One of the stand-out acts on Freshly Squeezed in 2023, ELLE & THE POCKET BELLES released increasingly acclaimed singles and videos across the year. Now their full 10 track album drops showcasing the diversity and strength of songwriting, musicianship and jazz-infused production. Now available on Clear Red 12" vinyl!

Not just a singles band, the album offers real jazz sophistication on songs like OLD FASHIONED and a moving theatrical flourish on DON'T YOU WORRY. But on songs like WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO... the group really show off the many years spent on London's vintage club scene refining their sound and style into the perfect distillation of a classic retro style in a thoroughly modern way.

Since release, the album has shared a combined 1 million streams across Spotify and YouTube, and several tracks have been featured on several editorial playlists on Spotify. SEE YOU LATER was played over 25k times across YouTube and Spotify in its first weekend, now reaching 700k streams. The album was also nominated record of the week by BBC Cornwall.

The group are reminiscent of a cross between classic 60s soul and 50s girl groups given a joyful and wry modern twist. ELLE & THE POCKET BELLES are gigging across the UK's summer festival circuit in support of their album. Here are their live dates:

Quaglinos, London - Live Residency Monthly

14th Feb @ The Ritz, London (Supporting BBC BIG BAND)

Hutball Dresden, Germany

Berlin, Germany (TBC)

The Great Escape, Brighton

Twinwood Festival, Clapham

Goodwood Festival, Chichester

Wilderness Festival, Charlbury

Camp Bestival, Dorset

““Retro pop, classic soul and electro swing… a genuine showcase of how great 5 voices coming together can really be…””
Kerrie Cosh — BBC Introducing

“The most saleable Electro Swing act I've ever seen”
Chris Tofu — Glastonbury Festival

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First Word Records is very proud to bring you a brand new 11-track album from Quiet Dawn, one called 'Celebrate'. French multi-instrumentalist Quiet Dawn has been an integral part of the First Word family for a full decade now. His diverse catalogue has included organic ambient-jazz (2018's 'Human Being - The Short Story Of The Reed'), Dilla-esque instrumental beats (2023's 'Simple' beat tape), head nod Hip Hop (the 2015 debut album 'The First Day') and broken beat (2022's 'Movements' EP). It's the latter project that this new project is the most obvious successor to, which he produced directly afterwards. This new album from Quiet Dawn (real name Will Galland) takes on an array of broken beat flavours and features a few luminaries from that scene along the way, including the legendary Bembe Segue (on the smooth soulful grooves of 'All Around'), LyricL (dropping bars on the lively title track 'Celebrate') and Oliver Night from the CoOp Presents crew (on 'Follow Your Instincts' and single 'Lost From Life'). Elsewhere there's uplifting jazz samba-tinged vibes (on 'It's All About Freedom' & 'He Is Lion'), a sprinkle of downtempo boom bap ('Flow' & 'See The Good'), and an assortment of instrumental bruk riddims with squelchy synths, sweet rhodes, skippy percussion & funked-up basslines. Quiet Dawn once again effortlessly combines the organic with the electronic. The whole piece exudes positivity and good times.

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Los Angeles-based producer and DJ Captain Planet returns with his sixth full-length album, DIG—a high-energy project that channels the global spirit of his world-renowned DJ sets. Having lit up clubs and festivals across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the U.S., Captain Planet is celebrated for his ability to fuse Afro, Latin, and Caribbean traditions with hip-hop, dancehall, and electronic funk. With over two decades of experience, he delivers a sound that is as eclectic as it is unifying, built to move dance floors worldwide. DIG brings together vocalists from Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, Nigeria, Ghana, and Angola, weaving their traditions into bass-heavy, drum-driven tracks with infectious energy. Standout single Tony's House—a rework of Afrobeat legend Tony Allen's "Afrodisco Beat"—is already earning heavy festival play from top DJs around the globe. The record also showcases Captain Planet's versatility, from the nature-infused textures of "Thirst No More" to the soulful "Mi Calor" with longtime collaborator Chico Mann. Backed by international press coverage (The Fader, Complex, Bandcamp), strong radio support (BBC, NPR, KCRW), and chart-topping past releases, DIG cements Captain Planet's reputation as a boundary-pushing producer bringing global sounds to the modern dance floor.

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Bloto’s bold 2020 debut brought forth three albums in just twelve months. This prolific creative burst, followed by an ongoing tour and involvement in other projects, meant fans had to wait over three years for the next release. During this time, new ideas took shape, and the vision for their fourth LP crystallized. The wait for Bloto's new album is nearly over. As always, autumn signals the arrival of Grzybnia (Mycelium).

The idea for the album had been simmering within the band since the release of Kwasy i zasady and finally took shape in early 2023 at Warsaw's Studio Pasterka, under Piotr Zabrodzki's guidance. It was the group's most fruitful session, resulting in two singles, Szlam / Scieki and Bakteria, as well as material for an EP to be released next year.
The seemingly chemical title of Kwasy i zasady (Acids and Bases) referred to interpersonal relationships, describing traits that prevent harmony and reflecting the polarization of modern societies. The metaphor of Grzybnia (Mycelium) goes further, emphasizing cooperation as a skill that yields diverse results, both good and bad. Above all, it underscores the power of collective action.

In a fragmented, unstable world, mycelium offers a powerful model. It thrives in degraded, lifeless environments created by humans. Cooperation benefits all parties involved, where each contributes something and receives something in return. Mycelium forms a symbiotic relationship with certain tree species through mycorrhiza, where roots and mycelium exchange life-sustaining substances, benefiting both. This cooperation is key to survival and growth.

Like a mushroom that dies, yet whose mycelium endures, Bloto’s music is an organic and evolving force. The band operates much like mycelium itself, drawing on cultural products and transforming them into new forms. The collaboration of Latarnik, Cancer G, Wuja HZG, and OlafSaxx produces surprising combinations, resulting in music that blurs the lines between genres like jazz, house, techno, and improvisation.

A1 - Lysiczka
A2 - Kozak
A3 - Shiitake
A4 - Boczniak
A5 - Prawdziwek
B1 - Podostroma
B2 - Muchomor
B3 - Szatan
B4 - Zaslonak

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Gaudi’s Jazz Gone Dub is a masterclass in genre fusion, seamlessly blending the improvisational essence of jazz with the heavy atmospheric grooves of dub. Known for his eclectic approach to music production, Gaudi pushes the boundaries yet again, creating a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative.

Four years in the making, from the opening track it’s clear that Jazz Gone Dub is more than just a mashup of styles—it's a thoughtful exploration of the intersections between two rich musical traditions.

Gaudi’s multi-instrumental talents are on full display, and the presence of reggae royalty is palpable, courtesy of rootsy melodies from David Hinds (Steel Pulse), Jah Wobble’s iconic bass grooves, Ernest Ranglin’s intricate guitar lines and Sly & Robbie’s rhythmic genius. Add Sardinia’s Train to Roots band, Manu Chao collaborator Roy Paci, veteran guitarist Marcus Upbeat, Mr Woodnote and Tim Hutton’s brass work, Gavin Tate-Lovery’s sultry sax and flute, Horseman’s percussive flair plus Colin Edwin and Vlastur’s serious basslines, and the
result is a rhythmic foundation that’s both solid and fluid, allowing the jazz elements to float freely above the dub undercurrents.

Despite this star-studded line-up, Gaudi remains the glue that holds this gem together: his production is meticulous yet organic, allowing each track to breathe and evolve naturally. The use of space, delays and reverb—a hallmark of dub music—is expertly handled, giving the album a dreamy, immersive quality. Tracks like Susceptible and Alabaster Moon showcase Gaudi’s ability to create mood and atmosphere without sacrificing melodic and rhythmic complexity.

In Jazz Gone Dub Gaudi has crafted an album that feels both timeless and forward-thinking, a celebration of musical synergy where the free-spirit of jazz meets the deep resonance of dub. Whether you’re a fan of either genre or simply appreciate masterful musicianship and innovative production, this album is a must-listen.

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ATANGANA RECORDS PRESENTS: A MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH TIME! :
Dive into our latest release, a tribute to the vibrant spirit of Guadeloupean music. This track, born from the improvisational magic of the '70s, weaves together the legacies of the Latour brothers and the soulful essence of jazz. With a rich history of collaboration and creativity, we honor the past while breathing new life into cherished melodies. Experience the rhythm, feel the memories, and let the good vibes flow. Play it loud!

TRACKLIST:

A1. Eddy Latour & His Kombit Band / Lagué Yo
A2. Pascal Latour & Frederic Caracas / Lagué Yo
B1. Pascal Latour & Frederic Caracas / Déni Shaïn Banger

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To celebrate 3 years since the release of AndrewAshong & Kaidi Tatham’s now classic SankofaSeason, Kitto Records invite some of their favouriteartists to remix and reimagine the music.
The result is an all-star line up that crosses genreand generations to produce a truly cracking EP, onethat is clearly rooted in the original music while alsomoving into new, unexpected territories.
Whether it is dubstep pioneer Mala bringing a heavyand sophisticated twist to ‘Low Ceilings’, orbreakthrough post-punk artist Wu-Lu flipping‘Washed in You’ into a completely new realm,complete with a captivating feature from the one andonly Lex Amor, the quality on show is undeniable.
Shy One brings one for the bruk heads, with abumping remix of ‘Learning Lessens’ that flipsbetween styles and mood, deftly using AndrewAshong’s floating vocals to great effect. Gavsborgand Shanique Marie round out the EP by bringing thefull force of their forward thinking Jamaican musiccollective Equiknoxx to bear with a soulfulreimagining of ‘To Your Heart’.



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“Blending traditional Afrobeat with ‘70s deep funk and soul jazz, this release transcends genres while delivering a vital message of inclusivity and love.”
— Justin Turford (Truth & Lies)

"The godfather of Afrobeat delivers probably his best album since the legendary Ghetto Blaster band that was produced by Chris Blackwell. Legendary musicians from the Afrobeat Scene , what a beautifull tribute to Hilaire Penda !'
— Mario Orsinet (Monkuti ,Seun Kuti)

A1 - Bad Situation
A2 - Freedom
A3 - Gentleman
A4 - One Race
B1 - Let Us Sing
B2 - Mokili
B3 - I Want To Be Free
B4 - Memory

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