Leoparden
Høyt Oppe

After a sling of instantly sold-out 45s through his Bandcamp (we're talking minutes here), it's tempting to say that Soul Supreme got a Midas touch. But that doesn't do justice to his hard work and carefully crafted reinterpretations of music by A Tribe Called Quest, Madvillain, Mos Def & others. The newest addition: not one but two 45s around Jay Dee a.k.a. J Dilla.The Amsterdam-based keyboardist/producer takes on 'Let's Ride' (Q-Tip) and 'Runnin' (The Pharcyde) on the first donut. This other 45 contains a medley of 'The Official' (Jaylib) and 'Fall In Love' (Slum Village), and two unsung Jay Dee beats: 'Still Shining,' as produced for Busta Rhymes, which has never seen the light of day as an instrumental. Another never-before-released Jay Dee beat is 'Feelin' Good', an essential case of Dilla's unparalleled ear for swing. Sidetrack: look up the Bling47 Breaks video later with House Shoes's story on giving Jay Dee the Frank Cunimondo Trio record, with a VHS video of T3 and Baatin going crazy in Detroit's The Shelter to Jay Dee's 'Feelin' Good' flip. Pure gold.The Detroit visionary reimagined 'groove' and sampling. On his turn, Soul Supreme takes on Dilla's timing, rhythms, and harmonies. Think of how in the final part of "Runnin'," the keys start to follow the well-hidden, heavily filtered sample on The Pharcyde's original, instead of the main melody. Or how there's punch to J-Zone's drumming on "Let's Ride" as there's punch to the MPC3000. How Jonny Murray improvises on trumpet rather than replaying the sample. The marriage of Rhodes and synths on "Fall In Love" resemble Soul Supreme's trademark sound as showcased on last year's self-titled LP. Built on top of that, the two 45 releases (sold separately) are all-original takes on Jay Dee-produced classics.

Harlem Shuffle Records is on an admirable mission to reissue amazing 60s and 70s sounds on a fully legitimate basis. This one from Lloyd & Glen actually landed in 1967 on the Jamaican Comet label. It was never issue on these shores on vinyl, until now. The lead single is brilliantly produced and strikes a mythic party pose with heavy drums but flamboyant horns and expressive vocals. The lyrics, too, are tight and concise and are part of the reason the tune is so sought after today. The flipside 'What You've Got' is another great track by Lloyd and Glen with a big beat and more great horn work.

Original lp 33t (EBL 6150)♬♬♬Okyeame Kwame Bediako & His Messengers ‎- Ablavi Side A/Track 4 - Ablavi Part 1 Essiebons - Ghana 1976Recorded at Ghana Film Studios Engineer - Bossman Amoako, David Ankorah, George Andoh, F. KwakyeLead Guitar - Pap Jonas Watusi Bass - Heavy Steele Cropper Congas, Drums - Ato Pappoe Organ - Godfrey Narh Percussion, Vocals - Adjenim Boateng-Addo Vocals - Mary Obeng, Nana Sampong, Okyeame Bediako, Vida Boateng

In recent years, demand for vinyl copies of Japanese keyboardist Hiroshi Sato's 1979 jazz-funk classic Orient has rocketed. Given that few have the means to pay several hundred pounds for an original copy, this reissue - the first vinyl edition in 39 years - is more than welcome. It remains a delightful set, full of fluid and ear-pleasing tracks that variously doff a cap to disco, Brazilian boogie, classic jazz-funk, low slung early electrofunk and the kind of woozy, laid-back soundscapes more associated with early '80s New Age and ambient sets. Naturally, Sato's playing takes centre stage throughout, but the standard of the musicianship elsewhere is incredibly impressive, too. Shigeru Suzuki's guitar playing, in particular, stands out.

Never before released Norwegian cult late 70's raregroove soundtrack from 1978 featuring all-star lineup with talents like Knut Riisnæs, Henryk Lysiak and Thor Andreassen. Remastered from the original mastertapes, only 500 pressed. Comes with digital download.