Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

The crucial, ambitiously artistic follow-up to Hayes' Shaft, Black Moses reached #1 on the Billboard Soul/R&B chart in 1972 and remains relevant today as the result of prominent samples by the likes of Portishead ( Glory Box') and Alesia Cara ( Here') who both used elements from Ike's Rap II' as the basis of their compositions. Boasting an ambitious package, complete with two 180-gram vinyl LPs, deluxe fold-out packaging, and a replica of the original multi-panel four-foot cruciform image of Hayes as Black Moses, this reissue from Craft Recordings showcases newly remastered audio cut at Elysian Masters under the supervision of Dave Cooley and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing.

Reaching #1 on the Billboard Soul/R&B chart in the year of its release (1969), Hot Buttered Soul is a transformative genre-bending soul record that changed the shape of popular music forever. Featuring Walk On By' and Hayes' expansive, cinematic take on By The I Get To Phoenix,' this new reissue from Craft Recordings showcases newly remastered audio cut at Elysian Masters under the supervision of Dave Cooley and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing.

Both a commercial and critical success, it remains Isaac Hayes' best-known and best-selling LP released by Stax Records, winning Hayes multiple Grammy® Awards in 1972 and an Oscar® for Best Original Song.' The album reached #1 on the Billboard 200 and spent 60 weeks on the chart. In 2014, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2014 for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.' The album contains the ubiquitous #1 chart-topping hit Theme From Shaft' and top-40 smash, Do Your Thing.' This new 2-LP reissue from Craft Recordings showcases newly remastered audio cut at Elysian Masters under the supervision of Dave Cooley and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Record Pressing.

- First-ever 180-gram vinyl reissue

- Lacquers cut by Kevin Gray, Cohearent Audio

- Old-school style tip-on jacket

- Includes Jazz Dispensary "Authorized Dealer" window cling

A true is a masterpiece of genre-bending groove, Vibes of Truth covers all the bases: from silky-smooth R&B, to politically conscious jazz-funk grooves, Vibes of Truth has it all. Long sought-after by collectors for the three club friendly tunes within its grooves, Backed Up Against The Wall,' Concrete Jungle,' and I Need You Girl,' this lost classic from the Fantasy catalog represents the very best of the mid-70's jazz-funk crossover sound and fits perfectly in a collection next to the likes of the Blackbyrds' City Life or RAMP's Come Into Knowledge.

- 180-gram vinyl pressed at Quality Record Pressings (QRP)

- Vinyl housed in a one-pocket old-school style tip-on gatefold jacket

- Includes Jazz Dispensary "Authorized Dealer" window cling

Harlem Bush Music - Uhuru remains extremely relevant. Though the album came at a time when Black Consciousness and Black Pride were coming to the forefront of American culture, current times are such that its message of struggle, love and hope transcends racial categories. That is both a great testament to the power of this music, as well as to the dawning fact in this country that we're all in this together," said All About Jazz. Joined by the inimitable Andy Bey on vocals, Juini Booth and Ron Carter on bass, Harold White on drums, and Nat Bettis on percussion, Bartz turns in a set of politically relevant, hard-grooving, funky, searching and essential soul-jazz. The centerpiece of the album is the righteously grooving, original seven-minute version of Celestial Blues' featuring the incredible vocals of John Coltrane's favorite vocalist, Andy Bey.

Collecting some of his finest gospel sides with The Soul Stirrers, Peace In The Valley is not just the starting point of Sam Cooke's iconic career, it is also some of the most beautiful music ever put to tape. Though the songs are religious in nature, one can easily hear the architecture of Cooke's later secular R&B work in these sides. Soulful and sanctified music from one of the finest voices in the history of 20th century popular music.

Philly's Double Exposure have undoubtedly earned the title of Disco legends, their music has long been part of the heartbeat with numerous classics under their belts. Their mighty release 'Ten per cent' was the first commercially issued 12" single and subsequently ushered in the notion of the format as a 'go to' in the clubs and among DJ's. Originally thought of as a fad in a world where the 45 was king, this 12" release unknowingly changed the direction of dance music and music promotions practically overnight. Disco history indeed.
Having worked over the years with some of the biggest producers and arrangers in the game, Double Exposure have benefitted from the talents of people like Norman Harris, Tom Moulton, Bunny Sigler and even in later times, David Morales and Frankie Knuckles. This isn't to say the boys themselves were slouches though, their iconic vocals have laced many classics over the decades. Featured on this fine compilation is a collection of Double Exposure's biggest tracks, all the proper mixes are here, untouched, respectfully sequenced and re-presented in their entirety. Mixes from Walter Gibbons, Tom Moulton and Bobby 'DJ' Guttardo all included. Loud and extended 12" mixes are the order of the day. A truly essential package for the die-hard Disco aficionado or for those who are exploring this most important movement in dance music for the first time. Curated with the full input and backing of Salsoul Records and carefully selected to reflect the truly timeless nature of the music contained within. For listening, for dancing, for turning on a party! Remastered by Optimum Mastering. Artwork & design by Million Dollar Disco.

Well before Shuggie Otis (Born Johnny Alexander Veliotes, Jr.) cut his debut album, musicianship and performance had long been a part of his life. The son of rhythm and blues legend Johnny Otis, Shuggie learned to play guitar as early as the age of two, and performed professionally with his father's band at eleven. Throughout his long and illustrious career he'd performed on records for the likes of Frank Zappa, Al Kooper, Etta James, and George Duke, to name a few. In spite of all this, widespread mainstream success eluded Shuggie for much of his early career, though he'd later pen the Brothers Johnson hit "Strawberry Letter 23". Despite never managing a great amount of commercial success upon its release, Shuggie Otis' third album Inspiration/Information was a critical smash decades after its release, and has maintained a level of cult status normally reserved for mysterious, unearthed legends like Sixto Rodriguez or Lee Fields. Inspiration/Information was noteworthy among Shuggie's other releases, as it was the only one produced entirely by himself, as opposed to his father Johnny Otis. Shuggie's signature blend of baroque funk is on full display, but with a heavy dosage of psychedelic soul blended in, resulting in an album that's equally swarthy, lush, funky, and emotional. Gathering all the best bits of Marvin Gaye, Love, Miles Davis, and even Os Mutantes, Inspiration/Information is more than worthy of acclaim awarded to it.

Wewantsounds is proud to announce the release of Hiroshi Sato's ultra rare synth masterpiece, originally released in 1979 on Kitty Records in Japan only. Digitally remastered from the original tapes it features the cream of Japanese musicians including Shigeru Suzuki on guitar, Haruomi Hosono on bass, Pecker on Percussion and Sato himself on keyboards and synthesizers. This highly sought-after album is a superb breezy mix of Japanese synth- pop with a subtle touch of mid 70s Herbie Hancock-style funk and AOR.
Fully remastered from the original Kitty Records tapes by Universal Japan, the album will come with its original 4-page colour insert including English translations of the original liner notes by leading Japanese journalist Yasufumi Amatatsu plus the full track-by-track musician line up.
The album includes such cult tracks as Son Go Kuw' and Jo-Do' popular on the international DJ scene.

Mix righteous fuzz guitar, bad-ass keyboards and ecstatic African rhythms and what have you got Celebration by Aktion - a slab of of heavy Afro-funk-pysch-rock from the hardest working band in 70s Nigeria. Aktion had a residency at the Lido Night Club and Restaurant in Warri but toured constantly. Drummer Ben Alaka and Bass player Renny Pearl Nwosa created a bedrock of hardcore rhythm that allowed the rest of the band to cut loose and follow their own groove. Celebration, their second album, sees Aktion at the height of their powers. Ben Alaka had claimed his crown as the best drummer in the country (Proof: the intro to 'Centepede'), keyboardist Zeaky George has got his freak on (have a listen to 'We're Laughing') and Jimi Lee's searing guitar breaks were leaving scorch marks across every track ('Celebration', 'Groove The Funk', take your pick.) Sadly, Celebration was also their last album. Renny and Lemmy left to form The Stormmers. Jimmi Lee hooked up with Mona Finnih and discovered disco. But Celebration remains a psych rock monster - and a funky, fuzz-filled tribute to Nigeria's rocking east.

- Peter Moore

Baad John Cross's New Revolution is a Afro-electro-funk-boogie-disco banger that could only come from 1980s Nigeria. Bright, optimistic, with an unrelenting eye on the dance floor, it is regarded by many as a prototype of the electro rhythms that would become the signature sound of Nigerian boogie. A Cameroonian by birth, Cross arrived in Lagos a cheeky smile, a pair of white dungarees and a bag full of songs. After proving his chops with uncredited session work, he signed with the legendary Coconut label, hooked up with producer Modjo Isidore and created a stone cold boogie classic in New Revolution. 'Gimme Some Lovin' and 'Get Up And Dance Salsa' (briefly a dance craze in Lagos, apparently) are dance floor classics, 'Jeanie My Love' the obligatory love ballad and 'We Need Freedom' a Marleyesque call for peace across the continent. The real surprise is 'Rock n Roll Birthday', a rockabilly number straight out of 80's London. (The cover photo has a similar vibe.) Sadly, New Revolution was to be Baad John Cross's only album. He was soon back in Cameroon, eking out a career as a session musician, but not before creating one of the freshest Nigerian boogie albums ever made.

- Peter Moore

Originally developed by Rocoe as a mere discographic label, Body Heat has developed further as an all-round platform for all those who believe in funk-fuelled dance music and currently consists in the label, a club night (currently 'the thing' in Milano's nightlife) and a collective of artists, under the 'Body Heat Gang Band' name.
Body Heat Disco' is their frst full album, which aims at giving a perspective on the genres they like to play with: funk/disco/soulful house/ acid jazz and electro. The band gives their own twist to all these genres, taking from the past and bringing them in a contemporary esthetic and sound dimension. Body Heat Disco' is also a show that bridges the gap between live music and club culture, including musicians, mcs, singers, dj, dancers and visual acts - presented in Milano in late 2017 for the frst time, it will be brought to theaters, clubs and ballrooms of all Italy in 2018.

One of the greatest soul funk albums of the 80s, and a darn record to find! The tracks are nice and tight, with sort of a smooth modern soul and a good dancefloor groove. Made by a vast collective of musicians in and around LA in the early eighties who recorded for the KMA and Jam-Power labels. Most famous from that collective became Chuckii Booker who went on to solo fame. Gift Of Dreams recorded two full albums for Jam-Power, this being the first and a bit more soulful of the two. Overall there are already many touches of electro, boogie and funk which makes this music being in such high demand. This beautifully restored reissue contains all the info and illustrations of the very first, full colour and pretty artsy LP-sleeve design. Licensed by David Wooley, Jam Power Records

One part heaven one part earth. One part ancient one part future. Presently, the supernova, vocalist, song writer, and universe whisperer gifts us fresh melodic emcee energy and soul stirring content hovering somewhere between the collective essence of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Sun Ra, Fela Kuti, and the unknown."

First ever official reissue of Ice's rare and in demand North Carolina born soul funk jam 'Reality' via Athens of the North Records and Magnetic Recordings. Super rare modern soul / boogie tune. First played by Ian Wright and a Few others on the Deepfunk scene and then picked up by the Northern soul scene.

A high-speed car chase between a Dodge Charger and a Ford Mustang, with super-cop Bullitt at the wheel, who forces the hitman off the road and into a petrol station, which explodes and incinerates him. Prior to that, harsh clashes of metal, hubcaps flying all over the place, and the chief character Steve McQueen, who grimly changes gears and hurtles through the streets of San Francisco, wheels screaming and rubber burning. That was how Hollywood staged one of the longest and most dramatic car chases, long before the days of the Anti-Blocking-System and Anti-Slide-Control.

Very up-to-date and just as exciting as the screenplay is the music Lalo Schifrin wrote for the film, which embeds the characters, places and events in a musical context. For example, "Bullitt": the metrically angular main theme portrays a mysterious, cool character who sums up a situation with keen alertness and then makes his attack with the speed of lightning.

Initially the music travels through easy-going Latin terrain. But gradually the rhythmic texture changes and takes a rougher path, with clicks, knocks and hammering. Legendary flute lines create a compensatory placidness with airy clouds floating above the sharp mix. A really special track is "Shifting Gears": here you can listen to Schifrin tuning the car, how he manipulates a jammed springy bossa to take on the sound of clean, smooth-running rock.

This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head. All royalties and mechanical rights have been paid.

Slikk Tim, (AKA Gary Gritness and DopeGems) strikes back with his new persona on Arcane - Morris Mobley, and offers a mix of Modern Soul flavors, razor sharp vocals, and Grant Green-tinted guitar licks, served with shiny, luxurious synths, and a pounding 808.Built upon solid personal compositions and a strong lyrical sense, backed by suave rhythms and sophisticated chords. Morris Mobley ventures into a sharp, neo-noir vibe, paying tribute to the Johnny 'Guitar' Watson tradition, ranging from nostalgic love to nocturnal moods throughout this eight-tracker he single-handedly produced.

Solar Shield kicked off the Austin Boogie Crew Records discography with a bang in 2014 with his "Reesis" 45 -- so much so that the label had to press it THREE times to meet demand. Now , Austin boogie Crew present his much anticipated selftitled LP with 9 tracks of laid back modern funk!
.
Austin, TX, musician Chris McDowell is a wonder on the keys. Under his Solar Shield moniker Texas producer Chris McDowell creates exuberant compositions that elegantly walk a tightrope between modern funk and electronic beat music. This quality nine track release features songs created between 2011 and 2013, settling into the modern funk cannon of 2018 with ease.

ENDLICH: DAS NEUE STUDIO ALBUM VON MACEO PARKER IST DA!!
Er ist einer der Ikonen des Funk und des Soul: Maceo Parker. Seit seiner Zusammenarbeit mit James Brown ab den 60er Jahren sticht Maceo´s Saxofonspiel unverkennbar heraus aus der Masse der Saxofonisten: Klar, deutlich und auf den Punkt. Neben Brown spielte Parker mit George Clinton und jahrelang mit Prince. Seine eigene Karriere forcierte Parker seit den 90er Jahren. Mittlerweile ist Maceo einer der bekanntesten Live Acts weltweit. Anläßlich seines 75. Geburtstages am 14. Februar 2018 wird Maceo mit IT´s ALL ABOUT LOVE seit 2004 endlich mal wieder ein Studioalbum veröffentlichen, was ihn neben seinem Saxofonspiel auch als hervorragenden Sänger präsentiert. Dabei vertraut er auf die Hilfe der WDR Big Band Köln, wo Michael Abene für die Arrangements zuständig war.
Am Schlagzeug sitzt die ehemalige Prince und jetzige Beyonce Schlagzeugerin Cora Coleman.
Mit einem exklusiven BONUSTRACK !

Pacific Express emerged from Cape Town, South Africa in the 1970s. The band were from the so called "Coloured" community and were ground breakers in both musical and political arenas. The founder members Paul Abrahams (Bass), Jack Momple (Drums) and Issy Ariefdien (Guitar) were joined by Chris Schilder (Piano), Vic Higgins (Pecussion), Barney Rachabane (Alto Sax), Stompie Manana (Trumpet) and Zayn Adams & Kitty Tshikana on vocals for their second album "On Time" in 1978.

On several occasions the group fell foul of Apartheid laws and discrimination by the state broadcaster, SABC. On one occasion they were asked to leave the stage of an international tour by Australian act John Paul Young, because the law forbade racially mixed performers on the same stage. The promoter, management and band members all resisted and once he incident made the Australian newspapers the authorities had little choice and turned a blind eye.

And so to the music. The most important thing. The LP opens up with the slick jazz-boogie funk of "We Got A Good Thing Going On", a perfect vehicle for the vocals of Zayn and the statement-of-intent, on-point musicianship of the band.

"I Hear Music" is the first of three smooth sweet string-laden ballads to feature on the LP. The majority of the songs on the LP were written by keyboard player Chris Schilder. As well as high-craft songwriting Chris also contributes layers of effortless musicality with his Rhodes and piano. "Good Old Days" (the only cover on the LP) is next and its smooth-rock grooves swing effortlessly to the fore. The A-Side of the vinyl closes with the instrumental jazz funk of "Saturday Night".

The flip side of the album opens with the bands biggest commercial success. A sweet soul ballad penned "Give a Little Love". Stepping outside their usual sound. This hit however was not without controversy as the video was removed from the TV airways after the South Africa Broadcasting Corp realised that the group were of mixed race, which was against rules for so called local artists in public performance at the time.

"Dream" follows on with the driving jazz rock and travelling keyboard solos. "Reaching Out For Love" is a power-pop boogie groover powered by guest vocalists Erica Lundy and Kitty.

"Say The Last Goodbye" is the last of the trio of ballads. A smooth style moment sounding all the bit like a 70's US TV drama closing theme. The LP features with a funky workout where the band show off their chops and slick level of musicianship.

Besides the success in southern Africa this album became a regional hit as a pirated music cassette in Nigeria. It was also released in France and Japan.

The band would go on to record one further LP in 1979 and a single in 1981. They carried on performing however well pass that. Throughout their years together the band acted as central hub for Jazz musicians within the Cape Town area. Players as Tony Cedras, Jonathan Butler and Alvin Dyers gaining experience alongside established names such as trumpeter Stompie Manana and alto saxman Barney Rachabane.

Here at World Seven we are ever so pleased to be re-releasing what we consider the bands finest album moment.

'Wants List 4' has been compiled in response to customer demand, ten years after Wants List 3. It features some great in demand tracks from the 70's rediscovered in the UK's Rare Groove and Modern Soul Scene's from the mid 80's onwards, several are appearing on a compilation for the first time and some are being reissued on CD or Vinyl for the first time ever. Harold Wheeler Consort 'Black Cream' is a wonderfully lush semi-instrumental funky soul cut that has been sampled many times over the last 20 years. Almeta Lattimore beautiful 'These memories' is an extremely rare 45 fetching upwards to £400. It is 70's Modern Soul at its finest!
Mary Clark's 'You Got Your Hold on Me' is another great slab of rare mid tempo soul produced by Patrick Adams and Billy Nichols which is reissued here for the first time. Tommy McGee rare 45 'Now That I Have You' that has been in demand on both the Rare Groove and Modern Soul scenes for decades, makes it's CD and Compilation debut. Dee Edwards '(I Can) Deal With That' is a wonderful record has been heralded on the Two-Step, Modern Soul and Funk scenes over the past 25 years. The 'Strings and Tambourine' version featured here is very hard to find on CD or LP. Pat Lundy jaunty Jazzy-Soul stepper 'Let's Get Down To Business', Maxine Weldon
'I want Sunday back again' and Debbie Taylor's magnificent orchestrated ballad 'I Don't Wanna Leave You' all make their CD and compilation debut on 'Wants List 4'. There is some great harmony soul from The Ebonys, Manhattans, Impressions and Natural High, plus Jazzy-soul floaters from Margie Joseph, Aretha Franklin and her sister Carolyn, plus 2-step heaven from Jocelyn Brown, Zulema and more. Every track is a winner on what is possibly the best volume in this popular 'cult' series, which is sure to receive airplay and great reviews and be sought after by Soul fans everywhere. This compilation will like the previous volumes be a strong consistent seller.

- First-ever high-quality vinyl reissue

- 180-gram vinyl pressed at QRP, the trusted source for audiophile-quality records

- Lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio

- Vinyl housed in an old-school style heavyweight jacket

- Includes Jazz Dispensary Authorized Dealer' window cling

Flanked by a who's-who of exceptional talent, which includes Bernard Purdie on drums, Jimmy Lewis on electric bass, Grant Green on guitar, and Houston Person on tenor saxophone, Charles Kynard turns in a soulful and sublimely understated set of purely grooving soul-jazz fare. Long out of print and never reissued in the U.S. on vinyl since its original release in 1970, Afro-Disiac just might be the musical panacea you've been looking for. Features the smoldering, deep-pocket Purdie showcase, Sweetheart.'

Two clubbing crazy instro's back to back

One of soul music's great female voices, Millie Jackson's reputation was made by the release of Caught Up' and Still Caught Up', released in 1974 and 1975 respectively.

Here we reissue Caught Up' on vinyl. Both albums deal with infidelity - and see it from both the wife's and the lover's point of view. The combination of spoken word raps and forceful, risqué lyrics was to become Millie's trademark for several years to come

Side One belongs to the lover and gives us an eleven-minute plus version of 'If Loving You Is Wrong'.

Superb backing from the classic Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section line-up of Beckett, Johnson, Hood and Hawkins features throughout, with long-time Millie Jackson producer Brad Shapiro at the controls.

- 180-gram vinyl pressed at Quality Record Pressings (QRP)

- Back in print after 40+ years

- Vinyl housed in an old-school style tip-on jacket

- Includes Jazz Dispensary "Authorized Dealer" window cling


An unsung monster in the pantheon of exceptional soul-jazz outings from the Prestige catalog, Fire Eater finds Bryant grooving hard in a combo that featured Idris Muhammad on drums, Wilbert Longmire on guitar, and both Bill Mason and Leon Spencer Jr. on organ. Included in this stretched-out, funky set of four originals is the title track, Fire Eater,' which was sampled for Swing Set' by Jurassic 5 (2000) and appeared on the 1999 collaboration between DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, Brainfreeze. While not as instantly recognizable by name as other greats of the tenor saxophone such as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, Bryant's fiery and athletic approach on this set sets him apart from his peers as a force to be reckoned with. In the strident groove and funky underpinnings of Fire Eater is the blueprint for generations of future groovers and funkateers. Essential.

Black Friday LP now available as catalogue. Texas funk music is amongst the highest regarded styles in the genre, a unique mixture of jazz, blues, R&B and James Brown's syncopation that evolved in metropolises like Houston (Kashmere Stage Band), San Antonio (Mickey and the Soul Generation), Austin (James Polk and the Brothers) and Dallas. Dallas birthed a variety of independent labels, Soultex and Doin Our Thing amongst them. But no one in Dallas, Texas or America, created a run of 7' singles like Timothy McNealy did on his Shawn imprint. When it comes to heavy, funk music, in Dallas - in Texas - Timothy McNealy is king. This means that when it comes to funk music, in general, McNealy is hallowed. Yet McNealy's music has never been collected as an album, nor reappraised in its totality. A series of 7' single reissues have come out in the past 15 years, including his masterpiece Sagittarius Black,' a psychedelic funk instrumental that has been a cornerstone in every fan's rediscovery of the genre for the past 20 years. But this is the first time that his music is presented in its totality, giving the enlightened fan an opportunity to hear the breadth and depth of his Funky Movement.

Special 2LP set comprising the 1972 chart-topping soundtrack album together with a bonus disc of alternate takes, demos, radio spots, an interview and additional score.

The death of Curtis Mayfield in 1999 robbed the world of popular music of one of its finest performers, writers and producers. By the time he made his solo debut in 1970 he had already achieved much more than many artists do

in a lifetime career. He had already enjoyed a string of hits as lead singer of The Impressions, for whom he was the principal songwriter, had produced successful recordings for other artists and was owner of his own record label

and several publishing companies. The solo albums he recorded between 1970 up until the time of his tragic accident in 1990 and which were released on his own label, Curtom Records, remain as testament to his genius. Curtis' songs on these albums deal in the

main with two themes, those of love and political consciousness. His influence on American black music and culture has been immense and his thought provoking lyrics and musical style are unique in their field. The soundtrack to the 'blaxploitation' movie Superfly stayed in the U.S. album

charts for almost a year, topping it for four weeks in 1972 and earning Curtis a gold disc. Two singles taken from the album, the title song and the million selling Freddie's Dead', both went Top 10. These two songs, along with the

stark and sinister Pusherman', worked brilliantly in the context of the film, delivering a potent anti-drugs message. This special 2LP reissue presents the original soundtrack album together with a bonus LP of demos, alternate versions, a track which did not appear on the

original album, two anti-drugs radio spots recorded by Mayfield and Curtom labelmates The Natural Four's lesser-heard version of Eddie You Should Know Better'.

Alexx A-Game makes his return to Swing Ting after last year's 'A-Game Everyday' & 'Gangsters' with the soulfully poignant 'Braver'. The 7' is the 1st physical drop on FACT magazine's label of 2016, following well-received Equiknoxx & Madd Again! releases in 2017.

In 2015 Swing Ting's Samrai & Platt received a tune from Alexx's manager, 'Braver' asking if they'd be able to contribute to the production on the track. Listening to the stems, it became apparent how amazing Alexx's vocal delivery sounded stripped to just the Rhodes & bassline played by frequent A-Game collaborator & fellow Jamaican Vern Hill. After adding effects and flourishes the crew began playing the 'Smooth Edit' on Swing Ting radio shows and at DJ sets around the globe.

Requests to release the track followed from revered selectors, followers, and musical peers alike. The bittersweet number seemed to particularly resonate with Manchester-based DJs and crews such as Konny Kon (Children of Zeus/Broke'n'£nglish), Murlo & the Levelz family who've championed the tune over the last 12 months.

For more than 30 years music has been the most important thing in my life - this is a clear and true to the heart statement by Soulsurfer, DJ and drummer for the Hanover-based outfit named SUPERSOUL. And yes, SUPERSOUL are a real band. A band in love with analogue instruments and mastering their craft. A rat pack of five groove fanatics accumulating enough years, wisdom and experience to tell truly authentic stories within their songs - songs which are taking the bands audience on a journey into the 60s and 70s sound of Black America. SUPERSOUL are playing Funk 'n' Soul on a hot, steamy, energetic and passionate tip, performing self-written songs with stories told in the bands mothertongue - German ! With Arne Busch as vocalist and band leader SUPERSOUL is built around a true force. His vision and expression of Soul is phrased like the emphasis of a preacherman's gospel whilst fat and funky grooves are masterly crafted and carefully layered by Margot Gontarski and drummer Lars Heindorf a.k.a. Soulsurfer, glazed with wah-wah-heavy licks played by guitar wizard Toni. Their experienced interplay on the latest SUPERSOUL album is polished with loads of analogue engineering magic at Studio Nord Bremen and perfectly complemented by solos and arrangements of Lutz 'Hammond' Krajenski and seven other guest musicians making and appearance on this longplay piece.
It's not big of a surprise that these musicians, all of them rich in experience due to their contributions to other bands and projects, met in Hanover, Germany's secret capital of Funk. But it is quite a surprise that it took that long for an album to appear on the record store circuit that amalgamates German lyrics and urban Funk in a previously unheard manner like SUPERSOUL does.
And for those who come across this longplay piece whilst being on their next dig we go along the lines of the words by the famous man Miles Davis as - We suggest to you to play this record at the highest possible volume in order to appreciate the sound of SUPERSOUL .

Our latest examination of Esoteric, Modal & Progressive Jazz of the 20th Century has taken us to Japan. The liberating force of jazz has been created and felt all around the world, but few nations on earth embraced the jazz message with the passion and intensity of Japan. From the dawn of the jazz age to the present day, Japanese audiences have been renowned tastemakers, enthusiasts and champions of the music - in the 1980s, Japan was the biggest per capita market in the world for jazz records, and it has even been said that Japanese jazz fans kept the jazz record industry alive through the lean years of the 1970s, when the music fell from commercial favour in the land of its birth.

But while the jazz aficionados of Japan are celebrated as sophisticated fans and consumers of the music, comparatively little is known outside Japan of the remarkable and abundant music produced by generations of Japanese jazz musicians. Numerous Japanese jazzers have found enormous success on the international stage - Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sadao Watanabe, Teramasu Hino, and many others are household names among jazz listeners all over the world, and with good reason. But if such global figures are put aside, the stunning heritage of Japanese jazz remains poorly understood outside Japan. As a result, the work of many celebrated Japanese jazumen has remained largely unknown to international audiences, and the extraordinary scope and depth of Japanese jazz has not been widely recognised.

Compiled for the Spiritual Jazz series in collaboration with the celebrated collector and DJ Yusuke Ogawa (Deep Jazz Reality, Tokyo), this 2CD/twin set of double LPs aims to correct that omission by uncovering the uniquely deep sound of esoteric, modal and progressive jazz from Japan - music of the heart, soul and Japanese spirit!

Each 2LP set comes complete with OBI strip and thick, textured sleeve. Our extensive liner notes extend onto printed inners, and are in both Japanese and English.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- INCLUDES 4 PAGE BOOKLET
- PVC PROTECTIVE SLEEVE
- SCORE BY GRAMMY AWARD WINNER JAMES
NEWTON HOWARD
- 2017 MOVIE DIRECTED BY DAN GILROY
(NIGHTCRAWLER) FEATURING DENZEL WASHINGTON
- FIRST PRESSING OF 500 NUMBERED COPIES ON
PURPLE & GOLD SWIRLED COLOURED VINYL

Denzel Washington stars as Roman J. Israel, a driven, idealistic defense attorney. Roman J. Israel has been fighting the good fight while others take the credit. When his partner, the firm's front man, has a heart attack, Israel suddenly takes on that role. He finds out some unsettling things about what the crusading law firm has done that run afoul of his values of helping the poor and dispossessed, and he finds himself in an existential crisis that leads to extreme action. The movie also stars Colin Farrell (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths) and Carmen Ejogo (Selma, Fantastic Beasts)

The score is composed by James Newton Howard. His career spans over thirty years. He has composed music for over 120 films, including the Academy Award-nominated scores for Defiance, Michael Clayton, The Village, The Fugitive, The Prince of Tides, and My Best Friends Wedding, and Academy Award-nominated songs for Junior and One Fine Day. Howard also received Golden Globe nominations for his massive orchestral score for Peter Jacksons blockbuster remake of King Kong, his provocative symphonic score for Defiance, and his songs from Junior and One Fine Day.

Howard won the 2009 Grammy Award for his co-score with Hans Zimmer for The Dark Knight, and received Grammy Award nominations for music from Blood Diamond and his song from One Fine Day. In 2008, World Soundtrack Award named him Film Composer of the Year for his work on the films Charlie Wilsons War, Michael Clayton and I Am Legend.

The first pressing of Roman J. Israel, Esq. is pressed on purple and gold swirled coloured vinyl. The limited edition of 500 individually numbered copies contains a 4-page booklet with pictures and liner notes.

Record Kicks proudly presents "SuperStudio" the new single by legendary Italian cinematic funk combo Calibro 35 sampled by Dr.Dre and Jay-Z, taken from their forthcoming new studio album DECADE

"SuperStudio" - available on a super limited edition 45 vinyl and digital download together with bonus track "Gomma" - is Calibro 35's first single and anticipates their new album DECADE that hits the streets next 9 February. Quoting the band "SuperStudio is the main theme for a movie that doesn't exist, starring Clint Eastwood and Pam Grier saving earth from the invasion of deadly robots from another planet" and it's pure Dynamite. On the flip you'll find "Gomma", the bonus track out of the album which is an irresistible funk groovy shaker.

Recorded at the legendary Officine Meccaniche studios in Milan by CALIBRO's usual suspect and Grammy Award winner Tommaso Colliva, "DECADE" marks 10 years of Calibro 35's releases and it's the very first album recorded by Calibro with an orchestral-inspired enlarged line-up. Active since 2008 CALIBRO 35 enjoys a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent band around. During their ten years career, they have been sampled by Dr. Dre on his Compton album and Jay-Z, they shared stages worldwide with the likes of Roy Ayers, Muse, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat, Headhunters and as unique musicians they've collaborated with, amongst others PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (The Jet). Described by Rolling Stone magazine's as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing, that happened to Italy in the last years", Calibro 35 now count on a number of aficionados worldwide which includes VIP's fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals) among others.

Ernie Hawks' debut album "Scorpio Man" is nearly here, and about to be released during the first quarter of 2018. The way will be paved with a fresh 7" single that lifts the gritty jazz funk of "Scorpio Walk" from the album on the A side and pairs it up with the mystic groover "Message of Love", a non-LP track only available on this release.

As the track to start up the upcoming album, "Scorpio Walk" rushes on like a manic villain from an art house spy film. A groove made of a murmuring fuzz bass and a surf guitar is suddenly released into heavenly choruses, where the man of the hour lifts the ambiance with a series of lyrical flute solos.

"Message of Love" sounds like an homage to the gently pulsing library music funk from the mid 1970's. Ernie's flute lead is accompanied by bubbling Fender Rhodes, which carries the track forwards like a shy cousin of Michel Sardaby's "Welcome New Warmth". Seductive male vocal wailing haunts in the background, while the track proceeds without haste in its realm of lost budget X-rated movie soundtracks.

Following the success of our recent reissues of classic tracks from the vaults team-Jalapeno decided to start 2018 strong with another 7" release of two certified bangers from our very own breaks legends Skeewiff.

Our dear label co-founders and creative minds whose four Skeewiff albums set the agenda for the Jalapeno funk machine that you know and love - Alex Rizzo and Elliot Ireland have never been found wanting. These guys are the godfathers of the lounge and breaks scenes, they put the fun into funk, and if rumours are to be believed they could mix before they could walk!

From the very first opening horns salvo on 'Mexican Flyer' you know this track means business. A driving bassline and in-your-face drums provide the backdrop for all sorts of sonic madness with DJ cuts, horn solos and breaks galore. It's a bona-fide fiesta that fits neatly in your 45's bag.

With this little number in the arsenal the only worry that the DJ's will have is the stampede to the dancefloor...

Over on the flipside 'Delta Dawn' sees the guys get a little help from a famously little lady with one of the most recognisable voices in country music. But make no mistake - this is no barn dance... Breaks, bass and a healthy dose of Hammond wizardry inject the funk into proceedings to complete this 7" club weapon of mass destruction.

It's a double act that's up there with the best of them and a must have for fans of Jalapeno and high quality party music.

Collection of obscure and underrated Country-Funk, Blue-Eyed-Soul, and other swinging Rhythm & Blues oddities from the Sixties and Seventies. The tunes on this album are as good as those by famous artists like Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom Jones, or Jack Hammer.