Hip-Hop Novedades

Cracking R&B dancefloor stroller with a strong New Orleans feel to it from Paul Perryman, backed up with Little Bobby Roach's 'Mush', a top R&B instrumental which sounds tailor made for tassel twirling!

With the release of fourth album Crown Posada, Smoove & Turrell cement their position as one of the UK's most exceptional soul acts with their innate ability to deliver hard times social commentary in a dancefloor friendly medium. Proudly working class as a band - this album celebrates love, life, politics and the lows and the highs of growing up and raising families in the North East of England.

Gritty and powerful, the band make no attempt to sound or look like anyone else - not for them the sharp suits and trumpet twirls of some of their peers. Instead you get a wildly talented and vital crew of larger than life Geordie lads taking their rightful place on the international soul scene having already become figureheads within the UK.

The Whole Truth follows up this year's Balearic disco hit 'Stalemate' with a return to his speciality: dubbed-out boogie with a soulful strut.

'Two Fools' features vocals from Earl 16, one of the UK's finest reggae singers. Though best known on these shores for his appearance on Leftfield's 'Release The Pressure', Earl has credits with Joe Gibbs, Augustus Pablo, and, err, Rudimental, among many others over his four decades in the business. One of the finest soul voices in the country, he gives this story of a treacherous lover a Motown-meets-Jamtown feel. Meanwhile The Whole Truth is straddling the Atlantic - one foot in New York and one in London - as he serves up another slab of analogue boogie perfection. There's an instrumental dub on the flip for the purists.

With BBC Radio 1 (Monki) and 6 Music (Nemone) both waking up to The Whole Truth's unique charms, these 7"s may not stick around long. You'd be a fool to wait around.

Mark 'Wilkinson' returns to the limelight with his sensational new cut Flatline' - the first single from his second album, which features long-term collaborator and chart-topping rapper Wretch 32. Wilkinson and Wretch first collaborated back in 2014 on Wretch's hit single 6 Words', and having stayed in touch since, have propelled themselves back into the limelight.

Now returning to the fore-front of the music scene, Wilkinson's latest single speaks volumes of UK talent, with lyricism discussing the power of potential, and the possessive nature of social media, and an ever-intelligent youth.

Speaking on the single Wilkinson states: I wanted to do something different with this record. I wanted to keep it on a drum and bass tip but work with an artist to bridge the DNB and hip hop scenes in an interesting and distinctly British fashion. I'm into REAL rappers and personally for me, the finest lyricist in the UK is Wretch. He's a rappers rapper! His punchlines and delivery are incredible and I'm really happy with how the record turned out!"

The high-octane track once again proves that Wilkinson is one of the front-runners in the Drum and Bass scene, and follows on from four Top 40 singles including his Top-ten smash single Afterglow', which saw worldwide success - selling 400,000 copies, with 46 Million Youtube views.

Now focusing on Flatline', Wilkinson teases us with an addictive and high-octane sound as he moves towards the release of his second album at the end of the year.

The original eight-track 1983 album is supplemented by four cuts produced by famed musician Stanley Clarke which remained in the vaults until they were included in a '90s U.S. reissue of the original LP.
Following her hit-filled tenure with Capitol Records (1975-1982), Natalie's move to Epic came among personal challenges (outlined in her 2000 memoirs). Nonetheless, I'm Ready' saw her reunited with the team of Chuck Jackson & Marvin Yancy who had helmed her '70s string of award-winning best-selling singles and album for five tracks including 'Too Much Mister', a Top US R&B hit. Multi-talented music man Stanley Clarke produced three tracks, co-producing one with a member of Natalie's band, Chuck Bynum.
Natalie (who sadly passed away on December 31, 2015) wrote two songs - 'I'm Your Mirror' and the bonus cut 'How Can You Stop' - as well as co-writing two more with her brother Eddie Cole, and 'Winner (Takes All)' and 'Movin' On', which were also part of the Stanley Clarke sessions.
Remastered by Nick Robbins, this 2016 SoulMusic Records reissue follows the label's release of two other Cole classics, Natalie...Live!' (SMCR-5009) and Thankful,' an expanded edition (SMCR-5028) and includes insightful notes by renowned U.S. writer Justin Kantor and a personal tribute to Natalie by SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan, who began interviewing her in 1975.

For the first time in more than a year, Because Music is running a limited repress of Selah Sue's sold out EP 'Alone'. Released in late 2014, it paved the way for her second album 'Reason' (more than 185,000 copies worldwide since its release in March 2015). Shifting to a more pop-oriented sound under the supervision of producers Robin Hannibal (Rhye, Kendrick Lamar) and Ludwig Goransson (Childish Gambino, Haim), this EP features her flagship collaboration with American rapper Childish Gambino 'Together' and an exclusive acoustic version of the track 'Won't Go For More'. A throwback to the exciting times when everybody was impatient to hear Selah's new creations after her best-selling debut album.

Wally Badarou was at the cutting edge musically with his fusion of African grooves with the emerging electro sounds of the early 1980s. His debut album 'Back To Scales' in 1980 has been long out of print and is considered a treasure by many connoisseurs. 
Wally plays synthesizer, co-writing and performing Level 42 often considered their 'fifth member'. He also played with Robert Palmer, Talking Heads, Foreigner, Grace Jones and Manu Dibango. He also known for a later hit single Chief Inspector', and Mambo' from the same year (1984) was sampled by Massive Attack
This is a great album deserving appreciation by a wider audience with such an amazing collection of important songs. It was recorded in France, the country of his birth, originally released on French label, Barclay

Mind blowing Minneapolis boogie, there is so much to this story but lets start with their original 1982 press release

Hot Group, NOBODY, Definitely Going Somewhere!

During the 1960s the American popular music scene was overtaken and dominated throughout most of the decade by a creative surge emanating fromDetroit. "The Sound Of Young America," as it was called, was Motown. As Motown declined another inspired voice took up the slack. Under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Philadelphia International, i.e., "The Sound Of Philadelphia" (T.S.O.P.), became the new voice under the early and mid-'70s.

As is becoming quite apparent, the 1980s belong to the Twin Cities. Most people thought it would stop with Prince. It hasn't. A new band called Nobody is making sure that it doesn't. And although the group has been wrapped in mystery ever since they started just four months ago, their recently released demo tape (which will shortly be pressed on vinyl) is a monster that has music insiders buzzing with enthusiasm, "Right now nobody knows who we are. Once we become established, however, we will be casting a highly creative shadow that will be profound, and that other people will have to live up to," says the group.

The band has seven members: two vocalists-one male and two keyboard players, one guitar, bass and drums. All but one of the members are from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, providing how fertile our sometimes mild little town can be. They've all had a diverse amount of experience-from jazz to funk-but their music doesn't fit any particular category. Some of Nobody's members even started out in the church, which gave their music a genuinely soulful feeling that can't be denied.

Nobody was primarily put together by the female lead vocalist, a lady who's sung with manyTwinCityjazz and gospel greats. But beyond anything else the band is a team. A team with a mission. A mission to bring quality music to the community. Many of you will soon get to judge the sounds of their debut songs for yourself. KMOJFM is getting ready to add the single "I Saw You" to its playlist, and WLOL's music director said he "loved it." Along with the airplay will be an appearance on Scott Thompson's "Showcase" on KWTN

Meanwhile the group's manager, Jordanna Gold is keeping busy on both coasts attempting to hook up a deal with one of the major labels for this dynamic, multi-talented group that many people say will be busting out by grammy time.

Praise Poems Vol.1: Gilles Peterson (Worldwide / Brownswood Rec.): One of my fave comps of 2015.

Praise Poems Vol.2: Oliver Korthals (Mojo / Out of Spectrum on Byte FM): Extremely well put together track listing of artists which I have never heard before. Left me with my mouth open... - highly recommend!

Praise Poems Vol.3: Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s): This is incredible.

Praise Poems Vol.4: ...

The Fruit Band's fleeting existence was only recently revealed by the discovery of a few unsold copies of their sole 1978 single,Say It, which quickly became a cult showpiece for savvy DJs and collectors. Athens of the North has since reached out to Cypress Studios of Jacksonville, Florida and discovered a complete album of the group's stylish, dancefloor-smashing funk and deep disco on tape, unreleased for over 30 years. Vinyl is presented in a Handmade cardboard Tip-On Sleeve as would have been used at the time as only the best will do.

It is a rare occasion that two really good versions of one and the same song is recorded by one artist. Gloria Rosebud Black did just that. Despite the title both versions have not much in common. The fast version of Would You Believe might be even considered as pre-disco while the slow version on the flip has a distinct, moody late 1960s feel to it. Both versions are featured on the same 45 for the very first time. For what'cha waitin' Get it now!

One Plus One/Indecisive is the 7" release from the debut EP by Melbourne band The Do Yo Thangs- a collection of sensual slow jams and bumping future soul dominated by rich, four-voice harmonies.

One Plus One is equal parts performance and programming, drawing from a broad palette of live instruments and electronic sounds. At the front, Hugh and Audrey alternate lead vocal duties, supported by harmony singers Maddie Otto and Tiaryn Griggs. Backing them, the guitar sound is classic soul but the plethora of synthesizers and 808 kick drums is definitely not, nodding equally to Vangelis or Hiatus Kaiyote. The more you listen, the more intricacy is discovered. The writing uses jazz elements and odd rhythmic devices, but it's all tucked away - there's nothing that intrudes into the foreground or interferes with the song's abilities to speak to an audience.

- Debut release from HopeStreet Recordings latest signing, The Do Yo Thangs.

- Limited run 7" vinyl pressing with 'One Plus One' and 'Indecisive'. Includes full artwork cover.

- 7" includes digital download of the full 5-track EP.

- 'One Plus One' accompanied by an official video clip.

Slick, sultry and sublime RnB infused with Soul & Jazz

Originating in Belgium at the tail end of the 1960s and into the 70s, Popcorn was a music and dance scene with an emphasis on often obscure black American records of the then recent past. Drawing immediate parallels with the UK's Northern Soul scene from approximately the same time, young people would flock from all corners of Belgium to cram into a converted farmhouse barn to dance to these exotic sounds. But whilst Northern favoured an often uptempo, stomping 60s soul sound, popcorn focused almost entirely on slower, moodier numbers.

In recent years, collectors and DJs into vintage soul and R&B have been tuning into the Popcorn style - yet there still remains some confusion as to what exactly Popcorn means in musical terms. Not following established genre conventions, The Popcorn sound is hard to pin down - there are Soul, Blues, Ska, Pop, Jazz and Latin records which are all Popcorn - and all are represented here.

Whilst the sound has caught the attention of many forward thinking DJs, the origins and background of the Belgium Popcorn scene remain little documented. With sleeve notes from original Popcorn insider Gerd De Wilde and his contacts within the original Belgium Popcorn scene, this album looks to change that. Along with never previously published vintage flyers and photographs and combined with the 24 tracks of heady, intoxicating R&B, Blues, Soul and Jazz, 'Follow Me To The Popcorn' is almost certainly the fullest document yet of the important, influential and yet so often misunderstood Belgium Popcorn scene.

· 2LP gatefold with download card and free sticker

· CD set with 8 page colour booklet

· Liner notes based on our exclusive interviews with the original pioneering Belgium Popcorn DJs

· Previously unpublished photos from Popcorn club nights from the early 70s

· Flyer gallery of early Popcorn events

· Only on Jazzman - all because WE DIG DEEPER!

Before the technical and historical chat this is what we have... Super rare local Michigan disco 45 in the vein of 'Long Train Running' but better, that should be enough to click buy I would hope.Flipside were a typical local radio rock band drawn into the disco funk wave and became known locally in Michigan as the "the long Haired Disco Band Guys." The Record is notable as it was produced by David Kalmbach, this Michigan legend owned Great Lakes Recording Studio which played a very important role in the garage rock movement by offering teen bands the chance to record a 45 that could be sold off the bandstand or at local record shops, given to potential employers, and even get airplay on one or more of the many AM rock and roll radio stations that dotted the state. Band member Dave Stewart went on to be in "The Magnificent Men" (A.K.A. Blue eyed soul brothers.) who were the first ever band to open for James Brown at The Apollo Theatre and also played with Eddie Holman, Soul Survivors & The Four Tops.

Jazzman Records released the Holy Grail LP of John Heartsman. I did my own edit of 'Mr. Magic' whilst mastering the LP and spun it since then on Dub but never thought to put it out. It fixes the D.J Kryptonite fade-in so it's straight in on the action and much more dj friendly, not rocket science but it works. Bang it on with 'Talking About My Baby' on the flip and you have a brilliant 45.

Big drums Check. Slinky groove Check. Huge horns Check. A killer vocal from one of the voices of her generation Oh yes! 'Take You Home' is Lack of Afro doing what he does best - combining the funk-filled old & the soul-soaked new to devastating effect. On the vox is Grammy award winner Joss Stone, delivering the kind of vocal that Aretha herself would be proud of! On the flip-side is 'Fires Glow' - one of the most popular tracks from the new album 'Hello Baby', and featuring a rising star of the soul & mod scene: dancer, model, singer (and LOA Records recording artist) Emma Noble. Combining infectious piano by George Cooper, upfront drums courtesy of Lack of Afro himself, some Burt Bacharach-esque horns from Jamie Cullum band-member Rory Simmons & an insanely catchy melody, 'Fires Glow' is simply soulful music at its finest.

'Take You Home' is the second single taken from the critically acclaimed new album 'Hello Baby', a genre-busting colossus of an record that has received huge radio support from the likes of Jo Whiley (BBC Radio 2), Craig Charles (Radio 2 & 6 Music), Lauren Laverne & Cerys Matthews (both 6 Music). The Lack of Afro live band were also invited to Media City by Craig Charles in May to do a live session for his Funk & Soul Show, with Adam also contributing one of the most popular 'Trunk of Funk' mixes that the show has ever had! 'Hello Baby' has also broken into the Top 10 of the iTunes R&B/Soul charts in over 13 countries worldwide.

1 sided 12"

LA based master teacher and musical visionary Shafiq Husayn prepares to initiate 'The Loop' with the first official single from his heavily anticipated sophomore LP. This time enlisting the vocal talents of long time Eglo Records collaborator Fatima and fellow LA native Jimetta Rose. The single follows 2014's 'It Better For You' EP, which helped introduce the world to the talents of Anderson Paak.

This album is another chapter in the ongoing "there's-muchmore-to-Brazil-than-bossa-nova" saga. It's filled with disco-era tracks produced for the Brazilian domestic marketplace, some of which were hits, others which were quite obscure. What binds them all together - besides their common origins, time period and overall musical approach - is the fact that their reputation has been steadily transcending Brazil's borders. This has allowed these tunes to find their place on set lists, want lists and in the crates of the world's most discerning DJs and tastemakers. Artists like Jorge Ben and Marcos Valle have been legendary and influential for decades, and the duo Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti dominated the Rio studio scene in the '80s before creating huge buzz overseas in recent years. Banda Black Rio and Cassiano are also both household names amongst crate diggers and fans of rare groove. While this album is sure to highlight the work of the artists featured on it, its main aim is to shine a spotlight on a sound and a style that continues to hypnotize scores of music lovers. Most importantly, its goal is to get dance floors moving across the world.

Slick, sultry and sublime RnB infused with Soul & Jazz
Originating in Belgium at the tail end of the 1960s and into the 70s, Popcorn was a music and dance scene with an emphasis on often obscure black American records of the then recent past. Drawing immediate parallels with the UK's Northern Soul scene from approximately the same time, young people would flock from all corners of Belgium to cram into a converted farmhouse barn to dance to these exotic sounds. But whilst Northern favoured an often uptempo, stomping 60s soul sound, popcorn focused almost entirely on slower, moodier numbers.In recent years, collectors and DJs into vintage soul and R&B have been tuning into the Popcorn style - yet there still remains some confusion as to what exactly Popcorn means in musical terms. Not following established genre conventions, The Popcorn sound is hard to pin down - there are Soul, Blues, Ska, Pop, Jazz and Latin records which are all Popcorn - and all are represented here.Whilst the sound has caught the attention of many forward thinking DJs, the origins and background of the Belgium Popcorn scene remain little documented. With sleeve notes from original Popcorn insider Gerd De Wilde and his contacts within the original Belgium Popcorn scene, this album looks to change that. Along with never previously published vintage flyers and photographs and combined with the 24 tracks of heady, intoxicating R&B, Blues, Soul and Jazz, 'Follow Me To The Popcorn' is almost certainly the fullest document yet of the important, influential and yet so often misunderstood Belgium Popcorn scene.
2LP gatefold with download card and free sticker
CD set with 8 page colour booklet
Liner notes based on our exclusive interviews with the original pioneering Belgium Popcorn DJs
Previously unpublished photos from Popcorn club nights from the early 70s Flyer gallery of early Popcorn events
Only on Jazzman - all because WE DIG DEEPER!

Sauce81 follows releases for Eglo, Wonderful Noise, etc w/remixes of Sleepin Giant & Vandetta. "Hey Girl" is a beatdown soul on hip hop beats; "Walls" updates vintage 60s R&B to the modern.

Lavashark's debut offering comes with their reinvisioning of two Rock classics, Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper" and "Susie Q" made famous by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Anchored by their use of vintage analogue synths, and drum machines the pulsating electronic soundscape they create is tempered by Theo De Gunzburg's moody haunting vocals. Brighton UK producer Antenna Happy lends his hand to a more driving and dance-floor friendly remix and dub version of "State Trooper".

Channeling a live analogue sound that borrows from the Illinois blues of Muddy Waters, as much as it does to the maverick electronica of Aphex Twin. At the heart of the group lies their live performance, a place where raw synth lines and brooding vocals form a safe haven away from the digital age. An LA based trio comprised of Theo De Gunzburg, Matthew O'Malley and John Barnes, the group were drawn together by a shared affection for David Attenborough. Working out of a converted garage in Venice, Lavashark craft a nomadic sound that when played live, forcefully raises you to your feet and questions whether this is old or very new.

The Los-Angeles-based band's reputation amongst the funk and soul fraternity is backed-up by an impressive and quickly growing resume that is expanding their reach. This includes landing a spot in an Adidas campaign, touring with major-label crew Little Brother, and going out as backing band for The Pharcyde, Plantlife (including a BBC performance for Jools Holland), Tone Loc, and New Orleans funk legend Eddie Bo at the Hurricane Katrina benefit. Members of Orgone also feature in the make-up of Ubiquity acts Connie Price and Breakestra and perform regularly at the Root Down in LA.

The Los-Angeles-based band's reputation amongst the funk and soul fraternity is backed-up by an impressive and quickly growing resume that is expanding their reach. This includes landing a spot in an Adidas campaign, touring with major-label crew Little Brother, and going out as backing band for The Pharcyde, Plantlife (including a BBC performance for Jools Holland), Tone Loc, and New Orleans funk legend Eddie Bo at the Hurricane Katrina benefit. Members of Orgone also feature in the make-up of Ubiquity acts Connie Price and Breakestra and perform regularly at the Root Down in LA.

Praise Poems Vol.1: Gilles Peterson (Worldwide / Brownswood Rec.): One of my fave comps of 2015.

Praise Poems Vol.2: Oliver Korthals (Mojo / Out of Spectrum on Byte FM): Extremely well put together track listing of artists which I have never heard before. Left me with my mouth open... - highly recommend!

Praise Poems Vol.3: Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s): This is incredible.

Praise Poems Vol.4: ...

Dieser unerbittliche Underdog der New Orleans' Soul-Geschichte, bekannt für seine Arbeit mit The Meters und Allen Toussaint, wurde lange Zeit in den nördlichen Teilen der USA unterschätzt. Mit seinem neuen, rohen Sound, seiner sehr persönlichen Lyrik und als einer der tatsächlichen Überlebenden von Hurricane Katrina erzählt Soul-Sänger Willie West mit "After The Storm" die Geschichte von dem was passiert ist.

2X 180 gram vinyl with download code. 'TheSoundYouNeed Vol. 2' wraps up the brand's multi-genre explorations thus far and lives up to its name with forward-thinking groove clarity.
Dedicated to exploring the finest music of our time, TheSoundYouNeed represents the most exciting departures dance music has taken this decade: Future Bass, Deep House, Future Garage, Chillwave and beyond... TheSoundYouNeed celebrates, supports and reflects the current rude health of electronic music in every possible direction. 'TheSoundYouNeed Vol. 2' wraps up the brand's multi-genre explorations thus far and lives up to its name with forward-thinking groove clarity.

Established at the end of 2012 in Lyon, France, TheSoundYouNeed was one of the first audio-visual music blogs of its kind on YouTube. In three years the brand has recruited over three million loyal subscribers worldwide and close to a billion views.

'TheSoundYouNeed Vol. 2' doesn't just represent the brand's taste and remit, but also shows us just how creative and exciting electronic music can be when it's curated in the right way.

Bajka and Max Weissenfeldt first met each other when they both attended the same school in Munich, Germany. Their first recordings - under the name Goldenes Zeitalter - took place in 1998 and have proven to be a homage to the nowadays beloved spiritual-jazz-vibe in the manner of Alice Coltrane and co. and were released in 2005 by Jazzman Records.

Now, Bajka has found her way back to her musical family and joined Philophon - the right environment for such a unique voice, joining a growing roster of talented artists including: The Polyversal Souls, Roy X, Guy One, Alogte Oho Jonas, Hailu Mergia, Idris Ackamoor and The Pyramids, Jimi Tenor and Y-Bayani.

"The World" is driven by the heavyweight drumming of Max, counterpointed by the iridescent voice of Bajka. She reflects the glory of our world by showing the listener through her talent that she in person is for sure part of that glory. On the flip side, "Invisible Joy", Bajka gives her own interpretation of Philophon's own label anthem, which was already the title track of The Polyversal Souls' celebrated debut album.

Rachel Modest made her debut for ATA Records last year with her a version of "I, Who Have Nothing" that was recorded for the label's free download series "Hard Work, No Pay", and received support and airplay from Craig Charles and Wah Wah 45's Dom Servini. Later in the year she co-wrote and guested on the debut 45 by The Magnificent Tape Band ("Patterns In My Mind") that received support and airplay from Gilles Peterson & Dom servini and was featured as mpfree of the week on Lauren Laverne's BBC6 Music show where it was described as "Al Green meets Portishead".

"I Try/Forbidden Love" is her solo debut for the label and both tracks were produced during the sessions for her upcoming solo LP. As with all the releases from ATA Records the tracks were co-written with the heads of the Label Neil Innes and Pete Williams, who were also behind the debut album by The Sorcerers as well as The Magnificent Tape Band and Joe Tatton Trio singles released earlier in the year. Inviting inevitable comparisons to the recent releases from Daptone Records, "I Try" is a soulful mid-tempo track that draws its influences from the likes of Dee Dee Warwick, Ann Peebles, Madeline Bell and Dusty Springfield. Creeping guitar & bass and the understated backing vocals of the verse make way for the uplifting chorus and Rachel's soaring vocal performance. "Forbidden Love" is a darker track that acts as the perfect foil for her powerful vocal performance and a suitable contrast to the A side.

Airplay and dj support is expected from Craig Charles (BBC6 Music, Radio 2), Gilles Peterson (BBC6 Music), Lauren Laverne (BBC6 Music), Trevor Nelson (Radio 2), Jamie Cullum (Radio 2) with reviews forthcoming in Blues and Soul and Shindig magazines.

LOA Records is very proud to present the first album in 7 years by Brighton-based beatsmith Flevans (or Nigel Evans to his doctor). A music industry veteran, there's not much that this man hasn't done - sold a stackload of records (on renowned indie Tru Thoughts), DJ'd across the globe (3 US tours, 1 each in Japan & Australia & countless trips to Europe), had his music used in TV shows & adverts far & wide (Nokia, BSkyB, DFS & ESPN to name but a few), even releasing a side-project album of garage electronica for Jalapeno Records (under the name Aotoa). Despite the temporary hiatus, he is best known & much loved for his Flevans material, and it has to be said that new album 'A Distant View' is right up there with his best.

Starting off strong with 'The Comeback Kid' - a piano-led, heavy-on-the-drums opener, 'I Don't Know Why' then eases you in gently but keeps the funk with its' infectious guitar & sublime keywork by regular Lack of Afro collaborator George Cooper. Slinky bass & big horns then dominate on the uber-groovy 'Wise Men Say', before Flevans proves that what sets him apart from other producers is his ability to switch tempos at the drop of a hat (& make it sound easy - trust us, it's not). Beautiful soundcapes that have the ability to take you elsewhere are rare enough these days, but both 'Stripped' and the title track 'A Distant View' are stunning examples - dreamy hooks and ethereal vocal samples come together to produce little journeys of downtempo loveliness. Punctuating the two is 'Higher Places' - reminiscent of the Flevans of old - chopped up vocals & cheeky samples interpolate to superb effect. "But where's the Afrobeat!" I hear you cry Well, it's right here in 'The Sound That Man Made' - horns, drums, guitar, done! New single 'Reach Out' is a blistering funk-filled return to form - a killer bass line, fatback drums & catchy horns combine to create an uptemo ear-worm & guaranteed dancefloor kudos! The tempo is dropped once more for the quite brilliant dub of 'Trials', before 'For Olli, For Eliisa'. Flevans here showing producers everywhere how to perfectly blend the electronic and the organic (the track also being a beautiful ode to his two children). Its business as usual on the neck-snapper 'Be There', before 'One For The Road' wraps things up brilliantly, Blaxploitation-style! Taking no prisoners from the outset, it's a huge slice of rough & ready dancefloor funk with huge drums, relentless wah-wah guitar & massive horns. What more do you need

So credit where it's due - 7 years since the last album & Flevans still sounds unmistakeably like himself, and no-one else. With 'A Distant View', he's back and back to his best!

The Revised Brotherhood recorded their one and only 45rpm single Tragedy b/w Those Things in 1971. The band was founded by organist John Hurd who was taught music many days a week by Roger Troutman. The band released a full length album shortly after the 45 but it did not take long and they split up. Thanks to John Hurd all of you get the chance to enjoy these songs on 45rpm single, more than 40 years after its initial release.

Few would challenge the claim that the 1960s and 70s have been the most fertile two decades in the history of popular music ever - a period which, regardless of genre, laid the foundations for everything that has followed. What is more, this period was so fertile that the speed with which tastes changed left a colossal amount of incredible music to gather dust - perhaps most famously a profusion of funk, soul and jazz. It was a musical legacy that lay mouldering until the rise of sampling in late 80s hip-hop precipitated a mad scramble for lost crates and suddenly, the music that became known as 'rare groove' - for obvious reasons (it was rare and very groovy) - experienced a phoenix-like rebirth.

A quarter of a century on and a million funk, soul, jazz-funk and 'rare groove' compilations, re-presses and re-releases later, you'd think that cupboard was bare and yet, even now, there are gems to be found. PT is re-releasing the rarest of cuts that often were originally only limited runs or private pressings and new compilation Down & Wired is just such a collection.

Always soulful, this features everything from mod groovers and northern stompers, to funky bumps and latin heaters. Yet while the quality of all cuts is immediately apparent, only one of the seventeen has ever been previously been compiled because when PT 'do' rare, they don't mess around. In fact, if these tracks were steaks - they'd still be walking around eating grass.

Few would challenge the claim that the 1960s and 70s have been the most fertile two decades in the history of popular music ever - a period which, regardless of genre, laid the foundations for everything that has followed. What is more, this period was so fertile that the speed with which tastes changed left a colossal amount of incredible music to gather dust - perhaps most famously a profusion of funk, soul and jazz. It was a musical legacy that lay mouldering until the rise of sampling in late 80s hip-hop precipitated a mad scramble for lost crates and suddenly, the music that became known as 'rare groove' - for obvious reasons (it was rare and very groovy) - experienced a phoenix-like rebirth.

A quarter of a century on and a million funk, soul, jazz-funk and 'rare groove' compilations, re-presses and re-releases later, you'd think that cupboard was bare and yet, even now, there are gems to be found. PT is re-releasing the rarest of cuts that often were originally only limited runs or private pressings and new compilation Down & Wired is just such a collection.

Always soulful, this features everything from mod groovers and northern stompers, to funky bumps and latin heaters. Yet while the quality of all cuts is immediately apparent, only one of the eleven has ever been previously been compiled because when PT 'do' rare, they don't mess around. In fact, if these tracks were steaks - they'd still be walking around eating grass.

Mo Kolours flipped and whisked with some new treats ...