Eddie Leader has had his most productive year since releasing his first record under the Slum Science alias in 2004. Leader has delivered music on labels like Jovonn’s Body n’ Deep, Doorly’s Reptile Dysfunction, the iconic Hard Times label and his own Hudd Traxx in the past 12 months, most recently collaborating with Chez Damier on ‘Pressure’. This record is by far the deepest of them all. ‘Lost In…’ kicks things off and takes you on a deep hypnotic journey along the house spectrum. ‘The Unknown’ has a raw and underground vibe with a heavy bass line and takes inspiration from both Chicago & Detroit. The Tribal Manifestation Mix of ‘The Unknown' picks up the tempo on the B side for a peak time dancefloor rework. Eddie closes out the EP with ‘You’, which is a smooth vocal infused early hours future classic. Hudd Traxx have also had a very productive year and there’s still more to come in 2023.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: 'Uddersfield's finest, Eddie Leader back on a true house tip. He's been firing this year, with release after quality release on a variety of labels. Back on his home turf, four deep house slayers for your late night delectation.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Lost In... 
A2. The Unknown 
B1. The Unknown (Tribal Manifestation Mix) 
B2. You 

Eddie C revs up the Red Motorbike again with another big sound on a small format...

This time we're treated to a golden-era style slice 'n splice of an absolute monster cut from '76.

On the flip, we're in tried & tested Eddie territory with a beautifully breezy jam, skillfully stretched into a dynamite dancefloor moment.

Another essential, then. One hand-stamped press.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More tasty splices on 7" from Eddie C's Red Motorbike label. Surely one of the most enduring edit series around, he's unearthed some real gems on this latest road trip.

TRACK LISTING

A. D8 With The Rain
B. Sweet Honey

Mark is one of the most indomitable yet gentle spirits I ve ever met. He will always be one of my favorite artists I ve ever worked with. And someday when I grow up, I want to be just like him.

Alice Cooper. This book is a puzzle. The outside frame pieces are about me, but the picture wouldn t be complete without the perspectives of all the people telling you about me.

Mark Volman. Mark Volman has led a storied life, and many of those stories are contained in Happy Forever. A true son of southern California, he has gone from topping the charts with The Turtles ( Happy Together ) to underground cred with Frank Zappa and beyond.

As Flo & Eddie, Mark and his longtime singing partner Howard Kaylan were the not-so-secret ingredient on many other artist s records, taking Bruce Springsteen into the Top 10 for the very first time and helping T. Rex dominate the British charts. Then came The Ramones, U2, Blondie, Duran Duran, and so many more; the list of credits is long and varied.

Happy Forever covers all of that, along with subsequent forays into animation, a stint as a radio personality in Los Angeles and New York, and a midlife return to academia, which led Mark to create and run innovative college programs in LA and Nashville. But this is not the world according to Mark Volman, and it is not your average musical autobiography. Alongside his own comments, this uniquely insightful book contains contributions from more than one hundred of Mark s peers, friends, and lovers who share their thoughts on the man himself and on topics that span the social and cultural landscape of past half-century.

Happy Forever s cast list reads like a who s who of popular music, featuring members of The Doors, The Monkees, The Byrds, The E Street Band, and many more; producers Tony Visconti, Bob Ezrin, and Hal Willner; voice actors from The Simpsons and the Firesign Theatre; and key figures from the worlds of radio, animation, and academia. The book also includes previously unseen photographs and forewords by Alice Cooper and Chris Hillman.

Hot on the heels of his recently released ‘Forever EP’ on Radio Slave’s evergreen Rekids, Eddie Fowlkes returns to the label with ‘Bahama Man EP’, another four-track EP of red-hot dancefloor cuts. From the swinging opening title track through to the jacking low end of closer ‘Cube’, Eddie’s knack for crafting his unique style of club-friendly cuts is on full display across the record, some of his finest work to date.

As one of techno’s originators, Eddie Fowlkes has shaped the genre for over 36 years. With his releases on Metroplex, Tresor, Sony, Peacefrog, and his own imprints CityBoy Records and Detroit Wax, Fowlkes' contribution to the blueprint of modern electronic music cannot be overstated.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A true pioneer; Eddie Fowlkes has shaped the techno genre since day dot. His productions have always contained a maverick and reckless air; whilst also displaying some seriously advanced and sophisticated skills. He continues to be relevant and continues to push himself now; at 60 years old! Often overshadowed by Derrick May, Juan Atkins et al - Flashin' Fowlkes is a true legend of Detroit techno.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Bahama Man 
A2. Follow Me 
B1. Chi 2022 
B2. Cube 

A moment in time. A casual afterhours jam with friends. Out of which something special comes together.

The story behind Hudd Traxx label head Eddie Leader’s new single is one that begins with a rescue mission. Driving from his base in Manchester to London, to collect a stranded Chez Damier, due to a cancelled flight, and deliver him to his gig in Manchester that same night. Old friends, on a mission and putting the world to rights on their way.

Post gig, deep in merriment, and having given way to the lure of the machines, both Eddie, Chez & Tomson spent time jamming in the studio, recording vocals from which came the classic track 'I Am With You'. Until very recently the remaining stems and ideas were locked, but never forgotten, in the Hudd Traxx archives. Late last year Leader dusted them off and set to work on crafting a new single…. “Pressure”.

“Pressure” was born from a distinct lack of. A factor that radiates from the speakers as Leader crafts an unhurried and simple groove, built upon a warm bassline and glistening Ivory chords, all garnished by Chez, featuring under his Kids In The Streets alias, with his soulful vocal delivery.

Top drawer house music delivered with sincerity and purity; plus dub and instrumental version! Just like the old school maxi 12”s!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Eddie's relationship with Chez Damier has yeilded some pretty tasty results over the years but this has to be up there with the best of em. Thick n chunky, heartfelt deep house music. Lush.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Pressure 
A2. Pressure (Instrumental) 
B1. Pressure (Dub) 
B2. Pressure (Dubstrumental) 

Eddie C's permanently revving Red Motorbike returns with another big sound on a small format. Side A sees a cover of Chaka Khan's "Night Moods" skillfull stretched into a piece of ocean-side Balearic boogie. No idea who's done the cover, so Eddie musta dug deep for this one - but I have to say it's got a lot more umph and swagger about it than the smoochy Khan album filler (sorry!).

"Smokey Bay" on side B is an instrumental soft rock number, the kinda thing you'd imagine Psychemagik to comp or Balearic Mike to play out - to a olive grove of puzzled nerd and bewildered dancers. Eddie C certainly seems to have an endless source of these unheard grooves and for that we must always be thankful for the Red Motorbike imprint! brum brum! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Eddie C fires up his Red Motorbike after a mild hiatus, searching out two highly obscure but deliciously infectious cuts for our listening pleasure.

TRACK LISTING

A. Night Moves
B. Smokey Bay

Its been some years since Hard Times dropped new music in our laps, but having kick started a new wave with March’s release of Steve ’Silk’ Hurley’s stunning ‘All I Need’, featuring Sara Garvey on vocal duty, the label follows up swiftly with more precision groovemanship; this time from Hudd Traxx label boss and core Hard Times family member, Eddie Leader.

As a DJ, producer, promoter and label boss Eddie has, over a twenty five year career, become a standard bearer for UK house music. His own productions have graced seminal labels including Classic, Robsoul, Plastic City, Morris Audio and Balance Alliance, while his own Hudd Traxx imprint has become a go-to for many a discerning disc jockey. Its roster boasts releases that feature Matthew Herbert, Rolando, Jovonn, Rick Wade, Agnés and More.

Fresh from remixing Hurley’s ‘All I Need’, Leader now looks to ’Slow Everything Down’ with four fresh jams of his own that all stay true to the Hard Times ethos of quality, deep underground sounds.

Preaching from the front is ’Stand Up’, with its warm groove, piercing piano chords and soulful sermon. So come on… Stand up, to get down. On ‘Gratitude Power’ a seismic kick drum and bass combo pave the way, garnished with keys, synth stabs, bongos and a sprinkling of vocal as the track winds things on smoothly.

‘Slow Everything Down’ is where its at. A calmer, warmer groove, built from raw beats, spoken word and glistening piano. Coolness personified. This is where we're at. Leader slows and closes with final cut ’To Me To You’, icing the EP to perfection with its drowsy and hypnotising keys.

Hard Times continue to deliver the good times.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A stupendously good record from house stalwart and Hudd Trax owner Eddie Leader. Real raw house energy on this one - righty snapped up by some of MCR's finest as soon as it dropped! We'll be getting more copies in soon so hit that wish list button if it's already gone!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Stand Up 
A2. Gratitude Power 
B1. Slow Everything Down 
B2. To Me To You 

DJ Eddie Fowlkes created the techno genre alongside Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson. Now the 'Godfather of Techno Soul' uses his extensive knowledge and experience to create a dynamic wax release drenched in Motor City inspiration - this four-track vinyl package is both a love letter to his musical roots and an inspired representation of the left-of-centre house that Classic is known for. For the lead track, 'AHYEE', Eddie carves out his own sound in a low growl as distorted percussion whirs over a four-on-the-floor beat. 'Blow' goes tougher, with an undulating bass that adds a wonky unease to the rhythmic kick and syncopated decoration. On the B-side, ‘Talking To Me’ makes use of a distinctive spoken-word vocal over an expansive and rhythmically intricate accompaniment, celebrating the culture through expert sampling and production techniques, whilst ‘Complex’ is more beat-focused with driving synth rhythms. Coming from producing some of the first techno records nearly 40 years ago, unique releases like this continue to prove Fowlkes' status as a constant innovator, and his ear for house music is undeniable.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A triumphant return from one of the true godfathers of Detroit techno. Funky and silky; possessing that incessant Motor City spirit, this shit'll have you swinging off the rafters in no time.

TRACK LISTING

A1. AHYEE 
A2. Blow 
B1. Talking To Me 
B2. Complex 

For fans of: Nick Hakim, John Carroll Kirby, Khruangbin, Bullion, Duval Timothy.

‘Sundown’ is “low-key R&B legend” Eddie Chacon’s soulful, meditative debut for Stones Throw Records. The album was written with and produced by John Carroll Kirby. Eddie Chacon rose to fame in the duo Charles & Eddie, whose 1992 single “Would I Lie To You” was a #1 hit around the world. Chacon returned in 2020 with the album ‘Pleasure, Joy and Happiness’, widely acclaimed by the New York Times, Guardian, and many more.

Soulful, low-key R&B from Eddie Chacon, who soared to fame in Charles & Eddie, and returned in 2020 with the beloved album Pleasure, Joy and Happiness.

Produced by multiple Grammy nominated producer and artist John Carroll Kirby (Solange, Harry Styles, Steve Lacy).

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: If ever an album screamed 'Rhodes' and 'Ibiza' more than this little gem from Eddie Chacon, i'm yet to hear of it. Wonderfully meditative but without sacrificing the swimming melodicism and horizontal soul we've come to expect from Chacon (of Charles & Eddie fame). A shimmering, hazy Balearic beauty.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1) Step By Step
2) Far Away
3) Comes And Goes
4) Sundown

Side B
5) Holy Hell
6) Haunted Memories
7) Same Old Song
8) The Morning Sun

Collection of the lost recordings of Fast Eddie, one of the most exciting live bands of the early 1980s Rhythm ‘n’ Soul-fuelled Mod Revival.

From Billericay, the band followed in the wake of Thames Delta Blues pioneers Dr. Feelgood, originally playing raw, authentic R&B before expanding their sound to incorporate club soul and a broader palette of influences and sounds.

Originally produced and managed by legendary label man and broadcaster Eddie Piller, founder of Acid Jazz, who released their first single on his first own Well Suspect marque in 1982.

An exciting collection of Mod-Revival-era tunes, and an important document of the wider Mod Revival and Acid Jazz Records story.

TRACK LISTING

Shake A Tail Feather
I Don’t Need No Doctor
Sugar Coated Love
Sweet Sensation
Turn On Your Love Light
Vicinity
My Babe
Ninety-Nine & A Half
Out Of Sight
Fever
Keep Your Hands Off It
Teenie Bit Of Your Love *
Barefootin’
Hit The Road Jack
36-22-36
Homework
Treat Her Right *
Land Of 1000 Dances *
Little Suzy (Instrumental) *
Help Me *
* = CD Only Track

A follow up to 2018’s Jazz On The Corner which has now sold over 10,000 copies, and last year’s equally successful Soul On The Corner, this compilation see Martin and Eddie return to the world of jazz for another bite at the cherry after Volume one was declared to be “the best jazz compilation of the last 20 years” by Jazz FM’s Chris Phillips.

The concept came from a radio show that Freeman and Piller put together for BBC Radio 6 Music which was so well received that the pair decided to dig deep into their record collections and build a double album of some of their favourite tracks.

The concept is simple: an album packed full of jazz gems which they hope are slightly off the beaten track. This year we have hidden gems from Nina Simone and Nicola Conte, classics from Roberta Flack, Roy Ayers and The MJQ, whilst the new British jazz generation is represented by Emma Emma-Jean Thackray. Running the gamut from hard bop, to progressive fusion via Latin beats, it’s an exhilarating listen from start to finish.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: Eddie Piller dons Sherlock’s Deerstalker, teaming up with national treasure Martin Freeman for another trip through their enviable jazz collections. Eschewing the wilfully obtuse in favour of personal favourites from across the decades, the duo celebrate a lifelong love of the genre.

TRACK LISTING

Double LP Tracklisting

Side A
1. Stanley Turrentine – The Magilla
2. Nina Simone – I’m Gonna Leave You
3. The Jazz Crusaders – Tough Talk
4. Gene Ammons – Jungle Strut
5. George Benson – Shape Of Things To Come

Side B
1. Nicola Conte – Caravan
2. Duke Pearson – Gira, Girou (Round And Round)
3. Chet Baker – Do It The Hard Way
4. The Modern Jazz Quartet – Concorde
5. Lorez Alexandria – Nature Boy

Side C
1. Emanuel K Rahim & The Kaliqs – Al Amin
2. Roberta Flack – Compared To What
3. Horace Silver – Tranquilizer Suite Part : Perservance And Eudurance
4. Emma-Jean Thackray – Ley Lines
5. The Lyman Woodard Organisation – Creative Musicians

Side D
1. Charles Earland – Leaving This Planet
2. Brain Auger Oblivion Express – Freedom Jazz Dance
3. Johnny Mercer – That Old Black Magic
4. Roy Ayers – A Tear To A Smile
5. Lonnie Liston Smith – Summer Days

Double CD Tracklisting

Martin’s Picks
1. Stanley Turrentine – The Magilla
2. Nina Simone – I’m Gonna Leave You
3. The Jazz Crusaders – Tough Talk
4. Roberta Flack – Compared To What
5. Duke Pearson – Gira, Girou (Round And Round)
6. Lonnie Liston Smith – Summer Days
7. Roy Ayers – A Tear To A Smile
8. Les McCann – Us
9. Johnny Mercer – That Old Black Magic
10. The Modern Jazz Quartet – Concorde
11. Horace Silver – Tranquilizer Suite Part : Perservance And Eudurance
12. Chico Hamilton – Conquistadores

Eddie’s Choices
1. Emanuel K Rahim & The Kaliqs – Al Amin
2. Brain Auger Oblivion Express – Freedom Jazz Dance
3. Gene Ammons – Jungle Strut
4. George Benson – Shape Of Things To Come
5. Charles Earland – Leaving This Planet
6. Emma-Jean Thackray – Ley Lines
7. Nicola Conte – Caravan
8. Lorez Alexandria – Nature Boy
9. Chet Baker – Do It The Hard Way
10. The Lyman Woodard Organisation – Creative Musicians
11. The Bukky Leo Quintet – Rejoice In Righteousness
12. Patrice Rushen - Haw Right Now

Brand new (and also the last one) treat in the The Very Polish Cut-Outs 7" series, usually devoted to quirkier and weirder tracks than the much acclaimed 12" samplers.

Eltron John kicks off the A-side with a reggae influenced rework of a Polish children's song from late 80s called 'Ludzie z Marsa'.

His modern, dubby production and close attention to the smallest details fuses perfectly with abstract lyrics. This serious-not-serious song treats about people who are from Mars and invade Earth, because 'they can't remember what the forest animals look like, what a farce!

Already road tested by the members of TVPC, this Caribbean-East European depth of a groove works perfectly in late night drunk sets.
On the B-side Eddie C visits executive suite of a cruise ship with his extended, melancholic rework of 'Stoneczna Promenada'. The original tune is an old Polish cocktail-lounge classic from the late 70s, transformed here into a psychedelic story of epic proportions. Moody loops evoke instant headnodding and added dub effects magnify the nostalgic, sunny vibe.

TRACK LISTING

A. Ludzie Z Marsa
B. Stoneczna Promenada

The seventh batch of this rhythm & blues 45 reissue series ends with yet another classic Chicago blues rocker. "I'm Gonna Love You" has a really sparse feel to it, just using the essentials (bass, guitar, drums) to accentuate the great vocal. As ever with these sevens, the flipside features a slower cut, the rolling blues groover "Looking For Trouble", which includes a great guitar solo.