What can be said about one of the best funk songs ever written by one of the greatest soul/funk artist of the 20th century? Curtis Mayfield – one name, one man, one history.
From his works with The Impressions – what brought him an induction into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame in 2003 – and composing the soundtrack to the film „Super Fly“ he was highly regarded as a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious afro-american music. Curtis Mayfield was not only a multi-instrumentalist who played the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums but also singer, songwriter and producer.
His influence on past and present music is undeniable, his life is closely connected to political engagement. Mayfield is remembered for his introduction of social consciousness into R&B and for pioneering the funk style in the 1970s. Many of his recordings with the Impressions became anthems of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and his most famous album, „Super Fly“, is regarded as an all-time great that influenced many and truly invented a new style of modern black music.

By taking „Move On Up“ Lettuce show that Curtis sure is a big influence for their music, too. For the vocal part Lettuce could convince Detroit rooted singer Dwele who already worked with Kanye West and who was nominated for the American Grammy. But it’s not only his past works and his soul voice that made him the perfect match for singing „Move On Up“. Also his love and understanding for artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway gave him the right background.
Despite his soul influences Dwele couldn’t resist Hip Hop during his high school times and first wanted to become a rapper. So it was more a coincidence that made him start singing. His first Demo „Rize“ was recorded at home by himself. Within one week 100 copies of the demo were sold, Dwele’s local popularity grew and from then on he began his career as a soul singer.
Of course it had to be something special for that floor-filling, hip-swinging hit called „Move On Up“. That’s why Unique decided to make a limited 7“ single. What else could fit better to keep the spirit?
So just MOVE ON UP!

Taken from his critically lauded album “Loop Dreams” (Unique Records / Basement Digs, 2007), Regal drops another satisfying batch of tunes, with this, his latest 12” single – “The Mack”.
Featuring versatile remixes of the title-track by Flevans (Tru-Thoughts / Jack To Phono) & Lack Of Afro (Freestyle) and a brooding remix of “Keep On” by Sydney’s edseven (Straight Up Rec’s), this single is a great showcase for the range of rythyms ‘n’ styles that encompass Regal’s sound right about now.

Flevans kicks off the remixes with a dynamite 3-stage re-work, which builds a lovely tension early-on, before releasing a kick-ass groove and then crazy wild drums ‘n’ percussion for the finale… An amazing track in itself and more-so considering the The Mack’s original layout. A stunning Job!
Lack of Afro goes for the Clavichord jugular & strips down The Mack to a back-alley stand-off, with a crunchy drum-break & minimal arrangements. No glamour here, just raw street-cred.
Edseven represents the local presence on this 12”, taking the already dreamy ‘n’ groovy “Keep On” (also from “Loop Dreams”) and going deeper with added layers of low-slung bass and fat drums. Snippets of musical landscapes poke through, ala DJ Krush, which results in a heavy addition to the downtempo cannon. Smokin’ Beats for 3am B-Boys.
Included here too, is the radio edit of Regal’s original version of “The Mack”. Still kickin’-ass, this is a killer Blaxploitation groove – tho’ more a theme for a movie-to-be, rather than a cheesy homage. Funky as Hell, “The Mack” oozes class & delivers the goods.

Following the ongoing success of their fourth album and huge demand for a radio edited format of the album version, Unique Records will now release the title track „Dive In Your Life“ as a second single – „Dive In Your Life“ has already become the new N.O.H.A. theme and again – after the european NIKE commercial in 2004 - a major brand has licensed a N.O.H.A. song for a major TV-campaign: ´NEOSTRADA PC´ by the Polish Telecom (Telekomunikacja Polska)!

With its vivid mixture of breakbeats, drum`n bass and club-suitable grooves, „Dive In Your Life“ is the perfect „summer-evening“ song – especially in combination with the voice of singer Minerva Diaz-Perez which gives you that relaxed, smooth and carefree overall positive attitude. But be assured that there´s much dancefloor craze in these mixes ´cause it´s THE song for all situations of life. „Dive In Your Life“ – the all-rounder!
The 12“ comes up with four previously unreleased remixes, three of them by N.O.H.A.´s very own masterminds Philip Noha and Jochen Eickenberg plus two different radio edits / cuts of the tune. The recreative remix of new Unique artists Homewreckers provide deep detroit feeling of „Dive In Your Life“. An essential piece of music with hot stuff inside! „Go your own way, forget the old days, do not run away: Dive in your life!” N.O.H.A. simply stay unpredictable!

Already with their first Single „I Got You Man!“ (Funkorama Records) and their self-titled album the Sweet Vandals brought back some Funk, Soul and a mass of passion.
The Sweet Vandals with Mayka Edjole and her amazing voice just got the power to get the crowd dancing, not only live!
DJ’s like Keb Darge, Kenny Dope, Shadow, Andy Smith ect. are deeply impressed and support the band. Also other musicians like Paul Weller are totally into that real sound!

The next soul attack is planned for June 2008.
„Beautiful“ is a master piece of a ballad. Again the unique voice of Mayka garantees intense soul-feeling. Guess this woman can’t help but be so authentic – Thank god! There are just too many superstar-wannabes and not enough true ladies à la Martha Hines, Ann Sexton or Barbara George.
So Maykas voice and her kind are just a godsend. All together „Beautiful“ is a piece of music which carries you gently into the sensual world of soul. Automatically you are part of a black-white movie with a smoky bar and a charismatic band – like The Sweet Vandals.
As „Too Much“ is really made for remixing the b-side comes up with two special remixes by The Dynamics and by The Vandals themself. Better to say the Vandals’ incredible organist Santi: „We need another remix? I’ll make one.“ And so he did it – what a remix!
Anew the focus lies on cool sound and souly groove. The main thing is that you can’t stop dancing! „Too Much“ is a catchy piece full of funk attitude. Beware – your feet may become independent and start to move without your permission.

Performing "Hope": See and Hear it!
Performing "I Don't Know": See and Hear it!
Performing "Fired Up": See and Hear it!

Many people already are aware of the quality of the Sweet Vandals. Now even FIAT decided that the Vandals Song ‚Beautiful’ would suit into their new upcoming spot. So the track cannot only be found on their album released in 2007 but also makes the FIAT spot a visuell AND auditory experience.

The spot can already be seen at youtube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kEdWZB5vcbU

We are living an old style black music boom. Many artists nowadays compose black music in a very classic style but most of them - especially in the USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Finland, Spain...- simply dedicate themselves to do funk. Nobody makes REAL soul music of classic 70’s style at the moment! Glen Anthony Henry is an authentic soul singer and his music remembers those old and beautiful albums recorded in the 70’s, silky soul music with those sweet and magic touches of the flutes, the horns - and the strings. Glen and Carlo love Marvin Gaye and Chicago sound too: Curtis Mayfield, Leroy Hutson... The heritage of these masters is present on „Relax & Love“ but this essence is filtered by the contemporary sensibilities of two great artists of today.

In September of 2007 Unique Records released the first 45 of Glen Anthony Henry. “Hope” (UNIQ130-1) is a wild soul funk stormer which has become an anthem from scratch, played by many famous international DJs in the scene like Keb Darge, Snowboy. The album entitled “Relax and Love” will be released on CD and LP in spring 2008. The second single taken from the debut album will be entitled “I Don´t Know” which is yet another delicate and beautiful modern soul masterpiece just like the whole album is!

´This Is DJs Choice´ ist the NEW compilation brand introduced by Unique Records not only to this year´s 20th jubilee of the label – but also due to the fact that we at Unique truly belive there shall be more music lovers in charge of compiling samplers again! In the future unique will come up with regular ´This Is DJs Choice´ branded releases with a variety of surprising talent behind the decks – watch out! Debuting as selectors on Volume One and the first time on album format are the swiss gents Soulinus & Pun – with nothing less than 7 previously unreleased quality tracks they not only proof taste but finesse & skills with their picks! Soulinus, Pun, take over...

´This Is DJ’s Choice´ now is the result and tool that enables them to harvest the benefits generated through their musical exchange, friendships and dedication.
The record is a diary and bears witness what the sets of Soulinus & Pun are all about: B-Boy Breaks, slazy Funk & Soul plus influences from Latin to Jazz and Afro and sometimes even electronica. Respected and successful producers along with the up and coming new talent all supplied their tracks and make ´This Is DJs Choice´ with a total of 7 previously unreleased tracks a MUST HAVE collection for every breaks addict!

The amazing success of their last release „It´s About Time“ challenged the Homewreckers to push their sound a little further out. „Close Your Eyes Til The Morning“ is hardcore groove with a great, burning synth bass that funks along until New York singer Dennis Legree brings some excitement to the proceedings with his tremendous voice. It´s pure underground deep house – intense, abstract and dramatic. No wonder that Felix Da Housecat and Marshall Jefferson supported those guys when they were teenagers! A vital alternative to the melodic clichés and rhythmic orthodoxy of the electronic music mainstream.

This is the second of four records representing the vinyl collectors edition of the Homewreckers forthcoming album „American Ruhr“.

After about 15 years Unique Records proudly presents the second full length album of Family Vision Care entitled "Careful". Within the New York vs. Cologne duo singer Gary Harrison´s Afro American roots and his love and passion for the music of Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Curtis Mayfield melt with Thomas Berghaus´ European influences from Jazz and Pop ranging from Style Council to 90s inspired grooves.

Family Vision Care search for the essence of Northern Soul, Funk and Jazz and the soul of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s to merge all together to simply TIMELESS Soul music, that goes far beyond issues like being just retro, past or present.

The Homewreckers sound deep funky, peerlessly adventurous, with elaborate clicking beats, beautifully organized riots of ideas crowding every track. Their first album "American Ruhr" will drop first half of 2008. The album will include guest appearances by Kemo, Cornelius Harris (Underground Resistance), Dennis Legree and Inaya Day. Everybody involved in the studio says that the new stuff is playfully sleazy, creatively reckless, and ridiculously, abstrusely, hyper-generously funky.

The first release (1 of 4 records representing the vinyl collectors edition of the forthcoming album "American Ruhr") of the Homewreckers feat. Kemo „It´s About Time“ on Unique Records is a beautiful monster jam that will destroy dance floors all over the world. The Homewreckers style plows right over any preconceived notion you may have about the current funky underground grind.

“It´s About Time” is such a lusciously deep track where tradition and innovation meet. Tradition as in the soulful roots of 70s funk and house music, innovation as in the streamlined, sparse arrangements and shrewd use of technology. The Homewreckers truly master rhythm and space – and Hawaii born Kemo fully adapts to the music and the atmosphere with his amazing spoken word poetry. Not only does he sound good, his lyrics can be experienced like a short film. As a unit, the Wreckers are examples of the discipline and feeling that make modern funk our most difficult performance art!

“Please Send Me Someone To Love” is a cool slap bass wonder transporting us into a dimension of seemingly endless travel. Keyboards, strings and washes of synthesizers are put together with uncanny precision. The bassline goes from heavy and heady to playful and quirky – always deliriously intoxicating.

Music for explorers: Those who listen to N.O.H.A., the club-cosmopolitans from cologne, prague, gijon, New York and essen for the first time, will feel the vibe of their enormous musical spectrum quickly. But even connoisseurs and those being aware of the group and their first three albums ‚Noise Of Human Art’ (1997), ‚No Slack’ (2001) and ‚Next Plateau’ (2003) will be astonished by ‚Dive In Your Life’ – the twanging result of ten rapid years, filled with loads of live-shows, a whole bunch of 12“-releases, miscellaneous reshuffles and re-inventions.

The sounds & visions, this vivid mixture of breakbeats, drum`n bass, ethnic music, pop and club-suitable grooves turn out to be even more open, more unpredictable and experimental in 2007 then ever before. Nevertheless, there is always a breeze of classical songwriting streaming through the new N.O.H.A.-tracks.

Finally Funk-fans are able to get a hold of their new favourite Band. Unique Records releases Osaka Monaurails fifth Album „Reality For The People“ for the world outside of Japan. Until now their releases were only available as Japan-Import. Now the wait is over, crowned by the LP which is only available through Unique. Pure 60s Funk in a JB’s style.

Our Label Records presents the first Osaka Monaurail Release outside of Japan. „We Got One (A Show)“ from the current album „Reality For The People“ of this 13-piece Band is a funky dancefloor tune in a JB’s-Style that will shake up clubs around the globe. B-Side features the previously unreleased instrumental version. Both edits are exclusives on Our Label Records.

OSAKA MONAURAIL European Tourdates 2007
22.11. UK-London, Jazz Cafe
23.11. UK-Isle of Wight, Ryde Theatre
24.11. UK-Southampton – Soul Cellar
29.11. F – Paris - Batofar
01.12. F-Montpellier, Le Jam
06.12. D-Berlin, Bohannon
08.12. D-Hamburg, Mandarin Casino
-> more dates to be announced...

After a long hiatus, while remixing some local Aussie acts & finding his new sound, REGAL has finally returned to the melting pot, with his debut solo album ‘LOOP DREAMS’. Recorded at Regal’s then ad-hoc home studio (now in limbo), over an intense 4 month period in 2006, ‘Loop Dreams’ is a little gem from the one-time original founding member of both THE WISEGUYS (Wall Of Sound) & BRONX DOGS (Heavenly/Marble Bar), two of the UK’s most revered underground acts of the ‘90’s.

Encompassing Regal’s Hip Hop roots and a fresh batch of dusty breaks, this album delivers solid beats with a great blend of Funk-Fusion samples, a dash of Psychedelia, deep grooves & a touch of the Avant-Garde. Focusing on a more reflective sound, which rewards the listener with each new listen, Regal has crafted an original, daring, and beautiful album of B-Boy music as part-homage to the brilliance of the 70’s Jazz-Fusion scene, his major inspiration these last few years.

The first single taken from Regal’s forthcoming “Loop Dreams” album, “The Village Calling” is a funky and tripped out head-nodder, with a solid Hip Hop drum break, killer b-line, a re-vamped classic guitar riff, lush strings & a wicked spoken-word psychadelic breakdown, that enlighten’s the track’s spirit…

The exclusive top-notch remixes, stretch out the inherent vibe of the original, with Washington D.C.’s All Good Funk Alliance (FUNK WEAPONS) adding further layers of vocals, drums & funky chops, while expanding the trippier elements & keeping the groove nice ‘n’ strong - undoubtedly one of their finest productions! On the flipside, Sydney duo, The Versionaries pick up on the dubbier-side of things & strip “The Village Calling” back to it’s rythmic essentials – their ‘Re-rub’ definitely good for a late-nite sesh! The Bonus cut, the remix of “Searchin’ For Peace”, is a tight and tuff version from Melbourne’s DJ Paz & one for the Bassheads with it’s chopped-up b-line & crisp B-Boy drums.

Unique loves Mambo – and Mambo loves Unique! The idea to ask the musicians from the latin group Lex Eazy & The Mambo Club to come up with new arrangements and re-recordings on a 24-Inch tape machine was born during the Jazz-Rallye 2004 and the first gig of the Mambo Club in the Unique Club – an ensemble, odd for latin with vibraphon, brazilian percussions, piano and doublebass, that can really play any repertoire as mambo-versions, each listener has the impression of enjoying the original version instead of a cover song. You have the feeling that you know the songs ever since!

An idea and project that celebrates musical virtuosity as a key element. An album that satisfies the original sense of what Unique Records is all about and further about our perception of clubculture: Quality Songwriting, b(r)ands and their development, real live-shows, energy that is only being created by improvisation and chance – celebrating the power of the composition and songs in general  – and their sustainablity! Music distanced from any short term trends, manifested in jazz! Music in 5/4 or 7/8 bars, odd verses, even refrains, exiting and suprising troughout. Laid back ChaChaChas, Bossas, Mambos and timeless Sambas. Lex Easy & The Mambo Club makes you want  to dance. Vibraphone, doublebass, piano and percussions are bringing the flair of the early latin music of the 50s and 60s in New York – live and direct at its best!order at www.unique-rec.com / www.soundflat.de

Funk! Soul! Passion!
We know the Soul & Funk Bands which have been put together towards their own casting.The „Sweet Vandals“ have searched and found themeselves, this genre is their passion and it rewards in the sound – Real!This state of „realness“ has been reached by only a few recordings in the last years, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings , Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators and of course the „New Mastersounds“.The Vandals are different from these combos. They pass on Horn Sections to put exactly on the record how it´s realized on stage!Only after five months their first 7" single „I Got You, Man!“ (Funkorama Records) has become a classic, Keb Darge (Deep Funk Session, London) has praised this Funk monster on heavy rotation and is therefore „Magnificent“!!!

The ablum has been recorded at the Fusion3 Studios in Madrid, producer Carlo Coupé used a tape maschine and exclusively old high-quality microphones & amplifiers. Thus an equipment which is also known from the Abbey Studios and which is just right like that.The golden piece of theband has to be he authentic voice of Mayka Edjo, a dream for every Funk & Soul Fan, which you can´t buy for money!

Twelve Morlocks Of The Real Beat! After 2004 (!) we are finally going to introduce the 5th chapter from The New Testament of Funk series, including no less than 8 unreleased tracks and 3 titles which have previously just been available on limited vinyl pressings. Therefore, this New Testament Of Funk compilation is by far the most exclusive, tricky und freestyle episode yet to date! High priests from Basel, Berlin, Bristol, Brooklyn, Doordrecht, Madrid, Münster and Stockholm are preaching testamentary messages in all varietes of music for the modern believer: a wide mashed network from Hammond-Funk, easygoing HipHop, Vocal Drum´n´Bass and of course loaded with Party-Breaks!

Fun is written BIG letters, yes praise these spirit(s)! It´s scratching, cracking, cooking - no liveless digital patterns, rather protectionists of Roots-Music, you can almost smell the sweat originated from the handicraft work in these sessions. And The New testament Of Funk proves that the real beat does not only deal with 60´s-Soul - it´s all about the groove, 1-2-3-4 and especially those breaks and odds in between, the shaking leg, the counterdraft to Lounge as a musical concept. If Lounge would be the dawn of the day, the New Testament is the brights sunshine! And as always the aim has got be: " The genre is, to break the genre!" The New Testament Chapter 5 is worth a sin - full of reminiscences and quotations to smoky jazzcellars, chamber music, piano-bars, true crooners, swingers, briefly: Music in OUR message!

Following the success of Pitch Sounds, which received radio, club and label support from leading tastemakers including Steve Lamacq, XFM, JJJ Radio Australia (receiving airplay on daytime national radio for over 2 months in 2006 alongside the likes of Coldplay!), plus a nomination for tune of the year for ‘In The City’ featuring McKay from Giles Peterson, Boca 45 drops his second LP with a lot to live up to.

Vertigo Sounds does not disappoint.

The cut and funk origins are still very much alive, but on Vertigo Sounds they jostle for attention with more original vocals, live instrumentation and melody than before. The album has a strong hip-hop funk backbone with elements of 60’s and 70‘s rock, soundtracks and soul, seamlessly woven together to bring a new sound.

“I'm liking ruff but heavy sounding gear at the moment. To me there’s so much music that sounds too polished and over-produced. I'm trying to make beats/hiphop tunes how they might sound if they were made in 1968!”

The previous album, Pitch Sounds, had many similar influences, but the idiosyncrasies of the Boca 45 sound have developed further. Vertigo Sounds is more indulgent, musically ambitious, and all the better for it.

Just about a year after Malente´s remixalbum „Rip It Up“ on unique
records and a variety of 12´´-singles on fine labels such as
Moonboutique, Luscious Sounds and Splank! – not to forget the other two recent unique singles „Dancefloor Whore“ & „Like A Freek“ - Malente is ready to rock, roll and kick of the campaign to his fourth overall album entitled „How Can You Still Stand To Stand Still?“.


Delivering this album in this short amount of time is almost
sensational to us, bearing in mind that he is basically constantly
producing and on the road touring as a DJ, whether it is Germany,
Austria, Switzerland, Australia, USA, Thailand, Canada, Spain or Russia
to name just a few territories. Absolutely no time fellows to stand
still, take time off, taking a break or anything in the same vein.
Without a doubt, Malente is amongst the hardest working men in the
scene – and especially the variety of his music is growing ever since.
“How Can You Still Stand To Stand Still” is not only fully loaded with
a total of 14 fascinating tracks that will create dancefloor craze, it
also holds some astonishments back in it´s pockets which will go far
beyond the perception of the music itself...

Artistically,
Malente remains true to his principles and travels through 70s &
80s Funk, Electro and Breakbeats but sounding more electronic and
powerful ever since. The album offers tracks and songs for any
occasion, starting with classic vocal single repertoire such as „For
The Revolution“ – by the way the first single which comes across with
remixes from DJ Regal, dutch rhythm master Mason and UK´s Smoove - and „Open Secret“. Then there´s bloody electro breaks madness such as „Like A Freek“, „Move Your Body“ and „In The Sky“ which has been produced with his friend and partner Lars Moston. „In The Sky“ has also been released in a different version as Moston & Malente on Moonbootique!