Search:chocolates

Following the passing of our dear friend DJ Romain earlier this year, we've spent a long time reflecting on when to share some of the new music he entrusted to Hard Times Records. The incredible response to 2024’s 'The Lost D.A.T.S.' EPs reignited Romain's creative spark at a time when, unbeknownst to many, he was quietly battling serious ill health. After relocating from his beloved New Jersey to Cleveland, the studio once again became his sanctuary, inspiring a remarkable new chapter of music. The 'New Jersey' and ‘Cleveland’ EPs were the first recordings from that period.

Funky Streets completes the first trio of new EPs, but it is also just a glimpse of the wealth of music Romain crafted before his passing. His final studio sessions became an escape from his daily battles, inspiring a remarkable outpouring of new material that he was determined to finish, knowing his beats would continue to warm dancefloors and further cement the legacy of one of house music's true masters.

Opening with the horn-driven swagger of the title track, the EP moves seamlessly into the soulful groove of 'I Like To Boogie' before culminating in the deep, organ-led dancefloor energy of 'This Is Where I Wanna Be’. Romain signs off with 'The Chocolates’ - an uplifting, guitar-laced boogie jam filled with warmth, joy and unmistakable soul.

Beautifully crafted from beginning to end, Funky Streets stands as a lasting testament to DJ Romain's extraordinary talent, timeless musicality, and enduring contribution to House music. His legacy lives on in every groove.

"Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller only worked together twice, briefly in 1925 in Erskine Tate's band and four years later in the New York revue Connie's Hot Chocolates. But Waller made an indelible enough impression for Satchmo to record the tribute album Satch Plays Fats in 1955, when such ideas were new. The mid-'50s was a fertile time for Armstrong, and this makes for a stellar package." - ****1/2 Cub Koda, All Music Guide






[f] 6 Honeysuckle Rose [alternate Take]





[l] 12 Ain't Misbehavin' [alternate Take]

As time marched on, many of the DJs I had been working with such as Pete Tong, Paul Oakenfold, Trevor Fung, Simon Dunmore and Johnny Walker got involved in the world-leading UK dance scene, raking in cash by making records. I thought ‘I’ll Have some of that!’ This led to my first foray into the studio creating the proto-acid jazz classic 12”, ‘Psychedelic Jack (That’s Where It’s At)’, which cheekily sampled Frank Zappa, Soft Machine and Gong. With me and Gilles on vocals, it got us signed to Acid Jazz Records, who released in 1988 under the name of Extasis.

That was just the start and nearly 35 years later (gulp!) I’ve had a ball, producing Galliano and Paul Weller, working with Mick Talbot, Roy Ayers, Linda Clifford and Sharon Redd, remixing Will Downing, Ce Ce Rogers and Blaze. I’ve made house tunes with Faith’s Terry Farley, run the legendary Dadhouse Records label with Dave Jarvis. I also set up my own studio and released music under a variety of names, both for my own labels and Acid Jazz Records. Recent releases include my solo albums “Firebird” (2023) and “Dream World” (2024). There was also “Back To Business” with Mick Talbot, released in 2023.

Forrest Gump was the surprise hit of the 1994 summer movie season. The film traces the life of a half-wit through the major historical events of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. It features Tom Hanks as the loveable Forrest Gump and Robin Wright (Claire Underwood in House Of Cards) as Forrest's insecure girlfriend Jenny.

Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
The film garnered for seven Golden Globe Award nominations, winning three of them, including Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, Best Director - Motion Picture, and Best Motion Picture - Drama. The film was also nominated for six Saturn Awards and won two for Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actor (Film. The film also won the Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects award at the 1995 BAFTA Film Awards.

Forrest Gump received numerous other awards such as one win from the Screen Actors Guild Awards in its first year for Tom Hanks in a total of four nominations.

The film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in the United States National Film Registry in 2011, being deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. The movie has made multiple American Film Institute lists including the quote Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.' ranking 40th on 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes. The film ranked 240 on Empire's list of the 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time. The chain of restaurants, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company opened based on the film, and has opened many locations since its founding.

The score was composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri and was nominated for Best Original Score in the 67th Academy Awards.

The legendary Score is now finally available on vinyl for the first time. The first pressing of 1.500 copies are pressed on 'Chocolate' coloured vinyl. You never know what you'rei
gonna get...

Forrest Gump was the surprise hit of the 1994 summer movie season. The film traces the life of a half-wit through the major historical events of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. It features Tom Hanks as the loveable Forrest Gump and Robin Wright (Claire Underwood in House Of Cards) as Forrest's insecure girlfriend Jenny.

Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
The film garnered for seven Golden Globe Award nominations, winning three of them, including Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, Best Director - Motion Picture, and Best Motion Picture - Drama. The film was also nominated for six Saturn Awards and won two for Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actor (Film. The film also won the Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects award at the 1995 BAFTA Film Awards.

Forrest Gump received numerous other awards such as one win from the Screen Actors Guild Awards in its first year for Tom Hanks in a total of four nominations.

The film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in the United States National Film Registry in 2011, being deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. The movie has made multiple American Film Institute lists including the quote Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.' ranking 40th on 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes. The film ranked 240 on Empire's list of the 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time. The chain of restaurants, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company opened based on the film, and has opened many locations since its founding.

The score was composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri and was nominated for Best Original Score in the 67th Academy Awards.

The legendary Score is now finally available on vinyl for the first time. The first pressing of 1.500 copies are pressed on 'Chocolate' coloured vinyl. You never know what you'rei
gonna get...

Forrest Gump was the surprise hit of the 1994 summer movie season. The film traces the life of a half-wit through the major historical events of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. It features Tom Hanks as the loveable Forrest Gump and Robin Wright (Claire Underwood in House Of Cards) as Forrest's insecure girlfriend Jenny.

Forrest Gump won six Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Visual Effects, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
The film garnered for seven Golden Globe Award nominations, winning three of them, including Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, Best Director - Motion Picture, and Best Motion Picture - Drama. The film was also nominated for six Saturn Awards and won two for Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actor (Film. The film also won the Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects award at the 1995 BAFTA Film Awards.

Forrest Gump received numerous other awards such as one win from the Screen Actors Guild Awards in its first year for Tom Hanks in a total of four nominations.

The film was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress in the United States National Film Registry in 2011, being deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. The movie has made multiple American Film Institute lists including the quote Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.' ranking 40th on 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes. The film ranked 240 on Empire's list of the 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time. The chain of restaurants, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company opened based on the film, and has opened many locations since its founding.

The score was composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri and was nominated for Best Original Score in the 67th Academy Awards.

The legendary Score is now finally available on vinyl for the first time. The first pressing of 1.500 copies are pressed on 'Chocolate' coloured vinyl. You never know what you'rei
gonna get...

Available on ltd edition Eco mix vinyl, with only 250 copies pressed. Includes download.

We’re delighted to bring you the latest full length from London psych heads The Confederate Dead.

‘As an artist, one of the most extraordinary gifts is the ability to convert life's experiences and emotions into music, transmuting pain into beauty, tragedy into art. With our latest album, 'Flamingo', we embarked on this creative journey. The inception of this project dates back to 2022, a year marked by a period of separation that was both challenging and transformative. 'Flamingo' is not just an album; it is a voyage through the labyrinth of heartache and healing. Each track resonates with the overarching theme of the album, yet each presents a unique interpretation of it. Every song echoes the same meaning, the same core narrative, but from a different emotional lens.’ Butchy Davy (The Confederate Dead)

‘“Flamingo by London’s psychedelic indie band The Confederate Dead flows by like a strange dream. Each song flows differently, shifting the dreamy images into another direction. Thoughts of The Black Angels, the Fuzz Club catalogue and genres from shoegaze to garage pop and back to good old psych rock fight a confusing fight for my attention. In the end it appears that this struggle will never truly be decided. The Confederate Dead is their own beast, and a great one at that.

Theirs is a sound that oozes confidence and grandeur, presented like a big name would. and there is no reason why The Confederate Dead would not dream big, they have the chops, the songs, the looks, the only thing standing in the way of moving up might be their dark brooding undertones and their refusal to do a cool thing twice.

Because the most powerful thing about Flamingo is its versatility. The album is like a box of assorted chocolates, the one you can’t get enough of because each song is delicious and sweet in its own way. So, indulge yourself, have a chocolate, or ten…before you know it the album is over, and you’ll press play again.’

@weirdoshrineblog 2023.

EXPANSION introduce a brand new series of 10” CLASSICS back to back with the
coolest CONTEMPORARY takes of the same track. First off is the 70s masterpiece by
the MIZELL BROTHERS, as originally recorded by the master of the Hammond organ,
JOHNNY HAMMOND in 1975 on FANTASY REORDS – a jazz funk, timeless ‘rare
groove’ previously only a single as a 7” edit but glorified here in it’s full 6 minutes. The
new version is by QUASIMODE, the hippest new jazz quartet from Japan, signed to
BLUE NOTE RECORDS. They have taken the jazz world by storm and have recorded a
version of “Los Conquistadores Chocolates” worthy of comparison to the original and
on vinyl here for the first time.