Pop & Rock News

After a string of diverse EPs on Swiss labels Light of Other Days & Subject To Restrictions Ethimm returns in winter 21/22 with his debut album. The record delivers snapshots of a hopeless romantic’s life packed into an eccentric mix of genres, all in the spirit of balearic. Fever dreams of Disco, New Wave, Dub and Leftfield Pop echo throughout the 32 minutes. Tales from the jet set, delusions of grandeur and the hangover that comes after, long gone love affairs and one’s raison d’être are among the many subjects Ethimm touches. Distinctly nodding towards the 80ies without falling into cliché references, the album feels familiar yet uniquely contemporary.

The cover art features a bust of producer Elisabeth Thimm’s head, as interpreted by artist Paa Joe. The 12 inch comes complete with a 180g, heavyweight white vinyl with a beautifully printed inner sleeve revealing the albums lyrics.

Disco Segreta teams up again with Miro (b. Mario Baldoni) in the re-release of his 1970s-80s productions, after the italo-disco burner Stranamore by Brina (DS M 002) and the tropifrutti balearic italo-house smasher Tobago by Pat & Pats (DS M 006), we are back introducing to italo-disco connoisseurs a truly atomic jam !

“Passion Night” was originally written by Miro in 1985. Story goes that envisioning a release by 1987, Miro teamed up with legendary south-african sound engineer Allan Goldberg, in light of their previous Vedette Records disco-infused collaboration for the “Slang“ studio project and the “Real Life Games” LP. The team featured also track co-writer Gregorio Puccio, ready to unleash the synths (Roland JD800 + D50, Yamaha DX7, Oberheim 12, Prophet 5), along with two young vocalists, Giulia Fasolino and Silver Pozzoli, later to become household names for the italo-disco heads.

As a special feature on the track, Miro brought in the studio contribution of the top italian jazz contralto saxophone virtuoso of the era, Massimo Urbani.

In September 1987 a session at Pomodoro Studio had the track recorded on a 24 tracks tape, where has been sitting unreleased for 35 years, until now !

Within its cross-genre blend of synth-pop, italo-disco and jazz, “Passion Night” is an outstanding musical time capsule, a picture-perfect vivid snapshot of year 1987, with the additional historical value as a document itself: it’s the only strictly non-jazz project in Massimo Urbani’s repertoire, in a revelatory performance shedding a light over an unusual facet of Urbani’s versatile talent, regardless of boundaries, a few years before his untimely passing.

Three years in the making for this first-ever release, so that we could bring you “Passion Night” in its original 1987 version from the actual multitrack master, with our usual respectful treatment, plus three remixes: the balearic infused “Miro Smooth Jazz Remix” and a remix by highly acclaimed musician and producer Giulio d’Agostino aka Julyo, who can claim a plethora of collaborations for artists as diverse as Aphex Twin, Goldie, and Michael Brecker.

500 copies

Strut present the definitive edition of Patrice Rushen’s landmark album from 1982, ‘Straight From The Heart’.

Strut’s new reissue of ‘Straight From The Heart’ is released on 9th April 2021. LP and CD are presented in their full original artwork and feature bonus 12” versions of the album’s singles including a previously unreleased extended mix of ‘Tired Of Being Alone’. Package includes rare photos by Bobby Holland and a new interview with Patrice Rushen.

All tracks remastered from the original tapes by Technology Works.

Good things come to those who wait! A commonplace that is also true in the case of Perel’s Running Back debut. Ever since „Die Dimension“ appeared on DFA, our own CEO couldn’t wait for a call from the lady herself. Star is the consequence of said call and not only that.
Picturing Perel’s development as a recording artist on the one hand and the hardships everyone had to experience since the world has been changed by a pandemic on the other, making it - in her word words - „an EP about crossing the „physical distance between the people I miss and love“. Opening with the riveting vocals of Star („This song is literally a love song for my people“), the three pieces also show Perel's growing versatility as a producer. The tried and tested neon disco lights interchange with darker tones, uplifting and affirmative moments (Tour De Perel) rotate with contemplative and pondering intervals (Internal Monologue). Yet, by no means Perel is whistling a sad tune. Her melodies are as always deep, distinguishable and delightful to dance to. Wherever that may be.

repress!

Fans are invited to return to ‘Infinite Disco’, Kylie’s globally successful live spectacular broadcasted in 2020. Released alongside Kylie’s record-breaking album ‘DISCO’, the 50-minute special performance was met with widespread acclaim and deemed ‘a true joy’ by The i. The ‘Infinite Disco’ vinyl features tracks from DISCO, alongside much loved hits ‘In Your Eyes’, ‘Light Years’, ‘Slow’ (a mash up with Donna Summer’s iconic ‘Love To Love You Baby’) and ‘Say Something’, performed with the House Gospel Choir.

limited

Originally released in 1987 ‘Pretty Face’ by Stinger J has become highly sought after in recent years,

Stinger J was a one time alias used by Detroit Producer Kevin McCord, formerly of legendary American R n B and funk band One Way. As a writer & producer Kevin has had an illustrious musical career working with Alicia Myers (‘I Want To Thank You’), Oliver Cheatham (‘Get Down Saturday Night’) and Mariah Carey (‘Make It Happen’). Featuring the vocals of Jonathan Haywood, ‘Pretty Face’ is a melting pot of Soul, Disco, Garage and Detroit house. B Side ‘Wonder Land’ pairs the vocals of Jonathan Haywood with Kevin himself, a soulful ballad with classic 80’s production and live keys, strings and percussion. ‘Pretty Face’ is a unique example of an intended crossover record from a mainstream producer who soaked up the influences of his home town Detroit around the birth of House & Techno. Self released at the time on Kevin’s own Chance label, it was hard to get momentum without major label backing so the project fell by the wayside. Now officially reissued for the first time in partnership with Kevin McCord with Artwork by Bradley Pinkerton.

With influences like Parcels, Electric Wire Hustle, Blood Orange the Berlin based French-Italian duo Panna Cotta releases their accomplished 7 track debut EP “Sunrise” with an additional remix of the title track by label head Marcel Vogel. All songs are composed, mixed and mastered on analog gear to preserve the uncertainty of the moment, the imperfection of love.

8 reworks of rare and unexpected italian disco and funky pop music from the 1970ies. Not the usual electronic Italodisco classics, but here come some more organic sounding band-disco music from the time of 1976 - 82. Positive vibrations and high quality dance pop reworked for today's advanced dancefloors by Toy Tonics head honcho KAPOTE and his Italian friends BPlan and Paul Older. Some of these edits already have been released as bandcamp only, but because of extreme demand for vinyl Toy Tonics did this limited edition double vinyl release.

repress

Limited

Renowned around the world for his iconic sound, disco legend T-Groove teams up with one of the greatest street drummers of all time, George Kano, to form the foundation of an 18 man jazz-funk-disco experience! Moody but sweet. Soulful and groovy. Recorded live, these ten songs are perfect whether you're in the club or sitting in your favorite armchair. The only certainty is you won't be able to stop yourself from dancing like nobody's watching.

HIGHLIGHTS Classic Brazilian soul funk from 1976 in the same vein as Tim Maia, Jorge Ben or Carlos Dafé's recordings from that period. All four tracks are stunning and feature dramatic vocals, fat drum beats and sophisticated arrangements, following the tradition of the best funk music coming from the States in the '70s. First time reissue. DESCRIPTION Tony Bizarro was a Brazilian songwriter, producer and singer who worked with most of the greatest soul and funk artists in Brazil. Boogie and disco music were making headway and soon became popular in the Brazilian market. His own discography comprises just one solo album, released at the peak of his career, a bunch of compactos and some later LPs that did not get any bigger than his best-known hit 'Estou Livre'. This 1976 EP has been a long-time dancefloor weapon for DJs in the same vein as Tim Maia, Jorge Ben or Carlos Dafé's recordings from the same period. All four tracks are stunning! The opening song 'Que Se Faz Da Vida' is a downtempo funk joint with some dramatic vocals by Tony Bizarro, fat drum beats and Isaac-Hayesque wah-wah sounds that could have easily been included in the soundtrack of a blaxploitation movie_ The strings and sophisticated arrangements featured on the flipside elevate this record to the top of the best Brazilian funk ever recorded in the '70s. Very hard to find, especially in good condition, this record now gets a proper reissue for the first time.

French finest synth-pop band Bon Voyage Organisation release his second opus after a feature on Cocktail d'Amore 10 Years compilation.

"La Course" is a cinematic, synthesized and library-esque journey that could be a mixed-up between Italian early 80's productions and french 00's disco.

"This record marks the beginning of a new attitude towards recording," says Bon Voyage Organisation's Adrien Durand. "Switching from a busy studio that I shared to having my own very quiet cabin in the North West of Paris has inspired me to adopt a more meditative approach."

Whilst it's fair to say Durand has been constantly on the move for some time - be it touring or producing records for the likes of Amadou & Mariam, Papooz and Bagarre - there's a sense of new momentum, as well as stillness, that hangs over this record. One that's fully instrumental and as he describes being more free.

The band's trademark glistening production, disco flair, shimmering electronics and incandescent melodies still remain but a more intuitive and striped back approach was favoured this time around. Some of this attitude stemming from an evening opening for Kamasi Washington. "Because of the constraints of being an opening act we played as an instrumental quintet instead of our usual 9-piece band," says Durand. "We rehearsed the day before, our set opened with John Coltrane's 'Naïma' followed by a hard-bop ish version of Kraftwerk's 'Trans Europe Express'. It felt so good to perform that repertoire in that configuration that I had the vision of bringing this aspect of the band in the studio."

There was also a removed sense of pressure with this record - no major label expectation of a radio friendly record, combined with a deconstructed approach to songwriting. "Since 2014 I've been working mostly on projects involving a lot of conventional songwriting," Durand says. "I was keen on producing a record based on performance and atmospheres more than repertoire." He also sought inspiration from a perhaps unlikely source: The Arctic Monkeys. "I was really encouraged by them going out of their comfort zone on their last album - it really caught my attention in a Bowie / Berlin period way."

The result of the album is one that oozes the natural momentum of experimentation, texture, mood and intuition while managing to retain a sonic coherence. In a none-obvious and zeitgeist clichéd way, there is perhaps a more jazz-leaning approach to the record that weaves between soft subtle moments to the more atonal and experimental, all underpinned by sweeping, engulfing soundscapes and the usual touch of non-Western musical flourishes. This vibe came from a distinct lack of editing, says Durand. "In the studio we had everyone sitting in the same room - sometimes up to 6 players - and I never edited the playing. I just went on to record some additional synth and percussion, insert the soundscapes, and mix the record."

This less is more approach, avoiding indulgence and superfluousness, is something Durand can't help but feel is an artistic response to the pace of modern life. "There is a frenetic approach to everything," he says. "People want to binge on everything, expect ultra fast changes on any political cause etc. The response is a big comeback of things like the practice of meditation, yoga and ambient music." There are times when this record falls into the territory of meditative ambience, as on the immersive plunge one takes swimming through the beautiful 'Un Am Ricain En Danger'. It's an album to bathe in and to be carried along by, it's gripping by being so rather than fighting for your attention

Ultimately the record is one that feels it's been allowed room to breath, a sonic sphere in which musicians have been allowed to roam as freely and thoughtfully as the listener. "This record is about welcoming the music and being able to let each musician express themselves during the recording process," says Durand. "This is a valuable trade that takes time."

Der französische Star-DJ und Produzent Kungs veröffentlicht am 18.03.22 sein lang erwartetes zweites Album „Club Azur“.

”Club Azur“ ist ein von Kungs initiierter digitaler Club, den Valentin Brunel, so Kungs bürgerlicher Name, während der Pandemie ins Leben gerufen hat. 2016 wurde Kungs durch seinen Hit „This Girl“ weltweit bekannt: Die Single erreichte die Nr. 1 der Singlecharts in 46 Ländern, darunter auch in Deutschland, wo der Track zudem mit Doppel-Platin ausgezeichnet wurde. Das Debüt-Album „Layers“ (2016) gewann den NRJ Music Award in der Kategorie „Electronic“ und verkaufte sich über 1 Mio. mal. Es folgten weltweite Festivalauftritte und Remixe für Superstars wie Coldplay, Axwell ^Ingrosso und Dua Lipa.

Der im Sommer 2021 veröffentlichte Song „Never Going Home“ wurde zum globalen Sommerhit und erreichte die Nr. 1 der Airplaycharts in Frankreich und Italien sowie Platinstatus in Frankreich, Italien,
Belgien und der Schweiz. Es folgten die Single „Lipstick“ und die aktuelle Single „Clap Your Hands“, die vom Discovibe seiner „Club Azur“ Parties inspiriert ist und mit einem Boney M. Sample daherkommt.

Das 11 Track starke Album „Club Azur“ enthält Features von Boys Noize, Good Times Ahead, The Knocks und Victor Flash und erscheint auf CD und Vinyl.

Repress

Two funky sounds tracks from Lego Edit & Vito Lalinga b2b on
the new Legofunk records 7 inch.

Back for Good is the seventh studio album and first comeback album by German duo Modern Talking, originally released in 1998, following the reunion of the duo after a hiatus of over 10 years.

Back for Good consists of eighteen tracks including new versions of 11 previous singles, four new songs, two remixes and a medley. The album stayed at # one on the German charts for five consecutive weeks and managed to reach the top of the charts in fifteen countries. It became the fifth best sold album of that year worldwide and is one of the best-selling Modern Talking albums ever.

Back For Good is available on black vinyl and includes an insert.

Back for Good is the seventh studio album and first comeback album by German duo Modern Talking, originally released in 1998, following the reunion of the duo after a hiatus of over 10 years.

Back for Good consists of eighteen tracks including new versions of 11 previous singles, four new songs, two remixes and a medley. The album stayed at # one on the German charts for five consecutive weeks and managed to reach the top of the charts in fifteen countries. It became the fifth best sold album of that year worldwide and is one of the best-selling Modern Talking albums ever.

Back For Good is available on black vinyl and includes an insert.

Fresh summer feeling with The Rebel and Pablo Ruiz on
Legofunk 7"

Question: How do you create a perfect newly recorded modern soul masterpiece that sounds authentically mid 70s?

Answer: You have KIM TIBBS write, sing, play, produce and record it at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, TN., with Lawrence Boo Mitchell at the controls.

Add the most talented of musicians playing Fender Rhodes, Hammond Organ, four electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, percussion, trombone, trumpet, tenor saxophone, bari saxophone, four violins, two violas, a cello and four backing vocalists. VOILÀ! The flip is cut at 33RPM so you can experience the full version of WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU? in all it’s glory on a 7”!

On the STAR CREATURE distributed DISKOVER RECORDS this 5 track EP finds MUNIR (AKA MIDNIGHT RUNNERS) on a deep dive global disco adventure. MUNIR unearthed, tuned, toned and freaked these tracks. Space, Italo, Freak Out, Punk Funk, and Love Boat. With jacket. Don't sleep on this one.

In February of 1976 Eddie Carmichael left the group “The Voshays” after catching the bandleader/manager stealing from the band. Derry Shepherd and Duncan Bethel left at that time also. About a week later I asked Derry if he would be interested in starting another band and he said sure. At that point Duncan Bethel agreed to participate and he recruited his friend Flynn Emanuel to play trombone. Derry was the manager of the cafeteria at Sears Department Stores in The Pompano Fashion Square Mall and he met Sandy Ficca who was the manager at Chess King Men’s Clothing Store in the same mall. Sandy also agreed to join the group and we auditioned bass players and chose Dave Segal and only one keyboard player auditioned and that was Bob Groszer. We now had all of the personnel for the group and we commenced rehearsing in the recreation center in Pompano Beach, FL at Westside Park. We did a few “Chitlin’ Circuit“ gigs to fine tune the band and music and then moved over to the beach circuit. While there we would perform spring and summer months at “The Ocean Mist” on the Strip in Fort Lauderdale, FL and for the fall and winter months the Big Daddy’s 8600 Club on Miami Beach. After 18 months of constant gigging I suggested that the band go into the studio and record some original music. Now all we needed was some serious financial support and songs. I met a man by the name of Jerry Bullard and convinced him to back the project. We formed our own independent label “Get Off Records” and publishing company “Situated Music”. At that point Dave Segal and Sandy Ficca left the group and Bruce Saddler who was the drummer for The Voshays joined us on the drums for the first two recordings. Sandy Ficca returned as drummer and brought in his old friend and bandmate Daryl Walker to play Bass on five of the six remaining songs. We recorded the entire album in five days at SRS Studios and Triad Studios both in Fort Lauderdale, FL in August of 1977. The first single “Give It Up (Let Yo Funk Fly Free) was a winner released only in the New York tri state area where in two weeks it reached number 16 in the top 100 and was poised to go number one nationwide on the R&B charts in the next two weeks. Henry Stone, owner of TK Records in Hialeah, FL wanted to sign the group as did many other major record labels including Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. But the usual problems of the music business reared its ugly head and the record was pulled from all radio airplay and the group who became disenfranchised with the business of the industry decided to call it quits. Derry Shephard went into Gospel Music production, Sandy Ficca went on to become the drummer for the Pop/Rock recording artists “Firefall”. Daryl Walker is a session player and music teacher, I did studio sessions and played in several cover bands and toured internationally. Bob Groszer toured with Sly Stone and other legendary recording artists. Dave Segal went on to start New York Bass Works in New York. Flynn Manuel became a music teacher in The Broward County School District and Bruce Saddler and Duncan Bethel left the Music industry completely. We were young and not good business people at that time and did not understand the rules of do’s and don’ts of the music industry. But we had three talented songwriters, a great arranger, a killer band and all the financial support that we needed. Looking back if we only had an experienced manager I truly believe Mirror would have gone on to create some great music over the years that followed.
Peace and love all the time,

For almost 5 decades, The Chocolate Buttermilk Band, led by Larry Akles, has been one of the busiest and most successful cover and backing bands in the Southern United States and has been touring as the Temptations backing band for years. While they’re little known outside the region, their handful of singles from the early 1980s are, for record collectors, among the best and most desirable in modern soul and boogie funk. So what happened when the pandemic hit? Larry Akles got bored and decided to get the band back in the studio to record a new joint “No Money - No Honey”. He actually thought about writing this song way back when serving in Vietnam…. The result is an infectious boogie funk tune that bring us straight back to the original Chocolate Buttermilk Band classic funk sound. Massive! On the B side, just for good measure we’ve added “Mr. LSD”, another hitter from one of the rarest of the rarest 7” from the band. This Past Due Records release comes with a full sleeve and is strictly limited to 300 copies. Don’t sleep!

Geraldine Hunt's 1980 classic "Cant Fake The Feeling" gets the remix treatment from none other than Carl Cox. Featuring 2 new mixes from Carl plus the original and the highly useful dub.

"Can't Fake The Feeling" held the #1 spot of the Billboard Dance chart for several weeks in 1980 and sounds as fresh as ever... Carl Cox needs no introduction with a career dating 4 decades and still going strong. Oh yes.

Includes the Brazilian boogie anthem 'Estrelar', Marcos Valle's biggest hit from the 80s and one of the most celebrated songs in his entire career. The album is full of soaring disco tracks, killer vocal boogie numbers andblissing instrumentals over a well-balanced tracklist that satisfies both the listening p leasure and the dancefloor needs. Essential! - Marcos Valle is one of the few artists you cannot miss if you have the slightest interest in Brazilian music. Whether your taste is focused on bossa jazz, samba, psych folk or soul, Valle has surely recorded a great album for you. By the late 60s he had already put out enough quality records to secure a place within the top Brazilian songwriters of all time, but his career luckily did not stop there and he continued releasing amazing music over the following decades until this day. He settled in Los Angeles in the mid-70s, tired of living under Brazil's military dictatorship, and started to collaborate with such talented artists as Leon Ware or Chicago. This self-titled LP from 1983 is the follow-up to the great "Vontade de rever você" (1981) and his second album after moving back to Brazil. It shows all the music influences received during his US years, especially boogie, soul and funk, featuring stellar collaborators: Lincoln Olivetti & Robson Jorge on keyboards and guitar and Leon Ware on backing vocals. The opening track, the Brazilian boogie anthem 'Estrelar', is devoted to workout exercises under the sun and Valle pictures a beach lifestyle and summertime vibe across the entire album that pretty much describes his surfing days in Southern California.

Exclusive Limited Blue Splattered Coloured Edition (200/300 ww copies via 375Media/Cargo), Presented in facsimile artwork and pressed on 180g vinyl.

When Daniel Grau, Venezuelan producer and musician, achieved his first success in 1974 with "Dejando volar el pensamiento" he personally brought the tapes from his home studio to Caracas radio stations. On his own, with all his singles, great legendary songs like "El tren del espacio" (1978), "Atlantis" (1979) and "El León Bailarín" (1980), to name a few, described by many as the "magic sound of Daniel Grau" were made almost artisanal and self–promoted. Through 10 years of productive work from 1974 to 1984, he never imagined the ups and downs ahead of him and much less that his country would suffer a future debacle that would lead it to a downward spiral. His abrupt silence in the mid–80s after 9 magnificent albums is still an enigma. What happened to Daniel Grau? Where is he now? El Palmas Music, a new record label in Barcelona may finally bring the answer to you: Grau has been always there, he’s still alive and running, and never stopped composing in the same home studio where he started 45 years ago.

Having contacted Grau, El Palmas was allowed to access his current work, and finally decided to end with his long silence. In this, his first release as a record label, they bring to life a completely unpublished work of Daniel Grau. "El Mágico Mundo de Daniel Grau" (2019) presents 8 new songs to give him back a voice. This album offers a fusion between Space Disco and Smooth Jazz that connects us directly with his previous work, however, on this basis Grau is building an amalgam of styles resulting from his experience over these years, freeing his work from any classifications. El Mágico Mundo evades the vacuous exactitude and automatism like water to oil, Grau offers a humanized sound from synthesizers and sampling of instruments, music that he has played, sweated and, definitively, lived in the flesh. Different ingredients come and go introducing us to a singular world, the "magical world" where Grau wants to tell us something, we find his old footsteps and his new elements touch us, pop synths are suddenly colored with textures, reminiscent of the disco era piano are wrapped between brushstrokes and ornaments of funk and soft rock. In general, Grau invites us to a sensory reconnection with sounds that he has collected in his head for 30 years, striking elements that we can imagine as a living thing against a world almost numbed by the automation of production tools. The album is released in vinyl LP and has been produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Daniel Grau under the executive production of Maurice Aymard.
Two singles are extracted from the album whose sounds summarize this proposal immediately. ’Freedom’, the first cut, is a sensorial journey in smooth jazz where a delicate progression of chords serves as the basis for the succession of different phrases of synthesizers, an almost libertine hedonism from start to finish that features a video made by Grilled Cheese Studio. The second one ’Dance with me’, opens the doors to a world of disco music, but in the Grau way, oneiric, synthesized, spacey, located in a crack between decades, 80’s and 90’s, synth imaginings of funky brass, pianos and strings apparently made for dance floors that dialogue with reverberant guitars and sampler textures.
El Palmas Music in this inaugural release wants to return Daniel Grau to music, allowing him to continue offering us new sensory experiences, as long as time permits. Although it is his first record after years of silence, Grau shows us that he has never been exactly still, nothing is further from reality, he is active and his challenging personality is intact.

SUPER RARE AND IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND

FIRST EVER WORLDWIDE REISSUE

Equally renowned for her song writing as much as her amazingly sultry soul vocals, Barbara Mason was widely known for her early solo ‘60s hits as well as her ‘70s collabs with the likes of Curtis Mayfield before her late ‘70s/early ‘80s disco/boogie dancefloor phase…but the heads at Selector series have unearthed a never released LP of classic cover gems from this evergreen diva of Soul. Limited press.

Mori Ra strikes back at MM Discos with "Gaia Edits", after the successful release back in May on the label of the "portuñol" duo, Da Silva and Dj Katah welcome again Osaka's best record collector with 4 new high quality editions.
Staying loyal to his eclecticism, Mori Ra approaches this time a lil more to the dancefloor by doing a more hedonistic work than his previous release on "MM Discos" , an exuberant "disco-no-disco" exercise mixed with ethnic references, wicked percussion, charming marimbas and an endless of psychedelic elements. A record done for the soul; spiritual, mystic, highly addictive and 100% danceable.

A very special release where the Japanese artist has involved his son who helped with choosing the sound source for this record.

Enjoy the trip! :)

One of the bangers of Dave Haffners amazing disco with a feeling comp on 45, one of San Diego's finest independent disco 45s. Make sure and check the LP on the incredible Cordial Records, with unreleased tracks.

SUPER LIMITED NEW PPF AMMO !!

Reliable as ever, the PPF return with a fresh batch of club-ready ammunition from their secret stash !!
Something a little more than an edit, but still flirting dangerously between acceptable sampling & straight up sonic shop-lifting
Four more certified floor-fillers from the vaults...

Kenny Lynch was a popular singer, songwriter, actor and all-round entertainer. A self-styled “black cockney”, Kenny was one of the few people of Caribbean origin prominent in the British entertainment industry during the ‘60s and ‘70s.

During his musical career, Kenny released a number of Top 10 singles, including a version of ‘Up on the Roof’ (1962), competing with the original by the Drifters. He composed and co-wrote songs recorded by Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black, the Drifters and the Everly Brothers. He also worked briefly as a songwriter at the Brill Building in New York.

Whilst probably best known as a prolific Pop Crooner during the earlier part of his acting and musical career, we must not forget his stomping disco success of the early eighties, released under British-borne Satril Records. “Half The Day’s Gone, and We Haven’t Earne’d a Penny” was a milestone moment for British Disco. Produced by Kenny himself at Satril Studios, London 1983, this record still encompasses that organic late-70s disco sound, with true instrumentation and minimalist electronic synth elements.

This is the album’s first ever repress since 1983 and has been remastered in high-definition from the original analogue tapes. Pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl, this is one not to be missed. Limited to 500 copies only.

We can't think of many other performers like the singer/songwriter/dancer/actress Asha Puthli who have excelled in such a broad range of genres. From 60s psych, Classical Indian music, Free Jazz, Pop, Soul, Disco, to Rock, the list goes on. A 'best-of' or an 'essential collection' is always going to be a subjective thing, but for what is unbelievably the first official compilation covering the full breadth of Asha's illustrious career, we aimed to provide a snapshot into her ever-evolving musical journey and a tribute to the vast richness of her catalogue.

Some singers want to be famous, others are pop star icons, and some are artists; Asha is the latter. Asha is a true force of nature, regardless of the genre she explores, she fully commits, moves on, and reinvents herself, always progressing. Looking back on Asha's career, it is evident what a trail-blazer she was, opening doors for her contemporaries and those who came later to step through. Whether it was conscious or not, you can recognise Asha’s influence in aspects of Kate Bush's ethereal image and performance, in Donna Summer’s high-smooth vocal sound and disco stylings, and in the gumption and power of Grace Jones.

Kick-starting the compilation is ‘Pain’, the Indian psychedelic garage rock sounds of The Savages featuring Asha. We have to admit, we had to strongarm Asha into letting us include this track at first; also due to its rare nature (and lack of any master tapes) the recording we present here is raw and low-fi. However, we felt its inclusion was important to fully represent the journey of Asha's career, the same consideration was also applied to two of the Asha & The Surfers’ songs that we have included in this collection.

Asha saw a link between jazz and classical Indian music "the improvisation, the minor chords, the free form, the liberalness of the art" we showcase her love of jazz here with seminal works with the legendary Ornette Coleman, taken from the revered 'Science Fiction’ album. Asha's 'CBS years' are represented here, how could we not include 'Space Talk' on this collection, and how these years progressed into her amazing disco offerings such as 'I'm Gonna Dance' & 'Music Machine'. The bizarre 'We're Gonna Bury The Rock With The Roll Tonight' from 1980 has also won us over. A pseudo-50s throw-back song that sounds not un-similar to the post-modern, leftfield, pop of an MIA production to come years later. Rounding off the compilation we have Asha's interpretation of a Michael Jackson classic that sat lost on a cassette-only released in India.

“Punk’s new heroine” Louisahhh presents The Practice of Freedom, her debut album born from experiences of loss and love, told through a journey of brutally beautiful electronics, electro and techno colliding with industrial, rock and alternative sounds. Set for release on March 12th, it captures the identity of Louisahhh exquisitely, and is a record of our times, covering themes ranging from eroticism and empowerment to addiction and apocalypse, whilst finding a perfect home on the polysexual polymath label HE.SHE.THEY.

“I find typically that music is a premonition, that I think it’s about something when it’s being made and it winds up being a prayer galvanizing me”. New York born, Paris based Louisahhh describes her creative process channelling her outlook based on DIY punk ethics, inclusivity and spirituality. Set upon a path of recovery from addiction at a young age, she has transformed her life challenges into art that celebrates her rebirth and forges struggles into assets. Embracing the diverse nature of the underground, she is an active feminist and champions female and LGBTQIA+ talent in the industry. Heading up the RAAR label alongside close friend Maëlstrom, she has hammered out a reputation for bold, raw anti-establishment music.

Building on their growing release schedule, HE.SHE.THEY. founders Steven Braines and Sophia Kearney were delighted to have the Practice of Freedom as the inaugural album release, “if there was ever an album that epitomised why we started the label it’s surely this; a raw, intelligent, soul bearing and genre defying debut that never dilutes or shies away from its vision and purpose. In other words, true artistry”.

The Practice of Freedom heralds the evolution of Louisahhh as she delivers her most exposing work yet, with the album's conception coming from an exploration of the unorthodox archetype 'feminist submissive', based on the mantra “sin is not being true to yourself”. The album produced by American musician, music video director and photographer Vice Cooler sees ideas and lyrics by Louisahhh re-contextualised into revolutionary experimental sounds, formed through their shared love of American alternative rock.

Lead single Love is a Punk opens the album with Louisahhh’s powerful vocal delivery that demands attention alongside marching drums and tells a story of the disruptive, ferocious nature of love. The sound of helicopter blades combines with crunchy electro distortions on the feminist anthem Like a Shot, simmering and bubbling with dynamic energy. A swarm of bees opens Chaos, before moving into a heavy, chugging rock piece that sees influences of Nine Inch Nails and Judith Butler come to the fore.

A pounding kick and fuzzy bass hit straight to the chest on Ferocious (Contained), vocals inspired by Patti Smith melt and absorb as the intensity grows before glowing synths rise out of the darkness in an emotive climax. Master sees Louisahhh at her most honest and vulnerable, a dramatic BDSM ballad featuring compelling lyrics that cut through the listener with unique vigour, this is a new kind of love song. No Pressure is aggressive and uncompromising with steely percussion and headbanging electronics, sure to chew up and spit out any dance floor in its wake.

The pace lowers on Not Dead; murky, cold chords repeat over words of god and death to create an eerie, cinematic atmosphere. Louisahhh tells how a close bereavement shaped the album “the grieving process was new and profound, through this crack in my heart a new capacity for love was able to pour in, unexpectedly.” Unrelenting with barking dogs, gun-fire, industrial machines and demonic screams Numb, Undone is one of the hardest tracks on offer and is an all-out dystopian anthem with an accompanying video due for release in February. Corruptor carries a galvanising force where the club and punk again meet head-on with massive rave synths twisting and turning over violent crashing cymbals. Haunting melancholic techno features on A Hard No with more authentic lyrics poured from the soul. Hunter/Wolf closes the album with an anarchic, beatless track that engulfs like a thunderstorm, leaving you with Louisahhh’s unconventional spirituality ingrained in the mind as the tempest of the record recedes, a fitting, powerful finale.

As an activist who stands for and embodies female power and sex-positivity, Louisahhh, also known as Louisa Pillot, is much more than just a DJ and producer. Her career kicked off in 2011 following the success of Your Everything with Danny Daze, French techno producer Brodinski reached out to Louisahhh asking her to move to France and become part of Bromance Records. It was here that she met collaborator Maëlstrom, bonding over their love of authentic European techno and ferocious punk ethos. Together they started the RAAR label and have since released a series of sonic tornados including records Silence Is Violence, Winter and Ascender. Not content with music alone, she currently hosts a podcast series called Sober Sex with friend Rose Romain, focusing on conversations of self-integrity, sexuality and creativity. Louisahhh’s music fights for and provides a voice for others, rooted equally in the intensity of the dancefloor and the mosh pit. As an artist at the forefront of the a new dawn of musical feminism, like her uncompromising musical heroes Karen O, Siouxsie Sioux and Shirley Manson before her, Louisahhh’s powerful and fearless message is set to be unleashed on the world via The Practice of Freedom and will mark her as punk’s essential new heroine. In her words “more love in this world, please, punks”.

Adeen Records 007 proudly continues to deliver more of the quality music you like. This time, producer Camille (real name Jason Wilkins) teams up with the legendary Chez Damier for a hand picked selection of 70's and 80's hidden Dance ,Funk and Disco gems retouched and edited by Adeen's own Nico Lahs. From one of Chez's selections of Coco Kane, to Camille's Gator Bait, Nico Lahs breathes bouncy party-like vibes into each of the 8 cuts. Whether you know these tracks or not, you'll fall in love with them for the first time, or all over again.

Mannequin Records presents a new press of Decadance "On And On (Fears Keep On)", one of the most iconic underground Italo-wave track ever.

Produced by Franco Rago & Gigi Farina, the masterminds behind cult italo disco projects 'Lectric Workers, Wanexa, Expansives, Atelier Folie, Peter Richard and many more, the single was originally released in 1983 by Proto Records.

Permeated by a dark a eerie synths, a perfectly programmed Roland TR-808 and an outstanding analog production, "On and On (Fears Keep On)" belongs to what we like to define "dark italo disco" or "italo wave". Here's there's an extra touch of cosmic / interstellar feeling, sharing the same feelings (and the same synthetic hardware) of "Spacer Woman". Not a intergalactic travel this time, but the wait for somebody to come from the sky.

Do you know when the time is coming Dark light on the horizon When the people they come With the glowing eyes Look down on me

The best year for Italo Disco music from a true Italo lover's standpoint is without a doubt 1983. The list is endless and really impressive. We could mention Gaznevada, N.O.I.A., Kano, Finzy Kontini, Gary Low, Gazebo, Righeira.. but let's keep the focus more in the "underground" hits: Mr. Flagio, Charlie, Casco, B.W.H., Roberto Onofri & Dee Jay Program Band, Amin Peck, Paul Paul, Fred Ventura, International Music System, Kirlian Camera, My Mine and, to cut the long story short, Decadance.