London-based independent record label Kalita is known for specialising in unearthing and re-releasing great music that deserves to be heard by all. They focus mainly on soul, disco, and West African sounds from around the world that they love and believe others will love as well. Kalita Records prides itself on two things: the quality of its musical output, and its focus on the musicians behind each release. Alongside a beautifully presented outer sleeve, their releases are often accompanied by liner notes, photographs and interviews with the artists, thus creating a far more interesting package all around.

Some of our personal highlights from the label’s impressive back catalogue include ‘If You Need Me, Call Me’ by Emerson, ‘Looking Up: The Complete Works’ by Carrie Cleveland, and ‘Getting Next To You’ by Randolph Baker to name just three. 

We got in touch with Kalita’s founder, Chris Webb, to see if he would be interested in putting together a mix for our Off The Record series - one that showcases the overall “sound of Kalita”. Check out the full feature & interview - bit.ly/3cmWY4H

Feature & Interview

Off The Record Mix Series 27: Kalita Records

Kalita are proud to present the first ever reissue of Papa Yankson’s highly sought-after 1989 disco-infused highlife masterpiece 'Party Time'! Showcasing the late Ghanaian superstar at his very best, ‘Party Time’ encapsulates the blending of deep, rhythmic West African highlife with synthesizers and electronic styles that had exploded during the decade. Now, thirty-five years after initial release, and with original copies having reached grail status on the second-hand collector’s scene, Kalita brings this phenomenal record back to life, with extensive liner notes detailing Papa Yankson’s musical career.

A recipient of the Grand Medal of Ghana for his contribution to Ghanaian music, Papa Yankson was a key member of C.K. Mann’s Carousel Seven outfit during the 1970s, releasing joint albums together on the infamous Essiebons label to great success.

However, it was at the end of the following decade that Papa released ‘Party Time’, highlighting his forward-thinking musical style with its numerous hypnotic and driving up-tempo disco-soaked highlife cuts. Originally released in a small run on the short-lived Marriot Promotion label, the album features the standouts ‘Wonma Yenko Po’ and ‘Mumumde’, each showcasing deep highlife melodies, heavy drum patterns and phenomenal horn performances from the ingenious Sammy Lartey Jr on saxophone and Nana Asare on trumpet to boot.

With original copies selling for eye-watering amounts on the rare occasion that they come up for sale, the time is ripe for Kalita to celebrate this true Ghanaian 80’s grail, accompanied by liner notes and never-before-seen contemporary photos of Papa Yankson.

Party Time

Dofo Bi Afre

Buy Here!

B1. Dofo Bi Afre

1
D.K
Keyboard Study
2
Jackie McLean
Gotta Get A Piece of Your Soul
3
Washed Out
Floating By (Mndsn Remix)
4
The Imaginations
Talk About the World
5
Jorge Ben
Rio Bablilonia
6
KiNK
Peter Piet Piete
7
Equiknoxx
Melodic Badness
8
Shait
Warm Chaos
9
Errorsmith
Retired Low Level Internal Server
10
Harmonic 313
Bazooka Riddim
11
Zazou, Bikaye & Cyl
Lamuka
12
Osunlade
Cyclone
13
Kapote
Salvation (FYI Chris Remix)
14
Kaidi Tatham
Super Lion
15
Air
Run
16
Afriqua
Aleph
17
Beat Spacek
Ring Di Alarm
18
DJ Central
Basil (Version Intégrale Club)
19
Lone
Arc
20
Samo DJ
Mannen Fran Mallorca
21
No Smoke
Koro Koro
22
Martyn
Latte Complexion
23
Martyn
KJFYE3024
24
Jowaa
Banku Dade
25
Forest Drive Mix
Static
26
DMX Krew
7777 013
27
Mike Dunn
We R Tuesday Nights Vol 4
28
Marc King
Equality
29
NST Cophies
Bian Kou

Sean OD - Nov 2017

Kalita Records is an independent record label based in London, UK, specialising in unearthing and re-releasing great music that deserves to be heard by all. In this mix, founder, Chris Webb brings us a whole host of Ghanaian highlife! Enjoy!

Meet Me There Mix #008 - Kalita Records

Chris Webb, avid collector of African and US disco was in the store to introduce his Kalita Records label, and more!

Kalita is a record label based in London, UK, specialising in unearthing and re-releasing disco, funk and soul from across the world, including the USA, the Caribbean and West-Africa.

This is the fifth recording in a series of (themed) Rush Hour in-store broadcasts, recorded on March 14th, 2018. After a live broadcast to Facebook, the music lands on Soundcloud for playback.

Store Broadcast 005 |  African and US disco with Kalita Records

Kalita Records specialises in unearthing and re-releasing music that deserves to be heard. Over the past two years they've already unleashed a treasure trove of material, including recent releases from Sophisticated Ladies and Randolph Baker. You can check them at kalitarecords.co.uk. And they work as closely with the artists as possible to tell their story and the story behind their music. We're so proud to air a straight afro mix from label head Chris Webb on this show. It features tracks from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and the Congo - some named, and a few mysteries as well. Harmony rounds things out with some bubblin' cuts. Transport yourself. 

*Intro*
*Chris Webb (Kalita Records)*
Ere Yon - Julie Coker [NEMI] 
Unknown 
Unknown 
Unknown 
Akoko Ba - Gyedu Blay Ambolley [Sunrise] 
Unknown
Unknown 
Unknown 
Mada Meho So - Thomas Frempong [Asona] 
Mmre-Dane - Wofa Akwabena Akwaboa [Afrodisia]
*Harmony*
L.N.S - Guppies [1080p]
Seven Davis Jr - Me Myself and I [Secret Angels]
Mogwaa - My Hood, My People [Clique Records] 
Chongo - Sempre em meu coração [Cosmic Compositions]
Oro - Sasa [NG Records]
Grupo Controle Digital - Vital “O Marginal” [Soundway Records]
Crashers - Flight To Jamaica (Cool Runnings) [Emotional Rescue]
Zazou Bikaye - My Shoes [Crammed Discs]
Benedek & Tom Noble - Airflowz [Superior Elevation]
RAF - Self-Control (Special Maxi Version) [Carrere]
Don Cherry - Kick (Ft Brion Gysin) [WEWANTSOUNDS]

Ep.109 w/ Chris Webb (Kalita Records // UK) & Harmony (FP DJs // NZ)

Sons Of Slum were reputed to be Chicago's finest live band of the 1970s with a collection of great songs that have remained unreleased until we signed a contract to release their second recorded album on vinyl/CDs in 2019. Their first album, which was never released as well, sits in the vaults of Capital Records. 'Music Is Message' and 'Show Me Tell Me' is the first single from the album. I hope that you enjoy these as much as we do.

Sons Of Slum - Music Is Message / Show Me Tell Me

@kalitarecords reissue a mythical 1988 boogie record full of previously unreleased music.

Read more & buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2019/04/11/premiere-emerson-sending-all-my-love-out-demo-version/
Listen on Youtube: http://bit.ly/Emerson-Love

Listen on Youtube

Emerson - Sending All My Love Out (Demo Version)(STW Premiere)

1. Bolarin - Abuja
2. Nkono Teles - Martin Street Special
3. - - -
4. Rick Asikpo - Gruuv on
5. Dan uwa ka nemi naka - Miki watson & His Fulani Stars of Nigeria
6. Unkown
7. Unknown
8. Julie Coker - Ere Yon
9. Anderson Paak - Saviers Road
10. Julie Coker - Re Hese
11. Julie Coker - Iyo-Re
12. Julie Coker - Gossiper Scandal Monger
13. Julie Coker - Sogio
14. Julie Coker - Its All For You

Kalita Records with Julie Coker - June 2019

London-based label @kalitarecords reissue a rare Bahamian boogie jam.

Read More & Buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2019/07/31/premiere-stirling-march-under-cover-lover-instrumental-mix/

Stirling March - Under Cover Lover (Instrumental) (STW Premiere)

1. Stirling March - Under Cover Lover
2. Unknown - Unknown
3. Unknown - Unknown
4. CK Mann - Ghana Mba
5. Wilson Boateng - Asew Watchman
6. Jeannette N'diaye - Makom Ma Boeb
7. Unknown - Unknown
8. Unknown - Unknown
9. The continentals - Im Ready To Get Down
10. C.S.T Amankwah - Ye Wo Ayiemu
11. Unknown - Unknown
12. Dutch Benglos - Shabi-di-ba-do
13. K.Gyasi - Manso Nnye
14. Teacher & His Africana - Wo Tan Me Anya Den
15. J. Romain & D. Gengoul - Oui Cherie
16. Unknown - Unknown
17. Unknown - Unknown
18. Okukuaseku's No 2 Band - Awe Me Yie
19. Unknown - Unknown

Kalita Records with Volta 45 - August 2019

Music to make you dance. We unearth forgotten musical gems for music lovers to enjoy once again.

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