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2LP
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DEC 1104LP
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2014 repress. "Seminal techno album Enter finally gets the definitive reissue it deserves. First released in 1983, Cybotron's debut LP has long been considered a landmark release in the storied history of Detroit music and an invaluable seed that sprouted countless branches of electronic dance music from house to techno. Founded by visionary Vietnam veteran Rik Davis and teenaged future funk freak Juan Atkins, Cybotron combined a fondness for electronic gear as favored by groups like Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra with a dark lyricism that echoed the urban blight of Detroit and advanced prophetic environmental concerns. This long-overdue reissue has been carefully curated to satisfy the most discerning fans, and to provide an accessible entry point to one of the most influential electronic music releases ever. This edition features the original full-length album, including the sought-after initial mix of the mega-hit 'Clear,' replaced on earlier issues with its better known remix. That remix, sampled famously for Missy Elliot's 'Lose Control,' leads off the bonus tracks -- a collection of singles, B-sides and alternate mixes that provide a complete picture of Cybotron's enormously trend-setting style. The original artwork is supplemented by band photos and rare label images, plus a powerful essay by noted scribe Dave Tompkins (How to Wreck a Nice Beach) that explores the roots of the group's sound."
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3LP
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DEC 1102LP
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"Pleasure originated from the ashes of two local Portland, Oregon bands - The Soul Masters and Franchise - to become veritable monsters of funk, soul, and jazz. Their sound is often compared to Earth, Wind and Fire or Kool and the Gang. They had an inspired run of seven albums, six for Fantasy Records and one for RCA, from 1975 through 1982. The group was discovered by Grover Washington Jr.; he passed their demos on to Wayne Henderson of The Crusaders who signed them to his production company, At Home Productions. Tracks from all seven Pleasure albums are featured on this multi-LP set, Glide: The Essential Collection 1975-1982, many of which have never been reissued on LP before, including an extended disco/dance remix of 'Foxy Lady' which was lost in tape vaults for 35 years. Rounding out this deluxe package are many rarely seen group photos, along with extensive liner notes featuring newly-commissioned interviews with original band members by veteran Urban music critic and historian A. Scott Galloway."
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3LP
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DEC 1103LP
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Repressed. "Legendary keyboardist and composer Bob James is one of the major architects of the '70s jazz-funk sound, and is also notorious among a younger generation raised on hip hop. His early albums have been plundered for samples countless times, and his tunes 'Nautilus' and '(Take Me To The) Mardi Gras' are two of the most revered B-boy classics, acknowledged as musical foundations of the hip hop movement. Amazingly, until now there has been no collection that focused on the funkiest side of the keyboardist's vast catalog, the years when his instrument of choice was the classic Fender Rhodes electric piano. Previous Bob James collections have attempted to please smooth jazz aficionados who know the man for his later, synthesized-based sound, throwing in a token representative or two of the rougher, groove-based tunes of his early career. Compiled by Wax Poetics magazine's contributing editor Andrew Mason, Rhodes Scholar makes no concessions to fans of the smooth jazz sound and goes straight for the funk jugular. The 22 songs here are the gold that beat-diggers sift through stacks of albums to find, with all of James' heaviest (and most heavily sampled) tracks included. Fans of rappers Wu-Tang Clan, Run-DMC, Arrested Development, De La Soul, and EDM/house music stars Royksopp, Moodymann and Dmitri From Paris will hear familiar themes as this compilation lays bare the sources of some of their biggest hits. An extremely scarce alternate mix of one of James' biggest and most controversial tracks, '(Take Me To The) Mardi Gras,' is included for the first time since its Italian-only 1975 release. Previously unseen vintage photos plus detailed liner notes by Mason with comments from Bob James himself further enhance this long awaited package."
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3LP
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DEC 1101LP
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"Donald Byrd was one of the greatest and most successful practitioners of the fusion of soul and jazz. In 1973 he released Black Byrd on Blue Note and it became the label's first million-seller. Taking their name from that album, a group of Byrd's Howard University students formed The Blackbyrds in 1974, and within a year they had delivered a top 10 pop hit. Their albums, produced by Donald Byrd and Larry Mizell's Sky High Productions, made a major impact on dance floors, urban radio waves and with black music lovers around the world. Their music has continued to be rediscovered by new generations. They were a major influence on the 1990s acid jazz scene and many of their records have been sampled by a diverse array of artists including De La Soul, Gangstarr, Massive Attack, and many more, including - most recently - Wiz Khalifa. Drawn from the Blackbyrds' eight albums released by Fantasy Records, this specially priced, deluxe multi-LP set Walking In Rhythm: The Essential Selection 1973-1980 presents a complete retrospective of the band's career, as well as key album cuts, rarities and extended dance floor mixes. This package also features many rarely seen photos and extended liner notes, including a newly-commissioned interview with original band members by A. Scott Galloway."
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