Disco/Nu-Disco

Kalita Records present the first ever official reissue of the Sophisticated Ladies sought-after 1980 New York disco single 'This Ain't Really Love' backed with a Mighty Zaf extended B-Side edit.Kalita Records are proud and honoured to announce the first ever official reissue of the Sophisticated Ladies' sought-after 1980 New York disco single 'This Ain't Really Love', backed by a Mighty Zaf extended edit of their 1977 release 'Check It Out', and accompanied by interview-based liner notes. Here, the single will be available in its true 12” format, saving collectors and DJs alike from spending triple-digit figures on an original copy.First formed in 1955, the Sophisticated Ladies started their recording life as the R&B girl group The Bobbettes, originally consisting of five female vocalists (Jannie Pought, Emma Pought, Reather Dixon, Laura Webb and Helen Gathers). The group were signed to the Atlantic record label and were most known for their 1957 hit single ‘Mr. Lee’, which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Pop singles chart and remained #1 on the R&B chart for four weeks. They were in fact the first girl group to have a #1 R&B song which also was placed in the top ten of the singles chart.However, by the mid-1970s and with the emergence of the disco era, the Bobbettes changed their name to the Sophisticated Ladies. As Emma Patron (nee Pought) recalled to me in the winter of 2017, The Bobbettes’ success with ‘Mr. Lee’ had been both a blessing and a curse – on the one hand it had provided them with international fame, yet by the 1970s it had become a constant weight and drag upon the group, type-casting and inhibiting their development as artists. Thus, upon the suggestion of their managers and producers Joe Webb and Frank Fair, the name The Bobbettes was lost, replaced now by the Sophisticated Ladies. Not only did this provide the opportunity for a clean sheet, but it also allowed them to have an image change from a girl group to a female disco outfit, as Joe recalls, ‘when we changed the name and gave the band a more soulful, disco sound, it made a huge difference’.The Sophisticated Ladies (by this time consisting of Emma, Laura and Reather) released two singles between 1977 and 1980. They toured the southern states of America (whilst also touring internationally as the Bobbettes) and received radio airtime throughout the country. Here we have chosen to highlight their scarce, choice cut ‘This Ain’t Really Love’ and have invited The Mighty Zaf to re-work their version of Bobby Womack’s ‘Check It Out’, making it perfect for modern disco dancing.- First ever official reissue of sought-after New York disco 12” single- Accompanied by an extended edit by The Mighty Zaf of their 1977 release 'Check It Out' engineered by Phil Asher- Includes extensive liner notes based on interviews with band member Emma Pought and manager/producer Joe Webb

Monsieur-du-jour, Chevals, graces us with his presence for an EP of exquisitely produced edits. 'La Bouteille' opens things up with a rhythmic workout combined with filtered melodies that erupt into a summery piano driven jam. 'Under Your Command' then comes in with the classic golden era disco feel, tied together with a shuffling beat.Flip it over and 'Fairy Tales' takes you into 80's boogie territory with those squelchy synths & irresistible vocals. Closing out the e.p. Chevals brings out the peak time, slap bass, disco stomper in 'Croisades', complete with sultry sax licks, sure to do damage to any dancefloor it's set before.

Psychedlic Electronica on this new Futuribile release (Sublabel from Periodica). Icio Omegha's "Psyco Cruise" is a collection of songs and private recordings made between 1984 and 1991 in his studio on the island of Stromboli. Icio Omegha, formerly known as Maurizio Aghemo, is a guitarist, a sitarist and keyboard player who was a member of a world music band active in the late 70s (UCO, Universal Condition Orchestra). Maurizio today is a record collector and painter who runs his art gallery in Stromboli where he exhibits his works. Currently engaged in the assembly of a modular system, he continues to produce experimental music on the island. Over the years, he has explored various musical genres, from ethnic music with an Indian flavor, up to the typical electronic digressions of the mid 80s. The only available source of these recordings are original cassette tapes from which Futuribile made this selection. A Small selection with pieces that best describe his artistic career. The audio was cleaned, re-mastered and edited to make the best possible presentation of these unique recordings of Icio Omegha who is finally able to share them with the public. Recommended!!!