BBE Records and Million Dollar Disco Present - The Best of Disco Demands
A Collection Of Rare 1970s Dance Music - Compiled by Al Kent
(5xCD boxset/Digital/Digital with bonus mixes/2xLP/2xLP) Barely Breaking Even Records BBE173, 2012-01-23

Al Kent has been releasing tons of good stuff in the last ten years, wether on his on Million Dollar Disco label, or on Barely Breaking Even (BBE), under his own name or as the Million Dollar Orchestra… Singles, albums, re-edits, compilations… The man is just one of the disco kings out there today, so when we stumbled upon the details for this upcoming 5-CD boxset release, which looks like an absolute must-have for Disco lovers, we contacted BBE right away and thanks to their PR girl we managed to get in touch with Al Kent who's cooked a fantastic Disco mix just for the elitist Paris DJs ears. The mix will be aired early december and should please all the Paris DJs fans who download mixes for their end of the year private parties… The boxest itself (also available as two double vinyls LPs) will be released late january 2012.

Julien Dyne - Glimpse
(CD/Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE194, 2012-01-16

Following on from the success of 2009's Pins and Digits, Julien Dyne announces the release of his second full length album Glimpse. Stylistically a continuation of the futuristic elements hinted at on Pins and Digits, Glimpse offers studies in shimmering melodies, woozy beds of rich harmonic sounds that pulsate over thick percussive backdrops. Featuring the vocal talents of She's So Rad, Ladi 6, Parks, Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle) and Claire Duncan (Dear Time's Waste) this record contains elements of soul and indie vocals against a backdrop of futuristic Hip Hop beats. Picked up by Japanese boutique label Wonderful Noise and UK heavy weights BBE 2009s Pins and Digits received worldwide exposure from BBC DJ's Gilles Peterson and Benji B reaching both DJ's 'top 100' lists for that year. Glimpse offers to raise the bar higher again, moving further into exploratory electronic forays and deeper into hazy beatscapes.

Al Kent's reputation for re-editing Disco tracks is just massive and we're VERY proud to offer this exclusive mix. The man has been releasing tons of good stuff in the last ten years, on his on Million Dollar Disco label, on Barely Breaking Even (BBE Records - check his Disco Love compilations), or under his own name or as the Million Dollar Orchestra… He's just one of the Disco kings out there today, so when we stumbled upon the details for this upcoming 5-CD boxset release, The Best of Disco Demands - A Collection Of Rare 1970s Dance Music, which looks like an absolute must-have for Disco...

Jean Wells - Soul On Soul (Deluxe Edition)
(3x7"/CD/Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE189, 2011-11-28

Jean Wells' story is not an extraordinary one in the world of soul, although her voice certainly was. Her biggest hit Have A Little Mercy from 1967 was a glorious slice of deep soul, a plea to a lover, whom she is addicted to, but who doesn't seem to notice. Her gospel-trained voice perfectly encapsulating those feelings, whilst a stark arrangement dominated by an ethereal organ and dramatic horn stabs heightens the unbearable effect this man is having on Jean's life. Yet at the time this record only reached number 25 in the R&B charts, just another bit of genius amongst many, thrown out by the black American music industry at one of its most creative and profligate periods. A CD compilation of her work with producer Clyde Otis (between 1967 and 1972 approximately) was released on Kent Record in 1994, now remastered and reissued on BBE Music with 3 non-essential bonus tracks, more unreleased demos than lost gems (even though the southern blues of Daddy Reconsider is quite charming). Her full and great soul LP World, Here Comes Jean Wells from 1968 on Calla Records is dispersed in a choice selection of many singles and b-sides. Expect masterful deep soul, 'heartache & pain' as Charles Bradley would say, with the two tracks from the recent BBE 12 inch single What Have I Got To Lose / Somebody's Been Loving You of course. Vinyl spinners should at least get the 12 inch if they can't afford the 3x7 inch release - definitively recommended! [Review by Djouls]

Git - Imagination
(CD/Digital) Yoruba Records/Barely Breaking Even BBE190ACD/BBE190ACDG, 2011-11-14

Git's album Imagination could be described as an Experimental Design with roots in underground Hip Hop. Git's musical style may be hard to pin point. His love of drums set the foundation for his sound: driving, percussion heavy productions anchored in traditional Hip Hop, with an experimental streak. His sound has many flavours and is not to be boxed in one label. One of the goals of this album is to fill the void that pop music has left. Imagination will remind us that talent and emotion can still be found in music today and one not always needs a million dollar budget to make good music. If you like music that is raw, pure and speaks from the heart then you will love this project. This is a solid album from start to end, sounding a bit like Pete Rock if he wasn't so stuck in the past glorious period of Hip Hop, without any cheap electro stylings for the uneducated masses. Recommended lounging for fans of J Dilla, Mos Def, Raekwon...

Katalyst - Deep Impressions
(CD/Digital/Instrumental Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE178, 2011-10-11

The follow up album to Katalyst highly acclaimed 2007 album What's Happening, a former triple j feature album, Deep Impressions is his 3rd full length album and his most impressive work to date. The latest product of his audiophiliac obsession, Deep Impressions deconstructs and distils soul, hip hop, funk, jazz, reggae and electro influences into what is perhaps most accurately described as "the Katalyst sound". On Deep Impressions, Katalyst collaborated with the likes of Los Angeles hip-hop artist Bootie Brown (of The Pharcyde), Sydney's own KweenG (KillaQueenz), underground legend Mr Clean, and upcoming North Carolina MC Coin Locker Kid. Katalyst also teams up with long-term collaborators Stephanie McKay (USA), Steve Spacek (UK), Hau (Koolism), and Jade MacRae.

Various - BBE 15 - 15 years of Real Music for Real People
Compiled and mixed by Chris Read
(2xCD/Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE193, 2011-09-27

BBE Records first released the acclaimed Stop and Listen series late in 1996, a series that set the benchmark for latter day copies such as Late Night Tales and included compilers such as the legendary Masters At Work. Mixed by recent addition to the BBE roster Chris Read, BBE 15 is a master class in bringing this music together in one seamless mix, your very own memory lane of BBE's endless highs. From the Beat Generation series which featured Hip Hop legends Pete Rock, Jay Dee, Marley Marl and DJ Jazzy Jeff to household name Will.I.am to the eclecticism of DJ Spinna, King Britt, Madlib and for best measure MFSB string arranger Larry Gold to unreleased gems from Jazz Funk pioneer Roy Ayers. Moreover Aaron Jerome who first cut his teeth with BBE with his debut album Time To Re-Arrange released in 2006 - and has recently been outed as UK Bass talent SBTRKT... 15 years of quality releases: as not-that-cool-funksters would say, "it's a celebration"!

Paris DJs Soundsystem - This is Kiwi Music - Pacific Sounds from New Zealand (MP3 Podcast on www.ParisDJs.com) 2011-09-03 The world stares at New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup begins on September 9th. The All Blacks try again to win a trophy they miss since the first edition of the Cup in 1987. But Aotearoa ('The Long White Cloud', New Zealand in Māori) is not only a great country for rugby, it's also a great country for music, especially its first-class electronica-reggae-dub scene located in Wellington (Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy's Drop, The Yoots, Benny Tones, The Black Seeds...)....

Various - The Real Sound of Chicago and Beyond
Underground Disco & Boogie - Compiled by Mr Peabody Records
(CD/2xCD/Vinyl/Digital) Barely Breaking Even Records BBE181CCD/BBE166CCD/BBE161CLP/BBE161CDG, 2011-08-15

Being both vintage collectors as well as dance-floor DJs, Mark Grusane and Mike Cole from Mr Peabody Records' selections gravitate toward rare and un-played dance material from the past, with of course a few modern day exceptions. Warning: they are pretty strict in their programming, so expect nothing but the best. Originally, this series of Real Sound of Chicago compilations was to be the musical insight from the black underground dance material made in Chicago. But after further thought they decided to provide dance music from all around the world as well, since they did not want to limit themselves in the scope of what they present, as they are well versed with dance music on a global scale. They know that you, the listeners and lovers of good music, will appreciate and love these selections from areas outside Chicago as well. It is also important to them that those non-native Chicagoan artists receive their just dues as well. So, without further ado, Mr. Peabody Records and BBE, present to you The Real Sound Of Chicago And Beyond!

Various - Americana Rock Your Soul - Blue Eyed Soul and Sounds from the Land of the Free
Compiled by Zafar Chwodhry & Mark "Goodvibes" Taylor
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE181CCD/BBE181CLP/BBE181CDG, 2011-07-04

When two 40-year old DJs are looking for the same records it's all about he nostalgia thing.... The sound of the youth of Zafar Chwodhry & Mark "Goodvibes" Taylor was A.O.R. - Adult Oriented Rock, basically soft rock with elements of soul, jazz, funk, folk & disco. What is notable about the music is that it’s neither black nor white, but contains elements of both, and though its influences undoubtedly derive from R&B (in the old meaning of the word), there are country, jazz, funk, rock and disco tinges to many of the songs. This is music for a summer’s day, with the barbecue smoking out steaks, the Chardonnay on ice and the hubbub of happiness in the background. If you place it on your car stereo, you won’t get past the third song before you hit the nearest car dealership demanding a soft-top car. “Something is wrong, she’s heading for LA,” sings James Walsh. Deep down, we all are.