Organic Grooves 161 Items

Three German instrumental talents - Chris Haertel, David Nesselhauf, Julian Gutjahr - make up The Drawbars, whom together describe their music as 'off jazz'. Following up their prior outing for Basel's BurningSole, on which two instrumental originals stuck out like raw thrums, their latest is an unexpected curveball in the form of a standout rare groove version of Billie Eilish's modern classic 'Bad Guy'. Riffing of its madhouse hooks by way of a watery high electric keyboard part, the essence of the track pairs timely well the Northern-soulful form of breaks, fills and bass jaunts. The B, 'Smokes & Mirrors', returns to OG songwriting and hears electric glisses and portamento synths dance across sultry, incense-filled rhythmatic rooms and navy-noted blueses.

Three German instrumental talents - Chris Haertel, David Nesselhauf, Julian Gutjahr - make up The Drawbars, whom together describe their music as 'off jazz'. Following up their prior outing for Basel's BurningSole, on which two instrumental originals stuck out like raw thrums, their latest is an unexpected curveball in the form of a standout rare groove version of Billie Eilish's modern classic 'Bad Guy'. Riffing of its madhouse hooks by way of a watery high electric keyboard part, the essence of the track pairs timely well the Northern-soulful form of breaks, fills and bass jaunts. The B, 'Smokes & Mirrors', returns to OG songwriting and hears electric glisses and portamento synths dance across sultry, incense-filled rhythmatic rooms and navy-noted blueses.

With the help of Emandolynn Music, Soul Direction Records have licensed these three stunning Philly Soul tracks for a 7” vinyl release. Previously only available in digital format only we believe that showcasing all 3 tracks together was the perfect package. This being the way it was meant to be released.

Up-and-coming Fukuoka-based SSW Momoko Iwasaki's Japanese R&B masterpiece is now available on 7"! The grooveman Spot Remix of Side B evolves into a more sophisticated neo-soul!

MuchaMuchaM, an Asian exotic band based in Fukuoka, has been unveiled in March 2024 with the release of their first 7inch album and a digital album. This album, "Qantikala," has been attracting attention not only in Japan but also overseas. Although all the songs are instrumental, the "soulful" guitar tone evokes a sense of nostalgia and takes the listener on a journey to the seaside of Okinawa, the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, or the jungles of Malay Island.

Riccardi Schola is back with Double A-sider 7“ Single. Both songs are like a private press Italo Disco single from the 80s with a new influence in a rough production. The first song „Mistake Disco“ is with the Italian singer Giada Pesce who also works with Riccardi on his debut „On my mind“ on Bordello A Parigi. The second song „M’hai preo il cuore“ is a lovely ballad sung by the Italian singer Giulia aka GGG (her DJ name) with Riccardi on back vocals.

Both songs spread the pure love to the early Italo Disco. Enjoy and listen and dance!

“I’ll Keep Loving You” and “No Use Hidin’” are the final demos from the group Class of ‘78, which is the 7-piece band that predated the duo of McKenzie and Gardiner. It showcases a more loose live group feel on these two unearthed cuts recorded in 1982. “I’ll Keep Loving You” and “No Use Hidin’” are proper boogie-funk era tunes: both are spacey upbeat love songs with elements of disco, funk, lounge, and new wave.

To change your mood or mental state - change your Vibration A fragment from the Kyballion has deeply resonated with the band in recent years. Everything is mental, as Above so Below. Balthvs deeply believes in these tenets, and their manifestation is through music. Melodies that try to resonate deep within and generate a different type of Vibration. From the psychedelic experience arises a more balanced lifestyle, and from arduous and uncertain times arises the desire to have inner peace of mind. Music is medicine for the soul and the trio plays this music to wind down, relax, and be more present. It's music from the 21st century, a time when the world has deeply connected to one another via the digital realm, cultures are now free from geographic boundaries, they influence, mesh, and collide with one another. Turkish melodies meet Latin rhythms, from instrumental tunes to Spanish and English lyrics. The band freely takes from all corners of the world, and it reflects on the global audience they have slowly amassed in the past 4 years. Third Vibration is a celebration of life; a deep respect for the power of music.

Unbridled Italo Disco legend Joey Rico Sr. emerges from obscurity to deliver a slice that'll have you melting on a stick above a candle and a porcelain pot. Some might say it's fake, but this is the Real Deal. Yodeling has never sounded better... never. Joey Rico Sr. presents "Melting in Switzerland" for Nobell Foods on a piece of nice cheezy wax, and if that wasn't enough for you, there's an extra cheezy mix on the flip. If you ain't dipping, you must be trippin'.

Die Verbindung Mensch und Maschine, Körper und Geist, Analoges und Digitales in unsere Musik
zu bringen, hat auf uns immer schon eine Faszination ausgeübt und uns auf eine gemeinsame
Reise geschickt, bei der wir nie genau wussten, wohin sie uns führt.
(Cats & Breakkies)
Cats & Breakkies wirbeln die Stile durcheinander. Club trifft Techno, flirtet mit Jazz, erinnert sich an Art Rock
und Fusion. Es ist Musik für Publikum, für Menschen, die sich in Clubs bewegen. Und die Spaß haben an
der Nacht, an Beats, die ihre Magie über lange Distanzen entwickeln. Wer hören will, darf tanzen. Wer
zuhören will, kann sich in die Details vertiefen, in den eleganten Studiosound der Band und die vielen
Assoziationen für die Spezialisten, die Vintage-Synthie-Klänge und fein flirrenden Gitarrenfiguren, in den
präsenten Flow des Schlagzeugs und den funky souveränen Bass. Es ist eine Musik mit vielen Wurzeln,
ganz entspannt im Hier und Jetzt, offen für die Ideen von morgen.
„New World“ ist Album Nummer drei des Berliner Quartetts. Alles fing an in den frühen Zehnerjahren, als der
Gitarrist Benedikt Schnitzler, der Keyboarder Johannes Gottschick und die Rhythmus-Brüder Bastian und
Raphael Kaletta beschlossen, ihre Musik an dem zu orientieren, was sie selbst gerne hörten. Und das war
eine urbane Mixtur aus jazzgetönten Beats, die man nachts in Clubs oder auf den Plattentellern von Bars
hören konnte. Die Herausforderung war, diesen Sound nicht mit Festplatten und DJ-Controllern, sondern mit
Instrumenten und eigenen Kompositionen umzusetzen. Von 2013 an wurde die Idee konkret, zwei Jahre
später entstand das erstes Album in Zusammenarbeit mit Produzent David August und dem
programmatischen Titel „Organic Electro“.
Das Konzept funktionierte. Es gab ein Publikum, das Laptop-Sets satt hatte, Acoustic Techno aber mochte.
Die Presse zog nach, Cats & Breakkies wurden 2016 für den Bremer Jazzpreis 2016 in der Kategorie „Jazz
& Electronics“ nominiert. Vor allem aber wurden Veranstalter auf das Quartett und dessen fulminante Shows
aufmerksam. Man lud sie ein, in heimische Gefilde zum Festival Berlinistanbul, in die Club Kantine des
Berghains, auch europaweit bis nach Tallinn. Cats & Breakkies veröffentlichten 2018 ihr zweites Album
„Spectral“, kooperierten mit Sänger Stephan Noë und spielten über die Jahre hinweg mehr als 300 Gigs. Sie
verfeinerten die eigene Klangsprache durch die Arbeit auf der Bühne und es wurde Zeit für „New World“, der
Quintessenz aus ihrer gemeinsamen "musikalischen Reise“, die nun seit über einer Dekade andauert und
Ihren Blick auf das Vergangene, das Gegenwärtige und Zukünftige freigibt.
Inzwischen sind sie auch nicht mehr allein. Techno-Crossover floriert in vielen Variationen und Cats &
Breakkies haben sich rechtzeitig ihre Pole Position im Rennen um die Aufmerksamkeit gesichert. „New
World“ ist ihre Definition der musikalischen Gegenwart mit dem Anker in der Zukunft. Sieben Songs, in den
Arrangements noch kunstvoller gebaut als früher, ausgeweitet im kontrastreichen Miteinander von
Electronics, Geräuschen, analogen Instrumentalsounds und künstlerischer Dramaturgie. Manches hat Nähe
zum Trap, anderes zu Fusion-Soundgebäuden und zur avancierten Clubmusik mit Konzertsaalqualitäten.
Pressetext_2024_Cats&Breakkies_New World_Ralf Dombrowski.pdf
Man hört den Jazz im Stammbaum, in der Entwicklung der Songs und der ausgefeilten Dramaturgie der
Lieder. Improvisationen und klare Songstrukturen ergänzen sich, die Musiker fliegen weit, aber verlieren sich
nicht. Denn Cats & Breakkies lassen sich von den Möglichkeiten zwischen den Stilen inspirieren und
verknüpfen verschiedene Hörwelten zu ihrer „New World“. Man kann hören und tanzen, schwelgen und
entrücken. Es ist hypnotische Musik mit dem Link über die eigenen Sphären hinaus.

This classic 1960 album by Mulligan, the Cool Jazz innovator, and Webster, the legendary Ellingtonian, is one for the ages. The tunes they recorded, from “Chelsea Bridge” to “Go Home”, are smooth, lush and emotional, driven along by a rhythm section of Jimmy Rowles, Leroy Vinnegar and Mel Lewis that swings with just the right amount of bop.

Verve Acoustic Sounds Series: Stereo, mastered fully analogue from the original tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, QPR pressing (180 g), firm tip-on gatefold (Stoughton Printing), padded inner sleeve.

First time on vinyl is an infectious feel-good 'Give My Love' from In Dat Groove & Lee Wilson originally released digital format-only by DJ Spen’s Unquantize Recordings. L’Amour Disco Remix pays homage to the classic R&B-meets-disco-meets-house sound, while the flip side features DJ Spen Rework version that is Soulful House to the core, both impeccably executed and ready to make you and your crew groove heavy. Dippin’ approved!

Playa Bagdhad debuts in Boyanza Records with a heavy banger, straightforward track, that will bring dance floor energy to a maximum level. As the track goes by, Papa Jazz and DJ Bagdhad reminds how powerful house and dance music can be. A simple 808 to maintain feet stomping, a groovy baseline, fun vocals and a trippy trippy acid synth. A true peak time weapon.

Soul II Soul revitalises the iconic "Nothing Compares to You," now featuring the mesmerising vocals of Nadine Ceaser. Initially penned by Prince and famously interpreted by Sinead O'Connor, this rendition is infused with a reggae twist, expertly mixed by long-time collaborators Mafia and Fluxy, who have deep roots in London's music scene alongside Jazzie B.

Continuing to build on a remarkable legacy, this release pays homage to Soul II Soul's sound system origins and is a powerful testament to music's ability to unite.credits

The Miles Davis historical second quintet with Wayne Shorter - tenor sax, Herbie Hancock - piano Ron Carter, bass and Tony Williams - drums. A perfect coalition of young, creative individuals under Miles' direction. A turning point in the whole history of American Jazz. Recorded live in Germany in October 1964 this double album features hiper- adventurous renditions of classic tunes including Davis originals like "All Blues". "Milestones" and "Walking" and standards like Rollins' "Oleo" and Cole Porter's "All of You. A highly recommended document from one of the key groups in modern Jazz.

Progressive quartet Combo Chimbita debut the first release on their own label with a track that combines their psychedelic tendencies with the rootsy elements of dub reggae filtered through the guacharaca and chicha-influenced guitar of cumbia. "Margarita" and its dub companion "Nene" comprise a sonically lush 7-inch single that represents the latest chapter in the ever-evolving Combo's sound. After a multi-year run that saw them grow from a loose improvisational collective into a compact, electrifying act that held enthralled concert halls in their hands, Combo Chimbita has entered a period of introspection and new experimentation. Turning to a producer who has been a guru of sorts to the Brooklyn scene, in late 2023 they entered the studio of Victor Axelrod, aka Ticklah, to record a couple new compositions. In contrast to the outward boundary-pushing of their last album, these new songs see the group burrowing deeply into their interior roots. "We wanted to make a song returning to cumbia, one of those rhythms that has influenced us," says frontwoman Carolina Oliveros. The added ingredient of Ticklah — a musician and producer heavily steeped in the sonic stew of reggae — overseeing the recording added a distinctive flavor to the session, and gave the group room to "play with the nuances between dub reggae and cumbia," as Oliveros puts it. "I like how the band brought in traditional Colombian elements, but never anything outright derivative," Ticklah says. "Margarita" inhabits a middle ground, an in-between area much like that of Abya Yala, an indigenous name for the isthmus that connects South and Central America and, not coincidentally, the namesake of the group's own newly formed label, of which this single is the first release. The metaphor runs deeper, as the group members' lives are lived between their Colombian heritage and their assumed status as immigrants in New York City (and, given their international fame, further beyond), and deeper still as the themes of displacement and mutable identity are threaded thru Oliveros's lyrics. The ambiguity of time, space, and meaning itself coalesce in the combination of those hair-raising, utterly soulful vocalizations — "what I cannot say by speaking," Oliveros explains — and the hypnotic rhythm born of the unspoken communication between Niño Lento, Prince Of Queens, and Dilemastronauta. The vocal version of "Margarita" is backed by a trademark Ticklah dub version of the cut ("Nene Dub"), awash in analog delays and King Tubby-like punch-ins and drop-outs, shot through with Oliveros's plaintive cries to "not worry" ("no te preocupes").

Back to the roots of one of the most influential south-american songwriter and composer. A pioneer of the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s, Joao was often called "father of bossa ", while in his native Brazil he was referred to as "O Mito" ("The Legend"). This compilation investigates his early career, showing the many sides of his sophisticated art.

Often taken as inspiration by the likes of Miles Davis and Gil Evans, Ahmad Jamal is definitely one of the greatest artists in jazz history. Recorded in 1955 and originally released on the short-lived Parrot label, "Chamber Music of the New Jazz" is a stunning example of the creative, elegant, and precious music played by Ahmad Jamal's early trio. The fruit of the magical interplay between Jamal’s sophisticated pianism, Ray Crawford’s highly rhythmic guitar playing, and Israel Cosby’s fine double bass. Three musicians whose individual roles are fully expressed through the collective approach to a new form of "chamber" Jazz. Highly Recommended!!!

Recorded Live in Sweden in September 1961 the Uppsala Concert is an important document from Dolphy's first Swedish tour as leader of an obscure but talented local quartet featuring Rony Johansson - piano; Kurt Lindgren - bass and Rune Carlsson - drums. Master Dolphy shines, as always, on all his instruments alto sax, bass clarinet, and flute, while the track list consists of a rare mix of standards suchs as Milt Jackson's "Bags Groove", Monk's "52nd Street Theme", Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and the famous unaccompanied alto sax version of "Laura", all this plus a 20 minutes long version of Dolphy's blues "245" where every single note played by Dolphy sounds as pure gold.

Reissue of an obscure SoCal funk song originally released in 1985 by ISY Martin. The b-side redux is by modern funk pioneers XL Middleton & Zackey Force Funk. Already a certified Orange County, California classic. Out on Prime Time Records.

"heartbeat" is the work of Curtis L. Kendrick, a Rochester-based artist that wore all the hats in conceptualizing and producing his debut solo album, “3RD DEGREE”, released in a 200 cassette run in 1982. Considered somewhat of a holy grail in the collecting world, this is the first official vinyl release. The B-side "heartbeat 23" by Brian Ellis is a dark and stormy re-work/re-creation of Curtis' soulful masterpiece.

All of soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy's early recordings are quite fascinating, for during 1957-1964, aspects of his style at times hinted at Dixieland, swing, Monk, and Cecil Taylor, sometimes at the same time. Here, Lacy teams up with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Buell Neidlinger, and drummer Elvin Jones for seven Thelonious Monk compositions. The typical standbys (such as "Round Midnight," "Straight No Chaser," and "Blue Monk") are avoided in favor of more complex works such as "Four in One," "Bye-Ya," and "Skippy"; the sweet ballad "Ask Me Now" is a highpoint.

Hank Mobley with Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan, also known as Hank Mobley Sextet, is an album by American jazz saxophonist Hank Mobley recorded on November 25, 1956 and released on Blue Note the following year. The sextet features trumpeters Donald Byrd and Lee Morgan, backed by rhythm section Horace Silver, Paul Chambers, and Charli Persip.

SPOOK is Nicolas Rombouts (Dez Mona) on double bass, Simon Segers (Black Flower, Absynthe Minded) on drums and Filip Wauters (Het Zesde Metaal) on pedal steel and electric guitar.The defining sounds of the pedal steel and the very own use of effects pedals in this as well as the sound of the double bass make SPOOK a unique band that not only subsumes jazz, but also Krautrock, minimal, noise and free improv.

(180gr vinyl) Dizzy Mandjeku & Odemba OK Allstars, the esteemed Congolese musical ensemble, joyfully announces the forthcoming release of their latest masterpiece, "Odemba Nostalgie - Rumba Congolaise," on vinyl format."Dizzy Mandjeku & Odemba OK Allstars bring pure Franco OK Jazz rumba to the stage - brassy, funky, soukous heaven, with the enduring sound of the 60’s and 70’s getting everyone dancing and whooping." - Songlines (Anita Scott)

To mark its 50th anniversary, Farfalla Records is proud to announce the reissue of the highly sought after German library gem "Wonderland of Sound". Originally released in 1974, the album was produced by Brillant-Musik's founder Werner Tautz and recorded in Zurich. Wonderland of Sound is the epitome of the classic 70s library sound. A jazzy bliss orchestrated by the hottest European session players making up the Big Band "Rainbow-Orchestra". A Splendidly funky and stunning set of compositions and arrangements with ultra-stylish horn section.

Music producer, keyboardist and professional dancer based in France.
Coming from a Senegalese bloodline and growing up in Martinique (West indies), Fényan is deeply rooted in Black music. Epitome of a childhood in the West indies. A Caribbean Tale about Kreyol langage, about legacy and resilience, about turning victimhood into proactivity.
Douvan Douvan can be translated by "avant garde" in Kreyol. It is a story about People growing up and facing themselves, and their elders in order to move forward in their enlightenment.
It is your story

Known as a long-time member of The Notwist and various other bands/projects (Alien Ensemble, AMEO, jersey, Ditty etc.), Berlin-based drummer/composer Andi Haberl has also worked with My Brightest Diamond, Till Brönner, Owen Pallet, and Kurt Rosenwinkel, to name a few. "I Can See Our House From Here" is his first solo offering.it"s about finding a personal frequency, an overlapping of sounds and samples, an open space that mirrors and extends whatever frequencies felt right at different points in time.

Chequers' ultra-rare 1983 electro-boogie 45 'Hard Times', backed with the equally stellar 'If You Want My Love', sees it's first ever reissue courtesy of Freestyle Records!

Favorite Recordings presents Faché, a new long awaited EP by Voilaaa, including 3 brand new tracks from the Afro-Disco maestro, and tasty exclusive versions. This is also a first taste of the upcoming 4th album, which is planned to be released in September this year. The EP opens with “Faché”, and it includes all the elements of Voilaaa’s famous style and skills: killer Afro-Disco production with heavy bass, hot percussions and playful horns and keyboards, coming with French spicy vocals by longtime partner Pat Kalla. A dub version is provided then. Next track is “Trouble Travel”, which is displayed in a “Garage Version” fully exclusive to this release and perfectly tailored to kill any dancefloor. It features upraising singer Nai-Jah collaborating for the first time with Voilaaa. On the B-side, you’ll find a surprising and blowing version of Jamiroquai’s “Too Young to Die”. The classic hit taking a new life in a Tropical perfect suit, with stunning Creole vocals by Olivya (Dowdelin). Voilaaa is back and ready to delight your summer!!

Alpha RAY by The Norio Maeda Trio was originally released in the Swinging Sixties and this hot latin number was rediscovered by the Tokyo Hipsters at the height of the Acid Jazz Boom and became part of Shibuya Jazz Dance Folklore.
Hakuchu NO Shugeki - Theme by Terumasa Hino Quintet is from a Japansploitation thriler made in 1970 with plenty of guns, gals, guys, sharpsuited action and gallons of studio blood! Mostly freeform blowing by the Legend that is Terumasa Hino for the soundtrack, one of the exceptions being this Blue Note Styled Soul Jazz number that sounds as if it came off the Van Gelder production line circa '66 to '71. Easily could be mistaken for Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd or Freddie Hubbard's outputs post soul, pre-electric happenings. Another Jazz Room thing of beauty!
Now on 45 RPM release by Jazz Room Records, a 2 cut slab of wax that will have Jazzfloorista's waiting at the gate!

"Trails" is a 7-track EP by Guitarist and composer Robbie Belchamber, which draws upon elements of jazz, brazilian, west african and folk music. The compositions are centered around the soft timbre of fingerstyle nylon-string guitar, with subtle arrangements incorporating voice, flute, percussion, mandolin, accordion and electric guitar filling out the texture.

"During lockdown I spent a lot of time exploring Melbourne's northern waterways, riding my bike along the Birrarung, Darebin creek and Merri creek. These opportunities to slow down, reflect, observe and spend time in nature formed the genesis of many of the compositions. "Trails" sonifies these experiences, the bubbling rhythms of water, melodic inventions of currawongs and magpie-larks, pervasive scents of the bush, all changing with the seasons."

"Trails" is the first release under Robbie Belchamber, and features collaborations Melbourne musicians such as Lucky Pereira (Glass Beams, 30/70), Hannah McKittrick, Grace Robinson (Empress), Moses Carr, Aidan Ryan (NoLess) and Erica Tuccerri.

Five trombonists and a three-member rhythm section: that sort of unique musical synergy is what Nabou Claerhout brings to life with her own Trombone Ensemble. For years, such a project had been one of the dream projects on her bucket list, and thanks to Antwerp based cultural actor Rataplan, she already saw the creation become a reality in spring 2022. In the summer of that year, the eight-piece ensemble opened both Gent Jazz and Jazz Middelheim.

In January 2023, Nabou was artist in residence at the Brussels Jazz Festival in Flagey, where she presented the Trombone Ensemble as one of three carte blanche projects. In a sold-out Studio 4, American trombone legend Robin Eubanks joined the line-up as a special guest, having previously also contributed during the studio recordings of the young collective during. The band's self-titled debut album will be released on November 3rd 2023 via W.E.R.F. Records.

Nabou composed the entire repertoire for this Ensemble herself, and did so with a fully open vision. While writing the music, she explored the trombone's wide possibilities: "The aim is to both indulge you with warm, soft, carrying parts and then afterwards discover the trombone's spicy and cordial character." That rhythmic playfulness, which we hear more often in Nabou's compositions with her acclaimed quartet N?BOU, also seeps subtly into this band's sound. Despite the 'unusual' line-up of five diverse jazz trombonists, each with a different background, you still get to hear a very homogeneous sound, which is full of playfulness and small details. "I tried to make room and focus for each individual. And of course there is also a starring role for the rhythm section with guitar, double bass and drums."

When Nabou started looking for the dream fellow jazz musicians for this project, she ended up with artists from her own country, Belgium, but also from far beyond the country's borders: The Netherlands, the UK and Germany. "In selecting the trombonists, I looked for specific timbres, but also for personality. It is important that there is a good balance in playing together, but also that each musician is strong enough on his or her own for the solo parts." Wanting to push boundaries in her approach to both compositions and the trombone as an instrument, the real crème de la crème of the newest generation proved indispensable. "I selected a handful of European trombonists with whom I may or may not have already played, but who, above all, inspire me very deeply. They are all young people who have a lot to offer and already have significant projects to their name in their own region or country."

Meshell Ndegeocello’s new album after her internationally successful Blue Note debut “The Omnichord Real Book” (Grammy “Best Alternative Jazz Album”, Deutscher Jazzpreis “Album Of The Year International”) is an intellectually and musically gripping homage to legendary author James Baldwin and his topics such as racism and sexuality. "No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin" is a genre-bending work full of deep passion and equally deep grooves and will be released on Baldwin’s Centennial: August 2, 2024. Features frequent collaborators Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller, Abe Rounds, Jake Sherman, Jebin Bruni, and Julius Rodriguez, as well as powerful spoken word performances by Jamaican poet and activist Staceyann Chin.

Meshell Ndegeocello’s new album after her internationally successful Blue Note debut “The Omnichord Real Book” (Grammy “Best Alternative Jazz Album”, Deutscher Jazzpreis “Album Of The Year International”) is an intellectually and musically gripping homage to legendary author James Baldwin and his topics such as racism and sexuality. "No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin" is a genre-bending work full of deep passion and equally deep grooves and will be released on Baldwin’s Centennial: August 2, 2024. Features frequent collaborators Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller, Abe Rounds, Jake Sherman, Jebin Bruni, and Julius Rodriguez, as well as powerful spoken word performances by Jamaican poet and activist Staceyann Chin.

The latest Paris DJs release is a kinda Library Funk album, produced by Grant Phabao with the help of friends Frank Biyong (Massak), RacecaR and Sake Smith (Seun Kuti, Les Frères Smith). The album is released as a 300 copies only limited edition LP, with a download code to access three exclusive, unreleased Paris DJs Soundsystem mixes, which were part of the creative process…

Way back in 2012 we were asked to do the George Clinton website, the kind of job you're proud to be offered. We were told we should work with a specific graphic guy from France, named Ben Hito. We thought "well another designer who never produced web images" but we contacted him anyway. He sent a handful of Amazing banners, totally on-point with pure P-Funk colors. So we asked him to do a few visuals for our Paris DJs' label releases. Very soon, we handed him the keys to all Paris DJs imagery. Carte Blanche. For 12 years now he's created more than 200 visuals for Paris DJs. With him we put out 45s, LPs, CD boxsets, CDs, T-shirts, stickers, magazines, flyers and even some beach towels.

Most of the time, Ben Hito has been illustrating our music. With the artists names, the titles and the tracks themselves for inspiration.

When we did our Afro, Funk & Hip Hop boxset compilations, he only had the titles and the music genres, for him to create something. Then we would publish the artwork and ask people to send music that would fit the specific theme and its visual interpretation. The results looked so cool, many artists wanted to be on those compilations and sent music our way.

Last year's "Le Son de la Ville Lumière" releases were quite something too. We only told Ben Hito we had a trilogy of Paris DJs compilation to put out, volumes 1, 2 and 3. The sleeves he designed are nothing short of extraordinary. Some of his most beautiful work ever. The music, a blend of reggae, funk, afrobeat and hip hop, is pure gold. We felt we had reached new heights.

Always on the path of re-invention, for this new Grant Phabao LP we tried something completely new. It was Ben Hito who contacted us with a poster he had drawn. He asked us to create a "luxurious, arabic-themed" music mix to illustrate his image. We tried to gather some contemporary productions with a musical arabic twist but failed. So we tried to go into the old school stuff, but what we had amassed we found out 'everybody' knew already. So we went in a totally different direction, and opted to construct a mix of instrumental, psychedelic grooves, from current artists, released on a vinyl 45 (7 inch), which we physically had in our collection. Many constraints but we had so many tunes on that precious little vinyl format, that we ended up cooking 3 one hour-long mixes, called "Magic Kingdom - Volumes 1, 2 & 3".

Strangely, we never had so much feedback on any of the 500 mixes we published on the Paris DJs podcast those last 15 years, than we had with this new trilogy, even though nearly nobody heard it, besides a happy few at the store, or at a special summer outdoor unannounced gig. Djouls prepared the selection of 45s and Grant Phabao did the mixing and mastering. At some point the latter said "I can do an album of instrumental tunes like those". To which the former replied "It's a good idea, and we already have a Ben Hito artwork for it that we never really used". And this is how Grant Phabao went into his studio and produced a brand new LP inspired by those 3 hours of magic psychedelic contemporary grooves, which themselves were inspired by a visual from poster artist Ben Hito! Of course this is purely dialoguing between our own selves, but doing things totally from the end was an incredible experience for us.

For fans of Brownout, The Cactus Channel, Calibro 35, El Michels Affair, Kelly Finnigan, Greg Foat, Serge Gainsbourg, Karate Boogaloo, Shawn Lee, Ocote Soul Sounds, Misha Panfilov, The Poets of Rhythm, Adrian Quesada, Skinshape, The Sorcerers, The Soul Surfers, Surprise Chef, The Traffic…

1977: In the middle of the era of punk groups, up-tempo music, high-energy rock and a mini rock-'n-roll revival, a record with the cheeky title Tranquility by the group Dutch Treat has come onto the market. A record - as the title suggests - that exudes tranquility. The record is a serious product by five of Holland's best-known and most-talented studio musicians: Jan Huydts, Wim Essed, Hans Hollestelle, Louis de Lussanet and Steve Boston. Jan Huydts: ‘We want to make music that brings people peace and tranquility. We are a recording group. We like each other. We are just close friends. The idea was to make non-aggressive music with aggressive instruments like synthesizers and electric guitars. You may even call it background music, maybe with a double meaning.’

Wim Essed in 2024: 'After decades it is still amazing that in all their diversity the pieces on this album fit together so well, taking the listener on an instrumental road trip through rainy as well as sunny landscapes.'

'When we had finished the original recording, the first and only issue was marketed by Polydor records, in quite a modest edition, instigating an equally modest success. Nowadays many more can get access through the web and Tranquility has since found a certain following and cult status, as the original record got harder to come by and more expensive on the second-hand market. So people started to ask for a reissue, which we can at last and proudly offer, bonus material included!'

‘tranquility’ by dutch treat was recorded, mixed and mastered between October 1976 and January 1977 at Procom Studio in Kirchhellen, West Germany

Remastered in August and September 2023 by Fritz Fey (original assistent engineer) at Double-D Mastering, Oberhausen, Germany For the remastering a direct transfer from the original master tape in 192 kHz and 24 bit was used. The master was cut in a lacquer and the actual reissue is a 180 gram hi quality pressing

Jungle x Library grooves on this latest Cold Diggin’ release introducin’ the Dude!
Limited one-off pressing, black vinyl, colored silk screen print.

) "Night Reign", the title of Arooj Aftab's new album, would also have been a good fit for an episode of "Game of Thrones". At first glance, it seems a little gloomy, almost ominous. But as soon as you immerse yourself in the album's atmospheric music, such associations fade away, even if a slight melancholy often seems to resonate. Arooj knows how to write songs that nestle gently in the ear canals and are true balm for car-tune-ridden ears. Her songs are unique because they are rooted in the tradition of her Pakistani musical heritage, but at the same time are modern and groove in a subtle way. This makes her, according to FLOOD Magazine recently, "the least categorizable and most uncompromising singer in pop music today".

With "Night Reign", the follow-up to her solo album "Vulture Prince" (which features the GRAMMY® Best Global Music Performance-winning track “Mohabbat”), Arooj has now created her most beguiling and stylistically diverse work. She was actively supported on the recording by creative partners as diverse as Vijay Iyer, Maeve Gilchrist, Moor Mother, Joel Ross, Cautious Clay, Kaki King, James Francies and Chocolate Genius, Inc.

High-in-demand B-Edits return with a Jazz Funk heavyweight and a Tropical deep cut.

An absolute killer here from Research ! Shades of early 80's downtown NYC, channeling James White / Liquid Liquid & Dinosaur L 100 Copies - Don't snooze !

Roy Porter released two albums in the 70's, "Inner Feelings" and "Jessica", which are now highly sought after as important rare groove albums. After a brief absence from the scene, he entered the 90s and challenged the times with a new Sound Machine! The killer funk tracks "Panama" and "Party time," which have been featured as sampling sources on numerous occasions, have been reconstructed by Roy Porter himself, and brushed up to sound with the texture of the 90s. It is no exaggeration to say that this album embodies the fusion of jazz and hip-hop that Robert Glasper and others have shown since the 2010s, 20 years ago.