BBE has teamed up with Chicago based Still Music to bring you a slice of phenomenally rare Disco / Boogie tracks. ‘The American Boogie Down’ was compiled and mixed by Still Music label owner; Jerome Derradji with the talents of Detroit vocal legend Paul Randolph featured on the mix.
This compilation is taken from ‘Past Due Records’. Still Music’s famous disco reissue division. It includes two unreleased tracks from Chicago’s Morning After and Detroit’s Monofide.
There is a natural synergy between BBE & Still (who have over the last four years championed house, soul, techno, afrobeat and disco sounds) and this meeting of musical minds could be the beginnings of a fruitful journey unearthing rare gems from the past as well bringing new talent to the fore.
Outside of New York City, the sound of late 1970s soul music was adhered to almost begrudgingly. Up to that point, most of Middle America had been allowed to remain blissfully behind the curve, appropriating the fashions coming out of the urban cultural centers at a leisurely pace. But by the time of disco music’s explosion, mass media and the major label machines were functioning effectively enough to make even the sleepiest burgs more aware.
""This is a superb compilation, one of the best boogie comps I've heard." " - Graham " Mr Bongo" Luckhurst, Feb 2008
""Love it! Me gusta sobre todo la de Greyship Daviz!!! increible! La voy a pinchar hasta la saciedad! Really Groovy!" " - Ruben "Watch TV" Garcia, Feb 2008
"BBE you're too good to us.. Constantly bringing gems to or back to the surface. If you did a Kings of Compilations compilation, you'd somehow have to be on it. Lots! Many Thanks. " - Dave "Sambalanco" - Straight No Chaser / Destination Out, Feb 2008
The sound of the Sixties and Seventies has never been so sought after
as at the present moment. You could even argue that modern music just
isn't good enough. As evidence consider this: contemporary producers and artists are often looking back to get inspired - insert staggering number of examples - so you can safely say that even in this digital age the beating heart of modern R&B and hip-hop is still vintage soul, funk and jazz.
This is why BBE Records have teamed up with DJ/Producer Mr Thing, to dig deep into his extensive collection to compile a series of albums of rare and sought after breaks. This series reflects brilliantly on his dedication to digging for those untouched and unrivalled samples and breaks as you hear him use in his DJ sets. As a DJ, Mr Thing never fails to engage the crowd with his winning combination of hip hop and funk breaks, spiced up with his legendary mixing and scratching skills.
The first installment in the five part "Strange Breaks & Things" series contains superb songs; some you've probably never heard of, some which may make you go: "I recognize this sample!"…because it was once used as the backdrop for a classic Hip Hop track. If you liked the legendary "Strange Games" compilation series on BBE compiled by the likes of Kenny Dope & DJ Spinna, you'll love "Strange Breaks & Mr Thing".
Maiden voyage, first affair. Debuts tend to have a certain quality, as if the excitement of making a proper record lurks in every bar, even in this age of the download. For the artist the chance to set out their stall, to present a body of work is still the ultimate goal. Doubtless listening habits have changed, the I”-pod is often set on shuffle, and the temptation is always to cherry pick the best bits of everything. Even respectable, publications follow their reviews with the recommendation to “download this”. How soul destroying for the artist. After months of toil and tweaking, fretting over running orders and overall balance, their lovingly constructed magnum opus is reduced to a tip to check out one, maybe a couple of tracks. However even in these digitally blighted times the artist has little option, even if less and less people buy “hard copy”, there’s no better way to structure a recording career, how else can we judge the artists development, how else will they focus their creativity? Still for the debut artist the thrill is undiminished, for the likes of Aaron Jerome there’s s every reason to be excited.
Format: MP3 Download, CD, dbl 12” Available Soon!!!
Al Kent was born in Scotland. His father was an avid record collector and had a cabinet full of them. And Whisky. Everything from Abba and Elvis to the Glitter Band and Buddy Holly was in there. What a load of shit they were. ?In 1976 Al ran away from home to live in New York. Here, at the age of 8 he started attending the Loft and hanging out with Nicky Siano and a whole bunch of cool New York DJs with Italian names. In 1978 he was arrested for possession of PCP while guesting at Better Days with Tee Scott and deported back to Glasgow, where his dad was now getting into a bit more David Essex. He was shit too. ?So Al opened his own club in Glasgow, based on his experiences in New York. With his pocket money he flew Richard Long over to kit it out and had Walter Gibbons DJ at the opening party. ? since then he's bought lots of records, done the deejaying in lots of places, and recorded an orchestra too. ?
For the full story of The Million Dollar Orchestra see the biography, in short the album was recorded in the traditional way, mostly one take, in an analogue studio. The Sound is rich , lush, string laden, beautiful disco music, full of joy with phenomenal musicianship. It is Al Kent’s biography told in Music.
Al is currently working with Lynn from Ebonycuts on a time machine. This project should be completed soon, at which point the two will travel back in time and buy lots of records.
"Al Kent has managed to recreate the modern soul meets backstreet disco sound he loves with amazing authenticity." - Joey Negr
DJ Vadim has been touring tirelessly since the beginning of the year, with a live Sound Catcher show. Somehow in between shows he’s found time to record more material, complimenting what has been his best work to date. Sound Catcher Extras is a formidable album which includes, new tracks, live tracks from the tour, remixes previously only available on vinyl and two remixes from the online remix competition which had 2000 entries (Wow took a long time to go through them all)
You need only take a look at the hottest names in the music industry today to realize that we are entering the age of the producer. Mark Ronson, Pharrell Williams, Timbaland or Kanye West to name but a few have all made the transition from their darkened studios to the limelight with varying degrees of success and have become household names internationally. One can speculate as to why this is, but it seems increasingly clear than in today’s convulsing music industry being able to multitask is a key attribute for any new artist.
Step forward Aaron Jerome.
Aaron Jerome combines his confident musical writing with brilliant production skills, accomplished musicianship and a rising Dj career. Raised in Nairobi, Kenya; of Indian descent, and currently residing in cosmopolitan London, Aaron Jerome’s influences are as wide as it gets, as is readily apparent on his forthcoming 2008 debut album “Time to Rearrange” (BBE Records). But before we unleash that beast onto the world, BBE is proud to offer you a taster of things to come with “Dancing Girl”. This his first single kicks off with a gorgeous cover version of Terry Callier’s original masterpiece featuring Zero 7’s Mozez on vocals. On the flip we find Aaron Jerome’s’ own composition “Blow Your Own”, for which he is joined by the rising star of Belleruche fame - Kathrin DeBoer
After a two year hiatus, J-Live follows his last critically acclaimed full length “The Hear After” with a sneak attack in the form of the 6 song EP “Reveal The Secret”.
“I want this to feel like it came outa nowhere. I want the people that have it to feel special, you know. Let them spread the word that I’m back. Pass it on before the album drops. You know… let the cat out the bag, reveal the secret.”
Its no secret that J has worked with his fair share of elite producers in the past. And although this fall’s mini project is just a precursor, it is no different. Reveal the Secret features production by DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinna, Da Beatminerz, Marco Polo and Oddisee.
“My people have been dying for me and Spinna to get back in the lab. He’s been down since day one. We have a couple other joints on the album too” The album, titled “Then What Happened” is due out 2008. But in the meantime, the EP will serve as a best foot forward, on J’s path to share his music with the world, break out of obscurity and “Reveal the Secret”.
POUR LE VOIR / TO SEE : myspace. com/kamaradepacking POUR L'ENTENDRE / TO LISTEN : myspace. com/godotweb POUR LE COMMANDER / TO BUY : sydrobertjob@hotmail.com
