Hip-Hop News

Welcome to that sweet spot where all the influences that first got you into this fabulous mess converge: soul, r'n'b, latin, jazz, the church organ. The A side is a great rendition of the early 70s Willie Bobo classic that had the Rare Groove/Acid Jazz scene doing some fancy footwork a few decades later. The L.B.'s, (under the tutelage of trumpet player, Joel Ricci aka Lucky Brown), give 'Broasted or Fried' the raw, underproduced treatment so that the original, infectious rhythms are sharper than ever. Guitar, organ, percussion, horn section – everyone's gutsy and going for it with equal vigour. This is what you play to the person from planet square who asks you to explain the etymology of 'groove'.

Featuring solos from Nathan Spicer (keyboards), Ben Bloom (guitar), Grant Schroff (drums).

"Stop Tryin'" on the B side is the sultry, languid instrumental that you want as the soundtrack to your life on a hot, southern, Sunday afternoon. Same raw vibe as above, it's the tonic to the hangover you induced the night before whilst dancing to the A side. An effective homage to that combination of instruments that always evoke a by-gone musical era based on a warm, homegrown, friendly funk.

Featuring solos from Art Brown (saxophone), Delvon LaMarr (organ), Oliver Klomp (drums).

"One of the big labels to keep the flag of UK funk and soul flying high worldwide", Craig Charles, BBC 6 Music.

One of the UK's leading funk and soul labels, Jalapeno Records, is to celebrate its 20th anniversary with the release of a limited edition ten track 7 inch compilation album box set, Two Decades of Funk Fire, celebrating highlights from the label's illustrious 20 year history.

The compilation will feature 10 seminal tracks from the label's back catalogue, providing a unique snapshot of a label that has quietly established itself as one of the most important funk and soul labels in the UK today. Two Decades of Funk Fire will be released as a 7 inch box set, 20 track digital compilation and CD on November 27, 2020.

"I love Jalapeno Records! One of the big labels to keep the flag of UK funk and soul flying high worldwide. Lively, colourful, and engagingly irreverent are the essential ingredients going into a classic Jalapeno release. Throw into the pot their perfect taste in who they sign and the support they provide to developing their artists and that is why, year after year, they have been responsible for releasing some of the biggest forward thinking funk and soul tunes around from a whole host of outstanding artists such as Smoove & Turrell, The Allergies, Skeewiff, Flevans and many many more! Thankyou Jalapeno for doing what you do so well!", Craig Charles, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, BBC 6 Music

From huge album releases by the legendary nu-disco crew Kraak & Smaak to the gospel-infused blues of Izo FitzRoy, to the crisp hip-hop breaks from fun-loving showstoppers The Allergies, to the northern soul of Smoove & Turrell, since its inception in 2000, Jalapeno Records has grown into a label which defies pigeon-holing.

To date, Jalapeno has clocked up over 350 releases from 53 acts, 64 feature artists, 330 remixes, 50 albums, 34 compilations, and spawned four sub-labels. A regular live touring schedule and countless Jalapeno Sound System DJ sets at festivals (they have played every Glastonbury since 2006) have all helped cement their reputation in their 20th year as one of the most important independent labels in British music today.

2020 has been the most successful year yet for the Brighton based independent. While other labels halted release schedules due to the pandemic, Jalapeno has celebrated a No.1 album in the Official Dance Music Charts (Smoove and Turrell's Stratos Bleu) and had their most prolific period to date, with album releases from The Allergies, Izo FitzRoy, Flevans and ephemerals amongst others.

"Over the years Jalapeno has consistently attracted and released artists that made the difference in the global musical realm that is funk, soul, disco and electronic music. I think we have been very lucky to have come on board early and made this journey with them. Here's to another 20 years chock full of great music, cheers!" - Kraak and Smaak.

The label is run by Trevor McNamee. Having cut his teeth at BMG, Trevor worked the ranks through Polydor, Jive Records (as Label Manager), then back to BMG (as Marketing Manager), before joining label partners Elliot Ireland and Alex Rizzo (friends from Brighton in the 90s) at Jalapeno Records in 2001. McNamee has since become sole owner of the label while Ireland and Rizzo have gone on to concentrate on making music and production for their library label Pedigree Cuts.

Trevor McNamee says, "Reaching 20 years in any business is an achievement but in one that has changed as many times as this industry has, still being here and keeping us and our artists from having to do proper jobs feels special.

Although I had a lot of experience working at major labels, Jalapeno has offered me the chance to do what I do for the love of it, and that has never really changed. At Jalapeno we sign artists based on whether we dig them, rather than whether we think they will sell huge numbers. It's always nice when they do make money though! Seeing our artists getting serious support on national radio in the UK and around the world or getting chart success after years of building a fanbase organically makes the long haul worthwhile."

One of the McNamee's signatures at the label has been to put the label's artists first by giving them artist freedom and creative control. Label deals are a 50:50 split with artists on relatively short deals so they can leave if they want to – but very few do.

"Jalapeno Records are standing head and shoulders above other independent labels. They give us the creative freedom to express ourselves, which is why we have been with them for over ten years!" – Smoove and Turrell.

McNamee continues, "When an artist has a clear idea of what they want to do then I try to meddle as little as possible. Many of our artists prefer the first time we hear an album to be when its finished – with no tinkering. And that's fine – I wouldn't have signed them or given them that creative freedom if they hadn't proved they were due it."

One of McNamee's contributions to the label was the early digitisation of Jalapeno's substantial back catalogue and success in securing major Hollywood syncs and TV ads. Music from the label has soundtracked ads for Nike , VW, Toyota, Orange, Renault, Honda, Sky and many smaller brands. Greys Anatomy was an early and important sync success for the label but since then many TV shows worldwide have used Jalapeno music.

"What we do really seems to work for sync" continues McNamee "and as we are not generally chasing chart success, achieving in this area for our artists and writers can be the difference between making a living from music or not. For the future we want to continue providing a home for the great roster we have and continue to add to it when the right artists come along. "

After an extremely busy year of album releases in 2020 Jalapeno Records already has albums lined up for 2021 from Gizelle Smith and The Allergies - there's no slowing down!

"Jalapeno Records have been prime instigators of the UK funk and soul scene for the last 20 years and I've been proud to be a small part of the past few. Here's to many more decades. " – Izo FitzRoy.

LOUIS 'SILKY' VINCENT released four 45s on the small HOOK UP label in the late '70s. All of them are very hard to find these days and included on this 8-track album. Incl. BREEZING, CHANGED MAN, GET DOWN 4 YOUR ACTION, and some more!

Key selling points:
- official release with the blessing of Silky Vincent
- incl. full album download code

Turned on by a new dawn of chemical love, Sydney dance-funk combo Bellydance laid down their sampledelica blueprint in 1991, thinking in parallel with Weatherall's revelatory work with Primal Scream. A candy flip of streetsoul, festival jam band and Chip Monck's cautionary brown acid address, 3 Days Man! was primed for open fields and discotheques, in an age when the deejay was royalty.

With an elastic lineup that boasted up to 9 members, Bellydance synchronised more with the club scene than the city's straight-ahead pub rock racket, naturally recruiting hometown heroes Peewee and John Ferris to remix their multi-track concoction. A certified party closing anthem, the brother's sun-smacked breakbeats elevate a collective consciousness beyond the clouds.

Originally issued on Regular Records sub-label Boomshanka Music as a precursor to their album One Blood, the now sought-after 12" sports characteristic artwork from Mambo visionary and Mental As Anything co-founder Reg Mombassa. Instigated by Sydney selector Ben Fester, this Efficient Space reboot arrives fashionably late to Woodstock's 50th anniversary but just in time to help soothe universal division.

7"
45 Rpm record

Following their live performances at the latest two Dimension Festival Editions and vinyl releases on international labels such as Slices of a dog, Money Sex, Odd socks and Sorry For This featuring a remix by none other than mr. Marcellus Pittman, Nas1 are finally back on Bosconi Extra Virgin with a new album titled Polaris Time. It’s a multi colored sonic adventure, moving from their hip hop and detroit house roots to a new palette of sounds including afro percussions and fresher synth lines blended together into a unique electronic soundscape that creates exotic, psychedelic atmospheres and unconventional, raw midtempo dance-floor tracks. The Album begins with the enchanting ballad of “L’ isola di Serie B” , moving deeper with the spaced out vibe of Domino Skii , landing on the more tropical and frivolous scenarios of “Cicci Briucci” and on the laid-back interlude of “Il Sangue Non Serve A Niente”.
In the beginning of the flip side appears instead the jazzy and uplifting first cut named “Frigo Deca”, followed by the freaky jam of “Come Thru” and the adventurous balearic tune “Hector Savage” ending with the ethereal closing skit “Il Sangue Non Serve A Niente (outro)"
Fans of Kyle Hall, Theo Parrish as well as John Talabot or Nicola Cruz are warned, absolutely not to be missed if you have been following Nas1 music so far.

The blues roots grow surprisingly deep in the Finnish music scene. From this fertile ground rises singer Emilia Sisco, who debuts on Timmion with her phenomenal single "Don't Believe You Like That". With her strong background in fusing blues, r&b and jazz, Emilia apparently slips also nicely into the dark soulful grooves of Cold Diamond & Mink.

In "Don't Believe You Like That" Emilia sets herself into the role of a mistreated lover, who still tries to see a speck of hope in the doomed relationship. By dubbing herself, and accompanying the lyric with graceful harmonies, she succeeds in building a powerful beat ballad, that should appeal to the darker end of the dance floor.

There's a special lane in history for soul music this understated. It's cool and intimate at the same time, like there's something dangerous lurking under the surface. So roll up something nice, if that's your thing, and hop along for the ride.

A dramatic, string-drenched epic, James Ralph Bailey’s Just Me ’N’ You has been a sought-after soul masterpiece for decades. A lush suite of beautiful songs, it was conceived as a concept album; a sophisticated paean to love.

Originally released by MAM Records in 1974, Just Me ’N’ You is a breathtaking jazzy soul album. It’s similar in style to Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On - particularly the performances, orchestrations and chord progressions - but dealing with a different universal subject matter. If What’s Going On was about romance instead of politics, it would sound like this.

Fans of Marvin, Leon Ware, Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson and Willie Hutch will love this record. Not as well known - this is definitely an underrated gem - the work of James Ralph Bailey is no less mind-blowing. It’s got to be one of the best soul albums of all time.

The original productions were made on a basic home tape machine and enhanced with strings, rhythmic overdubs and a variety of other instrumentation. These are beautiful arrangements of strings and jazzy horns. Rhythm guitars and bouncy bass serve as the groove foundation, congas provide a Latin feel whilst the vibraphone and harmonica add colour. And then of course there’s JR’s voice.

His style recalls Hathaway, with a delivery akin to Marvin at the time. As he scats and sings, accompanying himself in sweet harmonies, there is still a rawness of pain and longing in his voice, the rawness familiar to all deep soul.

As an album, Just Me ’N’ You is no mere collection of songs. The tender, smooth tunes flow perfectly together into a fluid, single artistic statement. This is one where it’s hard to pick out any standouts. You may have heard the soaring title track before, maybe on Gilles Peterson’s Digs America compilation. The opening track “After Hours” sounds as fresh now as it ever was and segues beautifully into the majestic “Heaven On Earth”. Recorded by Hathaway the previous year, Bailey’s original of “Love Love Love” is incredible and arguably the definitive version. The powerful, dreamy, sax-and-harmony-laced “All Strung Out Over You” has echoes of the Chi-Lites, it’s that good. Goosebumps. And we could go on.

Mastered by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry, this Be With edition of Just Me ’N’ You sounds every bit as brilliant as it should. A joyous celebration of love, this album is perfect in every way. If you don’t already own a copy then now is the time.

Tape / Cassette

George's sound is unique and unmatched in the electronic music industry. His tracks take you on a journey of groovy, melodic and harmonic sections.

Saint DX is the incarnation of the contemporary crooner. Singer, composer and producer, his style reveals an obsession for love and an exacerbated sensitivity. Raised in the Buddhist spirituality of his parents and cradled by the soundtrack of The Big Blue (1988), Aurélien Hamm tells us about the fragility but also the beauty of our love stories, and the reincarnation of our wounds in the repetition of our days. Oscillating between English and French, swaying bass and ethereal layers, self-tone and naked voice, he cites Sade as well as Mylène Farmer, Better Person, Kanye West and Prince among his influences.

Since 2018, he has released 3 singles ('Regrets', 'First Fantasy' and 'I Still Care'), accompanied Charlotte Gainsbourg on stage and performed many of her opening acts. This 9-track mini LP will be followed by many concerts and marks the beginning of a very promising solo career for Saint DX.

British singer-songwriter and front woman of trip-hop group Morcheeba, Skye is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of her second album ‘Keeping Secrets’ with the exclusive, limited edition, white gatefold 180g vinyl for this year’s Record Store Day.

‘Keeping Secrets,’ showcases her instantly recognisable, smooth vocals written, produced by Alexis Smith and Emmy nominated Grace Jones collaborator, Ivor Guest. This is the first time the record has been on vinyl, with the digital release last year.

Snips is the founder of Barbershop Records and co founder of Livin Proof, with over 15 years experience as one of Londons most prolific DJs and over 10 years worth of production credits across Hip Hops underground. 2018 has seen Snips emerge as a budding solo artist, fusing the production styles of Hip Hop, House, Soul and Funk in the same fashion as he is known to do behind the turntables.

With his debut album "The Barbershop" making waves on both sides of the Atlantic and his Single "The Product" On Classic Records garnering support from a cross genre selection of heavyweights such as Karizma, Benji B, Eli Escobar, House Shoes, J Rocc, DJ Spinna and Henry Wu, Snips returns on his own label Barbershop Records and delves into Edit territory once aghain. This 45" veers slightly away from the Hip Hop focused edits of his last two releases cleverly turning a couple of soul and latin classics into club ready future anthems

Complete with more gorgeous artwork from our favourite graphic designer, Animisiewasz, DP number 28 pops up offering four dance floor ready edits from one of our favourite young producers.

London based producer, multi-instrumentalist and artist Hoffy brings us five explosive disco/house monsters tailor made for when the clubs re-open and everyone goes ever so slightly nuts. With a couple of ridiculously uplifting releases on Forgot Records and a remix or two for Wah Wah 45s, of course, he knows how to move a crowd. His productions illustrate his deep love of classic (but never cheesy) disco, and an ability to create surges of energy even on the most docile of dance floors.

We hope you enjoy this craftily concocted quintet of soulful stunners that could easily sit alongside O'Flynn, early Romare and Dave Lee on your shelves. Another essential slab of foot friendly heat courtesy of your favourite Dubplate provider!

"What's Going On"? When nine Independent soul artists join forces, the result is nothing less than an authentic, passionate, creative piece of music.

During a backstage chat between The Terri Green Project and Cornell "CC" Carter, they planned a duet together, long before shut downs and the pandemic, to speak on their frustrations and life experiences that shaped their professional and personal journeys, but they expanded that project to include several other Chart topping Independent soul artist including Cool Million band member Rob Hardt, soul crooner Marc Staggers, the velvet voice of Miracle Thomas, the UK's own soul queen Michelle Lawson, bigger than life persona and singer songwriter David A. Tobin, legendary guitarist, vocalist, producer Randy Hall, and disco queen Dynelle "Weather Girls" Rhodes, current member and daughter of the late Izora Armstead Rhodes. Toddi Reed and Terri Green joined forces to produce a vibrant classic soul mix that leans heavily on their usual "TGP" style.

With a soft bed of string arrangements, Toddi's splendid saxophone performance, and a tight bass performance from Thomas Steiger who also played on the last few number one hits for the band, the groove, surrounded by Toddi's orchestral arrangement leaves us feeling the 1970s influenced production.

MUSIC & POWER presents EMANCIPATION AVENUE (KAREGA ANI & SWATARA OLUSHOLA). This group pays tribute to the great history & tradition of real R&B music with their debut release "OLD SCHOOL SONG". This highly sought after composition has become a classic on worldwide with RON TRENT'S remix!

The Apples

A Post-Funk Juggernaut Comprised of decks, horns, double bass, and drums, which mixes Middle Eastern influences to create a signature sound.
With the instinctive weaving of a dj set, there music stretches between the composed and the impromptu, keeping a strong point of reference for the beholder's ears, feet and soul.

Rather than rely on their usual full band, live performance, one-room live single recording session, the making of 'Dragonz' was a departure for The Apples.

A multi-studio project spanning three continents, they assembled new instrumental tracks based on loops created in the studio and presented them to a wide-ranging selection of vocal collaborators to complete the picture with, and applied this method to the capturing of longstanding live favourites as well.

The concept of a "vocal album" was implemented on non-vocalist songs as well, treating the omnipresent turntables' sample work not as the central element to the band, but rather its frontman.

Though containing disparate influences, guests and production methods, 'Dragonz' is undeniably Apples, might be their most focused LP to date, and it is certainly their most middle-eastern. Elements of the region's indigenous genres have always been present in the band's work, but never has their influence been
as pronounced.

Tape / Cassette

The GTT series is a platform that hosts experimental projects & artists in sound art. It is dedicated to support sound as a genre of its own - beyond the boundaries of music theory and free of any expectation. Just art.

WOLFFRIEND is a collaboration project between Mischa Wolff (Von Abseits) and Daniel Harrison (Imaginary Friend). The two met each other in Berlin and discovered their mutual interest in beats, rap and sound art. When they moved in with each other last February they spent their first two weeks together in the studio. It resulted in an adventurous sound story called 'Computers' that brings listeners into a dimension of their own.

Previously unreleased Funk from 1985 by Youngstown Ohio's Billy Jenkins. Billy "Bassman's" name is relatively unknown amongst the Funk legends out of Dayton, but his music stands the test of time. Spacey ambient synths & Electro-Boogie-Funk, this is '85 at it's finest. Billy Jenkins was a member of the group Babie Brother that released one 45 single on the Rock-A-Bye Label in 1984. The single "Trance" had a music video with it that is so strange and funky it's difficult to describe. The group consisted of members of the group from the Baby Brother band that released one album on Atlantic Records. Limited Edition Hand-Stamped pressing of 300 copies. A full-length album of Billy's work is due out on Family Groove Records later this year.

Record Kicks reissues mythical Calibro 35's third album "Any Resemblance To Real Persons Or Actual Facts Is Purely Coincidental" sampled by Dr Dre in "Compton".

Completing the trilogy of Calibro 35's reissues, Record Kicks proudly presents "Any Resemblance To Real Persons Or Actual Facts Is Purely Coincidental", the third album by Italian cinematic funk heroes CALIBRO 35, whose title track was sampled by Dr.Dre in "One Shot One Kill" featuring Snoop Dog in his 2015 "Compton" album. After the reprint of the previous two records "Calibro 35" and "Ritornano Quelli Di (The Return Of)", this third and last reissue will be available on December 4th on a limited edition LP and digitally in a Deluxe Edition version. The digital Deluxe Edition includes 3 bonus tracks: the band's original compositions "Ballando In Balera" and "Appuntamento al Contessa" and a cover of Herbie Hancock's "Deathwish".

Recorded in Brooklyn in just five days, with "Any Resemblance" the Milan cult combo, while cultivating its damn-near-perfected cinematic vibes, experiments a more improvisational approach to writing. "Massacre at Dawn" comes straight from afro-funk territory, an homage to Brooklyn heroes Budos Band and Menahan Street Band. "Rain On Concrete" instead sounds like a French soundtrack composed some decades ago by Francis Lai or Jean Claude Vannier. There is also a more globally-inspired flavour to several tracks on the album: from the Indian vibe of the sitar-injected "New Dehli Deli," to the streets of San Francisco with the heavy weight of the clavinet on "Thank You and Good Bye," to the high impact horn riffs of Detroit's Motown Studio sound on "The BBQ Band" and "The Package", and then back again to Italy for retro-scat vocals on "Uh Ah Brrr", reminiscent of the best of Ennio Morrione's and Piero Umiliani's compositions from the 60s. Just like the previously reprinted "Calibro 35" and "The Return Of", 2012 "Any Remblance" LP is highly sought-after by collectors and soundtrack aficionados worldwide and by popular demand a reissue sees the light of day on a limited edition Gatefold LP that includes digital download of the bonus tracks.

Active since 2008, CALIBRO 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. During their ten-year career, they were sampled by Dr. Dre on his "Compton" album as well as by Jay-Z and The Child of Lov & Damon Albarn, they shared stages worldwide with the likes of Roy Ayers, Muse, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat and Headhunters and as unique musicians they collaborated with, among others, PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (The Jet). Described by Rolling Stone magazine as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that happened to Italy in the last years", Calibro 35 can now count on a number of aficionados worldwide, including VIP fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals) among others.

Monster garage rock 45 which might appeal to funk 45 collectors too! "Fire" is certainly one of the best cover versions of the Jimi Hendrix classic, drum breaks galore! The flip side is an original composition from the band and equally great.

Limitied to 250 copies!

After the release of Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds (FVR098), Favorite Recordings follows-up, this time focusing on its homeland language.
Helped by a close connoisseur friend, DJ and collector Charles Maurice presents a fine selection of what he thinks represent best the amazing energy of this specific movement and period. With 10 rare titles, all produced between 1975 and 1984, he shows a perfect picture of what you could find in French record stores at that time, On one hand, tracks by Overdrive, Marché Noir, Didier Makaga or France-Lise, were produced by underground artists and labels from the French Caribbean and African community and also filled with the raw spirit of this Tropical stamping. On the other hand, tracks by Beckie Bell, Kelly, Le Club, or Bernard Guyvan, were released by major labels such as Trëma, Carrere, Disques Vogue, or Pathé Marconi, thanks to confirmed independent producers, acting not only in France, but also in Canada and the US.
Today, Favorite Recordings and Charles Maurice are very proud to shed some light again on these gems, and hopefully offer them a new life on your turntable.

Wrapping up the single release series from Carlton Jumel Smith's album "1634 Lexington Ave.", comes the deep beat ballad "Help Me (Save Me From Myself)". Progressing from moody minor keys towards the bittersweet hopefulness of the chorus, the track sounds like fell from Menahan Street Band's debut sessions with Charles Bradley and flew across the pond to soggy Helsinki, where Cold Diamond & Mink nurtured it to it's current glory.

The track starts up in classic hip hop soul style, with open drums and cinematic Rocky horns. But after the intro, when the ghost-like piano notes hit, is when the song really gets going. Carlton delivers one of his best dark-end-of-the-street vocals, matching his Timmion debut "I Can't Love You Any More". Tuomo "Pratt" Prättälä's haunting background vocals seal the deal, lifting the chorus to seventh group soul heaven.

Whether you're completing your Carlton single series with this gem or just getting your first whiff of this contemporary soul master, we salute you.

Celebrating live music and record store culture.

After having completed the first run of shows for their recent album "2066" through UK, France and Germany, the Mighty Mocambos did an intimate performance at world-renowned Groove City Record Store in their hometown Hamburg.
Not content with just playing stripped down versions of existing material, the band wanted to step up a notch from the "tiny desk" type concert idea and decided to record unreleased tunes for a vinyl single capturing the live energy and crowd atmosphere with analog studio techniques. After having warmed up with a couple of songs from "2066", a cheerful crowd in the packed shop witnessed the band tracking magic takes of unheard songs directly to tape.
"St. Pauli Second Line", an instrumental live favourite with simple but irresistant swamp funk ostinatoes turned into a frenetic call and response chant workout midway of the song. Singer Nichola Richards' tune "Keep It Movin'", a mainstay of the band's live repertoire for years, was cut with great energy, finally finding its way onto wax. "Something's Missing" is a brand new tune with a raw sister funk vibe - written and arranged for the occasion, rehearsed once and performed live for the first time in the version you hear on this record.
While many live recordings a are mere mix of crowd noise and neglectable renditions of well-worn tunes that are unusable for DJs and hardly appealing to the dedicated listener, THE MIGHTY MOCAMBOS - Live At Groove City au contraire is a treat for turntableists and a testimony of the spark that a well-attuned live band can light up, combining the vibes of a concert with the no-nonsense analog sound of their well-loved studio recordings.

Off the back of the inescapably addictive funk rattle 'n' romp 'Felony', an A-list playlist choice of BBC Radio 6 Music spun by Craig Charles, Lauren Laverne and Mary Anne Hobbs as well as BBC Radio 2 hosts Jo Whiley and Rylan, The Allergies are out to provide the soundtrack to your summer with 'Say The Word'. The Bristol duo of Rackabeat and DJ Moneyshot continue their patent blend of fat laced hip-hop and funk for the hip bone, ready and waiting to tear the ring pull off so the party can flood out.

In succession to 'As We Do Our Thing', 'Push On' and 'Steal The Show' ("An action-packed funk workout that delivers dancefloor A-bombs time and time again" – Clash magazine), 'Say The Word' packs a killer punch of chunky breaks, finger licking throwdowns and soft-shoe steppers to ensure the boogie will never leave your body. The Allergies' latest dancefloor crusade lines up serial collaborator Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling (now officially seeking official Allergies citizenship, and reaching a new astral plain on 'I Just Got That Feeling'); the honey-dipped, no-nonsense soul of Marietta Smith, of Smith and The Honey Badgers; Dynamite MC holding down the uber true skool cool of 'Hot Sensation'; and the funster Mardi Gras free for all involving The Cuban Brothers that will definitely 'Let Them Know'.

A fixture on Jalapeno Records since 2015, The Allergies all-in party performance has gained Album of the Day status on 6 Music, become a bestseller on the iTunes and Juno hip-hop album charts, and received Tune of the Month gongs in Mixmag. The Allergies have also stopped by shows on Radio 2 with Dermot O'Leary and Radio 4 with Clive Anderson, and headlined the BBC 6 Music Festival in their native Bristol; all in addition to an ever energetic European itinerary, and teaming with Dr Syntax (whose dulcet tones are back to affirm 'I'm On It'), Izo FitzRoy and Uncle Frank of the group, the Fun Lovin' Criminals.

In tandem with 'Felony' flying across springtime airwaves, Rackabeat and Moneyshot helmed a triumphant Trunk of Funk mix for Craig Charles' celebrated Funk and Soul show in April. It got pulses racing, as per usual, and whet the listeners' appetites for album number four. When it drops, trust us, 'Say The Word' will be on everyone's lips.

Mecca And The Soul Brother from Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is considered by fans and critics as one of the finest hip hop albums of the early 90s. Songs like “Lots of Lovin”, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”,”Anger In The Nation” and “It It Ain’t Rough, It Ain’t Right” have everything; funky basslines, solid production, convincing lyrics and lots of soul. Producer Pete Rock built his beats from obscure R&B, funk and jazz records and CL Smooth added his sometimes philosophical raps. Guest rappers on the album include Grand Puba (of Brand Nubian), Heavy D, Rob-O, Grap & Dida, and it reached #7 in the US R&B/Hip-hop charts and #43 in the US album charts.

Mecca And The Soul Brother from Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth is considered by fans and critics as one of the finest hip hop albums of the early 90s. Songs like “Lots of Lovin”, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”,”Anger In The Nation” and “It It Ain’t Rough, It Ain’t Right” have everything; funky basslines, solid production, convincing lyrics and lots of soul. Producer Pete Rock built his beats from obscure R&B, funk and jazz records and CL Smooth added his sometimes philosophical raps. Guest rappers on the album include Grand Puba (of Brand Nubian), Heavy D, Rob-O, Grap & Dida, and it reached #7 in the US R&B/Hip-hop charts and #43 in the US album charts.

Chameleon Collective is an Anglo-Portuguese creative hub, formed in 2015, which takes its inspiration from the late 70s jazz influenced pop music of west coast America, paying tribute to the music and vibes of Steely Dan, The Crusaders, Herb Albert, Joni Mitchell, Sergio Mendes, George Duke and Miles Davis.

The album 1979 is our musical homage to all things LA West Coast during the late 70s. Born from a love of bands and producers from an era perhaps defined by Steely Dan and their work with Roger (The Immortal) Nichols, it is influenced by the orchestrations of Sergio Mendes and Herb Albert and the emotional intensity of Joni Mitchell.

Each of us having a long history in recording of our own, we sought out analogue-based studios where microphones still mattered and based our songs on open chord structures that enabled each musician to add their own layer of unique harmony. After the initial scratch pad sessions jamming on piano and bass to create the building blocks from which we assembled each song’s structure. Some are based around the normal verse, chorus, verse chorus format but others, such as After You, evolved to become longer, more free-form pieces.


To ensure each of us was free to react to each other’s performances as they were added, the first performance to be recorded and defined was Gary O’Toole on drums, bringing his unique blend of technique and creativity to each song’s rhythm part. Next came Jed’s piano and organ. His original Hammond, recorded in the studio of Portuguese legend Rui Veloso, colours the music of the album in warm and unique shades while the piano offers also many highlights. Scott Garland was next with his brass parts and wonderful solo’s alongside Matt Holland’s incredible trumpet – inspired by the 70’s work of Tom Scott and Michael Brecker – in a brass section that flows like liquid gold throughout the sound of the album.

We needed a very particular kind of feel and groove from the guitars – and we had the good fortune to have the talents of Tim Froud and Ronnie Johnson weaving incredible solos and rhythm grooves into each arrangement that were somehow as tight as they were loose.



But the really unique moment for us was first hearing the songs sung by fellow Chameleon Maria Leon, recorded with a special vintage microphone Neumann U67 after our early writing sessions in which she wrote and sang each song lyric almost simultaneously, before seamlessly layering up her voice in banks of backing vocals where desired.



Finally… The mixing!

After a four-year journey working away at each song until we at last reached a point where we knew it was finished as a recording, we had the grace of Andy Bradfield to mix it. Crafted in layers of sound, the final arrangements and details blended together in a magnificent yet transparent way.



Have a look at the unique artwork that Digital artist Claire Stone at Jump Design has created to accompany each song – we have written much more about the inspiration behind each song and how we went about recording it.



We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did making it!

The New Mastersounds have been delighting audiences with their infectious brand of funky soul-jazz for the two decades since they formed in Leeds in 1999. For the first five years of the band's career they were regulars at the Jazz Café in London, before they began to turn heads on the funk scene in the US, where guitarist/producer/bandleader Eddie Roberts now lives. For over a decade they have been a staple act of the late-night scene during New Orleans' annual Jazz Fest.

Recorded at Color Red Studios in Denver in December 2018, "Shake It" is a fresh Anglo-American collaboration between the band and vocalist Lamar Williams Jr (son of the late Allman Brothers bassist Lamar Williams), with high-class soulful horns from Mike Olmos & Jason Mingledorff, and percussion by Jeff Franca of Thievery Corporation

The first two singles from the album - "Let's Go Back" and "Kings & Queens" - are already enjoying radio support in UK (BBC6Music), France (FIP, RDWA), Spain (Radio 3, Radio Catalunya, Radio Calvia), Italy (Radio Populare), Germany (Radio Z) and Belgium (Radio Skorpio).














j 10. On The Up (S.K.A.) [feat. Lamar Williams Jr]










[j] 10. On The Up (S.K.A.) [feat. Lamar Williams Jr]

New soul / boogie discovery out Daytona Beach, Florida. Unknown until this year when a sold for the first time on ebay in June for ($2025), Not surprising as its absolutely banging on both sides. Big love to Brian Sears who hooked up With Michael Gamble on this.

Fantastic funky crossover soul that has remained pretty much unknown due to rarity. Solid two-sider originally released on local label 'Shore'. You will never see an original copy.

For their sophomore album, Chemical Reaction, Galaxians have stripped back the music and pumped up the vocals. Emma Mason's unstoppable voice elevates the group to a fully-formed musical act. This new LP is all about her voice.

Mason's powerhouse vocal on the West End Records-inspired Chemical Reaction beckons you onto the dancefloor. Jed Skinner's bright and breezy synth melodies allow the song to really breathe, whilst Sam Bell's front-and-centre conga groove (straight out of Double Exposure's My Love Is Free) and Matt Woodward's intricate rolls ramp up the track's energy and momentum. The shorter Mama Ghetto Vogue Edit is brought to life by Darren Pritchard, vogue dancer and mother of Manchester's House of Ghetto, who meets a neon wonderland in the electrifying video.

Elsewhere on the album, Heartbreaker champions female empowerment and personal freedom over a pounding boogie groove. It's a tight arrangement which drops into a delay-drenched Levanesque drum break before crescendoing back into a final chorus via one of Skinner's trademark JX-3P synth solos.

On the proto-house funk of Fight For Love, where Emma flexes her vocal chords to jaw-dropping effect, a failing relationship is thrust into the spotlight over a punchy Linn Drum groove. On the silky shuffle of after-hours jam Work It Out, which brings to mind the classic Sly & Robbie Compass Point productions, Emma croons about a lover, her voice cast in a softer, more subdued glow. Heat of the City sizzles with the essence of an urban summer, and is peppered with heart-stopping hand claps.

Third single Horizon sees the band in more reflective low-key mode, and could be their minor hit of the summer. There's some neat drum programming here, intertwined with Woodward's intricate fills and hi-hat playing.

On Not The Money, Mason's vocal shifts to a lower register in the mid-section, bringing to mind Grace Jones at her most commanding.

All in all it's a life-affirming experience, one born out of a sense of community and collaboration. Seven years on from their early explorations Chemical Reaction sees Galaxians retain sight of the principles that make their output, and dance music as a whole, so vital - commonality of experience, singular moments shared by a crowd, and rhythm as the best medicine.

After teasing its release at SXSW recently, Kaytranada presents his highly anticipated debut album '99.9%' via XL Recordings. The album finds the Haitian born, Montreal raised producer delivering on the promise of his early self-released EPs and remixes. Since the age of fourteen, when he first began to DJ and when his brother introduced him to music production software, his output has been relentless. He explains, after he showed me the basics, from that day on I couldn't stop making beats,' pumping out a handful of tracks per day for the next couple of years.
Single releases like 'Drive Me Crazy' with Vic Mensa and 'Leave Me Alone' with Shay Lia soon spread his name like wildfire. With that release Kaytranada cemented his reputation and his sound, an undeniable swing of the drums comparable to Dilla's, a signature soulful touch in the melodies and a healthy dose of funky basslines.'99.9%' continues that tradition and new track 'Bus Ride', which features acclaimed percussionist / producer Karriem Riggins as well as rising Toronto vocalist River Tiber, demonstrates that Kaytranada has stayed within his canon while demonstrating growth on the new album.

UK oddball boogie rarity licenced direct from the band (with help from friend of AOTN Russ). I'm a bit of a fan of this pop-boogie sound so expect to see more odd little 45s like this.

Nick Pride & The Pimptones from Newcastle/UK are back with "Don't Turn Me Loose", a Northern Soul stomper and the first single from their new album "Ideology" coming out in September 2020.

The song captures classic soul vibes while driving home heavy beats, anthemic horn arrangements, screaming Hammond organ and a full-throttle gang vocal chorus. Nick Pride says "I had fun with the lyrics of this one. It's that moment in a relationship when you realise what an idiot you're being. The message is: 'Please bear with me, I'll be myself again soon'!" A tender love song of apology and reconciliation, wrapped up in three minutes.

In "Four Leaf Clover"the Pimptones showcase their pop sensibilities with a punchy slice of disco soul. This Chic inspired cut is made for the dancefloor, harmonically sophisticated without straying too far from the familiar.

Nick Pride explains the story told in the song: "The lyrics are inspired by how the overly filtered world of social media effects our expectations of love. We're chasing a dream, believing it's real, hoping we'll find someone measuring up to ideal. This time though the story has a happy ending, our hero finds her four leaf clover!"

Record Kicks presents a limited edition 45 with two deep soul winners from the enfant prodige Alexis Evans. On the A side the northern soul cut "She Took Me Back". On the flipside the rnb/soul floorshaker "It's All Over Now".

Heading from Bordeaux, the Anglo-French Alexis Evans is not a newcomer in the music scene. He discovered Afro-American music as a child and learnt to play guitar thanks to his father, an English musician. At the age of 17 he debuted with his first project "Jumping to the Westside", with which he was awarded the "Cognac Blues Passion" prize and flew to the "International Blues Challenge" in Memphis, Tennessee. Soon after in 2016 he exploded onto the French scene with "Girl Bait", his astonishing debut album that hit the airwaves of FIP, France Bleu, and Jazz Radio amongst the others. Despite his young age Alexis Evans has already built a household name, touring extensively his country with explosive live sets at RDV Erdre Nantes, Rhino Jazz St-Etienne, Lyon Ninkasi, Club Nubia Paris, Festivals Relâche Bordeaux, Jazz à Vienne as well as Festivals in England, Estonia, Switzerland and Wales.

A must have 45 for every soul djs and lovers. Watch out the 45 is limited to 500 copies worldwide.

The album title pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock with Eminem tweeting the below following the album release.

Control is the incredible debut album from Sydney based vocalist Natalie Slade, produced by Hiatus Kaiyote's Simon Mavin and featuring contributions from other members of the Grammy Nominated group.

Combining Soul, Jazz, Folk and RnB, Natalie's timeless vocals dazzle across 10 stunning tracks, perfectly complimented by rich, live instrumentation and Mavin's vibrant production. The album is classic to its core, whilst taking a fresh and energetic approach to a long tradition of Soul/RnB long players. Familiar broken rhythms and jazz heavy motifs, notorious with Hiatus Kaiyote's writing and arrangement style are present, reminding us throughout that we are in the hands of true masters. The result is a kaleidoscopic reimagining of sounds and styles from an exciting new vocal talent.

Recording began after a chance encounter between Natalie and the Hiatus keys player Simon Mavin, resulting in a writing session that quickly escalated into a full blown album project. The chemistry was clear and the creativity flowed. Spontaneous recording sessions ensued, with visitors to the studio jumping in to play on tracks, the levels of musicianship on the album never fall short of stunning and Natalie's poetic and enchanting song writing shines throughout.

The album kicks off with an energetic flash on 'Cloud Cover', an arpeggiating bass line bubbles over skipping drums and aquatic synths. The title track 'Control' puts it's foot on the gas with a driving synth bass, broken beats and soaring vocals. 'Colour' see's Natalie pouring out her heart to the universe over a fluttering mellotron whilst the beautiful 'There Is Light In Everything' gives her a chance to show off her vocal prowess. Control is a truly unique and dynamic debut album from two masters of their craft, we hope you enjoy it just as much as we do

Recommend for fans of Hiatus Kaiyote, Rosin Murphy, Fatima, Yasmin Lacey, Khadja Bonet.

2020 sees the release of Smoove & Turrell's 6th studio album Stratos Bleu – a slightly different direction for the boys as they take influences from their infamous DJ sets where they fuse northern soul with funk and electronica.

The production is a marriage of everything that they grew up on fused with elements of modern music, taking influences from Chicago House to Massive Attack, Inner City to Kruder & Dorfmeister but with the distinctive drum heavy dancefloor production Smoove is famous for.

For lyricist Turrell the album is a throwback to the rose-tinted halcyon days of his youth, from stealing his Dad's aftershave to hearing house music for the first time. The challenge for both was about finding the right balance between the Smoove & Turrell sound that has brought them such a fanatical following and the raw dance music they grew up on, while always striving to be original.

Do It - the first single from the album is recognizably a Smoove & Turrell dancefloor destroyer and leads into the glorious analogue bubbler It Ain't Working – slated as their second single.
The tougher electronic sound will be a surprise to some but those denizens of the night who have seen these guys work a crowd from the DJ booth will know what to expect – extraordinary lyricism and tight beats.

The ecstatic breakbeat fueled This Time keeps the album peaking but of course there is always shade with the blinding light on a Smoove & Turrell album and downbeat tracks like Never Wanted You More and Talk About Nothing bring you back to a balearic heyday for vocal electronic dance music

German funk stalwarts The Mighty Mocambos unleash another sample of their explosive live energy, a 7" of two brand new tunes recorded straight to 8-track tapeduring JAM PDM! Breakdance Battle at Fabrik Potsdam on February 1st 2020.

"Arabesque Breakin' Suite" on side A is an original instrumental medley written for the occasion and delivers the raw, heavyweight sound that has made The Mighty Mocambos a staple of b-boy battles the world over. Side B is a cover of the Axel F Theme from Beverly Hills Cop, taking the tune from 80s synth-heavy electro-pop to soulful, tropical-flavored b-boy funk.

In these peculiar times without concerts, these live recordings are a real labor of love that capture the special vibes of a Mighty Mocambos performance while remaining suitable for DJ-use and enjoyable to the dedicated listener.

The 45 comes in a beautiful picture sleeve - a reproduction of the tape box used for the recording with a b/w photo from the event.