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The past few years, we've watched from afar as Tokyo based DJ Haruka has established himself as one of Japan's top DJs and a crucial figure in the dance music scene. Since inviting him to play a Butter Sessions party in Melbourne and catching him multiple times in Japan, our online curiosities were met in real life with his impeccable taste and personalised style of house and techno. Needless to say, when Haruka sent us his debut EP "Senko", we instantly heard something special in his approach to music creation.

The three original tracks, entitled by their respective BPMs, encapsulate everything we loved about his DJ sets - bold, acidic and relentless synth sequences that are as intense as the Shibuya crossing, paired with masterful live percussion and drumming from Izpon (of Japanese salsa band Banderas) and Shigekazu Otake (of cult group Cro-Magnon) to create a unique sonic space. The recordings snarling nature reflects the pure force of DJ Nobu's Future Terror crew, of which Haruka is a key member. Additional live dubbing and mixing work from Naoyuki Uchida of Dry & Heavy - "Flying Rhythms" glues this raging bull together while purveying it's raw energy.

On the flip side, label heads Sleep D offer an unflinching club-ready version of "120", while French royalty Zadig contributes a mesmerising 14+ minute dubbed out, psychedelic burner that brings a new focus to the soundscapes of the original.







d 4. 120 (Sleep D Remix) feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida
[e] 5. 106 (Zadig Remix) [feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]




[d] b1 | 120 (Sleep D Remix) [feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]
[feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]




[d] b1 | 120 (Sleep D Remix) [feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]
[feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]




[d] b1 | 120 (Sleep D Remix) [feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]
[feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]




[d] b1 | 120 (Sleep D Remix) [feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]
[feat. Izpon, Shigekazu Otake & Naoyuki Uchida]

Same Speed Edits return with the third instalment of their (almost) annual foray into the world of the lesser spotted samba. Having already scoured California, Norway, Denmark and the UK they turn their attention Poland for two edits primed for the more discerning of dance floors. Urszula's Samba re-works a much loved version of a jazz classic in some style with vocal scatting leading the way; Jerzy's samba, on the other hand, is all about the piano and haunting vocal chants that make it a more alternative club banger.

With previous support from Gilles Peterson, the UK's king of all things jazz and samba, this latest edition of the Same Speed series is sure to tickle the eardrums of the more daring and forward thinking soulful DJs across the globe.

This year, First Word Records celebrates its fifteenth year in the game. The year commenced triumphantly with First Word being named "record label of the year" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards 2019. Over the past six months, we've seen new music from 14KT, Souleance, Myele Manzanza, Teotima, Don Leisure, Children of Zeus and a range of artists across Europe, on the 'Music! Musik! Musique!' compilation.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary, First Word has a series of releases in the works for the second half of the year which see collaborations by artists from the label's current roster. To kick off, we have this special double-AA sided 7" single featuring Darkhouse Family, Kaidi Tatham & Tyler Daley.

Darkhouse Family consists of two Cardiff beatmakers & musicians, Earl Jeffers - founder of Melange Records and producer of 'A Library Excursion' from 2018, and Don Leisure, who recently provided us with 'Halal Cool J', the beat-tape sequel to 2017's 'Shaboo'. Over the years they've had releases, solo & individually, on Fat City, Metalheadz & Earnest Endeavors to name a few, bridging the gaps between various strains of dance music, beats and hip hop, with the organics of jazz and funk. Recently making noise across the UK with their new live band, and production work for the likes of Kamaal Williams, this is their first new release since their highly-acclaimed 2017 debut album 'The Offering' & subsequent remix project which also featured DJ Spinna, and one Kaidi Tatham.

Kaidi Tatham is one of the most revered multi-instrumentalists in the game. His endless contributions have included Bugz In The Attic, Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Moonchild, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler and loads more. Dubbed by Benji B last year as "the UK's Herbie Hancock", his versatility as a musician is actually more akin to Prince. He can play most things, and play them well. Providing flute duties on this track, he also graces the flipside with a full "flutestrumental" version. Aside from numerous other projects, Kaidi released three EPs on First Word to date, 'Changing Times', 'Hard Times' and 'Serious Times', and an album last year, entitled 'It's A World Before You', which featured daddy of 2000 Black, Dego, son of Jazzy Jeff, Uhmeer and Children of Zeus, Konny Kon & Tyler Daley.

Tyler Daley hails from Manchester, alongside son of Zeus, MC / DJ / beatmaker, Konny Kon. Somewhat of a veteran in the game, Tyler is currently one of the most-recognisable talents in the British soul scene, also lending his talents to dance music royalty along the way, including the likes of Goldie, Zed Bias, DJ Marky & Lenzman. With Children of Zeus, the duo have had a whirlwind 12 months since the release of their debut album 'Travel Light', performing shows across the globe & gaining new fans daily. The record was named "album of the year" by Complex magazine and BBC 6 Music's Huey Morgan, amongst a number of other notable tastemakers & selectors. Hot on the heels of the 'Excess Baggage' EP, Tyler laces this one with his inimitable brand of bars and soul.

A veritable super-group amongst the First Word stable, this low-slung slinky joint sees the guys work up a unique blend of jazz, soul, beats and hip hop - guaranteed to go 'All The Way'…

'All The Way' is released on First Word Records on July 26th 2019, limited 7" vinyl & digital.

Produced & mixed by Darkhouse Family

Vocals by Tyler Daley (Children of Zeus)


b B1. All the Way (Flutestrumental) [feat. Tyler Daley & Kaidi Tatham]


[b] B1 | All the Way (Flutestrumental) [feat. Tyler Daley & Kaidi Tatham]


[b] B1 | All the Way (Flutestrumental) [feat. Tyler Daley & Kaidi Tatham]

Suitman Jungle is a creation of percussionist Marc Pell. The idea behind it is a man in a suit playing jungle music. He uses his voice, plays a standing drum kit and utilises live electronics such as an SPD-SX, a clunky office keyboard and guitar pedals.

Suitman Jungle is the Director of RBS (Regional Bassline Services), a company that provides a wide variety of sub & mid-range bassline services internationally.

'Liquid Lunch' is an album influenced by the sounds of London and daily routines. It was produced in OpenOffice spreadsheet processor and mastered in a cracked version of Microsoft's Powerpoint. Track four, 'Nil Cash Option', is a recording of two gig-goers who gatecrashed Brighton's Great Escape Festival by pretending to be accountants. Track six, 'Lift Going Up', is about how some days one's mood can be better or worse than on other days.

To mark his second artist album on his own Millionhands label in July, Tee Mango teases with a fantastic second EP from it featuring remixes from Hidden Spheres (Lobster Theremin, NTS), Kiwi (Futureboogie, Optimo, Life & Death) and Hubie Davison (Regraded).

The fantastic full length finds the UK artist stretch himself and serve up a dazzling array of soul-drenched, vocal-laced songs featuring his own singing and influenced by the likes of Prince and Bon Iver, alongside awesome gyuest vox from Detroit funk legend and former Funkadelic member Amp Fiddler.

Opening up EP 2, Tee Mango serves up a fizzing and arpeggiated electronic disco track, ‘Woo Hoo’ which will undoubtedly be rocking festival tents this summer. Irishman and Leisure System man Hubie Davison then steps up to the plate with a heart-warming, tripped out and twinkling organic house mix of ‘Down Down Down’, featuring warm oaky melodies and Mango’s fragmented falsettos.

Then comes a dazzling techno-not-techno mix of ‘Woo Hoo’ from Londoner Kiwi, an associate for labels like Correspondent and Optimo Music. This superb version keeps the galloping arpeggiated feel of the original but swaps the broken beat for a straight four to dizzying effect. Following that is acclaimed Lobster Theremin, Rhythm Section and NTS regular Hidden Spheres with a hip house basement re-rub of ‘Down Down Down’ with more of Tee Mango’s fragmented falsetto over a beat Prince would be proud of.

Finally, Tee Mango himself then steps out with the excellent balearic skit ‘Don’t Worry About the Rain’ with deliciously soothing Rhodes and synth whines topped with Mango’s vocals imploring us to ignore the weather.

This is a top package that bristles with brilliant club sounds for a range of different settings and more than whets the whistle for the forthcoming album.

Impossibly rare, private press, modern soul/boogie from 1980 Florida. Featuring the prized original version, a 2018 rework by the original band and a previously unreleased track from the original session! Cut loud.

First release on brand new record label, Pressure Makes Diamonds, run by Gary Johnson.

Released under exclusive license from Reggie Jahn & Jamie Baker.

SHELVED RECORDINGS 2.2

The second part of the two part set from SHELVED RECORDINGS !

Returning to a brief but very fruitful period in electronic music production, Shelved Recordings exists to look back to the golden age of the remix, with a clear view of the future it imagined.

Artists who were steered towards maverick producers, with a view to changing the rules, to re-defining the terms of what modern music should and could be.
Pioneering techniques, over-dubs and an exploratory period of pop production, resulted in many lost dub versions and mixes. Mixes, which invariably were left on the shelf, deemed too 'out there' by the bosses of the the hedonistic label managers who commissioned them.

Carefully reconstructed and rebuilt lost classics from someone who was there the first time around !








One limited vinyl press only

Yeketelale is the third album from Franco-Ethiopian group uKanDanz, combining a heady brew of rock energy, saxophone zigzags and Ethiopian melodies, all fronted by veteran singer Asnake Gebreyes grooving harder than ever.

In Ethiopia, sons follow fathers and, together, their names tell a story. Some discographies are the same way. After Yechelal (''It's Possible''), Awo (''Yes!''),here's Yeketelale (''It Continues''), the third album from Ukandanz.
The adventure that links Damien Cluzel (guitars) and Lionel Martin (tenor sax), the two founders of the group, with the Ethiopian singer Asnake Guebreyes continues and, with this album, takes on new colors and a new dimension. It is a polished synthesis that keeps the rock energy of their first recordings and gives even more space to the subtle vocal ornamentations that mark great Ethiopian singers. Add to that a groove that is more danceable than ever, carried by Adrien Spirti's synth bass and Yann Lemeunier's drums, and you have the magic formula of Yeketelale.

This came about slowly over the course of a dialogue that began in the early 2000s when Damien Cluzel, arriving with a circus in Ethiopia, met up with the occupant of the next room in their hotel. A stroke of luck: this was Francis Falceto, high priest of the Ethiopiques collection (Buda, 30 volumes to date) which had introduced to the West the treasures of swinging Addis, the capital that vibrates to the sound of big brass orchestras. With him, he dives into the capital's nightlife and meets a galaxy of musicians. The singer Asnake Guebreyes is among them.

Recruited by the famous Police Orchestra at the tender age of 16, he already had all the power, energy and class of his role model, Tlahoun Guessessé ''the Ethiopian James Brown''. He began his solo career at the beginning of the 1990s with several major successes, most famously an explosive duo with the singer Fekker Addis.

This experience made a big impact on the French guitarist. Having learned how to blend in with a uniquely Ethiopian groove, he was now ready to take it to other places and in other directions. In his old friend Lionel Martin, he found an ideal partner to engage in such experiences. But they needed a singer. The idea of Asnake Guebreyes was mentioned. Then Francis Falceto called and suggested going to see him at the Addis Music Festival. Ukandanz, a rock version of Ethiopian groove, was born.

Some pieces, like the disturbing Yene Hassab, call to mind Herbie Hancock's experiments in the seventies, as well as the Juju guitars of the Gulf of Guinea. Others, like the dark Fetsum Deng Ledj Nesh, allow Asnake's voice to soar above the synthetic waves, like a siren song for a freighter in distress. Dance and trance are not left out, with inspiration from the inexhaustible Ethiopian traditional repertoire. In a nod towards Asnaké's first album (Ahadu, also reissued by Buda) Ukandanz returns to its track Ajiré, transfigured by the guitar, claps and synthetic bass and takes us back to the glory days of breakdancing. Listening to the two versions gives the key to understanding the unique touch of Ukandanz and of the rich musical colours of Yeketelale (''It Goes On''), a fusion musical journey that brings the electric spark of the Frendj (Westerners) to Ethiopian lyricism.

STAR CREATURE’s space funk bass hunk hero OURRA drops this stylish disco boogie groove featuring London’s ALENA on vocals. Originally slated for release in the Fall, but rush released due to demand. Peaktime summer dance floor heat in both vocal and instrumental versions.

More golden era heat from the nervous vaults! It keeps coming!
1994 is the year and Black Moon and the whole Boot Camp Clik are on a major roll.
'Buck Em Down' is as potent today as it was back then with Da Beatminerz bros flipping Donald with a little 'Hihache' in the mix.
Oh? You love that gritty SP1200, filtered out, buddah smoke filled basement sound? Well, this is for you. All-time classic stuff right here, easily.
Here on dinked 45 for the first time ever you get the dirty instrumental versions of this sublime mid-90's banger.

Fully legit, licensed and reissued by Above Board distribution in conjunction with Nervous Records, NYC. 2019.

G&D are back with vol 3 of their edit series... This is one essential 12" vinyl for any serious djs ad disco, Boogie and Cosmic lovers.
They have addicted us to a cultured sound while being fun. The versions always seriously edited by two Italian masters.
With this third release the obscure G&D duo have raised the level of quality. Absolutely essential tune.
The release contains all the seventies song as disco funk boogie and cosmic tune.

Supported by.... Sadar, Red Greg, Volcov, Grusane, Daniele Baldelli, Ge-ology, Hot Buttered soul, Twice.

More golden era heat from the nervous vaults! It keeps coming!
Another stripped back, rough & raw banger from the vintage mid-90's output of Brooklyn's Black Moon crew, a legendary group.
'Powaful Impak' . still sounds super heavy today, a swirling mixture of dancehall vox, Busta samples and ultra raw and banging SP1200 loops courtesy of the mighty Evil Dee & Mr. Walt aka Da Beatminerz. Nobody comes close to the ferocity of this, super hard, street level hip-hop that encapsulates NYC beautifully, ultra gritty! Throw on your timbs, Carhartt jeans and jump the turnstyle to this right here. Essential vintage rap, instrumental included. Cop that.

Fully legit, licensed and reissued by Above Board distribution in conjunction with Nervous Records, NYC. 2019.

Vinyl Only 2x12"

Minimood introduces a series of fusion releases between cold-wave, gothic, post-punk on the one hand and ambient, techno, house, electro on the other hand. We hope that the ensuing synthesis between categories disseminates novel as well as sustained types of inspiration. The first project in this series presents the song Wie Raben by the post-punk band Factice Factory with electronic interpretations by André Galluzzi, Christian Burkhardt, Iori, Reinhard Voigt, as well as ROD.

A collection of contemporary reggae, dub and electronica, which marks a broadening of musical horizons for the label beyond reissues of lost African guitar dance music. The LP covers a range of Jamaican inspired sounds, including roots reggae, dancehall, dub and jungle, which may act as a taster for potential future releases.

Due for release in July 2019. Interest for airplay from Tom Ravenscroft and Gideon Coe from BBC 6 Music. Steve Barker plans to review for The Wire magazine

These versions are taken from Marc’s own tapes. All royalties go to the ‘Light of Love Foundation’ for the Marc Bolan School of Music & Film. ℗ 2019 Easy Action Recordings Ltd © 2019 Easy Action Recordings Ltd. 700 copies pressed on cream vinyl. Rare and unheard versions of these songs remastered from Marc’s own personal copies, recently repatriated with the estate. Presented in high quality reverse board 3 mm spined sleeve with photo from Peter Sanders

Exactly a year on from 'Travel Light', we release the final single from Children of Zeus' debut album. A dinked 7" single, containing one of the stand-out tracks from the album, 'Hard Work', and a re-vocalled Lover's Rock version of 'The Heart Beat' (a demo version of which appeared on 'The Winter Tape' from Christmas 2018).

'Hard Work' is a term than can easily summarise the past twelve months in the life of Tyler Daley and Konny Kon. They've been busily touring Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe and the UK twice in that time, as well as rocking shows at countless festivals across the continent.

'Travel Light' was named "Album of the Year" by Complex Magazine, BBC 6 Music's Huey Morgan and Rinse FM's Jyoty, as well as taking 2nd place at the Worldwide Awards (for which their label First Word was named "Label of the Year") and numerous high-placing's from Fact, Mixmag, The Vinyl Factory, Juno, Bandcamp, Mi-Soul, Wordplay & Piccadilly Records, amongst numerous other notable selectors, blogs, tastemakers and musicians, with fans far & wide from Radio 1's Benji B to Chase & Status, Jazzy Jeff to Lily Allen, Stormzy to Goldie.

The depth of styles & genres included on 'Travel Light' confirmed that Tyler & Konny are not easy to put in a box. Their initial inspirations of Manchester pirate radio in the 80's/90's all make up to form the sonic tapestry of hip hop, soul, r&b, broken beat, jungle and, in this instance, reggae.

One of the album's biggest surprises was this now-anthemic track, 'Hard Work', which sees Tyler Daley effortlessly ride a one-drop riddim drenched in positivity, and is a highlight in their live sets, as anyone who's witnessed will testament to. Meanwhile, the flip-side transforms the quiet storm vibe of 'The Heart Beat' into a heavy, heavy dubwise track, creating an essential accompaniment and fitting sequel to the original lick.

Pressed on a limited edition rustic JA-style dinked 7", this one is, of course, essential for any discerning collector, fan and DJ. Released on First Word Records, July 12th 2019.

One of the musical highlights from Louie Vega’s NYC Disco album, “Rebel Nation” is a collaboration between grammy award winner Louie Vega, legendary multi-platinum producer Patrick Adams, and Nulu Records president, international DJ and artist Anané. Patrick initially had the idea for the song after seeing a recent Star Wars movie. Louie saw the vision of what it could ultimately be with live music additions, and Anané added the inspired lyrical content and vocal performance. In Louie’s own words, “I call Anané a chameleon, because she transcends so many different sounds with her voice. She gave the track just the right feeling vocally. It’s a very punk-rock approach; the kids speaking out, all kinds of people making the statement, Get Up! Stand Up! Let’s Rise! Rebel Nation.”

Lauded critically and on dancefloors worldwide in its original album version, the track has now been given the all-star remix package treatment with contributions from Danny Krivit, Carl Craig, Soul Clap and Felix Da Housecat X Chris Trucher.

San Francisco’s Honey Soundsystem Records returns with a new single this July, inaugurating a new collaborative guise from Juan Maclean and Kevin McHugh (aka La-4a / Ambivalent) entitled Longlost.

It is rare the combination of simple and catchy happen in dance music, but ‘Take 8’ is just that. A song so heartfelt and recognizable it demanded its own slab of wax, a true single! This expertly mixed and crafted house cut romances listeners into a catchy live piano ditty that seemingly could pleasurably repeat for days.

Inspired by the tracks lead melody, the label set up NYC classical Pianist and friend of Honey Soundsystem crew Kevin Devine on a blind date with the producers a new version. Kevin whipped up a compositional response to the original and he was recorded live on a Grand in La-4a’s studio. Finally, to make it a family affair, Taraval, known for his work of Four Tet’s TEXT, teams up with label co-founder Jackie House for a kraut-no take on the original, fusing vacillating resonant bleeps and robust drums with glimpses of the original’s ethereal sounds.

SECTION ROOTS SERIE #02
Psychoskunk are back with the second chapter of Section Roots series by Error Etica. This chapter included a original track of the label's owner Victor Martinez (Error Etica) and 3 special remixes by the Japan techno artist Hironori Takahashi (Informa-Granulart-Stroboscopic Artefacts) and Pelacha owner of Redsonja Records and founder of Stelar Booking and the famous parties in Madrid Techno Cracks ,
As a special mention the masterful reinterpretation of English techno legend Nick Dunton /65D Mavericks (Surface Records / Inceptive / Poverty is Violence/Blueprint) of the original track: Schematic Diagram thats included only in digital live version that Victor interpreted in mythical club in Barcelona "Moog".

Legendary DJ's Hans Nieswandt and Eric D. Clark team up and boldly declare: let there be protest disco. And here it is: „Work Work Work” and „No More Hatin’ & Trashin’“, with original versions by the two Whirlpool Productions heads, plus hot remixes by Marcel Vogel and Phonk D. Four tracks of positive power for the people!

Often quoted as being one of the greatest Soul records of all-time, 'Open The Door To Your Heart' was Darrell Bank's first release and biggest hit. A one-off UK issue copy on London Records recently sold for a huge £14,543 in 2014 and is testament to the quality of the song and recording.

Here, for the first time ever, is the previously unreleased instrumental version by the Funk Brothers - the Solid Hitbound musicians including Rudy Robinson, Uriel Jones, Eddie Willis, Bob Babbit and Dennis Coffey. This work of art will be reissued on the original Revilot label.

Back in stock!!


Reissue of this HEAVY Ghana disco / rap / boogie tune..., BIIG one!! Comes with a instrumental cover version by Welsh group Drymbago on the flip..

Soundway Records reissues Free Youth’s long sought-after 1985 single “We Can Move”, their only release - fully restored, remastered and available for the first time on digital and 12” vinyl. “We Can Move” is the first known iteration of Ghanaian hip hop, emerging at the dawn of ‘hip-life’ (hip hop meets highlife).

Free Youth comprised three main members: Terry “Sir Robot” Bright, Lenny “Nii Addy” Dimple, and Abednego “King Abed” Ayim Bright. In the early 80s they began performing in clubs and parties across Accra, with friends and other dancers occasionally joining them on stage – including Reggie Rockstone, who later went on to find commercial success.

In 1985, the band were approached by a producer and invited to record at a local studio. Without having written down any music, Terry, Lenny and Abed sang the parts and beatboxed the rhythms to the session musicians prior to recording. Out of this session came “We Can Move”, a blend of hip-hop and Afro-funk with a proto disco-boogie beat, punchy trumpet riffs and melodic rapping.
Included in the Soundway reissue is an exclusive instrumental cover version of “We Can Move” from Welsh ensemble Drymbago. This replaces the original B side track “Freedom Video Centre”, which was an advertising jingle for a business associated with their former producer.

Primarily based in Leeds, The Lewis Express is comprised of many of the musicians that have graced previous ATA releases: George Cooper, Piano (Abstract Orchestra) Neil Innes, Bass (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill), Sam Hobbs, Drums (Dread Supreme, Tony Burkill, Matthew Bourne) and Pete Williams, Percussion (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill).Recorded over an intense two-day session, 'Clap Your Hands' is heavily influenced by the classic soul jazz recordings of The Young Holt Trio / Young Holt Unlimited, and Ramsey Lewis, from who this group take their name. As with many of the classic Ramsey Lewis cuts this album was recorded live, capturing the rich inter-relationship between the players and leaving in some of that chunky room noise.

Claps your hands/Stomp Your feet was recorded during the sessions for the upcoming Album 'Clap Your Hands'. building on the template set by their eponymous debut album these tracks further explore the 60's soul-jazz of Ramsey lewis and Young-Holt and the latin boogaloo of Eddie Cano and Pete terrace. A-side 'Clap your Hands' opens with cowbell, handclaps and bass before drums and electric piano enter to carry the track onto the dancefloor. This is one for the Djs and it'll do the business in the clubs for sure, but, also perfect for a late night, sweaty house party - shoes off and beer in the sink. B-side 'Stomp Your Feet' is much more in the classic mod-jazz frame with a faster pace and funkier drums, but still with handclaps and electric piano to the foreground. Drummer Hobbs opens up 'Stomp Your Feet' in fine style, and The Lewis Express start to swing with a Ramsey-esque groover that's just made-to-measure for dancers. Everything comes together here, with a mid-60s Cadet record feel throughout. Both tracks were recorded live to tape and were recorded and mastered for a tougher sound perfectly suited for djs to fill a dancefloor.

Club Soul are proud to present the first ever reissue of this cult album, now complete with the, previously unreleased, instrumental. It is presented on

180gm heavyweight audiophile vinyl in a single sleeve featuring a Club Soul insert with new sleeve notes.

Dancin’ joins a growing catalogue of premium music on the Club Soul imprint - including crossover hits compilation ‘Shades of Soul’, the ‘All-Dayer’ LP, and

newly compiled albums that celebrate the clubs of the original Northern Soul Scene - ‘The Scene Club’, ‘The Twisted Wheel’, ‘Wigan Casino Soul Club’,

‘Catacombs’ and the forthcoming ‘The Golden Torch’. To the pop buying public Van McCoy is known for his 1975 Grammy Award

chart-topper “The Hustle”, after which he sadly died of a heart attack in 1979 at the age of only 39. To rare soul fans Van McCoy is a hero: THE most prolific

writer and producer of Northern Soul of all time, working with a host of legendary artists including Kendra Spotswood (aka Sandi Sheldon) with whom he had

a five-year relationship. ‘Dancin’ ‘ was originally released by Shelby Singleton in 1976 on his SSS International label, although all the ten original songs were recorded much earlier,

circa 1968-69. With its kitsch cover and out-of-kilter track list, copies soon filtered through to the UK and into the hands of club DJ’s at Wigan Casino with

perhaps “Help Is On The Way” becoming the stand-out track. Richard Searling played the mid-tempo “Just Another Dress Rehearsal” in the latter days of

the club while an unreleased instrumental version of “Ain’t Got No Love” was played post-Wigan from a studio acetate.

Sixth release by Japanese artist Kosei Fukuda from his own platform.
Remastered version of the digital bonus track “Sky Clair” from REITEN 0.003.
B side contains remixes by Claudio PRC and Uch

Enzo Elia – one who knows how to conceive Italo driven audible passion with the machines that surround him. His releases on cult labels Compost, Free Range and Black Pearls Records have long spoken to us here at KOMPAKT.

We welcome this summer heater which is “Gilli 88 EP”. A tribute to the 80s phenomenon…THE PANINARO. Without any ideological basis or connection to a particular lifestyle THE PANINARO was based around fashion imagery and luxurious clothing. Enzo found this translatable to today’s social network dynamics and is prime for the retrofuturistic dancefloors of today that are inspired by the golden days of Italo-Disco.

“Low Red” is a Italo-Pop gem conceived with Quique Aldebaran and Quique on vocals that takes inspiration from the legends that were – the mighty Suicide. An instrumental version dives deeper into the groove for DJ play persuasion. “Aj Squinza” takes a classic 80’s disco approach with sound-scaping synths that endlessly jam with an everchanging rhythm. “Volpinata” succumbs to a classic EBM groove that finds its way out of focus due to fat synth melodies that engorge this elevating track.

The  Hammond organist’s classic 1968 album. His second record for Blue Note. Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on 23rd July 1968. Produced by Blue Note co-founder Francis Wolff. Featuring an all-star unit including Lee Morgan (trumpet), David ‘Fathead’ Newman (tenor sax) and Melvin Sparks (guitar). Kicks off with the hard-driving Hugh Masekela composition ‘Song Of Ice Bag’, and continues with a take on ‘Three Blind Mice’, a brilliant version of the title track, made famous by Aretha Franklin, and two more Latin-tinged Smith originals (‘ The Call Of The Wild’, ‘Slouchin’’). Includes liner notes written by Rhett Evers.

This third release of Black Lotus on Florian Meindl's FLASH Recordings enqueues in her reflection on space and physics and hypnotizes the listener in her usual kind.

According to ancient and medieval science, Aether is the material that fills the region of the universe above the terrestrial sphere.
In mythology it is seen as the personification of the heaven - the soul of the world and element of all life. An undetectable substance.
The invisible material thought to permeate all the empty space in the universe. The pure air that the gods breathe in the heavens.

Kicking off with the opening theme, with its wild synth hook and sweeping ride, ÔAetherÕ induces a solid trip on the dancefloor.

The second track explores deeper territories with its dynamic cymbals, spacey 303 textures and monotonous dark mood.

Distant Signal is a supernatural story about incessant galactic bleeps, accompanied by heavy kicks and a highly energetic percussion.

Safe trip!

Ophir Kutiel AKA Kutiman is a multi-instrumentalist from Tel Aviv, a “psychedelic space funk architect” to quote Straight No Chaser. When we were approached by his label Siyal about recruiting ZamZam/Khaliphonic artists for a remix project, we loved the idea right away - dub without borders or boundaries is our passion, and getting our hands on Kutiman’s freeform analog explorations felt like an amazing opportunity to push that passion further. All four remixes revel in the freedom of the original tunes, and each, while anchored in dubwise techniques, are totally unhindered by tempo or other genre constraints.

Alter Echo & E3 open with a remix of “Unknown,” the set’s only 140 tune, full up with a bubbling cauldron of bassline and flutes, esoteric vinyl archaeology, spring reverb shocks, and swung percussion.

J:Kenzo, known for 140 and 160 bpm sound system bangers, here takes the chance to stay deep - but in a chill mode - unfurling a beautiful journey of syncopated drum work and slapping percussion framing the lush, meandering melodies of the original “Behind The Noise."

Gulls’ rework of “Mineral” rocks with an offbeat feel, technically in four, but swaying like it’s in three. Plucked guitar figures recall the African roots of contemporary bass music, and tape hiss buffets the listener back and forth through a sonic hall of portals and passages.

Perhaps the most surprising of all four four versions is Headland’s closing “Lucid Dream” remix, which sets course for dub techno country and never looks back. Combining the best of the producer’s masterful sound design and sense of build-and-drop dynamics with the idiom’s 4/4 pulse and focus on immersive space, Headland closes a set as inspired as the album it was based on.

This summer, Soundway Records will release a double vinyl compilation
from South African-raised, UK-based DJ and producer, Esa
Williams.Titled Esa Presents Amandla: Music To The People, the
compilation spans electronic music from around the globe, which feature
heavily in Esa's DJ sets and hold a special place in his record bag -
including exclusive versions and hard-to-find tracks from the last two
decades.Esa Presents Amandla will be preceded by a promotional teaser
12" out 31 May, featuring Penny Penny's 2001 impossibly rare Kwaito
House monster "Shilungu".A hypnotic, percussive, groove-driven
anthem, it features chanting in Tsonga, celebrating South African icon
Penny Penny's Shangaani roots.
On the flip is the acid-soaked "Shilungu (Esa & Mervin Granger '99 Mix)",
re-interpreting the track with key elements from the original which are
extended into a late night, Chicago House influenced chugger.Esa
Williams is an ambassador for the South African music scene within the
crowded landscape of the European nightlife - balancing a hectic DJ
schedule, a monthly radio show on Worldwide FM and various live
projects. He is currently in the midst of a long-term DJ residency at
Phonox London, where he embarks on a weekly musical expedition.

Wanubalé – nine guys from Berlin, inspired by the city's fresh Jazz scene and distinct club culture. This band sets out to define their own, highly danceable version of Jazz, Neo Soul and Funk.

The Wanubalés are first rate musicians. They tend to take their time writing arrangements, yet they are careful not to overly emphasize their jazz skills. Songwriting is a collaborative affair, everything is developed organically. Just like the band name, which dates back to the days of fooling around in the schoolyard, playing with syllables ("nuba" came first). Sound was crucial. Some say "Wanubalé" means "brother" in Swahili.

Wanubalé's instrumental debut album was recorded by Axel Reinemer in Berlin's Jazzanova Studio in 2018. The musicians don't hide their influences: Snarky Puppy, Fat Freddy's Drop, plus younger acts like Hiatus Kaiyote and Nubiyan Twist. But Wanubalé do their own thing, having produced and arranged the album. Wanubalé: four horns, two drummers, guitar, bass, keyboards. Nine musicians with a knack for funky breaks, might brass sounds and great melodies.

After presenting Detroit Swindle’s sophomore album High Life in 2018, we felt it was the right time to serve you up a tasty selection of remixes from all over the world and all over the sound palette. We’ve got some dub and boogie from Australia and the Netherlands, classic deephouse from Detroit, dark and dreamy deephouse from the UK and some high energy house from Germany. This set of remixes comes from 5 artists we hold in high regard and have made a serious impact on their part of the scene; some recently and some already a long time ago.

We invited Dutch techno -plot twist alert!- legend Steve Rachmad to come up with a re-interpretation of ‘Yes, no, maybe (feat. Tom Misch)’. His Sterac Electronics remix actually has nothing to do with techno but is an uplifting modern boogie version of the already funky original. Glimmering electronics, some added harmonics and a tight 80’s groove is what this version is all about.

The A2 is reserved for Cinthie, who took the high energy afro funk track ‘Call of the wild (feat. Jungle by Night)’ and turned it into a full on house frenzy with solo’s all around and a groove that just keeps on going and going.

The A side is completed with a remix by Jura Soundsystem, who has impressed many of us with his balaeric influenced synth-boogie, and dub on his own label ‘Isle of Jura’. Here, he chose to remix ‘High life (feat. Lorenz Rhode)’ and has done an excellent job in re-imagining the track into a tamed down, dreamy dub.

On the flip, there’s Matt Karmil’s take on one of the album’s beatless tracks ‘Ketama gold’. He goes in deep with some dusty drums and an arrangement that keeps on building and building, keeping the chord sequence from the track’s outro as a main loop and adding subtle FX, toms and acid hits and a final delivery where electronic cowbells up the energy level by a notch or two.

We finish off the compilation with a moody deephouse re-interpretation of ‘Ex machina’ by Detroit legend Gari Romalis. The twisted machine funk of the original is craftfully replaced by a dusty house loop, dreamy pads and smart usage of the original’s drum effects to build momentum.

This remix package brings a lovely new chapter into the story of ‘High Life’ and we hope you’ll enjoy these reworks as much as we do.
Yours Sincerely,

Maarten & Lars.

he second instalment of Nachtbraker's new label features four new original tunes from the Nachtbraker kitchen. Expect his signature deep grooves and inventive arrangements with moody synth melodies. Leonardo Ceviche is built for the dance floor, a "lean back" groove with a trance vibe to it. One (For Mom) is tailored for the warm summer nights, a steady baseline and snap-py snares supporting the lush and sweet synth melody. Flip the record for two versions of Havel. With the first one taking on a classic deep house guise, the Trip Mix of Havel takes us on a journey beyond your imagination.

Mastered and lacquer cut by Simon (The Exchange) Davey.

SAFT is proud to present a re-release of a sought after disco classic from 1979. Carlos Romanos' 1-2-1 is without a doubt one of the highly regarding dancefloor classics from the heydays of the genre. With a length of 5.30 this brass infused stomper is club friendly, positive and drenching with Latin influenced percussion sounds.

As the original version has been available as a 7" as well as a 12" release, the new edition will appear on a 12" record only and includes a hypnotic 'Sotofett' formula dub on the B-side that spans ten minutes and maximises the percussive nature of the original to create a psychedelic voyage that builds and builds whilst generating a threatening atmosphere around the brass, vocals and perc hits of the original.

A roaring guitar gives 1-2-1 a bizarre but signature Sotofett treatment which shouldn't be missing from any adventurous record collection. 1-2-1 including DJ Sotofett's formula dub will be available from all specialised retailers from the summer of 2019.

Ten releases in, and STILL far better than the rest

In a more raucous mood, it seems Bitter End have pre-empted the summer of debauchery ahead of us by unleashing their Sweetest exorcism yet...
ITCHICRICKITCH is the tweaking weirdo in the corner, the unsettling presence that invariably unites the room in the simplistic joy of judgement free release.

'PRINCESS' appeared on the flipside of a frankly far more regal diva originally on GALL005, here she's the smudged mascara version, much stroppier and not due home 'til way after sunrise.


As always, limited and LOUD

After capturing audience awards festivals like SXSW and the Los Angeles Film Festival, the word is out that Kashmere was the greatest high school band - ever. Their story is tucked in between slabs of hard 70s funk, soul, and jazz: Conrad Johnson transformed a bunch of rough-hewn high schoolers into a band that could compete with any in the nation – professional, or otherwise. Forget high school bands, we’re talking about sixteen year old kids who would give the JBs a run for their money! The Kashmere Stage Band released a total of eight albums and three 45s on Johnson’s Kram label. The band’s best tracks are collected here. Producer Eothen “Egon” Alapatt features an expanded booklet with updated liner notes and essays, more rare photos and ephemera, and a download card which contains the B+/Flying Lotus produced Texas Jewels: The Making Of Texas Thunder Soul short, a recently unearthed 1973 documentary on the band, and a 1972 performance.

The Brussels-based trio of Virginia Genta, David Vanzan and Ernesto González (Bear Bones, Lay Low) have been playing as Yader for some years already. Bagigi Dub and WW Dub sees them run two tracks from their 8 track tape through effects for more spaced-out versions of their sound, under the name Jahder. This 7", also with cover design by Virginia, features two cuts of prime dubbed-out drum machines, loping bass lines and widescreen delays for expansive listening.

The NMB Allstars have been part of the SKAM family for nearly twenty years. Initially as DJs then as producers, they beguiled us with their dub-informed rhythms and caustic beats. When they first put their Bug EP together at the back end of 2001, we discussed what might come next – a plan for five 12” EPs before an album, not realising it would take fifteen eighteen years to get to number five... but, here it is, the 5th of 5, NMB005 the GazOhmEater EP.
The pattern of releases has played with titles and logos of UK nationalised industries – Bolton8 (002) referenced Altern-8 and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, NWH20 (003) North West Water. and Mancweb (004) drew on Manweb, a local electricity provider. For this final EP Acid and Gas are the go-to aesthetic narcotics. Along the way the 12” series had guest appearances from Meam, Made and Pendle Coven, part of the NMB extended crew.
These days neither of the two founder members locate themselves in urban situations, preferring to retreat to the hills spending hours on the moors of the Pennines. Even these landscapes are punctuated by infrastructure,
be it pylons, reservoirs or tunnels, and the resonant hums, filtered through peat bog and horizontal rain can be sensed in these new tracks put together slowly over the last seven years. NMB stated from the beginning that their “output was not controlled by time” - how right they were.... They have said the album should be ready in 2028.

‘New label out of Bristol, Ghost Phone represents RnB's deep and club friendly potential with four anonymous versions from various artists. Hand picked from across the globe for their deep love and appreciation of the original sound, each producer brings thier individual style to the fore. Bending things out of shape for the freaks but still retaining the genres slick, sensual aesthetic.

Chopped and screwed soul gets the full dub treatment on opener ‘Quiet Storm’, alongside 'Hit it Tool' where bumping 2 step drums meet Bmore breaks for the most dance floor primed cut on the 12". B1: ‘Single And Searching’ floats pitched vocal snippets in to the clouds, layering them over misty eyed rave chords. Finally, there is the pale faced club shuffle of '2ON’.’