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
More records from Mariko Katsuragi
1
Mariko Katsuragi - Dancing Tonight
2
Mariko Katsuragi - Seaside Highway
3
Mariko Katsuragi - Game Sentaaa
4
Mariko Katsuragi - Game Sentaaa (JT's On Acid Mix)
Repress!
With unprecedented prosperity and growing worldwide fame in broadcast, game, and synthesizers, the 1980s Japan entered a golden decade. New genre splashes from technopop, Pacifica, and AOR/City pop merged local sensibilities with jazz-funk and Latin influences. Spiced in sugary US West coast sparkle and boasting naive lyrics with opulent arrangements and cover designs, it beamed millions of listeners on the cosmic journeys of Japan and its connections with Asia.
Looking to bet on the city pop phenomenon, a group of young, just out-of-school in-house studio players gathered for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Spearheaded by up-and-coming associate producer and arranger HASEGAWA Joe and keyboardist KATSURAGI Mariko their goal was to produce a hit album concept with a musical journey from Japan to Asia and beyond.
Just short of wrapping a handful of test-pressings for studio and radio executives and a few tapes of demo recordings, the sessions came to an abrupt halt in 1986 with a striking personal loss. With the band's consequent disbanding and members embarking on their decades-long sessions careers, the original tapes were archived and lost in the Akihabara district for decades…
…until Japanese pop culture *connoisseur extraordinaire* and producer Sten SALUVEER aka MILDHANS discovered a rare demo of the original recordings in one of Tokyo's Ebisu district's revered vinyl bars. After a lengthy period of digging and tracings for the original tapes, the lush soundscapes of KATSURAGI Mariko and HASEGAWA Jo are finally here to take you on a jazzy journey to City Heights of Asia.
// ORIGINAL MUSICIANS //
Drums: HONDA Takeo
Bass: MATSUMOTO Kenji
Backing Guitar: KONDO Taro
Electronics, Linndrum, CR78 & 808 programming: TAKEDA Hideo
Percussion & Support: NAMBA Rumi, Alejandro Junichi Suzuki (Special Guest)
Vocoder & Electric Guitar: HASEGAWA Jo
Vocals Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet, Synclavier, Yamaha CS80, Arp 2600 & Quadra, Minimoog & Memorymoog, Yamaha DX7?: KATSURAGI Mariko
Written, Recorded & Produced between 1982 - 1986 by KATSURAGI Mariko & HASEGAWA Jo for City.
Reimagined and reedited for Dirty Keys records by Joe HASEGAWA & Sten SALUVEER, with mixes by Julius TALVIK. More
With unprecedented prosperity and growing worldwide fame in broadcast, game, and synthesizers, the 1980s Japan entered a golden decade. New genre splashes from technopop, Pacifica, and AOR/City pop merged local sensibilities with jazz-funk and Latin influences. Spiced in sugary US West coast sparkle and boasting naive lyrics with opulent arrangements and cover designs, it beamed millions of listeners on the cosmic journeys of Japan and its connections with Asia.
Looking to bet on the city pop phenomenon, a group of young, just out-of-school in-house studio players gathered for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Spearheaded by up-and-coming associate producer and arranger HASEGAWA Joe and keyboardist KATSURAGI Mariko their goal was to produce a hit album concept with a musical journey from Japan to Asia and beyond.
Just short of wrapping a handful of test-pressings for studio and radio executives and a few tapes of demo recordings, the sessions came to an abrupt halt in 1986 with a striking personal loss. With the band's consequent disbanding and members embarking on their decades-long sessions careers, the original tapes were archived and lost in the Akihabara district for decades…
…until Japanese pop culture *connoisseur extraordinaire* and producer Sten SALUVEER aka MILDHANS discovered a rare demo of the original recordings in one of Tokyo's Ebisu district's revered vinyl bars. After a lengthy period of digging and tracings for the original tapes, the lush soundscapes of KATSURAGI Mariko and HASEGAWA Jo are finally here to take you on a jazzy journey to City Heights of Asia.
// ORIGINAL MUSICIANS //
Drums: HONDA Takeo
Bass: MATSUMOTO Kenji
Backing Guitar: KONDO Taro
Electronics, Linndrum, CR78 & 808 programming: TAKEDA Hideo
Percussion & Support: NAMBA Rumi, Alejandro Junichi Suzuki (Special Guest)
Vocoder & Electric Guitar: HASEGAWA Jo
Vocals Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet, Synclavier, Yamaha CS80, Arp 2600 & Quadra, Minimoog & Memorymoog, Yamaha DX7?: KATSURAGI Mariko
Written, Recorded & Produced between 1982 - 1986 by KATSURAGI Mariko & HASEGAWA Jo for City.
Reimagined and reedited for Dirty Keys records by Joe HASEGAWA & Sten SALUVEER, with mixes by Julius TALVIK. More
More records from Memme Vaev
1
Mariko Katsuragi - Dancing Tonight
2
Mariko Katsuragi - Seaside Highway
3
Mariko Katsuragi - Game Sentaaa
4
Mariko Katsuragi - Game Sentaaa (JT's On Acid Mix)
Repress!
With unprecedented prosperity and growing worldwide fame in broadcast, game, and synthesizers, the 1980s Japan entered a golden decade. New genre splashes from technopop, Pacifica, and AOR/City pop merged local sensibilities with jazz-funk and Latin influences. Spiced in sugary US West coast sparkle and boasting naive lyrics with opulent arrangements and cover designs, it beamed millions of listeners on the cosmic journeys of Japan and its connections with Asia.
Looking to bet on the city pop phenomenon, a group of young, just out-of-school in-house studio players gathered for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Spearheaded by up-and-coming associate producer and arranger HASEGAWA Joe and keyboardist KATSURAGI Mariko their goal was to produce a hit album concept with a musical journey from Japan to Asia and beyond.
Just short of wrapping a handful of test-pressings for studio and radio executives and a few tapes of demo recordings, the sessions came to an abrupt halt in 1986 with a striking personal loss. With the band's consequent disbanding and members embarking on their decades-long sessions careers, the original tapes were archived and lost in the Akihabara district for decades…
…until Japanese pop culture *connoisseur extraordinaire* and producer Sten SALUVEER aka MILDHANS discovered a rare demo of the original recordings in one of Tokyo's Ebisu district's revered vinyl bars. After a lengthy period of digging and tracings for the original tapes, the lush soundscapes of KATSURAGI Mariko and HASEGAWA Jo are finally here to take you on a jazzy journey to City Heights of Asia.
// ORIGINAL MUSICIANS //
Drums: HONDA Takeo
Bass: MATSUMOTO Kenji
Backing Guitar: KONDO Taro
Electronics, Linndrum, CR78 & 808 programming: TAKEDA Hideo
Percussion & Support: NAMBA Rumi, Alejandro Junichi Suzuki (Special Guest)
Vocoder & Electric Guitar: HASEGAWA Jo
Vocals Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet, Synclavier, Yamaha CS80, Arp 2600 & Quadra, Minimoog & Memorymoog, Yamaha DX7?: KATSURAGI Mariko
Written, Recorded & Produced between 1982 - 1986 by KATSURAGI Mariko & HASEGAWA Jo for City.
Reimagined and reedited for Dirty Keys records by Joe HASEGAWA & Sten SALUVEER, with mixes by Julius TALVIK. More
With unprecedented prosperity and growing worldwide fame in broadcast, game, and synthesizers, the 1980s Japan entered a golden decade. New genre splashes from technopop, Pacifica, and AOR/City pop merged local sensibilities with jazz-funk and Latin influences. Spiced in sugary US West coast sparkle and boasting naive lyrics with opulent arrangements and cover designs, it beamed millions of listeners on the cosmic journeys of Japan and its connections with Asia.
Looking to bet on the city pop phenomenon, a group of young, just out-of-school in-house studio players gathered for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Spearheaded by up-and-coming associate producer and arranger HASEGAWA Joe and keyboardist KATSURAGI Mariko their goal was to produce a hit album concept with a musical journey from Japan to Asia and beyond.
Just short of wrapping a handful of test-pressings for studio and radio executives and a few tapes of demo recordings, the sessions came to an abrupt halt in 1986 with a striking personal loss. With the band's consequent disbanding and members embarking on their decades-long sessions careers, the original tapes were archived and lost in the Akihabara district for decades…
…until Japanese pop culture *connoisseur extraordinaire* and producer Sten SALUVEER aka MILDHANS discovered a rare demo of the original recordings in one of Tokyo's Ebisu district's revered vinyl bars. After a lengthy period of digging and tracings for the original tapes, the lush soundscapes of KATSURAGI Mariko and HASEGAWA Jo are finally here to take you on a jazzy journey to City Heights of Asia.
// ORIGINAL MUSICIANS //
Drums: HONDA Takeo
Bass: MATSUMOTO Kenji
Backing Guitar: KONDO Taro
Electronics, Linndrum, CR78 & 808 programming: TAKEDA Hideo
Percussion & Support: NAMBA Rumi, Alejandro Junichi Suzuki (Special Guest)
Vocoder & Electric Guitar: HASEGAWA Jo
Vocals Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet, Synclavier, Yamaha CS80, Arp 2600 & Quadra, Minimoog & Memorymoog, Yamaha DX7?: KATSURAGI Mariko
Written, Recorded & Produced between 1982 - 1986 by KATSURAGI Mariko & HASEGAWA Jo for City.
Reimagined and reedited for Dirty Keys records by Joe HASEGAWA & Sten SALUVEER, with mixes by Julius TALVIK. More
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One-Sided 12" with the hit from "Berlin Calling" Soundtrack!
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1
Paul Older - Guapita
2
Paul Older - Keep On
3
Paul Older - I Like It, I Wanna It (Extended Version)
4
Paul Older - Loop Story
Tracklist 12":
A1) Guapita
A2) Keep On
B1) I Like It, I Wanna It (Extended Version)
B2) Loop Story
Toy Tonics comes with the first EP by Paul Older. Italian hero of vinyl diggers and maestro of rare edits. Paul is known for doing some of the sickest versions of rare jazz funk and Italian disco around. Played by every important DJ of the scene. Finally now he did his forst „legal“ record. 4 mad tracks based on recording of real musicians and bands from the Sonoton catalogue that he reworked legally and created smashing tracks for the dancefloors. This is amazing organic dance music. Live bass, drums, guitars and keyboards... played in a Afro-American vibe turned into modern house and indie dance that will put every dancefloor on fire.
More
A1) Guapita
A2) Keep On
B1) I Like It, I Wanna It (Extended Version)
B2) Loop Story
Toy Tonics comes with the first EP by Paul Older. Italian hero of vinyl diggers and maestro of rare edits. Paul is known for doing some of the sickest versions of rare jazz funk and Italian disco around. Played by every important DJ of the scene. Finally now he did his forst „legal“ record. 4 mad tracks based on recording of real musicians and bands from the Sonoton catalogue that he reworked legally and created smashing tracks for the dancefloors. This is amazing organic dance music. Live bass, drums, guitars and keyboards... played in a Afro-American vibe turned into modern house and indie dance that will put every dancefloor on fire.
More
1
Various Artists - A1 Italomania - Bella (Kapote Rework) (6:00)
2
Various Artists - A2 Confusione (Paul Older Rework) (5:00)
3
Various Artists - B1 La Strega (Paul Older Rework) (5:04)
4
Various Artists - B2 Sesso Spaghetti (BPlan Rework)(5:54)
5
Various Artists - C1 Patty Pally (Kapote Rework) (4:56)
6
Various Artists - C2 Il Treno (BPlan & Fab_o Rework) (5:26)
7
Various Artists - D1 Mia Cara ((BPlan & Fab_o Rework) (5:28)
8
Various Artists - D2 Paul Older - Bye (Paul Older Rework) (5:18)
Tracklist 2x 12":
A1 Italomania - Bella (Kapote Rework) (6:00)
A2 Confusione (Paul Older Rework) (5:00)
B1 La Strega (Paul Older Rework) (5:04)
B2 Sesso Spaghetti (BPlan Rework)(5:54)
C1 Patty Pally (Kapote Rework) (4:56)
C2 Il Treno (BPlan & Fab_o Rework) (5:26)
D1 Mia Cara ((BPlan & Fab_o Rework) (5:28)
D2 Paul Older - Bye (Paul Older Rework) (5:18)
Release Info:
8 reworks of rare and unexpected italian disco and funky pop music from the 1970ies. Not the usual electronic Italodisco classics, but here come some more organic sounding band-disco music from the time of 1976 - 82. Positive vibrations and high quality dance pop reworked for today's advanced dancefloors by Toy Tonics head honcho KAPOTE and his Italian friends BPlan and Paul Older. Some of these edits already have been released as bandcamp only, but because of extreme demand for vinyl Toy Tonics did this limited edition double vinyl release.
More
A1 Italomania - Bella (Kapote Rework) (6:00)
A2 Confusione (Paul Older Rework) (5:00)
B1 La Strega (Paul Older Rework) (5:04)
B2 Sesso Spaghetti (BPlan Rework)(5:54)
C1 Patty Pally (Kapote Rework) (4:56)
C2 Il Treno (BPlan & Fab_o Rework) (5:26)
D1 Mia Cara ((BPlan & Fab_o Rework) (5:28)
D2 Paul Older - Bye (Paul Older Rework) (5:18)
Release Info:
8 reworks of rare and unexpected italian disco and funky pop music from the 1970ies. Not the usual electronic Italodisco classics, but here come some more organic sounding band-disco music from the time of 1976 - 82. Positive vibrations and high quality dance pop reworked for today's advanced dancefloors by Toy Tonics head honcho KAPOTE and his Italian friends BPlan and Paul Older. Some of these edits already have been released as bandcamp only, but because of extreme demand for vinyl Toy Tonics did this limited edition double vinyl release.
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1
Coeo - Nostalgia
2
Coeo - Breeze (Bamboo Tribute)
3
Coeo - Meet Me At The Cascades
4
Coeo - Nostalgia (Stump Valley Remix)
Tracklist 12":
A1) Nostalgia
A2) Breeze (Bamboo Tribute)
B1) Meet Me At The Cascades
B2) Nostalgia (Stump Valley Remix)
COEO back on Toy Tonics! The German duo has been part of Toy Tonics since day one. Now they celebrate their return to Toy Tonics with an outstanding EP full of timeless, contemporary house music that also marks their 10th contribution to the label after their first release on the imprint 10 years ago. Their house vibes have been defining the sound of the Toy Tonics label for many years and still now they regularly play the Toy Tonics events around the world. (The Toy Tonics Jams).
On this new EP one more time the boys dive deep into the Italo & Piano House world- getting more electronic than ever. This EP is 100% in the vibe of now. With great piano chord drops that make everybody scream on the dance floor, with horn and synth melodies that you can sing along after you heard them one time only and with classic house beats that are THE sound of today.
The main title “Nostalgia” is inspired by and a tribute to all the intimate and ecstatic moments they were able to share over the years with music lovers on festivals and in clubs around the world. While the piano house theme on the A1 brings you in that festive mood of your last summer festival you have been to with your closest friends, the second track of the EP „Breeze“ takes it on a higher energetic level and combines a funky bass guitar with progressive house elements. Remember that special moment when you were attending your first full moon party in that far away country after you have finished school? That gentle wind blowing through the trees? „Breeze“ could be the soundtrack of that adventure.
On the B side Italo house influenced „Meet me at the cascades“ captivates through an hypnotic approach and unfolds dreamy synth pads and arpeggios to take you on a imaginary journey to your favourite retreat, a place you feel safe.
The EP features 3 original tracks and also a remix by COEO friends Stump Valley. The former Dekmantel artists who now joined Toy Tonics. Stump Valley btw are Francesco and Aleksei. Aleksei also works under the name of Brian de Palma and will release a solo album soon on Peggy Gou’s label Gudu. Stump Valley‘s remix of „Nostalgia“ rounds up the EP with its stand out piano solo and marks the perfect end to an EP that is meant to stay in your head just like all those intense memories which life in general evokes.
More
A1) Nostalgia
A2) Breeze (Bamboo Tribute)
B1) Meet Me At The Cascades
B2) Nostalgia (Stump Valley Remix)
COEO back on Toy Tonics! The German duo has been part of Toy Tonics since day one. Now they celebrate their return to Toy Tonics with an outstanding EP full of timeless, contemporary house music that also marks their 10th contribution to the label after their first release on the imprint 10 years ago. Their house vibes have been defining the sound of the Toy Tonics label for many years and still now they regularly play the Toy Tonics events around the world. (The Toy Tonics Jams).
On this new EP one more time the boys dive deep into the Italo & Piano House world- getting more electronic than ever. This EP is 100% in the vibe of now. With great piano chord drops that make everybody scream on the dance floor, with horn and synth melodies that you can sing along after you heard them one time only and with classic house beats that are THE sound of today.
The main title “Nostalgia” is inspired by and a tribute to all the intimate and ecstatic moments they were able to share over the years with music lovers on festivals and in clubs around the world. While the piano house theme on the A1 brings you in that festive mood of your last summer festival you have been to with your closest friends, the second track of the EP „Breeze“ takes it on a higher energetic level and combines a funky bass guitar with progressive house elements. Remember that special moment when you were attending your first full moon party in that far away country after you have finished school? That gentle wind blowing through the trees? „Breeze“ could be the soundtrack of that adventure.
On the B side Italo house influenced „Meet me at the cascades“ captivates through an hypnotic approach and unfolds dreamy synth pads and arpeggios to take you on a imaginary journey to your favourite retreat, a place you feel safe.
The EP features 3 original tracks and also a remix by COEO friends Stump Valley. The former Dekmantel artists who now joined Toy Tonics. Stump Valley btw are Francesco and Aleksei. Aleksei also works under the name of Brian de Palma and will release a solo album soon on Peggy Gou’s label Gudu. Stump Valley‘s remix of „Nostalgia“ rounds up the EP with its stand out piano solo and marks the perfect end to an EP that is meant to stay in your head just like all those intense memories which life in general evokes.
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Temu - Love Dancing
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Temu - Robots
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Temu - Ready Or Not
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Temu - B1
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Temu - B2
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Temu - B3
This Giant 12" EP collects the batch of covers on the heavier format for those that may have missed out. The A Side features "IS IT ALL OVER MY FACE?", KRAFTWERK's "WE ARE THE ROBOTS" & HERBIE HANCOCK's "READY OR NOT". The B side covers TEAR FOR FEARS, THE JONES GIRLS & KANO.
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Todd Terje, - Inspector Norse
2
Todd Terje, - Myggsommer
3
Todd Terje, - Swing Star Pt 1
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Todd Terje, - Swing Star Pt 2
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Todd Terje, - Swing Star Pt 1 + Pt 2
"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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Rights : World excluding France, UK & US
2 x 140 G Black Vinyl . 5mm Spine Printed Sleeve, 2 x White Inner Sleeve. Marketing frontsticker.
DESCRIPTION / SHORT BIOG:
Cerrone, the legendary French King of Disco, is celebrating 45 years of career . All Cerrone’s greatest hits from 1976 – “Love in C minor” to now – “The Impact” for the first time on Vinyl and as Edit Versions (single edit) : Double Vinyl , 19 songs.
TRACKLIST:
A1__Supernature (Edit)
A2__Cerrone's Paradise (Edit)
A3__Look For Love (Edit)
A4__Love Is Here
A5__Je Suis Music (Edit)
B1__Give Me Love (Edit)
B2__Freak Connection (Edit)
B3__Music Of Life (Edit)
B4__2nd Chance (Feat. Tony Allen)
B5__The Impact (Edit)
C1__Love In C Minor (Edit)
C2__You Are The One (Edit)
C3__Midnight Lady (Edit)
C4__Hooked On You
D1__Therapy (Feat. James Hart)
D2__Rocket In The Pocket (Edit)
D3__Bodytalk
D4__Got To Have Loving (Edit)
D5__Club Underworld (Edit)
More
2 x 140 G Black Vinyl . 5mm Spine Printed Sleeve, 2 x White Inner Sleeve. Marketing frontsticker.
DESCRIPTION / SHORT BIOG:
Cerrone, the legendary French King of Disco, is celebrating 45 years of career . All Cerrone’s greatest hits from 1976 – “Love in C minor” to now – “The Impact” for the first time on Vinyl and as Edit Versions (single edit) : Double Vinyl , 19 songs.
TRACKLIST:
A1__Supernature (Edit)
A2__Cerrone's Paradise (Edit)
A3__Look For Love (Edit)
A4__Love Is Here
A5__Je Suis Music (Edit)
B1__Give Me Love (Edit)
B2__Freak Connection (Edit)
B3__Music Of Life (Edit)
B4__2nd Chance (Feat. Tony Allen)
B5__The Impact (Edit)
C1__Love In C Minor (Edit)
C2__You Are The One (Edit)
C3__Midnight Lady (Edit)
C4__Hooked On You
D1__Therapy (Feat. James Hart)
D2__Rocket In The Pocket (Edit)
D3__Bodytalk
D4__Got To Have Loving (Edit)
D5__Club Underworld (Edit)
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1
Mariko Katsuragi - Dancing Tonight
2
Mariko Katsuragi - Seaside Highway
3
Mariko Katsuragi - Game Sentaaa
4
Mariko Katsuragi - Game Sentaaa (JT's On Acid Mix)
Repress!
With unprecedented prosperity and growing worldwide fame in broadcast, game, and synthesizers, the 1980s Japan entered a golden decade. New genre splashes from technopop, Pacifica, and AOR/City pop merged local sensibilities with jazz-funk and Latin influences. Spiced in sugary US West coast sparkle and boasting naive lyrics with opulent arrangements and cover designs, it beamed millions of listeners on the cosmic journeys of Japan and its connections with Asia.
Looking to bet on the city pop phenomenon, a group of young, just out-of-school in-house studio players gathered for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Spearheaded by up-and-coming associate producer and arranger HASEGAWA Joe and keyboardist KATSURAGI Mariko their goal was to produce a hit album concept with a musical journey from Japan to Asia and beyond.
Just short of wrapping a handful of test-pressings for studio and radio executives and a few tapes of demo recordings, the sessions came to an abrupt halt in 1986 with a striking personal loss. With the band's consequent disbanding and members embarking on their decades-long sessions careers, the original tapes were archived and lost in the Akihabara district for decades…
…until Japanese pop culture *connoisseur extraordinaire* and producer Sten SALUVEER aka MILDHANS discovered a rare demo of the original recordings in one of Tokyo's Ebisu district's revered vinyl bars. After a lengthy period of digging and tracings for the original tapes, the lush soundscapes of KATSURAGI Mariko and HASEGAWA Jo are finally here to take you on a jazzy journey to City Heights of Asia.
// ORIGINAL MUSICIANS //
Drums: HONDA Takeo
Bass: MATSUMOTO Kenji
Backing Guitar: KONDO Taro
Electronics, Linndrum, CR78 & 808 programming: TAKEDA Hideo
Percussion & Support: NAMBA Rumi, Alejandro Junichi Suzuki (Special Guest)
Vocoder & Electric Guitar: HASEGAWA Jo
Vocals Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet, Synclavier, Yamaha CS80, Arp 2600 & Quadra, Minimoog & Memorymoog, Yamaha DX7?: KATSURAGI Mariko
Written, Recorded & Produced between 1982 - 1986 by KATSURAGI Mariko & HASEGAWA Jo for City.
Reimagined and reedited for Dirty Keys records by Joe HASEGAWA & Sten SALUVEER, with mixes by Julius TALVIK. More
With unprecedented prosperity and growing worldwide fame in broadcast, game, and synthesizers, the 1980s Japan entered a golden decade. New genre splashes from technopop, Pacifica, and AOR/City pop merged local sensibilities with jazz-funk and Latin influences. Spiced in sugary US West coast sparkle and boasting naive lyrics with opulent arrangements and cover designs, it beamed millions of listeners on the cosmic journeys of Japan and its connections with Asia.
Looking to bet on the city pop phenomenon, a group of young, just out-of-school in-house studio players gathered for ad hoc recording sessions between 1982-1986. Spearheaded by up-and-coming associate producer and arranger HASEGAWA Joe and keyboardist KATSURAGI Mariko their goal was to produce a hit album concept with a musical journey from Japan to Asia and beyond.
Just short of wrapping a handful of test-pressings for studio and radio executives and a few tapes of demo recordings, the sessions came to an abrupt halt in 1986 with a striking personal loss. With the band's consequent disbanding and members embarking on their decades-long sessions careers, the original tapes were archived and lost in the Akihabara district for decades…
…until Japanese pop culture *connoisseur extraordinaire* and producer Sten SALUVEER aka MILDHANS discovered a rare demo of the original recordings in one of Tokyo's Ebisu district's revered vinyl bars. After a lengthy period of digging and tracings for the original tapes, the lush soundscapes of KATSURAGI Mariko and HASEGAWA Jo are finally here to take you on a jazzy journey to City Heights of Asia.
// ORIGINAL MUSICIANS //
Drums: HONDA Takeo
Bass: MATSUMOTO Kenji
Backing Guitar: KONDO Taro
Electronics, Linndrum, CR78 & 808 programming: TAKEDA Hideo
Percussion & Support: NAMBA Rumi, Alejandro Junichi Suzuki (Special Guest)
Vocoder & Electric Guitar: HASEGAWA Jo
Vocals Fender Rhodes, Sequential Circuits Prophet, Synclavier, Yamaha CS80, Arp 2600 & Quadra, Minimoog & Memorymoog, Yamaha DX7?: KATSURAGI Mariko
Written, Recorded & Produced between 1982 - 1986 by KATSURAGI Mariko & HASEGAWA Jo for City.
Reimagined and reedited for Dirty Keys records by Joe HASEGAWA & Sten SALUVEER, with mixes by Julius TALVIK. More
1
Bobby Caldwell - Special To Me (4:00)
2
Bobby Caldwell - My Flame (3:30)
3
Bobby Caldwell - Love Won't Wait (4:00)
4
Bobby Caldwell - Can't Say Goodbye (5:20)
5
Bobby Caldwell - Come To Me (2:52)
6
Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do For Love (4:45)
7
Bobby Caldwell - Kalimba Song (2:00)
8
Bobby Caldwell - Take Me Back To Then (3:30)
9
Bobby Caldwell - Down For The Third Time (3:30)
Territories: Worldwide no restrictions
Format Notes:
Part of Bobby Caldwell Reissue Campaign, 2023 first time reissue, 140g vinyl
Track List:
A1 Special To Me 4:00
A2 My Flame 3:30
A3 Love Won't Wait 4:00
A4 Can't Say Goodbye 5:20
B1 Come To Me 2:52
B2 What You Won't Do For Love 4:45
B3 Kalimba Song 2:00
B4 Take Me Back To Then 3:30
B5 Down For The Third Time 3:30
Release Notes:
Known principally as a smooth titan of blue-eyed soul, Bobby Caldwell transcended genre tags with consummate ease; he was a musical icon of real class and versatility, cherished the world over. Tragically passing away in March 2023 at the too young age of 71, it still feels as if Bobby's true artistry is profoundly under-appreciated. His double platinum self-titled album from 1978 is a timeless masterpiece of sophisticated jazzy soul brilliance and is strictly canonical. Yes, it's perfect, yet it's been out of press on vinyl for years. We're deeply honoured to present the long-awaited reissue this summer.
Whilst Ned Doheny is known in Japan as "Mr California", native New Yorker Bobby Caldwell has always been "Mr AOR" to his Far-Eastern friends. His distinct charm is an irresistible blend of soul, jazz, and pop influences. He possessed phenomenal songwriting prowess, smooth vocal performances, was both a great soul guitarist and dextrous keyboard player and known for genius chord progressions. It all added up to a multi-layered brilliance entering the studio, and the singular sound he landed on was laced with soulful, sweeping strings and funky horns, touching lightly on disco, while allowing his supple voice to carry the stunning tracks he'd crafted.
String-swept opener "Special To Me" immediately sets the tone with its lush instrumentation, rich harmonies, and Caldwell's velvety-smooth vocals. Next up, a huge one. The infectious, mid-tempo bounce of "My Flame" showcases Caldwell's ability to effortlessly blend catchy pop hooks with soulful arrangements. It's an exquisite, emotive ballad that, at the same time, absolutely SLAPS. Game recognise game, and all that, so, accordingly, Notorious B.I.G. memorably ran with “My Flame” for his 1997 single “Sky’s The Limit”. The rolling, disco-very "Love Won't Wait" is a slick, uptempo track containing heartfelt lyrics intertwined with elegant strings and a horn section to die for. Aching - and achingly cool - single "Can't Say Goodbye" is a real fan favourite, and it's no surprise. It's a laconic, slow-mo jazz-funk stepper, with fantastic, very deliberate playing that closes out the A Side quite exceptionally. "Come To Me" slows proceedings down elegantly to open Side B before the universally agreed-upon masterpiece enters proceedings.
"What You Won't Do for Love," the standout hit that became a classic in its own right, perfectly captured Bobby's ability to infuse a contagious groove with introspective and relatable lyrics. With its instantly recognisable horn riff and Caldwell's soulful delivery, this timeless, chiller anthem continues to captivate audiences and define his musical legacy. He scored huge with the track, taking over the pop and R&B airways with this mellow soul stepper. It has remained a perennial favourite and has been heavily sampled, such is its unique allure; Aaliyah sang over snatches of it on "Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number" and you can hear Caldwell’s vocal sample used for the hook on Tupac’s posthumously released “Do For Love”.
Upon submitting the finished album to his label, they requested more material in hope of a big single. As Bobby remembered to Wax Poetics a few years ago: “Now at this point, I’m mentally exhausted...and bear in mind that I got so close to all the songs I’d written. I gave each song a profound amount of thought, and maybe too much. So, in haste, I went in and cut this song, "What You Won’t Do For Love". Wrote it in a day, cut the rhythm track, overdubbed the horns, I sang the song, and literally turned it in three days after. And lo and behold, the one song I gave the least thought to,” Bobby laughed, “ended up being a national anthem.”
The mysterious, magical "Kalimba Song" is a cosmic, kalimba-driven melodic-funk instrumental - short but oh, so sweet. It's followed by the supreme tear-jerker "Take Me Back To Then", Bobby's otherworldly voice deeply longing for a simpler time, "when life was mellow". I think we can all get behind this sentiment. The final cut is arguably its deepest, its low-key finest moment. For us, it is, anyway. The glorious, driving, effortlessly funky guitar-soul jam "Down For The Third Time" is a huge melancholic Be With favourite and has been played by discerning genre-hopping DJs with significant glee for years. Hypnotic, melodic, beautiful. Like the album it elegantly rounds out.
Bobby sadly passed away on 23rd March 2023, after a long struggle with mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, due to an adverse effect from a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The reissue of his wonderful eponymous album will be available on vinyl across the globe, ensuring that fans of his incomparable talent - and soul music enthusiasts worldwide - can radiate in the deep beauty of this seminal album. Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. More
Format Notes:
Part of Bobby Caldwell Reissue Campaign, 2023 first time reissue, 140g vinyl
Track List:
A1 Special To Me 4:00
A2 My Flame 3:30
A3 Love Won't Wait 4:00
A4 Can't Say Goodbye 5:20
B1 Come To Me 2:52
B2 What You Won't Do For Love 4:45
B3 Kalimba Song 2:00
B4 Take Me Back To Then 3:30
B5 Down For The Third Time 3:30
Release Notes:
Known principally as a smooth titan of blue-eyed soul, Bobby Caldwell transcended genre tags with consummate ease; he was a musical icon of real class and versatility, cherished the world over. Tragically passing away in March 2023 at the too young age of 71, it still feels as if Bobby's true artistry is profoundly under-appreciated. His double platinum self-titled album from 1978 is a timeless masterpiece of sophisticated jazzy soul brilliance and is strictly canonical. Yes, it's perfect, yet it's been out of press on vinyl for years. We're deeply honoured to present the long-awaited reissue this summer.
Whilst Ned Doheny is known in Japan as "Mr California", native New Yorker Bobby Caldwell has always been "Mr AOR" to his Far-Eastern friends. His distinct charm is an irresistible blend of soul, jazz, and pop influences. He possessed phenomenal songwriting prowess, smooth vocal performances, was both a great soul guitarist and dextrous keyboard player and known for genius chord progressions. It all added up to a multi-layered brilliance entering the studio, and the singular sound he landed on was laced with soulful, sweeping strings and funky horns, touching lightly on disco, while allowing his supple voice to carry the stunning tracks he'd crafted.
String-swept opener "Special To Me" immediately sets the tone with its lush instrumentation, rich harmonies, and Caldwell's velvety-smooth vocals. Next up, a huge one. The infectious, mid-tempo bounce of "My Flame" showcases Caldwell's ability to effortlessly blend catchy pop hooks with soulful arrangements. It's an exquisite, emotive ballad that, at the same time, absolutely SLAPS. Game recognise game, and all that, so, accordingly, Notorious B.I.G. memorably ran with “My Flame” for his 1997 single “Sky’s The Limit”. The rolling, disco-very "Love Won't Wait" is a slick, uptempo track containing heartfelt lyrics intertwined with elegant strings and a horn section to die for. Aching - and achingly cool - single "Can't Say Goodbye" is a real fan favourite, and it's no surprise. It's a laconic, slow-mo jazz-funk stepper, with fantastic, very deliberate playing that closes out the A Side quite exceptionally. "Come To Me" slows proceedings down elegantly to open Side B before the universally agreed-upon masterpiece enters proceedings.
"What You Won't Do for Love," the standout hit that became a classic in its own right, perfectly captured Bobby's ability to infuse a contagious groove with introspective and relatable lyrics. With its instantly recognisable horn riff and Caldwell's soulful delivery, this timeless, chiller anthem continues to captivate audiences and define his musical legacy. He scored huge with the track, taking over the pop and R&B airways with this mellow soul stepper. It has remained a perennial favourite and has been heavily sampled, such is its unique allure; Aaliyah sang over snatches of it on "Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number" and you can hear Caldwell’s vocal sample used for the hook on Tupac’s posthumously released “Do For Love”.
Upon submitting the finished album to his label, they requested more material in hope of a big single. As Bobby remembered to Wax Poetics a few years ago: “Now at this point, I’m mentally exhausted...and bear in mind that I got so close to all the songs I’d written. I gave each song a profound amount of thought, and maybe too much. So, in haste, I went in and cut this song, "What You Won’t Do For Love". Wrote it in a day, cut the rhythm track, overdubbed the horns, I sang the song, and literally turned it in three days after. And lo and behold, the one song I gave the least thought to,” Bobby laughed, “ended up being a national anthem.”
The mysterious, magical "Kalimba Song" is a cosmic, kalimba-driven melodic-funk instrumental - short but oh, so sweet. It's followed by the supreme tear-jerker "Take Me Back To Then", Bobby's otherworldly voice deeply longing for a simpler time, "when life was mellow". I think we can all get behind this sentiment. The final cut is arguably its deepest, its low-key finest moment. For us, it is, anyway. The glorious, driving, effortlessly funky guitar-soul jam "Down For The Third Time" is a huge melancholic Be With favourite and has been played by discerning genre-hopping DJs with significant glee for years. Hypnotic, melodic, beautiful. Like the album it elegantly rounds out.
Bobby sadly passed away on 23rd March 2023, after a long struggle with mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, due to an adverse effect from a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The reissue of his wonderful eponymous album will be available on vinyl across the globe, ensuring that fans of his incomparable talent - and soul music enthusiasts worldwide - can radiate in the deep beauty of this seminal album. Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland. 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