Format Notes: 2022 re-press, 180g vinyl

Territories: Worldwide no restrictions

Track List:

A1 : Season For Love (3:06)
A2 : The Twelfth Of Never (2:25)
A3 : Trying To Understand A Woman (2:27)
A4 : When A Boy Falls In Love (2:38)
A5 : The Shortest Distance (0:36)

B1 : Hurt So Bad (3:16)
B2 : Walking On My Love (3:02)
B3 : Wichita Lineman (3:21)
B4 : Let's Try It Over Again (2:09)
B5 : The Magic Of Love (2:47)

Release Notes:

Mr Thing: "I've pretty much given up trying to find Season For Love. I'm glad you're doing these."

A monumental force firmly rooted in the soul canon, Willie Hutch is most notable for recording two of the best Blaxploitation soundtracks, The Mack and Foxy Brown. Yet his legacy is much greater. Outside of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, Hutch was arguably Motown's top male solo artist of the 70s. Prior to his association with Gordy et al, Hutch crafted his opening statements for RCA, two vital LPs that Be With Records is honoured to present today.

Often-overlooked, his second album Season For Love (1970) is a must for all deep soul fans and has been sought-after by collectors of different stripes for decades. Whereas his debut featured thundering, gritty numbers, Hutch treats us to a mellower soul here - sumptuous, warm and string-led. He compared his approach to that of Otis Redding and there are definite parallels; from the raspy, rough-hewn vocals that tend to roam between sweet and deeply impassioned to the horn-heavy, emphatic sonic backdrops.

With flawless originals presented alongside a few well-chosen classics (his stunning cover of "Wichita Lineman" arguably bests the original's splendour), it's easy to see why sample-based musicians have been falling over themselves to plunder from this album. Witness the sweeping strings that grace "The Magic Of Love" and the heartbreaking "Walking On My Love"; the mellifluous guitar work on the contemplative instrumental "The Shortest Distance" and gorgeous single "When A Boy Falls In Love".

Whilst the arrangements and playing are subtly jaw-dropping throughout, Hutch's uncontrived voice has a certain warmth to match a Nat “King” Cole and a purity of tone that even recalls the great Sam Cooke. Indeed, a few numbers are almost in a jazz vocal territory reminiscent of artists Lou Rawls. That's not to say that others lack the righteous energy and undeniable groove of Willie's later sound.

Remarkably consistent throughout – a rare commodity for many 70s soul albums – the lack of one signature song likely hindered its progress. Regardless, it deserved to make more of an impact and now, paired with the majestic debut, Soul Portrait, these recordings shine a new light on the early work of a soul legend.

Original vinyl copies of this album are extremely rare – and correspondingly expensive – so we’re thrilled to present the first ever vinyl reissue of a true lost classic. Mastered for vinyl by our esteemed engineer Simon Francis. It has been pressed on 180g vinyl for the first time and features the original, rarely seen artwork.


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

Format Notes: 2022 re-press, 180g vinyl

Track List:

A1 : Ain’t Gonna Stop (3:06)
A2 : You Can’t Miss Something That You Never Had (2:32)
A3 : A Love That’s Worth Having (2:47)
A4 : Good To The Last Drop (3:00)
A5 : That’s What I Call Lovin’ You (1:54)
A6 : You Gotta Try (2:26)

B1 : Let Me Give You The Love You Need (2:34)
B2 : Lucky To Be Loved By You (2:50)
B3 : Keep On Doin’ What You Do (2:18)
B4 : Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me Higher (2:32)
B5 : Do What You Wanna Do (3:12)

Release Notes:

A monumental force firmly rooted in the soul canon, Willie Hutch is most notable for recording two of the best Blaxploitation soundtracks, The Mack and Foxy Brown. Yet his legacy is much greater. Outside of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, Hutch was arguably Motown’s top male solo artist of the 70s. Prior to his association with Gordy et al, Hutch crafted his opening statements for RCA, two vital LPs that Be With Records is honoured to present today.

His debut, Soul Portrait (1969), is an incredible slice of gritty, Southern-fried soul. Think Stax with a touch of Detroit sparkle. As a whole, the album demonstrates the self-contained act Hutch was; he wrote every tune on the album while also arranging and conducting for it. It features eleven timeless grooves, with a blend of beat ballads and undeniable dancers.

The album’s centrepiece is undoubtedly the iconic, brooding minor-key masterpiece “A Love That’s Worth Having”. The album’s most recognisable track, it's a towering ballad drenched in stylish, sliding horns and elevated by its stunning backing vocalists. It was famously sampled by Madlib to augment his soundtrack for Stones Throw’s Our Vinyl Weighs A Ton as well as 9th Wonder for the Murs classic “Dreamchaser”. Whilst one can understand these iconic beatmakers for leaning on the work of a master, you really need to own the track in its full, unedited glory.

Horn-heavy opener “Ain’t Gonna Stop” is a funk-fuelled monster, Hutch's fatback vocal aided by a vicious drum ‘n’ conga rhythm whilst the bumping uptown soul of “You Can’t Miss Something That You Never Had” anticipates the Motown-vibe that Hutch went on to create. Supple guitar licks propel the loping, head-nod breaks of “Good To The Last Drop” whilst “That’s What I Call Lovin’ You” features gospel piano and plaintive, tender vocal turn. Rounding out Side A, the blazing horns of “You Gotta Try” hints at the Blaxploitation that was to come.

Ushering in the flipside, the thundering proto-70s-Motown rhythm of “Let Me Give You The Love You Need” segues neatly into the bouncing Northern Soul favourite “Lucky To Be Loved By You” whilst Hutch’s gutbucket guitar stylings are all over the smouldering "Keep On Doin’ What You Do". “Your Love Keeps Liftin’ Me Higher” is not a rendition of the Jackie Wilson classic; rather, it’s a powerhouse original that indicates where Hutch would take his sound on The Mack. Closing the album, the anthemic “Do What You Wanna Do” name-checks contemporary dance fads before instructing the listener to just get up and dance.

Brilliantly supported by a heavy roster of studio cats who combined to create a winning combination of horns, strings, and gorgeous female background vocalists, Soul Portrait is as complete a soul album as the decade’s very best. Tricky to find for a number of years, this lovingly produced reissue is certainly welcome. Paired with the soaring follow-up, Season For Love, these recordings shine a new light on the early work of a soul legend. Mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, it has been pressed on 180g vinyl for the first time and features the original artwork and liner notes.


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

LP

Tracklist
a1 party life
a2 show her your soul
a3 audrey
a4 show me
b1 thought you were the one
b2 anything
b3 the key
b4 party life (dub mix)

Short Info
After the re-release of the classic "Nu Romantix" album, Ed DMX aka DMX Krew returns to Permanent Vacation
with his new album "Party Life". This time the long-haired UK legend is taking a step back from his trademark
Electro and Techno sound and putting on his romancing suit. Ed is crooning over 80's styled Boogie, Disco and
Funk tracks in a way only he can do it and that will either make you jump for joy or cruising down the coastal
promenade. "Party Life" is another example why Ed is a master of all crafts in the ever expanding DMX Krew
universe.






Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

"Fast Rate" blends echoes of nostalgia with futuristic innovation, crafting a sonic landscape. In the relentless
rush of life's high-speed journey, it invites introspection, courageously urging listeners to delve into the
intricate web of contemporary life.
This EP is inspired by deep reflections on the meaning of life in a fast-paced world filled with thoughts and
emotions. It symbolizes a futuristic journey, mirroring the human struggle to gain an external perspective in
our busy lives. Random Alias prompts users to contemplate their existence, offering a musical experience
that transcends mere dance rhythms.
The 5 tracker showcases a wide array of sounds, from aggressive tones to captivating and atmospheric
elements unveiling a new face of the label that keeps exploring the interconnection between human and
technology.
The A side roars with high bpm and furious rhythms."Keep me high" express the need of escaping ordinary
life, seeking something that keeps us "high" and allows to escape and reset.
Following up "Fast Rate" spans a variety of influences, blending the allure of old-school Detroit electro with
futuristic sounds achieved through bold experimentation and advanced wave modeling. This fusion results
in a diverse and innovative sonic aesthetic, ranging from nostalgic '80s/'90s vibes to experimental
dimensions where tones morph and evolve.
"Solo in Space" and "Restless" on the filp side deliver direct, pulsating sounds and rhythms, embracing an
impactful electro-techno vision. These tracks merge both worlds, combining the energy and drive of electro
with the power and tension typical of techno, resulting in a sonic journey that blurs genre boundaries.
Completing the collection is a digital bonus track, "Galactic Power," which serves as a soulful embodiment of
the EP's essence. With its otherworldly alien-style pitched vocals,The track intricately crafts a cosmic palette
of bright pulses and ethereal FM synthesis.
This release represents a bold and progressive vision of electro, confirming and solidifying the eclectic
direction and the concept of inter genre flexibility. Music can be an ever-evolving form of art, blending
elements that transport listeners to distant cosmic realms.
Time shapes people, people shape technology, technology shapes music, music shapes time.


TRACKLISTS:

A1. Keep Me High
A2. Fast Rate
B1. Solo In Space
B2. Restless


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

2022 Repress

Track List:

A1 : Systems Breaking Down (7:11)

B1 : Systems Breaking Down (Dance Version) (6:55)

Release Notes:

20JazzFunkGreats: “The sound of mascara and tears, a flood streaming black across the pale landscape of a trembling face, lovely music and, oh, so sad.”

Be With continue their 12" series by reissuing Anna’s seminal cosmic coldwave bomb “Systems Breaking Down”. Originally released in 1982, it’s undoubtedly one of the most mysterious singles of the period. Remarkably, it was released on a major label - RCA - yet very little is known about the shadowy Anna.

Despite being recorded nearly 35 years ago, it still sounds strikingly vital. Both sonically relevant and lyrically prescient, it’s hard to imagine a more apposite track to soundtrack the dark days we currently occupy. A masterful study in dread, describing the gentle collapse of all structures, it is set against a backdrop of eerie, synth-heavy electronics.

Produced by 80s disco-pop mavericks Geraint Hughes and Ken Leray, side A contains the epic synth-pop original, all heart-wrenching atmosphere and haunting vocals.

Side B wins again, however. The more uptempo “Dance Version” is a dubbed-out dark-disco tour-de-force, with cut-up vocals drifting in and out of a bassline that throbs like Carpenter’s best (think Assault on Precinct 13) and a palette of head-nod minimal wave.

Both sought-after mixes have been remastered for vinyl by Simon Francis and are housed in a replica jacket of the maxi original. Outstanding.


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore