Diggin’ In The Crates

In loving memory of the late Detroit legend, Mike Huckaby. Originally released on Sushitech back in 2011 this is a limited 10″, 15th anniversary reissue on a clear vinyl. The label will donate all the profits to Detroit youth in need.

Earlier this summer, mash-up maestro DJ Soopasoul raised our temperatures by layering Wu-Tang Clan vocals over a chunky, funk-fuelled backing track crafted from snippets of James Brown jams. He called it “Sex Cream”, and now he’s back with more sickly-sweet goodness based around the down-low greatness of the Godfather of Soul. A-side “More Sex Cream (Crooklyn Style)” delivers a similar-sounding JB-inspired beat, this time peppered with rhymes from “Crooklyn”, the debut single from Masta Ace, Special Ed and Buckshot’s short-lived Crooklyn Dodgers project. It works wonderfully, of course, as does the flipside instrumental version. Bare party-starting fun for funk-loving hip-hop heads!

Although she’s already released a couple of stunning EPs and mini albums, “Source” marks the first genuinely full-length excursion from award-winning saxophonist, composer and producer Nubya Garcia. This is genuinely exciting news, not least because Garcia’s deliciously contemporary and forward-thinking sound draws on a myriad of styles and sounds whilst remaining firmly rooted in jazz. For proof, check opener “Pace”, where her dancing sax solos and breathlessly piano solos ride a loose-limbed groove that thrillingly intensifies as the track progresses, or the 12-minute “Source”, an all-star fusion of organic steppers reggae rhythms, echo-laden percussion hits, reverb-laden vocalizations, weighty dub bass and lashings of evocative saxophone solos. In truth, the rest of the album is equally as ambitious and entertaining, making it a genuine must-have.

Given that Defected’s multi-arist EP series was designed as a way for vinyl DJs to get hold of some of the imrpint’s biggest digital download hits, you’ll be unsurprised to learn that volume nine contains some seriously sizable material. Riva Starr kicks things off with a remix of Dennis Ferrer classic “Hey! Hey!” that turns the track into a Moroder style electro-disco throb-job, before Ferreck Dawn delivers some big room vocal house pleasure. Over on the flip, John Summit’s “Deep End” is another beefy big room workout built around sweet female vocals and a thickset bassline, while Offiah’s “Play It By Ear” is a 21st century update of the muscular, mid-90s MK sound.

In his career to date, Jim Sharp has proved to be one of the bootleg remix and mash-up scene’s smartest and most successful producers – a man capable of brilliantly breathing new life into a string of familiar favourites. He’s at it again here, offering up fresh reconstructions of N.W.A’s gangster rap classic “F*ck Tha Police”. The killer flip is his A-side “Main Mix”, in which he places the L.A crew’s iconic acapella over a jumpy, party starting hip-hop beat rich in sampled short funk guitar riffs, snare and kick-heavy drums, James Brown style yelps and tight scratches. It’s a great beat – so good, in fact, that the flipside instrumental mix is equally as essential as the club-rocking vocal version.

Grammy Award winner Louie Vega has the unique ability to spotlight and highlight the most essential elements of classic dance tracks and remix and recreate them to create something just as powerful for today’s audiences. Currently in the midst of putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming album, Expansions In The NYC, Louie took some extra time to gather together the original members of the seminal New York – based disco funk band Unlimited Touch and collaborate with them at Log Cabin Studio in Manhattan and his own Daddy’s Workshop Studio in New Jersey to produce the 2020 edition of “I Hear Music In The Streets.”

Unlimited Touch consists of Audrey Wheeler (lead singer), Phil Hamilton, Tony Cintron, Sandy Anderson (RIP), Stephanie James and Lenny Underwood. “I Hear Music In The Streets” was originally released on legendary imprint Prelude Records in 1981.

Growing up in the Bronx, from an early age Louie had an affinity and love for all the various musical genres that were bubbling up in New York during that era defining creative period. It is that passion that has stayed with him during a career that has brought him Grammy’s, several worldwide hit records, and a status as one of the world’s most sought after DJs. It was especially fulfilling for Louie to work with the original members of Unlimited Touch, He quickly realized that their talents were still as strong as ever as they performed musical and vocal elements from the original song, and that they had the vision to see how the song could be re-energized by having Louie add his unique production elements to this seminal tune.

Louie is in the midst of an especially prolific and productive period. In 2016 he released the Grammy nominated Louie Vega Starring…XXVIII full length album; 2018 saw the release of the widely acclaimed and chart topping NYC Disco 2 X CD and 4 X vinyl album on Nervous Records. Known universally as “The Maestro” due to the standards of excellence he maintains in his productions, DJ Performances and live appearances with his Elements of Life Band, Louie Vega is now ready to unleash another gem to add to one of the music industry’s most remarkable body of work.

For the latest “45” in the Dusty Donuts series of edits and mash ups, the Berlin-based crew has turned to long-time crew member Jim Dunloop, a jazz-trained pianist-turned-producer best known for his work alongside Marc Hype. He begins with “Spirit De Rio”, a wonderfully warm, head-nodding, hip-hop style revision of a summery-sounding old samba gem rich in dewy-eyed female vocals and glistening guitars. Long-time friend, and occasional collaborator Grizzly Adams lends a hand on flipside cut “Different Sweetnuts”, a deep and woozy revision of a fragile, female-fronted soul number that wraps drowsy elements from the pair’s source material around a bass-heavy beat.

Politics Of Dancing debuts on LOCUS to deliver his ‘Machines’ EP, backed by a remix from rising talent Rossi.

A longstanding figure within Paris’ bustling electronic music scene, David Matarasso, aka Politics Of Dancing, has grown to become a central name within the city’s house scene whilst making regular appearances at its world renowned venues such as Concrete and Rex Club. Also known under the alias S.M.A.L.L, the DJ, producer and label boss has released material across his career via the likes of Beste Freunde, Signatune Records, Djebali and Talman Records, plus a plethora of quality cuts via his own self-titled Politics Of Dancing imprint. Up next, late August welcomes a debut on FUSE’s newly launched label LOCUS as he delivers three fresh originals across his ‘Machines’ EP, with emerging London-based talent Rossi. stepping up on remix duties.

Lead track ‘Machines’ delivers an up-front cut as menacing basslines collide with crisp drum licks and infectious vocal hooks, before handing over to Rossi. as he lays the focus on trademark swinging rhythms and energetic grooves throughout his interpretation of the title production. Next up, ‘Sway’ strips things back and utilises a medley of icy hi-hats atop of resonant stabs and metallic drums, before rounding out proceedings with the hypnotic synth melodies and dubbed out atmospherics of ‘Field Effect’.

Vega Records are proud to present the re-release of EOL Extensions by Elements Of Life, the second album from Louie Vega’s critically acclaimed live orchestral project. With an allstar cast of remixers the lineup is a who’s who of worldwide talent. On the repertoire are Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Dope, Dj Spinna, Joe Claussell, House of Rumba, & Dj Gregory, along with EOL Alumni lead vocalists Josh Milan, Anané & Raul Midon. The Vinyl release is in two parts, two double packs, get it on your turntable, close your eyes and listen to the cosmic sounds of EOL. The new tracks “Messin’ About”, “Our People”, and the unreleased mix of “Love Is On The Way” are ones not to be missed.

Polly Jean Harvey is currently midway through an epic reissue series, delivering freshly re-mastered versions of numerous albums across a multitude of formats. The latest set to get a new vinyl pressing is 1993’s “Rid of Me”, which saw the celebrated singer-songwriter make her major label bow after years spent operating on small indie imprints. Widely considered one of Harvey’s finest moments, the set was far more raw and aggressive than her previous work – despite using the same stripped-back line-up of musicians as its predecessor – with producer Steve Albini, famed for his work with the Pixies, conjuring a particularly “psychotic” sound (as its main protagonist has since called the album in interviews).