Organic Grooves 86 Items

‘Debut release from Palace Records and The Kanpai Quartet’s founder and the first LP release on the label. Funny Ol’ story this… all the tracks that feature on this album were produced circa 2004-2007 in his childhood bedroom and then lost a few years later, after the computer that had produced and saved the music died and none of the handful of CD copies that were given away could be found. Anyway, fast forward to one cold and miserable Sunday afternoon in early January 2024, Mr Nikolsky found himself clearing out his attic – where most lost treasure usually is – and found one very dusty and very battered hard drive that he had completely forgotten existed and was absolutely thrilled to finally find the long-lost files and hear a load of music he had resigned to never hearing again… Work that meant a great deal to him during his musical hermitage – and deeply depressed – days of bumming around his parent’s house back in The West Country.’

Dedicated with much love to Ilse and The Very Reverend Archpriest Maxim Nikolsky

Numero's second bundle of cover 45s isall things soulful. The Rotterdam-basedAnother Taste electrifies Maxx Traxx's1984 Chicago boogie grail "Don't TouchIt," which makes its debut on the 7"format here. Colemine Records' Say SheShe delivers a glamorous rendition of JimSpencer's yacht-disco hit "Wrap Myself UpIn Your Love." Columbia Recording artistLeon Bridges effortlessly transforms PastorT.L. Barrett's "Like A Ship," updating the50 year old gospel soul classic for the 21stcentury. All three are housed in a newlyimagined Numero custom sleeve, reflectingthe many shades of our ongoing EccentricSoul 45 imprint.

Psychedelic sprawl, robo-drama, AOR emotion...

Saar Records, through its famous Music subsidiary, re-releases the second Chet Baker’s LP, recorded with his sextet and quartet and originally released in March 1960; one of the rare occasions for our musicians to team together with an American trumpet player for a rather long period.

Chet Baker is one of the most important and essential characters of modern jazz and over the years he has not lost his strength and colour, a fact that’s clearly demonstrated by this release, indeed showing us a quite different Chet Baker. His style has become less slender, more excited, more precise, more violent, and several tracks of this record prove it.

The musicians here accompanying Chet Baker are the very best the Italian jazz scene of the time could offer: Glauco Masetti on alto sax, Gianni Basso on tenor sax, Renato Sellani on piano, Franco Cerri on double bass, together with the Italian-American Gene Victory on drums. As usual in such situations, arrangements were entrusted to Giulio Libano, who wisely provided the musicians with ample space for their solos. Chet Baker is undoubtedly the protagonist, but a lot of freedom of expression is granted to his fellow adventurers.

The album was recorded on 25 and 26 September and on 6 October 1959 at the Guertler Bros studio.

For the third label’s release, Clouzer returns to Distant Gaze with “Call of the Abyss,” a six-track EP featuring three originals alongside three remixes from acclaimed artists Damon Jee, Zakmina, and Berlin’s emerging talent, Zee Mon.

At the helm of the EP is Clouzer’s captivating journey, “Voices from the Abyss,” extraterrestrial echoes and pulsating broken beats, embarking on an exploration into the depths of the unknown. The EP’s second track emerges as a powerful stage presence, guided by the haunting vocals of Valentin Henning. Blurred and delayed textures immersing the listener in a mind-altering experience. Pulsating rave energy of “Perpetual” fuses cosmic elements, broken beats, and dark disco bassline, embodying Clouzer’s distinctive sonic identity.

Adding to the EP’s allure are three remixes, each offering a unique interpretation. Zee Mon’s rendition of “Perpetual” channels darkwave energy, infusing the track with an irresistible pulse, a primetime banger on vibing dance-floor. Damon Jee’s remix of “Stalactites” delivers his trademark full-throttle dance-floor oriented dark disco, elevating the EP to the next level of intensity. Finally, Zakmina’s broken beat journey serves as a beautiful sublime culmination of the EP, evoking the feeling of a perfect closing track for an enchanting morning DJ set.

In a time where dancing has a kind of nostalgic feeling attached to it, Glossy Mistakes kicks off its brand new series of dancefloor-oriented EPs, Glossyfloor. The starting point of this adventure from the Madrid based label comes with the reissue of the highly demanded Cover Boys’ banger ‘Reality’, an absolute ode to one of human beings most basic instincts. Canadian producer Charles Biddle Jr. is the man behind the Cover Boys project, who arranged, wrote and sang ‘Reality’.

Originally released in 1984, this anthem seamlessly captures the 80s essence with an addictive bassline and a pop-infused chorus recalling a summery euphoric atmosphere. One of those tracks that sticks to your mind while having a strong power to move your body.

A2, the reggae version of the ‘Reality,’ is a refreshing cover with fantastic arrangements that flips the mood but holds the essence.
The B-side contains a remix from one of Australia’s finest producers, Hysteric, that provides brings his magical touch focusing his efforts in turning the original version even more dancefloor friendly, making it a perfect tool for DJs.

The frontcover artwork, Fluo Flowers, comes from Barcelona based painter, Jordi Aguilar, capturing with his painting the colorful soul of the whole release.

The Album „hi“ is an invitation by Dani Scheffels to explore different emotions while
listening to his instrumental music.

In his debut album, the Munich based multi-instrumentalist presents music, that is
influenced by both his background as an accomplished drummer as well as his love for
modern jazz and experimental electronic music.

There is no rule in his writing except one: no lyrics.

That way everyone can tie the emotional music to their own experiences best.
First not sure, if he wanted any features on this album, he decided to collaborate with his
sister Amelie Scheffels on the track “this” and his longtime friend Ralph Heidel (known for
his brilliant releases on the Kryptox-label, as well as through his work as musical director
for artists such as Casper, Tarek K.I.Z, Drangsal, Bazzazian just to name a few..) on the
track “finally”.
“hi” is the second LP-release on the Munich based label tunnel.visions.

The superduo formed by two authentic stars of the Italian dance scene is back with the ‘Rolling Wave’ EP on Mondo Groove. Daniele Baldelli needs no introduction; he has made a fiery mark on DJ history worldwide with his legendary sets. He built his eclectic and visionary style at the Baia Degli Angeli in the 1970s and Cosmic in the early 1980s, to the triumph of recent years, in demand at every latitude on the planet. DJ Rocca is one of Italy’s most inspired producers, his art forged in a mix of technique and passion, versatile enough to work alongside artists as diverse as Baldelli, Dimitri From Paris or one of the giants of Italian jazz, pianist Franco D’Andrea.

Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca are on fire in the four tracks of this new EP on Mondo Groove, which starts with the bleep sounds of the title track ‘Rolling Wave’, goes into orbit with the deep boogie of ‘Funk Infusion’ and a party number like ‘Marchin On’, and culminates in the refined disco-jazz digressions of ‘Focused Image’. A record that will be a future classic.

Acclaimed UK electronic music producer, DMX Krew has announced a brand new album, "Unlikely Seeming", on the Byrd Out label. The8-track album showcases his blend of joyous, melodic synth hooks, textured pads and analogue drum machine rhythms. Leaving to one side pummeling sounds, the focus of this album is on sonic fun, mining the 80s pop vibe DMX Krew does so well. BBC 6 Music"s Tom Ravenscroft describes the trailing single "Wednesday Memory" as "the funkiest thing ever ... it"s almost too joyous".

Dolphin Hyperspace is a Los Angeles-based electro-jazz duo led by saxophonist Nicole McCabe & bassist Logan Kane. Widely known for legendary concerts featuring instrumental madness amongst many synths and bonkers dance beats. In May their new album What's My Porpoise will be released, supported by drummers like Louis Cole and Justin Brown (Thundercat, Flying Lotus) the band finds new ways to combine jazz and beat culture time and time again.

DONNELL PIMAN of "LOVE EXPLOSION" & "YOUR LOVE IS DYNAMITE" returns to STAR CREATURE for his second modern 7" on the hometown connection label. Features production duties from WINGS OF SUNSHINE and Japan's LIQUID PEGASUS. Both tracks are 120 bpm plus and both slap!

All ‘N All is the eighth and most well-known studio album by the
American band Earth, Wind & Fire. The album features hit singles
such as “Fantasy” and “Serpentine Fire”. It’s an great addition
to the disco and soul classics Maurice White and his band of
talented musicians recorded during the years. Everything comes
together in this excellent mix of different music styles and also
shows their variety in pop music. Their funk is so full of sounds in
classics like “Jupiter” and “Serpentine Fire”.
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band which became famous
during the 1970s with their contagious mix of soul, funk, disco,
pop, rock and Latin. They have won tens of awards and been
inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the Vocal
Group Hall of Fame

Ed Black, better known as "edbl" is a hip hop~R&B artist / composer and one of the most noticeable talents in the independent music scene of South London along with Jorja Smith, Jamie Isaac etc... The sound influenced by lo-fi soul / hip hop following in the wake of artists like Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch, has also attention when Spotify UK picked him up as cover artist of their popular playlist "New Music Friday", and he was also nominated for "The Hottest Independent Artists In The World" by Music Business Worldwide Magazine. "The Way Things Were" is one of his most popular track with impressive mellow vocal by Isaac Waddington, and it's finally pressed on 7" vinyl.

A holy grail for fans of French boogie, early hip hop, Arabic funk and Balearic bops,"Ettika" has been seriously sought after since Vidal Benjamin found it in the 1€ bin back in 2006. Teasing the ears of the underground via Vidal's 'Balearic Nightmare' mix for Noncollective, copies of the original were soon snapped up completely, and the later adopters were sated by a Blackdisco edit from Alexis Le-Tan (himself gifted Vidal's second copy), which is now also rare as hen's teeth. The fervour for the track is easy to understand. Underpinned by an endlessly buoyant bass groove, chanted female vocals dart out the speakers like a post- modern mantra while synth vamps flare in stuttering stereo. Middle-Eastern motifs add an air of mystery, but this truly belongs in a dance floor utopia. That the track was the product of a 'back-to-work' scheme aimed at unemployed immigrant youth in Rouen only adds to the appeal. Led by teacher Bernard Guégan, a quartet of students delivered lyrics in French and Arabic inspired by their rejection letters, serving a little social commentary and a lot of funk. If you're mad on Ahmed Fakroun and Shams Dinn, or even those folks in the Bush of Ghosts, then this is a must have for you.

A holy grail for fans of French boogie, early hip hop, Arabic funk and Balearic bops,"Ettika" has been seriously sought after since Vidal Benjamin found it in the 1€ bin back in 2006. Teasing the ears of the underground via Vidal's 'Balearic Nightmare' mix for Noncollective, copies of the original were soon snapped up completely, and the later adopters were sated by a Blackdisco edit from Alexis Le-Tan (himself gifted Vidal's second copy), which is now also rare as hen's teeth. The fervour for the track is easy to understand. Underpinned by an endlessly buoyant bass groove, chanted female vocals dart out the speakers like a post- modern mantra while synth vamps flare in stuttering stereo. Middle-Eastern motifs add an air of mystery, but this truly belongs in a dance floor utopia. That the track was the product of a 'back-to-work' scheme aimed at unemployed immigrant youth in Rouen only adds to the appeal. Led by teacher Bernard Guégan, a quartet of students delivered lyrics in French and Arabic inspired by their rejection letters, serving a little social commentary and a lot of funk. If you're mad on Ahmed Fakroun and Shams Dinn, or even those folks in the Bush of Ghosts, then this is a must have for you.
Archeology isn't just about excavation, there should be interpretation too, and in this case it comes from Italian duo Hear & Now and Leeds' The Veteran Delinquents. The former furnish the 12" with two radical takes, the dreamy downtempo stroll of their French Remix - all unhurried percussion, Gilmour-riffing and coastal élan - and the peaktime pump of their Arab Remix, which transports the original vocal into a land of desert new beat and Balearic trance with a little space left for some frazzled fretwork. If you've followed their work with Claremont you know the quality on show. The Veteran Delinquents, the collaborative vehicle of Leeds stalwarts Craig Christon and Tim Hutton, condense a lifetime of club experiences into their remix, establishing the infectious groove of the original before subverting with chugging bass and winking acid, all augmented with their own slick synth work. The original was an all time classic at Craig's Joe's Bakery nights way back when, and this new interpretation is both respectful and revolutionary.

“Mr. Big Shot” by Gene ‘Duke-of-Earl’ Chandler was recorded in Chicago in the golden year of soul music, 1966. It was Chandler’s final 45 for Constellation Records completing an incredible run of outstanding releases that have powered the Northern Soul scene ever since including “Nothing Can Stop Me”, “Bet You Never Thought”, “(Gonna Be) Good Times” and “I Can Take Care Of Myself”. But, it’s “Mr. Big Shot” that has consistently filled the dance floors and is now possibly the “biggest” oldie of all-time.

Dee Clark is best known for his American #2 power-ballad hit “Raindrops” in 1961 for the Vee-Jay label. However, it is his 1964 non-hit “That’s My Girl” that caught the attention of the UK DJ’s and went on to become one of the key records during the Nineties resurgence of the Northern Soul scene.

Featuring two stunning crossover classics from the 1978 ‘Time Wounds All Heels’ penned and performed by Los Angeles soul singer Gene Townsel’.

"Spread Love" was released in 1976 from the Detroit-based Sunstar label, the album have inpressive cover art is a project by "Harris And Orr", featuring Michael Orr on vocals / keyboards and Carrie Harris on bass. The title track which is famous as a rare groove classic is finally available on 7"ep by P-vine! On B-side including a self-covered version by Michael Orr with his band called "The Book Of Life” and recorded in 1981.

The Intercommunal Free Dance Music Orchestra was created in 1971 by French free jazz pianist legend, François Tusques. Free Jazz, was also the name of the 1965 recording Tusques made along with and other Michel Portal, François Jeanneau, Bernard Vitet, Beb Guérin and Charles Saudrais. Six years later, in 1971 Tusques would go ahead of free jazz.

Wondering if free jazz wasn’t a bit of a dead end together with Barney Wilen (Le Nouveau Jazz) or even solo (Piano Dazibao and Dazibao N°2), Tusques formed the Inter Communal Free Dance Music Orchestra, an association under the banner of which the different communities of the country would come together and compose, quite simply. If at first the structure was made up of professional musicians from the jazz scene it would rapidly seek out talent in the lively world of the MPF (Musique Populaire Française).{French Popular Music, ndlt}

Compiling extracts from concerts given between 1976 and 1978, L’Inter Communal demonstrate the “social function” which inhabited free jazz and popular music at the time calling upon Spanish singer Carlos Andreu along with Michel Marre, Jo Maka, Adolf Winkler and Jean Méreu. Andreu, claimed Tusques, was a griot “who created of new genre of popular song improvised with our music, based on events going on at the time”.

L’Inter Communal can start the festivities: on “Blues pour Miguel Enriquez”, it is first Thelonious Monk who is invoked in an homage to one of the leading figures of the Chilean revolution, and a victim of Pinochet. The circumstances may be serious, the music, though, is not. The musicians light a bonfire to bring together on the same frequency France and Spain, the Americas and Africa: “L’heure est à la lutte” (the time to fight is here ndlt), is the new song offered by the l’Intercommunal Free Dance Music Orchestra... As if proof were needed that their music is still more than timely!

The Intercommunal Free Dance Music Orchestra was created in 1971 by French free jazz pianist legend, François Tusques. Free Jazz, was also the name of the 1965 recording Tusques made along with and other Michel Portal, François Jeanneau, Bernard Vitet, Beb Guérin and Charles Saudrais. Six years later, in 1971 Tusques would go ahead of free jazz.

Wondering if free jazz wasn’t a bit of a dead end together with Barney Wilen (Le Nouveau Jazz) or even solo (Piano Dazibao and Dazibao N°2), Tusques formed the Inter Communal Free Dance Music Orchestra, an association under the banner of which the different communities of the country would come together and compose, quite simply. If at first the structure was made up of professional musicians from the jazz scene it would rapidly seek out talent in the lively world of the MPF (Musique Populaire Française).{French Popular Music, ndlt}

As with L’Inter Communal a few years earlier, Le Musichien follows on from the group of varying musicians that Tusques had conceived as a “people’s jazz workshop”. In 1981, at the famous Paris address, 28 rue Dunois, the pianist sang with his partner Carlos Andreu “Le Musichien”, an Afro-Catalan tale over an exceptional bass line from Jean-Jacques Avenel backed by percussion from Kilikus, saxophones from Sylvain Kassap and Yebga Likoba and trombone from Ramadolf which presented a myriad of constellations. The sky has no limits, let’s make the most of it.

“Les Amis d’Afrique” is recorded the following year, at the ‘Tombées de la Nuit’ festival in Rennes, bassist Tanguy Le Doré would weave with Tusques the fabric on which would evolve an explosive “brotherhood of breath”: Bernard Vitet on trumpet, Danièle Dumas and Sylvain Kassap on saxophones, Jean-Louis Le Vallegant and Philippe Le Strat on... bombards. With hints of modal jazz inspired by Coltrane or Pharoah Sanders, the Intercommunal Free Dance Music Orchestra is an ecumenical project which speaks to the whole world.

Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few return with a new musical journey, "The Almighty". The first quartet offering since 2021's Cosmic Transition.
Collier's compositions and lyrics focus on using music to communicate deeper principles that are part of everyday. Isaiah showcases these principles through sounds that evolve within the titles: Love, Compassion, & Perspective. These principles once taken fully in are arranged to deliver the message that there is a Divine energy connecting through us all and is seen within all things. The album opens up with LOVE, featuring the legendary Chicago vocalist Dee Alexander channeling her energy to deliver the message of love to the human family. With lyrics written by Collier specific to Alexander's qualities as a maternal figure to him and other musicians, the message remains strong within the music throughout the album. Searching deeper to share more sincerely through our interactions with others, is the albums objective. Collier & The Chosen Few showcase those Principle with Musicianship and an unyielding commitment to put their all into each breath of this episodic journey. The album features the legendary Saxophonist Ari Brown, who has mentored Isaiah for over a decade in their native Chicago. The conversation between student and master evolves on the song "Compassion". Collier's steps into the vocalist roll on the infectious, Perspective (Peace & Love) which serves as Collier's acknowledgement of Pharoah Sanders for his musical contributions, that features percussive sounds that connect the ancestors of the diaspora. Throughout "The Almighty" the group explores elements heard on 2021’s Cosmic Transitions and 2022’s Beyond by I AM (Isaiah Collier and Michael Shekwoaga Ode), and streamline the sound with laser focus in this incarnation.

Nashville soul brother Jimmy Church joined John Richbourg’s Sound Stage 7 label in 1966 under the guidance of his manager “Hoss” Allen who had just opened with his TV soul showcase ‘The !!! Beat’. Church regularly appeared on the show as part of the house band. At Sound Stage 7 he released only two singles but left a, largely unheard and forgotten, legacy of studio recordings including our chosen cuts, finally making their much deserved vinyl debut.

Jonathan Bäckström Quartet is an acoustic improvising quartet based in Helsinki with members from Finland and Sweden. Bassist/composer Jonathan Bäckström leads the quartet and they are set on a mission to navigate and discover the music that is being created in the moment.

The definitive collection of Lee Moses’ legendary non-album tracks available together for the first time
Contains three previously unreleased songs, plus the Southern soul classic "Bad Girl” (both versions)
Remastered audio
LP housed in a deluxe Kraft board jacket with insert
CD housed in a tube pocket digipak with booklet
Digital mockups are not an exact representation of the colors After reissuing his much sought-after Time and Place LP, many questions still remained (Lee was a mysterious man!) – but the one asked most was, “where’s “Bad Girl”?!” Not included on his lone LP, “Bad Girl” is an undisputed Southern soul classic – arguably the song Lee Moses’ legacy rests on. While we may never know all we wish we knew about the man behind the music, we can finally complete the picture of his work. You know – the tunes! And what tunes they are.

How Much Longer Must I Wait? Singles & Rarities 1965-1972 collects all of Lee Moses’ non-album singles and B-sides, plus three never-released tracks together for the first time ever. Most of the material here pre-dates 1971’s Time and Place, reflecting his initial bid for stardom via a series of now-legendary 45s recorded with Atlanta producer Johnny Brantley. As for the unreleased recordings – much like the man himself, little is known about them. What remains is an oeuvre that has become synonymous with raw and emotionally charged Southern soul. Essential listening for anyone with a heart.

The blues will never die out. it's a universal music that will always inspire musicians because it embodies love, sorrow and hope, insists Sangoma Everett. Five years later, the two partners are once again involved in a strange affair recording a story about the blues, the soundtrack of a deported people that became the matrix of twentieth-century music. Once again, this complementary pair doesn’t intend to stick to the original groove, but to produce original variations rooted in their own reality. "The blues will never die out. it's a universal music that will always inspire musicians because it embodies love, sorrow and hope," insists Sangoma Everett.

Singer, actress and cultural conduit for peace, Liraz releases a new collection of four songs, primed with an intensity and a raw musical revolt, energising the Middle Eastern musical landscape, sung in Farsi and driven by her deep desire for positive energy and much needed global harmony and light.

This 12-inch vinyl, officially licensed by Sony, features a superb remix by Mike Maurro, who masterfully reworks the stems. On the B side, you'll find the original version. Since its release in 1982, "Looking Up To You" has cemented its status as a modern soul anthem, co-written by Leon Ware and Zane Grey (of Grey & Hanks) and produced by Webster Lewis, all titans in the genre. Heavily sampled since it’s original release, notably by artists like Zhane ("Hey Mr. DJ") and Ortega Cartel ("Miami Vice").

The Miles Davis historical second quintet with Wayne Shorter - tenor sax, Herbie Hancock - piano Ron Carter, bass and Tony Williams - drums. A perfect coalition of young, creative individuals under Miles' direction. A turning point in the whole history of American Jazz. Recorded live in Germany in October 1964 this double album features hiper- adventurous renditions of classic tunes including Davis originals like "All Blues". "Milestones" and "Walking" and standards like Rollins' "Oleo" and Cole Porter's "All of You. A highly recommended document from one of the key groups in modern Jazz.

Bewilderment - the feeling of being perplexed and confused - is the inspiration behind Pale Jay's new album. It's a soulful exploration of a family's gradual disintegration due to years of avoidance and miscommunication. During this difficult time, Pale Jay began to question the stories he had always lived with and re-examined his identity. The resulting work, Bewilderment, is his first full-length album, which strives to find answers to these questions and more. The album is set to release on 8/18/2023 on Karma Chief Records, a subsidiary of Colemine.Pale Jay is a trained jazz vocalist and pianist, and he wrote, recorded, and produced all songs on the album, except for 'By The Lake', which is a collaboration with labelmates Okonski - Steve Okonski, Aaron Frazer, and Michael Montgomery. Pale Jay's music is influenced by a wide range of songwriters, including Labi Siffre, Carole King, and William Onyeabor. 'Bewilderment' is a seamless blend of Pale Jay's trademark dusty soul, slow disco, and Afrobeat, with string arrangements by Raven Bush adding an extra layer of magic to the beat- heavy productions.Pale Jay's debut LP is a captivating journey of self-discovery. Each song on Bewilderment tells a unique story, but they all share a common theme of personal growth and self-understanding. Grab a copy on 8/18/2023 to dive in and experience the new album.

Monika Enterprise welcomes a new act to her roster with Berlin based experimental pop duo Post Neo releasing their new EP. Individually known as Nicole Luján and Pauline Weh, both musicians pursued their own solo projects before forming the duo Post Neo. On "Alles Immer Wieder" they combine as more than the sum of their parts to produce 5 songs of dark and powerful experimental avant- pop which is released as an exclusive 10" vinyl.

SML is bassist Anna Butterss (Jeff Parker, Daniel Villarreal, Makaya McCraven), synthesist Jeremiah Chiu (Ariel Kalma, Marta Sofia-Honer), saxophonist Josh Johnson (Jeff Parker, Makaya McCraven, Nate Mercereau, Marquis Hill), percussionist Booker Stardrum (Amirtha Kidambi, Carl Stone, Lee Ranaldo, Patrick Shiroishi), and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann (Sam Wilkes, Meg Duffy, Perfume Genius). Their debut album Small Medium Large began as a collection of long-form improvisations recorded during two separate two-night stands at beloved Highland Park venue ETA.

Contemporary classical composer Sophia Jani and violinist Teresa Allgaier announce their new collaborative work Six Pieces for Solo Violin on Squama Recordings. Characterized by its calmness and poise, each movement focuses on a particular technical aspect, bending the boundaries of the instrument while maintaining the illusion of simplicity.

Sometimes the most complicated thing anyone can do is to try to create something that feels uncomplicated. Arvo Pärt, ballet, a delicious meal we didn’t cook ourselves, Ella Fitzgerald, a safe place to lay our heads at night, a quiet pine forest – […] In all these things, it takes a lot of effort to make us feel as if something is effortless.
– David Lang (from the liner notes)

Family Circle’s 1973 LP draws a tight ring around the most beguiling soul tropes of its era, with its full house of ambitious players and hook-laden originals. Newark, New Jersey’s Simmons siblings—George, James, Mary, Don, and David—rallied around journeyman arranger George Andrews and business maven/producer Randy Irwin, whose industry ties brought studio luminaries into the Simmons orbit: session guitar giant Cornell Dupree, guitarist/songwriter Billy Vera, and the inimitable Bernard “Pretty” Purdie on drums. Charles Simmons’ “Well Runs Dry” dipped several toes into Jackson 5-saturated waters, while “I Hope You Really Love Me” stayed together with the Al Green ethos. Where the bowling, basketball, and karate-obsessed Simmons fivesome was hitching to—thumbs unfurled and dressed to impress in Central Park on Family Circle’s back cover—is anyone’s guess, but their sparkling, layered sound, gospel-honed vocal chops, and instantly relatable melodies should’ve dropped them off on everybody’s turntable. Give Family Circle a lift, drive ‘em around awhile.

In The Handover, Aly Eissa, Ayman Asfour and Jonas Cambien explore the common and uncommon senses of Egypt's ritual music. It is clear that Aly Eissa's original composition is deeply rooted in Egyptian and Arabic traditions. At the same time, this band is one of the most progressive coming out of Egypt today. This is in big part thanks to Eissa, who has proven time and again to be not only an extremely skillful composer, but also a real visionary, combining tradition with modern experimentation.

A performance by The Handover is typically one stretch without break: a long build-up that lasts for the duration of the concert. Towards the end of the performance, all the tension is released in an exuberant, joyful climax, when wild improvisations are driven forward on top of exciting dance-rhythms from rural Egypt. The Handover elegantly combines the delicacy of classical Arabic music, the raw expressiveness of Egypt's countryside music, and the spontaneity of free improvisation, carefully obliterating the artificial separation between acoustic and electronic instruments. Despite the remarkable absence of any percussion or drums, The Handover is an extremely groovy band, with an ability to slow down and accelerate the tempo in almost telepathic synchronization at exactly the right moments.

Alongside the tight ensemble playing there is plenty of room for individual expression as the oud, synthesizer and violin take turns playing solos on top of repetitive riffs. Throughout the album, native Alexandrian Ayman Asfour plays the violin with breathtaking beauty, while not being afraid to make the violin buzz, squeak and rattle at times. Belgian/Norwegian keyboardist Jonas Cambien makes the synthesizer a melodic instrument in its own right, at times evoking almost classical Maqam, while in other moments it seems like he comes straight out of an Egyptian wedding. The oud forms the backbone in the composition's structure, as Aly Eissa's solos guide the listener from minimalist, meditative drones, to a compelling climax, and back to earth.

Freshly following their debut LP, Colemine Records is here to introduce the newest 45 from Thee Sinseers.The A-side, "For You" is a man's devotional message that promises it's the real deal this time. The group's sweet, verbed out harmonies set the stage for Joey Quinoñes' artful croon.The B-side is the instrumental version of their album's closing track, "Sinseerly Yours." Here it's aptly renamed "Si Llorarás" (if you will cry). This tune sends the listener off into the sunset with a gentle lap steel guitar tune reminiscent of Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk."

Freshly following their debut LP, Colemine Records is here to introduce the newest 45 from Thee Sinseers.The A-side, "For You" is a man's devotional message that promises it's the real deal this time. The group's sweet, verbed out harmonies set the stage for Joey Quinoñes' artful croon.The B-side is the instrumental version of their album's closing track, "Sinseerly Yours." Here it's aptly renamed "Si Llorarás" (if you will cry). This tune sends the listener off into the sunset with a gentle lap steel guitar tune reminiscent of Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk."

Strut introduces a pioneering new compilation "A Dancefloor In Ndola," curated by revered East African DJ, Kampire. This release marks an evolution in Strut"s approach to compilations, showcasing emerging DJ talent from across the world and embracing an innovative approach to musical discovery from the next wave of selectors.

For its second release, following SALO"s feverish self-titled debut album, Berlin-based platform Kuboraum substantiates its musical perspective, bringing together an eccentric set of tracks from friends and family. Each artist was invited personally by the platform to write a piece of music inspired by Kuboraum"s philosophical and aesthetic principles. This Kuboraum Editions compilation that features tracks from Space Afrika, LABOUR, Moin, V/Z, o-Ziq, Lucy Railton, Alessandro Adriani and many more.

The compilation ‘Les Belgicains – Na Tango Ya Covadia 1964-1970’ (‘Les Belgicains’ during the time of Covadia 1964-1970) tells the remarkable story of the first Congolese student orchestras in Belgium. During that time Congolese referred to countrymen living in Belgium as ‘Les Belgicains’. The music presented on this compilation blew a new, fresh wind through the musical landscape of Congolese popular music under the supervision of the legendary editor and producer Nikiforos Cavvadias (Ngoma label)

The largest country in Africa is experiencing its early independence. During that period, Belgium invites many Congolese students to take classes at its universities. They are the future executives and ministers of the new republic. Out of a feeling of homesickness for their beautiful country, these students set up music groups. To dance and get carried away by the music the 45 rpm records they brought with them from Congo were too short. That is why they decide to bring live music to the events of the Congolese diaspora. Their own compositions are strongly influenced by their life in Belgium, resulting in a unique sound.

Nikiforos Cavvadias arrives in Belgium around the same time. At that moment he is one of the best-known editors and producers in Congo and he works for the Ngoma label based in Léopoldville. Niki is at the origin of the success of, among others: Antoine Mundanda, Léon Bukasa, Manuel d'Oliveira, Wendo Kolosoy... Due to the political instability in Congo, he permanently moved to Belgium with his wife and two children (1964). The student orchestras, like Los Nickelos and Yéyé National, are quickly noticed by Niki, who is looking for young, talented musicians to house under his new label Covadia.

You can hear the extraordinary result on this compilation!

This album is available in a deluxe vinyl edition with gatefold sleeve (1lp) + insert or a CD with a 24-page booklet. Both editions contain the story of 'Les Belgicains' and the Covadia label, with unique photos of the original orchestras. Renown sound engineer Roger Verbestel made the recordings between 1964 and 1968 in the recording studio Studio Madeleine in Brussels. All music has been remastered from the original master tapes.

The compilation ‘Les Belgicains – Na Tango Ya Covadia 1964-1970’ (‘Les Belgicains’ during the time of Covadia 1964-1970) tells the remarkable story of the first Congolese student orchestras in Belgium. During that time Congolese referred to countrymen living in Belgium as ‘Les Belgicains’. The music presented on this compilation blew a new, fresh wind through the musical landscape of Congolese popular music under the supervision of the legendary editor and producer Nikiforos Cavvadias (Ngoma label)

The largest country in Africa is experiencing its early independence. During that period, Belgium invites many Congolese students to take classes at its universities. They are the future executives and ministers of the new republic. Out of a feeling of homesickness for their beautiful country, these students set up music groups. To dance and get carried away by the music the 45 rpm records they brought with them from Congo were too short. That is why they decide to bring live music to the events of the Congolese diaspora. Their own compositions are strongly influenced by their life in Belgium, resulting in a unique sound.

Nikiforos Cavvadias arrives in Belgium around the same time. At that moment he is one of the best-known editors and producers in Congo and he works for the Ngoma label based in Léopoldville. Niki is at the origin of the success of, among others: Antoine Mundanda, Léon Bukasa, Manuel d'Oliveira, Wendo Kolosoy... Due to the political instability in Congo, he permanently moved to Belgium with his wife and two children (1964). The student orchestras, like Los Nickelos and Yéyé National, are quickly noticed by Niki, who is looking for young, talented musicians to house under his new label Covadia.

You can hear the extraordinary result on this compilation!

This album is available in a deluxe vinyl edition with gatefold sleeve (1lp) + insert or a CD with a 24-page booklet. Both editions contain the story of 'Les Belgicains' and the Covadia label, with unique photos of the original orchestras. Renown sound engineer Roger Verbestel made the recordings between 1964 and 1968 in the recording studio Studio Madeleine in Brussels. All music has been remastered from the original master tapes.

Very dope.

With this EP an attempt is made at documenting the vibrant action happening during the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Pioneer Valley area of Western Massachusetts, US. The story is richer than the snapshot we present here, and a more detailed account is to be found in the accompanying book that can be purchased separately.

The Five Colleges in Hampshire County congregated a vast student population that inevitably interacted with the towns in the area. Bars, music and record stores, live music and a lot of experimentation and free thinking. Hampshire College, especially, promoted new approaches to teaching, subjects that might be considered radical by some even today, although a more favourable context would now surely exist for openly debating such topics as American Indians, Kayak Design, Black Oral Tradition, Food Management, etc. And the music? The immediate "punk effect" motivated the creation of numerous bands, many short lived, others evolving into New Wave / Power Pop territory, eventually crossing into Post-Punk experimentation. What is captured in "Noho EP" is a more electronic disposition, favoured by the existence of EMS gear and other equipment at Hampshire College and University of Massachusetts. We chose to focus on a group of musicians who, for a time, played together in different combinations under the loose umbrella of the Tekno Tunes label and the structure around it.

These musicians come from very different backgrounds and the nucleus portrayed here consisted of Christopher Vine, Elliott Sharp, James Whittemore and Nicholas Brown.

Of the several line-up changes The Scientific Americans went through, it was actually only the duo of Chris Vine and Jim Whittemore who recorded "Among Bodge Watt". Never before released, it is a companion piece to their track "El Salvador" available on the 1981 Roir tape-album "Load & Go!". The Sci Ams were founders of the Tekno Tunes label and also created the Tekno Tours "concert promotion agency", under which name they exposed local audiences to bands such as The Stranglers, The Slits, Pylon, Pere Ubu, The Psychedelic Furs, The Bush Tetras, Steel Pulse, etc. Their own sound kept progressing but at its best there's a solid dub undercurrent, pretty obvious in "Among Bodge Watt".

Human Error was born out of a collective jam by Chris Vine, Elliott Sharp, Jim Whittemore and Nick Brown. Elliott Sharp had moved to Northampton in August of 1978 and naturally became involved in the local music scene, hooking up first with Whittemore at a hi-fi audio store where he worked at the time. Basement jams followed stimulating conversations, and other musicians joined the sessions. "Clandestinator" sounds gorgeously loose, an effortless groove coming from a quasi-dub set-up. Nothing here seems calculated, the music just flows, contagious and irregular as the handclaps in the mix.

The Higher Primates later evolved into a "proper" band but started as Nick Brown's solo project. The Primates only ever released a (now sought-after) 7" single in 1980 (on the Tekno Tunes label, precisely). Both tracks on "Noho EP" were recorded the following year and never released until now. "Auto Music in the Disco Dub Style" is self-explanatory, with a steady, mid-tempo Tr808 beat running through, supporting synth squelches, echoes and reverbs, a fat bassline, dissonant melodic lines and odd vocal snippets. Kind of a DJ tool when the concept was barely in place. The more uptempo "Teresa Variations" adds a Fender Jazz bass and Selmer sax to the electronics. It actually sounds more "Disco", even with the robotic, unintelligible vocals. On top of this, the vibe is sealed by the overall Radiophonic Workshop analogue strangeness applied to a dance beat.

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the world’s No.1 disco – the high temple of Northern Soul – the legendary Wigan Casino, Lancashire.

Set against a backdrop of rampant inflation, the 3-day working week and national power cuts, Northern Soul emerged as an escape, a secret society, a haven for like-minded teenagers. Every Saturday night, for eight years, the faithful made the pilgrimage to the desolate mill town of Wigan to a broken down, pre-war dancehall on Station Road. It was a sanctuary, a special place of togetherness, elitism, and the catalyst for the music scenes longest enduring sub-culture… Northern Soul.

Our exclusive playlist highlights key records from the thousands played at the famed all-nighters by its original, founding, deejays, Russ Winstanley, Kev Roberts and Richard Searling.

Coloured Vinyl edition!

Remember that period at the turn of the century when people were talking about Lounge, Exotica and Easy Listening? It was the so-called Cocktail Generation phenomenon, of which VIP 200, a quartet formed in Italy in 1999, was the ultimate expression as a band. The most important input came from the reissues and compilations of Italian soundtracks that debuted with great success at the time, and VIP 200's interpretations of them were genuine, rustic and rich in atmospheres that led back precisely to music for the image. Even cinema, like Quentin Tarantino, has been fascinated and inspired by that sound by quoting it several times. The comparison and real meeting of VIP 200 with the Marc 4 as well as Alessandro Alessandroni and the legendary Piero Umiliani was fundamental. Soon after, they were also called from abroad by cult figures who wanted to interact with them such as German composer Peter Thomas with whom they recorded in Saint Tropez, DJ Maxwell Implosion and sessions in Capri with Miss Maki Nomiya of the Pizzicato Five for her solo record. It was a period of transition, the word "easy" that started from the Adriatic Riviera via Rome and Milan had made its way to Berlin, London and Tokyo. Their live shows, as well as their first and only record re-released for the first time on double gatefold vinyl by Cinedelic with many outtakes, alternated between danceable moments with fast rhythms such as shake, beat and soul funk, to more ethereal and psychedelic, to softer and more ironic ones. They loosely and spontaneously re-presented songs that before then no one had ever performed live with a band; 10 years later Calibro 35 would get there. All strictly from Italian composers or their own.Strong was the "fetishist" component that pushed them to research original instruments of the vintage, design, sound and atmosphere to be created. An iconographic record of the period, a must-have for those who lived through it and for those who want to understand its essence. Limited editions on double vinyl with gatefold cover

Nearly a decade after the first 'Tap Water,' XL Middleton delivers the sequel to what many consider a true classic of the modern funk genre. Weaving between singing, rapping, and the robotic refrains of vocoder, XL's vocals glide over his synth-drenched production, which manages to be simultaneously polished yet grimy. It's a perfect meeting ground for those steeped in the raw, underground approach to hip hop production and the cleaner, more organized ethos of dance music. Whether your jam is 80's boogie, 90's g-funk, or R&B-flavored dance music of any generation, 'Tap Water II' is sure to keep your glass full.

Back in print with new artwork !