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ISLE OF JURA

Isle of Jura teams up with French digger Switch Groove on the next compilation titled ‘Archipelago – Cosmic Fusion Gems from France (1978-1988)’.

Switch Groove explains the concept “When I seriously began to search for and collect records, I was mostly interested in sounds from african-american, afro-latin and UK contemporary scenes. Sounds from distant territories, faraway from my native Massif Central, a highland region in the middle of France. The grass is always greener, I guess however, as I was digging in fleamarkets in the early sunday morning light, as well as spending regular sessions in second hands record shops, I began to discover hidden treasures, underground gems and side-projects of an unknown French musical repertoire.

French music is often reduced to its most famous musical forms, characters and signatures : French songwriting and voices, 60s yéyé, prog rock concept albums and soundtrack explorations, 80’s indie rock scene or more recently electronic French touch. All these sounds have a common feature : a geographical link, forged on mainland French territory, following the contour of the so-called Hexagone, the border that shapes the grounds for an homogeneous cultural expression. But beyond this showcase lie more complex, hybrid and global French productions. From French Caribbean Antilles to Parisian suburbs - especially during the ‘Sono Mondiale’ era -, in French areas outside urban cultural centers, musicians have created fusion and cosmic musical expressions. As the mid-seventies meant a greater freedom to make and record music, a wider use of electronic instruments like synthesizers and drum machines helped to deliver some magical projects you could only find lost in the middle of cheap records during a sunny record digging session. I selected these tracks, in an attempt to shape an ARCHIPELAGO that highlights significative contributions of African diasporas and ultramarine territories into French musical borders. It is the map of a land I have gradually drawn, thanks to deep listening of amazing cosmic and fusion tunes. I hope you enjoy the journey.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Another winning set from Isle Of Jura who shine a light on would-be cosmic classics from rich pastures of France.

TRACK LISTING

Patrick Bernard - Interieurs
Cecilia Angeles - Climax Our First Day Of Love Its A Love Day
Carla Music Orchestra - A Meet With Bond
Remy Boussengui - Coco Lando
Archipelago Soundscapes Part 1
Francisco Et Son Orchestre - Cafe Rete
Francis Bebey - Crocodile Crocodile Crocodile
Michel Lorentz - Zantye An Metro
Egide Sadey - High Emotion
Princess Erika - Trop De Bla Bla Dub Version
Archipelago Soundscapes Part 2

"Four Seasons in Kyoto" marks the final chapter of The Kyoto Connection’s Ambient Japanese trilogy, following "Postcards" (2018) and "The Flower, The Bird and The Mountain" (2022). Like its predecessors, this album pays homage to the pioneering ambient and environmental music movements of 1980s and 1990s Japan.

The album unfolds as the imagined soundtrack to life in a quiet rural village, where nature and tradition shape the rhythm of everyday existence. Across 14 evocative compositions, The Kyoto Connection captures the essence of Japan’s ever-changing seasons, weaving together delicate melodies and immersive soundscapes. With contributions from friends and fans in Japan, "Four Seasons in Kyoto" is both a tribute and a transportive listening experience from producer Facundo Arena, the composer and producer behind The Kyoto Connection.

With "Four Seasons in Kyoto", Facundo Arena continues his deep exploration of Japanese ambient and environmental music, blending his long-standing admiration for Kyoto’s cultural heritage with a sound that feels both nostalgic and timeless. While "Postcards" was an instinctive homage and "The Flower, The Bird and The Mountain" drew from real Kyoto field recordings, this final chapter in the trilogy leans further into the imagined, an intimate portrait of an unseen yet deeply felt Japan.

Recorded using a mix of vintage synths, delicate acoustic instrumentation, and subtle electronic textures, "Four Seasons in Kyoto" refines The Kyoto Connection’s signature approach. Organic soundscapes and drifting melodies mirror the slow change of seasons, evoking the impermanence central to Japanese aesthetics. The result is a record that seamlessly bridges the natural and the synthetic, memory and imagination, a fitting conclusion to a journey that began with an algorithmic discovery and blossomed into a rich sonic world of its own.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Enchanted garden ambience with a heavy nod to the Japanese greats that precede it. The Kyoto Connection emit a sincere and pure tone out of their base in Argentina.

TRACK LISTING

Ihojin
A Drop Of Dew
Four Seasons In Kyoto
Mindscape
The Shore
Playground
Yurei
Kyoto Sound Logo
Dedication
Mindscape Ii
Seiko
Solitud
Ryokan
Love Letter

Welcome to 'Instrumental Dubs #3', the ongoing series that delves into the world of the dub Version and beyond. Side one explores the axis of UK street soul and reggae with the opening two tracks produced by Howard Hill and originally released on his Passion Enterprises label in the late eighties. Both 'Versions' have a machine lead rhythm section paired with a reggae skank and snippets of soulful vox. The proto house of Protek's 'I Love To Dance With You' featured on a Jura Soundsystem DJ Mix for Planet Trip, a one off single from the now sadly deceased Errol Parkes that's been re-edited with love by The Nightlark from Edinburgh.

The B side features The Cool Notes 'Natural Energy', which isn't strictly speaking a dub Version, but it has that vibe with a primarily instrumental backing track featuring sparse vocals and spacey FX. The album closes with a secret weapon of Ilija Rudman 'Dub 4 Love' that pays homage to a famous track from acid house's heyday.

Pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl with full sleeve jacket design by Bradley Pinkerton.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Without doubt, the hottest instalment of this killer series to date. These are sizzling hot, dubbed-out, street-soul boogie bombs that are truly irresistible.

TRACK LISTING

Granti Asher Paulette Tajah - Love Or Physical Instrumental
Michael Prophet - Body Fusion Version
Protek - I Love To Dance With You The Nightlark
The Cool Notes - Natural Energy
Ilija Rudman - Dub 4 Love Secret Weapon

Presenting the second single from D.D. Mirage, a double header aimed squarely at the dancefloor featuring guest musicians Daniel Monaco and Nu Genea's Andrea De Fazio. A side 'Feel it' is a glittering cosmic disco jam with a hint of hedonism and an air of psychedelia. Capturing the euphoric exuberance of the dance floor, it draws influence from boogie legends such as 400 Blows, Patrick Cooley, Quando Quango and the Idjut Boys. The 12" Instrumental Mix takes inspiration from the Paradise Garage and Larry Levan, stripping back the musical elements to their core resulting in a Dubby and powerful DJ orientated mix.

B side 'So Hot' is a wonky mid-tempo heater, fusing trippy, sun-stroke delieria with infectious disco grooves. D.D. Mirage collaborated with some of Italy's finest groove merchants on this track, with Daniel Monaco (Rush Hour/Periodica Records) featuring on bass and Andrea De Fazio (Nu Genea/Parbleu) on drums. The track was influenced heavily by 80s Italo and Nigerian Disco. Label head Jura Soundsystem provides a Dubby extended take on the B2.

Instruments: JX-3P, Farfisa, Roland D-50, Jupiter, JV-1080, Korg Poly61, Juno-60, Guitar, Bass, Drums and various percussion.

A 140 gram pressing in 3mm spine kraftboard sleeve with labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Jura still on top with a feel-good, Balearic-boogie bash. Destined for sunnier times, I'm sure this'll still appease the more tasteful and sophisticated festive bash. Probably not yer average office party down Peter St. tho ;)

TRACK LISTING

Feel It (Original Mix)
Feel It (12" Instrumental Mix)
So Hot (Original Mix)
So Hot (Jura Soundsystem Dub)

D. D. Mirage Feat. Private Joy

Night Time

**Limited to 300 copies - housed in a kraftboard sleeve**

Lovers rock style soul runnings from Sydney, Australia on this debut 7” from D.D. Mirage featuring Manchester's Private Joy. The original has a true 80’s lovers vibe with sweet harmonies from Private Joy and the flipside features a dubbed version.

Labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Pops is back doing a bit of a lovers / street soul ting with Sydney's D. D. Mirage. Sounds like a lost classic, but is infact - brand spanking new! Yes mate.

TRACK LISTING

Night Time
Night Time Version

This rare Brit funk 12” was originally released in 1984 and is now officially reissued for the first time. Licensed from producer Lindel Lewis, the 12” was heavily influenced by US boogie and disco and there’s a dub influence at play as Lindel was also producing a lot of reggae around this time, most famously ‘Night Over Egypt’ by Mystic Harmony.

The 12” includes a previously unreleased Dub Version of ‘I Need You’ and was produced on two analogue classics, Lindel says “I used a Linn Drum for the drums and played all synth parts using a Roland 106. I’m a classically trained musician and also a sound engineer, I worked at Mark Angelo Recording Studios for 18 years and have produced a great many artists. Steve Jones real name is Steve Myers, but I didn’t like the surname so changed it to Jones which felt more soulful. The name The Fat Boys came about because of the big bellies of myself the flute player Mike Appoh, my trainee engineer at the time. Ray Carlass played the sax solo, they have both now sadly passed”.

This long overdue reissue revives a standout moment in Brit funk history, making it an essential addition for fans of classic boogie and disco. A 140 gram pressing in 3mm spine disco sleeve with labels and sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Classic Brit funk with a touch of street soul and lovers rock - Isle Of Jura is getting very good at these excavations! Totally new one on us here and sounding very, very nice indeed.

TRACK LISTING

Steve Jones - I Need You By My Side
Steve Jones - I Need You By My Side (dub Version)
Fatboys U.K. - The Challenge

2x 12" 140g pressing of this big tune from Cameroonian outfit, ESA, originally released on an LP in 1986. Pressed in full 45RPM glory with extra versions from the original tapes. TIP!

For the first time ‘A Muto’ by Esa is given an official reissue. Not only does this mark a first as a stand along single, but the reissue contains previously unheard Instrumental, Dub and Keys Versions alongside an Acapella. Licensed from writer and producer Martin Socko Moukoko, for 40 years Martin kept the original 2” master tape in mint condition so for the reissue the tape was baked and stems transferred by Archive Audio in Paris and the tracks given new mixdowns by Martin himself alongside Jerome Caron. The resulting mixes stay true the original whilst making the most of today’s digital studio technology, cut at 45rpm and truly representing the gold standard of quality when it comes to a reissue.

‘A Muto’ was originally released in 1986 on the ‘Atesa’ album and became an instant hit in Cameroon and Africa. The lyrics tell the story of a woman who abandons her husband, complaining of being alone as the keeper of the house. ‘A Muto’ is a blend of Makossa, a style originating in the French Cameroons characterised by prominent brass arrangements, and Ambasse Bey, traditional fast paced dance music from Cameroon. Martin assembled a team of session musicians in Paris in 1985 and programmed the drums and synths himself on the Linn Drum and Yamaha DX 7.

The Esa project ground to a halt in 1989 following a legal dispute which saw Martin win a court case in France regaining the rights to his music. In the intervening years Martin has continued to work in music studying jazz for 4 years at the American school of modern music in Paris and providing background music for the corporate world.

Artwork by Bradley Pinkerton.

TRACK LISTING

A Muto (original Mix)
A Muto (instrumental)
A Muto (dubstrumental)
A Muto (keys Mix)
A Muto (acapella)

Originally released in 1986 ‘Power’ was the work of Philly producer Derrick Graves and vocalist Terrance T. The machine lead production on ‘Power’ was part of an emerging wave of post disco producers embracing a dub aesthetic that proved to be the precursor to the emergence of house music. The vocal harmonies from Terrance were influenced by Cameo and Prince and combined with the powerful production results in a dancefloor bomb in the Larry Levan style, stripped back and dubby with a strong song at its core. This level of musicality and production was no fluke, Derrick was a seasoned session musician who worked extensively with the likes of Sister Sledge, Dexter Wansel & Donny Hathaway. Derrick had a clear understanding of emerging studio trends “Music production was evolving into a new phase where home studios were developing and it was becoming more possible for real recordings to be made! From there, I eventually enhanced my production skills by learning how to compose using sequencers, computer software (DAWs), and midi instrument implementation in the 80's and 90's. I went from a 4-track to eventually a 24-Track 2" tape machine setup!”.

The fully remastered 12” includes the essential instrumental mix.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Isle Of Jura reissue a classic slice of mid-80s boogie which, though not in the £200+ club, will have remained pretty illusive for most. It's all about that cracking drum machine programming and beautiful interplay between guitar, synth and vocal. A perfect example of raw boogie power!

TRACK LISTING

Power (Extended Vocal Mix)
Power (Extended Instrumental Mix)

The long awaited official reissue of ‘She Wants’, one of the first UK street soul singles originally released in 1985 by The NM Band.

The NM Band was an alias for UK lovers' rock band Natural Mystic, responsible for a number of hits in the late 70’s and early 80’s most notably ‘Runaway Love’ and ‘Groove Rocking’. They released a string of acclaimed reggae LPs and toured extensively throughout the UK, but by 1985 wanted to try something away from their trademark roots reggae sound. Influenced by the availability of affordable hardware the band set about fusing reggae and soul using an Akai drum machine, Yamaha DX7 and Roland sound module. ‘She Wants’ is one of the forebearers of UK street soul, raw machine drums paired with an incredibly soulful vocal from Ashley Sommers. The band created their own imprint Mixdown to release the single, but it slipped under the radar, despite strong radio play from Choice FM and the then pirate station Kiss. The 12” is backed with dub version ‘She Wants (More)'.

A 140gram pressing in 3mm spine black disco sleeve with metallic sticker designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Phwwoooarr! Isle Of Jura really know how to treat us. Unearthing and repressing this absolute GEM of a street soul jam from The NM Band. Rich with the duo's reggae heritage but exercising those (then modern) drum machines and FM synths with all the excitement that new equipment brings! A true holy grail.

TRACK LISTING

She Wants
She Wants More

Originally released in 1990 ‘Voaria’ was written by Benjamin Nhassavele and produced & arranged by the late Tata Sibeko, the revered South African producer and member of Kabasa. Taken from the LP of the same name ‘Voaria’ was released at a time when early house music was emerging as a key influence in the South African musical landscape, an evolvement of the Bubblegum pop sound that had fused disco and boogie with township funk. Characterised by Roland kick drums, Yamaha DX7s and Juno Synthesisers the Kwaito sound is the musical heartbeat of ‘Voaria’.

As well as being in Novidade, Benjamin toured the world extensively as part of Alec Kaholi’s Umoja and ‘Voaria’ is a song about his desire to go back to Maputo, his hometown in Zimbabwe. Featuring Benjamin on lead vocals ‘Voaria’ comes in 2 versions, a main House mix on the A side and the Clubhouse mix on the flip which switches up the arrangement placing more emphasis on the magical groove. The 12” is housed in a full sleeve jacket by Bradley Pinkerton based on the original release design.


TRACK LISTING

Voaria (House Mix)
Voaria (Club House Mix)

House Of Assembly

Hot Rock

Originally released in 1988 ‘Hot Rock’ was the final single from Pennsylvanian based roots reggae band House Of Assembly. The band, comprising main songwriter Norman Bailey, Marc Campbell, Claver Campbell and Louis Putman, grew up in the Water House area of Kingston, Jamaica bonding over their shared love of Dub & Reggae. The 4 members moved to Pennsylvania in the US in the early 80’s and released one album ‘Confusion’ on the local Meadowlark label, touring throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and becoming stalwarts of the Pennsylvanian roots scene.

The band started their own Concrete label in 1988 releasing ‘Hot Rock’ complete with a Dub Version possessing a potent combination of punchy 707 drum programming, killer rolling bassline, stripped back lead guitar and a rising synth line. For the official reissue there’s an added ‘Rockapella’ version not found on the original 12” and a new full sleeve jacket designed by Bradley Pinkerton.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Isle Of Jury continue to gift us overlooked moments of musical brilliance. Here they focus on House Of Assembly, the unlikely Pennsylvania reggae band who had modest local success but never really broke the big time.

TRACK LISTING

Hot Rock
Hot Rock (Rockapella)
Hot Rock (Dub)


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