Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx

Joe Davies aka DJ Assam makes a welcome return to Smallville following his ‘Shields In Full Sunlight’ LP with the ‘Pardon My Late Response’ EP.

The past decade has seen DJ Assam releasing material for the likes of (his own imprint) Lehult, that he runs with a few friends, KANN Records, Super Tuff and Smallville Records sub-label Down by the Lake, as well as Djing regularly at hotspots across Europe and beyond.

Last year he made his debut on Smallville appearing under his own name- Joe Davies with a long player project. Here he returns with more of his distinctive deep and hypnotic style on a new EP for Smallville.

Up first on the package is ‘Errol Dub’, a six minute journey traversing through bouncy bass tones, airy chords, crisp shuffled percussion and modulating synth lines before ‘Unknown’ dives deeper via a reduced rhythm section, acid synth bleeps, soft bell tones and subtly naunced atmospherics. Opening the flip-side ‘1234 Love’ captures a more raw aesthetic with saturated drums at its core while an amalgamation of modulating synth licks and ethereal pads ebb and flow throughout. The Frankfurt Mix of ‘Hi Life’, known from Joe's mesmerizing Smallville album, rounds out the release, journeying into dub territory courtesy of spiralling echoes and slowly unfurling chords underpinned by a bumpy off-kilter drum groove.

Tracklist:

A1 Errol Dub
A2 Unknown
B1 1234 Love
B2 Hi Life (Frankfurt Mix)


All tracks written, produced and mixed by Joe Davies, additional production on B2 by Ossia, Vocals on B2 by Ocker
Mastering by Helmut Erler, Vinyl Cut by Lathesville More

Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx

Smallville Records welcomes Barcelona’s Lis Sarroca onto the imprint this November with her four-track ‘Untitled Thoughts’ EP.
Since 2018, Barcelona, Spain’s Lis Sarroca has been steadily unveiling her take on House, Techno, Disco and Electro via the likes of Shall Not Fade, Hot Haus and Chiwax among others as well maintain a steady presence across the globe as a heavily in demand DJ. Here, we see Sarocca making her debut on Smallville with her latest collection of works, again showcasing her widespread influences and mesmerising sonic aesthetic across four cuts.
Up first is ‘Atacote’, a hypnotic house cut with a Balearic feel courtesy of breathy vocals, cinematic strings, piano lines and hazy atmospherics, intertwined with organic percussion and bouncy sub bass tones. ‘Breaks Reminder’ follows and shifts gear into a broken rhythm section, squelchy acid lines and textural synths throughout.
Opening the flip-side is ‘Early Years’, diving back into deeper realms with a multitude of ethereal pads, dubby synth flutters, plucked bass hits and crisp drums. ‘Might Be’ then concludes the EP on a more chuggy Nu-Disco tip, employing gritty bass stabs, bubbling arpeggios, airy flute melodies and a saturated off-kilter drum groove.
Comes with a Full Cover Artwork by Stefan Marx

Tracklist:
A1 Atacote
A2 Breaks Reminder
B1 Early Years
B2 Might Be

All tracks written & produced by Lis Sarroca
Mastering and Vinyl cut by Helmut Erler at Lathesville More

Tracklist 2LP:

A1 Better Times
A2 On The Dancefloor
B1 Ne Travaillez Jamais (Still Working Mix)
B2 Shibboleth
C1 Burning Snake
C2 Thank You feat. Taiko Saito
D1 IGFT
D2 Evin


Smallville purveyor of the deep Christopher Rau with his third longplayer for the label, „Better Times“. Timeless crispy house music to stay forever.

All tracks written, produced and mixed by Christopher Rau
Vibraphone on C2 by Taiko Saito
Mastering by Helmut Erler, Vinyl Cut by Lathesville
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound More

Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx

Joe Davies aka DJ Assam makes a welcome return to Smallville following his ‘Shields In Full Sunlight’ LP with the ‘Pardon My Late Response’ EP.

The past decade has seen DJ Assam releasing material for the likes of (his own imprint) Lehult, that he runs with a few friends, KANN Records, Super Tuff and Smallville Records sub-label Down by the Lake, as well as Djing regularly at hotspots across Europe and beyond.

Last year he made his debut on Smallville appearing under his own name- Joe Davies with a long player project. Here he returns with more of his distinctive deep and hypnotic style on a new EP for Smallville.

Up first on the package is ‘Errol Dub’, a six minute journey traversing through bouncy bass tones, airy chords, crisp shuffled percussion and modulating synth lines before ‘Unknown’ dives deeper via a reduced rhythm section, acid synth bleeps, soft bell tones and subtly naunced atmospherics. Opening the flip-side ‘1234 Love’ captures a more raw aesthetic with saturated drums at its core while an amalgamation of modulating synth licks and ethereal pads ebb and flow throughout. The Frankfurt Mix of ‘Hi Life’, known from Joe's mesmerizing Smallville album, rounds out the release, journeying into dub territory courtesy of spiralling echoes and slowly unfurling chords underpinned by a bumpy off-kilter drum groove.

Tracklist:

A1 Errol Dub
A2 Unknown
B1 1234 Love
B2 Hi Life (Frankfurt Mix)


All tracks written, produced and mixed by Joe Davies, additional production on B2 by Ossia, Vocals on B2 by Ocker
Mastering by Helmut Erler, Vinyl Cut by Lathesville More

12" - Cover Artwork by Stefan Marx

Edward delivers his latest collection of works, the ‘Eddie Green’ EP via Smallville Records this July,
comprised of four originals.

For the past decade and a half, Frankfurt-original Gilles Aiken, better known to most as simply, Edward, has been
unveiling his productions regularly via the likes of his most regular home Giegling, but also Baby Ford & Eon’s
Trelik, White, Die Orakel or DFA, plus teaming up with Ricardo Villalobos in 2020 for their Disordered Rhythm
Metronomy project on Perlon. Here though, we see Edward mark his debut for Smallville Records, a fitting home
for his deep, dynamic and hypnotic style which regularly blurs the lines of House, Techno and beyond.
Up first is ‘Primal Dream’, a raw and reduced journey through modulating synth flutters, squeaky percussive
twitches and a bumpy, robust rhythm section. ‘Blue Glue’ follows and diverges into a more mystical sonic world
with haunting chants, resonant synth licks, meditative chimes and ethereal textures intertwined with crisp, crunchy
drums.

Title-track ‘Eddie Green’ opens the B-side, embracing a more dubbed out, deep techno aesthetic via murky chord
swells, clattering organic percussion, throbbing low end pulsations and vocoded spoken word vocal lines. The
aptly title ‘So Slow’ then rounds out the release, dropping the tempo and shifting focus Edward’s more jazz-tinged
influences with wandering piano melodies and soulful vocal chants uttering the track’s title, underpinned by
shuffled drums and waves of sporadic oscillating synth.

Tracklist:
A1 Primal Dream
A2 Blue Glue
B1 Eddie Green
B2 So Slow
All tracks written & produced by Gilles Aiken
Mastering and Vinyl cut by Helmut Erler @ Lathesville
Cover Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound More

Gatefold Cover, Double-12”

Tracklist:

A Original Mix (08:55 min)
B Broken Mix (08:39 min)
C Kuniyuki Version (09:26 min)
D Session Victim Version (06:51 min)

Following well-regarded outings on Phonica Records and Wolf Music, and a superb "Many Shades Of House" compilation released this year, Lausanne-based Lea Lisa joins Smallville Records this June with ‘Poem For The Lost Souls’, accompanied by remixes from Kuniyuki and Session Victim as a special Double-12“ package with Gatefold Cover.

For these tracks, Lea Lisa has worked with several musicians in the studio to transform the warmth and organic feel of real instruments into her musical universe. The original mix of ‘Poem For The Lost Souls’ leads, a jazzy house journey that ebbs and flows through fluttering flute melodies, ethereal chords, wandering piano and funk-infused bass grooves running atop organic percussion and disco tinged drums. On the B Side, the ‘Broken Mix’ follows, as the name would suggest, rhythmically shifting focus towards off-kilter drum breaks alongside the other melodies and again - all the ingredients that make a classic house track.

Opening the C-side on record 2, acclaimed Japanese artist and Mule Musiq regular Kuniyuki steps up to rework ‘Poem For The Lost Souls’, in typical fashion the Sapporo born producer extracts the core grooves from the original and shapes it into something uniquely his own, laden with warmth, soul and dynamics. The duo Session Victim then round out the release on Side D with their interpretation, fusing together the original synth melodies with their own amalgamation of intricately intertwined keys and atmospherics, underpinned by a shuffled rhythm section and bouncy low-end drive.

It’s coming with a gatefold cover-artwork by Stefan Marx for a cherry-blossom glimpse of Yoyogi Park in Tokyo.

Tracks written & produced by Lea Lisa
Flute by Thibaut Martinez - recorded at Magneto Studio / Lausanne, Additional Synth By Bayron, Piano by Joseph Miller
Additional production and remix on Side C by Kuniyuki Takahashi
Additional production and remix on Side D by Hauke Freer & Matthias Reiling

Mastering by Kuniyuki Takahashi, side A Mixed & mastered by Benoit @ Perception Mastering
Vinyl cut by Helmut Erler @ Lathesville
Cover Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound
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2024 repress, full cover, same set up as before

Tracklist:
A1 Gravity Hill
A2 Beaver
B1 The Swamp
B2 Stargazer


Dial Records boss makes a welcome return to Smallville in March of 2024 with a fresh four-tracker EP ‘Gravity Hill’. Peter Kersten, better known to most as Lawrence, has been at the forefront of underground house and techno for decades now. His Dial imprint, co-founded alongside Carsten Jost, has grown to become a north star for many seeking out raw, emotive and understated electronic music and Lawrence’s own productions follow a similar path, finding a home on many beloved labels beyond Dial such as Kompakt, Mule Musiq, Ghostly
International, Giegling, Pampa and of course Smallville, that he co-founded together with Stella Plazonja and Julius Steinhoff in 2005.
Title-track ‘Gravity Hill’ opens the project and perfectly sets the tone with Lawrence’s distinct atmospheric haze of keys, chords and pads billowing atop swaying bass tones and crisp drums. ‘Beaver’ follows next and edges into dubbed out realms with expansive stab delays, rounded subs, modulating percussive flutters and a robust rhythmic drive.
‘The Swamp’ then leads the B-side, diving into a deeper territory via airy Rhodes melodies and subtly unfurling pads, intertwined with organic percussion and a jazz tinged bass line. ‘Stargazer’ then concludes the package and shifts back to a more straight, dance floor- oriented feel via a twitchy acid bass, circling resonant synth licks, hypnotic textures and a swinging drum groove.
Smallville 62 artwork by Stefan Marx as always and it's the first 12“ Smallville cover in full colour ever after 61 black/white releases.

All tracks written, produced and mixed by Peter M. Kersten
Mastering by Helmut Erler, vinyl Cut by Lathesville
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound More

2024 repress in white standard sleeve


Tracklist:
A1 Abspace
A2 Set It Off
B1 Do It
B2 One More Time

Get down with 4 magic House-cuts by Christopher Rau. These irresistible grooves
will make the sun shine brighter for forever. Including full cover Artwork by Stefan Marx.

All tracks written, produced and mixed by Christopher Rau

Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl Cut by Lathesville
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound
Smallville, 2023 More

Tracklist:
A1 In My Face
A2 Love Me Tonite
B1 Deepside (Nu Cleo Mix)
B2 Solaris

Release Info:
Second coup by Bari-based Rhythm Of Paradise on Smallville.
Michele Lamacchia is a Master of strictly timeless Italo-Vibes and he has learnt from the Best. All the glory of no-nonsense Italo-House is dripping, warm and fuzzy, deep and rich House-cuts for your listening and dancing pleasure. Like a butterfly!
Cover by Stefan Marx.


All tracks written, produced and mixed by Michele Lamacchia at Acustic Sound Studio Bari/ Italy
Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl Cut by Lathesville
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx


Smallville, 2023 More

Tracklist:
A1 The Spirit
A2 TJ Mornings
B1 LA Nights
B2 Reach Out For Me

Release Info:
Welcome to Smallville, Dana!
With being a DJ and producer, running a label and a record-store, Dana and Smallville
have been soulmates for long and following the same paths. We are very happy to
present her 12“ with crispy dancefloor-feels, heavy basses and irresistible grooves.

Full cover artwork as always by Stefan Marx.

All Tracks are written, produced and mixed by Dana Ruh
Mastering by Gabriele Carasco
Vinyl Cut by Dubplates+Mastering
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound
Smallville, 2023 More

Tracklist 2LP:

01/ A1 Hokusai
02/ A2 All You Can Beat
03/ B1 Colon.ize
04/ C1 Wired To The Mothership 2021
05/ C2 All You Can Sweep
06/ D1 Doomscrolling
07/ D2 Luvbyrds

Release Info:
The lost tracks- unreleased material from Move D & Dman

Around the year 1990, a group of producers gathered regaularly at a space called „Blaues Zimmer“ (Blue Room), located at Bergheimer Strasse, Heidelberg. The Blue Room was the studio of Dirk Mantei aka Dman and David Moufang (Move D) calls it the one of the 'Keimzellen' (seeds) for what would happen in regards to the electronic music movement within the Rhein-Main-Area during the following 10 years. The 90s were roaring, with a lot of mid-sized cities located relatively close to each other- Heidelberg, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Darmstadt- and Frankfurt was easily reached. Various highly influential clubs and parties happened around that time and Dirk and David had their parts.

Dirk Mantei & David Moufang, Eric D Clark, Robert Gordon, Nils „Puppetmaster“ Hess, DJ Cle- to name a few- all happen to live in Heidelberg and gather around at Dirks place during this time. Discogs calls Dirk Mantei 'a katalyst figure in the 1990s techno scene of Southern Germany' and this is for a reason. He was running a record store (Dubtools) and threw legendary parties - Planet Bass (Sunday party at Normal, Heidelberg around 1988), Hot Lemonade (Sunday party in Mannheim around 1990). When he moved to Mannheim, Dirk opened the legendary club Milk! (from 1990) out of nothing and later ran another club called HD800 (located in MS Connexion). Both were suited with the same famous - and massive - soundsystem, acquired and tuned by himself. David calls Milk! the birth place of his name Move D as well as Source Records as a label.

Both Davids and Dirks first vinyl release ever was a 12“ they released on Davids Source– called Homeworks 1 – four tracks that were released as one of the first CDs on Source Records a year before. Also "Wired To The Mothership" can be found on this CD compilation, a 32-seconds-long track - and although far too short, it's special. Timeless components weaven together in the most wonderful way - Sheffield-inspired bleeps, timeless pads and detroitish strings, a JXP-3 organ solo, analog drums and a driving analogue bassline- and then it's gone.. When asked, why there wasn't a longer version of the track, David and Dirk said they were not happy with the mixdown back then- so it took them almost 30 years to finally finish a 2021 full version together.
Between 2011 and 2021, they both found themselves in Davids Studio from time to time, Dirk was living in Mannheim and some sessions resulted in a bunch of yet unreleased tracks that slept on harddrives ever since then. We are amazingly happy to share these with the world, to let them tell some more yet hidden stories.

Cover artwork by Stefan Marx.

All Tracks are written, produced and mixed by David Moufang and Dirk Mantei between 1992 and 2021.

Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl Cut by Lathesville
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound

Smallville 2022 More

Tracklist:

A1 Love Notes To Brooklyn
A2 The Deepness
B That Feeling!

Amir Alexander's unique production style and his musical output has been an inspiration for a long time. His record were always special ones and we were loving the fresh vibes outta Chicago a lot. In 2012, we were happy to host Amir to play his first-ever DJ-gig in Germany at our Smallville night at Golden Pudel Club in Hamburg, as part of his first EU tour ever. The night remains a memorable one and so we are very happy to close the circles now and to release this special 12“ by Amir. Full cover artwork by Stefan Marx.
The tracks were made in loving memory of Nathaniel Jay. Rest in peace and all the love to you.


All Tracks are written, produced and mixed by Amir Alexander
Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl Cut by Dubplates+Mastering
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound

Smallville, 2022
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Tracklist 2LP:

01/ A1 Distant Voices
02/ A2 Celeste
03/ B1 Mirage
04/ B2 Space Ways
05/ C1 Radiance
06/ C2 Your Wings
07/ D1 Elevate
08/ D2 Sandstorm

Release Info:
It’s been a long way. All seems to blend naturally with ‘A Long Way’, the debut album from Parisian duo Jacques Bon & Drux.

Jacques is a long term friend, who was running the Paris branch of the Smallville record store for 13 years (2006 – 2019). He made himself a name also outside of Paris as a DJ and with music released on Giegling, Kann, Mule Musiq and of course Smallville. Jacques shares his studio in Paris with Vincent Drux, a producer and sound engineer, who recently started his own imprint Cabale Records. Both got together naturally in the studio for hour-long sessions to craft an album together. House music at its most meticulous form.

First, as a short form, in which every track captures another time zone of the dancefloor experience. And then as longform, as a whole album with a narrative that combines futuristic aesthetics, classic ethos and human warmth.

From the rolling percussion and windy-city style bassline of opener ‘Distant Voices’, with its cut yet longing distant voices, through deepy, dubby and raw ‘Celeste’, the haunting synths of ‘Mirage’; The snares that arrive mid through ‘Space Ways’ and launch into another level; ‘Radiance’’s Techy vibe ride; The late night chords and peak time beat programming of ‘Your Wings’; And then final couple stick the landing with enough energy, deepness and beauty - ‘Elevate’, which channels Bon and Drux’s inner Fred P, and ‘Sandstorm’, a mastery percussive tale with a long, repetitive chord that opens and closes, teases until it disappears and remains nothing but a whispery dying effect.

Words by Niv Hadas


All Tracks are written, produced and mixed by Jacques Bon & Vincent Drux

Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl Cut by Dubplates+Mastering
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound

Smallville 2022
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Tracklist 2LP:
A1 On The Magic Bus
A2 Grains
B1 A
B2 Let's Call It A Day
C1 O
C2 C-Sick
D1 Magnetically Levitated Train

Release Info:
Can music be classic and contemporary at the same time? Can it contain a secret genetic code in which the summary of the past, the present pulse, and the future view are hidden? Be ahead of its time and not lose relevance along the way? "Let’s Call it A Day" the first album collaboration of German authors Move D (David Moufang) and Benjamin Brunn, which first appeared on a CD on Bine Music in 2006, now remastered by Calyx and on Vinyl for the first time ever, proves it is not only possible hypothetically, but can also live amongst us.

This is a complete piece built from seven sections, each one is a microcosm of unique textures, depth, ambience, emotions, programming, looping and melodic rules; Together they are a homogenous creation, a symphony that culminate in dance music experiencing elevation.

"Let’s Call it A Day", which in a way is the big brother of "Songs from the Beehive" - their exhilarating installment for Smallville from 2008, is an album above the Zeitgeist. The way Moufang and Brunn fuse different genres together without committing to any musical doctrine, makes them appear prophetic. However, it is in no sense a retrospect feeling; even at the time it was clear that the perceptions, experience, vision, and delicacy of this album were outstanding.

Every element here, every frequency, rhythm, turnaround or keyboard tapping, is the material from which masterpieces are made of. From the opening meditative ever evolving loops of On the Magic Bus to the abstract drones of Grains with its almost nonexistent bass drum - like it was aimed to hit the Ambient-House craze of these past few years; through the mesmerising dubbiness of A, which sounds like a rave ending in an echo chamber and the constant micro-movement of the arpeggios in the title track; O, which sounds like a soundtrack for a sinking submarine footage and the ambient downbeat of C-Sick, which melts your heart from within; and finally the closer- the fragile and elegant beauty of Magnetically Leviated Train. More than 76 minutes of diving constantly deeper and deeper.

This new remastered version will feature a brand new and extra glossy Stefan Marx gatefold cover, that will give the perfect visual expression of the album’s timeless music. And If there was ever a downside to "Let’s Call it A Day", it would be its lack of a vinyl edition. Well, this is exactly what we’re sorting now, aren’t we?

NivHadas

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The Standard Edition - Territory - NO Sales to Japan
Ryo Fukui's 1976 highly sought-after jazz masterpiece SCENERY-
LP Edition: Mastered at half speed, 140g vinyl, Sticker

We Release Jazz (WRWTFWW Records' new sister-label) is proud to present its first release, the official reissue of Ryo Fukui's highly sought-after masterpiece Scenery (1976), sourced from the original masters and available on limited edition 180g vinyl mastered at half speed for audiophile sound and on digipack CD.

Unquestionably one of the most important Japanese jazz albums ever recorded, Scenery reveals Ryo Fukui as a miraculously brilliant self-taught pianist fusing modal, bop, and cool jazz influences for a very personal, dexterous and game-changing take on classic standards made famous by Bing Crosby and John Coltrane among others. From "It Could Happen To You" and its serene and calm intro which magically flows into a jubilant and upbeat piece, to the out-of-this-world piano solo of "Early Summer", or the incredible teamwork of "Autumn Leaves" where Fukui leads Satoshi Denpo (bass) and Yoshinori Fukui (drums) into groove heaven, every single note on the album oozes precision, confidence and flair and every single section slides seamlessly into one another, creating a supreme and elegant blend of jazz. Often compared to McCoy Tyner or Bill Evans, Ryo Fukui was a genius in his own right, a true master of his craft whose perfectionism gave birth to some of the greatest music ever recorded. Scenery is his magnum opus and an absolute must-have.

The Hokkaido wizard-pianist followed Scenery with the soulful gem Mellow Dream (also available on We Release Jazz) in 1977. He then focused on improving his live skills, often performing at Sapporo's Slowboat Jazz Club (which he co-founded with his wife Yasuko Fukui) and releasing 2 live albums. Ryo Fukui sadly passed away in March 2016, leaving behind a legacy of works that is sure to captivate jazz lovers for generations to come.


Tracklisting Vinyl LP
A1 It Could Happen To You
A2 I Want To Talk About You
A3 Early Summer
B1 Willow Weep For Me
B2 Autumn Leaves
B3 Scenery
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2022 Repress

180g VINYL.Release: 24.06.2013 - UPC: 827170508361- Tracklist: A1. The break up B1. The make up
Vital sales points:
- First EP of the label by the label-bosses themselves; Dam Swindle
- Releases on Freerange, Dirt Crew, Saints & Sonnets and more
- Just back from their first US tour in May 2013
- Pressing on 180 grs black vinyl
Info: It's not often that silly, boyish dreams come true. But, if you take a closer look at our past 12 months, dreams seem to come true every other day. We've had a great year with releases on such great labels and had the opportunity to play our music all over the world and we've enjoyed every minute of this musical rollercoaster. And today, we've got another dream that's turning into reality: We're starting our own label. This is Heist Recordings, and you're looking at our very first release. We're extremely proud to share this two track EP of our own music with you and we hope you'll like it as much as we do. The break up is a track that checks all the boxes of the signature DS sound. An infectious set of airy chords, a bumpy bass-line and a lush female vocal give the track that feeling that bridges everything we love about the house from back in the days with the things that get everyone excited today. The make up is a deeper track, but still a genuine house tune, with some repetitive almost hypnotic vocals and stabs and of course, a pumping groove. You'll lose track of everything halfway through the break, but as soon as the beat kicks in, you know its business time. This is just the first step. Enjoy it, and be sure to keep an eye out for more of Heist in the near future.
Sincerely yours, Dam Swindle

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AAL 3LP '2017-2019' on Other People featuring Lydia Lunch.
F = vinyl-only edit

Tracklist 3LP

A1. Fantasy
A2. If Loving You Is Wrong
B. With An Addict
C1. If You Can't Do It Good, Do It Hard feat. Lydia Lunch
C2. Alarm
C3. Deeeeeeefers
D. Faith
E1. Penny
E2. You (Forever)
F. Vinyl-Only Edit More

No sales to Japan!

LP: 180g vinyl, half speed mastered, heavy sleeve, obi, gold ink
Genre: Jazz, Fusion, Funk

Tracklisting LP
A1. Shrimp Dance
A2. Kuro To Shiro
B1. Walk Tall
B2. Cat
B3. Romance


Info

We Release Jazz is ecstatic (purrrr!) to announce the official reissue of Hiroshi Suzuki's glorious jazz-fusion-funk Holy Grail Cat (originally released in 1976), sourced from the original masters and available on limited edition 180 gram vinyl mastered at half speed for full audiophile sound, as well as on digipack CD. Both versions come with liner notes by Teruo Isono.
Cat was recorded in October 1975 at at Nippon Columbia Studio, while Hiroshi Suzuki was visiting his home country of Japan after moving to Las Vegas in 1971 to play with Buddy Rich and perfect his craft. Back on his old stomping grounds, the man known as Neko (Cat) immediately reunited with his dear friends for an epic two day session of groove magic. The chemistry was still intact. The skills and style had grown.
The result, Cat, is a smooth masterpiece, a deep and soulful affair where stunning trombone solos by Hiroshi Suzuki flirt with Takeru Muraoka's heavenly saxophone and the sensual rhythm section of Hiromasa Suzuki (keyboards), Kunimitsu Inaba (bass), and Akira Ishikawa (drums).
Celebrated in jazz collectors circles, in the lofi beat scene, and among music diggers around the world, Cat has become one of the most sought-after Japanese jazz albums of all time and, much like Ryo Fukui's Scenery, has fascinated old and young generations alike.

Points of interests

- For fans of jazz, fusion, funk, trombone, Japanese jazz, smooth rides, cats, allure.

- Official reissue of the glorious jazz-fusion album by Japanese trombonist extraordinaire Hiroshi "Neko" Suzuki.

- 10th release from We Release Jazz, following Ryo Fukui's Scenery, Mellow Dream, A Letter from Slowboat, and Ryo Fukui in New York, the soundtrack of Le Cercle Rouge by Eric Demarsan, Stuff Combe 5 + Percussion, Marc Moulin's Placebo Live 1971 and Boillat Thérace Quintet albums. We Release Jazz is the sister-label of Geneva-based WRWTFWW Records (Midori Takada's Through The Looking Glass and Lunar Cruise with Masahiko Sato, Pierre Barouh's Le Pollen, Jun Fuka-machi's Nicole, Grauzone's discography, …)
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2023 repress

Format Notes: 140g vinyl, remastered from the original tapes

Territories:
Worldwide no restrictions

Track List:

A1 : Flying High (3:35)
A2 : Going Home (2:46)
A3 : Walking In The Dark (4:42)
A4 : Fighting For Life (3:37)
A5 : Feeling Tense (4:05)

B1 : Running Fast (4:42)
B2 : Loving Tenderly (3:27)
B3 : Fearing Much (3:35)
B4 : Being Friendly (2:54)
B5 : Having Fun (4:00)

Release Notes:

More than once Jay Richford and Gary Stevan’s Feelings has been described as the greatest library record ever released. Of course Be With can’t be seen to be playing favourites, but we have to admit, it’s pretty good. Insanely rare and immensely sought-after, it’s a tough funk, street jazz masterpiece coveted for many years by collectors of all musical genres.

Since its original release on Italian label Carosello in 1974, Feelings has appeared on several labels with different sleeves and even under a different artist. Indeed cult library label Conroy put it out in one of their iconic red sleeves in 1976 and yes, Feelings has indeed had more than one modern re-issue since these “original” releases. But a record this special deserves to be kept in press and we think it deserves the Be With treatment.

No, Jay Richford and Gary Stevan aren’t two of the most Italian sounding names. As the story goes these were the pseudonyms adopted by Stefano Torossi and Giancarlo Gazzani who wrote the album but couldn’t use their real names on the original release for legal reasons. But Stefano Torossi himself later both clarified and confused the tale further by explaining that Feelings was the work of four people not just Gazzani and himself. Fellow composers and musicians Sandro Brugnolini and Puccio Roelens also worked on the album and as Torossi himself explained “we all worked together”, with all four gents “dividing the royalties in equal parts… that’s the story.” Right, so, with that all sorted out let’s get back to talking about the music. And what music it is.

Long hailed as a holy grail of library music, Feelings is the epitome of the sort of cinematic orchestral jazzy funk that is “that 70s library music sound”. Infectiously funky, deliciously melodic and with impeccible, elegant production, this record is the showcase for a stunning set of compositions and arrangements and with performances that are nothing short of virtuoso.

The record’s first side lifts off with “Flying High”, soaring brilliant and shimmering. Funk licks, menacing strings and swaggering horns combine for an ice-cold intro groove that Isaac Hayes would surely have envied, before the steady-paced drums deliver the slo-mo TKO. The string-drenched cop-funk of “Going Home” raises the tempo. All funky quick-fire bass lines and killer electric guitar soloing. A real thriller.

“Walking In The Dark” positively drips in blaxploitation-funk drama strings and horn struts, all laced with delicate drums, velvet piano and more filthy wah-wah. “Fighting For Life” is another funk-fuelled workout built around an effortlessly relentless drum track that refuses to give up until even the stiffest-necked head is nodding.

The loping, open drum break that guides the much-loved “Feeling Tense” through its early stages would be good enough on its own. The heavy bass gloss, swirling strings and ominous horns that follow take things to the next level.

The second side opens with another favourite “Running Fast”, and the track does precisely that. This is one fine rollicking chase theme underpinned by frenetic (yet funky) Fender Rhodes and skipping bass and drums. Those sweeping strings are a gorgeous extra. It’s a deliciously feel-good groove that sets the heart racing.

“Loving Tenderly” envelops us in warm, velvety night-time vibes with easy listening horns and slinky strings dialing up the seduction. Definitely one for the lithe lovers out there. The pace picks up on the electrifying “Fearing Much” where strings dart around deep bass, buzzing guitars and another funky drum break. The lush, melancholic “Being Friendly” is another easy beauty, all warm Rhodes and strings. Majestic stuff that puts an aural arm around you. The climactic “Having Fun” rides a pulsating, bass-heavy drum break with snatches of a funky guitar refrain, some luxurious keys, sweeping strings and triumphant horns. Sensational.

“Feelings” is a profoundly appropriate title for such an emotionally funky and genuinely affecting record. Groove-laden bass, irrepressible horns, sweet flute lines, warm Rhodes, lush string arrangements, blaxploitation-styled wah-wah guitars and so, so much more make this one of the finest instrumental soul LPs of the 70s, if not of all time.

The audio for this re-issue of Feelings comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis and cut by Pete Norman. The same care has been taken by the Be With team to restore that glorious original Carosello sleeve. Feelings is almost too good to be true. Feels good all over.
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Delfonic & Kapote are finally back with the 7th release of their "Illegal Jazz" Series. Four Disco-Jazz Tunes reworked for the dancefloor…

A1 Groove Head Rejam
A2 Power Journey Rejam
B1 Imparable Rejam
B2 I Like Music Rejam
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Printed sleeve - After alarming interest with Oz Waves resurrection Will I Dream, Andy Rantzen returns to Efficient Space with 1/66 - a collection of four dubs from his 1999/2000 archives.

Tracklist:

A1 Rock Steady
A2 Green Man
B1 Fantasy Dub
B2 Green River

Short info:
Home recorded above a lawyer's office and next door to a brothel, the retrospective is lead by the earth shattering digi stepper Rock Steady. Originally intended for an abandoned dub album, Rock Steady and Fantasy Dub were saved from the cutting room floor by Australian CD-only compilations on Creative Vibes and vital collective Clan Analogue, while Green River was never released. Now demanding wider appreciation, the dubs finally find union with Green Man's New York hip hop/dancehall style, lifted from his second solo album The Blue Hour Vol. 3: Deep Blue.

Humbly excelling in all electronic forms, Rantzen helped guide techno-rave duo Itch-E & Scratch-E through the 90s with Paul Mac. Winning the inaugural Best Dance Release category at the 1995 Aria Awards, Mac thanked "all of Sydney's ecstasy dealers, without whom this award would not be possible," while Rantzen stayed at home. The two would also operate incognito as Boo Boo & Mace and Screensaver, often collaborating on looney dubs with Sheriff Lindo - the master of seismic shocks down under.

Rantzen's earliest work stretches back to Pelican Daughters, an ensemble who proliferated industrial-leaning ambient and tape loop experiments.

Vital Sales Points:

Will I Dream DJ support from Hunee, Lena Willikens, Blackest Ever Black and Illum Sphere
Andy Rantzen will appear on more Efficient Space titles in 2018


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* 3 x LP
* Deluxe Trifold Sleeve
* Analogue Remastered

Versions: 300 x Black Vinyl Edition

Tracklist:
Side A
A1. Order Within The Universe
A2. Under The Influence (Jes Grew)
A3. If 6 Was 9
Side B
B1. Orbitron Attack
B2. Cosmic Slop
Side C
C1. Free-Bass (Godzillatron Cush)
C2. Tell The World
C3. Pray My Soul
Side D
D1. Hideous Mutant Freekz
D2. Sax Machine
Side E
E1. Animal Behavior
E2. Trumpets And Violins, Violins
E3. Telling Time
Side F
F1. Jungle Free-Bass
F2. Blackout
F3. Sacred To The Pain

Release Notes:
Regrooved Records proudly present the ultimate reissue of Axiom Funk's legendary album, Funkcronomicon! This psychedelic and funkalicious masterpiece continues to amaze listeners with its eclectic variety, thanks to the impressive roster of artists under the name Axiom Funk. At the heart of this project is legendary producer and bassist Bill Laswell, whose artistic vision and skills seamlessly unite the album. Funkcronomicon features appearances by many (former) members of Parliament-Funkadelic, making Funkcronomicon a de facto release of this legendary band. Among the featured musicians are the p-funk legends George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell and
Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey, and it features the last studio recordings from guitarist extraordinaire Eddie Hazel. Nex to that it also features contributions from icons such as Sly Stone, Maceo Parker, Fred
Wesley, Bobby Byrd, the dynamic duo Sly & Robbie and Herbie Hancock and many, many others. Funkcronomicon masterfully combines funk with the mythical Necronomicon by H.P. Lovecraft Lovecraft's cosmic horror stories, which radiate liveliness despite the ominous title. The cover art by the legendary Pedro Bell, this was one of his last projects before his vision was tragically lost, adds to the album's enigmatic allure and is reminiscent of Lovecraftian rituals.
Now it's time for a high-quality vinyl reissue of this cultural phenomenon. Remastered and pressed onto three discs, this new batch of Funkcronomicon now comes with extensive artwork and now offers you the ultimate listening experience for this classic album. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of funk history. Get your funk on with this must-have reissue! More