MINT

What initially started as idea for a DJ-duo project quickly turned into a new production outlet for German producer David Hanke. He is well known for his Northern Jazz, Funk and Afrofunk productions under various monikers ever since his first release back in 2008 of which the most recognized surely is his Renegades Of Jazz-alias.After starting to fully embrace the Afrofunk vibe with his 2016-released Renegades Of Jazz album 'Moyo Wangu' as well as two Dem Juju Poets singles in the same year it's now about time to release 'Liberated Thoughts' - the longplay debut for Dem Juju Poets which is scheduled for April 2017.Having spent an influential part of his childhood in Arusha, Tanzania and engrained the music of East Africa, his sound combines these influences with modern, more club-orientated electronic Afrofunk productions which defines the core sound of Dem Juju Poets.With 'Liberated Thoughts' Hanke refines his Afrofunk vision for 2017 informed by his experience as a DJ in venues all over Europe which naturally led to a more floor functional production approach.The opening title 'At The Jubilee Gardens' serves a sweet equatorial coast sound combined with heavy drums and a seductive bassline followed by 'Stonetown Shakedown' with a positive and energetic theme, chants and a busy brass section to set the dancefloor in motion.'Bagamoyo' has a distinctive sound with it's electronics and a laid back character followed by 'Juju Chant #1' which samples 'Mantis Revolver' by Seattle based trio 'Afrocop' whilst the title track 'Liberated Thoughts' with it's raw but floor friendly combination of drums and vocals leads back to the center of the dancefloor.The title 'Mala Mali' describes the curse of money, whether you have much of it or even nothing. Fusing a cinematic, widescreen trumpet arrangement with vintage synths and rolling drums - a digression into slightly more psychedelic Afrofunk territories. Furthermore, 'People's Republic' is built on a more Soul based idea with Jazz flutes and a vibrant horn section.'Fubica', a peculiar theme for bumpy streets, provides broken beats, a mellow Jazz guitar and leaping sax followed by the second interlude 'Juju Chant #2'. The following 'Barabara' was released as a prequel single to 'Liberated Thoughts' and perfectly complements the albums flow.With 'Poacher's Lookout' the psychedelic touch is revisited again, this time creating a tense overall atmosphere, with additional hypnotic scats and some darker electronics. The album closes with the Dub-inspired slow groove of 'Flowers For Lions', a beautiful ending for 'Liberated Thoughts'.

New First Time On A 45 series from Mukatsuku which will focus on tracks which never made it to a 7 inch single in their own right. First up The Three Pieces with a sublime track taken from the 1975 Fantasy album Vibes Of Truth. On the flipside also from 1975 Johnny Hammond delivers the much sampled club favourite 'Tell Me What To Do' from the legendary 'Gears' album from Milestone which also gave us 'Shifting Gears', 'Los Conquistadores Chocolates' & 'Can't We Smile'. Two classics on a dinked friendly format. Limited pressing. Don't sleep !

JOB's musical journey started as students at the famed Booker T Washington High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. United by a shared love of soul music and sweet harmonies, singers James Davis, Ollie Carbin, and singer-songwriter & musician Billy Bruner began to jam together and eventually formed their own band, J.O.B, upon graduation in 1977, setting to work building a reputation by playing local parties, venues and fashion shows. Very quickly the word of mouth on J.O.B became so strong that they were offered a house band gig at North Tulsa's most popular after hours spot, The Point After. During their tenure at the famed late night spot many bigger acts came to see J.O.B when in town. Tulsa's own Gap Band, Chaka Khan, and Bootsy's Rubber band all paying homage to the trio. It's extremely rare to find good quality recordings from local clubs of this era so we were delighted when this ¼ tape turned up in Billy's archive, so sit back and transport yourself back to Saturday evening, 20 August 1977.

Head an hour east of Los Angeles and you'll find yourself in the Inland Empire of San Bernardino / Riverside, where a thriving Latinx DIY music and art scene is on display to a melting pot community and audience. It is out of this grassroots local scene that QUITAPENAS developed their unique rhythm and following. At the heart of the group is a tropical Afro-Latin combo, brewed under the warm California sun with a certain liberation in their sound as summed up in the meaning of their name: QUITA (remove) PENAS (worries). With this carefree openness the crew has honed a distinct and hypnotic take on the influential guitarra / tambora roots of golden-age soukous, chicha, compa and champeta.Following up their well received, self-released debut, QUITAPENAS has teamed up with Brooklyn-based label Names You Can Trust to release a pair of original songs. These tracks not only explore and capture the musical roots of their expansive Afro-Latin history, but offer a lyrical view of a decidedly present-day landscape from the perspective of America's vast multi-cultural immigrant experience. YA VERAN (You'll See) is an inclusive call to see the inherent beauty of our various shapes, sizes and colors, while LA BESTIA (The Beast), warns of the perilous form of travel in which people board on top of a series of trains through Central America and Mexico in order to reach the United States.

Record Kicks proudly pres. Juno Awards nominee Tanika Charles. Her debut album "Soul Run", produced among others by Slakah The Beatchild - best known for his works with Drake - will be released on Record Kicks next April the 7th.Already filed under "one of the heavy hitter of 2017" and anticipated by its first single, the title track "Soul Run" which is hitting the airwaves all around the globe, Soul Run is the debut album by Edmonton-raised Tanika Charles.The album produced among the others by Slakah The Beatchild (BBE Records), best known as a producer for his collaborations with Canadian rapper Drake, strikes a seamless balance between the warm authentic vintage Motown soul sound, yet contains a contemporary twist to it. A tricky thing to accomplish, however, Tanika has undeniably managed to achieve this, judging by the glowing reviews and support she's currently receiving from all around the globe, including a nomination at the 2017 Juno Awards (the Canadian Grammys) for best R&b/Soul album of year."The most buzzed-about Soul singer in Toronto" according to CBC network, in a few short years has transformed from an emerging solo artist to a commanding performer and bandleader, a staple in the Canadian soul scene, both on stage and off. Her touring career has seen her supporting the likes of Estelle, Haitus Kayote, Lauryn Hill and Macy Gray. Highly impressive, considering she is only just releasing her debut album to the world, after her low-key EP release, 'What! What? What!?', back in 2010.Growing up on a musical diet of Patti Labelle, Jill Scott, Bob James, Stevie Wonder, D'Angelo, Bjork and The Black Crows, Charles' eclectic music taste subconsciously shines through in 'Soul Run', an album's name that came from a tragic part of Tanika's life. Miss Charles presents an immutable charm, at times endearingly abrasive and honest in her vulnerabilities. If Tanika's singing it, she's lived it! Soul Run "is a post breakup album. It's not about a breakup as such, but about finding yourself after hitting the reset button", Charles makes clear. Tanika Charles put a modern, edgy twist on the classic Motown sound, resulting in an album that captures the ears and feet of anyone in a 5 mile radius. Fans of Sharon Jones, Lee Fields, Lauryn Hill and Macy Gray... watch out !!!

Nicole Willis & collaborator Jimi Tenor, (known solo artist) with electric bass player Jonathan Maron (Maxwell-Ascension, Norah Jones, etc).Disco EP or LP with old school Radio Edit, Original & Instumental versions of the two songs:Disco/Funk "Big Fantasy (For Me)"Disco Anthem "Tear It Down"