Contemporary Funk 164 Items

Coming straight outta Salerno’s vibrant music scene, “Amo’ / Voce ‘e Notte” is the first 7” single from female rap duo Zetas. Released by DJ’s Choice, a partner label of Four Flies Records, it contains two songs produced by beatmaker, rapper and producer Tonico 70, a true veteran of Southern Italian hip hop.

It's the album that modern funk heads have been waiting for - a Zackey Force Funk project produced entirely by XL Middleton. With no guest features or producers, Blue Blade Piranha showcases the chemistry of one of the west coast's dynamic duos of funk. XL's synth-driven soundscapes pull heavily from 80's boogie & 90's g-funk, with occasional sprinklings of house & minimal wave. They provide the perfect backdrop for Zackey's breezy, yet hallucinatory ruminations on the intoxicating highs and grievous lows of street life.

Zackey Force Funk deserves (and receives) a lot of respect. If he’s not robbing banks with baseball bats and roaming the streets for fat cats to hustle, you can usually find him leaning over the turntables of a dirty dirty late-night discotheque. Take off your kevlar, put down those batons – Zackey Force Funk comes in peace! This time…
This eighteen track album compiles early demos and rarities originally included in DJ KUTMAH’s “This Is The Force Funk Sound” [HNR03] megamix created in Summer 2009. Each song has been digitally remastered for the special release of “THIS IS MY FORCE FUNK SOUND” [HNR73]. Available on limited-edition 12” picture disc in a shrinkwrapped full color cardboard jacket (not screenprinted).
DONT FAKE THE FUNK!

In May 2021, Yukkyun launched her self-produced solo project, Diva Project. Yukkyun's debut song "Diva ME" became a hit. The first 7inch of her career includes the remastered version of the debut song "Diva ME" and "Utahime" from her first album "Diva You"!!

First 7inch physical release of 2 big tunes "Omoi Omoware" and "Kodo (Heartbeat)" by XinU, who has been featured on numerous playlists since her debut with the single "Kokokara" in 2021!!

Cover with seam split.
Includes original insert.

Limited edition coke bottle green vinyl coloured 180g vinyl gatefold double album from Stella Polaris.

The world’s largest free chill out event, Stella Polaris have been wrapping their electronic blanket of dubby and jazzy slo-mo sounds around tens of thousands welcoming bodies since ’97. An oasis of positivity and top-drawer music beaming out of Denmark, with a record label arm born in 2003.

Fast forward 20 years and their 17th album release, a delectable double album features new material from upcoming artists and exclusive Stella Polaris custom made remixes of well-known artists including: Foster The People (us), Groove Armada (uk), José Padilla (es), Underher (ca/de), Days of May (fr), The 2 Bears (uk), Elvstrøm (dk), Teitur & Mads Björn (dk).

L.A. Nights, their new EP on Hi & Fly is a new milestone in the band discography, setting it to a next level. The title track is a cover of the famous Yasuko Agawa’s track (itself based on Light of the world’s “London Town”) inspired by strong Zapp and West-Coast influences. Fat basslines, tight horn riffs and funky talkbox parts galore!
“Break Droppin’” and “The Battle” are infectious medleys played by the band with an extended line-up including extra brass, strings and percussions. In “Breaks Droppin’”, you’ll find a carefully selected mix of cuts, ranging from the Hawaiian Hal Bradbury’s “You win, I Lose”, to Julius Brockington’s “This Feeling (Freedom)”, passing through CTI and other sampler friendly tracks.
“The Battle” is a b-boy style up-tempo selection, mixing Latin influences with some classic battle cuts and evolving to a Disco finish, with a cover of the great Brothers’ break “Under the Skin”. It is 10’ long, the beats & percussions are heavy and the extended band is in top condition. It won’t let some rest to your feet for sure!
Last but not least, it's also the comeback of Hi & Fly, a French diggers' reference since 2000. So, one reason more to have a listen… Enjoy!

Tina, a member of the K.O.D.P. crew led by Muro aka King OF Diggin' and one of Japan's leading R&B singers, has released "Makkuro Ni Naru Wake -Struttin' With Muro-" on 7"!! This is a long-awaited release, as it was only available in a very rare promo 12" analog version. The 7" includes the instrumental version on the B-side. *limited Quantity*

THEODOR is a psychedelic sweet soul band formed by members with diverse musical backgrounds.
Whilst on a road trip to Italy Rob and Lui were listening to tapes of contemporary soul music. The idea was born to record an album channeling a moody and relaxed soundscape. „Right after our trip we called up our good friends Max and Greg, who were immediately on board. We wrote and recorded deep in the pandemic. Those weekend sessions captured this peaceful solitude“ The outcome was their self-titled debut album which will be released in February 2023 on the french label Broc Recordz. The rich sonic texture and unconventional arrangements of their very first single SHEPARD’S LULLABY gives a hint on what is to be expected on their forthcoming LP. THEODOR created a perfect soundtrack for a hot and humid summer day having a magic dash in your twelve o’clock tea. Playful melodic bass lines and the soulful acoustic drums build the playground for the warm and dreamy keys such as farfisa organs, fender rhodes and 80's synths. The lush instrumentals are spiced by the very different yet complementary voices of Max and Lui.

Five piece uptempo deep funk band from Cornwall ready to launch their recording career with this debut full-length, for which they recruited the
powerful voice of Dojo Cuts singer Roxie Ray. The Underbelly as one of the
most exciting funk bands to emerge today: already counting on the support of DJs such as Nik Weston, Andy Smith and Craig Charles, who called them “the
find of the year”.

It seems that the "Live" record is mostly an art form of the past. In the diaspora of funk, soul, and jazz music, we have so many legendary live albums we can reference, from Cannonball Adderley, Jimmy Smith, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway_ the list is endless really. We present Sfse's first outing in this noble arena. "Live at Panama 66" showcases songs from Sfse's first 4 LPs as well as some choice cover tunes. The record was performed and recorded live in a beautiful outdoor setting in San Diego, CA. It was indeed a picture perfect Mother's Day in Balboa Park, with Sfse throwing down their uniquely funky, cinematic vibes. We hope you enjoy it.

It seems that the "Live" record is mostly an art form of the past. In the diaspora of funk, soul, and jazz music, we have so many legendary live albums we can reference, from Cannonball Adderley, Jimmy Smith, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway_ the list is endless really. We present Sfse's first outing in this noble arena. "Live at Panama 66" showcases songs from Sfse's first 4 LPs as well as some choice cover tunes. The record was performed and recorded live in a beautiful outdoor setting in San Diego, CA. It was indeed a picture perfect Mother's Day in Balboa Park, with Sfse throwing down their uniquely funky, cinematic vibes. We hope you enjoy it.

Limited Edition.

Truth & Soul presents the second single from the newest band to come out of the burgeoning Brooklyn soul scene, The Olympians. Led by maverick keyboard player Toby Pazner, the Olympians second single is a perfect mix of deep soul and european library music. Recorded in Toby Pazner's bedroom studio, both songs are masterfully orchestrated, instrumental gems.

Drawing inspiration from the depths of late 70’s NYC proto-rap disco instrumentals, Nigerian boogie, Jamaican dub and modern jazzy house - The Lahaar is a Trans-Tasman collaboration between Julien Dyne, Horatio Luna and Surprise Chef’s Lachlan Stuckey, featuring Mara TK and Toby Laing on vocals. The EP embarks on a 5-track rollercoaster - kicking off with “Doin’ It”, fast-paced jazz-funk peppered with marimba and organ riffs, balanced out by the siren vocals of Mara TK. “Step 2” suddenly brakes and swerves into cruise mode, repurposing the trumpets and dub echoes - picking up tempo in the soulful melancholia of “Work Work Work”. In the last two tracks the organs and guitars make a frenetic comeback by way of disco-house, ending with a nod to 70s cop movie funk.

Limited Edition for Record Store Day 2018!

The King Rooster are a heavy funk quartet consisting of Ian Stevens & Mark Claydon (Bass & Drums from London funksters, The Getup) joined by Sam Montero on keys & James Forster on guitar. Collectively the band have played, recorded and shared stages with artists such as Sir Joe Quarterman, Alexia Coley, JTQ, Gizelle Smith, Reuben Wilson, Pee Wee Ellis, The Getup, Speedometer and Rhoda Dakar to name but a few. Having released a cassette only EP, Charisma Café, last year followed by a string of limited 7 vinyl only releases on various independent labels in Europe and the US, The King Rooster & Dinked Records are pleased to announce their self titled debut LP on heavy weight 180g black vinyl for Record Store Day 2018. Limited to 500 copies with picture sleeve and printed inner, each copy comes with a unique download card for digital. 14 tracks, including 8 previously unreleased ones. Droppin' hard hitting instrumental workouts along with some heavy vocal bangers, real funk is the order of the day!

Mosaic is a heavy new three tracker from a band whose reputation exploded this spring with the release of debut album Murmuration. Lead track Mosaic is full of the warmth of this heatwave-summer, syncopation and groove in abundance. Driving melodic lines and keyboard atmospherics suddenly give way to one of James O'Keefe's most powerful guitar solos to date, wild and psychedelic. Transcoso brings the band to the downtempo magic that they have become much loved for. Heavily inspired by Azimuth, an hypnotic beat from drummer Jonny Drop eventually builds to a euphoric, almost slow disco climax for the final section. Maripose is a timely tribute. Debuted at their London album launch this take on the Freeez classic (although the live version in particular) explored a little more of the South London, Brit Funk influences that really drive the band.

repress, black vinyl, black silk screen print

file under pfunk, hip hop

repress, black vinyl, black silk screen print

file under drumfunk, hip hop, meters

Frontier's Edge is the new EP by the fiery, energetic and genre-defying group The Budos Band. After a two-decade run with the legendary Daptone Records, Frontier’s Edge is the first new music from the group on the new label, Diamond West Records — run by The Budos' saxophonist Jared Tankel and guitarist Tom Brenneck. The Budos Band’s departure from Daptone was on good terms; the split from their long-time home base was an organic result of the band’s evolution. “It’s just a natural growth,” Brenneck says, admitting: “We’re going further away from the sound of Daptone and into territory they probably wanted to stay away from.” As a result, Frontier's Edge finds the group hungry, passionate and primed to charge into their next epoch newfound sense autonomy within the collective. “We’re a powerhouse in the studio; we can produce ourselves,” Brenneck says proudly of a long process of self-containment. “I take the helm, but the band, they know what they want.” As expected from The Budos Band, Frontier’s Edge resists analysis; it represents the band as they are: a contained explosion. You don’t pick apart Frontier’s Edge; you feel it all at once. “Somehow, we wrote six songs in two days,” says The Budos’ drummer, Brian Profilio. “Tom was able to take what we were doing and put it together in a cohesive manner” Whether this is your first rodeo with The Budos Band or you’ve been following them throughout their two-decade run, Frontier’s Edge contains their musical universe — Afrobeat, Ethiopian music, proto-metal, any number of other streams — in microcosm.

Frontier's Edge is the new EP by the fiery, energetic and genre-defying group The Budos Band. After a two-decade run with the legendary Daptone Records, Frontier’s Edge is the first new music from the group on the new label, Diamond West Records — run by The Budos' saxophonist Jared Tankel and guitarist Tom Brenneck. The Budos Band’s departure from Daptone was on good terms; the split from their long-time home base was an organic result of the band’s evolution. “It’s just a natural growth,” Brenneck says, admitting: “We’re going further away from the sound of Daptone and into territory they probably wanted to stay away from.” As a result, Frontier's Edge finds the group hungry, passionate and primed to charge into their next epoch newfound sense autonomy within the collective. “We’re a powerhouse in the studio; we can produce ourselves,” Brenneck says proudly of a long process of self-containment. “I take the helm, but the band, they know what they want.” As expected from The Budos Band, Frontier’s Edge resists analysis; it represents the band as they are: a contained explosion. You don’t pick apart Frontier’s Edge; you feel it all at once. “Somehow, we wrote six songs in two days,” says The Budos’ drummer, Brian Profilio. “Tom was able to take what we were doing and put it together in a cohesive manner” Whether this is your first rodeo with The Budos Band or you’ve been following them throughout their two-decade run, Frontier’s Edge contains their musical universe — Afrobeat, Ethiopian music, proto-metal, any number of other streams — in microcosm.

Over heard an old song so good you wish you knew it when it came out? The chief at Sleepers Recordz heard Keep On Dancin’ and felt compelled to press it to vinyl. A masterful blend of 21st Century Pop, Funk, and Soul that never fails to get folks groovin no matter the age or background. Inspired by the pop sounds of the era, Temu crafted the perfect ear worm tailored for an audience in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he once resided in 2010. It instantly became an infectious local smash hit and it still slaps now. Temu revisits this jam from over a decade ago with a newly remastered cut, remixes and a stripped down version available on all streaming platforms. On the B-Side of the vinyl is a window into what would become one of Temu’s signature sounds, “Body Move”. Tailored specifically for the robotic “Popping” style of streetdance in 2015, Temu crafted an entirely new instrumental groove using a sample of his talkbox from his song “Magic & Sorcery” found on the Relic of the Mothership album. However, pro street dancer or not, the chances of anyone being able to stand still while listening to this are very, very low.

"Dinner For Two" is Teddy Bryants (All City, Ppu) sophomore album, consisting of Hip Hop, Street Soul, Neo Soul, Contemporary Jazz, Funk, House music.

Featuring many great musicians including amazing features from Stimulator Jones, Morris Mobley, and Stella Zekri Ouiddir. This album is dedicated to romance, adventure and the imagination, there are tunes for dancing, loving, and grooving.

Six Nine Records Ltd. UK proudly presents Soul Basement’s first vinyl release on the label containing two tracks from the exquisite and digital only EP “Do No Wrong”; “Take Me Back” and “Trying Hard (Feat. Lana Gordon)”. Soul Basement was founded in 1997 by Fabio Puglisi (who has been the core of the band since then) and they are acclaimed worldwide for their superb songwriting and unique sound, where they extremely skillfully blur the lines between musical genres. Definitely not to be missed as it is a limited UK press with full colour printed picture cover!

It’s the return of the sexual vigilante Sex Judas and his trusted sidekick Ricky. This time in full album mode. Norwegian producer Tore Gjedrem of Ost & Kjex fame, channels his love of comix, bohemia and fascination with human vice, the unspoken, the Red Light districts, the alleys of the mind into his alter ego. Sex Judas is no bad character but certainly says what it’s author cannot. “I wanted to create a world where any musical idea is possible, wound together by the world and word of Judas, the ultimate sinner, reborn as a child of Venus.” Inspiration ranges from Africa to 80’s NYC, from Bohannon to Quasimoto, from Norwegian New Wave to Acid House. With contributions by friends in the Oslo scene as hometown legend Dj Pål Strangefruit Nyhus, composer Ole-Henrik Moe, jazzpianist Bugge Wesseltoft, Sidiki Camara from Mali playing that beautiful Ngoni, and multi instrumentalist Ivar Snuten Winther, the album touches anything from blues, funk, disco and post-punk to IDM, acid house and electronic explorer music.

Sababa 5, hot on the heels of their self-titled debut LP, share a pair of raw funk nuggets on one unmissable 45 via Middle Eastern psych groove merchants Batov Records.

Sababa 5, Tel Aviv"s funkiest export, upgrade their signature Middle Eastern psychedelic funk with the addition of Hoodna Orchestra"s dynamic brass section, another essential 45 from Batov Records" Middle Eastern Groove series. On "Eilat 22" the Sababa 5 rhythm section of Raz Manon drums and Amir Sadot on bass is in full funk force, supporting a vibrant hook from the Hoodna brass section, leaving room for solos from guitarist Ilan Smilanand synth mage Eitan Drabkin, full of Middle Eastern flavour. On the flip "Elifelet 23" grooves along like a Dap Kings funk nugget, except in this case there"s room for Eitan to improvise across the jam with a microtonal organ sound reminiscent of legendary Egyptian musician Magdi el-Husseini. "Eilat22" & "Elifelet 23" open another page in Sababa 5"s rapidly diverse and ever-engaging discography, with two songs destined to head light up dancefloors over the coming months.

Relentless Middle Eastern groove icons Sababa 5 return with an essential 45 for Batov Records, this time featuring the distinctive vocals of Turkish singer, songwriter and musician Canay Dogan.

Sababa 5 continues their musical journey following the success of their acclaimed self-titled debut album, which fused deep funk and Middle Eastern grooves. Their latest offering, still under the Batov Records label, ventures into more explorative and experimental instrumental compositions. While evolving their musical direction, "Aspan" delves into the realm of psychedelic rock while retaining the essence of the band"s signature Middle Eastern groove.

Ruth Koleva hails from Sofia, Bulgaria, and has been a TV star and singing out concert halls for years. She has also long been singing on some superb broken beat and nu-jazz records while working with top-level production talent and having her tunes remixed by Zed Bias, Kaidi Tatham, Mark de Clive-Lowe and Eric Lau. The neo-soul star's Ruth album gets a special anniversary edition release here with four heart-melting and textbook neo-soul tunes on the A-side then some super remixes on the flip. This is timeless stuff that works on the heart and the heel in equal measure.

This EP is the first release to mark the start of a new adventure, illustrating Rude Jude's commitment to a smooth and melodic vintage sound. Featuring 3 original songs, a cover and an epilogue, it is deeply inspired by the legends of Adult Oriented Rock and a mix of 70s/80s Soft Rock, Jazz and Pop. The contribution of the talented vocalist, songwriter and violin player, Jon GK can't be understated in creating and interpreting these songs. All the parts are played by musicians and the production is made through as much analog gear from that era as possible. It is not just a tribute but an attempt to carry the torch and bring something new to the current music landscape

RSN is a producer, DJ and musician from Athens - Greece. his upcoming album "Strange Eyes" is his 4rth one, but also his debut on Agogo Records. this single features the song "Black Sky" feat. Thaliah in the original version and a pretty great rework by Amerigo Gazaway.

Pearl White Vinyl Edition.
Includes booklet.

Amazing instrumentals in best El Michel's tradition with a touch of Roots Music, straight from Canada - we love it.

Rythm Rhyme Revolution LP #1 (Gareth Tasker & Barrie Sharpe): Gareth plays and Barrie produces. Their sound is individual - based upon the funk of the early 70s: however, with a totally modern production. The clean unique Sharpe production places every part of the puzzle into the correct space: “every note is audible”. They are accompanied by the understated, haunting jazzy horn of Kenny Wellington (Beggar & Co / Light Of The World). Fritz Catlin (23 Skidoo) adds the final edge with his Studer 169…

Reginald Omas Mamode IV follows last year's self-titled debut album with 'Children Of Nu', set for release on 3rd November 2017.

The 20 track album draws influence from the world around us, everyday life. As we witness rising poverty, global events, political and ethnic divisions - these factors prompt some of Reginald's themes and call for humanity to recognise we are all interconnected.

We are all related. We're all brothers and sisters with common ancestry, common history and a common origin regardless of race, geographic location or belief systems. Love and compassion are universal feelings/practices we all should embrace and apply to all aspects of our lives, our interactions and our relationships, regardless of the kinship'. - Reginald Omas Mamode IV

'Children Of Nu' encompasses Reginald's musical and sonic influences - Afro Roots music through to jazz and soul. It draws from Africa as much as the west, an attempt to make a record that can exist in many contexts, the present, the future and past.

Recorded with freedom - most tracks remain from the first take - the process of creating 'Children Of Nu' was an open ended development from a natural, intuitive, starting point. Made with minimal thought of how tracks would end up, the music was led through the creative process. Born of a moment, each track is an attempt to capture that instance, mood, feeling or subject.

Seriously dope downtempo soul track with beats from a Swedish secret weapon and sultry vocals from COCO ROUZIER (an up and coming jazz swinger from DC) b/w the more uptempo, feel good 60s styled "REACHING OUT TO YOU". Two gems that shouldn't be missed.

This 12" EP anticipates Ray Harris & The Fusion Experience’s debut album on Record Kicks. Raymond Harris from Glasgow successfully manages to blend dancefloor jazz with latin & brazilian vibes and a touch of funk. Incl. a faboulous Lack of Afro remix!

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!

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 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.

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.

Still sealed.

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.

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.