LP

First Word enters 2017 with a bang: a 28-track album courtesy of Eric Lau. This, his third instrumental album, is a veritable tapestry of vibes, ranging through Hip Hop, Soul, Jazz, Funk & Brazilian beats. A mere taste into the genius production skills of London's Mr. Lau, it's easy to understand why he's so revered by DJs, artists and producers across the world, including Rich Medina, 9th Wonder, Bobbito, Dam Funk, Gilles Peterson, James Poyser (The Roots), Phonte and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), amongst others.Eric has had previous outings for First Word as part of the Record Store Day beat-challenge trilogy, along with Tall Black Guy, Kidkanevil and Mr. Thing, and was recently initiated into Jazzy Jeff's star-studded annual Playlist Retreat. As a producer, he's worked with a host of artists, including Kaidi Tatham, Oddisee, Yussef Kamaal, Guilty Simpson, Dego, Tawiah, Rahel and Fatima, to name a few, whilst his DJ skills have seen him tour the globe with luminaries such as Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper and Questlove. Additionally to three instrumental LPs, he previously released his debut-proper for Ubiquity, 'New Territories', and the acclaimed 2013 sophomore album, 'One Of Many'.'Examples' really provides you with what it says on the tin - a mere taster of this man's talents, available digitally and on wax; black vinyl for the purists and limited edition yellow vinyl for the heads. Kicking off the new year with a bounce, it's unnecessary that we tell you that you shouldn't sleep on this.. Don't sleep on this.

Originally released in small numbers as a custom pressing in 1973, the compelling 'Dini Safarrar' by Senegalese drummer Mor Thiam has gained cult status around the world amongst enthusiasts of jazz, funk, hip hop & African music, and grail status among LP collectors. Here is the first official reproduction of this album, faithful to the original and made with the blessing and cooperation of Mor Thiam himself, as well as his son Aliaume Thiam, otherwise known as hip hop and R&B superstar Akon.Mor Dogo Thiam (pronounced 'Chahm') is a cultural historian, dedicated philanthropist and genius on the djembe. He began his career as a drummer while a young boy in his native Senegal, before moving to St. Louis, Missouri in the early 1970s, where his unique musical skills earned him the respect of the local jazz community. A fusion of the traditions of his Senegalese upbringing and the funk & jazz sounds of his new environs, 'Dini Safarrar' was entirely self-funded and was also conceived as a benefit album, with all the proceeds donated to famine relief in Africa.

Ekambi Brillant was born in the village of Dibombari in Cameroon in 1948. In 1962 he attended school in Yaounde and learned his musical craft. In 1971 he heads off to the big city lights of Douala. Here he finds himself in a French TV, music competition hosted at "Le Domino" nightclub. It is here where he brushes shoulders with other Cameroonian music legends such Manu Dibango and Francis Bebey.The music contest win gives him the break he needs and in 1972 and with the support of fellow troubadour JK Mandengue he finds himself with a record deal with Phonogram and his first hits in France.Its in 1975 where we pick up this merry tale. Because it is in 1975 when things start to get a bit funky. Which is just how we like it here at Africa Seven. In partnership with French producer, guitarist and all around hero, Slim Pezin he creates the "Africa Oumba" album. He goes on in the two subsequent years to record the Soul Castle and Djambo's Djambo's ?albums also with Slim.Our compilation focuses on the funkier end of Ekambi's music drawn mainly from the 1975 to 1978 period. Things open up with our theme tune "Africa Africa" (of course). It's tribal twisted psych funk is the perfect start to any album. We then move to "Aboki" possibly Ekambi's finest dance floor filler. Next it's the choppy disco strings and slap bass of "Nyambe" and the swirling African swing of "N'Kondo" and the pulsing chop-funk "Ekila".The flip side starts off with "Soul Castle" an ordinary day tale for our hero. "Massoma" and its funk boogie get things bopping next up before "Machine Ma Bwindea" gives us some punchy brass and low slung funk grooves. "Mother Africa" shows us the songwriting power of Ekambi while also managing to have one of the funkiest flange basslines we have heard in a good while. Things close off with swing-time of "Lambo Lena". Ekambi Brillant would go on to become one of the big name legends of Cameroonian music with nearly 20 albums to his name. He has contributed to the emergence of several Cameroonian artists such as Marthe Zambo, Valery Lobe, Aladji Toure and Africans. He now spends his time in Cameroon and Washington DC. Ekambi, we salute you sir.

Maybe the most iconic soundtrack by Guido & Maurizio De Angelis. Definitely the one that is closely linked with Italian crime movie genre “poliziotteschi”, made eternal by dozens movies set in mid 70's violent big cities.For the 50th anniversary of Beat Records, a coproduction with Four Flies, the first time ever reissue of this Italian soundtrack's masterpiece.A terrific tracklist that gave rise to the Italian groove, then used many times, from Umberto Lenzi's Napoli Violenta to Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof.A groundbreaking and hard-beat sound, innovative compared to others Italian soundtracks of the period. An acid rock with funk episodes (Gangster Story), cinematic prog (The Life of a Policemen), magical bossa (Casa di moda), with psychedelic flutes (by Guido), sublime guitars and arrangements (by Maurizio).Listen here : https://soundcloud.com/fourfliesrecords/guido-maurizio-de-angelis-la-polizia-incrimina-la-legge-assolve

Considered one of the finest and most successful works composed by Franco Micalizzi.A 500 limited-edition LP which includes two tracks never before released on vinyl, a reworked painted lettering title designed by Luca Barcellona, and extensive liner notes by Los Angeles' Rendezvous DJ/film event founder, and Four Flies collaborator, Alfonso Carrillo: "A film score that was quite unheard of in horror – a funk and disco-tinged soundtrack, with a sound reminiscent of a blaxploitation film. Director Ovidio Assonitis’ Chi sei? (1974; American title: Beyond the Door) offered horror fans both a familiar storyline and a stylistically unusual score. Recorded in the States, and using American session musicians, Micalizzi created one of horror’s most unique soundtracks. He utilizes soulful lead vocals (sung by Warren Wilson) along with sax and synthesizer, both of which are featured prominently on the score. Along with superb percussion work, this soundtrack features virtuosic musicianship by top session players and easily stands up to the test of time. This was an early foray into the world of soulful funk and an early indication of future-funk to come from the maestro". Alfonso Carrillo (Rendezvous, LA)Listne here: https://soundcloud.com/fourfliesrecords/franco-micalizzi-chi-sei

Now again on your turntable - with two bonus tracks previously unreleased on vinyl - one of the rarest and most beautiful soundtracks composed by Riz Ortolani for the crime movie directed in 1971 by Damiano Damiani, starring Franco Nero, Martin Balsam and Marilù Tolo. Extraordinary bass lines, guitar effects and amazing drum breaks for an astonishing mix of different sounds: from tense or dramatic moments to deep and explosive jazz-funk and beat grooves. Featuring some great groovy tunes such as IL RICORDO DI SERENA, SERENA E LOMUNNO and I TRAVESTITI (all comped on the essential EASY TEMPO series). A must-have for any SERIOUS ITALIAN SOUND DIGGER!

Perhaps not everyone knows that Alessandro Alessandroni, the Master of Italian library music, had also composed several original soundtracks from late ’60s to early ‘80s, especially for many “genre” movies such as poliziotteschi, sexy comedies, spaghetti western, horror and thriller. Among them, SANGUE DI SBIRRO (Bloody Avenger), is certainly one of the most prestigious works made for Italian cinema in the 70s: an Italian noir set in Philadelphia, where the jazz-funk library’s background of the Maestro meets deep soul & black music. An obstinate rhythm which opens to jazz, funk and disco, with moments of pure easy listening (Tema di Susie is one of the best Alessandroni’s film themes). Sounds and arrangements typical of blaxploitation (including an original reinterpretation of Shaft’s theme) but with a proudly Italian’s touch. As always, many excellent soloists were involved in the recording session, including a young Enrico Pieranunzi on Fender Rhodes, Dino Piana on trombone and Silvano Chimenti on the electric guitar. A five stars soundtrack for the first time ever on your turntable.

“Sortilegio”literally means ‘spell’ and was shot in Italy between 1969 and 1970. One of the most mysterious movies that came out from the golden age of Italian cinema, its soundtrack was recorded in 1974.The movie had never been officially distributed and probably had never reached the final stage of post-production. The film is lost, gone forever apparently.Four Flies Records’ researchers had been able to locate the original master tapes of the soundtrack, which had been re-mastered and is going to be released as a deluxe limited edition 180gr LP, with extensive liner notes signed by composer Silvano D'Auria and film critic Davide Pulici (Nocturno Cinema)Originally recorded in Rome at the famous RCA Studios, the soundtrack casts a fine blend of jazz-funk and prog-rock elements.One of the most mysterious movies of the golden age of Italian cinema, “Sortilegio” is a visionary horror movie directed by Nardo Bonomi, starring Erna Schurer and the famous Italian director Marco Ferreri as a co-star. The movie also featured Corrado Farina (director of the legendary “Baba Yaga”) as assistant director.As the influential Italian magazine Nocturno Cinema stated some time ago, the movie had never been distributed and is to be considered definitively lost.Thanks to Four Flies Records’ meticulous research, at least the soundtrack of the movie survives: the original master tapes have been finally recovered and restored, thus to be released for the very first time.Recorded in Rome at the famous RCA Studios, “Sortilegio” is a dark and esoteric soundtrack composed by Silvano D’Auria. The soundtrack casts a fine blend of jazz-funk and prog-rock elements, and features some of the greatest session musicians of those times, like Silvano Chimenti (his fuzzy guitars are unmistakable).Four Flies Records has been on the radar of collectors and connoisseurs of soundtracks and library music from its inception last year. With the release of highly sought-after titles such as “Fantabulous” by Sandro Brugnolini, “La Poliziotta” by Gianni Ferrio and the compilations “Esterno Notte” and “Esterno Giorno”, which featured rare tracks from the RCA archives, Four Flies has immediately stood out for the quality of its reissues. Sumptuos deluxe limited 180 gr. editions, Four Flies’ works are accompanied by precious liner-notes and are enriched by archival images, original artwork and lettering designed by Luca Barcellona.