Expansion

For Record Store Day 2019 we have a limited edition re-press of an impossible to find album by iconic Jazz Funk legend Roy Ayers from 1983. Unique to this album are “Chicago” (the highly sought after seven minute version), “Keep On Movin’”, “Smiling With Our Eyes”, and “Good Good Music”. The make this release extra special, we have 850 individually numbered copies only and album will be issued on original Uno Melodic label art.

Gregory Porter’s “1960 What?” continues to be one of Expansion’s most sought after releases and comes now in new enhanced packaging. It combines the original with the Opolopo Kick & Bass re-Rub.Gregory Porter as narrator, sounding like Amiri Baraka, declares on “1960 What?” that “the motor city is burning y’all—that ain’t right” and refers to Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and describes trigger-happy policing (supported by a trumpet that blares, jabs, rumbles, and yearns); and the song portrays how certain events turn people against the possibilities of life and light. A vision that only recognizes strength and cruelty and rage is dangerously imperfect: rather, creativity, education, intelligence, sensitivity, democratic political participation, and compassionate social work are goals and virtues that can be affirmed, if not actively pursued, in all times.

Eighties Ladies comprise Denie Corbett, Marva Hicks, Susan Beaubian, Sylvia Striplin and Vivian Prince. They recorded one album with Uno Melodic Records, a label created and run by the legendary Roy Ayers at the height of his career. The group are best known for “Turned On To You”, one of the most iconic ‘rare groove’ tracks from the early 80s. It was sampled numerous time in the 90s, most notably by A Tribe Called Quest (“Buttter-Hip Hop Mix”), and more recently bu Nujabes featuring C.L. smooth (“Sky Is Falling”). This 7” is an exclusive edit of the 12” version, while the instrumental version of “Ladies of The Eighties” appears here on 7” for the first time.

Since the recent reissue of Sylvia Striplin’s one album for Uno Melodic Records, demand has been building again for two of the key tracks back together again on 12” single. Huge on disco, rare groove, two step scenes these track capture the essence of the period of music and genius of producer Roy Ayers. First released in 1980, both tracks became signature tracks for Roy’s Uno Melodic label. Sylvia previously sang with Roy at Polydor, sang lead momentarily with Aquarian Dream and one album with Eightes Ladies.

Alongside Expansion’s release of Leon’s two iconic Elektra albums, back to back on one CD, two super rare 12” tracks are hereby reunited. The first issue of this 12” came in 1982 and was only ever intended to be for promotional use. Original pressings have sold for over £300. Leon Ware wrote and produced for an impressive array of other artists, most notably Marvin Gaye on “I Want You”, and his own work continues to be as in demand as ever. “Why I Came To California” (also on Expansion 7”) is one of his signature tracks and features guest co-vocalist Janis Siegel, a nine time Grammy winner and seventeen time Grammy nominee from Brooklyn, New York.

Keep the Fire Burning and Funky Sensation by Gwen McCrae, two tracks synonymous with the soul, boogie, rare groove and modern disco scenes, are finally being reissued on Expansion Records after a long-anticipated wait. Keep the Fire Burning, originally released in 1981, is a remake of the Willie Hutch original. This reissue of the U.S 12” pressing at its full length - 6:54 - is sure to galvanise any dance floor and lift spirits immeasurably. After achieving relative notoriety within the underground scene, notably after being played by Danilo Plessow - a.k.a Motor City Drum Ensemble - during his London Boiler Room in 2015, Keep the Fire Burning has since been one of the most sought after records of the past decade, seamlessly bridging the gap between rare-groove and underground dance-music. Whats more, recent price-hikes on online vinyl-distribution websites denote the way in which the market for this record has grown exponentially, a testament to its new-found popularity among the worldwide dance-music diaspora. Funky Sensation, moreover, possesses a timeless and universal groove, a song which has cemented itself as a darling of the boogie-scene, while gaining traction from the likes of Dam Funk and Nu Guinea. Furthermore, Funky Sensation is a traditionally popular record amongst the UK Soul scene, after seeing airtime on London Pirate-Radio stations during the 1980’s. Keep the Fire Burning has since been sampled by Star Slimlinger, Marcus Gauntlett and the Hustlers Convention among others and has seen heavy rotation within the underground circuit, owing to its popularity among certain U.S and European DJ’s such as Ron Trent, Marcellus Pittmann, and Sam Shepherd. Funky sensation is well-affiliated within the Hip-Hop scene, after providing the musical framework for songs produced by Africa Bambaata, Ghostface Killah and L.L Cool J to name a few. Own both original 12” versions for the first time this January as licensed in their entirety by Atlantic Records.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist hails from Los Angeles, California and has recorded since 1973. Songs he has written/co-written include "Get It Up For Love", "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me" and "A Love Of Your Own", all recently performed live with collaborator Hamish Stuart at London's Jazz Café this year. "To Prove My Love" became a dancefloor hit after its first release in 1978, original 7” and 12” versions now extremely rare. This release combines the best of both with the 12” version on 7” for the first time. It’s produced by Steve Cropper of the Stax Records house band Booker T & The MGs.