from their pioneering work as part of the basement boys, remixing and producing artists from michael jackson to ultra nate, through to their success as solo artists, dj spen and karizma are the undisputed leaders of the baltimore house movement. twenty of their very finest productions are presented here, including three brand new & exclusive remixes from these charismatic, unpredictable and completely unique masters of their craft.

soundway records are proud to present the afro-jazz soundtrack to ola baloguns legendary movie from 1978. the film was written and directed by balogun (recognised as one of nigerias most renowned directors) but shot and cast in brazil. the soundtrack was composed by one of nigerias most successful and original musicians remi kabaka (who has played with steve winwood and ginger baker amongst others). the record was originally issued in both nigeria and brazil, but recorded in lagos, using four of the nigerian music scenes most innovative players: remi kabaka himself, alongside biddy wright, saxophonist dele okonkwo and mono mono frontman joni haastrup. the result is a truly unique and experimental afro-jazz recording that has been out of print for many years, until now.

after spending 6 months of last year holed up writing in his london studio, charlie joined forces with acclaimed producer danton supple (coldplay, doves) to begin recording his debut solo album. the result is an accomplished 12 track record that oozes with vintage warmth and whose luscious melodies and occasional imperfections lend it a vibrant character and earnest charm. lead single -down down down- was rapturously received by charlies fans including fearne cotton who made it record of the week on radio 1.

it might sound like an empty phrase, but when oliver koletzki founded stil vor talent in 2005, he certainly didnt anticipate where his label would be today. now - six years and over sixty releases later - stil vor talent can look back at many magnificent moments in the labels history. originally started to give other musicians the chance to showcase their music, stil vor talent has preserved this very down-to-earth attitude until today and has helped foster the careers of producers such as channel x, niko schwind, juli holz or david august to name just a few. while there have never been any musical or stylistic limitations, an open philosophy dominated by quality and individualism prevails at olivers label, from delicately designed record sleeves to their own fashion line and to music that varies from house to pop to jacking dancefloor cuts. now it is time to congratulate everyone involved and the fans of stil vor talent with a special birthday present: a six-year anniversary compilation that celebrates past, present and future of the label on two cds

larry chubby reynolds as he was originally called cut some 45 s for the tri-spin label when first starting out in detroit during the 60s. he recorded with groups the relations and chocolate syrup before ultimately, in 1973, replacing william howard as lead singer of the dramatics. here he recorded and performed before his solo album deal with capitol records in 1981 which gave us the l.j. reynolds (which included key to the world ) then travelin in 1982. ahead of this fantasy album came lovin man for mercury in 1984, then ultimately tell me you will which features a special guest appearance by the o jays. rare on cd, this album has been much sought after by soul fans in recent years.

travis stewart is a producer whos always been admired by the electronic cognosenti, both as a solo producer in his project machinedrum and also as one half of sepalcure on hotflush recordings. after a break from producing he started to resurface in a major way last year with the -many faces e.p.- on glasgows luckyme label. however, for -room(s)-, his latest album on planet mu, he s well ahead of the curve, approaching the album in a way he s never worked before.the tracks on room(s) were started on the spur of the moment, often whilst traveling and finished in the studio, with the notion in mind that great moments of inspiration are fleeting so its best to grab on to that moment when it happens and squeeze it for all its worth. travis says of this process, -i feel like the energy of a song is lost the longer you spend working on it. this experiment in becoming less attached to my work essentially lead to a lot of songs that are connected sonically and aesthetically.-

a stunning return to form for one of the pre-eminent modern soul singers - with background vocal guests including jody watley, faith evans, lalah hathaway, shanice and the andrea crouch singers. a remarkably strong fifth solo album from a soul singer who defines the word classy. highlights are his trademark gorgeous ballads ( miss you and goodbye ), hypnotic mid-tempo grooves ( 6 am and stay with me ), and irresistibly funky dancefloor tracks (the instant club hit ghost featuring jody watley). the insistent, gospel-flavoured mountain top is unlike anything you ve ever heard, and features the legendary andrea crouch singers. the album is rooted in the classic principles of melody and poetic lyrics while embracing eighties r&b/pop as purveyed by prince and michael jackson. since his outstanding 1997 debut album for mca, rahsaan has evolved as a vocalist and songwriter, along the way writing songs for tevin campbell, brandy, ledisi, lalah hathaway and van hunt. now in 2011, with the assistance of his regular production cohorts keith crouch and jamey jazz, he delivers some of his finest work.

gil scott-heron is one of the most influential and important singer/songwriters to have come out of america in the second half of the last century. much can be said about why this gil s lyrics are so original and powerful but ,it is important not to overlook his utterly singular voice which is so distinctive and rough and tender. it is a voice of experience. a new record from gil scott-heron, forty years after his first solo album, is a cause for major celebration and something that the world needs now more than ever.

the fourth in the successful compilation series, chilled r&b summer 2011, this triple album contains current laid back r&b hits alongside a wealth of huge classics from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. the new 60 track collection is led by tracks that perfectly encapsulate this vibe including aloe blacc -i need a dollar-, rihanna -russian roulette-, mariah carey -my all-, nelly -just a dream-, michael jackson -human nature-, sade -no ordinary love- and bobby brown -rock wit cha-. also featured are huge laid back hits such as jennifer lopez -if you had my love-, jason derulo -ridin solo acoustic version-, usher -you make me wanna- and alicia keys -you don t know my name-. plus, other superstars appearing on the compilation with chilled classics include al green, whitney houston, justin timberlake, kelly rowland, lemar, r.kelly, tlc, craig david and ne-yo.

press release: alto/soprano saxophonist sean khan is a multi instrumentalist visionary mixing classic jazz and incredible improvisation skill. the band leader of cult british soul-jazz outfit sk radicals, sean khan s debut solo record slow burner is soulful, eclectic blue note standard jazz. paying homage to khan s jazz heroes the album comes packed with pulsating grooves that mix contemporary urban sounds with classic jazz. slow burner features some of the best young jazz musicians on the london and european jazz scene laurie lowe (drums), mike edmonds (double bass), susan allotey (vocals) and tim lapthorne (piano).

das debutalbum des neuen projekts von jesse hackett (gorillaz): hypnotische afro-grooves als echter culture clash zwischen nairobi & london, aufgenommen mit traditionellen, keniasischen musikern des luo-stammes. die owiny sigoma band ist das jŸngste gilles peterson-signing, mit damon albarn (blur, gorillaz) an der orgel auf zwei track

the debut album from one of brazils most exciting young solo artists. a beautiful bossa inflected record that showcases vilars classic songwriting fourish and modern spark. a special talent.

in february 2010, gil scott-heron released >i m new here<, his first album in thirteen years. produced by xl recordings head richard russell during various studio sessions in new york, the album was enthusiastically received by fans andcritics alike. meanwhile, the last eighteen months have been meteoric for jamie xx. his band the xxs debut album (which jamie produced) received huge acclaim, picking up 2010s prestigious mercury music prize, while jamie garnered respectfor his remixes (in particular florence & the machines >you ve got the love<) and solo productions (forthcoming single >far nearer< on numbers).
so what happens when one of the most exciting young producers around reworks one of the most acclaimed albums from a true legend? the result is gil scott-heron and jamie xxs >we re new here< which sees jamie xx remixing thirteen tracks from the original >i m new here< album sessions.

pingipung presents >the kenya sessions< - an enchanting cooperative mission featuring sven kacirek, our experimental drummer and electronic producer, and musicians from kenya. the kenya sessions is the result of svens extended visit to the country with live and fieldrec sessions which he later processed in his studio in hamburg. sven kacirek plays with local kenyan stars such as 80 year-old female vocalist ogoya nengo, or with joseph oganga, who delivers amazing patterns with his >nyatiti<, a traditional string instrument. its sometimes difficult to tell the parts recorded in kenya from those overdubbed by sven kacirek himself. his own compilation of marimba, bassdrums and brush patterns forms a musical thread that he weaves skillfully into the live sessions. at times joyfully straight (arsenal aluny vilage) at times mellow and melancholy (mariae, paperflowers). sven kacirek and some of the kenyan musicians will bring this fantastic material on international stages in early 2011. the linernotes by goetz steeger illustrate the detailed recording process of this record. >the kenya sessions< is pingipungs second album by sven kacirek who has a background as virtuoso jazz drummer. he studied at drummers collective in new york, played several solo-shows at the world drum festival and has written books on the experimental use of electronics on the drumset. on his solo debut >the palmin sessions< in 2007 he presented his original ambient aesthetics made from silent patterns recorded on paper, wood, or glass surfaces: >svens frantic drumming is really a pure pleasure to listen to ... his instruments join together in a deeply meditative study< (foxy digitalis)

and now for something completly different... editions mego is suitably chuffed announce a cd reissue of bill orcutts acoustic hardcore blues stormer >a new way to pay old debts<, previously released on palilalia in 2009. for many, one of the highlights of recent years with its unique visionary take of solo guitar playing....

benefitting from a market-leading front-line r&b output, this xmas rhino shift direction from their traditional sony-led r&b yearbook album to a release a brand new r&b super brand that looks set to become a true industry heavyweight

bozzwell is a solo projekt of david boswell from sheffield, who has had remarkable hits with the all seein eye together with phil oakey from the human league in the nineties and latest as hiem together with his friend nicco eastwood a couple of years ago. after knowing and loving bozzy through buddy dirk leyers we released two 12inch with some of his brilliant stuff in 2008 and 2009. songs like marlenas eyes, fionas song and escape5 which are now also part of this cd-album. with the album are coming various other songs reflecting life in common and in sheffield. the cd is also including the track >i cant be< that we did in our studios together with bozzy and many firm artists joining and contributing.

mark mcguire operates chiefly as guitarist in the legendary emeralds. however he also has racked up an impressive set of solo releases over the last few years (albeit mainly in small to micro print runs). living with yourself is his new album and we at editions mego hope to meet any demand which may arise from this fine selection of modern crafted guitar tunes. focusing on his family, early friendships and the problems that inevitably develop through years of knowing someone, it takes mcguires sound even further out, and contains some his most accomplished songs to date. the opening track is fine example of mcguires magic technique of taking a lone acoustic guitar then transforming the track into bliss-out electro wash looping off into the distance. and tracks like clouds rolling in and brain storm take off where such mcguire classics as the marfa lights (which incidentally is planned for a future reissue) left off. while connoisseurs of his sound will find all they desire in here, many superb surprises await around every corner. these are songs that cruise, bubble and rise to the top.

pulshar are emerging as true musical heavyweights, with compositions that traverse the borderlands between spacious songcraft and the futuristic outer-reaches of the dub-techno universe. desolat is proud to present pulshars latest longplayer offering. after receiving widespread critical acclaim for his various solo projects and remixes in 2009, the inside lp sees pablo bolivar reunited with the tender tenor tones of aphro for their much-loved pulshar project.

originally created in 1994, christian smiths tronic label holds a special place in techno circles. with the momentum of his recent successes behind him and the strength of fresh inspiration driving his ambition forward, 2010 promises to be a vintage year for the new, super-charged christian smith. having recently made his second appearance on bbc radio 1s essential mix, spring 2010 will see christian embark on a world tour to accompany his soon to be released debut solo album >directors cut<.

the needle-drop fuzz that cues sam amidon s fourth solo album of songs, i see the sign, raises the curtain on a world of little theatres, foretelling of an aural gut-grip that is fully human and wholly natural. amidons intuitive and often radical reworkings of age-old secular ballads, gospel, folk songs, and hymns render familiar characters new through his direction, vision, vocals, banjo, guitar, and stellar contributions from fellow musicians.

this winter, rjd2 returns with the highly anticipated 4th solo lp >the colossus<. making the 10th year of his career, the album showcases the myriad of styles rjd2 has spanned as a maverick,respected producer for himself, and others. collaborating with mcÕs, vocalists, and various instrumentalists, it displays an urgency and sophistication rarely seen. weaving together his trademark rock solid drums, soulful vibes and horns, samples and anything else available, the album is a kaleidoscopic look both forward and back. part impressions, part daft punk, part thin lizzy. he is helped along by vocalists kenna (star trak), phonte coleman (little brother), aaron livingston (the roots >guns are drawn<), as well as several underground mcs and horns, woodwind, and strings. a sound to behold.

2xcd package in gloss double cd sleeve. grab yourself a slice of dnb history. critical sound is the new album from critical music. a album that showcases the diversity and quality of the label. featuring the best of the scenes most exciting producers, both new and established. the album is lovingly packaged in gatefold vinyl and cd formats and is strictly limited to 1000 copies. grab yourself a slice of dnb history. critical music is a uk drum n bass label releasing some of the freshest breaks and beats around. created and nurtured by kasra, the imprint has gone from strength to strength over recent years. 2009 has seen this continuing with massive releases such as the break remix of spectrasouls alibi and sabres glorious original sin. following on from the huge all sounds electric series we bring a new concept. 8 tracks from the hottest producers in drum and bass right now housed in a deluxe gatefold package and a double cd, again in deluxe packaging featuring the 8 tracks from the vinyl on one disc and 11 brand new tracks on the second disc. each track on this album encapsulates all that is great and good about underground drum and bass. from the blissful beat workout of breaks people are different to the blistering tech infused funk of spectrasouls wedgehead. a storming selection of the cream of todays scene. the cd package combines the vinyl tracks with a whole extra disc of fresh material. dubstep champ ramadanman comes with his own brand of stripped down dnb, russian new kid enei brings the future flavour and we are privy to the first ever solo production from label boss kasra with his own track perception. this is the critical sound.

the new summer anthems mixed by chuckie and mischa daniels! incl. robin s, david gueatt, axwell, ingrosso and all the dj you love!

blessed with a lavishly soulful voice, alices sound is modern, but firmly rooted in the past Ð surpassing the likes of duffy and adeles impersonations of the soul greats, alices records are extremely refreshing. likewise, her live performances are truly unique, capable of captivating an audience and holding its attention throughout, expertly tugging at individual heartstrings. her smouldering blues-inflected lament is constantly evolving in her solo material, thanks to collaborations with other producers which have encompassed everything from funk to soul, gospel to jazz, and to hip-hop and beyond.

lee jones lived in london until 2002, where he was producing and remixing as the successful downtempo/ nu-jazz artist hefner. after following his heart to berlin, he was inspired by the music and clubs to move into a new production style over the past 6 years. most recently hes become known as the main creative force behind mymy, whose debut album Ôsongs for the gentle on playhouse made waves across the globe. since 2007 hes released his beautiful solo works on aus music and just, whilst also collaborating with berlin local hero daniel dreier on releases for upon you and releasing new mymy material on berlins illustrious ostgut ton imprint. having recently returned from the us and japan performing live dates with nick hšppner as mymy, he also has a busy djing schedule around europe and continues to promote the popular monthly clubnight at watergate Ômymy and friends