Hologram: Destroyed & Reassembled LP is an album of remixes of songs from the A Place To Bury Strangers EP Hologram, featuring an awesome group of bands including Girl Band, Penelope Isles, Do Nothing, Bodega, Weeping Icon, Ganser, Ceremony East Coast, plus bands from our label including Randy Randall (No Age), Data Animal, Jealous, and Plattenbau, and two of our favorite remixers Grimoose & The Bodies Obtained. There will be 2600 LPs of white vinyl worldwide.

Boston 1971: Historic early recording of Aerosmith in their rehearsal room – just the band, crew, and friends captured on Joe Perry's tape recorder. This never-before-heard performance showcases the early, raw talent of this future Hall Of Fame band, one year before signing to Columbia Records and two years before their eponymous debut, which featured many of these songs, including their enduring anthem" Dream On."

Boston 1971: A historic early recording of Aerosmith in their rehearsal room - just the band, crew and friends captured on Joe Perry's tape recorder. This never-before-heard performance showcases the early, raw talent of this future Hall Of Fame band, one year before signing to Columbia Records, and two years before their eponymous debut, which featured many of these songs, including their enduring anthem ”Dream On”. 

A1 - Rehearsal Room A2 - Somebody A3 - Reefer Headed Woman + Walkin' The Dog
B1 - Movin' Out B2 - Major Barbra B3 - Dream On B4 - Mama Kin

Chet Baker is highly regarded as one of jazz's greatest trumpet players, and he recorded numerous albums over his 35 year recording career. Recorded in 1969, Albert's House features eleven instrumental compositions by Steve Allen, who produced the recording session to assist Baker in restarting his career after a horrific dental injury in '68. The sessions feature an all-star group of players with Paul Smith on keyboards, Barney Kessel on guitar, Jim Hughart on bass and Frank Capp (of Wrecking Crew fame) on drums.

This release for RSD Black Friday marks the first time this record has been re-issued on vinyl.

1) Albert's House
2) Farewell, San Francisco
3) Time
4) I Should Have Told You So
5) How Dare You Sir
6) End of the Line
7) Pretty People
8) Sunday In Town
9) A Man Who Used to Be
10) Never Had This Feeling Before
11) Life
12) Nice Little Girls

Compilation record including tracks from Spicks & Specks and other Festival Records masters, pressed on 180gred vinyl for RSD Black Friday in the US. 

SIDE 1
1 The Three Kisses Of Love
2 Claustrophobia
3 Every Day I Have To Cry Some
4 Follow The Wind
5 I Don’t Know Why I Bother Myself
6 Mondays Rain

SIDE 2
1 Spicks & Specks
2 Could It Be
3 How Love Was True
4 I Am The World
5 Turn Around Look At Me
6 Take Hold Of That Star

12" single featuring the 2 songs "Fck Boys (Featuring Russ) & "Don't Forget (Featuring Drakeo the Ruler) on the A-side and an etched eagle design on the B-Side

1) Fck Boys (Featuring Russ)
2) Don't Forget (Featuring Drakeo The Ruler)

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Broken Social Scene's debut album, Feel Good Lost, Arts & Crafts has compiled a deluxe re-packaging for a one-time pressing of 2,500 worldwide. The deluxe package includes the 2016 re-master on double 180g vinyl, a reworking of the original album art with a printed clear dust cover, printed sleeves with black and white archival photos, and a pull-out 11x14” matte-coated poster from one of the band's first shows. The package also include a ten-page 'zine featuring additional archival photos and liner notes about the band's early days, authored by Jonny Dovercourt, one of the band's first promoters.

1 I Slept With Bonhomme At The CBC
2 Guilty Cubicles
3 Love And Mathematics
4 Passport Radio
5 Alive In 85
6 Prison Province
7 Blues For Uncle Gibb
8 Stomach Song
9 Mossbraker
10 Feel Good Lost
11 Last Place
12 Cranley's Gonna Make It

In 1969 -- some three years before his self-titled debut solidified his stature as a pre-eminent Fender bender -- Roy Buchanan signed with Polydor Records and began work on his first full-length platter. But it took 35 years before this material saw the light of day with the release of The Prophet: The Unreleased First Polydor Album on CD. Augmenting the 11-track running order that would have made up that disc, the single-CD package contained 30+ minutes of previously unreleased outtakes, including tunes documented at an aborted March of 1971 session. This stuff is every bit as good as the official Polydor releases; the medley of "After Hours"/"The Messiah Will Come Again," for instance, might even be better than the respective later versions of those songs that showed up on Roy's albums. Never before on vinyl, the Prophet comes in a two album set, pressed on orange and black "fire" vinyl (because you won't often encounter more fiery guitar work than what's here), housed in a gatefold jacket and limited to 2,500 copies worldwide.

1. Funky Junky
2. Black Autumn
3. Day and Age
4. There'll Always Be
5. Billy Joe Young
6. The Story of Isaac
7. Baltimore
8. Sign on the Window
9. Humbug Down on the River; Pain
10. I Desire You; Stormy Monday
11. Jam; Roy's Bluz
12. Shotgun; After Hours/The Messiah Will Come Again
13. Sweet Dreams

These are the 1970-1973 studio collaborations between Memphis Slim (one of the great blues pianists) and Canned Heat. This release is considered to be more "blues" than "blues rock" as the Memphis Horns give this album an extra boost of funk. Package includes: OBI strip, Single jacket, Printed inner sleeve with original record labels. 

Back To Mother Earth | Trouble Everywhere I Go | Black Cat Cross My Trail | Mr. Longfingers | Five Long Years | When I Was Young | You Don't Know My Mind | Boogie Duo | Down That Big Road | Whizzle Wham | Paris

John Carpenter recruited an unbelievable cast of musicians to record the soundtrack to this sci-fi horror film starring Ice Cube and Natasha Henstridge.  Steve Vai, most of Anthrax, (including Scott Ian), Elliot Eason of The Cars, Buckethead and Robin Finck of NIN and Guns and Roses are among the featured players.  This soundtrack is apocalyptic and an important mark in John Carpenter's unparalleled career as a Director/Composer.  Released on “Red Planet” vinyl in conjunction with the film's 20th anniversary.

SIDE ONE:

1. Ghosts Of Mars (3:44)
2. Love Siege (4:37)
3. Fight Train (3:15)
4. Visions Of Earth (4:08)
5. Kick Ass (6:06)

SIDE TWO:

1. Slashing Void (2:46)
2. Power Station (4:37)
3. Can't Let You Go (2:17)
4. Dismemberment Blues (2:52)
5. Fightin' Mad (2:40)
6. Pam Grier's Head (2:35)
7. Ghost Poppin' (3:21)

In celebration of Specialty Records' 75th anniversary, a new Sam Cooke compilation featuring tracks from his Specialty catalog focusing on his pop-leaning tracks plus the live recordings from the legendary 1955 Shrine Concert that have never been available on vinyl before.

This 3 X 10" release in a triple-gatefold jacket, featuring replica flyers and other ephemera included as inserts in the packaging.

SIDE 1
1. Any Day Now (Take 6/Alternate) – THE SOUL STIRRERS
2. Pilgrim Of Sorrow (Alternate Take) – THE SOUL STIRRERS
3. Jesus Gave Me Water – THE SOUL STIRRERS
4. Peace In the Valley – THE SOUL STIRRERS
5. Jesus Wash Away My Troubles – THE SOUL STIRRERS
6. Were You There – THE SOUL STIRRERS

SIDE 2
1. I’d Give Up All My Sins and Serve the Lord – THE SOUL STIRRERS
2. Touch the Hem Of His Garment – THE SOUL STIRRERS
3. One More River – THE SOUL STIRRERS
4. Mean Old World (Take 3/Alternate) – THE SOUL STIRRERS
5. He’s So Wonderful – THE SOUL STIRRERS
6. That’s Heaven to Me – THE SOUL STIRRERS

SIDE 3
1. I Have A Friend Above All Others (Live) – THE SOUL STIRRERS
2. Be With Me Jesus (Live) – THE SOUL STIRRERS

SIDE 4
1. Nearer to Thee (Live) – THE SOUL STIRRERS

SIDE 5
1. Loveable – SAM COOKE
2. I Need You Now – SAM COOKE
3. I’ll Come Running Back To You – SAM COOKE
4. I Don’t Want to Cry – SAM COOKE

SIDE 6
1. Forever – SAM COOKE
2. Happy In Love – SAM COOKE
3. That’s All I Need to Know – SAM COOKE

Larry Coryell (The Godfather of Fusion) & The Eleventh House is one of the best known 70s fusion groups. At Montreux was recorded live at the Montreux Jazz and Pop Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 4, 1974. The album is critically acclaimed as "The cutting Edge of Jazz-Fusion" and "A Coll Fusion Good Time". This deluxe package includes: an OBI strip, Single cardboard album jacket, printed inner sleeve, original record label and specialty "double split" red translucent/yellow translucent vinyl. 

Improvisation On Villa Lobos - Prelude No. 4 In E Minor  | Tamari | Joyride | Rasputin | Song For A New York Rainmaker | The Eleventh House Blues

For RSD Black Friday, the first physical release of the Rat Child EP, featuring guest performances from Frank Bello (Anthrax), Howard Jones (Devil You Know, ex-Killswitch Engage) and Stix Zadina (Steel Panther).  A 12” fluorescent green vinyl release, with an exclusive poster. 

1. Mountain (feat. Frank Bello)
2. Kiss it Goodbye (feat. Howard Jones)
3. Everyone Dies (feat. Stix Zadina)
4. Rat Child

The 2005 debut solo album from British singer-songwriter and ex-Catherine Wheel frontman Rob Dickinson.

This first-ever vinyl release adds a bunch of extras that did not appear on the original CD, including the track "The End of the World" (recently covered by Billie Eilish), and a second disc with the Nude EP from the 2008 deluxe CD reissue, made up of acoustic versions of Catherine Wheel songs.

Packaged in a gatefold jacket and pressed in red and yellow "seahorse" vinyl, limited to 2000 copies worldwide.

My Name Is Love; Oceans; The End of the World; Bathe Away; Intelligent People; The Storm; Handsome; Bad Beauty; Towering and Flowering; The Night; Don't Change; Mutineer; Black Metallic; Crank; Ma Solituda; Show Me Mary; The Nude; I Want to Touch You

The album is a collector’s edition on Audiophile 180g vinyl of Eric Essix’s 27th album, Songs From the Deep.

Because the South is his life and it’s always been home, both physically and spiritually, Eric has carried those artful and passionate Southern breezes through some of his best recordings, including the albums Southbound (2000) and Birmingham (2009). Songs From the Deep captures our collective moment perfectly with a sense of personal nostalgia (Late Night Drive, Back Porch), sociopolitical resolve (Forward March), and several powerful shout-outs to recently departed civil rights icon and fellow Alabamian John Lewis (Walk With the Wind, Stand).

Side 1:
Late Night Drive
Walk With the Wind
3 AM
Stand

Side 2:
The Deep
Forward March
Back Porch
Hold On

First released in 2011, Evanescence followed the immense success of global chart-toppers Fallen and The Open Door.  Singer Amy Lee described landing on the epononymous title as being "about falling back in love with this thing, with Evanescence" adding that "it just felt like this is who we are." Featuring the hit singles "What You Want," "My Heart is Broken" and "Lost in Paradise," Evanescence debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, also reaching Top 5 in the UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe. Marking the album’s 10th anniversary, this special pressing will be available on purple smoke vinyl and is limited to 8,000 copies worldwide.

Side A: 1. What You Want 2. Made Of Stone 3. The Change 4. My Heart Is Broken 5. The Other Side 6. Erase This

Side B: 1. Lost In Paradise 2. Sick 3. The End Of the Dream 4. Oceans 5. Never Go Back 6. Swimming Home

Cult legend, avant-roots/rock ‘n’ roll raconteur Tav Falco is back at it again, with some notable partners in crime including bass legend Mike Watt and drummer Larry Mullins (Stooges, Bad Seeds, Swans) among others. Written and recorded during the global pandemic of 2020, Falco’s latest release blends tango, fuzz, and his signature roots sound, including a surprising electric folk treatment of "House Of The Rising Sun”.

Limited to just 1,000 copies worldwide, mastered at 45RPM, and pressed on 12” color vinyl.

Strange Tango
House Of The Rising Sun
La Brigantessa Siciliana
Tony Driver Blues

A never-before-released recording of the 1981 live performance of the original Gun Club lineup, at the Starwood in Hollywood. 

1. Devil In The Woods 2. Bad Indian 3. Black Train 4. Jack On Fire 5. Promise Me 6. Preaching The Blues 7. Sex Beat 8. Ghost On The Highway 9. Goodbye Johnny 10. Sleeping In Blood City

Recorded in the throes of their Philadelphia folk-rock phase during the late ‘60s, this record is a collection of rare early recordings by Daryl Hall & John Oates, before their signing to Atlantic Records. Prior to releasing their debut album, Whole Oats,' these two composer-performers had sketched out a series of songs, several of which went on to become early Hall & Oates classics. A great piece of rock history showcasing that early Philly sound before Hall & Oates went on to become one of America’s greatest pop-rock duos.

Pressed on heavyweight transparent orange vinyl with individual hand-numbering.

1 In Honor Of A Lady
2 Good Night And Good Morning
3 Past Times Behind
4 The Reason Why
5 Sally
6 If That's What Makes You Happy
7 The Provider
8 They Needed Each Other
9 Deep River Blues
10 Angelina
11 Perkiomen
12 I'll Be By
13 Dry In The Sun
14 Lilly
15 Back In Love Again
16 Fall In Philadelphia
17 Georgie
18 Months & Weeks & Days
19 A Lot Of Changes Comin'
20 I'm Tired Of Wearing Buckskin

One of rock ‘n’ roll's pioneers of shock rock, the indescribable Screamin' Jay Hawkins paved the way for music performance art and glam artists to come. His classic "I Put A Spell On You," included on this set, was banned from radio in 1956 for sexual overtones. His legendary performances had him dressed in gold and leopard costumes with props including rubber snakes, a smoking skull on a stick, and his signature coffin. Over his career he didn't record many studio albums. In 1972 he released "A Portrait Of A Man and His Woman." Long out-of-print, it was re-released on CD in 2001 as "My Little Shop Of Horrors," adding a recording of his signature hit, "I Put A Spell On You," which included cover versions of Conway Twitty's "It's Only Make Believe," Fats Domino's "Please Don't Leave Me," and Jesse Belvin's "Guess Who."
This 12 track CD reissue makes its vinyl debut here.

1) I Put A Spell On You
2) Portrait Of A Man
3) What’s Gonna Happen On The 8th Day
4) We Love
5) Please Don’t Leave Me
6) I Don’t Know
7) What Good Is it?
8) Don’t Deceive Me
9) Ashes
10) It’s Only Make Believe
11) Guess Who
12) Same Damn Thing

Who would have figured the man who brought us the world's most potent "Psychobilly Freakout" back in 1992 would be helping to share in the joy of the holiday season a mere 13 years later? We Three Kings is a set of 12 classic Christmas tunes (with one new original added for good measure) whipped into a nervous froth of twangy guitar and rolling drums by Jim Heath and his partners in crime. This long out of print 2005 LP is back on red vinyl exclusively for RSD Black Friday.

Side A
1. Frosty The Snowman
2. Santa Bring My Baby back
3. Jingle Bells
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
5. Silver Bells
6. We Three Kings
7. Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy

Side B
8. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
9. Santa On The Roof
10. What Child Is This
11. Pretty Paper
12. Winter Wonderland
13. Run Rudolph Run

Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer, and namesake of arguably the greatest Rock n' Roll song of all time-- Johnny B. Goode, Johnnie Johnson lived in obscurity in his hometown of St. Louis. Johnnie's breakthrough in popularity began with Hail, Hail Rock N’ Roll, Taylor Hackford's documentary about two 1986 concerts celebrating Chuck Berry. Hot on the heels of that movie came Nonesuch Records’ Johnnie B. Bad album, produced by NRBQ pianist Terry Adams, with two tracks produced by Keith Richards. The record represents Johnnie's brilliance
and reaffirms him as the formative master of rock n' roll piano. Guest performers include Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Steve Ferguson, Big Al Anderson, Joey
Spompinato, Bernie Worrell, Steve Jordan and Tom Ardolino.

This RSD Black Friday release from Saint Louis’ record store/label Euclid Records… Records marks that album’s debut on vinyl, remastered by Chris Muth and pressed on 180g vinyl
at QRP. The package also boasts brand new gatefold packaging.

Tanqueray
Hush Oh Hush
Johnnie B. Bad
Creek Mud
Fault Line Tremor
Stepped In What!?
Can You Stand It
Key To The Highway
Blues #572
Baby What's Wrong
Cow Cow Blues
Movin' Out

A jazzy happy plea for the most wonderful time of the year to HURRY UP ALREADY! Made famous by Alvin and the Chipmunks, this version is also a star on Norah Jones' new Christmas record, I Dream of Christmas (in record stores October 15). 

Christmas Don't Be Late

Following last year’s very popular special Record Store Day edition of Sad Wings of Destiny, this equally vibrant, specially embossed, raised cover gatefold edition is pressed as a 2LP 180g ‘color-in-color’ clear, black and gold splatter release, and is limited to 3000 pcs in the U.S.

Contains the original 1978 tracks on the first three sides, with an original band interview on Side Four. Coming first to record stores as part of RSD Black Friday.

Side A
1 Dying To Meet You
2 Never Satisfied
3 Rocka Rolla

Side B
1 Diamonds And Rust
2 Victim Of Changes
3 Island Of Domination


Side C
1 Ripper
2 Deceiver

Side D INTERVIEWS FROM GULL RECORDS ERA (‘74/’75)
1 Halford Finds Priest [insight Series Interview With Original Judas Priest Drummer John Hinch
2 Priest Finds Audience [interview]
3 Dual Guitars [interview]
4 Songwriting [interview]
5 What's In A Name [interview]
6 Gull Records [interview]
7 Whiskey Woman/Victim Of Changes [interview]
8 Rob Halford [interview]

This first ever picture disc for the soundtrack of this heartwarming 1999 animated film celebrates The Robot, his best friend, Hogarth, and a cast of characters.  Music composed by Michael Kamen, (Lethal Weapon, Die Hard), well-known for his work with Eric Clapton, Metallica and Pink Floyd in addition to his brilliant theatrical scores.

Side A
1 The Eye Of The Storm 2:31
2 Hogarth Hughes 0:21
3 Into The Forest 3:34
4 The Giant Wakes 1:25
5 Come And Get It 1:46
6 Cat And Mouse 0:56
7 Train Wreck 1:05
8 You Can Fix Yourself? 1:18
9 Hand Underfoot 2:00
10 Bedtime Stories 2:26
11 We Gotta Hide 0:50
12 His Name Is Dean 0:48
13 Eating Art 0:43
14 Space Car 0:59
15 Souls Don't Die 4:09

Side B
1 Contest Of Will 4:36
2 The Army Arrives 1:34
3 Annie And Dean 1:19
4 He's A Weapon 2:44
5 The Giant Discovered 4:28
6 Trance-Former 4:27
7 No Following 4:05
8 The Last Giant Piece 1:07

A first-ever vinyl pressing for the 1996 Christmas record from Jorma Kaukonen, originally released on Relix Records. It includes customized traditional Christmas standards and some original Christmas-themed compositions. One of two versions for RSD Black Friday 2021 the Christmas Tree version of this first-ever vinyl release is pressed on red and green vinyl. The deluxe packaging includes an OBI strip, a gatefold jacket, printed inner sleeve and specialty color vinyl. 

Downhill Sleigh Ride | Christmas Rule | What Child Is This | Christmas Blues | Journey of the Three Wise Men | Baby Boy | You're Still Standing | Silent Night | Holiday Marmalade | Holiday Segue

A first-ever vinyl pressing for the 1996 Christmas record from Jorma Kaukonen, originally released on Relix Records. It includes customized traditional Christmas standards and some original Christmas-themed compositions. One of two versions for RSD Black Friday 2021 the Candy Cane version of this first-ever vinyl release is pressed on red and white vinyl. The deluxe packaging includes an OBI strip, a gatefold jacket, printed inner sleeve and specialty color vinyl. 

Downhill Sleigh Ride | Christmas Rule | What Child Is This | Christmas Blues | Journey of the Three Wise Men | Baby Boy | You're Still Standing | Silent Night | Holiday Marmalade | Holiday Segue

Recorded Live for the BBC In Concert Series in 1971, and produced by Series producer Stanley Dorfman, Carole King performs hits from the seminal album Tapestry. Backed by members of Jo Mama (who were featured on the album), including her longtime friend and collaborator Danny “Kootch” Kortchmar on guitar. The setlist includes her songs “I Feel the Earth Move”, “(You Make Me Feel) Like A Natural Woman”, “So Far Away” (ft. James Taylor), “It's Too Late”, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and “Up on the Roof.” Never before released on vinyl.

Side A
1. I Feel The Earth Move
2. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
3. So Far Away
4. It's Too Late

Side B
1. Smackwater Jack
2. Way Over Yonder
3. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
4. Up On The Roof

The first vinyl pressing for the eighth studio album from King’s X, originally released in 2000. Released for RSD Black Friday on hand-numbered yellow vinyl. 

Fish Bowl Man/Julia/She's Gone Away/Marh Mellow Field/When You're Scared/Charlie Sheen/Smudge/Bitter Sweet/Move Me/Move Me (Part 2)

"All You Can Eat is both the most brazen and conventional album she's ever made, and one of her best" - Entertainment Weekly.

Originally released in 1995, All You Can Eat is now on colored yellow-orange mixed vinyl, available first for RSD Black Friday.

If I Were You
Maybe
You’re OK
Sexuality
Get Some
Acquiesce
This
World of Love
Infinite and Unforeseen
I Want It All

Originally released in 2000 by Warp Records.

"Jamie Lidell has taken the Trash Collective's aural-invasion aesthetic and tweaked it for far subtler ends. Though this album doesn't present a baseline criterion, Muddlin Gear will prep you for when the body-snatching pods land to give you the most visceral baseline experience of your life."--Pitchfork

Side A
1. The Entroscooper
2. Said Dram Scam
3. The Eèp.
4. Ill Shambata
5. La Scappin Rööd
6. In Inphidelik
7. Silent Why
8. Da Doo Doo

Side B
1. Daddy's Car
2. 00...0
3. The Cop It Suite
4. Dröön_99
5. Daddy No Lie

Lil Wayne returns Trust Fund Babies, a project made with Rich The Kid. The two previously worked together on Rich the Kid's 2018 album, The World Is Yours. Led by single “Feelin’ Like Tunechi,” the only other feature on the 10-track album is YG who also shares a love for the boards. 

1. Feelin' Like Tunechi 2. Headlock 3. Trust Fund 4. Admit It 5. Shh 6. Big Boss 7. Still 8. Bleedin' 9. Buzzin' 10. Yeah Yeah

Side A
1. More Than This [Roxy Music cover]
2. I'm Not In Love [10CC cover]

Side B
1. Right Down The Line [Gerry Raferty Cover]
2. I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near) [Michael McDonald cover]

Lera Lynn performed a virtual instore full set at Nashville record store Vinyl Tap and recorded it for this special RSD Black Friday LP.

Side A
1. Eye, Eye, Eye
2. Drive
3. Daydreamer
4. Dark Horse
5. Black Hole Sun
Side B
6. Shape Shifter
7. Make You Ok
8. A Light Comes Through
9. What I'm Looking For
10. What Is Love

Magma is one of the most influential of all French bands. They have left a legacy of music that defies any of the standard and convenient classifications of rock, operating instead in a realm of their own creation.

Early on the morning of March 14th 1974, right in the middle of their second UK tour, Magma recorded one session for the John Peel sessions, playing only two pieces, but clocking in at 57 minutes, making it one of the longest, if not the longest, studio session ever recorded for this program; ''Theusz Hamtaahk'' (LP 1) & ''Kohntarkosz'' (LP 2), now available on vinyl for the first time.

BBC 1974 Londres is pressed on silver vinyl. Only 2500 individually numbered copies are available worldwide, exclusively at record stores for RSD Black Friday.

Side A
1. Theusz Hamtaahk (Part 1)

Side B
1. Theusz Hamtaahk (Part 2)

Side C
1. Kohntarkosz (Part 1)

Side D
1. Kohntarkosz (Part 2)

1. Breeze
2. In The Temple
3. Dance Of The Furies
4. Slide (Hidden Track)
5. Starblood (Remix) (Hidden Track)

Matata (which means “trouble” in Swahili) was an African funk band who took nightclubs by storm and jammed with some of the biggest giants in soul, jazz and Latin music. The band had its roots in the Congo although it formed in Kenya in the mid-sixties. Matata was based around the famous ‘Starlight Club’ in Nairobi. The group retained elements of traditional music by incorporating instruments such as the ‘ngoma’ (a large drum) and an eight stringed guitar-harp called the ‘nyatiti’…this brought something different to their style and made for a unique sound. Each of the songwriters sang lead in their native tongues and this meant they used vocals in three African languages (next to the songs sung in English). As the sixties drew to an end Matata (sometimes also known as ‘Air Fiesta Matata’) were regulars on Kenyan television and enjoyed a national following.

In 1971 when the BBC held a competition to find the best band in Africa, Matata submitted a song and came in first. They were sent to visit London, performed at the BBC and stayed around to do some gigs (after years of playing at the ‘Starlight Club’ the band was tight and well-rehearsed). The timing was perfect because there was a serious cross-fertilisation taking place between musicians from many different genres and nationalities…and this brought such vibrancy to cultural life in the capital. Matata arrived in London just as Assagai and Osibisa – groups led by African musicians who also played a fusion of styles – released their debut albums, paving the way for their peers.

The band signed a two-album deal with the UK-based label President Records (who would go on to release Matata’s ‘Air Fiesta’ in 1972 & ‘Independence’ in 1974). Several singles also came out of this and Matata scored hits in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. With a wealth of material and a dynamic live act to its name they would play packed gigs every night. The group was a visual, as well as musical feast and quickly became favorites at several well-known London nightclubs. Tours were numerous and the band played all over the world including having residencies in the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Hong Kong & Germany (where they got the chance to jam with Miles Davis in Cologne). There would be no further Matata recordings and sadly the band split after releasing their second album. Luckily, we are left with the unique documents that are ‘Air Fiesta’ and ‘Independence’.
The album we are presenting you today (Independence from 1974) comes swinging right out the gate with a set of no less than TWELVE monster tunes. It’s a musical gumbo full of irresistible rhythms, punchy blasts, snappy vocal hooks, reverb-laden ‘Santana’ guitar solos, a little reggae and Afrobeat filled horn arrangements, plus everything else needed to get dancers working overtime. On ‘Independence’ the group leaned mightily on James Brown for their groove, and laid out a heavy, rock solid variation on JBs funk with an African percussion base of fluid congas and bongos at the core.

Independence is a quintessential record that every serious collector or fan needs to have in his/her collection. Matata’s marriage of percolating African rhythms delivered one butt-shaking, finger-popping club hit after another that can still fill a dance floor to this day. Hard funky soul with an Afrobeat backbone…it’s all about the grooves here!

Originally released in 1974 on President Records, Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the first official reissue of this seminal Afrobeat/Afrofunk album. This unique record comes as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (strictly limited to 1000 copies worldwide) with obi strip and featuring the original artwork. This reissue also comes with an insert featuring pictures of the band and extensive liner notes from award winning author John Masouri. Released exclusively for RSD Black Friday 2021.

01 Return to You - 02 Good Good Understanding - 03 Gettin' Together - 04 I Believed Her - 05 Good Samaritan - 06 I Feel Funky - 07 I Don't Have to Worry - 08 Something in Mind - 09 I Want You - 10 Love Is the Only Way - 11 Gimme Some Lovin' - 12 Talkin' Talkin'