Joe Armon-Jones - All The Quiet (Part I)

Joe Armon-Jones is best known as the electric heart of Ezra Collective, the Mercury Prize–winning band that has stretched the shape of British jazz with dub, hip-hop, grime, Afrobeat and a sense of ecstatic possibility. A virtuosic keyboardist with a composer's instinct and a producer's ear, he's spent the past decade collapsing genre lines rather than tiptoeing around them. All The Quiet (Part I), his first solo release in six years and the opening half of a two-part project, serves as both return and recalibration—an artist-led statement that puts his voice, style and intent at the center.

Fully self-written and produced, Part I traverses jazz, funk, dub, hip-hop and soul, and doubles as a kind of community cipher, with appearances from a cross-section of London musicians, including Greentea Peng, Hak Baker and Nubya Garcia. Though largely instrumental, Armon-Jones invites vocalists on two tracks, threading voices into the mix without shifting the spotlight. He folds in Afrobeat arrangements—tight, punchy horn lines that nod to Fela—without slipping into imitation. Reggae and dub-informed bass is the rudder, guiding the tracks with patience while drums and keys move more freely.

"The Citadel" is driven by a stuttering boom-bap snare line that ratatats through the mix like distant gunfire, anchoring a brooding piano motif and sharp, cinematic horns. The groove is taut, almost paranoid, hip-hop in posture but shaded with jazz's harmonic depth and a dub-informed sense of space. Each element moves with off-kilter precision.

"Kingfisher" shares that sense of friction, this time pairing a restless snare pattern with a vocal feature from Asheber, whose refrain, "Where I come from," echoes like a soliloquy and a prayer. Armon-Jones answers with spare, searching piano phrases, tracing the rhythm's shape without softening its edge.

The record's most expansive moment is its final track, "Hurry Up and Wait," which stretches past the seven-minute mark and offers Armon-Jones space to cut loose. It's a slow burn that builds without rushing, giving him room to spiral outward at the keys, less interested in virtuosity than in feel, texture and flow.

Tracklist:
1. Lifetones
2. Forgiveness
3. Kingfisher (feat. Asheber)
4. Nothing Noble
5. Eye Swear (feat. Goya Gumbani)
6. Danger Everywhere
7. The Citadel
8. Snakes
9. Show Me
10. Hurry Up & Wait

Vega Trails - Sierra Tracks

Inspired by the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains north-west of Madrid, his home since August 2022, Milo Fitzpatrick presents Sierra Tracks the new album from his expansive, cinematic, chamber-jazz project Vega Trails.

Having cut 2022’s beautifully resonant debut album ‘Tremors in the Static’ as a duo, alongside saxophonist Jordan Smart (Mammal Hands and Sunda Arc), Milo now substantially expands upon that blueprint with his follow-up, ‘Sierra Tracks’, which, as the title suggests, was conceived at his new home in central Spain and adds piano, vibraphone and strings to the mix.

From the epic five-minute opener, ‘Largo’, onwards, there’s a cinematic feel to ‘Sierra Tracks’, as each piece unfolds according to its own sweeping narrative, often wonderfully evocative of the mountains’ wide-open spaces, and also sometimes elaborately arranged with cello, orchestral strings, vibraphone and piano, to evoke their awe-inspiring natural splendour. ‘Reverie’ has a refrain that fades in and out, like a daydream”. ‘Els’ is more firmly rooted in folk melody, while ‘Dream House’ and ‘Sleepwalk Tokyo’ boost a sense of otherworldliness.

Tracklist:
1. Largo
2. Els
3. Murmurations
4. Dream House
5. Clarifantasia
6. Reverie
7. Murmur
8. Old Friend; The Sea
9. When This Is Over
10. Sleepwalk Tokyo

Omar - Research & Brighter The Days

2025 is a big year for Omar Lyefook MBE, not only does it mark his 40th year as a recording artist, he has completed the first of two North American tours, his limited edition vinyl only release 'Lovey Dovey / This Thing Called Life' created a real buzz in clubs and on the airwaves, the previous single 'Can We Go Out? cementing his reputation as a consistently original, relevant musician.

Further buzz is guaranteed when brand new dance floor heater 'Research' hits the streets, this hard driving funk jam is a collaboration with Canadian born, LA based vocalist Honey Larochelle, the two singers plays the roles of duelling lovers on this duet, their voices riding atop the squelchy bass line and tough drum beat, and the chorus is simply and insanely catchy earworm that you won't be able stop humming.

Much of the new album was written during the pandemic lockdown, in particular 'Brighter The Days', the forthcoming albums title track, which is reflected in the songs lyrical themes of wanting freedom and growth for oneself and loved ones and the wider world “Music is what I live for" he states "but so too are my children. Brighter The Days just means something better is coming for all of us.” Sonically, in direct contrast to 'Research' the tune has a strong organic soul sound akin to Hi Records best 1970s releases, due in part to the rhythm raw sounding rhythm section and brass - all this is leading up to the release of his 'magnum opus' 9th studio album 'Brighter The Days' later this summer which promises to be Omar's most eclectic project ever.

Included in this package of brand new music is the incredible Zed Bias remix of the previous single 'Can We Go Out?' The two old friends have collaborated previously, in particular the 2010 remix of Omar's 'Dancing' which became a major dancefloor hit, and this new track has the same intense heat. In addition, there's the instrumental version of the epic, cinematic and orchestral 'This Thing Called Life', previously only available on the limited edition 'Lovey Dovey' vinyl 45. 

Tracklist:
1. Research (feat. Honey Larochelle)
2. Brighter The Days
3. Can We Go Out?
4. Can We Go Out? (Zed Bias Remix)
5. his Thing Called Life (Instrumental)

VA - Our Music Our Culture Vol. 1-2

The Gilles Peterson Worldwide award winning Co-Op club first opened its doors back in 2000, the brain child of Bugzintheattic artists and DJ's Afronaut & Mark Force.

Initially headed by residents Phil Asher, Demus, IG Culture and Dego, the Bugzintheattic crew and Domu later rejoined the residency. To those in the know, word of those original parties rapidly spread making attendance to these understated Sun-day nights compulsory. The music played was progressive but with a foot still firmly planted in the roots of black sound system culture, dub sirens fired off in between inch ups and rewinds while the open mic was passed around amongst MC’s and singers keen to expand their lyrical gymnastics. With the ethics and ethos of the initial collective of producers, DJs, programmers and artists now firmly in place, being pro artist, the Co0peration Records label was then set up by Mike and Spencer and Orin at Goya, with Robbie Walters and Mitchy Bwoy on graphics duties.

Over the past 24 years of this club driven scene, the growing Community took the broken beat genre that they pioneered to international levels, attracting overseas collaborators that in turn have contributed to defining and expanding this initially niche genre of music, making it more relevant today to other musical genres from funky House & Dub-step to Hip Hop, Jazz soul and more accessible to the wider population who may not have even realised they ACTUALLY like "broken beat”!

Community is at the heart of this phenomenon and in 2007 a new chapter was born in the shape of COOPR8, an online network set up by Bopstar & Afronaut for futuristic DJs, producers, graphic designers that are continuing to push the boundaries within their own creative disciplines whilst attracting established overseas artists and yet nurturing tomorrow's talents inspired by this scene.

Our Music Our Culture Vol. 1 was the first digital only Broken Beat compilation, to showcase the new music.

Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2 compilation features exclusive heavy hitters from the likes of Domu's Sonar's Ghost, label boss Mark Force’s Blakai & Lady Alma Horton project and also with keyboard supremo Joe Armon-Jones, Ben Hauke & man of the moment Don Kamares, Wipe The Needle featuring Andre Espeut, Bruk Rogers, and Mainz very own Soulparlor. 

Our Music Our Culture Vol. 1:
1. Ayro - Moving on
2. restless soul - Little Things
3. Mac Marc - Takes over me
4. Colonel Red - Victim
5. Bugz in the Attic - Reject
6. Domu - Nu vision
7. Altered Natives - Bone in your nose (Return of the Native)
8. Simbad - Digital Revolution
9. Karizma - I C U

Our Music Our Culture Vol. 2:
1. Andre Espeut - Here We Go
2. Mark Force - Solar Mode
3. Ben Hauke - Your Woke Moment
4. Soulparlor - Digital Soul (Naut’s L8 Nite Dub)
5. Blakai - Work it out (Blaktonez CoOp Rub)
6. Bruk Rogers - Get Stronger
7. Sonar's Ghost - Purest Dope (Domu’s exclusive mix)
8. Don Kamares - Loose Legs

The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble - Gemini

In Latin, the word Gemini denotes “two together” or “twins”. In astrological terms, Geminis are noted for, amongst other things, being curious and versatile. For San Diego’s 9-piece (mostly) instrumental combo The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, Jazz and Funk have always been the two genres that they’ve consistently and effectively melded together, forming the bedrock of their sound. Exercising their stylistic curiosity and versatility, they’ve expanded upon this foundation on their new 11-song long player for Colemine Records.

Recorded between late 2021 and early 2024 at The Kitchen II in their homebase of Lemon Grove, California, SFSE steer their “introspective party music” into fresh sonic realms. While their breakbeat-heavy brand of funk-soul-jazz is still the cornerstone of their sound, as displayed in tunes such as “Makin’ Moves”, “The Grifter” & “Don’t Trip”, they’ve begun to take more and more cues from library music labels such as KPM Music, spiritually-leaning jazz labels such as Tribe & Black Jazz Records and exotica-adjacent jazz artists such as Cal Tjader and Dorothy Ashby. Now leaning more into the “introspective” part of their sound, particularly on “Mother Earth”, “Freddie” and the title track, they evoke the spirits of Freddie Hubbard, Phil Ranelin, Wendell Harrison, Bubbha Thomas, Chester Thompson and even Cannonball Adderley at his headiest & most cosmic (listen to Adderley’s “Soul Zodiac” & “Soul of The Bible” albums for reference). “Corporatocracy” takes it a step further with an extended tabla solo, which floats in and rides the percussive wave before kicking into its funk-driven, modal vibe.

With their current lineup of Tim Felten on keys, Jake Najor on drums, Omar Lopez on bass, Kiko Cornejo Jr on conga/percussion, Aquiles “Lito” Magana on guitar, Wili Fleming on trombone, Sheryll Felten on percussion, and both Jesse Audelo & Travis Klein on saxophone & flute, SFSE maintains their commitment to keeping it funky, but dares to go where they haven’t gone before and, as a result, breaks intriguing new ground in their overall sound. 

Tracklist:
1. Makin' Moves
2. Las Olas
3. The Grifter
4. Mother Earth
5. Freddie
6. Don't Trip
7. The Alliance
8. The Lemon Groove
9. Gemini
10. Contemplation
11. Corporatocracy

Frollen Music Library - 001-015

“Do you need samples?”

We all ask ourselves this from time to time, and thankfully, Frollen Music Library (FML) has you covered.

‘001-015’ is a “best of” compilation celebrating the first 15 sample packs made by Naarm/Melbourne (AUS) based Frollen Music Library. Launching in late 2021, the sample house has since been featured in productions by ScHoolboy Q, Leon Thomas, Devin Malik and more.

This retrospective “best of” traverses a wide range of styles and moods to appeal to every music enthusiast as well as producers and songwriters alike. Whether it’s bouncing Hip Hop beats or evocative cinematic etudes, FML’s 3-piece house band, comprising Henry Jenkins, Darvid Thor and Hudson Whitlock have a deep love and respect for many musical styles. FML’s diverse catalogue takes cues from the ‘Third Stream’ composer David Axelrod on their ‘Sharpen Your Axe’ (FML009) pack, as well as drawing upon cinematic themes from 60’s and 70’s Italian film score composers a la Ennio Morricone and Riz Ortolani, as heard on ‘The Fretted Neck’ (FML006). There are 90’s New York boom bap beats found in ‘Golden’ (FML013), as well as synthesiser music inspired by Tonto, which is showcased in the ‘Nina’s Exploding Brain’ (FML014) pack, utilising a locally made synthesiser from Melbourne Instruments.

Jenkins, Thor and Whitlock have been playing in bands and producing music for their local music scene for the last 15 years. Recording and performing with The Cactus Channel, Karate Boogaloo, Mo’Ju, Surprise Chef and many many more. Not only is this brand-new LP a great musical collage worthy of any music library enthusiast, but also functions as a tremendous sampler demonstrating the many styles of FML. Fast, slow, sweet AND sour!

You can find ’001-015’ in all good record stores. 

Tracklist:
1. Lost
2. Chupa Chups
3. The Hands Of Time
4. Red and Blue and Green
5. Eff Emm Ell Baby
6. Numero Uno
7. Outta My Way
8. Zap
9. Humble Pie
10. Dreamz
11. Jet Pack
12. Machine Mind
13. Faded
14. Clear The Air
15. Unclearly
16. Darkness Falls
17. Dial Up
18. Running
19. Sei Cardigani di Bali
20. Skeleton Key
21. Day One
22. Lemon Tarts
23. Follow The Light
24. Top Down
25. Rock Candy
26. Senza Tutti
27. Snoozin'
28. Emenee

Yussef Dayes In Japan (Film) 富士山

Antonio Sánchez - The Studio (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack)

Tracklist:
1. Temple of Cinema
2. Ice Cube Is Gone
3. It’s Happening
4. Surrounded / We’re Not So Different
5. Presenting to Griffin Mill
6. Continental Films
7. That’s Your Offer?
8. This Is Bad / The Only One I Trust
9. Buscemi
10. Are You Looking For Me?
11. Trailer Crisis
12. Follow Me / America’s Population
13. Casual Chat / Payola
14. Noir Suite
15. They’re Onto Us
16. Too Close To The Edge

Sully - Model Collapse / The Wash

** FABRICLIVE announce first ever original artist release **

25 years-deep at the forefront of soundsystem culture, via their legendary Friday night dances and DJ mix series, the iconic FABRICLIVE welcomes a new chapter, with their inaugural artist release, by Sully. A perfect representation of the label’s renewed vision, and a key landmark in the continuum, ‘Model Collapse’ sonically mirrors both FABRICLIVE’s rich history and new vision, reaffirming their position as an essential platform for cutting-edge bass music.

Continuing an impeccable run of bar-raising releases by Sully, with ‘Model Collapse’ the Norwich don yet again demonstrates why he’s at the top of his game, with two Lazer-focussed jungle/d&b weapons. Influenced by his formative years on the free party scene, the intensely vivid title track ‘Model Collapse’ merges caustic acid tekno with techstep depth, sharp gritty beats and classic low-end wobble.

An exercise in tone, pitch and harmonics, the warped synths, processed voices and masterful drumwork of ‘The Wash’ highlight an artist deep in the zone, manipulating sounds with a maverick midas touch.

Described by DJ Mag as “one of jungle’s brightest stars” and as “a driving force in the evolution of jungle” by Clash, Sully is an original, forward-thinking innovator, who transcends the pastiche of rave revival. He has released hugely popular, game-changing tunes on labels including Rupture, Over/Shadow, Keysound Recordings and Astrophonica.

The EP comes as a bespoke vinyl edition, featuring a striking picture disc and etched design, mastered by Matt Colton at Metropolis and manufactured by The Vinyl Factory, everything is UK made.

The artwork comes courtesy of John Karborn, a London-based artist, on whom Sully comments, “we have a few projects under our belt now and I've always enjoyed the process. He's a dynamo of ideas and I'm never quite sure where they'll lead, which is 99% of the fun with this stuff. Conversely, FABRICLIVE is a new partnership for me but it's clear we are on the same page in terms of trying something a bit different and being a bit ambitious with the presentation."

Tracklist:
1. Model Collapse
2. The Wash

DJ Muro & Weldon Irvine - Diggin Groove Diggers - Unlimited Rare Groove

★First limited edition★Gatefold paper jacket specification

MURO, Japan's world-renowned King Of Diggin', continues to reissue rare grooves, treasured recordings from all over the world, and in this latest MIX series he presents a selection of music from the vast catalog of P-VINE's "GROOVE-DIGGERS" series, ranging from current SOUL / JAZZ / FUNK / JAZZ FUNK, regardless of genre or era!

This time, we have a latest mix of selected recordings from the many classic albums left behind by the legendary musician Weldon Irvine, who was loved by people of all generations and genres for his cutting-edge style and touching, emotional melodies, from the jazz and soul scene of the 70s to the club and rare groove scene of the 90s and beyond!

*We would like you to enjoy this work by listening directly to the song selections made by MURO, so we will not disclose the track list [songs/artists]. You will have to listen to it to enjoy! Please enjoy the true pleasure of a MIX CD! (The track list/artists and other credits will be listed on the product.)

■MURO
MURO is the world-famous King of Diggin' that Japan can be proud of. As the "world's best digger," he has expanded his range of producing/DJing activities from underground to major, and worldwide. He is currently releasing many official label mixes and has gained tremendous support both in Japan and overseas. He is also listed as a producer for the new label "TOKYO RECORDS" and has released a cover album "Waon," making him an artist whose activities are attracting attention in a wide range of fields.

Tracklist:
1. Blues for Amadou
2. Marjorie Moon
3. Turkis Bath
4. Deja Vu (Short Version)
5. Mr. Clean
6. Soul Sister
7. Sister Sanctified
8. Homey
9. Fat Mouth
10. Sun Drops
11. Bananas
12. Hip Hop Speaks
13. Music is the Key
14. Ghetto Lament
15. Break Bread (Jazz Mix)

Spiral Deluxe - The Love Pretender

The Love Pretender album of Spiral Deluxe is the final work of the super group that was recorded in Tokyo Japan back in 2018-2019. The compositions have had numerous mix-down sessions in Paris France at the famous Studio Ferber under the supervision of the band’s creator and producer Jeff Mills. Though most of it was recorded in one solidary session over a period of two days, with special guest artist visiting the studio throughout each of the sessions.

As we routinely established from the beginning, there was never a discussion or plan for what type of music we were going to record so, the album tracks vary in style and direction, which displays the group’s vast array of interest in many forms of music. Most compositions were recorded in one take. Most of the recordings were initiated and started by percussionist Jeff Mills and bassist Jino Hino, then joined soon after by Gerald Mitchell and Yumiko Ohno.

And at the Paris mix-down sessions, Mills enlisted veteran guitarist, the late Sylvain Luc on a few tracks for rhythm and masterful solo parts that added a 1970’s American laidback west coast feel to them.

Tracklist:
1. Society's Man
2. The Soloist
3. Shapeshifters
4. The Drive
5. The Power of Miracles
6. Paris Roulette (Long Mix)
7. Uptown
8. Society's Man (No Comment Mix)

Conductor Williams - Listen to Your Body. Talk to Plants. Ignore People. (Remastered)

Tracklist:
1. Triumphant
2. Return
3. Seven
4. Lace Up
5. Cry
6. Invasion
7. Sistah
8. Last Time
9. Listen to the Plants
10. Outside
11. The Leader
12. Love Lost
13. Live by Your Rep
14. We Don't Care
15. Just What I Need
16. Is It

44th Move - Anthem

44th Move is the combined creative force of world class Jazz talents Alfa Mist & Richard Spaven. As individuals both artists have a rich history spanning classic projects like Alfa's Antiphon & Rich's legendary drum work with Flying Lotus and Goldie. When coming together as 44th Move they caused an immediate stir with their genre busting forays into Dance and Hip Hop. Anthem is their debut album where they continue the tradition of an R&D mindstate. Here they combine forces with Bristol turntablist royalty Awkward and Detroit Rapper / Producer Quelle Chris. The album moves through Hip Hop, Techno and DnB influences while remaining firmly rooted in a Jazz-ified sonic palette.

Tracklist:
1. 10 Photos
2. Anthem
3. The Move (feat. Quelle Chris)
4. Different Light
5. 2nd September
6. Free Hit
7. Free Hit Outro
8. Second Wave
9. Barrage

VA - Music for Record Stores, Vol. 1

15x full length tracks from OPOLOPO, Dr Packer, corto.alto, Moodena & more! Curated by ‘Paul Conway Presents MIOGA’

Tracklist:
1. Corto.Alto – Latency (Opolopo Remix)
2. Vladimir Cetkar – We Will Never End (Dr Packer Dubstrumental Mix)
3. WARDELL PIPER – Legendary (Ali Aitken Remix)
4. Ariane Mamon – Dangerous Trees (Manuel Costela Remix)
5. TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI – Small Hours (Paul Conway presents MIOGA Remix)
6. Miku Yonezawa – Miss Funk (Moodena Remix)
7. TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI – Rise Up (Ali Aitken Remix)
8. Vladimir Cetkar – Time Goes By (Dr Packer Remix)
9. Michiyo – Jazz Monk (Paul Conway presents MIOGA Remix)
10. Miku Yonezawa – Spiral Fall (Fizzikx Jazz Fusion Remix)
11. Manuel Costela – Believe
12. Helena Kay's KIM Trio – Strawberry Terrace (Don Pascal Remix)
13. Burçe Karaca – Saçında Yılanlar (Paul Conway presents MIOGA Remix)
14. George Loggos – Vibes
15. TOKYO GROOVE JYOSHI – Funk No.1 (Scruscru Remix)

Red Snapper - Reeled & Skinned (30th Anniversary Edition)

When electronic pioneers, Coldcut, dropped their groundbreaking Journeys by DJ mixtape in 1995, one of its standout moments came towards the very end of the mix. Amidst the era’s finest beat-makers and electronic visionaries, the DJ duo teased a hypnotic, looping double bass line, followed by haunting sax, thunderous drums, and guitar, before seamlessly blending into the Radiophonic Workshop's Doctor Who Theme. That earworm bass line? It’s the signature sound of Red Snapper’s Hot Flush, forever etched in the listener’s brain.

Fast forward 30 years, and Red Snapper is reissuing their Reeled & Skinned compilation on Warp. The collection includes Hot Flush in both its original form and the remix by Andrew Weatherall’s Sabres of Paradise. It brings together the trio's self-released early EPs from ’94 and ’95, a time when they quickly gained a reputation on the London live scene, captivating jazz, hip-hop, and dance heads alike.

Now, Reeled & Skinned is available on vinyl again for the first time in decades, remastered and featuring an additional track, Area 51, recorded during the same period.

Tracklist:
1. Snapper (feat. Beth Orton)
2. Hot Flush
3. Cortina
4. Swank
5. In Deep (feat. Beth Orton)
6. Area 51
7. Lobster
8. Hot Flush (Sabres of Paradise Remix)
9. Wesley Don't Surf
10. One Legged Low Frequency Guy

Makaya McCraven - In The Moment (IA11 Edition)

Makaya McCraven’s International Anthem debut 'In The Moment' is the album that properly introduced the then-burgeoning drummer/producer to the world. In many ways, it also laid the groundwork for a working method that both McCraven and the label have returned to again and again over the years: nearly 48 hours of live improvised performance recorded by IARC house engineer Dave Vettraino at 1 venue over 12 months and 28 shows - culled, cut, rendered, and remixed into 19 potent pieces of organic beat music by McCraven.

This early exploration of the concept is based in the nightlife—in relaxed and unostentatious gatherings of prodigious Chicago musicians letting loose one moment at a time. That the individual stature of the musicians involved has risen dramatically in the years since is only proof positive that these sessions in a renovated bank vault were a casually high-level convention of some of the city’s best.

The IA11 Edition LP features our IARC 2025 obi strip, plus additional photos and new liner notes by engineer Dave Vettraino in a 4-page insert booklet.

Tracklist:
1. Exploration Intro
2. The Jaunt
3. Slightest Right
4. First Thing First
5. Lonely
6. Gnawa
7. On The Spot
8. Butterscotch
9. Tom Tom
10. Three Fifths a Man
11. In The Moment
12. Quartz
13. Just Stay Right There
14. Untitled
15. Requests
16. Time Travel
17. The Encore
18. The Drop
19. Finances
20. Sweet Tooth (digital-only bonus track)
21. Some More (digital-only bonus track)
22. The Quest (digital-only bonus track)
23. The People's Interlude (digital-only bonus track)

Furney - Every Word

Furney returns to Soul Deep with an impressive collection of dancefloor gems, which are now available in all major digital stores and streaming sites. The British producer has been active in the Drum & Bass scene for the last couple of decades, releasing many classic tracks that have withstood the test of time. Furney’s strength as a producer is his ability to mix and match samples, and when blended with his stellar drum and bassline grooves creates his signature masterpieces. The ‘Every Word LP’ is another example of his keen sampling ear and groove-making ability on full display. With releases on Soul Deep Exclusives, Smooth N Groove, Good Looking, Jazzsticks, C.I.A., Phuzion, V Recordings, Liquid Drum & Bass 4 Autism, and many others, Furney continues to impress with his high-quality productions. We hope you enjoy the LP!!

Tracklist:
1. Every Word
2. Absolute Control
3. Move On
4. Dream Seller
5. Swanko
6. Long Kiss Good Night
7. Drift Spree
8. Drive Through the Night
9. Touch Me
10. Los Buenos el Chiquitos
11. Optical
12. Columino

The Lewis Express - Doo-Ha!

ATA are proud to release their latest recording of The Lewis Express – Doo Ha!

Featuring flautist Chip Wickham and recorded live to 2-inch analogue tape at All Things Analogue Studios, Leeds, UK, this album is a living, breathing tribute to the golden age of soul-jazz — the electric alchemy of smoky clubs, Sunday afternoons at the record store, and the spiritual communion of groove and grit.

But this isn't nostalgia. It's revival. It's a reminder that music has always been about feel, not files. A testament to ATA’s belief that sound — real sound — should be lived in, worn-in, and passed down like a well-loved record from one hand to the next.

The Lewis Express began as a humble idea — a tribute to the great soul-jazz recordings of yesteryear. Drawing inspiration from luminaries like Ramsey Lewis, Les McCann, and Galt MacDermot, we sought to channel that unmistakable energy — the kind of jazz that hits your feet and hips first.

The core of the group is the rhythm section – ATA luminaries Sam Hobbs on drums and label owner Neil Innes on bass, augmented by Sam Bell on congas and John Ellis on piano and Wurlitzer. It would be invidious to pick out any one of these, when the group sound is so unified, so well-educated in every aspect, and so tight (in the best possible way – through an elastic, dynamic thread of sheer groove).

Chip Wickham’s flutes (in the usual concert pitch and the lower, huskier alto model) add the melodic phrasing and tone shapes we love to hear, from whispers to wails, coming mighty close at times to the soul tones of the beloved vocals that defined the era.

The album features seven shades of soul-jazz, from the downhome strut of Walk On, through the New Orleans, prayer-meeting influenced Run Tell That and the cooler, more detached soundtrack hipness of Cold Catch, to the joyous Sliced, Diced and Fried Twice – a reminder that music shares so much language and emotion with food, and the term soul applies to both. The Saint And The Stranger is yet another take on the more cinematic soul sound, with nods to the policier soundtracks of Cinevox, whilst Snick Snack gratifies our appetite for yet more hot, greasy blues. Finally, How Long Before You’re Gone rounds out the album with a groove that wouldn’t be out of place on a Nina Simone playlist, a reminder that there has always been more to soul-jazz than late nights and fried chicken.

Doo Ha! is a great soul-jazz record but, more than that, it’s a testament to the love of soul thriving in the North of England, and a chance for you to be part of this era of that history.

Tracklist:
1. Walk On
2. Run Tell That
3. Cold Catch
4. Slice, Diced and Fried Twice
5. The Saint And The Stranger
6. Snick Snack
7. How Long Before You're Gone?

Whatever The Weather - Whatever the Weather II

Across a remarkable run of releases in barely half a decade, London’s Loraine James has established her identity through a blend of refined composition, gritty experimentation, and unpredictable, intricate electronic programming. While titles released under her given name on the esteemed label Hyperdub tend toward IDM-influenced, vocal-heavy collaborations, James reserves her alias, Whatever The Weather, for a more impressionistic, inward gaze. On Whatever The Weather II, rich worlds of layered textures flow seamlessly from hypnotic ambience, to mottled rhythms, to cut-up collages of diaristic field recordings. The result is a uniquely fractured beauty, born from a compelling union of organic and human elements, processed through a variety of digital and analogue methods.

James titled Whatever The Weather pieces based on an innate sense of their “emotional temperature” at the time of recording, but she notes that often, upon revisiting them, they will feel somewhere else entirely on the thermometer; such are the whims of the environment. Compared to the album’s predecessor and its Antarctic imagery, though, Whatever The Weather II is a warmer outing, as signaled by the desert clime of its cover photo which is once again shot by Collin Hughes, and the package designed by Justin Hunt Sloane. Also common to both albums is the mastering work of friend and collaborator Josh Eustis (aka Telefon Tel Aviv), who lends his keen ear to James’ complexities, to craft a strikingly three-dimensional sonic experience.

“1°C” opens the album with James speaking through thick static, idly pining, “Bit chilly, innit… Can’t wait for it to be summer,” as a bed of granular tones and scattered vocal samples emerges. This ineffable mood carries through “3°C”, where high-frequency oscillations flutter across the stereo field, a vigorous, minimal kick rattles through a broken speaker cone, and spacious synth harmonies burst and fade into mist. “20°C”, the longest entry in the collection, daydreams through a din of conversation and minor-key chords, before blossoming into a series of glitchy, staccato percussion patterns. “8°C” rides a sole, wandering keyboard line adorned with minimal counterpoint. In these moments, James effortlessly draws order from a diffusion of ideas, and an air of playful spontaneity creates the common thread.

In discussing this project, James notes that the first Whatever The Weather LP (Ghostly, 2022) was created concurrently with Reflection (Hyperdub, 2021), and that there was some degree of stylistic cross-pollination between her two musical frames of mind. At the time, she shared her feelings on genre with Pitchfork’s Philip Sherburne, noting, “Yeah, I might look different from most people who make IDM, and I’m from a different time period, but I don’t really care about the term being negative or positive. I feel my music is IDM and I do my own spin on it, being inspired by other stuff and fusing it all together.” This go around, she dedicated several months of focused energy to the alias, and to the development of its distinctions: no collaborators, fewer beats, and a process based primarily on instinct and improvisation.

The album’s singular sound arises from James’ favoring of hardware over software, as her battery of synths is modulated, transformed, and reassembled through an array of pedals with few or no overdubs, effectively anchoring each arrangement to its precise moment of creation. The greatest effort in post-production was given to sequencing, on which the artist places the utmost importance; taken as a whole, the suite ebbs and flows with a fitting sense of seasonal flux and naturalistic grace.

The final act of Whatever The Weather II offers some of its most affecting moments, beginning with “9°C”, where the haunting echoes of children on a Tokyo playground break through intermittent bursts of static, steeped in a bath of off-kilter, bubbling tones. Here, James displays one of her many strengths: a fearless approach to sonic collage, elevated by ambitious experimentation and pacing that manages plenty of surprises. Never content to remain in the same sonic space for too long, “15°C” follows with soft pads and glistening countermelodies, abruptly joined by a jarring, cyclical rhythm that mimics a loose part inside a whirring machine. Like much of James’ work, it bears an internal logic that only makes sense in her hands.

Closing track, “12°C”, drifts from bustling human spaces into a concrete groove, weaving melody and texture into a truly unusual, soul-stirring fullness. In its final moments we hear, for the first time, a languid acoustic guitar and gentle, finger-tapped beat over her pitch-shifted voice, a callback that ends the album with wry ambiguity, and a hint of more to be found beyond the horizon. Whatever The Weather II is full of such passages, where formal composition appears like a film in negative, and conventions are upturned with wit, intelligence, and skill. 
 
Tracklist:
1. 1°C
2. 3°C
3. 18°C
4. 20°C
5. 23°C (Intermittent Sunshine)
6. 5°C
7. 8°C
8. 26°C
9. 11°C (Intermittent Rain)
10. 9°C
11. 15°C
12. 12°C

The Invaders - Spacing Out

Spacing Out is an instrumental masterpiece only ever issued in Bermuda at the turn of 1970. A mix of the band's out-there original compositions and extravagant covers of The Meters, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and The Isley Brothers, it established this band as one of the greatest instrumental bands of any genre, and helped kickstart the retro-soul/funk scenes that birthed the likes of Daptone and Big Crown Records. It's certainly a lodestar for Now-Again Records.

This reissue was done with the license and participation of the entire Invaders band, with their story told in great detail in an oversized booklet penned by Jefferson "Chairman" Mao, complete with rare photos of this rarely seen ensemble.

From the proverbial stank face-inducing opening bars of reverb-drenched drums and congas that announce Spacing Out, you're thrust into something visceral and fleeting: a pocket universe in which technical excess, chemistry between players, and the uninhibited energy of youth align in a kind of glorious imperfection. Spacing Out is one of the greatest instrumental albums of its or any period in that unmistakably raw - as in honest - way only a crew of largely self-taught young uns could catch a groove.

Mysteriously dub-like in its audio and visual presentation, it's exemplary of what George Clinton cited when he explained funk as, "Anything it needs to be to save your life at that time." James Brown had already aged well into adulthood when he alchemized the essential elements of funk. But the Godfather's late '60s rhythm revolution inspired countless kids barely out of their teens to pick up instruments, form bands and attack the R&B songbook with a ferocity that prioritized proper allegiance to the One. Funk's youth movement reverberated across the globe. And in the curious case of The Invaders, ascended across an imagined echo-imbued cosmos from a tropical island blast-off in Bermuda, where those sounds ricocheted off and reanimated every lick as an otherworldly transmission, infusing a vibe both earthy and interstellar. 

Tracklist:
1. It's Your Thing
2. Lost Times
3. Can't Get Next To You
4. The House That Jack Built
5. Look A Py Py
6. Bossa Blue
7. Spacing Out
8. Where Are We
9. Latin Lips
10. It's Your Thing Part 2

Kutmah - Sacred Conversations

A beat tape for the brotha from anotha planet, the most high Ras G & the Afrikan Space Program.

Tracklist:
1. The Almighty
2. Holy G / We Movin'
3. Ruff Church Break
4. A Love Supreme Space Program
5. Smell the Blunts
6. Kemetic Alchemy
7. Times Is Hard
8. Rise / Travel On
9. Blukka Blukka
10. Rag Tag Beat
11. It's a Sin to Go Away
12. If they Push that Button
13. East Los
14. Be Free
15. Khali
16. Smoke With a G
17. Staring At G's Mural
18. Spaced Out G
19. Carry You Away feat. Alia
20. Raw Data
21. Poo-bah Crate Talk
22. Late Night Drive
23. Aida
24. Sacred Teachings
25. To the Sun
26. Amen Ra feat. Low Leaf

VA - Praise Poems, Vol. 10

Watch out! You are holding the 125th (one-hundred-and-twenty fifth!) album on Tramp Records in your hands! We are honored to celebrate this impressive anniversary with the tenth volume in the Praise Poems series. This time, too, we go on a journey to discover previously unheard regions of jazz, folk and AOR from the 1970s and 80s.

Praise Poems Vol.10 presents sixteen (almost) forgotten rare groove gems, all released between the years 1970 and 1984. One of the many highlights is the opening track: “Fields of Laughter” by Color Me Blu - originally released on an acetate only of which two copies exist worldwide. But there is much, much more to discover. This brandnew volume features a wide range of genres, from AOR (Whiz Kids, Ross Miller, and another previously unreleased track by Harve & Charee) to Latin-Rock a’la Santana (Color Me Blue, Tribal Sinfonia, and Apple) to Soul-Jazz (Ernie Lewis Trio, Joe Bozzi Quintet or Dutch saxophonist Frits Kaatee). Right at the end, one track in particular stands out: the wonderful “It's Good Not To Forget” by George Melvin and his quintet - a fabulously dreamy, thoughtful instrumental piece in the style of Ramsey Lewis with catchy tune potential.

Not many compilation series make it to a tenth edition. And if they do, then you often notice that the quality of the songs goes in the opposite direction to the increasing number of series: namely decreasing. Not so with Praise Poems Vol. 10, which the creators prove in an impressive new way. They have found tracks that were originally either a) pressed by the musicians themselves in very small editions or b) released by small, regional labels. It is understandable that neither the musicians nor these small labels had the necessary knowledge or budget to market their albums or singles professionally. The majority of the bands therefore did not manage to reach a large audience - although they certainly had the potential for the big stage.

“Praise Poems 10 - A journey into soulful jazz and funk from the 1970s” makes these almost 50-year-old treasures accessible to a new audience. We hope that you enjoy discovering your personal favorite song(s) and we are already looking forward to many more releases! 

Tracklist:
1. Color Me Blu - Fields of Laughter
2. apple - Love Melody in E Minor
3. Tribal Sinfonia - Do You Want Me
4. Harve and Charee - New Me
5. Kwartet Frits Kaatee - Easy Evil
6. Ernie Scott Trio - Souled Out
7. Bunker Hill - Dionysis
8. SAN DIEGO - Sands of Malibu, Pt.1
9. SAN DIEGO - Sands of Malibu, Pt.2
10. Synod - Sheryl Song Is Gonna Do My Dancing
11. WHIZ KIDS - Long Time Gone
12. Ross Miller - I Can Love Her Anyway
13. Thunderbolt the Wondercolt - Ragged Edge
14. Eyrle Oliver - Lovely Lady
15. Lisa Richards - A Day in the Life of a Fool
16. Joe Bozzi Quintet - Masquerade
17. George Melvin Quintet - It's Good Not to Forget

Medline - The Edge

Welcome into the world of scarce music for the ultimate connoisseurs, fine taste beatmakers and holy grails collectors. You made a step close to The Edge.

From cult Italian soundtrack or 80's iconic anime, English and French library music, to tunes that made Hip Hop cult tracks, Medline picked 11 compositions to cover, among his favorite crate diggers treasures.

Experienced by a 30 years Dj activity, he unites on vinyl a collection of underground to well known classics. When many musicians sample, as former beatmaker, Medline founds today his fulfillment by playing the entire compositions, as homage to their originators.

In 2018 Solstice has set the corner stone of this unique project in the world of rare groove producer at the cross road of Jazz, Funk, Soul and Hip Hop music culture.

With The Edge, the out of boundaries French Chilean producer, placed the level even more higher. The whole work is incredible, for a man alone, without music theory knowledge but playing flutes, horns, keyboard, guitar and many other instruments... creating in his little home studio in Messac, France, the sound of a 70's orchestra.

Epic and Challenging:
Epic for covers like A Day In The Life, Beatles cover by Les Demerle, took by Buck Wild for O.C. Time's Up and of course the eponym David Axelrod's The Edge on David McCallum album.

Challenging for library anthems like Hot Dog, Ghetto or Keep Quiet by Jacky Giordano, sharp and definitely audacious. Despite the variety of the eleven themes, the man's touch is present to the core each time, into the textures, sound taste and balance.

As archetypal records Mybags loves to release, "The Edge" is built as a crate digger paradise, a timeless record linking past and present into a highly concentrate of high quality grooves.

The final touch couldn't have been better for this Lp dressed by the talented Painter member of the 9th Concept, Theo Lopez. "Tropic Thunder" the orignal paint is an amazing energetic and vibrant picture. In the style of enigmatic abstract library covers, with an explosion of sharp swords like figures with cutting edge. As usual, we offer a A2 size poster of this amazing artwork, so that it can live from its own bringing beautifulness to your home.

El disco es cultura!

Tracklist:
1. Smoke Gets In Your Head
2. A Day In The Life
3. Keep Quiet
4. The Blue Boat
5. Le Vieux Vaisseau
6. The Edge
7. The Fence
8. Hot Dogs
9. Ghetto
10. Coffee Cold

Kuna Maze - Layers

“Kuna Maze is cooking something special!” – Clash
“Loving everything Kuna Maze is making right now” – Rohan Rakhit
“A Brussels-based producer who's changing the game up!” – Tarzsa
“I’m loving Kuna Maze right now!” – Jamz Supernova (BBC 6Music)

Kuna Maze bottles the improvisational spirit of live performance on his new album ‘Layers’

‘Layers’ is the sophomore album by Brussels-based producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Kuna Maze, aka Edouard Gilbert. The live-driven, 11-track LP features the singles “Stab” “Bristol Changes” and "Blast". The band are celebrating the album at their release party on Friday 7th March, at AB Concerts in Brussels.

Following the success of Kuna Maze's debut album ‘Night Shift’—a concept record exploring the journey into the night, ‘Layers’ offers a dynamic fusion of textures and tones, creating a listening experience that reveals new depths with each spin.

‘Layers’ is a project deeply influenced by Kuna Maze's experience of touring with his live band. “My aim was to capture the energy and improvisational spirit of live performances, while diving deeper into the jazz influences of my music, all while maintaining the electronic vibe that has always defined my sound”. Kuna Maze worked directly with the band in the studio to record his compositions, channelling the energy, emotion and spontaneity that are present in his live shows.

This album can be seen as a jazz record that invites deep listening at home and offers a glimpse into Kuna Maze's vibrant live energy. Drawing from the dynamic UK jazz scene, Kuna Maze’s music takes jazz as a foundation and expands into various genres—from house to dub—pushing boundaries without sacrificing coherence or his own unique sound signature.

The title ‘Layers’ reflects Kuna Maze’s approach to music and art as a whole. “I love the idea of multiple levels of listening, where each time you hear a song, you notice something new. My composition process often involves layering instruments and tracks, gradually building a rich, textured sound.” We see this in the focus track “Backlash”, which captures a unique blend of nostalgia and energy, driven by a heavy, pulsating synth that sets the tone from the very beginning. Though the concept of layering extends beyond music for Kuna Maze,it’s also present in how he approaches art and even clothing, where fabrics and textures come together to create something greater. It’s all about creating depth and complexity, both sonically and visually.

Holding down previous residencies on Brussels’ essential radio platform, Kiosk Radio and community music space Volta, Kuna Maze has firmly made Brussels his home, a metropolis with a flourishing and emulating jazz-electronic scene (home to Alia, Echt!, Le Motel, Lefto, Mika Oki). Constantly evolving and adapting his sounds, Kuna Maze has played alongside accomplished producers, such as Nosaj Thing, Flako, Lapalu and Machinedrum, while boasting releases on Cascade and Galant Records.

Tracklist:
1. Backlash
2. Jolt
3. Maina
4. Layered Memories
5. Blast
6. Bristol Changes
7. Tangle
8. Hazy Day
9. Stab
10. Scraps & Pieces
11. Kuna's Dub