MINT

Ron English’s full-length Strata debut, Fish Feet, was recorded, promoted, and even mocked up with an album cover. Unfortunately, the Strata machine ran out of financial steam before the LP could see release.John Sinclair, in his original liner notes to the Lyman Woodard Organization’s Saturday Night Special LP, mentions Fish Feet, hinting at a track listing and even assigning it a catalog number (Strata SRI-108-75). Recorded in the same spirit, same space, and with essentially the same line-up as Saturday Night Special, Fish Feet could have achieved the same renown as Woodard’s cult classic.The enduring momento of this never-released LP comes courtesy of its album artwork. Funk aficionados will recognize the work of Overton Loyd, best known as an artist in George Clinton’s P-Funk camp. (Loyd created the delightfully demented cover illustration for Parliament’s 1978 classic Motor Booty Affair).“The concept was entirely Overton’s,” says Ron English. “I just told him what the music was we would be doing—[Lyman Woodard’s arrangement of Thom Bell’s] ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ and some of my originals. And going from that, and what he knew of me, and my way of life in those days, and the scene in general, he said, ‘Fish Feet? All right, here it is: A mermaid tending bar, basically, and the floor of the bar drops away and it’s a night sky and all the regulars are lined up and down the bar.”

When you’ve been in an industry for over 20 years, adaptation and evolution are key functions in any field. If you’re Kevin Hansford aka K-Def, you’ve seen good, you’ve seen bad, you’ve seen change and on occasion, you’ve seen history repeat itself. For some artists, staying true and being innovative can be a fine line and a struggle. On one hand, a reputation is built from birth creating a connection that should always be maintained. On the other hand, growth or lack of growth will occur whether change is embraced. A producer like K-Def would not still exist today in 2016 without being aware of those survival tactics. In a society dictated by technology, it’s hard to imagine the world as we know it without the devices and digital platforms we entertain unconsciously.As he continues to push himself, more recently K was inspired to track down all of his original 90’s gear and works dating prior to his software transition after a recent resurgence of old machines from the younger generation. That meant pulling out 2 full trash bags of floppy disks, revitalizing his old MPC 3000 to new condition, dusting off rack sampler modules and hunting down his MPC 60ii which was the first machine he used debuting in 1993 under Marley Marl. Going through that process brings us K-def’s new album, The Way It Was. The title sums it up. Instead talking about dues he paid and the roots of his skill set, The Way it Was is a living demonstration for younger listeners who grew up after the 90’s and his core fans who remember the days of his Lords of the Underground, Real Live, Mic Geronimo and World Renown productions like yesterday. Though mostly instrumental, frequent collaborator Blu appears on 3 tracks. Blu was inspired to record the socially aware, “The Boys” and the lively “Strawberry Lemonade” (featuring Damu the Fudgemunk and newcomer Kunal) after hearing K-Def’s original demo cassettes. At 11 tracks, “The Way It Was” is a must have for 90’s fans. It IS exactly “what it was”.• A collection of rarities & unheard tracks from the vaults + a handful of new, vocal collaborations• Includes vintage instrumentals from the 90s, some that were used for singles by Lords Of The Underground, Tragedy, & Mic Geronimo & Others + many beats that were never released• Includes vocal collaborations with Blu, Damu The Fudgemunk & Others • One of two K-Def albums released on the same day. Each album is available on vinyl individually, or on a CD together• Sea Blue Vinyl

In a genre where the most pivotal and defining moments occurred over 2 decades ago according to popular to consensus, few artists have managed to consistently achieve excellence and visibly contribute from the early 90’s to present day 2000’s. With regime changes, trend cycles, and technological advancements, producer K-Def is in a class of “rare breed” artists that pridefully embody the title veteran. So much can be said about what he has accomplished throughout his 20 plus year career, but specifically in 2015, K’s output and quality have stayed atop the conversation. Building a foundation at Redefinition Records, who adopted the catchphrase “Quality Over Quantity”, is not a question of how much, but rather how good. For the label, K-Def is an exception. His latest offering entitled “The Unpredictable Gemini” (1 of 2 new albums released simultaneously), is a fully instrumental opus into the mind and soul of one of hip hop’s greatest producers. The Unpredictable Gemini showcases his evolving style and genre pioneering tricks and techniques he continues to refine through the use of his unique production tools. Keeping this project very close to heart and classified from the public over the last 3 years, K meticulously produced, composed, arranged, mixed and mastered well over 100 tracks before making executive decisions on this album he wants the world to hear. Speaking on the album, K-Def made the following statement: “I want you to know that the sounds on this album display some of my true inner feelings about music & life. With the advancement of technology and my knowledge of using all kinds of recording equipment dating back to the late 80’s, I present to you the unpredictable Gemini.

Ivan Ave & MNDSGN follow up their critically acclaimed "Low Jams" EP with a full length release, which also marks Ivan Ave's Solo LP Debut in 2016 with Jakarta Records.Ivan signed with Berlin based Jakarta Records in 2014 to release "Low Jams", a five track phenomenon produced by Stones Throw artist MNDSGN.The EP was described by Okayplayer.com as "an enveloping head nodder that peppers irresistible grooves with vivid double-entendres and exists in the same elusive strata of true school perfection occupied by Nas' debut Illmatic LP."Ivan Ave's relationship with music started in the CD shelves of his older sisters. Today the Norwegian MC makes songs clearly shaped by sneaking into 90s bedrooms to play albums by The Fugees and Janet Jackson. In the last few years he has put out several EPs, all deeply rooted in the RnB and Hip-Hop of his childhood, perhaps even more the 70s jazz and soul that inspired it.In 2016 this Oslo-to-LA collaboration delivers again. This time a full Ivan Ave solo LP, produced entirely by Mndsgn. Picking up where "Low Jams" left off, but also moving into new realms, the "Helping Hands" LP will be released on February 12. Available for pre-order now. The release is acompanied by a 20+ stop tour all over Europe in February 2016.

"Serge born in Russia came to the USA in the late 80s, got heavily in hiphop and digging in the crates for breaks and loops as well as production under dj supreme one moniker. He worked with such industry's heavyweights as Masta Ace, Edo G, Guru and many more. Serge is an avid vinyl collector of soul, funk, jazz, disco, boogie. Loads of good music is to come from Serge Gamesbourg."

Hugo Lx lands on the Courtesy of Balance Recordings planet with an exquisite ipiece of House music on wax. Inspired by his travels across Japan, these tracks will cater for most djs and music lovers alike. From the powerful and Dubby "Low Altitude" to the slow burner of "Kansai Kick it", Hugo Lx showcases some of his musical ability and talent. Hugo is the former production mastermind behind The Funk League, and the frenchman's hip-hop roots take his music production take on House music back to it's roots! Hugo Lx is the latest addition to the legacy of french underground house producers! Nuff said.. Drop the needle on the record!

This Ep announces the release of the 5th album Anthony Joseph. These extracts are highly anticipated by his fans but also for music lovers Jazz / Funk. In this new track, Anthony Joseph chose to work alongside Sly Johnson and his talent to bring a piece in another dimension.On the devastating “Neckbone”, we found poetry of Anthony chanted in pure Caribbean style, not far from that of one of its models Linton Kwesi Johnson. For the chorus, from this Caribbean accent you could cut with a knife, hides Sly Johnson.A track made for the dancefloor with a big catchy bassline.On the B side, we find the percussive "Mano A Mano", poetry on a percussion avalanche in the purest style of the Last Poets.

Limited Edition 500 copies Originally released on BEAT LP 002 (1968)!First complete 180gr. reissue of the unobtainable BEAT LP 002!Extensive liner notes written and signed by Maestro Sandro Brugnolini himself!Includes a bonus 7’’ 45 rpm single with two tracks performed by Gepy!Remastered from the original quarter inch reels with the full co-operation of Brugnolini himself!After Gli Arcangeli, but before Gungala and L’uomo dagli occhiali a specchio, italian Master Sandro Brugnolini composed the soundtrack for Fantabulous, a stunning pop movie inspired by the world of comics, superheroes and secret agents, directed by Sergio Spina in 1967. The music is a mixture of jazz, mod sounds and psych-beat, where Brugnolini adapts his jazz leanings to the new musical fashions of the day: soul, R&B and psychedelia. This soundtrack was from ever almost officially out of print, languishing up to now in the deepest reaches of obscurity, much sought-after both for the elusive BEAT Records 7”, published at the time to promote the two songs in the film, but even more so for the original LP, a real ghost-album which never appeared anywhere or anytime. The Four Flies issue for the first time reconstructs this incredible soundtrack in its entirety, thanks to a meticulous restoration work obtained from two different master tapes kept in the personal archives of Brugnolini himself and BEAT Records. Also included is the 7” with two alternative mix (never before published anywhere) of the tracks performed by Gepy: a real treat for soul and R&B DJs all over the world.https://soundcloud.com/fourfliesrecords/sandro-brugnolini-fantabulous