Grafonola

RED ASTAIRE - Follow Me ( Gamm ) Repress! GAMM flex back sixteen years to the very beginning with a rerun of their first ever release. Cue label mainstay and firm friend, Fredrik Lager AKA Stockholm groove monster Red Astaire who launched the label in style with these two cult edits; "Follow Me" takes D'Angelo to some pretty psychedelic places while "The Wildstyle" struts with serious sentiments of 'unity' and some of the strongest JB chops available on 45. A timeless record that sparked the tales of both Red Astaire and GAMM. Not to be slept on. Follow Me / The Wildstyle by Red Astaire

FABRIZIO FATTORI - Mediterranean Africa (Best Record) Fabrizio Fattori has been a deep cover hero in Italian dance music since the mid 80s, and while he may have shifted his attention to tribal house music in the 90s, this collection zeroes in on his earlier afro disco funk work, which drips with Balearic groove appeal. Collecting sought after records and other archival gems, this lengthy EP is a joyous, synthy excursion through sunny climes, from the MIDI brass and plastic slap bass of "Leg Pulling" to the intricate percussion and live sax of "Bara-Hum-Ba." This is a quintessential Best reissue - beautifully packaged, and putting super rare music back in the hands of the fans. Recommended!

SOSENA GEBRE EYESUS - Sosena Gebre Eyesus ( Little Axe Records ) Ethiopian artist Sosena Gebre Eyesus sings accompanied by her playing of the Begena, or King David’s Harp, one of the world’s oldest and most beguiling instruments. Since ancient times the Harp of David has been used as an aural balm, a soother of evil and disturbed spirits —it’s low, buzzing tones widely noted for their ability to sweetly refresh one’s soul. Said to have been brought to Ethiopia in biblical times by Menelik I, it has long been the central instrument used to accompany Ethiopian Orthodox hymns, which Eyesus plays here in an absolutely entrancing manner while softly singing songs of devotional reflection. Featuring six beautiful hymns that gently unspool at the measured pace of a lullaby, Sosena Gebre Eyesus magically creates a rarefied atmosphere that feels absolutely necessary and vital for these most turbulent of days. Originally released on cassette, Recommended! Sosena Gebre Eyesus by Sosena Gebre

AKIRA TOYODA - Benkei (Cool Cult) Originally released in 1984 by Sound Design Records Inc.  Credits: Bass – Dean Johnson  Drums – Akira Toyoda Piano – Peter Madsen Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Joe Lovano

Nakara Percussions by Nakara Percussions Nakara Percussions - Nakara Percussions ( Komos Jazz) “Hypnotic percussion tracks and organic soundscapes drawing on African, Asian, Indian & South American traditions, recorded deep in the French countryside in 1984.”  Founded by long-time friends Gerard Kurdjian and Stéphane Olivier alongside compatriot Christian Berthier in 1983, Nakara Percussions was a trio from the south of France, fascinated with percussion instruments, rhythms and textures from across the world.  Steeped in Jazz and ethnographic recordings, the trio designed and built their own instruments and played across the South of France throughout the 80s, recording a single album in the tiny village of Alliens in 1984.  Self-produced and mainly sold at gigs, the record reflects the inquisitive, experimental approach of the group and has become a cult album among DJs and music lovers for its blend of complex rhythms and organic soundscapes, taking in everything fr