Thanks to Matt Paul Smith for this joyous piece on a collection of very special soul, funk and jazz records.    I put this together as I’d been doing a lot of deep house, and needed a breather. Of course inspired in some bits by my man, Gilles Peterson but with my own slant on it. 2 hours of niceness, deep grooves and some loveliness I haven’t dug out for a while. Enjoy.   Matt The Mix: In the Funk Fast Lane - MPS (07/01/2023) https://www.mixcloud.com/mrmattpaulsmith/in-the-funk-fast-lane/ Tracklist: Marcos Valle - So Nice I only new him or Crickets Sing for Annamarie, but ..read more

Double 99 ft. Top Cat – Ripgroove 25th Anniversary  It’s hard to believe that speed garage banger Ripgroove is 25. The classic club cut, produced by Omar Adimora and Tim Deluxe, earned ‘sound of the summer status’ upon its original release in 1997, and remains worthy of that title today, given how fresh it still sounds. To celebrate turning a quarter of a century old, the single is reissued as a 2 X 12” gatefold package. Alongside a rerecording of the original (featuring a 16-piece string section) are remixes from Bristol-based DJ/producer and Animated Audio boss Daffy and Scottish DJ of ..read more

Matt Paul Smith is a music obsessive.  If you are lucky enough to be caught in the crossfire of his daily social inbox posts, you see how much quality music (mostly soul and jazz) he is consuming on a daily basis, its imporssible to keep up.  So we've turned his obsession into a monthly blog post.    Also look out for his own production on our latest 'Winging 2' Lp which should be out before Xmas.  Matt is an endless resource    Soul Trip Pick of the Month  Epic rework of a classic from 1969. Classic. Brothers Of Soul - I Need Your Love - 7" (link ..read more

We've been asking old school players and Leeds in Leeds to help piece together the hip hop history of the city.  Who represented Hip Hop in your area, school, college or beyond?  We will keep updating with new answers.  Click here to open your QnA to send your answers on your memories of Leeds Hip Hop in the 80s. QnA Answers so far by: 11th November First 3 female Leeds rappers? Malihah Whyles (Mc Margo) Dawn,  D3 Sister Dope,  Anita Garvey,  Violet Angus & Audrey Blake. 1988/1989   (MC Margo took the votes here)   First 3 male Leeds Rappers? Da ..read more

Author: Tony Green For the next in our series of articles, where we highlight the importance of musicians, singers and authentic, passionate promoters that have changed Leeds’ musical landscape, we’ve had a deep dive into the roots of funk music in Leeds, its influence in the city, and where it stands now. I enlisted help from seasoned DJ and promoter in and around this field of music, Lubi Jovanovic to sense check the article and add commentary.    Many musicans in Leeds have crafted a living from starting out in funk and moving across genres as session players, teachers and solo ar ..read more

This article is to show the contrast between UK and US Hip hop and to highlight how UK hip hop used to be a force to be reckoned with in clubland.    New Uk and US hip hop records were regularly played at the UK clubs & raves in the late 80s early 90s. It seemed every DJ, including some of the scene’s biggest; Carl Cox, Graeme Park, Mike Pickering, Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling, Fabio & Grooverider, Sasha and Evil Eddie Richards all found space in their sets to spin it and unlike the pigeon-holing and elitism of some today’s scene, back then, dance music openly embraced a hu ..read more

Words by Tony Green This article highlights Leeds' dalliance with Nu Skool Breakbeat music, from the 90s through to the present day.  I’ve listed 20 notable tracks from the genre, which you can also now find on the latest YouTube playlist at the bottom. There were some tasty nights in Leeds from the 90s and 2000s - Lee Wrights’ 'Stush' @ Club Nato, The Faversham hosted 'D.Funked', 'Fresh Jive', 'Indigo Lounge' in the 90s. The Utah Saints, 'Sugarbeat Club' @ The Elbow Room, Mint Club/Mint Warehouse hosted 'Dirty Disco' & the seminal 'Technique' & 'Asylum' parties.  Thanks to ..read more

This is the first in our series of deep dives into the Leeds electronic music scene.  The idea is to shine the light on key artists and figures who shaped the movement, and unearth lost gems and stories.  First up, record shop partner, DJ, ex promoter, Tony Green, takes a journey into one of his favourite musical genres - Trip Hop/Downbeat music in Leeds.   Tony's Downbeat Dig In 1992 I arrived in Leeds from Blackpool with boxes of hip hop records, a set of Technics turntables, a scratch mixer and a couple of jumpers.  Tuning into the radio as I hit the city, the first ..read more