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First launched in 1971, Flirt Records was one of the many notable production music imprints distributed by Flipper Music, iconic publishing company founded by Romani Di Bari in 1968 and house to some of the best Italian library music. Back in 1972 the label released this compilation entitled "Underground Mood" featuring music composed by Emma De Angelis, Roberto Conrado, Luigi Lopez as well as Amedeo Minghi, whose anthemic "Lustful" track went on to be sampled by Justin Timberlake in 2013. An incredible 12-tracks collection of guitar driven jazz-funk tinted with fuzzy psychedelic rock vibes, making it one of the most interesting and sought-after releases of the Flirt Records catalog. Now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release as a limited edition of 500 copies.

The psychedelic scene that never was – the perfect subtitle to this compilation. There were barely any drugs in Hungary to begin with. In this era, alcohol, music, and imagination have served as the primary means of mind alteration among the youth. The Communist party had a firm grip on culture through monopole control over venues, the media, and the recording industry, western records were not available, clubs enforced a strict dress code of suits, shirts, and longer skirts, and the police harassed young men for not more than having long hair or wearing blue jeans.
There was, however, an undercurrent of smaller semi-professional bands striving to succeed in the shadow of the very few stars privileged by the sole state owned record company. Given their chances to release music were at best limited to a few 7“ singles at the mercy of said record company powers. Psyched Out Grooves from Hungary compiles ten of the most outstanding singles recorded by the underdogs of this period. Some of the bands featured on here have eventually reached wider success by switching to more commercial styles, like Bergendy, Neoton, and Apostol. Most, like Echo, Meteor, Kék Csillag, Non-Stop, were temporal formations that dissolved after a few years due to personal conflicts, lack of success, or both. Others, like Scampolo or Juventus, lasted a longer time without an actual break through. Most of these bands never had a consistent, lasting ’psychedelic’ repertoire or identity at any point. These tracks were the exception, not the norm. That coherence - the illusion of a scene - comes from the curation and sequencing of Budabeats head honchos Von Yodi and Gandharva. It is the arrangement of these puzzle pieces that makes them fit together.
Limited edition of 300 hand numbered copies. Edited excerpt from the liner notes written by Gábor Vályi (Dj Shuriken)

A few years ago the world discovered a unique sound coming from the distant Ethiopian capital Addis Abeba. The emotional blow was only matched by the brightness of this original and magnificent discovery. The Ethiopiques series directed by Francis Falcetto and edited by Buda Musique provides a comprehensive landscape of this subtle musical universe where local and western cultures do magnify each other. This new Ethiopian Urban Modern Music release follows the first Soul & Groove installment and keeps revealing some essential parts of the modern Ethiopian puzzle. An unequalled soul funk signature until today.

Yaoundé, in the 1970´s, was a buzzing place. Every neighbourhood of Cameroon´s capital, no matter how dodgy, was flled with music spots but surprisingly there were no infrastructure to immortalise those musical riches. The country suffered from a serious lack of proper recording facilities, and the process of committing your song to tape could become a whole adventure unto itself. Of course, you could always book the national broadcasting company together with a sound engineer, but this was hardly an option for underground artists with no cash. But luckily an alternative option emerged in form of an adventist church with some good recording equipment and many of the artists on this compilation recorded their frst few songs, secretly, in these premises thanks to Monsieur Awono, the church engineer. He knew the schedule of the priests and, in exchange for some cash, he would arrange recording sessions. The artists still had to bring their own equipment, and since there was only one microphone, the amps and instruments had to be positioned perfectly. It was a risky business for everyone involved but since they knew they were making history, it was all worth it. At the end of the recording, the master reel would be handed to whoever had paid for the session, usually the artist himself..and what happened next? With no distribution nor recording companies around this was a legitimate question. More often then not it was the french label Sonafric that would offer their manufacturing and distribution structure and many Cameroonian artist used that platform to kickstart their career. What is particularly surprising in the case of Sonafric was their willingness to take chances and judge music solely on their merit rather than their commercial viability. The sheer amount of seriously crazy music released also spoke volumes about the openness of the people behind the label.But who exactly are these artists that recorded one or two songs before disappearing, never to be heard from again? Some of the names were so obscure that even the most seasoned veterans of the Cameroonian music scene had never heard of them. A few trips to the land of Makossa and many more hours of interviews were necessary to get enough insight to assemble the puzzle-pieces of Yaoundé’s buzzing 1970s music scene. We learned that despite the myriad diffculties involved in the simple process of making and releasing a record, the musicians of Yaoundé’s underground music scene left behind an extraordinary legacy of raw grooves and magnifcent tunes. The songs may have been recorded in a church, with a single microphone in the span of only an hour or two, but the fact that we still pay attention to these great creations some 50 years later, only illustrates the timelessness of their music.

We are happy to continue our series of Electric Bird reissues in collaboration with King Record with the a killer jazz-funk release, saxophonist Toshiyuki Honda's "Burnin' Waves", originally released in 1978. Son of jazz critic Toshiyuki Honda, the Japanese composer was a skillful flute and saxophone player, and in the 70's he worked with George Otsuka and the Burning Waves ensemble. In the 1980s he worked with Chick Corea, Tatsuya Takahashi, and Kazumi Watanabe, lead his own ensemble, Super Quartet as well as being a member of the ensemble Native Son. His 1978 debut album "Burnin' Waves" boasts with hectic saxophone explorations over funky bass and happy keyboards, making it one of the grooviest releases of the Electric Bird catalog, now available on vinyl again for the first time!

Original inner sleeve

Produced entirely by Norman Whitfield, The Temptations’s "Puzzle People" takes the next step along the path that Cloud Nine started, and takes the Detroit band further away from a classic soul sound, and more towards the realm of psychedelic soul. Although a few ballads, including “Running Away (Ain’t Gonna Help You),” are still present, the album is primarily composed of Sly & the Family Stone/James Brownderived proto-funk tracks such as the lead single “Don’t Let the Joneses Get You Down,” and the number-one Billboard Pop hit “I Can’t Get Next to You.” Also included are psychedelic-styled covers (recorded with distorted guitars, clavinets, and spacy reverb and sound effects) of contemporary songs such as The Isley Brothers’ “It’s Your Thing,” The Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” and Roger Miller’s “Little Green Apples.” "Puzzle People" was released on the same day (September 23, 1969) as "Together", a duets album of covers by The Temptations and label mates Diana Ross & the Supremes. It peaked into the Top 5 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, and spent fifteen weeks at number one on the R&B Albums chart.

Original Hollywood pressing. Tear in bottom spine.

The Mapendo album of the Mighty Cavaliers, up to today, has been shrouded in mystery. If you look at the original cover of this very rare Kenyan funk-infused album all you will find are the names of the engineer and the producer, as EMI Kenya omitted the names of the musicians and the songwriters. Digging deeper a rather sinister story of deceit develops whereby Mapendo becomes symbolic for all what was wrong about the Kenyan record industry in the 1970s, and the music industry in Africa as a whole. As this maltreatment of artists proved endemic throughout the continent, although little talked about.

One of the three surviving members of the Mighty Cavaliers, bass player Bonnie Wanda - who started his career in 1971 with Gloria Africana - vividly remembers participating in the recording of the two albums the band made in 1976 and 1977 - Fisherman and Mapendo - and how they, especially on the last album, got short-changed by shrewd record label executives. In the 1960s it was mostly Indian and European record bosses that called the shots and usually gave musicians the chance of a one-off payment for their session time and recorded songs or wait for - hopefully - a generous royalty check. In most cases records didn't sell more than a thousand copies with an occasional hit selling in the tens of thousands, so musicians were reluctant to register themselves with the Music Copyright Society of Kenya. Although without doing so one couldn't receive royalties.

'For two years the Mighty Cavaliers performed five nights a week at the Starlight Club for five hour sets.

The re-release of Mapendo, the first of the German Want Some Records label, is another exciting puzzle piece in the tapestry of groovy Kenyan music. It proves that there are still great gems out there to be re-discovered for audiences worldwide.

Text written by Michiel van Oosterhout

This Album is dedicated to the musicians
Bonnie Wanda, Rashid Salim, Vuli Yeni, Juma Waweru Njuguna and Athmani 'guitar boy'."

Composed by legendary library guitarist and founding member of I Gres, Silvano Chimenti, and accompanied by his orchestra, "Disco Music" is an essential release of the Usignolo catalog and probably one of the most sought after titles of the series. This album displays a broad range of styles masterfully blended together by Chimenti, going from disco-funky bangers "Happy California" and "Autostrade Americane" that lead way to the more dramatic and suspenseful vibes of "Society Problem" and "Tragedy", finishing off with the rock vibes of "Indian Summer" and the mellow atmospheres of softer, lounge-like songs such as "Lady Primavera" and "Chiara". One of the most complete and well-rounded library albums of its era, "Disco Music" is finally available on vinyl once again after a very long time as a limited edition pressing of 500 copies.

We are very happy to continue the reissue series of Shigeo Sekitō's iconic "Sepcial Sound" series with its 4th instalment, "Summertime", a radiant musical tapestry woven by the ingenious Japanese musician. Unveiled in the vibrant 1970s, this album radiates with the warmth and effervescence of the summer season, showcasing Sekito's ability to infuse his compositions with a sun-kissed energy and a sense of carefree joy.

As the fourth installment in the Special Sound Series, "Summertime" is a celebration of the spirit of the season, where Sekito's musical prowess shines brightly. Drawing inspiration from the carefree vibes of summer, the album seamlessly blends elements of jazz, soul, and funk, creating a sound that mirrors the sunlit days and breezy nights.

Sekito's virtuosity is palpable in every note, as he skillfully navigates a melodic journey filled with upbeat rhythms, infectious grooves, and soulful arrangements. The album's title, "Summertime," encapsulates the essence of the music within – a vibrant and uplifting experience that captures the spirit of the season with a musical palette.

From the lively and danceable beats of tracks like "Sunshine Samba" to the mellow, contemplative moments in "Golden Evenings," Sekito crafts an auditory landscape that mirrors the diverse experiences of summer. Each composition is a testament to his ability to evoke emotions and paint vivid sonic pictures, transporting listeners to sun-drenched beaches, lively festivals, and leisurely afternoons.

"Summertime" stands as a testament to Shigeo Sekito's musical versatility and his innate ability to capture the essence of a moment through sound. This album, with its infectious energy and melodic charm, has earned its place as a timeless tribute to the carefree and joyful spirit of summer, making it a delightful addition to any music collection.

We are very happy to continue the reissue series of Shigeo Sekitō's iconic "Sepcial Sound" series with its 3rd instalment, "Pathétique", a mesmerizing musical journey crafted by the visionary Japanese musician Shigeo Sekitō. Released in the 1970s, this album stands as a testament to Sekito's innovative genius and his ability to seamlessly blend genres, resulting in a captivating and groundbreaking sonic experience.

"Pathétique" showcases Sekitō's masterful fusion of jazz, funk, and electronic elements, creating a unique and otherworldly soundscape that transports listeners to a realm of musical exploration. The album features a series of compositions that are not only technically impressive but also emotionally resonant, evoking a range of feelings from nostalgia to euphoria.

The album's title, "Pathétique," is a nod to Tchaikovsky's renowned "Pathétique Symphony," and it hints at the emotional depth and complexity found within the music. Sekito's virtuosity on various instruments, including keyboards, synthesizers, and guitar, is on full display throughout the album, as he weaves intricate melodies and harmonies that take listeners on a sonic adventure.

Considered by many one of the most gifted and outstanding players in the Electone community thanks to his fresh, energetic, rhythmic and sometimes humorous style of playing, from 1975 to 1977 Shigeo Sekitō released a four-LP album set titled Special Sound Series for the iconic Nippon Columbia. On the first chapter of this series, Sekitō revisits, in his own colourful style, compositions such as "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" by Stevie Wonder, "Oh, My Love" by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, "Andalucia" by Ernesto Lecuona, alongside some of his own composition such as "My Sweet Girl" and the title track "Catch In Alice", creating a blend of easylistening jazz with funk and soul influences. Long out of press, we are very proud to bring this "brilliant electone" album back on vinyl under exclusive license from Nippon Columbia.

Following a wide variety of solo albums, sepalot released his two-part series of albums “hide&” and “seek” in 2017. with this exceptional release the Foundation to an additional musical passion was laid and with the help of his newly established quartet, his studio antics made it to the big stage.
“The issue was always: How could I transport my work as a producer and beatmaker on to a stage? How can something, that is happening behind locked doors in the studio, emerge into a live experience?” With this vivacious live quartet, he has found his answer.
Songs from a productive solo career spanning a period of over 10 years, Sepalot has a wide variety of songs to pick and choose from. Even in the live set up, his ove for electronic music remains unaffected and the subtle in uence of Hip Hop is undeniable. Despite this being the ini- tial state of the project, a distinctive sound has evolved from jamming together in dark rehearsal rooms. The different characters compliment each other like a puzzle on stage, though Sepalot’s part as producer and svengali is undisputable.
The electronic beats, the pulsating bass, Sepalot’s enthusiasm for ambient sound design – all this remains unchanged and is garnished with the element of jazz. A unique, unequalled sound that strives for high- er ideals and has immense international potential.
In 2018 the quartet performed in Cannes for a an established automotive trade show, at the “Jazz Week” (London), at the “Jazz in allen Gassen” (Dachau) and and in September at the “Reeperbahn festival” (Hamburg). In the beginning of 2019 a tour all the way through Germany is in the making.

Limited edition of 500 copies only!

An unreleased before album recorded in 1973 in Rome at the Recording Studios "Sound WorkShop" of Piero Umiliani, and a stand-out Italian Library LP to say the least.

The whole record oozes a dreamy, mysterious, surrealist atmosphere enhaced by the vivid instrumentation that open a series of mesmerising pieces which range from the gentle to the hypnotic.

Eastern sounds, ritual horns and assorted metal banging and scrapping add to the whole mix for a landmark sound that will evolve in delirious acid passages, hypnotic bass riffing, stoned funk beats, dubbed-out passages and Rino De Filippi trade-mark collage and sound manipulation make up to a really unique listening experience that submerges and puzzles the unexpecting listener. A must-have!

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…

Originally released in 1976 as part of the "Background Music" series on Piero Umiliani's own Liuto Records, "Temi Descrittivi Per Piccolo Complesso" is a real gem in the maestro's vast and and intricate catalogue. Flutes and horns alternate with pianofender to create some magical, sweet and intimate atmospheres, crafting an abstract and mysterious soundscape that could reminisce of medieval times as much as some distant galaxies. We are happy to bring back "Temi Descrittivi Per Piccolo Complesso" in our series of reissues from his catalog, officially licensed by Piero Umiliani's family and available as a limited edition pressing of 500 copie

Originally released in 1968 as part of the "Serie Sonorizzazioni" series on Piero Umiliani's iconic Omicron label, "Preistoria" is the perfect example of a library music collection perfectly tailored to a theme. Through the use of orchestral accompaniment, jazzy arrangements, and tribal experimentation thrown in for good measure, the legendary Italian composer brings you back to the stone age, creating and ominous and primitive landscape, rich of caveman-style drums and deep bass lines. This extremely sought after gem is now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release, officially licensed by Piero Umiliani's family and available as a limited edition pressing of 500 copies.

Besides being a leading session musician in Milan's jazz scene between the 60s and 90s, Italian pianist Oscar Rocchi created a number of exquisite library albums in the pop-jazz genre. These include among others "Erbe Selvatiche", "Pop-Paraphrenia" and "Woman's Colours" (the latter co-written with his friend Giancarlo Barigozzi) as well as "Alchemy in Jazz", which is now available in digital format for the first time ever. Originally released on Ring, an imprint of Edizioni Minstrel, the album was recorded by a quintet featuring Rocchi on piano plus long-time collaborators Hugo Heredia (sax and flute), Sergio Fanni (trumpet), Gianni Cazzola (drums) and Furio Di Castri (double bass), and has since become a cult record in countries from the US to Japan, where it was released for the first time on CD in 2013. With a palette ranging from frenzied post-bop echoes("Gold-Fast", "Nigredo") to sentimental nocturnal ballads ("Solution", "Rubedo") to cheerful modern-jazz vibes ("Mercury", "Silver-Bop", "Sulphur"), here Rocchi paints an elegantly syncopated musical fresco that, like the magical, alchemical process referred to in the title, transmutes the harsher aspects of jazz syntax into a graceful and more euphonic style that is approachable for jazz neophytes and yet enjoyable for seasoned jazz lovers.

Sfere Luminose is a rare and breathtaking masterpiece that stands as a pinnacle of Italian Library music. Featuring the mesmerizing vocals of Nora Orlandi and the legendary jazz drumming of Franco Tonani, this album is an essential gem from the cult label Record TV - Firmamento, a name revered for iconic releases from the late 1960s to early 1970s. The album is produced by maestros Giancarlo Gazzani and Roby Poitevin, with contributions from the acclaimed studio group I Marc 4 and Alessandro Alessandroni. This stunning work encapsulates the very essence of Italian Lounge music, offering a rich and diverse musical landscape. From cinematic soundscapes and Hammond organ-driven grooves to soft psychedelic arrangements, the album flows with impeccable soul-jazz and bossa nova influences, reminiscent of Piero Umiliani’s finest creations. The signature style of I Marc 4 shines through captivating drum work, while the enchanting interplay of scat vocals and choral harmonies adds a touch of ethereal beauty.

With its refined blend of jazz, lounge, and Morricone-esque beats, Sfere Luminose is an unmissable listening experience for aficionados of the genre. It's a collector's grail and a timeless treasure that captures the magic of Italy’s golden age of music, and we're proud to bring this back on vinyl, remastered from the original mono sessions, including 4 bonus tracks and artwork restoration by Luca Barcellona

Record is close to VG.

Following the work previously made on "Cocktail Bar" and "Erbe Selvatiche", Modern Sound Quartet release their third full-length "Floreama" in 1977, this time focusing their work around the world of flowers. The twelve tracks on this recording boast the highest form of Italian jazz-funk vibes, with some rock, disco and spacey moods thrown in for good measure. Each flower sets the track in a different mood and brings the listener in a different dimension, alternating upbeat funky moments to some more mellow atmospheres. Now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release as a limited edition of 500 copies.

Originally released in 1976, "Cocktail Bar" was the first release of the Modern Sound Quartet ensemble lead by Oscar Rocchi, one of the most brilliant yet unrecognized composer of the library music era. As the title might already suggest, the 14 songs bring an incredibly fresh mix of sounds and flavours, each one named after a different spirit, with every single track floating around different soundscapes and atmospheres. Wether it be a gin & tonic poolside, a melancholic drink of strega on the hills of southern Italy or some kümmel by a dutch canal, this masterpiece has got something for every taste. Now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release as a limited edition of 500 copies.

Federica Grappasonni aka Mistura Pura is an Italian DJ, composer, singer, vinyl collector and music producer. She started to play and produce music at the age of 19 in Bologna, Italy. Before becoming a DJ she wrote and performed her songs live, either as a duo or with a complete band. In the ‘Acid Jazz’ era she was totally immersed in Bossanova, Jazz-funk and Jazzy Hip Hop music. At the time she wrote poetry and songs, singing melodies that burned in her mind. ‘Ed è…’ is one of the first songs she wrote. While ‘Vamo Vive’ is the result of the mix of more songs connected as part of her repertoire, made as a later piece of her musical puzzle.

At the end of the ‘90s and for the following decade Federica became known in the so called ‘lounge scene’ as a selector with Mistura Pura DJ sets in great demand, she gained residencies in the most beautiful and cool places in Milan, the isle of Panarea, Eolian Islands, and Sicily. Coming into the present day she decided to edit and rework some of her repertoire with both songs being revisited while keeping the original voice she recorded at the time and with the support of the pianist and co-arranger Alberto Napolioni and the flautist Carlo Nicita whom worked very well to define the harmonies of the musical works. After 25 years from that period and during the pandemic, Federica repeatedly told herself as a loop ‘go to live Fede’. It was during a walk on the beach that she remembered capturing a frame of a couple of children building a castle in the sand on the Adriatic sea with all the meaning and poetry that this image portrays; a sense of freedom, innocence and truth. In this sense ‘Vamo Vive’ and ‘Ed è…’ is a gentle scream of hope in a time when humanity was closed and living like prisoners in their own houses.

On their third studio full-length, Mildlife link microcosmic personal meaning with a macro view from on high. Chorus is the sound of singular entities coalescing into a wondrous whole. It’s harmonious togetherness and celebratory symbiosis. And it’s the band’s ultimate statement of their borderline mystical unity, their unified theory of groove.

“Chorus is about a coming together of disparate elements. Not in some sort of utopian aesthetic where everything works perfectly, but in the natural flow and state of things,” shares the band’s Jim Rindfleish. “It’s about cosmic compatibility and chemistry: what makes things work? Not just what makes the band work, but what makes good music, art or love? It’s the rhythm of nature”.

Following 2020’s Automatic and 2017’s Phase, Chorus arrives as Mildlife’s most optimistic record, serving as a sonic testament to the band’s unwavering adoration for the beguiling realms of 70s psychedelic and cosmic sounds. Delve deeper, and you’ll unearth Polish jazz, Italo disco and a sprinkling of contemporary electronic sounds. Chorus is the dance of an expanding and contracting universe - its groove is forever and always, cyclical and evolving. In its most human moments, the album luxuriates in the velvety embrace of Tomas Shanahan’s bass lines, Halliwell’s luminous guitar riffs, Kevin McDowell’s hushed and alluring vocals, Rindfleish’s intricate percussive tapestries and the spiritual rhythms of regular collaborator Craig Shanahan. Swept up in the chorus, the lines between individual and ensemble blur.

“It’s knowing that all the pieces of our own puzzles can slot neatly into a bigger one.” says Shanahan. Such a creative revelation is the band's growing assurance in their vocal prowess. On the band’s previous albums, McDowell's voice stood as the predominant lyrical conduit, but on Chorus all members have a moment of expression, highlighting their own choral visions, forging a new unified openness and humanity to the their sound. “We had this idea that we wanted to create a kind of disparate ecosystem of living things,” continues Shanahan. “We liked the idea of creating a small metaphor of moving through space. You see moments of things and sounds that may not emerge again, until everything around you starts to unify.”

Chorus might be an album of individual tracks, band members and experiences, but it’s more than the sum of its parts. It’s microscopic particles forming new minerals or overlapping time signatures folding in on themselves in generative creation. With the release of Chorus the band has once again opened a portal to their singular realm of rhythmic communion. Step into the flow.

After moving to New York City in 1978, Mikio Masuda crafted "Corazón" alongside composer / pianist Dave Matthews, notable collaborator of the likes of Nina Simone, Idris Muhammad, Yusef Lateef and Buddy Rich. Originally released on the japanese fusion jazz label Electric Bird in 1979, this also represents his first recording outside of Japan, at the famous Electric Lady studios in New York. The album features a cover of Carole King's "Corazón", Sadao Watanabe's tune "Samba Em Praia", the caribbean vibe "Ride On The Donkey", "Another Rainy Day In New York City"/"Love Talkin" played in the pure Bob James style, as well as a variation of Masuda's classic "Let's Get Together". Now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release as a limited edition of 500 copies with japanese OBI strip.

Following our reissue of Silvano Chimenti's classic "Disco Music", we're happy to delve back into the Usignolo catalog with the reissue of C 364, one of the most iconic releases of the series, the incredible "Antico E Moderno" by Mario Molino. Bringing some of the most eccentric, chaotic and spaced out vibes you could hear in the mid 70's, Molino's mind bending arrangements are timeless classics, still standing the test of time and showing how he was way ahead of his time. Literally translating to "Ancient and Modern", showcases Molino's unique blend of traditional and contemporary musical styles, creating a captivating auditory experience for listeners.

An’archives are thrilled to announce the release of Ricshari, the first LP from Japanese free improvising duo MAI MAO. Consisting of Shizuo Uchida of Hasegawa-Shizuo, Albedo Gravitas, Archeus, Kito Muzukumi Rouber, Terror Shit, UH, etc. on bass, and Kyosuke Terada, of HUH (who have their own release due on An’archives soon), Terror Shit, Bay City Rolaz, Praymate, The Obey Unit, etc. on guitar, they’ve previously released two wild cassettes, Curvature Improvement Plan (Haang Niap, 2020) and Folk Dope Rally (2021), both documenting one-take improvisations from live gigs. Ricshari was recorded by Nobuki Nishiyama in January 2021, and is proof, if any was needed, that this duo is one of the most fiercely unique, out-there units currently extant – in Japan, or anywhere, for that matter.

The music of MAI MAO seems to proceed by opposites and juxtaposition, shifting from frantic, hectic runs of splattering note spray to moments of granular stasis, where Uchida and Terada coax their instruments into and out of deep wells of silence, or rest, temporarily, in a lagoon of fermenting fuzz. Spiralling kinetics are largely the order of the day, though – the opener, “Chew a flying flash prayer”, skitters here and there, guitar and bass jumping over one another in games of leapfrog and Twister, finding new ways to perplex and puzzle the listener, and perhaps each other in the process, Uchida and Terada fully committed to the short-circuiting spirit of the moment.

The energy here is hyperactive, but it also speaks of a curious and committed attention to improvisatory responsiveness, one that’s just as likely to fork off into different directions in a split second – it’s real edge-of-the-seat stuff, as though the hands are moving too fast for the mind to follow. That’s all the better, then, to let the gush of genuinely free-thinking, devoted duo improvisation to fly at its most playful and intelligent. File next to the likes of Davey Williams & LaDonna Smith and their TransMuseq companions, or the wickedly perplexing bass-synth/trombone duets of Dave Dove Paul Duo, and you’ve some idea of what’s going on here, provisionally at least, ‘cos this one’s an enthralling, yet welcoming, head-scratcher of the highest calibre.

Following the release of Lee Selmoco's "Mosaico" we continue our journey with Vedette Records to bring back to life part of their incredible catalog, with the reissue of the first instalment of the "High Tension" series by Lesiman. Born in Florence in 1935, Paolo Renosto, the man behind the moniker Lesiman, was an incredible composer, experimenter, music teacher and piano player whose amazing skills and sound research brought him to work with Luigi Dallapiccola and Bruno Maderna, as well as being a member of the Associazione Nuova Consonanza of Roma. He obviously joined, for some time, the renowned Gruppo d’Improvvisazione, with Franco Evangelisti and Domenico Guaccero. Released exactly 50 years ago and packed with dramatic tension, obscure drums and asphyxiating atmospheres revolving around the theme of war, composed with the additional input of Romolo Grano, Sandro Brugnolini and Guido Baggiani, this first volume in the series is a holy grail in Italian libraries as well as a prime example of "music especially crafted for films, television, radio, publicity and industrial use". Now available on vinyl for the first time as a limited edition of 500 copies.

Francesco Anselmo, also known as Lee Selmoco, Dorsey Dodd, Alex Brown, Arsenio Bracco or Tommy Ruff, is an Italian keyboardist that covered the role of of artistic director for Vedette Records, historical Italian imprint founded by director and violinist Armando Sciascia, and also recorded for its notorious Phase 6 Super Stereo, its sub-label focused on instrumental records and production music. "Mosaico (Le Tastiere Di Lee Selmoco)" is an incredible display of his creative and composing skills, featuring 14 tracks of what could be classified as "happy music", with killer electric organ and rhythms alternating with fuzzy guitars and spacey / psychedelic hints thrown in for good measures, written alongside Guido Baggiani, alias Ruscigan. We are very happy to start a series of reissues from the Vedette Records catalog with the first ever reissue of this title after 50 years from its original release, and since the original pressing did not feature the correct track listing, it is reissued here for the first time in its correct version!

The Sator Arepo, or Sator Square, is an ancient word puzzle comprising five palindromes that's etched on various historical sites throughout the Western world. Its origins are unknown, but the square has long been thought to hold magical properties, used as a charm against illness and evil, to cure insanity or to determine whether someone was guilty of witchcraft. Self-styled "punk ethnomusicologist", acoustician and musician Julien Hairon uses this mystical symbol as the starting point for his debut Judgitzu album in an attempt to reconnect with his Celtic heritage, exploring how its hallowed messages might harmonize with contemporary Tanzanian dance music.Hairon has been traveling across the world for over a decade, collecting field recordings from countries such as Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, China and Bangladesh, and presenting them on his Les Cartes Postales Sonores label, re-issuing any curious cassettes and CDs he came across on the PetPets' TAPES imprint. It was during this time that he became fascinated by rituals that involved spirits, prompting him to examine his own ancestry when he returned to Brittany. "Many artifacts in the landscape remain," Hairon explains, "and the power of spirits is still palpable." He represents this Celtic mysticism on 'Sator Arepo' with murky drones and magickal synth tones, using xenharmonic scales (tuning outside of standard 12-tone equal temperament) that reach back to the ancient world. These sounds are augmented with fast-paced, sci-fi rhythms informed by his time in Tanzania; "Singeli has contaminated me," admits the producer.The most astonishing example of this is 'Miracle', a thrusting soundsystem experiment that layers serpentine, bagpipe-esque electronic wails over extravagant clusters of blocky percussion. Driven by the frenetic 175BPM pulse that echoes through the streets of Dar Es Salaam - popularized globally by forward-thinking producers like Sisso, Duke and Jay Mitta - Hairon opens up a rare conversation, seeking to draw parallels between today's...

4 years in the making, this surprise collaboration between Drop and Ashong fuses soul and psychedelia with downtempo beats, on a exclusive blue vinyl.

Ashong’s continuing mission to subvert expectations manifests greatly here, but the album is full of melodic hooks, layered to infinity alongside his acoustic guitar. Meanwhile Jonny Drop quietly flips samples unrecognisable from his extensive vinyl collections and once again makes a leap forward in his production identity.

Stand out single Puzzle Dust is a perfect slice of UK soul and jazz that sets everyone up for a unique sonic experience.

4 years in the making, this surprise collaboration between Drop and Ashong fuses soul and psychedelia with downtempo beats, on a exclusive blue vinyl.

Ashong’s continuing mission to subvert expectations manifests greatly here, but the album is full of melodic hooks, layered to infinity alongside his acoustic guitar. Meanwhile Jonny Drop quietly flips samples unrecognisable from his extensive vinyl collections and once again makes a leap forward in his production identity.

Stand out single Puzzle Dust is a perfect slice of UK soul and jazz that sets everyone up for a unique sonic experience.

Anything You Want, The debut solo album from former Puzzle drummer John Valenti makes its way back to LP for the first time in ten years through P-vine’s Groove-Diggers imprint. Originally going by the name John Livigni, his talents had been stewing for some time in the run-up to the original 1976 release. And yet, after supporting smooth pop arrangements for one of the few white bands signed to Motown records, few could have predicted the infectious disco beat and Valenti’s snarling and soulful lead vocals across these eleven tracks. From album opener and title track “Anything You Want,” Valenti establishes a hypnotic connection, and album highlight “Why Don’t We Fall In Love” is as moving as it is an encompassing display of Valenti’s soul power. P-vine is proud to be repressing Anything You Want, and hope that new fans can connect with this free soul classic.

Broc Recordz is proud to announce the album "Puzzled" by the legendary JJ Whitefield, you'll immerse yourself in the enigmatic universe of this master of funk and psychedelism. Across 13 tracks, you will discover all facets of this musician hailing from Munich, ranging from raw funk to krautrock. JJ Whitefield is an iconic figure in the music scene, having played an essential role in diverse projects such as the mastermind behind Poets Of Rhythm, Karl Hector, The Whitefield Brothers and his essential role in the recent careers of Ebo Taylor, embryo and witch“. "Puzzled" is the perfect opportunity to delve into his unique musical world.

Another gem from the extensive Flipper Music catalog, more precisely from their Flower sublabel, "Dreams For Sax" is possibly one of the most stand-out productions from their studio ensemble Gruppo Sound, this time around featuring saxophonist Paolo Russo with keyboardists Stefano Galante and Vittorio Quattrini. First released in 1987, the songs recorded for "Dreams For Sax" are a beautiful melange of easy-listening electronic and jazzy vibes, from mellow tunes such as "Dawning" and "First Class" to some killer floor-filling italo disco bangers such as "Walking On Air" and "Dance Power". A groovy Italian library banger from the 80's now available on vinyl for the first time since its original release as a limited edition of 500 copies.

Introduced to the world ten years ago, Emeli Sandé MBE has become an icon of British singer-songwriting; emotional, honest, and prolific in the kind of manner that cements you as a go-to artist for heartfelt pop sensibility. This latest pop record is reminiscent of 2012, when Emeli had her first breakout hit. "How Were We To Know" is Emeli's second independent album release through Chrysalis Records. "There was a lot I wanted to say about myself, and I hope that through the lyrics people will get to understand me on a deeper level." The 11 tracks on "How Were We To Know" explore intimate encounters with love in all its forms, along with the risk required to pursue it. "Once you've been hurt, it's very hard to pick up the pieces again and allow yourself to be vulnerable," Sandé says. "So I think these songs explore the bravery of love, and loving others but also yourself. These songs were pieces of a puzzle I had to put together, and now feels like the right time to share them." The album features production from Jonny Coffer (Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus), Jim Jonsin (asap Rocky, Usher, Eminem), DI Genius (Drake, Raye, Sean Paul), Rxwntree, Chris Loco and Mac & Phil.

“Sainen Hildo” is an album based on Miguel’s original compositions, recomposed and rearranged for accordion and voice by the two composers. Using the natural resonance and harmonics of these two instruments to influence their introspective interactions, resulting in evolving drones and tones and puzzling percussive outbursts. Unusual and at times unsettling, they manage to create a calibrated, deep and complex exploratory universe of ambience and drone where listening becomes a ritual. Highest recommendation for fans of Pauline Oliveros, Eliane Radigue or Phill Niblock.

Garazi Navas (accordion + voice). Original compositions by Miguel A. García. Recomposed and rearranged by Garazi Navas & Miguel A. García. Recorded by Ibon Rg at Azkuna Zentroa (Contemporary Art Centre in Bilbao) in June 2022, as part of the associated artists program. Mixing and mastering by Juan Carlos Blancas. Compiled by Mikel Acosta.

Acrylic painting on heavyweight paper by Maite Mugerza Ronse. Limited edition of 300 black vinyl LP’s housed in a coloured matt laminated cover. Released by Hegoa Diskak.

Dopelganger is the project in collaboration between classically trained accordion player and singer Garazi Navas (Usansolo, Bizkaia-Biscay, 1995) and Miguel A. Garcia (Vitoria-Gasteiz), an artist living in Bilbao with an extensive career in the fields of experimental music and sound art.

Garazi Navas / Classically trained at Musikene School of Music in San Sebastian with a masters in traditional music, Garazi, is a restless accordionist who, despite her young age, has taken part in a multitude of projects in theater, poetry, ballet, art installations and even playing with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra. Her works are a personal interpretation of the close relationship which she feels exists between cutting-edge and traditional music.

Miguel A. García / Has performed extensively in Europe, America and Asia, both as a solo artist, improvising and in multiple ensembles. He has collaborated with dozens of artists (Al Karpenter, Jean Luc Guionnet, Sébastien Branche...) in studio and live, and appeared in more than a hundred albums. At the same time, he is organizer and curator of events, being founder of Club Le Larraskito, director of Zarata Fest, and part of the coordination of the cycle Hotsetan at Azkuna Zentroa itself.

Disco Segreta sets your summer on fire introducing the reissue of one of the rarest and most obscure Italian disco records ever! Dana was the moniker of the very first band led by Sardinian singer Gianni Virdis. The band had a short life, from 1977 to 1980, and later disbanded to be renamed into another band called "Mediterraneo" and only released a 45 single. It contained two tracks: “Estate” and “S’Inghelada”. The first one is sung in Italian and is a sexy, summer-infused lyrics disco track with gummy moogs, while “S’Inghelada” - with the typical 70s falsetto singing - is possibly the only disco tracks ever sung in Sardinian language, which makes this record of even higher historical importance, as it renders the amazing variety and originality of the Italian disco scene of the era, contributing to put a piece of the puzzle of the ‘70s Italian disco scene back in its place. Originally released as a privately-pressed 45 in the spring of 1977, on Franco Idini’s “Tekno Record”, a Sassari-based label which mainly released local folk, but also some rock, along with this disco gem. Unfortunately, all the copies pressed were badly mastered and printed, resulting in low quality of the originals. But 46 years after its original release, Disco Segreta reissues Dana in a new fully remastered 12” edition on a super lush 180g. “Sardinian Sunset” marbled vinyl edition, bringing back “Estate” and “S’Inghelada” to its original glory, for a newer generation of the Italian disco sound aficionados. Note this release is strictly limited and numbered to 100 copies and only available on Disco Segreta website as well as to the subscribers of the Disco Segreta Record Society and as for all of our 2023 releases, will never be reissued again in this format.

Disco Segreta sets your summer on fire introducing the reissue of one of the rarest and most obscure Italian disco records ever! Dana was the moniker of the very first band led by Sardinian singer Gianni Virdis. The band had a short life, from 1977 to 1980, and later disbanded to be renamed into another band called "Mediterraneo" and only released a 45 single. It contained two tracks: “Estate” and “S’Inghelada”. The first one is sung in Italian and is a sexy, summer-infused lyrics disco track with gummy moogs, while “S’Inghelada” - with the typical 70s falsetto singing - is possibly the only disco tracks ever sung in Sardinian language, which makes this record of even higher historical importance, as it renders the amazing variety and originality of the Italian disco scene of the era, contributing to put a piece of the puzzle of the ‘70s Italian disco scene back in its place. Originally released as a privately-pressed 45 in the spring of 1977, on Franco Idini’s “Tekno Record”, a Sassari-based label which mainly released local folk, but also some rock, along with this disco gem. Unfortunately, all the copies pressed were badly mastered and printed, resulting in low quality of the originals. But 46 years after its original release, Disco Segreta reissues Dana in a new fully remastered 12” edition on a super lush 180g. “Sardinian Sunset” marbled vinyl edition, bringing back “Estate” and “S’Inghelada” to its original glory, for a newer generation of the Italian disco sound aficionados. Note this release is strictly limited and numbered to 100 copies and only available on Disco Segreta website as well as to the subscribers of the Disco Segreta Record Society and as for all of our 2023 releases, will never be reissued again in this format.

Recording with a sextet at the New York jazz club Sweet Basil in August 1977, McBee’s band included Chico Freeman on reeds, Dennis Moorman on piano, Joe Gardner on trumpet, Steve McCall on drums, and Famoudou Don Moye on percussion. Two complete albums of music were released by Enja Records from this engagement, the ground breaking recordings "Music From The Source" [1978] and "Compassion" [1979]. »Few groups today sound as fresh, generate as high an emotional charge, or leave as lasting an impression as McBee’s sextet,« Chris Albertson wrote upon the release of these recordings. »It is as if each member were a unique piece of a puzzle, carefully placed to complete precisely the breath taking picture intended. The music is adventurous enough to satisfy any aural daredevil who has not completely lost his or her sense of beauty, yet all the basic jazz values have been preserved with due reverence.«

Extremely rare, under the radar afro-psychedelic LP from South Africa. This mysterious band was produced by African funk master, composer, guitarist and producer Almon Sandisa Memela, who was active since the mid 1950s, first as a musician and guitar teacher and then also as a producer. He is famous for his 1970s Afro funk works Funky Africa and the very sought after Broken Shoes.

Action features a cool mixture of incipient afro-funk and garage pop/psych, with one of its songs having been compiled on the famous Next Stop... Soweto compilation series that helped ignite the current fever for African music.

Riyl: Ofege, Blo, Aktion, The Apostles, Sjob Movement, Soweto and the likes.

First ever vinyl reissue, reproducing the original sleeve artwork and with remastered sound. 500 copies only.

Our next installment on Bob Stanley’s Measured Mile label is a KPM Library double header. Basil Kirchin and Jack Nathan’s ‘Viva La Tamla Motown’ is pulled from the rare “The Wild One” LP they recorded for De Wolfe in 1966 and, instrumentally, celebrates Berry Gordy’s classic Detroit label.

The flip is taken from the equally collectable 1972 De Wolfe library LP called “Hogan The Hawk & Dirty John Crown” where ‘Main Chance’ is described as “moody, beaty – featuring synthesiser.” It’s a stone-cold rhythmic beauty well worth a spin on anybody’s turntable – so, give both a chance.

We're back digging through Flipper's legendary catalog, more precisely in the Octopus Records section, and after bringing back Alessandroni's "Storie Di Guerra" here is the return of Amedeo Tommasi's "Telegiornale", released under his Atmo alias. The album opens with a cinematic and suspenseful overture that immediately draws the listener into its world. Tommasi's virtuosic piano playing takes center stage throughout the album, with his nimble fingers crafting intricate melodies that are both evocative and emotionally charged. The title itself, which translates to "newscast" in Italian, hints at the album's concept of offering a musical narrative akin to the ever-changing stories and emotions conveyed through a news broadcast, captured in this beautiful Italian library recording.

Una Magnum Special Per Tony Saitta (aka. Blazing Magnum: Strange Shadows In An Empty Room)> is a cop movie directed in year 1976 by Alberto De Martino and starring Stuart Whitman, Martin Landau, Tisa Farrow, and Gayle Hunnicutt. It was co-produced by Italy and Canada. An Ottawa police captain searches for the person who poisoned his sister, who was attending the university in Montreal. Later on, he desperately starts to use his own brutal methods to find the killer, but the truth turns out to be something different than what he had expected. Trovajoli has composed and conducted a score that elegantly occupies a place of all respect in the Cops/Giallo movies’ scoring. The score alternates between action-driven funky music to nostalgic/ romantic music in a reflection of the two dimensions of the protagonist: his cop job full of tasks and his private life full of sadness, but he becomes the superhero of the story by taking vengeance against those who hurt him by killing his beloved sister, and ultimately discovering the unexpected truth. For this vinyl album the original record master in stereo sound was used, restored and remastered to the highest quality. More or less the music in the movie is featured on this album, prepared for release by the composer himself for a very fine listening experience. Enjoy a half-hour with Armando Trovajoli and his cool sound!

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Missori is an instrumental, library music concept album dedicated to the city of Milan by Alberto Bazzoli, musician and composer. Graduated at the Frescobaldi Conservatory of Ferrara, he has collaborated in recent years with Alessandro Ristori & the Portofinos, Superpop (of which he is co-founder with Gianni D'Amato) and the Baustelle, with whom he recorded the latest album "Elvis."

Missori, produced by Jolly Mare, is the new album, released with the artist's independent label, "Icaro Musica." The album explores vintage sounds typical of Italian melodic soundtracks of the 1970s, through a variety of synthesizers and electronic keyboards. Listening goes by together with a track by track photos, made by Dave Masotti, that can be found inside the vinyl.