Hip-Hop News

Nun auch als limitiertes Doppelvinyl erhältlich! Das Dreampop-Trio veröffentlichte 2011 seine Debüt-EP. Schon diese drei Songs ("The Story", "Supernatural" und "Hey") zeugten von ihrem sorgfältig ausgearbeiteten Sound. Ihre Songs verbreiteten sich schnell durch Mundpropaganda. Prominente Unterstützer wie Prince, Gilles Peterson, Erykah Badu, Solange, Nile Rodgers, Sam Sparro, Janelle Monaé und Questlove teilten ihre Musik in den Sozialen Medien. KINGs Wurzeln liegen in Minneapolis und Los Angeles, und das hört man auch. Der eklektische Sound nimmt dich sofort mit, lässt sich aber nicht so einfach definieren. KING vermischen ihre vielfältigen Einflüsse und spielen mit den Grenzen zwischen den Genres. Was allerdings alle Songs verbindet, ist eine beseelte Authentizität. Die Musik des Trios entsteht im Heimstudio - trotz der komplexen Produktion bleibt sie immer geschmeidig und geerdet. Paris produziert die Songs, während Amber und Anita singen und alle drei gemeinsam die Songs und Arrangements ausarbeiten. Mit ihrem einzigartigen Sound haben KING bereits viele Auszeichnungen und Listenplätze gewonnen: NPR's Song of the Day and 10 Songs Public Radio Can't Stop Playing, Billboard's 10 Best R&B Songs of 2014, The Guardian's New Band of the Day and Best Albums of 2013, Metro UK's Singles of the Week, Glamour Magazine's 2013 Free Holiday Music Campaign. Jetzt haben KING endlich ihr Debütalbum aufgenommen, mit dem sie noch mehr Hörer in ihr musikalisches Reich einladen wollen.

"Gotta Leave The Lady Alone" is the lead single from "Go Deep", the new album by Nick Pride & The Pimptones.

The band's love of the Stax and Motown is evident in these two deep soul tunes. Sweet vocals by Beth Macari glide over killer horns and a pumping rhythm section. The arrangements are tight and punchy, the performances are confident and bold. Nick Pride & The Pimptones feel happy about their tough and exciting sound: "We often record with guest musicians added to the mix, but these two tracks didn't need any extras, just the sound of the live band. It's all about the songs, the arrangement and the energy".

'Papa, You Are My Hero' is a powerful ballad from rising songwriter/producer Amar Naik under his alias Zed Soul. What's more is that it features two giants from the world of soul and jazz, UK vocalist Noel McKoy and US saxophonist Najee.

Noel is UK soul royalty having recorded with the James Taylor Quartet, The Pasadenas, Snowboy and as a solo artist with such classics as 'Family'. In the States, Najee has played with Will Downing. Jeffrey Osborne, Marcus Miller, recorded 14 solo albums since 1986 and guested with Tom Jones on his album 'At This Moment'.

Combined this is a glorious celebration of love to one's father with an anthemic chorus and a timeless quality likely to be played for years to come.

Blues bangin' n' boppin' twin spinner from the genius that brought you 'That's Alright Mama'.

60's R'n'B twin spinning rockers

His two best rockers back to back.

Classic two sided Little Richard inspired screamers from the 'The Rock 'N' Roll Cowboy' and back to back for the first time

Muddy's original version of Led Zeppelins 'Whole Lotta Love' and the Wolf's take on Charles Clarks throbbing Artistic masterpiece. Killer two sides.

Belting New Orleans rockers back-to-back for the first time

Great 60's blues shaking dancer with superfluously rare answer to Marvin Gaye's 'I'll Be Doggone' on the flip. Great two sides

First time 7' reissue with the original B side, two sessions from Grammy nominated Betty's time at Epic records in 1975. From Michigan, Betty previously recorded at Atlantic, Calla, Karen and performed with the James Brown Revue and later record with Motown, always impressing with a unique voice and repertoire of classic soul songs.

- First time 7' reissue with original B side - Both tracks established modern soul room dancers

First time reissue on 7' since the original Bell issue from 1971 which now exchanges hands for upwards of £400. Gerri is both a singer and actress, appearing as guest of both Johnny Carson and David Frost both sides of the Atlantic in the 60s and 70s.

- First time reissue on 7' - Classic soul.

This re-issue of The Soul Express' superheavy tune was long overdue. Funk record collectors probably prefer "Determination Part 2" with its almost 1 minute long drum break while "Determination Part 1" may even appeal to open minded northern soul DJs. The sheer quality of these two sides paired with the rarity will guarantee that the 500 pressed copies will sell out quickly.

One Plus Oneis the five track debut EP by Melbourne bandThe 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.

- Features a 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.

George Benson's debut on Warner Bros. Records, Breezin' topped the Pop, Jazz and R&B album charts in Billboard and spun off two hit singles, the title song (which has become a smooth jazz standard) and "This Masquerade," which was a top ten pop and R&B hit.

Second Edition als LP + CD Beilage

Miles From Kinshasa knows how to make an entrance" - The Fader
"A brilliantly confident debut" - Pigeons and Planes
IVRY is the twisted and anthemic debut track from South London artist Miles From Kinshasa. Landing online late last year, the track marked Miles out as a one to watch, named as one of the best releases of the month on i-D and Dazed and Confused.

The follow up track KAYA offers up a darker side to the young artist with its brooding synths, yet despite its intensity is no less infectious.

Both tracks are produced by Miles as is the artwork, cementing him as British music's next great polymath.

* Re-mastered from the original cassette

* Never before released on LP or Digital

* Includes download card

* Hand numbered Stoughton tip-on' jacket

* Liner notes by Memphis native Andria Lisle

Followers of our output might have a pang of recognition on reading the name Frierson. That was the surname of Wendy Rene, whose work was collected into the 2012 LITA anthology After Laughter Comes Tears, and indeed, Johnnie Frierson is Wendy's brother - a fellow member of her mid-'60s Stax four-piece The Drapels.

But Have You Been Good To Yourself will come as a surprise to anyone expecting more of the beat-driven R&B Johnnie and his sibling produced - including that compilation's much-sampled title track. A mix of spoken word and gospel songs laid down direct to cassette, these ultra-rare home recordings draw from Johnnie's religious upbringing and his history in the music business, which was interrupted in 1970 when he was sent to fight in Vietnam.

Crate digger Jameson Sweiger found Have You Been Good To Yourself and a companion album, Real Education, released under the name Khafele Ojore Ajanaku in a Memphis thrift store, but it was noticeably Frierson's work. They hadn't made it far - they would originally have been sold at corner stores and music festivals in the Memphis area, where Frierson continued to perform and host a gospel radio show, all the while working as a mechanic, laborer and teacher.

The seven songs on Have You Been Good To Yourself are overtly religious, some, such as Out Here On Your Word,' are strident and faithful, others, like the self-questioning Have You Been Good To Yourself,' are more meditative. They reflect the difficult situation that Frierson was in when recording, shell-shocked from his time in the military and grieving the untimely death of his son. "He was really trying to find his way," remembers Frierson's daughter Keesha in Andria Lisle's liner notes. "And writing and making music were a way out for him."

Remastered and released professionally for the first time, the message spread by Frierson - who passed away in 2010 - remains undimmed.

Mecca And The Soul Brother from 1992 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.

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth stopped working together in 1995 after finishing their follow-up album The Main Ingredient (MOVLP1634). Rumor has it that the duo will be reuniting for a brand new album.

A bit of funky, jazz, electro-pop, blues, ambient. A full of sounds album, rich in different musical influences, brought together by a common thread: deep house galore for your mind. Formix is a Neapolitan producer and he really rocks with this impressive release. "Run" into many genres, to a multi ethnic world, led by so much creativity and talent. The attractive groove in "Run", the old-fashioned electronic rhythm of "So What", by way of "Slow" and his soul shape. The deep vibe of Sensual Trip feat. Gastek. "Evolution" is the way! A groovalicious track that amazes the listener; a real sensitive club tune. The remix made by GuyDee is the right answer to the original mix, a tasty manner to recreate the same vibes. Not to mention the remix of "Another Journey" Formix feat. Lello Di Franco aka L D F made by The Legendary 1979 Orchestra or the hypnotic pads of the British artist OOFT! Music! "Run" remix. "Just because a records got a groove doesn't mean it's in the groove". "Run" album does both.

Australian vocalist extraordinaire Kylie Auldist will be no stranger to soul & funk fans, her searing soul singing having featured on her own albums 'Made Of Stone' ,'Still Life' (Tru Thoughts) also in The Bamboos, as well as Freestyle Records own Cookin' On 3 Burners.

Her unmistakable voice is currently topping the pop charts across Europe, as the Kungs remix of Cookin' On 3 Burners 'This Girl' has proven a sure fire hit with club audiences as well as pop fans. It has been playlisted on BBC Radio 1 and Capital FM, and is rising up the UK Top 30 like a bullet!

For her first solo album on Freestyle, Kylie, assisted by long time friends & collaborators Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos/Lanu/CO3B/Black Feeling) and Graeme Pogson (of Aussie electronic duo GL) have honed and perfected a collection of amazing new boogie, disco & electro-funk inspired tracks that evoke the feel and sound of late 70's & early 80's club classics. Think of classic acts like D Train, Sinnamon, and singers like Chaka Khan, Maxine Singelton, Sharon Redd and you will already start to understand where this new project is rooted.

Waste Of Time, a shimmering, soulful and devilishly catchy mid tempo groover. Graeme Pogsons'synthesizer bass lines are so evocative of that era , they act like a musical time machine! This is perfect summer time soul.

Sensational (which has a fantastic video to accompany it) hits a little harder, the beats, bass line and Kylie's vocals will drive you onto the dance-floor and stay there until the very last note and begging for more. Good Time Girl doesn't let the pressure drop for a second and also features a fantastic proto-rap contribution from King Merc - whilst Family Tree is pure Saturday night, feel good disco aimed at the ears and dancing feet.

Look Away takes the tempo down to a mellow mildly introspective place, but the heavy groove still underpins some totally fantastic vocals from Kylie, who surely must now be reconsidered as one of the most soulful singers active today.

I'll be honest, I had forgotten about Samuel Jonathan Johnson until i heard Theo Parrish play it recently. I used to spin the LP years ago but my copy got lost or beat. Soon as I heard it I made a call and sorted out the 45, just an amazing solid Groove on Sweet Love, you cant help but feel it. The flip 'Reasons, is the other great track from the same Columbia LP 'My Music' . First time on 45 for both of these, once they are gone that is it. Disco Essential

GIVE 'EM SOUL VINYL LP VOL.3 BLUE EDITION
OUTTA SIGHT presents the third platter in the Give 'Em Soul series showcasing some of the rarest and hottest R&B sounds of the 21st Soul Century.
The 'Blue' Edition brings together 14 more killer cuts that are on every DJs hit list. These major label milestones, dating from 1955 to the dawn of the sixties, feature key artists in the world of R&B and Soul including Texan Soul Brother Joseph Arrington Jr 'Tex', Pittsburgh's finest Jazz songstress Dakota Staton, Ohio's own Top Ten R&B singer Lulu Reed, Little Rock's Bobby King and Chicago Blues giant Howlin' Wolf, to name but a few.
Featuring over $5,000 worth of singles in one affordable package
Everyone a winner!

This multi-talented North Carolina native makes his debut after having been a consistent source of inspiration with the freshness of his perspective, and sonic tapestry. It is unchained, fluid, and free, like everything on Deepblak

Eli Paperboy Reed has returned to the studio and crafted a new album that is at once back-to-basics and startlingly current.



Album opener "Hold Out" kicks things off at full-volume, embodying the classic gospel ethos that everything's going to work out fine if you just keep the faith. It's a notion that turns up throughout the record, from the title track "My Way Home" to "Tomorrow's Not Promised" to "Movin'," and it reflects Reed's resilient spirit in the face of disappointment.



Elsewhere on the album, he nods to the music's church roots, singing of fear of the devil on "The Strangest Thing" and damnation on "Cut Ya Down" (the only non-original on the record and a song he learned performing with Boston's Silver Leaf Gospel Singers, founded in 1945). "What Have We Done" is something of a secular hymn for the environment, and "I'd Rather Be Alone" serves as a meditation on following your own path to salvation.

Duisburg.. Nicht gerade bekannt für schöne Strände, aber es scheint sie zu geben. Toetensen und Mettphonic zumindest wissen wo sie sind und so klingt auch ihr gemeinsames Album "Beach Hazers"! Die beiden Loop und Beat Fetischisten veröffentlichen über Fruit Company ihren ersten gemeinsamen Longplayer auf Platte der genau dies beinhaltet: Schöne Loops mit passenden Beats zu jedem Anlass aber wohl besonders für den Tag am Strand mit allem was dazu gehört. Wer die beiden bis jetzt nicht auf dem Schirm hatte sollte selbigen aufspannen ... oder wie Mett und Toet selber sagen würden: "keep it simple, keep it straight... life`s a beach ... just some beats for the summer ... elevatorboombapjazz"

Der Londoner Vokalist Samuel veröffentlicht Mitte Juni seine Luv Cry EP auf Big Dada / Ninja Tune. Die 4-Track RnB/Electronica EP wurde hauptsächlich von Kwes (Warp) produziert, beteiligt waren aber auch Ozkharp (Hyperdub), der Produzent seiner 2014 erschienenen "Falling Star EP", und Lockah (Donky Pitch).

This 12" is the first in a series of follow ups to the 2002 release The Sampler Vol 1, which was a critically acclaimed hip hop instrumental album release on All Natural Inc. It follows in the same spirit as Vol 1. with heavy kicks, blazing chops, slamming snares, and plenty of innovation.

The sweet sixteenth instalment in the Dubplate series sees regular contributors Beatsy Collins and Bopperson deliver two firing, dance floor friendly re-works of a couple of classics from the late, great Bobby McFerrin.

Beatsy Collins' re-work of Thinking About Your Body has been knocking around on mp3 for some time now, and has been a mainstay of sets from a small selection of London's finest underground DJs. It's a low slung affair, complete with a frenzy of filters and beats to move your feet.

On the flip, McFerrin's cover of the Lennon & McCartney favourite, From Me To You, is completely re-imagined by young Bopperson, giving it a foot friendly percussive shakedown, whilst adding some serious, face melting bass.

As always, we hope you enjoy!

Multi-Platinum selling, and GRAMMY nominated American recording artist George McCrae, is returning with a brand new album called 'LOVE' available via the PopMi Music label. After hitting the #1 position in more than 40 countries, selling over 11 million copies of the song 'Rock Your Baby', the disco soul sound of the 70's is returning with modern influences of Soul/Funk & Pop. Vintage sounds meet state-of-the-art recording and mixing techniques, all in one package.

These 16 songs recorded between 1955 and 1963 and lovingly selected by El Vidocq will magically transform your living room into a tiki bar. A killer cocktail, cool and erudite, to be enjoyed without moderation! So don your finest Hawaiian shirt and let the groove warm your soul!

This selection of 16 gems recorded between 1956 and 1968 is amazingly modern. Irresistibly smooth yet radical, sharply biting, yet affable, these songs from another era have the power to make even the saddest squares laugh and wriggle, dance and jump about.