Pop & Rock Vinyl New Releases - News

After releasing a brilliant and stomping three-tracker on Kontra-Musik White Label last year, ex-Durian Brother Harmonious Thelonious returns to the Kontra-Musik family with an absolute gem of a record. This is everything we want dance music to be: characterful, playful and impossibly funky. Harmonious Thelonious is a master of crafting organic sounding rhythms but arranging them in a manner that reminds one of a 1970's car factory. Primal pulses running through modern assembly lines, gears and pistons covered in green lianas. The result is a perfect symbiosis between living tissue and mechanical parts - dance music for primitive cyborgs.

Re-issue by Mr Bongo as part of their 'Classic African Recordings' series

From his Saint Denis apartment, and with the help of his machines, Labelle has laid the foundations of an electronic maloya, modern and deeply rooted in its home territory: La Réunion. On 'univers-île' his latest album released in September 2017, the sound of the Creole Reunionese language played a key role. On 'Post-Maloya", Labelle release a fascinating EP of introspective trance music. Post-Maloya EP is characterized by vivid dream-like journey through which traces a path of exploration. Here you will find the maloya stamp, which is Reunionese traditional music, both in the rhythms and the instruments used, like the valiha. This traditional tubular harp from Madagascar is played by Vola on the track 'Jaojoby'. Vola was taught by Rajery himself, who is widely considered as master of this instrument. This track is an homage to Jaojoby, king of Salegy, a popular musician in Madagascar. The hypnotic sounds evoke distant dimensions and resonate like shamanic incantations whose aim is to gently lead us towards the trance. As the title suggests - 'Post-maloya' is the exploration of new musical processes mixed with the use of traditional maloya instrumentation. This is an appropriate name for this new opus, which is more electronic and percussive; carving an experimental path between electronic and traditional music. In parallel with the creation this EP, the Regional Conservatory of Réunion Island has given free reign to Labelle to create a series of live performances which he played all around the island last month, including an original creation linked to his expression of 'Post-maloya' supported by an ensemble of eleven musicians from Réunion Island's regional orchestra.

Re-issue of this ultra-rare Oriental psych monster from the organ king of Casablanca, combining traditional rhythms with spaced out modern sounds. First part of Abdou El Omari's Nuits-trilogy. Part 2 and 3 will be re-leased in the next few months.

Songs about the unity of Sudan, peace between Muslims and Christians and the fate of war orphans, backed by grooves equally taking influence from Arabic sounds, American funk as well as neighboring Ethiopia.

Kamal Keila was among the first artist we met in Sudan during our two trips to Khartoum and Omdurman last year. He is one of the key figures of the Sudanese jazz scene that was a vital part of the musical culture in Sudan from the mid 1960s until the islamist revolution in the late 1980s. When we meet Kamal he luckily presented us with two mold covered studio reels.
Each tape included five tracks. One with English lyrics and another with Arabic ones. Musically you can hear the influence of neighboring Ethiopia much more than on other Sudanese recordings of the time, as well as references to Fela and American funk and soul. His lyrics, at least when he sings in English which gave him more freedom from censorship, are very political. A brave statement in the political climate of Sudan of the last decades, preaching for the unity of Sudan, peace between Muslims and Christians and singing the blues about the fate of war orphans called "Shmasha".
A note inside one of the boxes specified the track titles, durations and the fact that the sessions were recorded on the 12th of august 1992. Both sessions stand as a hearable testament how Kamal Keila stuck to a sound aesthetic from decades ago, while incorporating current events into his lyrics.
Kamal Keila's album is the first in a series of releases covering the Sudanese jazz scene on Habibi Funk. Be on the lookout for albums by The Scorpions and Sharhabeel coming soon.

2LP + Download Code + 8 Page Booklet

Some of the coolest work we've ever heard from Moraes Moreira - a really unique hybrid of styles that includes samba soul, jazzy funk, and other Brazilian modes from the 70s - all wrapped up into a beautifully fresh and personal approach! There's elements here that would please any fan of Jorge Ben from the time, while other cuts have a more offbeat quality that echoes some of the very hip soundtrack material that was coming out at the time - especially on some of the records by some of Moraes' contemporaries on the Som Livre label. The whole thing is great - a really wonderful musical discovery - and titles include "Do Som", "Desabafo E Desafio", "Guitarra Baiana", "Sempre Cantando", "Violao Vagabundo", and "Se Voce Pensa".

Gitarrist, Produzent, Arrangeur, Soundtüftler, DJ - Nicolas Repac ist ein talentierter Tausendsassa aus Paris
und mittlerweile schon rund 20 Jahre im Musikbusiness tätig. Veröffentlicht er nicht gerade eigene Ideen,
steht er Kollegen wie dem französischen Songschreiber Artur H bei deren Aufnahmen im Studio oder auf
Konzertbühnen zur Seite. Als Teenager träumte Repac davon, der weltbeste Jazz-Gitarrist zu werden. Ein
Ansatz, der auch in dem 2004 produzierten Album "Swing-Swing" noch durchschimmert - obwohl sich der
Franzose da schon längst von Jugendträumen verabschiedet hatte. "Swing-Swing" war Repacs erstes Album
unter eigenem Namen. Es verbindet auf niveauvolle und elaborierte Weise Electro mit Swing zu einem
rhythmisch wirbelnden und freudvollen Ganzen, dem sich Zuhörende kaum entziehen können. Das
französische Label No Format! bringt das virtuose Debütwerk jetzt noch einmal heraus. Damit ist die Platte
erstmals auch als Vinyl erhältlich.

Combo Lulo is that rare possibility of true magic moments manifested. Embodying the classic sentiment of a New York supergroup with an ensemble of friends and like-minded musicians whose resume is too full of credits and accolades to grasp in one shot, the band is a testament to what can happen when locked together for a two-day session in a Brooklyn studio.

Drawing inspiration and direction from band leader, composer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Sarason, Combo Lulo moves side to side from effortless Jamaican foundation rhythms into the further reaches of Caribbean influence...incorporating a natural transition between Jamaican classics and the essence of Afro-Latin ritmo. It's a musical match made in heaven and, more importantly, it's carried out with the gentle and deft touch of veteran studio musicians with deep appreciation and nuanced understanding. Together with Names You Can Trust, it's a locked in groove that is a perfect slice of roots, collaboration & present day experimentation that is sure to have any listener feeling nice.

Soundway Records presents the debut EP from Amsterdam based The Mauskovic Dance Band - a potent, modern blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and space disco, destined for bustling dancefloors.
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The Mauskovic Dance Band is the brainchild of the Amsterdam-based producer and musician, Nicola Mauskovic. A seasoned drummer, he finds himself constantly in demand - as part of Turkish psychedelic outfit Altin Gün, a recent tour with the revival of Zambian legends W.I.T.C.H., and a worldwide tour with psych-pop artist Jacco Gardner, with whom he then went on to form the dance-oriented duo Bruxas (released on Dekmantel). Throughout this hectic schedule Nic still found time to begin studio experiments that would eventually lead to several 7' singles, released on Swiss label Bongo Joe Records in 2017 under the name The Mauskovic Dance Band'.

On The 50th Anniversary Of The Band's Inception At An Event In Harlem, Ny To Commemorate Malcolm X's Birthday On 19 May 1968, Influential Spoken Word Artists, Poets And Commentators The Last Poets Are Set To Make A Glorious And Relevant Return With Their First Album In Over 20 Years, 'understand What Black Is'.

Produced By Ben Lamdin (nostaglia 77) And Brighton Legend Prince Fatty, Whose Speciality Is Traditional Reggae And Dub Production's, 'understand What Black Is' Is A Ten-track Album Which Speaks Of A Revolutionary Struggle Defined By Both Race And Identity, That Has Never Sounded More Relevant. Released On Studio Rockers, There Will Also Be An Accompanying Single Featuring Remixes Of The Title Track "understand What Black Is" By Mala (south London Collective Digital Mystikz) And Uk Dance Music Innovators Dego And Kaidi.

Since The Initial Line-up Of Dahveed Nelson, Gylan Kain And Felipe Luciano Formed In East Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park, The Last Poets Have Produced Under Various Guises Over The Subsequent Years. However, It Was Their Seminal Output, Namely 1970's 'the Last Poets' Under Both Umar Bin Hassan And Abiodun Oyewole That Secured Their Legacy, Becoming One Of The Most Important Influences In Early Hip Hop.

Throughout The Last 20 Years, The Band Have Remained Largely On Hiatus. But Their Influence Could Still Be Felt With Their Tracks Being Sampled By The Notorious B.i.g, Nwa, A Tribe Called Quest, Dr.dre And Snoop Dogg. Umar Has Recorded Various Solo Albums And Featured On Common And Kanye West's Grammy Nominated 'the Corner'. Abiodun Appeared On The Red Hot Organization's Album, Stolen Moments Which Was Named "album Of The Year" By Time. He Also Conducts Weekly Open House Poetry Readings, Where He Constructively Critiques Upcoming Poets, Helping To Nurture Them. He Has Also Conducted Classes At Columbia University, Where He Teaches Creative Writing.

The Inauguration Of Donald Trump As Us President In 2016 Inspired Hassan And Oyewole To Resurrect The Group To Create A Brand New Record, Modern And Edgy, And Deeply Relevant And Reflective Of Our Times.

Tracks On 'understand What Black Is' Include 'how Many Bullets', Which Bridles With Defiance As Oyewole Works Through A Litany Of Injustices Suffered By Black People In The Us: " You've Tried

To Blow My Brains Out With Bigotry, Chopped Off My Wings, So I Couldn't Fly Free, And Dared Me To Be Me, Took My Drum, Broke My Hands, Yanked My Roots Right Up Out Of The Land, And Riddled My Soul With Jesus" 'what I Want To See' Describes A Utopia - A Refuge From Hurt And Those Who'd Make "our Vision Blurred, And Our Faith Obscure", Whilst The Title Track 'understand What Black Is' Aims To Transcend Ethnicity: "understand What Black Is....it's The Source From Which All Things Come...black Is A Hero, Not A Villain."

The Album Even Takes Reference From Prince's 2003 Album Of Instrumentals, 'news', Which Hassan Drew Comparisons From With His Own Childhood Experiences: "that Poem Took Me About A Year To Write....i Just Kept Writing And Writing But Not Getting Too Far And Then I Heard That Album And The Musicianship Was Amazing. I Was Left Wondering If It Was Jazz, Classical, Rock Or Maybe Something New But All Those Images That I Write About Came To Me From Listening To That Album. I Loved Prince In That Movie Purple Rain Because My Father Was A Talented Musician But He Was Into Brutalising Mama At Times And In The Movie There's A Jerome And My Name Is Jerome, So It Was Like He Was Telling My Life Story As Well."

The Album Acts As A Body Of Work Between Individual Members Each Speaking Of Their Own Personal Journeys, But Feeding Into The Much Larger Narrative Of Struggle And Oppression, Alongside A Fervent Hunger For Social Change. These Are Struggles And Tests Of Personal Resolve That Have Directly Shaped And Moulded The Bands' Unique Sound Over The Course Of An Impressive 50 Years, And Their Powerful And Influential Commentary Remains As Relevant As Ever.

Padre Himalaya's third release counts with the Iran-born, Berlin-based, Mohammad Reza Mortazavi.
An internationally acclaimed artist who, when it comes to play the traditional Persian instruments, Tonbak and Daf, can single-handedly build an orchestra of sounds that are just as illusionistic as shamanistic.

In this Ep, "Focus", Mohammad brings us five lush percussion tracks. Expect complex and meditative rhythms in a journey between the throbbing minimal sounds of "Going", "Rebounce", "Floating In The Now" and the elusive hypnotic movements of 'White Daf' and 'Birth Of a Whale".


Artwork: Diogo Pinto and Marta Gaspar
Master: Hugo Santos
Recording Engineers: Bernardo Barata and Burnt Friedman

Following the reissue of his cult album "Ti jan pou vélo", HS decided to continue their collaboration with Edmony Krater and record a new album! The first one in 30 years! Comes with Insert.

As an avant-gardist percussionist, singer and trumpet player, Edmony Krater has always worked to develop and promote the gwoka music of Guadeloupe and to feed it with different influences, from jazz to reggae.

Ayuune Sule brings 'the Soul' into Kologo Power. In Europe we know Ayuune Sule as a member of King Ayisoba's band and as a solo artist who often opens up for his shows.
When listening to Sule's guest vocals on King Ayisoba's albums you hear the 'warm velvet voice' of Ayuune Sule as a striking contrast to King Ayisoba's forceful rasping vocals. We Have One Destiny is full of that velvet tone and true West African soul power. Living in Kumasi makes it easy for Ayuune Sule to be influenced by southern Ghanaian music styles such as Azonto and Hiplife and fuse those with the rhythms and scales from the north. This album is a true mix between modern
and traditional.

Originally Released In 1976.

Originally Released In 1976.

Originally Released In 1977.

Originally Released In 1979.

Originally released in 1976.

Omara "bombino" Moctar Ist Ein International Anerkannter Tuareg- Gitarrist Und Singer-songwriter Aus Agadez, Niger. Sein Zweites Album - nomad (2013) Wurde Auf Dem Label Nonsuch Veröffentlicht Und Von Dan Auerbach (the Black Keys) Produziert. Das Letzte Album - azel Entstand Unter Der Mitarbeit Von Dave Longstreth (dirty Projectors). Das Neue Werk - deran Bedeutet Für Bombino Eine Rückkehr Zu Seinen Afrikanischen Wurzeln, Die Aufnahmen Entstanden Daher In Marokko.

Der Dokumentions-film agadez, The Music And The Rebellion' Machte Bombino Berühmt, Inzwischen Sind Künstler Wie Arcade Fire, The Rolling Stones Oder Die Queens Of The Stone Age Erklärte Fans Seiner Musik. Neben Seinen Afrikanischen Wurzeln Steht Nach Wie Vor Das Dynamische Gitarren-spiel Im Fokus Der Kompositionen, Die Der Musik Einen Eigenwilligen Rock-drive Verleihen.

50's Jamaican mento at its best, reissue of a double 10 inch album into one solid disc.

Happy and delightful Jamaican mento played by local jazz musicians, recorded in the golden age of 78rpm SP singles.

Afro-Funk meets Japanese traditional music!

"A joyous and mind-blowing combination of Afrofunk rhythms and traditional Japanese instrumentation, "Abrada" is kaleidoscopic party music." - Andrew Jervis, Bandcamp.

AJATE is a Japanese band who plays a unique blend of afro-groove dance music mixed with Japanese traditional festival music called "Ohayashi". Formed in 2011 by the band-leader John Imaeda, Ajate consists of 10 Japanese musicians.

Another unique feature of the band is the use of hand-made bamboo instruments as well as traditional Japanese percussion. The "Jahte" is a bamboo-made xylophone or balafon with a piezo pick-up mic attached to each key, connected to a pre-amplifier to obtain a loud sound and to add some touch of dirty distortion to its warm and natural acoustic sonority. The "Piechiku" is also a bamboo-made string instrument inspired by the west-African "Ngoni" or Moroccan "Guembri" instruments. The Piechiku uses strings of the Japanese traditional "Shamisen". This instrument is also played through a pre-amplifier and John sometimes adds some wah-wah effect to it. All these bamboo instruments are designed, made and named by John Imaeda himself.

Now, add to this unique sound some well-crafted Japanese female and male singing and you get a killer mix of Afro-Funk flavored grooves with traditional Japanese music.

The current lineup of Ajate was established in 2014. Since then, Ajate has played in various concerts, clubs, bars, and music festivals in Japan, including the "Sukiyaki Meets The World", one of the biggest World-music festivals in Japan.

Abrada is the second album from Ajate. Recorded in Tokyo at the end of 2016, this vinyl LP release is the first output of the 180g label. 180g is a Japan specialized label service run by Greg Gouty, who met John Imaeda in Tokyo in April 2017 during an epic Ajate concert at an underground club in the Shibuya district of the Japanese capital. The label aims at releasing highly unique and quality music from Japan, showcasing the vast talent of the Japanese underground scene, never heard outside of the country. Some music you will not be able to hear anywhere else!

Reginald Omas Mamode Iv Presents The Long Anticipated Omas Sextet Lp, Showcasing Another Limb To The Abundant Talents Of The Deenmamode Family - James 'creole' Thomas. Omas Sextet Is A Six Piece Band Lead By James 'creole' Thomas, Including Various Interchangeable Members, But Its Core Comprises Of The Deenmamode Family - Reginald Omas Mamode Iv, Jeen Bassa, Mo Kolours And James 'creole' Thomas. James 'creole' Thomas Elder And Cousin To The Brothers Resides In Port Louis,Ile Maurice Via Haiti And Louisiana, Where He Continues To Record. Creole Has Worked In The Background Until Now, Helping Reginald In Recording His Debut Self Tiled Lp And Second Lp 'children Of Nu. The Omas Sextet Is His Debut Release, Fusing Elements Of Jazz, Hip Hop, Soul And Broken Beat With Deep Tropical And Outernational Flavours Running Throughout!

For The Best Part Of Two Decades Now, South London Afro-dub Dons Soothsayers Have Been Preaching Their Politically Charged Good Vibrations To A Growing And Loyal Fan Base. Their Live Shows Are Legendary And Vary From Off-the-cuff Community Friendly Gigs In Brixton, To Festival Headline Slots And Tours Across Europe And Beyond. Having Recently Filled London's Jazz Caf To Much Acclaim, And In Anticipation Of Their New Album, Tradition, Out On Wah Wah 45s In June, Soothsayers Unleash The Second Single To Be Taken From It. It's A Double Header Of Sorts That Shows The Band's Knack Of Reinterpreting A Cover Version Or Two For The Dance Floor.

Sleepwalking Is A Take On Fela Kuti's 1971 Classic Black Man's Cry. It's A Chant Of Frustration Aimed At Disenfranchisement From The Process And Features Afrobeat Ambassador Dele Sosimi On Guest Vocal Duties.

It Questions If We Are Sleepwalking Into The Abyss, And Is A Revolutionary Song About Taking Power Back Into Our Own Hands! Although It's Challenging To Do Justice To A Bob Marley Cover, On Natural Mystic Soothsayers Cradle The Spirit Of The Originator And Turn It Upside Down, Transforming The Familiar Into A Journey Back To Africa Via Their Trademark Groove.

Spiritual Jazz Flutes And Percussion Combine With The Floating Vocals Of The Mighty Cornel Campbell, While The Song's Main Melody Is Emphatically Reproduced By Soothsayers Horn Section To Stunning Effect.

Nigeria's "First Lady of Song" , Christiana Uduak Essien-Igbokwe was born in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in 1960. Tragically she lost her mother early at the age of 12. In the mid-70s she started singing professionally at a relatively early age in the music clubs of Aba. Extensive TV work soon followed and in 1977 she launched her professional music career with the album "Freedom". Her fourth album "One Understanding" was signed by Afrodisia and released in 1979.

"One Understanding" was produced by Pal Akalonu. It is an infectious mix of Afroboogie ("What Love Is About", "Mind Your Biz"), Swinging afro groove ("You Can't Change A Man") Smooth Afro Soul ("Take Life Easy"), Reggae tinged grooves ("I'll Be Your Man", "Respect Your Man") and -of course- one smooth ballad, "Understanding". Christy's lyrics show a depth of understanding and wisdom way beyond her 19 years (at the time).

Having conquered the music and TV worlds Christy moved on to feature in some of the early Hollywood films such as "Flesh and Blood" and "Scars of Womanhood", both of which addressed issues of child abuse and female circumcision. With a desire to make life better for Nigerian artists. She is also credited as having initiated the first meeting that brought about the formation of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in 1981.

Christy died after a brief illness in 2011. Close to the time of her death, she was involved in numerous successful businesses, organization and running the non-governmental organisation Essential Child Care Foundation involved in child welfare. Christy's achievements and awards are numerous. Too numerous to mention. Perhaps her greatest achievement however is her contribution to building a peaceful and tolerant Nigeria - which, alongside moral uprightness, remain constant themes of her songs.

Nigeria's "First Lady of Song" , Christiana Uduak Essien-Igbokwe was born in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in 1960. Tragically she lost her mother early at the age of 12. In the mid-70s she started singing professionally at a relatively early age in the music clubs of Aba. Extensive TV work soon followed and in 1977 she launched her professional music career with the album "Freedom". Her fourth album "One Understanding" was signed by Afrodisia and released in 1979.

"One Understanding" was produced by Pal Akalonu. It is an infectious mix of Afroboogie ("What Love Is About", "Mind Your Biz"), Swinging afro groove ("You Can't Change A Man") Smooth Afro Soul ("Take Life Easy"), Reggae tinged grooves ("I'll Be Your Man", "Respect Your Man") and -of course- one smooth ballad, "Understanding". Christy's lyrics show a depth of understanding and wisdom way beyond her 19 years (at the time).

Having conquered the music and TV worlds Christy moved on to feature in some of the early Hollywood films such as "Flesh and Blood" and "Scars of Womanhood", both of which addressed issues of child abuse and female circumcision. With a desire to make life better for Nigerian artists. She is also credited as having initiated the first meeting that brought about the formation of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria in 1981.

Christy died after a brief illness in 2011. Close to the time of her death, she was involved in numerous successful businesses, organization and running the non-governmental organisation Essential Child Care Foundation involved in child welfare. Christy's achievements and awards are numerous. Too numerous to mention. Perhaps her greatest achievement however is her contribution to building a peaceful and tolerant Nigeria - which, alongside moral uprightness, remain constant themes of her songs.

Reissue of their 1987 album! A diverse blend of New Wave, Turkish Pop and Oriental-Rock, Funk & Soul, Hip-Hop but also Disco in a exotic way.
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The Official 30th Anniversary Vinyl Reissue of
Elektro-Dschungel Kebab- Und Andere Träume'

Restored From The Original Reel2Reel Mastertapes
Mastering And Lacquer Cut by Mike Grinser at Manmade Mastering
LP 33 1/3 PM 4-Page Insert With Original And Expanded Credits

td 80 copies. Numbered.
Music by Ayato
Serygraphied on 180GR glassed paper.
Visual by Raf & Chris with the help of Rom, Mathieu, Vestee, Virgi'.
I always loved Muslimgauze and Badawi's productions... This record is the result of loads of conversations with Ayato concerning these 2 musicians, who he is also feeling close to. Long time project, this finally comes out in a limited 100 copies edition, with hand made visuals from Bodega Absurd crew... With original letters and forms they created... A superb record for all oriental electro fans ! Enjoy !

Big one... offering a true big choice of vibes, with that Midnight Ravers from Anna... bringing a pure new House groove for the best surpise here... The Gulls remix is also a very nice easy listening house sound... A side opens with Dabora Hip Hop Techn oremix... full surprise ! Karoni Foli is probably the most modern track here, exploring the roots of bass Music in a very african sound design. This record is a pearl ! Don't miss!

500 copies limited vinyl, with DOWNLOAD CODE for high quality WAV / MP3 of the 14 track digital bundle.

One exclusive, vinyl only track.

After the success of vol. 1, French Colombia-based label
Galletas Calientes Records is back on track with another
"Palenque Records Afrocolombia Remix" series, inviting more
talented producers from worldwide "Global Bass" scene to
revisit all time Afro-Colombian classic musical pieces.
Palenque Records' original artists, such as Son Palenque,
Batata y Su Rumba Palenquera, Colombiafrica The Mystic
Orchestra.., living testimonies of how much Africa has
influenced traditional music in Colombia, have developed a
remarkable culture, collaborating with african musicians such
as Diblo Dibala, Bopol Mansiamina, Dally Kimoko or Nyboma.
Most of them are considered to be the precursors of
Champeta", a unique musical genre setting its roots in the
west-african Soukous and folklore. This music is the origin of
the very interesting "Picó' culture of the Caribbean coast of
Colombia. In this volume, we´ll go deeper into modern
Champeta, re-interpreting nowadays dj's works of the like of
Rata Piano, typically dropping some catchy soukous guitar
samples and going mad on some cheap Casio sampler over
heavy drum machines played live.
Remixes and edits from Bosq (U.S.), The Busy Twist (UK),
Umoja (NL), Bleepolar (CO), Dj Panko (ESP) and Frikstailers
(AR) are featured on this second volume.
The digital bonus version, available for free with the vinyl,
comes with 8 extra remixes from Novalima (PE), Piper Street
Sound (US), Frikstailers and Umoja again, Copia Doble
Systema (DK), Thombs (CO), Kosta Kostov (DE), and Dj Galletas
Calientes (CO / FR).
Notice the colourful sleeve, originally hand painted by William
El Maestro" Gutierrez, one of the most renowned "pico"
sound-system visual artists from Barranquilla Colombia.

download code & one Vinyl exclusive track

A techno-nature synthesis for an East-West confrontation / a musical travelogue from a Dutch musician searching for inspiration in the East in the early 80s,,,

MFM's curious and utterly killer Afro/Belgian electronic project gets the re-whip by a bunch of current producers. The EP also includes the previously unreleased, Veronika V02 (a synth bass heavy version of the compilation track, Veronika 02).

Grammy-nominated Ostinato Records presents "Abu Obaida Hassan & His Tambour: The Shaigiya Sound of Sudan" in a gatefold LP packaging with vintage photos and authentic Sudanese designs.
A complex blend of Arab melodies, Nubian rhythms, and signature Sudanese call and response by a legend of Shaigiya music from nothern Sudan.

Abu Obaida Hassan and the wonders of his five-string tambour remained largely a mystery. In the early 2000's, a prominent Sudanese newspaper declared him dead. Internet forums confirmed his passing. Many in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, said he had indeed died.
But rumors that he was still alive persisted.

What was always certain is Abu Obaida Hassan's mercurial talent.
His command of a modified tambour, backed by a chorus and two drummers, unleashed swirling melodies alongside complex Nubian rhythms and hypnotic Sudanese call and response. His bands roster constantly changed, but he remained at the helm, playing for sold out shows in cities across the country and capturing the dancefloors and youth of 1970's and 80's Sudan. This is a rich, raw example of the human experience with sound from northern Sudan, an ancient part of the world, and the birthplace of civilization. Music like this isn't mastered overnight.

The Ostinato team first came across Abu Obaida's recordings in 2011, finding scratchy bits and pieces along the years. We traveled to Sudan in 2016 to find the clues to piece together the Abu Obaida Hassan puzzle. Through some extensive detective work with our man in Khartoum, Ahmed Asysouti, and a generous dose of good fortune, we tracked Abu Obaida to the rural outskirts of Omdurman, the old capital just across the White Nile from Khartoum. Age has taken its toll, but he remains full of life and music, ready to jointly curate a selection of his eight best cuts. He has written over 100 songs, only 30 were recorded.

Abu Obaida comes from the Shaigiya people, whose culture is spread around the ancient city of Merowe, home of traditional Nubian culture, where pyramids older than those in Egypt still stand. They trace their entire lineage to one man, Shaig, who migrated from the Arabian peninsula in the 15th century. An endlessly rhythmic syncretism between Arab and Nubian styles, Abu Obaida's Shaigiya music was an in demand party affair in an era when a vibrant nightlife and roving sound systems were a staple of life in Sudan.

It was music for a modern era, and Abu Obaida, at just 19, rebelliously abandoned traditional Shaigiya music traditions, pioneering a new sound by adding an extra string to his tambour and electrifying an instrument adored across East Africa. The result was complexity in simplicity and a hyper-talented artist who mirrors the story of Sudan's highs and lows, from the leading tambour maestro of the hour to such obscurity on the fringes that he was believed dead. "They killed me!", he likes to joke.

Abu Obaida Hassan, his music and the musical traditions of the Shaigiya remain alive and kicking. A culmination of a 7-year journey — from first hearing Abu Obaida's distinct sound, found only in Sudan, to finding the man — has produced the first global release of Shaigiya music and is just the beginning of Ostinato's immersion into Sudan, with a full compilation of the lavish musical history of one the most diverse countries in Africa due later this year. All brought to you by the Grammy-nominated team behind last year's "Sweet As Broken Dates."

Toribio is Cesar Toribio, a Dominican American living in Brooklyn by way of Tampa, Florida. He's an alumni of Berklee's School of Music, and recorded 'My Dear' in his college dorm room in 2011. It's difficult for me to find the words to express how proud I am to be releasing out his first recorded works. Especially in a physical form. The music is honest, vulnerable, and exposes parts of his personality that even those who are fortunate to know him, have never seen before. 'Esa Montana se Movera' contains 4 tracks - 3 original songs on Side A, and a 10+ minute remix from Joaquin 'Joe' Claussell, a long admired hero of Cesar's, on the flip. -Paul


Credits:
All songs written and produced by César Toribio. Mixed by Phil Moffa at Butcha Sound, NYC. Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann. Executive Producer Paul Raffaele. Distributed by Complete U.S.A. Photos courtesy of César Toribio. © & Most Excellent Unlimited Recordings, Inc. 2017 Remix and Additional Production by Joaquin Joe Claussell for Sacred Rhythm Music & Cosmic Arts. Additional Keyboards and Drum Programming By Joaquin Joe Claussell. Bolla Music ASCAP

"This release is a 12"" and it's individually 500 hand-numbered limited edition. The first 100 copies are pressed on CLEAR TRANSPARENT vinyls (AR013).
It contains 2 previously unreleased tracks from TONY ESPOSITO's Viaggio Tribale CD (2004): Dove c'e luce and Veronica song + A SPECIAL BALEARIC REMIX of Dove c'e luce from LucaEffeSunset + 3 previously unreleased tracks from the Lucan (Basilicata) musician Antonio Nicola Bruno CD (2004): Storia della terra mia and Danza e ridanza. In addition to the usual Archeo insert of credits and photos of the original album, it features also of a second insert concerning a beautiful photographic journey of 2004 by Manu-Archeo, related to this Music. Archeo Recordings is a reissue record label that regenerates old, lost, obscure (and forgotten) rare gems of Italian music of the 70s and 80s, and not only.
All outputs are licensed by the artists and the vintage labels, audio tracks are remastered in their original form, the sleeves and center labels are graphically recreated for today but all based on the original images.
Archeo would like to make the music available to a wider audience of collectors, DJs, music lovers of a forgotten time.
All releases are hand-numbered limited edition vinyl. The first copies of each release are pressed in coloured vinyls."

Debut album from Okawa & The Rulers!

Takeshi Okawa a.k.a. Okawa 78 is a skilled saxophonist also knows as one of a very few DJs specialised in 1920-50's world roots music who only plays out on 78 RPM records. Under his wing a whole bunch of Japanese musicians gathered to form The Rulers, experimenting with the authentic music from Africa, South America and blending into ska and soul funk creating a new groove of their own. Musicians include members from The Netandars, Sly Mongoose, Oi-Skall Mates, Rub-A-Dub Market, The 69 Yobsters, and Soil & Pimp Sessions.

New, furiously exhilarating Tsapiky music from the south-west of Madagascar, beside the Mozambique Channel. A rough, electric, rural take on the classic Congolese, Kenyan and Mozambican urban dancefloor styles of the 60s and 70s — hyper-fast interplay between pumping bass and clattering drums, overlaid with cranked-up high-life guitar — nourished with the musical traditions of local villages, especially in the singing and other passages of acoustic respite. Ace.

"My aim is high, close to the sky, i can not fly but i've got to try..." D'Hardest, one of Shadows most sought after tunes, reissued!
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D'Hardest' was recorded at K.H. studios in Trinidad in 1980 and another version/mix was released on the Wake Up album. This song is everything, thanks to Winston Bailey aka Shadow and all his team.