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!

Speedometer - This Is... Speedometer - Volumes 1 & 2
(CD/Digital) Freestyle Records FSRCD075, 2011-02-28

Originally released separately on the tiny, independent Blow It Hard label, and now very hard to find, now in 2011 Freestyle Records is proud to announce the re-release of Speedometer's debut and follow up album, available on one CD for the first time! This Is Speedometer 1 & 2 also boasts brand new artwork and sleeve notes from the band founding member and leader Leigh Gracie and DJ, producer, author and of course, star percussionist Snowboy, as well as a selection of sleeves, gig flyers and live photos that illustrate Speedometer's development over the past decade. From the gritty funk instrumentals like Monkey Stick, the punchy latin grooves Return To Palmetto through to the 60's style soul ballad You Got Me Started, it's all here on one handy 22 track fully remastered album, This Is Speedometer Vol 1 & 2 is the perfect retrospective collection from one of the greatest funk outfits of the last decade.

Speedometer - The Shakedown
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD082, 2010-10-16 / P-Vine Japan/Zoom, 2010-09-02

...2006 saw Freestyle Records in the UK release Diggin Deeper, a compilation of all of Speedometer’s early 7" 45 releases in one place on CD for the very first time. It also saw them back in Big Noise Studios to start laying tracks for the next album 4 Flights Up realeased in 2007 on Freestyle Records. Over the years, Speedometer has worked with many of the US funk legends including Sir Joe Quarterman, Eddie Bo, Marva Whitney, Sharon Jones, James Bell (The Highlighters), Lee Fields, Billy Wooten and Robert Moore. All the artists were blown away by 's authenticity to the original soul-funk sound. The 2007 album Four Flights Up is widely regarded as one of the best funk albums of the last 10 years. The band released a live album in March 2009, Soul Grooving and started recording their 5th studio album in summer 2009 for release in september 2010. This new album The Shakedown features contributions from Myles Sanko, DJ Format, Snowboy, The Root Source, Natasha Watts, and James Brown's co-vocalist Miss Martha High.

Speedometer - Lover And A Friend
(7") Freestyle Records FSR7063, 2010-09-27

Speedometer, one of the most successful UK funk & soul bands of the last decade, attain the next level of their musical ascendancy with the release of this amazing new 45 single (and digital download). Lover & A Friend is a fantastic reworking of the Eddie Bo classic and is taken from the forthcoming new album The Shakedown (FSRCD/LP082) which marks a step change in the groups sound and style, featuring more vocal led songs, a wider musical horizon, and the vocals of regular singer Ria Currie and guest Myles Sanko who voices blend just oh so beautifully on this deeply funkatious track! Not only that, the track has it's own hipster styled promotional video - a first for the band and Freestyle Records!

Speedometer - Again & Again
(12") Freestyle Records FSR090, 2010-09-20

Speedometer, one of the most successful UK funk & soul bands of the last decade, attain the next level of their musical ascendancy with the release of this amazing new 12 inch single (and digital download). Again & Again is taken from the forthcoming new album The Shakedown (FSRCD/LP082) which marks a step change in the groups sound and style, featuring more vocal led songs, a wider musical horizon, and the vocals of regular singer Ria Currie and guests Myles Sanko, Natasha Watts and the living legend Martha High! It's the golden tonsils of Natasha Watts that leads the proceedings on Again & Again, which is a dance floor focused release, which not only offers up the album version of this quite stunning track, but also is your only chance to own the fantastic DJ Format remixes that grace this stunning collection of 21st century funky soul!

Speedometer - Lover And A Friend
Extracted from the upcoming Lover And A Friend single and The Shakedown album to be released late september on Freestyle Records.

Speedometer - Soul Grooving (Live)
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD054, 2009-06-05

M-Swift, aka Shouhei Matsushita is the talented instrumentalist and producer who hails from Hiroshima, Japan but has lived in London and has been wide open to musical influences from around the world. As a fan of soul and jazz from a young age he has absorbed all the best elements of classic and contemporary black music and forged a singular identity that enables him to stand out in a musical landscape of sound a likes and copyists. M-Swift's soulful, funky house and jazz inflected R'n'B combined with the spectacular talents of renowned vocalists such as Eric Roberson, Tony Momrelle, Joy Rose, Donna Gardier and Vanessa Haynes, and some of the worlds greatest musicians such as guitar maestro Tony Remy, and vibraphonist Roger Beaujolais whose combined talents makes for an up tempo, feel good record.

Various - Stay on the Groove 4 compiled by Adrian Gibson
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD045, 2008-11-14

Tracklisting :
01. You Got Me Thinkin - The Tornadoes
02. Hope - Glen Anthony Henry
03. The Players Thems - The Sound Stylistics
04. Panama City - Quantic Soul Orchestra
05. Got To Lose Your Way - The Haggis Horns
06. I Can't Stand It - The Soul Snatchers
07. Keb's Bucket - Cookin On 3 Burners
08. Nervous (Kenny Dope Remix) - NMS
09. Take A Chance - Speedometer
10. Are You Ready To Party? - Mr Comicstore
11. Droppin - Funkshone
12. Killin It - The Dynamites
13. Emu Brown - Mike L
14. Rampage - The Whitefield Brothers
15. Billy's Popcorn - Brand New Rhythm
16. Wait A Minute - Lack Of Afro
17. Turn It Up - Opensouls

Links :
freestylerecords.co.uk
myspace.com/freestylerecordsuk
kudosrecords.co.uk/index.php?page=detail&product=fsrcd045

Various - Mocambo Funk Forty Fives
(CD/LP) Mocambo MCD1001/MLP1001, 2008-01-14

Info :
This unique compilation spotlights the best tracks of Mocambo Records' scarce 7inch vinyl releases that took the deep funk scene by storm in summer 2006. Along with the labels own productions (Mocambo Allstars, The Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band and Gizelle Smith), the first releases sported new recordings by obscure English groups like The Delta Rhythm Section, The Sound Stylistics and the supreme Vinylizor Productions team (Jay Glover, Gary Crockett & Dominic Glover) as well as unreleased tracks by such greats as the James Taylor Quartet and Speedometer.

Tracklisting :
01. The Delta Rhythm Section - Funkin' Fever - 2:41
02. Glover, Crockett & Glover - The Prophet - 3:01
03. The Sound Stylistics - Party People - 2:39
04. Mocambo Allstars - Swamp Strut - 3:29
05. James Taylor Quartet - Walkin' the Walk - 2:59
06. Speedometer - Do Watcha Like - 3:18
07. The Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band - Look-Ka Py Py - 2:44
08. The Sound Stylistics - Back on the Streets - 3:02
09. Mocambo Allstars - Another Message - 4:00
10. Ian Langley - Chicano Chaser - 3:25
11. James Taylor Quartet - Highway Patrol - 3:19
12. Speedometer - Hustle the Mustle - 2:56
13. The Delta Rhythm Section - The Getaway - 2:59
14. The Sound Stylistics - Get Ya Some - 2:54
15. Gizelle Smith & the Mocambo Allstars - Free Vibes
16. Glover, Crockett & Glover - Listen Up - 3:01

Links :
mocambo.de
myspace.com/mocamboallstars

Various - Modern Funk compiled by Adrian Gibson
(CD) Freestyle Records FSRCD036, 2007-11-09

Info :
Another hard hitting selection of funk from Freestyle. Featuring Mark Ronson, Quantic, The Bamboos, The Dap Kings, Speedometer, Sharon Jones, Funkshone, Sweet Vandals, Lack Of Afro, Spanky Wilson...

Tracklisting :
01. The Dap Kings - Nervous Like Me
02. The Bamboos Feat. Alice Russell - Bring It Home
03. Cookin On 3 Burners feat. Fallon Williams - Cook It
04. Speedometer feat. Ria Currie - Am I Your Woman?
05. Mark Ronson - Just
06. The Snugs - Strugglin
07. Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings - Pick It Up, Lay It In The Cut
08. Spanky Wilson and The Quantic Soul Orchestra - When You're Through
09. The Grits - Boom Boom
10. Martin Solveig feat. Lee Fields - Im' A Good Man
11. The Sound Stylistics - Shake And Hip Drop
12. The Apples - Killin'
13. DJ Aeon 7 - Funky Furious
14. Funkshone - Purification (Parts 1 & 2)
15. Robert Moore - Make It Alright
16. Charles Bradley and The Bullets - Now That I'm Gone
17. Queen Eve and The Kings - All Hail The Queen
18. The Sweet Vandals - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
19. The Fantastics - Give It Up And Turnit A Loose
20. Lack Of Afro - When The Sun Goes Down

Links :
freestylerecords.co.uk
myspace.com/freestylerecordsuk
kudosrecords.co.uk/index.php?page=detail&product=fsrcd036