MINT

Chicago’s own Specter of Tetrode fame joins the Sounds Familiar family and series of 45s with a double A-sider. ‘Circus Time’ is an hipnotic disco stomper, while ‘Concrete Jungle’ will please all the afro-funk headz!

NYC house legend DJ Basil teams up with Ron Trent and creates "Are You House" a pure dance floor track on Ron's own Future Vision label. TIP! DJ Basil returns to the dance scene once again. Best remembered for his house classic "City Streets" (Nu Groove) as well as "All True African" and "Time To Be Free" (King Street Sounds), Basil adds a brand new gem to his catalog of music.

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.

Utterly magnificent, sublimely soulful survey of the Gospel Roots label, subsidiary of the mighty TK Records at the height of the Miami Sound.A&R was co-ordinated by Gospel legends Ira Tucker — from the Dixie Hummingbirds — and Ralph Bass, veteran producer with Savoy, King and Chess. The label was run by Timmy Thomas, who had recently smashed with Why Can’t We Live Together, for another TK spin-off, Glades. Operations were overseen by Henry Stone himself, unlikely King of Disco, who had recorded a young Ray Charles, and pushed forward James Brown. They drew in artists from all over the US, from St. Louis, Columbus, Memphis, Brooklyn, Cabrini Green in Chicago: unknowns like Camille Doughty, reluctant to jeopardise her job at GM (‘Generous Motors’) in Detroit, and huge-sellers like the revered Brooklyn All Stars, who started out on Peacock in 1958.Choral belters, deep ballads, harmony quartets, epic city-blues, gritty funk, powerhouse female soul… Killer-diller Philly like a scorching version of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ Wake Up Everybody; and Jean Austin’s raw Spirit Free, co-written by Ronnie Dyson, produced by Jesse James at Future Gold. Chicago Sound like The Fantastic Family Aires — named after the family’s furniture store on North Cicero, but reminiscent of the Staple Singers at their best — through to the full-blown glory of The Fountain Of Life Joy Choir, led by Marvin Yancy from The Independents, and featuring Natalie Cole… Singers like Versie Mae Gibson, from the Jordans, by rights up there with Irma, Etta and Ree… Bangers 100%-guaranteed to find their way into Theo Parrish sets; and mortal delirium for the prissiest of soul and gospel purists.Beautifully presented, with a 12”-square, full-colour, sixteen-page booklet of photos and original artwork — and truly outstanding notes, including insightful new interviews across the board; mastered at Abbey Road.

New Robert Owens release! Written by Robert Owens, produced by Ron Trent and Jerome Sydenham.

Seven Davis Jr recruits two close friends and kindred spirits to rework cuts from his debut album Universes: house music titans Karizma (aka Kaytronik) and Osunlade (aka Yoruba Soul). Basement Boy Karizma takes on "Sunday Morning" delivering a high octane "Ruff Kut" dub and a choppier Baltimore Club tinged "Love Break" dub. On the flip, Osunlade gives "Welcome Back" his trademark exquisite touch.

Melbourne’s got it (goin’ on)! Returning back to the city we hauled in yet another producer. M5K fixes us up with three edgy House tracks together with smooth, synthesized melodies and a wicked kick.M5K has built up quite the resume, with releases on Melbourne recordlabels. Not just some new kid on the block, eh! Exactly the reason we’re excited to have him featured on Dopeness Galore.The A side will get the party started. ‘We Got It (Goin’ On)’ reels you in with the synthesized boogie and sci-fi sound effects the Melbourne sound is known for. The track steadily climaxes to a high-energy war of sounds, making you want to get on down by laying the track down with a double kick. Now, get ready for the flip side! We kept the artwork black, because this release just feels dirty. Just listen to how grimy the bass gets and let Shawty tell you why. The final and title track is layered with repeating chords over a groovy baseline. M5K really breaks it down with ‘Healin Feelin’.Sounds like Mike Dunn from Melbourne, if you like the edge of MD X-press you shouldn’t miss this!

Further heat from Gay Marvine, brightening up every floor with powerful uplifting DJ tools, the essence of the heat of the party. This time we have lost disco classic that just gets you burning, the funk of War given the perfect disco treatment, Diana giving it to you like only she could (and later Michael would, his exact staccato style), and luv tempo of factory favorites who later had a member who completed her PhD in the cultural politics of the house music aesthetic in 1995.

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