Tracklist
A1. The Sacred Chao
A2. Last Train To Tucumcari
A3. Along Black River
B1. A Fistful Of Bitcoins
B2. The Road To Devils Tower

Short info:
With a third album, ‘Return To Telepathic Heights’, released this year on Gerd Janson’s Running Back label, techno outlaw A Sagittariun returns to themes of a space western nature with a closing epilogue, ‘A Fistful of Bitcoins’.
An extended player that traverses Tucumcari, Vietnam’s Black River, and the ultimate, and final leg, of the journey; to Devils Tower in Wyoming.


Vital Sales Points:
- full picture sleeve, designed by Jonny O (Rocket Recordings/Goat)
- global PR and marketing campaign from Hype Filter
- last A Sagittairun album for Gerd Janson’s Running Back label received excellent reviews in Mixmag, DJ Mag, The Wire & more…


Selected DJ feedback:
Robag Whrume – Good one!
Shanti Celeste – love this!
Nick Höppner – Sounding great
Brendon Moeller – Dope AF!
Johanna Knutsson – Beautiful stuff
Ed Davenport – Some heavy stuff here, Road To Devils Tower is a special cut!
Bruce (Livity Sound) – Real digging the slow bits, proper gear!
John Osborn – The Sacred Chao is heaven!
Interstellar Funk – Really like ‘A Fistful Of Bitcoins’
Neil Barnes (Leftfield) – very nice and imaginative EP
Fabrice Lig – Really nice EP, love it
DJ Octopus – Great one!
Vincent Neumann – Ooh, so nice!
Ell Weston (Banoffe Pies) – Superb selection
Cormac – Black River is super nice
Cooper Saver – wow, love these
Bill Brewster – lot’s of nice gear on here, good work
96 Back (CPU) – wonderfully bleepy and dubby
Tensnake – lovely release
Kirsti (Null & Void) – So consistent, another great release from A Sagittariun

Media/Radio
Global Roots/Worldwide FM – airplay – 20/09/19 More

Special Remarks : Special Gatefold Sleeve

Tracklist
A1. Once Upon A Time
A2. Watch The Skies!
A3. Last Of The Crazy Baldheads
A4. Zeus I Prepare For Launch
A5. Life Is The Illusion, Love Is The Dream
A6. Lazer Battle At The O.K. Coral
B1. Version Excursion
B2. Dream Stealers
B3. The Mild Mild West
B4. The Final Scene (Fade To Black)

Shortinfo:
A Sagittariun’s third album chronicles the journey back to Telepathic Heights; an expedition that encounters many obstacles along the way. The feuding parties of the two planets make for a journey of determination and self-discovery for our techno lone ranger that will ultimately deliver him to the sacred site on which Telepathic Heights stands.
Conceived as a space western soundtrack to the cinematic interpretation of this tale, Return To Telepathic Heights delivers ten chapters that journal the ultimate mission to reach the imposing tower of Telepathic Heights, where dream telepathy has become the primary communicative tool amongst its peaceful and harmonious community who have opted out of the planetary war that continues to rage, seemingly with no armistice anytime soon.
The score fittingly winds its way through the trials and tribulations of this journey, blending minimal and harmonic rhythms, industrial funk, dreamy synthwave and transcendental techno into the rich tapestry of music that documents the ‘Return To Telepathic Heights’.
The album features original artwork by Johnny Bruck, fully licensed, and taken from the legendary German science fiction novel series, ‘Perry Rhodan’, which ran weekly from the early 1960s, and was the most successful sci-fi book series ever written.



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- First ever re-press of the debut single from A Sagittariun. Long out of print since it’s 2011 release.
- Remixes by MD2 AKA Mike Dehnert (Fachwerk)

Tracklist
A1. The Circle Stops Somewhere (Original Mix)
A2. Telepathic Heights
B1. The Circle Stops Somewhere (MD2 Mello Mix)
B2. The Circle Stops Somewhere (MD2 Hard Mix)

Re-press of A Sagittariun’s debut 2011 EP on Elastic Dreams. “The Circle Stops Somewhere” has been a
defining release for the British techno explorer, long since out of print since its release seven years ago.
Now the label re-press the original vinyl release that features two amazing MD2 (AKA Mike Dehnert) remixes.
Resident Advisor summarised the debut A Sagittariun release in a glowing review “The Circle Stops Somewhere"
is definitive driving music, even down to the evocation of onrushing traffic in the form of cold, blurred synth stabs.
It's also a nostalgically-observed piece of electronic jazz, the dominant motifs of which transport one into a
crepuscular world of uncertainty and disquiet. The reliable Mike Dehnert turns in two contrasting mixes…” More

hand stamped 12” vinyl, limited to 150 copies

Tracklist
A1. The Golden Apple
A2. Blue Lotus
B1. Liebe Tanzen

Short info:

More leftfield techno sounds from one of the scene’s more unassuming producers, A Sagittariun delivers a new single stamped with his trademark sound aesthetic. The ‘Fahrenheit 451’ EP brings together three new productions in lieu of a new album coming later in the year.

‘The Golden Apple’ brings together brain scrambling drums, a heavy hoover bassline, and a typically Sagi style wormhole riff, whilst ‘Blue Lotus’ throws tropical shapes around the broken beats that flourish into a rapid 4/4 stomper, with scattering hats and equatorial ambience giving a unique vibe. A Sagittariun strays into disco territory on ‘Liebe Tanzen’, flitting between modern intergalactic synth riffs & basslines, and sampled disco drums.


Vital Sales Points:
- hand stamped 12” vinyl, limited to 150 copies
- global PR and marketing campaign from Hype Filter
re-moulded, 25 years after it was produced, for release on his Elastic Dreams label. More

Tracklist:
A1. Stingray A2. Burning Crystal B1. An Infinite Number Of Possibilities B2. 720 Degrees
Short info:
Fresh from his ‘Vanishing Point single on UK label Hypercolour, which saw the lead track hit the Beatport Leftfield House & Techno sales chart at #1 for four weeks, A Sagittariun is back on his Elastic Dreams label with the ‘Slightly Ajar’ EP.
As always, A Sagittariun brings an eclectic melting pot of flavours to each of his EPs, blending Detroit techno, ambient house, highly charged electro, dramatic synths and transcendental vibes. ‘Stingray’ combines future techno beats with apocalyptic
bass and melodious keys, with an almost early 1980s synth pop vibe to it, whilst ‘Burning Crystal’ is the kind of introverted and deep ambient electronica that has shaped the two A Sagittariun albums (2013’s ‘Dream Ritual’ and 2016’s ‘Elasticity’).
‘An Infinite Number Of Possibilities’ is relentless, frenetic and funky, as a myriad of warped sounds and riffs flash past the heavy drum work, and ’720 Degrees’ closes the EP with crunchy 808 electro patterns, FM bass and huge melancholic strings
straight out of the Derrick May rule book. A Sagittariun will be performing at the Berghain, Berlin on 26th August, showcasing a new live set before embarking on further dates at the end of the year.
Vital Sales Points:
- A Sagittariun is a guest on the B.Traits BBC Radio 1 show on 29th July
- A Sagittariun performs live at the Berghain, Berlin on 26th August More

special release, 12" white label, hand stamped with Hypercolour logo. Limited to 200 copies!

Tracklist 12":
A1. Vanishing Point
B1. The Pathway (Original Mix)
B2. The Pathway (Matrixxman Remix)

Short info:
One of the current techno scene's 'hidden treasures', Bristol based A Sagittariun has discretely released a wide breadth of music over the last five years for labels like Secretsundaze, Hypercolour and his own Elastic Dreams label. Two highly acclaimed albums in "Dream Ritual" and "Elasticity" as well as fifteen EPs have appealed to those who like their techno without frontiers, taking in blistering 140BPM techno, breakbeat IDM and ambient dub with ease. His second release for Hypercolour displays signs of crossover appeal at long last…

Lead track "Vanishing Point" has already been receiving early plays from the likes of Laurent Garnier (dropping it in his recent Timewarp Germany set), Spencer Parker and Len Faki. Big pumping beats and spiralling FX fall aside to a lone breakbeat that ushers in one pretty special breakdown section. The childlike keys and fathoms deep synth stabs (straight out of the John Carpenter school of fathoms deep synth stabs) have already drawn comparisons to the retro 80s vibes to be heard on the American sci-fi horror series Stranger Things. It's a breakdown that takes the listener to an uncharted dimension, bookended by slammin' beats that acts as a perfect mood changer in any set. Watch this one soar!

"The Pathway" keeps things on an all together straighter tip; an incessant tribal loop weaves and filters around a thunderous kick and shuffling hats, ebbing and flowing all the way in what might be A Sagittariun's most club-centric and stripped back production yet. Matrixxman (Dekmantel/Spectral Sound) is on hold to deliver a superb remix; pushing the original down a long dark tunnel for a growling and reverberating techno overhaul. Splendid stuff from the San Francisco based DJ/producer who is making serious waves on the scene after his landmark 2015 album 'Homesick' for Ghostly International.

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LTD to 200

Tracklist
A1. Curviture A2. Bleepanomix
B1. Kobalt B2. Floating On Salt Water

Short info:

A Sagittariun continues to release primarily on his own Elastic Dreams label, and 'The Magick Box' EP features four tracks that come nearly 12 months on from the uncompromising techno of the 'Contortion'/'Concrete Walls' single and the second full length album odyssey, 'Elasticity'.

Taking in pacey techno cuts 'Curviture' and 'Kobalt', cruising electro vibes on 'Floating On Salt Water' and wigged out industrial funk on 'Bleepanomix', once again 'The Archer' delivers a varied collection of new tracks on the EP.

Vital Sales Points:

- Previous singles on Secretsundaze, Hypercolour and Elastic Dreams were very well received
- A Sagittariun's second album, 'Elasticity', was released in April 2016 to glowing reviews and polled in the Mojo Magazine Top 5 Electronic Albums Of The Year
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Tracklist:
A : Heights (Jus' Rushin Mix) B1: Oxidize (Original Mix) B2: Oxidize (RVDS Remix)

Infotext:
After his exciting album "Elasticity" on his own imprint Elastic Dreams, A Sagittariun delivers the equally fascinating three track "Oxidize EP" for german label Couldn't Care More. While "Heights" is a stripped-down basic-channelish techno ride, rough, edgy and with a hint of hypnotic melodies, the title track heads in a quite different direction: still it's raw expressionistic techno, but the flow is ever-changing, mesmerizingly shifting and twisting between hissing beats and enlightened synths. For the remix of "Oxidize" Golden Pudel Club resident and odd-house virtuoso RVDS fires up the acid machine and does it Detroit style, warm and cold, uplifting and melancholic.

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Tracklist 2LP
A1. Architect Of Your Existence A2. Slowdive A3. Transmission from Terrence B1. Apokalypsis B2. The Naming Of The Names B3. Blim Burn B4. Transmission from Alan C1. Composition ? C2. Black Starliner C3. Transmission from Robert D1. Chapter & Verse D2. Resurrection Of A Memory D3. Transmission from Jesse
Short info:
Ambient techno exponent, A Sagittariun, fires off another full-length album transmission this April on his own Elastic Dreams label. 'Elasticity' is the Bristol based artist's second long player, and the follow up to his acclaimed 2013 debut, 'Dream Ritual'.
Having last released a trio of singles in early 2015 (for Hypercolour, Secret Sundaze and Elastic Dreams), 'Elasticity' marks a return for A Sagittariun, and fans of the slippery and elastic sounds that hallmarked his debut album will not be disappointed. 'Dream Ritual' helped firmly establish A Sagittariun as an artist whose musical chops and integrity operate largely outside of the mainstream and a producer who chooses to put the music firmly center stage, whilst opting to remain relatively anonymous within the music scene.
A Sagittariun explains; "Elasticity was recorded over quite a short period, but the sketches and ideas have been germinating for some time, so sonically it's very coherent and consistent and moves in a way that I personally like albums to move in, with a narrative and flow that holds you right to the end. The recipe for Elasticity was always to be malleable and pliable with the sounds and tempos; for me it's all about the listening experience, and creating a landscape and a world within that one can really get deep into and explore, it's optimistic and progressive music for the head, heart and feet. I really do advise the listener to don headphones and take the trip with me".
Over the album's 11 tracks, and a supporting cast of 'transmissions' from the likes of Robert Anton Wilson and Terrence McKenna, 'Elasticity' delves into a myriad of textured sounds and pliable rhythms, touching of ambient, industrial, breaks and dub influences. A two track 12" single, "Contortion"/"Concrete Walls" will be released one month prior, and features a couplet of 140 BPM techno tracks.
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Tracklist CD
01. Architect Of Your Existence 02. Blim Burn 03. Transmission from Jesse 04. Apokalypsis 05. Composition ? 06. Transmission from Terrence 07. The Naming Of The Names 08. Chapter & Verse 09. Slowdive 10. Telescopium 11. Transmission from Alan 12. Quickness 13. Resurrection Of A Memory 14. Transmission from Robert 15. Black Starliner 16. Transmission from Myrtle Avenue

Short info:
Ambient techno exponent, A Sagittariun, fires off another full-length album transmission this April on his own Elastic Dreams label. 'Elasticity' is the Bristol based artist's second long player, and the follow up to his acclaimed 2013 debut, 'Dream Ritual'.
Having last released a trio of singles in early 2015 (for Hypercolour, Secret Sundaze and Elastic Dreams), 'Elasticity' marks a return for A Sagittariun, and fans of the slippery and elastic sounds that hallmarked his debut album will not be disappointed. 'Dream Ritual' helped firmly establish A Sagittariun as an artist whose musical chops and integrity operate largely outside of the mainstream and a producer who chooses to put the music firmly center stage, whilst opting to remain relatively anonymous within the music scene.
A Sagittariun explains; "Elasticity was recorded over quite a short period, but the sketches and ideas have been germinating for some time, so sonically it's very coherent and consistent and moves in a way that I personally like albums to move in, with a narrative and flow that holds you right to the end. The recipe for Elasticity was always to be malleable and pliable with the sounds and tempos; for me it's all about the listening experience, and creating a landscape and a world within that one can really get deep into and explore, it's optimistic and progressive music for the head, heart and feet. I really do advise the listener to don headphones and take the trip with me".
Over the album's 11 tracks, and a supporting cast of 'transmissions' from the likes of Robert Anton Wilson and Terrence McKenna, 'Elasticity' delves into a myriad of textured sounds and pliable rhythms, touching of ambient, industrial, breaks and dub influences. A two track 12" single, "Contortion"/"Concrete Walls" will be released one month prior, and features a couplet of 140 BPM techno tracks.
More

Tracklist 12"
A. Contortion
AA. Concrete Walls
Short info:
Ambient Techno exponent, A Sagittariun, returns after nearly 12 months absence with this new 2 track single. 'Contortion'/'Concrete Walls' pairs up two 140BPM techno cuts that are delivered with the signature A Sagittariun sound. Driving and energetic, and with huge swashes of psychedelic atmospherics, fans of the original Detroit techno sound will appreciate the depth and warmth on this release. The disc comes hand stamped with the A Sagittariun 'Bambi' logo…
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Tracklist:
A1) Andras and Eden Burns – Wrangler (07:18 min)
A2) Mayurashka and Eden Burns – Obsession (05:39 min)
B1) Matisa and Eden Burns – Calvin Klein (06:43 min)

Short info:
Eden Burns & friends follow the Big Beats. For this volume of BBM, Eden invites
Andras, Matisa and Mayurashka to make some beats.
So much fun! „Beat moves feet, feet do dance, dance is joy, joy is life!“

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2024 repress

Tracklist:
A Monlink - Return to Oz - Artbat Remix – 8:00
B1 Monolink - Father Ocean - Ben Böhmer Remix – 7:56
B2 Monolink - Sirens - Patrice Bäumel Remix – 7:25

Short Info:
Berlin’s own Steffen Linck, a multi-instrumentalist known as Monolink, announces the 12” remixes release, due June 7th via Embassy One. ARTBAT + BEN BÖHMER + PATRICE BÄUMEL + MONOLINK – no more words needed.


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12" - VINYL ONLY

Tracklist:

A-Side
A1) Can U Feel It (05:16 min)
A2) On The Spectrum (05:48 min)
A3) Lucky (04:33 min)

B-Side
B1) Shower Scene (Extra Steam) (07:08 min)
B2) Time Slips Away (05:54 min)

Short info:
Like phoenix rising from the ashes. Buero Hahn is back. Laying off on the edits for 6 years Bell
Towers, who currently scrambles eggs in the kitchen of his wine bar, has still got. Exquisite selection,
soft touch, strong finish. Hey D.J. you will need these songs. More

2022 repress

Tracklist:
01 Moan (Trentemoller Remix)
02 Moan (Radioslave Remix)

Only released in October 2006, Anders Trentemøller‘s stunning debut-album „The Last Resort“ already evolved into one of the most successful independent albums of the year. Raving reviews all over the place, various elections as „album of the year“ and solid playlists at the radios express the huge interest in the fantastic album. While 2006 has been topped of with a tour through Australia, the first Trentemøller highlight in 2007 will be the release of „Moan“, the second single from the album. For the a-side Trentemøller himself created a brilliant remix of the „Moan“-Vocal Version, which has been released on the Bonus-CD of the limited edition album only. Trentemøller managed to keep the mystic melancholic vibe of the track featuring the vocals of danish talent Ane Trolle, but adds punshy drums, screaming synths and some more guitars to guarantee serious dancefloor-action. Radioslave aka Matt Edwards aka Rekid aka Quite Village, on of the most in demand remix artists at the moment (Moby, Booka Shade, Justice, Peace Division, Pet Shop Boys, Joakim etc) contributed a great remix on the flipside. Slowly building over reduced drumpatterns their mix culminates into a manic wall of sound. While Poker Flat 81 features the vocal versions of both Trentemøller‘s and Radioslve‘s remixes, the instrumental and dub versions will be released simultaneously More

12" - Fully Authorised Reissue on Original Release Label!

GENRE/S:
House

TRACKLISTS:
A1 Fruit Loops - Dance Dance Dance
A2 Fruit Loops - Keep on Running
B1 Fruit Loops - The Message of Love
B2 Fruit Loops - Clap Ya Hands

SHORT INFO:

Canadian deep house don Nick Holder's Fruit Loops EP is next to get the remaster and reissue treatment from Definitive Recordings. This label, now overseen by Get Physical Music, first released the EP back in 1995 when Toronto-based Holder had already become one of house music's most tasteful operators. He went on to release over 125 EPs and singles under countless aliases, in various groups, and on his labels DNH Records and Treehouse Records, as well as !K7 Records and NRK. His style spans house, disco loops and minimal Chicago grooves and is always high on immersive atmosphere. Opener 'Dance Dance Dance' brings together all those aspects of the Holder sound with its funky guitar riffs looping beneath raw drums and disco basslines. Classic Chic samples burst out of the mix to bring an air of celebration and party, and it makes for an irresistibly feel-good sound. 'Keep on Running' is a steamy and sweaty house jam with loopy drums and bass and more smartly chosen samples, this time from Roy Ayers, that bring the funk and never let up. It has long been a go-to anthem for house DJs, and the realness and rawness of the emotions in Holder's work also shine through with the filtered synths and jazzy keys of 'The Message of Love', which is complete with bumpy and irresistible drums. Last of all is the unfettered party spirit and diva vocals of the brilliantly lo-fi funk-house pumper that is 'Clap Ya Hands'. This EP hasn't aged one bit and remains a definitive piece of early Deep House history.


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We are excited to announce the next collaborative release on the WSNWG Label. LAVANDE is the result of a one week long jam session between french producer and live performer UFO95 and label head Rødhåd in January this year.
The EP will be released on vinyl and in digital formats on the 7th of June. A Special Edition limited to 100 copies will be available on the same date at 12.00pm CET via the WSNWG bandcamp site.

Written & Produced by UFO95 and Rødhåd at WSNWG Studio Berlin.
Mastered by Conor Dalton at Calyx Mastering in Berlin.
Vinyl cut at Schnittstelle in Berlin.

A1 LAVENDE 01 [240107.2] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
A2 LAVENDE 02 [240107.1] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
B1 LAVENDE 03 [240106] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
B2 LAVENDE 04 [240110] - UFO95 & Rødhåd

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Territories: World excl. UK

FORMAT 12" vinyl, full printed pantone sleeve, glossy varnish, download card

TRACKLIST
1. / A1 Model 500 - I.D.L.E. 05:39
2. / A2 Ectomorph - Searching (Live at Globus) 04:54
3. / A3 AMX - Your Body 05:20
4. / B1 DJ Stingray 313 - Dynamic Instability 04:14
5. / B2 JakoJako - Metal Goat 05:05
6. / B3 Erik Jabari - Screamore 04:47

030/313 – Berlin/Detroit, the fundamental techno union. Now Carhartt WIP, whose roots can be traced to Detroit, Michigan, join forces with Tresor for a collaboration that celebrates the enduring spirit of two music metropolises. Referencing the early 90s compilations like “Tresor II – A Techno Alliance”, they present a 12” mini compilation with exclusive material from both cities.
The compilation opens with “I.D.L.E.”, a lost Model 500 track, of essential funk that touches the techno soul of The Motorcity, with trippy melodies and cosmic drilling traversing electrified Mojo freeways. It’s followed by another true Detroiter: Ectomorph’s “Searching (Live At Globus)”, a first extract from their live set at Globus in 2021, which BMG and Erika played on borrowed equipment after Erika’s case was lost on a flight. The A-Side stays in Detroit and finishes with “Your Body”, an exclusive track by AMX, also known as The AM, one of Detroit’s freshest funk techno sensations. She carries on the mentorship mindset by having learned from two of the greatest: D.I.E. and Scan 7. “Your Body” is a classic techno feel swinger, where subtle chords meet drum machine funk in the spirit of early Detroit techno.
DJ Stingray 313 opens the B-Side with a bang. Precisely hacked techno, full of dark funk and that special industrial jack, that the man in the mask has made his own. A total “Dynamic Instability”. Magic & furious. The thrill continues with “Metal Goat”, by JakoJako, one of Berlin’s brightest synth sensations. She provides an introspective grower that slowly evolves into a fast-paced techno grinder, laden with micro shifts and magic twists. The final tune comes from Erik Jabari, a newcomer from the 030 zone, emerging from the Hard Wax peers with haunting modular synth techno–a feverish minimalistic trip of motorized kicks. DJ Pete performed as spiritual guidance on this one. It’s floor proven. An overall cachet of “030313” - the small compilation with a huge techno heart. More

Sven Weisemann who was recently very busy by providing remixes and tracks for the likes of House Cafe Music, Styrax Leaves, Styrax, Liebe*Detail, Rotary Cocktail, Freund Der Familie, ProgCity Deep Trax and Meanwhile is now coming up with some fresh killer stuff for Mojuba the musical place of origin. The A-side Kiss Of Abana is a catchy dancefloor monster with banging percussive drums and trademark Weisemann chords. The B-Side Amity seems to keep it cool in the beginning but that's only the prelude to a funky feast of deepness!
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Format Notes: 2024 first time vinyl release, 140g double vinyl, remastered audio with restored artwork


Track List:

A1 Mr. Righteous (Intro) 0:35
A2 You Need Knowledge 3:45
A3 88 Soul 3:12
A4 Black Shakespeare 3:02

B1 For My People...It's Spiritual 2:55
B2 Lonely At The Top 3:56
B3 Just Listen 4:05
B4 California Dreamin' 4:33

C1 Purity 3:59
C2 Kunta Kente 4:20
C3 1993 Shit 3:49

D1 We Got Plots 3:38
D2 Do Win-Dis 4:11
D3 Hope She Remembers Me 3:15

Release Notes:

Holy grail hip-hop alert! Superstar Quamallah's Invisible Man was never released on wax so, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this astounding record, we present the first ever vinyl edition. A stunning record which gained accolades upon its initial release, such as a prominent feature on Gilles Peterson's renowned Best Of 2009 show, it's one of the most essential jazz rap albums of all time. Cut across double vinyl, it’s exceedingly limited, with just 500 pressed for the world.

Deep jazz rap on that mellow-melodic tip, Invisible Man is an unforgettable album with nothing but dope beats and dope bars. There's a strong chance this album has passed you by but we truly believe it to be a lost hip-hop masterpiece. It supremely captures the essence of a golden age classic without being slavish to the past. No, this ain't some facile throwback rap. It's a fresh and deeply soulful, original album shot through straight from the heart. Perfect to chill to, Invisible Man is profoundly jazz-oriented and captures with simplicity and sincerity the essence of hip-hop circa 1983-1994. It sounds like vibing with your nearest, dearest and oldest friends on a long hot summer night as the tantalising thought that anything is possible fills the air. You know what, we can just call this "magic hour rap" and we think you'll know what we mean. It's just beautiful. Just Listen.

Brooklyn-born, California-based emcee, DJ, and producer Superstar Quamallah was active in the West Coast underground scene throughout the 90s and recorded extensively with such revered names as Defari and Tajai. His parents were some serious artistic heavyweights, too; his father was soul organist Big John Patton, a giant in the jazz world known for his releases on Blue Note whilst his mother was an active designer. However, he remains relatively unknown. Invisible Man, named ostensibly after the classic Ralph Ellison novel, could also refer to how he is viewed by the public at large. With close affiliations to the Hieroglyphics, Dilated Peoples and Likwit crew, his debut EP "Don't Call Me John" arrived in 1999 on ABB Records, after which he took a sabbatical from recording which included graduate school, travelling, teaching at Inglewood High and eventually a professorship of African Studies at Berkeley.

With a laidback flow and deep, relaxing presence on the mic, Superstar Quamallah is equal parts Big Daddy Kane, Rakim and Guru. Invisible Man is refined, soulful, feel-good hip-hop of the old school. Its wise, spiritual and literate sound, combined with the summertime vibes projected by the smooth beats and the nostalgia-inducing samples and vocal scratches, created jazzy boom-bap rap reminiscent of prime De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Gang Starr.

Irresistibly bouncing opener "You Need Knowledge" loops sparkling pianos, horns and a nagging whistle refrain with scratched vocal refrains from Slick Rick, Mobb Deep and Guru. The super-smooth head-nod classic "88 Soul" also utilises a beautifully swelling piano line and dusty breaks whilst Quamé reminisces about his childhood in NYC. Deeply moving, the silky, sultry "Black Shakespeare" is built around an elegant piano loop and goes hard on the superman lover tip whilst "For My People...It's Spiritual" is transcendental rap in conversation with Rakim and older gods. The "Moment Of Truth"-sampling "Lonely At The Top" is striking for its undiluted boom-bap stylings and the staccato flute-hop of "Just Listen" is riddled with soulful refinement. The deeply-affecting, wistful-yet-triumphant bells and horn-drenched single "California Dreamin'" is top-tier rap of unimpeachable quality. What a flow!

Another highlight is the rich melodic piano-rap of "Purity", a beautiful ode to the foundations of rap and those keeping the culture authentically alive. Beautifully played instruments and spiritual jazz samples elevate the deep thinking present on "Kunta Kente" whilst the darker jazz-tinged battle-rap of "93 Shit" goes super hard both in a lyrical sense and with its no-holds drum punches. The breezy Rhodes and string loops that serve as the sonic backdrop to the slinky jazz rap of "We Got Plots" are just gorgeous as our hero evokes Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." with a head-spinning tale of crime, deception and double crossing. And some twist! "Do Win-Dis" has a tense crime-funk backing and rolling beats which complement Quamé's flow perfectly before the record is rounded out by the tough yet jazzy brilliance of rap confessional "Hope She Remembers Me". Just sensational.

Upon its original release, Quamallah himself declared: "My favorite time period for Hip Hop music was definitely between 1983 and 1994 with 1988 and 1993 being two years that standout as extremely impressive years musically and culturally. The fashion, slang, movies, TV shows and vibe during those years was incredible. While totally submerged in the feelings and music of that entire time period, I went to work on Invisible Man and I am excited for people to hear the result! It is an album that I would want to hear from some of my favorite artists of the past and present today. This is not a RETRO trip for me; this is me at my best lyrically and spiritually using the accessories of the 80s and 90s to fuel me. I am a 88 soul as the song states!"

This album goes deep. It goes all in. When Invisible Man first came out it had a real hold on us here at Be With HQ. We couldn't stop listening to it. We'd venture to say it's one of the top 25 rap records of the 2000s. In the years since its release, it has remained a criminally underrated record, an increasingly hidden gem. We sincerely hope this first time double LP release will go some way to correct this. It's been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Cicely Balston and pressed at Record Industry. Finally available on the format it should always have been on, it must never be rendered invisible again.
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