Homeboy Sandman - 12 Days of Christmas & Dia de Los Reyes

Tracklist:
1. First Day of Christmas
2. Second Day of Christmas
3. Third Day of Christmas
4. Fourth Day of Christmas
5. Fifth Day of Christmas
6. Sixth Day of Christmas
7. Seventh Day of Christmas
8. Eighth Day of Christmas
9. Ninth Day of Christmas
10. Tenth Day of Christmas
11. Eleventh Day of Christmas
12. Twelfth Day of Christmas
13. Día de Los Reyes

VA - Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party, Vol. 4

Dear Santa, we just loved "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party," Volumes 1-3 [TRLP-9013, TRLP-9027, TRLP-9050], and we have really tried to be good this year! Please bring us a whole 'nother album's worth of rare and obscure Christmas-themed funk and soul!

When the third volume of "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party" was released in 2015, everybody involved was certain that it would be the final one. For years, the curators had been looking for "Christmas Rare Grooves" until they finally realized there was nothing left to discover that would justify a fourth volume. Sure, it would have been an easy task to dig through the catalogues of major labels to come up with 40 minutes of more-or-less trivial Christmas soul music. But who on earth would want that kind of album? Since the foundation of Tramp Records in 2003, the label has gained a high reputation as one of the very few German reissue labels of obscure funk, soul, and jazz music. 99% of the songs originate from 7" singles, the small and handy standard-format of the 1960s, which, like Santa's sleigh magically circling the planet on Christmas Eve, spins at forty-five revolutions per minute on the turntable.

So, what can you expect from this, the fourth volume of a series which had ostensibly been completed with only three volumes? After some seven years of digging across the world wide web with open ears and eyes, never tiring of the hundreds of (mainly) shitty songs, hoping to find that kind of monster soul or funk track that constituted the hallmark of the previous volumes, the compilers slowly and surprisingly began to see a fourth volume taking shape. Finally, after more than two thousand days, a complete album's worth of quality tunes had been discovered and secured for release.

"Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vol. 4" contains a highly diverse selection of obscure Christmas songs. For example, take Bey Ireland's garage-mod-rocker "All I Want For Christmas Is A Go-Go Girl," is something to get you go-going around the tree! Do you prefer mirror-balls to tinsel? Check out Bill Deal with Pure Pleasure. Too fast? How about the dazzling-melancholic "I Won't Be Home For Christmas"? Do you prefer rap music while you wrap presents? Then your choice is going to be Hot & Sassy. Old-School-Hip Hop at its best. Every single song has a compelling reason to be included in this extraordinary selection. Not least is the opening track by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Their contribution represents the soul sound of the 21st century. Charming soul music with sociocritical lyrics, something you rarely find in the current musical landscape.

Even though the selected tracks that the two compilers and their worker elves proudly present on "Santa's Funk & Soul Christmas Party Vol. 4" are unbelievable, they are very real and will be the surprise gift from Santa this season that can be enjoyed year-round! It took seven years to complete, but believe us when we say it was well worth the wait. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Tracklist:
1. Sharon Jones - Ain't No Chimneys in the Project (feat. Dap-Kings)
2. Wayne Champion - It's Xmas Time
3. Bey Ireland - All I Want for Christmas Is a Go-Go Girl
4. Hot & Sassy - Christmas Strutt
5. Bill Deal - It Feels Like Christmas (feat. Pure Pleasure)
6. Ray Williams - Santa Claus (feat. Space Men)
7. Ruth Harley - Christmas Is
8. Sam Applebaum - The Year Around Christmas
9. Tiny Powell - Christmas Time Again, Pt. 1
10. Tiny Powell - Christmas Time Again, Pt. 2
11. Major Handy - I Won't Be Home for Christmas
12. Bobby Peterson - Christmas Presents
13. Ruth Harley - Santa Baby
14. Fred Sabastian - Everybody Is a Santa Claus

Amanda Whiting - A Christmas Cwtch

First Word Records are very proud to bring you 'A Christmas Cwtch', the brand new album from highly-acclaimed Welsh jazz-harpist, Amanda Whiting.

Expertly crafted with love, care and dedication, 'A Christmas Cwtch' takes on assorted classics from the likes of Vince Guaraldi, Bill Evans, Holst and Tchaikovsky, and re-presents them with original arrangements by Amanda and her accomplished trio. The end result is a 14-track selection pack of feel-good seasonal jazz-harp magic, including recent singles 'Peace Piece' and 'Skating'.

Amanda says "just mention Christmas and you hear Guaraldi, Bill Evans and the sound of sleigh bells and harps. It's my favourite time of year and the music evokes everything warm and cwtchy. Sparkling lights, mince pies, mulled wine and nostalgia around the tree."

On the word 'cwtch', Amanda explains that "a 'cwtch' is the most important word to Welsh folk. It's a hug, with a little squeeze. It's a feeling. It's cosy, loving and safe. I wanted this album to hold you, cwtch you and allow you to indulge."

Inspired by artists like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, Amanda is a classically trained virtuoso, well established in the UK jazz scene, with releases on Jazzman and Albert's Favourites.

Her most recent projects were released on Worldwide Award-winning UK label, First Word; 'Beyond the Midnight Sun' (with label-mate and Welsh Music Prize nominee, Don Leisure) and the hugely popular 2024 album 'The Liminality of Her', which received widespread praise in outlets such as Jazzwise, Mojo, Clash, Bandcamp, AllMusic, Somewhere Soul, HHV, Apple Music and Harp Column.

She has had wide support on the airwaves from tastemakers such as Cerys Matthews (BBC 6 Music), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM), Deb Grant (BBC 6 Music), Patrick Forge (NTS), Soweto Kinch (BBC Radio 3), Kev Beadle (Totally Wired), Tina Edwards (Soho Radio), Laurent Garnier (FiP) and Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2).

'A Christmas Cwtch' exemplifies Amanda's talent and personality simultaneously, celebrating an array of her favourite things; the harp, her Welshness, her love of jazz, her love of classical music and her love of Christmas. This album is an absolute delight, and the perfect soundtrack for the season. An essential stocking filler!

Tracklist:
1. The Night Before (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Intro)
2. In the Bleak Midwinter
3. Christmas Is Coming
4. Christmas Time Is Here
5. Sugarplum
6. Happiness Theme
7. Little Elfy
8. Skating
9. Peace Piece
10. Deck the Halls
11. The Christmas Song
12. O Christmas Tree
13. We Three Kings
14. Has He Been? (Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Outro)

Visioneers - DEF RADIO

Marc Mac's Visioneers project returns after a long anticipated wait with a summary of everything we've loved about the project and more. The classic Hip Hop joints reimagined, BBOY bombs and the super-fly Jazz n’ funky lounge originals have all become Visioneers trademarks. The record has you sitting back chilling and head nodding for one song and wanting to jump up and bust a move on another. The addition of guest musicians from all parts of the globe brings another dimension to the grooves and compositions. A very dope welcomed return for the Visioneers.

Available in 2 x 12" 180g Heavy Weight Vinyl, CD (with bonus tracks) and Cassette tape. Global distribution through Kudos.

Tracklist:
1. Eyes Don't Lie
2. The Look of Love
3. Today
4. Raid
5. Layin' Low, Gettin' High
6. What It Mean
7. Hurt so Bad
8. Heather
9. Ital Jazz
10. Still Making Memories
11. Red Cactus (Album Version)
12. Cuban Candy Sticks

Thee Heart Tones - Forever & Ever (Instrumentals)

Big Crown Records is proud to present the instrumental version Forever & Ever, the debut album from Thee Heart Tones.

Hailing from Hawthorne, California, Thee Heart Tones are both carrying on a tradition and pushing the boundaries with their music. Lead singer Jazmine Alvarado is just 19 years old and the oldest member of the group, Jorge Rodriguez is 21, but one listen to their record and it becomes blatantly apparent they are a talent well beyond their years.

Thee Heart Tones are Jazmine on vocals, Ricky Cerezo on keys and organ, Jorge on drums, Jeffrey Romero on bass, Peter Chagolla on lead guitar, and Walter Morales on rhythm guitar. As the story goes, “one day I got a DM from Ricky Cerezo asking if I wanted to write a song for his new (then unnamed) band,” Jazmine says. “I knew his drummer and the other boys from middle school, so they were familiar faces. They sent me an mp3 of an instrumental they’d written and told me they wanted lyrics, so I wrote some and sent it to them.” That song ended up being “Don’t Take Me as a Fool,” a downbeat, minor key ballad on which Jazmine's sultry, pitch-perfect vocals soar, and which is now destined for their debut album. Ricky went home to play “Don’t Take Me As a Fool”, recorded as a voice note on his phone, to his dad. “I was hesitant. Dad knew this music better than anyone; he grew up with it. But he grabbed my phone and held it to his ear. His approval meant a lot to me. But he had the same reaction Jorge and I did when we first heard Jazmine sing. ‘This is going to be a hit,’ he told me. ‘You guys have something really special here’.” It was that same recording that caught the ears of Leon Michels and Danny Akalepse of Big Crown Records, who both heard the potential in the group immediately. After they signed to the label, Leon flew out to Los Angeles to record their debut album with Tommy Brenneck at Tommy’s Diamond West studio. They knocked out 14 songs in five days, capturing the charm of teenage soul and mixing it with their seasoned production prowess and the result is a modern classic Soul album.

Album opener and title track “Forever & Ever” is an infectious two-stepper that instantly lifts your mood while heavy duty B side ballads like “Should I Call You Tonight”, “Cry My Tears Away”, and “It’s Time” hold court with the genre’s classics. They pick up the pace and fill the dancefloor with “Need Something More” as Jazmine matter of factly sets the record straight on a Northern Soul styled track. They cover the Álvaro Carrillo penned classic “Sabor A Mi” to great effect, doing it justice and putting their version right up there with the best of them. Another standout is their version of The Vanguards classic “Somebody Please” which they change the tone of and take to a different level. The punching drums of “No Longer Mine” juxtapose Jazmine’s honeyed vocals and wind up with the gritty energy of a mid 90s hip hop sample.

Forever & Ever is both a testament to their unmistakable musical chemistry and talent. Their intentions as a band are testament to their collective character. Choosing to cover “Sabor A Mi” “allows us to let our audience know we go back to our roots,” Jazmine says. “Growing up in LA, you get influenced by the city, the artwork, the music,” Ricky says. “Dad didn’t own a lowrider car, but other members of our family did. Impalas. El Caminos. We were influenced by the culture, particularly Chicano culture. And oldies and soul music played a big part.” The style. The culture. The nod to the past. “That’s what we’re going for. We want to connect young Chicanos with their heritage. And we want to unite people — old and young.”

Tracklist:
1. Forever & Ever (Instrumental)
2. Don't Take Me As A Fool (Instrumental)
3. Somebody Please (Instrumental)
4. No Longer Mine (Instrumental)
5. Sabor A Mi (Instrumental)
6. Should I Call You Tonight (Instrumental)
7. Cry My Tears Away (Instrumental)
8. Need Something More (Instrumental)
9. When I Met You (Instrumental)
10. Highway Of Love (Instrumental)
11. Holding On (Instrumental)
12. It's Time (Instrumental)

Nightmares On Wax - Carboot Jazz

It is no exaggeration to say that Nightmares on Wax’s work is synonymous with a place in time. It is a place individual to those who have savoured his popular b...rand of sun-drenched dubbed out soul, where fragments of hazy memories, halcyon days and past snapshots encapsulate a generation’s sofa sojourning.

Tracklist:
1. Les Nuits (Carboot Jazz Edit)
2. Ease Jimi (Carboot Jazz Version)
3. Fire In The Middle (Carboot Jazz Version)
4. Les Nuits (Carboot Jazz Full Length)

VA - Tru Thoughts 2024

“I gotta large up Tru Thoughts as well because it’s so important for labels to really invest in new talent and to hold them up alongside some of their mainstays and some of their more heritage artists, but also to leave room to introduce us to other artists as well” JAMZ SUPERNOVA (BBC 6MUSIC)

“A brilliant record label from Brighton” GILLES PETERSON

“Big up the Tru Thoughts massive!” SIR SPYRO (BBC 1XTRA)

“Tru Thoughts, an incredible label” JULIE ADENUGA (BEATS 1)

“The brilliant Tru Thoughts label, one of our favourites” LAUREN LAVERNE (BBC 6MUSIC)

‘Tru Thoughts 2024’ is the latest instalment of our annual compilation series, featuring 22 tracks from the past year, carefully curated by label head, co-founder and DJ, Robert Luis. This eclectic collection - that coincides with our 25th Anniversary - highlights our diverse and international roster, showcasing genres that span neo-soul, jazz, and contemporary classical to grime, broken beat, and electronica.

"Curating these compilations provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and revisit our recent releases. I’m proud that we continue to champion fresh talent like Tara Lily, Footshooter, Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra, and Catpack, who are just beginning their journeys with Tru Thoughts and receiving fantastic support. We’re also collaborating with artists who have previously released music elsewhere, helping them progress further, such as Sandunes, Bruk Rogers, and The Sindecut & Ijeoma, alongside longtime favourites like Alice Russell and Hot 8 Brass Band. While we release a wide range of genres, I feel there’s a common thread that ties it all together. In a time when we're constantly flooded with new music, this compilation is a reminder to take a moment to explore the incredible artists we work with—you’re bound to discover something new, or reconnect with a favourite track or artist." Robert Luis

Taken from her debut album ‘Speak In The Dark’ - praised by Dazed, Mixmag, The Face, and Wonderland - the compilation opens with Tara Lily’s haunting "6 Feet Down," featuring GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter Theo Croker, melding jazz, soul, and trip-hop. Continuing the label's tradition of supporting the flourishing UK jazz scene, Bryony Jarman-Pinto’s soulful track "Deep" emerges as a heartfelt nocturne. Catpack's dreamy funk jam "Midnight," sees Phil Beaudreau, Jacob Mann, and Amber Navran (of Grammy-nominated Moonchild) effortlessly work alternative R&B into their nocturnal jazz soundscape. Sly5thAve’s vibrant album title track “Liberation” embodies fearless musical creativity, seamlessly melding orchestral jazz with hip-hop, while Nikitch and Alexis Moutzouris deliver "Sans Titres" with its contemporary jazzy twist, weaving hypnotic clarinet riffs with deep, trap-inspired basslines. Jazz disruptors Ebi Soda team up with Turkish-Sri Lankan artist BODUR on "Kim K," a thoughtful commentary on fame, and Sefi Zisling's rendition of Mal Waldron’s "All Alone" blends psychedelic funk with spiritual jazz, honouring the influence of a musical giant.

This year two of our legacy acts made a notable comeback; Hot 8 Brass Band paid tribute to their late co-founder Bennie Pete with the release of "Big Tuba," their first new music since 2019, encapsulating the vibrant spirit of New Orleans' Second Line tradition. While the beloved British soul singer Alice Russell unveiled her new album 'I Am' - it has received widespread attention, including support from Clash, Gilles Peterson (BBC 6Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), and named Jazz FM's Album of the Week.

Representing the dance side of the label are explorations in broken beat, UK bass, and house. Taking influence from underground sounds is Bruk Rogers, with his UK-bruk take on Latin breaks meets New York rap, with flows from JSWISS on "Feel Alright" featuring pianist Onj. XL Regular’s club-oriented rework of Kuna Maze’s "I Told U" featuring Steve Spacek made a splash with the new generation of broken beat listeners, and dubstep pioneer Zed Bias gave Sandunes' "Signs" featuring Ramya Pothuri the four-on-the-floor, UKG-treatment.

'Tru Thoughts 2024' also presents a trio of tracks that capture the label's house influences. London singer-songwriter Steven Bamidele delivered "Throw It All Away! (Jamie 3:26 & Danou P Remix)," a reimagining that blends deep house and disco, pushing his artistic boundaries into a new space. South London producer and DJ Footshooter made his label debut with "Here To Learn," featuring André Espeut’s timeless vocals, skillfully combining classic house sounds with his signature garage and broken beat influences. Following suit, "Bruk Renaissance" torchbearer WheelUP switches it up with Sio on the soulful-house track "Magnetic," which features deep basslines and sweeping synths that promote healing and self-love.

Our roster spans a myriad of genres, with a focus on our mantra that “good music is good music.” This year saw the hard-hitting EastEnders-themed grime release from COMPLEX UK’s artist to watch for 2024, Crafty 893, released just over a month apart from the classical "Artemis", taken from the debut Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra album 'Terra Coda' - a project that saw Benji Bower unite Bristol's most acclaimed musicians into a 60-piece ensemble.

In the spirit of keeping our ears to the ground, we re-released a fan-favourite from Sharky’s back catalogue, "Hawaii," and released new music from pioneering British Hip-Hop crew The Sindecut and New York-based Geordie singer-songwriter Ijeoma - their track "Cool Your Heart" from the 'Early' EP is included here. Among our recent new signees are SHYGUY, Home Frango, and Call Sender, who received a remix from the legendary American musician, producer, award-winning video game composer, and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee.

Tracklist:
1. Tara Lily & Theo Croker – 6 Feet Down
2. Bryony Jarman-Pinto – Deep
3. Catpack – Midnight
4. Alice Russell – Gravity
5. Bruk Rogers – Feel Alright (feat. JSWISS & Onj)
6. Kuna Maze & Steve Spacek – I Told U (XL Regular Remix)
7. Sly5thAve – Liberation
8. Steven Bamidele – Throw It All Away! (Jamie 3:26 & Danou P Remix)
9. Footshooter & Andre Espeut – Here To Learn
10. WheelUP & Sio – Magnetic
11. Sandunes, Ramya Pothuri & Zed Bias – Signs (Zed Bias Remix)
12. Nikitch & Alexis Moutzouris – Sans Titres
13. Hot 8 Brass Band – Big Tuba (Radio Edit)
14. Ebi Soda – Kim K (feat. BODUR)
15. Crafty 893 – Nothing Left (Radio Edit)
16. Call Sender – Palm Forest (Shawn Lee Remix)
17. Home Frango – Come Again
18. The Sindecut & Ijeoma – Cool Your Head
19. Sefi Zisling – All Alone
20. SHYGUY – Here She Comes (Instrumental)
21. Sharky – Hawaii
22. Benji Bower & The Terra Collective Orchestra – Artemis

VA - Nigeria Special Volume 3: Electronic Innovation Meets Culture And Tradition 1978​-​93

Soundway Records presents a collection of Nigerian music chronicling a time when drum machines, synthesisers, imported pop, reggae, disco and soul collided with highlife, juju and cultural music.

The late 70s saw a period of political turbulence and prompted change across the country. Following suit, musicians and producers entered a period of experimentation, adaptation, modification and innovation, using new technology to renew and refresh cultural traditions. Nigerians formed their own unique approach to the limitless creativity these new instruments offered, to reveal a distinct sound which would dominate local airwaves for the decade to come. Nigeria Special Volume 3 celebrates the rich diversity of culture and musical styles of the nation, showcasing eighteen tracks across various genres which laid foundations for the innovation of Afrobeats artists of today.

Triple Vinyl gatefold LP compiled by Miles Cleret and Jeremy Spellacey, includes a large 8 page booklet with detailed liner notes, record scans and never-seen-before photos.

Tracklist:
1. Ozzobia - Ndi Oma
2. Sammy Obot - Edue Ukot Akpa Itong
3. Eppi Fanio - Farofa Dancer
4. Etiene T. Boy - Jealousy
5. Pal Sagie - Esan
6. Ayo Manuel - Do Good
7. Chimex G. Udensity And His Afrikan Band - Okpoko Na Azo Eze
8. I.S.C.A.C. Band - Igbo Nwe Egwu
9. Jeje - Jeje
10. Dizzy K - Omoge
11. Blackman Akeeb Kareem - Oya A (Eje Kajo)
12. Mannix Okonkwo - Ka Anyi Gbaa Egwu
13. Jimi Solanke - Owo Orisa - Ancestral Respects
14. Feladey - Experience
15. Soki Ohale - Wumaya Awuma
16. Jap Band & Feladey - Japadodo
17. Sonny Okosun - Highlife
18. B.G.;Fibre - (G#) Thanks and Praises
19. Wura Fadaka Band - Eyo

Peshay - Re·View (Edit)

Peshay – Re·View Part One – a brand new 14-track collection USB album for 2024!
*Exclusive USB Edition Available only at Peshay.com*

Tracklist:
1. Supernova (Edit)
2. Breakin (Edit)
3. Sugarhill (Edit)
4. Stealth (Edit)
5. Hitchhiker (Edit)
6. Elysian (Edit) (feat. Steppa)
7. Jazz Club (Edit)
8. Let It Go (Edit) (feat. VSY)
9. Good Vibrations (Edit) (feat. Abbie Adi)
10. I Got The Feeling (Edit) (feat. Krazeman)
11. Superfly (Edit)
12. Red Sun (Edit) (feat. Steppa)
13. Funk You Up (Edit)
14. Universalis (Edit) (feat. VSY)