All Categories — All Formats  

One of the funkiest albums on the legendary TK Records label – and that's saying a lot, given the strength of the imprint back in the 70s! This sole album by Trama is a stone cooker all the way through – done up in a heavy ensemble funk mode of the time, with some extra sharp bits around the edges – and a slight spiritual undercurrent too – almost a Soul Cal vibe at times! The guitars snake nicely around the keyboards, and Donna Allen's lead vocals really sparkle on some of the best numbers – widening the soulful appeal of the grooves, while the rest of the group still do their thing on instrumentation and backup vocals. Production is by Sax Kari, who's clearly going for a club vibe, but leaves nice rough bits around the edges – which gives the record a less polished feel than other TK disco records, and much more of an indie 12" sort of groove! Titles include "Gimme Some Lovin", "Captain Of The Ship", "If I Ever Do Wrong", "Come With Me", "Straight Groove", and "It's Amazing".

A stormer of a set from Nacao Zumbi – really stepping out here with a bold sound that's miles away from the group's run with Chico Science, and which marks them as a strong force to be reckoned with on their own! The production here is really ramped up – not exactly funky, but really heavy on the drums, in a way that makes the whole album bristle with energy throughout – thumping, bumping, and rumbling with an earthy brilliance that's extremely captivating – transcendent of language and cultural affiliation, and punching out with a power to firmly mark a space for Nacao Zumbi on the growing map of global grooves! Guitars and cool electronic touches color the rhythms nicely – and titles include "Pode Acreditar", "Futura", "Vai Buscar", "Na Hora De Ir", "Hoje Amanha E Depois", "Expresso Da Eletrica Avenida", and "Nebulosa".

A live show from Otto – one of our favorite Brazilian talents from recent years, and an artist with a sound so fresh, even MTV can't mess it up! The DVD presents Otto's live appearance on the Brazilian version of the network – a pretty edgey batch of tracks that's hardly what you'd expect from the American arm of MTV – with really compelling, complicated rhythms underneath Otto's great vocals – all in a mode that's right up there with the genius we've come to expect from his studio albums. Titles include the now-classic "Bob", plus "Cuba", "Renault/Peugeot", "Low", "Pra Quem Ta Quente", "Anjos Do Asfalto", "Tento Entender", "Dias De Janeiro", "Por Que", and "Retratista".

Heavy modern rock from Brazil – played in a frenetic hardcore mode that occasionally pauses to let in other influences. The drummer in the group's especially great, as he works like a locomotive to push the group in a triple-time groove. Titles include "Hardcore Brasileiro", "Baleia", "Male", "Vinheto Para Jackson", "La Ursa", and "Esquenta Barracao".

The first record in awhile from Patricia Marx – but a set that's definitely worth the wait! Patricia's working here with partner Bruno E – and they've both moved into territory that's quite different than their skittish, clubby work of the Trama years – a warmly gentle groove that's perfect for the most soulful aspects of Patricia's vocals! The approach is almost bossa – but a bit more expansive, thanks to Bruno's thoughtful creation of the tunes – and there's a larger, more ambitious feel that really puts the whole thing in classic Brazilian territory – a welcome return to greatness for both artists! The set features some guest appearances by Xanton Blacq and Osvaldinho Da Cuica – and titles include "Danca Das Flores", "Three Short Stories", "Baiao De Janeiro", "Passaredo", "Minha Paz", "Terra Seca", and "You're Free". Also features a full DVD, too – with 7 songs from the album, plus some bonus features too – including subtitles in English, French, and Portuguese.

A sweet contemporary set from Brazil – one that's got a blend of airy vocals, heavier rhythms, and some nicely offbeat production! The sound is sometimes sharp, and sometimes a bit more atmospheric – almost in a space between older Trama Records gems and some of the more experimental rock we've been hearing from Brazil in more recent years – especially when the use of electronics gets nice and noisy! The style's quite a change from the smoother style of most previous records of Far Out – and the set's got the sense of experimentation you'd find in some of the most adventurous Tratore recordings. Titles include "Brasilia Grafitti", "Looking Asa Sul Feeling Asa Norte", "Roriz 2010", "Macumba", "Bofe Story", and "Diogo's Lament".

Genius from the mind of Kool Keith aka Big Willie Smith aka Poppa Large aka Dr. Octagon. Since his days with Ultramagnetics, no one has mastered the abstract lyrical style like Kool Keith, self-proclaimed inventor of all rhyme styles. 20 tracks, with dope atmospheric features by the Automator and scratches by the legendary Q-Bert, including "Earth People", "No Awareness", "Technical Difficulties", "Blue Flowers", "A Visit To The Gynecologist" and "Bear Witness".

The classic, finally back in print on LP! The roots of Kool Keith's abstract poetical style are in evidence here in all it's brilliant glory, properly displayed without the smug hipster irony that makes so much of his latter day projects so off putting. Plus, the Ultramags had that amazing production by Ced Gee. This is still one of our all-time favorites late 80s new school hip hop albums. With "Watch Me Now", "Ego Trippin", "Ease Back", "Funky", "Kool Keith Housing Things", "Feelin It", "Ced Gee (Delta Force One)", "Traveling At The Speed Of Thought" and more.

The first single off the "Funk Your Head Up" LP. Almost Bomb Squad-style production by Ced Gee. "Chorus Line Pt 2" has a nice cut'n'paste break type track.

Nice comp of old school (...okay, what passes for old school these days) cuts: Schoolly D "PSK What Does It Mean?", Ultramag "Ego Trippin", Fearless Four "Rockin It", Treacherous Three "Body Rock", Just Ice "Going Way Back", Steady B "Bring The Beat Back", Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud "Girls I Got 'Em Locked", fat Boys "Stick 'Em", Roxanne Shante & Biz Mark "Def Fresh Crew", Sweet Tee & Jazzy Joyce "It's My Beat", Run DMC "Peter Piper" and Fresh 3 MCs "Fresh".

Plenty of Chicago overtones here – thanks to the Windy City setting of the recording, and to contributions from Jeb Bishop on trombone, Kent Kessler on bass, and Robert Barry on drums! Daniele D'Agaro is no stranger to this scene – and his tenor and clarinet are right at home in the lineup – finding free spaces of expression to voice his presence strongly, yet also moving in ways that clearly inspire the other musicians – especially on the more compositional tracks on the set. Titles include variations on the Ellington numbers "Melancholia" and "Sweet Zurzday" – plus "Ultramarine #13", "Chicago Beer Coaster", "Dick's Holler", and "Barry K".

Holy cow! This is an original pressing of the last LP by the Ultramagnetics – on single vinyl, in a plain black sleeve with a sticker on the front. The last of the classic from the initial years of the Ultramagnetic MCs. The lyrics are still in the abstract style the Ultramags are famous for, but this time they're a little less manic – despite Kool Keith dropping his trademark madness. Ced Gee's production is still up to par to say the least – this one still sounds great! Tracks include "Two Brothers With Checks (San Francisco, Harvey)", "One, Two, One Two", "We Are The Horsemen", "Saga Of Dandy, The Devil & Day" (about Negro League baseball), "Adventures of Herman's Lust", and "Delta Force II." 14 tracks in all.

Genius from the mind of Kool Keith aka Big Willie Smith aka Poppa Large aka Dr. Octagon. Since his days with Ultramagnetics, no one has mastered the abstract lyrical style like Kool Keith, self-proclaimed inventor of all rhyme styles. 20 tracks, with dope atmospheric features by the Automator and scratches by the legendary Q-Bert, including "Earth People", "No Awareness", "Technical Difficulties", "Blue Flowers", "A Visit To The Gynecologist" and "Bear Witness".

Way more than you'd expect from the title and cover – not a batch of familiar disco hits, but a treasure trove of club classics from the early 80s! Sure, some of the artists here are familiar – but most of them are from the indie side of the spectrum, and even the few big stars are represented by either non-hit tracks, or hard to find remixes that make this collection well worth seeking out! And given the early 80s focus of the track selection, there's less disco here than 80s groove and boogie-styled rhythms – heavy on the beats and keyboards, and still filled with plenty of great vocals. 20 tracks on 2CDs – with titles that include "Dreamer (long vocal)" by BB&Q Band, "Nights Of Pleasure (Nick Martinelli mix)" by Loose Ends, "You Can't Run From My Love" by Stephanie Mills, "I'm Out To Catch" by Leon Haywood, "Just Another Lover (12" mix)" by Johnny Kemp, "Fall Down" by Tramaine, "I Feel For You (12" mix)" by Chaka Khan, "Got To Be Real" by Selection, "Garden Of Eve (long)" by Yvonne Gage, "The Rhythm Of The Jungle" by The Quick, "Burnin Love" by Con Funk Shun, "I Need You" by Network, "Love Take Over" by Five Star, and "To Be With You" by Maxx Traxx.