Contemporary Funk Vinyl 330 Items

Big Crown Records is proud to present Adult Themes, the latest full length offering from El Michels Affair. This album takes the band's "Cinematic Soul" aesthetic literally and sends the listener on a journey through a whirlwind of moods and energies. With their 2005 debut album Sounding Out The City, EMA spearheaded an instrumental funk / soul movement that inspired a slew of bands and even lead to the creation of a few independent record labels. El Michels has since lent his signature sound to artists from Adele to Dr John, Lana Del Rey to Aloe Blacc, and a who's who list of others. In 2016 he co-founded Big Crown Records and has since produced the lion's share of its output. A short stint as the touring band for Wu Tang Clan in 2007 led to the cult classics Enter The 37th Chamber (2009) and Return To The 37th Chamber (2017). Adult Themes marks the long awaited, highly anticipated return to an album of original compositions from El Michels Affair. In 2017 in between producing, playing, and recording on other artists' records Leon Michels began creating compilations of short interludes intended to be sampled by hip hop producers. Some of these wound up becoming songs by Jay Z & Beyonce, Travis Scott, and Don Toliver. These minute-long snippets were inspired by the dense moody work of `60s composers like David Axelrod, and Francois de Roubaix, as well as Moondog's brand of classical jazz. Michels was having so much fun creating these instrumental / orchestral nuggets that he decided to expand on some of the ideas and create what would become the soundtrack for a movie that has yet to be made, an imaginary film entitled "Adult Themes." The album plays like the colors on an artists pallet. Songs like "Rubix" and "Villa" are densely orchestrated with the hard-hitting drums that El Michels Affair is known for. On "Life of Pablo", Leon's son makes his first appearance on record and intros a song with an epic arrangement and a moving mood. "Hipps" is a drum heavy ballad that could've easily fit on EMA's debut record, Sounding Out the City. Other compositions like "The Difference" and "Kill The Lights" are bare, melodic mood pieces with sparse drums and sophisticated chord movement. All of these tunes come together to make perfect backgrounds for dialogue and action. One of the beautiful things about instrumental music is that the listener can decide what the narrative is. With Adult Themes El Michels Affair has created a "choose your own adventure" in musical form.

Big Crown Records is proud to present Adult Themes, the latest full length offering from El Michels Affair. This album takes the band's "Cinematic Soul" aesthetic literally and sends the listener on a journey through a whirlwind of moods and energies. With their 2005 debut album Sounding Out The City, EMA spearheaded an instrumental funk / soul movement that inspired a slew of bands and even lead to the creation of a few independent record labels. El Michels has since lent his signature sound to artists from Adele to Dr John, Lana Del Rey to Aloe Blacc, and a who's who list of others. In 2016 he co-founded Big Crown Records and has since produced the lion's share of its output. A short stint as the touring band for Wu Tang Clan in 2007 led to the cult classics Enter The 37th Chamber (2009) and Return To The 37th Chamber (2017). Adult Themes marks the long awaited, highly anticipated return to an album of original compositions from El Michels Affair. In 2017 in between producing, playing, and recording on other artists' records Leon Michels began creating compilations of short interludes intended to be sampled by hip hop producers. Some of these wound up becoming songs by Jay Z & Beyonce, Travis Scott, and Don Toliver. These minute-long snippets were inspired by the dense moody work of `60s composers like David Axelrod, and Francois de Roubaix, as well as Moondog's brand of classical jazz. Michels was having so much fun creating these instrumental / orchestral nuggets that he decided to expand on some of the ideas and create what would become the soundtrack for a movie that has yet to be made, an imaginary film entitled "Adult Themes." The album plays like the colors on an artists pallet. Songs like "Rubix" and "Villa" are densely orchestrated with the hard-hitting drums that El Michels Affair is known for. On "Life of Pablo", Leon's son makes his first appearance on record and intros a song with an epic arrangement and a moving mood. "Hipps" is a drum heavy ballad that could've easily fit on EMA's debut record, Sounding Out the City. Other compositions like "The Difference" and "Kill The Lights" are bare, melodic mood pieces with sparse drums and sophisticated chord movement. All of these tunes come together to make perfect backgrounds for dialogue and action. One of the beautiful things about instrumental music is that the listener can decide what the narrative is. With Adult Themes El Michels Affair has created a "choose your own adventure" in musical form.

Return To The 37th Chamber” is being issued on vinyl with four unique cover designs as pictured above. Which cover art you will get will be picked at random.

The wait is over, „Return To The 37th Chamber” is El Michels Affair’s highly anticipated follow up to 2009's underground cult classic “Enter the 37th Chamber”. Churning out classic records since then for the likes of Lee Fields, The Arcs, The Shacks, and tons more, it is clear that EMA's signature sound is stronger & sharper than ever.
This time, in addition to re-interpreting the Wu compositions for a live band, EMA pays homage to the production and sonic fog that makes a RZA beat so recognizable. Producer and bandleader Leon Michels recorded the album completely analog, sometimes hitting 6 generations of tape before it was ready for mixing, giving the “Return to The 37th Chamber” it’s own hazy sound. Adding to the unique fidelity, the record is laced with psychedelic flourishes, “John Carpenter” synths, heavy metal guitars, triumphant horns, and traditional Chinese instruments that make up for the lack of the Wu’s superlative vocals. From start to finish it’s a dark trip that walks the line between RZA’s timeless hip-hop aesthetic and the cinematic soul EMA has become known for.
El Michels Affair tackles some classics like “4th Chamber” and “Wu Tang Aint Nuthin to Fuck Wit”, as well as some deeper cuts like Ol Dirty Bastard’s “Snakes”, Raekwon’s “Verbal Intercourse”, and “Shaolin Brew”, Wu-Tang’s contribution to the St. Ide’s Hip Hop endorsement campaign from 1994.
This time El Michels brings some of the Big Crown family along for the ride. Lee Fields handles vocal duties on “Snakes” and is joined by Shannon Wise of The Shacks for their version of “Tearz”, which pays as much homage to the Wendy Rene sample as it does to the Wu-Tang Clan. Lady Wray makes an appearance on the cover of Method Man’s hit, “All I Need”, lending her vocal prowess to what gave the Wu one of their biggest hits of all time. Interspersed throughout the record are some original interludes that are like the “rug that ties the room together,” giving “Return To The 37th Chamber” a cinematic narrative that makes it a proper El Michels Affair record and not just a collection of covers.
The vinyl version of “Return To The 37th Chamber” is presented with 4 different hand painted covers. The originals were painted on two sewn together flour sacks in Accra, Ghana by Heavy J and Stoger, two artists who are legends in the Ghanaian Mobile Cinema scene and regular contributors to the Deadly Prey Gallery’s collection in Chicago.
From the music to the presentation, this album is a perfect example of what can only be achieved through diversity. The end result is as much a kaleidoscope of influences and multiculturalism as the city it was recorded in. El Michels Affair is once again, “Sounding Out The City” that raised them, pulling elements of art and culture from across the country and around the globe to create an album truly unique in its own right.

After their debut album Space Voyage for Warner Chappell, Eleven76 are back with a new album commercially available for the first time entitled Occhio Occhio. The album contains insect-themed outernational grooves with tropical and arabian flavours and smooth and buttered tunes with soulful vibes that are reminiscent of classic european library music. Vintage synthesizers and hot tape-recorded drums continue to lead Eleven76's mystique, with travels through funk territories and all the while frenzied percussion-heavy break beats keep b-girls and b-boys moving on the floor. Including the sold out first two singles "The Scarab’s Quest" & "The Hornet’s Nest" plus 3 exclusive tracks for this vinyl edition

An upbeat positive and spiritual groove paves the way for our new 'Jazz45' label.
Taken from the forthcoming album 'Earth' from Emanative, with a sublime vocal performance from Ahu.
JAZZ45 - Exciting new sounds from the world of independent & creative jazz artistes!
Original artwork & original music on each and every release, and limited to just 600 copies worldwide!

produced by Erykah Badu, 9th Wonder, James Poyser, Shafiq Husayn, Kariem Riggins, J Dilla, Madlib, Georgia Anne Muldrow. The Ankhh is backck!

To kick off his new label and musical output - Aweh Music, Esa shares with us two exclusive tracks from his most recent soundtrack LP for The Invisible Hand podcast. This limited 7" features a modern street soul track and a collaboration with the legacy duo from the early 1990s, Doval and Robert Roper of Special Touch, which you might be familiar with from their cult classic the Garden of Life LP. On the flip side, Esa collaborates with his sister Tasneem based in Cape Town, for the very first time. They present a musical journey that takes influence from Soul with Balearic tones and Afro-Beat, all brought together nicely by the talented Franck Biyong on organ, guitar, and paying homage to Fela with his introductory vocals & lyrics. Esa recorded these tracks during the pandemic, with many of the studio sessions done remotely. It also features some rising talents based in London - Ayo Salawu on Drums, Raquel Martins on Guitar, Amane Suganami on Synths and Manu Idra on percussion. All tracks were written, produced and arranged by Esa.

Fast DE is the new band of Dutch composer and bassist Daniël Eskens. With a musical background in various indie and jazz-facing acts such as Jo Goes Hunting, Opera Alaska, and Karsu, years spent composing and experimenting in his studio gradually led to the creation of Fast DE. A diverse array of influences—Billy Strayhorn to Soulwax, Bela Bartok to Brian Wilson—culminates in a sound that is refreshingly unique, bridging electronic, jazz, psychedelic, and alternative pop. In its live setup, the band configuration consists of Dario Trapani on guitar, Jimmi Hueting on drums, and Daniël Eskens on bass and synthesizer. With its debut album Sight Inside on the horizons, Fast DE invites you into its kaleidoscopic world of complex rhythms, spirited improv, and playful melodies—a colorful choreograph in sound.

This is a repress. Multi - instrumentalist with rare elegance, FKJ unveils its first album French Kiwi Juice, and invites us in his world.

UEG Music proudly presents this ultra rare Killer Album finally available on this very limited edition Colored Vinyl album. A Muther's Pearl was previously released on limited CD in 2005, the album quickly became a sought after item with a current asking price of £120

This 18 track collection contains the sought after killer track 'I Don't Mind Tellin You'

A Muther's Pearl is a true Soul and R&B masterpiece, produced by Barry Bee & Joe Powell, the famed duo behind Leona Lewis, Salt & Pepa, and many others.

A very limited amount of copies will be available along with an A3 poster.

No returns. Comes with seamsplit.

UEG Music proudly presents this ultra rare Killer Album finally available on this very limited edition Colored Vinyl album. A Muther's Pearl was previously released on limited CD in 2005, the album quickly became a sought after item with a current asking price of £120

This 18 track collection contains the sought after killer track 'I Don't Mind Tellin You'

A Muther's Pearl is a true Soul and R&B masterpiece, produced by Barry Bee & Joe Powell, the famed duo behind Leona Lewis, Salt & Pepa, and many others.

A very limited amount of copies will be available along with an A3 poster.

Garrett III is more of a swan project. A final installment, if you will. Garrett is now retreating more deeply, as evident by the album cover by @GangCulture into obscurity. The time has come for a landing via this 3rd installment of his ‘private life’. After surviving a lockdown x worldwide pandemic in 1 piece, without going insane, he has finally decided 2 conclude this phase of his tightrope walk between lush Ambient touched Modern-Funk & the choice of no vocals / strictly instrumental aural experiences, for listeners of all hues, backgrounds & taste. The hope is that it’s enjoyed in whatever way feasible for all human (& alien) kind.

Das vierte Album von Ghost Funk Orchestra. Nach „A New Kind of Love“ (2022) taucht Ghost Funk Orchestra mit „A Trip To The Moon“ noch tiefer in die Welt der Filmmusik, der Exotica und des psychedelischen Surf-Rock ein. Ein vielschichtiges und collagiertes Hörerlebnis mit mehr Elementen, als man in einem einzigen Hördurchgang heraushören kann. Große Kompositionen mit Garagenrock-Attitüde. Die Einflüsse reichen von Eddie Palmieri und Esquivel bis hin zu The Lively Ones, Dusty Springfield und War. Die Tracks werden durch echte, aufgezeichnete Übertragungen der Apollo-Mondmissionen miteinander verbunden Für Fans von Orions Belte, Temples, Allah-Las, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Khruangbin, David Axelrod, Man or Astro-Man?

The fourth album from Ghost Funk Orchestra. After "A New Kind of Love" (2022), Ghost Funk Orchestra delves even deeper into the world of film music, exotica and psychedelic surf rock with "A Trip To The Moon". A multi-layered and collaged listening experience with more elements than you can hear in a single listen. Great compositions with a garage rock attitude. The influences range from Eddie Palmieri and Esquivel to The Lively Ones, Dusty Springfield and War. The tracks are linked by real, recorded transmissions of the Apollo moon missions For fans of Orions Belte, Temples, Allah-Las, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Khruangbin, David Axelrod, Man or Astro-Man?

Where will you hide when the world around you is closing in? On their latest LP, GFO invites you to close your eyes and take a dive into your subconscious. Strings and horns float around from ear to ear while their three sirens explore themes of isolation, fear of the unknown, and the fabrication of self-image. It's a soulful psychedelic journey that picks up sonically where "A Song For Paul" left off. The drums are heavier, the arrangements are more intricate, and the vocal harmonies soar over a bed of odd time signature grooves. This is an album that's meant to be listened to in the dark. So won't you join them? You're not scared.....are you?

* The brand new record from Seattle’s own “Queen of Rap,” Gifted Gab
* Two distinct hip-hop sounds: An A-side of hard-hitting gangsta murder rap, with sweet R&B on the flip
* Pressed on clear red vinyl and limited to 1,000 individually numbered copies
* Cover design painted by Gifted Gab herself
* Specially mastered for vinyl by Adam Straney Fresh off a year playing the top music festivals in America--Austin City Limits, Bumbershoot, Heiro Day, House of Creatives and Music Tastes Good--Seattle's own "Queen of Rap," Gifted Gab, has dropped her latest project, "Cause & Effect."

It fittingly arrives on national weed holiday 4/20 and opens with a warning to stay away from that poor quality bam. This record is a premium strain ten-track opus, with no features, and one lone producer, Antwon Vinson. Spark your best blunt and play it loud, ‘cause this chronically high sound is gonna trip you out.

“Cause & Effect” shines a light on both sides of Gifted Gab’s singular style, mixing complexity with wit, confidence with seduction, bars-upon-bars with R&B melodies. Half of the album is hard-hitting gangsta murder music, while the flip side is effortlessly smooth, "for the after-party, the kickback. When you finally got the one you’ve been vibing with all night up close and personal," as DJ Mike Ramos describes in the liner notes.

This is uncompromising, in-your-face music free of bullshit. Gifted Gab's lyrical dexterity and street-smart prowess marries the '90s hip-hop sounds of female emcees Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Bahamadia with Bay Area legends like Mac Dre and E-40. Fans familiar with her unrestrained rap style, wall-to-wall classicist flow and combative, codeine-dipped blunts, may be surprised on the B-side by singing and harmonies that even your mother might approve of. The entire album features a fresh sound supported by real ass musicians: Max Watters on guitar, Andrew Imanaka on bass, Medearis Dixon on keys and sax, DJ Vega on the Technics, and Antwon Vinson conducting the crew. And not only can the multi-talented Gifted Gab rap your ass off and sing sweetly, but the cover art is also an original painting by the artist herself.

Two singles from the album, “Eye on Em” and “That Way” are part of a Spring 2019 North America-wide college radio campaign mounted by Airplay Junkie radio promotions.

Seattle underground hip-hop label Crane City Music is proud to release a special, limited-edition vinyl version of "Cause & Effect" on transparent red vinyl. The record is the color of blood and love, both appropriate analogies for its twin sides. The vinyl edition is has been specially mastered by Adam Straney, has liner notes from DJ Mike Ramos and is limited to 1,000 numbered copies. (The record will be distributed worldwide by Light In The Attic.) Grab one before they're gone for good. The music is also available online on all major streaming services (iTunes, Google Play, etc.)

Gabrielle "Gifted Gab" Kadushin was born and raised in Seattle, WA's Central District. She's shared stages with DJ Quik, Rakim, Cam'ron, Slick Rick, Method Man, and Lupe Fiasco, and received accolades from hip-hop heavyweights XXL, VH1, and Dope. TIME magazine counts her amongst the top seven female rappers in America right now. In 2016, she curated & headlined her own eight-city tour. Her collaboration with Blimes Brixton, “Come Correct,” received viral attention and over 15 million video views. And let's not forget her stature as first lady amongst the many men in the Moor Gang, Seattle’s answer to the Wu-Tang Clan crew.

The debut album by musician and producer GO.SOUL.MAP. is a little gem in which pop and soul intersect and the clichés between mainstream and underground leap. A sexy and pensive nocturnal journey, immersed in thirteen songs between soft bass and space disco trips, with the voice of London based Derane Obika of Living Sounds. The selection of songs in this album were made with the hope to bring the listener to deep thought, the lyrics and melodies seamlessly married to tracks that drive the listener's emotions. Produced, written and performed by Derane and Salvo, they came together by chance and were inspired to make the album making sure to balance the sound between the Lyrics, Melody and Music to insure that not only the songs are heard but the experience remembered and both spirit and soul are touched. The album is truly "Music From The Heart" Behind the alias GO.SOUL.MAP. hides one of the most authentic and purest talents of the current Catania music scene. Of which, moreover, under other guises and names, he has been an indispensable pillar for over a decade. An artist of immediate sensitivity, not only artistic. His training is fairly canonical: as a child, he studied piano. From there, as if following the movements of concentric circles, the passion for synths, drum machines, the world of samples and the recording studio. Above all, an uncommon ability to breathe in music. Accepted and found without prejudice, but always with the need to reveal a distinctive track, a signature. Touring between bars, streets, concerts and clubbing. An experience very consistent with the subject matter of this disc. Which is, in fact, the debut of a non rookie. An ambitious record, because it possesses a sound that is as sexy as it is thoughtful and a writing style, exemplary, that lies on that borderline that, in the stereotype, defines underground and mainstream. Fields that instead it crosses naturally and between which it moves without any particular problems. After all, the music comes not from the malice of the intellect but from the nuances, tender or vehement, of naivety. Peaceful Sound For Broken Minds is a pop record, pop soul, of modern urban pop. Yes, labels, even in the sense of tags, are definitely that. Of course, it is the way in which ideas are rendered that makes the difference. The record is about the need to find one's peace, but it is the fall that it shows and not the landing. With honesty and, above all, style. That is, mastery of means and an important file work with which to decline that therapeutic soul pain in which his songs are immersed. We wait for hours more, the initial Fall Into The Flame and I Am Believe seem to tell us from there we move on. Hold The Line is where trip hop forgets itself, immersing itself, to the point of blurring, with the retro atmospheres of someone like Curtis Harding. Pushing has a space disco cadence that, more pronounced, we also find in the lunar expedition sound of Watergate. The exotic visions of Back In Underwater, between the stardust of Air and the innocence of Plone, become more jazzy in Cat With Camera. Just as in the urban streaks of Don't You Worry, which in upbeat mode would sound like a great reggae song, or Are U Ready, or in the disco funk of Right Of Me, the soulful accent of Derane Obika of Living Sounds emerges, a Londoner of Nigerian origin who grew up listening to gospel, Prince and Stevie Wonder, whose voice guides us through the songs of Peacefull Sound For Broken Minds. Which is a new point for that work of redefining the standards of pop today that Space Echo is doing. Throwing the clock overboard, because the time it wants to capture is nothing more than the movement of its hands

Right Of Me' is an incandescent and refined excerpt, like the entire new concept of the album 'Peaceful Sound For Broken Minds' due out on 28 Feb 24. The plan of Salvo Dub from Catania aka Go.Soul.Map does not stop here - we are in front of an artist with an exceptional creative phase, a hothouse of sparkling ideas that flow out in continuous streams like the lava of Etna in its full eruptive activity.

As with 'Pushing', 'Right Of Me' is always presented in a Nu-disco key, super Dance in a formula full of Pop and Soul enriched by keyboard sounds. Salvo comments on how proud he was of this track, which is certainly the strongest track on the whole album, and it is no coincidence that it was chosen as the second single. The performance and refined voice of Derane Obika complete the work, her lyrics touching a deep state that explores the relationship with one's self and faith.

In conclusion, we can say that in a world where artificial intelligence will only numb our creative stimuli, there is no shortage of creativity here and at the same time, more unique than rare, Go.Soul.Map. remains firmly anchored to its roots beyond passing fads in a space of pure simplicity and creative essence alongside its friend Derane Obika.
Don't miss It!!!

Sdban Records is very proud to release for the first time ever on vinyl Golden Hands' only album released in 1978 on cassette by Moroccan label Disques Gam, including the cult classic 'Take Me Back'.

Famed painter Jean Michel-Basquiat was one of the co-founders of the band Gray. This anthology features reissue of their previously limited self-release plus unreleased material, and remixes from: Todd Rundgren, Hank Shocklee, King Britt, Sal P (Liquid Liquid), Deantoni Parks, Tewz, Free The Robots, and The Gaslamp Killer, along with features from Amir Yaghmai and Kool Keith. 1979, Downtown New York, Gray was making industrial music with sound. Jean-Michel Basquiat played the guitar with a metal file, Michael Holman played masking tape and steel ball bearings, Justin Thyme abstracted the keys, as Nick Taylor played his guitar with historical restraint.

Blue Note Records and Universal Music Classics & Jazz have announced the signing of the phenomenal jazz and soul singer/songwriter Gregory Porter. Porter has been in the studio with his working band and producer Brian Bacchus recording his third album and major label debut, which will be released worldwide on Blue Note Records this September. In 2010 Porter released his debut album Water (Motéma Music), which earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album. His sophomore album Be Good (Motéma Music) followed in 2012 and earned him his second GRAMMY nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance. The Huffington Post has declared Porter "the brilliant new voice of jazz," adding that he is also "heavily steeped in the passion, delivery and emotion of the best classic soul men."

Without a pandemic, you’d now be listening to an album wholly recorded in Cuba with local musicians. Back in 2020, everything was organised, so that in May 2021 we could get started. Yet, the sanitary measures proved to be a fierce adversary, so rather than giving up entirely we decamped to Dakar in October the same year – a compromise that ended up being a positive event in itself.
Cuba has a long African history. Under mass enslavement and the Transatlantic trade, Africans were forced from their homelands, against their will, taking their music along with them. Merging throughout the centuries, taking on European influences, led to the birth of a distinctive Afro-Cuban musical tradition. Highly percussive, brass-based, simmering, full of danceable rhythms. The spirit etched into thousands of recordings, forever turning towards Africa. The departure point here is not to keep things the same. Rather, a return to the source enacts a loop – much the same as those providing the foundations for hip-hop beats.
The flame when it’s re-lit illuminates everything. Thanks to the Senegalese musicians in Dakar, the Cubans who crossed the Atlantic to join us and my usual family of musicians, this music – a cross-section of covers and original compositions - exists as a homage to Afro-Cuban music. Made in Africa, in Senegal. Three worlds, three languages, three colours. Recorded over 17 days, non-stop, germinating the seed born in Cuba at the end of 2020 so that the most beautiful fruits might be cultivated in Dakar, 2022.
When the world doesn’t seem big enough, we look up to the sky where even the blackness is lit up, where those I loved who are now gone shine as stars, shining as brightly as all the others. Each time I think I’m not going to make it; I recall the star of my mother. Then the path becomes clear.
Pandemic, visa problems, cultural clashes, bank transfers that didn’t go through, a fractured foot – this project sometimes felt like a series of accumulated challenges. The only thing linking us, a shared love for the music, each of us invoking our personal star and all that we have overcome.
In this way, the music is born as a call to our stars.

Produced by Patchworks!

The release comes on 180g. After a twenty-year search for the man behind the cult 70s jazz-funk group Opa, Far Out are honoured to present Barrio Opa: a new work from Fattoruso and his team of world-class musicians, including the sensational Candombe drumming ofthe renowned Silva Brothers. Recorded at Sondor Studios, Montevideo, the album is the natural development of the original Opa sound, fusing Afro-Uruguayan rhythms, jazz harmony and heavy funk attitude, under Hugo's unique musical vision.

The long-awaited LP release of "sweet SPARE," the third album by I love you Orchestra Swing Style (ilyoss), a leading Japanese Jazz x Citypop band. The album features a danceable instrumental sound based on jazz and swing, and includes nine tracks featuring vocals from Hiro-a-key, Tamuraryo & Namichie, and Korean neo-soul sensation dosii.

NBN Archives’ second reissue is the debut - and sole - LP of Bay Area group – i.f.A aka International Family Affair. A lethal fusion of G-Funk and R&B, this self-titled album was first released on Rollin Record Enterprises in 1997. After having dropped their first single on Capitol in 1996 and being shelved right after, band-leader Derrick Shaw had the plan to start over his i.f.A project independantly. With roots in and around Oakland, East Palo Alto and Stockton, it was only a matter of time before these musical minds would meet to form their own “Family Affair.” Derrick Shaw aka D-shoot was a vocalist and musician with a well-known band called Kashmir before he met the self-dubbed Godfather. After an introduction on the basket-ball court, the two became friends and immediately went to work flushing out many of D.’s musical concepts. In stepped Bias, a rapper born into the game. His versatile rap styles blended perfectly with i.f.A.’s old school Funk and R&B vibe. SOS, a rapper from the streets of Oakland with a unique cadence, added his “gangsta rap” and “rough edge” background which compliments the style of i.f.A. Produced by D-Shoot and Ivan Johnson this LP is loaded with rapping and singing backed with smoothed-out instrumentals that gives off that "laid-back/bumping" vibe with that "something for the ladies". “It’s so different you can’t help but like it. We will appeal to a wider fan base because we’re not trying to sound like every other act coming out.” - D-Shoot.

Limited to 500 Copies!

20 years HHV: our team has selected an album from each of these years that is particularly relevant and precious to us. On a monthly basis we release exclusive and limited pressings of these records in collaboration with some of our favorite labels.

Originally released in 2011 with a limited pressing and repressed once a few years later in 2016. “Right now in cities across the globe, there are plenty of great Afrobeat revivalist bands aping the sound and groove of Fela Kuti’s legendary sound. Yet, surprisingly few of the new groups have strayed from an orthodox interpretation of the genre or done much real innovation. ..Ikebe Shakedown is here to change that. The band takes signature Afrobeat elements—big unison horns, slinky bass lines, tight little guitar licks—and blends them with tasty grooves culled from '70s-style horn-driven funk”. -Marlon Bishop, Wnyc

Ikebe Shakedown, the self-titled album and Ubiquity Records debut from the Brooklyn-based band, plays with elements of Cinematic Soul, Afro-funk, Deep Disco, and Boogaloo in all the right ways. Pushing their globally-informed sound and eclectic approach to tune-writing into new territory, “Self-titling the album is a way to introduce the audience to the many facets of the band -- to provide a more complete understanding of what we do,” bassist Vince Chiarito says. “Our sound has grown to incorporate our influences without overtly representing any one in particular. It just sounds like us," he adds.

/ The Jive Turkeys Remix

Debut 45 from the San Diego’s In Motion Collective. Heavy, danceable Afro-beat in the same vein with groups like Ikebe Shakedown, Budos Band, and Antibalas. Tip!

The Sleepers RecordZ is proud to introduce Jolie Davenport to the world of modern funk music. The Austin, TX-based vocalist brings you two synth-centric hitters, both produced by the backbone of the Sleepers label, Ivan Makvel. In the course of just two tracks, Davenport covers all of the prerequisites for a well-rounded modern day boogie excursion. "Runaway" is made for the dance floor and isn't shying away from its polished, pop sensibility. The chorus is an earworm waiting to get pleasantly stuck in one's mind, gliding perfectly over frenetic bass notes and synth brass chords. "Like That," penned by modern funk mainstay Moniquea, balances the party by taking it to the streets. Makvel's production here is better suited for a cruise down the boulevard in a 60's-era Chevy rather than the club, yet it's also certain to incite involuntary movement the moment you press play. As always, Sleepers brings you these two tracks in physical form via limited edition color vinyl 7" - only 150 copies pressed.

Best DJ in the world J Rocc gives you six bootleg bangers of electro ecstasy as Flaunt Edwards channeling legendary party people like Ron Hardy, Larry Levan, DJ Harvey, and Kraftwerk.

Time to hit the accelerator! Released in association with the classic label KPM, Jaguar Skills has produced his own film soundtrack, 'The Man In The Jaguar Mask', released on his label Nope23. Using the same equipment and recording methods of the classic ‘70s film soundtracks, Jaguar Skills & his orchestra, have channelled the sounds of the great action film composers into this project. With intricate detail, Jaguar Skills made sure, every step of the way, that this project was going to be as authentic as possible, so he invited some of the very best session musicians in the world to work on the record. The all-star players on the album include; Simon Katz (Gorillaz, Jamiroquai) on guitar, Drew Horley (Stevie Wonder Band) on keys, Zoltan Renaldi (Funkadelik) on bass, Bill Ware (Steely Dan) on vibes, conductor Jonas Peterson (Marvel Soundtracks) on strings, Patrick Gorce (Tony Allen Band) and Andy Findon (Lala Schifrin Band). Each track instantly takes the listener through a different scene in the movie, 'The Man In The Jaguar Mask' is a love letter to the b-movies and kung-fu flicks Jag Skills grew up on.

2nd Album by talented Janelle … some nice popish soul stuff feat. Big Boi. Just right for summertime!

Canadian songwriter and producer Jeremy Haywood-Smith needed an escape from his state of mourning when he began working on Slingshot, his most recent LP as JayWood. After the loss of his mother in 2019, and a global standstill with multiple social crises throughout 2020, Haywood-Smith yearned for some forward momentum. "The idea of looking back to go forward became a really big thing for me _ hence the title, Slingshot." Feeling disconnected from his past and ancestry after the death of a parent, Haywood-Smith made a conscious effort to better understand his identity and unique Black experience living in the predominantly white province of Manitoba. Merging fantasy scenarios, personal anecdotes, and infectious pop and dance instrumentals, Slingshot is a self-portrait of JayWood at his surface and his depths. Musically, Slingshot reaches into sounds and styles Haywood-Smith has continued to explore throughout his catalog. "I think I made a really big deal to not pigeonhole myself," he explains. "Whatever is inspiring me at one point will work it's way into whatever I'm creating." Slingshot is an amalgamation of Haywood-Smith's many musical sensibilities, achieved with help from a crew of talented peers. Haywood-Smith wrote and performed a bulk of the track's instrumentations, but the LP has notable appearances from Canadian contemporaries Ami Cheon (on "Just Sayin") and Mckinley Dixon (on "Shine.") The album's penultimate track, "Thank You," was co-produced with Jacob Portrait of Unknown Mortal Orchestra. The song brings JayWood's sound full circle, offering something reminiscent of Haywood-Smith's earliest recordings, while flaunting that "The best is yet to come."

Roots Underground kicks off 2024 with a bang, presenting the EP of one of the most fascinating living legends of Detroit techno: John Beltran. Although he has never stopped producing music (luckily for us!), this EP represents a more than welcome return of John Beltran to those more classic techno sounds that have made him one of the most iconic producers of this musical genre in the world.

It’s not every day you find a keyboard player with chops like John Camp. Plucked from the same Minneapolis Jazz vine that grew such deliciously ripened talents as No Regular Play's Greg Paulus and Aaron James (Gregory Porter band), we met Camp for the first time at the Marcy Hotel. Initially adding his signature touch to other’s Crew Love records and last year dropping an incredi- ble EP on Have A Killer Time, the Mistral EP marks his first official Crew Love release!

On the Line is a fresh collaborative release between west coast and east coast Canadian artists Jonny Tobin and Maya Killtron, kicking off the beginning of 2024 in a memorable way. The song features a satisfying blend of soul, 80s funk, and yacht rock. Undeniable grooves come together with Jonny Tobin’s lush and funky production work, and Maya Killtron’s soaring vocal stylings elevate the track to a whole other level. On the Line will appeal to lovers of modern funk and beyond! The Light In All Of Us is a brand new instrumental track from acclaimed jazz fusion/funk keyboardist and producer Jonny Tobin. His production blends elements of dance music, modern jazz, and funk, with Jonny’s signature writing style - catchy synth melodies, uplifting chord progressions, and a dash of improvised solos. This colourful mix of aesthetics helps to set the track apart from other instrumental beat-based releases, and Tobin’s usual sense of musical optimistic shines through clearly in the music.