Here's the third installment of Sofa Records' Disco Single series! Featuring four standout tracks from Algeria's 1980s music scene, this collection showcases the cultural diversity and creativity of the country.
Listen here. Galouli Enshara (A1) and Zourini (B1) are two captivating pop-boogie-funk tracks by Khaled Barkat, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist from Algiers. Produced by Khaled himself in 1983, and recorded at the esteemed brothers Torki’s studio in Algiers along with his friends—and talented musicians —Yazid Fentazi, Redouane Ayoub, Mustapha Mekerkeband Mhenni Benlala. The album, if he had a certain success (Khaled Barkat is considered as a pop music iconin his country)was somewhat overshadowed by the popularity of other genres in Algeria, such as raï music. We're thrilled to put if for the first time on vinyl! And spread this music to a wider audience.
Dub El Hammam (A2) is by raï vocalist Cheb Tati, hailing from Oran. In the 1980s, as raï gained recognition in the global music industry, Tati was brought to London in 1989 to record an album with reggae/dub producer Denis Bovell. Among other tracks, this heavy, top-notch 1980s digital dub track resulted from their collaboration.
Last but not least, the final track on the single is sourced from the only known recording of Asif, a Kabyle band from Lille formed by three brothers. The band was created in the late 1970s, and the selected track, Tafsut (B2), was recorded in 1985. A beautiful pop-boogie tune that we considered a marvelous conclusion to this single.
This record was made in collaboration with Les Disques Bongo Joe. All tracks are fully licensed.

A1 - Khaled Barkat - Galouli Ensaha
A2 - Cheb Tati - Dub El Hammam
B1 - Khaled Barkat - Zourini
B2 - Asif - Tafsut More

Soundway Records delivers an exciting new compilation, diving ever deeper into South-East Asia. Ayo Ke Disco celebrates the musical identities emerging during the 1970s and 80s from the newly independent countries nestled around the South China Sea.

This time, Soundway’s long-time general manager Alice Whittington (aka DJ Norsicaa) steps into the limelight, embracing her Malaysian heritage and selecting music from her heavy collection of Asian records. Aside from steering the label, she is often found on international stages and radio stations playing an eclectic array of music.

For Ayo Ke Disco (meaning ‘Let’s go to the disco’ in Indonesian), 10 rare tracks of disco-funk, psychedelic funk, synth, city pop, and Hindustani-Arabic rhythms were painstakingly licensed from local labels – forming a snapshot of the vibrant discotheques and live scenes across Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

The vinyl release is also accompanied by the Ayo Ke Disco zine from Norsicaa, with extensive research on the history of music in South-East Asia, archival photos and exclusive interviews with some of the region’s most respected collectors. More

Originally released in 2023 via a humble run of 100 cassette tapes, c-thru's debut album “The Otherworld” is now available on black vinyl with a full colour jacket designed by Vancouver based illustrator Tylor Macmillan.

C-thru - The Otherworld is a collection of introspective cosmic-leaning dance music that gives a healthy nod to the golden era of trance, ambient, and downtempo from Austin, Texas-based producer Jesse Edwards. Inactive for several years, these 10 tracks mark a new chapter for Jesse Edwards. Previous works include his well-received psychedelic project, Red Morning Chorus, that included Boards of Canada amongst its fans. Edwards began his musical journey in the late 90s playing shoegaze and experimental music with Jessica Bailiff (Kranky). The pair collaborated on several albums together, including works with Flying Saucer Attack, His Name is Alive, and Odd Nosdam (Anticon).

Essential listening for anyone enamoured with the golden era of futuristic audio. More

Brazil 45, number 85.

You know it's going to be a heavy record when DJ / collector Mr Thing asks you to keep a look out for a copy on your next digging trip to Brazil. Add on top of that, being sampled by Madlib on the track 'Curls’ on his Madvillain album!

Taken from Waldir Calmon's 'Waldir Calmon E Seus Multisons' album on Copacabana (1970), from looking at this unassuming record cover featuring a middle-aged man sporting an impressive pair of glasses you wouldn't expect it to become the fabric to one of the songs from the iconic 'Madvillain’ album. But… like many things in life, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. 'Airport Love Theme’, like its name suggests, falls into full-on lounge territory. It is feel-good music made to be the soundtrack for a utopian world that never really was. Yet behind the silky-smooth groove is an addictive earworm waiting to be heard.

'Afro Som' taken from the same album, pushes things in a different direction towards a sound that is more firmly rooted in the Brazilian tradition. This quirky 60's-breakbeat-funk groove is reminiscent of French artist Jean Jacques Perrey's 'E.V.A.', also from 1970, in its melody and backbeat, where the Moog synthesizer of Perrey is replaced with a more orchestrated sound by Calmon. This track is magical, cinematic and breakbeat-laden with a hidden unknown exoticism.

Waldir Calmon had an active career in music working from the '50s right up until his passing in 1982. His career started early, forming his first ensemble at the age of fourteen, originally working in bands in nightclubs and writing jingles. He progressed in the early '50s to a long-running career working in television. In addition to his television work, he had success with his recording vocation, mixing in the same musical circles as greats such as Tom Jobi, João Gilberto and Doris Monteiro. More

Those buried in the soil of the red planet dance forever in the afterlife. You can hear their rhythm in the dust storms at night More

2024 Repress!

Michael Gray’s ‘The Weekend’ has become more than just a seminal clubbing anthem. ‘The Weekend’ has become a soundtrack for many a night out, an evergreen, life anthem for a whole generation, a record that has stayed popular since the naughties through its sheer brilliance and been brought back to the attention to a new generation through social media like TikTok.

Now the worldwide dance hit has had new life breathed into it new live strings/dance version from Michael himself.

As Michael goes on to say in his own words:

“I have been working with live strings and horn sections a lot recently and it occurred to me to try ‘The Weekend’ as a totally different concept while keeping the integrity of the original…and it worked!

I got chills when I first heard Stephen Hussey’s (Soul to Soul) arrangement. I think it makes Shena’s lead vocal (and Xavier’s backing vocals ) sound so good!

When I made the record back in 2004 I didn’t realize how much this record would endure and appeal to younger and younger generations in its original form alone. I still get a buzz, particularly when I see DJ’s such as Claptone and Low Steppa playing it to huge crowds. Radio play has been amazing over the years too.

It makes me smile that there are thousands of TikTok videos to it as well! More

Reissue of this italo disco classic from 1983. Comes with Flemming Dalum and Victor Ark remixes! More

Two great Der Zyklus tracks finally available on vinyl again after being out of print for a long time. Heinrich Mueller (Dopplereffekt, Arpanet, Drexciya) in top form. More

The last Drexciyan storm... 6 Drexciya tracks for the life aquatic. Essential!!! More

12" WHITE VINYL OFFICIAL REISSUE More