US

The wait is over, Return To The 37th Chamber is El Michels Affair’s highly anticipated follow up to 2009's underground cult classic Enter the 37th Chamber. Churning out classic records since then for the likes of Lee Fields, The Arcs, The Shacks, and tons more, it is clear that EMA's signature sound is stronger & sharper than ever.This time, in addition to re-interpreting the Wu compositions for a live band, EMA pays homage to the production and sonic fog that makes a RZA beat so recognizable. Producer and bandleader Leon Michels recorded the album completely analog, sometimes hitting 6 generations of tape before it was ready for mixing, giving the Return to The 37th Chamber it’s own hazy sound. Adding to the unique fidelity, the record is laced with psychedelic flourishes, “John Carpenter” synths, heavy metal guitars, triumphant horns, and traditional Chinese instruments that make up for the lack of the Wu’s superlative vocals. From start to finish it’s a dark trip that walks the line between RZA’s timeless hip-hop aesthetic and the cinematic soul EMA has become known for.El Michels Affair tackles some classics like 4th Chamber and Wu Tang Aint Nuthin to Fuck Wit, as well as some deeper cuts like Ol Dirty Bastard’s Snakes, Raekwon’s Verbal Intercourse, and Shaolin Brew, Wu-Tang’s contribution to the St. Ide’s Hip Hop endorsement campaign from 1994. This time El Michels brings some of the Big Crown family along for the ride. Lee Fields handles vocal duties on Snakes and is joined by Shannon Wise of The Shacks for their version of Tearz, which pays as much homage to the Wendy Rene sample as it does to the Wu-Tang Clan. Lady Wray makes an appearance on the cover of Method Man’s hit, All I Need, lending her vocal prowess to what gave the Wu one of their biggest hits of all time. Interspersed throughout the record are some original interludes that are like the “rug that ties the room together,” giving Return To The 37th Chamber a cinematic narrative that makes it a proper El Michels Affair record and not just a collection of covers.From the music to the presentation, this album is a perfect example of what can only be achieved through diversity. The end result is as much a kaleidoscope of influences and multiculturalism as the city it was recorded in. El Michels Affair is once again, “sounding out the city” that raised them, pulling elements of art and culture from across the country and around the globe to create an album truly unique in it’s own right.

Lil Louie Vega's label presents the Grammy award winning British singer Caron Wheeler. Her track is entitled "A New Day". The one time member of Soul II Soul presented the track in its original format earlier this year and these remixes act as a follow up to Vega's latest album "Louie Vega Starring.XXVIII", which featured an ensemble of 25 artists across 28 different songs! It's a real who's who here or the 'best of the best' if you will and here's proof: the man synonymous with Spiritual Life Music and Body & Soul NYC Joe Claussell hands in a typically life affirming rendition. Chicago deep house don and Prescription Records boss Ron Trent shows us just how emotive and soulful house music should be. Also of mention is the great bonus "Starring XXVIII" (Jazzie B spoken word) where the legendary Soul II Soul front man gives us you an inspirational lowdown on the state of things.

2017 repress of classic Theo Parrish album with new artwork and catalog number. Essential!!

PPU's debut compilation from our favorite femme, Maryn E. Coote. Previously released material featured on PPU-061 with her son Uku Kuut, "Suggestive" gave us access to the endless trove of studio recordings, out-takes, demos, and new material from the estonian-swedish singer/songwriter. Maryn is dedicating this album to her son Uku, who has been living with A.L.S. for several years now. The sale of this album will directy support his care, and support further research on the disease.

This was one record that started the PPU label,.. 10+ years in the making, Ace and PPU finally bring you his underground 80s funk bomb. Written and recorded in Macon Georgia.

Clutchy and Fatty....High desert crunch meets city life punch for this collaborative project in sound. Instrumental elements of soul, jazz, hip-hop, rock and more resonate throughout the record. Just what any Clutchy Hopkins or Fat Albert Einstein fan would ask for, track after track of laced up loveliness.These two gents pair banging rhythms with lush melodies and top them off with their signiture low brow high fi sound. Guaranteed for some straight nasty.Acoustic and electric instrumentation set the tone and in their individual stlyes, Clutchy and Fatty navigate your journey through psych folk caverns of cactus dust and marine layer funk with bloodshot rust. It is distinctive, original and fresh, paying homage to the past, present and future.Visionary folk funk.

Limited Clear Splattered Vinyl LP Armed with his unique delivery, gruff voice, and sharp wit, U.G. is well-equipped to do just as he wishes when he hits the booth. Whether on his own or earning critical acclaim as one-half of the Cella Dwellas, the Brooklyn rapper has been a giant amongst the NYC rap underground since '94. And on Portals, his long anticipated solo debut, U.G. proves that his formula for crafting excellence has no expiration date.Portals is a 14-track journey into just what U.G. set out to accomplish—a movie-like atmosphere anchored by well complemented production (entirely from IDE) and extraordinary rapping. That much was evident on lead single, "The Mystic," which is equally eccentric in its wordplay and technical displays as U.G. flows over the creeping instrumental. Elsewhere, the BK spitter taps into his cinematic vision with joints like the harrowing "Might & Magic," and the super-grimy, "Ready for War."Interestingly enough, U.G. credits his movie-like approach with what makes his music so appealing to his fans. "That inner-kid comes out of them when they hear that stuff," he says. "We (U.G. and IDE) are both visual artists as far as our approach to sound is concerned."Beyond the concept, the rapper and producer just love Hip-Hop culture and wanted to represent it right. They may be taking a Boom bap excursion into another dimension—and likely one in a distant galaxy—on Portals, but this is pure, raw, unadulterated Hip-Hop to the bone gristle.