1
Adey Omotade - Ni Ran
2
Adey Omotade - Oori Ogbe
3
Adey Omotade - Ofo Nkantation
4
Adey Omotade - Eero Eesu
Adey Omotade, a sound artist and cultural cartographer rooted in Lagos and shaped by diasporic experiences in Paris, Johannesburg, Berlin and Ivory Coast, brings a rare sensibility to this work: walking between worlds, bringing with him the cadence of home and the dissonance of diaspora. In his hands, sound becomes ritual: a migration of soul, an assemblage of bells, melodies and chants woven from Ifa shrines, river banks and Yoruba festivals. Playing the dual role of griot and cartographer, Omotade, who works across acoustic ecology, experimental music and sound design, builds each track like a shrine: layered, intentional, alive with breath and blood, each track a libation, each break an invocation. Each track unfurls like aso-oke, the celebratory fabric of the Yoruba people: drums that speak in polyrhythms, synths bending like waves, incantations layered like memory, fading then returning, gently like the water at the banks of the Osun River.
The influence of experimental sound design is evident throughout, but ‘Ni'ran’ is no cold abstraction. It pulses with life, with the heartbeat of talking drums, the breath of ambient textures and the warmth of the voices of babalawos, priests of Ifa, invoking ire (blessings) on all. ‘Oori : Ogbe’ invokes the sacred Odu Ifá — a divination verse that speaks of beginnings, clarity and destiny. In ‘Ofo : 'Nkantation’, polyrhythms unfold like verses, each beat a coded message inviting listeners to reflect on destiny and alignment.The title track ‘Eero : Eesu’ begins with the haunting voice of a priest reciting the Odu Ifá, a calling to give unto Eesu his due. Percussive patterns unfold like verses, each beat both a memory and a prayer.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
The influence of experimental sound design is evident throughout, but ‘Ni'ran’ is no cold abstraction. It pulses with life, with the heartbeat of talking drums, the breath of ambient textures and the warmth of the voices of babalawos, priests of Ifa, invoking ire (blessings) on all. ‘Oori : Ogbe’ invokes the sacred Odu Ifá — a divination verse that speaks of beginnings, clarity and destiny. In ‘Ofo : 'Nkantation’, polyrhythms unfold like verses, each beat a coded message inviting listeners to reflect on destiny and alignment.The title track ‘Eero : Eesu’ begins with the haunting voice of a priest reciting the Odu Ifá, a calling to give unto Eesu his due. Percussive patterns unfold like verses, each beat both a memory and a prayer.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
More records from Afrosynth
1
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Mangamanga
2
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Siren Work
3
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Khuluma Kakhulu
4
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Politicians
5
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Eat Promises
6
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Isosha Elidakiwe (Drunk Soldier)
7
Sandy B & SoFa Elsewhere - Mo-Fucka
Legendary South African kwaito pioneer Sandy B has joined forces with versatile Belgian producer soFa elsewhere to create a powerful, politically charged album, released in two parts on S.A.'s , Afrosynth Records. With original artwork by Cape Town-based Darren Christian.
Sandy B and soFa elsewhere’s collaboration started in the shadow of ongoing genocide and atrocities in various parts of the world, with a shared conviction: music is political. Both lament the absence of political discourse in today’s electronic music scene, which seems to have forgotten about its original values. Together they’ve channelled this urgency into their work, creating tracks that resonate with defiance, hope and a demand for change. Let's stop polarising and dividing, and let's unite against our common enemies: greed, racism, sexism, religious intolerance and homophobia.
This album represents more than just music; it’s a statement of resistance. With Sandy B’s deep-rooted legacy and soFa elsewhere’s boundary-pushing production, these tracks offer a rallying cry for justice, unity and transformation. May even the most privileged wake up and join the struggle for a better future for all.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Sandy B and soFa elsewhere’s collaboration started in the shadow of ongoing genocide and atrocities in various parts of the world, with a shared conviction: music is political. Both lament the absence of political discourse in today’s electronic music scene, which seems to have forgotten about its original values. Together they’ve channelled this urgency into their work, creating tracks that resonate with defiance, hope and a demand for change. Let's stop polarising and dividing, and let's unite against our common enemies: greed, racism, sexism, religious intolerance and homophobia.
This album represents more than just music; it’s a statement of resistance. With Sandy B’s deep-rooted legacy and soFa elsewhere’s boundary-pushing production, these tracks offer a rallying cry for justice, unity and transformation. May even the most privileged wake up and join the struggle for a better future for all.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
1
J.E. Movement - Ma Dea Luv
2
J.E. Movement - marco
3
J.E. Movement - Friends
4
J.E. Movement - Funkytown
5
J.E. Movement - Jack I'm Sorry
6
J.E. Movement - J.E. Movement
Afrosynth Records is proud to release J.E. Movement's groundbreaking ‘Ma Dea Luv’, out in mid-2025 on vinyl and digital platforms.
Toward the end of the 1980s South Africa's recording industry was booming. Searching for a sound that could cross over to all in the country's segregated society while also eyeing international success, a new duo emerged that quickly rendered its 'bubblegum' predecessors obsolete. Drawing on international trends and crafting lyrics for local ears, J.E. MOVEMENT — a duo made up of James Nyingwa and Elliot Faku — exploded onto the local scene with their debut album, 'Ma Dea Luv'. The future had arrived.
A talented bassist and composer, Nyingwa was at the time employed as an in-house producer at TRS Studios in Plein Street in downtown Johannesburg, run by two Greek immigrants, George Vardas and Chris Ghelakis. Together they formed a close bond as friends and musical partners at what would become CSR Records, recording original hits with acts like the NEW AGE KIDS and SIDNEY, while also cashing in on cover versions as BLACK BOX.
The six tracks on J.E. Movement’s 1988 debut give firm nods to UK Street Soul, New Jack Swing and Stock Aitken Waterman's 'Hit Factory' sound and infuse them with an African rhythmic flair and homegrown lyrical sentiment. Though not expressly political, the title track was received by many as a play on words referencing then-jailed and banned Nelson Mandela (coming after the similarly styled 'I'm Winning My Dear Love' by Yvonne Chaka Chaka in 1986 and 'We Miss You Manelow' by Chicco in 1987), giving it an added potency for those in the know. 'Jack I'm Sorry' was an underground hit in the townships, while 'Marco', 'Friends', 'Funkytown' and the eponymous closer are similarly bass and drum-driven, with hiphop-styled vocals.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Toward the end of the 1980s South Africa's recording industry was booming. Searching for a sound that could cross over to all in the country's segregated society while also eyeing international success, a new duo emerged that quickly rendered its 'bubblegum' predecessors obsolete. Drawing on international trends and crafting lyrics for local ears, J.E. MOVEMENT — a duo made up of James Nyingwa and Elliot Faku — exploded onto the local scene with their debut album, 'Ma Dea Luv'. The future had arrived.
A talented bassist and composer, Nyingwa was at the time employed as an in-house producer at TRS Studios in Plein Street in downtown Johannesburg, run by two Greek immigrants, George Vardas and Chris Ghelakis. Together they formed a close bond as friends and musical partners at what would become CSR Records, recording original hits with acts like the NEW AGE KIDS and SIDNEY, while also cashing in on cover versions as BLACK BOX.
The six tracks on J.E. Movement’s 1988 debut give firm nods to UK Street Soul, New Jack Swing and Stock Aitken Waterman's 'Hit Factory' sound and infuse them with an African rhythmic flair and homegrown lyrical sentiment. Though not expressly political, the title track was received by many as a play on words referencing then-jailed and banned Nelson Mandela (coming after the similarly styled 'I'm Winning My Dear Love' by Yvonne Chaka Chaka in 1986 and 'We Miss You Manelow' by Chicco in 1987), giving it an added potency for those in the know. 'Jack I'm Sorry' was an underground hit in the townships, while 'Marco', 'Friends', 'Funkytown' and the eponymous closer are similarly bass and drum-driven, with hiphop-styled vocals.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]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.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]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.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
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.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]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.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
1
Starlight - Picnic
2
Starlight - Starlight
3
Starlight - Let's Go Dancing Boogie Boogie
4
Starlight - Jah Jah Love
5
Starlight - Picnicing
6
Starlight - Keep On Moving
South African production duo of Emil Zoghby and John Galanakis were responsible for a string of high-quality disco singles in the early 80s, typically cover versions of international hits — Klein & MBO’s ‘The Big Apple’, Sly & the Family Stone’s ‘Family Affair’ & David Joseph’s ‘You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me)’ — backed with their own compositions. When Starlight hit the market with an album in 1983, it featured only one cover, the local hit ‘Picnic’, along with five of the duo’s original compositions, including their similarly styled response, ‘Picnicing’, which replaces the original’s sax with spaced-out synth stabs. Then there’s ‘Jah Jah Love’, an ecstatic disco sermon of dancefloor dynamite weighing in at over eight and a half minutes. Other tracks on this landmark album — ‘Let’s Go Dancing (Boogie Boogie)’, ‘Keep On Moving’ and an eponymous instrumental — offer a similar fusion of classic disco with newer Italo and proto-house influences: machine music with a human touch! Remastered from the original master tapes and reissued for the first time, Starlight will be available on vinyl and digital platforms from early 2023 (40 years after its initial release) via Afrosynth Records.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
1
Ayanda Sikade - Mdantsane
2
Ayanda Sikade - Izzah
3
Ayanda Sikade - Space Ship
4
Ayanda Sikade - Amawethu
5
Ayanda Sikade - Imithandazo Yeengelosi
6
Ayanda Sikade - Nxarhuni River
7
Ayanda Sikade - Umakhulu
8
Ayanda Sikade - Enkumbeni
9
Ayanda Sikade - Gaba
Born in 1981 in Mdantsane in the Eastern Cape, Ayanda Sikade is one of South African jazz’s most in-demand and respected drummers, a familiar face on the scene for years and a driving force behind its growing prominence on the world stage.
Dedicated to his grandmother who raised him, Sikade’s long-awaited sophomore album as a bandleader, Umakhulu, follows his 2018 debut Movements. Recorded in Johannesburg in early 2021, it features the talents of frequent collaborator Nduduzo Makhathini on piano, young Simon Manana on alto sax and Nhlanhla Radebe on bass. The album’s nine tracks, composed and produced by Sikade, pay homage to the artist’s heritage — most noticeably on ‘Mdantsane’ and ‘Nxarhuni River’ — while forging onwards to a brave new world on others, like ‘Imithandazo Yeengelosi’ (Prayer of Angels) and ‘Space Ship’.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Dedicated to his grandmother who raised him, Sikade’s long-awaited sophomore album as a bandleader, Umakhulu, follows his 2018 debut Movements. Recorded in Johannesburg in early 2021, it features the talents of frequent collaborator Nduduzo Makhathini on piano, young Simon Manana on alto sax and Nhlanhla Radebe on bass. The album’s nine tracks, composed and produced by Sikade, pay homage to the artist’s heritage — most noticeably on ‘Mdantsane’ and ‘Nxarhuni River’ — while forging onwards to a brave new world on others, like ‘Imithandazo Yeengelosi’ (Prayer of Angels) and ‘Space Ship’.
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
Benjamin Jephta Quintet - Evolution, Pt. 2 (B. Jeptha)
2
Thandi Ntuli - Cosmic Light (T. Ntuli)
3
Mabuta - Slipstream (S. Cooper)
4
Kyle Shepherd Trio - Dream State (K. Shepherd)
5
Lwanda Gogwana - Maqundeni
6
Siya Makuzeni Sextet - Out Of This World (S. Makuzeni)
7
Bokani Dyer Trio - Fezile (B. Dyer)
8
Vuma Levin - Hashtag (V. Levin)
9
Reza Khota Quartet - Lost Is A Place (R. Khota)
10
Zoe Modiga - The Healer (Z. Modiga)
11
Mandisi Dyantyis - Kuse Kude (M. Dyantyis)
12
Yonela Mnana - Leagan (Y. Mnana) View
2022 repress
Here’s a record that’s been long overdue - Afrosynth’s ‘New Horizons’, a compilation of contemporary South-African jazz sounds - the very first of its kind.
South Africa’s jazz scene today is a vibrant one brimming with young talent. Several have emerged as bandleaders and composers, while at the same time being members of their contemporaries’ collectives - cross-pollinating each other’s music with various influences and pushing South Africa’s proud jazz heritage into the future.
From the trios of pianists Kyle Shepherd, Bokani Dyer and Yonela Mnana, to the genre-defying exploits of guitarists Vuma Levin and Reza Khota; and from artists inspired by age-old traditions, like Lwanda Gogwana and Mandisi Dyantyis, to the cosmic explorations of Siya Makuzeni, Benjamin Jephta, Thandi Ntuli, Zoë Modiga and Shane Cooper’s Mabuta - Johannesburg label Afrosynth Records’ this @LP compilation New Horizons highlights some of the country’s most talented young composers and bandleaders, as well as a wider cast of supporting musicians.
The current crop of jazz stylists under the spotlight are visionaries in their own right, exceptionally inventive figures who, while they enjoy the advantage and privilege of tapping into the rich musical heritage that preceded them, have brought to bear their creative impulses to collapse boundaries and push frontiers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you’ve been living under a rock for much longer than COVID-19 has lasted so far: it’s an exciting time to be alive for jazz enthusiasts, with incredible streams of forward-thinking jazz emerging from all sorts of places, South-Africa being one of the most notable.
Compiled by Mabuta bass player and allround creative force Shane Cooper (check out Mabuta’s 2018 masterpiece ‘Welcome to this World’ if you haven’t already) and Afrosynth labelhead Okapi, ‘New Horizons’ (not to be confused with the recent Bristol jazz comp of the same name) offers a perfect glimpse into the thriving local scenes in all assorted flavors.
Kyle Shepherd’s beautifully striking first chords on opener ‘Evolution part 2’ by the Benjamin Jephta Quintet alone should be enough to warrant the purchase of this veritable treasure box - even before the mindblowing trumpet an sax kick in.
Shepherd’s inspired piano playing is also key on the soul-stirring ‘Dream State’, the kind of instant classic that makes you stop in your tracks immediately, regardless of what you’re doing. It’s followed by Lwanda Gogwana’s pleasantly upbeat ‘Maqundeni’ and the extraterrestrial spirit chasing of Siya Makuzeni’s haunting ‘Out of this World’.
Other highlights on this impeccable double album compilation include the contemporary postbop sounds of Bokani Dyer’s ‘Fezile’, Vuma Levin’s short and square ‘Hashtag’, The spaced-out jazz psychedelics of Reza Khota’s ‘Lost in a Place’ and Zoë Modiga’s afro-Brazilian flavored London jazz-inspired ‘The Healer’, but I assure you there are no weak moments to be found here. ‘New Horizons’ offers a unique window into a world that’s waiting to be discovered by all. (by Rogier Oostlander)
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Here’s a record that’s been long overdue - Afrosynth’s ‘New Horizons’, a compilation of contemporary South-African jazz sounds - the very first of its kind.
South Africa’s jazz scene today is a vibrant one brimming with young talent. Several have emerged as bandleaders and composers, while at the same time being members of their contemporaries’ collectives - cross-pollinating each other’s music with various influences and pushing South Africa’s proud jazz heritage into the future.
From the trios of pianists Kyle Shepherd, Bokani Dyer and Yonela Mnana, to the genre-defying exploits of guitarists Vuma Levin and Reza Khota; and from artists inspired by age-old traditions, like Lwanda Gogwana and Mandisi Dyantyis, to the cosmic explorations of Siya Makuzeni, Benjamin Jephta, Thandi Ntuli, Zoë Modiga and Shane Cooper’s Mabuta - Johannesburg label Afrosynth Records’ this @LP compilation New Horizons highlights some of the country’s most talented young composers and bandleaders, as well as a wider cast of supporting musicians.
The current crop of jazz stylists under the spotlight are visionaries in their own right, exceptionally inventive figures who, while they enjoy the advantage and privilege of tapping into the rich musical heritage that preceded them, have brought to bear their creative impulses to collapse boundaries and push frontiers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you’ve been living under a rock for much longer than COVID-19 has lasted so far: it’s an exciting time to be alive for jazz enthusiasts, with incredible streams of forward-thinking jazz emerging from all sorts of places, South-Africa being one of the most notable.
Compiled by Mabuta bass player and allround creative force Shane Cooper (check out Mabuta’s 2018 masterpiece ‘Welcome to this World’ if you haven’t already) and Afrosynth labelhead Okapi, ‘New Horizons’ (not to be confused with the recent Bristol jazz comp of the same name) offers a perfect glimpse into the thriving local scenes in all assorted flavors.
Kyle Shepherd’s beautifully striking first chords on opener ‘Evolution part 2’ by the Benjamin Jephta Quintet alone should be enough to warrant the purchase of this veritable treasure box - even before the mindblowing trumpet an sax kick in.
Shepherd’s inspired piano playing is also key on the soul-stirring ‘Dream State’, the kind of instant classic that makes you stop in your tracks immediately, regardless of what you’re doing. It’s followed by Lwanda Gogwana’s pleasantly upbeat ‘Maqundeni’ and the extraterrestrial spirit chasing of Siya Makuzeni’s haunting ‘Out of this World’.
Other highlights on this impeccable double album compilation include the contemporary postbop sounds of Bokani Dyer’s ‘Fezile’, Vuma Levin’s short and square ‘Hashtag’, The spaced-out jazz psychedelics of Reza Khota’s ‘Lost in a Place’ and Zoë Modiga’s afro-Brazilian flavored London jazz-inspired ‘The Healer’, but I assure you there are no weak moments to be found here. ‘New Horizons’ offers a unique window into a world that’s waiting to be discovered by all. (by Rogier Oostlander)
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Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
E&S Brothers - Mapantsula
2
E&S Brothers - Mhane
3
E&S Brothers - Taduma
4
E&S Brothers - Taxi Door
5
E&S Brothers - Sikele Masike
6
E&S Brothers - Be Careful
E & S Brothers’ 1985 album Taduma holds a unique yet overlooked place in the history of South African dance music. When Shadrack Ndlovu and Ernest Segeel teamed up with Dane Stevenson, owner of Blue Tree Studio in downtown Johannesburg, and journeyman producer Taso Stephanou, South Africa’s bubblegum era had just begun, spurred on by the success of Shangaan disco. The relative success of their debut 12” ‘Don’t Bang The Taxi Door’, marketed aggressively at taxi ranks throughout the country, helped put the Blue Tree label on the map and E & S were invited back to record a full album: Taduma, featuring on keyboards Dr Buke, an in-demand session player from Soweto.
Rooted in Africa, yet purely electronic, Taduma was a moderate hit, spurred by tracks like ‘Taxi Door’ and ‘Mhane’, its hypnotic refrain ‘Mhane, famba na wena’ meaning ‘Mother, I am going to you’. Other tracks like ‘Mapantsula’ and ‘Be Careful’ place Taduma within the street-savvy ‘pantsula’ style and dance synonymous with consecutive waves of music from disco to kwaito, house and beyond, while ‘Sikele Masike’ repurposes a traditional Shangaan work song. Vocally E & S are closer to rapping than singing, in a combination of English and vernacular – predating other credited pioneers of kwaito in SA like Senyaka and Spokes H. Driving the music instead of vocals are waves of searing synths over rudimentary but explosive drum machine sounds – the word ‘Taduma’ meaning the sound of the drum.
Remastered from the original tapes and reissued for the first time, Taduma will be available on vinyl and digital platforms from early 2022 via Afrosynth Records.
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Germany
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Rooted in Africa, yet purely electronic, Taduma was a moderate hit, spurred by tracks like ‘Taxi Door’ and ‘Mhane’, its hypnotic refrain ‘Mhane, famba na wena’ meaning ‘Mother, I am going to you’. Other tracks like ‘Mapantsula’ and ‘Be Careful’ place Taduma within the street-savvy ‘pantsula’ style and dance synonymous with consecutive waves of music from disco to kwaito, house and beyond, while ‘Sikele Masike’ repurposes a traditional Shangaan work song. Vocally E & S are closer to rapping than singing, in a combination of English and vernacular – predating other credited pioneers of kwaito in SA like Senyaka and Spokes H. Driving the music instead of vocals are waves of searing synths over rudimentary but explosive drum machine sounds – the word ‘Taduma’ meaning the sound of the drum.
Remastered from the original tapes and reissued for the first time, Taduma will be available on vinyl and digital platforms from early 2022 via Afrosynth Records.
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1
Condry Ziqubu - Gorilla Man
2
Condry Ziqubu - Everybody Party
3
Condry Ziqubu - Confusion (Ma Afrika)
4
Condry Ziqubu - Phola Baby
Four tracks by one of the biggest names in South African disco: Condry Ziqubu. A regular on the local soul scene since the late 1960s in groups such as The Flaming Souls, The Anchors and The Flaming Ghettoes, by the mid-80s he had qualified as a sangoma (traditional healer), recorded with Harari (the biggest group in the country at the time), fronted his own group Lumumba, and travelled the world as part of Caiphus Semenya and Letta Mbulu’s band.
In 1986 he ditched Lumumba and released his first solo hit, ‘Gorilla Man’. Opening with an audacious 20-second intro, the song tells the story of a man preying on women in downtown Johannesburg. It highlights Condry’s winning formula of lyrics that touch on everyday South African issues and places (without drawing the attention of apartheid censors). Musically the song draws obvious influence from Piano Fantasia’s 1985 Euro-disco hit ‘Song for Denise’.
Also included on this new anthology is another song from the same album, the politically charged ‘Confusion (Ma Afrika)’, as well as ‘Phola Baby’ from his 1988 album Pick Six – a call to men to “stop pushing your woman around … what kind of man are you?” – and ‘Everybody Party’ from 1989’s Magic Man, a straight-up party song with no political or social intimations, other than as a brief escape from the harsh reality of the time, one that still resonates today.
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Germany
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In 1986 he ditched Lumumba and released his first solo hit, ‘Gorilla Man’. Opening with an audacious 20-second intro, the song tells the story of a man preying on women in downtown Johannesburg. It highlights Condry’s winning formula of lyrics that touch on everyday South African issues and places (without drawing the attention of apartheid censors). Musically the song draws obvious influence from Piano Fantasia’s 1985 Euro-disco hit ‘Song for Denise’.
Also included on this new anthology is another song from the same album, the politically charged ‘Confusion (Ma Afrika)’, as well as ‘Phola Baby’ from his 1988 album Pick Six – a call to men to “stop pushing your woman around … what kind of man are you?” – and ‘Everybody Party’ from 1989’s Magic Man, a straight-up party song with no political or social intimations, other than as a brief escape from the harsh reality of the time, one that still resonates today.
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
Thembelihle Dunjana - Pressin’ On
2
The SN Project - Afrikanization
3
Sisonke Xonti - Sinivile
4
Muhammad Dawjee Ft. Siphephelo Ndlovu - Otherness
5
Tefo Mahola - First Offering
6
Ayanda Sikade - Zimkhitha
7
Linda Sikhakhane - Inner Freedom
8
Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane - Ke Mashiloane
9
Marcus Wyatt & The ZAR Jazz Orchestra - Race For Timbuktu
10
Spha Mdlalose - Indlela
11
Blake Hellaby - Hodge
12
Leagan Starchild Ft. JustHlo - Fiend
13
Ndabo Zulu & Umgidi Ensemble - Nandi’s Suite (Interlude II)
14
Afrika Mkhize - Be Still
Following a definitive first volume jam-packed with forward-thinking musical talent working in the South African creative improvised music idiom, New Horizons returns with a fresh iteration of young artists who continue in the same tradition and tone.
The compilation showcases recent recordings from 14 more leading lights in South Africa’s contemporary jazz scene: pianists Thembelihle Dunjana, Afrika Mkhize, Sibusiso ‘Mash’ Mashiloane, Blake Hellaby and Siphephelo Ndlovu’s The SN Project; saxophonists Sisonke Xonti, Muhammad Dawjee and Linda Sikhakhane; singer Spha Mdlalose; drummers Ayanda Sikade, Leagan Starchild and Tefo Mahola; and trumpeters Ndabo Zulu and Marcus Wyatt accompanied respectively by Umgidi Ensemble and The ZAR Jazz Orchestra.
Together they form part of a vibrant, connected community charting new sonic territory that speaks to today’s troubled times while building on the country’s unique and proud jazz history.
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Germany
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The compilation showcases recent recordings from 14 more leading lights in South Africa’s contemporary jazz scene: pianists Thembelihle Dunjana, Afrika Mkhize, Sibusiso ‘Mash’ Mashiloane, Blake Hellaby and Siphephelo Ndlovu’s The SN Project; saxophonists Sisonke Xonti, Muhammad Dawjee and Linda Sikhakhane; singer Spha Mdlalose; drummers Ayanda Sikade, Leagan Starchild and Tefo Mahola; and trumpeters Ndabo Zulu and Marcus Wyatt accompanied respectively by Umgidi Ensemble and The ZAR Jazz Orchestra.
Together they form part of a vibrant, connected community charting new sonic territory that speaks to today’s troubled times while building on the country’s unique and proud jazz history.
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Germany
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1
Kamazu - Indaba Kabani
2
Kamazu - Victim
3
Kamazu - Why
4
Kamazu - Korobela
5
Kamazu - Mjukeit
6
Kamazu - Atikatareni
Repress!
New anthology on Afrosynth Records brings together six songs by South African disco star Kamazu, spanning his career from 1986 to 1997: two of his biggest hits, ‘Korobela’ and ‘Indaba Kabani’, two more obscure songs from his catalogue, ‘Victim’ and ‘Why’, and two tracks from his kwaito comeback, ‘Mjukeit’ and ‘Atikatareni’.
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Germany
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New anthology on Afrosynth Records brings together six songs by South African disco star Kamazu, spanning his career from 1986 to 1997: two of his biggest hits, ‘Korobela’ and ‘Indaba Kabani’, two more obscure songs from his catalogue, ‘Victim’ and ‘Why’, and two tracks from his kwaito comeback, ‘Mjukeit’ and ‘Atikatareni’.
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1
Captain Mosez - Fly Cherry Fly (Extended Vocal)
2
Captain Mosez - Fly Cherry Fly (Single)
3
Captain Mosez - Hey! Hey! Hey! (Extended Vocal)
4
Captain Mosez - Hey! Hey! Hey! (Dub Version)
Releasedate: 08.03.2021
Re-issued for the very first time. Up until now the Captain Mosez 12" remained a highly sought after S.A. disco obscurity ( apparently going for the big $ on the collector market), but Afrosynth do the right thing in the right way and bring this edition for us all to enjoy.
In 1985 a young musician named Moses Mafiri walked into EMI Studios in Johannesburg. Working with Selwyn Shandel, then one of the label’s prolific in-house producers, the two tracks they recorded – ‘Fly Cherry Fly’ and ‘Hey! Hey! Hey!’ - reflect the range of international influences in South Africa’s burgeoning ‘bubblegum’ sound – Italo disco, electro-funk, even rock.
“I remember Moses as a very quiet, talented and gentle guy. He never really had a great voice but he used to come up with excellent melodies and lyrical concepts,” remembers Shandel today, admitting that he never saw or heard from him again after that session. Mafiri never released as Captain Mosez again, although he would later resurface in the backing band of internationally renowned Vusi Mahlasela.
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Re-issued for the very first time. Up until now the Captain Mosez 12" remained a highly sought after S.A. disco obscurity ( apparently going for the big $ on the collector market), but Afrosynth do the right thing in the right way and bring this edition for us all to enjoy.
In 1985 a young musician named Moses Mafiri walked into EMI Studios in Johannesburg. Working with Selwyn Shandel, then one of the label’s prolific in-house producers, the two tracks they recorded – ‘Fly Cherry Fly’ and ‘Hey! Hey! Hey!’ - reflect the range of international influences in South Africa’s burgeoning ‘bubblegum’ sound – Italo disco, electro-funk, even rock.
“I remember Moses as a very quiet, talented and gentle guy. He never really had a great voice but he used to come up with excellent melodies and lyrical concepts,” remembers Shandel today, admitting that he never saw or heard from him again after that session. Mafiri never released as Captain Mosez again, although he would later resurface in the backing band of internationally renowned Vusi Mahlasela.
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Germany
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1
Chicco - No Title
2
Chicco - No Title
Soweto-born Sello Twala emerged as a key figure in South Africa’s bubblegum scene, initially cutting his teeth in the early 80s as part of groups Umoja, Harari and Image, who in 1985 released the track that would give him his nickname: ‘Chicco’. Teaming up with co-producer Attie van Wyk, later that year he released his first single as a solo artist, ‘We Can Dance’. It was followed in 1986 by ‘I Need Some Money’. Both tracks add accessible English lyrics and catchy call-and-response vocals to infectious Shangaan-rooted dance rhythms, appealing to a wide audience that defied apartheid categories and established Chicco as a charismatic solo star, as well as a talented producer, both in SA and across the continent. Based on the success of these breakthrough singles, Chicco would go on to release politically charged pop albums We Miss You Manelow (1987), Thina Sizwe Esimnyama (1989), Soldier (1989) and Papa Stop the War (1990) and Nomari (1991).
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Germany
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1
Adaye - No Title
2
Adaye - No Title
South African disco 12” originally released in 1983, the start of the country’s ‘bubblegum’ era. Adaye was a once-off studio project featuring members of Stimela, the SA supergroup formerly known as The Cannibals and at the time also recording under aliases like the Street Kids and Kumasi. As Adaye they roped in singer Al Etto and went into the studio with Heads Music boss Emil Zoghby, who shares songwriting credits with Ray Phiri on the only track they released: ‘Turn It Up’ - an eight-minute slice of guitar funk throbbing to a disco beat. Remastered from the original tapes and reissued on DJ Okapi’s Afrosynth Records.
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1
night force & the tom cats - No Title
2
night force & the tom cats - No Title
3
night force & the tom cats - No Title
4
night force & the tom cats - No Title
5
night force & the tom cats - No Title
6
night force & the tom cats - No Title
South African disco release. The title track ‘Dance’, written by Belgian composer Frank Degrijse, was released by Night Force and became a hit throughout Europe in 1980. In South Africa the song was released with permission at a slower tempo (the original 45rpm was ‘officially’ slowed down to 33rpm). Added to this are four tracks by Music Team’s in-house production team the Tom Cats - including dub reworkings of recent Afrosynth releases ‘Burnin Beat’ and ‘Searchin’, here released as ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Search For Love’ respectively. Synth-heavy oddities ‘You Are My Fire’ and ‘Shake Shake’ make up the rest of the tracklist.
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1
volcano/ the beat gangsters - No Title
2
volcano/ the beat gangsters - No Title
Kwaito 12-inch featuring two forgotten bass-heavy cuts from South Africa in the early 90s. Volcano is a sought after tune right now (so difficult to get an original copy!) while the Beat Gangsters are a new introduction (to us) from Okapi's vaults..TIP!
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1
burnin beat ft. olive masinga - No Title
2
burnin beat ft. olive masinga - No Title
In demand massive South African disco banger from 1979. Now reissued for the first time on the Afro Synth imprint.
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lim. Splatter Vinyl / 50 pieces!
.defaultbox returns with its 20th release entitled "020".
This various artists compilation brings together five carefully selected tracks by Karenz, Gockel, TIKOA, 10.000 BC, and aem.aze, each rooted in a shared vision of deep, functional techno rhythms and subtle dub-infused textures.
The release comes on a limited run of 50 transparent blue splatter copies alongside the regular black pressing.
A1 Karenz - Kryon Katra
A2 Gockel - Change is Life
B1 TIKOA - Plavi Mozag
B2 10.000 BC - Apollo
B3 aem.aze - Out Of The Grid
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
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Germany
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.defaultbox returns with its 20th release entitled "020".
This various artists compilation brings together five carefully selected tracks by Karenz, Gockel, TIKOA, 10.000 BC, and aem.aze, each rooted in a shared vision of deep, functional techno rhythms and subtle dub-infused textures.
The release comes on a limited run of 50 transparent blue splatter copies alongside the regular black pressing.
A1 Karenz - Kryon Katra
A2 Gockel - Change is Life
B1 TIKOA - Plavi Mozag
B2 10.000 BC - Apollo
B3 aem.aze - Out Of The Grid
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
1
Karenz - Kryon Katra
2
Gockel - Change is Life
3
TIKOA - Plavi Mozag
4
10.000 BC - Apollo
5
aem.aze - Out Of The Grid
.defaultbox returns with its 20th release entitled "020".
This various artists compilation brings together five carefully selected tracks by Karenz, Gockel, TIKOA, 10.000 BC, and aem.aze, each rooted in a shared vision of deep, functional techno rhythms and subtle dub-infused textures.
The release comes on a limited run of 50 transparent blue splatter copies alongside the regular black pressing.
A1 Karenz - Kryon Katra
A2 Gockel - Change is Life
B1 TIKOA - Plavi Mozag
B2 10.000 BC - Apollo
B3 aem.aze - Out Of The Grid
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
This various artists compilation brings together five carefully selected tracks by Karenz, Gockel, TIKOA, 10.000 BC, and aem.aze, each rooted in a shared vision of deep, functional techno rhythms and subtle dub-infused textures.
The release comes on a limited run of 50 transparent blue splatter copies alongside the regular black pressing.
A1 Karenz - Kryon Katra
A2 Gockel - Change is Life
B1 TIKOA - Plavi Mozag
B2 10.000 BC - Apollo
B3 aem.aze - Out Of The Grid
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
Gaetano Parisio - Deadline
2
CRAVO - Drive Back
3
Dold - Feng Shui
4
Endlec - Select Source
5
SERA J - Triangles
6
The Advent - Flux
7
Newa - your love
8
Julieta Kopp - Empty Roads
9
Mike Konstantinidis - Secret Scent
10
Glaskin - Talon
11
Dynamic Forces - Untitled two
12
ANNE - Daughter of the wind
Format: 2 x 12" + Mix CD
Print: Outersleeve with embossing
Colour: Translucent orange (no exclusivity, all 12"s are coloured)
Tracklist Vinyl:
A1 Gaetano Parisio - Deadline 4:55
A2 CRAVO - Drive Back 4:43
A3 Dold - Feng Shui 4:31
B1 Endlec - Select Source 4:50
B2 SERA J - Triangles 4:51
B3 The Advent - Flux 5:00
C1 Newa - your love 5:20
C2 Julieta Kopp - Empty Roads 4:52
C3 Mike Konstantinidis - Secret Scent 4:51
D1 Glaskin - Talon 4:26
D2 Dynamic Forces - Untitled two 4:19
D3 ANNÉ - Daughter of the wind 4:48
Tracklist CD - continuous mix, mixed by ANNÉ
Press release:
Nastia's imprint launches a new compilation series curated by selected music connoisseurs and crate diggers, with ANNÉ as the debut curator.
Each compilation features handpicked unreleased pieces including an exclusive track by the curator. The release pairs a curated double vinyl with a CD featuring the curator's own mix of the compilation.
For this first edition, ANNÉ has put together a balanced journey that opens with Gaetano Parisio's dynamic old-school energy and closes with The Advent's raw classic techno. Between these two legends, the selection flows seamlessly across the first 12".
The second record takes a more soulful direction, starting with Newa and closing with ANNÉ's own track - a natural way to wrap up the journey she's curated, serving both as a closing piece and the final statement of the compilation.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Print: Outersleeve with embossing
Colour: Translucent orange (no exclusivity, all 12"s are coloured)
Tracklist Vinyl:
A1 Gaetano Parisio - Deadline 4:55
A2 CRAVO - Drive Back 4:43
A3 Dold - Feng Shui 4:31
B1 Endlec - Select Source 4:50
B2 SERA J - Triangles 4:51
B3 The Advent - Flux 5:00
C1 Newa - your love 5:20
C2 Julieta Kopp - Empty Roads 4:52
C3 Mike Konstantinidis - Secret Scent 4:51
D1 Glaskin - Talon 4:26
D2 Dynamic Forces - Untitled two 4:19
D3 ANNÉ - Daughter of the wind 4:48
Tracklist CD - continuous mix, mixed by ANNÉ
Press release:
Nastia's imprint launches a new compilation series curated by selected music connoisseurs and crate diggers, with ANNÉ as the debut curator.
Each compilation features handpicked unreleased pieces including an exclusive track by the curator. The release pairs a curated double vinyl with a CD featuring the curator's own mix of the compilation.
For this first edition, ANNÉ has put together a balanced journey that opens with Gaetano Parisio's dynamic old-school energy and closes with The Advent's raw classic techno. Between these two legends, the selection flows seamlessly across the first 12".
The second record takes a more soulful direction, starting with Newa and closing with ANNÉ's own track - a natural way to wrap up the journey she's curated, serving both as a closing piece and the final statement of the compilation.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/3KdYXyQFMJcVztymJP5ELB?si=Wzm3HzxQSYmOYsxkwRA91A
The Meth Lab returns for its third instalment with "Meth Lab Season 3: The Rehab," a sharp, hard-hitting chapter that cements Method Man's place as one of hip-hop's most consistent and enduring voices. Executive produced by longtime collaborator Handz On, this project finds the Wu-Tang legend in rare form-polished, precise, and laser-focused.
"The Rehab" pulls listeners back into the world Meth has been building since the first Meth Lab sessions: a mixtape-style showcase blending razor-sharp lyricism with streetwise storytelling, packed with energy and attitude. Method Man's flow remains timeless, weaving between gritty boom-bap, polished modern production, and the unmistakable Wu-Tang aesthetic. A strong lineup of guests brings extra fire to the set-Cappadonna, RJ Payne, Redman, KRS-One, JoJo Pellegrino, Jadakiss, Carlton Fisk, Hanz On, Intell, Iron Mic, 5th Pxwer, Chunk Bizza, Eddie I, Cortez, and more-each stepping into Meth's world with their own hard-edged energy. Behind the boards, producers like P. Version, Rockwilder, Eric Sermon, Adam McLeer, Daniel C. Wells, Darnell Norman McConnell, and Joshua D. Zimmerman craft a gritty yet refined sonic framework that elevates every performance.
More than just another chapter, Season 3: The Rehab feels like a victory lap: a culmination of decades of craft, a celebration of the Staten Island movement, and a reminder that Method Man still out-rhymes rappers half his age. It's a must-own for Wu-Tang fans, East Coast purists, and anyone who appreciates sharp writing and decades-deep mastery.
Tracklisting
A1. Stop Crying - feat. Cappadonna & Elaine Kristal
A2. Butterfly Effect - feat. RJ Payne
A3. Black Ops - feat. Hanz On
A4. Guillotine
A5. Live From The Meth Lab - feat. Redman, KRS-One & Jojo Pellegrino
A6. Switch Sides - feat. Jadakiss, Eddie I, 5th PXWER
B1. Act Up - feat. 5th PXWER
B2. Training Day - feat. Cortez
B3. King Of New York - feat. Carlton Fisk & Chunk Bizza
B4. Find God - feat. Intell & Iron Mic
B5. Last 2 Minutes - feat. Iron Mic
B6. K.A.S.E. - feat. Hanz On & Carlton Fisk
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The Meth Lab returns for its third instalment with "Meth Lab Season 3: The Rehab," a sharp, hard-hitting chapter that cements Method Man's place as one of hip-hop's most consistent and enduring voices. Executive produced by longtime collaborator Handz On, this project finds the Wu-Tang legend in rare form-polished, precise, and laser-focused.
"The Rehab" pulls listeners back into the world Meth has been building since the first Meth Lab sessions: a mixtape-style showcase blending razor-sharp lyricism with streetwise storytelling, packed with energy and attitude. Method Man's flow remains timeless, weaving between gritty boom-bap, polished modern production, and the unmistakable Wu-Tang aesthetic. A strong lineup of guests brings extra fire to the set-Cappadonna, RJ Payne, Redman, KRS-One, JoJo Pellegrino, Jadakiss, Carlton Fisk, Hanz On, Intell, Iron Mic, 5th Pxwer, Chunk Bizza, Eddie I, Cortez, and more-each stepping into Meth's world with their own hard-edged energy. Behind the boards, producers like P. Version, Rockwilder, Eric Sermon, Adam McLeer, Daniel C. Wells, Darnell Norman McConnell, and Joshua D. Zimmerman craft a gritty yet refined sonic framework that elevates every performance.
More than just another chapter, Season 3: The Rehab feels like a victory lap: a culmination of decades of craft, a celebration of the Staten Island movement, and a reminder that Method Man still out-rhymes rappers half his age. It's a must-own for Wu-Tang fans, East Coast purists, and anyone who appreciates sharp writing and decades-deep mastery.
Tracklisting
A1. Stop Crying - feat. Cappadonna & Elaine Kristal
A2. Butterfly Effect - feat. RJ Payne
A3. Black Ops - feat. Hanz On
A4. Guillotine
A5. Live From The Meth Lab - feat. Redman, KRS-One & Jojo Pellegrino
A6. Switch Sides - feat. Jadakiss, Eddie I, 5th PXWER
B1. Act Up - feat. 5th PXWER
B2. Training Day - feat. Cortez
B3. King Of New York - feat. Carlton Fisk & Chunk Bizza
B4. Find God - feat. Intell & Iron Mic
B5. Last 2 Minutes - feat. Iron Mic
B6. K.A.S.E. - feat. Hanz On & Carlton Fisk
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Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/1c4m1K7V3e6jN8rGaURTnP?si=saB6cd4QQmSxlqpNIYx77Q
Two of the most respected voices in the underground connect for a heavyweight collaboration that's been a long time coming - BULLETPROOF CHICKEN is out now!
CRIMEAPPLE, the bilingual New Jersey spitter known for razor-sharp wordplay and a steady run of cult-favorite projects like Aguardiente and his collaborations with DJ Muggs, cementing his spot as a force in modern hip-hop.
On the boards, V DON has become a staple for his signature dark, cinematic production style. From Harlem to the world, he's laced tracks for the likes of Boldy James, Estee Nack, A$AP Rocky, Dave East, Benny The Butcher among several otehrs, while also building his own lane with the underground classics like Omerta and his Deutsche Marks and Blue Note series with Willie The Kid. His beats balance grit and atmosphere, making him one of the most sought-after producers in the underground and beyond.
With BULLETPROOF CHICKEN, the two bring their worlds together - sharp rhymes, moody textures, and guest appearances from T.F, Bruiser Wolf, and Primo Profit only add more weight. This album is a testament to where both artists are right now, rising higher with every drop, carrying the underground to new levels.
Tracklisting
Scrape The Pot
Railroad Avenue
Victor Charlie
4.99 Special
Groundhogs Day (feat. T.F)
Brazil (feat. Primo Profit)
8 Wings (feat. Bruiser Wolf)
Ocean Drive
Bulletproof Chicken
Clientele Freestyle
Fluegame
Scooby Sweaters
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Two of the most respected voices in the underground connect for a heavyweight collaboration that's been a long time coming - BULLETPROOF CHICKEN is out now!
CRIMEAPPLE, the bilingual New Jersey spitter known for razor-sharp wordplay and a steady run of cult-favorite projects like Aguardiente and his collaborations with DJ Muggs, cementing his spot as a force in modern hip-hop.
On the boards, V DON has become a staple for his signature dark, cinematic production style. From Harlem to the world, he's laced tracks for the likes of Boldy James, Estee Nack, A$AP Rocky, Dave East, Benny The Butcher among several otehrs, while also building his own lane with the underground classics like Omerta and his Deutsche Marks and Blue Note series with Willie The Kid. His beats balance grit and atmosphere, making him one of the most sought-after producers in the underground and beyond.
With BULLETPROOF CHICKEN, the two bring their worlds together - sharp rhymes, moody textures, and guest appearances from T.F, Bruiser Wolf, and Primo Profit only add more weight. This album is a testament to where both artists are right now, rising higher with every drop, carrying the underground to new levels.
Tracklisting
Scrape The Pot
Railroad Avenue
Victor Charlie
4.99 Special
Groundhogs Day (feat. T.F)
Brazil (feat. Primo Profit)
8 Wings (feat. Bruiser Wolf)
Ocean Drive
Bulletproof Chicken
Clientele Freestyle
Fluegame
Scooby Sweaters
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
1
Identified Patient - The Female Medical College Of Pennsylvania(Marcel Dettmann Pitched High Version)
2
Tocotronic - Bis uns das Licht vertreibt (Marcel Dettman Version 2 Remix)
3
Cristian Vogel - Untitled (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
4
John Bender - Victims Of Victimless Crimes (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
5
Clark - Dirty Pixie (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
6
Junior Boys - Work (Marcel Dettmann Remix)
7
Mutant Beat Dance - The Human Factor ft. Naughty Wood (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
8
Experimental Products - Who Is Kip Jones (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
9
Marcel Dettmann - Water feat. Ryan Elliott (My Own Shadow Remix)
10
Severed Heads - We Come To Bless The House (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
11
Albert Kuningas - Astraaliprojektio (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
12
K.Alexi Shelby - Season Of The Real (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
13
Ian North - Sex Lust You (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
14
Ford Proco - Expansión Naranja (feat. COIL) (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
15
Nitzer Ebb - Shame (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
16
Frank Duval - Ogon (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
17
Yello - Limbo (Marcel Dettman Version 2 Remix)
18
Conrad Schnitzler - Das Tier (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
Repress
Format: 3LP
Tracklist
A1. Identified Patient – The Female Medical College Of Pennsylvania (Marcel Dettmann Pitched High Version)
A2. Tocotronic – Bis uns das Licht vertreibt (Marcel Dettman Version 2 Remix)
A3. Cristian Vogel – Untitled (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
B1. John Bender – Victims Of Victimless Crimes (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
B2. Clark – Dirty Pixie (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
B3. Junior Boys – Work (Marcel Dettmann Remix)
C1. Mutant Beat Dance - The Human Factor ft. Naughty Wood (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
C2. Experimental Products – Who Is Kip Jones (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
C3. Marcel Dettmann – Water feat. Ryan Elliott (My Own Shadow Remix)
D1. Severed Heads – We Come To Bless The House (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
D2. Albert Kuningas - Astraaliprojektio (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
D3. K.Alexi Shelby – Season Of The Real (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
E1. Ian North – Sex Lust You (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
E2. Ford Proco – Expansión Naranja (feat. COIL) (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
E3. Nitzer Ebb – Shame (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
F1. Frank Duval – Ogon (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
F2. Yello – Limbo (Marcel Dettman Version 2 Remix)
F3. Conrad Schnitzler – Das Tier (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
Info:
A DJ, producer and significant figure in contemporary electronic music, Marcel Dettmann steps forward to contribute to Running Back’s ongoing Mastermix series. Whereas previous editions of Mastermix have taken an ear to the sound of lapsed, legendary clubs such as Wild Pitch and Front, Dettmann’s curation deftly captures the man himself in ongoing perpetual motion, raiding the vault for his own precision-tooled edits, long-employed on dancefloors to devastating effect. Alongside a continuous mix, this release arrives as a 3LP gatefold, and as a limited edition cassette.
Closely associated with Berlin’s techno landscape, Dettmann was born and raised in the former GDR, then later immersed in the bleary-eyed counter cultural landscape of post-unification Berlin. Initially oriented by post-punk, industrial and new-wave music, Dettmann has been DJing since 1993, always expanding and perfecting his repertoire. He later began working behind the counter at the city’s tastemaking rave boutique Hard Wax, and a decade after he first dropped a needle, became (and remains) resident at notable local nightspot Berghain/Panorama Bar, where his instincts have helped sculpt the signature sound of both main dancefloors.
Of course, you’re probably not asking, “Who is Marcel Dettmann?” More importantly, you might want to know; just what treats has he gifted us here? The trip begins with a simple pitch-shift skywards, transforming Identified Patient’s creeping ‘The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania’ into a peak-time freakout, before an alternate take on Toctronic’s ‘Bis uns das Licht vertreibt’ emerges from the vaults for the first time. Dating from 1995, and one of Dettmann’s all-time favourites, Cristian Vogel’s ‘Untitled’ clambers back into the box with respectable cuts, while John Bender’s ‘Victims of A Victimless Crime’ kicks off the flip sporting a new arrangement, transporting us back to the foundations of a confident, stripped-back sound.
A few subtle edits to Clark’s perilously funky ‘Dirty Pixie’ takes us to Dettmann’s remix of Junior Boys. Produced in 2010, it transposes the Canadian duo’s sophisticated pop with our curator in his minimal prime, and has since become an irresistible prize for high-minded diggers. The same can be said for Experimental Products’ explosive proto-electro anthem ‘Who Is Kip Jones?’, empowered from pricey Discogs purgatory with just the slightest of tweaks. It’s deservedly sandwiched between the guiding influences of Chicago and Detroit in the form of Mutant Beat Dance’s raw ‘The Human Factor’ and a shimmering new version of previous solo production ‘Water’, featuring close friend and Ostgut Ton ally, Ryan Elliot.
The second half of the Mastermix seamlessly connects the mechanical past and digital present of EBM and industrial in the dance, with Dettmann’s instincts as a guiding hand. Severed Heads’ iconic ‘We Have Come To Bless This House’ emerges with mere nips and tucks, while Nitzer Ebb’s ‘Shame’ is significantly reimagined as a highwire act of rhythm and tension, setting up a sensual second take on a 2017 remix of ‘Limbo’ from Swiss synth heroes, Yello.
Core musical memories are shaken and stirred with a context-shifting take on Frank Duval’s emotional classic ‘Ogon’, while Ian North’s ‘Sex Lust You’ and Ford Proco’s notable Coil collaboration ‘Expansion Naranja’ effectively throb with only minor adjustments, respectfully imagined as “shadow versions”. Meanwhile, a simple breakbeat lifts Albert Kuningas’s ‘Astraalprojektio’ in the direction of wide-eyed dancefloors, while a fresh take on K-Alexi Shelby’s ‘Season of The Real’ inexplicably emerges somehow even funkier than before.
The conclusion of the compilation leads back to Das Tier from the prolific experimentalist Conrad Schnitzler, whose swirling synths and hypnotic vocals are duly tightened by Dettmann, but only as he puts it, “in conversation with the original.” Concluding three discs and thirty years of commitment to the dancefloor, this Mastermix not only offers us the opportunity to eavesdrop on this endless exchange, but to gain some sought-after material for our own record collections.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Format: 3LP
Tracklist
A1. Identified Patient – The Female Medical College Of Pennsylvania (Marcel Dettmann Pitched High Version)
A2. Tocotronic – Bis uns das Licht vertreibt (Marcel Dettman Version 2 Remix)
A3. Cristian Vogel – Untitled (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
B1. John Bender – Victims Of Victimless Crimes (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
B2. Clark – Dirty Pixie (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
B3. Junior Boys – Work (Marcel Dettmann Remix)
C1. Mutant Beat Dance - The Human Factor ft. Naughty Wood (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
C2. Experimental Products – Who Is Kip Jones (Marcel Dettmann Cut)
C3. Marcel Dettmann – Water feat. Ryan Elliott (My Own Shadow Remix)
D1. Severed Heads – We Come To Bless The House (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
D2. Albert Kuningas - Astraaliprojektio (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
D3. K.Alexi Shelby – Season Of The Real (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
E1. Ian North – Sex Lust You (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
E2. Ford Proco – Expansión Naranja (feat. COIL) (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
E3. Nitzer Ebb – Shame (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
F1. Frank Duval – Ogon (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
F2. Yello – Limbo (Marcel Dettman Version 2 Remix)
F3. Conrad Schnitzler – Das Tier (Marcel Dettmann Edit)
Info:
A DJ, producer and significant figure in contemporary electronic music, Marcel Dettmann steps forward to contribute to Running Back’s ongoing Mastermix series. Whereas previous editions of Mastermix have taken an ear to the sound of lapsed, legendary clubs such as Wild Pitch and Front, Dettmann’s curation deftly captures the man himself in ongoing perpetual motion, raiding the vault for his own precision-tooled edits, long-employed on dancefloors to devastating effect. Alongside a continuous mix, this release arrives as a 3LP gatefold, and as a limited edition cassette.
Closely associated with Berlin’s techno landscape, Dettmann was born and raised in the former GDR, then later immersed in the bleary-eyed counter cultural landscape of post-unification Berlin. Initially oriented by post-punk, industrial and new-wave music, Dettmann has been DJing since 1993, always expanding and perfecting his repertoire. He later began working behind the counter at the city’s tastemaking rave boutique Hard Wax, and a decade after he first dropped a needle, became (and remains) resident at notable local nightspot Berghain/Panorama Bar, where his instincts have helped sculpt the signature sound of both main dancefloors.
Of course, you’re probably not asking, “Who is Marcel Dettmann?” More importantly, you might want to know; just what treats has he gifted us here? The trip begins with a simple pitch-shift skywards, transforming Identified Patient’s creeping ‘The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania’ into a peak-time freakout, before an alternate take on Toctronic’s ‘Bis uns das Licht vertreibt’ emerges from the vaults for the first time. Dating from 1995, and one of Dettmann’s all-time favourites, Cristian Vogel’s ‘Untitled’ clambers back into the box with respectable cuts, while John Bender’s ‘Victims of A Victimless Crime’ kicks off the flip sporting a new arrangement, transporting us back to the foundations of a confident, stripped-back sound.
A few subtle edits to Clark’s perilously funky ‘Dirty Pixie’ takes us to Dettmann’s remix of Junior Boys. Produced in 2010, it transposes the Canadian duo’s sophisticated pop with our curator in his minimal prime, and has since become an irresistible prize for high-minded diggers. The same can be said for Experimental Products’ explosive proto-electro anthem ‘Who Is Kip Jones?’, empowered from pricey Discogs purgatory with just the slightest of tweaks. It’s deservedly sandwiched between the guiding influences of Chicago and Detroit in the form of Mutant Beat Dance’s raw ‘The Human Factor’ and a shimmering new version of previous solo production ‘Water’, featuring close friend and Ostgut Ton ally, Ryan Elliot.
The second half of the Mastermix seamlessly connects the mechanical past and digital present of EBM and industrial in the dance, with Dettmann’s instincts as a guiding hand. Severed Heads’ iconic ‘We Have Come To Bless This House’ emerges with mere nips and tucks, while Nitzer Ebb’s ‘Shame’ is significantly reimagined as a highwire act of rhythm and tension, setting up a sensual second take on a 2017 remix of ‘Limbo’ from Swiss synth heroes, Yello.
Core musical memories are shaken and stirred with a context-shifting take on Frank Duval’s emotional classic ‘Ogon’, while Ian North’s ‘Sex Lust You’ and Ford Proco’s notable Coil collaboration ‘Expansion Naranja’ effectively throb with only minor adjustments, respectfully imagined as “shadow versions”. Meanwhile, a simple breakbeat lifts Albert Kuningas’s ‘Astraalprojektio’ in the direction of wide-eyed dancefloors, while a fresh take on K-Alexi Shelby’s ‘Season of The Real’ inexplicably emerges somehow even funkier than before.
The conclusion of the compilation leads back to Das Tier from the prolific experimentalist Conrad Schnitzler, whose swirling synths and hypnotic vocals are duly tightened by Dettmann, but only as he puts it, “in conversation with the original.” Concluding three discs and thirty years of commitment to the dancefloor, this Mastermix not only offers us the opportunity to eavesdrop on this endless exchange, but to gain some sought-after material for our own record collections.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/7c3HbdlKBj3cmkOhaZc6iX?si=zP2eQzqTRQqfKQpsEE1nSg
After decades deep in the game, few names carry the same weight as D.I.T.C. veteran O.C. and East New York's own PF Cuttin, the DJ and producer behind countless underground classics. Long respected for their consistency and craftsmanship, the two finally joined forces for Opium - a nine-track masterclass that channels the essence of true-school hip-hop.
Originally released to remind heads of what the real sound of the streets was, Opium plays like a time capsule from the era of block parties, 40s, and cipher sessions on the corner - where bars mattered and the beats hit hard. PF Cuttin's rugged, sample-driven production perfectly complements O.C.'s sharp lyricism and timeless flow, delivering a record that bridges nostalgia with enduring relevance.
Reissued in 2025 with the same iconic artwork by Scarful, this edition celebrates a collaboration that captures the raw soul of New York hip-hop - pure, uncut, and eternal.
Tracklisting
1. Sit Yourself Down
2. Moonshine
3. Beneath The Planet Apes
4. 88
5. Easy Work
6. Get In Line
7. Higher Learning
8. O.P.M. (feat. The Real Shakar)
9. Searching
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
After decades deep in the game, few names carry the same weight as D.I.T.C. veteran O.C. and East New York's own PF Cuttin, the DJ and producer behind countless underground classics. Long respected for their consistency and craftsmanship, the two finally joined forces for Opium - a nine-track masterclass that channels the essence of true-school hip-hop.
Originally released to remind heads of what the real sound of the streets was, Opium plays like a time capsule from the era of block parties, 40s, and cipher sessions on the corner - where bars mattered and the beats hit hard. PF Cuttin's rugged, sample-driven production perfectly complements O.C.'s sharp lyricism and timeless flow, delivering a record that bridges nostalgia with enduring relevance.
Reissued in 2025 with the same iconic artwork by Scarful, this edition celebrates a collaboration that captures the raw soul of New York hip-hop - pure, uncut, and eternal.
Tracklisting
1. Sit Yourself Down
2. Moonshine
3. Beneath The Planet Apes
4. 88
5. Easy Work
6. Get In Line
7. Higher Learning
8. O.P.M. (feat. The Real Shakar)
9. Searching
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/47S2cHeSjo8pkqvdu3s70r?si=OJOiuyISQbiVFJyRd2BudQ
Iconic hip-hop duo The High & Mighty, composed of rapper Mr. Eon and producer DJ Mighty Mi, make their long-awaited return with Sound of Market, their first studio album in over twenty years. The release marks a powerful comeback for one of underground hip-hop's most celebrated duos - a project steeped in nostalgia, boom-bap grit, and the timeless energy of East Coast rap.
Named in honor of Sound of Market Street, the legendary Philadelphia record store that served as a hub for crate diggers, DJs, and hip-hop heads for decades, the album pays homage to the culture that shaped The High & Mighty's sound and identity. Much like the store itself, the record celebrates deep cuts, rare finds, and the shared love of vinyl that connects generations of hip-hop fans.
Across 17 tracks, Sound of Market revives the duo's trademark wit and sharp lyricism while showcasing an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Kool Keith, The Alchemist, Your Old Droog, Large Professor, O.C., Chubb Rock, King T, Skillz, and many more. The result is a cohesive, sample-driven experience that bridges the classic and contemporary - reaffirming The High & Mighty's status as true architects of independent hip-hop.
From the opening anthem "Two Man Crew" and the surreal swagger of "Pinky Tuskadero" with Kool Keith, to the cinematic boom of "Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)", the record moves effortlessly through sharp lyricism, layered production, and a shared reverence for the foundations of the genre. Sound of Market is both a return and a reminder - a record that feels timeless in its authenticity.
Tracklisting
Two Man Crew
Zounds
Pinky Tuskadero (feat. Kool Keith)
Sixers & Squires (feat. Skillz)
Super Sound (feat. Breeze Brewin)
The Rose Bowl (feat. The Alchemist & Your Old Droog)
Dubbs Up (feat. King T)
PRISM (feat. Large Professor & Tash)
Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)
Most In-Outs (feat. Cage)
I. Goldberg (feat. MC Serch & Sadat X)
Funk 'O Mart (feat. Chubb Rock)
Spaceport (feat. Chill Rob G & Copywrite)
Highest Degree (feat. O.C.)
Two High Whiteys
Rap Individuals (feat. Artifacts)
Be Excited (feat. Esoteric)
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Iconic hip-hop duo The High & Mighty, composed of rapper Mr. Eon and producer DJ Mighty Mi, make their long-awaited return with Sound of Market, their first studio album in over twenty years. The release marks a powerful comeback for one of underground hip-hop's most celebrated duos - a project steeped in nostalgia, boom-bap grit, and the timeless energy of East Coast rap.
Named in honor of Sound of Market Street, the legendary Philadelphia record store that served as a hub for crate diggers, DJs, and hip-hop heads for decades, the album pays homage to the culture that shaped The High & Mighty's sound and identity. Much like the store itself, the record celebrates deep cuts, rare finds, and the shared love of vinyl that connects generations of hip-hop fans.
Across 17 tracks, Sound of Market revives the duo's trademark wit and sharp lyricism while showcasing an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Kool Keith, The Alchemist, Your Old Droog, Large Professor, O.C., Chubb Rock, King T, Skillz, and many more. The result is a cohesive, sample-driven experience that bridges the classic and contemporary - reaffirming The High & Mighty's status as true architects of independent hip-hop.
From the opening anthem "Two Man Crew" and the surreal swagger of "Pinky Tuskadero" with Kool Keith, to the cinematic boom of "Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)", the record moves effortlessly through sharp lyricism, layered production, and a shared reverence for the foundations of the genre. Sound of Market is both a return and a reminder - a record that feels timeless in its authenticity.
Tracklisting
Two Man Crew
Zounds
Pinky Tuskadero (feat. Kool Keith)
Sixers & Squires (feat. Skillz)
Super Sound (feat. Breeze Brewin)
The Rose Bowl (feat. The Alchemist & Your Old Droog)
Dubbs Up (feat. King T)
PRISM (feat. Large Professor & Tash)
Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)
Most In-Outs (feat. Cage)
I. Goldberg (feat. MC Serch & Sadat X)
Funk 'O Mart (feat. Chubb Rock)
Spaceport (feat. Chill Rob G & Copywrite)
Highest Degree (feat. O.C.)
Two High Whiteys
Rap Individuals (feat. Artifacts)
Be Excited (feat. Esoteric)
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/6gw74uQvqS4kzKrpBOBVSq?si=x1FE6ddeSg27xWgklchDKg
A long-overdue vinyl reissue for this underground gem from the Bronx! Originally released in the late '90s, Ghetto Chronicle Daily stands as a timeless snapshot of New York street rap in its rawest form - a true reflection of the city's golden era grit and lyrical craftsmanship.
The Money Boss Players - made up of Big Ah (RIP), Lord Tariq, Tre Bag, Eddie Cheeba, C-Dubb, and legendary producer Minnesota - were key figures in shaping that unmistakable Bronx sound. Their chemistry was electric: sharp lyricism, vivid street storytelling, and cinematic beats that carried the DNA of hip-hop's golden age.
This first-ever vinyl reissue brings this underground classic back to the masses in its full glory and goes a step further with bonus tracks previously unreleased on vinyl, including "Drug War Rages" and "Same Shit" - raw, unfiltered cuts that capture the crew at their most authentic. Also included is "White Chalk Pt. 2", featuring none other than The Notorious B.I.G., a rare collaboration that cements the group's deep roots in the East Coast rap lineage.
Since the original release, members of Money Boss Players have continued to carve their own lanes - with Eddie Cheeba and Tray Bag evolving into Boss Money, and Lord Tariq making his mark as a solo artist. In recent years, Bronx rapper Yung JB has joined the fold, carrying the Boss legacy into a new generation.
Now, more than two decades later, Ghetto Chronicle Daily returns to turntables worldwide - remastered and pressed with care for true heads and collectors alike. A must-have piece of hip-hop history, finally on wax where it belongs.
Design & layout by Mr. Krum
Mastered for vinyl by Davide "Bassi Maestro" Bassi @ Scala B, Milano (Italy)
Tracklisting
A1. Ghetto Chronicle Daily
A2. Use To Fear Death
A3. Drug War Rages
A4. Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
A5. What U Saying
B1. Nighty Night
B2. Stick N Step
B3. Death of A Salesman
B4. White Chalk Pt. (feat. Biggie Smalls)
B5. Same Shit
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
A long-overdue vinyl reissue for this underground gem from the Bronx! Originally released in the late '90s, Ghetto Chronicle Daily stands as a timeless snapshot of New York street rap in its rawest form - a true reflection of the city's golden era grit and lyrical craftsmanship.
The Money Boss Players - made up of Big Ah (RIP), Lord Tariq, Tre Bag, Eddie Cheeba, C-Dubb, and legendary producer Minnesota - were key figures in shaping that unmistakable Bronx sound. Their chemistry was electric: sharp lyricism, vivid street storytelling, and cinematic beats that carried the DNA of hip-hop's golden age.
This first-ever vinyl reissue brings this underground classic back to the masses in its full glory and goes a step further with bonus tracks previously unreleased on vinyl, including "Drug War Rages" and "Same Shit" - raw, unfiltered cuts that capture the crew at their most authentic. Also included is "White Chalk Pt. 2", featuring none other than The Notorious B.I.G., a rare collaboration that cements the group's deep roots in the East Coast rap lineage.
Since the original release, members of Money Boss Players have continued to carve their own lanes - with Eddie Cheeba and Tray Bag evolving into Boss Money, and Lord Tariq making his mark as a solo artist. In recent years, Bronx rapper Yung JB has joined the fold, carrying the Boss legacy into a new generation.
Now, more than two decades later, Ghetto Chronicle Daily returns to turntables worldwide - remastered and pressed with care for true heads and collectors alike. A must-have piece of hip-hop history, finally on wax where it belongs.
Design & layout by Mr. Krum
Mastered for vinyl by Davide "Bassi Maestro" Bassi @ Scala B, Milano (Italy)
Tracklisting
A1. Ghetto Chronicle Daily
A2. Use To Fear Death
A3. Drug War Rages
A4. Saturday Night, Sunday Morning
A5. What U Saying
B1. Nighty Night
B2. Stick N Step
B3. Death of A Salesman
B4. White Chalk Pt. (feat. Biggie Smalls)
B5. Same Shit
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/47S2cHeSjo8pkqvdu3s70r?si=OJOiuyISQbiVFJyRd2BudQ
Iconic hip-hop duo The High & Mighty, composed of rapper Mr. Eon and producer DJ Mighty Mi, make their long-awaited return with Sound of Market, their first studio album in over twenty years. The release marks a powerful comeback for one of underground hip-hop's most celebrated duos - a project steeped in nostalgia, boom-bap grit, and the timeless energy of East Coast rap.
Named in honor of Sound of Market Street, the legendary Philadelphia record store that served as a hub for crate diggers, DJs, and hip-hop heads for decades, the album pays homage to the culture that shaped The High & Mighty's sound and identity. Much like the store itself, the record celebrates deep cuts, rare finds, and the shared love of vinyl that connects generations of hip-hop fans.
Across 17 tracks, Sound of Market revives the duo's trademark wit and sharp lyricism while showcasing an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Kool Keith, The Alchemist, Your Old Droog, Large Professor, O.C., Chubb Rock, King T, Skillz, and many more. The result is a cohesive, sample-driven experience that bridges the classic and contemporary - reaffirming The High & Mighty's status as true architects of independent hip-hop.
From the opening anthem "Two Man Crew" and the surreal swagger of "Pinky Tuskadero" with Kool Keith, to the cinematic boom of "Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)", the record moves effortlessly through sharp lyricism, layered production, and a shared reverence for the foundations of the genre. Sound of Market is both a return and a reminder - a record that feels timeless in its authenticity.
Tracklisting
Two Man Crew
Zounds
Pinky Tuskadero (feat. Kool Keith)
Sixers & Squires (feat. Skillz)
Super Sound (feat. Breeze Brewin)
The Rose Bowl (feat. The Alchemist & Your Old Droog)
Dubbs Up (feat. King T)
PRISM (feat. Large Professor & Tash)
Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)
Most In-Outs (feat. Cage)
I. Goldberg (feat. MC Serch & Sadat X)
Funk 'O Mart (feat. Chubb Rock)
Spaceport (feat. Chill Rob G & Copywrite)
Highest Degree (feat. O.C.)
Two High Whiteys
Rap Individuals (feat. Artifacts)
Be Excited (feat. Esoteric)
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Iconic hip-hop duo The High & Mighty, composed of rapper Mr. Eon and producer DJ Mighty Mi, make their long-awaited return with Sound of Market, their first studio album in over twenty years. The release marks a powerful comeback for one of underground hip-hop's most celebrated duos - a project steeped in nostalgia, boom-bap grit, and the timeless energy of East Coast rap.
Named in honor of Sound of Market Street, the legendary Philadelphia record store that served as a hub for crate diggers, DJs, and hip-hop heads for decades, the album pays homage to the culture that shaped The High & Mighty's sound and identity. Much like the store itself, the record celebrates deep cuts, rare finds, and the shared love of vinyl that connects generations of hip-hop fans.
Across 17 tracks, Sound of Market revives the duo's trademark wit and sharp lyricism while showcasing an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Kool Keith, The Alchemist, Your Old Droog, Large Professor, O.C., Chubb Rock, King T, Skillz, and many more. The result is a cohesive, sample-driven experience that bridges the classic and contemporary - reaffirming The High & Mighty's status as true architects of independent hip-hop.
From the opening anthem "Two Man Crew" and the surreal swagger of "Pinky Tuskadero" with Kool Keith, to the cinematic boom of "Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)", the record moves effortlessly through sharp lyricism, layered production, and a shared reverence for the foundations of the genre. Sound of Market is both a return and a reminder - a record that feels timeless in its authenticity.
Tracklisting
Two Man Crew
Zounds
Pinky Tuskadero (feat. Kool Keith)
Sixers & Squires (feat. Skillz)
Super Sound (feat. Breeze Brewin)
The Rose Bowl (feat. The Alchemist & Your Old Droog)
Dubbs Up (feat. King T)
PRISM (feat. Large Professor & Tash)
Mighty's Big 5 (Live from The Palestra)
Most In-Outs (feat. Cage)
I. Goldberg (feat. MC Serch & Sadat X)
Funk 'O Mart (feat. Chubb Rock)
Spaceport (feat. Chill Rob G & Copywrite)
Highest Degree (feat. O.C.)
Two High Whiteys
Rap Individuals (feat. Artifacts)
Be Excited (feat. Esoteric)
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/1c4m1K7V3e6jN8rGaURTnP?si=saB6cd4QQmSxlqpNIYx77Q
Two of the most respected voices in the underground connect for a heavyweight collaboration that's been a long time coming - BULLETPROOF CHICKEN is out now!
CRIMEAPPLE, the bilingual New Jersey spitter known for razor-sharp wordplay and a steady run of cult-favorite projects like Aguardiente and his collaborations with DJ Muggs, cementing his spot as a force in modern hip-hop.
On the boards, V DON has become a staple for his signature dark, cinematic production style. From Harlem to the world, he's laced tracks for the likes of Boldy James, Estee Nack, A$AP Rocky, Dave East, Benny The Butcher among several otehrs, while also building his own lane with the underground classics like Omerta and his Deutsche Marks and Blue Note series with Willie The Kid. His beats balance grit and atmosphere, making him one of the most sought-after producers in the underground and beyond.
With BULLETPROOF CHICKEN, the two bring their worlds together - sharp rhymes, moody textures, and guest appearances from T.F, Bruiser Wolf, and Primo Profit only add more weight. This album is a testament to where both artists are right now, rising higher with every drop, carrying the underground to new levels.
Tracklisting
Scrape The Pot
Railroad Avenue
Victor Charlie
4.99 Special
Groundhogs Day (feat. T.F)
Brazil (feat. Primo Profit)
8 Wings (feat. Bruiser Wolf)
Ocean Drive
Bulletproof Chicken
Clientele Freestyle
Fluegame
Scooby Sweaters
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Two of the most respected voices in the underground connect for a heavyweight collaboration that's been a long time coming - BULLETPROOF CHICKEN is out now!
CRIMEAPPLE, the bilingual New Jersey spitter known for razor-sharp wordplay and a steady run of cult-favorite projects like Aguardiente and his collaborations with DJ Muggs, cementing his spot as a force in modern hip-hop.
On the boards, V DON has become a staple for his signature dark, cinematic production style. From Harlem to the world, he's laced tracks for the likes of Boldy James, Estee Nack, A$AP Rocky, Dave East, Benny The Butcher among several otehrs, while also building his own lane with the underground classics like Omerta and his Deutsche Marks and Blue Note series with Willie The Kid. His beats balance grit and atmosphere, making him one of the most sought-after producers in the underground and beyond.
With BULLETPROOF CHICKEN, the two bring their worlds together - sharp rhymes, moody textures, and guest appearances from T.F, Bruiser Wolf, and Primo Profit only add more weight. This album is a testament to where both artists are right now, rising higher with every drop, carrying the underground to new levels.
Tracklisting
Scrape The Pot
Railroad Avenue
Victor Charlie
4.99 Special
Groundhogs Day (feat. T.F)
Brazil (feat. Primo Profit)
8 Wings (feat. Bruiser Wolf)
Ocean Drive
Bulletproof Chicken
Clientele Freestyle
Fluegame
Scooby Sweaters
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
1
PILLBERT - I Don't Feel No Fear
2
PILLBERT - Chello, My Girl
3
PILLBERT - Pillar
4
PILLBERT - Picture of a House
5
PILLBERT - Tiny Dancer
6
PILLBERT - The Lighthouse
7
PILLBERT - Room Full Of Doubt
8
PILLBERT - Keep Me + Windhorn
9
PILLBERT - Sand and Bones
10
PILLBERT - Fish on Land
LP
Special remarks: 180g
Tracklist:
A1) I Don't Feel No Fear 00:04:18
A2) Chello, My Girl 00:03:29
A3) Pillar 00:02:03
A4) Picture of a House 00:04:09
A5) Tiny Dancer 00:03:25
A6) The Lighthouse 00:05:18
B1) Room Full Of Doubt 00:04:08
B2) Keep Me + Windhorn 00:05:20
B3) Sand and Bones 00:03:17
B4) Fish on Land 00:06:32
Info:
On her debut LP 'Memoria', songwriter/producer Lilian Mikorey aka PILLBERT contemplates themes of identity and belonging, hardships and heartbreak in her signature blend of bendy folk guitars, field recordings and intimate vocals.
Moving to London from Munich, not yet 20 years old, Mikorey realized she was leaving her home behind for good. The subsequent state of being lost and alone in a place too temporary to start building the foundation for a new one led her to question the concept of home itself.
Is it friends? Family? A house?
"I started collecting objects, bones, sticks, stones and kept them close", she says, as to create a cosmos traveling with her.
"I was tracing the actual feeling of being home to the point where I built a dreamhouse in my head, as an idea, just to evoke that feeling." Soon enough she would learn that yielding to the yearning of actually going to that house, must be an inevitably sad experience.
A photo she took on a family visit to East-Munich became a reference and starting point for Memoria. It was a small house in her neighbourhood, the windows lit as dusk sets in. To Mikorey, it looked haunting, radiating warmth but somehow looking abandoned at the some time.
"I wanted to make music that sounds like this photo"
She started recording the sounds of the objects she had gathered and of her surroundings, building an archive and sonic material to work with.
From her mid-teens she had learned to produce with Ableton and now she picked up the guitar, too, learning it autodidactically by playing around, creating sounds.
At some point in the process, she realized it's okay to be lost for a while and by enduring the feeling, there's room for something new to grow, far off from any general idea of what home should mean.
The album, over the course of 10 tracks, traces these three phases of building a home in your head, realizing it's not a remedy, nor forever and coming to terms with it. You've grown in the process and the album is a guiding light for everyone who strives to do so, too.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More
Special remarks: 180g
Tracklist:
A1) I Don't Feel No Fear 00:04:18
A2) Chello, My Girl 00:03:29
A3) Pillar 00:02:03
A4) Picture of a House 00:04:09
A5) Tiny Dancer 00:03:25
A6) The Lighthouse 00:05:18
B1) Room Full Of Doubt 00:04:08
B2) Keep Me + Windhorn 00:05:20
B3) Sand and Bones 00:03:17
B4) Fish on Land 00:06:32
Info:
On her debut LP 'Memoria', songwriter/producer Lilian Mikorey aka PILLBERT contemplates themes of identity and belonging, hardships and heartbreak in her signature blend of bendy folk guitars, field recordings and intimate vocals.
Moving to London from Munich, not yet 20 years old, Mikorey realized she was leaving her home behind for good. The subsequent state of being lost and alone in a place too temporary to start building the foundation for a new one led her to question the concept of home itself.
Is it friends? Family? A house?
"I started collecting objects, bones, sticks, stones and kept them close", she says, as to create a cosmos traveling with her.
"I was tracing the actual feeling of being home to the point where I built a dreamhouse in my head, as an idea, just to evoke that feeling." Soon enough she would learn that yielding to the yearning of actually going to that house, must be an inevitably sad experience.
A photo she took on a family visit to East-Munich became a reference and starting point for Memoria. It was a small house in her neighbourhood, the windows lit as dusk sets in. To Mikorey, it looked haunting, radiating warmth but somehow looking abandoned at the some time.
"I wanted to make music that sounds like this photo"
She started recording the sounds of the objects she had gathered and of her surroundings, building an archive and sonic material to work with.
From her mid-teens she had learned to produce with Ableton and now she picked up the guitar, too, learning it autodidactically by playing around, creating sounds.
At some point in the process, she realized it's okay to be lost for a while and by enduring the feeling, there's room for something new to grow, far off from any general idea of what home should mean.
The album, over the course of 10 tracks, traces these three phases of building a home in your head, realizing it's not a remedy, nor forever and coming to terms with it. You've grown in the process and the album is a guiding light for everyone who strives to do so, too.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More