Category: Catalog

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Ayalew Mesfin stands aside the likes of Mulatu Astake, Mahmoud Ahmed, Hailu Mergia and Alemayehu Eshete as a legend 1970s Ethiopia. The music he created with his Black Lion Band is amongst the funkiest to arise from Addis Ababa.

Tracklist:

Good Aderegechegn (Blindsided By Love)

A
3:56 Hasabe (My Worries)
3:25 Ewedish Neber (I Used To Love You)
4:02 Tezetash Rekik (Memories Of You)
3:38 Endet Liyesh (How Can I See You)
5:07 Ekul Teramedu (Walk As One)

B
3:49 Good Aderegechegn (Blindsided By Love)
4:51 Wubeet (Beautiful)
3:20 Yewefe Ber Abeba (Like A Beautiful Bird)
3:16 Sak Sak Beyelegni (Smile For Me)
5:06 Gubeleye (Gorgeous Girl)

Che Belew (March Forward)

A
3:55 Libe Menta Hone (My Divided Heart)
3:45 Hedech Gara Zura (She Left Across The Mountain)
4:39 Tereterkush Betam (I Suspect You Are Unfaithful)
3:23 Harrar Dire-Diwa (Harrar Dire-Diwa)
5:01 Yesew Neger (Amazed By Humanity)

B
2:49 Konjo Lidge Nat (She’s A Beautiful Girl)
4:02 Yetembelel-Loga (Tall And Graceful)
3:51 Che Belew (March Forward)
5:09 Ho Bilo Hede (He Went Marching)
6:08 Zebeder (Mesmerizing)

Wegene (My Countryman)

A
3:50 Teregew Nebere (You Used To Understand)
4:56 Neye Temelesh Belwat (Tell Her To Come Back)
4:22 Wegene (My Countryman)
4:52 Ambassel (Ambassel)
4:52 Rehab (Rehab)

B
5:01 Endetnesh Belulegn (Ask How She’s Doing)
9:15 Tizitash Zewetir (Your Memories Always)
6:12 Wubalem (Stunning)

Tewedije Limut (Let Me Die Loved)

A
5:24 Tewedije Limut (Let Me Die Loved)
7:47 Mot Aykerim (You Can’t Cheat Death)
7:40 Shuferu (The Driver)

B
5:37 Libe Dil Temeta (My Heart Is Conquered)
5:37 Gora Weshebaye (The Mountain Hero)
5:05 Anchi Yefikir Taot (You Are Love)
6:17 Ayish Ayishina (I See And I See You)

Mot Aykerim (You Can’t Cheat Death)

A
7:24 Megen Anchi Hoye (Your Amazing Self)
6:18 Mot Aykerim (You Can’t Cheat Death – Alternate Take)
4:27 Weyolachew (I’m Warning You)

B
6:37 Erikew Sihedu (When Distance Arises)
6:49 Yetizitash Simet (The Feelings Of Your Memory)
5:46 Yedilu Shema (Victory Torch)
6:29 Turi Turi Nafa (Lies And More Lies)

* WATCH THE FILM: CHE BELEW! (MARCH FORWARD!)

Box Set LP, CD, and Digital. 2020. NA5216

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01. De Rio a Tapajós
02. Partiu
03. Mente Azul
04. Rainha
05. Tributo
06. Malandro
07. Amanhecer
08. Ilhas
09. Prelúdio Amazônico
10. Trem-bala

Fabiano do Nascimento – 8 String Guitar, 7 String Guitar, 6 String Guitar, Soprano Guitar, Vocals
Ricardo “Tiki” Pasillas – Drums, Percussion.

Produced and mixed by Jason Hiller, Luther Russell, Mario Caldato
Compositions and Arrangements by Fabiano do Nascimento
Engineered by Jason Hiller
Recorded at Electrosound, LA, CA
Executive produced by Eothen Alapatt

LP, CD, Digital. 2020. NA5195.

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This album was part of the Now-Again Reserve Edition subscription series.

Side A:
Let’s Talk (Vocal)
Let’s Talk (Instrumental)
My Special One
Taking The Long Way Home
I’m In Love With You

Side B:
My World
I Don’t Bite
Wiser And Deeper
Save Me
I Wonder Why

Side C:
Let’s Talk (Mix One)
Let’s Talk (Mix Two)
My Special One (Mix One)
My Special One (Mix Two)
My Special One (Mix Three)

Side D:
My Special One (Mix Three)
Wiser And Deep (Mix One)
Wiser And Deep (Mix Two)
Wiser And Deep (Mix Three)
I Don’t Bite (Alternate Master Tape Mix)

CD Tracklist:
LP sides A, B, and C – CD 1
LP sides D, E, and F – CD 2

Original sessions produced by Richard Marks and others.
This compilation produced by Eothen Alapatt; researched by Brian Poust and Eothen Alapatt with liner notes and annotation by Brian Poust.

All songs licensed courtesy Catherine Marks and Terrence Marks.

Restoration and remastering by Jason Bitner for Elysian Masters, Los Angeles.

Art direction by Errol F. Richardson.

Photos and ephemera courtesy Catherine Marks and Terrence Marks, Roy Lee Johnson, Brian Poust and Greg Germani. Recordings courtesy John Ridley, Adam Leaver, Richard Lewis, Jason Kuczenski, and Brian Poust.

“I’m The Man For You,” “Cracker Jack” and “Never Satisfied” originally released in 1969 on Tuska Records.

Written by Richard Marks.
Produced and arranged by Thomas Stewart.
Personnel: Richard Marks (Vocals, Guitar), Joe Bowden (Drums); unknown remaining personnel, possibly including Charles Terrell (Bass), Hal Price (Tenor Saxophone), Tommy Stewart (Trumpet) and Andrew Tabb (Trombone).

“Freeway Crowd” and “Working Hard” originally issued in 1975 under the name J.T. Allen & Little Richard’s Band as vocal performances on Delmar Records.

Written by Keith Winslow
Produced and arranged by Keith Winslow, Barney Conway
Recorded at Atlanta Sound Studio by Calvin Arnold.
Personnel: Richard Marks (Guitar); Freeman Brown (Drums), Jesse Boyce (Bass), unknown remaining personnel.

All other tracks previously unreleased with:
Richard Marks (Vocals, Guitar), Buddy Cantrell (Vocals on “I’m With You Love (Acoustic Version)“), Tony Troutman (Vocals on “Challenge To A Pretty Woman”) and unknown remaining personnel, probably including Joe Bowden (Drums); Charles Terrell (Bass), Hosea Burch (organ), Hal Price (Tenor Saxophone), Tommy Stewart (Trumpet, Keyboards) and Andrew Tabb (Trombone), Larry Plump (Drums); David Camon (Bass); Bo Berry (Trumpet); Charles Edwards (Tenor Saxophone); Glen Barbour (Baritone Saxophone).

Recorded at various studios and locations including Richard and Catherine Marks’ home, Perfection Sound Studio, Cheshire Sound Studio, New London Studio, LeFevre Studio and The Sound Pit.

Thanks: Catherine Marks and Terrence Marks, Tanya Marks and the Marks family, Adam Leaver, Claude Boyd, Linus Rankins, Agnieszka Czeblakow, Tommy Stewart, Bill Wright, Roy Lee Johnson, Calvin Arnold, Tee Fletcher, GianLuca Honari, Katsuaki Sano, Hitoshi Takasawa, Naoya Yamauchi, Scott Craig and Jason Kuczenski.

LP, CD, Digital. Originally issued as part of the Now-Again Reserve Subscription Service. 2020. NA5204.

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This album was part of the Now-Again Reserve Edition subscription series.

LP Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Your Friends (Broke Up My Home)
2. Trying To Survive
3. It’s Been Kinda Hard
4. Down On Broadway
5. I’m The Man For You (Master Tape Version)
6. Crackerjack (Master Tape Version)
7. Never Satisfied (Master Tape Version)

Side B:
1. Love And Hate
2. Don’t Need Your Love
3. I’m With You Love (Acoustic Version)
4. Coming Back Home To You
5. People In The World Today
6. Simple, Carefree Life
7. Challenge To A Pretty Woman

Side C:
1. On A Minors Tour
2. I Don’t Want To Cry
3. Love Is Gone (Alternate Version)
4. Speak Now (Alternate Version)
5. Don’t Take It Out On Me
6. China Doll (Extended Version)

Side D:
1. Freeway Crowd (Instrumental)
2. Working Hard (Instrumental)
3. China Doll (Short Version)
4. She’s A Real Woman
5. Untitled (Instrumental)
6. Sugar, Sugar (How I Want To Be Your Man)

Side E: (Only available to Now-Again Reserve Edition Subscription Service subscribers)
1. Love Is Gone (Alternate Version Two)
2. Weaker Than Love, Stronger Than Temptation
3. Mistreated / Defeated
4. Picture Baby (Alternate Version)
5. Party!

Side F: (Only available to Now-Again Reserve Edition Subscription Service subscribers)
1. I Can’t Stand (Being Without You)
2. Picture Baby (Alternate Version Two)
3. A World Of Plenty
4. We Could Be Together Until Eternity
5. Give Me The Problem That Money Won’t Solve

CD Tracklist:
LP sides A, B, and C – CD 1
LP sides D, E and F – CD 2

Original sessions produced by Richard Marks and others.
This compilation produced by Eothen Alapatt; researched by Brian Poust and Eothen Alapatt with liner notes and annotation by Brian Poust.

All songs licensed courtesy Catherine Marks and Terrence Marks.

Restoration and remastering by Jason Bitner for Elysian Masters, Los Angeles.

Art direction by Errol F. Richardson.

Photos and ephemera courtesy Catherine Marks and Terrence Marks, Roy Lee Johnson, Brian Poust and Greg Germani. Recordings courtesy John Ridley, Adam Leaver, Richard Lewis, Jason Kuczenski, and Brian Poust.

Thanks: Catherine Marks and Terrence Marks, Tanya Marks and the Marks family, Adam Leaver, Claude Boyd, Linus Rankins, Agnieszka Czeblakow, Tommy Stewart, Bill Wright, Roy Lee Johnson, Calvin Arnold, Tee Fletcher, GianLuca Honari, Katsuaki Sano, Hitoshi Takasawa, Naoya Yamauchi, Scott Craig and Jason Kuczenski

3LP, 2CD, Digital. Originally issued as part of the Now-Again Reserve Subscription Service. 2020. NA5197.

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This is the definitive reissue by Now-Again of five classic albums from the Black Fire record label. 5 records available individually and as part of an obi-wrapped set that offers a value priced set of the albums. Limited edition, one time pressing.

Read more about the label: Black Fire – Spiritual Jazz and Black American Empowerment through Music in 1970s

Each album: Lacquered, most directly from master tape, by legendary Los Angeles mastering engineer Bernie Grundman. Packaged in a thick, tip-on sleeve and includes a unique, oversize booklet with extensive notes on each album, the Black Fire collective, and the musical and cultural revolution they created.

JUJU – LIVE AT THE EAST (1973) – Previously unreleased live session recorded at the legendary Brooklyn venue in 1973.

1. (Struggle) Home (Plunky Nkabinde)
2. Soledad Brothers (Al-Hammel Rasul)
3. At Least We Have A Horizon Now (Al-Hammel Rasul)
4. Black Experience (Al-Hammel Rasul)

EXPERIENCE UNLIMITED – FREE YOURSELF (1977) – The go-go band’s sought after debut album. Enriched funk.

1. It’s All Imagination (Clarence Smith)
2. Functus (Michael Hughes)
3. Peace Gone Away (Donald Fields)
4. Free Yourself (Gregory Elliot, Anthony Easton, Michael Hughes)
5. Hey You (Kenny St. Lewis, Max Kidd, Experience Unlimited)
6. People (Donald Fields)
7. Funky Consciousness (Experience Unlimited)

JUJU – CHAPTER TWO: NIA (1974). Essential Spiritual Jazz originally issued on the lauded Strata-East label.

1. Introduction (Juju)
2. Contradiction (For Thulani) (Plunky Nkabinde)
3. Black Experience (Al-Hammel Rasul)
4. Nia (Poem: Complete The Circle) (Plunky Nkabinde, Ngoma Ya Uhuru)
5. The End Of The Butterfly King (Poem: Things Comin’ Along) (Lon Moshe, Ngoma Ya Uhuru)
6. Black Unity (Pharoah Sanders)*

ONENESS OF JUJU – SPACE JUNGLE LUV (1976). Oneness of Juju’s cosmic second album, featuring Joe Bonner.

1. River Luv Rite (Lon Moshe, Plunky Nkabinde, Muzi Nkabinde, Melvin Glover, Ronnie Toler, Eka-Ete, Allababa) 8:03
2. Follow Me (Plunky Nkabinde, Ronnie Toler, Eka-Ete)
3. Soul Love Now (Plunky Nkabinde, Muzi Nkabinde)
4. Space Jungle Funk (Melvin Glover, Plunky Nkabinde)
5. The Connection (Plunky Nkabinde)
6. Love’s Messenger (Melvin Glover, Eka-Ete)

ONENESS OF JUJU – AFRICAN RHYTHMS (1975). Oneness of Juju’s deep jazz/funk classic debut.

1. African Rhythms (Plunky Branch)
2. Kazi (Plunky Branch, Muzi Branch)
3. Funky Wood (Reginald Brisband, Babatunde)
4. Tarishi (Babatunde, Michael Lea)
5. Mashariki (Al-Hammel Rasul)
6. Chants (Folkloric)
7. Don’t Give Up (Joseph Bentley, Al-Hammel Rasul)
8. Incognito (Al-Hammel Rasul)
9. Poo Too (Plunky Branch, Muzi Branch)
10. Liberation Dues (Plunky Branch)

5 LP Bundle. 2020. NA5198.