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12"
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BEWITH 011EP
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$17.50
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 7/5/2019
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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BEWITH 054LP
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$29.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 7/5/2019
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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BEWITH 055LP
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$29.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 7/5/2019
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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BEWITH 057LP
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Be With Records have raided the KPM archives to reissue another favorite from the KPM 1000 series, Alan Hawkshaw's The Road Forward, originally released in 1977. A comprehensive collection of descriptive contemporary scores, the track titles swoon just by their names: "Strangelands", "A Man Alone", "Sheer Elegance", "Mystique Voyage", "Cruising". Don't you just want to hear those? The maestro Alan Hawkshaw really spoils his listeners on this, one of the most sought after KPM greensleeves. This collection from 1977 is a brilliantly varied blend of silky smooth synths, funk-fueled clavichord grooves, and soft focus space beats. Essential. As with all of Be With Records' KPM reissues, the audio for The Road Forward comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. Be With have taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. And don't worry: those KPM stickers aren't stuck directly on the sleeves! 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 060LP
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Be With Records have raided the KPM archives to reissue another favorite from the KPM 1000 series, Alan Hawkshaw and Keith Mansfield's Beat Incidental, originally released in 1969. Underscore moods and links, contemporary beat music idiom -- Includes some of the most sublime, sub-ten second, tracks you're ever likely to hear, alongside more adequately sized library funk heat. The dream team of Alan Hawkshaw and Keith Mansfield are here at the helm of one of the most legendary of the legendary KPM albums, originally released in 1969. Beat Incidental is psychedelic pop-soul that hits hard thanks to fuzz guitars, growling flutes, deep Hammond grooves, and drum breaks galore: it's basically "drama jazz". As with all of Be With Records' KPM reissues, the audio for Jazzrock comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. Be With have taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. And don't worry: those KPM stickers aren't stuck directly on the sleeves! 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 058LP
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Be With Records have raided the KPM archives to reissue another favorite from the KPM 1000 series, Alan Parker and John Cameron's Afro Rock, originally released in 1973. Hard Afro pop featuring large percussive rhythm section and front line. One of the best-loved of all the KPM LPs. Afro Rock was recorded at Morgan Studios by John Cameron and Alan Parker in London in 1973 as a collection of stripped-down African rhythms, virtuoso jazz instrumentation, fuzzed-up wah wah guitars, and spaced-out library breaks. The percussion is effortlessly funky, and those flutes so melodic, it's as if the LP was crafted with the beat lovers of the future firmly in mind. As Cameron himself described it in Unusual Sounds, this is "heavy duty drum-and-bass salsa music". As with all of Be With Records' KPM reissues, the audio for Afro Rock comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. Be With have taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. And don't worry: those KPM stickers aren't stuck directly on the sleeves! 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 059LP
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Be With Records have raided the KPM archives to reissue another favorites from the KPM 1000 series, John Cameron's Jazzrock, originally released in 1972. A dramatic suite of themes, montage, sequences, and generics -- an enormously influential and heavy KPM set of timeless, killer funk breaks from 1972 by the mighty John Cameron. Jazzrock is an aggressive, percussion-heavy album with an energy that leaves jaws on the floor. Breaks and beats for days with electric piano, bass loops, and pounding percussion. Funky jazz with a deep, tough, soundtrack feel. As with all of Be With Records' KPM reissues, the audio for Jazzrock comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. Be With have taken the same care with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. And don't worry: those KPM stickers aren't stuck directly on the sleeves! 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 007LP
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2015 release. The first ever vinyl release of Cassie's self-titled chilly, electro-soul debut, originally released in 2006. The album has influenced Jamie xx, Four Tet, Hot Chip, and How to Dress Well, and features the summer smash "Me&U". Its 11 tracks serve to create a minimalist R&B masterpiece that still sounds eerily unique. Officially licensed and cut at Abbey Road Studios. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 040LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of The Moments' On Top, originally issued in 1971 and a perfect example of symphonic soul. Alongside contemporaneous acts from the early 70s -- The Chi-lites, The Stylistics, The Delfonics, The Futures, Blue Magic, and The Main Ingredient -- The Moments exuded all that was compelling about deep, harmony-drenched, string-laden soul. The standout here is "To You with Love", a floating, tender ballad sung by Harry Ray that features the group's patented handclap-tambourine combo, sweetly repetitive strings, serene guitar and gentle piano. It was famously sampled by J Dilla for "Last Donut Of The Night", the gut-wrenching finale to his seminal Donuts (2005). Concentrating solely on its sampled history would do The Moments a huge disservice, but its appearance at the climax of Donuts directed many soul fans to their work. Judged entirely on its merit, it's one of the most heart-breaking songs of any decade and worth the price of admission alone. If that wasn't enough, On Top also spawned two R&B hits: "All I Have" and "Lucky Me", each featuring Billy Brown's ice-melting falsetto. "All I Have" is a sumptuous introduction to the album, with melancholic, understated guitar licks, twinkling keys and heartbeat drums. The triumphant "Lucky Me" is simply gorgeous; all gentle chimes, swirling strings, and falsetto soaring atop proud horns. Also included are "I Can't Help It" and "That's How It Feels." The former features thundering kicks and crashing cymbals underneath flutes and stabbing strings and horns. The yearning vocals embody a Temptations-like delivery at times. "That's How It Feels" sees Brown's voice astride a bed of rhythms on a tune more aptly defined as a love suite than a song. Dripping in breakbeats, piano and strings, Brown describes the devastation of losing the one you love before the track brilliantly switches up with a sweeping string-led chorus and heavenly harmonies. The only genuine up-tempo number is "Sweeter As The Days Go By," led by Brown in his natural, gospel-inspired tenor. A charming but sorrow-filled "I Lost One Bird In The Hand" is an impressive, slow lamenter, with horns and strings dominating the lushly arranged backdrop. Appropriately, things end on a down-lifting note with "Candy Shack." The original analog tapes were remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis, and the memorable cover art was carefully reproduced. Edition of 500. Carefully reproduced original art. Remastered from original tape transfers.
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BEWITH 053LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Larry Jon Wilson's Let Me Sing My Song To You, originally issued in 1976.
"Larry Jon Wilson? He can break your heart with a voice like a cannonball." --Kris Kristofferson
Larry Jon Wilson came to the party late. When he arrived in Nashville, he had already spent ten years in corporate America. He did not start playing guitar until the age of 30, but five years later he released his debut, New Beginnings (BEWITH 052LP, 2018) and followed it a year later with Let Me Sing My Song To You. A revelation among the hipsters and critics of Nashville, they ensured Larry Jon was immediately embraced as part of the mid-'70s "outlaw country movement" that eschewed slick production in favor of a raw, gritty approach. When a film crew came to document this burgeoning sound, they made straight for Larry Jon's door. He was a singer and writer of intensely private, painfully moving tales of southern life. With his deep, papa-bear voice, funky southern groove, and richly evocative narratives of rural Georgia, Larry Jon was a unique stylist but his gutsy, greasy sound did not translate into sales. Too funky for the country crowd, too heartfelt for pop radio, he fell between the cracks. New Beginnings and Let Me Sing My Song to You play like two halves of a double album, showcasing his unique mix of country, folk, soul and swampy blues. New Beginnings had failed to propel Larry Jon to even the modest cult acclaim enjoyed by his contemporaries; the frustration this conjured can be heard on Let Me Sing My Song To You. Both the title track and the self-deprecating "Drowning In The Mainstream" speak of Wilson's hope to inch a few steps towards the big time without making too many compromises. Any album containing the likes of the heartfelt, deeply beautiful tribute of "Ballad of Handy Mackey" and the superlative country-gothic funk opus "Sheldon Churchyard" -- the lead track from the lauded Country Got Soul (2003) compilation -- must rank as essential listening. The audio comes from the original analog tape transfers and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the striking cover art and Larry's close friend Jeb Loy Nichols contributed wonderfully unique liner notes, presented beautifully on the printed inner sleeve opposite a gorgeous black and white shot of Larry, mid-performance. Edition of 500. Carefully reproduced original art. Remastered from original tape transfers.
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BEWITH 039LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Judith Ravitz's Bolerio, originally issued in 1983. Galvanized by a passion for soul, jazz, funk, folk, and Brazilian samba, Bolerio brilliantly reimagines the music of the Brazilian legend Jorge Ben. Increasingly sought-after, housing as it does her seminal take on "Dia De Indio" -- often re-edited and sampled, bootlegged but never bettered -- Bolerio is a uniquely thrilling LP in its own right. In 1983, Ravitz discovered that Ben was touring Israel with his crack backing band A Banda Do Zé Pretinho. After joining her in the studio, the ensemble reinvented a selection of Ben's killer tracks that the band regularly performed. On Bolerio "come to Rio", Ravitz handed them equal billing as they aided a re-contextualization of Ben's music for an audience that was barely aware of him. These versions are by no means straight re-treads; far from it. The highlights are many and memorable; "Dia De Indio" is a strutting, electronic samba-funk with stabbing bass and fluid arrangements, sounding so current and fresh that it's hard to believe it's now 35 years old. Its vibrant ambience has been likened to the wiry dubbiness of King Sunny Ade's Synchro System; it's easy to see why. Indeed, the electro elements add a futuristic feel that the original could never comfortably possess. The album begins with a throbbing take on "Boiadeiro"; Ravitz flows wonderfully whilst the band introduce a heaviness and complexity absent from the original, as wild bass blends with an intensity to the guitar playing that's quite stunning. Ravitz's cover of "Taj Mahal" incorporates the lush Brazilian boogie of the time whilst "Santa Clara" is morphed into a deep electronic groove. Lent an airiness by this arrangement, the track benefits from Ravitz's exquisite range and floats by on a bed of warm keys to conjure a gorgeous melodic melancholy throughout. The timeless "Que Pena" gets an injection of warm Israeli funk that eschews the downbeat vibe of the original. The beautifully mournful piano and plaintive horns that grace "Que Maravilha", coupled with Ravitz's vocal phrasing of spine-tingling clarity, contribute a depth of feeling and longing that hit hard. The iconic artwork has been beautifully restored throughout, and the music has been remastered from the original tape transfers by Simon Francis. Edition of 500, 180 gram vinyl, includes printed inners. Carefully reproduced original art. Remastered from original tape transfers.
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BEWITH 052LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Larry Jon Wilson's New Beginnings, originally released in 1975.
"Larry Jon Wilson? He can break your heart with a voice like a cannonball." --Kris Kristofferson
Larry Jon Wilson came to the party late. When he arrived in Nashville, he had already spent ten years in corporate America. He did not start playing guitar until the age of 30, but five years later he released his debut, New Beginnings, following it with Let Me Sing My Song To You (BEWITH 053LP, 2018). A revelation among the hipsters and critics of Nashville, Larry Jon was immediately embraced as part of the mid-'70s "outlaw country movement" that eschewed slick production in favor of a raw, gritty approach. When a film crew came to document this burgeoning sound, they made straight for Larry Jon's door. He was a singer and writer of intensely private, painfully moving tales of southern life. With his deep, papa-bear voice, funky southern groove, and richly evocative narratives of rural Georgia, Larry Jon was a unique stylist but his gutsy, greasy sound did not translate into sales. Too funky for the country crowd, too heartfelt for pop radio, he fell between the cracks. New Beginnings and Let Me Sing My Song To You are so similar they play like two halves of a double album, showcasing his unique mix of country, folk, soul and swampy blues. Driven by a crack rhythm section that included Elvis guitarist Reggie Young, New Beginnings is a rich, literate record. Anyone with even a passing interest in the union between soul and country music will be able to tell they've located solid gold as soon as Larry Jon's deep baritone utters the first appreciative "mm-hmm" a few bars into the opening "Ohoopee River Bottomland", a fat-bottomed swamp-funk account of hard times in the city and country alike. Funny, nostalgic, sad, wistful, righteously pissed-off: New Beginnings is country-influenced American songwriting at its finest, from the feverish country-got-soul groove pulsating behind the weary sigh of "Through The Eyes of Children" to the elemental lament "Things Ain't What It Used to Be (and Probably Never Was)", a country standard that somehow got away. The audio comes from the original analog tape transfers and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the striking cover art; Larry's close friend Jeb Loy Nichols contributed liner notes. Edition of 500. Carefully reproduced original art. Remastered from original tape transfers.
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BEWITH 045LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Francis Coppieters's Piano Viberations, originally issued in 1975. Piano Viberations' "small group jazz featuring piano and vibes with rhythm" makes for a gorgeous Coppieters showcase, and is surely one of Belgium's best-kept musical secrets. Piano Viberations is arguably the most low-key of the KPM and Themes records Be With is re-issuing, but is easily their current favorite. "The Open Highway" is the appropriately-named opener, and immediately demonstrates Coppieters' dexterous interplay between piano and vibes in assured, joyous fashion. The shuffling bossa of "Sales Notes" is a jaw-dropper, well-mined by samplers with impeccable taste. The mellow head-nod drum-break that is "Funky Chimes" brilliantly demonstrates Coppieters' quiet majestic side with its slow-motion funk rhythm with beautifully reflective notes throughout. The upbeat and joyful "Cross Talk" closes out side A. Vibes and piano are definitely at the heart of the arrangement here. The quick cut movement of "Piano In Transit" is another gem, driven principally by piano but those vibes along for more than just the ride. On a more gentle, elegiac note, "To Shearing With Love" is a warm, slow, romantic piece in the style of George Shearing. It's plaintive and sublime. Piano Viberations is one of those rare library records the original description of which makes as much sense now as it did when it was first released. Piano and vibes with rhythm indeed. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 044LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Keith Mansfield/Alan Hawkshaw/David Snell's Big Business/Wind of Change, originally released in 1973. Big Business/Wind of Change is mainly the work of the great Mansfield but there's a killer cameo each from Hawkshaw and Snell to help deliver "a thematic suite, diverse in mood, applicable to dramatic and environmental situations". The Big Business of side A is all Mansfield; it's heavy on the suspense and features the vital "Hot Property", an insistent groove that Madlib sampled it to add to Lootpack's "Long Awaited", with Dilated Peoples. "Sleeping Giant 1" is a more fleshed-out version of the equally-dazzling "Fatal Error", evoking David Axelrod. Complete with guitar fills that recall Paris, Texas-era (1985) Ry Cooder, this record is needed for this piece alone. The horn-and-flute-led "Tycoon" is a head-nodder and "Power Complex" has some fantastic percussion. On Side B is the more expansive Wind Of Change, which includes the Snell and the Hawkshaw contributions. But these ain't no filler. Snell's shuffling "International Flight" sounds like a smooth Dorothy Ashby track tossed from the heavens. Hawkshaw's "Road And Rail" is about as luxurious and strung-out as the great man gets and it might just be the highlight of this whole set. Not to be outdone, if Mansfield's "Balance Of Power" doesn't make one feel like king of the world then one must be playing it wrong. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 050LP
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Be With Records present a reissue of Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett's Synthesizer and Percussion, originally released in 1974. Released in the same year as Synthesis (BEWITH 046LP, 2018) on KPM, 1974's Synthesizer and Percussion is its companion piece. "This record features the many distinctive sounds of the ARP Synthesizer plus percussion in various moods and tempos" is the even-more-underwhelming-than-usual library record sales pitch for Hawkshaw and Bennett's second collection of what is basically minimal G-funk, with overtones of primitive acid house. This is ridiculously good. Synthesizer and Percussion is one of Hawkshaw and Bennett's wilder joints and eons ahead of its time. Bennett's tough drums provide the underpinnings for the prominent bass, keys and bubbling synths high up in the mix, alongside Hawkshaw's deranged clavinet-funk-rock. There are heavenly break loops galore. Opener "Mon Amour" is ultra-smooth funk, all inter-weaving melodic lines whilst the seminal "Oddball" is an incredible hard electro strut with a knocking break. "Mile High Swinger" is a tranquil Spaghetti Western whistling theme over double tempo rhythmic movement and the pulsating "Auto Pilot" has a percussive groove elevated by electric piano and synthesizer. Check "Driving Force", "Home Run" and "Pacesetter" for electroid prog-funk dripped in acid squelch. All five final tracks are beatless synth workouts, because they can. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 051LP
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Alan Hawkshaw (piano/Hammond) and Shadow's drummer Brian Bennett are responsible for some of the slickest, funkiest and most sought-after library records ever made in the UK, particularly ones recorded on the legendary KPM label. Their work has now become the go-to place for sampling in music today. Artists such as Dilla, Nas, and the xx, right through to the billion-selling Kanye and Drake have taken Hawkshaw's and Bennett's immaculate beat-driven soundscapes for their own usage. Their new album, Full Circle, in a full, iconic KPM cover, is a return to the laidback jazz-funk that helped Alan and Brian demonstrate their library chops. The album is classic Hawkshaw/Bennett. It swings, it grooves, moves, and thrills with a flair these two have perfected over years. Standout tracks such as "Hole In One", "In The Clouds", "Interchange", "Oasis", "On The Nile" and "Corcovado" are no mere excursions in nostalgia, for they carry lots of deft studio work for which many a producer would give their right arm. Hawkshaw's arrangements allow the drums, guitar, bass, strings, Hammond, flute and brass to swirl elegantly around the 12 original tracks; a masterclass in recording. Cut by Pete Norman, housed in a beautifully designed Richard Robinson sleeve and pressed by Record Industry in Holland, this release has been afforded the care and attention it rightly deserves. Essential. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 046LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett's Synthesis, originally released in 1974. The "vivid contemporary sounds for a fresh visual image" make up the now-canonized Synthesis. These two greats go deep; the end result is a synth concept record of sorts. It's an essential companion piece to their Synthesizer And Percussion LP (1974). Like most of Be With's favorite library records, Synthesis has that gloriously funky "weird electronic music" vibe without ever being inaccessible. With the ARP Odyssey at the fore, Hawkshaw and Bennett have created a blissed-out soundscape laid back in all the right places and somehow also heavy on the funk. It's a throbbing, proto-G-Funk sound that's found on many of these low-lit basement workouts. Take the ice-cool "Alto Glide", a sunset-funk highlight with an electro-flute refrain that conjures those dreamier Dre/DJ Quick instrumentals from '91 to '92. Stereolab, Koushik and all those Ghost Box artists were clearly listening closely. The equally relaxed "Mermaid" glides effortlessly with soft, shimmering piano, understated percussion and kaleidoscopic synths. With these two soft-focus closing tracks allowing the LP to float away over the horizon, the preceding ten tracks have a more insistent, neck-snapping rhythm section to back the synth overload. Highlights include the head-nod funk of "Getting It Together" and the synth break in "The Executive", which informed classic video game soundtracks. For once Be With really is stuck for words to describe just how good this record is; best just to listen. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 047LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Alan Parker's The Sound Of Soul, originally issued in 1976. When Parker recorded the killer library soul-funk LP The Voice of Soul (BEWITH 048LP, 2018) with session vocalist Madeline Bell in 1976, some bright spark at Themes decided to also release all of the backing tracks as a separate, and equally innocuously title LP called The Sound of Soul. Thank goodness for bright sparks. Released as a collection of "unobtrusive musical backings in various rhythmic styles", the LP's original description dryly explains "these tracks have been issued without melody and are therefore particularly suitable for use behind commentary." Bell was backed by The Rhythm Section, who were for all intents and purposes the Themes International Music house band. So what here is presented here is an entire album of instrumental work-outs by a band comprised of the formidable talents of Alan Hawkshaw on keyboards, Parker on guitars, Barry Morgan on drums, Les Hurdle on bass guitar, and Frank Ricotti on percussion. Without Bell's vocals these backing tracks are given all the room they need to breathe; each one more than stands up on its own. The Sound Of Soul is a real diggers' delight and, a must-have counterpart to The Voice Of Soul. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 043LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Alan Hawkshaw/Brian Bennett/John Fiddy's Hot Wax, originally issued in 1976. Hot Wax is an assured KPM masterclass from a dream team line-up of Bennett, Hawkshaw and Fiddy. This is what happens when all three decide to explore the latest trends in production music. The latest as of 1976, of course. Fiddy's numbers are sumptuous, string-led and light. Floaty soft-psych underpinned by a solid groove, particularly on "Taste For Living" and "Fresh Start". If one is into Koushik and those early Manitoba/Caribou records -- and one should be -- these will be appreciated. The Bennett and Bennett/Hawkshaw stuff is on another level. "Capitol City" oscillates between driving funk and downbeat sentiment. "Name Of The Game" is tough, smokin' funk, famously sampled in 2007 by Madlib for Percee P's "Who With Me". "Bop On The Rocks" knocks hard and "Full Throttle" features a guitar solo with some of the nastiest, about-to-explode fuzz one is ever likely to hear. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 049LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of James Clarke's Mystery Movie, originally released in 1974. Mystery Movie was originally billed as "modern, small group compositions in various moods. Ideally suited to the new Americanized style of T.V. and cinema film where music is used to create the mood and carry the action". So this collection covers a lot of bases, but it does so brilliantly and has absolutely no right to be such a fantastic listen from start to finish. Mystery Movie is best known for the slick drum breaks underpinning the top-notch jazz-funk chase theme "Car Patrol", the fuzz riffing and ARP soloing of "The Heavies" and the slow-mo strut of "Mystery Moll". "Study In Fear" and "Empty Streets" are horror soundtrack fodder of the finest sort. However, it's the understated, plaintive pieces that are the most rewarding. Ambient feels and strung-out fried-folk treats, full of cyclical naïve melodies, this is music that evokes the "downlifting" Ronnie Lane and Ron Wood instrumentals from their great Mahoney's Last Stand (1976), as well as the beautiful soundtrack work of Jack Nitzsche and Ry Cooder. One might also recognize "Waiting Game" from being sampled by melodic downbeat masters Express Rising. Check "Relaxed Theme", "Quiet Girl", "Routine Procedure" and "Quietness Sustained" for a melodic, melancholic set, with the last three performed on just acoustic guitar and harp. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 048LP
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Be With presents a reissue of Alan Parker and Madeline Bell's The Voice of Soul, originally issued in 1976. Veteran library musician Parker recorded with session vocalist Bell for his Themes International Music label and the result was The Voice of Soul. The sensational uptempo dancer "That's What Friends Are For" is probably the most well-known track on the record, and is a big hit on the rare groove scene, but it is by no means an anomaly. The Voice of Soul is essentially a perfect, sophisticated soul album with heaps of swagger and sass from beginning to end. Its once generic-sounding title is now deservedly definitive; the whole LP oozes sex. It oozes sex so much that it could have soundtracked a period porn film. Indeed, parts of it did. "Love Is All" and "You've Got What It Takes" both featured on the infamously banned Pretty Peaches (1976). As is usual with library records, The Voice of Soul was hard to get even when it was first released; it's next to impossible now. So here's an opportunity to own what is one of the finest rare soul albums of the late '70s, and a superb example of Bell's superlative vocal talents. But that's not the whole story; all of the backing tracks from The Voice of Soul were concurrently released as The Sound of Soul (BEWITH 047LP, 2018); Be With couldn't re-issue one without re-issuing the other. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 042LP
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Be With Records presents a reissue of Nick Ingman's Distinctive Themes/Race To Achievement, originally released in 1976. Distinctive Themes/Race To Achievement is legendary arranger Ingman exploring the two distinct ideas of "impressive themes varying in style from Basie to Elgar" and "a study in the pressure and rewards of achievement". Distinctive Themes is a veritable indulgence of variously-tempoed, full orchestra, big band workouts, from relaxed swing to more propulsive themes. The progressively building "Expanding Markets" is a true highlight, with its rolling pianos, contemplative electric guitar solos and moody horns over skipping beats. The dramatic "Against The Odds" is another stand-out. Race To Achievement is all rugged funk with stabbing chords and strutting horns. One has to acknowledge the fantastic "Tense Preparation", sampled by Prince Paul and Dan The Automator for Handsome Boy Modeling School's seminal "Magnetizing" with Del Tha Funky Homosapien. But the whole side's range from tense underscores to fast and punchy chase themes makes this a gem of the KPM catalog. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.
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BEWITH 041LP
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Be With has worked with original label KPM to re-issue ten albums from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalog, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. And don't worry! Those KPM stickers aren't stuck directly on the sleeves! This is classic work from Alan Parker, Alan Hawkshaw, Brian Bennett, Nick Ingman, James Clarke, Francis Coppieters, Keith Mansfield, David Snell, and John Fiddy.
Be With Records presents a reissue of Keith Mansfield and John Cameron's Voices In Harmony, originally issued in 1973. Voices In Harmony was released in 1973 as "a selection of contemporary pop titles featuring voices, brass and rhythm." This collection of works by Mansfield and Cameron can also be described as "a string-laced, harmony-drenched KPM classic". From the bright, lilting harmonies of "Liquid Sunshine" to the melting flutes of "Loving Touch" and "Gentle Persuasion", this is warm, effervescent soul music for dreamy, idyllic moods. The supreme "Husky Birdsong" is so, so smooth, with its unrelenting bossa bassline and warm keyboards. "Half Forgotten Daydreams" is a gorgeous wordless groove. As with all ten re-issues, the audio for Voices In Harmony comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, with carefully reproduced original art in handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson. 180 gram vinyl.
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