2Pac - The Best Of Part 1:Thug & Part 2:Life (UMC)

Part 1: Thug Gatefold Double Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
Part 2: Life Gatefold Double Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
Part 1 & 2 £44.99 Add to basket

Originally released in 2007 the two packages, ‘Thug’ and ‘Life’ feature a mix of 2Pac classics and some never before on Vinyl material, as well as the posthumous version of ‘Dear Mama,’ featuring Anthony Hamilton. ‘Resist The Temptation,’ on Thug and ‘Dopefiend’s Diner’ on Life appear on vinyl for the first time.

Beastie Boys - Some Old Bullshit (Universal)

180g Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

Some Old Bullshit is a compilation album by the Beastie Boys released in 1994. It compiles several of their early EPs, recorded in the early 1980s. These recordings present a sound radically different from that of the hip-hop sound generally associated with the band. Instead, these songs represent the band's part in the early New York hardcore scene. The album also features taped segments originally heard on Noise the Show, a popular hardcore radio show on WNYU in New York that played early recordings from the Beastie Boys. These segments feature the hyperbolic introductions of Noise the Show's host, Tim Sommer, an early supporter of the band.

Aesop Rock - Appleseed EP (Rhymesayers)

Vinyl EP £19.99 Add to basket
CD £10.99 Add to basket

The explosion of indie Hip Hop labels in the early 90s resulted in an ongoing snowball effect that started to shift the narrative around an artist's need to sign to a major label. Coincidentally, quality home recording equipment was also becoming more easily accessible and, with the rising popularity of CD-R technology, this allowed artists to write, record, and manufacture their own albums right at home.

Appleseed was a highly celebrated and influential release from that era, cementing Aesop Rock as a new face whose talent could not be denied. The album explores creative concepts with inventive writing and stripped-down yet melodic and melancholic production. Six out of the eight songs were produced by Aesop Rock, with Omega One producing “Sick Friend” and longtime collaborator Blockhead handling “1000 Deaths”, and the project's sole guest lyricist was Doseone.

The DIY process was followed in every aspect, as Aesop himself recalls, “I did the Appleseed hand style while working at Tepper Galleries in NYC. The cover was made at Kinko’s. The first Appleseed CD’s were CD-R’s I duped at home and sold from my backpack at an MF DOOM show at Brownies, which was right below my apartment at the time. I continued to sell hand to hand in NY, while Blockhead started fielding some mail orders from a young internet. People would send us cash or a check, and he’d cut the covers out and mail them off.“

The two of them were able to move a couple thousand CDs that way before turning their attention to newer projects, particularly Float in Aesop’s case. As a result, Appleseed went out of print for many years before resurfacing as a merch item on tour. However, in all that time it was only available on CD, directly from Aesop.

Finally, 21 years after its debut, Appleseed officially returns, now available on all digital platforms, as well as on vinyl for the first time!

DIG Magazines

Vol 1 (Issues 1-3) £7.00 Add to basket
Issue 10 (Wild Style Special) £3.50 Add to basket
Dig Deeper Issue (Hip Hop Special)£3.50 Add to basket

Celebrating the musical discoveries of some of the best diggers out there.

More issues in Books/Mags

Celebrating 50 Years of Philadelphia International Records

The Best of Lou Rawls Vinyl LP £17.99 Add to basket
The Best of Teddy Pendergrass Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket
The Best of Billy Paul Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
The Best of The O'Jays Double Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
The Best of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Vinyl LP £17.99 Add to basket
The Best of The Intruders Vinyl LP £17.99 Add to basket

Lou Rawls (December 1, 1933 - January 6, 2006) was an American record producer, singer, composer and actor. Rawls released more than 60 albums, sold more than 40 million records. Talk about Groovy People.

Teddy Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American singer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he initially rose to musical fame as the lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. After leaving the group in 1976, Pendergrass launched a successful solo career under the Philadelphia International label, releasing five consecutive platinum albums (a record at the time for an African-American R&B artist). Pendergrass's career was suspended after a March 1982 car crash left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Pendergrass continued his successful solo career until announcing his retirement in 2007. Pendergrass died from respiratory failure in January 2010.

Billy Paul (December 1, 1934 - April 24, 2016), known professionally as Billy Paul, was a Grammy Award-winning American soul singer, known for his 1972 No. 1 single "Me and Mrs. Jones", as well as the 1973 album and single War of the Gods, which blends his more conventional pop, soul, and funk styles with electronic and psychedelic influences. At a night spot or a show when he sang the song "Me and Mrs. Jones", people go crazy because they love it so much.

The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1958 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert (born June 16, 1942), Walter Lee Williams (born August 25, 1943), William Powell (January 20, 1942 - May 26, 1977), Bobby Massey (born 1942, Canton) and Bill Isles (January 4, 1941 - March 28, 2019). The O'Jays emerged at the forefront of Philadelphia soul with "Back Stabbers" (1972), and topped the US Billboard Hot 100 the following year with "Love Train." Several other US R&B hits followed, and The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2013 they were inducted into National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an American soul and R&B vocal group. One of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s, the group's repertoire included soul, R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the middle of the 1950s as The Charlemagnes, the group is most noted for several hits on Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International label between 1972 and 1976, although they performed and recorded until Melvin's death in 1997. Despite group founder and original lead singer Harold Melvin's top billing, the Blue Notes' most famous member was Teddy Pendergrass, their lead singer during the successful years at Philadelphia International. The remaining members of the Blue Notes have reunited for Soul Train Cruises in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

The Intruders are an American soul music group most popular in the 1960s and 1970s. As one of the first groups to have hit songs under the direction of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, they were a major influence on the development of Philadelphia soul. The Intruders are also noted for having 24 R&B chart hits, including 6 R&B Top Tens, and 14 chart hits in the Billboard Hot 100, including their signature song, the million-selling Top 10 smash, "Cowboys to Girls."

Jam Baxter - Obscure Liquers (Blah Records)

Heavyweight Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

The maiden solo album by Jam Baxter on Blah Records. Entirely produced by master Sumgii.

Following on from the 2019 collaboration album between Jam Baxter and Lee Scott; 'Happy Hour at the Super Fun Time Party Dome Megamix 3000', Baxter returns to Blah, this time with a fully-fledged solo offering to truly cement him as a member of the Blah Records family.

Legendary producer Sumgii does not disappoint with his trademark experimental, electronic urban soundscapes which complement Baxter's vivid poetic imagery perfectly.

The Revues - Take Me For A Little While (Colemine)

7" Vinyl £7.99 Add to basket

A. Take Me For A Little While / B. Carino Nuevo

Rough & tough from beat one, Cosa Records is extremely proud to present to you The Revues! Exploring the Texas ballroom revue scene of the 1960's, The Revues' first offering is this updated take on the classic Royal Jesters cut.

On the flip side, The Revues take on the classic song "Carino Nuevo", features a fresh arrangement of the quintessential version played by Sunny Ozuna. By blending elements of Texas and California soul, the Revues breath new life into this classic bolero. Led by vocalist La Marisoul, her soulful voice adds a depth and tenderness to Sunny's version. This take is an ode to the Tejano ballrooms that pervaded across much of the Southwest during the mid-20th century. Late nights, bar fights, broken hearts, and soulful music that provided a soundtrack to the lives of hard working Mexican-American families.

Aaron Frazer - Over You (Colemine)

Translucent Gold 7" Vinyl £7.99 Add to basket

A. Over You / B. Have Mercy

We’re so excited to present this burner of a 45 from Aaron Frazer, both tracks taken from his debut album Introducing… produced by Dan Auerbach. It’s hard to ask more from a 45: an absolute scorcher of an A-side in “Over You” and the soft plead on the B-side in “Have Mercy”.

“Over You” is telling of the collaboration between Frazer and Auerbach. “‘Over You’ is inspired by the legendary northern soul 45s that electrified dance floors across the UK in the 1960s,” says Aaron. “Breakneck speeds and breakbeat drums challenged even the best dancers to pull out all the stops. Lyrically, ‘Over You’ captures a moment of despair in the darkest hour of a breakup. But sometimes to feel better, you just gotta shake your ass.”

PRESALE - Secret Night Gang - The Sun / Journey (Brownswood Recordings)

Vinyl 12" + 3D Glasses £10.99 Add to basket

Estimated dispatch date: 27th August 2021.

Handpicked by Gilles Peterson from Manchester’s vibrant live music scene, and newly signed to Brownswood, 2021 set to be the main stage for them to breeze on to the scene, as a multi-generational band breathing new life into the classic British street-soul sound, founded by singer/song-writer Kemani Anderson, multi-instrumentalist and song-writer Callum Connell and Manchester music scene stalwart Stuart Whitehead.

Debut track ‘The Sun’ was inspired by a poem written by Callum Connell at the top of Greenwich Park viewpoint looking over the infamous London cityscape as the sun set. At the time the band were writing and arranging separately with Callum & Kemani living in South London while they attended Trinity Laban (following in the footsteps of many of the UK’s young Jazz prodigies). Eventually, they congregated for a fateful recording session at Blueprint studios in Manchester, that would be the amalgamation of their individual processes, to create ‘The Sun’. Inspired by four bass chords flowing like a stream of consciousness, Callum’s poem sprung to life as the centrepiece of the track, with the melody being polished and refined by Kemani on keys and vocals. The result is an invigorating debut produced by influential music producer and sound engineer Yvonne Ellis (Simply Red & Swing Out Sister). Kemani coins this sound as “spiritual and healing” whilst Callum shares “The Sun’ is a powerful and uplifting song that can take you on a spiritual journey but also make you reflect on everyday life.”

PRESALE - Joel Culpepper - Sgt Culpepper (Mr Bongo)

Gold Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
CD £10.99 Add to basket

Estimated dispatch date: 23rd July 2021.

Hailing from south-east London, Joel Culpepper is an artist who’s been on Mr Bongo's radar for some time now. With a unique soulful voice and explosive showmanship, Joel’s star is rising.

Executive production by Swindle, and co-productions from Tom Misch, Redinho, Guy Chambers, Shawn Lee and more.

His sonic palette blends an array of genres and influences, that looks back to the greats whilst simultaneously absorbing London’s contemporary musical landscape. His charismatic Colors Studios performance of ‘Woman', the standout cut from Joel’s 2017 EP ‘Tortoise’, has amassed over 13 million views on YouTube (and counting).

Joel's debut album, 'Sgt Culpepper’, is an incredible modern soul album and the product of a two-year undertaking which saw him attract an array of respected producers and musicians from the UK and beyond, a testament to the reputation he had already built as a dynamic songwriter and performer among his contemporaries. With executive production from Swindle (Ezra Collective, Mahalia), mastering from Joker (Stormzy, Kojey Radical) and with co-productions that include the likes of legendary pop producer Guy Chambers, Raf Rundell (The 2 Bears), Shawn Lee (Saint Etienne, Kelis), and Tom Misch, Sgt Culpepper is a demonstration of the power of community, mingling self-reflection with wider social commentary. The record is split into four chapters: The Battle, which includes previous singles ‘W.A.R’ and ‘Return’, The Surrender, embodied by recent single ‘Poetic Justice’; The Love and The Lesson.

Oddisee - The Iceberg Reissue (Melloe Music Group)

Black & White Pinwheel Edition Reissue Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket

The prolific MC, producer and musician Oddisee’s album ‘The Iceberg’ is a plea for humanity to dig deeper in search of understanding and common ground. ‘The Iceberg’ is a distillation of stereotypical tropes in hip-hop and beyond, 12 tracks about money, sex, politics, race and religion that appear superficial until his multi-dimensional lyrics unfurl to expose the complexities of individuality and identity; how we see ourselves and how others see us. Deeply soulful, and shot through with jazz, Go-go, gospel, thick R&B and hard beats, the album is a timely, poetic statement. Oddisee has released two studio albums, several EP’s, mixtapes, and instrumental albums, and has over 30 million plays on Spotify. He’s been profiled by NPR, the Washington Post, praised by Pitchfork and Stereogum, performed on NPR’s Tiny Desk, Red Bull Sound Select, and at festivals including Glastonbury and Sasquatch. ‘The Iceberg’ follows two releases in 2016, the ‘Alwasta EP’ and the instrumentals album ‘The Odd Tape.’ His 2015 full-length ‘The Good Fight’ was a top five album on the iTunes Hip Hop/Rap chart and he was #5 on Billboard’s Next Big Sound Chart.

Patrice Rushen – Straight From The Heart (Strut Reissue)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

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

Recorded during Elektra’s drive for ‘sophisticated dance music’ as many jazz artists created their own arrangements of disco and boogie, the sessions marked a progression for Patrice as she began exploring sonics as much as songwriting. “I was looking at different ways to experiment with the sounds on my records. Synths widened the palette available to us.”
Singles from the album included ‘Breakout!’, ‘Number One’ and the global hit ‘Forget Me Nots’. “Bassist Freddie Washington played the bassline during a jam at my family’s house. I caught it, we kept messing around with the groove, then I developed the lyrics and chorus. It was just about recognising that moment when it came up.”

“When I delivered the album to the label, the A&R said, ‘we don’t like anything on here.’ I realised quickly that they would give us no support so producer Charles Mims, myself and Freddie decided to engage a promotion company ourselves to start working the single. Although it took a while to pick up support, it paid off.” The single hit no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1982 and the album became Patrice’s best seller globally from her time with Elektra / Asylum, securing a Grammy nomination. In more recent years, the album has become a regular source for samples in the world of hip hop and R&B. Most famously, Will Smith’s theme for the film ‘Men In Black’ and George Michael’s ‘Fastlove’ were both based, to varying degrees, on ‘Forget Me Nots’.

All tracks remastered from the original tapes by Technology Works.

PRESALE - Kenny Burell – Midnight Blue (BLUE NOTE)

Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket

Estimated dispatch date: 20th August 2021

Guitarist Kenny Burrell debuted on Blue Note Records in 1956 and over the following seven years made a series of excellent albums for the label that culminated with his masterwork Midnight Blue. Recorded in 1963, the album waded deep into the blues, conjuring an alluring late-night vibe with a profoundly soulful cast including tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, Jr., drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on congas. Burrell originals including “Chitlins con Carne,” “Midnight Blue,” “Saturday Night Blues,” and the stunning solo guitar piece “Soul Lament” set the tone for this timeless classic adorned by one of the all-time great Reid Miles cover designs. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

TRACKLIST

1. Chitlins Con Carne (Side A)
2. Mule (Side A)
3. Soul Lament (Side A)
4. Midnight Blue (Side B)
5. Wavy Gravy (Side B)
6. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You (Side B)
7. Saturday Night Blues (Side B)

PRESALE - Grant Green – Idle Moments (BLUE NOTE)

Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket

Estimated dispatch date: 20th August 2021

Time and troubles seem to melt away during the fifteen enrapturing minutes of “Idle Moments,” the opening track of Grant Green’s sublime 1963 album of the same name. As the piece unhurriedly unfurls all the unique colours of the ensemble present themselves with Green’s soulful guitar joined by Duke Pearson’s elegant piano, Bobby Hutcherson’s crystalline vibraphone, Bob Cranshaw’s reassuring upright bass, Al Harewood’s subtle drums, and Joe Henderson’s magnificent tenor saxophone. The pace quickens for the rest of this tremendous set including the nimble Green original “Jean de Fleur,” a bluesy take on John Lewis’ MJQ standard “Django,” and a driving performance of Pearson’s original “Nomad.” This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

TRACKLIST

1. Idle Moments (Side A)
2. Jean De Fleur (Side A)
3. Django (Side B)
4. Nomad (Side B)

PRESALE - Holy Hive - Holy Hive (Big Crown)

Clear Pink & Blue Splatter Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
CD £11.99 Add to basket

Estimated dispatch date: 24th September 2021.

In 2020 Brooklyn's Holy Hive introduced us all to something we didn't know we needed. Homer Steinweiss' thickly pocketed drumming paired with Paul Spring's floaty falsetto vocal produces a sound that's like a salve. It's been dubbed Folk Soul and Holy Hive not only expertly overlay the more apparent musical aspects of folk and soul but they also draw from the more profound: being able to pull traditions from the past and make them their own. When Homer wasn't playing drums for Lady Gaga or Adele or Bruno Mars, he'd produce Paul's solo folk records. Along with original bassist and frequent collaborator Joe Harrison, these sessions proved to be Holy Hive's foundation. And their first record, Float Back to You, expertly combined what each musician does best: Paul's heady, reflective approach to folk with Homer's universal classic soul sound.

With their new record released on Big Crown, Holy Hive's beautifully simple-and-sparse Folk Soul sound is back but updated. With new influences and the challenge of creating and capturing music during a global pandemic, this new self-titled album, is more personal, more reflective.

Track Listing
SIDE A: 1. Color It Easy 2. Story Of My Life 3. Golden Crown 4. Aint That The Way 5. Runaways 6. Deadly Valentine 7. I Don’t Envy Yesterdays

SIDE B: 1. A Wind Rose 2. All I’d Be Is Where You Are 3. Great Chains 4. Cynthia’s Meditation 5. Brooklyn Ferry 6. Circling The Surface 7. Starless 8. Star Crossed

PRESALE - Damu The Fudgemunk - Conversation Peace (Def Presse Editions)

Powder Blue Vinyl LP £22.99 Add to basket
Black Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
Gatefold CD £10.99 Add to basket

Estimated dispatch date: 3rd September 2021

With a decade and a half professionally in the music business Damu the Fudgemunk's new album Conversation Peace sets a new career milestone. Partnering with London label Def Pressé and the historic KPM Music Library in London, UK, the DC based producer embraced the opportunity of a lifetime. In early 2020 Damu was given access to KPM's entire catalog of music and sound effects dating back to the 1950's. Honored, eager and inspired, Damu took on the task of scouring KPM's extensive library for the perfect components to create this album. Composed and recorded during the eventful past year, Conversation Peace is as intellectually engaging as is musically and creatively entertaining. Following a string of collaborative albums in the past few years including his jazz album Ocean Bridges with Archie Shepp & Raw Poetic, Conversation Peace marks the Fudgemunk's first official solo album since 2017. Several guest appearances from Blu, Raw Poetic, Nitty Scott and Insight offer additional personality and perspective throughout 40 plus minutes. Combined with material from KPM, Damu’s personal production library and live instruments, the palette for this work offers a range of textures, tempos, vibes and grooves.

This record is also the first volume in a new KPM/EMI and Def Pressé series called Crate Diggers allowing select producers, to both sample the KPM Library and add new original music Into the KPM Library. Expect instalments from Jazzy Jeff, Stro Elliot, Chris Dave, J-Live, and many more to follow. For those unaware of the KPM legacy, their back catalog boasts hits from Jay-Z, 2Pac, Drake, Common, Kid Cudi, Madlib, Prince Paul, MF DOOM, J Dilla, Gorillaz among countless others. Now Damu the Fudgemunk has added to this rich legacy.