1
Three Men - Inside
2
Three Men - Inside (Korkut Elbay Edit)
3
Three Men - Inside (Peaking Lights Rework)
The 1980 space disco hit you probably never heard of. Now officially remastered including new stunning edits by Peaking Lights and Korkut Elbay. Picture sleeve with an outstanding painting by Antonia Freisburger.
'Inside' with loads of synths and some vocoder on top is a wild jam that is propelling more and more into a frenzy during its course.
Following the orginal is a dancefloor-edit by Korkut Elbay which puts the vocal part into focus. Korkut Elbay, part of the Cómeme camp and an integral part of Cologne's electronic music scene for over 20 years, crafted an edit in its purest form.
On the flipside Aaron Coyes of the California-based duo Peaking Lights stretches out the original and reaches higher grounds with his stomping rework. He gently adds some more keys and puts you into a trance with his soothing melodies. Now dance!
But what's the story behind this unearthed gem stone? In the late 1970s a marketing company owner faced an increasing competitve market and wanted to work indepently from the professional studios which were charging high rates for commercials back then. The solution was to build his own sound studio. So he set one up in the basement of his company in Saarbrücken, Germany. He hired a studio operator and a composer that got quite a reputation in the local scence back then and besides daily job routines 'Inside' was created. More
'Inside' with loads of synths and some vocoder on top is a wild jam that is propelling more and more into a frenzy during its course.
Following the orginal is a dancefloor-edit by Korkut Elbay which puts the vocal part into focus. Korkut Elbay, part of the Cómeme camp and an integral part of Cologne's electronic music scene for over 20 years, crafted an edit in its purest form.
On the flipside Aaron Coyes of the California-based duo Peaking Lights stretches out the original and reaches higher grounds with his stomping rework. He gently adds some more keys and puts you into a trance with his soothing melodies. Now dance!
But what's the story behind this unearthed gem stone? In the late 1970s a marketing company owner faced an increasing competitve market and wanted to work indepently from the professional studios which were charging high rates for commercials back then. The solution was to build his own sound studio. So he set one up in the basement of his company in Saarbrücken, Germany. He hired a studio operator and a composer that got quite a reputation in the local scence back then and besides daily job routines 'Inside' was created. More
More records from Funkscapes
1
While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps - Title Track
2
While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps - Sublime
3
While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps - Definition Of ...
The third EP by the adventurous and unstoppable Stefan Schwander that you might already know from one of his other disguises such as Harmonious Thelonious, A Rocket In Dub or Antonelli Electr. - just to name a few. All tracks were virtuously and solely jammed out on Elektron's Monomachine once again.
Deep basslines, ravy bleeps, piano chords and synth melodies are awaiting us and let us reminisce of Jamaica, UK and Chicago while stepping and dancing into tomorrow.
The EP starts off gently with 'Title Track'. The first bleeps, chords, an incisive bassline and we're already grooving. Strings are building the framework while some house piano and a ravy melody let us hum along.
'Sublime' speeds things up with its shuffling, minimalistic beat but the dub bassline holds it down and functions as a resting pole to the vibrancies around. A pristine synthline comes in and supports the meandering chords. Dance off.
On the flipside 'Definition Of ...' sums it up what While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps is all about: a deep bass as bedrock, lively percussion, a little melody, tiptoeing chords. Everything sensitively used, telling a story. Listen on repeat. More
Deep basslines, ravy bleeps, piano chords and synth melodies are awaiting us and let us reminisce of Jamaica, UK and Chicago while stepping and dancing into tomorrow.
The EP starts off gently with 'Title Track'. The first bleeps, chords, an incisive bassline and we're already grooving. Strings are building the framework while some house piano and a ravy melody let us hum along.
'Sublime' speeds things up with its shuffling, minimalistic beat but the dub bassline holds it down and functions as a resting pole to the vibrancies around. A pristine synthline comes in and supports the meandering chords. Dance off.
On the flipside 'Definition Of ...' sums it up what While My Sequencer Gently Bleeps is all about: a deep bass as bedrock, lively percussion, a little melody, tiptoeing chords. Everything sensitively used, telling a story. Listen on repeat. More
1
Colkin - Via Marcomanni
2
Peter Seiler Feat. Sheryl Hackett - Timebend
3
Eoism - Ultraverse
4
Voertuig - Cego
5
Voertuig - 808 Ambient Jazz
6
Eoism - Even Flow
12" compilation with new tracks by Eoism, Voertuig, Colkin and a lost gem by Peter Seiler featuring Sheryl Hackett. Picture sleeve with a bold artwork based on a sculpture by Hede Bühl. Limited to 500 copies.
Label text:
"Colkin (Raw Soul, Mauke Club) kicks off the a-side with a spheric acid house meditation. Next is a track by Peter Seiler which could be found on the extended reissue of his 'Flying Frames' debut LP on Innovative Communication in 1989. It features the soulful voice of Sheryl Hackett. An extraordinary groover that is meandering between song and jazz improvisation. Eoism (Pulse Drift, Undersound, Inch By Inch) complete the a-side with some low-swung electro flavors, driving you straight into sunset.
On the b-side Voertuig (Tonal Oceans, Cobra Club) hit us with a serious and raw acid jam - dark and dirty. On the following track they show us their experimental jazzy side and cool things down again. A track the 1990s downbeat era was missing. Eoism close the first volume of FUTUR with a floating, futuristic banger from their lab.
Benedikt Meger's aspiration for funkscapes was always to feature funk grooves, old and new, fresh and relevant for today. Whether some rare, not so rare or just under the radar recordings from the past or new productions from today's artists across different electronic genres. This idea now culminates into the selection for the compilation FUTUR.
Enjoy the ride." More
Label text:
"Colkin (Raw Soul, Mauke Club) kicks off the a-side with a spheric acid house meditation. Next is a track by Peter Seiler which could be found on the extended reissue of his 'Flying Frames' debut LP on Innovative Communication in 1989. It features the soulful voice of Sheryl Hackett. An extraordinary groover that is meandering between song and jazz improvisation. Eoism (Pulse Drift, Undersound, Inch By Inch) complete the a-side with some low-swung electro flavors, driving you straight into sunset.
On the b-side Voertuig (Tonal Oceans, Cobra Club) hit us with a serious and raw acid jam - dark and dirty. On the following track they show us their experimental jazzy side and cool things down again. A track the 1990s downbeat era was missing. Eoism close the first volume of FUTUR with a floating, futuristic banger from their lab.
Benedikt Meger's aspiration for funkscapes was always to feature funk grooves, old and new, fresh and relevant for today. Whether some rare, not so rare or just under the radar recordings from the past or new productions from today's artists across different electronic genres. This idea now culminates into the selection for the compilation FUTUR.
Enjoy the ride." More
1
fes - Alstadtking
2
fes - Alstadtking (Hade Rework)
" Official reissue of a German pop rap obscurity in addition with a bombastic HADE rework. Comes in picture sleeve with the original artwork. Limited to 300 copies.
The project fes consisted at its core of Fred Schwalbacher and Herry Schmitt. Their impetus was to combine the local dialect of the German Saar area with modern musical styles. After a full length release in 1984, the single 'Altstadtking' was released in 1986.
At that time musicians were encountered with rap music and some experimented with and included it into their musical output. 'Altstadtking' (old town king) is the result. The old town part of Saarlouis was a mecca for all kind of braggadocio back then, it was all about seeing and beeing seen. This tongue-in-cheek song is the story of a man showing off and bragging at nighttime while living an ordinary life at daytime.
For the flipside jack of all trades and any-bpm-powerhouse HADE (baumusik, OYE Records, Razor-N-Tape) did a stunning rework. He chopped and cooked down all instrumental parts of the original into a new dub version, added keys & bass on top and an extra punch to the mixdown for his vision of a dancefloor-ready 'Altstadtking'.
Rock it! " More
The project fes consisted at its core of Fred Schwalbacher and Herry Schmitt. Their impetus was to combine the local dialect of the German Saar area with modern musical styles. After a full length release in 1984, the single 'Altstadtking' was released in 1986.
At that time musicians were encountered with rap music and some experimented with and included it into their musical output. 'Altstadtking' (old town king) is the result. The old town part of Saarlouis was a mecca for all kind of braggadocio back then, it was all about seeing and beeing seen. This tongue-in-cheek song is the story of a man showing off and bragging at nighttime while living an ordinary life at daytime.
For the flipside jack of all trades and any-bpm-powerhouse HADE (baumusik, OYE Records, Razor-N-Tape) did a stunning rework. He chopped and cooked down all instrumental parts of the original into a new dub version, added keys & bass on top and an extra punch to the mixdown for his vision of a dancefloor-ready 'Altstadtking'.
Rock it! " More
1
Dortmund - Titanic
2
Dortmund - The Deep
Official reissue of Dortmund's self-released single from 1981. For those in the know a sought-after gem, for everybody else the single you didn't know you need in your life! Comes in picture sleeve with the original artwork. Limited edition.
'Titanic' - quite self-explanatory - is about the queen of the ocean and her sinking as a ship believed as unsinkable. Starting off with its morse code-like sounds it evolves into a heavy grooving mélange of alternative rock, funk, new wave and synth pop.
The B-Side 'The Deep' explores depths you didn't know about. This instrumental jazz boogie funk fusion piece takes you on a five minute journey that will be your life-saver on any day.
In the early 1980s the scene of the Ruhr area was alive and kicking but still under the radar. Musicians played in different bands and projects of various styles. Three guys gathered simply under their city name "Dortmund" and did their own thing which led to this conceptual single - their only release.
Before that Elmar Krohn (keyboards) and Thomas Meyer (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards) were part of the "Mardi Gras Band", a funk and soul band with a great reputation for their live shows. They were also involved in writing 'Blame It On The Boogie' which got performed by "The Jacksons" in 1978 but that is another story. On the drums they were joined by Siegfried Hermes who also played in the band "Die Salinos". More
'Titanic' - quite self-explanatory - is about the queen of the ocean and her sinking as a ship believed as unsinkable. Starting off with its morse code-like sounds it evolves into a heavy grooving mélange of alternative rock, funk, new wave and synth pop.
The B-Side 'The Deep' explores depths you didn't know about. This instrumental jazz boogie funk fusion piece takes you on a five minute journey that will be your life-saver on any day.
In the early 1980s the scene of the Ruhr area was alive and kicking but still under the radar. Musicians played in different bands and projects of various styles. Three guys gathered simply under their city name "Dortmund" and did their own thing which led to this conceptual single - their only release.
Before that Elmar Krohn (keyboards) and Thomas Meyer (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards) were part of the "Mardi Gras Band", a funk and soul band with a great reputation for their live shows. They were also involved in writing 'Blame It On The Boogie' which got performed by "The Jacksons" in 1978 but that is another story. On the drums they were joined by Siegfried Hermes who also played in the band "Die Salinos". More
1
Jimmy Patrick Longfort - Attention!
2
Jimmy Patrick Longfort - Attention! (Tafs Rework)
3
Jimmy Patrick Longfort - Mambaille
4
Jimmy Patrick Longfort - Do You Really Love Me
Limited to 300 copies.
Label Release Text:
ATTENTION! Jimmy Patrick Longfort's hit arising from Düsseldorfs cult hang-out Ratinger Hof in 1987 is now officially reissued for the whole universe. All three original tracks got remastered plus TAFS – the Netherlands best kept secret and part of the group Voertuig – produced a pushing, extra groovy instrumental rework of the title track. The 12" is housed in a full cover artwork based on the original with extensive liner notes by Rudi Esch (Electri_city, Die Krupps) on an extra insert.
The title track ATTENTION! is about a young man, waiting in vain for his love's return but instead of a reunion the distance even grows and she leaves him with destination America. For sure this causes a serious and hard to bear heartbreak. Scream it out loud on the dancefloor and dance the pain away!
On rework duty we got Offer Van Kesteren under his Tapedeck Adventures From Space moniker. Slick funk grooves and super galaxy sounds that will heat you up. Burning hot.
Side B starts off with Ma'mbaillé, French lyrics, funky keys and steel drums – a true feelgood song that will make you dance wherever you are. This one is followed by Do You Really Love Me a highlife love song that closes this record properly. Play it again. More
Label Release Text:
ATTENTION! Jimmy Patrick Longfort's hit arising from Düsseldorfs cult hang-out Ratinger Hof in 1987 is now officially reissued for the whole universe. All three original tracks got remastered plus TAFS – the Netherlands best kept secret and part of the group Voertuig – produced a pushing, extra groovy instrumental rework of the title track. The 12" is housed in a full cover artwork based on the original with extensive liner notes by Rudi Esch (Electri_city, Die Krupps) on an extra insert.
The title track ATTENTION! is about a young man, waiting in vain for his love's return but instead of a reunion the distance even grows and she leaves him with destination America. For sure this causes a serious and hard to bear heartbreak. Scream it out loud on the dancefloor and dance the pain away!
On rework duty we got Offer Van Kesteren under his Tapedeck Adventures From Space moniker. Slick funk grooves and super galaxy sounds that will heat you up. Burning hot.
Side B starts off with Ma'mbaillé, French lyrics, funky keys and steel drums – a true feelgood song that will make you dance wherever you are. This one is followed by Do You Really Love Me a highlife love song that closes this record properly. Play it again. More
1
Citro - Smile
2
Citro - Smile (Dea Rework)
3
Citro - Way Down To You
4
Citro - We Got Fantasy
5
Citro - We Got Fantasy (BM Edit)
Full cover artwork based on the original and includes an insert with liner notes and images. Limited to 300 copies.
Official reissue of Citro’s EO Smile, from 1986. An unsung German funk band from Saarbrücken that existed for almost 4 years and played shows in Germany, France and Italy. They got a male and a female lead vocalist and therefore reached an extra variety in their songs.
It starts off with a boogie. The positivity of Smile should be remembered on every blue monday or whenever you got the blues. Just put on your smiling face. Smile is reworked by Dea (who released his own EP on Gudu records recently and is one half of Zatua that got a LP out on Second Circle). He gently extended the original and added some nice keyboard and drum machine sounds without losing the original vibe.
If the a-side already got you grooving, the b-side will make you dance. Way Down To You is a melancholic dancefloor bomb about a love at the crossroads. The future of it depends if some rumours about the man’s faithfulness are right or wrong. Open end. We Got Fantasy – a statement of a song, with great keyboards and additional percussion. We Got Fantasy is edited by BM, the label boss himself, starting directly from the keyboard solo and extending it to an almost neverending and tense- ful intrumental. From a DJ perspective, simple and effective. More
Official reissue of Citro’s EO Smile, from 1986. An unsung German funk band from Saarbrücken that existed for almost 4 years and played shows in Germany, France and Italy. They got a male and a female lead vocalist and therefore reached an extra variety in their songs.
It starts off with a boogie. The positivity of Smile should be remembered on every blue monday or whenever you got the blues. Just put on your smiling face. Smile is reworked by Dea (who released his own EP on Gudu records recently and is one half of Zatua that got a LP out on Second Circle). He gently extended the original and added some nice keyboard and drum machine sounds without losing the original vibe.
If the a-side already got you grooving, the b-side will make you dance. Way Down To You is a melancholic dancefloor bomb about a love at the crossroads. The future of it depends if some rumours about the man’s faithfulness are right or wrong. Open end. We Got Fantasy – a statement of a song, with great keyboards and additional percussion. We Got Fantasy is edited by BM, the label boss himself, starting directly from the keyboard solo and extending it to an almost neverending and tense- ful intrumental. From a DJ perspective, simple and effective. More
Customers who bought this also bought this
1
Citi Express - It's Too Late
2
Citi Express - Love Is The Message
3
Citi Express - People Of The World
4
Citi Express - Victim Of Your Love
5
Citi Express - Living For The City
6
Citi Express - Open Invitation
Cover versions of international songs have long thrived in South Africa’s music industry. Often unable to license the original tracks (until the early 90s the result of an international boycott of the country) labels instead hired producers and session artists to re-record them for the local market. Early house music in SA was no different.
When Ron ‘Robot’ Friedman, former bass player for local rockers Rabbitt, was winding down his label On Records in the early 90s, he reached out for new inspiration as the popularity of ‘bubblegum’ disco waned. For one of the label’s final releases he hired young DJ/producer Quentin Foster, obsessed with the new soulful house sound coming out of the US, to take the reins on a studio project dubbed Citi Express.
On Robot’s insistence it included a cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Living for the City’ (from 1973’s Innervisions) as the title track. Foster set to work in his home studio, dubbed Tone Def, selecting and re-working other US and UK tracks — ‘It’s Too Late’ (originally released in 1989 by Kelli Sae), ‘Love is the Message’ (influenced by the 70s soul anthem and credited to Gamble & Huff but bearing a closer resemblance to Better Days’ 1990 release written by Steve Proctor), ‘People of The World’ (recorded by Sorell Johnson in the UK in 1990) and ‘Victim of Your Love’ (released in 1990 by Gary Vonqwest as ‘Victim of Love’) — adding some signature South African touches in the process that foreshadow the imminent rise of kwaito. One original composition was added for good measure, ‘Open Invitation’.
The result offers a glimpse into those early days of house, a uniquely South African take on a global sound that still resonates today — reissued for the first time on Afrosynth Records. More
When Ron ‘Robot’ Friedman, former bass player for local rockers Rabbitt, was winding down his label On Records in the early 90s, he reached out for new inspiration as the popularity of ‘bubblegum’ disco waned. For one of the label’s final releases he hired young DJ/producer Quentin Foster, obsessed with the new soulful house sound coming out of the US, to take the reins on a studio project dubbed Citi Express.
On Robot’s insistence it included a cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Living for the City’ (from 1973’s Innervisions) as the title track. Foster set to work in his home studio, dubbed Tone Def, selecting and re-working other US and UK tracks — ‘It’s Too Late’ (originally released in 1989 by Kelli Sae), ‘Love is the Message’ (influenced by the 70s soul anthem and credited to Gamble & Huff but bearing a closer resemblance to Better Days’ 1990 release written by Steve Proctor), ‘People of The World’ (recorded by Sorell Johnson in the UK in 1990) and ‘Victim of Your Love’ (released in 1990 by Gary Vonqwest as ‘Victim of Love’) — adding some signature South African touches in the process that foreshadow the imminent rise of kwaito. One original composition was added for good measure, ‘Open Invitation’.
The result offers a glimpse into those early days of house, a uniquely South African take on a global sound that still resonates today — reissued for the first time on Afrosynth Records. More
1
Nacho Marty Meyer - Galeria Guizona
2
Nacho Marty Meyer - Turismos
3
Nacho Marty Meyer - Queen Africa
4
Nacho Marty Meyer - Journey To Love
5
Nacho Marty Meyer - Magical Journey
6
Nacho Marty Meyer - Fiesta De Animales
7
Nacho Marty Meyer - Afternoon Revelation
8
Nacho Marty Meyer - Stylos
9
Nacho Marty Meyer - The Sun Goes Down
10
Nacho Marty Meyer - CZ Funk
11
Nacho Marty Meyer - Orbitas
First compilation album by Argentine synthesizer maniac Nacho Marty Meyer... Tip!
Since the 80's, Meyer has been interested in synthesizers and electronic music, and started making demos. The compilation includes the Italo disco track 'Magical Journey', previously released under the name Xarion, which is now a hard-to-find record.
Makoto (satoshi& makoto): "The sincerity conveyed in his work is very good and I love the primitive feel of the music." More
Since the 80's, Meyer has been interested in synthesizers and electronic music, and started making demos. The compilation includes the Italo disco track 'Magical Journey', previously released under the name Xarion, which is now a hard-to-find record.
Makoto (satoshi& makoto): "The sincerity conveyed in his work is very good and I love the primitive feel of the music." More
1
Rahaan - One Man
2
Rahaan - No Luck
1
Steve Jones / Fatboys U.K. - I Need You By My Side
2
Steve Jones / Fatboys U.K. - I Need You By My Side (Dub Version)
3
Fatboys U.K. - The Challenge
This rare Brit Funk 12” was originally released in 1984 and is now officially reissued for the first time. Licensed from producer Lindel Lewis, the 12” was heavily influenced by US Boogie and Disco and there’s a Dub influence at play as Lindel was also producing a lot of reggae around this time, most famously ‘Night Over Egypt’ by Mystic Harmony.
The 12” includes a previously unreleased Dub Version of ‘I Need You’ and was produced on two Analogue classics, Lindel says “I used a Linn Drum for the drums and played all synth parts using a Roland 106. I’m a classically trained musician and also a sound engineer, I worked at Mark Angelo Recording Studios for 18 years and have produced a great many artists. Steve Jones real name is Steve Myers, but I didn’t like the surname so changed it to Jones which felt more soulful. The name The Fat Boys came about because of the big bellies of myself the flute player Mike Appoh, my trainee engineer at the time. Ray Carlass played the sax solo, they have both now sadly passed”.
This long overdue reissue revives a standout moment in Brit Funk history, making it an essential addition for fans of classic Boogie and Disco. A 140 gram pressing in 3mm spine disco sleeve with labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton. More
The 12” includes a previously unreleased Dub Version of ‘I Need You’ and was produced on two Analogue classics, Lindel says “I used a Linn Drum for the drums and played all synth parts using a Roland 106. I’m a classically trained musician and also a sound engineer, I worked at Mark Angelo Recording Studios for 18 years and have produced a great many artists. Steve Jones real name is Steve Myers, but I didn’t like the surname so changed it to Jones which felt more soulful. The name The Fat Boys came about because of the big bellies of myself the flute player Mike Appoh, my trainee engineer at the time. Ray Carlass played the sax solo, they have both now sadly passed”.
This long overdue reissue revives a standout moment in Brit Funk history, making it an essential addition for fans of classic Boogie and Disco. A 140 gram pressing in 3mm spine disco sleeve with labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton. More
1
Saac Cool Cat Mofokeng - Candy
2
Mr. Ace - Ace 1
3
Linda - I Won't Let You Go
4
Jappie Lebona - My Love Is Yours
5
The Hard Workers - Axe Chop
6
Thandi - Istant Love Eyami Lendoda
Selection of all winners from the Music Team label - mid 80s to early 90s gems on here!
One of South Africa’s biggest independent labels for more than a decade, Music Team offered working musicians a shot at fame via access to top studios, producers, songwriters and session musicians, as well as distribution via a number of imprints: CTV, Red Label, Solid, Spinna, Mambo Music and others. Artists in the stable who tasted success would typically release a few albums over as many years before moving on to other labels or falling off the radar as times changed. At their peak, according to label boss Maurice Horwitz, Music Team was selling a million records a month, and was at the forefront of South African pop music as it evolved from soul to disco and beyond.
Afrosynth Records’ ‘Music Team Sampler’ dusts off six rare and long-forgotten gems from the Music Team catalogue, originally released between 1986 and 1992. Four are typical of the label’s take on the popular ‘bubblegum’ sound of the day — Isaac ‘Cool Cat’ Mofokeng’s ‘Candy’, ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ by Linda Oliphant, Jappie Lebona’s ‘My Love is Yours and ‘Instant Love (Eyami Lendoda)’ by Thandi Zulu (aka TZ Junior). Two instrumentals — Mr. Ace’s ‘Ace 1’ and ‘Axe Chop’ by The Hard Workers, a studio project by Music Team’s in-house producer Tom Mkhize — meanwhile hint at the imminent rise of kwaito and house.
Forged in the fire of a cruel and volatile political system that was gradually unraveling, instead of addressing political realities these indelible pop songs sought to provide an escape to a world where love and music were all that mattered. More
One of South Africa’s biggest independent labels for more than a decade, Music Team offered working musicians a shot at fame via access to top studios, producers, songwriters and session musicians, as well as distribution via a number of imprints: CTV, Red Label, Solid, Spinna, Mambo Music and others. Artists in the stable who tasted success would typically release a few albums over as many years before moving on to other labels or falling off the radar as times changed. At their peak, according to label boss Maurice Horwitz, Music Team was selling a million records a month, and was at the forefront of South African pop music as it evolved from soul to disco and beyond.
Afrosynth Records’ ‘Music Team Sampler’ dusts off six rare and long-forgotten gems from the Music Team catalogue, originally released between 1986 and 1992. Four are typical of the label’s take on the popular ‘bubblegum’ sound of the day — Isaac ‘Cool Cat’ Mofokeng’s ‘Candy’, ‘I Won’t Let You Go’ by Linda Oliphant, Jappie Lebona’s ‘My Love is Yours and ‘Instant Love (Eyami Lendoda)’ by Thandi Zulu (aka TZ Junior). Two instrumentals — Mr. Ace’s ‘Ace 1’ and ‘Axe Chop’ by The Hard Workers, a studio project by Music Team’s in-house producer Tom Mkhize — meanwhile hint at the imminent rise of kwaito and house.
Forged in the fire of a cruel and volatile political system that was gradually unraveling, instead of addressing political realities these indelible pop songs sought to provide an escape to a world where love and music were all that mattered. More
Label:Hot Biscuit Recrodings
Cat-No:SONIC2HBR
Release-Date:18.10.2024
Genre:Chicago House
Configuration:12"
Label:Hot Biscuit Recrodings
Cat-No:SONIC2HBR
Release-Date:18.10.2024
Genre:Chicago House
Configuration:12"
1
Toddsonic33 - Yes
2
Toddsonic33 - Make Me A Woman
3
Toddsonic33 - Deesko Music
1
The Mole - Sing a Storm
2
The Mole - Que Rico
3
The Mole - Heart of a Canary
4
The Mole - Deeper Filth
5
The Mole - Just Another Kid
6
The Mole - Arp on a Table
7
The Mole - Boulevard
8
The Mole - Vessel Plans
9
The Mole - JP Ate Culture
10
The Mole - Mountain Range
11
The Mole - nEw fAme
12
The Mole - That Old Fuck
13
The Mole - Burger Time
14
The Mole - Umpah Band
15
The Mole - Don’t Wake Me Up Bro
16
The Mole - Not Lost
17
The Mole - GoinF4er
Genre: Beats, Ambient, Electronica
Tracklist LP:
A1. Sing a Storm - A2. Que Rico - A3. Heart of a Canary - A4. Deeper Filth - A5. Just Another Kid - A6. Arp on a Table -
B1. Boulevard - B2. Vessel Plans - B3. JP Ate Culture - B4. Mountain Range - B5. nEw fAme - B6. That Old Fuck - B7. Burger Time - B8. Umpah Band - B9. Don’t Wake Me Up Bro - B10. Not Lost - B11. GoinF4er
Short Info:
High Hopes - New album from the Mole.
High Hopes is 17 songs across 40 minutes on one slice of wax that, as advertised, sounds nothing like last month’s Ep, High Dreams. Here, rather than the long form dance form, is a continuation of the
beat tape pacing from the last album, a collection of moments posing as ideas posing as a narrative stuffed with oddities and surprises that reward the close listen.
What’s heard on High Hopes is the Mole’s exploration of a love letter, from one person to a family, from the northern Pacific to the southern Atlantic, from a boy to a painted bird. Vancouver Island to
Manantiales. The songs range from ambient sound bath and hip hop sludge, up to micro boogie and almost House before tumbling back down and forth again. Bubbling synths, MPCs swung out, samples
chopped and chewed, bass and violins from Rick and Sophie, field recordings of birds and frogs and beaches, friends and family and fiestas. Did we mention the love ?! This album has got it all! Original
collages from Antonio Carrau envelope this wax: jacket, sleeve and cookie.
Antonio’s work is typified by playful combinations and bold statements about living in a embrace of analog and digital health. His collages marry the corporeal world with an updated, digitalized age of
reproduction, inducing feelings of gratitude for the simple everyday scenes we sometimes lose touch with when we forget to slow down. Good living, like breathing, requires inhaling as well as exhaling.
We can’t always produce content, make art, we must also pause, and listen. And enjoy. The Mole is joined by friends and colleagues on several songs included on High Hopes. Rick May plays bass on both Que Rico and album stand out GoinF4er. Sophie Trudeau (Godspeed You Black Emperor) plays and arranges violins on GoinF4er and Danuel Tate (Cobblestone Jazz) and Julz Chaz
(Wagon Repair) both play Vibes and Emaxx throughout the album. Working with these incredible talents not only enriched this album, but fulfilled a long standing goal of the Mole’s; to work again with
the musicians from whom he learned so much. People who helped inform the shape of Mole to come.
The Mole who was As High As The Sky. The Mole has been ‘recognized’ by the ‘global underground’ since his critically celebrated premiere album, As High As The Sky, but his earlier Eps (Wagon Repair, Philpot, Musique Risquee) got the attention of Top DJs, clubs, and festivals around the world first. His sound remains unique, fresh and deep: enjoying plays in a wide variety of spaces and places.
High Hopes is the Mole’s 5th solo album and his 2nd album for Circus Company (The River Widens) who have also proudly released two eps of Mole magic (Little Sunshine, High Dreams).
*Isn’t that too much time for one record? Short answer - No. Long answer - depends on the material. Due to the many quiet passages in the album, the groove spacing can be modulated and the needle
can slow it’s progress towards the center/end resulting in longer sides with continued high gain and low distortion. More
Tracklist LP:
A1. Sing a Storm - A2. Que Rico - A3. Heart of a Canary - A4. Deeper Filth - A5. Just Another Kid - A6. Arp on a Table -
B1. Boulevard - B2. Vessel Plans - B3. JP Ate Culture - B4. Mountain Range - B5. nEw fAme - B6. That Old Fuck - B7. Burger Time - B8. Umpah Band - B9. Don’t Wake Me Up Bro - B10. Not Lost - B11. GoinF4er
Short Info:
High Hopes - New album from the Mole.
High Hopes is 17 songs across 40 minutes on one slice of wax that, as advertised, sounds nothing like last month’s Ep, High Dreams. Here, rather than the long form dance form, is a continuation of the
beat tape pacing from the last album, a collection of moments posing as ideas posing as a narrative stuffed with oddities and surprises that reward the close listen.
What’s heard on High Hopes is the Mole’s exploration of a love letter, from one person to a family, from the northern Pacific to the southern Atlantic, from a boy to a painted bird. Vancouver Island to
Manantiales. The songs range from ambient sound bath and hip hop sludge, up to micro boogie and almost House before tumbling back down and forth again. Bubbling synths, MPCs swung out, samples
chopped and chewed, bass and violins from Rick and Sophie, field recordings of birds and frogs and beaches, friends and family and fiestas. Did we mention the love ?! This album has got it all! Original
collages from Antonio Carrau envelope this wax: jacket, sleeve and cookie.
Antonio’s work is typified by playful combinations and bold statements about living in a embrace of analog and digital health. His collages marry the corporeal world with an updated, digitalized age of
reproduction, inducing feelings of gratitude for the simple everyday scenes we sometimes lose touch with when we forget to slow down. Good living, like breathing, requires inhaling as well as exhaling.
We can’t always produce content, make art, we must also pause, and listen. And enjoy. The Mole is joined by friends and colleagues on several songs included on High Hopes. Rick May plays bass on both Que Rico and album stand out GoinF4er. Sophie Trudeau (Godspeed You Black Emperor) plays and arranges violins on GoinF4er and Danuel Tate (Cobblestone Jazz) and Julz Chaz
(Wagon Repair) both play Vibes and Emaxx throughout the album. Working with these incredible talents not only enriched this album, but fulfilled a long standing goal of the Mole’s; to work again with
the musicians from whom he learned so much. People who helped inform the shape of Mole to come.
The Mole who was As High As The Sky. The Mole has been ‘recognized’ by the ‘global underground’ since his critically celebrated premiere album, As High As The Sky, but his earlier Eps (Wagon Repair, Philpot, Musique Risquee) got the attention of Top DJs, clubs, and festivals around the world first. His sound remains unique, fresh and deep: enjoying plays in a wide variety of spaces and places.
High Hopes is the Mole’s 5th solo album and his 2nd album for Circus Company (The River Widens) who have also proudly released two eps of Mole magic (Little Sunshine, High Dreams).
*Isn’t that too much time for one record? Short answer - No. Long answer - depends on the material. Due to the many quiet passages in the album, the groove spacing can be modulated and the needle
can slow it’s progress towards the center/end resulting in longer sides with continued high gain and low distortion. More
1
Mariah - Sokokara
2
Mariah - Shisen
3
Mariah - Hana Ga Saitara
4
Mariah - Fujiyu Na Nezumi
5
Mariah - Sora Ni Mau Maboroshi
6
Mariah - Shinzo No Tobira
7
Mariah - Shonen
Repress!
* 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
* 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
Label:Captured Tracks
Cat-No:CTLPC4181
Release-Date:04.10.2024
Genre:Alternative/Electronic
Configuration:2LP
Label:Captured Tracks
Cat-No:CTLPC4181
Release-Date:04.10.2024
Genre:Alternative/Electronic
Configuration:2LP
1
Saâda Bonaire - You Could Be More As You Are
2
Saâda Bonaire - Invitation
3
Saâda Bonaire - Little Sister
4
Saâda Bonaire - More Women
5
Saâda Bonaire - I Am So Curious
6
Saâda Bonaire - Second Face
7
Saâda Bonaire - Heart Over Head
8
Saâda Bonaire - Shut The Door
9
Saâda Bonaire - The Facts
10
Saâda Bonaire - Give Me A Call
11
Saâda Bonaire - Wake Up City
12
Saâda Bonaire - Joanna
13
Saâda Bonaire - Your Touch
14
Saâda Bonaire - All Right Now
Limited edition repress on bone vinyl of cult-favorite Captured Tracks release, including bonus flexidisc featuring a rare cover of Free's "All Right Now". SAADA BONAIRE. The fantastic German disco/world music project from Bremen which never was meant to be. Formed by Bremen DJ Ralf Behrendt in 1982, SAADA BONAIRE was a unique concept band centered around two sultry female vocalists (Stefanie Lange and Claudia Hossfeld) and dozens of local musicians culled from the local immigration center. Originally signed to EMI in 1982, their first and only single, "You Could Be More As You Are" was produced by legendary MATUMBI, SLITS and POP GROUP producer Dennis Bovell in KRAFTWERK's studio in Cologne. Its fusion of husky female vocals, Eastern instruments, dub and African music aesthetics, drum computers and synthesizers remains unique to this day. EMI cancelled the project upon its release. SAADA BONAIRE compiles two songs from the original EMI single plus eleven previously unreleased songs recorded between 1982 and 1985. Also included are never before published photos and in depth interviews with band members and a full gate fold cover for those dedicated vinyl buyers. SAADA BONAIRE. A bizarre mix of KRAFTWERK, GRACE JONES, and MARLENE DIETRICH. These lost recordings from the early eighties still sound fresh on today's dance floor.
More
More
1
Admin - A Three Eight Four
2
Admin - B Ionosphere
No Return / Vinyl Only!
Admin's 'Mystical Circles 02' delivers two vibrant tracks that embody the essence of dancefloor-ready disco and funk. On Side-1, 'Three Eight Four' kicks off with infectious tribal drum fills and funky bass licks, accentuated by a commanding saxophone that invites listeners to groove. Its lively energy makes it a standout choice for any party. Flipping to Side 2, 'Ionosphere' continues the momentum with wicked bass notes and a stunning groove, complemented by powerful horn arrangements that elevate the track's dynamic feel. This release perfectly blends disco house with jazz funk elements, making it an essential addition to any DJ's set. Mystical Circles 02 is a celebration of sound that is sure to get everyone on their feet. More
Admin's 'Mystical Circles 02' delivers two vibrant tracks that embody the essence of dancefloor-ready disco and funk. On Side-1, 'Three Eight Four' kicks off with infectious tribal drum fills and funky bass licks, accentuated by a commanding saxophone that invites listeners to groove. Its lively energy makes it a standout choice for any party. Flipping to Side 2, 'Ionosphere' continues the momentum with wicked bass notes and a stunning groove, complemented by powerful horn arrangements that elevate the track's dynamic feel. This release perfectly blends disco house with jazz funk elements, making it an essential addition to any DJ's set. Mystical Circles 02 is a celebration of sound that is sure to get everyone on their feet. More
1
Unknown - Zisou (Magic Jams' Dub Edit)
2
Unknown - Soleil Choco (Magic Jams' Extended Club Remix)
3
Unknown - Love Energy (Noema Edit)
4
Unkown - Cha Cha (Magic Jams' Rondo Edit)
Vinyl Only!
The Shaketown series strikes again! This time, we’re diving into the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean,
delivering four dazzling zouk gems, each reimagined with a fresh and modern twist. Following in the
footsteps of Noema’s legendary edit of Ata Kak’s “Daa Nyinaa”, the brand new CARIBBEAN
SHAKETOWN EP is packed with uplifting grooves, infectious Balearic synths, and vocals that will
keep you hooked from start to finish.
Guiding this sonic adventure is David Benjamin, aka NOEMA, aka MAGIC JAMS - a DJ, Producer,
Guitarist and Label Owner from Berlin. In his studio work, he has released one very well received
album as well as several EPs, remixes and edits. In this context he collaborated with heavy weights
like Apparat, Dj Dixon, and Grammy winners Basement Jaxx as well as electronic music underground
heroes such as Lauer, Kalabrese, Shubostar, O/Y, Acid Pauli, Auntie Flo, Dreems, Khidja, Panthera
Krause and Mehmet Aslan.
Looking back at more than 25 years of DJing, David is a true master at the decks. Constantly refining
his craft during a former 10-year residency at the legendary Berlin Club institution Wilde Renate, he
developed a unique style combining an outstanding selection, ranging from Disco to IndieDance and
House, with out-of-this-world mixing skills. While David releases and plays rather electronic,
contemporary and psychedelic music under his NOEMA moniker, his MAGIC JAMS alias is all about
acoustic sounds and crate digging, with focus on Music of the African diaspora, Cosmic Disco and
Balearic Beat.
Furthermore David holds a diploma in classical guitar with focus on music theory, works as a
teacher/mentor and runs the highly acclaimed The Magic Movement label and released music by the
likes of Nicola Cruz, Axel Boman, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Xique-Xique, Eddie C and many more.
All proceeds of this release will be donated to the LOVE AND HOPE MUSIC SCHOOL in City Soleil,
Haiti. This beautiful project is offering free music lessons in several orphanages in one of the most
dangerous slums of Port Au Prince.
Tracklist:
THIS 1 // Zisou (Magic Jams' Dub Edit)
THIS 2 // Soleil Choco (Magic Jams' Extended Club Remix)
THAT 1 // Love Energy (Noema Edit)
THAT 2 // Cha Cha (Magic Jams' Rondo Edit) More
The Shaketown series strikes again! This time, we’re diving into the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean,
delivering four dazzling zouk gems, each reimagined with a fresh and modern twist. Following in the
footsteps of Noema’s legendary edit of Ata Kak’s “Daa Nyinaa”, the brand new CARIBBEAN
SHAKETOWN EP is packed with uplifting grooves, infectious Balearic synths, and vocals that will
keep you hooked from start to finish.
Guiding this sonic adventure is David Benjamin, aka NOEMA, aka MAGIC JAMS - a DJ, Producer,
Guitarist and Label Owner from Berlin. In his studio work, he has released one very well received
album as well as several EPs, remixes and edits. In this context he collaborated with heavy weights
like Apparat, Dj Dixon, and Grammy winners Basement Jaxx as well as electronic music underground
heroes such as Lauer, Kalabrese, Shubostar, O/Y, Acid Pauli, Auntie Flo, Dreems, Khidja, Panthera
Krause and Mehmet Aslan.
Looking back at more than 25 years of DJing, David is a true master at the decks. Constantly refining
his craft during a former 10-year residency at the legendary Berlin Club institution Wilde Renate, he
developed a unique style combining an outstanding selection, ranging from Disco to IndieDance and
House, with out-of-this-world mixing skills. While David releases and plays rather electronic,
contemporary and psychedelic music under his NOEMA moniker, his MAGIC JAMS alias is all about
acoustic sounds and crate digging, with focus on Music of the African diaspora, Cosmic Disco and
Balearic Beat.
Furthermore David holds a diploma in classical guitar with focus on music theory, works as a
teacher/mentor and runs the highly acclaimed The Magic Movement label and released music by the
likes of Nicola Cruz, Axel Boman, Dengue Dengue Dengue, Xique-Xique, Eddie C and many more.
All proceeds of this release will be donated to the LOVE AND HOPE MUSIC SCHOOL in City Soleil,
Haiti. This beautiful project is offering free music lessons in several orphanages in one of the most
dangerous slums of Port Au Prince.
Tracklist:
THIS 1 // Zisou (Magic Jams' Dub Edit)
THIS 2 // Soleil Choco (Magic Jams' Extended Club Remix)
THAT 1 // Love Energy (Noema Edit)
THAT 2 // Cha Cha (Magic Jams' Rondo Edit) More
Label:Be With Records
Cat-No:bewith170lp
Release-Date:08.11.2024
Genre:Soul/Funk
Configuration:Vinyl Bundle Excl
Label:Be With Records
Cat-No:bewith170lp
Release-Date:08.11.2024
Genre:Soul/Funk
Configuration:Vinyl Bundle Excl
1
Thomas Almqvist - Lullaby For Zak
2
Lewis Taylor - Cherry Blossom
3
Mic Murphy - Salon du Chocolat
4
52nd Street - I'd Fallen In Love (With The Wrong Kind)
5
Coastlines - Hot Wind
6
Maston - Joyride
7
Kenny Dickenson - Stupid Rain
8
The Autumn Defense - Bluebirds Fall
9
Stimulator Jones - Aquarius-Pisces Cusp
10
Andre Cymone - Sex Love Experience
Format: LP + Book
Format Notes:
Housed together in a stunning 380gsm board slipcase with a matt laminate soft touch finish and a UV spot varnish on the beloved Be With logo, we proudly present the Be With 10 Years record and book package.
Record contains 10 exclusive never-before-on-vinyl tracks from 10 Be With family members. 310mm square softcover book printed on a 350gsm woodfree uncoated board. Book block printed on 120gsm Dadong Lucky Bird woodfree uncoated paper. 140gram vinyl with a 380gsm jacket. 1000 copies only for the world, no repress!
Track List:
A1 Thomas Almqvist - Lullaby For Zak
A2 Lewis Taylor - Cherry Blossom
A3 Mic Murphy - Salon du Chocolat
A4 52nd Street - I'd Fallen In Love (With The Wrong Kind)
A5 Coastlines - Hot Wind
B1 Maston - Joyride
B2 Kenny Dickenson - Stupid Rain
B3 The Autumn Defense - Bluebirds Fall
B4 Stimulator Jones - Aquarius-Pisces Cusp
B5 Andre Cymone - Sex Love Experience
THE RECORD: JOYRIDE
10 tracks for 10 Years of Be With from 10 of our favourite artists we've ever worked with over the past decade. As a happily "all over the place" label, the music, accordingly, had to be varied in vibe and style.
We start with a gorgeous acoustic folk track from Thomas Almqvist. I first heard this when our dear friend Andre Allday - who first suggested and then facilitated the Nyanser reissue - played it during our release party for the record at the amazing Hosoi in Stockholm. As something to grab your attention from the off, it's a pretty good opener, I reckon - it'll stop you in your tracks.
We move into an almost totally "lost" Lewis Taylor track, known to and beloved by only his hardest of hardcore fans. Before now, it has only ever seen the light of day on some obscure late 90s CD of "lullabies" compiled by Joan Armatrading. Us neither!
Mic Murphy from Sass/The Mighty Soulmates/The System (!!!) allowed us to use an unreleased track from his mysterious late 90s period. He sent over 7 stunning tracks and, over breakfast one winter morning with my two sons, Rocco and Bruno, the 3 of us selected the track that made us bounce the most while chomping on our cereal.
In deep fall of 2023, myself and Steven (The Funky Paramedic™) had the great pleasure of visiting Tony Henry, leader of the legendary Manchester 80s soul-funk act 52nd Street (those who "put the dance into Factory") to speak some more about a forthcoming retrospective that's been in the works for 5 years now. Fear not - it's coming! Anyway, we went into Tony's amazing studio and he played us the track you hear, here. A demo originally meant for Phyllis Hyman (I mean, come on!), he's very kindly let us use it for this record. A thousand thank yous. It's sensational.
Side A closes out with an elegant exclusive from our favourite Japanese duo, Coastlines, a tropical jazz-funk-fusion track that only they can so effortlessly craft. Sublime.
Side B opens with another total exclusive, and the title track of this compilation. "Joyride" is like some kind of swinging, G-Funk library from the Californian master of modern cinematic soul - Maston. We love everything about this dude. Speaking of California, next up is possibly the coolest ex-pat Manc in all of the Golden State.
Kenny Dickenson's instant classic "Stupid Rain" knocked me out the first time I heard it. The way it starts as a beautifully ornate ambient piece before introducing the barest of pulses to then segue into a full slo-mo cosmic chugger just gets me every time. Man's a genius.
Our great friends from Wilco, Pat and John, comprise The Autumn Defense. Two of the nicest humans in the game and "Bluebirds Fall" is chiming folk-rock at its finest. What they do best and, beyond a tiny-run CD EP decades ago, this is the only way to own this majestic stunner.
Stimulator Jones is a Stones Throw artist who we've loved ever since the epochal "Soon Never Comes" graced our ears. We're putting out his archive beats and when I asked if he had anything fresh that hadn't yet found a home, he sent over a modern / spiritual jazz movement that just blew me away. It's here.
We round out the compilation with a staccato funk-rock track from a Prince alumnus, the one and only Andre Cymone. If this track isn't blasting from radio stations from Dublab to Gilles to NTS then there's no justice in the world.
Of course, as is our way, none of these tracks have ever appeared on vinyl before. This is the only way to own them on wax. Pretty cool. As ever, all we ever want to hear is music with soul and personality. And that's what's contained here. We think we've nailed it. We think you'll like it too.
THE BOOK: LABOUR OF LOVE
Created in conjunction with the editor and design team behind Disco Pogo, Labour Of Love is our first ever book and serves as a brilliantly rich and varied document of Be With's first 10 years. It surveys our entire catalogue with the artwork for every single release faithfully reproduced in full colour accompanied by Rob's inimitable reviews.
The book contains fresh, exclusive interviews with Ned Doheny, Leon Ware, Lewis Taylor, Tommy Guerrero, Wally Badarou, Steve Moore, Pete Fowler, Kimiko Kasai, Tony Henry (52nd Street), The Autumn Defense, Coastlines and The Mighty Soulmates.
There's also fantastic contributions from a whole host of well regarded fans of the label. We have Gilles Peterson on Ned, Trevor Jackson on Nucleus, Efficient Space on Steve Hiett and the joy of collaboration in a competitive industry, Bill Brewster on Marti Caine, Balearic Mike on Kylie and Lou Hayter on her beloved Air.
We explore the development of the Be With logo and also take an insider's look at the journey of a typical Be With record; from the mastering stage with Simon Francis, cutting it up with Cicely Balston, the artwork ordeals with Chris Stevenson, pressing matters with Record Industry, slinging product with ace distributors Word And Sound, stocking product with our favourite London record shop When Spaceships Appear and even packing records for direct orders with our very own Funky Paramedic.
There's also an irreverent look at the legendary Reissue Request Line over on Facebook, with many hints at things to come.
Beautifully designed and printed, the book is a large format (310mm square) softcover gem, printed on a 350gsm woodfree uncoated board. It's been block printed on 120gsm Dadong Lucky Bird woodfree uncoated paper. It's housed in a stunning 380gsm board slipcase with a matt laminate soft touch finish and a UV spot varnish on the beloved Be With full colour logo.
More
Format Notes:
Housed together in a stunning 380gsm board slipcase with a matt laminate soft touch finish and a UV spot varnish on the beloved Be With logo, we proudly present the Be With 10 Years record and book package.
Record contains 10 exclusive never-before-on-vinyl tracks from 10 Be With family members. 310mm square softcover book printed on a 350gsm woodfree uncoated board. Book block printed on 120gsm Dadong Lucky Bird woodfree uncoated paper. 140gram vinyl with a 380gsm jacket. 1000 copies only for the world, no repress!
Track List:
A1 Thomas Almqvist - Lullaby For Zak
A2 Lewis Taylor - Cherry Blossom
A3 Mic Murphy - Salon du Chocolat
A4 52nd Street - I'd Fallen In Love (With The Wrong Kind)
A5 Coastlines - Hot Wind
B1 Maston - Joyride
B2 Kenny Dickenson - Stupid Rain
B3 The Autumn Defense - Bluebirds Fall
B4 Stimulator Jones - Aquarius-Pisces Cusp
B5 Andre Cymone - Sex Love Experience
THE RECORD: JOYRIDE
10 tracks for 10 Years of Be With from 10 of our favourite artists we've ever worked with over the past decade. As a happily "all over the place" label, the music, accordingly, had to be varied in vibe and style.
We start with a gorgeous acoustic folk track from Thomas Almqvist. I first heard this when our dear friend Andre Allday - who first suggested and then facilitated the Nyanser reissue - played it during our release party for the record at the amazing Hosoi in Stockholm. As something to grab your attention from the off, it's a pretty good opener, I reckon - it'll stop you in your tracks.
We move into an almost totally "lost" Lewis Taylor track, known to and beloved by only his hardest of hardcore fans. Before now, it has only ever seen the light of day on some obscure late 90s CD of "lullabies" compiled by Joan Armatrading. Us neither!
Mic Murphy from Sass/The Mighty Soulmates/The System (!!!) allowed us to use an unreleased track from his mysterious late 90s period. He sent over 7 stunning tracks and, over breakfast one winter morning with my two sons, Rocco and Bruno, the 3 of us selected the track that made us bounce the most while chomping on our cereal.
In deep fall of 2023, myself and Steven (The Funky Paramedic™) had the great pleasure of visiting Tony Henry, leader of the legendary Manchester 80s soul-funk act 52nd Street (those who "put the dance into Factory") to speak some more about a forthcoming retrospective that's been in the works for 5 years now. Fear not - it's coming! Anyway, we went into Tony's amazing studio and he played us the track you hear, here. A demo originally meant for Phyllis Hyman (I mean, come on!), he's very kindly let us use it for this record. A thousand thank yous. It's sensational.
Side A closes out with an elegant exclusive from our favourite Japanese duo, Coastlines, a tropical jazz-funk-fusion track that only they can so effortlessly craft. Sublime.
Side B opens with another total exclusive, and the title track of this compilation. "Joyride" is like some kind of swinging, G-Funk library from the Californian master of modern cinematic soul - Maston. We love everything about this dude. Speaking of California, next up is possibly the coolest ex-pat Manc in all of the Golden State.
Kenny Dickenson's instant classic "Stupid Rain" knocked me out the first time I heard it. The way it starts as a beautifully ornate ambient piece before introducing the barest of pulses to then segue into a full slo-mo cosmic chugger just gets me every time. Man's a genius.
Our great friends from Wilco, Pat and John, comprise The Autumn Defense. Two of the nicest humans in the game and "Bluebirds Fall" is chiming folk-rock at its finest. What they do best and, beyond a tiny-run CD EP decades ago, this is the only way to own this majestic stunner.
Stimulator Jones is a Stones Throw artist who we've loved ever since the epochal "Soon Never Comes" graced our ears. We're putting out his archive beats and when I asked if he had anything fresh that hadn't yet found a home, he sent over a modern / spiritual jazz movement that just blew me away. It's here.
We round out the compilation with a staccato funk-rock track from a Prince alumnus, the one and only Andre Cymone. If this track isn't blasting from radio stations from Dublab to Gilles to NTS then there's no justice in the world.
Of course, as is our way, none of these tracks have ever appeared on vinyl before. This is the only way to own them on wax. Pretty cool. As ever, all we ever want to hear is music with soul and personality. And that's what's contained here. We think we've nailed it. We think you'll like it too.
THE BOOK: LABOUR OF LOVE
Created in conjunction with the editor and design team behind Disco Pogo, Labour Of Love is our first ever book and serves as a brilliantly rich and varied document of Be With's first 10 years. It surveys our entire catalogue with the artwork for every single release faithfully reproduced in full colour accompanied by Rob's inimitable reviews.
The book contains fresh, exclusive interviews with Ned Doheny, Leon Ware, Lewis Taylor, Tommy Guerrero, Wally Badarou, Steve Moore, Pete Fowler, Kimiko Kasai, Tony Henry (52nd Street), The Autumn Defense, Coastlines and The Mighty Soulmates.
There's also fantastic contributions from a whole host of well regarded fans of the label. We have Gilles Peterson on Ned, Trevor Jackson on Nucleus, Efficient Space on Steve Hiett and the joy of collaboration in a competitive industry, Bill Brewster on Marti Caine, Balearic Mike on Kylie and Lou Hayter on her beloved Air.
We explore the development of the Be With logo and also take an insider's look at the journey of a typical Be With record; from the mastering stage with Simon Francis, cutting it up with Cicely Balston, the artwork ordeals with Chris Stevenson, pressing matters with Record Industry, slinging product with ace distributors Word And Sound, stocking product with our favourite London record shop When Spaceships Appear and even packing records for direct orders with our very own Funky Paramedic.
There's also an irreverent look at the legendary Reissue Request Line over on Facebook, with many hints at things to come.
Beautifully designed and printed, the book is a large format (310mm square) softcover gem, printed on a 350gsm woodfree uncoated board. It's been block printed on 120gsm Dadong Lucky Bird woodfree uncoated paper. It's housed in a stunning 380gsm board slipcase with a matt laminate soft touch finish and a UV spot varnish on the beloved Be With full colour logo.
More