NEWS
SHAWN LEE'S TABLA ROCK. CLEAR VINYL. LTD EDITION OF 500.
The original Incredible Bongo Band's Bongo Rock is firmly cemented into musical history having provided the often sampled (and completely irresistible) “Apache” drum break for a million and one producers to cut up. Also known as Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band, the project was born in 1972.
Over 3 decades after its inception, UK producer and avid record collector, Shawn Lee was marveling at the fact that there had never been an Indian style, sitar and tabla-heavy, version of the Incredible Bongo Band masterpiece, "Apache". Lee decided he’d take on the entire Bongo Band debut album; and also two of his favorite tracks from their second album for good measure. “Why cover a song when you can cover a whole album? This is the road to madness my friend, and it is my preferred route!”
This LP is pressed on translucent vinyl and limited to 500 hand-numbered copies. Buy it here!
THE ECHOCENTRICS PRESENT: ECHOLAND - A TRIBUTE TO TIMBALAND
Just 6 months after the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Sunshadows, The Echocentrics return with a new EP called Echoland. The EP is a tribute to the inimitable hip-hop producer, Timbaland, featuring live instrumental (with one vocal tune) reinterpretations of classic Timbo tracks.
Brazilian chanteuse, Tita Lima, lends her sultry voice to a cover of Aaliyah's "We Need A Resolution", sang in Portuguese and the ubiquitous Todd Simon (Mayer Hawthorne, TVOTR) provides a horn arrangement for Jay Z's "It's Hot". Recorded at Adrian Quesada's Level One Studios in Austin, TX with some help from Spoon's Jim Eno at Public Hi-Fi.
BRAND NEW 2011 WINTER/FALL T-SHIRT LINE, AVAILABLE NOW
Our 2011 Winter/Fall T-Shirt line is now available in our shop. We have 11 new designs for you to check out, and we've even updated our "Classic" and "Garage Sale" sections. Click here to browse and order.
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE AND ORDER
OUT NOW: MIKE JAMES KIRKLAND'S "DON'T SELL YOUR SOUL" ANTHOLOGY
Now available in limited quantities (1000 CD’s & 1000 LP’s) in a Triple Gatefold Double LP and Double CD Box Set.
Before the release of his seminal, socially-conscious, 1972 soul album, Hang On In There, a young Mike James Kirkland released a number of singles as Mike and The Censations. Despite being offered a record deal by Curtis Mayfield, eventually making a deal with MCA, and selling in excess of 50k+ singles, Mike and the Censations never released an album and never fully realized their potential. Here for the first time are all of his early-releases, along with some unreleased gems discovered on tapes as this project was being researched.
LUV N' HAIGHT TO RELEASE CLASSIC H.P. RIOT DEBUT (DIGITAL AVAILABLE NOW)
Now available digitally and for pre-order on LP and CD, Luv N'Haight presents, H.P. Riot.
Recorded at Can-Base Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1973, the album was produced by Michael A. Flicker for the Concept Records label. The band (known as H.P. Riot) was named after its San Francisco home neighborhood that was marred by race riots in 1966. The band has often been confused as being Canadian because they spent much of their time touring western Canada. Concept Records was based in Regina, Saskatchewan – not exactly a funk music hotbed. The track “I Have Changed” was selected for the compilation California Soul 2 but the full-album has never been re-issued. It will also be available for the first time on CD.
Kenneth House (tenor sax, bass voice, and rhythm guitar) actually lived in Edmonton, Alberta for four years after his stint in H.P. Riot. He is now involved in several projects, including Victor Sila and the AfroFunk Experience, Wade Love and RKO. Keyboardist Dewayne Sweet went on to play with The Whispers. Michael Baird became one the most successful session drummers in Los Angeles, working with Journey, the Moody Blues, Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Al Green, Larry Carlton, Kenny Loggins, Hall & Oates, Michael Jackson, George Benson, Cher, Three Dog Night, Burt Bacharach, Randy Bachman, Stevie Wonder, Michael McDonald, David Foster, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, and Frank Sinatra.
PRE-ORDER HP RIOT "S/T" CD x LP
NOW AVAILABLE: IVAN "BOOGALOO JOE" JONES - SWEETBACK
Back in stock and available from Luv N'Haight for the first time in over 10 years. We've remastered this classic LP for our Luv N'Haight archive series. Get it while you still can!
FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $50 (US DOMESTIC ONLY)
Don't forget, FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $50. This offer only available to domestic US customers.
LUV N' HAIGHT RESTOCKS AND WAREHOUSE FINDS
Our Luv N' Haight section has been updated with all current stock of our Soul/Jazz/Funk classics, including warehouse finds that we've just added this week. Click here to browse all titles.
Also browse the Luv N'Haight download section for even more titles, many
of which are out of print and previously unavailable on our site! All MP3 downloads are in 320 kbps format.
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE LUV N' HAIGHT TITLES
NOW AVAILABLE: IKEBE SHAKEDOWN DEBUT ON VINYL AND CD
New to our web store, Ikebe Shakedown's self-titled debut on vinyl and CD! CD format includes 4 bonus tracks, Vinyl orders come with slipcase CD + digital download! Click here to order.
NOW IN SHOP: IKEBE SHAKEDOWN & ECHOCENTRICS T-SHIRTS
New to our web store, we have artists tees from The Echocentrics and Ikebe Shakedown! Click here to order.
WAREHOUSE FINDS: MIGHTY RYEDERS, EUGENE BLACKNELL & BETTY PADGETT VS. ARTHUR FOY 12''
Warehouse Find: We've just found 60 copies of the classic, Mighty Ryeders Spread The Message LP in our warehouse. We haven't had this available since 2004! Once these are gone, they're gone. Other restocks listed below.
Mighty Ryeders - Spread The Message LP - Only 60 In Stock
Betty Padgett vs. Arthur Foy - Sugar Daddy Limited Edition 12''
Eugene Blacknell - We Can't Take Life For Granted (CD x LP)
CLICK HERE TO ORDER 'SPREAD THE MESSAGE'
IKEBE SHAKEDOWN "S/T" DEBUT - NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY
Ikebe Shakedown, the self-titled album from the Brooklyn-based band, plays with elements of Cinematic Soul, Afro-funk, Deep Disco, and Boogaloo in all the right ways. After spending a few years together the group, named after a favorite Nigerian boogie record (and pronounced “ee-KAY-bay,”) delivers a driving set of tunes featuring a mighty horn section anchored by tight, deep-pocketed grooves.
Their self-titled debut is now available digitally in our web store and other digital outlets. All MP3 downloads in our store are in 320 kbps format. Digital and CD versions include 4 bonus tracks!
Ubiquity Records - Web Store / iTunes / Amazon
CD AND VINYL WILL BE AVAILABLE JUNE 21, 2011
PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE HERE
TOUR DATES.
June 9 - Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY
June 10 - The Camel, Richmond, VA
June 11 - Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
July 1 - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
July 2 - Keegan Ales, Kingston, NY
LUV N'HAIGHT RESTOCKS: ARTHUR VEROCAI, HAR-YOU PERCUSSION GROUP & MORE
We've restocked some of our classic Luv N'Haight titles in vinyl and CD formats. Maybe your last chance to pick these up!
Available now in our store:
Arthur Verocai - S/T (Vinyl x CD)
Har-You Percussion Group (Vinyl x CD x Digital)
Betty Padgett vs. Arthur Foy - Sugar Daddy - Single (Vinyl x Digital)
Sons And Daughters Of Lite - Let The Sun Shine In (Vinyl x CD x Digital)
OUT TODAY: THE ECHOCENTRICS "SUNSHADOWS" CD/LP
The Echocentrics is a new band from Austin-based two-time Grammy winning producer Adrian Quesada, a member of Grupo Fantasma, and one of the minds behind bands Ocote Soul Sounds and Brownout. Teaming up with Argentinean singer Natalia Clavier and Brazil-based Tita Lima, he has carved out a southern-fried, laid back, and psychedelic-tinged album.
ORDER ECHOCENTRICS 'SUNSHADOWS' HERE
LAST BATCH: GROOVE MERCHANT 7'' RECORD BOX, STOCKED WITH 10 x 7'' COMPILED BY CHRIS VELTRI
Our last batch! Designed by Freddy Anzures, of P-R-O-P-S/Apple, built by The Key Printing and Binding in Oakland, CA, on-sale now stocked with 10 x 7" singles compiled by Cool Chris at The Groove Merchant for Luv N'Haight.
Box facts:
*Box will fit around 30 7” singles.
*Handmade in Oakland, CA, at The Key Printing and Binding, using refurbished, salvaged, and vintage machinery. The board used in construction is the hardest available, from the last remaining stock.
*Reinforced lid prevents corner breakage. Removable inner box acts as a buffer against breakage/pressures.
*Cloth, both red and blue, used in covering lids is natural fiber linen, with acrylic coating, offset litho printed with durable TuffTex inks.
*Hardware from Ohio. Rivets, American made, are hi-strength tubular type, no POP rivets, staples or split rivets were used in construction.
*Only 250 made
Click here to see 7'' tracklists >>>
NEW DESIGNS ADDED TO SPRING/SUMMER '11 T-SHIRT LINE
We've added new designs to our recent Spring/Summer 2011 line. Check the link below for all new tees.
ORDER 2011 SPRING/SUMMER T-SHIRTS >>>
OUT TODAY: RECORD STORE DAY 12''s FROM SHAWN LEE, GROOVE MERCHANT AND BTS + CD COMPILATION
Record Store Day began in 2007 as a way to not only celebrate music, but to celebrate independently owned record stores and artists. In the last few years, it's taken off in popularity and special vinyl, CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day. This year, we're doing our part.
Three 12''s have been put together with the help of our musical friends: Shawn Lee, Cool Chris of The Groove Merchant record store and Andrew Meza of the influential radio show/podcast, BTS Radio. Each 12'' holds new and exclusive tracks associated to each curator. Each 12'' is limited to 500 copies and printed on colored vinyl (Shawn Lee: Gold, Groove Merchant: White, BTS: Red).
We've also compiled the 12''s onto one CD including bonus tracks. Collectively, artists featured include: AM, Dibiase, Jed and Lucia, Letherette, Magnetite, NOMO, Pat's People, Shawn Lee & S.Maharba
Record Store Day is April 16, 2011.
Pick these up quick, because they WILL NOT last long.
ORDER 12''s AND CD HERE >>>
ORDER RECORD STORE DAY 12''s HERE
NEW IN SHOP: SPRING 2011 T-SHIRTS
For our latest line of t-shirts we kept our eyes and ears open to sights and sounds from around the world - all the spin-offs and fusions that pop-up to create something new and exciting: Turkish Psych, Thai Funk, African Disco, Cambodian rock, Brazilian soul. If you can say it, it exists - in design, in our headphones, on the dancefloor, and over the airwaves. These designs embrace the idea of music as a universal language, along with our enthusiasm for traveling, unity, eclecticism, and taking traditional sounds and patterns and twisting them into something new, something that we can relate to. Our global looks are shaded with a California perspective, seduced by the exotic, enchanted by vintage, and built in the USA.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER T-SHIRTS >>>
CLICK HERE TO ORDER NEW T-SHIRTS
OUT NOW: JED AND LUCIA "HELIUM EP" WHITE VINYL + ECHOCENTRICS 7'' - 500 COPIES OF EACH TITLE
The Echocentrics is a new project from Austin-based two-time Grammy winning producer Adrian Quesada, a member of Grupo Fantasma, and one of the minds behind bands like Ocote Soul Sounds and Brownout. Teaming up with Argentinean singer Natalia Clavier and Brazil-based Tita Lima, he has carved out a cinematic, southern-fried, laid back, and psychedelic album to be released April 26th. This introductory, limited edition, 7” single features “Esclavo Y Amo,” which is a cover of a Peruvian bolero (ballad) performed by Los Pasteles Verdes that Quesada first heard about 8 years ago. The original version was the tune that inspired the forthcoming Echocentrics album.
On Jed and Lucia's “Helium”, the duo locking in on the best aspects of their album, which All Music called “The perfect soundtrack to your lazy autumn days.” By combining breezy vocals that breathe life into a wash of pristine keyboards and evocative piano, Jed and Lucia have created a beautiful synth-pop welcome to spring sunshine. This EP is printed on white vinyl and also sees the band remixing two of their own tracks from their Ubiquity LP and also includes a stunning remix from UK's Letherette.
OUT TODAY: SHAWN LEE "WORLD OF FUNK" (feat. NOMO, CLUTCHY HOPKINS, MICHAEL LEONHART & MORE)
Shawn Lee's World Of Funk album is now available on CD, double LP and digital formats. This album captures Lee's love for World music, with his traditional Ping Pong flavor. Featuring an all-world cast and Ubiquity label-mates, Elliot Bergman of NOMO and Cluthy Hopkins, this is another essential piece to the Shawn Lee collection.
CD x DLP x DIGITAL AVAILABLE HERE
OUT NOW: GROOVE MERCHANT 20 - 7'' RECORD BOX
Designed by Freddy Anzures, of P-R-O-P-S/Apple, built by The Key Printing and Binding in Oakland, CA, on-sale now stocked with 10 x 7" singles compiled by Cool Chris at The Groove Merchant for Luv N'Haight.
Box facts:
*Box will fit around 30 7” singles.
*Handmade in Oakland, CA, at The Key Printing and Binding, using refurbished, salvaged, and vintage machinery. The board used in construction is the hardest available, from the last remaining stock.
*Reinforced lid prevents corner breakage. Removable inner box acts as a buffer against breakage/pressures.
*Cloth, both red and blue, used in covering lids is natural fiber linen, with acrylic coating, offset litho printed with durable TuffTex inks.
*Hardware from Ohio. Rivets, American made, are hi-strength tubular type, no POP rivets, staples or split rivets were used in construction.
*Only 250 made
Click here to see 7'' tracklists >>>
STUDIO SERIES T-SHIRTS & PREMIUM CREW SWEATS
The Studio Series is inspired by pictures,
images, LP art, and footage we've collected of artists and bands in the
studios from the 1960s through the 1980s. Too many times we've looked
at photos and lusted for a killer t-shirt worn by a musician back in the
day that we'll never get our hands on. So this line is inspired by
those moments, when magic was being made in the studio, and when the
musician was just chillin' in his or her favorite sweatshirt or t-shirt.
We asked designer friends what what would
Stevie/Herbie/Mick/John/Gil/Aretha/Nina/Joni etc, etc, etc have worn?
These premier designs were designed by Christopher David Ryan & Freddy Allen Anzures.
CLICK HERE TO SEE/ORDER THE NEW T-SHIRT DESIGNS >>>
CLICK HERE FOR OUR NEW PREMIUM CREW SWEATS >>>
CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR NEW DESIGNS/ORDER!
NOW IN STOCK: GROOVE MERCHANT 20 SLIPMATS
Featuring a collage of different stickers, painstakingly collected from vinyl LP’s for over a decade, The Groove Merchant 20 design is an instant classic by SF designer Freddy Anzures.
The mats are packed in a custom LP style jacket with die-cut front.
+ High-quality, fine, compressed polyester for an ultra-thin slipmat
+ Artwork is printed with Dye Sublimation resulting in a smooth, friction free surface
+ Our merchandise line features well-made accessories, fabricated from the best looking materials we can find.
+ Designed by Freddy Anzures, from P-R-O-P-S and Apple
TRU-THOUGHTS CD BUNDLE PACK - $30
A special CD pack of our available Tru-Thoughts releases at a great deal!
Titles include:
Quantic - An Announcement To Answer
The Bamboos - Step It Up
Spanky Wilson & The Quantic Soul Orchestra - I'm Thankful
TM Juke - Forward
Nostalgia 77 - Everything Under The Sun
Nostalgia 77 - The Garden
Lanu - This Is My Home
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN AND ORDER
LIMITED EDITION: NOMO & SHAWN LEE 7'' (100 COPIES)
NOMO and Shawn Lee team up on a new single called "Upside Down." This collaboration came about almost by accident. NOMO’s Elliot Bergman had spent the better part of the summer building and recording electric kalimbas in Brooklyn, when label-mate Shawn Lee asked him to send over a kalimba track for his new "World of Funk" album. London-based Lee added some funky drums, bass and a smattering of steel drums, and sent it back to Bergman. When Bergman’s sister, Natalie, heard the instrumental track she decided that she had to add some vocals. She stayed up all night writing the tune and recorded the vocals in garage band. The happy result is a great groove, and NOMO's first vocal tune in ages. It’s a track the continues the NOMO tradition of blurring the lines between indie, dance, and world music.
The instrumental version will still appear on the Shawn Lee World of Funk album. And the vocal version, for now, is only available on this single. Featured on the flip is the hypnotic sound of NOMO (sans Lee) on "Nocturne." Super limited vinyl pressing. Grab it while we have it!
LIMITED EDITION 7'' VINYL (100 COPIES)
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN AND ORDER
"AFRODESIA" OUT NOW FROM LUV N'HAIGHT
Our new Luv N'Haight release, Afrodesia by The Afro Soul-Tet is now available: "This is Afrodesia! A Musical collage of many
peoples...it comes from Africa and from Arabia, from the South Seas
and from Asia." Living up to the promise of those notes Afrodesia mixes
Latin Jazz, with straight jazz, worldly percussion, surf, rock, funk,
oddball sound effects, a touch of lounge, and some hints of tropicalia."
Pictured above: Jack Millman,
aka Johnny Kitchen of The Afro Soul-Tet.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN AND ORDER
2011 JAN/FEB RELEASES AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
Three of our 2011 releases are currently available for pre-order. All pre-orders get 15% off when using coupon code "EARLYBIRD".
Albums include: Luv N'Haight issue of Afrodesia, a mix of Latin Jazz, with straight jazz,
worldly percussion, surf, rock, funk, oddball sound effects, a touch of
lounge, and some hints of tropicalia. Shawn Lee's World of Funk, which features Clutchy Hopkins, Truth and Soul Recording
artist Michael Leonhart, NOMO bandleader Elliot Bergman, and Lee’s
mother-in-law (aka Nanny Jee)! And lastly, the very limited Shawn Lee & NOMO 7'', "Upside Down", only 100 copies!
LISTEN AND ORDER TODAY >>> www.ubiquityrecords.com/shop/categories/Upcoming-Releases/
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN AND ORDER
NOW AVAILABLE: MIKE JAMES KIRKLAND - HANG ON IN THERE
THIS RE-ISSUE HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE FOR OVER 3 YEARS!!!
As the 1960s were drawing to a close Mike James Kirkland was inspired to interject social commentary into his musical output along with a more funky- soul and experimental side to the production. First he released "Together" b/w "The prophet" on Bryan in 1971. And he followed this up with the amazing "Hang on in there" LP in 1972. The original album and all bonus 7" cuts are included on our re-issue.
The title track "Hang On In There" was recently covered by John Legend and The Roots.
LISTEN AND ORDER THIS CLASSIC TODAY! >>>
LISTEN AND ORDER FROM OUR SHOP
OUT TODAY: SHAWN LEE - HOOKED UP CLASSICS
Shawn Lee dons his Ping Pong Orchestra hat for an album inspired by the Hooked On Classics series of the early 1980s. This popular series of albums (arranged by Louis Clark of Electric Light Orchestra fame) took well-known classical pieces and gave them a contemporary re-working, mostly adding a disco flavor. Lee throws his new musical twist on the idea, taking 12 favorite classical tracks and squeezing them through the Ping Pong Orchestra machine.
The end result is an album that will introduce new listeners to legendary pieces of music, and is set to turn the heads of classical music fans.
BUY SHAWN LEE - HOOKED UP CLASSICS
FOR A LIMITED TIME: 2010 IN A BAG - UBIQUITY BUNDLE PACK
Need to catch up on Ubiquity in 2010? We're now offering these monster bundle packs for a limited time. You can choose between preferred format, CD or LP and in the process, you'll be saving a chunk of cash.
Includes the following CDs/LPs:
Bei Bei & Shawn Lee - Into The Wind
Georgia Anne Muldrow - Kings Ballad
Clutchy Hopkins - The Storyteller
Twilight - Still Loving You
Twilight - Pains Of Love
Orgone - Cali Fever
Shawn Lee - Sing A Song
Orgone - Killion Vaults
Jed and Lucia - Superhuman Heart
Radio Citizen - Hope And Despair
Jed and Lucia - Apostrophe 10" w/ Shlohmo & Shawn Lee Remixes*
V/A - Groove Merchant 12"*
$99.99 FOR CD BUNDLE PACK
$139.99 FOR LP BUNDLE PACK
*ONLY WITH LP BUNDLE PACK
ORDER HERE >>>
NEW IN THE STORE: GROOVE MERCHANT 20 YEAR T-SHIRT
In honor of the Groove Merchant 20 Year anniversary, we've made special T-Shirt designed by Freddy Anzures (Apple/Wax Poetics) for props. T-Shirt is a crisp 4-color print!
OUT TODAY: V/A - GROOVE MERCHANT 20 YEAR COMPILATION
ALL VINYL PURCHASES COME WITH DIGITAL DOWNLOAD AND POSTER (SHOWN BELOW)!!!
20
Years ago the Groove Merchant record store opened its doors on Haight
Street in San Francisco. The rare funk, soul and jazz emporium became a
mecca for collectors, DJs, music fans and producers. It was also the
birthplace for the Luv N'Haight and Ubiquity Record labels.
NEW IN OUR STORE: LIMITED EDITION, JED & LUCIA 10'' SINGLE + GROOVE MERCHANT WHITE LABEL 12''
Now available in our store: Two limited edition singles from both Ubiquity and Luv N'Haight. First up, new 10'' vinyl, only 300 copies worldwide of our Jed and Lucia "Apostrophe/April Showers" single. Includes remixes from Shawn Lee and Shlohmo.
Second, limited edition white label edits from our upcoming Groove Merchant 20 Year anniversary compilation. Both of these releases are sure to sell out quick, so order today!
NOW AVAILABLE: RADIO CITIZEN "HOPE AND DESPAIR" LP
DOUBLE LP INCLUDES BOTH SLIPCASE CD COPY AND DIGITAL DOWNLOAD!
Four years have passed since the release of Berlin
Serengeti, the debut album from producer Niko Schabel and friends, aka
Radio Citizen. His first album was an all-out assault of electronic
music armed with organic tentacles that reached far into an eclectic bag
of rough jazz and worldly funk. It not only caught the ears of
tastemaker DJs and press (“It leaps dozens of genres in a single bound,
digs up all those old sounds I love, fits them together, and erects a
temple to pop's melting pot” - Pitchfork) but also wound up in movies
and TV shows as varied as Grey's Anatomy, Californication, and this
summer’s blockbuster Takers.
Schabel creates music that balances
being accessible and exciting by way of his ability to blend the
electronic with the organic. On Berlin Serengeti he seamlessly
glued-together a loose collage of sampled textures and embellished them
with gifted musicians and vocalists. On Hope and Despair he takes an
even headier blend of raucous live instrumentation and works it into
gritty songs and walls of sound with deft mixing and subtle studio
trickery all rooted by heavyweight bass lines. His mass ensemble of
musical friends often performs together in the Radio Citizen live show
that developed after the release of the first album. Their unified
musical prowess is reflected in the soloing, the harmonies, and all the
interactions, that lift Hope and Despair above its predecessor.
NOW AVAILABLE DIGITALLY: GROOVE MERCHANT 12'' EDITS
This EP features 3 extended edits from Coppa (Veltri and Bing
Ji Ling), Frankie Gee and DJ Enki.
Edits and originals will be available on a future limited edition 12" only. 12'' is available now for pre-order.
OUT NOW: JED AND LUCIA "APOSTROPHE" SINGLE w/ SHAWN LEE & SHLOHMO REMIXES + VIDEO
Like
the distant cousins of Jose Gonzales and Boards of Canada, Jed and
Lucia’s songs have a pastoral sensibility that has been warped by their
love for electronics. Their forthcoming album, “Superhuman Heart,” is a
kaleidoscope of tunes dreamed-up and recorded in the hills, parks and
woods of North Berkeley.
This single features two tracks from that album, plus stellar remixes from Shawn Lee
and Shlohmo. Lee turns the breezy “Apostrophe” into a catchy
head-nod-inducing bossa with just a touch of psych. While LA beat scene
fave Shlohmo bends the already-twisted folk sound of “April Showers”
into a new more angular shape, complete with other-worldly electronics,
aggo-gritty beats and plenty o'bass.
Jed and Lucia's vocal
harmonies smack of classic 1960s Cali-pop, but their acoustic guitars
and poignant lyrics are subverted by sun-drenched synths and bass lines
that add a subtle dose of urban bump and grind. Folksy songs are
transformed by acid-tripped atmospherics in a soundtrack for creatures
that crawl from the back woods into the city at nightfall.
NEW 2010 WINTER WEAR: HOODIES AND PREMIUM SWEATS
New 2010 Winter wear! All hoodies and premium crew sweats include hangtag with 5 song digital download EP!
NEW FALL/WINTER '10 T-SHIRTS
For the musically inclined, Ubiquity presents a stack of new T-Shirt designs for Fall/Winter 2010. As a motley collection of DJs, musicians, skaters, surfers and designers, we only make clothes that we would want to wear. No gimmicks, band-wagon-ing or copycat-ing allowed.
We have shirts celebrating our California roots, alongside musical heroes, and bold graphics from the likes of Ubiquity-MC, Ohmega Watts and renowned designer, Christian Bortslap. Check it out and we hope you like this line as much as we do!
LUV N'HAIGHT/CUBOP LIMITED EDITION REPRESSINGS
We've recently repressed some of our most sought after titles from our subsidiaries, Luv N'Haight and Cubop. These three classic albums haven't been available on CD or LP from us in up to 6 years! In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we thought now would be the best time for people to rediscover these essential pieces of music.
Our limited edition repressing include the following:
Harry Whitaker - Black Renaissance
Tommy Stewart - S/T
The Har-You Percussion Group - S/T
These albums are also available digitally on our site in 320 MP3s.
OUT NOW: ORGONE INSTRUMENTAL LP "KILLION VAULTS"
Somehow, amidst their insane schedule they have put together a brand new, exclusive and all-instrumental album for Ubiquity called Killion Vaults.
Showcasing the bands instrumental side the album plays (and looks!) like an old-school “library record” – packed with tunes for movies as yet unmade, and chase-scenes not yet driven.
Killion Vaults could easily be mistaken for a rare old collectible release, but as with all Orgone productions they made their blend of live organics as beefy as possible so it’s a great DJ record as much as it is a good listen.
New Albums from Jed & Lucia now available for Pre-Order
We now have Jed & Lucia's "SuperHuman Heart" available for Pre-Order. Save 15% on your order when you type in the coupon code: EARLYBIRD
NEW IN STORE: MID-SEASON TEES, TOTE-BAGS AND ARTWORK
We have 5 brand new shirts, at a mid-season deal price of only $19.99: The Eugene Blacknell shirt is part of our Green Series tee's and is designed by Ohmega Watts. Music Is My Medicine was designed by Christian Borstlap who also made the recent Clutchy Hopkins video. Heard the new Orgone? Seen them on tour? Cop the new shirt! Make music your business with the new shirt by Kei Abe, and pick-up our limited edition collabo-shirt designed by Rachel Konte of Guerilla Cafe in Berkeley to celebrate our on-going art exhibit.
Spend $50 and we'll ship your order for free!
Also ready for pre-order*: 2 new tote-bags priced at $19.99, printed on recycled cotton canvas. And a Music is My Medicine (13" x 20") silkscreen print also at $19.99, limited to 50 only, each one hand-numbered.
For the first 50 customers who spend $75 or above we'll hook you up with a customizeable Music Is My Medicine compilation. Place your order first, we'll email you back with notification that you get to pick 10 tunes from the Ubiquity, Luv N'Haight and CuBop catalog. Pick your tracks and we'll send you a link to download your compilation, simple as that.
*Shirts are ready to ship, pre-ordered prints and bags will ship August 2nd.
Shawn Lee on KCRW + Rare California Live Dates
Shawn Lee recorded a live set on KCRW's 'Morning Becomes' Eclectic this past week. The radio appearence was a starting point for a handful of live shows that will be happening in Orange County and Los Angeles this week.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010
SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA @ GRAND STAR JAZZ CLUB / SOUL SESSIONS
LOS ANGELES, CA
www.soulsessionslive.com
SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2010
SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA @ AMOEBA RECORDS
LOS ANGELES, CA
www.amoeba.com
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2010
SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA @ COMMONWEALTH LOUNGE
FULLERTON, CA
www.commonwealthlounge.com
KCRW - MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC feat. SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA
STREAMING AUDIO HERE
DEE EDWARDS - WHY CANT THERE BE LOVE (PILOOSKI EDIT) (LIMITED EDITION WHITE LABEL 12'')
ONLY 500 COPIES
Dee Edwards “Why Can’t There Be
Love?” has a raw Motown flavor befitting one of Detroit’s finest soul
vocalists. It was originally released on 7” single by Guido Marasco on
his Bump Shop label, so named because Marasco ran a car bump and paint
repair shop. The track is featured on the Gilles Peterson Digs America
Volume II compilation.
Prolific French producer Pilooski takes
the original Dee Edwards version and squeezes it through his magic
re-edit machine adding a nasty dose of bump n’grind. If you haven’t seen
the version used by Adidas in their Celebrating Originality campaign
you may have been living under a rock. The version on this 12” is
extended, is longer than the TV commercial, and has never been made
available before.
On the flip the mysterious S.L.P.P.O. drop an
Afrobeat track inspired by Bob Azzams club favorite “Batucada Por Favor”
and a little World Cup fever. While the Azzam track is a batucada
rhythm track that gains speed as it plays, “Accelerate” does the same,
but using an Afro-beat rhythm that gets faster and faster. One version
is percussion-based, the other features a fully-stocked band.
NOW AVAILABLE: SHAWN LEE - SING A SONG
In addition to
showcasing a love for 1960s and 1970s soul, Shawn Lee also steers
his latest musical mystery tour into psychedelic and cinematic
territory over the course of 12 brand new cuts. Sing a Song
is like a breezy summertime mixtape, packed with catchy motor city
licks and space age songs that Lee built from scratch with each
collaborating vocalist in mind. Inviting vocalists from as far
afield as Kansas City, Los Angeles, London, Detroit and New York,
Lees’ latest album features Princess Superstar, artist Paul Fryer,
and blind street performer Robert Bradley. During recording Lee had
to be admitted to hospital for an emergency appendix operation, just
a few days after his wife gave birth to their second girl. But the
musical drive in Mr Lee is so strong there’s always time to Sing
a Song.
Shawn Lee and his Ping Pong Orchestra will be in the USA this Fall
to play their first ever gigs, including a stop at Bumbershoot in
Seattle…hold tight for more gigs.
BUY SHAWN LEE "SING A SONG" TODAY!
OUT NOW: LORD NEWBORN & THE MAGIC SKULLS
Lord Newborn and the Magic Skulls is the collaborative project of esteemed sound scientists Money Mark, Shawn Lee, and Tommy Guerrero. Last winter they locked themselves away in Money Marks Los Angeles-based studio for two weeks. A tasty three-way meeting of the minds resulted in this funk-inflicted collection of beats n’ breaks, wrapped-up in a sunny West Coast musical tortilla that’s smothered in as much jazz and prog-rock as it is in soulful psychedelia.
OUT NOW: NUCLEAR EVOLUTION: THE AGE OF LOVE
Nuclear Evolution: The Age of
Love, The SA-RA Creative Partners blend next-level production with a unique
and unconstrained blend of street wit, tall stories, and intergalactic
sounds. Musically adventurous, and even more evolved than anything they’ve done
before, Nuclear Evolutionshows a
controlled, polished, and in-the-pocket side to their work. It is an album on
which they shine as the innovative musical force they promised to be when the
cult hit “Glorious” first shattered bass bins and minds worldwide.
the glorious Nuclear Evolution finally realizes their
potential...a panorama that throws you into dark nightlife, then lifts you out,
invigorated, into a new day." - Spin
"SA-RA's psychedelic soul 2.0 arrives at a time when the power elite have been unsettled and we're in a new terrain without maps"- The Wire
Fans
of Erykah Badu will know SRCP as her associate producers, having written,
appeared, and produced on seven of the tracks from her critically acclaimed 2008
New
Amerykah album.
She returns the favor with a guest appearance on the track “Dirty Beauty.”
Legendary saxophonist Gary Bartz also appears on the album alongside a crew of
up n'coming talent whose contributions help make this album a super soulful
smash for the summer of 2009.
NOW AVAILABLE: ORGONE - TIME TONIGHT 12''
Orgone are back with a new single, including an
exclusive extended funky dub mix, as a taster from their forthcoming
Cali Fever album.
FREE ORGONE
MEGAMIX DOWNLOAD CODE AVAILABLE ON EVERY 12''
ORDER TIME TONIGHT 12'' TODAY!
NOW AVAILABLE: JED AND LUCIA "SUPER HUMAN HEART" LP
Like the distant cousins of Jose Gonzales and Boards of Canada, Jed and Lucia’s songs have a pastoral sensibility that has been warped by their love for electronics. “Superhuman Heart” is a kaleidoscope of tunes dreamed-up and recorded in the hills, parks and woods of North Berkeley. Their vocal harmonies smack of classic 1960s Cali-pop, but Jed and Lucia’s acoustic guitars and poignant lyrics are subverted by sun-drenched synths and bass lines that add a subtle dose of urban bump and grind. Folksy songs are transformed by acid-tripped atmospherics in a soundtrack for creatures that crawl from the back woods into the city at nightfall.
LIMITED EDITION TWILIGHT ALBUMS NOW AVAILABLE
Still Loving You, by Twilight, was originally released in 1981. Housed in a low-fi generic album cover, this very polished, professionally produced record sounds like it was made by a super talented band. Strains of Earth Wind and Fire, George Duke and Roy Ayers, flow through a collection of tunes that effortlessly blend soul, disco, funk, Latin and Brazilian vibes. But looks, as evident with the LP cover, can be deceptive. Twilight was not a band. In fact, with the exception of a guest horn section and one guest vocal, Twilight was, and still is, Lawrence Ross; one man with a clear vision of what his music should sound like, and how he would make it on his own.
Look out for
the companion Twilight album, Pains of Love, released in 1986, and
also available on Luv N’Haight.
OUT NOW: KINGS BALLAD
Slicing pop n’lock-friendly funk with gospel and gracious soul Georgia Anne Muldrow is a true West Coast original. Her trademark scattershot beats and adventurous deep jazz melodies have grown to become the backbone for fully crafted songs on Kings Ballad. With aspirations to become a modern-day Quincy Jones, Muldrow is truly a renaissance musician who is always looking to take her craft to a higher ground. Playing all her own instruments, and writing and performing her own songs, everything you hear on Kings Ballad is handcrafted.
"She’s incredible. She’s like Flack, Nina Simone, Ella, she’s something else. She’s like religion. It’s heavy, vibrational music. I’ve never heard a human being sing like this.” - Mos Def
"Kings Ballad is a G-funk-obsessed slab of summery West Coast funk chock-full of banging beats and poignant guest raps." - Prefix
"There's so much to love on this album: her unique sense of swing; her incredible hooks on keyboards; her spacey but assured vocals" - Exclaim
“Her output in the last few years has been nothing short of amazing … You're bound to be overwhelmed, if not consumed, by her productions and words.” – Okay Player
Georgia Anne Muldrow
Kings Ballad
(Ubiquity)
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Order Today - Handmade Kalimbas by NOMO
NOMO bandleader Elliot Bergman has just completed a second set of beautiful electric kalimbas that we are happy to offer for sale. This limited edition of 20 (for 20 years of Ubiquity!) was handcrafted in Bergman’s workshop out of Alowood, a beautiful hardwood that is sustainably grown in the Pacific Northwest. These instruments sound great acoustically, but they really shine when plugged in to an amplifier or PA system. The kalimbas use piezo pickups to amplify the sound, and are fitted with a standard 1/4 jack so you can plug in to any guitar, keyboard or bass amp. Each electric kalimba is carefully tuned to a minor pentatonic scale, and can easily be retuned to any tonality by adjusting the tines. Bergman attests that this is his best batch of instruments to date, and that each instrument plays and looks great.
Bergman’s creations contribute heavily to the sound of NOMO, and they have been featured in several NPR segments over the past few years.
OUT NOW: CLUTCHY HOPKINS - THE STORY TELLER
"While we can’t say for sure who is responsible for the music, we can declare with certainty that whoever it is makes damn good music. 4/5” - URB Magazine
Fact or fiction? Is Clutchy Hopkins an alias? Or is this the true name for a reclusive musical powerhouse? Are his recordings vintage, new, or a mix of both? Some may wonder about these things, along with why some dudes have a long pinky nails or whatever happened to myspace, others may ask if any of this really matters? While the mystery surrounding the artist is no longer news, the music only gets better, maturing like a fine wine.
It’s the most varied Hopkins album to date encompassing lots of vocal textures, and a dash of worldly vibes. Check the Brazilian-psyche-like “No Contact…Contact,” and the mad spooky science of “Miles Chillin,” or the shuffling “Thinkin’ of Eva” which would sound perfectly at home playing in a Parisian café. It’s an album influenced by Hopkins time in jail, where, while in the courtyard, he met many international prisoners waiting to be deported. Lo-fi, acoustic, finger- snapping, hand-clapping, whistle-and-hummed jam sessions gave Hopkins the ideas which he later put to tape. The album booklet will include the entire story, unfiltered.
CLUTCHY HOPKINS
THE STORY TELLER
(Ubiquity)
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FRANCISCO AGUABELLA 1925-2010
It is with great sadness that we announce the spiritual transition of Latin drum legend, Francisco Aguabella.
Ubiquity has had the honor of working with Mr. Aguabella on our Cubop label. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family and friends.
Los Angeles Times Obituary
If you would like to attend ceremonies for Francisco Aguabella:
Holy Cross Cemetary and Mortuary
5835 West Slauson Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230-6500
(310) 836-5500
www.holycrossmortuary.com
Thursday May 13, 2010
Viewing
3pm - 8pm
Friday May 14, 2010
Services
1pm
Condolences and correspondence:
P.O. Box 9562
Glendale, CA 91206
NEW ADIDAS ADVERT FEATURES DEE EDWARDS
Airing on TVs throughout Europe, and throughout the world on YouTube (WATCH IT HERE) is a brand new Adidas commercial that uses a Pilooski edit of the Dee Edwards track “Why Can’t There Be Love” originally re-issued on Gilles Peterson Digs America II. There are 2 versions of the commercial (only one airing at time of writing, the other soon) which collectively feature cameos from David Beckham, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, Ciara, Noel Gallagher and many others. Massive! If you haven’t picked up Gilles Peterson Digs America II, do it while we have it in-stock!
PURCHASE GILLES PETERSON DIGS AMERICA 2 HERE!
OUT NOW: DOOBIE DOWN
Before we drop the Georgia Anne Muldrow's album Kings Ballad in February, get a taste of what it'll sound like with this digital EP which also features exclusive instrumentals.
Georgia will be performing live in New York following her LP release.
2/3 NEW YORK, NY @ SOB's
Georgia Anne Muldrow
Doobie Down
(Ubiquity)
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OUT NOW: INTO THE WIND
Into the Wind by Guzheng performer/composer Bei Bei He and Ubiquity producer Shawn Lee marries a unique blend of ancient tradition with studio trickery. This uplifting, genre-bending sound clash, recalls the afro centric harping of Dorothy Ashby and hypnotic spiritual jazz of Alice Coltrane. With Lee adding equal doses of hip hop, electric jazz, and soul sensibility to the backing tracks, the captivating sound of Bei Bei’s Guzheng comes alive on peaceful mellow joints as much as it does on Kung-Fu flavored funk tunes.
Swapping notes with each addition and change, they made their way through eleven tracks. The title track was the last track to be completed, and also became the opening track on the album. “Shawn was inspired by some of the traditional music that I play,” she explains. “It took both of us being committed, fully self-expressed, inspired, connected to make this album happen, “ she adds.
Bei Bei & Shawn Lee
Into The Wind
(Ubiquity)
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NOW AVAILABLE: SPRING/SUMMER '10 T-SHIRT COLLECTION
Our Spring / Summer 2010 line is now available and
celebrates the 20th Anniversary for the Groove Merchant Record
Store, the launch pad for our 3 record labels - Ubiquity, Luv N'Haight,
and CuBop.
The line features a special guest design from
legendary Bay Area designer, musician, and skateboarder Tommy Guerrero, plus
limited edition 20th Anniversary shirts, and two Luv N'Haight legacy
t-shirts featuring old super-soul heroes Darondo and Betty Padgett.
These designs are printed on shirts made of a blend of recycled materials
and organic cotton. In addition the line includes exclusive work by designers:
Matt Dent, Ashkahn, Jessica Straw, Dan Severson, Derek Dudek, Christopher David
Ryan, and Ubiquity MC/producer Ohmega Watts.
CLICK HERE TO SEE NEW DESIGNS!
FREE SHPPING ON ORDERS OVER $50
For domestic customers only, we're offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50 for the next two weeks. OFFER ENDS MAY 13, 2010.
OUT NOW: ON A CLOUD - BEST OF 2009 COMPILATION
On A Cloud features our favorite tracks from the past year, and one exclusive joint from the upcoming Georgia Anne Muldrow album.
In true end-of-the-year-mixtape fashion the album is packed with all-winners, and no filler. Reaching out across genres to bring you reels of only the best, we’ve included the Motown-infused sound of PPP’s “On A Cloud”, the cosmic vibes of SA-RA and NOMO, and Lord Newborn’s uptempo-psychedelia. Continuing the eclectic outernational selection are the futuristic visions of Austrian-based The Clonious and UK remixer Floating Points whose works sit next to the old school sound of Betty Padgett and the heartbreaking dusty soul of Nino Moschella and Fanny Franklin.
This is music from the heart, for good times and tough times, and forever. We hope you dig it, and come back for more in 2010.
EXCLUSIVE MP3 WITH EVERY AFRICAN GAME T-SHIRT PURCHASE
Purchase our "African Game" T-Shirt and get an exclusive MP3 download of "Accelerate (Percussion Mix)" by S.L. P.P.O. Offer available while supplies last!
NOW AVAILABLE: ORGONE - CALI FEVER (CD, LP & Digital)
Orgone are back with Cali Fever, their second album for Ubiquity and a giant step from anything they have ever released in the past. This is a band in ascendancy, with more focus and purpose, and gigging like their lives depend on it.
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ORDER ORGONE 'CALI FEVER' TODAY!
WAREHOUSE FINDS: RARE AND LIMITED 12''s & EPs
We've just stumbled on a collection of long out of print EPs and singles. These 4 releases were some of our biggest sellers and have not been available for up to two years.
Our Choices EPs were top to bottom hits which also were one of the first releases for Hudson Mohawke and also included Danilo Plessow's (Motor City Drum Ensemble/Inverse Cinematics) collaborative project, Hipster Wonkaz. The EPs also featured exclusives from Ohmega Watts and vinyl only instrumentals for both The Lions and Connie Price & The Keystones.
The Radio Citizen EP One, was the official preview to his debut EP, Berlin Seregenti, the cover is titled under his original name Radio City.
Our Betty Padgett and Arthur Foy 12'' is a Luv N'Haight classic, originally only printed to 1000 copies, it also includes an exclusive instrumental mix of "Sugar Daddy".
We only have 100 pieces of each title! So get them while you can!
Various Artists - Choices EP Vol. 1
Various Artists - Choices EP Vol. 2
Radio Citizen - EP One
Betty Padgett vs. Arthur Foy - Sugar Daddy 12'' (1000 Originally printed)
All titles are also available digitally.
BROWSE, LISTEN AND ORDER TODAY
