Search:the x

[j] A10 Dirge [for Neomar Lander]

Two Seminal albums from cult Ghanaian musician Alhaji K. Frimpong and his group the Cubano Fiestas, recorded in 1976 and 1977 respectively and considered to be some of the best highlife albums ever recorded, at the pinnacle of West African musical tradition and innovation. Both originally self titled, they have become known by the colour of the covers - Blue and Black respectively. The Blue Album brings new arrangements to traditional Ghanaian melodies and features the masterpiece Kyenkyen Bi Adi M"awu (come back my love) - universally known in Ghana, covered and sampled by artists such as Chronnix, Gnarls Barkley and many more. The Black Album expands the electronic elements and features the equally visionary Hwehwe Mu Na Yi Wo Mpena, although the real gem is hiding on the B side: the extended groove of "Adam Nana". Sinuously evolving guitar lines, clavinet vamps, harmonised vocal snatches and otherworldly percussion expand and contract over a full quarter of an hour - a Ghanaian repost to the Afro Jazz experiments going on at the same time on the other side of the Atlantic. Although popular in Ghana at the time of the release, the albums were never distributed internationally and original copies of the album are extremely rare. The albums got a limited reissue in 2011 and have been unavailable since - even reissue copies sell for high prices on the second hand market.

Return Of The Funky Man is the second album by New York legend Lord Finesse. Originally released in 1992, this album was highly anticipated after his debut on the scene just a few years prior. Having already established himself as a punch-line king capable of humorous storytelling, Return of the Funky Man cemented Finesse as a top-notch producer. Tracks such as “Fat for the 90s” and “I Like My Girls With A Boom” showed the Funky Man truly living up to his name, both on the mic and behind the boards. After the gruff-voiced “Lord Finesse Intro”, the album goes on a nonstop journey of witty wordplay over genre-defining boom bap beats. Along for this ride, Finesse brings D.I.T.C. brethren Showbiz and Diamond D on the production side (plus Aladdin & SLJ) while AG and (at the time) newcomer Percee P share mic duties. Topically, Finesse doesn’t stray too far from reminding us why he’s earned the title The Funky Man. Whether it's bragging and boasting, or breaking down females, he has a way of doing it with a tongue-in-cheek type way that is sure to have you letting out a laugh or two every couple of lines. He possesses that rare quality of being a solo MC that is capable of entertaining throughout the entire hour plus listening experience. Standout tracks such as “Yes You May”, “Stop Sweating the Next Man”, and “Party Over Here” all show why this album was instantly praised by fans and critics alike.

High Focus Records is delighted to announce the return of Verbz & Mr Slipz on ‘THE WAY FWD’, the anticipated full-length follow up to their 2019 LP ‘Radio Waves’.

An album fuelled by evolution, ‘THE WAY FWD’ pays respect to the signature sonics that are synonymous with the duo; the dust laden, sample driven boom bap energies are present throughout, with a greater focus on arrangement, form and musicality this time around.

Sourcing from the many adventures both Verbz & Slipz have been on in the five years separating the 2 x LPs; experiments across genres and BPMs informing the direction of travel before they completed the circle, ‘THE WAY FWD’ combines new spirit with a dizzying timelessness; Slipz’ sophisticated brushstrokes informing Verbz’ penmanship across 12-tracks of true introspection.

With features from Cappo, Cam Thomas and additional vocals from India Shan, ‘THE WAY FWD’ has all the makings of a classic release, especially if it ends up being Verbz & Mr Slipz’ last collaborative contribution to the genre…

After a much acclaimed series opener, the creators of The Hidden Beauty Of Dutch House ’94-’98 are back! They’re bringing us this second batch of eight carefully selected masterpieces from The Netherlands’ blossoming scene of the day.

Just like volume I, its sequel is filled with thought-to-be-lost tracks from Dutch producers whose names you rarely come across. It took another deep and long dive into the "Atlantis" of Dutch House to gather this collection. Most of the original master tapes literally had to be dusted off before playing…

Suitable for any true House afficionado, you’ll find a panoramic range of styles and flavours on this second selection, as there was on the first. A truly representative flashback has to show the versatility and broadness of both the music and culture of the nineties. The days of open minds and dancing-like-nobody’s-watching. When we went to the club to discover new sounds and dimensions. The time when this attractively fresh music was the hero of every successful night.

Lovingly compiled for your listening pleasure. So, sit back, open up, and surrender to the beauty of Dutch House!

West coast writer / producer George Semper recorded four sides on the Sherilles − a group led by Vessie Simmons, who had been lead singer for the Ribbons in the early 60s. She would go on to have a prolific solo career in the 70s, right through to the 90s. Ace sleuth Alec Palao found four Semper-produced sides on two DCT acetates and we licensed the rights from the Semper family.

These fully realised recordings are from 1968 when the group had to swiftly change their name from the attempted one of the Shirelles − which they had hoped to get away with, and presumably cash in on that outfit’s fame. A court injunction put paid to that plan and though the name change was only slight, it was never tested in court, as the tracks were never issued. ‘Nobody’s Gonna Love You’ is an excellent George Semper song and judging by the 100 Club’s audience reaction to recent plays will become a staple of forward-thinking club’s playlists.

‘Make It On My Own’ is in the same groove and not far short of the A side. Vessie would re-write and re- record it in 1975 as ‘I Can Make It On My Own’ for a solo release on her Simco label.

Michael Mayer, aka Mr. Lava Lava asked a bunch of his absolute favourite artists to have a go at some of the tracks from his recent album 'The Floor Is Lava'. First up is Barcelona's brightest flame, RAXON, who is melting 'Brainwave 2.0' into a stompin fun-filled primetime banger. Longtime collaborator DAVE DK is a masterful producer and remixer that appears regularly on Pampa and Kompakt. His take on 'The Solution' feels like a road trip to paradise and back. Montreal's PRIORI is one of the hottest names in showbiz right now. His ability to bridge genres and create pristine sound designs is fully on display in his remix for 'The Solution'. Last but not least, the legend that is SEBASTIAN MULLAERT took a moment off from his revered Circle Of Life jams to transform the albums deepest cut 'Ardor' into an extraordinary musical journey. Oldschool Border Community vibes in the rebound!

Since 2017, Cosmic Reaper has carried a black-flamed torch of tradition, forged in the long lineage of doom and sludge. Emerging from the shadows of Charlotte, North Carolina, the band blends a raw, southern swing with the full circle of heavy metal-creating a sound as steeped in American mysticism as it is overloaded saturation of amplifier worship. "Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned is an album we poured our hearts into. With our sophomore LP, we wanted to take our sound to a new level, but also call back to the roots of doom, with a touch of 90s angst. Lyrically, it touches on everything from standing up to tyranny, to revenge, to sacrifice, to love, lust and betrayal- all wrapped in themes of horror, science-fiction, and history. For the best listening experience: light one up, and turn it up loud."

gold nugget vinyl, limited to 350 copies. Since 2017, Cosmic Reaper has carried a black-flamed torch of tradition, forged in the long lineage of doom and sludge. Emerging from the shadows of Charlotte, North Carolina, the band blends a raw, southern swing with the full circle of heavy metal-creating a sound as steeped in American mysticism as it is overloaded saturation of amplifier worship. "Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned is an album we poured our hearts into. With our sophomore LP, we wanted to take our sound to a new level, but also call back to the roots of doom, with a touch of 90s angst. Lyrically, it touches on everything from standing up to tyranny, to revenge, to sacrifice, to love, lust and betrayal- all wrapped in themes of horror, science-fiction, and history. For the best listening experience: light one up, and turn it up loud."

Survival Of The Sickest offers no respite from the horrors of reality. Instead, BLOODBATH’s latest and greatest album gleefully confronts the slavering ghoul lurking in the shadows, and treats him to ten songs of ripping death metal frenzy. In contrast with their last album, Survival of the Sickest goes straight for the jugular in true old school fashion. With strong echoes of everything from Morbid Angel & Death through to Deicide & Obituary. Survival Of The Sickest boasts a smattering of irresistible cameos from the great, and ghoulish of the metal underground, including Barney Greenway (Napalm Death), Luc Lemay (Gorguts) & Marc Grewe (Morgoth). On Survival Of The Sickest, BLOODBATH evoke their most horrifying sonic scenarios to date.

The Marshall Mathers LP turns 25. To celebrate, a new edition of Eminem’s groundbreaking album arrives with two live bonus tracks: “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am,” captured at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
Iconic, uncompromising, and more relevant than ever — this is an album that redefined hip-hop for a generation and now expanded for a new one.

In for the Kill! is the fourth studio album by Welsh rock band Budgie. It was released through MCA Records in May 1974.
The album includes the song "Crash Course in Brain Surgery," originally released in 1971
as a single and was included on their self-titled debut album.
The song was covered by Metallica for their 1987 EP The $5.98 E.P. - Garage Days Re-Revisited,
while the album's title track was covered by Van Halen during the group's club days

Vierfaches Vinyl (Frosted White Vinyl Colour) - oder CD-Box-Set, kuratiert von David Gedge, um vier kompromisslose Jahrzehnte The Wedding Present zu feiern. Nachdem sich die Alternative-Rock-Band The Lost Pandas aus Leeds Anfang der 1980er Jahre aufgelöst hatte, beschlossen Sänger/Gitarrist David Gedge und Bassist Keith Gregory, eine neue Gruppe zu gründen. 1985, inspiriert von Pop-Radio, Punk-Frechheit, The Velvet Underground und Davids ehemaligen Schulkameraden The Chameleons, gründeten sie The Wedding Present. Diese Band war - und ist bis heute - in jeder Hinsicht kompromisslos und unerschütterlich authentisch, und so wurde Gedge, ohne es zu beabsichtigen, zu einer legendären Figur der alternativen Musik. Er ist einer der wichtigsten Architekten und Begründer des alternativen Gitarrenrocks und der Mastermind hinter einem der reichhaltigsten, eingängigsten und beständigsten Kataloge der Popgeschichte. Vier Jahrzehnte später, mit 13 Studioalben, 20 Compilation-Alben und einer ganzen Reihe von Singles, EPs, Live-Alben und Radio-Sessions - und weiteren in Aussicht - ist "The Wedding Presen 40" eine feiernde Reflexion dieser komplexen und faszinierenden Band. Erhältlich als vier Vinyl- oder vier CD-Box-Sets, handelt es sich hierbei nicht um eine gewöhnliche Sammlung der ,beliebtesten" Songs, sondern um eine chronologische, akustische Reise durch Albumtracks, Singles und B-Seiten. Das atemberaubende Artwork wurde von Jonathan Hitchen zusammengestellt, der viele der Original-Plattencover der Band entworfen hat, und es gibt ausführliche Begleittexte von David Gedge selbst sowie dem renommierten Musikjournalisten Mark Beaumont NME, Guardian, Independent. Gedge's Kommentare bieten einen einzigartigen Einblick in die Arbeitsweise der Band und einen spannenden Track-für-Track-Leitfaden zur Jubiläums-Compilation. Inklusive 32-seitigem Hardcover-Buch mit ausführlichen Begleittexten von Mark Beaumont sowie Kommentaren zu jedem einzelnen Titel von David Gedge.




[b] 1.2YOU SHOULD ALWAYS KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FRIENDS [PEEL SESSION VERSION]


[e] 1.5MY FAVOURITE DRESS [LP VERSION]



[i] 1.9GIVE MY LOVE TO KEVIN [ACOUSTIC VERSION]




[n] 2.3BRASSNECK [SINGLE VERSION]





[t] 2.9CORDUROY [LP VERSION]





[z] 3.6SPANGLE [LP VERSION]



[xd] 3.10INTERSTATE 5 [LP VERSION]





[xj] 4.5TWO BRIDGES [LP VERSION]

[xl] 4.7I AM NOT GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU [LP VERSION]
[xm] 4.8SCIENCE FICTION [LP VERSION]