Game-changing multi-instrumentalist Kamaal Williams is the latest big name to record a mix for DJ-Kicks’ prestigious series. Due for release on November 8th, it features four of his own exclusive tracks, and illuminates some of the influences that spurred him to become such a prominent, vital artist.

Stream brand new Henry Wu track ‘Wivout U’ here.

“The main aim of this mix for me was to give praise and pay my dues to the forefathers, the originators London’s underground scene. From the likes of Dego, Seiji and Steve Spacek, through to contemporaries like K15, Tenderlonious or myself, it’s about connecting the lineage and giving respect to the creators – those undervalued heroes of this British dance landscape who deserve more recognition today.” Henry Wu AKA Kamaal Williams.

Alongside being a tribute to the capital’s music and multicultural flavours, the mix is a whole lot more too, encompassing Karriem Riggins’ Detroit beat weirdness, Peven Everett’s funk driven Chi house and Max Graef/Ratgrave’s German future funk. Beats scatter, swing, break and shuffle in a multitude of different ways, mirroring both the protagonist’s dancing keys and his lesser-known background as a drummer. From Seiji’s ‘Buggin’ Out’ to his own ‘Snitches Brew’ to literally every other track, all are deeply individual and rhythmic; this is dance music as boosted by a jazzer’s flex.

Although not traditionally mixed or predictably sequenced, this unique standout set has a high level of narrative and coherence, linking styles like a family tree, with branches including jazz, funk, house, UK funky, broken, Dilla schooled beats, wild jungle-esque drum patterns, nu soul and general spiritual goodness. There’s a level of musicality and soulfulness that’s not found in your average linear mono-genre beat mixes. In fact, there’s nothing standard about the mix, which is why it stands out and shines.

Kamaal‘s inspired work in the studio and live arena has influenced a whole new generation of like-minded musicians, who‘ve helped make London one of the most musically exciting cities in the world.

The Yussef Kamaal album ‘Black Focus’ was one of the most talked about records of 2016. Vinyl pressings kept selling out, it received widespread rave reviews, earned the band the Breakthrough Act award at the 2017 Jazz FM awards and led to spellbinding live shows all over Europe. The follow up,  ‘The Return‘, came on Williams’ own new Black Focus label and took his band global, charting highly and making it onto Best Of 2018 lists in The Guardian, The Standard, i-D, Crack, The Wire, DJ, Brooklyn Vegan, The Vinyl Factory, Complex and Bandcamp.

In addition to Kamaal’s much loved urban jazz, he makes more electronic pieces under the name Henry Wu, who – following standout EPs on labels like Rhythm Section, Eglo and 22a –  shares here the new exclusive ‘Wivout U’, whilst Kamaal Williams exclusives featured are a live version of ‘Snitches Brew’ plus new tracks ‘Shinjuku’ and ‘Strings ATL’.

His music is so singular it‘s more than deserving of its own tag, which he calls Wu Funk – a style and attitude heavily present on this adventurous and inspirational new mix. Kamaal Williams‘ DJ-Kicks is a fascinating insight into the record collection and mind of a true alchemist. You can pre-order the mix on the !K7 webstore and Bandcamp.

“This album will be part of the everlasting impact the Tribe collective had on our culture, on our hope and possibilities.” Herb Boyd

Strut and Art Yard present the first compilation bringing together the modern era recordings of Tribe, Detroit’s acclaimed independent jazz collective.

Tribe began as a musical ensemble in 1971 co-founded by Saxophonist Wendell Harrison and trombonist Phil Ranelin that soon expanded into a broad amalgam including a live collective and independent record label. Ignored by the mainstream, many African American jazz artists in Detroit and across the US began creating their own small imprints and Tribe emerged alongside other cultural entities to express self-determination goals in the city: saxophonist Ernie Rodgers with his sessions at Rapa House; John and Leni Sinclair’s Artist Workshop; Bruce Millan’s Repertory Theater; the Hastings Jazz Experience and the Strata Corporation led by Kenny Cox. Harrison’s ideas of independence, self-determination and education were central to the Tribe ethos: “I might be possessed with a drive to get the knowledge out,” explained Harrison, “because I see this as sustaining the future of the jazz
diaspora, the jazz tradition.” Tribe album releases like Harrison’s ‘An Evening With The Devil’ (1972) and Harrison and Ranelin’s ‘A Message From The Tribe’ (1973) became early ‘70s milestones in Detroit jazz.

In 1977, Harrison teamed up with pianist/composer Harold McKinney to form Rebirth Inc., aided by Detroit cultural warrior John Sinclair, a continuation of the Tribe community ethos. Musically, it formed a link with radio station WDET and began an outreach program to teach children and to publish Harrison’s jazz instruction books. Harrison continue to record extensively as a leader with his own labels, WenHa and Tribe, documenting the collective through sessions led by Phil Ranelin, Harold McKinney, Pamela Wise and more.

The ‘Hometown’ compilation places the spotlight on this later era of Tribe and Rebirth Inc., with rare and previously unreleased recordings from Harrison’s WenHa / Rebirth Studios and the SereNgeti Gallery And Cultural Center. Among many highlights, Harold McKinney and his “McKinfolk” family of musicians contribute the pulsing ‘Wide And Blue’ and dance celebration ‘Juba’; Phil Ranelin re-works his classic ‘He The One We All Knew’; Poet Mbiyu Chui (Williams Moore), pianist Pamela Wise and percussionist Djallo Djakate spark on the uncompromising ‘Ode To Black Mothers’ and the rallying cry of ‘Marcus Garvey’: “If we ever get together we will astound the world.” Harrison himself evokes the power and majesty of juju on ‘Conjure Man’.

‘Hometown’ comes as a 2LP gatefold and 1CD digipak fully remastered by Technology Works from the original session recordings. Both formats include exclusive sleeve notes by journalist Herb Boyd with rare photos from Wendell Harrison’s personal archive. Coming to Strut in November.

Strut presents an all-time classic of South African music, the definitive remastered edition of Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’, her first album recorded for Reprise in 1966.

The album marked a significant international breakthrough for Makeba. Moving to the US after the anti-apartheid film ‘Come Back, Africa’ gained international attention and staying there in exile, she quickly built her career in New York during the ‘60s, mentored by Harry Belafonte. Signing with Reprise after a period with RCA, she returned to one of her older hits with the Skylarks: “I wrote ‘Pata Pata’ back in 1956, back in South Africa,” remembered Makeba in her autobiography. “It was a fun little song and I was thinking of a dance that we do at home (“pata” means ‘touch” in Zulu
and Xhosa).” Originally a hit in South Africa with her early vocal harmony group the Skylarks, the new recording, produced by Jerry Ragovoy, brought a lighter uptempo R’nB arrangement, adding some English lyrics. “It was my first truly big seller. All of a sudden, people who never knew I had been in America since 1959 were asking me to be on their television shows and play at their concert halls during 1967. In the discotheques, they invented a new dance called the ‘Pata Pata’ where couples dance apart and then reach out and touch each other. I went to Argentina for a concert and, across South America, they are singing my song.”

The track peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at no. 12 and the album. Other songs on the album included a version of the traditional Xhosa classic, ‘Click Song Number One’ (‘Qongqothwane’), the atmospheric ‘West Wind’, later famously covered by her friend Nina Simone, and a version of Tilahun Gessesse’s ‘Yetentu Tizaleny’ which Makeba learned on a trip to Addis to perform for Haile Selassie at the Organisation Of African Unity.

Mastered by The Carvery from the original reel to reel tapes, ‘Pata Pata’ is released in its mono and stereo versions for the first time. Physical formats feature brand new sleeve notes alongside rare photos from the time of recording and session details. The album is released on 6th September on 2LP, 1CD, streaming and digital.

Product manager (Full time / London, UK)

We have an immediate opening for a product manager to help manage the day-to-day operations of the label and its releases.

Strut is one of the UK’s leading record labels dedicated to unearthing the lost gems of dance music past, covering music from hard funk, underground disco, original breaks and Nigerian Afrobeat to old skool hip hop and forgotten music library classics. Known for uncompromising high-quality packaging, our releases cut no corners, bringing together killer dancefloor tracks as well as giving a full context to the music, telling the story of the characters behind the tunes, the clubs and the scene of the time. The albums are mastered from original tapes wherever possible and feature extensive sleevenotes, researched and written by respected journalists, rare photographs and memorabilia.

Tasks will include:

• Manage product logistics, ensuring content is delivered in a timely manner and to required internal specifications.
• Proof metadata on all incoming releases and provide feedback where necessary.
• Strategise and manage release campaign logistics from timely inception through to analysis, working with other internal departments as necessary.
• Work cross-functionally to create compelling pitches and campaigns for retail.
• Liaise with various departments, from finance and marketing to licensing and management to ensure all business needs are met.
• Assist in developing the label release schedule and ensure deadlines are met.
• Assist in finding licensors for obscure tracks and track down rights owners.
• Develop artwork concepts and create solid design briefs, researching additional information around particular releases and sourcing content.
• Assist in and source the creation of campaign assets
• Day-to-day management of album campaigns, including: setting timelines and ensure deadlines are met; communication with external PR teams, artists, and artist management; feed results back to internal marketing and sales teams,
• Handle logistics of merchandise and offer support to touring artists.
• Handle logistics of record fair sales.
• Administration and organisation of label catalogues and master tape recordings.
• Handling of D2C communication.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a relevant position
• Solid working knowledge of Strut label and the overall market for these areas of music
• A strong understanding of physical retail packaging and manufacturing.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Attention to detail is crucial

Send your CV and cover letter to jobs@k7.com by 28th August

Listen here | Pre-order here

The modern-day leaders of Ghanaian highlife music are back!

Strut is proud to announce Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band’s sophomore release ‘Obiaa!’, released on 4 th October 2019. The album, produced again by Kwame Yeboah and Ben Abarbanel-Wolff at Lovelite Studio’s analogue HQ in Berlin, is a deep and soulful journey into the heart of Ghana’s indigenous highlife music celebrating the timeless and iconic voice of Pat Thomas, the 72 year-old “Golden Voice of Africa”.

After producing Ebo Taylor’s seminal albums ‘Love and Death’ and ‘Appia Kwa Bridge’ for Strut Records, in 2014 Ben Abarbanel-Wolff approached Kwame Yeboah, Ghana’s top contemporary instrumentalist and bandleader, to work on a new project: “We initially wanted to invite Pat back into the studio with Ebo Taylor and Tony Allen to recreate and expand on some of the vibes they had recorded together during a lost session in 1977,” Ben explains. Recorded in Accra, the result was the critically acclaimed self-titled debut album ‘Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band’ in 2015.

The new album is called ‘Obiaa!’ which means ‘Everybody!’. Tracks include the modern parables ‘Onfa Nkosi Hwee’ warning against arrogance and ‘Odo Ankasa’ about the value of real love and trust as well as a great new cover of Thomas’ Afro-disco favourite ‘Yamona’. “Playing highlife around the world taught us what we had to do to move our sound forward,” continues Ben. While simultaneously looking back towards the classic days of highlife and forward to a fresh revival of the guitar band sound, this album cements Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band’s position at the pinnacle of modern African music.

‘Obiaa!’ is released on all formats on 4th October. The album features exclusive cover artwork by Lewis Heriz with photos by Marie Weikopf and Michelle Chiu and is mastered by Édouard Bonan at Ed-Room Studio in Paris.

The European tour during October / November 2019

21.09.2019 Cross Culture Festival, Warsaw, PL

22.09.2019 La Coursive, La Rochelle, FR

24.09.2019 Headrow House, Leeds, UK

26.09.2019 Newcastle, UK

27.09.2019 Band on the Wall, Manchester, UK

28.09.2019 Isis Farmhouse, Oxford, UK

01.10.2019 Jazz Cafe, London, UK

02.10.2019 Norwich Arts Center, Norwich UK

04.10.2019 Ubu, Rennes, FR

05.10.2019 New Morning, Paris, FR

08.10.2019 Schlachthof, Wiesbaden, DE

10.10.2019 YAAM, Berlin, DE

12.10.2019 Alice, Copenhagen, DK

13.10.2019 Atlas, Aarhus, DK

16.10.2019 0osterport, Groningen, NL

18.10.2019 Grounds, Rotterdam, NL

19.19.2019 Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL

20.10.2019 Doornrosje, Nijmegen, NL

25.10.2019 Biko, Milan, IT

26.10.2019 Moods, Zurich, CH

Pre-order here | Listen here

The Souljazz Orchestra return with a brand new studio album for our troubled times, ‘Chaos Theories’, released on Strut on 12^th September.

Always known for their uncompromising social and political messages, the Canadian collective hit harder than ever on 9 new tracks, outing the hypocrisy of modern day politics, police brutality and the everyday struggle of the working man. Led by chief songwriter and arranger Pierre Chrètien, the band continue to evolve their sound, drawing on a broad palette from their trademark Latin, Afro and Caribbean styles to some of the UK’s political sounds of the early ‘80s, the era of The Clash, The Police, 2-Tone and frontline reggae. “We were basically messing around with the idea of creating our own brand of ‘Afro-punk’”, remembers Chrétien, “something with the aggressive, in-your-face energy of punk rock or free jazz, but still backed by the hypnotic, pulsating grooves of tropical music.”

The album takes the listener from carefully targeted sonic missiles to more reflective thought-provoking moments. ‘Police The Police’ starts the offensive: “I wrote this after my neighbour was beaten to death by Ottawa police during an arrest,” explains Chrétien. “The authorities downplayed the incident and the officers were working the next day like nothing had happened.” ‘House Of Cards’ takes a thinly veiled swipe at the current US administration on an infectious disco groove: “lies within lies within lies… like so many Russian dolls”; ‘Boat Rockers’ challenges us all to look beyond accepted norms and ‘General Strike’ documents the frustrations of the working class as the pay gap gets increasingly wider; ‘Slumlord’ shines the spotlight on dodgy landlords while the brilliant closer ‘Well Runs Dry’ laments modern day living, with its confused pace and mundane obsessions, remembering simpler days gone by.

Leading their field for 17 years, The Souljazz Orchestra have constantly moved forward and remain an in-demand live band worldwide.  ‘Chaos Theories’ is their 9^th album, is released on LP, CD, cassette and digital / streaming and is mastered by The Carvery. LP format comes as a special dark blue vinyl edition. The band tour Europe and Canada during September, October and November 2019.

Full European tour supporting album September – November 2019!!!

Sep 20 – Ottawa, ON – Babylon
Sep 27 – Montpellier, FR – Rockstore – Tickets
Sep 28 – Rambouillet, FR – Usine à Chapeaux – Tickets
Sep 29 – Chelles, FR – Les Cuizines – Tickets
Sep 30 – Paris, FR – New Morning – Tickets
Oct 01 – Gent, BE – Vooruit Balzaal – Tickets
Oct 02 – Madrid, ES – Café Berlín – Tickets
Oct 04 – Granada ES – Planta Baja – Tickets
Oct 05 – Zaragoza ES – Las Armas – Tickets
Oct 06 – Barcelona ES – La Nau – Tickets
Oct 09 – Dusseldorf DE – Zakk – Tickets
Oct 10 – Mainz DE – KUZ – Tickets
Oct 11 – Athens GR – Gagarin 205 – Tickets
Oct 12 – Thessaloniki GR – WE Complex – Tickets
Oct 13 – Berlin DE – Gretchen – Tickets
Oct 14 – Dresden DE – Tonne – Tickets
Oct 16 – London UK – Jazz Cafe – Tíckets
Oct 17 – Dublin IE – Sugar Club – Tickets
Oct 18 – Épinay-sur-Seine – PMO – Tickets
Oct 19 – Nancy FR – Nancy Jazz Pulsations – Tickets
Nov 16 – Gatineau QC – Le Petit Chicago
Nov 21 – Sherbrooke QC – La Petite Boîte Noire
Nov 22 – Montréal QC – Groove Nation – Tickets
Nov 23 – Québec QC – L’Anti – Tickets
Nov 28 – Waterloo ON – Starlight
Nov 29 – Hamilton ON – This Ain’t Hollywood
Nov 30 – Toronto ON – Velvet Underground – Tickets

Finally. More than eight years after Diorama, Dominik Eulberg releases his long awaited fith studio album Mannigfaltig. With twelve elaborate pieces of music, he creates a burning plea to preserve the breathtaking biodiversity of nature and at the same time warns of the threat posed to it by humans. It is a detailed record that demands close listening and shocases Eulbergs’s considerable synth craft, with drawn out pads and delicate keys laid over undulating rhythms that slowly take you through a wide range of emotions. Elements of ambient, downtempo, electronica, pop and minimal are infused with the sounds of nature, a choral sense of musicality and wistful air of grace across all the majestically composed pieces. On his return and finally serving up a new album, Eulberg says, “music only makes sense for me if it has something to say. And I have something to say now!”He feels he has found a holistic and fulfilling way to use his musical platform to continue to advocate for the importance of biodiversity. “It’s my mission – and even the meaning of life – to sensitise people to nature,” says the qualified biologist and ecologist, specialist nature author, ambassador and accomplished producer. He came up with the idea for the new album’s concept during a hiking tour in his home town when he first spotted a butterfly whose name is literally translated as “golden-eight.” Then he saw a songbird called “nine-slayer” and heard the calls of a dormouse, whose name in German is “seven-sleeper.” He then spotted the causal chain, went further and that for every number from one to twelve there is a name of a native animal species. Our nature is so diverse, or more beautifuly expressed so manifold (hence the album title, “mannigfaltig,” which means manifold in German.) But the threat to it from human behaviour has never been more real, with more species than ever before dying out in such short spaces of time. This record is his attempt to point out the importance of “giving our animal friends back the space they need”. Mannigfaltig is an album about the variety and colourfulness of nature, which for Eulberg is “the greatest artist of all”. With a clear concept behind each album, this latest one is a musical attempt to mirror the endless variation of nature and “highlight the entire colour palette” while always going with the flow of his inner feelings. The album is an artistic advancement on Diorama thanks to new synths, mixers and developing new production techniques. It is a positive record, a mosaic of many small pleasures that can be listend to in a range of settings, from comedowns to long drives thanks to many rewarding layers of richness and complexity. Eulberg uses his synths like a water-colour painter, spreading them across the airwaves in soft tones and with blurred edges. Gentle rhythms propel the tracks as glistening percussion and angelic harmonies lift your spirits. Reconciling the beauty of nature with the beauty of sound, Eulberg takes you through dewy mornings, spring afternoons and brightly lit forest rambles with a real deftness and delicacy that replicates the majesty of the natural world in which we live. From melancholy to euphoria and back again, this is an invigorating, inspring record that washes over you in waves of soul stirring sound. Coming this September to !K7.

Listen here | Pre-order here

Strut continues its essential compilation series of Indian Ocean sounds with ‘Alefa Madagascar’, the first compilation to document the unique culture of salegy, soukous and soul on the island during the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Originating as far back as the 15^th Century through folkloric ceremonial music and an a cappella chanting style called antsa, salegy emerged as a fast-tempoed local dance style based on 6/8 and 12/8 rhythms. By the ‘60s, radio was bringing in new sounds from the Congo, Mozambique, South Africa and Kenya and Jean Francois de Comarmond’s Discomad label championed a new generation of artists breaking the mould with their own new fusions of styles as electric instruments replaced the traditional. Local pop was sometimes referred to as tapany maintso (half-green) a reference to the stickers on singles from the other key label in Madagascar, Kaïamba, many of them produced by Charles Maurin Poty whose work was crucial in shaping the emerging genre.

‘Alefa Madagascar’ showcases the rich variety of sounds during this heyday of Malagasy music: Roger Georges’ ‘Mama’ and Jean Kely et Basth’s ‘Andosy Mora’ bring the raw energy of salegy, influential band Los Matadores drop military drums and Hammond soul in the classic ‘Andeha Hanarato’; Mahaleo’s ‘Izahay Mpamita’ showcases the band’s powerful folk sound, a crucial voice emerging from the Rotaka farmer and student protests of 1972, while Terak’Anosy Group work around a stomping Congolese guitar groove. The era paved the way for many of the household names of Malagasy music today including Jaojoby, D’Gary and Lego.

Mastered by The Carvery and featuring cover artwork by top illustrator Lewis Heriz, ‘Alefa Madagascar’ is released on 6^th September 2019 and is compiled by Réunionese DJs La Basse Tropicale and Percy Yip Tong (Mauritius). Physical formats feature sleeve notes by influential producer Charles Maurin Poty and Banning Eyre of Afropop Worldwide.

We’ve been celebrating a big 20 years here at Strut in 2019 and taking a look back in the archives for some Strut history gems. Thanks everyone for all the support along the way and we’re looking forward to the next 20!

Chris Greenwood’s always excellent Netil Radio show plays the latest global sounds and talks with Quinton Scott on Strut’s 20th Anniversary

Launch party at Fabric for Ashley Beedle’s excellent ‘Grass Roots’ compilation in November ’99

Noisey in France review 20 years of Strut in a new interview with label founder Quinton Scott. Big thanks to Maxime Delcourt for the piece! You can read it here

For Record Store Day this year Joey Negro and Sean P’s brilliant first ‘Disco Not Disco’ compilation received its first repress since its original release back in 2000. Packed full with leftfield disco classics from Yoko Ono, Ian Dury, Arthur Russell and more.

One of the early Strut label parties at HQs in Camden in March 2000 with ESP live and Loose Joints’ Steve D’Acquisto (RIP) as guest DJ.

Flashback to ‘Funky Nassau’, Strut’s compilation documenting the heyday of Compass Point Studios in Nassau. Ian Dury and Chaz Jankel pictured here with sonic scientist Steven Stanley during the ‘Lord Upminster’ album sessions in 1980. Photo by Alison Jarvis

The original design ideas for the Strut logo from the lovely folks at Amp design back in the late ’90s…

Strut’s first event back in 1999 in conjunction with the brilliant Wah Wah 45s – Club Africa night with Osibisa live and influential Brighton DJ Russ Dewbury!

The launch for the Disco Italia compilation back in 2008. Fun night in London with compiler Stevie Kotey and the Horse Meat Disco DJs.

The one that got away… Promos were made for @Antibalas‘ debut album in 2000 but the band eventually self-released it and paved the way for a whole new generation of Afrobeat bands.

Back to 2002 when Grandmaster Flash cut up some anthems and breaks on Westwood’s show around the time of his ‘Official Adventures’ compilation.

We have always loved this great Alexis Maryon shot of the Horse Meat Disco DJs at the Milk In The Park festival in Vauxhall in 2009. Horse Meat still going strong 10 years later – their Sunday residency at The Eagle is still an essential fixture of London nightlife.

An early label highlight, the Wild Bunch compilation followed the story of the pioneering Bristol DJ crew. Great photo by Beezer here showing DJ Milo at St Paul’s Carnival in Bristol, 1985

DJ Russ Dewbury played an important part in kickstarting the surge in interest in archive African sounds over the last 20 years with his forward-thinking ‘Africafunk’ and ‘Club Africa’ compilations. You can still catch him at his Soulful Strut nights at Brighton’s Green Door club.

Listen here | Buy here

Strut present the first definitive retrospective of an icon of 1970s and ‘80s soul, jazz and disco, Patrice Rushen, covering her peerless 6-year career with Elektra / Asylum from 1978 to 1984.

Patrice Rushen joined the Elektra / Asylum roster in 1978 as they launched a pop / jazz division alongside visionaries like Donald Byrd and Grover Washington, Jr. “The idea was to create music that was good for commercial radio / R&B,” Patrice explains. “We were all making sophisticated dance music, essentially.”

Early classics like ‘Music Of The Earth’ and ‘Let’s Sing A Song Of Love’ were among Patrice’s first as a lead vocalist before her ‘Pizzazz’ album landed in 1979, featuring the unique disco of ‘Haven’t You Heard’ and one of her greatest ballads, ‘Settle For My Love’. Slick dancefloor anthem ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ and the ‘Posh’ album in 1980 led to her landmark album ‘Straight From The Heart’ two years later.

Receiving little support from her label, Patrice and her production team personally funded a promo campaign for the first single from it, ‘Forget Me Nots’. It went on to peak at no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album was later Grammy-nominated, while the track became a timeless anthem and popular sample.

Patrice’s final album for Elektra, ‘Now’ kept the bar high with sparse, synth-led songs including ‘Feel So Real’ and ‘To Each His Own’. It concluded a golden era creatively for Patrice which remains revered by soul and disco aficionados the world over.

‘Remind Me’ features all of Patrice Rushen’s chart singles, 12” versions and popular sample sources on one album for the first time. Formats included a 3LP set and CD fully remastered by The Carvery from the original tapes. Both formats include an exclusive new interview with Patrice Rushen and rare photos. You Remind Me is out 19th July and available to pre-order now. 

When Peggy Gou released her debut EP ‘Art of War’ in 2016, she made a list of career goals. One of them was to become the first South Korean DJ to play Berlin’s techno institution Berghain, an objective she achieved only a few months later. Another item on that list was to record an instalment of the DJ-Kicks series. “It’s the premier class of DJ mixes,” she says. “Some of my favourite selectors have contributed to it.” Now Peggy Gou can tick that off her list too as she proudly presents the 69th edition of the mix series. Pre-order the mix here. 

 The Berliner-by-choice started working on the mix last year. It was a busy time for the 28-year-old: she’d just scored her first Mixmag cover and her single ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’ was receiving awards and critical acclaim. Each month she would DJ in 20 nightclubs all over the world. And yet, the goal for her mix was ambitious: instead of trying to capture the energy of her DJ sets, she aimed to create a portrayal of her own musical journey. An 18-track listening session that takes you straight into Peggy Gou’s living room where she plays you the formative tunes from her collection. No genre boundaries – she moves across disco, house, techno and electro. No tempo limits – the mix ranges from 90 to 150 BPM. And no age restriction – the earliest tunes on the mix are from 1983.  

The same level of attention was brought to the arresting cover artwork, in which the well-documented animal lover references both Korean iconography and the endangered status of the creature of the country’s foundational mythology, the tiger: 

“I had the concept of this cover in my mind for a long time – as the first Korean woman to contribute to the DJ-Kicks series I wanted to do something from my heritage, so I chose the tiger, which is very important in Korean traditions and a metaphor for my personality,” says Peggy.  ”As it is not humane to shoot with a real tiger, I and the photographer Jonas Lindstroem used a library image to make a composite. The tiger ‘disappears’ when you turn to the inside-cover photo, to highlight that these beautiful animals are already extinct in my home country and in danger of disappearing from our world entirely”. 

The journey through her record shelves kicks off with ‘Fluresence’, the 1993 classic by British ambient stalwart Spacetime Continuum, before Peggy throws in the first of the mix’s three exclusives, ‘Hungboo’. “It’s the first track I ever made,” she says of the mellow tune that features birdsong, muffled koto chords, phrase singing and heavy dub bass. Considering its long gestation – she started working on it in London and finished it in Berlin – the tune is an impressive testament to her growth as an artist and how she has strived to find her own musical voice.  

Further down the track list you find tunes by her biggest influences such as Aphex Twin (‘Drukqs’ standout ‘Vordhosbn’) and Andrew Weatherall (his 1990 remix of Sly and Lovechild’s ‘The World According To Sly and Lovechild’), as well as tracks by rising artists such as Deniro or JRMS. The latter’s contribution is a secret weapon from Peggy’s recent DJ sets which will eventually see full release through her brand new imprint Gudu Records.  

The other exclusives come from Milanese duo Hiver, who deliver the hypnotically pulsating banger (‘Pert’), and Parisian house auteur I:Cube, who shared a hard-drive of unreleased tunes with Peggy when he remixed ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’. “After he allowed me to use a track for my mix, he lost all the files”, she says. “I had to send him back his own track and he renamed it from ‘Unreleased’ to ‘Cassette Jam 1993’.”  

With I:Cube’s hazy, sample-laden house track fading out, Peggy Gou takes the needle off the record and the 73-minute listening session comes to an end. A listening session that highlights her distinct taste and deep interest in music and shows that her journey has just begun. 

When Peggy Gou released her debut EP ‘Art of War’ in 2016, she made a list of career goals. One of them was to become the first South Korean DJ to play Berlin’s techno institution Berghain, an objective she achieved only a few months later. Another item on that list was to record an instalment of the DJ-Kicks series. “It’s the premier class of DJ mixes,” she says. “Some of my favourite selectors have contributed to it.” Now Peggy Gou can tick that off her list too as she proudly presents the 69th edition of the mix series. 

 The Berliner-by-choice started working on the mix last year. It was a busy time for the 28-year-old: she’d just scored her first Mixmag cover and her single ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’ was receiving awards and critical acclaim. Each month she would DJ in 20 nightclubs all over the world. And yet, the goal for her mix was ambitious: instead of trying to capture the energy of her DJ sets, she aimed to create a portrayal of her own musical journey. An 18-track listening session that takes you straight into Peggy Gou’s living room where she plays you the formative tunes from her collection. No genre boundaries – she moves across disco, house, techno and electro. No tempo limits – the mix ranges from 90 to 150 BPM. And no age restriction – the earliest tunes on the mix are from 1983.  

The same level of attention was brought to the arresting cover artwork, in which the well-documented animal lover references both Korean iconography and the endangered status of the creature of the country’s foundational mythology, the tiger: 

“I had the concept of this cover in my mind for a long time – as the first Korean woman to contribute to the DJ-Kicks series I wanted to do something from my heritage, so I chose the tiger, which is very important in Korean traditions and a metaphor for my personality,” says Peggy.  ”As it is not humane to shoot with a real tiger, I and the photographer Jonas Lindstroem used a library image to make a composite. The tiger ‘disappears’ when you turn to the inside-cover photo, to highlight that these beautiful animals are already extinct in my home country and in danger of disappearing from our world entirely”. 

The journey through her record shelves kicks off with ‘Fluresence’, the 1993 classic by British ambient stalwart Spacetime Continuum, before Peggy throws in the first of the mix’s three exclusives, ‘Hungboo’. “It’s the first track I ever made,” she says of the mellow tune that features birdsong, muffled koto chords, phrase singing and heavy dub bass. Considering its long gestation – she started working on it in London and finished it in Berlin – the tune is an impressive testament to her growth as an artist and how she has strived to find her own musical voice.  

Further down the track list you find tunes by her biggest influences such as Aphex Twin (‘Drukqs’ standout ‘Vordhosbn’) and Andrew Weatherall (his 1990 remix of Sly and Lovechild’s ‘The World According To Sly and Lovechild’), as well as tracks by rising artists such as Deniro or JRMS. The latter’s contribution is a secret weapon from Peggy’s recent DJ sets which will eventually see full release through her brand new imprint Gudu Records.  

The other exclusives come from Milanese duo Hiver, who deliver the hypnotically pulsating banger (‘Pert’), and Parisian house auteur I:Cube, who shared a hard-drive of unreleased tunes with Peggy when he remixed ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’. “After he allowed me to use a track for my mix, he lost all the files”, she says. “I had to send him back his own track and he renamed it from ‘Unreleased’ to ‘Cassette Jam 1993’.”  

With I:Cube’s hazy, sample-laden house track fading out, Peggy Gou takes the needle off the record and the 73-minute listening session comes to an end. A listening session that highlights her distinct taste and deep interest in music and shows that her journey has just begun. 

Great news that three albums from two of our Label Group Strut and 7K! have been nominated in this year’s A2IM (American Association of Independent Music) Libera Awards

Best Classical Album

• Niklas Paschburg – Oceanic (7K!)
• Henrik Schwarz & Metropole Orkest – Scripted Orkestra (7K!)

Best World Album

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Black Times (Strut)

The Libera Awards is the largest Independent music award show in the world. It celebrates the successes of the independent music community, from the artists that create the music to the labels that release and promote it. The results will be announced at the ceremony in New York on 20th June

James Alexander Bright is set to release ‘Tigers Roar’ b/w ‘The Panther’ – a double header of big cat funk infused with “an off-piste sensibility that borders on psychedelia” (Clash Music).

2018 saw James release two five track EPs, ‘Mallorca’ and ‘Strange Folk’, through !K7, which were supported globally by DJs on BBC Radio, Amazing Radio, Bandcamp Weekly, Dash Radio, DJ History podcast, Double & Triple J, KCRW, Reprezent Radio, Soho Radio, and Worldwide FM. He was also invited to BBC 6 Music by Tom Ravenscroft (“Love both EPs”) for a guest mix and interview, and by Brooklyn Radio for a hour long guest mix. He finished 2018 with a sold-out live celebration at London’s Servant Jazz Quarters.

‘Tigers Roar’ begins a series of single releases that lead to anew album, currently being recorded by James at his studio in Hampshire (should we mention that he’s also recording at Abbey Road studio?)

The rural setting and open skies have influenced his sound; snippets of bird song and other natural sounds can be heard in the songs, inadvertently captured recording ad-hoc vocals in the park or by the river. More traditional contributions come from Leo Wyatt (KINDER) and Ben Rowley on bass and Charlie Carroll on saxophone.

Though his music is audibly saturated with the spirit of sunshine, James mostly wrote and produced by the light of the moon, providing a lyrical juxtaposition to his sound. The songs draw back the curtain of escapism and encompass the real world. Sometimes oblique, sometimes explicit; the songs permit the listener license to draw their own interpretations as to their meaning.

“My life seems to revolve around the moon these days, I spend a lot of time in the dark hours so invariably I’m inspired by the things that people and creatures do in the dark. My creative process is always more charged at the end of the day. I sit down in the evening with just my laptop, MPC, guitar, headphones, tape deck and a notepad, and make music when inspiration comes.”

Following the EP’s release, James Alexander Bright plays live at The Waiting Room, London on 20th March 2019.

Live: 20th March 2019 @ The Waiting Room, London

James Alexander Bright

http://jamesalexanderbright.com

“Strut Records were there first, well before DFA recorded The Rapture’s Sub Pop debut. ‘Disco Not Disco’ preceded the punk funk revolution by two years.” Resident Advisor

For Record Store Day 2019, Strut present the first ever repress since 2000 of the influential first volume of ‘Disco Not Disco’ compiled by Joey Negro and Sean P as part of the label’s 20^th Anniversary.

‘Disco Not Disco’ was a perfectly timed compilation back in 2000. Released when interest in the myths, history and playlists of original New York clubs like Paradise Garage and The Loft was at its peak, the album drew on the outer limits of leftfield disco championed by Levan and Mancuso, bringing together unlikely dancefloor anthems by rock acts like Yoko Ono and Ian Dury, obscurities from cottage labels like BC and Splash and selected oddities from the unique mind of avant-garde hero, Arthur Russell. It was essentially a celebration of the sonic melting pot in New York during the early ‘80s, an era when punk had burnt itself out and disco had become commercial and saccharine; in its place, the post-punk movement threw up brilliant oddities which tore up the accepted rulebook.

Since its release, the compilation title has become a by-word for a whole genre of music and remains a landmark collection of its time. With original copies now changing hands for €100+, this new pressing is a welcome return for an essential celebration of disco’s difficult cousins. The album features full original artwork and Kris Needs’ sleeve notes and is remastered and cut by The Carvery.

Release date:: 13th April 2019 (RECORD STORE DAY)

We’re celebrating a big 20 years of good grooves here at Strut in 2019 and the limited edition Strut 20 t-shirt is now available to order via Everpress. Order here.

Listen here | Buy here

As part of their 20^th Anniversary celebrations, Strut present the first new volume in their pioneering ‘Nigeria 70’ series for over 8 years, bringing together rare highlife, Afro-funk and juju from the ‘70s and early ‘80s. Compiled by collector and DJ Duncan Brooker, this new selection of tracks is receiving its first international release outside of Nigeria.

The album explores the close connection between Nigeria and Benin’s music, most famously through Sir Victor Uwaifo, appearing here with a killer mid-‘80s ekassa jam, as well as highlife hitmaker Osayamore Joseph on ‘Obonogbozu’ (Joseph made headlines in Nigeria for very different reasons in 2017, surviving a one month kidnapping ordeal).

Other tracks include ‘Sickness’ a 1979 lament on how all countries share troubles by Prince Nico Mbarga, the Nigerian / Camerounian star behind the smash hit ‘Sweet Mother’; reggae singer Felixson Ngasia switches to funk and disco for a heavy workout with potent lyrics around black identity; another major highlife great Etubom Rex Williams unleashes a punchy psych funk gem with ‘Psychedelic Shoes’ and Africa 70 member Pax Nicholas vocals a simmering Afrobeat groove from Jacob Lee’s Saxon Lee & The Shadows International Band.

‘Nigeria 70: No Wahala’ is released on 29^th March 2019 on CD, 2LP and digital. All tracks have been restored by See Why Audio and mastered by The Carvery. The package features comprehensive sleeve notes including exclusive interviews with some of the original artists.

Buy here | Listen here

Strut present an exclusive new reissue of a great (and now very rare) original album from the early career of Nigerian juju star Shina Peters, ‘Sewele’ from 1986.

“‘Sewele’ represented a time of transition in my music career”, explains Peters. “I had branched out to start as a solo artist after spells with Ebenezer Obey, Prince Adekunle and Segun Adewale and I was trying to find my own voice and to play juju in a more progressive direction. This was an important time for me. Three years later, I had honed that sound into Afro-Juju, and my ‘ace: ‘Afro Juju Series 1’ album broke me as an artist.

On ‘Sewele’, Peters explored different themes on four extended juju workouts, showcasing his incredible guitar work and his sense of fun as the odd Bob Marley and Abba riff pops up in the grooves. The title track means ‘shower of blessings’: “it’s like a prayer for my fans throughout Nigeria and the diaspora.” The funky Afrobeat of ‘Yabis’ is about being proud to be African and not to follow American ways and ‘Agbe’ere De’ states proudly that Peters is coming again with something different: “I always wanted to get the message across to my fans that I was keeping things fresh and creating melodies and music that people would enjoy.” The final track, ‘Late Aboderin’, is a moving tribute to Peters’ mentor, the late Chief Aboderin: “He helped me in many ways including legal aid in a court case against a record label. He also bought a van to carry the band to concerts.”

This new reissue features all original artwork and a new sleeve note by Sir Shina Peters telling the story of the album and his wider career. The album audio has been restored by See Why Audio and remastered by The Carvery. Released 25 January 2019 on Strut.

The !K7 family is well represented at Eurosonic Noorderslag, the four day music showcase in Groningen, this year!

Catch management artists Niklas Paschburg, Hania Rani and Lawfandah performing live. As well as shows from !K7 Records’ Tomat Petrella and 7K!’s Maike Zazie. Head of Artist Management Rachael Patterson is also at the conference, talking ‘cutting out the middle man’ as part of the panel line up.

See you there! 

First to take the reins of DJ-Kicks in 2019 for the 67th mix, will be ever-evolving UK artist, Leon Vynehall.

His 26-track mix moves across genres and tempo, from 79bpm ambient to 169bpm jungle, featuring new material from Vynehall, plus a number of digitally exclusive tracks.

It’s available to pre-order now on CD, LP and all digital formats, and released on the 1st February 2019. You can catch Leon Vynehall DJ-Kicks Tour early next year through Europe.

2019 Tour Dates 

01 Feb – Le Sucre, Lyon 
02 Feb – I.Boat, Bordeaux 
08 Feb – Plastic Club, Milan
09 Feb – Circolo Degli Illuminati, Rome
13 Feb – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh  
14 Feb – The White Hotel, Manchester
15 Feb – Meraki, Liverpool  
16 Feb – La Cheetah, Glasgow
22 Feb – Concrete, Paris
23 Feb – The Island, Bristol
01 Mar – Swim Club, Prague
02 Mar – Berlin
08 Mar – ABclub, Brussels  
09 Mar – Fabric, London
15 Mar – Astin, Barcelona 
16 Mar – Audio, Geneva
29 Mar – Sterorocks, Bilbao

Electronic artist and founder of bbbbbb Bjarki announces new album ‘Happy Earthday’ with a slew of tour dates in the new year, including shows in London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney and Barcelona.

Very happy to announce that we have signed the superb Nubiyan Twist to Strut. Their new album, ‘Jungle Run’ is scheduled for February 2019 with guest appearances from two all-time legends, Tony Allen and Mulatu Astatke. First single from it, ‘Tell It To Me Slowly’ featuring Nick Richards, is out 16^th November on a limited 45 and digital.

You can catch the band at these venues in the coming weeks:

12.10.18 Leipziger Jazztage, Leipzig, Germany
20.10.18 Clitheroe Jazz Festival, Clitheroe, UK
28.10.18 Cork Jazz Festival, Ireland
14.11.18 La Belle Angele, Edinburgh, UK
15.11.18 The Reading Rooms, Dundee Jazz Festival, UK
6.12.18 Pllek, Amsterdam, Holland
7.12.18 Gretchen, Berlin, Germany
8.12.18 Musa, Goettingen, Germany

Detroit’s pioneering techno giant Robert Hood is next to take the reins of the DJ-Kicks mix series. His timeless 22 track offering includes four of his own new exclusives, and will come on CD as well as with a 2 x 12” vinyl sampler in winter 2018.

It’s hard to talk about techno without Robert Hood. The Motor City mainstay was a founding member of the pivotal Underground Resistance with Mad Mike Banks and Jeff Mills, and then went on to lay down a blueprint for minimal techno which continues to make an impact to this day. As Floorplan, of course, he veers into more funky and melodic house and techno, often with a gospel overtone that lead to rapturous receptions on dance floors around the world.

But the techno he makes as Robert Hood is what he is best known for. It has come on his own M Plant label, as well as vital outlets like Tresor, Peacefrog and Dekmantel, where 2017’s Paradygm Shift album proved that, 25 years after first starting out, he is still a force unto himself. The record was a return to the roots of his definitive Minimal Nation LP in 1994, and was filled with the sort of expert melodic loops, scintillating drums and hypnotic sense of repetition that only a few can master: making such simple yet effective music is a skill that Hood has made all his own.

His DJ-Kicks mix proves that once more: it is a techno mix, pure and simple. It exudes the trademark machine warmth and muscular sense of groove that makes Hood’s style so infectious. Most tracks are from the last few years and come from a range of mainly European producers, but the result is pure Robert Hood.

The perennial futurist wastes no time in getting down to business: after a brief buzzing synth line sounds like a spacecraft warming up for take off, the rubbery, relentless drums arrive and remain rooted to the floor for seventy minutes. Despite his famously linear approach, the tension between tracks, suspenseful breakdowns and sci-fi sense of melody throughout keeps you engaged: there is just enough light in the dark, sufficient colour between the shadows and constant sense of pressure to keep you utterly engaged from start to finish.

Robert Hood is synonymous with techno, and his entry into the DJ-Kicks series shows exactly why. Coming 16th November on CD, 2LP and digital. Pre-orders available now. 

Strut present the first ever international reissue of in-demand ‘80s zouk LP ‘Las Palé’ by Feeling Kréyol, out of Guadeloupe.

Producer Darius Denon explains: “This was 1988 and bands like Zouk Machine and Kassav were huge. I had met producer Frankie Brumier when I was performing at festivals and parties and he wanted to record a girl group so we began scouting venues, mainly around the Grande-Terre district in the island’s capital, Pointe-à-Pitre. I ran auditions and picked out the best three voices – Fabienne, Leïla and Yolande.”

Recording at a studio in Le Gosier, Denon trained them to sing the songs and spent around 6 weeks recording the album: “I gave them a couple of compositions that I had planned for my own solo album. I remember that we all got on really well; the sessions were fun.”

The title track ‘Las Palé’ was the lead track pushed as a single and achieved modest success domestically. The band did a few promotional performances in the island’s discotheques but, in the end, the album stalled. “Studios were expensive and there was no cheap technology as we have now. So, the producer ended up cutting corners with the production – the mix was not completely finished and the voices were not synchronised right to some of the tracks.”

For Denon, he continued his career to the present day, successfully moving to Paris and breaking through with the hit ‘Je t’emmene’ in 1998. Meanwhile, although ‘Las Palé’ turned out to be Feeling Kréyol’s only recording, the interest in the album has grown in recent years with the title track’s lo-fi charm finding its way into sets by Invisible City and onto Red Light Radio and more. This first full reissue is remastered by The Carvery and features full original artwork along with a new interview with Darius Denon. Out on Strut 16th NOVEMBER 2018.

Strut present an exclusive new compilation curated by Optimo’s JD Twitch, ‘Kreaturen Der Nacht’, bringing together classics, rarities and oddities from Germany’s original post-punk and independent scene from 1979 to 1985.

This was an era of particular artistic upheaval in Germany; emphasis was placed on expression rather than technical perfection, artistic impact rather than skill. Bands consciously abandoned the English-speaking mainstream with German band names and lyrics. “Although we had a small underground scene, it was very vibrant,” explains Gudrun Gut of Malaria! “Bands like Die Haut, our first band Mania D., Malaria!… we organised gigs ourselves, hung around together in a handful of clubs like Risiko or Dschungel and went to gigs at SO36. West Germany had other regional scenes too: Düsseldorf and Köln around Der Plan and the Ata Tak label and there was the Hamburg side with Abwärts. Germany didn’t have a real music industry like the US or UK back then.”

This new collection is a personal selection from JD Twitch: “The compilation is not designed to tell a definitive story of what was going on in Germany in this era; it is more an arbitrary collection of records I adore from a specific era with a specific attitude that hopefully together sum up some of the musical undercurrents in Germany at that time.”

The package features a host of rare and unseen photos from the period along with extensive interviews with artists including Beate Bartel (Mania D.), Gudrun Gut (Malaria!, Mania D.) Christoph Dreher (Die Haut), Michael Hirsch (P1/E, ExKurs) and Thomas Voburka (Weltklang).

‘Kreaturen Der Nacht’ is released on CD, 2LP and digital on 9^th November and to pre-order here.

Mount Kimbie take the reigns of the DJ-kicks series with a 23 track mix that includes one of their own new exclusives. It’s a snapshot of exactly what the UK duo sound like in the club right now and is accompanied by a DJ-kicks tour that takes the pair to DJ and live dates all round the world.

2018 marks a decade since Kai Campos and Dominic Maker first hooked up and started making music. In the early years they refashioned dubstep into innovative new forms that drew on ambient, garage and electronica. Their DJ and radio sets have also developed a formidable reputation throughout this period. They have offered a glimpse into the duo’s varied influences and avant-garde tastes from across all forms of electronic music.

This is a mix inspired by a mini-run of DJ gigs that Mount Kimbie played with Actress. “It was an interesting and challenging experience, and I learnt a lot on the six dates we did,” says Kai, who explains that plenty of the tracks he was playing during those gigs make it into the mix. They make it a forward looking affair that calls on music the band have discovered recently; music they have found inspiring. Their own ‘DJ-kicks’ track was made specially for the mix and was initially influenced by Stanislav Tolkachev and Alexis Perala, who are both also included. Rather than a painstaking plan or meticulous studio approach, this session captures the improvised energy of a real DJ mix, but one where each track is given time to breath and make an impact rather than one where DJ trickery is at the fore.

The result is a succinct 50 minutes that often goes deep, with roughhewn drums and grainy atmospheres from the likes of Terrence Dixon, Severed Heads, Marco Bernardi and Object Blue. It perfectly knits together stripped back rhythms, percussive tracks and more harmonic techno while seamlessly joining the dots between the old and the new. It’s a well balanced mix that stays low and heady, and that sense of focussed tension is what makes it so utterly compelling throughout.

This DJ-kicks is a welcome window into the very current musical world of Mount Kimbie. Due for release on 28th September.

Red Axes are very excited to present the first part of their new project called: “Trips”, a multi media venture combining music, film and travelling across the globe in pursuit of extra ordinary collaborations.

Niv Arzi and Dori Sadovnik are seeking to discover new grounds and sounds, and to record local musicians, indigenous instruments and present workshops for youth music schools.

In March of 2017, the Israeli duo touched down in Africa for the first time, and set up camp in both Ethiopia and Ivory Coast, yielding In Africa, a triple header EP which features three slices of contemporary body music, with both East and West African musical motifs.

The project will always present a musical release, on vinyl and digital, that was created on the trip, accompanied with a documentary, showing the whole journey. It’s out now.

Strut present a brand new edition of Oneness of Juju’s Afro-jazz classic ‘African Rhythms’, originally released on Black Fire in 1975 and first reissued on Strut in 2002.

For bandleader James “Plunky” Branch, ‘African Rhythms’ marked a significant return to his home town of Richmond, Virginia after a politically charged five years based on the East and West coasts. His personal journey had taken him from activism at Columbia University to San Francisco where Zulu musician Ndikho Xaba used theatre to “resurrect” Afro-Americans with a new African identity. The first incarnation of Plunky’s band, Juju, drew attention to the struggle in South Africa under apartheid, layering heavy Afro rhythms under uncompromising avant garde jazz.

Back in Richmond, Plunky tapped into the mid-Atlantic preference for Southern R&B and gospel: “Juju had always been blues-based and it was a natural progression to add R&B and dance rhythms. It didn’t change our message.” Produced by Jimmy Gray of Black Fire Records, the new sessions included the title track (“We wanted a song to dance to with a message – ‘you are dancing to African rhythms’”), the positive message of ‘Don’t Give Up’ and political commentary on ‘Liberation Dues’.

Originally just a regional hit on the East coast and in Washington DC specifically, the album gradually spread, influencing the nascent DC go-go scene. The UK revived the album during the rare groove era of the late ‘80s and the title track has since become a soul-jazz favourite worldwide.

Remastered from the original sessions and featuring rare photos and extensive liner notes, this new repress also features Part 1 and Part 2 of the original 45 version of ‘African Rhythms’ and the previously unheard ‘Afrobeat’, recently unearthed from the original tapes. Out on Strut 21st September. 

Strut continue their work with the “Godfather Of Ethio Jazz”, Mulatu Astatke, with the rest of official reissues of his early classics ‘Afro Latin Soul’ Volumes 1 and 2 from 1966, recorded as The Ethiopian Quintet.

Arriving after Astatke’s life-changing years studying at Berklee College in Boston, the albums were the rest experiments in his pioneering sound, fusing Ethiopian cultural music with Afro Latin and jazz forms. “I have always felt a deep connection between Latin and African music,” he explains. “I travelled to Cuba and listened to their musicians; the tempo, rhythm and feeling was very similar to different African forms. In the mid-‘60s, I formed a band called The Ethiopian Quintet in New York comprising Ethiopian, Latin and Afro-American musicians – the band included trumpeter and pianist Rudy Houston who later played with Yambu and Felix Torres who played with La Sonora Poncena.”

Supported by Worthy Records’ Gil Snapper who offered to record the quintet, Astatke began to experiment during two separate sessions: “We created a different feel and different arrangements. On the rst recording, I played an adaptation of an ancient Ethiopian warrior song, ‘I Faram Gami I Faram’ – the lyrics were translated so that the singer could sing it in Spanish. Some compositions were important steps for me: ‘Mascaram Setaba’ (‘Summer Is Coming’) ‘Shagu’ and ‘Almaz’. With the second album, a personal favourite is ‘Girl From Addis Ababa’ which worked very nicely as a fusion of Ethiopian modes and R&B rhythms.”

Astatke would start to perfect his Ethio jazz sound on his later album for Worthy in 1972, ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ (STRUT129) but the two volumes of ‘Afro Latin Soul’ stand as important recordings documenting his early career. “It was a very interesting time to be in New York during the mid-‘60s. I was there at the same time as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Fela Kuti and we each tried to play our part in putting Africa on the map of contemporary jazz.”

‘Afro Latin Soul’ Volumes 1 and 2 come in their full original artwork and are painstakingly remastered by The Carvery. All formats feature personal liner notes by Mulatu Astatke. It’s out now and available to Listen Here.

!K7 announce new DJ-Kicks curated by DJ Seinfeld The next installment of the series is set for release on CD, LP and digital on 13 July The first chapter of Armand Jakobsson’s musical career has been nothing short of remarkable. After establishing himself with rough but emotive house as Rimbaudian and jungle as Birds of Sweden, he unveiled his DJ Seinfeld alias to the world, first with underground hit single ‘U’, then with his Time Spent Away From U album on Lobster Fury in November 2017. It was a post break-up love letter to the dance floor with heart-on-sleeve emotions coloring the dusty and analogue house grooves. Acclaim came in from far and wide, with everyone from Rolling Stone to Pitchfork fawning over its heart swelling nostalgia and melancholic immediacy.
Since then, Jakobsson feels “everything around me changed beyond recognition, people and places I relied on for stability and comfort were no longer the same,” and so it has been a time in which he has had to find himself once again. Musically that means diversifying, and as such the Swede has veered into jungle, breaks and electro, as well as plenty of rough edged house, and continues to serve up electrifying DJ sets across the world.
Jakobsson approached his DJ-kicks with the intention of representing all the things that made him fall in love with dance music more than a decade ago, as well as showing some of the progression that has occurred in that time and “reflecting the simultaneous fear of leaving something safe behind as well as the excitement of venturing into unknown territories, musically and emotionally.” In order to make it as personal as possible, he called upon the many talented people around him making music. They returned with an enthusiasm that reminded Jakobsson of his own early passion, and in turn invigorated him and the whole process of assembling the mix.
DJ Seinfeld’s DJ-kicks is not only a testament of his characterful DJ skills, but also a complete artistic statement that showcases his unique vision of dance music.

The full album is out now. Click Here to have a listen!

Following on from his intimate entry into the DJ-kicks mix series, Lone is putting out a vinyl only EP of all the unreleased tracks from it.

The horizontal mix tapped into all of Lone’s influences, from hip-hop to house, IDM to techno. It also showcased some producers signed to his own Magic Wire label, and of course the back bone was built from some of the Nottingham man’s freshest new productions. They come after celebrated releases on Werk Discs, R&S and Dekmantel, and include dance floor aligned EPs and more rounded full lengths designed for close listening. Here he sits in between the two across three thrilling cuts.

Opener ’Saturday Night’ is a breezy bit of deep house with crisp boom-baps and swirling pads that lend it a dreamy, ethereal feel. Spoken word snippets are stitched into the groove and the whole thing is as frictionless and feel good as house comes.

Next up, ‘Arc’ is a little more direct, with scattered snares flapping over dry wooden kicks. It’s a punchy bit of house latest DJ-kicks mix star Kerri Chandler would be proud, and comes overlaid with spring time flutes and luscious pads as a classically inclined bassline powers things along.

Last but not least is ‘Alpha Wheel 4’ (Ambient Mix), a kaleidoscopic passage of suspensory sound scuffed up glassy surfaces trapping you in rays of refracted light from start to finish.

All three tracks exhibit Lone’s authentic, lived in and lo-fi aesthetic, and as a result slip perfectly into his ever more essential discography.

After nearly half a decade since their monumental Make It Good, DJ Tennis and Fink re-collide on !K7. Inspired, recent studio sessions have bore two breathing, sonic landscapes, entitled Certain Angles. Glimmering pianos, droning machines and captivating songwriting take form, wrapping the Berlin-based singer’s voice in subtle melancholy. Both humbly understated, yet party-ready, Certain Angles perfectly summarises the Life and Death founder’s recent etching in the DJ Kicks stone. DJ Tennis has also called on four of his most trusted allies to reinterpret the 12′, with four digital-only remixes: The/Das deliver a pensive moment of bubbling body music. Francesco Leali appears with a timeless, genre-bending re-perception as OPUS 3000. Lee Jones salutes the faithful dancers. Mentrist’s unclassifiable excursion challenges the towering borders of techno.

Strut present the first ever new international studio album by one of the all-time great African big bands, Orchestre Les Mangelepa. Last Band Standing is coming 20th October 2017 and available to pre-order now! Comprising Congolese musicians who settled in Kenya, Les Mangelepa helped drive the East African evolutionary spur of one of the greatest musical artforms, African rumba, during the 1970s.

Prior to their formation, in the late 1960s, future members of Les Mangelepa were part of Baba Gaston’s band, L’Orchestre Baba Nationale, based in Lubumbashi in the Eastern Congo. During the ‘60s and ‘70s, Congolese Rumba had become the dominant musical force across Africa ad Nairobi became a magnet since PolyGram, EMI and other international companies had studios and pressing plants in the city. In 1973, Baba Gaston’s band recorded in Kenya and relocated there permanently in 1975. Evany (Kabila Kabanze) and Bwamy Malumona were the bandleaders and held a residency at the Aquarius Club in Ngara but within Baba Nationale there was unhappiness about how Baba Gaston was treating them. A breakaway faction recorded ‘Mbungu’ and ‘Kijana’ under the name Les Mangelepa as a side project and a split became inevitable. Led by the Evany and Bwamy, the majority of the members of Orchestre Baba Nationale soon quit and formed Orchestre Les Mangelepa.

Developing a regular residency in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park at the Park Inn, Mangelepa began to draw huge crowds. Their early recordings helped them to establish their authority, released on contemporary labels like Jojo and Tobina. Alongside a spectacular horn section they were known for their tight vocals and bittersweet, poetic lyrics and, during the late ‘70s, Mangelepa’s stage shows were an unsurpassed breath-taking circus. They held a wide appeal across a spectrum of Kenyans; Congolese (Lingala) music was hugely popular and Mangelepa’s Swahili lyrics used the genre and brought Kenyans together across ethnic divisions. The popular music of Kenya at that time included Benga from the shores of Lake Victoria and Chakacha from the coast; Les Mangelepa became skilful and adept songwriters, harnessing the energy from these other music styles.

The band’s fame spread across East Africa, scoring household hits in Kenya with songs like ‘Maindusa’ and ‘Embakasi’. In the late ‘70s, under George Opiyo’s management, they embarked on lengthy tours of Uganda and Malawi and returned to their long-running Nairobi residency at Garden Square. In 1982 they headed to Zimbabwe via Tanzania and Zambia and, after breaking into two factions, made several acclaimed albums including ‘Safari Ya Mangelepa’ and ‘Madina’ for PolyGram.

Their popularity began to wane during the mid-‘80s until, in the early 2000s, Tom Kazungu took over their management and began to help breathe new life into the band, recording ‘Mangelepa Millennium’. They took up new residencies at Tents Club on Mombasa Road and Simmers, right in the centre of Nairobi. In 2016, Les Mangelepa finally made it out of Africa, touring Europe including the Afrika Festival in Hertme, Netherlands. This new album, recorded by No Nation’s Guy Morley, encapsulates some of their best-loved material, re-recorded and brought up to date using the current personnel of their Nairobi Vibro residency. They represent a wonderful era of African music and justifiably warrant the title ‘Last Band Standing’.

Ten years after his first release, UK artist Lone’s entry into the celebrated DJ-kicks series lands on 29th September and features four of his own new and exclusive tracks. It’s available to pre-order now.

This mix represents Lone as a producer: it starts out with the hip hop of his roots, then moves through some of the music of his childhood and on to a range of his enduring influences. Along the way, he stitches in his own newly produced sounds. “ I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone with this,” : he says. “ I’ m so used to programming my own material on my own albums, that’ s sort of how I approached this one.” Purposefully mixed in “ a loose, rough way” in his living room on a pair of CDJs, the idea was to make listeners feel like there were in there with him. It’ s designed for dreamy late night listening, or intimate headphone sessions, and “plays out a bit like a weird midnight radio show: it’ s purposefully all over the place, dreamy and trippy, so you can zone in and out.”

Lone’ s DJ-kicks very much feels alive, lived-in and authentic. It is a hugely personal view into his unique musical world. Available 29/09/17 on CD/2LP/Download/Stream and to pre-order now.

Following this years’ storming Glastonbury performance Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band are back to perform in Europe at YAAM Berlin on 28th September.  “The Golden Voice Of Africa”, Pat Thomas performs alongside the Kwashibu Area Band curated by multi-instrumentalist Kwame Yeboah (Cat Stevens, Patrice) and saxophonist Ben Abarbanel-Wolff (Ebo Taylor, Poets of Rhythm). Tickets are available here.  

Pat Thomas released his first full career retrospective “Coming Home” on Strut last autumn.

Canada’s fastest moving and hardest working collective are back with one of their finest albums to date on September 22nd, ‘Under Burning Skies’, a brand new journey into tropical, soul and jazz styles. It’s available to pre-order now.

Turbulent times call for strong voices and The Souljazz Orchestra’s new set packs a suitably heavy lyrical punch, with wry observations and an urge for progressive change. Musically, the band continue to push the limits, dusting off ‘80s vintage synthesizers and early drum machines for the first time, bringing lo fi disco, boogie and electro touches to their trademark horn arrangements and earthy analogue sound. The fruits are a-plenty and the group sound at their confident and versatile best from start to finish.

Opener ‘Dog Eat Dog’ powers in, lambasting the powerful and the corrupt over an infectious Afro-disco groove; ‘Lufunki’ takes the group right back to their B-Boy roots, bringing the Afro vibes to Beat Street and ‘Is Yeelyel’ delivers a killer rework of an obscure original by Somalian super-group Dur-Dur Band. The band go on exploring their passion for French Caribbean styles on the beautiful, lilting ‘Oublier Pour Un Jour’ and ‘Tambour À Deux Peaux’ and they take time for reflection on the potent instrumental title track and poignant closer ‘Aduna Jarul Naawo’, featuring the vocals of Élage Mbaye.

The release coincides with another monster tour schedule throughout the Autumn.

Next up on DJ-Kicks is Life And Death label founder DJ Tennis. And he’s been granted not one but two discs to showcase his eclectic yet coherent selection. The mix comes as a double CD and triple vinyl release featuring 4 exclusive tracks. Available now.

DJ Tennis is Manfredi Romano, a lifelong music fanatic who started out managing punk bands, progressed to putting on leftfield events, set up one of the most important Italian rock and electronic booking agencies, then started the Life And Death label. Since then Life and Death has launched acts like Tale of Us, Mind against and Vaal. Tennis’s own recorded output is selective and stylish, often featuring real melodies and a musicality that can be lacking in dance music. That knack for the musical and emotive side of things characterises both cerebral mixes he has put together here.

The mix includes brand new original from DJ Tennis featuring Fink called ‘Certain Angels,’ plus new Tennis versions of tunes by Pole and Frank Brettschneider, and finally an unreleased track, ‘Paratrooper,’ from acclaimed Tel Aviv duo Red Axes. All in all it’s a thoughtfully composed mix that’s subversive yet seductive in equal measure.

Strut present a brand new compilation documenting the groundbreaking maloya scene on Réunion Island from the mid-‘70s, as Western instrumentation joined traditional Malagasy, African and Indian acoustic instruments to spark a whole era of new fusions and creativity. Compiled by Réunionese DJ duo La Basse Tropicale, ‘Oté Maloya’ is out now on CD and LP as well as digital formats. The CD and LP versions include an extensive booklet  featuring the history of maloya by Nathalie Valentine Legros of 7 Lames Lamer.

‘Oté Maloya’ tells the story of this fertile period in Réunion Island music for the first time and features the full spectrum of maloya styles. From Caméléon’s genius to the teenage Michou’s classic ‘Maloya Ton Tisane’, Daniel Sandié’s breakbeat sleeper ‘Défoule 3e Age’ and more traditional styles from Maxime Lahope and Pierrot Vidot, this is an essential trip through a lost era of Indian Ocean blues and soul. ‘It follows up last year’s acclaimed ‘Soul Sok Séga’ release on Strut.

Shina Williams’ monster Nigerian disco anthem ‘Agboju Logun’ is out now on Strut featuring original artwork and all musicians’ credits and is fully remastered by The Carvery. The 12″ reissue pairs the rare original album version (released on Phonodisk Nigeria) with the more sparse 12” remix which surfaced later internationally on Earthworks. This is the third release on STRUT’S new Original Masters Series.

Back in 1979 when ‘Agboju Logun’ first appeared on his ‘African Dances’ LP, Williams knew well that the track was breaking new ground. “I want to show the whole wide world that Africa is alive with modern musicians to reckon with anywhere,” he stated. Now an accepted Afro disco classic of its time, ‘Agboju Logun’ did indeed bring together the cream of Nigeria’s players as a one-off supergroup in one inspired session. As a long-standing and well respected highlife musician and vocalist, Williams called in the ‘A’ list: Tunde Martins from Afro Collective played bass guitar, the brilliant Biddy Wright (player on albums by Lijadu Sisters, Blo and many more) contributed the famous synth lines and handled production, Fred Fisher was on trombone and Saliu Alabi played talking drum.

Enjoying limited success upon its release in Nigeria, ‘African Dances’ nevertheless gained some international attention when Earthworks’ Jumbo Van Renan licensed two tracks from it for an international 12” single release in 1984, remixing ‘Agboju Logun’ in a more stripped back mix for dancefloors. However, it was the period following Fela Kuti’s death in the late ‘90s that truly ignited interest in archive African grooves for a new internet generation. Strut’s first ‘Nigeria 70’ compilation featured the track in 2000 and it has been a staple in DJs’ crates ever since.

Strut present the definitive official reissue of this landmark album in the field of African music originally released in 1972. Available now. 

Recorded in New York, Mulatu of Ethiopia arrived at a time when Astatke had begun to master the delicate fusion of styles needed to create Ethio jazz. The album represents the first fully formed document of his trademark sound. It features ‘Kulunmanqueleshi’, ‘Dewel’, and ‘Kasalefku-Hulu’, tracks that Mulatu would return to regularly on singles and in live shows, the Ethio-Latin workout ‘Chifara’ and the self-titled groover ‘Mulatu’: “I wanted to make a track for myself!”.

The vinyl version is available both as a standard 1LP format, and as a limited edition 3LP 6-panel gatefold set. The 3LP deluxe edition features the stereo album master, a pre-mix mono master and a selection of out-takes from the sessions, giving the listener rare access to the DNA of the studio process. The full original album will also be available on CD and digital formats. All formats feature a new interview with Mulatu Astatke and rare photos.

The wait is over for Michael Mayer’s DJ-Kicks mix, out now on CD, 2LP and digital formats. In the words of Mixmag: “Rather than some lazy on-trend encapsulation of 2017, this is the sound of Michael Mayer being Michael Mayer.” Listen to the exclusive track The Horn Conspiracy and order the album here.

Get all new DJ-Kicks releases as well as subscriber-only specials, and exclusive access to our fan community with a Bandcamp Subscription from €30 a year. !K7 release at least 4 DJ-Kicks mixes each year on 2LP, CD and digitally.

Catch Michael Mayer soon on his DJ-Kicks tour:

Strut and Art Yard present a special release for Record Store Day 2017, the first ever official reissue of Sun Ra’s revered Discipline 27-II LP from 1972.

A product of the same sessions that would yield the legendary Space Is the Place LP, the recordings for the album took place on the 19th and 20th of October, 1972 at Streeterville Studios, Chicago, with the largest Arkestra line-up Sun Ra had yet taken into a studio session. The date was produced by Impulse! and Riverside veteran Ed Michel and, for the first time, the Arkestra was recorded in quadraphonic sound.

This first official reissue of Discipline 27-II was prepared in conjunction with Art Yard and Sun Ra LLC. The album is restored from the original master tapes and features complete original artwork and new sleeve notes by Francis Gooding.

The album will be released 22nd April 2017 in conjunction with Record Store Day.  Check the Record Store Day site for participating retailers.

This year, !K7 will be releasing our first ever Record Store Day title, in the form of an essential collection from veteran Italian hardware lover and Rephlex Records alum Bochum Welt. April is a broad exploration of ambient and downtempo that revisits and re-edits a selection of old works as well as offering up brand new music, all available for the first time on vinyl.

Bochum Welt is an avid collector of various vintage pedals and sound manglers, and in 1994 joined with Aphex Twin’s influential Rephlex label, where he put out many EPs and three full lengths. He is an accomplished musical engineer, sound designer and master of electronic atmospheres, and in his time he has made it into The Wire’s Top 15 albums of the year.

April collects sixteen short but absorbing tracks for their first-ever vinyl release. Several tracks previously were originally released on CD by Rephlex, while many tracks are completely unheard. From crunchy beats overlaid with pixelated pads to blissfully organic and tender piano-laced ambient numbers, the music on April is never less than beautiful. Expressive and personal throughout, this album is about sound research and melodic sensibility and is as technically awe inspiring as it is purely enjoyable.

Kondi Band, the inspired Afro-electronic collaboration between Sierra Leonean kondi (thumb piano) player Sorie Kondi and US producer / DJ Chief Boima, who himself has Sierra Leonean roots, has announced their debut LP Salone, coming out June 2nd.

The album follows the release of 2016’s Belle Wahallah EP, which spawned a #1 Spotify Viral Chart hit in the form of the track “Yeanoh (Powe Handa Blingabe),” as well as The Freetown Tapes, a free collection of Kondi’s solo work in the early 2000’s, mixed by Chief Boima.

According to Boima, the new album “forges a direct link between techno born in the black cities of the American Mid-West, where I grew up, and roots African music. Sorie Kondi may be playing an acoustic folk instrument from Sierra Leone, but he thinks about music as if he were a techno producer.”  It’s acoustic dance music that creates a sound as full and dynamic as any club track and, through Boima’s intricate production, the album subtly and skillfully integrates contemporary electronic sounds, keeping the simplicity and space in Sorie’s music.

Salone arrives June 2nd on CD, 2LP, and digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

The new track “Titi Dem Too Service” is streaming below.

“Wonderfully cathartic—as refreshing as a dip in a cold stream.” – Pitchfork (Best New Track)

Michael Mayer and Joe Goddard’s underground hit “For You” has received not one but two remixes courtesy of  DJ Koze, a man whose re-imaginings are deservedly revered. Koze’s first offering is a club mix composed of layered, floor-raising chords while ruffling up the original vocals gradually and elegantly. The second is an Mbira remix, filled with African-inspired percussive inklings and sprinkled with effortless melodic flourishes.

The full EP (including instrumentals) is available now on 12″ and digitally.

Tosca’s music is cinematic in nature, which makes it a natural fit for pairing with compelling imagery. The group’s brand new video for “Export Import” has to be one of our favorite videos they’ve done yet. Directed by Park Seungjin, the black and white video is a complete head trip.

Richard Dorfmeister spoke briefly with Thump, who premiered the video. “Being the opening track of our new album Going Going Going, I feel like this song sums up the Tosca vibe for the whole record: the sense of going back to our roots—celebrating the combination of sparse grooves and this mixture of all different kinds of influences, from bits of jazz to weird vocals and found sounds. But at the same time it’s not just us looking backwards but also converting these personal influences, the roots of Tosca’s sound, into something for the future. We were very happy to work with the video director Park Seungjin on this track. Through this special visual language that he has he’s really found the psychedelic quality of the track and created something that really sticks in the mind.”

Tosca’s new album Going Going Going is out February 10th 2017. Pre-orders and an early track download for “Export Import” are available now.

This year sees an exciting new undertaking from the Strut camp. We’re launching ‘Original Masters,’ a series of essential original LP reissues exploring rare and under-rated African, Latin and Caribbean music classics, curated by leading collector and DJ, Duncan Brooker.

If that right there is enough to let you know that you’ll be needing each of these classic LPs, we’re offering a subscription option which guarantees a copy of each of the four 1LP Original Masters releases we have planned for 2017. Each one is a new pressing of an extremely rare crate essential, so a subscription means you’ll have some great music to look forward to!
*Note, if you’ve already pre-ordered the Joe King Kologbo album and would like to subscribe to the full series, please email bandcamp@k7.com

The first release in the Original Masters series arrives February 10th 2017, in the form of an experimental highlife / disco outing by Nigerian highlife guitarist Joe King Kologbo.

Forced to flee Nigeria when the Biafran War broke out in 1967, Kologbo spent the late 60s performing with various outfits in Ghana before returning to Lagos in 1971 and playing with Fela Kuti’s Africa 70 and Fela’s wider circle of musicians. By the time he recorded the ‘Sugar Daddy’ LP for the tiny Electromat label in 1980, he was one of the older musicians on the circuit.

“Since he was based in the East during his early days, he was not as well known nationally as some of the other highlife players of the time,” says Oghene Kologbo, “so it’s nice that this album is coming out again. It brings back good memories. That Range Rover on the cover – that is Fela’s!”

Joe King Kologbo’s Sugar Daddy is released 10th February 2017 in its original artwork and features new interviews with Oghene Kologbo and Sonny Akpan of The Funkees. Pre-orders are available now. An edited version of the 15-minute title track is streaming below.

In the words of Sun Ra himself, Happy New Year To You! Last year saw the release of our lovingly assembled collection of Sun Ra’s legendarily rare vinyl singles (including the seasonally appropriate jam linked above). The 3CD and digital editions contained all 65 tracks, but the vinyl editions (3xLP & 10×45) were split into two volumes, each focusing on a period of Ra’s legendary career. If you’re a vinyl buyer and want the complete story, this is the conclusion you’ve been waiting for.

Sun Ra Singles – The Definitive 45s Collection Vol. 2 is released this April on 3xLP and a limited edition 10×45 box set. Vinyl for volume one went quickly, so don’t snooze! Pre-orders are available now.

Praise for Volume 1

“Beautifully packaged collection bringing together all of [Sun Ra’s] super rare 7-inch sounds. Sun Ra authority Irwin Chusid music be applauded for this huge cosmic undertaking.”
– Mojo (five stars)

“A compilation can only be as good as the artist(s) within it. This is incredible… as good a collection as is possible from which to explore the development of Sun Ra’s seemingly endless universe of music. Singles is gloriously extensive, bizarre, diverse and cerebral”
– Drowned In Sound

“Blasting into the cosmos and beyond as the jazz titan and his Arkestra expand upon, and create, Ra’s brand of Afro-futurusim. Space Loneliness this is not. All aboard.”
– Aquarium Drunkard (Best of 2016)

Tracklistings

3LP GATEFOLD VOLUME 2

A1 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – SPACE LONELINESS
A2 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – STATE STREET
A3 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – THE BLUE SET
A4 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – BIG CITY BLUES

B1 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA featuring PAT PATRICK – A BLUE ONE
B2 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA featuring PAT PATRICK – ORBITRATION IN BLUE
B3 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – OUT THERE A MINUTE
B4 LITTLE MACK with SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – TELL HER TO COME ON HOME
B5 LITTLE MACK with SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – I’M MAKING BELIEVE

C1 SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – THE BRIDGE
C2 SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – ROCKET # 9
C3 SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-SOLAR-INFINITY ARKESTRA – BLUES ON PLANET MARS
C4 SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-SOLAR-INFINITY ARKESTRA – SATURN MOON
C5 SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – JOURNEY TO SATURN
C6 SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – ENLIGHTENMENT

D1 SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – I’M GONNA UNMASK THE BATMAN
D2 SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – THE PERFECT MAN
D3 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – LOVE IN OUTER SPACE
D4 SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – MAYAN TEMPLE
D5 SUN RA QUARTET – SKY BLUES

E1 SUN RA QUARTET– DISCO 3000
E2 SUN RA – ROUGH HOUSE BLUES
E3 SUN RA – COSMO-EXTENSIONS
E4 SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – QUEST
E5 SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – OUTER SPACE PLATEAU
E6 SUN RA ARKESTRA – SOMETIMES I’M HAPPY

F1 SUN RA ARKESTRA – NUCLEAR WAR
F2 SUN RA ARKESTRA – ON JUPITER / COSMO DRAMA
F3 SUN RA ARKESTRA – COSMO DRAMA
F4 SUN RA – I AM THE INSTRUMENT

10 x 45 SINGLES BOX SET VOLUME 2

1A SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – SPACE LONELINESS
1B SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – STATE STREET

2A SUN RA & HIS MYTH SCIENCE ARKESTRA – THE BLUE SET
2B SUN RA & HIS MYTH SCIENCE ARKESTRA – BIG CITY BLUES

3A SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA featuring PAT PATRICK – A BLUE ONE
3B SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA featuring PAT PATRICK – ORBITRATION IN BLUE

4A SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – THE BRIDGE
4B SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – ROCKET # 9

5A SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-SOLAR-INFINITY ARKESTRA – BLUES ON PLANET MARS
5B SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-SOLAR-INFINITY ARKESTRA – SATURN MOON

6A SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – JOURNEY TO SATURN
6B SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – ENLIGHTENMENT

7A SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – I’M GONNA UNMASK THE BATMAN
7B SUN RA & HIS ASTRO-INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – THE PERFECT MAN

8A SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – LOVE IN OUTER SPACE
8B SUN RA & HIS ARKESTRA – MAYAN TEMPLE

9A SUN RA – ROUGH HOUSE BLUES
9B SUN RA – COSMO-EXTENSIONS

10A SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – QUEST
10B SUN RA & HIS OUTER SPACE ARKESTRA – OUTER SPACE PLATEAU

For over two decades and several albums Tosca has served as a vehicle for Richard and Rupert to express their personal moods and impressions, each release holding up a mirror to their inner lives. Now though after ten albums the journey has come full circle and once again they’ve returned to the kind of instrumental tracks, full of deep beats and dubbed out textures that made Tosca’s name.

The result is ‘Going Going Going’, an album that Tosca fans will immediately recognize and yet one that doesn’t just trade on former glories. Like the best of Tosca’s output, ‘Going Going Going’ defies easy categorization, taking in everything from the uneasy listening of ‘Hausner’ to excursions into House (‘Wotan’), Ambient Electronica (‘Olympia), Funk (‘Loveboat’) and beyond. Still despite an almost overabundance of ideas, in the more than capable hands of these two pioneers the result is a complex yet coherent and confident album that stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of their storied back catalogue.

Going Going Going is out February 10th 2017. Pre-orders and an early track download for advance track “Export Import” are available now.

!K7 is proud to announce the launch of a new division, 7K!, dedicated to cutting edge neo-classical musicians and composers. This is not an entirely new field for us. Having worked for years with artists like Brandt Brauer Frick, !K7 has been an innovative force in the contemporary classical movement since before the genre had a coined name. 7K! offers the chance to provide a platform for a wide range of genre-busting artists who are changing the way we conceive of classical music.

The debut 7K! release comes from Italian composer and multi-instrumentalist Luca D’Alberto, whose double single “Wait For Me” (b/w “Blessed Messenger”) is available now. Already a favourite composer of directors such as Peter Greenaway, Wim Wenders and Fernando Arrabal, D’Alberto met !K7 CEO Horst Weidenmüller in Berlin, initially to propose working on a string-based project with Tricky. Upon hearing D’Alberto’s music, Weidenmüller thought to himself “We have to work with Luca he is genius,” and the seeds for 7K! were planted.

To celebrate the beginnings of the new 7K! brand, 7K! has teamed up with Berlin radio station Flux FM who will be launching the new radio channel Neo FM on January 27th. Luca D’Alberto will play his first live show, complete with 4 piece ensemble, live at the event, which will be streamed worldwide from Silent Green in Berlin. Luca D’Alberto’s debut album Endless, produced by Martyn Heyne and Henrik Schwarz, is due for release on 7K! in 2017.

Luca D’Alberto – “Wait For Me” (Official Music Video) via Nowness

In 2006, blind kondi (thumb piano) player Sorie Kondi was surviving by busking on the streets of Freetown, Sierra Leone, abandoned by relatives and friends who had fled the rebel takeover of the city in the late ‘90s. Demos for his debut studio album had also been lost during that time. His sound was marked by his electrified Kondi, run through a small distorted amplifier that he carried on his back whilst performing on the street.

Since then, Sorie has recorded and finished five albums in total in Freetown, using whatever means available to him, culminating in the ‘Without Money No Family’ album, which happened to catch the ear of US producer / DJ Chief Boima (also of Sierra Leonean descent) after chancing upon a YouTube link.

The two joined forces as Kondi Band, combining Sorie Kondi’s traditionalist performances with Boima’s globally-informed electronic production. The duo released an EP this year on Strut, recently performed acclaimed sets to thousands at Transmusicales and Womex, and have received accolades from tastemakers including Gilles Peterson, leading to a recent takeover of Worldwide FM by Boima. With a Kondi Band album, ‘Salone’, coming in 2017, Boima has created a free mix to showcase Kondi’s incredible history.

As well as collecting songs from across Sorie Kondi’s recorded music career, this mix also includes one original and two remixes of songs from the forthcoming debut Kondi Band album. The mix is available now for free download on the Kondi Band Bandcamp.

Keep up with Kondi band on Facebook as they tour and prepare to release their debut album.

The Freetown Tapes 2006-2016 by Sorie Kondi

With his much anticipated DJ-Kicks mix due to drop next Friday, the man at its helm, London-based producer and DJ Daniel Avery, has today premiered the third and final of his original productions for the release in the form of the slow-burning, searing ‘A Mechanical Sky’. This follows ambient first taste ‘Space Echo’, accompanied by a striking animated visual from Kevin A. Freeney, and Avery’s collaboration with BleeD boss Volte-Face as Rote with ‘Look In Your Eyes’.

First teased in his Dekmantel set this August in front of a rapturous audience both at the festival and online via a live Boiler Room broadcast, ‘A Mechanical Sky’ comes in close to the album’s end point, segueing into the propulsive, shimmering techno of Edit-Select’s remix of ‘Cirklon Bells’ by Glaswegian duo Slam (aka Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle), before ‘Space Echo’ slows down the orbit, bringing proceedings to a close in a warm soundscape of disembodied, crystalline atmospherics.

Speaking about ‘A Mechanical Sky,’ Avery commented, “A club track made exclusively for the mix. It feels good to be back in the studio and making music again. Some finish lines are appearing on the horizon.”

Daniel Avery’s DJ-Kicks is released 11th November 2016. Pre-orders are available now.

With his DJ-Kicks album just weeks away, London-based producer and DJ Daniel Avery shares another track from the highly anticipated release. In recent months Avery has teamed up with BleeD boss Volte-Face for a new collaborative project called Rote, and today he debuts their track ‘Look In Your Eyes’ via Thump, one of three new original Avery productions on the album alongside the ambient closing track ‘Space Echo,’ and the slow-burning, driving intensity of ‘A Mechanical Sky’.

Avery’s DJ-Kicks mix creates a hypnotic space focusing on “music by like-minded souls” from the outer reaches of techno including international talents Svreca, Rrose, Artefakt and IORI. It is a mix concerned with the idea of taking a collective breath and allowing records their own time.

Daniel Avery’s DJ-Kicks is released 11th November 2016. Pre-orders are available now.

On the eve of embarking on a European tour, the spiritual jazz ensemble The Pyramids, lead by Idris Ackamoor receive a remix from soulful house producer Chris Deepak. Deepak takes the title track of the Pyramids’ latest album on Strut, adding some low end and a propulsive afro-influenced rhythm.

Download the remix for free via Soundcloud below.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids’ album We Be All Africans is out now on Strut.

Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids Fall European Tour:
04.11. FR Paris: WorldStock Festival
05.11. CH Luzern: Südpol
06.11. CH Basel: Kaschemme
07.11. DE Augsburg: Grandhotel Cosmopolis
08:11. CZ Praha: Jazzdock
09.11. BE Brussels: Ancienne Belgique
11.11. NL Utrecht: Le Guess Who? Festival
12.11. DE Hamburg: Überjazz Festival
13.11. SE Stockholm: Fasching
18.11. DE Berlin: Prince Charles
19.11. UK London: Café OTO
20.11. UK London: Café OTO
22.11. UK London: Late Junction (recordings)
24.11. DE Frankfurt: Mousonturm
25.11. DE Frankfurt: Mousonturm

Michael Mayer has debuted a new track from his forthcoming album &, featuring Joe Goddard of Hot Chip / The 2 Bears. “For You,” the album’s second single, is a modern ballad for the dance floor and bedroom; a true love story sung by one of the best. Over the course of Michael’s career remixing the likes of Rufus Wainwright or Pet Shop Boys, he has been able to bridge song writing and dance music in an extraordinary way and they both unleash the best of their talents and shine as if someone turned on every light in the world for a love that is meant to stay.

Speaking with Flaunt about working with Joe Goddard, Mayer said: “We’ve been wanting to work together for a quite some time. I’ve always admired his work, be it as a member of Hot Chip, The 2 Bears or especially his solo works. Although we didn’t know each other very well, I always felt like he’s a kindred spirit. When I invited him to take part in this project, he directly sent over some sketches he had made. ‘For You’ instantly was my favorite of the bunch as it perfectly encapsulated what I love so much about Joe’s work. It had this all out emotive vibe to it. It just needed to be structured and put together – something that I like to think I’m quite good at.”

& is released 28th October on !K7. Pre-orders are available now,

Marcel Dettmann has revealed the second exclusive track from his forthcoming DJ-Kicks compilation – a collaboration with revered producer Levon Vincent, entitled ‘Can You See.’

The pair has previously collaborated, releasing ‘Vengeance’ on Levon’s own Novel Sound label towards the end of 2015 to critical acclaim. Speaking about their relationship, Marcel explains: “Five years ago we sat in the studio and were just jamming, and started to work on some tracks… we met in Munich last year before playing together and suddenly he handed me over a test pressing of one of these tracks – I was surprised because he hadn’t said a single word about it to me before then. ‘Can You See’ was still in the drawer, so we started working on that track again, sending sound back and forth, and the result is what you can listen to now.”

‘Can You See’ sees the duo venture into darker territory; a stripped back, sub-bass laden affair, the quality of this production immediately stands out in the early stages of the mix.

Marcel Dettmann’s DJ-Kicks is released 14th October on CD, 2LP & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now. A limited edition art print depicting the making of the album cover (shot by infamous Berghain photographer Sven Marquardt) is available via Bandcamp.

Daniel Avery is a firm believer in the transformative power of music. Avery’s belief in the unique alchemy alchemy that takes place when a DJ crafts a mix or a live set acted as a guiding force during the creation of his DJ-Kicks. Across its 78 minutes Avery’s mix creates a hypnotic space focusing on “music by like-minded souls” from the outer reaches of techno including international talents Svreca, Rrose, Artefakt and IORI. It is a mix concerned with the idea of taking a collective breath and allowing records their own space.

>> Pre-Order Daniel Avery’s DJ-Kicks <<

A striking animated visual from Kevin Freeney premieres today for DJ-Kicks’ ambient closing track ‘Space Echo,’ the start of some long-awaited new material from Avery.

The mix features three new original Avery productions including a track from Rote, a project with BleeD boss Volte-Face. It follows three years’ worth of studio experimentation in-between a life spent on the road touring the enormous success of debut record, Drone Logic, released in 2013 on Erol Alkan’s wildly psychedelic Phantasy label.

Avery’s DJ-Kicks album stands as a testament to the strength of the current state of affairs in underground electronic music, borne out of one of its most original talents.

Daniel Avery’s DJ-Kicks is released 11th November 2016. Pre-orders are available now.

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Legendary EMI Nigeria producer Odion Iruoje and rare African music collector Temi Kogbe have launched a new label called Odion Livingstone, a brand new venture out of Lagos, Nigeria in association with Strut Records. The label is one of the only imprints based in Nigeria to specialize in new and back catalogue releases from across Africa, bringing a fresh African perspective.

The debut release in November will be an official reissue of the much in-demand 1983 LP ‘Friday Night’ by Livy Ekemezie, a brilliant one-off independently released disco / funk album originally pressed at William Onyeabor’s pressing plant in Enugu. Further releases will explore a wide variety of Africa’s lost back catalogue gems through original LP reissues and compilations alongside selected new artist recordings.

The first new, exclusive track from Marcel Dettmann’s DJ-Kicks compilation is now available to stream in full ahead of the LP’s release; a remix of the producer’s 2006 classic ‘Let’s Do It’ from Ostgut Ton label mate Rolando.

Rolando’s remix is an ethereal, slow building affair, teasing in the characteristics of the original in an atmospheric intro. The original mix of ‘Let’s Do It’ was the first release on Dettmann’s own MDR label ten years ago. Rolando is an expert producer and remixer, his Ostgut Ton releases having previously been featured in Marcel’s sets, reinforcing the historic Berlin-Detroit axis.

Marcel Dettmann’s DJ-Kicks is released 14th October on CD, 2LP & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now. A limited edition art print depicting the making of the album cover (shot by infamous Berghain photographer Sven Marquardt) is available via Bandcamp.

Marcel Dettmann is a Berlin icon who can claim as much responsibility as anyone for the state of modern techno. He has worked closely with many of the genre’s gatekeepers and torch bearers, including Berghain, Ostgut Ton, and Hard Wax. On his upcoming DJ-Kicks, the DJ and producer set out to make a mix that would reflect the entirety of his tastes and musical identity beyond his legendary club sets.

The mix, he says, comes “out of my personal music history, which could be described with the terms Berlin, Berghain and Hard Wax. It’s music that has accompanied me for decades… it is not a mix of brand new tracks, it’s a mixture of of all the music that shaped me over the years and of all the things that still move me today, aesthetically and acoustically.”

In addition to music carefully culled from his extensive collection, DJ-Kicks is chock full of new Dettmann productions, remixes, and edits, including collaborations with Levon Vincent and Wincent Kunth. In addition to brand new original remixes and edits, there’s also an unreleased remix of Marcel’s ‘Let’s Do It’ from Ostgut Ton lablemate Rolando.

DJ-Kicks is the latest in a long series of lifetime achievements over the course of Dettmann’s career – and with so many new unreleased original Marcel Dettmann productions included, this is a landmark release for the producer. “This mix is not the picture that other people take of me,” he says, “it is the picture I’d take of myself.”

Marcel Dettmann’s DJ-Kicks is released 14th October on CD, 2LP & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now. A limited edition art print depicting the making of the album cover (shot by infamous Berghain photographer Sven Marquardt) is available via Bandcamp.

Michael Mayer is the true definition of a taste-maker. His work as a producer, a DJ, and a curator via his label Kompakt, speaks for itself. Mayer’s recording career spans four albums, 23 EP’s, nearly 170 remixes and the legendary DJ mixes for fabric and Immer. ‘&’ is his third full-length, a passionate and personal album that speaks as broadly as his DJ sets – embracing his genre-busting love for music, rhythm and atmosphere – and the dance floor in front of him.

‘&’ – the title says it all; Michael Mayer collaborated for every track on the album. The list of contributors is quite impressive, including Roman Flügel, Prins Thomas, Joe Goddard of Hot Chip, Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires among many others. Mayer is adamant that the collaborations came about because of a shared musical vision and personal connection rather an effort to stack the lineup. “All of those involved are good friends of mine and not random choices selected from someTop 100 list,” he says. “These people mean a lot to me – and by that the music we produced together is heart driven and emotionally powered.”

An album highlight is ‘Und Da Stehen Fremde Menschen’ (streaming below), built around a vocal sample from a long lost East German band Stern Meissen. “I bought the record because I thought the cover was interesting. Then I heard this one line that fit perfectly to this idea of mine,” says Mayer. “Barnt was the only candidate to make this idea come to life. The trick was to bridge something that sounds sincere and deep with a delicate balance of craziness”. The outcome breathes a groovy spookiness, likened to the Giallo works of Dario Argento, where the borders between reality and fiction are not clear. A digital single for ‘Und Da Stehen,’ featuring remixes from Patric Baumel & Kowton, will be released 5th September.

‘&’ is released 28th October on !K7. Pre-orders are available now, including ‘Und Da Stehen Fremde Menschen’ and ‘Blackbird Has Spoken’ (with Agoria).

Orders from the !K7 Store and Bandcamp include a limited edition lithograph art print of the album cover.

A new compilation series !Kollections launches this week with edition 01: The Club. The concept behind the new series is to showcase the wide range of music released by the amazing group of partner labels in the !K7 Collective. Each edition will focus on a particular sound with the first edition – !Kollections 01: The Club featuring dance floor and club friendly cuts from labels such as AUS, Mobilee, Turbo, Graded, Mister Saturday Night, Hypercolour & more, and includes tracks from Dusky, Midland, Bicep, Maya Jane Coles, DJ T, Kerrier District, Roman Flugel and more.

Stream the first entry in the series below. !Kollections 01: The Club is also available via digital retailers everywhere.

With his first album for !K7 out in a week, producer / vocalist / performer Portable has put his track “This Frozen Lake” into the capable hands of Shackleton for a new mix. One half of the revered Skull Disco label (with Appleblim) and a purveyor of a vast array of heady left-field sounds, Shackleton is the perfect choice to tease new glimpses from the beauty of the original track.

Portable’s Alan Abrahams album is out 19th August on !K7. Pre-orders are available now.

This Fall, we’re proud to present the first full career retrospective release for Ghanaian highlife master and “The Golden Voice Of Africa,” Pat Thomas, covering his late ‘60s big band highlife recordings through to the “burger highlife” movement of the early ‘80s. With Thomas currently wowing audiences on the road in support of last year’s incredible album with Kwishibu Area Band, Coming Home offers listeners a chance to get to know Thomas’ singular career.

One of Thomas’ earliest tracks, with the Ebo Taylor lead Broadway Dance Band, is streaming below. The partnership with Taylor would become one of the enduring forces in Ghanaian music during the ‘70s, creating a fresh, progressive new highlife sound. “Today, highlife has become the world’s music,” says Thomas, “and I am proud to still bring it to so many people.”

Pat Thomas – Coming Home is released 30th September on 2CD, 3LP and digital formats, and features exclusive photos and a full interview with Pat Thomas. Pre-orders are available now.

As the architect of the “Modern Funk” sound, DâM-FunK has always given respect to funk’s originators: genius musicians who contributed to lineage of funk in all its forms. It’s only fitting then that one of these influential figures, Chicago house legend Larry Heard, has stepped up to remix DâM’s DJ-Kicks exclusive track “Believer.”

Utilizing his “Mr. Fingers” alias, Heard teases and stretches the tight funk grooves to around the ten minute mark, lathering the beat in codeine smeared keys and shimmering pads in a heady trip through the L.A Hills and into coastal dance inter-zones.

A single featuring “Fingers Deep-Funk Remix” and backed with the DâM-Funk / Nite Jewel collaboration “Can U Read Me” is available now. A 12″ single is out Friday 5th August.

As the architect of the “Modern Funk” sound, DâM-FunK has always given respect to funk’s originators: genius musicians who contributed to lineage of funk in all its forms. It’s only fitting then that one of these influential figures, Chicago house legend Larry Heard, has stepped up to remix DâM’s DJ-Kicks exclusive track “Believer.”

Utilizing his “Mr. Fingers” alias, Heard teases and stretches the tight funk grooves to around the ten minute mark, lathering the beat in codeine smeared keys and shimmering pads in a heady trip  through  the L.A Hills and into coastal dance inter-zones.

A single featuring “Fingers Deep-Funk Remix” and backed with the DâM-Funk / Nite Jewel collaboration “Can U Read Me” is available now. A 12″ single is out Friday 5th August.

Last week, Portable debuted his amazing self-directed video for “Say It’s Going To Change,” one of the highlights from his forthcoming album Alan Abrahams. This week sees the release of a full remix package for the song.

The EP kicks off with a charged workout from Swiss master Deetron, who channels classic dance floor sounds for a monster remix. The following track is a remix from Portable’s own Bodycode alias, featuring vocalist from none other than Ursula Rucker. The the EP is rounds out with new Portable track, Balinese Nights.

Both remixes are streaming below. The “Say It’s Going To Change” EP is on sale now. Pre-orders for the Alan Abrahams album, out August 18th, are available now.

Audion’s album Alpha is a most welcome return from Matthew Dear’s techno alter ego following a decade-long album absence. Hailed as an much-needed injection of fun and authenticity into the genre’s crowded landscape, the album has been steadily blowing up dance floors and headphones since its release in June.

This week, two new remixes have surfaced from an upcoming double-sided single for album tracks “Gut Man Cometh” and “Destroyer.” First up, electronic music legend and longtime !K7 collaborator Matthew Herbert delivers a devastating deconstruction of “Gut Man Cometh,” stripping the track down to its component elements and building it back up again. Next up is “Lean Tape Version” from Aus affiliate FOLD, layering jazzy synth chords on top of the propulsive percussion to give the track some added warmth.

Both remixes are streaming below. The Gut Man Cometh / Destroyer EP is out 22nd July on Beatport. Audion’s Alpha album is available now.

Portable, a/k/a Alan Abrahams, wants to reach you on a personal level. His new album features his given name for its title, as well as his own voice and piano playing. And his latest music video features the artist alone against a magnificent but intimidating natural backdrop, communicating the song’s lyrics in sign language directly toward the camera. Naturally, the video is directed by Abrahams himself.

“I decided to film ‘Say It’s Going To Change’ on the Spanish island of Lanzarote because of its volcanic terrain, and its desolate landscape,” Portable told THUMP, who premiered the video. “One gets a kind of sense of being on another planet, after some kind of war or global warming disaster, and I thought that fits perfectly with the theme of the song.”

Portable’s Alan Abrahams album is out 19th August. Pre-orders are available now.

A single for “Say It’s Going To Change,” featuring remixes from Deetron & Portable’s own Bodycode alias (featuring Ursula Rucker on vocals) will be available 22nd July.

In the early 1970s, Yorkshireman Peter Bagshawe was living in Zambia, pursuing an interest in steam trains. He ended up as the de facto manager for one of the greatest Afro Rock bands of the era. How all of this came to pass is story you’ll have to hear him tell. Thankfully, he sat down via Skype recently to recount his time managing Sunburst.

Our Ave Africa compilation, which collects the Tanzanian band’s entire recorded output, is available now on CD, LP & digital formats.

Having already shared exclusive music from Denis Sulta and Tessela, it’s clear that Jackmaster isn’t messing around with the exclusive music he’s curated for his DJ-Kicks mix. With the mix dropping next week, here’s one more exclusive track from the mix, courtesy of Alcatraz Harry. With ammunition like this, it’s no surprise that Jackmaster is one of the most in-demand DJs in the world.

Jackmaster’s DJ-Kicks is available 8th July on CD, 2LP (w. CD insert) & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

The world’s introduction to Idris Ackamoor’s music came via three otherworldly recordings as The Pyramids, self-released in the 1970s on the band’s on Pyramid Recordings label. Though the original vinyl presses are quite rare, the strength of the music endured, leaving Ackamoor with an international following. Following the release of the Pyramids’ new album We Be All Africans, DJ duo We Are The Horsemen have rounded up some of their favorite nuggets from throughout Ackamoor’s career for a retrospective mix, as well as a brief interview on Mass Appeal.

Stream the mix below for a look back on a career of pushing the boundaries of consciousness through jazz improvisation. We Be All Africans is available now.

Tracklist:
THE PYRAMIDS – MEMORY RITUAL
THE COLLECTIVE – THE SHEPHERDS TUNE
THE PYRAMIDS – QUEEN OF THE SPIRITS
IDRIS ACKAMOOR ENSEMBLE – CUBANA
THE PYRAMIDS – JAMAICAN CARNIVAL
THE PYRAMIDS – BIRTH/SPEED/MERGING SUITE PART 2: BIRTH/SPEED/MERGING
THE PYRAMIDS – NEBULOSITY
THE PYRAMIDS – NSORAMA (THE STARS)
THE RIVER GANGES
THE PYRAMIDS – INDIGO (PART 1)
IDRIS ACKAMOOR QUARTET – SPIRITUAL REBIRTH
THE PYRAMIDS- YA A YA A
THE PYRAMIDS – BLACK MAN AND WOMAN OF THE NILE
THE PYRAMIDS – LAND OF ETERNAL SONG SUITE (PART 3)
THE PYRAMIDS – REINCARNATION
THE PYRAMIDS – BIRTH/SPEED/MERGING SUITE PART 3: REAFFIRMATION

Anticipation has been steadily building for Jackmaster’s DJ-Kicks, and for good reason. Quite simply, everything the man touches is quality. On DJ-Kicks, his legendary knack for selection extends to the exclusive music he sourced for the mix. We recently shared an exclusive track from Denis Sulta, and this week i-D lets loose with a huge track from Tessela. Laced with skittering, jungle-influenced percussion and a murderous bassline, “Up” is one of the highlights of the mix, and an indication of just how seriously both of these musicians take their craft.

Jackmaster’s DJ-Kicks is available 8th July on CD, 2LP (w. CD insert) & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

Listening to Anthony Joseph speak about his relationship to his Caribbean heritage on his new album is enough to make us want to pack our bags and spend some time on the islands. While that’s unfortunately not an option as much as we’d like, watching the music video for Joseph’s “Slinger” is the next best thing to being there in person. Filmed on location in Trinidad, the video tells the story of a man connecting with his roots, while paying tribute to one of Trinidad’s most legendary musicians, Mighty Sparrow.

Joseph’s new album (his sixth, and first on Strut) Caribbean Rhythms is out this week in partnership with Heavenly Sweetness on CD, LP & digital formats.

Portable is Alan Abrahams, a South African born artist, producer, and celebrated live act who has released his minimal wares on cult labels like Perlon and Live At Robert Johnson, as well as his own Süd Electronic label. Abraham’s first LP for !K7 is his most personal yet, taking the artist’s given name for its title. The album places Portable’s distinctive vocals front and center, showcasing some very real song writing skills next to Abrahams’ own piano playing, in addition to a few choice collaborators.

Having teased new music earlier this with a free download for “As For Me,” “Say It’s Going To Change” is the first official single from the album, offering a supple dose of house optimism in contrast to the earlier track’s introspection. A single package for “Say It’s Going To Change” will be available 22nd July.

‘Alan Abrahams’ is available 19th August 2016 on CD, 2LP (w. CD insert) and digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

Jackmaster’s DJ-Kicks solidifies the reputation of one of the most in-demand DJs working today. In his work words, “the mix is influenced heavily by how I used to DJ at the first party I ever promoted, named Seismic, and another named Monox which was a straight up techno night where I was a resident from the age of 17. And although it wasn’t my plan, it turned into a kind of tribute to the cities that really formulated me as a DJ: Detroit, Chicago and Glasgow. There are a couple of wee secret weapons on there that are stolen from the guys at Rubadub, and obviously tracks Q1.1 by Basic Channel and the M-Plant bits I picked up from them too. The rest is stuff I found myself or on mates labels or produced by friends.” Denis Sulta’s “MSNJ” belongs to the latter category, and is one of three exclusive tracks from the mix. Stream the track in full below.

Jackmaster’s DJ-Kicks is available 8th July 2016 on CD, 2LP (w. CD insert) & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now. All physical orders from !K7’s stores include a Jackmaster T-Shirt.

Alpha is the first album from Matthew Dear’s techno alias Audion in over a decade, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Dear’s work as Audion captures what we love most about techno: propulsive rhythms, infectious basslines that morph with the track’s progression, and a sense of fun that is missing from all too many productions.

Before the full album drops on 10th June, Dear has shared one of the album’s many dancefloor weapons “Timewarp” for an advance stream. “‘Timewarp’ was made for my live set at the legendary festival of the same name,” Dear explained in an email to The FADER, who premiered the track. “I started it in a hotel and tested at the festival. It worked well, and I returned to the studio later that week to finalize it.”

Alpha arrives 10th June on CD, LP & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

Jackmaster is one of the most in-demand DJs working today. From humble beginnings behind the counter of legendary record store Rub-A-Dub in Glasgow, Scotland, his has been a grassroots movement to dominate the bills of some of the best electronic music events across Europe and America.The Numbers club night he co-founded a decade ago has grown into a revered label with releases from Jessie Ware, SBTRKT, Rustie, Hudson Mohawke and Jamie xx. Jack has also hosted a series of shows for the globally renowned BBC Radio 1 allowing his charming personality and instinct for judging an audience to unite, a formula that continues to elevate his status as a world class DJ.

Strut team up for the first time with acclaimed French label Heavenly Sweetness for the brand new album by the celebrated poet, novelist and musician, Anthony Joseph.

‘Caribbean Roots’ represents an uncompromising return to his roots for Joseph, who has always remained true to a powerful, deep-seated sense of his own Caribbean identity. Starting out as a joint project with the outstanding percussionist Roger Raspail (Cesaria Evora, Papa Wemba), the album swiftly grew into a major work incorporating the rhythms, sounds and vibes that rock the Caribbean from San Fernando, Kingston and Les Abymes to Port-au-Prince and Havana. Backed by a band made up of a blend of musicians with Caribbean origins or connections, the album attempts to unite the different islands into a single entity without diluting any individual strand. “The idea, heard so often,” says Joseph, “is that the Caribbean is a fragmented region, socially, politically, historically. In my view, it’s a unified space, with more relations than disparities. The album is asking Caribbean people to consider that their roots are in the Caribbean, that their generations run deep and that now, we can claim it as ancestral space.”

Joseph weaves an uncompromising direction through the album tracks, spinning his unique lyrical blend of afro-futurism and surrealism. He explores his native Trinidad and takes, in his own words, “a journey into the dark heart of the island”. He chronicles tales and parables: “songs tell of runaway slaves; badjohns or rude boys that we find much in black culture – our heroes, our soldiers”. There’s a muscular tribute to calypso great Mighty Sparrow and incisive reflections on colonialism: “As a Caribbean ex-pat living in Europe, I break out of the quotidian to realize that these grand architectures around me were built by those who colonized and enslaved me. I guess the album is about celebrating roots, but roots that lie within us.”

Heavyweight guests on the album include saxophonists Shabaka Hutchings (The Comet Is Coming) and Jason Yarde (Jazz Jamaica All Stars), trumpeter Yvon Guillard (Magma), bassist Mike Clinton (Salif Keita), trombonist Pierre Chabrèle (Creole Jazz Orchestra), Patrick Marie-Magdelene (Manu Dibango), celebrated Trinidad calypso icon David Rudder and Andy Narrell, master of the steel pans.

‘Caribbean Roots’ is released on Heavenly Sweetness / Strut on CD, LP and digital on June 24th. Pre-orders are available now. Album track “Mano A Mano” is streaming below.

On the occasion of the first-ever retrospective of Tanzanian Afro-Rock band Sunburst, longtime Strut associate and compiler of the Nigeria 70 series Duncan Brooker presents a selection of some of Sunburst’s peers and contemporaries via this incredible mix of rare East African 45s. Duncan’s incredible mix premieres today on Stereogum.

Ave Africa: The Complete Recordings 1973-1976 is released 24th June on Strut. For a limited time, orders from the Strut web store & Bandcamp have the option to include a limited edition cassette featuring unreleased Sunburst demos recorded in Lusaka in 1976. 100 copies only! Pre-orders are available now.

Tracklist:

1. SUNBURST – SIMBA ANGURUMA
2. NDARA MOYO – THAT’S THE WAY
3. SALOMON NGOUA – SHE’S GOT A SNAKE
4. NGOZI FAMILY – SUKUMA SEMEJI
5. SUNBURST – BANCHIKICHA
6. AFRO 70 – PEMBENYI MOTO
7. VIJANA JAZZ BAND – DIBWEWZE ZOGOLO JANGU
8. TABORA JAZZ BAND – HASIRA HASARA
9. SUNBURST – VIJANA
10. THE AFRO-KIDS – SHOREZA INYANGE
11. THE SAFARI TRIPPERS – MWANA MPOTEVU
12. MAQUIS DU ZAIRE – KASONGO
13. CASSIM COMBO – CHAKACHA
14. THE MIGHTY CAVALIERS – DUNIA INA MAMBO

Kondi Band is an inspired collaboration between Sierra Leonean kondi (thumb piano) player Sorie Kondi and US producer / DJ Chief Boima, who himself has Sierra Leonean roots.

The project was spawned after Boima happened upon an online video of one of Sorie’s original tracks. “Sorie Kondi is a blind musician with a will to thrive like no person I have met before,” explains Boima. “My work with him began with a YouTube link. I spotted the video for his track ‘Without Money No Family’ and was struck by his beautiful vocals and socially-conscious lyrics. These incredible melodies he was playing on his namesake thumb piano (the kondi) sealed the deal: I immediately decided to remix it.”

The resulting bootleg remix started appearing in DJ playlists and led to coverage by The Fader magazine. As a result, Sorie’s manager in Freetown reached out to Boima and, after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Sorie travelled to America for the first time for a five date tour. During the trip he and Boima worked on new recordings which form the nucleus of the debut Kondi Band album ‘Belle Wahalah.’

“This project forges a direct link between techno born in the black cities of the American Mid-West, where I grew up, and roots African music,” Boima continues. “Sorie Kondi may be playing an acoustic folk instrument from Sierra Leone, but he thinks about music as if he were a techno producer. The dance-friendly pulse of his cajon drum, the spiraling melody lines from the thumb piano and his incredible vocals hold it all together.” It’s acoustic dance music that creates a sound as full and dynamic as any club track and, through Boima’s intricate production, the album subtly and skillfully integrates contemporary electronic sounds, keeping the simplicity and space in Sorie’s music.

The first EP from the project is built around Sorie’s personal and uncompromising lyrics on ‘Belle Wahalah’, a song that uses belly pain as a metaphor for poverty, hunger and lack of financial opportunity. Mixes come from South London-based producer Hagan and the “father of Ancestral Soul”, Boddhi Satva. The release also features another simmering Kondi band original, ‘Yeanoh (Powe Handa Blingabe)’ which translates as ‘what’s up / what’s occurring’?

The ‘Belle Wahalah’ EP is out today on digital formats. A vinyl 12″ is due 27th May. A full-length album is in the works for September 2016. Hear the EP title track ‘Belle Wahalah’ below.

Last year, with his critically acclaimed track “Surrender” (which Pitchfork dubbed a ‘Best New Track’) appearing in re-edited form as a centerpiece for DJ Koze’s DJ-Kicks mix, !K7 announced that Portable (a/k/a Alan Abrahams) would be the latest artist to sign to the label. Though he’s recorded five albums, released singles & EPs on some of dance music’s most respected labels, and maintained a successful label of his own, Portable remains a bit of an enigma. On his forthcoming project, we’re given the opportunity to get to know the producer on a deeper level.

South African born and a celebrated live act, Portable emerged more than fifteen years ago with a sound that marries real electronic soul with deep moods and abstract grooves. He has released his minimal wares on cult labels like Perlon and Live At Robert Johnson, as well as his own Süd Electronic label. Always experimenting with rhythm and imbuing his music with a wide world of influences, his latest work is his most personal and cohesive to date.

With a full-length on the way later this year, Portable has offered the soothing and emotional vocal track ‘As For Me’ as a free download. Best experienced on headphones, the track is a window into Portable’s headspace, and an indication of great things to come.

Some years before the essential DâM-FunK tome Toeachizown dropped, Dam introduced the concept of ‘Modern Funk’ to the growing masses trying to classify his prowess for wax and multilayered synth-style productions. “Believer,” Dam’s exclusive new track for his DJ-Kicks mix, is a perfect embodiment of the concept: sheets of synth lines fall all around a locking drum program that starts off innocently enough but ends you in a half-hypnotic state. An extensive instrumental composition that on it’s own could only be classified as signature Modern-Funk. Stream the track below.

DâM-Funk’s DJ-Kicks is released May 27th on CD, 2LP (red vinyl) and digital formats (pre-order here). An limited edition 10″ vinyl featuring two tracks from the mix is available exclusively on the !K7 store and Bandcamp.

Strut is extremely proud to present a definitive collection of recordings from one of Tanzania’s most revered but short-lived bands of the 1970s, Sunburst. Covering their entire output from 1973 to 1976, this first retrospective features music from their 45 RPM singles “Moto Moto” and “TFC,” as well as their sole album, Ave Africa, and an unreleased radio session recorded in Tanzania in 1973.

Sunburst was formed in 1970 by Zairean guitarist Hembi Flory Kongo who recruited resident drummer Johnny “Rocks” Fernandes, bass player Bashir Idi Farhan and organist / vocalist Kassim Magati. They were soon joined by Zambian-born lead singer James Mpungo.

Having developing their sound via covers-heavy live performances and a string of early singles, Sunburst’s sole LP came out at a time when Zambia was enjoying a stream of releases by bands that would now be considered icons of Zamrock such as Witch, Ngozi Family, Musi-O-Tunya and The Blackfoot. The sleeve text described the Sunburst sound as “a fusion of the traditional sounds of Africa with Western Rock, spiced with a piece of the Caribbean” but the intricacies of the Kitoto Sound that Sunburst had crafted for years peaked on this recording. Band members born in six different countries were tapping into a multitude of influences, styles, languages and stories. “We try to compose songs that have a bearing to the situation we live in,” James Mpungo recounted at the time. “Our songs are songs that support freedom struggles, songs that encourage peasants and workers to work harder, songs in praise of our leaders. We also sing a lot of songs criticizing our people for allowing themselves to be too westernized and throwing away their traditional values. And above all, we preach love and happiness!”

Ave Africa: The Complete Recordings 1973-1976 comes out 24th June on 2xCD, 2xLP (w. CD included) & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

Limited Demos Cassette With Strut Web Store Orders

A very limited quantity of pre-orders via the Strut Store and Bandcamp will include a cassette copy of of unreleased Sunburst demos recorded in Lusaka in 1976. 100 copies only! Pre-orders for this special bundle are available now.

West Coast jazz mavericks, The Pyramids, led by their inspirational bandleader, Idris Ackamoor, return with a new album on Strut. Recorded in Max Weissenfeldt’s analogue Philophon studio in Berlin, ‘We Be All Africans’ is a sparkling set of Afro- jazz-funk fusions, from the infectious chants of the title track to the reflective “Epiphany” and the yearning, mournful future single, “Silent Days” featuring the brilliant vocals of Bajka. Hear the album’s title track below.

“We Be All Africans” is released 27th May 2016 on Strut Records on LP, CD & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

The Pyramids have been hand-picked by Floating Points to open the West Coast leg of their live tour. Dates below:

April 27th – Santa Ana, CA: Constellation Room
April 28th – Santa Cruz, CA: The Catalyst Club
April 29th – San Francisco, CA: Mezzanine
May 1st – Portland, OR: Doug Fir Lounge
May 3rd – Seattle, WA: Neumos
May 4th – Vancouver, BC: Celebrities Nightclub

DâM-FunK is the kind of guy who seems like he’d make great company: laid-back, affable, personable. But to truly get the guy, to really understand him, is to know a deep love of music like no other. Dam’s contribution to the DJ-Kicks series gives you an opportunity to do just that. It’s a snapshot view into the mind of the pioneer of Modern-Funk music… DJ-Kicks invites you to get to know the man behind the shades.

Dam makes a lifetime of digging and absorbing music that feels as laid-back as the Santa Ana breeze. Years ago, he coined the term ‘Modern Funk’ to give context to his music. The elements of the synth-heavy and multi-layered style are gloriously displayed on DJ-Kicks. “Modern-Funk is a combination of all the sounds on the mix,” he explains. “Funk, Boogie, Electro, House, Modern-Soul, Ambient tones… a push and pull of nostalgia and progressiveness…”

A strictly limited 10″ vinyl single containing two of the rarest tracks from the mix, will be available exclusively via !K7’s online store and Bandcamp.

A1. Index – Starlight (The Break)
B1. Verticle Lines – Theme From Beach Boy

All physical orders from the !K7 store and bandcamp will include a custom DJ-Kicks tote bag.

Pre-order DaM-FunK DJ-Kicks + limited 10″ vinyl

Thanks to some patient detective work by Art Yard Records, an intimate trio performance by Sun Ra in Rome in 1977, ‘In Some Far Place’, is receiving its first release for this year’s Record Store Day on April 16th. Recorded from the sound desk and transferred from original reels, the album features Ra, drummer Luqman Ali and occasional Arkestra vocalist Thomas Thaddeus in fine form, exploring Ra staples and revisiting some of the traditional jazz pieces from Ra’s early Chicago days. Tracks include the reflective ‘Trying To Put The Blame On Me,’ ‘Spontaneous Simplicity’ and the first Ra version of ‘I Cover The Waterfront’ to ever be officially released. New sleeve notes come courtesy of the Arkestra’s Knoel Scott with cover design by Lewis Heriz.

Record Store Day 2016 takes place internationally on 16th April 2016. For details on participating stores, visit http://www.recordstoreday.com/

Directly following the announcement of a forthcoming new album We Be All Africans for Strut, West Coast spiritual jazz legends Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids have been hand-picked to support Floating Points on the West Coast leg of their live tour. We can’t imagine a better pairing, and fans of mind-expanding jazz are in for a true treat.

See below for all Floating Points dates featuring Idris Ackamoor and The Pyramids. We Be All Africans will be released May 27th on CD, LP (w. CD included), digital and streaming formats. Pre-orders are available now.

Floating Points US Tour feat. Idris Ackamoor & The Pyramids

April 27th – Santa Ana, CA: Constellation Room
April 28th – Santa Cruz, CA: The Catalyst Club
April 29th – San Francisco, CA: Mezzanine
May 1st – Portland, OR: Doug Fir Lounge
May 3rd – Seattle, WA: Neumos
May 4th – Vancouver, BC: Celebrities Nightclub

Seth Troxler and Tom Trago’s DJ-Kicks exclusive track (as ‘T&T Music Factory’) has gotten the remix treatment from Norse producer and Full Pupp owner Prins Thomas and Maxi Mill. ‘De Natte Cel’ was originally aired within luminary Troxler’s contribution to the DJ Kicks series from October 2015.

Prins Thomas blows some warm Balearic air into the package as his reworking churns and gathers tension throughout. Rush Hour affiliate Maxi Mill then completes the record and propels the original forward with popping percussion and a sharp, purposeful bass line that caps off another fine addition to the DJ Kicks catalogue and a fitting homage to a bona fide institution of Dutch dance music.

The ‘De Natte Cel’ remix single is available on 12″ and digital formats on 29th April 2016. Pre-orders are available now.

Tracklist:

A1 > Original Mix
B1 > Prins Thomas Disko Miks
Digital ONLY > Maxi Mill Remix

The intoxicating sounds on Roger Bong’s Aloha Got Soul collection create a vivid mental picture of Hawaii in the 1970s, conjuring images of pristine waves, big hair, and life at an unhurried pace. It’s a place we want to be so badly that we cobbled together some vintage footage of the island, set to the lovely “Kona Winds” which appears on the album. Go get your board, we’ll go out and grab a tube.

Aloha Got Soul is out now on CD, 2LP (w. CD included) and digital formats.

Strut are proud to present the brand new studio album from West Coast jazz mavericks, The Pyramids, led by their inspirational bandleader, Idris Ackamoor.

Alto saxophonist Ackamoor first met Margo Simmons (flute) and Kimathi Asante (electric bass) whilst students together at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio where one of their teachers was renowned pianist, Cecil Taylor. After founding the band in Paris in 1972, performing in Holland and embarking on a “cultural odyssey” across Africa, the group recorded three independent albums (Lalibela in 1973, King Of Kings in 1974 and Birth / Speed / Merging in 1976) and became renowned for their striking live shows, mixing percussive, spiritual and space-age jazz with performance, theatre, and dance. After migrating to San Francisco to perform on the Bay Area arts scene, they disbanded in 1977 after a
final show at the UC Berkeley Jazz Festival.

Almost 30 years later, The Pyramids reunited unexpectedly following growing demand for their music from vinyl collectors and jazz fans and embarked on the first of many European tours featuring original members, as well as a fresh line-up including renowned percussionist Kenneth Nash. In 2012 the group signed to German label Disko B who released a new album, the freeform Otherworldly and all three albums from their rare back catalogue. Idris was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by DJ Gilles Peterson at his Worldwide Awards and The Pyramids were back, gaining a whole new legion of fans.

For their new album, We Be All Africans, the group traveled to Berlin to hunker down in Max Weissenfeldt’s analogue Philophon studio. The result is a sparkling set of Afro- jazz-funk fusions, from the infectious chants of the title track to the reflective “Epiphany” and the yearning, mournful future single, “Silent Days” featuring the brilliant vocals of Bajka. Weissenfeldt released the first fruits from the sessions, ‘Rhapsody In Berlin’ as a limited 45 during 2015 and the album features the full unedited version.

We Be All Africans will be released May 27th on CD, 2xLP, digital and streaming and features superb illustrated artwork by Lewis Heriz. The album will be promoted in conjunction with Idris Ackamoor with a full touring programme via Planet Rock booking agency from Summer 2016. Pre-orders for We Be All Africans are available now.

‘We Be All Africans’ is a message of survival. A message of renewal. A message that we are all brothers and sisters. We are all one family, the human family and we need one another in order to survive on this planet that we all share.

– Idris Ackamoor

Ghanaian vocalist Pat Thomas and his all-star Kwashibu Area Band are setting out on an absolutely massive tour this summer. Performing material from last year’s self-titled album as well as highlights from throughout Thomas’ long career, this string of shows are an amazing opportunity to catch a living master of African highlife in the flesh. A highlight at last year’s Womex festival, the band will be taking their phenomenal live show across Europe from May.

The album Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band is out now on CD, 2LP (w. CD included) & digital formats.

Massive weekend in Hawaii! Marking the launch of new Strut compilation of Hawaiian soul / AOR rarities,  ‘Aloha Got Soul’ and two years of the ‘Soul Time In Hawaii’ parties, DJ Roger Bong teams up with Red Light Radio for a major series of events in Honolulu this weekend. Red Bull Hawaii host an artist forum tonight (24th), tomorrow it’s the launch for the compilation at James After Beach Club and on 26th, it’s the big Soul Time In Hawaii night at Bevy with Mike Lundy and band live + DJs Psychemagick and the full Soul Time crew. And if you
can’t make it in person, it’s all featured on Red Light Radio: redlightradio.net

Aloha Got Soul is out now on CD, 2LP (w. CD insert) and digital formats.

Roger Bong’s ‘Aloha Got Soul’ blog, label and brand has been a driving force behind the newfound recognition for Hawaii’s incredible sun-drenched funk, disco, soul, and rock of the 1970s and 80s. Roger’s efforts to unearth and present underheard sounds from the islands have resulted in some incredible music receiving national attention for the first time.

With his expertly-curated Aloha Got Soul collection out this Friday, Roger has assembled a short DJ mix to give a taste of some of the sounds you’ve been missing out on. It’s not quite a ticket to Hawaii in the 1970’s, but it’s the next best thing.

Aloha Got Soul is available 18th March on CD, 2xLP (w. CD included) and digital formats.

Frankie Francis and Hugo Mendes of Sofrito are connoisseurs of vintage tropical dance sounds. The Mauritian séga genre explored on our Soul Sok Sega is a perfect match for their dusty, sun-drenched aesthetic, so we were thrilled when Francis, who also runs the vinyl dubplate and mastering facility The Carvery, offered to create a custom edit of one of our favorite tracks from the collection. His floor-friendly cut of Claudio’s “Bonom Chinois” is available for free download via our Bandcamp. Soul Sok Sega is available now on 2LP, CD & digital formats.

Bonom Chinois (Frankie Francis edit) by Claudio

Outside of a small set of savvy listeners and Mauritian locals, traditional sega music (sometimes called “the blues of the Indian Ocean”) is a relatively new discovery. Our Soul Sok Sega collection provides an overview of one of the peak creative eras for the music in the 1970s. For further context, producer Percy Yip Tong and musician Menwar have graciously run through a brief history of the music as well as the instruments and rhythms that make up the foundation of the style. Menwar also performs an exclusive acoustic version of his ’70s rarity ‘Sega Lenoir’ recorded as Les Stardust.

Soul Sok Sega is available now on CD, 2xLP, & digital formats.

When we announced back in January that Detroit legend Moodymann would be mixing the first DJ-Kicks of 2016, we made an extremely limited quantity of lithograph prints of the album’s amazing cover art by Stefan Moerth to go along with pre-orders of the album. The prints went FAST, selling out completely in less than 48 hours. But. We have just a few prints left over, and to celebrate the release on Friday., we’re offering a chance to win both a limited print, and a 3LP copy of DJ-Kicks on vinyl.

To enter, simply email ‘moodymannprint@k7.com‘ by Friday 19th February. The winner will be notified by email on Monday 22nd February.

The print is a lithograph sized 254 x 305mm and printed on heavy-duty 300GSM conservation paper, strictly limited to 200 pieces. DJ-Kicks is released Friday 19th February on 3xLP, CD, & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

Funkier than most yacht-rock, and beachier than most funk, “Kona Winds” is three and a half perfect minutes of aural relaxation. The track originally appeared on the “Homegrown” compilation series in 1978, showcasing local Hawaiian artists. Today, the track fits comfortably in Balearic DJ sets and left-field funk mixes.

“I was out in Venice with DJ Harvey,” says Mark Barrott, “and “Kona Winds” came on the radio whilst we were sat by the beach having breakfast, looking at the early-morning surfers. I actually rang US directory assistance for the first and last time in my life to get the number of the station to get a track ID. I NEVER get bored of the spoken intro; last summer I was a little worse for wear in the middle of a DJ set by Es Vedra and I just looped the spoken intro and left it running for 30 mins… it sounded fine to me.”

“Kona Winds” appears on Aloha Got Soul, a new compilation assembled by Roger Bong, documenting the vibrant soul, AOR, jazz funk and disco scene across Hawaii in 1979-1985. Aloha Got Soul is released 18th February on CD, 2xLP & digital formats. Pre-orders are available now.

With DJ Koze’s epic mix taking the #1 slot on year-end lists from Resident Advisor, Mixmag and DJ Mag, 2015 may look like a tough year to top for the DJ-Kicks series. We’ve got a few aces up our sleeves though… Like the fact that the outspoken and enigmatic Detroit legend Moodymann is mixing the first DJ-Kicks of 2016!

Born Kenny Dixon Jr., Moodymann is a one-of-a-kind electronic music icon, hailing from, and wholly synonymous with the Motor City. DJ-Kicks will be Dixon’s first ever official multi-artist DJ mix. Across 75 minutes and 30 tracks, Moodymann creates a libidinous, blues-drenched mood that takes in heart-breaking soul, gorgeous hip-hop and love-fuelled house. In addition to cuts from his own creative circle, the mix features 11 exclusive Moodymann edits.

Moodymann’s DJ-Kicks is released 19th February on CD, 3xLP (w. CD included) and digital formats. Pre-orders are available now. Pre-orders via the !K7 online store and bandcamp are discounted by 10% in advance of the release date.

Limited Edition Lithograph Print

A very special limited edition lithograph print of the gorgeous Moodymann cover art by Stefan Moerth will be available exclusively on the !K7 online store and on Bandcamp. Strictly limited to 200 pieces, these are sized 254 x 305mm and printed on heavy-duty 300GSM conservation paper. Once these are gone, they’re gone, so pre-orders are strongly suggested.

Pre-order Moodymann DJ-Kicks + Lithograph Print.

Claudio Veeraragoo is one of the biggest stars of séga music of the 60s and 70s. His stroke of genius was to marry séga rhythms with qawwali and Bollywood styles. He scored his debut hit, ‘Nou Manz Nou Larak’, in 1966, playing the accordion, and broke through as a major star with his cassette release, ‘Bhaï Aboo’ which exploded across the island upon its release. His songs were subsequently covered by French star Maxime Leforestier and Bollywood singer Shaan. Claudio has since brought séga to the four corners of the globe and, of all of the ‘70s artists, has remained one of Mauritius’ biggest live draws. Today, his son Michael, a drummer and producer, manages his father’s activities via their own production house, Kabana Music.

“Bonom Chinois” is a gem from the Soul Sok Sega compilation, whic documents the heyday of séga music in Mauritius between 1973 and 1979. The album is compiled by La Reunion-based DJs La Basse Tropicale with extensive sleeve notes by Mauritian cultural authority, Percy Yip Tong. Soul Sok Sega is released 22nd January 2016.

Pre-orders are available now.

We’re fully in the holiday spirit here at Strut, and what better way to celebrate the season than a blistering Afro-Funk take on a classic Christmas carol? The Souljazz Orchestra has given us just that with their wonderful version of “We Three Kings.”

The track is available exclusively for free download via the !K7 Collective Holiday Gift, along with material from some of our favorite independent labels like Luaka Bop, Piranha, Mister Saturday Night, R&S, and many others.

Share the love, and have a great holiday!

!K7 Collective Holiday Gift 2015 by K7 Records

This February, an inspired collection of funk, disco, jazz and AOR recorded in Hawai’i shines a whole new light on the islands’ music culture. Aloha Got Soul encompasses a vibrant and varied era of recordings made during the 1970s and early 1980s, many of which never received attention on the mainland, despite brilliantly talented musicians, regular gigs and full album releases. Thanks largely to collector and DJ Roger Bong of Aloha Got Soul, a new interest in this fertile era of Hawaiian music has steadily grown in recent years, culminating in this new compilation of overlooked gems.

The influence of Western music in Hawai’i dates back as far as the ragtime era with the creation of hapa haole music (“half Hawaiian, half Caucasian”), but from the early 1960s with the island’s new American statehood status and the influx of rock’n’roll, a proliferation of new bands, night clubs and influential radio DJs like Tom Moffatt ushered in a boom in hybrid sounds. By the late ‘70s, the influence of bands like Earth Wind & Fire and Tower of Power had sparked a rich, close-knit soul scene on the islands led by jazz-funk innovators Seawind (CTI Records). Artists like Aura, Nohelani Cypriano and Mike Lundy shone brightly but relatively briefly through to the mid’-80s.

Hear a track below from Aura (pictured on the album cover), a family band consisting of eight siblings and featuring two female singers and an incredibly tight horn section.

Aloha Got Soul, out February 19th 2016, is compiled and annotated by Roger Bong and features rare photos and original artwork. Pre-orders are available now. All orders from Strut’s online store and bandcamp page will be discounted 10% in advance of the release date.

Séga is the traditional music of Mauritius (a small island off the coast of Madagascar) and is known as the “blues” of the Indian Ocean. The music was born during the 17^th to 19^th centuries by African slaves seeking relief from harsh conditions in sugar cane fields and on colonial land by dancing to improvised music incorporating rhythms from their homelands in West Africa, Mozambique, Zanzibar or Madagascar. From these diverse African influences sprang a new, insular dance and music, the séga.

Though initially looked down upon, by the mid-1960s séga music had become a symbol of national pride and identity for Mauritius. With the advent of electric instruments, the influx of funk, soul and jazz from the West and the growth of LPs, séga went commercial. Dancefloors started grooving to a more soulful, funky séga beat and séga artists popped up all over the island with a new generation of charismatic singers becoming national stars. Séga, sung in Créole, now united all the communities of the island. Mauritians from the European, African, Indian and Chinese communities, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, all danced and enjoyed séga.

Following excursions into rare tropical and island sounds with the Sofrito series, and the Haiti Direct and Calypsoul 70 albums, we’re proud to present a collection exploring the incredible séga sounds that emerged from Mauritius during the 1970s, Soul Sok Séga, compiled by DJ duo La Basse Tropicale (Natty Hô and Konsöle), based in the neighbouring island of La Reunion.

Soul Sok Sega (out 22nd of January 2016) features extensive sleeve notes from long time Mauritian cultural champion, Percy Yip Tong, including new artist interviews, photos and original vinyl artwork. All formats (1CD / 2LP / digital) are unmixed, made up completely of tracks that have never been re-issued internationally. An accompanying European tour featuring Ti L’Afrique, Jean Claude and Claudio with an all-star band of original musicians is planned for Autumn 2016.

Pre-orders are available now, and a preview track (“Sega Lenoir,” by Les Stardust) is streaming below.

TRACKLISTING

1. TI L’AFRIQUE – SOUL SOCK SÉGA
2. JEAN-CLAUDE – MADEMOISELLE
3. GEORGIE JOE – ELIZA
4. JOHN KENNETH NELSON – MANUEL BITOR
5. MARIE JOSÉE & ROGER CLENCY – LA VIE EN BADINAGE
6. CLAUDIO – BONOM CHINOIS
7. LES STARDUST – SÉGA LENOIR
8. COULOUCE – L’AMOUR ARTIFICIEL (SOUL SÉGA)
9. CLAUDIO – BHAÏ ABOO
10. CHRISTOPHE – MO PARRAIN
11. CYRIL LABONNE – POP SOUL SÉGA
12. HAROLD BERTY – MONE LASSER DIRE TOI
13. MICHEL LEGRIS – ELIDA
14. CATHERINE VELIENNE – MO MARI FINI ALLÉ
15. JEAN-CLAUDE – SÉGA SOUVAL
16. RAMONE – NOUVEAU VENU DANS L’ENDROIT
17. JOHN KENNETH NELSON – Z’ENFANT MISÈRE
18. GEORGES JEAN LOUIS – AFRO MAURICIEN
19. YOYO – COCO MAMZELLE
20. CHRISTIAN TOSSÉ – MADAME ZEAN

In the second of two video interviews produced alongside his Sun Ra collection To Those Of Earth… And Other Worlds, Gilles Peterson gives the backstory to four of his favorite Sun Ra recordings. The legendary BBC6 presenter recounts how John Peel gifted him an original Saturn pressing of the track “Dreaming” on 7″, how Lanquidity never left his crate in the Mo’ Wax era, and other stories about the role specific Sun Ra recordings have played in his life and career. From a man who has had his finger on the pulse of jazz’s evolving trajectory throughout his life, it’s a fascinating viewing experience.

To Those Of Earth… And Other Worlds is out now on 2CD, 2LP (+ CD insert), and digital formats. Copies are available from fine digital retailers, and the Strut store.

Part one of the interview series can been seen here.

Label Love is a compilation series on Bandcamp that offers free music from quality independent labels. We’re honored to take part in the 7th edition in the series where you can download tracks from our Sun Ra and Pat Thomas and Kwashibu Area Band releases, as well as some great jams from Tru Thoughts, Soundway, !K7, Finders Keepers, Five Easy Pieces, World Circuit, Erased Tapes and ZZK.

Enjoy some quality music, and support indie labels! Download Label Love Vol. 7 here.

Label Love Vol. 7 by Label Love

Listening to Gilles Peterson talk about music, it’s easy to see how he’s become a trusted source for introducing challenging music to an open-minded audience. Peterson’s knowledge, enthusiasm and wonder are easily apparent, making him the dynamic presenter that he is on his long-running BBC6 program.

We caught recently up with the life-long jazz connoisseur to hear about his initial exposure to the music and spectacle of Sun Ra, his blossoming appreciation for Ra’s art, and the tradition of insisting that his label’s new signees experience a Sun Ra concert in person.

To Those Of Earth… And Other Worlds, loving curated by Gilles Peterson, is out October 13th on 2CD, 2LP (+ CD insert), and digital formats. Pre-orders are available from fine digital retailers, and the Strut store.

Seth Troxler’s DJ-Kicks comes out this Friday, but you can stream it right here in advance of the release date. Pre-orders are available now.

The exclusive Actress track “Bird Matrix,” from the UK producer’s 2015 DJ-Kicks mix, has been remixed for the latest in the DJ-Kicks remix series. The single includes both a “Club” and “Dub” remix from West Coast stalwart Kid606. Simbiosi, signed to Actress’ own Werk Discs label, also provides a take on the track. Filling out the release is the full album mix of another DJ-Kicks exclusive track, “Pear,” from Werk Discs affiliate GNESIS. Actress’ DJ-Kicks EP will be released on October 30th 2015.

Named in tribute to famed Amsterdam club Trouw, “De Natte Cel” is an exclusive collaboration between Seth Troxler and Tom Trago, taken from the former’s forthcoming DJ-Kicks mix. The title is derived from Dutch slang for a trip to the restroom, and refers to the club’s basement shower room which became the setting for some legendary dance music parties.

Troxler will in fact be launching his DJ-Kicks in Amsterdam with an all-night party at Closure on the date of the mix’s release, October 16th. DJ-Kicks is available for pre-order via digital retailers, bandcamp, and the !K7 Store.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The Souljazz Orchestra is simply one of the hardest working, must see live bands in the business. With their incendiary new album Resistance out now, the Ottawa-based sextet lead by Pierre Chrétien is taking to the road for an absolutely epic series of dates that sees them taking their very own fusion of roots music, jazz and funk from their native Canada to Europe and back again, making converts as they go. Dress light, as these shows will be HOT!

Resistance is available now via online retail and the Strut Store.

Full Tour Dates

Sep 12 – Port Hope, CA – All-Canadian Jazzfest
Sep 26 – Ottawa, CA – Babylon Nightclub
Oct 03 – Lausanne, CH – Holy Groove Festival
Oct 04 – London, UK – Jazz Cafe
Oct 05 – Zurich, CH – Moods
Oct 08 – Beauvais, FR – L’Ouvre-Boîte
Oct 09 – Sannois, FR – EMB
Oct 10 – Rennes, FR – Ubu
Oct 11 – Laval, FR – 6PAR4
Oct 13 – Paris, FR – New Morning
Oct 14 – Massy, FR – Paul B
Oct 15 – Lyon, FR – Marché Gare
Oct 16 – Montpellier, FR – Rockstore
Oct 17 – Chalon-sur-Saône, FR – La Péniche
Oct 19 – Bristol, UK – The Lantern
Oct 20 – Liverpool, UK – The Kazimier
Oct 22 – Milan, IT – Biko Club
Oct 23 – Barcelona, SP – Say It Loud
Oct 24 – Madrid, SP – Sala Clamores
Oct 25 – Berlin, DE – Yaam
Oct 27 – Bochum, DE – Bahnhof Langendreer
Oct 29 – Cologne, DE – Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld
Oct 30 – Pfarrkirchen, DE – Club Bogaloo
Oct 31 – Offenbach, DE – Hafen 2
Nov 03 – Vienna, AT – Andino
Nov 04 – Prague, CZ – AghaRTA
Nov 05 – Athens, GR – GazARTE
Nov 07 – Marseille, FR – Cabaret Aléatoire
Nov 14 – Gatineau, QC – Le Petit Chicago
Nov 20 – Hamilton, CA – This Ain’t Hollywood
Nov 21 – Toronto, CA – Lee’s Palace
Nov 27 – Québec, CA – Le Cercle
Nov 28 – Montréal, CA – La Sala Rossa

Following up on last year’s collection In The Orbit Of Ra we’re diving headfirst back into the vast universe of Sun Ra with a a newly curated set from the Ra’s immense 125 LP back catalog, compiled by Gilles Peterson. The BBC 6Music / Worldwide DJ is a long-time champion of Ra’s music and the UK’s leading tastemaker for jazz-based sounds. It serves as perhaps the best introduction yet to the music of Sun Ra for a whole new generation of converts.

For the CD version, Peterson picks personal favourites, classics and unreleased tracks and weaves them into a flowing piece across 2CDs, showcasing the incredible variety of Ra’s work. The 2LP version features full-length versions of selected tracks from the mix (and also includes the full CD mixed version), while the digital version features a full unmixed selection with Peterson’s mix available within the album bundle. Sleeve notes on physical formats come from Gilles Peterson with a full Ra career biography by author Robert L. Campbell. The album also features previously unseen photos from the archives of Val Wilmer alongside full musician line-ups and session details.

To Those Of Earth… And Other Worlds is available for pre-order now on the Strut Store. Also available is a limited-time bundle featuring all three Sun Ra releases on Strut (In The Orbit Of Ra, Planets Of Life Or Death, and To Those Of Earth…), on either CD or vinyl.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
1. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – CALLING PLANET EARTH
2. SUN RA – SUN SONG
3. THE COSMIC RAYS WITH SUN RA AND THE ARKESTRA – DREAMING
4. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – INDIA
5. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – SPACE LONELINESS
6. SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – LOVE IN OUTER SPACE (Vocal)
7. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – ADVENTURE-EQUATION
8. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – SPONTANEOUS SIMPLICITY (Stereo version)*
9. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – BRAZILIAN SUN
10. SUN RA QUARTET FEATURING JOHN GILMORE – WHEN THERE IS NO SUN
11. SUN RA AND HIS ASTRO INFINITY ARKESTRA – MY BROTHER THE WIND
12. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – MYSTERY, MR. RA*
13. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – BLACK SKY AND BLUE MOON
14. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – WATUSA
15. THE SUN RA ARKESTRA – THE WORLD OF AFRICA
16. SUN RA AND HIS SOLAR ARKESTRA – CLUSTER OF GALAXIES
17. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – STRANGE WORLDS (Live In France)**
18. SUN RA AND HIS BLUE UNIVERSE ARKESTRA – BLACKMAN

CD 2

1. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – TWILIGHT
2. SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC MYTH SCIENCE SOLAR ARKESTRA – SLEEPING BEAUTY
3. SUN RA – MOOG SOLO (Live In France)**
4. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – THEY PLAN TO LEAVE
5. SUN RA AND HIS SOLAR ARKESTRA – REFLECTS MOTION (Part 1)
6. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – CHILDREN OF THE SUN
7. SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – WE TRAVEL THE SPACEWAYS
8. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – ASTRO BLACK (Live In Zurich)**
9. SUN RA AND HIS MYTHIC SCIENCE ARKESTRA – SOMEBODY ELSE’S IDEA (Live In Paris)
10. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – I ROAM THE COSMOS
11. SUN RA AND HIS SOLAR ARKESTRA – ON JUPITER
12. SUN RA – THERE ARE OTHER WORLDS (THEY HAVE NOT TOLD YOU OF)
13. SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – THE ALL OF EVERYTHING
14. SUN RA – ENLIGHTENMENT
15. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – MAKE ANOTHER MISTAKE
16. SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – SPACE IS THE PLACE (Live In France)**

* Previously unreleased on CD
** Previously unreleased
—————–
LP

A1 SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – LOVE IN OUTER SPACE (Vocal) 3.50
A2 SUN RA AND HIS SOLAR ARKESTRA – ON JUPITER 4.02
A3 SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – SPONTANEOUS SIMPLICITY (Stereo version)* 3.01
A4 THE COSMIC RAYS WITH SUN RA AND THE ARKESTRA – DREAMING 2.46
A5 SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – BLACK SKY AND BLUE MOON 3.02

B1 SUN RA – ENLIGHTENMENT 2.57
B2 THE SUN RA ARKESTRA – THE WORLD OF AFRICA 3.00
B3 SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – THEY PLAN TO LEAVE 6.08
B4 SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – CHILDREN OF THE SUN 4.28

C1 SUN RA AND HIS BLUE UNIVERSE ARKESTRA – BLACKMAN 7.44
C2 SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – INDIA 4.50
C3 SUN RA AND HIS ARKESTRA – MYSTERY, MR. RA 3.07
C4 SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC INFINITY ARKESTRA – THE ALL OF EVERYTHING 4.23
D1 SUN RA QUARTET FEATURING JOHN GILMORE – WHEN THERE IS NO SUN 4.35
D2 SUN RA AND HIS INTERGALACTIC MYTH SCIENCE SOLAR ARKESTRA – SLEEPING BEAUTY 11.51
D3 SUN RA AND HIS MYTH-SCIENCE ARKESTRA – WE TRAVEL THE SPACEWAYS 3.27

The self titled debut album from legendary Ghanaian vocalist Pat Thomas and his newly formed Kwashibu Area band was one of the soundtracks to our summer. Firmly rooted in the tradition of classic West African musicianship, the album showcases Thomas’ incredible voice and reinvigorates our love of Highlife. This Autumn, Thomas and company are hitting the road together, performing tracks from the album as well as classics from throughout Pat Thomas’ career. Don’t miss an opportunity to see one of the foremost living practioners of Highlife music, live in the flesh.

Pat Thomas And Kwashibu Area Band is available now via digital retailers and the Strut Store.

01.10.15 – Norwich, UK: Norwich Arts Centre
02.10.15 – London, UK: Richmix
03.10.15 – Cornwall, UK: Mount Pleasant Eco Park
04.10.15 – Whitstable, UK: Duke of Cumberland
07.10.15 – Brussels, BE: AB Club
08.10.15 – Paris, FR: New Morning
09.10.05 CH – Zurich, CH: Stall 6
10.10.15 – Lyon, FR: Le Sucre
15.10.15 – Rotterdam, NL: Lantaren Venster
16.10.15 – Groningen, NL: De Oosterport
17.10.15 – Utrecht, NL: Rasa
18.10.15 – Amsterdam, NL: Paradiso
20.10.15 – Berlin, DE: Bi Nuu
21.10.15 – Warsaw, PL: Pardon To Tu
22.10.15 – Vienna, AT: Fluc
24.10.15 – Budapest, HU: Womex
29.10.15 – Rome, IT: Afropolitan
30.10.15 – Bologna, IT: Locomotiv
31.10.15 – Milan, IT: Biko Club

Veteran Nigerian saxophonist and pioneer of Afro soul and Afrobeat, Orlando Julius, embarks on his first set of US dates in over a decade this Autumn. Expect to hear tracks from his acclaimed new studio album with The Heliocentrics, Jaiyede Afro, alongside a host of classics from his incredible 50-year career including “Alo Mi Alo,” “James Brown Ride On,” “Jagua Nana” and “Ijo Soul,” the track which allegedly influenced James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good).” It’s a one-off chance to catch one of Africa’s all-time great musicians, live and direct.

Jaiyede Afro is available now via digital retailers and the Strut Store.

(Photo by Mariagrazia Giove)

September 18th: Chicago, IL / Mayne Stage ‘World Music Festival Chicago’
September 19th: Chicago, IL / Mayne Stage ‘World Music Festival Chicago’
September 24th: Philadelphia, PA / venue tba
September 25th: New York, NY / Le Poisson Rouge
September 26th: Albuquerque, NM / National Hispanic Cultural Center

Lima’s Kanaku Y El Tigre write beautiful music that is significantly enhanced by their ability to create unique sounds using just about anything they have available. In the new video for “Quema Quema Quema,” the band peels back the layers of the title track of their new album, employing esoteric toy synthesizers, found percussion and a haunting slide guitar to assemble a killer piece of music. Watching the way these elements interact only enhances our appreciation for a killer band.

Quema Quema Quema is out now on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, and can be ordered via online retailers and the strut store.

We’re just over a week away from the release of the new Souljazz Orchestra LP Resistance, and the crew has another great music video to share. Shot on the streets of Montreal during Carnival, the video for “Courage” premiered today on Wax Poetics, and features the band diving head-on into a funky compas style.

Resistance is out September 4th. Pre-orders are available now via online retail and the Strut Store.

Canada’s powerhouse Afro / Latin / Tropical collective, The Souljazz Orchestra, surface with a hard-hitting new album Resistance for Autumn 2015. In keeping with the band’s previous work, the Orchestra keeps powerful lyrics at the heart of their music, delivering some biting social commentaries alongside messages of hope.

Having already shared the video for “Shock And Awe,” here’s another reason to get excited for the forthcoming album. “Bull’s Eye” was directly inspired by the Occupy movement,” says bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Pierre Chrétien. “The bull in the song refers to the Charging Bull on Wall Street, the iconic symbol of unbridled capitalism. The lyrics tell the rest of the story.” The heavy afro funk workout is available for free download, and is streaming below.

Resistance is released 4th September 2015 on Strut (on Do Right in Canada). Pre-orders are available now at online retail and the Strut Store.

Despite being one of the most colorful and outspoken personalities in the dance music community, Seth Troxler is dead serious when it comes to music. The Michigan native has spent a lifetime curating an impeccable taste in a wide variety of sounds, and with events like his recent Acid Future party in London, has been an important champion of an authentic clubbing experience.

Troxler and company have put together something special for the release of his DJ-Kicks mix: an all-night party during the annual ADE festival in Amsterdam, featuring an epic eight hour set from the man himself. Tickets are available now via Resident Advisor.

The DJ-Kicks mix is out 16th October, the same day as the party. Pre-orders are available now via iTunes and the !K7 Store.

2015 has been a huge year for DJ-Kicks, marking both 20 years of the series as well as our 50th release. But far from slowing down, we’re already looking ahead to another incredible mix from one of our favorite artists.

Over the past decade, Seth Troxler has become a visionary and authentic voice in dance music, his jovial personality cutting through the noise and continually playing by his own rules. Growing up between Detroit and Chicago, his musical education carries enviable credentials, with his stepdad a local radio personality who championed the early sounds of house music.

True to Troxler’s character, the mix has a whimsical nature and a thoughtful and timeless narrative, bearing a tenacious episode for the DJ-Kicks series that gives a true insight into the man behind the well-preened moustache and cowboy antics. “It might seem obvious but to be a successful DJ, you have to be really into music,”  Troxler points out. “Collecting music is my life. This is a proper DJ mix – a house mix. It’s good music that works to listen to at any time.”

“For my DJ Kicks mix I wanted to do something that was honest,” he goes on. “I went out in the morning, micro-dosed myself and did all these errands around town. Then I came home at night and did the mix one take. I wanted to curate something for people to easily listen to, that was nice, and funny and got you in the mood to do your homework, or drive that hour long trip when you need to go somewhere. I see this mix as a gay man named Rodney. Or a big black woman named Birtha.”

Seth Troxler’s DJ-Kicks will be available October 16th on CD / LP / digital. Pre-orders are available now via the !K7 store.

Tracklist:
01. Niki Nakazawa – Would It Be
02. Herbert – Suddenly (Phil Parnell’s Pianissimo Play Through)
03. DJ Koze – Bodenweich
04. Cobblestone Jazz – Northern Lights
05. Wolfgang Haffner – Melodia Del Viento (Ricardo Villalobos & Max Loderbauer Meloopdia Remix)
06. T&T Music Factory – De Natte Cal (DJ-Kicks)
07. Hauke Freer – XK
08. Butch – Dope
09. Session Victim – Stick Together
10. Club Artists United – Sweet Chariot (Kerri “Kaoz 6:23″ Chandler Dramatic Dub)
11. Jasper Street Company – Reach (Basement Sessions Main Vocal Mix)
12. K-Alexi Shelby – Sex-N-R-001
13. Mood II Swing feat. John Ciafone – Ohh
14. Derrick L. Carter – Dreaming Again
15. Byron Stingily – Why Can’t You Be Real (Danny’s 12″ Mix)
16.  Vanessa McMillian – Stay With Me
17. Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Research Arkestra – Enlightenment

Berlin-based Henrik Schwarz is a master of incorporating the organic sounds of jazz, afrobeat and soul into his heady house sets. His latest master stroke is a deep take on a classic Ghanaian track from Ebo Taylor and Pat Thomas (the original of which appears on our Taylor retrospective Life Stories). Schwarz’s version draws out the horns and backing vocals, delaying the catharsis of Taylor’s distinctive croon for maximum dance floor delight.

“Ene Nyame” is available now on digital retail services. A vinyl 12″, featuring an unreleased dub mix, will be released 18th September.

The Souljazz Orchestra continue to evolve their sound and scope, while at the same time retaining their original line-up, going back to the band’s formation in 2002. As you can imagine, this makes for some incredibly tight playing. The band’s practially psychic connection is on full display in the music video for “Shock And Awe,” shot on a freeway overpass in the band’s home city of Ottawa.

“That whole day was crazy,” explains bandleader Pierre Chrétien. “Cars were honking the whole time, crowds gathered. Someone even called the cops on us, thinking we were kids throwing rocks off the bridge. A cop showed up with a reporter from the Ottawa Citizen newspaper. The officer was cool and  the reporter took shots of us – we ended up on page 2 of the paper the next day. They called it “Not A Rock Group” because we weren’t throwing rocks…”

“Shock And Awe” is the first single from the upcoming album Resistance, out September 4th on Strut. The track is available on streaming services, and as a free download with pre-orders of the album: http://lnk.to/SJO_ShockAndAwe

50 DJ-Kicks releases. Two decades. We’ll admit that we’re quite proud of what we’ve built with DJ-Kicks. And we’re celebrating all year long. We’ve teamed up with Millionhands in London for a run of high quality DJ-Kicks T’s and sweats, tastefully featuring the #DJKicks50 logo, and made out of the finest material available.

The shirts are made from Fair Wear Certified Organic cotton, with bespoke label and neck print detailing, are designed & screen-printed in London, and ship globally. These are shirts that bear the mark of quality, and you can be confident that their look and feel will last.

The run is strictly limited to 100 pieces, so head to Millionhands.net and pick one up today.

Nearly two decades ago in 1996, DJ-Kicks released a series of trading cards featuring photos and stats from some of the world’s top dance music DJs, including Richie Hawtin, Carl Craig, Laurent Garnier & others. Fans recently got a peek at the vintage cards when photos of the series spread online earlier this year.

With the 50th volume in the DJ-Kicks series released in the form of an incredible mix from DJ Koze, we’ve updated the series with a new generation of talent, including Koze, Nina Kraviz, Actress, Carl Craig, Four Tet, Will Saul, Maceo Plex, Maya Jane Coles, John Talabot and others.

Featuring stats compiled with help from Resident Advisor and Beatport, the new series of cards is available exclusively as a gift with purchases over £20 from !K7 Records’ online store: https://k7.greedbag.com/

In a recent review, Resident Advisor described DJ Koze’s music as “psychedelic, funny and highly functional.” The new music video for the DJ-Kicks exclusive track “I Haven’t Been Everywhere But It’s On My List” fits that description to a T.  The Katharina Duve and Timo Schierhorn-directed clip came about when Koze and company were “on our way to shoot some ancient hippie caves somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean,” when according to Koze they “incidentally met a lovely bloke cruising the beaches on his Omamobil. He showed us the ways of his island and the key to happiness. And then he sold us a lottery ticket.”

Stream the video below, via Pitchfork TV. Koze’s remarkable 50th edition of the DJ-Kicks series is available now.

“Our music is dark and psychedelic but it also has that party spirit.” –Dengue Dengue Dengue

We’re heading back to the melting pot of Peru’s capital Lima as we join forces with the excellent Tiger’s Milk label for a new compilation, Peru Boom! Guided by the roots of chicha and Peruvian cumbia and inspired by Western dubstep, techno, grime and rave, a whole new generation of producers have created their own fresh new tropical bass fusions which have taken over the city and have united communities.

“When we started parties four years ago,” explains Rafael Pereira of Dengue Dengue Dengue, “we’d get people from all over Lima: the white guy, the back guy, the poor guy, the rich guy. Now there are many parties and everyone goes to their own place in different neighbourhoods.” Peru Boom! gives the wider world the first chance to sample this unique scene with tracks from DJ Chakruna, Deltatron, Tribilin Sound and Dengue Dengue Dengue.

The album is available now via Tigers Milk / Strut Records on CD, LP, & digital formats. Stream Rolovo’s “Outropical” below.

Canada’s powerhouse Afro / Latin / Tropical collective, The Souljazz Orchestra, return in September 2015 with a powerhouse new album that sees the ensemble exploring some new sonic territory.

“We approached this album with a fresh ear,” explains bandleader Pierre Chrétien. “We were keen to build on the band’s sound and message, bringing in some of the French Caribbean and Francophone West African influences that we’ve loved since our youth, so the new album brings in French language tracks and elements of coupé-décalé, zouk and cadence to the overall mix.”

The Souljazz Orchestra remain one of the most solid units in their scene, retaining their original line-up since they were first formed back in 2002. On Resistance, they showcase their continuing versatility with saxman Ray Murray, percussionist Marielle Rivard, drummer Philippe Lafrenière and keyboardist Pierre Chrétien all taking on lead vocal duties on different tracks.

Resistance is released on 8^th September on CD, LP & digital formats, and the band embark on a major new international tour, hitting up Europe during September and October 2015, followed by a Canadian run in November 2015.

It’s not every day that you get to observe a master at work, but that’s exactly the feeling we get watching Pat Thomas rehearse with his all-star Kwashibu Area Band at their studio in Accra. The nimble playing of each musician adds its piece to an intricate puzzle, providing the perfect bed for Thomas’ expressive vocals.

With their self-titled debut album available now, Thomas and Kwashibu Area Band will be hitting the road this fall. Confirmed dates below.

02.10.15 London, UK: Richmix
07.10.15 Brussels, Belgium: AB Club
08.10.15 Paris, France: New Morning
09.10.05 Zurich, Switzerland: Stall 6
10.10.15 Lyon, France: Le Sucre
17.10.15 Utrecht, Holland: Rasa
18.10.15 Amsterdam, Holland: Paradiso
20.10.15 Berlin, Germany: Lido
22.10.15 – 24.10.15 Budapest, Hungary: Womex showcase

We’ve been fans of Bandcamp for years now. It’s a great place to discover new music and to directly support artists. When the service announced that they would be adding label profiles, we knew we wanted to get on board. Starting this week, every Strut release will be available digitally at https://strut.bandcamp.com/. Stop in, take a look around, and give us a follow for updates on new releases and special promotions.

As a special welcome gift, we’re offering a free download of the summery Highlife anthem “Me Ho Asem” from Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band, out this week. Head to the release page for your free track. You can also hear an interview with Strut’s own Quinton Scott on Bandcamp Weekly podcast.

Vinyl & CDs will still be available directly via the Strut Store.

“Best thing I’ve put on the stereo in some time” – Marco Werman

The self-titled album from Ghanaian legend Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band is something of a reunion, re-uniting Thomas with past collaborators that include Ebo Taylor and Tony Allen. Brimming with authentic West African highlife and afro funk, the album highlight “Me Ho Asem” is streaming below.

From the album’s liner notes:
An “Africo” crossover style typical of early 1970s Accra in the style of Osibisa and Alhaji K Frimpong. It’s one of the most funky tracks on the album and features some superb harmonic and melodic touches. Thomas’s lyrics are defiant: “This is my life, my turn. You can talk about all my problems and dance in my misery. But it’s not going to be like that forever. You can talk all you want but things will always get better for me.”

The track features a yearning trumpet solo from another Ghanaian legend, Osei Tutu. Osei was a member of Hedzolleh Sounds and also played alongside Ebo and Pat in the Sweet Beans.

Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band is released June 16th on Strut. Pre-orders are available on iTunes, Amazon & the Strut Store.

One of the distinct characteristics of DJ Koze’s magnum DJ-Kicks mix is his proclivity for subtly tweaking the tracks he’s selected. Nearly half of the songs on the mix appear in a custom edited or blended form, usually assembled after having asked the original artist for the track’s component stems. In the case of the Portable track “Surrender,” which appears toward the end of the mix, Koze blended his thoughtful, contemplative edit incorporating elements of the original, instrumental and acappella versions of the track.

The 50th entry in the series, Koze’s  DJ-Kicks is out on June 16th. Pre-orders are available now via iTunes, Amazon and the !K7 store.

“I always try to use something that is individual or different,” says DJ Koze in a recent interview with Sloth.  “What is the gain of doing something similar to what has gone before?”

Koze’s willingness to take risks is one of his most distinct characteristics, and is clearly evident in the exclusive production he’s created for his landmark DJ-Kicks. Eschewing the evocative dance music for which he and his Pampa label are known, Koze returns to his hip-hop roots with a breezy production that calls to mind left field hip-hop producers J Dilla and Madlib. The mood is gentle, laid back, and extremely open.

Koze’s DJ-Kicks marks the 50th entry in the DJ-Kicks series, and comes out June 16th on a white double vinyl pressing, CD, digital download, and streaming services. Pre-orders are available now via iTunes, Amazon and the !K7 store.

Kanaku Y El Tigre are experts at using the recording studio as an instrument. Their records are densely layered, to the point that discerning the players or instruments responsible for specific sounds can become a pleasant challenge. This live video, recorded at Kanaku Studios in Lima pulls back the curtain on some of the mystery. Performing with precision, the band delivers a flawless rendition of the song ‘Pulpos’ from the upcoming album Quema Quema Quema.

Quema Quema Quema is out June 15th on Strut / Tiger’s Milk. Pre-orders are available now on iTunes and the Strut Store.

Actress’ expansive and unconventional DJ-Kicks mix is out this week, to widespread acclaim. Drowned In Sound calls it “a gentle reminder that as both DJ and producer Actress is as good as it gets,” and XLR8R enthuses: “The cuts play off each other masterfully, their strengths enhancing each other, leading to a more-than-satisfying conclusion to a worthy addition to the DJ-Kicks catalog.”

To celebrate the album’s release, we’re sharing an exclusive track from the mix, courtesy of unknown producer Gnesis. Asked for a few words about the track, the artist replied with the words below.

Nairobi bankers deuce hard
Rose black vine ratios and the corporate druid
Scorpion chord drone blunts
Love Hermes

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. DJ-Kicks is available now on iTunes, Amazon, Beatport, Phonica, Spotify, Rdio, The !K7 Store, and wherever good music is sold.

The DJ-Kicks series was born in Berlin in 1995, the first officially licensed DJ mix series available commercially. Over the past 20 years, the series has maintained a steady finger on the pulse of electronic music, earning a reputation as an essential barometer for what’s happening right now in the world of dance music. To celebrate the 50th entry in the series, we’ve brought the series back to Germany with a very special mix from the iconoclastic DJ Koze.

Characteristically refusing to hew to any particular genre or style, Koze’s mix nonetheless creates a uniform color, incorporating underground hip-hop, melodic techno, indie pop, and vintage songwriting for a selection of tracks that is at once nostalgic and futuristic, melancholy and joyful.

In order to incorporate a variety of styles, Koze created a number of custom edits and blends for the set. He also takes a novel approach to the concept of a “mix,” often eschewing long overlays in favor of serendipitous juxtapositions. “During the day I don’t have the requirement of hearing anything mixed in strict time,” he says. “Instead I focus on harmoniousness. The idea is more to create the appearance of a radio show, in the vein of John Peel for example. There is a giant cosmos of music running through my filter.”

DJ-Kicks also includes a new DJ Koze original, in the form of the dilla-esque “I Have Not Been Everywhere But It’s On My List.” With its fragile soul samples, pinched, anxious-expressive vocal snippets, and sweet guitar riffs, the track sets a luxurious tone for the mix. The mood is gentle, laid back, extremely open and willingly to take risks.

DJ Koze’s DJ-Kicks will be released June 15th 2015 on !K7 Records. Pre-orders are available now.

Tracklist:

1. DJ Koze – I Haven’t Been Everywhere But It’s On My List (DJ-Kicks exclusive)
2. Dimlite – Can’t Get Used To Those? (Kosi Edit)
3. cLOUDDEAD – Dead Dogs Two (Boards of Canada Remix)
4. Strong Arm Steady – Best of Times
5. Homeboy Sandman – Holiday (Kosi & Finks Edit)
6. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Shame
7. Mndsgn – Camelblues (Kosi Edit)
8. Broadcast – Tears In The Typing Pool
9. Daniel Lanois – Carla
10. Hi Tek & The 2 Bears – Modern Hi Tek Family Bears (Kosi Mashup)
11. William Shatner – It Hasn’t Happened Yet
12. Marker Starling – In Stride
13. Session Victim- Hyuwee (Kosi Remix)
14. Frank & Tony – Bring The Sun feat. Gry (Kosi Edit)
15. Marcel Fengler – Jaz (Kosi Edit)
16. Portable feat. Lcio – Surrender (Kosi Edit)
17. The Gentle People – Superstar

In celebration of Record Store Day 2015, Strut and Art Yard join forces once more for the first release anywhere of a live Sun Ra performance from Amiens, France in 1973, Planets Of Life Or Death. Recorded direct from the soundboard and mastered from first generation reel to reel, the title is exclusively available for Record Store Day 2015.

Sun Ra and his Arkestra had just completed a residency at the legendary Gibus in Paris in October before traveling to Amiens for a visceral Sunday afternoon concert. “Sun Ra’s use of the Arkestra as his instrument in an onslaught of sound, colour and movement stimulated and even shocked the senses and the shakras of audience participants onto a higher plane of spirit consciousness,” explains the Arkestra’s Knoel Scott.

On Side 1, the session kicks off with the theatrical overture, ‘Enlightenment’ as Sun Ra and vocalist June Tyson invite the audience to “be of our space world.” Ra then moves into a rare instrumental version of ‘Love In Outer Space,’ transforming the perennial Arkestra classic into a raw, ritualistic experience.

Side 2 of the album opens with the glistening ‘Lights On A Satellite’ led by the spiritual tenor sax of John Gilmore. Closing track, the epic, chaotic, anxious ‘Discipline 27-II / What Planet Is This’ features Sun Ra and June Tyson take a thinly veiled psychedelic swipe at life on earth: “If this is a planet of life, why do people die here?”

Planets Of Life Or Death follows 2014’s landmark compilation presented by Marshall Allen, In the Orbit Of Ra. The release features rare photos from Sun Ra’s 1973 European tour by photographer Jan Persson with sleeve notes by Knoel Scott.

Stream a track from the album below. Information on participating stores for RSD 2015 is available here.

“Bird Matrix” was made just after Actress finished writing his most recent album Ghettoville. “My studio was going through a transition, so I was testing all the equipment, and that was one of the first tunes that came out of those experiments,” he explains. It’s a fittingly exploratory tune for a mix that balances traditional functionality with dance music’s cutting edge.

“Bird Matrix”appears exclusively on Actress’ DJ-Kicks mix, out May 5th on !K7.

Pre-Order: iTunes: • Amazon • !K7 Store

Kanaku Y El Tigre’s new single “Si Te Mueres Mañana” is a life-affirming anthem with the message “If you die tomorrow, make sure you you’ve done everything you ever wanted.” After watching the song’s gorgeously-shot video (which premiered today on The Wall Street Journal), we might have to add skateboarding through the hills of Lima, Peru to the list of things to do before we die.

“Si Te Mueres Mañana” appears on Kanaku Y El Tigre’s forthcoming album Quema Quema Quema, which is the first internationally-released project from the Peruvian duo of Nico Saba and Bruno Bellatin. With a relaxed sound that bridges folk, indie rock, psychedelic music and electronics, the album is a perfect soundtrack to the spring. If you missed it, you can download the advance teaser track “Bubucelas” for free.

Quema Quema Quema is out May 19th on Strut / Tiger’s Milk. Pre-orders are available now on iTunes and the Strut Store.

John Talabot’s swooning and balmy contribution to the DJ-Kicks series originally saw the light of day in November 2013 – an offering Derek Miller of RA deemed “quite possibly the commercial mix of the year.”

Now, in Spring 2015 Talabot curates an assemblage of mighty remixers including Melchoir Productions Ltd, Oskar Offermann and Mistakes Are Ok for a set of incredible remixes for the DJ-Kicks exclusive track “Without You.” True to Talabot’s canon it’s a deeply moving meld of lucent builds and gently mournful melodies that are completely impossible to resist.

Stream the Melchior Productions Ltd. remix below. The single is available now via iTunes, Phonica, the !K7 Store, and other fine retailers.

“I’m an afrobeat drummer but Pat Thomas is highlife. That is what he does so well.” -Tony Allen

Coming in June, we are proud to announce the brand new studio album by one of Ghana’s all-time great vocalists, “The Golden Voice Of Africa”, Pat Thomas, in conjunction with the Kwashibu Area Band led by multi-instumentalist Kwame Yeboah (Cat Stevens, Patrice) and saxophonist Ben Abarbanel-Wolff (Ebo Taylor, Poets of Rhythm).

A regular collaborator with Ebo Taylor, Thomas was mainstay of the ‘70s and ‘80s Ghanaian highlife, afrobeat and afro-pop scenes, hitting big with the Ghana Cocoa Board-sponsored Sweet Beans band. Thomas’ new album marks over 50 years making music and reunites him with old friends: Ebo Taylor provides horn arrangements, Tony Allen contributes drums to several tracks, Osei Tutu (Hedzolleh Sounds) plays a memorable trumpet solo and prolific 1970s bassist Ralph Karikari (The Noble Kings) also features. Younger generation stars appearing include bassist Emmanuel Ofori, percussionist “Sunday” Owusu and Pat Thomas’ daughter Nanaaya, an acclaimed vocalist in her own right.

Pat Thomas and Kwashibu Area Band is released June 16th 2015 on CD, LP and digital formats featuring hand-drawn artwork by Lewis Heriz and full sleeve notes. The campaign will feature remixes released in conjunction with Absolut Vodka. Pre-order now on iTunes, and watch a video on the studio sessions below.

Strut in association with Tiger’s Milk proudly present the latest artist signing to the label: Lima, Peru’s Kanaku Y El Tigre.

The band’s forthcoming album Quema Quema Quema (meaning ‘Burn Burn Burn’ in Spanish) is the product of two years honing the Kanaku sound at the band’s Lima studio HQ and the result is a record which is feverish in intensity and which screams with joy and cries for help in the same breath. The album is a testament to their new found approach with its euphoric, unapologetically feel-good hooks littered with electronic jitters, ghostly delays, serene Hawaiian slide guitars and a chorus of other-wordly vocal harmonies.

Take a look at a video for the track “Bubucelas,” featuring the album’s incredible hand-painted cover art, below. You can also download “Bubucelas” for free.

Quema Quema Quema is out May 19th on Strut / Tiger’s Milk. Pre-orders are available now on iTunes.

British techno-related visionary Actress joins the DJ-Kicks series this May with a singular hour-long set, following his acclaimed fourth full-length effort, Ghettoville, a recent re-release of his debut LP Hazyville, and a limited-edition black label project Xoul on his own Werkdiscs label.

For Actress (aka Darren Cunningham), the process of selecting tracks was fraught with meaning on a number of levels. “When I’m selecting music I’m not always thinking about the music alone,” Cunningham explains. “I’m thinking about the names of the artists, tracks, and labels, and what they mean to me. I often base my tracklisting purely on how well the track titles work together in a poetic sense.”

“I’ve tried to keep space between tracks, allowing them to speak,” he continues. “I tried not to force BPM shifts and to let the programming remain choppy and quick.”

Of course, the DJ-Kicks wouldn’t be complete without an exclusive production from the author himself. “Bird Matrix,” a track he made just after he finished writing Ghettoville. “My studio was going through a transition, so I was testing all the equipment, and that was one of the first tunes that came out of those experiments,” he explains. It’s a fittingly exploratory tune for a mix that balances traditional functionality with dance music’s cutting edge.

Actress’ DJ-Kicks, the 49th entry in the series, will be out May 1st (May 4th UK, May 5th US) on CD, LP and digital. Pre-orders are available now on iTunes and signed copies via Recordstore.co.uk.

Tracklisting:

01 Breaker 1 2 – 2
02 Lorenzo Senni – Elegant, and Never Tiring
03 Reel by Real – Look At Me
04 Autechre – Pen Expers
05 Chameleon – Thought 2
06 Beneath – Stress 1
07 Simbiosi – Impari
08 Zennor – Tin
09 John Beltran – Anticipation
10 Moon B – Those Moments
11 STL – Psychelicious
12 Snakepiss – Toil
13 Shit and Shine – Pearl Drop
14 Chez n Trent – Windy City Club
15 Mark Fell – Section 1-7
16 GNESIS – Pear
17 Shxcxchcxsh – LDWGWTT
18 Hank Jackson – Track 3
19 Actress – Bird Matrix (DJ-Kicks)
20 Gherkin Jerks – Red Planet

Nina Kraviz discusses her roots as a DJ, the process of creating a mix, and her love of record digging in this feature shot at Berlin’s legendary Record Loft.

DJ-Kicks is out now:
iTunes • Amazon • !K7 store

This spring sees the reintroduction of the DJ-Kicks 12” series and with it, the tradition of releasing original DJ-Kicks material along side a selection of remixes hand-picked by the compiling artist.

Kicking off the new series is John Talabot, who’s swooning and balmy contribution to the mix series originally saw the light of day in November 2013 – an offering Derek Miller of RA deemed ‘quite possibly the commercial mix of the year’’. Now in January 2015, Talabot curates an assemblage of mighty remixers including Melchoir Productions Ltd, Oskar Offermann and Mistakes Are Ok in the long-awaited presentation of the 9th on tracklist – ‘Without You’.

Oskar Offermann, who’s mix streams below via Boiler Room Debuts, is an artist who has maintained a grip on tightly packed drum structures whilst dialing the sort of swirling melodies that lend him perfectly to a remix of Talabot’s work. His take on the original is propelled by sharp, frazzled hats and puffing 909 drums that sit in front of a soft melodic bed.

The full 12″ is out March 23rd on 12″ and digital formats. Pre-orders are available now via iTunes.

As they make their way across Europe, it’s a full-on party when Orlando Julius hits the stage with The Heliocentrics. Recorded live in Brussels, this performance of “Aseni” shows the stage ablaze with synchronized dance moves and razor sharp musicianship. Make sure to catch this show when they come through your city!

European Tour Dates

11th: Ljubjana SLO / Kino Siska
12th: Rome IT / Teatro Quirinetta
13th: Bologna IT / Locomotiv Club
14th: Turin IT / Scuola Holden (General Store)
15th: Milan IT / Biko Club
19th: Arhus DEN / Atlas
20th: Copenhagen DEN / Global
21st: Stockholm SWE / Fasching

Orlando Julius’ collaborative album with The Heliocentrics, Jaiyede Afro is out now:
iTunes • Amazon • Strut Store

Our second foray into the incredible catalog of Chicago’s Dance Mania Records focuses specifically on the hyper-sexualized “Ghetto House” strain of dance music pioneered by the label. The ‘Ghetto Madness’ collection features striking cover art from artist James Wilson, meshing perfectly with the raw quality of the music. We sat down recently with James to talk about his initial exposure to house music, his artistic influences, and the ways in which he creates such incredible artwork.

Strut: You illustrated a piece on DJ Funk for Crack Magazine earlier this year. Before that, and being approached to work on art for Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness, was Chicago House or Ghetto House music that you were already listening to? Do you have a history of listening to dance music?

James Wilson: Before the DJ Funk piece and this Dance Mania project I had no idea what Ghetto House music was. I started listening to dance music as an adolescent, stuff like the Chemical Brothers and the Prodigy. It was pretty much all down to Wipeout 2097 on the Playstation that informed me of that style of music, other stuff like Orbital and Underworld. I started playing guitar and listening to heavy music after and lost touch with dance music for a few years but I listen to house music quite regularly now.

Both the cover and insert poster for Ghetto Madness are explicitly sexual, which is consistent with the lyrics of many of the records. Were there other ways in which the musical content influenced the way in you approached the artwork?

Ghetto House to me is very raw and stripped back so I wanted the artwork to reflect that. I was happy with how my DJ Funk piece had turned out previously and wanted to keep a similar feel. The Dance Mania artwork had to look even bolder which was why I decided to keep it black and white with strong thick outlines and hand scrawled text.

What are your tools for the cover illustration and poster? Are you working primarily with pen and paper?

I sketched out the artwork in pencil and then completed the ink work with my trusty tablet. I tend to work this way for most projects now as sketching by hand gives me a little more expression and the digital element allows more room to edit.

Comic books, musicians, and action movies seem to be common themes and subject matter in your work, and all tend to feature larger than life personalities and portrayals. Do you find art most interesting when it is an exaggeration?

I see so much amazing artwork every day, mainly through Instagram and Behance and it’s all in varying styles and media. I think the work I appreciate and find most interesting  is art that has been produced with passion. I like artists that have a recognisable style and that also translates something about the artist, it adds that element of intrigue.

 The poster insert for Ghetto Madness features several of the artists’ faces as tattoos. Do you have tattoos, and if so, do you design / illustrate them yourself?

I don’t have any tattoos although I’d like to have a go at designing some. I follow a few tattoo artists through social media so that was probably an influence. Mainly I wanted the girl to look like a badass and thought it could be an interesting way of involving the DJ’s on the poster.

Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness is out  on CD, 2LP, digital download, and streaming services.

iTunes • Amazon • Boomkat • Rough Trade

BBC 6Music DJ Gilles Peterson celebrated the global music underground with a feast of great music on Saturday at his annual Worldwide Awards in London. Strut picked up the coveted ‘Label Of The Year’ award and our artists weighed in too with Sun Ra Arkestra bandleader Marshall Allen given a Lifetime Achievement Award and The Heliocentrics’ ace drummer Malcolm Catto winning the John Peel Award.

A massive thanks to Gilles and the team at Brownswood from us, to the many great artists and compilers we’ve been lucky enough to work with and to all of you for buying the albums and supporting the label. Bit of pressure now to keep up the quality in 2015!

This March, we return to the rich archives of South African music to spotlight the fertile era of the late ’70s and early ’80s with a new volume in the Next Stop Soweto series. Tightly controlled by oppressive Apartheid laws, South Africa’s music scene in the 70s and 80s nevertheless progressed into myriad new directions, embracing funk, soul, rock and disco.

Next Stop Soweto Vol. 4 is compiled by Duncan Brooker. It will be released March 23 2015 on CD, 2LP and digital formats with physical formats featuring sleeve notes by author Francis Gooding along with rare photos and sleeve artwork.

Stream the energetic Afro rock track “Unga Pfula A Chi Pfalo” from Kabasa, which kicks off the new volume, below.

Chicago’s Dance Mania Records set the standard for the lightning fast, hyper funky, sexualized strain of dance music known as Ghetto House in the 1990s. See DJ Deeon’s 1996 track “The Freaks” for an example of just how effective this combination can be for making a timeless dance floor weapon. If this one doesn’t get you out of your seat, you might need your pulse checked.

Our return to the Dance Mania vaults, Ghetto Madness is out January 26th on CD, 2LP, digital download, and streaming services.

iTunes • Amazon • Boomkat • Rough Trade

Bringing the authentic sounds of Chicago warehouse parties to the EU, Dance Mania artists Parris Mitchell & Tyree are hitting the road this winter, with stops in Edinburgh, London, Bordeaux & Dublin. You can bet it’s going to be hot!

Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness is out 26 Jan on CD, LP and digital download.

iTunes • Amazon • Boomkat • Rough Trade

Here at Strut, we’ve been captivated with African music of many varieties ever since we first dipped our toes into the vast waters of music from the continent. Our initial forays into releasing curated collections of music from Africa focused on West African Afrobeat and Afro-Funk, and in the following years broadened our scope to touch on Ethio Jazz, North African Gnawa, South African township jive, and countless other varieties and hybrids.

To kick off 2015, we’ve compiled selections from our many African releases for a special digital release. Afro-Beats is over two hours of music, and we kept the price below that of an average album release. Dig in, and enjoy!

iTunes • Amazon • Boomkat • Bleep

1. Ebo Taylor : Ayesama (taken from Appia Kwa Bridge)
2. Jabula : Jabula Happiness (taken from Spirit Of Malombo)
3. Mulatu Astatke : Green Africa (taken from Mulatu Steps Ahead)
4. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo : Koumi Dede (taken from Cotonou Club)
5. Orlando Julius with The Heliocentrics : Aseni (taken from Jaiyede Afro)
6. Jingo : Fever (taken from Afro-Rock Vol. 1)
7. Mulatu Astatke / The Heliocentrics : Phantom Of The Panther (taken from Inspiration Information)
8. Fanga & Maalem Abdallah Guinea : Kelen (taken from Fangnawa Experience)
9. The Souljazz Orchestra : One Life To Live (taken from Inner Fire)
10. Cornell Campbell Meets Soothsayers : We Want to Be Free (taken from Nothing Can Stop Us)
11. Jimi Tenor, Tony Allen : Against The Wall (taken from Inspiration Information)
12. Julian Bahula’s Jazz Afrika : Woza Cindi (taken from Spirit Of Malombo)
13. Orlando Julius with The Heliocentrics : Jaiyede Afro (taken from Jaiyede Afro)
14. The Souljazz Orchestra : As The Crow Flies (taken from Inner Fire)
15. Fanga & Maalem Abdallah Guinea : Kononi (taken from Fangnawa Experience)
16. Orlando Julius & His Modern Aces : Efoye So (taken from Super Afro Soul)
17. Ebo Taylor : Abonsam (taken from Appia Kwa Bridge)
18. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo : Holonon (taken from Cotonou Club)
19. Mercury Dance Band : Envy No Good (taken from Afro-Rock Vol. 1)
20. Malombo Jazz Makers : Hleziphi (taken from Spirit Of Malombo)
21. Mulatu Astatke / The Heliocentrics : Esketa Dance (taken from Inspiration Information)
22. Mulatu Astatke : I Faram Gami I Faram (taken from Mulatu Steps Ahead)
23. Jimi Tenor, Tony Allen : Cella’s Walk (taken from Inspiration Information)
24. Ebo Taylor : Nga Nga (taken from Love And Death)

To mark the end of the year, we thought it would be worth asking Strut’s Quinton Scott to pull out a few of the albums that have been on repeat at the label HQ during 2014. Hope you enjoy this round-up of archive African gems, soul stompers, DIY electronics and more.

For more updates on our favorite music, make sure to follow our Original World Funk and Death Disco & Jacking House Spotify playlists.

Big thanks to everyone who has supported the label this year and wishing everyone a really happy and peaceful Christmas.

10 COMPILATIONS / REISSUES

V/A – Haiti Direct (Strut)

Stream on Spotify

Hugo Mendez collects together stunning set of compass and twoubadou rarities.

Nana Love – Disco Documentary: Full of Funk (BBE)

Stream on Spotify

Essential oddball West African disco set.

Grace Jones – Nightclubbing (Deluxe Edition) (Island)

Stream on Spotify

Well curated deluxe version of classic album with massive previously unreleased cover of ‘Me! I Disconnect From You.’

Les Ambassadeurs – Les Ambassadeurs De Motel De Bamaco (Sterns)

Stream on Spotify

‘70s Malian legends celebrated in a superb Stern’s deluxe package.

V/A – The Tabu Records Box Set (Tabu)

Buy from Dusty Groove

Early Jam & Lewis slick soul genius from Brainstorm, SOS Band and more.

K. Leimer – A Period of Review (Rvng Intl)

Buy from Rvng Intl

Superb previously unreleased ambient pieces from US artist Kerry Leimer.

Cybotron – Enter (Fantasy)

Stream on Spotify

Juan Atkins and Richard Davis with their seminal ‘human life meets technology’ opus from ‘83.

V/A – Suburban Base Records: The History Of Hardcore, Jungle, Drum & Bass 1991-1997 (New State)

Buy from Piccadilly

Always a favourite rave label during the original days. Brilliant, raw, DIY dancefloor bombs and long overdue comp.

V/A – Northern Soul: The Film Soundtrack (Harmless)

Buy from Juno

Fantastic collection of gems soundtracking Elaine Constantine’s film. Great for connoisseurs and newcomers alike.

V/A – Science Fiction Park Bundesrepublik (Finders Keepers)

Buy from Finders Keepers

Dark and strange DIY electronics from ‘80s West Germany.

10 New Albums

Todd Terje – It’s Album Time (Olsen)

Stream on Spotify

The master Terje flexes his production guns with a great mix of disco, exotica and soul on his full length debut.

Meridian Brothers – Salvadora Robot (Soundway)

Stream On Spotify

Surreal soundscapes from Colombia. Future music genius.

Andy Stott – Faith In Strangers (Modern Love)

Buy from Boomkat

Brilliantly bleak and blown out electro / drone soundscapes.

Fumaca Preta – Fumaca Preta (Soundway)

Stream on Spotify

Primal and bonkers album mixing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms with properly wigged out psychedelics.

Caribou – Our Love (Merge)

Stream On Spotify

Expertly crafted lush synth-meets-falsetto set.

Nils Frahm – Spaces (Erased Tapes)

Buy from Erased Tapes

Completely obsessed with Frahm’s music and ‘Spaces’ is minimal, spiritual majesty from start to finish.

Clap! Clap! – Tayi Bebba (Black Acre)

Stream on Spotify

Futuristic Afro sketches touching on electro, juke and hip hop.

Fhlostom Paradigm – The Phoenix (Hyperdub)

Stream on Spotify

Kept going back to this album in 2014. Quality atmospheric soundtracky house-scapes. Fantastic production.

Orlando Julius with The Heliocentrics – Jaiyede Afro (Strut)

Stream on Spotify

Massive honour to work with the Afro-soul legend this year. New album found him on top form, revisiting compositions from his youth.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata (Madlib Invasion)

Stream on Spotify

Forward thinking beats and hard-knock raps. Madlib still untouchable.

Nina Kraviz is one of the busiest DJs in the world, and her frenetic pace shows no sign of slowing in 2015. With her sublime DJ-Kicks mix dropping January 26th, she’s taking to the road for a series of DJ dates. If you haven’t caught a set from her before, you’re in for a treat.

In the meantime, stream a new track from Nina’s DJ-Kicks. “IMPRV” also appears on the debut release from her new label трип (pronounced ‘trip’), an EP called “The Deviant Octapus.” DJ-Kicks is currently available for pre-order.

Nina Kraviz DJ-Kicks Tour Dates

24 December ’14 Thesaloniki, Greece: NON Aesthetics
25 December ’14 Athens, Greece: Blend
26 December ’14 Ancona, Italy: Harmonized
27 December ’14 Basel, Switzerland: Nordstern
31 December ’14 Palermo, Italy: Unlocked at MOB
01 January ’15 London, United Kingdom: Oval Space
01 January ’15 Amsterdam, Netherlands: Awakenings
05 January ’15 Bergamo, Italy: Bolgia
30 January ’15 La Rochelle, France: La Sirene
31 January ’15 Eindhoven, Netherlands: Awakenings
31 January ’15 Liege, Belgium: Les Transardentes Festival
01 February ’15 Paris, France: Rex Club
06 February ’15 Offenbach am Main, Germany: Robert Johnson
07 February ’15 Avignon, France: Kolorz Festival
13 February ’15 Rekyavik, Iceland: Sonar
14 February ’15 Stockholm, Sweden: Sonar
21 February ’15 Montpeiller, France: Zenith
22 February ’15 Lyon, France: Le Sucre
06 March ’15 Nijmagen, Netherlands: Doornrosje
07 March ’15 Grenoble, France: Le Belle Electric
14 March ’15 Foligno, Italy: Serendipity
18 March ’15 Madrid, Spain: Fabrik
20 March ’15 Rotterdam, Netherlands: Toffler
21 March ’15 Brussels, Belgium: Fuse

Gilles Peterson is a man of distinguishing tastes, and has been an enormous supporter of our music. This year at his annual Worldwide Awards he will be honoring Marshall Allen, the current leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra and compiler of our collection In The Orbit of Ra. The ceremony will also feature a special performance from Orlando Julius with The Heliocentrics, as well as a host of other fine performers. If you’re in London in January, don’t miss it! Advance tickets available here.

Will Saul’s incredible DJ-Kicks mix has been nominated for Best Compilation in DJ Mag’s Best of British 2014 poll. If you love the mix as much as we do, we can use your help to make sure Will ends up with the title! Vote below and spread the word! Voting ends December 8th.

Vote Now Through December 8th

The musicians and promoters behind the ‘African Sounds’ concert at Alexandra Palace, London in July 1983, tell the story of the first music event to raise awareness of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment and the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Featured interviews include Julian Bahula, concert promoter and founding member of the bands Malombo and Jabula, his wife Liza and Jerry Dammers of The Specials. Inspired by seeing Jabula’s ‘Mandela’ performed live at the concert, Dammers went on to write the massive Special AKA hit, ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ and set up Artists Against Apartheid in the UK.

While the concerts did much to raise awareness for Mandela and the politics of apartheid in South Africa, years later the architects of the event series ponder the fuzzy overlap of politics and entertainment, and wonder whether it would have been possible to more actively engage with the African ex-pat musicians,

Julian Bahula’s work in various musical projects is collected on the album ‘Spirit of Malombo,’ out now on Strut, and available at your favorite local record shop, as well as iTunes, Amazon, and the Strut Store.

This January, we’re returning to the archives of seminal Chicago house label Dance Mania for Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness. This new installment places the spotlight on the raw, stripped back, hyper BPMs of ghetto house and the rise of the movement’s fresh generation of stars during the mid-‘90s including DJ Deeon, DJ Funk, Jammin’ Gerald and DJ Milton.

The album traces the evolution of Chicago’s sound during the era as mixtapes circulated through local shops and DJs developed their own underground following, playing local parties in the projects. As DJ Deeon remembers, “it bridged the gap. It made it OK for guys in the ghetto to like house again and it brought the women onto the dancefloor too.”

Dance Mania: Ghetto Madness will be released in 1CD unmixed, 2LP and digital formats. Physical formats are fully illustrated by James Wilson featuring caricatures of the featured artists and hand-drawn artwork. CD will include a fold-out poster featuring an exclusive James Wilson ghetto illustration. Pre-orders are available via iTunes and the Strut Store.

Check out the full tracklist, and stream Paul Johnson’s “Give Me Ecstasy” below.

Tracklist:

1. JAMMIN’ GERALD – PUMP THAT SHIT UP
2. DJ DEEON – THE FREAKS
3. DJ DEEON – 1112
4. STEVE POINDEXTER – COMPUTER MADNESS
5. DARIEN – HIT IT
6. DJ RUSH – THE REACTOR
7. WAX MASTER MAURICE – BOUNCE THAT BODY
8. TYREE – NUTHIN’ WRONG
9. JAMMIN GERALD – PUMP ON THE FLOOR
10. PAUL JOHNSON – GIVE ME ECSTASY
11. PARRIS MITCHELL – GHETTO BOOTY
12. DJ MILTON – HOUSE-O-MATICS
13. DJ FUNK – COMPUTER SEX
14. DJ FUNK – BITCHES
15. HOUZ’ MON – THE GROOVE

Nina Kraviz is an uncompromising artist who can claim as much influence on the current sound of dance music as anyone working in the genre. We’re extremely pleased to announce that Nina will be mixing the first DJ-Kicks of 2015.

Known for the stripped down, Chicago and Detroit influence sound of her production on singles such as “Pain In My Ass” and “Ghetto Kraviz,” Nina Kraviz has proved to be a driving force in a movement within dance music that prizes raw authenticity and a spontaneous production aesthetic. While that spirit is very much visible on DJ-Kicks, the mix also shows another side of Kraviz’s musical identity. “People probably know me for my Dance Mania-inspired, stripped down jacking groove style of DJing,” she says, “but the idea behind this particular mix was to create more of a trippy underwater vibe. A mysterious, sonic journey, inspired by the times I used to listen to late night radio growing up and imagine that all the sounds brought to me via the radio waves came directly from space.”

Almost half of the 29 tracks are exclusives from Kraviz’s трип label, including three of her own: ‘Mystery’, ‘IMPRV, ’and ‘Prozimokompleme’. They have a raw, minimalistic stripped down feel that’s clearly inspired by her Chicago and Detroit roots, sharing the same first take vibe.

DJ-Kicks is out January 26th on !K7, and is available now for pre-order via iTunes.

TRACKLIST:
1. Egotrip – Dreamworld (Acapella)
2. Nina Kraviz – Mystery (DJ-Kicks)
3. Area – Broken Glass Everywhere
4. Prototype 909 – Atma
5. Goldie – Truth
6. Bjarki – Revolution
7. Nina Kraviz – IMPRV
8. Bjarki – Polygon Pink Toast
9. Population One – Bonus Beat
Flatner / Ingram Project – Da Comin’ (Jay Denham RMX) Acapella
Parrish Smith – 1.0 / 8.0 Afrika Genocide Acapella
10. Breaker 1 2 – In The Distance
11. Steve Stoll – Pop Song
12. Bradley Strider – Untitled
13. Stanislav Tolkachev – I Will Not Pee In The Pool
14. Armando – Pleasure Dome
15. Nina Kraviz – Prozimokompleme
16. Baby Ford – 24 HR
17. Fred P – Higher Mentalism (edit)
18. Exos – Nuclear Red Guard
19. Steve Stoll – Corona
20. Freak Electrique – Parsec
21. Population One – Out Of Control (Vocal Mix)
22. Exos & Octal – Grow
23. Porn Sword Tobacco & SVN – Complaints A
24. Plaid – Oi
25. DJ Bone – The Vibe
26. Adam Beyer pres Conceiled Project – Pattern 1
27. Polygon Window – Quino-Phec
28. Nikita Zabelin feat. dBridge – So Lonely
29. Rizhome – Corridor

TOUR DATES
24/10/2014 – Rome, Italy: GOA
25/10/2014 – Tilburg, Netherlands:Kindergarten
31/10/2014 – Verona, Italy: Alter Ego
31/10/2014 – Milan, Italy: Magazinni
01/11/2014 – Coventry, United Kingdom: Outbreak Festival
01/11/2014 – London, United Kingdom: Awakenings
01/11/2014 – Manchester, United Kingdom: The Warehouse Project
02/11/2014 – Berlin, Germany: Berghain
07/11/2014 – New York, NY: Resolute
08/11/2014 – Miami, FL: Story
12/12/2014 – Taipei, Taiwan: Korner
14/11/2014 – Pescara, Italy: Zu Bar
15/11/2014 – Turin, Italy: Chalet
16/11/2014 – Paris, France: Concrete
29/11/2014 – Perth, Australia: Stereosonic
30/11/2014 – Sydney, Australia: Stereosonic
07/12/2014 – Melbourne, Australia: Stereosonic
13/12/2014 – Sentosa, Singapore: Zoukout Festival
12/24/2014 – Thesaloniki, Greece: Reworks
12/25/2014 – Athens, Greece: Blend
12/26/2014 – Ancona, Italy: Harmonized
12/31/2014 – Palermo, Italy: Unlocked at MOB
01/01/2015 – Amsterdam, Netherlands: Awakenings
01/01/2015 – London, United Kingdom: Oval Space
2/13/2015 – Rekyavik, Iceland: Sonar
2/14/2015 – Stockholm, Sweden: Sonar

“In case it’s not clear: Jaiyede Afro is a tremendous album.” –PopMatters

With this year’s collaborative album Jaiyede Afro hailed as one of the freshest takes on Afrobeat music in recent memory, Nigerian Afrobeat originator Orlando Julius and London’s psychedelic jazz ensemble The Heliocentrics are launching a massive European tour together. Who knows when this group of musicians will find themselves on stage together again? We suggest you don’t miss it.

Like Fela Kuti and other eminent international figures of African music, South Africa’s Julian Bahula created a unique synthesis of western popular music and the traditional music of his home country, spreading his culture to an international audience as well as creating awareness for political issues affecting his homeland. In contrast to Kuti however, Bahula’s primary musical vehicle is jazz, and his story remains largely untold. Our Spirit of Malombo collection sheds light on a visionary musician, a prolific creator, and a tireless advocate for equality in South Africa.

In the early 60s, Bahula introduced indigenous malombo drums alongside guitar and flute to create a strong new cultural jazz fusion. Through various line-ups and name changes, Bahula had established himself by the end of the decade as the leader of South Africa’s foremost afro-centric jazz groups.

As the pressure of apartheid started to bear down, Julian Bahula escaped to political exile in the UK, where he formed a new afro super-group, Jabula, through which malombo music was transformed into a vehicle that could take a powerful political message from South Africa to audiences in Europe and across the world. The band worked closely and selflessly with the exiled ANC, the Anti-Apartheid Movement and other anti-apartheid organisations to help spread political awareness.

In ’83, Bahula and his wife Liza set up the first concert in the UK to raise awareness for Nelson Mandela, ‘African Sounds’, an event that helped to kick-start the international pressure that would lead to Mandela’s release in 1990. The Specials’ Jerry Dammers was there and was inspired by Jabula’s track ‘Mandela’ to write the huge hit for The Special AKA, ‘Nelson Mandela’.

Spirit Of Malombo documents Bahula’s incredible musical journey from 1966 to 1984 for the first time. Package includes rare photos, poster artwork and memorabilia with extensive sleeve notes from author Francis Gooding. The cover features a still from leading South African photographer, Ernest Cole. The album is available on iTunes, Amazon, and the Strut Store.

As the release of the Spirit Of Malombo release approaches (it’s not next week!) we have another track for you to hear, via Wax Poetics. ‘Abbey’s Body’ appeared on the 1966 Malompo Jazz LP. After the departure of Tabane, Cindi had taken on compositional duties for the group and all the tracks on Malompo Jazz were penned by the flautist.

Spirit of Malombo is out October 20th 2014. Pre-orders are available on iTunes, and the Strut Store.

Legendary Detroit house producer Mike Huckaby has already established his skill for editing classic Sun Ra material. With our compilation In The Orbit Of Ra out now, Huckaby has generously offered a new edit of one of the songs included on the collection. Here is take on “The Lady With The Golden Stockings” below.

Huckaby’s thoughts on his work with Sun Ra’s music:
As a Sun Ra fan, it has been a pleasure to be able to do an edit of Sun Ra material. Sometimes its more of a restoration project, than it is an opportunity to do an edit. In any case, the goal is always to preserve the original integrity, and direction of the song, while somehow making it appealing to an new and emerging fan base of listeners from the traditional school, and emerging electronic market. Sun Ra’s fan base, and listeners might be changing and expanding, but you can always expect the end result of my work to highly respect the integrity of the original version. My version emphasizes the flute and percussive parts in this song.

In the Orbit Of Ra is available now in your favorite record shop, as well as iTunes, Amazon, and the Strut Store.

Long-time members of the Sun Ra Arkestra Marshall Allen, Danny Ray Thompson, Michael Ray and Knoel Scott reflect on the life and influence of Sun Ra in a rare new interview with Art Yard’s Peter Dennett. Includes footage of the fabled Sun Ra house in Germantown, Philadelphia.

In The Orbit Of Ra, presented by Marshall Allen and mastered from the original tapes, is out September 22nd. Orders are available on iTunes, Amazon, and the Strut Store.

In a behind-the-scenes look into the recording studio, The Heliocentrics and Orlando Julius talk about their collaborative album Jaiyede Afro. Malcolm Catto, the drummer and leader of The Heliocentrics mentions his desire to bring a psychedelic edge to the sessions, in the manner of some of his favorite African recordings by groups like the Psychedelic Aliens and others. Orlando Julius also gives the background on a few of his songs.

The Jaiyede Afro album is out September 8th, and can be ordered now on iTunes, with the track “Buje Buje” available instantly. CDs and limited 180 gram LPs are also available for pre-order from the Strut store.

Here’s another taste of the upcoming Orlando Julius & Heliocentrics collaborative album, and what a monster it is! Hailing from Nigeria and London respectively, Julius and the Heliocentrics (lead by drummer Malcolm Catto) have a unique perspective on American soul music. Their take on a James Brown cut from the Popcorn album keeps the playing tight enough for the Godfather of Soul, while adding a new feel all their own.

The Jaiyede Afro album is out September 8th, and can be pre-ordered now on iTunes, with the track “Buje Buje” available instantly. CDs and limited 180 gram LPs are also available for pre-order from the Strut store.

Jake Ferguson of The Heliocentrics on “In The Middle:”
“We’ve all been big fans of James Brown since we’ve been involved in music and have played ‘In The Middle’ regularly on our live tours. It felt like a natural fit for the Orlando project, particularly as we have added an Afro swing to the track. We first played the track with Orlando at a London gig last year and he got into it in the studio straight away – his sax solo here was the very first take. James Brown and his band loved Orlando when they saw him play in Ibadan back in the ‘60s and the two of them met up and talked at J.B.’s hotel. So, for lots of reasons, this felt like a natural one to include.”

Sun Ra is one of the most respected, and perhaps most misunderstood creative minds in jazz music. To commemorate what would have been Ra’s 100th birthday, we’ve teamed up with Art Yard for a very special release. In The Orbit Of Ra is a new collection curated by the longest serving member of the Arkestra and current bandleader, Marshall Allen. Bringing together Sun Ra highights from over 25 years of music, the album is the first internationally released compilation to provide an introduction to the music of Sun Ra, curated personally by the Arkestra and mastered from the original tapes.

Hear the pristine masters for one of our favorite Sun Ra tracks, “Plutonian Nights,” below, and an instant download of the track is available with pre-orders of the full album. Out September 22nd, In The Orbit Of Ra will be available on 2CD, 2LP and digital formats. Physical formats feature full interview with Marshall Allen along with rare and previously unpublished photos by Val Wilmer.

Nigerian saxophone legend Orlando Julius’ collaboration with UK psychedelic jazz outfit The Heliocentrics is one of the most satisfying and progressive Afrobeat projects to come along in a while. The full album is due September 8th, but you can hear the lead track “Buje Buje” below.

The Jaiyede Afro album can be pre-ordered now on iTunes, with the track “Buje Buje” available instantly.

Orlando Julius on “Buje Buje:”
“My parents used to tell us stories, folk tales and there were a lot of different stories involving tortoises – they often made tortoises sound like human beings. There was one about a tortoise who had a farm and I always thought, ‘how could a tortoise have a farm?!’ This tortoise is working on his farm and a pretty lady is passing by. So, he cuts his foot with his cutlass and pretends that he is injured so that he can get her attention. The lady comes over and tries to help him and he says, ‘I can’t work with this cut. Could I climb on your back to go to get help?’ She agrees, he climbs on her back and she starts to walk. He says, ‘I’m too far up, could you push me further down your back?’ Finally, the lady realises that he is up to no good, she is very unhappy and tells him to find his own way. Once she has left, the tortoise continues to play this trick on other women.

“I made the story into a song and brought human nature into it – good people and bad people. The song teaches us not to copy something that is bad, fake or deceptive.”

This fall, we’re extremely proud to announce the first ever internationally released new studio album by one of the all-time legends of Nigerian music, Orlando Julius, backed by the incredibly versatile London outfit The Heliocentrics.

On Jaiyede Afro, Julius takes us back to his roots, revisiting several compositions from his early years which have never previously been recorded. The album was recorded at the Heliocentrics’ fully analogue studio in North London.  Like their their memorable collaborations with Mulatu Astatke and Lloyd Miller, the band takes Orlando’s sound into new, progressive directions, retaining the raw grit of his early work and adding psychedelic touches and adventurous new arrangements.

Jaiyede Afro is released September 9th on CD, 2xLP and digital formats. The physical formats feature new photos from the recording sessions by Alexis Maryon and track by track interview with Orlando Julius and The Heliocentrics. The release will be supported by a full European touring schedule.

Our vinyl-only re-issue of Julius’ classic album Super Afro Soul is available now in the Strut Store. Stream “Efoye So” below.

We are please to announce that Reggae legend Cornell Campbell returns to the UK for an exclusive London date with Soothsayers on 12th July at The Forge in Camden.

Fantastic gig if you haven’t yet caught them live!

For full information and tickets for the show, head on over to The Forge website.

Horse Meat Disco’s weekly residency at The Eagle is a London Sunday institution; a place for revelers to stave of the work week for a few more hours of dancing and debauchery. The party is a truly unique and affirming experience, and one of the reasons we connected with the crew for a series of compilations of top-notch disco treats. If a trip to London isn’t in your near future, this video takes you inside the club. Shot over Easter Weekend, it captures much of what we love about Horse Meat Disco.

HMD’s fourth collection with be out on June 16th. Orders are available via iTunes, Amazon, and the Strut Store. For more info, visit http://www.horsemeatdisco-thealbum.com/

Just in time for summer sexiness, we have a limited batch of DJ-Kicks tote bags to sport around town. To get your hands on one, pick up Will Saul’s fantastic new DJ-Kicks from the !K7 web store or select indie record shops, and it’s yours for free, just cause we love you.

We’re as excited as can be that The Souljazz Orchestra are heading back out on the road this summer. Following on from their acclaimed album ‘Inner Fire’ released earlier this year and their sell out tour, this summer’s dates look sure to be a must see.

For full info on the tour, head on over to the Souljazz Orchestra website.

Jun 12 – Toronto, ON – Luminato Festival
Jun 20 – Ottawa, ON – Glow Fair
Jun 27 – Innkreis, AU – Woodstock der Blasmusik
Jun 29 – Mechelen, BE – Ottertrotter Festival
Jul 05 – Ljubljana, SI – Ljubljana Jazz Festival
Jul 11 – Birmingham, UK – Mostly Jazz Festival
Jul 12 – Dublin, IE – The Sugar Club
Jul 17 – Pori, FI – Pori Jazz Festival
Jul 19 – Paris, FR – New Morning
Jul 20 – Gent, BE – Polé Polé Festival
Aug 09 – Lévis, QC – Festival Jazz Etcetera
Aug 15 – Salmon Arm, BC – Roots & Blues Festival

The album ‘Inner Fire’ is available now.

With two weeks to go before his DJ-Kicks mix hits stores, Will Saul has let loose with an EP featuring exclusive music produced for his mix. Having put in time as a top-notch A&R and label head helping to break some of the most vital artists in UK house and bass music, it’s no surprise that there are some head-turning names contributing music here.

Tracks here from Bicep, Jabru featuring Joel Culpepper, and Leon Vynehall, have all built a steady buzz online, and can be expected to be heard on forward-thinking dance floors all summer long. Add to that a key slice of expert funk from Marquis Hawkes, and you have an essential collection of tunes.

Will Saul’s DJ-Kicks EP can be purchased digitally at Beatport, and on vinyl at Juno.

Tracklist:
Bicep – “Nova”
Jabru feat. Joel Culpepper – “Church”
Marquis Hawkes – “Life Struggle”
Leon Vynehall – “Time”

“If they had a Mercury prize in the US, this would be on the shortlist.”
– GUARDIAN

“…they’re the kind of discovery it’s easy to get excited about.”
– PITCHFORK

We’re extremely excited to announce that Hundred Waters, the latest artists to sign to Skrillex’s OWSLA label, will be releasing their new album The Moon Rang Like A Bell on !K7 in Europe and the UK. This is some of the most beautiful and honest music we’ve heard this year so far, and we’re proud to be involved with the project. The early buzz has been quite strong, with Pitchfork declaring the leaked song “Down From The Rafters” Best New Track, and calling the album one of the most anticipated of 2014.<

The Moon Rang Like A Bell will be released May 26th. Pre-order at http://smarturl.it/hundredwaters and get three tracks right away.

Will Saul is a bit of an electronic music renaissance man: DJ, producer, A&R, and label head of the respected Aus Music and Simple Records labels. He’s also coming off of a big year in 2013: not only did he release his debut album under the alter ego Close, an avant guard dance-pop project that called upon high profile collaborators like Scuba and Appleblim, but so too did he make his debut in the live arena at clubs like London’s influential Fabric. With all of this under his belt, we knew a DJ-Kicks mix would be a banger, but Saul makes it clear that he’s aiming for something even more special.

“I wanted the mix to represent how I DJ in the sense that the majority of my sets are made up mainly of my own, or my label’s, unreleased or forthcoming music.  Hopefully this gives me something unique as DJ, not just as I play tracks that no one else has, but also because they are artists and tracks that I love enough to want to sign, so they really represent what I love about electronic music.

“With this in mind, I approached all my nearest and dearest for some tailor made exclusive tracks. The result is hopefully a mix that rekindles the thing I loved about listening to mixes 20 years ago – that unknown aspect where each new track is a surprise. In a time when all music/track IDs and myriad mixes are accessible at the click of a button, I hope this makes for something a little more interesting.”

For an idea of the excitement possible with this approach, take a listen to an exclusive new Bicep track from the mix, below. Will Saul’s DJ-Kicks mix will be released on June 16th on !K7. Full tracklist below the soundcloud player.

Pre-order DJ-Kicks on iTunes and receive this track immediately.

CD Track List:

01. Will Saul & Komon – Bendy
02. Animal Hands – Beacon Island
03. Komon & Appleblim – The Visionary State
04. Joe Gray – Tozai
05. Cottam – Healing Process
06. Youandewan – Ego
07. Jabru – Church feat. Joel Culpepper
08. Lrusse – Presence
09. Walton – Birds
10. Leon Vynehall – Time
11. Will Saul & Komon – Two For One (DJ-Kicks)
12. Sei A – Reserve
13. Axel Boman – Dubbel (dub) / CLOSE feat. Tikiman – Born In A Rolling Barrel
14. Sei A – JTR
15. October – KR-100 Dub
16. David Clement – Follow Me Home (Lee Jones Remix)
17. Marquis Hawkes – Life Struggle
18. Bicep – Nova
19. Will Saul – Pedal Power
20. Legowelt – Etherial Techno Music Will Never Die
21. George FitzGerald – Wanting Needing
22. Gerry Read – Baseball
23. Escape – Flinch
24. Second Storey – Oxygene

LP Track List:

A1. Axel Boman – Dubbel (dub)
A2. Animal Hands – Beacon Island
A3. Joe Gray – Tozai

B1. Cottam – Healing Process
B2. Lrusse – Presence
B3. Walton – Birds

C1. Will Saul & Komon – Two For One (DJ-Kicks)
C2. October – KR-100 Dub
C3. David Clement – Follow Me Home (Lee Jones Remix)

D1. Legowelt – Etherial Techno Music Will Never Die
D2. Gerry Read – Baseball
D3. Second Storey – Oxygene

American soul, Nigerian-style Afrobeat, and of course jazz make up the foundations of The Souljazz Orchstra’s sound, but as prodigiously skilled musicians and prolific listeners, the Orchestra regularly incorporates other sonic reference points into their compositions. On “Kingdom Come,” one of the many highlights from their new album Inner Fire, there’s a distinct flavor of Ethio Jazz, as popularized by Mulatu Astatke. But the music, as typified by up an front raw recording style, a razor sharp rhythm section, and the prominent baritone saxophone work, is immediately recognizable as a Souljazz creation.

Watch the new video for “Kingdom Come,” comprised of public domain images of Egyptian art, below. Inner Fire is available in record stores now, as well as on iTunes, Amazon and the Strut Store (where, as always, LP orders will be shipped on limited 180 G vinyl while supplies last).

The music of Nigeria’s reclusive synth funk innovator William Onyeabor has reached a new level of exposure via Luaka Bop’s excellent Who Is William Onyeabor? compilation last year, yet many hard facts about Onyeabor’s biography remain elusive. In their new documentary “Fantastic Man,” Noisey speaks with musicians and champions of Onyeabor’s music, including our own Quinton Scott and Duncan Brooker who included the sublime “Better Change Your Mind” on the first Nigeria 70 compilation, about their appreciation for his music, and the search for the facts about his life.