Lack of Afro - Recipe For Love

The brand new single from Lack of Afro “Recipe For Love” (feat. Jack Tyson-Charles) is out now. Taken from the forthcoming album “Music For Adverts”, “Recipe For Love” this Northern Soul influenced smooth groove has been incredibly well received out on the dancefloors and is picking up support from Lauren Laverne, Craig Charles, Mary-Anne Hobbs, Chris Hawkins & plays on BBC Radio 2, 6 Music, Jazz FM & countless others.

Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers - El Ritmo De Nueva York

Ray Lugo & The Boogaloo Destroyers' sound is inspired by the warmth, diversity, and youthful spirit of classic New York Latin Boogaloo of the late 1960s - and this brand new release, El Ritmo De Nueva York, pays tribute to the originators of that classic sound, and also gives us a sneak preview of the sounds contained within the forthcoming album Que Chevere! 

Of the new single,  gives us just a little insight into his inspiration: "I wanted to feature some real descarga tunes as we lacked those on the first album. Also wanted to show New York City pride!"  The insistent piano riffs and cowbell rhythms combine to make this number pure dancefloor material!

Of the flipside, Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout The Boogaloo, Ray says: "I was thinking of a couple going uptown for a night of dancing!"

"This is the real deal, Ray Lugo KILLS it with this Latin dancefloor banger..." - Pimpernel Jones, Herma Puma/First Word

"Kick ass Latin stompers!" - Phil Levene, SoulM8

"Two crackers from The Boogaloo Destroyers to swing your partner round the dancefloor! Irresistible!" - Andy Ward, stompradio.com

BUY NOW at FREESTYLE

Omar feat. Caron Wheeler - Treat You plus Opolopo Remix!

Omar continues his magnificent re-emergence back to the forefront of contemporary soul on this new single 'Treat You' as he generously features another legend of similar pedigree: Soul II Souls' Caron Wheeler.

This story of a somewhat troubled love affair, the infectious groove rolls on whilst Omar and Caron take turns to air their issues, the bitter sweet subject matter is reflected in minor key and mellow synthesiser sounds. How these two legendary voices blend into something quite amazing isn't something that can easily be described in words - but it can be said that this duet between such fine and unique talents is a rare and beautiful thing.

'Ordinary Day' is where the sound heads south of the equator as Omar stamps his trademark voice and production all over this happening salsa rhythm. The up-tempo, sun drenched feel is augmented by huge sounding horns, a storm of blistering, Latin percussion and one of Omar's best vocal performances ever.

Opolopo, renowned remixer and producer is the man who put his stamp on the recent big club version of Gregory Porter's 1960 'What?', and his exclusive remix of 'Treat You' for this single is utter class, putting the emphasis on the contemporary dance floor tip without losing any of the originals soul or integrity. One of Omar's favourite remixes of his new material, Opolopo shows us why he is the man of the moment when it comes to bringing a fresh perspective to the great voices of modern soul and jazz.

Finally - long time Omar collaborator/co-producer Scratch Professer puts his totally individual and quirky touch on 'Treat You', rounding off this essential 12-inch single and digital download package.

"Absolutely loving this package! Treat You is a future classic. The Opolopo remix will also be doing damage on my radio show & dancefloor!" DJ AIS-T, Basso Radio, www.basso.fi


"I love my Omar! All the mixes work for me and I shall play with love." Ashley Beedle

"My goodness, Caron can sing anything and I'll melt!" Djtabone, WRFG 89.3 FM

Kalbata & Mixmonster - Congo Beat The Drum

Freestyle Records are celebrating their 10th anniversary year and have just announced the signing of Kalbata & Mixmonster to the label with their stunning new album: “Congo Beat The Drum”.

Kalbata & Mixmonster are two renowned producers, Ariel Tagar (Kalbata), a techno & 2-step producer who previously has released on labels such as Soul Jazz, Brownswood and Greenmoney as well doing a string of high profile remixes for artists such as Fat Freddy's Drop, Spank Rock, The Count & Sinden and Roll Deep as well as being the man behind reissue labels Fortuna and Spring Hill Records.

Mixmonster (Uri Wertheim) is the man behind the world-renowned funk, brass & breaks band The Apples, as well as a member of cut-n-paste duo Radiotrip. He is also a producer and sound engineer specialising in analogue tape recordings.

Two years ago, Ariel and Uri went into their Tel Aviv studio with the purpose of recording a 100% analogue reggae/dub album, combining the spirit of the late King Tubby and the early dancehall era of the late 70's and early 80's. They insisted on not using any computers in the process, whilst blending in elements of techno, psychedelic funk, and African tribal music.
They then travelled to Kingston, Jamaica and began tracking down their favourite singers and deejays, such legends as Jah Thomas, Little John, Trinity, Echo Minott, Mutabaruka, Major Mackerel, Puddy Roots and the sadly, recently departed Prince Jazzbo.
The resulting long player, “Congo Beat The Drum” is on the one hand truly loyal to the origins of Jamaican music and on the other, a well produced forward thinking album, sounding totally fresh in today's music aesthetics. It will also rattle your speakers in ways not heard since the heyday of Jamaican reggae & dub!
About signing with Freestyle, Ariel said “We're super excited to be releasing Congo Beat The Drum' with the Freestyle crew. After two years in the making the time has come to let it out!”

Freestyle A&R man Greg Boraman added "Securing this amazing reggae album ends a 2-year search for just the right project: “Much of the contemporary roots reggae based material I had been checking out lacked that certain authentic feel, but this project has all the right analogue vibes and the line up of classic Jamaican legends featured made it a must have for Freestyle”.

Debut single ‘Prisoner In Love’ featuring Little John will soon be released on a suitably Kingston style 45 vinyl single, with an instrumental version excursion on the flip.

Frootful - The Road / Benedicts Boogaloo

In 2011, Frootful released their début album Colours on Freestyle Records to great acclaim, with everyone from Osunlade, Craig Charles and Diesler praising its modern-yet-retro blend of 60s soul, rocksteady, dance floor friendly jazz and R&B, whilst Jazz FM made it an Album Of The Week. The début single taken from it, 'Fish In The Sea' became a club hit, and also featured in Steven Soderbergh's hit movie Magic Mike.

Now Frootful return with a fantastic two track 45 taken from Heavyweight - the forthcoming long player.

The Road features UK soul vocalist Mazen Bedwei, who first featured on a Freestyle release when singing on Nick Van Gelder's 'Something's Gotta Give' on the compilation 'Sounds From The Soul Underground'.

The Road is a bright, breezy and uplifting soul groove, that has something of a late 60s feel, where shimmering horns underpin Mazen's Curtis Mayfield inspired vocals and Frootful main man Nick Radford's tasteful guitar picking locks down this sweet summer sound.

On the flip, the mood is altogether more greasy; Benedicts Boogaloo is a gritty soul-jazz work out that's been double dipped in the funk. Nick gets the chance to display his guitar chops wonderfully, the bubbling bass line is unrelenting whilst a dirty, distorted organ grooves out to a stunning climax!

Available from
Freestyle        
Amazon           
Junodownload     
iTunes          

Cookin' On 3 Burners - This Girl feat. Kylie Auldist

Back in 2009, Freestyle released 'This Girl' by Cookin' On 3 Burners on a 45 single ahead of the full length album 'Soul Messin'.

This Girl featured renowned Aussie songstress Kylie Auldist (known for her work with The Bamboos, Polyester & Mega Bias) who joined forces with the boys and provided the focus for this mellow, beautiful and incredibly catchy song.

Shimmering horns ride over this laid back, deep soul classic, the super catchy melody found a home amongst fans of deep funk, classic 60s & Northern soul aficionados. Quickly selling out of its first, second and third vinyl pressing, the 45 went on to become one of those records that ended up going for quite 'silly money' on various rare record websites, which whilst flattering, did put the vinyl single somewhat out of reach of those not willing to part with a fat wad of cash in order to secure a copy!

So, now in 2013, Freestyle have bowed to public pressure and re-released this fantastic soul classic again on beautiful vinyl once more.

Upon its original release, everybody from Jazz FM's Peter Young through to BBC Radio 2's Mark Lamarr went just a little bit crazy about the song - and in 2013 this unforgettable  touching song is getting even more people hot under the collar all over again!

For those of you whose vinyl & turntable days are a distant memory - of course - you can also grab this classic 45 from all the usual digital outlets.

Martha High - Soul Overdue

Martha High's impeccable soul credentials are beyond question. She was a member of  The Jewels, who in the mid 60s were part of The James Brown Revue, and also released two 45s produced by James Brown. Although The Jewels eventually disbanded, Martha continued to be a part of the live James Brown show for the next 30 years! It's Martha's voice that graces JB classics such as 'Say It Loud - I'm Black & I'm Proud' & 'The Big Payback' amongst many others.

Soul Overdue is an incredibly apt title for a project that has been over 40 years in the making, and it shows that Martha's voice remains undiminished, her youthful vocal clarity and style quite simply dazzles, as she shows a host of young pretenders the way it should be done!

Kicking off with a high octane rendition of ‘No More Heartaches’, Martha and Speedometer prove to be a perfect match as the bands super tight musicianship provides a formidable backdrop to her searing, soaring vocals. In comparison, the more subtle, tender moments on this album, in particular the heart wrenching version of Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind' had already been proven as a show stopper live, and now that it has been committed to tape, with The Voxettes added backing vocals, and Andy Fairclough's masterful organ playing, it must surely be one of the finest examples of contemporary bluesy soul around.

The entire album has garnered masses of love & support and seems destined to be one of the most exciting & vital new soul releases for many years. 

Reviews:

"An album that captures one of soul music’s most powerful voices. 4 Stars!"  Mojo magazine

"A beautifully measured album full of vim and vigour" Blues & Soul magazine

"Martha was good enough for ‘The Godfather’ – she’s good enough for me. Funky heaven!"  Peter Young, Jazz FM