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It’s True What They Say is the debut EP from Edinburgh-based, husband-and-wife duo Sarah/Shaun (pronounced simply Sarah Shaun), aka Sarah and Shaun McLachlan (pronounced “McLochlin”).

“Sarah and I both have a love for nostalgia,” explains Shaun. “We watched that amazing old 80’s Sci-Fi, (John) Carpenter movie, Starman, a few months back. Myself and my brother David used to watch it all the time. We must have been, roughly, 5-7 at the time. I remember loving the movie but the end, you know, with the beautiful, atmospheric, synth ending, I love that particular moment the most - best part of the movie, you know, when he goes home… It’s heartbreaking but stunning, all the same. It’s the music that moves you most… It did when I was 5 and it still does to this day. It must have had some form of a (much deeper) impact on me.”

The duo narrates stories across themes of love, hope, family, friends, dreams and sadness - the good that comes with the bad in everyday life, not just on a personal scale but within a community as well.

“Starbed is the first song I have ever written and just came out of the blue really, with Shaun playing a melody and me singing along,” says Sarah. “It’s simple and just about two people in love. Love songs are always the best songs, after all… Music has been a big part of my life from a young age. I was unwillingly dragged to piano and violin lessons, which I’m thankful for now! I’d say the first band I really became obsessed with growing up were the Beatles, and on the back of that a lot of 60s music and fashion. From then on, I had a love for music.”

“Shaun definitely opened my ears to a lot of sounds and got me thinking about soundtracks and all the noises that can be made,” she goes on. “We love just spending time experimenting in the house with instruments, pedals etc and Ali is a real magician to work with, too…”

The recordings took place over the summers of 2022 and 2023, with fellow Delta Mainline member Ali Chisholm (aka Jaguar Eyes) plus long-term friend and collaborator Gavin King. Further collaboration then came via the ‘net from the (international) likes of Chris Dixie Darley (Father John Misty), Darren Coghill (Neon Waltz) and Daniel Land (The Modern Painters), among others (see a full list of credits below).

Both Sarah and Shaun have a love for uber-soundtrack producers such as Hanz Zimmer, Max Richter, Cliff Martinez plus live acts such as Beach House, Spiritualized, M83, Suicide, Moby and OMD (to name a few). Shaun also credits the work of Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein (from Survive) on the Stranger Things score… “Even a moment in a movie, whether it be just 30 seconds during a particular scene, it grips you,” he says. But there’s something much deeper at play as well. “Music is a healer,” he goes on, “and I write from my own perspective but more so for others. Once I've done my bit, it doesn't belong to me any longer. It belongs to whoever wants it or needs it.”

The result is a cinematic, synth-wavey, dream poppy and downright beguilingly beautiful body of work. And they’re just getting started…

REVIEWS/RADIO/FEEDBACK:

“Starbed is folky, flavoured by pedal steel, cello, and brass. Dust Tears, in stark contrast, is a mini synth-pop rave epic. Part Bicep. Part Human League. Keep Your Eyes Closed summons a mood that’s romantic, but also dark and potentially doomed – like David Lynch’s Twin Peaks meets Cliff Martinez’s Drive score. My pick though is It’s True What They Say, whose interwoven jangle and picking recalls New Order’s more introspective moments (Love Vigilantes, Love Less… ). Drums crashing, cathartic. Guitar raising dramatic arcs. Its chorus a rush, like a reprise of Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart’s ‘Higher Than The Stars’.” BAN BAN TON TON
"Dust Tears sees them sharing vocal duties over a synth foundation reminiscent of Moby’s Go - Artist Of The Week” THE SCOTSMAN
"Woozy pop" NEMONE (Mary Anne Hobbs Morning Show, BBC 6Music)
"Nice one, very David Lynch meets Euro dream pop" YOUTH (Killing Joke, Paul McCartney, U2, The Orb, Spiritualized etc)
"Music sounds killer! Real emotion” DAVID HOLMES
"I’m enjoying it” TIM BRINKHURST aka LONDON (IKLAN, Young Fathers, Callum Easter)
“Oh, this is lovely!” SEAN JOHNSTON (A Love From Outer Space)
"It’s totally my cup of tea with milk and biscuit" BRENT RADEMAKER (Beachwood Sparks/GospelBeach)
"Beautiful, ecstatic electronica! Short and to the point" KEVIN BALES (Spiritualized, Julian Cope, Soulsavers, BE)
"Makes me wanna sit in the sun and sip an Arnold Palmer" CHRIS DIXIE DARLEY (Father John Misty)
“Really beautiful - Cocteau Twins / Spiritualized vibes but has its own thing going on, too - worth checking out!” JULIAN CORRIE (Franz Ferdinand, Miaoux Miaoux)
‘Sounded nice on a sunny day, makes me think of Twin Peaks, nice moods’ EAMON HAMILTON (Sea Power)
"Dealing in nostalgia, no bad thing at all, great to play that (Dust Tears) for you” RODDY HART (BBC Radio Scotland)
“I'll give the vocal tracks a spin before the release." VIC GALLOWAY (BBC Radio Scotland)
"Rather good!" IAIN ANDERSON (BBC Radio Scotland)

CREDITS:

Lyrics, Guitars, Keys, Synths, Drums, Drum Programming, Percussion, Mandolin, Glockenspiel: Shaun McLachlan
Lyrics, Vocals, Keys by Sarah McLachlan
Guitars, Synths, String Arrangements, Drum Programming, Engineering: Jaguar Eyes Percussion/Drums/Effects, Fire Extinguisher: Darren Coghill (Neon Waltz)
Guitars by Daniel Land
Slide Guitar by Chris Dixie Darley (Father John Misty)
Brass by Bruce Michie
Keys, pre-production & engineering on “It’s true what they say”: Gavin King
All produced by Jaguar Eyes and Shaun McLachlan and then mixed at Glasgow’s Chem19 Studios by David McCaulay (From Scotland With Love, Rick Redbeard, BBC TV’s Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard score).
Artwork: Jamie Walman (Fourteen Admirals)

MORE INFO:

Although Shaun released a pair of solo singles (When We Dance and Give Your Love To Me) during Lockdown, he will be better known to many via his work as the multi-instrumentalist in Edinburgh band Delta Mainline. With two albums released to date, Oh! Enlightened and Bel Avenir, both rapturously received by fans and critics alike, Delta Mainline have developed an international, cult following. Oh Enlightened (2013) achieved widespread critical acclaim on release, earning the band comparisons to Arcade Fire and Echo & The Bunnymen, while 2019’s Bel Avenir pulled in references to The Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd, David Bowie and krautrock. A third DM album is currently being mixed and due for release later this year…

Multi Culti seasonal balance returns with Equinox III Kicking things off Guadalajara-based Bofo Dab (known for their blog 'Drops a Banger') does what their name suggests. This one has been getting caned by the Keinemusik crew, legions of phone-holders' shazam-prayers will only now be answered. It's a restrained big-room horn-loaded banger. Mehmet Aslan slides in to the proceedings with an awesome FM-sounding heads-down slice of clubby introspection. Long-time cult-hero Gilb'R of Versatile records fame spaces out the side with a deep, sparkly, live synth jam. On the flip, Mytron brings a fun stripped-back cover of a stone-cold classic with Higher (state of consciousness, that is). Brazillian hotboy Niev sounds right at home on the label with the aptly titled 'Professor Banjo.' Yuki Miyauchi lends an ethereal 90s bleep-inflected chunk of vibe with 'Donkey Conga.' Finally, fellow Japanese but London-based DJ Himitsu drops the deep, rollicking 'Waterfall.'

This album brings together key tracks from Doug Carn recorded for Black Jazz Records in the 1970s.

Doug Carn is one of the most-important (and least-recognised) forces in the creation of the canon of 'deep and spiritual jazz music' - full of powerfully emotive intensity, consciously-uplifting lyricism and addictively beautiful melodies.

All of his LPs during this period have since achieved cult classic status including 'Infant Eyes', 'Adam's Apple', 'Spirit of the New Land' and 'Revelation'.

Aside from his songwriting and keyboard skills, many of the tracks here feature the stunning and powerful 5-octave range vocals of Jean Carn (later Carne), his wife at the time.

Musicians featured on this album include Alphonse Mouzon, Charles Tolliver, Henry Franklin, Michael Carvin, Walter Booker, Ronnie Laws and others. Aside from Carn’s compositions there are also striking interpretations of music by Lee Morgan, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson and Wayne Shorter.

Black Jazz became one of the defining labels of independent and conscious jazz music in the 1970s alongside other important labels such as Strata-East and Tribe Records. As well as this Best of Doug Carn release, Soul Jazz Records are also releasing a Best of Black Jazz Records collection at the same time.

VA – Parallel Sequences continues MixCult Records’ tradition of curating forward-thinking soundscapes for refined dancefloors. This four-track compilation brings together the finely tuned craftsmanship of Kirill Matveev, Genning, Overt, and Dawn Gab — producers with surgical precision and a deep understanding of space, groove, and sonic narrative. Together, they present a multi-faceted EP rooted in dub techno and tech house, designed with intention and built to navigate a wide emotional range throughout the night.

A1. Kirill Matveev – Never Losing That Track (Overt Remix) is a masterclass in momentum. It rises patiently yet confidently — perfect for steering the atmosphere toward something uplifting, with each element unfolding with deliberate purpose.

A2. Genning – Parallel shifts the energy into shadowy territory. Deep, dubby, and melancholic, it acts as a reset moment — cooling the air while preserving depth, tension, and forward motion.

On the flip, B1. Dawn Gab – Call Of The Wind moves between melodic phrases and swinging percussive patterns, offering a graceful push-and-pull that feels fluid, textured, and inviting.

Finally, B2. Genning & Kirill Matveev – Blueberry brings the release to its emotional peak with bright, expressive energy. Melodic and high-spirited, it is engineered precisely for a euphoric moment on the floor.

This EP is a toolkit for thoughtful selectors — designed to glide through introspection, propulsion, and release with clarity and finesse. Whether opening a night, shaping the arc, or closing with warmth, Parallel Sequences delivers depth, agility, and emotional charge in perfect balance.

This release is the new 2024 Classic Jungle Repress EP by Aphrodite & Amazon II showcasing the original and highly influential tracks from between 1994 and 1996 produced by DJ Aphrodite.

The "Phunk Investigation vs. James Senese" collaboration, specifically the track "E'na Bella Jurnata,"

is seen as a high-quality fusion of Italian Disco and funky house, praised for its driving beats,

70s disco melodies, and signature saxiness from the legendary Senese,

making it an instant anthem for clubs and Ibiza.

Reviews highlight it as a grand cru of Italian dance music, blending classic vibes with modern house energy,

a must-have for disco and house lovers.

Dino Lenny and Marco Capelli are the two people collectively known as Andrea Doria, a name known by many as that of an oceanliner which sunk in the Atlantic Ocean. Originally released in 2003, the official reissue remastered by Gianni Bini at HOG Studio is now available

Elevation, released in 1974 on Impulse! Records, finds saxophonist Pharoah Sanders expanding his spiritual jazz vision on an album that balances ecstatic expression with focused ensemble interplay. Produced by Ed Michel and recorded in 1973 across two live performances and a studio session, Elevation features a dynamic ensemble including Joe Bonner on piano, Calvin Hill on bass, and Michael Carvin on drums.

The album’s open forms, modal grooves, and spiritual themes underscore Sanders’s ongoing search for transcendence and cultural affirmation through sound. With chant-like melodies, circular motifs, and immersive rhythmic textures, pieces like “The Gathering” and the title track reflect a more meditative and exploratory side of Sanders’s aesthetic. Elevation comes towards the end of Sanders’ tenure on Impulse!— a cohesive and spiritually resonant statement that bridges the raw fire of earlier albums with a deeper, more spacious sound.

The album’s open forms, modal grooves, and spiritual themes underscore Sanders’ ongoing search for transcendence and cultural affirmation through sound. With chant-like melodies, circular motifs, and immersive rhythmic textures, pieces like “The Gathering” and the title track reflect a more meditative and exploratory side of Sanders’s aesthetic. Elevation marks the culmination of his Impulse! discography — a cohesive and spiritually resonant final studio statement that bridges the raw fire of earlier albums with a deeper, more spacious sound.

The Verve Vault series is always mastered from analog tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

a A1. Elevation 18:26
b A2. Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner) 4:15
[c] B1. Ore-Se-Rere (Nigerian Juju HiLife) [6:20]
[d] B2. The Gathering [14:09]
[e] B3. Spiritual Blessing [6:20]

[a] A1. Elevation [18:26]
[b] A2. Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner) [4:15]
[c] B1. Ore-Se-Rere (Nigerian Juju HiLife) [6:20]
[d] B2. The Gathering [14:09]
[e] B3. Spiritual Blessing [6:20]

[a] A1. Elevation [18:26]
[b] A2. Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner) [4:15]
[c] B1. Ore-Se-Rere (Nigerian Juju HiLife) [6:20]
[d] B2. The Gathering [14:09]
[e] B3. Spiritual Blessing [6:20]

[a] A1. Elevation [18:26]
[b] A2. Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner) [4:15]
[c] B1. Ore-Se-Rere (Nigerian Juju HiLife) [6:20]
[d] B2. The Gathering [14:09]
[e] B3. Spiritual Blessing [6:20]

[a] A1 | Elevation [18 26]
[b] A2 | Greeting To Saud (Brother McCoy Tyner) [4 15]
[c] B1 | Ore-Se-Rere (Nigerian Juju HiLife) [6 20]
[d] B2 | The Gathering [14 09]
[e] B3 | Spiritual Blessing [6 20]

DJ Support: Dimitri From Paris, Dave Lee, DJ Spen, Danny Krivit, Simon Dunmore, Seamus Haji, Grant Nelson, Brian Tappert, Opolopo, Cj Mckintosh, Tedd Patterson and more...

Veteran Italian DJ Corrado Alunni makes his debut on Groove Culture 7 with “Any Time” and “Soul Groove” . Both tracks are floor-filler, packed with incredibles guitars grooves, Chucky bass lines, evil Rhodes chords, funky saxophones and flutes loops. A must Have for funky Lovers!

The Scythe is a collective of rappers united around commonality in sound and skills as MCs, headed by ringleader Denzel Curry and including familiar collaborators A$AP Ferg, Tia Corine, Bktherula, & Key Nyata. Comprised of its five members and rooted within a budding scene of modern and cross generational hip-hop, The Scythe picks up the banded spirit of Denzel's foundational Raider Klan days while continuing his futuristic takes on old school regional rap (Memphis, Houston, Miami), heard most recently on King of the Mischievous South. Combining Denzel's energetic style with classically gritty, southern sounds, the project centers hip-hop's core across eras, paying homage yet ushering in a rising new guard.



a 1. THE SCYTHE | Denzel Curry Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)
b 2. LIT EFFECT | Denzel Curry Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700
c 3. PHONY | Denzel Curry Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)
d 4. MUTT THAT BIH | Denzel Curry Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata
[e] 5. HOOPTY | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] 6. YOU AINT GOTTA LIE | Denzel Curry [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] 7. TAN | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] 8. UP | Denzel Curry [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] 1. THE SCYTHE | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] 2. LIT EFFECT | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] 3. PHONY | Denzel Curry [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] 4. MUTT THAT BIH | Denzel Curry [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] 5. HOOPTY | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] 6. YOU AINT GOTTA LIE | Denzel Curry [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] 7. TAN | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] 8. UP | Denzel Curry [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] 1. THE SCYTHE | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] 2. LIT EFFECT | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] 3. PHONY | Denzel Curry [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] 4. MUTT THAT BIH | Denzel Curry [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] 5. HOOPTY | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] 6. YOU AINT GOTTA LIE | Denzel Curry [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] 7. TAN | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] 8. UP | Denzel Curry [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] 1. THE SCYTHE | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] 2. LIT EFFECT | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] 3. PHONY | Denzel Curry [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] 4. MUTT THAT BIH | Denzel Curry [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] 5. HOOPTY | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] 6. YOU AINT GOTTA LIE | Denzel Curry [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] 7. TAN | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] 8. UP | Denzel Curry [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] 1. THE SCYTHE | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] 2. LIT EFFECT | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] 3. PHONY | Denzel Curry [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] 4. MUTT THAT BIH | Denzel Curry [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] 5. HOOPTY | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] 6. YOU AINT GOTTA LIE | Denzel Curry [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] 7. TAN | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] 8. UP | Denzel Curry [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] 1. THE SCYTHE | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] 2. LIT EFFECT | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] 3. PHONY | Denzel Curry [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] 4. MUTT THAT BIH | Denzel Curry [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] 5. HOOPTY | Denzel Curry [Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] 6. YOU AINT GOTTA LIE | Denzel Curry [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] 7. TAN | Denzel Curry [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] 8. UP | Denzel Curry [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] a1 | THE SCYTHE [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] a2 | LIT EFFECT [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] a3 | PHONY [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] a4 | MUTT THAT BIH [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] b1 | HOOPTY[Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] b2 | YOU AINT GOTTA LIE [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] b3 | TAN [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] b4 | UP [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] a1 | THE SCYTHE [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] a2 | LIT EFFECT [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] a3 | PHONY [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] a4 | MUTT THAT BIH [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] b1 | HOOPTY[Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] b2 | YOU AINT GOTTA LIE [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] b3 | TAN [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] b4 | UP [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

[a] a1 | THE SCYTHE [Feat. TiaCorine, FERG (II)]
[b] a2 | LIT EFFECT [Feat. Bktherula, LAZER DIM 700]
[c] a3 | PHONY [Feat. Juicy J, Key Nyata, FERG (II)]
[d] a4 | MUTT THAT BIH [Feat. 1900Rugrat, Key Nyata]
[e] b1 | HOOPTY[Feat. TiaCorine, Smino]
[f] b2 | YOU AINT GOTTA LIE [Feat. 454, Luh Tyler]
[g] b3 | TAN [Feat. Bktherula, TiaCorine]
[h] b4 | UP [Feat. Rich The Kid, FERG (II), SadBoi]

The breakout underground star of the past year, the deservedly hyped Thought Leadership returns with another X ideas: the deck this time chooses the suit of Cups. This new collection is closer to the Post-Punk tonality of Pentacles, than the breezy Balearic Jazz of Swords. Gone are the brushed drum samples and airy synths and in their place are BIG guitars, 808 thumps and a decidedly more prominent use of bass as a melodic device.

As the suit of Cups reflects the emotional heart of the Tarot, presented within are a further X pieces, this time displaying the full range and fervour of Thought Leadership.

You know the drill by now. Originally out on cassette only, we present the first ever vinyl issue. It's a hideously limited pressing of 300 for the world, so don't sleep on this.

Side A explores the emotional levels of consciousness; angst, joy, love, sorrow, relief, regret – they are all represented across the first seven tracks, and often within the same piece. XXI kicks us off with a huge tumbling D minor passage, layers and layers of guitar front and centre, whilst the drums pound away in the distance. Release is provided with a gorgeous G Dorian section, where we hear the bass take flight with a high melodic line.

We’re still in familiar Durutti Column meets Dif Juz territory here, but things switch up with XXII. This piece showcases a darker, more angular palette of guitars; think Alan Rankine (The Associates), or Deb Demure (Drab Majesty) in the unexpected harmonic shifts, knotty arpeggiated patterns and heavy, goth-adjacent modulation. A real love letter to 45+ years of darkly inclined guitar heritage.

XXIII enters the fray with tight, thumping 808s and Marr-esque guitar figures; and again, the bass providing heavy melodic counterpoint to the guitars. Enter chiming, lyrical lead phrasing, reminiscent of the eternal opening to "Everybody Wants To Rule The World". Another accidental perfect pop moment from the Thought Leader. Whilst on the topic of Tears For Fears, XXIV comes swinging out of the gate with some serious Sophisti-chug; we’re reminded of "Shout" in the A section, before being beautifully juxtaposed in the B section with more Vini-eqsue patterns, reminiscent of his timeless classic, Another Setting.

XXV gives us welcome pause to take stock midway through the A side. No drums this time, but instead a heartbreaking conversation between two guitars; think Kevin McCormick and David Horridge’s masterful Light Patterns, or perhaps even the early solo-Bill Connors mid-70s cuts for ECM. The moment of quiet reflection passes, and is quickly shattered by the thudding march of XXVI – this piece comes across like The Associates playing "Wicked Game"; heavy, moody, and utterly compelling. XXVII ends our journey across Side A with more Marr-inspired playing; one for the heads and already featured on mixes, this one is real testament to the vision of Thought Leadership.

Side B again takes us on a trip through three long-form semi-improvised pieces. XXVIII is like those classic Jonny Nash, early Melody As Truth releases, slowly unfurling, additional details introduced deliberately piece by piece, this idea builds across 7+ minutes culminating in some utterly joyous ebow fireworks at the end – well Balearic.

XXIX again, like XXV before it, dispatches the drums with a focus purely on melody and mood. The piece feels like a lost Save Room Theme from the Resident Evil series, pure golden age Capcom Sound Team vibes. Unadulterated aural nostalgia for hours spent with a PS1 in haze of hash.

XXX completes this majestic voyage with another Modal exercise; this time the Thought Leader has opted for the Lydian Mode. Beautifully dreamy, undeniably Soundtrack-y, and arguably the most concise distillation so far of everything this project stands for; drum machines, guitars, pedals, one-take improvised solos – XXX has the lot, and is surely destined for greatness.

So, another X epic statements for guitar, homespun with the humblest of means, for all the dreamers out there. The first ever vinyl release of IV Of Cups has been carefully remastered by Be With's engineer Simon Francis to ensure it sounds better than ever after its initial tape release. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut at Abbey Road Studios whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at Record Industry, in Holland. The original tape cover artwork, so crucial to Thought Leadership's striking visual aesthetic, has been rejigged for vinyl issue here at Be With.

The last 2 LPs flew. You have been warned.

DJ Support: Adam Auburn, DJ Nova, Norm De Plume (Delusions Of Grandeur), Guy Perryman, Simon 'Palmskin' Richmond, Rocco Rodamaal, Damian Lazarus, Demarkus Lewis, Douglas Arellanes, Craig Smith (Yoruba Affil), Lay-Far, Dr. StrangeDub, Dennis Ruyer, Kono Vidovic, Roberto Rodriguez, Bill Brewster, Chris Read, Richard Earnshaw, Hot Toddy, Handson Family, Dj Pope, Robbie Akbal, Golf Clap, Marques Wyatt, Kiko Navarro, Mr Beatnick, Jamie Jones - Hot Creations, Marcia DaVinyl MC, Mikael Ikalainen/ Dj Lord Fatty, Ian Friday, Mr V, Mathieu Schreyer, Willie Graff, Makossa, Stuart Knight, Timo Maas, Bruce Tantum, Sean Brosnan (Futuredisco), DJ Harri, Vinny Da Vinci, Trevor McNamee, Roger Sanchez, and Dom Servini

PDD are excited to welcome the return of the legendary Winding Road Records. Originally launched in 2002 by Schmoov! and home to releases by cult artists such as Ron Basejam, Hot Toddy, both of Crazy P fame as well Vincenzo, Rhythm Plate, Spirit Catcher and not to mention Lovebirds and their monster hit, I Want You In My Soul. After a hiatus, the label is back with a bang and teaming up once again with Lovebirds for another classic EP.

Dialling it back to the early ‘90s yet with a firm foot still in the future, MAXIMILIAN takes on two of tracks with analog sounds and for a double dose of echoed and extended in all the right spots - deliverance.

A record label focused on excavating the outer fringes of new House Music, EVIDEON Studio records have got their digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare that have been in your wants list.

Two of the UK’s finest party-starters Dub Pistols and the Freestylers team up on ‘Enter The Sound’ to bring you an album of high-grade & high-pressure, bass-heavy cuts. Enter the party, Enter The Sound!

The album is a sonic journey through their diverse influences, blending genres like Reggae, Ska, Breakbeat, Jungle, Hip Hop & Trip Hop. It’s a celebration of their shared musical roots and evolution.
 
The album features an all-star lineup of guest artists, including Johnny Osbourne, Tippa Irie, General Levy, Too Many T’s, Horseman, Belle Humble, Scarlett Quinn, Tenor Fly, MC Spyda, Persona, Harry Shotta  and of course, Seanie T.

Bobby and Martin Boer started experimenting with music in a small bedroom in their parental house in an apartment building on the 4th floor.
The brothers brought together rapper Da Smooth Baron MC and singer Peggy “The Duchess” to form their stage act. The first single “Can’t Help Myself” was released in 1990 and became an international hit in 1991.
multiple international hits were produced as 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor. Gradually changing the style from Eurodance into happy hardcore.
Singles like “Fly (Through the Starry Night)”, “Come Take My Hand” and “Fairytales” were international bestsellers and topped charts all over Europe.
The Very Best Of 2 Brothers On The 4th Floor is available as a limited edition of 1500 individually numbered copies on crystal clear vinyl and includes an insert.

DJ Support: Gilles Peterson, Osunlade, Lakuti, Sean McCabe, Craig Smith, Marcia Carr + more

JuJu Muzik presents “Counting Clouds,” the newest work from Chicago house pioneer Harry Dennis, whose poetic influence spans over three decades and legendary projects like Jungle Wonz, The IT, and Fingers Inc. Featuring an exceptional lineup of remixers & producers - Rob Redford & Damian Charles with a contemporary soulful rework that nods to classic Chicago, Rude Boy Rupert delivering a broken-beat-infused UK underground twist, Mark Hand with his warm jazz-rooted depth and Julian Garnett offering a signature JuJu Muzik interpretation—the release bridges Chicago’s foundational spirit with today’s global house movement, celebrating the genre’s past, present, and future.

First & Last is the debut outing of MC D alongside his partner in rhyme Audio MC. Fresh-faced schoolboy scions of Hijack, The Demon Boyz and Silver Bullet, and peers of the likes of Gunshot, Hardnoise and The Criminal Minds, the pair were taken under the wing of The Powerlords as part of the Powerpack crew (alongside Construction and Trouble), and were given the moniker 2XDEF. Brought to the attention of South London’s fledgling dance label Mendoza Records by producer DJ Fusion, this release would mark the the beginning of a longterm creative partnership between him and MC D, with Mendoza label-mate CSP called in for remix duties. Gritty, explosive and raw, the record stalled at the white label stage with only a handful distributed to radio and club DJs, earning it the status of underground classic. First & Last became exactly that for the short-lived crew.

Posh End Music boss Fear-E returns with his second album ‘Descent into Ascension (Snapshots of a Mental State)’ this February. Recorded during a period of withdrawal and isolation, the release serves as a diary of a mental state as the producer worked through a period of challenging mental health. Here, he hones in on his primary love of techno bringing in influences of Bangaltar-ish French house and disco and also pays homage to EBM originators Nitzer Ebb.

Chicago legend K. Alexi returns to Dark Entries with K.A. Posse’s Strkes Again, an EP of preleased unreleased acid and house mayhem. K’Alexi Shelby’s illustrious career has included releases on legendary labels such as Trax, DJ International, and Transmat, as well as collaborations with high-profile artists like Marshall Jefferson and Pet Shop Boys. But his musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. In high school, he began to write songs and hone his poetic craft. “I recognized I had a gift to say what I was thinking. I would study Prince and Marvin Gaye, figure out what they meant and put my spin on it. The power of the word. I was writing love notes for all my boys in high school and making a killing. I would know what to say and what they should do.”

Dark Entries previously reissued Shelby’s debut record, Essence of a Dream, which was recorded under the name Risque III in 1987. Strikes Again brings us six tracks recorded in Chicago between 1988 and 1990, which come courtesy of Mike Dunn’s personal archive. This record showcases the rawer, more immediate side of Shelby’s sound, with tracks full of overdriven 808’s, careening sirens, and dangerously funky breakbeats. “Imported Taste” brings Shelby’s signature deep pads to the front of wild congo-laced percussion. “Suckas Be Ready” is a slamming hip-house cut featuring vocals from MCD-TA, while disco-samples duel with crunchy 909s on the jacking “Muzic Box.” Strikes Back showcases the real underground sound of Chicago, where sonic abstraction meets full-body kinetics. The record comes housed in a retro-styled sleeve designed by Eloise Shir-Juen Leigh.

BICEP – das nordirische Duo Andy Ferguson und Matt McBriar – kündigt „CHROMA 000“ an, eine limitierte Sammler-Vinyl-Edition mit einer Sonderverpackung, die Tracks ihres Labels CHROMA zum Abschluss der Serie zusammenfasst und zwei neue Bonusversionen enthält. Sie umfasst zwei Schwarze Schallplatten (140g) mit maßgeschneiderten „Terrain6“-6-Wege-Hyperfarbdruck-Außenhüllen. Jede Einheit enthält außerdem eine 12-Zoll-Neon-Acrylplatte mit Lasergravur (eine von vier einzigartigen Versionen, die zufällig mit jedem Produkt geliefert werden), die alle in einer durchsichtigen braunen Mylar-Hülle mit Pantone-Siebdruck untergebracht sind. Wie bei allen visuellen Produkten von CHROMA basiert das Design des Boxsets auf der einzigartigen und unverwechselbaren visuellen Identität von CHROMA, die in Zusammenarbeit mit David Rudnick und seinem Terrain Studio entstanden ist. Diese basiert auf einem maßgeschneiderten visuellen System und einer Typografie, die sich durch alle Aspekte des CHROMA-Projekts ziehen, vom Artwork über die Pressefotos bis hin zu den visuellen Elementen, die von Zak Norman, dem visuellen Partner von BICEP LIVE, entwickelt wurden und die er in die unglaubliche CHROMA AV-, Licht- und Lasershow integriert hat. Die Veröffentlichung von „CHROMA 000“ bildet nur einen Teil des ehrgeizigen, weitreichenden CHROMA-Projekts von BICEP, das sich über fast zwei Jahre hinweg über ihr eigenes CHROMA-Plattenlabel, eine Reihe kuratierter Veranstaltungen und eine sich ständig weiterentwickelnde hybride DJ/ Live-CHROMA-AV-Show entwickelt hat, die rund um den Globus getourt ist und über 70 Shows vor mehr als 500.000 Menschen gespielt hat, darunter Prime-Slots bei legendären Festivals wie Glastonbury, Parklife und Coachella sowie zwei ausverkaufte Takeovers im Londoner Finsbury Park, Brighton Beach und aufeinanderfolgende jährliche Takeovers im Londoner Drumsheds mit einer Kapazität von 15.000 Besuchern.

Five years on from her debut on the label, Surgeons Girl returns to Livity Sound with an EP of explorative, synth-rich techno. In the time since A Violet Sleep announced Sinead McMillan's fulsome analogue sound, she's maintained a considered presence with live, hardware-rooted performance and a select handful of releases.
On A Moment To Machine EP, McMillan showcases a widescreen strain of techno that leans into the expressive, emotional weight of powerful synth composition while maintaining a fierce physicality tuned up for the club. 'Under This Space' and 'Razor's Whip' dart along upwards of 150 without sacrificing depth and subtlety, while 'Steps Right' and 'Silken Place' shelve drums in favour of cascading arpeggios. 'Rested' brings balance to the record with needlepoint rhythmic exploration and pensive pads, rounding out Surgeons Girl's ever-developing, highly personal approach to techno.

Mint Condition - A brand new record label focussed on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics and overlooked gems mined from the last 20+ of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. From Chicago, Detroit and New York to London and beyond, Mint Condition have got their expert digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been on your wants list for years! Dig in....
The word 'classic' get's bandied around a lot when talking about certain records, artists, labels etc but rarely is it truly justified. In the case of the monumental slab of NYC deepness that is 'I'll Be Your Friend' we feel the tag is genuinely justified. Originally released in 1991 on the RCA label the track has been one of house music's most enduring anthems. Literally one of the deepest tracks out there, it's combination of Owen's vocals paired with the stellar production techniques of Def Mix's David Morales (and THOSE drums) is such a heady combination that the record crossed over so many scenes and to this day remains an evergreen staple in DJ's of all persuasions bags. Featured here we have all the original mixes (with the exception of the shorter radio edit) in their original forms. The record sounds as fresh as it ever did, the sort of track that never dates and will always fit into a set, the very definition of a classic.
Legitimately re-released with the full involvement of RCA records for 2017 and remastered from the original sources specially for Mint Condition by London's very own Curvepusher. 100% legit, licensed and released. Dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your new favourite reissue label - Mint Condition!.

Limited edition of 2000 indivudally numbered copies on crystal clear vinyl
In 1988, Soda Stereo released their fourth studio album, Doble Vida. This time, they got the help of none
other than Carlos Alomar for the production. The renowned Puerto Rican guitarist has a history of collaborations
with David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Paul McCartney.

This collaboration introduced a variety of new genres and influences, including funk, soul, and R&B. After fully recording the album in New York City, the band entered a
new stage in their career, allowing them to break into the US market. The tour to promote the album spanned the entire American continent and the album sold a million copies worldwide.

It's counter intuitive perhaps to react to the increasing noise of the world, not by adding to it, but by seeking quiet. Or something close to it.

Arrival's debut EP does just that - assembling immersive aural environments and delicately detailed backdrops - setting the scene for the perfectly pitched deeply melancholic meditations of Britain's least known and most valuable guitarist, Kevin McCormick.

Red Viny Repress

l Indispensable 1981 cosmic funk business from Tommy McGee, remastered and reissued on black 12” with replica artwork that has been calling out for an official reissue due to it’s eye watering £250+ price tag.

Ausdrucksstarke Gesänge in freien Versen, begleitet von gleitenden Violinen, gehämmertem Santouri, Gitarre und Oud - die hybriden Klänge des Mittelmeerraums zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts. ,Aman Aman" rufen die Sänger auf diesen Aufnahmen, deren Stimmen auf 78-U/min-Schallplatten aus den Jahren 1911 bis 1935 verewigt sind. Der Ausdruck bedeutet in etwa ,Gnade" und ist ein Ausdruck der Verzweiflung, aber auch der Freude und Bewunderung. Auf vielen dieser Platten wird die ganze Bandbreite dieser Emotionen auf einmal vermittelt. Einige dieser Künstler sind Legenden, andere sind in Vergessenheit geraten. Fast die Hälfte sind Sängerinnen, die einen großen Teil der Tradition des Cafe Aman ausmachen, aber in zeitgenössischen Veröffentlichungen nicht so stark vertreten sind. Alle waren von den Konflikten betroffen, die zur Kleinasiatischen Katastrophe von 1923 führten, sowie von den Zwangsmigrationen zwischen Griechenland und der Türkei davor und danach. Ihre Werke spiegeln diese Reisen wider - erschütternde Gedichte über den Verlust der Liebe und der Heimat, begleitet von einigen der besten Musiker der damaligen Zeit. Nach jahrelanger intensiver Recherche hören wir die präzisen, einfühlsamen und überwältigend kraftvollen Stimmen von Künstlern wie Antonis ,Dalgas" Diamantidis, Sofrouniou und Stellakis Perpiniadis, zusammen mit aufschlussreichen Aufnahmen von weitgehend unbekannten Musikern, deren Werke hier zum ersten Mal veröffentlicht werden. Die LP wurde von Jordan McLeod im Osiris Studio sorgfältig remastered und restauriert und enthält detaillierte historische und diskografische Anmerkungen von Stavros Kourousis sowie poetische Übersetzungen der Texte von Tony Klein. Gepresst auf hochwertigem Vinyl bei Smashed Plastic in Chicago und gemeinsam mit dem großartigen Label Olvido Records veröffentlicht.

Vohkinne is the alter-ego of Craig McWhinney, close associate and one of Southern Light’s foundation artists. The Way Of All Things is his first album in six years and provides a dystopian sonic journey into contemporary and modern techno that few artists can match.

Internal Collapse is an opening statement of intent; drone-infused and heavily cloaked dark ambient techno. Falling Knife is a chilling half step creation, providing a sense of murky sonics raining down from above. Unearthly Lights shifts gears as it traverses a more linear and magnetic path, while Disintegration diverts again with darker, squelching breaks.

C h r o m e s t h e s i a slows down the tempo but the morose and opaque feel of the album remains ever present, before War Paint is unleashed with a sense of urgency and high-octane intensity. Between Lives continues that intensity by unleashing its dark hypnotic breaks, before closing with the title track, perhaps for the first time on the album revealing a ray of hope amongst the dystopian energy that prevails on the album.

The Way Of All Things is more than a collection of tracks; it’s a look inside one artist’s view of the world, distilled into a singular and expansive archetype body of work.

Originally released in 1994, MSD - Moonboom is a true cornerstone of Irish dance music and one of the defining dancefloor anthems of the '90s. Fusing Techno, Progressive House and raw 303 energy, it became a staple on floors across Ireland and beyond, a track whose power has only grown with time. Now beautifully remastered and repressed on the newly launched CeltTribe label, Moonboom returns sounding bigger and sharper than ever. Created by Fintan McDonald alongside Dublin DJ Liam Dollard, with Paul Clifford and Peter Coss present during the original mixdown, the track was produced on a Tac Scorpion desk using Akai S1000 and S950 samplers, capturing the raw, hardware-driven spirit of early '90s dance music. Originally released on the Inner Conscience label, this reissue celebrates Ireland's underground dance heritage and is expanded with a strong set of 2026 remixes. The "Love Will Save the Day" Remix delivers a piano-led '90s House groove with nods to New York and Chicago, reflecting the deep Irish house sound loved in Cork and Waterford. The Lanzatech Remix is a tribal, acid-fuelled slammer driven by reworked piano, 303 lines and Detroit-inspired synth pads. Collie's "Midnight" Dub dives deeper into jazzy, hypnotic territory, while Ian's Techno Mix pushes Moonboom into darker, harder underground space with reimagined piano and vocals. A timeless Irish classic, respectfully reimagined!

Isa Gordon and Tony Morris were first brought together through their individual releases on Optimo Music, which established mutual respect within the label’s community. While they had not previously performed live together, they were invited to take part in a fundraiser hosted by Queen’s Park Arena in support of Glasgow NW Foodbank and later for JD Twitch’s end-of-life care. Tony asked Isa to contribute guitar and backing vocals to his set, including a track then called Last Night I Had a Dream. That performance became the seed for their collaboration.

The first phase of fleshing it out, recalls Tony: “Somebody said Isa sang like Shania Twain. That got me thinking about country music and call and response, prompting me to come up with alternative lyrics.” Isa remembers: “I cycled over to Tony’s house with my guitar, and we spoke about what the tune meant. It was about him being wrapped up in dreamland, luxuriating in his subconscious, while my character — impatient and trapped in her own routines — barely had time to remember her own dreams.” Tony continues: “Brilliantly I realised that I could never collaborate with anyone in situ and so I sat in the garden for two hours watching my wife tend to plants. Every now and again I would creep up the stairs and put my ear to the door. I could hear Isa warbling away and so would resume my garden watch. After two hours I went back upstairs to see how she was getting on, only to find that she had written one of the greatest songs I’d ever heard. I still think that.” Tony adds: “My overwhelming sentiment about Wake Up Baby is pride. I can honestly say that I’m more proud of it than anything else I have done. It ticks a whole load of boxes. Isa’s singing in various Scottish modes is unique. The way her electric guitar adorns the dance beat makes it a rock song as well as a dance and a C&W song — truly multi-genre.”

The B-side of the 12” release, Syringe Moustache, is a surreal, darkly playful counterpart to Wake Up Baby. The track was inspired by a dream Tony had: “I was in a shopping mall, in a two-level shoe shop, and my attention was taken by a little girl with a syringe taped beneath her nose like a moustache. She went about her business trying on shoes, confident and wise beyond her years. In the dream, I imagined her as the daughter of cultured, intelligent parents determined to raise her independently. I was struck by my own feelings of inadequacy — I knew I could never have coped with such a contraption myself.” Isa’s take on the meaning of this song somewhat differs: “Tony sent me the tune over Instagram months before I met him, and I was spooked — as far as I knew, he didn’t know anything about me, but the story felt like it was written about me as a little girl, growing up around heroin addiction. The syringe beneath the girl’s nose became a symbol of the inescapable constraints of that environment, literally written on her face, yet something you just have to carry on through. On a buzz from the serendipity, I added a full instrumental backing to this most bizarre of works.”

The result is absurd, unsettling, and strangely empowering, staking out its own surreal, cinematic space. The 12” dance single is a format Tony had long wanted to explore — a tangible artefact to leave for family, a medium that celebrates the physicality of sound and the ritual of listening. It allowed the artists to maximise the format’s potential: a strong, multi-genre A-side, a surreal B-side, and remixes that expanded the record’s sonic world. Glasgow music staples Auntie Flo and 100% Positive Feedback were invited to reinterpret the tracks, bringing their distinctive touch — Auntie Flo transforming the A-side into a luscious, dancefloor-ready meditation, and 100% Positive Feedback twisting Syringe Moustache into absurd, playful shapes with false-start drops and over-the-top vocal editing.

The cover photograph, taken at the University Café by Harrison Reid, captures Isa and Tony embodying the characters they brought to life in the songs — a visual reflection of the record’s narrative and emotional stakes. The Café also holds personal significance: it’s where all of Isa’s meetings with Keith McIvor took place, where she first remembers visiting Glasgow as a child, and a place Tony fondly likes to go to drip egg yolk down his tie and watch the world go by. Together, the 12” format, the remixes, and the artwork create a cohesive, tactile experience, amplifying the duality, theatricality, and emotional breadth of the collaboration.

UK funk veterans McKenzie & Gardiner are best known for their 1983 boogie classic 'From Time' and the album Songs From Time - The Lost Demos. They returned in 2021 with a fresh recording of fan favourite 'Hold On Tight' featuring original vocalist Shelley Hicks and it now lands on vinyl for the first time. First, though, the A-side delivers the sultry boogie swagger of 'Completely' with its aching male vocal and humid, throbbing bass. Flip it over for the smooth, soulful 'OG Redux' version of 'Hold On Tight' produced by Clive Gardiner who says, "we used lockdown to get the gang back together, and we've never sounded better." Hard to argue with that.

Woody Herman Shaw war ein US-amerikanischer Jazztrompeter, Flügelhornist, Kornettist, Komponist, Arrangeur, Bandleader und Pädagoge. Shaw gilt weithin als einer der bedeutendsten und einflussreichsten Jazztrompeter und Komponisten des 20. Jahrhunderts. Das ursprünglich 1976 bei Muse Records erschienene Album „Love Dance“ gilt als eine der spirituellsten und zukunftsweisendsten Aufnahmen von Woody Shaw. Diese audiophile Neuauflage stellt den vollen Klangreichtum des Albums wieder her und fängt Shaws schwebende Trompetenlinien und das dynamische Zusammenspiel des Ensembles mit beispielloser Klarheit ein. Shaw leitet eine hochkarätige Besetzung – darunter Billy Harper, Steve Turre, René McLean, Cecil McBee und Joe Bonner – durch fünf ausladende Titel, die Modal Jazz, spirituelle Themen und Post-Bop-Intensität miteinander verbinden. „Love Dance“ ist ein Meilenstein in Shaws Diskografie und ein Muss für jeden Musikliebhaber – jetzt präsentiert mit der Tiefe und Detailtreue, die es schon immer verdient hat.

It’s with great pride that we announce this amazing album on Optimo Music from Portland-based duo Natural Magic. It was the final vinyl release that Keith McIvor aka JD Twitch put into production before his untimely departure in late September this year.

Having been a long time lover of everything krautrock, space rock, experimental and psychedelic it seems more than fitting that he leaves us this LP as his parting gift; because this sublime album is all these things wrapped up into one and much more.

The album’s opening track “Galaxy Builder”, with its driving tempo, monolithic bass and screaming guitars might give the impression we’re about to hear a Neu for the 21st Century, but no, by the 2nd track we’re already on the first of several wild detours into uncharted territories: part shoe gaze, part ethereal, part psychedelia it’s a unique piece of beautiful euphoria from start to finish. By the time we reach the end of the A-side’s closing track “Distant Bells” the whole place is in tears after hearing possibly one of the most poignant pieces of electronic music of the entire year.

The B-side takes us even deeper into this trip through the duo’s homeland in the Pacific Northwest opening with “Skyward Eye”. If the Orb had ever teamed up with Slowdive and gotten Andrew Weatherall on production this could be it. “Get It Right” is a fuzz-filled epic with heavy dub leanings and meanings...it soars high up into the beyond and prepares us for “Ride”; an unashamed space voyage in the true sense…cosmic guitars, laden with FX; before returning gently down to the rolling green hills of Earth with the closing track “Chugsby’s Theme”. Whoever Chugsby is, his vibe is organic, deeply grounded and beautiful.

In the duo’s own words:

“Natural Magic II is a west coast road trip soundtrack for the fading summer. Taking inspiration from the majesty and myths of their home in the Pacific Northwest, the seven track album is culled from the late night, dimly lit, live sessions of Mike McKinnon on keys/drums and Matthew Quiet on bass. Overdubs of guitar, synths and percussion followed. All this from the same space they throw their legendary Limited Edition parties - all-night free experimentation celebrations in their own right. The album art work is handmade flower pigments, opium poppy pollen ink and wood-scrap charcoal by their friend and collaborator Pith Cocomici. Roll the widows down, tilt the seat back and turn it up. Gas, grass or black mass... there's magic in the hills.

Haino sings. Hasunuma plays. It’s a minimal framework, but what emerges is a boundary-blurring sonic exploration. Across the album, Haino’s voice threads through Hasunuma’s layered soundscapes built from analog synths, electric guitar, piano, field recordings, and more. Haino entered the studio with only lyrics in hand, improvising melodies in response to Hasunuma’s evolving arrangements. The result is a work of deep trust, intuition, and sonic tension.

Keiji Haino and Shuta Hasunuma’’s creative connection began in 2017 with an impromptu performance in Shibuya—Hasunuma on a Buchla modular synthesizer, Haino responding with the Japanese national anthem, “Kimigayo.” That moment sparked their unlikely collaboration.

In 2018 Haino appeared at the Hasunuma-organized event “MUSIC TODAY IN KYOTO” at Rohm Theater, alongside Nobukazu Takemura, Manami Kakudo, Elena Tutatchikova, Kukangendai among others. In September 2021 during the pandemic, the two performed "U　　　　　　　TA" for the first time at in Shibuya. They began planning the album soon afterwards.

For the recording of U　　　　　　　TA, Haino entered the studio with only the lyrics in hand, with no knowledge of what sounds Hasunuma would produce. Responding to Hasunuma’s music in real time, Haino composed the melodies and layered in his voice on the spot. With additional sessions at Hasunuma’s private studio and Haino’s preferred studio, the album was completed.

All melody and vocals by Keiji Haino
All instrument, written, played, arranged, mixed and produced by Shuta Hasunuma
Recorded by zak at st-robo studio, Shuta Hasunuma at Studio i.M.O and windandwindows
Mastered by Rashad Becker at clunk
Production Management: Eishin Yoshida, Kento Ono (windandwindows)
For Temporal Drift: Yosuke Kitazawa, Patrick McCarthy
Art Direction: Aiko Koike
Special Thanks to Toshihiko Kasai, Ryoichi Kiyomiya, zAk, Yumiko Ohno
license

Limited Edition Transparent Black Vinyl Version - 500 Units Only

There are few people across the globe, who will have not been touched by the work of Frankie Knuckles. Forever regarded as ‘The Godfather of House’ for his unrivalled contribution to the house music we know today; what started as an underground movement in Chicago has grown to international heights thanks to Frankie. His records earned him recognition on a global scale, allowing him to work with some of the globes biggest names including the likes of Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson.

Five years ago, Frankie passed away in Chicago on 31st March 2014 leaving behind one of the greatest house music legacies spanning almost four decades. Now he is commemorated by long time writing and production partner Eric Kupper. Eric, himself a seasoned DJ producer and writer, has worked on over 116 Billboard #1 Dance Records and played a pivotal role in a many of Frankie’s productions. Having both worked together for many years they established themselves at ‘Director’s Cut’ from 2011 and set about producing original releases and remixes based on the classic ‘Def Mix’ sound while sharing equal credits for their creations.

Together they re-produced and re-purpose classic cuts for modern dancefloors, with reworks including tracks from Marshall Jefferson, Ashford & Simpson, Artful & Ridney and The Sunburst Band, alongside Frankie Knuckles originals. These releases have now been brought together by Eric to feature on special album called ‘The Directors Cut Collection’ on SoSure Music. It includes the Director’s Cut reworks of Frankie’s classic cuts such as ‘Your Love’ and ‘Take You There’ with Jamie Principle, alongside Frankie’s first #1 single - ‘The Whistle Song’ on which Eric shares writing credits.

Within a multitude of classic reworks, highlights include a previously unreleased version of Ashford & Simpson’s ‘Bourgie Bourgie’ and a huge Director’s Cut Retro Signature mix of Marshall Jefferson’s The House Music Anthem (Move Your Body) featuring Curtis McClain.

The Director’s Cut Collection is a fitting tribute to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Frankie’s passing whilst giving Eric a platform to tell his side of the creative story. This album is to be released in collaboration with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation who work to continuing Frankie’s legacy well into the future.

Coral Morphologic is the brainchild of Jared McKay and Colin Foord. A mending of minds, the arts, science, and the sea. Their lab in Miami lies close to the Florida Reef just offshore; the third largest coral barrier reef system in the world. This album composed by Jared echoes the voice of the reef. A reflection of its cosmic connection to our moon. A departure from the earth into deep space. We often wonder what intelligent life exists outside of our own aquatic world. Look and listen to the synchronous celestial satellites and the endless love song they sing. *features a foldout poster with album art by Robert Beatty

2026 Repress

Soma500 is a very special release that sees label heads Slam visit two memorable tracks for them over this past anniversary year. The duo of Stuart McMillan & Orde Meikle rework Robert Hoods, The Bond We Formed - taken exclusively from the Soma25 compilation and a track that has featured highly in countless sets, a unique Slam rework of Carl Craig s interpretation of Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom s, Relevee.


B A2 | Robert Hood - The Bond We Formed (Slam S25 Retro Fit)

‘Açid Blüüs Räägs Vol.2’ is the latest evolution of the sound of last year’s Volume 1. The debut album was described by Joe Banks for Shindig! Magazine as; “Shivering slabs of drone blues transcendentalism…a burning junkyard of sheet metal blues… Hot stuff.” Volume 2 builds on the skronk blues guitar, sax and electronic drones of it’s predecessor, to explore cosmic free jazz, concrete exotica and dub, channelling influences of Moondog, Terry Riley, 75 Dollar Bill and Wolf Eyes. Playing like the imagined film soundtracks to a dystopian, re-wilded, post eco crash world in the style of Tarkovsky's ‘Stalker’ and ’Solaris’, Jodorowsky's surreal desert western ‘El Topo’, or the early novels of JG Ballard. This new collection sees the addition of minimal analogue drum machine loops as well as live instrumental contributions from the new players of the ever evolving Invocation band, plus some superstar guest contributors.
Featuring five brand new tracks, including the forthcoming single; ‘Cosmic Fanfare’, has already picked up BBC 6 Music support from Gideon Coe. The new album was mixed by Alex McGowan (aka Captain Future) of Space Eko Studios and features Invocation band regulars Rick Jensen of Apocalypse Jazz Unit, Skronk and Oneirologist on sax and bass clarinet, Will Emms aka Tiki Eerie on melodica, horns and claviola, plus special guest appearances from Duke Garwood on clarinet and Mikey 'Moondog' Chestnut of Snapped Ankles on bass synth. “….Acid fried kosmiche blues meets drone raag transcendentalism”. Jonny Halifax is a primitivist free blues outsider, sonic shaman of the acid fuzzed lap steel guitar, demented blower of the howling harmonica of doom. His new band project now combines avant swamp blues heaviosity with kosmic free jazz experimentalism in a fluid collective of godless raag brut improvisations - sonic visions of an hallucinatory apocalyptic near future. Inspired by Henry Flynt’s avant bluegrass experiments fusing country blues with eastern acoustic musical stylings, Spacemen 3’s contemporary sitar music, and the monolithic drone doom immersion of Sunn 0))), THE JONNY HALIFAX INVOCATION build hypnotic instrumental soundscapes using lap steel and homemade slide guitars, harmonica and alto sax. Underpinned by layers of acoustic and electronic drone instruments and fed through an arsenal of pedalboard electronics that would make Kevin Shields weep, the blues are transmogrified, unhinged, reduced and re-imagined as intoxicating, trance-inducing, feedback-drenched noise paintings. THE JONNY HALIFAX INVOCATION follows Jonny’s junkshop skronk blues one man band Honkeyfinger, and the Julian Cope endorsed gospel fuzz psychedelia of Jonny Halifax & The Howling Truth, whilst not forgetting his ambient drone metal side project; Deathenteredinerror. His musical CV also includes studio contributions to tracks by Andrew Weatherall’s Two Lone Swordsmen, UK metal behemoths Orange Goblin, Heck and Melting Hand.

A time capsule of Long Island boogie-funk history – officially reissued for the first time!


Founded in 1978 in Amityville, Long Island, VAP Records (Virgin Archer Production) became a cult independent label known for its infectious dance grooves, soulful vocals, and DJ-friendly 12” singles that lit up clubs from New York to beyond. Now, for the very first time, the label’s most iconic tracks are compiled on vinyl in one explosive package.
What’s inside?


This “final edition” includes the best of VAP’s rare 1979–1983 output, with tracks from the label’s flagship act Final Edition (“No Limit”, “Betcha Can’t Love Just One”, “We’re Moving On Straight Ahead”), alongside club favorite Broadway – “Let’s Make It”, plus deep gems from Kevin Keys, Jazzee, and Olivia McClurkin.
Why is this essential?


• “Betcha Can’t Love Just One” gained legendary status after appearing on General Hospital and HBO’s How to Make It in America.


• Armand Van Helden’s old-school remake of Final Edition’s B-side “I Can Do It Anyway You Want” went viral, surpassing 10+ million views on YouTube, proving these grooves still ignite dancefloors.


• Original VAP 12” singles are impossible to find and often sell for hundreds of dollars. This reissue brings those classics back, mastered from the original tapes.


Collectors, DJs, and boogie enthusiasts – this one is for you. With its blend of raw disco energy, soul-drenched vocals, and timeless funk, Best of VAP Records – Final Edition is not just a compilation, but a celebration of a family-run label whose legacy shaped the underground dance scene.

The first act signed to The Neptunes' newly formed Star Trak label was a Virginia based duo known as the Clipse. The first single “Grindin’” impacted the streets with its bare boned but infectious drum beat in the same way that “Sucker MC’s” did almost 20 years earlier. These brothers - Pusha T and Malice combined with The Neptunes groundbreaking production sent a clear message to the rap world – “we are not the same” (as rapped by Malice on his opening verse on “Cot’ Dam”). Clipse brings an authentic Virginia sound into the game and created a movement, with not only their darkly layered raps but The Neptunes as well. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were able to combine their cyberpunk production with just the right group to create a street masterpiece. Following in the footsteps of such rap criminologists as Kool G Rap, Nas, Jay-Z, and Mobb Deep, the Clipse offer the Virginia hustler's viewpoint with clever, hard-hitting lyrics that is sprinkled throughout the entire album. With so many standout tracks on Lord Willin’ the album starts pulling no punches. On Track 1 simply (or maybe not) titled “Intro” you get a very personal and deep testament of crack and the drug game, a theme that is throughout this album…HEAVY. Songs like “Virginia” or “I’m Not You” (featuring Jadakiss, Styles P and Roscoe P Coldchain), have lyrics that play as a musical notes alongside The Neptunes tailored beats. “Young Boy”, “Comedy Central”… all fit perfectly alongside “When the Last Time” and “Cot Dam” as each song plays its part as chapters to the Lord Wilin’ masterpiece. “Gangsta Lean” (another one of the albums standout tracks) features a slightly lighter feel while paired with Pharrell's trademark falsetto hook. The truth of it is, it’s hard to just pick one track, or point out which is the albums star. Each song on Lord Willin’ is essential to making it the classic that it is. The Neptunes (who were busy turning out every other Pop hit on the radio) crafted an album that was deemed an instant classic, and cemented Clipse as Rap’s newest superstars.

Micro Orbit presents ... Paularner, a project where Arno Völker and Paul Walter, two craftsmen of the European scene, fuse raw emotions and technical finesse into a unique sound, crafting a timeless vinyl for the purists and the seekers.

Azu Tiwaline & Cinna Peyghamy, Amotik, Quelza, and Alarico remix four tracks from Ben Klock and Fadi Mohem’s collaborative album ‘Layer One’. Released last year on the pair’s label LAYER, each artist on the ‘Layer One Remixes’ EP retains the weighty, low-end edge that shaped the album, while reinterpreting four tracks through a myriad of techno, IDM, bass, and experimental shades.

Honouring the conceptual direction of ‘Layer One’, which delved into a post-human world and offered a serene reflection on a realm that continued to flourish in the absence of humanity, the ‘Layer One Remixes’ EP echoes the same theme. The remaining human survivors on Earth signal a remembrance of their sensibilities, told through the powerful lyrics and vocals of grime MC Flowdan and interdisciplinary artist Coby Sey.

Azu Tiwaline & Cinna Peyghamy open the EP with their remix of ‘Our Sector’ featuring the commanding vocals of Flowdan. Fragmented bass-driven textures skitter across the sparse soundscape, culminating in a track primed for the weirder hours of the night. On ‘Ultimately’, Amotik delivers his take on the original featuring spoken word by Coby Sey, and whips up a rolling four-four number pierced with bleepy percussion.

On the flip, Quelza’s reinterpretation of ‘Our Sector’ unfolds with zappy motifs and technoid flourishes, permeating the shadowy pads and spine-chilling harmonics that slink through the atmosphere. Alarico remixes ‘Clean Slate’, serving a potent techno track laced with equal parts restraint and release, enhanced by Coby Sey’s taut vocals.

While the original album represented the more exploratory sides of Ben Klock and Fadi Mohem, the ‘Layer One Remixes’ EP offers a further step into the void, led by five contemporary artists who are unafraid to delve into the murkiest corners of the dystopian world conjured up by Klock and Mohem.

Reissue 2025

"Get Up Stand Up" is a 2004 song by the Italian dance project Stellar Project,

created by singer-songwriter and producer Stefano Sorrentino, featuring American actress and singer Brandi Emma.

Their song, thanks to mixes by Phunk Investigation, reached number one on the US dance airplay chart (Billboard) on November 20, 2004.

The song also reached number 14 on the UK singles chart that same year.

MOb return this November with their second album on Veego Records, continuing the adventurous journey they began with their 2023 debut MOb 1. Hailed by the press as one of the boldest and freshest statements in the Greek scene, their first record moved seamlessly between jazz, punk, and electronic forms, creating a sound often described as “an entire orchestra played by just three musicians.”

On their new release, Marios Valinakis (saxophone, effects, synthesizers), Alexandros Delis (bass, double bass), and Panagiotis Kostopoulos (drums) construct an even more intricate and ambitious sonic universe. The compositions range from the explosive energy of “Tipping Point” and the dark atmospheres of “Utu and Sin”, to the radical reimagining of Wayne Shorter’s “Fall” and the polyphonic outburst of “The Listener”, featuring the Kos Choir.

Guest appearances further expand the palette: Phillip “Felipe MC” Manev lends his voice to “Tipping Point” and “Encounters”, while Angelos Polychronou enriches “Encounters” and “The Listener” with his percussions.

The album was produced and recorded by MOb themselves, with Bruno Ellingham handling mixing and mastering for most tracks, while “Utu and Sin” was mixed by Malcolm Catto at the Quatermass Sound Lab. The cover artwork is designed by Apostolos Mitrelis, and the back cover features a photograph by Maciej Moskwa.

If MOb 1 revealed a band capable of fusing free improvisation with rhythm-driven “bangers” that reached audiences beyond Greece, the new album confirms their evolution: more intense, more diverse, and more imaginative. With one foot rooted in tradition and the other firmly in the present, MOb deliver a work that breaks boundaries and builds bridges across genres and audiences, solidifying their reputation as one of the most exciting groups in today’s Greek music scene.

British-Brazilian jungle artist Janaway announces his brand new EP International Luv via Up Ya Archives Records.

‘50/50 Vision’ is the defining statement of Janaway’s upcoming EP, a single that captures the project’s full essence in one. Blending pulsing jungle rhythms with the rich textures of Brazilian vocals, together, with his UK-centric underground lens, he creates this rolling, dancefloor-ready track that bridges continents and culture.

The title, a play on “20/20 vision,” reflects Janaway’s experience as a dual-heritage artist who views each of his cultures from a balanced perspective. This sense of duality runs throughout his work, expressed through a distinctive fusion of sounds, stories, and collaborations that mirror his own world. The accompanying visuals deepen this connection, featuring Janaway alongside his collaborators and friends, not only adding a personal and authentic layer but providing a snapshot of the community that shapes his music.

‘50/50 Vision’ is a collaboration with two incredible artists that represent each side of his heritage. MC Tchelinho’s (Rio’s Heavy Baile collective), dynamic flow injects raw Brazilian energy and is enhanced by Arinola’s signature mix of UK funk and Ragga vocals which layer in an infectious groove. Together, they create a dynamic intersection of contrasting sound that feels both global and grounded - full of rhythm, movement and connection.

Growing up between cultures, Janaway has always gravitated toward sounds without borders. Now based in Bristol, he’s part of the new wave pushing jungle forward while keeping its essence alive. His signature blend of heavyweight basslines and sharp breakbeats has earned support from Nia Archives, Tim Reaper, Sherelle and Fracture. His acclaimed high-octane DJ sets packed with unreleased tracks, move effortlessly through jungle, footwork, and jungle funk, keeping crowds locked in and dancefloors moving. After a European tour and standout appearances at Boomtown, Glastonbury, and Outlook Festival, Janaway is fast becoming one of the most exciting names shaping the next gen of jungle.

A fresh take on the 2020 gem from Alex Attias featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow and Kid K. This latest release brings three dynamic remixes from the mighty Kaidi Tatham, Stephane Attias, and El Mustang, each crafted for distinct moments on the dance floor.
Kaidi Tatham delivers a vibrant boogie-infused rework bursting with soulful energy. A joyful, groove-heavy ride that’s already a favorite here at Visions.
Stephane Attias steps in with a deep house interpretation, dubbed out and laced with hypnotic vocal touches and slick keys courtesy of Sean McCabe. El Mustang (Alex Attias himself) ventures into darker territory with a stripped-back broken beat version, perfect for those late-night sessions when the mood shifts and the rhythm deepens.

INDEX:Records alum vase (aka Downstairs People; games) and label-head Conna Haraway team up as ‘department’ to deliver a two-track mini-epic of sprawling brooding soundscapes and future-facing rhythms, via finely chiseled abstract outbursts and widescreen cinematic depth of field. (Additional live instrumentation comes courtesy of Glasgow-based staev, and INDEX:Rec affiliate MCRD supplies intuition suggestions.)

The label is built on a sonic and experimental mission a space for exploring emotions and textures beyond genres. Each artist creates their own small world within this vision.

The idea for the first record was born after discovering the Urgent collective, where I first saw Andree Bohlin perform. His unreleased track left a deep impression on me raw, hypnotic, and emotional.
Later, we connected and created the first episode for the label a release that perfectly represents its sound and spirit.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter where each release becomes part of a continuous journey through sound, emotion, and underground culture.

Pilot Talk II is the fourth studio album by New Orleans rapper Curren$y, and follow up to his widely celebrated release, Pilot Talk. Originally released in November 2010, and initially only available on CD & digitally, Pilot Talk II was first pressed on vinyl and exclusively available in the Jet Life: Pilot Talk Collection Vinyl Box Set. For the very first time ever and after much anticipation from fans, Pilot Talk II will be released as a standalone vinyl product, exclusively available for Record Store Day Black Friday 2025 to celebrate the album's 15 year anniversary. Pilot Talk II includes standout tracks such as "Michael Knight," "Famous," "Hold On (feat. Trademark Da Skydiver & Young Roddy," & perhaps one of Curren$y's biggest solo songs, "Airborne Aquarium." Pressed on stunning Purple, Black & White 3 Color A Side B Side Vinyl and limited to 3000 copies worldwide, Pilot Talk II is a must have for any Curren$y or blog-era rap aficionado.

We The People were a vocal quarter who recorded a handful of singles between 1969 and 1976. Their most prolific release is this release from 1973 produced by Landy Mcneal. The music arranger was prolific Bert DeCoteaux Ace Spectrum (“Don’t Send Nobody Else”). Also Patti Austin, The Main Ingredient, Roy Ayers, Ramsey Lewis, Ben E.King, Sister Sledge, Lonnie Liston Smith and Marlena Shaw to name a few

2026 Repress

Saha Gnawa’s self-titled debut pairs Moroccan Gnawa with NYC jazz and groove, channeling North African futurism through cross-cultural improvisation. Building off centuries-old practices, traditional song forms dissolve into psychedelic outer-space explorations.

High Focus Records is proud to unveil the artwork for the forthcoming Verb T & Illinformed collaborative album: ‘The Land Of The Foggy Skies’, designed by Siou Escalon.

As you would expect from two of the hardest working artists in the UK rap game, Verb T & Illinformed have delivered a fitting sequel to the iconic 2015 release ‘The Man With The Foggy Eyes’. The pair have both raised the bar, taking their already incredible chemistry to new levels, as demonstrated with singles ‘Rotten Luck‘ & ‘New Paths‘.

An all encompassing cinematic opus, ‘The Land Of The Foggy Skies’ once again proves why Verb T is one of the most decorated MC’s in UK Hip Hop and why Illinformed is in a class of his own when it comes to production.

GATEFOLD VINYL 2LP - TRANSPARENT BLUE + ORANGE, A2 Colour Poster, 5x Film Set Photos, Flexi Disc, Sticker Sheet

Blurring the lines between fiction and documentary, the seminal film Wild Style, directed by Charlie Ahearn and developed alongside Fred Braithwaite aka Fab Five Freddy, offered an iconic snapshot of the emerging New York hip hop scene in the early ‘80s. Considered one of the first hip hop films, it documents the styles, culture, attitudes, and most importantly, the music of this evolving era. The accompanying soundtrack remains one of the most influential in hip hop history, featuring a who’s who of artists who stood out during the movement’s nascent block party days.

“Making hip hop’s first and most beloved feature film, Wild Style, with Charlie Ahearn and creating the original music is one of my proudest accomplishments.” - Fab 5 Freddy

In celebration of Arrow Films restoring the original Wild Style film in 4K, Mr Bongo is proud to present this special-edition reissue package. The release comes as a double LP pressed on transparent blue and orange vinyl, offering a freshly curated tracklist that brings together the finest songs from previous editions, the full sought-after instrumental album, and Kenny Dope’s top edits. Also included are an A2 colour poster, five film set photos, a flexi disc containing Fantastic Freaks Live at the Dixie, and a Wild Style sticker sheet.

Originally released on Animal Records, founded by Chris Stein of Blondie fame, the soundtrack focuses on the hip hop scene as it evolved from the streets to the recording studio. Co-produced by Stein and Braithwaite, it features the Double Trouble pairing of Rodney Cee and KK Rockwell, The Chief Rocker himself Busy Bee, and the mighty line-ups of both The Cold Crush Brothers and The Fantastic Freaks, to name but a few. The music offers a transportive glimpse into the streets of the South Bronx, capturing the free-form, roaming nature of the film - it’s rough around the edges, but utterly absorbing.

Behind those foundational voices of hip hop’s first wave was a selection of backing beats that have underpinned and influenced the genre ever since. Easily mistaken for lifted breakbeats from old records, the songs on the Wild Style soundtrack are all unique creations. Overseen by Braithwaite and Stein, with Stein also on guitar and effects, they were intended as a homage to those early breakbeats. Drummer Lenny “Ferrari” Ferraro, who played for Aretha Franklin before emerging on the punk scene, and bassist David Harper laid down many of the iconic grooves, two somewhat forgotten participants in shaping a legendary sound.

Over time, the Wild Style soundtrack, with its Charlie Chase and Grand Wizard Theodore scratches, recurring sounds and motifs, and indelible lyrics, has become a hip hop touchstone: endlessly sampled and referenced, the bedrock of so much music to follow. It perfectly encapsulated the essence of the film, the scene, and hip hop’s emergence from the Bronx to the attention of the wider world. It was, and remains, the blueprint.

The time has come for hip-hop’s favourite superheroes to unleash their highly anticipated album. The industry’s most recognisable voice, Chali 2na, and turntable wizard Krafty Kuts have been not-so-secretly preparing this project since 2017 through over 150 live shows and countless studio sessions. The time has finally come to grab your capes, don a pair of tights and load up the turntable ready for the show to begin. This is ‘Adventures Of A Reluctant Super Hero’ – prepare for the Purple Assassin and the Scratchman as they come and save your city, the scene and hip-hop as we know it.

Featuring a who’s-who of collabs and guest appearances from hip-hop royalty, this 14-track record takes you to just about every corner of the genre, leaving no stone unturned. With Lyrics Born and Gift Of Gab joining on ‘Guard The Fort’ to deliver a serious statement of intent to open the LP, the rest of the record is an adventure through funk, breaks, rolling basslines, buckets of groove and everything in-between. Throw in a generous portion of expertly delivered bars and vocals from genre sidekicks like Harry Shotta, Skye (Morcheeba), Omar, Dynamite MC and more, and you’re left with a hip-hop record that not even the comic books could have conceived.

LP version comes with an exclusive 8-page comic-book by official Star Wars illustrator JAKe + full album download.

Two tracks of vibe based sound system informed nice and chunky post-techno from TRIP SHOW, recorded in Twentynine Palms and Honolulu. Mastered by Dave Aju at Point Winona in Los Angeles, CA, Limited clear vinyl.

“The high priest of country cool” - Rolling Stone

“I like him very much. He’s very special. He’s singing with a voice I never heard before” - Townes Van Zandt

“A conscious, soulful brother” - Horace Andy

“He’s a brother to me - one of the best singer/songwriters I’ve ever met” - Adrian Sherwood

“Unearthed mine of gems from inner Wales - a songbook of ideas - that's Jeb!” - Gilles Peterson

Jeb Loy Nichols is a bonafide Country (Got) Soul legend. The Music Maker presents 21 incredibly deep, grooving and soulful songs from the cream of Jeb's catalogue; from its earliest days to his latest unreleased gems via countless rare and unbelievably good lost-classics. This 2LP set is presented in a gatefold sleeve complete with freshly commissioned artwork courtesy of Jeb himself.

In collecting these uncut, under-heard gems, we hope to do justice to Jeb's jaw-dropping artistic brilliance. A man who, in working with Adrian Sherwood, Dennis Bovell, Dan Penn, Larry Jon Wilson and countless other legendary characters, has crafted some of the most deeply affecting folk, country, soul, funk, blues, dub, reggae, gospel, rap and electronic music, ever heard.

The first music Jeb really felt a connection with was southern soul: "I used to listen to the radio at night and fell in love with Bobby Womack and Al Green, The Staple Singers and Joe Simon – that whole Nashville/Memphis/Muscle Shoals thing.” But Jeb was so much more than a soul boy, Indeed, he "went to bluegrass festivals with my dad and come home and listened to jazz records with my mother.” And, when he was fifteen, he heard his first punk record: "God Save The Queen" by The Sex Pistols. “That and The Ramones completely changed me.” In 1979 he got a scholarship to go to art school in New York: “A great time. Punk was over but hip-hop was starting and I got into that in an obsessive way.”

His first recording, in 1980, was an unreleased rap song called "I’m A Country Boy". If that isn't an insight enough into Jeb's kaleidoscopic path through music, in 1981 he visited friends in London and found himself living in a squat with Adrian Sherwood, Ari Up (from the Slits), and Neneh Cherry. “Adrian put me to work immediately, moving boxes of records all across London. It was Adrian that was and is my biggest influence – in his complete disregard for genre purity.” So, presumably you're getting the picture? A veritable musical magpie with a voracious appetite and unimpeachable taste.

"Mine has always been a meandering career. I've done what I've done, and made the music I've made, due to chance meetings. I'm not particularly ambitious; it's more important to me that I work with friends and like-minded people. I've been a big fan of Be With for years. Everything they release is essential. When they asked about rereleasing "Countrymusicdisco45" I was both pleased and flattered. We began talking about how we'd do it; two years and twenty-one tracks later, here we are. I've always thought of the music I make as Country Music. Music conceived in the country, written in the country, recorded in the country. I left London and moved back to the country so I could live among the trees, the grasses, the animals, those things that don't go to war and get greedy. This compilation is the story of that life. Hand made, lo-fi, ramshackle, stripped down, real deal music. Heartworn and funky. Music made in the kitchen, not in the studio. As the great Skip Mcdonald said, Perfect ain't perfect. It's great to see all these tracks gathered together. It feels like a family reunion. Some older members of the tribe, some newer arrivals."

Opener "countrymusicdisco45" is a song Jeb wrote about how his crew lives, tucked up blissfully in the hills: "House parties full of country folk dancing to disco, reggae, soul, country, hip-hop. All night. I recorded it at home under the influence of Stevie Wonder." It's one of the funkiest records you'll ever hear. "Sometimes Shooting Stars" was recorded in Nashville and mixed by the legendary Dennis Bovell. It's deep, dubby, majestic. A thing of fragile, melodic beauty. The party ramps back up again with the undeniable groove of "Short Cut Home" before the profoundly moving "Disappointment" arrives. One of many songs he's recorded with good buddy Benedic Lamdin (aka Nostalgia 77): "We were going for a Leon Thomas meets Richard Brautigan meets Alice Coltrane kind of thing". We think they nailed it. "Days Are Mighty", like a lot of the tracks on this collection, "started life as a demo, an attempt to get something down while it was fresh. No frills, nothing fancy, just feel." And what feels!

The irrepressibly funky "Don't Dance With Me Tonight" is a deeply moving, slow-mo organ-drenched head-nod-funky country-ballad. Next up, the breezy "You Got It Wrong" was recorded in Wales with some of Jeb's good friends and neighbours, The Westwood All Stars, featuring Clovis Phillips and Will Barnes. Skanking fiddle-flecked gem "Ring The Bells" was the first thing Jeb recorded when he moved to Wales. A combination of all his loves; country, reggae, soul. It's followed by "Let's Make It Up", a truly sumptuous string-drenched emotional groover. "When Did You Stop Loving Me" is another Nashville track, written and recorded during a time Jeb was spending a lot of time with the Muscle Shoals crew, Donnie Fritts, Spooner Oldham, George Soule and Dan Penn: "It shows, I'm sure, their influence." Oh, you bet it does!

The swaggering country-funk of "Just Beginning" should grace many groove-focused DJs' sets whilst "Wintering Of The Year", again made with Clovis, is pastoral, campfire soul. The glacial, gorgeous "Let It Rain" is from an unreleased record Jeb made with the great British jazz bass player Andy Hamill and "We Tell Each Other Who We Are" is freaky country-soul made by a man with a love for strutting, wonky hip-hop stylings. Rounding out the side, "Trip To You" is pure, uncut amphetamine-propelled drum-machine soul.

The spare, beautiful "Dirt" is from an EP Jeb made with Julian Moore in his house in South London: "All first takes, straight to tape." Swoon! "Heaven Right Here" was a very minor league hit in America: "It was produced by the brilliant and much missed Wayne Nunes. It was started in the countryside of Missouri, finished in the countryside of Wales, and recorded in the countryside of Sussex." Double swoon! "If Later Ever Comes" is electronica meets J.J. Cale business whilst "Remember The Season" is truly wonderful and breezy guitar soul. "A Little Love" was made with Wayne Nunes as well, after a night of listening to Studio One and Northern Soul. Bouncy dub closer "Weary Traveller" was written by Bill Monroe, the hero of Jeb's youth: "Monroe's music was heavily influenced by black southern churches; I've tried to keep some of that feral feel." This was the final recording by Jeb's 1990s Country-Dub band, Fellow Travellers.

The name of this compilation comes from a time when Jeb lived in Peckham, south London and he used to DJ and sometimes perform at a local bar: "The owner of the bar, a Jamaican named Count Percy, once asked me what I called my music. I told him I wasn't sure, I guess just pop music. He thought about it for a minute and then said, 'no, more like mom and pop music'. Rather than call me a country singer or a folk singer he always referred to me as The Music Maker."

With the long overdue deluxe overview of his beloved music, we hope to finally shine a light on the unheralded genius of Jeb Loy Nichols. RIYL Larry Jon Wilson, Townes Van Zandt, Bobby Charles, country got soul artists, dub, deep soul, disco, dancing, heartbreak. This deluxe collection, spellbinding from beginning to end, should hopefully go some way to ensuring Jeb reaches an ever bigger, ever more appreciative crowd of followers. Mastering for this special double vinyl edition was overseen by Be With regular Simon Francis and it was cut by the esteemed Cicely Balston at Abbey Road Studios to be pressed in the Netherlands by Record Industry. The artwork has been lovingly put together by The Music Maker, himself, Jeb Loy Nichols. "Be With is the perfect home for this mongrel music. I am forever in their debt." The pleasure is all ours, Jeb.

The 12th release on ALIM Music, Brazilian singer-songwriter Rogê delivers a radiant and rhythmically rich reinterpretation of Talking Heads’ “Road to Nowhere,” setting the tone for BBE's Naive Melodies - a bold and visionary tribute to the music of Talking Heads, reinterpreted through the lens of Black musical innovation. Curated by Drew McFadden - the creative mind behind BBE’s acclaimed Modern Love (David Bowie tribute album) releasing this October via BBE Music. Now based in Los Angeles, Rogê, a Latin Grammy nominee and longtime torchbearer of Rio’s samba-soul vanguard - reimagines the Talking Heads classic as a soulful samba jam, infused with earthy guitar, syncopated percussion, and his signature smoky, magnetic vocals. Where the original rides on quirky tension, Rogê’s version flows with saudade and sway, steeped in the Afro-Brazilian traditions that have defined his sound for over a decade.

Produced by Tommy Brenneck (Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Cuco, Charles Bradley, The Budos Band), the track carries a raw, analog warmth that nods to classic MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) and the golden age of 1970s samba-rock, while subtly weaving in the existential overtones of the song’s lyrics. Rogê's “Road to Nowhere” captures the essence of Naive Melodies: a reimagining of Talking Heads’ catalog through the rhythmic and cultural lens of the global Black music traditions that helped shape it. From samba and funk to soul, dub and jazz, the album brings together forward-thinking artists from across the diaspora to revisit, reinterpret, and revive the sounds that have always lived in the band’s DNA.

DJ Support: DJ Spen, Tony Humphries, Danny Krivit, Simon Dunmore, Seamus Haji, Grant Nelson, Brian Tappert, Opolopo, Cj Mckintosh, Tedd Patterson and more...

Long-serving British house producer and hits maker Michael Gray brings his famously soulful sound to "On My Way Out" By Jamiroquai’s Derrick McKenzie Feat. Angela Johnson and it very much taps into a timeless vibe and old school disco feel. The grooves are nice and loose, the moog riff is smooth and fresh and the vocals are solar to the heavens next to mid tempo beats. High class Remix and lavish quality of the most uplifting music.

On "The Afrodub Experience," Umberto Echo takes us on a ride across four continents, exploring 50 years of Afro-Caribbean music history with numerous collaborators.

The inspiration is the Afrobeat of the 1970s, which he discovered through original musicians from Fela Kuti's "Africa 70" band in the Berlin project "Afrobeat Academy" which he began to fuse with dub and reggae.
Mitwirkende
wird veröffentlicht am 17. Oktober 2025

Recorded by Umberto Echo and the musicians in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, New York, Melbourne,
Kingston Jamaica & São Paulo between 2008 and 2024

Mixed by Umberto Echo & Silvan Strauss, November 2024 at Apollo Studio Berlin
assisted by DJ Tobi Neumann & Robin Ludyga

Produced by Umberto Echo, co-produced by Silvan Strauss

Mastered by Umberto Echo

Artwork by aDUBta

Umberto Echo published by KKBB Publishing/Edition Dubvibes


Drums: Silvan Strauss, Giuseppe Coppola
Drum Programming: Silvan Strauss, Gengis Don, Umberto Echo
Bass: Daniel Stritzke, Oghene Kologbo, Patrick Frankowski, Giorgi Kiknadze
Percussion: Samuel Wootton, Nicholas Ado-Nettey, Umberto Echo, Djakali Kone, Giuseppe Coppola
Guitars: Umberto Echo, Mandjau Fati, Ferdinand Kirner, Oghene Kologbo, Giovanni Agostini
Cora: Sebastian Cuevas, Djakali Kone
Saxes: Ben Abarbanel-Wolff, Florian Riedl, Giovanni Pecorini, I Sax
Trumpets: Benny Brown, Philip Sindy, Sebastian Kölbl
Trombone: Roman Sladek
Keys: Barney McAll, Lionel Wharton, Markus Kuczewski, Umberto Echo, Silvan Strauss, Milo Winter
Vocals: Lenna Bahule, Gengis Don, Vimbai „Vee“ Mukarati, Mark Wonder, Tydal Kamau
Backing Vocals: Runtendo Machiridza, Tariro neGitare, Erica Nevell

2025 Repress

Sean McCabe’s impressive Good Vibrations Music is back with its 3rd vinyl instalment and features 4 heavyweight, tried and tested soulful cuts.

Kicking off the 12 Inch is the Black Sonix & Sean McCabe Extended Mix of ‘Rise’ from the Matsiko World Orphan Choir, a moving and heart-felt orphan choir group based in Liberia. The choir is an initiative that aims to provide education and break the cycle of poverty for vulnerable children around the world. With a strong message embedded throughout and given the 5-star production treatment, ‘Rise’ has already been heavily pushed by a wide array of artists including Daniel Steinberg, Red Rack’em and The Shapeshifters.

Next up is Sean’s lush piano-laden remix of ‘Baby Don’t Make Me Wait’, from David Bailey and MissFly. David is a firm favourite amongst the London house music community and regular across labels such as Idris Elba's 7wallace, Makin Moves, Rhemi Music & Unquantize. MissFly is widely renowned for her soulful serenades and ability to write songs 'on the fly' in the studio as well as being found regularly on tour with the likes of Thelma Houston, Andrew Tosh, and The Notorious BIG. Sprinkled with luscious piano undertones and subtle string lines. With support from the likes of Dave Lee and Natasha Diggs.

On the flip is ‘Got It Bad’ from Ellis Aaron & Sean McCabe. Built on a rocksolid foundation of late-night, swing-heavy beats, ‘Got It Bad’ bubbles and froths with creamy Rhodes, lush organ swirls and a bassline that moves and grooves in all the right places. Ellis’ warm and rich soulful vocals are the perfect complement to that unmistakeable sound Sean has become renowned for. Early adopters include Ash Lauryn, Ralf GUM, and Mr V.

Rounding off the EP is Last Nubian’s ‘Dance Together’ which beautifully blurs the lines quite beautiful between Deep House, House and Broken Beat, Josh’s strikingly soulful vocals pair harmoniously with the lush, musical backdrop spear-headed with an abundance of Rhodes, soothing string & synth riffs and a tight, rhythmic drum arrangement that simply refuses to let your feet rest!

Der Grammy-nominierte Schlagzeuger, Produzent, MC und Sänger KASSA OVERALL definiert die Grenzen zwischen Jazz und Hip-Hop neu. Verehrt von lebenden Ikonen und Underground-Trendsettern, begann er seine Karriere hinter dem Schlagzeug. Seine bahnbrechenden Soloprojekte haben ihn zu einer treibenden Kraft in der US-Jazzszene und darüber hinaus gemacht und ihn mit Unterstützung von Visionären wie Thom Yorke, Iggy Pop, Virgil Abloh, u.a. belohnt. Mit dem renommierten Doris Duke Artist Award 2025 hat Kassa seinen Status als führende Stimme des zeitgenössischen Jazz gefestigt.

Auf CREAM, seinem vierten Solo-Studioalbum, zollt Kassa seinen beiden Leidenschaften seiner Jugend Tribut – Hip-Hop und Jazz-Schlagzeug. Mit diesen Instrumentals verwandelt der visionäre Schlagzeuger und Produzent klassische Rap-Songs in zeitlose Standards, indem er das Kontinuum zwischen Jazz und Hip-Hop aus jedem Blickwinkel und ohne Abkürzungen erkundet und eine neue Interpretation des "Great American Songbook" bietet – eine Hommage an das reiche Erbe der afroamerikanischen Musik.

CREAM unterstreicht Kassas künstlerisches Können durch meisterhafte Arrangements, eine durchdachte Songauswahl und einen Sound, der seine Entwicklung nachzeichnet. Unterstützt von einer herausragenden Band mit generationsübergreifender Jazztradition verkörpert das Projekt seinen genreübergreifenden Ansatz und sein Engagement, den Jazz voranzutreiben.

Von Newport bis North Sea hat seine Band für ihre Live-Auftritte, die Gilles Peterson als "völlig surreal" bezeichnete, große Anerkennung erhalten. Er trat in der Tiny Desk Concert-Reihe von NPR auf und veröffentlichte mehrere von der Kritik gefeierte Mixtapes, die von der New York Times, NPR Music, The Guardian, Afropunk und anderen gelobt wurden.

“…I still don’t understand what is the meaning of these Poppers records, please unsubscribe me from this newsletter.”
•⁠ ⁠Hans Zimmer

If you’ve ever been in the countryside and happened to lift a larger rock that might have been laying about for a while only to find an entourage of many different insects scrambling about in awe of the existence of sunlight and wondered what music they might have been listening to in that moment, the A-side tries to explore ways of responding to such curiosities. While the B-side, to end things on a good note, offers a convenient edit of live Japanese cover version of Paul McCartney’s “Silly Love Song” along with the quintessential prelude (or interlude) to a Horse Meat Disco party with the opening monologue of Sidney Lumet’s Equus. All in all, a Swiss Army knife packed with an assortment of most likely useless tools, courtesy of DJ Dipshit.

Edition of 200 hand-numbered records, each housed in a custom Rosy womb French paper jacket with letterpress + a unique hand-cut found photo memory fragment on each cover with newsprint insert. Every copy has a different cover.

An archival release by short-lived post-punk, Brooklyn duo Möthersky. Xander Hing, with South African origins, vocals and guitar on Side A, bass + vocals on Side B. Richard Vergez, visual artist and Noir Age label owner, fuzz bass + drums on Side A and guitar + synths + drums on Side B. Played the Nothing Changes party in 2013. Shared bills with acts such as Cindytalk, Black Rain, Eric Random, Das Ding, and Drew McDowall.

Reviewed in The Wire magazine:

First single by this Brooklyn based duo named after the classic track on Can's Soundtracks LP. Their basic approach remains bottom-heavy in the vein of early Factory and 4AD units, but the guitar angles up top have gotten more slithery. Far less doom-ridden than their earlier work, this still stirs up dark waters aplenty. And it has a lovely package of which I think Peter Saville would approve."

-Byron Coley, The Wire