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Om Unit - a1. Snagged
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Om Unit - a2. Citrus
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Om Unit - a3. Moonglade
4
Om Unit - a4. Entity
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Om Unit - b1. Citrus (Mr. Ho Remix)
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Om Unit - b2. Amber (pt. II)
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Om Unit - b3. Hard Skin
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Om Unit - b4. Side Quest
Om Unit releases his first solo EP of 2024, once again self-released as part of his ongoing series of 'off-label' output which began with titles such as 'Submerged' and 'Atlantis'.
8 tracks of breaks-laden treats in various forms, 'Fragments' consists of material taken from various studio jams from recent months with varied BPM"s and feels throughout.
This release is a selection of material that once again demonstrates the art of deft cross-pollination with elements of dub, breaks, techno, jungle and even bmore infused into the project, complete with a remix of 'Citrus' courtesy of Klasse Wrecks very own Mr Ho. More
8 tracks of breaks-laden treats in various forms, 'Fragments' consists of material taken from various studio jams from recent months with varied BPM"s and feels throughout.
This release is a selection of material that once again demonstrates the art of deft cross-pollination with elements of dub, breaks, techno, jungle and even bmore infused into the project, complete with a remix of 'Citrus' courtesy of Klasse Wrecks very own Mr Ho. More
More records from Om Unit
1
Om Unit - Folding Shadows
2
Om Unit - The SIlence Ft. Jinadu
3
Om Unit - Healing Rain
4
Om Unit - Jus Sayin' Ft. Gone The Hero
5
Om Unit - Drift Interlude
6
Om Unit - Reverse Logic
7
Om Unit - Corridor 2013
8
Om Unit - Nagual
9
Om Unit - Patients Ft. MC Jabu
10
Om Unit - Deep Sea Pyramid
11
Om Unit - Wall Of Light
12
Om Unit - Jaguar
13
Om Unit - Wicker And Pearl
14
Om Unit - Governer's Bay
15
Om Unit - The Road Ft. Charlie Dark
‘Threads’ was my 1st album as Om Unit and this 10-year re-mastered anniversary edition comes around at what feels like a similar time for me of experimentation and finding new ways to connect sounds. Something of a full circle of sorts but then again I am marking time with this re-issue at a time where I can look back and feel very proud of the work still sounding so convincing. Now even better thanks to Subvert Central’s Robert Macchiochi!
Reflecting on the past 10 years since this record came out, I can say it’s been an incredibly fruitful journey, with the most striking element of it all being the opportunity to travel and meet so many people from so many different backgrounds with different world views and stories. I found that ‘Threads’ for many was their first insight into my music, and for some people was something of a milestone in their journey of exploring music itself with tracks like ‘The silence’ and ‘Governor’s Bay’ having been mentioned over the years as amongst favourites alongside some of the work released on Cosmic Bridge and Civil
I want to take a moment to give my Love and gratitude to all the featured vocalists. Thanks to Simon Jinadu for his angelic voice on ‘The Silence’, to Charlie Dark MBE for his reflective words on ‘The Road’ and to Alex ‘Bogues’ Rendall aka MC Jabu (of Jabu) for his intense delivery on ‘Patients’ as well as Jneiro Jarel for his self-reflective narration on “just sayin’” All 4 are still outliers in their own field and upstanding creative forces to boot. I feel blessed to have been able to capture them on this project.
Threads was made in a bedroom of 2a Station Rise in Tulse Hill, a flat I shared with journalist and writer Laurent Fintoni, in a space that had such a great sound to it that I’ll always miss that room. I hope that you feel the warmth that I felt then whilst making it. It’s been an adventure since and whilst I’ve moved on from a lot of the tropes intrinsic to the album, it will always remain a body of work that is dear to my heart.
Enjoy!
<3 More
Reflecting on the past 10 years since this record came out, I can say it’s been an incredibly fruitful journey, with the most striking element of it all being the opportunity to travel and meet so many people from so many different backgrounds with different world views and stories. I found that ‘Threads’ for many was their first insight into my music, and for some people was something of a milestone in their journey of exploring music itself with tracks like ‘The silence’ and ‘Governor’s Bay’ having been mentioned over the years as amongst favourites alongside some of the work released on Cosmic Bridge and Civil
I want to take a moment to give my Love and gratitude to all the featured vocalists. Thanks to Simon Jinadu for his angelic voice on ‘The Silence’, to Charlie Dark MBE for his reflective words on ‘The Road’ and to Alex ‘Bogues’ Rendall aka MC Jabu (of Jabu) for his intense delivery on ‘Patients’ as well as Jneiro Jarel for his self-reflective narration on “just sayin’” All 4 are still outliers in their own field and upstanding creative forces to boot. I feel blessed to have been able to capture them on this project.
Threads was made in a bedroom of 2a Station Rise in Tulse Hill, a flat I shared with journalist and writer Laurent Fintoni, in a space that had such a great sound to it that I’ll always miss that room. I hope that you feel the warmth that I felt then whilst making it. It’s been an adventure since and whilst I’ve moved on from a lot of the tropes intrinsic to the album, it will always remain a body of work that is dear to my heart.
Enjoy!
<3 More
1
Om Unit - The Canopy (Armageddon Style)
2
Om Unit - Mystic 808
It’s always a joy to release music from friends, and ZamZam 91 is our first collab with a dear one, Jim Coles AKA Om Unit. It’s impossible to frame the breadth and depth of such a storied career in bass music in just a couple lines- so suffice to say that releases over decades on a who’s-who of seminal labels including Exit, Fabric, Planet Mu and of course his own Cosmic Bridge have cemented his rep as an absolute force in production and DJing across any number of genres and sub genres.
Coles’ roots in Bristol and deep love of dub and reggae - made beautifully explicit on his recent Acid Dub Studies LPs - come through strong on both sides. “The Canopy (Armageddon Style)” opens with ravey, arpeggiated synths worthy of Vangelis, punctuated by a brooding piano chord, building steadily into a dark and utterly apocalyptic steppers guaranteed to storm & batter down Babylon walls inside and out.
“Mystic 808” is a deep meditation, a slow stepper that ices down the furious energy of the A side and drops the tempo to suit. Recalling the heady days of original late 90s/early 2000s UK Dub - as well as early dub techno - stabs and melody caress, restrained percussion swims and multiplies in reverb and echo, orbits locked to the gravitational force of the massive and truly timeless bassline. Proper sound system material that will satisfy the heart and soul long after the dance is done. More
Coles’ roots in Bristol and deep love of dub and reggae - made beautifully explicit on his recent Acid Dub Studies LPs - come through strong on both sides. “The Canopy (Armageddon Style)” opens with ravey, arpeggiated synths worthy of Vangelis, punctuated by a brooding piano chord, building steadily into a dark and utterly apocalyptic steppers guaranteed to storm & batter down Babylon walls inside and out.
“Mystic 808” is a deep meditation, a slow stepper that ices down the furious energy of the A side and drops the tempo to suit. Recalling the heady days of original late 90s/early 2000s UK Dub - as well as early dub techno - stabs and melody caress, restrained percussion swims and multiplies in reverb and echo, orbits locked to the gravitational force of the massive and truly timeless bassline. Proper sound system material that will satisfy the heart and soul long after the dance is done. More
1
Om Unit - Prophecy
2
Om Unit - Forward
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Om Unit - Deadnettle
4
Om Unit - Amber
Four tracks of forward-thinking club music featuring his signature sound, taking in elements of Acid, Broken Beats, UK Techno and Dubbed out atmospheres. Melodies, hooks and basslines are plentiful on this one and the sights are set firmly on the dancefloor with most tracks landing around the 130-140bpm region.
'Atlantis' is yet another step forward in the evolution of a well-decorated but never stagnant artist who is ever-keen on exploring new possibilities. More
'Atlantis' is yet another step forward in the evolution of a well-decorated but never stagnant artist who is ever-keen on exploring new possibilities. More
Over the years Jim Coles has turned his hand to a fair few different styles and made them his own. These days, most know his Om Unit alias as a significant force in fresh developments within D&B (recently found larking about with Alix Perez, Binga and more in the Richie Brains project on Exit Records), but it's not always been that way. From initial moves in the dubstep world via Terrorhythm through to shimmering, playful electro-leaning business on Civil Music, he's graced plenty of high profile labels with his many-sided musical dice and come up trumps. A personal favourite moment for us came in the shape of the All City 7" Lavender / Lightgrids in 2010, which matched Jim's knack for rich and detailed production to a slower, more contemplative groove. This new release for Idle Hands comes from that era, a trio of secret weapons sat waiting for the opportune moment to step out into the world. With the warmer months upon us, it feels like the perfect time to let a track like "Friend Of The Day" roll out in a heavy-lidded haze of sun-kissed, ivory-tinkled finery. This being Om Unit, of course there are different shades on offer here as well. "Basement Superman" plumbs aqueous depths with its appropriation of dub techno tropes in a slow-stepping, meditative framework. "What It Is" too revels in introspection, a laconic bassline loping jauntily against the feathery beat in a succinct encapsulation of Bristolian laissez-faire. Jim's current exploits are reaching ever more interesting pastures, and there's an increasing recognition of his past achievements too (check the Kutmah-curated Lost Stories collection of unreleased 2tall bits from his archives), so it's a pleasure to add to the movement and support some truly special gems from a long time friend of the shop.
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Convextion - A - Kuiper
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Convextion - B - Miranda
3
Convextion - C - Ebulience
4
Convextion - D - Niche
NO RETURNS! -
Special remarks:
2x12" vinyl in full colour cover
Genre: Techno, Detroit Techno, Deep Techno, Dub Techno
- reissue of legendary Convextion classics
- collectable full color cover-art by David A. Hardy
Tracklist 2x12":
A - Kuiper
B - Miranda
C - Ebulience
D - Niche
Short Info:
Long awaited reissue of classic sought-after Convextion tracks originally released on Matrix (Detroit).
Cover illustration by David A. Hardy. Mastered by Redshape.
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Special remarks:
2x12" vinyl in full colour cover
Genre: Techno, Detroit Techno, Deep Techno, Dub Techno
- reissue of legendary Convextion classics
- collectable full color cover-art by David A. Hardy
Tracklist 2x12":
A - Kuiper
B - Miranda
C - Ebulience
D - Niche
Short Info:
Long awaited reissue of classic sought-after Convextion tracks originally released on Matrix (Detroit).
Cover illustration by David A. Hardy. Mastered by Redshape.
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1
Philipp Priebe - Desires
2
Philipp Priebe - Interborough
3
Philipp Priebe - Apparent Calm Palms
4
Philipp Priebe - Quiet Decay
5
Philipp Priebe - Chimera
6
Philipp Priebe - Behind Their House
7
Philipp Priebe - Transfiguration
8
Philipp Priebe - Slalom
9
Philipp Priebe - Unfold
10
Philipp Priebe - Conclusions
2024 Re Release
Genre: Deep House, Minimal, Ambient
Tracklist 2x12“ Vinyl & Digital:
A1 Desires
A2 Interborough
A3 Apparent Calm Palms
B1 Quiet Decay
B2 Chimera
C1 Behind Their House
C2 Transfiguration
C3 Slalom
D1 Unfold
D2 Conclusions
Info:
Stólar label boss Philipp Priebe delivers his new album ‘Apparent Calm Palms’ this October, joining the roster of Mainz/Hamburg, Germany’s Feuilleton.
Berlin-based artist Philipp Priebe has been steadily making his mark on the contemporary deep hazy house and leftfield electronica scene over the past few years with a series of releases on his own Stólar imprint. Here though we see him deliver his second album following his debut LP ‘The Being Of The Beautiful’ released on Japan’s IL Y A Records back in 2014. Feuilleton is the brainchild of Chris Gruber (Fossar) and Tim Eder and since 2018 has unveiled material from the duo themselves, RR (René Raabe), Snad, Gari Romalis, Melina, Jakob Seidensticker and more.
Throughout the ‘Apparent Calm Palms’ LP Priebe delivers a concoction of styles and sounds cohesi-vely fused together to form the bigger concept which is he tells us is ‘’an album about small towns and villages and the needs and desires that brings one night out in clubs. The transport/travel, the preparty, all the things that you had to do, when you are not directly living in the big party places, but still want to have a decent night out, away from your usual suspects.’’.
Throughout the ten-track LP Philipp delivers ethereal deep house with opening track ‘Desires’, the succeeding ‘Interborough’ and ‘Chimera’, murky dub house leaning cuts like ‘Quiet Decay’, ‘Slalom’, ‘Unfold’ and ‘Conclusions’ while ‘Transfiguration’ showcases a more classic Chicago House influence. Title-track ‘Apparent Calm Palms’ and the interlude ‘Behind Their House’ then see Priebe offer a foray into textural ambient sounds, once again showcasing his unique ability to craft raw, understated and emotion fuelled material across a variety of genres.
Mastering by Sven Weisemann and Lacquer Cut by Stefan Betke
More
Genre: Deep House, Minimal, Ambient
Tracklist 2x12“ Vinyl & Digital:
A1 Desires
A2 Interborough
A3 Apparent Calm Palms
B1 Quiet Decay
B2 Chimera
C1 Behind Their House
C2 Transfiguration
C3 Slalom
D1 Unfold
D2 Conclusions
Info:
Stólar label boss Philipp Priebe delivers his new album ‘Apparent Calm Palms’ this October, joining the roster of Mainz/Hamburg, Germany’s Feuilleton.
Berlin-based artist Philipp Priebe has been steadily making his mark on the contemporary deep hazy house and leftfield electronica scene over the past few years with a series of releases on his own Stólar imprint. Here though we see him deliver his second album following his debut LP ‘The Being Of The Beautiful’ released on Japan’s IL Y A Records back in 2014. Feuilleton is the brainchild of Chris Gruber (Fossar) and Tim Eder and since 2018 has unveiled material from the duo themselves, RR (René Raabe), Snad, Gari Romalis, Melina, Jakob Seidensticker and more.
Throughout the ‘Apparent Calm Palms’ LP Priebe delivers a concoction of styles and sounds cohesi-vely fused together to form the bigger concept which is he tells us is ‘’an album about small towns and villages and the needs and desires that brings one night out in clubs. The transport/travel, the preparty, all the things that you had to do, when you are not directly living in the big party places, but still want to have a decent night out, away from your usual suspects.’’.
Throughout the ten-track LP Philipp delivers ethereal deep house with opening track ‘Desires’, the succeeding ‘Interborough’ and ‘Chimera’, murky dub house leaning cuts like ‘Quiet Decay’, ‘Slalom’, ‘Unfold’ and ‘Conclusions’ while ‘Transfiguration’ showcases a more classic Chicago House influence. Title-track ‘Apparent Calm Palms’ and the interlude ‘Behind Their House’ then see Priebe offer a foray into textural ambient sounds, once again showcasing his unique ability to craft raw, understated and emotion fuelled material across a variety of genres.
Mastering by Sven Weisemann and Lacquer Cut by Stefan Betke
More
1
Gidge - Fauna, Pt I
2
Gidge - You
3
Gidge - I Fell In Love
4
Gidge - Rest
5
Gidge - Dusk
6
Gidge - Fauna, Pt II
7
Gidge - Huldra
8
Gidge - Growth
9
Gidge - Norrland
Territory: EXCL US, 2LP.
Tracklist:
A1. Fauna, Pt I
A2. You
A3. I Fell In Love
B1. Rest
B2. Dusk
C1. Fauna, Pt II
C2. Huldra
D1. Growth
D2. Norrland
One of the most beautiful albums of this decade gets a re-issue on 2-vinyl – in 2014 the Swedish duo Gidge released their debut: Autumn Bells.
“The very beginning of I Fell in Love are the most passionate and emotional couple of notes i have heard.”
“An incredibly organic listen from start to finish, 'Autumn Bells' is the season's distilled feeling put in song. Gidge successfully captures microscopic moments of decay and beauty within the framework of pop and ambient-inflected techno.“
“An utterly captivating piece of work. Each new listen only enriches the songs.”
“One of the finest, most enjoyable electronic albums I have heard in recent times. Every sound is so well thought out and sculpted, some seriously head-tingling music.“
More
Tracklist:
A1. Fauna, Pt I
A2. You
A3. I Fell In Love
B1. Rest
B2. Dusk
C1. Fauna, Pt II
C2. Huldra
D1. Growth
D2. Norrland
One of the most beautiful albums of this decade gets a re-issue on 2-vinyl – in 2014 the Swedish duo Gidge released their debut: Autumn Bells.
“The very beginning of I Fell in Love are the most passionate and emotional couple of notes i have heard.”
“An incredibly organic listen from start to finish, 'Autumn Bells' is the season's distilled feeling put in song. Gidge successfully captures microscopic moments of decay and beauty within the framework of pop and ambient-inflected techno.“
“An utterly captivating piece of work. Each new listen only enriches the songs.”
“One of the finest, most enjoyable electronic albums I have heard in recent times. Every sound is so well thought out and sculpted, some seriously head-tingling music.“
More
1
Rod Modell - Side A
2
Rod Modell - Side B
3
Rod Modell - Side C
4
Rod Modell - Side D
Repress!
2x 12” 180g black vinyl
gatefold cover
mastered by Noel Summerville
original artwork by Theo Ellsworth.
A year on since the collaborative Mystic AM project in 2022, Rod Modell returns solo to Astral Industries with AI-35. The album - entitled 'Ghost Lights' - comes as a gatefold 2x vinyl LP, showcasing the latest epoch of Modell's signature soundscapes. Spread across four parts, 'Ghost Lights' draws out a wide, cinematic sound - with long arching contours, rippling textures and cavernous sound design.
Woven with layer upon layer of hidden fragments and supernal transmissions, each chapter takes the listener successively deeper into the twilight zone. Harking to dramatic off-world topographies and interstellar spaces, the work glistens with opulent sound treatment and monumental grandeur. Dense pulsations move with oceanic force, marked by washes of celestial light and subterranean drones. Exercising another side to Rod Modell's typically atmospheric productions, this album comes with an ambitious framework and a more assertive sound. Featuring some of Modell's most epic storytelling to date, 'Ghost Lights' delivers a powerful immersive experience.
More
2x 12” 180g black vinyl
gatefold cover
mastered by Noel Summerville
original artwork by Theo Ellsworth.
A year on since the collaborative Mystic AM project in 2022, Rod Modell returns solo to Astral Industries with AI-35. The album - entitled 'Ghost Lights' - comes as a gatefold 2x vinyl LP, showcasing the latest epoch of Modell's signature soundscapes. Spread across four parts, 'Ghost Lights' draws out a wide, cinematic sound - with long arching contours, rippling textures and cavernous sound design.
Woven with layer upon layer of hidden fragments and supernal transmissions, each chapter takes the listener successively deeper into the twilight zone. Harking to dramatic off-world topographies and interstellar spaces, the work glistens with opulent sound treatment and monumental grandeur. Dense pulsations move with oceanic force, marked by washes of celestial light and subterranean drones. Exercising another side to Rod Modell's typically atmospheric productions, this album comes with an ambitious framework and a more assertive sound. Featuring some of Modell's most epic storytelling to date, 'Ghost Lights' delivers a powerful immersive experience.
More
Special remarks: 180g, Clear Red Vinyl, Limited
Tracklist:
A1) Zuud 04:33 min
A2) Taivshral 03:07 min
A3) Duulnaa 03:02 min
A4) Temeen Deerees Naran Oirhon 03:42 min
A5) Vogl 04:20 min
B1) Ulaan 03:30 min
B2) Libelle 02:38 min
B3) Picture / Three Shadows 05:21 min
B4) Encanto 01:33 min
B5) Uzegdel 04:25 min
Info:
After the success of 2021’s Ursgal, Mongolian jazz singer Enji returns with her third album Ulaan. The line-up has grown in size with drummer Mariá Portugal and clarinettist Joana Queiroz from Brazil joining the band to create an invigorating blend of grounded Folk and brooding Jazz.
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Tracklist:
A1) Zuud 04:33 min
A2) Taivshral 03:07 min
A3) Duulnaa 03:02 min
A4) Temeen Deerees Naran Oirhon 03:42 min
A5) Vogl 04:20 min
B1) Ulaan 03:30 min
B2) Libelle 02:38 min
B3) Picture / Three Shadows 05:21 min
B4) Encanto 01:33 min
B5) Uzegdel 04:25 min
Info:
After the success of 2021’s Ursgal, Mongolian jazz singer Enji returns with her third album Ulaan. The line-up has grown in size with drummer Mariá Portugal and clarinettist Joana Queiroz from Brazil joining the band to create an invigorating blend of grounded Folk and brooding Jazz.
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1
Lb Honne - musium
2
Lb Honne - viaggio
3
Lb Honne - longing (interlude)
4
Lb Honne - sky funk
5
Lb Honne - come and get me
6
Lb Honne - same again
7
Lb Honne - pa ohm
8
Lb Honne - homage to daylight
9
Lb Honne - luv (exit)
Following up a digital only effort on Swiss imprint Vorgott, plus subsequent remix package, Zurich-based producer Karl Primo aka Lb Honne steps up to deliver his debut long player on Project Indigo.
Set for release in April, ‘PRESENT FUTURE / HERE THERE‘ LP delivers nine solo tracks spanning warm tonal ambiance and deep house tendencies, embellished with effervescent vocals and club focussed frequencies.
With the majority of the album piqued for downtempo and introspective moments, the album is also bejewelled with a sprinkling of club sonics, which leads us into our premiere and album highlight ‘Sky Funk‘.
Propelled with shuffling shakers and deep house drum work, ‘Sky Funk‘ gradually develops an enchanting aura of melancholia that can be compared to that finite moment, when the swollen sun sets beneath the horizon. Earmark this one for summertime open-air raves, this is the ideal accompaniment. More
Set for release in April, ‘PRESENT FUTURE / HERE THERE‘ LP delivers nine solo tracks spanning warm tonal ambiance and deep house tendencies, embellished with effervescent vocals and club focussed frequencies.
With the majority of the album piqued for downtempo and introspective moments, the album is also bejewelled with a sprinkling of club sonics, which leads us into our premiere and album highlight ‘Sky Funk‘.
Propelled with shuffling shakers and deep house drum work, ‘Sky Funk‘ gradually develops an enchanting aura of melancholia that can be compared to that finite moment, when the swollen sun sets beneath the horizon. Earmark this one for summertime open-air raves, this is the ideal accompaniment. More
Label:Be With Records
Cat-No:bewith157lp
Release-Date:07.06.2024
Genre:HipHop/Rap/Urban
Configuration:2LP Excl
Label:Be With Records
Cat-No:bewith157lp
Release-Date:07.06.2024
Genre:HipHop/Rap/Urban
Configuration:2LP Excl
1
Superstar Quamallah - Mr. Righteous (Intro) (0:35)
2
Superstar Quamallah - You Need Knowledge (3:45)
3
Superstar Quamallah - 88 Soul (3:12)
4
Superstar Quamallah - Black Shakespeare (3:02)
5
Superstar Quamallah - For My People...It's Spiritual (2:55)
6
Superstar Quamallah - Lonely At The Top (3:56)
7
Superstar Quamallah - Just Listen (4:05)
8
Superstar Quamallah - California Dreamin' (4:33)
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Superstar Quamallah - Purity (3:59)
10
Superstar Quamallah - Kunta Kente (4:20)
11
Superstar Quamallah - 1993 Shit (3:49)
12
Superstar Quamallah - We Got Plots (3:38)
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Superstar Quamallah - Do Win-Dis (4:11)
14
Superstar Quamallah - Hope She Remembers Me (3:15)
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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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.
More
1
Mariko Katsuragi - Aoyama Nights
2
Mariko Katsuragi - Kushiyaki
3
Mariko Katsuragi - Kuroiinu Hosono
4
Mariko Katsuragi - Jasmine Dream
Surfing on the wave of 1980’s Nippon’s bubble of electronics and economics, fashion and the femme fatale, explosion of its pop culture and computerized technopop, and the world’s sudden fascination with everything Japan, a group of young studio musicians stemming from Tokyo’s downtown of Akihabara and Kanda came together for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Their goal… produce the next domestic hit album, a travelogue of city pop inspired by the urban yet lonely sprawl of now globally admired Asia. Yet their vision of the concept album under the City Heights moniker never came to see the light due to the group’s sudden disbandment after the tragic loss of love.
Led by the guitarist come arranger-producer HASEGAWA Joe (Jô) and keyboardist KATSURAG Mariko, the City Heights sessions drew form Tokyo’s musical melting pot of early 1980s with a distinct blend of jazz, funk, boogie, spiced with a local touch of Nippon’s finest electronic instruments.
Now, restored, remastered and occasionally redubbed by Japanese music connoisseur Sten Saluveer aka MILDHANS, this second, highly anticipated volume will take you on a journey through the love-longing nights of Aoyama, to the festive matsuri bustle of Jô’s hometown of Kanda, the Jasmine dreaming of Taipei, and a quirky nod to a then legendary musical superhero. More
Led by the guitarist come arranger-producer HASEGAWA Joe (Jô) and keyboardist KATSURAG Mariko, the City Heights sessions drew form Tokyo’s musical melting pot of early 1980s with a distinct blend of jazz, funk, boogie, spiced with a local touch of Nippon’s finest electronic instruments.
Now, restored, remastered and occasionally redubbed by Japanese music connoisseur Sten Saluveer aka MILDHANS, this second, highly anticipated volume will take you on a journey through the love-longing nights of Aoyama, to the festive matsuri bustle of Jô’s hometown of Kanda, the Jasmine dreaming of Taipei, and a quirky nod to a then legendary musical superhero. More
1
Feel Free Hi Fi - Blood
2
Feel Free Hi Fi - Gateless Barrier
3
Feel Free Hi Fi - Spring Rain
4
Feel Free Hi Fi - Triton
5
Feel Free Hi Fi - Marauder
6
Feel Free Hi Fi - Vexed
7
Feel Free Hi Fi - Digital Tomb
8
Feel Free Hi Fi - Computer Paul
Twin Cities duo Feel Free Hi Fi return to their in-house imprint Digital Sting with their first full length entitled “I was so far in I was out.” After two prior EP's and collaborations with Equiknoxx and Duppy Gun Feel Free Hi Fi deliver 8 new tracks of their distinct but eclectic digital dub. Amalgamating many of the sounds, sonics, and aesthetics of prior releases into these eight percussive instrumentals. The industrial dub and weirdo dancehall remain but the focus is further refined while also exploring environmental and cinematic sounds to create often dark and heavy versions that are as singular as they are collective, as introverted as they are expansive.
The records come in double sided silk-screened printed custom DJ Jackets, with Obi Strip style stickers and hand stamped white labels created and printed by Digital Sting. More
The records come in double sided silk-screened printed custom DJ Jackets, with Obi Strip style stickers and hand stamped white labels created and printed by Digital Sting. More
Label:Smallville Records
Cat-No:smallville63
Release-Date:21.06.2024
Genre:Deephouse
Configuration:2x12" Excl
Label:Smallville Records
Cat-No:smallville63
Release-Date:21.06.2024
Genre:Deephouse
Configuration:2x12" Excl
1
Lea Lisa - Poem For The Lost Souls (Original Mix)
2
Lea Lisa - Poem For The Lost Souls (Broken Mix)
3
Lea Lisa - Poem For The Lost Souls (Kuniyuki Version)
4
Lea Lisa - Poem For The Lost Souls (Session Victim Version)
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
More
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
More
1
esther silex - hans
2
esther silex - heinrich
3
esther silex - oskar
Tracklist:
A. Hans – B1. Heinrich – B2. Oskar
Info:
Three impeccable pieces of stripped down, unfeigned tanz trax make out
the debut release of Esther Silex – deejay extraordinaire, Colognian
woman-about-town and very dear new addition to the Studio Barnhus
family. The gargantuan yet free-flowing bassline of Hans, the menacing
tension of Heinrich and the dawntime anthem Oskar are all testaments to
Esther's unquestionable status as an impassioned powerhouse with
enough West German swagger to create timeless music with equal parts
simplicity and beauty. More
A. Hans – B1. Heinrich – B2. Oskar
Info:
Three impeccable pieces of stripped down, unfeigned tanz trax make out
the debut release of Esther Silex – deejay extraordinaire, Colognian
woman-about-town and very dear new addition to the Studio Barnhus
family. The gargantuan yet free-flowing bassline of Hans, the menacing
tension of Heinrich and the dawntime anthem Oskar are all testaments to
Esther's unquestionable status as an impassioned powerhouse with
enough West German swagger to create timeless music with equal parts
simplicity and beauty. More
1
Nourished By Time - Hell Of A Ride
2
Nourished By Time - Hand On Me
3
Nourished By Time - Poison-Soaked
4
Nourished By Time - Had Ya Called
5
Nourished By Time - Romance In Me
Nourished By Time follows up his 2023 critically-acclaimed, breakout album Erotic Probiotic 2 with his debut EP on XL Recordings: Catching Chickens, set for physical release on May 3rd. Written between 2022 - 2023 in his home studio in Baltimore, and along his world travels this past year, Catching Chickens is derived from the film Rocky, and the iconic scene in which Rocky’s trainer makes him chase and catch a flock of chickens as a test of agility. With tracks like “Hell of a Ride,” in which Nourished By Time contemplates the fall of the American empire and late-stage capitalism loneliness, and “Hand on Me,” which traces the paranoia from distrust in a post-traumatic world, Nourished By Time chronicles his own test of agility as he weaves through the motions of his newfound notability.
Tip!! More
Tip!! More