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Red hot Modern Soul 45 recorded in Memphis, Tennessee in 1985. Big thanks to Robert Garcia @mrbighappy & Daniel Mathis @quartzwatches for the research and words on this one!!

Brotherhood Band was started by Ernest Coleman(EC) and Clint Hyson, who met thorough a US Navy band called "Mid-South", which was the US Navy's premier musical organization operating out of Millington, Tennessee (20 min outside of Memphis). The group initially played as an instrumental jazz band. In keeping up with the times, they shifted gears towards a more contemporary sound. Shortly after, they decided to cut a single. Enter "Nicci's Theme", which is the B-side here and it's a beautiful jazz tune EC wrote for a girl he fell in love with. This song was supposed to be his door way in, but he actually never opened the door with her.

A few weeks later Clint called EC and played this syncopated bass line for him over the phone. And then EC being the ladies man that he was wrote the lyrics to "Leather Pants" to it. Part of the lyrics read "The pants they stretch, but they don't bust. Enough to make a blind man cuss", but it originally read as, "The pants they stretch, but they don't bust. Enough to make a PREACHER cuss". The song was ready, but they needed to find a singer. That's when member Richard Owens mentioned that he had a young cat back in Atlanta named Taji. In a gamble Taji drove up to Memphis for the Sunrise recording studio session to record the track. According to EC when Taji laid the vocals down he took the song to the next level. In fact it was so impactful that EC, who is now a Grammy producer, still references Taji's sessions when working with new artist.

After the single dropped the group played at Memphis hot spots, Bills Twilight Lounge and Club No Name. EC even had an idea to host a local leather pants contest as a way to promote the song. This lead to a frenzy of women seeking to be "Miss Leather Pants".

The Decades Collected compilations are part of the new Collected compilation series, which is a collaboration between Universal Music and Music On Vinyl. The compilations bring together the biggest names of each decade, combined with forgotten hits and less discovered gems, giving the listener an experience of listening to their favorite tunes while uncovering new musical grounds at the same time.

Various Artists - Nineties Collected features R.E.M “Man On The Moon”, Freddie Mercury “Living On My Own”, Texas “Say What You Want”, Lenny Kravitz “Always On The Run”, Erykah Badu “Tyrone (Live)” and Blind Melon “No Rain” amongst others.

• Best known for their self-penned 1982 recording ‘Moneys Too Tight To Mention’, which was ranked at No. 6
among in the Top Ten "Tracks of the Year" by NME and which was later famously covered by Simply Red,
• “The Valentine Brothers” eponymous debut album was recorded for US label Source Records, owned and run by
Logan H. Westbrooks and includes the two singles ‘The Sound Of Music’ and ‘We Belong Together’.
• Billy Valentine performed as a singer with Young-Holt Unlimited in the mid-1970s, whilst both brothers
performed a three-year stint as part of the touring company of The Wiz musical.
• Another one of those hidden Soul gems, Demon Records is proud to announce this first reissue of “The
Valentine Brothers”, since the album’s original 1979 release.

Reissue of George Duke's classic 1975 jazz-funk-fusion album 'Feel'
This album with the strange psychedelic sci-fi cover draws a tighter circle around
Duke's fusion language. The keyboard master ventures deep into his synthesizer
laboratory. Their textures become a more essential component of his pieces,
attaining orchestral dimensions, as evidenced in the opener, Funny Funk, with its
smacking, squishing tongue- in- cheek dialogue between the synths. A virtuoso
layering of the keyboards is also central to Cora Joberge, and on Rashid, Duke's
electronic orchestra explodes over the stormy drums of Leon "Ndugu" Chancler.
Duke shows himself to be a singer with a soulful sound. Shortly before this
recording he had shelved his trombone so that he could communicate more
directly with the audience, as can be heard in the hymnal, dreamlike title piece.
The guest list of players make for an especially exciting concoction. No less than
Duke's playing companion Frank Zappa, under the cryptic pseudonym Obdewl'l X,
performs some adventuresome guitar passages on Love and Old Slippers. On the
California- sunshine pop samba, Yana Aminah, we have a surprise visit by
Brazilian Flora Purim, wife of percussionist Airto Moreira, who opens up his bag
of tricks on The Once Over, and plays on three more tracks.

Reissue of George Duke's classic 1973 jazz-funk-fusion album 'The Inner
Source'
In 1971 George Duke, having just recently done his time with the Mothers of
Invention, was engaged by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Beginning in April of
that year, Duke made two recordings over a short timespan that on their release
in 1973 as a double LP (against the desire of the artists, by the way), would be a
major statement.
On Chapter One of his fusion autobiography, "Solus", Duke, along with the
skeleton crew of bassist John Heard and drummer Dick Berk, tries out the new
compositional philosophy he had absorbed from his work with Adderley. On
Chapter two, "The Inner Source" " Duke lives it up as he shows off his exuberant
experimental synth side and also begins to vary the line-up here as some tracjs
are reinforced with Latin percussion, incisive horn and reed instruments or with
Duke on his first instrument, the trombone. As a curiosity, two basses compete
with each other on "Twenty Five".

Back in stock! The second of two electric-blues albums released on Chess Records and Cadet Concept imprint in the late 60s, Muddy Waters' After the Rain has achieved cult-like status amongst blues fans in the years since his death in 1983.

After taking a backlash from critics with first attempt at adopting psychedelic influences on Electric Mud, Muddy made adjustments for the follow-up, despite keeping a majority of the same session players.

This time, he toned down the psychedelic elements and put them in balance with his classic Chicago blues sound, and the results yield some vintage tracks that glow with fuzzy guitars and bass:
“I Am the Blues,” “Ramblin' Mind,” “Bottom of the Sea,” and “Blues Trouble.”

After being out of print for years, Get On Down is proud to present this rare classic from Muddy Waters pulled from the original masters and presented on vinyl.

Reissue of George Duke's classic 1975 jazz-funk-fusion album 'The Aura
Will Prevail'
With its intensive quartet, this 1975 recording again mirrors how far Duke, by his
own admission, had moved away from the "smug and overly serious jazz
musician" and towards a master of fusion, eager to experiment and add a note of
humour to the music. With Santana drummer Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, bassist
Alphonso "Slim" Johnson, and the Brazilian percussion magician Airto Moriera,
Duke designed stunning scenarios in sound which once more reveals him to be
one of the synthesizer pioneers.
He paints a fantastic morning atmosphere in Dawn; in Floop the Loop Duke
conjures animated, funky tone poems. There is a change of scene as Duke takes
up the role of soulful singer on the smooth ballads For Love and Fools. His
onetime collaboration with the Mothers of Invention rubs off on Duke's
adaptations of Echnidna's Arf and Uncle Remus, and a touch of samba is added
to the relaxed tropical magic of Malibu.

Just in time to quell your winter blues...! Staten Island's psychedelic, doo-wop dignitaries return with another pair of extraordinarily soulful sides. Heralded as one of the standout tracks on Love in the Wind, "Just for a Minute" has been at the very top of the "Damn, Daptone...Why wasn't this one on 45?" list. So when we pitched the idea producer Tommy 'TNT' Brenneck he delivered the perfect accoutrement, "Silver Linings". Featuring Paul Schalda on lead vocals, "Silver Linings" is an atmospheric groover with haunting keys and a pleading vocal that finds the group exploring the more psychedelic side of their sound. A bonafide two-sider from one of the most dynamic groups in the game.

"Europe's greatest clarinetist and free spirit" (Jazzthetik) plays ballads and
legendary love songs on his new MPS album. In so doing, he delivers new
meaning and a fresh sound to the pieces. A sentimental look back is simply not
his thing. Together with his new quartet of pianist Frank Chastenier, bassist Lisa
Wulff, and percussionist Tupac Mantilla, Kühn contrasts his sensitive side with
his unbridled desire to experiment. "I've chosen some of my favourite ballads for
this album. These pieces have nothing to do with any sort of trend. For me, they
are poignant and beautiful; they are simply timeless," says Kühn. "I found it
especially appealing to combine these particular choices with my latest
compositions. The album opens with "Both Sides Now", a classic by Joni
Mitchell. Kühn liked the poetic text, and says that, "Somehow, in life there are
always two sides, but it's best when they enrich each other and can smoothly
merge in order to create something new."
One of five new compositions, the title song "Yellow + Blue" encapsulates the two
perspectives: the flamboyant, the impulsively vibrant yellow next to the soft,
sensitive, warm bluesy-blue tonal colour. In turn, a new musical color is created
out of the contrast.

“Let’s trade... love,” or so propositions Josh Lane into the waiting ears of a lover on the whispering intro of Thee Sacred Souls‘ latest offering. “Trade of Hearts” is a perfectly coquettish hand-held stroll in the vein of an early Marvin and Tammy duet, on which hearts are traded like so many kings and queens in a playful hand of lovers’ bridge. On the flip, Jensine Benitez dips in with a soaring refrain for the hook of a mid-tempo groover, calling upon a wanted one to let their charm be felt and heard. Without mercy, an infectious rhythm erases any space that might have remained between two dancing souls. The Souls have already captured the hearts of Southern California and beyond with their unique soul sound, at once raw and honey sweet, yet this freshest platter can only tighten that embrace. Hold your cards close, cause they’re playing for keeps!

Er hat Alben von Paul McCartney, Jesus & The Mary Chain oder Reggae-Legenden wie Toots und The Maytals produziert. War Gründungsmitglied von Killing Joke, jonglierte mit Ambient und Acid House wechselte zum Mainstream von Crowded House oder Britpop von The Verve. Er war auch Mitglied von The Orb, Brilliant und Blue Pearl, spielte Bass für Kate Bush und remixte U2, Siouxsie & The Banshees, De La Soul, A Guy Called Gerald, Malcolm McLaren oder Marc Almond. Er beeinflusst bis heute Generationen von Produzenten und Musikern und ist ohne Zweifel eine der anpassungsfähigsten und vielfältigsten Musikfiguren der Moderne.

Youths mit Spannung erwartetes Debüt-Soloalbum 'Spinning Wheel', geschrieben, aufgenommen und selbst produziert in Spanien und London, enthält elf brandneue Songs, darunter die gleichnamige Lead-Single, auf der auch Simon Tong (Gitarre) und Samantha Marais (Backing Vocals) zu hören sind. Nachdem er den größten Teil der letzten vierzig Jahre damit verbracht hatte, für andere Künstler zu schreiben und zu produzieren, war es an der Zeit, sich auf seine eigene Soloarbeit zu konzentrieren.

Das Warten hat ein Ende! 30 Jahre nach Bandgründung melden sich die Diamond Dogs, Schwedens Boogie-Rock-Legende, mit einem neuen Studioalbum zurück. 'Slap Bang Blue Rendezvous' ist eine Doppel-Album mit insgesamt 24 Songs, das von Tomas Skogsberg produziert und gemischt wurde. Skogsberg beschreibt es wie folgt: 'This is my masterpiece, my White Album'! Musikalisch bieten die schwedischen Rock 'n' Roller ihre spezielle Mischung aus UK-Glam und Blue-Eyed-Soul der frühen 70er Jahre. Klingt wie The Faces, Slade, Mott The Hoople, Kinks oder Rolling Stones!

Das Warten hat ein Ende! 30 Jahre nach Bandgründung melden sich die Diamond Dogs, Schwedens Boogie-Rock-Legende, mit einem neuen Studioalbum zurück. 'Slap Bang Blue Rendezvous' ist eine Doppel-Album mit insgesamt 24 Songs, das von Tomas Skogsberg produziert und gemischt wurde. Skogsberg beschreibt es wie folgt: 'This is my masterpiece, my White Album'! Musikalisch bieten die schwedischen Rock 'n' Roller ihre spezielle Mischung aus UK-Glam und Blue-Eyed-Soul der frühen 70er Jahre. Klingt wie The Faces, Slade, Mott The Hoople, Kinks oder Rolling Stones!

Dark Purple Vinyl Only

Techno House Connoisseurs proudly present Zopelar. This brilliant Brazilian artist has been turning out quality release after quality release on labels like Apron, Soul Clap and Axe Traxx. This release showcases his unique sound in the realm of Acid. This is classic Zopelar with rich, dreamy synths, layering of distorted percussive elements and of course his version of the timeless TB 303 sound. Exquisite production from an artist who is changing the game!

Daemonicus kommen aus Schweden und spielen wuchtigen, meist midtempomäßigen Death Metal, der Erinnerungen an das 'Soulless'-Album von Grave aufkommen lässt.

Nach fast einem Jahrzehnt seit dem Vorgängeralbum, dem hochgelobten 'Deadwork', melden sich Daemonicus mit neuem Material zurück! Das dritte Daemonicus-Album trägt den Titel 'Eschaton' ist ein absolutes Muss für alle Old School Death Metal-Fans. Präzises Zusammenspiel, fette, geile Kettensägengitarrenriffs und tiefer, brodelnder Gesang sind Programm und wissen durchweg zu begeistern. Klingt wie Entombed, Dismember, LIK, Bloodbath oder Nihilist!

Die internationale Power-Metal-Formation kehren zurück mit ihrem kraftvollsten und ideenreichsten Werk ihrer bisherigen Karriere, mit massenhaft tollen Gitarrenriffs, groovenden Rhythmen und hymnischen Melodien.

„Diesmal haben wir wirklich an jeder Stellschraube gedreht, um das bestmögliche Resultat zu bekommen. Und ich denke, der große Aufwand hat sich nachweislich gelohnt!“ so fasst Bassist und Gründer Mario Lochert das die Arbeit des Kommenden Serious Black Albums „Vengeance Is Mine“ zusammen.

Einer der neuen Songs der kommenden Serious Black-Studioscheibe ‚Vengeance Is Mine‘ nennt sich ‚Album Of Our Life‘ und trifft damit wohl den Nagel auf den Kopf, zum einen ist der internationalen Power-Metal-Formation um Bassist und Gründer Mario Lochert das wohl kraftvollste und ideenreichste Werk ihrer bisherigen Karriere gelungen, andererseits geht es textlich in für die Band bislang unerforschte Tiefen. Lochert: „Wie nie zuvor habe ich diesmal Einblicke in mein Innen- und Privatleben zugelassen, also: wie ich denke, wie ich fühle, wie ich bin, und wie schwierig es sein kann, eine Band am Laufen zu halten, wenn es einem selbst nicht gutgeht. Die Texte auf ‚Vengeance Is Mine‘ spiegeln die zurückliegenden vier, fünf Jahre wider. Dies wiederum hatte natürlich Auswirkungen aufs Songwriting, das noch intensiver und emotionaler geworden ist.“ Mit dem ausdrucksstarken Timbre von Sänger Nikola Mijic, den rasanten Riffs und Hooks ihres Gitarristen Dominik Sebastian, vielen treibenden Grooves von Schlagzeuger Ramy Ali und dem abwechslungsreichen Songwriting von Bassist und Bandleader Mario Lochert avanciert ‚Vengeance Is Mine‘ zum Paradebeispiel eines tiefmelodischen und zugleich kraftstrotzend-dynamischen Power-Metal-Albums.

Die internationale Power-Metal-Formation kehren zurück mit ihrem kraftvollsten und ideenreichsten Werk ihrer bisherigen Karriere, mit massenhaft tollen Gitarrenriffs, groovenden Rhythmen und hymnischen Melodien.

„Diesmal haben wir wirklich an jeder Stellschraube gedreht, um das bestmögliche Resultat zu bekommen. Und ich denke, der große Aufwand hat sich nachweislich gelohnt!“ so fasst Bassist und Gründer Mario Lochert das die Arbeit des Kommenden Serious Black Albums „Vengeance Is Mine“ zusammen.

Einer der neuen Songs der kommenden Serious Black-Studioscheibe ‚Vengeance Is Mine‘ nennt sich ‚Album Of Our Life‘ und trifft damit wohl den Nagel auf den Kopf, zum einen ist der internationalen Power-Metal-Formation um Bassist und Gründer Mario Lochert das wohl kraftvollste und ideenreichste Werk ihrer bisherigen Karriere gelungen, andererseits geht es textlich in für die Band bislang unerforschte Tiefen. Lochert: „Wie nie zuvor habe ich diesmal Einblicke in mein Innen- und Privatleben zugelassen, also: wie ich denke, wie ich fühle, wie ich bin, und wie schwierig es sein kann, eine Band am Laufen zu halten, wenn es einem selbst nicht gutgeht. Die Texte auf ‚Vengeance Is Mine‘ spiegeln die zurückliegenden vier, fünf Jahre wider. Dies wiederum hatte natürlich Auswirkungen aufs Songwriting, das noch intensiver und emotionaler geworden ist.“ Mit dem ausdrucksstarken Timbre von Sänger Nikola Mijic, den rasanten Riffs und Hooks ihres Gitarristen Dominik Sebastian, vielen treibenden Grooves von Schlagzeuger Ramy Ali und dem abwechslungsreichen Songwriting von Bassist und Bandleader Mario Lochert avanciert ‚Vengeance Is Mine‘ zum Paradebeispiel eines tiefmelodischen und zugleich kraftstrotzend-dynamischen Power-Metal-Albums.

London based duo Blue Lab Beats announce their new and most ambitious album to date : “Motherland Journey”. The two producers and musicians assemble an all-star lineup ranging from Afrobeat star Ghetto Boy to rising stars such as Tiana Major9, Pip Millet, Ego Ella May, Kofi Stone and much more. They broaden their inspirations from their trademark Jazztronica and masterfully blend afrobeat, New R’n’B and Soul.

Sieben pragmatisch durchnummerierte Tracks hat Wallner komponiert und produziert, obwohl man Pragmatismus hier vergeblich sucht, denn die niemals überladene Opulenz ist ein fester Bestandteil seiner Musik. "Voices" ist natürlich in erster Linie ein Gitarrenalbum, hält aber nicht stumpf aneinander gereihte Griffbrett-Kabinettstücke parat, sondern folgt einem Narrativ, einer Art undertow unter, zwischen und hinter den Tracks: sie sind ineinander verwoben und miteinander verwandt und erzählen fortlaufend eine zusammenhängende Geschichte. Arpeggierte Synthie-Kaskaden und verdichtetes Riffing liefern hier die Staffelei für episch singende Soli, an denen Wallner hörbar Spaß hat. Allerdings hier wird nicht kopflos gegniedelt, man hört die Arbeit eines erfahrenen Komponisten und mehrere Themen und Motive ziehen sich wie Ariadnefäden durch die Tracks.
"Voices" wird höchsten audiophilen Ansprüchen gerecht und ist wie jede Produktion Wallners demanding listening, reife Kompositionen, in denen sich Herz und Hirn vertragen und ergänzen. Das Album illustriert den Jetzt-Zustand eines Musikers, der sich eine luxuriöse Position erarbeiten konnte, kompromisslos sein zu dürfen. Vielleicht sogar zu müssen. Sieht man sich die rund 26 Jahre seiner Diskographie an, war er das eigentlich schon immer und es sieht nicht so aus, als würde sich das jemals ändern.

Als Gäste sind mit an Bord: Arno Menses (Subsignal), TANYC, Yogi Lang (RPWL) sowie der renommierte Drummer Marco Minnemann.
Neben dem formschönen CD-Digipak wird es eine 180 Gr. Vinyl (Clear Vinyl) mit bedruckten Inner Sleeves geben.

Classic Rock: "…exzellentes musikalisches Gespür für Spannungsbögen, faszinierende Sounds und gekonntes Songwriting. … Dies ist eine Scheibe für Freunde des guten Geschmacks."

Rock It 8.5/10: "Musikalisch bewegt sich auch der Rest der Truppe auf höchstem Niveau, die Produktion ist druckvoll und klar und passt sehr gut ins stimmige Gesamtbild. Eine gelungene Reise durch progressive Musikwelten."

eclipsed 7.5/10: "Mucke für Fans zwischen David Gilmour, Maxxess und Joe Satriani und gerade unterm Kopfhörer ein spannendes audiophiles Erlebnis."

Guitar 5/5: "…spielt der Liebhaber hochwertiger Gitarrensounds, unterstützt durch Marco Minnemann am Schlagzeug, feinsten Prog mit atmosphärischer Dichte, tighten Riffs und sagenhaften Gitarrensoli."

Slam 8/10: "Vielfältig, stimmungsvoll und mit jeder Menge Melodie gerät "Voices" zum überaus gelungenen Werk, das vor allem durch sein farbenprächtiges und intelligentes Songwriting überzeugt."

Rock Hard 7.5/10: "Abwechslungsreichen, angenehm rockigen und zeitlosen Instrumental-Progrock zockt RPWL-Gitarrist KALLE WALLNER auf seinem vierten Soloalbum "Voices" (Gentle Art Of Music/Soulfood)."

Rocks 7/10: "Kalle Wallner, Gitarrist bei RPWL und Blind Ego, hat mit diesem Album ein kraftvolles Statement fast ohne Gesang aufgenommen. Die titellosen, durchnummerierten Tracks basieren vor allem auf massiven Riffs, die die Basis schaffen für stimmungsvolle solistische Ausflüge des Gitarristen. …Voices ist keines dieser aufregenden Gitarrenhexer-Alben, sondern eher lautstarke Kontemplation."

Break Out: "Die Stücke sind sehr spannend aufgebaut und in sich schlüssig. Oder wie es im Presseinfo steht: "reife Kompositionen, in denen sich Herz und Hirn vertragen und ergänzen." Dem ist nichts hinzuzufügen, nur dieses: beide Daumen hoch für dieses starke Soloalbum!"

Myrevelations.de 13/15: "Verdammt starke Platte, Prog, Instrumental- und Gitarrenfans, sowie Post Rock Anhänger werden begeistert sein!"

Darkstars.de 9/10: "…ähnlich wie bei David Gilmour schafft es Kalle Wallner seine Gitarre sprechen zu lassen und den Hörer mit auf eine Reise zu nehmen. Ganz großes Gitarrenkino und mit Marco Minnemann sitzt zudem ein echtes Ass auf dem Schlagzeug Hocker. Ein Album zum Entdecken…"

C-L-A-S-S-I-C library breaks and beats set of heavy drums and louche funk.

One of two Be With forays into the archives of revered British library institution Conroy, we present one of our favourites on the label - the super in-demand Dramatic Tempi / Larry Robbins Background Rhythms, originally released in 1975. Rare and sought-after for many years now, this is one of those cult library LPs that rarely turns up on even the deepest dig.

As a single LP, Dramatic Tempi / Larry Robbins Background Rhythms is two distinctly different collections of music. The first side, Dramatic Tempi, is made up of four tracks each from Sammy Burdson and Klaus Weiss.

Sammy Burdson was one of the many, many aliases of the mighty Austrian composer, arranger and conductor, Gerhard Narholz. Founder of adored library label Sonoton in 1965, and a classically trained composer, his work runs from easy listening through pop, jazz and electronic, to avant-garde.

About as cult as it gets when it comes to library music legends (German or otherwise) Klaus Weiss produced essential records on German library labels Coloursound, Selected Sound and Sonoton, as well as making two essential entries in the Conroy catalogue. Having started his career at the age of 16 as a jazz drummer, the Klaus Weiss trademark electronic sound is unsurprisingly built on top of sometimes funky, sometimes frenetic, but always hard-hitting drums.

The second side is both titled and also credited to Larry Robbins Background Rhythms. We have to admit to being stumped as to who Larry was, but we don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to assume it might well be yet another incarnation of Gerhard Narholz’s.

First up from Dramatic Tempi are the phased, gargantuan hip-hop beats of Sammy Burdson’s impeccable “Pop Waves”. This is otherworldly funk on a whole new level. Hearing is believing. The magnificently titled “Cyclodrom” is up next, a beast of booming bass and wah wah guitars over frenetic funk drums. “Devils Drive” is dramatic, blaxploitation street funk with rolling, pounding drums. “Crime Ways” is an acid-squelch, slow-pace neck-snapper.

Klaus Weiss starts by askings us “Is It Hip” and we can only answer “yes it is!” to the clean, skipping drums, booming bass and proto-hip-hop bells, layered beneath laconic and melodic guitar shredding. This is just horizontal soul perfection. “The Camp”, propelled by jazzy guitar à la Joe Pass over fast drum and conga breaks, gives way to the dark guitars and cymbal crashes of “Tomorrow”. It sounds like an early New Order jam session. Closing out a pretty startling side of library greatness, “Rhythm Trip” presents early stuttering funk before easin' on in to a jazzy, soulful groove; all breezy guitar and warm keys. Lush.

Larry Robbins Background Rhythms is a lighter, poppier affair, but it’s not without its drum-heavy bangers. “Vox Pop” and “Pop Phase” each have clean, open-ish drum breaks, ripe for sampling or more daring DJ sets. “Pop Twang” is a short and sweet beat-heavy number that gives way to the fantastically out-there “Canned Pop”. We‘d love to know if this was ever actually licensed for something! The final seven tracks are a set of 1-to-2 minute “Percussion Takes”. All compelling, and all equally useful for any number of production needs. Get sampling.

The British library label with those instantly recognisable “orangey-red” sleeves, Conroy began releasing production music in 1965. A sub-label of Berry Music Co, its catalogue typified the library industry’s strange mixture of tradition and experimentation from the start. Conroy’s early releases included work by big band stalwarts like Eddie Warner as well as early electronic recordings by the likes of Belgian experimental pioneer Arséne Souffriau. With Berry Music Co working as a distribution partner to the German library label Sonoton, it was through the Conroy that a great deal of German library music found its way into the UK market.

Conroy stopped putting out new music in the 1980s, but its history and its catalogue offer an excellent window into the trends and eccentricities of a highly unique industry at the height of its international appeal.

This re-issue of Dramatic Tempi / Larry Robbins Background Rhythms has been mastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis from audio from the original tapes. Richard Robinson has handled reproducing the iconic, hypnotic original Conroy sleeve. Essential.

First Word Records is very pleased to welcome back Quiet Dawn with a brand new EP entitled 'Movements'.

Parisian multi-instrumentalist Will Galland has been with First Word since late 2014, providing several releases for us over the years, from his acclaimed debut album 'The First Day' to his last EP release, the organic opus 'Human Being - The Short Story Of The Reed'. Collaborations have included Makaya McCraven, Oddisee, Miles Bonny and First Word crew such as Eric Lau, Bastien Keb and Sarah Williams White, who he teamed up with on his classic remix of the track 'Hum' and most recently on the track 'One By One' which appeared on the compilation EP 'A Family Affair' at the start of 2021.

For his latest project, 'Movements' sits firmly in the realms of broken beat, after being heavily inspired at First Word's infamous 14th birthday party at Total Refreshment Centre, where he played alongside label-mates such as Kaidi Tatham and Children of Zeus. This delectable six-track EP encompasses a series of deeply percussive grooves and squelchy synths. This is a predominantly instrumental affair, though does feature the supremely soulful vocals of Oliver Night on the track 'Change Must Come', following on from Oliver's work with the CoOp Presents crew amongst others.

Quiet Dawn says "after the birth of my son, I took the time to get back to making new music.

And when I started to work on new tracks, I wanted to compose something without concept, unlike my previous records, just because time is precious and I wanted to find pleasure again when I composeand not be fixed to a concept, or a story.



These new tracks are instinctive; made with my main instruments, rhodes & piano, synths, percussions, vocals, bass and guitars. They are naturally oriented towards my big musical crush, BRUK, along with different rhythms, vibes and grooves. For me, it's definitely a record for the dancers. For this reason, the new EP is called 'Movements'. Aside from the dancer's element, the title relates to everything that is happening in the world at the moment, working on this record over the pandemic. Affecting people in all countries, friendship, mutual aid, solidarity and movements in many instances are very important to me, my family and my musical family, First Word.'



The influences on this particular EP come largely from the West London music scene; DKD, Bugz, Neon Phusion, 2000Black, Domu, IG Culture, Jazztronik, MdCL, the First Word fam and many many more artists. There are also heavy vibes inspired by 70's jazz, funk, disco, latin & african music."

'Movements' by Quiet Dawn is released on First Word Records on vinyl & digital in late 2021.

Oftentimes in this busy and chaotic world it’s challenging to draw a parallel between two congruent events. In this case drawing its inspiration from Detroit’s meteoric rise from the ruins
of the past, BerettaMusic a label founded in Detroit in 2002 who took a several year hiatus is back in a big way, also rising from the ashes like it’s birth city has done.

Ryan Sadorus who co-founded the label with Brian Kage delivers some next level quirky Detroit house jams. Already getting spins by local Detroit DJ’s and the verdict is in and the tracks are
dance floor ready and sure to get people moving. The release also features vinyl artwork by renowned midwest artist Jon Griffin featured on full color vinyl jackets.

First off is “Slippah”, a shuffling and quirky bass heavy stormer. The track builds through various levels dropping into syncopated and distorted vocal riffs, lifting its way into some pulsing
synth stabs with perfectly timed filtering which lends itself to the overall energy rise through the track. With a huge breakdown and vocal stab sequence, it’s sure to have them moving! “Hit
'em with da slippah!”

Expansive is a chugging deep house tune with atmospheric synth business to really set the mood anytime of the night. A deep bassline carries the tune along into a breakdown complete with a quote from the man himself, Carl Sagan.

Brian Kage delivers a stunning remix of Expansive, imprinting his own defined style he’s known for as he keeps things level grounded with evolving Detroit-inspired soulful elements.

Last but not least, “Flexxin” is ripping speaker work out of epic proportions. Another quirky, bass heavy jam that will definitely wake up the dance floor. Written and Produced by Ryan Sadorus, mixed by Brian Kage at The Bear Cave in Detroit Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann Label art by Brian Kage & Juju / painted original portrait art by Jon Griffin Special thanks to: Juju, my parents and family, Brian Kage, Ronnie Perez, Sims Cabrera and the entire Guam crew, Norm Talley, Dietrich and to you for your support! - Ryan Sadorus

Following the collaborative releases with DJ Duckcomb, Emotional Rescue teams with “discodub” specialist NAD aka Dan Tyler (Idjut Boys) in the continual documentation of the crucial role played by the Caribbean diaspora in Britain’s music history.

Of the many who have made a mark, Clifton “Sonny” Roberts maybe one of the most unheralded. Upon arrival in the early migration from the Caribbean, Roberts used his carpentry vocation to build and operate the first Jamaican recording studio and then black owned record shop in the country.

Working alongside and sharing offices with a young Chris Blackwell and Trojan founder, Lee Gopthal, Roberts’ trailblazing through his Planetone and Orbitone labels were pivotal in bringing first Ska, then Reggae and on to Lovers Rock to prominence, as well as releasing influential Afrobeat and rising Disco sounds of the day.

It is on the sub-label Cartridge that the mega-rarity I Want You appeared in summer 1982. Teaming up with vocalist Joseph “Remy” Martin, the original 12” is a wonderful mixture of all their influences; soulful vocals, unrelenting boogie groove, afro keys, all pinned by reggae bass.

A heavily saturated Discomix is then created by Dan Tyler aka NAD. A dub masterclass with live desk filter passes and flanging, all running through spring reverb for a true Tubby disco-rockers ride, this is a sound system treasure with more to follow soon.

Jack Wilson was a talented, jazz pianist. Wilson's music had elements of hard bop, swing, cool jazz and soul-jazz, and it was all tied together
by his tasteful playing and soulful appeal.
This album is an exceptional and fresh album by twoexceptional musicians.
Jack Wilson and Roy Ayers have an instinctive and uncomplicated sense of showmanship that goes hand with awareness appreciation for their audience, and an enthusiasm for their music.
It repays all the cents spent to buy this record.

Orange Vinyl

Support from Lane 8, Timo Jahns, Shane / Fish Go Deep, Adana Twins, Yves Tomas, Audiosmith, Florian Kruse, Kirill Slider / Goom Gum, Dave202, David Granha, Avidus, Sasha c/o, Claptone c/o, Rich Vom Dorf, Argia, Nick Wessaert, Dennis Ferrer c/o, Super Flu, Holger /
Smash TV, GLOWAL, Ruede Hagelstein, Riva Starr c/o, Peter Kruder, Chaim, Paul C, Paco Osuna, Alfa Romero, Adriatique, Rauschhaus, Elif (TR), Cammora, Mr.Diamond, John Digweed, Franco De Mulero, VONDA7, Nico Morano, Jerome Price, Nhar, Beatamines, Angelo
Ceci, Anthony Pappa, Undercatt, Praveen Achary, Ruben Mandolini, Marco Faraone, Sobek, Tocadisco, Rodg, and Eelke Kleijn

Soul singer Betty Harris – mainly known for her Jubilee and Sansu recordings – was born in 1939 in Orlando, Florida. As a teenager she worked as a mate for Big Maybelle who encouraged her to start singing. First recording was released in 1962, her major hit was a cover of Solomon Burke’s “Cry To Me” in 1963. Taken at a slower pace, Harris’ rendition turned the song into a Billboard Hot 100 number 23 hit and soon became a deep soul classic. A total of three further singles including a reissue of “Cry to Me” were released on Jubilee with “His Kiss”, which was released on January 4, 1964, another deep soul ballad, reaching the lower part of the Billboard Pop and R&B charts. In 1964, Betty Harris switched record labels to Sansu, a New Orleans label, where she was produced by Allen Toussaint. Her recordings with Sansu produced ten singles and Toussaint raw yet sophisticated Southern soul arrangements behind Harris’ rich, distinctive vocal, are considered prime specimens of the classic soul era. Soul Perfection, originally licensed on UK label Action in 1969 , was in fact a collection of her previous works on Sansu, a rare groove affair rapidly in demand between a crowd of obsessive fans all over the world. Harris retired from performing in 1970 to raise a family and made an occasional return in 2007 with the album Intuition.

REPRESS!

Brazilian funk-soul at it's finest. Both tracks taken from the increasing more expensive and sought after 'Cartão Postal' LP, originally released on Odeon Brazil from 1971.

Both tracks are heavy on the drums, bass and horns, with Evinha's lead to top them off. 'Esperar Pra Ver' is a mid tempo funk soul jam, and 'Que Bandeira' moves between funk/soul and bossa/MPB grooves.

'Que Bandeira' was released on a 7' EP, featuring tracks from 'Cartão Postal' LP, on Odeon under the artist name 'Eva', in 1972... Ridiculously expensive now, as you have no doubt come to expect - so, released here for your affordable pleasure!

In May 1968 when he recorded his album Caramba, trumpeter Lee Morgan was still a couple months away from his 30th birthday, which makes the fact that this was his 23rd Blue Note recording all the more astounding. Morgan was a full-fledged master, his technical prowess on the horn matched by the emotional depth of his playing, and a composer who could conjure different moods and styles with his writing. From the irrepressible groove of the title track to the intricate post-bop lines of “Suicide City” and “Cunning Lee” to the joyful “Soulita” and the easy swing of “Helen’s Ritual” this set of Morgan originals features Bennie Maupin on tenor saxophone, Cedar Walton on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

In May 1968 when he recorded his album Caramba, trumpeter Lee Morgan was still a couple months away from his 30th birthday, which makes the fact that this was his 23rd Blue Note recording all the more astounding. Morgan was a full-fledged master, his technical prowess on the horn matched by the emotional depth of his playing, and a composer who could conjure different moods and styles with his writing. From the irrepressible groove of the title track to the intricate post-bop lines of “Suicide City” and “Cunning Lee” to the joyful “Soulita” and the easy swing of “Helen’s Ritual” this set of Morgan originals features Bennie Maupin on tenor saxophone, Cedar Walton on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Clear Smoked Vinyl

"As a child of the 80s a highlight of Saturday morning TV was an episode of Transformers. My first attempts at sampling and music production was sampling the 1986 movie on my Amiga 500. Then last year during lockdown I decided to dig out the samples and have another bash and ended up with two tracks which I thought were pretty cool... and here we are!"
- Soul Intent

WPH label boss Red D has always considered Adham Zahran to be the Moodymann/Theo Parrish of Egypt, so it is only fitting that for his second release on the label Adham joins the WPH U.S. Series ranks. His deep dusty house sound oozes soul and groove and this release is no exception.

Opening track ‘Flowing Green’ kicks off the E.P. with shining chords that will go down like a treat on any house dancefloor in the hands of the right DJ. ‘No Sorrow’ takes things more heady, but make no mistake, it kicks like the proverbial mule if you let it roam free. On the B-side we first have Detroit’s mainstay Brian Kage on remix duties for the final track ‘Picture Of The Tree’, providing that extra motor city funk we all love. The original finishes the proceedings in – dare we say it – deepest fashion to round off another quality outing from the WPH camp.

Re-mastering by: Cicely Baston at Alchemy/Air Mastering, London



Wendell Harrison was born in Detroit in 1942 where he began formal jazz studies for piano, clarinet and tenor saxophone. At 14, while still in high school, Harrison started performing & recording professionally with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Grant Green, Sun Ra, Hank Crawford … and many others.

In 1971, Harrison began teaching music at Metro Arts (a multi-arts complex for youth) where he also connected with Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney and Phil Ranelin…soon after they formed the (now legendary) Afro-centric TRIBE record label and artist collective. TRIBE used the Metro Arts complex as a vehicle to convey a growing black political consciousness. Wendell Harrison also published the very popular TRIBE magazine, a publication dedicated to local and national social and political issues, as well as featuring artistic contributions such as poetry and visual pieces.

In 1978 Harrison and McKinney co-founded REBIRTH, a non-profit jazz performance and education organization, in which many notable jazz artists have participated. Around the same time Wendell Harrison also created the WENHA record label and publishing company, which released many of his (now classic) recordings as well as those of other artists, such as Phil Ranelin, Doug Hammond and Reggie Fields (The Real ShooBeeDoo).

In the early 1990s, Wendell Harrison was awarded the title of “Jazz Master” by Arts Midwest. This distinction led Harrison to collaborate with fellow honorees and gave him the chance to tour throughout the United States, Middle East and Africa. Even to this day Wendell Harrison’s recordings for the TRIBE, WENHA and REBIRTH labels have a large worldwide fanbase.

DREAMS OF A LOVE SUPREME is a monster album that features an all-star line-up that includes Phil Ranelin on trombone, Harold McKinney on Keyboards and Roy Brooks on percussion. Although you can hear the 80ies creeping in with a smoother sound, more synths, and disco/R&B vocals… this remains a very spiritual (and soulful) jazz record. The record’s an irresistible blend of soul jazz combined with funky electric instrumentation…a groovy sound which is very much of its time, yet overtly timeless and as relevant today as it was back when it was initially released. Notes courtesy of Tidal Waves

'Bang Bang Boom Boom' was the follow- up to the highly successful soul-rock covers album 'Don't Explain', a collaboration with blues sensation Joe Bonamassa. The album features 11 original Beth Hart tracks and is an artistic statement that hits the bullseye, delivering on Beth's fuzzing potential, and finding her at peace with herself and looking to the future. "This album is a new voice," she concludes, "and I feel like it's a whole new place for me to go. I mean, I hope that I get to keep working for the next 40 years and die old, and if I get that
chance, I'd keep going down this path. I'm happy. This album is a whole new start for me..."
On 'Bang Bang Boom Boom' Beth gives her eclectic infuences free rein, spinning from Spirit Of God's brassy gospel to the sparse Window, with her frst-ever piano solo on Swing My Thing Back Around, and an impossibly tender vocal on the Billie Holiday-favoured Baddest Blues.

Since their debut in 2017 and the highly acclaimed
latest album ‘No God? No Problem’ (released in
2019,’ Detroit freak rockers The Lucid Furs have
performed over 100 out of state shows, invading
music venues to wash minds with their heavy
blues rock concoctions.
 The band‘s live performances build up with a big,
head bang energy, winding down to sultry blues,
then blasting back into hard rock with a dash of
funk you can’t help but dance to.
 Their new album won’t make any exception. The
band’s heavily grooving talent and soul of the
blues is immediately evident, driven by a vibrant
70’s vintage vibe.
 Their songs embody a culmination of each
member’s early influences, ranging from rock
classics like Alice Cooper and Heart, to Chicago
blues like Howlin’ Wolf and Buddy Guy, to the era
of alternative rock groups like Soundgarden and
Queens Of The Stone Age.
 For fans of All Them Witches, Janis Joplin, Led
Zeppelin, Rival Sons, Cream, Queens Of The
Stone Age, Jefferson Airplane, Blues Pills.
 Red coloured vinyl LP.