Before MF DOOM donned his mask and became one of the most prolific MC-producers of modern Hip-Hop, he was a member of KMD, an early `90s rap group whose work still goes criminally under-appreciated to this day. Following their 1991 debut album, Mr. Hood, the former trio shed one member leaving only two remaining - Subroc and his brother, Zev Love X (better known today as MF DOOM). Originally scheduled for release in 1994, their sophomore album Black Bastards showed clear progression from their debut. It was a truly amazing record, both sonically and lyrically, full of youthful creativity and tinged with the stresses of growing up as Black men in urban America. Songs like the lead single "What A N*gga Know", the slippery, bass-driven "Get U Now", and the album's title track explore Black consciousness viewed through young-but-experienced eyes. Musically alternating between bouncy and raw - many times both, concurrently - the tracks gave the MC's the springboard they needed to express themselves clearly. Sadly, Subroc would face a sudden and untimely death in 1993, just as the duo were finishing the album. Grief-stricken, his brother Zev Love X - now the sole remaining member of the group - was determined to carry the legacy of KMD onward, but Elektra Records unceremoniously shelved the project in the eleventh hour, due to controversy surrounding the album's provocative cover art. Following the fallout with Elektra, Zev tried for years to release the album on other labels, but he was continually met with dead ends. Struggling through the pain of losing his brother, coupled with the inability to release their final project together, a discouraged Zev Love X quietly withdrew from the scene and began quietly plotting his revenge on an industry that had broken him spiritually. Thus, in order to understand the true origin story of the super-villain, MF DOOM, one must recognize and appreciate the evolution of his former group, KMD, and the backstory of their pivotal album, Black Bastards.

Tracklist
1.1GARBAGE DAY #3
1.2GET-U-NOW
1.3WHAT A N*GGA KNOW?
1.4SWEET PREMIUM WINE
1.5PLUMSKINZZ (LOOSE HOE, GOD & CUPID)
1.6SMOKIN' THAT S*#%
1.7CONTACT BLITT
1.8GIMME
1.9BLACK BASTARDS!
1.10IT SOUNDED LIKE A ROC
1.11PLUMSKINZZ (OH NO I DON'T BELIEVE IT!)
1.12CONSTIPATED MONKEY
1.13F*#@ WIT' YA HEAD
1.14SUSPENDED ANIMATION More

Strut are proud to present a new repress 0f the definitive Mulatu Astatke career retrospective covering his landmark ‘60s and ‘70s´recordings.
2LP TRACKLISTING
A1 Yèkèrmo Sèw
A2 I Faram Gami I Faram
A3 Shagu
A4 Emnete
A5 Mulatu
B1 Yègelé Tezeta
B2 Asiyo Bellema
B3 Ebo Lala
B4 Fikratchin
B5 Yefikir Tizita
More

It is with great joy that we present the Mr Bongo edition of Marcos Valle's 1983 self-titled masterpiece. A pure vintage that features the ultimate Brazilian-boogie cult-classic ‘Estrelar’ and iconic 80s cover art that sees a gloriously sun-drenched Marcos dressed in a pink v-neck t-shirt surrounded by a generous selection of deadly-looking neon cocktails.

The album was produced by the legendary Lincoln Olivetti and Marcos' brother Paulo Sérgio Valle. It showcases a real who's who of Brazilian music at the time, with stellar performances from vocalists and musicians such as Rosana, Serginho Do Trombone, Robson Jorge and Oberdan Magalhães to name but a few. This was Marcos’ second album, after having moved back to Brazil from his time living in Los Angeles, and that US influence is evident through its prominent boogie, soul and funk sounds. It also features collaborations with the US singer-songwriter, composer, pianist, keyboardist, and record producer, Leon Ware, who co-penned three tracks including 'Estrelar'. To complete the album there are tracks such as 'Fogo Do Sol', which is pure AOR / Balaeric vibes, and tracks that are more MPB and pop-inspired, making a well-balanced track list for both home-listening pleasure and dancefloor business.

What could we do to give one of Marcos' most celebrated albums the treatment it deserved and produce the most definitive re-issue possible? The answer was to enlist the services of Miles Showell, Abbey Road Studios Mastering and lacquer-cutting engineer and all-around audio-magician, to cut a special half-speed master edition. Miles had previously worked his half-speed magic on our Arthur Verocai album re-issue, and once again we are totally blown away by the richness which Miles has brought out in his mastering technique. He has enhanced the listening experience and taken this wonderful album to another level.

To celebrate the release we have pressed up several versions; both standard master, and Miles' half-speed mastering editions on Black vinyl, alongside special limited edition Rose and Mint-Green coloured vinyl variants that were inspired by the audacious-looking cocktails on the cover - sheer 80s excess! More

2023 marks 50 years since the birth of hip hop, and 50 years since the release of this foundational album.

The Incredible Bongo Band was formed by MGM A&R Michael Viner in 1972 to record the soundtrack to a now virtually anonymous B-Movie entitled 'The Thing with Two Heads'. "The IBB" transformed from a loose studio collective to an instrumental pop covers consortium, interpreting classics of the day in their inimitable percussive fashion. Viner recorded them at MGM studios during downtime, assembling line-ups from whichever musicians were available at the time, leading to a unique blend of multi-talented musicians that included Jim Gordon, King Errisson, Jerry Scheff, and Perry Botkin Jr. The full bands' line-up is shrouded in mystery, but their legacy is undeniable. They spawned cult-classic records that would become a goldmine for hip hop breaks and attain sampling immortality.

'Apache', which was made famous by the British band The Shadows, is legendary in the worlds of dance music and hip hop. It was a staple for DJs such as Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash as they invented their world-shaking take on the art of DJing at the Bronx block parties of the ‘70s. Over the years it has become a hip hop and breakers anthem and is revered as 'the break' of all time (at least in the top three) with the rhythms of this LP even helping to coin the term 'breakbeat'.

“Bongo Rock” is significant, for being one of the musical cornerstones of rap ... it is certainly one of the most sampled LP’s in history, if not the most sampled. Almost every history-minded hip-hop DJ has a copy, and the first few bars of “Apache,” can send crowds into overdrive.” According to Kool Herc, the stylistic pioneer many people consider to be the father of hip-hop music, the Bongo’s “Apache” is “the national anthem of hip-hop.” NY Times.

Continuously sampled, including by Nas, Beastie Boys, Moby, Mick Jagger, Kanye West, Sugarhill Gang, Jay-Z, Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, Massive Attack, to name but a few… More

The 1977 album from legendary Brazilian artist, Tim Maia. A fusion of soul, boogie, disco and MPB, featuring ‘E Necessario’.

Maia released over 30 albums during his extensive and well-publicised career, touching on funk, bossa nova, disco, MPB, rock, soul and jazz. He was a driving force behind the introduction of soul, funk and disco from the USA into Brazilian music styles and was hugely influential in the 'Black Rio' movement in Brazil in the early ’70's.

This, his 1977 album, that epitomises that fusion of sounds and styles. ‘E Necessario’ has been a favourite of ours for many years; included on our Brazilian Beats Brooklyn compilation and released as part of our Brazil 45’s series.

Official Mr Bongo USA reissue import. Licensed from Som Livre. More

Underground Resistance repress two sought after 7 inch releases from 2006's epic 'Interstellar Fugitives 2" series.
Features 040 (Mad Mike), Orlando Voorn, Perception, DJ S2 and Von Floyd (Chaos) alongside some iconic artwork from Frankie Fultz More

50th Anniversary Edition; gatefold sleeve, half-speed master, OBI strip, exclusive A2 poster, and insert with interview.

“If I know how to love, it's because of her. If I know how to smile and dance, it's because of her. If I can sing, it was Gal who taught me.” Dora Morelenbaum, 2022.?

Without question, Gal Gosta is one of the all-time greats. An inspirational, iconic figurehead in Brazilian music, her outstanding career ran from 1967 up until 2022 when we sadly lost her. Making her mark initially as one of the principal figures in the Tropicália movement of the 60s, she remained a trailblazing beacon that lit the way for decades to come. Gal continued to record and play live throughout her life, influencing and collaborating with the current cream of the Brazilian music world, such as Zé Ibarra, Rubel and Tim Bernardes.

‘India’ is a post-Tropicália masterpiece that was originally released in 1973 on the Philips record label. It features a stellar line-up of musicians including Gilberto Gil, Arthur Verocai, Dominguinhos, Rogério Duprat and Tenorio Jr. amongst others.

The album’s iconic, controversial cover art was banned by the Brazilian military dictatorship upon its release, which resulted in it being covered up and wrapped in a blue plastic bag when sold in record shops. It is one of Gal's strongest albums, consistently exceptional throughout and the perfect starting point for those unfamiliar with her rich catalogue. It includes the incredible ’Pontos De Luz’, one of our favourite Brazilian songs of all time, and famously sampled by Kaytranada on ’Lite Spots’. There’s also the accordion-led scorcher 'Relance’, which still rocks discerning dancefloors to this day. A wonderful album from start to finish, touching on MPB, folk, jazz, funk and rock with strong Tropicália and Nordestino influences throughout.

For its 50th anniversary, we knew we had to do something special, so we enlisted the sensational mastering and lacquer-cutting engineer Miles Showell from Abbey Road to cut a half-speed master for a beautiful spacious sound. The album is housed in its original replica gatefold cover with an OBI. There is also an insert with an interview, and an A2 poster exclusive to this release.

RIP Gal Maria da Graça Penna Burgos Costa, your light shines on. More