Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

International reggae star Alborosie returns with the dub version of his celebrated "Freedom & Fyah" album from last year titled "Freedom In Dub". The distinctive production of these ten newly recorded dub mixes underscore Alborosie's skill and credibility as a master of dub. All tracks are produced and (mostly) played by Alborosie and recorded at his Shengen studios in Kingston, Jamaica.

Das Beste von dem Sänger mit der rauchig-smoothen Stimme, der seit mehr als 30 Jahren als Solokünstler, Songwriter und Produzent erfolgreich ist. "Can't Stop A Man" präsentiert 36 ausgesuchte Songs aus den Jahren 1976 bis 2003 auf Triple-LP im Gatefold Sleeve und ausführlichen Liner Notes & Track by Track-Notes, geschrieben vom US-amerikanischen Reggae-Experten Rob Kenner. Erstmalig in Jahre 2003 parallel zum gleichnamigen 2CD-Digipak Set erschienen, ist dieses Beres Hammond Porträt wieder als Vinyl erhältlich. Das Zitat von Prime Entertainment zum Konzert im Kölner Stadtgarten bringt es auf den Punkt: "Beres Hammond beeindruckt mit seiner durch tiefes Timbre geprägten, dennoch smoothen und sehr eindringlichen Stimme. Seine Texte sind stets von einer emotionalen Dichte und der Wahrheit getragen, dass wir eigentlich alle nur nach Liebe suchen. Diese essentielle Message verpackt er in große Dancehall-Smasher, ebenso wie in romantische Balladen und in spirituelle Rootsgesänge."

Die Reggae Anthology-Serie präsentiert zwölf ausgesuchte Singles auf Longplay-Vinyl, die alle zwischen 1972 und 1985 veröffentlicht wurden. Inklusive der beiden 12-Inch Maxi-Single Versionen "Promised Land" (Extended Mix), der in Kooperation mit der renommierten UK-Gruppe Aswad entstand, und "Children Of Israel" (Special 12" Mix), produziert von Ossie Hibbert. Darüber hinaus gibt es seltene 7Inch Single A-Seiten, die von Jackie Mittoo, Niney The Observer, Phil Pratt, Herman Chin-Loy, Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson, Derrick Harriott und Dennis Brown & Castro Brown produziert wurden. Die Aufnahmen wurden von den Musikern der Backing Bands eingespielt: The Taxi Gang, The Professionals, The Now Generation, Crystalites. Aggrovators, Roots Radics und Soul Syndicate. Erstmalig erschien diese LP parallel zu dem 2CD+DVD Set "Crown Prince Of Reggae" im Jahre 2010 und ist jetzt wieder erhältlich!

Nach siebenjähriger Auszeit meldet sich das britische Reggae-Oktett Pama International mit dem brandneuen Album "Love & Austerity" zurück, begleitet von den Sängerinnen Jewels Vass (Mad Professor, Zion Train) und Anna Uhuru (Abstract Orchestra). Den Kern des Albums bilden 8 Songs in verschiedenen Versionen zwischen Rocksteady, explosiven Dubs, Studio-One-like Discomixes, Southern Soul-Balladen und einem Killer-Orgel-Instrumental, inspiriert von Jackie Mittoo. CD mit 12 Tracks, LP mit 8 Tracks plus Download-Code für alle 12 Tracks.

"Besonders gut gelungen ist das bei der Coverversion des alten Soulstompers "Heatwave", der eine ganz neue Basslinie erhält, so als hätten sich die Aggrovators mit den Funk Brothers zusammengetan. Die vielseitige Stimme der grossartigen neuen Frontfrau Jewels Vass hält den musikalischen Gemischtwarenladen aus Ska, Dub und Soul mühelos zusammen. Auch wenn oben Easy Skanking drübersteht, "Love & Austerity" sollten sich alle zu Gehör führen, in deren Plattensammlung Amy Winehouse neben Delroy Wilson steht." - "Easy Skankin- Album Der Ausgabe" RIDDIM Q3

Emotional Rescue presents the final part of their Suns Of Arqa trilogy with two of their deepest world dubs in Acid Tabla and Asian Rebel. Capturing their fusion of folk, reggae and dance to perfection, these heavy vibrations are backed with pulsating remixes from Adrian Sherwood and The Hyphen Collective.
Following the success of the Brujo Magic (ERC002) and Muslimgauze Re-mixs (ERC013) in highlighting and reappraising the music of SoA, it is fitting to return to the band some 3 years later with a special EP putting two of their best tracks alongside subsequent remixes.First appearing on their debut album, Revenge Of The Mozabites, Acid Rebel has appeared in many forms - celtic folk influenced original, dub and remixes. Here though is a special extended version, bringing all the best elements in to an ultimate version. Fiddle, harmonium, bass and piano all come together via the mixing controls of leader Wadada and the legendary Adrian Sherwood. Fitting then that the On U Sound founder would create a later master class of a remix of his own. Pushing the drums, bass and piano up in the mix to accentuate each parts role, before a breakdown putting the celtic influences through the echo chamber. This is the fundamentals of dub at it's finest by a master of his trade.Joining is possibly one of the band's most twisted dance cuts. Having only appeared on the little known 1981 On U Sound compilation 'Wild Paarty Sounds Volume One', Asian Rebel has long been a secret play for the more discerning DJ. Picked by Trevor Jackson for his excellent recent Science Fiction Dancehall Classics release, here is finally presented on 12' for the first time.
With Wadada and Sherwood at the controls, this is an undeniable classic. Twisted to the extreme, bongo's interplay, bass maxed deep in the mix to distortion, with otherwordly flute all riding skipping off kilter hats to mess with minds and feet. This is concluded with a unique dub retake by Wadada and friends via a new project - The Hyphen Collective. Taking the original further in to the dub chamber this is a smoker's delight and worthy end to our collaboration.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- FIRST PRESSING OF 750 NUMBERED COPIES ON ORANGE VINYL

Although best known in the UK for his toasting talents as half of the chart-topping duo, Dave & Ansel Collins, Dave Barker is in fact one of the most accomplished singers Jamaica has ever produced. After making his recording debut in 1968, partnering Glen Brown on a series of local hits, Dave launched his solo career under the auspices of the Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Their subsequent collaborations spawned a number of best-selling singles, culminating in the singer's debut LP, Prisoner Of Love. Released by Trojan Records in 1970, the album marked Barker's arrival as one of its most promising and versatile talents on the reggae scene.
Highlighting his skills as both singer and toaster, the set provided an ideal showcase for Dave's versatility at the mic, while also perfectly illustrating Perry's rugged production style of the period.
One of Trojan's best -selling long-players from the golden age of reggae, the album can finally be acquired again at a price that won't burn a hole in the pocket!

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED SLEEVES
- FIRST PRESSING OF 750 COPIES
PRESSED ON ORANGE VINYL

Arguably the finest Jamaican soul singer of his generation, Ken Boothe burst onto the international stage when his sublime rendering of Bread's melancholic Everything I Own topped the UK charts in the autumn of 1974.

Within months of this success, the native-born Kingstonian returned to the national listings with the captivating Crying Over You', which made number 11 later that year.

To coincide with the release of the latter, Trojan Records released the album, Everything I Own, a supremely soulful collection that featured his two international hits alongside a number of sublimely produced songs, cut in both Jamaica and the UK.

Unavailable on vinyl since '74, this essential LP is now available on the format for which it was created, with the use of the original analogue masters and artwork ensuing complete authenticity.

A must for all Ken Boothe fans and those who like their reggae sweet and soulful.

A multi-faceted performer and songwriter, Taz straddles both the hip hop world and dancehall/reggae arena. He first came to the world's attention performing alongside Dizzee Rascal on their Just a Rascal video, having co-written it and earning himself an Ivor Novello Award into the bargain. After becoming the youngest rap artist to be signed to Def Jam UK in 2004, Taz released his massively acclaimed Analyse This album and has never looked back. After teaming up with Jamaica's Jazzy Kitt Music Group, Taz released Up Deh which was immediately snapped up by Ramrock Records for UK vinyl release. Already getting BIG props on Jamaican radio stations, an exclusive on Ras Kwame's Capital Xtra show, signal from Original Memzee and Pyro Radio, Up Deh is set to mash up the dance worldwide - trust me!

CAMAR FLAVA - 'GET UP BACK'
Seasoned reggae artist Camar Flava has been long established on the international music scene as a prolific performer and songwriter, recording and producing hits such as Whine and Twist, It's You, Your Body Is

From the Italian DUB duo Babe Roots comes the group's third vinyl release since their debut 7' last year on the Sardinian ROHS imprint which sold out in record time. Like the A-side's artwork suggests (a photo of the Major League Baseball pitcher Doc Ellis famous for pitching a 'no-hitter' while on LSD), this record will take the listener on a trip. In classic Babe Roots fashion, each song was carefully crafted using traditional Jamaican dub techniques, blending 90's Chain Reaction / Basic Channel atmospheres and UK trip-hop elements. Spiritual Connection / Brown Walls aims to be their strongest release yet. US-based label Visceral Vibrations teams up with Big Horn Sound (a sound system out of Las Vegas, NV) to provide a record worthy of any dub-head's collection, presented on 12' vinyl and professionally mastered by Beau Thomas at TenEightSeven.

Kicking stepping and dancefloor dub flavour !!

The story of the great roots reggae harmony trio Black Uhuru is one defined by many unexpected twists and turns. In its best known form, led by Michael Rose and with founding member Duckie Simpson and the black American female vocalist,
Puma Jones, the group would enjoy the greatest popularity of any act in the wake of Bob Marley's untimely death in 1981, but the origins of the group lay in the turbulent Waterhouse district during the mid-1970s. Duckie first formed the group as Uhuru, the Swahili word for unity, with Garth Dennis as lead singer and Don Carlos to join him in harmony, after cutting an adaptation of the Impressions' Romancing To The Folk Song' at Dynamics, Time Is On Our Side' at Randy's for Clive Chin, and Slow Coach' for Raymond Benno' Anderson, Dennis drifted into the Wailing Souls and Don Carlos went solo, leading Duckie to recruit rising Waterhouse vocalist Michael Tony' Rose as lead singer, and Errol Nelson from the Jays for harmony. Their debut album, Love Crisis, was produced, voiced and mixed at King Tubby's studio by Prince Jammy and remains and outstanding example of Jammy's roots reggae production phase. The song Hard Ground' vamps on a similar theme to Marley's Talking Blues': Rose sings of a life of everyday hardship, with destitution and homelessness the pervading factors. On the extended dub portion and dub the instrumental cuts that follow the alternate vocal take of this enthralling 12-inch EP, you can hear the non-standard instrumentation that helps make the work so innovative, with Winston Wright's harpsichord melody emphasising the hopelessness of Rose's emotive lyrics, the commanding rhythm and understated bass and guitar from Robbie Shakespeare and Chinna Smith completing the picture.

Frans Zwartjes is famous for his art-house films (look him up on YouTube). A Dutch underground auteur, his prolific output dates from 1968. A unique talent, Zwartjes produced, directed and edited his own films (his last work was in 1991), but more importantly he created and improvised the soundtracks too. Zwartjes is still alive today and his large body of work is only now being recognised by a wider, more international crowd, with screenings at the NFT and other important art-house cinemas across the world. The recordings on Tapes 1 were mixed directly from the Zwartjes soundtrack tape archive. They were assembled directly and in real time by Zwartjes archivist Stanley Schtinter and were originally issued three years ago on cassette, in an edition of 50. Don't bother trying to find one of them.

The music, sound and speech have been put together as two long, seamless sequences; they are dreamlike, peculiar, plugged-in, prescient and unlike any other soundtrack we have heard.

All cues mastered and sequenced by Jon Brooks, AKA The Advisory Circle

We are back! We move out from our production traditions, but we come in the traditions of the dub now! We bring to your attention the SV-11 of our beloved artist Pawel Granacki aka Desove with his amazing dub melodies from the album Solo Dub Works. In the best traditions of Wackies Sampler. 10 dub tracks, 10 dub fires! Dubwise grooves, heavy basslines, inspired dub melodies, dub delays, horns, dub siren, djembe.. it is all there! Flavoured with analog effects and mixed old fashion way. Hot riddims straight out of Bialystok - as he himself says, everything like in the classic dub you can find in his album. All that Pawel does is let the dub flow through him. It's modest, in fact we understand that behind all this is a lot of work, it sounds as if he was playing with his band, but this is SOLO DUB WORKS! This is an excellent musical gift for all of us for the coming summer! We hope it will be kind, warm and peaceful for all living beings!
Strictly Ltd!

Tapes at the control! Superstar follows up his previous 12" for the Estonia's Porridge Bullets, this time with a collab project with Tapes (Jahtari, EM, Sextags, Meeuw Muzak...) . Ltd pressing, cut reggae 45 style (large centre hole). Big TIP!
"..a disconsolate love-cry of a man gripped with feelings of loss. Emotions laid bare on a tender night-drive dub with tinkling synths, recalling the memories of an unearthly beauty."

10 track Album from Various Artists released by King Tubby's Music & Dub Store Records.

10 track Album from Various Artists released by King Tubby's Music & Dub Store Records.

7 track Album from Rico Rodriguez & Friends released by Dub Store Records

Delroy Wilson the original 'Cool Operator' was also known to many as 'Teacher'.
A title given to him as he unselfishly taught the up and coming singers including one youth Dennis Brown, the art and delivery of singing technique.
Delroy's rich tone to his voice added a depth to any song that he chose to sing.
Delroy Wilson (b.1948 Kingston,Jamaica) began his musical career at the school that was Coxonne Dodd's studio One label.
After a brief stop in 1969,which saw Delroy working for producer Sonia Pottinger's Tip Top label.
Again producing such hits including 'It Hurts' and 'Put Yourself in my Place'.
The 1970's saw Delroy Wilson's arrival at Bunny 'Striker 'Lee's door and what would result in a winning formula,scoring hit after hit.
It is from this great period in Delroy's career that we have compiled this selection of killer tunes,cut with the drum and bass rhythm kings themselves Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare.Such classis as 'Who Care' ,'Can I Change Your Mind','Get Ready','You Must Believe Me' and the timeless title track to this collection 'Here Comes the Heartaches'.
An album of great tracks cut with 'The Hitmaker from Jamaica' Bunny Lee and his team.
A match made in Heaven....Enjoy the set....

*CD Bonus tracks

Awesome moody cut of this classic tune, first time on 7" and with PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED dub!
.
Monster roots cut from the Naggo Morris era of the Heptones, who cut an album & more for Channel 1 in the late 70s. This tune was released on LP only, and like a handful of great roots produced by Channel 1 in the 70s, the dub cut was available only on dubplate via the dub room at 29 Maxfield Avenue. A tremendous moody interpretation of this classic roots anthem, with some unique brush work by the drummer at the start to add to the mystical feel. The dub mix is suitably sound system style, heavy and raw.

*Kendrick Andy returns with a recently re-recorded version of his popular Roots Reggae track,
from a few years ago: 'Great Old Men'. Alien Dread has re-built and up-dated the rhythm and also features on the B side, with a heavyweight Dub Vs. The tracks also feature Alvin Davis (Hornz), Asha B (Congos & Percussion) with Rhythm/Lead Guitar from Steven 'Marley' Wright.

Kendrick Andy's track precedes the release of a new version of the song by top Brasilian Reggae artist, Monkey Jhayam (with Alien Dread). This will be released on a 7' 45, in a special picture sleeve and will have back to back versions, both in Portugese (A) and English (B). Tracks will be extended, with Dubs. (Rockers Time - IRONRT 01-07).

* 7' on Iron Sound label in ISR Generic Picture Sleeve.
* Produced and Mixed By: Alien Dread at AD Studio.
* In demand Kendrick Andy/Alien Dread tracks.
* Tracks will also be available on Download.

*Restless Mashaits hailing from Geneva are based around the core of Jil and Stuf. They released a sizeable amount of new roots classics throughout the 90s and 00's. Recently becoming active again, they are best remembered for the sessions they recorded at Kingston, Jamaica in the mid/late 90s with legendary musicians such as Vin Gordon, Deadly Headly and Dizzy Moore. The original releases have been since long deleted, but some are now unearthed thanks to Partial Records.
*`Lion' from 1996, features the legendary Jamaican percussionist Scully Simms (who recently passed away) and was in every box of all serious roots selectors back then. Now long deleted, this will fill in the gap for the many collectors who have this on their wants lists.
*`Dub Lion' is a different dub version to the one previously released in 1996.

*Iron Sound Records presents the re-release of 'Jazz into Rock Steady & Reggae' by Hot & Rich. The tracks feature Hornz instrumentals played over original 1967-68 Rock Steady & early Reggae rhythms from Lynn Taitt & The Jets and Beverley's All Stars, All rhythms were recorded in Jamaica and supplied through the courtesy of Derrick Morgan O.D.

Hot & Rich are Bob "Hot Dog" Ormrod and his son, Richard. With over 50 years of musical experience between them, they play everything, from Traditional to Free Jazz, Blues, Ska, Reggae, Latin, Calypso, Mento & South African music, and bring all of these influences to this album. All tracks on this re-release have been re-mixed and re-mastered by Alien Dread at AD Studio. Also, an additional 6 tracks have been added, which did not feature on the original release (RRTCD 010).

Launched in early 2015 by a collective of crate diggers, Afro music-heads and vinyl- buying obsessives, Africa Seven's aim is to spread the love and knowledge for African music in all its forms. In the wake of this effort, Afrosonique Vol.1 is the ideal first instalment of a series of compilations bridging African tracks from the 70s and 80s with the most talented artists of today into a remix and re-edit series.

Compiled by veteran UK producer Tony Thorpe (Moody Boyz, KLF), one of the most important figures of the UK dance underground movement, the album brings together a rich ensemble of producers and artists from different genres and music scenes. From Warp's long-time signee Plaid, DJ Food, top DJs John Talabot & Pional to broken beat legend IG Culture, the compilation promises to bring a modern twist to Africa's most iconic tunes. This selection of artists also includes great names of the likes of Deep Medi's Silkie and Appleblim from the historical dubstep night FWD>> at Plastic People. A younger generation of talents like Marcel Lune, Jabru, Redpine & Solo and EVM128 has also taken part in this cutting-edge project, bringing its own personal touch to this unique compilation. Using his most famous alias 'Moody Boyz', Thorpe himself has added his own artistic signature, remixing the iconic Bunzu Soundz's Zinabu - a rolling cut of the finest UK Afro-dub house.

Africa remains the key theme and unifying principle of this work. With no multi-tracks available, the artists have gone through an incredible work of editing and overdubbing - almost remixing the original works. The result is a frenetic and fresh blend of styles ranging from modern Afro-jazz cuts to heavyweight dancefloor gear, almost spiritual hypnotic club anthems and low-tempo dreamscapes.

Originals have been picked up from Africa Seven's ever-expanding catalogue of reissues from the '70s and '80s hailing from Cameroon, Nigeria and Sierra Leone among other African countries. The selection includes rare tracks such as Bunzu Soundz 'Zinabu', Manu Dibango 'Les Cavaliers' and Afro National's 'Jokenge'.

In a time in which African music is coming back prominently as one of the primary influences of electronic music, Afrosonique Vol.1 effortlessly goes full circle bringing together the original energy of African classics with the disruptive talent of today's innovators.

10 track Album from Various Artists released by King Tubby's Music & Dub Store Records.

10 track Album from Various Artists released by King Tubby's Music & Dub Store Records.

More classic UK dub gets revived from Partial Records, this time in the shape of an instrumental from the legendary Jah Works label.
The original release came on a Jah Works 7' back in 1993 and is now long out of press, demanding 'silly money' on record auction sites
Produced and mixed by Rej Forte, `Children of the Father' comes backed with a previously unreleased dub plate cut.

In 1988, on the eve of a two decade civil war, Somalia's authoritarian ruler Siad Barre launched punishing air strikes on the north of the country, known today as Somaliland, in response to agitations for independence. The bombing leveled the entire city. Barre targeted Radio Hargeisa to prevent any kind of central communication system that could organize a resistance.

With the attack imminent, a few brave radio operators and dedicated vanguards of Somali culture knew the archives, containing over half a century of Somali music had to be preserved. Thousands upon thousands of cassette tapes and master reels were quickly removed from the soon-to-be targeted buildings. They were dispersed to neighboring countries like Djibouti and Ethiopia, and buried deep under the ground to withstand even the most powerful airstrikes.

"We buried them in the ground so the bomb's won't hit," one former leading journalist with Radio Hargeisa told us.

These audio artifacts were excavated and recalled from their foreign shelters only very recently. Some of those recordings are now kept safe in the 10,000-strong cassette tape archive of the Red Sea Foundation, the largest collection of Somali cassettes in the world, in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa. The Ostinato Records team digitized a large portion of the archive, distilling 15 songs that reveal the panoramic diversity of styles and sophistication of Somali musicianship.

Over a millennia of trade in the Indian Ocean invited the cultures of the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, India, Southeast Asia, and even China to slowly work their melodies, scales, and sounds into Somalia's rich musical repertoire. Each track is a keen illustration of a carefully refined, rarely revealed cultural crossroads of the world.

The archive offered a living window to the Mogadishu of the 1970s and 1980s, when the coastal capital glistened as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," when wine flowed freely. With its iconic ivory-colored architecture and crescent beaches overlooking the Indian Ocean, Mogadishu was home to the lavish Al Uruba and Jazira sea side hotels, where youthful bands like Iftiin, Sharero, and Dur Dur serenaded cosmopolitan crowds at some of the most elegant nightclubs in East Africa. These damaged cassettes evoked memories of the revered national theater, where Waaberi Band provided unforgettable soundtracks.

Mogadishu's nightlife culture was rich and booming. Raucous rhythms, rugged horns, celestial synthesizers, and stalking baselines came alive alongside majestic voices like Mahmud "Jerry" Hussen and powerful and adored female singers like Faadumo Qaasim, Hibo Nuura, and Sahra Dawo. Somali music of this era is set apart by its empowerment of women. Female singers, often more prolific than their male counterparts, are inseparable from its evolution. Half the compilation is sung by women, their voices often compared in Somali poetry to the sweetness of broken dates. Poetry, intrinsic to the cultural fabric, forms the foundation of Somali songwriting.

Somali music's golden age, curiously, occurred under a socialist military dictatorship, which effectively nationalized the music industry. A thriving scene was owned entirely by the state. Music was recorded for and by national radio stations and only disseminated through public broadcasts or live performances. Private labels were virtually non-existent. This music was never made available for mass release. Almost all recorded material came from original masters or homemade recordings of radio broadcasts. As a result, most of it has never been heard outside Somalia and the immediate region.

During the Cold War, Somalia drifted between Soviet and American support — and a decade of U.S. backing allowed soul and funk to capture the imagination of Somali youth, adding the final touch on this masterpiece era.

This project took our team to Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Djibouti, and across the Somali diaspora in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. For the last year, from Minnesota to Mogadishu to Malaysia, we have tracked down the musicians, songwriters, composers, former government officials, and quirky personalities that colored Somali music life. Their words and stories are revealed in a 15,000-word liner note booklet — the only document of its kind to cover this era of Somali music in depth.

Alongside the story of Somalia's music before the civil war, the selection is also focused on the pan-Somali sound. Spread over much of the Horn of Africa, Somali language and culture transcend arbitrary borders. Somali singers from Djibouti were at home in Mogadishu.

This compilation seeks to revive the rightful image, history, and identity of the Somali people, detached from war, violence, piracy, and the specter of a persistent threat. These 15 tracks should serve as a necessary starting point.

In 1988, on the eve of a two decade civil war, Somalia's authoritarian ruler Siad Barre launched punishing air strikes on the north of the country, known today as Somaliland, in response to agitations for independence. The bombing leveled the entire city. Barre targeted Radio Hargeisa to prevent any kind of central communication system that could organize a resistance.

With the attack imminent, a few brave radio operators and dedicated vanguards of Somali culture knew the archives, containing over half a century of Somali music had to be preserved. Thousands upon thousands of cassette tapes and master reels were quickly removed from the soon-to-be targeted buildings. They were dispersed to neighboring countries like Djibouti and Ethiopia, and buried deep under the ground to withstand even the most powerful airstrikes.

"We buried them in the ground so the bomb's won't hit," one former leading journalist with Radio Hargeisa told us.

These audio artifacts were excavated and recalled from their foreign shelters only very recently. Some of those recordings are now kept safe in the 10,000-strong cassette tape archive of the Red Sea Foundation, the largest collection of Somali cassettes in the world, in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa. The Ostinato Records team digitized a large portion of the archive, distilling 15 songs that reveal the panoramic diversity of styles and sophistication of Somali musicianship.

Over a millennia of trade in the Indian Ocean invited the cultures of the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, India, Southeast Asia, and even China to slowly work their melodies, scales, and sounds into Somalia's rich musical repertoire. Each track is a keen illustration of a carefully refined, rarely revealed cultural crossroads of the world.

The archive offered a living window to the Mogadishu of the 1970s and 1980s, when the coastal capital glistened as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," when wine flowed freely. With its iconic ivory-colored architecture and crescent beaches overlooking the Indian Ocean, Mogadishu was home to the lavish Al Uruba and Jazira sea side hotels, where youthful bands like Iftiin, Sharero, and Dur Dur serenaded cosmopolitan crowds at some of the most elegant nightclubs in East Africa. These damaged cassettes evoked memories of the revered national theater, where Waaberi Band provided unforgettable soundtracks.

Mogadishu's nightlife culture was rich and booming. Raucous rhythms, rugged horns, celestial synthesizers, and stalking baselines came alive alongside majestic voices like Mahmud "Jerry" Hussen and powerful and adored female singers like Faadumo Qaasim, Hibo Nuura, and Sahra Dawo. Somali music of this era is set apart by its empowerment of women. Female singers, often more prolific than their male counterparts, are inseparable from its evolution. Half the compilation is sung by women, their voices often compared in Somali poetry to the sweetness of broken dates. Poetry, intrinsic to the cultural fabric, forms the foundation of Somali songwriting.

Somali music's golden age, curiously, occurred under a socialist military dictatorship, which effectively nationalized the music industry. A thriving scene was owned entirely by the state. Music was recorded for and by national radio stations and only disseminated through public broadcasts or live performances. Private labels were virtually non-existent. This music was never made available for mass release. Almost all recorded material came from original masters or homemade recordings of radio broadcasts. As a result, most of it has never been heard outside Somalia and the immediate region.

During the Cold War, Somalia drifted between Soviet and American support — and a decade of U.S. backing allowed soul and funk to capture the imagination of Somali youth, adding the final touch on this masterpiece era.

This project took our team to Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Djibouti, and across the Somali diaspora in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. For the last year, from Minnesota to Mogadishu to Malaysia, we have tracked down the musicians, songwriters, composers, former government officials, and quirky personalities that colored Somali music life. Their words and stories are revealed in a 15,000-word liner note booklet — the only document of its kind to cover this era of Somali music in depth.

Alongside the story of Somalia's music before the civil war, the selection is also focused on the pan-Somali sound. Spread over much of the Horn of Africa, Somali language and culture transcend arbitrary borders. Somali singers from Djibouti were at home in Mogadishu.

This compilation seeks to revive the rightful image, history, and identity of the Somali people, detached from war, violence, piracy, and the specter of a persistent threat. These 15 tracks should serve as a necessary starting point.

REPRESSED !

The DJ/production duo from Munich back with four tracks full of bass-heavy excursions into hybrid forms of club music close to Grime, Dancehall, Dub, Techno and the yet unnamed territory in between - their natural habitat. Lead single and first track of the EP is Copper And Lead, which features "London city warlord" Riko Dan of Roll Deep fame, spitting dangerous lyrics on a Bashment/Grimeriddim.Following this is Blurred Vision, low end monster named after their gigantic soundsystem event series, exploring the middle ground between Dub and the technoleaning 4x4 universe. Up next is Killer, a song with Warrior Queen from Jamaica, who prepares for a Dancehall dub war on a 808-heavy beat straight from Miami...err, Munich.Topping the EP off is Siren Riddim, an instrumental uptempo bomb for the apocalypse club gang and all the gunfinger crew. It's the first EP in a series of three, leading up to an Haul & Pull Up album in early 2017. With this, Schlachthofbronx will follow up their three previous original albums (2009s Schlachthofbronx, 2012s Dirty Dancing and 2014s Rave And Romance), completed by EPs for Labels like Mixpak, Monkeytown, Mad Decent, Disko B and Man Recordings as well as production work for artists like M.I.A., Snoop Dogg, Major Lazer or Bonde Do Role.

In Flagranti releasing a collaboration project with Ayakamay a contemporary conceptual artist living in New York City. Remixes by Das Komplex & Mytron.

Stone cold classic hip hop track from the vaults of legendary UK hip hop label Music Of Life, brought to life in a new ragga stylee by Fat Hop honcho, Jerome Hill with Itsu Uno mixing the dub version on the flip. Think THE BUG meets MAJOR LAZER. Hard stuttering ragga dancehall beats with a deep sub punch and quirky bleeps on the riddim This one is big !!

* Rob Smith is undoubtably the Godfather of the modern Bristol music scene, his music and influence defining the city over the last three decades.

* Punch Drunk presents a very limited repress of two anthemic two step indebted productions from the early 2000s in the classic Rob Smith style.