2 Different sleeve designs

Celebrating the 5th anniversary of Conway's legendary tape with DJ Green Lantern "Reject On Steroids" with a vinyl reissue in collaboration with Drumwork Music. Tape features guest appearances by Royce Da 5'9" and Benny, and productions by DJ Green Lantern. For the occasion we have two different artworks by Shk, limited to 1500 units each.

Tracklisting

A1. Green Lantern Intro
A2. You Kan't Live Freestyle
A3. Love Freestyle
A4. Rick Boxes
A5. Spurs (feat. Benny)
A6. Dead Bodies

B1. iLL (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
B2. Cooked In Hell's Kitchen
B3. Preist
B4. Not Humble Freestyle
B5. Through It All

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/user-394943697/sets/conway-reject-on-steroids

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

2 Different sleeve designs

Celebrating the 5th anniversary of Conway's legendary tape with DJ Green Lantern "Reject On Steroids" with a vinyl reissue in collaboration with Drumwork Music. Tape features guest appearances by Royce Da 5'9" and Benny, and productions by DJ Green Lantern. For the occasion we have two different artworks by Shk, limited to 1500 units each.

Tracklisting

A1. Green Lantern Intro
A2. You Kan't Live Freestyle
A3. Love Freestyle
A4. Rick Boxes
A5. Spurs (feat. Benny)
A6. Dead Bodies

B1. iLL (feat. Royce Da 5'9")
B2. Cooked In Hell's Kitchen
B3. Preist
B4. Not Humble Freestyle
B5. Through It All

Listen: https://soundcloud.com/user-394943697/sets/conway-reject-on-steroids

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/277iuIKEMqmfe2iXMUui9d?si=KxdtaNSISRGFbs-XrOcUcQ

Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his upcoming studio album, G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH), by flexing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards. Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career.

"I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized," Rakim said about his new album, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he's continued to shape the land-scape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio al-bums. And while he's produced some of his previous work-notably "Don't Sweat the Technique," "Juice (Know The Ledge)," and "Paid In Full"-this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable.

G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we've known not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. "Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled," he said.

Rakim is more than an official triple-threat as an artist, because he's also showing off skills as a curator. On this al-bum's seven tracks, he enlists a who's-who of top hip-hop talent, including the dearly departed Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson, DMX, and Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). Rakim also linked with many of his contemporaries, such as Snoop Dogg, Method Man, KXNG Crooked, B.G., and Kool G. Rap, among others.

The album's first single, "Be Ill," is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim's raw rhymes and head-nodding produc-tion with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful "Love Is The Message," which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there's the chest-thumping "International," a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz.

For fans of hip-hop, and especially of Rakim's storied discography, there is so much to love on this record. You can hear his hunger as an emcee and producer on every track, as well as his desire to collaborate with so many respected artists. Despite having decades in the game and many classics to his name, it feels like Rakim is just getting started.

While the world awaits the July 26th release date, fans can catch Rakim performing live throughout the US from now until the end of year in support of G.O.D.S Network (REB7RTH). In addition to debuting new material, he'll be perform-ing all the classics from his beloved catalog.
Tracklisting (LP/CD/MC)

A1/1/A1 - Be Ill Feat. Kurupt & Masta Killa
(Prod + Cuts By Rakim Allah)

A2/2/A2 - Now Is The Time Feat. B.g, Hus Kingpin & Compton Menace
(Prod. Rakim Allah)

A3/3/A3 - Love Is The Message Feat. Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King & Snoop Dogg
Additional Vocals By: Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt & The La Grand Choir
(Prod. Rakim Allah)
(Violin Quartet Courtesy Of Nino Chikviladze)

A4/4/A4 - God's Playground Feat. .38 Spesh, Fred The Godson & Skyzoo
Additional Vocals: Dmx
(Prod + Cuts By Rakim Allah)

B1/5/B1 - Pendulum Swing Feat. Kxng Crooked, La The Darkman, Canibus & Chino Xl
(Prod. & Cuts By: Rakim Allah)

B2/6/B2 - International Feat. Kool G Rap, Tristate & Joell Ortiz
(Prod. Rakim Allah)

B3/7/B3 - Sign Of Se7en Feat. Prodigy (Of Mobb Deep), Method Man, X-raided & Big Twins


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/277iuIKEMqmfe2iXMUui9d?si=KxdtaNSISRGFbs-XrOcUcQ

Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his upcoming studio album, G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH), by flexing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards. Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career.

"I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized," Rakim said about his new album, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he's continued to shape the land-scape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio al-bums. And while he's produced some of his previous work-notably "Don't Sweat the Technique," "Juice (Know The Ledge)," and "Paid In Full"-this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable.

G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we've known not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. "Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled," he said.

Rakim is more than an official triple-threat as an artist, because he's also showing off skills as a curator. On this al-bum's seven tracks, he enlists a who's-who of top hip-hop talent, including the dearly departed Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson, DMX, and Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). Rakim also linked with many of his contemporaries, such as Snoop Dogg, Method Man, KXNG Crooked, B.G., and Kool G. Rap, among others.

The album's first single, "Be Ill," is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim's raw rhymes and head-nodding produc-tion with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful "Love Is The Message," which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there's the chest-thumping "International," a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz.

For fans of hip-hop, and especially of Rakim's storied discography, there is so much to love on this record. You can hear his hunger as an emcee and producer on every track, as well as his desire to collaborate with so many respected artists. Despite having decades in the game and many classics to his name, it feels like Rakim is just getting started.

While the world awaits the July 26th release date, fans can catch Rakim performing live throughout the US from now until the end of year in support of G.O.D.S Network (REB7RTH). In addition to debuting new material, he'll be perform-ing all the classics from his beloved catalog.
Tracklisting (LP/CD/MC)

A1/1/A1 - Be Ill Feat. Kurupt & Masta Killa
(Prod + Cuts By Rakim Allah)

A2/2/A2 - Now Is The Time Feat. B.g, Hus Kingpin & Compton Menace
(Prod. Rakim Allah)

A3/3/A3 - Love Is The Message Feat. Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King & Snoop Dogg
Additional Vocals By: Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt & The La Grand Choir
(Prod. Rakim Allah)
(Violin Quartet Courtesy Of Nino Chikviladze)

A4/4/A4 - God's Playground Feat. .38 Spesh, Fred The Godson & Skyzoo
Additional Vocals: Dmx
(Prod + Cuts By Rakim Allah)

B1/5/B1 - Pendulum Swing Feat. Kxng Crooked, La The Darkman, Canibus & Chino Xl
(Prod. & Cuts By: Rakim Allah)

B2/6/B2 - International Feat. Kool G Rap, Tristate & Joell Ortiz
(Prod. Rakim Allah)

B3/7/B3 - Sign Of Se7en Feat. Prodigy (Of Mobb Deep), Method Man, X-raided & Big Twins


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/277iuIKEMqmfe2iXMUui9d?si=KxdtaNSISRGFbs-XrOcUcQ

Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his upcoming studio album, G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH), by flexing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards. Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career.

"I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized," Rakim said about his new album, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he's continued to shape the land-scape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio al-bums. And while he's produced some of his previous work-notably "Don't Sweat the Technique," "Juice (Know The Ledge)," and "Paid In Full"-this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable.

G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we've known not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. "Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled," he said.

Rakim is more than an official triple-threat as an artist, because he's also showing off skills as a curator. On this al-bum's seven tracks, he enlists a who's-who of top hip-hop talent, including the dearly departed Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson, DMX, and Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). Rakim also linked with many of his contemporaries, such as Snoop Dogg, Method Man, KXNG Crooked, B.G., and Kool G. Rap, among others.

The album's first single, "Be Ill," is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim's raw rhymes and head-nodding produc-tion with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful "Love Is The Message," which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there's the chest-thumping "International," a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz.

For fans of hip-hop, and especially of Rakim's storied discography, there is so much to love on this record. You can hear his hunger as an emcee and producer on every track, as well as his desire to collaborate with so many respected artists. Despite having decades in the game and many classics to his name, it feels like Rakim is just getting started.

While the world awaits the July 26th release date, fans can catch Rakim performing live throughout the US from now until the end of year in support of G.O.D.S Network (REB7RTH). In addition to debuting new material, he'll be perform-ing all the classics from his beloved catalog.
Tracklisting (LP/CD/MC)

A1/1/A1 - Be Ill Feat. Kurupt & Masta Killa
(Prod + Cuts By Rakim Allah)

A2/2/A2 - Now Is The Time Feat. B.g, Hus Kingpin & Compton Menace
(Prod. Rakim Allah)

A3/3/A3 - Love Is The Message Feat. Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King & Snoop Dogg
Additional Vocals By: Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt & The La Grand Choir
(Prod. Rakim Allah)
(Violin Quartet Courtesy Of Nino Chikviladze)

A4/4/A4 - God's Playground Feat. .38 Spesh, Fred The Godson & Skyzoo
Additional Vocals: Dmx
(Prod + Cuts By Rakim Allah)

B1/5/B1 - Pendulum Swing Feat. Kxng Crooked, La The Darkman, Canibus & Chino Xl
(Prod. & Cuts By: Rakim Allah)

B2/6/B2 - International Feat. Kool G Rap, Tristate & Joell Ortiz
(Prod. Rakim Allah)

B3/7/B3 - Sign Of Se7en Feat. Prodigy (Of Mobb Deep), Method Man, X-raided & Big Twins


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore

“For fans old and new, they can expect to be reintroduced to some raw, authentic, classic Detroit Hip-Hop from beginning to end.”-Phat Kat on the Deluxe Edition re-release of “Carte Blanche”.

Phat Kat’s phenomenal sophomore solo LP, “Carte Blanche”, first released in ’07 via Look Records, is the sound of Detroit. It’s gritty, soulful, and raw, three key ingredients in bringing the blue-collar city’s vibe to life in music form. It’s also a modern classic that is getting the deluxe edition re-release it deserves, Below System Records is adding two rare bonus tracks produced by late Detroit legend, J Dilla.

Anyone familiar with Kat or Dilla’s work knows the two shared a special bond. In fact, Dilla would often go to the gruff-voiced emcee whenever he was looking to create a particularly tough track. This friendship led to them forming the group 1st Down, and this re-release’s two bonus cuts, “World Premiere” and “It Don’t Get No Liver Than This (feat. La Peace),” which were recording in 1996 and ’97, respectively. Despite 1st Down never taking off due to label issues, Kat and Dilla remained close and recorded a number of underground classics. Those include several joints off “Carte Blanche”, such as the stirring “Don’t Nobody Care About Us”, “Game Time”, and the Elzhi-featured “Cold Steel”. It’s actually that last track that Kat picks as his favorite cut off the record.

“If I gotta choose one, it would have to be ‘Cold Steel’ because it makes you wanna wild out as soon as the beat drops”, he says, adding that this was the first time he got to choose a Dilla beat to rap over. “He would never let me rock over beat tape beats-he use to say ‘Nah Kat, just write to them cause I’m gonna make all ya shit from scratch.’ ”

The album also boasts collaborations with other Detroit rap heavy-hitters, such as Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, Nick Speed, and T3 & Young RJ (of Slum Village). With Kat as their host, they were able to not only capture the sound of the Motor city in 2007 (when the album was originally released), but also cement its place in the greater canon of hip-hop as we know it today.

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/02Z1j5amKUKolUtSCxYR03?si=7ho2csNSTNeR8sU0jfnTsg

Tracklisting

A1. Nasty Ain’t It
A2. Get It Started
A3. My Old Label
A4. Cold Steel (feat. Elzhi)
A5. Danger (feat. T3 & Black Milk)

B1. Vessels (feat. Truth Hurts)
B2. Lovely (feat. Melanie Rutherford)
B3. Cash Em Out (feat. Loe Louis)
B4. Game Time

C1. Survival Kit
C2. Nightmare (feat. Guilty Simpson)
C3. Hard Enuff (feat. Fat Ray)
C4. True Story Pt. 2

D1. Don’t Nobody Care About Us
D2. World Premiere *
D3. It Don’t Get No Liver Than This (feat. La Peace) *

* Bonus tracks

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Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/3GZYDIQKkBPbWHhl7t3fcf?si=3Y5O-OnISs-VzysFui_2Yw

Real Bad Man keeps expanding his circle of collaborators by teaming up with fellow LA native Blu on their brand new collaboration effort "Bad News". Blu's introspective, intricate and mind bending rhymes perfectly blend with Real Bad Man's fresh and sample-heavy productions, creating a unique piece of works, boasting guest appearances by NY legend CL Smooth as well as Planet Asia, Cashus King, Donel Smoke and Definite. Limited vinyl hot off the press and available to order right now!

Tracklisting

A1. Bad News
A2. All Praise Due
A3. The Golden Rule (feat. CL Smooth)
A4. Aladdin

B1. Fall of Rome (feat. Cashus King, Donel Smokes, Definite)
B2. The Hurt
B3. Hebrews (feat. Planet Asia)
B4. More Bad News

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Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/3mF8FYtJllcp2beMaK1YDn?si=kDU5e8jMR_awvJifHQxldA

Span over the course of 2 years with the first chapter released in March 2021, CRIMEAPPLE is back to end the YDFWC? trilogy with a masterpiece. With production duties handled by Loman, Chairman Chow, Buck Dudley as well as Oh No, and a sole guest appearance by Canadian emcee Daniel Son, the NJ native of Colombian descent goes out with a bang on this 3rd instalment to ask for the last time… YOU DON’T FUCK WITH CRIME?!

Tracklisting

A1. Whitney
A2. 25 Hrs
A3. Sabertooth
A4. Gasoline Jumpshots (feat. Daniel Son)
A5. Driving Miss Daisy

B1. Pennys
B2. NKW2CDG
B3. DJ Camilo At Barcode
B4. Get It Baby
B5. Kintsugi

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Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/3mF8FYtJllcp2beMaK1YDn?si=kDU5e8jMR_awvJifHQxldA

Span over the course of 2 years with the first chapter released in March 2021, CRIMEAPPLE is back to end the YDFWC? trilogy with a masterpiece. With production duties handled by Loman, Chairman Chow, Buck Dudley as well as Oh No, and a sole guest appearance by Canadian emcee Daniel Son, the NJ native of Colombian descent goes out with a bang on this 3rd instalment to ask for the last time… YOU DON’T FUCK WITH CRIME?!

Tracklisting

A1. Whitney
A2. 25 Hrs
A3. Sabertooth
A4. Gasoline Jumpshots (feat. Daniel Son)
A5. Driving Miss Daisy

B1. Pennys
B2. NKW2CDG
B3. DJ Camilo At Barcode
B4. Get It Baby
B5. Kintsugi

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/5ieqE2SXNToT1o95A2cyjf?si=5rIhdh8URjaGzq0nZL8nTA

TCF Music Group founder and Rochester's own 38 Spesh is back with his brand new offering, 'Gunsmoke', featuring 9 bangers with guest appearances by the late great Fred The Godson (RIP), Ransom, Flee Lord, Che Noir and Klass Murda, as well as productions by Harry Fraud, Rain 910, Tricky Trippz and 38 Spesh himself, all topped up with outstanding artwork by Laz.

Tracklisting

A1. Gunsmoke Intro
A2. Dark & Grim
A3. Randolph & Mortimer (feat. Ransom)
A4. Chris & Snoop (feat. Che Noir)
A5. Snow Tires (feat. Klass Murda)

B1. 1996
B2. Saint Bruno (feat. Fred The Godson)
B3. Outside (feat. Flee Lord)
B4. Crowned King

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TRACKLIST EP:

A Benales – Move Forward
B1 Benales – Turning Point
B2 Benales – Sit Fence

SHORT INFO:
After his Elements series on SINO and a release on Freddy K’s Key Vinyl, Benales is back with a new project on SINO. Three massive techno tools perfectly crafted. A must have.



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WORLD EXCLUDING GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRIA (GSA) , AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND

Special remarks :

Lenticular-Cover
2x12" 180g black
Gatefold
2x printed Innersleeves
Dl-Card
D1 "Running" exclusive track - only available via album vinyl

Genre: Electronica/Dance

Tracklist 12":
A Side
1. Laura
2. The Prey
3. We Don´t Sleep
4. Harlem River

B Side
1. Into The Glow
2. Otherside
3. Don´t Hold Back

C Side
1. Falling
2. Under Dark
3. Reflections

D Side
1. Running
2. Regen (Interlude)
3. Take Me Away



Short Info:
Released in 2018, Monolink's debut album, Amniotic, has collected over 100 million combined streams to date. The project was largely supported through remixes from the titans of the modern house and techno scenes such as Patrice Bäumel, Tale Of Us, Rodriguez Jr, Ben Bohmer, Artbat, Adam Beyer and Nicole Moudaber. These remixes all went on to achieve Beatport Top 10 placings, with Artbat's remix of 'Return to Oz' reaching a staggering 43 million combined streams.
"Under Darkening Skies" will pick up where "Amniotic" ended.


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Territories: Worldwide no restrictions

Format Notes:

Part of Bobby Caldwell Reissue Campaign, 2023 first time reissue, 140g vinyl


Track List:

A1 Special To Me 4:00
A2 My Flame 3:30
A3 Love Won't Wait 4:00
A4 Can't Say Goodbye 5:20

B1 Come To Me 2:52
B2 What You Won't Do For Love 4:45
B3 Kalimba Song 2:00
B4 Take Me Back To Then 3:30
B5 Down For The Third Time 3:30

Release Notes:

Known principally as a smooth titan of blue-eyed soul, Bobby Caldwell transcended genre tags with consummate ease; he was a musical icon of real class and versatility, cherished the world over. Tragically passing away in March 2023 at the too young age of 71, it still feels as if Bobby's true artistry is profoundly under-appreciated. His double platinum self-titled album from 1978 is a timeless masterpiece of sophisticated jazzy soul brilliance and is strictly canonical. Yes, it's perfect, yet it's been out of press on vinyl for years. We're deeply honoured to present the long-awaited reissue this summer.

Whilst Ned Doheny is known in Japan as "Mr California", native New Yorker Bobby Caldwell has always been "Mr AOR" to his Far-Eastern friends. His distinct charm is an irresistible blend of soul, jazz, and pop influences. He possessed phenomenal songwriting prowess, smooth vocal performances, was both a great soul guitarist and dextrous keyboard player and known for genius chord progressions. It all added up to a multi-layered brilliance entering the studio, and the singular sound he landed on was laced with soulful, sweeping strings and funky horns, touching lightly on disco, while allowing his supple voice to carry the stunning tracks he'd crafted.

String-swept opener "Special To Me" immediately sets the tone with its lush instrumentation, rich harmonies, and Caldwell's velvety-smooth vocals. Next up, a huge one. The infectious, mid-tempo bounce of "My Flame" showcases Caldwell's ability to effortlessly blend catchy pop hooks with soulful arrangements. It's an exquisite, emotive ballad that, at the same time, absolutely SLAPS. Game recognise game, and all that, so, accordingly, Notorious B.I.G. memorably ran with “My Flame” for his 1997 single “Sky’s The Limit”. The rolling, disco-very "Love Won't Wait" is a slick, uptempo track containing heartfelt lyrics intertwined with elegant strings and a horn section to die for. Aching - and achingly cool - single "Can't Say Goodbye" is a real fan favourite, and it's no surprise. It's a laconic, slow-mo jazz-funk stepper, with fantastic, very deliberate playing that closes out the A Side quite exceptionally. "Come To Me" slows proceedings down elegantly to open Side B before the universally agreed-upon masterpiece enters proceedings.

"What You Won't Do for Love," the standout hit that became a classic in its own right, perfectly captured Bobby's ability to infuse a contagious groove with introspective and relatable lyrics. With its instantly recognisable horn riff and Caldwell's soulful delivery, this timeless, chiller anthem continues to captivate audiences and define his musical legacy. He scored huge with the track, taking over the pop and R&B airways with this mellow soul stepper. It has remained a perennial favourite and has been heavily sampled, such is its unique allure; Aaliyah sang over snatches of it on "Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number" and you can hear Caldwell’s vocal sample used for the hook on Tupac’s posthumously released “Do For Love”.

Upon submitting the finished album to his label, they requested more material in hope of a big single. As Bobby remembered to Wax Poetics a few years ago: “Now at this point, I’m mentally exhausted...and bear in mind that I got so close to all the songs I’d written. I gave each song a profound amount of thought, and maybe too much. So, in haste, I went in and cut this song, "What You Won’t Do For Love". Wrote it in a day, cut the rhythm track, overdubbed the horns, I sang the song, and literally turned it in three days after. And lo and behold, the one song I gave the least thought to,” Bobby laughed, “ended up being a national anthem.”

The mysterious, magical "Kalimba Song" is a cosmic, kalimba-driven melodic-funk instrumental - short but oh, so sweet. It's followed by the supreme tear-jerker "Take Me Back To Then", Bobby's otherworldly voice deeply longing for a simpler time, "when life was mellow". I think we can all get behind this sentiment. The final cut is arguably its deepest, its low-key finest moment. For us, it is, anyway. The glorious, driving, effortlessly funky guitar-soul jam "Down For The Third Time" is a huge melancholic Be With favourite and has been played by discerning genre-hopping DJs with significant glee for years. Hypnotic, melodic, beautiful. Like the album it elegantly rounds out.

Bobby sadly passed away on 23rd March 2023, after a long struggle with mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, due to an adverse effect from a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The reissue of his wonderful eponymous album will be available on vinyl across the globe, ensuring that fans of his incomparable talent - and soul music enthusiasts worldwide - can radiate in the deep beauty of this seminal album. Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland.

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Jean-Baptiste de Laubier, aka Para One, has always been an hyperactive guy. He first started as no-nonsense hip-hop producer in the mid-nineties, making beats for undeground rap artists. His recording studio was actually his one-room apartment in Southern Paris, where MCs were coming on a daily basis, crammed around a mic, an MPC and a battered convertible.
At the turn of the century, he began producing his own instrumental tracks and soon got in touch with the TTC people, then at the core of the burgeoning French indie rap scene. This was the beginning of a new exploration in sound for him : from traditional rap, Para One switched to IDM and techno-infused beats, fizzing with 8-bits FX and deconstructed grooves.
After TTC's first LP Ceci n'est pas un disque, in 2002, for Ninja Tune's rap sublabel Big Dada, Para produced L'Atelier's (an indie rap supergroup) album for seminal Parisian label Institubes, with his boy Tacteel, whom with he also started a live electronic project named FuckALoop.
In 2003 came the massive " Beatdown EP ", and then TTC's 2nd album in 2004, Bâtards Sensibles, two records that definitely proved how rap attitude and electronic wizardry could be melt into one single sound - an idea many people didn't quite buy at the time. In 2005, Laubier graduated from the FEMIS film school, and found the time to start working on his first solo LP, the critically acclaimed Epiphanie, that came out in 2006 on Institubes.
Intense touring years followed, both as a DJ and live act, all over Europe, North America, Japan, alongside other Institubes artists such as Surkin and Bobmo. He played at Coachella twice, Pukkelpop, Calvi on the Rocks, Primaverra. Reknown for his heavy technical skills, he also became a hot remixer (Daft Punk, Bloc Party, Justice, Boys Noize, etc.) and a hot producer (Birdy Nam Nam, Slice & Soda and now Mickey Green). In 2007, he composed the soundtrack for his Femis friend Céline Sciamma's movie Water Lilies, and directed his own film in 2010, It Was On Earth That I Knew Joy. After the demise of Institubes in early 2011, he and his mates Bobmo and Surkin set up a new imprint called Marble, for which Para already produced or co-produced a dozen tracks. He simulteanously worked on his second album, called Passion, that'll be out in a few weeks.
This a new shift again in Para One's career : the album feels much warmer and confortable than his previous work. It's also much poppier and has a fine number of true hits, complete with vocals from Tekilatex, Irfane and Jaw.
The Euro-neurotic's tension is still there sometimes, but the muscle softened and the flesh took over. This is basically uptempo, futuristic R&B with an unmissable sexy touch : it's teeming with round-shaped sounds, wet textures and gentle aural strokes. The whole movement is mid-paced and light-headed, and it's clearly a home-listening, or even bed-listening, slow jam album. The tenderness often gets spaced up or angularized, though. The beats sometimes manage to sound both smooth and rough, easy and intricate, and ghosts of Para's rap training can be heard everywhere.There's also hints of 2-step, deep house, IDM and boogie funk, yet it's a singular, idiosyncratic record, made with an extremely cohesive approach.
It's an almost serene effort, and it's certainly generous and loving in the way it unfurls its numerous ideas. This is an album you get deep into, but there's nothing dramatic to it - it's just unadultered, voluptuous pleasure
Tracklisting:
Side A:
1. Ice Cold
2. Wake Me Up
3. Every Little Thing (feat Irfane and Teki Latex)
4. Vibrations followed by Poisoned Apples (Interlude)
5. When the Night (feat. Jaw)
6. Sigmund
Side B :
1. Love Ave (feat. Additional vocals by Jaw)
2. You
3. Albatros
4. Lean On Me (feat. Teki Latex)
5. The Talking Drums
6. Empire


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On their debut album as DOVS, Tin Man and AAAA summon the ethereal spirit of acid.

Tracklist:
A1 – Rad Glyers Above All
A2 – Distant Buildups
A3 – Fluffy Designs
B1 – Nostalgic Oblivion
B2 – Rene Figures
C1 – Portal Vein
C2 – Sixteenth Shelters
C3 – Whining Acid
D1 – Atlantis Drive
D2 – Dysphoric Fix
D3 – Diazepam Blues

Release Info:
On their debut album as DOVS, Tin Man and AAAA summon the ethereal spirit
of acid. Tin Man, AKA Johannes Auvinen, has been studying the emotional potential of the Roland TB-303 for 15 years now, and AAAA (Gabo Barranco), a fixture of the Mexico City underground, might as well be his acolyte. While the coincidental similarities of their studio and live approaches make this collaboration feel natural, even expected, Silent Cities is anything but.

We recognize most of the elements here—the ubiquitous acid box and hardware drum machines—yet Auvinen and Barranco arrive in new, mysterious territory this time out. Lush arpeggiation, breakbeats and atmosphere imbue tracks like "Nostalgic Oblivion" with a widescreen grandeur. "Rene Figures" recalls Specific Momentific-era Cristian Vogel, symphonic, melodic techno with a kick heavy enough for dark, cavernous rooms. Meanwhile, beatless cuts like "Whining Acid" are as intricately crafted as Tin Man's well-loved classical work (Vienna Blues). But as a duo, they craft a virtuosic harmonic narrative almost solely with 303s.

Tin Man and Donato Dozzy's "Nonneo" was the first release on Acid Test, setting the tone for the label and unlocking new potential for the genre. DOVS' closer on Silent Cities, “Diazepam Blues”, is the label's new melancholic acid anthem and a statement of purpose for Tin Man and AAAA, two hardware masters who have created an album of remarkable emotional depth.



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Finally the Disco-House project "Leinad" gets the long-awaited reissue! Enjoy the original Leinad-sound of 1997 with the reissue of the whole album "Electric City" on 2x12" vinyl with a special matt/glossy sleeve and a digital release including 4 new bonus tracks. If you like this moments of house-music - you will love the worldwide first musical survival game "Leinad" for PC. It will be released in the spring of 2024. For more information check the official website www.leinad.de.

Tracklist:

A1 - In Trouble
A2 - Freak Tonight
A3 - Back 2 The 80's
B1 - Pretty Young Thing
B2 - Let's Snip!
B3 - Voice Spectrum
C1 - Loving People
C2 - Bombers
C3 - Out Of Phase
D1 - Electric City
D2 - So Called Artists
D3 - Let's Do It


- Reissue of the Leinad album "Electric City" from 1997
- high demand on discogs and prices up to 300 €
https://www.discogs.com/de/release/1050315-Leinad-Electric-City-The-Album
- part of the original soundtrack of the PC-Game "Leinad"
- 4 unreleased bonus tracks on the digital album


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Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore