El Michels Affair - Yeti Season (Big Crown Records) PRESALE

Pre-Order Deluxe Box Set £35.99 Add to basket
Pre-Order Colour Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket
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RELEASED 26/03/2021

Fresh off of their 2020 offering Adult Themes, El Michels Affair is back with a new full-length release. Titled Yeti Season, this newest album has everything we’ve come to expect from EMA’s patented cinematic style of instrumental soul music.

Where Adult Themes inspired a soundtrack to an imaginary film, Yeti Season brings us to a different place in time—with new inspirations. Taken with Turkish-styled funk and an almost Mumbai-esque take on soul, El Michels Affair offers us a different kind of drama and imagination with Yeti Season.

Limited Edition Big Crown Deluxe Box Set includes:

– Opaque Green colored LP.

– 50 page children’s book inspired by the album. Written by Francine Prose and illustrated by Omar “El Oms” Juarez.

Various - Saturday Night: South African Disco Pop Hits 1981-87 (Cultures of Soul)

Vinyl LP + Booklet £24.99 Add to basket

The 1980s were an epoch of upheaval and rapid change in South Africa. The decade began with the country’s apartheid government fighting to maintain its institutionalized racial segregation in the face of global protests and demands for the release of human rights activist Nelson Mandela, who had been jailed since the early 1960s. By 1990, Mandela was free, and apartheid was on the way to being dismantled. On the music front, things were changing too; At the beginning of the decade, the main music style of black South Africans was the jazzy indigenous jive of mbaqanga, a provincial style that had held its place as the sound of South Africa since Mandela was first imprisoned. By the end of the decade, South African music stars were making international waves with bubblegum, a flashy variety of Afro-techno-pop.

In SATURDAY NIGHT: SOUTH AFRICAN DISCO POP HITS, Cultures of Soul explores this period of change, and the intermediary forms that filled the gap between mbaqanga and bubblegum. The years when South African musicians and producers wrestled with the incursion of foreign disco and formulated their own style of homegrown disco-pop. Starting from the early 80s, when bands like Varikweru, Black Five and Soundburger essayed local attempts at boogie and jazz-fusion, through experiments like the Madonna-cloned diva Margino, who domesticized the burgeoning Italo-disco and NYC electro sounds, up through the massive breakthrough of Brenda and the Big Dudes, who arrived at the right mix between native and international influences to point the way forward for South African pop. The sound on these records is ostensibly familiar, drawing heavily on models from the 1980s dance culture in Europe and America, but if you listen closely enough you can hear the distinct South African-ness of it all—from the deep, burbling basslines, the brightly hypnotic melodies, and chant-like lyrics—and with sounds as intoxicating as these, you will sure want to listen closely. And often!

Tracklist:
1. Varikweru - "Saturday Night Special" 2. Margino - "You & Me" 3. Hot Soul Singers - "Good Vibes" 4. Brenda & The Big Dudes - "No! No! Senor" 5. Supa Frika - "Let's Get It On" 6. Brenda & The Big Dudes - "Love Action" 7. Black Five - "Ea Kgiba Ngoale" 8. Margino - "Holiday" 9. Soundburger - "Ambiguously The Same" 10. Supa Frika - "Love Satisfaction"

Three Chicano Souldies 7" Singles (Now-Again Records)

Bundle (All 3) 7" Vinyl £24.99 Add to basket
Los Yesterdays - Mr. Yesterday b/w So Insincere 7" Vinyl £9.99 Add to basket
The Macrames - Unintentional Consequence of Love b/w So In Love With You 7" Vinyl £9.99 Add to basket
Trish Toledo - Coco Lalala b/w Do The Wrong Thing 7" Vinyl £9.99 Add to basket

Available for individual purchase and as a value-priced set.

Three 7 singles by Trish Toledo, Los Yesterdays, The Macrames: Chicano “souldies” on Now-Again Records produced by and written by Gabriel Rowland and Victor Benavides.

The Souldies movement, which has gotten soul collectors and DJs alike excited for years, has really seen an uptick in production and a growing new audience around the world. With record labels such as Mango Hill, Big Crown, Penrose, Timmion, and more, it’s fitting that the well respected powerhouse Now-Again Records would release three special 45s on the label right now. Put together as a three record bundle or available for purchase individually, the releases represent a who’s who of the Souldies scene produced by and written by Gabriel Rowland and Victor Benavides. Featuring sevens from Los Yesterdays, The Macrames, and Trish Toledo, the singles definitely highlight some of the best in that game here in 2021.

AZ - The Format (Get On Down / Quiet Money)

Reissue Double Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

After beginning his career by debuting on Nas’ track “Life’s A Bitch”, AZ released classic albums such as 1995’s “Doe or Die”, 1998’s “Pieces Of A Man”, 2001’s “9 Lives” and 2002‘s “Aziatic”. AZ was also a member of rap super group The Firm with Nas, Foxy Brown and Nature and has recorded with some of Hip-Hop’s greatest producers such as Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Trackmasters, Buckwild and Pete Rock. Following the success of his 2005 release “A.W.O.L.”, AZ struck again a mere year later with a new studio release, “The Format”, released AZ’s own label, Quiet Money.

After a decade in the game, “A.W.O.L.” brought AZ back to the forefront and among his rightful place as one of Hip Hop’s most elite visceral lyricists; and “The Format” only solidified his already legendary status.

AZ’s vision and lyrical power-to-paint pictures have long been celebrated by critics and fans alike. This album is a rock-solid collection of 12 tracks, led by the DJ Premier produced title track, as Primo and AZ rekindled the seamless chemistry they previously demonstrated on 2005’s “The Come Up.” Also, after producing AZ’s 2005 street-anthem “New York”, Emile rejoined the fold to produce four tracks. M.O.P.’s Lil Fame produced three tracks and also appears alongside his M.O.P. brethren Billy Danze and AZ on “Sit ‘Em Back Slow,” and Little Brother joined AZ on “Rise And Fall”, which was co-produced by Little Brother’s Phonte Coleman. The album also features beats by J. Cardim and Statik Selektah.

“The Format” is now making its way back to vinyl via Quiet Money in collaboration with Get On Down.

Rasheed Chappell & Buckwild - Sinners And Saints (Get On Down)

Vinyl LP £22.99 Add to basket

“When we decided to do an album, we didn’t want to do just a beats and rhyme album, but something more conceptual. The times we’re living in gave me the idea of tackling the idea of what’s a sinner and what’s a saint.” — Rasheed Chappell

On their ambitious collaboration, New York rap heavyweights Rasheed Chappell & Buckwild have perfectly captured the stress and tension, but also faint sense of the hope, of what it means to be a sinner or a saint. In just 11 tracks, Sinners & Saints plays like an audio documentary series filled with expertly crafted beats and rhymes.

That high level of artistry, from everyone involved, is what makes Sinners & Saints so impactful. Not just anyone could pull off a track as stirring as “The Blue Hood,” in which Rasheed plays the role of a racist, corrupt police officer over Buck’s harrowing production. The same goes for “Rock Bottom” where he and Ransom sound off about life’s low points, and “Bredren,” a speaker-knocking middle-finger in musical form featuring Planet Asia.

There’s just so much to love about what these two have created with Sinners & Saints, a project that sounds like if 2020 was a hip-hop album. And if things do truly get better as we move into 2021, there’s no better anthem than “Black Owned,” a powerful anthem for Rasheed, Buck, and everyone listening.

J.V.C. F.O.R.C.E - Doin' Damage (B-Boy / Demon Records)

Reissue 180g Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket

New York rap trio consisting of DJ Curt Catzal and MC’s AJ Rok and MC B-Luv, signed to B-Boy Records, a significant player in the development of hip-hop in the 1980s.

The group broke out with an underground hit single ‘Strong Island’ and the song would open their 1988 album Doin’ Damage. This track is an enduring classic and would become the group’s signature moment.

Other highlights on the album include; ‘Stylin’ Lyrics’, ‘The Force Is Buggin’ and ‘Take It Away’.

Reissued with original artwork on 180g heavyweight classic black vinyl, with printed inner sleeve.

Cold Crush Brothers - Troopers (Demon Records)

Reissue 140g Vinyl LP £14.99 Add to basket

The Cold Crush Brothers were deep into the hip hop scene years before they released this album, as one of the pioneers of hip hop.

Troopers is the debut LP released in 1988. Highlights from the album include the powerful Feel the Horns and the title track Troopers.

Reissued on 140g classic black vinyl with original artwork and printed inner sleeve.

The Young-Holt Unlimited - The Beat Goes On (Brunswick / Demon Records)

Reissue 140g Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket

A Mod Jazz classic from the legendary Chicago trio The Young-Holt Unlimited, originally released in 1967 on Brunswick Records.

10 tracks cut on 140 gram classic black vinyl with original artwork and printed inner sleeve.

Highlights include the floor fillers You Gimme Thum and Dig Her Walk.

Ricky Banda - Niwanji Walwa Amwishyo (Now-Again Records)

Vinyl LP £22.99 Add to basket

Archival reissue of a dark, moody, introspective album by the mysterious Ricky Banda, a compatriot and bandmate of Rikki Ililonga and Dr. Footswitch. A welcome addition to the Zamrock canon, and a wonderful discovery for fans of WITCH and Amanaz.

Ngozi Family - 45,000 Volts (Now-Again Records)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Zamrock is a fantastic type of music and it doesn't get much better than Ngozi Family's '45,000 Volts'. For anyone interested in scuzzy, phased guitars, snotty aggression, monolithic Black Sabbath-flavoured riffs, and vigorous vocals, this is an LP for you. Helmed by Zambian legend Paul Ngozi, this album captures all the excitement and experimentation of a bleeding-edge genre. Out on Now-Again.

The Witch - Introduction (Private Press Version) (Now-Again Records)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Highly regarded as a garage rock classic and the spark that fired up the Zamrock movement in 1972, the ultra-rare private press edition of Witch’s Introduction comes to Now Again Records. A completely different version exists as the better-know Zambia Music Parlour, but this here is the genuine article; a slick hit of Deep Purple-ish, Rolling Stones-fuelled rock full of fuzzy blues licks and killer melodies to boot.

Archival reissue of the private-press, first issue of the album that launched Zamrock movement in 1972. Completely different recordings of the songs from the better-known Zambia Music Parlour album.

Originally pressed in a run of just a few hundred copies and sold by the band at their live shows, this is the first ever reissue of this garage-rock masterpiece.

Asha Puthli - The Devil Is Loose (Mr Bongo)

Limited Edition Pink Vinyl LP £17.99 Add to basket

Official replica re-issue of the album that features the disco-funk classic ‘Space Talk’, an anthem at David Mancuso’s LOFT, and sampled by hip-hop heavyweights such as The Notorious B.I.G / P Diddy, and The Pharcyde.

We can’t think of many artists that have had as diverse a career and who have been involved in as many different genres of music as Asha Puthli. A musical pioneer who forged a path through 60's psych, free-jazz, pop, rock, disco, and more.

Asha's 1976 album 'The Devil Is Loose' is maybe her most well-known record. Featuring the beautiful disco-funk-classic 'Space Talk’, Asha's ethereal soaring vocals take us on a journey that almost mirrors Asha's eclectic career. The track was championed by a wide-range of musical scenes and movements, and over space and time it has been commandeered as their own. You would hear it played by David Mancuso at the now ‘mythical’ underground New York party 'The Loft’, in the most discerning disco nightclubs across the globe, in the Rare Groove scene, and also being sampled by hip-hop heavyweights such as The Notorious B.I.G / P Diddy, and The Pharcyde. The appeal and lifespan of ’Space Talk’ keeps on extending and morphing as new audiences gleefully discover it for the first time - it still sounds as relevant and fresh on the dancefloor today - a sign of a true classic.

Madlib – Sound Ancestors (Madlib Invazion)

Vinyl LP £29.99 Add to basket
CD £9.99 Add to basket

Music by Madlib. Edited, Arranged and Mastered by Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet).

Gil Evans to Miles Davis.... Holger Czukay to the ensemble known as Can....Jean Claude Vannier to Serge Gainsbourg on Histoire de Melody Nelson. That’s the only way to explain the specificity of Four Tet and Madlib’s collaboration, in this special album that showcases a two-decade long friendship that has resulted in an album that follows Madlib’s classics like Quasimoto’s The Unseen, Madvillainy and his Pinata and Bandana albums with Freddie Gibbs.

In the words of Kieren Hebden:

"A few months ago I completed work on an album with my friend Madlib that we’d been making for the last few years. He is always making loads of music in all sorts of styles and I was listening to some of his new beats and studio sessions when I had the idea that it would be great to hear some of these ideas made into a Madlib solo album. Not made into beats for vocalists to use but instead arranged into tracks that could all flow together in an album designed to be listened to start to finish. I put this concept to him when we were hanging out eating some nice food one day and we decided to work on this together with him sending me tracks, loops, ideas and experiments that I would arrange, edit, manipulate and combine. I was sent hundreds of pieces of music over a couple of years stretch and during that time I put together this album with all the parts that fitted with my vision."

Chet Baker Reissues (Craft Recordings)

Left to Right
(Chet Baker Sings) It Could Happen to You 180g Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket
Chet Baker in New York 180g Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket
Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner and Loewe 180g Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

CELEBRATING CHET BAKER’S ICONIC RIVERSIDE CATALOG WITH FOUR 180-GRAM VINYL REISSUES

Los Angeles, CA—Craft Recordings is pleased to reissue four classic, remastered titles from legendary jazz artist Chet Baker. The albums comprise Baker’s entire output as a leader for the renowned jazz label Riverside—all recorded and released between 1958 and 1959: (Chet Baker Sings) It Could Happen to You, Chet Baker in New York, Chet and Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner and Loewe. The recordings, which feature such icons as Bill Evans, Johnny Griffin and Kenny Burrell, have all been cut from their original analog master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI.

In the winter of 2019, Baker’s Riverside catalog was celebrated with the deluxe vinyl box set, The Legendary Riverside Albums. Now, these meticulously remastered recordings are available as individual albums.

Few musicians have embodied the romantic—and ultimately tragic—jazz figure as totally as Chesney “Chet” Baker (1929–88). Unschooled yet eloquent in his music, and a fast-liver who survived for nearly six decades, the Baker mystique has only reinforced one of the most haunting trumpet styles and ingenious approaches to jazz singing. The Los Angeles–based musician rose to fame in the early ’50s, playing with established artists like Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan and pianist Russ Freeman—partnerships which would solidify his status as a major jazz star. By the end of the decade, when he signed a four-album deal with the New York–based label Riverside, Baker had become known for his trademark West Coast “cool jazz” style. However, each of his recordings of this era—which pair the artist with some of the best East Coast players—demonstrate Baker’s versatility as a modern trumpeter who could play with even the hardest boppers.

The Still Brothers - Wake Up b/w The Deep (Lewis Recordings)

7" Vinyl £9.99 Add to basket

A. Wake Up / B. The Deep

Double header 7” from NY production duo The Still Brothers. Wake Up mixed by Skinshape.

The Still Brothers are Andrew LeCoche (Ula Ruth) and Evan Heinze (The Shacks).

Wake Up was created in a New York winter on a cloudy day: The song's bones were sculpted in the classic Still Brothers' fashion making use of a collection of favourite sounds. It came to life when Brazilian friend and collaborator Marina B heard the track in her sleep and thought of the song's lyrics as she woke up. It might take you to that place in-between dreams and the waking life, where you are pulled in and out of a state of slumber. It incidentally speaks to the abrupt change that was about to fall upon the world in early 2020. Between the singing in Portuguese and the sounds of subway doors, the song is just alienating enough to make anyone these days to feel right at home.

Inspired by subway preachers, jazz funerals and Hip-Hop The Deep serves as an introduction to the dazzling skills of New York production duo The Still Brothers. Their debut track breaks open with a reverend crying out about the transgressions we have committed against each other. He then observes that so many of us are throwing up our hands in an act of surrendering. A poignant sentiment in these troubling times and one that will resonate throughout the world.

Mighty Tom Cats - Soul Makossa (Demon Records)

140g Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket

This is the only LP released by The Mighty Tom Cats, a house band for Paul Winley (who launched his Winley Records in 1956). Originally released in 1974 Soul Makossa is rumoured to have George Benson, Willis Jackson and Buddy Lucas taking part. Features a brilliant take on the mighty Soul Makossa track made famous by Manu Dibango. This reissue on 140g black vinyl with original artwork and printed inner sleeve.

Side A
1. Soul Makossa 2. Tom Cat Reggay 3. Skin 'N' Soul 4. Good Groove 5. Mozambique
Side B
1. Bahamas Melody

Fantasy 15 - Burgundy Mist / Percy St (Eraserhood Sound)

7" Vinyl £9.99 Add to basket

A. Burgundy Mist / B. Percy St.

Fantasy 15 is a band of mortal fighters striving to prevent an evil & merciless digital government from destroying the entire galaxy...Armed with analog synthesizers and a never ending supply of primordial rhythms reminiscent of Nigerian funk, Brazilian tropicalia and New York City new wave, the rebel group works diligently day and night to save all of humanity from the horrors of robotic automation. When they are not busy saving the world, Fantasy 15 serve as the house band for Philadelphia-based "Synth & Soul" record label Eraserhood Sound. After releasing their debut 7" in 2020, the group are proud to beam their latest 45 “Burgundy Mist / Percy St.” into Earth’s atmosphere in early 2021. Lead single “Burgundy Mist” is a lush, tropical slow jam featuring a sophisticated rhythm section, electrifying guitars, and euphoric flutes. Flip side “Percy St.” features a hypnotic groove, bolts of analog synthesizer, and angelic vocal harmonies. This 45 proves to be another masterful slice of intergalactic synth funk from Fantasy 15.

Various - Colemine Records Presents: Brighter Days Ahead (Colemine Records)

Limited Edition Colour Double Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

From label owner Terry Cole:

"It was on March 16, 2020 that we closed up our storefront as the reality of a worldwide pandemic began to spread across the Midwest. We had no idea how it was going to impact our shop, our label, or the artists we represent. We were all fortunate to have our family members stay safe and healthy; however, the livelihood of many of our friends and artists were drastically and immediately impacted. No tours, no live performances, record shops closed, pressing plants shut down, etc. And while the level of uncertainty was unnerving, from that uncertainty came the idea for Brighter Days Ahead. We knew we wanted to continue to release new music, but proceeding with our heavy 2020 release schedule as planned seemed ill advised. So the idea was to release individual tracks from many of our artists on a weekly basis and as a musical family, we could all help shine light on each individual artist weekly. Strength in numbers! So throughout the summer and into the fall, that's what we did. We released several dozen tracks and the weekly announcements certainly garnered a strong sense of community for our artists and fans alike. We're very proud to present Brighter Days Ahead: a compilation from our talented stable of artists on both our Colemine and Karma Chief imprints."

TRACKLIST

1. The Ironsides – Sommer 2. Thee Sinseers – What’s His Name 3. The Resonaires – Standing With You 4. Jr. Thomas & The Volcanos – Sunk In The Mist 5. Ikebe Shakedown – Adonai 6. Ben Pirani – More Than A Memory 7. The Winston Brothers – Winston Theme 8. The Harlem Gospel Travelers – Nothing But His Love 9. Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio – Inner City Blues 10. Dojo Cuts – Here We Are 11. The Soul Chance, Wesley Bright – Who Could It Be? 12. Monophonics – It’s Only Us 13. Ghost Funk Orchestra – Fuzzy Logic 14. Reverend Baron – Jackie 15. Rudy De Anda – Espume 16. Andrew Gabbard – Cloud Of Smoke 17. Young Gun Silver Fox – Baby Girl 18. Kendra Morris – This Life 19. M Ross Perkins – Wrong Wrong Wrong 20. GA-20 – I Ain’t Got You 21. The Gabbard Brothers – Too Much To Feel 22. Neal Francis – Changes

Jay Dee aka J Dilla - Welcome 2 Detroit: 20th Anniversary Edition (BBE)

12x7" Box Set + Book £85.99 Add to basket

BBE Music announces a special 20th Anniversary edition of one of the most important records in the label’s history: J Dilla’s Welcome 2 Detroit, presented in a deluxe 7” vinyl box set boasting instrumentals, two brand new interpretations by Azymuth and Muro, a stash of previously unreleased alternative mixes and studio outtakes pressed over 12 discs, plus a book revealing the album’s hidden story, told by those who were there.

First issued by BBE Music on Monday 26th of February 2001, Welcome 2 Detroit was James Dewitt Yancey aka Jay Dee’s first solo outing and the debut appearance of his new ‘J Dilla’ moniker (bestowed on him by none other than Busta Rhymes). The album also inaugurated the producer-led Beat Generation album series, which would later spawn classic LPs by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, Marley Marl and even will.i.am, all of whom had been inspired to reach for new creative heights by hearing Dilla’s magnum opus.

To mark the 20th Anniversary of this momentous record, BBE Music is issuing a specially remastered edition of Welcome 2 Detroit, featuring a stunning new remix of ‘Think Twice’ by Japanese DJ/producer Muro and a stellar cover version of ‘Rico Suave Bossa Nova’ by legendary Brazilian jazz-funk juggernauts Azymuth, plus a stash of newly discovered alternate versions and work-in-progress recordings from the album sessions, lovingly reproduced from priceless cassette tapes recorded by J Dilla himself. An accompanying book by British writer and filmmaker John Vanderpuije offers an oral history of the album’s making, as told by Amp Fiddler, Ma Dukes and all of the album’s key musical contributors.

TRACKLIST

DISC 1
SIDE A - Y’all Ain’t Ready / Think Twice (faded) SIDE B - Y’all Ain’t Ready (Instrumental) / Think Twice (Instrumental – faded)

DISC 2
C - The Clapper feat. Blu / Shake It Down D - The Clapper (Instrumental) / Shake It Down (Instrumental)

DISC 3
E - Come Get It feat. Elzhi (edit) F - Come Get It (Instrumental – edit)

DISC 4
G - Pause feat Frank ‘n’ Dank / B.B.E. – Big Booty Express H - Pause (Instrumental) / B.B.E. – Big Booty Express (Instrumental)

DISC 5
I - Beej-N-Dem Pt.2 feat. Beej J - Beej-N-Dem Pt.2 (Instrumental)

DISC 6
K - Brazilian Groove / It’s Like That (Edit) feat. Hodge Podge, Lacks L - Brazilian Groove EWF (Instrumental) / It’s Like That (Instrumental)

DISC 7
M - Give It Up N - Give It Up (Instrumental)

DISC 8
O - Rico Suave Bossa Nova P - Azymuth – Rico Suave Bossa Nova (Vinyl Edit) – Azymuth

DISC 9
Q - Feat. Phat Kat R - Feat. Phat Kat (Instrumental)

DISC 10
S - African Rhythms / One T - African Rhythms (Instrumental) / One (Instrumental)

DISC 11
U - It’s Like That (Alternate Version) / Beej-N-Dem (og) feat. Beej V - African Rhythms (No Drums) / Brazilian Groove EWF (No Drums, No Vocal) / Give It Up (Acapella)

DISC 12
W - Think Twice (DJ Muro’s KG Mix) X - Think Twice (DJ Muro’s KG Mix Instrumental)

Rudolph Johnson - Spring Rain (Black Jazz Records)

Remastered Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

First vinyl reissue of another stellar Black Jazz release!

Columbus, Ohio's Rudolph Johnson drew comparisons to John Coltrane during his career; like the jazz legend in his later years, Johnson eschewed drugs or alcohol and spent his time every day either meditating and rehearsing on his horn. You can definitely hear a little bit of Coltrane in Johnson's playing on this, his 1971 debut release for the Black Jazz label, the first of two he recorded for the imprint and the first he recorded as a leader after some sideman work (most notably for organist Jimmy McGriff); his ability to explore the upper registers and overtones of his tenor sax while retaining control is quite striking.

Of course, this being a Black Jazz release, along with the bebop sounds of "Sylvia Ann" and the mid-'60s Blue Note stylings of "Sylvia Ann," there's the soul jazz of "Diswa" and the groove funk of "Devon Jean," all played by, as is typical on Black Jazz releases, by top-notch sidemen including drummer Raymond Pounds, who's played with everybody from Stevie Wonder to Pharoah Sanders to Bob Dylan, and pianist John Barnes, whose work is very familiar to Motown fans (Supremes, Temptations, Marvin Gaye). Bassist Reggie Jackson, who appeared on the Walter Bishop, Jr. Coral Keys record we previously released, rounds out the quartet.

Calvin Keys - Shawn-Neeq (Black Jazz Records)

Remastered Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Another gem from the celebrated Black Jazz catalog!

Calvin Keys’s 1971 debut album for the Black Jazz Records label announced the arrival of a new star in the jazz guitar firmament. Keys had spent the ‘60s backing up the crème de la crème of jazz organists — Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Jack McDuff, Richard “Groove” Holmes—but for his first record as a leader, he was eager to play with a piano player instead. So he recruited one of the best—Larry Nash, who, besides being a member of the L.A.

Express, played with everybody from Eddie Harris to Bill Withers to Etta James. Bassist Lawrence Evans, drummer Bob Braye, and flautist-songwriter Owen Marshall rounded out the group on Shawn-Neeq, which might remind some of Pat Metheny’s early work (Metheny acknowledges Keys as an influence), or Grant Green. But what gives Shawn-Neeq extra depth is that it comes from the heart; as Keys says in Pat Thomas’ liner notes, which feature an interview with the artist: “My thing was, I write about some of the experiences that I’ve had in my life.” Keys has since become a fixture in the Bay Area jazz scene; this is the album that started his journey.

Main Source - Peace Is Not The Word To Play (Mr Bongo)

Limited Edition Red 7" Vinyl £12.99 Add to basket

A: Peace Is Not The Word To Play (Remix) / B. Peace Is Not The Word To Play (Album Version)

We’ll get to the vocal content in a second, but first it’s time to acknowledge what a patchwork tapestry of genius ‘Peace is not the word to play’ is in terms of production. Large Professor being a prodigy on the SP-1200 is well established, but the way he flips parts of MFSB’s ‘TLC’ and Milly and Silly’s obscure ‘Gettin’ Down for Xmas’ with a sprinkling of Lyn Collins here establishes his credentials in the top tier.

Lyrically, it’s a tour de force, with Main Source taking exception with the misuse of the word ‘peace’ by the hip-hop fraternity. With even the most homicidal of gangster rappers dropping it at the end of tracks at the time, time was overdue for some regulation.

The album version makes its point pithily in a single verse, while the remix, included on the flip of this first ever 7” release, expands on the topic with new verses and some new samples too. It’s a welcome reminder of the time when remixes were remixes – not just the identical track with the latest hot rappers joining in.

Most of all, Main Source once again walk the fine line between lyrical lecture and head-nodding banger – the rare example of a track with a point to make that can still fill a dancefloor and get necks snapping.

Main Source - Just Hangin’ Out / Live At The Barbecue (Mr Bongo)

7" Vinyl £11.99 Add to basket

A: Just Hangin’ Out (Vocal) / B. Live At The Barbecue (Vocal)

Main Source’s paean to the simple pleasures of relaxing with friends is built over two tried-and-tested samples. The dreamy, swoony sounds of Vanessa Kendrick’s timeless ‘90% of Me is You’ is ever-present during this stone-cold classic, while Sister Nancy’s unmistakeable ‘Bam Bam’ lends several elements to the mix. Throw in some Skull Snaps and Sweet Charles and you’ve got the perfect soundtrack for a roll call of Large Professor’s nearest and dearest.

There are plenty of reasons why so many regard ‘Breaking Atoms’ as an all-time classic album, and the sheer variety of singles lifted from it is chief among them. Large Professor was happy to roam over varied topics at a time when many rappers had a manic focus on one thing.

And where better to hang out with friends than at a barbecue? ‘Live at the Barbecue’ is rightly regarded as one of the best posse cuts of all time, and famous for showcasing the debut of one Nasty Nas. While he delivers a dope verse full of quotables over drums from Bob James’ oft-plundered ‘Nautilus’, credit is also due to the other guests. Fatal and Akinyele aren’t disgraced in this company, and Large Professor tops it off with a rare verse of pure brag-rap.

An undisputed entry in the pantheon of head-nod hip-hop, this is its first official UK release, and another debut on 7”.

Slowthai - Tyron (Method Records)

Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket

Featuring Skepta, A$AP Rocky, Dominic Fike, Denzel Curry, Deb Never, James Blake & Mount Kimbie.

TYRON is a tale of two halves exposing human complexity. Just as with the narrative of his own life, there are always two sides to every story. Side one re-introduces us to the classic hubris, machismo, and braggadocio typical of rap music. Side two takes what you thought you knew about slowthai and flips on its head. ‘feel away’ and ‘nhs’ go some way to dip a toe inside the complexities of his mind but delve deeper and you’ll be left with a clearer understanding of who he truly is. Honesty is paramount as ultimately Ty wants listeners to know that “it’s ok to be yourself”.

Bobby Oroza - I Got Love b/w Loving Body (Big Crown)

7" Vinyl £8.99 Add to basket

A. I Got Love / B. Loving Body

The Finnish crooner, Bobby Oroza, is back with a new set of tunes that pick up right where his glorious 2018 debut album, This Love, left off.

The A side “I Got Love” is a sweet soul anthem for those with their priorities straight and an encouraging reminder to those who may have lost sight of what is truly important in life. Bobby has penned another hit. He sings about choosing love over all things material and recognizing what you have when you have it. Bobby sings an earworm of a chorus that sums it up perfectly, “I got love, and that’s enough”.

The B side, “Loving Body”, is as seductive as it is profound. Bobby propositions his love interest over a gorgeous Cold Diamond & Mink production for more than a light hearted love affair. Mr. Oroza is not your average Joe, and this is not your average roses and candy song. Bobby lays out his desire to become one loving body in the way two rivers become part of the sea. A beautiful song about attraction and desire that will be an instant staple in the sweet soul world and beyond.

Silver Apples - Silver Apples (Jackpot Records / Universal)

Limited Edition Blue Sky Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Formed in 1967 as a psychedelic electronic duo featuring Dan Taylor on drums and Simeon on a homemade synthesizer consisting of 12 oscillators (and an assortment of sound filters, telegraph keys, radio parts, lab gear and a variety of second hand electronic junk), Silver Apples quickly gained a reputation as New York’s leading underground musical expression. Their pulsating rhythmic beats with the use of electronics laid the groundwork for what would become “Krautrock,” Silver Apples was released in 1968 and still remains an innovative and revolutionary album. Their highly influential sound has influenced countless bands from Stereolab, Beastie Boys, Blur and more.

George Russell - New York, N.Y. (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series Edition)

Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP £35.99 Add to basket

New York, N.Y. is a high point in the work of leading jazz composer and arranger George Russell. Russell was an early advocate for Modal Jazz and the conceptualizer of the influential Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.

For this 1959 Decca classic, Russell assembled an all-star orchestra, including John Coltrane, Bill Evans (a frequent Russell collaborator), Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer and Milt Hinton, among others. Singer Jon Hendricks provided beatnik-style, stream-of-consciousness narrations that opened and closed this landmark album. Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Common - A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1 (Loma Vista)

Indie Exclusive Colour Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £17.99 Add to basket
CD £9.99 Add to basket

Indie vinyl is clear with red & blue swirl, and limited to 400 units.

Common releases his new project, A Beautiful Revolution Pt 1, through Loma Vista Recordings. This instant hip hop classic and call to action from the modern-day renaissance man - a Grammy-, Emmy-, and Oscar-winning artist, activist, actor, and two time New York Times Bestselling author - features seven new songs and two new interludes that catch Common at a new prime in his career. With a core band that includes Robert Glasper (keys), Karriem Riggins (drums), Burniss Travis (bass), Isaiah Sharkey (guitar), and PJ (vocals), plus features from Black Thought and Lenny Kravitz'

"It is music to uplift, heal, and inspire listeners dealing with racial injustices as well as other social injustices. It's affirmation. It's recognition. It's elevation. It's music to go with a movement. Because the truth is, there is still so much work to do. Regardless of the outcome of the election, we need to make sure things do not return to the status quo. The intention of A Beautiful Revolution Pt. I is to channel all of our pain and outrage into something productive, inspirational, and good. It’s to help lead a movement into our next phase of the work to be done.” – Common

Polo G - The Goat (Columbia)

Double Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Reaching number two in the US Billboard 200 when first released in mid-2020, ‘The Goat’ from American rapper Polo G now gets a release. This is a taut sophomore offering which sees G's sing-song flow combined with strong strains of trap and drill. 'The Goat' includes guest spots from Mustard, Juice Wrld, Stunna 4 Vegas, NLE Choppa, Mike Will Made It, Lil Baby, and BJ the Chicago Kid.

Clifford Brown & Max Roach - Study In Brown (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series Edition)

Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP £35.99 Add to basket

Seeking to offer definitive audiophile grade versions of some of the most historic and best jazz records ever recorded, Verve Label Group and Universal Music Enterprises' new audiophile Acoustic Sounds vinyl reissue series utilizes the skills of top mastering engineers and the unsurpassed production craft of Quality Record Pressings. All titles are mastered from the original analog tapes, pressed on 180-gram vinyl and packaged by Stoughton Printing Co. in high-quality gatefold sleeves with tip-on jackets. The releases are supervised by Chad Kassem, CEO of Acoustic Sounds, the world's largest source for audiophile recordings.

One of the most lauded (not to mention brilliant) trumpet players in the history of jazz, Clifford Brown adds to his luster on this varied program of nine engaging tunes. Featuring the 1955 version of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet, a group also including tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow. One of the premiere early hard bop units.

Verve’s Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Arthur Verocai - Arthur Verocai (Mr Bongo)

Limited Edition Red Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £18.99 Add to basket

Now in limited edition red vinyl.

Mastered at 'half-speed' at Abbey Road by Miles Showell. Taken from the original Continental master tapes, transferred under supervision by Arthur Verocai. Original replica gatefold artwork. A complete album masterpiece in every sense of the word, considered by many people to be one of the greatest ever made, regardless of genre.

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (Sony)

Transparent Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket

Limited clear vinyl repress of one of the best selling jazz albums of all time.

Kind of Blue is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 2 and April 22, 1959, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City, and released on August 17 of that year by Columbia Records. The album features Davis's ensemble sextet consisting of saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, with new band pianist Wynton Kelly appearing on one track in place of Evans. Kind of Blue has been regarded by many critics as the greatest jazz record, Davis's masterpiece, and one of the best albums of all time. Its influence on music, including jazz, rock, and classical genres, has led writers to also deem it one of the most influential albums ever recorded.

Tina Brooks - The Waiting Game (Blue Note Tone Poet Series)

Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP £32.99 Add to basket

The Waiting Game was the unsung tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks’ final album, recorded in 1961 but not released until 1999. Brooks is one of the most under-appreciated tenor players and composers of the hard bop era, with only one of his four Blue Note sessions (the classic True Blue) released during his lifetime. Brooks is joined here by Johnny Coles on trumpet, Kenny Drew on piano, Wilbur Ware on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Brooks penned five of the six tracks, showcasing his unique compositional talent in addition to his pleading and soulful tenor sound. Highlights include the Side 1 opener “Talkin’ About” and the modal masterpieces “Dhyana” and “David the King.”

Pop Smoke - Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon (Republic Records)

Gatefold Double Vinyl LP £19.99 Add to basket

Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon is the debut studio album by American rapper Pop Smoke, and first posthumous project following his murder from a home invasion on February 19, 2020. The album contains features from Quavo, Lil Baby, DaBaby, Swae Lee, Future, Rowdy Rebel, 50 Cent, Roddy Ricch, Tyga, Karol G, and Lil Tjay, and King Combs. It was executive-produced by 50 Cent, who was one of Pop Smoke's biggest inspirations. 50 Cent personally took it upon himself to finish the album for Smoke by calling the featured artists and taking care of the deadlines.

Hear My Train A Comin': The Songs of Jimi Hendrix - Popular Music History (Kevin Le Gendre)

SIGNED Hardback Book £24.99 Add to basket

Although his activity as a recording artist spanned a period of just three years, from 1967, the year of his arrival in England from America to 1970, the year of his death, Jimi Hendrix created a body of work that has exerted a significant influence on a number of artists in the 20th century and beyond. A headline-grabbing, explosive performer, he is widely recognized as an innovative guitarist who broadened the vocabulary of his instrument through both his technique and daring use of technology. For several generations of critics and audiences, he remains the archetypal rock star who framed his immeasurable talent with lifestyle excesses inherent to his profession.

Hear My Train A Comin' seeks to appraise Hendrix's legacy in different terms. His ability as a soloist is undeniable, but it is not necessarily the defining aspect of his genius. This book focuses on Hendrix the songwriter, a superlative storyteller who was able to combine melody, lyric and arrangement in order to create pieces that take pride of place in the pantheon of post-war popular music. Why do anthems such as Crosstown Traffic, The Wind Cries Mary, Little Wing, Voodoo Child [Slight Return] Purple Haze or Foxy Lady still affect us today? They alchemize word and sound. These are just a few examples of Hendrix crafting a composition in the most complete sense of the term, making judicious decisions with regard to mood, texture, contrast and overall orchestral richness, looking at his basic resource, the guitar-bass-drums set up as a unit to be enhanced by a range of other instruments and studio production.

This book investigates the artist's immense creativity, and the intriguing relationship he had with the art of song, a platform for a multitude of ideas and improvisation.