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BEWITH 076LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Victor Cavini's Japan, originally released in 1983. The first Be With foray into the archives of revered German library institution Selected Sound is one of Be With's favorites on the label. Rare and sought-after for many years now, this is one of those cult library LPs that never turn up. With Daibutsu the giant Buddha of Kamakura's presence gracing the hefty front cover, this is a record bursting with dope samples for adventurous producers: it's koto-funk madness! Victor Cavini was the library music pseudonym of prolific German composer and musician Gerhard Trede. He was known for exploring instruments and styles from around the world (he played over 50 different instruments himself) and Japan is his collection of 14 musical sketches painted with traditional Japanese wind and string instruments. These are the sounds of traditional Japanese folk music re-interpreted through Western ears, with the occasional contemporary twist. Contemporary for 1983, of course. These "Pictures Of Japan" are hypnotic, sometimes frantic, but always beautiful. The first twelve tracks offer airy explorations of koto and flute, with other strings and percussion being added and then given their own space. Indeed "Pictures Of Japan XII" is just drums. And then "Pictures Of Japan XIII" seems to come out of nowhere. But the subtle sleaze of its full band sound still doesn't quite prepare you for the towering climax of "Pictures Of Japan XIV". This is Japan's undoubted standout piece, completely and wonderfully at odds with the rest of the album. It's the reason this has become such a must-have record. It keeps the traditional Japanese instruments but combines them with shuffling funk breaks, electric bass high in the mix and a Godzilla-sized psychedelic fuzz guitar sound that might actually be a traditional reed flute pushed to its limits. Recalling both Rino de Filippi's 1973 album Oriente Oggi (CNLP 042LP) and Giancarlo Barigozzi's Oriente also from 1973, the track's a real head-nod groove for b-boys and b-girls alike that sounds straight out of a late-70s Yakuza film. Indeed, if you were told The RZA or Onra had cooked this up in the lab this century, you'd be convinced. It's crazy that this dates from 1983. Audio remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. Richard Robinson has handled the careful restoration of the original Selected Sound sleeve.
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BEWITH 073LP
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Reissue of The All American Powerhouse (Themes), originally released in 1976. They say: "Driving brass and sax ensemble over funky rhythm section, playing tracks of various feel and style". Be With Records say: From the Lincoln Continental that memorably adorns the cover to the tranquil funk contained within, this glowing ode to the grooving force of 70s American soul music is ice cool all over. With brilliant contributions from the Three Key Alans (Hawkshaw, Parker, Tew) as well as Mike Moran, Les Hurdle, and Keith Roberts, this is driving music for only the vibeiest cats. Originally released in 1976, The All American Powerhouse is one of the very best of the Themes library releases. It's killer. A feast of dramatic jazz, horizontal, melodic funk, and bouncing sunshine-y West-Coast feels throughout, there also lurks an intense injection of the Blaxploitation sound. Understandable, given the subject matter and year it was released. Highlights include Alan Parker's confident, horn-heavy wah-wah-fueled album-opener "Sweeny Todd", Hawkshaw's graceful "Getaway" glide and dramatic, breathless "Speed Run", Mike Moran's loose, organ-driven propulsive B-Boy classic "The Pick-Up" and Keith Roberts's percussive tour de force "Overide" that closes out the LP. Yet, perhaps the most significant track here is Les Hurdle's long-adored "Soul Train". A grooving, bass-heavy library classic, it's all swirling strings, stabbing horns, heavy open drums and melodic funk-rock guitars. Add in the funky clavinet, and the combination works beautifully. As with all of Be With Records' other Themes reissues, the audio for The All American Powerhouse comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Simon Francis. Sleeve reproduction duties over by Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 072LP
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Reissue of The Hunter (Drama Suite) / Adventure Story, originally released in 1975. They say: "Composite themes and incidental cues for dramatic application". Be With Records say: Well, it's definitely dramatic. No wonder this LP was mined by a multitude of '70s and '80s crime shows. Much like Beat Incidental, this true gem includes a raft of enjoyable sub-ten second incidental cues alongside satisfyingly stretched out, hard-knocking sleuth-funk. The Hunter (Drama Suite) / Adventure Story is a real library-head's library album. You'll be treated to some of the best works of no less than five different heavyweights of the genre: drummer Brian Bennett, guitarist Clive Hicks (of The Gentle Rain), saxophonist Duncan Lamont, rock bassist Dave Richmond, and keyboard session giant Steve Gray. Something of a dream line-up, they each contributed stellar efforts to create one of the most sought-after of the legendary KPM albums. Both sides of this LP are dripping with insidious grooves and dramatic spy-score themes, bursting with heavy guitars, swirling flutes, creeping piano-funk, and drum breaks galore. Originally released in 1975, it's clear that these library heroes were heavily influenced by the tough funk and street soul sonics emerging from the cutting-edge Blaxploitation soundtracks. Dave Richmond's taut swagger and wah-wah guitar licks of "Nightwatch", Steve Gray's sleazy horn and clav-funk on the A-side opener "Theme For A Hunter" and Brian Bennett's rolling strut of "The Investigator" are just three of the highlights here. That last one being sampled by Jeff Jank under his Captain Funkaho guise on "My 2600" for Stones Throw back in 1999. As with all of Be With Records' KPM re-issues, the audio for The Hunter (Drama Suite) / Adventure Story comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered by Simon Francis. Sleeve reproduction duties by Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 071LP
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Reissue of Visual Impact, originally released at 1976. They say: "Descriptive scores for scenes of visual impact". Be With Records say: Arguably the single greatest album in KPM history. An ensemble piece of staggeringly heavy works from none other than Brian Bennett, John Scott, Steve Gray, Jim Lawless, and Johnny Pearson. Visual Impact includes the insanely ace "Nuplex" by Brian Bennett, a nagging, sweeping, punchy funk piece that exists in a world of its own. If you don't know, get to know -- the record's worth getting for this track alone. The same goes for the beautifully paced, string-drenched, horn-fed LP opener "Canaveral Scape", courtesy of John Scott. Truly sublime. Other highlights on the A-side include Bennett's easy, bass-heavy jazz groover "Sequence Of Events" and the spare, building, undercover funk of Steve Gray's aptly-named "Low Profile". The B-side is straight-up fantastic. The percussive, vibey exotica of Jim Lawless's "Keeping Pace" is followed by five tracks of slick, weighty funk breaks from Johnny Pearson. Check the pure groove of "Jaguar" with its head-nod drum break intro, the creeping piano-strings combo and... er... giant neck-snapping breaks of "Giant's Causeway", the speaker-smashing progressive bass groove of "Fugitive", the tense "Rock Climb" and the sheer heft of "Heavy Load". Library largeness. If that isn't enough, John Scott's incessant "Flight Of The Phoenix" ends the session, brilliantly pilfered by M.O.P. for their much-loved "We Run New York". Originally released in 1976 but wonderfully timeless, Visual Impact is a rare example of a library record that's genuinely great listen from start to finish. As with all of Be With Records' KPM reissues, the audio for Visual Impact comes from the original analog tape and has been remastered for vinyl by Simon Francis. Sleeve reproduction duties by Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 075LP
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Reissue of Peter Lüdemann and Pit Troja's The Now Generation (Percussive Underscores), originally released in 1983. They say: "Documentary and industrial underlays for current themes of modern life". Be With Records say: Mind-blowing, percussion-heavy, Afro-tinged, cosmic-disco library bomb. An absolutely outstanding record from 1983 and definitely one of the hardest to find on the collectable German library label, Coloursound. The Now Generation (Percussive Underscores) is comfortably one of the very best library records full stop. The record comes galloping out the gate with a pair of rapid synthy-Euro disco bombs -- the title-track and "Panama" -- before slowing down to a woozy pace on "Inorganic Matter". "African Nightclub" sounds like it reads, and is a particular favorite of Prins Thomas. Indeed, it was used to great effect on his seminal "Cosmo Galactic Prism" mix for Eskimo back in 2007. It's followed by the dark, druggy, slow motion industrial groove of "Grease Plant" before "Southerly" lifts the tempo to close out side A with its Latin funk strut of bells and melancholic keys. For some listeners, though, it'll be all about the opener to side B: "Mechanical Heart". Seven minutes of building, mid-tempo disco-funk joy, deceptively explosive, club-ready gear for body and soul. The back cover dryly describes the track as "Guitar and percussion, light industrial underlay". Hmmm. How about, "after finally emerging from a particularly heavy week jamming in a sunless, lawless German warehouse, Chic warily press record on a wayward, illicit instrumental for basement gatherings". Just wait for those drums at the three-minute mark... The beatless ambience and menacing stabs of the proto-electro "Chemical Threat" follows, before the open drums and incredible fills of the metronomic "Steady Going" and fantastically monotonous funk breaks of "Nepal Trek" round out this sensational set. This is a library masterpiece in no uncertain terms, full of synth funk, Afro beats, exotica, leftfield madness, dancefloor dynamite, and all-around greatness. As with Be With Records' KPM and Themes reissues, the audio for The Now Generation comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Simon Francis. Richard Robinson has brought the original Coloursound sleeve back to life in all its metallic silver glory. 140 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 074LP
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Reissue of Breath Of Danger (Themes), originally released in 1974. They say: "A selection of suspense underscores and drama blackcloths which vary in intensity and cover a wide range of suspense and drama situations". Be With Records say: A breaky, funky library great masquerading as a horror score. Oh, and the cover art is amazing. Breath Of Danger was originally released in 1974, and rounded up a killer ensemble cast of library legends including Alan Hawkshaw, Brian Bennett, Alan Parker, David Lindup, Kenny Salmon, Barry Morgan, and Ray Cooper. Lindup's opener "Cold Sweat" sounds like hip-hop-friendly mode Axelrod and, indeed, was brilliantly sampled by Kool Keith for his Dr. Dooom project. Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett's "The Manipulator" sounds like it arrived straight out of the same sessions as their legendary Synthesizer & Percussion LP from the same year. Over on the B-side Alan Parker's "Psychosis" is a moving and beautifully restrained funk-guitar/cello/harp workout. Stunning. Kenny Salmon's "Flying Squad" is a sleazy, flute-enhanced gem and the album closes with "Voodoo", a seventy-second riot of sound and color from the dynamic drumming-percussion duo of Barry Morgan and Ray Cooper. Sonically, there's a widescreen vitality in all these tracks thanks to the driving rhythms, vibrant horn sections and blazing guitar work. It renders Breath Of Danger -- 45 years old -- truly ageless. The Themes series is known for having particularly striking sleeves, which was unusual for library records at the time, and Breath Of Danger's scraps of comic-book crazy make for one of the most eye-catching. As with all of Be With Records' other Themes reissues, the audio for Breath Of Danger comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Simon Francis. Sleeve reproduction duties by Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 066LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Samuel Jonathan Johnson's My Music, originally released in 1978. My Music is a stellar spiritual soul/jazz-funk gem, recorded by keyboardist-singer Samuel Jonathan Johnson in 1978. The epitome of a cult classic, it didn't do much upon its release but steadily found an audience over the decades that followed. This is music that shares the jazzy R&B DNA of contemporaries like Roy Ayers and is an intoxicating blend of mellow moments and more groove-heavy tracks. Spacey keys and lush production give it a luxurious, enveloping warmth. My Music opens with the gorgeous title track: an indulgent slow jam opus. Introducing you to Johnson's compelling musical vision, it features a rich mélange of production techniques. Dripping in strings, horns, backing singers, popping funk bass lines and swooshing synth waves, it's an unusually structured cosmic two-stepper that has an irrepressible groove. Accordingly, it's been a favorite with the diggers and it was sampled by The Alchemist for Jadakiss's "We Gonna Make It". The up-tempo "Sweet Love" bubbles over with joy, its uplifting lyrics backed by infectious bass and jazzy Fender Rhodes lines. It follows a cover of "What The World Need's Now Is Love", taken at a funereal pace that transforms it into a heartfelt plea for love and understanding. After a full-minute-long opening of lush cinematic strings and horns, "Because I Love You" makes space for Samuel's voice, accompanied by some keys and just a sprinkle of guitar. It builds back up and then mellows its way out to a jazz lounge finish (in all the right ways). The feel-good ebullience of the Stevie Wonder-esque "It Ain't Easy" closes out the LP's first side. The second side bursts open with the heavy bounce and disco-funk basslines of "You", a slightly off-beat string-laden dancer with insistent horns and a piano-assisted groove. Next up is "Just Us", a legendary steppers track that could be heard oozing out of deep soul radios and funk sound systems back in the late '80s. "Yesterdays and Tomorrow" is a moving original ballad that is followed by an exquisite high-stepping paean to mom in the form of "Thank You Mother Dear". The thumping easy-glide of "Reason For The Reason" brings the album to a close. Mastered by Simon Francis and cut by Pete Norman. Sleeve artwork restored by Be With Records. 140 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 064LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Ceasar Frazier's 75, originally released in 1975. Funky soul-jazz organist Caesar Frazier crafted superior Hammond funk. 75, his second LP, is a rare gem. It's comfortably his greatest artistic statement. The follow-up to Hail Ceasar! (1972), it's a taut, grooving set that expands his sound and, put simply, it's got better songs. The key elements of his debut album are all there -- production from maestro Bob Porter, accompaniment from hip players (Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Cornell Dupree, John Tropea) and arrangement from Horace Ott -- but the overall sound is elevated. The tightly jamming, expressive jazz-funk makes for a richer, fuller, more satisfying experience. 75 is a mixture of hard-driving originals, deeply beautiful slower numbers to vary the tempo and a couple of classy covers. The crazy bombastic "Mighty Mouse" -- a riot of horns, organ and in the pocket drums -- became an acid jazz classic at Dingwalls and it's easy to see (hear?) how. A blissed-out, lushly instrumental take on Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze" follows, perfect for those sunshine sets. Side A closes with the heavenly "Sweet Children". A loping, funky jazz masterpiece famously sampled by Kanye West for Common's "Real People" from Be (2005). It opens beautifully, with soaring sax and a funky horn section combining with weightless keyboard tones atop snapping drums. Unsurprisingly, the excellence endures right through to the end. The B side opens with perhaps the album's most famous track. "Funk It Down" contains the familiar "I can feel the funk" vocal refrain throughout. But it's the gorgeous, insouciant bridge that you should all know and love, having been used as the hook for Gang Starr's "Ex-Girl To Next Girl". A great cover of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" comes next, with an unforgettable bass-line which anchors the entire heavy rhythm section workout. Dizzying organ, triumphant horns and sun-dappled guitar grooves combine to create "Walking On The Side", rounding out a pretty smoking set. This is one of those rare '70s funk-soul-jazz LPs on which a bad track cannot be found. It's all essential. So of course finding original copies on vinyl at affordable prices has been tough for years. Reproduced artwork by the Be With Records. Mastered by Simon Francis; cut by Pete Norman.
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2LP
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BEWITH 024LP
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2019 repress; remastered on 180 gram vinyl, expanded to double-LP, gatefold sleeve. One cannot hear a Tommy Guerrero song without immediately recognizing it as his -- and his only. The cult skater from San Francisco is globally renowned as one of the original members of the legendary "Bones Brigade" team. And as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, his laid-back soul is beloved by all who've basked in its blissful glow. A Little Bit Of Somethin' is a quietly majestic gem. Brimming with Guerrero's horizontal "loose grooves", these brief but innovative instrumentals demonstrate a rich variety and, as such, comprise an LP that is aptly titled. An enchanting start-to-finish listen, it was instantly regarded as essential upon release via Mo Wax in 2000. It has aged remarkably well. Throughout this inspired collection, simplicity is key. In deploying it, Guerrero presents a beautifully crafted melodic soundscape. The distinctive, mellifluous approach of his guitar style, blending Brazilian, Cuban, Mexican, soul, and jazz motifs, is at once startlingly new and tantalizingly familiar. Set against unrushed percussion, the music releases a crystal-clear stream of healing frequencies to create a fragile, hypnotic atmosphere. Each track clocks in at around three minutes and, with a lack of studio polish or commitment to traditional song structure, it's a wonder how this enigmatic record demands your attention. However, through its gentle dynamism and impressive playing, it does just that. Whilst resolutely low-key, this lo-fi aesthetic feels genuinely organic and remarkably personal; its powerful intimacy truly connects. It's what makes this album so beloved of those lucky enough to be already familiar with it. From Margaret Kilgallen's truly iconic cover artwork to the music contained within, it's all brilliantly effortless. Guerrero's musical ideas are consistently compelling throughout, making it impossible to select highlights. The album's laconic drift touches upon jazz-fusion workouts and slow-mo hip-hop drums, Tortoise-style experimental post-rock, and cinematic sound textures. It's at once hazy, light and bouncy yet somber and bluesy. The Latin soul of El Chicano blends with the breezy jazz of Grant Green. By employing guitars and drum machines to create a stripped-down rhythmic tapestry of spellbinding, addictive songs, there are even traces of The Durutti Column. A little bit of country, a little bit of rock n' roll. A Little Bit Of Somethin', indeed.
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BEWITH 067LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Optimistics' self-titled album, originally released in 1970. This is some serious top-shelf material out of Baltimore and a certified masterclass in sweet symphonic soul. Optimistics was originally released in 1970 on Turbo and it's every bit as essential as The Chi-Lites, The Delfonics, and The Moments yet nowhere near as known. Those original copies are ridiculously rare and, of course, the prices are equally ridiculous. Optimistics is a killer LP throughout, beloved of discerning hip-hop producers worldwide and routinely championed by the legendary Pete Rock. The genius George Kerr has handled the production on what is an album of beautiful, naïve soul for mind and body. It radiates a heart-breaking ambience that cuts right to the core. The band of Billy, Harold, James, Charles, and Jerome are described on the back cover as "five young, black knights who have embarked on a musical crusade and they're gonna slay a lot of dragons along the way". It's not entirely known how many mythical serpents were dispatched during the making of this album but we can certainly attest to the sense of evangelical drive. Evergreen opener "You Put Something New In My Life" is a heart-stopping ode to a transformative love. A ballad with spine-tingling chord changes and melodic switch-ups to spare, its sweeping strings and precise drums complement the falsetto delivery perfectly. It's followed by the equally beguiling "Let's Love". Another string-drenched harmony ballad, it revolves around delicate piano and distinctive guitar lines, crying out to be recontextualized by the best sampling technicians. Closing out the A side, the wonderfully restrained "Love Is God Almighty" is harp and horn-driven, barely-there soul from a higher plain. Ushering in the flipside, "Should I Let Myself Go", sampled recently by Knxwledge, is sensational guitar-soul with a yearning that could bring the most hardened soul to tears. It's followed by the up-tempo, Temptations-funk of "Man" and quietly-great "If I Could Influence Man", where the competing vocals ride a chugging, funky breakbeat and delicious guitar licks. The refreshing, groovy "Say It Baby" is an appropriately positive, upward looking closer. Its sentiment and feel speaks directly to both the band name and the title of this, their only album. The whole LP is a winning blend of slow, spine-tingling ballads, and joyously upbeat tracks. Artwork reproduced by Be With Records. Mastered by Simon Francis; cut by Pete Norman.
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BEWITH 003LP
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2019 repress. Ned Doheny's Hard Candy, originally released in 1976, is widely considered the finest blue-eyed soul album of all time. It has long been a source of great frustration then, that this perfectly-formed Southern California masterpiece has been unavailable on vinyl for almost 40 years. Be With Records continues apace by marking its third release with the first officially licensed reissue of Doheny's nautical classic. Perhaps most famously, this impeccably smooth set features the timeless "Get It Up For Love", a wonderful example of mid-70s mid-tempo white-(hot)-funk. Produced by the legendary Steve Cropper, it featured a veritable who's-who of the Laurel Canyon soft-yacht sound (JD Souther, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, the entire horn section for Tower of Power) yet bombed mysteriously. It's been a cult record since. Features the original artwork for both jacket and full color inner sleeve; 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 070LP
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It seems KPM have long been fans of Smith & Mudd and, after being introduced to each other by mutual friend Andy Allday, the peerless Balearic maestros were invited to contribute to the library label's digital-only "Album Shorts" project. It makes perfect sense for Be With Records to take on the vinyl release of this instant library classic. But why is it called Tea With Holger? "Holger" is of course Holger Czukay and the whole LP is dedicated to Smith & Mudd's time spent with him and Ursa Major at Can's famous Inner Space Studio in Weilerswist, near Cologne. When not recording it seems they spent a great deal of time sat around being entertained by Holger's stories and drinking many cups of different sorts of tea. The album was recorded over several years in London, Margate, and Gorthleck, a small hamlet in the Scottish Highlands. Mike Piggott, who played with Bert Jansch, handled the strings and played violin whilst Sam Creer lent his virtuoso cello work to the proceedings. They wanted to capture magical improvisational moments live and not do the work later on in editing. They describe the tracks collectively as "Balearic themes including breezy soul, sun-dappled melodies, warm pianos and sweeping strings". A gentle piano ushers in opening track "The Gardener" soon joined by low, bubbling drums. When the time is just right, lush guitars glisten above a Welsh language vocal that floats like silk. "Innerspace" is a nod to Can's aforementioned studio. Dark, heavy piano meets rolling drums before warm chords and luscious strings take over, gliding over moody grooves. "Weilerswist" delivers more beautifully rolling piano and guitars over thumping cellos and building drums. The full, string-enhanced version of "Away From Me" is Smith & Mudd's preferred version, only made available here on this vinyl issue. Tribal tones, piano, and cello set a melodic staccato for violin to soar over while rolling piano lines and gospel organ chords descend into a drum drop. Distant synths introduce sun-drenched guitars and uplifting strings in "Kölner Street", before a spacey Moog solo leads to a spellbinding, sci-fi drop. The album closes with "Tea With Holger". Airy vocal swells are punctuated by plucked cellos and picked guitars, all wonderfully warmed by a soulful piano. Cut by Pete Norman and pressed in the Netherlands by Record Industry. Comes in a classic KPM green sleeve complete. 140 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 034LP
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The melodically adventurous soul of Leon Ware continues its expression in his final opus Rainbow Deux. The album features new songs recorded and performed by Leon before his health turned, leading to his transition on February 23rd, 2017. Co-produced by Taylor Graves, it has stellar musical contributions from the likes of Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, Ronald Bruner Jr, Rob Bacon, and Wayne Linsey. Because Leon was always writing, it's impossible to pinpoint any single moment of Rainbow Deux's genesis. Six of the songs go back to 2012/2013 and were released in 2014 as part of Sigh, a Japan-only CD collection heavy with Rob Bacon's tasteful licks and Wayne Linsey's piano vibes. The rest of the material comes from Leon's sessions with Taylor. The album was finished-up around August of 2016 in a back-and-forth between Leon and his go-to mastering engineer Toni Economides in the UK. Leon worked on Rainbow Deux with life's greatest challenge looming over him, yet it is one of his most focused and cohesive solo offerings since the 1980s. The entire record is a vibe: mellow, deep, and smooth as silk. The lyrical themes are eternal, and the music is elegant, soulful, and sensual. The hypnotic throb of "For The Rainbow" opens, coming on like a percussive, slow-mo house shuffle. The exotic "Let Love In" follows with its gradual-build island funk, intricate guitar picks, and sassy female vocals. "Sigh" is a stylish slow jam with serene guitars and polished drums. The easy-burning broken-beauty "The Darkest Night" is the centerpiece of the album with Kamasi Washington's lurking sax, Thundercat's signature creeping bass, and Leon's perfect, seductive sax-soul vocals. "Surrender Now" conjures waves of vocals to swell and wash over the glossy piano, subtly bumping hip-hop drums, and bubbling synth-bass stabs. "Summer Is Her Name" has Kamasi's effortless, melancholic sunshine sax give way to rising tempos and propulsive rhythms. "Are You Ready" sees a nimble groove of piano and synth rolling around Theo Croker's sensual trumpet playing. With lush G-Funk sensibilities "Streets (Keep Me Runnin')" sounds like a lost Dam-Funk produced gem. "Samba Dreams" is the first of two tracks that bring a little Rio magic to Rainbow Deux. "Let's Go Deep" is a dreamy, between-the-sheets quiet storm anthem and a real showcase for Leon's vocals. The dripping, honeyed harp-funk of "We Should Be Laughin'" marks the star turn of the brilliant Kimbra. Warm synths radiate shuffling samba soul on "Wishful Thinking" as those Brazilian rhythms return to bring Rainbow Deux to a close. 140 gram vinyl; gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeves.
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BEWITH 003-7
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Breakwater's earth-shattering "Release The Beast" is unquestionably the standout song from their 1980 funk masterpiece LP Splashdown. "Release The Beast" is a showcase for Breakwater's phenomenal power-funk capabilities. The energy is astounding. It also came out as a now-hen's-teeth-rare 7" in the same year; It's one of the best album cover shoots of all time. For the B side, Be With Records backed Breakwater's biggest track with their favorite: the quietly majestic gem "Let Love In", another winner from the same LP. Remastered for this vinyl reissue. Picture sleeve.
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2LP
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BEWITH 056LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Sweet And Nice, the vital debut album from Jamaica's undisputed first lady of song Marica Griffiths, originally released in 1974. It's reggae at its most soulful. Slinking through a tight ten tracks of R&B and pop-sourced material, it became an instant best seller. Sweet And Nice has appeared over the years with a revised running order and under different titles. But the original's opening sequence of loping soul is legendary, even beyond reggae circles. These songs are now returned to how they were presented on that first Jamaican release, and under their intended album title. Be With doesn't mess with magic. Marcia's version of "Here I Am (Come and Take Me)" has long been lusted after, played by genre-hopping selectors to snapping necks for decades now. It's followed by the sophisticated, rollicking wah-wah funk of "Everything I Own" and the slice of smooth lovers soul par excellence that is "Green Grasshopper" and her ace, lilting Neil Diamond cover "Play Me". The thundering, humid funk of "Children At Play" "sounds uncannily like a precursor of Massive Attack", as FACT Mag astutely noted when they put Sweet And Nice at number 16 in their list of the 100 best albums of the 1970s. Otherworldly, moody, and essential. Side two keeps the fire burning. "Sweet, Bitter Love" should leave you swooning, and is also one of the album's alternate titles. Curtis Mayfield's already-eternal "Gypsy Man" follows, recast as proto-lovers rock. "There's No Me Without You" is elevated to canonical status by the majestic, forlorn horns of the Federal Soul Givers and Marcia's heartbreaking delivery. And if this doesn't get you then surely the next track will: arguably the definitive version of Ewan MacColl's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". "I Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" re-takes its rightful place at the end of the LP's second side... but Be With Records added an entire second record of rare material recorded around the same time as Sweet And Nice, much of it unavailable since it was originally released. Amongst these 14 extra tracks you'll find the exquisite late-60s singles "Melody Life" and "Mark My Word" which, along with the sumptuous reading of "Band Of Gold". All material is remastered. 140 gram vinyl.
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7"
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BEWITH 004-7
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Two of Alex Chilton's staggeringly beautiful demos, on vinyl for the first time. "It Isn't Always That Easy" and "If You Would Marry Me" both sound like templates for some of Alex's best-known Big Star numbers. These demos come from the transitional recording sessions he made with Terry Manning at the Ardent Studio in 1969, but were missing from the vinyl version of the wonderful Free Again compilation that was released in 2012.
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BEWITH 065LP
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Be With Records present the first vinyl issue of Tommy Guerrero's From The Soil To The Soul, originally released in 2006. Yes! Tommy Guerrero's much-loved fourth album -- the smooth West Coast classic From The Soil To The Soul -- gets its first ever vinyl release. As the follow up to his revered Soul Food Taqueria (BEWITH 026LP), this album was originally released by Quannum Records 2006 but only on CD. Working with Tommy directly, the LP has been fully remastered, cut on to heavyweight wax, and comes with artwork freshly reworked by the man himself. From The Soil To The Soul represents a continuation of Tommy's blissful guitar-soul whilst demonstrating increasingly complex chops and a slightly darker side to his distinctive sound. His spare, effortless funk is blended here with elements of Americana, heavy psych, lo-fi fuzz, and intoxicating Latin rhythms. Combined with his typically breezy, laid-back San Franciscan style, it's a vibe from start to finish. Recorded primarily in his home studio, Tommy wrote, arranged and played nearly all the instruments, including bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion, and kalimba. Renowned street artist Barry McGee, aka Twist, designed the cover art which Tommy has now recast in a deep, deep red for the vinyl version. As ever with Tommy, the highlights are many and memorable. From twinkling, sun-drenched opener "Hello Again" to the penultimate, punk-rocking track "Let Me In Let Me Out" (featuring the melodic yet fearsome rapping of Lyrics Born), the variety across the LP is relentless, but satisfying, and without once losing focus. You're treated to the gorgeous hip-hop blues of "The Under Dog", Meters-style Hammond B-3 jams like "War No More" and "No Guns More Glory" and Balearic bangers like Bing Ji Ling's star-turn on the sleazy "Don't Fake It". Curumin's soulful guest vocal elevates the already-great Brazilian lounge feels of "Salve" to hitherto unscaled heights and the heavy, driving basslines -- funky and warm on "Badder Than Bullets", somber and intense in "Tomorrow's Goodbye" and "Molotov Telegram" -- never fail to move both body and soul. But Be With's favourite track is the beautiful breezy pop of "Just Ain't Me". A bittersweet, skipping ballad which boasts an incredibly rare instance of Tommy singing. "What you want from me, I can never give" he repeats throughout, lending the already-melancholic atmosphere greater poignancy. It would've been number 1 across the planet in a parallel universe. Remastered. 180 gram vinyl.
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LP
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BEWITH 006LP
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2015 release. Be With Records present a reissue Letta Mbulu's In The Music... The Village Never Ends, originally released in South Africa in 1983. A holy-grail African record. Featuring the enormous "Nomalizo", it's a record that aficionados around the world have been waiting many years for. Be With Records' reissue has been lovingly mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis (Claremont 56 mastering engineer), pressed on audiophile 180 gram vinyl for the first time, and features the original artwork. In The Music... The Village Never Ends is one of those holy grail African records that barely needs any introduction. Now, Be With Records proudly presents the hugely anticipated vinyl reissue of this bona fide classic. South African singer Letta Mbulu possesses one of the most beautiful voices the world has ever known. Her immaculate voice emits a sweetness that radiates from deep within, brimming with a joy of life and inspiring a spirit of hope and happiness. On this album, her voice soars over a strident musical force that veers between disco, soul, and pop music of the most incredible kind. The gleaming guitars recall disco's finest hours while the thump of the beats anticipate '80s British soul.
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12"
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BEWITH 004EP
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2017 release. Two seminal 12" mixes of a pair of Michael Wycoff heavy hitters from 1982. One a two-step favorite and one a loft classic, these sought-after versions have never been paired on the same record. Side A features the smooth-gliding anthem "Looking Up To You" whilst Side B houses the legendary Tee Scott dub mix of uplifting boogie gem "Diamond Real".
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2LP
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BEWITH 026LP
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2019 repress, 2017 release. Be With Records present a reissue of Tommy Guerrero's Soul Food Taqueria, originally released in 2003. It's rare that a certain sound is entirely an artist's own. Although undeniably a stew of impeccable influences -- from blues to folk to Latin to dusty funk, soul and hip-hop -- one cannot hear a Tommy Guerrero song without immediately recognizing it as his -- and his only. The cult skater from San Francisco is globally renowned as one of the original members of the legendary "Bones Brigade" team. And as an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, his laid-back soul is beloved by all who've basked in its blissful glow. His albums that surfaced on Mo Wax at the turn of the century have been treasured since their release and it's two of his most vital LPs. The originals were quietly pressed on to a single piece of vinyl, so Be With Records worked closely with Tommy to offer fresh, limited editions. Soul Food Taqueria continued Guerrero's guitar soul but represented a step forward with its polished production and greater complexity of instrumentation. Denied the promotion it deserved upon release, it flew under the radar. It is now the most wanted record of his wondrous back catalog. Guerrero's atmospheric touch and subtle guitar provide lush, glimmering pieces of musical texture. Within his spacious compositions, uniquely arranged instruments flourish alongside each other to create a languid soundtrack for halcyon days. From bossa nova, samba, and cumbia rhythms to understated folk, funk and soul grooves, this is another exotic set of mellow gold. Dubby, bass-heavy instrumentals give way to moody folk-soul -- witness "It Gets Heavy", featuring melancholic vocals from Gresham Taylor -- whilst "Thank You MK" is a gentle ode to the tropics, featuring ethereal instrumentation, bright bass and warm, jazzy guitars. The second half in particular contains a number of stunning ambient tracks -- check "Lost Unfound", "Another Brother Gone", and "Broken Blood" -- built around minimalist, laid-back grooves, and detailed guitar orchestrations which wouldn't be out of place on the latest Jonny Nash release. Guerrero closes this flawless set with a moment of true beauty. Restrained and graceful, "Falling Awake" is a pared back piece containing meditative guitar melodies set against melancholic piano arrangements. Remastered. 180 gram vinyl; expanded to double-LP and presented in a gatefold sleeve.
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BEWITH 055LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Logg's self-titled LP, originally issued on Salsoul Records in 1981. The undisputed Godfather of boogie, Leroy Burgess' Logg project is his masterpiece. Logg is one of the greatest albums of the post-disco era; it's one of Be With's favorite-ever LPs and so it's a complete honor to be reissuing it. With all the touchstones of Burgess's finest work -- breezy grooves, undulating synths, funk-drenched bass, and life-affirming lyrics -- delivered with gospel-derived vocals and harmonies, it's a record to uplift both body and spirit. Already a cult soul figure as lead singer of Black Ivory, Burgess cut his teeth as arranger, vocalist, and songwriter with producer Patrick Adams on essential late-'70s projects like Phreek and Dazzle. He went on to define the essence of "boogie": the vibrant underground dance sound that stood in contrast to commercial disco. With its reduced speed the cool boogie of Burgess has the disco bounce, just more laid back. All six tracks here could have been stand-alone hits; indeed, some of them were. But together they are also an incredibly cohesive album. In short, it's a thrilling showcase for Burgess' finest arranging and production work - with his vocals at their euphoric peak alongside the inventive rhythm section of Aaron (Sonny) T. Davenport on drums and James Calloway on bass. Opener "(You've Got) That Something" is a balmy sunshine groover with an insistent chorus whilst the timeless vocal of "Dancing Into The Stars" -- married to percolating synth and airtight drums -- showcases the chemistry between Burgess and the rhythm section. The fusion of funk and gospel-influenced harmonies which propels "Something Else" is remarkable: deep, joyous, and bouncy. Infamously mixed by Larry Levan, "I Know You Will" is an easy glide, all rollicking electric piano underpinned by a precise and relentlessly upbeat groove. "Lay It On The Line" radiates smooth, understated brilliance, elevated by interstellar keys and finally album-closer "Sweet To Me" is a chilled-out gem of profound soulful elegance. Logg has long been a hit with the likes of Kenny Dope and Dam-Funk whilst, MCDE and Harvey Sutherland have also cited it as an influence. This reissue ensures this legendary record now sounds, looks and feels as sensational as it deserves. Mastered by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman with reproduced artwork, this is a reissue that does justice to this classic LP. 180 gram pressing.
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12"
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BEWITH 011EP
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In 1980, Randy Muller's Skyy dropped the monumental Here's To You, comfortably one of the greatest dance singles of all time. Released on Salsoul, Here's To You is now exceptionally hard to find in its original form. On this special Be With double-header, the label presents the sought-after 12" mix and back it up with the strutting "You Got Me Up", which has never been on a 12" before.
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BEWITH 054LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Vaughan Mason and Butch Dayo's Feel My Love, originally released on Salsoul in 1983. If ever an album could transport one to the hazy sunshine and imagined halcyon paradise of Southern California in the mid-1980s, or could capture the early evening warmth of hanging at an inclusive boogie jam as it approaches "magic hour" in Santa Ana or Anaheim, then it's Feel My Love. A brilliantly produced deep slung, low rider funk classic, it's a masterpiece of "funk love music." A perfectly formed five track mini LP of unparalleled heat, there's one song here that, above the rest, represents Orange County boogie-funk. A straight killer beloved by all that have had the pleasure of moving to it. A track that can fill up a dance floor within seconds of its starting. That song is the eternal title track, "Feel My Love". This is a work of art that made people fall in love with the funk -- it transcends the limitations of genre. "Feel My Love"'s deceptive simplicity makes it perfect to drop during a house set, a classic funk party or at a west coast rap jam. It's sexy, deeply emotional, melancholic, hopeful, passionate and just radiates so much raw energy -- this is music. The rest of the record is hardly filler though. Opener "Oh, Love" is a dizzying, emotional slow jam. With heaven-sent vocals riding gorgeous, sweeping keys that alternate between sweet twinkling lines and funk-fuelled stabbing -- it's sensational. A rollerskating jam named "Rollalong Songs" is an ultra-swish piece of dance floor dynamite; its slick drums, staccato piano, and neck-snapping claps underscore Dayo's buoyant vocals. It's essentially "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll Part II". The flip begins with "Party On The Corner" with smoother-than-silk vocals, day-glo synths, a bubbling bassline, and guitar licks that would surely receive the Prince seal of approval. It's another example of how Mason and Dayo flirt with perfection so routinely. The majestic closer, the kaleidoscopic, cow-bell-assisted synth-funk heater "You Can Do It" is a proto-rap groover that truly smokes. This LP is a stone-cold jam and finding original copies on vinyl at affordable prices has been tough for years. Mastered by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman, with lovingly reproduced artwork, this Be With reissue ensures this legendary LP now sounds, looks and feels as sensational as it should. 180 gram pressing.
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7"
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BEWITH 001-7
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2017 release. You may know Aretha Franklin's scintillating "One Step Ahead" from its vital role in the Oscar-winning movie Moonlight (2016). You may also know it as providing the beautifully melancholic backdrop for Mos Def's 1999 hit "Ms Fat Booty". The inaugural Be With Records 7" is a special one indeed, containing the first ever officially licensed reissue of Aretha's all-time deep soul classic, paired with goosebump-inducing killer "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face".
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BEWITH 027LP
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2018 release. Be With Records present the first officially licensed vinyl reissue of Batteaux's self-titled album, originally released in 1973. A notoriously jaw-dropping folk-funk classic, long treasured by the Balearic fraternity, the self-titled LP from the brothers Batteau nevertheless remains a criminally underheard gem. Appealing to fans stuck on Ned Doheny's scorching blue-eyed soul as well as Gene Clark's rich country-rock, this is and undoubted masterpiece of proto-Yacht-Rock. Like a forgotten piece of baroque folk caught in 1973, Batteaux's eponymous album somehow sounds magically timeless. A full 45 years after the fact, it remains a mystery as to why they weren't better known. The lush production and virtuoso playing conforms with the ruling aesthetic of the time -- well-crafted, melodic songs performed with precision and balance -- whilst the shimmering AOR atmosphere and sun-dappled vocal washes align neatly with the best Crosby, Stills & Nash records. Throughout, the beautifully penned tracks hold traces of Jimmie Spheeris, America, and Seals & Crofts. The immaculately orchestrated percussion and additional instrumentation (electric piano and fiddle to name a few) are performed by perennially celebrated West-Coast cats including Tom Scott, John Guerin, and Andy Newmark.It's no surprise that the heavenly "High Tide" is such a Balearic touchstone. A free soul aqua-space groover, its sophisticated rhythms predict the swing of CSN's canonical "Dark Star" by a full four years. An alternative measure of its enduring magnificence can be gauged by MF Doom sampling Paul Horn's wonderful version, subsequently used by Ghostface Killah. The highlights are many and memorable. Gorgeous opener "Tell Her She's Lovely" is the perfect example of the addictive, melody-driven songwriting which really should have earned them stardom. Moody ballad "Living's Worth Loving" is nothing short of heartbreaking whilst the chugging elegance of "Wake Me In The Morning" showcases their bewitching harmonies. The hypnotic yearning of "Lady Of The Lake" is an exquisitely string-drenched, piano-laced favorite that achieves a peculiar strutting-funk. This lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of the hitherto buried genius of Batteaux. The serene aqua artwork which adorned the original jacket -- their father worked on a dolphin-human communication project in Hawaii, hence the infamous design -- and sumptuous inner sleeve have been faithfully restored. Whilst, with access to the original tapes, Simon Francis's sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed on 180 gram vinyl. Edition of 500.
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