Out Friday 7th March, 'Layers' is the sophomore album by Brussels-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kuna Maze, aka Edouard Gilbert. The live-driven, 11-track LP features previously released singles "Blast", "Stab", and "Bristol Changes". Following the success of Kuna Maze's debut album 'Night Shift'—a concept record exploring the journey into the night and praised by Groove, Four Heads and Mo Ayoub (BBC Radio 1) — 'Layers' offers a dynamic fusion of textures and tones, creating a listening experience that reveals new depths with each spin. 'Layers' is a project deeply influenced by Kuna Maze's experience of touring with his live band. "My aim was to capture the energy and improvisational spirit of live performances, while diving deeper into the jazz influences of my music, all while maintaining the electronic vibe that has always defined my sound". Kuna Maze worked directly with the band in the studio to record his compositions, channelling the energy, emotion and spontaneity that are present in his live shows. The title 'Layers' reflects Kuna Maze's approach to music and art as a whole. "I love the idea of multiple levels of listening, where each time you hear a song, you notice something new. My composition process often involves layering instruments and tracks, gradually building a rich, textured sound."

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South-London, British-Bengali musician Tara Lily shares her debut album 'Speak In The Dark'. The LP is about "speaking your truth" and combines alternative R&B, jazz, electronica and traditional Indian sounds into a unique fusion. The record, produced by Dom Valentino, features American jazz trumpeter Theo Croker, UK rapper Surya Sen, and Archy Marshall (aka King Krule) on guitar.
Growing up in Peckham as part of a British Bengali family has given Tara Lily a unique perspective on music and global culture. She has spent her life absorbing a multitude of sounds and genres from her surroundings, ranging from electronica to jazz and RnB to traditional Bengali folk music. From training at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music (where she studied jazz piano and voice) to learning Indian classical music and being the first act signed to Motown Records UK. Tara is a musical anomaly.

Debut album from South-London, British-Bengali musician and rising star Tara Lily, featuring American trumpeter Theo Croker & UK rapper Surya Sen
LP produced by Dom Valentino with additional contributions from Bad Sounds, Jaz Lee, Archy Marshall, Chiranjeeb Chakraborty, Akash Parekar, Mei Kerby, Ian Stratford
European Tour supporting JP Cooper (1st week of October, 2024)
UK Tour w/ Juabi - Manchester, Barbican (London) - Sept 2024
Artwork by Jay Vaz (Dreaming Vinyl)
"No Way Out" video shot in association with The North Face in the Himalayas, Nepal. Directed by Siddanth Ghosh
Press support - The Guardian, Evening Standard - "One to watch", Wonderland, ID, Notion, Clash
Radio support - 'Double Time' was track of the week on BBC Radio 1, other spots plays - BBC 6Music, Jazz FM (playlisting), BBC Asian Network, NTS
Recipient of the FAC x Amazon Music - Step Up Fund
Tours - UK, India (Echos Of Earth / Vh1 Supersonic festival / Jazz
Weekender), Nepal, Bangkok, Hong Kong, EU
Festivals - Glastonbury (3 sets - BBC introducing - Televised / Leftfield B2B Billy Bragg / PRS), We Out Here, Shambala, Daytimer Dialled In, Wilderness, Cross The Tracks
Career highlights - SHAKTI JAZZ NTS show, joined King Krule on stage at Apollo Theatre and supported RAYE at the Royal Albert Hall, Jazz Cafe w/ Mahalia, playing live on TV on BBC2 (The Kia Oval)
“Spellbinding”
The Guardian —

“Beautiful, melancholic”
Jamie Cullum — BBC Radio 2

“One to watch!”
Jamz Supernova — BBC 6Music

“We just love Tara Lily!”
Jess Iszatt — BBC Introducing / Radio 1

“An all-star jazz collaboration”
Clash —

“One to watch for 2024”
Simon Phillips — Jazz FM

“Soulful and heartfelt”
Jack Saunders — BBC Radio 1

“Incredible…I fucking adore it!”
RAYE —

“Authenticity personified!”
Femi Koleoso — Ezra Collective

“Tara makes something glow in the darkness”
King Krule —

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Repress!

An awe-inspiring showcase of a young man´s staggering musical ability. Greeted with swoons of delight and vast mountains of fawning praise from the press on its release, its heart-meltingly lysergic melodies, with everything from bellchimes to backwards vocals weaving a thick gauze of sound around the tunes, slayed practically anyone who heard it.

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Kim Rapatti, aka Mono Junk, is a key figure in Finnish techno, known for his deep, hardware-driven sound. A firm believer in analogue synthesis, he has been shaping raw and hypnotic club tracks since the early '90s, drawing inspiration from Detroit pioneers like Derrick May and Juan Atkins. His releases have appeared on his own imprint, DUM Records, as well as Skudge, Forbidden Planet, and most recently, Cold Blow—earning him a dedicated following among DJs and collectors. Recorded in Turku in 2002 using the Korg Minikorg 700s, Loving Your Mind showcases Mono Junk's signature stripped-down grooves and live hardware improvisation—an essential pick for anyone seeking an authentic slice of early-2000s machine funk. Alongside the title track is Gamma, a previously unheard production that was commissioned as an exclusive for a highly regarded mix series, further cementing Mono Junk's status as a trusted name in underground techno. Built around a percussive groove, a deep electro-funk bassline, and a four-to-the-floor pulse, the track unfolds in an atmospheric haze, balancing dancefloor functionality with hypnotic depth. The B-side features remixes from Katerina and Sansibar, two of Finland's most notable international breakthroughs in recent years, known for their modern yet timeless club productions that nod to classic techno and house. Katerina, a versatile DJ and producer with releases on Rekids, Running Back, and Cómeme, transforms Loving Your Mind into a high-energy techno duet, layering her own vocals over the original vocal track, with her infectious synth lead as the icing on the cake. Sansibar, one of the fastest-rising names in the underground with releases on Kalahari Oyster Cult, WARNING, and Émotsiya, delivers a darker, four-to-the-floor rework—bringing a sinister edge while maintaining the raw energy of classic machine funk.

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Been a longtime comin, but very happy its here now!!!! Two tracks from the Gregory James edition - the superb cover version of the "Aint no sunshine" sample tastic!!!! massive club groove, much needed as a 7" 45 rpm On the flip is the classic sample from back in the days by the Balistic bros "I'll fly away"


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Florence Adooni Unleashes A.O.E.I.U. – An Afro-Futuristic Highlife Odyssey: Step into the future of highlife with Florence Adooni's debut album, A.O.E.I.U. (An Ordinary Exercise In Unity). Rooted in the rich traditions of Ghana's Fra Fra culture and propelled by cosmic production from Philophon Records' visionary Max Weissenfeldt, this release is a bold fusion of ancestral rhythms and forward-thinking grooves. Across seven transcendent tracks, Florence's luminous vocals lead the charge, weaving through celestial saxophone lines, syncopated highlife guitar riffs, and pulsating basslines. From the ethereal echoes of Mam Pe'ela Su'ure (My Heart is Pure) to the hypnotic funk of Uh-Ah Song, A.O.E.I.U. is a sonic journey where tradition meets innovation, connecting the past, present, and future in a single breath.

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Emergent polymath Brother Aten makes his first outing on Bruk with an icy slice of system-ready'd'aminimalism, guided by the cooly detached voice of Ze R.'d'aTaking cues from cult sci-fi and early 80s no wave, Fragmented Dystopia is a crystal clear'd'astatement trimmed of all unnecessary baggage. The title spells out the mood -? Aten's'd'asoundscapes are stark and synthetic machine mantras punched out on outboard instruments'd'anavigating gritty, futuristic zones.'d'aOn 'Unavailable' steadily humming drones shape the space in which Ze R. hovers, initially'd'adelivering a deadpan denial before their humanity sneaks in as the track snakes through an'd'aintricate lattice of crisp digital percussion. Short and razor-sharp two-parter 'Fragmented Dystopia''d'afinds an even sparser corner to occupy within Aten's subtly cyberpunk vision, where Ze R.'s'd'ascattered words cut a measured figure delivered at acute angles before breaking into wilder forms'd'aat the end of Part 2.'d'a'd'aOriginally from Brooklyn and now based in Berlin, Brother Aten has been weaving a fascinating'd'atapestry of audio and visual work as MAF. His artwork examines the fraught relationship between'd'atechnology and society. Ze R. explores dimensions of sexuality, subjectivity and individualism'd'athrough writing, performance and community organisation.

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At the start of the 60s, a new wave of gospel-influenced jazz started to emerge, with hits such as Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers' "Moanin'" and Cannonball Adderley's "Work Song" epitomizing this evolution in the genre. The terms "soul jazz" and "funky jazz" were coined as a way to describe this new sound that was making an impact in the US and also on the other sides of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.In 1964, Ray Charles made his first visit to Japan. Then, in 1968, Martha & The Vandellas and Stevie Wonder set foot in the country, followed by Sam & Dave in 1969, Ike & Tina Turner in 1970, and B.B. King in 1971. The TV show "Soul Train" also began airing in Japan in the early 1970s. A watershed moment happened in 1973 when Sammy Davis Jr. was cast in a TV commercial for Suntory whisky — and the influence of the US Black entertainment world had really landed, with soul, jazz, and funk artists becoming household names.Nippon Columbia played a pivotal role during this turning point. The company had contracts with Buddah Records and Blue Thumb Records, releasing notable works by artists such as Gladys Knight & The Pips, Curtis Mayfield, The Crusaders, and The Pointer Sisters. At the same time, the label was also releasing several Japanese soul, jazz, and funk projects under the lead of music director Jiro Inagaki. Inagaki, a saxophonist who began his professional career in the early 1950s, honed his skills at U.S. military camps, where he shared his love of music with the Black servicemen. In the 1960s, he played with drummer Hideo Shiraki's band, which was widely considered to be Japan's representative group of the funky jazz movement. Later, Inagaki went on to pursue more cutting-edge sounds with his Soul Media project, including being a pioneering figure in the "jazz rock" genre. By working closely with Inagaki and his various musical projects, Nippon Columbia really placed the company at the center of an exciting and important period in Japanese music.In 1965, Nippon Columbia opened a recording studio in Tokyo's Akasaka neighborhood. Akasaka was also home to the first ever discotheque in Japan, the legendary MUGEN, which ran from 1968 to 1987 and where many acts performed, including Con Funk Shun, the Bar-Kays, Ike & Tina Turner, B.B. King, Sam & Dave, Three Degrees, and Edwin Starr, as well as many local Japanese singers and musicians. This melting pot of creativity in the area led to the recording of many singles and albums by Japanese artists that were infused with the sounds of soul and funk. Most of these recordings were not available outside of Japan and remain rare and unknown musical gems. The selection you are holding in your hands is an explosive collection of 10 essential tracks released by the legendary Nippon Columbia label between 1969 and 1977, capturing the raw, unapparelled energy that was flowing through the air of the Akasaka streets at this electrifying time. Enjoy!

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If you have been following the subsidiary label of Bilbao’s Soul4Real Records, you will know they have delivered fourteen singles over the last three years and now comes their first compilation.

The album opens with the rarer 12” mix of Samuel Jonathan Johnson’s seventies disco funk offering, “You”. And if you thought you owned every track by Glenn Jones, Earth Wind & Fire and Gladys Knight & The Pips, all three will delight with previously unreleased recordings. It’s astonishing how the mid-pacer “Share My Love” was omitted from Glenn’s 1983 “Everybody Loves A Winner”. Indeed, who decided that Gladys’s “How Deep Is Your Love” should not make the final line-up of her 1985 set, “Life?” As EWF’s “Club Foot” was not included on the 1983 “Electric Universe” album, it does make you wonder how many other unreleased gems could be unearthed from the Sony Music vaults. And then there’s Aretha…nothing more needs to be said!

Side two opens with Phyllis Hyman’s joyous dancer “Forever With You”, recorded in 1991 (released posthumously in 1998 on her final CD of the same name) and where her hallmark vocals have never sounded better.

There are also some spectacular downtempo moments; “Never Stopped Loving You” from Tyrone Davis, “Right Time For Love” from Don Covay, and Garland Green’s “I Know What Love Is” are long forgotten knee-tremblers that have always been out there, but many may have been missed.

The album closes with the mighty Dells, clearly at their very best on the gorgeous Gamble & Huff penned and produced “Somebody’s Gotta Move”. Originally included in their 1992 set “I Salute You”, it was a CD-only release in the US and very hard to find on the Jamaican vinyl-only version.
Steve Hobbs.

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Green Vinyl!

Boz Scaggs classic ‘Lowdown’ makes a long awaited return to 12 Inch, appearing for the first time on green vinyl. Originally released in 1976 as part of the album ‘Silk Degrees’. The track ‘Lowdown’ showcases Scaggs’ smooth vocals and the songs captivating bassline. This comes as a triple threat, backed with JoJo and What Can I Say, three of the most renowned Blue Eyed Soul anthems for the price of one.

Cutting his teeth alongside Steve Miller in the Steve Miller Band, this EP captures Boz Scaggs at the peak of his powers. This new pressing serves as a perfect introduction to new listeners as well as replacing worn out copies for longtime fans. Copies on the second hand market are scarce, if you’re lucky enough to find one it will set you back in the region of £80, so not one to be missed.

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A classic in the realm of Disco, ‘Spread Love’ by Al Hudson & The Soul Partners was a standout record from their album ‘Spreading Love’, originally released in 1978 on ABC Records. Having been covered and sampled various times over the years, this sought-after masterpiece has now been officially licensed for the first time in 46 years and remastered on 12 inch, thanks to the team at South Steet Disco. The A-side features the full extended intro version from the original album, whilst the B-side houses the 1978 12 inch single version, jumping straight into the action.

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