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VICTOR
If youʼre a fan of Daptone Records, chances are youʼve read or heard the name Victor Axelrod, and even if you havenʼt, youʼve heard music from his hand. As a producer, arranger, recording and mixing engineer, and keyboardist, his creativity has extended across more than two decades of the labelʼs releases, even dating to its prehistory with Desco Records.
If You Ask Me To..., the first LP under his name for the label, is a collection of singles released between 2007-2023 as well as unreleased tracks from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite. The genesis of which came via an 11th hour request from Daptone for a Sharon Jones remix (2007) that resulted in the reggae version of “How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?” found here.
This opened the door to additional explorations of reggae/soul synergies within the catalog, affirming the musical and cultural link between Daptoneʼs core soul sound and Axelrodʼs passion for Jamaican music. While previous projects like Ticklah Vs. Axelrod and Roots Combination (produced under the alias Ticklah) were inspired by the Jamaica of the 1970s and 80s, this set specifically channels an earlier period in the 1960s when Jamaica was both strikingly original in its continuum of genres but also closely and empathetically attuned to Black American music.
Through Axelrodʼs exceptional taste and the notable contributions of guitarist Tom Brenneck, original tapes from Bob & Gene's MoDo discography, members of The Frightnrs, and others from the NYC reggae community, the legacy of trailblazing Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Tony Gregory, and Ken Parker continue to resonate and inspire a whole new generation of reggae and soul enthusiasts.
If You Ask Me To..., the first LP under his name for the label, is a collection of singles released between 2007-2023 as well as unreleased tracks from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite. The genesis of which came via an 11th hour request from Daptone for a Sharon Jones remix (2007) that resulted in the reggae version of “How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?” found here.
This opened the door to additional explorations of reggae/soul synergies within the catalog, affirming the musical and cultural link between Daptoneʼs core soul sound and Axelrodʼs passion for Jamaican music. While previous projects like Ticklah Vs. Axelrod and Roots Combination (produced under the alias Ticklah) were inspired by the Jamaica of the 1970s and 80s, this set specifically channels an earlier period in the 1960s when Jamaica was both strikingly original in its continuum of genres but also closely and empathetically attuned to Black American music.
Through Axelrodʼs exceptional taste and the notable contributions of guitarist Tom Brenneck, original tapes from Bob & Gene's MoDo discography, members of The Frightnrs, and others from the NYC reggae community, the legacy of trailblazing Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Tony Gregory, and Ken Parker continue to resonate and inspire a whole new generation of reggae and soul enthusiasts.
TRACK LISTING
One Step Ahead - Sugar Minott
If You Ask Me To - Leon Dinero
Whatcha Doing (to Me) - Charles Bradley
Icanbecool - Bob & Gene
Lover Like Me - Binky Griptite
I’d Rather Go Blind - The Frightnrs
I Can’t Stand These Lonely Nights - Bob & Gene
It’s Not What You Know (it’s Who You Know) - Bob & Gene
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You - Sharon Jones
Conscience Is Heavy - The Inversions
Volume 2 of this beautiful instrumental Soothsayers series featuring 10-tracks mixed and dubbed by Sao Paolo-based by Grammy-winning bass player/producer Victor Rice (Easy Star All Stars, Skatelites, Cedric Brooks), already popular with UK soundsystems including Channel One, Real Roots Soundsytem
TRACK LISTING
1. Glass Fish
2. Hummingbird Highway
3. Standing Back
4. Harry's Way
5. Black Sand
6. Glass Fish (Dub)
7. Standing Back (Dub)
8. Harry's Way (Dub)
9. Hummingbird Highway (Dub)
10. Black Sand (Dub)
Diggin deep, two treasured cuts from the John Collins vaults, remastered, reissued and sounding oh so weighty. The lush Lovers vibe of Victor Romero Evans - At The Club and the mind-bending, cosmic, space-echoed dub from The Detonators - Lift Off.
Both written and produced by the mighty John Collins, producer of some seminal tracks from the likes of Janet Kay and Rick Clarke, it was his production prowess on these two tracks that led Jerry Dammers to get Collins in to produce The Specials - Ghost Town / Why? / Friday Night, Saturday Morning after hearing the magic of this EP. With originals trading hands for £70 it's high time a reissue came around.
Both written and produced by the mighty John Collins, producer of some seminal tracks from the likes of Janet Kay and Rick Clarke, it was his production prowess on these two tracks that led Jerry Dammers to get Collins in to produce The Specials - Ghost Town / Why? / Friday Night, Saturday Morning after hearing the magic of this EP. With originals trading hands for £70 it's high time a reissue came around.
STAFF COMMENTS
Matt says: Delightful 12" showcasing a sozzled ska-reggae track perfect for drinking too much Dragon Stout this bank holiday weekend. On the flip a twisted, tape-echoed dub exercise so ganja-soaked I convinced myself it was already 4:20! Again, if you're aiming to get horizontal this weekend this is the disc for you!TRACK LISTING
A1. Victor Romero Evans - At The Club
B1. The Detonators - Lift Off
The first Be With foray into the archives of revered German library institution Selected Sound is one of our favourites on the label - the super in-demand "Japan" from Victor Cavini, originally released in 1983.
Rare and sought-after for many years now, this is one of those cult library LPs that never turn up. With Daibutsu the giant Buddha of Kamakura’s presence gracing the hefty front cover, this is a record bursting with dope samples for adventurous producers: it’s koto-funk madness!
Victor Cavini was the library music pseudonym of prolific German composer and musician Gerhard Trede. He was known for exploring instruments and styles from around the world (he played over 50 different instruments himself) and Japan is
his collection of 14 musical sketches painted with traditional Japanese wind and string instruments. These are the sounds of traditional Japanese folk music re-interpreted through Western ears, with the occassional contemporary twist. Contemporary for 1983, of course.
These “Pictures of Japan” are hypnotic, sometimes frantic, but always beautiful. The first twelve tracks offer airy explorations of koto and flute, with other strings and percussion being added and then given their own space. Indeed “Pictures of Japan XII” is just drums.
And then “Pictures of Japan XIII” seems to come out of nowhere. But the subtle sleaze of its full band sound still doesn’t quite prepare you for the towering climax of “Pictures of Japan XIV”.
This is Japan’s undoubted standout piece, completely and wonderfully at odds with the rest of the album. It’s the reason this has become such a must-have record. It keeps the traditional Japanese instruments but combines them with shuffling funk breaks, electric bass high in the mix and a Godzilla-sized psychedelic fuzz guitar sound that might actually be a traditional reed flute pushed to its limits. Whatever it is, it sounds awesome.
Recalling both Rino de Filippi’s "Oriente Oggi" and Giancarlo Barigozzi’s "Oriente", the track’s a real head-nod groove for b-boys and b-girls alike that sounds straight out of a late 70s Yakuza film. Indeed, if you were told The RZA or Onra had cooked this up in the lab this century, you’d be convinced. It’s crazy that this dates from 1983.
The audio for Japan has been sensitively remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis to keep all the character of the original recordings. Richard Robinson has handled the careful restoration of the original Selected Sound sleeve. Essential.
Rare and sought-after for many years now, this is one of those cult library LPs that never turn up. With Daibutsu the giant Buddha of Kamakura’s presence gracing the hefty front cover, this is a record bursting with dope samples for adventurous producers: it’s koto-funk madness!
Victor Cavini was the library music pseudonym of prolific German composer and musician Gerhard Trede. He was known for exploring instruments and styles from around the world (he played over 50 different instruments himself) and Japan is
his collection of 14 musical sketches painted with traditional Japanese wind and string instruments. These are the sounds of traditional Japanese folk music re-interpreted through Western ears, with the occassional contemporary twist. Contemporary for 1983, of course.
These “Pictures of Japan” are hypnotic, sometimes frantic, but always beautiful. The first twelve tracks offer airy explorations of koto and flute, with other strings and percussion being added and then given their own space. Indeed “Pictures of Japan XII” is just drums.
And then “Pictures of Japan XIII” seems to come out of nowhere. But the subtle sleaze of its full band sound still doesn’t quite prepare you for the towering climax of “Pictures of Japan XIV”.
This is Japan’s undoubted standout piece, completely and wonderfully at odds with the rest of the album. It’s the reason this has become such a must-have record. It keeps the traditional Japanese instruments but combines them with shuffling funk breaks, electric bass high in the mix and a Godzilla-sized psychedelic fuzz guitar sound that might actually be a traditional reed flute pushed to its limits. Whatever it is, it sounds awesome.
Recalling both Rino de Filippi’s "Oriente Oggi" and Giancarlo Barigozzi’s "Oriente", the track’s a real head-nod groove for b-boys and b-girls alike that sounds straight out of a late 70s Yakuza film. Indeed, if you were told The RZA or Onra had cooked this up in the lab this century, you’d be convinced. It’s crazy that this dates from 1983.
The audio for Japan has been sensitively remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis to keep all the character of the original recordings. Richard Robinson has handled the careful restoration of the original Selected Sound sleeve. Essential.
TRACK LISTING
A1. Pictures Of Japan
A2. Pictures Of Japan II
A3. Pictures Of Japan III
A4. Pictures Of Japan IV
A5. Pictures Of Japan V
A6. Pictures Of Japan VI
A7. Pictures Of Japan VII
B1. Pictures Of Japan VIII
B2. Pictures Of Japan IX
B3. Pictures Of Japan X
B4. Pictures Of Japan XI
B5. Pictures Of Japan XII
B6. Pictures Of Japan XIII
B7. Pictures Of Japan XIV
Multiple award-winner guitarists, harp player, songwriter, singer and producer Little Victor Mac - a.k.a. The Beale Street Blues Bopper- is back after eight years with his ground-breaking new album Deluxe Lo-Fi. The record -also produced by Victor- features Kim Wilson of The Fabulous Thunderbirds (Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt,), Steve Lucky (Blues Persuaders, Johnny Copeland, Spin Doctors, Blues Travellers... ), Carl Sonny Leyland (Chuck Berry, James Cotton, Louisiana Red, Lowell Fulson... ), Brent Harding (Social Distortion) and other great musicians.
Little Victor believes Lo-Fi is the new Hi-Fi and he explores all types of lo-fi sounds -from "slightly" lo-fi to "ultra" lo-fi and It caters to a wide range of styles from 50’s rockin’ blues to raw late 50’s/early 60’s R&B and soul, and from “pre-war” to blues “boppers.” Lot of danceable numbers on this album. Victor even goes back to his rock and roll roots with a fun Little Richard type of song. He tried to make this new opus sound like a collection of vintage scratchy obscure 45s and 78s. Little Victor claims this is the best album he ever done since the “Back To The Black Bayou” and features some of the best songs he ever wrote and also some of his best performances as a vocalist and guitarist.
Little Victor believes Lo-Fi is the new Hi-Fi and he explores all types of lo-fi sounds -from "slightly" lo-fi to "ultra" lo-fi and It caters to a wide range of styles from 50’s rockin’ blues to raw late 50’s/early 60’s R&B and soul, and from “pre-war” to blues “boppers.” Lot of danceable numbers on this album. Victor even goes back to his rock and roll roots with a fun Little Richard type of song. He tried to make this new opus sound like a collection of vintage scratchy obscure 45s and 78s. Little Victor claims this is the best album he ever done since the “Back To The Black Bayou” and features some of the best songs he ever wrote and also some of his best performances as a vocalist and guitarist.
TRACK LISTING
Side 1.
1. My Mind (Victor Mac)
2. Graveyard Boogie (Victor Mac)
3. I Done Got Tired (Victor Mac)
4. This Letter (Victor Mac)
5. Slow Down Baby (Victor Mac)
6. Gambler's Boogie (Victor Mac)
Side 2.
1. Rocks (Victor Mac)
2. So Blue (Victor Mac)
3. What's The Matter Now (Victor Mac)
4. Some Ole Day (Victor Mac)
5. Rockin' Daddy (Willie Dixon)
6. Country Boy (Muddy Waters)
Recorded in the same sessions as the Toca Antonio Carlos Jobim album, "Esperanto" consists of five deep jazz cuts: original compositions except for a heavy-swinging Latin-jazz cover of Jimmy Heath’s ‘Ginger Bread Boy’, alongside more moments of wild frenetic jazz, like ‘Quarenta Graus A Sombra’, amongst more melancholic, but no less captivating compositions like ‘Marilia’ and ‘Ao Amigo Quartin’. Esperanto’s influences span both American continents, finding a meeting point for Latin jazz and North American post-bop, with Roberto Quartin’s perfectionist approach to sound elevating the already incandescent music to divine new heights. The band consists of some mercurial greats of Brazilian music: Dom Salvador (bass), Edison Machado (drums), Helio Delmiro (guitar) and Edson Lobo (Bass).
Bringing together both of Josephine Foster and the Victor Herrero Band’s Spanish albums in one place, with a previously unreleased track. Anda Jaleo was originally released in 2010. Federico Garcia Lorca's popular folk song collection "Las Canciones Populares Espanolas" was banned under Franco's dictatorship and today the music survives but marginally within the Spanish sub-conscious.
Taking their cue from Lorca and La Argentinita's infectious 1931 recording of the songs, Josephine Foster and her partner Spanish musician Victor Herrero arranged the poetically rich collection for their acoustic band, formed while living in the Grenadine Sierra. Anda Jaleo is the band's live recording of "Las Canciones"; a visceral celebration of the persistence of popular anonymous song.
This new edition includes an additional track not featured on the original release, an interpretation of ‘Sones de Asturias’. La colección de "Canciones Populares Españolas" recopiladas y armonizadas por Federico García Lorca fue censurada en tiempos de Franco, y hoy en día la música sobrevive aunque de una manera vaga en el subconsciente del pueblo español. Inspirados por la contagiosa grabación de las canciones de Lorca y La Argentinita de 1931, Josephine Foster y su compañero el músico español Víctor Herrero han arreglado esta poética y rica colección para su banda acústica , formada mientras vivían en la sierra de Granada. Anda Jaleo es la grabación en directo de su versión de "Las Canciones"; una celebración visceral de la canción popular anónima y su persistencia. Following from Anda Jaleo, Josephine Foster and the Victor Herrero Band created a superb follow-up entitled Perlas (Pearls). It is a jewel of a collection, with songs and poems selected by Josephine herself, gathered from dusty old scores and brought vividly to the present with warm performances full of flesh-and-blood emotion. Made with a variety of stringed instruments and simple percussion, the songs were recorded live in the studio on to analogue tape by Paco Loco in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. Foster breathes new life into timeless traditional melodies, drawing from the Spanish-folk traditions of Castile, the Basque, Santander and the Costa Brava.
Taking their cue from Lorca and La Argentinita's infectious 1931 recording of the songs, Josephine Foster and her partner Spanish musician Victor Herrero arranged the poetically rich collection for their acoustic band, formed while living in the Grenadine Sierra. Anda Jaleo is the band's live recording of "Las Canciones"; a visceral celebration of the persistence of popular anonymous song.
This new edition includes an additional track not featured on the original release, an interpretation of ‘Sones de Asturias’. La colección de "Canciones Populares Españolas" recopiladas y armonizadas por Federico García Lorca fue censurada en tiempos de Franco, y hoy en día la música sobrevive aunque de una manera vaga en el subconsciente del pueblo español. Inspirados por la contagiosa grabación de las canciones de Lorca y La Argentinita de 1931, Josephine Foster y su compañero el músico español Víctor Herrero han arreglado esta poética y rica colección para su banda acústica , formada mientras vivían en la sierra de Granada. Anda Jaleo es la grabación en directo de su versión de "Las Canciones"; una celebración visceral de la canción popular anónima y su persistencia. Following from Anda Jaleo, Josephine Foster and the Victor Herrero Band created a superb follow-up entitled Perlas (Pearls). It is a jewel of a collection, with songs and poems selected by Josephine herself, gathered from dusty old scores and brought vividly to the present with warm performances full of flesh-and-blood emotion. Made with a variety of stringed instruments and simple percussion, the songs were recorded live in the studio on to analogue tape by Paco Loco in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. Foster breathes new life into timeless traditional melodies, drawing from the Spanish-folk traditions of Castile, the Basque, Santander and the Costa Brava.
TRACK LISTING
Anda Jaleo:
1. Los Cuatro Muleros
2. Los Pelegrinitos
3. Las Morillas De Jaen
4. Anda Jaleo
5. Las Tres Hojas
6. Los Mozos De Monleón
7. Sevillanas Del Siglo XVIII
8. Los Reyes De La Baraja
9. El Cafe De Chinitas
10. Zorongo
11. Nana De Sevilla
12. Sones De Asturia……
Perlas :
1. Puerto De Santa Maria
2. Sangre Colorada
3. Cuando Vienes Del Monto
4. Cuatro Pinos
5. Peregrino
6. Dame Esa Flor
7. En Esta Larga Ausencia
8. Abenámar
9. Perlas
10. Brillante Estrella
Following on from the critically acclaimed "A Perfect World", the new album boasts production credits from Jacknife Lee, Jim Elliott & Steve Harris.
This deluxe digipack edition features 4 additional tracks.
This deluxe digipack edition features 4 additional tracks.
TRACK LISTING
1. Honest
2. The One
3. Autopilot
4. Human Again
5. Unclear
6. Coming Alive
7. Lost
8. Ready
9. Better
10. Everything Works Out In The End
11. Play The Game
12. Love Will Set You Free
13. Caught In The Middle
14. War
15. Moving On
16. Honest
Post War Years are a glorious mess of contradictions. The group’s new tracks are simultaneously complex and epic, fuzzy and clear, and all underpinned by polyrhythmic beats that could start a party pretty much anywhere. It is ecstatic indie soaked in a deep love of forward-thinking electronic music.
Ace new split single and the second release on the Jodie & Victor label.
The Sleeping Bags are a band based in Long Beach, California. Their's is a post-shoegaze sound influenced equally by guitar bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and Ride as well as proto German avant-rock projects like Harmonia, Neu! and Ash Ra Tempel. Sonically, the songs bleed into one another - overlap, repeat, disorient and return with missing structural pieces. The musical complexity is complimented by a visceral, overwhelmingly loud live sound that translates to their recorded work.
Mystery Claws is a Los Angeles-based duo, consisting of Matt Kivel, music critic and co-songwriter for symphonic indie rock band Princeton, and filmmaker/musician Julia Bembenek. Largely influenced by the country-folk tradition of Southern California - albeit the frayed edges of that tradition more than its mellow middlebrow - the pair are just as keen to explore unexpected turns of melody and crashes of distortion, paying just as much attention to the sudden eruptions as the steady grooves. "Phony Checks" is a propulsive pop tune that owes as much to The Replacements as The Gun Club.
The Sleeping Bags are a band based in Long Beach, California. Their's is a post-shoegaze sound influenced equally by guitar bands like My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and Ride as well as proto German avant-rock projects like Harmonia, Neu! and Ash Ra Tempel. Sonically, the songs bleed into one another - overlap, repeat, disorient and return with missing structural pieces. The musical complexity is complimented by a visceral, overwhelmingly loud live sound that translates to their recorded work.
Mystery Claws is a Los Angeles-based duo, consisting of Matt Kivel, music critic and co-songwriter for symphonic indie rock band Princeton, and filmmaker/musician Julia Bembenek. Largely influenced by the country-folk tradition of Southern California - albeit the frayed edges of that tradition more than its mellow middlebrow - the pair are just as keen to explore unexpected turns of melody and crashes of distortion, paying just as much attention to the sudden eruptions as the steady grooves. "Phony Checks" is a propulsive pop tune that owes as much to The Replacements as The Gun Club.
STAFF COMMENTS
Laura says: A cracking split single this! Sleeping Bags play a sort of mangled shoegazey afro-pop, with overlapping layers and odd time changes. Mystery Claws "Phoney Checks" rattles along on a propulsive rhythm of snare drum and hand claps. Fits nicely alongside the likes of Best Coast and The Soft Pack.
Princeton release their UK debut "Calypso Gold" on Jodie & Victor records. growing up on Princeton Street in Santa Monica, twin brothers Jesse and Matt Kivel and childhood friend Ben Usen started playing together as a group in the late 90s, but officially formed Princeton during a year long stay in London. The band now lives in the Eagle Rock district of LA where their album was recorded. Fittingly for such a broad range of lyrical touchstones, the band's musical influences stretch just as wide, taking in everything from "Something Else" era; Kinks to Serge Gainsbourg, New Order, Arthur Russell, Scott Walker, Yo La Tengo and Gilberto Gil. "Calypso Gold" features lush strings and infectious, syncopated percussion for an effect that's wistful and even a little danceable.
Laura says: I love this. Afro-beat tinged pop with lush strings and slightly folk-ish leanings. Imagine a very subtle amalgamation of Vampire Weekend, Animal Collective and Fleet Foxes!
STAFF COMMENTS
Andy says: Breezy Baroque pop with a nice lilt . A poppier Grizzly Bear? It's cute.Laura says: I love this. Afro-beat tinged pop with lush strings and slightly folk-ish leanings. Imagine a very subtle amalgamation of Vampire Weekend, Animal Collective and Fleet Foxes!