Hip-Hop News

repressed !

After the trilogy of King Sporty & The Ex-tra's EPs in 2018, Emotional Rescue returns to the music of Noel Williams with this first ever single release of his 1976 reggae disco bomb, Safari, backed with a special discomix by Lexx.

Taken from William's debut album, Deep Reggae Roots, it can be considered a culmination of his career to date, from growing up on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, to his first singles for Studio One and Trojan, his relocation to Miami and the birth of his Konduko label and moves to incorporate the local clubs growing affiliation with funk and disco.

Prescient to the coming wave, Williams enlisted some of Miami's finest in George Perry and Clay Cropper (Chocolate Clay), Ron Smith (KC & The Sunshine Band) and legendary producer Alex Sadkin (Compass Point, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Talking Heads).

The stand out from the album, Safari, with it's hazy, low slung groove of razor sharp rimshot, guitar licks and funk bass is topped with an incessant chant 'Disco, Safari'. Criminally brief, the choice of Lexx to step in the mix was a simple one. His dubbed rework is perfect, laidback, letting the groove roll and King Sporty's mantra shine.

Nova Vida is a unique producer's album project injecting new life into classic songs, colouring them with the broad palette that are DJ / Producer Chris Bangs’ influences from his lifetime in music. 10 classic songs have been given the distinctive Nova Vida treatment, Ritmo Da Vida features unknown vocalists and musicians Chris has discovered and incorporated into the project from around the globe. Drawing on Bangs' influences such as Sergio Mendes and the sounds of Brazil, Samba, Bossa etc thru Classic British Pop, 70’s West Coast and beyond Nova Vida fuses all of the above with ten truly classic songs taking them into new musical arenas they haven't previously graced.

The first single “My Only” ft Klei came out in July 2023 on limited vinyl, got lots of club plays , specialist radio support and spent a month on the Jazz FM A List. The album already has serious upfront tastemaker support many who are digging Empty Faces (Vera Cruz) , the sublime instrumental Affirmation and the sultry samba vocal version of Stormy. Our favourite in the BDQ office is Each and every one, its fabulous, the whole album is just perfect for summer 2024. We here at BDQ are privileged to release this album on the label, as usual vinyl will be super limited.

High school band Kashmere Stage Band was formed in Texas by students from Kashmere High School's elite music division under the guidance of leader Conrad O. Johnson. They recorded plenty of albums but they only got sold locally and made in small numbers so now P-VIBE is embarking on a much-needed reissue run. Zero Point came in 1972, right in the middle of the band's activities which ran from the early 60s to the late 70s. It's a funky jazz fusion workout with great echoed vocals and fuzz-tone guitar.

Our Label Records Vol. 1 präsentiert eine Auswahl an zumeist vergriffenen Funk 45s aus zwanzig Jahren Labelgeschichte. 2005 starteten die Brüder Tom und Gu mit der 7” Veröffentlichung "Give Me A Minute" von The New Mastersounds aus Leeds, UK, und haben seitdem mit Bands und Künstlern aus der ganzen Welt zusammengearbeitet. Gerade in den Anfangsjahren war Unique Records als Vertriebspartner einer der Garanten sich schnell zu etablieren. Auf dieser Compilation gibt es Uptempo Funk, smarte Breaks und soulful Grooves die sich als sichere DJ Tracks bewiesen haben. “Give Me A Minute (Part 1 & 2)”, geschrieben von Gu, war nach drei Monaten ausverkauft. Das von DJ-Ikone Keb Darge und Eddie Roberts produzierte “Bread & Water” von The Inmates war nach sechs Monaten nicht mehr zu bestellen. Die "Song 2" Coverversion von Diazpora schaffte es sogar in den Trailer einer britischen Castingshow. Mothergroove, Sir Ali Bengali, Wake&Bake! und Renegades Of Jazz sind Klassiker in den Vinyl Kisten von DJs weltweit und Garanten für volle Tanzflächen. Einige hatten auf Our Label Records die ersten Veröffentlichungen ihrer Karriere. Mit “Smudgin'” von The King Rooster findet sich auf dieser Werkschau zudem eine ganz neuer bisher unveröffentlichtes Funk Monster. Zehn Tracks stark ist "Our Label Records Vol. 1" eine sichere Bank für Funk Fans, Vinyl Enthusiasten, DJs und Sammler. Die erste Vinyl Auflage von 500 Exemplaren erscheint mit einer Bonus 7” aus dem Our Label Katalog.

Warehouse Find!

This one has 3 tracks all reworked by Smoove


A side David Bowie - Let’s Dance

B side Earth Wind & Fire - You Can’t Hide Love

B side Barry White - Playing Your Games

Warehouse Find!

Smoove gets his hands on the Multitrack layers of an all time classic Blaxploitation tune and brings out the drum break to great effect while fusing epic orchestral breakdowns.

On the flip side Smoove reworks one of his favourite tunes by stripping it back to a vamp section and replacing the original drum machine with some alternative outtake drums!

2024 Repress

Ned Doheny's Hard Candy, originally released in 1976, is widely considered the finest blue-eyed soul album of all time. It is has long been a source of great frustration then, that this perfectly-formed Southern California masterpiece has been unavailable on vinyl for almost 40 years. Previously bootlegged in derisory fashion, original copies are rarely found for less than $100.

Be With Records, a new vinyl-only reissue label, continues apace by marking its third release with the first officially licensed reissue of Doheny's nautical classic. Perhaps most famously, this impeccably smooth set features the timeless Get It Up For Love, a wonderful example of mid-70s mid-tempo white-(hot)-funk.

Produced by the legendary Steve Cropper, it featured a veritable who's-who of the Laurel Canyon soft-yacht sound (JD Souther, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, the entire horn section for Tower of Power!) yet bombed mysteriously. It's been a cult record since.

Pressed on audiophile 180gram vinyl and featuring the original artwork for both jacket and full colour inner sleeve, this very limited reissue of 500 copies is one not to be missed.

Uluru is back with a new tasty pizza-focaccia 7” vinyl.

All the way from Italy, fellow producer RBL delivers 2 instant classics for all the b-boys and b-girls out there.

Get down on the floor and show your moves.

Pull up guaranteed!

repressed !

Following the release of ‘Just Something’, her acclaimed comeback album at the end March, Dee C Lee is back with a brand-new single ‘Back In Time’, with a special 7” on Acid Jazz.

Having served as the album’s thrilling opening track, for this release there is a new radio mix, highlighting the slick, disco-tinged soul at its heart - a perfect soundtrack to the summer.

The 7” is backed with ‘Walk Away’, written with fellow Style Council member Mick Talbot, and already a firm fan favourite after its digital release preceding the album.

It is presented in a wonderful picture sleeve, with a new portrait of Dee by Will Parsons, with a classic Acid Jazz disc label. Limited to 500 copies - pre-order is recommended!

Donny Benét is an adult Entertainer, Hit-Maker, Attentive Lover- and one of Australia’s most acclaimed- and experienced Jazz-Musicians. He has toured Europe- and the UK five times through 2017/2018, playing Festivals & Headline-Shows in 14 different Countries- and will be returning in 2020! The Don’s gigs are rammed with 20-somethings partying like a scene out of Miami Vice.

Recorded in the infamous Donnyland-Studios using the finest Japanese, American & Italian synthesizers, The Don speaks to the heart, promising love as soft as Italian leather. Donny’s immaculate Armani grooves hint at the dancefloor and the bedroom The Don is transportive. ‘Night In Rome’ opens the shutters of your hotel room onto a view of The Colosseum, ‘Reach The Top’ thrusts you on a frenzied race to success through the streets of NYC.

‘Working Out’ urges you to break a sweat wherever you may be. ‘Konichiwa,’ is a song assmooth as the silken tofu from whence the song’s spirit is inspired, and ‘Santorini,’ an ode to love worth fighting for along the crystal-waters of the Aegean Sea.

New album “Mr Experience” due for Release on 22nd May, 2020

There is very little info out there about the Milkcrate Mondays label but we do know that their only other release last year was well hyped and quickly sold out. This second one is likely to follow suit. It comes from Able and is a dusty house cut with an old school feel thanks to the gentle breaks that power it along as a signature smoky soul vocal from Amy Winehouse brings plenty of emotion to a-side cut 'Winehouse Magic'. On the flip is 'Drake Punk' which pairs Daft Punk filter house loops with auto-tuned vocals all sure to bring some fun to the 'floor.

Matasuna präsentiert die erste 7" der baskischen Soulcombo Bidaide aus Barcelona, die sich auf cineastische, instrumentale Soul-Funk-Grooves mit DIY-Mentalität spezialisiert hat. Soul, Funk, Psychedelic Rock, Reggae-Dub und Library-Musik verschmelzen in Bidaides Aufnahmen nahtlos zu einem einzigartigen Sound, gefühlvoll und harmonisch, mit mitreissenden perkussiven Intermezzos.

First in a Brand New series of Limited Edition 12” of all-time Studio One party bombs now available for the first time ever on loud 12”.

Marcia Griffiths’ ‘Feel Like Jumping’ is a stone-cold classic, one of the best reggae songs ever made! Includes version on the flip.

100% essential monster tune that rocks any dancefloor!

Kampana debut for Brazilian edit maestro Bernardo Pinheiro.
The A-side sees him modernise a classic with dancefloor delicious effect, bringing a hypnotic mid-tempo disco groove.
The B-side is a deep dig of a totally unknown record. Bernardo turns it into a peak-time Brazilian disco house monster, with driving carnival percussion and infectious bassline and vocals. This was an unexpected surprise for the Kampana crew and will turn heads and twist legs on the dancefloor!

-2023 Repress

Official reissue now on Stones Throw sublabel Now Again with liner notes, packaged in a deluxe mino LP package including thick, cardboard "tip on" sleeve with 8-page booklet! contains cover versions of Isaac Hayers and Bill Withers. Lost dark soul/funk masterpiece from Hampton, Virginia high school champions of Pepsi's "New Sounds Of 1972" challenge.

The stories of great high school funk bands are, thanks to an abundance of reissues, commonplace. The tales of great high school soul-bands are still rare. A ballad or two on the random Douglass High School Stage Band album or Timeless Legend's mesmerizing entry on Columbus's 1972 1st Annual Inner City Talent Expo notwithstanding, high school bands rarely struck into the realm of "grown folks" music. Enter The Equatics and their brooding masterpiece Doin' It!!!! If this is categorized as a funk' album - and it was for the last ten years, by those few lucky enough to own an original copy - it holds its own. But it was as a soul band, one as inspired by the melancholic musings of Bill Withers as the psychedelic-pop of the self-proclaimed Black Moses,' Issac Hayes - that the Equatics shone. These young souls offered world-weary, beat-heavy ballads that stand on par with any of the great independent organizations of the early 1970s. That a group of teenagers could offer such an angst-ridden plea as
that of Leo Davis's "Merry Go Round" not only transcends the limitations that came from the band's average age (seventeen, at the time of the album's recording), but also the barriers the stood in front of this group of small-city hopefuls.

This official reissue was licensed by the Equatics' bandleader, bass player Benjamin Crawford. Packaged as a "mini-LP" in a thick, "paste-on" cardboard sleeve that mimicks the original album jacket, Now-Again's reissue of Doin' It!!!! also comes with an eight page booklet with full liner notes, annotation, and never-before-seen photos of this most impressive organization.

A 7 inch with two monster jams featuring Format-440 and Puppy Smooth. A classic disco rap track on side A, with the production of Format-440 and the vocals of the New York MC Puppy Smooth. And a soft instrumental boogie jam on side B signed by Format-440.

LA-based DJ duo Guruku is back with their second release. The title track ‘Mesmerized’ has a throwback feel to the likes of The Gap Band, Prince, and D-Train. With a loose format, Rojai’s vocal builds the dubbed-out drums and heavy synth line that rises to an electrifying release with dirty hypnotic pads smothering a delicious bassline. Italy’s Giovanni Damico lays down a heavy bass textured to perfection with tasty vocoders throughout. Daniel T. (Cosmic Kids/DFA) takes rhythmic cues from B’more's Unruly Records while keeping close to his West Coast roots with a G-funk synth line riding high. What It Takes starts with a melodic, percussive Moog line that breaks into a full production of Rhodes, live bass, and early 80s drums. Rojai delivers a heartfelt love letter letting the one know they can stand the test of time. Rayko vs Wvp mix keeps the boogie alive with a cascading bass line for the dancefloor.


RIYL: Star Creature, Dam Funk, Ray Mang, and The Gap Band.

During this period Hassell was inspired by the increasingly innovative production techniques being used in hip-hop, in particular the hyper-collaged sampledelic barrage of the Bomb Squad’s work with Public Enemy, hearing it as a kind of extension of the tape splicing that Teo Macero brought to his work with Miles Davis.

He began to incorporate more of this aesthetic into his own music, playing over loops of his own performances and riffing on angular juxtapositions of noise, rhythm and melody.

The resulting sonic stew is a kind of futuristic sci-fi funk with an appropriately melted production aesthetic - instruments and samples jumping to the forefront then disappearing in the manner of the best dub records.

‘The Living City’ captures the Jon Hassell Group in September 1989, performing as part of an audio-visual installation inside the World Financial Center Winter Garden in New York City, with Brian Eno mixing the band live.

During this period Hassell was inspired by the increasingly innovative production techniques being used in hip-hop, in particular the hyper-collaged sampledelic barrage of the Bomb Squad’s work with Public Enemy, hearing it as a kind of extension of the tape splicing that Teo Macero brought to his work with Miles Davis.
He began to incorporate more of this aesthetic into his own music, playing over loops of his own performances and riffing on angular juxtapositions of noise, rhythm and melody.

The resulting sonic stew is a kind of futuristic sci-fi funk with an appropriately melted production aesthetic - instruments and samples jumping to the forefront then disappearing in the manner of the best dub records.

‘Psychogeography’ is a situationist re-thinking of the 1990 ‘City: Works Of Fiction’ album, a carefully edited sequence of alternate takes, demos and studio jams put together by Jon Hassell in 2014 using Debordian philosophy as his guide.

In a testament to Ireland’s vibrant musical history, Allchival presents an anthology celebrating the disco era’s hidden gems from Stuart Bingham's Sunshine. Culled from the annals of their studio recordings, this collection shines a light on the country’s lesser-known contributions to the global disco phenomenon.

Kicking off the compilation with Sunshine's electrifying "Boogie on Up," a testament to the band's prowess in embracing disco rhythms despite their pop cover origins. Produced by the acclaimed Paul Curtis, the track embodies the infectious spirit of disco, marking a pivotal moment for Irish disco hits. Accompanying it is "Don't Stop Me," radiating with Euro-disco vibes, further exemplifying Sunshine's versatility. Bingham recounts the bittersweet journey of "If This Is Free." Initially slated for success under Curtis's wing, the disco era's abrupt demise altered its trajectory, leading to an independent recording that retains a raw, garagey edge reminiscent of the era's ethos.

"Give It To Me" is another standout, blending Nile Rodgers-inspired arrangements with a Euro-disco flair. Stuart Bingham's production prowess and Rosey's captivating vocals converge to create an irresistible groove that transcends disco conventions.

Venturing into more experimental territory, "The Boogie Bug" showcases some Irish ingenuity in rap-infused grooves. Despite its ahead-of-its-time sound, the track faced resistance in a disco-weary landscape and rounding out the compilation is "Oh Gee, I Got U B.B.," a playful nod to dub-mix traditions.

This Sunshine anthology is a journey through Ireland's disco era, unearthing forgotten gems and shedding light on the country's rich musical tapestry. From Sunshine's infectious rhythms to Stuart Bingham's resilient spirit, each track encapsulates the era's vibrancy and innovation.

Repress! Produced by Malcolm Catto, Mike Burnham & Jake Ferguson / Four years in the making, The Heliocentrics' debut album is finally complete. Out There is here. Good luck trying to categorize their music. Led by the relentless drummer Malcolm Catto, the UK collective's objective lays quite a ways beyond what ordinary listeners know or expect. In an alternative galaxy, where the orbits of Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz, Psychedelic, Electronic, Avante-Garde and Ethnic music all revolve around “The One” – that's where you might find The Heliocentrics. A listen to a song or two reveals no small influence from the funk universe of James Brown. But there's also the disorienting asymmetry of Sun Ra's music. The cinematic scope of Ennio Morricone. The sublime fusion of David Axelrod. But the Heliocentrics' music isn't retro. It's brand new. And it's timeless. They have well-placed fans in the likes of Madlib (Catto was featured on his Shades of Blue album and on various Yesterdays New Quintet releases) and DJ Shadow (the band backed him on various tours, and on the song “This Time I’m Gonna Do It My Way” from his The Outsider album), who will tell you that this band is really the next shit but that they have the consistency and musicianship that seems to have been lost somewhere in the analog to digital shuffle over the past thirty years. The Heliocentrics are the real deal. They are “Out There” in the best possible sense of the word. Dig it.

The Uptown Funk Empire’s album The Empire Strikes Back was released in the year 2009 and it has quickly become a sure value of the modern Soul-Funk scene. This album composed and produced
by Bruno Hovart aka Patchworks still sounds really funky 10 years after its initial release. The success of its 2019’s reissue confirmed that it got a timeless flavor. The full-length version of this album contained 16 tracks in the CD & Digital format but for technical
reasons only 10 tracks were included in the vinyl edition. And due to public demand, we are now happy to release the missing tracks in vinyl with an exclusive track, the rightly titled « Party ». The Empire
Strikes Back Again, so let’s have an other funky good time with Uptown Funk Empire… Tracks as « Boogie », « You’ve got to have Freedom » or « N.O.W. » have now become anthems. They have brought back the Funk to the dancefloors from around the world and this with the help of Dj’s such as Kerri Chandler, Moodyman, Joey Negro, Ashley Beedle, Tony Humphries, Mr V, Dj Simbad, Femi Fem, Dj Cam, Dj Bobbito, Jazztronik, Recloose, Rich Medina, Rainer Truby, Kid Loco, Yam Who, Mad Mats, Dj Kawasaki, Dj Junior…just to name a few. But this album is not only dance-floor oriented, one important part of its charms is due to a bunch of good ballads and tasty down tempo tracks as: « I’m A Manchild », « I Guess That You Don't Mind »,
« Celestial Blues », « Please Mister Postman » playlisted by radios as Jazz Fm, BBC6, Radio Nova, KCRW, Deutschland Radio Kultur, Couleur 3, WBAI, FM4, KX Radio, Superbly FM…and enjoyed by a
lot of Soul Boys & Girls in their bedrooms. And last but no least, the Uptown Funk Empire’s track « I’m A Manchild » was included in the
soundtrack of the film « Focus » with Will Smith…and it was greatly cool for a funky cat to have shared a movie with the Prince of Bel Air !
This album is a pleasant proof that funk & soul Music can always sounds good & alive in our time, once again thanks to Patchworks and its Uptown Funk Empire alias.

2024 Repress


Farfalla Records presents its new compilation Amplitude - The Hidden Sounds of French Library. 12 tracks exclusively recorded for professional use between 1978 and 1984 in France.

Dive into the universe of the early 1980s with colorful sounds and catchy rhythms from talented musicians from the French scene, composing and arranging both for library music and variety, and accompanying big names in French music.

Self-released in 1969 ‘Our Thing’ is the debut album of the performing Houston unit known as Kashmere Stage Band. The Texas student band came together at the Kashmere High School and under the direction of musical director Conrad O. Johnson, released a series of cult album on Kram Records, before disbanding in 1978. Raw funk, that’s basically what they’ve been playing and clearly there was a blacksploitation feel all over the place, but their drive was quite unique. Rediscover the myth.

Rhythm Rhyme Revolution are back with another cracking double A side 45 - sounding even more seasoned than the trilogy of exemplary albums that they have released.

A side: ‘SupaDupaStank’ has the interweaving sax of Jake Telfson and the majestic mouth organ of multi-instrumentalist Gareth Tasker erupting through the layers of the groove ridden arrangement like consistent currents of electricity, highly charged and full of energy. Barrie Sharpe and Betty Steeles add their vocal interjections towards the end in a glorious kind of marginal coherence. It reminds me of the prime of Eric Burdon’s War.

B side: ‘Deal With It’ is an outstanding piece of music. Surprisingly Jazzy - rarely heard of within Sharpe’s musical repertoire. The slinky vocals of Betty Steeles add a sweeter dimension to the overall sound. This one is more hard-hitting and moody - with Gareth’s simmering bass over a slow burning groove. All tied together with Jakes jazz sax lick throughout the track. The words of Emrys Baird (Blues & Soul)
Sharpe and co are essentially reasserting how masterly group improvisation rooted in intent social commentary feels fresh and at times provocative. They consistently release subtle groove inflected dance music of the highest order and show no signs of letting up. (The words of Emrys Baird – ‘Blues & Soul’)

Back in stock! A collection of super rare and highly danceable masterpieces recorded between 1969 -1981 by four legendary composers from Benin: ANTOINE DOUGBÉ, EL REGO et Ses Commandos, HONORÉ AVOLONTO, GNONNAS PEDRO & His Dadjes Band each one of them with their own distinctive sound. This compilation comes with a 40 page full colour booklet with ultra rare pictures and biographies. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy the mind-blowing sound of Benin.

Kingston-upon-Hull outfit The Black Delta Movement's new ‘In Acetate’ EP is a companion piece to the band’s recently released ‘Recovery Effects’ album.

Serving up eight tracks of immersive, groove-heavy psych-rock, The Black Delta Movemen’s second album ‘Recovery Effects’ was released in April 2023 and is already on its second vinyl pressing. Nearly five years in the works, it found band leader Matt Burr recruiting Little Barrie’s Barrie Cadogan, Lewis Wharton and Tony Coote to play on the record and The Heliocentrics’ Malcolm Catto on production duties.

The incoming ‘In Acetate’ EP is made up of three previously-unreleased tracks from those sessions (‘(This Is) Slow House’, ‘The Landgrab’ and ‘303’) and two remixes courtesy of UNKLE and Ill Japonia – aka Taigen Kawabe of Bo Ningen, who TBDM did a short Dutch tour with earlier this year.

Dynamite cuts 45s series is proud to release two Jazz gems by Kitty Winter Gypsy Nova – Feel it & New morning both taken from the mega rare and incredibly hard to LP.

Repress!

The publication of "Jet Sounds" in October 2000 and its subsequent release on the international market represented the turning point from the initial productions carried forward by Schema and the new course taken by the label reaching sales of 40,000 copies and still counting. It's the year 2000 and the avant-garde of the new jazz pop Italian scene is called "Jet Sounds". The debut album by Nicola Conte features nearly 20 musicians and moreover the visionary, sophisticated appeal of Nicola with a sound that has already become T . He tells a cinematic story as the images become a soundtrack for the music: Scene 1: A young woman is walking on the sea shore. She's alone, only white sand and crystal blue water by her side. It's late in the afternoon and the sun is glancing over her shoulders while a soft bossa nova fills the air. Scene 2: He's drivin' fast, there's little time left and a man to chase. Like busy spiders working a web, the beat of the big band pulses a 5/4 jazz theme. Scene 3: It's night; the park; shadows following, shadows hiding mystery? Undefined eastern/oriental sounds adrift on a pulsing psychedelic beat. What's the next move...?

Sekret Chadow returns with his flow to let us savor 4 powerful Funky Breaks tracks.

We start this EP with «The Secret Agent» a magnificent unreleased track in the purest 007 style… he is Bond…. Secret Bond. We enter the deepest neighborhoods of Miami and it seems that we are living a real chase movie with «Moonshine» a real madness what goes through the head of this artist.

Sekret Chadow returns with his flow to let us savor 4 powerful Funky Breaks tracks.

We start this EP with «The Secret Agent» a magnificent unreleased track in the purest 007 style… he is Bond…. Secret Bond. We enter the deepest neighborhoods of Miami and it seems that we are living a real chase movie with «Moonshine» a real madness what goes through the head of this artist.