Long awaited reissue of classic Convextion tracks originally released on Matrix Records Detroit.
Convextion – R-CNVX2 [ARTLESSVEXTRE2]
re-release
Lafayette Afro-Rock Band – Soul Makossa LP [STRUTLP300]
Second in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Record is Lafayette Afro Rock Band’s elusive funk/Afro original album, ‘Soul Makossa’ originally released in 1973. Drawing inspiration from Motown’s work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango. Rechristening themselves Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group’s musical direction shifted towards predominantly instrumental compositions, characterized by a weightier, more intricate Afro-funk sound. Their debut recording under this new moniker, ‘Soul Makossa,’ made a powerful impact with a dynamic rendition of Dibango’s classic, coupled with the intense break of ‘Hihache’ and the contagious ‘Nicky.’ Initially released by Musidisc in France and later in the U.S. via Editions Makossa, the album omitted the title track due to publishing clearance issues.
Lafayette Afro-Rock Band – Malik LP [STRUTLP299]
First in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Record is Lafayette Afro Rock Band’s elusive funk/Afro original album, ‘Malik,’ originally released in 1974. Drawing inspiration from Motown’s work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango. Under the new moniker Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group’s music transitioned to predominantly instrumental compositions, featuring a denser Afro-funk sound. Their inaugural recording with the new name, ‘Soul Makossa,’ included a compelling rendition of Dibango’s classic and the impactful break in ‘Hihache.’ The subsequent release a year later, ‘Malik,’ refined their sound with the percussive Afro party jam ‘Conga,’ the atmospheric vocoder and piano-led piece ‘Djungi,’ and the robust funk of ‘Darkest Light.’ Despite a limited impact upon its initial release, ‘Malik’ found appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the ’80s, establishing itself as a rich source of samples and riffs. ‘Conga’ was featured in the ‘Ultimate Breaks And Beats’ series, while the opening horn line from ‘Darkest Light’ became a pivotal hip-hop motif, employed by Jay-Z, Public Enemy, Wreckx ‘N’ Effect, and many others
The Overlords – Organic? [MEC081]
Re-release including all original tracks plus some bonus and remixes. The Overlords is a pioneer electronic project coming from Denmark. Rune Bendixen, Carsten Pedersen and Ian Ion started to work together in 1987 inspired by Front 242 and Adrian Sherwood’s electronic dub. The ever-cheaper samplers allowed the band to record their debut album ‘Midnight at the Grooveyard II’ (1988) and built their own studio The Grooveyard in Copenhagen. Next works started to get increasingly influenced by techno, new beat and innovative dance music. A new single ‘Moontrap’ (1990) appeared on Belgium’s Antler Subway Records and led The Overlords to collaborate with Kenneth Baker who remixed the next single and massive club hit ‘Sundown’ (1991). The full-length ‘Organic?’ (1991) came shortly after also on Antler Subway in Belgium, ZYX Records in Germany and reached America with Caroline Records.
The Overlords – Sundown [MEC082Y]
Re-release of this timeless electronic anthem. A track that defies any classification. The perfect mix between Belgian techno, trance and EBM. ‘Sundown’ was released as single in 1991 and instantly became a techno classic in Germany and all over the globe selling over 200,000 copies worldwide.
M500 / 3Mb – Jazz Is The Teacher [M020]
New mastering and new cutting of one of Metroplex’ (and Detroit Techno in general) keystone releases. Three essential tracks by three masterminds in electronic music. Detroit Techno master Juan Atkins (Model 500) and Berlin’s Moritz von Oswald together with Thomas Fehlman are responsible for this absolute classic.
Time Capsule – Sexual Desire / Heat In Africa [THANKYOU031]
An interesting insight into some of the diverse dancefloor oriented sounds going on in Canada during the 80s sitting somewhere between electro, italo disco and proto house. A-side starts off on a slow paced 80 bpm pop/rock italo-disco crossover track featuring lyrics in english with an unidentifiable accent, very much reminiscent of Italian local neighbourhood private press ventures featuring someone’s sister on the vocal. 3 versions later, on the B side, things step up a notch coming in at 130 bpm with “Heat In Africa’s” drum machine propelled rhythmic mayhem pulling out all the latest studio bells and whistles of the time. Big electric guitar solo build up on the “Dance Mix” and additional Bonus Beats mix by Castro.
Okay Temiz – Drummer of the Two Worlds LP [CAZLP007]
First official reissue of one of the most sampled Turkish records in 45 years, a psychedelic masterpiece from 1980. Recorded between Istanbul and Stockholm, it captures the era between Okay Temiz’s Don Cherry Trio touring and his own band Oriental Wind’s sensational debut. Mentioned distinctive elements have elevated the record to cult status among record collectors, sample enthusiasts, and diggers around the world. `Drummer of Two Worlds` is a star map of Okay Temiz’s musical worlds. Blending elements from the grand piano to his handmade drums, and from the amplified Berimbau to his cowbell array, weaving Turkish rhythms like 9/8 and 7/8 with the universality of 4/4, it presents a unique sound narrative that resonates with the dimensions of a well-traveled mind.
Mad Professor – A Caribbean Taste Of Technology LP [ARILP025]
Island style electronic dub from the Mad Professor. Originally released in 1985 on the same Ariwa imprint. True D.I.Y. business from this UK dub pioneer.
Syntech – By Trial And Error LP [VPB016]
This Dutch music project was created in the late 1980s by two graphic designers, Edwin Van Der Laag and Huib Shippers, who were in love with electronic music. Their debut album is divided into two parts, the first with Edwin’s music and the second with Huib’s. Obviously Van Der Laag’s songs are inspired by Laserdance, for which Van Der Laag also designed album covers, however Shippers’ part is slightly different, less aggressive, trance-inducing. This is the first part of the album and is the first vinyl reissue of this album since its first appearance.
Ambrose – Cat Groove [RMCE022]
Rawax welcomes Mark Ambrose to the artist family with “Cat Groove” which came out originally on Mark’s own label called Crayon as first release in 1997.
Adult. – New Phonies EP [CWCS024]
2000 Detroit. 2023 Still Detroit… Remastered and reworked art reissue of Nicola Kuperus and Adam Lee Miller’s Adult. classic.
Jimy K – She’s Gone Away [BAP197]
Giorgio Records teams up with Bordello A Parigi for the reissue of this beautiful italo disco tearjerker, originally released in 1984 in very limited quantities. Straight from the original master tapes provided by the maestro himself, Rodolfo Grieco.
Salvy and Giuly – Stop The World [BST-X096]
“Stop the World” is a captivating song released in 1984 by Eyes Records. 40 years later Best Record re-propose on a new release the original song and the instrumental version.
The Don – Remember [THEDON03]
The Don is back to round off the series with maybe his most sought after release, his Remember EP. Reaching crazy prices online, the two tracks have been lost for some time. Now being remastered, ready for any dark club or after party.
Escape From New York – Save Our Love [ISLE021]
The original single from Escape From New York finally gets an official reissue. Originally released in 1983 ‘Save Our Love’ was released a year before ‘Fire in My Heart’ and sets out their highly effective fusion of New Wave, Disco, Italo and Post Punk. Featuring Jaki Graham and D.C Lee on backing vocals, the 12” also includes an instrumental mix and cult classic ‘Slow Beat’ (Dance Mix). Escape From New York were short lived and disbanded in 1984 following the release of ‘Fire in My Heart’, ultimately buckling under the pressure of commercial expectations for their innovative brand of pop music.
Model 500 – Classics LP [MLP093]
Juan Atkin’s masterpiece compilation, the blueprint of Techno albums…. the 1993 Model 500 ‘Classics’ compilation with some of Juan Atkins’ biggest early Metroplex milestones, with some of them in exclusive remixed versions. 3 decades later Metroplex is re-releasing this collection of hugely influential tracks for a new generation to play from fresh and clean vinyl!. Just like the recent 12″ reissue series, this album has been fully remastered with all the care and attention to detail you can imagine. Tracks like ,,No UFOs”, ,,The Chase”, ,,Techno Music”, ,,Night Drive (Time, Space, Transmat)” or ,,Off To Battle” are basically techno ground zero, with the electro influence of mid-80s to late-80s Juan Atkins productions still omnipresent. 30 years on since its original release on R&S records, ‘Classics’ is still as gritty and timeless a statement as ever.
Oppenheimer Analysis – Oppenheimer Analysis [MW001X]
Eighteen years ago, Oppenheimer Analysis made its indelible mark with the iconic track ‘The Devil’s Dancers,’ heralding the birth of the Minimal Wave label. Founded with a singular mission, the label set out to share this musical gem with the world. This historic release graced the world on December 6th, 2005. Remarkably, this EP has been elusive for a decade now. In an exciting development, the fifth edition of the Oppenheimer Analysis self-titled EP, is presented as a loving tribute to Martin Lloyd (1950-2013 R.I.P.), one half of Oppenheimer Analysis. The EP showcases select tracks from the 1982 Oppenheimer Analysis cassette titled “New Mexico,” the original remastered version of ‘The Devil’s Dancers’, along with two previously unreleased gems.
Miss D. – Moving [EHAW008]
Miss D. used to work as a model in New York. That she ended up in Vienna was sheer coincidence. That she became a recording artist was never planned, either. She moved to the Austrian capital with a well-known commercial producer in the mid-1980s, and soon she found herself recording TV ads for ice cream manufacturers. One day in the recording studio, someone had the brilliant idea of producing a proper record with her. The outcome was the highly sought-after disco oddity “Moving”, which was originally released in 1986, but most copies were destroyed due to a lack of commercial success. Now getting a second chance, “Moving” is as strong as Austrian disco productions from that era come: slow, bouncy, full of personality and consistently surprising.
Channel One – Technicolor [M003]
Metroplex continues its run of reissues with two more seminal releases from the label’s golden back catalog. First off is Catalog number M003, aka late 80’s Metroplex electro staple Channel One, a Juan Atkins joint with Doug Craig (Carl Craig’s cousin) on vocals. Futuristic and playful techno from the late 80s which soundwise evolves from Cybotron and the obvious Kraftwerk influences. Juan Atkins said about the release in a 2005 interview that “it was more fun than politically driven, just about the colors and combination spread from colors”. An important release in the history of Techno from both a cultural and creative perspective. Channel One’s technicolor has been carefully remastered from the original tapes.
The Hipodrome Of Music 