{"title":"First Word","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst Word is a London-based label that was established in 2003. With a team of dedicated professionals, including A\u0026amp;R expert Aly Gillani, label manager Bobby Bignell, and promo specialist Neil Bopperson, First Word has become a prominent player in the music industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown for their innovative approach to music production and promotion, First Word has consistently delivered high-quality releases across various genres. Their diverse roster of talented artists spans from emerging talents to established names in the industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an emphasis on nurturing creativity and supporting artists throughout their careers, First Word provides a platform for musicians to showcase their unique sound and connect with audiences worldwide. Whether you're a fan looking for fresh sounds or an artist seeking professional guidance, First Word is your go-to destination for all things music.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-making-of-silk","title":"The Making of Silk","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is proud to bring you 'The Making of Silk', the brand new album from Allysha Joy.\nAllysha Joy is a deeply-expressive singer, songwriter, producer \u0026amp; keys player hailing from Naarm (Melbourne), known for both her solo work and as front woman for 30\/70. A uniquely-talented artist, her husky soulful voice, formidable Fender Rhodes prowess and raw poeticism has garnered legions of attentive fans the world over.\nAs an integral performer in the modern day jazz-soul scene, previous support has included selectors Gilles Peterson \u0026amp; Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), China Moses (Jazz FM) \u0026amp; Laurent Garnier (PBB France), along with stations such as NTS, Lot Radio, KEXP \u0026amp; KCRW, and publications including OkayPlayer, Dazed and The Vinyl Factory.\nAlong with a recent foray into the USA market with a string of successful shows, Allysha Joy has performed alongside acts such as Snarky Puppy, PJ Morton, The Teskey Brothers, Kokoroko and Children of Zeus, to name a few.\nJoy has previously released two full-length solo albums 'Acadie : Raw' in 2018, 'Torn : Tonic' in 2022 and an EP, 'Light It Again' in 2020, along with countless collaborations and features over the past few years.\nEntirely self-produced and affectionately poured over, 'The Making of Silk' is about a new understanding of the meaning of love.\nJoy says, \"it's the kind of love that bell hooks writes about, that lives in the poetry of Mary Oliver, Hafiz and the passionate dreaming of a Koryusai painting. It's about a love that is compassionate, that lives in open conversation, deep listening, the front lines of social movement and would never seek to stifle the light in you. It's about accepting our aloneness, the impermanence of all things and still forever wanting to prove it wrong, to say that I understand that all things change, all things end, hurt exists, but I will love regardless.\" \nRiding on the waves of rich string arrangements, layers of vocal harmony and the raw poeticism she is known for, Allysha Joy's next album is embodying love.\n'The Making of Silk' is due to be released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital worldwide, September 13th 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50380159910219,"sku":"2210844","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey LP","offer_id":50380160139595,"sku":"2210847","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_2d73bf00_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726209845"},{"product_id":"all-the-way-5","title":"All The Way","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis year, First Word Records celebrates its fifteenth year in the game. The year commenced triumphantly with First Word being named \"record label of the year\" at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards 2019. Over the past six months, we've seen new music from 14KT, Souleance, Myele Manzanza, Teotima, Don Leisure, Children of Zeus and a range of artists across Europe, on the 'Music! Musik! Musique!' compilation.\nTo commemorate the 15th anniversary, First Word has a series of releases in the works for the second half of the year which see collaborations by artists from the label's current roster. To kick off, we have this special double-AA sided 7\" single featuring Darkhouse Family, Kaidi Tatham \u0026amp; Tyler Daley.\nDarkhouse Family consists of two Cardiff beatmakers \u0026amp; musicians, Earl Jeffers - founder of Melange Records and producer of 'A Library Excursion' from 2018, and Don Leisure, who recently provided us with 'Halal Cool J', the beat-tape sequel to 2017's 'Shaboo'. Over the years they've had releases, solo \u0026amp; individually, on Fat City, Metalheadz \u0026amp; Earnest Endeavors to name a few, bridging the gaps between various strains of dance music, beats and hip hop, with the organics of jazz and funk. Recently making noise across the UK with their new live band, and production work for the likes of Kamaal Williams, this is their first new release since their highly-acclaimed 2017 debut album 'The Offering' \u0026amp; subsequent remix project which also featured DJ Spinna, and one Kaidi Tatham.\nKaidi Tatham is one of the most revered multi-instrumentalists in the game. His endless contributions have included Bugz In The Attic, Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Moonchild, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler and loads more. Dubbed by Benji B last year as \"the UK's Herbie Hancock\", his versatility as a musician is actually more akin to Prince. He can play most things, and play them well. Providing flute duties on this track, he also graces the flipside with a full \"flutestrumental\" version. Aside from numerous other projects, Kaidi released three EPs on First Word to date, 'Changing Times', 'Hard Times' and 'Serious Times', and an album last year, entitled 'It's A World Before You', which featured daddy of 2000 Black, Dego, son of Jazzy Jeff, Uhmeer and Children of Zeus, Konny Kon \u0026amp; Tyler Daley.\nTyler Daley hails from Manchester, alongside son of Zeus, MC \/ DJ \/ beatmaker, Konny Kon. Somewhat of a veteran in the game, Tyler is currently one of the most-recognisable talents in the British soul scene, also lending his talents to dance music royalty along the way, including the likes of Goldie, Zed Bias, DJ Marky \u0026amp; Lenzman. With Children of Zeus, the duo have had a whirlwind 12 months since the release of their debut album 'Travel Light', performing shows across the globe \u0026amp; gaining new fans daily. The record was named \"album of the year\" by Complex magazine and BBC 6 Music's Huey Morgan, amongst a number of other notable tastemakers \u0026amp; selectors. Hot on the heels of the 'Excess Baggage' EP, Tyler laces this one with his inimitable brand of bars and soul.\nA veritable super-group amongst the First Word stable, this low-slung slinky joint sees the guys work up a unique blend of jazz, soul, beats and hip hop - guaranteed to go 'All The Way'…\n\n'All The Way' is released on First Word Records on July 26th 2019, limited 7\" vinyl \u0026amp; digital.\n\nProduced \u0026amp; mixed by Darkhouse Family\nVocals by Tyler Daley (Children of Zeus)\nFlute by Kaidi Tatham\nKeys \/ Bass by Earl Jeffers\nHorns by Laurence Collier\nAdditional flute by Gail Tasker\nAll other elements by Don Leisure \u0026amp; Earl Jeffers (DHF)\nMastered by Matt Colton\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50384062284107,"sku":"2165129","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_d952e21e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726285222"},{"product_id":"love-purpose","title":"Love And Purpose","description":"\u003cp\u003eCelebrating their 20th year in the game, award-winning imprintFirst Word Recordscontinue their impressive run of releases,unveiling their brand new compilation album'Love \u0026amp; Purpose'. Lovingly crafted by label founderAly Giliani(AKA Gilla), the album is a celebration of British soul music, past and present. Inspired by the vinyl compilations that shaped his early years as a DJ, Gilla has curated a set of 12 tracks that tell the story of underground British soul music over the last 40 years, taking in street soul, alternative R\u0026amp;B, neo-soul and lovers rock. \n\nKeen to ensure that this was more than an exercise in nostalgia, the album is split into two halves: Disc One (Love) is focussed on artists who were active pre-2000, whilst Disc Two (Purpose) shines a light on newer artists who are carrying the torch for the previous generation. So the Carl McIntosh produced 'Feel' by Ruth Joy sits alongside the throwback street-soul sounds of Lynda Dawn, and Children Of Zeus' modern lovers rock classic 'Hard Work' rubs shoulders with Omar's evergreen 'Ghana Emotion'. With music from artists in Manchester, London, Leeds, Cardiff and Sheffield, Love \u0026amp; Purpose is the soundtrack to summers from 1985 to the present day. Highlights include the Nick Martinelli (Loose Ends) produced 'Tell Me' by 52nd Street, Lynda Dawn's Roses and cover-starDazzle's 'Dazzle You'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50384197583179,"sku":"2209646","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_e4dd6fcb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726290082"},{"product_id":"these-times-2","title":"These Times","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is extremely proud to welcome the legendary New Sector Movements to the label, and the first new release from this moniker in 15 years! A 5-track EP for 'These Times', comprised of street soul, hip hop, jazz and bruk-tinged vibes.\n\nFounded, headed and produced by DJ \u0026amp; musician IG Culture (CoOp Presents \/ LCSM), this all-new quasi-group project also features the vocal talents of Allysha Joy, Mike City and Natalie May with additional accompaniment from Wonky Logic, Wayne Francis, Alex Phountzi and the NSM Fusion Starship!\n\nNew Sector Movements (aka NSM) were the first out the gate at the dawn of the original broken beat movement, releasing their first single 'Groove Now \/ New Goya' on the People label in 1997, then releasing several singles and EPs through to the late noughties, and dropping a classic album on Virgin entitled 'Download This'. The previous incarnation featured several other artists from the bruk foundation era, including Kaidi Tatham, Izzy Dunn, Julie Dexter and Eska Mtungwazi amongst others.\n\nAwarded a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the 2019 Worldwide Awards, NSM's IG Culture is a hugely pioneering prolific artist in the UK music scene. His catalogue of releases over the years has seen numerous aliases, collaborations, remixes and productions. Appearing on the scene in 1990 as part of Dodge City Productions, to producing several solo albums throughout the noughties, to recent years with his hugely-acclaimed cosmic jazz outfit LCSM (Likwid Continual Space Motion), additionally to co-running the CoOp Presents label, continuing the legacy of the award-winning club night whilst showcasing new artists, IG Culture has been omnipresent at every corner of British black music for three decades deep, influencing many a sound.\n\nThis is all additionally to projects like NameBrandSound, Likwid Biskit, Da One Away and Son of Scientist to name just a few. His work has appeared on releases by Roots Manuva, Young Disciples, Les Nubians and Monday Michiru, while remix work over the years has included Gang Starr, Femi Kuti, José James, Miraa May, Slum Village, Digital Underground, Luniz, Naughty By Nature, Airto Moreira \u0026amp; Flora Purim.\n\nAs a DJ, he's shut down dances all over the world, recently at places like Fabric, We Out Here festival and Summer Dance Forever in Amsterdam, as well as regularly rocking the airwaves on Worldwide FM and combining the two at BBC 6 Music's All Points East stage in the Summer. IG Culture also founded Selectors Assemble; a collective of forward thinking DJs and producers.\n\nSo, as we head towards Winter 2022, New Sector Movements has returned (but don't call it a comeback!). After a turbulent few years in the world, it seemed a poignant moment to reinvigorate the soul, and reflect upon 'These Times'. Here we have five brand new tracks, each illustrating a pertinent mood and attitude representing the current climate. Allysha Joy leads the vocal on EP opener 'These Times', a sumptuous slice of street soul with a deeply infectious horn hook. 'Stand' is next - uptempo boom bap for the dancers, this one featuring the soulful pipes of Mike City. 'Hope' is a midtempo jazz-funk dub again feature vocal licks from Allysha, and introducing the mysterious NSM Fusion Starship into the fold. 'H.E.A.T.' picks up the pace with some infectious jazz-bruk business, this one lead by Natalie May on the vocals, who explains \"heat = movement, motion\". And finally 'Bless' with closes the set on a four-four riddim with bruk sensibilites, inviting Mike City back with an uplifting vocal requesting we \"bless the people just trying to make it\".\n\nAn essential EP of cross-genre vibes to resonate cross-generations, New Sector Movements do not ramp. IG Culture and crew proceed to give you what you need for 'These Times'.\n\n'These Times' is released on vinyl and digital worldwide via First Word Records late February 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50388087603531,"sku":"2014732","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_27211ae5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726339552"},{"product_id":"fly-moon-die-soon","title":"Fly Moon Die Soon","description":"\u003cp\u003eA highly-respected trumpeter born in Kobe, Japan, Takuya is a forward-thinking musician that has developed a unique hybrid sound, blending soulful jazz, funk, post-bop, fusion and hip hop music.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis album is about the irony between the greatness of nature and the beautiful obsceneness of humanity. Melodies and grooves fly back and forth from being spiritual to being vulgar. The album consists of nine tracks of excellence. The uptempo jazz-funk of \u003ci\u003eABC\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMoody\u003c\/i\u003e sit alongside soulful jazz cuts like \u003ci\u003eFade\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eCHANGE\u003c\/i\u003e, also featuring Corey King on vocals. The title track is a downtempo groove lead by a heavy Moog bassline, whilst \u003ci\u003eDo No Why\u003c\/i\u003e contains an infectious piano riff throughout. Aside from Takuya's original compositions, he revisits two classics from Ohio Players (\u003ci\u003eSweet Sticky Thing\u003c\/i\u003e featuring Alina Engibaryan on vocals) and Herbie Hancock (T\u003ci\u003eell Me A Bedtime Story\u003c\/i\u003e) whilst the album closes with the epic \u003ci\u003eTKBK\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTakuya Kuroda is a truly unique talent, and this album is a realisation of the evolution of his sound.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50389826208075,"sku":"1102362","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/83af2311-453a-42b8-b317-489b47c7a549_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726374164"},{"product_id":"an-insight-to-all-minds","title":"An Insight To All Minds","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor those that don't know, Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist. Once dubbed \"the UK's Herbie Hancock\" by Benji B, he's a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound. Over the years his musical prowess has blessed numerous projects, initially with the likes of Bugz In The Attic and The Herbaliser, and more recently with DJ Jazzy Jeff (through the PLAYlist projects), Andrew Ashong (on the acclaimed 'Sankofa Season' EP last year) and with longtime accomplice, Dego. This in addition to session work for artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Slum Village, Amy Winehouse, Soul II Soul and Leroy Burgess, along with First Word label mates such as Eric Lau, Children of Zeus and Darkhouse Family. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKaidi is also a revered DJ known for rocking parties globally, whilst his solo catalogue spans tons of EPs and releases for labels such as 2000 Black, Eglo and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature. On \u003ci\u003eAn Insight To All Minds\u003c\/i\u003e, Kaidi says it's \"not about a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going. Nothing in this world can torment you as much as your own thoughts… We are all going through it. We can all feel what the next person is feeling, believe it or not. It's learning how to tap into it\". The album is comprised of an assortment of Kaidi's unique flavours - uptempo jazz-funk bruk, laced with rhodes, flutes, live bass and delicious percussion. Using that blueprint he moves effortlessly through latin and samba, half-step, deep afro house and a sprinkle of curveballs, all presented in Kaidi's inimitable way.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2.","offer_id":50389836071243,"sku":"1117407","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3cae2106-5bb8-481f-ad12-39477e72c043_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726374639"},{"product_id":"the-only-way","title":"The Only Way","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to welcome the return of the inimitable Kaidi Tatham, with his 5th album for us, entitled 'The Only Way'.\n\nKaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist born in the Midlands and based in Belfast. Established as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound, he is a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production.\n\nA deeply prolific artist, this is Kaidi's 5th solo album under his own name, following on from 'Don't Rush The Process' (2022), 'An Insight To All Minds' (2021), 'It's A World Before You' (2018), and 'In Search Of Hope' (re-pressed in 2020), all released on First Word, along with several EPs from 2017 onwards.\n\n'The Only Way' is the latest chapter in Kaidi's entirely unique explorations into sound. 11 tracks touching on bruk, funk, jazz, mid-tempo hip hop and hyper-energetic Brazilian flavours, all thrown into a melting pot that's difficult to define, but all containing Kaidi's unmistakable sonic signature. The epic opener 'Reason We're Here' starts the album softly, before switching midway into KT's trademark synth-lead bruk boogie, to set the scene of what's to come. Lead track 'The Only Way' sees the return of Philly MC Uhmeer (Jazzy Jeff's son), his third collab with Kaidi and a timely celebratory track about this thing called Hip Hop, in its 50th year. 'Feels Like I'm On My Own' is a statement within itself, starting off as a jazz-funk jam, before switching to breakneck Brazilian choro, in the only way Kaidi can, with 'It's On' on a similar vein. 'Fricassee' is some heads down dancery business, and there are more guests with Trian Kayhatu appearing on 'Alien @$^%' and Matt Lord on the super energetic album closer 'Not Suffering'.\n\nKaidi Tatham continues to grow on his already impressive catalogue, a body of work that falls within the cracks of jazz and dance music, exemplifying modern British black brilliance; uncompromising, innovative, groundbreaking, intricately sophisticated and deeply funky. His fanbase expands on every release and it's no surprise that that fanbase includes a diverse set of peers such as Madlib (\"ahead of his time\"), Gilles Peterson (\"a key part of an entire movement\") and K15 (\"a limitless source of inspiration\") to name just a few of the many influenced by Kaidi's sound.\n\n'The Only Way' is released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital worldwide via First Word Records, late July 2023.\n\n\nPREVIOUS CREDITS:\n\nOver the years, Kaidi Tatham's musical prowess has graced numerous projects, from the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Andrew Ashong, The Herbaliser and longtime accomplice, Dego, in addition to session and remix work for artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Slum Village, Marcos Valle, Amy Winehouse, Soul II Soul, Nubya Garcia, Cody Currie and Leroy Burgess, along with First Word label mates Eric Lau, Children of Zeus, Allysha Joy and Darkhouse Family.\n\nKaidi is also a revered DJ known for rocking parties globally, whilst his solo catalogue spans tons of EPs and releases for labels such as Dego's 2000 Black, Alex Nut's Eglo Records and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature, along with an array of aliases, including Agent K, Shokazulu, Blakai, Da One Away and Likwid Biskit, the last two with another First Word label-mate, IG Culture (New Sector Movements \/ LCSM \/ CoOp Presents), to name but a few.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50392581669195,"sku":"2045954","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_b619179d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726409556"},{"product_id":"dogtooth","title":"Dogtooth","description":"\u003cp\u003eKinn turns the Post-Rock continuum inside out with his sophomore album, Dogtooth.\nShifting focus between his present self and his misled teenage years, 'Dogtooth' sees London born and raised sound art graduate Fred Lomas contemplate the vulnerability of youth, addiction and suicide as Kinn. Unabashed in their creative ambition, Kinn's tongue-in-cheek 'dread-voyeurism' is underpinned by a palpably sincere vulnerability that seeps through their dynamic and rewardingly dense records.\nAn insight into Fred's formative years can be unraveled from his nickname \"Dread\", originally given to him by his parents. Growing up in North London as a 'constantly out of the house' youth, Fred only had eyes on any counterculture he could find to defy the city's notorious empty capitalist centric mainstream culture, skateboarding, graffiti, and terrible punk bands which would only last 1-3 rehearsals (max). As a teenager he experienced the notorious 2011 Tottenham riots, which is often referenced in the artist's output and greatly informed their sensibilities. Barely an adult, he was confronted first hand with concepts of constant hostility and corruption which were seemingly welded to his surroundings, corruption formed by high rises and international political scandals taking place only a short journey away.\nEven today, Dogtooth reflects on this contrast of community and anger and surmises it to be part and parcel of modern metropolitan life, looking to peel away the bad looking for meaning, comfort and ways of goofing off amidst oppressive forces, sirens and snake oil salesmen everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50392589238603,"sku":"2045950","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_905903eb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726409656"},{"product_id":"beyond-the-midnight-sun","title":"Beyond The Midnight Sun","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records are very proud to bring you a new album from Don Leisure with Amanda Whiting. \n\n'Beyond The Midnight Sun' expands upon ground first explored on Don Leisure's track 'All Praises Due', which also featured Amanda (with Angel Bat Dawid), and featured on his previous album 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. This is a full-length project that these two formidable Welsh artists have collaborated on together. \n\nTo bring you up to speed, Cardiff DJ and beat-maker Don Leisure has been twice nominated for the Welsh Music Prize, with the afore-mentioned album 'Shaboo Strikes Back', and a previous project, 'Steel Zakusi'. As well as being 50% of Darkhouse Family with Earl Jeffers, he's released music under various monikers on labels such as Metalheadz, International Anthem, Fat City, Earnest Endeavours, Group BraCil and on Rough Trade with another regular collaborator, Gruff Rhys. Other collabs have included Charlotte Church, Om'Mas Keith, DJ Spinna and First Word label-mate Tyler Daley (Children of Zeus).\n\nHis DJ portfolio includes sets for BBC 6 Music, NTS, Rinse FM, Solid Steel, Boxout FM (India), The Jazz Cafe, Fabric and Boiler Room, while previous support has come from Lauren Laverne, Tom Ravenscroft, Huw Stephens, Lefto, Rob Da Bank, Huey Morgan, Jon1st, Om Unit, Kid Fonque, Mr Thing and many more. His album 'Shaboo' was named \"the best album of its kind since J Dilla's 'Donuts'\" by Piccadilly Records.\n\nJoining him throughout this project, we have the pleasure of welcoming the phenomenal talents of highly-acclaimed harpist Amanda Whiting to the First Word label. A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her unique sound following the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane.\n\nShe's toured extensively with her own band, as well as with Matthew Halsall, Chip Wickham, DJ Yoda and Rebecca Vasmant, whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for Scrimshire's Albert's Favourites imprint. Along the way, there's been a nomination for 'Instrumentalist of the Year' from Jazz FM and she's garnered the support of DJs such as Radio 2's Jamie Cullum (\"highly recommended\") and 6 Music's Cerys Matthews (\"my highlight of the Cheltenham Jazz festival 2023\").\n\nDon explains more…\n\n\"The project is a journey down the road that was revealed to me on 'All Praises Due' on 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. Amanda's willingness and eagerness to continue collaborating was a dream come true. Being able to get harp parts from someone who is so open minded is such a rare treat that a deeper project was inevitable. \n\nI wanted to move in a different direction from the beat tape format on my previous releases while still maintaining the core Don Leisure sound, fused with live instrumentation and vocals etc\".\n\nThe talents of Deborah Jordan are also featured on a couple of the album's tracks. Deborah is a stalwart in the UK soul and jazz scene in her own right, working over the years with artists like 4Hero, Bugz In The Attic, Ty, Jneiro Jarel, K15, Robert Mitchell and Kaidi Tatham (someone who's collaborated with all the players on this release at some point).\n\n'Beyond The Midnight Sun' is a 7-track affair comprised of delectable spiritual jazz fused with hip hop beats, psychedelic electronics and a touch of soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50395867316555,"sku":"2164011","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_cc1e6926_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726474309"},{"product_id":"the-essance","title":"The Essance","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is proud to bring you 'The Essance' - the classic debut album by Essa (formerly known as Yungun), originally released in 2004, now released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital for the first time, 20 years on!\nA lyricist, lawyer and a Londoner, legendary MC Essa has earned praise over the years from artists such as Nas and Mark Ronson, as well as performing and recording with legends like De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, Slum Village and Pharoahe Monch.\nThis 15-track album is considered one of the greats to emerge during UK Hip Hop's \"golden era\"; a vibrant time for the genre when artists such as Ty, Jehst, Roots Manuva, Klashnekoff, Skinnyman, Task Force, Doc Brown and Foreign Beggars were garnering huge fanbases, and an eco-system of shops like Deal Real, club nights like Kung Fu, labels like Lowlife, and stations like Itch FM were prevalent, while BBC 1Xtra was a mere infant.\n'The Essance' includes production and features from luminaries such as Harry Love, Mr Thing, Lewis Parker, Kyza, Devise \u0026amp; Ben Grymm, to name a few.\nEsteemed author Musa Okwonga says on the reissue liner notes \"the most startling thing about 'The Essance' was its range. Yungun (Essa) was one of the few MCs who could perfectly walk the paths of hope and melancholy with equal ease, whose artist name belied the wisdom of his lyrics. Beyond that, his delivery was supremely self-assured, filled with a swagger he could always justify.\nYungun's gifts also extended to the stage, where he was one of the best young actors that many of his contemporaries had seen, and to languages, which saw him writing and rhyming in Spanish with a notable flourish. He was also someone who constantly walked between two worlds, excelling in one of the country's most competitive academic environments during the day and then delivering a soaring radio set by night. Raised in a vibrant vein of North London, endlessly curious about the world around him, Yungun's fine ear for music and passion for the variety of life made him someone who could reach all audiences.\n'The Essance' is a beautifully-woven meditation on the human condition, one which takes you from the dancefloor to the summer afternoon barbecue to the bathroom mirror; yet it is also the opening statement of a unique career.\"\nIn the words of Essa himself \"my key goal for this album was to span so many moods and styles that I couldn't be categorised, leaving me free to then go in whatever direction I chose. I was almost too successful with this – I would later struggle to pin down my own identity, both on and off the mic, as a rapper slash lawyer, of mixed-heritage, blessed to be able to enter many circles but feeling truly at home in none. As I write this, twenty years (plus a marriage and several children) on, I finally feel more at peace with being undefinable, and am getting better at bringing my full, authentic self into as many aspects of life as I can. I am grateful to be able to look both back and forward, with equal passion.\"\n'The Essance' was followed with a collaborative album with DJ Mr Thing ('Grown Man Business'), then some years later on First Word with 'The Misadventures of a Middle Man' in 2014. There's also a forthcoming project in the works, due for release Summer 2024 with all-new material produced by Pitch 92. Both these releases also coincide with the 20th anniversary of the First Word label (named \"label of the year\" at the 2019 Worldwide Awards).\nA timeless piece of work, 'The Essance' is true-skool boom bap through and through that stands up two full decades later, from the ethereal anthem 'Liquid Love', to the uptempo bounce of 'Dancing Shoes', to the grit of 'The Big Idea', to the thought provoking 'What Eye See Pt.2', to bangers like 'Push' or 'Spit Fire', this is an essential addition to the collection of any discerning hip hop head.\n'The Essance' is due to be released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital worldwide on February 23rd 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50400986005835,"sku":"2185069","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_2939f9fe_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726517850"},{"product_id":"the-liminality-of-her","title":"The Liminality of Her","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to present 'The Liminality of Her', a brand new 10-track album from their newest signing, Amanda Whiting; a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist \u0026amp; composer.\nA virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician has quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her own unique sound, following on from the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane.\nAmanda recently joined the First Word label roster, via a collaborative project with Don Leisure, 'Beyond The Midnight Sun', as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project 'Shaboo Strikes Back'.\nShe's previously toured extensively with her own band, as well as with Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda and Chip Wickham (who also features on this new project), whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for Scrimshire's Albert's Favourites imprint. Along the way, there's been a nomination for 'Instrumentalist of the Year' from Jazz FM and she's garnered the support of DJs such as Radio 2's Jamie Cullum (\"highly recommended\") and BBC 6Music's Cerys Matthews (\"my highlight of the Cheltenham Jazz festival 2023\").\nThis 10-track album exemplifies Amanda's talents as a performer and composer, taking in an array of hypnotising sonics from the worlds of jazz; from fusion to spiritual and beyond. She is backed with accompaniment from a remarkable set of players in their own right, including Chip Wickham on flute and PEACH. on vocals. A confident display of purposefully blissful compositions that saunter as much as they soothe, whilst being unafraid to lean into some deep uptempo grooves.\nAmanda describes the theme of this project as \"liminality... that place in between, the transition from one place to another. No longer what it was, yet not what it's going to be.\nThe harp always presents itself at these moments. It's a sound that causes an emotion. My instrument chose me. It's been with me through every chapter of life. It's how I speak, especially when there are no words. \nThis album is a rite of passage for \"her\". A feeling of alchemy, a feeling of liberation. Moments of inner searching, intertwined, waiting but moving forward. Never looking back.\n'The Liminality of Her' encompasses the highs and the lows. The nomadic love of freedom and spirituality. It's all so much bigger than you or I…\"\nFrom the cinematic, classical fusion of 'After Dark', to the more playful 'Lost in Abstraction', this album invites you to float in a soundscape of liminality...\n'The Liminality of Her' is released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital worldwide, March 22nd 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50400996327755,"sku":"2185054","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_3e61d1d7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726517990"},{"product_id":"rising-son","title":"Rising Son","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is incredibly proud to bring you an exclusive vinyl-only re-issue of Takuya Kuroda's highly-sought after album 'Rising Son'.\n\n'Rising Son' was first released on the seminal Blue Note Records imprint 10 years ago in 2014, with Takuya being the first Japanese artist to sign to the label. The record received widespread critical acclaim, hitting No.1 on Japan's jazz charts at the time, with original copies now fetching hundreds of pounds on Discogs and the like. There has long been high demand for a re-press of this album, and we're very pleased to say it's finally here, a decade on.\n\nThe re-issue is to be released via London-based Worldwide Award-winning label First Word Records, who coincidentally celebrate their 20th year running in 2024. First Word released Takuya's highly-revered previous two albums, 'Fly Moon Die Soon' (2020) and 'Midnight Crisp' (2022). \n\nFor those that don't know, Takuya Kuroda is a Kobe-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter and musician, who was also a longtime player for Akoya Afrobeat as well as DJ Premier's BADDER band. Initially playing on the Japanese circuit with his trombonist brother, Takuya went on to relocate to New York City, where he has largely remained to this day, becoming a prominent player in the jazz scene there.\n\nThe original album featured several Roy Ayers covers, including the all-time classic 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine', and this 2024 pressing also includes a brand new remix of the track from keys player \u0026amp; producer, Joe Armon-Jones. Joe is hugely-acclaimed in his own right as a solo artist, as well as his recent collaborations with Mala (who has a track named after him on this very project, as Takuya was influenced heavily by his 2012 Brownswood album 'Mala in Cuba'), and as an integral member of the legendary Ezra Collective, winners of the 2023 Mercury Music Prize in the UK.\n\nFlitting between the genres of jazz fusion, soul, r\u0026amp;b, hip hop and afrobeat, the album was predominantly produced by a previous Takuya collaborator, vocalist José James, while also featuring phenomenal accompaniment from Nate Smith (drums), Solomon Dorsey (bass), Corey King (trombone) and Kris Bowers (keys).\n\nIn the words of José James, \"no one sounds like Takuya. His tone, warmth and most of all his storytelling have inspired me for years. His writing is soulful, modern, and effortlessly bridges the gap between jazz and soul, and between history and tomorrow.\"\n\nPrevious reviews and accolades for Takuya's third album 'Rising Son' include AllMusic's Best of 2014, NPR Music, Jazz Weekly, Leo Weekly, All About Jazz, Icon, Relix, Pop Matters, Jay Z's Life + Times, WBGO, Upscale, The Revivalist, East Bay Express and The Jazz Line, to name just a few. \n\n'Rising Son' is available on limited vinyl from First Word Records, January 26th 2024.\nIt will be distributed worldwide by Kudos Records UK.\n\n—\n\n\"Unlike a lot of jazz records I hear these days that sound like \"then,\" this particular session feels like \"now.\" Featuring a cool hybrid of electronic textures, modern beat science, R\u0026amp;B horn stabs, and short bursts of laid-back improvisational funkiness, Takuya Kuroda and his stellar band bring a fresh energy and flavor to today's instrumental music-making. (It) has a slow funky groove that just won't quit.\" Nick Francis, NPR Music.\n\n\"Kuroda delves deep into a '70s fusion, funk, and Afro-beat-influenced sound that is at once contemporary and vintage in approach... it's Kuroda's assured, dynamic trumpet playing that grabs the spotlight... Kuroda reveals himself to be a gifted melodicist with an abiding trust in groove, not to mention trumpet chops and charisma to spare. Ultimately, Rising Son isn't just Kuroda's major-label debut, it's a major artistic statement.\" AllMusic.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50402091761995,"sku":"2176903","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_52e9a15b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726531826"},{"product_id":"don-t-rush-the-process","title":"Don't Rush The Process","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is extremely proud to welcome back Kaidi Tatham, with a brand new 12-track album entitled \u003ci\u003eDon't Rush The Process\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is Kaidi's 4th solo album under his own name, following on from \u003ci\u003eAn Insight To All Minds,\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eIt's A World Before You\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eIn Search Of Hope\u003c\/i\u003e, all released on First Word, along with several EPs from 2017 onwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo bring you up to speed, Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist born in the Midlands and based in Belfast. Once dubbed \"the UK's Herbie Hancock\" by Benji B, he's a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound. Over the years his musical prowess has blessed numerous projects, recently with the likes of DJ Jazzy Jeff, Andrew Ashong and with longtime accomplice, Dego. This in addition to session and remix work for artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Slum Village, Marcos Valle, Amy Winehouse, Soul II Soul, Nubya Garcia, Rosie Frater-Taylor and Leroy Burgess, along with First Word label mates Eric Lau, Children of Zeus, Allysha Joy and Darkhouse Family. Kaidi is also a revered DJ known for rocking parties globally, whilst his solo catalogue spans tons of EPs and releases for labels such as Dego's 2000 Black, Alex Nut's Eglo Records and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis new album \u003ci\u003eDon't Rush The Process\u003c\/i\u003e opens with an intro of sweet strings on \u003ci\u003eMystery Solved\u003c\/i\u003e, ahead of lead title track, which is on a mid-tempo boom bap vibe, before switching to a more uptempo boogie vein, with the assistance of The Easy Access Orchestra, who also appear on \u003ci\u003eWe Chillin' Out\u003c\/i\u003e, which is on a similar boogie tip. \u003ci\u003eAll I Need\u003c\/i\u003e is some gospel flavoured hip hop, whilst \u003ci\u003eKnocknee Donkey\u003c\/i\u003e steps things up in a jazz-funk fashion. The second half of the album takes on a very Brazilian flavoured stance, with a set of delicious latin flavoured grooves on \u003ci\u003eAny Flavour, Runnin' Tru, What A Dream\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSooretama\u003c\/i\u003e, the latter featuring the additional prowess of pianist Robert Mitchell. There's a touch more of the hip hop beats thrown in via 'Funky Fool' and the album closes out in inimitable Kaidi style with a short message: 'Mind Yourself'.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA hugely prolific artist, here he adds to an already impressive catalogue, a body of work that falls within the cracks of jazz and dance music, exemplifying modern British black brilliance; uncompromising, innovative, groundbreaking, intricately sophisticated and deeply funky. His fanbase expands on every release and it's no surprise that that fanbase includes a diverse set of peers such as Madlib (\"ahead of his time\"), Gilles Peterson (\"a key part of an entire movement\"), K15 (\"a limitless source of inspiration\") and Kyle Hall.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP.","offer_id":50402308489547,"sku":"1162715","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2cb533a7-014c-4ef3-b5ae-5fb7783dd512_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726540235"},{"product_id":"vapor-2","title":"Vapor","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe devil is in the details. And Yosi Horikawa understands this perhaps better than most musicians from his generation, crafting compositions with broad appeal that also withstand the most intricate scrutiny. Originality has always been a rare currency in the creative arts, and having honed his voice over the years Yosi has plenty of it to give those willing to listen. The RBMA graduate has built a following with praise and support from Benji B, Fulgeance, and DJ Food alongside releases on Eklektik Records and First Word, where he released two EPs including a hypnotic collaboration with Jesse Boykins III in early 2013. Vapor is the debut album from the Chiba-based sound designer and producer, 16 tracks that weave together diverse sample sources, rhythms and melodies into something that defies stylistic boxing and invites you to just get lost in the music. Echoes of dance music, hip hop and musique concrete can all be found amid the sounds of nature and everyday life that underpin the grooves of the music. Vapor is an album in the old-fashioned sense, a tightly-woven sonic journey that benefits from repeated listens. Picking out individual tracks is pointless, as ultimately it's about the feeling that the songs on Vapor create, despite how cheesy that may sound. You can opt to lose yourself in the music or pay attention to the fascinating details that fly across the sonic spectrum, whichever way you're in for a ride.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50404714053963,"sku":"364845","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a2598332-5639-470e-b152-1d407c695d1d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726570497"},{"product_id":"son-of-zeus","title":"Son of Zeus","description":"\u003cp\u003eTyler Daley is the acclaimed and highly renowned Manchester artist now surging into his autonomy with his debut solo EP 'Son of Zeus'. \nWith humble beginnings in Manchester's scene, Daley's influence merges a nostalgic love for pirate radio with a mix of musical inspirations journeying through roots reggae, street soul and R\u0026amp;B whilst modernising his sound through his love for hip hop and UK rave music. \nWith an impressive roster of collaborations including notable features like Ghetts, Goldie, Shy FX and Bugzy Malone to name a few, his unique artistry plays on his pioneering stature and longevity in the game. Leaning on this wisdom to create a fresh, uncompromising sound, Daley has combined his knowledge with his cutting-edge aptitude for music in his new EP. \nPaying homage to the multitude of success he's seen through his eclectic journey as one half of the universally loved Children of Zeus, Tyler Daley's new EP fuses his signature sound with a clear personalisation that offers a raw and transparent depiction of his artistry and musical prowess. \nHaving travelled the world touring and selling out shows everywhere from KOKO London to South Africa and Dubai, the EP is a self professed tale of balancing a crazy life and equally crazy career. Daley describes the EP as \"that soulful Zeus sound, a blend of dusty low-fi soul, hip hop and R\u0026amp;B for the sophisticated blunt heads and vibe seekers\". \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50405612159307,"sku":"2192999","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_e6277f37_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726579985"},{"product_id":"celebrate-7","title":"Celebrate","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to bring you a brand new 11-track album from Quiet Dawn, one called 'Celebrate'.\n\nFrench multi-instrumentalist Quiet Dawn has been an integral part of the First Word family for a full decade now. His diverse catalogue has included organic ambient-jazz (2018's 'Human Being - The Short Story Of The Reed'), Dilla-esque instrumental beats (2023's 'Simple' beat tape), head nod Hip Hop (the 2015 debut album 'The First Day') and broken beat (2022's 'Movements' EP).\n\nIt's the latter project that this new project is the most obvious successor to, which he produced directly afterwards. This new album from Quiet Dawn (real name Will Galland) takes on an array of broken beat flavours and features a few luminaries from that scene along the way, including the legendary Bembe Segue (on the smooth soulful grooves of 'All Around'), LyricL (dropping bars on the lively title track 'Celebrate') and Oliver Night from the CoOp Presents crew (on 'Follow Your Instincts' and single 'Lost From Life').\n\nElsewhere there's uplifting jazz samba-tinged vibes (on 'It's All About Freedom' \u0026amp; 'He Is Lion'), a sprinkle of downtempo boom bap ('Flow' \u0026amp; 'See The Good'), and an assortment of instrumental bruk riddims with squelchy synths, sweet rhodes, skippy percussion \u0026amp; funked-up basslines. Quiet Dawn once again effortlessly combines the organic with the electronic. The whole piece exudes positivity and good times.\n\nQuiet Dawn explains \"I had already started making tracks for this album, before completing the 'Movements' EP - tracks like 'It's All About Freedom' \u0026amp; 'I Just Wanna Do This'. I composed the title track 'Celebrate' with my son on my lap; he was 2 and a half years old, and was the one who found the Rhodes bass notes on the drums that I composed first. I made the bassline, the arrangement, and then the track was completed with the talents of LyricL with her unique lyrics and style! I fulfilled a dream of working with Bembe and it felt so effortless. And of course it's always pleasant and powerful making tracks with Oliver - he has crazy talent, and we understand each other so much on the spirit of the pieces we make together.\n\nOnce again, the idea was to make a record that we can dance to, whether we are dancers or not, listen to at home, or on our travels. Celebrate life, love, and the people we love. Celebrate the different cultures of the world - our differences are a strength. Turn negativity into positivity. Celebrate our actions, whether in pain or not. Celebrate our different journeys.\n\nLet's 'Celebrate' it right now!\"\n\nPrevious support for Quiet Dawn's output has included a wide range of formidable selectors such as Laurent Garnier, Rampage, Tall Black Guy, Kev Beadle, Dom Servini, Kid Fonque and many more, whilst previous collaborations have included Makaya McCraven, Oddisee and Ohmega Watts; testament to the quality and breadth of Quiet Dawn's compositions and production talents.\n\n\n'Celebrate' is released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital worldwide in May 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50416102801739,"sku":"2197947","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_dfc75d8b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726695561"},{"product_id":"the-story-so-far-2","title":"The Story So Far","description":"\u003cp\u003eKonny Kon \u0026amp; Tyler Daley met back in 2005, after both performing a show near Paris in their respective crews, Broke'N'£nglish and Body Roq. The duo met up back home in Manchester, spurred on initially by a mutual admiration of each others music, and produced their first track together, aptly entitled 'Coming Home To You'. A few years later, Tyler approached Konny about producing a full EP together. These sessions included the creation of a track called 'Still Standing', which ultimately saw the light of day last Summer on First Word. Still a highlight in their live sets, the Lenzman rub won \"Best Remix\" at the 2016 Drum \u0026amp; Bass Awards. The original has become somewhat of a British Soul anthem since its release, with people that missed it first time round still clamouring for it on wax. So we've included it on this EP. As they've grown within the family of Manchester's music scene, they've provided a tonic to the city's bass-orientated club scene, breathing Soul back into the city, whilst maintaining their heritage of Hip Hop swagger. As an MC, Konny takes no prisoners, whilst Tyler (a prolific MC in his own right) has gained a rep as one of the UK's strongest Soul voices. Both artists have been blessed with the talent of beat-making. A combined craftsmanship upon the boards and in the booth. From building a grassroots following of fans, they've since travelled the globe, sharing stages with giants and catching the ear of peers far and wide, from Pete Rock to Zed Bias. As well as hosting their own monthly radio show on NTS, they've collaborated with numerous Hip Hop acts, both sides of the Atlantic, as well as Soul royalty in the form of Caron Wheeler and Drum'n'Bass legends, such as Goldie (Tyler featuring heavily across his latest album). Children of Zeus have finally begun the process of crafting together their debut album. This EP is a compilation of the creations the duo have produced themselves over the past decade, put together to appease their loyal followers thus far, and as an introduction to those yet to discover their talents. A snapshot of what has been, and a mere taster of what's to come. It features brand new tracks such as 'Smoke With Me' and (vinyl-only cut) 'Tonight', the anthemic 'Crown' (featured on First Word's 'Two Syllables' compilation previously) and fan favourites such as 'No Sunshine Tomorrow' and 'Push On'. A collection of raw, gritty, Hip Hop Soul music. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50417371611467,"sku":"1019240","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b207194d-d469-425c-8d1e-800b10fc0167_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726727724"},{"product_id":"lets-take-a-trip","title":"Lets Take A Trip","description":"\u003cp\u003e'This album is all about taking a journey. As simple as that. Be it physical, emotional or spiritual. It's asking and answering personal questions from myself within some of the tracks and also touching on social issues i.e. racism, inequality and privilege...that have been at the forefront of my mind over last three years.' Sonically there is also a shift: 'Jazz has definitely been more of an influence in this project, as I have been really inspired by so many up and coming musicians who I've been blessed to connect with'. Some of these musicians, including Kenny Keys, Miles Bonny, Diggs Duke and Dee Jackson feature on the project as well as regular collaborators Ozay Moore and Mario Sweet and fellow Playlist alumni Daniel Crawford and Masego. But this is one man's vision, and for Tall Black Guy this trip is just the beginning...;. Since 2013's '8 Miles To Moenart' TBG has cemented his position as a standard bearer for the current hip-hop \/ beats scene. Born in Detroit and now residing in the UK, Wallace's signature style of incredibly clever sample flips and deft production chops has won fans across the globe including Gilles Peterson, Lefto, Jazzy Jeff and House Shoes.Since his debut release in 2011 (a daring and addictive flip of Fela Kuti), TBG has become revered for his unique take on soulful hip-hop production. The swing of the drums, the textures of the instrumentation as well as a fearlessness in taking on the classics (his Soundcloud page includes flips and chops of tracks from James Brown, De La Soul and Michael Jackson) have marked him out from the crowd. One of the best-kept secrets in the scene, his singular talent is now beginning to get the recognition it deserves. In the last 12 months he has remixed Little Dragon and been invited to take part in Jazzy Jeff's Playlist Retreat alongside the likes of Eric Lau, James Poyser, Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Questlove and countless others.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"LP.","offer_id":50417457463627,"sku":"1002620","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50417458708811,"sku":"1002621","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417458905419,"sku":"1002619","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Lets_Take_a_Trip_5e043e30_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726729985"},{"product_id":"examples-vol-2","title":"Examples, Vol. 2","description":"\u003cp\u003e'Examples Volume Two' is Eric's fourth instrumental album, and ably continues where he left off with an assortment of sonics, ranging through hip hop, jazz, funk, soul and Brazilian beats. An elaborate sketchpad of ideas and grooves, this again gives a taste of the genius production skills of 'The Commissioner', Mr. Lau. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA mixdown perfectionist, his services have been drafted into service on a number of albums over the past few years, including Yussef Kamaal's 'Black Focus', Mansur Brown's 'Shiroi', The Playlist's 'Chasing Goosebumps', DJ Jazzy Jeff's 'M3', Masego's 'Lady Lady', and Kaidi Tatham's 'It's A World Before You', released on First Word recently. It's through these recent collaborations that we have a few unique ingredients peppered through this project; the track 'Jeff's Piano' is based on a sample taken from Eric's iPhone, capturing a moment when Kaidi was teaching Masego a few chords at Jeff's studio. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth integral players to the Playlist Retreat, Eric and Kaidi have also provided remix duties for Moonchild, Omar and Leon Ware, and Kaidi Kat also lends his key playing talents to a few tracks here. Eric has also worked as a producer for artists like Oddisee, Guilty Simpson, Dego, Tawiah, Rahel and Fatima, whilst his DJ skills have seen him tour the globe with luminaries such as Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper and Questlove. He's received props over the years from tastemakers across the world, including Rich Medina, 9th Wonder, Bobbito, Dam Funk, Phonte, Gilles Peterson, James Poyser (The Roots) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50417517920587,"sku":"1050297","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blue LP","offer_id":50417517429067,"sku":"1050298","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Examples_Vol._2_842a400f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726731902"},{"product_id":"its-a-world-before-you","title":"It's A World Before You","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis album personifies Kaidi's diverse palette of sounds – bar Eric \u0026amp; Dego's features, every piece of music is played by himself. Largely flowing on a broken beat rhythm section, Kaidi effortlessly incorporates washes of afro, latin and funk throughout. From the harmonics of 'Your Dream Don't Mean A Thing', to the breakneck funk of 'Outta Audah', each and every riddim exudes energy. But this isn't simply a bruk record. The album is laced together with downtempo beats and future jazz interludes throughout, and some sweet synth boogie is never very far away, especially on the weighty vibes of 'It's About Who You Know'. To top it all off, there's two delightful nuggets of hip hop soul - Mancunian label-mates, Children of Zeus, feature on the neo-soul vibes of 'Out Here On My Own', and there's a feature from Amir Townes, better known as Uhmeer - an upcoming MC from Philadelphia, and son of one Jazzy Jeff Townes - who rides a sub-heavy, piano-led slice of boom bap, voicing an assortment of characters to tell the tale of 'Cupid'. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50417518477643,"sku":"1039251","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417518674251,"sku":"1039250","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Its_a_World_Before_You_c9bc8ffa_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726731939"},{"product_id":"an-extra-offering","title":"An Extra Offering","description":"\u003cp\u003eExtremely hot on the heels of 'A Library Excursion', Earl Jeffers teams up again with Don Leisure, his partner-in-beats for another EP of Darkhouse Family goodness. Following on from their highly acclaimed debut album 'The Offering' from late last year on First Word, the Cardiff duo have hand selected a group of friends, dons and legends (including DJ Spinna \u0026amp; Kaidi Tatham) to serve us up 'An Extra Offering'. Five remixes curated by the crew For the refix of 'The Accession' (which originally featured Kamaal Williams, Dave Newington and Daf Davies from Boy Azooga), label-mate Kaidi Tatham kicks off with some down-low bottom-heavy boom bap, before switching up the tempo mid-way for a blast of his inimitable jazz-funk bruk boogie. Next up we're honoured to have not one, but TWO tracks from the Brooklyn legend, DJ Spinna. His Galactic Soul rub of 'Another World' flips the original into a deep soulful 4\/4 house cut, featuring the lush vocals of Esther (and one Charlotte Church on backing vocals, pop fact fans). Then there's DJ Spinna's Galactic Funk take on 'Just So You Know' with the marvellous Vanity Jay on vocals. This one is on the same mid-tempo tip as the original, but with that unmistakable Polyrhythm Addict flavour of big kicks, crisp snares, hench bassline and sweet spacey synths. For the 'GAEA' remix we keep it Cardiff and introduce the man like Alfie Swan. Doubling up the tempo of the original, this adds some seriously wavy sonics and flips the groove entirely, creating a seriously innovative cocktail of riddims. One for those not shy of some jazz ethics in the dance. And to close out this offering, Andromeda Jones lays down a ridiculously delectable broken beat mix of 'Journey To Love', this one again featuring Vanity Jay. No messing with this one, this is straight dancefloor fire, transforming the hip hop soul track into a future boogie heater. One for the ravers. This EP illustrates once again Darkhouse Family's wide range of influences and sounds, as selectors and as music makers themselves, and is no doubt one that will stay in your box for a very long time…\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50417519165771,"sku":"1038625","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/An_Extra_Offering_2f952927_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726731961"},{"product_id":"human-being-the-short-story-of-the-road","title":"Human Being: The Short Story Of The Road","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word kicks off 2018 with the welcome return of Quiet Dawn, and a new EP, 'Human Being: The Short Story of The Reed'. A suitably ice-thawing six-track opus to compliment the change of seasons, dedicated to the winter blooming plant's desire to be human. Parisian Will Galland first appeared on the label in late 2014, releasing his debut album 'The First Day' the following year. Collaborations on that album and subsequent mixes since have included offerings from Oddisee, Miles Bonny, Eric Lau, Bastien Keb, Sauce81 (Eglo), Mayaka McCraven and Sarah Williams White. Evolving his music from a palette accumulated over the years of Hip Hop, Broken Beat and House, he has expanded his talents for arranging and composing, and now drafted in a wealth of musicians for this sublime new EP, his most ambitious yet. Strings glide effervescently atop of Quiet Dawn's assorted analogue synths, and an array of percussive organics combine to build the tale of The Reed. In-places, the set transcends into the kind of grooves that saunter somewhere between the land of Bonobo and Quantic, and the cinematic library record craft of Alan Hawkshaw et al. Deep, organic and epic. Each track of the EP tells a different chapter of the story. In the words of Quiet Dawn, \"This record is about human behaviour; relationships, happiness, sadness, peace, anger, sex, love, birth, death… But as viewed by The Reed. The Reed is a plant that wants to be human, after observing them all around her. Over the course of the record, The Reed evolves and desires to feel feelings, gradually learning that becoming human is not so simple… .\" Also with artwork by Sophie Bass and Grégoire Marty, this glorious six-track vinyl and digital EP is released February 2018 on First Word Records. 'Agent im Objekt' is playful but analytical, uplifting but mentally disturbed. While the dynamic use of reoccuring motives forces your body to move, cerebral timbres provoke a series of stimuli to massage your brain. It is intellectual body music that might mark a poetic turn in progressive dance music.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The reed from the earth and waters,\u003cbr\u003eHuman by the flesh and bones,\u003cbr\u003eBring by the love and others,\u003cbr\u003eNow, you're not alone.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50417519493451,"sku":"1028739","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/5d872729-a802-41ff-a9e5-7086b3ddd39a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726731990"},{"product_id":"examples","title":"Examples","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word enters 2017 with a bang: a 28-track album courtesy of Eric Lau. This, his third instrumental album, is a veritable tapestry of vibes, ranging through Hip Hop, Soul, Jazz, Funk \u0026amp; Brazilian beats. A mere taste into the genius production skills of London's Mr. Lau, it's easy to understand why he's so revered by DJs, artists and producers across the world, including Rich Medina, 9th Wonder, Bobbito, Dam Funk, Gilles Peterson, James Poyser (The Roots), Phonte and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), amongst others. Eric has had previous outings for First Word as part of the Record Store Day beat-challenge trilogy, along with Tall Black Guy, Kidkanevil and Mr. Thing, and was recently initiated into Jazzy Jeff's star-studded annual Playlist Retreat. As a producer, he's worked with a host of artists, including Kaidi Tatham, Oddisee, Yussef Kamaal, Guilty Simpson, Dego, Tawiah, Rahel and Fatima, to name a few, whilst his DJ skills have seen him tour the globe with luminaries such as Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper and Questlove. Additionally to three instrumental LPs, he previously released his debut-proper for Ubiquity, 'New Territories', and the acclaimed 2013 sophomore album, 'One Of Many'. 'Examples' really provides you with what it says on the tin - a mere taster of this man's talents, available digitally and on wax; black vinyl for the purists and limited edition yellow vinyl for the heads. Kicking off the new year with a bounce, it's unnecessary that we tell you that you shouldn't sleep on this.. Don't sleep on this.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50417520509259,"sku":"1004421","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b905752d-52b4-4edc-9eaa-17bd4f32800b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726732014"},{"product_id":"22-02-85","title":"22.02.85","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e22.02.85\u003c\/i\u003e is the new album from Bastien Keb. Initially conceived as a concept album about a stripper lost in the city (like a straight-to-video follow up to Showgirls)\u003ci\u003e, 22.02.85\u003c\/i\u003e has a distinctly nocturnal edge to it. The city at night, lost in a crowd, abandoned petrol stations, empty kebab shops, broken florescent lights. Like a half-forgotten dream, familiar yet unnerving. He says all the songs are all about girls apart from two about a big lug. You may catch a phrase here and there but the context is all in the feel: There's a melancholy edge, but I don't wanna depress people. Sad but hopeful? If that's possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA guitarist first and foremost, Keb also plays trumpet, bass, drums, piano, flute and more - many borrowed donated or found instruments. Layering and pitching his voice to imaginative effect, you might feel an influence of Bon Iver or Jai Paul but in truth it's more indebted to The Impressions or The Delfonics. Keb makes a living writing music for TV and film and you'll hear hints of cinematic direction throughout. The soundtracks of Isaac Hayes taped from Madlib's second hand SP-303 for a re-scored Twin Peaks. Recorded by himself in Leamington and Hackney he discloses I don't really mic shit up proper, so I gotta go lo-fi. Warm, fuzzy, dirty and honest; an antidote to over-production and over-analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50419708166475,"sku":"1112023","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b819fa71-cc58-40be-9513-3e659db095a3_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726749021"},{"product_id":"shaboo-vs-halal-cool-j","title":"Shaboo vs. Halal Cool J","description":"\u003cp\u003eNext up on First Word Records, we welcome the return of Don Leisure, with an EP of beats that see his two alter-egos go head-to-head, 'Shaboo vs Halal Cool J'.\nProbably best known as 50% of Darkhouse Family, along with Melange label boss Earl Jeffers, they released their acclaimed debut album 'The Offering' in 2017 and subsequent remix project last year, featuring DJ Spinna, Kaidi Tatham and more. The duo are coolly establishing themselves as Cardiff's very own Mizell Brothers, recently producing Kamaal William's latest work, featuring on Kutmah's recent Izwid compilation, and collaborating on the Chicago x London project 'Where We Come From', featuring Makaya McCraven, Joe Armon-Jones, Nubiya Garcia, Theon Cross and First Word label-mate Quiet Dawn, amongst others.\n'Halal Cool J' appeared originally in early 2017 with 'An Ottoman Excursion' on our sister-label, Excursions. A series of edits born out of a decade-long love of Turkish music, and some record-digging expeditions in Istanbul, something Don Leisure did the very day after 'The Offering' release party, prompting another series of beats. Ahead of an all-new full-length Halal Cool J album, here we have two tracks to give you a taste, 'Kazakh Honey' and 'Kaymak'.\n'Shaboo Strikes Back' on the flip-side, with a track of the same name, and 'Mango Season'. 'Shaboo' was the name of a beat album that came out on First Word in 2017, inspired largely by Don's Bollywood actor Uncle, Nasser 'Shaboo' Bharwani, and by memories of journey's with headphones hurling out Hip Hop, fused with the sonics of his Mum's interruptions, and her favourite Asian radio station. 'Shaboo' featured in several end-of-year album lists, with Piccadilly Records calling it \"the best album of it's kind since Dilla's 'Donuts'. Unmissable.\"\nBoth prior projects got love from DJs and selectors far \u0026amp; wide, including Tom Ravenscroft, Lefto, Huey Morgan, Rob Da Bank, Om Unit, Simbad \u0026amp; Mr Thing. A truly global affair, the beat battle of 'Shaboo vs Halal Cool J' takes us on several short, sweet hikes across a variety of Eastern climes.\nJoin in the journey once again on 7\" vinyl and digital on April 5th.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50432160203083,"sku":"2165147","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_e5cda192_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726864612"},{"product_id":"peace-and-harmony","title":"Peace And Harmony","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to present you with 'Peace + Harmony'. The first EP from our most recent signing, [ K S R ].\nHailing from Moss Side, Manchester, this young talent has been steadily building a rep for himself over the past few years as one of the UK's most exciting soul vocalists, with his releases encompassing an eclectic assortment of alternative R\u0026amp;B, future soul, hip hop and D\u0026amp;B. Influenced by an array of neo-soul artists, such as D'Angelo and Anderson .Paak, his own soulful style has already seen him tour and collaborate with a number of UK peers; working on projects with label-mates Children of Zeus \u0026amp; Australia's REMi, and supporting the likes of Etta Bond \u0026amp; The Mouse Outfit, as well as performing sell-out headline solo shows in Manchester and London, and playing various festivals across Europe, including the We Out Here festival very recently.\nSince he began developing his music in 2017, [ K S R ] has had support from the likes of 1Xtra, BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Mixmag, NTS, Reprezent, Unity \u0026amp; Soho Radio, in addition to featuring on a slew of D\u0026amp;B tracks with artists like Lenzman, BCee, Emba \u0026amp; Redeyes. The collab with Emba was recently named a 'Kiss FM Future Selection' courtesy of Hybrid Minds and features have been supported on Spotify's 'New Music Friday' and 'Mandem - Kings' amongst others. His debut release 'Unfiltered' appeared on Polarface Records in 2019, which was followed by single 'Flex With Me' (also produced by Tyler Daley from Children of Zeus) then an independent second EP, 'Take Control', followed in late 2020 (during the pandemic) which amassed over 500k streams. Additionally to the releases, he was recently recruited by Manchester United as part of their 21\/22 season kit announcements, as well as working with Nike and Size? on a special MCR-themed Air Force 1 release.\nIt's now time for a new extended project from Roosevelt Kazaula Sigsbert - better known as [ K S R ]. 'Peace + Harmony' is a solid set of alternative R\u0026amp;B, produced by Dom Porter and mixed by Eric Lau. Six tracks in all, including the single, 'Harmless' (which received support from the likes of Mr. Scruff (Worldwide FM), BBC Manchester and Victoria Jane (BBC Radio 1), was 'Track Of The Week' on 1Xtra\/BBC Introducing, and saw the video racking up several thousand plays in its first weekend) and follow-up 'CGWY' featuring Children of Zeus on a brand new interpretation of their classic track 'Get What's Yours'. From the intro track 'I Wonder', to the downlow future soul of 'Lily Apart', to the autobiographical vibes of 'Born In '98', to the closing track 'Given Summer', also featuring the vocals of Ayeisha Raquel, each track on the EP is of course laced with Roosevelt's unmistakable silky smooth vocals, and is set to join his already impressive catalogue of underground soul classics such as 'Alien Boo', 'Stylin' and 'New Love'.\n[ K S R ] says \"my third EP, [ P E A C E + H A R M O N Y ] is a collection of my thoughts and experiences from my journey throughout the last two years of my life. Lots of aspects of my life changed over 24 months, along with everyone around the globe. When we were thrown into the unknown at the start of 2020, I stepped away from music for a while as I couldn't find any peace in my creativity and needed to evolve. I finally started to feel cohesive with my songwriting and music, and I could feel harmony between myself and my art once again.\"\n'Peace + Harmony' by [ K S R ] is released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital on First Word Records, late 2021.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50432550011211,"sku":"2056037","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_752299cc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726870222"},{"product_id":"beautiful-2","title":"Beautiful","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records in collaboration with Heavenly Sweetness proudly bring you a 'Beautiful' new album from the formidably funky French duo, Souleance.\n\nSo the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or perhaps in this case, the ear!). How we define beauty varies from person to person. Be it a meal, a landscape, a picture, a record…\n\nAppreciating and admiring beauty could be considered an art in itself, and one that Souleance have made a rule of life. This ethic is transposed into their own craft, used as fuel to turn beautiful moments into music. This 15-track album seeks to convey this through an assortment of sun-saturated grooves of different shapes and sizes.\n\nWhile remaining true to their style of creating cut \u0026amp; paste sound collages and incorporating dusty samples, this album seeks to expand upon their own sonic path. Fulgeance lays down masterful work on keys, beats and bass, with Soulist the driving force behind song composition and percussive scratching. Combined, their only guideline is to make music that makes them tick, beyond the constraints of genres, trends or the criteria of \"beauty\" outside of their own tastes. An amalgamation of hip hop backdrops, analog synths and Moog modulations, merged with the swagger of 70's jazz-funk and the energy of club dancefloors, while auriverde guitar hooks glide with an effortless glissando of discoid piano riffs.\n\nFor this project, the duo are not alone, taking on the definition of beauty to a global base. The microphone turns to Joao Selva for a poetic moment in the streets of Rio, then off to Réunion Island for an accordion jaunt with Kaloune \u0026amp; Papatef, before heading to Istanbul for a touch of Kit Sebastian's psychedelic funk, and ending the journey for a joyful jig of the soul in Tel Aviv with Jenny Penkin. There's no pre-defined flight plan here, other than savouring the art of creation itself, and searching for beauty within the dance.\n\nSouleance have been releasing music for almost 15 years, receiving support over the years from renowned selectors worldwide, such as Gilles Peterson, Natasha Diggs, Tom Ravenscroft, Novena Carmel, Bill Brewster, Huey Morgan and Kev Beadle, to name just a few.\n\nThis time around, Souleance attempt to explore and define their own natural vision of beauty across this 'Beautiful' album.\n\nWhat could be more subjective than beauty?…\n\n'Beautiful' is released on vinyl \u0026amp; digital via Heavenly Sweetness and First Word, October 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50434820473163,"sku":"2055794","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50434821259595,"sku":"2055800","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_330f6006_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726895442"},{"product_id":"resonance","title":"Resonance","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is proud to bring you 'Resonance'; a full-length album from Essa \u0026amp; Pitch 92.\n\nA lyricist, lawyer and a Londoner, Essa initially released music under the name Yungun in the early noughties, in the midst of UK hip hop's own \"golden era\". He earned praise from artists such as Nas and Mark Ronson, and performed and recorded with such luminaries as De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, Slum Village and Pharoahe Monch.\n\nHis classic debut album 'The Essance' originally dropped whilst he was at law school, 20 years ago (which was recently given a full re-issue on First Word). This was followed with a collaborative album with DJ Mr Thing ('Grown Man Business'), then some years later with 'The Misadventures of a Middle Man' in 2014. Essa also released a track on Juneteenth 2020 entitled 'Justice', as a powerful reaction to George Floyd and the BLM movement. It saw support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, and raised money for an assortment of access-to-justice organisations.\n\nJoining Essa on the boards throughout this new project is acclaimed producer and DJ, Pitch 92.\n\nBorn in Dublin in 1992, Pitch grew up in Germany \u0026amp; Switzerland, where the sounds of Madlib \u0026amp; Dilla fired up his neurons. Under the encouragement of friends ASM, he began experimenting with an MPC at the ripe old age of 12. He relocated to the UK in the late noughties, where he was quickly engulfed into the Manchester hip hop scene, becoming a longtime member of The Mouse Outfit, touring across Europe and featuring heavily on their first two albums.\n\nSince going solo in 2017, he's released full hip hop \u0026amp; soul album projects with Iyamah, Jerome Thomas (Melting Pot), Verb T (High Focus), Confucius MC (HHV), Illaman (Potent Funk) and MC DRS (Space Cadet), as well as two solo albums ('Intervals' \u0026amp; '3rd Culture') and production work for artists such as Ocean Wisdom, Jehst, Foreign Beggars, The Four Owls and First Word family, Ruby Wood and Tyler Daley (Children of Zeus), to name just a few!\n\nThis new project from the duo is co-produced, mixed and mastered by Viva Cee, an extraordinarily versatile up and coming writer\/producer, known for fusing international sounds with contemporary black music styles.\n\nAcross the 13-tracks, we have the posse track 'HeavyweightS', which features the likes of Doc Brown, Klashnekoff, Kyza, Tony D \u0026amp; Reveal amongst others. There are a bunch of additional features too, including West London legend King Kashmere on 'Sick', multi-talented Nottingham MC Karizz (formerly Karizma) on 'All For The Love' and 'Back Around', and several appearances from Brotherman.\n\nThe album exudes true-skool quality from beginning to end, encompassing soulful, jazzy boom bap throughout, from the opening title track, to the reflective single 'Right Now', the uptempo bounce of 'That's The One'. with a sprinkle of skippier double-time flavours on 'Almost There' and 'Seasoned', all seamlessly sequenced.\n\nIn Essa's words:\n\"Resonance is literally a shared vibration. It's connection through sound. The title felt fitting for this connection between me and Pitch.  There was chemistry from before we even met, as we had long admired each other's work.  We first collaborated during the 2020 lockdowns for a freestyle called 'Do You Relate No. 1' over a beat he'd made specifically for me. It was the first time I tried out a new, vulnerable, stream of consciousness writing technique, which I've since used throughout this album. Pitch's beats have an emotive quality that makes the words just pour out of me. So we resonate with each other for sure, but the plan is for the messages to resonate with the listener too.  These songs are personal, but the themes are universal and we hope you feel a sense of solidarity from them. Do you relate?…\"\n\n'Resonance' is scheduled for release on digital and vinyl, August 2nd 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50434992472395,"sku":"2209655","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_7d67695b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726898076"},{"product_id":"a-love-requited","title":"A Love Requited","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn 28th June 2019, drummer \/ producer \/ composer Myele Manzanza will release his eagerly anticipated third album \u003ci\u003eA Love Requited\u003c\/i\u003e on First Word Records (winner of Worldwide Awards 'Label of the Year' 2019). Produced with award winning Australian bassist \u0026amp; long time musical collaborator Ross McHenryand featuring a plethora of New Zealand and Australia's finest young instrumentalists, \u003ci\u003eA Love Requited\u003c\/i\u003e is as much a musical journey as it is an attempt to process, work through and come to terms with the life around him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'The music on this record was written often as a place of psychological refuge from the tensions of an ultimately failed relationship at home, as well as an attempt to come to grips with thought patterns and personal history that caused an often problematic relationship to music itself. Meditating on themes of love, fear, family, anger, death, ego and acceptance has helped create a narrative arc that grounds the album as well as a mode of therapy to begin working through these issues for myself.'\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50435217490251,"sku":"1071621","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a8151a48-9c02-48d4-a543-830d34f66611_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726901098"},{"product_id":"travel-light","title":"Travel Light","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt's been a long road leading to this album for Tyler Daley and Konny Kon. They first embarked on their expedition into the music game two decades back - Tyler entered the scene as a songwriter, producer and vocalist, originally under the moniker Hoodman, whilst Konny began MCing, DJing and beat-making for hip hop crews The Microdisiacs and Broke'n'English, along with DRS \u0026amp; Strategy. To date, Children of Zeus have released three sell-out singles on First Word ('Still Standing', 'I Can't Wait' and 'Slow Down') and a compilation EP comprised of tracks made by the duo over the last decade entitled 'The Story So Far…' (included for the very first time on CD, as a special limited edition bonus disc with this album). Children of Zeus are finally at the stage where they are releasing their debut album proper; the over-riding ethos of which is about keeping their eyes on the road ahead, whilst shedding the baggage they've accumulated over the years - 'Travel Light’. Features mainly come from Manny family; [ K S R ], LayFullStop, Metrodome (Levelz) and former Broke 'n' £nglish spar DRS. Guest production comes in the form of Switzerland's Sebb Bash, Nottingham's Juga-Naut, and London's Beat Butcha, and there's your favourite DJ's favourite DJ, Mr Thing, slicing up the turntables on two tracks too. There's a few extra special ingredients on this album, along with their trademark sub-heavy, rhodes-laden hip hop soul hybrid. Reggae music has always been an integral piece of the CoZ sound-system ethic, so we see Tyler putting on his lover's rock hat for 'Hard Work', and they invite soul queen Terri Walker to join them on the fierce 'Sling Shot Riddim', while the album closes with the epic K15-produced jazz-bruk opus, 'Vibrations', on which Konny breaks it down quite simply: \"high frequency means that you travel light, so get lifted yo, we'll live gifted”. Long as the journey has been, the time for looking back is over. This is about the present and future of Children of Zeus. A shining light in Manchester's now-school, and rightly heralded by many as the best new act to emerge in British soul music in the past decade. Aside from the above features, this project is written, performed and produced entirely by Tyler and Konny. Since the crew first took flight, the end destination has never changed, the aim remains the same - to create timeless music, in their own unique style, without compromise, irrespective of industry and life distractions. The moral being this - travel light.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50435456139595,"sku":"1038629","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CDx2","offer_id":50435455451467,"sku":"1038630","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_8_0cdb0e9c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726903836"},{"product_id":"vapor-1","title":"Vapor","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt's five years since we first released Yosi Horikawa's 'Vapor' album. To commemorate the occassion, we're releasing the album on vinyl for the very first time, also including a previously unreleased bonus track, 'Yoggo'. The devil is in the details. And Yosi Horikawa understands this perhaps better than most musicians from his generation; crafting compositions with broad appeal that also withstand the most intricate scrutiny. Originality has always been a rare currency in the creative arts, and having honed his voice over the years Yosi has plenty of it to give to those willing to listen. The RBMA graduate has collaborated with artists such as Jesse Boykins III, Dorian Concept \u0026amp; Daisuke Tanabe, performed at Glastonbury, Sónar, Mutek, Dimensions, Low End Theory, Ninja Tune's Solid Steel \u0026amp; Boiler Room, featured in Time Out Tokyo, XLR8R, Dummy \u0026amp; more, and received acclaim and support from the likes of Benji B, Tom Ravenscroft, Fulgeance, DJ Food and Gilles Peterson, with whom he has worked with on several projects since the release of 'Vapor', for Brownswood, Worldwide Festival \u0026amp; Worldwide FM respectively, producing a regular feature, 'Soundscape with Yosi Horikawa'. Besides writing and producing music, Yosi is a highly skilled sound engineer, working with prestigious architects, fashion brands, and technology firms as well as designing speakers for bars and clubs. He's also composed numerous jingles and theme songs for radio stations to science exhibitions. Such is his diversity and originality, he was the subject of an RBMA film documentary in 2014, 'Layered Memories'. Following his debut EP on Eklektik Records, two EPs were released on First Word prior to this, his debut album, 'Vapor'. 17 tracks from the Japanese sound designer and producer that weave together diverse field recordings and sample sources, with rhythms and melodies, creating something that defies stylistic boxing. Echoes of dance music, hip hop and musique concrete can all be found amid the sounds of nature and everyday life that underpin the grooves of the music. 'Vapor' is an album in the old-fashioned sense, a tightly-woven sonic journey that benefits from repeat listens. 'Vapor' was named amongst 2013 Albums of the Year lists in Fact Magazine and The Japan Times. Sound Colour VIbration.com: \"A sonic masterpiece and an entirely new pathway in to the matrix of emerging electronic creativity. Every piece on the album sounds boundless and full of texture \u0026amp; colour imaginable\" Earmilk: \"A serendipitous mishmash of electronic, hip hop beats, and a litany of genres that fall in that spectrum with a liberal dose of acoustic magic\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50435949297995,"sku":"1034282","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a057bc03-eb05-446b-857b-075eeb0cd733_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726910040"},{"product_id":"m-o-t-h-matters-of-the-heartless","title":"M.O.T.H. (Matters Of The Heartless)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOlivier was born in Washington DC of Haitian and Cameroon heritage, but spent his teens studying in the UK. As a teenager, his CD and tape collection would encompass a wide range of genres, from hip hop and r\u0026amp;b to garage and British alternative rock. A bio-science student, Olivier couldn't suppress his true passion of music. After graduating, he took on a \"Jekyll and Hyde\" lifestyle; working as a scientist in the day, and a musician at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis work as a recording artist eventually lead to his debut release in 2011, \u003ci\u003eThe Mr. Saint Louis EP\u003c\/i\u003e, released under the moniker Olivier Daysoul and produced by longtime collaborator and fellow Washingtonian, Oddisee, a revered hip hop producer \/ artist in his own right. From here on, Olivier began laying down vocals, collaborating and touring with a wide-range of artists over the following years, including Hudson Mohawke, C2C, Laura Mvula and German rockers, AnnenMayKantereit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter taking a hiatus from feature work, Olivier decided to concentrate on nurturing his own sound. Embracing a newfound love for blues, rock and funk, a series of late night sessions saw him engulfed in new soundscapes, and reverting back to his birth name, Olivier St.Louis. This saw him release two critically-acclaimed EPs with Berlin-based label, Jakarta, and the release of 'The Serious EP' with Bibio on Warp Records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50447007482187,"sku":"1112683","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6bf2d760-7bf0-4392-aaab-373efab49d3d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727068743"},{"product_id":"seismic-shift-elevate","title":"Seismic Shift \/ Elevate","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to welcome Eye Of The High to the label, with this vinyl-only double-dose of Brit Funk magic - '\u003ci\u003eSeismic Shift\u003c\/i\u003e' and '\u003ci\u003eElevate\u003c\/i\u003e'.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEye Of The High is a collaborative project headed by Femi Fem and Glen Scott.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFemi Fem is a DJ and producer, perhaps best known as being a member of Young Disciples, the iconic '90s band on the Talkin' Loud stable, whose seminal classic album '\u003ci\u003eRoad To Freedom\u003c\/i\u003e' was shortlisted for a Mercury Music Award. An iconic LP in the canon of UK soul music, this was a huge inspiration for First Word as a label. As a group, the YD's also worked with Loose Ends, Des'ree, IG Culture and many more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA longtime international player on the DJ scene, Femi hosts a weekly Sunday night show on Mi-Soul Radio, runs MOBO Award-winning night '\u003ci\u003eRotation\u003c\/i\u003e' at Ladbroke Grove's Subteranea, and has performed at events for Prince, Janet Jackson, Stella McCartney, Jade Jagger and Gucci, additionally to providing music for shows by fashion designers like Ozwald Boateng and Katherine Hamnett.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGlen Scott is an award-winner producer, multi-instrumentalist and longtime collaborator with Femi since the mid nineties. Together they've worked on productions and remixes for the likes of Mary J Blige, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, D'Influence and The Pasadenas. Meanwhile, Glen's long list of additional productions and accomplished engineer roles include work with artists like Beverley Knight, Craig David, Luis Fonsi and Eric Bibb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe duo's passion for all things soulful brought them together as a songwriting and production team initially, and forms the basis of their current incarnation, Eye of the High, now a collective of international musicians. Aiming to cater to the mind, body and soul, their sound comes from the cultural foundations of their Jamaican and Sierra Leone backgrounds, fused into the melting pot of London's many flavours. Their sonic influences are worn on their sleeves, with the classical ethics and sensibilities of funk, disco, r\u0026amp;b, jazz and street soul shining through, while presented in a contemporary style and pattern for today's dances, exuding passion, experience and feel-good vibes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo to the sophomore single offering from the band. '\u003ci\u003eSeismic Shift\u003c\/i\u003e' is a brand new uptempo track that encompasses all the wonder and power of this new wave of Brit Funk. Tough bassline, smooth vocals, jazzy licks, sweet keys and a heavy disco groove, with a little vocoder action thrown in for good measure. There's no doubt this one will cause a seismic shift when dropped in any dance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFlipside '\u003ci\u003eElevate\u003c\/i\u003e' was previously released digitally-only last Spring, through their own \u003ci\u003eHigher Grade\u003c\/i\u003e imprint. Four minutes of sheer upliftment, it received love from Gilles Peterson, Lauren Laverne, Trevor Nelson, Jeff Young, Tony Minvielle, Patrick Forge, Grant Nelson, Ross Allen, DJ Spoony, Ashley Beedle, Gordon Mac, Seamus Haji, Ronnie Herel, Dez Parkes, Mickey D, Roy The Roach and numerous other key selectors, subsequently being played across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2, NTS, Mi-Soul, Jazz FM and many others. This is the first time the original track has been released on vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Eye of the High's words \"living in the midst of cataclysmic upheaval in the world provoked the Eye of the High team to create differently. Emerging out of this process, '\u003ci\u003eSeismic Shift\u003c\/i\u003e' is about making great change. It feels appropriate for us to align with First Word Records to release 'Seismic Shift' as a vinyl single, with the ever popular dancers fave '\u003ci\u003eElevate\u003c\/i\u003e'. In the video and artwork, we reference the imagery of WW2 African American soldiers whom, on their return to the USA, sparked the fires of a seismic shift in civil rights activism. We are part of a new tide in positivity.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50452926529867,"sku":"2000842","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_3_a9e0bec4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727166477"},{"product_id":"8-miles-to-moenart-10th-anniversary-edition","title":"8 Miles To Moenart (10th Anniversary Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to bring you the 10th anniversary edition of Tall Black Guy's debut LP \u003ci\u003e8 Miles to Moenart\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt includes two brand new jazz interpretations ('From Home To Work, And Back' and 'Running The Motor'), recorded with a live band, as well as a new intro cut ('Black Detroit'), and an alternative mix of the single 'Mon Amie De'troit', previously only available on 7\"\" vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe original vinyl LP release was a one-time limited edition pressing; this being the first time this project has been available on wax since then, and also includes entirely new artwork and photography.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom humble origins in Detroit, raised on a healthy diet of Motown, jazz and hip hop, Terrel Wallace (aka Tall Black Guy) has become a standard bearer for the hip hop beats scene. Through a steady stream of soulful productions filled with incredibly clever sample flips and deft production chops, he has won fans across the world, including Gilles Peterson, Benji B, Don Letts, Lefto, Tom Ravenscroft, Lord Finesse, Huey Morgan, Anthony Valadez and countless others, along with sessions for Boiler Room and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'8 Miles To Moenart' literally brought Tall Black Guy full circle, and proceeds to do so once again. Detroit was where he started making music, and it's to his hometown he took inspiration for this debut album. Taking in low-slung hip hop, downtempo house and jazz-tinged street soul, it's a record of rare focus. It encapsulated the musical heritage of Detroit, through the looking glass of Tall Black Guy's own signature sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollow up releases included his sophomore First Word album 'Let's Take A Trip' (which also featured the likes of Masego, Daniel Crawford, Miles Bonny and Moonchild), and records on Ubiquity, Bastard Jazz and Street Corner Music, to name a few, along with a steady slew of limited self-released edits amd productions, most recently with his #7DayVaults series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe's worked with a number of formidable artists worldwide, including recent extensive work with Zo! (Little Brother), Ozay Moore, Deborah Bond and Dee Jackson (80's Babies), as well as collaborations with 14KT and First Word label-mate Allysha Joy, to name just a few. He is also an integral player for DJ Jazzy Jeff's infamous PLAYlist Retreat sessions, along with more First Word family, Kaidi Tatham and Eric Lau, as well as artists like James Poyser, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Questlove, and he was a core contributor to First Word's 'Nothing Leaves The House' series, along with Eric, Mr Thing and kidkanevil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTall Black Guy has firmly established himself to be one of the most influential producers working today.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTerrel says \"I made the bulk of this album back in Detroit around 2012\/2013, before I relocated to the UK. I've been back living and working in the States for a while now, and it's great to look back on this project. But while it's nice to reminisce, it's important to look forwards, so I wanted to include something new here to represent my progression as an artist, so there's some new versions included, that I created with the help of some jazz musician friends of mine.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50453930344779,"sku":"2223939","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_4_4e371e44_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727178935"},{"product_id":"balance","title":"Balance","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith shows on ice over the last 12 months, Children of Zeus took the time to mature their sound; \u003ci\u003eBalance\u003c\/i\u003e is 50 minutes of future-classic British soul music encompassing hip hop, neo-soul, gospel and r\u0026amp;b. Konny's laidback flow once again merges with Tyler's unmistakable buttery vocals across a set of bass-heavy backdrops and smoothed-out keys, taking the blueprint from their debut and evolving it into a deeper, more-refined sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with previous material, the album is largely produced by the duo themselves, though we also see the return of Grammy-winner Beat Butcha, whose previous production credits include Jay Z, Beyonce, Nipsey Hussle, \u0026amp; Griselda (one of Butcha's productions graces first single\u003ci\u003e No Love Song\u003c\/i\u003e). Title track \u003ci\u003eBalance\u003c\/i\u003e comes from upcoming producer \u0026amp; Soulection regular, cay caleb and also features the only vocal feature on the album, from rising UK soul talents Akemi Fox and Georgie Sweet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Children of Zeus journey began with a mutual love of 90s Manchester pirate radio; consuming hip hop and beats, r\u0026amp;b and street soul, lovers rock and dancehall, garage and bass music. Then followed decades of performing, creating and collaborating in different guises. Over the past few years, the hip hop soul duo have garnered props far and wide; from Jazzie B to Jazzy Jeff. They've done performances for the likes of Soulection and BBC, in addition to hosting their monthly NTS Radio show and collaborating with artists like Black Milk and Goldie.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom travelling light, to travelling nowhere, it's been a time where we've all had to reflect on the lives we lead. This album is about equilibrium; walking the thin line of life and striving to keep your footing firm at all times, ever pushing forward. Balancing the rough with the smooth and the work with the play.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Children of Zeus sound is now fully grown. It's time to bring \u003ci\u003eBalance\u003c\/i\u003e into the universe. This is unashamedly big people music to be played out of big speakers. The definitive sound of UK street soul in 2021. 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It pushes the musical boundaries of electronic and dance music in a way that is still rarely heard today. While the album retains its contemporary London influences, it allowed Tatham to stretch out musically in a way he hadn't done on record before. The majority of the album's tracks aren't in the standard 4\/4 time signature that most contemporary dance music follows, and some switch between a handful of different time signatures over the course of a few minutes. In a way, the album could be viewed as Tatham's mission statement and a sign of what was to come from him as an artist: uncompromisingly and unapologetically sophisticated modern black music. His face melting virtuosity never gets in the way of coherent groove, melody, harmony and arrangement. Originally released on Tokyo based label Freedom School and recorded on a modest set up at his flat in south London, 'In Search of Hope' has become a holy grail record for dance music fans and jazz heads alike. 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The album's expansive and vivid exploration of healing examines the power that comes with accepting the complexity of change. Allysha walks listeners through the remedy she finds in sound and emerges empowered to share this healing with others. Deeply moving and lyrically compelling, '\u003ci\u003eTorn : Tonic\u003c\/i\u003e' hosts a stellar line-up of artists, creating a world of collective power, growth, and hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAllysha Joy is an integral member of the vibrant Melbourne soul \u0026amp; jazz scene, well known for both her solo work and as lead vocalist for 30\/70. A uniquely-talented soul, her husky voice, and formidable Fender Rhodes prowess have garnered attentive audiences around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAllysha's poetic introspection reveals the album's intention to demand space, purpose, and pleasure. Her words are deliberate and direct to the alarm bells and messages her artistic vision carries. 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Werkha and his live band have been lighting up dancefloors in recent months at venues such as Low Four Studio in Manchester and The Jazz Cafe in London, with festival appearances locked for the Summer at the likes of We Out Here and Moovin. In past years, he has toured extensively with artists like Bonobo, Chet Faker and Mr Scruff.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2020, Werkha released \u003ci\u003eThe Rigour\u003c\/i\u003e on First Word, and dropped \u003ci\u003eBeat Tapestry\u003c\/i\u003e in late 2021 on a limited cassette. \u003ci\u003eAll Werk Is Play\u003c\/i\u003e marks Werkha's first full-length solo project since his debut album \u003ci\u003eColours Of A Red Brick Raft\u003c\/i\u003e on Tru Thoughts in 2015, and sees this multi-talented musician produce a delightfully vibrant body of werk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis album is predominantly a set of uptempo compositions from Werkha (real name Tom Leah), fusing analogue jazz-funk vibes with modern dance music sensibilities. 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Dubbed by Radio 1's Benji B last year as \"\u003ci\u003ethe UK's Herbie Hancock\u003c\/i\u003e\", his versatility as a musician is actually more akin to Prince in the sense that he can play most instruments, and play them well. His contributions as a musician, composer \u0026amp; producer have included work with Bugz In The Attic, Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Moonchild, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler and loads more over the years, additionally to being a key player on Jazzy Jeff's PLAYlist album '\u003ci\u003eChasing Goosebumps\u003c\/i\u003e' along with Masego, Stro Elliot, 14KT, Tall Black Guy, Rich Medina and the like, and various projects alongside Dego (2000 Black)and First Word label-mates Eric Lau, Darkhouse Family \u0026amp; Children of Zeus.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003ci\u003eSerious Times\u003c\/i\u003e' is another 4-track set comprised of Kaidi's unmistakable style, encompassing broken beat, jazz, boogie and hip hop. 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This EP follows on from her two recent singles, '90 Degrees' and 'Something My Heart Trusts', both of which are included here, along with three previously unreleased tracks, 'Heaven', 'Body Needs Healing' and 'Burn \u0026amp; Rise'. This set illustrates again Yazmin's candid songwriting delivered in her uniquely laidback soulful style, whilst a glorious fusion of neo-soul and jazz performed by Pete Beardsworth and her trusty band rides throughout. Initially a Brownswood 'Future Bubbler' graduate, Yazmin self-released her debut EP, 'Black Moon', last year. This lead to a Maida Vale session late 2017 with Jordan Rakei, Moses Boyd, Oscar Jerome and now label-mates, Children of Zeus. She kicked off the year with a performance at the Worldwide Awards with Skinny Pelembe, and has recently done shows with artists such as Ezra Collective, Tall Black Guy and Fatima. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50478394999115,"sku":"1039087","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/25ba1e78-f309-491d-8507-e563c9805661_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727483931"},{"product_id":"starts-again","title":"Starts Again","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records present \u003ci\u003eStarts Again,\u003c\/i\u003e the debut album from Tawiah. The latest signing to the Worldwide Award-winning indie label, Tawiah is somewhat of a trailblazer in the world of alt-soul. \u003ci\u003eStarts Again\u003c\/i\u003e is an exploration of her identity as a queer woman of colour, raised in a pentecostal family, and a determination to express her musicianship in all its raw glory, free of the constraints of major label wrangles from before. Co-produced with Sam Beste (Hejira), the album also features vocals from Sharlene Hector, Vula Malinga, Ladonna Young, Ade Omotayo and Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne, as well as glorious string arrangements composed by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, with a series of field recordings from Ghana, amongst the varied components.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50479889252683,"sku":"1074496","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50479889613131,"sku":"1074494","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fe98b1d9-29b8-49f0-9b08-349dc6e18abc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727512566"},{"product_id":"shaboo-strikes-back","title":"Shaboo Strikes Back","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to welcome back Don Leisure, with a brand new 25-track album \u003ci\u003eShaboo Strikes Back\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFive years have passed since the first \u003ci\u003eShaboo\u003c\/i\u003e album was released. A collection of beats and pieces that documented the road trip of Don's youth - hip hop music interspersed with Asian radio station jingles of old, dedicated to Bollywood actor, Nasser Shaboo Bharwani - Don Leisure's late uncle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis album was heralded as \"\u003ci\u003ethe best album of its kind since J Dilla's 'Donuts\u003c\/i\u003e'\" and deemed \"\u003ci\u003eunmissable\u003c\/i\u003e\" by the folks at Piccadilly Records. It also had strong support from BBC 6 Music's Tom Ravenscroft (\"\u003ci\u003every, very good this indeed\u003c\/i\u003e\"), Huey Morgan (\"\u003ci\u003emy beat of the week\u003c\/i\u003e\"), Worldwide FM's Lefto (\"\u003ci\u003edefo down with this\u003c\/i\u003e\"), Rob Da Bank (\"\u003ci\u003ethis is wicked\u003c\/i\u003e\") and the likes of Mathieu Schreyer (KCRW, LA), Alex Ruder (KEXP, Seattle), Kid Fonque (5FM, South Africa), Om Unit, Jon1st, Mr Thing, Rob Luis (Tru Thoughts), Dom Servini (Wah Wah 45s), Tim Parker (NTS) and tons more from across the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDon Leisure is a DJ and producer based in Cardiff, Wales, sometimes known as one half of Darkhouse Family, along with Earl Jeffers. He's been a prolific beat-maker for many years, releasing under a variety of monikers for labels such as Metalheadz, International Anthem, Fat City, Izwid, Earnest Endeavours and Group BraCil. His most recent release was a remix for Gruff Rhys, which was released on Rough Trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2020 he was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize for his '\u003ci\u003eSteel Zakusi\u003c\/i\u003e' project, and has dropped several releases for First Word, including the acclaimed 2019 '\u003ci\u003eHalal Cool J\u003c\/i\u003e' album and various Darkhouse Family projects, including collabs with artists as diverse as Charlotte Church, Om'Mas Keith and Children of Zeus's Tyler Daley, additionally to remixes from DJ Spinna and label-mate, Kaidi Tatham. As a DJ he has provided mixes for BBC 6 Music, NTS, Rinse FM, Solid Steel and Boxout FM in India, as well as performing at The Jazz Cafe, Fabric and on Boiler Room.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003ci\u003eShaboo Strikes Back\u003c\/i\u003e' is a much-awaited sequel to the 2017 smash, and again features a modest 25 tracks. Psychedelic fuzzy samples and phat beats aplenty, Don Leisure once again takes us on a far-out trip across soundscapes. A real tapestry of flavours, from jazz to reggae, and from the soulful to the spiritual, this time round he's invited a few special guests to join him on his travels - most notably Welsh legend Gruff Rhys provides the vocals on '\u003ci\u003eNeon Drizzle (Hotel Shaboo)\u003c\/i\u003e', whilst acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Angel Bat Dawid and Jazzman-signed harpist Amanda Whiting lend their talents to '\u003ci\u003eAll Praises Due\u003c\/i\u003e'. There is even a special cameo appearance from his young daughter, (aka Shaboo's great-niece!), Naima, on '\u003ci\u003eNaima's Dream\u003c\/i\u003e'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50490349257035,"sku":"1149286","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/29b7757f-b387-43ab-93e9-a4e149cafdf0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727659368"},{"product_id":"midnight-crisp","title":"Midnight Crisp","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records is very proud to bring you a brand new album from Takuya Kuroda!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTakuya Kuroda is a highly respected trumpeter and arranger born in Kobe, Japan and based in New York City. 'Midnight Crisp' is Takuya's seventh studio album, entirely self-produced and following 2020's highly acclaimed 'Fly Moon Die Soon', also released on UK label First Word (winner of the Worldwide Award's Label of the Year in 2019). Consisting of six new tracks, this once again sees Takuya displaying his unique hybrid sound, blending soulful jazz, funk, post-bop, fusion and hip hop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter following the footsteps of his trombonist brother playing in big bands, he relocated to New York to study jazz \u0026amp; contemporary music at The New School in Union Square; a course he graduated from in the mid-noughties. It was here that Takuya met vocalist José James, with whom he worked on the 'Blackmagic' and 'No Beginning No End' projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFollowing graduation, Takuya established himself further in the NYC jazz scene, performing with the likes of Akoya Afrobeat and in recent years with DJ Premier's BADDER band. Premier said \"The BADDER Band project was put together by my manager, and an agent I've known since the beginning of my Gang Starr career. He said, 'What if you put a band together that revolved around a trumpet player from Japan named Takuya Kuroda? He's got a hip-hop perspective and respect in the jazz field…\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTakuya Kuroda is already incredibly prolific, releasing six albums in the past decade and fortifying a solid reputation in the global jazz scene. 2011 saw the release of Takuya's independently-produced debut album, 'Edge', followed by 'Bitter and High' the following year and 'Six Aces' on P-Vine in 2013. Takuya was signed to the legendary Blue Note Records in 2014 for his album 'Rising Son', as well as appearing on their 2019 cover versions project, 'Blue Note Voyage'. He released his 5th album 'Zigzagger' on Concord in 2016, which also featured Antibalas on a reimagining of the Donald Byrd classic 'Think Twice'.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis last album was the afore-mentioned 'Fly Moon Die Soon' on First Word, which received plays and support from the likes of Pitchfork, Earmilk, Bandcamp Weekly, Worldwide FM, All About Jazz, Apple Music, Tidal, Stereogum, Treble, Brooklyn Vegan, FIP (France), Tony Minvielle, Jazz FM, Huey Morgan (BBC 6 Music), BBC Radio 3, Novena Carmel, KCRW and tons more DJs, tastemakers, selectors, radio stations, bloggers \u0026amp; magazines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50537936224587,"sku":"2004058","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Midnight_Crisp_21a09175_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728212273"},{"product_id":"unfathomable","title":"Unfathomable","description":"\u003cp\u003eBrand new full-length album from Sarah Williams White! Emanating from the \"hilly fields of Lewisham\" in South London, Sarah Williams White is a singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Her sound is a unique blend of psych-soul, folktronica and experimental synth-pop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSarah released her acclaimed debut album \u003ci\u003eOf The New World\u003c\/i\u003e on First Word in 2015, which was written, produced and performed by Sarah from her home studio, with the assistance of drummer, engineer \u0026amp; husband, Timmy Rickard. Following a hiatus, Sarah now brings us her sophomore album, \u003ci\u003eUnfathomable\u003c\/i\u003e. A project that offers up escapism from the mundane, enticing us to connect with our natural planet in this prevalent time, via the eyes of a new mother.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn her words, Sarah states that the album is \"about escape. It's about deflating the ego by looking up to the endlessness of outer space, connecting with the greatness of mother nature, and loving how unfathomable the universe and life itself is\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First World","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50916261724491,"sku":"1142919","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/46b239e6-b6df-4916-83cb-55e9d552c1c9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1733036100"},{"product_id":"can-you-see-me-now","title":"Can You See Me Now?","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCan You See Me Now?\u003c\/em\u003e is another triumphant opus from Whiting; laidback, deliciously jazzy and thematically inquisitive, featuring some exceptional production and accompaniment from Adam Scrimshire (Albert's Favourite). The EP begins with the crackling 'Old Ways' intro (inspired by 'Naderman No.6 for Harp') leading into opening track 'Contented'; an epic ethereal piece of tranquil spiritual jazz, complete with the gloriously powerful vocal harmonies of Faye Houston. This sets the mood perfectly for this project, as we head into a short solo for Whiting on 'Still' which appears as it says on the tin. A moment of calm. Lead single 'What Is It We Need?' commences with dusty upright bass from Whiting Trio member Aidan Thorne, ahead of a beautiful goosebump-enducing lead-vocal from the national treasure that is Alice Russell (Tru Thoughts); an absolute powerhouse in her own right. 'Intent' picks up the pace a touch with some delightfully skippy jungle-esque drums from Jon Reynolds. 'It Could Be' follows; a soulful string-laden stepper, again featuring Faye Houston, and hits like the delicate breath of a Summer breeze. We close the set with the appropriately-named 'Moving On', which takes us out with a slightly-warped phasing dreamlike ambience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vinyl version of the EP also features two bonus tracks; an instrumental of 'What Is It We Need?' and the wonderful upbeat bop 'Mary Over There', which featured on the recent digital-only deluxe version of 'The Liminality of Her'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"EP - Black","offer_id":51937215611211,"sku":"R7567-0784","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/unnamed_a0f5946f-d261-467a-b871-5f8f75ec28ed.jpg?v=1748697421"},{"product_id":"one-for-detroit","title":"One For Detroit","description":"\u003cp\u003eFirst Word Records proudly present ‘One 4 Detroit’; the third single from Above The Clouds (aka kidkanevil \u0026amp; Magic Manfred), complete with a remix by 14KT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 7\" vinyl release follows on from last Summer's MF DOOM cover 'Arrow Root', which received strong support from the likes of Japan's DJ Koco and Philadelphia's DJ Jazzy Jeff, and their recent cover of ‘Change’ which was originally by Shadez of Brooklyn, most notably appearing on DJ Premier's 1997 mix album 'New York Reality Check 101.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the original First Word roster, UK Producer\/DJ and all-round laptop music geek kidkanevil has developed a distinctive and progressive sound over the years, gleefully exploring the beats and bleeps of the electronic music universe to international recognition. 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