NEO FUNK AND SOUL

Keep It

Be Thankful for What You Got
Written by William DeVaughn 1974

Covered by Daylon Wear 2023
Genre: Soul, Blue Eyed Soul, R&B, Gospel

24bit Recording Mastered by Grammy Winner Herb Powers
Angie & Herb     
PM Mastering, Inc.    pmmastering@mac.com   (917) 886-7444


https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daylon-wear/510437716

Be Thankful for What You Got

Soul Doctrine

Available now  via iTunes - http://geni.us/BBEStaffSel14
or direct from us www.bbemusic.com

So, 2014 is nearly done and once again, the releases came at such a rate  that we’ve barely had time to draw breath, let alone sit back and congratulate ourselves on another year of putting out Real Music For Real People…
That’s why we enjoy this little tradition of posting the annual ‘staff picks’ from our own catalogue… it forces us to sit back, relax and start playing through some of that incredible music that we’ve released into a harsh world in the last year. 
Don’t think it’s easy … Team BBE can be riven with hissy-fits and sulkiness for a couple of days as personal favourites are out-voted, over-ruled or ruled out over technicalities  (e.g. the member of staff who insisted on having every track from the weird and wonderful  Strange Breaks and Mister Thing III). But the collective process usually ends in a group hug and a nice warm glow once we playback the final selection. 
It’s impossible to let the occasion pass without mentioning some of the ones that got away, though. Despite the plethora of new artists we’ve put out over the past few years we’re probably still best-known for our compilations, instantly  recognizable both visually and aurally, and this year saw no let- up in either quantity or quality. As well as the aforementioned Strange Breaks and Mister Thing III, which won plaudits from the most seasoned vinyl junkies for its educative and entertaining qualities, we had Sean P’s personal trip down memory lane to an old-school that few of today’s hip-hop generation even knew existed, Rock It Don’t Stop It. We also had Kev Beadle’s dig around the private press archives for lost jazz classics, resulting in his Private Collection, and the fourth …yes, fourth!.. instalment of Keb Darge and Little Edith’s Legendary Wild Rockers, raw rockabilly from one of our longest-serving and most illustrious of collaborators. 
Having seen a lot of reissues done very badly, 2014 was the year we stepped up the game with our Masters We Love series. Lavishly packaged and remastered from the original sources, we’ve been able to put legendary albums previously known only to hard-core collectors back into wider circulation. Nana Love, Crystal Winds, Hal Bradbury,  Janet Lawson, The Craig Peyton Group were some of the artists in this series who benefited from this exposure but inexplicably didn’t make the cut for our year end round-up … Band X and Dan Mastroianni are two more who did. We also put out the legendary Lost Album from Iron Curtain synth-meisters Rodion G.A. 
So what of those new artists? For every one that scraped on this seasonal bonanza, there were a couple more that didn’t … so a big shout-out to Lady Daisey, Morgan featuring Jo Sims, Very Tall Stories,Loretta Heywood, Hempolics,  The Grits, Algebra Blessett, Yesking, Duct Tape, Time For T, and DJ Oil, who between them represent just about every kind of credible underground music-making going on right now. 
As for those represented on this excursion, there’s no lack of diversity there, either.  Old friends like Shawn Lee, DJ Vadim and Mr.Bird jostle for attention alongside Slakah the Beatchild, Anchorsong,, Tricky D, The Excelsiors, Larry Achiampong, True Ingredients, Megajawns, Vaitea and More Like Trees. From the dopest dubbed out downtempo headnodders to the most progressive of up-tempo left-field dance, taking in the flavours of Africa, the Caribbean and the East along the way. 2014 was one helluva ride … hope you enjoy this brief trip back through it alongside. 


Control This

It's Too Late

The Excelsiors - It's Too Late

After a great year with single releases from Mannix, D.C. LaRue, Paris Cesvette and more, Dafia Records' final single for 2024 comes courtesy of up-and-coming Portuguese-British singer-songwriter Maya Blandy, with a shimmering floor filler produced by Jake Wherry of The Herbaliser titled, 'Disco Nights'. The release includes remixes from OPOLOPO and label boss Mannix. 

Featured: https://klubikon.com/2024/12/04/premiere-maya-blandy-disco-nights-opolopo-remix 

'Disco Nights' EP will be available after the 13th of December https://www.traxsource.com/title/2405932/disco-nights 

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Disco Nights

Disco Nights (OPOLOPO Remix)

Featured

PREMIERE: Maya Blandy - Disco Nights (OPOLOPO Remix)

In Between Revisited: Jazzanova Live

Days to Come (Little Big Beat Studio Live Session)

The 18-piece Afro-Cuban jazz big band New Regency Orchestra set out their stall last year with an electrifying debut self-titled album. Inspired by the musical fusion that bubbled up in NYC in the 1950s, they breathe fresh life into this golden era with a host of London’s best contemporary Latin and jazz musicians.

Recording an album with such an abundance of players meant there was a wealth of multitrack stems accumulated from the recording sessions. NRO’s artistic director, Lex Blondin and Mr Bongo thought what better way to utilise this archive of music, than to offer up the parts so that anyone could try their hand at a remix. The winner would have their remix released on Mr Bongo. An incredible range of remixes were submitted from all over the world with all manner of different genres in the mix. It was a tough decision but one stood out from the rest…

More than a simple remix, The Process (aka Jonny Cuba & Ollie Teeba) alongside Washington emcee J Scienide, have totally flipped NRO’s track ‘Pregon’. In true hip-hop fashion, they’ve picked a small section, put their stamp on it, and made it their own. Chopping and sampling the horns in expert style, they’ve layered them over a brand-new beat that channels the golden age boom bap sound. It’s the perfect foundation for J Scienide to step up to the mic, with a flow that takes the track to stratospheric heights.

As Lex Blondin mentions, “Listening to all the remixes coming back was so much fun. A big thanks to all who have participated, there were some really great remixes, but we have a clear winner here. The Process with J Scienide, who remixed our intro track called Pregon, takes it away! Originally written by Chico O'Farrill as the opener of 2nd Afro Cuban Suite, this track was begging for a backbeat and the way they've flipped it gives it just the bop it needed. This remix is pure boom bap goodness...I love how they've chopped up the horn line and peppered it around the chorus. Class work!”

London-based production duo, The Process, are no strangers to the world of music. Both Jonny and Ollie have been pioneers of underground UK music for years, coming up in the mid-1990s as DJs and artists on Ninja Tune. Ollie, being a member of the iconic Ninja Tune band The Herbaliser, and working with emcees such as MF Doom, Roots Manuva, and Rodney P. Jonny, as a partner in Dynamic Syncopation working with the likes of Phi Life Cypher, Chill Rob G, and Mass Influence and going on to form the group Soundsci. On this remix, they are joined by emcee J Scienide whose pedigree has seen him collaborate with hip hop heavyweights on the mic and production, including DJ D Styles (Beat Junkies), Daringer (Griselda Records/Action Bronson), Conway the Machine, Blu, Rome Streetz, and Kev Brown.


Pregon (The Process with J Scienide - Out in the World Remix)

n an ever-expanding musical universe, Azymuth have long existed as a celestial giant, drawing countless artists, musicians and followers into their orbit. Marking fifty years since their 1975 debut album Azimuth, their new album Marca Passo proves that the band’s alchemic brew of Brazilian jazz-funk and cosmic samba soul remains as vital as ever, as the group honours the profound legacy of their departed founders.

Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Marca Passo is the first full-length release since the passing of founding drummer Ivan "Mamão" Conti in 2023, following the earlier loss of keyboardist José Roberto Bertrami in 2012. Alex Malheiros, the sole remaining original member, sees his stewardship of the band’s musical legacy as his spiritual duty. He is joined by the equally devoted Kiko Continentino (Milton Nascimento, Djavan) on keyboards, who has been with the group since 2016, and new recruit Renato Massa (Marcos Valle, Ed Motta) on drums.

Yet since their earliest recorded music, Azymuth have always been far greater than the sum of their parts. The "three-man orchestra’s" unmistakable sound is rooted in Brazil's MPB studio scene of the 1970s and early 1980s—a time when artists blended traditional Brazilian rhythms with global jazz, rock, and emerging psychedelic and progressive elements. Marca Passo continues this legacy, seamlessly fusing Brazilian musical traditions with global influences while showcasing the exceptional musicianship that powers Azymuth's distinctive, multi-dimensional sound.

The album is produced by studio mastermind Daniel Maunick, responsible for Azymuth’s two previous studio albums, Fênix in 2016 and Aurora in 2011. Daniel’s credits also include albums by Marcos Valle, Sabrina Malheiros and Terry Callier. Azymuth also invited Daniel’s father, British jazz-funk royalty Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick, of Incognito, to play guitar on a new version of Azymuth’s eighties classic “Last Summer In Rio”, in tribute to the song’s composer, José Roberto Bertrami. Equally, “Samba Pro Mamao” is a new composition dedicated to Azymuth’s beloved original drummer, Ivan “Mamão” Conti.

Marca Passo releases on limited edition blue, red & black vinyl LP editions, CD and digitally on the 6th June 2025, via Far Out Recordings, supported by European and North American tours.

Azymuth - Andaraí

Azymuth - Arabutã

ALL IN (feat. Rimarkable)

Bounty 

SOTU 11 - "Good Numba"

Man of many labels Marcel Vogel turns out some of his most impressive material on Intimate Friends, bringing other talents into the fold to share in his vision of soul, funk, disco and house how it should be done. Having released the Human Beings album last year, Vogel invites a stellar cast to come and remix several tracks with predictably fantastic results. NY*AK enlists the honey-coated Rhodes skills of Mark Hand on their version of "Human Being", and it's an absolute joy to listen to. Meanwhile SoulPhiction gets into an equally heart-warming groove when he tackles "Always Isn't Only". Soul Clap meanwhile bring a little more party functionality to "Moonchild" before Simba offers up a very different, low-slung and laid back version.


Marcel Vogel - Moonchild Remixes
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/marcel-vogel-moonchild-remixes-ny-ak-feat/631295-01/

Marcel Vogel - Being Human EP
http://www.juno.co.uk/products/marcel-vogel-human-beings/615602-01/

Traxsource

a1 Marcel Vogel feat Khadija - Human Being (NY_AK Remix feat Mark Hand)

Karma by Burga off his new mixtape T.H.I.D.Y.B (This how im doin yall beats)

Burga  "Karma"

Download: https://horatioluna.bandcamp.com/album/cultural-warriors

We're proud to present the first listen from the third instalment for La Sape;(SAPE003) is from one of 30/70’s founding fathers. Melbourne bassist, composer and producer Horatio Luna. The left-leaning jazz musician known for boldly experimental compositions moves towards a soulful house sound on Cultural Warriors with a nod to Moodymann.

This record features the innovations of jazz-soul-bap producer/instrumentalists Nap King Cole (Silent Jay x Jace XL), Perrin Moss(Hiatus Kaiyote) and Ziggy Zeitgeist(Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange) who have each, in there own right, re-created and re-invented the ideology of what it means to be a jazz musician in the modern age.

Cultural Warriors came about by accident. A chance recording of a jam session curated in conjunction with Melbourne selector Eddie Mac. Each track has Horatio Luna’s signature organic, lo-fi, loose sound characteristic to a warm personality; chopped and stretched into four grimy, soulful house jams.

From Horatio Luna: “The audio from the desk was raw, dirty and peeking but the ideas were so strong I had to use it... I’m thankful that the genius engineer was MIA most of the night, sleeping in the booth, it made for a beautiful dirty aesthetic. On the gig we took things to the future, playing for hours and just jamming out on what we were feeling... It was like a dream! Completely improvised house music. Serene Favero and Milan Ring came through, as they were out on the town, everything bumped up a level from there!”

Horatio Luna - Bass Guitar/Programming
Ziggy Zeitgeist - Drums
Nap King Cole - Keyboards
Perrin Moss - Percussion
Syrene Favero - Vocals

Produced at the Mandarin Dreams Studio
Releases May 11th 2018

Horatio Luna would like to thank Nap King Cole and Perrin Moss for their continued guidance, compassion, inspiration and creative integrity. As well as, Ziggy Zeitgeist and Thhomas for believing in the music, believing in me and having my back.

Horatio Luna - Work It Out (Cultural Warriors 12" - SAPE003)

A singular sax note like Bill Withers singing "lovely daaaaaaaaaaaay".  The 10th and final track on 'It Rains Here' the debut album from @yadavasoflute on @churchuk.

Read more & buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2018/06/15/premiere-yadava-morning-pt-2-extended-mix/

Yadava - Morning Pt.2 (Extended Edit) (STW Premiere)

Won't Get Better

02. Scrimshire - Won't Get Better feat. Emma-Jean Thackray

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...

Music’s my thing. Big love for electronic sounds — always curious, always experimenting. I mess around with playlists for friends and now I’m diving into the world of DJing and making my own stuff. Let’s see where this ride goes.

The Excelsiors - It's Too Late

BBE Music

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