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As the third installment of Nas and Hit-Boy's GRAMMY Award winning King’s Disease series, King’s Disease III is Nas' latest album, and marks the duo's highly anticipated return since 2021's surprise LP, Magic. Executive produced by Nas and Hit-Boy, the album finds the rap legend at his best, flowing effortlessly over signature punchy beats including "Legit," "Michael & Quincy," and "30" among others. "With ‘King’s Disease III’, the New York rapper has put the seal on a strong album trilogy that proves that, three decades in, he’s still a force to be reckoned with." - NME 2LP pressed on Ruby Red & Black Striped color vinyl, packaged in an upgraded, glossy gatefold jacket with 12x24 printed insert.

Diffrent Music roars back into action after an extended hiatus to raise a couple of young giraffes with the electrifying new compilation, ‘Revolution Of The Giraffe’ LP.

Launched in 2010 with the aim of bringing something new to a drum & bass scene that had become overly formulaic, the label has continuously pushed in new directions, often incubated tomorrow’s stars, and evolved beyond even that original grand ideal. ‘Revolution Of The Giraffe’ unleashes 17 tracks of bleeding-edge electronic music, proving that after 13 years, Diffrent still sounds like nothing else.

Core artists from the label’s distinguished history bring their expertise, such as drum & bass mainstay Arkaik and sound architect Fearful, who team up with label boss Dexta for the MC GQ-sampling ‘Old Skool’ — a new track with a classic Diffrent sound. And there are numerous debuts: A.Fruit reworks an all-time Diffrent classic, ‘Boxgroove’ by Dexta & Hyroglifics, into a glitchy halftime stomper; none60 bosses Silent Dust turn Dexta’s ‘SE4’ into a rebellious dancefloor juggernaut; and the mysterious Gaunt’s ‘Firefloor’ becomes locked ‘n’ loaded rave artillery in the hands of Pepsi Slammer.

Label stalwart Mauoq puts his signature psychedelic future dub spin on ‘Departed’ by Cuelock, who in turn delivers the ice-cold, grime-indebted ‘Pages Of Snow’. Lakeway conjures the epic ‘Even Though’, nearly eight minutes of ecstatic, spell-binding, hyper-rave wonder. Dexta goes solo with squelchy techno jungle stormer ‘Giraffes On Acid’. Even Sense MC makes an… appearance.

New-gen Diffrent acts are in fine form too. The inimitable BrandNewTrumpets opens the album alongside Macc; ‘We Are The Tightrope Walkers’ is a powerful spoken word piece that erupts into a hail of punishing breaks. No Nation, Sheba Q and BK Balance, meanwhile, turn out explosive, hi-tek junglism on ‘Too Late’. From Diffrent’s industrial-toned sister label Are We Really Alone? (A.W.R.A.), Amir De Bois joins forces with Fearful for the paranoid, jittering ‘73’; Tokyo’s Itti summons thunderous bass on the ritualistic ‘Rumbling’; and Croatian artist Spaj.A.S.E.’s competition-winning, mind-mashing remix of the first ever Diffrent release, ‘Everyones Mad’ by Chills, finally sees the light of day.

Always looking to the future, Diffrent also welcomes modern jungle visionary Eusebeia, who puts his ethereal touch to Crypticz’s ‘Could Have Been’, and Stateside up-and-comers Illexandra & TGRbass, who deliver the supercharged, elastic bounce of ‘Swampy Swami’.
Closing out with one from deep within the vaults, ‘Aftaparty’ is Beezy and MNTX’s ode to seeing where the night takes you. It’s a fitting note to end on, as a new era of Diffrent Music begins. Where will it take you? Join us on the ride and find out.

"I've loved every moment of the label so far: the fast-paced release schedules, the slow years, the podcasts, albums, singles, EPs, parties, etc. This compilation album signposts where we are at — a bunch of classic Diffrent artists, a load of new faces, and a few remixes thrown in for good measure. Each tune stands alone, but stands tall next to each of its siblings. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we have! The revolution is here, join the revolution!"
- Dexta

Purple Color Vinyl

We are really proud to introduce a new release on Mawimbi Records: "Mawimbi, Vol. 2”. Its title is a nod to “Mawimbi, Vol. 1”, which was the inaugural release of our record label back in 2015. A new compilation, at last, after a decade of music activism and a handful of EPs and albums which have helped unearth some of today’s talents from the new global music scene (Onipa, Loya, Afriquoi, Raz & Afla). It stays true to the driving principles of our artistic direction: support upcoming artists, e ncourage the breaking down of musical frontiers, help make happen new encounters between electronic music and so-called “afro” music. While these encounters can now be witnessed anywhere in pop music’s current zeitgeist, from Beyoncé to South African’s vibrant amapiano scene, we think there’s still plenty to explore.

“Mawimbi, Vol. 2” truly feels like the culmination of a long path for our record label. Because it includes artists who have been actively contributing to the Mawimbi adventure over the years, and also because it’s another convincing testimony of the fruitfulness of this musical intuition we have so heartily been defending for the last decade. Indeed, the 8 tracks of “Mawimbi, Vol. 2” resist all the usual labels. They sound like they stem more from human encounters and artistic dialogues launched in the moment than attempts to be associated with any music scene in particular. Each of the 8 pieces of this compilation presents in a unique way the search for this cross-pollinating sound.

The compilation opens with a really engaging rework of James Stewart’s classic track “Cotonou” by Lyon-based tropical music enthusiasts Voilaaa, who took Peter Solo’s voodoo soul lines on a trip across the Black Atlantic beginning with a horn-heavy cuban cha-cha-cha before falling into a savory triple time dance. As tireless sonic adventurers, Amsterdam-based duo Umoja have brought back a handful of hits from their numerous trips to Kenya meeting with local benga musicians. “Avana Va” is one of their compelling tunes, featuring Kenyan musician and producer Sidney Simila. This urge to collaborate with musicians from across the African continent is also to be found in Village Cuts’ ever expanding discography. On “Sentima”, they showcase their trademark London funky sound, introducing us to the talents of Congolese guitarist and singer Kissangwa.

Afriquoi’s 2020 hit “Ndeko Solo” is presented in a brand new shape, sprinkled with some French Touch flavours. “Djansa”, by Toulouse-based producers Mr. Boom, rides a distinct South African-inspired groove, while inviting us to a nighttime dance by the Balearic sea. On “Silent Runner”, French producer and musician Ozferti moulds his own musical galaxy where East African scales meet cutting edge global club beats. With “Nabi Kumi”, Anglo-Ghanaian duo Raz & Afla delivers their deepest piece, once again inducing a state of trance with a triple-time beat and an hypnotic kora loop. Closing the compilation, “It's Holy” is a unique collaboration between Tom Excell (Onipa, Nubiyan Twist, David Walters) and Dizraeli, one of the most interesting voices in British rap, which by making connections between broken beat, jazz and african music, illustrates the precious mixture of musical aesthetics that make up the current UK musical landscape.

Compiling the follow-up to a very successful first album is always a tricky task, but just 12 months since the release of volume one in the 'With Love' series, miche has excelled himself once again with another glorious, deep dive into the world of rare soul. 15 tracks of independently released music, created by magnificent artists with stories to tell and primed for rediscovery.

The ambition to celebrate under-the-radar artists has remained, but instead of a facsimile of volume one, what we have here is a selection shaped by life changes. Volume two is for the dancers; still soulful, still ultra-rare and slept-on records from the USA, Chile, Brazil and beyond, but the dynamics of the collection have shifted slightly. It represents a move from being immersed in a week in week out environment of beautiful, soulful music in a cosy, dimly lit hi-fi bar to playing livelier, more energetic, dancefloor-focused music in nightclubs. This volume will get you on your feet, make you move and unleash whatever it is that makes you get down.

One of the jewels in the crown of this compilation is a joyous, anthemic gospel version of Stevie Wonder's 'As' by The Family Tree (a project produced by the fantastic Julius Brockington). We are also treated to a rare and sought-after Pennsylvanian funk / AOR bomb by Maxwell, a stunning modern soul tune 'High On You' by Freedom, and self-released Brazilian 45s by Banda 22 and Zé Da Lata. P.J. City's 'Straight Forward (Non-Stop)' is gospel-disco perfection, and we also have 'Dame Solamente Amor’, a sublime, soul beauty from Chile by Rogers Mitchell. Many of these artists featured in this compilation aren't household names, but they deserve their moment to shine, to be heard, loved and appreciated for their artistry.

As Miche says it, “I hope this compilation helps in some way to keep this glorious music alive and play a part in connecting generations of music lovers from the worldwide soul family. As always, it has been made ‘With Love’.”

"Night Swim" is the debut LP from Bellofatto & Gentile, a collaboration that was founded on the soccer fields of Austin, Texas during the spring of 2019. The duo of Giovanni Bellofatto (an alias of Jesse Edwards) ) & Dan Gentile initially started exploring the melodies and textures of Italian dream house, but those experiments soon evolved to include modular synthesizers, breakbeats, and left-field samples.

Bellofatto's work dates back to the 90's and has credits on albums by Jessica Bailiff (Kranky), Odd Nosdam (Anticon), and His Name Is Alive. In the early 00's, he pioneered acoustic / electronic territories with his psychedelic project Red Morning Chorus. His forthcoming solo LP "The Otherworld" is due for release on Vancouver's Pacific Rhythm under the moniker C Thru. With 20 years of DJing under his belt, Gentile released his first house music productions as Time Zones in 2019 on Mystery Zone Records, with subsequent singles on Bay Area Disco and Moiss Music. He now lives in San Francisco, where he works as a journalist and creates visual art using a modular video synthesizer.

The legend John Beltran provides mixing treatments on half of "Night Swim" that will be released on Prins Thomas's balearic imprint Horisontal Mambo in 2023.

If there's one specific component that grounds 'Sky Flesh', it's focus. Italian musician and sound designer Marta De Pascalis flexed her technical muscle on 2020's 'Sonus Ruinae', layering various sounds and processes in an attempt to touch the sublime. In contrast, 'Sky Flesh' is a single thought, composed using just one instrument: the Yamaha CS-60. A slimmed-down sibling to the gargantuan CS-80 - the analog synthesizer used by Vangelis to create his iconic 'Blade Runner' score - the CS-60 was released in 1977, a few years before the MIDI protocol was introduced to help standardize production methods. MIDI would change the electronic music landscape completely, offering a level of control that De Pascalis consciously relinquishes, preferring to highlight expressiveness and timbre, elements more readily associated with acoustic instruments. The album arrives as much of the wider experimental scene busies itself with algorithmic composition and AI-assisted modeling; De Pascalis chooses to work instead like an organologist, harnessing the CS-60's mercurial magic to suggest deeper truths about our evolving relationship with machines.

Currently based in Berlin, De Pascalis grew up in Rome, where she was surrounded by atrophied ruins that piqued her interest in decay and memory. Over her last three albums, she used tape loops and advanced synthesizer techniques to create a unique sound world that's guided by her musical philosophy, rather than a specific aesthetic. As she's developed her technique and confidence, her music has become even more idiosyncratic, and at this stage in her career she's stripped her sound down to its core elements, focusing on emotion, narrative and mystery. Using timbres that recall a time when electronic music still waved towards the future

There’s a big clue to the pacific wisdom of The Orchestra in the Sky in the artist name – Hochzeitskapelle + Japanese Friends. For this is, indeed, music based in, and resonating with, friendship, camaraderie, collaboration, and creative exchange. Across two albums – one documenting recordings from Tokyo, the other an expansive double album of sessions from Kobe – Hochzeitskapelle gather around them some of the finest voices in Japanese independent and underground pop music, like Tenniscoats, Eddie Marcon, Yuko Ikema, and Kama Aina, and explore an open field of music, full of creative encounters.

You may already know Hochzeitskapelle as the German instrumental quintet formed by members of The Notwist, Alien Ensemble, and friends from the jazz scene. Across three albums, one a collaboration with Kama Aina (2018’s Wayfaring Suite), they’ve developed a way of playing together that’s intimate and playful, rich and human; it’s a music that’s deliberately rough around the edges, and that nestles cosily into the everyday. Their relationship with Japanese indie has developed over the years, doubtless encouraged by Saya´s „Minna Miteru“, compilations series of Japanese indie pop for Morr Music. A peripatetic gang, Hochzeitskapelle also recently backed Japanese singer-songwriter Makoto Kawamoto on her new album, Hikari.

In many ways, The Orchestra in the Sky feels like the culmination of a set of ongoing cross-cultural exchanges: the Minna Miteru compilations; tours of Japan by Hochzeitskapelle and The Notwist; and indeed, Markus Acher’s Spirit Fest group with Saya and Ueno of Tenniscoats. The latter are present throughout much of The Orchestra in the Sky, and Saya’s voice is particularly winning on songs like “Tsuki no oto”, where the two outfits are joined by brass ensemble Zayaendo. There are several lovely turns from singer-songwriter Yuko Ikema, and Eddie Marcon appear twice; their songs are still beautiful, spectral acid folk, but with Hochzeitskapelle filling the details with lush, sad brass and strings.

But it’s also the potentially lesser-known names that shine through The Orchestra in the Sky, like the frail folk of Gratin Carnival; the delightful, gentle pop songs by sekifu and Zayaendo member, Kanako Numata; a trio of beautiful, stumble-drunk melodies played in swaying consort with popo. That group, along with the presence of Zayaendo, Fuigo, and Mitamurakandadan?, make strong connections with the Japanese underground’s love of brass bands, partly informed by the tradition of chindon’ya, marching bands that walk the streets of Japanese cities. They also all appeared on the recent Alien Parade Japan compilation of such groups, assembled by Acher and Saya.

All things converge, then, on The Orchestra in the Sky, a smart, spirited collection of heavenly pop songs, intimate folk melodies, lungfuls of joyous brass, deep weeping strings, and swooning sighs. The last words go to Acher himself: “Many things we did in the last years come together here and it feels like something special was captured.” We hope you like what you hear.

Stix Records, a sub-label of Favorite Recordings, presents the 2nd release from its new Mellow Reggae Series project. Launched earlier this year by Mato & Ethel Lindsey with a stunning cover of the famous “What You Won’t Do For Love” by Bobby Caldwell, the series continues with the same duo, now taking over “Baby Come Back”, the underground AOR/Blue-Eyed-Soul classic from Player.

This time again and likewise could be told about Bobby’s most famous song, “Baby Come Back” can be considered as a “One-Hit Wonder”, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1977, while very few people might be able to name who performed it. Like he always does, Mato delivers an outstanding version, delighting us with his matchless skills for dub production. Already perfectly matching on Bobby Caldwell’s rendition, Ethel Lindsey ensure again the perfect vocals over Mato’s production. Currently preparing her 1st album to be released on Favorite Recordings, Ethel has a long music and singing experience, unless an almost blank discography. From her very young age, she’s developed a deep passion for AOR and Blue-Eyed-Soul style.

Starting his reggae production career in 2006, Thomas Blanchot (aka Mato) has released music through various projects on EDR Records, Big Singles or Makasound... In the meantime, he developed a real trademark: taking over classic French, Hip-Hop, OST, Classical or Pop songs, into roots reggae-dub new versions. His 15 years collaboration with Stix Records and label honcho Pascal Rioux gave life to many masterpieces and the story seems far from the end…

There’s a big clue to the pacific wisdom of The Orchestra in the Sky in the artist name – Hochzeitskapelle + Japanese Friends. For this is, indeed, music based in, and resonating with, friendship, camaraderie, collaboration, and creative exchange. Across two albums – one documenting recordings from Tokyo, the other an expansive double album of sessions from Kobe – Hochzeitskapelle gather around them some of the finest voices in Japanese independent and underground pop music, like Tenniscoats, Eddie Marcon, Yuko Ikema, and Kama Aina, and explore an open field of music, full of creative encounters.

You may already know Hochzeitskapelle as the German instrumental quintet formed by members of The Notwist, Alien Ensemble, and friends from the jazz scene. Across three albums, one a collaboration with Kama Aina (2018’s Wayfaring Suite), they’ve developed a way of playing together that’s intimate and playful, rich and human; it’s a music that’s deliberately rough around the edges, and that nestles cosily into the everyday. Their relationship with Japanese indie has developed over the years, doubtless encouraged by Saya´s „Minna Miteru“, compilations series of Japanese indie pop for Morr Music. A peripatetic gang, Hochzeitskapelle also recently backed Japanese singer-songwriter Makoto Kawamoto on her new album, Hikari.

In many ways, The Orchestra in the Sky feels like the culmination of a set of ongoing cross-cultural exchanges: the Minna Miteru compilations; tours of Japan by Hochzeitskapelle and The Notwist; and indeed, Markus Acher’s Spirit Fest group with Saya and Ueno of Tenniscoats. The latter are present throughout much of The Orchestra in the Sky, and Saya’s voice is particularly winning on songs like “Tsuki no oto”, where the two outfits are joined by brass ensemble Zayaendo. There are several lovely turns from singer-songwriter Yuko Ikema, and Eddie Marcon appear twice; their songs are still beautiful, spectral acid folk, but with Hochzeitskapelle filling the details with lush, sad brass and strings.

But it’s also the potentially lesser-known names that shine through The Orchestra in the Sky, like the frail folk of Gratin Carnival; the delightful, gentle pop songs by sekifu and Zayaendo member, Kanako Numata; a trio of beautiful, stumble-drunk melodies played in swaying consort with popo. That group, along with the presence of Zayaendo, Fuigo, and Mitamurakandadan?, make strong connections with the Japanese underground’s love of brass bands, partly informed by the tradition of chindon’ya, marching bands that walk the streets of Japanese cities. They also all appeared on the recent Alien Parade Japan compilation of such groups, assembled by Acher and Saya.

All things converge, then, on The Orchestra in the Sky, a smart, spirited collection of heavenly pop songs, intimate folk melodies, lungfuls of joyous brass, deep weeping strings, and swooning sighs. The last words go to Acher himself: “Many things we did in the last years come together here and it feels like something special was captured.” We hope you like what you hear.

Powerhouse R&B/Soul vocalist and Canadian Idol finalist. Gary Beals, is thrilled to be releasing his new album, The Melody Within. The Melody within is a musical journey that unfolds across two sides, much like a story that reveals new layers with each turn. The album is more than just a collection of songs; it's an emotional guide that beckons us to explore the depths of our own feelings and explores navigating emotions, self discovery, and nostalgia through soulful melodies. "This album serves as the aftermath to my previous album, "Bleed My Truth". It's a continuation of my musical journey, a fusion of soulful melodies and diverse influences that mirror both my personal and artistic evolution," said Gary Beals. "Each song is a chapter, a piece of my heart and soul, inviting listeners into my world of emotions, experiences and connection. It uncovers the melody that resides within. The anticipation is building as I look forward to sharing this collection of new music, and I hope it resonates deeply, offering a meaningful and memorable musical experience enriched with a multitude of emotions." With this new body of work, Gary had the opportunity to work with two talented primary producers,Beatchild (Drake, Justin Nozuka, Glen Lewis) and Myles "Losh'' Schwartz (Allan Rayman, Tobi, The Game, Pretty Lights). Additional production credits on the album include, Chris Guirguis, Frizzy Astro (Raz Fresco, Daniel Son), Jordan "Tempo" Farmer, Kobebeats (Rodwave, Kcamp, Sevyn),Sid Aakowa, Ty Danelley (Popcaan, Tory Lanez, Pressa) and Warren Williams, who all helped to shape the makings of the album while maintaining a consistent synergy. Side A of the album draws inspiration from the likes of Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and James Brown, and pays homage to artists who have played an integral part in shaping Gary's musical roots. This side includes Gary's previously released singles, "Good People, Good Vibes" and "All of Me," and the album's title track "The Melody Within," that commends the process of self-discovery and introspection. Also included is the album's 5th single, "Self Revolution," which will be released on October 27th along with the official music video. On Side B, you'll encounter a fusion of R&B and pop elements while still staying true to the album's soulful essence. Included on this side, is Gary's third single "I Like That," featuring JRDN and KAYO ,and the new single "How Do I Say (I Love You)," released September 22nd. "How Do I Say (I Love You)" dives into the inner conflict of conveying affection, showing vulnerability, and the bravery needed to expose one's heart to someone else. About Gary Beals: Two decades ago, Gary embarked on his musical journey when he, a small-town kid from Nova Scotia (now calling Toronto home), made a remarkable entrance onto the national stage as a part of Canada's inaugural season of Canadian Idol. This month marks the 20th anniversary of the finale where Gary was crowned as the "runner up" on the show. The experience ignited a transformative period of self-reflection and discovery that propelled Gary toward personal growth, shaping his life and musical career in lasting ways.

Fast forward through three albums and twenty years, Gary's work and talent have made a remarkable impact and received widespread critical acclaim. Among his accomplishments are debuting in the top 10 of the Canadian sales chart, being nominated for a JUNO Award for "Best R&B/Soul Recording," winning an East Coast Music Award and seven African Nova Scotia Music Awards, as well as scoring nominations for an Urban Music Award and a Canadian Radio Music Award. These accomplishments led to his home province's Premier officially designating November 22nd as Gary Beals Day in acknowledgment of his achievements.

With his return, Gary is poised to make a positive impact on the ever-expanding global community as he prepares to release his new album The Melody Within. The album will stand as a tribute to the strength that resides within all of us and a reminder that true fulfillment comes not just from achieving goals, but from discovering the intricate beauty that lies within our own hearts and souls.

Craig Charles is a big supporter of Gary Beals and spun his single 'All Of Me' for three weeks in a row on his Funk and Soul Show on BBC Radio Six

Whisky soaked, nocturnal, brooding. Aging’s album »Troubles? I Got A Bartender« was a noteworthy, film-noir infused suite that quietly slipped out on cassette in 2015 by a then budding Manchester avant-jazz ensemble, led by David McLean.

In 2020, amidst the pandemic’s tempest and winter's gloom, the idea manifested of showcasing McLean’s slow burning, wistful soirée in a new light via a curated effort by Berlin’s Vaagner label, which invited a series of hand-picked artist to rework selected compositions from the album, rendering its mournful, smoke-tinged resonances into new shapes.

Its result is »Reworks (Rewoven)«, and it presents 6 new interpretations by 5 artists. These range from ruminating, tape smudged ambient works interlaced with sublime acoustic strums by fellow Manchester musicians The Humble Bee and Tape Loop Orchestra, to poignant steel guitar renditions by Nashville based Kelby Clark. Furthermore, Barcelona based Dania and London based Laila Sakini, each present pieces that draw the listener into opaque realms harbored by swooning reverie and eerie, glistening prophecy.

Carefully assembled across two sides of vinyl, McLean’s penchant for hard-boiled detective novels, vintage Japanese crime flicks and film noir iconography have a continued lurking presence in the reworks, yet the new pieces each add a modern facet to the original’s cinematic narrative, its morose and sulky mood now opening into new avenues of interpretation. And whilst some artists have chosen to dive further into the themes of contentious ambivalence and pensive solitude, others have sought to slightly lift the haze, stirring up melodies tinged with a sense of hope, hinting at times, towards instants of poise and vivacity.

In the end this leaves us with a new body of work that manages to feel poignant in its complexity whilst remaining dissonant and elusive in its renditions, hinting at a modern day existence even more opaque, intricate and convoluted than the film noir classics of old might have pictured the world.

The new recordings from The Dengie Hundred unfurl on Tain Records after a busy year releasing a solo tape on Sagome and a collaborative LP and tape with Japan Blues on Demdike Stare's DDS imprint.

Lammas Land is an album which meditates on the Walthamstow Marshes, an ever-changing watery landscape, rich with history and wildlife. The Dengie Hundred writes:

"I am sitting at my table overlooking the marshes listening to Lammas Land in November 2023, watching crows fight a never-ending aerial battle with the gulls. In summer, you can see bats from here every evening, fluttering around the windows as the light begins to fade, but today it is colder so there is smoke rising from the boats on the River Lea and the dog walkers are wrapped up tight against the wind.
Most of Lammas Land was made sitting right here, playing guitar and recording the sounds passing by. I would hang a microphone out of the window to capture the ‘putput’ boat which delivers provisions, or the trains that rattle along the tracks that cut across the marshes and up to Stanstead, carrying passengers to the airport and away.
I wonder what tourists make of the marshes as they cross them, the landscape opening up for a moment between the urban sprawl of the East End and the rampant development of Tottenham. They offer a jarring pause of green and sky. I feel very lucky to be living in that pause, a resident, for now…

The album contains a whole year of found sounds recorded from the window and while out walking. It is full of bird song and radio sounds, singing, life.

Many others have been inspired by this space, this pause. The author Esther Kinsky who wrote River, published by Fitzcarraldo Editions, captures this area so perfectly. I borrowed the two track names for this album from her book. I hope she doesn’t mind.

Also, the photographer Paul Fuller whose work reflects the atmosphere I feel here precisely. On hearing the music he wanted to collaborate on the Lammas Land project, He spent a year filming the marsh through the seasons. Some of his images are included with the vinyl release, and there is an accompanying film close to completion. I am so pleased this project is continuing in new forms.

The vinyl also contains a piece of writing, ‘Sound Fishing’, by Gemma Blackshaw, an author, art historian and curator who in a twist of fate also found herself spending time on the marshes, but that is her story, for another day."




The Dengie Hundred
Lammas Land
LP, with essay insert + five photographic prints
Cat No: TAIN02
Price: £14.49
Due next week

A: A hand full of ever thickening twilight
(Sample clips 1 / 2 / 3)

B: A string of pearls pulling
the night away
(Sample clips 1 / 2 / 3)

Ultra limited edition release from Taiwan’s psych-rock heroes Dope Purple, joined here by fellow Taipei resident, noise musician Bei San Q Nan.

250 copies all pressed on transparent purple coloured vinyl, and housed in a gloss finished full colour outer sleeve with polylined inner bags and download code. Non-Returnable.

What we have here is a one off pressing of the bands self released 2019 cassette only release ‘Psychedelic Scum Freaks’

“Dope Purple's most ferocious noise psychedelic live album with a whole lot of harsh noise and amphetamines added to the music of "Grateful End".

Recorded in September 2018. Taipei's noise musician Bei San Q Nan joined Dope Purple to begin the album with over 10 minutes of harsh noise and continued to bring the noise psychedelic tinnitus hell”

This double vinyl set includes the remastered version of the cassette album, in addition to a super-heavyweight drone song recorded in 2022.

One for the die-hards.

Managing two record labels and the most successful electronic music school in the country has left Natia Sartania aka sTia with little time for her own music for the past 13 years. However, her musical journeys and transitions brought her back to "home". This 7-track album has been created by Natia since the full-scale invasion in Ukraine. She dedicates this album to all people who had to leave their homes behind.

It's not easy to define the musical genre of this EP. Mostly acoustic piano with some electronic ambience and squeaky pedal that gets in the way. Some melancholic recitative and hypnotic hip-hop instrumental in the end.

In A4 Natia collaborates with Luna Flowers and Sabana, the founding members of the most influential hip-hop collectives in Georgia such as "KayaKata", LTFR and Temple Pharmacy.

In B3 sTia's home is covered by one of the most promising young Georgian hip-hop instrumentalist Nikala







[g] 07: Home (Nikala rework) [feat. Nikala]

Das gleichnamige Album von 1993 war das bis dato am schnellsten verkaufte Debütalbum im UK überhaupt. Der Nachfolger 'Dog Man Star' gilt als Opus Magnum der Band um Sänger Brett Anderson und Gitarrist Bernard Butler. Album Nr. 3 'Coming Up' konnte in England alleine fünf Singles in den Top 10 platzieren, und drei der Alben stiegen direkt auf Platz 1 ein. Insgesamt 14 Singles kamen in die UK Top 20, und die Erfolgswelle trug die Band durch ganz Europa bis nach Japan. Zum 30-jährigen Jubiläum erscheinen die drei wegweisenden Singles, die den massiven Erfolg des Debüt-Albums befeuerten, als limitierte Picture-7inch-Singles! Die jeweiligen B-Seiten waren alle nicht auf dem Erfolgsalbum enthalten.

'The Drowners' erschien am 11. Mai 1992 und wurde vom NME und Melody Maker zur 'Single des Jahres' gewählt. 'Metal Mickey' erschien am 14. Sept. 1992 auf Nude und ermöglichte den ersten Auftritt bei 'Top Of The Pops'. 'Animal Nitrate' konnte sich nach Release am 22. Feb. 1993 am höchsten in den UK-Charts platzieren. Suede traten mit dem Song bei den 'Brit Awards' vor 9 Millionen TV-Zuschauern auf!

Das gleichnamige Album von 1993 war das bis dato am schnellsten verkaufte Debütalbum im UK überhaupt. Der Nachfolger 'Dog Man Star' gilt als Opus Magnum der Band um Sänger Brett Anderson und Gitarrist Bernard Butler. Album Nr. 3 'Coming Up' konnte in England alleine fünf Singles in den Top 10 platzieren, und drei der Alben stiegen direkt auf Platz 1 ein. Insgesamt 14 Singles kamen in die UK Top 20, und die Erfolgswelle trug die Band durch ganz Europa bis nach Japan. Zum 30-jährigen Jubiläum erscheinen die drei wegweisenden Singles, die den massiven Erfolg des Debüt-Albums befeuerten, als limitierte Picture-7inch-Singles! Die jeweiligen B-Seiten waren alle nicht auf dem Erfolgsalbum enthalten.
'The Drowners' erschien am 11. Mai 1992 und wurde vom NME und Melody Maker zur 'Single des Jahres' gewählt. 'Metal Mickey' erschien am 14. Sept. 1992 auf Nude und ermöglichte den ersten Auftritt bei 'Top Of The Pops'. 'Animal Nitrate' konnte sich nach Release am 22. Feb. 1993 am höchsten in den UK-Charts platzieren. Suede traten mit dem Song bei den 'Brit Awards' vor 9 Millionen TV-Zuschauern auf!

Das gleichnamige Album von 1993 war das bis dato am schnellsten verkaufte Debütalbum im UK überhaupt. Der Nachfolger 'Dog Man Star' gilt als Opus Magnum der Band um Sänger Brett Anderson und Gitarrist Bernard Butler. Album Nr. 3 'Coming Up' konnte in England alleine fünf Singles in den Top 10 platzieren, und drei der Alben stiegen direkt auf Platz 1 ein. Insgesamt 14 Singles kamen in die UK Top 20, und die Erfolgswelle trug die Band durch ganz Europa bis nach Japan. Zum 30-jährigen Jubiläum erscheinen die drei wegweisenden Singles, die den massiven Erfolg des Debüt-Albums befeuerten, als limitierte Picture-7inch-Singles! Die jeweiligen B-Seiten waren alle nicht auf dem Erfolgsalbum enthalten.
'The Drowners' erschien am 11. Mai 1992 und wurde vom NME und Melody Maker zur 'Single des Jahres' gewählt. 'Metal Mickey' erschien am 14. Sept. 1992 auf Nude und ermöglichte den ersten Auftritt bei 'Top Of The Pops'. 'Animal Nitrate' konnte sich nach Release am 22. Feb. 1993 am höchsten in den UK-Charts platzieren. Suede traten mit dem Song bei den 'Brit Awards' vor 9 Millionen TV-Zuschauern auf!

Enigma is the first studio album by the space age, glass-harp powered, tropicalia quartet Os Barbapapas. Understandably, those adjectives could invoke images of kitschiness in one’s mind; that concept is smashed by the ice cold shot of Brazilian jazz riffing in the album’s opener and first single, “Se Liga Na Sequência”.

Os Barbapapas trapeze the vast richness of Brazilian/South American music heritage and beyond, as a collective with members who have variously travelled to Morocco to master Gnawa; played in circuses, or were born in the heartland of samba – these experiences and much more inform the complex yet breezy instrumentals of Enigma.

It’s a joy to pick through the notable influences that resound over Enigma. Ethiopian Jazz bursts from "Caminho para Itiwawa", backed by an Afro-Latin swing, fostered by drummer Barbara Mucciollo. There’s tonalities from North African artists such as Omar Khorshidor West African artists such as Tinriwen and Ali Farka Touré, as well as rhythmic influence from Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian music. The dynamite track “(L)Atitude(S)” contains the explorative excitement of Brazilian 60s luminaries like Pedro Santos, however none are as special as layered percussion of “Gaba Gaba”, connected to the very specific rhythms of Northeast Brazil. It's evident from listening to Enigma that Os Barbapapas are an exceptional live band. They have their sights set on Europe soon, with the Glass Harp packed away safely. Until then please enjoy this electrifying album of their work so far, understanding: this is an extremely exciting project, still in its auspicious infant years

Enigma is the first studio album by the space age, glass-harp powered, tropicalia quartet Os Barbapapas. Understandably, those adjectives could invoke images of kitschiness in one’s mind; that concept is smashed by the ice cold shot of Brazilian jazz riffing in the album’s opener and first single, “Se Liga Na Sequência”.

Os Barbapapas trapeze the vast richness of Brazilian/South American music heritage and beyond, as a collective with members who have variously travelled to Morocco to master Gnawa; played in circuses, or were born in the heartland of samba – these experiences and much more inform the complex yet breezy instrumentals of Enigma.

It’s a joy to pick through the notable influences that resound over Enigma. Ethiopian Jazz bursts from "Caminho para Itiwawa", backed by an Afro-Latin swing, fostered by drummer Barbara Mucciollo. There’s tonalities from North African artists such as Omar Khorshidor West African artists such as Tinriwen and Ali Farka Touré, as well as rhythmic influence from Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian music. The dynamite track “(L)Atitude(S)” contains the explorative excitement of Brazilian 60s luminaries like Pedro Santos, however none are as special as layered percussion of “Gaba Gaba”, connected to the very specific rhythms of Northeast Brazil. It's evident from listening to Enigma that Os Barbapapas are an exceptional live band. They have their sights set on Europe soon, with the Glass Harp packed away safely. Until then please enjoy this electrifying album of their work so far, understanding: this is an extremely exciting project, still in its auspicious infant years

Retro house sounds from Italy on this release... tunes that still go down well with some of the big name festival dj's during their summer tour! A track that remained unpublished for 33 years until Devil Dee decided to make it public and bring his own voice to the spotlight joined by jazz-blues singer Joan Faulkner (former supporting voice of Boney M and Milli Vanilli, also known by her stage name 'Dee-Vah'). Devil Dee is Davide Mancori - a cinematograph with a flattering career as a club-dj from 80s-90s onwards - who lovingly produced this release which differs from most of the releases on Best Record by its housey vibe. 'And The Beat Goes On' was written in Germany in 1989 by Leonie Gane and Ryan Paris laying the crucial foundations for an evolutionary step of the italian disco music. A step forward for the 'Italo' movement considered obsolete and defunct. In fact, the track is also referring to the latest Italo-Disco which entirely covered the scene of the 1980s with furious activity, If the meeting between Devil Dee and the famous interpreter of 'Dolce Vita' - Mister Ryan Paris - creates the alchemy, the explosive mix is completed with the precious work of Marco Magrini. The arrangement by Pierluigi Cerin and the executive work of Claudio Casalini close the magic circle. Five friends and a great singer from Indiana to fill the dance floors all over Europe, while the images of the provocative and surreal video-clip capture the audience by splitting in two. There are those who do not want to see certain issues publicized and those who appreciate their cheekiness, such as Best Record which by publishing the vinyl printed at 180 grams celebrates the 40 years of activity.

Reissue des 2018er Debütalbums von Hot Mulligan, eine der vielseitigsten und zutiefst bewegenden Bands des US-Emo-Undergrounds, deren Musik ein kathartischer Aufschrei nach Wachstum einer Generation zukunftsorientierter Mittelwestler ist, die - in den Getrieben eines verrosteten Systems gefangen - verzweifelt nach Hoffnung suchen.

Como Asesinar a Felipes (CAF) from Santiago, Chile, displays their rhythmic existential poetry over a grounding produced by organic instruments. On the same platform elements of jazz, hip-hop, rock, classical and electronic music meet, creating a mix that has stood out for its originality, atmosphere and a lot of energy during its live performances interpreted through a signature that is uniquely their own: saturated, technicolor hues of sound painted on a dark psychedelic canvas. In 2008 their self-titled debut record was released which gained remarkable attention throughout Latin America and especially their home country Chile. Now, 15 years later, it was time for a fresh sound and a remaster. Soon after the digital release of the remastered album, the record will be released on vinyl for the first time ever!

KingUnderground & Delicious Vinyl present a lovingly re-issued version of this sought after & seminal hip-hop record, with all beats by J Dilla, featuring Common, Talib Kweli, Posdnuos, T-3 & Guilty Simpson, and the first time re-issued on vinyl since 2013.

Back in 2008, just two years after James Yancey aka J Dilla’s passing, Mike Ross, founder of Delicious Vinyl, presented J Dilla’s mother Maureen Yancey (aka Ma Dukes), with a vault of unreleased beats from her late son. Following Dilla’s childhood friend (and longtime collaborator) Frank Nitty (Of Frank N’ Dank) was a part of a group of confidants, who lovingly went through the treasure chest of music, formulating a tribute to their departed friend the best way they knew how. With hundreds upon hundreds of instrumentals to choose from, Nitty and Dilla’s brother Illa J narrowed the pile down to a collection of about 50 tracks, some of which would become the building blocks of their debut 2013 Yancey Boys album, ‘Sunset Blvd’. Upon its release in 2013, the LP (which featured appearances from Hip-Hop royalty including Common, Talib Kweli, Posdnuos, T-3 & Guilty Simpson) became an instant classic, gaining recognition from tastemakers across the world.

Even without J Dilla’s presence during the record’s creation, Frank & Illa J were able to harness Dilla’s omniscient creative energy during the production process of making Sunset Blvd. His contributions and spirit couldn't help but permeate the beats, the undeniable foundation for the tracks on the record. “Beyond the beats, his fingerprints were all over the record, in the guest artists we chose to ask for a feature, to the guys mixing and mastering. Most of whom he (J Dilla) worked with before he passed”, said Frank.

Through Delicious Vinyl, ‘Sunset Blvd’ and the accompanying instrumentals were both released on wax in 2013, but have not been reissued since, until now. Thankfully, UK based label King Underground (AKA KU) have once again made this seminal record (and instrumentals) available.

KingUnderground & Delicious Vinyl present a lovingly re-issued version of this sought after & seminal hip-hop record, with all beats by J Dilla, featuring Common, Talib Kweli, Posdnuos, T-3 & Guilty Simpson, and the first time re-issued on vinyl since 2013.

Back in 2008, just two years after James Yancey aka J Dilla’s passing, Mike Ross, founder of Delicious Vinyl, presented J Dilla’s mother Maureen Yancey (aka Ma Dukes), with a vault of unreleased beats from her late son. Following Dilla’s childhood friend (and longtime collaborator) Frank Nitty (Of Frank N’ Dank) was a part of a group of confidants, who lovingly went through the treasure chest of music, formulating a tribute to their departed friend the best way they knew how. With hundreds upon hundreds of instrumentals to choose from, Nitty and Dilla’s brother Illa J narrowed the pile down to a collection of about 50 tracks, some of which would become the building blocks of their debut 2013 Yancey Boys album, ‘Sunset Blvd’. Upon its release in 2013, the LP (which featured appearances from Hip-Hop royalty including Common, Talib Kweli, Posdnuos, T-3 & Guilty Simpson) became an instant classic, gaining recognition from tastemakers across the world.

Even without J Dilla’s presence during the record’s creation, Frank & Illa J were able to harness Dilla’s omniscient creative energy during the production process of making Sunset Blvd. His contributions and spirit couldn't help but permeate the beats, the undeniable foundation for the tracks on the record. “Beyond the beats, his fingerprints were all over the record, in the guest artists we chose to ask for a feature, to the guys mixing and mastering. Most of whom he (J Dilla) worked with before he passed”, said Frank.

Through Delicious Vinyl, ‘Sunset Blvd’ and the accompanying instrumentals were both released on wax in 2013, but have not been reissued since, until now. Thankfully, UK based label King Underground (AKA KU) have once again made this seminal record (and instrumentals) available.

Tha God Fahim has carved out a unique place in the hip-hop firmament, fashioning street-level morality tales set to mesmerizing soundscapes. Depicting an ongoing battle between good and evil, these rap fables find Fahim slaying demons, surviving betrayal, learning lessons, outmaneuvering obstacles, and ultimately realizing his limitless potential. Now, the Atlanta emcee is back with "Tha Supreme Hoarder Of All Pristine Wealth", a new album entirely produced by Camoflauge Monk. Tha God Fahim’s compelling lyricism entwines perfectly with the soundtrack provided by Monk, an acclaimed beatsmith who has crafted tracks for Westside Gunn, Mach-Hommy, Conway, Benny The Butcher, Boldy James, Mayhem Lauren, Rome Streetz, and more. Capturing the essence of Fahim’s artistry, The Supreme Hoarder Of All Pristine Wealth celebrates living life to the fullest, where luxury and abundance are hard-earned rewards for dedication, sacrifice, wisdom, and righteousness.

BERTUS DISTRIBUTION INTRODUCES NORTH SEA JAZZ CONCERT SERIES

Bertus Distribution, in collaboration with NTR, AVROTROS and MOJO, presents a new vinyl series consisting of live recordings of legendary artists through the decades made at the renowned North Sea Jazz Festival.

The North Sea Jazz Concert Series will include officially licensed releases that will be released as standard on 180-gram white vinyl in a sleeve of heavy paper printed on reversed board. The records will be captured in mainly black-and-white artwork by Hans Pol in his signature style of the festival with inspiration from the covers of classic older jazz releases from the Blue Note label, for example. The liner notes are written by journalist and jazz expert Jeroen de Valk.

For the first release in this series, the honour is given to one of the most famous jazz singers ever, Ella Fitzgerald. On Friday 13 July 1979, she gave a raucous and peerless performance at the festival then still held in The Hague. The "First Lady Of Song" worked her way with verve through standards like 'There Will Never Be Another You', 'Satin Doll', ''Round Midnight' and 'Mr Paganini'. Her accompanists that night were Paul Smith on piano, Keter Betts on bass and Mickey Roker on drums; a trio line-up with the power of a big band.

Future releases will include NSJ recordings by such notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Dexter Gordon and Jan Akkerman. It will be a long-running series with the aim of releasing the most extraordinary NSJ performances on vinyl.

The first edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival took place in 1976 at The Hague’s Nederlands Congresgebouw with some 9,000 visitors. In the first year, jazz legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz performed alongside a host of artists from the Dutch avant-garde.

The festival, officially NN North Sea Jazz since 2018, has now developed into a major international event that is also known beyond the Dutch borders as an event where jazz from the past, present and future merges with other genres such as blues, soul, funk, hiphop, pop and more. Over the years, it has grown to fifteen venues, around thirteen hundred musicians and an annual audience of between eight-five and ninety thousand. Since 2006, the festival has been held in new wider venue, namely Rotterdam Ahoy.

Celebrating 30 years of success, Candlebox has revealed their final studio album, titled 'The Long Goodbye,' will be released on Friday, August 25th via Round Hill Records. Emerging from Seattle’s burgeoning mid-90s grunge scene, Candlebox quickly found mainstream success with their deep, lyrically-driven melodies and big radio hooks, as evidenced by their massive hits “Far Behind,” “You” and “Cover Me” that propelled their self-titled debut album to sell more than 4 million copies worldwide. Their follow-up album, 'Lucy,' earned a platinum certification and solidified Candlebox as a tour de force in the thriving alt-rock scene. While the commercial success of the first album played a pivotal role in the band’s trajectory to the top, it was their raw and unapologetically honest live performances that ultimately solidified their place among Seattle’s elite. In 1998, Candlebox released 'Happy Pills,' which would be their last album before going on hiatus from 2000 to 2006. In 2008, the band reformed and released their fourth album, 'Into The Sun,' and hit the road for the first time in 10 years, touring extensively and releasing 'Alive In Seattle,' a live album that included tracks from every era of their career. 2016 marked the triumphant return of Candlebox with the release of 'Disappearing In Airports,' a more classic rock-tinged album hailed by many critics and fans as their best work in years. Singles “Vexatious” and “Supernova” drove the album to debut at #9 on the Billboard Charts and spurred multiple U.S. and international tours including major festival appearances at Carolina Rebellion, Welcome To Rockville, and Lollapalooza Chile. While these iconic rockers have been blazing full-steam since, releasing their latest album, Wolves, in 2021, Candlebox is now wrapping up their long and illustrious 30-year career with The Long Goodbye.

Australian indie alternative stalwarts Boy & Bear hit their stride on the sophomore epic, Harlequin
Dream. Upon release, it clinched #1 on the Australian Album Sales Chart and notably received a
nomination in the category of “Australian Album of the Year” at the 2013 J Awards. Staples such as
the title track “Harlequin Dream” and “A Moment’s Grace” have cemented the record’s legacy among
fans, while “Southern Sun” stands out as the band’s most streamed song to date. The Guardian rated
it “4-out-of-five stars” and assured, “They’ve nailed the tequila-sunrise mellowness, which acts as a
gateway to an albumful of emollient soft rock.” Harlequin Dream crystallized the group’s emotional,
ethereal, and enthralling style in its eleven tracks, and it continues to entrance.
Following their debut award-winning album Moonfire, Boy & Bear will release Harlequin Dream, their
bold and brave new album recorded in their hometown of Sydney at legendary Alberts Studio and
mixed by Phil Ek (Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Modest Mouse). The lead single, “Southern Sun,” has
a powerful urgency not unlike the best of Bruce Springsteen or Fleetwood Mac, while a sprinkling of
strings and brass brings life and color to such standouts as “Back down the Black,” “Old Town Blues”
and “Stranger.” Boy & Bear’s debut record Moonfire won five ARIA awards, including Album of the
Year

Circular patterns morphing through time, loop and ritual form the fabric of Proserpine, the latest work by Leeds-based musician, Teresa Winter. Recorded from a summer to a winter through 2021 and 2022, Proserpine is Winter's most cohesive, focused music to date: confidently revelling in space, fixating on isolated sounds and giving way to satisfying, swirling waves of vocal and electronic buzz. Proserpine is Teresa Winter's debut recording for Glasgow-based label, Night School.

On Proserpine, musical patterns revolve and intersect with each other, transmogrifying the music's narrative. Over-arching themes emerge: continual change, elusiveness. Insubstantiality emerges into concrete reality in the form of recognisable field recordings: the purring of a pet cat, the hum of a live cable. The loops and patterns are sometimes just out of sight, the click and whirl on Child Of Nature is the backdrop to hymnal vocalisations by Winter, who intones spell-like text in conversation with herself. On opener Circles, Winter's vocal is pre-linguistic, detached syllables falling into flowing streams, before Plume's field recordings seem to juxtapose nocturnal and diurnal wildlife. "You said I was a Flower Of The Mountain" sings Winter, as James Joyce's Molly Bloom does but the carpe diem desire in Ulysses is dissipated here, spread out by gauzy, droning organs. Here desire is blown up and out, changed into something undefinable but no less powerful.

Change is at the heart of the album. The Roman goddess Proserpine, herself a reimagined version of the earlier Greek goddess Persephone, is always between: between summer and winter, the land of the living and the underworld, constantly emerging into new states of being. It's a fitting metaphor for Winter's work. Like an Apple feels like it soundtracks this in-between state, long, trailing reverb smudging synth keys and Winter's achingly beautiful vocal performance. The effect is stirring but flitting in and out of perception, sometimes Winter's presence feels of this world, of musical instruments and practises and at others it feels like the music is about to phase into a different plane, a different universe.

While Proserpine references the myths and cults of the classical, pre-Christian era, Winter's restless preoccupation with the mechanics of religion informs the album in other ways. Ritual is present through out, either in the mantra-like vocalisations or even the private rituals we are invited to witness: on Fireworks the listener eave drops into the protagonist's private bonfire. On the stunning Lamento, layers of Choral vocal interlock in celestial patterns that recall catholic mass: it's an overt effect that simulates the ecstasy of religious fervour and also reminds the listener of the use of vocal that runs through Proserpine. Winter's vocals often echo with the euphoria of obliteration, of disintegrating in an awful bliss. It's an effect achieved with finality by the closer New Water as the piece begins with voice before burning up in the atmosphere of elegiac violins and enveloping undertows of whirring synth patterns and ghostly pads. Proserpine is forever turning, changing, always elusive and quietly revelatory.

2023 Repress / Gatefold sleeve

"For Better, For Worse" is the debut album by DJ Scientist, the founder and head of the Equinox Records label. The music on the album was produced between 2001 and 2006 and offers a unique, fully-sample based instrumental body of work that, even 6 years after its originally scheduled release date, has the power to spellbind and steer the listener into the widespread musical world of one of Germany's most passionate record collectors and artist.

Some tracks of the album were 'leaked' early. In 2006 on the "Journey Goodbye EP" and in the form of the song 'Raincoatman' which appeared on the first Equinox Records compilation. These early releases raised excitement levels for the album and fans of Scientist's unique approach. Unfortunately the album never materialised, partly due to the complexity of some of the songs, consisting of more than 50 layers. Moving from his hometown of Munich to Berlin in that period and coping with the increasing work the label was requiring of him as founder and manager also didn't help. Scientist then decided to focus on his collaboration with American rapper and multi-instrumentalist Ceschi Ramos in 2007, sealing the album off for a few more years. On the collaboration Scientist proved his skills as a producer across four singles and EPs (featuring popular cuts such as 'Same Old Love Song' and 'Bad Jokes') and an album, "The One Man Band Broke Up", released in 2010. The instrumental version of the album acted as Scientist's official solo debut. Until now…

In 2012 Scientist began to revisit the body of work that made up "For Better, For Worse" and finalised the tracks from the vast archive of finished and unfinished songs. In April he released "The Artless Cuckoo EP" which featured additional tracks from the same early production period that makes up the bulk of the album. The EP introduced the album, catching the attention of fans who had been waiting for quite some time.

"For Better, For Worse" therefore picks up from where "Journey Goodbye" had ended and where "The Artless Cuckoo" had restarted. All the tracks on the album show the musical power that resides in the "instrumental hip hop" genre, for lack of a better word. Despite the time it took to make and release, or perhaps precisely because of it, the album defines Scientist's talent and knowledge as a sample-based musician. Even if the crashing drums and melancholic samples which mark the music have now often been replaced by glitches and Dilla-esque drums elsewhere, the music on the album still sounds like little else in hip hop today. The instrumental side of the genre has rarely been purer, more powerful or more uncompromising.

It's with great pleasure that nearly 10 years after work on the music started Equinox Records finally gives spotlight to the man in the back. So stop, and listen. For better, and for worse.

Repress!

Little Dragon return with a spectacular second album offering in August, a pulsating electro pop epic that Prince would be proud of (only fronted by a beautiful Swedish lady with a sultry voice). A bold and surprising side/two step onwards from their self titled debut, released two years ago to great acclaim especially among specialist circles. Machine Dreams, with its nagging hooks and gloriously infectious tunes, should finally see the band break out into the mainstream.

Recorded in their home city of Gothenburg, Machine Dreams is a gigantic leap on from previous material but still maintains a distinct sound that can only be Little Dragon. Be it Yukimi s warmly inviting vocals, Erik s dextrous drumming, the vast array of synths and bleeps created by Hakan or Frederik s bubbling bass lines, together they don t sound like anything else around right now. The move towards a more electronic sound was a conscious one, as Yukimi explains; The title Machine Dreams seems obvious. These days, humans seem more and more like machines, and as technology evolves, machines feel more human and it becomes fuzzy and beautiful and science fiction-ish. We feel dependent on our machines to create and live, and their sounds reflect us .

Album opener A New breaks us in gently with a single whirring note on the synthesiser, an almost alien sound that gradually morphs into a slow, thumping bassline. Yukimi s vocals flow alongside Hakan s assortment of sound effects interspersed with militaristic drums breaks. A magical opener that sets the scene and seems to sink into itself, taking us with it, until the pace is swiftly ratcheted skywards with Looking Glass , the massive snare, crisp driving beat and experimental synths revealing the band s current penchant for the 80 s. This influence continues apace into stand out track My Step . Utilising a solid drumbeat that nestles next to jagged and playful synthlines, the track breaks down into motorik propulsion with a scuzzy techno bassline that Yukimi works with ease.

Upcoming single Feather finds Yukimi s voice at its most detached and blaze, seemingly nonchalant yet magnificently seductive. Backed by Hakan s keyboard atmospherics, the song creates a soundscape reminiscent of Tears For Fears more reflective moods. Gradually layering more vocals, synths, echoes and reverb, it builds to a quietly psychedelic, dreamy cosmic swirl. Runabout brings forth a mini Airto style percussive breakdown at the tail end of yet another Little Dragon pop gem. Swimming bursts forth into vision with stabbing keys and reflective bass alongside yet another wonderful vocal performance from Yukimi who sings of young love and now so many years have past, my memories as clear as glass . The song is over as quickly as it started, flowing into the next miniature masterpiece in the form of Blinking Pigs

The album closes with the stunning track Fortune , which has already caught the attention of none other than DJ Shadow. It s no wonder really, as the textured melodies blend with the drifting percussion, creating a blissful sonic mood. With a smattering of drums and bass and the magic of Yukimi s voice and Hakan s electronic dynamics floating on top, it s the perfect track to end this fascinating journey through Little Dragon s brave new world.

With disparate influences from Depeche Mode to Prince, LCD Soundsystem to James Holden, Dancehall to R&B, Jazz and Soul, Little Dragon take their place among artists who straddle many genres, yet somehow create their own and in doing so create sounds that make time stop (Yukimi). Futuristic yet somehow retro, Machine Dreams sees Little Dragon achieve something timeless; that elusive pop classic.

ME LOST ME led by Newcastle-based artist Jayne Dent announces a new album RPG via Upset The Rhythm on 7th July, and is touring across the UK including support dates with Pigs x7. RPG (recorded in Blank Studios with Sam Grant of Pigs x7) is ME LOST ME’s fourth outing as a collective, having transitioned from an ambitious solo project in 2017, Jayne now regularly collaborating with acclaimed North-East jazz musicians Faye MacCalman and John Pope.
ME LOST ME delights in experimenting with songwriting and storytelling, creating a beguiling mix of soaring vocals and atmospheric electronics that playfully weave together disparate genres, drawing influence from folk, art pop, noise, ambient and improvised music. Hauntological in part, RPG is concerned with tales and with time - are we running out of it? Does insomnia cause a time loop? Do the pressures of masculinity prevent progress? Jayne Dent asks these questions and more on RPG, her homage to worldbuilding and the story as an artform, calling back to those oral traditions around a campfire, as well as modern day video games - bringing folk music into the present day as she does so.
ME LOST ME presents sound reaching in opposite directions, straddling time towards the archaic and timeless traditions of folktales, and towards the possible and potential futures of pastoral Britain and the world at large. Part speculation, part reminiscence, what results on the new album RPG is music that sounds ultimately displaced and yet omnipresent, adjacent to a hapless Vonnegut hero whose life is scattered throughout time and history, but full of wonder and curiosity rather than fear.
On track “The Oldest Trees Hold The Earth”, we see time stretched out between the branches of impossibly old beings in the woods. This track was co-written in Aarhus, Denmark with fellow Newcastle folk musician (with Danish heritage) Ditte Elly. The pair wordlessly passed a sheet of paper between each other to write the lyrics, inspired by Højbjerg and Mosegård, the woods they were sitting in. “How long should I wait/Before the moss grows?/On my skin, on my outstretched arms,” the lyrics are sung in a round, the close harmonies delicate and detailed.

A central thesis of this album is the joy of creation, something which is paid homage to in the album’s final track, “Science And Art” (Not because we need it to last/just because we needed to make it - so we invented the words/this language). It is also reflected in the definition that Jayne gives for “folk” itself. She comments, “To me, folk is quite an expansive idea. I think of it as creative work that's often made ad-hoc, with things that are at hand and more often than not it's born of a DIY ethos. It is songs and stories of the people, as in the traditional sense, but also creative coding, game design etc. Whatever outlet someone has for their creative expression could be described as folk. It's the things we make because humans need to make things, and the stories we tell about ourselves and the world around us.”
Crucially, on latest album RPG, Dent expands her songwriting and looks towards the unreal locations of worldbuilding in video games for inspiration. She comments, “I think the main similarity is the importance of a song's setting/environment to inform its narrative and textures, I'm often most inspired when out walking in the natural landscape, in cities and travelling to places I've never been before - the environment I'm in really impacts the work I make. While writing this album, however, I found myself inspired by imaginary landscapes, those in video games, paintings, etc. I was writing stories into these unreal locations instead. Even the songs inspired by real places, like The Oldest Trees Hold the Earth, have a very surreal quality to them in the songs, like they're being warped and turned into something not of this world. I think that's the main difference for me in terms of the thematic content and inspiration behind this album - I've been getting more and more interested in balancing surreal and fantastical environmental elements with ordinary and everyday settings.”
RPG upends the concept of the eternal return - we may be in the midst of inevitable repetition, but we tell stories whilst awaiting the passage of time.
"Being familiar with, and a fan of Jayne's earlier work, it was great to get the opportunity to work with her on the production of her new record. I had in mind a sense of what the record might be, but what came of the sessions, led by the vision Jayne had for the record, totally exceeded my expectations. As far as albums go, it has a breadth of writing and a sonic depth that made it a truly brilliant record. Having Jayne join us on a leg of the Pigs x7 tour in April is going to be ace. The creative nature, the sincerity and bold strokes of ME LOST ME put it in that space outside of any genre pigeonholes, and between our two sets I imagine the audience is going to have a proper sonic bath..."
Sam Grant, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, 2023
“The music of Me Lost Me is beguiling, idiosyncratic and cinematic - or should that be video-game-omatic? This suite of songscapes often hits the sweet spot between ancient and modern with its masterful blend of stark folk, neon electronic burbling and unusual arrangements. Jayne's singing is refreshingly straightforward and nuanced - it's exquisite! - and perfectly punctures the nebulae of synths and brass which billow around the old wooden frames of the songs. Whilst listening I had images in my mind of what Northumberland might look like through the eyes of Simon Stalenhag - foggy moors, a robot looking across the sea to Lindisfarne, twinkling lights on metal towers.... that sort of thing. It's a really great album.”
Richard Dawson, 2023

2023 REPRESS - Rare Brazilian Bossa Nova - Latin album - Comes with insert/liner notes & packaged in a gatefold jacket - 180g TANGERINE COLORED vinyl limited to 500 copies w/obi strip // Marcos Valle needs little introduction, born in Rio de Janeiro in 1943, Mr. Valle is an award-winning/chart-hitting Brazilian singer, songwriter and record producer. He was raised on a staple diet of classical, Brazilian popular music and North American jazz. Marcos Valle grew up to be one of the most influential & innovating musicians of the Bossa nova period and is regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian artists of all time. He has recorded albums for North American labels such as EMI, Warner Brothers & Verve_cementing his career with a series of tight musical workouts moving seamlessly between funk, samba, soundtracks, soul, jazz, dance and rock. Valle contributed to some of the most important recordings by artists including Sarah Vaughan, Frank Sinatra, Sergio Mendes, Leon Ware, Chicago and Airto Moreira. Mr. Valle's work has been sampled/remixed by major artists from the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West & Madlib.One of Valle's favorite bands to frequently collaborate with was no doubt Azymuth, who took their name from a Valle song!Azymuth (Bertrami-Malheiros-Conti) started their individual careers in the 1960s in the emergent Bossa nova and jazz scene of Rio, living in the same bohemian block in Copacabana and playing in small bars as session musicians under various other names.It was the early 1970s when Azymuth really began to cause a stir and Marcos Valle invited them to record on a soundtrack LP he was doing. The unique Azymuth sound was now born: a mix of electronic music, samba, funk and jazz that they defined as MPB-jazz (MPB stands for Musica Popular Brasileira). Over the decades Azymuth released extremely successful albums (selling millions of copies) on labels such as Polydor, Som Livre and Atlantic. Hitting the charts on multiple occasions, Azymuth played at the Monterrey and Montreux jazz festivals and at venues around the globe.The band has worked with legendary musicians from Joe Henderson to Stevie Wonder and they've also been remixed/sampled by artists such as Flying Lotus, will.i.am, MF DOOM and Peanut Butter Wolf. Their unique brand of fusion-music has influenced three generations of musicians, DJs, and producers. Music journalists across the spectrum from mainstream to underground, celebrated these raw yet wildly imaginative and musically accomplished tracks that were a revelation of jazz, funk and disco, with some even stating that the roots of EDM were on display in their early recordings.On the album we are presenting you (Brazil by Music - Fly Cruzeiro) the listener is getting yet another fantastic early Valle/Azymuth collaboration. Released in 1972, this rare album was pressed and gifted to customers of the `Cruzeiro' airline company. This promotional record came as no surprise because the connection between Cruzeiro Airlines and Valle was very tight (Valle's father was the manager and his brother was a co-pilot there).Next to the Valle/Azymuth material present, other songs include some of the all-time best Brazilian standards originally written by renowned artists such as Jorge Ben & Antonio Carlos Jobim. Take a flight with us through this fantastic album and into some of the best Jazz, Funk & Bossa Nova the Brazilian musical landscape has to offer.Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first ever vinyl reissue of `Fly Cruzeiro' since its release in 1972 (only 500 copies were pressed upon its original release in 1972).

Plastic-free disc production: Under the Waves OST vinyl is the first of its kind Biovinyl, with all petroleum in S-PVC replaced by recycling used cooking oil or industrial waste gasses. Plus this vinyl comes in a nice transparent green color called "petrol"

Eco-friendly packaging: this 2xLP gatefold packaging is made of 100% recycled paper and cardboard, and printed with sustainable inks made from plant oils.

Eco-friendly design: we set up a minimalist approach throughout the whole design to save the use of paper and ink: no printed booklet, no large plain-colored full-surfaces, only 1 color used.

Under the Waves OST is a 21-track piece of art composed by Nicolas Bredin, influenced by Icelandic composers such as Valgeir Sigurdsson and Ólafur Arnalds, as well as post-rock bands like Mogwai, Sigur Ros and Radiohead. Released by Kid Katana Records, it had to be consistent with the game’s ecological commitment, especially when talking about a physical edition. That’s why Kid Katana has found the most eco-friendly solution: this OST vinyl will be manufactured in Germany using the brand new Biovinyl process developed by one of the leading manufacturers in Europe, Optimal Media.

Ltd Edition! Augustus Muller (Boy Harsher) kündigt die Filmmusik für den Film My Animal an, unter der Regie von Jacqueline Castel feat. Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games, Star Wars) und Bobbi Salvör Menuez (I love Dick, Something In The Air).
Die Filmmusik ist Mullers Debüt als Spielfilmkomponist.
My Animal (Premiere auf dem Sundance Film Festival 2023), Drehbuch von Jae Matthews (Boy Harsher), erzählt die Geschichte von Heather, einer starken, aufmüpfigen jungen Frau, die in einer ländlichen Stadt im Norden lebt und unbedingt in der örtlichen Hockeymannschaft spielen möchte. Sie lernt Jonny kennen und verliebt sich in ihn, einen Eiskunstläufer, der neu in der Gegend ist. Ihre Beziehung gedeiht trotz Heathers versteckter persönlicher Probleme mit ihrer alkoholkranken Mutter, ihrer nicht akzeptierten sexuellen Orientierung und einem familiären Fluch, der sie, ihre Zwillingsbrüder und ihren Vater einmal im Monat in wilde Wölfe verwandelt. Das Stelldichein von Heather und Jonny gerät bald in Konflikt mit ihrer kleinen Gemeinschaft, bringt die Wahrheit ans Licht und führt zu einer leidenschaftlichen, gewalttätigen Nacht der persönlichen Verwandlung. Augustus Muller schrieb und nahm die Filmmusik in seinem Heimstudio in Northampton, MA, auf, wobei er hauptsächlich Hardware und analoge Synthesizer verwendete. Gemeinsam mit der Regisseurin Jacqueline Castel huldigt Muller Klaus Schulzes Musik für "Angst" und John Carpenters "Assault on Precinct 13" als Haupteinflüsse. Muller begann seine Karriere als Komponist im Jahr 2019 mit der Erstellung von fesselnden Filmmusiken für zwei Kurzfilme für die Erwachsenenfilm-Website "A Four Chambered Heart". Die Partituren mit dem Titel "Machine Learning Experiments" wurden 2020 veröffentlicht und stellten mit ihren innovativen Klangwelten sein Talent unter Beweis. Im Jahr 2023 arbeitete Muller erneut mit "A Four Chambered Heart" zusammen und komponierte zwei weitere Partituren mit dem Titel "Cellulosed Bodies".

Endlich ein neues Studioalbum zum 10-jährigen Jubiläum der norwegischen Hardrock-Helden. Seitdem die Band mit der Aufnahme von Twin Guitars für 'Spidergawd IV' begonnen hat, ist das Ziel primär die Suche nach immer besseren Songs. Spidergawd sind zuversichtlicher denn je, endlich das richtige Rezept gefunden zu haben. Eine Formation aus fünf gleichberechtigten Mitgliedern, alle Vollzeitmusiker, und welche die vor allem in diversen Genres unterwegs sind. Aber auch die Essenz dessen, was die Band sein sollte, ist jetzt auf den letzten vier Alben (einschließlich Nr. 'VII') zu finden. Auch wenn die neuen Songs vielleicht eingängiger/poppiger sind als je zuvor, orientiert sich der Sound des neuen Albums wieder an 'Spidergawd IV' und 'V'. Album Nr. 'VI' war eine inspirierende und interessante Reise darüber, wie direkt und aufgeräumt ihr Sound sein kann. Musikalisch zuletzt von Bands wie Thin Lizzy und 80er-Jahre-Hardrock geprägt, klingt neue Album deutlich sumpfiger, chaotischer und größer. Alles, was den Zuhörer näher an das heranführt, was bei einem Live-Auftritt von Spidergawd auf der Bühne passiert. Tracks wie 'Sands Of Time', 'The Tower', 'Your Heritage' oder 'Dinosaurier' beweisen, dass die Band on fire ist wie nie zuvor - und vielen Pseudo-Rockern mal wieder zeigt, wo der Barthel den Most holt! Die beiden limitierten Erstversionen kommen inkl. CD, 7inch Single (inkl. Etching auf einer Seite) sowie Poster!

First-ever vinyl repress of Sheena Easton’s hit 1983 album.
• Remastered from the original master tapes and pressed
on white coloured vinyl with refreshed artwork including
new inner sleeve.
• Includes the US smash singles ‘Almost Over You’ and
Grammy-nominated ‘Telefone (Long Distance Love
Affair)’ as well as her stunning take on the Dusty
Springfield classic ‘Just One Smile’.
Sheena Easton rocketed to overnight fame in 1980 with the BBC
broadcast of The Big Time - arguably the first pop reality show -
subsequently breaking records with her first two singles ‘Modern
Girl’ and ‘9 To 5’ simultaneously hitting the UK Top Ten. Within
a year, she had topped the US Hot 100 with the renamed
‘Morning Train (Nine To Five)’, recorded the Bond theme ‘For
Your Eyes Only’, released two platinum-selling albums and
become an international sensation.
1983 proved a pivotal year for Sheena as she fully embraced her
burgeoning US stardom following a sell-out US tour, hit TV
specials and regular primetime appearances. ‘Best Kept Secret’
was her first album recorded Stateside. Working with red-hot
producer Greg Mathieson (fresh from holding down the top two
slots with Toni Basil and Laura Branigan) and Grammy-winner
Jay Graydon (Earth Wind & Fire, Dionne WarwickJ) the album
repositioned Easton as a youthful new wave stylist - as capable
of rocking hard on cuts like ‘Devil In A Fast Car’ as she was in
nailing a soaring Streisand-style ballad like the top 5 AC smash
‘Almost Over You.’ Lead single ‘Telefone’ was an out of the box
smash - reinstalling Sheena in the US top 10 pop and establishing
her as heavy rotation MTV star and dance chart regular.
This is the fourth in a series of remastered vinyls of her 1980s
albums, and part of Cherry Red’s on-going reissue campaign of
the star’s EMI catalogue in association with RT Industries.

Box Set #6 ist die neueste in einer Reihe von umfangreichen Box-Set-Neuauflagen des beliebten Backkatalogs des Afrobeat-Pioniers Fela Kuti. Nach früheren Ausgaben, die von Künstlern wie Chris Martin, Erykah Badu, Ginger Baker, Brian Eno und Questlove kuratiert wurden, wurde das neueste Box Set der Reihe von dem Schauspieler, Produzenten, DJ, Rapper und Sänger Idris Elba alias Big Driis zusammengestellt und enthält die Klassiker Open & Close (1972), Music of Many Colours (1980), Stalemate (1977), I Go Shout Plenty!!! (1977), Live in Amsterdam (1983) und Opposite People (1977).

Die auf 5.000 Exemplare limitierte Box enthält das Artwork jedes Albums, das originalgetreu von den Vinyl-Originalpressungen reproduziert wurde, sowie ein 24-seitiges Booklet mit den Songtexten, Kommentaren des bekannten Afrobeat-Historikers Chris May zu jedem Album, bisher unveröffentlichten Fotos und einer Einführung von Elba. Alle Boxen werden von einem speziellen 16" x 24" Poster begleitet, das von Lemi Ghariokwu, der kreativen Kraft hinter vielen von Felas bahnbrechenden Albumcovern, entworfen wurde.

Die von Kritikern gefeierte Singer-Songwriterin und globale Pop-Ikone P!NK veröffentlicht am 17. Februar 2023 ihr mit Spannung erwartetes neunten Studioalbums "TRUSTFALL" via RCA Records. "TRUSTFALL" ist ihr erstes Studioalbum seit dem 2019 erschienenen Longplayer "Hurts 2B Human" und markiert eine aufregende Rückkehr der gefeierten Künstlerin zur Musik. Auf dem Album befindet sich natürlich auch die erste Singleauskopplung "Never Gonna Not Dance Again", ein catchy Pop-Track, der von den GRAMMY-Preisträgern Max Martin und Shellback produziert wurde, die den Song auch gemeinsam mit P!NK geschrieben haben. "TRUSTFALL" ist das perfekte musikalische Warm-Up für P!NKs große "Summer Carnival"-Tour im Sommer 2023 durch sieben deutsche Stadien.

Some Songs Of A Dumb World

'The light at sunset is mysteriously pinkish.'

After Trip Trap, TRIP's sub-label GALAXIID releases the debut album by the Species Of Fishes duo. The record, originally released by the Dutch experimental label Korm Plastics in 1994, has influenced two generations of post-Soviet musicians. 'Some Songs of a Dumb World' is like a quest that you can either take up or appreciate as a mosaic of different music styles.

Igor Kolyadny and Vitaly Stern initially worked separately but later shared ideas during home sessions to build their own psychedelic world. They used a large number of cassette samples, including the voices of physicists, paranormal researchers, astronomers, and wildlife TV show hosts, combining them with pulsating rhythms inspired by various electronic music genres. The result, as the duo
described it in an Inverted Audio interview), is 'a sort of alienated, extraterrestrial, studying view on the sound component of human activity.'

For the very first time, the tracks from the debut album by Species Of Fishes are now available on vinyl. The double LP reissue with the refreshed version of the original artwork includes the original tracks, mixed between 1993 and 1994, but re-edited and remastered by Igor Kolyadny in 2021. Two tracks were released on the lesser-known follow-up 'Songs of a Dumb World Part 2', while "Salmon Hunting/Kaluga-Mars" is being released for the first time.

PRESSED ON "DRIED BLOOD" RED
COLORED VINYL W/OBI
LIMITED TO 1000 COPIES

In the late 90s in Hip Hop, all eyes were on the South - and the Down South sound reigned supreme. Few groups were as hot as Memphis’ Three 6 Mafia. CrazyNDaLazDayz was a regional scorcher when it dropped in 1999, released under the group name Tear Da Club Up Thugs, but essentially a Three 6 Mafia full-length as core Three 6 members DJ Paul, Juicy J and Lord Infamous all contribute to the project. The record went on to be certified Gold and Three 6 Mafia went on to win an Academy Award for their contribution to Hustle & Flow. CrazyNDaLazDayz continues to have an impact to this day. A cut Juicy J first pulled together while still in high school, “Slob On My Knob”, was utilized in A$AP Ferg’s hit “Plain Jane.” In addition, the cut is interpolated into G-Eazy’s most successful cut to date, “No Limit.” Get On Down brings you this often overlooked and definitely in need of being revisited portion of Three 6 Mafia’s legacy.

Die neueste Ausgabe der hochgelobten Reggae-Anthologie-Serie von VP konzentriert sich auf den Produzenten Hugh 'Redman' James - A Reggae Revolution powered by Steely & Clevie und Roots Radics bei Channel One und Tuff Gong. Ein Killersong nach dem anderen von Gregory Isaacs, Conroy Smith, Carl Meeks, Sugar Minott, Frankie Paul, Admiral Tibet etc.
Inkl. Innenhülle mit ausführlichen Liner Notes und seltenen, noch nie gesehenen Fotos.

Building on the styles showcased on the first “Beatbox Studios” LP, Hi-Tek was clearly developing his own personal style on the studio’s in-house Akai MPC 60II sampler. The drums were swinging more; the grooves were deeper; the bass thumped harder. Even when choosing familiar samples, he was chopping them in fresh and unexpected ways, which would eventually help shape his signature sound.

As his reputation was becoming cemented in the local Cincinnati scene, his relationship with the rap group Mood was helping to catalyze more regular visits to New York City. The beats collected for “Beatbox Studios 2” were the ones that would stick in the auto-reverse tape deck for those road trips, as were the demo tapes he crafted with Mood, which would eventually earn them a record deal with Blunt Records in 1996—the same label and year where he would land his first major placement on Royal Flush’s “Ghetto Millionaire” album. It was also on one of those 1996 journeys to NYC that he would meet a young Brooklyn emcee named Talib Kweli—with whom he would form one of the most iconic duos of the indie-rap boom of the late-nineties.

“Beatbox Studios 2 (1996 MPC 60II)” showcases Hi-Tek as a hungry young talent on the rise, and his continued elevation would lead him to a career as one of the few producers who can claim to have worked with such a broad range of legendary artists; from superstars like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Anderson .Paak, to underground heroes like Mos Def, Common, and J Dilla.

Limitierte creme(weiß)farbene Vinyl-LP! Seit 30 Jahren fliegen die STAGE BOTTLES nun unter dem Radar der Mainstream-Medien, sind aber in ihrer Szene längst eine feste Größe und international erfolgreich. Sie haben sieben Alben veröffentlicht, spielen weltweit live, haben mit unzähligen Bands zusammen gepunktrockt und dabei immer Haltung bewiesen. Jetzt kommt nach zehn Jahren mit "We Need Each Other" wieder ein neues Album. STAGE BOTTLES gründete sich 1993 aus einem engen Freundeskreis der antifaschistischen Skinhead-Szene. Musikalisch prägt das Saxophon den klassisch melodiös-aggressiven Punkrock, der sich stark klassischen englischen Vorbildern orientiert. Textlich liegt der Fokus klar im Aufruf zum aktiven Antifaschismus und zu einer gesellschaftskritischen und antikapitalistischen Haltung. Eine ausgeprägte Affinität zum Fußball und zu subkulturellen Themen erfolgt auf oft auch für den Punkrock nicht konventionelle und sehr offene Art und Weise. Die größten Hits der Stage Bottles sind "Sometimes Anti-Social, But Always Anti-fascist" und "Dead but not forgiven" sowie ,Russia", "All you need is hate", "Too young to die", "Come together", ,One world one crew" und der Song "Solidarity" (angelehnt an die Version der Band Angelic Upstarts"). Am 1.Dezember 2023 wird das neue Studioalbum erscheinen, zeitgleich feiert die Band ihr 30jähriges Bestehen. Seid bereit für weitere Punkrock-Hymnen wie Useless Idiots, Power-Psycho, You'll Never Stop Us (zusammen mit MOSCOW DEATH BRIGADE), She Hates The City sowie dem Titeltrack und erster Single! "We Need Each Other" soll durchaus keine Floskel sein, sondern die grundlegende Parole für das Album. "Ein Lied über Freundschaft, das Älterwerden, das Altwerden mit Menschen, die seit Jahrzehnten mit einem zusammen sind. Daneben soll es aber auch einen Hinweis auf globale Probleme geben. Wenn wir nicht versuchen, die Dinge gemeinsam zu lösen, werden wir nicht genug Kraft haben, um erfolgreich zu sein" so Olaf Rüger, Sänger, Frontmann und Kopf der Band. Aktueller kann ein Titel wohl heutzutage kaum sein, die STAGE BOTTLES sind zurück und sagen, was Sache ist. Aufklappbare Digisleeve-CD mit 16seitigem Booklet, Vinyl-LP mit bedruckter Innenhülle plus 4seitigem-12"-Booklet.

Seit 30 Jahren fliegen die STAGE BOTTLES nun unter dem Radar der Mainstream-Medien, sind aber in ihrer Szene längst eine feste Größe und international erfolgreich. Sie haben sieben Alben veröffentlicht, spielen weltweit live, haben mit unzähligen Bands zusammen gepunktrockt und dabei immer Haltung bewiesen. Jetzt kommt nach zehn Jahren mit "We Need Each Other" wieder ein neues Album. STAGE BOTTLES gründete sich 1993 aus einem engen Freundeskreis der antifaschistischen Skinhead-Szene. Musikalisch prägt das Saxophon den klassisch melodiös-aggressiven Punkrock, der sich stark klassischen englischen Vorbildern orientiert. Textlich liegt der Fokus klar im Aufruf zum aktiven Antifaschismus und zu einer gesellschaftskritischen und antikapitalistischen Haltung. Eine ausgeprägte Affinität zum Fußball und zu subkulturellen Themen erfolgt auf oft auch für den Punkrock nicht konventionelle und sehr offene Art und Weise. Die größten Hits der Stage Bottles sind "Sometimes Anti-Social, But Always Anti-fascist" und "Dead but not forgiven" sowie ,Russia", "All you need is hate", "Too young to die", "Come together", ,One world one crew" und der Song "Solidarity" (angelehnt an die Version der Band Angelic Upstarts"). Am 1.Dezember 2023 wird das neue Studioalbum erscheinen, zeitgleich feiert die Band ihr 30jähriges Bestehen. Seid bereit für weitere Punkrock-Hymnen wie Useless Idiots, Power-Psycho, You'll Never Stop Us (zusammen mit MOSCOW DEATH BRIGADE), She Hates The City sowie dem Titeltrack und erster Single! "We Need Each Other" soll durchaus keine Floskel sein, sondern die grundlegende Parole für das Album. "Ein Lied über Freundschaft, das Älterwerden, das Altwerden mit Menschen, die seit Jahrzehnten mit einem zusammen sind. Daneben soll es aber auch einen Hinweis auf globale Probleme geben. Wenn wir nicht versuchen, die Dinge gemeinsam zu lösen, werden wir nicht genug Kraft haben, um erfolgreich zu sein" so Olaf Rüger, Sänger, Frontmann und Kopf der Band. Aktueller kann ein Titel wohl heutzutage kaum sein, die STAGE BOTTLES sind zurück und sagen, was Sache ist. Aufklappbare Digisleeve-CD mit 16seitigem Booklet, klassisch schwarze Vinyl-LP mit bedruckter Innenhülle plus 4seitigem-12"-Booklet.

In a recent interview, the California artist Jim Haynes was asked to name his top five noise albums. In quick fashion, he listed off Kill The King, Send, Desnos, Persona, and Carcinosi. Since then, he's equivocated on which albums to choose, but the artists behind such works remain as the adjacent signposts and landmarks to his own constructions of industrial noise. How those records connect to the output from Haynes is found in their unique combination of smoldering dynamism and psychological inquest. For over twenty five years, Haynes has been an autodidactic clinician into the processes of corrosion, decay, and rust, turning his attention away from visual practices and more to the metaphoric crucible of noise and sound. By now, it seems like a cliche that the pandemic changed everything; but since that viral encroachment, there is a noticeable shift in Haynes' work post 2020. It's more aggressive and yet more controlled: a rarification and telescoping of the research into decay for more potent noise and more potent metaphor.

The tools for Haynes' work remain limited: motors, electronics, shortwave radio, found objects, all applied with considerable pressure. Compositionally, Inauspicious is a very rough moire pattern from overlapping elliptical structures that can negate and obfuscate just as easily as they can compound and aggregate. The album surges and collapses upon the two twenty minute chunks of controlled noise that follow an internal logic that snakes from brooding power drones, spectral radio transmission, and an aktionist demolition cast upon metal, glass, and unfortunate wooden objects. Rupture and release. Purge and pulse.

EVERIS'S NEW ALBUM FOR THIS CHRISTMAS 2023

Everis has returned this Christmas with yet another Sell Out vinyl that will make your collection the envy of the Soul Music World!

This new offering by the soul legend Everis entitled, Everis - “Songs in The Key of E”. This limited-edition vinyl album is scheduled for a Christmas 2023 release and features some enormous brand-new tracks. This album comprises of two magnificent award-winning singers, two international rappers, from the US & UK, plus one of the UK’s Biggest Sound System Dance MC’s performing on it. This solid Holiday vinyl smash, see’s Everis deliver exciting vocal performances, with a real feel-good factor, over these tough rehashed and fresh sounding beats that are bound to make you wanna get up and dance, there are 8 solid tracks in all.

Grammy Award winning US singing sensation, Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls, best known for her numerous No:1 hit both here and, in the US, has finally jumped on a record with Everis. She last worked with him on her smash solo album entitled “Shirley” many moons ago, and of late as part of the “Soul Syndicate” crew that remixed her ‘Soul Steppin’ track. Now they have come together on a monster track entitled “This I Know - Filly B Mix (featuring Cam Jones)” which is an absolute club banger for sure, an instant underground hit!

The rest of side A called “This Side” has even more really banging tracks, a Club / House Party smasher entitled, “Come Home Tonight” and the coolest sexiest Neo Soul Vibe titled, “Just Say the Word” with Everis giving a spine-tingling vocal performance that would leave the toughest of you feeling weak. The album also features Everis’s last UK Soul Charts No.1 Christmas hit “What You Doing to Me” which totally sold out in just one day, and had Everis’s name and music heard / played everywhere in the UK, and also earned him yet another award. The album is littered with great music from Mr Smooth from start to finish, with Fresh Cuts too, just take a look.

Capitane Records freut sich, die Veröffentlichung von Moping in Style ankündigen zu können: Eine Hommage an Adam Green. Auf diesem mitreißenden Doppelalbum sind Regina Spektor, Father John Misty, Devendra Banhart, The Libertines, Jenny Lewis, Sean Ono Lennon, Frankie Cosmos, The Lemonheads und viele andere bekannte Namen zu hören, deren Beiträge Adam Greens Position als feste Größe des Indie-Rock der letzten zwei Jahrzehnte belegen. Mit einer Songauswahl aus Adams Soloalben, angefangen bei Garfield aus dem Jahr 2002 bis hin zu seinem letzten Album That Fucking Feeling, zeigt dieses Tributalbum Adams bemerkenswerte Bandbreite als Songwriter.Weithin bekannt als eine Hälfte des Songwriter-Duos The Moldy Peaches, hat Adam Green seit den frühen 2000er Jahren einen einzigartigen Einfluss auf seine Generation von Musikern und Künstlern ausgeübt. Seit den frühen Nuller, als Bands wie The Strokes, The Libertines und The White Stripes begannen, das neue Kapitel der Indie-Kultur zu schreiben, spielte Adam eine wesentliche Rolle dabei, an einem Dienstag voller gezielter Katastrophen zu verlieren? oder Bartholemew, bring me a fork? Von seinen frühen bis zu seinen jüngsten Songs haben sich die Fans von Adam Green an der kaleidoskopischen Landschaft der Sprache erfreut, die er malt. Mit seiner lyrischen Vorstellungskraft öffnet er Türen möglicher Bedeutungen und schafft es, absurd zu sein, ohne absurd zu sein, und anzüglich, ohne offenkundig provokativ zu sein. Er fädelt die sehr zarten künstlerischen Nadeln von Zärtlichkeit und Humor, Kitsch und hoher Kunst, Rock'n'Roll und Fackellied. Neben den Moldy Peaches und seinen Soloalben umfasst Adam Greens beeindruckendes Werk mehrere Serien von Gemälden, Skulpturen, zwei Filme in voller Länge und sogar epische Gedichte. Um es nicht zu sehr auf die Spitze zu treiben, aber für viele seiner Generation - zumindest für die Eingeweihten - hat Adams Statur fast Warhol-ähnliche Ausmaße erreicht. In einer Zeit, in der die im vorigen Jahrhundert Geborenen vielleicht den Verlust dessen bedauern, was wir kollektiv als "Gegenkultur" in Erinnerung haben, erinnert Adam Green uns alle an eine komplexere und reichere Ära des künstlerischen Dialogs. Für eine jüngere Generation von Songwritern, von denen einige auf Moping in Style zu hören sind, hat Adam den Weg geebnet und die Richtung gewiesen. Aus den geschickten musikalischen Händen seiner brillanten Mitwirkenden hören wir neue Sichtweisen auf Adams Songs und stellen fest, dass Adam Green vielleicht genauso sehr wie jeder andere der oben erwähnten Koryphäen des 20. Jahrhunderts dem großen George Gershwin ähnelt, einem Meister der Melodie und des Liedes. Dopple-Vinylalbum/CD Mit Devendra Banhart / Regina Spektor & Jack Dishel / Father John Misty / The Lemonheads / Sean Lennon / The Libertines / Binki Shapiro / Jenny Lewis / The Lemon Twigs / Frankie Cosmos / Ben Kweller / Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio) / Rodrigo Amarante / Joanna Sternberg / Hubert Lenoir / Jeffrey Lewis / Turner Cody / The Cribs / The Pirouettes / Vincent Delerm / Herman Dune / Cut Worms / Ben Lee / Lou Barlow / Jonathan Rado (Foxygen).

After 6 long-awaited years, DEVOURMENT return to form, embodying brutality with their ferocious new album, Obscene Majesty. Featuring drummer Brad Fincher and Ruben Rosas back on vocal duties - a lineup previously only heard on the band's 1999 landmark album Molesting the Decapitated, the pioneers of brutal death metal sharpen their blades once again, and unleash some of the most disgustingly heavy slam ever! Clubbing blows from tracks such as "Cognitive Sedation Butchery", "Narcissistic Paraphilia", and "Dysmorphic Autophagia" see the veterans as imposing and menacing as ever. Buzzsaw guitars shred through limbs against head-caving, hammering drums. Deathly, blood-soaked vocals personify pain and torture. Obscene Majesty is the epitome of uncontrollable destruction from beginning to end, as DEVOURMENT crush through break-neck speeds, deafening ears and melting faces along the way. Honing in on the very elements of gore, death, and mutilation that have crowned the band as kings of the scene for over 24 years, DEVOURMENT force you to bare witness to the Obscene Majesty!

Das bahnbrechende Album von Decca aus dem Jahr 1966 - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton - wird neu aufgelegt und reproduziert originalgetreu die monoaurale Veröffentlichung von Decca Records UK aus dem Jahr 1966. Es wird auf hochwertigem
180g Vinyl gepresst. John Mayall stammte aus Macclesfield, Cheshire, und wuchs in Cheadle Hulme auf.

Er hatte sich bereits einen Namen in der Blues-Szene von Manchester gemacht, bevor er 1963 auf Drängen von Alexis Korner nach London zog. Eric Clapton schloss sich Mayall von den Yardbirds an, enttäuscht von der poppigen Richtung, die die Gruppe einschlug,
weg von seinem geliebten Blues. Als Ergebnis wurde Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton zu einem Eckpfeiler der Blues-Rock-Szene der Mitte der 60er Jahre, angefangen beim ikonischen Cover (ein desinteressierter Clapton, der das Comic-Magazin The Beano liest);
es war eine ernsthafte Hommage an die Musik, die die Musiker so inspirierte, und schuf einen schweren, warmen Sud; eine unverkennbar englische Interpretation einer amerikanischen Form. Es stellte auch einen chartbrechenden Durchbruch dar und erreichte im Juli 1966 Platz 6.

Diese Neuauflage reproduziert originalgetreu die monoaurale Veröffentlichung von Decca Records UK aus dem Jahr 1966 und wird auf hochwertigem 180g Vinyl gepresst.

Following split EPs from DeFeKT and Rico Casazza, plus Tripeo and Cycloplex, Cultivated Electronics Ltd (CE's vinyl only sister label), returns with Volume 3 of their in demand 'For the Floor' series. As the name suggests all the tracks in the series are primed for the dance floor with Volume 3 featuring two more tracks apiece from two artists making waves in the Electro sphere. Electro heads should already be very familiar with Scand resident, Steve Allman who's also released stellar tracks on Soma's sister-label, Avoidant and A-Future's EON label. While Alex Jann is well known for being the man behind the excellent Censor Music as well as appearing on the likes of 20/20 Vision and brokntoys. Get ready for some no-holds-barred floor fillers to update your record box.

Banzaï Lab is proud to present 'Rogue Monsters 2', the new album from Al'Tarba x Senbeï.

Al'Tarba, the architect of sonic shadows, and Senbeï, the master of electronic textures, join forces once again on an opus that's off the beaten track.

A fusion work inspired by skate subculture, Rogue Monsters 2 transcends convention, blending heady rhythms and ethereal harmonies.

Retro samples blend with contemporary electronic melodies, recalling the fusion of styles and the abo- lition of musical chapels specific to the sound universe of 90's/early 00's skate culture. We're naturally reminded of the soundtracks to Larry Clark films (Bully, Kids), skate documentaries (Fully Flared, Video Days...) and video games (Extreme Games, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater...).

This second joint opus is much more than a simple album, it's a unique and timeless experience, fusing hip-hop, punk and electronic music.

Rogue Monsters 2 stands out in today's musical landscape, offering a bold vision of what defines an album, one that will appeal to those nostalgic for the Golden Era of the 90s as much as to those exploring new sounds.

Filled with aural magic and enchanting musical spells, Sorcerer is true to its name. The third of five albums devised by Miles Davis' legendary second quintet – and the second record in a still-unprecedented string of eight consecutive releases within a four-year period that forever changed the face of jazz – the 1967 magnum opus mesmerizes with instrumental colours, subdued musings, and subtle details.

This is a reference-standard reissue. You'll hear poetic lyricism pouring out of Wayne Shorter's horn, the breadth and definition of the notes spreading across an enormous soundstage. Never before have drummer Tony Williams' rim shots ricocheted with such purpose or his light percussive work mirrored that of a feather touching skin. Similarly, Herbie Hancock's piano runs now occupy their own space, where their relationship to the central rhythms and front line becomes clearer.

Prizing inflection and nuance more so than heady solos or uptempo flights, Sorcerer mesmerizes with cerebral properties and cascades of emotional interplay. Such beauty emerges in the mellow ballad "Pee Wee," an indelible statement of restrained authority and sophisticated expression. The swirling title track unfolds as jazz shadowplay, Hancock, Shorter, and Williams mirroring one another's moves with guile and purpose. The opening "Prince of Darkness" showcases the ensemble's reach and communication, every musician going in seemingly different directions yet ending up on the same page

A lasting example of Davis' visionary insight, Sorcerer is comprised entirely of pieces written by his band mates. Indeed, save for the closing "Nothing Like You" – a brief tribute to Davis' eventual wife, who also graces the cover, recorded in 1962 and adorned with vocals from Bob Dorough, the album represents a further maturation and refinement of a quintet that stands as one of the finest in jazz history.

40 years after their last album ‘Secret’ was released in 1983, Classix Nouveaux are back with a brand new album entitled ‘Battle Cry’. Containing nine tracks including seven brand new compositions plus ‘Never Never Comes’ and ‘Interlude/Inside Outside’ which have been re-imagined for the 21st century. Featuring a very guitar-rock sound and also contains a couple of instrumentals which is something that the band used to do on their early albums. In the words of lead singer Sal Solo, this is how the album came about: “The reason this project came about after 40 years is really because of the fans. About 10 years ago, some of the Classix fans were making Facebook pages but it didn’t really come to our attention until a couple of years back. We realised these people are really dedicated and decided to give them a kind of birthday present. I said to the guys ‘Why don't we do a recording together and surprise the fans?’ Everybody said yes and so we did a quick remake of one of our old songs “Inside Outside” and to our surprise everyone's immediately talking about new material! We’d never thought about doing new Classix material - we thought it was over years ago. After a few weeks of agonising, we suddenly realised we could be as we are now. In the light of our increased experience and the fact that our fans are mature as well, we decided we would just make the music that we like today. It didn’t take a lot of persuasion to get everyone on board. It's the original line-up from the first two albums - what people consider the ‘classic’ line-up. We've all been in other bands, but somehow, we've all just seemed to gravitate back to Classix Nouveaux. It feels like a natural home. We hadn’t been in touch for many, many years and so this album is really what’s brought us back together.”

NEW VINYL EDITION OF THE CLASSIC 1970 ALBUM BY
THE MOVE.
• CUT AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS.
• WITH FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK.
• REVIEWS IN NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS, UNCUT, MOJO,
RECORD COLLECTOR, CLASSIC ROCK AND PROG
MAGAZINES PLUS COVERAGE ON RELEVANT WEBSITES
AND FANZINES.
Of all of the groups to emerge in Britain in the latter half
of the 1960s, The Move was arguably one of the finest. A
powerful act on stage, the group were blessed with one
of the most imaginative songwriters of his generation in
Roy Wood. ‘Shazam’ is regarded by many as the finest
Move album, despite being recorded in a time of flux for
the band. It is rightly regarded as a true classic of the
era.
This new vinyl LP edition of ‘Shazam’ has been cut at
Abbey Road Studios and fully restores the original LP
artwork.

Sistro (Sistrum) is a kind of percussion instrument that has had several incarnations and names in various cultures since the time of the Sumerians and throughout history has always been associated with religious rituals. It’s from this relationship between music and the transcendent that Nuno Oliveira (Nuno O, Judas Triste, José Pinhal Post-Mortem Experience), Tito Silva (Vasco da Ganza, José Pinhal Post-Mortem Experience) and Rodolfo Oliveira (Oficinas TK) were gradually inspired to create a trio that pays homage to this instrument of ancient times.

The project was born casually and without intentionality throughout several incursions into megalithic monuments in the hills and mountains of northern Portugal, culminating in an unusual two-day session of musical experimentation in Esposende, in September 2019. In this two-day session, codenamed “Arménio Sessions”, the trio explored a sound based on sea soundscapes, electronic beats, electric noises and the strings of na altered guitar. Channeling the strength of the elements and the mystique of the place in the form of a musical experience.

In 2021, Sistro collaborated with Mario Klingemann (aka Quasimondo) who created a music video especially for the band, created using a vintage video mixing board. Then using feedback loops and a process that Klingemann calls “Neural Edit”, which uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to correlate the raw video material with the sound.

After a long period of incubation, the group's first full-length release sees the light of day on the 31th October, 2023, moment in which a sequence of rituals begins to present and celebrate the relationship between music and the transcendent. Sistro's debut album will be released by Favela Discos, having been mixed by Tito Silva and mastered by Pedro Augusto. The photography and graphics are by Oficinas TK.

This Rough Guide features both the guardians of this musical tradition as well as some of today's key innovators who continue to push the boundaries of the genre. * An album which unlocks the mysterious and intriguing rhythms behind Capoeira * Following on from the success of other Brazilian-themed albums in the Rough Guide LP range * Capoeira combines dance and combat to the distinctive sound of the berimbau and other traditional instruments * Includes tracks by the legendary Grupo Muzenza & Capoeira Nago * A remarkable living-tradition originally developed by enslaved Africans inBrazil at the beginning of the 16th century * A seamless collection of tracks which provides a unique insight into today's vibrant scene * Featuring trailblazing artists who have taken the musical genre into a whole new electronic dimension * The music of Capoeira continues to serve as a major inspiration for Brazilian artists to this day * Music is the driving force behind capoeira which makes it so distinctive and captivating * Half-dance, half-combat, capoeira has become synonymous with the beaches of Brazil.

Mystical and moving, Wish Queen (aka Cleveland-based singer/ songwriter Grace Sullivan) takes the intangible feelings of desire and yearning (wishing), and transforms them into gorgeous melodies, ranging from danceable pop to deliciously introspective ballads you'd love to sit alone and cry to Blending her rich classic vocals and long hidden poetry with layered reverb and synth-based production styles, Wish Queen transports her listeners to a myriad of times and places all at once. Drawing inspiration from various Queens that came before her, including Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood, and Ethel Cain, Wish Queen has created a unique sweet spot that is all her own, and invites you to immerse yourself in her dream world. A hypnotic blend of dream pop, art pop, and indie folk, Wish Queen's debut album, "SATURNALIA," explores earthly cycles, heartbreak, and coming of age via Saturn Return. Recorded mostly in a garage in the summer of 2022, "SATURNALIA" is a true diamond in the rough, complete with breathtaking layers of synths, powerfully intuitive vocal harmonies, and a meticulously crafted hidden narrative. If you're looking for a sound that's been compared to Stevie Nicks meets Beach House, this music is for you. Make a wish!!

This EP is 6 unreleased tracks in the Thomas Brinkmann celebrated Max Ernst series of 12", all with female names, released with names ordered alphabetically. Starting with. 1. Anna Beate, the series ran for 12 releases over the 2 years from 1998 to 2000. 2. Clara Doris 3. Erika Frauke 4. Gisela Heidi 5. Inge Jutta 6. Karin Lotte 7. Monika Nikola 8. Olga Petra 9. Susie Trixi 10. Ulla Vera 11. Wanda Xenia 12. Yvette Zara, followed. There was never an ep with Q and R. Number 9 is Susie and Trixie. The tapes were lost. But have come to light nearly 25 years later. So now, here is Q/R; Quila 1-3 and Romy 1-3. What we have here are the original tracks as intended for release, with some minor editing and rearranging for release now. The original series was very successful. The first 3 12", released at the same time were a sensation on release. Suddenly, Thomas Brinkmann was the name to check. Today, these Quila/Romy tracks may well have the same impact as the other tracks in the series had when they were released. There is still nothing that sounds like this music. It seems to be an example of a perfect melding of soul and machine. 25 five years later... a annniversary of sorts, offered up by the machines.

Essence of Life was formed in 1973 in Charlotte North Carolina at Johnson C Smith University.

Towan Butler and Craig Young were basketball players on scholarship who were singing in the shower after practice, when a man named Jock Johnson who was a business major who had graduated heard Towan and Craig singing in the shower and asked if we would like to be in a singing group that he was putting together, if we did he asked us to meet him later that evening at a location on campus.

When we arrived we were introduced to Jerry Johnson, who is Jocks brother, Kenny Lock and Larry Graves and Essence Of Life was formed. Essence Of Life has performed with such groups as Blue Magic, The Whispers and The Barkays to name a few.

Essence Of Life sang and danced their way into the hearts of fans all over the United States spreading love through high impact performances.

We are honoured to present AFTERMATH's "Straight From Hell" 12" EP reissue A limited edition in replica format that will feature several bonus songs and many other extras. AFTERMATH is an essential name in the history of Arizona Metal. Born in the city of Tucson (home to bands such as SHEOL HADES and INTREPID) and masters of a very particular style of thrash, full of powerful and intricate compositions, they easily please fans of the more technical side of metal. In 1985 they independently released the now sought after record "Straight From Hell". There began a journey that lasted until the early 90s, with many studio recordings including the albums "Don't Cheer Me Up" and "Building Up To Meltdown", reissued by our label last year in CD format. In this reissue you can find, in addition to the four songs from the original EP, two songs from the never- released EP "Killing Time" (1987), the song "Malicious Intentions" taken from the second volume of the Iron Tyrants compilation (1986) and an exclusive song from the 1987 demo tape. All songs fully remastered for best sonic experience

Since Samurai Breaks took home the award for DJ Mag’s ‘Best Breakthrough Producer’ back in 2021, he has been at the forefront of the UK 160+bpm explosion over the last few years. His signature style of footwork, jungle, baseline, 4x4 rave and grime has seen him play at festivals like Glastonbury, Boomtown and Bangface, alongside epic back to backs with some of the scenes heroes like Mandidextrous, Sully, NAINA, Fixate, Addison Groove and Pete Cannon.

Following his fiery EP ‘Turbo Rave Artillery’ on Hooversound back in the summer of ’21 (featuring a weighty remix from one of the leading figures in the modern jungle scene, Coco Bryce), Samurai Breaks returns on the Hoover imprint, flexing his unique fusion of genres that fits perfectly amongst the Hooversound roster.

The ‘Jus A Raver’ EP optimises everything the artist is about, from wobbly baselines to his experimental blend of high tempo genres. The EP includes Polo Lilli’s debut on Hooversound, with a remix that takes you on a wild journey and perfectly rounds off the release.

Deafheaven’s monolithic second LP Sunbather, was not only a massive success in 2013, it created a radical shift in heavy music culture, an acceptance of the genre by previous outsiders, and a trailblazing sound that heretofore hadn’t been heard outside of learned circles. It was a reville introducing the changing of the guard in metal, featuring phenomenal reviews across the board, and breaking the mold used by buttoned-up indie types and false-flag musical dilettantes intent on keeping the status quo. A maverick release in every facet, the cornerstone for the triumph that is Sunbather truly lies in its world class songwriting. From the opening anthem “Dream House,'' it's clear to see that Deafheaven was soaring triumphantly into the unknown, through the emotional highs and lows, the fire and rain, and onto the unseen road ahead. Lyrically, Sunbather examines themes of existentialism, diving headfirst into the abyss, and the pursuit of self-discovery. The album's title itself is similar in scope, representing the embrace of the light and movement out of the dark unknown. Sunbather takes influence from the majesty of early Emperor and underground US heroes Weakling, the dark beauty of France’s Alcest, the introspective nature of post-rock and shoegaze gods like Mogwai and Slowdive, as well as the DIY spirit of punk ranging from Fugazi to Man is the Bastard to create a new realm for their emotional and expansive epics.

For Fans Of... El Michels Affair, Adrian Younge, Roy Ayers, Karriem Riggins, The Roots, Khruangbin. Producer "Grimez" has been making music for 20 years deep Grimez has ghost produced tracks for 50 cent, Hi-Tek, Kool Keith, Stick man (DEAD PREZ), Killah Priest, Sadat X, MOOD & Talib Kweli, and Mighty Diamonds to name a few. Gritty & raw analog instrumentals. Jason Grimes is all about making timeless music. The Cincinnati-based DJ and producer has a long history of record collecting, sampling, and creating new sounds with analog gear. Grimes works with some of Cincinnati’s finest studio musicians to create raw, soulful, instrumental hip-hop under the moniker Doctor Bionic. As a teenager in the 90s, Grimes fell in love with hip-hop at an early age. He became comfortable scratching on a pair of 1200s and sampling records with an NPC in high school. After years of collecting records and working on his sound behind the scenes, he had compiled a huge discography of original songs – but he wasn’t sure how to share them. “I got pretty burnt out and I had to take a hiatus for a few years,” he explained. “There wasn’t much going on in the Cincinnati music scene, and it always felt like an uphill battle.” Then, on a casual bike ride with his wife through Loveland in 2015, Grimes came across a new record shop. “I heard some music playing and I saw a sign that read ‘funk/soul’ – I had to go in and see what these guys were all about.” He spoke with Terry Cole, co-owner of Colemine & Plaid Room Records. “It was a breath of fresh air to meet Terry. The interaction inspired me to start making records again.” A short time later, Grimes started his independent label Chiefdom Records. His studio persona Doctor Bionic was one of the first to see a release on the new imprint. “Doctor Bionic is a studio band of session musicians,” he shared. “The personnel changes on every record. It depends on the sound I’m going for.” For every record, the goal is to make timeless music. Grimes is responsible for writing, recording, producing, mixing, and releasing the records. Spiritual Conquest features several heavy hitters from the Cincinnati music scene. Brad Myers and Brandon Scott played guitar on a few tracks each. Marvin Hawkins laid down some live drums. The album offers a dynamic mix of instrumental hip-hop sounds. From punchy, head-bobbing beats to ethereal, floating piano lines, the mix offers a little something for everyone

Auf ihrem umfangreichen neuen Album "Water Made Us" stellt die Chicagoer Musikerin und Dichterin Jamila Woods die Frage, was es bedeutet, sich der Liebe voll und ganz hinzugeben. Auf "Water Made Us" umarmt Jamila neue Genres, verspielte Melodien und hypnotisierende Wortspiele, während sie durch die berauschenden Turbulenzen von Liebeswracks und Zuflucht watet. Während Jamila auf "HEAVN" (2017) ihre Community innerhalb der schwarzen feministischen Bewegung feierte und auf "Legacy! Legacy!" (2019) ihre Lebenserfahrungen durch die Geschichten schwarzer und brauner Künstlerinnen und Künstler verarbeitete, ist "Water Made Us" eine völlig neue Art der Selbstoffenbarung und damit ihr bisher persönlichstes Album. "Water Made Us", das sie zusammen mit dem in LA ansässigen Produzenten McClenney aufgenommen hat und auf dem langjährige Freunde aus Chicago wie Saba und Peter CottonTale zu hören sind, ist ein weitläufiges und intimes Porträt der Selbstreflexion, das geschickt die verschiedenen Phasen einer Beziehung widerspiegelt: Die Anfänge, in denen man leicht Kompromisse eingeht, kokettiert und Spaß hat; das vorsichtige Aushandeln von Momenten des Konflikts oder der Verletzung; die Trauer über etwas Verlorenes; und die zärtliche Erkenntnis am Ende von allem, dass die Person, die gegangen ist, einen nie wirklich verlässt, sondern bei einem bleibt, während man bereit ist, es noch einmal zu versuchen, erfrischt und beruhigt. Der Titel des Albums - eine Zeile aus dem Highlight des Albums "Good News" - ist eine subtile Anspielung auf das berühmte Toni-Morrison-Zitat "All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was". Es ist dieses Gefühl - der Erinnerung, des Ortes und der Rückkehr - das als Pfeiler für den Bogen des Albums dient. "Water Made Us" erinnert uns daran, dass die Liebe im besten Fall ein warmer, stiller Ozean ist. Tief, schimmernd und endlos in seinem Wunder. Und im schlimmsten Fall kann die Liebe ein reißender Strom sein, der uns so weit von uns selbst entfernt, dass wir kaum den Weg zurückfinden, ja nicht einmal mehr wissen, wie wir schwimmen sollen. Und doch ergibt sich Jamila dieser Brandung - jeder Welle und jedem Sog - weil vielleicht sogar die schmerzhaftesten Enden eine Einladung sein können, die sie zurück nach Hause ruft, zurück ans Ufer, zurück zu sich selbst.

DJ Crisps is starting to make some handy garage moves after a couple of various artists' appearances and a fine EP on Time Is Now Germany in July. Now they link up with Oldboy who appeared on Burnski's other label Vivid back in 2022.

As you should expect these are four hardcore and rudely garage cuts with plenty of swagger, naughty samples and bass-face potential. 'On My Way' is the standout with its shuffling one-two drum punch, distant police sirens and warped basslines underneath a timeless and irresistible female vocal full of soul. A summer scorcher for sure alongside three more very useful weapons.

The Brazilian Singer Ed Mottais one of the greats in Jazz / Funk, not onlyin the South American Music-Scene, but world-wide.He has been one of the leading artists at the forefront in Brazil with a hugefollowing in his Home-Country and around the world With his new album "Behind The Tea Chronicles" he embarks on a new musical journey, crossing genres from Jazz to Funk, over to Soul. Having worked with many renowned musicians over the course of his career (Greg Phillinganes, Chucho Valdez, Roy Ayers and many more) he established his own style of creating music with a message. On this latest album Ed Motta is singing in English, telling stories that resonatewhich a broad audience. Recording the rhythm in Brazil, backing vocals in LA -featuring the legendary Paulette McWilliams and Phillip Ingram - strings in Prague and horns in Detroit, he worked with the best musicians he could find to find an astonishing sound, that will be recognised by the audiophile audience as top of the class. Being recorded with the highest standard, Ed Motta made sure to raise the bar once more.

On Side A, smile your way through two songs by The Teacher Haters — in fact, we challenge you to get through these tracks without smiling. Even the name of the band invokes a chuckle as it suggests what these guys are about — and that’s the P-A-R-T-Y. Straight out of the 60s comes a group that could have been played with Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs back in the day. These whimsical works are deceptively deep as they take us to a time when garage punk fused with R&B.

Big Pig Alley is uncomplicated, and that’s what makes it great — it sounds like a bunch of college guys having a good time, writing lyrics on the spot: “If you’re lookin’ for romance, take a train, take a plane...or a raft to France.” The guys have something other than romance on their minds as they chug along on acoustic guitar and trash can drums (and possibly other things). What really makes the track, though, is the witchy background voice — the performance is loose enough, while the witch is doing his own thing entirely.

The witch returns on the second track on Side 1 in the up-tempo, dance-ready Cut Loose. No obscure artistry here — these guys tell you exactly what the song is for in the title. In fact, just in case you missed it, they state their thesis in the opening lines: “I wanna shake all night, I wanna do it right, I wanna dance, dance, dance with you…” All of their collegiate effort is put toward getting you to move your hips in this groovy, rockabilly-flavored mix.

Let's talk about Side B...

We Got A Thing is up first — a crossover soul dancer that invites you to sing along with an infectious, call-and-response chorus. It pairs nicely with The Teacher Haters as fun, simple party music from the 60s — though this time from a female perspective.

Things go deeper with Guys Today. As the name suggests, the content is about the enduring tension between the sexes and the heartbreak it can lead to. It’s a deep soul beat ballad in the vein of Betty Wright or Helene Smith. A grand opening is followed by a clear, crisp female vocal that brings the singer’s lament into focus. The band is tight, and it all comes together to portray a woman who has made up her mind and is offering a warning about guys today: I know you love your man, but I know they will hurt you in every way they can.

At first glance, these artists seem to share only a few things in common — party-themed music conceived in the 60s with an R&B flavor. But between sides A and B, it feels like these groups are talking to each other — perhaps different perspectives of the same party. Perhaps the party itself and then the fallout. The result is a balanced EP release that feels whole and satisfying. We hope you feel the same as we proudly present these found recordings as an exclusive 12” on 180 gram vinyl. Please enjoy.

FROM RAY CHARLES TO SELAH SUE, FROM NINA SIMONE TO IBEYI, FROM BARRY WHITE TO ALOE BLACC, DISCOVER THE BEST OF THE GREATEST VOICES OF SOUL MUSIC OF ALL TIME IN A 5 VINYLS BOXSET

Repress!

In the last few years we’ve seen French DJ and producer Laroye delivering the goods time after time on respected labels such as Atjazz Recordings, Compost, Makin Moves and Foliage. His latest LP just released on Local Talk has been getting big support picking up plays on Radio 1, 6Music, Worldwide FM as well as spins from Natasha Diggs, Gilles Peterson, Craig Charles, Louie Vega, Honey Dijon to name a few. Freerange is proud to welcome him back for the follow up to 2020’s release Be The Change, presenting you with a killer 4 track EP entitled Uku Dance.

Leading the charge, Laroye is joined by influential Detroit artist, DJ, producer and vocalist Javonntte who has written and recorded a brilliant vocal for a track entitled First Sight. Laroye’s fat beats, jazzy chords and soulful touch make the perfect production for Javonntte’s vocals.

Up next we have the Percussive Dub mix of Uku Dance in which Laroye strips things back to the bare bones making for a serious percussion tool work out to spice up your sets.

On Uku Dance a bass-heavy groove is punctuated with vocal chops and deep Rhodes part which adds a moody, late night touch. Just the kind of soulful, dubby, afro track that will get the house dancers throwing down like their lives depended on it!

Closing out the release you’ll find an instrumental version of First Sight.

Next up on Toolroom’s 4-track vinyl sampler series, we welcome LA based DJ and producer Noizu to the label, debuting with his remix of Mark Knight, Green Velvet and Rene Amesz – ‘Live Stream’. Diving deep and pulling up a Toolroom classic from the 2016 archives, Noizu delivers a powerful rendition of ‘Live Stream’, ramping up the energy of the original to a whole new level, cutting it fresh for dance floors in 2023.

Next up and landing back on the firm during our 20th birthday celebrations is none other than Danny Howard, who returns to the label with a beefed up edit of a Toolroom classic – ‘Hear What They Hear’ by Adrian Hour. A secret weapon for DJs worldwide, released back in 2016 on Adrian Hour’s ‘Like This’ Ep, this B side became an unlikely hero that still gets hammered today by the likes of John Summit and Eats Everything. After doing the rounds at Glastonbury festival this year and beyond, Danny's update has turned one record with a solid dance floor reputation into a certified slammer!

Next up, we’ve got an absolute belter of a record from two renowned producers in the scene: Watermät And Raumakustik, with their debut collaboration ‘Out Of My Head’. Merging each artist’s signature sounds together, from Raumakustik’s solid production skills to Watermät’s penchant for locking in quirky and catchy vocal hooks, ‘Out Of My Head’ is a certified dancefloor weapon in the making.

Last but not least, is another label debut from London based DJ and producer, deeper purpose, who’s landing with a huge tech house roller, ‘The Stutter’. An artist creating shockwaves across the dance music spectrum, deeper purpose is fast becoming a familiar name in the dance sphere having earned a solid reputation as a producer with killer releases on highly regarded imprints such as off the grid, catch & release and repopulate mars. A staple record in all his performances, ‘The Stutter’ has shaken dancefloors all over the world, from EDC Vegas to Club Space Miami, to Ministry Of Sound London and beyond!

Countless Radio Plays on Radio 1 from Danny Howard, Sarah Story, Pete Tong

DJ Support:
Danny Howard, Annie Mac, Mistajam, Pete Tong, Charlie Hedges, Kraak & Smaak, Maxinne, Todd Terry, Alex Preston, Full Intention, Gw Harrison, DJ Rae, Rudimental, Alaia & Gallo, Illyus & Barrientos, Johan S, David Penn, Sam Divine, Riva Starr, Claptone

'Of No Fixed Abode' gathers fragmented recordings by the Madrid duo of Pablo Mirón and Juan Vacas, the multi-disciplinary artists behind the collective Real No Real (realnoreal.org) and Ediciones Fontenebro label. Working with field recordings, found materials, instruments such as Violin and Harmonica and by manipulating old radios, turntables and reel to reels the pair have been performing across the world of late taking their collage style process with them. 'Of No Fixed Abode' uses cross-continental sound diaries from the 2019-2022 period and has been central to shows at venues and festivals around Europe and South America.

Contributing to the wider field of post-fluxus 'broken music', the duality of natural sound and decaying, processed tape loops along with gentle instrumentation across the record follows in the footsteps of the Dieter Roth school, Anne Gillis, Leyland Kirby or Henry Krutzen yet is anchored in a charming restraint in which each element seems to fall into place perfectly. Miradasvacas have a long history with presenting experimental music through shows on Madrid's Radio Relativa, concerts and gatherings across the city and self-published mixtapes and sound art, though debut here on 12th Isle with their first proper album. Far-flung gallery sonics at their finest.

While this may be the first release on Sheffield's Central Processing Unit from Global Goon, the one known to friends and family as Johnny Hawk brings a whole heap of experience to the Nanoclusters mini-LP.

Hawk started dropping Global Goon records on the legendary Rephlex Records back in the 1990s. The project's subsequent releases have taken in imprints as esteemed as WéMè and Balkan. Factor in a whole host of other aliases which have delivered missives via the likes of Planet Mu, and you know even before you press play on this witty, wily record that you're dealing with a master at work here.

The confidence with which Global Goon approaches Nanoclusters shines through in Hawk taking much of the mini-album at midtempo. Cuts like 'Khroxic Mould', 'Metallik' and 'Syntheseers' sound like Bochum Welt heading down a dark alleyway. The former in particular is a seasick lope, the tuned synths lurching around like sailors on deck in a storm as bass ebbs and flows underneath the mix.

The influence of Kraftwerk comes through prominently at times here, particularly in the way 'Calcula' and 'Digit Six' play pensive, slightly sombre synth chords off some simple but effective forward motion in the drum programming. That is not to say that Nanoclusters is not full of invention, though. None of the productions are overly flash, but this approach allows the little details to shine through more clearly, from cleverly panned hi-hats to hissing synth counter-melodies which flit in and out of the mix. Enthralling and packed full of ear candy, they're further evidence that Nanoclusters is the work of an expert craftsman.

While the pulse of Nanoclusters remains relatively steady throughout, it's still a rather lively record. Plenty of these tracks will get the dancefloor moving if deployed correctly - though whether they're heard at home or in the dance, it's the attention to detail which makes them stand out.

'Snapterisk' is as perfect an example of machine-funk as you're likely to find - the drum programming is razor-sharp but rubbery with bongos, the bass a lithe burble, and those wobbly stabs of keys that put a bit of wiggle in the beat? Delightful stuff. Elsewhere the ever-looping arpeggio of 'Metro Esc' has hints of Frankie Knuckles' house classic 'Your Love', though an array of interesting sonic nuggets - snippets of vocal, radar-like bloops, a gently insistent low-end pulse - soften the track's clubbier elements with a pillowy sheen. And Hawk throws us a curveball right at the end of Nanoclusters, tapping back into that old Rephlex sound for the fizzy, braindancing 'Metal Glass'.

Global Goon doesn't need to show off on Nanoclusters - from brilliantly slick machine-funk to Kraftwerkian reveries, the CPU debutant lets the music do the talking here. It makes for a confident and vivacious mini-LP, one which wears its expertise lightly.

RIYL: Cardopusher, Bochum Welt, Cygnus, D'Arcangelo

2023 Repress!

DJ Mo Reese excites crowds with his unique brand of House music. A Detroit native, his music is steeped in the tradition of his hometown and blended with his own soulful, funky style.

Influenced by such legends as Dennis Ferrer, Kevin Saunderson, Todd Terry, Derrick May, Roger Sanchez, and Terrence Parker, DJ Mo Reese has entertained around the world for over 25 years. Most recently, he performed at Tresor, in Berlin, Germany and Kitsch in Eindhoven, Netherlands. A crowd of over 100,000 was blown away as he performed his special four turntable set at the Detroit Movement Festival. He banged the box at the Cornerstone Event near Chicago before a crowd of 600+. DJ Mo Reese shined at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, and has been featured on stations WGPR, WJLB and won the Mixidome contest on WHYT. As a performer/producer, DJ Mo Reese inspires audiences with his uplifting and soulful style of House music.

Parallel Minds’ fifth label release is a major landmark for the Toronto-based label. Not only is it their first full length LP, it is also the debut album from co-founder Ciel, who is also making her first solo appearance on the label since its inception.

In 2021, spurred on by a productive creative streak and the economic austerity of pandemic lockdowns, the Xi’an-born and Toronto-based DJ Ciel (real name Cindy Li) applied for grant funding from the government of Canada to write her debut album. Self-proclaimed “DJ first, producer second”, Ciel never thought she would have the self-confidence and desire to write an album. It wasn’t until after spending prolonged time away from clubs & festivals whilst dedicating herself to daily sessions in her studio that she gained the motivation and aspiration to make a musical statement that only an album could express.

Since the start of the covid19 outbreak, Ciel, like many other Chinese diaspora people in the West, had felt a great deal of anxiety and pain at the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment and racism in the media — even in her corner of the dance music industry. Tired of expressing her frustrations fruitlessly online, she felt inspired to channel that into her music, to turn something that was filled with hate into a thing of joy and beauty. It was within this context that Homesick began to take shape.

After researching the rich history of Chinese instruments, a concept began to form around the album in which she could marry her love of sampling and analogue instruments. Using the eight types of traditional Chinese instruments (silk, bamboo, wood, stone, metal, clay, gourd, and hide) as a guideline, Li began writing each track with a focus on one of the eight. She hired traditional Chinese instrumentalists to play the guzheng and the xiao, whilst purchasing and teaching herself the smaller hand drum instruments like the kuaiban (bamboo clappers), and muyu (temple blocks). With the news that she had successfully been granted funding from Canada Arts Council, she wrote, recorded, arranged, and mixed all nine tracks of her album over the first three months of 2022. More than just highlighting Chinese instruments, the music on this album encapsulates so many musical influences from Ciel’s childhood when she began her lifelong love affair with music. True to her style as a DJ, the LP incorporates a diversity of genres she loves, from drum & bass to house, electro to breaks - even downtempo.

What has come out of these sessions is a deeply personal dancefloor record, a true expression of love for Cindy’s culture that came out of a time of relentless chaos, negativity, and uncertainty. Ciel sees her compositions as a distillation of herself — her life experiences, her wide interests and passions, and her often-turbulent emotions. Immersing oneself in the LP feels like listening to the musical confessions of an artist heading towards the peak of their career, who is finally starting to make sense of her artistic identity. What a joy to witness it.
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