Nicknamed “The Young Old” for a voice that carries timeless weight, Paris-born soul singer and songwriter Tiwayo returns with Outsider, a powerful new album produced by Grammy winner Adrián Quesada (Black Pumas).

'Outsider' marks the triumphant comeback of a bohemian spirit who has busked and traveled across the world, absorbing the blues, soul, and gospel roots that continue to shape his music.

Celebrated by musical luminaries including Norah Jones, Marcus Miller, Tony Visconti, and Don Was, Tiwayo built a reputation opening stages for Sting, Seal, and Marcus Miller. After the acclaimed debut album The Gypsy Soul of Tiwayo on legendary Blue Note Records Tiwayo had nearly vanished from the scene before Adrian Quesada heard his demos and pulled him back into the spotlight.

Their paths crossed at France’s Les Eurockéennes festival, leading Tiwayo from Paris to Austin and into Adrian Quesada’s Electric Deluxe Studio. There, he and Quesada forged a raw, genre-bending take on soul, with contributions from Black Pumas members and other leading lights of the retro-soul scene. Doyle Bramhall II, longtime Eric Clapton collaborator, lends guitar to three tracks, including 'Daddy Was Born with the Blues', Tiwayo’s tribute to his late father, enriched by strings from Sly5thAve. Brooklyn’s Kendra Morris (Colemine Records) joins him for 'Unchained Lovers', a velvet-smooth duet steeped in Hi Records southern tradition.

While many modern retro-soul acts lean toward Motown polish, Tiwayo’s sound remains raw, uncompromising, and rooted in Southern soul traditions — a lineage he once touched firsthand when meeting the Reverend Al Green in Memphis.

On 'Outsider', Tiwayo reflects on what it means to be an artist ('I’ve Got to Travel Alone'), slyly grooves on 'Up for Soul', celebrates everyday beauty ('Sunshine Lady', 'My House Is Your Home'), and finds resilience in loss ('Dark Skies'). With tight grooves and vivid storytelling, the album is both intimate and collective, deeply human and unflinchingly honest.

Tiwayo doesn’t play by the genre’s rules. He stands apart: a Frenchman in Texas, a soul singer with a bluesman’s heart, a traveler who never quite belongs anywhere. In a world of polished revivals, Tiwayo embraces being the outsider — an anti-hero of soul who proves that the raw and unvarnished carry the deepest power.

TRACK LISTING

1. I've Got To Travel Alone
2. Sunshine Lady
3. Daddy Was Born With The Blues (feat. Doyle Bramhall II)
4. My House Is Your Home
5. Up For Soul
6. Electric Spanish
7. Unchained Lovers (feat. Kendra Morris)
8. Dark Skies
9. Mama Gave Me The Will
10. Love Of My Life
11. Peace Makers

Renowned US-Dutch gospel-soul powerhouse Michelle David & The True-tones mark a bold new chapter with their forthcoming album, 'Soul Woman'. Building on the critical acclaim of 2024’s 'Brothers & Sisters', a record that held a mirror to the complexities of the world, the new LP 'Soul Woman' turns inward — a deeply personal exploration of identity, healing, and spiritual resilience.

TRACK LISTING

1. Running
2. Soul Woman
3. Golden Sun
4. You’ll Never Know
5. Flow
6. Speak To Me
7. Pick Up The Pieces
8. When All Is Said And Done
9. Seasons
10. I Thank You

Michelle David is a renowned US-Dutch gospel-soul powerhouse with decades of experience: started singing at 4, Broadway credits, collaborations with legends like Diana Ross and Michael Bolton.

Together with The True-tones, she has 7 critically acclaimed retro-soul albums and extensive live performance experience, including major festivals (Pinkpop, North Sea Jazz) and global events like the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Previous albums received high accolades: Edison Award nomination for 'The Gospel Sessions', 'Truth & Soul' was Album of the Year on BBC Radio 6 Music, and 'Brothers & Sisters' (2024) was widely celebrated.

TRACK LISTING

1. Speak To Me
2. Running

Following their 2022 critically acclaimed debut album 'Origin of Forms', named Library Music Album of the Year at PopMatters, the Moscow-based instrumental outfit The Diasonics return with 'Ornithology', a sophomore album that pushes their sonic boundaries forward while staying true to their unmistakable style. Recorded at their custom-built Studio 23—housed in a repurposed Soviet-era lamp factory—the album captures the result of two years of intense creative exploration and experimentation.

TRACK LISTING

1. Jay
2. Black Owl
3. Мockingbird
4. Larks
5. Peregrine
6. Finch
7. Storm Petrel
8. Oriole
9. Guineafowl
10. Chickadee
11. Cuckoo

Cinematic funk visionaries The Diasonics drop a new disco-funk 45 vinyl with two killer tracks tailor made for DJs and cinematic funk fans. Only 500 copies pressed wordwide and an instant collector’s item with two killer tracks taken from the upcoming new album “Ornithology”. On the A side “Oriole” is a vintage disco-funk stormer taking inspiration both from the Soviet-era disco and jazz fusion records, as well as from 70s European library music and synth-funk movement. A minimalist synthesizer melody echoing the song of the oriole, paired with a steady disco-funk groove reminiscent of a train in motion (“Oriole” is also the name of a popular Russian electric train) lay the foundation of their most danceable track to date. The b-side holds the equally strong “Chickadee” a funk stomper with bold bassline and heavy b-boy breaks and percussions and a NY early 80 vibe able to set every dancefloor on fire. A peerless party-starter that you just don’t want to miss it.

Formed in 2019, this four-piece instrumental unit — Daniil Lutsenko (electric guitar), Kamil Gazizov (keyboards), Maksim Brusov (bass), and Anton Moskvin (drums & percussion) — quickly gained cult status through a series of sought-after 45s on Mocambo and Funk Night Records. Their critically acclaimed debut album “Origin of Forms” mixed by Henry Jenkins, producer of the Australian cult band Surprise Chef, came out on Record Kicks in 2022. The vinyl went sold out in few weeks and is now in-demand on the international cinematic funk scene.

TRACK LISTING

1. Oriole
2. Chickadee

Italian cinematic funk legends Calibro 35 continue their journey into the world of cinematic jazz-funk with their new album 'Exploration'. 'Exploration' marks their return to independent label Record Kicks after their last studio album 'Nouvelle Aventures' released on Universal Music in 2023. The band picks up from their latest EP, 'Jazzploitation', released on Record Kicks last October. 'Exploration' is a deep dive into the universe of cinematic jazz-funk, showcasing both the band's reinterpretations of timeless classics such as Roy Ayers’ 'Coffy' or Bob James 'Nautilus' and original compositions by the band such us the lead single 'Reptile Strut', the jazz-funk stormer 'The Twang' and the soulful cinematic number 'Pied De Poule'.

An exploration and a new journey for the Milanese combo that a long its way pays homage to artists such as Lalo Schifrin (Mission Impossible), Italian Maestro Piero Umiliani (Discomania and Gassman Blues) and Herbie Hancock (Chamelon). Described by Rolling Stone as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that has happened to Italy in the past few years," Milan-based Calibro 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. Active since 2007, during their long career, they have been sampled by Dr. Dre on Compton ('One Shot One Kill' feat. Snoop Dogg), Jay-Z ('Picasso Baby'), The Child of Lov & Damon Albarn ('One Day'), and Demigodz ('The Summer Of Sam'). They have played major venues and festivals all over Europe, and as unique musicians, they have collaborated with, among others, PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish, Stewart Copeland, and Rokia Traoré.

TRACK LISTING

1. REPTILE STRUT
2. DISCOMANIA
3. NAUTILUS
4. JAZZ CARNIVAL
5. GASSMAN BLUES
6. PIED DE POULE
7. CHAMELEON
8. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
9. THE TWANG
10. COFFY
11. LUNEDì CINEMA

'Reasons To Stay' is Tanika Charles’ fourth full-length album, and her most introspective to date. Where her songs have typically touched on romantic love and heartache, the core love and loss of this record is family focused. It has taken years for Tanika to be able to publicly reflect on the childhood trauma and family breakup that occurred during her teens.

The majority of the album was composed by Tanika with the tight knit team of Scott McCannell (Lydia Persaud, Henry Nozuka), Kyla Charter (Aysanabee) and Chino de Villa (Jessie Reyez). Kelly Finnigan of the Monophonics joined in to mix the bulk of the project and apply some trademark analogue grit to Tanika’s sheen. Guests include Quebec-based Soulful singer/songwriter Clerel on the last track 'Win', as well as Toronto soul artists Aphrose and Claire Davis providing additional vocals.

“I love this album. I love singing these songs. I love that it’s made me step outside of my comfort zone. It’s forced me to face the root causes of my own insecurities that I carry to this day. Why am I striving so hard to seek validation, and why take it so personally when it doesn’t come? That distortion has prevented me from celebrating my own successes at times. This album is me trying to change that.” “I love the conversations that have begun with these songs. It’s about childhood trauma, but it’s not a victim story. I’m doing well, despite the baggage I carry. I want others to be able to carry theirs too.”

In the last few years, Canadian Soul/R&B powerhouse Tanika Charles has transformed from an emerging solo artist to a commanding performer and bandleader, cementing her status as a staple in the Canadian soul scene. Her previous studio albums - 'Soul Run' (2017), 'The Gumption' (2019), and 'Papillon De Nuit' (2022) - have propelled her to international acclaim, earning her two JUNO nominations, two Polaris Prize listings, and a growing global fanbase.

TRACK LISTING

1. Don't Like You Anymore
2. Consistency
3. No More
4. How Long Will It Take
5. Here When You're Ready
6. Reasons To Stay
7. The Lament
8. Don't Let Go
9. Talk To Me Nice
10. Having A Time
11. Win Feat. Clerel

Calibro 35 unleash a limited 7” feat Piero Umiliani’s Italo-Cosmic-Disco classic 'Discomania' and Azymuth Brazilian-Disco stormer Jazz Carnival on the B-side Calibro 35 continue their journey into the world of cinematic jazz-disco-funk with the release of a new 7" featuring two afro-disco stormers. On the A side Calibro 35 deliver an heavily afro-funk infused version of Piero Umiliani’s Italo-Cosmic-Disco classic 'Discomania' while on the flip side the Milanese band drop an equally explosive B-side with their own reinterpretation of Brazialian-Disco hit 'Jazz Carnival' by Azymuth. Both songs are taken from the highly anticipated new album “Exploration” that drop June 06 worldwide via Record Kicks. The 7” is limited to 500 copies worldwide and is an instant’s collector item.

Described by Rolling Stone as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that has happened to Italy in the past few years," Milan-based Calibro 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. Active since 2007, during their long career, they 1 have been sampled by Dr. Dre on 'Compton' ('One Shot One Kill' feat. Snoop Dogg), Jay-Z ('Picasso Baby'), The Child of Lov & Damon Albarn ('One Day'), and Demigodz ('The Summer Of Sam'). They 2 have played major venues and festivals all over Europe, and as unique musicians, they have collaborated with, among others, PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish, Stewart Copeland, and Rokia Traoré.

TRACK LISTING

1.Discomania
2.Jazz Carnival

Produced by Scott McCannell and mixed by Kelly Finnigan of Monophonics, Record Kicks presents two brand new single from Canadian rising soul star Tanika Charles on limited edition clear 45 vinyl. 'Don’t Like You Anymore' and 'Here When You’re Ready' are taken from the highly anticipated new album 'Reasons To Stay' from the Twice JUNO nominated and two time Polaris Prize listed, Tanika Charles. On the A side 'Don't Like You Anymore' is a mid tempo gospel funk stormer able to set the dancefloor on fire. With its boom bap smacked drums and chunky basslines, it will not be a surprise if rap/hip hop artists will get on it to sample the song. The B side 'Here When You’re Ready' is an equally strong mid tempo soul number that makes this limited edition 45 vinyl a real double sider. Canadian Soul/R&B powerhouse Tanika Charles in a few years has transformed from an emerging solo artist to a commanding performer and bandleader, a staple in the Canadian soul scene. The success of her three studio album 'Soul Run' (2017), 'The Gumption' (2019) and 'Papillon De Nuit' (2022) propelled Tanika in front of new audiences far and wide, with extensive touring in North America and Europe where she performed at Trans Musicales Festival in France, the Lärz, Germany Fusion Festival, Mostly Funk & Soul Festival and Jazz Festival in UK, the Holy Groove Festival in Switzerland, and the Canarias Jazz Festival in Spain just to name a few. Her touring career has also seen her supporting the likes of Estelle, Mayer Hawthorne, Haitus Kayote, Lauryn Hill, Bendouin Soundclash and Macy Gray.

TRACK LISTING

1. Don't Like You Anymore
2. Here When You're Ready

Side A is a cover of RAI TV’s legendary ‘Lunedì Cinema (Monday Movie)’ theme, a jazzy disco-funk mover composed by Lucio Dalla, which features for the occasion the scat singing of Sicilian artist Marco Castello (Nu Genea, Erlend Oye of Kings of Convenience). Side B is ‘Chaser’, a groovy jazz-funk stormer composed by Piero Umiliani, who originally recorded it for the soundtrack of 1975’s erotic-noir movie ‘The Body’, directed by Luigi Scattini.

TRACK LISTING

1. Lunedì Cinema
2. Chaser

Afrobeat virtuoso Seun Kuti iunleashes his latest musical masterpiece upon the world. Coming 6 years after the Grammy nominated album ‘Black times’, this album marks a pivotal moment in Seun Kuti's illustrious career, showcasing his evolution as an artist and activist.

Executive produced by legendary musician Lenny Kravitz and Fela Kuti’s original engineer Sodi Marciszewer (artistic producer), ‘Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head)’ promises to deliver a sonic experience like no other. With both Kravitz's and Sodi’s expertise together with Seun Kuti's unmatched talent, the album is poised to redefine the boundaries of contemporary music while staying true to the roots of afrobeat.

Featuring a tracklist of six electrifying songs, each track on ‘Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head)’ embodies the spirit of resistance, resilience, and revolution. Each song talks about standing up against challenges and fighting for change. Like the standalone singles ‘Dey’ feat reggae icon Damian Marley, described as “a song about embracing and championing who we are, regardless” and ‘Emi Aluta’, “a song about struggle (Aluta means struggle) that pays homage to all the great revolutionaries”, that features Zambian singer, rapper and songwriter, Sampa The Great, one of best and most innovative lyricists of our time.

The song ‘T.O.P.’ is about “how society values money and success more than people”. Seun Kuti wants to change this by promoting empathy and reconnecting with nature. In another song, ‘Love & Revolution,’ he expresses his love for his wife and believes that true love can inspire people to make the world a better place.

“This project has been very special to me from the moment I conceived it, speaking to Lenny Kravitz, who has shown me such a brotherly love and respect” Seun says. “He has brought me to his home. I met his daughter Zoe and he has guided us with fierceness. Since we spoke about the album, three years ago, as the executive producer of this project, he has always been by our side and very supportive”. “I want to thank Craig Ross and Sodi, the producer of this project. We had a great time. It was the first time for me in the studio with Sodi and I was really impressed by his work and his fatherly advice and dedication”.

Each song on the album is a testament to Seun Kuti's unwavering commitment to using music as a tool for social change and empowerment. Through his powerful lyrics and infectious grooves, he continues to carry on the legacy of his father, the legendary Fela Kuti, while carving out his own path in the world of music. As a musician and pan-African activist, Seun has been involved in a number of campaigns in recent years, including #EndSARS – a social movement against police brutality in Nigeria. Significantly, he’s revived the Movement of the People (M.O.P.), the political party his father set up in 1979, which was quashed by the military government not long after Fela’s failed presidential bid.

Fans can expect an album that not only entertains but also inspires and ignites a spirit of activism and liberation.

Seun Kuti is a Nigerian musician, singer, and songwriter renowned for his captivating performances and socially conscious music. He is the youngest son of Afro beat pioneer Fela Kuti. Seun has spent most of his life preserving and extending his father's political and musical legacy as the leader of his father's former band Egypt 80. As a developing saxophonist and percussionist, he entered the formal ranks of the band before he was 12. In 1997 when Fela passed, in fulfilment of his father's wishes, Seun assumed the mantle as head of Egypt 80 and he has run it ever since. During his career, Seun Kuti released 4 albums with Egypt 80: ‘Many Things’ (2008), ‘From Africa with Fury: Rise for Knitting Factory Records’ (2011), coproduced by Brian Eno and John Reynolds, ‘A Long Way Beginning’ (2014) and the Grammy nominated ‘Black Times’ (2018) that included a feature from Carlos Santana. They also released numerous EPs. Seun has played for enthusiastically receptive audiences globally and collaborated with many great artists. In 2022, he joined forces with Roots frontman and MC extraordinaire Black Thought in the EP ‘African Dreams’. In 2023, Seun collaborated on Janelle Monae's ‘The Age of Pleasure’ (Grammy nominee for Album Of The Year) with the two singles 'Float' and 'Knows Better', teamed up with Talib Kweli and MadLib for their album ‘Liberation 2’ on the song ‘Nat Turner’ featuring Cassper Nyovest and released a new version of the single ‘Bad Man Lighter’ with Black Thought, featuring Vic Mensa.

TRACK LISTING

1.T.O.P.
2. Dey (ft Damian Marley)
3. Stand Well Well
4. Emi Aluta (ft Sampa The Great)
5. Love & Revolution
6. Move

The terms "Afro-disco / Cosmic-disco" are used to describe various forms of African-influenced and Synth-based dance music with a particular method of DJing originally developed and promoted by a small number of DJs in Italy from the late 70s through the mid-80s, a freeform music-journey created with vinyl records, mixing and beat-matching a very diverse range of musical styles, from electro-funk to Brazilian-jazz, incorporating live percussion and effects. Pioneers such as DJ Mozart, Daniele Baldelli, Loda, Pery, Spranga, L'ebreo, Tosi Brandi, Lelli and venues such as Cosmic, Baia Degli Angeli, Typhoon, La Mecca, Chicago, Arlecchino to name but a few, had truly expanded and helped the development of the club-culture in Italy and subsequently in Europe. In his youth, producer and musician Gaudi was one of the punters who regularly attended these venues and followed the whole "Afro" scene, experiencing from the dancefloor that 90-110BPM hypnotic sound and subconsciously absorbing the essence of it. In fact, it is no coincidence that many of the productions he has released in his 35-year career have a strong Afro-influenced imprinting, the last of which is "Raha", the new collaborative EP released as a combo with Savana Funk, a vibrant tribute to what is considered one of the most exciting and original movement in the club scene.

This "afro-cosmic" 7" will be available next April 26 via Record Kicks on limited 500 copies edition crystal clear vinyl worldwide. On the A side the first single "Raha" that is driven by a solid "afro-cosmic" groove infused with an eclectic krautrock sound, very distinct and very psychedelic at the same time. A texture generated by analogue synthesizers and "space-funk" riffs from guitar and bass. RAHA means "Peace of mind" in Arabic, the native language of the Italian-Moroccan drummer Youssef, who also appears as a vocalist on this track. On the B side the groovy and sexy "OREWA" a funk track to dance to on the beach surrounded by a psychedelic-coloured sunset, with hypnotic guitar riffs that take us into a journey without time and without space.

Active since 2015, Savana Funk are one of the most sought-after "afro-funk" band in Italy, with hundreds of successful live shows nationwide including performances with Kokoroko, Seun Kuti and Nu Guinea, they have released 5 albums so far: 'Musica Analoga', 'Savana Funk', 'Bring in the New' 'Tindouf' and the latest 'Ghibli'.

London based music producer Gaudi has contributed to a number of albums nominated for awards and prizes such as: Grammy Awards 2019, with the album 'Mass Manipulation' by Steel Pulse), BBC's World Music Award, with the album 'Dub Qawwali' by Gaudi & Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. His work and music contributions have topped international charts such as: Billboard Reggae Chart no.1 with the albums 'Heavy Rain' by Lee "Scratch" Perry, no.1 with 'Mass Manipulation' by Steel Pulse and again no.1 with 'Vessel of Love' by Hollie Cook. Studio works include name acts such as: Groove Armada, Simple Minds, African Head Charge, Lamb, Horace Andy, Brian Ferry, Don Letts, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Mad Professor, The Beat and more.

TRACK LISTING

1. Raha
2. Orewa

Record Kicks presents a new Soul 45 from Dutch combo The Tibbs that features two northern soul belters taken from the new album "Keep It For Yourself". The 45 will hit the streets on January 12. On the A side the soul stomper "Ain't It Funny" which is also the first single taken from the upcoming album, while on the B side "Give Me a Reason" an uptempo R&B soul stomper. Copies are limited to 500 worldwide, which makes it an instant collector's item and an essential buy for soul fans and djs.

Produced by Paul Willemsen (Lefties Soul Connection, Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions) both tracks are taken from the new album Keep It to Yourself, the third Long Play from The Tibbs that is set for release on January 26th on LP, CD and digital format. Based around Amsterdam, The Tibbs took off in 2012 working right from the start with producer Paul Willemsen (Beans & Fatback, Lefties Soul Connection, Michelle David & The Gospel Sessions). In 2016, their first LP Takin' Over marked their debut with Milan-based imprint Record Kicks. The release of Takin' Over delivered the band rich rewards, like playing sold-out shows and wonderful festivals across Europe. In late 2018, singer Elsa decided to focus on a solo career and The Tibbs duly began their search for a truly worthy successor, bringing astonishing vocalist Roxanne Hartog and the band together for the first time with their sophomore album Another Shot Fired, released in November 2020. Now, with new recordings in the bag and an astounding third album ready to be released, The Tibbs are once more ready for lift off.

TRACK LISTING

1. Ain't It Funny
2. Give Me A Reason

From the instrumental cinematic-soul outfit behind 2021's critically acclaimed The Black Stone Affair comes Whatitdo Archive Group's most recent foray into the realms of the esoteric and arcane, and their most adventurous album to date.

After The Black Stone Affair enthralled record collectors by traversing the cinematic landscape of an imagined 1970s Spaghetti Western, Palace Of A Thousand Sounds finds Whatitdo Archive Group entrenched deeper in the worlds of mid-century exotica and library music—from the Tropicalia-steeped Amazon to the minor key tonalities of the far-out Near East.

When the dust finally settled from their debut album, composer and tireless sound scientist Alexander Korostinsky set out to discover the band's new direction, with the ultimate goal to breathe new life into the mid-century era sound with the compass of modernity as his guide.

From its conception in 2021, Palace has sought to carry on a legacy set in motion by the likes of Martin Denny, Les Baxter and Juan García Esquivel. Korostinsky, guitarist Mark Sexton, and drummer Aaron Chiazza recorded the album in marathon sessions from Korostinsky's Studio "A," in Reno, Nevada—a mysterious sonic laboratory where the year 1970 has yet to happen, and vintage analog equipment interfaces with modern musical perspectives and experimental recording techniques to produce era-defining sounds.

Not content to appeal to the sensibilities of armchair anthropologists, Palace Of A Thousand Sounds finds the band interrogating the genre itself while making studious tributes to the real places and times it draws from. It's in this tension between here and there, fantasy and reality, that Whatitdo Archive Group find their groove.

Drawing from a century of pop and folk sounds from around the world the way only 21st-century crate-diggers can, Palace is rooted in an undercurrent of heavy funk that is decidedly here and now. Whatitdo Archive Group showcase the breadth of their influences with disarming confidence, equally at home behind sweeping harp, loungey vibraphone or Turkish bağlama saz. A lush seventeen-piece orchestra commanded by award-winning composer Louis King (Janelle Monáe, Monophonics) completes the instrumental mélange, enticing listeners to imagine a borderless planet unified by melody and rhythm.

The album is unafraid to explore the strange and uncomfortable in pursuit of an authentic musical identity, subverting expectations in pursuit of forwarding the genre while paying homage to its past. Fans will appreciate the architectural complexity of the record accessible only through multiple listens—each visit to the palace yielding new details to marvel at, curiosities to ponder, grand mysteries to explore.

Once the needle drops, W.A.G carefully guides you from room to room, sound to sound within the walls of the album's sonic palace. Listening becomes an aural journey providing glimpses into different worlds both real and imagined; you are everywhere and nowhere all at once—a guest in the grand halls and hanging gardens of time and sound.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Cinematic and engrossing arrangements which drift between stylistic boundaries. This Milanese group should be on the radar of lovers of global grooves and esoteric exotica.

TRACK LISTING

1. Enter The Palace
2. Beyond The Crimson Veil
3. Astral-Desia
4. Delirium
5. Exotique
6. Sun Harp
7. The Cashmere Chamber
8. Iron Tusk
9. Secrets In The Sand
10. Mirage
11. Ritual Of Gods
12. The Second Moon
13. Forbidden Cove

Recorded between Kelly Finningn's Transistor Sound in San Francisco and Fifty Filth Studio in Oakland and mixed by Orgone' producer Sergio Rios and Kevin O' Dea, Record Kicks is proud to finally present Solid Ground, the long-awaited debut album by US very finest deep funk & soul outfit The Grease Traps. The album is set for worldwide release on November 5 on vinyl, CD and digital format. The band, based in Oakland, CA, is the latest addition to Milan-based Record Kicks roster. Active since 2002, with a 45 released on well-respected funk/soul label, Colemine Records, now, after six years spent working on the album's recording and mixing, they are ready to present their first full-length release Solid Ground on Record Kicks. The album is anticipated by the two killer funk singles "Bird of Paradise" and "More and More" on limited edition 45 vinyl.

As avid record collectors and fans of that old school analog sound, Solid Ground was recorded straight to 8-track tape on a Tascam 388, which also graces the cover art. Half of the tracks were recorded live at Transistor Sound Studio by soul crooner, Kelly Finnigan, and Ian McDonald where both Kelly and their band, Monophonics, have recorded their last few albums. The other half of the tunes were recorded by Kevin and Aaron at Fifty Filth Studio in Oakland, CA where the band also rehearses and mixed by analog-obsessive Orgone producer Sergio Rios. The album's original tunes draw from the Traps' various soul influences ranging from gritty funk ("Bird of Paradise" and "Hungry") to fuzzed-out psychedelic ("Residue") to sweet lowrider soul ("More and More"). The lyrics by lead singer The Gata also don't shy away from pressing issues of the day such as racism in America ("Roots") and finding hope in a world that seems pitted against you (the JB's style "Solid Ground"). The rare funk covers from the album provide a taste of the raw energy one would experience at a Grease Traps live show. The Traps also supplemented their sound with special guests including the Monophonics horns, background vocals from seasoned Bay Area vocalists, Sally Green and Bryan Dyer, as well as strings organized by Kansas City master viola player, Alyssa Bell.

The seed of The Grease Traps formed back in 2000 when keyboardist, Aaron Julin, answered an ad put out by guitarist, Kevin O'Dea, searching for players who were hip to the rare grooves laid down by Blue Note artists such as Grant Green and Lou Donaldson. They quickly formed Groovement, covering those same artists along with other jazz-funk staples. When their sax player and frontman moved away, they switched gears to form the band, Brown Baggin, getting into the harder funk of the JB's, the Meters, Kool & the Gang, and lesser known acts such as Mickey & the Soul Generation. They also started digging into the rare funk compilations put out by Keb Darge, Jazzman Gerald,and labels like Harmless, Ubiquity, Soul Jazz, and Now-Again. Modern day soul and funk outfits such as Breakestra, the Whitefield Brothers, and the Daptone/Soul Fire crews provided additional inspiration.

In 2005, while still playing with Brown Baggin yet fed up with juggling the schedules of seven band members, Aaron and Kevin put out an ad to find a bassist and drummer to jam with as a quartet. The first two cats to show up were bassist, Goopy Rossi, and drummer, Dave Brick. It was clear from the get-go that this rhythm section had great chemistry. Originally intended as a fun side project, the Traps quickly took priority as Brown Baggin dissolved. Performing as an instrumental quartet for a number of years, they eventually expanded their repertoire to include horns as well as that sharp-dressing soul brother, The Gata, on lead vocals. Over the years, they've shared the stage with acts such as Shuggie Otis, Robert Walter, Durand Jones, Monophonics, Neal Francis, and Jungle Fire.

TRACK LISTING

1. Roots
2. Residue
3. Solid Ground
4. Amazing Grease
5. Hungry (For Your Love)
6. Bird Of Paradise
7. More And More (And More)
8. Bold Sold Sister, Bold Soul Brother
9. Get In The Groove
10. Color Blind
11. It's A Trap, Pt. II

Record Kicks is proud to present POST MOMENTUM, the new EP by Italian cult combo Calibro 35 to be released on June 11th on digital platforms and on July 9th on limited edition 12" vinyl. The extended-play comes 17 months after the acclaimed previous Calibro 35 album MOMENTUM, which – as the band stated: "represented a look at nowadays and a reflection about making music right in the time that we're living". The tour began right after the album release in January 2020, but it was soon interrupted when the whole world suddenly stopped because of the Pandemic. Now "POST MOMENTUM" represents a re-start and the first step towards the future, picking up where they left off.

Among the six tracks of the EP, while "Digi-Tails" and "Stars and Stripes, Chirps and Bleeps" express the unique musicianship of Calibro 35 as we have come to know over the years, "Being a Robot is Awesome" and "Artificial Black Moon" see the participation of a guest from the world to come: Sophia, the humanoid developed by Hanson Robotics capable of interacting autonomously with everything around it, reminding us how being a Robot could prove to be the best strategy to survive sometimes. The opening of the EP is an alternative version of the single "Stan Lee" enriched by two heavyweights of Italian rap: Ensi and Ghemon that don't make us miss Illa J. The EP ends with another alternate version of "Stan Lee", this time in all its instrumental glory.
Active since 2008, Calibro 35 enjoy a worldwide reputation as one of the coolest independent bands around. During their thirteen-year career, they were sampled by Dr. Dre on his Compton album, Jay-Z, The Child of lov & Damon Albarn; they shared stages worldwide with the likes of Roy Ayers, Muse, Sun Ra Arkestra, Sharon Jones, Thundercat and Headhunters and as unique musicians they collaborated with, amongst others, PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish and Stewart Copeland and Nic Cester (The Jet). Described by Rolling Stone magazine as "the most fascinating, retro-maniac and genuine thing that happened to Italy in the last years", Calibro 35 now count on a number of aficionados worldwide including VIP fans such as Dj Food (Ninja Tune), Mr Scruff and Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals) among others.

The band started back in 2007 when Grammy award winner producer Tommaso Colliva (Muse), invited some of the best musicians from the Italian indie scene - Enrico Gabrielli (PJ Harvey, Mike Patton, John Parish), Massimo Martellotta (Stewart Copeland, Adrian Younge), Luca Cavina (Retox, Zeus!), Fabio Rondanini (John Parish, Daniel Johnston) - to record some Italian golden age soundtracks. What started as a studio b-side project evolved in a full time band able to release 7 heavily acclaimed albums. Their last album MOMENTUM came out on Record Kicks on January 24th 2020. "MOMENTUM" stood out as a new starting point for the project.

TRACK LISTING

1. Stan Lee (Alternate Version) [feat. Ensi & Ghemon]
2. Digi-Tails
3. Being A Robot Is Awesome
4. Stars And Stripes, Chirps And Bleeps
5. Artificial Black Moon
6. Stan Lee (Alternate Instrumental)