First ever reissue of highly collectible Funk / Boogie album from 1984!

We are proud to present a true gem on our label: the first-ever vinyl reissue of the highly collectible Shake It - Make It Loose LP by J.D. (Puma) Lewis. Originally released on the infamous Metrovynil label in 1984, it stands as the best and most authentic boogie/80s funk album ever produced in Germany.

However, little is known about this legendary release, and the credits are sparse and often confusing. In reality, Shake It - Make It Loose was a collaboration between just two musicians: John Davis (R.I.P., later one of the real voices behind Milli Vanilli for producer Frank Farian) and Reginald Hudson (of Hudson People). Both were first-class, highly talented musicians and composers from the U.S., who spent most of their lives living and working in Southern Germany.

Hudson describes their creative process: "It was just me and Johnny, playing all the instruments. Johnny handled the bass, guitar, and vocals, and we programmed the drum machine together. Most everything else was keyboards." He recalls that Genre: Funk / Boogie / Disco

- they spent only six or seven days recording the album at Hartmann Digital Studio.
- Contains 2 previously unissued bonus tracks
- Deluxe gatefold sleeve


The combination of their musicianship and the cutting-edge technology at the studio resulted in a masterpiece of pure, state-of-the-art funk and boogie. The album features all the hallmarks of great 80s music: fresh synths, drum machines, and powerful lead vocals from John Davis. Upbeat tracks like "The Cat (Puma)" and the title track sit comfortably alongside more soulful songs like "Tears" and "Hearts of Gold," while "Dancing Shoes" remains one of the era's catchiest dance tracks.

Still, Shake It - Make It Loose holds a few mysteries. Why was it released under the unusual name J.D. (Puma) Lewis? And what's the story behind tracks like "The Cat"? While J.D. Lewis stood for John Davis Lewis's full legal name, Hudson sheds light on the "Puma" connection: "At the time, I was working as a promotions manager for Puma sportswear. Jörg Dassler, son of Puma founder Rudolf Dassler, was a friend of mine and financed our studio sessions." As said, these sessions took place at Hartmann Digital, a state-of-the-art studio in Untertrubach, Bavaria, where iconic artists like Nena, Yello, Visage, DAF, and Soft Cell recorded.

The use of such an expensive studio would have been out of reach for the two musicians without Puma's backing, which also explains why there is a title like "Dancing Shoes." When we had licensed the track for the Boogie On The Mainline compilation in 2018, we had the chance to speak with John Davis (who sadly passed away in May 2021 due to COVID-19). Davis revealed that there were plans to make a video for the song in collaboration with Puma, but those plans fell through. In the end, the album was signed to the Deggendorf-based Metrovynil label.

Interestingly, the original contract reveals that the first version of the album only contained six tracks. Metrovynil added two more: "Sexy Highschool Lady," a track Davis recorded solo, and "Party Rap" by The Dynamite Two, which had no connection to Davis or Hudson at all. The album's credits also list a "Fred Fiore" as the person "who made all of this possible." Hudson, who sees himself as the producer, has no idea who Fiore was - likely another fabrication from the label. "That's just the kind of thing Metrovynil did," Hudson comments with some regret.

Despite the behind-the-scenes confusion, the music spoke for itself. The original pressing looked and sounded fantastic, featuring a stylish cover shot of John Davis in a sharp suit. Now, with this first-ever vinyl reissue, we're thrilled to include additional photos and more background information in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

This reissue includes all six tracks from the original Hartmann Digital sessions, plus two bonus tracks. From the original reel tapes, we unearthed additional material that Hudson and Davis produced together in the early to mid-80s. We're excited to share the previously unreleased tracks "Life's A Party," and "Walk Out On Me." The digital version of the reissue will also feature two more songs: "Red Drops" and "Pick It Up Off The Ground."

Shake It - Make It Loose is a classic boogie-funk album that belongs in every serious funk and disco collection. It showcases the undeniable talent of two true musicians and stands as a testament to the friendship between Reg Hudson and John Davis.

Tracklist:
Side A
The Cat (Puma)
Dancing Shoes
Tears
Life's A Party (Bonus Track)

Side B
Shake It - Make It Loose
Hearts Of Gold
Automatic Woman
Walk Out On Me (Bonus Track)

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Territory: WORLD minus UK

FORMAT 2LP vinyl, full printed sleeve, download code

TRACKLIST
1. / A1 Planet Energy 05:56
2. / A2 Black Highway 06:18
3. / B1 Dark Universe 06:00
4. / B2 Unusual Channel 06:41
5. / C1 Beyond Sound 06:29
6. / C2 Dark Corridor 07:05
7. / D1 VII 07:47
8. / D2 Dark Territory 07:24

Patience is a virtue well-rewarded in techno; finding the right groove to build on then holding your nerve long enough to pay off the wait at the optimum moment is a much more skillful endeavour than it would seem for such a minimalistic style. And few display this talent better than Detroit originals Scan 7. Part of the hallowed Underground Resistance family, Scan 7 first broke out in the mid-90s with a series of jacking machine funk 12”s that showcased their savvy for self-control - a faculty they have demonstrated in releases year-on-year since.
Highlighting this continuous font of vitality, Tresor Records has returned to the source and is proud to announce the reissue of Scan 7’s debut LP, Dark Territory. First unleashed on the label in 1996, the album has been remastered from the original DATs by Mike Grinser, augmenting already powerful tracks such as the snake-like, teasing Unusual Channel (mixed by the master Blake Baxter), and the harder-edged VII resulting in music that will, without doubt, provoke an enhanced response when the pressure is finally released.
Repressed on vinyl with updated artwork, these tracks still sound like a blueprint for the future, testament to the prescience and assurance Scan 7’s leader, Trackmaster Lou, clearly had when writing “I hope you enjoy my records in the phuture to come” in the sleeve notes nearly 30 years ago. More

No Return!

Soul Quest Records, one of the most exciting new labels to emerge from the soulful end of the deep house spectrum recently, proudly announces the release of ‘Quest One’ its first-ever vinyl-only compilation. This limited-edition vinyl release brings together five of the most popular tracks from the label’s impressive catalogue, offering a must-have collector's item for deep house enthusiasts. Since its inception just 18 months ago, Soul Quest Records has made waves with a string of eight successful releases, capturing the hearts of fans and tastemaker DJs such as Gilles Peterson, Antal, Danny Krivit, Glenn Underground, Laurent Garnier & Kai Alce with its signature blend of deep, soulful, and sexy sounds.

Now, ‘Quest One’ spotlights that winning formula with tracks from standout artists such as 2fox, KingCrowney, Zoe Kypri, as well as two of the label's co-founders, Slxm Sol and Max Sinàl.

The release cements Soul Quest Records' reputation for curating quality music that resonates deeply within the house community. The attention to detail and passion that has defined Soul Quest’s journey is encapsulated in this exclusive release, making it a must-have for vinyl collectors and house music aficionados. . More

2 x 12"

Tracklist 12":

A1) The Barking Dogs - Mamarracho feat. Marcelo Burlon (Hot Version)
A2) Munk & Kapote - Misterio (Severino Horse Meat Disco Remix Hot Version)
A3) Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca - Ero Disco Theme

B1) Capablanca & T. Keeler - No Hay Ritmo (Hot Version)
B2) The Glimmers - U Rocked My World (Pete Herbert & Tristan da Cunha Remix)

C1) The Deadstock 33s - Underneath The Pines
C2) Mercury - Spiritual

D1) Leroy Hanghofer - Pin (Hot Version)
D2) Daniel Avery & The Deadstock 33s - Eric Zann Revisited
D3) The KDMS - Never Stop Believing (Nicky Siano Remix Hot Version)

TOY TONICS continues with re-releasing the best tracks of GOMMA RECORDS. The German label that between 2001 and 2015 was one of the key imprints of the then so hyped indie dance, new wave funk and proto disco sound (along with James Murphy’s DFA, Trevor Jackson’s Output records and later Ed Banger records). The Y2K sound.. that now starts to become in demand again.

The most important releases on Gomma were by Peaches, WhoMadeWho, The Rammellzee, James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and Nick McCarthy of Franz Ferdinand. Their Gomma-tracks were on the first two parts of this GOMMA DANCEFLOOR GEMS compilations series on Toy Tonics.

Now here comes a 3nd compilation part with music by Dimitri from Paris who also did several EPs on Gomma in the 2000s. Also legendary Belgian disco DJs The Glimmers are featured (they had one album on Gomma in 2008) and UK legend Justin Robertson aka The Deadstock 33’s and one of the first ever releases by Daniel Avery (also on Gomma back then). You find remixes by Nicky Siano (Studio 54 DJs legend) and Horse Meat Disco who back then just started their party series and already were connected to Gomma records. The is an amazing Flamenco Disco track by Spanish producer Hugo Capablanca and T.Keeler that has been hammered by everybody from Optimo to Ivan Smagghe back then and Italian music diggers The Barking Dogs together with now fashion designer Marcelo Burlon are featured with an amazingly catchy Electro Pop track. Of course also Munk who was the founder of Gomma records is on the compilation. Munk is Mathias Modica and as you might know since a few years works under the name Kapote. He was the co-founder of Gomma and later Toy Tonics records. Toy Tonics actually starts as a mini sublabel of Gomma records in 2013 but took over later. While Gomma has been closed since 2015.

Gomma not only was a record label, but was also a home for cutting edge design, wild T-shirt styles, underground exhibitions with new artists from the Berlin scene and crazy poster and fanzine design.

Gomma not only preceded many musical trends by experimenting with club music and mixing up different styles but was also very respected for the graphic design work and almost initiated several graphic design trends of the last years in their poster and sleeve designs. And many record and street wear labels of today look a bit like Gomma was looking before ...

The Gomma visuals world was exposed in a couple of exhibitions around the world and at a big exhibition at Museum Haus der Kunst München before the label was closed in 2015.



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