Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Electro thick roots dancefloor dub. Swinga.

SIDEWALK KILLER!
Version excursion! Action takes place at Treasure Isle Recording Studio Kgn., birthplace of the original Sidewalk Doctor riddim circa 1969. Beginning with killer instrumental Stupid Doctor featuring Tommy McCook on flute and a Winston Wright acid organ, followed By a wicked Deejay I Roy joint & soul sister Phyllis Dillon cut to Marlena Shaw classic conscious tune Woman of The Ghetto. Last track sees Tommy & The Supersonics back for another great horns & flute cut. Earth Sound comes with the best sound nothing more,nothing less!

Brand new 3 track 7" singles from UK 2-TONE ska darlings, whose debut album was produced by PRINCE FATTY. Frantic and furious, humorous, w/ catchy horn arrangements - it's a knockout female first vocal punch that brings to mind the DANCE HALL CRASHERS vs THE SPECIALS. Pic sleeve. Colored wax.

There was once a young African princess who embarked on a huge journey in pursuit of herdreams. She arrived at a mystical island covered in clouds where she met a cunning wizard... Sounds like the beginning of some Disney fantasy but the truth is not so different. The Princess is Sena who came from Accra, Ghana to a festival in the centre of Budapest, Hungary and met a musical wizard by the name of DJ Vadim... that was in 2005. What happened that night was the meeting not only of like minded souls, but the beginning of a future journey into sound and space. First came recordings for Vadim for the Soundcatcher album Talk To Me (2007 BBE) which was much lauded by Gilles Peterson at the time... Which led to a long process of creating an album. Much happened in between. Each had many of their own adventures. Grammy Award shows, sell out arena shows for Sena's band in Hungary - Irie Mafia - plus the birth of her beautiful daughter Kekeli and the release of her second solo album Lots Of Trees on French Soulbeats Records, world wide shenanagins for DJ Vadim with his groups, One Self, The Electric and many solo projects...

Robert Lee and Bunny General in this combination song adopted the phrasings of a classic song, 'Midnight Hour' by The Sivertones. The original pressing was only available as a 12" single vinyl on the Unity label.

Ginger Johnson's life is one of the greatest untold stories of African music in Europe. Born George Folunsho Johnson in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1916. Aged just 18 he joined the Nigerian Navy, and made his first visit to Britain. After World War II Ginger decided to make London his home, working with many artists including British saxophone legend Ronnie Scott who first really utilised Gingers amazing technique to full effect, featuring him in not only his live concerts, but also several recordings for the Esquire jazz label in the 1940's & 50's.

In the 60's Ginger was mentor & guru to a young Fela Kuti. Gingers London home became a vibrant hub of African music activity for Fela and an entire host of musicians who would gather there to exchange news, talk, eat and jam for hours on end. To Fela, and all who gravitated towards Ginger's home, he was simply known and addressed as 'Father'.

Aside from his music, Ginger was something of a social activist. Not only was he a musical educator, and instrumental in the beginnings of The Notting Hill Carnival, he also opened his own venue Club Iroko in Haverstock Hill, North London, which was a creative hub for groups like Osibisa, and also a welcoming hang out for visiting legends like Sun Ra, George Clinton and Funkadelic, and British group Cymande (3 members of Cymande cut their teeth playing in Gingers group).

Ginger and his group performed at The Royal Variety Performance, his music featured in the James Bond film 'Live & Let Die' and Ginger himself appears on screen drumming in the Hammer Films cult classic 'She'. As a session musician he played for a bewilderingly wide range of acts such as Georgie Fame, Osibisa, Madeleine Bell and Quincy Jones. Ginger & his group also collaborated with many early rock bands such as Hawkwind, Argent, Thunderclap Newman, Genesis and Little Free Rock.

Intense Belly Dance disco workout from Lebanon ! Fortuna Records deliver two absolute dancefloor killers by Lebanese maestro Ihsan Al Munzer taken from his 1979 album, descriptively named: 'Belly Dance Disco'. Side A 'Jamileh', is a Moog filled, heavy disco-funk belter, while Side B 'The Joy Of Lina (Farha)', is a fast belly dance beast layered with synths and organs, dropping heavily in an almost modern day fashion. Swinging Beirut in full effect on this limited press 12". Don't sleep !

Supported by The Gaslamp Killer / Lefto / Acid Arab / Gilles Peterson / Kutmah.

Aloe Blacc's affecting voice, perceptive lyrics, and dapper sartorial flair are already familiar to music lovers around the world. The soulful singer-songwriter co-wrote and provided vocals for Swedish DJ Avicii's international hit single ''Wake Me Up,'' which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Songs and Dance/Electronic Songs charts, as well as in over 100 countries around the world, including the U.K., where it became the fastest-selling single of 2013.

It is the latest global hit that Blacc has been involved with. In 2010, his international Top 10, platinum-selling single ''I Need A Dollar'' surged across the world, ringing out from the streets of Paris to the soul clubs of London, combining social consciousness with irresistible pop. Throughout 2011, Blacc and his touring band, The Grand Scheme, hit the road in support of Blacc's second solo album and international breakthrough Good Things, turning in memorable sets at iconic festivals like Montreux Jazz in Switzerland and Glastonbury in the UK. Blacc performed ''I Need A Dollar'' on the French TV programs Taratata and Le Grand Journal, as well as the influential British music show Later... with Jools Holland, spurring the track to become the de facto anthem to the post-Great Recession recovery. Blacc has cast an eye toward expanding his phenomenal European success to America. It's where the California native was born and raised, and where he has been a voice on the indie hip-hop scene since high school. It's also where most people know ''I Need A Dollar'' as the theme to the HBO series How To Make it In America.

This year Blacc made his first major-label debut via XIX Recordings/Interscope Records in September with the release of his EP, entitled ''Wake Me Up''. Blacc has also been in the studio working on his upcoming album, Lift Your Spirit, with such songwriters and producers as Pharrell, DJ Khalil and Harold Lilly, among others.

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
The best of the early singles by Bob Marley and the Wailers vol. 1. The partnership of Bob Marley and the Wailers in its short life would create
what many consider to be some of the greatest reggae ever recorded.




[D] a4 Mr. Brown [Mono]
[E] b1 Kaya [Mono]

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
The best of the early singles by Bob Marley and the Wailers vol. 2. The partnership of Bob Marley and the Wailers in its short life would create
what many consider to be some of the greatest reggae ever recorded.

It's Dub, but reverberating far beyond the genre's borders. It has a summer Reggae vibe, but doesn't sound like just another chapter of that good, old story. It's perfidiously dope, but at the same time extremely danceable. It has clever lyrics, but it's all about the sound. It's what JPattersson describes as PROGaDUB - because he's not from Jamaica, he's from East Germany. Inspired by heavyweight bass lines, bicycle rides and Caribbean riddims, by chocolate, vintage groovebox sounds and the carefree ruckus of kids playing on the street, the young talent delivers an album that is chiefly progressive and diverse. We Came In Peace' is build around dynamic chanting and passionate trumpet play. Ravers Dub' is a smooth melange of straight beats, mellow offbeat chords and the psychedelic echoes of a steel drum. The chorus of Turn Off Your Smartphone' invites to sing along, and Vagabond' is a dreamy interplay of hand-made music and synthetic groove. Some tracks come with a sublime hint of Balkan sound, some with an air of Jazz. In doing what felt right, JPattersson has successfully defined his very own genre: PROGaDUB.

Fat Reggae, Dancehall, Booty, Steppy, amiga bloody good album ! Full Suport ! Once again !!!

Raving ragga jungle remixes. Well done !

7" Shrink wrapped Vinyl Full artwork sleeve

Denmark's deadliest riddim construction duo is back with a vengeance and a fresh 6-track EP. With killer vocals by Junior Roy, Colonel Maxwell, Peter King and Asher Senator. Listen in and quickly get a copy before they're gone HERE!

One night in 2011 King Midas Sound's Roger Robinson returned to Brixton from touring and inadvertently walked into the centre of the London riots. Through the flames and smoke he felt compelled to tell the stories of the people he saw rioting on the street that night. With disrupt's dub soundtrack highlighting the triumphs and tribulations in the lives of the people of Brixton, the album unfolds like a documentary film, extending from the epicentre of the riots and rippling out from there. Roger showcases all his poetry and singing styles over the sonic tower blocks and underground caverns of disrupt's dub soundscapes, evoking the golden era of dub poetry of the likes of Prince Far I, Big Youth and Linton Kwesi Johnson - a time when dub poetry made you dance in the club but also made you think on the way home. Done with lots of voltage, old school samplers, DIY synths, home made delays, dictaphones and even onboard computer mics this gritty disc will take you straight to Brixton's streets. Cover artwork by Elen G. / MyLord

Out now on LP is THIS gritty dub poetry epic by Roger Robinson, taking you straight to Brixton's streets. With hand-crafted riddims done by disrupt with lots of voltage and strictly old school gear, that's the kind of record that makes you dance in the club but also makes think on the way home. The amazing cover artwork was done by Elen G. / MyLord, this time in an acrylic painting technique, that looks nothing but gorgeous in full LP size.

Soul Jazz Records continues it's journey into the vaults of the mighty Studio One with this next instalment featuring everything from classic ska and rocksteady to the deepest roots, heaviest dub and dancehall roots.
As ever the album includes incredible reggae artists such as The Heptones, Ken Boothe, The Skatalites, Johnny Osbourne, Wailing Souls all of whom launched their careers at Studio One, 13 Brentford Road, under the guidance of Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd.
This album features some of the most in-demand and collectible Studio One tracks over the years, all digitally remastered. The sleevenotes are by Rob Chapman, author of the celebrated books about Studio One Records, 'Never Grow Old' and 'Downbeat the Ruler'

Sticking with the Black Ark stable on this one, Rock A Shacka continue to issue quality unearthings ... this one is ridiculous! HUGE TIP!
Sam Carty's 'Bird In The Hand' with (dub) is a cover of a Hindi love song "Milte Hi Ankhen Dil Hua Diana' translated "As Soon As Our Eyes Met, Our Hearts Went Mad'. This is the first time time this full vocal version has been released - an unheard cut of a true reggae classic.

Featured in the classic movie 'Babul' from 1950 and produced/composed by the musical talents of Naushad Ali. The song is sung by the legendary Indian duet Shamshad Begum and Talat Mahmood and tells a tale of love between a couple. Here Sam Carty delivers his Hindi style in mystical Black Ark fashion as you would expect from The Upsetter.


The flip side starts with a dub of the A side (also unreleased) and 'Upsetting Rhythm 2' is another raw Ark rhythm workout using that signature Perry drumbox we know and love!!

Jeanie Tracy's rarest and best 12 re-mastered and shrunk down into a perfectly formed 45. Produced by the late Harvey Fuqua with backing vocals and adlibs. Around 81 Harvey went over to Europe to be with Marvin Gay. He called Jeanie and asked him to give "Can I Come Over And Play With You Tonight" to Marvin for his Sexual Healing album. Jeanie decided because she wanted the track for my next single and felt it had potential....probably not a good move. The record never really got the release it deserved and faded from conscience. On the flip "Hot" a pumping erotic boogie banger with backing from "The Play Boys"....Maurice Mo Long, Michael Brown, Herman Harper Jr. Solid and tight. What a package!

Exactly 30 years now went by since the last time any Hailu Mergia's original material was released.

In the past few years the reissues of his old recordings brought him back to the scene allowing a wider audience to discover his great music.

The combination of african roots and western influences gave his music a unique touch which is again the strenght and charm of the two new tracks released on this 7" for Philophon. A wave of elegant melodies will hit your ears while your body won't stop be driven insane by the polyrhythmic funky beats.

The songs were recorded in Berlin at Philophon's studio, run by the german drummer and producer Max Weissenfeldt (Poets of Rhythm, Whitefield Brothers, also known for his collaborations with Dan Auerbach and Dr. John).

This 45rpm gem perfectly reflects the aim of the label: to put on vinyl something precious that will make you forget time and space and leave you alone with what really matters: awesome music.

Our hero, Jo Tongo (born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo) was born and raised in Douala Cameroon. In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies. Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. In 1968 his first single "Dig It Babe" released under his Jojo L'Explosif alias. A few more singles followed, as did regular appearances, contributions and productions with (fellow Camerounian) Manu Dibango, Tala AM, Manfred Ebanda and others throughout the 70s.

In 1977 Jo's the stars in Jo's timeline all aligned when he produced and recorded his debut self titled "Jo Tongo" for the Fiesta label. Recorded in both French and his native Duala language, it is a perfect example of 70s funk meeting afrobeat with African folk styles and flavors. Produced with legendary Parisian funk / disco / afro soundman Slim Pezin the album oozes style, quality, fine musicianship and is full of instantly memorable songs.

The album opens up with stunningly catchy Jangolo. It's a prefect introduction to Jo's awesomely funky bass guitar. Slim adds layers of percussive "jangly" guitar and the track is underpinned by African drums, funky stabs and 70s nascent synthesiser string machines. Tracks such as a "Kiele" and "Boso Bongo" highlight Jos Cameroonian roots. While dancefloor stompers such as "Piani" and "A'Muna" sounds more relavent and current today than possibly they did in 1977. The album also includes plenty of swagger with the boogie-style afro swingers "Ewande" and "Muasa Loko".

The Jangolo track was a highlight of the recent Africa Seven debut release "African Airways Volume 1: (Funk Connection 1972-1979). To Follow that up Africa Seven are proud to repress the debut Jo Tongo album in its full glory.

Jo now spends his time between Paris and New York. He is a social media and Internet wizard (buzz him up!) and is currently working on new material.

Debut single for "Planetario" honors legendary Peruvian percussionist & longtime band member Mangue Vasquez who passed in 2014. Life affirming lyrics underscored by rolling percussion, twinkling synths, & chorus of "Gozen la vida como yo" (Enjoy life, lik

2-Track, starker Dance Hit

Reissued for the first time by Left Ear Records, Basement Party is a must have 12" from the inimitable Trinidad artist, Andre Tanker. Originally released in 1980, Basement Party showcases Tanker's talents as it blends reggae, disco, funk and calypso flavours into a deep reggae groove. The reissue features artwork from the rare original 12" and is limited to just 500 copies.

DJ Support:
Adrian Sherwood, Gilles Peterson, Ross Allen, Dub Vendor, Steve Barker, Keith Lawrence, Robert Elms, David Rodigan, Rootikal

The album that captured the essence of Fat Freddy's Drop jam origins, 'Live at Matterhorn' is being released on heavyweight vinyl for the first time. Originally released on CD, the new limited edition 2LP 180gm vinyl features four tracks 'Runnin', 'Rain', 'No Parking' and 'Bounce' that span a total of 70 minutes with the songs taking up a side each. The recording was made in March 2001 when Freddys was honing its sound and chops in the Wellington underground music scene. The stage was literally the back garden of Wellington's den of inequity The Matterhorn. The audience consisted of a random collection of 30 people most of whom from memory were hospitality workers having a drink after work. Freddys had started as a few musician mates playing along to instrumental B-side records dropped by DJ MU and by 2001 had grown to a solid six piece who liked nothing better than to jam. It's Fulla Flash aka Warren Maxwell on saxophone, the fore runner to Chopper Reeds, and trombonist Hopepa aka Joe Lindsay is yet to join but Freddys distinctive hi-tek soul qualities shine through led by the velvet vocals of singer Joe Dukie aka Dallas Tamaira.
'Live At Matterhorn' went on to sell Platinum in New Zealand and while it pre-dates the bands record breaking 'Based On A True Story' studio album it is a touchstone for those wanting to experience Freddys early jams, the source for where Freddys story began.

Keysound Recordings are excited to announce the return of one of their most elusive and celebrated acts, LHF. After a trio of vinyl EPs and a cult 2012 double debut album the clan disappeared to regroup. Now in 2015 they have emerged with an EP of dark rolling beats featuring Hackney's legendary Ragga Twins. In true clan style, the Ragga Twins vocals were less recorded, more unearthed from an unlikely source dating back many years. The Hackney jungle pioneers gave LHF their blessing and the EP was born. The vinyl art, shot by Keysound photographer Nico Hogg, was shot in the heart of the 2011 London Riots. Consisting of core and satellite sounds, LHF have built an alternate sonic platform upon which they can operate freely, familiar in essence but essentially an unknown quantity - harbouring both ghostly memories and echoes of past underground movements since faded as well as glimpses of what might be. Members of LHF include Amen Ra, Double Helix, No Fixed Abode, Low Density Matter, Octaviour, Escobar Seasons, Solar Man and Lumin Project. Members are as at home in London, Mumbai, LA, Rio, New York, reaching out into the near reaches of the cosmos or the past. TRACKLIST:

The Dubdadda, or Jono as he is known throughout the reggae world, is one of the mainstays of the UK reggae scene. Hailing from Manchester he was a founder member of the renowned Community Charge - the best homegrown reggae talent in the UK in their era. After the demise of this band the Dubdadda was instrumental in forming Nucleus Roots alongside other former members of the Community Charge line-up.

In 2001 Dubdadda joined Zion Train vocal section and started to work on his debut album.

'Lo-Fi Pon De Hi-Fi' was originally released in 2004 on his own label Dub Hooligan Records and distributed worldwide through Universal Egg Records. During the past decade he toured the world with Zion Train as their main vocalist and released some quality tunes including 'Boxes and Amps' or 'Terror Talk', mainly on the Universal Egg sublabel Deep Root.

'Lo-Fi Pon De Hi-Fi' was one of the albums that had a huge impact on the work of our team at Moonshine Recordings, therefore we are more than happy to present this great piece of dub history on our label. After over 10 years from the day it was first released, Dubdadda's debut album 'Lo-Fi Pon De Hi-Fi' will be finally available on vinyl.

Jamaica's favorite US northern soul group, The Chilites, perform some smooth harmonies on an updated version of the 'Sleng Teng' rhythm produced by King Jammy's son, John John. Pad Anthony sings 'Caan Mek We Run Way' on another Jammys classic 'Jump Up' rhythm in his finest style.

Junior Reid sings 'Puppa Jammys Nice' in a Rock 'N' Roll style on this dry and bouncy computerized rhythm while Little John showcases his rhythmical performance on a previously unreleased rhythm, which sounds similar to Jammy's classic 'Love Punanny Bad' rhythm.

Little John praises King Jammys Super Power with his melancholic vocals and serious lyrics. Anthony Malvo and Collin Roach, who both recorded at King Jammys Recording Studio regularly, combine their lyrical talents on the world famous song 'We Are The World

Nitty Gritty updates his major hit song 'Run Round The World' to 'Play Around The World'. This dubplate simply praises King Jammys Super Power and he warns the sound boys by singing "Jammys is the sound where play around the world, don't test Jammy sound"!

Another crucial dubplate by Nitty Gritty on his hit tune 'Trial And Crosses'. Side-A features Pad Anthony's 'Try A Time' and the original dubplate version of 'Trial And Crosses' by Nitty Gritty on the other side. Only some foundation sound systems own and play Nitty Gritty's dubplates as he was shot to death in 1991.

Cubiculo strikes again with a new limited 7' vinyl.
After Dub Unit's first release on Cubiculo Records, Ganjaman EP which was also Cubiculo's first vinyl, he teams up with KnD from Portugal for a different digital style riddim where they have the veteran mc Jah Screechy voicing it.
This is also the first vinyl release for KnD where he has been involved with the Portuguese reggae scene for years and now has his deserved vinyl debut.
This release is really unique, where the riddim does´t fit in one genre 100%. Fat subass, Wobble Synths and 8 Bit sounds make this release so original and very niche towards the listeners.
We hope you enjoy this as much as we do.
Only available on 7' Vinyl with no repress and no digital!
Hand Stamped / Embossed white sleeve.

Comes with liner notes and Japanese obi strip. Available on CD and 2xLP.

Dub Store Records presents Kiddus I - Rockers: Graduation In Zion 1978-1980

Recordings by the legendary Roots singer Kiddus I, who appeared in the "Rockers" film, are released for the first time. "Rockers: Graduation in Zion" is the first release in a series of three albums that will bring to the public the majority of his existing recordings.

Kiddus I is the mysterious figure singing at the start of the film Rockers. A graduate of Ras Michael's Sons Of Negus, a key member of The Wailers milieu, and a Black Ark artist, his recordings - centred on the Roots Reggae period - are marked by the openness of their musical horizons, and a striking originality and integrity. (Also during this era he was a key voice raised in the Jamaican music industry against political oppression.)

Yet Kiddus I's disdain for careerism has held him back from the spotlight - as so many people in Jamaican music will tell you. Now, this revelatory, comprehensive retrospective will surely confirm his place amongst the all-time greats of Reggae music.

This compilation consists of every single recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark between 1978 and 1980 and unreleased sound sources recorded at Tuff Gong. The best sessions of the most accomplished international Reggae musicians are unveiled for the first time in twenty years.

PRODUCED by: F. Dowding. ARRANGED by: F. Dowding. RECORDED at: Black Ark, Tuff Gong, Harry JStudio, Sound Dragon NY. MIXED by: Lee Perry, Dennis Thompson & Chow Chow, Stephen Stewart. ENGINEER: Lee Perry, Dennis Thompson, Mervin Morris, D. Lee. OVERDUBBED at: Aquarius Studio.

MUSICIANS: DRUMS: Carlton 'Santa' Davis, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Cornell Marshall, Oral Fabian. BASS: Robert Shakespeare , Micheal Williams, Haile Maskil, Leebert 'Gibbi' Morison, Paul Blake. GUITAR: Earl "China" Smith, Dwight Pickney, X Sweeney, Ernest Wilson. SAX: Glen Da'Costa, Cedric 'Im' Brooks. TRUMPET: Mike Hamson. PIANO: Tyrone Downie, Newton Brenor. KEYBOARDS: Leslie Butler , Earl Wire Lindo , Harvey Bernard Touter, Winston Wright, Belly Lloyd, Little D. CLAVINET: Tyrone Downie. HARMONICA: Jimmy Beeker. PERCUSSIONS: Kiddus I, I Jack. BACKING VOCALS: Kiddus I, Congos,Tyrone Downie.