Lafayette Afro Rock Band - Disco Frankenstein

From the crypts of Parisian funk obscurity comes the long-lost Halloween holy grail, Disco Frankenstein from Ice AKA Lafayette Afro Rock Band. A teasing album of horror-disco oddities originally released as a compilation—a misnomer cloaked in mystery, as the tracks themselves hail from the group’s playful experiments in the mid-to-late ’70s.

This album unearths a twisted treasure trove of grooves, originally scattered across obscure side-projects and international pressings, brought back to life by Strut on blood-soaked vinyl exclusively for Halloween 2025.

Originally released as a 1976 Japan-only compilation featuring the Lafayette Afro Rock Band under a plethora of pseudonyms—Sweet Exorcist, Captain Dax, Hot Blood, Krispie and Co., and more, the release was masterminded by producer Pierre Jaubert and led by bandleader Frank Abel with the funk-virtuosity of the Lafayette Afro-Rock Band group, the minds behind the much sampled ‘Soul Makossa’ and ‘Malik’ albums.

Disco Frankenstein represents the band at their most creative—layering wah-wah guitars, thunderous Afrobeat rhythms, and creepy-crawly synths into a funky stew of horror-disco gold. Tracks like “Dr. Beezar (Soul Frankenstein),” “Disco Vampire,” “Zeke the Zombie,” and “Igor’s Reggae” blur the line between Halloween novelty and dancefloor fire, conjured with full seriousness by studio wizards who knew how to raise the funk.

Resurrected by Strut Records and remastered by The Carvery, this compilation finally gets the deluxe treatment it deserves: pressed on limited blood-stained vinyl just in time for Halloween 2025.

Tracklist:
1. City Beast
2. Disco Vampire
3. Godzilla
4. Creature From The Freak Lagoon
5. Disco Frankenstein
6. Dr Beezar "Soul Frankenstein"
7. Zeke The Zombie
8. Vampire Blob
9. Igor's Reggae
10. She Devil

Vier - IIII

VIER is HIER with their grand opening. Their debut album 'IIII' is coming, available now for pre-order on vinyl.

VIER = Thys, Machinedrum, Holly, and Salvador Breed.

Tracklist:
1. IS HIER
2. CONTROL
3. SOLAAR 42
4. THE SOURCE
5. WHERE WERE YOU
6. FRANKFURT
7. SOLITU
8. VAI PULANDO
9. QUEMA QUEMA
10. LOOK AT THE TREES

Carlos Dafé & Adrian Younge - Carlos Dafé JID025

Carlos Dafe, born in Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, grew up surrounded by music and poetry. His father, a chorinho player, and his mother, a poet, nurtured his talent from a young age. By four, he was correcting
notes in his father’s rehearsals; by eleven, he was studying at the Conservatory of Music, and by fourteen, he was performing with ensembles and orchestras. In the 1970s, Dafé became a pillar of Brazil’s Black music movement, alongside Tim Maia, Cassiano, Wilson Simonal, and Banda Black Rio. Known as “The Prince of Soul,” a title bestowed by Nelson Motta, Dafé brought samba, soul, and funk into harmony, creating enduring hits like A Beleza É Você Menina.

Dafé’s career spans decades of collaborations, accolades, and cultural influence. From touring internationally with the Marine Corps band to composing film soundtracks, his contributions have shaped Brazil’s artistic identity. In Trem do Soul, a 2021 documentary about Rio’s Black cultural scene, Dafé’s work is celebrated as a cornerstone of the movement. His deep voice, poignant lyrics, and innovative sound have made him a mentor and a cultural icon for generations.

Adrian Younge first discovered Dafé’s work through the song “Pelas Sombras” from Arthur Verocai’s groundbreaking 1972 album, a work sampled by artists such as Dr. Who Dat? and Michael Da Vinci. They were introduced by Verocai himself, which led to their collaboration on Jazz Is Dead 025, which marks a bold new chapter in Dafé’s career. In Los Angeles, Dafé was captivated by Younge’s creative process. “I was in awe of the stupendous arrangements Adrian had created, so I made sure to leave plenty of space for the instrumentals to shine,” Dafé said. Alongside collaborators BID, Gabriel Moura, his wife Marilda, and son Jorge Mário Dafé, he wrote melodies, lyrics, and spoken-word passages inspired by stories he once told his children.

Dafé also sought spiritual inspiration during the recording process, visiting a nearby church to pray for guidance. Reflecting on a conversation with Tim Maia from the 1970s, he noted how Maia had predicted the rise of spoken-word pop music, foreshadowing rap. With this in mind, Dafé infused the album with vocal textures inspired by Barry White and rhythms that echo his soulful roots while embracing modern innovation. With Jazz Is Dead 025, Carlos Dafé reaffirms his legacy while venturing into uncharted musical territory.

The album celebrates Dafé’s extraordinary ability to bridge the past and present, blending soul, samba, and funk with contemporary experimentation. His story, voice, and artistry continue to inspire, making him not only a cornerstone of Brazilian Black music but a timeless figure in global music history. 

Tracklist:
1. Amor Enfeitiçado
2. Bloco da Harmonia
3. Jazz Está Morto
4. Verdadeiro Sentimento
5. E Um Pouco de Paz
6. O Baile Funk Vai Rolar
7. Como Entender O Amor
8. É Real … É Verdade…
9. Esse Som é Verdadeiro

Jazzanova - In Between (Remixes)

To continue the celebration of the 20th anniversary of In Between, Jazzanova and Sonar Kollektiv present a forward-looking reinterpretation of the original 2002 landmark release: In Between (Remixes) — a full-length remix compilation that breathes new life into the original LP’s iconic tracks.

In Between helped define the sound of nu-jazz, broken beat, and future soul. Now, over two decades later, a new generation of producers—alongside longtime collaborators—revisit the Jazzanova catalog with genre-bending approaches, fresh ears, and global perspectives.

The album features 11 brand-new remixes from a carefully curated lineup, including:
Jacana People, Eric Hilton (Thievery Corporation), The KBCS, Nautilus, DJ Slowz, Magro, Crackazat, Paskal & Urban Absolutes, Kid Fonque, Groove Chronicles, and Satin Jackets.

Each remix honors the spirit of In Between while reimagining it through a different lens—ranging from deep house, nu-disco, and broken beat to downtempo, jazz-funk, and future soul.

Tracklist:
1. Another New Day (Jacana People Remix)
2. No Use (Eric Hilton - Trust A Thief Remix)
3. The One-Tet (The KBCS Remix)
4. Mwela, Mwela (Here I Am) (Nautilus Rework)
5. L.O.V.E. and You & I (DJ Slowz Remix)
6. Keep Falling (Magro Remix)
7. No Use (Crackazat Remix)
8. That Night (Paskal & Urban Absolutes Remix)
9. Another New Day (Kid Fonque Refix)
10. The One-Tet (Groove Chronicles Broken Step Refix)
11. No Use (Satin Jackets Remix)

Theo Croker - Dream Manifest (Deluxe)

Theo Croker’s seventh studio album "Dream Manifest" pushes his blend of post-bop, neo-soul, hip-hop and more to new recombinations, showing more dimensions of his heady style with each track. On today’s preview, the Grammy-nominated trumpeter and composer embraces electronic abstraction to tremendous, hypnotic effect.

This album marks a milestone moment for an artist who has worked with the Berlin Philharmonic, received multiple GRAMMY nominations, and contributed to platinum-selling albums by J. Cole, Ari Lennox, and Common. Collaboration is at the heart of this album, featuring an all-star lineup including Estelle, Kassa Overall, Tyreek McDole, MAAD, Gary Bartz, Natureboy Flako, Malaya, and D’LEAU—each bringing a distinct energy to the record.

Croker first picked up the trumpet after being inspired by his grandfather, the GRAMMY-winning jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham, and later attended Oberlin Conservatory, where he was mentored by Donald Byrd. After graduation, he split seven years between Shanghai and New York, immersing himself in diverse musical collaborations that shaped his signature sound. His major label debut album Afrophysicist (Sony Masterworks)—produced with Dee Dee Bridgewater—is a result of these collaborations. On Dream Manifest, Croker continues to honor jazz and funk while seeing how far he can take them through his exploration of other genres.

“[Theo’s music is] timeless and of the moment.” - Wall Street Journal

"Theo Croker [has] an unmistakable air of chill… That chill is the result of a clear musical approach and determination." - NPR

“Theo Croker is a trumpeter, vocalist, composer and bandleader whose powerful and eclectic take on modern jazz pays respect to the tradition of the music while moving the genre forward.” - TIDAL

"[Theo] seeks to break away from narrow definitions of jazz" - Jazzwise

“With two feet planted firmly in the jazz world, as well as tentacles reaching into hip-hop, R&B, ambient, world music, and experimental genres, Grammy-nominated producer, composer, and trumpeter Theo Croker makes his voice heard far and wide.” - Tape Op

Tracklist:
1. prelude 3
2. one pillow
3. 64 joints
4. up frequency (higher)
5. light as a feather
6. high vibrations
7. crystal waterfalls
8. we still wanna dance
9. postlude 3
10. sound(e)scape
11. my friend
12. eyes wide open (noema)
13. beyond
14. mantra (outerlude)

Scrimshire - Red Weather

Red Weather feels like a humid heat haze, the shimmer of disappearing water vapour in an increasingly overheated environment. The regular red weather warnings of our summers, longer and harder each year. There's a sparse beauty to the track that gently drifts towards an ethereal climax where harp turns into synthesiser and soars above enveloping low-end bass, all anchored to earth by the heartbeat that pulses throughout, solid and ever-present.

Scrimshire and Amanda Whiting have been growing a beautiful collaborative relationship for some years now although the work has remained mostly unreleased until now.

Earlier this year Scrimshire produced Amanda's "Can You See Me Now" EP for First Word Records, but back in July 2022 Amanda contributed to this idea for an unfinished Scrimshire album called Believers Vol. 2. That record ended up being mostly shelved and the Paroxysm album sprung up and out in its place. But now Scrimshire is continuing to share some of his unreleased projects.

And the next few years seem to promise the delivery of many more ideas the two have been sharing since meeting at the Lush Life stage at We Out Here back in 2019.

Tracklist:
1. Red Weather

Alina Bzhezhinska - Altera Vita (Sly5thAve Remix)

Two-time BBC Jazz Award winner Tony Kofi (Jazz Warriors, Abdullah Ibrahim, Cymande) and harp innovator Alina Bzhezhinska (Jazz FM Award nominee, HipHarpCollective) created Altera Vita as a heartfelt tribute to Pharoah Sanders. Composed by Kofi in the wake of Sanders’ transition, this masterpiece has been adroitly remixed by Texas’ own Sly5thAve — the saxophonist/producer Prince once called “the cat with the golden horn” — tears it up with two killer versions.

Known for turning Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, and Nas into orchestral epics — and for rocking stages with Questlove, Quantic, Ghost-Note, and Prince himself — Sly takes Kofi’s soulful saxophone and Alina’s hypnotic harp and drops them into head-nodding hip-hop beats and lush, lofi-jazz soundscapes.

Altera Vita means Another Life, and this two tracker remix is aptly dropping on the eve of Pharoah Sanders’ heavenly birthday — Keeping the spirit and appreciation for the career of Sanders’ alive. It’s a bold, boundary-smashing salute to a spiritual jazz giant who constantly redefined what music could be. DJs, selectors, and crate- diggers: expect deep grooves, serious musicianship, and two cuts built to stay in your rotation.

Tracklist:
1. Altera Vita (Sly5thAve Extended Remix)
2. Altera Vita (Sly5thAve Extended Remix Instrumental)
3. Altera Vita (Sly5thAve Remix)
4. Altera Vita (Sly5thAve Remix Instrumental)

Black Milk - BLURS

Tracklist:
1. 20/20
2. THE YAP
3. Giant Stepped
4. Steps of Wah
5. Face Odyssey
6. OG
7. Have A New
8. Noooo Where
9. Brazil Feels
10. All I Ever
11. I Wonder
12. BLURS
13. G'TAR
14. willialwayshearyou
15. Hippie
16. Numb
17. No Uh
18. Lucid Luv
19. GEEZE
20. Shuggy
21. So So
22. Bravo

Krautrock Discovery - A Journey from Jazz to Prog Rock

When rock music from Germany gained international recognition under the label 'krautrock' in the 1970s, it was far more than a mind-expanding phenomenon.

In basements, youth centers, and improvised studios, a vibrant scene emerged-shaped by fearless curiosity and a strong will to transcend traditional musical structures.

Some bands produced only a single recording; others became experimental platforms for established musicians or transient fixtures in local underground milieus.

What united them was a desire to cross boundaries: rock met jazz, folk merged with electronics, soul touched the avantgarde.

These intersections produced soundscapes that remain powerful documents of a creatively restless era.

The recordings collected here reflect that spirit-not only from the krautrock period, but also from the decades that followed, including contributions from both Germany and Austria.

Tracklist:
1. Skyline – Tashiro
2. PSI – Unter Der Schurze Liegt Die Wurze
3. Toto Blanke – PPG
4. Ragawerk & Max Clouth – Das Modul
5. Lychee Lassi – Shades Of Mosley
6. Abadie – Lady
7. Zoppo Trump – Wellengang
8. Epsilon – Before
9. Radio Noisz Ensemble – Space Fasching
10. Mocolage – Caspar
11. Dschinn – Let's Go Together
12. Frob – Wassertropfen
13. Emotion – Take Your Time
14. Join In – Dreams
15. Morpheus – Oktober '74
16. Opossum – Amina
17. Zyma – We Got Time
18. The Terrible Two – Staubig