12"

Chances are if you are reading this, you are probably already familiar with Dinosaur L's “Go Bang” and danced countless times to Loose Joints' "It's All Over My Face". A prolific musician, Arthur Russell produced an abundant amount of recordings over the course of his career. Although a classically trained cellist, he released a number of successful underground dance hits under various monikers and collaborations. As a solo artist however, his inability to complete projects resulted in a limited amount of official releases, World of Echo (1986) being his only full-length solo effort to see release in his lifetime. After releasing a number of Club singles on labels like West End & Sire, Russell went on to form Sleeping Bag Records with Will Socolov as an outlet for a sound not as restrictive as his "disco" material. The initial concept was that Russell would provide the musical direction while Socolov handled the business side. The label had huge success early on with Class Action’s “Weekend” remixed by Larry Levan, and Russell’s seminal “Go Bang,” credited to Dinosaur L and remixed by Francois Kevorkian. Although Russell and Socolov shared a lot of musical common ground, the difference in vision began to show. Russell’s avant-garde sensibilities and perfectionism were not compatible with an industry standard to release singles in quick succession, and his "work in progress" approach began to be financially draining, ultimately resulting in the dissolution of their partnership around 1983. With Arthur's departure, Sleeping Bag moved away from the experimental and towards a successful hip-hop route with the growing involvement of Kurtis Mantronik and leading to propel the careers of artists like Todd Terry, Just-Ice and EPMD.By the mid-80s, Russell’s health began to deteriorate after contracting HIV. Although the business partnership did not work out, Socolov and Russell maintained their friendship. Aware of the time he had left, Russell reached out to Socolov to record what was to become Indian Ocean, his last release on Sleeping Bag and the last great collaboration between Arthur and his old friend Walter Gibbons.Unlike the rest of Russell's Dance collaborations, “School Bell/Treehouse” is very intimate composition, putting to the forefront all the elements that defined him musically, with his own voice and cello as the anchors to a piece that keeps growing in intensity, melding the tribal rhythms of Mustafa Ahmed’s conga with percussions that sound like distorted drum machines. There is a lot of beauty in this piece, with Peter Zummo's melancholic trombone lines and Arthur's keyboard playing. Adequately "mixed with love" by Walter Gibbons, "School Bell/Treehouse" really synthesizes the energy and soundscapes of Arthur's dancefloor.

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.

BACK IN STOCK Strut present a brand new 12” reissue of Shina Williams’ monster Nigerian disco anthem ‘Agboju Logun’, pairing the rare original album version (released on Phonodisk Nigeria) with the more sparse 12” remix which surfaced later internationally on Earthworks. This is the third release on STRUT'S new Original Masters Series.Back in 1979 when Shina Williams’ ‘Agboju Logun’ frst appeared on his ‘African Dances’ LP, Williams knew well that the track was breaking new ground. “I want to show the whole wide world that Africa is alive with modern musicians to reckon with anywhere,” he stated. Now an accepted Afro disco classic of its time, ‘Agboju Logun’ did indeed bring together the cream of Nigeria’s players as a oneoff supergroup in one inspired session. As a long-standing and well respected highlife musician and vocalist, Williams called in the ‘A’ list: Tunde Martins from Afro Collective played bass guitar, the brilliant Biddy Wright (player on albums by Lijadu Sisters, Blo and many more) contributed the famous synth lines and handled production, Fred Fisher was on trombone and Saliu Alabi played talking drum.Enjoying limited success upon its release in Nigeria, ‘African Dances’ nevertheless gained some international attention when Earthworks’ Jumbo Van Renan licensed two tracks from it for an international 12” single release in 1984, remixing ‘Agboju Logun’ in a more stripped back mix for dancefoors. However, it was the period following Fela Kuti’s death in the late ‘90s that truly ignited interest in archive African grooves for a new internet generation. Strut’s frst ‘Nigeria 70’ compilation featured the track in 2000 and it has been a staple in DJs’ crates ever since. ‘Abboju Logun’ is released in a picture jacket 12” featuring original artwork and all musicians’ credits and is fully remastered by The Carvery.- First offcial reissue of 12” version and LP version together- Restored by See Why Audio and remastered by The Carvery- Sleeve features original Phonodisk artwork and musicians’ credits- Essential reissue of Afro disco classic

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.

After releasing records by Swede Axel Boman, Frenchman S. Channel and Californian SFV Acid, Third Try Records goes back to Sweden and introduces the world to Bella Boo with her debut release, an impressive EP with an impressively mature sound for a young producer, light years away from the usual deep house tropes.