Search "ok kid" 341 Items

Motown's First Ladies of Funk finally release their vinyl
debut, some 45 years after it was originally scheduled!
As the '70s dawned and Motown relocated to the West Coast, the
era of their honey-toned '60s girl groups came to a resounding
halt. The Sisters Love were the antithesis of the traditional
Motown group and came to the label from A&M, armed with a lot
of funk, sass and attitude.
Paired with some of Motown's finest writers and producers - Hal
Davis, Gloria Jones, Pamela Sawyer, Paul Riser and Willie Hutch
- they got off to a rousing start with the gritty "Mr. Fix-It Man"
and went into high gear for the UK only release "I'm Learning To
Trust My Man".
Motown had them playing arenas with The Jackson Five (probably
not their smartest move!), issued the odd single and scheduled
more but Sisters Love's anticipated breakthrough didn't happen.
In 1980 New York DJ Danny Krivit pressed up an extended
eight-minute re-edit of "Give Me Your Love", an old B-side from a
1973 single! That song was somewhat of an underground classic
but the Krivit mix brought in a whole new legion of fans amongst
the rare groove crowd, both in the US and the UK.
Sisters Love had long been rumored to have recorded a complete
album for the Motown subsidiary MoWest. Get On Down Records
combed the vaults with Motown's help and the result is the
original 10 cut album, plus a bonus cut, "Give Me Your Love."
Although Gwen Berry passed away some years ago, the other
three members of the group - Jeanie Long, Lillie Fort and
Vermettya Royster have all been actively involved in this release.

Super soulful new PPU from Maryn Coote.

Over the past twenty years, when musicians and producers in Southern California have needed fresh R&B, funk, or hip hop beats, they’ve called on drummer Jake Najor. A former bandmember of Breakestra, Incredible Moses Leroy, and The Styletones, Najor has performed or recorded with scores of noteworthy artists, including TV on the Radio, Raphael Saadiq, Kelis, Joss Stone, Big Daddy Kane, De La Soul, Karl Denson, Rodriguez, and Empire of the Sun.

When not on tour, the San Diego native performs with a wide network of local musicians, including as a member of the house band for The Redwoods record label. It’s with the Redwoods that the veteran drummer has taken the lead on a new project, Jake Najor and the Moment of Truth. While most of Najor’s career has been spent contributing percussion in service to the visions of his collaborators, with his debut record, In the Cut, Najor has been the one enlisting players from his musical cohort as well as some cherry-picked, heavy hitters on the LA funk/soul scene to flesh out ten tracks of original grooves, ranging from soulful cinematic instrumentals to hard hitting funk jams.

The album’s lead single, High Costa Living, lands in the latter camp. It features an accomplished roster of west coast funk players, including a potent brass section led by trumpeter/arranger Todd Simon (Antibalas, Ziggy Marley, Quantic), and including James King (Fitz and Tantrums), Elizabeth Lea (Tedeschi Trucks Band), and Sam Robles (Jungle Fire), behind the gritty vocals of MixMaster Wolf (Breakestra). High Costa Living sets the tone for a record loaded with dynamic performances to match the syncopated rhythms laid down by So Cal’s go-to beatmaker. Jake Najor and the Moment of Truth “In The Cut” brought to you by The Redwoods record label, drops March 29, 2019.

A little two-sided mean machine here! Jake Najor (drummer of The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble) brings two heaters! Both sides features members of SFSE, but the A is graced by none other than west coast funk legend Mixmaster Wolf (Breakestra) and man is it a deadly combo! The B is just a funky, nasty, mean, dark instrumental with some insanely pocket drums and a killer fuzzed our chorus. DJs need doubles!

The only woman featured on Worldwide FM’s Sydney broadcast, and having recently produced her first old out all-female showcase featuring musicians, visual artists, poets and DJs, 20-year-old Ella Haber has worked toward her debut for 15 years.

Shocked by a hushed crowd reaction at her first public performance, Ella’s realisation her voice could halt and occupy an audience’s thoughts bleeds into all aspects of her life. With early demos of her debut EP, CLAY, reaching the ears of Brisbane-raised, London-based musician Jordan Rakei, the recent Ninja Tune signee - impressed with her vibrant songwriting and compositions - lent his production chops to the project, arranging and recording live instrumentation at Old Paradise Audio in London, while Ella worked on vocal recordings in Sydney.

“Ella's timeless vocals and mature songwriting sensibility was the reason I wanted to work with her on this project. In a climate where artists often take shortcuts, Ella's determination and strong vision will make her stand out from the rest. It was a pleasure bringing her songwriting to life and I can't wait for the world to hear her music!” - Jordan Rakei

A multi-lingual multi-instrumentalist deftly weaving her songwriting prowess with trumpet, piano, spoken word, fresh lyricism and powerful jazz/soul performance, Ella’s ease within music is in stark contrast to her feeling for every other established structure. Set to release her debut single, Old Friends, written when Haber was only 17, she reflects on the impact Amy Winehouse’s debut album, Frank, had on her songwriting: “I had been writing music since I was a kid, but listening to Frank just gave me permission to write about love and all its pains and confusions in this way of transparency and brutal honesty I never had before. Old Friends was actually the first track I wrote from the EP, and, the first song I ever really felt proud of”

In a genre, and society, where identity is increasingly scrutinised, Ella Haber resists, comfortable only in the confines of music composition. Challenging, with full colour love and intelligence, she's not letting anyone off lightly. Her debut EP, CLAY, is out April 26 via Soul Has No Tempo.

Jackie Moore’s one session for Wand produced the classic dancefloor sister funk of ‘Who Told You’. This 45 backs it with the previously unissued masterpiece ‘Same Change’ which is equally as good and comes on a facsimile Wand label.

Jack Waterson is the acid that Adrian never took as a kid. The result, as you’d expect, is both colorful and dark; full of sonic and musical surprises. The creative relationship they have questions the social order of the United States, yet theirs is a quintessentially American Story: Kindred spirits.
Punk rock and hip hop came from the same place, fueled by identical sentiments: people taking the music back, reclaiming it, and finding a new audience. Waterson, primed from the mid-70s Punk scene, began his musical career in ’79 as a founding member of Green on Red. They inspired artists as diverse as My Bloody Valentine, Wilco and Mazzy Star with their records and psychedelic palette. Years later, Waterson continued his influential journey by opening the revered musical instrument store, Future Music, a Los Angeles staple.
In ’99, an 18 year-old Younge realized that he wanted to create music that sounded like the records he was sampling. Unbeknownst to him, he serendipitously wandered into Future Music. It’s there, he realized his dream was possible. Intrigued by the stores focus on pre ’83 equipment, Waterson soon became a mentor in developing Younge’s unique analog sound. They spoke heavily about the importance of vintage equipment and it’s use in creating revolutionary worlds.
During these years, Waterson schooled Younge on psych and art rock; Younge returned the favor by schooling him on Hip Hop, the origins of sampling, and its source music. Together this unlikely duo manifested new revolutionary worlds with Waterson appearing on every Younge album within the last decade.

The first official reissue of ‘Good Lovin’’ – a modern soul dancer with a killer groove, heavy low-end, delectable string & horn trade-offs and the husky tones of the inimitable Al Mason, that blew up on the scene in 1980 and now commands eye watering prices between collectors. This dinked 7 inch comes backed with ‘We Still Could Be Together’ off the original promo 12 Inch, with both tracks fully remastered and officially licensed for the first time since its original release.
‘Good Lovin’’ stormed dancefloors back in the early ‘80s taking Al’s undeniable, raspy vocal prowess and stirring it up with an energetic combination of funk guitars, full frontal basslines, on-point harmonies and a perfectly arranged string and brass section. It’s been a rare treasure on the second-hand market with original copies trading hands for £400 so an official reissue will be music to many an ear.
The B side, ‘We Still Could Be Together’, is an emotive ballad filled to the brim with Mason’s tangible passion alongside smoky pianos, cinematic strings and velvety backing vocals. A slow stepper with a bittersweet message behind it.

Two funky steppers from Niki Dave & Afro Kids! First ever reissue of rare seventies music from Burundi!

Last chance, last repress.

Sault - 5 is the debut album by the mysterious collective Sault, released in May 2019. It was the first in a series of albums that would establish the group's signature blend of genres, including funk, soul, R&B, post-punk, Afrobeat, and electronic influences. The album received critical acclaim for its fresh sound, combining socially conscious themes with infectious grooves and rhythms.

The album features minimalist yet impactful production, with prominent basslines, funky guitar riffs, and layered vocal harmonies. The vocals are often delivered with a cool, detached style, which contrasts with the emotional and sometimes politically charged lyrics. Themes of identity, love, power dynamics, and the Black experience are present throughout the album.

Sault's 5 also stands out for its stripped-down approach to instrumentation, emphasizing rhythm over complexity, and allowing space for the vocals to shine. The tracks have a raw, DIY aesthetic, reminiscent of post-punk and underground soul movements, yet they feel timeless and modern.

Key Tracks:
“Up All Night” – One of the most well-known songs from the album, it’s a funky, high-energy track with danceable grooves and infectious hooks.
“Don’t Waste My Time” – A song that encapsulates the band’s ability to blend catchy melodies with a gritty, almost industrial sound.
“Why Why Why Why Why” – This track combines soulful vocals with a driving rhythm and contemplative lyrics about the struggles of life.
“Let Me Go” – A standout song about freedom and independence, with minimalist production that places focus on the emotional delivery of the vocals.
Mystery Around Sault: At the time of this release, very little was known about the members of Sault, which only added to the intrigue. The group has kept a low profile, eschewing traditional promotion and rarely giving interviews or detailed credits for their music. It’s widely believed that the producer Inflo is a central figure in the collective, with vocal contributions from artists like Cleo Sol and Kid Sister, though these have not always been officially confirmed.

Sault - 5 marks the beginning of the collective’s prolific output, which would continue to evolve with subsequent albums like 7 (2019), Untitled (Black Is) (2020), and more.

Sault - 7 is the second album by the enigmatic collective Sault, released in September 2019, just a few months after their debut 5. Like its predecessor, 7 builds on the group's distinctive fusion of funk, soul, Afrobeat, R&B, post-punk, and electronic music. The album continues to explore socially conscious themes, especially around the Black experience, empowerment, and resilience, all while maintaining a danceable and groove-driven sound.

Sault - 7 has a slightly darker and more introspective tone than 5, though it retains the infectious rhythms and minimalist production that define the group's sound. The album feels more cohesive, with stronger thematic continuity across the tracks. It deals with themes of love, loss, self-empowerment, and societal struggles. The music is often underpinned by hypnotic basslines, percussion-heavy grooves, and layered vocals, combining the experimental with the accessible.

Key Tracks:
"Over" – A standout track with a raw, pulsating rhythm and a sense of emotional urgency. The vocals convey a sense of heartbreak and frustration, paired with a minimal but powerful instrumental.
"No Bullshit" – This song blends funk and soul with a defiant message, urging listeners to cut through dishonesty and focus on truth and realness.
"Friends" – A soulful, almost melancholic reflection on relationships, with stripped-down instrumentation that lets the emotive vocals shine.
"Living in America" – One of the more overtly political tracks, it addresses racial injustice and the realities of systemic oppression, a theme that becomes more pronounced in Sault's later work.
"Feel So Good" – With its infectious groove and danceable rhythm, this track channels optimism and joy, bringing a sense of release and celebration despite the heavier topics covered in other songs.
Mystery and Collective Approach: Much like with their debut 5, Sault continued to maintain a low profile with 7, avoiding typical promotional strategies or revealing much about their identities. Inflo is believed to be the primary producer, with artists like Cleo Sol and Kid Sister likely contributing vocals, though the group's collaborative nature makes it difficult to pin down exact credits. This mystery only adds to their allure, allowing the music to stand front and center.

The release of 7 so soon after 5 demonstrated the collective's prolific creativity, establishing a pattern of frequent and impactful releases that challenge genre conventions while maintaining a strong social and cultural consciousness.

Sault - 7 was well-received by critics, who praised the album for its innovative sound, emotional depth, and powerful messages. It solidified Sault as a major force in contemporary music, blending the political with the personal in a way that feels both timeless and urgent.

Limited edition for Cassette Store Day 2019!

2018's Free Money is now available on cassette for all the soul fans from Japan to the San Jose Flea Market!

Record with just a few paper scuffs.

Driving anywhere in Texas can cost you half a day, easy. For example, it'll take you over four hours just to get from R&B singer Leon Bridges' hometown of Fort Worth down to Houston, where the psychedelic wanderers in Khruangbin hail from. The state is vast, crisscrossed with rugged expanses of road flanked by limestone cliffs and granite mountains, forests of pine and mesquite, miles of desert or acres of sprawling grassland, all depending on what part you're in. And it's all baking under the Texas Sun that lends its name to Bridges and Khruangbin's new collaborative EP. "Big sky country, that's what they call Texas," Khruangbin bassist Laura Lee says. "The horizon line goes all the way from one side to another without interruption. There's something really comforting about that." On Texas Sun, these two members of the state's musical vanguard meet up somewhere in the middle of that scene, in the mythical nexus of Texas' past, present, and future-a dreamy badlands where genres blur as seamlessly as the terrain. It calls equally to the cowboys boot-scooting at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, the chopped-and-screwed hip-hop fans rattling slabs on the southside of Houston, the art-school kids dropping acid in Austin, the cross-cultural progeny who grew up on listening to both mariachi and post-hardcore out on the Mexican borders of El Paso. All of these things, overlapping in a multicolored melange, purple hues as vivid and unpredictable as one of the state's rightfully celebrated sunsets. A journey through homesick reminiscences, backseat romances, and late-night contemplations, the kind of record made for listening with the windows down and the road humming softly beneath you. Like the highways that inspired it, Texas Sun is guaranteed to get you where you're going-especially if you're in no particular hurry to get there.

Last chance, last repress.

“We present our first ‘Untitled’ album to mark a moment in time where we as Black People, and of Black Origin are fighting for our lives. RIP George Floyd and all those who have suffered from police brutality and systemic racism. Change is happening… We are focused.”

Sault - Untitled (Black Is), released in June 2020, is one of the most celebrated albums from the collective Sault. The album came out during a pivotal moment in global discussions about race, equality, and justice, particularly following the murder of George Floyd and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. This context significantly shapes the thematic and emotional resonance of the record.

Untitled (Black Is) blends a wide array of genres, including soul, R&B, Afrobeat, funk, spoken word, and gospel, creating a sound that feels both timeless and contemporary. The album is deeply rooted in Black identity, pride, and struggle, making it a powerful statement on racial injustice and resilience. Lyrically, the album addresses themes of systemic racism, police brutality, Black empowerment, community, self-love, and the importance of unity.

The production, helmed by the collective’s enigmatic core (likely led by producer Inflo), features stripped-down yet layered instrumentation, with driving basslines, handclaps, and rhythmic percussion forming the backbone of many tracks. The vocals are often communal, with group chants and harmonies giving the album a spiritual, anthemic quality.

Key Tracks:
"Stop Dem" – A politically charged track with a pounding Afrobeat rhythm, addressing police violence and systemic racism head-on.
"Hard Life" – A soulful, melancholic reflection on the hardships faced by Black people, with haunting vocals and minimal production that highlights the emotional weight of the message.
"Wildfires" – A standout song on the album, this track blends silky, understated vocals with a powerful message about injustice and violence against Black lives. Its soulful and reflective tone gives it a timeless feel.
"Miracles" – This track offers a sense of hope and redemption, emphasizing the resilience and strength found within the Black community, despite the hardships faced.
"Black" – A declaration of Black pride and power, this track serves as one of the album’s central anthems, celebrating Black identity and culture while recognizing the challenges that come with it.
Cohesion and Impact: The album flows like a meditation on Blackness, weaving together not just music, but spoken word interludes and chants, creating a narrative arc that goes from pain to empowerment, from struggle to solidarity. The use of group vocals, chants, and Afrocentric rhythms throughout gives the record a communal and collective feel, emphasizing the idea of togetherness and unity.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Untitled (Black Is) is how it balances anger and frustration with hope and healing. While it directly addresses the oppression and violence faced by Black people, it also offers moments of joy, strength, and affirmation. The album is a call for action, but also for love and understanding.

As with previous releases, Sault maintained their air of mystery with Untitled (Black Is), releasing the album without much fanfare or explanation about the contributors. However, it's widely speculated that key figures like Inflo, Cleo Sol, and Kid Sister played significant roles in its creation. The album's timing and thematic focus made it especially impactful, with its messages resonating deeply during a time of global reflection on race and justice.

Untitled (Black Is) was met with critical acclaim, hailed as one of the most important albums of 2020. Critics praised its boldness, its timely themes, and its ability to mix protest music with a sense of spiritual uplift. The album was seen as not only a response to the times but as a work that stands in a long lineage of Black music addressing societal ills, from civil rights-era soul to modern-day protest anthems.

Optimal pressing.
The fourth album by Sault scored 97/100 at Metacritic and is the most beloved album at HHVs Supreme 100 of 2020 list, chosen by 150 journalists, musicians, label makers and record collectors.

Sault - Untitled (Rise), released in September 2020, is the follow-up to Untitled (Black Is) and serves as a companion piece to that earlier album. While Untitled (Black Is) focuses on themes of Black identity, struggle, and resilience in the face of systemic racism, Untitled (Rise) takes a more hopeful and celebratory approach. It explores empowerment, joy, and community, offering a sense of uplift and liberation alongside the weightier topics of social justice.

Untitled (Rise) retains the genre-blurring approach that defines Sault’s music, blending soul, funk, Afrobeat, gospel, R&B, and dance rhythms. However, the tone of Rise is generally more upbeat and celebratory compared to the heavier, introspective nature of Black Is. The album captures the feeling of dancing through adversity and finding joy despite the struggle. Its rhythms are infectious, and many tracks are designed to feel anthemic, with powerful group vocals and chants reinforcing themes of collective strength.

Lyrically, Untitled (Rise) touches on similar themes to Black Is, such as Black empowerment, pride, and resistance, but it emphasizes victory and triumph. The album feels like a call to action, but also a celebration of perseverance, healing, and unity.

Key Tracks:
"Strong" – A powerful and uplifting anthem about resilience and overcoming adversity. It features a driving rhythm and empowering lyrics, with group vocals that evoke a sense of unity and strength.
"Fearless" – A rhythmic, upbeat track with Afrobeat-inspired grooves, it’s a call to reject fear and embrace courage, a recurring theme in the album.
"I Just Want to Dance" – One of the standout tracks, this song blends disco-funk elements with a carefree energy, symbolizing the need for joy and release even amidst struggles.
"Free" – A slower, more reflective song that underscores the desire for freedom—both personal and societal. It’s soulful and deeply emotional, with heartfelt vocals.
"Rise" – The title track serves as a rallying cry, encouraging listeners to rise above oppression and celebrate their identity and power. The song's infectious rhythm and group chants amplify the message of empowerment.
Tone and Emotional Arc: Where Black Is may have felt heavy with its focus on the injustices faced by Black people, Rise balances that with a more optimistic and celebratory tone. It conveys a message that while the fight for justice continues, there is always room for joy, self-love, and communal solidarity. The album often feels like a soundtrack to liberation, pairing its socio-political themes with music that’s meant to inspire movement, whether literally on the dance floor or metaphorically in terms of social action.

The flow of the album is dynamic, shifting between more meditative moments and high-energy, danceable tracks. The rhythmic pulse is a constant thread, grounding the album in African and diasporic traditions, while the vocal arrangements often feel like modern spirituals or chants for a collective uprising.

The production, likely spearheaded by Inflo, is tight and minimalist, yet rich in texture. Sault’s signature use of layered vocals, often with group harmonies and chants, continues to play a central role in Rise, contributing to the communal, uplifting feel of the album. As always, Sault’s members remain largely anonymous, though Cleo Sol and Kid Sister are thought to have contributed vocally to the project.

Untitled (Rise) was met with widespread critical acclaim, much like its predecessor. Reviewers praised the album for its optimism and energy, viewing it as a necessary counterpart to Black Is. While Black Is was seen as an urgent protest album, Rise was lauded for its focus on joy, hope, and empowerment, making it feel like a musical celebration of survival and thriving.

The duality of these two albums—Black Is and Rise—allows Sault to capture a full spectrum of the Black experience, from pain and protest to resilience and celebration. Together, they form a powerful artistic statement on the complexities of identity and struggle.

Little Barrie And Malcolm Catto Team Up For Seven Tracks Of Breaks And Sci-Fi Fuzz For Maverick Producer Madlib's Label

Quatermass Seven, the meeting of minds between guitarist Barrie Cadogan, bassist Lewis Wharton and drummer Malcolm Catto represents a re-birth of sorts for Little Barrie, with these their first recordings since 2017’s Death Express and the untimely passing of their gifted drummer and friend Virgil Howe. As Lewis explains, the sessions played a part in the healing process, a way to re-connect through music without any intentions to necessarily come away with a finished record. “It was good to get in the studio again after such a long break especially as we didn’t go in with any agenda or expectations,” he explains. There was no preconceptions that we would make a new Little Barrie record, it was just an opportunity to work on some things Barrie had written for fun with zero pressure.” With most tracks recorded live with minimal overdubs, and produced by Malcolm at his Quatermass studios, The Heliocentrics’ main man brings new flavour to the band’s rhythm section by blending his power behind the drum kit and his expansive skills behind the mixing desk to take Little Barrie’s music forward into new territories. Recorded on Catto’s treasure trove of analogue gear, and mastered onto ¼” tape, the overall effect is guitar, bass and drums finding a sweet spot where genres collide, delivering a record that takes the influences of the past and pushes them towards somewhere more contemporary. “I definitely hear in Barrie’s songs a lot of common musical ground’” explains Malcolm. “It felt like a great thing to do, work with Malcolm while we’re figuring out what we wanna do,” Barrie concludes, “let’s just go in and do some playing and see what happens, and we came out with more than we ever intended.” Quatermass Seven delivers a dark, deep and expansive set of grooves, layered with frazzled and flawless guitar and flowing melodies, as well as pointing toward a future of exciting new musical opportunities. “Still here, so fine, just a little darker state of mind” sings Cadogan on ‘Steel Drum’, words which sum up hope in times of uncertainty, whilst unintentionally offering a perfect description of Quartermass Seven.

The group "Onyx" was formed in 1972 the members were Aaron and Wendell Basey, Malvin Scott, and Ronald Busby. Ronald left the group to pursue other interests and was replaced by Cornelius Weekly. We were reared in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically Oakland and Alameda, California. We grew up singing in our School and Church Choirs. We all began singing in quartets while we were teenagers in Junior High School. Malvin sang in the group Morry Williams and the Kids. They had a national hit titled "Are You, My GirlFriend." The Basey brothers sang with several groups in California, none with any recording history. The Basey's were the founding members of the soul group Natural Four. After that, along with Malvin, they started the singing group "Onyx." We were influenced during our teenage years by groups like the Spaniels, Moonglows and later the Temptations and Whispers. We also loved the sound of Marvin Gaye, and Earth, Wind, and Fire. At that time the Spaniels and Moonglows were who we tried to sing like. Marty Dahl, who wrote and produced several of our recording sessions got us a contract with Yew Records of New York City. We were happy to sign with Yew as they had previous success with the recording by the Intrigues of the song "In a Moment." We recorded "Something You're Trying to Hide," and "You Never Fell to Amaze me," on the Yew Record label. We met Marty while he was playing piano in a practice room at Cal State Hayward University. He was a musician with his own group, playing drums, keyboards, and singing. He was also doing promotion work for various record companies. He asked us to audition for him in a room over a nightclub in Jack London Square. After the audition, a relationship was established which exists to this day. Later, the Basey Brothers started their own label NIA. The name NIA was selected for, in the Swahili language, the word NIA means purpose. The first song recorded by Onyx on the NIA label was "Break It Loose." They subsequently recorded the songs "Time Take me Back," and "Keep on Waiting." Other songs were recorded but never released, "Help Me," "Give a Little Bit," and "Spellbound."

After almost 15 years of silence, Schema Records co-founder Luciano Cantone in collaboration with Gianluca Petrella and a new group of musicians, present The Invisible Session’s second album "Echoes of Africa", published on the newly created Space Echo label and distributed by Schema Records. The impeccable rhythmic execution of the Ethiopian drummer and percussionist Abdissa "Manba" Assefa, the Finnish bass player Jukka Kiviniemi, the guitarist Riccardo Onori, the multi-instrumentalist Gianluca Petrella with the spiritual contribution of the Gambian kora player Haruna "Jalimansa" Kuyateh, as well as the Afro-American Joyce Elaine Yuille, give rise to a unique emotion and sense of landscape. The points of departure are afrobeat, the recordings of Africa 70 and Tony Allen's drumming. Other influences come into play, with melodies centred on Eastern pentatonic scales, as well as funk, afrobeat, psychedelia, modal and Ethio jazz, plus forays into pop and cinematica. This is an album to be absorbed in its entirety!

Black Unity Trio – Al Fatihah quite possibly was the first-ever independently-released free jazz record. Originating in Oberlin, Ohio as the Black Unity Quartet, and ultimately becoming the Trio (Abdul Wadud, Yusuf Mumin, and Hasan Al Hut), the group recorded Al Fatihah in December 24, 1968 at Agency Recording Studio (which was located upstairs in the building housing the legendary Agora Theatre in Cleve- land, Ohio). The album ultimately was released in May 1969 in an edition of 500 copies. The album has been legendary among collectors, producers, and DJs in the past several decades, and has been sampled numerous times on other releases. Much mystery surrounded the origins of the album, as well as the status of the musicians, until 2020 when The Wire published an interview with Hasan. Many underground jazz purists know about the intense, though relatively short-lived hotbed of avant-garde jazz in Cleveland, Ohio during the mid-to-late 1960s. Clubs such as Leo’s Casino, Jazz Temple, The Doan Club, Le Cave and a few private clubs saw many young avant-garde jazz acts during this time period.

Record Store Day 2021 Release. Two Ike & Tina Turner sought-after classics on either side of a 7 inch. The A side sees the ice cold early funk jam ‘Bold Soul Sister’ featuring the trademark funk guitar stylings of Albert Collins, originally released on the Blue Thumb in 69 and favoured by hip hop producers for its wealth of sampling gold. The flip side houses ‘Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You’ a rare and pricey Northern Soul number penned by Motown songwriter Frank Wilson that goes for £150+ on Discogs. A 50 year anniversary release in a picture sleeve.