Grotto – Wait… No Hurry [LIVST004]

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First official reissue of Nigerian Boogie Disco Grail LP produced by Grotto for EMI Nigeria and originally released in 1978. Contains dance classic’Bad city Girl’. Liner notes by Nigerian Music expert Uchenna Ikkone, include previously unpublished photos and extensive interviews by Temitope Kogbe. It contains more examples of disco-era dancefloor heat, with the band utilizing Moog synthesizers alongside their usual instrumentation. While naturally rooted in Afro-funk, the set contains some of the earliest examples of Afro-boogie while also touching on jazz-funk, psychedelic funk and undulating Afrobeat/Afro-disco fusion.

vinyl / CD

Grotto – Wait… No Hurry [LIVST004]

Darkhouse Family – The Offering [FW168]

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First Word Records present you with ‘The Offering’ – the debut album by Darkhouse Family, a Cardiff-based duo consisting of Earl Jeffers & Don Leisure. Previously releasing music under their respective monikers, Metabeats and Jamal, they’ve produced an assortment of sounds over the years, from Hip Hop to House to D’n’B. Connecting as a duo almost a decade ago, this merger logically saw the birth of their own unique style, comprised of a bonafide fusion of genres. Recruiting friends Daf Davies on drums, Jonathan Williams on strings and cameos from Henry Wu; a keen eye on the soulful jazzy details is maintained throughout as swooning, sunny side keys, dusty samples and gorgeous vocals from the likes of Vanity Jay, Jessy Allen and Esther wrap themselves around their hybrid of chopped beats and Daf’s lavish, highly swung drums. Highlights include the Soul II Soul style “Journey To Love”, the twinkling slo-mo bruk of “GAEA”, the slinky slap bass and Rhodes tickle of “Modaji Suite” and the spiritual climax of the finale “The Accession”.

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Darkhouse Family – The Offering [FW168]

Tony Burkill – Work Money Death [ATALP008]

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A stalwart of the Leeds music scene for the best part of 3 decades, Tony Burkill has so far maintained a low profile nationally, choosing to favour continued study and development of the instrument over the attainment of success or recognition within the music industry. Working as a sideman for hire on the local circuit, he has impressed audiences with his powerful and gutsy approach to improvisation and has been a well-kept secret amongst both musicians and audiences in the north of England since the 1980s.Recently featuring as a guest soloist on the debut album by The Sorcerers, Tony has been on the radar of ATA Records since the inception of the label. Impressed by his exuberant and earthy performance style they decided to embark on the writing and production of what was to become ”Work Money Death”, choosing to frame his playing in the context of the performers that have helped to shape his sound, most notably the spiritual jazz of the 60s and 70s.

vinyl / CD

Tony Burkill – Work Money Death [ATALP008]

Vakula – Techno Game [ARMA018]

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Ukrainian producer Vakula, whose name is linked to the early days of Arma, re-emerges with Techno Game. The double vinyl features seven confidently-carved tracks that reflect Vakula’s current exploration of techno landscapes. As the cover suggests, it is a game. The author does little to nothing to explain the rules, throwing the listener into an elegantly structured space that feels alarmingly material.

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Vakula – Techno Game [ARMA018]

VA – Momentum: 10 Years Of Token [TOKEN78LP]

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Over the last 10 years Token Records has grown steadily, both in size and stylistic breadth. The aptly-titled Momentum comes as a celebration of the close-knit family of artists amassed throughout the label’s running. The record is a fitting collaborative project, with every track on the album produced by two longstanding and well-respected artists from the label’s roster and especially commissioned for the release. This type of collaboration is intended to showcase the specific sound of the label, developed through 10 years of careful curation, as well as bringing out the individual identities of the artists involved.

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VA – Momentum: 10 Years Of Token [TOKEN78LP]

C.P. Smith – DJ Tools Vol​.​1 – 808 Tracks [CPU00110110]

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CPU’s homage to the Roland TR-808, the drum machine ubiquitous on binary imprint. CPU label boss Chris Smith has meticulously rebuilt the drum tracks of classic electro funk records known for their pioneering and influential use of the 808. Strictly for DJs and MCs, this is an essential tool for remixing, looping or laying vocals over. Cut loud and ready for battle.

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C.P. Smith – DJ Tools Vol​.​1 – 808 Tracks [CPU00110110]

Nackt – Private Property Created Crime [LHP003]

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San Francisco label Left Hand Path’s latest record is a contemporary techno opus, featuring four tracks, each with a distinct sound and feel, designed to set off a dancefloor and invigorate your stereo. Cool dripping Electro cuts from Johnny Igaz aka Nackt.

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Nackt – Private Property Created Crime [LHP003]

Guy Contact – Guy Contact [BF001]

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Bitterfeld is most known for their production of drain-pipes, paper-roofing and it’s amazing chemical production industry but it’s a little known fact that Bitterfeld are also responsible for the production of amazing music. Some 900 years after the city’s foundation they’ve finally found the time to establish a music label to reflect the city’s rich musical heritage. The first release comes from Guy Contact. Expect chemical influenced electro, acid and house.

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Guy Contact – Guy Contact [BF001]

CN – The Expedition Beyond [FPR003]

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Future Primitive is back with an immersive new LP from CN, whose approach to electro comes loaded with analog fuzz and a wistful vision of science-fiction sounds. Originally a cassette release on Wil-Ru Records in 2011 ”The Expedition Beyond” is a musical narrative that chronicles the astral travels of a star-craft and it’s crew through the outer reaches of the Galaxy. 10 tracks of cosmic acid funk, drifty nebulous synth-scapes and robo-centric electro.

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CN – The Expedition Beyond [FPR003]

Neil Landstrumm – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon

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CPU and dance music’s polymath Neil Landstrumm share a love for classic bleep techno, hence Landstrumm has brought to the table four superb reminders of the criminally short lived genre. With spine tingling melodies reminiscent of 808 State’s best work, and sub-bass worthy of LFO’s bass-bin shaking reputation – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon perfectly encapsulates not only Landstrumm’s influences but also his deep seated love for bleep. A labour of love which the Sheffield based imprint has been only all too happy to encourage and hopes will keep the genre alive for generations to come.

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Neil Landstrumm – A Death, a Mexican and a Mormon

Further Reductions – Disparate Elements [KH011]

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New York City based Further Reductions is the live project from husband and wife Shawn (aka Vapauteen, 400ppm, Let Er Est) and Katie O’Sullivan (aka Rose E Kross, ppG). Back in 2014 they released their gorgeous debut album on Cititrax records. The album was an adventurous trip, where they pushed forward a unique sound. After all those years there will be a follow up to this EP on Knekelhuis. Expect a fusion of different sounds, grimy and pretty at the same time.

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Further Reductions – Disparate Elements [KH011]

6D22 – Dragons Path [MNSX011]

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Enter the Dragon. Adding mystique to the techno are these pulsating, arpeggiated, snarling beasts from the Italian producer with an ominous-sounding remix by Heinrich Mueller aka Gerald Donald of Drexicya. Track titles refer to the journeys of the Sky Dragon (A1), Yellow Dragon (A2) and Dragon King (B1/B2) as they soar and serpentine majestically underwater and beyond the clouds.

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6D22 – Dragons Path [MNSX011]