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Incarcerated funk has no right to feel this free. Musical convicts and actual convicts from across the Commonwealth, The Edge Of Daybreak's membership wrote and recorded Eyes Of Love while serving out sentences of six to sixty years. Set to tape inside Powhatan Correctional Center on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, these intimate 1979 sessions unlock the prison gates and peer into a collective consciousness concocted by a core of four confined artists. Assembled from distant love ballads and fanciful odes to freedom, Eyes Of Love is a prison letter composed by committee, recorded hastily, and circulated regionally amongst adventurous clientele willing to take a chance on these felonious talents.

The subject of Music From Memory’s latest compilation release is the elusive and mysterious Philadelphian musician Napoleon Cherry (aka Cool Waters). Oddball funk biz TIP! In the late 80’s and early 90’s Cherry privately released two LP’s and an EP which form the basis of this retrospective, alongside an unreleased cut ‘When You Had The Chance’ which was recently released on 12” in collaboration with US label PPU.Recorded with a very DIY aesthetic and a strong presence of gospel and RnB, Cherry’s unique take on soul and funk music, reflect a rawness that stands in contrast to the slick, over-produced soul of that era. With appearances by jazz musicians such as the late celebrated saxophonist Byard Lancaster, who coincidentally played with MFM’s previous compilation subject Vito Ricci, Napoleon’s music seems to defy any clear categorisation.From cocktail jazz funk to intergalactic synth workouts to melancholy bedroom soul, Napoleon’s use of synths and drum computers, though perhaps unknowingly, also seem to strongly echo elements of early house music.

The second half of previously unreleased Aurra recordings produced by Slave-founding member Steve Washington. The Album was recorded in 1983/84 just after the Salsoul years with his wife Sheila who had just finished writing and touring with The Brides Of Funkenstein. Plans were made for it’s release on Quincy Jones’ newly formed Qwest Records, but legal troubles complicated it’s release. No one was quite sure what happened to the master tapes, not even Steve himself. Body Rock represents the final chapter in the Aurra catalog. This is Electronic Funk and R&B at it’s finest, recorded during a pivotal year in Modern Funk music. Post-Disco, right at the beginning of Hip-Hop’s finest hour when Boogie and Electro music was making the scene in New York. Making this an important milestone in music and documenting the inception of the drum machine. The grooves smoke, as Washington delivers the Dayton Funk style. Mean and lean basslines, irresistible hooks & towering vocal riffs with crisp, tight dance rhythms.- Produced by Steve Washington (Slave, Civil Attack, George Clinton)- Featuring vocals by Sheila Brody (Brides Of Funkenstein, Public Enemy) & Mark Stevens (Taka Boom, Chaka Khan)- Liner notes by Dam-Funk- Full Analog production from the original 2”” tapes recorded in 1984

Kohsuke Kindaichi is a famous fictional Japanese detective created by Seishi Yokomizo. This LP contain parts of a Kohsuke Kindaichi TV serie.

Limited Edition Reissue GatefoldRecorded on July 20 and August 4, 1970. Originally released on Victor (SMJX-10104) in 1970.

Originally Released in 1975.2015 Japan Reissue

Originally Released in 1975.2015 Japan Reissue

Just one year after the release of Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds’ compilation, Favorite Recordings presents the 2nd edition of its acclaimed series.At the control this time is French DJ and producer Charles Maurice, digging again in his collection and travelling to Brazil for the occasion in order to find some local hidden treasures. The result comes as nine additional obscure hits from the Brazilian Funk-Boogie-Disco scene during the years of 1977 to 1984.At that time musicians and arrangers such as Lincoln Olivetti, Robson Jorge, and Oberdan Magalhães along with Banda Black Rio were responsible for the new music scene. They’d dominated the studios with sophisticated and original arrangements that have forever transformed Brazilian musical. This music, at that point, had gained a new style and great international respect that has remained still.Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds Vol.2 pays tribute to this great era, coming out in a deluxe vinyl edition with old-school tip-on jacket, including notes and original artworks.

Canada's powerhouse afro / latin / soul / jazz collective, The Souljazz Orchestra, surface with a hard-hitting new album for Autumn 2015, Resistance, resuming their link-up with Strut Records.“We approached this album with a fresh ear,” explains bandleader Pierre Chrétien. “We were keen to build on the band’s sound and message, bringing in some of the French Caribbean and Francophone West African influences that we’ve loved since our youth, so the new album brings in French language tracks and elements of coupé-décalé, zouk and cadence to the overall mix.” In keeping with the band’s previous work, the band keep powerful lyrics at the heart of their music, delivering some biting social commentaries alongside messages of hope. Storming opening track ‘Greet The Dawn’ heralds a better way of life for the downtrodden while the manic ‘Shock And Awe’ celebrates people power with a wry reference to Bush-era military tactics. The Souljazz Orchestra remain one of the most solid units in their scene, retaining their original line-up since they were first formed back in 2002. On Resistance, they showcase their continuing versatility with saxman Ray Murray, percussionist Marielle Rivard, drummer Philippe Lafrenière and keyboardist Pierre Chrétien all taking on lead vocal duties on different tracks. “We originally started out as an instrumental band,” reflects Chrétien, “so this is actually our first all vocal album, a big step forward for us.” Chrétien himself also contributes the superb front cover artwork to the album, “I was inspired by the bold, stark, streamlined look of works by artists like Saul Bass, Emory Douglas, or Cuban poster designers - I love how they manage to maximize impact with a minimal amount of strokes and colours.”