STAFF PICKS

Heels & Souls Recordings

Top tier tackle from Heels & Souls Recordings for their fourth reissue as they let loose a much anticipated double header, Gold In The Shade’s 'Over You' backed with 'Shining Through'. Rough, tough, straight-from-the-heart ‘90s street soul, coming courtesy of TSR bossman Robert Roper and the Gold In The Shade ladies Arletta Davis and Sonia Johnson. One of the most sought-after cuts of this scene, it encompasses much of what made street soul special - heavy bass, gritty breaks, emotive chords and off-kilter vocals, marrying together to form a snapshot of a raw DIY scene with optimism at its heart.

The trio’s first single from 1990, ‘Shining Through’ is a no nonsense, bassbin-rattling love song from the underground, seeing long-term friends Sonia and Arletta pulling on the heartstrings from the mic as Robert works his magic behind the studio controls.

Lovingly remastered from the DAT by Cicely Balston, if only ‘Over You’ had been so easy. Two years of endless searching for the tape and subsequently a clean copy of the record, Heels & Souls even went to the lengths of having the multitracks restored so that Robert could attempt to recreate the original mixdown in the studio – but the magic of ‘91, unfortunately, can’t simply be conjured at the drop of a hi-hat.

After all but losing hope, Sean P (by way of Backatcha’s Aiden Leacy), came to the rescue with a mint condition copy of the record that he had from running in the same circles as Robert and Duval back in the day, ripping and restoring it with a precision he’s rightly famed for. And so (finally!) here it is: distorted samples, low-fi hits, speaker rumbling bassweight and all. Raw to the core, but that’s the point – pure, unbridled emotion from the depths of North West London.

Fully licensed from Robert Roper, 20% of profits from Heels & Souls Recordings and Prime Direct Distribution will be donated to Lives Not Knives, a youth-led London-based charity, working to prevent knife crime, serious youth violence and school exclusions.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Over You
A2. Over You (Mix 2)
B1. Shining Through
B2. Shining Through (Dance Mix)

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John Rocca

Reflections Of The Sun

Pink Rythm Records

Reflections of the Sun is a collection of new music that see John Rocca experiment with a more laid back side to his musical personality. John is best know in Jazz Funk circles for his 1980s self funded, self produced and self released Brit Funk classic 'Southern Freeez', and as the band Freeez's founder.

Much of the album is also somewhat reflective. A personal and emotional reflection on John's life - the tracks a nod to John's varied musical pasts. Sounds, a pondering upon his collection of global influences and his life experiences over the years; Genre, the pulse of today, societal, musical or otherwise - but not easy to place as is John's character; Lyrics, the present dilemmas we face as humanity, whilst reflecting on our own private and deepest human feelings, of life and, of love in all its wonderous forms.

Musically, the 'Reflections of the Sun' album casts a glimpse back to Rocca's Brit Funk roots growing up amongst 1970s classic Jazz Funk and Soul, while also blending inspiration from his 1980-90s electronic influences topped off with everything else he has seen and heard on his life travels since then.

Giving a nod to John's own past while bringing Reflections of the Sun up to date was completed by adding elements of London's re-surgent and vibrant jazz scene. Not so different from John’s own early days jamming with Freeez, he is accompanied on all the album's tracks by his two young nephews and highly respected jazz musicians, Benjamin Rocca on keyboards and Joel Rocca on Saxophone. The two youngsters are known on the current London Jazz scene as the "Rocca Brothers".

The album's title track, "Reflections of the Sun" refers to how humanity, gorging on the sunshine that brings life to everything, also has a tendency to reflect the hellishness of the sun itself. Comparing our self-destructive nature with our planet's volumes of un-ending beauty.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Angel
A2. Close Your Eyes (Take The Ride)
A3. Dream, LoveB1Reflections Of The Sun
B2. I’ve Known Love (the Feeling Of Love)
B3. Open Spaces, Open Minds

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The Skatalites

Guns Of Navarone

Soul Jazz Records

A seminal ska all-time anthem on new clean loud pressing, originally released in 1965 in Jamaica and the UK, The Skatalites insanely addictive ska tune always sounds fresh and fills any dancefloor. Check the stunning ska dancer tribute to Marcus on the flipside - killer. 100% essential!

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Leng

Having first joined forces in 2021 for the simultaneously sleazy and sweet ‘Dance Par Amour’ – a typically analogue-rich chunk of electronic disco wonkiness with nods to both dub disco and leftfield early ‘80s synth-pop – The Emperor Machine and Severine Mouletin have returned to Leng with a similarly inspired sequel.

By now, you should all know the work of Andy Meecham as The Emperor Machine; since first utilising the pseudonym two decades ago, Meecham has delivered a swathe of acclaimed albums and singles for D.C Recordings, Southern Fried Records, Internasjonal, Vertical Tones and Skint. Since first appearing on Leng last year, Meecham has focused on collaborating with vocalists – something he often shied away from when it came to Emperor Machine material.

‘Your Own Style’, which does a terrific job in showcasing rising star Mouletin’s intriguing lyrics and tender but confident vocals, is another strong Emperor Machine release. Showcasing many of the stylistic ticks that have long marked out his work (not just as a solo producer, but also as part of Chicken Lips), it once again boasts a suite of alternative versions – as well as additional guitar trickery from legendary A Certain Ratio musician Martin Moscrop.

The EP is led by Meecham’s ‘Alt Mix’, where Mouletin’s distinctive vocals, warming electric piano motifs and wild, proto-house style vintage synth sounds ride a hand-percussion rich groove marked out by a typically addictive, ear-catching electronic bassline. With Meecham reaching for the tape echo and delay (an aural hallmark of his productions and reflective of his love of dubbed-out electronic disco), the track is a sparse, mind-altering chunk of new wave-informed mid-tempo electronic disco.

It comes backed by two distinctive dubs in Meecham’s trademark style. There’s a ‘Dub Vocal’ mix in which selected snippets of Mouletin’s bi-lingual vocal rise and fall around a subtly tougher, spaced-out take on Meecham’s musical arrangement smothered in effects, and a ‘Fun Dub’ that’s altogether sweeter, more playful, informed by electro (one of Meecham’s earliest musical loves) and high on additional percussion, warming Rhodes riffs and Chicken Lips-esque synthesiser flourishes.

Those who buy the digital edition of the EP also get two more mixes: Meecham’s original ‘Extended Vocal’ and ‘Extended Instrumental’ takes. Slightly warmer and hazier than the EP-leading ‘Alt Mix’ and boasting a more obvious electro shuffle, these two takes are every bit as alluring and ear-catching as those showcased on the vinyl version

TRACK LISTING

A1. Your Own Style (alternate Mix)
B1. Your Own Style (dub Vocal)
B2. Your Own Style (Fun Dub)

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Mark Seven

Vibes

Parkway

More foundation proto-house and electro-boogie courtesy of Mark Seven's seminal Parkway imprint. "Vibes" come in three flavors: "Sunsplash Vibe" has the feel of summer heat, heavy synth bass and bouncing leads from New York to Negril. "Original Vibe" adds sharp synths over an electro bassline á la Freeez and "Body Vibe" rounds off with a smoother soul vibe.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Mark Seven and his Parkway have consistently been revisiting the sounds of boogie and proto-house for fourteen releases. Reliving that Zanzibar vibe with authenticity and sincerity, "Vibes" is no exception.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Sunsplash Vibe
B1. Original Vibe
B2. Body Vibe

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Surfing In Kansas

Three releases in and Surfing In Kansas had already shot to the top of our favourite labels, offering expert edits of grooving obscurities for the adventurous DJs and dancers out there. Their flawless record continues with the fourth instalment as Abel and A Good Christian once again wield the scalpel, creating classy cuts of a pair of low slung unclassics.

On the A-side we are finally blessed with a vinyl version of Abel's much lauded and frankly fantastic edit of "Feels So Good" by 80s pin-up and Gremlin loving sensation Phoebe Cates. Taken from her only LP, the semi-soulful but almost entirely shite "Paradise", this track is the proverbial stopped clock, a moment of musical magic as exceptional as its comrades are crap. Abel does his thing expertly here, providing subtle extensions and snips to create the 12" version that never was. If you're looking for a little moonlit boogie with a lot of heart, you'll never top this.

Meanwhile on the flip, AGC tackles Lipps Inc.'s "How Long", a marvelously melancholic bit of Italo inspired disco which some of you may remember from Justus Köhncke's Kompakt classic 'Timecode". Though it boasts a killer bassline, high grade synth riffs and a pretty catchy chorus, some segments of the OG are unfortunate, so I'm forever grateful to Christian for this much needed rearrangement.

This label always sells out in seconds, so get your skates on!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Large ups to Abel and A Good Christian who continue to promote edit excellence through their Surfing In Kansas imprint. Impossible to pick a fave here, as Phoebe Cates' B-word killer "Feels So Good" and Lipps Inc's Köhncke's sampled "How Long" get an essential upcycle. Bomba!

TRACK LISTING

A. Feels So Good Feels So Right (Abel Edit)
B. How Lo-O-Ong (A Good Christian Edit)

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Alton Ellis

Blackish White

Golden Lion Sounds

Coloured 7"

£15.99

Cat Number

GLS014C

Release date

26 May '23

Monsieur Dimitri from Paris works his magic on Casbah 73's organic disco grooves with a remix treatment that surpasses all expectations.

'To Be Free' and 'Doing Our Own Thing' had a fantastic response when released on 12", at the end of 2019. It received wide support from people in the know like Red Greg, Danny Krivit, Folamour, Soul Clap, Kenny Dope and many others. The first pressing quickly sold out and the tracks were sounding strong on discerning dancefloors until, well, "The Thing" hit and everything stopped.

Despite this, the record has continued to grow by word of mouth, and so we thought it would be wonderful to have a 7" version with an edit or even a remix of the jazzy funky disco banger 'Doing Our Own Thing'. No one better than Dimitri from Paris for the job, one of the DJs who happened to tell us he loved the track. His two-part edit of 'Doing Our Own Thing' is a bomb that will make people dance for years to come.

TRACK LISTING

1. Doing Our Own Thing (Dimitri From Paris Remix Part 1)
2. Doing Our Own Thing (Dimitri From Paris Remix Part 2)

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Prince Jazzbo

Replay

TRACK LISTING

Side A:
1. Literary Mind
Side B:
2. Literary Mind (Live At Whelan's)

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Leon Vynehall

Rosebud / Black Dove

Studio Ooze

Leon Vynehall's steep trajectory into stardom continues. Following an acclaimed Fabric compilation and sold-out takeover of the club, plus his highly lauded Radio One residency, he returns to his own newly birthed label with another club smasher.

"Rosebud" is a highly frenetic, heads down slammer. Technoid stabs cementing a sturdy pulse while a whole manner of refracted sfx and voltage-injected vox fire over the top of the mix.

"Black Dove" rides wubbing subs and stuttered vocal snips with a skippy beat that recalls early Joy O or 2010-era Four Tet, only to elevate things further with a trance-informed breakdown that captures all the energy, spirit and euphoria of a night out to remember. A monster of a track that's brilliantly alive and addictive. Reduced and twisted on the 'Winged Version', which sees Leon bury the track even deeper underground and into the rave bunker.

Seriously strong 12" from this modern dance music superstar. Recommended!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Brilliantly produced EP from LV which tickles the system in all the right places. Whether you play techno or bass, you'll find the whole EP a joy on the senses.

TRACK LISTING

A. Rosebud
B1. Black Dove
B2. Black Dove (Winged Version)

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TRACK LISTING

1. Uniquely Fresh
2. Earth Is Not For Humans
3. Seeing Is Believing

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Type-303

Viti EP

Perko

Prang

Numbers

Prang
Sisu

Matt says: Granite-faced new rave blasts from this now staple of the harder techno / bass scene. Kettama mixes up soundsystem pressure from across the ages to create a demolition ball of sound all of his own. Head for the bunkers!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Samba Soccer 2001
A2. Blitz Zuruck
B1. Slaap Lekker
B2. G-TOWN IN EFFEKT
B3. Blitz Zuruck (Rock Da Cliffe Mix)

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De Lux

What's Life (Idjut Boys Remixes)

Innovative Leisure

What's Life (Idjut Boys Dub Remix)

We're back with another Lance Ferguson 7" single pressed in collaboration with seminal Japanese record store Jet Set, following up on last summer's killer Brazilian Rhyme/Sweet Power Your Embrace 45!

This time getting the it's two selections from the second volume of Lance's Rare Groove Spectrum series, the stellar take on Azymyth's Voo Sobre O Horizonte (Fly Over the Horizon) and Ferguson's instrumental take on an all-time Balearic classic, Carly Simon's Why.

Cut loud to 7" wax and served in a polybag with Japanese insert. We won't have many of these so get in quick!

TRACK LISTING

1. Voo Sobre O Horizonte
2. Why

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The Chemical Brothers

No Reason

EMI

Tom n Ed, possibly one of the UK's most influential and successful electronic music outfits, return with a brand new single: "No Reason". Featuring a bleak lyrical hook (provided by a vocal sample from Second Layer's "Courts Or War") - 'we have no reason to live / no reason at all / when will they kill us all' - the track's poignantly gloomy outlook is juxtaposed by one of their typically galvanized grooves - pairing up a punchy B-line with nuevo-disco drums, the odd vocal whoop and darting synth stabs. Add a lashing 303 and military snare rolls which allude to its shadowy war-mongering. It's stadium friendly, with soaring breakdowns and full fat processing; and has been going down a storm at their live shows for the past year or so.

As much as dance music is about hedonism and escapism, there's always been a political and social commentary underlining the best bits. The Chems perfectly balance energy release with wry contemplation on a track that is destined to become a global hit.

On the flip, they pop the cork off the dance tent, firing off sharp acid lines, precision beats and head-splitting reversals - layering up the incessant percussion lines for a fiery and frothy techno steam train that'll have everyone sweating and gasping for breath. Festival season better be ready!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Nihilistic in vocal content, with clever sampling of Second Layer (me neither) - The Chemical Brothers deliver a stadium slaying hit which still has summery connotations whilst biting hard at the jugular. Always the same, always different!

TRACK LISTING

A. No Reason
B. All Of A Sudden

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Moreish Idols

Lock Eyes And Collide EP

Speedy Wunderground / [PIAS]

Coherence is overrated. Especially if keeping things hazy, and not smoothing away all the rough edges, and allowing all the seeming contradictions to find their own unique harmony with each other in their own time can result in the heady magic of Lock Eyes & Collide, the second EP from South London-based quintet Moreish Idols. Across these four tracks, Moreish Idols deal in tangles of hyper-melodic guitar, sleepy-eyed murmurs glowing with unassuming poetry, blossoms of wise saxophone, rhythms that pulse and purr to their own inarguable logic. You could spend days trying to define what exactly it is they are doing over these fifteen or so minutes, but you’d be wiser to just lose yourself within Lock Eyes & Collide’s laser-guided twists and turns.

Pulling into focus. They passed tracks from initial collaborative song-writing sessions along to Dan Carey, who signed Moreish Idols to his Speedy Wunderground label and produced their first release on the label, the Float EP, in the summer of 2022 (they’d released a pair of self-released 7”s before lockdown). Restless, jerky, jagged and rhythmically centred, many of Float’s energetic pleasures bore the influence of their earlier flirtation of post-punk, but the ruminative When The River Runs Dry spelled deeper treasures lay within, while the erratic, wonderful Speedboat spoke to Moreish Idols’ essential gift for mystery. Lock Eyes & Collide is something else altogether, though – a looser constellation of ideas, a clearer hint of the group’s future.

The elements that compose the EP – swooning tremolo guitars, prickly melodic riddles, erudite saxophone improvs, loose and flexible rhythms – make perfect sense together, on vinyl if not on paper, sounding like Watery, Domestic-era Pavement one second and some bucolic Canterbury Scene prog the next, but always, always like Moreish Idols most of all.

The future that is undefined is limitless. If Lock Eyes & Collide captures Moreish Idols’ present, what do they see in their future? “If we’d just made Float II for our second EP, people would be, ‘Oh, they’re the band that does that,” says Tom. “I’m so glad we’ve made this weird alter-ego of our first EP; now we feel we can do whatever we want.”

TRACK LISTING

1. Nocturnal Creatures
2. Between These Ears
3. Green Light
4. Chum

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Andy Romano

Every Time Feel Allright

Cold Blow

Kippis, hold on! Cold Blow is proud to announce the 12-inch re-issue of Andy Romano's sought-after Italo disco EP "Every Time Feel Allright"! The EP has been remastered by the legendary Ed DMX, with all-new artwork by Ed Cheverton.

The EP’s titular opening track is a Mike Mareen-esque roller with a playful call-and-response between Andy’s passionate vocals and robotic synthesisers, making it a master class in Italo disco. The instrumental version follows, perfect for those just beginning their personal Italo journey.

On the B-side, we are treated to a slightly more modern twist on the classic style. Starting with L’amour Robotique, a dramatic-romantic instrumental of robotic love, perhaps reminiscent of the classic Spacer Woman by Charlie. The final track Sayonara Robot sweeps us to the Far East with its percussive synth leads, rolling bassline, and vocoder vocals declaring “I am the robot, Sayonara Robot!”

Originally released not in the 80s but in 2010, "Every Time Feel Allright" was part of a wave of releases by the young Andrea Cofrancesco from Rome. After discovering the world of Italo disco, Andrea was instantly mesmerised and became obsessed with emulating the rough, sometimes sloppy, but always unique sound of 80s Italy. Mastering his craft, Andrea went as far as cataloguing specific sounds by year while finding himself most influenced by 1983 and 1985. Through many solo releases, the young producer eventually wrote and produced songs with his idols Fred Ventura and Clay Pedrini, culminating in his success. Today, Andrea works as an illustrator and concept artist, and can be found on Instagram as @andrewcockroach.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A truly special record for me, hammered to death at Wet Play between 2010 - 2015. Really nice to see a reissue of this modern Italo masterpiece as the initial copies were warped to buggery. Unmissable this - you have been warned!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Every Time Feel Allright
A2. Every Time Feel Allright (Instrumental)
B1. L'Amour Robotique
B2. Sayonara Robot

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Suub

Phindings EP

Moniker Eggplan

Blink-and-you'll-miss-it repress of this ingenious and highly experimental slice of dubstep pressure from 2016. Suub is an alias of Bryan May aka Beam Up but here he ditches the dubwise influences for something altogether more ragged and brutal.

"Gaussian Swagger" is a shing example of halftempo engineering. One of those dubby tools you can play at 85 or 170BPM. It's deep, dark and tailored for lazer guided late night play.

Meanwhile, full of gutteral, shock inducing bass squeals, "Straight No Kissin'" twists what we already know about low end dynamics into terrifying new realms. Meanwhile, the splashy drum programming and mangled breaks insist on trying to rearrage our interior functions.

Two stupendously powerful club jams - don't sleep!

TRACK LISTING

Gaussian Swagger
Straight In No Kissin'

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LCD Soundsystem

New Body Rhumba

DFA Records

New Body Rhumba

12"

£13.99

Limited edition run of... [ + ]

Cat Number

DFA2702

Release date

14 Apr '23

Format Info

Limited edition run of 1500 copies.
A2 Poster in Clear Plastic Sleeve.

Stretch 'em out and shake off the cobwebs - LCD Soundsystem have returned, in recorded form, from a 5-year hibernation. 'new body rhumba' was written and recorded for the new Noah Baumbach film, White Noise, which is an adaptation of the Don DeLillo novel. It’s classic LCD, all tight and brash, with a coda headed for the second star from the right and straight on 'till morning.

Single-sided 12'' vinyl, mastered and cut at 45rpm by Bob 'Sparklebear' Weston at Chicago Mastering Service, pressed at MPO in France.

TRACK LISTING

A1. New Body Rhumba

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Angel Olsen

Forever Means

Jagjaguwar

12"

£19.99
Usually ships within: 2-5 days

Black vinyl edition.

Cat Number

JAG434LP

Release date

14 Apr '23

Format Info

Black vinyl edition.
Includes MP3 Download Code.

Coloured 12" EP

£19.99

Baby Pink coloured vinyl.

Cat Number

JAG434LP-C1

Release date

14 Apr '23

Format Info

Baby Pink coloured vinyl.
Includes MP3 Download Code.

A1. Kerri Chandler – Who’s Afraid Of The Dark (Original)
B1. Josh Butler – Sunday Club (Original Mix)

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Coloured 7"

£7.99

Clear vinyl 7”, limited... [ + ]

Cat Number

BYREC45

Release date

17 Mar '23

Format Info

Clear vinyl 7”, limited to 500 copies.

Cryptically-named duo JOHN - comprised of John Newton (drums, lead vocals) and Johnny Healey (guitar, backing vocals) - return with their first new music since the release of their acclaimed third album Nocturnal Manoeuvres. It comes in the guise of the blistering 'Theme New Bond Junior', the A-side of a new 7" single, b/w 'Hopper on the Dial'.

Set to undulating guitar riffs and a greater sense of dynamics than ever before, 'Theme New Bond Junior' finds JOHN tackling the questioning feelings that arose as the band returned to the live circuit once venues began to open their doors as they embarked on a rapturous 30-date UK tour in autumn 2021, as well as recent festival slots at Green Man, End of the Road, Latitude, a main stage appearance at Bearded Theory’s Spring Gathering and a memorable return to the mainland at Belgium’s historic ROCK HERK.

“The arts function as a mirror of our wider culture, and it’s been interesting to see how the acceleration of the present affects most aspects of our lives - including the production of art and music," says Newton. "The track was a gestation on the speed of consumption: this includes both the constant update/obsolescence of physical products and their resulting affect on the human attention span.”

“Recently, it’s been concerning to see individuals - who have been pillars of creative action - questioning their ability to continue their jobs (and passions). Especially amongst the, quite frankly ridiculous, calls to ‘retrain’. I felt like the track helped us to keep our own momentum, continuing to stay positive and move forward despite the challenging scenery around us. With this in mind, it felt like the perfect track to act as a call-to-arms, introducing a new chapter as the first glimpse of a barrage of new stuff we’ve been focussing on.”

'Theme New Bond Junior' also marks a change in production personnel: beginning a collaboration between South London recording engineer Tom Hill of The Bookhouse Studio and mixing engineer Seth Manchester (Battles, METZ, The Hotelier) of Machines With Magnets, Rhode Island, USA.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: How good is this?! Piccadilly's favourite noise makers return with this superb two tracker. Theme New Bond Junior is a typically JOHN thundering guitar and drum assault while Hopper On The Dial is a more brooding affair that slowly builds to a crescendo of soaring guitars, rumbling drums and half-spoken vocals.

TRACK LISTING

A1 Theme New Bond Junior
B1 Hopper On The Dial

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Various Artists

Ciao Italia. Generazioni Underground Bonus Cinque

Luaka Bop

Down across the railroad tracks, on a narrow road called Church Street in West Point, Mississippi, there’s a windowless brick building that’s been converted into a house of worship called The Message Center. One chilly January morning, the original members of a little-known gospel group from Aberdeen, Mississippi, called the Staples Jr. Singers gathered there to play some of their early songs for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Many of these songs, which they wrote when they were just teenagers, first appeared on their only full-length release in 1975, When Do We Get Paid (Luaka Bop, 2022), but none have been revisited—until now.

TRACK LISTING

A1 When Do We Get Paid (In Full)
B1 Somebody Save Me
B2 I’m Looking For A Man
B3 Tell Heaven

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Pressure

Coloured 12"

£15.99
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Cat Number

PRESH017

Release date

10 Mar '23

Format Info

Transparent amber coloured vinyl.

The friendship between Al Cisneros (Sleep/Om) and Kevin Martin (The Bug/King Midas Sound) begun when King Midas Sound supported OM at the Scala in London in 2012. Subsequently the duo quickly realised via passionately animated conversations, that they shared a serous addiction to reggae 7", and in particular, a mutually insatiable appetite for roots and the deepest dub versions being consistently transmitted from Jamaica...This resulted in Cisneros, then inviting Martin to specifically drop hardcore dub sessions as support to Sleep in Berlin, and on tour with OM. It was during the European Om tour in 2019, that Cisneros offered to record an ep for The Bug's fledgling PRESSURE label.

And now 'Rosin' is the fulfilment of that promise. Al's side of the single, showcases the low end specialist extending the bassbin pounding methodologies of those incredible b-line masters who first inspired him to relentlessly explore the infinitely resonant worlds of bass and space. So 'Rosin Immersion' and it's subsequent dub 'Dabby You', echo 'Flabba Holt's classic work with the Roots Radics or Robbie Shakespeare 's tremendous output for Channel One with The Revolutionaries...These devastating mixes extend the hallowed roots tradition that Cisneros worships, and gleefully opts for an even lower, slower, grind .... It's another fantastic example of Al's parallel dub world, that he has been tirelessly promoting with his incredible Sinai label releases for the past few years, as he simultaneously continues to reshape Metal with Sleep and zoned 'out' rock with Om too. On the flipside, Martin took up Al's invitation to remix his original song, but Kevin here opts for radical mutation instead of homage. What may have begun as a single remix, ends as two militantly distinct future dubs aimed straight at the body and dome...Echoing Kevin's recent collaborations with Will Bevan aka Burial, for their collaborative Flame series, as previously released on PRESSURE, this pair of thundering tracks reflect The Bug at his most immersive and psychedelic. 'Fathoms' and '50 hz' revel in their otherness, and the sonic sorcery of his Brussels based sound lab. The twin rhythms are undoubtedly inspired by the spirit of The Bug's production heroes Scientist, King Tubby or Adrian Sherwood, but are set adrift in a futuristic sci-fi format for ambient heads and sound system disciples alike to get fully lost in.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A rather 'trad' sounding dub excursion from Al Cisneros here, which contrasts nicely with the more avant/noize based approach to dub and dancehall favoured by The Bug.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Al Cisneros – Rosin Immersion
A2. Al Cisneros - Dabby You
B1. The Bug – Fathoms
B2. The Bug - 50hz

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Fatima Al Qadiri

Gumar EP

Various Artists

Hudd Influence Vol. 1

Hudd Traxx

Eddie Leader’s Northern PowerHOUSE imprint Hudd Traxx has, over its 17 year history, become synonymous as a home of quality underground sounds. As a label that has consistently kept the vibe alive through its unwavering insistence on quality over quantity, it has seen many masters of the craft feature on the Huddersfield-based label... Including Agnès, Chez Damier, Chris Carrier, Brett Johnson, JT Donaldson, Rick Wade and more.

Hudd Traxx present an exciting new series of releases: Hudd Influence. A new run of vinyl offerings that see label boss Leader digging deep, licensing, remastering and pressing to vinyl a spicy selection of joints that have played their part, not only in his own musical journey, but also in influencing the foundation of the Hudd Traxx label.

Volume One brings us four choice cuts from house music royalty, kicking off with the Todd Terry’s 1992 classic ‘When You Hold Me’, taken from his debut ’The Unreleased Project’. Next up, the ‘Body N Soul’ Mix of ‘Get 2 U’ from long-time friend of the label, Jovonn, under his 1999 alias LYON. On the flip we’re treated to ’Touch Me’ (Dub Touch Me Mix), the ’94 production from Chicago’s Danell Dixon, alongside a huge Eddie Leader favourite in The Diggers 1996 jam, ‘Jazztaker’s Dub’.

Whether this is a first introduction or a reaffirmation of their greatness, Hudd Traxx are excited to provide a fresh platform for these true house classics.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Nice retrospective glance at what tracks would inform the Hudd Trax sound. The Northeast label that would enjoy a rich and fertile cross pollination with the best of the US scene. "When You Hold Me" will always have a special place in my heart from the early days of Wet Play!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Todd Terry - When You Hold Me
A2. Lyon - Get 2 U (Body N Soul Mix)
B1. Danell Dixon - Touch Me (Dub Touch Me Mix)
B2. The Diggers - Jazztaker Dub

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Various Artists

Vinyl Destination

Devoted

Real tasty various artists EP showcasing the best of the Devoted roster. Based in Liverpool this underground label has been knocking around for the last 15 years or so, touching in deep Detroit and UK house flavours.

First up is a deep and percussive rehash of Apologist & Unsettled's "Zabriskie Point" by Inbetween DJs. Techy and stylish, it'll warm up the more forward leaning dances superbly. Followed by "Maybrook" a sublime, smokey downtempo affair by French producer Each which should appeal to the DJ Shadow fans with its heady, stoned emotion. Next up is Mike Rez '"The Diary": a moody dubby techno affair which swells and plumes with an unnatural radiance.

We finish off with Barry Wenham presents Jean Bon Bon bringing us a slice of early 90s New York house with his track "Brooklyn". 4 Tracks of varying styles showcasing the labels versatility.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Nice EP from our mates over in Liverpool. All unbeknownst producers to me until now. A tasteful smattering of house, dub-tech and downbeat. Check!

TRACK LISTING

Apologist & Unsettled - Zabriskie Point (Inbetween DJ's Remix)
Each - Maybrook
Mike Rez - The Diary (Askani Remix)
Barry Wenham Presents Jean Bon Bon - Brooklyn

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Jordan Fields ropes in some help from his close-knit Chicagoan community for a thoroughly delightful excursion into pure house music for the lastest release on long standing imprint, Yore.

SIX tracks (count 'em!) meaning there's plenty wriggle for your wonga on this 12"! All of it leaning on the deep, tribal and slightly jazzy - it's wraught with the spirit of house music through and through with dreamy organ licks, frenetic percussion, warm bass and insurmountable energy.

Pressed nice and crisp and loud as per the Yore standard, six fresh joints to rock out in the club or the house party.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Inflation busting value from JF and friends with a LONG playing house EP that offers pure wriggle for your wonga! Five tracks - over half an hour run time - that's half a headline set at THP covered in one record!

TRACK LISTING

A1. DUBrazil – Untitled 1 07:10
A2. DUBrazil – Untitled 2 07:34

B1. Jordan Fields – Wanna Feel The Music (Piano Mix) 05:39
B2. Tracky Disco – Keep It Going 05:15
B3. Afrolectro – Needs Love 06:20

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S. Crosbie

Seven Dials

Weapons Of Desire

Modern maneuvers in machine music courtesy of the Weapons Of Desire arsenal. Solo outing from S. Crosbie who is based in Brighton and runs both Dark Arts and Novac Music labels. He treats us to a fine selection of stripped back warehouse tools. Utilizing nowt but a drum machine and a few choice bits of tone generation he manages to conjure up a primal yet mechanized collection of tracks for late night gremlin abuse.

It's all acidic squelch, drum box thud and black arts sonic shamanism - right up the strasse of your local rave mutant! Recommended and in limited supply - move quick on these joints!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Tony Aslam gets busy in the barracks once again. Rousing warehouse general S. Crosbie to draw up some heavy weapons. A Brighton native with his own control factions; his guest appearance on WOD packs a serious punch.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Figure 3
A2. Bridge & Tunnel
A3. Seven Dials

B1. Next-door
B2. Shifty

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Ben Jamin

Too Slow To Disco Edits 13

City Slang

In November 2022, GOLD PANDA released his long-awaited album "The Work". It includes the two singles "I've Felt Better (Than I Do Now)" & "Plastic Future". These were remixed by Gold Panda's friend and companion Daniel Avery and the one and only Skee Mask respectively

TRACK LISTING

Side A: I’ve Felt Better (Daniel Avery Remix)
Side B: Plastic Future (Skee Mask Remix)

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Energy 52

Café Del Mar - Nalin & Kane & Deadmau5 Remixes

Superstition Records

Energy 52’s "Café Del Mar" has come to represent the most euphoric and hedonistic pleasures of the dancefloor - in Ibiza and all around the world - and has been remixed by some of the biggest names in electronic music. Known for its infectious melody and its strong impact on dancefloors around the globe it charted multiple times around the world and won countless awards; spearheading the trance movement and becoming one of the widely loved tracks of the genre. Now, 30 years after its first original release, Superstition Records are putting out a new series of releases, with brand new remixes as well as some of the many remixes from across the last three decades.

The second part in the series features two of the most recognizable interpretations, which fed into the hearts of millions: the remixes from 90ies trance legends Nalin & Kane, originally released in 1998, which takes us on a deeper journey, raiding the senses with warm, calming pads before lush basses come through and ultimately that famous, instantly recognizable melody. It's presented alongside iconic Deadmau5, who delivered a remarkable, house-grooving deep interpretation of the classic in 2008.

Fresh new remastered pressing too, which we have to say sounds absolutely ideal! Grab yourself a set of glow sticks and relive the spirit of the Gatecrasher Coach!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Let me take you back to a time of hedonistic revelry, wide-eyed novelty and pure innocence. Before mobile phones, scepticism, egos and social media ruined the dancefloor. OK, I'm sure there were lots of BAD things about the 90s, but listening to this - I have nothing but a golden glow on my face. One of the poster tracks of the trance genre given a fresh new lease of life.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Café Del Mar (Nalin & Kane Remix)
B1. Café Del Mar (Deadmau5 Remix)

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Thee Headcoats / CTMF

Full Time Plagiarist

Damaged Goods

Thee Headcoats and CTMF go head-to-head! Two Billy Childish bands battle it out with versions of the same song! Thee Headcoats version is taken from their forthcoming new studio album Irregularis: The Great Hiatus. The CTMF version is exclusive to this release. Two versions of the same song by different bands. Has each band heard the other version? If so, did they pass judgement? No, neither group heard the other version. I had forgotten how the CTMF version went - even though it was only a few weeks past. As with all the LPs there’s no rehearsal. I play the track - we do a run through and then press record. I don’t remember how either version goes now. There’s a famous saying – “Talent borrows; genius steals”. Are you a borrower? A stealer? Or something else entirely? As I’ve said before, I follow strict music industry guidelines and only plagiarise 50 percent of my material. Kurt Cobain put it better - he said people thought he was original because he didn’t let on what he was ripping off. Though we know he got the riff to his most famous song from The Daggermen, a local group Wolf (our drummer) played in. What was it like recording with Bruce and Johnny after such a long time? We met up in the studio in the morning, had a cuppa, a chat, plugged in and recorded the LP (in two days.) It was the first time we'd all been together in about 30 years, and it felt like yesterday - just laughing and joking about how rubbish we were and generally having fun. It was like no time had passed at all. Love the sleeve picture for this 7”! A lot of people miss the humour in your work, does that frustrate you? I’m not frustrated but surprised that the British seem to have lost their sense of humour somewhat - they’ve been pretty po-faced since 1978, I think. I was brought up on Pete and Dud when I was a kid. Interestingly a lot of comedians seem to like what we do. Stewart Lee has always been a fan and he said there are others of his ilk. If something can’t be mocked or laughed at, I’m not that interested in it

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Rhoda Dakar

What A Wonderful World

Sunday Best

Rhoda Dakar began her musical career as lead vocalist with all female 2Tone band, The Bodysnatchers. They only ever released two singles, 'Let's Do Rocksteady' and 'Easy Life'. After a year together they split and Rhoda went on to guest with The Specials in Europe and the USA, having featured on their second album, 'More Specials', for which she won the first of her seven gold records. After their demise, and before joining Jerry Dammers' new project, she recorded The Bodysnatchers' first original song, 'The Boiler', a harrowing tale of date rape, which was inevitably banned. The Special AKA spent the next two years recording 'In The Studio', spawning a top ten hit with 'Free Nelson Mandela'.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
1. What A Wonderful World

SIDE B
1. A Wonderful Version

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Levon Vincent

Medium Is The Message II

Novel Sound

Levon Vincent continues unabashed on his own Novel Sound imprint. "The Medium is the Message II" - a reference to Marshall McLuhan's theory that the message signifies content and character, and the 'content' of any medium blinds us to the character of said medium.

These tracks are tribal aNnd funky. Dark and throbbing. Undeniably LV and back to his classic, pitch-black & neon strobed big room sound.

On wicked coloured wax courtesy of BK Phono. (Special care taken so that you can see the grooves!!!)

Mastered by the inimitable Josh Bonati in Brooklyn, NY.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The New Jersey bad man is at it again - conjuring up some tuff late night body music for our delectation. One of the best Novel Sounds for a while - as the label quietly reaches it's impressive 40th milestone.

TRACK LISTING

A. The Medium Is The Message (Long Mix)
B. The Medium Is The Message (Short Mix)

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Magnets And Proverbs

Magnetic Prophecies

Ishmael Ensemble

New Era

Severn Songs

12"

£14.99

Cat Number

SEVS12

Release date

10 Feb '23

Fresh from their celebrated UK tour, featuring a stand-out performance at London Jazz Festival, Ishmael Ensemble return with ‘Reasons’ the lead single from their forthcoming EP ‘New Era’, a collaborative project with lyricist and MC Rider Shafique.

Ishmael Ensemble’s Pete Cunningham says: “I first came across Rider Shafique about 6 years ago after I heard his piece “I-Dentity” via Bristol’s Young Echo collective & was immediately struck by his powerful way with words. A true master of his craft.This record was an opportunity to lean into the more bass-heavy side of my music taste. I’ve always been a massive fan of dub in all its forms & producers like King Tubby, Adrian Sherwood & Pinch have been a constant source of inspiration over the years. This sound palette coupled with a voice like Rider’s is something I’ve always wanted to make so I’m super happy with what we’ve produced here.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Intro (name Tbc)
A2. Polestar
A3. New Era
B1. Salm
B2. Reasons

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SBT (Sarabeth Tucek)

The Gift / 13th St #2

Ocean Omen Records

Ltd 7"

£8.99

400 only pressing, in 4... [ + ]

Cat Number

OCOM01

Release date

10 Feb '23

Format Info

400 only pressing, in 4 different wraparound sleeves, 100 of each randomly distributed.

Musical legends from opposite sides of the world come together on Hell Yeah's next EP as Japan's Calm and Finnish musician Jimi Tenor collaborate on big city takes. It features two new singles as well as remixes from the celebrated tapes and Belfast's best-kept secret, The Vendetta Suite.

This most satisfying of eps came together when the psychedelic space-jazz-funk king and noted musician, composer and producer Jimi Tenor was in tour in Japan. Label head Marco arranged for him to head into Calm's studio in Kawasaki, Tokyo, and real magic happened.

'Big city takes' is gloriously lush, with serene chords, delicate flutes and organic percussion. Tenor's airy vocal brings the soul as an intimate and late-night groove emerges to melt your heart.

Then come two remixes from tapes. The first is powered by dusty old-school drum breaks. They're doused in subtle euphoria with a nimble bassline down low, while the second one is stripped right back to a pulsing rhythm and killer phased bass. Spread chords bring sunrise feelings to this most colourful of grooves.

On the flip side, Calm offers a version of 'Time & Space' that is nearly eight minutes of exquisitely blissed-out downtempo. Chords ripple like waves, flutes flutter like birds and the whole thing is filled with the joys of a new spring day. The remix comes from The Vendetta Suite, a label regular and under-the-radar talent who is defining his native Northern Irish scene with his fresh fusion sounds. His version brings a new age ambiance to post-rave Balearic comedown. It's one that douses you in life-affirming synths as drums gently persuade you to sway along.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Big City Takes (Original Mix)
A2. Big City Takes (Tapes Remix 1)
A3. Big City Takes (Tapes Remix 5)
B1. Time & Space (Calm's Version)
B2. Time & Space (Vendetta Suite Remix)

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