Various - David Rodigan's Dubwize Shower
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Barely Breaking Even Records BB170CCD/BBE170CLP/BBE170CDG, 2011-06-14

I read an interesting interview from famous UK reggae DJ David Rodigan, where he was stating that Jamaican music is not Jamaican anymore. "They’ve forgotten what Jamaica is famous for; the structure and melodic output of reggae... It’s empty, not mixed properly or mastered. There’s no substance, just a waste of time downloading them." Among the new stuff he rates, Konshens, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Alborosie and Romain Virgo... The man should get the news, there's a studio in Paris where Jamaican veterans are coming to record some new stuff he would be hunting for!! Meanwhile, David Rodigan keeps on turning is ears on the best stuff to come and to have been coming from the island, and he's selected here 20 glorious dub excursions from the master engineers in Jamaica, King Tubby, Errol T. and Sylvan Morris alongside some new additions from Alborosie and Da Grynch. Summer is upon us already!

Various - Untold Songs: Volume One - Curated by Belle Moore-Benham
(Digital album) Jus Like Music Records / Amnesty International JLMDC003, 2011-06-11

The aim of Untold Songs: Vol 1 is simple; to raise awareness and money for Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women campaign. As the foremost Human Rights charity in the world, Amnesty International work tirelessly to demand justice for those whose human rights have been violated. London-based singer, Belle, is the brains behind the project and has grafted for many, many months to assemble an amazing array of songs from immense talents who come from all over the globe. The compilation features Ursula Rucker (The Roots / 4hero), Shuanise (TOKiMONSTA / fLako), Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra / Mark de Clive-Lowe), Vula (Basement Jaxx / Ty / Cee-Lo Green), Ahu (Flying Lotus), Yarah Bravo (One Self / Kidkanevil), Stac (Wah Wah 45s / Nu:Tone), Tanya Auclair (YULT), Sarinah Leah (Ty / Eric Lau) and Elodie Rama (Natural Self / Hocus Pocus). Featuring a staggering 23 tracks in total, the compilation spans multiple genres and styles, from soul to electronica to acoustic to hip-hop, pop and back again!

Daniel Wanders & Tobias Kirmayer proudly present
Various - Feeling Nice
(CD/LP) Tramp Records TRCD9012/TR9012, 2011-05-30

Funk & Soul record collectors Daniel Wanders & Tobias Kirmayer have started working on this compilation more than a year ago. Compared to the obscurities to be found here this is not a long time though. The efforts, time and entusiasm they put into it has not been documented. It probably would have been a thankless task then. Why? The answer is simple. CD and Vinyl sales are far away from what they used to be. People who pay for MP3s are the minority. There is no reason to do such a project for the money nowdays. Obviously, Daniel and Tobias are not only collectors and DJs but totally into sharing their passion. Each of them chose six songs from their collection to present for the first time to a worldwide audience, focusing on the quality of the music. Nevertheless the tunes on this compilation are top-end rarities, even for the advanced record collector. The 8-page CD booklet contains detailed liner notes as well as unpublished pictures. The Vinyl comes with a gatefold cover. All songs have been officially licensed and properly mastered to provide the highest listening pleasure possible.

Mad Styles & Crazy Visions 2 - A Journey Into Electronic, Soulful, Afro & Latino Rhythms
Compiled And Mixed by Louie Vega
(2xCD/2xLP/2xLP/Digital) Barely Breaking Even BBE161, 2011-05-24 (Worldwide) / 2011-06-06 (USA)

There are few labels who will get the opportunity to work extensively with the most dynamic remixers, DJ's and producers of this decade. BBE seems to keep coming up trumps. Grammy Award Winner Louie Vega has been on top of the DJ game for over 2 decades. He gained further notoriety as part of the collective known as Masters At Work with Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez form a formidable partnership reminiscent of the greatest producers of yesteryear. This compilation has been put together to highlight the fact that the high-energy dance music that graced dance floors throughout the seventies and eighties is very much relevant today. Full marks if you acquire this album - not only for supporting the movement but also for acknowledging the great fusion that disco was and still is. With sprinklings of African, Latin, jazz, funk and electro pop rhythms the production today is tighter in some instances but still breathy, sexy, up tempo and ultimately for the sweaty dance floor. Whilst Louie circles the globe spreading his musical message, this compilation manages to capture some of the magic he brings to the various dancefloors.

Various - Fallin' Off The Reel III
(CD/Digital) Truth & Soul Records TSCD010, 2011-03-16

Following up the success of the first two volumes, the third entry in Truth & Soul's Fallin Off The Reel series packs in 20 tracks originally pressed as limited edition 45s, listed in chronological order of their release. These choice selections from the label's expansive roster of contemporary and classic soul, funk and R&B talent features artists such as El Michels Affair, Black Velvet, Michael Leonhart, Lee Fields & The Explorers, and Cosmic Force. FOTR III serves as both the ideal introduction for casual fans and a comprehensive retrospective for long-time listeners of one of the most consistently excellent and relevent labels in deep funk music today.

Seven Heven - Perfect Slices of Soul, Funk and Funky Jazz from the 21st Century New Music from the Original Compact Disc-Otheque
Compiled by Mark Webster
(CD/2LP/Digital/7" vinyl single) Barely Breaking Even BBE171, 2011-05-17

The revolution starts here! With World Record Store Day just behind us, bringing with it the news that vinyl sales were up 12% in 2010, what better time for BBE records to proudly announce the release of a compilation album that celebrates great new music, from across the globe, released by a series of independent labels, and all born on popular music's original and most natural format - the 7" single. Compiled by broadcaster, journalist, DJ and long time black music fanatic Mark Webster, Seven Heven brings together music released since 2000 by labels from the UK , Europe and America and highlights what is a burgeoning scene encompassing musicians, singers, DJs, clubs, gigs and an ever growing following of enthusiasts. And because this music is released by indie labels, a lot of it is already in the hard-to-get category - making Seven Heven an even more essential collection of music, Good is great, but good and rare, even better!! Seven Heven taps into all areas of the black music genre - sweet soul, organ-heavy soul jazz, pure funk, classy disco, vocal jazz, latin and all stops in between. Indeed, one of the tunes, 'Better Living', was only originally available on download so we became part of the solution, not the problem and pressed up our own 7" single. Thus, it's on the compilation. The 7" single is certainly making a comeback across the whole of pop - it always was and remains the symbol of 'youth music ' - and on Seven Heven we see that 'punk' attitude writ large. SAY IT LOUD, I'M 7 AND I'M PROUD!

Hammock House - Africa Caribe - Produced & Mixed by Joaquin "Joe" Claussell
(2xCD) Fania Records, 2011-05-17

Produced and mixed by the legendary Joaquin "Joe" Claussell, Hammock House 'Africa Caribe' is more than just remixes of Fania's back catalog. It's a stunning two-disc album with each track approached and assembled differently, each on its own terms. The first disc features nine classic Fania tunes from Lou Perez, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and more all re-worked with the Joe Claussell touch. The second disc is a live continuous mix by Claussell, but not like your average DJ mixing one track into another Joe's states his goal for the mix-CD was to create an epic journey that begins in the Motherland (Africa) and moves to New York. The project is a perfect marriage between old and new, a fresh take on classic sounds from the Fania archives. Joe says of the project, "I wanted to do a futuristic mix where stories are being created with soundscapes and tapestries, and segues work as introductions to each story. I wanted to create bridges through different rhythms, so I worked with my brother Jose, as well as other percussionists and musicians in the studio, to create parts that flow between. I mixed it live with four CD players, effects, and reel-to-reel, then took it into the studio and tightened up some of the levels through editing. I wanted to mix it live so you get more of a human feel from it, to stay true to the texture of this music. And I really wanted it to reflect on the process of working on this whole project. Looking back, I'm honored and grateful to get to work on such historical music - and music I grew up with."

Nigeria 70 - Sweet Times - Afro-Funk, Highlife & Juju From 1970s Lagos
(CD/2xLP/Digital) Strut Records, 2011-05-10

Strut announce the return of their pioneering Nigeria 70 compilation series with an exclusive new third volume: Sweet Times: Afro Funk, Highlife & Juju from 1970s Lagos compiled again by series curator Duncan Brooker. Excavating another choice batch of rare grooves from Nigeria's label archives, the new edition places the spotlight on some of the deeper fusions happening across the country during the 1970s as traditional guitar highlife blended with jazz and funk, hypnotic juju grooves became more progressive and young Nigerian bands came through with their own heavy West African take on U.S. soul, funk, disco and rock.

Various - Jam Up Twist: 50's Jump Up Blues Northern Soul Ska! Rock A Billy
The Dynamite Sounds Of The Nationwide Club Night
Compiled by DJ Andy Smith
(CD/2xLP) Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 231/BGP2 231, 2011-04-26

After the mix CDs The Document, The Document II, The Document III, Andy Smith's Northern Soul, when Andy Smith was still presented as Portishead's DJ, after the compilations Diggin' In the BGP Vaults, Greensleeve's Document/, and many others, Andy Smith is back at BGP for a compilation in direct relation to his current Jam Up Twist parties! Once again Andy creates a seamless mix of tracks from the 50s through to the 70s, but it is his skill as a selector that really catches the ear. In each of the genres covered by the compilation he pulls out gems that are not only great tracks but relevant to a modern dancefloor, equally at home in the worlds of ska and Northern Soul.

Various - Salsa Mundo Columbia
Music Born Of Confilct
Compiled by Mike Delanian
(CD) Beat Goes Public CDBGPD 230, 2011-04-26

Salsa Mundo is BGP's new series that focuses on the development of Salsa around the world. Future releases will look at the scene in Venzuela and Puerto Rico, but our first destination is Colombia with its incredibly vibrant scene dominated by the legendary Discos Fuentes label. The whole series is put together by noted latin music collector Mike Delanian, using several decades of knowledge. Mike is the man behind latin compilations such as Boogaloo Pow Wow - Dancefloor Rendez-Vous In Young Nuyorica or Son Cubano NYC - Cuban Roots New York Spices 1972-82 (on Honest Jon's), Latin Dance Party: Latin Grooves From The Atlantic And Atco Vaults, Soul Bossa Nova or The Beat Of Brazil. Brazilian Grooves From The Warner Vaults...