{"title":"Freestyle","description":"\u003cp\u003e[b]Freestyle Dust[\/b] is a sub-label of Virgin Records. It was set up in 1995 for releasing The Chemical Brothers albums \u0026amp; singles.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"our-kind-of-movement","title":"Our Kind Of Movement","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpeedometer, the UK's premier funk band, started out in 1999 playing classic funk tunes by artists such as The Meters and The JB's in small clubs across the Southeast of England.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2000 they released their first single, \"Soul Safari\" on Soul Fire, the seminal New York label. This was soon followed with a slew of fine limited pressing releases on Timmion and Kennel Klub. Their opening release for Freestyle was a 7\" featuring a blistering funk cover of Beyonce's\"Work it Out\", with Ria Currie on vocals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOver the years, Speedometer have worked with a host of US funk legends including Joe Quarterman, Eddie Bo, Marva Whitney, Martha High, Sharon Jones, James Bell (Highlighters), Lee Fields, Billy Wooten and Robert Moore. All were blown away by Speedometer's authenticity and dedication to faithfully creating that original soul-funk sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOur Kind of Movement is Speedometer's 5th album release for Freestyle (excluding two compilations of archive releases) and sees Vanessa Jamie and Najwa Ezzaher join James Junior on vocal duties.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn this album, the band re-explore their own diverse influences combining the heritage of Latin Funk in 'Funky Amigo' ,Afro-Beat on 'Abuja Sunrise', Indian Psychedelic on 'Kashmir', and Northern Soul on 'We Gave Up Too Soon\". There is, of course, a hefty dose of new heavy weight funk and soul tunes, as you would expect.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter 20 years of making funky music, this LP brings their experiences all together on one record whilst keeping the funk groove at it's heart.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50390005088587,"sku":"1092196","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50390004957515,"sku":"1092195","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/870b4cd7-95b0-4c3c-9100-3dfe20d827ba_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726379017"},{"product_id":"the-fundamental-nature-of-being","title":"The Fundamental Nature of Being","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe mysterious afro-soul of the Shaolin Afronauts first echoed across the dancefloors of Australia in early 2008, captivating audiences with a highly evolved and unique approach to avant-garde soul music matched with an improvisational pedigree that immediately set them apart from their peers. In the almostfifteen years since the ensemble's debut they have released three albums on Freestyle Records and toured across Australia and around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter an extended hiatus punctuated by rare live performances, The Shaolin Afronauts return with \u003ci\u003eThe Fundamental Nature of Being\u003c\/i\u003e, an epic five album release that expands the sonic vision of the ensemble to towering new heights of burning afro-funk alongside esoteric and ethereal new sonic excursions. This expanded musical journey further explores the wide spectrum of the band's musical identity – with each of the five parts designed as both standalone records, while also offering a singular listening journey across the band's expansive musical world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 5-part project was recorded over justfive days, drawing upon the band's rich influence of 1970s West, East and South African music, jazz, psych-rock \u0026amp; soul, while also exploring the transatlantic sonic intersection between the 1960s electronic avant-garde \u0026amp; spiritual jazz. Free and partially directed improvisation remains a central component of the compositions, with the musical works acting as frameworks for a collective musical enterprise that has developed over the ensemble's near fifteen years together.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x5.","offer_id":50402219753803,"sku":"1163922","price":119.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/35b4fe8a-a7e9-4683-9ae8-2564151717c4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726535961"},{"product_id":"the-man-3","title":"The Man","description":"\u003cp\u003eOmar returns with a brand new album that many say is without doubt the strongest of his entire career. Opener 'Simplify' sets the template, with its luscious and majestic string backed introduction raising the curtain on this deep, hard grooving number. Omar also joins forces with Germany's Hidden Jazz Quartett on High Heels - growling organ spars with the tough, jagged drumbeat on this tough, funk driven collaboration. Elsewhere, latin textures and rhythms have always been part of Omar's far reaching musical vocabulary, and on 'Come On Speak To Me' and 'Ordinary Day' restless south American beats underpin the crisp and fresh melodies. Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler offers her distinctive voice on the duet 'Treat You', allowing these two legendary voices to unite beautifully. Completing the circle that began all the way back in the early 1990s, Omar has re-recorded his classic love song 'There's Nothing Like This', which this time features bass player to the Gods Pino Palladino. The touching sentiment remains undiminished, but the addition of soaring strings, soulful, jazzy horns, a vibrant live and acoustic feel, plus an extended and new arrangement. This album will surely become known as the most eclectic, confident, mature and soulful album of his career. After all, Stevie Wonder knows, Erykah Badu knows... and now everyone knows; Omar is The Man.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50405514969419,"sku":"364580","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50405515526475,"sku":"364579","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/31acd5c9-ac3b-4e66-820b-4801ae56c6a1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726578689"},{"product_id":"potion","title":"Potion","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle continues with their drive to unearth rare and classic UK funk, soul \u0026amp; boogie records with a reissue of a formerly white label-only, rare-as-hens-teeth debut 12\" by UK soul icon Rick Clarke from way back in 1981.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSharing the same line-up of performers as the eponymous group Potion (Rick Clarke, Carlton White on bass \u0026amp; Everton McCalla, formerly of Light of the World and later Freeez, on drums) though credited on the OG press as Rick Clarke alone, this 12\" came out originally in the same year as the also sought after Potion 12\" \"Catch The Feelin' (Showstopper)\" - a year before we would see Rick \u0026amp; Everton release the classic british electro funk of \"Magic\" as Side On (with Peter Mass) on Beggars Banquet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a classic slice of British disco funk, showcasing an early vocal talent that would go on to become a key feature of the late 80s UK soul scene, alongside a tight-as rhythm section. The subtly dubbed-out instrumental mix is a real treat too, bringing those synth flourishes and soaring horns to the fore and letting us hear Carlton's bass work wonders unencumbered.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50416739320139,"sku":"1158553","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d3658b66-6b48-4fac-8927-07482911c97d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726709172"},{"product_id":"i-can-make-it-good-for-you","title":"I Can Make It (Good for You)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle drop another killer reissue of a much sought-after UK boogie gem, this time from T.J. Johnson Band, originally released on the Switch label in 1983 and recorded at the legendary Landsdowne Studios!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Switch Records was started by myself alongside Bill Campbell in the early eighties\", says Aaron Harry - a library music producer who began using Lansdowne Studios in Holland Park for his productions on the renowned Bruton Music label. The studios had been operating there since the late 1950s, becoming the breeding ground for some key \u0026amp; early UK jazz and pop records (owner Adrian Kerridge teamed up with Joe Meek to lay down the first recordings there in 1958). It was here that Harry and engineer Chris Dibble started to work together as a regular team. After spending some time at the studio observing them in action, Kerridge and (Burton MD) Robin Phillps \"recognised what a good team Chris and I had become\" says Harry, \"so, it was inevitable that I would also make pop music alongside Production Library Music.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe output of the relatively obscure Switch label is the result of this work, and Freestyle has licensed 3 of the most hard to come by 12\"s as part of their series of rare \u0026amp; foundation UK funk \u0026amp; soul records. This one, I Can Make It (Good for You) is provided by the T.J. Johnson Band - a talented and seasoned guitar T.J. Johnson aka T.J. Bedeau is still working the gig circuit to this day, and this 12\" is backed up with another piece by Bedeau in the form of Dragonfly - a killer instrumental track that really showcases TJ's astounding guitar work.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50416810262859,"sku":"2003130","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_2_f93bb15c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726710455"},{"product_id":"recipe-for-love-feat-jack-tyson-charles","title":"Recipe for Love (feat. Jack Tyson-Charles)","description":"\u003cp\u003eLimited repress by popular demand!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA Wide ranging, eclectic and progressive musical outlook has always been the Lack of Afro approach. His latest material follows suit as he harnesses disparate musical styles ranging from funk, soul and hip-hop to create a contemporary yet vintage musical escapade of superb songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2014 Lack Of Afro comes back super-strong with this brand new single, Recipe For Love (taken from the forthcoming long player Music For Adverts) - his fourth studio album for Freestyle Records.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing Jack Tyson-Charles on vocals, the crisp, foot stomping beat echoes the thrill of all night Northern Soul sessions back in the day, but couples that with an upbeat, hand clapping, feel good melody that is guaranteed to stay playing in your head long after.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe flip side is an instrumental version of Recipe For Love which is 100% exclusive to this single.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoon the Lack Of Afro 5-piece live band will be touring throughout the UK \u0026amp; Europe. Comprised entirely of multi-instrumentalists, expect a fully interchangeable line-up with the band swapping instruments, sometimes mid-song... a spectacle not to be missed!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50430899781963,"sku":"1140082","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"full-circle-live-at-bogie-s","title":"Full Circle - Live at Bogie's","description":"\u003cp\u003eConsidering he was a self taught pianist, Brian Auger's progress into the heart of the British modern jazz scene of the late 1950's and early 60's was particularly impressive. He gained invaluable experience the hard way, paying his dues at The Cottage Club, and the original Ronnie Scotts on Gerrard Street, working with renowned saxophonists Tommy Whittle, Dick Morrisey and Jimmy Skidmore - and sessions in smoky East End pubs with his friend, arguably Britain's greatest jazz saxophonist Tubby Hayes. The inclusion of several of his rare, early 60's piano trio tracks on both volumes of 'Back To The Beginning - The Brian Auger Anthology' brought long overdue attention to Brian's early jazz career, which many were simply unaware of prior to their release. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe enthusiastic reaction to those tracks that stuck in Brian's mind, and later, fate intervened, as he himself explains; \"A couple of years later, Ken Greene, the Music Director of Bogie's, called and told me that he was starting a project, to whit, a week at Bogie's with a different jazz piano trio each night\". The material Brian decided to play features tracks from a selection of his musical influences, heroes and friends including 'Chelsea Bridge' by one of his favourite composers, the great Billy Strayhorn, Freddie Hubbard's ever green 'Little Sunflower', the much loved standard 'There is No Greater Love' which Brian used to play in his original early 60's piano trio, and his own composition Victor's Delight he wrote a tribute to the great English Jazz musician Victor Feldman who he first discovered via his tenure with The Cannonball Adderley Quintet. Surprisingly, this is Brian's very first jazz piano album of his illustrious and award winning career, and marks a return to the instrument and the music that first entranced and enthralled him as a young boy. His musical journey, which began in austere post war London, and on which he absorbed so many varied styles of music, and literally took him around the world, enrapturing audiences worldwide, has indeed come full circle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50435466035531,"sku":"1049831","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"african-party","title":"African Party","description":"\u003cp\u003eGinger Johnson's life is one of the greatest untold stories of African music in Europe. Born George Folunsho Johnson in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria in 1916. Aged just 18 he joined the Nigerian Navy, and made his first visit to Britain. After World War II Ginger decided to make London his home, working with many artists including British saxophone legend Ronnie Scott who first really utilised Gingers amazing technique to full effect, featuring him in not only his live concerts, but also several recordings for the Esquire jazz label in the 1940's \u0026amp; 50's. In the 60's Ginger was mentor \u0026amp; guru to a young Fela Kuti. Gingers London home became a vibrant hub of African music activity for Fela and an entire host of musicians who would gather there to exchange news, talk, eat and jam for hours on end. To Fela, and all who gravitated towards Ginger's home, he was simply known and addressed as 'Father'. Aside from his music, Ginger was something of a social activist. Not only was he a musical educator, and instrumental in the beginnings of The Notting Hill Carnival, he also opened his own venue Club Iroko in Haverstock Hill, North London, which was a creative hub for groups like Osibisa, and also a welcoming hang out for visiting legends like Sun Ra, George Clinton and Funkadelic, and British group Cymande (3 members of Cymande cut their teeth playing in Gingers group). Ginger and his group performed at The Royal Variety Performance, his music featured in the James Bond film 'Live \u0026amp; Let Die' and Ginger himself appears on screen drumming in the Hammer Films cult classic 'She'. As a session musician he played for a bewilderingly wide range of acts such as Georgie Fame, Osibisa, Madeleine Bell and Quincy Jones. Ginger \u0026amp; his group also collaborated with many early rock bands such as Hawkwind, Argent, Thunderclap Newman, Genesis and Little Free Rock. Perhaps Ginger Johnson \u0026amp; His African Messengers most high profile live engagement was performing with The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in 1969, as Ginger his troupe provided the percussive, high energy rhythmic bedrock to the infamous live version of Sympathy For The Devil.Freestyle Records is incredibly proud to reissue the music of Ginger Johnson \u0026amp; His African Messengers. Its bedrock of African drums, hi life, and jazz was in fact the precursor to Afrobeat - and Gingers direct and vital influence upon Afrobeat, as guide \u0026amp; mentor to it's undisputed champion Fela Kuti is just one part of a fascinating and underappreciated story that only now is being recognised for its significance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435680403787,"sku":"390736","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6d09c73d-587d-4f0d-b857-18328431358a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726906284"},{"product_id":"butterfly-1","title":"Butterfly","description":"\u003cp\u003eBoth tracks on this single are taken from Courtneys' forthcoming album \u003ci\u003eBlack Notes From The Deep\u003c\/i\u003e - the 19th of his career. The exciting and fresh interpretation of Herbie Hancocks' \u003ci\u003eButterfly\u003c\/i\u003e demonstrates straight away that this is a dream team combination. With Alec Dankworth laying down the bass, Rod Youngs' drumming underpinning the groove, the song also gives the outstanding keyboards of Robert Mitchell space to stretch out - Omar's fantastic vocal performance rides sweetly on top of the dreamy backing vocals of Charleen Hamilton - and of course Courtneys' flowing, imaginative and creative solo perfects this modern version of a much loved classic. \u003ci\u003eRules\u003c\/i\u003e is a brand new, collaborative composition by Courtney \u0026amp; Omar - the punchy drums and bass line patterns hints simultaneously at classic jazz and funkier club-centric sounds. Courtney cooks on tenor saxophone and also the organ - whilst Omar marinades the super catchy melody with that unmistakable voice. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50435681943883,"sku":"1016429","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"love-in-beats","title":"Love In Beats","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"When I grow up, I wanna be like Omar\" Stevie Wonder. \"Still ...one of the best voices I've ever heard\" Erykah Badu. Stevie Wonder, Angie Stone, Syreeta Wright, Common, Estelle, Incognito's Bluey Maunick, Erykah Badu, Carleen Anderson, Caron Wheeler, Leon Ware, India Arie, Lamont Dozier, Zed Bias, Pino Palladino, Roger Sanchez, Guru \u0026amp; Jazzmatazz, Maddslinky, Kele le Roc, Mario Biondi...all these people have one thing in common - all are admirers of, and past collaborators with the truly unique, gifted, original artist... British soul pioneer Omar (Omar Lyefook - MBE) The musical history is renowned - the Lyefook family has musical talent embedded deep in it's DNA. Omars' father Byron worked as a studio musician and drummer with Bob Marley, Horace Andy and even The Rolling Stones. Samia Lye-Fook (Omar's sister) is a highly regarded vocalist in her own right, and a BRIT School alumni. Omars' younger brother, the Grammy winning producer, remixer and DJ professionally known as Scratch Professer has been making jaws drop since, as a 13 year old, stunning the crowd at the 1988 DMC UK Finals with his turntablist skills - and of course - lets not forgot their big brother....Omar. Following on from 2013's album The Man, his first for London based independent label Freestyle Records, 2017 sees his new long player further cement his enviable reputation, as did receiving his MBE for services to music at Buckingham Place, and featuring in Javon Princes' comedy series on BBC2 television. Love In Beats is Omars' 8th studio album and may just be the most eclectic \u0026amp; varied to date. Somewhat more electronic in it's conception and sound than it's predecessor, Love In Beats incorporates soul, Caribbean rhythms, an undercurrent of funk, with touches of zouk, a jazzy waltz, spoken word and also features collaborations with US soul legend Leon Ware, Blue Note pianist Robert Glasper, rapper Ty, Guadeloupe born singer Jean-Michele Rotin, and Uk soultress Natasha Watts, The Floacist and Mayra Andrade, the Cape Verdean born singer who lives and records in Paris. Mainly recorded at his own Backayard Studio in South London his unique voice, multi -instrumental and production skills, together Omar and Scratch have brought forth a new collection that may just be the most beautifully formed and career defining album of all. Omar expands up on the inspiration, and the long running musical brotherhood which has forged this latest collection: 'This is album is labour of love between myself and my Grammy award winning brother The Scratch Professer. Powerful songs over mesmerising beats in the evolution - that is omarmusic and Brothers sound, it is truly 'Love in Beats'\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50435751280971,"sku":"1005101","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435751608651,"sku":"1004525","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/685aba2a-aed7-41f3-9ff4-c735bc34ed23_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726907203"},{"product_id":"almeria","title":"Almeria","description":"\u003cp\u003eSince the early 1990s, keyboard player Jessica Lauren has been a familiar part of London's alternative music scene. Jessica's keyboard skills have augmented the live performances and studio recordings of world renowned artists such as Jean Carne, Tom Browne, Dexter Wansel and James Mason, Japan's United Future Organisation, and UK soul diva Juliet Roberts. Her previous Freestyle album 'Jessica Lauren Four' (2012) highlighted Jessica's minimalist approach, something rare and refreshing in the jazz world: she instills her compositions and playing with a refined sense of space which makes her music as much about what she doesn't play as what she does.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50435804922187,"sku":"1035431","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435805217099,"sku":"1035430","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/bc4627c2-ea4e-46df-a9c1-aba9223a24d5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726908135"},{"product_id":"the-fundamental-nature-of-being-part-one","title":"The Fundamental Nature of Being, Part One","description":"\u003cp\u003e­After an extended hiatus punctuated by rare live performances, The Shaolin Afronauts returned on September 16th with The Fundamental Nature of Being, an epic five LP box-set release that expands the sonic vision of the ensemble to towering new heights of burning afro-funk alongside esoteric and ethereal new sonic excursions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Fundamental Nature of Being's expanded musical journey further explores the wide spectrum of the band's musical identity – with each of the five parts designed as both standalone records, while also offering a singular listening journey across the band's expansive musical world. This, the first part in the collection, draws on the band's rich influence of 1970s West and South African music, alongside American jazz, psych rock, soul, and cinematic soundtracks of the same era.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50435968827723,"sku":"2000700","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50435969220939,"sku":"2000701","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_12_fce2fbee_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726910400"},{"product_id":"black-feeling-vol-3","title":"Black Feeling Vol 3","description":"\u003cp\u003ePresented as an old school collection of obscure covers versions funk, jazz \u0026amp; latin series classics by unheard of bands are in reality brand new re-interpetartions by Lance Ferguson - the Australian musical phenomen behind The Bamboos, Cookin' On' 3 Burners and Lanu. The previous Black Feeling singles and albums have become worldwide smashes - Hippy Skippy Moonstrut from Volume 1 shifted masses of vinyl - and has had millions of You Tube viewings. Volume 2 yeilded up a version of Shaft In Africa that even Jazz FMs Peter Young said was better than Johnny Pate's original! Volume 3 sees Dexter Wansel's Life On Mars get the Black Feeling treatment as well Herb Albert's Rotation, Cymande's Brothers On The Slide and Mandingo's Black Rite - all super heavy and sounding massive for 2015.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50436019487051,"sku":"394263","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/34da3325-f3d5-41f4-a588-71303cacdeae_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726911069"},{"product_id":"the-craig-charles-funk-and-soul-club-vol-5","title":"The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, Vol. 5","description":"\u003cp\u003eVolume 5 of Craig Charles Funk \u0026amp; Soul Club compilations is something of a milestone - so here are just some of the highlights in the latest trunk of funk, which also includes some 100% exclusive tracks not available anywhere else!. The Traffic have a knack of rendering well known sounds into a re-grooved grooves - and their contribution is a crispy, deep fried instrumental version of the Rick James classic Super Freak! The Andy Tolman Cartel make musical time travel a reality - because when listening to You What! you are transported back to the early 70's and chasing crooks down alleyways in a TV cop show! The recently departed Charles Bradley - the screaming eagle of soul, was a man who had it tougher than most. He spent decades as James Brown impersonator, a homeless person on the unforgiving streets of New York City before signing Daptone Records aged 62 - included is his beautiful track Change For The World as a tribute to him. Tanika Charles gorgeous Endless Chain proves that Canada's soul scene is a firing as anywhere else right now. Stir into the mix The Niteshifters' slice of NY style delicious disco Show Me What You've Got and a new exclusive Body by Kylie Auldist, we have all your disco demands covered.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50436041310539,"sku":"1027794","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cb633743-f58a-4e4c-b126-59f83b5c3e8e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726911398"},{"product_id":"the-craig-charles-funk-and-soul-club-3","title":"The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club 3","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club returns - and Volume 3 is a truly international round up of all things hip, happening and gorgeously groovy! There is a great selection of seductive, female voices across Volume 3 - Sophia Bastians' gutsy, blues drenched 'Breaking' is a minor key wonder, Sena Dagadus' strutting afrobeat anthem 'Accra City People' rolls over the horizon like a steam train with no brakes - and Juliette Ashbys' sexy and sassy 'Like A Bass Guitar' digs down deep into a funk heavy groove in all the right ways, and The Getups' featured vocalist Sabina Challenger rides on the bands trademark tight Hammond funk groove like an award winning surfer. 21st century neo-soul makes it's presence felt too - Harleighblus' crisp and rugged 'Play Me' leads perfectly to the UK Soul Don number 1 Omar's massive tune 'The Man', the track that became an instant classic and saw the album of the same name top charts and reach places you might not expect, as even long time fan Prince Charles owns a copy! Omar isn't the only legendary male voice featured - ladies and gentlemen, hold my calls! We've only got the legend that is Afrika Bambaataa featuring on The Mighty Mocambos funking hip hop roof raiser 'It's The Music Part 1' - and Australian superstar Daniel Merriweathers' bluesy vocal on Cookin On 3 Burners Losin' Steak makes it clear why people like Mark Ronson beat a path to his door when its talented man tonsils they require! Boogaloo, soul-jazz and latin sounds feature strongly too - Sunlight Squares' Vamanos Pal Monte will without doubt make your dancing feet itchy, Speedometers huge selling reworking of Pharell Williams 'Happy' will have you soul clapping and spinning like you are at Wigan Casino - and Ray Lugo and The Boogaloo Destroyers El Ritmo De Nuevo York will make you feel like your back in late 60's New York partying with Ray Barreto and Mongo Santamaria, and The Andre Espeut Quintets' 'Let It Go' is jazzy enough to make even girls grow a goatee beard.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50436042490187,"sku":"383474","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b5115daf-1606-4c05-9027-3fc135184f9e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726911419"},{"product_id":"love-don-t-live-here-anymore","title":"Love Don't Live Here Anymore","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis was Diane Ellis' mantra when she set out to produce this, her first record, in 1979. She recalls hearing the Rose Royce classic Love Don't Live Here Anymore on the radio and instantly thinking it would make for a great reggae cover, immediately envisioning the sound she was looking for. Drafting in the legendary Boris Gardiner and vocalist Sharon Forrester they created this timeless version of a perennial classic - now available here in it's full extended discomix glory for the first time on 12\" since it's original outing, and backed with hornsman cut placing Dean Fraser's sax front row center.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe record was made when Ellis was studio manager for the world-famous Tuff Gong studios, but wanted her outing as a record producer to be a totally independent venture - gaining the great Bob Marley \u0026amp; the TG team's blessings in the process. And so Aquarius Studio in Half Way Tree was where it was all laid-down. Diane credits the Legendary owner and pioneering producer, Herman Chin Loy, as also being of great help on the record, providing a guiding ear throughout the process.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite this the evident strength of this first production, Ellis would follow up with only one other production, Junior Tucker's cover of \"One of the Poorest People\" (this time one recorded at Tuff Gong studios, and releasing the 56 Hope Road subsidiery). While both records performed well on local radio and charts, Diane exited the music industry shortly after. Now 43 years later, Diane is overjoyed her production is having a comeback, saying that \"the support and love felt during the project can never be replicated, and I give thanks to all who supported then and now\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50442649665867,"sku":"1170559","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1_5e9728ba-feae-4f2c-b74a-6eea92091f5b_7880ebb0_thumbnail_4096.webp?v=1727002088"},{"product_id":"steppin-out-on-the-groove","title":"Steppin' Out on the Groove","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle drop the first official reissue of a much sought-after UK boogie gem from Tony Jackson, originally released on the Switch label in 1983 and recorded at the legendary Landsdowne Studios!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e--------\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Switch Records was started by myself alongside Bill Campbell in the early eighties\", says Aaron Harry - a library music producer who began using Lansdowne Studios in Holland Park for his productions on the renowned Bruton Music label. The studios had been operating there since the late 1950s, becoming the breeding ground for some key \u0026amp; early UK jazz and pop records (owner Adrian Kerridge teamed up with Joe Meek to lay down the first recordings there in 1958). It was here that Harry and engineer Chris Dibble started to work together as a regular team. After spending some time at the studio observing them in action, Kerridge and (Burton MD) Robin Phillps \"recognised what a good team Chris and I had become\" continues Harry, \"so, it was inevitable that I would also make pop music alongside Production Library Music.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe output of the relatively obscure Switch label is the result of this work, and Freestyle has licensed 3 of the most hard to come by 12\"s as part of their series of rare \u0026amp; foundation UK funk \u0026amp; soul records. This one, Steppin' Out on the Groove was written by the late Tony Jackson, \"a renowned session singer\/musician that I had worked with on numerous occasions\" says Harry, and also a key brit-funk figure who formed part of a string of UK groups throughout the 70s and early 80s (Sweet Dreams, Midnight, Ritz \u0026amp; Indigo) and later went on to be successful as lead singer in Rage. He died in 2001. Backed up with a killer instrumental that really lets the solid production shine, this one is an essential in any DJ or collector's bag.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50443492720971,"sku":"2001476","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_14_2dd1707d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727015468"},{"product_id":"touching-the-times","title":"Touching the Times","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle's run of reissues continues with the sought-after 1983 UK electro-funk of State of Grace's Touching the Times getting a freshly remastered 12\" cut!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eState of Grace were a trio formed at the start of the 80s, releasing a handful of singles between 1981 and '84. As SoG's David Inglesfield recalls, \"in early 1982 we recorded 4-track demos of \u003ci\u003eThat's When We'll Be Free\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTouching the Times\u003c\/i\u003e and a third song. When we played them to Mike Collier, who'd released our first single for his Flamingo label, he offered us a contract on the spot and licensed the finished tracks to for release on the PRT label\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHaving released \u003ci\u003eThat's When We'll Be Free\u003c\/i\u003e in late 1982, 'Touching the Times' landed on 12\" and 7\" formats in early summer 1983. \"For the demos, we'd used a TR-808 for the drums, and we kept the 808 for the final version of 'That's When We'll Be Free'\", Inglesfield continues, \"but for the full version of 'Touching the Times' we decided to use a Linn LM-1 for the drums. The keyboard sounds were from a Roland Jupiter 8, Roland SH-2 and Fender Rhodes\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTouching the Times was recorded at The Bridge studio near Putney Bridge, then mixed at The Sound Suite in Camden. \"At the time, we were into the Sloane Ranger upper-class English look\" says Inglesfield \"and for the photo shoot for the original picture sleeve, we wanted an aristocratic type interior, and Broughton Castle in Oxfordshire was selected for this purpose.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe updated centre label image on our reissue shows State of Grace's Adrian \u0026amp; Pat Thomas, and David Inglesfield, in the Camden Mews outside The Sound Suite - located just a short walk from Freestyle's home in Kentish Town.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50446417133899,"sku":"1166488","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"checking-out","title":"Checking Out","description":"\u003cp\u003eMore solid UK boogie \u0026amp; brit-funk courtesy of Freestyle Records - this time giving the 12\" reissue treatment to short-lived group Cool Runners' 1982 single Checking Out, backed up with sought-after High on a Feeling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Cool Runners' Paul Tattersall recalls, \"this single was a follow-up to the \"Play The Game (So You Think It Funny) \/ Hawaiian Dream\" 12\" which we believe got to around number 60 in the national charts, and was at the time heavily played on the radio by DJ Greg Edwards who sadly passed away earlier this year...\" Recorded mixed and mastered then licensed for release to MCA, this initial single also relased in 1982 was voiced by Tony Jackson, then part of Paul Young's backing band as his career took off in the charts. Tony formed part of a string of funk groups throughout the 70s and early 80s - Sweet Dreams, Midnight, Ritz \u0026amp; Indigo - and later went on to be successful as lead singer in Rage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese tracks \"Checking Out\" and \"High on a Feeling\" on the other hand features the vocal talents of Rush Winters, who would go on to record with the likes of Carmel, Yello, D.C.Lee and others. \"It received little in the way of promotion by the record company at the time\", Tattersall continues \"so it has produced a cult following and has become rather sought-after, as few copies were actually released at that time.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter release, Cool Runners' Paul Tattersall and Chris Rodel then played with several different bands, with Chris moving onto double bass. He still plays professionally today as an accomplished jazz bass player. Paul has run a successful musical hire company in North London, with a specialism on synths and keyboards, since the eighties - and continues to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50452232601931,"sku":"2000841","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_2_b5831b07_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727144686"},{"product_id":"the-fundamental-nature-of-being-part-two","title":"The Fundamental Nature of Being, Part Two","description":"\u003cp\u003e­After an extended hiatus punctuated by rare live performances, The Shaolin Afronauts returned on September 16th with The Fundamental Nature of Being, an epic five LP box-set release that expands the sonic vision of the ensemble to towering new heights of burning afro-funk alongside esoteric and ethereal new sonic excursions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis expanded musical journey further explores the wide spectrum of the band's musical identity – with each of the five parts designed as both standalone records, while also offering a singular listening journey across the band's expansive musical world. This, the second part in the collection, draws on the band's rich influence of Ethiopian and sub-saharan soul and funk, alongside spiritual jazz, rock, and 1970s film soundtracks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50452248920395,"sku":"2002060","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50452249018699,"sku":"2002061","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_d9513302_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727145688"},{"product_id":"i-wont-give-you-up","title":"I Won't Give You Up","description":"\u003cp\u003eA mainstay of the UK's reggae, soul, funk \u0026amp; rock circuits since the early 1970s, Eddie Capone has played with a diverse and revered collection of acts; Chairmen of the Board, The Foundations, Black Velvet, The Elgins, Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come, Arthur Lee's Love, Billy Preston and Edwin Starr to name but a few. Eddie was also part of short-lived group Casablanca, with David Costa \u0026amp; Barry Clarke of early 70's folk-rockers Trees, signed to Elton John's Rocket Record Company.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEddie founded the Treatment band in the early 1980s bringing in a revolving cast of singers and players, and created the Treatment Records imprint out of his own Black Rock studio in South East London in 1982. Releasing a string of singles - with efforts from Eddie Capone's Treatment, a side-project with singer Beryl Marsden as Salt \u0026amp; Pepper, and a single from Norwegian group Wave - Treatment Records then followed this up in 1985 with the 12\" release of \"I Won't Give You Up\" with Diane Jones brought in on vocal duties for what has since become a much sought-after slice of UK boogie-funk, and backed up with the sublime \"We Would Like To Spend Some Time With You\". I Won't Give You Up picked up decent support pre-release with favourable reviews in Echoes, plays from Tony Blackburn on his BBC Radio London slot, and regular club rotation - though the label's distributor started having from problems at the time of release which put paid to any further progress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatment Records continued through the 1980s through to early 1990s releasing Eddie's music, both as a solo artist and as part of collaborative side-projects, and Eddie has continued to write, perform and produce music from his home studio right through to the present day. As a committed community figure \u0026amp; activist in South East London, Eddie has since 2014 re-started Treatment Records under the name of 3G Treatment - bringing together three generations of people from the local area to ensure young artists \u0026amp; musicians have access to the expertise and experience of their elders for support and encourage successful careers in the industry.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50453613609291,"sku":"2007092","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_1_01ead38f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727174480"},{"product_id":"all-that-i-wanted-was-you-fantasy","title":"All That I Wanted Was You \/ Fantasy","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnother brit-funk single excavated by Freestyle Records, Private Funk-Shun's super-rare All That I Wanted Was You \/ Fantasy 7\" originally released in 1986 has been officially licensed, remastered and pressed up in a limited 45 run for all those who can't jive with dropping $$$ on an OG copy!\n----------\nPrivate Funk-Shun were a band formed in 1984 originating from the Loughton and Tottenham areas of north east London \u0026amp; Essex, and featured the vocal talents of Maxeen Edman-Messam - who would later go on to find fame in the early 1990s as key street soul artist Maxeen.\nOriginally performing under the name of Slipstream, but changing to Private Funk-Shun in 1985 after finding out another group were operating under with the same name, they toured around London \u0026amp; South East bringing a dedicated brit-funk following with them. Despite writing approximately 20 original tracks in their time, this self-released two-track 7\" from 1986 was their only official output and has since become a certified rare groove, fetching upwards of £250 on the secondhand market.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50453755724107,"sku":"2010409","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_4f852889_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727176429"},{"product_id":"sexy-lady","title":"Sexy Lady","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle drops another 12\" rarity from the annals of UK funk \u0026amp; boogie history - this time giving the sounds of VeiraKrew's \"Sexy Lady\" from 1985 a fresh new cut.\n--------\nElvis Veira was born on the Carribean island of Nevis and moved to England alongside his pianist and music teacher mother at the age of 2, quickly becoming profficient on piano, guitar \u0026amp; bass by the time he was in his early teens. His love for playing music and singing in choirs propelled him on this musical journey, and his late teens to 20s saw him supporting top acts such Heatwave, Wham, Second Image, Katrina and the Waves, Mezzo Forte, Chris Rea, Shakatak and many others.\nIn 1983 he started working under the alias VeiraKrew, and a couple of years later in 1985 laid down this 12\" at Bedford's Thatch Cottage Studio on a shoe-string budget. Backed up with the title-track's killer instrumental version and the b-side \"Welcome to a Dream\" it was self-released by Elvis on a x1000 run (since becoming quite the collectors item, with clean copies changing hands for up to £150 a piece).\nFollowing the release of Sexy Lady, Elvis continued playing and working as a session musician and vocalist, going on to release a further 12\" in 1988 signing to Stevie V's Beatbox International label for the house-inflected track \"Good Stuff\". Fast forwarding to present day, Elvis has had some time away from music but is now back actively playing and producing, alongside working with the OMG (Outreach Music Group) - helping to provide support and music therapy within the NHS.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50453756510539,"sku":"2010449","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_a2784e72_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727176449"},{"product_id":"the-way-u-make-me-feel","title":"The Way U Make Me Feel","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle drop a much needed 12\" reissue of \"The Way U Make Me Feel\", a solid slice of mid 80s funk from UK gospel act Clarity!\n----------\nClarity were a group put together by Simon Wallace, one of the key figures of 80s \u0026amp; 90s British gospel music who would go on to found Chosen in the late 1990s. This record was produced and arranged by seasoned reggae \u0026amp; jazz guitarist (and later band-member with the award-winning Jazz Jamaica) Alan Weekes for his Bpop label, originally seeing release in 1985.\nJust an all-round stellar record \u0026amp; one of the best examples of funk music from this mid-80s era, no messin'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50453758476619,"sku":"2010460","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_05080a49_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727176510"},{"product_id":"flight-of-the-ancients","title":"Flight of The Ancients","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe mysterious afro-soul of The Shaolin Afronauts first echoed across the dance floors of Australia in late 2008. Heavily inspired by the sounds of 1970's West Africa, Ethiopia and the pioneering avant-garde jazz artists of the same period, The Shaolin Afronauts draw on the this highly innovative and sometimes volatile era in music, using it as inspiration to create music with the same fire and intensity. Though there is something refreshing and original about the Afronauts, their music could be described as somewhere in between the heavy Afrobeat of Fela Kuti and the Ethio-Jazz of Mulatu Astatke. The key to the Shaolin Afronauts unique sound is the line-up, which comprises of a three piece horn section, 5 piece rhythm section and three percussionists, and this polyrhythmic approach layers the groups sound with a mesmerizing and hypnotic texture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKicking off with Journey Through Time (also released as the A side of the limited edition 12 inch vinyl single: FSR091) the multiple layers of percussion and rhythms indeed unleash an unstoppable groove, which is nicely balanced against the albums slower, more introspective moments, such as Rise With The Blind which along with haunting, mellow Scarab prove that contemporary afrobeat rooted music doesn't always have to be an unrelenting, uptempo assault on the senses and can provide moments of sheer beauty and reflection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis added element of subtlety sets The Shaolin Afronauts music apart from much of the recent crop of other bands with similar influences, That said, these guys are still a collective capable of burning some stone cold classic and killer grooves, The Shaolin Afronauts are the band to watch out for in 2011! .\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50457671336267,"sku":"1106247","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/95ed626a-57f7-4aef-bce1-a15d0e889a55_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727207298"},{"product_id":"to-love-somebody-1","title":"To Love Somebody","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records are proud to present the first ever reissue of this rare Black Ark-era Lee \"Scratch\" Perry production on LP \u0026amp; CD w\/ bonus tracks. Both formats feature liner notes from author of the acclaimed People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae, David Katz.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe late Bunny Rugs was best known as the frontman for legendary reggae band Third World, but prior to that he completed an apprenticeship at Lee Perry's Black Ark resulting in this solo LP, originally released in 1975 and credited to Bunny Scott.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe album captures the laid-back sessions of the early Black Ark, with a few surprising innovations lurking amongst the soul covers and love ballads. Highlights include the sought after Blaxploitation-influenced funk track 'Kinky Fly' featuring members of The Chi-Lites' backing band, passing through Perry's infamous studio whilst in Jamaica for a series of shows - their horn section and Chinna Smith's wah-wah guitar give the track its outstanding difference as synth overdubs add to the moody feeling, underpinned by the ghostly click tracks of the Conn Rhythm Unit (constituting one of Perry's earliest experiments with drum machines).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLooking back on the sessions documented on this LP, Rugs said that Perry's creativity taught him that music could be limitless. As he explained, 'It was so simple that it became complex. The approach he has to music and to recording, I think the music nowadays lack that kind of intuition. He's somebody that would use pliers and a screwdriver to create percussion; he wouldn't hesitate to experiment. He was a little...not crazy, but somebody with that kind of thinking must be somewhere else, in another zone sometimes.'\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50460182053195,"sku":"1113897","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50460180316491,"sku":"1113898","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/878afb84-9ccd-4841-af1d-be9afddbee76_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731040110"},{"product_id":"ive-got-love","title":"I've Got Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle reissue another 12\" of prime UK boogie funk - this time giving a fresh cut and press to Bogaz's \"I've Got Love\", originally released back in 1983 on Dave Stevens' AGR Records imprint.\nBogaz were a short-lived group formed of seasoned musicians and session players Raff Peermamode, Trevor Murrell \u0026amp; Randy Hope-Taylor of Congress, Cargo \u0026amp; Incognito fame. I've Got Love represents one of only two 12\"s ever released by the group.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50460650013003,"sku":"2014713","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_0a1c0e2a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727236070"},{"product_id":"guess-who-2","title":"Guess Who","description":"\u003cp\u003eStreet soul grail alert! Freestyle reissue the previously white label-only Guess Who LP, originally released anonymously by Rick Clarke in 1992.\nCrossing ruff-but-sweet UK street soul sensibilities with stripped-back house, garage and hip-hop flavours, the Guess Who LP was dropped covertly during a period in the early 90s when Rick was signed up to Soul II Soul's Funki Dreds label, contractually restricting him from releasing his music elsewhere. Bubbling with creative energy and a slew of ideas that he just couldn't help himself from getting out there, Rick brought a range of friends and collaborators to his MJB Records studio in West Kensington where the LP was produced and recorded on his trusty Fostex E16 in a matter of a couple of days.\nRaw drum machines and simple but effective basslines \u0026amp; melodies abound across the album's 9 offerings - with tracks at times feeling like pencilled musical ideas still in flux. Highlights include Jill Francis' sublime vocal riding the stripped-back samba-esque groove of Gonna Make You Happy, the sugary soul harmonies of Imaani's Share My Love With You, and criminally short outro track Sweet Vibrations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50460650963275,"sku":"2014707","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_277e4d9c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727236089"},{"product_id":"girls-world","title":"Girls World","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle serve up a slept-on piece of music history with the first ever reissue of Chartz \"Girls World\" - a prime 1983 boogie-funk groover from out of Wolverhampton, and the first ever release from a songwriting and production partnership that would go on to hit the pop music big time!\n----------------\nChartz were a short-lived Wolverhampton-based covers band who also performed original material written by founder members Bernadette (Berny) Cosgrove and Kevin Clark. During its short lifetime Chartz was a springboard for lead singer\/guitarist Berny and keyboard player Kevin to showcase and develop their songs, following their originally working together to write and produce jingles. They wrote, arranged and produced this 12\" Girls World in 1983 with lyrics \"celebrating female strength and independence whilst loving and respecting their partner\", says Kevin \u0026amp; Berny. Shortly after this they went on to win a Sony Songwriters of the Year award and moved to London to co-form Hard Times Productions, with the 1986 self-titled Hard Times LP leading to the single \"Never Give Into Love\" the year after for Supreme Records - and then came the exciting offer of a songwriting contract with Motown's publishing company in New York!\nA 10-year spell in the Big Apple saw Berny's solo artist debuts on movie soundtracks \"True Love\" and Lonely In America\", and, after increasingly lucrative publishing deals with the likes of Sony, EMI \u0026amp; Warner Chappell, she and Kevin were commissioned for songwriting projects with an exhaustive list of pop stars spanning from Matt Goss, Rick Astley and Des O'Connor to Gary Barlow, Sheena Easton, Gloria Gaynor, Jimmy Sommerville and countless others. Berny \u0026amp; Kevin also wrote and produced two platinum selling US number 1 albums with boy-band Dream Street, and their biggest song to date is the internatinal hit \"Crush\" by Jennifer Paige which has sold in excess of 12 million copies worldwide.\nBerny \u0026amp; Kevin's illustrious career definitively went from \"Chartz\" to CHARTS, and here you are able to go back to where it started as we serve up the first ever vinyl reissue of \"Girls World\" (original copies of which change hands for over £100) with the extended instrumental and radio mix on the flip.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50460652339531,"sku":"2014705","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_03cd4981_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727236109"},{"product_id":"pretty-lady","title":"Pretty Lady","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne more drop from the Switch label vaults - another killer UK disco-boogie gem from T.J. Johnson, originally released in in 1982 and recorded at the legendary Landsdowne Studios!\n--------\n\"Switch Records was started by myself alongside Bill Campbell in the early eighties\", says Aaron Harry - a library music producer who began using Lansdowne Studios in Holland Park for his productions on the renowned Bruton Music label. The studios had been operating there since the late 1950s, becoming the breeding ground for some key \u0026amp; early UK jazz and pop records (owner Adrian Kerridge teamed up with Joe Meek to lay down the first recordings there in 1958). It was here that Harry and engineer Chris Dibble started to work together as a regular team. After spending some time at the studio observing them in action, Kerridge and (Burton MD) Robin Phillps \"recognised what a good team Chris and I had become\" says Harry, \"so, it was inevitable that I would also make pop music alongside Production Library Music.\"\nThe output of the relatively obscure Switch label is the result of this work, and Freestyle has licensed 3 of the most hard to come by 12\"s as part of their series of rare \u0026amp; foundation UK funk \u0026amp; soul records. This one, Pretty Lady b\/w Come On Let's Do It (Let's Rock) is provided by T.J. Johnson - a talented and seasoned guitarist, T.J. Johnson aka T.J. Bedeau is still working the gig circuit to this day. Jump on it!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50460659908939,"sku":"2014729","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_eadc4370_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727236259"},{"product_id":"many-worlds","title":"Many Worlds","description":"\u003cp\u003eMenagerie is the Melbourne-based Jazz ensemble founded by producer, songwriter, guitarist, DJ and recording artist Lance Ferguson, also the driving force behind The Bamboos, Lanu, Rare Groove Spectrum and Machines Always Win.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecorded at Union Street Studio by award-winning engineer John Castle, \u003ci\u003eMany Worlds\u003c\/i\u003e features some of Australia's finest musicians, including pianist Mark Fitzgibbon (a regular performer at Gilles Peterson and Patrick Forge's original Dingwalls sessions), drummer Daniel Farrugia and renowned saxophonist Phil Noy (The Bamboos).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInspired by both the post-Coltrane generation of the 70's, labels like Strata-East, Impulse! and Tribe, along with the current 'New Wave Of Jazz', Menagerie aligns with the world of Kamasi Washington, Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia, whilst also bringing their own unique twist.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50463863406923,"sku":"1111229","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50463864127819,"sku":"1111230","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c5c1f42a-0ec1-4765-90f7-75754a983155_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727267654"},{"product_id":"dialogues","title":"Dialogues","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing a move to London and an immersion in the city's deep house scene, Dan Berkson's subsequent rediscovery of his earliest musical foundations and the drawing of inspiration from London's buzzing contemporary jazz scene would lead to Dialogues - an accomplished and rewarding body of work pulled together during his final days in London before relocation to California.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"It was inevitable that Dan Berkson would make a jazz album like Dialogues: joyful, danceable, entertaining, driven by the pleasure principle, and filled with virtuosity. It represents Berkson's experiences in London, where jazz is a living, breathing, dancing scene. It's his love letter to the city, bristling with British talent such as bassist Andrea di Biase (Heidi Vogell, Maria Chiara Argiro, Bruno Heinen) and drummer Jon Scott (Kairos 4Tet, Sons Of Kemet, Mulatu Astatke) and recorded in his final days in the city before relocating to California. It's also rich with history: the musical journey that brought him to this point covers almost 40 years and 4,000 miles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDialogues is a jazz album, not an electronic one – but all the groove-based influences, from the rootsy blues and ragtime of his youth, through the funk he played at college and the house he imbibed in London can be heard, as can his love of the studio as an instrument and mixdowns that suit a club soundsystem. Detroit dons Theo Parrish and Moodymann are every bit as important to this record as Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Keith Jarrett, Ornette Coleman, Jimmy Giuffre, and Herbie Hancock. There's 50s and 60s cool modernism (just listen to the elegant ripples of \u003ci\u003eSketches\u003c\/i\u003e), there's 70s funk fusion (\u003ci\u003eUnity\u003c\/i\u003e kicks things off with a spring in its step), and of course there's the pumping blues heart of \u003ci\u003eLive Bait\u003c\/i\u003e. Above all else, though, it's a personal document: a life of music and collaboration crystalised in a magical, transitional moment. Where Dan goes next musically is as uncertain as anything in these times... but this one record tells you everything you need to know about where he's been.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP.","offer_id":50463874908491,"sku":"1128264","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50463876612427,"sku":"1144852","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d015936d-31eb-41b5-8662-3bf1d0737ef0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727267810"},{"product_id":"rare-groove-spectrum-vol-2","title":"Rare Groove Spectrum, Vol. 2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRare Groove Spectrum Vol. 2\u003c\/i\u003e is another solid collection of re-works and re-imaginings taking in a broad range of classic tracks, traversing jazz funk rarities, balearic digs, latin groovers and more. Backed by a stellar group of Melbourne musicians including members of The Bamboos \u0026amp; Menagerie, Lance continues the tradition of creating \"live re-edits\" demonstrated on the initial volume - all pulled off with an inimitable style and playfulness, though always with an obvious love for the foundations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Lance says: \"Some of these versions can almost be looked at as DJ re-edits, sometimes we're extending what may be a really short track into something longer, or teasing out the elements in a song that really make it work on a dance-floor. It's essentially what someone does with a club re-edit, except we went the extra step and re-recorded the whole thing with a live band\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom Carly Simon through to Mongo Santamaria via Marcos Valle and Pat Metheny - and following the championing of Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 1 by the likes of Gilles Peterson, Craig Charles, Jazz FM and more - this second volume of Lance Ferguson's Rare Groove Spectrum is sure to hit the sweet spot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50463876251979,"sku":"1139605","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50463876743499,"sku":"1139606","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"the-craig-charles-funk-and-soul-club-vol-6","title":"The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club, Vol. 6","description":"\u003cp\u003eSince the very first edition of his Funk \u0026amp; Soul Club compilations was released back in 2012, Craig Charles has continued his mission to spread the sound of mighty good grooves right around the world. The music continues to grow, expand and spread the message that no matter if it's classic or brand spanking new, quality funky, soulful, jazzy, latin or bluesy sounds, people of every age, of every shade, from all over the planet cannot get enough of the real deal! This 6th volume of The Craig Charles Funk \u0026amp; Soul Club may just be the best yet, featuring seventeen cool contemporary cuts, and two absolute solid gold, classic rare groove monsters that have proven to be evergreen dance floor destroyers for 4 decades! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first classic rare groove will be familiar as it's been sampled many times since it's release in 1978 - The Mighty Ryeders 'Evil Vibrations, as well as being a dance floor perennial in it's own right, also formed the basis of De La Soul's 'A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturday's - and it an honour to have it in this collection....what a tune! The second rare groove classic selection comes from another British musical giant - keyboard hero Brian Auger and his Oblivion Express and features the elastic vocal chords of Alex Ligertwood. Foolish Girl is taken from Brian's 1975 album 'Reinforcements' and to me it sounds like the Average White Band but with Jimmy Smith guesting on keyboards - it's sunshine dappled, groovy jazz-funk with all it's lovely bits hanging out. Stir those 2 classics into a mix that includes Eddie Robert's Matador! Soul Sounds, Smoove and Turrell feat Izo FitzRoy, Courtney Pine with special guest Omar, Gizelle Smith, The Get Up's funkified version of Deep Purple's Hush, Michelle David and The Gospel Sessions, Kizzy Crawford, mambo madness courtesy of Daptone Records Orquesta Akokan, The Lewis Express\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50463942508875,"sku":"1052141","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/93951a1a-a849-49d0-bfd1-8869875cc298_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727268822"},{"product_id":"rare-groove-spectrum","title":"Rare Groove Spectrum","description":"\u003cp\u003eLance Ferguson's \u003ci\u003eRare Groove Spectrum\u003c\/i\u003e is a collection of newly recorded versions of classic funk, soul, jazz and latin vinyl rarities, which features some of Melbourne's finest musicians across the album, including past and present members of The Bamboos, The Putbacks and Hiatus Kaiyote. As the man at the helm of many musical projects over the years including Cookin' On 3 Burners, Menagerie and his solo project Lanu, Lance is no stranger to the art of imaginative musical re-interpretation, be the material soul, funk and jazz based or the works of James Blake, Roxy Music and Prefab Sprout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTop-shelf classics have been re-imagined in different guises: James Mason's \u003ci\u003eSweet Power, Your Embrace\u003c\/i\u003e as a sun-drenched Samba, or Anderson Paak's sure shot tune \u003ci\u003eAm I Wrong \u003c\/i\u003egiven an 1980's style Boogie \/ Jazz Funk makeover. Stir into this musical gumbo stew the raw Deep Funk of \u003ci\u003eEgg Roll\u003c\/i\u003e, the swinging Mod R\u0026amp;B of Googie Rene's \u003ci\u003eSmoky Joe's La La\u003c\/i\u003e to the epic, widescreen Jazz-Funk of Pleasure's \u003ci\u003eJoyous\u003c\/i\u003e - \u003ci\u003eRare Groove Spectrum\u003c\/i\u003e provides new perspectives on the obscure to the well-loved, from old-school to new sounds - this is rare grooves re-grooved... beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50463948374347,"sku":"1055374","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/67cc9288-2fcd-4325-b564-f9579ed5a3fb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727268893"},{"product_id":"the-man-refix","title":"The Man (Refix)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFresh from beginning his stint on Eastenders, the ridiculously multi-faceted Omar Lyefook MBE drops a new refix of 2013's The Man. Originally forming the title track of his standout album of the same name - his first album for the Freestyle label - the infectious melodies and low-slung beats of The Man represented some of the UK icon's best work to date, not to mention some of the funkiest use of a bass clarinet ever. This fresh and contemporary take uses the final few bars of the original track as its starting point in a \"part 2\" style - and though retaining its gloriously sun-soaked \u0026amp; laid-back groove, Omar somehow manages to simultaneously pull off a speaker rattling banger to boot. It should come as no surprise that Omar continues to surprise us, and this is no exception.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50465185300811,"sku":"1165686","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"you-gotta-shout-love-and-romance","title":"You Gotta Shout \/ Love and Romance","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records reissue a DIY 7\" from 1980 by short-lived all-female group Spoilsports. Existing at the intersection of post-punk, jazz-rock and modern soul - these two political yet playful numbers were laid down by a band formed from a range of players active in London's feminist and improvised music scenes at the time, and represent the groups only recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpoilsports began in 1979 with the aim of having an all-female band that could be actively feminist and playful at the same time, with an eye toward gaining an appeal beyond that of the wider women's lib movement of the time. The line-up originally consisted of Carole Nelson on keys, Angele Veltmeijer on saxophone, Sheelagh Way on drums, Lesley Shone on bass, Isabel on congas and with Laka Koq providing vocals. After a short while this would become just Carole, Angele \u0026amp; Sheila - with Ruth Bitelli being brought in on bass, and Barbara Stretch topping things off on vocals. The band played at Gay Pride '79 in Hyde Park, a Women's Music Festival in Neimegen, Holland; lots of benefits, and maintained a weekly residency at The Earl of Aberdeen in Mile End (now sadly demolished).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately the group lasted only 18 months or so all in all, and this is their first and last record - in fact, they intentionally laid it down to tape in order to provide a memory of the group before they called it a day, and we are so glad they did! Recorded in Pimlico's Archipelago Studios in the same year that Elvis Costello would record his album Get Happy there, the original 7\" gained a review in the NME, whom dubbed it \"a cross between Steely Dan and The Joy of Cooking\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50465310179659,"sku":"1161189","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7714ddcb-350b-4016-a601-5a98be2489cf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727285776"},{"product_id":"kinky-fly-sweet-loving-love","title":"Kinky Fly \/ Sweet Loving Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records mark the recent passing of the great Lee \u003ci\u003eScratch\u003c\/i\u003e Perry with this gem of 45 showcasing 2 of his stellar early Black Ark-era productions - plucked from the To Love Somebody LP reissue project from earlier this year, which unearthed the Perry-produced debut from Bunny Scott (aka Bunny Clarke aka Bunny Rugs, later of Third World).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Blaxploitation-influenced funk track \u003ci\u003eKinky Fly\u003c\/i\u003e features members of The Chi-Lites' backing band (passing through the infamous studio whilst in Jamaica for a series of shows) - their horn section and Chinna Smith's wah-wah guitar shine through with synth overdubs adding to the mood, underpinned by the ghostly click tracks of the Conn Rhythm Unit (constituting one of Scratch's earliest experiments with drum machines). On the flip, the upbeat 'Sweet Loving Love' boasts a jaunty synthline high up in the mix and a stellar rhythm section augmenting Bunny's soulful tenor.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50465310769483,"sku":"1141333","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"witchdoctor","title":"Witchdoctor","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis is a Record Store Day 2019 item. It will be available to purchase from our stores from 8am 13th April. Remaining stock will be available to purchase from this page at 00.01 20th April.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2015, Freestyle Records re-issued the groundbreaking \u003ci\u003eAfrican Party\u003c\/i\u003e album by the somewhat mysterious figure of Ginger (George Folunsho) Johnson. Recorded in 1967, nearly 20 years after he first arrived in post war London and immediately began performing and recording with London jazz stalwarts Ronnie Scott and Pete King. Credited by those in the know (including Giles Peterson, Louie Vega, Fela Kuti's drummer Tony Allen and writer David Toop) as the godfather of afrobeat, Ginger and his group, The African Messengers enjoyed a varied career as the go to afro-cuban percussion group for recording sessions in the UK, working with Georgie Fame, Osibisa, Madeleine Bell and Quincy Jones - as well as acting us mentor to a young Fela Kuti and members of Cymande who cut their teeth as members of his ensemble. They also performed at The Royal Variety Performance, Ginger's music featured in the James Bond film \u003ci\u003eLive and Let Die\u003c\/i\u003e and Ginger himself appears on screen drumming in the Hammer Films cult classic \u003ci\u003eShe\u003c\/i\u003e, and famously performed with The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in 1969. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAside from \u003ci\u003eAfrican Party\u003c\/i\u003e, and several Hi Life singles released on the Melodisc label in the 50's, it was thought that there were no further recordings by this hugely influential musician . Eventually, prompted by the attention afforded the Freestyle re-issues - Ginger's son Dennis Dee Mac Johnson was contacted by Uchenna Ikonne, a renowned African music collector, who told him he had discovered one rather battered original copy of a 45 single, released in the mid 70's on the short lived 'Afrodesia' label, For Record Store Day 2019, Freestyle are proud to release the 2 tracks on a fresh vinyl 45. \u003ci\u003eWitchdoctor\u003c\/i\u003e is not the track of the same name on \u003ci\u003eAfrican Party\u003c\/i\u003e, but it and \u003ci\u003eNawa\u003c\/i\u003e (written by Dizzy Gillespie cohort Chano Pozo) demonstrate a musical progression as funk had stamped it's indelible footprint on Ginger's music along with afro-cuban rhythms and jazz. Thanks to Claudio Passavanti at Doctor Mix Studios in London, who has done quite an amazing restoration and re-mastering job on this long lost music.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50465343177035,"sku":"1059042","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"voo-sobre-o-horizonte-why","title":"Voo Sobre o Horizonte \/ Why","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnother Lance Ferguson 7\" single pressed in collaboration with seminal Japanese record store Jet Set, following up on last summer's killer Brazilian Rhyme\/Sweet Power Your Embrace 45. This time getting the it's two selections from the second volume of Lance's Rare Groove Spectrum series, the stellar take on Azymyth's Voo Sobre O Horizonte (Fly Over the Horizon) and Ferguson's instrumental take on an all-time Balearic classic, Carly Simon's Why.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCut loud to 7\" wax and served in a polybag with Japanese insert.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50467622551883,"sku":"2022675","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki-2_5b0455ae_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727339996"},{"product_id":"come-touch-tomorrow","title":"Come Touch Tomorrow","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing a yearly run of 4 albums self-released between 1979 and 1982, Nigerian-born saxophonist, flutist, and clarinettist Daoud Abubakar Balewa then took a few years off before returning with 1985's \u003ci\u003eCome Touch Tomorrow\u003c\/i\u003e, the first of two albums issued under the updated name of Ambiance II Fusion. Combining the afro-spiritual jazz \u0026amp; be-bop inflected fusion of his earlier work as Ambiance, this record took the project into more modern \u0026amp; distinctly cosmic planes with the introduction of spacey pads and drum machines working alongside somewhat tighter arrangements and solid rhythm sections. Of particular note here is the B1 track \"Boy What a Joy\" on which a sublimely funky synth \u0026amp; drum machine throwdown is presented in prophetically lo-fi fashion - recalling recent stylistic approaches from the likes of Dâm-Funk among others.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50478679687499,"sku":"2026485","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki-2_49105798_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727488543"},{"product_id":"the-anthology","title":"The Anthology","description":"\u003cp\u003eOmar Lyefook MBE is without doubt, one of the greatest soul music talents the United Kingdom has produced in the last 40 years. If anyone has doubts about that, then they might want to consider the list of legendary artists who happily line up to collaborate with him musically, or simply sing his praises - from Stevie Wonder, the late Leon Ware, Erykah Badu, Common, through to Carleen Anderson, D'Angelo, and Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler, Angie Stone and U.K. artists Courtney Pine, Rodney P, Kele LeRoc, Natasha Watts and Estelle, all appreciate his truly original and unique voice, musicianship and songwriting talent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen asked to reflect on his long, successful, critically acclaimed and deeply influential career that shows no signs of slowing up, Omar said \u003ci\u003e\"I feel blessed. I try to keep things moving and evolving, and when I finish an album, I always put my heart and soul into it. I'm looking at it from an outsider's point of view, because I never really see myself making the music. It's like I'm the vessel and somebody's controlling what I do, I just happen to be the one that gets the praise for it\".\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat modest statement just re-enforces the fact that Omar is simply a one off, a genuinely unique artist. That is a bold claim, but his sound is so immediately identifiable, that you will know you are hearing an Omar track within seconds - and that is the stamp of true originality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis collection features many of his classic collaborations, from his evergreen worldwide anthem There's Nothing Like This, It's So, the dancefloor destroying banger inspired by the amalgam of sounds Omar heard at The Notting Hill Carnival.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50479341896011,"sku":"1136387","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_10_34e1004f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727507497"},{"product_id":"dancing-inner-space-1982-1984","title":"Dancing Inner Space, 1982-1984","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records drop an unmissable LP of foundational UK dance music made between 1982 to 1984, in the form of the collected output of Contact-U - aka Rick de Jongh and Andy Sojka's stripped-back electro boogie project.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt the turn of the 1980s Challenge Records was founded on North London's Holloway Road - formed by Andy Sojka \u0026amp; Rick de Jongh to act as a sister-label to Sojka's seminal soul \u0026amp; boogie-focused Elite imprint. Initially releasing a smattering of lovers rock singles, Challenge would quickly begin to focus-in on the emerging sounds of Hi-NRG \u0026amp; electro - with Contact-U, an alias for Rick \u0026amp; Andy's own stripped-back productions, becoming Challenge's first act in this vein.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRecording the sublimely wonky spaceage funk of 'Inside You' in November of 1982, de Jongh \u0026amp; Sojka followed this up over the next 2 years with three 12\" releases for Challenge before hanging up the moniker. Providing infectious synth-based melodies \u0026amp; basslines with killer drum-machines \u0026amp; minimal but effective live percussion - and in a couple of instances (see \"Inca Sacrifice\" and \"Breaking Point') crucial dub re-versions on their B-sides - these tracks are some of the strongest electro-funk records to come out of the UK during this period. Dig in!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50479418868043,"sku":"2002611","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_1_3e982584_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727508956"},{"product_id":"remind-me","title":"Remind Me","description":"\u003cp\u003eA much needed pressing of the late Candy McKenzie's heavy boogie-funk cover of Patrice Rushen's classic Remind Me. Produced by Candy's late cousin, and seasoned session bass player, John McKenzie (and licensed from the family estate) this was originally released in 1983 - and comes with an excellent dubbed-out 'Different Style' instrumental version on the flip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCandy McKenzie (1953-2003) was a North West London-based vocalist from a Guyanese family heavily steeped in musicianship . She began learning the piano at a young age, picking up vocal harmony from her father, a jazz bass player. Her brothers Bunny \u0026amp; Binky, were also celebrated bassists. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCandy, regularly accompanied by her brother Bunny, would find reggae vocal session work - often at the Chalk Farm Studios frequented by many key producers and acts. She found her way onto Aswad's first album and Keith Hudson's legendary \u003ci\u003eFlesh Of My Skin Blood Of My Blood\u003c\/i\u003e LP - and a little while later on a couple of sessions with Bob Marley for Island, under the supervision of Lee Perry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe latter two parties took a keen interest in Candy, with Island wisking her away to Jamaica in 1977 to record an album at the legendary Black Ark. Her vocals found their way onto The Congos seminal Heart of the Congos LP, but the album she recorded with Perry was shelved - with just the Black Art holy grail 12\" Disco Fits \/ Breakfast in Bed finding it's way to release at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBack in London, Candy spent the early to mid 80s recording various lovers and funk\/soul 12\"s, including this fantastic cover of Patrice Rushen's Remind Me, produced by her cousin John. She went on to record singles for labels like Elite \u0026amp; Cooltempo throughout the '80s and early '90s, and appeared as backing vocalist with the likes of Leonard Cohen, Whitney Houston, Elton John and Diana Ross. She passed away in 2003, with her one and only album recorded at the Black Ark finally seeing release on Trojan in 2011.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50525272998219,"sku":"1158560","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"dancer","title":"Dancer","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe first officially licensed reissue for a previously white label-only slice of fantastic 1982 UK boogie funk, featuring the vocal talents of a then 19 year-old Caron Wheeler!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLa Famille were a group put together at the turn of the 1980s by seasoned reggae \u0026amp; jazz guitarist (and later band-member with the award-winning Jazz Jamaica) Alan Weekes. The band's main line-up consisted not only of a young Wheeler, but also a young Cleveland Watkiss - as well as the late Claudia Fontaine (who would go on to pair with Caron as Afrodiziak) and Roy Hamilton - with guitar, arrangement and production provided by Weekes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile the group was short-lived - recording only this 12\" alongside a couple of singles for Leonard \"Santic\" Chin's Sanity label (a stellar cover of the Mary Jane Girl's classic All Night Long) and Alan's later Bpop label (the down-tempo groover Lost in Paradise, co-arranged alongside Watkiss) - there is no denying the talent on display here, as the years and decades that followed can surely attest.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50526216159563,"sku":"1158567","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"hard-times-9","title":"Hard Times","description":"\u003cp\u003eChequers' ultra-rare 1983 electro-boogie 45 'Hard Times', backed with the equally stellar 'If You Want My Love', sees it's first ever reissue courtesy of Freestyle Records!\n----------\nStarted as a reggae band, Chequers were formed by the Matthias Brothers, John \u0026amp; Richard, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in 1973. Inititally releasing in the early part of the 1970s (with their first single Rudi's In Love charting in the UK) their sound then developed to also incorporate Philly soul influences in the mid-70s, then releasing a rare but solid LP 'Check Us Out', in 1976. The group eventually evolved into a seven piece funk outfit in the late 70s, playing shows to larger and larger audiences and touring throughout the UK \u0026amp; Europe.\n1980 saw the birth of the Matthias brothers' own small independent outlet for the group, Matthias Records. The press release of the new label's first single declared that their \"roots in the reggae and soul music of the last mod era\" were being brought up to date, now embracing \"the music of today and tomorrow...\". That 45 (the cheeky pop-punk meets ska cover version of Midnight Hour, backed with the uptempo instrumental funk of Move Up) didn't necessarily come good on that promise. 3 years would then pass until this 45 showcased the throughly-updated \u0026amp; stellar electro-boogie sound of Hard Times and it's equally strong b-side If You Want My Love.\nFollowing this neither Matthias Records nor Chequers as a group ever released anything further - the record's scarcity (and hideously inflated prices on today's secondhand market) hint at low sales and potential distribution problems upon it's original release, perhaps leading to the label and the group calling it a day. Conjecture aside, there's really no denying this record slaps, and with discogs prices reaching beyond ridiculous levels there is only one option - get it before it's gone!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50544762618187,"sku":"2014708","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_c4924e62_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728334684"},{"product_id":"exit-from-the-ultra-world","title":"Exit from the Ultra-World","description":"\u003cp\u003eZach Phillips and Olia Eichenbaum met online in late 2018 and quickly began collaborating remotely, and in France and Brooklyn. First working together under the name the Pearly Gates, they toured western Europe together in 2019 with a common band shared between Olia's project Œ \u0026amp; Zach and Ma Clément's group Fievel Is Glauque. After taking a year off, it was during the early months of the pandemic that they started sending music and lyrics back and forth. Before they knew it, the entire Perfect Angels album was written and recorded in under a month, with Olia andj guests' remote overdubs taking a bit more time. It was recorded entirely to Tascam 388 1\/4\" 8-track tape with computers intervening only during guest overdubs, mixing \u0026amp; mastering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50832573956427,"sku":"2025876","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Exit_from_the_Ultra-World_f3573dcf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731569148"},{"product_id":"cant-get-enough-of-your-love","title":"Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFronted by former South London lovers rock vocal harmony group, Alpha (sisters Jackie \u0026amp; Jean Heron and Marlene Richardson), Take Three was the brain-child of writer\/producer trio \"S.H.E.\" - Steve Sinclair, Peter Hinds \u0026amp; Kevin Ellis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeeting each other at The Factory community centre in Paddington (now known as the Yaa Asantewa centre and in the last few years, The Yaa Centre) Steve \u0026amp; Kevin began a partnership writing and directing their own theatre productions as part of The Black Theatre Co-Op, which called the centre home at the time. When a song they had written together for one of their productions received praise and plaudits, the path toward writing and producing records began, bringing in more seasoned hand Peter Hinds - formerly a member of key brit funk groups Light of the World and Beggar \u0026amp; Co, and player with Incognito, Imagination \u0026amp; Loose Ends - to complete the circle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing on from Freestyle's reissue of the group's first single around this time last year, in the form of 1983's Tonight's the Night, we decided to drop another killer 12\" from the Take Three vaults - this time it's their last single released as Take Three in 1985. Can't Get Enough (of Your Love) was originally licensed out to, and released by Andy Sojka's seminal Elite label. It features two super extended mixes - the A side's \"Soul mix\" showcases the girls's harmonies pinned down by a big \u0026amp; heavy synth bass groove before moving into boogie-dub territory, while the B side \"Reggae mix\" introduces an offbeat skank heightening the vocal stylings' lovers-esque tendancies.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50901654176075,"sku":"2026858","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki-2_2fa87216_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732773738"},{"product_id":"promise-land-vocals-and-version","title":"Promise Land: Vocals and Version","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records presents Albert \"Alchemist\" Thompson's Promise Land, an EP featuring vocals from reggae and dancehall greats Frankie Paul, Joseph Cotton, Prince Malachi and Anthony John, representing a musical collection that has gradually evolved, matured and marinated over the course of the past 32 years - now finally seeing it's first ever release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlbert Thompson (brother to the great Peter Chemist) was chief engineer at the storied I\u0026amp;I Sound Recording Studio after it moved it's base from Los Angeles to Jamaica in 1989, working with a wide range of heavyweight artists such as Dennis Brown, Bunny Wailer, Mighty Diamonds, Gregory Isaacs and many many more. During some studio downtime in early 1991, Albert laid down the rhythm track (itself a take on Aswad's Love Fire riddim, made most famous by Dennis Brown's iconic Promised land vocal track) with musical assistance from Tony Thomas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 years and a move to London later, Albert had founded his Alchemist Recording Studio on Brixton's Acre Lane in a space above the legendary Supertone Records - recording dubplates with talented local artists and touring Jamaican artists alike. Digging out the Promise Land tape, he proceeded to cut these 4 vocals on the version during the course of 2007. Another 16 years gone, and after hearing the tracks following a chance encounter with Albert in South East London, we felt they were finally ready to see release!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50934170943819,"sku":"2029793","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_6ba17f05_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733361734"},{"product_id":"the-way-u-make-me-feel-uk-boogie-and-street-soul-1980-1994","title":"The Way U Make Me Feel: UK Boogie and Street Soul, 1980-1994","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records compile a killer overview of rare \u0026amp; undersung UK street soul \u0026amp; boogie tracks from across the 80s and early 90s, selected from the creme of the label's recent 12\" reissue programme. Features an exclusive mid-90s cut from Manchester street soul act Gold In The Shade, along with photography from Andrew Holligan and notes from Kevin Le Gendre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"The sleeve of this album has faces that tell a thousand stories. In Hackney, east London, where photographer Andrew Holligan created a series of inspired pictures, every day people developed a vibrant culture, enlivening a part of the capital that was much maligned during the Thatcher years. The street was a lounge, a place to meet, talk, laugh, and, generally, hang. This was also the golden age of the house party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the dawn of the 80s the sound of black popular music that these good folk were listening to was in the grip of change. For the most part bands with horn sections were scaling down and the 8-10 piece unit gave way to much smaller ensembles with a less orchestral sound, as saxophonists, trumpeters and trombonists who provided finely shaded harmonies and counter-melodies were being replaced by keyboard players. Indeed the rainbow of colours fashioned by an arsenal of synthesizers, from Prophets and Korgs to Rolands and Yamahas, brought preen and sheen to soul, which, with a lower tempo and heavy bouncing bass lines, was being referred to as boogie. Needless to say the new sub-genre caught on in the UK and became another form of vocabulary for audiences to embrace in the slipstream of the Brit-funk movement of the mid '70s, which was spearheaded by groups of mostly young Britons of West Indian heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"2LP Black","offer_id":51548275278155,"sku":"R0231-3146","price":33.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_91b128f6-f6f1-4655-8204-f4f5375faa72.jpg?v=1749235355"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_4bf71358_thumbnail_4096_b6e71a72-0d17-406c-b6d1-0659170546a2.jpg?v=1726378989","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/freestyle.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}