MINT

After repeatedly being visited by a strange messenger in his dreams while on tour in the islands of Greece, Toby Pazner became consumed with a vision to tell the stories of TheOlympians through music. Chosen by the gods as a messenger for not only his musical gifts, but for his unique position at the center of the Daptone family, Toby built a home studio from scratch and employed some of the top soul musicians in the world to help him breath life into this album. The result is a dramatic and cinematic journey to the outer limits of instrumental soul music, built on a foundation laid by the same craftsmen who’s bricks built the legacies of Sharon Jones, Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, The Budos Band, and Menahan Street Band, and painted with lush strings, harpsichord, harp and horns. The Olympians is destined to be the instr umental gem of the year.

After a first edition acclaimed internationally, Favorite Recordings and Charles Maurice finally follows-up to their French Disco Boogie Sounds compilation with a second volume!!Pursuing his fine work at digging rare music from around the world, DJ and collector Charles Maurice presents another brilliant selection of great music linked to France and French West-Indies: 12 hidden and forgotten titles, all produced between 1978 and 1985, whether in France, or by French artists abroad. This time again, he perfectly browse and defines the great energy and quality of this specific Disco/Funk scene at that time, both in the underground market, or through bigger labels.On one hand, tracks by Crystal, Jackie Esam, Ideku Dynasty or Marc Ashy, were produced by small artists and labels from the French Caribbean and African community and also filled with a raw spirit and some Tropical influences. On the other hand, tracks by Claude Morgan, Greg Smaha, Roots, or Black Bells Group, were released by major labels such as Phonogram, RCA, Derby, or Carrere, thanks to confirmed independent producers, acting not only in France, but also in Canada and the US.Today, Favorite Recordings and Charles Maurice are very proud to unearth these 12 gems, with amongst them some very hard to find and almost unknown titles.

''Get on down'' is a heavyweight slice of storming Jamaican Disco-Reggae heat from the legendary studios of Miami's TK Disco empire. King Sporty's version may not have been as well known as Connie Case's electro laden later 1982 version (also produced by Sporty) but the perfect marriage of Disco stylings and Sporty's Jamaican roots meant the original 1979 version was a cult classic in underground deep Disco circles. Over 35 years since ''Get on down'' was released the keepers of the TK Disco vaults have given permission for some of their classics and lesser known gems to be respectfully tweaked by contemporary producers and DJ's who fully understand the lineage of the label and the music contained within. Stepping up and get his hands dirty is none other than London dwelling, WOLF music man - Medlar. A regular face behind the turntables all over the world Medlar has lovingly freaked King Sporty's anthem for the modern dance-floor, extending the right parts in just the oh so right way, dubbing out parts that needed just a smidgen of echo here and there and generally making the track irresistible to DJ's with it's lovely long beat led intro. These are extremely tasteful edits, done with respect and reverence over 2 parts - old school style. Look out for those low flying dubbed out vox and lazer beams too, powerful stuff

Alma Negra is a Swizz collective that consists of four musically driven friends, the Figuiera Brothers Dersu & Diego who's roots are established firmly in their Cape Verdian heritage, Dario with his half and half Portuguese/Italian mix and finally Mario with Spanish roots.They are all passionate diggers who love playing music from all over the world, something that's evident in their productions as well. Encompassing jazz, african and latin sounds to soul, funk, disco, house and even techno.As far as inspiration goes they mention Donald Byrd ,Fela Kuti and Theo Parrish. Their creative output has let them to release on such fine labels as Sofrito, Highlife and most recently Basic Fingers.Fans of Alma Negra include Gilles Peterson, Ben UFO, Axel Boman, Detroit Swindle, Africaine 808 and Tim Sweeney. Digger's Workout Part 2 continues where Part 1 left us, proving once again Alma Negra are on a roll.Included is a killer remix from Osunlade and his Yoruba Soul Mix of Safari is deepness on a new level.

Soul Jazz Records' new Nigeria Soul Fever is their first release to explore the vast wealth of Nigerian music recorded in the 1970s. The new album comes with introductory sleeve-notes by Bill Brewster (author of Last Night A DJ Saved My Life).Packed-full with Afro-Funk, Disco and Boogie all from Nigeria, this triple album/double CD set brings together a stunning collection of diverse West African sounds. Whilst a small handful of the artists featured (Joni Haastrup, Tee Mac, Christy Essien) have seen the light of day outside Africa, this is essentially a collection of killer tracks by an array of artists completely unknown outside of Nigeria. Artists such as Don Bruce & The Angels, Akin Richards & The Executives, Angela Starr, Jimmy Sherry & The Music Agents. It's no surprise that these records are extremely rare and expensive to buy individually so this album will save you going broke trying to find them.These recordings were made at a time when Nigeria’s trade restrictions banned imported records. Whilst new musical trends (such as American soul, funk, disco etc) entered and influenced the country, the local music scene remained just that - local. Consequently, these recordings remain practically unknown to anyone outside of the country.This album follows on from Soul Jazz Records' 1960s collection Nigeria Freedom Sounds, released last month, and will be followed by the reissue of the incredibly rare and groovy Nigerian 1980 disco boogie funk album Tee Mac's Night Illusion. Triple-album vinyl + download.