MINT

From a lost Australian electronic soul gem, to a cult classic: Shahara-Ja’s ‘I’m An Arabian Knight’ has gained much momentum since it’s 2017 reissue, so much so that the Egyptian Lover reached out to the label proclaiming he’d do a remix. The electro innovator who the original release appears to be highly inspired by seemed like a perfect fit for this sleazy late Night groover. The result is 3 fresh mixes using elements of the original session tapes and the perfect touch of the Egyptian Lover’s signature 808

Early Sounds presents this compilation of Qvark’s demo recordings (early 80’s band from Milan) which is an important find to define the sound of late 70's and early 80's Italian club sound.Milan, Italy, 1983. In the midst of the 80s economic boom, which gave an injection of optimism after the heavily political 70s, a group of young local musicians meet every night in a basement to rehearse and record a peculiar breed of Italian disco music.Originated from the ashes of various other projects, and rooted in the broader jazz-funk tradition, the group creates music which is equally inspired by contemporary fusion as well as by the first wave of the italo-disco sound. Over approximately 3 years the band has recorded and played live, until the dismantling of the project towards the mid 80's.Fast forward 35 years and the genuinely mediterranean flavor of Qvark's demo recordings are still enjoyable, both for the actual resurgence of the Italian disco tradition and for the groovy quirkiness of a project which has been too long forgotten. After an intense work of audio restoration of such tapes, heavily affected by time, Early Sounds presents a compilation which is an important find to define the sound of late 70's and early 80's Italian club sound."

New Kenny Dixon release - two of his trademark soulful, jazz fused house cuts.

The comeback of the growing bin‘s favourite private german Jazz Funk gem.Spring is in the air and groove is in the heart for Hamburg’s most loveable record label. Following the freak beat festival of Wolf and Wandt’s ‘Instrumentalmusik’ comes a release that’s been in the pipeline since the organic imprint first took root; the first reissue of the beautiful ’Señora’. Beguiling and brilliant, this private press princess makes you want to dance, dream and do cartwheels, then breaks your heart when you realise you’ll never meet her - a rare beauty indeed. So it’s time to let Basso play cupid and introduce you to the love of your life.Eagle eyed associates might recognise the sleeve as Basso’s everyday avatar, chosen in tribute to his favourite jazz-funk record of all time. Originally released in limited quantities back in 1981, the self titled ‘Señora’ was the sole release from a quartet of German groove maniacs, coming together in one ecstatic union of rhythmic precision, smooth riffing and melodic mastery. Take opener ‘Paul’ for example; a continent away from the West End, this sublime slice of raw guitar, silken keys and gliding bass could have made Mel Cheren proud. From there we’re taken on a journey through the syncopated slide of the jazzy ‘My Way, Your Way’, the samba sway of the mild and mellow ‘Easy Going’ and the poetic piano of ‘Pearl’, a triumphantly esoteric tone poem to close the A-side. ‘Señora’ ups the tempo on the flipside, galloping through tight triplets, fusion guitar and mind expanding synth play. The B2 brings a strolling bassline and tender tonality, executed with all the ease of the Sunday morning which dawns on the extended and expansive cooler which brings the LP to its final emotional release.

Uneven Paths: Deviant Pop From Europe, 1980-1991 is the second multiple artist compilation on Music From Memory and is compiled by record connoisseur Raphael Top-Secret and label man Jamie Tiller. The compilation brings together twenty one tracks from across the continent; exploring the more unusual and unexpected sides of Pop music produced during that period.Drawing material from cult experimental artists such as Steve Beresford, Brenda Ray and Bill Nelson alongside one-off independent musical projects rescued from the fringes, ’Uneven Paths’ focuses on a selection of tracks that go beyond the confines of mainstream pop music but which also transcend expectations of much of the ’experimental’ music of the time. This is music with one foot in the avant-garde and another foot firmly rooted within the sensibilities of Pop; where Jazz musicians detour into Synth-Pop, Punk bands break into Boogie jams, and student doctors jam out on odd melodies with synthesizers and drum machines during their night shifts.

First release of label La Casa Tropical, two South African nuggets.. Especially ''Smile'' is a sought after tune by Satari.. The flip is wicked too.Synth heavy South African Disco Boogie from the Mid 80s. First issued near the end of the synth-pop era that gave boom to the local record industry, this release takes the B-sides off the mysterious group’s first 2 singles recorded at Johannesburg’s legendary Satbel and Ovation Studio. Combining live instruments and an embrace of the electronic gear that was already standard in all studios city wide, the newly formed supergroup was able to create a unique sound at a time the word ‘Disco” was starting to be associated with a different emerging movement.Initially a side project for the group Image (later changing their name to Ymage to avoid confusion after some success in Europe), the new outfit re-enlisted the help of their original producer and long time friend Sidwell Duda, followed with the addition of novice artist and songwriter Bibi Msomi . Their first release was a new take on a song they had recorded for their hit EP which became their first record to see a run outside their home country. Snuck on the B side was a steady 4/4 beat with fat bass synth and the quick funky keyboard licks Don Laka was known for.After an unsuccessful debut the newly formed group hoped to draw attention with a single front man. For their second release they used a tactic common amongst producers 10 years prior during the reign of the 7” single. Bringing two of his own compositions to the session, but unable to lead the group himself, Bibi’s independence and unique voice led to the creation of the ultra suave, party playboy known as Nicky Love.Although neither single saw any real success and failed to make it past an initial run of 500 copies, the now backing group known as Satari managed to produce a few more titles into the fast changing market that left their sound behind.