Funk

Melbourne`s Left Ear have polished a lost, late `80s, Antipodean, Electro Soul gem. It`s creation no doubt inspired by the music of L.A.`s Egyptian Lover and the genre-defining output of New York`s Tommy Boy. However, the gear used, the sparse mix, the Eastern keys in the detail, and its erotic intent, make it sound more like Chris & Cosey backing a would-be Michael Jackson.

Music From Memory hit it just right yet again- this time it's Richenel from the Netherlands who's lost tracks get the dusting off. 6 tracks of funkified lo fi bliss... For their first release of 2017 Music From Memory present the work of a Dutch musician for the first time with an EP of tracks by singer Richenel taken from his debut album 'La Diferencia'. Originally released in 1982 on the cult Amsterdam cassette only label Fetisj the tracks on Music From Memory’s release are alternate takes drawn from Richenel’s personal copy of the album and feature two original compositions which didn’t make it onto the original Fetisj tape.Studying set and costume design whilst making a name for himself as a singer and performer in Amsterdam’s underground clubs, Richenel played with several disco acts and cultivated an extravagant cross-gender stage persona before connecting with members of the local label. Hooking up through their time together at the Rietveld art academy in Amsterdam, Fetisj was an experimental multi media collective which revolved around a loose mix of various young artists and musicians. Having developed a house band with artists going by a number of different pseudonyms the label set up their own small makeshift studio and would produce and sell the cassettes through their distribution network and at events across the city. Recorded amongst the turmoiled punk and squatter scene of Amsterdam against a backdrop of drugs and social unrest, the ‘La Diferencia’ sessions reflect a unique mix of punk aesthetics with a synthesized ‘bedroom’ funkiness.A somewhat illustrious figure in Dutch pop history with his flamboyant appearance as well as having one of the more exceptional male voices to come out of the country, Richenel would go on to record a number of successful albums and hit singles in the Netherlands and beyond. This largely unknown album on Fetisj however, seems to embody the spirit of another time; a particularly unique and richly creative moment in Amsterdam’s musical and cultural history and one that is deserving of a much wider audience. Co-compiled by Orpheu de Jong this six track EP will be followed later with further works from Richenel and the Fetisj label.

Turkish Pop Star Nº1, Barış Manço, released this album in 1983,a slightly funky prog-pop-folk affair and a grower as we’re used to with Manço’s works. Lots of cool analog keyboards (including Minimoog, Prophet-5, Omni-2), superb rhythm section, tasty electric guitar and the incredible vocals of Barış.Features the killer Oriental groove jam “Selahaddin Eyyübi’nin”, the superb boogie-disco-funk of “Aman Yavas! Aheste” and more!

Whats there to say about Jax Authority, the pinnicle of quality disco soul, rare, expensive ($7000 or more for a clean copy) and absolutly fucking brilliant. Not only that but this is the full version on 45 for the first time. Strong support all round from the DJ community. We dont need to do much more to sell this, just listen and click buy or just stop djing.

Two massive Unreleased 12" inch disco bangers from the obscure florida band Fruit, cut loud and deep like a true disco 12 should be. The Fruit Band's fleeting existence was only recently revealed by the discovery of a few unsold copies of their sole 1978 7" single, Say It, which quickly became a cult showpiece for savvy DJs and collectors, now we finish that untold story with the LP this 12" and a soon to be released 45.Support from Gilles and tons of other in the know Djs, this is a one time deal, so dont sleep.

BBE present the ultra rare funk classic Taking Care Of Business from the Ted Coleman Band.We're delighted to announce the reissue as this ultra-rare LP, originally issued on JSR Records back in 1980. Heavily influenced by the likes of Bobby Hutcherson and Roy Ayers, 'Taking Care Of Business' is full of positive, uptempo soul/jazz gems, featuring Ted Coleman's wonderful vibraphone playing throughout. Not only did Coleman both sing and play piano, synth and vibes on the record, but he also designed the artwork himself, a true DIY LP if ever there was one. This DIY ethos even extended to the New Jersey label JSR who originally pressed the LP, describing themselves as: "a new company that helps working club bands that can sell their own records. JSR artists spend no money for recording or production costs, and there are no recording contracts." This could well explain the album's rarity, with original copies selling on Discogs for eye-wateringly high prices.Ted Coleman cut his teeth playing local clubs and venues in his hometown of Pittsburgh, where his skills on vibes and mallet percussion quickly earned him popularity in the local area. 'Taking Care Of Business' was his very first studio album, blending latin rhythms with smooth jazz and soul stylings. The musicianship on the record is striking, the vocals mellow and soulful, the lyrics warm and tender: put simply this album is designed to warm the heart. Still writing and recording at 'Joyful Noise', his Metuchen New Jersey studio, Ted Coleman also performs across the US with his "Good Vibes" band. We hope you find as much joy in this scarce and remarkable debut LP as we do.