Search:the prophet

Brand new reissue of the NIGHTSTALKER legendary debut album Side FX. Nightstalker's debut album, recorded in 1993 and released in 1994, captures the raw, rebellious energy of the era, blending gritty, Motörhead-inspired heaviness with infectious grooves. Emerging from Greece during the height of grunge and alternative music, the band delivers a sound that's unapologetically rough and driven by a heavy, rhythmic pulse. Their music channeled the raw power of '90s rock while Nightstalker carved out their own space with their hypnotic riffs, groovy basslines, and a dark, rebellious spirit. A bold first step, this album sets the tone for Nightstalker's journey.

Brand new reissue of the NIGHTSTALKER legendary debut album Side FX. Nightstalker's debut album, recorded in 1993 and released in 1994, captures the raw, rebellious energy of the era, blending gritty, Motörhead-inspired heaviness with infectious grooves. Emerging from Greece during the height of grunge and alternative music, the band delivers a sound that's unapologetically rough and driven by a heavy, rhythmic pulse. Their music channeled the raw power of '90s rock while Nightstalker carved out their own space with their hypnotic riffs, groovy basslines, and a dark, rebellious spirit. A bold first step, this album sets the tone for Nightstalker's journey.

Amandra, half head honcho behind Ahrpe Records, goes for subtly evolving and droning atmospheres. With releases spanning electronic genres and record labels: Nous klaer Audio, AD 93, Tikita or Semantica, just to name a few; the French producer ba with coherence his own vision of acid and tribal rhythms that can be presented with either bright and soft feelings or through a
Brera Som Som EP

As always with Amandra, there is a blend of poetic and soft hidden touch given to the music through carefully crafted personal Som is a 4 tracker EP, recorded back when he lived in Warsaw Poland, showcasing the artists ability to navigate through nich double 12 package cherry topped with four intelligent and eclectic remixes from artists with their own unique identity: Shieldin Brainwaltzera.

Amandra on disc 1
Brera Som Som
I want my music to breathe dirty so its alive to my ears, trying to stay away from surgical, clean, electronic music. The Prophet recorded by hand, with assumed offbeat imperfections, as always. I wanted to get a naive Asian mood out of it, just to try and c track. I tend to think a lot about my tracks and their meaning more in terms of feelings, art and techniques than in terms of dee
dance floors or whatever. Brera Som Som is a try at using the chiaroscuro technique depicted in classical paintings for instance interesting focus on some very specific elements.

Cyborg Pelikana
Recorded out of a jam on a Soma Pulsar 23 and some heavy distorted synths, it ended up sounding like no other recordings bit different as I wanted to have a more composed like approach here.

Fanfaron
Here is a try at going jungle... with a Moog DFAM and a 303 processed through a Sherman Filterbank.

Prorokini
This one belongs to a phase where I was exploring the sampling side of electronic music. Until that moment I was building 100 based on raw drum machines and some processing, then started feeling how it would feel to sample some raw external beats and process them my way. I didnt pursue that sampling lead much afterward because it felt like a boring approach to me that
stood out anyway, like this one, which Im very proud of. The synths are clearly programmed on the Prophet 08, it cant go any Instruments than that, if you like them, go grab that synth

Remixers on disc 2
Cyborg Pelikana Shielding Remix
I liked the dry and direct qualities of the original track and wanted to maintain that feeling while collaging it using my own proc Recorded in my old home studio in Stockholm.

Brera Som Som Brainwaltzera Remix
no comment.
Fanfaron Whylie Remix
The remix was made using resampling techniques, the rhythmic noises were transformed into driving percussive layers pushi character. A more emotional overlay was added to the track based on the sentimental and personal approach I built through.

Brera Som Som Martinou Remix
Interpreting Amandras work has been on my bucket list for a while. Theres something in it that is innately humanizing and raw capture in my remix. The melody line from the remix is just a snapshot of a small part of the full original track, but it stuck with my improvisation to what you see before you today. With this remix I wanted to make something that would swell slowly and ring o
All original tracks written and produced by Amandra.
Remixes written and produced by Brainwaltzera, Whylie, Martinou and Shielding.
Mastered by Amandra.
Artwork by Neurotypique.

Not much has been written written about the conceptual hardcore band inspired by and named after a 9th century antisocial loner monk-poet of China’s Tang dynasty. Han-shan the band existed from 1991 to ‘93 in California. Their lyrics covered themes of solitude, mystery, poverty, and discord, directly inspired by the verses of the titular poet. Han-shan’s music was psychopathic, with blood-curdling vocals, and messy but powerful, in the vein of Void, Siege or Septic Death. The band played to the absolute limits of their physical ability and then some, with a sound that complemented their West Coast contemporaries—bands like Heroin, Mohinder, Second Story Window, Antioch Arrow and Angel Hair. Recorded in San Diego by Matt Anderson in late 1993 and originally released posthumously in early 1994 on the tiny Soledad record label, Hans-shan’s eight song seven inch EP came packaged in a manila envelope, each one hand-printed with a woodcut block and roller, with the art and insert referencing both the poet and Tang dynasty China. LG Records has carefully reproduced this cover art and returned to the original multitrack tape. Tim Green has remixed the recording at Louder Studios for a significantly more powerful, and yes, LOUDER, 12” 45rpm release. Members of Han-shan had previously been in Suckerpunch, Brain Tourniquet, End of the Line, and John Henry West; and went on to play in Behead The Prophet NLSL, Solid Gold, Drunk Horse, Astral, Tight Bro’s from Way Back When, Sex/Vid, Very Paranoia, Low Plateau and Nudity. For fans of fast, out of control hardcore with a raw emotional edge. And saxophone.

Red Vinyl. Listening to Fashion Club's self-produced second album A Love You Cannot Shake feels like being caught in the crossfire of a profound beam of light. You can't help but feel both enlivened and exposed as its aberrant synth lines, artful strings and disfigured guitars swell into larger-than-life crescendos, which evoke a divine yet probing spotlight. Pascal Stevenson, the Los Angeles-based musician behind Fashion Club, likens the experience of hearing A Love You Cannot Shake to staring into the sun, and though the record wasn't written with religion in mind, its heavenly sonics and emotional sagacity also make it feel like a prophetic encounter. The album was shaped by Stevenson's gender transition and sobriety journey and parses her fluid emotions surrounding these events and other personal trials and tribulations. But as much as it's a dialogue between Stevenson's current and former selves, it's also an invitation for listeners to join her in the work of discarding bitterness and re-centering hope, especially when such efforts feel futile. Musically, A Love You Cannot Shake is an unshackling of expectations, as Stevenson's previous stint as bassist in the L.A. post-punk outfit Moaning and her first record as Fashion Club, 2022's Scrutiny, didn't necessarily reflect the full range of her taste, which includes ambient, pop, classical and dance music, or embody her sensitive tenderness and femininity. A Love You Cannot Shake also thrives on a fluid sonic palette. The album's magnetic immersiveness hinges on its strange dynamic shifts, jagged production and ambitious song structures with parts that don't repeat_choices influenced by her love of left-field electro-pop and her classical music background. While Stevenson handled most of the instrumentals on Scrutiny, this LP is much more collaborative, featuring an array of contributors who lent strings, piano, pedal steel and more. Plus, this album boasts country harmonies from Perfume Genius ("Forget"), high-pitched coos from Jay Som ("Ghost") and gauzy whispers from Julie Byrne ("Rotten Mind"). Stevenson's vocal evolution is also on display with this record, embracing a softer delivery that's more reflective of her personality and identity.

50 Years Of Great Audiophile Recordings In der norwegischen Haupststadt Oslo nahm die Kirkelig Kulturverksted im Jahr 1974 die Arbeit auf. Der Star des Labels ist Kari Bremnes, aber auch die vielen anderen KKV-Künstler machen schöne und klangschöne Musik. Audio 2024

The Congos were formed by Cedric Myton (born 1947 St Catherine, Jamaica) and Roydel ‘Roy’ Johnson (born 1943 Hanover, Jamaica), around the mid-seventies, a time when the Rasta message coming out of Kingston and other pockets of the Jamaican Island was at its most prominent. Cedric Myton’s singing career began back in the rocksteady era in Reggae’s musical story.

He formed the ‘Tartans’ group taking lead vocal duties alongside Devon Russell, Prince Lincoln Thompson and Lindbergh Lewis. They cut ‘Dance All Night’ (1967) and ‘Coming On Strong’ (1968). The line-up reduced to a two piece, Cedric and Devon Russell, when tracks like ‘What a Sin Thing’ and ‘Short Up Dress’ were cut. This line-up became the Royal Rasses, Cedric formed The Congos, on meeting Roydel Johnson. Roydel previously sang as a member of Ras Michael and the Sons of Negas, cutting such tracks as ’Go To Zion’ (1973). As we can see Cedric’s and Roydel’s Rasta roots were firmly in place by the time they had formed The Congos sometimes called ‘The Congoes’.

The Congos possess what all bands look for,that unique sound that draws the listener to them.Lead singer Cedric Myton’s style and phasing, with his distinctive Falsetto voice makes this just the case.Built on a foundation of classic rhythms and with the aid of then Producer, Lee Perry, the groups statement of intent was laid down with one succinct message. The Congos mighty 1977 ‘Heart of the Congos’ album, is quite simply one of the best reggae albums ever recorded.

Producer Lee Perry had wanted to record a classic Jamaican vocal group in his newly built Black Ark Studio. The voice of Watty Burnett was added at the time to cover baritone vocal duties. The studio after various changes in equipment etc. was finally finding its way. A sound built in Lee Perry’s back yard in Cardiff Crescent, Washington Gardens, Kingston, but existing until then in Mr Lee Perry’s mind. The album they cut would be the defining group release to come out of The Black Ark studios, when the vital elements, vibes, musicians, songs and singing would gel to form ‘Heart Of The Congos’. Come the time of it’s release 1977, Lee Perry was in dispute with Island Records and opted to release the record on his own ‘Black Art’ label. Without the high-profile push of a major label, the record undersold and caused a split between producer and band. Under different circumstances maybe this album would be sitting in thousands of homes alongside the Bob Marley, Culture, Burning Spear releases. Cedric Myton went on to release albums with the French arm of the CBS label and Roy Johnson records and tours as Congo Ashanti Roy.

Cedric Myton the central force carries on the mantle of the Congos and we at Kingston Sounds are proud to pick up the story with another set of vocal statements, which sees Cedric cut some of his finest tunes. Helped along by another reggae legend Brent Dowe, lead singer of the Melodians (Rivers of Babylon), over some classic 1970’s rhythms. Yet again we find that magic formula of strong statements working alongside classic rhythms making the balance work. The Rasta message is still strong on modern classics like ‘King Rastafari Is His Name’, ‘Rasta Congo Man’ and the injustices of the world dissected in tunes ‘Some A Thief’, ‘Watch & Pray’ and the prophetical, ‘Citizen Of The World’.

Once touched by magic it does not fade away, but resurfaces as it has with what we believe to be some of the Congos most heartfelt and meaningful set of songs ...... Let the feast begin.

Death metal can hardly get more dedicated and passionate about the old school Floridian sound than
TEMPLE OF DREAD on their fifth album "God of the Godless". Luckily, the East Frisians from German
island Spiekeroog are not mired in a swamp of stale nostalgia. Although "God of the Godless" comes
with the brutal power of harsh winter storms and the gritty texture of the often fierce North Sea
weather, the East Frisians have also refined the cinematic aspects of their sound that they had firmly
established on the predecessor "Beyond Acheron" (2023).

Remastered for the first time since its release in 1960, Paul Anka’s Sings His Big 15 is the definitive collection of the legendary crooner’s biggest hits. In the original sleeve notes, a prominent newspaper record reviewer confidently declared, "When the current era of Rock 'n' Roll fades and our musical tastes return to normal, only two of today's recording idols will continue on the glory road. Of these two, the surest bet for consistent and long-lasting stardom is young Paul Anka." This assertion has proven prophetic, as Paul Anka continues to thrive in a successful career, surpassing 50 years since those words were first penned.

Die Ostfriesen von der Insel Spiekeroog versinken zum Glück nicht in einem Meer aus abgestandener Nostalgie. Obwohl "God of the Godless" mit der brachialen Kraft tosender Winterstürme und dem oft rauen Charme des Nordseewetters daherkommt, haben die Norddeutschen auch die cineastischen Aspekte ihres Sounds verfeinert, die sie auf dem Vorgängeralbum "Beyond Acheron" (2023) fest etabliert hatten. Auf einem soliden Fundament aus Brutal Death zimmern TEMPLE OF DREAD mit Hilfe von dunklen und schweren Stützbalken, Querstreben aus überraschender Melancholie und sogar einigen 12-Zoll Black Metal Nägeln ihre wuchtigen Songstrukturen. Als Zierelement dient erneut ein Gastbeitrag des INSIDIOUS DISEASE, ASINHELL und ehemaligen MORGOTH Sängers Marc Grewe. Die wuchtige Produktion von "God of the Godless" stammt wie gewohnt von Schlagzeuger Jörg Uken. In dessen renommierter Death Metal Klangschmiede, dem Soundlodge Tonstudio, wurden auch schon zahlreiche Langspieler solcher Szenegrößen wie unter anderen DEW-SCENTED, GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY, SUICIDAL ANGELS und WARPATH in Form gehämmert. TEMPLE OF DREAD wurden von Markus Bünnemeyer im Jahr 2017 auf Spiekeroog gegründet, als der Gitarrist den Entschluss fasste, seinen Mordshunger auf mehr Death Metal der alten Schule selbst zu stillen. Ein Jahr später stießen Sänger Jens Finger und Jörg Uken dazu, mit denen Bünnemeyer bereits bei SLAUGHTERDAY aktiv war. Dieses Dreiergespann besteht seitdem unverändert fort. Schon das erste Album "Blood Craving Mantras" (2019) schlug in Death Metal Kreisen hart ein. Die Arbeitstiere ließen in kurzer Folge zwei weitere Erfolgsalben, "World Sacrifice" (2020) und das von der Kritik in höchsten Tönen gefeierte "Hades Unleashed" (2021), auf die Welt los. Während sich das Trio für "Beyond Acheron" (2023) etwas mehr Zeit nahm, sind TEMPLE OF DREAD wieder auf der Überholspur unterwegs. Noch besser: Die Ostfriesen begeistern endlich auch mit Live-Auftritten. Mit "God of the Godless" legen TEMPLE OF DREAD die Messlatte für intelligente Death Metal Brutalität wieder um einige Zentimeter höher auf!

Die Ostfriesen von der Insel Spiekeroog versinken zum Glück nicht in einem Meer aus abgestandener Nostalgie. Obwohl "God of the Godless" mit der brachialen Kraft tosender Winterstürme und dem oft rauen Charme des Nordseewetters daherkommt, haben die Norddeutschen auch die cineastischen Aspekte ihres Sounds verfeinert, die sie auf dem Vorgängeralbum "Beyond Acheron" (2023) fest etabliert hatten. Auf einem soliden Fundament aus Brutal Death zimmern TEMPLE OF DREAD mit Hilfe von dunklen und schweren Stützbalken, Querstreben aus überraschender Melancholie und sogar einigen 12-Zoll Black Metal Nägeln ihre wuchtigen Songstrukturen. Als Zierelement dient erneut ein Gastbeitrag des INSIDIOUS DISEASE, ASINHELL und ehemaligen MORGOTH Sängers Marc Grewe. Die wuchtige Produktion von "God of the Godless" stammt wie gewohnt von Schlagzeuger Jörg Uken. In dessen renommierter Death Metal Klangschmiede, dem Soundlodge Tonstudio, wurden auch schon zahlreiche Langspieler solcher Szenegrößen wie unter anderen DEW-SCENTED, GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY, SUICIDAL ANGELS und WARPATH in Form gehämmert. TEMPLE OF DREAD wurden von Markus Bünnemeyer im Jahr 2017 auf Spiekeroog gegründet, als der Gitarrist den Entschluss fasste, seinen Mordshunger auf mehr Death Metal der alten Schule selbst zu stillen. Ein Jahr später stießen Sänger Jens Finger und Jörg Uken dazu, mit denen Bünnemeyer bereits bei SLAUGHTERDAY aktiv war. Dieses Dreiergespann besteht seitdem unverändert fort. Schon das erste Album "Blood Craving Mantras" (2019) schlug in Death Metal Kreisen hart ein. Die Arbeitstiere ließen in kurzer Folge zwei weitere Erfolgsalben, "World Sacrifice" (2020) und das von der Kritik in höchsten Tönen gefeierte "Hades Unleashed" (2021), auf die Welt los. Während sich das Trio für "Beyond Acheron" (2023) etwas mehr Zeit nahm, sind TEMPLE OF DREAD wieder auf der Überholspur unterwegs. Noch besser: Die Ostfriesen begeistern endlich auch mit Live-Auftritten. Mit "God of the Godless" legen TEMPLE OF DREAD die Messlatte für intelligente Death Metal Brutalität wieder um einige Zentimeter höher auf!

Transversales Disques proudly presents PANORAMA, an excursion through rare French soundtracks & other rarities mostly never reissued or compiled.
11 forgotten nuggets recorded between 1969 and 1980 by famous masters like Francis Lai, Alain Goraguer and Michel Magne alongside underrated composers like Jean Schwarz, Christian Gaubert or Maurice Lecoeur. A cinematic journey overflowing with moody strings arrangements, funky drum breaks, typical French basslines and psyched atmospheres.

Deluxe Tip-On jacket LP including exclusive and extensive liner notes.
Vinyl Only / No Digital
Remastered from the original master tapes

Nach vier Studio-Alben und einer Compilation waren die ungarischen Top-Stars Omega im Westen immer noch nur ein Geheimtipp. Eine steigende Tendenz bei den Absatzzahlen war aber zu erkennen, selbst wenn die Verkäufe längst nicht durch die Decke gingen. Darüber hinaus hatte sich die Band entwickelt, war live und in ihrem Erscheinungsbild professioneller geworden. Die Bacillus/Bellaphon-Verantwortlichen wollten Omega demnach auf jeden Fall behalten und verlängerten 1976 den Vertrag mit dem Quintett bis 1980. Und dieses zog mit Peter Hauke in die Offenbacher Europasound-Studios und spielte dort "Time Robber" ein. Die LP wurde im Westen Omegas Durchbruch. Bis heute soll sich das Album an die zwei Millionen Mal verkauft haben. Und dieser Erfolg kam nicht von ungefähr, lieferten die Ungarn doch erstmals ein komplexes, in sich geschlossenes Werk ab. Auf "Skyrover" wurden große Stücke gesetzt. Wieder zogen Omega nach Offenbach und produzierten einen exquisiten "Time Robber"-Nachfolger in Alleinregie, der seinem so immens erfolgreichen Vorgänger in Nichts nachstand. Nicht wenige Omega-Fans hallten "Skyrover" sogar für die bessere Platte, da sie die auf "Time Robber" manchmal noch etwas steif nebeneinanderstehenden Stilrichtungen elegant ineinanderfließen ließ. Zu einem Live-Klassiker avancierte "Russian Winter" - auf der ungarischen LP-Version mit "Lena" betitelt. Der Song ragte aus dem musikalischen Konzept mit seinen osteuropäischen Folklore-Verweisen heraus und wurde vermutlich gerade deshalb zu einem Fan-Favoriten.

"RA" war der Beginn einer neuen Ära für Deutschlands erfolgreichste Art- & Progressive-Rockband Eloy. Die Formation zuvor hatte sich komplett getrennt. Bandgründer Frank Bornemann als Sänger, Gitarrist, Songwriter, und zugleich Produzent der Band, sprühte aber noch vor Ideen, mit denen er den bislang so erfolgreichen Weg fortsetzen wollte. In Keyboarder Michael Gerlach fand er schließlich einen gleich gesinnten Partner, der sich bestens in die musikalischen Visionen einfinden konnte, und auch mit seinem perfekt geeigneten Equipment Klangbilder erzeugen konnte, welche dann, im Zusammenwirken mit Gitarre und Vocals, zu einzigartigen Kompositionen führten. Mit "RA" wandte sich Eloy einem Thema zu, welches man aus heutiger Sicht mit Blick auf die fatalen Entwicklungen auf unserem Planeten, und in der Gesellschaft schon fast als prophetisch betrachten muss. Eloy Mastermind Frank Bornemann erklärt heute, dass sich für ihn schon damals die Menschheit mit ersten Schritten in eine unmittelbare Zeitwende bewegte, deren Folgen im Detail zwar noch unabsehbar waren, aber das Leben unumkehrbar völlig verändern würde. Das Szenarium auf dem Album, welches sich dann im Kerninhalt von "RA" letztlich definiert und abbildet, überschreitet zwar noch manche Grenzen des heutigen Geschehens, ist aber deshalb nicht weniger spannend, und die Musik ist definitiv ein absolutes Unikat.

The Heads’ Simon Price returns to his kandodo project with 'theendisinpsych'; "primitive pieces of psychedelic tuneage+years of wasted time=43 minutes of headphone bliss." It's the follow up to the 2019 collaboration with Wayne Maskell and Hugo Morgan, Kandodo 3 – K3, but this time back in solo-mode. He is now relocated in Northumbria, and has recorded the album himself in his home studio, drawing on his wide collection of music/instruments and the rural environment for inspiration. The new album fizzes and crackles with a verve that will activate the “turn on, tune in, drop out” sense in all listeners… Simon explained the album in a focused/out of focus track by track way… is this Price’s paean to his obsession with Bowie? chamba7 - octave mandolin through fuzz, tambo beat, in praise of Bowie compilations. chamba is malawian weed theendisinpsych - bought a reel to reel tape off ebay in 2005, ('Bowie radio interview tape, USA, 1970, 3 minutes?') then bought a machine to play it on in 2015. Heard the words and laid them onto a fuzzy break bed. Thought it all too relevant to today, prophetic David from his 'hippy' days (not a prophet or a stone age man) fuzzy oceans - played on 1 string spamjo, bouncing echo over 70's drum machine, 'we've fucked the oceans' freefalling - rolling cello and hissing cymbals with vocoder dreams comes with african/stationtostation artwork stylings for the sleeve..pre-apocalypse blues (and pinks), the world isn't going a good way a sumptuous 4 course sonic supper, tuck in.

Almost 3 years after the release of "Mathusalem", François Ier reveals his fiery successor, "Incendie". In keeping with his previous releases, this new opus has been conceived on the basis of enveloping layers, deep bass and harmonies that are always very rich. The melancholy dimension characteristic of his music is also omnipresent, although it sometimes asserts itself with a form of violence.

Like its abundant cover, this new opus deploys an extremely varied range of sounds, most often evoking strong English influences, with breakbeat, jungle, drum'n'bass and new-wave rhythms, all supported by vocal samples with dancehall, reggae, r'n'b, reggaeton and hip-hop accents, resulting in a hybrid sound to say the least. "Incendie" is marked by the systematic use of the Prophet 8 synthesizer, whose wild, constantly shifting sound underlines the fiery character of this new opus.

Almost three decades on from their last release, Acid Jazz forefathers Galliano are back with news of their new LP ‘Halfway Somewhere’ which is being released on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings on 30 August.

Born out of London’s underground clubs and warehouse parties of the mid to late eighties, with the debut single on the Acid Jazz label in 1988, Galliano came out of a culture that spanned music, dance, fashion, art, design, and the written word.

When they arrived as the first act on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label in 1990 with ‘Welcome to the Story’ (produced by Chris Bangs who invented the term Acid Jazz) dressed in Gabicci sweaters, beads and skullcaps they captured a scene built on re-invention. “We were all playing around with what we could get our hands on whether that was a seventies book on Jamaican style or old Last Poets and Watts Prophets records,” says Gallagher. “We’d been recycling things for a few years but suddenly everything had coalesced and you’ve got an amalgam that seemed quite solid.”
For their first album since 1997, Rob Gallagher and his partner, vocalist Valerie Etienne, are joined by Galliano stalwarts Ernie McKone on bass, Crispin Taylor on drums, and Ski Oakenfull on keys (with guests including saxophonist Jason Yarde and percussionist Crispin ‘Spry’ Robinson).

Where the old Galliano recycled records they heard at clubs, today they are responding to the kaleidoscopic global jazz scene - from Total Refreshment Centre in London to International Anthem in Chicago. More than forty years since they came together, Galliano are still only ‘Halfway Somewhere’, but listening to the album they are obviously having fun getting there. “I think the stars have to be aligned when you redo things,” says Gallagher. “Coming at it from this door is very different to the door we came into back then. But once it's existing it is something. But I’m still not sure what that something is.”

Almost three decades on from their last release, Acid Jazz forefathers Galliano are back with news of their new LP ‘Halfway Somewhere’ which is being released on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings on 30 August.

Born out of London’s underground clubs and warehouse parties of the mid to late eighties, with the debut single on the Acid Jazz label in 1988, Galliano came out of a culture that spanned music, dance, fashion, art, design, and the written word.

When they arrived as the first act on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label in 1990 with ‘Welcome to the Story’ (produced by Chris Bangs who invented the term Acid Jazz) dressed in Gabicci sweaters, beads and skullcaps they captured a scene built on re-invention. “We were all playing around with what we could get our hands on whether that was a seventies book on Jamaican style or old Last Poets and Watts Prophets records,” says Gallagher. “We’d been recycling things for a few years but suddenly everything had coalesced and you’ve got an amalgam that seemed quite solid.”
For their first album since 1997, Rob Gallagher and his partner, vocalist Valerie Etienne, are joined by Galliano stalwarts Ernie McKone on bass, Crispin Taylor on drums, and Ski Oakenfull on keys (with guests including saxophonist Jason Yarde and percussionist Crispin ‘Spry’ Robinson).

Where the old Galliano recycled records they heard at clubs, today they are responding to the kaleidoscopic global jazz scene - from Total Refreshment Centre in London to International Anthem in Chicago. More than forty years since they came together, Galliano are still only ‘Halfway Somewhere’, but listening to the album they are obviously having fun getting there. “I think the stars have to be aligned when you redo things,” says Gallagher. “Coming at it from this door is very different to the door we came into back then. But once it's existing it is something. But I’m still not sure what that something is.”

We present UT006, a compilation featuring six dynamic tracks, each with its own unique flavor. This
collection showcases the diverse sounds found within the electro universe.

Dark Vektor and The Bandit, united by the bass, unleash a high-energy blast brimming with
intricate sound details, power, vocoders, and versatility—all in one.

Cyberdom offers a captivating track with arpeggiated bass lines and a nostalgic 2000s vibe. His
signature style and well-crafted arrangements create a journey through sweet and subtle darkness.

Amor 307 joins the lineup with an aggressive track featuring thick, looped sounds and strident acid
elements, revealing his techno influences.

Spectrums Data Forces delivers a high-end track that defies conventional electro norms. If not for
its broken rhythm, it could be described as a storm of quality techno with intense melodies.

The Belgian Dark Prophet contributes a 4x4 hit designed to ignite any dance floor, blending a
touch of classic electro that resonates with our audience.

Promising/Youngster has once again proven his mastery. This track exudes pure quality,
demonstrating that simplicity can be the ultimate form of beauty, and a sample can evoke powerful
memorie

Steve Moore returns to the library music fold and it's a total doozy: Cursed Objects is truly sensational prog-synth-wave. Featuring epic electronic explorations with chamber music and symphonic flourishes, it's our favourite thing Steve has ever done. In keeping with the horror heat of the music contained within, this vinyl release is frighteningly limited, with just 500 pressed for the world.

New York-based multi-instrumentalist/producer/film composer Steve Moore is probably best known for his synthesizer and bass guitar work as Zombi, together with Anthony Paterra. But he is also part of Miracle and Titan as well as being a prolific solo artist releasing music as Gianni Rossi, Lovelock and under his own name. Steve’s music has found a home across hallowed labels like Future Times, Mexican Summer, LIES, Static Caravan, Kompakt, Death Waltz, Ghost Box and, of course, Be With Records.

Steve released Cursed Objects for fresh library label Fold. Run by ex-KPM head Paul Sandell, it's a library with values we can all get behind. It's the first production music platform working exclusively with independent labels, publishers and artists to create a truly authentic artist-led sound, at production music rates. Here's what Steve had to say: "I had worked with Paul before, at KPM. After he left, he mentioned that he had started a new library - Fold - and I was very interested in being a part. And I happened to be working on a bunch of music at the time that I thought could fit." So here we are!

The LP opens by letting in "The Uninvited One". Calm and relaxed arpeggiated synths build around sweeping strings and plucked harp to create a mystical and hopeful feel. The title track sees dark synths merge and swell with a piano, string and harp melody that is dark, mysterious and brooding. "Evolutionary Steps" is an electro synthwave track that builds with epic strings and beats, offering an expansive and dreamy approach with a mystical and driving rhythm. Next up, "The Icarus Feather" is daring, pulsing and cinematic synthwave that builds with arpeggiated synths to a hopeful end. "Daily Affirmations" offers calm and meditative ambient synths with plucked harp and strings for a reflective, peaceful, daydreamy feel.

“Mesmer's Bauble” ushers in side two, its dark synth backing builds with plucked harp and strings building with a sense of unknown and dread; it's introspective and heartfelt. "Quiet Springs" is all mystical synths, harps and strings, building to an epic panoramic scope with a hopeful and poignant atmosphere. "Festival Of Samhain" presents a dark and brooding piano melody which builds with synths and strings to create a slow and desolate feel. "The Icarus Feather (Revisited)" is epic building synthwave with arpeggiated synths and strings and a driving rhythm - the beat builds with the strings entering a forceful and marching mood. To close, "Shard Of Medusa" rides a serious and dark piano melody and, in concert with harp and strings, it creates a suspenseful and solemn atmosphere.

Steve recorded Cursed Objects, as always, at his home studio in Albany, NY. For synths, he mostly used his trusty Prophet 6, as well as his Moog Minitaur and lots of Korg Polysix too. But he also utilised a lot of virtual instruments - he doesn't have the budget for a full string section, or a harpist, alas.

The album’s cover was designed by Chris Stevenson. The artwork is a nod to first wave cyberpunk and in particular Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash and the idea of mind viruses and cursed data. Mastering for this vinyl edition was overseen by Be With regular Simon Francis, and it was cut by the esteemed Cicely Balston at AIR Studios to be pressed in the Netherlands by Record Industry. Far from being cursed, this is another future classic library LP.

Die US-Progressive-Metal-Pioniere und Innovatoren PSYCHOTIC WALTZ machen endlich ihren gesamten fesselnden und zeitlosen Backkatalog weltweit über InsideOutMusic wieder verfügbar. In zwei Wiederveröffentlichungs-Schritten (Mai & Juli 2024) werden die klassischen ersten vier Alben der Band - "A Social Grace" (1990), "Into The Everflow" (1992), "Mosquito" (1994) und "Bleeding" (1996) - neu gemastert von Patrick W. Engel / Temple Of Disharmony als 2CD Digipaks mit viel seltenem oder bisher unveröffentlichtem Bonusmaterial sowie erweiterten Layouts erhältlich sein, und die Hauptalben werden zusätzlich als Ltd. Gatefold-LP-Editionen auf 180g-Vinyl neu aufgelegt. Eine zusätzliche Demo-Raritäten-Zusammenstellung (mit einem Teil des Bonusmaterials) mit dem Titel "To Chase The Stars (Demos 1987 - 1989)" wird ebenfalls als Ltd. Gatefold 2LP Edition erhältlich sein, was diese Re-Issue-Kampagne zu einem aufregenden und unverzichtbaren Projekt sowohl für langjährige Kenner der Band als auch für neuere Mitglieder der ständig wachsenden progressiven Musikgemeinde macht.

Elf Songs und ein Klavier-Intro bieten den Hörern erstklassigen Speed/Thrash Metal, der sich locker zwischen internationalen Klassikern der 80er und 90er-Jahre, sowie aktuellsten Tipps von Heute einfügen wird.
Die Aufnahmen wirken wie ein zweiter Frühling der Band: ehrlich, direkt, frisch und ultra heavy!
Dies mag mitunter am bisher stärksten und reifsten Line-up in der Geschichte der Band liegen. Zu Beginn des Vorjahres rekrutierte man niemand geringeren als den aus Bulgarien stammenden und in Dänemark lebenden Saitenhexer Nikolay Atanasov (u.a. AGENT STEEL). Er komplementiert mit dem bereits davor dazugestoßenen Bassisten Lorenz Kandolf (u.a. TRAITOR) das Line-up. Den Kern der Gruppe bildet, seit dem mittlerweile als Klassiker gehandhabten, im "New Wave Of Thrash Metal" geltenden Debüt "Have Gun, Will Travel" (2010), Band-Gründer, Sänger, Gitarrist und Hauptkomponist Ricky Wagner, sowie der Ausnahme-Schlagzeuger Bastian "attt" Santen. Noch nie hat REZET so frisch geklungen und vor Angriffslust gestrotzt.

Produziert, gemixt und gemastert wurde das Album erneut von Eike Freese (HELLOWEEN; DEEP PURPLE; HEAVEN SHALL BURN uvm.), Hamburgs Rock & Metal-Produzenten par excellence, wobei Teile der Aufnahmen in den bandeigenen "Rad Toad Studios", im hohen Norden Schleswig-Holsteins, selbst durchgeführt wurden.
Pär Oloffsson (Exodus, Aborted, Pathology, Traitor, Finsterforst uvm.) bietet die dystopische Visualisierung der Scheibe und zeichnet das Bild einer mechanischen Landschaft, die von neuem Leben zurückerobert wird. Der "große Reset" war vermutlich noch nie so nah…

Elf Songs und ein Klavier-Intro bieten den Hörern erstklassigen Speed/Thrash Metal, der sich locker zwischen internationalen Klassikern der 80er und 90er-Jahre, sowie aktuellsten Tipps von Heute einfügen wird.
Die Aufnahmen wirken wie ein zweiter Frühling der Band: ehrlich, direkt, frisch und ultra heavy!
Dies mag mitunter am bisher stärksten und reifsten Line-up in der Geschichte der Band liegen. Zu Beginn des Vorjahres rekrutierte man niemand geringeren als den aus Bulgarien stammenden und in Dänemark lebenden Saitenhexer Nikolay Atanasov (u.a. AGENT STEEL). Er komplementiert mit dem bereits davor dazugestoßenen Bassisten Lorenz Kandolf (u.a. TRAITOR) das Line-up. Den Kern der Gruppe bildet, seit dem mittlerweile als Klassiker gehandhabten, im "New Wave Of Thrash Metal" geltenden Debüt "Have Gun, Will Travel" (2010), Band-Gründer, Sänger, Gitarrist und Hauptkomponist Ricky Wagner, sowie der Ausnahme-Schlagzeuger Bastian "attt" Santen. Noch nie hat REZET so frisch geklungen und vor Angriffslust gestrotzt.

Produziert, gemixt und gemastert wurde das Album erneut von Eike Freese (HELLOWEEN; DEEP PURPLE; HEAVEN SHALL BURN uvm.), Hamburgs Rock & Metal-Produzenten par excellence, wobei Teile der Aufnahmen in den bandeigenen "Rad Toad Studios", im hohen Norden Schleswig-Holsteins, selbst durchgeführt wurden.
Pär Oloffsson (Exodus, Aborted, Pathology, Traitor, Finsterforst uvm.) bietet die dystopische Visualisierung der Scheibe und zeichnet das Bild einer mechanischen Landschaft, die von neuem Leben zurückerobert wird. Der "große Reset" war vermutlich noch nie so nah…

In these uncertain times marked by doubt and fear, hope is born in the hearts of those who believe that one day, humanity will resurface from the ashes of history to shed light on the dark territories.

To revive the spirit of resistance through sound, Detroit’s enigmatic SCAN 7 used its rethinkable frequencies to connect with a few chosen producers and craft an antidote to our orchestrated reality.

After months in their lab, SCAN 7 is happy to present Hallowed Ground, a six-track vinyl compilation freshly released on their new SCAN label. The compilation pays tribute to the epicenter of artistic, physical, and intellectual movement: Detroit.

The musical journey features the legendary AUX88, The Man With No Name, eMICee, Inohs Sivad, Charles Prophet Jr., Demiån Monét, Dre Brown, and of course, SCAN 7. This project also includes Scott Avery’s “Low-Key Seduction Mix” of SXERANADE on the digital release.

Hallowed Ground is a testament to the richness and depth of Motor City’s musical background. It encapsulates a diverse range of genres, from the soulful rhythms of Soul and Funk to the pulsating beats of Techno and beyond.

Living Deathrock Legend of Manila, EAZYHEAD, is coming out of its Personal Echo Chamber. Recorded in a week in 2020, at the start of the universe’s second Black Plague. Similar to our now digital age of net prophetry, No phones are allowed entry. A sleep deprivation tank won’t have room for a journey like this one. EAZYHEAD will blow your mind, touch your soul, and massage your head, in an explosive lobotomy, as he tries to do the same, to himself. Like the trendy poser EAZYHEAD is, the prolific artist has decided to hide this 45 minute LP until it is conjured by the universe, to finally be heard by anyone who wants to enter the chamber. It has now been summoned by Oliver Ackermann of A Place To Bury Strangers/Death By Audio’s new label, Dedstrange. The entire 45 minute Ectoplasmic Fuzzy Washy Mind Halo Debut LP that will circle all your senses, Personal Echo Chamber is coming out soon and will be bouncing around everywhere, on vinyl stores near you and only on, Dedstrange.

Vibronics is one of the most established names in UK Dub/Reggae music achieving millions of views on YouTube, millions of Spotify streams and many tens of thousands of vinyl record sales. Collaborators include Michael prophet, Macka B, Iration Steppas, Soom T, Aba-Shanti and more.
Meet some of the amazing artists involved in this album:

Radio Play : BBC 6Music Don Letts / BBC On The Wire / Worldwide specialist shows

In Nordafrika ist eine Ziara eine spirituelle Zeremonie, zu der die Menschen kommen, um Dämonen zu exorzieren, ihren Körper zu reinigen und lautstark ihre Verbundenheit mit Gott, dem Propheten und den Gottheiten, die ihn zu verkörpern behaupten, zu bekräftigen. Eine berauschende Ekstase, die an ein Voodoo-Ritual erinnert. Die besten Meister dieser Art von Zeremonie sind die Gnawa. Sie stammen ursprünglich aus Schwarzafrika, vor allem aus dem Sudan und dem Senegal, und wurden von Tuareg-Räubern in den südlichen Maghreb verschleppt, um sie als Sklaven zu benutzen. Nach mehreren Jahrzehnten der Sklaverei gelang es ihnen, sich aus dieser schmerzhaften Situation zu befreien, die sie in einigen ihrer Lieder zum Ausdruck bringen. Vor allem aber zeichnen sich die Gnawa durch ihre bezaubernde Musik, ihren Tanz und ihre Rhythmen aus, denen therapeutische Wirkungen zugeschrieben werden. Vor allem in den letzten Jahren hat die musikalische und rhythmische Tradition der Gnawa, die sich sowohl an die Arabesken des Nahen Ostens als auch an die afrikanische Perkussion anlehnt, unter den marokkanischen Künstlern der neuen Generation eine deutliche Wiederbelebung erfahren. Doch bisher ist es nur der sehr populären Gruppe Nass El Ghiwane gelungen, mit Talent, Treue und Authentizität den Geist der Gnawa wiederzubeleben, wie dieses Album beweist. Also schließen Sie sich ihnen an und lassen Sie sich in Trance versetzen.

Nach der Veröffentlichung des bewegenden Konzeptalbums "Gates of Europe" (2023) über den russischen Überfall auf die Ukraine und einer anschließenden intensiven Europatour, ging Jerome Reuter - kreativer Kopf und Frontman von ROME - in Klausur und meldet sich nun mit einem brandheißen wie brandaktuellen, musikalischen Faustschlag zurück.

Die offensichtliche thematische Quellenlage dieses Kleinods vermindert nicht deren Wirkkraft beim Hörer. "World in Flames" ist ein drastisches, auf das Wesentliche verdichtete Werk. Im Gegensatz zu so manchem Vorgängeralbum ist "World in Flames" kein intimes Drama, sondern eine rücksichts- und schonungslose Sezierung der Großwetterlage.

Wie die Welt an sich, ist auch dieses schlagkräftige Mini-Album zweigeteilt. Wuchtige Industrial-Brachialkunst trifft auf ROME-typisches und hervorragendes Singer-Songwriting. Textlich wird eine zutiefst verstörende Einsicht von Reuter behutsam und genau nachgezeichnet: Der Zivilisationsbruch als neue Signatur dieser Epoche. Was die Lyrik dabei auszeichnet ist eine ganz eigene Art der apodiktischen Darstellung, eine hauseigene Poetik der Zäsur.

Prophetisch? Ein Weckruf!

In Craig Charles' eigenen Worten enthält "The Craig Charles Trunk Of Funk Volume 3" "19 der feinsten Stücke von super-slinky Soul, boot shaking Blues und Boogie, schillernde Discosongs und feine funky rump shakers!"

Als Dichter, Schauspieler, Radio- und Fernsehstar (u. a. in der Science-Fiction-Comedy "Red Dwarf" und der Seifenoper "Coronation Street") ist er seit seiner Jugend berühmt, und seit über 22 Jahren predigt er in seinen weltberühmten BBC 6 Music-Wochenend- und Tagesshows für den guten Groove, legt in Clubs und auf Festivals rund um den Globus auf - sein Ruf als einer der profiliertesten Botschafter für alles, was Soul und Funky ist, ist unbestritten.

Craigs neueste Kollektion mischt Up-Tempo-Club-Klassiker mit frischer Musik von der Creme de la Creme der zeitgenössischen Soul- und Funk-Szene mit einer Prise Oldschool-Klassikern. Das Ergebnis ist so, als ob Craig persönlich als DJ auflegen würde - eine Mischung aus modernem und klassischem Soul, Disco, Deep Funk und beatlastigem Rhythm and Blues.

2024 Reissue

Rare, spiritual and groovy, this is the ultimate live album, the pinnacle of the spiritual jazz scene! Detroit's proud drummer Roy Brooks' epic blackness is back!

Hardcore craftsman artist and drummer, who began his career in the 50s and remained at the forefront of the scene until his death in 2005, starting with the Horace Silver Combo in the early 60s and continuing with bands such as Stanley Turrentine, Youssef Latief and Charles Mingus. Roy Brooks. The drummer, who also played on Detroit's Wenden Harrison albums and was part of Max Roach's renowned M'boom project, recorded this live performance in NYC in November 1973 under the name The Artistic Truth, a group he led in the early '70s. Recorded live in NYC in November 1973 under the name of The Artistic Truth, this album easily surpasses the Baystate release in terms of quality and density. The band featured Reggie Workman (b), Olu Dara (tp), Joe Bonner (p), Cecil Bridgewater (tp), Sonny Fortune (as) and other prominent black musicians, with Eddie Jefferson joining on vocals on two tracks. This is a live document of five songs and 48 minutes of spiritual soul, packed with the raw, unrelenting groove of spiritual jazz from this era

DJ 3000 Unveils “Immigrant Son”

Techno maestro DJ 3000 is back with a fresh new release, the "Immigrant Son" EP, following the success of his recent "Work In Progress" EP. Set to captivate listeners once again, DJ 3000 infuses this latest project with deep familial ties and cultural heritage.

"Immigrant Son" is a heartfelt celebration of family and deep-rooted traditions. The track "Gëzuar," meaning "Cheers" in Albanian, blends traditional Albanian rhythms with the soulful essence of Detroit techno, creating a unique and compelling soundscape. Another standout track, "Kanuni (Traditë Mix)," draws inspiration from the Code of Lekë Dukagjini, further enriching the EP with historical and cultural depth.

Adding a layer of intrigue, "Part Time Prophet" invites listeners to interpret its meaning, showcasing DJ 3000’s ability to provoke thought and emotion through his music.

Since his first vinyl pressing in 2002, DJ 3000 has continued to push boundaries and explore new sounds. With six vinyl records released in less than a year, he shows no signs of slowing down. Committed to the art of vinyl, DJ 3000 continues to DJ exclusively with vinyl records, preserving the authentic and tactile experience of music.

Autorisierte Deluxe 2LP Ausgabe des von Henry 'Junjo' Lawes produzierten 'Evil Curse of the Vampires'.
Original Greensleeves zusammengestellter Dub-Klassiker, entscheidende Auswahl von Junjos klassischen, von Roots Radics angetriebenen Rhythmen, aufgenommen bei Channel One und gemischt von Scientist bei King Tubby's.
Das remasterte, ikonische Dub-Album ist jetzt mit einer zweiten Disc mit den Original-Vokalversionen versehen.
Streng limitierte einmalige Halloween-Pressung auf orangefarbenem Vinyl.

A new album is finally on Drivecom. A 2xLp full of new tracks recovered and rearrenged around 2022-23. No doubt the legacy of the past works are represented. Some arpeggios and melody lines will remember us to sonic landscapes from the “La Hora de las Máquinas” or “The Source” albums by Boris Divider but with a new and refreshed production sound, for sure this will be a must item for all the electro community and fans of the label.

The album opens with the intro track “The Way You Feel Me” a mix between electro and synthwave with a moog bass and arpegio reminiscent of some Arpanet’s “Wireless Internet” tracks. Then followed for the “Letters From A Sleeper” theme. As the track’s name reflects, it's a clear tribute to the synth era of David Harrow/Anne Clarke’s “Sleeper in Metropolis” just like a reply from a postnuclear future, with a big role carried out by the initial synthline. Then the first slow bpm track is for “Distante” where synthlines a la Tangerine Dream are crossed and mixed with vintage digital rhythm machine sounds and the pattern seems to be taken from those Dire Straits’ “Money for nothing” intro drum arrange in an infinite and repetitive way.

In the B Side “You Know What I Know” track is again showing an Arpanet-ish intro synthline followed by a sequential prophet's arpeggio which bring us back to the old “La hora de las máquinas” sound. Closing the first 12 inch is “Sin Mirar Atrás”. One of the most important tracks of the album for the author. A big dimensional and introspective track full of vintage synthlines and reverb. Time for “Your Light” track is again here. This song was already presented with its own reference on Drivecom. A future pure Electro classic which was announcing the album months before.

In the same side, we find another slow tempo theme called “Recursos Infinitos” an instrumental track which implements several synthlines that interlink themselves into an infnite Tangerine Dream’s soundtrack that serves as a little break to the power and darkness of “Cenital”. Electro rhythm patterns and dark arpeggio synthlines in the vibe of Vangelis’ Blade Runner are mixed in this cold dystopian agressive dancefloor track. Later we find the theme that gives name to the album: “ Memories From The Dust” a slower track which mixes sounds and melodies between “La Hora de las Máquinas“ and other 80's digital keyboard sounds. The last track is just an outro theme called “Out of Sync”. Its name is a clear statement of its own musical arrangement, synthlines are full out of timing and synchro, it was recorded in realtime from a modular synth to a digital device in one take.

A very special double-LP gatefold edition celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the legendary Mr Ms club that opened its doors in 1974.

3 cuts of the classic rhythm from Yabby You. ‘King Pharoah’s plague is coming down on the land’, righteous soulful rendition of old testament doctrine. Yabby always delivered his lyrics with authenticity and passion. This 3 track EP comes with the Tommy McCook cut and a thumping Tubbys dub. One of Yabby's most essential rhythms. Comes in a Pressure Sounds house disco bag. Rocking time is here!

Repressed for the first time in 2 years, Note price change. Sermonizing Black Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and the benefits of a healthy and just lifestyle during the height of the Bad Boy/Roc-AFella era of nihilistic excess in the late 90's, Dead Prez also signed to a major label (Loud/Columbia) despite leaning much more towards the burgeoning indie aesthetics of the day. But this was a good thing – using major label muscle to wake up righteous hip-hop fans who might have fallen asleep at the wheel. The group itself – consisting of MCs stic.man and M-1, who produced or co-produced most of the duo’s music – was formed in Tallahassee, Florida in the early 1990's.

By later that decade, the duo had started making significant waves, having their music heard on the soundtracks to “Soul In The Hole” and “Slam,” as well as appearing on albums by Big Pun and The Beatnuts. By 1998, they released their first official single, the serious, stark “Police State,” on Loud, appropriately brought to the label by Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian. After building a solid rep over the next two years with fiery live performances, in 2000 they unleashed their debut album, Let’s Get Free.

The album was a welcome return to provocative and often radically political rhetoric that hearkened back to hip-hop forebears including The Coup, Public Enemy and KRS-One (as well as poetic descendants like the Last Poets and Watts Prophets). Let’s Get Free was critically acclaimed and benefited from multiple singles, including the infectious, thick analog drive of “Hip-Hop” “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop,” with a remix co-produced by a young Kanye West; “Mind Sex” (with Abiodun Oyewole of the Last Poets); and the poignant “I’m An African.”

But the singles weren’t the only worthy songs, as just about every cut here has deeper meaning than most full albums by their early 2000's peers. Highlights: the thought-provoking, anti-drug album opener “Wolves”; “We Want Freedom” “They Schools” and “Propaganda” . All in all, this is one of the more underrated and possibly Top 5 fully-realized political hip-hop albums of all time.

Feline analog techno cuts by this French label. Strictly limited pressing 100 copies only !

In the process, the saxophonist presents some of his fiercest playing yet. The quartet's synergy is of a unique blend, with each player's distinct voice adding to an ensemble sound capable of conjuring both the quietest storm and the most passionate crescendo. Hershkovits's bountiful stylistic reach and fluent technique swirl around Oded's unmistakable tenor tone with Klampanis providing both backbone and melody, adaptable yet guiding - just like his rhythm- partner Almeid

First time on vinyl!
Newly remastered. LP housed in a gatefold jacket.
Featuring Herbie Hancock, Martha Reeves, Alphonse Mouzon, Chuck Rainey, Patryce “Choc’let” Banks, Carlos Morales, and members of The Pointer Sisters.

In the 1970s, Betty Davis defied genre and gender by pushing her voice to extremes and embracing the erotic. She articulated a kind of pre-punk, funk-blues fusion that had yet to be normalized in mainstream music – a style that few musicians have come close to replicating. As one of the first Black women to write, arrange, and produce her own albums, Betty was a visionary who disregarded industry boundaries and constraints. Raw, unapologetic and in full control, Betty paved the way for generations of future artists who said “funk you” to the music industry and social norms.

In 1979, when Davis entered an L.A. studio to record her fifth and final album, she was reeling from a series of setbacks. Three years earlier, after recording her fourth album, Is It Love Or Desire, Davis was dropped from her label and the LP was subsequently shelved. In 1978, her beloved band Funk House went their separate ways. Looking for a fresh start, Davis relocated to Hollywood to focus on songwriting. Before long, British manager Simon Lait (Toni Basil), offered to fund her next project.

With renewed vigor, Davis reunited with former Funk House guitarist Carlos Morales and brought together industry veterans like fusion drummer Alphonse Mouzon and session bassist Chuck Rainey. Old friends Anita and Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters) and Patryce “Choc’let” Banks joined Davis on vocals, as did Motown legend Martha Reeves. The resulting album, Crashin’ From Passion, was her most musically diverse, blending elements of reggae and calypso (“I’ve Danced Before”), jazz (“Hangin’ Out in Hollywood,” “Tell Me a Few Things”), dark synth-pop (“She’s a Woman”), and even disco (“All I Do Is Think of You”). Equally exploratory are Davis’ vocals, as she trades in her signature sass and snarls for more nuanced stylings.

Among the album’s few funk tracks is “Quintessence of Hip,” in which Davis hails musicians like Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, and John Coltrane, while deftly integrating elements of their work. The song also offers a moment of stark vulnerability, as she sings, “Isn’t rich? Isn’t it queer? Losing my timing so late in my career.” It would prove to be a prophetic line in the months to follow.

The mixing process was mired by artistic differences and then cut short, amid the death of Davis’ beloved father. Bereft and exasperated, Davis returned home for the funeral, setting into motion her retirement from the music industry. Crashin’ From Passion, meanwhile, would be shelved for 15 years and licensed for a CD-only release, without Davis’ consent, in the ‘90s. This 2023 edition of the album, made with Davis’ full approval and cooperation, marks its first official release and first time ever on vinyl. The package was designed by GRAMMY®-winning artist, Masaki Koike, while the album cover features an incredible shot of Betty captured in London in the mid-1970s by renowned photographer Kate Simon.

Crashin’ From Passion was remastered by Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters and pressed on vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. (RTI). The accompanying booklet includes a treasure trove of rare photos from the era, plus lyrics, and new liner notes by writer, ethnomusicologist, and Betty’s close friend, Danielle Maggio, who integrates interviews that she conducted with Davis, marking her last ever interviews.