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LP
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BEWITH 067LP
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$29.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/8/2019
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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LP
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BEWITH 064LP
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$29.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/8/2019
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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BEWITH 003LP
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$29.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/8/2019
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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2LP
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BEWITH 024LP
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$36.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/8/2019
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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LP
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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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2LP
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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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7"
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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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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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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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LP
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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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LP
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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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12"
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BEWITH 002EP
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2016 release. Originally released in 1982, Anna's cosmic coldwave bomb Systems Breaking Down is one of the most mysterious and sought-after singles of the period. Here, both seminal mixes have been remastered for vinyl by Simon Francis and are housed in a replica jacket of the maxi original. A masterful study in dread, describing the gentle collapse of all structures, it is set against a backdrop of eerie, synth-heavy electronics.
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LP
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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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12"
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BEWITH 008EP
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2018 release. Quite simply the greatest & most sought after street soul holy grail of them all. The sound of Manchester then and now. Fully remastered, produced in conjunction with Bô'vel herself and Ruf Dug, and featuring the huge Metrodome remix everyone's been raving about on the flip.
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12"
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BEWITH 001EP
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2016 release. Be With Records present the sublime Peaking Lights remix of Here In Iowa, the farewell single from tropical dream pop maestros Korallreven. Also included is the original and, for the first time on vinyl, the breathtaking cover of Guns & Roses' "November Rain" from 2014 plus "Shine On", the duo's rework of their own 2010 single Honey Mine, featuring Taken By Trees' Victoria Bergsman.
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12"
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BEWITH 009EP
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2018 release. You'd think that following Melodies Of Love (BEWITH 005EP) would be an impossible task. Not so, if you happen to be genius Brit-Funk pioneers John Rocca and Andy Stennett. On their more understated -- yet, pound for pound, stronger -- second record, Pink Rhythm stretched out to create a four-track EP of richly melodic, exquisite beauty. In the process, they trumped their most well-known release.
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12"
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BEWITH 005EP
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2018 release. Timeless drum-machine soul music from genius Brit-funk pioneer John Rocca. Melodies Of Love was first released in 1985 yet, still sounding staggeringly fresh, it's no surprise that discerning DJs call on it now more than ever. As the title suggests, it's so melodically profound and so effortlessly funky, once you hear it, you never forget it. Pink Rhythm were a mid-80s evolution of Rocca's London-based band Freeez, featuring the great Andy Stennett and Peter Maas.
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12"
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BEWITH 010EP
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2018 release. Insane synth-heavy feel-good Brit-funk classic and huge favorite of Dam-Funk. A certified UK boogie bomb, originally released in 1982, and coming hot on the heels of the Pink Rhythm reissue campaign. Side On was a one-off UK soul dream team, consisting of Peter Maas (Freeez, Pink Rhythm bassist), Everton McCalla (Freeez, Light Of The World, Potion), and the legendary Rick Clarke (Potion).
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2LP
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BEWITH 035LP
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2018 release. Be With Records present a reissue of Sleepy's Theme's The Vinyl Room, originally released in 1998. With powerhouse production trio Organized Noize, Sleepy Brown orchestrated Atlanta's hallmark sound of the '90s; his slow-cooked southern-fried G-Funk providing hits for TLC, Outkast, and Goodie Mob. However, by 1998 and post-Aquemini, his desire was to take center stage. The dizzying result was Sleepy's Theme and their wonderful throwback LP, The Vinyl Room. Their vintage, '70s soul-steeped magnum opus was promptly passed on by Jimmy Iovine at Interscope, released only on CD on a limited scale, and mostly...um...slept on. Be With Records finally present the inaugural vinyl edition of this landmark record as a DJ-friendly double LP. Blending organic instrumentation from one of the tightest, greasiest, yet sophisticated bands in the land, The Vinyl Room presented dreamy melodies, warm synth textures, stately horns and wayward beats. Brown conceived his "garage funk band" as adhering to the sonic touchstones of Blaxploitation and he achieved it. Featuring keyboardist/singer Eddie Stokes, drummer Victor Rico Cortez, guitarist Bill Odum, vocalist Keisha Jackson, and the late Pimp C, the sound was always going to be in the pocket. While it eschewed contemporary trends, the underground sound was nevertheless fresh and grounded in the hat-tip spirit of hip-hop. With Sleepy bragging that there were no samples, The Vinyl Room comprised a richly textured, mesmerizing and confident sound where the recurring themes were women, cars, and weed. The luscious bass grooves, silk-soft cymbal pats, raindrop-drowsy keyboards, and country-fried wah-wah guitar licks conjure Bobby Womack in the lab with Marley Marl, Isaac Hayes laced by Dr. Dre or Curtis Mayfield bring introduced to DJ Quik. "Can't Let Go" with its heist movie aesthetic, morphs into a strung-out love song as Sleepy slurs compellingly throughout. Pimp C's low-riding beat for "Simply Beautiful", a bouncing track brilliantly inspired by Barry White's swaggering "You're The One I Need", is exceptional. Perhaps as a nod to the great Brick, the horn section on "Grind On" is quietly joyous and profound whilst "Curse On You" is a dark groover and features a great vocal from Cee-Lo Green. "Still Smokin'", another rousing track, is a peculiarly laidback anthem; hypnotic, hot and smooth. Perhaps the highlight of the entire piece, "Choked Out Saturday Night" sounds like the old Atlanta. Remastered. Gatefold jacket, adorned with purple foil layer; printed lyrics across two double-sided inner sleeves. 180 gram vinyl.
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