Hip-Hop Vinyl New Releases - News

Breakbeat Paradise Recording is back with another crispy edition of the Toxic Funk 7-inch donut series. This time inviting the Funkin' Basstards producer duo to do their magic and bring some Toxic Funk vibes with 2 authentic funk joints regooved to perfection by 2 of scene's best beat smiths.


The Toxic Funk series is tabbing into a craze of recycled old funk and soul and do edits that stays true to the vibes of the 60s and 70s but still has enough punch to put into a modern day funky DJ set. Funkin Basstards has followed that recipe to perfection on both jams on this single.

Starting off with the contagious A-Side track called Fire – which showcases a classic soul party vibe track mixed with some Funkin Basstards breakbeats to keep it toxic. Followed up with the equally party rockin' soul joint Reasonswhich takes us back to the 60s soul era with some sweet soul sister vocals and a good doze of Funkin Basstardsbeats and breaks to go with it.

With 2 EP release and a remix EP under their belt on BBP we felt it was about time to get these boys on a vinyl – and boy are we glad we did!

Once again Breakbeat Paradise Recordings is on point to deliver you the funkiest soul and breaks available anywhere out there…

Green Vinyl + Slipmat

Warehouse find !

From an offshoot of Salifornian funk/soul collective Banda Maje, here comes a new 7" single penned by the rapper, producer and band's co-founder Tonico 70. "Vic'l / Fantasie" is a tasty prelude to Tonico 70's forthcoming album "Antonico", due out this November on Four Flies Records.

Like the rest of the album, the two tracks on the single have been co-written and co-produced by Peppe Maiellano, Banda Maje's other founder, and offer a more intimate portrait of the artist. Tonico has put his 'tough-music-smuggler' persona aside to let his soulful side shine through.

"Vic'l", on side A, is a very autobiographical song. The flow of words you hear, almost a stream of consciousness, took place late one night in the privacy of home and was recorded on the spot. Tonico 70 evaluates his personal history, speaking about the people who are or were there for him. The sound is smooth and sweet, rife with contrapuntal notes and harmonies (those played on the Fender Rhodes and the flute especially stand out) and clearly reminiscent of 70s soul.

In the funky, uptempo "Fantasie", on the flip side, Tonico 70 lets his Salifornian flow roam free totalk about the strong bonds that bring us together and make us feel good.

Both tracks evoke images and stories while enveloping you in a warm embrace. Not unlike Banda Maje's music, they have a strong cinematic quality that Tonico 70's rap adds to nicely. We can't wait to listen to what's coming next!

This Austin, Texas duo is venturing out & working with the STAR CREATURE for their latest release following their debut LP in 2019. For their first go, the duo take the classic "MESSAGES FROM THE STARS" from a hand written letter to a telepathically communicated email videogram.

- THE RISE OF ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1988-90

Late 80s South African dance floor winners only! Selected by DJ Okapi and Antal, the compilation holds tracks by Jivaro, The Hard Workers, Ayobayo Band, S.Y.B. & many more. This is the sharp electronic music that fuelled the local Pantsula dances during the 80s and 90s . A must have for fans of Bubblegum and Kwaito music. TOP TIP!
The 12 tracks selected for Pantsula! come from a very unique, very different time and place. They represent the birth of electronic dance music in South Africa, through the songs of one particular independent label from the time: Music Team. The sound represents the culmination of the bubblegum era, when South Africa's disco artists outgrew their American influences and forged an increasingly electronic and 'local' pop sound.

Evolving over time since long before the 80s, the distinctly South African subculture of Pantsula is more closely associated with an attitude, a style and a signature dance, rather than any specific sound. In the late 1980s and early 90s, Pantsula was also the name given to a new type of dance music taking over the streets of South Africa, influenced by earlier bubblegum and the rise of Shangaan Disco, but with a far broader appeal and a harder, purely electronic sound.

The original classic Hip Hop single from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, originally released in the summer of 1982 and still regarded as one of the all-time great rap music anthems some 40 years later!

Presented here in glorious orange colour 140g vinyl, we celebrate the original in all its full-length seven minute glory with the full instrumental on the B-side.

Out of print for many years we are very pleased to make this iconic and revered hip-hop classic available again for the fans to enjoy.

Cocktail and power-bossa vibes meet shots of clavinet-funk in the new single by Milan-based producer Larry Manteca, a relentless creator of soundtracks for imaginary films in various genres – from the erotic to the spaghetti western, and from crime to zombie-horror.

Manteca's debut on 7" vinyl could only have happened under the aegis of Four Flies Records, whose team went and hand-picked two of the grooviest tracks in his bulimic output, both recorded in 2015 for the sci-fi/erotic-themed album Mutant Virgins From Pluto (the title says it all!).

"Ufo Bossa" is a delicious, uptempo bossa-jazz number cast in an ultra-lounge style and spiced up with references to Les Baxter's and Martin Denny's exotica, as well as to pop/erotic sci-fi soundtracks like Bob Crewe's Barbarella, with the added bonus of Yasmine Zekri's sexy scat singing. On the flip side you have "Intergalactc Porno Scene", a typical poliziottesco theme where clavinet and flute interweave into a super-funky groove, before synths come in and send us into erotically-charged space orbit.

Available as a 350-Copy Limited Edition 7-inch, and as a Digital Remaster.

Multi Culti tune in to earth’s axial tilt in the second round of its flagship 12” series with EQUINOX I: The global occult label kick off the seasonal shift with a magical collaboration between Mexican chug-guru Iñigo Vontier and Moscow based brothers Simple Symmetry. ‘Hocus Pocus’ is an anthem for the fuzzy-minded, post-lockdown party-goer. It’s a mesmerizing merger of contemporary electronics and vintage psychedelia. We don’t know much about Ponty Mython, but their sound is right at home on this eclectic record. A freeform flea-market of samples strewn around a broken beat, strung together around a catchy melody, ‘Pinto La Meah’ has an optimistic feel, a subtly nostalgic sense of travel and discovery that suits the global groove collecting theme.

The B-side tracks take the tempo down while raising the hands in the air, perfect for lockdown house parties wherever big-room raves are still ruled out. Ecuadorian Pancho Piedra leads the proceedings with ‘Servio’, serving up a loopy banger that recalls classic Comeme in the best possible way. Punchy, no nonsense party track with just enough spice in the salsa. Colombia via Buenos Aires producer Hermetics teams up with ZZK affiliated, Quito based Hannah Lee on ‘Lux Naturae’ with an absolutely massive sounding beat with killer sub bass. Finally, Magic Pirate takes the downtempo breakbeat vibe into trippier territory with a wicked sounding piano and aphex-synth-sounding romp through his wild imagination on ‘Make me a Jazz Coffee.’ These are fresh, genre-defying and tracks to enter the autumnal equinox, and a fearless move forward in time for earth dance fans the world over.

Recorded between 1966 and 1968, newly fully remastered. Artist and songwriter (for Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Marcia Griffiths and many more) Andy first found fame as the lead vocalist of The Paragons before launching his solo career at Studio One. His peak as a solo artist came in the late '60s when he recorded a string of singles for the Studio One label. In 1970, these singles were compiled on the Song Book album.

Vocal harmony on three tracks are performed by Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh of The Wailers, and backing comes from Studio One band the Soul Vendors, whose members included Jackie Mittoo and Roland Alphonso.

Includes all the hits such as 'Unchained', 'Feeling Soul', 'I've got to go back home', 'My time' plus many more.

Re-Issue 45 With Two Of His Most Sought-After Modern Soul Floorpackers

In association with DJ Amir and 180 Proof Records, BBE Music presents ‘Strata Records – The Sound of Detroit – Volume 1’, a new compilation taking in just a few highlights from the short-lived but hugely influential jazz imprint.

Roy Porter's classic 1975 album Inner Feelings has long been a treasure trove of sample sources for hip-hop artists over the years. DJ Spine is one of those who made use of parts of the album's opener 'Party Time' in his own tune 'Rock.'

Now for the first time that single gets reissued on 7" along with DJ Spinna's edited version on the flip. The original is a real funk classic with fat bass grooves and hefty drum breaks. This track was once released on the famous tax scam label with the artwork which is presented here. It makes for a package with a great backstory and an even better sound for lovers of rare grooves and hip-hop.

Since the release of Surprise Chef's 2022 album, Education & Recreation, they have been touring across the US, Europe, and Australia selling out shows and cementing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Releasing three albums and a string of successful 7" singles since 2019, their output is nothing short of prolific and they show no signs of slowing down with the announcement of their new Friendship EP. Friendship is a six song 12" EP recorded during the Education & Recreation sessions that stands as "a humble monument to the most crucial principle of our band: that the love we share for one another is, at all times, the most important thing".

Surprise Chef holed up for a marathon of a recording session and laid down more tracks than would fit on an album. Here now, we dig in the vault from those sessions and share some absolute gems. The EP opens with "Rosemary Hemphill", a nod to David Axelrod that takes the listener through a myriad of musical changes and moods in proper cinematic soul fashion.

"Friendship Theme" is a bouncy and energetic number with an infectious and driving clavinet topline that is sure to move dancefloors around the globe. "Over The Moon" is pure mood music that puts Surprise Chef's restraint and tasteful use of space front and center while "Spiky Boi" is a frantic upbeat number drenched in percussion and keyboards.

SC have a heavy touring schedule for the rest of 2023 and will be finishing up the recording of their next album which is due out in 2024 in between runs. UK shows: May 29 Pink Room - Manchester, May 30 Village Underground – London. Also Available From Surprise Chef: Money Music 7", Education & Recreation LP / CD, Velodrome7”

In a club scene saturated with the Minneapolis sound, Luck Rosenbloom was searching for something different. Using Korgand Moog synths, Steinway Concert Piano and a Boss DR-110 Dr. Rhythm, he created his own funky fusion sound to spread the word of God to the mainstream. Recorded at Minneapolis's Custom Record Studios he cut 200 copies of this elusive 45 of which only a few known copies exist. The record was promoted on his cable access TV show "Lucky Mania TV" where he encouraged kids to say no to drugs and take their vitamins.

Introducing Dodo Records, the freshly minted, long awaited new label and place for projects from Toronto's Patchouli Brothers.

The Brothers are no strangers to the music game. Throughout their illustrious DJ and production careers they've released music on G.A.M.M., Basic Fingers, Moton Records and more, as well as remixing artists on Defected and Soul Clap. For the record, Dodo is not exclusively an edits label, but coincidentally, the first release does in fact boast two amazing new edits. The perfect way to start this new venture...

For the inaugural release we are treated to the super soulful, underground disco stylings of Dr. Mary Mundy, an artist whose catalogue is extremely rare. The Patchouli Brothers originally reached out and connected with Dr. Mundy and had a few lovely phone calls with her. They had, of course, been playing her music at parties for years in their DJ sets and originally the plan was to ask about releasing her disco cut 'Love Me Love Me'. The Brothers had edited the track and had been rocking their own personal version at parties and it always went down so well with the dancefloor, thus making them determined to one day track down Dr. Mundy and get her blessing to introduce the track to a wider audience. During these special interactions, she also revealed that her favourite track was in fact 'Love Is Gone' from 1982, the self penned 12" B-side of yet another impossibly rare record from her. This revelation led to the eventual reworking and re-release of both songs you find here on this first Dodo release.

Alongside a busy career as a university professor, Dr. Mundy continues to sing today, cutting only one mythical album in 1980 entitled 'Mother Nature', an ultra rare and collectible LP that today commands eye watering prices. A truly unique showcase of underground disco / soul / r&b.

The Patchouli brothers are honoured to work with her directly on this project and her seal of approval was put on both edits, which she hopes to hear on many dance floors in the future to come!

If Bach can go Moog, so can cumbia! This surprisingly funky novelty tune has one of those break-beat intros that loop makers drool for. Weird synth noodles and chipmunk chorus vocals only add to the “what the?” factor (in a good way!). On the flipside, another updated Costeño classic, with crazy synth noodles, scratchy guitar looping and odd vocals. Hats off to Fruko and Fuentes for letting this experiment in Afro-modernization happen. First time reissue as a separate release, previously only available as part of the long-deleted “Big Box of Afrosound” (VAMPI 45062).

In the late '70s, three do-right women from Cleveland forged a brief partnership with Ohio's everything man, Lou Ragland. Unlike the prefabricated singing combos of the day, Lily Pearson, Annette Warren, and Avetta Henry swapped lead duties as situation demanded. When a Ragland-centric publicity stunt preempted a concert appearance, Love Apple disintegrated, abandoning this rehearsal tape within the lo-fi confines of Thomas Boddie's cherished Eastside studio. Devoid of bass, the sparse instrumentation (only Lou on guitar and piano and Hot Chocolate's Tony Roberson on drums) accentuates each vocalist's aptitude, showcasing some of Ragland's finest songwriting in the process. During any given take, Ragland can be heard calling audibles, directing his singers to repeat a passage, or lending his own sweet tenor to the vocal mix. Never intended for release, Love Apple's six-song sketch is the perfect companion to I Travel Alone, bringing Ragland's unique musical vision into sharper focus.

Classic hard-to-find NY backstreet disco-funk from 1981 via Lloyd Barnes' Wackies powerhouse. ‘Squivatch’, a B-Boy-P-Funktified masterpiece coupled with the old school Bronx rap grail 'Mix Master' featuring Golden Voice and crew backed by the Bullwackies All Stars.

The Key To Our Love compilation series is an in-depth exploration of Black & Brown American soul artists from back in the day.

Focusing on the sweeter side of these obscure singles, the album comprises of musicians who shared their hope & dreams through independent vinyl releases. The obscurity of these private pressed singles has limited their audience; originally released in small quantities and sold locally, the artists remained largely unknown but created some of the most poignant & timeless tracks.

Each song released in direct collaboration with the artists & producers.

Artwork by El Ponk

Having originally featured on RNTR034 Elia y Elizabeth Remixes De Oro / Alegría RAZOR-N-TAPE RESERVE release.

Elia y Elizabeth were a sister duo who in a brief yet dazzling career during 1972 and 1973 achieved great success in their native Colombia. Their concise and natural mix of styles sways between soft-pop with a touch of tropical-pastoral funk, singer-songwriter sweetened by the subtle perfume of Caribbean music and gentle psychedelia.

This 7-inch release features ‘Alegría’, one of the highlights from their back catalogue.

On the other side, the original much sort after Elia y Elizabeth song ‘Soy una nube’ is given the light of day.

Warehousefind !

«The Truth» gilt weithin als einer der am meisten unterschätzten verborgenen Juwelen von Prince. Das Album wurde ursprünglich als Begleitung zum Triple-Album «Crystal Ball» aus dem Jahr 1998 veröffentlicht, mit dem Prince zum ersten Mal ein Album völlig unabhängig herausbrachte. «The Truth» war auch das erste Prince-Album, das als "akustisch" bezeichnet wurde, obwohl es elektronische Instrumente und Elemente enthält, und es gab den Hörern eine noch nie dagewesene Möglichkeit, sein Songwriting und seine Stimme in einer reduzierten Form zu hören. Erhältlich auf schwarzem Vinyl als Einzel-LP

New Robohands LP showcases the brilliant producer and multi-instrumentalist through his most thought out and compelling songwriting, yet.

Andy Baxter AKA Robohands displays a new level of sureness with an album that makes you never want to leave its world. The collection of tunes touches on the full range of emotions, at times it’s bold and upbeat and other times it feels somber and heartbroken. It’s tied together with a throughline that keeps you wondering where the trip is heading next.

It builds anticipation through patience and layers that show themselves over time, but its choices are direct and seem to know where they are going, while maintaining and presenting an adventurous spirit.

The multi-instrumentalist not only brought in new tones and textures for this record but there are also stand-out vocal performances on 2 of the tracks by singer, Aleh. Showing his ability to arrange with new elements at play.

With the album Loving Life, Sofiane Pamart and Dabeull offer us a cinematic project that can be listened to endlessly. It features Holybrune, Ichon and Kunta.

This beloved record of the 2010s soul revival era (which Pitchfork gave a 7.8!) is back in stock and on colour vinyl - for the very first time! in All The Hits All The Time Gold.

Light in the Attic’s Pacific Breeze series has supplied the world’s growing legions of Japanese music fans with an expertly curated selection of the most sought-after City Pop recordings—the mesmerizing and nebulous genre of Japanese bubble-era music of the ‘70s-’80s that encompasses AOR, R&B, jazz fusion, funk, boogie and disco. These familiar sounds are spun through the unique lens of optimistic, cosmopolitan fantasy colored by Japan’s affluence at the time. Much of the music has previously been nearly impossible to acquire outside of Japan and continues to captivate listeners with its unique blend of groove-laden escapism, even birthing wholly new genres such as Vaporwave.

Pacific Breeze 3: Japanese City Pop, AOR & Boogie 1975-1987 marks the latest chapter in the famed series and features holy grails plus under-the-radar rarities. The collection bursts at the seams to reveal some of the greatest Japanese tracks ever laid to tape, pushing towards the edge of City Pop to reveal glimmers of the next waves of styles to spring forth from the country’s creative minds. The appearance of Pizzicato Five hint at the emergence of Shibuya-kei while the influence of hip hop and electro as an emerging global trend are also evident here through the prevalence of heavier programmed drum beats on tracks such as “Heartbeat” by Miho Fujiwara.

This volume of Pacific Breeze, like its predecessors, is a female-forward offering with many tracks being voiced by women who would become household names in Japan as actresses and pop idols. Their songs here subvert the norm and brim with an innovative spirit that shatters gender roles in favor of sonic transcendence. Techno-pop classics from Susan, Miharu Koshi and Chiemi Manabe sit alongside sublime funk from Atsuko Nina and Naomi Akimoto while Teresa Noda slides into the mix with a sultry reggae jam. The genre span is stretched wider with hypnotic jazz fusion by Parachute and Hiroyuki Namba, a synthesizer fantasy from Osamu Shoji, and magnetic pop by Makoto Matsushita and Chu Kosaka.

Although not front and center, the visionary members of Yellow Magic Orchestra are still very present on Pacific Breeze 3, with Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi taking up producer and musician roles on many of these tracks. Pacific Breeze 3 serves up a captivating musical journey that adds an essential chapter to the iconic compilation series.

Tracklist:

Naomi Akimoto - Bewitched (Are You Leaving Soon), Atsuko Nina - Tonkachi, Miho Fujiwara - Heartbeat, Miharu Koshi - Scandal Night, Chu Kosaka - Shirakechimauze, Teresa Noda - Tropical Love, Makoto Matsushita - Business Man Pt. 1, Susan - Ah! Soka, Yukako Hayase - Suiyoubi Madeni Shinitaino, Parachute - Kowloon Daily, Hiroyuki Namba - Tropical Exposition (Who Done It? Version), Pizzicato Five - Boy Meets Girl, Mari Iijima - Love Sick, 1986 Omega Tribe - Cosmic Love, Osamu Shoji - Pub Casablanca, Chiemi Manabe - Untotooku

Angela was the studio project of husband/wife duo Angela and Ingo Werner formed in 1981 in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Ingo had classical training in bassoon and piano at the Akademie für Tonkunst in Darmstadt from 1966-70. He joined Krautrock band My Solid Ground in 1971 before going on to form his own project Baba Yaga in 1974. In the late 70s he formed the ensemble AIR with Armin Stöwe and Reinhard Karwatky. The project debuted with a a concert at ARS Electronica Competition in Linz, Austria 1980, which they won. Klaus Schulze was on the jury with Wendy Carlos and Robert Moog - but more importantly, Angela was in the audience. Two days later, Ingo told the band he needed a singer, so they asked Angela, and recorded two albums for RCA between 1981-82 before being dropped. Ingo wanted to work on a new project that involved dancers and live video. They recruited American performance artist Jyl Porch, who was living in Munich, to assist with choreography with her friend Kirsten McKenley. Jyl ended up recording her own album first, which gained interest from Klaus Schulze, who helped them secure a deal with EMI in 1983. Later that year, the trio recorded 4 songs that would be released on Angela ‘Fantasy’ single on 7” and 12” formats in 1984.

The music on ‘Fantasy’ was completely created with computer software of Ingo’s own design. The concept of a polyrhythmic, polyphonic, and polydynamic sequencer was realized by Ingo after a visit to Wolfgang Palm in Hamburg. He paired his sequencer with Palm’s legendary PPG Wave Computer System, allowing for more dynamic and nuanced programming. Angela programmed the music, sang, and wrote the lyrics to “Painted Love”, while Ingo arranged and played all electronics and keyboards. Jyl wrote the lyrics for “Fantasy” and the slow and sleazy, electronic disco B-side “I Gotta Little Love”, where she also sings background vocals and the “hot little flame” rap. The original B-side to the 7” version was a cover of the 1967 Hal Hackady and Lee Pockriss song “Kites”, made famous by Simon Dupree and the Big Sound.

All songs have been remastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The EP features the original 1984 cover artwork with a striking photo of Angela styled by Jyl in severe Neue Deutsche Welle fashion, and includes an insert with lyrics and and photos designed by Maycec..

Like the winged half-man/half-bull that dominates its outrageous cover, Cleveland Eaton's Half And Half is a mutant bass-heavy monster that absolutely slays. Incredible jazz-funk from 1973, it's been largely overlooked for decades, and unfairly so. This is just sensational music - a crate digger's delight. It's super funky throughout, with lots of layers, jazz breaks for days, dripping with style and gritty class. This is the first reissue of what has been a hard to find record for many years; it's long overdue. Joyous music for mind, soul and body.

Cleveland Eaton was a revered bassist who played an active role in the backing of Count Basie, the Donald Byrd Quintet, The Ramsey Lewis Trio, Terry Callier and Minnie Riperton; amongst many, many others. Half And Half was the first album released under his own name, initially released as a private press record on his - awkwardly named - Cle An Thair Records. It was then picked up by Gamble & Huff for Gamble Records. Varied, string-adorned and with stupid funky grooves, it's just exceptionally good.

Whilst Half And Half is treasured for its famously brilliant interpretations of gold funk-soul standards, Eaton proves an imaginative composer in his own right. Indeed, the album opens with a striking original; the earthy, laconic jazz-guitar-funk fusion of "Keep It Funky". Cleveland and co. do exactly that. Up next is a properly moving cover of Aretha Franklin's eternal "Day Dreaming". The flute and guitar combo truly achieve celestial greatness here. "Here Comes Funky Lou" rides a bassline from the Gods and a driving soul-jazz groove allows the track to go off in all sorts of directions. Serene guitar soul of the breezy variety one moment, crazy hectic violin-driven wig outs the next, courtesy of Ed Green who played with Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane.

His blistering two track salvo of Stylistics covers to close out this A-Side of A-Sides will leave your jaw dropped, and they're likely the reason you're here for this. And why not? "Betcha By Golly Wow", which uses a bed of acidy synths and harmonica to create a unique atmosphere, is on some next level business. Melancholic, wistful, beautiful. "People Make the World Go Round" is so good, dripping in wonderful horns and ace percussive breaks, it could even be regarded as the definitive version. Seriously!

Opening Side B, War's gigantic "Slipping Into Darkness" is tightly tailored to Eaton's funky flute fusion arrangement whilst the insistent "Missing You" is a swaggering horn-heavy version of Luther Ingram's track from the Dilla/Ghostface-linked LP, I've Been Here All The Time. The creeping, screeching guitar-drenched original "John's Groove" features more fantastic horn lines and neck-snapping percussion whilst "The Love Gangster", written by Bill Wyman and Stephen Stills for his seminal Manassas LP, contains a heavy break with slick drums high in the mix and fuzzy guitars.

The album closes with two more Eaton originals. Written with Johnny Guitar Watson, "Lie" is one hell of a funky string and guitar-driven gem whilst the wild, celebratory "Ah Movin' On" cleverly quotes "Wade In The Water" (which he'd recorded with Ramsey Lewis in 1966) folding it into his new free-jazz composition. A message to his old boss, perhaps, as a sign-off?

We've worked on this reissue for 3.5 years, spending the whole time making it sound super sharp and looking as perfect as it possibly can. An absolute must-have for fans of soulful jazz-funk, Half And Half was mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis and cut by Pete Norman at Final Tweak. The bizarre artwork, mutant beast and all, was restored at Be With HQ over many painstaking months! Hopefully, this new edition, a real labour of love, should bring Cleveland Eaton into the homes and record boxes of many more people.

After a huge year of travelling in 2022, playing DJ sets in more than 30 cities across 10 countries, Captain Planet dove back into the studio to create his 5th and most ambitious album to date- Sounds Like Home. Taking a turn toward the more organic, retro sounds of artists who originally inspired him as a young musician, Charlie Wilder (aka Captain Planet) flexed his composer and bandleader muscles- incorporating horn sections, strings and acoustic drums more than the big club focussed electronic sounds he has often come to be known for. "The basic concept was to make a record like the ones I constantly pull off my shelves at home and play on the weekends. The records that turn into living room dance parties with my family, the soundtracks while I'm cooking, the music that fills the backyard for lazy hang outs." An avid vinyl record collector and musicologist since his teens, the Captain has a near encyclopedic knowledge of music from around the world, particularly artists from the 60's and 70's, which is the era that inspired much of the sonic texture on this new album.

In classic Captain Planet style, a kaleidoscopic array of genres from around the world find their way into the mix- Brazilian disco, Latin funk, Jamaican dub, Middle Eastern psychedelia, and American soul music. While this diversity may sound more like a mixtape, the Captain's trademark uplifting vibe and impeccable knack for building a great groove, provide the special ingredients that pull it all together and makes the sauce work. The Fader wrote "the Captain is a walking 'recommended vinyl' section from the best record store you've ever been to", because all his deep love and appreciation for classic music comes right through him in his original songs. Throughout this album you'll hear echoes of timeless artists like Cymande, Gilberto Gil, Ray Barretto, Curtis Mayfield, Mulatu Astatke, and Gabor Szabo, all funneled through the Captain's modern musical sensibility, shaped by nearly 2 decades of being a professional world-traveling DJ.

The past year also brought some major challenges for Charlie Wilder, most central of which was losing a close friend and collaborator, the fellow LA-based DJ/producer Sumohair (1⁄2 of the band Reyna Tropical). The album starts off with a brief tropical tribute to his friend, followed by the strong message "Music Is Medicine" sung by another regular collaborator, the Zimbabwean-American (Grammy winning) singer Shungudzo. With the true value of friendship front and center on his mind, Captain Planet made a strong conscious effort to include many of his oldest friends and musical partners throughout the album, including Grammy winning pianist Sam Barsh, Chico Mann, Zuzuka Poderosa (who bartended at one of the Captain's earliest DJ residencies in Brooklyn), David Walters (whose new album "Soul Tropical" was co-written & co-produced by the Captain), Todd Simon, Leo Mintek (who has played guitar with Wilder since their teens), and Wilder's youngest brother Taj Bethel who co-wrote 2 of the songs on the album. The warm light of friendship and family shines throughout the album, and while the influences reach far across the globe, the music clearly shows that Captain Planet has found his musical home.

Leon Thomas war einer der maßgeblichen Jazzsänger der 1970er Jahre und seine Alben für Flying Dutchman sind allesamt Klassiker. Er war in der zweiten Hälfte des Jahrzehnts zusammen mit Lonnie Liston Smith ein wesentlicher Bestandteil der Gruppe des Saxophonisten Pharaoh Sanders und Co-Autor von 'The Creator Has A Master Plan' für das Album 'Karma'. Der Erfolg dieses Albums führte dazu, dass ihm ein Vertrag mit Bob Thieles Label Flying Dutchman angeboten wurde, wo er fünf Studioalben aufnahm. 'Full Circle' war sein letztes Album für das Label. Zu den Musikern, die ihn auf diesem Album unterstützen, gehören Bernard Purdie, Joe Farrell, Joe Beck, Jimmy Owens und Pee Wee Ellis. Diese Neuauflage als wertige 180Gr. LP (Black Vinyl) wurde von den hochwertigsten Transfers der Original-Masterbänder gemastert.

Verwirrung - das Gefühl, perplex und verwirrt zu sein - ist die Inspiration für das neue Album von Pale Jay. Es ist eine gefühlvolle Erkundung des allmählichen Zerfalls einer Familie aufgrund von jahrelanger Vermeidung und Missverständnissen. Während dieser schwierigen Zeit begann Pale Jay, die Geschichten, mit denen er immer gelebt hatte, zu hinterfragen und seine Identität neu zu untersuchen. Das daraus resultierende Werk, Bewilderment, ist sein erstes komplettes Album, das Antworten auf diese und andere Fragen geben will. Pale Jay ist ein ausgebildeter Jazzsänger und Pianist und hat alle Songs des Albums geschrieben, aufgenommen und produziert, mit Ausnahme von "By The Lake", das in Zusammenarbeit mit seinen Labelkollegen Okonski - Steve Okonski, Aaron Frazer und Michael Montgomery - entstanden ist. Die Musik von Pale Jay ist von einer Vielzahl von Songwritern beeinflusst, darunter Labi Siffre, Carole King und William Onyeabor. Bewilderment ist eine nahtlose Mischung aus Pale Jays Markenzeichen, staubigem Soul, langsamer Disco- und Afrobeat, wobei die Streicherarrangements von Raven Bush den beatlastigen Produktionen eine zusätzliche Ebene der Magie verleihen. Pale Jays Debüt-LP ist eine fesselnde Reise der Selbstentdeckung. Jeder Song auf Bewilderment erzählt eine eigene Geschichte, aber alle haben ein gemeinsames Thema: persönliches Wachstum und Selbsterkenntnis.