2018

Beats by Samiyam. Cover by Samiyam. This is Sam's second album on Stones Throw.Advancing the unfolding legacy of instrumental hip-hop at Stones Throw is Samiyam’s Pizza Party: 24 minutes of off-kilter mobster music mixed with a warm soul sound that is unmistakably L.A. producer and beatmaker Samiyam. Praised by his collaborators Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, The Alchemist, and Flying Lotus, Sam’s independent beat tape ventures and instrumental albums are revered by rappers, respected by producers. Pizza Party is free of samples from the characteristically dusty vinyl grooves and warped tapes of past recordings. Instead, we have originally- played synthesizer and FX in unison with the off-the-grid drum patterns and aesthetic sonic swagger that Samiyam owns. The last track, “What Can I Do,” features co-production with Jonwayne.Samiyam grew up Sam Baker in Michigan. He was among a network of post-Donuts producers focusing on instrumental hip-hop beat as the finished work, who found themselves migrating west and huddling in the scene around Low End Theory in east Los Angeles. That’s where Flying Lotus met Sam and released Rap Beats Vol. 1 as the debut on Brainfeeder in 2008.Three other albums followed – Sam Baker’s Album (Brainfeeder, 2011), Wish You Were Here (Leaving, 2013), and Animals Have Feelings (Stones Throw, 2016) – along with production work for Earl Sweatshirt, Captain Murphy, and Pharoahe Monch.

Kuzich (Perth, AUS) is no stranger to the music industry - having toured extensively as a drummer with acts like Tame Impala, Ta-ku, Drapht, The Growl, Cameron Avery. 823 is a creative label founded by the artist Ta-ku & also the numerical representation of the phrase 'Thinking Of You'. It represents the appreciation for the people/ideas/places that inspire us and push us forward. As a label we are proud to present a series of musical releases that showcase the artists musical & visual endeavors. The artwork is shot by the artist themselves & each release has an accompanying photo zine that acts as a visual story that compliments the music they wrote at that time. It was only fitting to have Ta-ku’s friend/collaborator & band member, Kuzich to start this series off. Ta-Ku: Kuzich is a multi-faceted, multi-talented multi-vitamin.Equal parts down to earth and otherworldly.Having spent years traversing the earth, making sonic accompaniments for untold tales, his dusty backlog is finally being excavated from the basement. Dawn Chorus chronicles the absurdity and beauty of the everyday.Take a minute…With Kuzich first official release, we get a taste of his unique versatility & multi-instrumentalism in every track. The Perth (AUS) born musician is no stranger to the music industry - having toured extensively as a drummer with acts like Tame Impala, Ta-ku, Drapht, The Growl, Cameron Avery & many more. In between tours he has always been known to float & explore corners of the earth that lead him to meeting colorful personalties & creating soulful eclectic music. He’s always hoarded his own music - which has lead to layers & layers of passion, perspectives & percussion. The 12” vinyl version comes with a visual zine - all of which photos are taken exclusively by Kuzich on film with his Ricoh GR1s point & shoot camera. The cover art was also shot by Kuzich on film at Mt Rinjani, Indonesia.

Fat Beats Records is proud to present Baker’s Dozen, an exclusive series that shines a light on the best minds of instrumental hip-hop, ambient, and electronic music. Each installment gives one artist carte blanche to capture their signature sound.Every volume’s limited vinyl pressing features one artist and twelve tracks, and comes equipped with a 5x7” postcard insert that features a photo of the artist’s workspace along with the equipment used in their music-making process. Visually cohesive and packaged with the utmost attention to detail, Baker’s Dozen is a series that speaks up for artists whose craft renders voices superfluous, whose instrumentals alone suffice to make a statement.Volume eight highlights LA producer Exile, who breaks down his creative process below:“Making music from nothing, pre-internet you had to teach yourself or make homies with the local legend to drop gems on their process of making beats. Now you can take classes on how to make beats. It doesn’t matter if you use a Roland MS1 or MPC 2000XL, sampling records or sampling yourself playing the keys... get lost in the music, stay thankful, and remember the feeling of why you do this. That is my process. ”- Exile

12" vinyl single, 45RPM.Both songs written and composed by Jules-Henry Malaki remastered by Benjamin Joubert at Biduloscope studio, ParisFollowing the success of the Retro Zouk mixtapes series (https://soundcloud.com/secousse/sets/retro-zouk-mixtapes), Secousse Radio proudly presents its first official vinyl rerelease of a long lost Zouk banger.Originally released in 1993-1994, those two tracks have been road-tested in various clubs and parties for months and the feedback is clear: it is dancefloor devastation business.Their author is Jules-Henry Malaki, an established and self produced artist from Guadeloupe, a French overseas island in the Southern Carribbean sea.As the popularity of Zouk music keeps growing every day in Europe, America and Asia, just whisper the name ‘Makiyaj’ to any of the best DJs from the current tropical / diggers scene and watch their eyes scintillate… This secret weapon shall not remain secret very long.

Mona Musique returns with more delectable Deep House for it’s second release : the debut EP from veteran DJ Lea Lisa, featuring Rich Medina.Consistently flying the flag for House music for over 15 years, Lea Lisa is one of those understated DJs responsible for pushing the sound, regardless of electronic trends. A mainstay through her residencies in Lyon and Toulouse and integral involvement in respected record store Innerdisc, Lea has been cultivating her production skills for some time behind the scenes, until now. A long time friend of label boss Nick V, playing each other's parties back in 2004, Mona Musique presents it’s second release “Walking La Mona”. Inspired by the work of her mentor Larry Heard and her close friend Kerri Chandler, “Imagine That” is classic House : simple, effective but above all emotive. Complimented by the haunting deep tones of Rich Medina, his conscious spoken words echo discontentment around the current political (or global) climate.On the flip side Lea reminisces of the early 90s with a revived spirit on “Intention”. Certainly one for the dancefloor, it is Lea Lisa’s subtle production work in the beats, synths and organs that make the difference here.