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When people think of Yacht Rock-those smooth, sun-drenched sounds that once drifted from Californian radio stations in the late '70s and early '80s-they rarely imagine it echoing through rehearsal rooms in Hamburg or Linz. Yet even far from the Pacific coastline, the appeal of shimmering chords, laid-back grooves, and polished production found fertile ground.
This compilation gathers rare and overlooked tracks from Germany and Austria. These artists embraced West Coast aesthetics with sincerity and subtle twists, resulting in music that feels both familiar and refreshingly new-smooth sounds for cloudy skies. So drop anchor, pour something cool, and enjoy this unexpected cruise through the lesser-charted waters of Euro Yacht Rock.

Our journey begins in Austria, where Reflection's Because (1981) set the tone with blue-eyed soul and analogue warmth-a sunlit blend of Doobie Brothers polish and local charm. Its creator, Dieter Heyduk, reappears with Austrian Sky, a heartfelt nod to his homeland that fuses mountain calm with oceanic longing.
From the North Sea island of Föhr, Ara Pacis dreamed of California on their 1979 self-release To the Westcoast. Inspired by Steely Dan and Lake, they turned German rock precision into breezy, melodic sophistication. Meanwhile, in Düsseldorf, Mainpoint fused funk and jazz-rock on Frisbee, their 1980 single bursting with rhythmic drive and optimism before the tide of the Neue Deutsche Welle swept such grooves aside.
Bremerhaven's Nuages offered the compilation's only instrumental gem, Strange Weekend (1985)-a gentle blend of jazz-funk and rock and largely lost to time. Its cool restraint captures the European interpretation of Californian ease.
Around the same period, British traveler Gavin James recorded River of Laughter in southern Germany, backed by the blues-rock band Black Cat Bone. His acoustic reflections on water and flow mirrored the soft, meditative pulse at Yacht Rock's core.
Berlin's Top Spin kept things playful with Bikin (1985), a funk-fusion snapshot of urban joy that showcased the city's finest session players. From the Ruhr area, the Jan Pack Band is up next. While not a typical Yacht Rock track, Cable Dance is driven by an effortless, groovy '80s vibe.
Peter Seiler's Goldfinger project reimagined Walkin' in the Sand as a relaxed reggae-tinged track, while Munich's Major Seven closed the voyage with Silverboat, a wistful soft rock ballad gliding between melancholy and light.

Across these hidden harbors of German and Austrian pop, the West Coast dream took on new forms-reflected in rivers, skies, and studio lights half a world away from L.A. Under and Above the Clouds celebrates that spirit: the enduring pull of smooth music, wherever it's made.

A new release from Fox & His Friends Records, Chapters (Screen & Stage Dancefloor Jazz from Yugoslavia 1971-1984) by Ozren Depolo brings to light a trove of previously unreleased music spanning more than a decade of his work in film, theater and television. This gatefold audiophile 180g LP, including a 12-page booklet with archival photos and detailed liner notes, offers for the first time a full album composed exclusively of Depolo's own authorship, drawn from master tapes held in private and institutional archives. Mastering and cutting was done by Frank Merritt from The Carvery Ozren Depolo rarely pursued opportunities to record original material, in part due to a general lack of interest among local publishers in jazz discography. Yet he was more than a gifted composer: he was also an accomplished saxophonist, clarinettist, flutist, pianist, arranger and occasionally, a jazz journalist who contributed articles to specialized programs on Radio Zagreb. Depolo also played in international big bands alongside jazz greats such as Clark Terry, Oliver Nelson and Gerry Mulligan, as well as in formations led by Bosko Petrovic, including the Nonconvertible All Stars and the B.P. Convention Big Band. He was a member of ensembles including The Alfi Kabiljo Orchestra, The Dragutin Diklic Ensemble, Jugoslovenska Pop Selekcija, The Stipica Kalogjera Octet, Vaclav Zahradnik & His East All Stars Band and the Zagreb Jazz Quintet. As both composer and arranger, he produced a significant body of work for large jazz orchestras and small ensembles. He was deeply engaged in jazz improvisation and avant-garde classical music, recording numerous chamber pieces for saxophone. A long-standing member of Acezantez, Zagreb's renowned contemporary music ensemble, he also collaborated with international figures such as Ted Curson, John Lewis, Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, Leo Wright, Art Taylor, Slide Hampton and Lucky Thompson. This selection also includes his collaboration with Igor Savin and jazz vocalist Zdenka Kovacicek who were played on Karl Lagerfeld's fashion shows. The release demonstrates how Depolo was able to shift fluidly between idioms: from driving big-band passages to intimate chamber-like arrangements, from funk-tinged motifs to lyrical, impressionistic soundscapes. This stylistic breadth, always anchored in his deep jazz and funk sensibility, gave his music an adaptability perfectly suited to the hybrid world of stage and screen. The LP highlights that versatility while also presenting the coherence of his artistic voice, one that had gone unrecognized precisely because it was dispersed across so many contexts.

Guilherme Granado & Bruno Abdala reunite for a second volume of beats, jazz ghosts and synth-funk dust.
Following their first outing earlier this year (Vol. 1 on Sucata Tapes / SUC66), the duo returns with a bigger, deeper, and smoother bang on Vol. 2 – Filhos.
The grooves remain intact, expanding on the raw funk blueprint of Vol. 1 — now infused with Tropicália-rooted freedom, Sun Ra-style celestial chaos, and a tighter, more confident feel. The sonic palette is rich and eclectic: samplers, bells, analog synths, drums, marimba, vibraphone, bass, violas, and more are layered into a warm, rhythmic tapestry that honours the past while forging new sonic terrain.
At its core, Filhos (Portuguese for "Sons") is a tribute to lineage and tradition. It reflects the idea that we are all shaped by what came before — and through music, Guilherme & Bruno honor that legacy while pushing it into the future.

NOW Music proudly presents the next release in our “NOW That’s What I Call An Era” series – NOW That's What I Call An Era - Disco: 1973-1980 – a dazzling celebration of the golden age of disco.



This stunning 3LP set, pressed on blue, violet and pink vinyl, showcases 48 essential tracks that lit up the dancefloors, charts, and airwaves at the height of disco fever — an era when glittering anthems, euphoric grooves, and iconic vocal performances defined nightlife around the world.



LP1 opens in iconic style with Chic’s monumental ‘Le Freak’ followed by Sister Sledge’s equally legendary ‘We Are Family’, and Gloria Gaynor’s empowering #1 ‘I Will Survive’. Anthems follow from Sylvester with ‘You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)’ and Chaka Khan with ‘I’m Every Woman’, ahead of the timeless ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ by Candi Staton and the first side finishes with production by Chic’s Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards on massive hits for Diana Ross with ‘Upside Down’, and Sheila & B. Devotion with ‘Spacer’. Flip the LP over for Amii Stewart’s version of ‘Knock On Wood’ followed by The Three Degrees, Eruption and the first smash from Boney M., ‘Daddy Cool’. The Village People topped the chart with ‘YMCA’ which has become an enduring party favourite, which leads to the infectious ‘Let’s All Chant’ from the Michael Zager Band, Lipps Inc. with ‘Funkytown’ and to close the first LP, sci-fi disco from Dee D. Jackson with ‘Automatic Lover’.



LP2 begins with Donna Summer’s epic version of ‘MacArthur Park’, before Earth, Wind & Fire with The Emotions bring pure euphoria on ‘Boogie Wonderland’, and McFadden & Whitehead with the floor-filling ‘Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now’. Great vocals from Marvin Gaye and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes come ahead of George McCrae’s ‘Rock Your Baby’, one of the collections’ earliest and inspirational moments. UK artist Tina Charles hit the top with ‘I Love To Love’, and Andrea True Connection complete the side with the ear-worm ‘More More More’ whilst over on the other side legends Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons hit dancefloor gold and the #1 spot with ‘December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)’, ahead of The Trammps with their era-defining ‘Disco Inferno’. A Taste Of Honey, Grace Jones and a second appearance from Diana Ross are up next – before the LP closes with an enduring classic, ‘Follow Me’ from Amanda Lear, Patrick Juvet’s ‘I Love America’, and Frantique with ‘Strut Your Funky Stuff’.



LP3 bursts to life with the international smash and UK #1, ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ from Baccara, before a huge hit cover from Belle Epoque with ‘Black Is Black’. Next; Alicia Bridges, Rose Royce and UK chart toppers The Real Thing, ahead of funk-infused disco brilliance from Kool & The Gang and Barry White – whilst the side closer is Yvonne Elliman’s ‘If I Can’t Have You’, from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack and over on the final side there’s a stellar run of Disco nuggets: kicking off with Elton John’s irresistible ‘Are You Ready For Love’, originally released in 1979 and a #1 in 2003 along with ‘Boogie Nights’ from Heatwave, The Emotions with ‘Best Of My Love’, and LaBelle’s influential ‘Lady Marmalade’. The anthemic ‘Got To Be Real’ from Cheryl Lynn is next ahead of the trio of closing tracks: Odyssey with the sublime ‘Native New Yorker’, Thelma Houston’s Grammy-winning ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’, and fittingly, Donna Summer’s iconic ‘Last Dance’, ending the collection in perfect style.



An unforgettable journey through the songs that defined the dancefloor: NOW That’s What I Call An Era – Disco: 1973-1980 — the definitive celebration of disco’s golden age.

Kai Alce's NDATL is one of house's most authentic outlets, and now its sub-label NUTRIA is fast becoming just as essential. Its third outing marks the impressive debut of South African talent Reagan Ruler with his 'Trouble Man', which weaves deep house, soul and jazz-funk into a sophisticated new statement. Opener 'Hypnotize' delivers silky chords and airy vocals with a deep percussive flow that shows a real knack for melody. 'Don't Stop' bursts with shuffling drums and soulful uplift next to the horns and then a top reinterpretation of Marvin Gaye's' Trouble Man' pairs bite and boucle with deep and smooth drums and an almost Sade-like vocal. Instrumental and dub versions round out this expert 12".

The next instalment in the classic DJ-Kicks series is a selection of rapturous house, blissed-out breaks, and transcendent rave from the high priestess of the motherbeat herself, Chicago"s Eris Drew. DJ, producer, musician, long-time resident at Chicago"s Smartbar, and co-creator of the T4T LUV NRG party and label, Eris Drew has been DJing since the early 90s, and has since taken her ecstatic house and high-energy, uncompromising mixing style to clubs, raves, and festivals worldwide. Eris" DJ-Kicks mix is 79 minutes of, as she puts it "the funky, emotional, ecstatic house-and-breaks backbone that defines my sound", and includes tracks, remixes, and exclusives by Moby, Calisto, DJ Garth, Onionz, DJ Who, Kair, Hoof, and Toka Project, as well as from Eris herself and partner Octo Octa. The result of countless hours of digging, her selection delves into the rattling breaks, rave stabs, and haunting strings of classic and lost "90s hybrid house-and-breaks jams, and matches them with more recent digs, the mix moving back and forth between emotive, bittersweet, and evocative, to raw, tough, and twisted with consummate ease.

Chicago's premier boogie purveyors STAR CREATURE dig deep with 4 extremely rare cuts, 3 of them being white whale level impossible to find & the 4th commanding big bucks online! Includes songs by TIGER JACK, SOUL INVADERS, MOTHERFOX, and PYRAMID PLUS. Heavyweight vinyl and heavyweight reverse board jacket. Due out Nov. 10.

“Let’s Bounce” was originally issued on Ajana as one of their only 2 releases, the first being earlier from Central Power System on Numero Group’s The Chicago Party compilation. Tiger Jack remained elusive, both Jack and a copy of his record until we stumbled upon a contact and were able to get in touch and stitch together the fully extended mix of this Punk Funk Boogie Bopper. Speaking of Numero Group, The 2nd track of Side 1 comes from an assist from the reissue Gods themselves as they blessed us with this never-sold-on-discogs soulful side of Boogie Slap issued on one-and-done label Magikal. When asked about the track, songwriter CA Williams said they recorded it for a restaurant jingle. Probably the best one we’ve ever heard.

Side 2 starts off with an absolute Modern Soul Monster with Motherfox’s Hot Shot. John Harris came by Star Creature’s South Side of Chicago HQ to chop it up and share some stories on Motherfox and his other passion project most deep funkers would known as Carver High. This record has reached insane demand the past few years as it’s a certified floor filler for all scenes - peak big budget sound packed into a small DIY package, total package. Track 2 delivers the full version of the ever mysterious Pyramid Plus providing the Titular Tune “Comin’ At Ya’” as vocoded talkboxed low slung, spaced out Boogie Banger.

Manteca’s 2014 album, first time on vinyl. Manteca, the London Latin jazz/salsa funk combo, are back with a first-time vinyl release of their brilliant digital album “Oye” from 2014. “Oye” is a collection of heavy-duty Latin music that reaches well beyond the standard salsa or Cuban dance-band style, appealing to anyone and everyone, from mambo dancers to B-boys, jazz brothers to soul sisters! Led by Colombian singer Martha Acosta and bassist Javier Fioramonti, who have played with everyone from Roberto Pla and Candela, to Alex Wilson’s groups and Salsa Celtica, as well as backing Latin legends such as Joe Bataan, Jack Costanzo, Henry Fiol and Azuquita, this band really cooks! “Que Pasa” is smoking Latin funk, this will get your head nodding and foot tapping for sure.“Oye”, a lovely mid-tempo Afrobeat/Latin jazz fusion number with punching brass and super-funky kit playing. There are three cover versions on the album: Horace Silver’s “The Jody Grind”, a 1960s Blue Note Records soul jazz classic. Manteca does it justice, taking the original and turning it into a heavy Mongo Santamaria style funky Latin soul belter. Sergio Mendes’s “Groovy Samba” is also given the 1960s Mongo “Watermelon Man” style Latin soul jazz treatment. Very hip arrangement, and some fantastic brass soloing in there too. The last one is a brave choice. It’s the timeless bolero standard “Como Fue”, which the band plays beautifully. “Para Pello” (“For Pello”), a conga-style big percussive beat that evolved from Afro-Cuban street carnivals. Secondly, “Bomba Chevere”, a blend of Puerto Rican bomba and Colombian cumbia. The big Afro-Cuban track of the album is “Descarga China”, which has two different mixes. One is a descarga funk mix with some heavyweight kit playing and smoking trumpet soloing, while the other is a more straight-ahead Latin jam with Javier’s upright bass playing underpinning the whole number in a very Cachao way. Big shouts to the whole band, which features some of the best musicians from the London Latin music scene of the last three decades. These cats are as good as you’ll get in Latin music from anywhere across the world.This London Latin music gem has been crying out for a vinyl release for over a decade. At last, it's here. Slap it on the turntable, drop the needle on track one, turn the volume up, press play and be ready to dance. Standing still is NOT an option! DJ Lubi (One Jazz / Totally Wired Radio)

Originally released in 1973 and pressed in very small quantities, Emerge is the second album by the McCrary family and their non-gospel debut. Long sought after by collectors and modern-soul and funk connoisseurs, it's an exemplar of what was considered "progressive soul" in the early 70s as well as what emerged a generation later as "neo-soul." This long-overdue reissue was produced with the full cooperation of the McCrary family and gives this remarkable record wide distribution and easy accessibility for the very first time since its initial low-key release over half a century ago. The McCrary family started out as a gospel group in their native Youngstown, Ohio but turned to secular music upon relocating to Los Angeles in 1970 and recording this album for the tiny Cat’s Eye label of Beverly Hills. The music veers between sophisticated, jazzy R&B (Charity McCrary’s beautiful “Matter Of Time”) to occasionally grittier funk (as on “Kung Fu”). “Be A Father To Your Son” and “People Run On Love” bear messages that are still relevant decades later. The McCrarys would later gain wider recognition with their hit “You” featuring Stevie on harmonica and with “Any Old Sunday” which was memorably covered by Chaka Khan.

【Record Day 2025 Item】
Akira Miyazawa, a master of Japanese jazz who left behind such important works as “Yamamegyo”, “Iwana” and “Kiso” a work that recalls the original
landscape of Japan, has created a unique work based on “ninkyo eiga uta”, “enka” and “gunka”, with all songs arranged by Masao Yagi in jazz rock/rare
groove style!

The theme of “Abashiri Bangaichi” is supported by an inert flute, giving it an Ethiopian funk flavor. The Latin jazz-rock style of “Ryutensha” with its impressive
congas and vibraphone. “Zatoichi Lullaby” which starts with a superb groove from the introductory drum break and features a smooth and lustrous saxophone...
each of these songs is a unique Japanese groove sound spectacle with a mysterious combination of sounds.

Regrettably, the personal credit for “Soul Leon” is unknown, but its tight sound image and strong groove have led some to suggest that it may have been recorded
on the eve of the formation of Sound Limited, given the timing of its release in 1969.

Später, in den Tagen der funkelnden weißen Overalls, erreichte Elvis einen Höhepunkt, als die Musik ihn so tief bewegte, ihn in solche Höhen hob, dass es nur noch eines zu tun gab: "die umgekehrte Klaue". Wenn Musik dich dazu bringt, ist das ein wirklich großartiges Gefühl. "Die umgekehrte Klaue" ist das, worum es bei Deerhoof geht. Ihre jubelnde Musik zieht dich in den Moment hinein, und dort freust du dich. Auf dem transzendenten Album ,Friend Opportunity" überrascht die Musik immer wieder: Songs wie ,Perfect Me" haben drei oder vier Abschnitte mit atemberaubenden Offenbarungen des Erhabenen; ,Matchbook Seeks Maniac" zieht in der Mitte einen ,99 Luftballoons"-Breakdown-Move durch, rockt ein Brahms-Intervall im pop-narkotischen Refrain, und die Beach Boys und The Who sind überall im Mix zu hören - es ist eines der glorreichsten Dinge, die man je hören wird. Auf früheren Alben war eine der Hauptwaffen von Deerhoof der negative Raum - die atemberaubenden Stille zwischen den Beats und Akkorden schlugen härter zu als jedes Klirren und Klirren von Gitarren und Becken. Deerhoof waren wie Maler, die leere Stellen auf der Leinwand ließen, um ihre Pinselstriche hervorzuheben; jetzt neigen sie dazu, jeden Quadratzentimeter auszufüllen und laden uns ein, jeden brillanten Winkel zu genießen. Und Songs wie ,Perfect Me", ,Believe in E.S.P." und ,Choco Fight" sind weitaus groove-orientierter - und ja, auch sexier - als alles, was sie bisher gemacht haben. Das alles ist in Gegenüberstellungen integriert, die eigentlich irritierend sein müssten, aber einfach nur erstaunlich klingen. ,Believe E.S.P." beginnt mit Deerhoofs Interpretation von funkiger Slinkopation, aber der nächste Abschnitt klingt wie etwas aus Palestrina; wie so viele dieser Songs ist es eine malerische Fahrt, die von einer erstaunlichen Aussicht zur nächsten führt, von weiten, schimmernden Wüsten über neblige Schluchten bis hin zu atemberaubenden, schneebedeckten Berggipfeln. Wie Mike Watt einmal über seine Band The Minutemen sagte, schreiben Deerhoof keine Songs, sondern Flüsse. Woher kommt dieses Zeug? Da ist das hoch aufragende, ungerade getaktete Gitarrenriffarama von Chavez, der Heavy-Metal-Donner von Strawinsky, die beschädigten Schnörkel von Gastr del Sol, der Klang und Stomp von Led Zeppelin, Japans illustre Reihe atemberaubend innovativer, von Frauen dominierter Bands wie Ex-Girl und Melt Banana. Und jetzt gibt es diese Mensch-Maschine-Beatbox-Rhythmen, bei denen der titanische Schlagzeuger Greg Saunier die Technologie übertrifft wie ein John Henry mit zwei Holzstiften in den Händen anstelle eines Vorschlaghammers. Manchmal erinnern sie an The Who - wie ,Underture" aus Tommy oder die großartige Live-Version von ,A Quick One", eine Rockband, die die Arbeit eines Orchesters leistet, fesselnde Träumereien im Wechsel mit kraftvollen Ausbrüchen gewundener Melodien, lyrischen Machtspielen und Inverted Claws, die überwältigende Freude hervorrufen. Aber es gibt noch eine weitere wichtige Quelle: Seit mindestens 20 Jahren hat der Hip-Hop die ausgefallenste und experimentellste Musik hervorgebracht, die die Popmusik je gesehen hat. Warum kann Rockmusik nicht das Gleiche tun, auf ihre eigene Weise? Während ,Friend Opportunity" also tangential den Hip-Hop (und verschiedene Epochen des Rock in seiner abenteuerlichsten Form) zitiert, wendet es meist nur die gleiche Denkweise an - was wäre, wenn wir einfach unserer Fantasie freien Lauf lassen würden? ,Friend Opportunity" ist eine Meisterleistung der Neuerfindung, die nur von Künstlern kommen konnte, die bereit waren, alles zu überdenken. ,Es ist, als wäre man wieder ein Kind", sagte Saunier einmal zu Pitchfork, ,denn das ist es, was Kinder die ganze Zeit tun. Jeden Tag lernen sie neue Dinge, von denen sie nicht wussten, dass sie sie tun können." Mann, wenn man von Sonic Youth spricht - Deerhoofs Frühling ist ewig. - Michael Azerrad

Downwards present Alexander Tucker in metamorphosis from psych folk to techgnostic bard, aided by notable guests – Justin K Broadrick, Regis, Phew, Karl D’Silva, JJOWDY, and Elvin Brandhi – in a quest for disordered convention and new thrills. One up to Tucker’s outings for Alter and The Tapeworm, and spiritual successor to his »Nonexistant« trio on Downwards, »Clear Vortex Chamber« is an enigmatic take on the brownfield edgelands where the eldritch intersects electronic heck. Decades of work spread between hardcore punk, psych rock, folk, and drone — including work with Stephen O’Malley (Ginnungap) and Neil Campbell (Astral Social Club, ESP Kinetic) — feed forward into this album’s unsteady machine rhythms and cranky junkyard atonalities, where Tucker panel-beats aspects of his previous sound with a newfound industrial thrust and cyber-punky lust that suits him dead well.

A crafty example of how to mutate without losing sight of yourself, the album’s eight parts feel like a cyborg patching itself into modernity. On opener »Udug« Tucker’s signature falsetto peals from a A Scanner Darkly-style scramble suit of stereo-strobing electronics, setting a melodramatic, neo-gothic tension that riddles the album thru the knotted, fractured industrial dancehall bullishness of »Mallets« with Yeah You’s feral gob Elvin Brandhi, via a pair of standout »Fedbck« parts with Tucker’s personal idol, Justin K Broadrick (Godflesh, Jesu, and the rest), featuring the Brum deity’s claw-handed riffs and howl on the first, and smeared with Karl D’Silva’s brass in its noctilucent second part.

Regis also proves a staunch foil for the album’s most robust, club-ready cut »Zona«, hammered out from buzzing metallic drums and monotone bass drones, and pitting his severed vox against Tucker’s own androgynous harmonies to recall aspects of The Ephemeron Loop via British Murder Boys, whilst scene legend, Can and Ryuichi Sakamoto spar Phew (aka Aunt Sally) ideally tempers the flow in a relatively soothing »Sansu«, sharing more cyber-romantic, recombinant sentiments with the channelling of Robert Wyatt gone Funk Bruxaria on »Folded«.

After leading the Flying Mimi Band, Izumi Kobayashi gained attention for her keyboard work in Masayoshi Takanaka's band and for her work on the music for
the anime series Urusei Yatsura. This LP reissues her funky, tropical solo debut album from 1981!

2025 Record Store Day title - now available for general sale. A nice blend of afro, jazz, rare groove funk and reggae, for your listening and dancing pleasure. Featuring Vin Gordon, Abdul-Teejay, AJ Franklin, Barry Issac, Ashanti Selah, and many more.

Ramirez returns with THA PLAYA$ MANUAL II, the long-awaited sequel to his cult classic that helped solidify his place as one of underground rap’s most distinctive voices. Steeped in Southern-fried funk, Bay Area swagger, and Memphis-style menace, this new chapter finds Ramirez sharper, smoother, and more seasoned—delivering game like a streetwise sage with a gold grill grin.

Where the original Playa$ Manual was gritty and raw, THA PLAYA$ MANUAL II sounds like a player who's leveled up. The beats knock harder, the flows glide slicker, and the game is deeper. Ramirez weaves tales of betrayal, come-ups, late-night drives, and cold-hearted reality with the same charismatic cool that made him a standout in the $uicideboy$-adjacent G59 movement—but this time with a more refined, cinematic approach.

From trunk-rattling bangers to syrupy smooth cuts that soundtrack late-night escapades, THA PLAYA$ MANUAL II feels like a ride through Ramirez’s world with tinted windows up and the bass on max. It’s a record for the hustlers, the heartbreakers, the loners, and the legends in the making.

This is more than a sequel—it’s a statement: the playa’s still active, and the manual’s been updated.

Wally Badarou is a synth pioneer and musical polymath. But rarely does he sing over his sumptuous tracks. The 6 songs that comprise new record Simple Things finally realise Wally's vision for select backing tracks from his beloved Colors Of Silence.

The tracks were originally developed back in 2001 for the release of the original CD; here, Wally has “simply" added overdubs and vocals to their mastered mixes with some discerning edits. Simply put, Simple Things is another slice of simply stunning Wally Badarou genius.

Simple Things has been decades in the making. Indeed, Wally struggled not only with the idea of singing these wonderful songs himself but singing them in English and writing his own lyrics, while wrestling with the sensational backing tracks, which themselves seemed to have taken on a life of their own.

As Wally explained to us: "In addition to the instrumental artist I have been known as, so far, there has always been a singer who simply was not sure he was, up until now. Even though “Back To Scales Tonight”, my very first album, was, indeed, a song album."

Opener "It Couldn't Be You" embellishes the uptempo groove of soca-funk gem "The Lights Of Kinshasa". As Wally explained to us, it's about “a simple love story somewhere, one rainy night, under the lights of Kinshasa. A woman, a man, online dating, quite usual in our times. Then they meet, almost missing each other." The guide vocal Wally had laid for Colors Of Silence - with an organ sound - seemed striving for words in Linguala, a Congolese language he could not speak. Therefore the decision to do it himself was not an easy one, for it had to be in English to fit his singing. We think it turned out pretty good!

"You Can't Hide Always" vocalises Wally's deep concerns set to the propulsive "Smiles By The Millions": "Populism, ostracism, radicalism, ethics and values all turned upside down worldwide, are they all inevitably exacerbated by our social networks? It could all melt down one day, like a house of cards in the ocean of fake news and false prophecies”. Wally wanted to keep the track as bare as possible but, inevitably, the backing vocals and the synth-brass arrive ultimately to present a welcome 70s flavour, with no snare-drum added.

The bright and breezy "We'll Make It Again" adds vocals to "Where Were We", a tropical, reggae-tinged bounce through the islands. Here's Waly: "Where were we when we last said: "I love you"? Simple words to express something quite common, but never quite simple to deal with. A simple song about the resilience of the broken hearts.” The reggae came from it being conceived when Wally was scoring for “Third World Cop”, a 1999 Jamaican action movie.

"Walk Straight Ahead" provides Wally's gorgeous, contemplative and idiosyncratic vocals to the deep serenity of Colors Of Silence highlight, "Amber Whispers". It's a gliding, divine, mini melodic masterpiece. It'll make you swoon in its extreme beauty. As Wally describes, "it started as just whispers, sweet amber whispers. Then the colour turned darker, as darker skies seemed to fall upon us while the whole world keeps on walking ahead, straight ahead, regardless of the blatant warnings, feeling much too comfortable in conformity. Initially, the verses were to be spoken only. I realised they could be sung all the while, without overshadowing the ethereal atmosphere." Amen.

The serene, celestial "Painting My Life Blue" presents the vocal version of "Days To Wonder". Says Wally, "how does it feel when your second half is gone after decades of riding life together? Past the temporary loss of your bearings, you come to realise you've been blind to the essential, and suddenly you can see...For this most intimate song of mine, I had tried to come up with a melody on top of the existing backing track, long before realising the melody was in the keyboard part already. It just needed to be properly mixed with it."

The profoundly emotional "Just Two Lovers" works up the formerly-too-brief and glorious "Crystal Falls" into a much fuller masterpiece and features acoustic guitar sparkle before fully glistening with some gentle head-nod percussion. Waly explains further: "Dear little green men, please tell me, what is it about us that makes you want to come and visit us so often (contrary to Fermi's assertion)? And here is the reply I believe I heard them sing: "You've got the key you've been searching for: Love”. I reverted to the initial backing track I had made around 1985, which already bore the melody, and which I added acoustic guitars to, before singing it." An astounding closer.

A synth specialist, there can be few artists more under-appreciated given their vast influence than Wally Badarou. His solo work practically defined the sound of the Balearic DJs of the 1980s, and thus the more sophisticated sound of dance culture thereafter. He was one of the Compass Point All Stars (with Sly and Robbie, Barry Reynolds, Mikey Chung and Uziah "Sticky" Thompson), the in-house recording team of Compass Point Studios responsible for a series of albums in the 1980s recorded by Grace Jones, Tom Tom Club, Mick Jagger, Black Uhuru, Gwen Guthrie, Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Isaacs. Badarou's keyboard playing could also be heard on albums by Robert Palmer, Marianne Faithfull, Herbie Hancock, M (Pop Muzik), Talking Heads, Manu Dibango and Miriam Makeba. He also produced Fela Kuti. Phew!

When we asked Wally about the significance of this collection's title, he explained: "These are "Simple things” that everyday’s life seems to build upon. The simplest are the harder to describe, but when satisfactorily described i.e. with simple words, they are the more genuine and authentic to express and share. I’ve immersed myself in other classic song lyrics, something I hardly did before, just to appreciate the genius behind the simple words they were made of, and had a great time studying how powerful they were in expressing complex ideas such as love."

Recording was twofold: first, most of the backing tracks were recorded in 2001, in Wally's studio in Normandy, mostly using hardware synths and Yamaha digital consoles. Then, he fine-tuned the melodies and wrote the lyrics in late 2023, then added some overdubs and sang them all during summer 2024. States Wally, "Digital Performer was and remains the DAW I’ve been using throughout, ever since the 80s."

Wally's sophisticated synth textures and expressive keyboard runs are so full of character, so full of life, that this work of art transcends any easy genre categorisation. Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. Sometimes, the simple things are the most extraordinary.

Clarence Carter, blind from birth, was a blues singer with lascivious wit, a talented guitarist, a songwriter with a twinkle in his eye, and a champion of down-to-earth soul grooves who taught himself to play the guitar.

He sang in a gospel choir, completed a degree in music, and grounded the duo Clarence & Calvin but was not however very successful.

After a car crash involving Calvin Scott, Carter started on a solo career and signed a contract with Rick Hall and the Fame label as a soloist.

Among the earliest singles recorded at the Muscle Shoals studio were a few hits. After leaving Fame for Atlantic, he managed to enter the Top 20 of the R & B charts with "Looking For A Fox". His breakthrough came with "Slip Away", which sold a million copies and was awarded a Gold Record.

The legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals remained the home basis, as it were, for Carter during his career with Atlantic. "This Is…" begins with a contemplative, soft sound. "Do What You Gotta Do", written by Jim Webb, is a lovely, melancholic mid-tempo ballad, saturated with Barry Beckett’s keyboard and smothered by lush, plaintive winds.

But the man is primarily funky here … as three danceable, finger-snapping tracks prove; "Wind It Up", with further witty improvisations and a fervid organ solo, the highly syncopated, playful "Thread The Needle", and the smoky, irresistible "Funky Fever" – all written by Carter himself.

Dan Penn’s and Spooner Oldham’s "Slippin’ Around" has an unorthodox bossa nova-like beat that is reminiscent of Ray Charles’s "What’d I Say", while Carter’s unmistakable chuckle is to be heard for the first time on the riotous funk-rock number "I’m Qualified", which has the very same unique, infectious groove as was to be heard on Wilson Pickett’s "In The Midnight Hour". "She Ain’t Gonna Do Right", composed by the same man, brings more Alabama Country to the mix, whereby Beckett contributes a catchy, persistent organ riff in the refrain.

A one-off 12” from New York’s early 80s boogie underground, Hustlin’ Time was the only single released under the name American Steel. Originally pressed in 1983 on the small but cult Silver Screen Records label, it’s become a rare find for collectors and a secret weapon for DJs in the know.

Built around a strutting bassline, tight drums, and soulful vocals, Hustlin’ Time captures the essence of the boogie sound at its peak, equal parts funk, disco and electro. The 12" delivers four distinct takes: the full vocal, a shorter edit, a stripped-back instrumental, and a Dub mix courtesy of Aldo Marin under his S.U.R.E. Shot alias. Marin would go on to become a fixture in NYC remix culture, and his early touch here brings a raw dancefloor edge.

A 140 gram pressing in 3mm spine black disco sleeve with labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

After last year's extroverted and funky album "Be Who You Wanna Be," Stef Kamil Carlens presents a more introspective double album recorded with Nel Ponsaers and Rahmat Emonds. Featuring 14 songs—some of his own compositions and very surprising covers or reinterpretations—this album emphasizes lyrics, vocals, and a band sound primarily driven by acoustic instruments. Once again, it stands as a key addition to the already very eclectic catalog of one of Belgium’s most versatile and productive artists. Stef Kamil Carlens & The Poem will tour starting in October 2025.

"Que Se Sepa Pt. 1 & 2" by Kenny Dope Featuring Daniel Rojo
Released on Kay-Dee Records, "Que Se Sepa Pt. 1 & 2" is a vibrant, rhythm-driven collaboration between the legendary Kenny Dope and talented vocalist Daniel Rojo. This two-part single captures the essence of Latin breakbeats, infused with the unmistakable flair of Roberto Roena’s cover song influence, creating an energetic fusion of tropical percussion and funky beats.

Kenny Dope, known for his work with Masters at Work and his extensive influence on the house and hip-hop scenes, produces a dynamic track that combines smooth rhythms with infectious hooks. The sound is an irresistible blend of classic Latin grooves and modern, dancefloor-friendly beats, perfect for both the old-school salsa lover and the contemporary club crowd.

The release is an homage to Roena's legacy, infused with breakbeats and explosive percussive elements that pay tribute to the genre's rich history. The energy and rhythms of "Que Se Sepa Pt. 1 & 2" are destined to bring the heat to any playlist, with Daniel Rojo’s vocal contributions adding the finishing touch to this unforgettable Latin-influenced masterpiece.

This release marks yet another impressive addition to Kay-Dee Records, known for curating tracks that bridge the gap between classic sounds and modern production, celebrating the vibrance of Latin music while keeping it fresh and exciting for today’s audience.

Unleash the groove with this rare jam – a Street Funk remix of a legendary track from one of hip-hop’s most iconic voices and his powerhouse Flipmode Squad. Known for delivering countless hits and unforgettable anthems, this collective has once again blessed the decks with something truly special. Previously unreleased on 7” vinyl, this DJ-friendly edit is a treasure for any serious DJ and collector.

The pressing quality is simply mesmerizing, built with clubs and dancefloors in mind. From bouncing beats to fluid basslines, from uplifting keyboard chords to soulful vocals and razor-sharp rap verses – it’s got all the ingredients of a certified smash. Whether you're setting the tone or saving a set, this 7” is a go-to weapon for DJs worldwide. There’s not a problem this squad can’t fix and for sure this 7” will save a DJs life every night…

Having worked together on his 2024 album Colours & Light, Project Gemini aka Paul Osborne joins forces once again with Wendy Martinez, French singer and composer, and also part of renowned psych-girl group Gloria on a new collaborative EP. Landing on Mr Bongo, ‘Time Stands Still / Le temps s'arrête’ is a sonic exploration that shows a shared love of the progressive music emanating out of France in the ‘60s and ‘70s and the celebrated film soundtrack composers of the time. A more melodic and romantic excursion than Paul’s previous recordings, this EP marries his richly textured, cinematic psych rock with Martinez’s captivating vocal presence.

A body of work born during the period Paul was finishing up his last LP Colours & Light, he penned an album’s worth of instrumental library-style music and had the idea of having Wendy add vocals and lyrics to a selection of them. The instrumental record got scrapped, but thankfully ‘Time Stands Still’ grew out of it.

Paul was a fan of Wendy’s work as both a solo artist and in the band Gloria, and her inclusion on the Project Gemini tracks ‘Entre chien et loup’ & ‘Extra Nuit’ showed a clear synergy to their musical approaches and sounds. For ‘Time Stands Still’ he sent over instrumental tracks one by one, with Wendy taking time to find melodies and French poetry she was happy with and returning her ideas from her home just outside of Lyon.

Drawing inspiration from French soundtrack composers such as François de Roubaix, Frances Lai and Michel Colombier, as well as French female artists including Léonie and Laurence Vanay, these productions are a contemporary love letter to this sound, not a homage. Mixing psych, folk, chanson, and French new wave, it’s music that pulls you in deeper, with groove, grit and passion at its core.

'Je n'ai plus peur' kicks things off with a sultry energy. It’s a psych-funk production drenched in attitude, swagger, and edge, which nods to the left-field side of Serge Gainsbourg’s music. Elsewhere, 'Âme contre âme' feels like the opener from a forgotten new-wave film, managing to be at both beautiful yet sinister and longing. 'The Crawler' could be incidental music from the same film, with Wendy using her voice as an instrument layering the backing track as Paul's bass takes centre stage. The ghostly spoken word of 'Ce qui est intact' echoes a funky version of what the Théâtre du Chêne Noir d'Avignon may have recorded.

A transportive journey ‘Time Stands Still’ is nostalgic yet new in the same smoke-filled breath. Fuzzed-up guitars and driving basslines meld with folk-leaning organs and mellotron vibrations to give that eerie, otherworldly edge. All of which are seasoned by the sensuous, layered vocal tones of Wendy Martinez, alongside crisp drums from Tony Coote and considered percussive touches by Paul Elliot.

“Electronic / Funk Yacht Rock testament to the carefree teen spirit of the 80s”

In 1985, a young and ambitious Britt Cobble, fresh out of school, ventured to Florida to have his debut solo album Maiden Voyage mastered by none other than reggae legend Touter Harvey, known for his work with Bob Marley. The result is Spinnaker – Maiden Voyage, an Electronic / Funk Yacht Rock album infused with the carefree teen spirit of the 80s.

Anchored by its central motto, “Love the coast, it’s there for you,” the album captures the essence of youthful exploration and the allure of the open sea. With slick production and an undeniable air of nostalgia, Spinnaker invites listeners to escape into a world of sun-soaked coastlines and endless horizons. Britt elevates yacht rock to new heights, serving as both a testament to youthful ambition and a celebration of the era’s smooth, coastal vibes.

Followed by the first release last year Chinese label Motivation, curated by B.ai, comes back with its second V.A. featuring Ilkay Yeler, J6, SMEV and NAE. The vinyl attributes in progressive house, electro house and electro.

Opening track “Destiny” ‘s morphing main motif gets kept in check by a steady pulse of snappy bass. Enigmatical vocal samples add to the ambiguous atmosphere, so the sets of twinkling mallets J6 sleekly includes, bring a touch of subtle lightness.

A-2 Ilkay Yeler’s sound is fueled by endless nights of groove, and on “Frontliner” this translates to a hypnotic trip into the deep end. Underneath its dreamlike current of silky chords a steady bass riff propels everything forward, allowing a restless arp to zone in and out.

Flipping to the side B, Sev’s Miami-inspired 808 patterns have “Clearing The Fog” come out of the gates swinging. Bright flutes and big basslines provide this slab of machine funk with a tapestry of melody, and fluorescent synth solos top it off.

Nay ends affairs on a melancholic note with “Silent River”. The leads sound like they ran through an eighties wave pedal chain, and as pondering chords and choirs work their way in, a Juno 6 bass adds extra depth. Still firmly directed at the club, the track escapes easy classification - and suitably closes a diverse yet coherent EP.

Legacy in Motion is the third studio album from Western Sydney hip-hop powerhouse The 046. Legacy in Motion is a 16-track statement of growth, resilience, and ambition that cements our status as leaders of Australia’s rap scene. Blending our signature “Aus Funk” sound with a GFunk and West Coast-inspired style built on heavy basslines, smooth synths, and street-level lyrics with fresh, evolved production. Legacy in Motion captures The 046 at their sharpest, from the anthemic opener “Forever G’s” to standouts like “Music Is Everything” and “Young Free & Reckless”, the album moves seamlessly between hard-hitting street energy, reflective storytelling, and tracks built for festival stages. Stacked with heavyweight collaborations, including Lisi, Barkaa, Nyxladd, JKING, D-Boy 223, and Say True God?.

Legacy in Motion expands The 046’s reach across Australia’s hip-hop landscape. The title track and deeper cuts like “Nothing’s Free” showcase their maturity, reflecting on hustle, loyalty, and carving out a lasting legacy while staying true to their Western Sydney roots. This album isn’t just another release it’s The 046 proving their movement is unstoppable.

'Don't Turn Your Back On Me feat. Pauline Taylor' originally featured on US house innovator and Basement Boys co-founder Teddy Douglas's ‘I’m Here’ album in late 2024. It's a true soulful house anthem with funky bass and a glorious vocal that was primed for a A-list remix package. Douglas himself opens up this package with joyous organ chords and soft melodies lighting up the smooth, seductive drums. Swiss DJ and producer Shaka goes next as an artist who has spent decades blending acid, Chicago, and Detroit influences into his own tunes on top labels like Nervous, GooD MooD, and Mister Bear Records. His 12-inch Club version strips things back to go deep and dubby before rebuilding with sunny melodies, expressive organs, and proggy guitar licks that bring joyous energy and real dance floor unity.

Next is NYC DJ Tedd Patterson, a true originator, resident at Ladyfags’ Battle Hymn party and a regular at Horse Meat Disco, Berghain’s Panorama Bar, and Glitterbox, as well as releasing on Strictly Rhythm, Nervous, Defected, and more. His sophisticated remix boasts a warm and bouncy sound, complemented by soulful vocals that lend richness. Then it's seminal NYC favourite Danny Krivit, who is part of the cult Body and Soul crew, is a renowned remixer and editor with hundreds of credits to his name on the most important labels in the scene, and is resident DJ at New York’s legendary 718 Sessions. He draws on his vast experience to edit the original into a playful disco stomper, complete with neat guitar riffs and zippy synths, all bursting with joy as the funky beats roll on and the lush vocals soar to new heights.

Jackie Mittoo’s ‘Reggae Magic’ is a new collection from the great Jackie Mittoo. The album features a mixture of classic tunes and rarities from the period 1967-74, when Mittoo was at the height of his musical powers. Mittoo’s solo career began after the end of The Skatalites in 1965. He began pushing new musical boundaries, creating a uniquely identifiable organ-led funky reggae sound that owed as much to Booker T and The MGs, Jimmy Smith, Stax and Motown as to the post-ska and emergent rocksteady island rhythms of Kingston, Jamaica. His solo work at the legendary Studio One spanned seven albums and hundreds of singles.

Aside from producer and founder Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd, it’s hard to think of anyone more central to the sound and success of Studio One than Mittoo; keyboard player extraordinaire, songwriter, arranger, musician, truly the Keyboard King at Studio One. Jackie Mittoo had been the youngest founding member of The Skatalites (at age 16), probably the most important group in Jamaican music. After they split, he became leader of the three pivotal groups at Studio One – The Soul Brothers, The Soul Vendors and Sound Dimension. He also became musical director for Studio One, helping create countless hits for singers Ken Boothe, Bob Andy, The Wailers, John Holt, Delroy Wilson and more – unforgettable tunes like Alton Ellis’ ‘I’m Still in Love with You’, Marcia Griffiths’ ‘Feel Like Jumping’, The Heptones’ ‘Baby Why’ and others. Between 1965 and 1968, many of the tunes created at Studio One can be attributed to Mittoo – timeless instrumental tracks, recorded either under his own name or those of The Soul Brothers, Soul Vendors and Sound Dimension, that have become the basis for literally 1000s and 1000s of Jamaican songs over many decades, giving the music an unsurpassed longevity.

The endurance of his music was as a direct result of significant developments in Jamaican music in the 1970s, namely the creation of three important new styles: Dub, Deejay and Dancehall. In the early 1970s Mittoo’s instrumental tracks were used as the musical source for a series of classic Studio One dub albums. At the same time Deejays at Studio One, including Dillinger, Prince Jazzbo and Dennis Alcapone, began toasting over these same popular rhythms to create their own new songs. In the mid-70s, a new generation of Studio One singers and deejays, including Sugar Minott, Freddie McGregor, Johnny Osbourne, Michigan & Smiley and others, began once again creating new melodies over these original instrumentals, signalling the birth of a new Jamaican style that became known as ‘dancehall’.

As dancehall swept across the island, rival producers copied these now classic rhythms. These original Jackie Mittoo-driven tunes spread like a virus throughout Jamaican music; be they the instrumental cuts to tunes such as Alton Ellis’ ‘Mad Mad’ , ‘I’m Just A Guy’, Larry Marshall’s ‘Mean Girl’, Slim Smith’s ‘Rougher Yet’, and instrumentals such as Mittoo’s classic ‘Hot Milk’ or ‘One Step Beyond’, The Sound Dimension’s ‘Real Rock’, ‘Heavy Rock’, ‘Full Up’, ‘Drum Song’, ‘Rockfort Rock’ … and the list goes on. These tracks became a constant soundtrack to the island, emitting from the ever-present sound of speaker boxes strung up around dancehalls. This recycling travelled even farther afield; The Sound Dimension’s instrumental ‘Real Rock’, updated by Willie Williams on his classic ‘Armageddon Time’ was in turn covered by The Clash. Lily Allen sampled Mittoo’s debut solo single ‘Free Soul’ for number one hit ‘Smile’; Dawn Penn’s ‘You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)’, accompanied by The Soul Vendors, was revived by Penn and producers Steely & Cleevie in 1994, since covered by Rihanna, Ghostface Killah, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Beyonce. And so it goes; an endless time-leaping, continent-hopping diasporic musical map of the world with all roads essentially leading back to one man – Jackie Mittoo.

Side A / Double A / Work it Out
Not that it really matters, but, new label artwork alert! For release number 008, Mountain 45s gives its labels a fresh, clean look and goes small hole. It’s a “Double A” sider from the label bawss, Double A. And, like Chuck D said, “brother’s gonna work it out”. Big drums, and a new arrangement give this soul classic a dance floor update. For the b-boys/b-girls (and all the dancers), this one will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Side B/ Double A / Skewed Down
This one made the rounds for a while as a digital drop but finally get’s its vinyl due. Hoggin’ drums and the funkiest of bass lines make this a hip-hop rework sure-shot. For old school players and new school fools alike.

The Rhythm Makers's Soul On Your Side is flawless proto-disco funk. The Bronx-based band - that later went on to form heavyweight disco outfit GQ - originally released this treasure in 1976 and it's long been a hard to find record. It's also rare to find a record this hard. Captivating funk at its rawest, no doubt.

Storming out the gate with the rollicking Loft/Garage staple "Can You Feel It (Part 1)", the listener is immediately put on notice that this LP is just a little bit special. The title track, "Soul On Your Side", is a classic dancer and the basis of GQ's future hit "Disco Nights". But it's perhaps "Zone", a huge Baldelli track, that the record is best known for. Hypnotic psyched-out cosmic-disco / cosmic funk, it's an unrelenting groove that really thrusts the party into hyperdrive. With doses of scintillating Latin and pulsating African rhythms driving the pumping tune, atop an unstoppable bassline and imaginative, soul-slathered keyboard figures, it's basically a full-on funk assault. You might need a lie-down after this.

But there's no let-up on the B-Side, immediately grooving thanks to "Funk-N-You", a laidback glider that just rolls in the sleek style. Gorgeous harmony skills are displayed on "Street Dreamin'". Beautiful and gritty funk, by turns. "You're My Last Girl" is an airy ballad with two leads before the legendary "Monterey" enters the fray. A much-sampled instrumental and heavy disco-funk nugget, it contains an amazing B-Boy drum break making the whole LP worth the price of admission. "Can You Feel It (Part 2)" closes out this spectacular set.

The Rhythm Makers had been gigging around New York City since the late ’60s, having initially come together as Sabu and the Survivors, named after bassist Keith “Sabu” Crier. They eventually - for this album at least! - settled on The Rhythm Makers and cut one record for the small De-Lite subsidiary Vigor. The core lineup featured Crier, keyboardist Herb Lane, drummer Kenny Banks and rhythm guitarist Rahiem Leblanc.

Mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Cicely Balston for Alchemy at AIR Studios with artwork restored at Be With HQ, this new edition should hopefully bring this album into the homes and record boxes of many more people.

Silence In The Secret Garden is an intensly personal and spiritual journey into the heart & soul of black music.From the reckless dark minimalism of the title track Silence In The Secret Garden to the irresistible funk of Yesterday’s Party… this classicalbum has continued to surprise and inspire.
Smokey 2LP with limited edition Obi Stip to celebrate the 35-year anniversary

Ramirez returns with THA PLAYA$ MANUAL II, the long-awaited sequel to his cult classic that helped solidify his place as one of underground rap’s most distinctive voices. Steeped in Southern-fried funk, Bay Area swagger, and Memphis-style menace, this new chapter finds Ramirez sharper, smoother, and more seasoned—delivering game like a streetwise sage with a gold grill grin.

Where the original Playa$ Manual was gritty and raw, THA PLAYA$ MANUAL II sounds like a player who's leveled up. The beats knock harder, the flows glide slicker, and the game is deeper. Ramirez weaves tales of betrayal, come-ups, late-night drives, and cold-hearted reality with the same charismatic cool that made him a standout in the $uicideboy$-adjacent G59 movement—but this time with a more refined, cinematic approach.

From trunk-rattling bangers to syrupy smooth cuts that soundtrack late-night escapades, THA PLAYA$ MANUAL II feels like a ride through Ramirez’s world with tinted windows up and the bass on max. It’s a record for the hustlers, the heartbreakers, the loners, and the legends in the making.

This is more than a sequel—it’s a statement: the playa’s still active, and the manual’s been updated.

Return Of The Funky Man is the second album by New York legend Lord Finesse. Originally released in 1992, this album was highly anticipated after his debut on the scene just a few years prior. Having already established himself as a punch-line king capable of humorous storytelling, Return of the Funky Man cemented Finesse as a top-notch producer. Tracks such as “Fat for the 90s” and “I Like My Girls With A Boom” showed the Funky Man truly living up to his name, both on the mic and behind the boards. After the gruff-voiced “Lord Finesse Intro”, the album goes on a nonstop journey of witty wordplay over genre-defining boom bap beats. Along for this ride, Finesse brings D.I.T.C. brethren Showbiz and Diamond D on the production side (plus Aladdin & SLJ) while AG and (at the time) newcomer Percee P share mic duties. Topically, Finesse doesn’t stray too far from reminding us why he’s earned the title The Funky Man. Whether it's bragging and boasting, or breaking down females, he has a way of doing it with a tongue-in-cheek type way that is sure to have you letting out a laugh or two every couple of lines. He possesses that rare quality of being a solo MC that is capable of entertaining throughout the entire hour plus listening experience. Standout tracks such as “Yes You May”, “Stop Sweating the Next Man”, and “Party Over Here” all show why this album was instantly praised by fans and critics alike.

Gabriel Birnbaum, der Hauptsongwriter der Brooklyn-Band Wilder Maker, sagt, dass das neueste Album der Gruppe, The Streets Like Beds Still Warm, ,einer allgemeinen formalen Asymmetrie folgt, wie einer Traumlogik". Es ist reichhaltig strukturiert, stimmungsvoll und tiefgründig und ebenso narrativ wie experimentell. Es als Konzeptalbum zu bezeichnen, so groß dieser Begriff auch ist, würde ihm eigentlich nicht gerecht werden. Tatsächlich ist es nur der erste Teil einer Konzepttrilogie, die die Geschichte einer langen Nacht in der Stadt erzählt, von der Dämmerung bis zum Morgengrauen. Das Album folgt einem einsamen Erzähler, der durch die Straßen treibt und Bars und Krankenhauszimmer betritt und wieder verlässt. Wenn das ein bisschen noir klingt, dann liegt das daran, dass es das auch ist. ,Film noir Detektive sehen am Anfang immer makellos aus, aber am Ende des Films haben sie einen zerrissenen Kragen, ein blaues Auge, ihre Hosen sind fleckig und sie fangen an, aus Verzweiflung Leute zu schlagen", sagt Birnbaum. ,Sind sie noch die Guten? Ich finde das faszinierend und ich liebe die visuellen Hinweise, die die innere Landschaft widerspiegeln." Zwar gibt es auf The Streets Like Beds Still Warm keine visuellen Hinweise im eigentlichen Sinne, doch das Album verdankt sein großartiges Debüt der Kinematografie. Impressionistische Wirbel aus verzerrter Gitarre, Schlagzeug und Saxophon untermalen Birnbaums heiseres, weltmüdes Bariton-Crooning, das manchmal an Bill Fay erinnert. Aber manchmal, in all den düsteren Bar-Geschichten, denkt man auch an Tom Waits. Es ist ein Vergleich, der sowohl irreführend als auch verkürzend sein kann, aber es ist schwer, diese Assoziationen beim Hören von The Streets Like Beds Still Warm nicht zu sehen - vielleicht eine langsam schwingende Tiffany-Lampe direkt über dem Kopf des Erzählers, der etwas mehr als halbtrunken ist und eine brillant poetische, antiheroische Geschichte auf eine Serviette in einer Bar kritzelt. Seien Sie jedoch versichert, dass dies nicht ,The Heart of Saturday Night" und auch nicht ,In the Wee Small Hours" ist. Tatsächlich stammen die musikalischen Vorläufer von ,The Streets Like Beds Still Warm" aus ganz anderen Ecken des musikalischen Universums. Die Band lässt sich direkt von den Werken der zeitgenössischen Alt-Jazz-Musiker Anna Butterss und Jeff Parker sowie vom Ambient-Pionier Brian Eno ,The Streets Like Beds Still Warm" ist insgesamt ein Statement für nächtliches und hypnotisches Storytelling - sowohl in Bezug auf Stil als auch Inhalt. Birnbaums Engagement für die Erzählung, die letztendlich von Menschlichkeit handelt, spiegelt sich in der traumhaften Art und Weise wider, wie sich die Melodien entfalten. Es könnte gar nicht anders funktionieren. Tief empfunden und fokussiert, unbestreitbar hörenswert, aber schwer zu fassen - ,The Streets Like Beds Still Warm ist wunderschön seltsam - und es fühlt sich genau wie etwas an, das in zehn Jahren die Anerkennung erhalten wird, die es verdient.

A guitar player, writer, producer, and composer, Stevie Salas has recorded on over 70 different albums with artists as diverse as George Clinton, Justin Timberlake, Buddy Miles, T.I., Mick Jagger, and Rod Stewart. Having sold over two million solo albums around the world, Stevie has been cited as one of the top 50 guitarists of all time. Dreaming of a career in music, Stevie left the small town of Oceanside, California in 1985. Eight months later he was discovered by funk music legend George Clinton as the lead guitarist for Clinton's albums. Stevie received his first major label producer credit with Was (Not Was) when he co-produced the UK hit "Out Come the Freaks" from the album "What up Dog?" Rolling Stone Magazine listed "What up Dog?" as one of the top 100 records of the decade. With an extensive solo career, Stevie has now teamed up with Deko Entertainment to reissue some of these albums starting with the 30th Anniversary of "Back From The Living (Deluxe Edition)"













k MUCH ADO ABOUT BUTTIN' [SUCKERMANGRUBBY MOUTH MIX]





[q] TELL YOUR STORY WALKIN' [MUG MASHER REMIX]
[r] CRACK KILLED APPLE JACK [GRAVY BOOTY REMIX)











[k] MUCH ADO ABOUT BUTTIN' [SUCKERMANGRUBBY MOUTH MIX]





[q] TELL YOUR STORY WALKIN' [MUG MASHER REMIX]
[r] CRACK KILLED APPLE JACK [GRAVY BOOTY REMIX)

Tuber, steps into the spotlight with his debut EP, a calculated assault tailored for dark and smoke-filled rooms. Five meticulously programmed tracks, each designed to unleash visceral sensations when played on top-tier sound systems. The result is a heady, sweat-soaked experience, drawing dancers into a relentless rhythm that captivates the mind and drives bodies in motion

Leila Gamal’s ‘Abaleeh Abalingi’

At the height of Pan-Arabism, when the United Arab Republic fused Egypt and Syria in a fleeting but bold experiment, a new wave of popular music was emerging—vibrant, infectious, and universally danceable. Among its lesser-known stars was actress Leila Gamal, whose voice—delicate yet rich with longing—embodied the golden era of Egyptian cinema. Born in Alexandria to Syrian roots, Gamal’s vocals were a magnetic blend of sweetness and passion, with a timeless allure that echoed the silver-screen sweethearts of her time.

Abaleeh Abalingi pulses with the hypnotic drive of funky organ riffs, reminiscent of the blind visionary Ammar El Sheriyi, creating a sound both cinematic and undeniably catchy. The delicate lyrics by Khairi Fouad place the track firmly in the lineage of the Middle East’s most iconic pop divas, from Angham to Nawal El-Zoughbi who he subsequently wrote for. This reissue, lovingly remastered, brings this long-lost gem back to life, where it belongs—spinning on turntables, teasing dance floors, and transporting listeners to Egypt in the late sixties.


Adel Osman’s “Oriental Eyes”

Oriental Eyes captures the essence of the 60s Egyptian Franco-Arab movement, blending Western (often jazz) influences with Arabic melodies to mesh mystique with sensuality. Osman’s commanding yet delicate vocals deliver the bilingual lyrics with captivating sincerity, his voice effortlessly gliding over the swells of the arrangement. The trumpet, possibly connecting him to Zaki Osman of Salah Ragab’s legendary Cairo Jazz Band, adds a layer of flair, enriching the track’s Tarantino-esque eclecticism. Now remastered, ‘Oriental Eyes’ is not only a nostalgic gem but a timeless reminder of the boundary-defying spirit that defined the 1960s musical landscape.

Given the ongoing war efforts against Israel, this record wasn’t pressed by Sono Cairo till much later in 1975 once Egypt had recaptured the Sinai and restored national pride. Sono Cairo (Sawt el-Qahira) was the first Arab-owned and by far the largest record label in the Middle East, amassing an unmatched catalogue of music. With exclusive rights over much of Umm Kulthum’s works, Sono Cairo played a crucial role in disseminating the sounds of Arab Nationalism and projecting Egypt’s soft power across the region.

Muhammad Al-Najjar
London, April 2025

credits
Audio restoration and vinyl mastering: Colin Young
Lacquer cut: Timmion cutting lab
Sleeve and label artwork: Grotezk Studio
Under License of Sono Cairo

Maggid Tewfik – Mazzika Nicab Parts 1 & 2:

Released in 1973, Mazzika Nicab by Egyptian film director and iconic figure Maggid Tewfik is a trippy instrumental journey into the experimental realms of baladi music. Known for his prolific career as a director and DOP in over 30 Coptic films, Tewfik’s composition, split in two parts, presents a moody yet undeniably cheeky tune that is unlike anything found in Egyptian music over the ages.

The track is a hypnotic blend of Eastern rhythms and Latin grooves, featuring an early drum machine that guides the track through its jubilant and stormy atmosphere. This mechanical beat is paired with funky garage sounds, creating a psychedelic fusion that evokes images of an epic cinematic score, where belly dance meets the raw energy of late-60s experimental rock. Belly-dance sci-fi perhaps..?

Muhammad Al-Najjar
London, April 2025

credits
Audio restoration and vinyl mastering: Colin Young
Lacquer cut: Timmion cutting lab
Sleeve and label artwork: Grotezk Studio
Under License of Sono Cairo

Boogie Back Records proudly presents the follow-up 7" vinyl release from UK soul stalwarts Ernie & the Family McKone featuring Laura Jackson. Following the success of their previous hit „Wish You Were Here“ , this new single delivers another slice of modern soul magic—rooted in vintage funk grooves, crisp production, and Laura Jackson’s unmistakable voice. On the A-side „Make It Allright“, expect an infectious uptempo stepper with irresistible hooks, while the B-side „Make A Move On Me“ offers another silky smooth uptempo groove perfect for prime-time and late-night spins. Timeless, classy, and crafted for the soul connoisseurs—don’t miss this essential addition to your crate. This is another special and exclusive 45/7“ release via Soulkitchen Distribution

2025 Repress

In 2022, Daniele “Shield” Contrini of Rebirth Records proposed Paraíso to the great man himself, a compilation honouring Alfredo’s legacy. After Alfredo’s passing in December 2024, the project was final; with artists rallying to honour his vision and memory.

Before becoming a global clubbing hotspot, Ibiza embodied freedom—a place where sunrises blurred into sunsets and music became a way of life. In the 1950s and '60s, the island drew artists, hippies, and outsiders seeking escape and creative liberty.

In 1976, Alfredo Fiorito, fleeing political repression in Argentina, arrived in Ibiza and stayed. A former music journalist, he soon began DJing at Amnesia, a farmhouse-turned-club where time bent and boundaries dissolved. With eclectic, genre-defying sets, Alfredo blended reggae, flamenco, soul, rock, and early house, crafting a hypnotic energy that captivated a generation.

British DJs like Trevor Fung, Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling brought this “Balearic Beat” back home. But Balearic wasn’t a style it was a mindset. As DJ Leo Mas said, it was “a state of mind,” where rhythm, spirit, and psychedelia merged.

Other clubs like KU, Es Paradis, Pacha, and Lola’s amplified the movement. Visual artists such as Yves Uro gave it a striking identity, and DJs like César de Melero, DJ Pippi, and Jon Sa Trinxa carried the sound into a new era. José Padilla’s sunset sessions at Café del Mar birthed chill-out music as breath, not just beat.

But the 1990s brought change. Laws requiring roofs on clubs altered the open-air magic. Commercialisation followed; freedom became luxury, and many pioneers left.

Still, the Balearic spirit lives—raw and untamed. It pulses in hidden parties, intimate venues like Pikes and Hostal La Torre, and sacred places like Benirrás and Las Dalias.

Featuring 16 tracks of classic and true Balearic sound; alongside House & proto-House tracks that Mr Fiorito spun, the album also includes an unreleased Alfredo track and stands as a tribute to the man, the music, and the enduring spirit of true Ibiza.

Roland Van Campenhout is certainly one of the most unique Belgian artists. Active since the 1960s, Roland has built an extensive and eclectic discography. With more than 20 albums featuring folk, blues, rock, world music, movie and theatre soundtracks — all blending together to create a new musical dimension that defines his true free musical spirit. He has received multiple awards, toured the world with Rory Gallagher, and performed with Tim Hardin, Leo Kottke, Ian Anderson, and the entire Belgian scene.