Are you ready for the biggest funk cover of the year? Since dropping the sold out "Attention!" single on Freestyle last year, Israels hottest funk band, The Apples, have been busy touring Europe (playing to a packed out Jazz Café) and thankfully slaving away in the studio to create this monster. A firm favourite on the road, this cover version of Rage Against The Machine's "Killing In The Name Of" slays crowds everytime. From the well known bass rumble of the intro, the tracks steams straight into the heaviest of breaks, with some of the sharpest horns you'll hear outside of the Dap Kings camp. The chorus is left wide open for your crowd to sing along to which, having been road tested on CDR, happens everytime. A sure fire party starter!


The Apples- - Killing

Yes - it's back! The boom bappest, fattest & funkiest collection of sounds made for soul searching sore ears -The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club returns!

Since the release of Volume 1 in 2012, Craig has barely had a chance to change his socks, presenting his massively popular radio show on BBC 6 Music and having been on an almost constant DJ tour - dragging his Trunk Of Funk far and wide to play for increasingly large audiences, including kicking off the Glastonbury Festival with a 4 hour set, causing all manner of musical mayhem at WOMAD 2013, tearing the roof off the Soundwave festival in Croatia - as well as hosting his regular club nights at Manchester's Band On The Wall - with block rocking live shows from names like US funk legend Lee Fields, Spain's Sweet Vandals and Australia's toughest raw funk collective Deep Street Soul amongst many others.

And so - the man, the myth, the legend, the not-so-tall, the not-so-dark, the not-so-handsome Craig Charles has hand picked fresh and classic nuggets from the very best soul, funk & dance floor grooves around for Volume 2 of his top selling compilations series.

This edition contains some 100% completely brand new exclusive tracks not heard anywhere before, including Dr Rubberfunk's 'Creek Walk', Emma Beatson and The Hawkmen's track 'Do It', and Lack Of Afro's 'The Outsider - Part 2' which was recorded specifically for this album.

You have to hear Cookin' On 3 Burners Hammond funk version of Gary Numan's Cars, you will flip your lid twice when you hear funk royalty Fred Wesley & Anthony Joseph join forces on Mops Mop's Run Around, and your ears will buy you flowers in gratitude once you have treated them to The Hot 8 Brass Bands version of The Specials Ghost Town and the original acid jazz troubadours James Taylor Quartets debut 1987 single Blow Up!

Of his second selection for Freestyle Craig says: "Whilst my 6 Music radio show features much of the music from the golden age of American soul & funk music, my compilations for Freestyle are a showcase for the contemporary bands that are all part of the worldwide response to the original pioneers and innovators of that sound - all the artists featured are doing their funky thing now - this is no history lesson!"

There are indeed living legends featured, not only Jocelyn Brown featuring on Jessica Lauren's funking gospel style stomper Happiness Train, but two appearances from the recently honoured Omar LyeFook MBE - who not only guests on Lack Of Afro's remix of The Hidden Jazz Quartett's High Heels, but also as impressively on the brand new version of his massive early 90's hit There's Nothing Like This - which features bass player to the gods Pino Palladino.

The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club Vol 2 is the gift that just keeps on giving - it's like having Craig himself DJ-ing in your house. This selection is his greatest yet - and if you don't wear out your carpet getting down to these tracks - you should check your pulse - as you may already be dead!

And don't forget - there's no sleep till bedtime!

02 Lack Of Afro - The Outsider (Part 2) [clip]

03 Mop Mop - Run Around feat. Fred Wesley & Anthony Joseph [clip]

A Wide ranging, eclectic and progressive musical outlook has always been the Lack of Afro approach. His latest material follows suit as he harnesses disparate musical styles ranging from funk, soul and hip-hop to create a contemporary yet vintage musical escapade of superb songs.

On his 4th studio album for Freestyle Records, the influences, sounds and musical textures are more eclectic than ever. Below, Adam talks us through some of the his favourite moments on 'Music For Adverts'.

First out of the box is the steaming funk killer Freedom: This time around I knew I didn't want an intro or a skit to start the album - I needed a strong, heavy opener - I had the melody for the chorus floating around in my head. It was then just a case of working with Jack Tyson - Charles on the rest of it and getting the vibe that the song required.

Long time Lack Of Afro collaborator Herbal T features on Brown Sugar: I had an idea of doing a disco track with an emcee on it, which you don't really hear often. This is actually the first time I've sung on a Lack of Afro track, adding my backing vocal warblings on the choruses! Special shout to George Cooper for the howlin' Hammond solo at the end too.

Of the gritty instrumental No Guts, No Glory Adam explains: I wanted to include 3 instrumentals as I always have a soft spot for them & it's what people know me for. The 'choir' was recorded by layering up my own voice in different octaves, nothing is auto-tuned, its all real. The studio allows me to do stuff like that but I could never sing live - I'll leave that to the proper vocalists.

'Proper vocalist' Jack Tyson - Charles again features on The Gypsy, which as Adam explains uses the classic song format to great effect: One of my favourite LOA tunes to date, Its in keeping with the album mission statement of wanting to write 'proper songs' instead of just grooves.

Another supremely radio friendly & catchy composition is the track which introduces Juliette Ashby; Making It Right, of which Adam informs us; the initial idea came from my good friend Flevans. George Cooper & I added the changes, Rory Simmons arranged the strings & Juliette Ashby came up with a really great vocal. It's most definitely different than a lot of LOA material, but that is no bad thing - sometimes you just have to get outside of your comfort zone and try new stuff.

The truth is that Music For Adverts is stuffed with beautiful audio gems of all varieties - from those 'proper songs', though tough nut, hard hip hop jams, deeply grooving funk - Lack Of Afro has mastery of many genres, production & various instruments, which is why this album is a fully formed tour de force through contemporary soul.

08 Lack of Afro - Missing Me feat. Jack Tyson-Charles [clip]

Back in September 2007, Freestyle Records released ´Black Feeling´ an album project brought to life by Australian musical supremo Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos, Cookin´ On 3 Burners, Lanu) 

Each track was presented under a pseudonym to give the impression of an album you would find whilst digging in a Caribbean record shop or American thrift store. As a collection of reworked classics, the album set dance floors alight across the world, indeed, the single ´Hippy Skippy Moon Strut´ by The Mighty Show-Stoppers became a huge selling 12 inch, and also notched up well over 350,000 individual viewings on You Tube to date!

Now in 2011, Freestyle Records is pleased as punch to be releasing this teaser 45 single that features 2 cuts from the forthcoming follow up album ´Black Feeling: Volume Two´ (FSRCD/LP090) and what total corkers they are too!

The A side is Lance & Co´s fantastic reworking of the anthemic ´Burning Spear´ under the moniker of The Poly-Tones, an intense and driving piece of soulful funk, and what could possibly equal that for the flip side? The Mighty Show-Stoppers giving Johnnie Pate´s blaxploitation soundtrack classic ´Shaft In Africa´ such a convincing and wonderful re-working, you will think you are back in time, on the film set whilst Richard Roundtree (that's John Shaft to you sucker!) kicks some serious ass!   
 

.

The Poly-Tones - Burning Spear

The Mighty Show-Stoppers - Shaft In Africa

BROWNOUT - African Battle

Esperanto - Night Of The Wolf

Brian Auger's professional career first made headlines in 1963 when he won the #1 position in the Melody Makers Jazz Piano Readers Poll. As a prodigious jazz pianist, Brian had already amassed an amazing amount of experience on the London scene. In 1965, after hearing jazz organist Jimmy Smiths' music - Brian began his love affair with the mighty Hammond Organ, naturally, he totally mastered the instrument, then went onto break new ground on the organ - using it as his primary tool as a pioneer of jazz fusion.

Lauded and loved by everybody from Herbie Hancock to Mose Allison, from the Brand New Heavies to The Beastie Boys, his tracks have been sampled by Mos Def, Common, Air and Kid Loco, his original compositions covered by Sarah Vaughan, Richard 'Groove' Holmesand The Main Ingredient.

Do we need to elaborate on Brian's illustrious career? His quicksilver keyboard playing, his genre busting, category defying approach to music has been apparent since the mid 1960's when, much to the disdain of the London jazz community, Brian set out to find a new musical path, taking in R&B and soul rhythms and overlaying jazz harmony and solos. Unsure himself quite where this approach would lead at the time, with the benefit of hindsight all these years later it's easy to see now that he was formulating an approach that was leading to what became known as, for a while 'jazz-rock', then ultimately the more accurate and all encompassing phrase 'jazz fusion', at the same time as some of his own heroes and contemporaries such as Herbie Hancock were also on the same path into as then, uncharted musical waters.

Freestyle Records are proud to be releasing this incredible new, live Oblivion Express album - featuring the dream team of Brian's utterly unique, exuberant and uplifting playing alongside Alex Ligertwood's stratospheric singing. Many years have passed since their first collaborations - both their respective talents remain utterly undiminished.

The highlights of this new collection are almost too numerous to list, but the opener Freedom Jazz Dance still has that edgy, dark feel that has thrilled Brian Auger fans since the early 1970's, when they took the Eddie Harris original instrumental version and injecting it with a vital and progressive new groove, adding incisive lyrics and Brian's astounding organ solo that still stands today as a goose bump inducing ride, and the high standard many keyboard players still aim to achieve. In contrast, Happiness Is Just Round The Bend continues to be the joyous, life affirming funky, soul jazz outing that cannot but help lift ones spirit. Of course, The Main Ingredient had a bigger commercial success with their cover version, but to quote Dobie Gray 'the originals are still the greatest!'.

The Oblivion Express is still steaming ahead over 40 years later, not only are the original recordings considered ground breaking and hugely influential on successive generations of musicians, DJ's, producers and fans alike, but the group is still playing to packed and enthusiastic crowds everywhere from Los Angeles to Japan which speaks volumes about the appeal of Brian's music - it is ageless.

12 Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Compared To What (Live) (clip)

"Debut outing for Australian soul sister Randa Khamis, a steamy brew of blistering funk, impassioned soul vocals, produced by down under funk supremo Lance Ferguson (The Bamboos/Cookin' On 3 Burners/Lanu)"

Born in Jordan, raised in the working class suburbs of Perth, Australia, singer Randa Khamis caught the black music bug early. At the age of 12 she was talking her way into local clubs, desperate to dance to the sounds of James Brown, Parliament, Kurtis Blow, Ann Sexton and Aretha Franklin. Totally entranced by the music she heard, Randa decided then in her early teens that she could, would, and must become a soul singer

During her 20's, Randa lived in London and sung with Kinobe who were about to release a single with her. It was then that she also joined Sasha Baron Cohens' brother's band 'Zohar' singing in Arabic. But it was with Leigh Gracie's deep funk band 'Speedometer' that she spent much of her time singing, and after supporting the legend Eddie Bo, began touring with him in New Orleans, where he passed on his vast musical knowledge about performance and song writing. With this priceless experience under her belt, she returned to Perth, ready to harness her writing and recording experiences with her new band 'Randa & The Soul Kingdom'

With The Bamboos producer Lance Ferguson at the controls, the resulting album absolutely bristles with edgy, gritty funk and soul. From the up tempo opener 'Feel It In Your Soul' right through the entire collection, Randa's high octane vocals urge, push and provoke, none more so that on the killer 45 'Not Gonna Let You' (FSR7055) on which the blast of soulful horns will knock you sideways ... be warned!

Having supported Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, The Bamboos and even Lionel Richie in Australia, they band have firmly established their credentials, and If Randa & The Soul Kingdom don't have you up and dancing in an instant with this brand new collection of 21st century deep soul - you had better check your pulse as you may already be dead! 1000% Essential! 

01 randa and the soul kingdon - FEEL IT IN YOUR SOUL

08 randa and the soul kingdon - YOU CAN MAKE IT FUNKY

09 randa and the soul kingdon - FIND YOUR GROOVE

Black Feeling, Vol. 3 (Sampler)

Futebol de bar

'Music for Jazz Dancers' is a selection of hot & exclusive tunes taken directly from DJ Adrian Gibsons' sets at 'Messin' Around', the club he has been running for 14 years with DJ Perry Louis (who is also the leader of the Jazz CoTech Dancers)

The UK Jazz-Dance Scene is a uniquely positioned scene that has sent shock waves around the world and influenced countless artists, DJ's and Dancers. Despite this, it is surprisingly sparsely documented with regards to CD's, Books and articles detailing the songs, dance moves, key DJ's, dancers and clubs. Luckily, we recently had the fantastic 'From Jazz Funk & Fusion to Acid Jazz' by Freestyle recording artist/DJ and now author Mark 'Snowboy' Cotgrove'

Peter Herbolzheimer's Rhythm Combination & Brass featuring Dianne Reeves kick off the CD with a storming rendition of the Ray Noble jazz standard 'Cherokee' which was initially made famous by Charlie Parker. Other highlights include Primo & the Groupe's 'A Child Runs Free', a wonderful modern take on Fred Johnson's notoriously rare Vocal Jazz track, and Marcos Ariel's 'Samba Torto' which is Brazilian Samba-Fusion of the highest order.

Music For Jazz Dancers draws together be-bop, nu-jazz, big band and samba/jazz fusion sounds, the common denominator being that they all inspire hot heeled hoofers to throw jazz shapes across discerning dancefloors the world over! If you like what you have heard you can visit some of the Jazz-Dance clubs like 'Shiftless Shuffle' or 'Out To Lunch' to experience the music and atmosphere for yourself. 

05  THE COLMAN BROTHERS - SEM AMOR (BIG BAND ORIGINAL)

09  KENICHIRO NISHIHARA - NEBULOSA

ously un-issued tracks that did not fit onto albums, or had been remixed but never quite found a home in the Freestyle release schedule. Lovingly compiled by Freestyle main man DJ Adrian Gibson.

Freestyle, being the eclectic and open minded record label that it is means Fresh Out The Box contains everything from deep and gritty live funk through to DJ/producer studio based music, but all drawing upon that rich seam of soul, jazz, funk, afrobeat & latin that informs so much of what Freestyle has done since the labels inception in 2003. 

First up is the Aroop Roy remix of Afro Elements 'Think'. Aroop Roy is a massive talent who has released one single already on Freestyle, 'Too Long', which will appear on his debut album (Nomadic Soul: FSRCD079) 

Adam Gibbons aka Lack of Afro gave The Fantastics cover version of The Small Faces tune such a sublime mix that we almost did not recognise it, replaying most of the instrumental parts himself, and taking it back to a gritty 1960's vibe. This is remixing of the highest order and he has turned an already big track into a raw dirty funk monster. Compare that to Sleeve's remix of the same tune which takes the track into a totally different direction, utilizing Noel McKoys' stunning vocals and making it easier for the beat friendly DJ to beat-mix.

When we mentioned to Keith Foster from Philadelphia's Big Pimp Jones that we were putting together this album he responded in 24 hours with 3 mixes of one song which he wanted to submit. We chose the Modern Mix of 'Nasty' for this but maybe we'll see the other mixes on future volumes as they could all have made the cut. A Janet Jackson tune has never sounded so raw! DJ Graham B had the same get up and go that we got from Keith with submitting two killer tracks for this compilation. The first 'Walking Sbace' is a solo effort with the b-boys in mind. Rocking beats and grooves to make the dancers go wild.

Beggar & Co main man Kenny Washington found a version of 'Rock Creek Park' in the vaults that was made in the 1980's, so not a new track as such but still Fresh Out The Box as it has never seen the light of day until now. This is top notch Jazz Funk from the UK's finest.

The original extended mix of Soul Sugar's cover version of Hammond legend Dr Lonnie Smiths' Play It Back had to find a home somewhere as it is so good. Check their debut album (Nothing But The Truth: FSRCD067) which came out at the tail end of 2009 on Freestyle. Fresh Out The Box is all your daily musical vitamins and goodness, in one easy to swallow package! 

03 GYPSY BROWN - LIFE IS A TRIP (MO' HORIZONS MIX)

Brian Auger, the London born keyboard genius and musical pioneer, lauded and loved by everybody from Herbie Hancock to Mose Allison, from The Brand New Heavies to The Beastie Boys. His tracks have been sampled by Mos Def, Common, Air and Kid Loco. He’s had original compositions covered by Sarah Vaughan and Richard 'Groove' Holmes, plus he is the proud recipient of a US Congressional Award for Services to Jazz!

Since the 2015 release of Volume One of “Back To The Beginning - The Brian Auger Anthology”, it’s fair to say that a whole new audience of fans and taste makers have joined the massed ranks of music lovers who were already aware of this great mans incredible, pioneering music and career that now spans over 50 years. After more sell out tours of the US, UK and Europe in the last 12 months, magazine features and an epic 2-hour interview with Gilles Peterson on BBC 6 Music - more people than ever now grasp what a genre busting, pioneering artist Brian is.

Volume Two brings together not only remastered classics from Brian’s career, but also super rare, and previously unreleased tracks. Check out his blistering jazz piano tracks from the early 60s including “Poinciana” and “Work Song”, the barely known, late 60s Hammond organ and big band versions of jazz standards “Moanin’”, “Sister Sadie”, and the incredibly gritty version by The Trinity of Jimmy McGriff’s “MG Blues”, and the Big John Patton penned “Funky Mama”! The version of Miles Davis' “All Blues” featuring Trinity vocalist Julie Driscoll needs to be heard to be believed.

As well as Oblivion Express perennials such as “Straight Ahead”, “Inner City Blues” and “Happiness Is Just Around The Bend” (Brian’s original composition, made famous by Cuba Gooding Snr's The Main Ingredient), there is also a demo version of “Black Octopus”, featuring The Headhunters’ Mike Clark and Paul Jackson, recorded in Brian’s Bay Area garage after Herbie Hancock split that equally groundbreaking group.  

You will also be swept away by “Ella”, the rare track Brian wrote and dedicated to his wife of nearly 50 years - and you will no doubt be up on your feet when checking out brand new, previously unreleased live versions of “Whenever You're Ready” and “Freedom Jazz Dance”, featuring original Oblivion Express vocalist Alex Ligertwood - recorded on 2015's epic and triumphant European tour and released here for the very first time.

Anthology Volume 2

Brian Auger - Inner City Blues

Sounds From The Soul Underground draws together tracks by some of the greatest contemporary acts from all over the globe and working within the genres of soul, funk, afrobeat, latin and jazz today. With a hard to find rarity from Ray Camacho & The Tear Drops, a DJ Format remix of a Speedometer single, brand new, previously unheard material from Nick Van Gelder, Jessica Lauren Four, and The Andy Tolman Cartel as well as a smattering of recent dance floor destroyers from established Freestyle acts and like minded artists and record labels across the globe, Sounds From The Soul Underground provides an eclectic snapshot of the magnificently healthy international underground music scene. 

Whilst the variety of genres included is varied in feel and styles, all the featured artists share a common love of, and are rooted in soulful black music and typify an organic approach to modern music making. 

Many of these tracks have become essential and reliable crowd pleasers in my DJ sets, from Brighton to Barcelona, Lausanne to New York, when open minded people hear these quality grooves it's always the same result, jam packed dance floors, happy faces and weary, tired legs come closing time. Massive thanks to all the contributing artists, labels, and the clubs, DJ's, promoters and radio shows right across the planet who continue to fly the flag for underground music made with heart, soul and simply for the love of the music.

Greg Boraman
Freestyle Records


Shaft In Africa – The Mighty Showstoppers

Again & Again (DJ Format mix) – Speedometer

Movin’ On – Ray Camacho & The Tear Drops

Cockroach Grind – The Haggis Horns

The brand new release from the nine piece instrumental Juggernaut. In a musical first for the band, they wrote, arranged and recorded music with specific collaborators in mind. They held sessions with two of their heroes; a congregation with two musical and spiritual father figures from opposite ends of The Apple's rich spectrum: Fred Wesley - Pioneer of funk trombone in particular and funk horn arranging in general with James Brown, The JBs, Parliament-Funkadelic and The Horny Horns. SHLOMO BAR - Vocalist, Percussionist, Godfather of Israeli world music. Figurehead of the highly influential ethno-fusion ensemble HaBrera HaTeevit. 

The exciting process of these recordings exposed the band's many roots and influences; elements of The JBs funky foundations, African, Cut & Paste, Soul, Middle Eastern, and Dub are all clearly displayed on KINGS, strained through the band�s unique Decks-Horns-Soundboard Effects-Double Bass-Drums lineup. 

This release signifies the next step in The Apples' ever thickening groove stew, and the boys are intent on pushing it further and this summer will once again take to festival and club stages for another string of their relentless live sets filled with runaway grooves, countless twists and turns, dizzying transitions, spontaneous arrangements, the occasional reworking of early 90�s alt-rock fist shakers, and the basic jump-up-and-down crazyness for which The Apples are known stages, dancefloors, soundsystems, playlists, films, televisions, cars and ears worldwide. As the conspiracy continues, watch this space, and bring a change of clothes. 


01 - The Apples - Howlin' with Fred

Adelaide's The Transatlantics came together in 2007 born of a shared love for gritty old vinyl, cheap guitars and quality barbequed meats. Described by NME as 'a young, white Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings' The Transatlantic's sound invokes the grainy warmth of southern American Soul and the rhythmic grunt of classic James Brown-era funk. Led by the commanding vocal presence of Tara Lynch and comprising three horns, two guitars, bass and drums, this eight-piece band has gained a well deserved reputation for their high-energy live shows, working hard on stage to create the unrelenting, deep groove so central to the soul tradition. 

Following a huge 2009 which saw performances at Falls Festival, Big Day Out and Playground Weekender Festival, 2010 sees the release of The Transatlantic's self-titled debut album on Freestyle Records. Entirely self-produced, the album showcases the many influences that have shaped the development of the band so far: from the Al Green inspired flavour of the lead single 'Couldn't Be Him' and the tortured soul reminiscent of early Aretha heard on the ballad 'That's When I Feel So Lonely' to the raw deep-funk of 'Turn You Loose' and the fiery up-tempo cover of Marva Whitney's hit 'Things Gotta Get Better'

Mixed and tracked entirely from analogue tape, this debut effort by The Transatlantics displays the attention to stylistic detail and intelligent songwriting that the band strives for. In their short lifetime, The Transatlantics have shared the stage with New Orleans funk legend Eddie Bo, as well as being chosen as the band to back Soul Sister no.1 Marva Whitney on her 09/10 Australian Tour. Never a band to turn down an opportunity to turn it up live, The Transatlantics have also played support to the likes of Fred Wesley, Menahan Street Band, Roy Ayers and The Bamboos. 

01 - The Transatlantics - Tea Legs

05 - The Transatlantics - Thats When I Feel So Lonely

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 this brand new studio album on Freestyle Records.
Having spearheaded the resurgence in deep, gritty funk and soul for 10 years, as well as working with Eddie Bo, Marva Whitney, Sharon Jones, Billy Wooten, and Sir Joe Quartermain amongst a list of many musical legends, and selling out tours of Europe and the Far East as well as a string of authentically rootsy albums and singles, this is the album where all that experience and hard work reaches its deeply soulful zenith! 

The Shakedown marks a step change in the groups sound and style, featuring more vocal led songs, a wider musical horizon, the vocals of regular Speedometer vocalist Ria Currie and very special guests Myles Sanko, Natasha Watts, The Stilhouettes and former James Brown singer, Martha High!

The album kicks off with the drum & synth intro of Again & Again, as Natasha Watts voice reaches the places precious few other contemporary singers can, as funky, breathy flute riffs over this floor shaking rhythm.

Percussion hero Snowboy contributes his hard handed talents on several tracks including the fiercely forceful latin soul outings La Nueva Manera and Orisha. Freestyle Records label mates Andy Fairclough from The Root Source also contributes clavinet and harmonica, and join John Wilmot and Neil Robinson of The Perceptions in this funky family affair!

Lover & A Friend is a fantastic reworking of the Eddie Bo classic that has already seen the light of day as a 45 single (FSR7063), the vocals of regular singer Ria Currie and guest Myles Sanko who voices blend just oh so beautifully on this deeply funkatious track that also of course also boasts a wonderfully hip video to go with it! 
Click here to see the fantastic video of 'Lover & A Friend'

A superbly executed version of You've Made Me So Very Happy allows Ria Currie to display the full strength of her talents, before she steps aside to let US soul royalty Martha High do her thing on the super catchy title track The Shakedown, ably assisted by special guest Myles Sanko. 

Martha also leads the charge on Dragging Me Down, the track with the storming and stomping Northern Soul style beat and blistering horns. This is just one of the many highlights that will surely cement Speedometers reputation as THE 21st Century powerhouse of soulful, funk and latin tinged grooves!

The Shakedown is without doubt the strongest, most varied & accomplished Speedometer album to date, brimming with soul, beautiful songs and that unrelenting, deep groove that Leigh Gracie and the gang do so well! 

06 - speedometer - Orisha

08 - Lack Of Afro - The Basis

2009 marks Soulive's 10th Anniversary and over the past 10 years, Soulive have covered a lot of ground musically and literally. Not many bands can say they have recorded with Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and John Scofield. Nor can many bands open for The Rolling Stones on one tour and have Stevie Wonder sit in with them on the next tour, and who else has recorded for legendary labels such as Blue Note, Concorde AND Stax Records? Pedigree indeed!

Of this brand new album founding member, drummer Alan Evans says "This is the Soulive album I've always wanted to record. It's what I've been hearing in my head for years, like when people say "if I could go back in time knowing what I know now" Well, that's what we did with Up Here. The session had the vibe and energy of Get Down but with all of our experiences from the past 10 years put down on tape in a very meaningful way"

The record's opening track "Upright" immediately sets the tone with a completely infectious hook featuring keyboard maestro Neal Evans on an old upright piano. There are some nods to the "old-school" on the record. "For Granted" is a tip of the hat to Grant Green, and Eric plays licks reminiscent of his early solos on Get Down and Turn It Out. Guest vocalist Nigel Hall tears it up on "Too Much" (also released as a killer Freestyle funk 45 FSR7059) while Eric's guitar sings like D'Angelo on the laid-back grind of "Put on Yo Pajamas" (P J's)

The entire record features tight horn arrangements from long-time Soulive collaborators and friends, Sam Kininger and Ryan Zoidis otherwise know as The Shady Horns

No matter how you listen to Up Here, it sounds like you're listening to vintage vinyl. One of the most difficult things about making a record with a great live band is capturing all that live energy while still making the record that's about songs. Up Here does as good a job as any record could in accomplishing this. "Straight up", says Alan, "this is the first Soulive album that I can say every tune on it is my favorites on the album". 

SOULIVE - 07 Hat Trick

iTunes pre-order: http://itunes.kud.li/fsr099d

"When I grow up, I wanna be like Omar" - Stevie Wonder

There are precious few, if any contemporary UK artists whose creative credentials and influence extend as far and so consistently wide as Freestyle Records' most recent signing Omar. Since first breaking through to worldwide renown all the way back in 1991 with his first releases on Gilles Peterson's seminal Talking Loud label, and going on to work with all manner of musical legends including a certain Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone, Syreeta Wright, Common, and Carleen Anderson.

Fast forward to 2013, and Omar's reputation for being a thoroughly original artist following his own individual path remains undiminished. After recently picking up an M.B.E. for his outstanding contribution to the UK music scene, even the British Establishment has now acknowledged what many already appreciated and understood for many years.

There cannot have been many times a bass clarinet b-line was destined to become one of the most memorable and catchiest moments in contemporary soul, but on the new single, The Man, that's precisely what happens. Add to that a stunning vocal performance, the slinkiest of beautiful key changes, and an uplifting vibe that simply emanates class and style, and you will understand why those who were privileged to hear The Man early on, all without exception, flipped, slipped and fell totally in love with its soul, its groove and irrepressible spirit.

This release sees three reworkings of the title track; US mainstay of conscious hip hop and electronica, Shafiq Husayn, literally leapt at the chance to remix The Man and gives it a minor mood feel, with spacey synthesiser lines added to emphasise this most memorable of melodies, Maddslinky (aka Zed Bias), came with a remix from a pumping, contemporary club direction including a driving beat coupled with spacy breakdowns and his trademark production skills, and Scratch Professer puts his unique stamp on his retwist of The Man like no one else could!

Completing the circle that began all the way back in the early 1990s, Omar has completely re-recorded his classic love song There's Nothing Like This, which this time features bass player to the Gods Pino Palladino. The touching sentiment remains undiminished, but with the addition of soaring strings, soulful, jazzy horns, an all round live and acoustic feel, plus an extended and new arrangement, Omar has done the impossible; improved upon the un-improvable, that is likely to become the definitive version of an already much adored classic.

01 Omar - The Man

04 Omar - There's Nothing Like This ft. Pino Palladino

Releasing the best in funk, jazz, soul, reggae & more since 2003

Freestyle Records

Popular tracks