Funked Simplicity

We are mighty proud to welcome Curtis Kirkland aka Urban Sound Lab & Miss Yankey to Local Talk. Their track "One Less, is our brand new release.

"One Less" is an effortlessly soulful house tune with skillful keys and vocals from Miss Yankey that will no doubt go down a treat.

Bandcamp Order - localtalk.bandcamp.com/album/one-less

Artwork by Michal Rafaj

One Less

Urban Sound Lab Presents Miss Yankey - One Less (Instrumental)

Buy/Stream the EP here: https://orcd.co/intothelight

Valvin “V” Roane offers up a soulful taste of upcoming album ‘Image A Nation’ with lead single ‘Into The Light’ featuring Yameen Allworld.

‘Into The Light’ is a smooth, warm and life-affirming Neo-Soul gem, served with that special sauce that, it seems, only Philly artists can perfect. Yameen’s relaxed rhyme flow perfectly compliments V’s flawless vocal performance over a classic beat, an instrumental version of which is included in the package.

V’s long friendship and collaborative relationship with Yameen pre-dates his debut album, 2005’s ‘The Revelation Is Now Televised’, which was the first time the pair appeared together on record. Both subsequently contributed to Jill Scott’s 2011 album ‘The Light Of The Sun’, which incidentally also featured fellow BBE artist Larry Gold as composer and arranger. Alongside Jontae Slade and Andre Capers, Yameen was one of the main writers behind V’s new album ‘Image A Nation’, but it’s only on this cut that he makes an on-mic appearance.

V is widely known throughout the US soul and R&B community as a ‘go-to’ vocalist, having worked with Justin Timberlake, Musiq Soulchild and Will Smith to name but a few. Yameen Allworld is a mainstay of the Philadelphia music scene, previously working with Kindred The Family Soul and occasionally acting as hype-man for Questlove’s legendary DJ sets.

Album ‘Image A Nation’ is slated for release in early September 2020

Into The Light

V - Into The Light (Feat. Yameen Allworld)

Retroflection Remixed

Twilight (Atjazz Love Soul Remix)

Download/Stream - fanlink.to/StayThisWayRmxs
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Earlier in 2020 two of our favourite artists teamed up to put a wonderful spin on an Acid Jazz anthem. OPOLOPO FEAT. ANGELA JOHNSON – STAY THIS WAY was a stunning remake of the THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES classic, released back in 1991 on DELICIOUS VINYL.

Now REEL PEOPLE MUSIC are excited to present a wonderful remix courtesy of the Italian maestros MICKY MORE & ANDY TEE.

RPM081

Stay This Way (Micky More & Andy Tee Remixes)

Download/Stream

Opolopo feat. Angela Johnson – Stay This Way (Micky More & Andy Tee Mix)

Pre-order / Pre-save the album: https://orcd.co/imageanation

Philadelphia soul artist Valvin “V” Roane makes a welcome return to BBE Music with new album ‘Image A Nation’, his first full-length project on the label since 2005 underground classic ‘The Revelation Is Now Televised’.

Independently releasing several albums and EPs in the almost 15 years since his BBE debut, we are delighted to join forces with V once again for another timeless soul classic. Working with such luminaries as Justin Timberlake, Musiq Soulchild and Will Smith during a storied career, V also toured for many years as backing vocalist for Jill Scott.

Created with trailblazers and teachers like Quincy Jones and Marvin Gaye firmly in mind, ‘Image A Nation’ paints a vivid picture of a people and culture on the move.

“Synchronicity played a major factor in the themes and tone of both lyrics and music. We found ourselves telling a magical story of life as a voyage or trip, learning to avoid the pitfalls- forever reaching to find that ”utopia” but being tested as you go through a maze of obstacles. This was real life to a lot of us so it was easy to create from that theme.”

A collaborative effort from inception onwards, the core writing team behind ‘Image A Nation’comprised his production partners Jontae Slade, Andre Capers and Philly music scene stalwart (also occasional Questlove hype man) Yameen Allworld working closely alongside V.

“Every day for a month when I arrived to the studio, Yameen or Jontae would play me a new track they just did that day. The music was so good and perfectly in the realm I was looking for, that we would write and record it on the spot. A lot of this album happened like that.”

Once the songs had been sketched out, Wiz Khalifa and Jay Z’s former tour drummer Eric “Boots” Greene adroitly manifested V’s ambitious concept for the album from behind the studio desk, guiding the final arrangements, providing live instrumentation and lovingly refining ‘Image A Nation’ into something truly ageless.

In the grand tradition of social commentary personified by Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, songs like “Hell No Wont Go”, “Power To The People” and “Into The Light” offer the comfort of solidarity through dark and difficult times. Manifestations of hope and positive affirmations abound in “We Shall Overcome”, “Love Conquers All” and title track “Image A Nation”, adding up to an album which both acknowledges the struggles of yesterday and today, while constantly communicating a sense of openness and optimism for the future.

V - Power To The People

If I Was Your Man

If I Was Your Man (feat. Michael Champion)

Buy / Stream here: https://orcd.co/happysongremixes

Following the release of ‘Happy Song’, the first single from forthcoming album ‘Break The Wall’, MF Robots reveal the full extended version of the song alongside remixes from Kenny Dope, Kaidi Tatham and Daz-I-Kue.

It’s only right that Kenny Dope should be the first producer to remix Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph’s new MF Robots project, considering the trio’s shared musical history. Kenny Dope began reworking Jan’s ‘Brand New Heavies’ material back in the early 90’s as one half of Masters At Work, helping the band reach club-land over and over again with a series of iconic remixes, recorded during the golden era of MAW’s output.

It’s no surprise then that there’s more than a hint of that special, Latin sunshine-infused mid-90’s House sound in Kenny’s rework of Happy Song, which showcases Dawn’s impeccable vocals over an infectious rhythm track and ultra-funky horn stabs. An instrumental version of Kenny’s mix is also included for the House purists, as well as the full, extended original version of Happy Song, packed with tight musicianship and more than its fair share of great grooves.

Pioneers of the UK Broken Beat movement and contributors to its most emblematic group, Bugz In The Attic, it seems almost inconceivable that Kaidi Tatham & Daz-I-Kue have never actually worked on a remix together before. As strange as it may sound, it’s true, and their powerhouse rework of ‘Happy Song’ is most definitely worth the wait.

About MF Robots:

Meeting in 2013 while recording and performing with one of the UK’s most commercially successful Acid Jazz bands, legendary UK drummer Jan Kincaid and vocalist Dawn Joseph discovered immediate musical chemistry and began writing songs together right away. They soon left the band to concentrate on their own work, starting MF Robots (Music For Robots) and releasing an eponymous debut in 2018. The album was so well received that the duo soon morphed into a band as they found themselves in-demand at venues and festivals all over Europe.

Forthcoming long player ‘Break The Wall’ represents a new benchmark for Jan and Dawn, reflecting the MF Robots project coalescing and maturing while fine-tuning their material, both on the road and in the studio.

Happy Song Remixes

MF Robots - Happy Song (Kenny Dope Remix)

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Love Is Pain

Buy / Stream it here: https://orcd.co/happysongremixes

Following the release of ‘Happy Song’, the first single from forthcoming album ‘Break The Wall’, MF Robots reveal the full extended version of the song alongside remixes from Kenny Dope, Kaidi Tatham and Daz-I-Kue.

It’s only right that Kenny Dope should be the first producer to remix Jan Kincaid and Dawn Joseph’s new MF Robots project, considering the trio’s shared musical history. Kenny Dope began reworking Jan’s ‘Brand New Heavies’ material back in the early 90’s as one half of Masters At Work, helping the band reach club-land over and over again with a series of iconic remixes, recorded during the golden era of MAW’s output.

It’s no surprise then that there’s more than a hint of that special, Latin sunshine-infused mid-90’s House sound in Kenny’s rework of Happy Song, which showcases Dawn’s impeccable vocals over an infectious rhythm track and ultra-funky horn stabs. An instrumental version of Kenny’s mix is also included for the House purists, as well as the full, extended original version of Happy Song, packed with tight musicianship and more than its fair share of great grooves.

Pioneers of the UK Broken Beat movement and contributors to its most emblematic group, Bugz In The Attic, it seems almost inconceivable that Kaidi Tatham & Daz-I-Kue have never actually worked on a remix together before. As strange as it may sound, it’s true, and their powerhouse rework of ‘Happy Song’ is most definitely worth the wait.

About MF Robots:

Meeting in 2013 while recording and performing with one of the UK’s most commercially successful Acid Jazz bands, legendary UK drummer Jan Kincaid and vocalist Dawn Joseph discovered immediate musical chemistry and began writing songs together right away. They soon left the band to concentrate on their own work, starting MF Robots (Music For Robots) and releasing an eponymous debut in 2018. The album was so well received that the duo soon morphed into a band as they found themselves in-demand at venues and festivals all over Europe.

Forthcoming long player ‘Break The Wall’ represents a new benchmark for Jan and Dawn, reflecting the MF Robots project coalescing and maturing while fine-tuning their material, both on the road and in the studio.

MF Robots - Happy Song (Kaidi Tatham & Daz-I-Kue Remix)

Welcome to our second release from the wonderful Roz Ryan. Roz pretty much a household name with voice overs, acting and some memorable soul releases on Volt,Mirage, & 7th Galaxy records.  "Life after love" is a glorious 2 step song that she recorded with Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey in 1980 that has lay until today previously unissued.
Out in June on www.superdiscoedits.bigcartel.com

Roz Ryan Life After love-1980 previously unissued soul-7th Galaxy

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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...