Now-Again Records

Now-Again Acquires Jazz Legend Gene Perla’s PM Records

A Landmark Meeting And Transfer in Easton, Pennsylvania – PM Records Founder Gene Perla Thinks Now-Again Records Is The Perfect Home For His Label’s Future.

On November 16th 2023, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt traveled from Los Angeles to Easton, Pennylvania to conclude a historic moment: the transfer of Gene Perla’s PM Records – the record company known for its issues of albums by Perla’s Stone Alliance, Elvin Jones and other jazz luminaries over a five decade run – to Alapatt’s care at Now-Again Records.

Starting January 1, 2024, PM Records’ musical legacy will be overseen and protected by Now-Again.

Alapatt’s connection with PM Records dates back to the early 1990s, when he first heard a sample of master percussionist Don Alias’s “Sweetie-Pie” which appeared on the Stone Alliance album of the same name. It was through this opening that he discovered the breadth of the PM Records catalog, which is still active, with over 60 releases to date.

Alapatt has already helped bring PM’s catalog to Spotify, Apple Music and all other digital service providers. After he receives the catalog of PM’s master tapes in Los Angeles, his first project will be a vinyl re-release of the Stone Alliance album, cut in an all-analog transfer by Bernie Grundman – the first time such has been done since this sought after album was first pressed in 1975.

The Stone Alliance LP package will also include an oversized booklet written by Perla, providing an overview of the PM Records arc, as well as detailed information about the Stone Alliance band and vignettes from Perla’s life in music.

Alapatt also plans to offer out original, “dead-stock,” sealed vinyl copies of classic PM Records to record retailers alongside the Stone Alliance reissue. MORE

The Story of Memphis Rap

The Story of Memphis Rap, a Now-Again x Vinyl Me, Please release. Nine album box set that follows previous Now-Again Anthologies like The Story of Zamrock and The Story of Tribe Records. The box set is now sold out but key individual LP’s will be issued on Now-Again.

SOLD OUT AT RAPPCATS » THE STORY OF MEMPHIS RAP
SOLD OUT AT BANDCAMP » THE STORY OF MEMPHIS RAP

The Story of Memphis Rap is told through a trunk-rattling nine-album, 11-LP slice of the origins of Memphis Rap, capturing a city and a scene as it began to create the most distinctive rap music of the ’90s. Each of these nine albums has been issued under the guidance and license of its creators, and is the definitive vinyl issue.

Box Set Details:

 Heavyweight two-piece slipcase and slash box – first edition limited to 1000 pieces.
Pressed on 180g black vinyl with heavyweight tip-on jackets.
Vinyl Me, Please designed letter-sized booklet with extensive liner notes and newly unearthed photos.

“This is important, to really know the honesty and truth about how far it goes down in Memphis… and who is responsible, and who did things…. Things can be deleted – things that need to known, you feel me? We are reassured of having a purpose, and being a part of this important scene. You know how the game is.

– Gangsta Blac

Introducing The Story of Memphis Rap, a trunk-rattling nine-album, 11-LP slice of the origins of Memphis Rap, capturing a city and a scene as it began to create the most distinctive rap music of the ’90s. The Story of Memphis Rap – a collaboration between VMP and Now-Again Records, like previous anthologies The Story of Zamrock, The Story of Tribe Records and The Story of Ghetto Records – collects nine albums that were originally released within Bluff City limits and occasionally to other cities in the region.

This was a unique hip hop strain – visceral and often vicious. It was a local, low-fi, cassette-tape based movement – yet it went on to change the course of rap music. MORE

The Southern University Jazz Ensemble’s Spiritual Jazz – Issued To The World At Last

First ever commercial releases of New Orleans’ legend Alvin Batiste’s Spiritual Jazz albums created with the college band he instructed and led in Baton Rouge – Goes To Africa With Love and Live at The 1971 American College Jazz Festival. Licensed from and produced under the direction of the Batiste Family.

Originally given away as souvenirs at Southern University, these albums contains deep Batiste originals and, on Live, are paired with excellent John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard covers. They are some of the most sought after albums of Americas 70s jazz underground.

Each album contains extensive booklet detailing Batiste’s life and his time spent honing and recording this remarkable band of young students.

Goes To Africa With Love was mixed from the original multi-track tapes and is now presented as a 2LP with never-before-released instrumentals.

These albums are being offered individually and as a value-priced bundle in an exclusive pre-sale via our webstore at Rappcats and at the Now-Again Bandcamp. These records ship immediately. Worldwide retail release dates come late June and early July.

BUY NOW AT RAPPCATS » The Southern University Jazz Ensemble Goes To Africa With Love
BUY NOW AT BANDCAMP » The Southern University Jazz Ensemble Goes To Africa With Love

BUY NOW AT RAPPCATS » The Southern University Jazz Ensemble Live at The 1971 American College Jazz Festival
BUY NOW AT BANDCAMP » The Southern University Jazz Ensemble Live at The 1971 American College Jazz Festival

Kashmere Stage Band “Texas Thunder Soul 1968-1974” 2LP/2CD+DVD

If you’ve not seen the Jamie Foxx-produced, award-winning documentary Thunder Soul: The True Story of Conrad Johnson and the Kashmere Stage Band, you should. If you’ve not heard the music of this remarkable band, you should get this anthology. Texas Thunder Soul 1968- 1974 is presented both as a gatefold 2LP and a 2CD/DVD package; the CD/DVD package includes short-films.

BUY NOW AT RAPPCATS » Texas Thunder Soul 1968- 1974
BUY NOW AT BANDCAMP » Texas Thunder Soul 1968- 1974

Fabiano Do Nascimento – Lendas, with Arthur Verocai and Vittor Santos’ Orquestra

Fabiano Do Nascimento’s Brazilian guitar meets a full orchestra arranged by Vittor Santos and with special participation by the legendary Brazilian composer and arranger Arthur Verocai and his string quartet.

Lush yet lively, standing alongside Jorge Ben’s work with Verocai, and Tom Jobim and Baden Powell’s work with Vinicius de Moraes.

BUY NOW AT RAPPCATS » Fabiano Do Nascimento Lendas
BUY NOW AT BANDCAMP » Fabiano Do Nascimento Lendas