MINT

A never before released version of a truly, legendary house record from the late great Frankie Knuckles…working in collaboration with The Frankie Knuckles Foundation who will receive 50% of the profits from this project, SoSure Music is proud to present the Director’s Cut re-production of ‘Baby Wants To Ride’. Alongside this, a vinyl exclusive edit by Jimmy Edgar, which was originally a tribute release after Frankie’s passing in 2014, finally gets an official release.2011 saw the launch of Frankie and long-time production partner Eric Kupper’s ‘Director’s Cut’ project, with the aim to release new music, whilst re-producing classic cuts to fit with the modern dancefloor. SoSure Music is now working alongside Eric Kupper and Hector Romero, with the blessing of both Def Mix and The Frankie Knuckles Foundation, to bring a renewed focus to some of this material.First up, the illustrious, evocative 1987 anthem, ‘Baby Wants To Ride’. Rightly regarded as a masterpiece of early Chicago house and a pioneering classic through and through. Knuckles and Kupper extend the intro and outro to allow for those sweeping blends, whilst adding deft touches and reprogrammed lines to give a crisper, more detailed feel to this sumptuous slice of definitive house music. Couple that with newly spiritualised vocals and fresh erotic ad libs from Jamie Principle and prepare to rekindle that infectious energy 32 years down the line.On the B side, Jimmy Edgar showcases his trademark touch to provide a fresh spin on the original whilst staying true to its essence. Reworking the arps, adding atmospheric drops and crunchy percussive elements, whilst holding off on the iconic vocal till the last section, all combine to give this version a unique, big room character that nods to the past, yet reinterprets for the present. A fitting tribute from an artist whose own productions are clearly laced with influence from Frankie Knuckles.

Our first release of 2019 is a sublime EP from Australian talent Loure. Utilizing live session musicians to create four tracks of Jazz influenced Deep House.‘Hope Circuitry’ is a twin movement opening track that starts the EP off with a dreamy introduction of gospel vocals and a soulful piano. Loure then flips the switch on the track and roots it firmly on the dancefloor with a big funk bassline and re-chopped samples of itself.Up next is ‘Streets’ a smokey Jazz number effortlessly layered with sultry vocals, brushed drums and sweet sweet brass instrumentation.‘The Beauty Was Us’ starts off the B sides with it’s thumping kick that melts away once the gorgeous strings, muted trumpet & pianos come in. Spoken word phrases are complimented by frenetic drum programming and a walking live bassline.Finishing the EP is ‘Ruminate In Blue’. A smoothed out breakbeat rhythm underpins the deepest of deep chord movements. Blues inspired guitar licks and dubbed out soulful vocals shine alongside Shaun Rammers’ amazing Sax skills. 7 minutes in Heaven.

Serving up their inaugural 12’’, Little Foot Records leave a big imprint with ‘Step By Step’ by Kousto. London based Frenchman, Kousto follows up his recent Low Tide release on Beats Of No Nation. Featured on Resident Advisor and supported by the likes of Jeremy Underground, Project Pablo, Folamour and many others.Kousto former DJ and producer at Hoxton FM delivers lush deep and dreamy house music with a sound evoking the sea and golden sands of the Côte d'Azur. His first EP encapsulates this style with musical waves and analog sounds mingling to create playful, summertime vibes. The legendary Simbad aka SMBD has collaborated on “The Old Days” and “Seagull Chant”. Peter Pearson, chillout jazz musician from south of France has collaborated on “La Med”.Kousto writes “Little Foot Records” aims to work with producers who are expecting something new, we want to learn and share our projects with our friends and people who share the same passion. The joy of listening to a great song is the only criteria. Producers have to feel free to create and dream to share their music with the world. Walking on sandy beaches of south of France has inspired my music and it will hopefully leave the print of a little foot that every artists wants to leave to our music world. Step by step is my first Ep and it is part of this movement!”

Three 1982 disco classics from boogie trio Plush formed under the guidance of Angela Winbush, René Moore and Bobby Watson, get the official, remastered reissue treatment from the original tapes.Opening up the EP, an Angela & Rene original ‘Free & Easy’ is taken on by the Plush troupe, with the legendary Tee Scott providing a trademark extended mix. It kicks off with cosmic synths that dissipate into heavy funk, electric bass riffs, whilst scorching top lines and choice guitar licks trade off over the top. Scott’s magic is clear to see in the composition of this extended mix. A man who clearly knew how to work a dancefloor, his use of breakdowns especially, extending the anticipation and power the track commands on its dancers. From the bass breaks that weave in modulated synths, to those that utilise the glorious sustained piano chords, cutting to just vocals and percussion before everything is added back in for ultimate dancefloor elation.First up on the B side, ‘We Got The Love’, a more soulful, slowed down tip where staccato guitar plucks and chunky slap bass marries with warm Rhodes chords, and lush vocal harmonies blend with the power of Siedah Garrett commanding the lead vocals. A passion ingrained in their voices that cannot be taught, hanging in the air, as they hang onto their phrases.Lastly, ‘Livin For Your Love’ a boogie-based serenade written by Herman Chainey and Tony L. Phillips, intertwines Phillips’ deep dulcet tones with Plush’s backing. Add in a dose of pure ‘80s bass synth, twanging funk flashes and juicy bass guitar ripples and you’ve got a recipe sure to woo any wandering hearts out there.

1979 Linda Williams gold from the Arista archives gets a much welcomed official, remastered reissue.With an intro that does exactly as its title suggests, ‘Elevate Our Minds’ became a huge rare groove record in the mid to late ‘80s. Produced by the late, great Richard Evans who worked with the very best in the business, from Gene Chandler and Marlena Shaw, to Ramsey Lewis and Ahmad Jamal, it’s supremely arranged, blending a Bossa Nova beat and trumpet trills with Linda’s distinctly New York authenticity that comes through in the vocals. Like a trip to the blissful beaches of Rio whilst bringing a touch of the New York disco glam along for the ride. Exotic yet familiar, all in the same breath.On the flip, ‘City Living’, a straight up New York disco killer - oozing with funk, dripping in brass blasts, off beat hats and spruced up synths, it’s a primetime ode to the hustle and bustle of the city. Williams’ glorious tones, assisted by a majestic troupe of backing singers, glisten alongside the classy drumming and polished bass badness that lays behind it.

Official, remastered reissue of this disco tinged, afro funk treasure and the first time the ‘Karam Bani’ single has been cut to 12” – maximising every ounce of highlife soul from Sidiku Buari’s productions.That undeniable US funk flavour coupled with Buari’s Ghanaian rhythms bring a zest to these grooves even the tangiest of forbidden fruits couldn’t draw out. Those fuzzed keys and dusty highlife guitar licks sprinkle the West African flavour, whilst drumming demi-god Bernard Purdie provides the wizardry behind the infectious, yet precision like beats that make the track so unique. Purdie’s killer breaks combined with Buari’s jubilant vocals give a spirituality to this cut that’ll liven up any dancefloor - alongside being a gold mine for samples.Flip it over and you’re hit with the joy filled jam, ‘Ye Koaba’. Tribal drums lead the way for a chorus of jubilant chants supplemented by glistening synth sounds and funk fuelled guitar riffs. It’s a feel-good slice of Ghanaian sunshine, capturing that community spirit and good-hearted nature Ghana’s famous for.Two afro funk sensations sure to put a smile on your face, even when the skies are grey and you’re 5000 miles away from the glorious West African coastline.