Born from ten-hour jam sessions in peeling Brighton bedsits - the technical parameters of a bootstrap recording process and the osmotic, multi-genre influence of internet music archives, quintet Ebi Soda have been steady-cultivating a unique sound amidst the exploding UK jazz scene. Balancing irreverent musical and technical improvisation with an uncompromising instinct for vibe and prodigious musicianship, the Ebi ascent has been swift. Their eponymous debut EP, follow-up aptly titled "Bedroom Tapes" and debut LP 'Ugh' were originally released on Sola Terra, and won international plaudits, major radio plays and performances at Gilles Peterson's We Out Here, London's Jazz Re:Freshed, EFG London Jazz Festival and Latitude. Tru Thoughts were excited to pick up Ebi's back catalogue, repressing their first two EPs that had long been out of circulation and garnering high prices on Discogs on limited edition vinyl. Despite their steep rise the Brighton outfit have preserved as much as possible of their unique recording process, originating from their very first sessions. With just a two-track recorder around, the band would lay down whole takes, one instrument at a time, then immediately transform the overdub, digitally reshaping the sound with the same mischievous, adderall energy as the musical performance. This call-and-response between performance and production spurs an instinctive development with musicality, player and producer egging one another on through naturally developing phases and textures.

TRACK LISTING

Tang Of The Zest
Pseudocreme
Soft Peng
Yoshi Orange
Chandler Feat. Yazz Ahmed
Giraffe Bread
Listen, KingÂ
Sadboys2020
Gated Community With A Public Pool
Christmas Lights In June

The 12” will be released on limited 500 press DJ promo style vinyl and features the STR4TA remix, STR4TA remix instrumental and original album track. Taken from the band’s LP ‘Yemaya’ – named after the Goddess of the Sea, protector of women and the Eternal Mother in the Santeria/Yoruba religion – the original of “Bad Weather” was inspired by the life-giving essence of water, referencing the guidance and support Yemaya offers her children, helping them to grow. Transforming the track with their iconic Brit-funk style, Gilles Peterson and JeanPaul “Bluey” Maunick AKA STR4TA immerse Anushka’s vocals in a dancefoor groove tinged with explorative electronic melodies and lively instrumentation. “Bad Weather (STR4TA Remix)” is thefrst exclusive remix from STR4TA following the release of their album ‘Aspects’ which saw support pour in from the likes of The Guardian, Jazz FM, Mixmag, The Independent, Echoes, BBC 6Music and Clash Magazine.

TRACK LISTING

Bad Weather (STR4TA Remix) 
Bad Weather (STR4TA Remix Instrumental) 
Bad Weather (LP Version)

‘Shapes: Sideways’ is the latest in Tru Thoughts’ series of essential label compilations, compiled and curated by A&R, label co-founder, and renowned DJ Robert Luis. After 21 years of independently releasing music, the ‘Shapes’ series continues to encompass the best of the Brighton-based imprint’s wide-ranging, eclectic, and international roster. ‘Shapes: Sideways’ features the finest Tru Thoughts classic cuts, recent releases from the new generation of the roster, stirring remixes and world exclusive tracks.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Tru Thoughts' iconic imprint continues to dazzle after 21 years; providing a vital insight to this Brighton-based label's outernational approach. Encompassing bass, breaks, downbeat, new jazz and electronic sounds... nodding your head never felt so good!

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Tiawa - Life Is Not A Crime
2. Sly5thAve - The Edge (feat Quantic - Swarvy Remix)
3. SUb_modU - RAM Generation
4. Gawd Status - Amplified Science (clean)
Side 2
1. Bryony Jarman-Pinto - All About Life (Wonky Logic Remix)
2. Rabii Harnoune & VB Kuhl - Traveller (VB Kuhl Remix)
3. Magic Drum Orchestra - Original Nuttah (feat Bunty - DJ Madd Remix)
Side 3
1. Strategy - Nom Wah Tea Parlour
2. Rhi - How Deep (Nuff Pedals Remix)
3. WheelUP - Vitruvian Man
Side 4
1. Soul Central - Work It Out (feat Jennifer Wallace - West Loop Chicago Mix)
2. J-Felix - Mind Up (feat Andrew Ashong - Werka Remix)
3. Hot 8 Brass Band - Can't Nobody Get Down (Kabuki Remix)

“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.