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From the vault of one of the funkiest bands around at the moment – Vulfpeck! This is 003 of an ongoing series, check it out! Limited runs for each entry.

Side A

Back Pocket (w Christine Hucal)

Animal Spirits (w Christine Hucal)

Darwin Derby (w Antwaun Stanley)

Love is a Beautiful Thing (w Monica Martin)

Half of the Way

Lonely Town

Side B

Christmas in L.A.

Mr. Finish Line (w Christine Hucal)

Cars Too

Captain Hook (w Bootsy Collins)

Hey Bobo (Unreleased - Vinyl Only)

Recorded in 1976, 'kellee' is the second album for the amazing lady soul singer after her debut album 'maiden voyage' released on black jazz records. Special Indeed

Yoshino Fujimaru’s substantive leader “BGM” is finally reissued for the first time in 40 years!

The only one in the 77th year of the Fujimaru band ‘BGM’ by the unusual guitarist Fujino Yoshimaru who led the hot AB’S who is also popular from the direction of Japanese BOOGIE, SHOGUN who worked on the theme song of the TV drama “Detective Story.” It’s finally an analog reissue 40 years after its release.

Formed around tour members of Hideki Saijo who backed up at that time. The fusion-funk color that is adopted extensively later is slightly suppressed. A resort instrument “Paper Machine” where talented musicians trained in numerous sessions spun grooves into mellow.

Includes urban city pop tune “I Know It’s Gonna Last” with a scent of Yoshino’s manly and moody singing.

It is a charming piece of relaxed air that is also transmitted from the artwork. – Light In The Attic

Piano Viberations’ “small group jazz featuring piano and vibes with rhythm” makes for a gorgeous Francis Coppieters showcase, surely one of Belgium’s best-kept musical secrets. Released in 1975, and arguably the most low-key of the KPM and Themes records we’re re-issuing, this is easily our current favourite.
Piano Viberations is one of those rare library records the original description of which makes as much sense now as it did when it was first released. Piano and vibes with rhythm indeed.

As with all ten re-issues, the audio for Piano Viberations comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We’ve taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM’s brand identity. – Be With Records

Released in the same year as Synthesis over on KPM, 1974’s Synthesizer and Percussion is its essential companion piece. “This record features the many distinctive sounds of the ARP Synthesizer plus percussion in various moods and tempos” is the even more underwhelming than usual library record sales pitch for Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett’s second collection of what is basically minimal G-funk, with overtones of primitive acid house. This is ridiculously good.

This is one of Hawkshaw and Bennett’s wilder joints and aeons ahead of its time. Bennett’s tough drums provide the underpinnings for the prominent bass, keys and bubbling synths high up in the mix, alongside Hawkshaw’s deranged clavinet-funk-rock. There are heavenly break loops galore.

As with all ten re-issues, the audio for Synthesizer and Percussion comes from the original analogue tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. We’ve taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM’s brand identity. – Be With Records

This album, released quietly in 1979, is Noriyo Ikeda’s first and only album. The title track, “Dream in the Streets,” was written and arranged by Tatsuro Yamashita; he also plays guitar and sings on the chorus. A great CITY POP record with a strong following! – Light in The Attic

Leobardo Acosta Quintanar was born in Huetamo, Michoacán in 1925. He was a notable drummer, composer, arranger, and orchestrator.

In 1970, he recorded a last LP for Capitol with a small combo formed with some of his closest peers. The sound engineer for these sessions, Rogiero Silva, recalls that it happened in the night time. Leo was always very demanding in his studio hours with all of his musicians and that he did not tolerate mistakes or setbacks, but he was fully relaxed and enjoying this one very much. For this last LP, entitled “ACOSTA” but known as "El Leon”, all the compositions are originals, unlike his previous albums where the labels required him to record at least 6 songs that were hits on the popularity charts.

The genius of this album lies in Leo's ability to synthesise the influence of jazz and funk fusions with Latin rhythms, well dominated by him. The stand out “Rencorosa”, has strong influence of “Evil Ways” by Willie Bobo, via Santana. “Noches de Viaje” is a superb mid tempo funk, one of the best examples of its kind and the funny dialogues in “Carga Pesada“ denote the atmosphere of Leo's nightclub life, drum solo included. “Melodía de Amor Eterno" shows a more spiritual jazz side where the Hammond B3 by Mario Patrón and the Sax tenor by Tomás “La Negrita” Rodriguez take center stage. Unfortunately the album went unnoticed on the radio and sold poorly, despite the fact that two 45rpm records were released as promotional items: Rencorosa / Noches de viaje and Rosa Rosita / Mi Guitarra.

Mad About Record proudly presents, for the first time worldwide, the reissue of this cult record, one of the rarest in Latin Jazz. - Mad About Records

MAJOR REISSUE OF MAKOTO KUBOTA'S SUNSET GANG ALBUMS RECORDED IN THE 70S WITH HARUOMI HOSONO FOR THE SHOWBOAT LABEL AND FEATURING HIS BLEND OF JAPANESE FOLK, BLUES AND R&B WITH HAWAIIAN, OKINAWAN AND NEW ORLEANS INFLUENCES. THE ALBUMS ARE RELEASED IN COLLABORATION WITH MAKOTO KUBOTA AND COME WITH ORIGINAL ARTWORK, REMASTERED BY MAKOTO KUBOTA HIMSELF.

Starting with the reissue of 'Hawaii Champroo' recorded in Honolulu in 1975 and co-produced by Haruomi Hosono, Wewantsounds will then release 'Sunset Gang' from 1973 followed by Dixie Fever from 1977. All albums have been newly remastered by Makoto Kubota and they each come with original artwork, OBI and the original 4 page japanese insert. This is the first time the album is released outside of Japan. - Wewantsounds

Get On Down proudly presents another top-notch vinyl reissue, from their long-running series of collaborations with James Brown's famed 70s funk label People Records. 

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As the 1970s wore on, the classic funk sounds that had defined James Brown's backing band, The J.B.'s, gave way to the rise of disco music. Fred Wesley and his collective of musicians couldn't resist the chance to make their mark, releasing Hustle With Speed in 1975, with Charles Bobbit and Don Love producing, and the godfather himself, James Brown co-writing and providing arrangements. Hustle With Speed didn't cross over like the band had hoped it would, but it was nonetheless remarkable album, featuring The J.B.'s signature funky style married with disco to exciting effect. All the while there's still plenty to be had for the funk die-hard, from the brass blow-out jam "Here We Come, Here We Go, Here We Are", to the trombone-heavy "All Aboard The Funky Soul Train", to the powerhouse opening salvo that is "(It's Not The Express) It's The JBs Monaurail".

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Songs from Hustle With Speed would take on lives of their own decades after the album's release, through sampled appearances in tracks by Jay-Z, Nas, Eric B. & Rakim, Ultramagnetic MCs, EPMD, and many more.

The ultimate collector's board pursued by soul-funk-rare groove freaks all over the world is the world's first official LP reissue with an original jacket!

One of the best in the collection of Sadar Bahar, known as one of the world's leading collectors / DJs, and also includes the blockbuster funk "Open Soul" that is essential for heavy play!

Released in 1976 by Chicago's local label Stage Productions, this is the only album by a six-member soul band led by the four Burton brothers, and most of the original albums are on the market. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the ultimate collector's album that everyone wants once, such as always exceeding US $ 1000 even when it is traded without any trouble! A spectacular and groovy funk "OPEN SOUL" (B1) that uses all the B-sides of the record for more than 20 minutes, the finest funky tune "Let's Get With The Beat" (A5) and the killer instrument "Hurt Perversion" Even if you go through the whole album such as (A3), it is one that is full of things to listen to! – P-Vine

Another stellar soul excavation reissued on P-Vine!

Easy, Mellow soul from The Ultimates – an obscure east coast group with a really heavenly sound! The bulk of the album is from the group's only album – The Ultimates From The Beginning – recorded in 1969 with a warm and groovy harmony approach, of the sort that many other groups would begin working in during the 70s. There's a great quality to the vocals on the tracks – smooth, but with just a few crackles – in a mode that humanizes the tunes nicely, and gives them a feel that reminds us a bit of groups like The Delfonics or The Whatnauts. Titles include "She Went Away", "You're My Lady", "I Just Can't Stand It", and "Girl I've Been Trying To Tell You".

First Reissue in over 20 years! With the original copy fetching silly prices, it’s a big delight to have this rare funk & soul record reissued on P-vine in top quality! Sweet soulful harmonies and instrumentation all over these grooves, lyrical content close to the heart and an all-around sing-along vibe. Lovely!  

Soundway is proud to present the first of two blistering albums of Afro rock and funk from Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Joni Haastrup and his band MonoMono. Re-issued on vinyl are two of Nigeria's most coveted releases: MonoMono's 1971 debut album 'Give The Beggar A Chance', and the follow up 'The Dawn of Awareness'.

Soundway has championed Joni Haastrup since day one featuring MonoMono tracks on both the 'Nigeria Special!' and 'Nigeria Rock Special!' releases. Growing up in a royal household in Nigeria, Joni Haastrup began his musical journey performing for his brothers band Sneakers and was quickly snapped up as a vocalist for O.J. Ekemode and his Modern Aces' 'Super Afro Soul' LP, one of Afro-beat's formative LPs. Soon after, Ginger Baker of Cream fame replaced Steve Winwood with Joni on keys for Airforce's UK concerts in '71 and the success of the collaboration led to further shows with Baker as part of the Salt project before he returned to Nigeria to set up MonoMono. – Soundway

Expanding their palette just a little, Children Of Zeus manage the delicate art of the follow up. Placing their artistry in a fresh context, ‘Balance’ feels just right, merging the sound of their debut with fresh elements, without losing the innate character that makes them feel so special. True trailblazers of a very specific strand of UK soul music, Children Of Zeus are way out in front of the pack. – Clash Music

Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue Sylvia Robinson's super rare soul LP released in 1975 on her Vibration label, part of her All-Platinum/Stang/Turbo empire. A few years later, she would bring hip hop to the international stage producing "Rapper's Delight" in 1979 and "The Message" in 1982. "Sweet Stuff" features several Sylvia cult classics including "Private Performance," "Soul Je T'aime", a cover of Serge Gainsbourg's "Je T'aime Moi Non Plus" and the mellow favourite "Sho Nuff Boogie" recorded with The Moments. As bonus tracks, the release features "Sho Nuff Boogie, Part 2" which only came out as the single's b-side at the time and the long version of "Soul Je T'aime", all packaged in the album's original artwork. - Wewantsounds

Strut presents one of the most in-demand and significant albums from the archives of Jimmy Gray’s Black Fire Records, ‘Bow To The People’ (1976) by theatre collective Theatre West, based out of Dayton, Ohio.

Recorded at Arrest studios in Washington in ’76, ‘Bow To The People’ brought together songs from several of Theatre West’s best known plays including Bow To The People, The System and Black Love and unflinchingly explored serious issues around drug addiction, mental health and cultural awareness. “The whole idea of Bow To The People was to honour our black forefathers,” explains Dillard. “It was important to do that for the kids that didn’t know.”

Shelved following the original recording, the Bow To The People album eventually surfaced on a limited CD on Black Fire in 1993. Now receiving its first full international release, the album features the previously unreleased tracks ‘Man Of Many Means’ and ‘I Don’t Knpw Much About Love’ and has been remastered from the original tapes by The Carvery. - Strut

The definitive edition of Patrice Rushen’s landmark album from 1982, ‘Straight From The Heart’.

Recorded during Elektra’s drive for ‘sophisticated dance music’ as many jazz artists created their own arrangements of disco and boogie, the sessions marked a progression for Patrice as she began exploring sonics as much as songwriting. “I was looking at different ways to experiment with the sounds on my records. Synths widened the palette available to us.”

Singles from the album included ‘Breakout!’, ‘Number One’ and the global hit ‘Forget Me Nots’. “Bassist Freddie Washington played the bassline during a jam at my family’s house. I caught it, we kept messing around with the groove, then I developed the lyrics and chorus. It was just about recognising that moment when it came up.”

Strut’s new reissue of ‘Straight From The Heart’ is released on 9th April 2021. LP and CD are presented in their full original artwork and feature bonus 12” versions of the album’s singles including a previously unreleased extended mix of ‘Tired Of Being Alone’. Package includes rare photos by Bobby Holland and a new interview with Patrice Rushen. All tracks remastered from the original tapes by Technology Works. – Strut 

I heard about Seif Abu Bakr and The Scorpions for the first time maybe 3-4 years ago. Their album “Jazz, Jazz Jazz” ended up on my radar because of an eBay auction; it might have been the first auction for this particular album on the platform. While the bids kept on rising daily up to a staggering 1000$, if I recall correctly, I was intrigued about the snippet preview bits of the music on this album as well as by the impressive artwork. This album happens to be my first conscious connection with Sudanese music. Habibi Funk must have already existed for a year or so but I had not yet come across any recording from Sudan that I felt fitting in the context we set for our self. I remember I did some quick research in the aftermath of the auction (which I obviously did not win) to gather some information about the band but apart from some vague bits and pieces I could not find anything. In most encyclopedic overviews of the Sudanese music scene of the 1970s the band appeared as a mere footnote. How come? I really do not know. To me the music is a unique combination of incredible horn arrangements powerfully performed, a vigorous drummer contributing a funky backbone and Seif's uniting those elements. The results range from instrumental tracks awaking memories of 1970s crime thriller soundtracks to more Sudanese-rooted tracks, a lot of them modernized versions of traditional tribal rhythms and even an excursion into Soukouss. While all of our reissues so far have been compilations in the sense that we put together our favorite selection of tracks by one artist, this album will be our first 1:1 re-release, simply because the quality of the albums does not fall off on a single track. With its eclectic influences it birthed a one-of-a-kind new mixture and serves as a blueprint for what we are looking for when we release music on Habibi Funk. – Habibi Funk

Antonio L. Newton AKA Tony Newton (born 1948) is a multi-instrumentalist from Detroit, MI who began his professional career at the age of thirteen, playing bass guitar with blues legends like John Lee Hooker and T-Bone Walker. Discovered by Motown executive Hank Cosby while playing the Detroit blues circuit at the age of 18, he became the touring bassist with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on the famed 1965 European ‘Motown Review’ tour. Within two years, Newton became the Miracles’ musical director.

On the album, we are presenting you today (Novaphonia from 1987) the listener is treated to something UNIQUE (and this is not an overstatement). Newton really puts the ‘multi’ into multi-instrumentalist, playing the synthesizers, the electric bass and the drum machine. Experimental is the keyword here, sounds vary from psych/trance (almost like a soundtrack from a space movie), to funk, fusion, rock, R&B, soul and jazz. Novaphonia has both elements of Tony Newton’s impressive musical past and his vision for the future.

Spacious synths, unusual instruments and an all-around cosmic approach make this an ‘out of this world’ and VERY intriguing album. Resonant, sonically rich, sonorous, colorful, mind-expanding sounds are what one should expect from the 20th century Novaphonic sound developed to its greatest extent. These harmonies are innately pleasing to the human ear, mind and nervous system.

Explore new musical frontiers intended to catapult the listener towards new dimensions…this is an album that just begs for a special place in your record collection! – Tidal Waves Music

This is some serious top shelf material out of Baltimore and a certified masterclass in sweet symphonic soul. Optimistics was originally released in 1970 on Turbo and it’s every bit as essential as The Chi-Lites, The Delfonics and The Moments yet nowhere near as known. Those original copies are ridiculously rare and, of course, the prices are equally ridiculous.

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Optimistics is a killer LP throughout, beloved of discerning hip-hop producers worldwide and routinely championed by the legendary Pete Rock. The genius George Kerr has handled the production on what is an album of beautiful, naïve soul for mind and body. It’s bursting with goodness and, like the best of its genre, it radiates a heart-breaking ambience that cuts right to the core. The whole LP is a winning blend of slow, spine-tingling ballads and joyously upbeat tracks. It’s a case of A+ vocals, melodies and harmonies over beautiful playing and arrangements. It deserves to be canonical.

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This fresh reissue has been mastered with the usual care by Simon Francis and cut by the legendary Pete Norman. The artwork has been lovingly reproduced by the Be With team. Optimistics should be known to a much wider audience. We’ve hopefully gone some way towards rectifying that. – Light In The Attic

Caiphus Semenya, AKA Mr Letta Mbulu, is a South African legend, and Listen To The Wind, his iconic debut album, is simply a superb modern-soul/boogie album. It’s also incredibly rare, especially in good condition, so Be With is delighted to present this reissue.

Listen To The Wind is stylistically diverse but the ingredients are never diluted. There are elements of boogie, soul, funk and jazz, all shot through with pan-African flavour, and moving effortlessly from uptempo floor fillers to more meditative, slower soulful tracks. Produced by Caiphus himself, he makes full use of a stellar line up of session musicians including Nathan East, Michael Stanton, Sonny Burke and Paulinho DaCosta. And of course, there are Letta’s show-stopping vocals. To our ears, Listen To The Wind is just one big party, and lord knows we need that more than ever right now.

All that’s missing is you. – Be With Records

Drawing on funk, Afrobeat, and spiritual tradition, two beautifully crafted albums from the elusive UK group passionately consider the entirety of the Black experience in this moment.

Untitled (Black Is) arrived, fittingly, on Juneteenth, just 25 days after the killing of George Floyd. If the timing wasn’t clear enough, the album’s sharp refrains, spoken-word interludes, and deliberate use of repetition make its intentions clear. Echoing the best of Solange’s A Seat at the Table, Black Is is shaped by gorgeous melodies and unequivocal messaging. - Pitchfork

Moby’s eclectic career has cast him in the roles of electronic dance music pioneer, singer and songwriter, producer, activist, and restaurateur, but for his latest venture he presents his music in a whole new light. ‘Reprise’ includes his best-known tracks in new arrangements for classical instruments – featuring Moby himself and a stellar lineup of collaborators from across the musical spectrum.

The 14-track album includes classic Moby songs like Porcelain, Why Does My Heart, and Extreme Ways in innovative new versions, featuring eye-catching collaborations including Jim James, Víkingur Ólafsson, Gregory Porter, Kris Kristofferson and many more. – Deutsche Grammophon

Born in Ipanema, schooled in bossa nova and steeped in capoeira’s heady blend of martial arts, dance and traditional music, Selva has some rich cultural credentials to draw from. But it’s his imagination and willingness to push the musical boundaries that gives him that individual edge within the swelling ocean of Brazilian pop. In previous bands he has worked with globetrotting rhythmicist and producer Maga Bo and in 2016 teamed up with Bruno Hovart (aka Patchworks) who according to Selva reminded him how to “dig those laid back Rio vibes”. It’s that partnership and their musical connectivity which sparked his second offering after 2017’s Natureza, the deceptively smooth but instantly uplifting Navegar.

Navegar is an album that deals in hope and optimism, it’s got endless bounce and energy, but it also underlines that getting to those good times is never easy … and that’s some achievement. – Back Seat Mafia

If winter’s calmness gives me one thing though, it’s the opportunity to reflect. The calmness of it demands its own soundtrack. For me that soundtrack will forever include Tarika Blue.

There is something beautiful about the whole record. The softness of both Dolores Smith and Irene Datcher’s voices mixed with the various tones and emotions of the band’s playing deliver the perfect balance of vibrations. The sound feeling like the comfort of Sundays spent with loved ones. Personal favorites are “Dreamflower”, which Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t Cha Know” beautifully sampled, and “Truth Is The Key”. Once the needle hits the first notes of the album you are safe from winter. If only in your mind. – Music Is My Sanctuary

Originally released in 1980 on short-lived Oregon label ‘Match Box Recordings’ and recently unearthed for BBE Music by The Mighty Zaf, ‘Burnin’’ is the only album recorded by Portland jazz/funk band Carl Smith And The Natural Gas Company.

The story of this album’s recording has gone down in infamy among the remaining band members and Carl Smith’s daughter Carlee (who performed lead vocals on ‘Love Won’t Let Me Go’), all of whom recall a fraught, rushed recording process, led by a producer who had no musical experience and was nothing more than a puppet for the somewhat shady label owners. This led to the album being cut too fast and accidentally pitched up a key, so if you want to hear it as the band intended, pull the pitch control down a little on your turntable.

Upon its release, the album received airplay on several radio stations across Oregon and Washington, the band were invited to play live on local TV channel KGW, and copies sold out quickly within the local area. Despite the bitter-sweet circumstances around the record, Burnin’ remains a fantastic document of this well-drilled and talented group of players, showcasing original funk, jazz and soul compositions mostly arranged by Larry Dunlap, who went on to become musical director for the Pointer Sisters and write for Cleo Laine during a long and fruitful career in music. – BBE