by Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, with additional text edited from an essay by Lance Scott Walker.

Drummer, bandleader and activist William George “Bubbha” Thomas died at his son William’s home on Saturday March 28th, 2020. He was 82 years old. His son said that the cause was heart failure; Thomas had been in failing health for some time and hadn’t played his drums in years. But his mind was sharp until the end, and he was surrounded by music. William said that Bubbha passed on while listening to “All In Love Is Fair” from the fourth album in his classic period, Country Fried Chicken (Spotify), streaming on the internet. Yesterday was a sad day for me, but that moment gave me a feeling of peace: some years prior, Bubbha had called me, deep into our friend-and mentorship and business relationship, and told me that he wasn’t getting younger, and he wanted all of his music available, for all to hear –  and fast. I had held off on that commitment for years, as I knew how daunting of a task it was going to be. But I’m glad, on that day, that I said yes. The resulting box set, which I worked with Bubbha to issue as Creative Music: The Complete Works, came out in full last year, and coincided with the wide release of his catalog, which is of the highest echelon of jazz music. (more…)

It will come as no surprise that Rappcats will no longer be opening up for Egon’s pop-up record shop on the weekend of March 21-22. We will announce a new date as soon as we can.

That said, we’re making the best of it for those stuck at home: we’ve assembled a limited amount of 3 LP grab bags and we’re offering them for sale online, on a first come first serve basis. Each grab bag comes with three pieces of vinyl from Egon’s collection. All genres.

DETAILS VIA RAPPCATS: EGON’S VINYL GRAB BAG (more…)

The Story of Zamrock, a Now-Again x Vinyl Me, Please x Strawberry Rain release available for purchase now as the next installment in VMP’s Anthology Series

The Story of Zamrock is told through 8 Zambian garage, progressive and funk rock albums, including WITCH’s private-pressed version of their landmark Introduction and an unreleased album by The Fireballs.


Heavyweight two-piece slip and hand-numbered slash box.
Audio restoration & remastering by Dave Cooley at Elysian Masters.
Limited to 750 copies
Pressed on 180g black vinyl with heavyweight tip-on jackets.
24-page booklet with extensive liner notes and newly unearthed photos.

ORDER » THE STORY OF ZAMROCK (more…)

The elusive gemstone of 1970s Harlem soul and funk from the Ray Alexander Technique, officially reissued for the first time with bonus tracks and previously unreleased alternate mixes. Shipping late April 2020.

SUBSCRIBE: NOW-AGAIN RESERVE – there are a limited amount of “Catch Me Up” subscriptions still available to get you the entire run of NOW-AGAIN RESERVE releases.

Renowned for its enviable combination of musical muscle and malleability, guitarist/songwriter Raymond Alexander Jenkins’ tight four-piece unit was so revered on the uptown club circuit that it was offered the opportunity to serve as the Apollo Theater house band. Jenkins demurred, hopeful and confident in his group’s chances at making it on its own, and Let’s Talk is the sublime result of their hard work. (more…)

ON SALE: BLACK FIRE 5LP SET
5 legendary albums of Spiritual Jazz and Deep Funk. Via our web store at Rappcats.

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

Juju’s Live At The East 1973 and Experience Unlimited’s Free Yourself are shipping now. The others are pre-order with ship dates listed below.

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. (more…)