Produced by Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Babyface, Jon-John Organized Noize, and Sean 'Puffy' Combs, CrazySexyCool (1994) is the second studio album by American girl group TLC. The album peaked at three on the Billboard 200 and spent over two years on the Billboard album charts, and spawned two Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, including the worldwide smash hit, 'Waterfalls', and earned them two Grammy Awards.CrazySexyCool has sold over 23 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by an American girl group, and the second best-selling album worldwide by a girl group behind Spice Girls' Spice. The album was certified Diamond, making TLC the first girl group in history to be awarded Diamond status.
All four singles from the album reached the top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100, two of them ('Creep' & 'Waterfalls') reaching number one.
Suche:t time
Outcast Oddity returns for their first full artist EP. Who better to ask than Sebastian Voigt His contribution to the label's V/A 003 compilation called 'Lux Aeterna', was a transcending techno trip that turned heads earlier this year.
Just as the EP's title, or rather the lack thereof leaves room for interpretation, this music refuses to be categorised too easily. Rough around the edges but effortlessly elegant, one foot in the past and one in the present, Sebastian delivers three mature tracks that evoke memories of acid house, UK rave, sweaty basements, strobe lights and euphoric moments.
Phantom Forth were the brother sister team of Paul Luker (Guitar, Bass, Vocals), Debbie Luker (Drums, Guitar, Vocals) and Lorraine Steele (Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals). They formed in 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand. Paul began recording his own music after purchasing a 2-track from Oceania Sound. He formed a band with his flatmate and eventually met Lorraine through Debbie. With a shared love of Young Marble Giants and Cabaret Voltaire they started to rehearse at LAB Studio.
'The EEPP' was recorded in 1983 within a few weeks at Progressive Music Studios. Slated for release in February 1984, the mini-album finally appeared in November on Flying Nun Records. It contained seven moody sketches of Auckland. Their sound blends cold wave guitars, drum-machine propelled post-punk with female vocals. The core recording set up was a Casio-Tone VL, Boss DR-55 Dr. Rhythm, Roland TR-606 and an acoustic Yamaha bass. All original vinyl copies contained many clicks and pops and due to paper bits from previous jobs that pressing plant melted down. Included with this reissue are two early demos recorded at LAB in 1982, made prior to Lorraine joining the band, plus a recording from the Flying Nun live compilation 'The Last Rumba'.
All songs have been remastered from the original master tapes for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in sleeve with original artwork collage designed by Paul Lurker. Each LP includes a two-sided 8.5x11 poster with notes and photos.
A year after their impressive last album Burn It Down, Detroit techno legends Octave One are back with a nine track double EP that again shows they are masters of big hypnotic grooves.
Entitled Love by Machine, the album's name is a nod to the fact that the Burden brothers are such revered masters of their hardware. Both in the studio, where they cook up atmospheric house and techno with soaring synths and vocals and also in the live arena, where they are celebrated as one of the most accomplished and forward thinking performers in the game today. That is all the more impressive when you bear in mind they have been active since the '80s, most often releasing on their own 430 West label, which is where they appear again here.
Say Lenny: We've been exploring the theme of connection with this project. How technology gives us the illusion that we are closer to each other more than ever. At some point humanity crossed a line where the devices that we created to bring us together are the same devices that are blocking us from organic experiences.'
Technology is only a tool, which we also had in mind during the recording process.' Adds Lawrence. We decided to go back to how we used to make our records, when we didn't have so many 'sophisticated' audio devices. Back to when we interacted in the studio together as musicians.'
Things open up with the loose metallic percussive line that is In Mono, which sets the machine made tone and is filled with promise. Locator then immediately gets to action with a gallivanting techno kick and various synth lines wrapping round each other as you get sucked into the groove. Just Don't Speak (Midnight Sun Redub) is a more deep and house leaning track with big feel good piano keys and slithering synths that will get hands in the air. Proving they have real range, 7 B4 Dawn is a moody and reserved cut with subtle acid pricks, hip swinging claps and a spaced out dead of night feel.
The second half of the album offers peak time business in the form of the spectacular Bad Love II, the whirring and cosmic Sounds of Jericho and the big loops and fluid grooves of (Where) Time Collides. Pain Pressure is a wonky number with big bassline and a focus on percussive patterns as well as some vocals with real attitude and last cut 8 B4 Dawn ends things in a downbeat and sombre way with sad chords and emotive strings. It is pure Detroit, much like the whole album, and rounds out another fine release from these most revered veterans.
Virginia-born singer/songwriter Nicole Wray has everything you'd want in a singer: an infectious Jackson-5-family-member flare, a range like Aretha's, and a church upbringing that's brought a pure, healing texture to her voice. But the struggle she's been through has made her more than a singer. Nicole Wray is an artist. When talking about Queen Alone, her first solo album in some time, Nicole explains, It's a reflection of my soul. It's who I am today.' And aptly so. Nicole is writing and singing songs about her life. And yet to even start to know her soul, you have to go back to the beginning. Growing up in Portsmouth was tough at times for Nicole. However, at the age of fifteen, life opened up quickly when Missy Elliot paid a visit to Nicole's family home to audition her on the spot. Missy was there on the rumored strength and quality of her voice. Instantly blowing her away, she signed and left with Missy that night. Two years later, at age 17, she had a hit gold single off a solid debut album (Make It Hot). Suddenly she was part of a team that included late '90s R&B and rap royalty: Missy, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Playa, Timbaland and Magoo. She made it, and fast. However, as rapidly as she achieved success, Nicole then found herself needing to re-make it. By late 2001, her time with Missy and company had run its course. They amicably parted ways and Nicole, once on top of the R&B world, was unsure of what was next. It was a very low, but important, point in her life. While neck-deep in this struggle, Damon Dash and Roc-A-Fella Records called. They signed an album deal and by 2004, in what was starting to be a pattern, just as things were looking up Roc-A-Fella suddenly (famously) split. Nicole found herself in a familiar situation. In 2013, Nicole paired up with London vocalist Terri Walker and released the album Lady. Once again, Nicole was tested. Terri parted ways with the group to pursue her own projects shortly after the album's release. Fast forward to now-the transformation from singer-for-hire to pure artist is evident in this new full-length solo release, Queen Alone. The record was written and recorded in 10 days at the legendary Diamond Mine Studios, in Queens NY with Leon Michels and Tom Brenneck handling production. Nicole says she is Singing out loud now-singing from the stomach.' Back in 1998 she was coached how to sing, and told to stay in a pocket that never let her show her range, power, and passion. Today, after stutter-stepping in and out of the industry, there is a new soul and substance to her songs-all of it from her life. They Don't Hang Around", tells the story of her post Roc-a-Fella days, Guilty", is about her brother's incarceration, Make Me Over" tells the relatable story of being broke with expensive taste, and 'Let It Go', a perfect way to end the record, is about the simple act of letting go and moving on. Almost echoing her new record, Nicole says, You have to go through something for it to be real.' She has been living with one foot in fame and the other in real life. The result is clear: she's feeling something real in her music again. And it's hard for us as listeners not to follow suit.
The Erefora Land" is the first solo record by Johan Kaseta, Lehult founding member. It's a nostalgic, hazy affair where the tracks work both on a dancefloor and as the score to an imaginary Super Nin-tendo RPG. Squelching vocal samples ("Hi!") and bubbling synths are reminiscent of the oldschool, synth-laden nineties game soundtracks young Kaseta still can't get enough of. "The Erefora Land" is like coming across the soundtrack to Earthbound after having forgotten to have ever played it - suddenly a rush of sights, sounds and smells from the past come back to you and gently pull you in. Kaseta takes this nostalgia of the forgotten and puts it into his very own context: shuffling hihats, missed drops - a playful version of house music. Swept up to the shores of Erefora land, you're greeted by "Lei Tindissima". A seductive, blistering track on the verge of falling apart yet always staying groovy and pumping. Being somewhat ambient and airy, yet relentlessly moving, "Erefora Steps" is not just a charm to listen to, it is also one hell of a weapon in the club - tested by yours truly intensively. Grooving on a broken, somewhat latin type of bounce, there are several twists and turns between heavenly pads, psycho-vocals and, of course, echoed airhorns.The third cut, "U Timmi", is a laid back Sunday afternoon jam. Despite being light, smooth and grooving, it's layered samples and micro melodies draw you further into the mysterious sound world of Erefora land.Finally, "Me times U" could almost be the theme tune of "Erefora Land", it's blissful chords so close to a conclusion yet always behind a veil of waterfalls, trickling shakers and swooping filters.
UK wave funk veteran DMX Krew returns to Abstract Forms with his latest double album project. Escape-MCP features 13 tracks of synth drenched electro and elastic techno grooves drawing inspiration from a 1983 computer game where the player is trapped inside a computer by a rogue processor. Fortunately DMX Krew isn't trapped inside a computer and is still with us making killer grooves. Don't sleep!
God, reviews can be LOL. So we'll presume you know your own mind and taste. Let us scrub all metaphor. We'll resist comparison. Today's musical tenor overlooked, we'll refuse to dissect. Moments preferred are muted. We won't highlight respite or forgiveness. There's no considering of geographical fact. We'll shut our ears to technology.
Taciturn Manner is Reggy van Oers's first full length on his own Telemorph imprint.
Pertained in a period of strained self reflection, several field recordings have become the core upon which the album has been created. A persistant continuous movement throughout the elements of the tracks causes a certain constrasting tension and gradually transforms into lush cinematic textures.
An intricate and mesmerizing journey, full of rich and surprising details, resulting in a rather emotional expression of his constraint style and coherent distinct sound.
After 5 years of Exploration, it's time for the first album on the label. Johannes Volk proudly presents Mutual Codes, a conceptual album which contains 12 tracks between detroit infected techno and experimental classical compositions. Colourful synth adventures which take you on a journey to far away galaxies and beyond.
- A1: Ain't Giving Up - Craig David & Sigala
- E13: Like A Fan
- A2: When The Bassline Drops - Craig David X Big Narstie
- E14: Better With You
- A3: Don't Go - Craig David / Robin S
- A4: 16
- B1: Couldn't Be Mine
- B2: One More Time
- B3: Change My Love
- C1: Nothing Like This - Blonde & Craig David
- C2: Got It Good - Craig David Feat. Kaytranada
- C3: All We Needed
- C4: Louder Than Words
- D1: What If
- D2: Like A Fan
- D3: Better With You
- E1: Ain't Giving Up - Craig David & Sigala
- E2: When The Bassline Drops - Craig David X Big Narstie
- E3: Don't Go - Craig David / Robin S
- E4: 16
- E5: Couldn't Be Mine
- E6: One More Time
- E7: Change My Love
- E8: Nothing Like This - Blonde & Craig David
- E 9: Got It Good - Craig David Feat. Kaytranada
- E10: All We Needed
- E11: Louder Than Words
- E12: What If
- A1: Franc Spangler - Wally's Groove
- A2: Admin - Reach For Love
- B1: Ugly Drums & Lady Blacktronika - Change The Key
- B2: Henry Wu - 9 Bit Stoners
- B3: The Hue - Stressin' Ft Kissy Asplund
- C1: Fouk - Bunny's Too Tight To Mention
- C2: Frank Booker - Unburdened
- D1: Vincenzo De Bull & Halve Soul - Heavy Vibes
- D2: Soul Of Habib - Ra's Lament Ft Freekwency
- E1: Eddie C - All Time Freak
- E2: Napoleon - Over & Done
- F1: Sleazy Mcqueen & Vinyladdicted - Hot To Trot
- F2: Patchworks - Batracien
- F3: Leblanc - We Can Flyi
Tale Of 2 Cities (or T.O.2.C for short) is the culmination of what was just a whim of an idea from label owners Mike & Justin. It's the first of its kind for us & anyone who knows anything about Kolour LTD should know that we shall leave no stone un-turned on a release of this magnitude. This 14 track, 3x12 vinyl compilation is a smooth journey throughout the realms of deep house, mid-tempo grooves, funk/soul, with an edit (or two) for good measure.Disc #1 features the incomparable talents of Jimpster (under his Franc Spangler alias), Admin, Ugly Drums & Lady BlackTronika, Henry Wu, and The Hue ft. Kissy Asplund.
Disc #2 features the FOUK boys, Frank Booker, Vincenzo de Bull & Halve Soul, & Inkswel.
Disc #3 features the talents of Eddie C, Napoleon, Sleazy McQueen & VinylAddicted, Patchworks, and LeBlanc.
3 x LP in a Trifold sleeve & Poster.
Many of you will remember Manuel Göttsching by his Masterpiece E2-E4 and know the fact it got sampled by far more than once. Think Sueno Latino' to start with... and the plethora of further re-recordings by Derrick May, Joe Claussell, and a bootleg by Carl Craig that prove how Now' and Iconic Manuel´s Work is. The 2006 edition Joaquin Joe Claussell meets Manuel Göttsching' is the first attempt to bring these once illegal mixes finally to a broader and wider audience. It comes with 2 very rare and first time officially released tribute mixes of 1970´s Göttsching Classics, carefully remodeled by Joe Claussell (21.12 minute Deeper Distance' plus 10.17 Minute Ain´t No Time For Tears"). The last words, however, are left to MG himself, with Shuttlecock", a final eighteen minute excursion, which has Manuel improvise over a soft carpet of delayed bell sounds, before the guitar fades away and the track deepens and thickens, like a dark river sweeping along ever more motives and harmonies. A perfectly balanced collaboration released on both CD and LP. Consisting of 3 concert recordings which were originally released on the 6th CD Album Private Tapes : Tracks 1 und 3 were recorded at Bataclan in Paris, 12/1976, Track 2 in Berlin 8/1979
For the first time in more than a year, Because Music is running a limited repress of Selah Sue's sold out EP 'Alone'. Released in late 2014, it paved the way for her second album 'Reason' (more than 185,000 copies worldwide since its release in March 2015). Shifting to a more pop-oriented sound under the supervision of producers Robin Hannibal (Rhye, Kendrick Lamar) and Ludwig Goransson (Childish Gambino, Haim), this EP features her flagship collaboration with American rapper Childish Gambino 'Together' and an exclusive acoustic version of the track 'Won't Go For More'. A throwback to the exciting times when everybody was impatient to hear Selah's new creations after her best-selling debut album.
Matrixxman and Echologist team up for PRRUK's 2X12'' EP ''Black & White''. As the title suggests, this comes in a Black + White package showcasing sturdy Techno rhythms that have happened when these two stalwarts got into the studio together. Acidic tones, thumping bass drums and adventurous FX sweeps. From rhythm driven Techno cuts to the more oddball bits, ''The Black & White EP'' proves to be a versatile yet energetic package.
- A1: Freddie Mckay - Going
- A2: Cornell Campbell - Hear Me Now Star
- A3: Horace Andy - The Children
- A4: Johnny Clarke - No Lick No Cup
- A5: Linval Thompson - Trouble
- A6: Yabby U - Stand Up And Fight
- A7: Johnny Clarke - Leggo Violence
- B1: Jimmy Riley - Living In Fear
- B2: Cornell Campbell - Your Company
- B3: Locksley Castell - Some Good
- B4: Wayne Jarrett - Judgement Time
- B5: Linval Thompson - Di Wicked Dem
- B6: Ronnie Davis - Tonight
1973-1976 was a period in Reggae's history when the music coming from Kingston,Jamaica was at its peak.
So many talented singers,who sang soulful/righteous songs found their way onto tape.
Maybe it was the competition between the studios like Randys,Channel 1 and Harry J's and the quality of the singers available to sing these tunes.But whatever caused the explosion the mighty voices of Horace Andy,Cornell Campbell,Johnny Clarke and Ronnie Davis never sounded better....
The tracks as you can see here were culled together from sessions recorded at the fore mentioned legendary studios.Then taken to King Tubby's home style studio at 18 Drummlie Ave in the Waterhouse district of Kingston.This is where the great Dubmaster himself would record the vocal tracks.
A method in which he preferred to work and then mix the tracks Tubby style...We have travelled to Jamaica and listened to hours of master tapes to bring this set to you.
So please sit back and enjoy what we believe to be a wicked set by Kingston's finest..
ALLSTARS one and all........
One more tiem Mr.Tubby if you please ..roll that tape....
- A1: Intro
- A2: Conant Gardens
- A3: I Don't Know
- A4: Climax (Girl Shit)
- A5: Jealousy
- A6: Hold Tight
- B1: Tell Me
- B2: What It's All About
- B3: Forth & Back
- B4: Untitled/Fantastic
- B5: Fall In Love
- C1: Get Dis Money
- C2: Raise It Up
- C3: Once Upon A Time
- C4: Players
- C5: Eyes Up
- D1: 2U4U
- D2: Cb4
- D3: Go Ladies
- D4: Thelonius (Bonus)
- D5: Fall In Love (Remix)(Bonus)
The contributions of the late Detroit producer James DeWitt Yancey -better known to the world as J Dilla- to the world of hip-hop can't be overstated, and nowhere is his legacy more apparent than his work as a member of Slum Village. A founding member of the trio, (Alongside rappers T3 and Baatin) Dilla provided the group's distinctly esoteric, free-wheeling sound, built around winding basslines, quirky drumbeats, subtle low-end frequencies, and classic jazz & soul samples. Against the backdrop of Dilla's rich production, T3 and Baatin's free-flowing style of rhyming would also earn wide critical praise, leading to comparisons as the successors to A Tribe Called Quest. (A label they themselves have rejected.) After the success of Slum's 1997 studio debut, Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 1, the group went to work on their follow up. Though the project was completed in '98, label turmoil kept the project on ice until 2000. By the time Fantastic Volume II hit Dilla was well on his way to his status as a hip hop legend having produced cuts for Common, Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest and many more. Later works from Slum Village may have had more of an impact sales-wise (in the immediate) but Fantastic Vol. 2 had fans and many critics saying that Slum Village, and Dilla in particular, may single-handedly save rap music.' Perhaps that statement is hyperbole but many consider Fantastic Volume II to be Slum Village's finest work ever to this day. Ne'Astra Media Group now presents the album reissued on vinyl, for the first time in several years. Every wobbling bass note of J Dilla's production has been preserved to maintain the legacy of this hip hop rap classic and maintain the legend of one of hip-hop's greatest beatsmiths.
After making some massive claims regarding electronic music last year which caused a stir in the dance music community, Mat Zo had a lot to live up to with his long awaited second album "Self Assemble". What didn't help was the fact that his first album, "Damage Control" was critically acclaimed by many within dance music and is now considered a modern-day masterpiece with mesmerising tracks such as The Sky and the massive Easy with Porter Robinson.Blending genres and sounds in a way only Zo can achieve, this record flows incredibly well as the tracks move from one to the other almost telling a story of the different styles of electronic music. At times the album is reminiscent of Zo's incredible Essential Mix from back in 2013 in the way that it progresses and constantly surprises the listeners. A lot funkier than Damage Control, it's no less incredible.
Beginning with the beautifully atmospheric "Order out of Chaos" which starts with an absolute wall of sound that boggles the mind in how Zo even went about designing something so complex, this sets the tone for the rest of the record in a cracking way. The melody soon crescendos and we're introduced in to the meat of the album with "The Enemy". Bringing out all the good funky vibes on this track, again Zo exhibits his insane production talents which are a staple of the album. Featuring vocals from the wonderful Sinead Egan, this is a great uplifting tune that'll no doubt have you dancing in your chair or in the club.
'Sinful" acts to continue the funky good-time vibes and transports us to a cool summertime drive. It has us yearning for happier times and again the guest vocals from I SEE MONSTAS go a long way in getting across this happy vibe. Featuring an uplifting almost french house inspired bassline and squelch synths that wouldn't look out of place on a Daft Punk or Madeon record, this is another stunning track from the record. "Patterns Emerging" feels like a bridge into the next section of the album and is unfortunately short. The orchestral element really brings out the emotion on this track and we only wish it was longer. "Killing Time" has those classic chopped up vocals that Zo uses to great effect and some nicely programmed drums that could be a nod to the drum and bass he used to put out under MRSA.'Smacked up on Jack" features some cool middle eastern sounds and a wacky vocal sample that helps to progress the album and keep the listener interested, again though we feel like it's a bit too short and are left wanting more. The next tune "Ruffneck Bad Boy VIP" is an absolute mammoth and one of our favourites off the record. Opening with an immense rhodes melodic sequence and after some nice vocals, the track rips into the electro house and dubstep infused banger that it really is. Some dirty, dirty sound design and drum production will have the dance floors going wild and shows us again why Zo is so good, it's a far cry from the funkier elements of the earlier stuff on the album and shows how Zo can show off a range of electronic sounds. "Lights Out" is a straight up hard hitting electro banger with an infectious vocal sample that only needs to be heard to be understood. Not much more needs to be said about it! Coming into the last section of the record, "Soul Food" returns us to the groove with an astonishing house beat and bass line that have us questioning how Zo makes it so hard not to smile listening to this album."Stereo no Aware" starts sounding like it's taken straight from a space movie epic and soon transforms into a goose bump inducing melody with a driving growling bass line that bring back the epic dubstep we all used to love a couple of years ago. Skrillex eat your heart out. Finishing off this record on a more emotional note, "Too Late" starts off like a guitar ballad and then transforms into something totally different. Egan's melancholic vocals enhance this track to great effect and is all backed by Zo's lovely downbeat production until we're treated to a monster of a climax around half way through the track which will surely blow the cobwebs right off you. Zo says goodbye to us with the phenomenal "The Last Transmission" and what a way this is to close out an incredible sophmore album for the English producer. The melancholic piano chords are a subtle and pleasing way to close out this journey of a record. Mat Zo really has outdone himself here and we're really looking forward to hearing some of these bombs dropped live. Surely a contender for album of the year at such an early stage, yet again it's only the best delivered by Mat Zo.
Latest album, Damage Control was Grammy-nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album last year




















