Respected producer, renowned digger, and prolific DJ, Chris Read has been releasing and compiling music on BBE for many years now, both as a solo artist and as producer of electronic soul outfit Maylight. Created in collaboration with Chicago rapper and vocalist Pugs Atomz, 'Colours Of The World', started life when the latter was in London recording and touring with BBE label-mate and mutual friend DJ Vadim's group The Electric. Having recorded a small collection of tracks during Pugs' time in London town, two of which appeared
Chris Read's 2015 producer collection'All Night’, the duo continued to exchange ideas and recordings across the pond after Pugs’ return to his native Chicago, completing the album with the addition of several guest vocalists and musicians from both Chicago and London.

A true hip hop renaissance man, Pugs Atomz has travelled the world several times over, always making a lasting impression thanks to his energetic stage performances, forward-thinking attitude and highly relatable lyrics. Mix-tape maestro and sample head, Chris Read's beat-making credentials simply cannot be overstated. 'Colours Of The World' bridges the gap between traditional boom-bap sonics and future soul, utilizing obscure jazz fragments to create dazzling sonic mosaics; smooth, sumptuous and soulful throughout. Pugs' dextrous flow switches seamlessly between classic rap styles and more abstract, 'OutKast-esque' vocal acrobatics. An unmistakably contemporary LP made in the image of progressive, life-affirming
90's hip hop and containing a unique blend of UK/US influences, 'Colours Of The World' is almost as nostalgic as it is original.

iTunes

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz - 'Colo(u)rs of the World'

Colo (U) Rs of the World

Dedication

She Said

Track made using technology. Theremin, Ipad & Logic...
Special help from the Dagon. 


Slack Noose

Host Jeff Higgins returns for another episode of Sweet Nothings, taking you through his current sweet, soultronic favourites. Expect new music from SAULT, Rahaan, El Payo, Maurice Fulton and more.

Sweet Nothings w/ Jeff Higgins - July 2024

DJ & producer Shy One oversees the chatroom nonsense and brings that necessary get-up-and-go vibe every other hump day...  
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/soup-to-nuts-shy-one/episodes/soup-to-nuts-shy-one-31st-july-2024

Soup To Nuts w/ Shy One 310724

Jean-Claude searches through his extensive mountain of records to bring out some of that new new, and some new old as well. It always bangs. 
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/ifmusic/episodes/ifmusic-3rd-august-2024

If Music Presents You Need This w/ Jean-Claude 030824

Jeff Higgins returns for another Sweet Nothings show, journeying through smooth and jazzy disco, neo-soul and boogie selects.

Sweet Nothings - August 2024

Jeff Higgins returns for another Sweet Nothings show, journeying through jazzy, smooth and soulful hip-hop, house and boogie selects.

Sweet Nothings - October 2024

Eglo Records' main man Alexander Nut joins us for some slick late night futurism. Broken beat, soul, and whatever else happens to take his fancy.  
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/alexander-nut/episodes/alexander-nut-15th-february-2025

Alexander Nut - Remembering J Dilla  150225

trklst

Son Of Dan - Affirmation
Son Of Dan - Move 
Brighter Days Family - Breathe 
Animus vs Lady Sarkazym
Dough Networks - Automatic Lover
Dough Networks - Crime Networkz
Brother Ali - Ocean of Rage
Ella Mae Sueref - Out At Sea 
Ella Mae Sueref - Tomorrow 
Budgie - cloud 9 peyton 
Helena Casella - Power Plants                                                             
Kuna Maze - Stab
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground (Raw-Artes SteWork)
King Josephine - Skills 
Deep Patterns - Thirteen
Omar - Brighter The Days 
Ariel J - Wonderland 
Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise - Patience                                                                                                                                                               
Tokimonsta - Sci Fi (ft Mez) 
MachineDrum - RESPEK ft Topaz Jones (Ezri CESCO rex) 
Slaughter Mob - Sik Bizniz

490: a Radio Jawn / Future Soul Dispatch Center / From Philly to the wherever you at

Counter Culture: The BBE Store presents Jeff Higgins and Johnny Reckless - 12 July 2025

Counter Culture with BBE feat. Jeff Higgins - 11 October 2025

Released on 17th February 2017 on 7inch vinyl via Dinked x BBE Records. 'You' is B-Side to 'Baby Don't Go', both tracks taken from the forthcoming Chris Read & Pugs Atomz BBE LP 'Colo(u)rs of the World'.

Colo(u)rs of the World

Baby Don't Go

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz feat Simeon Viltz & Thaione Davis - 'You'

Buy / Stream the album 'Colo(u)rs Of The World: https://BBEmusic.lnk.to/clrswrld
Buy / Stream the new single 'Drum Roll': https://bbemusic.lnk.to/DRNandE

Renowned crate digger, respected producer and talented DJ, Chris Read has been releasing and compiling music on BBE for some years, both as a solo artist and with electronic soul outfit Maylight. Created alongside Chicago rapper and vocalist Pugs Atomz, 'Colours Of The World', started life when the latter was in London recording and touring with BBE label- mate and mutual friend DJ Vadim's group The Electric. Initially collaborating on just two tracks which were both featured on Chris Read's 2015 retrospective 'All Night', the pair continued to work remotely after Pugs returned to his native Chicago, enlisting several guest vocalists and musicians from the area.
A true hip hop renaissance man, Pugs Atomz has travelled the world several times over, always making a big impression thanks to his energetic stage performances, forward-thinking attitude and highly relatable lyrics. Mix-tape maestro and curator at whosampled.com, Chris Read's beat-making credentials simply cannot be overstated. 'Colours Of The World' lays out solid boom-bap beats while making use of obscure jazz fragments to create dazzling sonic mosaics; smooth, sumptuous and soulful throughout. Pugs' dextrous flow switches seamlessly between classic rap styles and more abstract, 'OutKast-esque' vocal acrobatics. Made in the image of progressive, life-affirming 90's hip hop and containing a unique blend of UK/US influences, 'Colours Of The World' is almost as nostalgic as it is original.

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz - Nice and Easy feat. Wes Restless & Juice Aleem

Album available here: https://bbemusic.lnk.to/clrswrld
Renowned crate digger, respected producer and talented DJ, Chris Read has been releasing and compiling music on BBE for some years, both as a solo artist and with electronic soul outfit Maylight. Created alongside Chicago rapper and vocalist Pugs Atomz, 'Colours Of The World', started life when the latter was in London recording and touring with BBE label- mate and mutual friend DJ Vadim's group The Electric. Initially collaborating on just two tracks which were both featured on Chris Read's 2015 retrospective 'All Night', the pair continued to work remotely after Pugs returned to his native Chicago, enlisting several guest vocalists and musicians from the area.
A true hip hop renaissance man, Pugs Atomz has travelled the world several times over, always making a big impression thanks to his energetic stage performances, forward-thinking attitude and highly relatable lyrics. Mix-tape maestro and curator at whosampled.com, Chris Read's beat-making credentials simply cannot be overstated. 'Colours Of The World' lays out solid boom-bap beats while making use of obscure jazz fragments to create dazzling sonic mosaics; smooth, sumptuous and soulful throughout. Pugs' dextrous flow switches seamlessly between classic rap styles and more abstract, 'OutKast-esque' vocal acrobatics. Made in the image of progressive, life-affirming 90's hip hop and containing a unique blend of UK/US influences, 'Colours Of The World' is almost as nostalgic as it is original.

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz - Colo(u)rs Of The World

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz - For The Paper

💻 Website: www.musicofsubstance.com

🔉 Artist: BBE Records. 
🎛 Producer: Grammy winners Bilal and Algebra Blessett, Juno Award winner Kardinal Offishall, Mercury Prize nominee Mark Rae, BBC New Urban Music Award winners Maylight + Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, Spacek, Oddissee, The Pharcyde & more . 
📀 Releases: Labels inc Universal, Sony, Acid Jazz, Inner Tribe, Bastard Jazz, Breakin Bread, Different Drummer. 
🎚Mixtape guy: Wax Poetics
📻 Former Mix Show DJ: BBC 1Xtra

Join the BBE Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/yfBFX

Founded in 1996 by Peter Adarkwah, Barely Breaking Even (BBE Music) started life as a London club night, taking its name from the eponymous Disco record by the Universal Robot Band.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90's club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series' such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work's 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am's first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Morales among many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s most recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of 'Barely Breaking Even', featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.

In 2021 BBE Music is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the label is offering up some special projects, from the 20th Anniversary edition of J Dilla’s ‘Welcome 2 Detroit’, through David Bowie tribute album ‘Modern Love’, to a special new ‘Worldwide’ compilation from old friend Gilles Peterson. BBE Music will also be looking to the future with more exciting original artist projects, plus merch collaborations events and more...

Chris Read & Pugs Atomz - For The Paper

BBE Music

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