quête:thompson

Mr Bongo are thrilled to have one of the leading lights in contemporary soul joining the label. Melbourne-based vocalist, musician, and songwriter Ella Thompson is an artist whose name is being championed by some of the best in the business. She’s been building a reputation as one to watch, with two standout releases on Hopestreet Recordings, Domino EP in 2023 and Ripple On The Wing LP in 2024, alongside a heavy touring schedule and a stacked list of support slots and collaborations.

For this new 7” single, Ella collaborates with a selection of artists at the forefront of Naarm/Melbourne’s soulful DIY community. Featuring members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo, Liam McGorry from Temporary Blessings (College Of Knowledge) joins Ella as co-writer and co-producer, with go-to Melbourne engineer Henry Jenkins also producing and recording the track.

Bridging the worlds of classic and contemporary soul, Ella’s songwriting is drenched in emotion and personal experience. With a timeless feel that is hard to tie to any particular period, she has crafted a sound that instantly hits deep. It’s warm, tasteful and distinctly Ella. That talent has also seen her tour with Mark Ronson, and support other contemporary greats like Jalen Ngonda, Lee Fields, and Thee Sacred Souls.

‘Promise To Keep’ is the first taste of Ella’s new material on this 7” single. An irrepressible upbeat groover that echoes mid-to-late-sixties vocal groups. That influence though never overpowers Ella’s own unique creative voice or distinct sense of self. She draws from it, but the colour is all her own. The song tells a story of being carried by the current that keeps us moving, giving us courage. A commitment to oneself that speaks to action shaped by vision, and the pull of following what feels correct even when the distance is far.

The flip side finds Ella in a different mood. ‘Change Of Heart’ is a heavy sweet-soul ballad. Rich in drama, Ella’s falsetto vocals build to a stunning climax in the final section, with triumphant horns that signal the release of letting go. The lyrics reflect on temporality and impermanence, and the way moments can be missed or arrive with synchronicity. It’s that bittersweet paradox of triumph and sadness, where everything contains its opposite: absence and presence, innocence and experience. The song is underpinned by a brooding production quality and atmospheric, beat-heavy flavour that Surprise Chef and cinematic soul fans will relish.

Mixed by Wayne Gordon (Daptone, Womack Sisters), ‘Promise to Keep’ and ‘Change of Heart’ are a glimpse of things to come from Ella. Keep an eye open for more new music incoming from this phenomenal artist at the top of her game.

The legendary Linval Thompson joins The DubMill for Run Ghetto Youth, the first 7" on DubMill Records out of Amsterdam.

Linval Thompson is one of the great roots vocalists that ruled the dancehalls of Jamaica in the mid 1970’s. His distinctive vocal style and roots lyrics, that spoke of the struggles that faced the Rastas, hit a chord with the people of Jamaica, and provided a string of hits for him in the dancehalls. This in turn, would set a tone that he carried on through his musical career and future production work. Linval Thompson (b.1959, Kingston, Jamaica) was actually raised in Queens, New York. He cut his first record there at the age of 16 ‘No Other Woman’ with future Third World singer Bunny Ruggs. He also cut a couple of tracks for a US producer E Martin ‘’Jah Jah Deh’and ‘Weeping and Wailing’. In 1974 he returned to Jamaica and cut ‘Mama Say’ and a version of D Brown’s ‘Westbound Train’ for producer K Hobson which got Thompson noticed by producer Phil Pratt. Pratt took him to Lee Perry’s Black Ark studio’s where he cut ‘Kung Fu Man’. Thompson’s friendship with fellow singer Johnny Clarke led to a meeting with producer Bunny Lee. His first track cut for Lee was ‘Don’t Cut Off Your Dreadlocks’ and it became a big hit in Jamaica. Bunny Lee was the producer of the moment and Linval added to his long list of hit singles with ‘A Big Big Girl’, ‘Cool Down Your Temper’, ‘Ride On Dreadlocks’ and the title of this compilation ‘Jah Jah Is The Conqueror’. He seemed to hit a musical height working for Bunny Lee (who as he has done with many of his singers) encouraged Linval into production work himself. Which has led to another chapter in Linval’s story. Working with an array of artists including, Freddie McGregor, Johnny Osbourne, Barry Brown, Rod Taylor and many more. But it is his singing career that we focus on here and that great period in reggaes history the mid 1970’s where Linval delivered a string of classic hits that we have compiled for you here. Hope you enjoy the set.

Stunning, ethereal deep gospel soul out of New York City - initially played and championed for years by ‘Gospel Guru’ Greg Belson on his Divine Chord Gospel Show.

Virtually invisible on OG, with only a handful of known copies.

Our license agreement with The Numero Group is for a limited edition of 300 copies.

Jaden Thompson returns to Crosstown Rebels with ‘Downtown’, with remixes from HoneyLuv and Ghoulish. Marking his first solo outing on the label following ‘Talking Walls’ alongside Seth Troxler, the fabric resident impresses once more following recent material on Classic Music Company, PIV and his own Midnight Parade imprint.

A new school talent whose sound takes cues from Chicago while pointing to the future with forward-thinking allure and energy, Jaden Thompson’s ascent is well-documented, having been tipped by an endless list of industry heavyweights and global media outlets from an early age. Releasing on labels such as Cuttin’ Headz and Classic Music Company, amongst others, plus his own Midnight Parade imprint, Thompson’s sound and dynamic sets have seen the UK talent become a favourite for many while also hosting his ongoing Rinse FM show and curating mixes for the likes of Circoloco and Keinemusik through to Nike for it’s annual Air Max Day. Having made his label debut on Crosstown Rebels in 2022 with his standout collaboration ‘Talking Walls’ with Seth Troxler, Thompson now returns to Damian Lazarus’ legendary imprint as he serves up his first solo record on the label ‘Downtown’ - backed by remixes from surging US DJ/producer HoneyLuv and emerging UK talent Ghoulish, who makes his debut on the imprint.

Merging various shades and sounds from across the electronic sphere, ‘Downtown’ brings vibrant vocals, energy-charged synths, and sharp metallic percussion, all balanced perfectly, to the fore. HoneyLuv’s remix brings jacking drums while warping the original’s vocals todeliver a peak-time interpretation before Ghoulish flips the script, utilising off-kilter drums and spiralling lasers amongst heavy low-ends.

Die ultimative karriereumspannende Sammlung: von den Anfängen des Post-Punk bis hin zu stadiontauglichem Synthie-Pop und darüber hinaus.
„Industry & Seduction“ ist die erste Retrospektive der Thompson Twins, die in Zusammenarbeit mit den
Bandmitgliedern Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie und Joe Leeway kuratiert wurde. Die Sammlung vereint
Musik aus ihrer gesamten bahnbrechenden Karriere und fängt die gesamte Entwicklung einer der abenteuerlustigsten und einfallsreichsten Pop-Bands der 1980er Jahre ein. Sie enthält auch Musik aus ihrem
späteren, von Kritikern übersehenen Projekt „Babble“.
Von frühen experimentellen Stücken und Underground-Kuriositäten bis hin zu Welthits wie „Hold Me Now“,
„Love On Your Side“, „Doctor! Doctor!“ und „We Are Detective“ beleuchtet die Sammlung die ständige
Neuerfindung der Band – vom Chaos der Kunsthochschule über makellosen Pop und Dub-beeinflussten
Dance bis hin zu verträumten Post-Rave-Klanglandschaften. Es ist eine mutige, brillante musikalische
Reise, die auf Kontrasten basiert: Digitale Grenzen treffen auf emotionale Anziehungskraft – „Industry &
Seduction“.

e 5Lay On Your Side (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]










[p] 7Don't Mess With Doctor Dream (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]
[q] 8Revolution (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]
[r] 9Nothing in Common (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]





[e] 5Lay On Your Side (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]










[p] 7Don't Mess With Doctor Dream (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]
[q] 8Revolution (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]
[r] 9Nothing in Common (7" Version) [2025 Remaster]

By the end of the 1970s Linval Thompson had cut out a successful dual career for himself as both singer and producer. Naturally he moved in the dub field as well, getting further use out of rhythms he used in his other works. Dub had begun strictly as an album format with limited pressing runs for scene insiders, but it had swiftly gained the interest of the rank and file reggae buffs.

'Negrea Love Dub', originally released in 1978, is a cornerstone in the reggae dub scene.

Linval Thompson produced riddims which were laid at Channel One studio by The Revolutionaries – at the time a celebrated studio band led by drum and bass partners Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespear – and mixed at King Tubby's renown studio at 18 Dromilly Avenue in Kingston by Prince Jammy.

The sound of the ten dubs featured here is hypnotic and its effects are euphoric to say the least.

Linval Thompson - Wicked Man

Vocals: Linval Thompson
Drums: Eduardo Fernandez
Percussion: Aurel Cade
Bass: Amando “Gottafunker” Gottardi
Horns: Soothsayers
Guitars: Vinney Ellis
Backing Vocals: Chardel Rhoden
Label: Roots Renegade Records (RRR017)
Produced & Mixed by Vinney Satta at Ellis Studios, Spain

The recipient of the 2023 American Piano Awards and Steinway Artist, pianist/composer Isaiah J. Thompson has become the first call for the greats such as John Pizzarelli, Steve Turre, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride and more! For his Mack Avenue debut, The Book of Isaiah: Modern Jazz Ministry, Thompson enlists legendary pianist Cyrus Chestnut to produce his 8-song autobiographical musical statement exploring faith, musicianship, race and humanity.

The voice of Ella Thompson has been a fundamental part of Naarm’s soul and funk history. She has toured and recorded with funk pioneers The Bamboos, lit up dancefloors with electronic duo GL and won hearts and minds across Australia with indie cult favourites Dorsal Fins. Ella now returns to her soul roots and releasing music under her own name with a brand new single ‘Cool Down My Heart’, self-produced in collaboration with multi instrumentalist Liam McGorry and featuring cameos by local heavyweights Hudson Whitlock (drums) and Will Morrisey (saxophone). Cool Down My Heart is a rich, imaginative, pop/soul track which foregrounds Ella’s beautiful voice and considerable songwriting skills.

A powerful work produced and composed by Roberto Sánchez at A-Lone Ark Muzik Studio. Three vocal tracks & instrumental dub version. United we stand, Divided we fall. 100% Real & Conscious Rub A Dub. Produced, Recorded & Mixed by Roberto Sánchez at A-Lone Ark Music Studio.

„Into The Gap“ von den Thompson Twins ist ein epochenprägendes Album der 80er. Diese Neuauflage
zum 40. Jubiläum ist die umfassendste Neuauflage dieses Albums aller Zeiten, remastered in den Abbey
Road Studios und zusammengestellt mit dem vollen Segen aller drei Bandmitglieder aus der klassischen
Besetzung.
„Into the Gap“ gilt als eines der erfolgreichsten Alben der Band und symbolisiert den Höhepunkt der
Synthie-Pop-Ära. Das Album enthält Hit-Singles wie „Hold Me Now“, „Doctor! Doctor!“ und „You Take
Me Up“, die das Talent der Band für eingängige, Synthie-getriebene Popsongs hervorhoben. Zu dieser Zeit
waren die Thompson Twins eine treibende Kraft in der New-Wave-Bewegung; „Into the Gap“ erreichte
Platz eins der britischen Albumcharts und verkaufte sich in den USA über 1 Million Mal. Der Erfolg des
Albums wurde durch den Aufstieg von MTV begünstigt, wo die visuell beeindruckenden Musikvideos der
Band eine entscheidende Rolle für ihre weltweite Anziehungskraft spielten. „Into the Gap“ verkörperte
den Geist der Popkultur der 1980er Jahre und kombinierte innovativen Sound mit einer starken visuellen
Identität, was es zu einer prägenden Platte des Jahrzehnts machte.
Beide physischen Formate verfügen über digital restauriertes Artwork und neue Linernotes, geschrieben von
John Earls und mit Beiträgen aller drei Bandmitglieder. Das LP-Format auf begehrtem rotem Vinyl bildet
die Originalveröffentlichung liebevoll nach, komplett mit ausklappbarem Einleger; das Dreifach-CD-Format
umfa

180 gram vinyl of Linval Thompson - I Love Jah from 1979. Features Extensive Sleeve Notes

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