The incomparable Dimitri From Paris returns with the latest installment of his acclaimed DFP Vaults series, showcasing the deep cuts that solidify his reputation as one of the premier remixers, DJs, and champions of crate-digging culture in dance music today. This particular release holds a special place in Dimitri's heart, as he explains in his own words below:

"James Brown, the undisputed godfather of soul and the hardest working man in show business, is one of the few artists for whom the term 'legend' feels like an understatement. With a career spanning five decades, countless albums and singles, his unique voice and sound have become synonymous with dance music. Beyond his own recordings, thousands of James Brown samples have permeated our ears since sampling became a cornerstone of music production in the mid-80s—across genres from Hip-Hop to House, Drum 'n' Bass, and everything in between.

This release is particularly meaningful to me. Since my early days as a DJ, I’ve watched James Brown light up dance floors across cultures and generations with his inimitable swagger and irresistible energy. I bought my first James Brown record in 1981—Soul Syndrome, featuring the track 'Funky Men.' At the time, I was a bit disappointed as it didn’t have the classic 'Funky Drummer' style I was expecting, so it ended up buried in a pile of other James Brown classics.

Fast forward over 40 years, and I hear 'Funky Men' again, played by my good friend Alex From Tokyo, and it sounds fresher than ever. The unusual disco beat accompanying James Brown’s vocal, which once made the track stand out in a strange way, has now become its greatest asset! I quickly took it to the edit board, using a mix of old and new techniques, to create my 'Special Version' of 'Funky Men,' which has already been tried and tested on dance floors near you.

For the flip side, I wanted to explore the later, lesser-known disco side of James Brown. The J.B.'s, his personal live band, released a few tracks of their own under his production. Most were instrumentals featuring the breakbeat-heavy sound typically associated with James Brown. However, 'Just Wanna Make You Dance,' with female vocals by Maxxi, offers an almost Caribbean disco vibe. Uniquely, it was released as a 12’’ single with a DJ-friendly remix that included different breaks and drops—something quite rare for a James Brown production at that time. Here again, I’ve given it my own 'Special Version' treatment, respectfully enhanced for maximum DJ impact."

DFP Vaults is the sister label to Le-Edits Records, both of which are highly collectible. While Le-Edits focuses on classic songs remixed from original master tapes, DFP Vaults takes a more eclectic, DJ-friendly approach, spotlighting underdogs and unreleased versions straight from Dimitri's vault. True to Le-Edits' highest production standards, this release features state-of-the-art mastering, cutting, and pressing, all housed in a heavy 'Tip-On' vintage replica custom sleeve.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Another of those highly desirable, buy-on-sight tweaks from the DFP Vaults. Two fiery joints from JB and co. given maximum titivation and extended nicely for dancefloor enjoyment.

TRACK LISTING

A. James Brown - Funky Men (DFP Special Version) 
B. The J.B.'s Feat. Maxxi - Just Wanna Make You Dance (DFP Special Version) 

Former Pulled Apart By Horses guitarist James Adrian Brown has been tirelessly sculpting his new sonic identity since early 2021. After making the transition from fuzz-soaked guitars to swarming synthesizers, Brown has been regularly releasing singles, remixes, collaborations and composing scores over the past three years. July 19th marks the release of his first EP titled “Terra Incognita.”

This expansive and cinematic journey, comprising six tracks, represents a meticulously crafted electronic odyssey delving into Brown's psyche during a challenging period. The EP vividly captures the landscape of Brown's mental health struggles, which felt dark and all-encompassing. Yet, through self-discovery and resilience, Brown found his way back to the surface, illuminating a path forward. Initially conceived as Brown's debut album, "Terra Incognita" evolved naturally, reflecting shifts in his life and musical direction.

The EP showcases Brown's use of tape recording hardware, analogue synthesizers and physical instrumentation, some of which were sourced from the Yorkshire Dales, where his studio is based. From stone xylophones crafted out of railway line sleepers to scaling radio masts to capture air traffic control messages with homemade antennas, "Terra Incognita" explores themes of self-exploration, mental discovery, and inner healing.

Reflecting on "Terra Incognita," Brown shares, “I had this musical journey in my head, a kind of road trip almost. The intention of creating an album free from expectations, focusing instead on experimenting with instrumental compositions inspired by emotions. All the recording sessions were really immersive and deep physical experiences, incorporating the landscape, countryside, and anything I could find we could capture audio from. As the boundaries of the work became clear and my mental health improved, it just felt artificial to force additional pieces to complete a full record. Rather than store these tracks away to make way for an album, it felt right to release them out into the wild as an EP.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: All-round musical powerhouse James Adrian Brown here with his eagerly awaited first EP and boyyyyy it's a doozy. Emotionally wrought but flecked with beauty, it's a deeply charged and thematically rich monolith but most importantly, it's brilliantly enjoyable electronic music. I can't shake the NIN Fragile-era comparison, and for me that's a massive thing indeed. Brilliant.

TRACK LISTING

1. Limbic System 
2. Down In The Doldrums 
3. Olympus Mons 
4. UVB-76 
5. Master Life Clock 
6. Terra Incognita

Two great soul vibes from the master of funk, Mr James brown. First up from the 'There It Is' LP is one of favourites "Never can say goodbye" which is just an amazing groove and bass vibe. Killer horn lines - Smokin' stuff. On the flip is another soul class from the man. "You Took My Heart" from the getta up offa that thang LP. It has such a lovely swing to it, loads of movement!!! Essential! 

TRACK LISTING

1. Never Can Say Goodbye
2. You Took My Heart

Through the gospel-impassioned fury of his vocals and the complex polyrhythms of his beats, James Brown became the single most important fgure in the transformation of rhythm & blues into soul music. He was also arguably the most infuential African-American artist in the history of popular music. This special collector's edition of Please, Please, Please was James Brown & The Famous Flames' debut LP (1959) for the King label. This seminal album helped define the primeval nature of soul. It also offers a solid introduction into this Browm's special brand of musical feeling - his passionate style, intense delivery, and innovative R&B sound. The foot- tapping rhythms, spine- tingling stylings, and sentimental mood renderings so typical of his early performances can all be heard here. Without a doubt, this is the material upon which James Brown's kingdom was built.

TRACK LISTING

Please, Please, Please
Chonnie-On-Chon
Hold My Baby's Hand
I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On
Just Won't Do Right
Baby Cries Over The Ocean
I Don't Know
Tell Me What I Did Wrong
Try Me (Brown
That Dood It
Begging, Begging
I Walked Alone
No, No, No, No
That's When I Lost My Heart
Let's Make It
Love Or A Game
This Old Heart

Originally issued in 1959 to capitalize on the crossover success of his single 'Try Me', James Brown's debut LP Please,Please, Pleaseis a collection of 16 of his A and B-sides recorded for the Federal label between 1956 and 1958. It was also the debut studio album for the Famous Flames, and Originally released as 'James Brown and His Famous Flames'. Evenly split between ballads and up-tempo shouters, the songs here all fall into the same sax-driven, gospel-influenced style that you could hear in any Southern chicken shack or nightclub during the late 1950s. James Brown: lead vocals plus: The Famous Flames: Kenny Burrell, Nafloyd Scott, John Faire, Eddie Freeman (guitar), Clarence Mack, Edwyn Conley, Carl Pruitt (bass), Alvin "Fats" Gonder, Ernie Hayes (piano), Edison Gore, Reginald Hall, "Panama" Francis (drums), Wilbert "Lee Diamond" Smith, Ray Felder, Cleveland Lowe, Clifford Scott (tenor saxophone), George Dorsey, John B. Brown (alto saxophone), Bobby Byrd, Johnny Terry, Sylvester Keels, Nashpendle Knox, Bill Hollings, J.W. Archer, Louis Madison (background vocals). Produced by Ralph Bass, Andy Gibson. Recorded at King Studios, Cincinnati and Beltone Studios, New York City (NY) between 1956 and 1958.

TRACK LISTING

1. Please, Please, Please
2. Chonnie-On-Chon
3. Hold My Baby's Hand
4. I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On
5. Just Won't Do Right
6. Baby Cries Over The Ocean
7. I Don't Know
8. Tell Me What I Did Wrong
9. Try Me
10. That Dood It
11. Begging, Begging
12. I Walked Alone
13. No, No, No, No
14. That's When I Lost My Heart
15. Let's Make It
16. Love Or A Game
17. This Old Heart

In the liner notes to this grooving 1969 album, featuring a big band led by drummer Louis Bellson and arranged by Impulse! star Oliver Nelson, the Godfather of Soul explains that he is a “jazz man at heart.” Brown’s soul consigliere, saxophonist Maceo Parker, helps make this a swinging, spirited and satisfying set of standards and JB hits.

Verve By Request Series features 180-gram vinyl, pressed at Third Man in Detroit..

TRACK LISTING

1. Homestretch (Side A)
2. If You Could See Me Now (Side A)
3. Passin’ The Buck (Side A)
4. Soulin’ (Side B)
5. Soulsphere (Side B)
6. My Secret Passion (Side B)

THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2019 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 13th ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON. IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 12.01AM SATURDAY APRIL 20th.

First issued in 1971. Available digitally, CD is out of print. Vinyl has been out of print since at least the mid-90s. 3000 only worldwide. Sho is Funky Down Here and The Grodeck Whipperjenny are a pair of albums that are the result of an unlikely but highly productive musical relationship between James Brown, a superstar at the creative and commercial peaks of his long career, and David Matthews, a then young arranger-musician whose limited professional experience had little or nothing to do with the funk and soul of his collaborator. James Brown’s psychedelic album, created by his then-bandleader David Matthews, and issued at the same time as Matthews’ classic The Grodeck Whipperjenny. Underground, fuzzy, rambling psych-funk. The genesis of Brown’s “Talking Loud And Saying Nothing,” a 1990s hip hop sample staple, informing A Tribe Called Quest, Large Professor, Brand Nubian and others. Lacquered directly from the original master tapes at Capitol Studios. This is the first official reissue of both of this rare titles. Contains an extensive booklet with full annotation, liner notes by Brown historian Alan Leeds and never-before-published photos. Tracks : A Side 1. Sho Is Funky Down Here 2. Don't Mind 3. Bob Scoward B Side 1. Just Enough Room For Storage 2. You Mother You 3. Can Mind.