Search:soul of

Two years after his ​Apron Records debut in 2017, ​Molinaro makes a poignant return to Funkineven​’s forward-facing label. ​What The Future Was is both an ode to personal growth and a reminder of the responsibility to keep the tradition of musical trailblazers alive.

What The Future Was is the result of 10+ years spent honing his craft and home studio into his finest, most progressive work to date. Fans of his APRON35 debut will find home in the rugged, cosmic ruckus of “EMBER”, “PURITY” and “THE PNEUMA”. Elsewhere, tracks like “AEVEA FOREST”, “ENTITY” and “HER THEME” expose a more vulnerable and tender side to his growing palette of sound and feeling.

In a world where online personalities and reach are increasingly glorified more than ​actual skill, hard work and talent, Molinaro has ​constructed an alternative, sonic utopia where soulful, groove-based music is the antidote

His music is characterized by a mix of electronic, deep and tropical house, and techno music produced in a minimalist manner with jazz and soul influences. "Vandaag", containing a sample of the "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr. became a major charting hit in 2014. Six years later, in 2020, Bakermat released his first studio album The Ringmaster - a ten- track project showcasing his lengths and versatility, including the chart- topping release "Baiana\u0301", awarded Gold and Platinum status, surpassing 100 million total streams, and stamped as the official feature track for EA's FIFA 2021. The Ringmaster also includes the singles "Partystarter", "Trouble", "Learn To Lose", "Baiana\u0301", and "Under The Sun (ft. Kidda)". The full album features collabs with Alex Clare, Gossip Girl's Emily Lind, BRAVES, and 7Chariot amongst others. The Ringmaster is available as a limited edition of 500 copies on yellow, black and red marbled vinyl

For vinyl enthusiasts and music lovers alike, this 7" release is an inspired pairing that bridges generations and genres. The A-side is Rock & Smooth’s masterful blend of soulful production and heartfelt lyricism. The iconic saxophone sample and poignant verses have solidified it as a timeless classic. On the flip we have The Beginning of the End's 1971 “When She Made Me Promise”, a vibrant funk track that exudes a breezy, carefree vibe. Its infectious groove and lively melody have made it a favourite for sampling by various hip-hop artists over the years

One of South Africa’s most respected house music producers, SculpturedMusic returns with his sixth studio album, Playhouse – a release that further cements his reputation as a master of soulful, deep and emotionally rich electronic music.

Once again russian and english junglists brings a superb soulfull release using amen breaks to bring you elsewhere, out of the ragga stuff... A pure musical moment, really strong for anyone wishing to surprise a jungle dancefloor ! Must have !

Cosada Records returns with its third release “Blue Hour”, crafted by label founder Laseech. Moving deep into the warm twilight of the Adriatic, this EP delivers a beautiful blend of mature underground sounds and soulful grooves. Side A opens with “Blue Hour”, a cut filled with pure, classic deep house sweetness. It is followed by “The Orient”—co-produced by Julian Grgorovic—which guides listeners on an unpredictable journey powered by flowing flutes and hypnotic synth lines. Flipping over to Side B, Chicago luminary Vick Lavender brings a brilliant new dimension to the release. Created alongside Justin Dillard, his “2AM Time Traveler Remix” delivers late-night house exploration at its finest. Distributed worldwide by Mother Tongue.

SOFIA RUBINA – "Soul Morning" b/w "Truth About Love"

LRK Records is proud to announce the beautiful new 7" single from internationally acclaimed Estonian soul singer Sofia Rubina.

A-side "Soul Morning" is an uplifting slice of modern soul, blending warm melodies, rich musicianship and timeless grooves. On the flip, "Truth About Love" delivers a heartfelt performance that perfectly showcases Sofia's soulful voice and effortless style.

Pressed on 7" black vinyl and housed in a stunning full-colour picture sleeve, this release is strictly limited to just 250 copies worldwide.

A must-have for collectors of modern soul and quality independent releases.

Limited to 250 copies worldwide

Mara TK, a golden voiced, Maori-Scottish world-wandering citizen of Aotearoa (New Zealand) announces his debut solo album 'Bad Meditation', released 7th May on Extra Soul Perception. Stepping out on his own, Mara TK is the former frontman of the acclaimed Kiwi future soul trio Electric Wire Hustle. Written and produced by Mara himself, 'Bad Meditation' is his 13 track opus, a deeply personal account of heritage, love, loss and healing.

An alumnus of Red Music Academy in Toronto, Mara TK's work beyond Electric Wire Hustle has seen him collaborate with critically lauded names including Om'Mas Keith of Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Detroit producer and J Dilla collaborator Waajeed, and Steve Spacek.

Extra Soul Perception is a collaboration and community music platform that started life between the UK, Kenya and Uganda but is now continuing to grow and connect independent musicians worldwide. Now with Mara TK added to the roster, Extra Soul Perception has released music by Lex Amor, K15, Maxwell Owin, Lynda Dawn, Hibotep, Karun, Labdi, Faizal Mostrixx and more.

*Nb: The solo version of 'Met At The River' is a digital exclusive only.

While the sterile “professionalism” of some heavy bands can be like a clinical drone strike, Texas-based Judiciary feels personal. Like close combat with a knife. And it’s all in their chemistry. Judiciary is an amalgamation of four guys raised in the intersection of metal and hardcore—all devoted to pushing their craft further. Across two esteemed LPs, the band has proven their worth as a crucial entity in the crowded heavy music scene by evolving their sound further and further with each release. And now with the band’s latest Stalagmite Angels, due on September 4th via the venerable Closed Casket Activities, Judiciary can further showcase their status as a crucial, one-of-a-kind part of the evolution of hardcore in 2026. Life changes can bring about chaos and seismic shifts, but if Stalagmite Angels is any indication, then it’s all for the better. In the wake of the release of Judiciary’s second LP Flesh + Blood, the band called upon Juan Vazquez to pick up guitar duties, thereby changing the internal framework of the band for good, and unknowingly for the better. It’s this pivot in personnel that resulted in the band’s latest EP. “The goal with this EP was a hard reset, but we also wanted to chill the f— out a bit, have fun, and do something that felt true to the four of us,” recalls drummer Austin Looney. “We wanted time to reconfigure things and let the music come naturally–temper this new mindset that we've adopted post-Flesh + Blood.” Judiciary’s greatest strength lies in their musical singularity. Though Stalagmite Angels represents the collision of influences from across well-worn territories like metallic hardcore, death metal, black metal, d-beat and more, it’s the Lubbock-born band’s approach that makes it distinctly their own. Stalagmite Angels is a wholly new document that resembles a horde of bands ranging from Hatebreed to Carcass to Slayer to Iron Age, yet never aping any single band nor even revealing any single influence. It’s all familiar but none of it is specific. “90s hardcore and hardcore in general is always gonna be our natural inclination, but it manifests with different elements not only from song to song but within each song,” says vocalist Jake Collinson emphatically, who learned guitar specifically to help with writing new material. “Whether that’s Dying Breed or Cannibal Corpse or Crowbar or Machine Head or any number of other influences that any one of us may have, it all manifests in our work, and through our individual and collective lenses. With this EP, we transformed those ideas into the Judiciary approach.” Stalagmite Angels is an EP about anger at the world, belief in yourself, and how harnessing both in the pursuit of growth is necessary to achieve. But furthermore, it’s a concept record that envisions a subterranean world in both a literal and metaphorical sense—where hidden beauty lurks in the shadows (and in the eye of the beholder) and where triumph manifests in the ability to rise from the depths and into the world above.

When one thinks of the terms “mass” and “massive” in music, especially contemporary music, perhaps certain aural images come to mind: generic metal heaviness; dynamics-bereft noise; ear-battering dance floor madness; the multitudinous forms of drone darkness. All of these are massive in their own fashion. However, this newstudio album from 7FO (pronounced “nana f o”), a composer-performer based in northern Osaka, investigates and inhabits a different aspect of the massive. A glorious combination: dense low frequencies; sculpturally condensed blocks of sound, subtly swinging gravitational fields ― and a surprising sense of rolling and rollicking joyfulness and play. “Massive” doesn’t have to mean “dark” ― consider the sun. This is the third 7FO release on EM Records, following the well-received Ryu no Nukegara (Dragon's Husk) (2018). On these 2024-25 recordings, 7FO focuses his drum machines, synths and musical vision into eight compact structures which were partially inspired by the intense essence of American pre-war blues and the shining soul of traditional Ethiopian music, especially the works related to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. While not obviously evident, the glowing core of these musics has been captured and condensed here; another inspiration is the massive sculptural 1980s works of Yoshi Wada ― although there are obvious differences, there is a similar material tangibility to the vibration of the air. The final piece, “Shirohebi”, is an update of the b-side of 7FO's 7-inch single "Healing Sword" (2023), featured on Henry Rollins’ radio program. We invite you to experience and enjoy these eight massive blocks of sound, imbued with 7FO’s heartfelt warmth and humour, dense but not dark; shifting, rolling, appearing and disappearing: 7FO once picked up a roadside stone, which split as it sat in his palm. This experience, referenced in the release’s title, hints at the metaphysical magic of music, a realm beyond mere coincidence: even the massive density of stone can split, and reveal the magic within. Available on CD, LP and digital download.

Feelin’ Love returns to Soulfuric Deep with a fresh remix package built around one of house music’s most recognisable vocal anthems, bringing new energy to a timeless dancefloor favourite.

Originally released by Soulsearcher, the track has remained a staple across house and disco sets for decades, celebrated for its uplifting vocal, infectious groove and enduring crossover appeal.

This new edition pairs the original Soulsearcher Club Mix with a selection of contemporary reinterpretations, including brand-new remixes from RUZE & Chesster and Dr Packer, alongside the Ian Carey Main Mix, offering a versatile package for both modern and classic house DJs.

Blending soulful vocals, groove-led rhythms and contemporary production touches, the release bridges generations of house music while retaining the feel-good energy that made the original such a lasting success.

Back on fresh 12" vinyl, Feelin’ Love continues to resonate with both long-time collectors and a new wave of DJs, making it a strong addition to any house-focused record selection.

A highly recognisable and DJ-friendly release for stores supporting house, deep house and soulful dancefloor sounds.

The acclaimed compilation series returns with volume 4! Fourteen tracks showcasing the most exciting emerging voices in Belgian jazz, ready to claim a permanent spot on your turntable.

The latest instalment in the celebrated compilation series once again shines a spotlight on the most adventurous and forward-thinking artists emerging from Belgium's jazz scene. Curated by Belgian tastemaker, DJ and broadcaster Lefto Early Bird, the collection continues a tradition of uncovering hidden gems and introducing them to a wider audience of dedicated diggers.

Over the years, the Jazz Cats series has become a trusted barometer of Belgium's ever-evolving jazz landscape. Long before many artists gained international recognition, they first appeared on these compilations, making the series both a discovery platform and a snapshot of one of Europe's most exciting musical ecosystems.

Jazz Cats Volume 4 captures a scene bursting with creativity, diversity and ambition. Across fourteen carefully selected tracks, the compilation explores the many directions contemporary Belgian jazz is taking today. Jazz, hip-hop, electronic music, afrobeat, spiritual jazz and experimental sounds coexist effortlessly throughout the collection.

The opening stretch of the compilation, led by Brussels-based Irreversible Entanglements band member Aquiles Navarro, Ola Tunji and HelenaCasella, offers an early glimpse into a scene that rarely stands still. Their music moves freely between traditions and contemporary influences, reflecting less concern with preserving genres than expanding them. Artists such as Lupo Spaccaro and Kunde, joined here by the raw soul voice of Fred Gata, draw inspiration from hip-hop and contemporary beat culture, yet neither approaches these influences in a conventional way. Instead, they reveal how naturally these sounds have become part of the vocabulary of a new generation of jazz musicians.

Experimentation emerges as another defining thread. KVR and BREAD FOR PIGEONS embrace unpredictability through unexpected textures, shifting atmospheres and confident compositional choices, creating music that constantly challenges expectations. Elsewhere, artists like Gaiko and VLIEGWERK favor immersive soundscapes that reward repeated listening. Whether there's a connection between musical adventurousness and a preference for capital letters remains a question for future research.

At the heart of the compilation lies a strong sense of movement and groove. Ragini Trio and Foutloos approach that rhythm from different angles, yet both build their music around powerful, pulsating foundations. Their tracks need close attention, revealing layers of detail and low-end richness that practically demand to be experienced on a proper sound system.

By the time it reaches its closing chapter, Lucid Lucia, SLAGADER and Kuna Maze bring the focus back to forward motion. Jazz and funk-infused grooves provide a fitting finale, reminding us that however far these artists push the jazz genre, they never lose sight of its ability to connect, uplift and move people.

The result is a body of work that feels remarkably cohesive despite its diversity: a portrait of a scene that continues to evolve through curiosity, collaborationand constant reinvention.

“The first three are innocent in a way, because we didn’t have an audience when we were making them,” Oberst says. “But from Lifted on, I was definitely aware of an audience. Lifted was well-received right away, and then everything happened with Wide Awake and Digital Ash.” Those two albums came out simultaneously. And their lead singles – “Take It Easy (Love Nothing),” from the austere, remote Digital Ash, and “Lua,” from the warm, folky Wide Awake – debuted in the top two slots on the Billboard Hot 100. “First Day of My Life,” also from Wide Awake, would later be voted the Number One love song of all time by NPR Music’s reader’s poll. Bright Eyes had officially broken through. It was a heady, exciting time, but also fraught and tense, both because of the band’s careening new fame, and because of the state of the world. When Bright Eyes made their Tonight Show debut in 2006, they chose to perform none of their shiny new hits, instead delivering a searing, harrowing rendition of their caustic anti-Bush anthem, “When The President Talks To God.” These days, Oberst is still amusing himself by messing with the extremes Bright Eyes baked into this era’s releases, extremes that reflected the polar, with-us-or-against-us, fractious feel of the times. The reworked Digital Ash tracks, originally so clean and elegant, are, on the companion EP, full of “harmonica and mandolins – folky vibes,” Oberst says. While the analogue sweetness of the Wide Awake songs have been put through a detached nihilism filter.

GEMINI, a new band formed around Shigetoshi Otake (cro-magnon), creates a unique instrumental jazz-funk sound that fuses diverse musical elements such as 70s jazz and soul, the beat/groove sensibility of hip-hop and beyond, the dynamism of South American music, the essence of smoky reggae/dub, and the thrill of improvisation/jam sessions. Their 1st full album "zed" is being released as a limited edition vinyl by Jazzy Sport.

A new masterpiece has been born, imbued with an exquisite, evergreen, and freshly exciting contemporary jazz-funk sound, created through the interplay of a dynamic rhythm section that incorporates improvisation while centering on a post-hip-hop beat/groove sensibility, and rich performances featuring solos on electric piano, saxophone/flute, and guitar.

2026 Repress

Good Life sees Detroit icons Inner City return on KMS with one of the most celebrated house records of all time, presented here on fresh 12” vinyl.
A defining track of the late 80s and early house movement, Good Life remains a timeless anthem, driven by uplifting melodies, soulful vocals and unmistakable Detroit energy.
This edition features a remastered version of the original alongside an Inner City edit of the Carl Craig remix, plus a Dub Mix, offering both classic playback and updated DJ functionality.
As a cornerstone release from the KMS catalogue, the record continues to resonate across generations of DJs and listeners, maintaining its place as an essential dancefloor staple.
Back on fresh 12" vinyl, this repress offers strong appeal for both collectors and DJs looking to stock a truly iconic house record.
An essential catalogue piece for stores supporting classic house and Detroit heritage releases.

William Onyeabor was born outside Enugu, a small, rural town in Eastern Nigeria, he created his own genre of African electronic funk in the late 70s and early 80s, making music completely unique for his time. Today, he is reaching cult status among a growing list of admirers, including everyone from Damon Albarn and Hot Chip to Carl Craig and Madlib, with some likening him to the Kraftwerk of West Africa, or a precursor to LCD Soundsystem.

Among the crate-digging few that knew of him, he is considered a complete myth. While he has never performed live and almost never given interviews, his fantastical biography is scattered and has to this day not been verified. And he refused to speak about anything regarding the past.

According to various rumors, he left home following the Biafran War and went to study cinematography in the Soviet Union, returning in the mid-70s to start his own film company and record label, Wilfilms. He then self-released eight remarkable records from 1978-1985. He wrote and produced everything on his own, and possibly played every instrument himself. Then, at some point of his life, he became born again and denounced his earlier music, deciding it is something he would never speak about.

Brixton Heights Records proudly presents the brand new single “Sweet Things”, a radiant lovers reggae release that blends classic roots, soulful warmth and contemporary finesse into a timeless feel‑good anthem.

Fronted by the legendary Keith Coley from The Silvertones, this masterfully crafted track features a heavyweight lineup of musicians and producers: Mafia & Fluxy on drums and bass, The Ital Horns on brass, Gavin Tate-Lovery on Saxophone and Gaudi on Piano and backing vocals, co-production and mixing. The track delivers a smooth, romantic groove rooted in classic Jamaican sound while feeling fresh and modern, making it equally at home on sound systems, radio playlists and summer sessions.

The Silvertones’ vocals remain rich, melodic and instantly recognisable, carrying the emotional warmth that has long defined their sound. The arrangement is layered with a bubbling organ, deep bass and tasteful percussions, guitars and keyboard, making The Brixton Heights Orchestra come together to create an irresistible groove.

Mixed and co‑produced by Gaudi at Metatron Studio in London (UK) and mastered at Anchor Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, “Sweet Things” is a celebration of romance, rhythm and authenticity.

In the B‑side the Brixton Heights Orchestra shines through in a full instrumental version of “Sweet Things”. The brass section takes centre stage throughout, weaving into the fabric of the song soaring trumpet lines, expressive saxophone melodies and rich trombone passages.

With the vocal removed, Gaudi shifts the focus on brass work, rhythm section and layered instrumentation, creating a continuum of different phrases, solos and riffs, carefully carved together into a reggae-jazz theme that executes in a cohesive and coherent way.

Ecology Division is a new compilation from Bastard Jazz that brings together a network of producers and musicians working across jazz, soul, electronic, and beat-driven styles. Featuring artists from Brooklyn, Chicago, Montreal, London, Lisbon, Melbourne, and Ludhiana, the release highlights a core group of collaborators and peers connected to the label’s extended orbit. The project is presented with cohesive visual direction inspired by vintage field guides and naturalist illustration, with each track paired to a distinct animal. This framing positions Ecology Division as a curated snapshot of an active, evolving creative community rather than a traditional compilation.

The release features contributions from Simon Mavin (of Hiatus Kaiyote), Sholto & David Bardon, Danny Scott Lane, Rachel Kitchlew & DOUGH, Lapgan, Korovo, Birocratic, Kartik, Nick Marks, and Pimenta Caseira. Collectively, these artists have released music on respected independent labels including Ninja Tune, Brainfeeder, Mr. Bongo, Melting Pot Music, WRWTFWW Records, and Moon Glyph, among others—underscoring the compilation’s reach across established global scenes.

For close to a decade, B’licious has been best known as the voice ofThe Heliocentrics, the London psych jazz and funk collective whose collaborators include Madlib, Mulatu Astatke, DJ Shadow, Gaslamp Killer and Lloyd Miller, with stages taking her to Glastonbury, Roskilde and Worldwide festivals alongside artists including Marshall Allen and Bilal. Her appearance on Strut Records’‘Nuclear War’, a tribute to Sun Ra also featuring Marshall Allen, Knoel Scott and Bilal, is the latest marker of a body of work built over years on some of the most respected stages in UK jazz and soul. Following her 2022 solo EPSurrender, ‘Apple’ is the lead single from her debut full-length album,Serpent Dreams.

‘Apple’ was co-produced byDan Smith of The Noisettesand engineered bySie Medway-Smith, whose credits include Björk, Depeche Mode, Gang of Four and Massive Attack. On the flip side,SLICKnBOBBY— known for chest-rattling basslines and immersive, dubbed-out rhythms — deliver a live reworking that shows off their skills perfectly, drawing on a background that includes performing alongside Wally Badarou and frequent collaborations with Liam Bailey and Greentea Peng.

Casual's latest self-produced release, Black Magic featuring Del The Funky Homosapien, Tajai of Souls of Mischief and Thirstin Howl.

Dub album full of sound system explosives by expert riddim tinkerer Prince Riser – hard rocking, spaced out Kawai synth digi bangers, hitting that sweet spot between analog and digital Reggae while drawing vibes from the legacy of Dread & Fred, Exterminator and Jammy.

Aside from the thunderous Dub epic “Through The Storm” Prince Riser’s debut LP is also featuring the killer vocal cuts “Poverty Ina Russia” by Sammy Gold – a super heavy depth charge of Sly & Robbie proportions – the soulful Wackie’s flavoured anthem “Keep On Trodding” by Madi Simmons (who sadly passed away in 2024) and the plonky digi stepper “Travelling Gal” by Prince Riser himself, each accompanied by a murderous Dub version.

With extra cosmic dust added by disrupt at the Jahtari home studio, "Through The Storm" is crucial gear for any sound system vinyl crate.

Cover art: Robbie Reiser

Mit "DECADE ON PARADE" feiern The Feelgood McLouds ihr zehnjähriges Bandjubiläum - und liefern ihr bislang kraftvollstes Statement im Bereich Celtic Punk Rock. Die siebenköpfige Band aus Saarbrücken verbindet seit über einem Jahrzehnt ruppigen Punkrock mit traditionellen keltischen Instrumenten wie Dudelsack, Geige, Flöte und Akkordeon. Das Ergebnis: Songs, die nach Freiheit, Bier, Straßenromantik und langen Nächten klingen. Über 250 Konzerte im In- und Ausland haben die McLouds zu einer explosiven Live-Maschine geformt, deren Shows für kollektive Singalongs und unbremsbare Energie stehen. 2025 folgt ein besonderer Höhepunkt mit dem Auftritt beim Wacken Open Air, der ihren Stellenwert auch jenseits der Szene unterstreicht. Zusätzlichen Rückenwind bringt der internationale Einsatz ihres Songs "Saints And Sinners" in der Netflix-Serie House of Guinness. "DECADE ON PARADE" zeigt die Band gereift, lauter und entschlossener als je zuvor - ein Album voller Hymnen für Außenseiter, Nachtschwärmer und alle, die sich zwischen Tradition und Rebellion zuhause fühlen.

Ghetto House music is one of Chicago’s most unapologetic cultural exports. Born from the city’s underground party scenes in the late ’80s and ’90s, it carried a different kind of energy than traditional house music. While Chicago house was known globally for soulful grooves and club elegance, Ghetto House came from the basements, the neighborhood parties, the dance circles, and the DJs who pushed the tempo and the attitude. The sound was simple but powerful—heavy drums, bold chants, and rhythms designed to move bodies instantly. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about impact. The music reflected the creativity and resilience of young people across Chicago who turned turntables, drum machines, and neighborhood culture into a movement. With “Ghetto House Music 3,” DJ Slugo continues that legacy, reminding listeners that this sound isn’t just history—it’s still alive, evolving, and moving the culture forward. credits released April 24, 2026 license all rights reserved

Multi-award-winning singer and songwriter Jorja Smith announces her new album, What Are The Odds featuring sole production from P2J and collaborations with Afrobeat star Wizkid and Grime icon Devlin.

With her third album What Are The Odds, Jorja continues to build on her legacy with a euphoric offering rooted firmly in dance music. Confidently channelling UKG, Grime, 2Step, Funky House, Soulful House and Afro House, this thrilling, pulsating record rarely dips below 140 BPM.

This is music to make you move says Jorja. I want people to hear it on the dancefloor, where the sun is shining, in the car and in their headphones on the night bus home. This is a record for driving and vibing.

Tape

When Leon Michels and El Michels Affair released their rst record, Sounding Out The City, in 2005, it was hard to guess what was next for Michels and his then-introduced, now-patented "cinematic soul" sound. Now, four EMA studio albums and scores of tribute and remix projects later - all while producing for some of the biggest names in the industry - Michels has trademarked his sound, with each project taking audiences somewhere new and pushing the boundaries of what he is known for. The man is a river, not a lake and this time he takes his golden touch into the realm of hip-hop laying down a musical bed for one of the greatest to ever rhyme into a microphone: Black Thought of The Roots crew. Releasing on Big Crown Records, the LP is called Glorious Game and it is a remarkable debut partnership in more ways than one. Michels provides his bottom-heavy, soul-tinged production for Black Thought who gives us some of the more personal and transparent verses we've ever heard from him. Michels and Black Thought have been in each other's orbit for a while now. The two first met in the 2000s when Thought was first getting familiar with the contemporary soul scene. "Out of that whole world, Menahan Street Band was probably my favorite," recalling the funk and soul group Michels was a founding member of back in 2007. Fast forward a few years and musicians from that collective - Dave Guy on trumpet and Ian Hendrickson-Smith on sax - are now full time players with The Roots. This connection eventually led Leon and Thought to doing a few fundraising events around NYC and Philly together. "Before long, Black Thought was coming around the studio and would jam with us from time to time," Michels explains. "Then, fast forward to 2020 and COVID lockdowns, he just hit me up out of the blue, wanting me to send him stuff to write to. We both were looking to stay busy" Being that Black Thought is the co-founder and emcee for, hands down, the best live-band group in hip-hop. Michels took a decidedly different approach to this project and instead of sending recorded tracks of live compositions, he pulled out the sampler and sampled himself and some records from his collection. "I'm a big fan of soul music," as if Michels has to remind us. "And part of hip-hop's appeal to me has always been the sample-based production" For Glorious Game, Michels would make wholly composed and recorded soul songs in his studio, sample himself, then chop and/or loop up his sounds and create instrumentals for Black Thought. On some tracks he took a more traditional hip-hop approach, starting from samples of other people's music but then adding live instrumentation on top. But for the most part, it's him reinterpreting his own compositions into something new. The result is an organic feel of loop-based tracks that breathe and uctuate enough for Black Thought to ex on. "What I write about is determined by the equation of the producer's energy and my energy," Black Thought says. "It's about where we meet." So armed with Michels sampled and re-sampled soul cinematics, Black Thought rhymes through personal memories.

Fresh off of their 2020 offering Adult Themes, El Michels Affair is back with a new full-length release. Titled Yeti Season, this newest album has everything we've come to expect from EMA's patented cinematic style of instrumental soul music. Where Adult Themes inspired a soundtrack to an imaginary film, Yeti Season brings us to a different place in time_with new inspirations. Taken with Turkish-styled funk and an almost Mumbai-esque take on soul, El Michels Affair offers us a different kind of drama and imagination with Yeti Season. If you've been following along, this shouldn't be viewed as too far a departure for El Michels Affair. The first single off of Yeti Season showed their hand back in 2018. A double-sided banger, that release brought the musical textures to the fore that dominate this record. The first song, titled "Unathi," is fully realized with the beautifully haunting-yet-hopeful vocals of Piya Malik, formally of 79.5_another Big Crown artist. Singing in Hindi, Piya's ethereal voice is telling us to work and strive together toward progress. Even if you don't understand her language, you can still hear the urgency of purpose, creating a lasting vibe that sits on top of it all. Leon Michels explains that Piya had a vital influence on this record: "When Piya started singing in Hindi, she had a different voice, a different tone. I knew we had to do something together." And so Piya appears on three other songs on Yeti Season: "Zaharila," "Murkit Gem," and "Dhuaan." Each providing particular signatures to the album. "Zaharila" is a building and changing love song punctuated by blaring trumpets, driving drums, and Piya's pleading lyrics. While the more upbeat "Murkit Gem" opens with a fuzzed out, Wu-Tang-esque baseline that buoys Piya's stylings. The psychedelic guitar and Piya's changing tones and textures singing about an all-consuming love are what pushed "Dhuaan" on to the second single from Yeti Season. There is also a vocal appearance from Shannon Wise of The Shacks, yet another Big Crown artist. Her song called "Sha Na Na," lies more in the familiar EMA vein: melodic, hypnotic, soulfully visual. But between Shannon's airy singing, the jumpy baseline, moody vibes, the active drum lines, it sounds like a pensive walk home after a strangely dramatic night. So what is Yeti Season? It could be more of a feeling than an actual place or time of year. It's a heavy album_as evidenced by the signature musicianship and dramatic vocal expressions. But it's also a hopeful record, with phrasings, textures, and chord changes that hint at something better_or fuller_coming our way. You hear it in songs like "Ala Vida," with its stabby, pulsing chords laying a bedrock for EMA's bright, atmospheric horn lines. Or even in "Fazed Out," which leaves you with a feeling of determination, a striving for resolution even though the driving, march-like song structure should accompany some conquering army. This persistence has to come from the fact that Leon Michels and company finished this record during the lockdown. It was a tough and troublesome time. But look at what has come of it: Yeti Season_a record of high and heavy drama, but also one of hope and promise. It may take a year like 2020 behind us to find hope in a winter big footed creature like a Yeti, but that's where we are.

Nein, neu im Geschäft ist El Michels Affair nicht. El Michels hat hart gearbeitet, in unzähligen mitternächtlichen Studiosessions und auf einer Welttournee für den Wu-Tang Clan. Und eins ist klar: Die Band ist dabei auf eine gute Art gealtert. Nachdem es 2005 wie aus dem Nichts mit dem Instrumentalalbum "Sounding Out The City" aufschlug, hat sich das Studio-konzentrierte Kollektiv, angeführt vom Multiinstrumentalisten und Komponisten Leon Michels, Fans auf allen Kontinenten erspielt. Die Gruppe ist für ihre schwelgerischen Soul-Instrumentals bekannt, aber auch für ihre Wu-Tang-Covers, wie die explosive Reaktion auf ihre zwei Alben "Enter The 37th Chamber" (2009) und "Return To The 37th Chamber" (2019 beweist. Das alles ist aber längst Geschichte, denn das rundeste und reifste Album der Band mit dem passenden Titel "Adult Themes" beweist, welche neuen instrumentalen Höhen sie erklommen hat. Das Album, das Michels als "Soundtrack für einen imaginären Film" beschreibt, ist eine Sammlung von opulenten, abgründigen, komplexen und oft sehr funkigen Stücken, die die Ohren zum Schwingen und die Köpfe zum Nicken bringen.

If It Aint Jazz, is about quality over quantity, inviting world class musicians and producers to bring a modern edge to jazz and soul roots...

Back for Volume 5 of their vinyl only series, this time they invite young Australian artists Close Counters. The duo effortless blends jazz, disco and soul with house and broken vibes for yet another killer 12".

On the A side, 'Sunshine' flips a classic gospel cut into a euphoric anthem with a raw shuffling groove that will work for the house heads and broken beat and garage fans.
'Soul to Soul' features a catchy bassline, vocal chops and added synth parts that build into a peak time disco weapon.

On the flip side, 'House of Lucien' and 'Bruk of Lucien' gives us two electric grooves that have already been setting dancefloors on fire !

Your favourite edits (probably) crew, Local Sugar Diggers, aka the trio of sonic sculptors that are Scruscru, Tony Lavrutz and Los Protos all come together here on a new 7" offshoot label from the Soul Service. The a-side cut 'Rave w Polsce' is a full-fat funker with deep cut grooves that roll on rubbery bass and soar with rasping wind leads. Plenty is going on wherever you listen and it all serves to get you moving. 'Otra Ritmo' is an immediate portal to a communal get down somewhere sun-baked and lush with green in South America. The horns, the freewheeling percussion and the loosely assembled rhythm are all irresistible invitations to cut loose.

2026 Repress

In these cold days we're pleased to present a potion to warm the soul as Feral finally release his 5th Hypnus record. This is the first release of our 6th year which introduces a new, custom made sleeve design that further articulates the adventurous and cinematic philosophy of our music.

Most of you will be acquainted with Feral by now as he's been an essential part of our guild for quite some time. Those of you who enjoyed his last two EP's will be pleased to find the sound of "Court of Light" to be a solid evolution of his inimitable dubbed out deep techno sound.

Early support from Claudio PRC, Deepbass, Ness, Svreca & TM404 to name a few.

2026 Repress in White Vinyl
There are few people across the globe, who will have not been touched by the work of Frankie Knuckles. Forever regarded as ‘The Godfather of House’. A Grammy Award winner, Frankie had a street in Chicago named after him where the old Warehouse once stood to commemorate the first ever Frankie Knuckles Day on 25th August 2004. Five years ago, Frankie passed away in Chicago on 31st March 2014 leaving behind one of the greatest house music legacies spanning almost four decades.

Now he is commemorated once again by long time writing and production partner Eric Kupper who will release part II of the special commemorative album on vinyl around this date. Eric, himself a seasoned DJ producer and writer, working side by side with Frankie on many his seminal classics, as well as personally working on over 116 Billboard #1 Dance Records. Having both worked together for many years they established themselves at ‘Director’s Cut’ from 2011 and set about producing original releases and remixes based on the classic ‘Def Mix’ sound while sharing equal credits for their creations.

The album features some of Directors Cut’s best works with the Re-Directed version of the seminal classic ‘Baby Wants To Ride’ plus their re rubs of Inaya Day, Sybil, Hardsoul and Lou Rawls - You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine (Kenny Summit, Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper Unreleased Anthem).

This album is to be released in collaboration with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation who work to continue Frankie’s legacy whilst focusing on music in schools, LGBTQ youth homelessness, AIDS research / prevention & diabetes research / education.

Detroit's mythic architect Walt J surfaces on Lost Control 2097 with three cuts steeped in deep emotional drama and late-night intensity. 'Resonance' lands with razor-sharp drums and weightless, ethereal chords, elevated by Prince of Hydro's poetic vocal transmissions that feel like signals from another realm. 'Love Petals' resurfaces from Walt's vault, a reworked version of an already transcendent classic, refined, deeper, and glowing with subterranean energy. 'Origin' channels the spirit of Larry Heard-style melodies while anchoring itself firmly in the grit and gravity of the Motor City. Prince of Hydro closes it out by activating full ultra-sonar mode, delivering a remix that drags you into crushing ocean depths where the pressure builds and something immense is about to break through.

Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell returns to the Spring Revisited project, and he delivers another jazz-infused house mix of a classic funk track by the iconic Fatback Band. Spring Revisited is collaborative project between Ace Records and Acid Jazz, inviting influential house music producers to reinterpret classic tracks from seminal New York label Spring Records, a pioneer in funk, soul and disco. After a series of sell-out and chart-topping 12” and 7” releases, as well as a 2LP compilation, the project continues with these two new mixes of the Fatback Band’s ‘(Do The) Spanish Hustle)’. Claussell combines the original classic funk elements with Latino percussion and samba-styled trumpets.

First up is his 'Sacred Rhythm Version’, which lifts the tempo and loops a section of the original's percussion. Keeping the trumpets, and soulful vocal phrases, he adds a DJ-friendly kick drum and shows off his improvisation skills with a vibrant synth line. On the flip, he strips back some of the drums and horns and focuses on the bassline with the 'Spanish Harlem Dub,' which is a moody rework utilising some funk-infused organ chords. On the original track Joe says: "I can vividly recall the very first time I heard Spanish Hustle blasting through my brother Jackie’s stereo system. Not long afterward, I experienced its energy again on the dance floor at a discotheque known as The Inferno, where it was masterfully delivered by the legendary René Hewitt. The record left an imprint on my spirit that never faded.’ A spectacular continuation of the series, presented in the nowsignature Spring Revisited housebag, resembling an original worn-in promotional 12”, pressed in a strictly limited run!

DJ Vandel and Benedetti present Baby Viche, a psychedelic journey through mature house music, blending Medellín’s raw street sound with the flavor and rhythm of Cali’s tropical heat.

Two tracks that pull you into a nonstop dancefloor trip. Vicheventura is pure groove, a hood party vibe, a subtle fusion of Latin soul and electronic energy. Coco Sensación takes you into a hypnotic trance somewhere between jungle landscapes and the ocean breeze of Colombia’s Pacific coast. Nobody’s gonna want to escape the groove.

Baby Viche it’s spiritual. With psychedelia, flavor, and a whole lot of love.

Comes with liner notes and interview on the back of the sleeve.

Dennis & Christy Soares are a husband-and-wife duo whose prolific output - over 100 albums and nearly 2,000 songs recorded across CD, cassette, vinyl, and streaming - stands as one of the most quietly remarkable self-made catalogs in contemporary music. Based for two decades on the Big Island of Hawai'i before recently relocating to Centralia, Washington, the pair have been making music together since meeting at San Joaquin Delta College in 1986, channeling a DIY spirit rooted in sincerity, spirituality, and an unshakeable belief in the power of a song. Their work spans platforms most listeners have never heard of, distributed through sheer determination and an infectious enthusiasm for reaching new ears.

Free At Last is an 11-track anthology compiled by AGS founder Roger Bong, representing less than 1% of Dennis & Christy's total recorded output. Drawing from more than 600 songs considered over the course of 12 years, the collection makes no claim to being definitive - instead, it offers what Bong calls "simply an invitation": a way in for new listeners, and a distillation of the warmth and pure intention that runs through everything this duo creates. From their earliest recordings to the present day, Dennis & Christy have never stopped making music on their own terms. Free At Last is an introduction long in the making, and very much overdue.

Big Crown Records is proud to present the debut full length offering from Les Imprimés, Rêverie. The stirring and ethereal sounds of Les Imprimés have been making fans of anyone who hears them since their first 7" single hit the speakers. Morten Martens is the man behind the band. Born, raised, and working in Kristiansand, Norway, he keeps a low prole while making his heart felt, highly infectious, and unique music. This album is a long time coming for Martens and it is sure to make him a name to be reckoned with. The first thing you notice listening to Les Imprimés is the high level of musician-ship. Martens plays nearly every instrument on the recordings and handles the production and arranging. He has been making records for decades, winning a Spellemann Award (aka, the Norwegian Grammy) in 2006 for producing a HipHop album as well as getting nominations across three other genres. While awards and accolades speak to the level of his talent, this new album really shows who he is an artist on his own terms. Moving away from being a hired gun on the touring scene naturally led him to start doing more studio work. Slowly collecting gear and getting more experi-ence behind the boards he built his own studio on the island of Odderoya and was making a living playing with and recording other people's music. As the story goes, after those sessions would end he would work on his own project into the wee hours of the night. From these late night sessions, Les Imprimés was born and Rêverie began to take shape. However, "it wasn't until COVID, when things locked down, that I was really able to nd the time to focus on Les Imprimés" Morten says about creating and leading his own solo project. "It was a scary time. But I knew I had to do something with it." He took the sum of his inuences, combined them with his own vibe and got busy writing the music, playing the instruments, and singing the songs. "It's soul music, but I don't exactly have the soul voice," Morten explains humbly. "But I do it my own way, in a way that's mine. "It is his sound, his fingerprint, his sensibility, that makes his music hard to put in a box. The album showcases both Martens' range and his ability to make a cohesive album. The lead single "Falling Away" starts with a raw drum break and turns into a lushly arranged tune that paints the picture of love when it slips away. On "Still Here" he professes his resilience through life's twists and turns over a thundering track that puts a new spin on the B side ballad genre. Songs like "You" and "Our Love" mix tones from 60s and 70s Soul with arrangement nods to Doo Wop records while Martens' lyrics and delivery leave you singing the melodies long after they finish. "Love & Flowers" finds Martens in a moment of clarity with a song that ts the niche sub genre of happy break up tunes, the four on the floor track will move the dancefloor or while the message will resonate with anyone who put too much effort into the wrong situation in their lives. However, it is songs like "Muse" and "Chess" that really encapsulate the uniqueness of Les Imprimés as they push the boundaries of genre, one a profession of love for music and the other a cover of an electronic record respectively. Martens' lyrics, emotion, and delivery truly make the whole thing come together and stand out from any of his peers. There's an infectiousness and a pop sensibility in the writing that is done with the utmost class and taste giving Les Imprimés the rare quality of immediate attraction that only deepens the more you listen.

Formed in 1969, Soul Media set out with a clear mission to fuse jazz and rock. That approach took a decisive next step with In The Groove, recorded in 1973. Here, the sharpness of jazz is brought to the forefront, rock elements are dissolved and refined to give a cutting edge, and funk is injected to add drive, elasticity, and physical force. The result is a body of music that transcends existing genre labels—jazz-rock, jazz-funk, or fusion—and stands instead as something simply, undeniably cool: strong yet sophisticated.

This album is often described as Soul Media’s response to The Crusaders, a band that saxophonist Jiro Inagaki was paying close attention to at the time. The aim hit its mark. With In The Groove, Soul Media acquired a “refined black feeling”, setting them firmly on the path toward their ultimate destination: Funky Stuff.

Im Laufe der Zeit haben zahlreiche Musiker - von schnurrbärtigen Partyboot-Troubadouren bis hin zur Jazz-Elite wie Jimmy Smith/McGriff und Shirley Scott - die Kraft der elektrischen Orgel genutzt, um ihre Zuhörer zu hypnotisieren. Nun, indem er alle möglichen Anleihen bei diesen musikalischen Schwergewichten nimmt und die musikalische Schallmauer durchbricht, um deinen Geist zu ,organisieren", tritt Mr. Sophisticated Fingers auf den Plan. Zusammen mit den stets treuen Cold Diamond & Mink interpretiert dieser mystische Tastenkünstler zehn der größten Hits aus Emilia Siscos Debütalbum ,Introducing" in einem einzigartigen lyrischen Stil neu. Auf dem Album ,Slow Dance & Soul" von Organ-ized erreichen diese Songs neue Höhen. Vielleicht hast du sie schon einmal gehört, aber hör sie dir jetzt noch einmal an, denn jetzt wurden sie vom musikalischen Maestro Mr. Sophisticated Fingers neu interpretiert, Baby!

Im Laufe der Zeit haben zahlreiche Musiker - von schnurrbärtigen Partyboot-Troubadouren bis hin zur Jazz-Elite wie Jimmy Smith/McGriff und Shirley Scott - die Kraft der elektrischen Orgel genutzt, um ihre Zuhörer zu hypnotisieren. Nun, indem er alle möglichen Anleihen bei diesen musikalischen Schwergewichten nimmt und die musikalische Schallmauer durchbricht, um deinen Geist zu ,organisieren", tritt Mr. Sophisticated Fingers auf den Plan. Zusammen mit den stets treuen Cold Diamond & Mink interpretiert dieser mystische Tastenkünstler zehn der größten Hits aus Emilia Siscos Debütalbum ,Introducing" in einem einzigartigen lyrischen Stil neu. Auf dem Album ,Slow Dance & Soul" von Organ-ized erreichen diese Songs neue Höhen. Vielleicht hast du sie schon einmal gehört, aber hör sie dir jetzt noch einmal an, denn jetzt wurden sie vom musikalischen Maestro Mr. Sophisticated Fingers neu interpretiert, Baby!

Piece of Me, das zweite Album von Lady Wray, ist so etwas wie eine Heimkehr für Nicole. Während ihr Solo-Debüt Queen Alone aus dem Jahr 2016 mehr in Richtung Soul und R&B mit einem Hauch von HipHop tendierte, ändert sich dies bei diesem Album. Es ist immer noch R&B mit den Texturen von analogem Soul, doch zeichnet sich ein starker HipHop-Einfluss ab, der Nicoles Schaffen für die Zukunft definieren wird. Boom-Bap-Drums und deepe Basslines stehen im Vordergrund und bilden den perfekten Hintergrund für Lady Wray, die sich auf ihrer bisher persönlichsten Sammlung von Songs mit dem Guten, dem Schlechten, dem Schwierigen und dem Freudvollen auseinandersetzt. Der Titelsong Piece of Me, der seit seiner Veröffentlichung 2019 bereits zum Klassiker geworden ist, handelt von den Menschen in deinem Leben, die mehr brauchen, als du zu geben bereit bist. Dieses Stück und die B-Seite der 7" Come On In waren die ersten Songs, die für dieses Album aufgenommen wurden - als Nicole im achten Monat schwanger mit ihrer Tochter war. Ihre Stimme ist so kraftvoll, so rau bei diesen ersten Songs, erstaunlich, wenn man sich vor Augen führt, wie sie aufgenommen wurden. Und noch verrückter ist es, zu wissen, dass sie sie alle in einem einzigen Take aufgenommen hat. Ihr langjährige Mitstreiter und Produzent Leon Michels entwirft das musikalische Fundament gekonnt zurückhaltend, um Lady Wray ausreichend Raum zu geben. Während die energiegeladenen Songs Under The Sun und Through It All mit Sicherheit zu Hits werden, die Lady Wray wieder mit ihrer R&B-Fangemeinde aus den 90ern connecten, zeigt Where Were You, wie ihre Jugendjahre wirklich waren. in dem poetischen und kraftvollen Beauty In The Fire setzt sich Nicole mit den Spannungen zwischen den Ethnien in Amerika auseinander und lässt sich im Showstopper Thank You stark von ihrem Glauben und ihrempfindet und in Joy & Pain feiert sie die Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens. Im Jahr 2021 ist es eher selten, ein eklektisches und doch zusammenhängendes Album ohne ,Ausreißer" zu hören - aber genau das ist Piece Of Me. Die bewährte Chemie zwischen Lady Wray und Leon Michels hat unbestreitbar das nächste Level erreicht, dieses Album ist ein Zeugnis ihrer Entschlossenheit und Hingabe.