Hip-Hop News

Auf seinem neuen Album präsentiert der französische DJ/Produzent/Multiinstrumentalist Will Galland aka Quiet Dawn eine Reihe von abwechslungsreichen Broken Beat-Varianten mit Gastvocals von Szenekoryphäen wie der legendären Bembe Segue, LyricL und Oliver Night von der CoOp Presents-Crew. Galland ist seit einer Dekade Mitglied der First-Word-Familie, wo er sein breites musikalisches Spektrum von organischem Ambient-Jazz über Lofi-Instrumentals im Dilla-Stil und Kopfnicker-Hip-Hop bis zu Headz und Broken Beat zelebriert.

A-Side cover of a Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) solo project song

For the first time on 7'', the two grooviest tracks from the soundtrack composed by Riz Ortolani for "Confessione di un commissario di polizia al procuratore della Repubblica" (aka, "Confessions of a Police Captain"), the renowned 1971 crime drama by Damiano Damiani, starring Franco Nero at the peak of his career.

On Side A, "Serena e Lomunno" is a jazzy spell performed by an exceptional quartet - unfortunately uncredited - consisting of bass, electric guitar, drums, and piano. On Side B, the quartet reduces to a trio (sacrificing the piano) to give life to "Il ricordo di Serena," without losing any of the rhythmic essence infused in the previous track.

In both cases, the pieces' structure is entirely supported by the perfect interplay of bass and drums, with particularly striking and sharp timbres, complemented by electric guitar and piano with their refined phrasings.

The result? A succession of irresistible and elegant jazz-funk breaks, practically tailor-made for sampling.

This is an essential addition to the series of 45s that Four Flies is dedicating to the best Italian golden age soundtrack and library productions. A must-have for any serious Italian sound digger!

Liquid Love is taken from the 2015 BBE released album of Roy’s unreleased material, Virgin Ubiquity II, and is a wicked mid-tempo track where Roy’s vibraphone complements an amazing female vocal arrangement to create harmonies and melody over a tough as you like breakbeat, bass line and keyboard riff. Coming from the 2004 initial release in the Virgin Ubiquity series of unreleased Roy Ayer’s tracks, What’s The T? is a more uptempo, bassline driven slab of dance floor funk. Augmented by a horn section and a huge female vocal from Merry Clayton over a hi-hat drumbeat, What’s The T? is Roy Ayers and his musicians playing Roy’s arrangements to perfection.

Releasing on BBE Music’s ALIM imprint, Liquid Love/What’s The T? 7″ vinyl single issue is two musical moments in time now presented as a moment in history in the year we celebrate the excellent career and legacy of Roy Ayers as a touring musician. This is Roy at his best as musician, arranger and artist, grab this now.

The star-studded Sai Galaxy project returns, bringing together West African legends Steve Monite and Rob with multi-instrumentalist Simon Durrington, guitar maestro Alfred Bannerman and Egypt 80 trumpet player Bade for a second EP of vital Afro-disco and soul.

The EP follows up 2022’s Get It As You Move EP, blending layers of vocal harmonies and synth washes with a rock-solid disco base. The sound stays faithful to the analogue production techniques of the 70s and 80s, adding a modern touch informed by Durrington’s Digital Afrika project.

Lead single ‘Hold You Tonight’ features Nigerian disco icon Steve Monite (best known for his mega hit ‘Only You’), revisiting his 80s origins with a dancefloor-ready slice of dubbed out boogie. ‘Rich Man Poor Man’ (featuring Ghana’s very own ROB) slows down the tempo and brings the highlife influence to the fore, while ‘Sometimes It Rains’ brings a neo soul bump with the Omar-esque sound of Fijian vocalist Kaivili.

Skeewiff are masters of turning all-time classic into unique modern reworks. Having gained recognition for the quality and style of their work from fans aplenty worldwide, they celebrate 25 years in the game with a LP loaded with 12 joyful interpretations, featuring well know jazz melodies, intricate big band instrumentation, classic riffs and infectious grooves. This limited LP comes on transparent violet coloured vinyl. Irresistible!

SOYUZ (СОЮЗ) stole our hearts back in 2022 when we released their album Force Of The Wind to critical acclaim. Here we proudly present the predecessor to that LP, the band’s sophomore long player from 2019 that was previously only available digitally. It captures a pivotal evolving period in the band's career, the recordings giving a snapshot of what would become their sound on Force Of The Wind, yet with echoes of avant-psychedelic-pop footprints from yester years.

Produced at a time when band leader Alex Chumak had moved from Minsk to Kyiv, torn between the need to try something new and the homesickness it brought about. Travelling back to Minsk almost weekly, Alex joined fellow band members Mikita Arlou and Stanislav Murashko to lay down II at Studio 42. The album captures these transient feelings, contextualised through the broad scope of influences the band were nourished by. From MPB to Ethio-Jazz and the Italian library soundtracks of Piero Piccioni and Piero Umiliani, the album shines with touches of joy from across the globe.

The opening track 'Verocai' is a tribute to the Brazilian maestro and 'Mirouze', whilst being named after a French favourite of the band, Jean-Pierre Mirouze, pays clear homage to Milton Nascimento and Lô Borges. A ghostly sample and invisible connection to music made miles away in a different era that has influenced and become part of the band’s lives. This is further reinforced in the album's enchanting closer, the aptly titled 'Nascimento', another nod to the great Brazilian musician and singer.

The beginnings of the cinematic, soul-laden jazz SOYUZ are now known for, are on display across the likes of ‘Lyric’ and 'Motive I'. The latter an orchestrated jazz instrumental with sensuous string sections, all of which were recorded on the warmth of a Studer reel-to-reel and waltzing Rhodes keys.

SOYUZ’s wide-ranging palate is further demonstrated in tracks like ‘Business Partners’ with its Krauty, kosmische, new wave production featuring Inturist, and the oh-too-short Anatolian-influenced interlude 'Corrida'. Elsewhere, 'Tezeta' and ‘ES-2 Jazz’ hint at the psychedelic haze of soul-funk, with the former featuring verses from Serbian rapper Petar Martic.

For this new physical and digital release, the whole album was mixed from scratch by Ryan Power before Joker worked his magic on the remaster. More excellence is to come from SOYUZ, but in the meantime, we are thrilled to present this essential recording from the band’s foundational years, mixed to a level that does it the justice it deserves.

Transcendental outernational funk and psychedelic jazz from mystery L.A.- based collective Sun Atlas

Little is known about Sun Atlas. The group members are hidden behind masks and costumes to keep their identities secret and to put the focus entirely on the music and oneness. A sense of community and universal spirit as an alternative to idolization and individualism is heavily reflected in their eclectic musical style.

The sound of Sun Atlas is mystical and cosmopolitan, combining afrobeat, cinematic soul, spiritual & ethio jazz with space sounds, hiphop-breaks and a garage funk vibe.

Their cryptic first 45 single "The Mystic Parade" b/w "Grand Theft" sold out immediately after release and has often been mistaken for either "lost" hiphop samples, 70s habibi funk or another project in disguise from the inner circles of the Mocambo, Big Crown or Daptonefamilies (which it is not).

Return To The Spirit picks up where Sun Atlas' first single leftoff, with everyone wondering where the journey might lead. With the door to a colourful universe opened, the full-length format gives time & space for further exploration.

The ltd.first vinyl edition comes in black vinyl in a deluxe handmade tip-on sleeve.

A stylish selection of city pop, funk and modern soul from Japanese label Nippon Columbia, selected by DJ Notoya and featuring cult classics and rarities by Hiroshi Sato, Hatsumi Shibata, Hitomi 'Penny' Tohyama & many more.

Annotated by Notoya with journalist Nick Luscombe and artwork by Optigram.

Newly remastered audio.
The selection on ‘Tokyo Glow’ starts with 'Kimugare' a relaxed mid-tempo track by Kumi Nakamura, actually a famous actress who only recorded one album in 1980 for Columbia.

The set continues and flows effortlessly with the sunshine grooves of Miyuki Maki, Hatsumi Shibata and cult keyboard player Hiroshi Sato before the pace starts going faster and funkier with New Generation Company, Kengo Kurozumi - with his superb boogie, 'Juggler'
- and one of the queens of the genre, Hitomi 'Penny' Tohyama with 'Tuxedo Connection'.

Another fine example on the set is the mid-tempo groove of "I Wander All Alone Part III" by New Generation Company, an aggregate group of some of the best Japanese session musicians led by arranger Katz Hoshi and including Hiroyuki Namba (key), Kazuo Shiina (gtr) and Yutaka Uehara (ds) who all played with Tatsuro Yamashita among many others.

There are many other excellent examples in 'Tokyo Glow', showcasing the diversity and specificity of Japanese City Pop during the late 70s and 80s.

Nippon Columbia opened their much-guarded vaults to curator DJ Natoya. Tracks were remastered in Tokyo and the result, ‘Tokyo Glow’, is a unique insight into a most creative period in Japanese music.

NOW Music is proud to present the fourth in our ongoing series of vinyl compilations, NOW That’s What I Call 80s Dancefloor. Each edition features an essential collection of tracks representing key genres of 1980’s Dance music. This volume, featuring 30 tracks across 2 LPs pressed on hot red and white vinyl, presents the best from the era of R&B & Funk.

The first side opens with the era-defining ‘Word Up!’ from Cameo, followed by two legendary vocalists - Barry White with his ’87 smash ‘Sho’ You Right’, and James Brown with ‘Living In America’ from the ‘Rocky IV’ soundtrack. Although originally released in the ‘70s, the next pair were massive as ‘rare-groove’ classics and set dance-floors on fire in 1987 - Maceo And The Macks with ‘Cross The Tracks’ and the Jackson Sisters with ‘I Believe In Miracles’. Huge Chart hits from Jermaine Jackson, Kool & The Gang and The Gap Band close out Side A.

Side B finds its’ groove with two of the decades’ best from Alexander O’Neal with ‘Fake’ from his Jam & Lewis produced ‘Hearsay’ album and Aretha Franklin’s ‘Freeway Of Love’ from her superb album ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who’, whilst the rest of this side features some of the slickest dance-floor fusions from Sheila E., Oliver Cheatham, The S.O.S. Band, and early 80s Britfunk from Freeez with the sublime ‘Southern Freeez’.

LP2 kicks off with a run of tracks that build on a foundation of funky R&B in conjunction with electronic beats and hooks – including ‘Let It All Blow’ from the Dazz Band, Sly Fox with the huge hit ‘Let’s Go All The Way’ and Rockwell with guest vocals from Michael Jackson on ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’. Funk pioneers Sly & Robbie & Shinehead scored their biggest crossover hit with ‘Boops (Here To Go)’, and UK Funk achieved major chart success for Level 42, and Shakatak.

The final side celebrates some of the decades’ new R&B superstars - Bobby Brown, and Jody Watley both achieved global success, Natalie Cole enjoyed a renaissance with ‘Pink Cadillac’ amongst other hits, and Keith Sweat, Pebbles, René & Angela and Vesta Williams are all featured with their signature floor-fillers.

A Limited edition pressing, and an essential addition to any collection. Perfect for collectors, DJs, and anyone who just wants to get down to the greatest dance-floor-fillers of the ‘80s. NOW That’s What I Call 80s Dancefloor: R&B & Funk is released on May 17th 2024.

Incredible new album from our new signing to BDQ records ZAN on the Boogie - Jazz Funk tip, due May. We’re so happy to be releasing this fabulous album.


Zan’s beautiful voice is an abiding part of the Australian music landscape. In the 80’s, she came to prominence out front of Melbourne’s iconic pop funk band
I’m Talking with Kate Ceberano, Zan’s lead vocals shine on one of the bands biggest hits ‘Holy Word’, which is still considered a trail-blazing Australian classic today. She loaned her vocal
talents to some of the most memorable Australian songs including The Models “Out Of Mind Out Of Sight” and “Barbados”. She appears in numerous videos singing backing vocals for a number
of Australian artists.

Zan appeared with I’m Talking in the classic music film Australian Made directed by Richard Lowenstein of Dogs in Space and Mystify fame. The film captured the incredible concert tour, which featured a plethora of major Australian performers such as INXS, Jimmy Barnes, The Divinyls & The Models. In her time with the I’m Taking band and as a solo performer she has made countless appearances on Australian TV including the legendary music programme Countdown.


In the 80’s she even performed for Princess Diana and Prince (now King) Charles at the
Rockin’ the Royals concert, at the Arts Centre in Melbourne, meeting the Royal couple after the show. Zan was bitten by the soul/R&B bug at an early age. Born in London of Sri Lankan heritage,
arriving to the shores of Australia as a young girl. Her love of music took her from Australia to New York and London, where she lived in the 90’s and early 2000’s regularly performing and recording with top international session musicians/artists. She’s also
had the extraordinary honour of performing live with both U2 &
B. B. King, Zan’s self-titled solo album was released through Amber Records in Germany in the mid 90’s and she also toured with UK Acid Jazz band
Mother Earth throughout Europe & Japan, eventually returning to the city she calls home, Melbourne.

Since being back in Melbourne, Zan has performed at various popular music venues such as The Night Cat, Memo and The Espy and in 2019, to the delight of 80’s music fans, Zan sang once again with the re-formed I’m Talking, playing a number of shows supporting Bryan Ferry on his acclaimed Australian tour. The re-formed band received several rave reviews for their shows. Zan’s new material is influenced by her considerable experiences, her rich musical history and the songs and artists she grew up on - soul and R’N B singers such as Chaka Khan, Renee Geyer and many others of that genre. Her new songs are steeped in 80’s dance/boogie funk/soul & pop flavours, re-capturing that feel-good factor from the era whilst bringing to it a new unique and contemporary edge.

Lonnie’s 1975 jazz-funk masterpiece is released on 180g black vinyl in a nice thick card gatefold sleeve. Former Miles Davis and Pharoah Sanders keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith saw all his musical ideas coming together for this, his third album. The title track is one of the best-known jazz funk classics; its influence on several generations of clubbers cannot be underestimated. It is a glorious amalgamation of jazz players and the tenor voice of Lonnie’s brother Donald. However, the track’s success has resulted in the album becoming rather overlooked and its other six pieces underappreciated. ‘Desert Nights’ and ‘Voodoo Woman’ give vent to Lonnie’s improvisational skills over a modal base. ‘Summer Days’ and ‘My Love’ are based around Latin rhythms, with the latter proving another great vehicle for Donald Smith’s voice. Donald is also the singer on an inspired take on Horace Silver’s ‘Peace’. “One of dance music’s most significant records” – Gilles Peterson.

Absolutely essential funk-fuelled, disco flavoured business from Le'O Roy with ‘Pound For Pound’ on the mighty Golden Flamingo Records. Produced by Bobby Brinson, and P&P’s very own Peter Brown, you’ll struggle to find four and a half more electrifying, feel-good, funk-infused minutes of music than these.

Pound for pound one of the best cuts of this scene, it’s an early ‘80s boogie leaning blend taking the best bits from disco, funk and soul, and adding a heavy dose of NYC spice to the mix. Punchy funk guitar licks, a driving beat laced with hypnotic cowbells and an intoxicating, gritty yet golden dose of vocal power. A rare as hen’s teeth record finally given the official reissue it’s been crying out for.

This riotous, psychedelic Latin funk anthem, taken from Martín Buscaglia's 2006 classic album "El evangelio según mi jardinero", sees its very much requested first time on a 7". To celebrate this, and thinking about the AA side, we decided to ask Bosq for a remix.

When we approached him, he said "This track is wild, I love it!" and he started to make his thing. When he finished it, he told us, "I resisted the temptation to bump it up closer to 120 bpm – the world needs more midtempo dancefloor treats!". We couldn't agree more on the midtempo bit, but especially we couldn't be more chuffed with the remix. Bosq has added his magic and a tad of cumbia feel as well and the result is way more than a treat, it's an everyone-smiling-on-the-dancefloor kind of track.

First time vinyl reissue of this awesome 1978 Latin jazz-funk gem by Venezuelan guitarist Alex Rodríguez, featuring top musicians like Jorge Dalto, Nené Quintero and George Benson’s band members Dennis Davis and Stanley Banks, among many others. Originally self-released and distributed in tiny quantities, “Búsqueda” has reached grail status among collectors worldwide. The album contains quite a few heaters for the dance floor, like ‘El Mercado’, and tight, keys and guitar punctuated fusion jams! (just check the groovy opener ‘Cumana’.) Rodríguez is a classical and jazz trained guitarist who in the early days of his career joined some of the best orchestras in Venezuela, including Aldemaro Romero’s Onda Nueva. He put together a brief project, La Retreta Mayor, in 1976 which only released one album and would later move to New York where he had the opportunity to record his own songs with renowned musicians of the city at
that time, like Víctor Paz, Charlie Camalliari, Sam Burtis, Mario Bauza, Guillermo Edgil, Bernard Purdie, Jorge Dalto, among others. It took him a little more than a year writing the songs and preparing the material for “Busqueda” but in 1978 Alex Rodríguez would return to New York City. Jorge Dalto had spoken with Dennis Davis (drums), Stanley Banks (bass) who played together with George Benson, and Víctor Paz contacted Alex with Ronnie Cuber (saxes), an excellent saxophonist, who later recorded ‘Cumana’ on his own album “The Eleventh Day Of Aquarius”. Before going to the recording studio they did a rehearsal to review the music, and the next day Dalto, Banks, Davis, Cuber and Alex Rodríguez were recording in the CBS studio on 52nd street in Manhattan. The production and mixing of the album were finished in Caracas, at Sono 2000 studios, with the participation of excellent Venezuelan musicians such as Nené Quintero, Lucio Caminiti, Edgar Saume, Carlos Acosta, Alberto Naranjo, Rolando Briceño, Leo and Frank Quintero, among others. The resulting album contains quite a few heaters for the dance floor, like ‘El Mercado’, and tight, keys and guitar punctuated fusion jams!“Búsqueda” was then self-released and distributed in tiny quantities, becoming over the years a very sought-after collectors item, probably one of the most obscure albums from Venezuela. It now gets reissued on vinyl for the first time, including notes by Alex Rodríguez. 180g vinyl.

Arp Frique returns to the scene with a new album after a string of releases, leaving the cratediggers and dancefloor tastemakers with underground classics like Nos Magia, Voyage and Nyame Ye. On ''Analog People Digital World' he embraces the digital coldness of Yamaha’s classic DX7 synthesizer to create a refreshing listening experience using only the FM synthesis-based sounds from this machine to find new heat for an analog world, reflecting on the digital revolution we are living through. The album features Ghanaian songstress Mariseya (Omampam, Jah Kingdom, Digital World, Roi Salomon), Cape Verdean OG Americo Brito (Go Now Wetiko) and Surinam funkstar Sumy, who joins the record on the opening track “Spiritual Masseuse”. Arp Frique closes the album with “Duncan Truffle”, a very intense and wobbling instrumental echoing Bootsy and Bernie Worrell on a solo exercise. Expect an analog-digital exploration of lofi funk, highlife, zouk and reggae. Does that DX7 sound hot or cold to you?

From the success of "Thrive" which was released on a 7" vinyl by LRK Records and sold out in a day. Comes a brand new single "Long Gone "

Toronto based retro-soul artist Claire Davis serves up her latest soulful banger "Long Gone" from forthcoming 7" vinyl release on LRK Records. A jewel of Canada's Soul scene, Claire Davis takes it up a notch and showcases her mighty vocals on the fiery breakup single "Long Gone". Drawing from her influences of the likes of Etta James and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, the unrelenting rhythm and sassy background vocalsof this track complement the "take-no-mess" message of Davis' lyrics and vocal delivery. A song about knowing your worth and walking away from those who don't! Claire Davis is an analog enthusiast, opting to record to tape whenever possible to best capture the feel and energy of a live performance and this single does not disappoint. The track was co-written by Toronto based artist Kyla Charter and producer Scott McCannell whom Davis has excitedly collaborated with for years on various other projects in Toronto's R&B/Soul scene. The saucy background vocal arrangement from composer/arranger La-Nai Gabriel provided the icing on the cake for this record which features dynamic background vocals from Joanna Mohammed, Tegan Michelle Gordon, and Chynna Lewis.


Jazzfm have listed the single "Long Gone" on their B list playlist

In the official retro soul spotify playlist

CBC gave it a spin on "Big city small world" by Errol Nazareth

"Times Have Changed" was added as brekkie track of the week and added to the C list on Jazz Fm

Cole has provided vocals and percussion for Joey Bada$$ (“Curry Chicken”), Chiddy Bang (“Ray Charles"), Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam, Aloe Blacc, Nickodemus, Little Jackie, and more. -William's vocal performances have been featured on television shows as prominent as Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, The Jools Holland Show, and The Craig Ferguson Show. Cole Williams debut 7" single on the Soul Tune imprint known for launching Maria Sanchez career, and for having a genuine and classic soul sound. This 45 is certainly no exception! "A Better Woman" brings you back to the golden age of soul in the 60´s. Cole´s voice is described by many as hypnotizing and unique. Fantastic Soul music! Look out for the album!

In 2006, the slight buzz of a Brooklyn band called El Michels Affair started to sound a bit more like a swarm of killer bees when their instrumental rendition of Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” was released as a 7” vinyl single. The band’s namesake Leon Michels and his production partner Jeff Silverman dropped the single on their boutique label called Truth & Soul, and it created such commotion that it would spawn an entire album of Wu-based covers. In honor of the 15th anniversary of that LP— “Enter The 37th Chamber”—the single is now getting its first vinyl repress in years.

“C.R.E.A.M.” is featured on Side A, with its prominent guitars and powerful horns complementing the signature baseline and unforgettable piano hook that practically defined an era of New York hip hop. The B-side “Glaciers of Ice” offers a deeper, melancholic interpretation of the hard-driving “Cuban Linx” banger, with a mood consistent to the A-side, as the drums take a comfortable backseat to the melodic guitars and punchy horn lines.

Originally released in 2009, El Michels Affair’s “Enter The 37th Chamber” LP on Fat Beats Records is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2024.

Not that Gloucester’s finest Andrew Gillespie needs any introduction, yet we need to talk a little about Dolly James, the great singer featured in this song. Dolly and Andrew met at a local recording/rehearsal studio in 2012 or 2013 where Dolly was rehearsing with her then band Soular UK. Andrew joined them on congas/percussion for a one off gig in Cheltenham and wasted no time in asking Dolly do the vocals for a song that he had just written ( Keep On Doin’ What Your Doin’ ) which was influenced by the Salsoul records disco sound and may take on that style. Andrew Gillespie started off recording as The Aries Vibration ( one self released 45) in 2009 then Gillespie & Co ( various 45 releases, La Glosta Nostra (one 45 release) as well as doing session musician work for labels from California to Switzerland and UK (Discgogs for full history ). Dolly has had a long and successful career as backing singer for the likes of Matt Bianco, Van Morrison, Mick Hucknall and many others. Tesla’s very own Alberto has additionally produced the flipside.

Six Nine Records Ltd. UK proudly presents two brand new mixes of the Golden Bridge tunes “Wouldn’t Be The Same” and “I Can Prove It” (an excellent updated version of Tony Etoria’s 70s modern soul track), where Matt Antunes delivers vocals on the first and Leon Beal on the latter.

Both tracks originates from the first (and so far only) full lengthalbum from 2019 by the duo consisting of Monolog (Yukihiro Kanesaka) and
T-Groove (Yuki Takahashi) and are hereby released on 7” vinyl for the
first time ever.

Definitely not to be missed as it is a limited UK press with full colour
printed picture cover!

Welcome to NOPE23. Created by Jaguar Skills. Born from his love of underground Hip-Hop, Funk and Soul, ‘The Savage Planet’ by Jaguar Skills is his label’s first broadcast.

Utilising a band of experienced musicians to create the project, ‘The Savage Planet’ is 8 tracks, 23 minutes and 23 seconds of experimental Hip-Hop Funk, interwoven with official adverts and soundbites direct from the NOPE23 vault.

Featuring the vocal skills of rapper Crimeapple (Soul Assassins), New York MC Johnny Storm, guitar legend Simon Katz (Jamiroquai/ Gorillaz), renowned bass player Zoltan (Erka Badu), flautist Rowen Harwood, alongside the beat alchemist himself; Jaguar Skills.

‘The Savage Planet’ confirms once again, that Jaguar Skills is not of planet Earth.

Stay tuned for more fly sh*t.

NOPE23. For freaks and pencil necked geeks.

You know it's a guarantee when we welcome back the legendary Breakbeat Junkie to represent the 14th installment of the Toxic Funk series that things will be all about the Party rocking Breaks!

The Breakbeat Junkie has been around since the early nu funk days as a solo producer and as part of the dynamic duo Second Hand Audio, who has dropped various classic releases on both BBP and the Ghetto Funk label.

Toxic Funk Vol. 14 features 2 golden funky cuts from the beat master, which will be sure to get the party rocking anywhere its dropped.

Lately The Breakbeat Junkie has been stable with his bootleg jams on Craig Charles Funk and Soul show on BBCand we know these cuts will go down perfect with the big jams played on this show.

Another timeless 7- inch donut that will be going quick so get it while you can and look out for more Toxic Funk coming very soon…

After the slammin’ 7-inch „Take You Down“, Britain’s acclaimed Funk combo The Getup returns to Our Label with another heavy Funk-Doublesider. „Gold Digger“ brings back the soulful vocals of Sasha, who will explain to you, why you should keep an eye on your wallet with some of the dates you are having. Never has a warning made you want to dance so much: tight horn section, a groove buried deep in the pocket and a whole lot of breaks. On the flip „Fat Pat’s Kitchen“ takes no prisoners with its dirty, angry hammond riffs and a spot-on rhythm section. Two dancefloor winners on one funky 45.

About The Getup

Since starting their own breed of Hammond-heavy horn-laden Funk in 2004 The Getup have gathered an impressive group of fans including DJ Snowboy and Craig Charles alongside many club and festival goers in the UK and all over Europe. They continue to impress music lovers all over with appearances at the famous Jazz Cafe in London or the Saint Paul Soul Jazz Festival. The Getup are: Mark Ashfield (Hammond/Keys), Mark Claydon (Drums/perc), Ian Stevens (Bass), Lee Blackmore (Guitar), Stephen Wilcock (Sax/Flute), Tristan Gaudion (Trumpet) with Sasha Patterson (vocals) and guest appearances from Ben Greenslade-Stanton (Trombone/The Mighty Mocambos) and Mark Norton (Sax/The Fantastics).

Boogie Butt Records presents its new reissue. Originally Released in 1983 on Becket Records, Time To Throw Down, is a party banger, between P.Funk & Boogie, created by the one & only Paul Thomas, founder of the "Magic Crew", The Circle City Band. Bandleader Paul Thomas had produced three 12" single's released under the title Circle City Band in 1983-84, one of those records titled Magic became extremely popular in the mid1980's, but this record was supposed to be the 4th 12inch single on Becket Records.

At the same time in 1983, when Reggie Griffin and Paul Thomas was mixing this instrumental track in L.A, the reverend "Rickie Clark" originally from "Circle City" in Indianapolis, came to see them hearing what there was doing, and fall in love with this track, asking if he could used it for himself .

The "Circle City Band" (CCB) is made up of eight remarkably talented souls. The band is lead and managed by founder, producer/musician/singer/songwriter Paul Thomas otherwise known as "P" aka the "Funky Skunk" and also features long time friends and mentors, including the legendary award-winning, multi-musician/songwriter/producer Reggie “Mr. Everything” Griffin of Tech-No-Funk fame

Tony Allen (1940 – 2020) has long been acknowledged as Africa's finest drummer and one of the continent's most influential musicians. Together with Fela Kuti (with whom he played for 15 years) Allen co-created Afrobeat - the hard-driving, horns-rich, funk-infused, politically insurrectionary style which became such a dominant force in African music and such an influence worldwide. His iconic drumming has since underpinned an extensive catalogue of solo works as well as collaborations with the likes of Damon Albarn (as part of The Good, The Bad and The Queen), Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sebastien Tellier, Grace Jones, Malian superstar Oumou Sangaré, Jeff Mills and Hugh Masekela.

His 2009 World Circuit debut, the raw and uncut Secret Agent, has all the ingredients that combine to make Afrobeat so special - fat, full-throated, hard riffing horns; nagging tenor guitars; jazz- and funk-informed saxophone and trumpet work outs; effervescent chicken-shack keyboards; lyrics rich in folk metaphors and proverbs, some of which confront state corruption and oppression (Kuti’s most frequent targets); deep-soul call and response vocals; and, of course, energising everything around it, Allen’s majestic drumming.

To mark the 2nd anniversary of Tony Allen’s passing at the age of 80, World Circuit will re-release this classic album on 2 x 180g heavyweight vinyl. The audio has been remastered and the package features the original 2009 sleeve notes in a 4p 12” booklet.

“if you’re wondering why Afrobeat is hip, start here.” Observer Music Monthly

“There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music” The Guardian

“While seeking to revive Afrobeat from the roots, Tony Allen imposes here a modernist vision and achieves the best possible synthesis between Yoruba foundations, Blue Note jazz arrangements and electro sound resolution.” – Les Inrockuptibles

Keeping the classics on 45.

Donald Byrd, Wind Parade. Hot stepping into the 80’s this jazz-funk classic has been tough to track down on 45.

Sampled by Black Moon for their underground hip hop classic “Buck Em Down”. Billy Brooks, Fourty Days. Never before on 45, infectious brass driven jazz-funk grooves with a well known intro sampled by Tribe called Quest for ‘Luck of Lucien’.

Soul Jazz Records’ 200% Dynamite! set the benchmark for reggae meets funk compilations that has never been bettered. Out of print for over 15 years this new 2023 edition with new tracks and is being released in a one-off limited-edition heavyweight special-edition coloured vinyl pressing + download code exclusively for Record Store Day 2023.
Jam-packed with reggae tunes that crossed-over to become dancefloor hits such as Tenor Saw’s sound boy anthem ‘Ring the Alarm,’ K.C. White’s classic cut of the seminal ‘No, No, No’ and Augustus Pablo’s ‘Rockers Rock’, 200% Dynamite explores the links between reggae, jazz, funk and soul.
Carrying on perfectly from 100% Dynamite, this second compilation continues to trace the history of Jamaican reggae and the influence of American styles such as funk and jazz had on this music.
Featured here are serious funk and rocksteady tunes from the likes of The Skatalites and Johnny Osbourne through to Jamaican jazz from masters such as Tommy McCook and Byron Lee, as well as some serious dub from the likes of Augustus Pablo, King Tubby and Jackie Mittoo.
New bonus tracks on this new 2023 edition include seminal dancehall party cuts Sister Nancy’s ‘One Two’ and Chaka Demus and Pliers’ ‘Murder She Wrote’, alongside classic soul to reggae covers including cuts of Marlena Shaw’s ‘Women of the Ghetto’ and Odyssey’s ‘Don’t Tell Me Tell Her’.






‘Once again, Soul Jazz goes digging through the reggae vaults and produces another sterling compilation. If you’re looking for a primer on the music of the island, you could do worse than buying every one of the records in this superb compilation series.’ All Music
‘In Soul Jazz’s outstanding Dynamite! series 200% is the head-turner. The label has its finger on the pulse of the now just as surely as it does on that of the past.’ Pitchfork
‘Soul Jazz Records ‘Dynamite’ series has quickly become a
rewarding guide to reggae’s most infectious back pages. Every home
needs some Dynamite.’ Irish Times
‘Soul Jazz Records’ long-running series
of highly-regarded reggae albums.’
Rough Trade

Finnish drummer/Producer Teppo "Teddy Rok" Mäkynen returns with his alias The Stance Brothers with "Sao Paolo / Timmy", a new 7"/digital single release on July 26th on We Jazz Records. Lauded by the likes of DJ Koco aka Shimokita, Kenny Dope and Gilles Peterson, Mäkynen's studio creation released the new album Duktus in November 2023, the project's first full length in more than 10 years. Back a new version of album cut "Sao Paolo" polus an unreleased new track, "Timmy", the project a treasure-trove for everyone into crunchy jazz funk à la Bob James & CTI, but this is no retro exercise. Teddy Rok moves forward in all directions, constantly bringing new elements into his sound, which is more layered and deep than ever before. At the same time, the crunch & the breaks are there when you need them.

The Stance 7" sides are often dominated by crunchy drums and crystal clear vibraphone melodies, and that's the overall vibe here, too. That being said, Mäkynen keeps things moving forward at all times, achieving moments of pure bliss with tracks that sound compact but expand far and wide both emotionally and musically.

The Stance Brothers are active live as a four-piece band, appearing live over the summer in Finland at Odysseus Festival and Flow Festival in Helsinki, plus G Livelab Tampere.

When we released Jazz On The Corner 2 last year Eddie Piller chose a fantastic track by Emmanuel K Rahim & The Kahliqs called ‘Al- Alim (The Knower)’ from his 1972 Cobblestone LP “Total Submission”.

Soul, funk, jazz, Brazilian, Latin music... P-VINE's Groove-Diggers series has unearthed quality records that transcend genres, nationalities and ages since the series was launched in 2006. Now, we have decided to release a compilation album containing a selection of great sound sources from our vast collection. It is no exaggeration to say that this compilation, which includes a wide selection of previously overlooked finds and popular tracks that everyone has probably heard at least once, would not have been possible without the Groove Diggers team.

The A side of this 45, a brand new track from Aaron Frazer, is about how pressure makes diamonds. The last couple years have been really challenging, especially for those navigating relationships amidst the chaos. This song celebrates the connections of love that are strong enough to weather any storm, and the certainty that comes from making it through together. The B side features a track from Aaron's first solo LP, Introducing. Lyrically, Frazer sounds lovesick; the imagery he paints of demons "so close behind" and the repetition of these lyrics emphasize his longing. The song starts with piercing guitar, dark bass, and chime piano and Frazer himself drums throughout the song. The orchestration is swell while the strings and voices blend well with the transcendent feel of the music.

The A side of this 45, a brand new track from Aaron Frazer, is about how pressure makes diamonds. The last couple years have been really challenging, especially for those navigating relationships amidst the chaos. This song celebrates the connections of love that are strong enough to weather any storm, and the certainty that comes from making it through together. The B side features a track from Aaron's first solo LP, Introducing. Lyrically, Frazer sounds lovesick; the imagery he paints of demons "so close behind" and the repetition of these lyrics emphasize his longing. The song starts with piercing guitar, dark bass, and chime piano and Frazer himself drums throughout the song. The orchestration is swell while the strings and voices blend well with the transcendent feel of the music.

Blue Vinyl - Warehouse Find!

"Azymuth's career-defining 1979 LP Light As A Feather on blue vinyl for a super-limited, collectors item RSD special. Home to their worldwide disco/fusion hit single 'Jazz Carnival', the samba-doido staple 'Partido Alto', and the proto-deep house masterpiece 'Avenida Das Mangueiras', this album typifies the trio's tireless innovation in the fields of jazz, funk, samba and cosmic music perhaps more so than any of their other ground-breaking records from its era."

FULL LENGTH REMIXED AND RE-MASTERED VERSION OF THIS CLASSIC LP FEATURING TOP 20 CLASSIC JAZZ CARNIVAL!

Four decades on and Azymuth has reached legendary status amongst fans worldwide and across the music industry thanks to the trio’s pioneering blend of traditional Brazilian jazz and proto funk fusion from the early 70’s right through to the present day.

In 1979 the band’s first Milestone Records release, ‘Light As A Feather’ quickly became one of the best-selling LPs of the year. Featuring the worldwide disco/fusion hit single ‘Jazz Carnival’ and going on to sell more than half a million copies internationally, the album stayed in the UK Top 20 for eight straight weeks.
An incredibly well thought out album both in pace, song selection and musicality, ‘Light As A Feather’ marked a maturing of the band as they began to rightfully utilise the studio as an instrument itself, embracing numerous mixing and recording techniques not yet common for the time as well as pioneering the use of the Big Muff and Dolby System to great effect. The end result is an album that endures to this day as a samba/jazz-funk masterpiece.

Now Far Out is pleased to present this seminal recording remixed and re-mastered from the original 16-track tapes, which were given to Joe Davis by Azymuth, lovingly reproduced on heavy weight vinyl and CD. This definitive edition of Azymuth’s breakthrough LP is a must-have for connoisseurs and an invaluable introduction to the Azymuth sound for the uninitiated.