N'Gomatéké Emy Laskin
N'Gomatéké Emy Laskin

Lucas Arruda’s born in 1983, in a Brazilian state called Espírito Santo, near Rio de Janeiro. Coming from a musical family (his dad and older brother are musicians) he started playing and listening to music very young. At the age of 13, he was also playing professionally already.After studying electric guitar and a few years spent playing in various bands with friends, Lucas passion quickly turned into Rhodes and keyboards, expanding his musical range of skills. At the same time he started a project called Du Black, with his older brother, Thiago, quickly receiving various local support from people such as Ed Motta, William Magalhães (Banda Black Rio), Robert Lamm (Chicago) or Hyldon (Brazilian soul legend).From the growing notoriety obtained with their first release, the band began to work with various other artists and singers such as Tamy Macedo, Idalina Dornellas, or Bossa Nova’s legend, Leila Pinheiro. Lucas also worked on the side for several other projects, which led him to build a recording studio with Thiago in 2011. This decision was a large step in his musical career and the next two years were indeed filled with great new collaborations alongside artists like Azee Project, Danny Perez (English producer), or Guida de Palma (Jazzinho). Now 2 years after he launched this home-studio, here comes “Sambadi”, first single and title of Lucas Arruda’s upcoming first solo LP!In Lucas’ words, Sambadi is highly inspired by Rio de Janeiro: “I’m living between two places, but my music and my heart are all in Rio”. As for the musical side, the album almost sounds like a tribute to his longtime heroes, with tasty influences by Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, Marcos Valle, Azymuth, Robson Jorge & Lincoln Olivetti amongst many others. And Lucas also humbly concludes: “With Sambadi, I really hope to honor all the guys who influenced me.”

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, R&B and Pop 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 top selling 7inches, which included hits such as “Suit & Tie” (Justin Timberlake), “Happy” (Pharrell Williams), “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke), or “Love Never Felt So Good” (Michael Jackson), this collection also includes four unreleased exclusive remixes: “What’s Golden” by Jurassic 5, “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, “Drop That Naenae” by We Are Toonz and the classic “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse.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!!!!!

Louis Xavier is a talented and sincere all-round artist. He is at once a musician, a writer, a composer, an arranger, a bandleader and a radio show producer. All this has made him a prolific element of the Parisian Jazz scene since the 1970’s.With his band, The Synchro Rhythmic Eclectic Language, he performed in most jazz clubs and venues in Paris. They also became regulars at José Arthur’s Pop Club, a legendary show on national French Radio France Inter. There, he met the French and famous producer Pierre Lattes. It was the start of a great long-lasting friendship.Pierre Lattes produced Chodo, with Louis Xavier & Georges Edouard Nouel, (1975, reissued on our label in 2017) and Ladja. This was a direct to disc recording at Translab Studio (Paris), it was done in live conditions with the precious help of Jo Maka.During his career, Louis Xavier has recorded many tracks, some of which are unreleased to date, and something tells us that we have not finished hearing about his work.

'They Are Dangerous' is the second song released by Senator Gary. The riddim was built by the late great keyboard player Winston Wright (1944-1993) and the vocal was recorded at Creative Sound studio. The tune was produced by Neville Reid who died a few years ago. Senator Gary is also called Imara, Abbasani and now he is voicing under the name of I-Maa-Raa. So the quest to find him was not so easy, thanks to Marshall Neeko for the help.

Comet Records presents from Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, N.E.P.A Reissue LP Vinyl remastered and coming in an heavy Deluxe Tip-On Jacket. In 1979, Tony Allen decided to leave Fela Kuti & Africa 70 and moved to London in 1982. Originally Released in 1984 on Earthworks Records, this reissue holds an extra track previously unreleased on vinyl called “Olokun”. N.E.P.A (Never Expect Power Always) is a searing critique of the Nigerian Electric Power Authority, an organisation that governed the use of electricity in Nigeria.It starts out with the title track, with a definite Afro-beat punch. Electro-claps stand as part of the percussion line, adding to a more modern look at what Afro-beat was becoming.This is followed by an even further modernized piece of Afro-beat, as the title track is given a dub mix. “When One Road Close” has a similar pace, and is similarly followed by a dub remix, complete with the necessary space-effects reverb. And to make this reissue extra special the track “Olokun” was never released on vinyl before.Blending the nascent rise of electronica into Afrobeat production, it’s tighter than any Fela album and became a definitive project in shaping Allen’s future sound. Whether it’s the electro beats or the punchier, multilayered arrangement, it instantly stands out in Allen’s vast and expansive discography.