Mark Murphy
Midnight Mood

Bay Area jazz guitar legend Calvin Keys released his debut solo record, Shawn-Neeq, in 1971, and it remains one of the most beloved albums on the Black Jazz label. But that record was mere prelude for 1974"s Proceed with Caution; this time around, the arrangements were more complex, the instrumentation more diverse. In short, a quantum leap forward; indeed, as Calvin tells Pat Thomas in his liner notes for the release, 'I started going to the Los Angeles School of Music studying orchestrations and I was putting it to use!' And he recruited the band to fulfill his ambitious musical visions to their fullest, including legendary drummer Leon 'Ndugu' Chancler, fellow Black Jazz mainstays Henry Franklin on bass and Kirk Lightsey on keyboards, and Charles Owens (Horace Tapscott, Buddy Rich, Terry Callier, John Mayall) on sax and flute. Despite being hugely collectible, Proceed with Caution has never been reissued on vinyl before!

With a hybrid jazz based on African grooves, Ethio-oriental melodies and psychedelic dub this Belgian five-piece creates an atmosphere where ancient and modern sounds fuse into a powerful, hypnotic and groovy sensation.

Fela Kuti (1938-1997) was a Nigerian musician, producer, arranger, political radical and outlaw, and the originator of Afrobeat. A titanic musical and sociopolitical voice, Fela’s legacy spans decades and genres, touching on jazz, pop, funk, hip-hop, rock and beyond.After graduating from Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance) in London, Fela returned to Nigeria with his band Koola Lobitos. Fusing the sounds of Jazz and Funk with the traditional African music he had been raised on, his star status began to flourish.EMI, his label at the time, saw the true power of his musical creation, what we now know as Afrobeat, and brought Fela and his band back to London. The result was ‘London Scene’. While recording, Fela began his friendship with Ginger Baker, who plays uncredited on the track ‘Egbe Mi O’.‘London Scene’ is the beginning of what would become Fela’s signature Afrobeat style and serves as a great introduction to Fela’s music. Recorded and remastered at none other than Abbey Road Studio.This 50th Anniversary edition of the classic Fela album comes on red, blue and white splatter vinyl, with a gold foil obi strip that will be the hallmark of all of the Fela 50th Anniversary reissues.Liner notes by the legendary Chris May.Fela recently came in second place, behind Tina Turner, for the fan vote for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations and received great press coverage in NY Times, Rolling Stone, MOJO, Record Collector and more.

ntroducing Guohan to the Darker Than Wax family. Originally a native of Ningbo, China, Guohan began shaping his sound in the emerging beat scene in southern China. Now based in Nottingham UK, the producer’s unique influences and effortless style have solidified with his DTW label debut - The City of the Sun and Moon. Already an up-and-comer, Guohan’s well received 2021 debut LP Lost Sound Book has been supported by the likes of Charlie Bones, Esa, Toshio Matsuura, and Ninja Tune. Aside from co-founding Nottingham-based label Running Circle Records, Guohan also co-runs Meridian Sounds, an imprint from southern China pushing subliminal sounds from his motherland. The City of the Sun and Moon reflects the mountains and liminal spaces from Guohan’s dreams and memories, channeling a healing warmth inspired by people, cities, villages, and tales of his grandparents. Influenced by the musical vibrations in Nottingham, especially DiY and the late Pete Woosh, the 6-tracker brings the listener along on an up-tempo odyssey, while retaining Guohan’s signature hypnotic style. Incorporating hazy synths, percussive rhythms, and collected sound pieces, Guohan paints a vivid picture of his personal journey throughout the record.