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Collectors Item - Music, Art and Life
Beyoncé Goes 80's R&B With B.B.& Q. Band on "Wishing On A Genie"


Feel the magic as Beyoncé's lovely voice projects one R&B classic over another in this special moment of mashup artistry. The synth-driven groove of B.B.& Q. Band's "Genie" creates a magical moment of music with the addition of "Wishing on a Star" (originally by Rose Royce). Envision your greatest wish come true with two heavenly songs that make the impossible seem achievable. 


For 2026, B.B.& Q. Band celebrate the 40th anniversary of "genie" with a blue vinyl and digital reissue featuring bonus tracks. Get your groove on like it's the late 80's and your chilling in the Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens as a classic of R&B is refreshed.

In '88, Public Enemy Perform & Interview on The Joan Rivers Show


Brothers Gonna Work It Out in '88 as the socially conscious movement known as Public Enemy takes the stage. Watch as Chuck, Flav, Terminator X and The S1Ws ignite a pro-Black explosion which leaves it's devastating impact upon American media. PE challenge both Joan Rivers and the audience who offer some push-back on PE's music and views of society.


For sale: I've got an original Public Enemy tour ticket, the original 1988 promo poster for "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back", plus more collectors items. Check them out at my eBay storefront (link at the blog's sidebar).

Drift Away To The Japanese Jazz Fusion of SOUND FUJI & King Records


Like a walk down Sunshine Avenue on your best day, SOUND FUJI explores King Records' legendary catalog for a blissful journey into Japanese Jazz Fusion. Feel the vibe as this label presents unearths exceptional, rare and unknown musical gems. These two gems in particular feel like the joy of a summer getaway in the funky approach of George Duke. As one of the archives of one of the most prestigious labels in Japan, SOUND FUJI offer a musical atmosphere designed for your escapism. 
 

Dance To The Spectrum of Life on Leon Ware's "For The Rainbow" (Laroye's Remix)


A laid back tune becomes an electrified Broken Beat jam as Laroye sets the mood for dance. Get up to the sound of the legendary Leon Ware as Laroye makes the jam pump on "For The Rainbow". What was once a meditative song about loving life now takes on a new identity fueled by energetic rhythm. You now have a new reason to embrace the beauty of life as these two musical minds meet. Our world is indeed a rainbow not only from the love that exists, but the spectrum of musical vibrations.

Hidden Chapters of Hip Hop Invites Marley Marl, Psycho Les, Fredro Starr & Other Greats


Hosts Ben Bacardi and Big Jeff have a vast knowledge and genuine love of the culture, which reflects in the questions and depth they bring out of each guest. Enjoy this emerging podcast which sits down with pillars and innovators of Hip Hop. It looks like they are making an effort to get classic stories you may have not heard anywhere else. Marley speaks about new music to come plus inventing New Jack Swing with Heavy D. 


 At my eBay storefront (link on the sidebar of my blog) you'll find collector's items by each of these artists. This includes the limited-edition deluxe vinyl reissue of "Street Level" with 2 bonus tracks plus more gems. I've also got some cassettes for sale of Marley's In Control and Future Flavas shows and the promo poster for "Intoxicated Demos".





Mellow Out To The Funk-Fueled Sunrise of Japanese Outfit ZEROSEN

By JR on 10:55 AM

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Like the invigorating feeling you get from witnessing a sunrise, ZEROSEN is a source of musical vitality. Their vibrant arrangements fuse Funk and Soul to create a delightful atmosphere that'll make you want to celebrate. In the enduring art of conveying escapism through music, ZEROSEN excels with their own unique and attractive sound.



For 2026, Victor Entertainment Japan presents a 7" pressing of "Sunrise" b/w "Son Of Pin Head". They also offer reissues of these two albums on clear vinyl with obi-strip. Get your copy and browse the rest of Victor Entertainment Japan's catalog here at Juno Records.
 

Hi-Tek Celebrates 25 Years of "Hi-Teknology" With An LP & Instrumentals Vinyl Reissue

By JR on 8:58 PM

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In celebration of its 25th anniversary, "Hi- Teknology" continues to make heads nod with its first- ever instrumental release on black-ice colored vinyl. Colemine Records does the honors in bringing these previously released instrumentals to wax. If you already had the chance to download these digitally, now's your chance to actually hold and spin this great album.

Jessica Care Moore Soul Searches Through Poetry & Soul on "The House That Poems Built"


"The House That Poems Built" demonstrates the range of Soulful House music, going beyond the groove into a new world of imagination. The deep poetical mind of Jessica Care Moore paints worlds of joy, hope and rebellion as she envisions a history of Black excellence. To support her poetry are lively arrangements which thump and tell stories of their own. The bounce of "The House That Poems Built" is driven by lush instrumentation which parallels the defiant attitude and optimism which Ms. Moore conveys. So enjoy this wonderful journey of life, one which is supported by the power of poetry and music.
 

Elevate Your Fist To The Black Superhero Hip Hop of Tobias & Nottz


You can tell by the cover art that this duo think differently about the music they create. Like the figures of your favorite comic book, Tobias & Nottz stand as Black Superheroes with a powerful imagination for Hip Hop. 

The 2026 single "Back Of The Line" is a declaration to pump ya fist to the adrenaline of high-powered beats and rhymes. Tobias holds his own to the undeniable head nod sound of Nottz resulting in your satisfaction of realizing some Hip Hop heroes have arrived. The flipside is an aggressive posse cut as Tobias is joined by some more lyrical superheroes Chaundon of Justus League, Figga 4 and Praise.

 

Beat Butcha, Zygote Market & Fel Sweetenberg Attack Hip Hop With Carnivorous Fury


The dangerous sounds of producer Beat Butcha, Zygote Market and Fel Sweetenberg are the perfect trio to get you amped. You're bound to feel like walking down a dark alleyway at night as this crew remind us how threatening and sinister Hip Hop can be. Prepare for firepower in the form of beats and rhymes as the lyrical four-5th pops on ya for 2026. Beat Butcha, Zygote Market & Fel Sweetenberg project the sound of Hip Hop like the sudden impact of ammo from a gun.

 

In '90, Big Daddy Kane, Mister Cee, Scoob & Scrap Lover Rock The Stage


Check out a rare 30 minutes of BDK demonstrating his command of the microphone and stage. This is a journey through Kane's classics with Mister Cee who provides the cuts. Prepare for a display of lyrical sophistication and raw vinyl-based Hip Hop sound. Below, an Aussie photo collector provides rare shots of Kane while he's on the set of "Smooth Operator".



Drummer Jon Onabowu Lives For The Moment on "Now's The Time"


The joy of life is evident as Jon Onabowu writes songs which reflect a remarkable feeling of hope and desire.  "Now's The Time" is your ascension in the form of music, a moment to realize new potential with each tune. We witness a wonderful progression of fusion as Onabowu's rhythm excites and his compositions uplift. The result is a musical wonderland with the emergence of musicians who turn your speakers into a joyride you're sure to remember.

Feel The Funk of Charly Records & Sound Essence Who Dig Rare Grooves


Just by looking at the cover art and variety of grooves, these collections remind me of digging at Sound Library and other remarkable record dealers. Charly Records & Sound Essence bring hours of ear candy to Bandcamp with albums catered to the crate digger and Funk enthusiast. These collections are here to take you to the promise land with the music of various bands who demonstrate the colorful spectrum of this genre. 

"Free The Black Man's Chains" by The Afro-American Ensemble is a funky get-down like none other. Enjoy songwriting which reflects the desire to escape by a band that use the Funk, Soul and Blues to make you feel like overcoming it all. "Eselsfutter" by Günther Fischer Quintett is obscure and spaced-out Jazz Funk in the vein of CTI Records. Get into a groove as this German multi-instrumentalist offers some previously unreleased gems from '74. Just a few gems from the Charly Records & Sound Essence catalogs which you can explore more of at each of their Bandcamp pages.

 

Hip Hop Is The Ultimate Motivator With The Music of Big Shot Manceeni & Nottz


Like a pair of crutches or a ladder, Big Shot Manceeni & Nottz represent the supportive power of Hip Hop for 2026. Joined by Dilated People member Evidence, the duo declare it's time to "Stay Up" in a defiant call to maintain awareness that is sure to make your head nod. Take life in perspective and be more aware of your surrounding than before as Big Shot Manceeni & Nottz enhance your peripheral. One of my favorites from the album "Tidewater Tap" which you can hear the rest of below at Apple Music. 
 

Electro Jazz Fusion Band SYNC.EXE Offers The Catalyst To Your Happiness


"Catalyst with Farnell Newton and Deivid Iguaran is a First and only single from my highly anticipated Jazz fusion album known as 'Dragonfly'. After the release of Resonance, an overwhelming about of support has made me sought out to create a full length project that infused different styles of jazz with different electronic musical techniques like granulizing samples to make new pads or textures. With its groovy off beat drums and catchy melody, this single marks a new era for SYNC.EXE." 

Pre-Order Dragonfly by SYNC.EXE https://too.fm/drgnfly

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