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LP
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MOD 102LP
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Born at the turning point between apartheid and democratic South Africa, the Xitsonga bubblegum-disco duo Chibuku embodies the energy of a time of change, as Nelson Mandela was released from prison and kwaito began to emerge. Although they did not achieve the fame of figures such as Paul Ndlovu or Penny Penny, their only album Maxambe (1992) is now considered a precious time capsule, a raw disco treasure rediscovered by lovers of forgotten music. Behind the project is Dr Joe Shirimani, a guitarist, singer, composer and producer of genius from Tzaneen and Soshanguve, recognized as one of the major architects of South African disco and bubblegum. Long overlooked, Maxambe nevertheless bears witness to an era and a social perspective: migration ("Lekomfere"), debt and economics ("Xikweleti"), and family relationships ("Mhamazala"). The music is festive in appearance, but deeply rooted in the reality of its time. Released on Tusk/Diamond Music, an iconic label of the 1980s and 1990s bought out by Gallo Record Company, Chibuku is now emerging as a diamond rediscovered from the archives of South African disco. Its name, borrowed from a millet beer popular in several southern African countries, sums up the spirit of the group: popular, sincere and deeply rooted in local culture.
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LP
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MODLP 101LP
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Love Is... Infinite is the debut album from Dallas soul artist Gypsy Mitchell. Born in 1952, Gypsy co-founded the legendary gospel funk group The Relatives (Heavy Light/Daptone) in 1970, then spent the following decades on the Chitlin' Circuit playing guitar alongside R&B and funk titans such as Buddy Ace, Johnnie Taylor, The Bar-Kays, and Joe Simon. Gypsy's raw vocals evoke Bobby Womack and Darondo, his guitar Nile Rodgers and Ernie Isley, yet this isn't a reheated retro number but ten deeply personal 30th-century soul songs from an authentic Texan artist who manages to blend vintage, modern and interstellar sounds in the most natural way. Guests include Houston rap legend Paul Wall, Hi-Rhythm keyboardist Archie Turner, and arranger Pete Lanctot (Aaron Frazer, Durand Jones & the Indications). Lovingly produced by Zach Ernst and Matthew Strmiska (Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears), Love Is... Infinite is a refined, quintessentially Texan record that blurs the boundaries between vintage soul and contemporary psychedelic and breakbeat sounds. Despite all this, the album's grace lies in the brilliant songwriting and musical knowledge of an artist devoid of cynicism and calculation, who just says what he has to say.
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CD
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MOD 051CD
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Legendary New York emcee Kool Keith adds another chapter to his long career (Ultramagnetic MC, Rhythm X, Dr. Octagon, Big Willie Smith, Sinister 6000, Tashan Dorrsett), releasing a full-length collaboration with long-time Memphis producer Mr. Sche. This album recalls Keith's successful transplant to the West Coast in the mid-1990s, when he recorded the classic Sex Style album and name-checked Bay Area rising star E-40, among others, deviating sharply from the firm "East Coast" tradition he was instrumental in defining as a member of the Ultramagnetic MCs. This time Keith shares the spotlight with Mr. Sche, better known for work with "Down South" artists such as 8Ball, Al Kapone, and Immortal Lowlife. The pairing works, with Keith's leftfield references (tank tops, Samsung Galaxy phones, space travel, robots, invertebrates, Jesse Helms & Star Wars), meshing well with Sche's synth-infused, soulful, southern beats.
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