Footshooter is the moniker of Barney Whittaker, a south London-based producer and DJ. His production style takes in influences from broken beat, jazz, house and more, working with rappers, poets and vocalists to create a soulful sound referencing the past while being firmly future-facing in its approach. His records as Footshooter and SAUL have earned airplay and support on BBC Radio 1 & 1xtra, BBC 6 Music, NTS Radio, Jazz FM and Rinse FM, from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Bradley Zero, Errol (Touching Bass), Alex Nut (Eglo Records) Shy One, Virgil Abloh, Zakia, Jyoti, Nabihah Iqbal, Bonobo, Jamz Supernova, Maryanne Hobbs, Mr Scruff and more.

His musically diverse live band sets and DJ sets over the past seven years have taken him to Boiler Room London, Tate Modern, Alexandra Palace, The Jazz Cafe and the Barbican Centre, as well as performances at Brainchild, We Out Here and Love Supreme Festivals. A Balamii Radio resident for the past 5 years with his monthly show 'Sonic Fruits', Footshooter's DJ sets are as versatile and wide ranging as his production credits, spanning the finest soulful house, broken beat, UK Rap, soul, jazz and beyond.

TRACK LISTING

1. Cycles (feat. James Mollison)
2. Obelisk (feat. Natty Wylah & Brother Portrait)
3. Reverie
4. Boomerang (feat. Native & Wilf Petherbridge)
5. Surrey Canal Road (feat. James Mollison)
6. Folding (feat. Allysha Joy)
7. Here To Learn (feat. Andre Espeut)
8. Sermon (feat. Sara El Harrak)
9. Parc De Belleville (feat. Wilf Petherbridge)
10. What You Saw (feat. MA.MOYO & Mahon)

'Layers' is the sophomore album by Brussels-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kuna Maze, aka Edouard Gilbert. The live-driven, 11-track LP features previously released singles "Blast", "Stab", and "Bristol Changes".

Following the success of Kuna Maze's debut album 'Night Shift'—a concept record exploring the journey into the night and praised by Groove, Four Heads and Mo Ayoub (BBC Radio 1) — 'Layers' offers a dynamic fusion of textures and tones, creating a listening experience that reveals new depths with each spin.

'Layers' is a project deeply influenced by Kuna Maze's experience of touring with his live band. "My aim was to capture the energy and improvisational spirit of live performances, while diving deeper into the jazz influences of my music, all while maintaining the electronic vibe that has always defined my sound". Kuna Maze worked directly with the band in the studio to record his compositions, channelling the energy, emotion and spontaneity that are present in his live shows.

The title 'Layers' reflects Kuna Maze's approach to music and art as a whole. "I love the idea of multiple levels of listening, where each time you hear a song, you notice something new. My composition process often involves layering instruments and tracks, gradually building a rich, textured sound."

TRACK LISTING

1. Backlash
2. Jolt
3. Maina
4. Layered Memories
5. Blast
6. Bristol Changes
7. Tangle
8. Hazy Day
9. Stab
10. Scraps & Pieces
11. Kuna's Dub

Hot 8 Brass Band's first new project since 2019, featuring previously released single "Big Tuba", their cover of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". The album delves into the traditional jazz heritage of their hometown of New Orleans, available on CD and vinyl. The vinyl release includes a special 3-colour A-Side/B-Side vinyl, a 12" poster insert, and an exclusive 7" featuring "Let's Stay Together", and the band's iconic cover of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing (Bossman Edit)", making its vinyl debut. The album title is a heartfelt tribute to Bennie Pete, the band's co-founder and sousaphone player:

On September 6 2021, we, the Hot 8 Brass Band, lost our beloved bandleader, Bennie Pete. He was more than just our leader; he was a constant galvanising force within our own family of fellow musicians and beyond. Bennie was a rock in our lives. He was a leader, a teacher, and a mentor. Bennie helped all of us endure, to heal by encouraging us to continue to play our music despite any adversities. - Hot 8 Brass Band

TRACK LISTING

1. Big Tuba
2. Fight Song
3. La Jean (Largent)
4. Ain't No Sunshine
5. West Lawn Dirge
6. Miss Alberta
7. Respect My Mind
8. Midway
9. In The Place To Be
10. Sexual Healing (Bossman Edit)
11. Let's Stay Together

South-London, British-Bengali musician Tara Lily shares her debut album 'Speak In The Dark'. The LP is about "speaking your truth" and combines alternative R&B, jazz, electronica and traditional Indian sounds into a unique fusion. The record, produced by Dom Valentino, features American jazz trumpeter Theo Croker, UK rapper Surya Sen, and Archy Marshall (aka King Krule) on guitar.
Growing up in Peckham as part of a British Bengali family has given Tara Lily a unique perspective on music and global culture. She has spent her life absorbing a multitude of sounds and genres from her surroundings, ranging from electronica to jazz and RnB to traditional Bengali folk music. From training at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music (where she studied jazz piano and voice) to learning Indian classical music and being the first act signed to Motown Records UK. Tara is a musical anomaly.

TRACK LISTING

1. Drone Speaks In The Dark
2. Speak In The Dark
3. No Way Out
4. Double Time
5. 6 Feet Down (feat. Theo Croker)
6. Like The Ocean (feat. Surya Sen)
7. Breathe Now
8. Naima
9. South Bombay
10. Untold

Inspired by the band's iconic Tiny Desk performance, 'Reflections' sees the band reimagine and revisit old songs, featuring acoustic versions of hit singles 'The List' and 'Cure'. An essential collection for all Moonchild fans.

"Reflections, an EP covering our older songs, naturally shows some of our growth as musicians over the last ten years. Amber's vocals, in particular, are a fantastic example of that. A more subtle example of growth might be our musical maturity and restraint. Leaving space for the music to breathe. I think that's the main reason we created this new project, and we are excited to share Reflections with our fans." - Max Bryk

TRACK LISTING

1. Money
2. Cure
3. Run Away
4. The Truth
5. Back To Me
6. The List

“Dive / 4AM” is the latest outing from San Francisco Bay Area-based sixpiece, The Seshen. The 7” outlines the steps the group has made since their critically acclaimed sophomore album in 2016, both as a band and as individuals. “Since ‘Flames & Figures’, a lot has been taking place both internally and externally.

Side A opens with distorted four-to-the-floor chomper, “Dive”. Aggressive yet danceable, gritty but somehow unstoppable, “Dive” is inspired the profound need for change, catalysed through the somnambulant Larry Heard-esque bassline meshed to the warped tones of Lalin’s vocals. “The path towards my power, my strength, being okay with being unapologetic is just starting. I’m reclaiming what I have lost, reclaiming what has been passed down to me. The song is about the ground beginning to shake”, Lalin preaches.

While in contrast on side B, “4AM” untethers the listener by exploring a sense of spaciousness, flourishing the sparseness, distracting with moving snippets of delicate production. Lyrically tackling the insomniacs waking nightmare, “4AM” is about the witching hour, battling against oneself. “I was experiencing anxiety at night...where I would review all my actions and all the things I said throughout the day in search of something that I did wrong. At times it would keep me up, and I felt that I was at war with my mind.”

TRACK LISTING

Dive
4AM

‘Firmamentum’ is the debut album from Gawd Status aka King Kashmere and Joker Starr. Fronted by lead singles “Heavy Metal” - which was premiered on Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music) show - and “The Alchemist ft. Fae Simon”, the LP showcases Gawd Status’ versatility and eclecticism as an unconventional prodder/MC duo, delivering a killer and off-kilter record that lies in between the worlds of hip-hop, psychedelia and soul.

“Heavy Metal” is an experimental hip-hop meets psychedelic trip-hop listen that is boisterous, chaotic and marked by a profound sense of urgency. Exploring disparate but interwoven themes of Roman Catholic priests, Afrika Bambaataa, Braintax, the origins of humanity, Babylon and devilish behaviour - Joker Starr’s intention is to uplift and discomfit the listener; “heavy metal for the devil” he ominousness preaches in sinister and satanic voice. “Heavy Metal” closes with a psychedelic outro, that pays a closer tribute to the experimental pop of early Animal Collective than their UK hip-hop counterparts.

“The Alchemist ft. Fae Simon” pours hypnotic soul and genuine jazz vibes, reminiscent of the hey-day of trip-hop kings Massive Attack. Featuring as a guest vocalist, Fae Simon adds her darkly sensual melodies to track. Introduced initially to King Kashmere through fellow UK rapper Jehst (who Fae Simon collaborated with on “Timeless”), Fae’s smooth, effortless and instantly recognisable voice allures vocal valour. While DJ Jazz T guests showing off him turntablism skills, scratching sparsely with choice vocal clips below hip-hop rhythms. Featuring on the record, fellow UK MCs Micall Parksun and Big Cakes (who has collaborated with the Godfather of grime Wiley) team up on politicallycharged, Thabo Mbeki-inspired “I Am An African”. “Messiah Hybrids” showcases the duo delivering what they do best, a conscious straight-up hip-hop banger.

TRACK LISTING

Heavy Metal
Messiah Hybrid
I Am An African Ft Micall Parknsun & Big Cakes
Amplified Science Ft Anyway Tha God
The Alchemist Ft. Fae Simon / Admiral Byrd
Uranium
From Nibiru With Love

Written over the course of three years, "Cage And Aviary" ties personal reflection to wider social issues, giving an intimate insight in to what it means to come of age in today’s world. Sophisticated songwriting is brought to life with Bryony’s harmonious vocals, layered with jazz, soul and elements of folk, creating a melodic sound that has charmed many major tastemakers. "Cage & Aviary" was created with long-time friend, collaborator and Tru Thoughts label-mate Tom Leah AKA Werkha, highlighting their capacity for musical exploration.

'The album is built around my contemplations on life, love and myself and tying that in with wider global issues.' Jarman-Pinto explains, 'lyrically I have circled around the theme of family and securities I felt at a younger age, measured against my insecurities now and personal desires to my own femininity and personhood'. This lyrical struggle is best represented in “Emerge”, a track written at a time when Jarman-Pinto was experiencing her biggest lack of creativity and insecurity around her writing; she describes a breakthrough in writing, willing for one to come.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Delicate vocals, jazz-flecked instrumentals; Jarman-Pinto causally wears flowers in her hair with a relaxed, diurnal, open-air quality; you get the feeling she's destined for some colourful live performances across the festival circuit. One to check for sure.

TRACK LISTING

For The Bird
As I’ve Heard
Saffron Yellow
Sweet Sweet
All About Life
Sun Kissed
Alchemy
Emerge
Threads
Day Dream
Sour Face
Company
For The Bear

"All Flowers In Time" is the debut album from Space Captain, built around the themes of love and nostalgia with a pinch of bitterness and betrayal. With intricate arrangements of fluttering guitars, sparkly keyboards, and cyclical layers of background vocals, all bound together with dreamy indie-pop melodies for a sweet curve-ball of a finish, this beautifully crafted release takes the Brooklyn 7-piece to new heights.

Extensive influences range from Thundercat through Amy Winehouse to Bon Iver, but Space Captain are never anything but themselves, as this release shows. It sees the band moving away from the electronic and experimental sounds of their previous EP, instead taking them back to when they first formed, whilst also pushing the boundaries of their familiar R&B realm. For the band, "All Flowers In Time" quite literally signifies the flowering of their careers and the work they have put in to get there. As the band grow together, their aesthetic and musical styles continue to transform, expanding their accessibility to audiences of all tastes.

Space Captain are determined to continue finding new sounds and experimenting with new techniques. While never consciously setting out to confound expectations, by following their inbuilt curiosity and indulging the unique musical chemistry in their ranks, Space Captain have marked themselves out as a deliciously unpredictable creative force.

TRACK LISTING

Side Eye
Blue
Daybreak
Sycamore
Loveline
The Drive Home
Cells
Hollow
Hours
Flood

‘Undefined’ is the second album from talented LA-based electronic producer, Lost Midas. The new long player attests to a year-or-so spent stripping back musical methods and rebuilding them, putting a strong focus on the deceptively simple art of classic song-craft. ‘Undefined’ sits at the heart of unique leftfield electronic and gleaming pop music.

Lost Midas’ ‘Undefined’ celebrates the LA producer’s enjoyment of iconic aesthetics found in contemporary pop, by pairing them with a sensory experience of sinuous IDM beats and synths, backed up with relatable and honest subject matter which touches on real relationships. Other personal flourishes like using his father’s photography in the artwork show Lost Midas imbue deeper meaning to the project through these simple humbling touches.

Lost Midas is the project of producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jason Trikakis, who is originally from Boston but now rooted in LA – a city which fascinates and frustrates in equal measure, and whose contrasts heavily influence his sound. He developed much of his new material with the help of friend Josh Wood – an in-demand songwriter who produces under his vocal moniker Kalispell and whose major collaborations include projects for Janet Jackson, Pitbull and Krewella.

TRACK LISTING

Yucaipa
For Nothing (feat. Rachel Geller)
Nebula (feat. Rachel Geller)
San Gorgonio
Undefined (feat. Rachel Geller)
Arroyo Seco
Kayla’s Lullaby (feat. Kalispell)
San Jacinto (feat. Ken Nana)
Dancer (feat. Rachel Geller And Kalispell)
Montecito
Calipatria (feat. NüTrik)

The latest in Tru Thoughts’ series of essential label compilations, compiled by A&R and label co-owner Robert Luis, 'Shapes: Circles' brings the best of the current sound of the label across 12 tracks and 2LPs, including a handful of remixes, upfront exclusives - a newbie from brand new signing Titeknots and an upfront album track from rising soul sensation Harleighblu - and cuts previously only available on other formats, as well as the odd stone cold classic.

Serving to reinforce Tru Thoughts’ reputation as home to a diverse array of talent, the artists showcased here include Harleighblu, Belleruche, Ty, Wrongtom Meets Deemas J, Hint feat. T-Fly, Mark de Clive-Lowe feat. Omar & Sheila E, Titeknots, Yannah Valdevit & Lay-Far, The Bamboos feat. Aloe Blacc, Drumagick, Sleepin’ Giantz and Natalie Storm. Vinyl also comes with CD version of the album enclosed.

TRACK LISTING

CD Tracklisting:
Disc 1
1. The Valleys Feat. Tanya Auclair & Milly Blue - Natural Self
2. Let Me Be - Harleighblu
3. Twin Peaks - Alice Russell
4. Wasted Time (Ross PTH Remix) - Belleruche
5. Like You Never - Ty
6. We Renegades Feat. Nia Andrews - Mark De Clive Lowe
7. Plum Rain Anchorsong
8. Aliens Enter Feat. T-Fly (Hint Remix) - Hint
9. Ghost Town - Hot 8 Brass Band
10. Magdalena (Acoustic Version) - Quantic & Alice Russell With The Combo Barbaro
11. The Chosen - Menagerie
12. They Reminisce Over You (TROY) - Quantic Y Su Conjunto Los Miticos Del Ritmo
13. Jump + Move + Rock - Wrongtom Meets Deemas J
14. Live Up Feat. The Peoples Army & Mighty Moe - Rodney P
15. Where Does The Time Go? Feat. Aloe Blacc (Si Tew Take It Back Remix) - The Bamboos
16. Tuesday Is Friday - Freddie Cruger & Anthony Mills Are Wildcookie
17. Floating Zzzzzz - Kinny

Disc 2
1. Mind Open Titeknots
2. Vorka (King Britt Remix) - Hidden Orchestra
3. Get Started Feat. Omar & Sheila E (Full Crate Remix) - Mark De Clive Lowe
4. Empty Heart Yannah Valdevit & Lay-Far
5. Dub Is For Real Feat. Mr Scruff Maddslinky
6. Maracatu Drumagick
7. Take The Space Trane Mark De Clive Lowe & The Rotterdam Jazz Orchestra
8. Crash And Burn Feat. Natalie Storm (C.O.N.E Remix) Hint
9. Jump + Move + Rock (Benny Page Remix) Wrongtom Meets Deemas J
10. Raving Bully Sleepin' Giantz
11. All Of You Feat. Aruba Red & Plan B Riz Mc
12. Badness Feat. Skream Zed Bias
13. Money Mad (Drumagick D Step Remix) London Posse

LP Tracklisting:
1. Harleighblu - Let Me Be
2. Belleruche - Wasted Time (Ross PTH Mix)
3. Ty - Like You Never
4. Wrongtom Meets Deemas J - Jump+Move+Rock
5. Hint Feat. T-Fly - Aliens Enter (Hint Remix)
6. Mark De Clive-Lowe Feat. Omar & Sheila E - Get Started (Full Crate Remix)
7. Titeknots - Mind Open
8. Yannah Valdevit & Lay-Far - Empty Heart
9. The Bamboos Feat. Aloe Blacc - Where Does The Time Go? (Si-Tew Take It Back Mix)
10. Drumagick - Maracatu
11. Sleepin’ Giantz - Raving Bully
12. Hint - Crash & Burn Feat. Natalie Storm (C.O.N.E. Remix)

THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2013 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

Features four brand new tracks, all of which are appearing on vinyl for the first time!

Alice Russell hooks up with USA soul legend Darondo for 'Breakdown', a track recently featured on Steven Soderburgh’s Magic Mike.

Natural Self produces a sublime cover of Electrelane’s 'The Valleys'.

The Hot 8 Brass Band continue their rich vein of tributes with their version of the Stevie Wonder classic 'All I Do'.

Plus previously unreleased and completely exclusive 'Enough Now' from 23 year old soul singer and new signing to Tru Thoughts Harleighblu (that’s her real name!)

LIMITED TO 500 COPIES FOR THE UK

TRACK LISTING

A1. Alice Russell - Breakdown (Feat. Darondo)
A2. Harleighblu - Enough Now
B1. Hot 8 Brass Band - All I Do
B2. Natural Self - The Valleys

When Maddslinky released his debut album "Make Your Peace" in 2003, it radically influenced the fledgling musical mind of a then teenaged Oliver Jones, aka Skream. Fast forward a few years, and when Skream and Maddslinky crossed paths they knew they had to make a track together. No surprise then that there are big basslines involved and the tune blows up on the dancefloor. "50 Shades Of Peng" is taken from the upcoming "Make A Change" album. The track has already been getting constant spins by the likes of Benji B on BBC 1xtra and Mr Scruff on dubplate and now Tru Thoughts do the honorable thing and release the track on one side of 12" vinyl (cut at 45rpm of course).

The flipside features one of those handy Serato Control Tone things for you more computerised DJs out there.

Hint's new EP, "Driven From Distraction" is a brilliant taster of his eagerly-anticipated forthcoming album. Featuring a mixture of instrumental and vocal tracks - with contributions from Laura Vane, Kinny and the young Brighton-based MC Rizzle – this 12" is a sublime example of Hint's accomplished skills as a producer and composer across a range of the styles he loves, from hip hop to fiery soul to no-nonsense dancefloor bombs. Also includes a vinyl release for Hint's remix of the Me & You track, "Sneaker Thief".

Here Tru Thoughts collect together Miss Russell's finest recordings to date, and some exclusive material recorded especially for this LP. There's new versions of Quantic Soul Orchestra's "Take Your Time, Change Your Mind" and "Something That's Real", Quantic tracks "Apricot Morning" and "Search The Heavens" and her own single "Sweet Calling" plus many more raw soul / funk and wonky grooves (recorded with TM Juke, Nature Boy and Quantic) that highlight her amazing voice.