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Kabanjak and Dogu, aka Ancient Astronauts, hailing from Cologne/Germany are back with a heavy load of remixes on The Orion Nebula Remixes, out on April 10, 2012. After the release of internationally critically acclaimed album Into Bass And Time (their second album for ESL Music) they joined forces with some of their favorite producers and remixers, which resulted in a roster full of quality remixes.

The selection of fine reinterpretations starts with a funked up boom bap remix of Oblivion feat. Azeem & DJ Zeph by Chicago based producer Maker (from the group Qwel & Maker), which is full of Indian influences and features fat rocking drums.

This is followed up by Kabanjak himself doing an epic drum heavy version of Peace In The East, which leaves a lot of room for beautiful strings performed by UK string duo, Entropik.

Then comes a remix by Emch from Subatomic Sound System in New York City who will blow your speakers with its big bass. This remix is an up-tempo version of Give It To You feat. Monsoon.

And while speaking of bass we present you DC residents Second Sky & Thomas Blondet who give Calvert Street Rock a fresh new Dub outfit that puts the Melodica in the spotlight of this song. The original version is a homage to ESL Music & Thievery Corporation headquarters (located on Calvert Street in Washington DC) and to Augustus Pablo (who brought the Melodica to the attention of Reggae lovers worldwide).

Kabanjak´s more Afro and Latin dedicated project Deela (on Switchstance Recordings) comes up next with a more up-tempo broken beat remix of Anti Pop Song, bringing you a contagious bass-heavy groove for the dancefloor.

Next up is longtime friend and collaborator DJ Brace, who is one of Canada´s finest scratchers and producers who did all the cuts on the Ancient Astronauts album Into Bass And Time, on Kabanjak´s solo album Tree Of Mystery and he remixed Classic feat. The Pharcyde from AA´s debut album We Are To Answer. His remix of Still A Soldier shows of his fine skills as a producer and DJ with his trademark style of warm and tight beats combined with killer scratches. To round up this remix and give it a real organic feel Brace invited some friends to his studio to add Kora (Zal Sissokho) and Darbuka (Guillaume Fouquet). The result is full of beautiful harmonies with forward rocking beats and scratches.

Bay Area resident and eclectic beats & grooves maestro J-Boogie is the next in line. J chose to remix the song Last Night feat. Akua Naru and added some lush Latin flavor and deep bass, which give room for Akua´s lyrics to flower out through this beautiful song.

To round up this release and pay dues to all the beat-addicted Hip Hop and Funk heads in the world we added the instrumental version of the Maker Remix for Oblivion.

Introducing Congo Sanchez, the backbeat of the Washington DC party scene.  As one of the city’s most adept instrumentalists, he is the favored sideman and producer for dance bands and world music ensembles alike. His contributions to The Empresarios Bestia EP, Funk Ark’s From the Rooftops and Thievery Corporation’s Culture of Fear stand out with distinct character. He finally steps out on his own with his solo debut, Congo Sanchez, Vol. 1, is available now on ESL Music.

Musician and Selecta extraordinaire, Congo can generally be found in one of two places. If he’s not on the road drumming with DC’s own, Thievery Corporation or See-I: he’s  jamming out to fresh vibes at the mysterious Lillypad studios.   He is developing a unique blend of Afro-Latin Dub, as he evolves in to his own on the DC music scene. This EP-his first solo outing-proves that the sound is here, and Congo Sanchez is the ambassador.  His over-all taste, and musical personality are a delight, with a superlative sense of rhythm and a musicianly approach to arrangements and melody.

“I embodied Afro-Cuban and Haitian rhythms while accompanying for world dance classes, and began composing pieces for Solo Percussion and Chamber Jazz Ensembles….built a DIY home studio and started to produce my own beats with these ideals in mind.”

Congo produces and performs everything on the EP, with two notable exceptions. Karen Joy McCoy plays shimmering violin on “Democrazy,” the opening track, while the horn section from Ikebe Shakedown – Morgan Price, sax; Jason Colby, trumpet; Nadav Nirenberg, trombone – add their blazing ensemble work to “T.E.T.O. (strut)” . Congo lays down subtle keyboard textures and multi-layered percussion tracks throughout, giving the music an otherworldly vibe rooted by his earthy backbeat.

“During college, I took interest world music. I learned of the Yoruba and Fon traditions of West Africa and how they remained vital throughout colonialization in the Western Hemisphere. All the time re-discovering these rhythms and melodies in music that I listened to growing up in suburban America.”

Congo Sanchez knows his roots and leads the listener on a fascinating journey along the vibrations of DC’s outernational sound.

After a highly praised debut, Washington DC’s The Funk Ark is back with an even tighter follow up album. Less than a year has passed since the release of From The Rooftops on ESL Music and the world funk ensemble has established itself as one of the strongest players in the scene both in the studio and with their high-octane live performances.  High Noon is the title of The Funk Ark’s sophomore release and was recorded and produced by Adrián Quesada of the Grammy award winning group, Grupo Fantasma.

Following on the heels of the first EP this takes the Afrolicious sound to another level of songwriting, production, and dance heavy beats. Focusing on more uptempo tracks like title track Pleasuretime, and Never Let No One each featuring vocalist Fresh is Life from Trinidad, the hybrid of Afro-Beat and Disco-House is emphasized on these tracks and reflect a hybrid that has been explored since the first days of the Afrolicious party. Revolution is a hard hitting breakbeat with Afro-Beat, Funk, and electronica all meeting on a sure fire dance floor banger. Written as a news broadcast set to a funk beat and reflecting the various global movements over the last year. Featuring Pleasuremaker on lead vocals, other strong vocals were cut by Rhonda, aka Red the Black Blond, Ziek McCarter, and Diamond all from the Afrolicious organization. Finally Yacouba Diarra makes a return appearance on Bade Malou, a more uptempo follow up to the ‘Dub For Mali’ title track on the debut Afrolicious release. The deep and meditative vibes meet a danceable beat and baseline, and psychedelic effects are juxtaposed against the Ngoni, an acoustic stringed instrument from Africa. Here we have West Africa meeting breakbeats, electronica, dub effects, and psychedelia.  Pleasuretime was produced by Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation, and co-produced by Pleasuremaker. The two bounce ideas off of each other betweeb their busy touring schedules and are also on track to finish the remainder of the full length album to be released later in the year! The connection of Rob Garza w- Afrolicious makes for some tasty productions that combine the best of organic and electronic elements, seamlessly brought together here in the mix by engineer Gianmaria Conti (Italy,Thievery Corporation live sound engineer)

Mondo Beyondo, the new album by Ursula 1000 is finally here! This is the 5th album of original retro/futuro rockers released on ESL Music.

The fourth single culled from the Mondo Beyondo album is “The Fly” and “Disko-Tech” Remix EP.  These 2 floor rockers comes with 4 wicked remixes from the likes Too Fresh/Klub Kids’ Hugga Thugg, Homebreakin Records’ Neighbour, Boogie Boutique’s Hayz and Chris Awesome and the groovy Fuzzbox Inc!

These have all been road tested and they all tear it up something fierce!

Four new takes on the track “Somebody Like You” featuring remixes by Fort Knox Five, The Kramford Look, Thomas Blondet and Superimposers.

Karimba takes Novalima’s music to new heights, introducing both new sounds and traditional rhythms like the Panalivio, Zamacueca, Ingá and Tondero, while maintaining their distinctive Afro and dub sound. Their reputation at home in Lima has allowed them to work with the top traditional musicians in the city, inviting vocalists Pepe Vasquez, Rosita Guzman, and Sofia Buitron as well as guitarists Roberto Arguedas and Felix Casaverde (former guitarist for Chabuca Granda), in addition to members of the live band.

From the driving rhythms and furious percussion of tracks like “Mamaye” and “Luna Ciega” to more pensive tangents like “Revolucion” and “Malivio Son” Novalima’s Karimba is a joyous whirlwind of sound and song not to be missed!

Dive into a new journey merging pop, soul, folk, R&B and psychedelia and the highly personalized songcraft of AM & Shawn Lee as a cast of worldwide remixers offer new takes on selected tracks from the duo’s debut album, “Celestial Electric”. Rob Garza from Thievery Corporation serves up a groove-machine uptake on “Promises are Never Far From Lies”; Australia’s Dic Money puts serious disco beats into “Lonely Life” making it an ass-shaking dance-floor thumper; Brooklyn’s Captain Planet (Bastard Jazz) puts his take on “City Boy” offering an ambient escape and the U.K.’s Virgil Howe sets off AM’s vocal on “Dark Into Light” to showcase the lyrics in a new style.

ESL Music is excited to announce the release of Chris Joss’ newest studio album, “No Play No Work!” Hot on the heels of last year’s dusty groove album Monomaniacs Vol. 1, prolific multi-instrumentalist and French funkateer Chris Joss returns with yet another masterpiece collection of sonic delights:  No Play No Work.  Never one to rest on his laurels, Chris Joss recorded 60 distinct instrumentals intended for Monomaniacs Vol. 2 but decided on an entirely new tack for his next album.  This time Joss draws inspiration from the progressive jazz/rock/funk fusion of Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock and the Afrobeat rhythms of Fela Kuti.  No Play No Work ups the ante with an aggressive whirlwind of blazing guitars, popping basslines, crisp breakbeats, raw turntable scratching and infectious robo-vocals! A definite milestone in Chris Joss’ ever-evolving musical catalogue and an indispensable gem for those who worship at the altar of funk!

The third single culled from Ursula 1000′s Mondo Beyondo album is “Repetez Le Repertoire” featuring French avant-jazz chanteuse Isabelle Antena. This bubbly electro bouncer comes with some wicked remixes from the likes of Germany’s Linntronix (who’s done production for Kris Menace and remixed the likes of LCD Soundsystem and Depeche Mode), Australia’s nu- school breaks producer Omegaman and Barcelona’s electro popsters The Pinker Tones!

The musical collaboration of AM & Shawn Lee has resulted in a unique brand of electro-soul that achieves seamless pop perfection, while mining a startlingly broad array of stylistic influences.  The resulting blend of heartfelt, warmly melodic songcraft and vivid, inventive soundscapes underlines the artists’ abiding love for all manner of vintage genres, encompassing pop, soul, funk, jazz, Brazilian tropicalia, Turkish psychedelia, and soundtracks and library music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

ALBUM DETAILS

Imagine stepping into a bumping dance party at the peak of the night and feeling the movement of the dancers around you; take a psychedelic walk through the Malian desert with a boom box, or meditate on some modern dub as the night winds down. Afrolicious brings musical treats for you to feed your mind, body and soul which mixes a love of dj and dance culture along with a passion for organic soulful live music from around the world.

With their first official release “A Dub for Mali” *(out 8/16 on ESL Music)*they have created a recipe that will satisfy diverse musical palettes, with elements of Afro-Beat and Disco brought together for ‘Thursday Night Kinda Swing’, Electro-Dub, reggae and down-tempo on the title track ‘Foolin’ and a funky mix of Malian blues, psychedelia and beats on ‘A Dub for Mali’ the ep is a reflection and a taste of the wide spectrum of sounds that have been cultivated weekly at the San Francisco based Afrolicious party, hosted by real life brothers Pleasuremaker and Señor Oz.  Afrolicious’ debut features some outstanding vocal performances from Burkina Faso’s Yacouba Diara and Trinidad’s Fresh is Life; locked in percussion and scatting vocals of Baba Duru,  tight horn work of Billy Magic and Aaron Lebowitz and the wicked slide guitar, funky bass and arrangements of Joey “Pleasuremaker” McGuire.

Produced by Rob Garza of Thievery Corporation the tracks were recorded in an improvisational atmosphere that helped capture the magic of the Afrolicious party environment, a place where magic might happen if you give it a chance.  The vibe of the Afrolicious party and the years of working with outstanding musicians, vocalists and djs in clubs all over are captured on this release.

Stand out gems “Vampires” and “El Pueblo Unido” from Thievery Corporation’s album Radio Retaliation finally get the remix treatment on the Vampires Remixed EP.  Taking the original version, with vocals by Femi Kuti, even further down the Afrobeat road Afrolicious and Thievery’s own Rob Garza extend the track to over seven minutes of dance floor bliss.  On the flipside Jeremy Sole and Quantic convert “El Pueblo Unido” into a bangin’ cumbia, and Uproot Andy adds infectious horns and synth to his remix.

Turntables on the Hudson Volume 8 “Reflecting CIELO”  (WONDERWHEEL Recordings 2011)
Here’s the new compilation celebrating their monthly Friday residency at NYC’s Cielo. This party platter features more of the sounds & artists that have dropped by with Nickodemus on the big Funktion One sound-system over the past 8 years! Things kick off with Mr.Scruff’s infamous “Pickled Spider”, a ripping dubstepper track with huge wobbly bass, urging all dancers to the floor! The compilation also touches on the frequently played hits such as SUMO’s “Zwakalani” as well as some unreleased grooves such as Afrolicious’ “Dub for Mali”, Quantic’s “Sol Clap” & Nickodemus’ Remix of Jeremy Sole’s “Skalypso Vamp!”  Available on 2 very limited edition 12″s as well as CD (distributed through ESL Music) & digitally through INgrooves. * Release parties for this comp will be August 5th @ Cielo NYC, Aug 6th @ Public Works SF, Aug 13th @ theLift LA. Please spread the word & enjoy this new release nice & load on a good sound-system!!

ESL Music is proud to present the debut EP from its newest family members, AM & Shawn Lee’s Dark Into Light EP.  Taken from their debut album, Celestial Electric released later this year, and already getting heavy rotation on KCRW, “Dark Into Light” is a lush Gary Numan-esque anthem anchored by a steady groove and bathed in cool synthesizer washes that undulate and build into an irresistable frenzy.  Also featured on this EP is the exclusive non-album track “Spin It Around,” a shimmering trip-pop tune carried by AM’s sweet vocals and guitar lines.

Thunderball already brought you to the edge of the atmosphere with their globe-spanning, mind-altering, cinematic album 12 Mile High.  Now, with a little help from some friends, Thunderball deliver 12 Mile High Remixed.  Just a few highlights:  “Rio Mescalito” is given a bombastic 70’s cop show theme-song redo by Tom B and Second Sky, “Enter the Brahmin” and “Rio Mescalito” are transformed into stuttering monster-bass dubstep bangers by Knight Riderz and Mexicans with Guns respectively, and “Runaway” is treated to an epic nine minute old school rave remix.  Stacked to the brim with dramatic sonic reconstructions, 12 Mile High Remixed is sure to please the DJs and dance floor fanatics!

ESL Music proudly presents the No One EP, the first EP from Federico Aubele’s haunting album Berlin 13.  This EP not only features original album versions of “No One” and “Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue” from the Berlin 13 album, but also a spaced out psychedelic remix version of “No One” by Thievery Corporation’s Rob Garza and a tweaked out remix version with added strings and guitar effects by Guillotine Cuts.

Thievery Corporation returns with their sixth original studio album Culture of Fear! Following up their incendiary and bombastic call to arms Radio Retaliation from 2008, this time around Eric Hilton and Rob Garza craft a simmering and hazy collection of atmospheric gems that recalls their early production work but reflects a thoroughly contemporary zeitgeist of socio-political angst and unease.

Utilizing a team of skilled session players from their acclaimed live show and beyond, Culture of Fear finds the duo easing into expansive multipart space-jams like “Tower Seven” and jazzy instrumental b-boy breaks like “Light Flares.” Not only are usual suspects like multilingual chanteuse Lou Lou and dancehall toaster Sleepy Wonder back to lend their haunting vocals, but several new contributors also join the Corporation.

Renowned hip-hop MC Mr. Lif blazes the microphone on the title track “Culture of Fear” with a scathing flow that aims to uplift and enlighten as it does burn down babylon! Rising star Ras Puma also drops mystic incantations on “False Flag Dub” and the slow burning roots reggae throwback “Overstand.” It’s not all fire and brimstone however, as Shana Halligan of Bitter:Sweet coos sultrily over booming tribal rhythms on “Is it Over?”, and newcomer Kota lends angelic and sprightly verses on album closer “Free.”

Recorded at ESL Music Studios in Washington DC by Thievery Corporation’s sound engineer Christopher “Stone” Garrett, From the Rooftops is the funk-tastic debut album from ESL Music’s newest artist signing The Funk Ark!  Fronted by keyboard savant and long-time ESL Music session player Will Rast, the album delivers a healthy dose of vintage afrobeat, Latin, and funk stylings.  Recalling the best of Afrika 70, the JB’s and the Fania Allstars all at once, The Funk Ark is your new one-stop shop for booty-shaking vintage grooves.  Shout it from the rooftops!

Like the band name and EP title suggests, this is one funky EP!  ESL Music’s newest artist signing, The Funk Ark deliver their first EP, the Funky DC EP.  The A side showcases “Funky DC,” a, wait for it, funky afrobeat ode to the band’s home town of Washington DC with MC Asheru namedropping all the local ‘hoods.  On the B side we have “El Beasto,” a steady instrumental afrobeat groove for all the dance floor foot shufflers!

Second Sky’s debut album The Art of Influence is a journey into the mind of songwriter Billy Medina as he translates experience and emotion into sonic worlds of introspection and discovery. Bassist Wes DiIorio and drummer/producer Bill Lascek-Speakman set the scene with lush soundscapes, dusty hip-hop beats and dynamic musical passages. While rooted in trip-hop and dub, The Art of Influence pulls inspiration from the past, present, future, and a variety of international influences. The opening track,  “Dragonfly”, begins like the morning sun rising over the river Ganges. “Under the Line” harkens back to 1970s soul, while the instrumental “Sundowner” draws upon strong afrobeat rhythms, suggesting the notion of a crowded street scene or packed dance floor. Deeper into the album, “A Hundred Million Sounds” features sitarist Harry Payuta, whose ability to seamlessly meld Indian classical music with Western sensibility adds a new layer to the band’s already eclectic sound. Overall, each of the eleven songs that comprise The Art of Influence entices us to travel within and without ourselves, tasting flavors of the world in a way that is equally personal as it is universal.

Ocote Soul Sounds returns with their first 7-inch vinyl single ahead of their forthcoming full-length studio album Taurus.  The A-side features “Pirata”, a slinky farfisa-infused instrumental hip-hop jam that explodes with fierce conga rhythms.  The B-side features “Primavera,” a positively soaring Spanish-vocal anthem.  This is the soundtrack to warm spring days and hot summer nights!

You’ve already been “booty locked!” so get ready for Frank Mitchell Jr.’s second 7-inch EP: “This Time.”  Frank’s sweet falsetto drips over a stomping disco arrangement of elastic bass, snappy percussion and fiery horns on the title track “This Time,” and if that weren’t enough, on the flipside our favorite galactic funk-o-naut explores new celestial bodies on the naughty slow-jam “Soul Sister Butterfly.”  Indeed, this time he’s serious!

Berlin 13 marks Federico Aubele’s return to a smoky realm of acoustic guitar licks, heavy rhythms and sinister dub atmospherics. Featuring guest appearances by Jesse Harris, Karina Zeviani, Natalia Clavier, and Mauro Refosco (of Forro in The Dark and Thom Yorke’s live band).

Prepare for a kaleidoscopic journey into bass and time!  The Ancient Astronauts return once again from the far reaches of the musical cosmos with their stellar new sophomore album.  Released by ESL Music in early 2011, Into Bass and Time sees the Astronauts take their vintage-meets-future block party aesthetic and blast off to new frontiers.  The Astronauts are not alone in their journey however, as they bring along a solid crew of MCs, vocalists, and turntablists for the intergalactic ride. Akua Naru and Phat Old Mamas lend a haunting feminine edge to “Last Night” and “Bitter Hypnotic,” while MC’s Azeem and Raashan Ahmad drop sonic bombs on fire-starters “The Shining” and “Don’t Stop.”  From hard driving hip-hop, to funky breakbeat, to righteous dancehall reggae, to late night smokers’ trip-hop, Into Bass and Time  is a sonic rocket ship ride not to be missed!

The Worldwide EP arrives as the Ancient Astronauts’ pre-emptive strike ahead of their upcoming sophomore album release Into Bass & Time.  The three track EP features the sampladelic block party anthem “Worldwide” taken from the album itself, and two exclusives:  “Eternal Searching (Extended Version)” featuring nimble raps by W. Ellington Felton and the smoky hip-hop instrumental “Fear is The Only Darkness.”

Rhythm & Culture Music finishes off the year strong with The Sound of Rhythm & Culture Remixed.  Inviting label favorites and new talent to collaborate on this finely-distilled brew of music, the label maintains its edgy, sophisticated sound while still serving feel-good dance floor tunes signature to the style of label co-creator Farid. Thomas Blondet’s ode to the Bossa Nova sound reaches a new height with the exquisite vocals of local DC songstress Sarah Vertino. This version of “Samba Soul” is a perfect example of the song-oriented dance floor gems according to which Rhythm & Culture identifies itself. All India Radio’s dramatic acoustic guitar amplification of Second Sky’s “Too Far” is juxtaposed with the staccato Balkan tones of Omegaman’s recreation of Thomas Blondet’s “Havana 2am” while Hippie Torrales seamlessly blends the celebratory vocals on Farid’s “Freedom” with an enchanting, anthem-like instrumental part. An all-time favorite on the original album, “The Way We Go” maintains Rhythm & Culture’s commitment to DC mic culture featuring the lyrical talent of Eric “E-Ball” Burton. This time around, artist Thomas Blondet invites ESL Music co-conspirators Ancient Astronauts to remold the track. Pushing the tempo by adding heavy bassdrums and dirty snare pops, The Astros design a dangerous off-beat reggae sample to compliment E-ball’s voice. To conclude the album, Zeb gracefully accepts the bones of Second Sky’s “Under the Line” to reassemble them into the more delicate, Eastern and percussive skeleton of a dub track renamed “Under the Bass Line”. The collaborative efforts on this album are sure to feed the soul of any Rhythm & Culture fan looking to dance, chill, celebrate, wonder or be inspired by earotic talent. Rhythm & Culture Music is proud to present, The Sound of Rhythm & Culture Remixed.

Prepare to get booty locked!  ESL Music presents the debut EP “Booty Lock” by Frank Mitchell Jr.!  A mysterious rogue hailing from Washington DC, Frank Mitchell Jr. has a voice like honey and the sensibilities of a man that’d make Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield blush.  Side A features the no-nonsense roller-skating disco jam “Booty Lock.”  Rubbery bass, wah-wah guitars, and silky horns don’t even begin to describe the naughtiness within.  The B side, in this case “B” for “bad ass,” features “Body and Mind” another future soul classic.  Just get a little closer and let the rhythm grab you by the hips and draw you in!

The album “Sound of Rhythm & Culture” is a celebration of the artists that have contributed to the label by continually offering their talents and ahead-of-the-curve sounds. The album takes its listeners around the world while still maintaining the feel of Washington, DC’s multicultural social fabric. Each track focuses on a particular sub-amalgamation of cultures while holding true to Rhythm & Culture’s goal of producing music that can be played through the speakers of a club or enjoyed in various other settings. Artists on this album tend to all hold the same belief that the world is small and interactive: A track titled “Havana 2am” might imply an Afro-Cuban salsa club splurge, but instead Blondet hits the listener with big-band horns, Balkan rhythmic progressions and wartime snare drum fills. “Side Car” offers samples of multi-layered late 70′s R&B and Latin drum patterns while the mystical melody of the song reflects Nouri’s time-old passion for dancefloor trance. Featuring the talent of artists such as Zeb, Second Sky and Nickodemus, this album is emotional, rare, satisfying and provocative. It is intelligently crafted to expose the listener to a range of styles that encompasses the progression of electronic music since its embryonic stage in the mid-eighties.

Kabanjak, one half of the block-rockin’ German hip-hop production and DJ duo Ancient Astronauts, presents his own musical vision with his debut solo album Tree of Mystery! Kabanjak not only tackles much of Tree of Mystery’s live instrumentation, including guitars, bass, keys, kalimba, flute, and melodica but also teams up with various other vocal and instrumental talents: Ulf Stricker provides snapping live drum rhythms, Canadian DMC champion and Juno Award winner DJ Brace provides cuts and scratches, poet Azeem drops conscious rhymes, and Sitali and Rykarda Parasol provide soulful incantations.
With its broad spectrum of haunting melodies, rough riddims, and solid arrangements,spanning from downbeat to hip-hop to dub reggae, Kabanjak lets Tree of Mystery dig its roots deep into the musical underground and grow its branches right up into the sky!

After ‘No Dibby Dibby Sound’ Thomas Blondet returns with 2 killer summer-tinged Latin breaks. Similar to some recent Quantic stuff, this is drenched in sunshine. ‘Ritmo Pas Gozar’ uses Latin splices while ‘Havana 2am’ is more stripped back, letting the lead guitar do the work.

“No Dibby Dibby Sound” is a slab of Latin flavored reggae funk destined for the dancefloor. “Dub Steppa”, featuring Subatomic Sound System, weaves reggae and downtempo textures together.

Thomas Blondet follows up his European Coaster release with a diverse array of sounds on the Echo Chamber EP. “Walney Road” continues his pattern of uplifting dance music, while “Echo Chamber” features smooth ragga, sexy bass lines and edgy almost dissonant melodies.

Reflecting some of Thomas Blondet’s earlier styles, this EP features uplifting, soulfully infused dance tracks. Both tracks feature Thomas Blondet’s signature style of heavy percussion and strong bass, while ensuring that each part of the track flows

For “One Time” the renowned DJ/Producer has recruited not one but two DC Reggae heavyweights on vocals: Rootz Steele (See-I, Thievery Corporation) and Monsoon (S.T.O.R.M.). “One Time” gets right to the point with a multi-layered brew of sounds. Built on a foundation of a solid hip-hop beats and dubby bass lines, the grooving bhangra-style dholaks and classic synths provide a distinctly Eastern flavor. With a “dub” version on the B’, this is a serious gem in the Rhythm & Culture crown.

Second Sky’s first release on Rhythm and Culture Music comes in the form of an intimate Soul/Rn’B tinged downtempo groover called “Under the Line EP”. Think Tosca after they’d listened to Marvin Gaye for a month straight. Warm Fender Rhodes, soft analog synths, and layers of reverb-soaked percussion effortlessly coast above an irresistible bass line and head-bobbing beats. While reaching back to the ’70s for inspiration, “Under the Line” pushes forward toward the future of downtempo music. The A side is topped off with the seductive vocals of Billy Medina, and on the B’, the instrumental version provides a perfect soundtrack for very late night rendezvous

The “Too Far” EP takes us to opposite ends of the Earth with a sensibility that fits perfectly into the Rhythm & Culture catalog. The track “Too Far” is a smooth, dubbed-out trip-hop groover full of catchy horn lines, textural percussion, and is topped-off with the intimate vocals of Billy Medina. “Hourglass” by contrast is a cinematic roller-coaster ride through the middle-east, full of traditional rhythms and dramatic soundscapes. A perfect selection for belly dancers.

New York’s Ursula 1000 sets his time machine towards primitive garage punk for his new E.P., FUZZ! Drenched in snarling fuzz guitars, savage drums and spooky organs, this new collection of tracks unleashes his technicolor take on this sound. A pinch of the old and a drop of the new, creating a brand new monster! Inspired by the classics like Count Five, The Sonics and the Nuggets and Back To The Grave collections to revivalists like The Gruesomes, Gravedigger V and The Dukes of Stratosphear, Ursula 1000 takes in this obsession and flips it for a new generation. Features the inimitable Fred Schneider from The B-52s on the opening song, “Hey You!”. Fred and his band paved the way of mixing b-movie surf trashiness and new wave as does Ursula with his blending vintage grooves with modern electronica, thus making the pairing a no-brainer!

Kabanjak’s debut album is preceded by his stunning debut EP on ESL Music.  The Rhythm EP not only features the pensive raps of title track “Rhythm” featuring Oakland born MC Azeem, but also includes a set of epic instrumental hip-hop excursions and remixes not found on the forthcoming Tree of Mystery album.  Have you got the rhythm?!

International DJ and production masters Rob Garza and Eric Hilton select their favorite Thievery Corporation tracks and present It Takes a Thief; their first retrospective album chronicling over a decade of revolutionary outernational sounds. With a rotating cast of instrumentalists and vocalists It Takes a Thief unfolds in a kaleidoscope of sonic color. The album showcases classic Thievery Corporation tracks like “Warning Shots” featuring incendiary reggae toaster Sleepy Wonder, “Vampires” featuring Afrobeat heir Femi Kuti, “Shadows of Ourselves” featuring multi-lingual Persian singer Lou Lou, and of course the hit track “Lebanese Blonde” featuring the late jazz chanteuse Pam Bricker. It Takes a Thief also features an exclusive, never before released track “The Passing Stars” featuring Pam Bricker.

Blast off with Ursula 1000’s “Rocket EP”!  Showcasing the bombastic and zany electro single “Rocket,” from Ursula 1000’s latest album Mystics, the “Rocket EP” also expands the sound with exclusive new remixes.  Telephunken offers up a funky breakbeat remix, while Smalltown Romeo puts a hard techno spin on the track, and Mike Dextro adds some stank with a dark dubstep remix!

ESL Music brings the dopeness once again with Ancient Astronauts’ brand new “Put Em Up EP” featuring the brand new lead hip-hop cut “Put Em Up” with rhymes by Raashan Ahmad.  Also featured on the EP are brand new exclusive remixes of tracks from the Astronauts’ debut album We Are To Answer.  Tru Thoughts’ in-house beatmaestro TM Juke reworks “Everybody” into a funky electro breakbeat smasher, while the BBC’s reigning exotic downtempo DJ Pathaan reworks “Lost in Marrakesh” into a smooth drum&bass roller.  The EP is rounded out by superb remixes by Protassov, Lance Herbstrong, and Gianma.

French multi-instrumentalist and music producer extraordinaire Chris Joss is back again with a new album Monomaniacs Volume 1.  Like a long lost vintage LP plucked from a time capsule buried sometime in the 1970’s this album brings Joss back to a distinctly traditional and dusty funk groove.  Recalling the iconic blaxploitation and grindhouse film soundtracks of that era, Monomaniacs is filled with ricocheting breakbeats, whirlwinds of wah-wah, rubber-band basslines, cosmic organs, and even a few shredding rock guitars to put some hair on your chest.  Can Volume 2 be far behind?

The Spy from Cairo “Secretly Famous” (WONDERWHEEL Recordings)
Takes the listeners throughout the Middle East & Arabia with live Oud, Saz & Chifteli over Electro-Dubby Dancefloor grooves.

Ocote Soul Sounds’ latest psychedelic Latin-funk album Coconut Rock gets the deluxe package treatment with five exclusive new remixes, a full digital booklet and a music video added to the original album.  In addition to the original album music, Coconut Rock Deluxe includes a new electro funk version entitled “Electric Cockroach,” a honey dipped hip-hop rhythm remix of “Vendendo Saude e Fe” by Adrian Quesada himself, a swinging reggae remix of “Cara de Yo No Fui” by label mates Ancient Astronauts, and other remix exclusives by DJ Obah and Grant Phabeo.  Rediscover Ocote Soul Sounds’ Coconut Rock, this time with exclusive new material, now!

Nickodemus’ second solo album Sun People gets the full remix makeover with Sun People Remixed!  Among the plethora of exclusive remixes by a variety of music luminaries, Earthrise Soundsystem  add tribal flavor to the track “Sun Children,” while Tal Klein blesses “N’Dini” with a groovey rework.  Trip-hop veteran J Boogie puts an electro twist on “Didibina” while Swedish producer Red Astaire funks up “Sun Children” with rubbery basslines, hand-claps, wah-wah guitar, and cowbell to spare.  Get it now!

Federico Aubele’s sultry musical ode to love, Amatoria, gets the remix treatment as Amatoria Remixed.  Featuring six superbly re-worked tracks, this short album is a gem for DJs and fans of beefy electronic rhythms.  “Luna Y Sol” is transformed by Lance Herbstrong into an exercise in throbbing basslines and stomping percussion, while Gianma provides upbeat breaks and house remixes of “Otra Vez” for the dancefloor.  ESL cohorts Ancient Astronauts serve up a dub-hop version of “Este Amor” while Son of Kick turns “Suena Mi Guitara” into an epic electro-glitch dancefloor smasher.  Pablo Anglade closes this set with a gliding minimal-techno version of “Amatoria” infused with Federico’s hypnotic guitar work.

Star Machine is the second single culled from Mystics, the latest album by ESL Music’s Ursula 1000. This p-funk electro house monster features the funkafied voice and thumb thumping bass action from New York jazz/electronic producer Mocean Worker. The remix by Bellani & Spada tweaks the original into mega big room dance floor destruction, slaying clubs and festivals when dropped. The Skizzo Franick remix was the winner of the FOEM remix contest done for Star Machine and Skizzo reworks it into a big, shiny glitter ball of disco funkiness.

Ancient Astronauts’ debut album, titled “We Are To Answer,” features a variety of new sonic collaborators including Bootie Brown and Imani of legendary hip hop group The Pharcyde, Azeem, Tippa Irie, Bajka, Phat Old Mamas, Ulf Stricker, Raashan Ahmad and Entropik. A block-rockin’ boom-bappin’ sonic tour-de-force, “We Are to Answer” is a musical vision of life on Earth and beyond!

Amatoria is Federico Aubele’s newest and most personal album yet.  Inspired by the classic and passionate sounds of bolero and Argentinian tango, Aubele infuses his distinctive Spanish guitar sound with sultry vocals and subtle electronic beats to create a unique collage of intimate love songs.  Entirely self produced,Amatoria features vocal collaborations with Natalia Clavier, Sabina Sciubba of The Brazilian Girls, and Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto.

Label founder Farid has been the head resident at Eighteenth Street Lounge since the club opened in 1995 and has been creating organic sonic soundscapes ever since. This grooving EP features two dubby dancefloor favorites: “Side Car” and “Winter Woman”, which his followers eagerly anticipate whenever he spins. The two tracks feature the classic Faird style of infusing dance flavor with dub style drums.

ESL Music presents the second EP, the Sun Children Remix EP, from Nickodemus’ latest album Sun People!  Among highlights from the album, including the sunny hip-hop party jam “Sun Children” featuring Real Live Show and the afro-beat rhythms of “N’Dini,” this digital-only EP features exclusive remixes and instrumentals not found anywhere else. Tal Klein blesses “N’Dini” with a groovey remix, and Swedish producer Red Astaire funks up “Sun Children” with rubbery basslines, hand-claps, wah-wah guitar, and cowbell to spare.  Get it now!

ESL Music presents the first 7” vinyl release, La Lluvia 7”, from Nickodemus’ latest album Sun People!  The A side features “La Lluvia,” a hearty latin jam featuring production assistance from eclectic party producer Quantic, while the flipside features an exclusive latin jazz instrumental remix of Didibina by Calindia!

Brooklyn’s own outernational deejay Nickodemus returns with his second solo album, Sun People!  Inspired by sunny days and good people, the album mixes positive sonic vibes from all over the globe including Guinea, Colombia, Puerto Rico , Brazil, Romania, India, Turkey, United Kingdom and New York City!  Real Live Show features on the uplifting hip-hop jam “Sun Children” while Quantic lends his unmistakable groove on the salsa ritmo of “La Lluvia.”  Not to be outdone, Brazilian songstress Liliana Araujo features on the hot samba of “Gira Do Sol” while Mandingo vocalist Ismael Kouyate lends his Afro-beat groove to “N’Dini.”  Packed with brilliant collaborations, Sun People is a pan-continental party not to be missed!

Nickodemus returns with a new EP, the Sun Children EP, showcasing selections from his forthcoming album Sun People.  The A side features two gems, with Real Live Show dropping rhymes on the uplifting hip-hop jam “Sun Children” while Mandingo vocalist Ismael Kouyate lends his Afro-beat groove to “N’Dini.”  The B side features Brian J of The Pimps of Joytime delivering saccharine harmonies on the smooth Latin dub-house of “The Love Feeling.”  Get it now!

Ursula 1000′s Zombies digital EP features remixes of his track Zombies (feat. Kojak) from his latest studio album Mystics. Both Hijack & DJ Ayres have remixed the track on this brand new digital EP. Be sure to check out the tracks, but keep an eye on the upcoming releases from ESL Music, as Zombies will be out on 12″ vinyl with additional tracks later this spring!

Already having dropped a stellar pair of albums on ESL Music, international producer and instrumentalist Chris Joss returns with his third effort entitled Sticks!  Where You’ve Been Spiked explored dirty blaxploitation funk and Teraphonic Overdubs explored quirky game-show themes, Sticks is a smoky sonic journey through the Asian sub-continent.   Filled out by a lush tapestry of ethereal sitars, rubber-funk bass, cheeky organ riffs, snappy drum kicks and smoky atmospherics Sticks captures a deep vintage groove that defies categorization.  Light up, kick back, and envelope yourself in the purely irresistible sounds of Chris Joss’ Sticks!

Ursula 1000 returns from journeys into outer space with his fourth studio album, an epic collection of psychedelic sonic sorcery entitled Mystics!  Zig-Zagging further away from the cheeky vintage breakbeat-rhumba of previous albums, this time the Brooklyn beat-wizard ventures into tougher and more angular territory:  beats banging harder and bass popping louder.  Drawing from a variety of new influences and collaborations, Ursula 1000 delivers lethal doses of dirty booty-breaks with tracks like “Rump” featuring MC Tee Double, gothic sexcapades with “I.C.O.M.E.” featuring sex-kitten vocalist Rochelle Vincente Von K, electro-dancehall with “Step Back” featuring Jamaican toaster Sista Widey, and disco-funk filth with “Star Machine” featuring jazz-breaks producer Mocean Worker.  At once playful and dangerous, Mystics is a cry to the stars!

Remix 12″ from CHRIS JOSS comes on the heels of his “TERAPHONIC OVERDUBS” LP.  Features album cut “I WANT FREEDOM” in extended mix plus remixes from MYAGI, SMOKEY BANDITS, and ATFUNK; all delivering that new breed of D.C. electro-funk breaks we’ve come to love.

ESL Music presents the Maria Jose EP, the second single from Federico Aubele’s critically acclaimed sophomore album effort Panamericana.  This release features an exclusive remix of “Maria Jose” by Toy Hernandez that transforms the easy reggae rhythms of the original to a hypnotic electro-cumbia jam for the dance floor.  On the flipside DJ Spooky takes us on a smoky abstract-dub journey with his remix of “Su Melodia.”

ESL Music presents El Arbol the first single from Natalia Clavier’s debut album Nectar.  Along with the original version this EP showcases an exclusive remix of “El Arbol” by Barcelona beat maestros The Pinker Tones that takes the gentle guitar strumming, tango piano licks and boom-bap drums of the original and adds a cheeky hip-hop strut to the mix.  Also included is the wistful yet uplifting “Azul” with a drum&bass remix by Italian DJ Gianma and an abstract dub remix by Pablo Anglade.

“Funk Fixes and Remixes” is the sound of NOW! The PJT’s THREE new original tunes show the constant evolution of this funky Brooklyn-based band, combined with SIX remixes by ace producer from around the world who put their touch on classic originals from the first album, “High Steppin”. The Pimps of Joytime have been in otion since their first 12″ EP release back in 2006. In fact, it’s hard to keep up with this band’s musical output…Why? Because they LIVE music! They’ve been bringing Funky Brooklyn to a whole bunch of spots around the globe, from London to Alaska to DC (and everywhere in between). They’re bringing real music from the soul!

Thievery Corporation once again raises the bar with their incendiary and eagerly anticipated fifth independent studio album Radio Retaliation. Along with longtime microphone co-conspirators like Sleepy Wonder, Lou Lou, and Notch the outernational DJ and production duo are joined this time by a new cast of musical collaborators including Nigeria’s afro-beat heir Femi Kuti, Brazilian star vocalist and guitarist Seu Jorge, Indian sitar virtuoso Anushka Shankar, Slovakian chanteuse and violinist Jana Andevska, and Washington DC’s own godfather of go-go Chuck Brown. With an uncompromising socio-political agenda and richly layered production touching upon the eclectic sounds of Jamaica, Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Radio Retaliation is Thievery Corporation’s broadest and most progressive album yet!

Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna, founding members of Grupo Fantasma and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra respectively, join forces again as Ocote Soul Sounds for their sophomore album on ESL Music: The Alchemist Manifesto. This time the duo takes their trademark mish-mash of psychedelic afro-beat, Latin, hip-hop, soundtrack music, and funk into new abstract and heady territory. Floating through the vortex are new sonic elements: eerie keys, strings, flutes and even Spanish vocals overtop a solemn groove on the standout track “El Pescador.” A resolutely cinematic aural experience not to be missed!

The highly anticipated debut album from ESL Music’s first female solo artist Natalia Clavier. Featured on Federico Aubele’s sophomore release Panamericana, Natalia Clavier croons angelically over sensual rhythms and Latin flourishes on her own breakout album Nectar.

Produced by Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation.

Ursula 1000 gets Undressed on his latest release from ESL Music; a seductively cheeky remix album collecting exclusive reinterpretations of tracks from his last studio album Here Comes Tomorrow and recent 12″ vinyl singles. Included here are both the DJ Deekline and JStar remixes of underground dancehall fire-starter “Step Back” (championed by DJ Tayo), a funked up version of “Electrik Boogie” by Fort Knox Five, a percussive jazz redo of “Boop” by Skeewiff, and a pounding semi-industrial rework of “Urgent/Anxious” by the critically celebrated robo-rockers Ladytron. All tracks previously available on vinyl only!

Amidst a whirlwind of vintage funk and psychedelic retro-futurisms, international producer/instrumentalist extraordinaire Chris Joss returns to ESL Music for a second round with Teraphonic Overdubs, a brand new collection of technicolored grooves! This time Chris Joss adds some new surprises to his trademark blaxploitation soundscapes, painting the musical canvas with broad strokes of lush, multi-layered instrumentation. String arrangements, woodblock and cowbell rhythms, near eastern flutes and sitars, and even a marimba and harpsichord play alongside classic wah-wah guitars, elastic bass-lines, and dusty organ riffs for a kaleidoscopic sonic odyssey not to be missed!

The latest 7″ vinyl single from ESL Music showcases the vocal talents of longtime Thievery Corporation collaborator and multi-lingual songstress LouLou. Taken from Thievery Corporation’s new album The Cosmic Game, “The Time We Lost Our Way” finds LouLou crooning wistfully within a framework of stoned hip-hop beats and placid horns. On the B-side, LouLou lilts delicately on Thievery Corporation’s rare and classically lush dub tune “Language Symbolique” previously available only on the CD compilation Den of Thieves.

Hot on the heels of Thunderball’s expansive third album release Cinescope comes the “Strictly Rude Boy” vinyl single featuring exclusive remixes by Fort Knox Five and Chris Joss. On the A side Fort Knox Five flips the script transforming the original into an upbeat ska meets electro smasher that would make Afrika Bambaata proud. Turn to the B side for Chris Joss’ storming afro-beat rendition of “Thunder In The Jungle” featuring vocals by Bam himself! Also included is the slow burn reggae funk of the “Strictly Rude Boy” instrumental.

Taken from Thievery Corporation’s recent remix compilation Versions is the brand new track “Originality,” a dubbed out sub-heavy collaboration between Thievery Corporation and legendary reggae toaster Sister Nancy. On the flipside comes the swirling echo and reverb of “Amerimacka (Thievery Corporation Remix),” originally appearing on Thievery’s album The Cosmic Game this time run through the echo chamber for a brand new dub version sure to mash down Babylon, and mash up the dance floor!

DC’s own Thievery Corporation and NYC’s own Nickodemus swap remix duties and plenty of exotic “outernational” flair on this new vinyl 12″ from ESL Music The A side features Nickodemus’ boom bap Near Eastern bhangra style remix of Thievery Corporation’s “Supreme Illusion” from the acclaimed compilation ESL Remixed: The 100th Release of ESL Music, now available on vinyl for the first time. The B side features Thievery Corporation’s Middle Eastern jazz-house remix of Nickodemus’ classic “Crazy Stranger.” Two exclusive musical gems on 12″ vinyl, and packaging featuring unique artwork by DC based artist and activist Nikolas Schiller. Not to be missed!

Following up Chris Joss’ smashing first vinyl single, taken from his album You’ve Been Spiked, is “A Part in That Show” showcasing a stunning new remix by Kraak & Smaak and the rare classic “Bombay by Bus.” The A side sees Dutch breakbeat hooligans Kraak & Smaak transforming the slinky funk of the original “A Part in That Show” into a raucous afro-beat floor filler. On the flipside is the eastern flavored acid breakbeat roller “Bombay by Bus,” not available on LP, followed up by the blissful sonic vertigo of title track “You’ve Been Spiked.”

ESL Music is proud to present the self-titled debut album by Dust Galaxy; Rob Garza’s psychedelic rock & roll solo excursion. In recording the album, Rob enlisted producer Brendan Lynch (Primal Scream, Paul Weller) to push the UK take on older American sounds with more grit and psych, and guest musicians Shawn Lee, Martin Duffy & Darrin Moody from Primal Scream, Adam Blake of Cornershop, and Jim Townsend (the People’s Revolutionary Choir). Expect to hear sounds of psychedelic India, British paisley beats, post-punk, and American roots rock!

Hitting the planet with equal measures of boom and bap is the brand new jam on vinyl single by Ursula 1000 featuring sizzling dancehall toasts by London MC Sista Widey: “Step Back!” The A side sees the sound-system smashing original version with its shuffling bashment/electro/bangra rhythms and elastic bass-lines paired with an exclusive remix by Jstar that takes the original into smokin’ roots reggae territory. Already championed by the likes of DJ Tayo, on the flipside DJ Deekline and Ed Solo pick up the tempo with a massive electro/reggae breaks and bleeps remix guaranteed to set any dancefloor ablaze!

Taken from Thievery Corporation’s latest album The Cosmic Game is the new vinyl single, “Revolution Solution,” featuring alternative-rock legend Perry Farrell on vocals. As one of the highlights from Thievery’s politically charged fourth LP, Perry Farrell’s shamanic intonations glide over a psychedelic canvas of rolling tabla beats and steady kick drums. The A-side features an exclusive dub version by Thievery Corporation that accentuates the original with shuffling rhythms, melodica, and swirling layers of echo and reverb. Alongside the album version, the B-side features a totally unique and exclusive remix by Brendan Lynch that recalls the up-beat psychedelia and protest rock of the 60s and 70s.

ESL Music is proud to release the first 12″ single “Come Hear The Trumpets” from the highly anticipated forthcoming album by Dust Galaxy; Rob Garza’s psychedelic rock & roll solo excursion. The A side sees the original version with its shimmering guitars, hazy atmospherics and weathered vocals by Garza himself produced by Brendan Lynch; best known for his work with Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Primal Scream, and Asian Dub Foundation. Also included are three exclusive remixes: First is Shawn Lee’s retro near eastern take infused with sitar and ultra-infectious bassline, followed by Fort Knox Five’s irresistible breakbeat party vibes version, and Beyond the Wizard’s Sleeve’s mix drenched with fuzzy effects and glorious guitar feedback.

The highly anticipated follow up to Federico Aubele’s critically acclaimed debut, Gran Hotel Buenos Aires. Aubele delves deeper into rich latin sounds with virtuoso guitar playing, hypnotic rhythms, smoky dub atmospherics, and the sensual vocals of Amparanoia, newcomer Natalia Clavier, and a collaboration with Calexico.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane. . .It’s Chris Joss returning with an outstanding new 12″ “Superman!” Taking the iconic theme song from the original “Superman” film series scored by John Williams, Joss completely forgoes mere sampling and re-records every track element transforming it into a high flying retro-funk jam. Along side the classic theme song is “Superjam,” a totally unique spin-off that drops the classic horn section in favor of funky Rhodes key riffing, wah wah guitars, near eastern tabla, and an infections Lalo Schifrin inspired drum groove. If that weren’t enough for a single more powerful than a locomotive, check the flipside for a rave-piano accentuated remix of “A Part In That Show” by The Basement Freaks, and a sultry Latin lounge version of “Drink Me Hot” by Plastilina Mosh.

Kicking off the A side is the Blow Up Allstars’ remix of “Mother of Illusion” opening with a swirl of psychedelic keys and steadily unraveling into a Madchester-era big beat classic, followed by the album versions driving post punk. On the B side you’ll find Up, Bustle & Out’s lush Arabic dub remix of “River Of Ever Changing Forms”, followed by the album version which glides through a stream of exotic sitar licks, tabla drums, and breakbeats. This is the second single to be taken from the forthcoming album, set for release in early November.

ESL Music presents the first album single with exclusive remixes by Nickodemus and Ursula 1000. Showcasing the angelic vocals of brand new label chanteuse Natalia Clavier, Nickodemus picks up the sultry groove of the original “La Esquina” with a tropical syncopated remix. On the flipside Ursula 1000 re-imagines the original reggae tinged “Corazon” as an infectious electro dancehall jam.

ESL Music proudly presents Ursula 1000′s third vinyl single “Electrik Boogie,” taken from his latest bombastic album excursion Here Comes Tomorrow. The A side kicks off with the original version in all it’s sex-charged glory: a sampladelic collision of rubbery slap bass, sharp drum kicks, hand claps, and cheeky falsetto vocals. Cranking up the sleaze to eleven, UK electro-rockers Product.01 also feature on the A side with an exclusive electro remix. Flip to the B side for a classic Fort Knox Five dance floor re-rub, with more horns, more blaxploitation wah wah guitars, more funk!

The newest single from Thievery Corporation’s fourth studio album is the explosive “Warning Shots.” This rugged block-rockin’ breakbeat v.s. ragga mash-up features nimble toasting by dancehall veteran Sleepy Wonder and the sensual crooning of near-eastern chanteuse Gunjan. On the flipside is the classically-Thievery “12th Planet Dub,” an ethereal dub-house gem exclusive to this 12” vinyl release.

ESL Music is proud to present the first 12″ vinyl single, “Tamarindio,” from brand new label signing Ocote Soul Sounds & Adrian Quesada. Along with the boom-bap drum rhythms, sly funk guitars, keys, and soaring flute passages of the original “Tamarindio” on the A side is Thievery Corporation’s remix which picks up the pace with a steady breakbeat groove and trademark psychedelic atmospherics. Equally stunning on the flipside is the upbeat afro-beat number “Divinorum” with a stripped down vintage re-interpretation by British brokenbeat powerhouse Quantic.

ESL Music is proud to present Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada’s stunning debut album El Nino Y El Sol. This unique musical collaboration between Martin Perna of the world renowned Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and Adrian Quesada of Grupo Fantasma is a hearty sonic stew of soulful flavors spanning from funk, to afrobeat, to Latin, to hip-hop and beyond. Soundtrack to the lost film of the same name, El Nino Y El Sol is at once a haunting and unforgettable musical journey.

The ultimate collection of Thievery Corporation remixes features 18 dubbed-out versions of songs from The Doors, Sarah McLachlan, Astrud Gilberto, Nouvelle Vague, Wax Poetic feat. Norah Jones, Anoushka Shankar, Transglobal Underground and many more. Also includes a new original Thievery Corporation track featuring reggae legend Sister Nancy. Another stellar addition to the ever expanding Thievery Corporation catalogue.

Ursula 1000′s latest 12″ single is a paranoid punk funk electro gem featuring the talents of Ze Records mutant disco diva Cristina! Having already cut influential albums with Kid Creole and Was Not Was during the No Wave era, now Cristina is back in action on this slice of sonic sleaze. Alongside the original we see two exclusive new remixes: a squelchy 303 drenched breakbeat take by Myagi and a pounding semi-industrial rework by critical darlings Ladytron.

Ursula 1000 returns with his first DJ mix CD in 4 years! 20 tracks from around the world take you from jazzy breaks, mod freakbeats, latin movers, boogaloo groovers, psychedelic soul shakers and bouncy electric disco stompers in an eclectic mix that can only be called…URSADELICA!

The new studio album from Ursula 1000 exploring a mind meld of jazz, electro, Latin, swing, ska, bossa nova, hip hop, psychedelia and glam rock. Featuring guests Los Amigos Invisibles, Cristina (Ze Records), Members of the Gentle People, Qypthone, Cabaret Noir, Misty Roses and so much more!

Nickodemus, the legendary NYC DJ and famed Turntables on the Hudson founder, has just signed to ESL Music and re-releases his recent debut solo album Endangered Species fortified with essential collaborations and remixes like “Mi Swing Es Tropical” with Quantic and “Cleopatra in New York (Zim Zam Mix).” After a lifetime of soaking in New York City’s eclectic plethora of music movements, Nickodemus comes correct with an explosive block party grab bag of Latin rhythms, Afro-beat grooves, world funk, and hip-hop beats!

Thievery Corporation’s second vinyl single from The Cosmic Game finds the duo collaborating with art-punk legend David Bryne. With its intoxicating afro-beat rhythms, distinct vocals, and punchy horn section, “The Heart’s a Lonely Hunter” is sure to set any dancefloor ablaze. The A-side finds Latin-house maestro Louie Vega of Masters at Work stirring up the stew and adding his own funk ingredients to make a luscious extended club remix. The B-side sees Eric & Rob themselves reworking the original, transforming it into a driving 4/4 kick drum tribal house monster.

The long and eagerly awaited new artist album from Thievery Corporation. The Cosmic Game, finds the duo of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton in their most expansive mood yet, as their latest sonic exploration blurs the boundaries between rock, breaks, future-bossa, dub, psychedelia and other mind-altering sounds. Features outstanding collaborations with rock luminaries Perry Farrell, The Flaming Lips, and David Byrne as well as Thievery’s always diverse cast of dancehall MC’s, smokey-voiced chanteuses, and Brazilian percussionists to create their finest and most ambitious work to date.

This limited edition collection features 8 previously unreleased remixes from Thievery Corporation’s acclaimed LP The Richest Man In Babylon. Along with rewound versions by Kid Loco, Thievery Corporation and Manoah is the never-before-heard track “Truth And Rights.” This specially enhanced CD includes “The Richest Man In Babylon” video.

French producer/DJ Chris Joss has spiked the musical cocktail with an intoxicating mix of funky bass lines, wah guitars, and Hammond keys which pulsate over rooty sounding drums. With a dose of obscure samples, scratching and retro-futurist ambiances, Mssr. Joss creates a truly unique cinematic universe. This special edition disc contains two bonus tracks culled from Joss’ first album as well as the video for “Discotheque Dancing.”

The Outernational Sound is a seamless recording from many nights of sonic exploration with a crate of records and turntables. From warehouse parties in Caracas to elegant soirees in Honolulu, and rootdowns in Kingston, Garza and Hilton have played a lot of rare wax for a broad spectrum of listeners. Now, in a one hour mix CD, the soundsystem has been mashed up and the whole world can share in the Outernational Sound with Thievery Corporation.

The highly anticipated debut from Argentine Federico Aubele. This breathtaking album takes in the latin sounds of Argentina and melds them with the dub of Jamaica to create a intricate, soulful and flowing piece of work. Produced by Thievery Corporation, this record is an instant classic.

Amidst a colorful storm of exotic instrumentations, rich atmospherics, and block party rhythms, Thunderball are back with their third full-length album! Epic in scope, Thunderball’s new album Cinescope is their most eclectic and accomplished musical outing yet. With a little help from sprightly songstress Miss Johnna M., soulful crooner Mustafa Akbar, reggae shamans See-I, and hip-hop legend and forefather Afrika Bambaataa, Thunderball bridge the gaps between electro, Bollywood soundtracks, hip-hop, drum&bass, soul, funk, reggae, jazz, and lounge, all awash in beautifully lush string orchestrations. Cinema for the ears, Cinescope is Thunderball’s triumphant return.

Thunderball and their altered-ego Liftoff have come together to create this delicious slice of 60′s mod breaks. Featuring the sitar stylings of Rob Myers (Lebanese Blonde), Welcome Back Cooper is destined to become the mantra for the new psychedelic revolution.

Domino is the latest single from Thunderball’s heralded Scorpio Rising LP. This pumping breakbeatfunk track gets 4 exclusive remixes, including Eli Janney of Girls Against Boys Americruiser mix and ESL engineer Stone’s dancefloor friendly “Domino Effect” remix.

The third single from Federico Aubele. “Esta Noche” glides along a flowing Latin guitar lick, rolling congas beats, and the sultry vocals of Gabriela Maiaru. The B side, “Malena,” is a truly unique affair with hauntingly melancholic vocals by La Susi (Fede’s mother).

The debut single from ESL Music’s Federico Aubele heralds the arrival of someone special. Discovered and Produced by Thievery Corporation the Argentine soul of Aubele will move you. From the flamenco tinged hip-hop of “Postales” to the latin dub of “El Amor de Este Pueblo”, Postales is just a glimpse of the beauty to come.

From Federico Aubele’s debut long player, produced by Thievery Corporation, comes this stunning second single. “Contigo” is a sun-kissed flamenco cut anchored by slow burning hip-hop conga rhythms, horns, and the angelic, lilting vocals of Gabriela Maiaru. The flipside, “Ante Tus Ojos”, gives a heavy dose of dub atmospherics, floating melodica, and sub bass.

This is the new edition of Thievery Corporation’s classic 2002 release with vocal tracks featuring Pam Bricker, Lou Lou, Emiliana Torrini, Sleepy Wonder and Shinehead.

The enhanced CD contains a digital slideshow of all 52 award winning photographs from the original packaging plus a live version of “The Richest Man In Babylon” recorded at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.

Press accolades:
“The epitome of sonic glamour” – Interview Magazine
“Laid back beats with balls” – GQ
“Stories of a better world (4 stars)” – Rolling Stone

From Ursula 1000′s second album Kinda’ Kinky comes the samba-house stylings of Samba 1000. The A side includes the album version and Nicola Conte’s Warm Waves remix which incorporates live bass, piano, flute, trombone and the sultry vocals of Barbara De Dominicis! On the flip we find London based DJ and producer Rob Mello with his No Ears remix in all its rubbery, syncopated straight-to-the-hips tech-funk-house glory. The perfect soundtrack for the summer!

Ladies and gentlemen, Ursula 1000 has done it again! Kinda Kinky sees the king of superfunkelectrodiscosambahousebigbeatbreaks twisting our minds and senses with his latest, and eagerly awaited, long player.

From the sock-hop at the Playboy mansion grooves of Kinda Kinky to the double bass laden beats of Smokebomb, Kinda Kinky is a romp through the mind of Ursula 1000′s guilty musical pleasures.

Culling the finest from his collection of bossa, beats, and breaks, Ursula 1000 presents a fine mix album that highlights his skills as both DJ and musicologist. Features tracks from Lemon, ECD, Mo’ Horizons, and Nicola Conte.
“All Systems Are Go-Go is a great mix album, thanks largely to great inclusions from producers all over the world.” – All Music Guide

The first single from Thievery Corporation’s third LP The Richest Man In Babylon. Features the album version of title track and a rare acoustic take on the A side, and an electronic, steppers, reggae interpretation by Groove Corporation on the B.

Changing styles, like scene changes in a 70′s thriller, Thunderball expertly maneuvers between drum n bass, downtempo, cinematic soul, bossa nova and breakbeat to create a fluid collection of low rider grooves. From the soulful D&B track Heart of the Hustler, to the high noon soundtrack, Angela’s Lament, Thunderball once again demonstrate the depth and breadth of their production skills. Drum and bossa infused tracks like Vai Vai and Solar compliment the afro-cuban beats in Scorpio RisingStereo Tonic and Vibrations are sure to rock the late night beats.

Mixes of Heart of the Hustler from Thunderball’s record, Scorpio Rising.

Special Edition of the classic Thievery Corporation release includes 2 bonus tracks and enhanced cd format. Includes the heavy.com edit of “Shadows Of Ourselves,” recorded live at New York’s Irving Plaza. This highly anticipated follow up to Sounds From the Thievery Hi-fi has left both critics and audiophiles delighted with Thievery Corporation’s expert treatment of bossa nova, dub, and downtempo. Featuring lush vocals by Bebel Gilberto, Pam Bricker, Lou Lou, and See-I, The Mirror Conspiracy is a fantastic statement from ESL Music.

“…their remix work since then has since established them as leaders of the pack. And true to its name, the Corporation surreptitiously lays down overdubs of keyboards, congas, and percussive instruments to piece together a darkly beautiful piece of music in The Mirror Conspiracy.” – Wall of Sound

“The only thing snappier than Rob Garza and Eric Hilton’s Armani suits and Bruno Magli shoes is the suave, downbeat dance tracks the Washington D.C. duo creates as Thievery Corporation. The pair’s top-shelf aural cocktails, which involve a smooth mixture of dub reggae, trip-hop, acid jazz and Middle Eastern musics, have been fueling the fires of backroom lounges and dimly lit bedrooms since the pair’s first singles emerged in 1996. The Mirror Conspiracy, TC’s long-awaited sophomore album, raises the temperature of the mix by melding the synthetic serenity of lush keyboards with the warm hues of live strings, brass, percussion and the pipes of a host of vocalists…” – CMJ

Thunderball offers us a new and unique sonic narrative made up of psychedelic jungle soundscapes that soothe the ears. Ambassadors of Style, their debut full length CD, fuses these diverse influences into a distinct Eighteenth Street Lounge sound.

10 Years in business is no small accomplishment for anything in NYC!  Adored NYC Pizzeria’s have a worse survival rate, so when you think of parties & the hundreds that happen per week… what gives this on-going event the endurance to last? Some say it’s the Music, the Vibe, the People, the Places… Like a stand out pizza, all are essential ingredients in making this party successful for 10 Years!!  In celebration, Nickodemus & Mariano compiled a 2 disc CD & an even more extensive Digital Download set of tunes that cover all the “Classics from the Catalogue” and the “New Party Favorites.”  These are the homegrown tunes that really give you an idea of the diverse & upbeat nature of this crew & their parties in NYC & around the World!

Recorded in South Miami Beach and Brooklyn, this debut LP received a huge buzz throughout record store afficionados worldwide. A stylish blend of 60′s pop and easy listening, this record defies most genres of dance music.

The definitive collection of Thievery Corporation remixes from the past two years. David Byrne, Rockers Hi-Fi, Stereolab and a host of others get the full Thievery treatment.

“…ABDUCTIONS & RECONSTRUCTIONS is a smooth, languid offering of chilled-out dub and trip-hop grooves. An eclectic array of talents, including David Byrne, Stereolab, Pizzicato 5, Gus Gus and Black Uhuru, serve as the duo’s source material.” – CMJ (5/3/99, p.33)

“…they electro-massage David Byrne, lead Baaba Maal to the echo chamber, and ship Stereolab further out in space….It’s music for coming down when the sun’s comping up…” – Entertainment Weekly (7/23/99, p.69)

“The work of a silversmith for a listener in relax mode.” – La Plume Noire

“…these dubbed out remixes abduct the original tracks, inserting sharp objects and strange devices into [them], while some simply reconstruct the blueprint…. The resulting trance is addictive, and it validates the duo’s cultish repuation.” – Alternative Press (10/99, p.74) – 4 out of 5

The classic debut album from electronic music pioneers Thievery Corporation. This special edition has been re-packaged as a digipak and now features two exclusive bonus tracks: “Sun, Moon, and Stars” and “Sleeper Car.” Where it all began, absolutely essential.