LP

An mini LP of works by Denis Mpunga and Paul K. Combining elements of traditional African music with experimental electronics, the Belgian/Congolese duo released only a handful of tracks, scattered across a few rare LP and cassette compilations that were put out in the mid eighties by obscure european labels . This release also includes a few previously unreleased songs that were found on the original master tapes. 180gram pressing. Artwork by Denis Mpunga.The work of the Belgian/Congolese duo Denis Mpunga and Paul K. is the subject of Music From Memory's latest compilation EP, ''Criola''. Combining elements of traditional African music with experimental electronics, the pair recorded and released only a handful of tracks, scattered across a few obscure LP and cassette compilations. Bringing together this material for the first time ''Criola'' includes both released as well as unreleased material from the musician's archives dating from between 1980-1984.Relocating with his family from the Congo to Belgium in 1973 at the young age of 13, Denis Mpunga grew up in the industrial city of Liege and quickly became deeply embedded in it's musical scene, forming the group Gomma Percussions in 1979; a percussive group driven by West African influences that would also experiment with found objects and improvised musical instruments. The group released only one 7' but toured and performed frequently up until as late as 2000. A side project Eko-Kuango formed by the Gomma Percussion members also saw the release in 1985 of the now much sought after 12'' ''Fura'' which also includes Denis Mpunga on vocals.As well as a later career as a comedian and actor with roles in television and cinema, Dennis has continued to produce and compose music, perhaps most notably writing the soundtrack for ''La Promesse'' (1996) a highly regarded film by the Dardenne brothers; currently probably Belgium�s most celebrated of contemporary film makers.Patrick Stas who would release with Denis under the �Paul K.� moniker was a well-known local musician in Liege and considered something of a luminary figure in the electronic and experimental music scene in Belgium. Patrick would set up the independent cassette and vinyl label ''Home Produkt'' releasing amongst others, the work of Tara Cross, who has herself been the subject of a compilation in recent years.Both well known figures in Liege's music scene the two of them would join forces in 1980 to work together on a soundtrack for a children's animation company called ''CAMERA etc'', recording the ''Intermezzo'' tracks which are included here. Keen to experiment further as a duo, Denis would propose the idea of combining some more traditional songs or percussive African elements with Patrick's experiments with drum computers and synthesisers. Working around more conventional instruments such as guitar and bass, Denis would also bring Balafons, Senzas and a Zither to their recordings whilst Patrick would work with an array of synthesizers and drum machines such as Roland�s MC 202, TB 303 & TR 808 and Korg�s MS20 & Monopoly amongst many others.At a time when world-music was becoming hugely popular across Europe especially so in Belgium and France, the pair were keen to try and explore African music in a new contemporary way. Much like the intentionally provocative archival image, which Denis selected for the sleeve of Criola, the recordings set out to play with and challenge preconceptions and expectations of African music and African culture. Together, Denis Mpunga and Paul K's, if somewhat brief, musical adventure would create a fascinating new musical language, African music born out of an industrial European landscape; music which the compilation ''Criola'' reveals as both wholly unique and visionary.

BBE present the cult classic Paz Are Back from Brtish Jazz collective Paz.Recorded during the summer of 1980 and originally released in 1982 on Spotlight Records, 'PAZ are Back' was the second (and arguably the finest) album by the London jazz collective, founded by vibraphonist, composer and arranger Dick Crouch. Known for their original jazz-funk and latin stylings, the band held a weekly Sunday residency at The Kensington pub in Holland Park for over 8 years, becoming a fixture at many London venues throughout the 70's and 80's, most notably Ronnie Scott's.For PAZ, band leader Dick Crouch assembled a group of the finest jazz musicians working in London at the time. Piano, keyboard and synth player Geoff Castle was a mainstay of the band throughout the years, as well as playing and recording with George Coleman, Ian Dury & Georgie Fame to name but a few. He also composed the highly original and energetic track 'Moonchild', featured on this album.Sax and flute player Ray Warleigh enjoyed a successful three decade career (sadly, he passed away in 2015), playing alongside Dusty Springfield, Marianne Faithfull, Scott Walker and Stevie Wonder as well as 9 years with PAZ. The full breadth of his musical dexterity is on display here, from the gritty alto sax solos featured on 'Laying Eggs' to his eerie home-made panpipes on 'Horrors'.Guitarist Ed Speight also worked extensively with Ian Dury and the Blockheads, as well as performing 'Tubular Bells' with Mike Oldfield on the QEH and BBC2. Now an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, Ed taught guitar and keyboard harmony between 1988 and 2010. Bass player Ron Mathewson is best known for his years spent working with Ronnie Scott, but he also recorded with Stan Getz, Joe Henderson, Ben Webster and Bill Evans (to whom the stunning 'I Can't Remember' is dedicated). His absence on one album track is noted in its title 'Where is Ron?', so called because he realised the song required no bassline (as the original liner notes stated: "this awareness of when not to play is part of his genius").Appearing with the band for the first time on 'PAZ are Back', drummer Frank Gibson was perhaps better known for accompanying Leo Sayer, David Essex and Dusty Springfield, although jazz was always his first love. Following his time in the UK and touring the world, Frank returned to his native New Zealand, where he won three 'Best Jazz Album' awards and performed at the 1990 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.Capturing a group of prodigiously talented musicians at the height of their powers, 'PAZ Are Back' features timeless original compositions from almost all the band members, as well as a unique cover of 'Everywhere Calypso' by Sonny Rollins and a truly frenetic, heavily improvised version of jazz standard 'Dancing In The Dark'. A band who remained steadfastly resistant to being pigeonholed, incorporating a multitude of influences before 'fusion' became fashionable, PAZ's music stands the test of time magnificently, as evidenced by the staggering demand for original copies of this album.Remastered and packaged with the original artwork, BBE are excited to make the magic of PAZ available to a new generation of fans.– Album tracks sampled by Madlib & DJ Vadim among others– Copies of the original fetching 3 figure sums on Discogs– Featuring a group of London's all-time finest jazz musicians at the height of their powers– Full press , radio & social media campaign