12"

A doctor by day and a musician by night, Leon x Leon has been producing songs in his Parisian home studio since 2013, where house, italo-disco and boogie are mixing. When he was younger, he was immersed in music by taking jazz drum lessons at the conservatory, and especially by seeing his father, a sound engineer, who had been building his own synthesizers since the 1970s. As a tribute, he used one of these unique synthesizers on a title of the disc.After a remarkable remix of Cerrone's "Funk Makossa" and several tracks on various from “Red Laser Disco”, he released his project My Solar Brass on the same English label in 2017. Organizer of many Parisian parties, he also participated in the founding of the publishing label “Good Plus". With the release of Rokanbo on Cracki Records, Leon x Leon signs a mature EP with the influence of different styles.The first eponymous title is a manifesto mixing Acid, House and Zouk. As soon as we launch the track, the pop & acid 80's sounds takes us to another world... A UFO from the Islands! The other parts of the EP don't leave us in the lurch! “Formant Sweep” delivers a soft and groovy bass that responds to an endless, spatial synthetic takeoff. On “Red Footpath”, the harder kick cleverly blends with an atmospheric blanket and a bright, lively flute solo straight from an abandoned piece of bamboo on a deserted beach. After that, “Jungle Juice” lets a crazy keyboard solo resonate in the middle of tropical fauna and flora, and finally on “Horizon”, the EP ends in beauty with an airy atmosphere. This last piece sounds like a beautiful sunset at the end of a long summer day.Through all these tracks, Rokanbo EP offers us a clever contrast between synthetic notes and the warmth of tropical groove, and places our gaze towards the horizon, seeking the groove to disturb its line on the infinite sea.

You may know of “Rude Movements”, an early dance music classic produced by SunPalace (Mike Collins and Keith O’Connell) back in 1983 that brought together proto-house, balearic beats and funky vibes. In 1984, the tune quickly became an anthem that could regularly be heard at David Mancuso’s “The Loft” or at Larry Levan’s “Paradise Garage” for example.Thanks to Mike Collins, the studio veteran still in the business after more than 35 years and currently busy perpetuating the legacy of SunPalace, more material from the archives has been ‘surfacing’ over the past few years on UK-based record labels. After a very productive meeting earlier this year, Parisian label Chuwanaga is really proud to present four unreleased songs produced between 1982 and 1984!Co-written by Mike Collins from SunPalace and Breeze McKrieth, a founder member of Britfunk bands Light Of The World and Beggar & Co, these Lost Songs are the almost forgotten result of this seminal collaboration, an exclusive musical rendez-vous between experienced studio music makers and funksters at the top of their game, including some of the finest Britfunk musicians. Bringing together eighties influences and futuristic sounds, the result covers a wide range of genres, from jazz-funk to new wave: it captured a unique moment in British musical history, a smooth transition to a more electronic sound. Definitely not one to be missed!

Lungile Masitha was the short-lived studio name for renowned SA artist Sello ‘Chicco’ Twala, who played with such iconic bands as Harari and Umoja. However, in the mid 80’s his name was under license to one of the major labels and in an effort for self-expression recorded under the name ‘Lungile Masitha’, here he linked up with long term friend Jimmy Mngwandi to co-write and arrange the two tracks ‘Vuyani’ & ‘Makoti’, both sung in his native Tsongan tongue. Vuyani is an upbeat tune that matches Chicco’s unique vocal style with percolating drums and distorted choruses to incredible effect, while Makoti is a mellower blend of floating keys and choruses sung by local kids in an effort to expose “emerging talent”.

40 years after its first release, Cameroun born artists Zogo reissues for the first time his EP 'Africa' on Banquise. This release includes new versions by Dan Shake (Mahogani Music), Folamour (FHUO Records) and Tvfrom86 (In The Box Records).

New Aussie label, Corella Records, run by producer/DJ Blind Tiger (formerly Captn K) is broadening the repertoire with a second release, a new indie disco 12" single, Forbidden Fruit.Forbidden Fruit - Field of Fruit Mix, is the one to check out. It's an indie dance/nu-disco excursion with driving bass and piano. Reverb slathered vocals from Steve Hensby and dreamy strings make this track an uplifting 8 minute journey.With a touch of early Chicago House in the piano stabs, Georgio Moroder in the rhythm, the drive of Underworld and repetitive elements reminiscent of Field.Forbidden Fruit - Original Mix, is serving up some classic disco with funky synth bass, driving drums and percussion and the full range of vocalist Steve Hensby makes this a great dance floor mover.Forbidden Fruit - Fruit Jam Mix, Blind Tiger delivers party jam vibes. Complete with electro drum machine, party goers and warped electric guitar from Luke Dux. It's a fun, stripped-back remix, that feels like the guys have stumbled on a vintage drum machine and a bunch of instruments at a house party and start cooking up a fruity jam.A little of something for everyone on this one, check it out.