SEALED

"MoTP" (originally released in 2013 on a limited MLIU pressing) is back, including a Tuff City Kids remix!

BACK IN STOCK For Record Store Day 2018 RNT ushers in the springtime sunshine with Férias '77 Reworks, a collection of Brasilian revisions from label co-head JKriv.A longtime lover of Brasilian sounds, this 8 song double 12" compiles reworks he created over nearly a decade, drawing from some of his most revered and respected sources.From the upfront boogie of "Relaxa," to the stomping "Babaluae," the tropical funk of "Rainha do Mar," the downtempo sway of "Era Um Era," to the almost balearic-leaning "Dotô" and more, this mini-album contains a wide swath of Brasilian styles and flavors.With beautifully vibrant artwork practically jumping off the sleeve, a free download card, and a cheeky sticker pack included, this one is an absolute RSD essential! 2 x Black Vinyl With Picture Sleeve, Sheet of Stickers With label Art + Download Codes

Strut presents an exclusive release for Record Store Day, an 11-minute previously unreleased version of folk-soul gem ‘Fishman’ from 1972 by legendary Caribbean funk band The Beginning Of The End.Unearthed recently from the band’s tape archives, ‘Fishman’ paints a warm picture of life in Nassau. As The Beginning Of The End’s bandleader Ray Munnings remembers, “There was this guy that would walk through the streets early morning – you’d hear him calling ‘Fishmaaan, Fishmaaan!’ He had the catch, fresh from the boats so you could buy grouper, goggle eye and snapper there on your doorstep. The song is a nice way of remembering that slice of island culture from the early ‘70s.”This newly unearthed version builds from the 45 version, with the band solo-ing and jamming freely: “it’s great to hear this version after 55 years,” Munnings continues, “we would always stretch out in the studio. We were a tight unit with my two brothers and I at its heart. We just naturally played long during our sessions and it’s great to hear the end part here too – we just started talking together, laughing about cooking up some conk stew!”This new release features the rediscovered full length version and the 45 version, originally released as a B-side to ‘Doin’ The Funky Do’. It also includes the in-demand full length edit of the band’s rare groove classic, ‘Funky Nassau’ built from the Part 1 and Part 2 versions. ‘Fishman’ is released on Strut on Record Store Day (21st April 2018) featuring a strong new cover design by Bethany Porteous. All tracks are remastered from the original reel to reel tapes by Peter Beckmann at Technology Works.- First ever release of extended 11-minute version of The Beginning Of The End’s ‘Fishman’- Includes in-demand full length edit of the band’s rare groove classic ‘Funky Nassau’- Remastered from original tapes by Peter Beckmann at Technology Works- Release previews full Beginning Of The End reissue programme during 2018

45 year anniversary of William DeVaughn's smooth soul classic remastered and reissued for RSD on exclusive white vinyl.“Diamond in the back / Sunroof top / Digging the scene with the gangster lean" - Does it get any smoother than that? Stick this record on and get lost in that effortless bassline, sensual guitar licks, coupled with DeVaughn's silky vocals and you'll be right there kicking back in the Cadillac. Oft sampled by the likes of NWA and De La Soul and covered multiple times, most notably on Massive Attack's debut album.On the B side you're treated to 'Blood Is Thicker Than Water', DeVaughn's first single giving a taste of the masterfully stylish soul he was to carry throughout his career.

Bosq's aptly titled third full-length effort "Love & Resistance" is a collection of songs that reflect a producer's continuing emergence by diving deeper into his influences. The strains of Afro and Latin flavors are interwoven and still heavily permeate but the underlying groove and rhythms have taken on a more modern, jazz-funk and disco-soul vibe with nods to Bobby Caldwell, Roy Ayers, the Mizell brothers and Nile Rodgers' Chic.Originally based out of Boston, MA but now calling Medellin, Colombia home, Bosq's new surroundings have inspired him to create his most diverse and creative album to date. Already featuring the top tune "Can't Seem To Hide" with Megan Doherty that made a splash off the gates as the first single from the album (10/10 rating from Mixmag), the whole album is soldered together with each track being a single-worthy release in it's own right. Featuring guest vocalists on all but one of the tunes including frequent collaborators Kaleta, and Nicole Willis, along with Ray Lugo who's known for his work in Kokolo and Boogaloo Destroyers. LA based singer Induce and new duo Lucid Paradise (E da Boss & Ishtar) along with vocalist Bruno Morais whose classic Brazilian voice is reminiscent of Jorge Ben round out the cast of Bosq's most vocally varied album work to date, reflecting both his growth as an artist and his willingness to push his own sonic boundaries.A relentless work ethic fused with a broad and varied music palette all attuned to the groove and a focus on making folks move has led to numerous remix projects, most recently with legendary Benin-based Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou. With a steadily growing fan base and reputation amongst fellow artists and musicians, Bosq's immediate future is already laden with releases lined up for Fania and his collaborative effort Body Music alongside The Rapture's Vito Roccoforte.

Eko Roosevelt Louis has had a music career spanning over forty years, born the grandson of a Kribi tribal chief, his musical persuasion beginning humbly with his village's local church before his formal education at the Senegal conservatoire and Paris' Ecole Normale de Musique. Eko then cut his teeth making jazz funk and disco records in the mid-seventies before extensive touring in and around France. In the 90's Eko returned to Cameroon to take over his grandfather's tribal chieftaincy, a role he still holds today. Eko also works with the Cameroun artistic societies and schools performing, teaching and even leading Cameroon's national orchestra.For this Africa Seven foray we take a trip to 1979. "Funky Disco Music" was Eko's third LP. It is locked-on with the sound we here at Africa Seven like and after what seemed like ages we finally tracked Eko down in Cameroun and persuaded him that a re-issue was most definitely needed.The LP opens up with the bright and uplifting disco-swing gem and title track "Funky Disco Music". Punchy horns, afro rhythms and groovy bass (From Vicky Edimo) power this groover along before mixing straight into the Jazz-Funk-Disco hybrid "Ndolo Embe Mulemadolo". Taking its cue from the age - Paris 1979 - "Une Chanson Sans Paroles" is a French power pop meets afro swing belter to keep the LP tempo high.To close off side A is the gloriously uplifting "Bowa'a Mba Ngebe". Dripping in positivity and goodwill this feel-good disco gem was a recent highlight of our African Airways 04 compilation. Side B opens with the afro-folk meets pop "Doi Da Manga". Next is "Me To A De Try My Own" and "Esele Mba Musango Na Ndol'am" with their locked on bass grooves and afrobeat grooves. The LP closes with the smooth ballad jazz of "Emen' Ango". The heartstrings are all a flutter.Stay tuned for more Eko later in the year. Africa Seven.