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A classic downtempo disco track amongst diggers world wide. "Stardance" is a dreamy cosmic delicacy to the ear, originally produced in '78-'79 by Alan Hawkshaw, it features a library style jingle melody one might imagine hearing at the end of a B-movie star trek knockoff series, but the simplicity of the arrangement is beautiful and effortless, clearly the work of someone highly trained and experienced in music theory, Alan Hawkshaw's work has transposed to numerous sample based projects from Sugarhill Gang to Wiz Khalifa, a maestro by all means, whose work will be immortalized in appreciation for as long as humans can hear. This debut EP from the MISSYOU sub-label comes with “Stardance” and “Do You Hear Me” along with an respectfully extended edit of “Stardance” by Castro. Remastered and now on 12” format at 45rpm. More

Originally released on one of Bruton's extensive library albums but later used as the theme song to a UK drama series dealing with the intrigues of a family motor business and the world of rally driving from the 80s, "The Winning Streak" is another production by the now late library music maestro Alan Hawkshaw. A downtempo track with remarkably trippy use of percussion elements via electronics and drum machines with entertaining accents and "exotic" vocals. Another wonderful example of library music tickling the fancy of diggers and collectors with a dancefloor inclinations thanks to its highly distinct sound -- everybody loves a winner. 1 to 1 official re-issue, remastered. More

Beautifully produced German Disco release with an environmental edge. Originally released in 1979 on a Contemporary Christian Music Label called Lord, this rarity is remastered and brought back to life with a respectful extended, previously unreleased, edit. More

Absolute collectors item, the culmination of wildly unexpected trajectories in music, originally released in 1980, this is Japan meets Jamaica at its finnest. Pecker (aka Hashida Masahito) takes the Japanese "Otaku" consumer behavioural phenomenon and directs it towards deep world percussion knowledge, teaming up with legendary Minako Yoshida for vocals and lyrics, Sly & Robbie and Vitamin Dread (aka Aki Ikuta) with other heavyweight names sprinkled on top like Augustus Pablo and Carly Barrett...and this is the result: three tracks of pioneering "Japanaican" sound. A truly international effort, recording and mixing between Jamaica's Studio One and Tuff Gong studios, and, Japanese Columbia and Sony studios. B2 features a beautifuly dreamy rendition of Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Kylyn", remastered and re-released in original 10" format. More

Highly wanted amongst collectors for its unique sound, this Italian psychedelic percussion heavy disco single was originally only released on 7" format sometime in the late 70s on the Idea label. Quite experimental for its time, it stands out not only for the reckless use of percussion but also the use of early synthesiser sounds in very rhythmic conscientious manners, some moments almost sounding as if a pioneering example of Acid House years before its time. While it seems like all possible percussion instrument sounds are chaotically employed into the drum salad that unfolds, the clavinet and vibraphone offer a contrasting dreamy nuance via a simple and slowly moving melody. Besides the original “Parte 02a” version this release comes with a new remix “Drum Implosion (Parte 10a)” further propelling the chaos commenced in the original release with the aid of flangers and delays, already striking the fancy of DJs like Marcell Dettmann. Severely remastered at Manmade mastering, now featured in 12” format with full cover artwork. More

Two gypsies with pedigree backgrounds in Flamenco got together with a drum machine in a studio during the early 80's and the result was Chipen, a somewhat poppy chart oriented project featuring Peret Reyes the grandson of legendary Catalan Gitano musician Peret (aka "El Rey de la Rumba") and Johnny Tarradellas. "Volao" is a mid tempo effort to bridge Pop and Rumba, mixing catchy funk guitar riffs with elements of Flamenco in unprecedented ways. "Chiribiri" sounds like it could be the theme song to a Catalan morning show or even a Japanese 80's Toyota Camry ad, reeks of stereotype and cliche, except that Chipen is the real deal, as real as the darkness of the hair dye on the cover photo. Extended version of Volao on the B side. Remastered at Manmade Mastering in Berlin. More

With a mysteriously unknown release date, “Photochrome” could have been originally put out somewhere between the late 70's to early 80's on the Italian Idea label, which although only boasting a minuscule catalogue of mainly 7”s has gotten the attention of many collectors of European disco obscurities for releases such as “Flavio – Drum Explosion” and “Aleo's Band - EOE”. “Photochrome” features a very organic sound with hints of early electronics that might have been making their way into studios at the time. A fast passed driving bass line layered with what almost sounds like an early 303 bass line and spacey/cosmic vocals. Dry drum recordings give it a naive DIY feel which coupled with the experimental tricks on the vocals results in a very unique sound that has put this release on the radars of diggers world-wide. Now available once again at an affordable price with a new two part bonus beats remix that starts off as a more DJ friendly tool but soon embarks into a questionable full-fledged acid house excursion. Originally only released in 7" format but now re-issued in remastered 12" format. More

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Arguably under-celebrated lovers rock gem from 1989. Copies of the original 12? have been changing hands for rather a lot online of late, hence this new edition. The original version which opens the EP is everything you’d want from a lovers rock cut: warm, dreamy, soulful and synth-heavy with plenty of bass, nice horns and a superbly emotional lead vocal from the obscure Louisa Miller. The “Dance Mix” is effectively a dub, with Miller’s sweet vocal rising above a stripped-back, toughened-up drum track with plenty of delays and trippy synthesizer motifs, while the “Sax Version” is a saxophone-sporting, mostly instrumental that veers a little closer to “Pages From Ceefax” territory (kids: ask your parents). In summary: superb! More

An Italian disco classic produced by one of Italy's top disco pop entrepreneurs – Constantino Paolini – featuring the voice of Vesuvian actress and TV personality Patrizia Pellegrino. “Musica Spaziale” is a fast paced synthy disco number adorned with signorina Pellegrino's silky smooth vocals, featuring lusty cosmic nuanced lyrics that arguably invite the listener to some form of astral bliss in the company of the blond starlet. A classic amongst collectors and specialists of the genre, made available to your record collections once again without having to sell any of your kidneys. In addition, also an extended edit, that patiently slows down the tempo but also extends this cosmic climax on the dancefloor in a manner respectful to the original masterpiece, allowing the dancers to savor every moment of this celestial voyage without all the rush of the 7" version . Flip it and things get propelled in direction to some other acidic orbits with DJ Asshole's tripped out downtempo 8' intervention. Restored, remastered and featuring original “coloring book” style artwork from its original release date. More

2024 Repress.

Originally released in 1979, strangely only in Portugal, yet produced by a French duo, Anselmi/Silvestre. “Music Love Song” is a 7 minute long European disco excursion with an unmistakably unique aesthetic, confidently breaking every rule in favour of a sound unheard of at the time. Employing unorthodox studio techniques that would have been unacceptable for most major labels this single only made it on a relatively small sublabel in Portugal for some mysterious reason. The result is a deeply cosmic/melancholic escapade with dreamy androgynous vocals and raging guitars at 130+ BPM - hard to forget. Officially re-issued, remastered and released with original artwork that is no less bold than the music. More

Two Spanish slow disco tracks from 1977, originally released in 7" format, brought back in 12" format with an additional extended edit, very respectful to the original. "Zorongo" is a re-interpretation of a Andalucian popular folk song with Arabic influence, a gypsy love song from ancient times which was collected and presented by Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca before his death/disappearing during the Spanish Civil War. Jobam's new arrangement gives it a heavy downtempo disco facelift, taking the original gypsy warrior intensities of dealing with love and contrasting them with a beautiful orchestral string driven addition to the theme. Heavy Balearic, emotionally loaded gypsy business, something one could very easily imagine hearing at a 10 hour Harvey set in Pikes, Ibiza. More

Referred to as "one of Reggae's quietest superstars" Jackie Mitto aka "The Keyboard King" had a remarkable path in Reggae music, a protege of Sly Stone, he started his career as part of Studio One's in house recording band and later went on to work with artists such as Bob Marley, UB40, Barry White, Peter Tosh and Oscar Peterson. This album was the result of a rare occasion of being on tour in Africa and establishing musical connections with musicians from Ghana, recorded in Accra and mixed in London. Predominantly instrumental, this album is essential to any dub conscientious record collection, as it culminates the career of a Reggae legend whilst under new influences in West Africa resulting in an unmistakably characteristic modern dub sound. Re-issued on vinyl with remixes previously only availably on CD format.
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Two singles originally released on 7" by Risco Connection's Otis Gayle brought back to record collections in remastered 12" format. On the A side, Dr. Hook's worldwide charting "Sexy Eyes" kindly recreated in Reggae cover version. On the B-side Domenic Troiano's "We All Need Love" in a disco/reggae beat featuring an additional new extended edit, respectfully. Essential dacefloor oriented Reggae with new full cover artwork.
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Lovers Rock at its finest with a beautiful cover version of Merlyn Brooks' "You'll Never Need Somebody". Originally released in 1981 this release is the work of Reggae heavyweight Geoffrey Chung (who also worked on Dhaima with Phillip Michael Thomas, previously released on MISSYOU). This release features the original 7" version along with a small collection of other new mixes. On the A side, the Dub Organiser skillfully extends the original 3 minute track into a 7 and a half minute long trip along with a new "Dub" version, respectfully re-mixed from the original multitracks 40 years later. On the B-side, the mixing console is handed over to a dedicated student of Dub, the Swiss Androo who's clearly no stranger to studio work when it comes to dubby landscapes. Elegantly walking the tightrope between traditional approaches and raw experimentation with 3 new mixes, each with very unique feelings.
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Much coveted in certain collector circles, this release offers 4 tracks originally recorded in 1985 by, at the time, high school starlet Paola Belloni. All tracks are sung in Italian and consistently easy to appreciate but "Vattene" and "Un Uomo Semplice" steal the show with remarkable downtempo smoothness gliding in the lower BPM ranges. Although many studios at the time would have already standardized more synthetic sounds brought by widespread access to electronics in the mid 80's, these recordings offer a more organic and warm sounding instrumentation - one solid round aural aperitivos. Officially re-issued with original artwork and re-mastered at Manmade mastering in Berlin.
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Although originally released in the mid 80's, Carmen's work needs little introduction amongst contemporary dancefloors. Ever since “Throw Down” first surfaced on the maps of music lovers with Chromeo's DJ Kicks selection back in 2009, it's been a choice cut by top selectors world wide such as Hunee and Palms Trax to name a few. By popular demand, after the first re-isssue on Sound Metaphors, we decided to quench the thirst with this double dose of Carmen featuring both the “Throw Down” and “Time to Move” singles in one EP. Both falling well in the 130BPM range with a fast paced assertiveness to the rhythm, characteristic of the productive influences of Kevin McCord (from Al Hudson & The Partners). 2 for 1, digitally restored and remastered to perfection, now with full cover artwork featuring Carmen and some of her current passions. More

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Another re-issue from the catalogue of the Italian Disco maestro Constantino Paolini. Taking the iconic voice of Italian movie celebrity Patrizia Pellegrino yet again to vocalize another Roman disco-pop anthem amongst diggers worldwide. Simple yet perfectly put together into an ear catching melody only paralleling Constantino's decades of expertise in music business. Early synth playfulness with Cosmic nuances arpeggiated under a mysterious and dreamy Italian female vocal that reverizes about seeing the world from the perspective of a cloud with a romanticized fondness for its diversity.
Originally released as a 7” and brought back to your record collections at an affordable price in 12” format, remastered and while respectful to the original release this re-issue also branches away from the short radio play format as it features an additional extended edit for the more indulgent dancefloor. More

4 of the biggest tunes by this groundbreaking artschool-guys band who mixed Nu Wave with Funk, Disco and Polyrhythmics. included are "Cavern" - which formed the basis for "White Lines" - "optimo", "scraper' and "out" More

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* A legendary yet long lost crown jewel from the early 80s Japanese Electronic and Jazz Rock scene
* new powerful master, much appreciated by the artist
* 2LP in UV-glossy laminated gatefold sleeve with OBI
* includes A1 Poster 60x60cm and lyric sheet
* vinyl comes in Japanese Katta innersleeves

Mariah was a Japanese outfit in the field of art pop, way back in the very late 70s and early 80s with 5 albums up their score from 1980 to 1983. The album from 1979 entitled as “Mariah” was actually made before the band Mariah was formed, and was released as a solo album by Yasuaki Shimizu. The album at hand is the fifth and for the time being last album in this row, released as a double vinyl back in 1983. Original copies, that are at least in very good condition, are hard to find. The brand new reissue on Everland, unlike the original and the first vinyl reissue from 2015, comes housed in a thick and artfully designed gatefold sleeve with OBI, which finally does justice to the progressive spirit of the music you will find here.

The musical basement of Utakata No Hibi is a fusion of dreamy synthesizer pop and haunting new wave music, that could be found all around the globe back in 1983. In the vein of TEARS FOR FEARS or more adventurous DAVID BOWIE stuff, with a touch of KRAFTWERK or even BRIAN ENO here and there, but all this gets spiced up with an atmosphere of Japanese traditionalism, with a few bits and pieces from the old music from this Far East island, which sounds so magic to us Westeners. The progressive, wacky art pop of this project was led by the popular Japanese composer and musician Yasuaki Shimizu, a relentlessly exploratory saxophonist who even dared to rework Johann Sebastian Bach’s cello suites for saxophone.

As brilliant as this man is, the music on „Utakata No Hibi“ turns out to be. And the master himself approved and much appreciated the brandnew remastering of this album by assisting a highly professional team of sound engineers who dusted off the ancient tape reels. For certain the record sounds and feels 80s through and through, electronic to the very rhythmical bone of each song sugar coated with catchy melodies that resemble Japanese classic and Enka music, which is a kind of folksy pop music. The listener gets directly drawn into a feverish dream of steaming Far Eastern cities and their darkest and most depraved corners where you find everything cheap in sleazy bars and unlighted backyards and alleys. The next moment he strolls through a beautiful Japanese park surrounded by a sea of blossoms. This change in mood and style you will experience in the sparsely instrumented tune „Shisen“, which indeed comes closest to classic Japanese folk tunes without any too catchy and pop oriented melodies. But we certainly find these harmonies allover the album. Some tunes even feel like ancient BEACH BOYS compositions and Brian Wilson creations played by a then contemporary electronic pop act and sung in Japanese.

An amazingly colorful album with songs that are based on solid substance rather than cheap pop structures. This is music for the bold listeners and music lovers and this awesome reissue should quickly find it’s way into the record collections of 80s synth and art pop aficionadoes.

Yasuaki Shimizu did what he wanted with MARIAH, pushed the borders of popular music further than anybody would have thought. Listen to a track like „Shonen“ with a repetitive rhythm pattern that hypnotizes you and somehow silky melodylines by saxophone and synth piano upon which a female voice sings in a very spiritual way. Praising pop or whatever this can be called, it is sheer magic put in music. I wonder if this would have made it into the charts back then, but you never know. It is a piece of musical art that shall be listened to. More

Reissue of the classic. More

"Please welcome: It’s The Arps! Oslo’s magic music maker Todd Terje has already gained a wunderkind like reputation for his gentle yet potent productions (we won’t mention the “E” word here) on labels like Full Pupp, Permanent Vacation or Running Back on top of being one of the best remixers money can buy (Shit Robot, Bryan Ferry, Dølle Jølle et cetera et cetera). What is there left for him to do? Establish a label of his own! “It’s The Arps” is the starting signal for Olsen. And what a splendid one it is. Created from scratch and solely on the mythical synthesizer ARP 2600 (check www.letsnerd.com for help), it features four tracks (reads instant classics) that couldn’t be a better follow-up to his 2011 super hit EP “Ragysh”. Towering over the assortment is the laser crime scene called “Inspector Norse”. Defying genres and blinkers, this is finest goose bumps dance music that makes you whistle along, laughing and crying all at the same time – but the rest isn’t half bad either. The short, but sweet “Myggsommer” gives away Terje’s secret love for quirky exotika, whereas “Swing Star Pt 1” and its brother have a (balearic) brilliance and witchery to them that is rarely found nowadays. Powered by Smalltown Supersound and housed in a beautiful sleeve courtesy of Bendik Kaltenborn (www.benkalt.no). 100% Arp 2600 and 200% Todd Terje!"

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