quête:i love

Jackie Leven is celebrated as one of the world’s most prolific and accomplished singer songwriters. His recordings encompassed everything from folk to Celtic soul, driving rock to lyrical ballads. He passed away 10 years ago this November but the legend of this uniquely talented artist grows every year as more and more people discover and celebrate his remarkable catalogue of recordings.

Wendell Harrison was born in Detroit in 1942 where he began formal jazz studies for piano, clarinet and tenor saxophone. At 14, while still in high school, Harrison started performing & recording professionally with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Grant Green, Sun Ra, Hank Crawford … and many others.
In 1971, Harrison began teaching music at Metro Arts (a multi-arts complex for youth) where he also connected with Marcus Belgrave, Harold McKinney and Phil Ranelin…soon after they formed the (now legendary) Afro-centric TRIBE record label and artist collective. TRIBE used the Metro Arts complex as a vehicle to convey a growing black political consciousness. Wendell Harrison also published the very popular TRIBE magazine, a publication dedicated to local and national social and political issues, as well as featuring artistic contributions such as poetry and visual pieces.
In 1978 Harrison and McKinney co-founded REBIRTH, a non-profit jazz performance and education organization, in which many notable jazz artists have participated. Around the same time Wendell Harrison also created the WENHA record label and publishing company, which released many of his (now classic) recordings as well as those of other artists, such as Phil Ranelin, Doug Hammond and Reggie Fields (The Real ShooBeeDoo).
In the early 1990s, Wendell Harrison was awarded the title of “Jazz Master” by Arts Midwest. This distinction led Harrison to collaborate with fellow honorees and gave him the chance to tour throughout the United States, Middle East and Africa. Even to this day Wendell Harrison's recordings for the TRIBE, WENHA and REBIRTH labels have a large worldwide fanbase.
It is on WENHA that Harrison released the opus: DREAMS OF A LOVE SUPREME (1980), which we are presenting you today.
DREAMS OF A LOVE SUPREME is a monster album that features an all-star line-up that includes Phil Ranelin (Freddie Hubbard, Solomon Burke, Mulatu Astakte) on trombone, Harold McKinney (Tribe) on Keyboards and Roy Brooks (Yusef Lateef, Chet Baker, Mingus) on percussion. Although you can hear the 80ies creeping in with a smoother sound, more synths, and disco/R&B vocals… this remains a very spiritual (and soulful) jazz record. The record’s an irresistible blend of soul jazz combined with funky electric instrumentation…a groovy sound which is very much of its time, yet overtly timeless and as relevant today as it was back when it was initially released.
Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first ever vinyl reissue of ‘Dreams of A Love Supreme’ since its release in 1980. This official reissue is now available as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (limited to 500 copies) and comes with an unreleased bonus track.

Part of the joy of collecting soul music is searching for and discovering lesser known gems. Phoenix, AZ, might not be known as one of the main American cities for black music despite spawning artists such as Dyke & the Blazers and Eddie & Ernie, but the city holds a cult status among rare soul collectors thanks to the small output of labels like Artco, OK&T, Poorman’s and Raina.
One of the state’s well kept secrets is Bobby Barnes, who had a small number of 45 releases on local labels. All strong tracks which really deserved wider recognition than they got.
The 14th S4R release contains two previously unissued songs, from 1977 and 1984 respectively, recorded for the Raina label with Lawrence Carroll producing and arranging.
”Super High On Your Love” is in my opinion his best song - a super soulful floater type of modern soul dancer. The flip is an alternative, extended version of “I’ve Had My Share”, to my ears superior to the original with a sparser backing and keyboards replacing the guitar. Two truly sublime sides!

Soul music changes just like the weather. Different styles, rhythms and dances have been emerging over the years, making the genre so exciting and assorted. For almost a decade, in the post-disco era, synths and drum machines ruled the day, but by the mid 90s a group of new artists were turning their attention to the golden age of soul music.
One of those names was Adriana Evans, whose debut album from 1996 surprised soul fans around the world. Adriana boasts a solid musical background and this can be heard on the record. Her mom was the jazz singer Mary Stallings and she was also the goddaughter of Pharoah Sanders, so she has been surrounded by music since childhood.
Both choices here are taken from that outstanding album. "Looking For Your Love" is a beautiful mid-tempo tune which could have been recorded by The Emotions or Phyllis Hyman. On the reverse, "I'll Be There" is a sublime piano and flute-led ballad in the vein of Minnie Ripperton.

*Limited edition of 200 copies, heavy weight vinyl, comes with poster* fmvee joins Queeste with who do u love?, an EP of fractious songs recorded over a tumultuous four-month period in Los Angeles. Having debuted in 2018 with a set of club contortions touching on jungle and 2-step, the US artist returns with a work of intense self-reflection. Lived experiences are transmuted into an amorphous bricolage of pummelling kicks, synthetic textures, and diaristic details, what they describe as an act of "remembrance." Working and living in LA, the "grind" alongside "aspirational partying," and the confrontation of depression during an intense relationship, informs the EP on levels both sonic and thematic. The slippery rhythm and melodic stabs of 'the way you see yourself' embodies a state of flux, also recalling the early experiments of the LA beat scene. Distant jazz drumming fills its peaceful coda before 'everythingUneverKnewUwanted' introduces an echo lifted directly from the artist's life: a trickling courtyard fountain. This first phase of the release finds resolution with 'thewayothersseeyou,' a conceptual mirror to its start, and one which carries a notable shift in tone; gleaming percussion has given way to ominous synths. Despite the EP's personal nature, collaboration is crucial. 'Seed Perfuming (LoLo v665)' is an fmvee original transformed into a cascading breakbeat by New York producer and engineer Loric Sih AKA LoLo, an ecstatic yet familiar form nestled amidst otherwise bruising encounters. 'sobbing' follows, a digital-age ballad of original lyrics exploring dependency: emotional, physical, and otherwise. It's a poignant conclusion to an appropriately hallucinogenic collection, an intoxicating chemistry of love and loneliness co

A Wide ranging, eclectic and progressive musical outlook has always been the Lack of Afro approach. His latest material follows suit as he harnesses disparate musical styles ranging from funk, soul and hip-hop to create a contemporary yet vintage musical escapade of superb songs.


In 2014 Lack Of Afro comes back super-strong with this brand new single, Recipe For Love (taken from the forthcoming long player Music For Adverts) - his fourth studio album for Freestyle Records.


Featuring Jack Tyson-Charles on vocals, the crisp, foot stomping beat echoes the thrill of all night Northern Soul sessions back in the day, but couples that with an upbeat, hand clapping, feel good melody that is guaranteed to stay playing in your head long after.


The flip side is an instrumental version of Recipe For Love which is 100% exclusive to this single.


Soon the Lack Of Afro 5-piece live band will be touring throughout the UK & Europe. Comprised entirely of multi-instrumentalists, expect a fully interchangeable line-up with the band swapping instruments, sometimes mid-song... a spectacle not to be missed!

The debut album from the iconic American tattoo artist, TV Star, beauty entrepreneur, author, fashion designer, Kat Von D is a pastiche of shapeshifting analog synths, post-punk dreamscapes, gothic hues, and shy pop magnetism !

Enlisting prestigious guests such as Bauhaus legend Peter Murphy, Kat Von D’s brilliant debut encompasses classic gothic influences from Depeche Mode to the Sisters Of Mercy executed with a modern sound that echoes the likes of Cold Cave or I Love You But I’ve Chosen The Darkness.

A digital only companion piece to the album has just surfaced and enlists remixes from Scratch Massive, Cold Cave or Gunship, and Kat Von D will embark on a headline tour all over Europe in May 2022.

Tough Love have partnered with West Coast imprint Mt St Mtn for the release of Free Advice, the instant slowcore/dreampop classic by San Fran four piece, Cindy. The full album is available to stream/download now, while a highly limited transparent vinyl pressing will be released on 20th November. Limited to just 250 copies, this pressing follows the long sold-out edition of 100 released earlier in the year and which was previously only available in the US. Free Advice offers a somber-yet-uplifting take on sobered dream pop. Imagine if Galaxie 500’s On Fire didn’t have a guitar solo or if The Trinity Session was stripped of its folk & blues roots; it’s just pure mood. Like sitting in a half-empty movie theater that’s playing Alphaville or Wild Strawberries and watching patron’s heads briefly illuminated from the screen; Free Advice (and all of the Cindy output) transfers you to these momentary worlds. Cindy is Karina Gill on guitar/vocals, Aaron Diko on synth/keys, Simon Phillips on Drums/Percussion, and Jesse Jackson on Bass/Keys + Simon and Jesse on backing vocals. The songs on Free Advice are these moments in mood: Phillips & Jackson’s rhythms create the foundation, while Diko’s keys rise and fall. Gill’s guitar rattles, vocals brood, and lyrics create these narratives that depict observers, not necessarily wronged rather, cautious and investigative of the world around them

The debut album from the iconic American tattoo artist, TV Star, beauty entrepreneur, author, fashion designer, Kat Von D is a pastiche of shapeshifting analog synths, post-punk dreamscapes, gothic hues, and shy pop magnetism !

Enlisting prestigious guests such as Bauhaus legend Peter Murphy, Kat Von D’s brilliant debut encompasses classic gothic influences from Depeche Mode to the Sisters Of Mercy executed with a modern sound that echoes the likes of Cold Cave or I Love You But I’ve Chosen The Darkness.

A digital only companion piece to the album has just surfaced and enlists remixes from Scratch Massive, Cold Cave or Gunship, and Kat Von D will embark on a headline tour all over Europe in May 2022.

In 1978 ,three friends.

Woody Whittaker, Ronnie Arch, and Wayne Chatman

Came together with their musical ideas and talents to form the music production company, “Cabfare Productions”.

Under that parent company, the performing group T.A.X.I.E.



Talented

Artist

Xclusively

In

Entertainment

​

Archwoods Productions and Archwoods Publishing was born.



Eventually adding musicians/song writers, Charles (Ice Cream) Williams,

Oneida James, and the amazing vocalist, Carlita Durhan, the original guitarist for the R&B group Taste Of Honey.

​T.A.X.I.E. performed many engagements through out the Los Angels Hollywood circuits. Opening and appearing with renowned artist such as Stevie Wonder, Dennis Edwards, and the Mary Jane Girls.

The members of T.A.X.I.E. are not only great musicians and performers, but also are very talented and awesome song writers.



Some of their compositions have been performed and recorded by, Grammy winner Diane Reeves, Tahj Mowry, AlfredaJames, Greg Rose, and musical groups such as Infinite.

Archwood’s Productions also produced, published and promoted music and live concerts throughout the United States and Europe.

Over the years, this partnership has developed a music catalog of over 100 songs, compositions, and videos. In the future, they will continue to write and produce excellent music, promoting new and established artist.

On his second Blue Note album Love Bug, organist Reuben Wilson fronted an exceptional quintet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, George Coleman on tenor saxophone, Grant Green on guitar, and Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad) on drums. The 1969 soul jazz date presented funky Wilson originals like “Hot Rod,” Back Out,” and the title track alongside R&B hits of the day like “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’” . This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal

On his second Blue Note album Love Bug, organist Reuben Wilson fronted an exceptional quintet with Lee Morgan on trumpet, George Coleman on tenor saxophone, Grant Green on guitar, and Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad) on drums. The 1969 soul jazz date presented funky Wilson originals like “Hot Rod,” Back Out,” and the title track alongside R&B hits of the day like “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’” . This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal

Dave Lee dons his Sunburst Band trousers and calls in the vocal talents of Wayne Hernandez with this slice of Brazilian flavoured Jazz Funk ‘Listen Love’ - yes the Jon Lucien jazz dance favourite. The sizzling drums & percussion blend perfectly with the pulsating bassline that allows Wayne to scat and weave his way into the blissed out yet uptempo jazzy keys. For those thinking this would be an even better track if it had a flute solo, we’ve got you covered! with Dave Lee’s ‘Flute Reboot’ for that maximum Latin edged jazz-funk feel.

On the flip two people who need not introducing, Louie Vega & Josh Milan get frenzied on the drums and piano, as they up the ante and deliver a jazz dance fusion clocking in at 9 minutes. Their mix really works up a sweat in the second half as the groove and scatting lock together for an intense rhythmic workout. All in all a very impressive outing.

Best Record Italy came out with another obscure italian disco record from 1977. This 12" release contais three solid dancefloor funky disco burners like 'Body, Body Love' (unreleased Disco Version) and on the B side : 'Please Touch Me' and 'Sleep' from the Billy Woost Album.

Founded by the pianist Robin Notte (from the former electro-jazz band WISE) Panam Panic is one of the best Jazz-Groove french band. Influenced by Musician like Yussef Dayes, Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove or Christian Scott, Panam Panic mix up Jazz with groove, Hip hop and electronic textures. Love Of Humanity is their last album.
Robin Notte's gamble is to create a Jazz which is sufficiently sophisticated to delight the most demanding experts, yet also accessible enough to initiate neophytes.
As such, Panam Panic defends a resolutely actual Jazz, open with no borders or blinders, combining powerful organic grooves with tidy melodies, delicate harmonies and frenzied solos.

Quantrells’ only single release from 1972 goes for two to three hundred pounds if you can find a copy on the Chicago-based Yambo label. A deep soul smoocher with a glorious vocal with enormous brass stabs, it’s like a roughed up version of The Jackson 5. Backed with Promise’s ‘I’m Not Ready For Love’; one of two singles from the mid ‘70s by this all-girl teenage four piece on the New Directions label. Built with a driving bass and the girls’ gorgeous vocals dropping into party mode over a funky guitar break midway through, it’s a classic ice breaker. Copies go for around £100.

A Deep City Records release (one of five for Helene Smith) that
originally came out in 1965 on the Miami-based label, ‘True Love Don't
Grow On Trees’ is a gorgeous mid-tempo soulful heartbreaker, while the flipside and its wandering guitar line sounds like girl group buried
treasure that would have sounded fantastic covered by Dusty
Springfield. In the hands of Helene Smith, both tracks are nothing short of magnificent. These two tracks only previously appeared as a long-lost single that goes for £300 a pop these days. Acclaimed as the First Lady Of Miami Soul, Helene Smith came back into prominence with the issue of Numero’s 2006 ‘Eccentric Soul’ album of Deep City cuts.

Deluxe gatefold 2LP on coloured vinyl, limited to 500 copies.The Bony King of Nowhere's critically acclaimed debut album finally gets its first release on vinyl in 12 years + second LP including a selection of home recordings.

Cleveland Parker, his birth-name, later changed to Lee McDonald was a phenomenal soul singer who sadly passed away in February 2018. His manager, producer, writer and friend, Ron Foster has been on a mission to gain wider recognition of his exceptional talent through various independent record label releases; this included one on IZIPHO - the gospel rouser 'How Long'. Lee McDonald was the lead singer of The Village Choir and we are thrilled to feature on a 7' single two much admired songs - 'All Purpose Love' and 'Sweet Hot Lips' (the 12" version). Please note all reasonable efforts to contact the copyright holder have been made and IZIPHO SOUL will not take any profit from this record; Lee's widow will financially benefit from this project.

Cleveland Parker, his birth-name, later changed to Lee McDonald was a phenomenal soul singer who sadly passed away in February 2018. His manager, producer, writer and friend, Ron Foster has been on a mission to gain wider recognition of his exceptional talent through various independent record label releases; this included one on IZIPHO - the gospel rouser 'How Long'. Lee McDonald was the lead singer of The Village Choir and we are thrilled to feature on a 7' single two much admired songs - 'All Purpose Love' and 'Sweet Hot Lips' (the 12" version). Please note all reasonable efforts to contact the copyright holder have been made and IZIPHO SOUL will not take any profit from this record; Lee's widow will financially benefit from this project.

Philly’s Universal Cave crew have been putting out top notch edits and mixes on their own imprint for nearly a decade, including the beloved Soft Rock for Hard Times series.

For the first time, Universal Cave teams up with another label, Pleasure of Love, for a release of reworks, delivering 4 stitched up dance floor heaters. Variety pack of choice cuts here - reggae proto house, lo-fi 80s digi funk, peak-time piano charged house de salsa, and driving atmospheric italo. All expertly re-rubbed, from the vaults of the Universal Cave.

Following March’s 9696 Dream mixtape and July’s Flex Time EP, this new album sees 96 Back shine the spotlight on his own vocals for the first time, at points (such as on lead single ‘9 To Find 6’) operating fully in the realms of experimental pop. At other times, such as on ‘Teach Me Tenderness’ and ‘Feel Hard’, 96 Back stretches and processes his vocals to almost breaking point, while album closer ‘Melt You’ sees him duet with past collaborator Iceboy Violet, ending Love Letters on a sombre but romantic note. That’s not to say Love Letters is fully removed from the dancefloor, however: tracks like ‘Don’t Die’ and ‘Love Compact’ are precision-tooled for the club, while the likes of ‘Felzin’ and ‘Vibrant Colours’ continue to explore the intricate but emotive electronics that 96 Back has been so successful with in the past. More varied and vivid than any of 96 Back’s releases to date, Love Letters feels like a coming of age moment. It casts its net incredibly wide at points, and it’s an album full of ambition, but it meets every challenge it sets itself — as affecting in its quieter, tender moments as during its dramatic peaks. In 96 Back’s words: “This is a record I feel like I’ve been trying to write for years, it feels like the most accurate body of work to match the ideas in my mind. Trying to project a lot of the records I hold very dear to me through this lens, interpreting how they sound to me and merging them with ideas of finding the drama and excitement in the full spectrum of emotions on the tip of my tongue, that’s what ended up being Love Letters, Nine Through Six.”

With a string of releases as Garage Shelter and as of last year, alongside Hardrock Striker as Bleu Blanc House, Signal St. returns to line up his first LP with SKYLAX.Laden with indecipherable disco and funk samples, emotive chord changes and clocking in at one hour, it’s fully fledged dance album with no filler, showing what contemporary house music should sound like in 2018 on a label that has always pushed the genre. The album wanders through a range of functions and energies, from One For You on which Signal St. channels Moodymann, Life Aquatic, where the looping styles of Moomin play centre to a dance of whispy 808 symbols and the percussive workout of Right Next To Me which gives way to the album’s final act. Though club-ready and touching on a range of moods, it evolves from its from its disco/funk beginnings and descending into a 10-minute downtempo finale, swallowed by an abyss of reverb. Like an explosive separation of two people, thrown from the plains of heaven to the depths of hell, “Zapoï and other dysfunctional love stories, closing the loops” pulls together the many faces of Signal St. in a dance album that reflects a young producer entering his prime.that will delight both fans of the purest house but also those whose scrolls of Romanian raresh bewitch. It's clearly another piece of art to add to your skylax records collection. Future classic. !