all I’m interested in. If I get a melody I have to record it asap, if the mic isn’t plugged in I use the macbook mic, if I’m not by the computer I’ll record into my phone.

For me personally using/sampling other peoples music isn’t making your own music, using your own soul, showing your own heart, it's just my personal opinion. It’s not right for me. No slur on those that do. If there are any samples on my records, it’s me sampling me. For me, this means the music is mine. It’s ‘of me’. That’s really important for me, because I feel that’s where the honesty is. If my music sounds ‘dusty’, that’s why”.

This approach provides us with a wonderfully inclusive record. The album feels almost ‘performed’ to us, live, on each listen. Coupled with Bastien’s capacity to write music which is almost visual, the album is quite enveloping.

Bastien returns to Def Pressé with this new album after the brilliant, Holy Mountain. Released under the name Grandamme, with friend and collaborator Claudia Kane.

Greensleeves und die 'Roots Defenders of Notting Hill Carnival', Channel One Sound System, präsentieren pünktlich zum weltberühmten Event den Sampler 'Down in The Dub Vaults'. Der enigmatische Selektor Mikey Dread durfte sich frei in den Greensleeves-Archiven bedienen und kuratiert ein Set echter Roots- und Dub-Perlen, die über die Jahre auf dem einzigartigen handgefertigten Channel One-Soundsystem liefen. 20 Tunes mit jamaikanischen Top-Vokalisten wie Wailing Souls, Michael Prophet, Linval Thompson und Hugh Mundell.

Ein weiteres Kultalbum von Jazz Room Records mit Danny Ward & Reality, die Mitte bis Ende der 70er Jahre die Go-To-Funky-Jazz-Band für College- und andere Hardcore-Funk-Party-Gigs in und um Seattle im pazifischen Nordwesten waren.

Sie veröffentlichten Coverversionen der neuesten Disco- und Top-40-Hits und nahmen ihr Publikum regelmäßig mit auf einen musikalischen Trip durch die funkigsten und jazzigsten Sounds der Zeit mit Titeln, die durch George Benson, Lydia Pense & Coldblood, The Headhunters, Mandrill, u.v.m. berühmt wurden.

Diese einzigartige Aufnahme, die die Band live bei einem Auftritt unter der Woche in Bremerton, Washington, einfängt, zeigt ihren unnachahmlichen Stil.

A Danny Krivit and Harvey favourite, as sampled by J Dilla and Glenn Underground - a dubby disco cover of the Gamble & Huff penned O'Jays classic.

This sound was later pioneered by the likes of Arthur Russell and Larry Levan.

Replica original 7' artwork, official Mr Bongo reissue, mastered from our original DAT copy.

Les Disques du Crepuscule presents a new double vinyl remaster of two seminal albums by German synth wave pioneers Gina X Performance, whose groundbreaking singles Nice Mover, No G.D.M. and Kaddish remain enduring electroclash staples after four decades of club supremacy.

Remastered for vinyl in 2021 by Zeus B. Held and Lars Lafeyette Fassbender, the double album set is housed in a gatefold sleeve with new artwork and pressed on clear and green vinyl + digital copy. This pressing is limited to 1000 copies only worldwide. The inner sleeve features a brand new interview with Zeus.


Formed in Cologne in 1978, the core of Gina X Performance composed vocalist Gina Kikoine and producer/keyboard/vocoder wizard Zeus B. Held. ‘I had in mind science fiction-inspired tracks,’ explains Zeus.‘Really cold sounding music, with no blues-ey chords or melodies, no guitar and nothing rocky.’

Originally issued on German imprint Crystal 1979, icy, noirish debut album Nice Mover spawned two radical Eurodisco hits, with gender-bending single No G.D.M. becoming a firm favourite at the legendary Blitz Club in London’s Soho. At the same time Zeus B. Held also became an in-demandproducer, working with John Foxx, Fashion, Rockets and Dead or Alive.

The third GXP long player, Voyeur, from 1981, followed a brief spell on EMI and saw the duo return to their experimental, avant-gardist roots, the material by turns seductive, provocative and confrontational. Since then countless electronic artists have acknowledged or betrayed the influence of Gina X Performance, including Depeche Mode, Propaganda, Ladytron and Peaches.
Critical praise for Gina X Performance: “Pioneering electro-pop from 1979 with hints of Kraftwerk, Nico and Studio 54-era Grace Jones” (Mojo); “Like an artier Moroder” (Uncut); “No G.D.M. is one of the most influential songs to come out of the Continent” (Q); “Disco for the intellect” (NME)

First Word Records is very proud to welcome the return of the inimitable Kaidi Tatham, with his 5th album for us, entitled 'The Only Way'. Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist born in the Midlands and based in Belfast. Established as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound, he is a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production. A deeply prolific artist, this is Kaidi's 5th solo album under his own name, following on from 'Don't Rush The Process' (2022), 'An Insight To All Minds' (2021), 'It's A World Before You' (2018), and 'In Search Of Hope' (re-pressed in 2020), all released on First Word, along with several EPs from 2017 onwards. 'The Only Way' is the latest chapter in Kaidi's entirely unique explorations into sound. 11 tracks touching on bruk, funk, jazz, mid-tempo hip hop and hyper-energetic Brazilian flavours, all thrown into a melting pot that's difficult to define, but all containing Kaidi's unmistakable sonic signature. The ...

Prinz & Prinz is one of the most mysterious bands from 1980s Austria. It remains unknown who the two of them actually were. Their music has never been sold in shops, either. It only appeared on one of the obscure Youngers of Vienna-compilations, which were the outcome of a local band contest. If this was a one-off project, it certainly was a brilliant one. The first song on this 7“, “Kleine Segelschiffe” (little sailboats), does everything right in combining reggae rhythms and German vocals. The second track, “Einsamkeit” (loneliness), is a weird, organic lo-fi disco tune that amounts to the best Austrian take on Philly disco we have heard yet. Neither of the pieces disappoints. Both will make you want to find out more about Prinz & Prinz.

Prolific producer Stu Bangas is back with a new collection of hard-hitting collaborations on Death Wish (Part II), the much anticipated sequel to the 2021 original. The project finds the Boston beatsmith rocking with some of his favorite emcees of all time as well as familiar names who always seem to bring their best work to his instrumentals.

For Stu, it’s an honor to work with the likes of Ras Kass and Psycho Les (of the Beatnuts). He made the connections while creating the phenomenal Empires LP with Eric Bobo (of Cypress Hill), and it led to the bangers you hear on Death Wish (Part II). The track with Ras, “Sus,” is an equally hilarious and hardcore takedown of weak-willed phonies, while Psycho Les teams with Celph Titled for the gangster-but-lighthearted “Y’all Clowns.”

“I grew up on all the Beatnuts albums, my whole group of friends loved them,” Stu says. “And Soul on Ice by Ras Kass? That’s a certified classic for any hip-hop head.”

The summer of 2016 marked the fortuitous meeting of two talented musicians, Zaidi Kiggundu (Ziggy Funk) and Jamie Mcshane, at a music festival. Sharing a love for Funk, Jazz, and Soul music, the duo knew they had to collaborate on a project together. Both Zaidi and Jamie had established music careers, bringing their unique backgrounds and experiences to the table. They also had their own music labels, contributing to their respective scenes.

Their collaboration began with a series of demo sessions at Jamie's studio in Scotland. Together, they laid down the foundation for their debut album, which they named 'Fortuitous.' This album fused Funk, Jazz, and Soul with a contemporary touch, paying homage to the classic albums of the past that deeply inspired them. Despite facing challenges such as scheduling conflicts and the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zaidi and Jamie remained committed to completing the project.

To bring their musical vision to life, they enlisted the help of top-notch musicians on horns, including Ewan Mains, Konrad Wisniewski, and James Steele. With their contributions, the album 'Fortuitous' delivers solid grooves and captivating arrangements, showcasing the duo's dedication to their craft. The quality of the music caught the attention of Splash Music, who eagerly embraced the project. What started as a chance encounter and a few simple ideas many years ago has now transformed into a fully realized album, ready to be released to the world for everyone to enjoy.

Wenn ihr Dub-Reggae der 70er Jahre liebt, dann ist diese Limitierte Yellow LP eine wichtige Ergänzung eurer Sammlung! Der Produzent Joe Gibbs war für die vier Mitte der 70er Jahre unter dem Titel African Dub All-Mighty veröffentlichten Scheiben verantwortlich, aber die Musiker waren in Wirklichkeit eine wechselnde Ansammlung von Mitgliedern der Bands Soul Syndicate, We the People und The Revolutionaries sowie das ergänzende Genie hinter dem Mischpult Errol Thompson.

Mr. Fingers second part of the Around the Sun series of albums!!! Larry Heard's (under his most notable monniker) continuation on the path from last years "Around the Sun part 1".

Encompassing all his influences from Jazz, R&B to Techno and Ambient these lush tracks with a feel that no one else expresses quite like him. No need to further elaborate... Larry Heard at his finest.

For the ninth release on Flat White Records, we welcome U.S based producer, rapper, singer and all-around artist, VRGO.

Located in Alabama, Anthony Jamal (VRGO) takes pride in basing his music on feelings and emotions, rather than targeting specific genres and audiences. Something that can be felt in his productions.

Just to keep the listeners on their toes, FW009 strays slightly from the usual sound of Flat White Records as the record features two original Hip Hop productions.

These are followed up by a more “true to form” raw house jam to complete what is a very versatile A Side.

On the flip are remixes by fellow Alabama resident, Byron The Aquarius as well as label boss, Flat White Chris. Some tracks from this EP will feature on a larger LP by VRGO in the near future, so keep your ears peeled.

Music Mania and Indica Dubs is proud to present the 26th release on the Mania Dub label:

“Another Moses” by UK’s legendary reggae dub pioneers Alpha & Omega, a brand new killer album of heavy dubwise bass-music!

This release will be a one-time limited edition vinyl for Record Store Day April 2023.

La Maison Venturi & Bazaar Records proudly present the first 12inch EP of the French duo Cee-O-Funk.
Expect deviant house with boogie/funk touch and bizarre/weird sexy things.

"T'as le cul qui dit oui" ("You got the ass that says yes"), is a sexy groove carried by a heady and sharp bassline to pay homage to the moving bodies on the dancefloor and the little music of their buttocks when the whole stuff moves to the sound of the beat.
"Sex with the beat" is a joyful ode to love in all its forms, whether it is libertine or tidy or whatever. We all love without limit with or without music, but with music it's still better.
"Naked on the dancefloor" looks like a huge electronic blues, a postpartum blues, with the memory of someone on their lips, inseparable from this feeling that one can have in a trance on the dancefloor.
"Rock with U" is a repetitive, unifying, loving hymn ... let's do things together, forever.

Official reissue of this obscure Hawaiian psych-pop rarity.
Meticulously restored for reissue by Jessica Thompson.
Pressed at Gotta Groove Records.
A beautiful album celebrating Hawaii’s warmth and spirit. Enterprising composer and musician Eddie Suzuki made his own path throughout his lifetime. Born on October 4, 1929, Suzuki worked as a young shoeshiner in 1940s Honolulu, saving enough money to take piano lessons. In high school, he led a big band orchestra of 16, and sometimes up to 40 members. By the age of 18, he owned a piano shop that pivoted to become Honolulu’s top guitar store.
For Eddie Suzuki, music always came first. In 1973, after performing and composing songs for many years, Eddie Suzuki and his group, New Hawaii, recorded the now impossibly rare album, High Tide.
The LP isn’t a rock-outfit, local music journalist Wayne Harada ruminated in a 1973 review. Rather, it’s one man’s vision and version of the now Hawaii. A seasoned mix of psych, Hawaiian, and pop sensibilities, the music on High Tide gave the listener a look into Eddie’s singular vision celebrating the sights and sounds (and spirit) of Hawaii.

Flower Storm is a new multi-disciplinary project from the minds of Sepehr and Kasra V -- recontextualizing classic Iranian sounds and folklore, with the modernity of each artists aural palettes to create a sharp-edged musical sword. Birthed from the desire to combine contemporary club culture with the deep roots of their nationalities and motherland, Flower Storm is a simultaneous deep dive into the history of their ancestors as well as a nod to underground electronic soundscapes. Their debut EP entitled 'Yek' (translates to the number 1 in Farsi) is a fierce, four track collection of music alluding and akin to the mythical journeys of ancient stories like Shahnameh. New and classic sounds interlay and converse with each other in an explosive yet intimate manner, like flowers raining from the sky.

Fully remastered reissue with replica artwork of rare double header funk 45 by Miami band Human Race from 1971. Black 7" dinked centre hole vinyl.

This is an exclusive dubplate mix, a version featuring a classic Judah Eskender Tafari vocal, with Ruben Alexander playing sax. As for the other musicians, the late Judah Eskender Tafari told interviewer Peter I: “Yeah, it was like Pablove Black, Bagga, Earl Walker, Sowell Noel Bailey was the guitarist. Dem time deh, Freddie McGregor a play drums ‘pon that song deh...”

Madre Lingua is a collection of songs born via the constant interactions among the Artists that gravitated around Mother Tongue in the first two years since its opening.
On the back of this continuous exchange of musical ideas and vibes MT’s own Patrick Gibin full time coordinator and producer of many of the songs here worked on this project like painting a blank canvas inviting Tiombé Lockhart, Kaidi Tatham, K15, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Tommaso Cappellato, EDB, Gary Superfly and the mysterious 黒舌 (Infectious Madness) to bring their colourful and heartfelt contributions to this unique collection of songs.

Now six 7" releases deep, New Directions In Funk is plotting a new course with an excursion to São Paulo courtesy of your guide Zopelar whose 'Mensagem' marks the first LP on the label. Fresh off a pair of fire releases on Apron Records and Selva Discos, we're thrilled to welcome Zopelar back to Soul Clap Records.

'Mensagem' is a tribute to all the Brazilian OG DJs, collectors, and musicians that were responsible for spreading the funky music in the 70’s, laying the foundation for the sounds of today. Over the course of fifty years, Brazilian dance music has morphed into distinct genres and sounds, from underground techno to 'baile funk', but the roots always remained. It all comes back to the power of bringing people together to enjoy the energy of dancing and having fun, and the key rhythm behind the movement is the FUNK.

Combining these classic drum machine rhythms with a modern approach to synths, chords, and melody, on 'Mensagem' Zopelar orchestrates a new vision of the music played in the old Bailes. Timely and timeless, this music is a message from the future to all the pioneers of the Brazilian sound. A resounding message that in Brazil and beyond, the funk is going to be alive forever.

Highly anticipated debut from 2020 breakthrough artist, London-based musician and poet Arlo Parks.
“My album is a series of vignettes and intimate portraits surrounding my adolescence and the people that shaped it. It is rooted in storytelling and nostalgia
- I want it to feel both universal and hyper specific.” - Arlo Parks
This album news continues an outstanding year for Arlo, who was included on the BBC Sound Of 2020 poll and Radio 1 Brit List, as well as the Dazed 100 list,
and was named as an ambassador for mental health charity CALM.
Winner of the BBC Music Introducing Artist Of The Year 2020.
Includes the Radio 1 A-listed singles ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Hurt’.
First LP pressing is on 180g deep red vinyl with foldout poster and digital download code

“Home Ward Bound” is an exclusive dubplate mix, and different from the issued 45 and LP mixes, which were included in the reissued CD of the classic “Bobby Babylon” set. . The flute is probably played by Tommy McCook.

This isn’t an actual vinyl record, but a piece of playable artwork made from machined card and spot UV especially created by Haroon Mirza, and is packaged in a record sleeve. Comes with a unique download code to download the full visual movie and audio files.

Intro

hrm199,the studio of artists Haroon Mirza and Gaia Fugazza, is pleased to announce OUTPUTS, a new label run in association with musician and artist Nik Void (Factory Floor). OUTPUTS will launch with the release of The Wave Epoch, the long-awaited concept album by Haroon Mirza and Jack Jelfs featuring GAIKA.

The Label

OUTPUTS will initially focus on releasing projects by artists already associated with hrm199, starting with The Wave Epoch. This will be followed by two long form compositions, created by Gaia Fugazza and Nik Void. As well as developing new collaborations, the label will also delve into hrm199’s archive containing previous collaborative works with artists such as Okkyung Lee, Shiva Feshareki, Beatrice Dillon and Mark Fell.

Available as a limited edition playable artwork made from machined card and foil especially created by Haroon Mirza.

The product will come with a download code and a download for the full visual film created by Haroon.

Originally conceived by artists Haroon Mirza and Jack Jelfs during their 2018 residency at CERN – the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, and home of the iconic Large Hadron Collider – The Wave Epoch is an album and film developed in collaboration with artist and musician GAIKA amongst others who joined them on the residency. An immersive and multimedia live performance version of The Wave Epoch has previously been performed at the Brighton Festival, Lisson Gallery and the Ministry of Sound nightclub.

Incorporating music, poetry, incantation, archive and original video footage and homemade electronic instruments (including some built from discarded scientific equipment from CERN), the album imagines a distant future in which the forgotten remains of the Large Hadron Collider have been rediscovered. How would a civilisation several thousand years from now interpret this vast octa-circle carved into the landscape, with its miles of underground tunnels, cathedral-like spaces and forbiddingly complex machinery?

Taking this scenario as a starting point, the album and accompanying film are a visually-led sci-fi exploration of knowledge and belief, matter and consciousness, scientific activity and shamanic ritual, and of our quest to find patterns and order amidst the endlessly shifting realities of human experience.

Editors notes

hrm199 is a studio founded in 2004 by artist Haroon Mirza as a platform for collaborative artistic production. Today the studio is run by Mirza and the visual artist Gaia Fugazza, from where they make their own work, as well as facilitating collaborative projects and residencies. They work in a wide range of disciples spanning visual arts, music, architecture, design, physics, fashion, neuroscience and bioecology. The studio has collaborated with Factory Floor, Okkyung Lee, Assemble, Wayne McGregor, OSMAN and scientists from Imperial College, to name but a few.

Gaika Tavares, better known simply as GAIKA, is an artist and writer who describes his sound as Ghettofuturism. His creative output has always straddled different worlds, taking influence from academia, philosophy and political theory. His debut album Basic Volume (2018, Warp Records) was described as "gothic dancehall and industrial electronics" while The Guardian have said that his music blends "Caribbean dancehall tradition and London grime but also nod to R&B, trip-hop, grunge and Prince."

Jack Jelfs is a British artist whose work combines sculptural, video and text elements with electronics and live performance. His interests include questions about the nature of consciousness, ontology, ritual, divinatory systems and the limits of language. He has released music under various aliases and performed or exhibited at venues including Tate Modern, the Barbican, Serpentine Gallery, FACT and CCCB.

Haroon Mirza has won international acclaim for installations that test the interplay and friction between sound and electrical signals. He devises sculptures, performances and immersive constellations of objects, moving image, light and sound. An advocate of interference (in the sense of electro-acoustic or radio disruption), he creates situations that purposefully cross wires. He describes his role as a composer, manipulating electricity, a live, invisible and volatile phenomenon. Exploring myriads of socio-political, scientific and theological discourses, Mirza invites us to become aware of our physical experience, which engages our systems of belief as opposed to a notion of truth.

Mirza lives and works in London and is recipient of several prestigious prizes such as the Silver Lion at the 54th Venice Biennale, The Calder Prize and The Nam June Paik Art Centre Prize. He has been presented internationally including Tate Modern, MoMA, Lisson Gallery, The Paris Opera and The Australian Centre of Contemporary Art.

Nik Void is a composer and performer whose work blurs the lines of techno, ambient, avant-garde, and noise. Her interests lie in unconventional encounters with her tool, both analogue and digital as a means of expression. Voice, Guitar, and Modular are her key instruments, engaging in a new language using extended technique and cut-up sampling through synthesis. She has released critically acclaimed albums as Factory Floor, Carter Tutti Void and NPVR, on record labels that include Mute, DFA, Editions Mego and Blast First. Void's improvisational nature led her to explore the intersection between electronic composition and visual art interpretation, with visual artists, including Haroon Mirza, Gaia Fugazza, Hannah Sawtell, Phillip Parreno, and Francisco Lopez.

‘Nitely’ is the debut album from Jonny Wildey; written recorded over three years at North London’s creative haven Total Refreshment Centre.

Although ‘Nitely’ will be his first release under his own name, Wildey has been making electronic music under the name Alphabets Heaven for the last decade, releasing a string of acclaimed singles on Nightmares On Wax, Tru Thoughts, Soundway, and King Deluxe.

Recording upstairs at Total Refreshment Centre proved an inspiration in itself for Wildey – he recorded at night, which happily meant that some of the most exciting music around was happening in the same building: “The TRC had gigs on at the time, so I’d go there, start working on something, then would see the Neue Grafik Ensemble, or some amazing jazz band, and go back upstairs and carry on working, which was a lot of fun.” Unsurprisingly, he soon attracted some like-minded collaborators – ‘Nitely’ features Danalogue (The Comet Is Coming, Soccer96), Emma Gatrill (This Is The Kit, Laura Marling), Marcus Hamblett (James Holden, Timber Timbre) and London based beat master Deft (Yip Wong).

‘Nitely’ represents a musical shift, with Wildey embracing more traditional songwriting and a drawing upon his wide range of musical tastes – Shuggie Otis, Yes, Arthur Lee’s Love, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, A Tribe Called Quest, John Frusciante, Milton Nascimento, Steve Miller. “I really just wanted to take a lot of influences from the 70s and 80s that I was maybe a bit embarrassed about earlier in life and try and apply that to everything I’ve been doing for the last 10 years. I’m not ashamed to write songs and put my vocals at the front, which is a huge step for me. The big connecting thing is that a lot of the music I like is fun – say, Shuggie Otis has a lot of what I like in dance music, in that it just feels so light – it will just make whatever you do feel a bit better, that’s the kind of music I wanted to make.

Spanning 12 tracks, ‘Nitely’ is a record from the heart; it’s direct, warm and unequivocally honest. The sound palette of the record effortlessly meshes the crunch and warmth of 70’s funk & soul (Lonely, Violet, Your Dreams), the dreamy air of bedroom pop (Don’t Fall Asleep, Love is Out There) and sub heavy frequencies from beats/electronica (Roll, Too Much). The result is a modern day Pop / New Soul classic, an album that from start to finish is an endearing look into the mind of Wildey. It’s familiar-yet-new, nostalgic and straight forward, wearing its emotions very clearly on its sleeves.

Experimental producer Parallel Action - aka Jude Greenaway - continues to cement himself as a key player in the trip-hop resurgence with his cinematic, self-titled album.

Released via his own label C7NEMA100, Parallel Action is a space for Jude to combine his passion for Trip Hop, Contemporary Classical and Future Jazz, with sonic storytelling. His unique style is married with collaborations ranging from soulful singers and spoken word artists to scratch DJs, taking the listener on a journey that speaks to the uncertainty of a society on edge. It’s a fascinating and cutting-edge body of work that seamlessly blends experimental Jazz drums with heavy Hip-Hop elements, allowing Jude the freedom to tell stories in his own beguiling way.

Pie Eye Collective has been a part of the Albert’s Favourites family for a little while, working with Hector Plimmer and Scrimshire on studio and live performances, he has also played alongside Emma-Jean Thackray and And Is Phi.

Pie Eye Collective is the solo project of sound scientist and explorer Matthew Gordon.

While at its heart electronica, Gordon creates an organic collage of influences and evocative noises, even drawing from jazz and soul music. Time signatures and rhythms, sometimes hard to pin down, only lead to a more hypnotic sense of being afloat in a sea of harmonics and strangely familiar musical memories.

It is music that wants you to completely free yourself and let it move through you.

Did you know that if we go back 10 generations, we could count for each of us some 2,046 ancestors, going back 20 generations there would be 2.097.150 ancestors and going back 40 generations each of us would have more than a trillion ancestors, which is more than all the people who have ever lived on earth?

This complicated paradox, known as the Pedigree Collapse, however, leads to the simple conclusion that we all share at least one ancestor with each other.

Inspired by this reflection, "How many ancestors do we have?" is the latest EP by Woxow, sound mixologist and mastermind of Little Beat More, translating the concept into a profound journey in search of the roots of music, to find that ancestral vibration that has resonated in every human being since the dawn of time.

Jazz atmospheres, refined hip hop beats, world music overtones, dub rhythms and reggae reminiscences, all enriched by the dense and meaningful voices of London's Reggae RoastMC Natty Campbell, the eclectic and electric Raashan Ahmad and the legendary rapper and
performance poet Azeem, bringing to light the infinite connections that unite all humanity.

The album is further enriched by the precious remixes of underground legend Koralle, electronic shaman Deela, dub master Paolo Baldini Dubfiles, and gifted hip-hop head Luke Beats, who hybridise Woxow's ancestral vision with their skillful artistry, giving a new dimension to the tracks.

The artwork by visual artist and filmmaker Simone Brillarelli captures the essence of the album in a vibrant bloom of colourful flowers sharing the same soil, and ultimately the same planet, reiterating the message of shared family and unity that is celebrated in the music.

The EP is available both as a gatefold with two 7-inch vinyls and as a single 12-inch vinyl, as well as digital. Join the family now.

Following up from both his debut split tape; NCA PAN (2016) and his ROOT BEER EP (2017), Ashtrejinkins is back with another full-length solo project. This time; 50 mins of original ATJ tracks, presented in a blood-red casette shell (+ digitals).