US

REPRESSBack in the day, there was one artist that stood out in the underground, this person was admired and respected worldwide, his cuts we're played from Paris, London, NYC to Chicago & back again, he was - Olivier Portal AKA Playin'4 The City. This year, 2014 - Playin 4 The City is back, 3 brand new tracks released on the deeply respected US label - Plastik People. Side A delivers two soulful edged tracks with a reprise at the start of A1 which keeps the roots of P4TC from back in the day - both tracks include live bass by Slikk Tim. Side B "Good Groove" is a black & white track, It has the feel of the early Bouge & Shuffle track that came out on Olivier's Straight Up label, deep & groovy elements, 16 bit samples & keeping it four to the floor. Good Groove is sure to be a classic, one for the true heads & the P4TC collective.

NYC stalwart and international superstar Jacques Renault joins Brooklyn cohorts for a 4 track EP of superior edit stylings! On the A side "Cold Blooded" sources a classic, focusing on a hypnotic and rhythmic pattern for a solid 6 minutes before exploding into exuberant soul, while "Get Down" is a loose and greasy funk stomper. On the flip, "Dream Machine" is disco sampled perfection, chopped and sliced with evident love. Finally, "That Sound" takes us home with its thunderous drums, slap bass, and a tasteful peppering of soulful vocals.

Official re-issue of Bermudian disco record! 1000 copies initial pressing.In 1981, Bermudian band Paradise recorded ‘Sizzlin’ Hot’, a flawless album of original material in the disco, boogie and AOR style.Producer, writer and pianist Grant Williams formed several bands before becoming the fourth member of Paradise, alongside bassist Wincy Woolridge, drummer Ronnie Lopes and singer June Ventzos - whose voice commands the album. For five years, the group regularly performed in hotels before hitting the local Z.B.M. Studios to record their sole album.‘Sizzlin Hot’ is inspired by the sound of Earth, Wind & Fire. The album delivers several blistering tracks that could have been huge club anthems if the record had been promoted outside of Bermuda.Since Bermuda is a fairly remote island, it’s no wonder that Paradise remains virtually unknown to this day. It is all the more reason why this album stands-out and has universal appeal… though it was only ever intended as a “local thing”, as Grant Williams says.

Say You Love Me wasn’t “Om” Alec Khaoli’s first solo recording but the 1985 EP solidified the bass player and songwriter’s standing as one of South Africa’s most consistently innovative pop auteurs. He built a career on ubiquitous rock, pop and soul hits with groundbreaking bands like the Beaters, Harari and Umoja. But Khaoli’s seemingly endless fountain of music continued outside these ensembles, where he usually played bass and contributed songwriting and vocals.Khaoli released several successful solo works while he made records with Umoja and worked on other productions with friends. This creativity was aided by Khaoli’s own recording studio. He was the first South African to have a privately-owned studio. As black artists were forced to record during lunch breaks and didn’t get sufficient access and time in the white-owned studios, having his studio allowed Khaoli to develop in his own way. Hence his productive output during the 80’s and early 90’s, releasing 5 LPs with Umoja and 5 solo LPs, along with numerous singles and EPs.There’s something broad and dynamic about the almost epic pop sound Khaoli creates on Say You Love Me. Being the first South African to take control his recording process and thereby free himself from one of apartheid’s many strictures, he took his vision of music to new realms and made timeless music for the dance floor in the process.

12" limited to 300 copies

Albuquerque party crew Plastik People just can't get enough of that sweet, sweet garage house sound, and Industry Standard sure know how to lay down such honestly passionate jams in the spirit of messers Chandler et al. "Justify" is a nimble feel-good stepper with gorgeous Rhodes keys and plenty of Todd Edwards style vocal chops. "Shine Bright In The Night" is a tougher offering once the drums get rolling, but there's still space in the mix for more of that spiritually nourishing soul food. Tuff Vibes gets busy with a remix that revels in jazzy vibraphone keys for an altogether different but no less funky flavour of party track.