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Anyone with a passing interest in footwork and juke will know of Traxman. Corky Strong has a long history of deep involvement in Chicago house, first releasing on the legendary Dance Mania label in the mid nineties, and since then splitting his productions between ghetto house, juke and footwork, releasing alongside Steve Poindexter and Fast Eddie and the late DJ Deeon and DJ Rashad, including an seemingly endless supply of self-released juke edits of whatever direction his deep knowledge of Black American music takes him. The third volume of 'Da Mind Of Traxman' is his first since 2014. In the intervening years he's kept things rolling, DJing regularly, releasing lots of music, becoming a grandfather and being a mentor for younger artists coming up in the scene.

This new album was crafted with the help of fellow Planet Mu artist Sinjin Hawke, who took on A&R duties to collate the best from hundreds of tracks dating back to 2005. Sinjin holds Traxman's status in high regard; "This album series is important and holds real documentarian value—working on it feels like the modern equivalent of curating a piece of Miles Davis’s catalog in the '60s and '70s." Volume 3 showcases Traxman's uncanny ability to take old music into the future without losing the feeling and energy of his samples and influences. He knows how to add a hi-definition modern chassis with the skill of someone who deeply and intuitively understands the craft of dance music. These are some of the purest, most innovative ideations of Chicago footwork.

a A1 Kill Da DJ (ft. Bobby Skillz & Sinjin Hawke) explicit


[d] A4 Where They At (ft. DJ Twan) [explicit]

[f] A6 I’ll Write The Hook [explicit]


[i] B1 Trust Me [explicit]



[m] B5 Talaban [explicit]

BDQ Records are super happy to finally be releasing this absolute banger, we recorded this 25 years ago but for some reason we never released it, fast forward 25 years and whilst tidying up the studio we found the original tape, which we thought was lost, transferring it from tape was a mission, however we did it and then set about re-recording it. Currently both sides are being played out across the clubs and on radio, we’re getting some seriously good feedback from everyone. Also, it’s been our fastest selling preorder on Bandcamp.



Side one is a cover of the Timebox classic Beggin’ with fabulous vocals from the wonderful Sarah Orpen. its a Banger.



On the flip is Take me for a little While originally penned by Trade Martin, this fantastic slice of pure Northern Soul is getting some amazing reactions from Djs and folk on the dance floor, again Sarah knocked the vocal out of the park.



Released on limited Vinyl 45 this one is gonna be an instant classic.

These are all tracks that were available digitally as part of the artists single sales, and that people wanted us to press on vinyl. This is a very limited album, and like all Kniteforce White, it will never be repressed. It comes on glorious clear blue vinyl.

1. Watermelon Man
This track version actually came from an improvisation that Allesandro IIona (Keys) made on a live show at RonnieScott's at the start of the year. I think we were were having some issues with one of the monitors on stage and it juststarted making this beeping sound. Then I remember Alleh just came in with that piano riffat the start and the rest was history. This one of thefirst tracks we recorded for the EP and I'm super pleased with how this one turned out. Afterseeing Herbie Hancock live for thefirst time the year before, this felt like the perfect tribute to him!

2. Mandible
The majority of the writing on this album was done at my studio space in Hither Green, where I am every tuesday! I usethis space to record but mainly a space to develop my art. So this EP all came from a few sessions there. We all haveour own creative things going on so it was really great to collaborate as a band and trash out some ideas we had.Mandible is one of my favourite tracks on the EP. It's very simple but leaves us a lot of space to explore some more freeimprovisation. I think in some of my previous recorded music I was more focused on creating well crafted music withgreat melodies and harmony. Whereas here there's a bit more focus on playing as a group and being more explorative inimprovisation. We also didn't have a melody for this track until a week before the recording! Sometimes it just takes awhile tofind that melody or it might just pop into your head one day.

3. Slum
This is a tune that was actually written by myself in 2017/18. Round about that time, I had been playing at a jam night ata warehouse unit in Limehouse called Unit 31. The night was ran by Pianist Raffy Bushman and Drummer Sam Michnikand was focused on hiphop and Jazz fusion. We would usually play a set of instrumental music before it opened up forvocalists and other instrumentalists to come and jam. It was a great place to try out new ideas, so I wrote this tune for itbut we never recorded it. It was really nice to revisit this tune and get it recorded properly at 'That SoundStudios' (Seven Sisters). This track is all about dynamics and a slow build throughout. Descending to more chaos at theend!

4. Red Pistachio
For thefirst two sessions we wrote with a different bass player to Edmondo Cicchetti who is on the recordings. A greatbass player and friend of mine Tom Driessler. This track started kinda exactly how it starts on the record, with that basshook. I'm very influenced by Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah and his melodic writing. Particularly on his album 'StretchMusic'. So this felt really inspired by that album. The chords don't really move around too much until the solo sectionwhere it becomes more like a blues. Then Allesandro get's a bit more loose at the end with the descending sequence.

5. Jerome arrived Late
Quite simply we started writing this tune before Jerome (Drums) arrived late. In the recording session we were a bitundecided about what to do in the solo section. We tried out a few different options before we eventually landed onfeaturing Gabriele Pribetti on Sax. I'm really into his solo on this as it's rhythmically and dynamically really exciting. As Imixed the record it was also a great solo to mess with and run through lots of different plug-ins. There's some weirddelays and phasing going on that and I added some octaves too in places.

We are overjoyed to present this album, another one from our bucket list and another one to set the record straight and illuminate the history of another much loved, but until now mysterious group. The Invaders made some of our all time favorite records - back in 2013 we issued five 45’s of their brilliant, sometimes plaintive, sometimes hopeful and sweet early roots music. Their sound touches folk and gospel in lovely subtle ways that elevate them above the many harmony groups of the early roots reggae era. Since the start of DKR we were striving to learn more about the group - and despite being able to license a portion of their output for reissue, and get anecdotes about them here and there, we were never able to connect with the group themselves. But we never gave up asking about them, and finally in 2024 we were able to link with Delroy “Bongo Pat” Forde, the surviving member of the group. Unfortunately other Invader, Lloyd “Paddy” Campbell passed on several years back. To hear and learn their full story, you need to check out this album and read the liner notes. This 13 song LP corrals much of their output - some of the tracks we previously issued but have been long out of press, some more never before reissued, and some great related solo works by the duo. And to cap it all off we’ve added two new voicings on a couple of our favorite vintage rhythms, by Invader Bongo Pat himself, live in 2024, singing two Invaders songs written way back in the early 1970s but never recorded back then. All together this is a long overdue document of one of the 1970’s finest groups and one dear to our heart.

Livy Ekemezie’s Friday Night is widely recognised by DJs and afro-funk aficionados as a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) grail record. It is one of those rare dance music albums that sounds like a record of its’ time but also has a timeless quality that makes each listen an immensely rewarding experience.

Fueled by teen spirit, every track slaps leaving little or no opportunity to skip. The song concepts circle around sweaty, afropolitan nightly excursions into the nightclubs of Aba, Port Harcourt and Lagos. But they could easily have been the soundtrack to Basquiat and Grace Jones grooving to DJ Larry Levan at Studio 54.

Digital Multitrack Sound Production combined with 80s synths and keyboards ushered in a new era. But what made this different is the bombastic but never overbearing "mélange" of slapping, funky bass lines, choppy synths, crazy, carefree vocals contributing to an intense dance-driven musical experience.

Livy and his friend Franklin Izuora teamed up with Jules Elong a seasoned keyboardist to create the LP in 1982, Franklin was a student in the US and already the experience of producing an album (Be Nice To The People, 1977, EMI) with the soundmaster, Odion Iruoje in the teenage afro-rock band, Question Mark. This gave Livy the confidence to leave most of the creative direction to him.

Livy had completed his secondary school cursus and was waiting to attend college. Jules Elong’s role was to make the record sound professional. The Quincy Jones influence created a reference point, Goddy Oku’s studio, Godiac was the mother ship for this 80s dance music masterpiece.

2025 Repress

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With 1995’s Safe + Sound, he scaled new levels of musical magnificence with his signature new age P-Funk/laconic G-Funk. A quintessential, sun-scorched LA album, this is pretty much essential. Typical for mid-90s albums the original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue, complete with “Tanqueray”, the hidden track from the original CD release.

A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.

By the time of his third album DJ Quik was a household name on the West Coast - California’s premier rapper/producer not named Andre Young. Released on Profile in 1995, Safe + Sound was certified gold. Less reliant on samples and more focused on live instruments, it elevated him from producer to fully-fledged composer. This sound — the quick, winding basslines, tinny high hats, smooth instrumental solos, soulful pipes, and Roger Troutman’s talkbox — defined him. This is an album of full-blown masterpieces. Rich soundscapes and masterfully arranged orchestrations with dense layers of sounds, intricate rhythms, and well-balanced songwriting.

The first track proper, “Get At Me” samples Cameo whilst Quik takes aim at the Judases in his life, the horn-laced chorus providing a triumphant feel. On the horizontal “Diggin’ U Out”, the soulful electric piano of Warryn Campbell lays a relaxed groove for Quik to talk over about one of his favourite topics: sex. Title track “Safe + Sound” chronicles Quik’s formative years over a slick instrumental. The moody bass locks a laidback infectious groove, the hook is catchy and Quik’s delivery is in fine form. On the uber-chilled “Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood”, Quik cooks up a breezy, feel good track of sparkly keyboards, syncopated claps, shuffling hi-hats, woozy synths and a floating two-minute flute solo courtesy of Robert “Fonksta” Bacon. Analysing the highs and lows of an average day in the hood, it echoes Cube’s “It Was a Good Day”.

“It’z Your Fantasy” is a silky smooth soundtrack to Quik’s detailed retelling of a sexcapade with a young lady and whilst “Tha Ho In You” is musically perfect for that midsummer family BBQ, its lyrical content is unsurprisingly decidedly less family-friendly. A real highlight, the infamous “Dollaz + Sense” is one of the most ruthless diss tracks of all time. The brutal lyrics ride a laidback West Coast beat, flipping a sample from Young & Company’s “I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)” as Quik fires lyrical shots at his arch Compton nemesis, MC Eiht. On the loping, hazy “Let You Havit”, Quik is again in gangsta mode, with more bars of barbs aimed at Eiht, rhyming over sun-kissed synthy-rollerskate funk.

Some of the finest tracks on Safe + Sound are those designed to de-stress. The evocative “Summer Breeze” is a classic warm-weather jam, anchored by a twangy funk guitar, breezy string arrangement, and a soulful hook delivered by Dionne Knighton. Quik’s nostalgic lyrics are not far from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”, reminiscing over barbecues at the park, young love, and the brevity of halcyon youth. The relaxed and jazzy “Quik’s Groove III” is another highlight, as bass, guitar, piano and flute combine to create a smooth, soulful instrumental.

The swaggering “Shack Up”-sampling “Sucka Free” features a cameo from Playa Hamm, all funky braggadocio and over much too quikly (pun thoroughly intended). The jazz-flavoured “Keep Tha ‘P’ In It”, again featuring Playa Hamm but this time extending the cameo invitations to Hi-C, 2nd II None and Kam, is pure laidback P-Funk. The deep bass and industrial drums make sure the groove hits hard.

“Tanqueray” was originally a hidden track on the CD version of the album, but it’s too good to hide. This wild party samples Brass Construction’s gigantic “Get Up To Get Down” and soars in its drunk-ebullience. An apt way to close this party-driven set.

This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Safe + Sound was originally pressed as a double, so all that was missing was the CD’s hidden bonus track “Tanqueray”, so we’ve fixed that. The original vinyl release never got a picture sleeve, so we’ve recreated the original’s promo-style silver-sticker and plain black jacket. A subtle cover for a wonderfully unsubtle record.

Tearra’s “Just Loving You” on it’s original U.S Midtown label due to its quality and desirability continues to regularly achieve four figure sale prices on the rare occasion that a copy comes on to the open market. Soul Junction through a licensing deal with Emandolynn Music first reissued this modern soul anthem back in 2017 as part of a dual 45 package that included the previously unissued Delights track “Listen To Me Girl” with the limited 500 copy pressing run selling out in a matter of days. Since then, copies of that Soul Junction release have regularly sold for circa £60 a copy with sales enquiries still being received for either side of this 45 to this day. Therefore, we at Soul Junction have decided to fulfill this continued demand by reissuing “Just Loving You” for the second this time paired with Teeah-Louise’s “You Happened To Me” as the featured flipside (reissued for the first time).

Tearra, real name Teeah-Louise a native of Mobile, Alabama was offered a recording contract by Philadelphian Record Producer/Label Owner Manny Campbell Jr during 1980. Campbell himself had relocated his Emandolynn Music operations from the city of Brotherly Love to Atlanta, Georgia some two years earlier. Campbell had planned to record a whole album on Teeah-Louise under the working title of “Great Love”. He firstly released a lead 45 single, the mid-tempo “You Happened To Me/Got To Keep You Mine” on his Coastal label logo with the artist credited as Teeah-Louise. Teeah’s fiancé didn’t share his future wife’s ambitions of a recording career and her prospective album project faltered and was never completed. Although as a further two tracks had been recorded this allowed a for second 45 release to follow “Ooh Let This Feeling (Last A Long, Long Time)” backed with the desirable “Just Loving You” these were released on the Midtown label, with Midtown by then being Coastal Records main record distributor. This second release was credited under the artist name of Tearra, due to Teah-Louise by now not wishing to use her real name. Both the Coastal and Midtown releases were only ever pressed in 500 promotional copies runs. Teeah-Louise left the recording business for good soon after her marriage.

In addition, a later 12” Coastal Records single issued on the group ‘Tomorrows Wish’ featuring the song “My Love For You” which shares the same backing track as Tearra’s “Just Loving You”. All four of Teeah-Louise’s songs were wrote by Manny Campbell, with Manny sharing the songwriting credits on “Ooh Let This Feeling (Last A Long, Long Time)” with his cousin, Keith “Toppie” Hill notably a former group member of the aforementioned ‘Delights’.

THE DEBUT RELEASE FROM PLANET JUSTICE IS A 2-TRACK EP BY ORESTIZ. MADE WITH A LOT OF LOVE FOR THE BREAKBEAT CULTURE, THE RELEASE EMPHASIZES MELODY AND STORYTELLING. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS ONE.

UP IN THE AIR – THE TITLE SYMBOLIZES THE BEGINNING OF THE LABEL. THE TRACK TAKES YOU THROUGH DIFFERENT PHASES AND TO DIFFERENT PLACES - A FINE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE UPLIFTING AND THE DARKER SIDE OF THINGS.
PLANETS AND STARS – WE'RE ON AN ADVENTURE OUT THERE, AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON AN ADVENTURE. FULL OF SURPRISES AND THRILLS, THIS ONE WILL LET YOUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD.

Miles Kane returns with a blistering new album One Man Band, out August 4th on Modern Sky Records. Miles returns to his guitar hero best on One Man Band as he focuses on big hooks and even bigger anthems. Sharp, infectious, urgent and packed to the brim with singalong moments, it’s Miles on the top of his game. A deeply personal record, Miles returned to Liverpool to work on the album. The album’s first offering is the exuberant indie banger ‘Troubled Son’. A raw, pop-driven indie, made for festival stages. “It’s about the struggle we all have in life,” Miles said of the track. “Sometimes we have our shit together and sometimes we don’t. This is me acknowledging my faults and my fears and showing the journey I’m taking as I try to figure it all out.

Unex Pected Records, the advanced sub-label of Mixcult Records, is proud to present its first release compiled by none other than Ultranoise, a master. The “Color Filters EP” UNX001 is a sonic tour that conveniently merges the current and past of electronic music offering an enthralling amalgam of progressive, tribal and garage influences in today’s jazzy wrapping.

From the moment the first beat drops until the closing note, it is clear that every Ultranoise composition has been crafted with love and attention to details, meaning that this album will not only make you feel nostalgic but also excited about what lies ahead. Each track on this record aims at attracting all those who love dancing; they come with entrancing melodies that are backed up by pulsating beats which can either be deep or infectious making one respond by simply moving.

Rediscover the old school essence of electronic music in new colours. If you are already a seasoned collector of vinyl records or if you want to attract more beauty into your ears as a beginner, then this piece should never be out of your shelves. Don’t be left out when Unex Pected Records’ debut ever comes calling.

This is a highly recommended album for any serious collector interested in adding some new life onto their dancefloor.

Repress!

Mint Condition - A record label focused on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics, overlooked gems and never heard before material, mined from the last 30+ years 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 digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been in your wants list for years. Dig in....

Tobias Menguser, AKA Leon De Winter, was a very influential figure in the 90's Frankfurt techno scene, releasing around 100 records under various aliases, including collaborations with Ricardo Villalobos, but it was his Leon De Winter alias that really caught the ears of legendary London label Eukahouse, who originally releases this 12" all the way back in 1997. A one-off, it is not only unique in its sound design but also genre defying, spanning deep house, tech-house, techno, electro and breaks.
A-Side 'Apollo Jazz' is truly that, sounding like it was composed from a freeform jam on a trip to the Moon. Opening with emotive chords, the track lifts off and builds, melodies effortlessly twist and turn, superbly pulling together a variety of well crafted synths, bass and percussion whilst keeping the energy to the fore. Over to the B-Side, 'Metamat', is bold and more playful in its execution, more sonic trickery abounds as the opening riffs and breakbeat percussion give way to a solid 4/4. The bass is as memorable as it is quirky, but again it's the strength in the way all the elements build and combine that creates some real tripped-out musical moments without ever losing its dance floor appeal.

This is one of Tobias's most sought after releases and it's no wonder his collaborative work with Ricardo Villalobos is legendary. The tracks themselves have remained exciting and relevant, achieving cult status amongst the most discerning DJs, record collectors and music heads alike. Legitimately re-released with the full involvement of Tobias Menguser, lovingly remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original DATs especially for Mint Condition. 100% legit, licensed and released. Dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your favourite reissue label - Mint Condition!

Karen Souza’s third album ‘Essentials II’ has been a top seller in Music Brokers’ catalog since its release in late 2014. Now, finally it gets its vinyl release.

Is it really into the unknown? Lewis Fautzi is once again with us, in his own imprint, and everytime he is around we feel deeply appreciated. It means that, although there's a guide line that immediately identifies his work as his, he also opens a little bit more to us. Every EP is like a step further into his own mind, a breach to the deepness of his intrusive thoughts and ideas. All the words would be useless if we tried to describe this one. The tracks are self explainable and were meticulously created as that is part of his trademark. And regarding the first question we can only answer yes, it is really into the unknown. Or at least into something of his we have never experienced before. And perhaps after listening to it we'll be able to know him and understand his work a little bit better than before.

The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology Vinyl
35 Tracks including 4 acoustic bonus songs
Never-Before-Seen 12” x 12” Poster
4 Marbled Translucent vinyl discs

Depiction of this product is a digital rendering and for illustrative purposes only. Actual product detailing may vary. Please note due to the custom manufacture process, each vinyl unit may be slightly different in coloration.

You’re NEXUS 21, central to the dizzy zeitgeist of the 1991 adrenaline rammed UK House Music juggernaut, and you have just recorded a masterpiece of an album MIND MACHINES.

DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT - somehow even though your record label love the album it does not get released.
DO IT LIKE THIS - it finally gets issued now.

When Mark Archer and Chris Peat flew back from a seminal recording session at Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Studio in Detroit there was a palpable feel of excitement. Instead of merely paying homage to their Techno forerunners, they were now creating their own just as innovative waveforms.

In the can was a gem - DON’T DO IT LIKE THIS, DO IT LIKE THAT. Motor City songstress Donna Black had unconsciously seemed to add Ma to the start of her name and her recorded in the dark vocals helped conjure up an almost Madonna and a drum machine meets Techno hybrid. This it was agreed could be a huge breakthrough single which - preceded by strategically released set up tracks - would build up Nexus 21’s surely inevitable rise to glory. And the release of the MIND MACHINES album. But it never happened. Instead one day Mark and Chris burst into Network’s Birmingham office excitedly brandishing no less than 8 new recordings infused with a propulsive Rave energy flash compared to their more cerebral Nexus 21 work. The label agreed that the new tracks should be released under a new artist name and an initial suggestion. Alien 8 replaced by Altern 8. What was planned as temporary dalliance became a long term relationship. You all know the score - Altern 8 became surf riders supreme on the rave tsunami, not just music makers but myth creators. The plan has been to run Nexus 21 and Altern 8 parallel, a kind of schizophrenic experiment by two men, a drum machine and a mad for it record company. History shows that Altern 8 became too DOMIN 8 and the lovingly recorded Nexus 21 album was left on the proverbial shelf (actually a box in Birmingham)

So now MIND MACHINES finally meets the World. First thing that screams out that it hasn’t half aged well. Obviously it is a wet dream for the anoraks of electronica, that goes without saying. But above and beyond the history lesson of how 2 young UK techno mad kids got the dots from Detroit and deconstructed them to create something very British the music they created, sometimes naive but frequently knowledgeable, sounds .. well just great.

The four Detroit recordings - NEXODUS, TOGETHER, DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT, DO IT LIKE THIS and EVERYTHING (NO STATUES) - variously feature contributions from Motor City luminaries Marc Kinchen and Anthony Shakir.

Only two of the twelve recordings were properly released in 1990/1991 with two more making it on a withdrawn white label 12 inch at the time. Three of the tracks, including a live recording at London’s Brain Club that has been retrieved from a DAT that was thought to have disappeared, are previously unreleased. And as well as two previously unreleased much altered versions of Nexus 21 gems there is the legendary much tougher mix of the duo’s signature techno treasure Self Hypnosis.

NEXUS 21

LOST AND NOW FOUND

Repress!

Charlotte de Witte​ marks the homecoming to her own imprint ​KNTXT​ with her brand new EP ‘​Return to Nowhere​’. The captivating record exists out of four long-awaited tracks called ‘Return to Nowhere, ‘Ensemble’, ‘Sgadi Li Mi’ and ‘What’s In The Past’.

Further exploring her sonic realm, the record features techno sound reminiscent of her ‘Selected’ EP, but switches out the acid stabs for haunting hymns. The result is a gripping dismal soundtrack that feels desolate yet hopeful. With this spellbinding EP which combines her iconic hard-punching techno with mesmerizing chants effortlessly, Charlotte proves once again why she remains at the forefront of the industry.

The release of ‘​Return to Nowhere​’ fits perfectly in these uncertain times. ​Charlotte​ says: “I made the EP before the current COVID-19 crisis. After being inspired by recordings of age-old traditional chants. So, I never intended it to be a “Corona record”. However, it did grow on me during this period of isolation.”

Farnak. The inspirational nihilist and perpetual droog is the sound of bedroom rock experimentations and insightful lyricism in this 7" single. Lend your ears a listen and give yourself a break.

Here we go with the first release of Hardcore Never Dies

NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED RECORDING of the Sensational and Banned Turkish Theater Play by James Baldwin and Engin Cezzar, Istanbul 1970
Licensed by Gökhan Akçura, author of Engin Cezzar's autobiography, who was personally entrusted with the original master tape by Engin Cezzar.

"One of the most shocking and daring plays staged in Turkish theaters was banned by the Istanbul Governorship on February 7, 1970. The ban on the play, which was watched by 30,000 people in 60 days, did not last long." - Turkish Press, 1970

Meticulously restored from the original master tape, remastered and cut by Shawn Joseph at Optimum Mastering, Bristol, UK.
Includes liner notes by Zeynep Oral (James Baldwin's assistant and journalist), Gökhan Akçura, Okay Temiz, and record producer Erinç Güzel (Caz Plak İstanbul).

In 1970, Turkish theater owner Engin Cezzar produced James Baldwin's groundbreaking play about gay relationships in a 1970s Istanbul prison setting. In 1969, jazz musician Don Cherry, visiting Istanbul with Okay Temiz to record an album, reunited with Baldwin and contributed music to the production. The recording session followed extensive discussions and featured performances by Cherry and Temiz, heightening the play's tension.

An unearthed free jazz masterpiece from 1970s Istanbul.

This compilation features tracks released between 1978 and 1988 in Western France.

Through this compilation, we strove to highlight a little-known regional scene, characteristic of the diverse and sometimes opposing music movements of the 80s. Through this musical journey across the Brittany, Normandy, and Pays-de-la-Loire regions, we sought to showcase a resolutely indie aesthetic, sometimes conceived in some of France’s most unusual studios, such as a bunker and a caravan.

We’ve found it difficult to make attribute an established, well-defined genre to some of the tracks featured on this compilation. They draw, each in their own way, from the rock scene that dominated the 80s in France, from countercultures, from American stars who shone on the country’s radio stations and in its record stores, and even from local folk music.

While one could hear an harmony across the tracks featured on Le Grand Ouest, channeling this manifold energy onto a record required extensive research through the Brittany, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire regions’ discographies. Over the three years since the release of Le Grand Sud-Est, we have meticulously researched the references of artists, musicians, studios, labels, and publishers from each region. We sought to trace each artist to identify and listen to all their works from that period, and, when possible, collect unreleased recordings, left as demo cassettes on the artists' dusty shelves.

The synthesis of this research, presented here under the title Le Grand Ouest, hopes to remind us of the timelessness of the indie scene in our country, through the lens of the 80s Western France’s scene. Whereas Le Grand Sud-Est exhibited the funkiest sides of the Provençale and Rhône-Alpes scene, Le Grand Ouest leans towards a more mellow, introverted music, an expression of groups of friends united by the joy of playing together.

The first 500 copies of the record come with an extensive booklet with unpublished photos, press clippings, and texts for each track.

“Raggamuffin Soldier” was recorded at Channel One Recording Studio in 1983 with Soldgie as engineer and a rhythm track played by Jolly Stewart and Daniel “Axeman” Thompson. Growing up in the Waterhouse neighborhood of Kingston, Jolly Stewart obviously developed this singing style and gave us a killer early digital dancehall missile with pure conscious lyrics “Raggamuffin soldier, big ina your area...me no deal with badness, me nah deal inna war, me is a raggamuffin soldier...mi raggamuffin ina foreign, raggamuffin sit down pon di riddim...how you know the raggamuffin? Me no wear no gold chain, me no wear no gold ring...”. “Raggamuffin Soldier” was produced by Fitzroy Peterkin who also produced the digital lover tune "Angie".
The Waterhouse style is a particular style of singing that emerged in the late seventies and early eighties within the Jamaican reggae scene. The Waterhouse style is commonly described as a plaintive, groaning and fluctuating vocal style, often nasal and strident, characteristics that will give it a sound that is distinct from the rest of the reggae singers. The commonly recognized founders of the Waterhouse style are the singers Michael "Mykal" Rose, Junior Reid and Don Carlos. The name derives from the famous neighborhood of the same name in Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, the place where the three pioneers were born and emerged. The Waterhouse style influenced many dancehall reggae artists of the eightiesvsuch as Tenor Saw, Half Pint, Nitty Gritty, Anthony Red Rose, King Kong, Yami Bolo, Andrew Bees...
Vincent Stewart aka “Jolly Man” is a reggae singer from Kingston 11, born december 16 1960 at Hunts Bay Lane, 4 Miles, Jamaica. Jolly started singing at age 13, he was placed in an approve School for 3 years and at the age of 16 he was released.
He started his musical career in the late 70's with Ossie Thomas, Phllip Morgan and Tristan Palmer from Black Solidarity label. Jolly Stewart recorded his first song entitled "Money Pyaka" on the classic "Pretty Looks" riddim which was recorded for Oswald Thomas on Ganja Farm label and released in 1979. Tristan Palmer who has another tune "Disappointed Lover" on the same riddim backed by The Soul Syndicate made the link with Jolly Stewart because he liked his style of song writting.
Jolly Stewart wrote three songs for Black Solidarity label: "Collie Man", "Bad Minded" and "Symbol Of Justice". All three tracks were covered by Triston Palmer. As a song writter, Jolly Stewart is behind Yami Bolo's hit on Stalag riddim “When A Man Is In Love” released on Winston Riley's label Techniques.
Jolly Stewart then decided to move on with his singjay career. He ventured to Tuff Gong studio where he met two producers. One was Prince Jazzbo from Ujama label, and the other was John John who owned the Bun Fi Bun label. He recorded "Praise jah" for Ujama and "Poverty Rush" for Bun Fi Bun. Still not satisfied with how his career was heading, he moved on to Lannaman's Preparatory School. There he learned to play guitar from a man named Fred McMurray aka Faf and Donald Jackson. Later he learned to play the keyboards by watching other musicians.
In the late 80's and early 90's, Jolly Stewart recorded many songs for various labels such as “Do Me Like So” for Bunny Gemini's label “Bun Gem Records” in 1987, “Late Last Night” and “War” for producer Zelma Rust and his label Myotta Ruff.
He also recorded for Augustus Pablo on his label Rockers International just before he died in the late 90's but we never heard about this release so probably Addis Pablo have it on old master tapes in the Rockers International archives....only Jah knows!

Its been an incredible journey so far for the Austrian label Fortunea Records. Founded in 2014 by Vienna-based dj and producer Klaus Benedek it was originally launched to release his own productions. But over time many of his friends and colleagues from the scene send him demos. And since then it grow exponential and is now an embodiment of the capitols house and electronic music scene.

Now they are celebrating the labels 10 year anniversary with a 2x12“ vinyl compilation called ‚Down The Danube River‘. This package features 9 tracks by already established figureheads (Peletronic, Dzc., Moff & Tarkin, Jakobin, Nick Hanzo etc.) aswell stunning new productions by new faces (gutinstinct) and projects (SXP). Ranging from bass dub heavy broken beats, deep and funky house tunes to experimental cosmic downtempo trips.

Available soon in a record store near you!

Biomontana is just another moniker of the succesful duo formed by bassist Flavio Gemma and Massimiliano Bocchio (Urbanatribù). Based in Alessandria and devoted to all kinds of electronic wizardry, Biomontana, compared to Urbanatribù, is more related to their Progressive/Goa side. According to the artist, both records were only released as 2 different promo eps for just a few djs that were playing in the Indian state. As in the best "Goa tradition" the record had, on the flip side, a great slow tempo and acid infused number. Unfortunately the projects never had an official distribution until nowadays.

Originally released in 2004 "Traktorizm" by Midiots gets a new release on the Party Tricks' reissue series.

‘Tricks that never fail to amuse at parties’. Vinyl Only.

Philadelphia producer DJ Matpat delivers his third release of the year with a 12” on NYC's Off Track Recordings. Dropping November 21th “Lucky Strike” is a 4 track raw house EP that delivers a timeless feel full of club-ready grooves that are made to keep energy high on the dance floor. From Deeper Love’s belting vocals to ‘Lucky Strike’s’ chunky drums, ‘Falsettos’ minimalist approach this EP hits a few different sounds for any house music head.

DJ Support: Jimpster, Terry Farley (FAITH), Bill Brewster, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, Jazzanova

Fred Everything’s latest album, 'Love, Care, Kindness & Hope', came out last May to critical acclaim, gaining support from various players such as Laurent Garnier, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Jimpster and Jazzanova to name but a few.

Not content with having an A-List cast of guests on the album (Stereo MC’s, Robert Owens, James Alexander Bright…) Fred also enlisted top Remixers for the singles. We decided to put 4 of the best ones on a Vinyl sampler for record lovers.

Osunlade leads the pack here with his Yoruba Soul remix of Never feat. Robert Owens, keeping things steady for the dancefloor with his signature sound. Waajeed takes the same track and flips it into a different territorry, both musically and sonically, with his Hi-Tech Jazz feel.

Next, we have the enigmatic Clive From Accounts, re-imagining Soul Love featuring Stereo MC’s, with his precise and soulful beats. And to close the EP, Rocco Rodamaal takes Breathe featuring James Alexander Bright and turns it into a solid floor burner.

Here at Mr Bongo we have been inundated with people asking us to reissue this release. Ana Frango Elétrico's petit cult classic masterpiece 'Little Electric Chicken Heart' from 2019, which was only ever released on vinyl and CD in Brazil and Japan, has fast become a collector's item.

Well received by fans, DJs, and reviewers on release, The Needle Drop expressed "Ana Frango Elétrico's authentically vintage fusion of chamber pop, rock, samba and jazz is a real blast!" listing it as one of its Top 50 Albums of 2019. The album's reputation has been slowly building ever since, gaining a Latin Grammy nomination in 2020, and now solidly cementing itself as a gem of contemporary Brazilian music.

Across the albums nine tracks, Ana blends elements and influences from MPB, Tropicália, indie rock, punk and pop, forging them together with a sumptuous dose of her signature style. The finesse of 'Saudade' kicks off the LP, one of Ana's most known tracks to a non-Brazilian audience. A sublime opener, beginning with a spellbinding piano solo before transcending into a beautiful dream-laden slice of warmth, complete with luscious jazzy horns and deft vocal delivery. ‘Promessa e previsões’ follows, the only track on the album not to be written by Ana, instead being penned by Chico França. It’s a swelling and sweeping twilight groover, building and breaking across absorbing peaks.

Other highlights on the album include the anthemic 'Chocolate', which was a firm favourite with a packed sing-along crowd when we heard Ana perform it live. Elsewhere, 'Se No Cinema' hits with its quirky allure, charm and catchy melodies before transforming into a carnival spirit.

Tapping into the richness of Brazil’s new wave of musical energy, the album also includes a heavyweight lineup of collaborations with artists such as Dora Morelenbaum (Bala Desejo), Tim Bernardes, Antonio Neves and Guilherme Lirio to name but a few.

A short, sweet and refreshing record, that leaves nothing to waste, marrying playful ideas with poignant themes. 'Little Electric Chicken Heart' is a future classic and will beguile fans of ‘70s Brazilian recordings, Gal Costa, Mac DeMarco, Stereolab, Superorganism, Caetano Veloso and more.

»›The Last Will and Testament‹ ist eine Art Konzeptalbum. Eine rastlose musikalische Reise, die in gewisser Weise meine eigene Beziehung zur Musik als Konsument widerspiegelt«, erzählt Bandleader Mikael Åkerfeldt.

»Ich schnappe hier etwas auf, verwerfe dort etwas. Ich bete Musik an und hasse sie gleichzeitig. Diese Ambivalenz führt mich auf eine Art eigenen kreativen Weg, und dann ist plötzlich eine Sammlung von Songs entstanden. Im besten Fall sind diese Lieder gut genug, um die Band zu beeindrucken. Gut genug für die Mächtigen in der Branche. Gut genug für euch?! Ich liebe diese Platte. Ich muss es so sagen (schreiben). Vielleicht bin ich sogar stolz? Ich nehme an, es sind einige vertraute Zutaten dabei. Die meiste unserer Musik stammt aus der gleichen Quelle, also ist es nicht weiter verwunderlich, wenn es nach ›uns‹ klingen wird. Ich bin ein wenig beeindruckt von dem, was wir mit ›The Last Will and Testament‹ gemacht haben. Es fühlt sich wie ein Traum an. Ich hoffe, es gibt eine gewisse ›Kohärenz‹ und ›Songwriting-Fähigkeiten‹, aber was weiß ich schon? Ich neige dazu, das ›Seltsame‹ dem ›Offensichtlichen‹ vorzuziehen, aber ich habe das Gefühl, dass ich in der Minderheit bin, und das ist gut so. Also... faire Warnung! Erwarten Sie keinen sofortigen Rausch (wie üblich), aber wenn Sie es sofort ›kapieren‹ (haben Sie es schon kapiert?), ist das auch in Ordnung!«

We're promised Mellow Magic and that's precisely what we get, across four tracks emerging from disparate corners of the globe but united in a common mission to provide beats that work on the more relaxed end of the dancefloor. Belgian duo Charlotte & Reinhard of Rheinzand fame kick things off with a slow motion Balearic version of a well known 80s MOR classic. Ollie Loudon's 'L.M.T.' finally makes it to vinyl after long being a secret weapon in Gratts' DJ sets, where handclaps and languid strumming meet a gentle but infectious groove. Flip it over for the more tracky affairs, as Japan's Lily Ko makes an impressive debut with 'Pure Rubber', an original mix of disco foundations and always snazzy but never showy 80s synth play. Melbourne's Biancolato finishes things off with understated deep house shuffling that adds just a touch jazzy keys and dreamy, wispy pads.

»›The Last Will and Testament‹ ist eine Art Konzeptalbum. Eine rastlose musikalische Reise, die in gewisser Weise meine eigene Beziehung zur Musik als Konsument widerspiegelt«, erzählt Bandleader Mikael Åkerfeldt.

»Ich schnappe hier etwas auf, verwerfe dort etwas. Ich bete Musik an und hasse sie gleichzeitig. Diese Ambivalenz führt mich auf eine Art eigenen kreativen Weg, und dann ist plötzlich eine Sammlung von Songs entstanden. Im besten Fall sind diese Lieder gut genug, um die Band zu beeindrucken. Gut genug für die Mächtigen in der Branche. Gut genug für euch?! Ich liebe diese Platte. Ich muss es so sagen (schreiben). Vielleicht bin ich sogar stolz? Ich nehme an, es sind einige vertraute Zutaten dabei. Die meiste unserer Musik stammt aus der gleichen Quelle, also ist es nicht weiter verwunderlich, wenn es nach ›uns‹ klingen wird. Ich bin ein wenig beeindruckt von dem, was wir mit ›The Last Will and Testament‹ gemacht haben. Es fühlt sich wie ein Traum an. Ich hoffe, es gibt eine gewisse ›Kohärenz‹ und ›Songwriting-Fähigkeiten‹, aber was weiß ich schon? Ich neige dazu, das ›Seltsame‹ dem ›Offensichtlichen‹ vorzuziehen, aber ich habe das Gefühl, dass ich in der Minderheit bin, und das ist gut so. Also... faire Warnung! Erwarten Sie keinen sofortigen Rausch (wie üblich), aber wenn Sie es sofort ›kapieren‹ (haben Sie es schon kapiert?), ist das auch in Ordnung!«

2024 Repress

"It was the beginning of 2016, I remember going down the stairs of that foggy Kreuzkolln basement. The floor was packed, the walls were sweaty, the air was so dense that you couldn't use a lighter. The vibe, I guess it can only be described as pure Herrensauna. I looked to the DJ booth and I saw this guy playing with records, in a heavy punk attitude, some 140 bpm (at least) dark tribal techno which I thought I was never gonna listen in a club.

-Who is he- I asked a friend, who was fully trapped in that pounding rhythm - I don't know some guys from Denmark - he replied, showing me with his body language that I should stop talking and enjoy the show. And so I did.

It didn't take me long to find out that this guy at the controls was known as Sugar but his name was Nikolaj. Neither that he was one of the founders of, what was going to be, one of the most influential collectives in the techno scene just a couple of years after that. Nor that these guys do this with the heart and that's why they are authentic.

Proudly presenting Fast Forward.
From Copenhagen, with love."

KAOS is a subdivision from OAKS
Compiled and selected by Hector Oaks.

Limited 2024 Black Vinyl Repress

Osaka based psych-rock three piece Hibushibire return after a long break, with a new line up and a stunning third album. Produced by Acid Mothers Temple/Mainliner guru Makoto Kawabata who also guests on the album.

Following the successes of their debut album 'Freak Out Orgasm!' (2017), the follow up ‘Turn On, Tune In, Freak Out’ (2019) and two very well received UK tours. The band headed home to Osaka, Japan and then, the pandemic hit.

During this downtime, guitarist/vocalist Changchang decided to create a new power trio. Enter Tetsuji Toyoda (Bass/Vocals) & Aoi Hama (Drums/Vocals). The new trio have spent the last three years writing new music, playing live and honing their sound in Japan, and a short well received tour of Taiwan with Riot Season labelmates Dope Purple. And now finally, Hibushibire mark 2 is born properly.

“Hibushibire has returned after a change of members. A psychedelic, progressive work, suitable for a new beginning"

Entering the studio with Acid Mothers Temple/Mainliner guru Makoto Kawabata in the producer chair (and also as a guest musician) once again, the band recorded album number three, 'Magical Metamorphosis Third Eye’. Makoto also adds some of his own trademark guitar howls throughout the album, perfectly complimenting Changchang’s own growing prowess.

Here the band have taken their trademark psych-rock blasts and blended them perfectly with some more trippy, dare I say sweet progressive psychedelic sounds.

“The idea of this album is based on the theme of "occultism and mysticism". But it's not a serious thing, it's about the things we like (UFOs, pyramids, psychic phenomena, shamanism etc) and we all had fun while making it. In terms of what makes it different from the previous Hibushibire albums, it’s where AOI HAMA's vocals are present. I had wanted to use a female vocalist for a long time, so it was a good feeling!”

Like the band's first two albums, 'Magical Metamorphosis Third Eye’ is very much an album of two halves. Side one again is full of killer shorter tracks, while side two is reserved for a blinding majestic 20 minute epic ‘Ayahuasca Witch Abduction’. Perhaps the biggest musical surprise here though is probably track two, the beautifully mellow tripped out ‘We Won't Go Back To The Past’, which sounds like it’s been beamed straight out of the late 60s/early 70s.

The band also tip a nod to the Beatles psychedelic classic ‘Tomorrow Never Ever Knows’, but with their own twist of course.

It’s clear with the line up changes, Changchang has decided to expand the band's musical pathway, and he’s achieved stunning results.

The band plan to return to the UK and Europe in 2024 to see friends old and new.