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2LP
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WWSLP 128LP
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$40.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/6/2026
Double LP version. Wewantsounds presents Comme à la Radio: On Air, a limited-edition companion to its expanded edition of Brigitte Fontaine's landmark 1970 album Comme à la Radio. Featuring previously unreleased live recordings made for the French ORTF radio between 1969 and 1971 with Areski Belkacem and a host of outstanding musicians, the set is complemented by unissued studio recordings, including two instrumental versions of the title track and the complete 10-minute take of "Leo." Newly remastered from the original tapes, Comme à la Radio: On Air offers a unique insight into the making of one of the most groundbreaking works in French music. The package also includes a four-page bilingual booklet featuring an essay by Brigitte Fontaine biographer Benoît Mouchart and an introduction by Saravah's Benjamin Barouh. This companion collection uncovers a remarkable selection of previously unreleased live and studio recordings dating from 1969 to 1971, offering an unprecedented insight into one of the most adventurous bodies of work in French music. The first part brings together a series of live recordings made for the French ORTF radio between 1969 and 1971. Captured in different settings and featuring Areski Belkacem, Steve Potts, Robin Kenyatta, and Ronnie Beer, these performances trace the evolution of Fontaine's repertoire. The second part returns to the original Saravah studio sessions with a selection of previously unreleased recordings that illuminate the making of the album. Highlights include the original instrumental version of the title track alongside a previously unheard alternate take, revealing the extraordinary interplay between the musicians. Together, these recordings offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind one of the defining albums of the French avant-garde. Together with the expanded edition of Comme à la Radio this second set offers the most comprehensive insight to date into the making of Brigitte Fontaine's landmark album and the boundless creativity that surrounded it. Limited to 2,000 copies worldwide
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CD
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WWSCD 128CD
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$16.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/6/2026
Wewantsounds presents Comme à la Radio: On Air, a limited-edition companion to its expanded edition of Brigitte Fontaine's landmark 1970 album Comme à la Radio. Featuring previously unreleased live recordings made for the French ORTF radio between 1969 and 1971 with Areski Belkacem and a host of outstanding musicians, the set is complemented by unissued studio recordings, including two instrumental versions of the title track and the complete 10-minute take of "Leo." Newly remastered from the original tapes, Comme à la Radio: On Air offers a unique insight into the making of one of the most groundbreaking works in French music. The package also includes a four-page bilingual booklet featuring an essay by Brigitte Fontaine biographer Benoît Mouchart and an introduction by Saravah's Benjamin Barouh. This companion collection uncovers a remarkable selection of previously unreleased live and studio recordings dating from 1969 to 1971, offering an unprecedented insight into one of the most adventurous bodies of work in French music. The first part brings together a series of live recordings made for the French ORTF radio between 1969 and 1971. Captured in different settings and featuring Areski Belkacem, Steve Potts, Robin Kenyatta, and Ronnie Beer, these performances trace the evolution of Fontaine's repertoire. The second part returns to the original Saravah studio sessions with a selection of previously unreleased recordings that illuminate the making of the album. Highlights include the original instrumental version of the title track alongside a previously unheard alternate take, revealing the extraordinary interplay between the musicians. Together, these recordings offer a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind one of the defining albums of the French avant-garde. Together with the expanded edition of Comme à la Radio this second set offers the most comprehensive insight to date into the making of Brigitte Fontaine's landmark album and the boundless creativity that surrounded it. Limited to 2,000 copies worldwide
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CD
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WWSCD 124CD
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$16.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/6/2026
Wewantsounds presents the first official release of a legendary 1977 concert capturing Don Cherry, Collin Walcott, and Leon Thomas in their only documented performance together. Recorded live on March 5, 1977, at Pease Auditorium in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the performance featured the three musicians playing an immersive hypnotic set, joined for part of the evening by the rest of Oregon. Long circulating among a few Don Cherry fans, the full concert is now available featuring Moki Cherry artwork and new liner notes by Jason Weiss -- licensed by the Don Cherry Estate and producer James Quinlan. Don Cherry's huge influence has steadily grown over the years, as fans and new generations of listeners continue to uncover the vast breadth of his global musical vision. Sunrise captures Cherry during a particularly fertile late-1970s period, when the American jazz trumpeter blended global and Eastern spiritual concepts into his "Organic Music" philosophy, drawing deeply from Eastern and African traditions. Moving fluidly between trumpet, the West African doussn'gouni (a traditional hunter's harp from Mali), bamboo flutes, percussion, and vocals, Cherry creates a deeply resonant world music soundscape. Recorded live on March 5, 1977, at Pease Auditorium in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the show took place just a month after Don Cherry participated in the recording of Collin Walcott's ECM album Grazing Dreams. With Walcott playing alongside Cherry and vocalist Leon Thomas, bringing his unmistakable yodel-style vocal approach -- and joined for part of the night by the rest of Oregon (Ralph Towner, Paul McCandless and Glen Moore) -- the performance stands as a stunning, hypnotic forerunner to the formation of CODONA. The newly remastered audio is so vivid and intimate that it feels as though you are sitting directly in the room with the musicians. The release also serves as a vibrant homage to Don and Moki Cherry's creative partnership, featuring a reproduction of Moki's striking 1975 Mandala tapestry on the front cover.
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2LP
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WWSLP 124LP
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$40.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 11/6/2026
Double LP version. Wewantsounds presents the first official release of a legendary 1977 concert capturing Don Cherry, Collin Walcott, and Leon Thomas in their only documented performance together. Recorded live on March 5, 1977, at Pease Auditorium in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the performance featured the three musicians playing an immersive hypnotic set, joined for part of the evening by the rest of Oregon. Long circulating among a few Don Cherry fans, the full concert is now available featuring Moki Cherry artwork and new liner notes by Jason Weiss -- licensed by the Don Cherry Estate and producer James Quinlan. Don Cherry's huge influence has steadily grown over the years, as fans and new generations of listeners continue to uncover the vast breadth of his global musical vision. Sunrise captures Cherry during a particularly fertile late-1970s period, when the American jazz trumpeter blended global and Eastern spiritual concepts into his "Organic Music" philosophy, drawing deeply from Eastern and African traditions. Moving fluidly between trumpet, the West African doussn'gouni (a traditional hunter's harp from Mali), bamboo flutes, percussion, and vocals, Cherry creates a deeply resonant world music soundscape. Recorded live on March 5, 1977, at Pease Auditorium in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the show took place just a month after Don Cherry participated in the recording of Collin Walcott's ECM album Grazing Dreams. With Walcott playing alongside Cherry and vocalist Leon Thomas, bringing his unmistakable yodel-style vocal approach -- and joined for part of the night by the rest of Oregon (Ralph Towner, Paul McCandless and Glen Moore) -- the performance stands as a stunning, hypnotic forerunner to the formation of CODONA. The newly remastered audio is so vivid and intimate that it feels as though you are sitting directly in the room with the musicians. The release also serves as a vibrant homage to Don and Moki Cherry's creative partnership, featuring a reproduction of Moki's striking 1975 Mandala tapestry on the front cover.
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2LP
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WWSLP 118LP
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$42.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 10/23/2026
Double LP version. Wewantsounds reissues Brigitte Fontaine's landmark 1970 Saravah album Comme à la Radio, recorded with Areski Belkacem, Wadada Leo Smith, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. This new edition pairs the original album with rare bonus material. The release is accompanied by a lavish 24-page bilingual booklet featuring an introduction by journalist Andy Beta, essays by Wadada Leo Smith, Brigitte Fontaine biographer Benoît Mouchart, and Benjamin Barouh, plus a recent interview with Brigitte Fontaine and the late Areski Belkacem. The booklet also includes complete lyrics and a selection of rare archival photographs by Jean-Pierre Leloir and Philippe Gras. Comme à la Radio was originally released in 1970 on Pierre Barouh's cult Saravah label, fusing Fontaine's radical lyricism with Areski Belkacem's minimalist compositions and the fearless improvisations of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Wadada Leo Smith. Its title track has since become a cult classic in jazz and groove circles. The album has been newly remastered from the original tapes and is reissued featuring 11 bonus tracks. The original album is presented in restored clarity, while the bonus tracks gather rare non-album singles, English-language takes, alternate versions and previously unreleased instrumental recordings showcasing the Art Ensemble's artistry, including the elusive English version of Comme à la Radio, and a striking early version of "L'été L'été." Comme à la Radio stands as a visionary landmark of French music and a defining statement in Brigitte Fontaine's career. This expanded edition confirms its enduring influence more than fifty years after its original release. The reissue is announced alongside its companion Comme à la Radio On Air, a deluxe 2-LP set presenting previously unreleased ORTF live recordings and additional studio rarities.
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CD
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WWSCD 118CD
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$16.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 10/23/2026
Wewantsounds reissues Brigitte Fontaine's landmark 1970 Saravah album Comme à la Radio, recorded with Areski Belkacem, Wadada Leo Smith, and the Art Ensemble of Chicago. This new edition pairs the original album with rare bonus material. The release is accompanied by a lavish 24-page bilingual booklet featuring an introduction by journalist Andy Beta, essays by Wadada Leo Smith, Brigitte Fontaine biographer Benoît Mouchart, and Benjamin Barouh, plus a recent interview with Brigitte Fontaine and the late Areski Belkacem. The booklet also includes complete lyrics and a selection of rare archival photographs by Jean-Pierre Leloir and Philippe Gras. Comme à la Radio was originally released in 1970 on Pierre Barouh's cult Saravah label, fusing Fontaine's radical lyricism with Areski Belkacem's minimalist compositions and the fearless improvisations of the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Wadada Leo Smith. Its title track has since become a cult classic in jazz and groove circles. The album has been newly remastered from the original tapes and is reissued featuring 11 bonus tracks. The original album is presented in restored clarity, while the bonus tracks gather rare non-album singles, English-language takes, alternate versions and previously unreleased instrumental recordings showcasing the Art Ensemble's artistry, including the elusive English version of Comme à la Radio, and a striking early version of "L'été L'été." Comme à la Radio stands as a visionary landmark of French music and a defining statement in Brigitte Fontaine's career. This expanded edition confirms its enduring influence more than fifty years after its original release. The reissue is announced alongside its companion Comme à la Radio On Air, a deluxe 2-LP set presenting previously unreleased ORTF live recordings and additional studio rarities.
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LP
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WWSLP 126LP
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$33.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 10/9/2026
Wewantsounds continues its Ziad Rahbani reissue program with Ana Moush Kafer, a classic album by the Lebanese legend Ziad Rahbani, recorded at his By-Pass Studio in Beirut during the height of the Lebanese Civil War in 1985. Showcasing Rahbani's signature blend of Arabic music infused with touches of jazz-funk and bossa nova, the album has attained cult status over the years. Originally released on cassette, it has never before been available on vinyl. Newly remastered, this edition features the original Relax-In cassette artwork from 1985 and includes new liner notes by Mario Choueiry of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. Ziad Rahbani, who passed away in 2025, remains one of the most influential figures in modern Arabic music and a cultural icon in Lebanon. A musician, composer, pianist, producer and playwright, he helped modernize Arabic music over five decades. The son of composer Assi Rahbani and singer Fairuz, he shaped her late '70s-'80s recordings producing Wahdon and Maarifti Feek, while building a major solo career with classics such as Abu Ali and Houdou Nisbi, which have become cult favorites for a new generation of DJs and music lovers. Released in 1985 in Lebanon, Ana Moush Kafer stands as one of Rahbani's key achievements. It blends Arabic melodic traditions with jazz-funk, bossa nova and Western arrangements. Originally cassette-only, it became one of his most revered releases. Throughout the album, Rahbani's writing reflects the turbulence of wartime Beirut with a blend of sharp social observation, political satire and melancholy. It captures a moment in Lebanese cultural history where experimentation, satire and popular song intersected, giving the album its enduring influence among music lovers. Sung by Rahbani and Sami Hawat, alongside Beirut-based musicians, the album features both Western and traditional Arabic instruments. It balances refined arrangements with lyrical irony, social commentary and political reflection, which remain deeply resonant in today's context in Lebanon. One of the highlights of the album is the song "Shou A'ada Ma Bada," with lyrics by Joseph Harb, which reveals a clear bossa nova influence, while the closing track, "Al Mokawama Al Watania Al Lobnani," offers a deeply human view of war, avoiding patriotic cliché in favor of a nuanced perspective rooted in lived experience. Forty years on, Ana Moush Kafer remains a landmark of Arab music. Wewantsounds presents it on vinyl for the first time, newly remastered and featuring original artwork.
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CD
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WWSCD 125CD
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$18.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 9/11/2026
Wewantsounds presents the first-ever international release of the legendary collaboration between Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) and Don Cherry, featuring Carlos Ward. Recorded live in 1972 at Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen, this highly sought-after album was originally released exclusively in Japan in 1974 on the cult jazz label Trio Records via its revered Nadja imprint. An essential chapter in the musicians' discographies, the performance masterfully blends jazz with rich South African rhythms and global influences. This long-awaited edition features fully remastered audio, the original Japanese artwork, and a four-page booklet with new bilingual liner notes (English/French) by Jacques Denis. The Third World-Underground captures a rare convergence of three singular musical voices: Don Cherry's nomadic imagination, Abdullah Ibrahim's deeply rooted South African lyricism, and Carlos Ward's muscular alto saxophone. By 1972 when this magical album was recorded, Cherry and Ibrahim had already spent a decade redefining jazz by pushing beyond its foundations and embracing a broader, global musical language. Cherry was in constant search of new musical pathways. Drawing inspiration from the traditional sounds of Turkey, India, Africa, and beyond, he cultivated a fluid, borderless approach that expanded far beyond the trumpet, incorporating voice, percussion, and communal improvisation into his work. Ibrahim brought an equally profound sensibility. A spiritual heir to Duke Ellington, shaped by Cape Town gospel, township jive, and the emotional weight of exile, he transformed the piano into an instrument capable of both celebration and lament. Having first crossed paths in the mid-1960s, the musicians shared a deep mutual affinity that culminated in this performance. Recording under a name that reflected the era's growing decolonization movements, the trio created a fearless, boundary-defying statement across seven hypnotic pieces. The music unfolds as a continuous conversation: Ibrahim's cyclical piano figures provide an emotional foundation while Cherry and Ward drift, soar, and chant in ecstatic unison, searching collectively for new ground. Originally released in Japan in 1974 on Trio Records, the album was never reissued on vinyl, gradually attaining cult status among collectors and fans of Don Cherry and Dollar Brand alike. Freed from convention, The Third World-Underground remains a restless and deeply human work of collective discovery whose resonance continues to unfold with every listen.
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LP
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WWSLP 125LP
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$33.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 9/11/2026
LP version. Wewantsounds presents the first-ever international release of the legendary collaboration between Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand) and Don Cherry, featuring Carlos Ward. Recorded live in 1972 at Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen, this highly sought-after album was originally released exclusively in Japan in 1974 on the cult jazz label Trio Records via its revered Nadja imprint. An essential chapter in the musicians' discographies, the performance masterfully blends jazz with rich South African rhythms and global influences. This long-awaited edition features fully remastered audio, the original Japanese artwork, and a four-page booklet with new bilingual liner notes (English/French) by Jacques Denis. The Third World-Underground captures a rare convergence of three singular musical voices: Don Cherry's nomadic imagination, Abdullah Ibrahim's deeply rooted South African lyricism, and Carlos Ward's muscular alto saxophone. By 1972 when this magical album was recorded, Cherry and Ibrahim had already spent a decade redefining jazz by pushing beyond its foundations and embracing a broader, global musical language. Cherry was in constant search of new musical pathways. Drawing inspiration from the traditional sounds of Turkey, India, Africa, and beyond, he cultivated a fluid, borderless approach that expanded far beyond the trumpet, incorporating voice, percussion, and communal improvisation into his work. Ibrahim brought an equally profound sensibility. A spiritual heir to Duke Ellington, shaped by Cape Town gospel, township jive, and the emotional weight of exile, he transformed the piano into an instrument capable of both celebration and lament. Having first crossed paths in the mid-1960s, the musicians shared a deep mutual affinity that culminated in this performance. Recording under a name that reflected the era's growing decolonization movements, the trio created a fearless, boundary-defying statement across seven hypnotic pieces. The music unfolds as a continuous conversation: Ibrahim's cyclical piano figures provide an emotional foundation while Cherry and Ward drift, soar, and chant in ecstatic unison, searching collectively for new ground. Originally released in Japan in 1974 on Trio Records, the album was never reissued on vinyl, gradually attaining cult status among collectors and fans of Don Cherry and Dollar Brand alike. Freed from convention, The Third World-Underground remains a restless and deeply human work of collective discovery whose resonance continues to unfold with every listen.
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CD
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WWSCD 115CD
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Wewantsounds presents the first official reissue of the highly sought-after 1979 classic, Summer-Time Love Song by The Milky Way. Originally released on the Seven Seas label in Japan and produced by the legendary Makoto Matsushita -- the visionary behind the cult album First Light -- the album is a premier example of the sophisticated sound that defined the era. Featuring the cream of Japanese musicians, including Yasuaki Shimizu, the record offers a superb mix of AOR, jazz fusion, funk, and bossa nova. Remastered by Colorsound Studio, this deluxe reissue features the original artwork, an OBI strip, and a 4-page booklet with a new introduction by Paul Bowler. The album serves as a vital precursor to Matsushita's own 1981 cult masterpiece First Light. Here, he and Nobuta lead the cream of Japanese session musicians. From the sun-drenched bossa nova rhythms of the Jobim classic "Wave" to a sophisticated rendition of Boz Scaggs' classic "Harbor Lights," finishing with the dreamy rhythms of "Endless Summer," the record is a masterclass in elegant funky arrangements and relaxed harmonies. As music journalist Paul Bowler writes in the liner notes for this release: "Summer-Time Love Song represents a fascinating bridge in Japanese pop history; a moment where the breezy aspirations of the '70s met the meticulous studio perfectionism that would soon take over the world." This deluxe edition features the original artwork, showcasing classic photography by the cult photographer Shinpei Asai -- famed for his iconic work on the Pacific album by Haruomi Hosono, Shigeru Suzuki, and Tatsuro Yamashita. Newly remastered, this reissue finally makes one of the most coveted albums of the 70s Japanese scene accessible to Japanese music fans worldwide.
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LP
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WWSLP 115LP
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LP version. Wewantsounds presents the first official reissue of the highly sought-after 1979 classic, Summer-Time Love Song by The Milky Way. Originally released on the Seven Seas label in Japan and produced by the legendary Makoto Matsushita -- the visionary behind the cult album First Light -- the album is a premier example of the sophisticated sound that defined the era. Featuring the cream of Japanese musicians, including Yasuaki Shimizu, the record offers a superb mix of AOR, jazz fusion, funk, and bossa nova. Remastered by Colorsound Studio, this deluxe reissue features the original artwork, an OBI strip, and a 4-page booklet with a new introduction by Paul Bowler. The album serves as a vital precursor to Matsushita's own 1981 cult masterpiece First Light. Here, he and Nobuta lead the cream of Japanese session musicians. From the sun-drenched bossa nova rhythms of the Jobim classic "Wave" to a sophisticated rendition of Boz Scaggs' classic "Harbor Lights," finishing with the dreamy rhythms of "Endless Summer," the record is a masterclass in elegant funky arrangements and relaxed harmonies. As music journalist Paul Bowler writes in the liner notes for this release: "Summer-Time Love Song represents a fascinating bridge in Japanese pop history; a moment where the breezy aspirations of the '70s met the meticulous studio perfectionism that would soon take over the world." This deluxe edition features the original artwork, showcasing classic photography by the cult photographer Shinpei Asai -- famed for his iconic work on the Pacific album by Haruomi Hosono, Shigeru Suzuki, and Tatsuro Yamashita. Newly remastered, this reissue finally makes one of the most coveted albums of the 70s Japanese scene accessible to Japanese music fans worldwide.
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WWSLP 116LP
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LP version. Wewantsounds continues its extensive reissue program of Meiko Kaji's early discography, originally released by Teichiku Records in Japan between 1972 and 1974. The Quentin Tarantino muse -- famous for her starring roles in Lady Snowblood and Stray Cat Rock -- was also a gifted singer. Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika is another collection of superb cinematic songs featuring Kaji's signature mix of Japanese pop and groove, backed by lush, atmospheric orchestrations. This includes her rendition of "Tokyo Nagare Mono," the theme song for Seijun Suzuki's cult 1966 film Tokyo Drifter. This reissue features the original artwork, an OBI strip, and a four-page insert with new liner notes by Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha, who interviewed Meiko Kaji for the occasion. Japanese actress Meiko Kaji has become a worldwide cult icon, partly thanks to Quentin Tarantino, who heavily based his Kill Bill films on the 1973 revenge classic Lady Snowblood. While her previous albums often featured a few key theme songs from her films, Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika is a classy offering of Showa kayōkyoku (pop) and enka, the "Japanese blues." Kaji approached the record with an actress's sensibility, treating each cover as a dramatic role. The tracklist is anchored by two highlights: the funk-infused arrangement of "Ginza No Cho" (Ginza Butterfly) and Kaji's iconic rendition of "Tokyo Nagare Mono" (Tokyo Drifter). While the latter was famously the theme for Seijun Suzuki's 1966 cult yakuza film of the same name, Kaji's version brings a modern, 1970s feel to the melody. Throughout the record, traditional themes are infused with contemporary grooves, blending lush orchestrations with funky basslines to create a hypnotic, cinematic atmosphere that is uniquely her own. Reissued in its full glory for the first time and remastered by Teichiku in Tokyo, Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika is a welcome new addition to the Wewantsounds Meiko Kaji reissue campaign, which is sure to please all of her fans worldwide.
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LP
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WWSLP 121LP
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LP version. Hot on the heels of the Tokyo Bliss and Funk Tide sets, Tokyo-based DJ Notoya delivers Tokyo Pulse, a new juicy selection of funk and modern soul recorded in Tokyo in the '70s and '80s. Most tracks here are making their debut outside of Japan and the album, like its predecessors, has been designed by Manuel Sepulveda (Optigram) and is annotated by DJ Notoya. The audio has been newly mastered in Tokyo by Nippon Columbia Records and remastered for vinyl by Colorsound in Paris. Tokyo Pulse's lush funk selection open with the nocturnal groove of Naomi Chiaki's "Yoru E Isogu Hito," recorded in 1978. The track perfectly sets the mood with its laid-back tempo and late-night atmosphere. From there, Yumi Murata's "Ranhansha" (1979) brings a funkier touch, before the mellower funk of L-E-V-E-L's "Bagdad No Atari Nite" signals the stylistic shift toward the early 1980s. Side one closes with GAM's "Lake In The Forest," an elegant reggae-inflected piece from 1980, played by several musicians from the cult Arakawa Band. Side two opens with a leap into the late 1980s via Nami Shimada's "Mitsumeteirunoni," a superb mid-tempo electro-funk track. This is followed by the earthy folk-soul of Bread & Butter's "Memory," originally released in 1974 on Blow Up Records, and featuring a who's who of Japanese music, including Haruomi Hosono, Ray Ohara, Tatsuo Hayashi, and Shigeru Suzuki. Keyboardist Minoru Koyama's instrumental "After Image" adds a cinematic, fusion-leaning dimension, while Chikara Ueda & The Power Station's "Island Cuckoo," released in 1979 on Denon, injects a cool dose of Brazilian-tinged funk energy. The compilation closes with Higurashi's superb funk-folk track "Anata Wa Doko Ni Irundesuka," a reflective 1974 recording that brings the journey to a quietly emotional conclusion. Taken as a whole, Tokyo Pulse offers a vivid snapshot of Tokyo's evolving groove landscape, embracing a wide diversity of sounds that move fluidly between funk, modern soul, folk, reggae, electro, and jazz-inflected pop. Carefully curated by DJ Notoya, the album captures the subtle shifts in style, production, and mood that defined nearly fifteen years of Japanese music and stands as a new addition to Wewantsounds' ongoing series exploring Japan's rich musical heritage, reaffirming Tokyo's place as a city with a uniquely refined and forward-thinking musical pulse.
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WWSLP 123LP
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First-ever vinyl reissue of Hadley Caliman's 1971 modal/spiritual jazz cult classic, Iapetus. Composed and arranged by Bayeté Todd Cochran, featuring remastered audio, original gatefold artwork with unissued session photos and new liner notes written by Todd Cochran. Wewantsounds continues its reissue program of Bob Shad's cult jazz label, Mainstream Records, with Hadley Caliman's superb 1972 album, Iapetus. Recorded in LA and featuring a heavyweight lineup of West Coast players including Todd Cochran, Woody "Sonship" Theus, Luis Gasca, and Victor Pantoja, the majority of the album was composed by Todd Cochran (aka Bayeté) soon after he had composed Bobby Hutcherson's Blue Note classic, Head On. A true hidden treasure, it is reissued here on vinyl for the first time since 1971, featuring its original gatefold artwork with rare first-generation photos. This edition comes with newly remastered audio and a two-page insert with exclusive liner notes by Todd Cochran, reflecting on Hadley Caliman and the making of the album. Tenor saxophonist and flutist Hadley Caliman was a key figure in the West Coast late '60s underground scene, whose versatile style made him a first-call collaborator across genres. A fixture of the San Francisco music scene, Caliman's rich tone and musical creativity saw him crossing over into the city's lively jazz and psychedelic rock circles, contributing to recordings by Gerald Wilson, Mongo Santamaria, Santana, and the Grateful Dead. By 1971, he had established himself as a prominent member of this creative community, which led to his signing with Bob Shad's Mainstream Records. Following his 1971 self-titled debut, Caliman returned to the studio later that year to record Iapetus. The session featured a heavyweight lineup of fellow West Coast fixtures, including trumpeter Luis Gasca, bassist James Leary, and a powerhouse percussion section of Woody "Sonship" Theus, Victor Pantoja, and Hungria Garcia. The album's sophisticated modal structures were captured by pianist and composer Todd Cochran.
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WWSCD 116CD
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Wewantsounds continues its extensive reissue program of Meiko Kaji's early discography, originally released by Teichiku Records in Japan between 1972 and 1974. The Quentin Tarantino muse -- famous for her starring roles in Lady Snowblood and Stray Cat Rock -- was also a gifted singer. Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika is another collection of superb cinematic songs featuring Kaji's signature mix of Japanese pop and groove, backed by lush, atmospheric orchestrations. This includes her rendition of "Tokyo Nagare Mono," the theme song for Seijun Suzuki's cult 1966 film Tokyo Drifter. This reissue features the original artwork, an OBI strip, and a four-page insert with new liner notes by Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha, who interviewed Meiko Kaji for the occasion. Japanese actress Meiko Kaji has become a worldwide cult icon, partly thanks to Quentin Tarantino, who heavily based his Kill Bill films on the 1973 revenge classic Lady Snowblood. While her previous albums often featured a few key theme songs from her films, Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika is a classy offering of Showa kayōkyoku (pop) and enka, the "Japanese blues." Kaji approached the record with an actress's sensibility, treating each cover as a dramatic role. The tracklist is anchored by two highlights: the funk-infused arrangement of "Ginza No Cho" (Ginza Butterfly) and Kaji's iconic rendition of "Tokyo Nagare Mono" (Tokyo Drifter). While the latter was famously the theme for Seijun Suzuki's 1966 cult yakuza film of the same name, Kaji's version brings a modern, 1970s feel to the melody. Throughout the record, traditional themes are infused with contemporary grooves, blending lush orchestrations with funky basslines to create a hypnotic, cinematic atmosphere that is uniquely her own. Reissued in its full glory for the first time and remastered by Teichiku in Tokyo, Otoko Onna Kokoro No Aika is a welcome new addition to the Wewantsounds Meiko Kaji reissue campaign, which is sure to please all of her fans worldwide.
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WWSLP 117LP
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Wewantsounds continues its Middle East reissue series with Assa'd Khoury's 1978 rarity, Electronic Touches Belly Dance. Reissued for the first time in nearly 50 years in partnership with Byblos Records founder Mozart Chahine, the album features Oriental classics reimagined through Khoury's pioneering electronic keyboards. This definitive edition includes original artwork, remastered audio, a new introduction by Ahmed Khalil (Dikraphone), and an exclusive interview with Chahine, the album's producer, conducted by Mario Choueiry (IMA). Long a highly coveted find for DJs and vinyl collectors worldwide, Assa'd Khoury's 1978 album Electronic Touches Belly Dance has earned its cult status as one of the most sought-after instrumental LPs from the region. This release marks the very first reissue of the album, which has remained virtually impossible to find since its original pressing. Khoury (1953-2020), a Syrian virtuoso pianist, violinist, and leader of the Spring Band, bridged Levantine tradition with the cosmic, psychedelic textures of the late 1970s. As Dikraphone's Ahmed Khalil notes in his introduction, the music serves as "a sensory portal to a bygone Damascus, where a psychedelic Farfisa and mesmerizing rhythms create a unique groove" that remains remarkably fresh today. The album's history is tied to the legacy of the venerable Lebanese Chahine family. Mozart Chahine, son of the inventor of the quarter-tone keyboard, founded the Byblos label to champion music from the region. In an exclusive interview conducted by Mario Choueiry (IMA), he recalls encountering Khoury at his Damascus music store and recording the entire album in a single day. "The musicians were seasoned, much like jazzmen," Chahine reminisces, noting that the session captured a rare, immediate energy between the ensemble members. The musical journey spans the Arab world, offering electronic reinterpretations of Arabic standards and paying respect to Egyptian master Sayed Darwish. A cult classic that will surely please all Arabic groove lovers.
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WWSCD 121CD
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Hot on the heels of the Tokyo Bliss and Funk Tide sets, Tokyo-based DJ Notoya delivers Tokyo Pulse, a new juicy selection of funk and modern soul recorded in Tokyo in the '70s and '80s. Most tracks here are making their debut outside of Japan and the album, like its predecessors, has been designed by Manuel Sepulveda (Optigram) and is annotated by DJ Notoya. The audio has been newly mastered in Tokyo by Nippon Columbia Records and remastered for vinyl by Colorsound in Paris. Tokyo Pulse's lush funk selection open with the nocturnal groove of Naomi Chiaki's "Yoru E Isogu Hito," recorded in 1978. The track perfectly sets the mood with its laid-back tempo and late-night atmosphere. From there, Yumi Murata's "Ranhansha" (1979) brings a funkier touch, before the mellower funk of L-E-V-E-L's "Bagdad No Atari Nite" signals the stylistic shift toward the early 1980s. Side one closes with GAM's "Lake In The Forest," an elegant reggae-inflected piece from 1980, played by several musicians from the cult Arakawa Band. Side two opens with a leap into the late 1980s via Nami Shimada's "Mitsumeteirunoni," a superb mid-tempo electro-funk track. This is followed by the earthy folk-soul of Bread & Butter's "Memory," originally released in 1974 on Blow Up Records, and featuring a who's who of Japanese music, including Haruomi Hosono, Ray Ohara, Tatsuo Hayashi, and Shigeru Suzuki. Keyboardist Minoru Koyama's instrumental "After Image" adds a cinematic, fusion-leaning dimension, while Chikara Ueda & The Power Station's "Island Cuckoo," released in 1979 on Denon, injects a cool dose of Brazilian-tinged funk energy. The compilation closes with Higurashi's superb funk-folk track "Anata Wa Doko Ni Irundesuka," a reflective 1974 recording that brings the journey to a quietly emotional conclusion. Taken as a whole, Tokyo Pulse offers a vivid snapshot of Tokyo's evolving groove landscape, embracing a wide diversity of sounds that move fluidly between funk, modern soul, folk, reggae, electro, and jazz-inflected pop. Carefully curated by DJ Notoya, the album captures the subtle shifts in style, production, and mood that defined nearly fifteen years of Japanese music and stands as a new addition to Wewantsounds' ongoing series exploring Japan's rich musical heritage, reaffirming Tokyo's place as a city with a uniquely refined and forward-thinking musical pulse.
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WWSLP 114LP
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Wewantsounds presents Ayam El Disco, a new selection of Egyptian 1980s disco and boogie cassette tracks curated by Egyptian DJ Disco Arabesquo, following his highly acclaimed Sharayet El Disco. Most tracks make their vinyl debut in this set. A journey through the funky sounds of 1980s Egypt, Ayam El Disco ("Disco Days") features Ammar El Sherei, Al Massrieen, and other underground artists from Cairo's vibrant cassette culture. The audio has been remastered for vinyl by David Hachour at Colorsound Studio in Paris, and the LP features artwork by Egyptian graphic designer Heba Tarek, along with a two-page insert showcasing the original cassette artwork and insightful liner notes by Moataz Rageb. Based in Amsterdam, the Egyptian DJ has spent years collecting rare tapes from the 1980s and early 1990s -- a period that transformed Egypt's musical landscape and shaped his own listening experience. By the 1980s, the cassette format had become a revolutionary medium in Egypt. Affordable and easily duplicated, tapes allowed artists to work independently while absorbing global influences such as disco, funk, and synth-pop through imported and bootleg recordings. Rather than mirroring Western club culture, these sounds were adapted to local contexts. Disco entered everyday life -- played at home, in cars, at weddings, beaches, and family gatherings - resulting in a distinctly Egyptian interpretation rooted in Arabic musical traditions. Ayam El Disco reflects this era through a carefully curated selection ranging from smooth disco and boogie to funkier instrumentals and early proto-Jeel sounds. Also featuring Firkit Americana Show, Firkit Hany Shenoda, Mostafa El Sakka, Hamid El Shaeri, Firkit El Pharana, Omar Fathy, Ammar El Sherei, Medhat Saleh, Aida El Ayoubi, and Ahmed Adaweya.
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WWSLP 119LP
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Wewantsounds reissues Music By Lee Mason, the cult classic from the Chappell Recorded Music Library, originally released in the UK in 1971. Credited to Lee Mason & His Orchestra, the album is in fact the work of renowned British composer and arranger Pete Moore -- best known for producing the iconic "Asteroid" theme in 1968 for the Pearl & Dean cinema advertising company. One of the funkiest library albums of its era, blending cinematic tension, funky grooves, and jazzy undertones, Music By Lee Mason features the track "Shady Blues," famously sampled by Madlib. Newly remastered and featuring liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre, this long-overdue reissue brings a lost classic back to vinyl for the first time since 1971. Recorded at the dawn of the prolific '70s UK library music boom, Music By Lee Mason was part of the successful Chappell Recorded Music series -- produced for television, film, and advertising professionals. Working under the "Lee Mason" alias, Pete Moore used the format to explore a wide palette of sounds: funky rhythm sections, fat horns, bumping bass lines, and catchy melodies that reveal both sophistication and swing. Across its eleven tracks, the album moves seamlessly between funky grooves, jazzy arrangements, and cinematic moods. "Shady Blues" in particular has become a cult favorite among crate-diggers, its slow-burning groove later sampled by Madlib for the Lootpack track "Answers" featuring Quasimoto, giving the piece new life in the spheres of hip-hop and digging culture. A prolific composer and orchestrator for television, radio, and film, Pete Moore (1924-2013) worked with the likes of Peggy Lee, Fred Astaire, and Connie Francis, bridging the worlds of orchestral scoring and modern jazz-pop arrangement. Alongside his celebrated commercial work, his contributions to the Chappell Music catalogue exemplify the depth and craft of British library composition during the 1960s and '70s. This reissue of Music By Lee Mason has been newly remastered and features exclusive liner notes by Kevin Le Gendre, who provides fresh insight into Moore's enduring influence of his music. With its sophisticated arrangements, catchy grooves, and unmistakable sense of mood, Music By Lee Mason stands as one of the defining statements of the British library era which Wewantsounds is delighted to reissue for the first time since 1971.
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WWSCD 120CD
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Wewantsounds continues its Yoshiko Sai reissue program with the release of Mikkou, the Japanese singer-songwriter's second album released in 1976 on Black Records. The album, produced by ace arranger Isamu Haruna, keeps the same formula as Mangekyou (WWSCD 096CD/ WWSLP 096LP, 2025) with Yoshiko Sai's beautiful songs and dreamy vocals over cool funky arrangements, this time featuring legendary guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. This is the first time Mikkou is widely available outside of Japan, with remastered audio, original artwork and a four-page insert including new liner notes by Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha who interviewed Yoshiko Sai for this special occasion. Yoshiko Sai holds a singular place in Japanese music history. Since her 1975 debut Mangekyou, the Japanese singer-songwriter has captivated listeners with her ethereal voice, poetic lyrics, and enigmatic presence, earning a devoted cult following that endures decades later. Mikkou represents a bold broadening of her artistic palette, drawing inspiration from the Silk Road and the rich cultural heritage of her native Nara. Sai's compositions on Mikkou explore themes of femininity, freedom, and the passage of generations. Tracks such as "Kaasama no Uta" ("Mother's Song") and "Tenshi no Youni" ("Like an Angel") blend blues, jazz, and folk sensibilities with evocative instrumentation including tabla, sitar, and dulcimer, reflecting the album's Silk Road influences. The title track, "Mikkou" ("Secret Passage"), captures the sense of a hidden journey -- both literal and imaginative -- mirroring the adventurous spirit threaded throughout the record. Sai also created the album's artwork, inspired by her reflections on historical Persian travelers and the interconnected flow of cultures along the Silk Road. As Sai remarked in conversation with Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha about the title track, "That idea of sneaking off somewhere felt exactly right for the mood at the time -- it was like approaching everything in life as if you were stowing away along every path." This Wewantsounds release marks the first time Mikkou is available outside Japan, offering a rare glimpse into the fragile, dreamlike universe of Yoshiko Sai.
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WWSLP 082LP
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Wewantsounds presents for the first time on vinyl Brion Gysin's cult recordings, produced by Ramuntcho Matta in the '80s and early '90s. The release features the hypnotic 32-minute journey "Dreamachine," which transforms the effects of Gysin's legendary light art device into a mesmerizing audio experience, alongside the track "The Door," featuring the visionary saxophonist Steve Lacy. A towering figure in avant-garde art, literature, and sound, Gysin influenced generations of creators, from William Burroughs to David Bowie and Laurie Anderson. The recordings on Dreamachine reflect Brion Gysin's fascination with altered perception. Matta had returned to Paris after a late-1970s stay in New York following the death of his brother, Gordon Matta-Clark, and had already produced Gysin's album Junk and the single "Kick" featuring Don Cherry. At the center is the title track "Dreamachine" a hypnotic 32-minute piece built on minimalist repetition, echoing the stroboscopic effects of Gysin's iconic light sculpture. Slowly evolving grooves create a trance-like state, drawing on Afrobeat in the lineage of Fela Kuti and the laid-back, cyclical guitar patterns of King Sunny Adé's juju music. Conceived as a sonic extension of the eponymous visual device, invented by Gysin with Ian Sommerville, Dreamachine reshapes the listener's sense of time and perception. The record also includes "The Door," a striking collaboration featuring the legendary saxophonist Steve Lacy, adding further depth to the avant-garde jazz elements of Gysin's world. This vinyl features remastered audio and an insert with a striking photo of Gysin and Burroughs in front of the Dreamachine, shot by French photographer François Lagarde, alongside liner notes by Jason Weiss situating the recordings in historical and artistic context.
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WWSLP 120LP
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LP version. Wewantsounds continues its Yoshiko Sai reissue program with the release of Mikkou, the Japanese singer-songwriter's second album released in 1976 on Black Records. The album, produced by ace arranger Isamu Haruna, keeps the same formula as Mangekyou (WWSCD 096CD/ WWSLP 096LP, 2025) with Yoshiko Sai's beautiful songs and dreamy vocals over cool funky arrangements, this time featuring legendary guitarist Masayoshi Takanaka. This is the first time Mikkou is widely available outside of Japan, with remastered audio, original artwork and a four-page insert including new liner notes by Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha who interviewed Yoshiko Sai for this special occasion. Yoshiko Sai holds a singular place in Japanese music history. Since her 1975 debut Mangekyou, the Japanese singer-songwriter has captivated listeners with her ethereal voice, poetic lyrics, and enigmatic presence, earning a devoted cult following that endures decades later. Mikkou represents a bold broadening of her artistic palette, drawing inspiration from the Silk Road and the rich cultural heritage of her native Nara. Sai's compositions on Mikkou explore themes of femininity, freedom, and the passage of generations. Tracks such as "Kaasama no Uta" ("Mother's Song") and "Tenshi no Youni" ("Like an Angel") blend blues, jazz, and folk sensibilities with evocative instrumentation including tabla, sitar, and dulcimer, reflecting the album's Silk Road influences. The title track, "Mikkou" ("Secret Passage"), captures the sense of a hidden journey -- both literal and imaginative -- mirroring the adventurous spirit threaded throughout the record. Sai also created the album's artwork, inspired by her reflections on historical Persian travelers and the interconnected flow of cultures along the Silk Road. As Sai remarked in conversation with Hashim Kotaro Bharoocha about the title track, "That idea of sneaking off somewhere felt exactly right for the mood at the time -- it was like approaching everything in life as if you were stowing away along every path." This Wewantsounds release marks the first time Mikkou is available outside Japan, offering a rare glimpse into the fragile, dreamlike universe of Yoshiko Sai.
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WWSLP 109LP
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LP version. Wewantsounds presents the first vinyl reissue of Disappointment-Hateruma, the 1976 ALM Records release by percussionist Toshi Tsuchitori and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The album is notable as Sakamoto's first recording issued under his own name and represents one of the few occasions he explored fully improvised music during the 1970s. It provides a vital document for understanding Sakamoto's early development as a composer and performer, capturing a period when he was experimenting with ambient soundscapes and textured improvisation. This edition features original artwork, audio remastered by Heba Kadry and new liner notes by Andy Beta. Ryuichi Sakamoto is widely recognized as one of the most important artists of his generation. At the time of Disappointment-Hateruma, he was still a student at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and active in Shinjuku's experimental music circles. He was busy contributing to Transonic Magazine, performing with the multimedia group Gakushudan, and working with musicians pushing the boundaries of jazz, free improvisation, and contemporary composition. On his side, revered Japanese percussionist Toshi Tsuchitori, who had recently returned from New York, brought influences from Milford Graves' approach to drumming, including African rhythms, ritualized performance, and a holistic approach that combined music, movement, and philosophy. Sakamoto and Tsuchitori had previously played together in Gakushudan, but neither considered those early encounters definitive. This recording captures one of the rare moments when Sakamoto's exploratory piano work met Tsuchitori's distinct rhythmic language in a studio setting. The album, originally released in 1976 on producer Yukio Kojima's highly influential ALM Records imprint, is structured across four tracks, with the first, "綾 (Aya)," filling the entirety of Side 1 on the LP, while Side 2 contains three shorter pieces, each exploring different combinations of instruments and sound sources. The recordings employ a wide array of textures, from prepared piano, bells, marimba, and gongs to EMS synthesizer and voice. Together, the tracks create hypnotic, ethereal soundscapes and rich sonic textures that highlight the interplay between Sakamoto's experimental piano work and Tsuchitori's percussive expertise. Remastered by renowned sound engineer Heba Kadry, this new edition highlights the detail, range, and clarity of the original album, making the ultra-rare Disappointment-Hateruma available worldwide for the first time. It stands as a key early document of Sakamoto's work and situates the recordings within the broader context of his formative years and Tokyo's mid-1970s cutting-edge music scene.
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WWSCD 109CD
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Wewantsounds presents the first vinyl reissue of Disappointment-Hateruma, the 1976 ALM Records release by percussionist Toshi Tsuchitori and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The album is notable as Sakamoto's first recording issued under his own name and represents one of the few occasions he explored fully improvised music during the 1970s. It provides a vital document for understanding Sakamoto's early development as a composer and performer, capturing a period when he was experimenting with ambient soundscapes and textured improvisation. This edition features original artwork, audio remastered by Heba Kadry and new liner notes by Andy Beta. Ryuichi Sakamoto is widely recognized as one of the most important artists of his generation. At the time of Disappointment-Hateruma, he was still a student at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music and active in Shinjuku's experimental music circles. He was busy contributing to Transonic Magazine, performing with the multimedia group Gakushudan, and working with musicians pushing the boundaries of jazz, free improvisation, and contemporary composition. On his side, revered Japanese percussionist Toshi Tsuchitori, who had recently returned from New York, brought influences from Milford Graves' approach to drumming, including African rhythms, ritualized performance, and a holistic approach that combined music, movement, and philosophy. Sakamoto and Tsuchitori had previously played together in Gakushudan, but neither considered those early encounters definitive. This recording captures one of the rare moments when Sakamoto's exploratory piano work met Tsuchitori's distinct rhythmic language in a studio setting. The album, originally released in 1976 on producer Yukio Kojima's highly influential ALM Records imprint, is structured across four tracks, with the first, "綾 (Aya)," filling the entirety of Side 1 on the LP, while Side 2 contains three shorter pieces, each exploring different combinations of instruments and sound sources. The recordings employ a wide array of textures, from prepared piano, bells, marimba, and gongs to EMS synthesizer and voice. Together, the tracks create hypnotic, ethereal soundscapes and rich sonic textures that highlight the interplay between Sakamoto's experimental piano work and Tsuchitori's percussive expertise. Remastered by renowned sound engineer Heba Kadry, this new edition highlights the detail, range, and clarity of the original album, making the ultra-rare Disappointment-Hateruma available worldwide for the first time. It stands as a key early document of Sakamoto's work and situates the recordings within the broader context of his formative years and Tokyo's mid-1970s cutting-edge music scene.
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WWSLP 112LP
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LP version. Wewantsounds presents the release of Tokyo Funk Diva, a compilation highlighting the work of Hitomi "Penny" Tohyama, one of Japan's leading funk voices of the 1980s. Blending funk, boogie and soulful grooves, Penny brought a distinctive energy to Japan's music scene during the decade. Compiled by Nick Luscombe -- who previously curated Tokyo Dreaming for the label -- the set marks the first time Hitomi's music has been compiled outside of Japan. Featuring newly remastered tracks and liner notes by Luscombe, the release offers fresh context to Penny's work and its role in the evolution of Japanese funk and groove culture. Hitomi "Penny" Tohyama was one of the few female singers to fully embrace Japan's burgeoning funk and boogie movement of the 1980s. Born in Okinawa in 1957 and raised partly in California, she developed a cosmopolitan outlook that would shape her music. At a time when the country's pop scene was shifting toward slick, funk-oriented productions, Penny crafted a distinctive style that fused boogie, disco, and funk with her confident, soulful delivery. Her albums for Nippon Columbia recorded in the '80s capture this vibrant moment, combining sophisticated studio craft with the pulse of Tokyo's nightlife. The selection includes cult classics such as "Sexy Robot," "Love is the Competition," and "Instant Polaroid," with lesser-known gems such as "Exotic Yokogao" and "I Love You Shika Omoitsukanai." Together they showcase the singer's versatility, moving effortlessly between syncopated upbeat floorfillers and chilled mid-tempo grooves. While her music earned recognition at home, these releases were never widely available outside Japan and slowly became prized finds among DJs and collectors. Tokyo Funk Diva presents highlights from this catalogue for the first time in an international release. Compiled by broadcaster and tastemaker Nick Luscombe, the selection has been newly remastered and comes with Luscombe's liner notes, retracing Penny's career and her role in the evolution of Japanese boogie and disco. As he writes in the liner notes, "It's this deep musical craftsmanship -- both in the songwriting and performances -- that gives Penny Tohyama's work its lasting power. Her music feels as fresh and relevant today as it did when it was first released." With its mix of sharp production, irresistible rhythms, and Penny's unmistakable presence, Tokyo Funk Diva serves both as a long overdue introduction to one of Japan's original funk queens.
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