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viewing 1 To 14 of 14 items
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12"
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KALITA 12012EP
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$16.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/8/2019
Kalita Records present the first ever 12" reissue of Henry Turner Jr.'s hugely sought-after 1980 disco single, "Music", backed by the first ever re-release of his 1984 boogie single "Forever Us". The latter is equally as great, commanding three-figure sums and demonstrating clearly America's development by the mid-1980s away from disco and towards the boogie craze. In addition, the release is accompanied with a never-before-seen press photo of Henry's band Crystal and interview-based liner notes. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Crystal band consisted of Henry on guitar with local musicians Ranches Hall on keyboards and vocals and Ricky Broomfield on drums. By the tail end of the 1970s, Crystal had settled themselves into the local music scene, and performed at many nearby venues. By 1980, the band were ready to record their first single, "Music", in the hope that it would be a radio hit. As Henry explains, "we were driven performers and 'Music' was the perfect tool to get us radio play". They decided to pay to lay down and press their music at Soundsmith Recording Studio, which had the ability to not only record but to also manufacture and release their music on the studio's own eponymously-named label. Only five hundred copies of the record were pressed, distributed by the band themselves, meaning that today, copies almost never turn up for sale. A fantastic disco track, upon release the band deservedly succeeded in their original aim, and it was a radio hit in Baton Rouge. Within four years of "Music's" release, Ranches Hall had left the band, reducing it to two core members: Henry and Ricky. However, still eager for success, the now-slimmed down Crystal band recorded "Forever Us" over a couple of days as a follow-up single to "Music", laying down their instruments at the local Sound Trax Studio, produced by Henry himself. In contrast to the number of additional session musicians that had performed on their first record, here only Henry and Ricky contributed, playing all the instruments and providing the vocals themselves. On release, the record received notable success, not only in the US but also across the pond on the UK scene. Since then, Henry has continued to release both his and other musicians' music on his own Hit City label, as well as developing his musical style and cementing himself in at the core of the Baton Rouge music scene.
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12"
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KALITA 12011EP
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Kalita Records present the first ever official reissue of the holy grail of disco 12" singles, Vance and Suzzanne's I Can't Get Along Without You, originally privately released in 1980 on Vanton Records. The product of two members of Crown Heights Affair (Richard Vance Turner and Eleton Johns), Vanton Records was established as a way to protect their musical freedom. Vance and Suzzanne consisted of Richard and his childhood friend and fellow band member Suzzanne Slaughter, who was a background singer for many bands in New York including Sister Sledge. Includes a never-before-seen press photo and interview-based liner notes.
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12"
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KALITA 12010EP
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Kalita Records present the first re-release of Stirling March's 1985 Bahamian boogie grail "Under Cover Lover". Accompanied by never-before-seen photos and interview-based liner notes. By the age of 22, March decided release his own record in an attempt to demonstrate to the Bahamian music industry his own ability. Written over the space of just a few hours, the result was "Under Cover Lover". A sun-kissed Caribbean boogie track, the track was recorded at a local studio in Nassau.
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LP
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KALITA 003LP
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Kalita Records release for the first time Emerson's mythical 1988 unreleased boogie masterpiece If You Need Me, Call Me, accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos. If You Need Me, Call Me includes both the issue and unreleased demo versions of Emerson's extremely sought-after single "Sending All My Love Out", originally privately released and distributed in 1988 in a run of just 500 copies on LAS Records. Although "Sending All My Love Out" arguably failed at the time to receive the recognition that it deserved, since release the single's desirability has increased exponentially, and is now highly sought-after by collectors and DJs alike who find themselves spending eye-watering prices to secure their own copy. The musical product of the visionary couple Emerson and Leora Sandidge, If You Need Me, Call Me is a personal collection of synthesizer and drum-machine-led boogie of the highest quality. Recorded over the space of just one week at Real To Reel Studios in Stockbridge, Georgia, Emerson and Leora intended to release If You Need Me, Call Me as a follow-up to "Sending All My Love Out". However, due to familial responsibilities and health complications the album was never released to the public, and the original master tapes have remained locked away until now. In partnership with Emerson and Leora, Kalita Records now think it high time to satisfy the demand and to share this masterpiece with the world.
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CD
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KALITA 004CD
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Kalita Records release the first ever compilation focusing on the musical career of Julie Coker, the queen of Nigerian television. Here the label collates seven of Julie's most sought-after Afro disco and hauntingly-beautiful Itsekiri highlife recordings, accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before seen photos. After gaining fame as Miss Western Nigeria 1957, Julie began her career in the Nigerian entertainment industry as the country's first ever (and Africa's second) female television presenter, as well as a popular national radio host. In 1976, having been surrounded by close musical friends, including Fela Kuti and Kris Okotie, Julie entered the Nigerian music scene with the now-invisible psychedelic highlife album Ere Yon (Sweet Songs) (1976), followed in 1981 by the highly sought-after disco-centric Tomorrow to great acclaim. Both now fetch eye-watering prices on the rare occasion that they become available for sale. Kalita Records select four recordings from Ere Yon (Sweet Songs) and three from Tomorrow, all as contemporary-sounding today as they were when first released forty years ago. These include Julie's "Ere Yon", which was recently re-interpreted by Anderson .Paak on Oxnard released on Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint in 2018, and the lost Afro disco classic "Gossiper Scandal Monger". In partnership with Julie, Kalita Records believe the time is right to share Julie's phenomenal story and music with the world once more. CD version comes in a digipack; includes booklet.
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LP
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KALITA 004LP
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LP version. Gatefold sleeve. Kalita Records release the first ever compilation focusing on the musical career of Julie Coker, the queen of Nigerian television. Here the label collates seven of Julie's most sought-after Afro disco and hauntingly-beautiful Itsekiri highlife recordings, accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before seen photos. After gaining fame as Miss Western Nigeria 1957, Julie began her career in the Nigerian entertainment industry as the country's first ever (and Africa's second) female television presenter, as well as a popular national radio host. In 1976, having been surrounded by close musical friends, including Fela Kuti and Kris Okotie, Julie entered the Nigerian music scene with the now-invisible psychedelic highlife album Ere Yon (Sweet Songs) (1976), followed in 1981 by the highly sought-after disco-centric Tomorrow to great acclaim. Both now fetch eye-watering prices on the rare occasion that they become available for sale. Kalita Records select four recordings from Ere Yon (Sweet Songs) and three from Tomorrow, all as contemporary-sounding today as they were when first released forty years ago. These include Julie's "Ere Yon", which was recently re-interpreted by Anderson .Paak on Oxnard released on Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint in 2018, and the lost Afro disco classic "Gossiper Scandal Monger". In partnership with Julie, Kalita Records believe the time is right to share Julie's phenomenal story and music with the world once more.
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12"
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KALITA 12008EP
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Kalita Records present Steel City Connection's 1978 single "Steel City Disco", accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos. Originally privately released on Pittsburgh's Jeree Records, Steel City Disco is one of the most sought-after disco records in existence. Featuring an evolving line-up of various Pittsburgh-based students from the band's inception in 1975, Steel City Connection featured a multi-race make-up of musicians, led by bassist Keith Stewart. Includes unreleased extended version of "Dansation", sourced from the original master tapes.
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LP
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KALITA 001LP
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Kalita Records make available once more Okyerema Asante's highly sought-after Ghanaian disco monster, Sabi (Get Down), produced in collaboration with Oneness of Juju leader Plunky Nkabinde. After touring the world and recording with Hugh Masekela, Lonnie Liston Smith and Oneness of Juju, Sabi (Get Down) was Okyerema's first solo record, released privately in limited numbers on his label Atumpan Records in 1980/81. Recorded and manufactured in the USA, but only ever released on the African continent, this self-funded, scarce, and brilliant Afro-disco LP regularly exchanges hands for eye-watering prices. Here, Sabi (Get Down) is repressed in its original, 14 minute-long form (check out some breathtaking vocals by Oneness of Juju's Lady Eka Ete at around 13 minutes!); the title track is backed by the equally impressive "That's My Girl" on the B side. In addition, it is accompanied by extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos, detailing Okyerema's career from his membership of Ghana's legendary band Hedzolleh to performing with Paul Simon and Fleetwood Mac twenty years later. Sabi (Get Down) has so far received fantastic support from leading DJs such as Gilles Peterson (who named it the eighth-best reissue of 2017), Hunee, Antal, Palms Trax, Alexander Nut, Red Greg, Nick The Record, John Gomez, Lakuti, Dan Shake, and many others! The hope here is that you love both tracks, and join in celebrating the musical world of Okyerema Asante! Printed inner sleeve.
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12"
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KALITA 12007EP
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Kalita Records present the first ever and official reissue of Kallaloo's sought-after 1982 disco single "Star Child", accompanied by interview-based liner notes. Originally released on Jeffrey Turpin's Trinidadian record label IDA. Kallaloo consisted of various Trinidadian musicians including Keith Alexander and Peter Wayne Barkley. Keith had been well-respected as a member of the Trinidadian group Impact, and was later to become an in-demand producer and composer under the name of Keith Diamond, responsible for various hits by Billy Ocean, Donna Summer, Starpoint and Melba Moore. In contrast, Peter was a well-known recording session drummer. An astonishing piece of Caribbean disco.
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12"
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KALITA 12006EP
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Kalita Records and CC:EDITIONS (a new venture by Australia's CC:DISCO) jointly announce a 12" EP comprised of four of Nana Tuffour's greatest electronic burger highlife tracks, accompanied by interview-based liner notes. Here, in partnership with Nana, we select two highly sought-after songs from his 1993 release Genesis, namely "Sikyi Medley" and "M'Anu Me Ho", and pair them his with two lesser known yet equally deserving tracks "Asamando" and "Jesus" from his 1997 CD-only release Highlife Tropicana. Burger highlife's transcendence of traditional musical boundaries that helps make it so accessible to listeners.
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CD
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KALITA 002CD
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Kalita Records present the first ever and definitive discography of Carrie Cleveland. Here, The label offers an expanded version of her 1978 album Looking Up, including both the issue and promotional versions of her single "Make Love To Me", and the previously unknown sweet soul single "I've Got A Feeling". Privately arranged, recorded, and produced by Carrie and her husband Bill as a labor of love in their backyard studio in 1978, Looking Up is one of the most in-demand soul/disco LPs in existence, sought-after in particular for their track "Love Will Set You Free". In addition, the promotional version of Carrie's single "Make Love To Me" is one of the best and rarest sweet soul records to have emerged out of the West Coast soul scene, and her single "I've Got A Feeling" is until today virtually unknown even to the most seasoned of collectors, with even Carrie herself unsure if it was ever released. With the album originally pressed in a limited run of just 1000, with 500 copies of each single, original copies of Carrie's records deservingly command eye-watering figures on the second-hand market. Kalita Records now satisfy the thirst with the first ever official reissue of her entire discography. Includes extensive interview-based liner notes and never before seen photos, detailing Carrie and Bills' life and musical career. CD version is accompanied by a mini-poster.
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LP + 7"
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KALITA 002LP
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Restocked; LP version. Includes 7". Gatefold Sleeve. Kalita Records present the first ever and definitive discography of Carrie Cleveland. Here, The label offers an expanded version of her 1978 album Looking Up, including both the issue and promotional versions of her single "Make Love To Me", and the previously unknown sweet soul single "I've Got A Feeling". Privately arranged, recorded, and produced by Carrie and her husband Bill as a labor of love in their backyard studio in 1978, Looking Up is one of the most in-demand soul/disco LPs in existence, sought-after in particular for their track "Love Will Set You Free". In addition, the promotional version of Carrie's single "Make Love To Me" is one of the best and rarest sweet soul records to have emerged out of the West Coast soul scene, and her single "I've Got A Feeling" is until today virtually unknown even to the most seasoned of collectors, with even Carrie herself unsure if it was ever released. With the album originally pressed in a limited run of just 1000, with 500 copies of each single, original copies of Carrie's records deservingly command eye-watering figures on the second-hand market. Kalita Records now satisfy the thirst with the first ever official reissue of her entire discography. Includes extensive interview-based liner notes and never before seen photos, detailing Carrie and Bills' life and musical career. LP version consists of both the expanded album and a bonus 7" single; housed in a gatefold sleeve.
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12"
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KALITA 12005EP
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Kalita Records announce the first official reissue of the Sophisticated Ladies' sought-after disco single This Ain't Really Love (1980), backed by a Mighty Zaf edit of "Check It Out", and accompanied by interview-based liner notes. Formed in 1955, the Sophisticated Ladies started their recording life as R&B girl group The Bobbettes, consisting of five female vocalists. The group was signed to Atlantic Records and known for their 1957 hit single "Mr. Lee". With the emergence of the disco era, the Bobbettes changed their name to the Sophisticated Ladies, allowing the change from a girl group to a disco outfit.
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LP
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KALITA 12004LP
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Originally recorded at Jim Morris and Rick Miller's Tampa-based Morrisound Studios, Getting Next To You features a mixture of both local Florida talent plus jazz superstar Nat Adderley and bassist John Lamb at their finest. Originally pressed in a run of just 1,000 copies, with limited distribution, the album has long been sought-after by both collectors and DJs alike, acknowledged as a true disco masterpiece. Here, in collaboration with Randolph Baker, Kalita Records offer the four in-demand tracks from the album: "Getting Next To You", "Jazzmen", "Callin' Me", and "Party Life". The former is an in-demand horn and chant-filled disco masterpiece, which, as Randolph explains, concerns unity and "everyone on the same level... in other words, everyone just loving life". It is arguably the song that Randolph is most well-known for in the disco and funk scene and perfect for the modern discerning dancefloor. "Jazzmen" is an instrumental track with prominent trumpet and saxophone solos working with funky basslines to produce a truly great jazz-funk groove. "Callin' Me" is a soulful disco number featuring the lead vocals of Laurie Erickson and is "about being on the road and ensuring loved ones that you will always come back home no matter what. It was like a promise to ensure loved ones they didn't have to worry". Lastly, "Party Life" is a joyous disco track with a strong funk bassline and horns. Here, with access to the 24-track master tapes Kalita Records include the original version plus an unreleased instrumental take, allowing the listener to focus on the infectious bassline and make it even more ready for the modern dancefloor.
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