PRESALE - Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Big Crown Vaults Vol.4 (Big Crown)

Blue Smoke Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 2nd March 2025

Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band, the mysterious steel pan outfit hailing from Hamburg, Germany made significant noise in 2024 when French film Anatomy of a Fall won an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Bacao’s cover of 50 Cent’s “PIMP” was featured so heavily in the film and plays such a huge role in the storyline that it became synonymous with its success. Subsequently, they ushered in the first appearance of steel pans in the orchestra pit at the Academy Awards so they could play the tune as director Justine Triet walked on stage to accept the award. All of this brought a lot of new fans to Bacao and pushed the streaming numbers of “PIMP” well past 40 million. For those in the know, this tune made its way into underground fame back in 2008 when it was first pressed on band leader Bjorn Wagner’s own Mocambo imprint and was often mistaken for the original sample source from which 50 made his hit.

All accolades and international fame aside, “PIMP” is literally just the tip of the Bacao iceberg. With four full length albums and a tall stack of 7” singles that have become staples to DJs around the world, they have been prolific since signing with Big Crown in 2014. Despite the constant releases and elaborate catalog, every recording session has borne more fruit than could fit on an album, leaving a handful of tunes in the recording vault. Here on Big Crown Vaults Vol. 4 we open up that vault and give all (well, most of) those tunes a proper pressing and release.

The album opens up with their cover of the Bob James uber-classic breakbeat “Nautilus” and they put a spin on the original that puts it directly in the must have category for all hip hop and breakbeat enthusiasts. Keeping their foot on the gas, they give the BRSB treatment to the Khruangbin classic “Maria También” with their signature bottom heavy drums taking the energy of the tune to a whole new place. Infamous for digging deep in the crates when picking material to reinterpret, they next take on Royce the 5’9”'s J Dilla produced “Let’s Grow”. Originally the B side to the first pressing of “PIMP” (and making an appearance on the very limited first 2LP pressing of their debut album 55) we put the “PIMP (Version)” on here where they give their original recording the proper dub treatment with melodica and tape echo galore. They turn up the tempo and the funk covering the Jackson 5’s “Great To Be Here” and again dive deep into obscurity with the Billy Jones dancefloor burner “Lookout Baby (Here I Come)”. While part of the allure of a new Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band album is finding out what covers they are going to take on, it is equally intriguing to see what original tunes they’ve cooked up. While BCR Vaults Vol. 4 only has one original, “Kaiso Noir”, it’s an uptempo crowd-pleaser that sounds like a mix between a b-boy break and a James Bond score.

This collection of songs spans from 2008 to 2023 and runs a variety of genres from hip hop to jazz to soul and pop through the Bacao lens. The band is already at work on their 5th full length studio album and this compilation should be the perfect thing to hold fans over until it arrives. Tracklisting:

SIDE A:
Nautilus | Maria También | Let’s Grow | PIMP (Version) | Look Out (Here I Come) | Great To Be Here | Juicy Fruit
SIDE B:
8th Wonder | Murkit Gem | All For The Cash | Kaiso Noir | Guess Who’s Back | Giana Sisters

JUST IN - De La Soul – Clear Lake Audiotorium (Chrysalis)

Sea Green Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

The holy grail of De La Soul albums, it was released in 1994 exclusively as a promotional item to A- list DJs. It features four tracks from the group's Buhloone Mindstate album and two unreleased tracks - "sh.Fe.Mc's" featuring A Tribe Called Quest and "Stix & Stonz" featuring The Fearless Four, Grandmaster Caz, and Prince Whipper Whip. While only 500 copies were pressed of the original, this legendary collector's item is now available as a limited edition release.

Tracklist:
1. iN tHe WoOds (feat. Shortie No Mass) 2. i aM I bE (feat. Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis) 3. sH.fe.mC's (feat. A Tribe Called Quest) 4. patTi dOOke (feat. Guru, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis) 5. i bE bLowiN' (feat. Maceo Parker) 6. sTix & sTonz (feat. Grandmaster Caz, Tito of the Fearless Four, Whipper Whip, La Sunshine and Superstar)

PRESALE - The Invaders - Spacing Out (Now-Again)

Vinyl LP £22.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th March 2025

Spacing Out is an instrumental masterpiece only ever issued in Bermuda at the turn of 1970. A mix of the band's out-there original compositions and extravagant covers of The Meters, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and The Isley Brothers, it established this band as one of the greatest instrumental bands of any genre, and helped kickstart the retro-soul/funk scenes that birthed the likes of Daptone and Big Crown Records. It's certainly a lodestar for Now-Again Records.

This reissue was done with the license and participation of the entire Invaders band, with their story told in great detail in an oversized booklet penned by Jefferson "Chairman" Mao, complete with rare photos of this rarely seen ensemble. From the proverbial stank face-inducing opening bars of reverb-drenched drums and congas that announce Spacing Out, you're thrust into something visceral and fleeting: a pocket universe in which technical excess, chemistry between players, and the uninhibited energy of youth align in a kind of glorious imperfection. Spacing Out is one of the greatest instrumental albums of its or any period in that unmistakably raw - as in honest - way only a crew of largely self-taught young uns could catch a groove.

Tracklisting:

Side A:
A1. It's Your Thing A2. Lost Times A3. Can't Get Next To You A4. The House That Jack Built A5. Look A Py Py

Side B:
B1. Bossa Blue B2. Spacing Out B3. Where Are We B4. Latin Lips

PRESALE - Esoteric - Saving Seamus Ryan (Fly Casual Creative)

Red And Black Vinyl LP £22.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th March 2025

Czarface and Stress Eater MC Esoteric followed up his proper debut solo album (2007’s Egoclapper) with this conceptual masterpiece, now available for the first time on vinyl!

This full-length is an audio drama based on a bizarre dream that Esoteric had sometime around 2006. As he describes it, “It was a crazy period in my life: I was engaged, in the process of finding a new home; I was starting my own label on a totally independent, self-financed level...I had a lot of stress and reserva- tions in my life. Celph Titled and I had just built my Pterolab studio, I had started to really produce and was really getting into it, making a ton of beats and had a ton of ideas. I guess all that stress and those feelings just manifested.” The results were what became Saving Seamus Ryan.

The album is broken into chapters rather than individual tracks and includes vocal contributions from the legendary and consummate Hip Hop theme-writer Masta Ace, K.Flay, Blacastan, Main Flow, and Qwill. Colorful characters from Eso’s childhood and subconscious also help along the journey (including a cameo by DJ Premier). Esoteric handles most of the production duties himself, but is also backed by career-long partner 7L.

Tracklisting:

Side A:
A1. Studio Time • A2. Goodbye • A3. The Darkest Park • A4. Punks Shoot And Steal A5. Plotting My Revenge • A6. Mass General / Mackos Angle (feat Main Flow & Blacastan) A7. I Need A Dope Beat

Side B:
B1. Bar Chief • B2. I Rap Too Much B3. Modern Love (In Boston) (feat K. Flay) • B4. Aces Take (feat Masta Ace) B5. No Features

Side C:
C1. Hold On (feat QWill) • C2. Selling Spidey C3. Take Him To The Bridge • C4. A Gift From Indie Solo • C5. The King Is The Dog C6. Chocolate Popcorn

Side D:
D1. The Wrong Attitude • D2. My Audition D3. Lab Work • D4. The Good Fight • D5. Back To The Lab

PRESALE - Homeboy Sandman - Rich II (Fly Casual Creative)

Evergreen Vinyl LP £22.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th March 2025

Homeboy Sandman returns with Rich II, a vibrant exploration of life’s complexities, set to the masterful production of Mono En Stereo. This album captures the essence of authenticity, weaving introspective lyrics with innovative beats to transcend the boundaries of conventional Hip-Hop.

“God. Love. Freedom. Talent. Magic. Health. Truth. Walking with God, being free, finding oneself and finding love is what real richness is.” Homeboy Sandman defined the true meaning of being rich with the release of his first Rich LP. “Rich II” takes a different tone than its predecessor exploring themes of resilience, determination, patience, gratitude, and growth. The track “Leave Me Alone” addresses the struggle against external pressures and the quest for personal autonomy, inspired by individuals encroaching on his peace of mind. Conversely, “The Place I Want to Be” and “Need A Woman” reflect on past mindsets that eventually led to finding love, with the latter serving as a poignant commentary on the importance of substance over superficiality in relationships. “Every Day” serves as a guiding framework for Homeboy Sandman's life, akin to foundational texts like the 10 commandments or the constitution, offering insight into his values and principles. “Mayor Koch” showcases Homeboy Sandman's unique ability to craft rap anthems with a distinct flair. This special vinyl edition includes a bonus track “Thank You (Remix)”--a heartfelt, boom-bap-infused outro where Homeboy Sandman conveys his gratitude to supporters with sincerity and style.

Tracklisting:

1. Don’t Even Think About It 2. People 3. Every Day 4. Need a Woman 5. Mayor Koch 6. Leave Me Alone 7. Win Win 8. Summertime 9. Thank You 10. The Place I Want to Be 11. Dream Come True 12. Thank You (Remix)

PRESALE - Smif-N-Wessun - Infinity (Bucktown USA/Duck Down Music)

Vinyl LP £29.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 11th April 2025

8th full length album from this legendary duo. Produced entirely by 9th Wonder and The Soul Council. Features from the late, great Sean Price, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Conway the Machine, Pharoahe Monch, Buckshot, and more. Fresh from the triumphant return of a successful domestic and international tour, Smif-N-Wessun's new album is a cumulative reflection of their life experiences. Executive produced by college professor and world-renowned producer 9th Wonder and the Soul Council, 9th explains the thought process with the album. “I wanted to make sure that it didn't sound dated. It sounds like them (Smif-N-Wessun), but it's also new.

They are our generation's version of Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Donald Byrd.” Illustrious MCs featured on the album include Buckshot, Pharoahe Monch, Conway the Machine, legendary artists Sean Price and Prodigy, multi-platinum RnB legend Ralph Tresvant, along with rising stars Sweta and Jalisa. Scheduled for release January 10th, 2025, Infinity cements Smif-N-Wessun's status as creators of nothing but classics. This is their eighth album and the second collaboration with 9th Wonder and the Soul Council. Showcasing buttery beats from Council members, 9th Wonder himself, Khrysis, SND*TRK, Kash, Mu'aath, and Nottz, the album delivers a sonic smash that will satisfy everyone from the rap purist to new school connoisseurs

Tracklisting:

1. Infinity, 2. Moses Promise, 3. Namaste (feat. Sweata), 4. Medina (feat. Pharoahe Monch), 5. Black Eminence (feat. Prodigy of Mobb Deep), 6. Beautiful Trip, 7. Chuuch (feat. Jalisa), 8. Enjoy Ya Life, 9. Shine (feat. Ralph Tresvant), 10. Just Stay! (feat. Conway the Machine), 11. On My Soul (feat. Buckshot & Yountie Strickland), 12. Heard About Me (feat. Sean Price & Maverick Saber), 13. Elephant In The Room, 14. Bad Guy.

PRESALE - Frollen Music Library - 001-015 (Frollen Music Library / Colemine Records)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket
Blue Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 11th April 2025

FOR FANS OF... Surprise Chef, Karate Boogaloo, David Axlerod, El Michels Affair, Menahan Street Band, Ennio Morricone, Riz Ortolani, Tonto. Favouring live, ensemble recording and analogue production techniques, Frollen Music Library is a sample library and production house that creates high-quality sample packs ready for the modern producer to easily employ. With a creative process that is organic and grounded in an immense appreciation for the music of the '60s and '70s - the bedrock of Hip Hop sampling. Created by close friends and long-time collaborators as a way to make more of the music that they love, FML is a one-stop shop for sample-based productions and compositions for film and television. Frollen Music Library is Darvid Thor, Henry Jenkins and Hudson Whitlock, members of Melbourne’s thriving soul music community that makes up Karate Boogaloo, Surprise Chef and The Pro-Teens.

Tracklisting:

1. Lost 2. Chupa Chups 3. The Hands Of Time 4. Red And Blue And Green 5. Eff Emm Ell Baby 6. Numero Ono 7. Otta My Way 8. Zap 9. Humble Pie 10. Dreamz 11. Jet Pack 12. Machine Mind 13. Faded 14. Clear The Air 15. Unclearly 16. Darkness Falss 17. Dial Up 18. Running 19. Sei Cardigani di Bali 20. Skeleton Key 21. Day One 22. Lemon Tarts 23. Follow The Light 24. Top Down 25. Rock Candy 26. Senza Tutti 27. Snoozin 28. Emenee.

JUST IN - ESG - Keep On Moving (Fire Records)

Orange Vinyl LP £21.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Repressed LP on Neon Orange Vinyl, includes download card. It feels like someone left the light on in the studio and it all just ran itself, there had been a funky human input earlier in the day but, by a Darwinian machine-led kind of osmosis, the tracks recorded spent the wee small hours self-reducing and simplifying themselves. Marinated in music. “I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil,” said Truman Capote. ”Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” opined Leonardo da Vinci much earlier in proceedings. Yes, it’s the space around the object, what you leave out that makes what you leave in so important. ESG know this. Sure they can play the game but it’s the swagger of the groove and the minimal topping – like an anti-cup cake – that makes this unique New York sisterhood so appealing on ‘Keep On Moving’. Sampled on TV ads, lauded by critics and swooned over on the dancefloor, ESG’s post-punk took out the grunge and polished the basics. Cut them open and “less is more” is written all the way through. ‘Keep On Moving’ was released over ten years ago to much praise (Q said it was “even better” than 2002’s much loved ‘Step Off’).

ESG had been sparring partners for PiL and early hip hop and four years after the ‘Off’, they were onto something new – rhythm as core, reflective storylines about relationship management, sensuality and insanity gather around the bass fix but they’re much blurrier than the incessant beats. Inadvertently they unmask techno and glitch and leave out any kind of superfluous fluff. It’s hard and temple throbbing. Turn it up. And keep moving. “If there's one tune which sums up ESG's enduring lust for life, it's the beautifully-judged Black Flag/early techno crossover of the closing 'Gimme A Blast'.” The Guardian 5/5 // “This album's every percussive aspect has been honed to impart the maximum amount of pleasure.” The Observer // “Despite their influence on younger bands (you can hear LCD Soundsystem's knobbly grooves on ‘Insane’), ESG still sound like nothing else.” The Guardian

Tracklist:
1. Purely Physical 2. Keep On Moving 3. Insane (Tambourine Mix) 4. The Road 5. Id Do It For You 6. Everything Goes 7. Ex 8. Insane (Bass Mix) 9. Gimme A Blast

JUST IN - ESG - Come Away With (Fire Records)

Orange Vinyl LP £21.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Repressed LP on Neon Orange Vinyl. Come Away With ESG - 35-year anniversary release of the classic genre-busting debut album by the Bronx sisters ESG. The sample-friendly opus that’s the inspiration for hip-hop, house and post punk. Music that falls outside of the no wave, new wave and post punk library, it’s for the dance floor but it’s not funk, there’s no horns, no driving organ; it’s the opposite of Sly And The Family Stone but no less cool and no less groovy. “A lasting document of their unique brand of minimal funk that would influence subsequent post-punk, hip-hop, and dance music acts. Stripped down to the most basic of drumbeats and rudimentary bass lines, ‘Come Away’ confirms the notion that the real rhythm is what happens between the beats. AllMusic // “This is 5 dub disco with a punk edge.” Paste // “Uncut punk-funk straight off the streets of the South Bronx.” Record Collector // “ESG are that rare thing” Guardian // “Come Away with ESG sounds so shockingly current.” Paste // “A musical snapshot of New York City at the beginning of the '80s.” Allmusic //

Track Listing:
1. Come Away 2. Dance 3. You Make No Sense 4. Parking Lot Blues 5. Chistelle 6. About You 7. It’s Alright 8. Moody (Spaced Out) 9. Tiny Sticks 10. The Beat 11. My Love For You

JUST IN - ESG - Step Off (Fire Records)

Orange Vinyl LP £21.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Repressed LP on Neon Orange Vinyl. “ESG's fusion of sweet soul and punk attitude with an intuitive understanding of dance music remains.” The Guardian “This is still funk with an alien otherworldliness the likes of which George Clinton never envisioned, stripped to its barest essentials for maximum impact.” All Music “ESG are as cool as ever.” The Guardian Pumping their way out of the South Bronx of New York in the early 80s, this rhythm and dance-punk outfit made unforgettable funk that was also unusually rooted in post-punk. This powerhouse of raw and cutting edge music ultimately made them ahead of their time. ESG enjoyed success sharing stages with PiL and Gang Of Four and have been heavily sampled as many musicians including TLC, Wu-Tang Clan, Beastie Boys and Liars.

Tracklist:
1. Be Good To Me 2. Talk It 3. Its Not Me 4. Six Pack 5. Step Off 6. Sensual Intentions 7. My Street

JUST IN - Herman Kelly & Life - Percussion Explosion (Mr Bongo)

Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Percussion Explosion! was the brainchild of drummer, percussionist, producer and arranger, Herman Kelly and his percussive disco-funk group from Miami, 'Life', that featured Aaron McCarthy, Oliver Well, John DeMonica, Michal Cordoza and Travis Biggs. The album houses a collection of disco, funk and Latin-inspired cuts that were destined for greatness. Nestled within the grooves is the B-Boy and B-Girl's anthem, 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat', which contains a now legendary break. A cursory glance at Whosampled will show that it has been sampled in over 125+ songs. These include Double Dee & Steinski on their groundbreaking 1985 production 'Lesson 3 (History Of Hip Hop Mix)', as well as by DJ Shadow, N.W.A, Masters At Work, Run D.M.C. and a whole host of heavyweights across hip-hop, dance and pop music. When the album was released in 1978 it came out on two different labels, Alston Records and Electric Cat. Each label pressed different versions of 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat', with the former featuring a 4:12 version and the latter a longer 5:09 version that has a different structure, crowd noise at the start and overdubbed percussion.

For this Mr Bongo reissue, we have chosen the classic 4:12 version from the Alston Records release, which would later find its way on to the illustrious Ultimate Breaks & Beats compilation. To make matters even more confusing the Alston version art on the back cover also states the track length as 5:09, whilst the centre label lists it correctly as 4:12.

Aside from the much celebrated 'Dance To The Drummer's Beat', the album includes a range of other fantastic overlooked cuts. From the percussive soul stepper 'Share Your Love', to the beautiful Latin-favoured 'A Refreshing Love' or the party disco-funk groover 'Who's The Funky D.J.?'.

This wonderful and inspirational record features an important piece of hip- hop heritage and deserves a place in every collection.

Tracks:
1. Dance To The Drummer's Beat 2. Time After Time 3. A Refreshing Love 4. Who's The Funky D.J.? 5. Share Your Love 6. Do The Handbone

JUST IN - Les McCann - Layers (Get On Down)

Smoked Coloured Vinyl LP £24.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th February 2025

Starting in the late 60s, jazz music started to take an interesting, and very soulful turn. Influenced by the funk of the day – from James Brown to Sly & The Family Stone – the art form, generally not considered a funky musical genre, started to stretch out and fit into the times. It was a fertile era, and to reciprocate, funk, soul and groovy rock fans started to discover accomplished, open-minded jazz artists like Les McCann, whose tunes made sense to their ears, even if bebop hadn’t grabbed them.

This incredible album – long a favorite of forward-thinking hip-hop producers and DJs – washes over listeners from the first chords of the incredible album opener, “Sometimes I Cry,” led by McCann’s array of analog synthesizers and backed by an excellent rhythm section (Donald Dean on drums; Ralph McDonald on percussion and Jimmy Rowser on bass). Truth be told, highlights are hard to pick out, but fans never go long without returning to the fuzzed-out funk of “The Harlem Buck Strut Dance,” “Let’s Play (Til Mom Calls)” and “It Never Stopped In My Home- town.” These keyboard-drenched grooves sat alongside record stacks brimming with Stevie Wonder, Funkadelic, Marvin Gaye’s 70s soul and, of course, Miles Davis’ space funk experiments of the era (like Bitches Brew).

Tracklist:
A1. Sometimes I Cry A2. Let's Gather A3. Anticipation A4. The Dunbar High School Marching Band A5 . Soaring (At Dawn) Part 1 B1. The Harlem Buck Strut Dance B2. Interlude B3. Before I Rest B4. Let's Play (Til Mom Calls) B5. It Never Stopped In My Home Town B6. Soaring (At Sunset) Part 2

JUST IN - V/A - More Loving On the Flipside - Sweet Funk And Beat Heavy Blues 1968 - 1975 (Now-Again)

Vinyl LP £24.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th February 2025

This anthology follows Now-Again's Loving On The Flipside, issued more than a decade ago. And that anthology itself got its start in a different time, a decade even earlier - the era in which Now-Again's Egon and his friends chased down funk 45s and the odd LP for their testosterone riddled, aggressive sound. Often times the funk song on one of their chosen is would be the throw-away b-side, the hasty afterthought the band cobbled together the night before hitting - or while in - the studio because they'd put all of their energies into writing the amazing ballad that would ensure their entry in soul's history books.

Every once in a while, that funk song they coveted could have been - in an alternate universe - a ballad. The Third Guitar's "Baby Don't Cry," El Pooks* "I Could Do The Impossible" and Spider Harrison's "Beautiful Day" all fit into this category. That realization notwithstanding, more often than not they shined over the ballads to get to the tough stuff. Then they started flipping those funk records over to find some loving on the flip side. Some marvellous tunes were there to be found.

This is the long awaited follow up. Contained within this anthology are some of the greatest soul ballads that go sweet with a beat - or, to follow our tagline, epitomize "sweet funk." Most of these songs have never been compiled. Some have never been issued in any form. Some, like the Ledgends entry here, were sampled to great success (in that case for Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's "Deeper"). Some haven't been sampled, but, like Herb Johnson's entry, are patiently awaiting their day.

It should go without saying that we're proud to present this music in good conscience; with the full participation of everyone but the most obscure names contained within. And, for those who we've not yet been able to contact, this is our message: We've found your brethren, we've placed them beside you on an album that we hope you feel is befitting of your collective contri- butions to soul music and now we're just waiting for you. Though the music you recorded is from the years past, vour time is now.

Tracklist:
1.Del Jones - The Last Letter 2.Herb Johnson - Where Are You 3.Will You be There 4.Little Beaver - Do Right man 5.Soul Superiors - Trust In Me Baby 6.Outback - Strangers In Our Homeland 7.The Montecarlos - If You Leave 8.Words Of Wisdom - You Made Me Everything 9.Soul Charges - My Heart Beats For You 10.The Power Of Attorney - I'm Just Your Clown 11.James Reese - Throwing Stones (Kenny Dope Mix) 12.Richard Marks - I'm With You Love 13.Bonnie Floyd - You're My Everything 14.The Ledgends - A Fool For You 15.Apple & The Three Oranges - Moonlight

PRESALE - Surprise Chef - Superb (Big Crown)

Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
Tangerine Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
CD £10.99 Add to basket
Cassette £9.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 16th May 2025

Australia’s world-renowned cinematic soul outfit Surprise Chef return with new album Superb. A record that represents a change in their creative approach and turns up the heat in their music. Trading in their meticulous writing and recording techniques for a looser and less planned approach with the intentions of bringing more levity to the process, and it comes through in spades. The high caliber musicianship is still front and center, but they push their sound into a more energetic and fun place on this album.

Album opener “Sleep Dreams” is the closest thing to a Surprise Chef tune one would come to expect, but then lead single “Bully Ball” comes on and you get the picture that they came to kick in the door on this one. The song’s gritty drums thunder through the speakers and get covered with percussion, keys, bass, and guitar chanks that stay in the pocket and bring the funk with them. The band pushes the boundaries of arrangement with tunes like “Body Slam” that starts off like a sweet soul track then pulls a 180, turning dark and haunting, centering on a sound they created by tucking a timpani into a bathroom two doors down from the mixing board. That same sense of experimentation comes up again on “Fare Evader” where they pepper another neck breaking rhythm track with synth notes that sound like robot sound effects from a 70s sci-fi film. The fellas turn up the tempo for the dance with tunes like “Consulate Case” and “Tag Dag”; the former pulling influence from afro-funk and the latter from jazz-funk.

They take us deep into the beautiful world of Surprise Chef ballads on “Websites” and double down on their abilities to make beautiful and ethereal tracks with “Dreamer’s Disease”.

With their new album Superb, their new approach, and plans to tour the world, we are about to see Surprise Chef take the step from the underground’s most beloved to a household name and we are definitely here for it.

Tracklisting:

SIDE A:
Sleep Dreams Bully Ball Body Slam Consulate Case Dangerous Websites

SIDE B:
Fare Evader Tag Dag Plumb Tuckered Dreamer’s Disease Slippery Dip

PRESALE - Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek - Yarin Yoksa (Big Crown)

Vinyl LP £20.99 Add to basket
Purple Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
CD £10.99 Add to basket
Cassette £9.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 14th March 2025

Big Crown Records is proud to present Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek’s latest album Yarin Yoksa. The show stopping intensity of Derya backed by the psychedelic soul of Grup ?im?ek with production by Leon Michels has yielded a stand out record that challenges genre with a broad appeal and a powerful message.

They refer to themselves as “outernational” over international as they say it suggests a sound that’s more inclusive or “beyond borders.” Derya, who sings and plays the baglama, is German born to Turkish parents. Drummer Helen Wells is Berlin-based by way of South Africa while keyboard player Graham Mushnik and guitar/bass player Antonin Voyant are both French. The collective influences they bring to Anatolian music make for a completely unique and fresh sound that both pushes the genre forward and champions its rich heritage. Yarin Yoksa which translates to If There Is No Tomorrow delves into deeply personal pain and collective resistance with a central thread of loss, longing, and hope for change running throughout. The lyrics are poetic and rely heavily on symbolic language, metaphors, and storytelling while the music shifts track to track making each tune stand out on its own but work together perfectly as an album.

“Cool Hand”, the first single released on Big Crown in September of 2024, is a beautiful juxtaposition of intensity and light-heartedness over a thoroughly infectious groove. The message is poetic and complicated, repeatedly declaring “I love you, I’m crazy about you” but ultimately finding a sense of peace through accepting a broken heart. “Direne Direne” is a protest song that embodies the struggle and tireless pursuit of justice encouraging people to resist oppression.

Derya’s lyrics soar over the psych-soul musical backdrop as her story of personal struggle transforms to a universal call for resilience and strength. The slow and weighty vibe of “Yakamoz” lets onto the meaning of the lyrics even to those who don’t understand Turkish. It is a deeply moving song that captures the profound emotions connected to displacement and loss without knowing if you will ever return. The steady groove of the band, along with the anguished vocals paint a vivid picture of the devastation experienced by the protagonist who ultimately realizes that her roots are within her and anywhere she goes is her home.

Nine of the tunes on the album are original compositions but they also take on three Anatollian folk songs with their own inimitable approach. The acapella introduction of “Misket”, a folk song from Ankara/Türkiye, will stop you in your tracks. The tune deals with death and how the living cope and continue a relationship with those who have passed away. Another traditional tune from Sivas that they put their signature sound to is “Hop Bico”, a tune about a playful character named Bico who is a symbol of vitality and spirit. The synth intro grabs your ear from the first note and the earworm chorus encouraging Bico to lead the group in celebration and embrace life through dance has the same effect on everyone who hears it.

The band has taken a big step forward that you can hear on this record. Derya’s passion and authenticity is front and centre and the music is too moving to deny. Yarin Yoksa is sure to captivate the hearts and minds of all those who hear it, and just wait till you hear them play it live…

Tracklist:

SIDE A: 1 Çiçek Açiyor 2 Cool Hand 3 Yakamoz 4 Hop Bico 5 Bilemedim Ki

SIDE B: 6 Yüz Yüze 7 Istanbul’un Kuslari 8 Direne Direne 9 Ceylan 10 Misket 11 Günes

JUST IN - Jimi Tenor & Cold Diamond & Mink - Summer Of Synesthesia (Timmion Records)

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Transparent Vinyl 7 £10.49 Add to basket

The single release from Jimi Tenor's second thematic album on Timmion Records offers two very different moods. "Summer of Synesthesia" takes us back to those dreamy summer days, a natural overpour of sensations mixing together, sounds becoming colors before turning into flavors. Synthesizers grow into delicate layers over Cold Diamond & Mink's rhythm, and when your heart can hardly bear the beauty of it all, Tenor's soft lyric places the cherry on top. "Tsicroxe" on the flipside couldn't be more different, kicking into gear with a demonic organ arpeggio that sounds like you've just been dropped into a Dario Argento scene.

Even though the familiar funk from Cold Diamond & Mink eases the dread a bit, when Tenor busts in with the eerie flute solo, the ritual closes in on its conclusion. The contents of the backwards vocal bits at the end shall be saved for your turntable so make sure to rewind that track, selector! Also Available From Jimi Tenor & Cold Diamond & Mink: Is There Love In Outer Space? 7", Gaia Sunset 7", Is There Love In Outer Space? LP / CD. The single takes listeners on a sonic journey: “Summer of Synesthesia” flows with warm, dreamlike beauty, while “Tsicroxe” dives into intense, mysterious depths, showcasing Tenor’s dynamic range. Blending synth layers with Cold Diamond & Mink’s classic funk rhythms, both tracks bring elements of 70s soundtrack-style tension and ethereal soul, appealing to fans of both cosmic grooves and suspenseful soundscapes. Tenor’s layered synthesizers, haunting flute, and even backward vocal elements add a captivating texture, making “Summer of Synesthesia” b/w “Tsicroxe” a must-have for fans of genre-blending, atmospheric music.

Tracklist:
Side A: 1. Summer of Synesthesia. Side B: 2. Tsicroxe

JUST IN - Slum Village – F.U.N (Ne'astra Group)

Coloured Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

The latest full length album from Detroit mainstays Slum Village, F.U.N., has now made its way to vinyl.

The 12-track project is their first album in nearly ten years and includes fresh collaborations with Larry June, Cordae, Eric Roberson, Robert Glasper , Karriem Riggins, Abstract Orches- tra, Sango, Phat Kat, Daru Jones, Earlly Mac, The Dramatics and more. 2015's critically acclaimed Yes! further cemented T3 and Young RJ's ability to effectively carry on the legacy of the seminal rap group, retaining its essence while evolving its sound with fresh new energy.

However, with last year's sold out tour in Europe, and the release of the Larry June and The Dramatics-assisted "Just Like You", it was revealed that the duo was back in the lab together working on a new Slum Village album. F.U.N. finds Slum Village expanding on their signature certain sound, but still staying close to their hometown roots: Young RJ explains- “We wanted to just try something new, so we focused on making Disco-inspired music,” and T3 notes that the record- ing process all “began with collecting old Disco records.” For fans who wonder why the sonic shift, and why the long hiatus between proper albums, T3 says “Slum is still here. We’re still relevant and we’re still trying to push the envelope. Sometimes people put too many rules on music, and without sounding cliche, we wanted to just have fun with [this album].” F.U.N., indeed.

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1. Welcome (feat. Brittney Carte) A2. All Live (feat. Abstract Orchestra) A3. All Live Pt. 2 (feat. Sango, Phat Kat, & Daru Jones) A4. To The Disco (feat. Abstract Orchestra) A5. Yeah Yeah (feat. Karriem Riggins) A6. Just Like You (feat. Larry June & The Dramatics) A7. F.U.N.

Side B:
B1. Request (feat. Abstract Orchestra & Earlly Mac) B2. So Superb (feat. Cordae & Earlly Mac) B3. Keep Dreaming (feat. Karriem Riggins & Fat Ray) B4. Factor (feat. Elijah Fox & Eric Roberson) B5. Since 92 (feat. Robert Glasper)

JUST IN - Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Pinata (Madlib Invasion)

10th Anniversary Splatter Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

Pinata - 10 Year Anniversary Edition Is Presented In A Green In Clear with Black & White Splatter Pressing Housed In An Variant Cover With A Collectable 24” x 24” Poster.

Pinata, the collaborative effort of famed producer Madlib and rapper Freddie Gibbs, changed the course for these two musical mavericks.

For its 10 year anniversary the project was issued with a fresh variant cover with the pressing being a half speed lacquered version of this hip hop classic..

Tracklist:

Side A:
A1.Supplier • A2. Scarface A3. Deeper • A4. High (feat. Danny Brown) A5. Harold’s • A6. Bomb (feat. Raekwon) A7. Shitsville • A8. Thuggin’ A9. Real • A10. Uno

Side B:
B1. Robes (feat. Domo Genesis & Earl Sweatshirt) B2. Broken (feat. Scarface) B3. Lakers (feat. Ab-Soul & Polyester the Saint) B4. Knicks • B5. Shame (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) B6. Watts (feat. Big Time Watts) B7. Pinata (ft. Domo Genesis, G-Wiz, Casey Veggies, Sulaiman, Meechy Darko, & Mac Miller)

JUST IN - Curren$y & Monstabeatz - Radioactive (Next Records)

Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

After collaborating on dozens of records over the years, Curren$y and MonstaBeatz teamed up for Radioactive, their second ever full-length project. Both hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, the Jet Life lyricist and producer duo have built a steady catalog including their first acclaimed collaborative effort This Ain't No Mixtape released in 2009. Radioactive features 12 new tracks with additional guest appearances by Jay Worthy, Fiend and DeeLow Diamond Man.

Tracklist:

Side A: A1. News Report A2. There I Go A3. Where the Monstaz Be A4. Pull Up, Hop Out A5. Blade (feat. Jay Worthy) A6. News Report, Pt. 2

Side B: B1. The Groove (Interlude) B2. Fill In Da Blanks (feat. Fiend) B3. Bag Talk (feat. DeeLow Diamond Man) B4. Connecting The Dots B5. Spring Rolls (feat. Fiend)

JUST IN - Ol’ Dirty Bastard - N***a Please (Get On Down)

Yellow And Clear Vinyl LP £40.99 Add to basket

Ol' Dirty Bastard aka Ason Unique, real name Russell Jones, was truly a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-imitated emcee. As one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard released his classic RZA-produced debut solo album Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version in 1995. After the release of Wu-Tang Forever in '97, ODB had several run-ins with the law and was in and out of court and jail, but it didn't stop him from being himself. ODB got back in the studio in 1999 to record his second studio album and with a little help from The Neptunes dropped the hit single "Got Your Money." The video for the single was cut with scenes from Dolemite and one scene inspired the name of the album N***a Please which was released on Sept 14th, 1999, and would unfortunately be the last album to be released during Ol' Dirty Bastard's lifetime. The album is full of ODB's lyrical antics backed by a crew of producers including the RZA and Wu-Tang affiliated Tru Master and Buddah Monk along with The Neptunes and Irv Gotti.

Out of print on vinyl since it was released 25 years ago, Get On Down is proud to honor the legacy of Ol' Dirty Bastard with a translucent yellow smoke and clear with smoke-colored vinyl pressing packaged in a gatefold jacket witha 25th Anniversary hype sticker.

Tracklist:

A1. Recognize (feat. Chris Rock) • A2. I Can't Wait • A3. Cold Blooded •
B1. Got Your Money (feat. Kelis) B2. Rollin' Wit You • B3. Gettin' High (feat. 12 O'Clock, La The Darkman & Shorty Shit Stain) B4 . You Don't Want F**k With Me •
C1. N***a Please • C2. Dirt Dog C3. I Want P***y •
D1. Good Morning Heartache (feat. Lil' Mo) • D2. All In Together Now • D3. Cracker Jack

JUST IN - Nyron Higor - Nyron Higor (Far Out Recordings)

White Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Born in Maceio, Higor's latest work is rooted in the traditions of Northeastern Brazilian music and golden- era MPB. Within the peaceful surroundings of his home, Higor weaves these roots together with global influences and contemporary production techniques, for a uniquely dreamlike vision of hope. Following the success of his self released debut Fio de Lamina--an instrumental record of delicately balanced rhythmic and harmonic patterns, which earned support from tastemakers like Mr. Scruff, Gilles Peterson, and John Gomez. Higor's new album is a move towards a more expansive, lyrical exploration of transcendence and triumph. As Higor explains, "This album is a test of resistance and a big event in my life as a young Black man from the Northeast and coming from a humble background, financially speaking, its context is political."

Taking his demos and unfinished tracks to Sao Paulo, Higor worked alongside friends and collaborators from Brazil's vibrant contemporary music scene-- including fellow Maceioense artists Bruno Berle, Batata Boy, and New York- based Brazilian vocalist Alici Sol--assembling a rich musical landscape and a cutting edge development on the musical world from which he emerges. This album is a testament to the timeless themes that defne Higor's artistry, as well as his creative drive to overcome the obstacles he faces. Conveying his feelings of jubilance for his work, Higor notes, "This work is liberating, contemplative and victorious!" Each track invites the listener to experience the raw intimacy, the joy and longing, and the otherworldly ingenuity of Brazilian music, which seems to endlessly keep us coming back for more.

Tracklist:

1. Ciranda 2. Louro Cantador 3. Demo Love 4. Sao So Palavras 5. Estou Pensando Em Voce 6. Maravilhamento 7. Som 24 8. Pizzicato 9. Eu Te Amo 10. Me Vestir De Voce (Feat. Johanna)

JUST IN - Carmike - Comin' At Yo Ass (Now-Again Records)

Galaxy Vinyl LP £28.99 Add to basket

Available in a galaxy emerald coloured vinyl pressing with a 12-page booklet. The next release in Now Again's Memphis Rap series is comin At Yo Ass presented on vinyl for the first time ever. Slithering nightmare raps recorded between carjackings and robberies, the only album by Carmike. This is part of Now Again Records multiple LP series on the History of Memphis Rap, which attempts to capture Memphis and its underground rap scene as it began to produce some of the most distinctive music of the 90s.

This was a unique hip-hop strain - visceral and often vicious. It was a local, low-fi, cassette-tape based movement - yet it went on to change the course of rap music. These albums have never been pressed on vinyl - until now. From Skinny Pimp and Carmike to Gangsta Blac and Shawty Pimp, these albums have been relegated to the proverbial bins of history and bootlegged, with unofficial copies still fetching top dollar on the secondary market. These albums were all licensed directly from their original creators, and come on limited edition colored vinyl with artist-approved imagery for their first LP iterations. You can read the story of the Memphis Rap scene in a 12-page, oversized booklet with notes by Torii MacAdams. It captures the story of Memphis rap starting with the city’s founding and ending with an auto supply shop that sold these albums over the counter, with all points in between.

Tracklist:
A1. Intro A2. Comin’ At Yo Ass A3. Let’s Run A Train (feat. Lil Noid) A4. Dedications A5. Side A Outro B1. Ridin Thru The Hood (feat. 211) B2. Gangsta Shit B3. Smokin’ (feat. DJ Paul And Kingpin Skinny Pimp)

JUST IN - Smoke DZA & Benny The Butcher - Statue Of Limitations (Nature Sounds)

Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

More than a decade into his career, Harlem emcee Smoke DZA has become one of hip-hop’s most recognizable voices. Vividly narrating his own remarkable lifestyle with slick wordplay, DZA has amassed an unprecedented catalog for an independent artist, with more than 40 projects to his name featuring the likes of Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Action Bronson, Ty Dolla $ign, ScHoolboy Q, Cam’ron, Wale, and more. A key member of burgeoning Buffalo collective Griselda Records, Benny The Butcher is a formidable lyricist known for powerful flows and complex punchlines steeped in his real criminal past. In recent years, Benny has continued his ascent, signing with iconic label Def Jam and releasing a series of acclaimed studio albums featuring collaborations with Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Big Sean, and more.

In 2019, Smoke DZA and Benny The Butcher linked for the joint project Statue Of Limitations, entirely produced by the legendary Pete Rock. The union of three supremely talented artists drew immediate attention online, leading to coverage from outlets like Complex, Okayplayer, The Fader, HipHopDX, RapRadar, Stereogum, Hypebeast, and more. Finding genuine chemistry over Pete’s raw instrumentation, DZA and Benny deliver a cohesive exploration of Empire State street life on this memorable collection, which features appearances by Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Styles P. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of its release, Statue Of Limitations is now available on vinyl for the first time in years, complete with the previously unavailable Pete Rock instrumentals.

Tracklist:
1. By Any Means 2. Bullets (feat. Conway The Machine) 3. Smoked & Butchered (feat. Styles P) 4. 7:30 (feat. Westside Gunn) 5. Drug Rap 6. Toast 7. By Any Means (Instrumental) 8. Bullets (Instrumental) 9. Smoked & Butchered (Instrumental) 10. 7:30 (Instrumental) 11. Drug Rap (Instrumental).

JUST IN - Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca And The Soul Brother (Get On Down)

Clear Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

Pete Rock And CL Smooth’s full-length debut is presented here as a double lp pressed on clear vinyl! Get On Down proudly present Mecca And The Soul Brother, the critically acclaimed 1992 full-length debut from Pete Rock & CL Smooth. The album is considered as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time. Boasting tracks such as the first single, “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”, a dedication to their deceased friend; “Trouble T-Roy”, which went on to become not only their signature hit, but also one of Hip Hop’s all-time great songs. The album is propelled forward by Rock’s quick, soulful interludes; usually bits of old R&B tunes layered with his signature trumpet and sax loops. Smooth’s liquid freestyle delivery pieces together the perfect vocal match that, together, creates a sprawling, nearly 80-minute-long album on which not a single song or interlude is a throwaway or a superfluous piece. Mecca And The Soul Brother has stood the test of time. The release has been named one of the essential recordings of the 90s by Rolling Stone, appears on Ego Trips listing of the Top 25 Hip Hop albums released from 1980-1998, and appeared on The Source’s 100 Greatest Rap Albums of all time.

Tracks:
A1. Return Of The Mecca A2. For Pete’s Sake A3. Ghettos Of The Mind A4. Lots Of Lovin A5. Act Like You Know B1. Straighten It Out B2. Soul Brother #1 B3. Wig Out B4. Anger In The Nation B5. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) C1. On And On C2. It’s Like That C3. Can’t Front On Me C4. The Creator (Remix) D1. Mecca And The Soul Brother (Remix) D2. The Basement D3. If It Ain’t Rough, It Ain’t Right D4. Skinz

JUST IN - Pete Rock & Cl Smooth - The Main Ingredient (Get On Down)

Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

So reads CL Smooth’s album dedication in the liners to Pete Rock & CL’s underrated, soulful and deeply grooving sophomore album. For fans, it was bittersweet, as it would be their last as a duo. By 1994, Pete and CL were darlings of both fans and critics, still on a high after 1992’s Mecca & The Soul Brother and the album’s emotional smash single “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).” Two years later, they had grown even more as men and artists. Gone was some of the righteous striving of their earlier work, replaced by mature – yet still righteous – wisdom. And a lot more love as well, bringing a larger female constituency into their fanbase. They were adults now, reveling in the plateau they had reached.

The duo’s ‘90s swan song is a powerful double album that still resonates with Golden Era hip-hop fans: 16 cuts deep and full of intelligence, fire and warmth. Beats-per-minute-wise, the album mostly clocks at a comfortable strutting pace, bolstered by Pete Rock’s pioneering use of filtered basslines and a recently- hatched obsession with Rhodes piano. The new tracks filled speakers and headphones with soul, as CL continued to assert his lyrical prowess all throughout. The lead single, “I Got A Love,” is a perfect example of the group’s ‘94 steez: a super-catchy and respectful, but far-from-soft love track, suitable for any rap fan’s romantic needs. “Take You There” and “Carmel City” cover similar ground. Considering CL Smooth’s top-level brag rapper status, cuts like “I Get Physical,” “Get On The Mic” and “Check It Out” effectively reminded competitors not to test him. Pete also gets in the game on the mic several times on the album, acquitting himself nicely (and solo) on the cloudy day soul of “Escape,” alongside other cuts. Add more pensive lyrical forays like “All The Places,” “Searching,” and – perhaps the album’s sleeper cut – “It’s On You” and you have one of the more complete rap full-lengths of the mid-1990s. This isn’t surprising, considering the wonder twins-esque skills of Pete and CL. But it does make fans wonder what would have happened if they had stayed together longer.

Tracks:
A1. In The House A2. Carmel City A3. I Get Physical A4. Sun Won’t Come Out B1. I Got Love B2. Escape B3. The Main Ingredient B4. Worldwide C1. All The Places C2. Tell Me C3. Take You There C4. Searching D1. Check It Out D2. In The Flesh D3. It’s On You D4. Get On The Mic

PRESALE - Coke - Coke (Mr Bongo)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th March 2025

It's a heavy hit of Miami Latin-funk, dosed up with psychedelic garage rock and gritty soul excellence, making for an intoxicating blend of styles and genres on this highly sought-after LP.

Predominately sung in English, Coke's only album under this moniker is a sumptuous melting pot of influences, tied together with bright funk drumming, flavourful organs and zesty horns. With a garage band attitude and sensibility, the lineup consisted of Paul Garcia on guitar, Ariel Hernandez on bass, Ruben Perez on drums, Jose Rubio on the keys, a host of guest horn players and Peter Fernandez on vocals, whose tone and delivery was often mistaken for that of a woman.

Produced by Mato, the record and band were well-received in Miami and Southern Florida at the time. Due to a lack of promotion outside of Florida and the threat of a lawsuit from the Coca- Cola corporation for usage of their name, the band fell into relative obscurity, becoming Opus following the dispute. They say the cream always rises to the top though, with Coke being rediscovered by diggers and collectors searching for a rare groove.

One of the standout cuts on the album 'Na Na' was recently featured on the soundtrack to the Netflix drama 'Griselda' (a biopic of Miami/ Cuban crime boss Griselda Blanco). Other highlights include the crooner- jazz-rock 'Got to Touch Your Face', the psych ballad 'You Turn Me On' with a guitar line reminiscent of The Doors, and the Latin-rock groover, 'Te Amo Mas'.

Coke is a sensational crossover record, that draws from a sea of different influences. Fans of early Santana, garage-pysch, Nu Yorican and Latin-funk productions should all investigate this cherished album - it will have something for you.

Tracklist:
1. Na Na 2. You Turn Me On 3. Got To Touch Your Face 4. Que Seria De Mi 5. Bun Bun Bun 6. Bang Bang 7. Sabor A Mi 8. Te Amo Mas 9. Nuestro Amor 10. Quiero Decirte

PRESALE - Kid Acne - Totemic Template (Edna & Friends Vol. 1) (Invisable Spies)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: End February 2025

This is the seventh KID ACNE studio album and fourth project produced by Chicago MoonBap specialist, SPECTACULAR DIAGNOSTICS. Featuring a wide range of heavyweight guest emcees, including: BEZ (Revival Season), CAPPO, CISE GREENY, DAP ZINI, FATBOI SHARIF, JEHST, JUICE ALEEM, JUNIOR DISPROL, KING KASHMERE, MIKE LADD, NEW KINGDOM, SONNYJIM and VANDALSAVAGE.

Tracklist: 1.GOONGALA (feat. NEW KINGDOM) 2.AHEAD OF THE CURVE (feat. KING KASHMERE) 3.INFINITE REGRESSION 4.CERBERUS NEBULA (feat. CISE GREENY and DAP ZINI) 5.I'M RIGHT HERE (feat. JEHST) 6.MIND IN MOTION (feat. FATBOI SHARIF) 7.BABA GANOUSH (feat. VANDAL SAVAGE and JUNIOR DISPROL) 8.INCONCEIVABLE (feat. CAPPO) 9.BUGGIN' IN THE NIGHT (feat. BEZ) 10.THOSE ONES (feat. SONNYJIM) 11.FORMER WORLDS 12.MUTANT CRATE (feat. KING KASHMERE, MIKE LADD and JUICE ALEEM)

PRESALE - Arthur Verocai - Encore (Far Out Recordings)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

In the mid-2000's, following on from Marcos Valle, Joyce and of course Azymuth, Arthur Verocai joined the long- line of Brazilian musicians whose music was to be introduced to a whole new legion of fans by Far Out. The story of 'Encore' of course begins with Joe Davis, Far Out's head honcho who stumbled upon Arthur's debut in a dusty record store in downtown Rio in the late 80s. At the time of its release in 1972 critics panned Arthur's debut and both the album and artist subsequently vanished into obscurity. Fast forward to winter 2004 and Joe's at the studio of Far Out Recording artists Harmonic 313 - aka production duo Mark 'Troubleman' Pritchard and Dave Brinkworth - playing them some of his favourite Brazilian albums. Dave recalls the moment Joe put on Arthur's debut, "As soon as the needle hit the record and we heard the fantastic arrangements, songs and sounds, Arthur completely blew our minds".

Three months later and Dave was in Brazil with Arthur Verocai, and the plans for what was to become 'Encore' were being laid down. Produced by Dave, 'Encore' sees Arthur on incredible form, the 35 plus years between the recording of his debut and this the follow-up just melting away as Arthur picked up the (conductor's) baton once again to create 11 epic tracks of stirring samba-soul and experimental cinematic movements that sees him creating a record to rival his debut.

Born in Rio de Janeiro on 17 June 1945, Arthur Verocai began his professional music career in 1969 and over the next few years he was responsible for the orchestration of albums by Ivan Lins, Jorge Benjor, Elizeth Cardoso, Gal Costa, Quarteto em Cy, MPB 4 and Marcos Valle, among others. In the 1970s he was hired by Brazil's biggest TV station, TV Globo, as musical director and wrote the arrangements for many of the stations biggest shows. In 1972, following the success Arthur had with the production of Ivan Lins 1971 album "Agora", Arthur recorded his self- titled debut album on Continental Records. 'Arthur Verocai' challenged the musical conventions of the day, combining Brazilian influences with folksy soul and lo-f electronic experimentations of American artists like Shuggie Otis or the orchestration of producer Charles Stepney.

Tracklist:
1. Bis 2. Caminho Da Roca 3. Dona Das Meninas 4. Eu Quero Paz 5. Abertura 6. Tupa Tupi 7. Sucuri 8. Amor Na Contra Mao 9. Tudo De Bom 10. Filhos 11. Preludio

PRESALE - Diamond D - The Diam Piece 3: DUO (Dymond Mine Records)

Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st March 2025

Diamond D is apart of the legendary collective Digging In The Crates. This is the 2nd instalment of Diamond D's The Diam Piece 3 series: DUO. Vol. 3 is broken down into 3 separate parts with DUO being the 2nd of 3 parts. With Diamond on the tracks, Duo boasts features from B-Real, Everlast, Camp Lo, Nems, Sadat X, Tek, Prayah, Saigon, Tons, Kid Capri, Doo Wop, Da Inphamus Amadeuz, Kardinal Offishall, Peedi Crakk, Chip Fu, Shortee Sha, Reef Hustle, Junk, 4-Ize, Focus..., Lady Luck, Camari & Boog Brown.

Tracklist:
1.I'm Not Crazy, 2. T.S.N.Y., 3. My DJ Spits Betta Than U, 4. Casket Fresh, 5. Get With It, 6. Hyenas, 7. Weed, Sex And Cars, 8. It's Up 2 Me, 9. Ride The Wave, 10. Keep On Steppin'

JUST IN - A Tribe Called Quest - Hits, Rarities & Remixes (Sony)

Reissue Vinyl 2LP £24.49 Add to basket

Originally released on June 17, 2003, Hits, Rarities & Remixes from A Tribe Called Quest features some of the groups biggest hits, as well as two previously unreleased in songs in Mr. Incognito and The Night He Got Caught.

Track Listing:

A1 Oh My God (Remix) A2 Award Tour A3 Can I Kick It? A4 One, Two, Shit
B1 Electric Relaxation B2 Mr. Incognito B3 I Left My Wallet In El Segundo B4 Check The Rhyme B5 Lyrics To Go (Tumblin Dice Remix)
C1 Scenario C2 Same Ol' Thing C3 Buggin' Out C4 Bonita Applebum
D1 Jazz (We've Got) D2 Glamour & Glitz D3 Clap Your Hands D4 The Night He Got Caught D5 Peace, Prosperity & Paper

JUST IN - A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes & Life (Sony)

Reissue Vinyl 2LP £24.49 Add to basket

Beats, Rhymes and Life is the fourth studio album from the prolific group A Tribe Called Quest. Originally released on July 30, 1996, the album introduced collaborations with producers that added a new element to the Tribe's sound.

Track Listing:

A1 Phony Rappers A2 Get A Hold A3 Motivators
B1 Jam B2 Crew B3 The Pressure B4 1nce Again (featuring Tammy Lucas)
C1 Mind Power C2 The Hop C3 Keeping It Moving C4 Baby Phife's Return
D1 Separate / Together D2 What Really Goes On D3 Word Play D4 Stressed Out (featuring Faith Evans)

PRESALE - Dead Prez - Let's Get Free (Sony)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st March 2025

Double vinyl LP pressing. Let's Get Free was the debut studio album by hip-hop duo Dead Prez, originally released in 2000. Critically acclaimed upon its release, Let's Get Free was called a "return to politically conscious rap" and, "the most politically conscious rap since Public Enemy"; the duo's messages also earned them favorable comparisons with Brand Nubian, The Coup, Def Jef and X-Clan. The album's lyrics, performed in front of sparse beats are startlingly direct, militant, and confrontational. M-1 and stic.man excoriates the media, the music industry, politicians, and poverty, and urge their target audience to study socialism and ideas of black power. Rolling Stone gave the album four stars and lauded its equation of "classrooms with jail cells, the projects with killing fields and everything from water to television with conduits for brainwashing by the system".

SIDE A:
A1. Wolves (Intro) A2.I'm a African A3.They School A4.Hip-Hop A5.Police State (feat. Chairman Omali Yeshitela)

SIDE B:
B1.Behind Enemy Lines B2.Assassination B3.Mind Sex B4.We Want Freedom B5.Be Healthy

SIDE C:
C1.Discipline C2.Psychology C3.Happiness C4.Animal In Man

SIDE D:
D1.You'll Find a Way D2.It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop (feat. Tahir And Peoples Army) D3.Propaganda D4.The Pistol (feat. Maintain of Illegal Tendencies) (feat. Maintain of Illegal Tendencies)

PRESALE - Jimi Tenor & Cold Diamond & Mink - July Blue Skies (Timmion Records)

Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
Violet Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 25th April 2025

Embark on a funky synth-drenched journey as the cosmic count Jimi Tenor reunites with Timmion Records’ soul architects Cold Diamond & Mink for yet another album. When placed side by side with the fellows’ recent effort “Is There Love In Outer Space? “July Blue Skies” glides on a slightly more raw and mystical plane.

Crafted over fiery sessions between Tenor and Cold Diamond & Mink, this vinyl release offers six soul-grasping tracks ranging from mellow groove to soundtrack funk. The album’s opening title song kicks off with an extended analog synth intro which eventually develops into a sweet romantic invocation, painting a sonic canvas reminiscent of a boundless summer sky. The most vocal tune of this quite instrumental set of songs “Sky Train Baby” propels the listener on a locomotive ride through the star systems while “Venus of Barsoon” with its drum breaks and fuzz sounds blast you straight into sci fi movie funk territory.

The album’s B-side opens with “Ikuchi,” where Tenor’s always trusted flute and tenor sax take the spotlight over the slinky library beats. Closing the album we discover two single releases, the sublime “Summer Of Synesthesia” and the demonic “Tsicroxe” both completely worthy to hear sequenced inside this album as well. This album might be just the Spring jam that you needed in your life.

Tracklist:

Side A: 1. July Blue Skies 2. Sky Train Baby 3. Venus Of Barsoon

Side B: 1. Ikuchi 2. Summer Of Synesthesia 3. Tsicroxe

JUST IN - Farma G - How To Kill A Butterfly (High Focus Records)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket
Orange Vinyl LP £27.99 Add to basket

We are delighted to announce Farma G’s debut solo album ‘How To Kill A Butterfly’ is scheduled for release January 31, 2025 on High Focus Records. An opus across 13-tracks, steeped in classic Task Force energies but also very much rooted in the now, ‘How To Kill A Butterfly’ ranks high on Farma’s illustrious discography...

“I had hung up my microphone pretty soon after Task Force had finished recording MFTC5 in 2013. I still dabbled, and did features for anyone who asked but for the most part my time as an MC seemed to have passed. As the years rolled by I grew more focussed on producing and working with rappers from the UK and USA like Conway the Machine, Rome Streetz, Mach Hommy, ILL BILL and Vinnie Paz, however, I was unsatisfied. Something was missing... I have always been very competitive as a rapper, going by the old rules of ‘I’m better than you, I’m the king, I am the best’ and I began to have those feelings again. I wasn’t impressed by what I heard coming from the UK rap community so I dusted off the pen, bought a new writing pad and began to write again. At first it was just fragmented poetry and nonsensical words jumbled together, but slowly it began to come back to me. The concept behind ‘How To Kill A Butterfly’ is connected to my roots with Task Force and the end of that particular journey. Task Force fans will be familiar with tracks such as ‘Butterfly Concerto’, ‘Butterfly Reprise’ and ‘Butterfly Effect’. The title of my new album is symbolic of the end of an era and the rebirth of a new one. Throughout this album I have strived to establish a connection to a time and place that made me feel like I was alive and excited to write, thrilled to have people hear what I had cooked up and most of all proud to be able to say ‘I belong here’. I want people to hear this record for what it is...a Farma G record..

My connection to the past and all things that have come before this moment are always kept close enough for me to ground myself firmly in this scene but the future holds so many new and exciting twists and turns and this is the start of that journey. I am not trying to keep up, I’m trying to take it back; not ‘back in time’ but ‘back to where it belongs’...

Tracklist:
01 - Cats and Dogs 02 - Bearskin Coats 03 - Junkyard 04 - Say It How You See It 05 - Classic Tech 06 - Here Come The Gods 07 - Peet 08 - In Between The Lines 09 - Found That Funny 10 - Angels 11 - Me Oh My 12 - Goat Shit Feat. Jehst 13 - The Start And End

PRESALE- Quasimoto - Yessir Whatever (Stones Throw Records)

Silver Vinyl LP £35.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st February 2025

Quasimoto first came to life on Madlib's personal beat tapes in the producer’s early years in Oxnard CA - private music, not meant for release, made for himself and a small circle of local smokers and their car stereos. The ‘bad character’ MC alter ego of producer Madlib, Quasimoto released two albums on Stones Throw in the early 2000s: the underground hip-hop cult classic ‘The Unseen’ (2000) and ‘The Further Adventures of Lord Quas’ (2005).

‘The Unseen’ was among the new decade’s first sleeper hits, ranking on Spin’s year end list at a time when the producer and label were unknown outside hip-hop DJ circles. ‘The Further Adventures of Lord Quas’ continued to build Madlib’s reputation as one of the most creative and fearlessly skewed creators in hip-hop. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Madlib has collaborated with Four Tet, Freddie Gibbs, J Dilla (as Jaylib), and most famously with MF DOOM (as Madvillain). ‘Yessir Whatever’ collects 12 Quasimoto tracks recorded over a roughly twelve-year period. The album is now released in a new silver vinyl edition, with a silver foil peel-off sticker revealing Quasimoto’s guts.

Tracklisting:
Broad Factor | Seasons Change | The Front | Youngblood | Astronaut | Planned Attack | Brothers Can’t See Me | Catchin’ The Vibe | Am I Confused? | Sparkdala | Green Power | LAX to JFK

JUST IN - Confucius MC & Bastien Keb – Songs For Lost Travellers (Native Rebel)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

South London rapper Confucius MC returns to Shabaka Hutchings’ Native Rebel Recordings for a new project alongside producer and multi-instrumentalist Bastien Keb. Merging unexplored pathways between rap, folk, and jazz into a spiritual triumvirate, Songs For Lost Travellers, set for release on February 7th 2025, is an album unlike any either artist has made previously, possibly unlike any record in existence.

Honest and direct, the duo imbue Songs For Lost Travellers with knowledge and truth from their lived experiences. There is grief hidden in the notes, an inherent sadness that is balanced with an awareness that grief is a protest against the social machinery of remaining numb. The record lingers in a meditative state, unafraid of restlessness and embracing solitude, with the expectation that peace is just as imminent as death.

Neither Con nor Keb bothered much with the professional studio in making Songs For Lost Travellers. Instead, they opted for the raw state of their home recordings and first takes, matching the intimacy of being alone and reflective in their creative energies. Room static on ‘Tell Me Lies’ makes it feel like you’ve entered their apartments. The immediacy continues on ‘Gutters’, as Keb plays guitar while watching the tele and Con hums along to the vocal melody in search of the proper pocket for his verse.

More drawn to Keb’s recent folk recordings on the Songs For Lilla EP than his funk roots circa Dinking In The Shadows of Zizou or the cinematic soul of The Killing of Eugene Peeps, Con leaned into the spacial freedom he heard in Keb’s lo-fi production cobbled from field recordings and voice notes. Both artists placed their families into the tableau; Con wrote ‘Little Man’ for his son, hoping to add a positive contribution to the canon of parental rap songs. Later, his son appears at the end of ‘Paramount’ to deliver a passage from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Keb secretly recorded his mum playing saxophone and sampled his cousin playing sax as well. The result is a near-drumless album (save for ‘Toulouse’ and light tapping on ‘It Would Speak’) in which Keb’s raw production (plus a few sessions with Kofi Flexxx on flute) gave Con a liminal zone, unencumbered by beats per minute, to craft melodies that turn his philosophical rhymes into mantras.

Tracklist:

1. Tell Me Lies (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 2. Fairytale (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 3. Time Will Come | 4. It Would Speak (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 5. Little Man | 6. Lemon Zest (feat. Kofi Flexxx) | 7. Question Or Consume | 8. Gutters | 9. Paramount | 10. Bonsai (feat. Mark Millington) | 11. Lattice of Confidence | 12. Eyes To See | 13. Toulouse | 14. Care About (feat. Zemora Amour)

PRESALE- Benny The Butcher - Summertime Butch (Next Records)

Silver Smoked Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th February 2025

After a prolific 2024 Benny The Butcher isn’t slowing down in 2025 and kicks off the new year with the release of Summertime Butch on vinyl. Originally released through Benny’s Black Soprano Family imprint in August 2024, the 10-track album features BSF artists ElCamino, Rick Hyde and Fuego Base plus Ed Lover.

Tracklisting:
A1. One Verse Butch • A2. The Most (feat. Ray Moon) • A3. Sundress & Sandle Season (Interlude) A4. Knightfall • A5. Summer ‘24 (Ed Lover Mix) (feat. Ed Lover) • A6. Kitchen Table B1. Peachtree (Interlude) • B2. The Blue Building (feat. Amber Simone) B3. Warehouse 3 (feat. Rick Hyde, ElCamino & Fuego Base) • B4. Higher (feat. Lindsay Niccs)

PRESALE - MF Doom - Mm....Food (Rhymesayers)

Purple Vinyl LP £31.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Cross merchandise with Rhymesayers, KMD, Viktor Vaughn, Madvillain, JJ DOOM, King Geedorah & Dangerdoom. LP packaging: Case wrapped tip-on gatefold vinyl jacket, new purple vinyl colour double vinyl, 2000 only for the UK. In celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary, MM..FOOD has been repackaged with all new artwork by Sam Rodriguez! Produced by MF DOOM, except "One Beer" produced by Madlib, and "Kon Queso” produced by PNS of the Molemen. Guest features include Count Bass D, Mr Fantastik, Angelika and 4ize. QR-activated immersive AR experiences with album artwork. Brand new music video for "Hoe Cakes" planned for album street date.

Originally released in 2004, MF DOOM's MM..FOOD is hailed as a classic hip-hop album full of inventive production, brilliant wordplay, and unique themes. Celebrated for its seamless blend of humor, wit, and social commentary, the album ushers listeners into a bizarre world of food-related metaphors, painting a bitterly comedic portrait of a life tainted by vice, violence, and jealousy. It was a brilliant and novel concept that gave DOOM plenty of room to explore the album’s subjects. Throughout MM..FOOD, DOOM embeds complex ideas within seemingly simple narratives. Album opener “Beef Rapp” is a multi-pronged metaphor reminding listeners of the dangers involved in the glorification of conflict, especially within the rap game. “Hoe Cakes” borrows its name from the sweet, hot water cornmeal patties, which he uses as a symbol to rhyme about indulgence and excess. Continuing the motif, DOOM uses the Madlib-produced “One Beer” to fold layers of depth about escapism and ego, while the popular “Rapp Snitch Knishes” critiques the self-incrimination and contradictory behaviors of some rappers. Overall, MM..FOOD is both a social commentary and a piece of social satire, showcasing MF DOOM’s ability to blend serious themes with his unique, playful lyrical style. MM..FOOD album 3 sales history over 820K+ units sold (RIAA-certified gold). MM..FOOD streaming history over 1.2M+ streams. MF DOOM’’s catalog sales history over 1.7M+ units sold.

Tracklisting:
1. Beef Rapp RAPP 2. Hoe Cakes 3. Potholderz Feat Count Bass D 4.One Beer 5.Deep Fried Friendz 6.Poo-Putt Splatter 7. Fillet O Rapper 8. Gumbo 9.Fig Leaf Bi-Carbonate 10.Kon Karne Il - Guinesses Feat Angelkia & 4ize 12. Kon Queso 13.Rapp Snitch Knishes Feat. Mr Fantastik 14.Vomitspit 15.Kookies

PRESALE - Horace Silver - Serenade to a Soul Sister (Decca)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st March 2025

Horace Silver had been delivering hard bop classics for over a decade when he moved into more groovy territory in the late-’60s on albums including Serenade to a Soul Sisterfeaturing two different quintets performing a set of Silver originals from the high-octane ‘Psychedelic Sally’ to the groove waltz title track to the tender ballad ‘Next Time I Fall In Love’. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Tracklist:
Side A : Psychedelic Sally | Serenade To A Soul Sister | Rain Dance
Side B : Jungle Juice | Kindred Spirits | Next Time I Fall In Love

PRESALE - Lou Donaldson - Say It Loud (Decca)

Vinyl LP £24.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st March 2025

When saxophonist Lou Donaldson hooked up with the funky drummer Idris Muhammad on Alligator Bogaloo it began a run of great groove-oriented albums including Say It Loud with trumpeter Blue Mitchell, organist Charles Earland, and guitarist Jimmy Ponder for a deeply soulful set opening with a cover of James Brown’s ‘Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)’. This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Tracklist:
Side A : Say It Loud I'm Black And Proud | Summertime | Caravan
Side B : Snake Bone | Brother Soul

PRESALE - Goya Gumbani - Warlord of the Weejuns (Ghostly)

Cognac Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st March 2025

In his label debut on Ghostly International, Brooklyn-born, South London-based artist Goya Gumbani redefines his recording project with rich, full-band arrangements, crossing London's new jazz generation with New York City's hip-hop storytelling legacy. Warlord of the Weejuns is a triumph of taste, heritage, and pride from one of rap music's most dexterous talents. Guests include Fatima, lojii, Seafood Sam, and Yaya Bey. London-based Swedish soul singer Fatima appears in two singles; first, there's "Firefly," a cosmic R&B groove that captures the rawness of a recent breakup. "Fatima came and just laid the hook, and I was like, damn, you're embodying how I'm feeling," says Goya, who built it out with contributions from Swarvy, Omari Jazz, Les Lockheart, and his Ghostly labelmate quickly, quickly.

Tracklisting:
1. Weejuns (intro) ft. Will Stowe 2. Beautiful BLACK 3. One Hand Washes The Other ft. lojii 4. Crossroad(s) 5. Negroni (Skit) 6. FireFly ft. Fatima 7. Nothin’ to Say 8. UPtown Mami (Skit) 9. Manuva(s) ft. Joe Armon-Jones 10. Driftin’ Interlude ft. Pearl De Luna 11. Chase The Sunrise ft. Yaya Bey, lojii, Fatima 12. First Dates 13. Quiz Interlude ft. Salimata 14. Lizards / Dancin' With The Devil ft. Jaydon Clover & The Hotel 15. Mind, Body, Spirit ft. Seafood Sam 16. FOREVER POOH

PRESALE - The Delfonics & Adrian Younge - Adrian Younge Presents: The Delfonics (Linear Records)

Vinyl LP £23.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Adrian Younge Presents Something About April is quintessential sweet-soul from The Delfonics lead vocalist William Hart produced by Adrian Younge. From the very beginning, it was Younge’s intention to create an old-school Delfonics vibe but offer a very hip-hop-informed perspective. There are distinguishing musical elements that Delfonics fans will recognize, like the electric sitar guitar, the French horn, string arrangements, and the tympani. Recorded and mixed by Adrian Younge at Linear Labs, the preeminent analog studio of Los Angeles, CA.

Tracklist: 1. Stop And Look(And You Have Found Love) 2. Lost Without You 3. True Love 4. Silently 5. Enemies 6. To Be Your One 7. Stand Up 8. Just Love 9. So In Love With You 10. I Can’t Cry No More 11. Sirens 12. Party’s Over 13. Life Never Ends

PRESALE - The Gaslamp Killer & Jason Wool - ANANDA (Cuss Records)

Vinyl LP £37.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

A wild and mind-bending fusion of hip-hop, cinematic jazz, and psychedelic soundscapes awaits you. Celestial shards of cosmic dust linger in the atmosphere, enveloped by an onslaught of irresistible bass lines and meticulously crafted beats. Picture the likes of Stanley Clarke, David Axelrod, and Aphex Twin all reimagined as twenty-somethings, jamming together under the influence of heroic doses. The result is nothing short of exhilarating, an absolute frenzy that melts your face away.

Track Listing:
1. Intro 2. Chaos in the Brain 3. Mystic Memories 4. Cartoons 5. Eternal Souls 6. Ring Fingers 7. Hiccups 8. Chaos in the Brain (Club Edit) 9. Outro

JUST IN - Various Artists - Fania Records: The Latin Sound of New York (1964 - 1978) (Concord)

Vinyl 2LP £34.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 31st January 2025

This collection features sixteen of the most renowned salsa and Latin soul singles released on Fania Records, and its subsidiaries, between 1964-1978, making it the perfect introduction to the legendary catalog. It celebrates the trailblazing label’s 60th anniversary, and iconic artists Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades, Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz and more. Archival images and new liner notes, in English and Spanish, by New York-based music historian Aurora Flores are also included.

Track Listing:

LP1 - Side A:
Pete Rodriguez – I like It (I Like It Like That) | Eddie Palmieri – Café | Joe Bataan – Gypsy Woman | Ray Barretto – Acid
LP1 - Side B:
Héctor Lavoe – Mi Gente | Richie Ray/Bobby Cruz – Aguzate | Cheo Feliciano – Anacaona | Celia Cruz/Johnny Pacheco - Quimbara
LP2 - Side C:
Ismael Rivera – Las Caras Lindas | Willie Colon/Héctor Lavoe – Che Che Colé | Héctor Lavoe – El Cantante | Ray Barretto – Indestructible | Joe Cuba Sextet – El Ratón
LP2 - Side D:
Fania All Stars – Estrellas de Fania | Willie Colón – La Murga | Willie Colón/Rubén Blades – Pedro Navaja

PRESALE - Little Barrie And Malcolm Catto - Electric War (Concord)

Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
CD £14.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 18th April 2025

Electric War marks an electrifying collaboration between British power trio, Little Barrie, composed of Barrie Cadogan and Lewis Wharton and acclaimed producer/drummer,Malcolm Catto, fusing unique talents into a mesmerizing exploration of raw, experimental sound. And they are also the band behind the opening theme to Better Call Saul.

Electric War delivers a blend of sharp guitar lines, thunderous drums, and swirling textures that evoke a post-apocalyptic soundscape teetering between chaos and harmony. Tracks range from pulsating, fuzz-heavy anthems to moody, groove-centric pieces and are underscored by each musician’s seamless interplay. Channeling their shared love for analog warmth and raw, unfiltered sound, the album creates a visceral experience that invites listeners into a world where rock, funk, and psychedelia collide. For fans of boundary-pushing, instrumental-driven music, Electric War is a potent testament to the power of collaboration.

Tracklist:

1.Electric War 2.Zero Sun 3.Spektator 4.Creaky 5.Said Soul 6.Sick 8 7.My Now 8.Count Of Four

JUST IN - Central Cee - Can't Rush Greatness (Sony)

Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
Transparent Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket

Central Cee, is a British rapper and songwriter from London. He rose to prominence in 2020 with the release of the singles "Day in the Life" and "Loading". His first mixtape, Wild West (2021), debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, while his second, 23 (2022), debuted atop the chart. Central Cee achieved further success with his 2022 single "Doja", which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and became the most-streamed UK rap song in Spotify history. In June 2023, he released the single "Sprinter" (with Dave), which became his first UK number-one single and preceded their collaborative EP, Split Decision (2023). The song also became the longest-running number-one rap song in the UK, holding the position for 10 weeks. His debut studio album, Can't Rush Greatness, released through Columbia Records is available on Black LP Vinyl, Retail Exclusive Transparent LP Vinyl & standard CD. Extensive promo & marketing activity.

Tracklist:

Full Tracklist Not Released.

PRESALE - De La Soul - The Grind Date (BMG)

20th Anniversary Coloured Vinyl LP £38.99 Add to basket
20th Anniversary CD £16.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st March 2025

This special release marks the 20th anniversary of The Grind Date. The LP is available on limited edition splatter vinyl with the original album bolstered with 4 instrumental versions of the leading tracks. Meanwhile the 2CD also includes 2 brand new tracks which were recorded during the same sessions as The Grind Date. These never before released tracks entitled ‘Respect’ and ’Bigger’ perfectly compliment what is already a renowned album.

"The Grind Date"" is the sixth studio album by De La Soul, released in 2004. The album marked a significant return for the group after a hiatus since their previous album in 2001. ""The Grind Date"" showcases De La Soul's signature blend of clever lyrics, innovative production, and a mix of playful and introspective themes. The album includes a plethora of exciting featured artists including MF Doom, Ghostface Killah, Flava Flav and Sean Paul.

Tracklist:

A1:
1. The Future 2. Verbal Clap 3. Much More (Feat. Yummy) 4. Shopping Bags (She Got From You) 5. The Grind Date
A2:
1. Church 2. It’s Like That (Feat. Carl Thomas) 3. He Comes (Feat. Ghostface Killah) 4. Days of our Lives (Feat. Common)
B1:
1. Come on Down (Feat. Flavor Flav) 2. No (Feat. Butta Verses) 3. Rock Co.Kane Flow (Feat. MF DOOM) 4. Shoomp (Feat. Sean Paul)
B2:
1. The Grind Date (Instrumental) 2. Verbal Clap (Instrumental) 3. Shopping Bags (Instrumental) 4. Days of our Loves (Instrumental)

PRESALE - Dr. John - Gris Gris (Jackpot Records)

Vinyl LP £37.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 21st February 2025

Original 1968 Mono Mix. Mastered & Cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. Sourced From The Original Master Tapes. Five Stars All Music Guide. 1968 Debut album from the king of the psychedelic bayou – the hypnotic, mystical and powerful sound of the swamp coming to life. As he became Dr. John (real name Mac Rebennack), it was his LA session work with musicians like Sonny & Cher, Canned Heat, and Zappa that allowed him to start conjuring up his visions of guitar psych-pop to walk alongside his authentic New Orleans upbringing.

While “Gris Gris” contains moments that make it a type stamped symbol of its era, it might have well been made in outer space. Recorded in its own psychic and stylistic vacuum, the album borrows as heavily from the New Orleans’ musical culture in which he grew up as it does the looming continuous pulse of war, heavy drugs, and the end of the free love/hippie movement. The album was taken under the wing of a small percentage of the “underground” upon it’s release in 1968 and did not find a true following for years.

Tracklist:

1. Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya 2. Danse Kalinda Ba Doom 3. Mama Roux 4. Danse Fambeaux 5. Croker Courtbullion 6. Jump Sturdy 7. I Walk On Guilded Splinters

PRESALE - Scientifik - Criminal (De Rap Winkel)

Vinyl LP £30.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 28th February 2025

Features production from RZA, Diamond D, Buckwild, Edo. G and more. RZA & Edo. G are also featured MCs on the album. Originally released in '94 on the now defunct Definite label. Pressed on black vinyl. Debut album from Scientifik originally released in 1994 on the Definite label. The label went under shortly after releasing this album which is hailed by many as a classic. Around the time of release, Scientifik was working with Joe Mansfield and Edo. G and made connections with some of NY's bigger names such as RZA, Diamond D and Buckwild who he enlisted on his debut album. Unfortunately, in 1998 Scientifik and his girlfriend died in a car accident. Aside from his debut album, only one other album made up of a collection of demos was later released.

Track Listing:
1. Lawtown, 2. I Got Planz, 3. Jungles Of Da East, 4. Overnite Gangsta, 5. Yeah Daddy, 6. Still An Herb Dealer, 7. As Long As You Know, 8. Fallen Star, 9. Downlo Ho, 10. Criminal.

JUST IN - Jeshi - Airbag Woke Me Up (Because Music)

Silver Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £21.99 Add to basket

Back in December 2016, Jeshi fell asleep whilst driving home from a party at 5am, and he crashed into a park car, only to be woken up by the airbag exploding in his face. This is the inspiration for album two. The new album is a statement of waking up and levelling up from the last period of his life. This is a new era, and full of energy.

Jeshi doesn’t run away from fire; he runs with it. The East London artist is on a quest to feel alive in every sense. To him, feeling alive means being present in each experience, no matter how challenging. For Jeshi – who has spent the last few years establishing himself as one of the most exciting voices of his generation – this is what life and art are all about. Chaos, then, is not something to shy away from, but where great ideas are born. Jeshi’s electrifying second album, AIRBAG WOKE ME UP is a collection of moment-capturing songs built to ignite reactions and start conversations. His scene-stealing jaunts to stages worldwide clearly influence its live-wire sound, as Jeshi and his cohorts smash through moods and tempos like kids let loose on funfair dodgems.

Tracklist:

BAD PARTS ARE MY FAVOURITE | SCUMBAG | HURRICANE (feat. LEILAH) | YOU SNOOZE YOU LOSE (INTERLUDE) (feat. Chassol) | ALONE TONIGHT | EVERY DOG | SAINT OR SINNER (feat. Sainté) | DEERS IN THE ROAD | LOVE SONGS | DISASTER (feat. Elijah Waters) | STUCK ON LOOP (feat. LEILAH) | DISCONNECT! (feat. Fredwave, Louis Culture & J.Caesar) | CALLED ME INSANE (feat. Elijah Waters) | OVER YOU

PRESALE - Hank Mobley – Third Season (Tone Poet)

Vinyl LP £32.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Recorded in 1967, Hank Mobley’s Third Season was a typically high-calibre hard bop outing by the tenor saxophonist with a 7-piece band featuring alto saxophonist James Spaulding, trumpeter Lee Morgan, guitarist Sonny Greenwich, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker and drummer Billy Higgins.

This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.

Tracklist:

Side A:
1. An Aperitif 2. Don't Cry, Just Sigh 3. Steppin' Stone

Side B:
1. The Third Season 2. Boss Bossa 3. Give Me That Feelin'

PRESALE - Curtis Amy & Frank Butler – Groovin’ Blue (Tone Poet)

Vinyl LP £32.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 7th March 2025

Tenor saxophonist Curtis Amy’s second Pacific Jazz album Groovin’ Blue was a hard-swinging date co-led with drummer Frank Butler that was also one of the earliest recordings to feature vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Rounding out the band are trumpeter Carmell Jones, pianist Frank Strazzeri and bassist Jimmy Bond.

This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe tip-on jacket.

Tracklist:

Side A:
1.Gone Into It 2.Annsome 3.Bobblin'

Side B:
1.Groovin' Blue 2.Beautiful You 3.Very Frank

PRESALE - Killarmy – Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars (Coalmine Records)

Vinyl 2LP £30.99 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: Coming Soon

For the first time ever, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars, the seminal debut from Killarmy, has been reissued on vinyl through a collaborative release between Granddaddy Flow Entertainment and Coalmine Reissues. This groundbreaking album from the Wu-Tang Clan's extended family captures the spirit of a post-Desert Storm, pre-millennium era, channeling pro-black ideologies and war metaphors into a raw, cinematic listening experience.

Comprising 9th Prince, Killa Sin, Beretta 9, Islord, P.R. Terrorist, and ShoGun Assasson, Killarmy delivers a militant, unapologetically gritty aesthetic that redefined underground hip-hop. The album’s standout singles include the powerful “Camouflage Ninjas”, an anthem of guerrilla survival; “Wake Up”, a call-to-arms urging societal and personal revolution; and the incendiary “Wu-Renegades,” a battle cry for lyrical supremacy.

Guest contributions from Hell Razah, Masta Killa, Prodigal Sunn, and Streetlife enrich the project, while the production—helmed primarily by the iconic 4th Disciple—provides a hauntingly cinematic backdrop. With somber, ominous instrumentals and razor-sharp beats, 4th Disciple’s work embodies the raw and uncompromising tone of the album.

Originally released in 1997, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars remains an incredible piece of art that helped cement the legacy of the Clan as the most far-reaching and fabled crew in hip-hop history. Its themes of survival, rebellion, and black empowerment resonate today, making this vinyl reissue a must- have for collectors and fans alike. Experience the militant poetry and dark sonic landscapes of Killarmy like never before.

Tracklist:

Side A: Nuclear
A1. Dress to Kill A2. Clash of the Titans (feat. Street Life) A3. Burning Season A4. Blood for Blood

Side B: Chemical
B1. Seems it Never Fails B2. Universal Soldiers B3. Love, Hell or Right B4. Wake Up (feat. Hell Razah, Prodigal Sunn) B5. Fair, Love & War

Side C: Mental
C1. Wu-Renegades C2. Full Moon C3. Under Siege C4. Shelter

Side D: Physical
D1. Camouflage Ninjas D2. Swinging Swords D3. War Face D4. 5 Stars (feat. Masta Killa)

PRESALE - Hyldon & Adrian Younge - Hyldon JID023 (Jazz Is Dead)

Yellow Vinyl LP £25.99 Add to basket
Vinyl LP £23.99 Add to basket
CD £11.49 Add to basket

Estimated Shipping Date: 4th April 2025

Hyldon, Brazil’s highly revered vocalist, musician and producer, has partnered with Adrian Younge to create a new psychedelic soul album, HYLDON JID023. The duo, highly inspired by Hyldon’s seminal work in the ‘60s and ‘70s, revisits’ the spirit of this epoch while creating a modern-day classic. Hyldon’s unique voice and lyrical depth, combined with Younge’s innovative analogue production, ensures this album will not be forgotten. JID023 is one of the last recordings featuring Hyldon’s long-time collaborator and friend, the late drummer Ivan “Mamao” Conti of Azymuth.

Hyldon, a musical pioneer and early contributor to the “Black Rio” movement is a genius in synthesizing the sounds of MPB, Tropicália and Black American R&B. His unique voice, coupled with his rich arrangements and laid-back grooves set him apart from the contemporaries of the time. In ’75, his remarkable debut album, Na Rua, Na Chuva, Na Fazenda changed the sound of Brazil forever. Hyldon’s earnest and experimental approach in creating that album served as the inspiration for Younge’s production on the new JID023.

Months before Mamão's untimely passing, Adrian Younge and Hyldon invited the legendary drummer to join them at Younge’s Linear Labs studio in Los Angeles. Mamão and Hyldon shared a rich musical history — Azymuth, Mamão’s group, served as the rhythm section for much of Hyldon’s work, including his iconic 1975 LP, Na Rua, Na Chuva, Na Fazenda. Their goal was ambitious: to craft an album that would stand alongside Hyldon’s finest achievements, one that would captivate fans who love his unique blend of psychedelic and soulful “Música Brasileira.” The result is nothing short of remarkable.

Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Viajante Do Planeta Azul 2. O Cacador De Estrelas 3. Olhos Castanhos 4. Jenipapo Robot

Side B:
5. Favela De Rio De Janeiro 6. Verao Nacalifornia (Summertime In California) 7. Um Lugar Legal 8. Nanderuvucu (The Creator God)