"There are not many things that can hurt me more than people stealing my music." Late last year, Soul Supreme announced in a formal statement that he was—and still is, while completing this record—in a legal battle with a Norwegian producer and a money-grubbing indie label. A case to reclaim ownership over his masters. Industry rule #4080 in full effect. Learn More
With his debut release for Rhythm Section International, Hackney-raised Jerome Thomas is declaring the dawning of a new age for British soul music. Jerome’s school was a home filled with non-stop music; whether that was bootleg CDs of Rare Groove from East London’s Sunday markets to late 90s R&B on The Box or family favourites; Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green, Chico DeBarge, Jill Scott. He learnt his prodigious vocal craft of ad-libs and harmonies by listening to Brandy’s ‘98 LP ‘Never Say Never’ on repeat. Learn More
Candido Cameron was a Cuban percussion maestro who had played with luminaries such as Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich and Count Basie throughout his illustrious musical career which started in 1952. Fast forward to 1979 and Candido finds himself caught up in the Disco boom that had engulfed his adopted New York City. Feeling he could add his trademark quick-fire Conga and Bongo playing Learn More
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Cymande’s ‘Promised Heights,’ a record that closed out a historic three-album run of seminal early 70’s Afro-soul that also included their 1972 self-titled debut and 1973’s ‘Second Time Around.’ ‘Promised Heights’ solidified Cymande’s place in music history, and contains some of their most-beloved and often-sampled tracks such as “Brothers On The Slide” Learn More
Having established himself as one of the most energetic and exciting Jazz musicians within the already thriving worldwide scene, New Zealand born, London based Drummer & Producer Myele Manzanza has made a major impact upon the global music landscape. Learn More
First Word Records in collaboration with Heavenly Sweetness proudly bring you a ‘Beautiful’ new album from the formidably funky French duo, Souleance.
So the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or perhaps in this case, the ear!). How we define beauty varies from person to person. Be it a meal, a landscape, a picture, a record…
Appreciating and admiring beauty could be considered an art in itself, and one that Souleance have made a rule of life. This ethic is transposed into their own craft, used as fuel to turn beautiful moments into music. This 15-track album seeks to convey this through an assortment of sun-saturated grooves of different shapes and sizes. Learn More
Proudly presenting a new series of Mr Bongo reissues exploring the incredible back catalogue of Sonny Lester’s iconic Groove Merchant record label. First up, the spellbinding funk-fuelled, soul jazz album ‘Simba’, by guitar maestro O'Donel Levy. Learn More
Timeless is regularly cited as one of the greatest dance music albums ever made., a Dark Side of the Moon for the rave generation. As Mixmag said back in 1995 "Timeless is a record that couldn’t have been made if it wasn’t for the party, the MDMA, the noise and the rage. Timeless tells you that you can’t ignore or erase this history because to Goldie, and to so many others, it holds their lives, dreams and feelings." Learn More
Now a firm favourite in many a DJ’s record bag, Nigerian disco-boogie king Steve Monite’s hit “Only You” (featured on Soundway’s recent “Doing It In Lagos” compilation), is given a rework by Sofrito's own Frankie Francis. On the B-side, Nick The Record teams up with Idjut Boys’ Dan Tyler to take on “Hafi Deo” - a beautiful taste of breezy tropical Congolese pop from Tabu Ley Rochereau. Learn More
Peer through the windows of the sun-dappled homes in Sicily and you will be faced with a small, strange ceramic object adorning each hallway. It is a glistening pine cone standing upright – a pigna – the longstanding symbol of Sicilian openness and welcome hospitality. Learn More
For the second instalment in our Cuban Classics series, we proudly present this sought-after slice of sublime Afro-Cuban jazz from 1976. It comes courtesy of one of Cuba’s most influential acts, Grupo Irakere. Founded in 1973 by Chucho Valdés (son of the Cuban pianist and bandleader Bebo Valdés) the group was home to many of Cuba’s finest musicians over the years. With an electrifying style and sound, they mixed traditional Cuban music with jazz, funk, and rock.
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The next album release on Goldie's fast-rising, boutique label Fallen Tree 1Hundred, The Day Out of Time by The Degrees is the Acid Jazz/Soul and Trip Hop long-player from drum and bass man of the moment Break, alongside singer songwriter Isha Campbell, heavily inspired by their home town of Bristol. Learn More
After reuniting the Cosmic Renaissance project and releasing the album “Universal Language” (SCLP/CD513) in 2022, Gianluca Petrella returns to the future jazz scene 2023 as a protagonist with a new five-track EP, “Universal Message”, again on Schema Records label, keeping the wind section of the original record unchanged. Learn More
In the last few weeks of October 2022, Scrimshire wrote a new collection of songs with the descriptive working title "Scream". A direct response to the absurdity of the breakdown in the UK government, the horror of the treatment of refugees arriving on our shores and the callous disregard for the trauma being caused to low income people or anyone considered "other". While self-preserving Conservative MPs fought for their jobs, record profits were announced by energy companies as crippling amounts of money were gouged from people's pockets. The anger, sadness, mourning, and frustration was poured into these recordings. Learn More
'Atlantis' is a smouldering jazz-funk, cinematic excursion courtesy of the Brazilian maestro, Daniel Salinas. A conductor, pianist, arranger, and producer, he has worked across several genres within Brazil’s rich musical tapestry, including the Beatles-inspired Jovem Guarda movement, jazz-funk, and MPB to name just a few. He featured on records by Franco, Célia, Perfume Azul Do Sol, Wilson Simonal, Juca Chaves and a whole host of Brazilian greats. Learn More
MMYYKK’s Science EP arrives at a time when the world needs it. The eponymous title track is about recognising the power and connection that we all have to the cosmos - and it feels like no coincidence that this body of work arrives in 2021. Learn More
Timeless is regularly cited as one of the greatest dance music albums ever made., a Dark Side of the Moon for the rave generation. As Mixmag said back in 1995 "Timeless is a record that couldn’t have been made if it wasn’t for the party, the MDMA, the noise and the rage. Timeless tells you that you can’t ignore or erase this history because to Goldie, and to so many others, it holds their lives, dreams and feelings." Learn More
It's hard to believe we are now up to Volume 5 of our renowned Record Club series. Curating these compilations, where we share our latest musical discoveries and old favourites from the global stage, is always a labour of love. This selection is less dancefloor driven than our previous volumes, as fewer opportunities for live events drove us to explore other paths and styles in the musical spectrum. Learn More
This release is a story of serendipitous stars aligning. Having released Bala Desejo’s anthemic single, 'Baile De Máscaras’, back in May 2023, we could sense that we had a summer classic on our hands. Learn More
Fresh is one of Sly & The Family Stone's masterpieces. Recorded in 1973 it's steeped in the narcotic haze of political and social protest, but it is also an undeniably funky album. Elastic basslines, foot-stomping beats, eccentricity lurking around every note. Learn More
Colin Curtis is back! with another finely curated selection of the best Jazz Dance Fusion records he could find. Volume 4 reflects a combination of new music, unreleased music, and tracks that have never been on vinyl before or have not attained the recognition they deserve. Packed with great Jazz Dance music from the UK and all around the world. The whole purpose of these compilations is to introduce you to fantastic talent and allow you to then go and explore all their works and keep this movement moving! With brand new & exclusive releases, extremely rare tracks, and many only available on Vinyl for the first time from Brazil, Cuba, Japan, Italy, USA, UK, and beyond. Showcasing another insight into Colin Curtis's world of Jazz Dance Fusion and highlighting the sheer diversity & talent on offer from Vocal Jazz, Salsa, and Latin Spoken Word to Sambas & Fusion, It’s All Here! Learn More
Critics in the early 1970s called Gil Scott-Heron the most important Black voice since Martin Luther King Jr and described him as a black Bob Dylan. "His poetry is with much muscle, with stiletto humor, with street talk, much of it justifiably angry and accurate," the New York Times wrote in 1975, marveling at the angry man from the Bronx. No wonder that decades later Scott- Heron was celebrated as the "Godfather of Rap". Born in Chicago, the musician, poet and pugnacious activist for human rights himself lived for years in the Bronx. Learn More
Protection is the second studio album by English electronic music group Massive Attack, released on 26 September 1994 by Wild Bunch Records and Circa. DJ Mad Professor remixed the album in 1995 under the name No Protection. Learn More
LIVING 3000 holds the answer LIVING 3000 is the answer mechanised LIVING 3000 is the answer machine you have 1 new voicemail from Living3000 marks the first release from a series of recordings made in London’s cult heart, Total Refreshment Centre, and mixed by Danalogue of The Comet is Coming. Written entirely on Garageband by trombonist/synth player Jack during a year Learn More
First Word Records is very proud to welcome the return of the inimitable Kaidi Tatham, with his 5th album for us, entitled 'The Only Way'.
Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist born in the Midlands and based in Belfast. Established as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound, he is a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production. Learn More
First Word Records are very proud to bring you a new album from Don Leisure with Amanda Whiting.
'Beyond The Midnight Sun' expands upon ground first explored on Don Leisure's track 'All Praises Due', which also featured Amanda (with Angel Bat Dawid), and featured on his previous album 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. This is a full-length project that these two formidable Welsh artists have collaborated on together.
To bring you up to speed, Cardiff DJ and beat-maker Don Leisure has been twice nominated for the Welsh Music Prize, with the afore-mentioned album 'Shaboo Strikes Back', and a previous project, 'Steel Zakusi'. As well as being 50% of Darkhouse Family with Earl Jeffers, he's released music under various monikers on labels such as Metalheadz, International Anthem, Fat City, Earnest Endeavours, Group BraCil and on Rough Trade with another regular collaborator, Gruff Rhys. Other collabs have included Charlotte Church, Om'Mas Keith, DJ Spinna and First Word label-mate Tyler Daley (Children of Zeus). Learn More
Mike Maurro is back at it. Taking the keys to the Philadelphia International Records vault and plucking out two certified classics The O'Jays - I Love Music and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes feat. Teddy Pendergrass - Wake Up Everybody to give them a little Maurro re-edit magic. Learn More
Dutch multi-instrumentalist Felbm returns with the conceptual album ‘cycli infini’ : a 38-minute composition of metamorphosing tape loops, musical patterns and instrumental sketches. Further exploring the concept is the vinyl release which features the track spread over both sides and cut to the end of each locked groove - creating an essentially never-ending piece that challenges the idea of the traditional listening process. Learn More
Mr Bongo now proudly presents a reissue of this brilliant, bossa-channelling Bill Withers reinterpretation from Studio Rio’s 2014 release ‘The Brazil Connection’. Masterminded by the German, Grammy award-winning Berman Brothers, the project was born out of their deep love of Brazilian music. “Our goal was to bring the Brazilian joie de vivre to iconic performances by well-known artists. What would these classic songs sound like had they been recorded in the studios of Rio de Janeiro in the first place, with the best Brazilian musicians and arrangers?” the brothers reflect. Learn More
Tenderlonious enters fresh album territory with his latest offering entitled, ‘You Know I Care’. Having released several solo projects, numerous collaborations and a series of LP’s, EP’s and singles with his band Ruby Rushton that centred on original compositions, he wanted to take a moment to focus his energy on exploring the classic jazz material that has inspired him over the years. Learn More
David Versace releases a conceptual masterpiece that traverses raw, organic concepts born in the moment and each of which represent his most refined and articulate work to date. For smooth jazz lovers, this is a must-cop with gorgeous sounds like 'You Really Mean It' and delightfully air and meandering space jazz cuts
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Back to Black is the second and final studio album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. Learn More
The long awaited debut LP from Kokoroko - Could We Be More 5th August 2022. Following the huge success of 2018’s Kokoroko EP’ and the sensational Abusey Junction (100M streams and counting), ‘Could We Be More’ is an expansive and ambitious debut album that speaks to the force of Kokoroko. Learn More
Originally conceived as a tour only exclusive, Bright Sparkling Light was recorded alongside, 2023's expansive beguiling long-player An Ever Changing View and draws on the same trademark blend of jazz, electronica, global and spiritual jazz influences. The original pressing sold-out on Matthew’s EU and UK tour last October and November and so many people got in touch with us here at Gondwana asking how they could get a copy that we decided to make a further 2000 copies available. Learn More
The devil is in the details. And Yosi Horikawa understands this perhaps better than most musicians from his generation, crafting compositions with broad appeal that also withstand the most intricate scrutiny. Originality has always been a rare currency in the creative arts, and having honed his voice over the years Yosi has plenty of it to give those willing to listen. Learn More
The third installment of the Future Bubblers compilation is set for release on October 11th. The programme, started by Brownswood founder and 6 Music broadcaster Gilles Peterson has garnered a reputation of being at the forefront of cutting- edge music, having previously released tunes by artists such as Yazmin Lacey & Skinny Pelembe. This edition features local MC talent BLIND MIC! Learn More
Manchester-via-Cumbria producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ Tom Burford, AKA Contours, finds home on The Singles Club with a stellar two-track release moulding synths and drum machine-heavy programming with elements of samba and boogie. Learn More
Strut Records were there first, well before DFA recorded The Rapture’s Sub Pop debut. ‘Disco Not Disco’ preceded the punk funk revolution by two years.”- Resident Advisor.
‘Disco Not Disco’ preceded the punk funk revolution by two years.”- Resident Advisor. Learn More
Elevating, uplifting and beautifully arranged. Jasmine Myra's sophomore album Rising builds on the success of her breakthrough album Horizons to deliver a major statement from one of UK Jazz's rising stars. Produced by Matthew Halsall and mixed by Greg Freeman (Hania Rani, Matthew Halsall, Portico Quartet), Rising delivers a confident and vibrant follow up that joins the musical dots between Myra’s influences Kenny Wheeler, Bonobo and Shabaka Hutchings while delivering something unique, beautiful and profound. Learn More
New Zealand’s jazz luminaries have assembled to form an all-star cluster: The Circling Sun.
Channeling spiritual/modal jazz and Latin rhythms, they simultaneously reference the greats such as Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders and Alice Coltrane, while maintaining a fresh perspective on ensemble dynamics. Learn More
Recorded in February 1969 and released on LP as two side-long jams, it introduced ideas that what would become common to many of Miles’ albums in the years ahead: a rotating cast of sidemen that changed track by track, which meant—at least on studio recordings—the idea of a consistent band was no longer a priority. New names swung into Miles’ orbit, each bringing a new sound and sometimes instrument, for one tune, perhaps to return on another album. Learn More
‘Hello World’ is an audio catalogue of personal experiences, thoughts and feelings, shared with honesty and curiosity for the human condition. Matt crafts emotive and uplifting compositions denoting a tender illustration of the human experience, finding and celebrating the simple and beautiful moments of life. Learn More
To celebrate 3 years since the release of Andrew Ashong & Kaidi Tatham’s now classic Sankofa Season, Kitto Records invite some of their favourite artists to remix and reimagine the music. The result is an all-star line up that crosses genre and generations to produce a truly cracking EP, one that is clearly rooted in the original music while also moving into new, unexpected territories. Whether it is dubstep pioneer Mala bringing a heavy and sophisticated twist to ‘Low Ceilings’, or breakthrough post-punk artist Wu-Lu flipping ‘Washed in You’ into a completely new realm, complete with a captivating feature from the one and only Lex Learn More
First Word Records is very proud to present 'The Liminality of Her', a brand new 10-track album from their newest signing, Amanda Whiting; a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer.A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician has quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her own unique sound, following on from the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane. Learn More
The new Robohands LP showcases the brilliant producer and multi-instrumentalist through his most thought-out and compelling songwriting, yet.
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Renowned Italian spiritual jazz master, DJ, producer, guitarist, and bandleader Nicola Conte proudly presents his new album Umoja via London based label Far Out Recordings. Learn More
For the third release in our Mr Bongo Cuban Classics series, we reissue the iconic 1974 debut album by the mighty Grupo Irakere. Led by Chucho Valdés, son of Cuban pianist and bandleader Bebo Valdés, the band would go on to become of the most influential and successful groups emanating from Cuba in this period. Learn More
Gloria Scott’s ‘What Am I Gonna Do’ is one of the greatest soul records ever. Produced by Barry White, that oozes class, lush instrumentation and the remarkle vocal talent and emotive delivery of Ms Scott. From the impecable opener ‘What Am I Gonna Do’ through to the Modern Soul scenes favourite, ‘(A Case Of) Too Much Love Makin’, nearly every cut on the LP is a classic. An extremely rare LP since it’s release in 1974, with original copies changing hands for over £100. Now 50 years on it has been officially licenced & lovingly reissued by the Selector Series label and arguably an LP every Soul fan needs in their collection.
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T Funk Collective teams up with Atomphunk for his debut track for Regulate Recordings on the labels fifth release. Atomphunk has deep house roots and productions on labels such as Toko Records, 3AM Recordings, Urban Torque Records and Deepfunk Records (USA) and he brings his A game to the flip side for this release. Learn More
É Soul Cultura captain, originator of Manchester’s legendary Electric Chair and definitive people’s champion, Luke Una taps into a lifetime’s worth of musical discovery for the second volume in our Mr Bongo Edits series. A cosmic coming together that sees two of Luke’s secret weapons, re-edited and re-contextualised by the man himself to provide optimal dancefloor euphoria. Learn More
First Word Records is very proud to bring you a brand new 11-track album from Quiet Dawn, one called 'Celebrate'.French multi-instrumentalist Quiet Dawn has been an integral part of the First Word family for a full decade now. Learn More