Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching

'Dance, No One's Watching' is an ode to the sacred, yet joyous act of dancing, an album that musically guides you through a night out in the city, from the opening of possibilities as a new evening spans out ahead, to dawn’s final hours as the night comes to a close.

Written during a blistering 2023 which saw Ezra Collective tour the world, and become the first jazz act to win the Mercury Prize, Dance, No One's Watching is a documentation of the many dance floors they encountered. From London to Chicago, Lagos to Sydney, dance and rhythm connect us. These songs are a testament to that spirit.

The album was recorded at Abbey Road studios, where the band was surprised by a group of close friends and family, turning the sessions into a live communal celebration of love, music, and dancing.

'Dance, No One's Watching' is a record that speaks to the unifying power of dance. Set for release in September 2024, it is a powerful and distinctive addition to a catalogue that continues to blaze a bold new trail in contemporary British music.

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. The Herald
3. Palm Wine
4. cloakroom link up. (Act 1)
5. God Gave Me Feet For Dancing (feat. Yazmin Lacey)
6. Ajala
7. The Traveller
8. in the dance. (Act 2)
9. N29
10. No One's Watching Me (feat. Olivia Dean)
11. our element. (Act 3)
12. Hear My Cry
13. Shaking Body
14. Expensive
15. Streets is Calling (feat. M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly)
16. lights on. (Act 4)
17. Why I Smile
18. Have Patience
19. Everybody

VA - If Music presents: You Need This! An Introduction to The Handson Family

This BBE released compilation is seriously a must have in any Black Music lover's collection.

Compiled by the London DJ and promoter duo of husband and wife team, the Handson Family, as part of the massively important If Music presents: You Need This series and released on the UK's foremost independent Black Music label, An Introduction to the Handson Family has Black Music heritage coursing through it's tracks.

With a tracklist that includes music from Emanative, the much missed genius of south London's Ty, Cecilia Statin, Xantone Blacq and more, the album that Cyndi and Christian have put together is one that sheds light on the high quality and considered variety of selections in their DJ sets (Including Cross the Tracks, Southport Weekender and We Out Here), their hugely influential Off The Shelf radio show on Soho Radio and their south London residencies.

If you are looking for knowledge in what is the sounds and styles of Black Music genres in recent years then this is a compilation that will be an education in absolute brilliance, if you are aware of these artists and tracks then this is a release that brings them together in a DJ set style of the highest order and if you are so far unaware of the Handson Family and their undoubted influence on south London place in the capital's (and the Uk's) club culture then here is their calling card.

Releasing as both digital and a double vinyl LP, If Music presents You Need This: An Introduction to the Handson Family is simply superb and is unapologetically Black Music selected by Black DJs for everybody.

Tracklist:
1. Emanative - We Travel The Spacebeats
2. Ty - Dreams
3. MckNasty - Sundown (feat. The Mac SiStars)
4. Cecilia Stalin - CPW
5. The Nabatean - Hangers On
6. Souled - Dancing on Holiday
7. One51 - Bring Me to Your Life (feat. Heidi Vogel)
8. P'taah - Staring at the Sun
9. Xantone Blacq - Search for the Sun (Platinum Remix)
10. Ian O'Brien - Love Beams
11. Outside - Moodswing (feat. Cleveland Watkiss)
12. Jazz Chronicles - Bologna
13. Shur-I-Kan - Bedtime Stories
14. Tommy Rawson - Illusions

VA - Mr Bongo Record Club, Vol. 7

Optimo - "Epic Collection - thank you as always."

Hunee - "real music!"

Laurent Garnier - "TOP QUALITY MUSIC as always. Full support from me”

It's a pleasure, a labour of love and a yearly highlight to present a new volume of the Mr Bongo Record Club series. In this collection, we have curated new finds alongside old, treasured tracks that hold a special place in our hearts, selecting music inspiring us from the Brazilian, Latin, soul, disco, gospel, cosmic, dancehall and downtempo genres. We have chosen a diverse array of artists, including Os Panteras from Brazil, stomping underground disco by Claude Jay, the Danish soul sounds of Gitte & Inger and the gospel excellence of Truth & Devotion, to name a few.

Most of the selections in this volume are older vintage productions, however, there is one very special contemporary production, recorded exclusively for Mr Bongo Record Club 7. For ‘Spring Has Sprung’, we linked three of our cherished musical family together; the legendary cult artist Asha Puthli, the wondrous band SOYUZ and Swedish maestro Sven Wunder. The result, as you’d expect, is completely breathtaking.

Reflecting on Volume 7, it now feels like a record comprised of two themes. Firstly, we have gone quite heavy on the Brazilian selections. This saw us searching further afield and digging into other areas of the endlessly rich Brazilian musical tapestry. The reflection of a more folk / Afro-Brazilian sound than presented in previous volumes in the series, can be heard in the songs of As Sublimes, Romeu Fernandes and Conjunto de Percussão Dora Pinto. The second theme is a representation of the tracks that we have been playing in our club DJ sets and are aimed more at the dancefloor. Disco tracks such as 'Come Inside' by The Shades of Love and The Duncans' 'Too Damn Hot' have been firmly tested favourites in recent years.

We hope these songs, by the sensational artists on display, inspire you as much as they do us. Music is the gift that keeps giving and there is so much more to learn, find, and share.

Tracklist:
1. Dudu Moraes - Eloiá
2. Big Boss Vette - Upa Neguinho
3. As Sublimes - Mangueira É Canção
4. Os Panteras - O Espaço
5. Chico Evangelista - Frutas & Línguas
6. Roman Andrén - Captain's Sword
7. Romeu Fernandes - Nagô Naê
8. Conjunto de Percussão Dora Pinto - Noite de Temporal
9. Gitte & Inger - Ud Af Buret
10. Truth & Devotion - Bless My Soul
11. Judson Moore - Everybody Push And Pull
12. Willy Chirino - Africa
13. Chain Reaction - Search For Tomorrow
14. Claude Jay - Find Your Light (Read the Signs of Time)
15. The Shades Of Love - Come Inside
16. Thandi Zulu & The Young Five - Love Games
17. Tony Wilson - Hangin' Out In Space (Dub Mix)
18. Jc Lodge - In Between The Sheets
19. СОЮЗ - Spring Has Sprung (feat. Asha Puthli & Sven Wunder)

Thee Sacred Souls - Got a Story to Tell

The highly anticipated follow-up to Thee Sacred Souls's breakout 2022 self-titled debut, Got A Story To Tell, features 12 all original new songs, a soaring statement of exquisite craftsmanship from this young band from San Diego whose story grows bigger by the day. Recorded and produced by Gabriel Roth at Penrose Recorders, in Daptone’s Riverside, CA studio, and written in the throes of supporting their 2022 album - which was met with significant excitement and major touring that brought them across the world.

What swirls together on Got A Story To Tell is an appreciation of decades of soul music, and beyond - a sound and feel that is timeless, lived in, and very much in the now. Album opener “Lucid Girl” champions independent women, set to some of the toughest sounding drums and bass the band has yet to put to tape. “Waiting On The Right Time” slinks with a touch of slow-burning psychedelia. A plea for empathy punctuates “One and the Same,” with Lane singing: “We’re one and the same, I feel one day / We learn to live with each other / In love, not fear / Just for a moment, why can’t we be together.” “On My Mind” is a sweeping orchestration, with Lane navigating the complexities of finding happiness while balancing the good with the bad. The album is punctuated with strings and squelching guitar, trundling piano, pops of conga, horns - it makes for a thrilling, layered listen that rewards with multiple spins.

Tracklist:
1. Lucid Girl
2. Price I'll Pay
3. Live For You
4. On My Mind
5. Waiting on the Right Time
6. Losing Side of Love
7. Somebody Knew
8. My Heart is Drowning
9. Stuck in the Mud
10. In the Mirror
11. One and the Same
12. I'm So Glad I Found You, Baby

Alix Perez - Entanglements

Acclaimed electronic music producer Alix Perez announces the release of his latest long player, Entanglements. This eagerly anticipated project showcases his innovative approach to the drum & bass genre, blending soulful melodies, intricate rhythms, and atmospheric soundscapes. Known for his ability to push the boundaries of electronic music, Alix Perez has once again delivered an album that resonates with both long-time fans and new listeners. Entanglements features a collection of tracks that seamlessly intertwine elements of hip hop, R&B, and ambient with the driving beats and deep basslines characteristic of drum & bass.

Entanglements revisits my love for sampling and sample manipulation. Tinged in soulful tones, it is a melange of intertwining compositions that highlight the musical side of my production - Alix Perez

Tracklist:
1. Entanglements
2. In Your Eyes
3. Elastic Soul
4. R2R
5. Kauri (feat. Visages)
6. False Promises
7. Dark Pulse
8. Continual Emotion

VA - Jazz Dispensary: The Golden Hour

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where the soundscapes of sunbaked sands and the cold sea breeze blend together seamlessly to create one dank groove blast. We proudly present The Golden Hour: a new compilation of sizzlers that evoke the feeling of floating on a cool, lone wave while soaking in the last sunbeams of the day, with tunes from renowned groove masters Johnny Hammond, Sonny Rollins, Chico Hamilton, Vince Guaraldi, Catalyst, and more. Coming to participating record stores all over the world on November 29th for RSD Black Friday and available to stream now, the artwork for The Golden Hour features artwork from acclaimed visual artist Kamil Czapiga, who filmed special color inks reacting to songs from the album with microscopic cameras to create the cover art.

The Golden Hour compilation opens with “Web,” an energizing, yet laid-back cut off pianist Hampton Hawes’ 1974 LP, Northern Windows. The recording, led by the great David Axelrod, features drums and bass by legendary session players Spider Webb and Carol Kaye, respectively. Next is “Soul Talk,” the uptempo title track off organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith’s 1969 LP, followed by Sonny Rollins’ funky “Newkleus.” The track, which appeared on the saxophonist’s 1975 album, Nucleus, was composed by frequently sampled R&B star James Mtume, who also delivers a heady dose of standout guitar licks. Cornetist Nat Adderley closes out the set with the hard bop–infused “Fortune’s Child,” off his 1978 album, A Little New York Midtown Music.

The breeze picks up on side B with “Cántaro,” a bold and sultry number (penned by Axelrod) off saxophonist Gene Ammons’ 1974 LP, Brasswind, followed by Vince Guaraldi’s “Little Birdie,” a hip 1973 cue for Peanuts sidekick Woodstock (and featuring a rare vocal performance by the best-selling pianist/composer). Drummer Chico Hamilton chills down the vibes with “Gengis,” a soulful and languid instrumental off his 1973 collab with Little Feat, The Master. Rounding out the album is “Suite for Albeniz,” a seductive Eastern-influenced selection from Philly fusion pioneers Catalyst, off 1976’s A Tear and a Smile. Don’t get lost in the weeds!

Tracklist:
1. Hampton Hawes – Web (Remastered 2024)
2. Johnny "Hammond" Smith – Soul Talk–1970 (Remastered 2024)
3. Sonny Rollins – Newkleus (Remastered 2024)
4. Nat Adderley – Fortune's Child (Remastered 2024)
5. Gene Ammons – Cántaro (Remastered 2024)
6. Vince Guaraldi Trio – Little Birdie
7. Chico Hamilton – Gengis
8. Catalyst – Suite For Albeniz (Remastered 2024)

Bilal - Adjust Brightness

Tracklist:
1. Adjust Brightness
2. Sunshine
3. Evr Chngin Nrml
4. The Story
5. Tell Me
6. A2Z
7. Lay Around
8. Who We R Now
9. Quantum Universe
10. Conditional
11. Micro Macro

Black Artist Group - For Peace and Liberty, In Paris dec 1972

INCREDIBLE LONG-LOST PERFORMANCE BY THE MYTHICAL BLACK ARTIST GROUP RECORDED LIVE IN PARIS, 1972. THESE RECORDINGS ARE BAG'S FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE IN 50 YEARS AND ONLY THEIR SECOND ALBUM - ISSUED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GROUP AND INA.

Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of BAG's first album since 1973, "For Peace and Liberty", recorded in Paris in Dec. 1972 when the musicians had recently arrived from St Louis. BAG only released one album during their existence, the cult classic "In Paris, Aries 1973". This long-lost performance, recorded at Maison de l'ORTF in optimal conditions just a few months previously, was thought lost until recently unearthed from the vaults of INA (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel). Here the group unleashes an incandescent 35-minute set mixing free improvisation and spiritual jazz with funk grooves. Released in partnership with the band and INA with audio remastered from the original tapes.

Tracklist:
1. For Peace and Liberty Part 1
2. For Peace and Liberty Part 2
3. For Peace and Liberty Part 3
4. For Peace and Liberty Part 4
5. For Peace and Liberty Part 5
6. For Peace and Liberty Part 6

Fred P - Life Becomes Better When You Spend Your Private Time with Deep Music

Fred P, a pioneering force in underground dance music, unveils his latest LP, Life Becomes Better When You Spend Your Private Time with Deep Music. Far from being just a compilation of tracks, this album is a meditative experience for the true connoisseur, offering an immersive journey into the heart of global nightlife. Composed of unreleased material, the LP encapsulates the spirit of the underground, seamlessly blending the distinct vibes of New York, Berlin, and Tokyo.

Fred P, often hailed as a futurist in deep music, recorded much of this album in the intimate confines of his hotel rooms, transforming fleeting moments into lasting, immersive soundscapes. Each track embodies the spirit of the city where it was born, yet they all resonate with Fred P’s signature depth, offering a profound connection to the dance floors where the night is sacred, and the music is a shared journey.

Life Becomes Better When You Spend Your Private Time with Deep Music is not just for casual listeners—it's for those who truly appreciate the depth and introspection that define the underground. This album serves as both a personal reflection and a collective experience, a reminder that the future of deep music is being shaped by an artist who continues to push the boundaries, inviting us all to join in this meditative exploration.

Tracklist:
1. In To The Night
2. Uncertain But Sure
3. Euphoria
4. Accept With Gratitude
5. Glad To Be Early
6. Back To Paradise
7. Shine
8. The World Of Myth
9. Better Than Expected
10. When The Sun Rise
11. Walking In The Day