Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Digging deep into the annals of Gospel now, the name Pastor TL Barrett should be familiar to the eagle eyed crate diggers amongst you. An extremely "colourful" character from Chicago's Southside neighbourhood who found himself on the wrong side of the law for his involvement in some activities of a dubiously illegal nature, more importantly, besides this the pastor was widely known for his community activism and positive sermons preaching love and responsibility. Shady past aside, this fantastic 1976 LP entitled "Do Not Pass Me By" is a real Gospel beauty and features 8 tracks of resplendent hands in the air rejoicement. Having never been reissued before this rare as gem is finally back out in the open, complete with it's incredible untampered with sleeve artwork and design. Barrett's unique voice and message is timeless and instantly recognisable, you can't help but become one of the congregation whilst listening to these wonderfully rousing and positive paeans to the lord almighty. Saying that, even if you find yourself to be a non-believer, the soul, funk and jazz stylings (with the odd flourish of synth!) the good pastor is laying down will be equally as alluring to those of you who dig those particular sounds. "Do Not Pass Me By" was originally released on Miami's TK Disco offshoot Gospel Roots, it's the Pastor's second release on the label and is a beautiful snapshot of how things might have gone down at his "Mount Zion Baptist Church of Universal Awareness". A unique LP with with a somewhat lo-fi charm, the tracks contained run the gamut from slow, downtempo ballads to roof raising, danceable Disco-esque anthems.
This is the first time that "Do Not Pass Me By" has been reissued on vinyl, fully remastered from Gospel Roots/TK's original tapes, represented the way the the LP was issued in 1976 with all original cover and label artworks intact. Now, almost 40 years after it's original release the album has now been made available again for 2016, fully licensed in conjunction and with the full permission of Henry Stone music / TK Disco, Miami, FL.

Repress

From its first appearance in 1978 till this day, “Happiness” has been a favorite concert-opener of the Pointer Sisters. A simmering gospelly builder, the Allen Toussaint-penned single was a throwback of sorts both in its earthy sound and in the collaboration with New Orleans legend Toussaint, who’d written “Yes We Can Can,” the Sisters’ first hit. “Happiness” barely cracked the U.S. Top 40, but found favor with soulful DJs who took to the steppers groove and uplifting lyrics. Mr. K’s edit drops the listener into to a church-like live performance that builds tension before seamlessly transitioning to the 12-inch studio mix, perfectly positioned to take the dance floor from Let’s Get Acquainted to Let’s Get Down. Synth strings sizzle as Mr. K stretches the second section; an open drum groove provides a deliciously decadent bit of tension; add a never-heard closing acapella teased by Krivit’s craftsmanship from the extended single’s breakdown, and the transformation from simple opener to subtle centerpiece of the night is complete. What songs will stick with you when the party’s through? This epic edit is a contender.

By the late ‘70s, Gene Harris, leader and pianist of jazz legends The Three Sounds, had well over 30 albums under his belt and could do whatever he wanted on a record. Fortunately for us, he chose to open his 1977 LP Tone Tantrum with a cover of Stevie Wonder’s transcendent “As.” Now a well-worn standard at Loft and Garage-influenced parties, Stevie’s version is undeniably special, but can leave veterans of the scene longing for a different angle on the classic. Enter Mr. K, who has rescued Gene Harris’s rare groove revision from obscurity and fine-tuned it for 2019 and beyond with emphasized percussion and a sinewy extension that cuts the bulk of the lyrical intro and lets Harris’s electric piano and the all-star choir shine. As the chorus steadily swells, riding stellar session singers Venetta Fields (featured on Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”), Deneice Williams, D.J. Rogers and the Waters siblings, Krivit’s edit sails along with it, utilizing all the power of Stevie’s composition in the service of a fresh, new spin for the dance floor.

Parisian label Chuwanaga curated by Clémentine & Saint-James is back in the production game with fresh music from Ishkero, maybe the hottest Jazz-Fusion band of the capital city. Going from Jazz-Funk to Afrobeat through Prog and Psychedelic influences, Brume infuses together killer grooves, irresistible melodies and excellent musicianship. The 12inch, coming with its beautiful illustration, reveals a uniformly good yet diverse musical journey. Behind Ishkero, you’ll find five young and gifted musicians with strong jazz knowledge: Tao Ehrlich (drums), Adrien « Dridri » Duterte (flute & percussion), Antoine Vidal (bass), Victor Gasq (guitar) and Arnaud Forestier (keys). With its strong evocation power fuelled by their youthful energy and creativity, Ishkero’s music is a one-of-a-kind variation on the Jazz genre. Fusion at its best potential! Expect intense rhythmic sections, virtuoso solos, lush FX sections and robust arrangements. Used to play a lot live, the musicians developed a vigorous connection that really shines on stage and during studio sessions. Collectively with Saint-James as their co-producer, they recorded Brume in summer 2019 at Studio Delta (Paris) with sound engineer David Cukier aka Greita (Disques Flegon). The first track, "Triple B", is an ode to 70’s jazz-funk carried by Jeff Mercadié’s Sax performance. "Tonik Gin"’s mighty jazz-rock groove which comes afterwards brings the genre to its emotional climax. B side starts with the main track "Brume", bringing together long-tailed reverberated guitars and Mizell-like piano chords for a very warm and hazy effect. As the last track, "Gare De l’Ouest" is a nice jazz variation on the Afrobeat genre, again with Jeff Mercadié on Saxophone.

It's Moscow disco! Russian selector extraordinaire Arsenii makes his RNT debut with a 3 tracker of obscure and infinitely groovy edits. From the Shaft-in-outer-space drama of "Son of the Son," to the proto-balearic lilt of "Jungle Groove" to the big band funk of "Fool Like A Child," Arsenii demonstrates his skill at digging through and slicing up his ample record collection. A pretty yellow 10" with a classic jazz library label design rounds this one out nicely!

Bridging the link between the drummer's hometown in Montana and the love of african rhythms, Beat Bronco Organ Trio offer us this sublime, lilting instrumental full of precussive warmth and mid-tempo syncopations.

This 2-part song is not featured on their recent Road Trip LP, but following hot on the theme of musical travellings. Departing from the land of the shining mountains and heading across continents to the sound of the twangy, rolling guitar, parts 1 & 2 are a delightful yet raw aural journey carried out across a live, 4-track tape machine.

Totally analog and fresh, as we often wish music could be.

Sadly, soul diva Betty Wright left us recently, on May 10th of this year, only 66 years old.

We pay a tribute to Betty with this unique 12” release, featuring 2 of her greatest hits.

“Tonight is the night” (yes, the famous full 8 minutes live version!) appears on the “A” side of this 12”, while on the AA-side it features the 7 minutes long and easy mixable “Disco Purrfection Remix” of “Where Is The Love” by Canadian DJ DiscoCat, now however edited to perfection by Ben Liebrand at a steady 128 BPM.

”Tonight Is The Night” is taken from the (previously top10 Billboard-) album “Betty Wright Live”, which vinyl-edition will shortly be re-released with bonus tracks on the High Fashion Music label.

Maylee Todd's side project PEGWEE POWER covering 80s boogie classics: 'Mutual Attraction' (Change), and 'Messages from the Stars' (Rah Band). One off. Limited edition. Don't sleep!

red vinyl

As he celebrates the 10th anniversary of his iconic single "Baby I'm Yours", Ed Banger Records household name Breakbot returns with a new EP "Be Mine Tonight", in which French DJ and electronic music composer combines once again his talent and the soft voice of Capucine Delafleur. The instrumental version is currently used to score a worldwide Chanel eyewear campaign starring Pharrell Williams, Sebastien Tellier, Angele and many others. The EP be made available only as a red translucent limited vinyl edition.

a A1. Be Mine Tonight (feat. Delafleur) Extended Version

The unstoppable Most Excellent Unlimited charges ahead with the ninth in the heralded Mr. K 45s Edits series, with this latest edition the most intriguing to date. Deep in Danny Krivit's voluminous collection is a 7-inch acetate rescued from the records left behind by master mixer and DJ Walter Gibbons when he passed away in 1994. The mysterious plate, simply labeled '1, 2, 3,' was custom cut by Gibbons for his personal use in the early '70s when he and a partner operated a service called Melting Pot Sounds that provided one-off copies of otherwise unobtainable imports for NYC disc jocks. Most of the 20-odd known releases on Melting Pot Sounds have been identified, but the true provenance of '1, 2, 3' has remained elusive. The tune is a screaming, instrumental disco delight, with aggressive clavinet riffing broken up periodically by raunchy sax. For this Most Excellent Unlimited issue, Mr. K meticulously transferred his unique Gibbons acetate and further intensified the already propulsive track with a few choice edits of his own.


Not to be outdone, the flip side focuses on a ferocious percussion break that has previously only been available on a very poor quality 12-inch single. 'Sweet Summer Suite' by Love Unlimited Orchestra has long been noted for its intro, a concoction of conga, cowbell, cuica and cabasa that drives dancers wild with its relentless, intense groove underpinned by a booming bass slide. Making its 7-inch debut here, the groove has been extended and teased as only a master could do, complimenting the A-side and creating a powerful DJ weapon.


As always, this Most Excellent Unlimited single has been mastered and pressed to the highest standards with loud DJ usage in mind, and will be available in extremely limited quantities.

A powerful 2 sider from the mighty Little Beaver right here! Both sides simply oozing that Florida Funk feeling, outstanding!
Another stone cold authorised repress courtesy of those TK folks, this 1977 jammer opens with the sublime instrumental 'We Three' - some serious Disco flavour, one for the late night action. 'Listen to my heartbeat' is the flipside, another wicked storming dancefloor cut, this time with the main man himself pleading for that special lady to come and find him and make an honest man out of him. Brilliant. They don't make records like this anymore - for real. This one's been repressed with the og CAT label artwork, and it looks great too. An all-round quality reissue of yet another rarity from the world of Funk. Essential.

Released with love and respect by: Above Board and TK Disco, Miami FL. 2020.

Z Records unstoppable ‘Attack The Dancefloor’ series powers it’s way to its 14th Volume of remixed disco gold.

Delia Renee - You're Gonna Want Me Back (Joey Negro Disco Blend):
"You’re Gonna Want Me Back” was an all but forgotten early 80s obscurity only known to hardcore vinyl collectors. Joey Negro has got hold of the original multi and has transformed what was already a very strong song into an end of the night anthem. Delia’s vocals are classic power soulful vocal disco diva, whilst JN makes the most of the parts in the fully orchestrated live backing track.

Foreal People - Shake (Dr Packer Re-Shake):
Originally released in 1999 the Joey Negro revamp of GQ’s Chic like “Shake” features David Grant from Brit Funk act Linx on lead vocals. It's back out 20 years later with a fat funky Dr Packer remix, who drops down the bpm and adds a more dubby approach to the arrangement.

Z Factor - Gotta Keep Pushin (Grant Nelson Remix):
A classic from the ZR back catalogue gets a brand new makeover from Grant Nelson, making it an instant dancefloor hit.

Four80East & CeCe Peniston - Are You Ready (Joey Negro Redemption Mix):
Brand new gospel tinged soulful house originally produced in Toronto by live jazz funk act Four 80 East featuring the powerhouse vocals of Ce Ce Peniston. It has now been remixed by Joey Negro for release on ZR. The Redemption Mix showcases the full song which harks back to the big vocal records that came out of NY and Chicago in the late 80's/early 90s.

Another indispensable ATDF 12", destined to cause waves across dancefloors worldwide.

About four years after the label was founded in summer 2016, "Matasuna Records" is about to drop its 25th release. To celebrate this anniversary, Matasuna has dug up another treat and is delighted to reissue two songs from the legendary LP "1973" by Belgian jazz-funk group "Placebo" of jazz legend "Marc Moulin", who is rightly considered one of the rare groove Holy Grails. Both songs are available for the first time as official reissue on 7inch vinyl - the title song is even available on 45 for the first time ever. Of course there was a new mastering for the best possible sound.

"Marc Moulin" was born 1942 in Ixelles, Brussels where he also took music lessons. He studied economics and political science - but his passion was music, which guided his career. He made his first steps in the Belgian jazz scene in 1961 at the Festival "Comblain-la-Tour", where he won the "Bobby-Jaspar trophy" for best soloist.

In the 1960s he was a member of various jazz formations before founding the band "Placebo" with his close friend, guitarist "Philip Catherine", in the early 1970s. The septet recorded three albums and a single from 1971 until its dissolution in 1976. On these recordings Moulin is surrounded by the crème de la crème of the Belgian music scene. The group played a unique mixture of jazz, soul, rock and funk with electronic elements, which Moulin elicited from his Moog synthesizer. Some of these musicians also contributed to Moulin's cult album "Sam Suffy", which was released in 1975.

After the dissolution of Placebo, Moulin took a break from jazz and appeared as a producer for various artists. In 1978 Moulin founded the synth pop band "Telex", with which he recorded five longplayers between 1979 and 1986. These recordings are considered groundbreaking for the Detroit techno and transatlantic house scene.

In the late 1990s, Moulin returned to his jazz roots when he combined his two great loves, jazz and electronic dance music. He signed to "Blue Note", where he released three albums. His first album on Blue Note 2001 sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Parallel to his musical activities, Moulin was a radio presenter, journalist and composer, but also worked as a journalist and radio editor. Moulin died on September 26, 2008 at the age of 66.

"Polk" is opening the single and couldn't be a better start: the irresistible groove digs deep into the ear. Marc Moulin's virtuoso piano playing wafts around the driving wah-wah guitar, the bass line and the beats. The brass section sneaks in discreetly to create a grandiose sound spectrum. Jazz-Funk at its best!

Without a doubt, "Balek" is one of the most extraordinary tunes on the album and rightly enjoys cult status not only among rare groove collectors. But also in the Hip Hop scene Balek is a hot joint – e.g. El Da Sensei or Mos Def have dropped their rhymes on this beat. Obscure synthesizer soundscapes with psychedelic sounds, supersweetened keys, unique brass passages and kicking drums give the song a magical aura. Great!

Les Ya Toupas is a band formed in 1976 by Bopol Mansiamina (Bass - Success Mode, 4 Stars ..), Manuaku Waku (aka Grand Zaiko Wawa) and Ray Lema (Piano, Organ and Guitar) Between 1976 and 1978, they recorded several 7inches including the famous title “Je ne bois
pas beaucoup” (1976) compiled on the series of Sofrito (Tropical Discotheque ) in 2011. In 1978, they recorded this unique and unclassifiable instrumental album, Les Ya Toupas du Zaïre, produced by Gérard Akueson (founder of Akue Records and Abeti's producer). The LP is composed of minimalist Afro Jazz rhythms and Deep Funk grooves that are close at times to a tropical trance, all played by musicians who used to offer more classic Rumba rhythms.
It is their only album before the departure in 1979 of Ray Lema for the United States and then France. Ray Lema's departure follows a violent disagreement which opposed him to the dictator Mobutu then in place in Zaïre. Let's not forget that the album was released in 1978 and can be seen as their last musicial project

Cap'tain Créole - formerly known as Trenchtown Meditation - was a band formed in 1984 by Clément, José, Jean-Pierre and Serge.Cap'tain Créole was a pioneering creole-speaking French reggae band with the aim of exploring new musical horizons. With the help of 3 new members - among them a sax player and a trumpet player, both coming from the jazz scene, Cap'tain Créole recorded their unique outing, Ni Bel Jounin.
A single composed of 2 titles Fré Moin / Ni Bel Jounin, both sung in creole, using with great impact some subtle electronic elements.Both tracks are at the crossroads of many universes: Afro, Rock, Funk, Reggae. The result is quite unique and foremost, the spiritual vibe that oozes from the record is an obvious marker of their reggae roots.Privately pressed and self-distributed in small quantities at the time, BeauMonde is proud to make the one and only record of Cap'tain Créole available again

Timing is a collection of sixteen records intended for audiovisual and media
professionals which came out between 1975 and 1977, and initiated by Jacky
Giordano who took care of the first six albums.
The ten others were developed by Pierre Arvay and nearly all published in
partnership with Music De Wolfe.
14-tracks LP with plenty of funky breaks and hard grooves, including afro
cuban rhythms, wild jazzy sounds, fuzz guitar, strings, sax, clavinet, flute...
Limited to 500 copies

Welcome to the funky zone of Boogie Butt, the label that brings you the bass with some musical flavor and boogie synthesizers. On this 4 tracks EP cooked by Lord Funk, you’ll find on A side “Blow Your Mind” featuring Djazzafonk on guitar & jam synths and “Knock Me Out” a killer P-Funk. On B side, you’ll have between the dope boogie of “Luv Girl” or, last but not least, “Do It (If U Like)” for the hypest dancefloors. Don’t miss it!

A Quest Called Tribe begins with a series of portraits drawn by Stéphane Carricondo in
2017 dedicated to Hip-Hop legends. As close partner in art Medline proposed to create a
soundtrack for them, and first interpreting ATCQ's classics with elements of the past,
present and future. The best way to materialize this multidimensional tribute was obviously
a vinyl. And it's the one we unveil today.
On the visual side, ATCQ's portraits are composing the front cover and, assembled into a
great scene, are printed on a colorful A2 poster. Stéphane Carricondo's natural lines are
highlighting each member's soul map. The alchemy of the dark ink on emptiness gives to
them an impressive sparkle of life.
On the musical side, the classic themes are transformed into a polymorphic fusion, were
jazz, funk and soul from the original sample sources converse with Tribe's characteristic
beats. Medline added a hint of his magic, unique rhythms, improvisations, arrangements,
original orchestration and inspired melodies.
The album is an ode to the band that marked both artist's life and mind. A cultural print and
school of sound that designed Hip-Hop foundations. With a blooming expression Medline
and Stéphane Carricondo are going to the roots of ATCQ in a quest for the tribe.

Chicago brother Jamie 3:26 is back and this time more focused and more sober than ever (yup, he gone clean)!

After his classy album release on BBE he's now back on GAMM with what he does best, top class Chi-town disco edits!
This time 'round Jamie goes to work on two gems from The Watsonian Institute and Peoples Choice.
As usual, the soul and funk is always present and both edits go well beyond the 9 min mark...extended play guaranteed!

Mr. K and Most Excellent Unlimited are back with another must have motherlode of ten essential cuts on 7-inch, assembling a serious cross-section of diverse jams that were particularly popular at The Garage, majority of which appearing on 7-inch for the very first time in any form, let alone in these unique quintessential edits. Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael production, female diva classic "Let's Get Together" backed with a previously unreleased NYC Peech Boys demo version of "Somebody Else's Guy." Tough South Bronx funk "Standing In Line". Synth epic, Krivit's classic edit of "Evolution". Disco Funk edit of Larry Levan’s "Slap, Slap, Lickedy Lap". With much more in this diverse and remarkably sought after tracklist, surprises, like “Catch The Rhythm” (the only Boris Midney production regularly played at The Garage), along with Mr. K’s previously Japan-only edit of Loleatta Holloway tour de force “I May Not Be There When You Want Me”. Five singles impressively mastered with maximum fidelity and playability for an exclusive Record Store Day, including a bonus pair of newly designed, Mr. K seven-inch slipmats.

Digging deep into the annals of Gospel now, the name Pastor TL Barrett should be familiar to the eagle eyed crate diggers amongst you. An extremely "colourful" character from Chicago's Southside neighbourhood who found himself on the wrong side of the law for his involvement in some activities of a dubiously illegal nature, more importantly, besides this the pastor was widely known for his community activism and positive sermons preaching love and responsibility. Shady past aside, this fantastic 1976 LP entitled "Do Not Pass Me By" is a real Gospel beauty and features 8 tracks of resplendent hands in the air rejoicement. Having never been reissued before this rare as gem is finally back out in the open, complete with it's incredible untampered with sleeve artwork and design. Barrett's unique voice and message is timeless and instantly recognisable, you can't help but become one of the congregation whilst listening to these wonderfully rousing and positive paeans to the lord almighty. Saying that, even if you find yourself to be a non-believer, the soul, funk and jazz stylings (with the odd flourish of synth!) the good pastor is laying down will be equally as alluring to those of you who dig those particular sounds. "Do Not Pass Me By" was originally released on Miami's TK Disco offshoot Gospel Roots, it's the Pastor's second release on the label and is a beautiful snapshot of how things might have gone down at his "Mount Zion Baptist Church of Universal Awareness". A unique LP with with a somewhat lo-fi charm, the tracks contained run the gamut from slow, downtempo ballads to roof raising, danceable Disco-esque anthems.
This is the first time that "Do Not Pass Me By" has been reissued on vinyl, fully remastered from Gospel Roots/TK's original tapes, represented the way the the LP was issued in 1976 with all original cover and label artworks intact. Now, almost 40 years after it's original release the album has now been made available again for 2016, fully licensed in conjunction and with the full permission of Henry Stone music / TK Disco, Miami, FL.

Europe's best funk band collaborating with Hip Hop legends, booosh!

Timeless Legend are Jackie Hogg, Allen B. Burney, Donald Harmon, and Michael Harmon from Columbus, Ohio.

Their music is among the most elusive on the rare funk/soul scene with “I Was Born To Love You” a huge crossover club anthem and with ‘timeless’ appeal.

The ‘Synchronised’ album from 1980 is iconic and one of the rarest ‘rare grooves’ and original copies currently sell for over £1,000 a copy. There will only be 1000 copies of this numbered reissue

Album features Ernie K Doe’s ‘Here Come The Girls’, The Meters, Eddie Bo, Professor Longhair, Lee Dorsey, Wild Magnolias and more.

This is the definitive collection of New Orleans Funk featuring acknowledged masters next to some of the earlier artists who shaped the meaning of funk. The album is also filled with many rare, sought after and undiscovered funk tracks. It covers the period from the emergence of New Orleans Funk in the early 1960's through to the mid-seventies.

The record is an essential part of anyone in any way interested in Funk's record collection. It has some vital ingredients in it that you can't find elsewhere. With the sound of the New Orleans Funeral March Bands, Mardi Gras Indian Tribes and Saturday Night Fish Fries all as inspiration New Orleans Funk developed into a unique sound.

New Orleans is a port town. Originally owned by the French, this was where many slaves were brought from the West Indies. Many of these slaves came from Haiti and brought with them the religion of Voodoo and its drums and music. It became one of the first parts of America to develop a strong African-American culture leading to the invention of Jazz in the early 1900's.

A main feature of Jazz in New Orleans were the Jazz Funeral Marching bands. Solemn Brass bands accompanying a coffin would, on burial, be joined by a second line of drummers and dancers which would turn the event into a celebration of the spirit cutting free from earth. This African tradition is strong in New Orleans and still goes on to this day. The backline drums play a syncopated style that is neither on the beat nor the off-beat. It is these rhythms that are the basis of New Orleans Funk.

The album comes with a booklet presenting a historical explanation to how and why this music came about, and with lots of information about the people involved.


Reviews: "A Perfect Primer For Funk Fans" Q (Top 5 albums of the year). "Probably the finest compilation that Soul Jazz has released. Essential" Time Out.

Betty Wright (original name Bessie Regina Norris) rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as “Clean Up Woman”, “Lovin’ Is Really My Game”, and “Tonight Is the Night”. She was an outstanding performer and this Live album provides much evidence of Wright’s vitality as a singer. Besides the wonderful performances of her own hits she also sounds incredible on the cover of Leon Russell’s “A Song for You”. The album peaked at #63 in the Canadian Album Chart. This expanded edition features two bonus tracks not available on the original album. Betty Wright passed away May 10th, 2020 at the age of 66.

Available for the first time on coloured vinyl as a limited edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on translucent yellow vinyl

'Resonate,' Lettuce's seventh studio album, is a sonic continuation of the acclaimed sextet's 2019 GRAMMY Award-nominated album 'Elevate,' which earned Lettuce their first collective nomination in the category of Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. The new, critically-acclaimed 11-track collection, featuring the singles "House of Lett," "Checker Wrecker" featuring DC go-go music legends Big Tony Fisher of Trouble Funk and Tyrone"Jungle Boogie" Williams of Rare Essence, and "NDUGU," plays like a master class in funk sub-genres. On 'Resonate,' Lettuce continue to be celebrated boundary-pushing innovators nearly three decades into their lauded career, blurring the lines and smashing it up with jazz chords, psychedelic passages, big horns, strains of soul and go-go, hip-hop elements and a joyful, uplifting improvisational sound all their own.

Being the humble guys that they are, Surprise Chef aren't going to admit they have something very special going down. However, there must be some magic in their studio, or maybe in the fact they all share a house and have formed close bonds, or perhaps from absorbing the DIY ethos of running their own record label that has culminated in such a unique and enchanting sound.

'Daylight Savings' is the follow-up to the group's debut album 'All News Is Good News’. That album earned the band a much-deserved following across the world and triumphantly marked their arrival onto the international stage. Their new album was recorded in Spring 2019, almost exactly a year after they recorded ‘All News Is Good News’. It was the weekend that daylight savings time started in Australia, and the studio was filled with the smell of the towering Jasmine bush on the exterior back wall of the house. The record is subsequently filled with the optimism that comes with the impending warmer months and longer days in Australia.

Recorded in their own home studio in Melbourne, the production approach for 'Daylight Savings' is a big step up from their debut. Engineer, Henry Jenkins, created enormous-sounding space within this record, using a great deal of creative analogue recording techniques and working in an expansive recording environment. The results are a sound that emulates the massiveness of the late-60s Capitol Records.

‘Daylight Savings' was written collaboratively by the whole band and features the core Surprise Chef rhythm section. It expands upon where their debut left off with a leaning more towards 70's jazzfunk than soul and a stronger focus on the rhythm section. There’s the epic drama, ebbs and flows of a vintage David Axelrod or Alain Goraguer cinematic production, plus the influence of El Michels Affair and Melbourne bands Karate Boogaloo and The Putbacks, yet it still sounds uniquely Surprise Chef. You get a sense of that rare attribute of being both a contemporary band and a band you expect it won't be too long before other producers start sampling them.

Continuing the label's special 7"s releases that capture the nascent 80s post punk, dub, funk and pop - as examined on releases by The Jellies, Woo, Phantom Band, 4AM and more - here a discovery of unheard demos from Dislocation Dance's Midnight Shift album.
As part of the eighties Manchester scene, the band's pop and jazz sensibilities have continued to garner attention, offering a rightful place in the city's rich music history.

With the closure of Richard Boon's New Hormones label in 1982, they came to the attention of Geoff Travis' Rough Trade. Creating a home studio in the basement of an old rambling farmhouse in Withington, Ian Runacres (guitar, vocals), with lyricist Paul Emmerson (bass), set to work creating demos to garner a deal.

Inspired by the funk-disco of Dr Buzzards Original Savannah Band debut album, Here Comes Love was written using Roland TR-606 drum machine, guitars, bass and (cheap) keyboard, its magical and lo-fi charmed quality melts hearts.

On Mr Zak, the fun Runacres had is evident. Written as an "indie" song, but with Aztec Camera and Burt Bacharrach on his mind, with Andy Diagram (trumpet) and Kathryn Way (vocals), hides a structure matching the album version, but which in its rudimentary instrumentation and production is unique and outshines the later version, to encase a specific period and innocence, of time.

Robert Torres Psych-Funk, unreleased Kungfu flick theme tune, saved from the last remaining cassette copy Left, lost and almost forgotten. First time on a 45 and flipped with an Afro-Disco banger from China featuring MC Didjelirium. This limited edition picture cover release features special artwork from Mark Cursa.

Jazz / Funk / Fusion 45" from the Italian collective 291out. Comes with a premium brown paper sleeve and pantone label. Mastered and manufactured by Timmion Cutting.

Featuring members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, The Pro-Teens are a mysterious instrumental outfit from Melbourne, Australia.

Within Melbourne's burgeoning cinematic-soul scene, which includes breakout acts Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, mysteriously sit The Pro-Teens. Helmed by prolific drummer and percussionist Hudson Whitlock, who also plays in both aforementioned bands, this breakaway studio project involves an interchangeable collective of incognito, Melbourne-based, esteemed instrumentalists playing under outlandish pseudonyms such as "'Dead Honest’ Dean Amazing" and "Libby Clique-Baite". Symbolically led by keyboardist "Snooch Dodd", new album ‘I Flip My Life Every Time I Fly’ is the latest musical concoction from Whitlock's eccentric brain, marrying the soul/funk roots of sample culture with the principles of boom-bap hip hop.

Incorporating the colourful comic book stylings of MF DOOM and Kool Keith, or the dark and exotic flavours of Gravediggaz and The Wu-Tang Clan, The Pro-Teens also take cues from their composing heroes Galt MacDermot, Richard Evans and Marc Moulin. The Pro-Teens bop, zip, whip and fling on this phantasmagorical journey - an unorthodox patchwork of cinematic soul, hip hop-guided funk breaks, vivid instrumental textures and film score-esque moods.

The Pro-Teens work on the same analogue recording model adopted by the tight-knit College Of Knowledge label, self-recorded and produced with the rag-tag crew of musicians putting tracks down live to tape in crammed attic studios and sharehouse recording spaces.
The first limited pressing of 'I Flip My Life Every Time I Fly' was released on the 'College Of Knowledge' imprint in late 2020. It was one of the highlights of the year at Mr Bongo HQ who loved the concept and felt this tripped out masterpiece from Melbourne needed to be heard well beyond those lucky enough to have bagged those limited first copies.

- Tripped-out masterpiece from Melbourne’s cinematic soul scene. Featuring members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo.

- Inspired by funk, library music, cinematic scores, soul, psych-folk-rock, wonky synths, and fused with a hip-hop aesthetic.

- "My Beat Of The Week!" - Huey Morgan, BBC6 Music

Following the incredible response we received to Soul Revivers digital debut ‘Harder’ we decided to press a limited edition 45 to celebrate this new band landing on Acid Jazz. Soul Revivers are reggae veteran Nick Manasseh, returning to Acid Jazz for the first time since the 1998 album 'Shining', and David Hill formerly of the Ballistic Brothers and founder of Rootikal.

The single has a hard-hitting rhythm topped with Ranglin’s fluid guitar, and has already garnered praise from Gilles Peterson who said, ‘This is special, return of the great Ernest Ranglin’, while David Rodigan excitedly commented, 'This is superb, so refreshing and so unique. Ernest Ranglin on top form’. It has also been on the Jazz FM playlist for the last 4 weeks.

“Nick and I have loved the music of Ernest Ranglin since the 80s, which was when we first discovered the unique sound of his guitar on those classic Studio One rhythms. Collaborating with him has been a joy and a blessing.” David Hill, Soul Revivers

Masterworks Music are back on the vinyl trail with their 15th 12" release, with Italian disco stallion Gledd in charge of the disco funk.

While some EPs might offer some down time and lower-tempo numbers, Soul Shapes goes for the dancefloor jugular with all four cuts designed to get you up and grooving.

Lead track 'Light of Florence' cleverly builds with strings and stylish background synths before dropping into a soul-searching vocal and gorgeous keys. With driving percussion, a walking bassline and cleverly restrained dynamics, it builds and bubbles with endless groove.

Follow up 'I Just Want You' builds on that teasing disco funk by upping the tempo and adding in blaring horns, a sizzling Rhodes breakdown that will have you playing air keys and yet more disco groove. Peak time, warm up, opening slot, closing track - this will work anywhere.

On the flipside, 'Of Rainbows' is a brilliantly-worked filter disco track, cleverly teasing in the disco loop with drop-dead-gorgeous strings before dropping back down to a deep house (and we mean deeeeeep house) bassline that carries the track from start to finish.

Gledd closes out the all-killer EP with 'Your Mind.' With Chic-style wah-wah guitars, clever drum fills and yet another stonking bassline, it's another beautifully crafted disco groover that cleverly blurs the line between peak-time heater and perfect warm-up material.

Killer funk masterpiece first released almost 20 years ago by the legendary Leeds outfit led by guitarist Eddie Roberts. Fierce drum kit and twangy guitar with hammond organ stabs leads way to upfront vocals from Sulene Flemming who has worked with Bernard Purdie, Reuben Wilson, Brand New Heavies and Incognito etc. Originally released in 2001 it still sounds fresh as ever and this version comes backed with an exclusive unreleased instrumental version. 500 hand-numbered copies in gold stamped black sleeve.NO REPRESS

Two rare and mystery-shrouded party-in-the-house sides from 1976.

Willi J Coe’s Cleethorpes anthem ‘Boogie With Your Baby’ was a no-hit wonder that goes for around £100 if you can find a copy on the original shortlived Ki Ki label.

Produced by Willie J Key and arranged by Bob Holmes (Joe Tex / Freddie North / Slim Harpo) it’s a slice of funky party disco. A proper floorshaker. V Rare Function’s ‘Disco Function’ was originally on Soul Unlimited in 1976 and fetches around £50 a copy these days.

Sampled by Luke Vibert in more recent times, it’s a brass-stabbed party anthem with a nod to Kool And The Gang when they were funky.

Repress!

2 Classic 6Ts Northern Soul/Mod Sides From The Legendary Philly Label Cameo-Parkway Reissued For The First Time

A raw and rich story-telling vein was captured when Smoove & Turrell released their debut album, 'Antique Soul' in 2009. It laid the seed for what has become a unique musical direction, forged by a band who boosts a loyal fanbase worldwide to this day. It's a rarity when an album delivers eleven songs that grow on the listener with every play. After much demand for a repress, this sought-after LP comes in the form of a Limited Red and Black Splatter Vinyl.

A vibrant electronic fusion of lounge, jazz, and disco is maybe not the first (or fifth) thing you would expect to hear from one of the world’s most renowned modern composers and ambient tape loop pioneers, but upon first listen, it makes so much sense that one wonders why it didn’t happen sooner.

After years of producing and mentoring slews of young artists in 1990s Williamsburg, Brooklyn, William Basinski moved to Los Angeles. There he hired a young studio assistant, Preston Wendel, who eventually introduced his own works to the curious composer. That spawned a creative partnership that inspired Wendel to persuade Basinski to haul out his saxophone. Five years later, SPARKLE DIVISION has arrived with their enchanting debut album, To Feel Embraced.

Produced by SPARKLE DIVISION at Basinski’s Musex International in Los Angeles, the duo were joined by a few notable friends: Mrs. Leonora Russo (who Basinski affectionately calls “the true Sicilian Sparkle Division, my Brooklyn Mom, the Queen of Williamsburg”) offers her sparkling voice to “Queenie Got Her Blues”; fabled free-jazz icon and genuine bodhisattva, the late Henry Grimes, contributed upright bass and violin to the aptly-named “Oh Henry!” (“Lotta babies gonna be born from this one,” Henry and Margaret Davis Grimes playfully declared); and London vocalist Xeli Grana offers her ethereal voice to the album’s meditative title track.