MINT

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.

ATKR with his debut on Ta-ku's & Repeat Pattern's 10inch label BRRWD. BRRWD is a label collaboration between Ta-ku/ repeat pattern & Jakarta Records. AKTR (pronounced actor), is a beat maker from Yokohama city sampling primarily 80s funk. With his familiar yet subtly unique and fresh approach, AKTR is commonly loved by both more hiphop leaning loop heads, and serious connoisseur consumers of Vaporwave alike. He somehow manages to consistently contribute a high level of bliss to this sample/collage culture (or whatever you want to label it) in a quiet yet powerful manner from his humble Yokohama apartment. We are very excited to be one of the stops in his creative journey and hope you will hear what we are hearing.

Voilaaa is one of the many projects led and produced by Bruno “Patchworks” Hovart, who’s proven over the past 15 years, his place amongst the finest producers of groove music in all genres.This time exploring the wide spectrum of the African and Tropical Disco scene, he received a massive international support for Voilaaa’s first album, On te l’avait dit, released late 2015 on Favorite Recordings.Following to that success and pursuing the same direction combining of the festive, yet sometime futile nature of Disco, and the instinctive, deep, sometimes rough nature of African music, Voilaaa’s now presenting its 2nd efforts, Des Promesses.The 13 tracks of the album are again up to expectations, and Voilaaa has not finished feeding international dancefloors with heavy Afro-Disco music. Alongside Bruno at the production, singers Pat Kalla and Sir Jean are back providing their carefree lyrics and Afro vibes, and Senegalese artist Doctor Lass comes to extend the team, with 3 brilliant titles, including a great Funky cover of the classic “Mandjou” by Salif Keita and Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux..

Original release ℗ 1994 Freetown Records 2017 repress © Groovin Recordings with kind permission of Kerri Chandler & Arnold Jarvis

Originally released in 2007 by Unified Records Peven Everett - Put Your Back Into It Official 2017 repress by Groovin Recordings Licensed courtesy of Peven Everett

Original release Polar Records 1993. Official reissue by Groovin Recordings 2017.

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.