A further exercise in musical curation, Child Of Nature is our latest sonic confluence of self-released tracks from the loners, hippies and outsiders of the 70s and early 80s. A collection of privately pressed music, able to breathe and be created free from the constraints of heavy handed commercialism, yielding a pure vision of artistic expression. Child Of Nature features ten songs of brooding soft rock and psychedelic folk steeped in melancholia. Some ache for better times or past lovers, while others seek spiritual fulfilment or social progress.
A compilation to evoke the raw and unobstructed, to summon the occult, to fundamentally conjure a vivid portrait of our untamed natural environment. Recorded on the north coast of California, Luellen Reese’s ethereal “Silvery Waterfalls” drifts and swirls with electric guitar as her unearthly vocals transcend across a seven minute opus, fit for the golden age of labels like 4AD or Dedicated. “The flowers are dancing just for you …”, Reggie Russell croons over glistening Key Of Creek’s title track “Child Of Nature”, evoking a utopian world of natural harmony free from the present day realities of industrial decay.
Tap into your inner primal being, to embrace wholeheartedly, with frivolity and without reserve, your own child of nature.

A1 - Is This What You Like - Terra
A2 - The Tribe - The Fred Bloggs Band
A3 - Morning Light - Smythe And Rucker
A4 - Zig Zag - David Chalmers
A5 - High Again - Shades Of Rayne
B1 - Animal Talk - Dana Alberts
B2 - Child Of Nature - The Key Of Creek
B3 - Child Of Earth - Chuck Robinson
B4 - Silvery Waterfalls - Luellen Reese
B5 - The Lost Road - Doria

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Beyond The Willow Tree is a hauntingly beautiful anthology of folk songs chronicling the experience of a young black man growing up in the segregated south. A balanced mix of covers and originals, Cleveland Francis’ body of work seamlessly blends deep, soulful vocals with the stripped-down acoustic instrumentation of folk. In the late 60’s Francis coined the term “soulfolk”, playing his genre bending music across college campuses and coffee shops while earning a medical degree at William & Mary.

These songs serve as a missing link between soul and folk music, suppressed by the harsh political landscape of a music industry heavily influenced by racial stereotypes. “If you were black, you played blues or soul music … I wanted to play folk music,” Cleveland professed.

Included in this double LP set is Cleveland Francis’ entire 1970 self-released album Follow Me, featuring the original artwork and liner notes printed inside the gatefold. The second LP takes you Beyond The Willow Tree with unreleased demos recorded in 1968 along with one 45 only single recorded in 1970.

“These recordings are a look into my soul through a long and lonely journey to understand feelings of my childhood, poverty, racial segregation, bigotry, war, love and hope. It represents my attempt to express and come to terms with all that I have seen and felt as a Black man growing up in America.” - Cleveland Francis

Tracklist:

A1 - The Willow Tree
A2 - Little Green Apples
A3 - Early Morning Rain
A4 - When I’m Sixty Four
A5 - Hot Sun
A6 - Hey Jude
B1 - Just Think About It For A While
B2 - Both Sides Now
B3 - Rain
B4 - Time
B5 - Getting Ready For Tomorrow
B6 - With God On Our Side
C1 - What’s Wrong With The World
C2 - Ballad Of Martin Luther King
C3 - Change
C4 - It’s Got To Get Better
D1 - Hot Sun (demo)
D2 - Early Morning Rain (demo)
D3 - Summertime
D4 - Just Think About It For A While (demo)
D5 - The Willow Tree (demo)

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To enter the world of Sally Townes and Roberta Vandervort is to be swept away into a dimension of unique sound. Embellishments of smoldering jazz funk, seductive soft rock, breezy AOR, and misty folk, all paint a picture of the worlds which they inhabited; from the endless flat expanse of Dallas, the hot and humid bustle of a Bourbon Street night club, to the late night buzz of a Los Angeles studio session.

While Sally Townes and Roberta Vandervort never crossed paths in our reality, their supernatural union on this compilation feels like the meeting of old, yet familiar friends, set in a parallel dimension with lives intertwined. The songs feel like old friends, too — a comforting time capsule of the popular sounds of the era, yet offering something completely new. Bridged by the striking similarities in their musical confidence, vocal conviction, and boundless creativity, both women encapsulate an uncompromising passion for living, loving, and creating on their own terms.

A1. Roberta Vandervort - Stumbler
A2. Roberta Vandervort - Walk Softly
A3. Roberta Vandervort - Let Me Love You That Much
A4. Roberta Vandervort - Hey Now
A5. Roberta Vandervort - Child
B1. Sally Townes - Real To You
B2. Sally Townes - Bright Eyes
B3. Sally Townes - Slow Burning Candle
B4. Sally Townes - Maybe More
B5. Sally Townes - Neon Castles

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Kicking off a new edit series on É Soul Cultura, head honcho Luke Una hands over the keys to three secret weapon edits of transcendental dancefloor tackle. Having spent a lifetime getting his hands dirty digging in crates, Luke’s collection of off-the-beaten-track gems is second to none. For this three-track É Soul edit release, Luke delivers a one-way ticket to the outer reaches of the universe soaking up sounds from Barbados, the UK and Cameroon along the way. Strap in for a triple threat of signature Luke Una edits reworking Ella Andall, Slick Mission and Manu Dibango for the modern dancefloor.

Up first, Luke twists and tweaks the Caribbean radiance of Ella Andall ‘My Spirit Is Music’, enriching this high-energy heater. Speaking about the track he said, “It’s a remarkable, ‘90s, swerve ball, machine soul, afrobeat groove from Barbados. Incredibly rare, but most importantly it’s a wonderful fusion of drum machine and this almost carnival-like feel to this afrobeat rhythm that just turns it into the outer cosmos.”

Following that, Luke gets suitably cosmic on the dub dials with his 5am Shabeen Proto House Edit of Slick Mission ‘Times Up’. Produced by Jerry Pike of Atmosfear / Elite Records fame, Luke recounts, “This is a very much missed slice of UK house pressure which has its foot firmly in a proto-house feel. Very DIY, rough and raw – it’s an absolute gem. This is one that has definitely escaped most eyes.”

Last but not least, it’s a stop in Cameroon shining a light on the legendary Manu Dibango and his cover of ‘Jingo’ featuring King Sunny Adé. “Their version of ‘Jingo’ takes the original classic into a whole new level of outer space, afro brilliance. It’s such a beautiful cover and really turns the track into something else. The musicianship and vibes just scream out. Oddly no one really seems to know it.”

Three certified winners from Luke’s underground arsenal, reworked, refined and ready to be deployed on any dancefloor when the feeling hits.

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An artist whose reputation has long been forged by his engagement and musical exchange with local scenes and cultures from across the world. Quantic’s vast discography of electronic releases spans two decades, ranging from focused solo productions and intimate collaborations to expansive ensemble projects. Now, the multi-instrumentalist, DJ, composer and producer Will Holland delivers his DJ-Kicks compilation, which fittingly radiates friends and family energy.

Having worked and lived in the UK, US and Colombia, Quantic reached out to the many wide-ranging music connections he has made during his 20-plus-year career. “It’s not like writing an album; you’re at the mercy of what other people are creating," he reflects of the mix’s creation. “Fortunately, the homies’ submissions were of an extremely high calibre!” Gathering these artists' music together was a delight for Quantic, especially as he had personal connections with many of those who crafted them.

The mix bursts with unreleased exclusives and places the art of curation at its core, giving the listeners space to go and dig more of the songs and sonics which resonate the most. Will Holland includes a glistening breadth of new material, including new music from Quantic alongside another of his aliases Sobredosis, creating a mix teeming with vitality.

Beyond raising profiles, the mix encapsulates Quantic’s tempo-changing DJing style which, over the past decade, has built him a strong community of fans. “It’s got a moody start and end, but a big portion is uplifting and joyous,” he says of the DJ-Kicks compilation’s sonic journey, “you’re going down a river and get off in a different place… it’s also a cool way to encapsulate, stylistically, what I’ve been up to as a DJ over the last few decades, while shining a light on people I admire”.

This DJ-Kicks is the latest instalment in Quantic’s ever-evolving artistic trajectory, an accompaniment to those moments when the gloaming disappears into darkness. Will Holland’s longstanding dedication to a full range of melodic and percussive expression alongside continued musical collaboration is what makes his edition of DJ-Kicks such a rare beauty.

KEY POINTS
All exclusive and previously unreleased tracks
6 new exclusive tracks by Quantic & aliases
Includes limited DJ-Kicks playing card
100% GVR vinyl made from bioplastics derived from renewable resources

LP TRACKLIST
A1 JJ Whitefield feat. bonnie behave - The Mind Is A Palace
A2 The Heliocentrics - Minimal Engagement
A3 Quantic - Dialect
A4 Alfa Mist - In My Defence
B1 JKriv feat. Gabriel Oliveira - Pifeiro Malandro
B2 Quantic & Sly5thAve - Twang
B3 Frente Cumbiero - Michilero
B4 Quantic - Theme From Selva (Remix)
C1 Quantic - Eko Eko
C2 Quantic - Motivic Retrograde (Live Version)
C3 Eblis Alvarez, Meridian Brothers - Un Grande Nubarrón Se Alza En El Cielo
C4 The Maghreban - Covent Garden
D1 Anna Morgan - Throw Dat Azz
D2 Ehua - Scintille
D3 Turbo Sonidero - Kumbia ESSJ
D4 Sobredosis - No Llores Por Mí

https://listen.k7.com/6e8e21fa-21c1-4ac7-831f-4796d78da522

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Nearby Bear Records are proud to present 'The Foundation' - the 10th Studio album from south coast super-producer Flevans. After almost two decades in the game, Flevans has had releases and features across diverse labels including Tru Thoughts, Jalapeno Records, Boogie Angst, Ninja Tune and Ministry of Sound. His new album (the first on his own label) marks a new chapter for him as a producer, whilst showcasing some of the many styles of music which have influenced and inspired him over his musical journey so far. Taking in instrumental hip-hop, funk, soul & disco alongside Flevans' trademark live instrumentation (he plays guitar, keys & bass across all tracks) 'The Foundation' expertly pieces together all these styles and sounds into a wonderfully cohesive and upbeat LP. Support for Flevans across this release and recent albums has come from DJ's and radio luminaries including Fatboy Slim, Purple Disco Machine, Gilles Peterson, Steve Lamacq and Craig Charles.

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Heads up, we got a hot premiere on GAMM from Chicago's finest Emmaculate and Basement Boys legend DJ Spen !

The story behind this release goes something like this...

Our buddy and GAMM contributor Coflo spins at a dope house party, drops the A side 'Step Into A Black Whole' and the club literally explodes when the track hits the massive hip hop breakdown (KRS!) and returns and transforms into a jazzy Afrobeat house stomper. It's an +11 min long musical journey going from house to hip hop to Disco-Afrobeat. The GAMM representative in the house "feels it" and asks Coflo who's behind the tune, and after a few months, the connection is made with Emmaculate and DJ Spen to secure the release for GAMM.

A few weeks later, Emmaculate delivers a second track, 'Boogie On Disco Woman', which is a killer Funk/Disco/Soul rework with raw drums, nasty clavinets and soulful female vocals.
This could easily have been the feature track, but lands on the B side this time.

Incredible jams !

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The next in the Undercover Lovers series from the wizards of editing, with lysergic renderings of some well-known pop/dance classics, just not as you might expect.

Number 5 features a steel band cover of an 80's classic (itself sampled on a 90's hip hop classic!) backed with the Balearic banger of the year; an edit of a rare 'Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime' cover...

Limited pressing as usual, be quick!

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DJ Koze’s Music Can Hear Us is, according to the artist, a 64-minute trip into space and back.

An album that races like a runaway rollercoaster in a zigzag through a parade of planets, from which magicians like Damon Albarn, Soap&Skin, Ada, Sophia Kennedy, Markus Acher von The Notwist und Marewrew wave. This record is the most potent legal drug currently available on the open market. A cosmic synapse rodeo with an incredibly high density of wonder, a place you didn’t even know existed.

Formats:

- CD in digipak incl. booklet
- Limited deluxe magenta 140g 2LP+ bonus 7inch + poster with printed inner sleeves in gatefold sleeve
- Black 140g 2LP with printed inner sleeves in gatefold sleeve

TRACKLIST 2LP:

A
The Universe in a Nutshell
Pure Love (feat. Damon Albarn)
Der Fall (feat. Sophia Kennedy)

B
Wie schön du bist (feat. Arnim Teutoburg-Weiss & The Düsseldorf Düsterboys)
Tu Dime Cuando (feat. Ada & Sofia Kourtesis)
The Talented Mr. Tripley

C
What About Us (feat. Markus Acher of The Notwist)
Unbelievable (feat. Ada)
A Dónde Vas? (feat. Soap&Skin)
Vamos A la Playa (feat. Soap&Skin)
Die Gondel (feat. Sophia Kennedy)

D
Brushcutter (feat. Marley Waters)
Buschtaxi (Album Version)
Aruna
Umaoi (feat. Marewrew)


KEY FACTS:

- PR/Promo Campaign: Pitching & Plugging coverage (Interviews, features, reviews, announcements, single/video news) at all key media incl. monthly mail out to relevant local/national press and online media (music, culture, fashion and daily press) by two promo agencies:
- PR GAS: Beats International/ Birgit Peter and Sven-Erik Stephan birgit@beatsinternational.com / sven@beatsinternational.com
- PR US/UK/Rest Of the World: 9PR/ Billy Burrel: billy@9pr.co.uk
- Global Social Media Campaign featuring a cohesive and compelling brand identity, crafted through distinctive, highly personalized visual elements (content, cover art, colors, fonts) and a clear, memorable album title.

TIMELINE:

- 1st single - digital only ‘Pure Love’ (feat. Damon Albarn): Release 29 November - plus announcement album and release date incl. start of pre-sale physical formats (WITHOUT TRACKLIST)
- Plus two more versions of ‘Pure Love (Day) & (Night) on 20 December as Waterfall release
- 2nd single - Digital only ‘Song Title TBC’: Release 17th January - plus release album tracklist as IGTs
- 3rd single - Digital only ‘Song Title TBC’: Release 07 February - Album Tour Announcement
- 4th single - 12’ vinyl/digital “Song Title TBC”: - Release 07 March
- Album Release: 04 April 2025

LINKS:

DJ KOZE:

www.instagram.com/djkozeofficial
https://www.facebook.com/djkoze
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJs9PU4Y1dS9bfD1YByqBQ


PAMPA RECORDS:

www.pamparecords.com
https://www.youtube.com/@PampaRecordsOfficial

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If you've been following the Payfone story over the last 13 years, you'll know that Phil Passera and Jimmy Day's long-running collaborative project has specialised in one-off musical morsels - sublime songs cooked up in cahoots with all manner of guest musicians and vocalists. Never ones to rest on their laurels, Day and Passera have now delivered a full six-track tasting menu in the shape of Lunch, their hotly anticipated debut album.

Recorded over an 18-month period at Passera's Barcelona studio and Day's studio in Brighton, Lunch is an unsurprisingly assured and musically detailed affair that's entirely made up of previously unheard songs. Unlike acid-flecked recent single 'Volt To Volt', which delivered a tweaked take on late 1980s house music, the album's six tracks showcase the trademark sound the duo has been developing since first joining forces 13 years ago.

Trawl back through Passera and Day's high-quality catalogue, which includes outings on Leng, Golf Channel Recordings and Defected as well as their own OTIS imprint, and that distinctive musical recipe becomes clear. Rooted in their love of classic drum machines and their trusty JUNO-60 synthesiser, the Payfone sound combines equal amounts of electronic and organic instrumentation, warm and inviting downtempo and mid-tempo grooves, and pertinent and thoughtful lyrics delivered with panache by an impressive roll call of guest vocalists.

Lunch, then, is a standalone sonic statement - an initially vinyl only album on their own OTIS imprint - that continues this impressive lineage. Like all Passera and Day's collaborative work, it is free of samples, with the pair preferring to create their own sounds from scratch. Opener 'Movin' On', featuring the honeyed vocals of former XL Recordings artist Willis Earl Beal AKA Nobody and slap-bass from Jo Gabriel Harris (who also features on three other songs across the album), is a deep and effortlessly evocative mid-tempo delight that perfectly sets the tone for what's to come.

Brooklyn-born April Pittman and Russian/Armenian vocalist Zara Kian lend their talents to woozy, sun-baked shuffler 'Paperman' before regular Payfone collaborator Ludmilla Rodriguez headlines 'Joan of Arc', a veritable Mediterranean breeze rich in tumbling analogue synth synths, elastic bass and tumbling guitar solos. Those yearning for a touch of lightly disco-flecked dancefloor heat will savour 'Spend The Night', where Los Angeles singer Collette Tibbetts AKA Carmella The Balls, accompanied by virtuoso keys courtesy of Parisian pianist Gabriel Cazes, rises above a sweet, melodious, dub disco-adjacent backing track. In contrast, 'Pamela' is low-slung and hypnotic, with 'Sofian' vocalist Barbara Alcindor ushering us through a deep, heady groove-scape.

Fittingly, Passera and Day round off Lunch via a vibrant and potent sweet treat, 'Pony Bar'. Headed up by the J.J Cale-esque lead vocals of man of mystery Leon Lace, the pedal steel-sporting song joins the dots between dusty Americana, kaleidoscopic Balearic beats and lilting, slow-motion disco. Like the rest of the album, you'll be thinking about it long after you've washed down the last few musical mouthfuls.


Payfone have released over 16 individual 12" singles, including Phonica's 'Record of 2023 - 'I Feel You'

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Philly based UNIVERSAL CAVE flip a pair of arcane tunes into party time dancefloor anthems. Starting off with the uptempo stomper "SO SOFT SO SWEET," the big sing-along hook, searing synth solo, and reinforced drums make this a perfect secret weapon for your next disco set. On the flip, "MISHUGINA MAMBO" offers up a heavy duty Latin rhythm workout. Inspired by the classic Sofrito Specials series, the hypnotic guitar and roaring horns soar over driving percussion and pulsing drums that dare everyone in the room to remain still. UNIVERSAL CAVE are known for their namesake record label and have also released edits and remixes on EMOTIONAL RESCUE, PLEASURE OF LOVE, and now STUDS.

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Two iconic 80s Disco/Boogie anthems of the era are set for a re-release on 12-inch vinyl via RCA, with a fresh mix from Brooklyn-based producer, Mike Maurro.

Keni Burke - Risin' to the Top (A Mike Maurro Mix)

'’Risin’ to the Top’, originally released in 1982 on Burke’s third solo album, ‘Changes’, has become Burke’s most successful hit as a solo artist since departing from his former band, Five Stairsteppers. Countless producers have utilised the song as a choice sample for their own tracks with artists such as Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Madlib and more.

Maurro’s mix works the stems and gives the record some fresh guitar licks alongside new percussive elements, whilst maintaining a heavy lean into the sensual, laid-back swing of the original.'

Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King - I'm In Love (A Mike Maurro Mix)

'The flip side sees the release of Evelyn 'Champagne' King’s hit single ‘I’m In Love’, originally released in 1981 and taken from King’s fourth studio album of the same name. A feel-good, sing-a-long anthem, once again given a fresh feel thanks to Maurro’s new take on the record.

Both tracks serve as trump cards to whip up any dancefloor at the right time'

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