SEALED

The Rhythm Makers were composed of Emanuel Rahiem Leblanc (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Keith "Sabu" Crier (bass and vocals).Herb Lane (keyboards and vocals) and Kenny Banks (drums and vocals) The group released one album, Soul On Your Side in 1976 on the De-Lite Records subsidiary Vigor Records, from which the group had one major internation- al dancefloor hit, "Zone". At the time that Kenny Banks was replaced by Paul Service in 1978, and the group's manager suggested that the group name be changed to "GQ". They would sign with Arista Records.- RECORD STORE DAY Limited Edition to 200 copies for Europe and US.- Original Release 1976 from Vigor Records- 180g heavy weight vinyl, Made In Japan- Original Artwork with Japanese high quality Jacket- 2019 Remastered from original master

Gregory Porter’s “1960 What?” continues to be one of Expansion’s most sought after releases and comes now in new enhanced packaging. It combines the original with the Opolopo Kick & Bass re-Rub.Gregory Porter as narrator, sounding like Amiri Baraka, declares on “1960 What?” that “the motor city is burning y’all—that ain’t right” and refers to Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and describes trigger-happy policing (supported by a trumpet that blares, jabs, rumbles, and yearns); and the song portrays how certain events turn people against the possibilities of life and light. A vision that only recognizes strength and cruelty and rage is dangerously imperfect: rather, creativity, education, intelligence, sensitivity, democratic political participation, and compassionate social work are goals and virtues that can be affirmed, if not actively pursued, in all times.

Reginald Omas Mamode IV is set to release his third album ‘Where We Going?' via Five Easy Pieces on 10th May 2019.The album was partly recorded on a journey to the Mascarene Islands in search of family roots. 'Where We Going?' is reflective of the search for this lineage, which branches from ancient Mauritian Maroons - whose rich heritage, music and culture includes an unrecognised, undocumented resistance to colonialism - though Swahili and Malagasy to sugarcane plantation Creole slave decent. Influenced by golden era hip-hop, jazz, soul, Afro, funk, Sega and Maloya, and music from Africa, the Caribbean, South London and US; it is in part an attempt to evoke feelings of universal love and compassion. Mamode recorded the album using various drums and drum machines, percussion instruments, Fender Rhodes, and Roland and Korg synthesizers. His two earlier albums - 2016's s/t debut and 2017's 'Children of Nu' - were warmly received, collecting critical success from Mojo (“A brand-new-retro delight”), Mixmag (“Peckham beat brilliance”), Record Collector (“Equal parts D’Angelo to J Dilla”), The Wire (“Soul music turned all the way inward”), DJ Mag "A masterpiece") and Bandcamp (“Lifeforms that are equally steeped in hip-hop, funk, soul and jazz”). He was also nominated for ‘Album of the Year’ at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards 2017. Along with Mo Kolours, Jeen Bassa, Henry Wu, Al Dobson Jr and Tenderlonious; he’s helped forge in the 22a co-operative that The FADER calls “a kaleidoscopic patchwork of hip-hop, house, and groove investigations bound by one thread: a timeless belief in rhythm as a universal language”.

With his roots in Assam, northeast India, and his hustle now based in Brooklyn, the psychedelic soul-savant known as Jitwam. will officially drop his second album on the Copenhagen-based label Tartelet Records in May 2019.

Ras G is back from his most recent house release Dance Of The Cosmos to bring you his most smoothest lo fi golden era MPC/Sp-303/404 inspired boom bap instrumental series titled Down 2 Earth Vol.3. Back into the light featuring 12 beats and one vocal track from Up And coming South Central Los Angeles Emcee Duckwrth.For Fans of Pete Rock, Dj Spinna, JDilla, Kankick all the way down to Dibiase, Tuamie, and Ohbliv....this that Bap! Don't Sleep! vol.5 coming soon!

As menacing and unhinged as ever, the pride of Staten Island is back with their fifth full-length offering, V. Raw and absent of modern technological trappings, the Budos pick up where they left off with 2014’s “Burnt Offering,” and finds the Budos expanding on the brooding, fuzz-fueled riffs, whilst harkening back to the Ethiopian inspired rhythms and percussive proclivity that put Budos Band on the map. “Old Engine Oil,” a rocker at heart, kicks things into gear and delivers a high-octane burst of Budos mayhem. “The Enchanter” serves up a classic dose of upbeat afro-soul, drenched in a venomous assault of wall-melting proportions that leads you to the “Spider Web,” a rumbling ode to the Cowbell Colossus whose punctuated horn stabs take you on an untamed ride to the dark side of the spoon. The side closes with “Peak of Eternal Night,” whose odd time signature and haunting horns transport the listener to the peak of a menacing otherworldly landscape that’s further explored in the final track “Ghost Talk” – a guitar driven groover that gives way to an organ-washed space ritual beneath sun-summoning trumpet blasts.Side Two opens with “Arcane Rambler,” an interstellar ramble across space and time that leaves the listener in cosmic purgatory. “Maelstrom,” released as a single shortly after the release of “Burnt Offering,” boasts waves of furious sonic power that batter the listener via a maw of snarling sea-foam bubbling with the power of the Budos. Soon darkness falls as “The Veil of Shadows” is draped across the land – in this realm of twilight one quickly loses their way, only to find themselves at a dusk-to-dawn pyre of budonian proportions. “Rumble from the Void” then pulls you into a percussive black hole of formless beat-worship. There are no horns to help you here, just the tentacles of rhythm that tirelessly pull you back into the void. “Valley of the Damned” closes the record, it’s twisting groove coupled with hypnotic drones of synth and horns transports you to a place of little hope and and even less reason.You’ve been warned…- Album cover features a linoleum print by Budos Band Drummer, Brian Profilio, a NYC public school art teacher- Previous PR/Radio coverage: Wired, Pitchfork, NPR Music, NY Times, Last Call w/ Carson Daly, CBS Saturday Session, WNYC Soundcheck, KUTX, WFUV, WFMU...- Tour Dates confirmed in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Brooklyn & New York- Official music for “Old Engine Oil”- Radio campaign by Distiller Promo + PR campaign by Girlie Action- "A punishing set of instrumentals...an uncompromising visceral appeal...party music with a scary edge" - Billboard- "Spooky, funky, freedom-loving fun: The chance to embrace something like that doesn’t come along often, and it’s to be cherished" - Pitchfork

BCUC aka BANTU CONTINUA UHURU CONSCIOUSNESS

Formed in Tokyo in 2017, Ronin Arkestra brings together some of the finest and most creative players in Japan’s Jazz and and electronic scene. The collective includes members of Kyoto Jazz Sextet, WONK, Cro-Magnon, Root Soul, Sleepwalker, Sauce81, Kyoto Jazz Massive and, of course, band leader Mark de Clive Lowe.Kicking it all off is ‘Stranger Searching’, where lush electronics meet beautifully executed Jazz in full story mode. A constantly driving beat push this track along through its various chapters, with each member of the band given time tell their tale. Horns from Shinpei Ruike, Kohei Ando and Wataru Hamasaki tie everything together in beautiful harmony.‘Redeye Reprisal’ hits hard right from the top. With soaring horn lines and beautifully soulful keys from Mark de Clive Lowe, it is drummer Hikaru Arata who is given time to shine in this piece. Wild patterns add to the frenetic nature of the piece, creating drama and mystery before it safely delivers you home.Flip the record and we are back in story mode again. ‘The Silk Road Prelude’ is Japanese Jazz at its finest. A solid theme gives definition to this piece, with the horns once again providing all the drama you need. Carefully interspersed with beautiful guitar playing from Tsuyoshi Kosuga, and interwoven electronics from Sauce81, drummer Nobuaki Fuji and bassist Shinju Kobayashi control the groove with exquisite detail.The final track needs no introduction. ‘A Love Supreme’ is what legends are made of. Beautifully reimagined by this fine group of musicians, this is the Sunflower moment, a group showing its full dedication and respect for the Jazz masters. A band of Ronin, dedicated to follow the sun until it sets.