quête:fun

George Clinton’s imagination knew no bounds and, defying normal music industry convention, by 1978 had five bands signed to three different record labels. One of these comprised of three Parliament / Funkadelic female backing singers working under the name of Parlet, whose debut single, ‘Pleasure Principle’ was released on Casablanca Records in March 1978.

It was Clinton’s idea that two other backing singers, Lynn Mabry and Dawn Silva, become the Brides Of Funkenstein, a character he invented for the 1976 Parliament LP, “The Clones Of Dr Funkenstein”. “I have to be honest – at first, I hated the name and I thought George was kidding,” Mabry told Blues & Soul, “But I have gotten to like it – especially just the Brides.”

Clinton got the Brides signed to Atlantic Records and their first single was ‘Disco To Go’ / ‘ When You’re Gone’. The A-side was written and produced by Clinton and Bootsy Collins and had originally featured in live shows by Collins’ live band. Clinton was asked by Black Echoes why the song was recorded by the Brides rather than Bootsy. “He could, and it would have been a smash too,” he replied. “But we thought it sounded too much like James Brown, so we gave it to the girls. Now it don’t sound like James Brown.” It certainly did not and this electronic bass and horn-powered banger – complete with an Old MacDonald nursery rhyme refrain – debuted on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart at #80 on 30th September 1978. By the time the P-Funk crew were flying across the Atlantic in early November it had peaked at #7. Sadly for UK fans, ‘Disco To Go’ was only available on import although a Black Echoes review stated it was a “Slow chunky handclapper. It sounds not unlike Funkadelic’s own ‘Coming Round The Mountain’”.

‘Disco To Go’, went gold in America selling over 500,000 copies. It was the perfect springboard for the Brides debut LP, “Funk Or Walk” which quickly climbed into the upper reaches of the R&B chart and even saw the duo embark upon a signing tour of record stores. All of the songs on “Funk Or Walk” were written by legends of P-Funk, such as Bootsy Collins, Rodney Curtis, Bernie Worrell, Gary Shider and Clinton. “George has got thousands of tracks,” Mabry told Black Echoes. “When we go into the studio he says, ‘Like this one?

Alicia Myers - I Want To Thank You & Don't Stop What You're Doin' are staple classics and for the first time since their initial release in 1981 are together on one piece of vinyl. A serious double header!

Both tracks are produced by Kevin ‘Mr Groove’ McCord, heralded as Dam Funk’s favourite producers and one of the founding members of Al Hudson & The Soul Partners & One Way before going on to contribute to hundreds of r&b, funk, disco, and boogie dancefloor movers in the ’70s and ’80s.

At the height of his career he produced his One Way band members, Alicia Myers debut solo album, Alicia featuring both tracks on this release. I Want To Thank You, a certified classic that never fails to elicit a joyous reaction anytime it’s played & Don't Stop What You're Doin' famously sampled by J Dilla for ‘What It’s All About’ by Slum Village feat. Busta Rhymes on the legendary ‘Fantastic Vol.2’ album.

Another fully licenced and remastered essential release from the South Street family!

The Soultrend Orchestra is a side project of the producer and musician Nerio ‘Papik’ Poggi.
Owner of the main project, Papik, Nerio Poggi has been one of the most internationally renowned Italian producers for the Nu Jazz
Lounge sound for over ten years, with around forty albums under his own name and those produced by him with solo artists or
with monothematic collections such as the ‘Cocktail’ series.
With the project The Soultrend Orchestra, Nerio Poggi has dedicated himself in particular to the Soul Jazz and Disco sound, with
a particular eye on the 70s/80s sound that starts from artists such as Roy Ayers, George Benson and Donald Byrd to arrive at the
Acid Jazz sound of Incognito and The Brand New Heavies.
The first album '84 King Street', released in 2017, was the one most dedicated to the Disco sound, also for the title that reports the
address of the legendary New York club Paradise Garage from where Disco music in the late 70s was definitively launched all over
the world by the deejays David Mancuso and Larry Levan in primis.
With the second album of 2022 'Live For Funk' the sound ranges more towards Soul and Jazz thanks to some songs that have driven it such as About Love openly inspired by the sound of Roy Ayers.
This third album, produced like the second Live For Funk together with Peter De Girolamo (aka P.A. Jeron) is due out at the beginning of 2025 and is titled Non Imagine where he continues in the search for these same sounds.
With some of his closest collaborators such as Alfredo Bochicchio, Massimo Guerra, Simone ‘Federicuccio’ Talone and vocalists
Laura Lanzillo, Erika Scherlin and Anna Fondi, the album as always also has other illustrious guests such as Wendy D. Lewis, Ely
Bruna, Nadyne Rush, Filippo Perbellini, Stevie Biondi and Nicole Magolie on lead vocals.
In the tracking list we also find some covers in this album: Lost In Music, a symbolic song of Disco by Neil Rodgers and Bernad
Edwards (Chic) made famous in the 70s by Sister Sledge, and Summer Madness, a very particular song by Kool And The Gang,
famous for its magical atmosphere here perfectly rendered by Peter De Girolamo's keyboards and Anna Fondi's voice.

We are fired up to bring you House music icon Nail of Robsoul, Classic and Diy fame. The Fleng Ep is the first release of the soon to be sought after Nail Series. Get it while ya can as we have numerous Nail EP’s to follow.

Starting off with Late At Night, Nail hits it hard with this funky stomper that’ll spank any dance floor.

Follow up the A Side with Hey! and we stay moving and shaking with a catchy monologue over a driving baseline that bobs and weaves with solid energy.

Kicking off the B Side we have grinding, dirty low-end on Peanuts 3 with complimentary vocal chants that’ll surely have dance floors strutting to the tune.

U Know What 2 Do closes us out and whoa, does it ever. Deep, funky, House music with a dash of r&b delight. Don’t sleep!

Early plays from DJ Sneak and Austin Ato.

Sometimes a record drops and you just know it's going to be hot. This is one of those records, an essential 7" from Bloom and Japanese talent DJ Koco aka Shimokita, who has been spinning 45s since 2011 and can juggle beats like Messi can juggle a ball. He is a favourite with the likes of Gilles Peterson and is likely to win many new fans with this one. 'World Famous (feat 45Trio)' is a gloriously jazzy, soulful sound with funk drum breaks and warm, organic percussive tumbling next to natty chords and a killer bassline. Add in the equally irresistible 'Re Create #01' on the flip and you have a sure-fire future classic, so do not sleep.

This is like rave. Only if it was for now and could sit happily in any set. Breakbeats that roll and tidy samples. You know… These are fun club tracks. On and on to the break of dawn… Bass heavy. Inside. Ask a dream. Solid.

Repress!
Electro funky french tribe papa !!

Super sweet sleepover core from the turn of the millennium. When not at the mall or elementary school, Jessica, Ayden, Janet, and Mary created a suburban Spice World all their own, singing, dancing, and making videos in anticipation of a global pop takeover. Summer 2000 expands their home-burned Y2K CD-R Stardust, encapsulating girl group R&B, trip hop, Eurofunk, and pool party heartbreak into a revealing portrait of millennial girlhood. Party til 2, sleep til 1, come on baby let's have some fun.

Das Ende von DARK FORTRESS war unausweichlich. Ihre turbulente Reise vom ersten Vertrag beim amerikanischen Label Red Stream Records im Jahr 2001 bis zur The Cosmic End Tour (mit The Spirit und Asphagor) im Jahr 2023 war dabei voller Höhen und Tiefen - wobei die Höhepunkte ganz klar überwogen. Letztendlich zeichnete sich das Ende von DARK FORTRESS schon mit der Veröffentlichung ihres viel gelobten letzten Albums "Spectres from the Old World" im Jahr 2020 ab. Wobei ein selbst ge-wählter Schlussstrich immer eleganter ist, als am Tropf zu siechen und langsam in Vergessenheit zu geraten. Kaum jemandem war jedoch bewusst, dass das letzte Album den frühzeitigen Nekrolog der Band bedeuten sollte. DARK FORTRESS hinterlassen dabei mit "Anthems from Beyond the Grave" ihr einziges Live-Album und gleichzeitig pechschwarzes Testament.V. Santura sagt dazu: "Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass DARK FORTRESS jemals ein Live-Album machen würden. Nachdem ich mir Monate nach der letzten Show die Mehrspuraufnahmen aus Rotterdam und Bochum angehört hatte, traf es mich wie der berühm-te Blitz: 'Heilige Scheiße! Wir klangen echt unglaublich gut.' Und ich bin selten zufrieden mit unseren Shows. All unsere harte Arbeit hatte sich auf dieser Tournee endlich ausgezahlt. Als Century Media das Material hörte, stimmten sie sofort zu: 'Wir müs-sen es veröffentlichen - es ist zu gut, um es ungenutzt verschwinden zu lassen!' Wenn das unser Ende ist - und das ist es defini-tiv - dann ist es ein würdiges Ende für DARK FORTRESS.""Anthems from Beyond the Grave" ist nicht nur ein Live-Album, sondern funktioniert auch als perfektes Best of inklusive Linerno-tes, welches auf die 29jährige pechschwarze Geschichte der Band zurückblickt.DARK FORTRESS ist tot, lang lebe DARK FORTRESS!

Die legendäre, 2003 im schwedischen Borlänge gegründete Metal-Band meldet sich fünf Jahre nach ihrem Chart-Erfolg "Worship Or Die" mit einem brandneuen Studioalbum zurück.
Die Band entschied sich, das Album "The End Of It All" zu nennen, als Reflexion darüber, wie es in der Welt heute aussieht und auch, um irgendwie zu sagen, dass dies vielleicht das letzte Album in der Karriere der ASTRAL DOORS sein könnte.
Nils Patrik Johanssons Texte und Gesangsmelodien sind über jeden Zweifel erhaben, so wie es bei den ASTRAL DOORS schon immer der Fall war. Darüber hinaus beweisen die beiden Songwriter Johan Lindstedt und Joachim Nordlund einmal mehr, dass sie genau das richtige Gespür dafür haben, wie eingängiger Heavy Metal heutzutage zu klingen hat.

Sweep pumpin tribe on the A side, cool and bassy. pumpin.
B side runs tribe and pumpin as well, less bassy and more funky :)

"Keep Your Soul Together"" (1973) is Freddie Hubbard’s fifth studio album released on Creed Taylor's CTI label. The album features Hubbard alongside an ensemble that includes Junior Cook on tenor sax, George Cables on keyboards, Aurell Ray on guitar, Kent Brinkley or Ron Carter on bass, Ralph Penland on drums, and Juno Lewis on percussion. The album’s sound, though occasionally funky, is rooted in creative jazz, showcasing Hubbard in peak form across four of his original compositions.

Though some writers have often underrated Hubbard’s CTI recordings, mistaking them for his later, more commercial output on Columbia, this particular album stands out as a testament to his ingenuity. Hubbard’s blend of bravado and subtlety shines through, as does his ability to fuse technical mastery with emotional depth. His ability to maintain a consistent, rich tone across both slow and fast passages placed him among the greatest trumpeters in jazz history.

Influenced by legends such as Miles Davis and Clifford Brown, Hubbard nonetheless crafted a sound entirely his own, becoming one of the boldest and most inventive trumpeters of the bop, hard-bop, and post-bop eras. His impact on jazz extended far beyond his solo recordings, as he collaborated with many of the genre's greats, leaving behind a powerful legacy. Down Beat magazine described Hubbard as “the most powerful and prolific trumpeter in jazz” shortly after his passing in 2008. His influence continues to shape the world of jazz, inspiring generations of trumpeters and musicians alike. "

The band says, We rerecorded our debut EP Grow Up to look back on our progress as musicians and revisit some very nostalgic songs after 5 years of VIAL. It’s like a little love letter to our younger selves. When we first recorded Grow Up, we had very limited resources during the recording process and didn’t even use our own cables. We feel very lucky we’re able to revisit this EP now that we have access to the funds, skills, and equipment we’d always wanted to allocate towards these eight songs. VIAL is a powerhouse trio, red-hot in DIY scenes after breaking out during unconventional times in 2020.

Their sound is a pressure cooker: Indie rock meets punk in soaring melodic hooks ready to sink teeth into all listeners alike. Bite marks burn hotter on the live stage, where they’ve supported acts such as FIDLAR, HUNNY, and Mal Blum. The jury’s in: The insatiable hunger for VIAL’s fresh genre blend will be plentifully satisfied with a steaming-hot sophomore record in 2024.

Jet Set is a collection of 15 carefully crafted guitar-driven songs that prove to be the most diverse and inventive of Los Straitjackets' oeuvre. The album was recorded at The Pow Wow Fun Room studios in Los Angeles with producer and friend Janne Haavisto (of Laika and the Cosmonauts) and includes a few guest appearances by The Basic Cable Horns (from the Conan show) and Finnish actress and musician Irina Bjorklund. Jet Set delivers the high-energy rock and roll instrumental music fans have come to expect from Los Straitjackets. This pressing of Los Straitjackets' long-out-of-print 2012 classic is pressed on orange vinyl and limited to 500 copies.

Gerson King Combo's 1977 album is a masterpiece of Brazilian soul, emerged within the Black Rio movement, which was recorded with União Black as the backing band. It features the kind of full-on funky sound you'd only expect to hear from a rare few American groups of the time. Its ten songs mix political statements, which primarily address issues of racial pride, and dancefloor-oriented music. The album has achieved cult status over the years, becoming one of the most sought-after Brazilian funk records of all times. Remastered from the original tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. This release is part of a new reissue series that will include many other outstanding Brazilian classics

Acid sometime, no drugs no crime, dancefloor if you want, tribe by accident, dancefloor if you want... Double pack session anyway. Sorry for that !

Comes in a bloody gatefold sleeve. last page with a very un-understandbale funny tracklisting : check photo ^^

Anderson .Paak's ‘Venice’ with a limited run exclusive 10th anniversary vinyl reissue. GRAMMY-winning, influential, and cultural tastemaker, Anderson .Paak is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, funk, and soul. He first gained significant recognition with his debut album ""Venice"" in 2014, Vinyl Reissue

On their debut album, Manchester’s Delights are stepping into an electrifying new world of sound. Their first full-length record introduces a wider sonic palette that reflects their collective tastes through an appreciation of legacy and their hometown forebears, with vibrant nods to funk, soul, disco, psychedelia, classic rock, and stadium-sized indie-pop. “This is the only moment you have your debut album,” reasons drummer Leo Willis. “So you can step outside your comfort zone and experiment.”

Der britische Gitarrist/Produzent Phil Dawson lernte sein Handwerk bei Legenden wie Hugh Masekela, Tony Allen, Mulatu Astatke oder DJ Osibisa.

Auf "Don't Waste Your Ancestors' Time" kreiert er eine Fusion aus afro- und afro-brasilianischen Grooves, hochkarätiger Improvisation und Dub und wartet dabei mit etlichen Kollaborateuren auf, die die Musik in neue Richtungen treiben, darunter Spoken-Word-Künstlerin Khadijatou Doyneh (Heliocentrics), Saxophonist Tony Kofi (Abdullah Ibrahim, Jazz Jamaica, Cymande,), Pianist Sam Leak (Aquarium) und Afrobeat-Meister Dele Sosimi, der in Kontexten singt, in denen man ihn noch nie gehört hat. Der Albumtitel paraphrasiert den Romanautor Wole Soyinka in einer Bitte an alle, nicht wegzuwerfen, wofür ihre Vorfahren gekämpft haben – sei es durch die Missachtung des spirituellen Erbes, durch das Zulassen, dass wir gespalten und erobert werden, oder durch das Wegschauen gegenüber zeitgenössischen Ungerechtigkeiten.

With his Electric Blues All-Stars, Kai Strauss has made a name for himself all over Europe with dynamic, driving live shows and award-winning CDs, featuring an individual style that’s based on the urban blues tradition, but taking in big chunks of soulful and funky grooves. And this band knows how to rock the house!
For “Wailin’ In Vienna”, Kai has realized his long-standing plan to record an old-school blues album, going back to his roots and beyond. And the results are nothing short of spectacular, with 15 self-composed songs that cover lot of traditional ground: swinging R&B, 50’s Chicago blues, instrumental shuffles, even some bluesy jazz, a minor-key cha-cha and a tribute to Bill Doggett and his guitarist Billy Butler.
Although the shadows of T-Bone, the three Kings and others loom large over the proceedings, Kai Strauss never fails being his own man. Of course it helps when you can realize such a project with a team comprising some of the best players in this style: Dani Gugolz and Peter Müller have been a steadily swinging rhythm team for 35 years. Pianists Dave Ruosch and Andreas Sobczyk combine tasteful chordal work with cascading treble runs. Sax Gordon has been a first-call R&B horn man for decades. Gerry Lülik’s is one of Austria’s foremost bluesharp players. Pianist Christian Dozzler, who came up in Vienna but has long made his home in Texas, can be heard with the likes of Anson Funderburgh when not doing his own thing. Finally, the two guitar greats heard alongside Kai hardly need much introduction: Rusty Zinn and Alex Schultz have been among the top tier of traditional blues string-benders since the 1990’s. Here, they are mostly heard in a supporting role for their friend and colleague, but ready to step out in style when called upon.

War Head Constriction, a trio that defined an uncompromising afro psych-rock sound, began by playing shows that combined dark proto-metal influences from Black Sabbath and Deep Purple with afro-rhythmic elements. Their raw energy caught the attention of Afrodisia, a progressive record label, which signed them to release a single in 1973: "Graceful Bird" b/w "Shower of Stone." Unfortunately, the record was too experimental for mainstream audiences and quickly faded, leading to the band's breakup. Despite this, they played their biggest show opening for Fela & the Afrika 70 at the National Stadium in Lagos before disbanding. However, the members quickly moved on, continuing to form new groups.

Amenechi recalls jamming with Soga Benson, his cousin Skid, and Ben Bruce at St. Gregory’s, where they wrote and performed together. Benson, who had previously been in rival groups, became close with Amenechi once he joined Greg’s. Benson, a talented guitarist, joined Ofege for their second and third albums in 1975 and 1977. Despite this, his main group, Grotto, had yet to record. That changed when EMI Records, the leading afro-rock label, took interest in Grotto in 1977.

Odion Iruoje, A&R manager at EMI Nigeria, recalls his first encounter with Grotto, noting their cocky attitude and raw material. He sought to help them find an authentic sound, avoiding the typical influences of British rock or groups like Ofege. Iruoje was passionate about youth bands, seeing them as a fresh opportunity to experiment and create something unique. Despite skepticism from EMI Nigeria about the youth market, Iruoje felt confident that Grotto’s originality would shine through.

For their final release of the year, The Trip release their sixth EP 'Spiritually Tessellate' on their in-house label Tessellate. 'Funky Q Nice' takes techno and tribal influences and adds them to a classic house vocal. 'Do You Feel', is an end of the night track which is as good for the club as it is for listening at home. On side B we have 'Delightful Funk', which takes an iconic diggers organ anthem and flips it on its head. Finally we have 'Original Sound', which sees the duo dig back to some of the UKG and tech house sounds that they explored last year. The EP launches on Friday 13th December.

Limited edition collector's item. Only 500 pressed for WW – Limited for UK. Artist is constantly touring –playing both internationally and domestically– across his personal project, A-Trak, as well as Duck Sauce and The Brothers Macklovitch. 2 prior installments of the 10 seconds project with the same iconic red vinyl. A-Trak cooked up another batch of raw SP1200 bangers and this 3rd installment of his 10 Seconds series is extra crunchy. Using the vintage sampler that helped define the sound of Todd Terry, Stardust and Kenny Dope, and working within the confines of its extremely short sample time, Trizzy went to work and concocted some gold. Whether it’s the insanely funky bassline of Like I Said, the hardgroove chugging of JustCantLive or the surprising techno bump of Jyeah, this EP is full of weapons. It’s obvious that A-Trak had a smirk on his face when he was cutting up those kicks and hats.

Rhythm Section International, the impossible-to-define label founded in South East London by Bradley Zero in 2014 has reached the ripe old age of 10 years.Spanning 6 discs and 30 tracks, the compilation begins by taking us on a walk down memory lane and presenting one track from each year of the labels output

Rhythm Section International, the impossible-to-define label founded in South East London by Bradley Zero in 2014 has reached the ripe old age of 10 years. Funny thing is, it feels like it could have been almost double that. It’s hard to imagine the Landscape of the London music scene without this foundational force whose influence is felt more than ever.

With this special anniversary release, the label takes stock at this milestone to present a compilation in 3 parts: PAST, RE-IMAGINED AND FUTURE: honouring the labels tradition of always paying homage to what has come before while setting sights firmly forwards.

With 100-odd releases in their extended back catalogue covering every imaginable style and boasting influence in every inhabited continent on earth, it’s been quite a decade for the independent label, which began on a shoestring budget with funds made via the now legendary Rhythm Section pool hall parties in Peckham.

From humble beginnings to an era defining output - few would have predicted the slow and steady rise of the imprint and the impact it has had on generations of Dj’s, musicians and listeners - at home and abroad.

Spanning 6 discs and 30 tracks, the compilation begins by taking us on a walk down memory lane and presenting one track from each year of the labels output - highlighting some forgotten classics from the archives over the first 2 discs. For discs 3 & 4, the label invited it’s stable of artists to pick a track from the back catalogue to re-imagine in their own style. This process resulted in some incredibly playful contributions from the likes of Ruf Dug, Session Victim and Private Joy - whose playful reinterpretations add new depth to old material.

Finally, the last 2 discs are entirely new material for 2024, carrying the torch of the previous SHOUTS compilations - whose sole aim is to shine light on new music from emerging artists

Die französischen Pop.-Connaisseure aus Paris, LA FEMME, veröffentlichen ihr zweites Album ,Mystère".

Die Band hat die kulturelle Landschaft des modernen Paris massiv beeinflusst und ihre Musik an beiden Seiten der Stadt an der Seine verortet: im Glamour und an den weniger glamourösen Schauplätzen. Seit der Veröffentlichung ihres Debüts ,Psycho Tropical Berlin" haben LA FEMME prominente Bewunderer gesammelt: darunter die Regisseure Jacques Audiard und Romain Gavras, Legenden wie JEAN MICHEL JARRE und Hedi Slimane sowie eine stetig wachsende junge Fangemeinde, die ihnen den Titel ,French Best New Band of the Year" bei den französischen Music Awards und Plätze ganz oben in den französischen Charts einbrachte; dazu sorgten TV-Werbespots von Aplles, Renault und Sonos mit der Musik von LA FEMME für gespitzte Ohren.

Die Band kehrt mit einem psychedelischeren Sound und einer ganzen Reihe von Gastsängerinnen zurück, die eine Schneise durch die härtesten Elektrobeats schlagen. LA FEMME feiern ihre wunderbare Heimatstadt und hinterfragen das Ver- und Entlieben. ,Mystère" ist tatsächlich eine Kollektion von Kurzgeschichten über Liebe und Verlust. Jeder einzelnen Song überspringt Sprachbarrieren durch reine Melodie. Der retrofuturistische Surfpop-Sound der Band beruft sich noch immer auf den gleichen glamourös-punkigen Krach wie zuvor, doch dieses Mal ist er durchzogen von einer Zusammenstellung eleganter Einflüsse zwischen ENNIO MORRICONE, dem Disco-Rock von MARIE ET LES GARCONS und THE VELVET UNDERGROUND.

,Mystère" ist ein Fundament für die neue LA FEMME Vorliebe für orientalische Klänge; türkischen Disco, Tuareg Blues, mittelalterliche Psychedelia lehnen sich an an BRIAN ENO und PINK FLOYD.

REISSUE

Strut presents an exclusive reissue of Experience Unlimited"s 1977 debut album, Free Yourself, featuring a brand new interview with bandleader and co-founder "Sugar Bear. This seminal recording blends soul, jazz, and funk-rock, laying the foundation for Washington D.C."s go-go scene.

Born in Australia and moving to the UK in her early 30s, Peggy O’Keefe became the resident pianist at the Chevalier Casino in Glasgow in 1962. Initially the residency was for six months, which then turned into six years. It was at this point she recorded her 'Mood Chevalier' LP in 1966, a collection of the band’s favourites but the gold is found in her version of 'Cubano Chant', made famous by Art Blakey and then played across jazz dances ever since.

Peggy’s playing was admired by Cleo Laine and Oscar Peterson, and once had a brief, impromptu duet with Frank Sinatra, Peggy and her band showed their true talent with these two versions of jazz favourites.

Hiding in the shadows for nearly 60 years, Now PANORAMA unearth this gem in their trademark 7 inch format, from a Glaswegian restaurant to a dancefloor near you.

PANORAMA Records is an emerging new label based in London, dedicated to rediscovering and showcasing musical gems with a fresh approach. With early support from notable DJs such as Gilles Peterson, Patrick Forge, Rainer Trueby, Mr Bongo DJs and Zag Erlat from My Analog Journal. Their unique take on Jazz and Funk from the further afield has shown they will become trailblazers in the reissue game for a long time.

Freedom Sound, the 1961 debut by The Jazz Crusaders, began a prolific and successful decade-long association with Pacific Jazz. The Houston, Texas founded band featuring Stix Hooper, Joe Sample, Wayne Henderson, Wilton Felder, and Jimmy Bond blended jazz aspirations with R&B roots to create an enticing sound. This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.

With the release of Love (the) Ominous World, Blu & Exile have returned with an album that brilliantly builds on their soulful, reflective foundation with stunning musicality and sharp songwriting. Their shared history as one of hip-hop’s best duos continues to grow, especially as they venture into new territory while embracing and refining what made them special.

“This album is our most unique work to date,” Blu says. “We took a different approach with the direction while still staying true to the culture our music has built with our fan base.” That direction is one that finds the two California natives crafting records that would sound right at home on the radio and hip-hop charts. Like “Suga & Butta,” for example, which features recent Def Jam signee Rae Khalil and rising star Ahmad Anwar. Every element of the track is as sweet and smooth as its namesake, from the lyrics to the production. There’s also the raw G-funk banger “Chucks,” a snarling collaboration with West Coast stalwarts KXNG Crooked and Kurupt.

Man of the moment Bruno Mars, currently the record breaking No.1 most listened to artist on Spotify, has his first two No.1 albums reissued on limited edition colour pressings.

Currently riding high with the 1 Billion plus streamed track with Lady Gaga ‘Die With A Smile’ as well as over half a billion streams for the debut single APT. with ROSÉ from Blackpink.

Doo-Wops & Hooligans Product Description

Limited Edition Neon Yellow Vinyl

Bruno Mars' chart-topping debut launched the singer-songwriter into superstardom and spawned a string of blockbuster hit singles including the No.1 singles "Just The Way You Are," "Grenade," "The Lazy Song," plus "Talking to the Moon," "Marry You" and "Count On Me" and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, going 7 x Platinum in the UK.

Unorthodox Jukebox Product Description:

Limited Edition Neon Coral Vinyl

Bruno Mars' sophomore record has gone 3 x Platinum in the UK and features the smashes "When I Was Your Man" and "Locked Out Of Heaven," as well as "Treasure" and "Gorilla". The album presents a wide range of styles such as R&B, pop, reggae, rock, disco, funk and soul music, and includes production from Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Emile Haynie, Diplo and Supa Dups, as well as The Smeezingtons. The album has since sold over 6 million copies globally.

Wiederveröffentlichung des Albumklassikers von 1983. Der Longplayer wurde seinerzeit mit den Roots Radics im Channel One Studio eingespielt, Soldgie aka Cedrica Anthony Hamilton saß dabei am Mischpult, als Produzent fungierte Henry 'Junjo' Lawes. Der Künstler Josey Wales (bürgerlich Joseph Winston Sterling) ist neben Yellowman der wichtigste Deejay der 80er Jahre, er benannte sich nach dem '76er Western mit Clint Eastwood 'The Outlaw' (deutscher Titel 'Der Texaner'). Für das gleichnamige Album kamen u.a. die zwei Studio One Riddims 'Full Up', 'A Love I Can Feel', sowie 'Fat She Fat' und 'Youth In the Ghetto' zum Einsatz.

Im Französischen sagt man oft, dass man in alten Töpfen die besten Suppen kocht. Dieses Sprichwort trifft auf Rash Panzer in idealer Weise zu. Anfang Dezember veröffentlichte die Genfer Power-Rock-Combo ihr neues Album, ihr fünftes, und das mehr als 40 Jahre nach der Gründung der Band! Im Januar folgt nun die Vinyl-LP für alle Liebhaber! Zu sagen, die Musik der Band sei älter und feiner geworden, wäre eine Untertreibung. Das neue Album von Rash Panzer, das den Namen „Born to Rock‘n Roll“ trägt, ist eine kleine Perle des kraftvollen und melodischen Hardcore, die Fans von Aerosmith, AC/DC und den Ramones begeistern wird. Aber weit davon entfernt, eine x-te Kopie der oben genannten Bands zu sein, sind die Kompositionen des Sängers JJay Guertchakoff und des hervorragenden Gitarristen Renato Dani furchterregend effektiv und originell. Sowohl beim Anhören des Studioergebnisses als auch live verdient diese „Born to Rock‘n Roll“ zwei Dinge: einen Platz in der eigenen Diskothek und einen Platz auf dem Plakat von Festivals. Denn neben der Musik wäre auch JJays Stimme allein schon eine Reise wert. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Vokalisten, die über 60 Jahre alt sind, ist sein kraftvolles Organ nicht gealtert. Rash Panzer ist ein sicherer Wert und sein Rock ist unsterblich.

This Is DJs Choice Vol. 4 brings you a great selection of Funk, Soul, Latin and Hip Hop.

Five years after the last installment of the series, Volume 4 is compiled by Gu, a long-time friend and DJ partner of Unique label founder Henry Storch, and the tracks represent the two decades they have known each other and played records together, as well as the music they enjoyed.

All choices are originally 7 Inch records from Gu's crates put together like a DJ-Set for you to enjoy: The Soul of The Sweet Vandals and Carlton Jumel Smith, the Deep Funk of Naomi Davis & The Knights Of Forty First Street, The Supersonics and Sharon Jackson & The Soul Destroyers, the Latin sounds of Diesler and Eli Goulart E Banda Do Mato and the Hip Hop grooves of Jay Are (aka J.Rawls and John Robinson), The Bamboos featuring Ohmega Watts and Daddy-O of Stetsasonic.

This compilation is a celebration of music from beginning to end.

About This Is DJs Choice:

The series started as a friendship project by Henry Storch, who wanted to immortalise friends and allies from the DJ scene, who picked vinyl as their format of choice. The genre didn't matter, as long as the vibe was right. In 2008 Vol. 1 featured a selection of organic Club Sounds and Break Beats put together by Soulinus & Pun, followed by Keb Darge & Lucinda Slim and their favorite Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly and 60s Soul tunes on Vol. 2 in 2009. In 2019 Les Intouchables aka Marc Hype and DJ Suspect presented a variety of funky and soulful music with an addition of the occasional Boogie, Reggae and Hip Hop track.

About Gu:

Gu is a DJ, musician, label owner, producer, writer and producer from Northern Germany. His dedication to music started in his pre-teens in the late eighties and he is playing vinyl ever since. Over the years he has worked with a number of his favorite DJs and artists like Keb Darge, Andy Smith, Snowboy, The New Mastersounds, Osaka Monaurail, The Sweet Vandals, The Allergies, Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling, Daddy-O of Stetsasonic and Chuck D of Public Enemy to name a few. His DJ career took him all over Europe again and again.

In 2005 he started Our Label Records with his brother Tom to release new Funk music on 7 Inch vinyl and added the Hip Hop 45 imprint Origu in 2015. Since 2009 and he is on air every week with his radioshow Home Diggin', which was also picked up by Chuck D's Rapstation in 2019. Additionally he is lead singer/rapper for the Songcore duo Sorry We're Closed and the Hip Hop outfit Alder Ego. He also does readings of his book of one-liners and competing on Slam Poetry stages.

Die aus Bristol (UK) kommenden IDLES haben heute ihr kommendes fünftes Album 'TANGK' angekündigt. 'TANGK', der 11-Track-Nachfolger ihres Grammy-nominierten Albums CRAWLER, wurde von Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, The Smile, Beck), Mark Bowen und Kenny Beats (Denzel Curry, Vince Staples, Benee) und der Band selbst co-produziert. 'TANGK' - ausgesprochen "Tank" mit einem Hauch von "g" und einer lautmalerischen Anspielung auf den peitschenden Gitarrensound, den sich die Band als eine Art Siegel für das Leben in der Liebe vorstellte - ist das bisher ehrgeizigste und eindrucksvollste Album der Band.

IDLES sind eine der stärksten Rockbands des letzten Jahrzehnts. Godrich, Beats und Bowen waren auch für die IDLES ein hervorragendes Tandem, das sie in neues Terrain vorstieß und dann die Zügel anzog, wenn es nötig war. 'TANGK' ist gleichzeitig ausladend und konzentriert, einfallsreich und unmittelbar. Über das Album sagt Sänger Joe Talbot: "TANGK. Ich brauchte Liebe. Also habe ich es gemacht. Ich habe der Welt Liebe gegeben und es fühlt sich wie Magie an. Dies ist unser Album der Dankbarkeit und der Kraft. Alles Liebeslieder. Alles ist Liebe."

Wo IDLES einst darauf aus waren, die Welt zu verarschen, den ewig Gestrigen die Stirn zu bieten und persönliche Traumata in Echtzeit zu exorzieren, sind sie in diesem neuen Akt angekommen, um die Früchte solcher Beharrlichkeit anzubieten: Liebe, Freude und tatsächlich Dankbarkeit für die bloße Möglichkeit der Existenz. Diese Musik gedeiht nicht trotz unserer Probleme, sondern wegen ihnen. Wenn wir uns nicht um uns selbst und um die anderen kümmern, so scheint 'TANGK' in einem gewaltigen Hook nach dem anderen auszurufen, wer dann?

Ein weiterer außergewöhnlicher Release in der hochgelobten WaJazz-Reihe ist dem Leben und der Musik eines der berühmtesten japanischen Jazzmusiker der letzten 60+ Jahre gewidmet, dem legendären Saxophonisten Jiro Inagaki mit seiner Soul Media-Band und ihrer goldenen Ära 1968-1980. Diese ultimative Kollektion erscheint auf goldfarbigem 180g Doppelvinyl im Gatefold mit detaillierten Linernotes von Yusuke Ogawa (Universounds), Kommentaren von Jiro und exklusiven Fotos. 16 mal pures Gold aus Jazz, Jazz-Funk und Jazz-Rock, darunter eine unveröffentlichte Version des Tracks 'Express' – erstmals auf Vinyl!

Everybody Eats! debuts on RSD Black Friday in an exclusive clear red wave colored vinyl pressing. After endless requests for a Czarface and Dr. Octagon collaboration, the comic book inspired supergroup Czarface takes a turn for the cosmic, creating a funky full length adventure with the spacey Kool Keith! When the record is playing, they become a counterpart character that can even give the mighty Czarface a run for his money- Stress Eater! You can expect a rich blend of what makes both acts so special: block-rocking beats and bizarre, mind-bending lyricism...all served up with a cover from Czarface artist Lamour Supreme.

46 tracks on a 3-LP collection – including: Adam & The Ants, Kate Bush, The Jam, Madness, Diana Ross, Lipps Inc, Paul McCartney, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark,

Spandau Ballet, Ramones, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Odyssey, Kool & The Gang…

46 tracks on a 3-LP collection – including: Adam & The Ants, Kate Bush, The Jam, Madness, Diana Ross, Lipps Inc, Paul McCartney, Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark,

Spandau Ballet, Ramones, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Odyssey, Kool & The Gang…

Swiss label Acquit welcomes back D'Funk for more of their no-frills techno. It's seductive stuff from the off with the opener 'In Your Hood' layers up mind-melting synth sequences with sleek beats. "Let's Play' is a more bulky cut with slamming drums and subtle percussive details then 'My Next Turn' pairs things back to rubbery drum loops and dubby chords that sound all gooey and gloopy. 'Glitch My Funk' picks things up with more taught kick drums that compel you to dance as the delicate cosmic vibes permeate the groove. 'Killing Me Deeply' is a nice raw analogue deep house closer that kicks like a mule.