12"

We welcome back long-time First Word family, Souleance, with 'Bamboule'; fresh from their respective cut-ups for our sister label, Excursions, and their recent 'Raw Funk' set, we have a 5-track EP containing something for all the family, crafted with love once again by France's Fulgeance & DJ Soulist. A truly eclectic collection, comprised of afro grooves, tropical vibes, b-boy rhymes, head-nodding shakers and intensely hype floor-fillers. A seriously fun selection.It kicks off with 'Partay', a mid-tempo slice of bouncy tropical boogie that does exactly what it says on the tin. An effervescent synth-bassline rides on top of a delectable disco shuffle, complete with classic reggae chants.Title track 'Bamboule' is a seriously energetic afro-funk beast. A truly infectious percussive rhythm track, laced with an immense bassline, vocal chops and synth rides, this one is 100% guaranteed to entice any dancefloor into a trance-like state of bugged-out body moves.'That Guy' is some uptempo piano-rolling hip hop business, enlisting the help of Brooklyn MC, Von Pea, from the crew Tanya Morgan, who've been making noise on the independent hip hop scene for over a decade, as well as recently collaborating with GUTS.We dip down to around the 85BPM mark for 'J'aime Marcher', a lounging boom bap bumper with sloppy drums, jazzy rhodes and vivacious horns.Closing the EP is 'Brown Bags'; an almost Dilla-esque cut-up, complete with rolling neck-breaking drums, sweet soul samples and stabs of prog rock. An abundance of variety, we think you'll agree.For those that don't know, the Parisian duo hooked up just over a decade ago, and haven't stopped to rock & shock parties, clubs and festivals globally since, building a fan-base of solid party people and revered selectors along the way. As always, the wonderful Alice Dufay provides the artwork, making this an essential package for you and yours.

For their 12th label anniversary, Jazz & Milk have decided to launch a new series called "Twelve Inch Jams" in order to celebrate vinyl culture and the legendary 12" format!JAMS002 sounds the bell for the second round of the series including a 10 years re-issue of the classic Sam Irl cut "You Don't Feel Enough". Originally released as a B1 tune on his "African Dance EP" debut on Pulver Records in 2007, this jazzy house gem found its way into the record bags of many influential DJs over the years. From Session Victim, Glenn Astro, Max Graef to Hodini... the record never disappeared in club sets but certainly from discogs a good while ago.So it was about time to give the tune a second life and finally press it on the format it deserves - a whole 12" side. The German production duo Session Victim are well-known fans of the track describing it as their secret weapon playing it in quite many DJ sets for years, including their 2015 appearance for Mixmag's DJ Lab.Hence, it is a great pleasure that Session Victim contributed a remix to the new release. Their absolutely elegant and groove-driven version with a charming 90's touch to it makes a brillant counterpart to the original with its jazzy piano-, drum- and double bass samples leading to an epic synth break that regularly causes ecstatic moments on the dancefloor.

Our hero, Jo Tongo (born Joseph Ekambi Tongo Mpondo) was born and raised in Douala Cameroon. In 1964 he headed off to Paris to begin Pharmaceutical studies. Somewhere along the way the music in his soul eventually won out and he embarked on a life of music. In the latest of our series of "Funk Experimentals" LPs we dig for the funk. Not necessarily the artists greatest hits but most definitely the funkiest ear benders. We proudly compile together tracks from 1968 to 3 new brand new exclusive tracks from present day 2017. And yes, they all have the funk. In spades.The album opens up with stunningly catchy Jangolo. Jo's awesomely funky bass and percussive "jangly" guitar. The track is underpinned by African drums, funky stabs and 70s nascent synthesiser string machines. Next up we take a trip to 1979 and "Funky Feeling" from Jo's "Those Flowers" album.Here the beats are big, the strings are sweet and the clavi is into overdrive. We then jump back to 1976 for the evergreen, horn-puncher, funk stomper "Piani". Before the sweet smooth funk of "Those Flowers". Next up is "American Lady" with the bright strings, jangly guitars and driving keys. All locked on to maximize the groove. We then take a trip back to 1968 for Jo's second single the ever so funky and ever so ahead of its time, "Dig It Babe". Soul, horns, groove and punch all in two perfect packages. Part 1 and Part 2. Next up it is the funk boogie afro swingers "Ewande".Bringing things up date we jump forward to 2017, present day. Jo has been making music more or less non-stop and here we are lucky to premier three brand new tracks. The drums are punchy, the guitars ooze the funk and the locked on keys tie the tracks together in one tight-as package. Jo is on the production and at the controls for the mix. "Lion Roar" is first with its driving clavinet and all-out-assault funky drums. The brass is big and this song is Bold with a capital "B". "It's The D Day" is next with swinging soul style groove before "Mystic Power" features a ballsy brass-laden beat and jazz funk overtones.Many thanks Jo for choosing the music. Nearly 50 years at the top of the game.

"Prelude" EP is the inceptive release of Oxmose, which marks the first entry in an ongoing catalogue, and the beginning of a journey with various artists.At its heart, the "Prelude" EP is a dialogue between two composers; a conversation that traces the line between abstract, electronic experimentalism and gliterring interpretive jazz.Parisian producer Shcaa takes control of Side A with 'Core'; a near 20 minutes exploration into sound, which skirts the fringes of avant-garde minimalism and experimental rhythms. The song's acute cadence lays a dense and atmospheric foundation for the EP.Side B sees Romanian artist Traian Chereches offer-up an absorbing counterpoint to Shcaa's opener on 'Cage'. The energy of Chereches' rebuttal fuses organic and interpretive sounds into a deft jazz reinterpretation, revealing a wide and surprising cinematic ambience. Mastered by Rashad Becker from Dubplates & Mastering Berlin, "Prelude" will be released on limited edition 12", 180g heavyweight vinyl - with an outer sleeve featuring handmade artwork created by graphic designer Alice Voinea. The organic materials used in her work, emphasizing the interchange of the record; adding a further layer of continuity; one that streches between the artist, the music and the listener.Written by Tom Fenwick

Analog tape mastered from original tapes at audiomoto & faible studio for a high quality analog sound and a high fidelity vinyl press.The Vinyl comes in a wonderful, authentic and special old-fashioned cardboard cover with vintage haptics.