Various
Brazilian Disco Boogie Sounds (1977-1984) (Volume 2)

Favorite Recordings proudly presents Deux, second album of French Jazz-Funk quartet Aldorande. In this new chapter, the four explorers pursue their interstellar trip on the Aldorande planet, deploying their ever deeper love for the 70's Jazz-Funk & Fusion scene. Extending their first visions of this new world, the bigger-than-life arrangements of this second album reflect again their high attention to dramatic narrative schemes, breezy Brazilian vibes, tempestuous funky grooves and strong cosmic melodies from outer space. Classic and contemporary at the same time, Deux is built for the like-minded souls still looking for the perfect beat.Twisting time and space but never forcing the groove, the band dives more profoundly into the Cortex influence of their compositions, with intense female back vocals fitting perfectly into their cinematographic vision. Like a cry in space, could these esoteric incantations be heard by Aldorande's divinities? Or will they be more impressed by the super-tight rhythm section with its bangin' basslines or an irresistible blend of drums and percussion? In the end, they probably would have to surrender after hearing the infinite echoes of the synthesizers and horns reflecting in the atmosphere. Deep and thoughtful, the travel has only begun but it seems that so much has already been experienced. Breaking the code, they opened the gates to a rebirth. One that could be only accomplished by finding the “Pierre des Mondes”, deeply buried somewhere on Aldorande - the only key to solve the riddle of the groove. Mission accepted.You'll find in Aldorande some of the best French jazzmen including bandleader and founder Virgile Raffaëlli on bass (Setenta & Joe Bataan, Camarão Orkestra), Florian Pellissier on keys (Iggy Pop, Setenta, Cotonete & Di Melo, …), Mathieu Edouard on drums (Chassol, De La Soul) and Erwan Loeffel on percussion (Camarão Orkestra, 10LEC6). On this album, they took the initiative to invite two guests on some tracks: AOR singer Al Sunny and killer guitarist Laurent Guillet (Le Soldat Rose, Setenta).

Dance The Devil Away, the new album from The Natural Yogurt Band is a collection of 10 psychedelic, esoteric and cartoony library tracks, carried by Tom Dempsey’s heavy drum play. We find again that raw yet distinguished sound, proper to the Nottingham-based composer, with screeching organs, threatening grooves enlightened by the transverse flute, and loud drum breaks that navigate inside the stereo like a ghost haunting this record.

French renowned reggae producer Mato is back with a new killer volume of the “Hip-Hop Reggae Series”.Stix Records rounds up all recent Mato’s 7inches anthems into this extended player, with all the cuts remastered for the occasion.The Mato’s touch?: Remixing the biggest Hip-Hop and R&B tunes with choice reggae backing tracks. As usual he’s blended all of the tracks to perfection, and ready to rock any party.As well as his recent 7inches, which included hits such as “Danger” (Blahzay Blahzay), “Still Dre” (Dr Dre), “Remember We” (Da Bush Babies), or “I Know What You Want” (Busta Rhymes), this collection also includes four unreleased hits: “Gangsta Lovin’” by Eve, “La Saga” by IAM, “Whateva Man” by Redman and “Off The Books” by The Beatnuts.Woop woop, that's the perfect sound of reggae-hip hop ready to hit the dancefloors again!This is definitely one you shouldn't miss !!!!!

Thomas Blanchot, 40 years old percussionist and drummer, started his production structure Mato Production in 2001, with which he collaborated and directed for many projects.Composer, music publisher and producer of music for TV, advertising, films and records, he also began a career as reggae producer since 2006, under the name "MATO". Since then he’s released music through various projects concepts, coming out through labels such as Makasound, EDR Records or Big Singles. In the meantime he developed a real trademark: taking over classics French, Hip-Hop, or Pop song, into roots Reggae-Dub new versions.Besides since 2010, Mato’s built a solid reputation thanks to his many remixes of Hip-Hop classics on Stix Records. It is therefore natural to find him back with a new attractive concept on the Favorite Recordings’ sub-label: seasoning the notorious "Homework" by Daft Punk, with his special Reggae-Dub sauce.Once again Mato achieves a brilliant rendition with this “Homework Dub”, making almost dreadlocks grow on the French robots’ heads! Using kick-effects, delays and roaring bass, he reinvents one of the most famous albums of electronic music, as if it was straight-out from Scientist, King Tubby or Mad Professor’ studios in Jamaica.

Favorite Recordings presents this new official album reissue of State of Emmergency by French band The Fizz: A real underrated, complete and intriguing album, originally released in 1986 as a private-press LP and quite hard to find in good conditions nowadays.The Fizz is mostly the result of Patrick Jouanneau, a French musician, composer and producer who’s still active today. He remembers: “In the early 80's I had a recording studio allowing me to easily fulfil my desire to create songs. It was then that I began to compose and write songs, in French or in English in this case. State Of Emergency (spelling on the LP is a mistake), is born from a fierce will on my part, and the other four have followed, but it was not easy, the musicians, you have to get them out of bed! I have to say that Richard Larozé, the pianist, was a very strong guy with harmonies, and has somewhat changed my first version, much more oriented in Soul and R&B.”And when asked about his main influences, Patrick says: “It’s always difficult for me to speak about influences, out of respect, and humility especially, but they nourished us and nourished this project; Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, Earth, Wind & Fire, and so on, were and still are important to me and this was the case for the entire FIZZ group.”At the end, State of Emmergency by The Fizz is a very interesting and brilliant album with great inspiration in melodies and compositions. And who knows, listening to the title "A So Called Being", it could even have inspired a certain “King of Pop”...

French avantgarde Jazz-Funk pioneers Cortex released three milestone albums during the seventies including the iconic Troupeau Bleu. Their music has been sampled by Hip Hop artists such as MF Doom, Wiz Khalifa, Lupe Fiasco and Rick Ross and as a consequence is still very much alive today. Trad Vibe Records proudly presents a first time re-issue of their double sider 7inch single from 1976 Les Oiseaux Morts / Back To Life. We are sure that you will enjoy the melancholic beauty of “Les Oiseaux Morts” and the harmonica driven disco funk of “Back To Life”.