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Label: BE WITH RECORDS

Cat-No: bewith084LP

Release-Date: 18.09.2020

Genre:Afrobeat

Configuration: LP Excl

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Caiphus Semenya - A1 : Angelina (05:50) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A1 : Angelina (05:50) (00:00)	1	Caiphus Semenya - A1 : Angelina
Caiphus Semenya - A2 : Play With Fire (04:38) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A2 : Play With Fire (04:38) (00:00)	2	Caiphus Semenya - A2 : Play With Fire
Caiphus Semenya - A3 : Umoya (08:42) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A3 : Umoya (08:42) (00:00)	3	Caiphus Semenya - A3 : Umoya
Caiphus Semenya - B1 : Without You (05:56) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - B1 : Without You (05:56) (00:00)	4	Caiphus Semenya - B1 : Without You
Caiphus Semenya - B2 : Ziphinkomo (07:17) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - B2 : Ziphinkomo (07:17) (00:00)	5	Caiphus Semenya - B2 : Ziphinkomo
Caiphus Semenya - B3 : Gumba Boogie (06:08) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - B3 : Gumba Boogie (06:08) (00:00)	6	Caiphus Semenya - B3 : Gumba Boogie

Format Notes:
2020 re-issue, 140g vinyl

Territories:
Worldwide no restrictions

Track List:

A1 : Angelina (05:50)
A2 : Play With Fire (04:38)
A3 : Umoya (08:42)

B1 : Without You (05:56)
B2 : Ziph’inkomo (07:17)
B3 : Gumba Boogie (06:08)

Release Notes:

Caiphus Semenya, AKA Mr Letta Mbulu, is a South African legend, and Listen To The Wind, his iconic debut album, is simply a superb modern-soul/boogie album. It’s also incredibly rare, especially in good condition, so Be With is delighted to present this reissue.

Now a revered composer, musician, and arranger, Caiphus left apartheid South Africa in the 60s for self-imposed exile in Southern California together with his wife, Letta Mbulu. Settling in Los Angeles he started working with the likes of Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba and other exiled and semi-exiled South african artists, as well as, of course, his wife Letta.

Caiphus also found himself working with and composing for a broad range of jazz and pop artists, including Lou Rawls, Nina Simone and Cannonball Adderley. His facility with both jazz and African forms served him well. His LA stay was also the beginning of an ongoing collaboration with Quincy Jones, the fruits of which can be tasted in Caiphus’s African compositions for the scores to Roots and Spielberg’s adaptation of The Color Purple.

Given his decades of work behind the scenes, it’s no surprise that it took until 1982 for Caiphus to get around to putting out the first album of his own. But all that experience shows. Listen To The Wind is a deeply impressive synthesis of early 80s US production and instrumentation together with his traditional South African musical roots.

It’s stylistically diverse but the ingredients are never diluted. There are elements of boogie, soul, funk and jazz, all shot through with pan-African flavour, and moving effortlessly from uptempo floor fillers to more meditative, slower soulful tracks. Produced by Caiphus himself, he makes full use of a stellar line up of session musicians including Nathan East, Michael Stanton, Sonny Burke and Paulinho DaCosta. And of course, there are Letta’s show-stopping vocals. To our ears, Listen To The Wind is just one big party, and lord knows we need that more than ever right now.

Opener “Angelina” is one of Caiphus’s most beloved tracks at Be With HQ. It’s a breezy, feel-good SA boogie-funk classic. Harmonic and horn heavy, it sounds as fresh today as it would’ve done in the early 80s. If this one doesn’t make you move, you may need your pulse taking. The drum breakdown alone, a little over halfway through, is sensational.

It’s followed by the gentle reggae lilt of “Play With Fire”. A real melodic slo-mo delight, carried by the tropical vibes and, above all else, by the extraordinary performance of Caiphus himself and his backing singers.

Closing out side one, the spectacular “Umoya” is driven by triumphant horns and slick bass. With its proto-Graceland vibes, we reckon Paul Simon must’ve been listening. Hard. Caiphus trades verses with the unmistakable tones of Letta, and it sounds divine. Yes, it’s as good as anything on Letta’s canonical In The Music… The Village Never Ends. A wide-eyed wonder, made for unity and togetherness, it’s all infectious, smiling faces for nearly nine minutes. But never mind nine, we could party to this for ninety minutes and “Umoya” would leave us re-energised for ninety more.

Elegantly firing up side two is perhaps the album’s best known track. “Without You” is a heavenly slice of modern soul, an end-of-nighter to end them all. Smooth strutting, disco-fied funk with that unmistakably South African sound, it’s just sublime, with those lyrics that keep coming back to smiling faces and community, “without You the sun won’t shine”. Big with the likes of Rush Hour’s Antal, this is aural perfection.

“Ziph’inkomo” is a soul-soothing, swooning epic. Gently building throughout, its final few minutes are genuinely stirring as the backing vocals and instrumentation swell. Jaw-dropping. The irresistible groove of frantic, percussive workout “Gumba Boogie” closes out what must surely be one of the greatest artistic statements of the 1980s. If his friend Quincy wasn’t feverishly taking notes for Thriller, then you could’ve fooled us.

With Simon Francis handling the mastering of this Be With edition, you know it sounds as fantastic as ever. The cover art, as breezy as the music, has been faithfully restored. All that’s missing is you.

Caiphus Semenya

Streams Today… Rivers Tomorrow (LP)

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Last in: 10.09.2020

Label: BE WITH RECORDS

Cat-No: bewith086LP

Release-Date: 18.09.2020

Genre:Afrobeat

Configuration: LP Excl

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Label: BE WITH RECORDS

Cat-No: bewith086LP

Release-Date: 18.09.2020

Genre:Afrobeat

Configuration: LP Excl

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Last in: 10.09.2020

Caiphus Semenya - A1 : Mamase (05:41) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A1 : Mamase (05:41) (00:00)	1	Caiphus Semenya - A1 : Mamase
Caiphus Semenya - A2 : Aida (04:01) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A2 : Aida (04:01) (00:00)	2	Caiphus Semenya - A2 : Aida
Caiphus Semenya - A3 : Nomalanga (06:23) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A3 : Nomalanga (06:23) (00:00)	3	Caiphus Semenya - A3 : Nomalanga
Caiphus Semenya - A4 : Moshanyana (04:31) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - A4 : Moshanyana (04:31) (00:00)	4	Caiphus Semenya - A4 : Moshanyana
Caiphus Semenya - B1 : Dial Your Number (04:41) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - B1 : Dial Your Number (04:41) (00:00)	5	Caiphus Semenya - B1 : Dial Your Number
Caiphus Semenya - B2 : Matswale (05:44) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - B2 : Matswale (05:44) (00:00)	6	Caiphus Semenya - B2 : Matswale
Caiphus Semenya - B3 : Ndi-Kulindile (03:51) (00:00) Caiphus Semenya - B3 : Ndi-Kulindile (03:51) (00:00)	7	Caiphus Semenya - B3 : Ndi-Kulindile

Format Notes:
2020 re-issue, 140g vinyl

Territories:
Worldwide no restrictions

Track List:

A1 : Mamase (05:41)
A2 : Aida (04:01)
A3 : Nomalanga (06:23)
A4 : Moshanyana (04:31)

B1 : Dial Your Number (04:41)
B2 : Matswale (05:44)
B3 : Ndi-Kulindile (03:51)

Release Notes:

Caiphus Semenya, AKA Mr Letta Mbulu, is a South African legend and Streams Today… Rivers Tomorrow, his second solo LP, is perfect. A ten out-of ten album if ever we heard one. It’s also incredibly rare, especially in good condition, so Be With is delighted to present this reissue.

Now a revered composer, musician, and arranger, Caiphus left apartheid South Africa in the 60s for self-imposed exile in Southern California together with his wife, Letta Mbulu. Settling in Los Angeles he started working with the likes of Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba and other exiled and semi-exiled South african artists, as well as, of course, his wife Letta.

Caiphus also found himself working with and composing for a broad range of jazz and pop artists, including Lou Rawls, Nina Simone and Cannonball Adderley. His facility with both jazz and African forms served him well. His LA stay also the beginning of an ongoing collaboration with Quincy Jones, the fruits of which can be tasted in Caiphus’s African compositions for the scores to Roots and Spielberg’s adaptation of The Color Purple.

Originally released in 1984, Streams Today… Rivers Tomorrow is not just a musical masterpiece, it is also the soundtrack to the life of many South Africans - both then and now. Fusing the US-heavy sounds of boogie, disco and funk with Afrobeat and traditional African elements, it’s truly a spectacular listen. Jabu Nkosi handles keyboards on the album, with synths by Caiphus and Craig Harris. Sipho Gumede is on bass and Condry Ziqubu is on guitars.

The Afro-Cuban grooves of “Mamase” open the record. Continuing where Listen To The Wind left off, this is another horn-heavy call-and-response ode to a positive life. Life as an invitation to party, to take part, to “get involved”. But only if you’re willing to let in the transcendent power of music. “There’s gonna be a Mardi Gras, there’s gonna be a carnival; there’s gonna be a jamboree, there’s gonna be a bacchanal”. Who can resist that? Vibrations everywhere.

It’s followed by the joy of “Aida”. Gleeful, dayglow keys and synths *just* on the right side of mid-80s sleaze are accompanied by a killer bassline, slick, skipping drums and proud horns. Infectious funk.

The tempo is taken down a few notches for the powerful “Nomalanga” and the lamentations of a heartbroken man who must leave his wife Nomalanga and their children to join the fight against apartheid. It’s an emotional song, no question, but it doesn’t bring you down. The uplifting music and optimistic vocal delivery from Caiphus and his backing singers in the second half offer hope.

Breezy drums and contemplative keys act as a backdrop for the stunning backing vocal harmonies in the intro of “Moshanyana”. This gives way to stuttering beats, a bassline to die for and Caiphus giving it his all, over guitars, marimba and synth strings. Another slo-mo winner.

Side two opens with “Dial Your Number”, an uptempo English-language boogie-funk workout, complete with mid-song cutaway to a random telephone call. Whether or not this propels the song into “key track” status, we’ll let you decide.

What’s not up for debate is the brilliance of “Matswale”. This was a hit in South Africa in the mid-80s and you can still hear why. It might just be our favourite Caiphus hit. Wow. This is some damn fine breezy, beautiful, emotional pop. The restrained playing, the guitar licks and the gentle keys are out of this world. The beats? Thundering, direct and slick. The singing? It’ll give you goosebumps. As for the sentiment? This is Caiphus singing to his in-laws about their daughter’s adultery, begging them to intervene and help him save his marriage. Not your typical pop single story-telling!

The ferocious “Ndi-Kulindile” closes the set with a nod to the coming sound of the States. The hard-edged, electro-influenced drum patterns and bouncing, elastic bassline are something of a departure from the album’s predominant sound, yet one wonderful constant, Caiphus’s exceptional delivery and his sparring with his backing vocalists, is satisfyingly present and warmly deployed.

With Simon Francis handling the mastering of this Be With edition, you know it sounds as fantastic as ever. The stunning sleeve has been restored, with its painting of a dream-like cosmic vista, as a lone figure takes in a scene that’s part distant planet, part urban sprawl. One listen and you’ll be transported.

Caiphus Semenya, AKA Mr Letta Mbulu, is a South African legend and Streams Today… Rivers Tomorrow, his second solo LP, is perfect. A ten out-of ten album if ever we heard one. It’s also incredibly rare, especially in good condition, so Be With is delighted to present this reissue.

Originally released in 1984, Streams Today… Rivers Tomorrow is not just a musical masterpiece, it is also the soundtrack to the life of many South Africans - both then and now. Fusing the US-heavy sounds of boogie, disco and funk with Afrobeat and traditional African elements, it’s truly a spectacular listen. Jabu Nkosi handles keyboards on the album, with synths by Caiphus and Craig Harris. Sipho Gumede is on bass and Condry Ziqubu is on guitars.

One listen and you’ll be transported.

Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wild Flowers

Full Pupp 15 Years Part 3 - EP

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Last in: 24.07.2020

Label: full pupp

Cat-No: fp071

Release-Date: 21.08.2020

Genre:House

Configuration: 12" Excl

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Label: full pupp

Cat-No: fp071

Release-Date: 21.08.2020

Genre:House

Configuration: 12" Excl

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Last in: 24.07.2020

Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - A2. Magnus International - Sitronsyre (PT Mix) Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - A2. Magnus International - Sitronsyre (PT Mix)	2	Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - A2. Magnus International - Sitronsyre (PT Mix)
Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - B1. Skatebard - Bim Bam Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - B1. Skatebard - Bim Bam	3	Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - B1. Skatebard - Bim Bam
Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - B2. Wild Flowers - Magic Johnson Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - B2. Wild Flowers - Magic Johnson	4	Iben Elster,Magnus Intern.,Skatebard,Wil - B2. Wild Flowers - Magic Johnson

Genre: House

Tracklist 12":

A1 Iben Elster - Kong (Ibens Overdub) 06:13
A2 Magnus International - Sitronsyre (Prins Thomas Mix) 05:47

B1 Skatebård - Bim Bam 05:52
B2 Wild Flowers - Magic Johnson 06:30

Short Info:

Full Pupp is 15 years old and we're marking the occasion by inviting old and new friends to contribute a track each.

Iben Elster is a underrated dj and producer from Bergen. We're happy he managed to send us anything at all.

Magnus International made us half a track, Prins Thomas finished it.

Skatebård was too busy to record us something new but this previously old cassette only release will do.

Wild Flowers is a collab between Jaeger's residents Øyvind Morken and MC Kaman.

Alma Negra

Dakar Disco EP (Ft. Kuniyuki remix)

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Last in: 22.07.2020

Label: Heist Recordings

Cat-No: heist048

Release-Date: 28.08.2020

Genre:House

Configuration: 12" Excl

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Label: Heist Recordings

Cat-No: heist048

Release-Date: 28.08.2020

Genre:House

Configuration: 12" Excl

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Alma Negra - A2 - Contra Alma Negra - A2 - Contra	2	Alma Negra - A2 - Contra
Alma Negra - B1 - Dakar disco (Kuniyuki Remix) Alma Negra - B1 - Dakar disco (Kuniyuki Remix)	3	Alma Negra - B1 - Dakar disco (Kuniyuki Remix)
Alma Negra - B2 - Back in town Alma Negra - B2 - Back in town	4	Alma Negra - B2 - Back in town

Format : Vinyl 12” (180 gr., Limited Full Cover)

Track list :

A1 Alma Negra - Dakar disco
A2 Alma Negra - Contra
B1 Alma Negra - Dakar disco (Kuniyuki Remix)
B2 Alma Negra - Back in town

Release Info:

Alma Negra – Dakar Disco EP

When your roots have a broad geographical diversity, it’s very likely this will resonate in the music you make. This is certainly the case with Alma Negra and their new release on Heist. It seems they have embraced all their cultural influences more than ever in their new ‘Dakar Disco EP’. The whole record oozes class and musicality and feels like a carefree collage of the rich musical lives they live. The three originals on this EP vary in tempo and energy, giving you something for each moment of the day or night. They are accompanied by a remix from none other than the Japanese master of cosmic funk: Kuniyuki.

The EP kicks off with the title track ‘Dakar Disco’; an island style mid-tempo burner, rich with filtered guitars, bells and bleeps. Soothing chords and synth melodies are introduced for a lovely build up, but it’s the live horn section that takes centre stage. Here, the track really comes to full fruition, with a squeaky lead accompanying the horns for an electronic twist to what is above all a lovely summer jam.

‘Contra’ ups the pace and moves more into dance floor territory with loose claps, spacey pads and faraway chants. This track really gets to you with the live percussion and extremely catchy lead running throughout the track. This is afro house just the way we like it.

We’re very proud to have Kuniyuki remixing ‘Dakar disco’. This master of his craft has done an outstanding job with his cosmic take on ‘Dakar disco’. He lays down a great riff on bass guitar, while playing around with all the live elements and adds a serious bit of reverb for a stunning effect. This track is a perfect example of Kuniyuki’s musical skills and we can almost see him jamming this out, eyes closed and directed towards a distant point in space only he can see.

The EP’s closing track ‘Back in town’, is perhaps the clubbiest track of the set. A friendly acid line squeaks over tribal drums & chants and you immediately get pulled in by a great balafon hook. You can really hear how the guys feel at ease combining these worldly elements with modern electronics and ‘Back in town’ is a great example on how to blend these sonic worlds.

So there we are. A taste of the Alma Negra summer with a healthy dose of Japanese funk. Enjoy!

Yours sincerely,

Maarten & Lars

Sascha Müller

Auslaufrillen Megamix Vol. 1 & 2 (7")

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Last in: 07.09.2020

Label: Kein Label In Sicht

Cat-No: KLIS001

Release-Date: 21.08.2020

Genre:Electronica

Configuration: 7" Excl

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Label: Kein Label In Sicht

Cat-No: KLIS001

Release-Date: 21.08.2020

Genre:Electronica

Configuration: 7" Excl

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Last in: 07.09.2020