Despite their early success, The Valentinos’ story was, like many other groups, a ‘what might have been’ story. But there could not have been a more hardworking group. Every night, Friendly Womack Sr. taught his boys all the gospel songs he knew before he kicked them out of the house because they wanted to switch to secular singing.
“Bobby, you’re singing too church!” shouted Sam Cooke across the recording desk at the United Recording Studios in L.A. to Bobby and his brothers…
Still torn here between gospel and secular singing, Friendly “June” Womack told me about both these two lost tracks from the group: “Between you and I, we were looking hard to get another ‘Looking For A Love’. We were desperate for that, as that was such a big seller for us”.
Ultimately these sides failed to be released, yet they were both great tracks. Wouldn’t it be great though if, this time around, Soul4Real Records were able to hang out the ‘sold out’ banner that all the Womack brothers really deserved?
Fresh off a rework of Papa Levi with single Ribena, London’s jungle pioneers 4am Kru drop their highly anticipated debut album Incognito Rhythm featuring all the tracks that have cemented their reputation as the go-to act for raw, live jungle music.
Having already taken the 2024 festival circuit by storm with appearances at Outlook Origins, Boomtown, Boardmasters, Reading+ Leeds, The Blind Tiger, Parklife Waterworks, Boundary and a milestone Saturday night closing set at Glastonbury’s Temple Stage, 4am Kru continue to draw audiences into the madness of their raucous blend of 1993-1994 influenced jungle. First bursting onto the scene post-lockdown, the falling monitors and flying bodies of their shows were particularly thrilling for ravers who had turned 18 in isolation.
Originally developing their live sound in indie bands while sharing a studio in Tottenham, the duo quickly realized that the traditional DJ set couldn’t contain the energy of their act. They have since surrendered to the chaos of their incredibly physical performances, nursing chipped bones and back injuries, deep finger taping, chalking up and wearing shoes designed for skipping rope whilst rewiring what it meant to move their bodies. Their innovation extends to the equipment, with the duo reinventing a way to deliver their signature throbbing basslines with a Roland SPD SX drum pad as thick as a car tire. Their upcoming UK tour this October promises to further showcase their immersive, disruptive sound.
4am Kru’s latest single Ribena breathed new life into Papa Levi’s iconic British reggae classic Militancy following the release of hard-hitting Wutt this past July, setting the stage for their most ambitious project yet. Their debut album draws from a wide range of influences in addition to 4am Kru’s signature blend of 90s jungle flavours, from obscure slow jam R&B like Angela Bofill, Janet Jackson and Prince, early hardcore bands like Hüsker Dü, off kilter Scottish folk, and even classical music. The project is a snapshot of the incognito, nocturnal world that the duo have dwelled in for the past two years, a time capsule of well-worn songs played between midnight and 4am. An extraordinary debut, 4am Kru’s Incognito Rhythm is an immersive, razor sharp, face melting journey through their show-stopping live sound.
Rance Allen churned that rhythm smack between gospel music and soul. Rance brought the fire, his every performance a dedicated reach beyond expectations. It's like he lived in a realm above ours, and his performances were a ladder from our plane to his, an invitation to step up, step out, be good, do right, dance while doing it, jive and smile. And praise the Lord.
Rance sang about Jesus Christ, even when he didn't mention him. His music was an invitation to groove along, but it was also a stepping stone to church. He focused not on the fire and brimstone but on building community, helping those in need, a church of embrace.
His two brothers were his band, along with Stax guests. On "Everybody's Talkin'" you can hear disco coming around the corner and also the influence of Isaac Hayes. "You Need A Friend Like Mine" builds on the Staple Singers' "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)", and it features some of Rance's finest falsetto, up there with Rev. Claude Jeter and Al Green.
Rance moves your spirit.
This vinyl goes beyond conventional music creating a profound exploration of electronic artistry. Introducing "Real Good" by Trik, the fourth vinyl release from this seasoned artist. It's a rhythmic blend of house and techno, with each track crafted for the dance floor. The sounds are simple yet impactful, and expressive vocals create a unique atmosphere. "Real Good" also features a remix by Dragomir, offering a fresh perspective on Trik's tracks with pulsating beats and mesmerizing melodies, elevating the EP to new sonic heights. Black vinyl.
This vinyl goes beyond conventional music creating a profound exploration of electronic artistry. Introducing "Real Good" by Trik, the fourth vinyl release from this seasoned artist. It's a rhythmic blend of house and techno, with each track crafted for the dance floor. The sounds are simple yet impactful, and expressive vocals create a unique atmosphere. "Real Good" also features a remix by Dragomir, offering a fresh perspective on Trik's tracks with pulsating beats and mesmerizing melodies, elevating the EP to new sonic heights. Black vinyl.
Rising Japanese duo SUDO debut on Drumcode with the inspired ‘Real World’ EP.
The brothers Isao and Takashi – the former based in Berlin, while the other holds forte in their hometown of Kansai, Japan – have been grafting away at their craft for many years, never compromising on quality, while eschewing trends. Instead, patiently creating and waiting for their opportunity.
The duo remembers their first vinyl purchase from back in the ‘90s – a white label they’d later find out to be Underworld’s legendary ‘Rez’. It’s from these incendiary roots that ‘Real World’ takes inspiration. A trio of tracks imbued with depth, subtly and impact.
The title track is a deep barrelling trancey composition and is trippy in nature, conjuring visions of the Underworld classic, while never losing a future-minded ethos. ‘Construction’ starts as a chunky slice of percussive techno, before a mesmerizing ambient interlude takes the track to another realm. ‘Mercury’ is a transcendental slice of tech-trance that’s timeless in every sense. Bliss.
Washington, DC mainstay Samantha Park issues her debut release on Real Feel. The 12” ventures into breaky territories, with the A-side providing ethereal sounds on the title track, and percussive dancefloor action via “Dance for Me.” The B-side sees Baltimore house legend Karizma taking the reigns on the remix, leveraging chopped samples to freak a more orthodox house cut.
Swedish producer and one to watch, Fidde, joins Shall Not Fade for his debut Real Love EP. The up-and-comer has gained attention with infectious self-released singles, blending house rhythms with more complex, natural instrumentation to great effect on this vinyl only release.
Subtle echoes of birdsong swirl around a glittering house beat in "Real Love", emotive sax and keys giving a jubilant feel to the record opener that captures the feeling of the early days of romance perfectly. "Limmie" uses hand drums and dreamy guitar loops to evoke hot summer holidays; the echoes of vocals and tinges of electro intonations bring the club energy. A jazzy edge to the EP builds from "Cry", where gentle piano is drawn into focus before the pulse of the dance hits, and melting across to the B-side with "Funky Mr. Cameron" - one long groovy, explorative jazz riff with playful guitar snippets.
Dynamic percussion undulates throughout "Me Without You"; a soulful, hazey song full of romance and complete with sax solo - one for star-crossed lovers on the dancefloor. "Reminisce" serves up high energy to close out the EP, building from the swirling melody into chopped up vocals that become an unstoppable earworm - ending with another delicate touch of that 303 bassline.
Re-release of the ‘88 rave house classic 'The Real Life' sampling Queen, Simple Minds, Prince and Scarface here perfectly formed Oppy Mix. Used copies still sell up to £50 with very few cropping up on the market so this official remastered reissue will be a welcome sight to many.
Flipped with the collectable housey / garage crossover gem 'So Where Are You' harnessing the raw vocal power of Kevin Williams over a tough house rhythm. Both the Hashish Dub and Vocal Mix are included on this release.
Repressed on Blue 12 inch vinyl with replica Smokin’ artwork.
What better way to herald Soul4Real’s first foray into the blues: two wonderful sides by the late great Magic Sam!
Born Samuel Gene Maghett in Mississippi in 1937, in his teens he made the familiar migratory journey north where he established himself – along with the likes of Otis Rush – as one of the great exponents of the ‘West Side’ Chicago blues sound.
In 1967, Sam signed to Delmark and cut his first LP, the critically acclaimed ‘West Side Soul’ from which the two tracks featured here are taken. “Every Night and Every Day” is delivered in his familiar style, whereas “That’s All I Need” reveals a more soulful side to Sam’s vocals, pointing towards the blues-soul style that was to dominate the genre into the 70s and beyond.
His tragic death, aged just 32 in 1969, deprived the world of a wonderful blues talent, but he left a fine legacy of influential and inspirational work admired by fans and musicians alike.
It’s been a few years since Vinyl Fanatiks partnered up with DJ Aphrodite, but we are back again… serving up another awesome repress from the Aphrodite back catalogue. And this time we take things back to 1993 with a repress of his collab with Nutty Jim.
Two absolute jungle bangers created back in 1993 and remastered in 2023. Another classic from the Aphrodite back catalogue, produced back in the day on an Amiga. This has that raw low-sample rate vibe and the new masters have been sympathetically tweaked so not to lose that rawness. Drop this on the deck will transport you back to the sweaty raves and illegal parties that took over the UK in the early 90’s… parties that Aphrodite was playing at and drawing inspiration from.
This record comes in a black inner sleeve and presented in a full colour Aphrodite Recordings housebag, designed by Aphrodite himself that features the labels of all his early releases on the rear of the sleeve.
Welcome to Soul4Real’s second album, a collection of originally unreleased tracks which feature a whole host of soul royalty.
First off are two songs from the inimitable Bobby Bland, both of which hail from his prolific period at Duke Records.
Sandwiched between two stunning Chicago recordings by Etta James is the later “I Never Meant To Love Him”, taken from a Philly session she recorded with Bobby Martin.
Fontella Bass brings this side to a close with a mysterious Chicago recording of which, to this day, hardly anything is known.
Side two transports us to Detroit, when Motown was at the peak of its output. 1966 was not a good year to secure the approval of quality control, as proven in the rejection of this wonderful Velvelettes´ version of “Your Heart Belongs To Me”.
It was in that same year that Ashford and Simpson arrived at Hitsville as both singers and songwriters. Their “Love Woke Me Up This Morning” was recorded by Brenda Holloway and produced by Norman Whitfield. Despite being overlooked at the time, its appeal was undeniable, and it later resurfaced on albums by Marvin & Tammi, Valerie Simpson, and the Temptations.
As an integral member of the Motown family for over 14 years, it is surprising that to date only three songs recorded by Johnny Bristol have surfaced. In collaboration with ‘Mickey’ Stevenson “Tell Me How To Forget A True Love” was completed in May 1964.
“One Lucky Day I Found You” was inexplicably not included in the ‘David’ project. Ruffin´s later work with Van McCoy is also featured on this album.
From almost the start of his career, Marvin Gaye had endeavored to project himself as a great balladeer, and nothing could illustrate this better than his rendition of “I Wish I Didn’t Love You So”, which brings this chapter to a perfect end.
Lord knows we have put out some rare R&B records here at Real Gone Music, but this one may take the cake! Mary Mundy’s 1980 album for the obscure Image label goes for hundreds of bucks if you can find it at all (which, as of this writing, you can’t). Loaded with bassheavy, disco-soul grooves over which Mundy’s voice floats like
a butterfly and stings like a bee, Mother Nature lives up to the collector hype. That Mundy’s discography consists of this album and a few scattered singles just adds to the mystique of this intriguing one-off, which sees its first reissue in any format here. Remastered for vinyl by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision. We’re only making 1000 copies and you better not tarry…pink vinyl pressing!
(Late Nite Tuff Guy & Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk Remixes)
An ‘80s dance classic from the legend John Rocca, gets a fresh new take from Aussie edit king Late Nite Tuff Guy alongside a remastered reissue of Chicago house royalty Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk’s 1987 Hot House Piano Remix.
The main man behind jazz funk favourites, Freeez, John Rocca took to the studio in ’84 and whipped up an electro-fied steamer in the form of ‘I Want It To Be Real’. Tantalizing synthwork, beefed up basslines, gated snares and pure ‘80s vocals, it’s a melting pot of influences with a catchiness that caused a serious stir.
This special double header of remixes kicks off with a brand new mix from Late Nite Tuff Guy. He builds up the brilliance with masterful effect, keeping the vocal in the back pocket till the final frontier whilst adding in some buttery new synth magic and deft filtering to the mix.
On the flip, Chicago house don Farley 'Jackmaster' Funk’s 1987 remix homes in on those blissful piano and vocal stabs for a dubbed out ‘Hot House Piano Mix’. Spiritual keys laid down with passion that will be sure to get any dancefloor hot under the collar.
DJ Feedback:
OPTIMO/ JD TWITCH
Nice! The Farley mix is an all time classic. Lovely version from LNTG.
GERD JANSON
I have love for this.
GRAEME PARK/ THE HACIENDA
I vividly remember playing this record the day it was released while working at Selectadisc in Nottingham like it was yesterday. I played it the same night at The Garage club not long after I started DJing there. It brings back some great memories and this superb remix is just wonderful. Its made me get all bleary eyed and tingly. Absolutely tremendous stuff.
AXEL BOMAN
Love this
KAI ALCE / NDATL
This is a HOT EDIT from Late Nite Tuff Guy!
A LOVE FROM OUTER SPACE/ SEAN JOHNSON
Killer - love it
NORM TALLEY
I love this!
CROSSTOWN REBELS
Nice one!!
JACQUES RENAULT / LETS PLAY HOUSE
LOVE the classic Farley piano mix and the LNTG version is a fun take too!
OSUNLADE/ YORUBA
LOVE THIS!!
DANIELE BALDELLI
Love this classic, and now more love for both new remixes
DANNY TENNAGLIA
I really like this remix
DANNY KRIVIT/ BODY & SOUL
Nice
DJ KEMIT/ ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
An incredible beefed up edit of an international dance floor classic. 10/10
HELENA STAR / NTS
Amazing record, those chords!!
LOUISE CHEN/ NTS
I’d love to play this.
ERIC DUNCAN/ RUB N TUG
This ones cool.
MAKE A DANCE / BEN
Yes yes yes pease love the original so much.
HOT TODDY/ CRAZY P
The Farley mix is a total winner which is a new one on me, LNTG mix is pretty tasty also
TERRY FARLEY
Yes please. A big early House lesson for me BITD
SUB CLUB HARRI
Realy diigin this.
GROOVE ARMADA / TOM FINDLAY
Love this, production is so good!
40 year anniversary release of Cheryl Lynn's much in-demand and RARE 12" mix of "You Saved My Day" backed with all-time feel-good anthem "Got To Be Real". RSD exclusive pressed on 180g vinyl
Ever since his 2015 debut EP, Nocturne, Alfa Mist has effortlessly moved between jazz, hip-hop and classical music and built unique sonic worlds. Across six critically acclaimed albums, the east Londoner has eroded genre boundaries with an expansive vision. On his last album Roulette, the prolific producer, songwriter, pianist and MC went one step further by creating his own sci-fi universe. 2025’s Roulette was a series of short stories, set in an imagined near-future where reincarnation is discovered to be a potent tool linking dreams and past lives. But with this discovery comes consequences: ethical, moral and philosophical. “If reincarnation is real, how does that shape society?”
As is traditional for Alfa Mist, he also explored the depth of the songs during a live-recorded session. This time the artist ventured to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios - a location known both for its unusual architecture and its forward-thinking approach to music. Originally broadcast on Youtube only, it seemed a waste to not officially release the session. “When time's running out and you know you can't redo anything, there's an acceptance everyone has and it actually makes you relax a bit. It’s like recreating our live set in the studio.”
With Kaya Thomas-Dyke on Bass, Jamie Houghton on Drums, Jamie Leeming on Guitar, Johnny Woodham (aka JSPHYNX) on Flugel and Trumpet, and Samuel Rapley on Sax and Bass Clarinet.
Celebrating the 30th anniversary of its original release, Night Song returns in a special edition on rose leaf green coloured vinyl. A Grammy Award nominee, the album captures the extraordinary meeting of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Canadian guitarist, producer and composer Michael Brook, whose atmospheric soundscapes provide the perfect setting for Nusrat’s ecstatic, transcendent vocals.
With Nusrat’s legacy continuing to reach new audiences following the landmark 2024 release of the unearthed archive recording Chain of Light, Night Song remains one of the defining cross-cultural collaborations of its era. This anniversary edition includes a printed inner sleeve with updated liner notes and photographs.
This LP, the second set from Soul4Real based on songs mostly associated with Jackson, MS label Malaco, is another stunning showcase of the breadth of soul music. Featuring tracks ranging from the 70s through to the new millennium and from the deepest of blues-tinged ballads to disco beats, there is something on this LP for all soul enthusiasts to relish. The biggest name here is undoubtedly Bobby “Blue” Bland. A towering presence in both soul and blues for over 50 years, his influence – and sales – were immense. Other hitmakers are here as well, such as the prodigious vocal talent of Shirley Brown, whose massive “Woman To Woman” kick-started her long and successful career, and the delightful Dorothy Moore, whose immortal “Misty Blue” saved Malaco from bankruptcy in the mid-70s. Moore’s lovely duet with star Eddie Floyd was a one-off, as was Natural High’s Malaco subsidiary Chimneyville album. Always welcome on sets like this are lesser-known artists like sometime funk band Solid Gold Revue member Ray Crumley, who released a small handful of solo 45s,New Orleans singer Richard Caiton, who has had Northern soul plays, and mystery Mississippi native J.J. Lewis. Cult southern soul heroes such as the outstanding Tommy Tate – memorably described by Malaco boss Tommy Couch as “America’s best kept secret” – and the gifted and prolific down home songwriter George Jackson, whose BMI catalogue runs to over 400 songs, are prominent here. Jackson’s effort is previously unissued, and the more obscure item from Marvin Morrow is a first time on vinyl. Like Jackson, Morrow earnt his living as a writer for such luminaries as Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan. A treat for all connoisseurs. Malaco gave themselves the byline of “The Last Soul Record Company”, and listening to their output of over 50 years and the way they outlasted every other southern independent label, it’s impossible to disagree.
Die intergalaktische Musik von EVE Online erstmals auf Vinyl!
Diese Veröffentlichung erstreckt sich über das von Spielern gestaltete Universum von New Eden und vereint auf zwei LPs eine Auswahl herausragender Titel, die sowohl das Ausmaß interstellarer Konflikte als auch die stille Einsamkeit des Weltraums widerspiegeln.
Mit Musik von Kristian Ross und Real X spannt der Soundtrack einen Bogen von üppigen Ambient-Atmosphären bis hin zu cineastischen Orchesterklängen. Von der treibenden Intensität von „Uprising“, „Havoc“ und „Legion“ bis hin zu den kosmischen, meditativen Klängen von „Stellar Shadows“ und „Below the Asteroids“ bewegt sich die Trackliste zwischen Spannung und Ruhe und spiegelt das sich ständig verändernde Kräfteverhältnis im Universum von EVE Online wider.
Die Verpackung greift Hintergründe des Weltraums, Umlaufbahnschemata und markante himmlische Formen auf und ist auf silbernem Karton gedruckt, um den Glanz des Himmels besser einzufangen. Das Artwork auf der inneren Gatefold-Hülle ist eine Hommage an die von den Spielern bestimmte Erzählung des Spiels und zeichnet die Geschichte von New Eden mit einer Zeitleiste der wichtigsten Ereignisse nach, die das Universum geprägt haben.
Mit hochwertigen Materialien und durchdachten Details ist dies eine Veröffentlichung, die sich so weitläufig anfühlt wie das Universum, das sie repräsentiert. Geschaffen, um ausgestellt, gesammelt und immer wieder neu entdeckt zu werden … Genau wie EVE Online.
Sudanese rising star and oud player Sulaf transforms her refugee exile into ABA — blending Nubian roots with modern soundscapes in collaboration with producer Maxime Kosinetz (Imarhan, Tinariwen, Gruff Rhys). Drawing on the Sufi poetry of her great-grandfather, she captures loss, identity, and resilience, carrying Sudan’s spirit across borders with haunting power and emotional depth
"It lives in that moment when your hand is on the door handle, but you haven't opened it yet," they explain. Recorded live in Woodstock with Philip Weinrobe (Adrianne Lenker, Big Thief, Billie Marten), its spacious arrangements, meditative guitars and luminous harmonies explore heartbreak, resignation and hope, offering not an answer, but a hand to hold while taking the leap.
Oscar Perry may not be a household name even in soul/blues circles, but this Texan's fine and expansive body of work deserves greater recognition. Throughout his career, he demonstrated multifarious talents as a producer, arranger, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He first cut his teeth in the late 1960s on Don Robey's Duke/Peacock/Backbeat set-up, writing for Bobby Bland amongst others. Once his contract with Robey had lapsed, Oscar signed with the equally colourful character Huey P. Meaux, for whom he recorded a slew of excellent albums on the Crazy Cajun imprint. It is the source of the three self-penned tracks presented here. Echoes of Jerry Butler can be heard on the string-laden emotive ballad "We'll Spend Tomorrow Falling In Love" (co-written with studio engineer Mickey Moody) with its femme support, whilst the piano-led deep beat-ballad "End Of The Road" was subsequently recorded by Bland on his Dreamer LP for ABC-Dunhill in 1974. The strong, mid-paced, bluesy "I Give Up You Win" completes this wonderful EP.
It’s no disrespect to the man to not believe, in part or in whole, every word that Ray Wylie Hubbard writes, sings, or speaks — and frankly, he’d probably respect you a little less if you did. As celebrated songwriters of the outlaw poet/down-home-country-blues persuasion go, Hubbard’s credibility is unimpeachable. And to be fair, even as a somewhat notorious raconteur, his overall truthiness is a lot more bankable than your average politician or fundamentalist grifter.
But fold your cards every time he goes all in across a table from you, or swallow as fact every nugget of wisdom he sharpens into verse or stretches into a yarn without catching the gleam in his eye or wry tell between the lines, and odds are you’ve been played. But honestly, that’s all just part of what makes Hubbard so damn fun. “You know, a lot of artists when they put out a record, they go, ‘This is the best record I’ve done up to this point,’” the Americana legend considers sagely after a pause when asked how to best sum up Reel 2 Reel 4 Real, his 20th album in a recording career stretching back to the mid-70s. “But I’m not going to say this is the best record I’ve done. I’ll say it’s the best record I’ve ever heard.” No matter how many awards and Hall of Fame inductions others might honor him with (he’s a member of both the Austin Music HOF and the Texas Heritage Songwriters HOF), Hubbard never swaggers or sings his own praises without keeping his tongue planted firmly in cheek.
But after brushing aside his bluff with a chuckle, Hubbard gets real. “I am very proud of it,” he answers sincerely. “Everybody that played on it put a lot of work into it, and it just felt right doing it. I’m very grateful.” Set for release August 21, 2026 (with the first taste, “Cassette Mix Tape,” dropping May 29, followed later this summer by a second single, “Dog or Wolf”), Reel 2 Reel 4 Real marks Hubbard’s return after a two-album major-label joyride on Nashville’s Big Machine Records. “They treated me great, and did everything they could,” he says, “but it was kind of limited because I’m an old guy. I’m no longer a country hunk, you know?”
Keyboardist/composer Doug Carn was the
biggest star on the legendary Black Jazz Records
label, with four releases to his credit (all reissued
by us at Real Gone Music), and remains a
touchstone for spiritual jazz fans and musicians
alike. But very, very few folks have heard his
debut record, cut for the venerable Savoy label
back in 1969. In fact, it’s so rare that we couldn’t
even find a copy to use for artwork, so, with
Doug’s help, we enlisted his daughter Eroniffa
Ibrahim to create illustrations for our reissue
based on the original cover photos. But you know
what we did find? That’s right…the original master
tapes! So, not only is this the first LP reissue for
The Doug Carn Trio, but it’s an all-analog edition to
boot, pressed at Gotta Groove Records with their
proprietary GrooveCoated stampers to minimize
high-frequency loss with each successive pressing.
And, we’ve added an insert with liner notes by Aaron
Cohen based on an exclusive interview with the man
himself. As for the music, it’s a tight organ trio set
that starts cooking right from the get-go with a groovin’ cover of Gus Cannon’s “Walk
Right In,” which became a folk hit for The Rooftop Singers. Carn’s fluid, forward-thinking
playing anticipates Larry Young’s future keyboard forays, and originals like “Butter from
the Duck” and “Yna Yna’s Delight” presage the compositional prowess he flashed on the
Black Jazz releases (note: that’s Don Hales on guitar, not Gary Starling as credited on the
original record). The opening salvo from a scintillating career, finally available again!
out of Stock
Last delivered 63 days ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Minneapolis' Real Numbers return with a new full length album, the gorgeously pop-tastic “Was It Always This Way.” Ten expectant, exuberant songs mixing hope and despair, the future and the past, all set to the sounds of late-80s/early-90s UK indiepop. While definitely picking up where their 2021 EP "Brighter Then" left off, the emphasis this time is on multi-layered guitars intended to complement the wistful and melancholy tracks with glittering awe.
“Was It Always This Way” refines Real Numbers' already-stunning songs, polishing the tunes into a swooningly perfect album that recalls 90s antecedents like Field Mice and St Christopher, as well as fellow pop practitioners like Ducks Ltd, Chime School and The Umbrellas. Album highlights like "Darling" and "Never Never Again" show that Real Numbers stand tall with their influences, paying close attention to the past while taking their art straight into the future with assurance and flair.
'Under the name The 4th Street Orchestra, Dennis Bovell released a series of limited-edition albums in the mid-70s specifically for the UK sound system scene. Yuh Learn! stands as a prime example of Bovell’s creativity and production prowess. With its strong Jamaican Roots appeal, it is a record cherished by sound system selectors, capable of taking every listener on a deep journey through the many shades of dub.
'The album features two of Real Rock Records’ favorite tracks. First, the instrumental The Grunwick Affair, recorded in solidarity with the striking workers of the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratories in Willesden. This historic industrial dispute paved the way for the socio-political shifts of the late 70s and remains a landmark in British labor history. The track was even hailed by Time Out as one of the top 100 songs about London. The horn section features also the legendary Rico Rodriguez, Michael ‘Bammy’ Rose, and Eddie Thornton on trumpet. Also included is the classic sound system anthem Rowing Down The River.
'Presented here in an extended version, Bovell’s vocals ride the rhythm perfectly until a heavyweight dub version takes over. The musicians performing as “The 4th Street Orchestra” deserve special mention. The lineup includes drummer Jah Bunny, a foundation musician who played on crucial albums with Bovell and the late Jah Shaka, and John Kpiaye, a leading figure in the British reggae scene and “Lovers Rock” producer. Kpiaye has collaborated with Dennis Brown, Aswad, and I Jahman Levi, and serves as the resident guitarist for the Dennis Bovell Dub Band backing Linton Kwesi Johnson.The late Eddie “Tan Tan” Thornton on trumpet, an Alpha Boys School alumnus and legendary session man also for The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, brings his expertise to the project, having also contributed to masterpieces like Rico Rodriguez’s Man From Wareika.
This is a limited-edition, vinyl-only first reissue of one of the rarest and most sought-after albums from Dennis Bovell’s legendary catalog.'
Der mehrfache Grammy-Preisträger Future kündigt sein mit Spannung erwartetes zehntes Solo-Studioalbum »The Real Me« an.
»The Real Me« markiert einen bedeutenden Meilenstein in Futures Diskografie: Es ist sein zehntes Solo-Studioalbum und ein zutiefst persönliches Werk, das den Mythos abstreift und den Menschen dahinter offenbart. Auf diesem Album kehrt Future sein Innerstes nach außen und präsentiert einige seiner bislang offenherzigsten und ambitioniertesten Musikstücke.
out of Stock
Last delivered 88 days ago available to reorder, subject to availability
From 1993, a hallmark UK Dub album returns to the light. Originally pressed in a small run and extremely hard to find, this record was produced at Earthquake Studio by TNT Roots and Winston Dread.
Together, they provided a raw contribution to the early UK Dub scene using a basic setup: a Siel DK-80 synth, a Yamaha home keyboard, a Casio RZ-1 drum machine, and an Atari 1040 computer running Cubase V2.0. The tracks were shaped through an old Dynamix 8-channel mixer and captured on a Casio portable DAT machine.
TNT Roots provided the drum, bass, and chord patterns, while Winston Dread added the lead lines and performed the mixing duties. This raw, undiluted music reflects the evolution of Dub and contains the seeds of all their future work. Their dubplates were staples for legendary UK sound systems like Aba Shanti-I and Iration Steppas, becoming sought-after anthems that defined the "heavyweight" digital roots sound.
These are heavy sounds that stand the test of time. Back on the streets after 30 years, the album has been fully restored and remastered to honor the dubplate masters of UK Sound System culture
Wie Amerika selbst ist auch die Geschichte von Chess Records eine Geschichte von Chancen in neuen Ländern, in denen Grenzen zwischen Hautfarbe und Kultur überwunden wurden, um Rhythm and Blues-Musik
zu schaffen, die Zuhörer auf der ganzen Welt beeinflusste. Das beeindruckende Künstleraufgebot von Chess
– und seine Gründer – haben den Blues von Volksmusik zu populärem Sound weiterentwickelt und verändert.
Im Jahr 2025 feiert Chess Records sein 75-jähriges Jubiläum. Anlässlich dieses historischen Meilensteins
wird Chess im Oktober dieses Jahres eine umfassende Jubiläumsreihe mit einer kuratierten Auswahl audiophiler Vinyl-Neuauflagen starten, beginnend mit Muddy Waters’ „The Best of Muddy Waters“ und Howlin’
Wolfs „Moanin’ in the Moonlight“.
„I Was Walkin’ Through The Woods“ versammelt Buddy Guys frühe Aufnahmen für Chess Records, die
allesamt in den frühen 1960er-Jahren entstanden. Die Sammlung rückt sein glühendes Gitarrenspiel in den
Mittelpunkt und zeigt eindrucksvoll, warum Guy zu den herausragenden Talenten der neuen Generation
von Bluesmusikern in Chicago zählte. Zu den zentralen Titeln gehören „First Time I Met The Blues“ und
„I Found A True Love“.
Mitte der 1960er-Jahre veröffentlichte Chess Records eine Reihe von Alben unter dem Titel „The Real
Folk Blues“, die Singles aus den Karrieren einiger der bedeutendsten Künstler des Labels bündelten. John
Lee Hookers „The Real Folk Blues“ unterschied sich von vielen dieser Kompilationen, da es eigens für Chess
neu eingespielte Sessions enthielt.
Diese legendären Aufnahmen aus dem Jahr 1966 fangen die Essenz seines unverwechselbaren Sounds und
seines einzigartigen Zugangs zum Blues ein. Zu den herausragenden Titeln zählen „One Bourbon, One
Scotch, One Beer“, „Stella Mae“ und „I’m In The Mood“.
Shooting Daggers are a band that never seems to stop. Sal, Bea and Raquel are one of the hardest working outfits out there, constantly playing shows and lending their support to myriad causes all around the U.K. and Europe. So, it’s always an exciting prospect when the band takes some time out from the maelstrom to write and record new material. And 2 years on from the release of their acclaimed debut album ‘Love & Rage’ the band have been in Bear Bites Horse Studio with Wayne Adams (Big Lad, Green Lung) at the controls to come up with the goods once again. ‘The Real Life Thing’ is the latest hardcore sonic missive from one of London’s must-see bands, and it absolutely does not disappoint. Shooting Daggers are the real deal; the best, and most exciting and adventurous hardcore-inspired band in the country. A ‘mini album‘. 7 songs and 20 minutes of driving rocket fuelled punk meets melody picking up from their debut to go further into their own space. A selection of songs that are marked by a fierce energy, variety and cool musical nous, but always with a message firmly at its core. The band says … ‘It's a crucial time to focus on what really matters. Be present, be aware of real things happening in the world, with integrity and love we can make a difference as a community. There is hope out there, and if we all start treating nature, people and animals with respect and empathy we will be able to become better humans and coexist. In this mini album, we express the full range of our emotions through various sounds and genres. From cheerfulness to anger and hopefulness.
From hardcore punk, to shoegaze, to post hardcore and riot grrrl. We embrace our authentic self, with sensitivity in response to injustice, we act out, and all the while savouring every moment, being unapologetically yourself, empowering ourselves and each other’. With the help of some very special guests in the form of ‘The Menstrual Cramps' and Dennis Lyxzén from Refused, that message is driven home ‘big time’. ‘Adrenaline’ is as full on and heavy as Daggers have ever been, all buzzsaw riffs and rousing vocals, it’s a smart and catchy punch in the face to kick off proceedings. ‘My Oh My’ sweetens the vibe if only a bit with its layered post shoegaze guitars and anthemic vocals, exquisitely arranged we may add. It really shows how Daggers have taken the 90’s elements from Love & Rage and expanded it into something all their own. ‘T.R.L.T.’ back to ‘in yer face’ Daggers trademark off kilter punk, chants, fast bit, slow bits all straight into your head. ‘We just Wanna Play’ is, as Daggers put it ... ‘Empowering playground song for girls and queers to sing and play’. The perfect intro to … ‘Loud Mouths’ the first track to feature bestie guesties ‘The Menstrual Cramps’. A riotous call to arms. We are united with our sisters and queer folks in punk and hardcore, queercore is strong and more alive than ever. Together we will denounce problematic behaviours unapologetically, we won't shut up. Things must change and it’s happening when problems are pointed out and sorted. The scene is for everybody, and we are making it happen’. ‘Le Soleil’ is another step forward … a left field, almost dubby vibe with a dreamy melodic swirling vocal performance from Sal.
When Daggers decide to step outside the box, they do it seductively in style. ‘Glow’ is the second collaboration; this one featuring Dennis Lyxzén from Refused on dual vocal duties. A no brainer it seems … ‘Refused has been a band that never wanted to fit in with a specific sound, they are pioneers of experimental punk while still being rooted in hardcore. They believe in what we believe in, antifascism, veganism, social justice and Dennis on stage is anything but a generic hardcore singer’. It’s a celebration. It’s fuzzy, it's hooky and it’s heavy with, dare we say it, a bit of My Bloody Valentine in there too, generic hardcore it is not. And that pretty much sums up ‘The Real Life Thing’. This album and this band are anything but ‘generic’. They never stand still and continue to push the boundaries of what is ‘hardcore’ or ‘punk’ or whatever people think they are. T.R.L.T. is a delight and a surprise from start to finish, refreshing, abrasive, melodic and with a true beating heart. Embrace it.
Easy Beat Productions are pleased to announce their latest release, an upbeat horns instrumental which see's Solution Sound System operator and selector Mark Solution join forces with stalwart reggae trumpet player, D.Fullwood AKA D.Cosmic.
Regular attendees of Solution Sound System events will be familiar with this one as it’s been mashing up dances on dubplate for a little while now!
Listeners are treated to the main horns mix as well as a stripped back dub excursion.
Edwin Starr and JJ Barnes were two of the main stars at Ric-Tic, the legendary 1960s Detroit Soul label that ended up being purchased by Motown to take out the competition.
JJ Barnes REAL HUMDINGER Ric-Tic 45 is a standout gem from the Motor City’s Soul heyday years and an all time Northern Soul classic. Edwin’s Ric-Tic 45s and subsequent gems for Motown made him such a Northern Soul icon that he moved to live in England.
What Anglophile Edwin never revealed is that he actually recorded the first version of REAL HUMDINGER for Ric-Tic. It never got released and its’ very existence was unknown. After painstaking detective work WEST GRAND found about the recording and have now managed to licence it from Universal Music / Motown for its debut worldwide release News of the discovery has created huge interest amongst Soul fans globally, As a bonus the flip side is another “wow find” that had been stuck, also unknown and unloved, in the tape vaults for nearly 60 years. It is a preciously unused alternative take on SCOTT’S ON SWINGERS.
The track is in effect an extended jingle for Detroit back in the day star radio DJ Scott Regan based on Edwin’s smash S.O.S (Stop Her On Sight). The released take came out on a limited edition RIC-Tic giveaway single that now commands a £400 price tag.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 months ago available to reorder, subject to availability
