Buscar:2 def

Anthony Shakir, Kech Harrington, Martin Bonds, and Brian Bonds recorded the Fairmount Squad EP as a side project. It was released in 1998 and played on Detroit radio station mix shows and in local gentlemen's clubs, selling out quickly and never repressed until now.



Swinging street rhythms and spacey, funky basslines define this classic release.

With »Discreet Music« (1975), »Music for Airports« (1978) and »Thursday Afternoon« (1985), Brian Eno invented a new music genre, Ambient Music, which he defined as »able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting«. These versions performed and arranged by Dedalus Ensemble, according to the musicians and the critics who listened to it, goes beyond what we expect from it. A mental base that takes us far away. One of the only music without beginning or end in which we want to stay as long as possible.

The Dedalus Ensemble is a contemporary music ensemble based in Toulouse, founded in 1996 by Didier Aschour. Its repertoire includes works by classics of minimalism such as Christian Wolff, Phill Niblock, Frederic Rzewski, Tom Johnson, Moondog or Philip Glass.

Borrowed Tongue is the debut solo album by Korean singer-songwriter Minhwi Lee. It’s a mysterious, strangely compelling thing, an album of rare poetry, and remarkably self-assured. Originally released in November 2016, the album made waves, winning best folk album of 2016 at the 14th Korean Music Awards. Its eight songs, written and predominantly arranged by Lee, don’t reveal their secrets easily, or at first blush; rather, they take their time slowly to unfurl in her listeners’ worlds. There are hints of other music here, from time to time: the intimacy of Stina Nordenstam, perhaps; the gauzy haze of Hope Sandoval, on the blissed-out pop of “Broken Mirror”; there are touches of acid-folk, and ECM jazz, and a slyly filmic approach to songwriting and arrangement that makes every song fit perfectly into the album’s arc.

Lee arrived at her solo music through a complex, circuitous route. After studying musicology in Seoul, she learned her trade, film scoring, in New York and Paris. She also studied classical music, blowing off steam in a wild punk duo, Mukimukimanmansu, who released one album, 2012, on Korean indie label Beatball. Subsequently, Lee has been refining her music, focusing both on her solo songs, and on writing for television series and films; she’s written scores for films by such directors as Sangmoon Lee, Jeongwon Kam, and Wanmin Lee. She also plays in the jazz outfit Cubed, and recently joined doom metal group Gawthrop on bass.

Since its release in 2016, Borrowed Tongue has slowly bewitched listeners with its idiosyncratic arrangements and evocative songwriting. It’s an album that hints at plenty, but refuses to make grand statements, something Lee seems intent to pursue: in correspondence, she’s very clear that she wants these songs to enact a kind of transmutation, to be adopted into the listeners’ lives and exist within their own imaginings. She does, however, offer a few hints to what propels these mercurial songs, explaining, “this album is about a person who again opens their mouth, which was once shut. The album deals with what it means to speak: things that are known but not said, things that should be said but are not, things that cannot be said but nonetheless are.”

This may well explain the curious mood of Borrowed Tongue, the multiple ‘voices’ that inhabit the album; Lee’s singing voice is pliable and mutable, approaching each song as its own diorama and ensuring the song is sung with just the right tone. The arrangements Lee conjures for her songs are all in service to narrative and melody; they appear to her alongside the composition, which is surely why everything here fits together so beautifully. From there, Lee approaches her songs carefully, in deference to their ‘need to be sung’ a certain way. There isn’t a moment wasted: everything on Borrowed Tongue is as it needs to be, whether a melancholy folk song taking to the air, or a psychedelic reverie dreamed into being. It’s a beautiful, poised and confident debut.

Frontier's Edge is the new EP by the fiery, energetic and genre-defying group The Budos Band. After a two-decade run with the legendary Daptone Records, Frontier's Edge is the first new music from the group on the new label, Diamond West Records - run by The Budos' saxophonist Jared Tankel and guitarist Tom Brenneck. The Budos Band's departure from Daptone was on good terms; the split from their long-time home base was an organic result of the band's evolution. "It's just a natural growth," Brenneck says, admitting: "We're going further away from the sound of Daptone and into territory they probably wanted to stay away from." As a result, Frontier's Edge finds the group hungry, passionate and primed to charge into their next epoch newfound sense autonomy within the collective. "We're a powerhouse in the studio; we can produce ourselves," Brenneck says proudly of a long process of self-containment. "I take the helm, but the band, they know what they want." As expected from The Budos Band, Frontier's Edge resists analysis; it represents the band as they are: a contained explosion. You don't pick apart Frontier's Edge; you feel it all at once. "Somehow, we wrote six songs in two days," says The Budos' drummer, Brian Profilio. "Tom was able to take what we were doing and put it together in a cohesive manner." Whether this is your first rodeo with The Budos Band or you've been following them throughout their two-decade run, Frontier's Edge contains their musical universe - Afrobeat, Ethiopian music, proto-metal, any number of other streams - in microcosm.

After the release of "3.3 magnitude" and the remixes of the single "1.3 HDG" unveiled last February, H3 Records continues its musical exploration between rap and electronic music with a new release, "Music 4 Tesla".

This time, rapper Kaba joins forces with producer Hyas and unveils a slender and festive 6-track track, true to the label's identity.

Hyas started producing music in 2017 and released his first projects completely independently. Today, he has more than twenty releases on labels such as 99CTS and Casa Voyager. The Lyon native, resident of Le Sucre and Rinse FM, has a string of dates and festivals in France and abroad and founded his own label Bardouin Music in 2020.

For his part, Kaba has released three singles this year, including two featuring Karmen (formerly Tortoz) and Samy Ceezy, and a 10-track "Long Story Short", a joint project with the young beatmaker Keno.

The connection between the two artists was very natural: the rapper's ambitions and Hyas' influences complemented each other and led to a first draft of tracks, convincing enough to form the basis of a joint project. With influences from UK Garage, Acid House, Ghetto House and 2step, "Music 4 Tesla" is a high-flying, catchy, danceable, warm and sunny project. Throughout the tracks, Kaba borrows incisive old school flows (like on "4daMob") but also "DMV" (overlap flows where the phrases overlap like on "Original G") and enriches the musical universe of the project, which carries in it this fever of H3 Records' sounds.

Between pervasive house influences and bouncy bass, borrowed from funk sounds, "Music 4 Tesla" depicts throughout its 20 minutes a captivating gradation of festive ambiences, and proves again that the marriage of rap and house is definitely made to last.

Cristian Vogel, the esteemed electronic music producer and composer, is set to release his 27th album, 'Fase Montuno'. This highly personal release is a visionary take on the futuristic potential of Latin American electronica.

Set to be released on Achim Szepanski's legendary Mille Plateaux label, 'Fase Montuno' is poised to make a significant impact on the electronic music scene in 2023. The label's commitment to innovative and genre-defying music is a perfect match for Vogel's boundary-pushing creativity, and promises to deliver an unforgettable listening
experience for fans old and new.

Don't miss out on this latest release from one of electronic music's most talented and visionary artists. 'Fase Montuno' is an essential addition to any music lover's collection, and a testament to Vogel's continuing relevance and creativity in the electronic music world.

Revered house mainstay Junior Sanchez makes his debut on Carl Craig’s renowned Planet E Communications imprint today with the digital release of his latest EP ‘‘Art O Fact’ out now with a 12” to come this July. Hailing from New Jersey, Sanchez remains a pioneering force in house music for over three decades and a close ally of Craig’s.

‘Art O Fact’ is an exemplar of the energized rhythm and infectious groove that has become synonymous with Sanchez’s work and genre defining productions. The package seamlessly connects scenes and eras, paying homage to the soulful sonic atmosphere of Detroit, Junior Sanchez’s says:

“Art O Fact -- was created purely and simply out of creative inspiration. I walked into the studio one morning not really knowing what to do, so I let my inspiration guide me and my inspiration really was Detroit. I thought about that city, what it meant to me and what techno really meant to my heart. I have loved so many records by Carl Craig, DJ ROLANDO, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins, so the result is something really beautiful and organic, and the fact that it's coming out on Carl Craig's planet E imprint is such an honor.”

In addition to the original mix, the ‘Art O Fact’ EP features a bouncy ‘Luv4Detroit’ Dub, energized edit, and melodic reprise.

Sanchez’s eclectic palette can be credited in part to his time spent in the sonic melting pot of New York City in the 1990s. A pillar of the underground club scene, Junior Sanchez began DJing at iconic New York City institutions such as Limelight and Club USA at the mere age of 13 and released his first track on iconic house imprint Strictly Rhythm at age 15. Sanchez went on to co-found Da Mongaloids collective, composed of the likes of Daft Punk, Armand van Helden, LaidbackLuke, and more which laid the foundation for him to form multi-generational turntablism trio S-Men alongside Roger Sanchez and DJ Sneak.

Sanchez's extensive repertoire of collaborators includes Madonna, Ariana Grande, Good Charlotte, Azealia Banks and more while his own imprints Cube Recordings and Brobot Records have seen releases from the likes of Felix Da Housecat, Sébastien Léger, and Steve Mac.

Led by legendary Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig, Planet E Communications has been an integral force in shaping electronic music for the past thirty years. Standing testament to the timeless spirit of techno, over the past two years alone Carl has released the leftfield ‘Attenuator’ jazz fusion project from himself and Moritz Von Oswald, DJ Holographic’s multi-genre Detroit Love Vol. 5, and the first electronic music album from Mexican-American percussionist Francisco Mora-Catlett. Planet E continues to transcend the dance floor, as it perpetuates the unifying spirit and unwavering creativity of Detroit.

Named King of the Edit since the 1980’s, pioneering Manhattan DJ Danny Krivit’s (aka Mr K) latest 12” delivery instils the title bestowed upon him some 30 years ago. An esteemed selector Danny’s prolific remixing and production capabilities have touched hundreds of records – with his signature flare shaping the New York City sound. Opening the A-Side of the release, is Danny edit this summer’s seminal track The Vision’s ‘Heaven’, interweaving a gloriously groovy bassline with Andreya Triana’s vocal to produce an extended, DJ friendly mix that he sent crowds wild with at Dekmental Festival.

On the flip, Mr K delves a little deeper into the Defected catalogue, trying his hand at The DangerFeel Newbies’ ‘What Am I Here For (Original NDATL Vocal)’. Danny’s stripped back version extends the jazzy, percussive original, as velvety smooth vocals and elegant keys bring this expressive and sophisticated release to a close. A true master of the edit, music as good as this deserves to be heard on wax.

Taken from the album ‘Strata Records – The Sound of Detroit – Reimagined by Jazzanova’, BBE Music, DJ Amir and 180 Proof records present the 3rd single from this monumental project. This release features remixes by Japanese Club Jazz pioneers Kyoto Jazz Massive, and Genre Blending New Yorkers, musclecars. Kyoto Jazz Massive were enlisted to remix the Jazzanova reimagining of Sam Sanders’s iconic song Face at my Window. Their mix adds an intimate Jazz Club feel to vocalist Sean Haefeli’s recording, which highlights the dynamics of Sean’s voice. The subtle tempo increase maintains the feel of the original and adds a punch to the brass section, making the track an entirely new experience. musclecars add that traditional New York / Chicago House vibe to Jazzanova’s reimagining of Kenny Cox’s ‘Beyond the dream’, and the result is a skippy afro/latin dancefloor filler which can go on forever. musclecars demonstrate their genre blending superpowers on this mix which adds a garage swing to a jazz record, definitely going to be a jam for the dancefloors in 2023. Both remixes showcase the importance of DJ Amir's unearthing of these strata gems, and Jazzanova’s reimagining, how they have breathed new life into one of Detroit’s hidden gems - Strata Records. They will definitely on board new audiences to the treasure trove that is Strata, and the iconic stories surrounding the often overlooked record label.

2023 Repress

The Hague based producer ''Deniro'' is responsible for the 3rd installment in the ''Oblique Music'' series. This time around the 12'' consists of 4 club cuts that all showcase a different ambiance throughout. Label owner Ben Buitendijk is carefully curating the sound for his recently established imprint and Deniro's (extinct) Penguin inspired package definitely matches with the label's previous escapades. ''Kairaku 1'' is a dubbed out whirlwind which uses emotive drum patterns and hazy reverbs that blend together in the most perfect way and cause for a inspiring atmosphere to occur instantly. ''Kairaku 2'' is a more classic sounding cut which maintains originality through ''Deniro's'' signature drum patterns and the constantly changing chords that make this effort one of the more special ones. The B side opens up with ''Kairaku 3''. This is again a dubbed out cut that is drenched with percussive sounds that would suit perfect in the more adventurous settings. ''Kairaku 4'' is filled with interesting textures and progresses in a minor but riveting way.

Die australische DeathCore-Combo Thy Art Is Murder lauschte viel Slipknot und Hatebreed und reicherte die aggressive Melange mit den genretypischen Growls und einem fetten Death Metal-Riffing an.

In »Reign Of Darkness« ziehen sich die Gewitterwolken dunkel zusammen, um sich dann in »The Purest Stain Of Hate« komplett zu entladen. Eine astreine Knüppelorgie, die keine Gefangene nimmt. Der anschließende Track »Vile Creations« wiederum besticht mit dem Hardcore-immanenten Groove, der in den zehn Tracks der Platte immer wieder auftaucht. Der letzte Track, »Doomed From Birth«, schließt sogar atmosphärisch die Klammer zum Auftakt.

Voyager Gold Vinyl

On Jupiter, Brooklyn trio Upper Wilds voyage deeper into the cosmos, mapping out the overwhelming enormity of the universe in soaring hooks and blistering noise. The third installment in the trio"s exploration of our solar system looks to its largest planet for a daring exploration of scale and perspective. New York underground mainstay Dan Friel"s melodic gifts and wry lyricism are magnified and propelled ever outwards by the thundering rhythm section of bassist Jason Binnick and drummer Jeff Ottenbacher, all immersed in rippling fuzz. Just like its namesake, Jupiter stands as Upper Wilds most colossal offering in their catalog. The raw power of their music is amplified to titanic proportions, sky-clawing riffs invoking the sheer awe that the heavens inspire. More than any Upper Wilds album before it, Jupiter makes humanity"s endeavors in space exploration an inseparable part of its sonic DNA . Recorded with Travis Harrison at his studio Serious Business in Brooklyn (Guided By Voices, Dope Body, The Men), the trio"s live recordings are inspired by the Voyager Golden Record - a double LP launched with the 1977 Voyager probe spanning field recordings to compositions by J.S. Bach and Laurie Spiegel. While the Voyager Golden Record"s intended audience may have originally been the extra-terrestrial beings that might encounter the probe, Upper Wilds bring cosmos-seeking sounds back to earth with a record made for and about humanity. Jupiter finds comfort in space"s unending expanse. Far from feeling defeated by the smallness of our existence in the face of an uncaring universe and ever-expanding infinite, Upper Wilds capture the power of creativity to extend our lifespans far beyond our limited time on earth

True to themselves and their art, as always, no matter the cost, Axe To Fall continues to push relentlessly forward, much like a shark that needs to always keep swimming to survive. Where No Heroes was a refinement and broadening of hostilities declared on previous assaults such as Jane Doe, Axe To Fall returns to the more AmRep-inspired noisecore abrasions of You Fail Me while also updating and making vital the thrash influences that defined earlier Converge efforts (Caring and Killing, Petitioning the Empty Sky) and retaining the hardcore hostilities and frantic pace so vital to their foundation.

Second album from West London, singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Oscar Lang. A split from his childhood sweetheart sent Lang spiralling, dramatically changing the course of the follow-up to the psychedelic-tinged fuzzy-rock of his 2021 debut Chew The Scenery at the same time as driving Lang into the most creatively fruitful period of his short career. The diversion has resulted in Look Now, an astounding record that makes Lang’s previous output sound like he was just testing the waters. Chew The Scenery and three melodically-breezy EPs that preceded it introduced Lang as a songwriter of rare talents but here is where he really lays down a marker, emerging with an album that takes in playful hooks, poignant lyricism, orchestral swells, ba-roque-pop instrumentation, a record that’s expansive but never overblown, intimate at the same time as being epic. It is his definitive artistic statement. Formats; CD, LP

In a pumpin 2.0, spirit, with a mental story telling and defenitly a Vinyl cool in the mix style...
And some exploration with this downtempo B tune :)

The Remainder comprise of Blancmange’s Neil Arthur (vocals, guitar and synthesisers), solo artist Finlay Shakespeare (synthesisers and vocals) and Liam Hutton (drums, guitar and synthesisers). The latter - best known for his work with Boxed In, Neneh Cherry and more recently, Young Fathers - initiated the writing process back in 2015. ‘There was never a clear brief or definition of the project that we were working towards collectively’, he explains. ‘It was always a completely open statement.’ The trio’s crisp, glacial rhythms, cascading synths, shadowy psychedelia, absurd humour and lyrical x-rays of everyday life all feature strongly on their forward-looking debut album. The hypnotic, beat-driven songs are a way of venting; facing up and expressing a strange new positivity in spite of all the darkness. Each song is also linked by interludes created by Liam’s mother Jo Hutton, a recording engineer and composer/sound designer of experimental music and sound art.

Repress!

Coming as the eighth edition of the series, ‘EP8’ stays true to committing Defected’s biggest digital releases to wax, delivering an upfront package of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. ‘EP8’ features four of Defected’s first releases of the decade, with David Penn’s collaboration with renowned house vocalist Roland Clark ‘The Power’ kicking off the A-Side, as Roland Clark’s mighty spoken word narrative paired with David’s rolling bassline and percussive breaks combine for a sincere and uplifting track.

Up next, Italian duo Supernova deliver their dancefloor cut ‘Can’t Stand It’, featuring Los Angeles vocalist Marley Monroe, who delivers her heavenly top-line, a track infused with Chicago house influences, Supernova’s cut is a start-to-finish groover. On the flip, ‘To Burn’ by Dennis Cruz opens, featuring Leo Wood’s compelling vocals, as a wandering bassline and vocal stabs throughout take it to the club. To round off the release, Defected regular OFFAIAH delivers his track ‘Private Show’ (Club Re-Edit), ready to ignite dancefloors with seductive vocals and tension-building drops.

Coming as the fourth edition, 'EP4' stays true to the series, committing Defected's biggest digital releases to wax, and delivering upfront packages of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. Opening up the A-side is garage legend and Grammy Award winner Todd Edwards with 'You're Sorry', where his chopped-up vocal sampling, pitch shifts, and kick drums combine to create a track with true groove. Up next is underground gem 'Space & Time' (Extended Vocal Mix) from Dario D'Attis featuring Jinadu, a record that presents grooving house excellence. The B-side continues to deliver the goods, opening with Low Steppa's Defected debut, 'You're My Life', a guaranteed summer weapon for 2019. Rounding off the vinyl release is Austin Millz 'Broke Boy', where the Harlem born artist showcases his genre defying style, with vocals provided by Claire Ridgley, making a reflective and serene closure to this release.

The sixth edition of Defected’s vinyl series continues to commit the labels’ biggest digital releases to wax, delivering upfront packages of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. Kicking off the A-Side is Ferreck Dawn’s solo Defected debut ‘You Are The One’, a self-assured club track featuring a cut-up sample from Jocelyn Brown’s timeless classic ‘Somebody Else’s Guy’. Up next is Qubiko’s ‘U R’, a bumping, grooving dancefloor cut from the Italian DJ. On the B-Side Todd Edwards & Sinden storm in with their UKG influenced ‘Deeper’, featuring chopped-up vocal sampling, time shifts and kick drums. The release is rounded off with Alaia & Gallo’s ‘Trippin’’, with an irresistible deep and driving bassline, the gospel vocal trio Dames Brown lend their soulful tones to cover the Y2K classic ‘It’s Love’ by Jill Scott.

Repress!

The seventh edition of Defected’s vinyl series continues to commit the labels’ biggest digital releases to wax, delivering upfront packages of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. Italian duo Havoc & Lawn open up the A-Side with their Defected debut ‘Give It Up’, partnering with London vocalist Jinadu on this soulful and atmospheric club cut. Up next rising star of Defected and house music maestro OFFAIAH delivers his signature bass-driven style on ‘Soldier’.
On the flip, Endor’s Defected debut and incredible smash hit ‘Pump It Up’ sets the B-Side off to an electrifying start, before the otherworldly Chicola remix of Sandy Rivera & Rae’s ‘Hide U’ rounds off this essential release from the Defected camp.

Repress!

‘EP11’ stays true to committing Defected’s biggest digital releases to wax, delivering an upfront package of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. Opening the release with two massive tracks from long-time friend of the label Dennis Ferrer, the A-Side kicks off with his stunning cut ‘Whisper’, produced alongside Disciples and James Yuill, followed by another slice of house heat in the form of his joyous collaboration with Dawn Tallman ‘Sunny Days’. On the B-Side comes another massive collaboration, this time from Idris Elba and Inner City, with their club weapon ‘No More Looking Back’. Finally, closing out the package is Endor’s ‘Fur’, the record that saw the Brighton producer return to his underground roots following the platinum selling ‘Pump It Up’.

Repress!

Defected’s vinyl series continues to commit the label’s biggest digital releases to wax, delivering some of the best house music previously unavailable on vinyl. The fifteenth edition celebrates two artists who have put their stamp on the international scene; Chicago’s face of new house John Summit, and internationally renowned Dutch producer Ferreck Dawn. The A-side of this four-track EP begins with one of the biggest hits of summer 2022. A Latin-infused tech house record, the BBC Radio 1 A-Listed ‘La Danza’ is bursting with energy thanks to infectious vocals that we have come to expect from John Summit. What follows on the A is a dark and gripping remix of ‘Whisper’, originally by Dennis Ferrer & Disciples and featuring vocals from James Yuill. The two tracks show Summit’s range as a producer, from the light, inviting sound of ‘La Danza’ to the heavy tech house of ‘Whisper’. The B-side features Ferreck Dawn’s collaborations with two of the London’s most recognisable dance vocalists. ‘Life’ (written and recorded with Izzy Bizu) is an excellent demonstration of the producer’s signature vocal house style, brimming with summertime energy whilst still retaining a cool club feel. Finishing off the collection is ‘Back Tomorrow’, a clubbier house collaboration featuring shuffling percussion, a grooving bassline, and a distinct piano line that contrasts with Jem Cooke’s haunting vocals.

Dames Brown continue to build upon their Defected success with this three-track vinyl package, featuring remixes from two highly respected house selectors. May 2023’s release of ‘Glory’ with Dirt Tech Reck label founder Waajeed saw the uplifting track spotlighted by BBC Radio 6’s Craig Charles, capturing the effervescence of the Dames on his flagship show. Experience the extended version of ‘Glory’ on wax for the first time, in addition to Chicago pioneer Kelly G.’s Dancing Dub Club Mix, a previously unheard wax exclusive built on a distinctive, dancefloor ready 4x4 kick. On the B-side, fresh from their double release on Classic Music Company that received major BBC Radio 1 attention, ‘We Give Thee Honor / Makes Me Wanna’, the soulful innovators Floorplan lend their unmistakeable brand of eclectic, gospel house to ‘Glory’ for a match-made-in-heaven remix that celebrates the two neighbouring genres of soul and gospel.

Repress!

Repressed, note price increase. Remastered from the original masters and pressed extra loud for DJs. There are very few albums across any genre that stand the test of time better than 93 ‘Til Infinity, the classic debut record from the Hieroglyphics crew’s very own Souls of Mischief. In an era where Gangsta Rap and G-Funk dominated the West Coast Rap scene, Souls broke ground on a completely unique and thoroughly west coast sound. While the Dr. Dre’s and the Snoop Doggs were garnering much of the mainstream attention, Souls were quietly forging a charismatic, critically acclaimed, and cohesively shaped record that when categorized, sounded much closer to A Tribe Called Quest than N.W.A. The sound of their debut is characteristic of the distinct style explored by the collective, including a rhyme scheme based on internal rhyme and beats centered around a live bass and obscure jazz and funk samples. 93 ‘Til Infinity was propelled into success by its title track and lead single, which reached #32 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also featured singles “That’s When Ya Lost” and “Never No More” which also reached the Hot Rap Singles. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time. Considered by many to be a textbook “slept-on” classic Rap record, 93 ‘Til Infinity has only grown better with age. The album simply defines the Hiero golden age with a sound that would later be fine tuned with strong releases from MCs Del The Funkee Homosapien, Casual and Pep Love. It takes some serious bravado to name your album 93 ‘Til Infinity, but certainly the goal of creating a Hip Hop “classic” must have been on the collective minds of group members A-Plus, Tajai, Opio, and Phesto when recording this landmark moment in Hip Hop history. It’s true, even seventeen years after the album’s initial release many people are still discovering it, and with this re-mastered reissue on double vinyl, fans all over the world will once again discover the brilliance that 93 ‘Til Infinity delivers and will continue to deliver beyond infinity. A1. Let ‘Em Know (Produced by Domino) A2. Live and Let Live (Produced by Domino) A3. That’s When Ya Lost (Produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien) B1. A Name I Call Myself (Produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien) B2. Disseshowedo (Produced by Domino and Jay Biz) B3. What a Way to Go Out (Produced by Domino) B4. Never No More (Produced by A-Plus) C1. 93 ‘til Infinity (Produced by A-Plus) C2. Limitations feat. Casual (Produced by Jay Biz) C3. Anything Can Happen (Produced by A-Plus) D1. Make Your Mind Up (Produced by Del tha Funkee Homosapien) D2. Batting Practice (Produced by Casual) D3. Tell Me Who Profits (Produced by Domino) D4. Outro (Produced by Domino)

First Word Records is very proud to welcome the return of the inimitable Kaidi Tatham, with his 5th album for us, entitled 'The Only Way'. Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist born in the Midlands and based in Belfast. Established as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound, he is a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production. A deeply prolific artist, this is Kaidi's 5th solo album under his own name, following on from 'Don't Rush The Process' (2022), 'An Insight To All Minds' (2021), 'It's A World Before You' (2018), and 'In Search Of Hope' (re-pressed in 2020), all released on First Word, along with several EPs from 2017 onwards. 'The Only Way' is the latest chapter in Kaidi's entirely unique explorations into sound. 11 tracks touching on bruk, funk, jazz, mid-tempo hip hop and hyper-energetic Brazilian flavours, all thrown into a melting pot that's difficult to define, but all containing Kaidi's unmistakable sonic signature. The ...

‘Bad Neighbor’ is a collaborative studio album by rappers MED and Blu and producer Madlib. Originally released on October 30, 2015, the 13 track LP features guest appearances from the likes of the late MF DOOM, Aloe Blacc, Mayer Hawthorne, Jimetta Rose, Dâm-Funk, and Oh No. The album is undoubtedly an extension of all three artists’ signature sounds, but it simultaneously defies all precedents to reaffirm each individual’s position at the forefront of LA’s legendary hip-hop landscape.

For the first since it’s original release date, the album is set to be rereleased on vinyl in a special edition red and black color-in-color configuration equipped with two new mixes of the focus tracks, “The Strip (feat. Anderson .Paak)” and “Knock Knock (feat. MF DOOM).”

"Bad Neighbor is as if the Ruff Ryders albums were reimagined by this trio and all the avant heads get to party, but it is also worth mentioning that the often slept-on MED and Blu seem to steer this beast as much as the beloved Madlib." -AllMusic

Gerry Cinnamon, an already legendary live performer, made history last summer after selling out Scotland's national football stadium twice over to become the first independent act - and the first Scot - to sell out multiple nights at Hampden Park. A year on, the definitive live album from the multi-platinum singer/songwriter will be released on 14 July 2023. "Well that was a trip and a half. Played all sorts of gigs all over the world but that was something else. Over 100,000 of us. Music is a magical thing that connects people in a special way. History made. Memories made more importantly. Felt the Hampden roar right in my chest and it was mighty." - Gerry Cinnamon. The homecoming shows concluded his 350,000-capacity UK and Ireland tour, originally due to happen in 2020, instead taking place across 2021-22, also included sold out shows at Birmingham and Manchester Arena, London’s iconic Alexandra Palace, the 25,000 capacity Malahide Castle, Dublin, and Musgrave Park Stadium, Cork.

It took Rouen, France over five-hundred-years to find an act as fiery as the execution of Joan of Arc, but they finally found one in the Year Of Our Lord 1977: Dogs. The absolute picks-of-the-litter and best-in-French-new-wave-rock-show, Dogs (no ‘the’), over the course of nine albums, two dozen singles and EP’s left behind an undeniable legacy, none fiercer than on their first recordings for the Melodies Massacre label. This collection compiles Dogs’ earliest releases: the ‘Charlie Was A Good Boy’ 45 and ‘Go Where You Want To Go’ 12 inch maxi-single. Fully and officially licensed from Melodies Massacre for the first time, including notes from Melodies Massacre founder Lionel Herrmani and featuring many never-before-seen photos from the band’s halcyon days, this compilation serves as the definitive portrait of the artists as young Dogs. A must for fans of all music, but especially Eddie & The Hot Rods, the early Scientists, the Flamin’ Groovies, and the Heartbreakers. Rouen, France got that Dog in ‘em – now you can as well!

Repress !

One half of iconic British duo Basement Jaxx Felix Buxton and vocalist Gia make their Defected debut with the soul-stirring 'So Hooked On Your Lovin', alongside two groove-loaded remixes by Mousse T.. The first ever release under their Selace pseudonym, the record comes laden with lingering organ chords and stunningly raw vocals, echoing the stripped back quality of Switch's 'I Still Love You' and with a similar deep-reaching feel to Massive Attack's early 90s classic 'Unfinished Sympathy'. Production maestro Mousse T. works his magic with his funk-drenched Disco Shizzle mix loaded with a pumping bassline and guitar riffs alongside a deeper Dubby Shizzle version laced with a spoken word hook. Less is more with Selace; this is a minimalist yet undeniably stunning record that lets its captivating song do all the work.

Voitax continue their forward thinking, explorative musical and visual output with the latest release on the label from the dynamic and multi-talented DJ and producer Giordano. Italian-born and Berlin-based, Giordano has established himself as a genre-defying selector whose vibrant, charismatic sets deliver unsurpassable energy via old-school rave, retooled UK bass wobblers, acid-dripped electronica and clever club experimentalism. On this six-tracker his sophisticated production skills and vast musical knowledge burst to the forefront, forging an irresistible path to all four corners of the dancefloor and beyond. Following previous releases on the likes of Soma and Savy Records, here Giordano reaches a new production zenith with "Transmute", crafting a metamorphosing set of breaks-infused bangers and carefully-sculpted rhythmic grooves.

The drowsiest and earliest inklings of the slowcore movement can be traced to Codeine's 1991 debut. Combining the Louisville scene's relaxed tempo with doom metal's distorted slurry, the album is a depressing masterpiece of hushed vocals, noisy guitar, and punishing drums. Remastered from the original analog tapes and recreated in painstaking detail, Frigid Stars LP is the NYC trio's fuzziest and most affecting work. "A deft musical approximation of the sound of water turning to ice, the guitars are so weighed down with distortion that they struggle to march from one chord to the next." _ Pitchfork

Heat Death Vinyl is Clear w/ Black Splatter. The drowsiest and earliest inklings of the slowcore movement can be traced to Codeine's 1991 debut. Combining the Louisville scene's relaxed tempo with doom metal's distorted slurry, the album is a depressing masterpiece of hushed vocals, noisy guitar, and punishing drums. Remastered from the original analog tapes and recreated in painstaking detail, Frigid Stars LP is the NYC trio's fuzziest and most affecting work. "A deft musical approximation of the sound of water turning to ice, the guitars are so weighed down with distortion that they struggle to march from one chord to the next." _ Pitchfork

Keni Burke's seminal Changes yielded the eternal club classic "Risin' To The Top". You need this record for this iconic steppers anthem alone. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that the whole of Changes, first released in 1982 on RCA but now a tricky one to find, is something truly special. It's a masterpiece of sophisticated 80s groove, containing first class funky soul that sounds as fresh as ever. This is multi-tempo soul music conceived in heaven.

Ace bass player, songwriter, arranger and producer, Keni Burke was discovered by Curtis Mayfield and a childhood member of the Five Stairsteps. Emanating from that magical 81-83 era and pristinely recorded at Philadelphia's legendary Sigma Sound Studios, his third solo album Changes really perfected Keni's groove. It incorporated tight, snappy rhythm arrangements which, despite the era, featured *real drums* courtesy of Steve Ferrone (from Average White Band) to compliment Keni's meaty bass lines. With Dean "Sir" Gant on synths and keyboards and Ed Walsh handling the Vocoder-OBX and Prophet 5, wonderful lines from Earth, Wind & Fire's legendary horn section and hooky rhythm and lead guitar riffs courtesy of Ed "Tree" Walsh, Keni was truly spoiled for excellence. With Doc Gibbs on percussion and Vince Montana on vibes elevating the sensational writing and arrangements, Keni couldn't really go wrong.

“Risin’ To The Top” is undoubtedly the defining crown and lasting legacy of this album. Wth its instantly captivating bassline, slowly creepin' groove and uplifting lyrics, it was a favourite among both the 80s soul steppers and hip-hop crowd and remains canonical to this day. Written by Burke, Allan Felder, and former Chic member Norma Jean Wright, it incredibly failed to garner much American radio play or really trouble the soul charts. Whilst it was an instant classic in the U.K., in the States it took the hip-hop generation and later R&B and hip-hop samples of the tune to finally make it popular, many years later. Of note, Big Daddy Kane sampled it for "Smooth Operator", LL Cool J for "Around The Way Girl", Pete Rock & CL Smooth for "Take You There" and O.C. with "Born 2 Live".

But the highlights are not restricted to this one behemoth. For example, the track which precedes "Risin'" on Side B is another steppers favourite. "One Minute More" is a perfect mid-tempo ballad and the epitome of deep modern soul. A truly timeless work of genius. We, for one, struggle to think of a better song segue than the moment you're still reeling from the intense beauty of "One Minute More" and "Risin'" elegantly stirs into action. Frisson in excelsis. The propulsive, bass-heavy opener "Shakin" is an indisputable cracker and its followed by the timeless mid-tempo class of "Hang Tight". Just gorgeous. Next up, "Can't Get Enough" is another emotional, horn heavy chugger. The side closes with the sparse, tender, floating sl-o-o-w jam "Who Do You Love"; a truly divine ballad. The B-side beings with the title-track, "Changes", a squelchy, melodic boogie banger with fantastic keys, incredible vocals, ace shuffling percussion and spacey synths. It's followed by the ultimate one-two in "One Minute More" and "Risin'" before this sensational set closes with the glorious easy glide "All Night".

An absolutely essential record for fans of deeply soulful modern-funk, Changes was mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis and cut by Cicely Balston for Alchemy at AIR Studios. The artwork was restored at Be With HQ over many painstaking months so, hopefully, this fresh new edition ensures this long-lusted after album is no longer so awkward to find.

Dark, evocative beats engulfed by bold raw vocals: this is
TOTEK, the genre-defying electronic project of Allysha Joy and
Max Dowling.
In their own right, Allysha and Max both lay claim to an
extensive musical prowess: the former as a member of the
internationally-acclaimed nu-soul outfit 30/70 and her equally
revered solo project, the latter as a prolific producer, performer
and collaborator (Client Liaison, NO ZU, Parvyn and countless
others).
Born out of burn out and edging frustration for the pace and
complication of life at times, this collaboration came together
almost immediately. TOTEK found itself in the dark edges,
wanting to punch a little harder and move through it all quickly,
boldly, unafraid in relief. The chemistry held between Max and
Allysha found songs written in mere moments that expressed
something new that neither artist had been able to access
alone.
On face value, the six tracks on ttk.1 could feel musically
divergent: representing different idioms, different tempos and
different themes. Yet they are unified on a more holistic level
through their energy, ethos and character. TOTEK prefers to
view music in this way: what is the overall experience of a
record? Pushing boundaries and eschewing conventions has
been organically at the heart of TOTEK from the beginning. The
process of crafting a record was no different: The artists
intended to create a work that is characterful and unpredictable
yet unified by a throughline of potency and intensity.
TOTEK represents a masterful coming-together of influences: a
blend of multiple electronic idioms with a unique soul sensibility;
channelled through two creatively potent individuals. While their
music conjures shades of Dorian Concept, Jana Rush and
Flying Lotus, ultimately their sound is eclectic, elusive and
unique.

Featuring 38 tracks (as opposed to the digital release, which is only 15 tracks), This is the definitive Doom Patrol Season 1 soundtrack featuring music by Clint Mansell and Kevin Kiner. The score is fantastic, mixing electronics and more traditional string-based score elements. The central theme is one of the best in recent years, and the score is moody and magnificent yet also fun and playful. It is the perfect accompaniment to the action on screen.

Under the moniker of Jaye Jayle, Louisville guitarist/vocalist Evan Patterson has spent over a decade exploring the more abstract realms of the American singer-songwriter process. On his latest album, Don't Let Your Love Life Let You Down, Patterson continues to mine his unique strain of the meditative blues while finally breaking the shackles of defeat and passing into a realm residing between Western stoicism and mystic wonder. Like Leonard Cohen fronting some intermediary step between Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized, Don't Let Your Love Life Get You Down, conjures an aura of psychedelic grace and enveloping warmth through its pairing of pensive baritone poetics, druggy studio manipulations, and gospel-infused blues. Abetted by the production and mixing skills of Ben Chisholm (Chelsea Wolfe). Across the eight songs of Don't Let Your Love Life Get You Down takes the old American singer-songwriter template and imbues it with a kaleidoscope of synesthesia delights culled from a half-century's worth of fringe music. This aural grandeur reinforces the life-affirming radiance of Don't Let Your Love Life Get You Down. Though Jaye Jayle retains the hypnotic repetition and austere instrumentation of their past, the added layers and saturation of sound intensifies the immersive hallucinatory spirit only previously hinted at in their work. As with all Jaye Jayle records, it's still best suited for the hours after midnight, but it now holds the promise of dawn. Jaye Jayle is Evan Patterson, with him as always is Todd Cook, Corey Smith, and Neal Argabright. With special guest Chris Maggio, Victoria Fisher, Patrick Shiroishi, and Bonnie `Prince' Billy. RIYL Leonard Cohen fronting Spiritualized, Spacemen 3, JJ Cale, Lungfish, Angels of Light, Young Widows Ltd single colour vinyl LP!

The Tribe founders’ collaborative debut, remixed from the original mutli-track master tapes under the direction of its creators and lacquered by Bernie Grundman. Phil Ranelin’s side has been pitch-corrected and restored to a suite, as was originally intended. Wendell Harrison’s side contains extended, full versions of two songs. The definitive reissue of this Spiritual Jazz masterpiece. The Tribe label, one of the brightest lights of America’s 1970s jazz underground, receives the Now-Again reissue treatment. This is your chance to indulge in the music and story of one of the most meaningful, local movements of the 20th Century Black American experience, one that expanded outwards towards the cosmos. In the words of the collective themselves, “Music is the healing force of the universe.” Included in an extensive, oversized booklet, Larry Gabriel and Jeff “Chairman” Mao take us through the history of the Tribe, in a compelling story that delves not just into the history of the label and its principals, but into the story of Black American empowerment in the latter half of the 20th Century. The booklet features never-before-seen archival photos and rare ephemera from Tribe’s mid-1970s heyday.

The very definition of ‘70s soulful jazz, Where I’m Coming From has all the hallmarks of Prestige Records at its finest, with an all-star cast of sidemen (The legendary Idris Muhammad! Hello to Madlib’s uncle, Jon Faddis! Greetings to the funky flute of Hubert Laws!) recorded at Van Gelder’s studio and packed with down and dirty grooves top to bottom. From the opening cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” through to the low-slung original headnodder “Where I’m Coming From,” with stops along the way for dips into the catalogs of Curtis Mayfield (“Give Me Your Love”), Marvin Gaye (“Trouble Man”) and the Four Tops (“Keeper Of The Castle”), Leon Spencer’s rippling organ lines sear this prime example of groove jazz. This 180-gram reissue of Where I’m Coming From! was cut from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray and pressed at RTI, and comes packaged in a tip-on jacket.

»Blank Vault / White Stains« is the new solo album by Franz Joseph Kaputt (DRNTTCKS, Otomatik Muziek, Hager/Kaputt). Under his S.U.V. alias, he presents nine highly personal, improvised synthesizer miniatures, accompanied by heavily delayed drum machines and enveloped in clouds of feedback. The music unveils a background rooted in years of noise exercises and ventures into the territories of dark, psychedelic folk, while showcasing a fondness for delicate synthesizer sounds and repetitive song structures. Layers of sound and rhythms collide and arrange themselves to create an idiosyncratic ambient/kraut music that explores the borders of when intimacy becomes toxic. It also delves into how relationships involving kink strategies can be used in a way that don‘t render one powerless or hurt, but ultimately leading to empowerment.

Side A is kind of an utopian dark room, filled with peculiar beats, drones, and dreamy synth arpeggios. Pleasure and joy are subversive acts that challenge and upend stereotypical role models. The pieces revolve around the mutual and consensual exploration of individual boundaries and the transformative states that emerge within these encounters – a unique entity, a »Body Of The Mind« if you will, is formed between individuals. Side B then represents the counterpart. Acid synths, distortion cascades and looped pianos evoke the regression from this playful and subversive approach on to sheer brutality and perverse destruction.