MINT

Strut present the first official reissue of a landmark album in the field of African music , Mulatu Astatke’s ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ from 1972. Recorded in New York , the album arrived at a time when Astatke had begun to master the delicate fusion of styles needed to create Ethio jazz. “I left the UK for America and studied at Berklee College in Boston. I learnt the technical aspects of jazz and gained a beautiful understanding of many different types of music. That’s where I got my tools. Berklee really shook me up.”Journeying regularly to the Big Apple to play and watch live shows at the Cheetah , the Palladium and the Village Gate, Astatke met producer Gil Snapper on the circuit. “Gil was a nice and very interesting guy. He produced music and worked with all kinds of musicians.” The meeting would lead to a series of albums on Snapper’s Worthy label. The first , ‘Afro Latin Soul’ , documented Astatke’s new-found directions. “Mulatu has created a new sound , ” enthused Snapper on the album jacket. “He has taken the ancient five-tone scales of Asia and Africa and woven them into something unique and exciting, a mixture of three cultures , Ethiopian, Puerto Rican and American.”A second volume of ‘Afro Latin Soul’ followed before Astatke began to hone his sound further , infusing funk and cultural influences into the mix. Returning to a downtown Manhattan studio with Snapper and working with some of the city’s top young jazz and latin session players, ‘Mulatu Of Ethiopia’ began to take shape. “We rehearsed for 3-4 weeks” remembers Astatke. “it took them a while to get the right feeling in the music.” The resultant album represented the first fully formed document of Astatke’s trademark Ethio jazz 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!”). This definitive reissue of the album comes in a limited edition 3LP 6-panel gatefold set featuring the stereo album master , a pre-mix mono master and a selection of outtakes from the sessions , giving the listener rare access to the DNA of the studio process. Also available are standard 1CD and 1LP formats. All formats feature a new interview with Mulatu Astatke and rare photos.- 3LP 6-PANEL GATEFOLD with DOWNLOAD CARD- First ever official reissue of Mulatu Astatke classic from 1972- Remastered by Carvery Cuts from original reel to reel tapes- Limited edition 3LP features unreleased mono version of album + exclusive out-takes from the studio sessions- All formats include rare photos and a new interview with Mulatu Astatke- All formats include full original Worthy Records artwork

After a 3 year break Shuko & F. Of Audiotreats are finally back with a new Cookies & Cream Edition. This is the Soundtrack for your summer jams, pool sessions and late night rides. A full length Album full with good vibes by the producers behind a lot tunes from acts like Talib Kweli, Big Pooh of Little Brothers, Kev Brown, B-Real of Cypress Hill, C.L. Smooth, Evidence, Fashawn and more. Cookies & Cream 4 is the first release on Shuko's own music label „For the love of it“ and the start for a lot upcoming jams this year.

Repress of MNDSGN produced EP "Low Jams" which caused a little buzz on the net and deserves another vinyl re-release, including instrumentals by Stones Throw producer Mndsgn. Watch out for Ivan's new LP later this year!"Ivan Ave manages to flow effortlessly over MNDSGN's jazzy but inventive instrumentals. Ave's flow is very reminiscent of Blu circa Below The Heavens, delivering thought-provoking rhymes in a very relaxed and soulful manner. MNDSGN continues to prove himself as one of the best producers in the game, with a collection of beautiful piano based soundscapes that flawlessly compliment Ivan's calmness." Earmilk.com