Contemporary Funk Vinyl 299 Items

Polyfunktional returns with his second single off "New Walls" album, this time the sound is more bouncy, the influences are from early Roger Troutman or Prince to more contemporary bands like Tuxedo, with fat claps, moog synth bass lines, funky guitars and the never disappointing Talkbox for some vocal inserts. Wut Bout is the mood that you have everytime you're in a new relationship, like: ok I'm ready to be the best lover that I can, but "What about you?"

1st single off "New Walls" album, soundwise the title "Smooth Like Honey" is self explanatory, the mellowness of guitars and jazzy chords of the rhodes piano accompanies the un-quantized rhythm of the drums, while the opalescent artist-producer Polyfunktional tells you the story of his relationship with music, singing his melodies first with the vocoder, then with the talkbox, paying homage to some of his early influcences from Delagation to Roger Troutman, in a whole new mixture of a Modern Funk mid-tempo ballad.

Colours collects ParyNextDoor's 2014 EP Colours 1 - long heralded as a contemporary classic - with his critically acclaimed Colours 2. Both rank among the most memorable works in PND’s stellar catalog. The first volume showcases emotionally raw, true-to-life narratives and the range of his arresting vocals. Whether it's songs like "Girl From Oakland" or the Travis Scott-assisted "Jus Know," PND proves himself one of this generationís most gifted songwriters. He confirms as much with each subsequent record, including slow jams like "Freak In You" from Colours 2. Now that both EPs are side by side, listeners can trace PND’s artistic growth by revisiting these early classics, and for the very first time, fans can listen to this joint project on limited edition white vinyl!

Hailing from France with Moluccan roots and now based in Amsterdam, Pala.G effortlessly blends global musical influences into his own unique sound, moving free like the waves that guided his ancestors halfway across the globe. Now with his debut on Jiwa Jiwa Records.

In Sometimes Pala.G infuses contemporary R&B with psych elements, delivering hazy vocals, and introspective lyrics wrapped in feel-good melodies, leaving you grasping for the repeat button on this soul not soul anthem that's an earworm for every season.

Don't ASK !!! offers an off-kilter slow jam experience like no other, with sparse drums, smooth guitar licks, and distorted vocals creating a hypnotic atmosphere for your mind to wander.

The record comes in a hand stamped sleeve in different colors,representing the Moluccan sea, its beaches, and jungles, and the blood and spirit of their ancestors.

Nagoya-based, talkbox indie electro synth band! Limited edition for the Record Day 2023 featuring their debut track "Because Of You", which is still popular 10 years after its release, and "Do-De-Da ~Trimondo Negimina~" featuring Negicco! Released in 2012, the analog LP "1984", released exclusively at indie record stores, reached No. 1 on the store charts immediately after its release and sold out immediately. Orland's wide-ranging activities that go beyond the boundaries of the band have been the talk of the town, and this special edition commemorates the 10th anniversary of their debut.

Orgone takes on 13 funk and soul classics! Otis Redding, Funkadelic, The Meters, Aretha Franklin, Betty Wright, and Booker T are just a few of the artists Orgone cover on this mixtape collection with some help from friends as well! Expertly recorded and performed, you could make an argument for some of these being better than the originals, but we'll suffice it to say that it's a simply killer set from beginning to end!

Orgone are back in California and hitting their stride with "Chimera", a fire-breathing spectacle of psychedelic Afro-soul. Produced by Sergio Rios (Neal Francis, Say She She), "Chimera" is an electrifying, dream-like odyssey that takes you through the foggy swamps of New Orleans, weaving textures of beguiling voodoo soul, booming Afro-funk and rock-hard psych-rock. On "Chimera", the band from Los Angeles transforms hard, dark and infectious grooves into rousing dance rhythms. "Chimera", named after a mythical beast with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a snake, conjures up a state that is simultaneously trance-like and heartbreakingly exciting. The album begins like an intoxicating cloud of smoke in the face with "Hallowed Dreams", drawing the listener into a state where reality blurs and the music takes control. The focus track "Zum Zum" is a rousing Afro-funk dance floor heater that synchronizes the heartbeat with the driving percussion, the hypnotic rhythm building to a rushing, psychedelic climax. On the raw and infectious 'Tula Muisi (Dance Like Them)', a blend of Afrobeat and heavy psych-rock, the singer calls for unity and respect, which translates as 'hear the music and dance like them'. The band is known for their gripping instrumentals and rousing live show. The well-earned confidence of this proven and iconic band can be heard on "Chimera". From the beginning, Orgone has been a chimera - a multi-faceted creation and the physical manifestation of impossible quixotic dreams. Chimera will delight fans of early Orgone while showcasing the band's effortless and infinite ability to change shape. It's an electrifying, mesmerizing album that exceeds expectations and keeps the listener on the edge of their seat.

Orgone present their new 7inch “Bulletproof / P.C.H”. Keeping it instrumental on the A-side with an uptempo dancefloor burner featuring Brooklyn's own Ikebe Shakedown. And not letting up on the B-side, a super cool and slow lowrider jam called "P.C.H. (One More Mile) that features the soulful crooning of Jesse Wagner from The Aggrolites. A two-sided killer!

Orgone is back with more heavy funk from the West Coast. A dark mood and deep groove set the tone for a Funkadelic-like sort of vibe. Both tracks featuring Adryon De León.

Triple LP version comes with bonus 7”, detailed liner notes (8 page full colour booklet) and free MP3 download.

Conceived by Colombian musician Mario Galeano, the force behind the band Frente Cumbiero, and English producer Will ‘Quantic’ Holland, Ondatrópica brings together an all-star cast representing both the classic and modern styles of la musica Colombiana.

Over 3 weeks in January 2012 at the famous Discos Fuentes studios in Medellín legendary figures from Colombian music joined a group of younger Colombian musicians that included members of both Mario’s band Frente Cumbeiro and Quantic’s Combo Barbaro. The plan; “to re-interpret the tropical musical heritage of Colombia with new approaches in composition, arrangement and production in a classic and mythical setting.”

For the recording Will and Mario were joined by Colombian legends including big-hitting saxophonist Michi Sarmiento, multi-instrumentalist Fruko and accordion-playing don and singer Anibal Velasquez as well as a new wave of Colombian and South American musicians such as Chilean MC Ana Tijoux and El Chongo, a young percussionist and beatboxer from the city of Cartagena on the Caribbean coast.

A mixture of well known and classic Colombian styles such as cumbia, porro, gaita and champeta clash head-on with boogaloo, ska, beat-box, hip hop, dub and funk on the record. The tracks range from straight-up timeless pieces with one foot in the 1960s and 70s to progressive and forward-looking recordings firmly rooted in the 21st century. Mario and Will also adopted a 100% analogue recording approach in tribute to a sound and feel that the studio had been lacking for some years now.

Soundway’s exploration into Colombian music began in 2007 with it’s much acclaimed compilation ‘Colombia! The Golden Age of Discos Fuentes The Powerhouse of Colombian Music 1960-76’. That compilation features many original works from the above-mentioned artists as well as some of the main session men of the day that also played on this new record. It’s fitting then that Ondatrópica came together in the legendary Discos Fuentes studios in Medellín.

Olivier St.Louis (the artist formerly known as Olivier Daysoul) releases his 2nd EP to start 2017 with some melancholic vibes.

After releasing a collaborative EP with Warp's Bibio, who is also featured as a producer on “Ever since the fall”, this 2nd solo release by the Olivier St.Louis marks the starting point of worldwide liveshow efforts for Olivier 2017. After a successful UK Tour with Laura Mvula, Olivier is getting ready to join AnnenMayKantereit for another Tour in spring 2017 to support his upcoming release “Ever since the fall EP”, out on Jakarta Records in February 2017. Six tracks somewhere in between lo-fi soul, drum computer sounds, warm basslines and funk trenched live compositions. Olivier will also join his partner in crime Oddisee for his “The Iceberg” Wolrd Tour until summer.

Olivier St.Louis went on to receive significant international attention for his work as a featured singer/songwriter back then still under the name Olivier Daysoul. He worked and toured worldwide with various artists including Oddisee, C2C, Onra, Bibio and Hudson Mohawke as such as other producers from the Warp Records family. Despite all of this, Olivier felt something was missing...A true reflection of his own voice and sound. Less bass music, more organic soul, less producer features and more independent unique compositions all by himself.

Bangkok-based singer/songwriter "Numcha" has emerged on the tide of Thailand's city-pop boom. The long-awaited 7" includes her debut single "Keep Cold".

Almost 2 years after the success of the album THE TONY ALLEN EXPERIMENTS and a few months after the release of the 7inch AMORE, Nu Guinea return to the scene with a new LP published by their newborn label NG RECORDS.
After touring the world looking for sounds suitable for their vibrations, NU GUINEA decided to go back to square one, Napoli, where Massimo Di Lena and Lucio Aquilina were born and raised. They watched their city from a distance reconstructing its energy from their studio in Berlin, calibrating the synths on the meridian of Vesuvius, the volcano that has always protected and threatened Napoli.
NUOVA NAPOLI is the result of a long musical research that has become a historical investigation on the sound that shaped Napoli during the ‘70s and ‘80s, starting from the contamination of genres (disco, jazz-funk, African rhythms) which ended up in Nu Guinea’s DNA.
In this album the synthesizers fill the spaces between the past and the future, tightening in a single body acoustic instruments, electronics and voices in Neapolitan dialect. It is the first time that the duo has worked with such a large group of musicians, some of whom are exponents of the contemporary Neapolitan scene.

WARNING: We recommend listening to Nuova Napoli while walking in the alleys of Napoli’s historic center, around wet clothes hanging and street vendors on tiny three-wheelers.

Known for her powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and diverse musical influences, LA-based soul and funk singer Nikka Costa returns from a musical career break with future-forward disco-inspired sounds on ‘Dirty Disco’.

The lyric “Everyone is welcome, everyone’s an Avatar” denotes a place where anyone can go to be themselves and let their freak flag fly! and sets the tone for her disco and soul fused, progressive album, which is recorded with and produced by Justin Stanley (Prince, Jamie Lidell, Beck etc). Along with the talents of versatile musicians such as Brandon Coleman (Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Donald Glover, Flying Lotus), Greg Phillinganes (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder) and Kaveh Rastegar (John Legend, Beck), Nikka Costa invites you to immerse yourself in her “Dirty Disco” world.

“Dirty Disco is about a place anyone can go to be themselves and let their freak flag fly! It’s about a place where no one is looking, no one cares what you're doing or what you're into. It could be a disco, but it could also be another planet or headspace or vibe. It's dark and sparkly, blue and purple. Gritty, raw and sexy. Whatever you want it to be.” - Nikka Costa

Raising the bar yet again, Night Owls' first single of 2023 lays yet another set of classic soul songs on you, flipped into the band's signature style. On Side A we find The Flamingo's beloved Doo-Wop/soul hit from 1959, "I Only Have Eyes For You," re-imagined to wind your waistline with Night Owls' longtime friend and collaborator - the one-and-only Chris Dowd from Los Angeles' legendary Fishbone on vocals. Known for tunes like "Pouring Rain" and "Everyday Sunshine" Dowd brings his signature soul drenched delivery with a hint of rude boy grit to match the rhythmic and tonal stylings of the group. Wanting to take things to the next level, producer Dan Ubick called in veteran underground Jamaican legend Tippa Lee (Stones Throw, Dub Club, Jammy's, Greensleeves, etc.) to sprinkle his magic rasta dust on top and deejay/toast on the track and the results are burning hot.

An album of compositions by Nicole Willis & Banda Palomita who are Ndioba Gueye (electric bass), Julius Heikkilä (electric, acoustic guitars), Antti Kujanpää (keyboards, synths and sequencer), Ilari Larjosto (drums) & Luiz Orlando Sá Do Carmo (percussion). Jimi Tenor appears on the title track My Soul Sensation on tenor saxophone. Produced by Nicole Willis with Ilari Larjosto. Recorded by Ilari Larjosto with Nicole Willis at Suomenlinna Studio. Vocals recorded by Nicole Willis at Persephone Studio except Free (at Suomenlinna Studio). Mixed by Ilari Larjosto at Suomenlinna Studio. Mastered by Sam Irl & Daniel Pfitscher. Executive Producer: Nicole Willis.

Nicky Prince has never been bound by musical genre. The Milton Keyes born and raised. Vocalist has the versatility to fit any vibe while not compromising her signature sound. Although best known for her Garage hits with Zed Bias in the early 2000s, Nicky was performing and recording with various acts well before the height of Garage’s popularity. She started her career singing in Soul and Funk bands, and over the last two decades has lent her voice to Electro, Hip-Hop, Drum & Bass, House, and Ska tracks. In 2009 Nicky graced listeners with her debut solo EP “See What You Mean.” Within only five tracks the singer-songwriter displays impressive range, from the up-tempo, energetic funk of “I’m Hearing You” to a bluesy rendition of Nina Simone’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood,” to the hushed tones of the EP’s sole acoustic number, “Balancing Scales.” She is backed on this effort by her band Soul Selecta, which includes renowned UK session players Dave Baldwin on Hammond organ and Robert ‘Skins’ Anderson on drums/percussion. Sadly, the release was criminally slept-on.

While “See What You Mean” was available on streaming services and CD, the EP never received the vinyl treatment. So, rather than simply reissuing the project, Nicky has teamed with KU to offer what she calls a “reincarnation” of her debut on wax.

Now retitled “Listen Up,” this underrated affair has had new life breathed into it. To bring out the best in the original recordings, each song has been meticulously remastered by Christian Obermayer at Strype Audio. Then to fill out the 12”, Nicky has added a handful of unreleased songs, including a heavy groove cover of Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It,” which sees her reconnect with Zed Bias; a punchy, funked up tune titled “Listen Up;” and the original version of “Balancing Scales” that reveals what the track sounded like before it was stripped down to just guitar and vocals. This offering perfectly captures Nicky’s distinct tastes and inspirations. Further, it fills a hole in your record collection that you didn’t know was there until now.

NAYUTAH's popular songs "keep IT UP" and "stand UP" are re-edited by DJ Koco a.k.a. Shimokita and DJ Kawasaki for this 7inch single!! The A-side features "keep IT UP" updated by the world-renowned DJ Koco a.k.a. Shimokita. The flip side features the new "stand UP" by DJ Kawasaki, who has produced the entire album since Nayutah's debut. This is the 69th release counting from the first AT Home Sound release, NAYUTAH's "girl". A piece overflowing with respect and supreme love for Ryuhei THE MAN.

"Move On Up featuring Kamata Mizuki" has been re-edited by DJ JIN (rhymester) for a long-awaited re-release in response to many re-release requests!! This killer cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up", released in early spring of 2021, has been reissued in response to numerous reissue requests. The B-side features "Beyond the Redemption," an original jazzy funk song in full Nautilus verse that also appears on the latest album, "A Story About You".

The 8th full-length album by Nautilus, one of the new generation of rare groove bands, will be released simultaneously on LP and CD!! The album contains a total of 10 tracks including original jazzy funk songs and cover songs featuring Keyco and Mizuki Kamata on vocals. The album also includes "Beyond the Redemption", a strong original funk song written for a German tour this spring, and an excellent cover of Al Green's classic "Let's stay together" with Keyco on vocals. This is the birth of a masterpiece that presents rare grooves to the world as new music in progress.

Evolutionary Soul Music Spun with Writers Who Supported The Roots and Erykah Badu The theme of her latest album, "The Truth," is the "truth" that she discovered while touring the world, feeling the music scene with her five senses and interacting with many fans and musicians, which she calls "the highest art (real music). The Truth is that "real music" connects people across barriers. The Truth" was produced by Khari Mateen, a Grammy nominee who has written songs for Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and many others. The song "I Love When" was co-written with Music Man Thai, who has written songs for Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj, and others. The album embodies evolved soul music with a hint of its roots in soul, jazz, R&B, and funk, while incorporating the sensibilities of producers active around the world. The long-awaited new album is now born, containing a new sense of being led by music and connected by sound, the power of music felt locally, and a borderless sensibility that removes all barriers.

Runner-Up at Apollo Theater Amateur Night! Highly Anticipated Debut Album from a Major New Talent Set to Take the World by Storm Nao Yoshioka's first album, "The Light," was recorded by three teams in the U.S., the Netherlands, and Japan. The notable vintage soul artist Brian Owens from the U.S. handled the instrumental recording and vocal direction for three tracks. In New York, Dani Elliott and Orly collaborated on songwriting and provided tracks. In the Netherlands, Shirma Rouse, hailed as the No. 1 Soul Queen, also took charge of the instrumental recording and vocal direction for three tracks. The Japanese team featured top musicians from the scene, including Takuya Kuroda, a trumpeter renowned for his work with the José James Band. Soul music, connected through Nao Yoshioka, casts its spell from Tokyo to the world.

“Flow”: A Reviving Sound of Unity Beyond the Pandemic, with Collaborative Voices Echoing Across Global Music Scenes Nao Yoshioka’s latest album “Flow,” born from overcoming the trials of the pandemic and rediscovering light, represents a collaborative effort that brings together artists from various countries, bridging the gap in a divided world through music once again. Collaborations with artists representing scenes from the US, UK, Netherlands, Australia, and Japan, including Devin Morrison, Reuben James, Mxxwll, Jael, Jarreau Vandal, and Takuya Kuroda, amplify her musical identity. Elite engineers, including Qmillion, who mixed Robert Glasper’s masterpiece, and Sam Brawner, known for his work with Anderson .Paak, also contributes. After enduring challenging times, this album, themed around self-discovery and expression, guided by Nao’s deep creativity in a state of immersion, leads listeners into an uplifting sound that sways both hearts and bodies, inviting them into their own immersion. This blend of soul, R&B, jazz, and funk becomes a symbol of hope and revival that Nao delivers to the world, resonating as a baton of timeless music.

You should all know by now I have collected a good few records in my time, hunting down that perfect beat. In search of that special piece I have found a deep love for the old soul ballads and funk that were for me great social statements, telling it just how it was. Growing up with these tunes and owning them I began to realise if someone didn't represent them to the next generation they would be long lost and forgotten. So please... enjoy this time capsule of music from another time... you'll hear nothing's changed! - Mr. G, 2018

Authentic Blue Eyed Soul. Jamie Lidell fans, listen up!

France' best kept 'Boogie & Funk' secret and legendary german funk label BTS finally collaborating on this 4 Track melter 12". Spacy, trippy, positive!

Back in! Time for another dirty south rider, going deep south back to the A. It's been two years since his landmark debut on peoples potential unlimited, now B is back with his latest long play entitled "II". Eight previously unreleased selections from Hotlanta producer Wes Gray, recorded over the past couple of years at his home studio. Moon B's signature slank rhythms and cutting basslines you've grown accustomed to are all here.

Monophonics are back with another 45 from their acclaimed concept album "Sage Motel." Featuring two heavy hitters, the A-side 'Warpaint'takes the band in a new sonic direction. Featuring heavy and layered guitars, rock-riffs, and the ever-soulful vocals of Kelly Finnigan, 'Warpaint'packs an ever-elusive punch. The B-side, 'Crash & Burn' is a luscious but solemn song about love and life, highlighting delicate percussion arrangements and textured layers of sound.

A simply killer 45 from the bay area's finest funk band, Monophonics. "Like Yesterday" is a monster A-side, which was recorded at the legendary Killion Studios in LA. While the B-Side, "Freedom" by Destruments is a beautifully soulful instrumental track.

Monophonics are back with a 45 cover of a Frankie Valli and the Four Season’s “Beggin’” that fuses the complimentary and explosive soul, rock and funk influences, proving themselves to be the rightful inheritors of the Bay Area’s impressive psychedelic soul sound.

MonoNeon is constantly releasing his original music, song after song.. album after album.. whatever he wants. As MonoNeon says, “I just be doing shiet”. He has been sitting down at his keyboard more writing songs, coming up with those Memphis soul “outsider” harmonies in his bedroom. On the "Wonderland’s Disaster Queen EP”, MonoNeon sings about his faith, sadness, existential crisis, etc… his whimsical gospel! Checkout the bass work on “Flaming Ballet Shoes (The Blues In Her Dance)”, MonoNeon plays his dad’s (Dywane Thomas) old purple Tune Bass Maniac 4-string on that song.

Just in time for the summer, Moniquea is back with a future glass house staple entitled "All The Time." Riding thick, squiggly production from XL Middleton, modern funk's first lady delivers declarations of dominance that might make you want to stand up, pop and lock, or have a seat and slam dominoes on the table top. His Lady: Moniquea delivers a solid slab of modern g-funk on "His Lady," a future roller skate staple featuring an instrumental culled from the mid 2000's vaults of XL Middleton. The track still sounds fresh nearly a decade and a half later thanks to Moniquea's timeless songwriting and silky delivery.

Mishell Ivon and Vincent Kwok combine their talents to present "High", a bouncy, funky tune that celebrates being high on life, love, and all the good things. Based around a funky beat with a syncopated bass line that is almost percussive in nature, Mishell's vocals weave in and out playfully around the synth stabs and keyboard parts on Vincent's production making sure that you can't help but move along with the groove. In The Dust is a funky workout called In The Dust that combines a rhythmic baseline with Mishell's sumptuous vocals together in a track that will leave the listener "in the Dust" with its energy

The dynamic funk duo Mishell Ivon and Andrew Napoleon are back with this head nodding funk bomb! Featuring a g-funk inspired bass groove at it's core, the song oozes sass and swagger right from the start, and is an ode to standing proud and embracing individuality. The groove is infectious with the duo’s signature synth-heavy grooves and funky guitar licks present. Idiosyncratic has bags of attitude and is a track that gets better with each listen! B-side Mesmerise won't disappoint as well, featuring Andrews trademark synth grooves and Mishell's powerful lead vocals, the song has that classic 80s funk charm the pair are known for, with a chorus so catchy it will stay in your head for days.

"Bloom", the first new album in a year and 10 months by the four-piece Japanese indie R&B band "Mime", will be released simultaneously on LP and CD from Kissing Fish Records! This album is the third album in total, first since their last album "Yin Yang," in which they restarted with four members. The lead song "Seed" features guest appearances by Soulflex singer ZIN.

Lonely Horizon is the 1st full length solo album by the talented funk musician and composer Michele Manzo. Drifting along a crest of lush chords, rhythmically driving vintage drum machines and rich, piercing bass lines Manzo has created a work which puts the mind at ease and compels the body to move.

Manzo’s Lonely Horizon was produced in his Italian studio and mastered by the legendary Dave Cooley of Elysian Masters in Los Angeles. With brilliant features from long respected Brooklyn MC J-Live and Mo’Funk Records resident boogie queen Moniquea, This 8 track vinyl is a must have for groove hounds, dance floor junkies and perpetual chillers alike.

In mid march of 2018 Manzo will be touring with UK soul staple Omar in promotion of Lonely Horizon’s record store day release. Two additional Italian vocal edits are included on the cassette recording and both cassette and vinyl are complete with exciting artwork which fits the sounds so closely that the lines between your visual and audio experience may feel blurred. Don't stress though, you’re just drunk on the funk.

Just before the release of Seahorse & The Storyteller, Michael Leonhart & Avramina 7's first full-length, Truth & Soul is releasing one last 45 taken from the upcoming record.

Here it is: the most anticipated soul album of 2012!

Jaraguá (haa-raa-WAH) noun - a tall forage grass known for its resistance to adverse environments.

From a melting pot of influences and cultures, Mestizo Beat takes the lead, offering the next wave of instrumental West Coast Latin Funk to come out of Southern California. Their sophomore LP, "Jaraguá," highlights the group's dedication and resistance to keep pushing many boundaries while paying respect to the generation that came before them. Blending the sounds of early 70s Funk & Soul, Latin-Jazz, and Afrobeat, Mestizo Beat takes musicianship and production to their highest level, offering a complete package of masterfully crafted recordings and original compositions into a brand new, hot off the press, 12" LP.

Entirely self-produced and written by Aquiles 'Lito' Magaña and Agustin 'Gus' Magaña (The Magaña Brothers) along with core group members Jose Castro, Pedro Flores & chief horn arranger Jesse Audelo. The band has also enlisted a diverse array of additional skilled players to enhance the sonic elements required of each track. Contributions from other band members Doug Organ, Fabio De Souza and Max O'Leary as well as collaborations with horn player Jason Cressey and featured vocalist Jamie Allensworth, have transformed this LP into the embodiment of Mestizo Beat's vision. A true collective of musicians, all united by the common goal of delivering high-quality funk music.

From the cinematic opening of the title track 'Jaraguá' and the Blaxploitation-inspired single 'She's A Rose' to the groove-centric cuts like 'The Jaguar' and 'Black Bag,' Mestizo Beat's musical exploration knows no bounds. Venturing further with soulful burners like 'The Jaguar' and 'Two Eleven,' the group unleashes their full potential on 'II The Deepcyde,' featuring the renowned guest vocalist Jamie Allensworth. The album is rounded off with the Nigerian disco-funk inspired 'Lotsapoppa' and a foray into the Cumbia genre with 'Cumbia de Jaraguá,' all offering a diverse and exhilarating musical journey. Recorded and produced at the band's hillside Topanga, CA studio, SPC 166, each song showcases the unique talents of the ensemble. Remaining true to their sound and recording techniques, 'Jaraguá' was tracked to 1/4" tape and mixed by Sergio Rios at Killion Sound.

mess/age is the music of Kyoto-based friends Khan Brown and Ohhki. Formed in 2021, their unique sound was developed by chance with a circuit bent karaoke machine. Now combine that with logic beats, familiar breaks, Casio tones and their signature echo poetry, and you have songs that will be stuck in your head for a lifetime. We have warned you about "Hi Wo Kaou."!

Fate is a funny old thing. One day in 2011, DJ/producer Tom Trago found himself sharing a train journey with Steven Van Lummel, a DIY musician, artist and co-founder of PIP, an underground nightclub and cultural hub in The Hague. Over the course of a rambling, open-ended conversation, the idea of making music together came up; a few weeks later, Trago travelled to van Lummel’s place – a former industrial unit that was now home to a rotating cast of artists and musicians – and didn’t leave for a month.

Cossetted away from the outside world in van Lummel’s loft, with multi-instrumentalists Janneke Nijhuijs and Wieger Hoogendorp joining them to create a musical four-piece, Mega Wega was born. Over the course of four weeks, the quartet embarked on an almost continuous creative session punctuated only by impromptu parties and mixing sessions. Life-long bonds were made and over 70 tracks recorded before the mundanity of day-to-day life came calling.

For one reason or another, the project never saw the light of day, with tracks sat gathering dust on hard drives for the best part of a decade. During the madness and loneliness of the Covid-19 pandemic, Trago rediscovered the tracks. Delighted by what he heard, a collective decision was made to add finishing touches and release the resultant album on van Lummel’s PIP Records imprint. Further instruments and vocals were added over two days at Hoogendorp’s studio, before mutual friend Tom Ruig got on board to mix the album.

So, what can you expect from Haunted, Mega Wega’s debut album? First and foremost, it’s the sound of pure creative expression – the distillation of a freewheeling, no-holds-barred, spontaneous musical journey variously inspired by the do-it-yourself ethos of musical counterculture, shared inspirations and influences, epic jam sessions, distant stars (Wega, sometimes known as Fidis or ‘the harp star’, is one of the brightest in the night sky), imaginary journeys across dusty deserts, and the comradeship of four new friends.

Enchanting and alluring, it’s an album that gleefully denies lazy categorization and ploughs its own eclectic, atmospheric musical furrow in vivid sonic detail. It’s a collective exploration of heady musical eclecticism unified by saucer-eyed vocals, low-slung bass, loose-limbed beats, sweaty percussion workouts and hazy electric piano motifs.

Haunted begins with the woozy and hallucinatory slow-burn soundscape of ‘Get Things Done’ – an effects laden shuffle akin to lying flat on your back tripping under an intense desert sun – and ends with the creepy, mind-mangling post-punk funk of ‘Brain Carpaccio’; in between, you’ll find spaced-out, low-tempo lo-fi soul (‘Move Around’, ‘Haunted’), deep and off-kilter opioid jazz (‘Copenhagen’), intoxicating psychedelia (‘Last Night on Earth’), piano-laden dream-pop epics (‘Shake Or Fall’), and Latin-infused, percussion-powered hedonism (‘Chopping Heads’).

Born out of spontaneous collaboration and immersive, almost endless recording sessions, Haunted is an album shot through with imagination and boundless energy, captured for posterity by four friends and collaborators at the top of their game.

Mayer music without his voice is still Mayer music!

Begin guitarist Masaru Shimabukuro is releasing his first solo album on analog vinyl in his 55th year of life, featuring a splendid lineup of guest artists! Guest artists include Mongol800, Orange Range, Kariyushi58, kiroro, Ken Yokoyama (crazy KEN Band), Sami-t (Mighty Crown), and more! Begin debuted in 1990 and was inclined toward blues-rock, but later began playing Okinawa folk music as a guiding light. Since then, they have released songs with rich and varied musicality. The cover art is drawn by Masaru Shimabukuro himself.