Daptone US Vinyl & CDs

Review: For Maria Raquel, there is no fear when it comes to following her passion. Whether it be moving from Colombia to New York to follow her dream, or getting onstage with the greats of Latin music, Maria does no second guessing. On her debut album Mucha Mujer, Maria dives headfirst into the classic sounds of boleros and cumbias, spotlighting her smoky alto amidst a live 16 piece orchestra of percussion, strings, horns, bass and guitar. Featuring all original compositions and recorded to analog tape, Mucha Mujer is reminiscent of classic recordings by artists like Omara Portuondo, Celia Cruz, and La Lupe, yet Maria Raquel breathes new life into these classic genres - the haunting yearning of the boleros contrasting with the pulsing insistence of Cumbia. Featuring some of New York's top Latin musicians such as Reuben Rodriguez (Tito Puente), Marcos Lopez (Marc Anthony), Ivan Renta (Eddie Palmieri), and arranged and produced by Mike Eckroth (Orquesta Akokán) and Jacob Plasse (Los Hacheros), Mucha Mujer introduces the world to a spellbinding new talent.

Review: The man with the Masterplan returns to Daptone after last year's "Casual Encounter". Once again it's a two-sides-two-vibes situation as the 30-year-standing funk veteran flexes his strengths. "Get With The Program" lives up to its name with total boogie badness, falsetto fire and a bassline so juicy Dapton's vaults have been flooded. "Heads Or Tails" flips to reveal Shorts' smoochier palette. Rich, honeyed vocals and a steamy message: everyone's a winner.

Review: Judah Tafari's new 7" Great Escape / Bezos vs. Musk delivers a potent dose of classic roots reggae with deeply spiritual Rastafari themes. Though not widely known, Judah Eskender Tafari has garnered a dedicated following through his work since the late '70s. His music continues to resonate in roots reggae sound systems and DJ sets, maintaining relevance nearly fifty years later. On Great Escape, produced by Victor Axelrod for Daptone, Tafari reflects on humanity's quest for salvation, drawing on Old Testament imagery. The track's lush, authentic roots production allows Tafari's earnest vocals to shine, reminding listeners of the powerful spiritual messages that have always defined his work. On Side-2, 'Bezos vs. Musk,' adds a contemporary twist, showcasing Tafari's ability to remain both relevant an rooted in his spiritual mission.

Review: Thee Sacred Souls return with Got A Story To Tell, the highly anticipated follow-up to their 2022 self-titled debut. This new album, featuring 12 original tracks, showcases the band's growing artistry, recorded and produced by Gabriel Roth at Daptone's Penrose Recorders in Riverside, CA. Drawing from a deep well of soul music, Got A Story To Tell weaves a timeless yet contemporary tapestry. The album kicks off with 'Lucid Girl,' a celebration of independence set against powerful drums and bass, while 'Waiting On The Right Time' brings a hint of slow-burning psychedelia. In 'One and the Same,' vocalist Lane delivers a heartfelt plea for unity through her passionate lyrics. With lush orchestration, including strings, congas, and horns, the album is rich and textured, making each listen a rewarding experience. Got A Story To Tell marks a stunning evolution in Thee Sacred Souls' sound.

Review: Thee Sacred Souls return with their highly anticipated album Got A Story To Tell, a collection of 12 original songs full of their exquisite craftsmanship. The album, recorded and produced by Gabriel Roth at Penrose Recorders, captures the band's evolution through intense touring and creative growth. The lead single 'Lucid Girl' sets the stage, celebrating independent women with tough drums and bass, and a compelling narrative delivered by Josh Lane's pure tenor. Special guest Larry Rendon on saxophone adds a historic touch, linking the band's name to East LA's Thee Midniters. Tracks like 'Waiting On The Right Time' and 'One and the Same' explore themes of empathy and unity, blending slow-burning psychedelia with soul. The album's rich instrumentation, including strings, congas, and horns, creates a timeless sound that rewards repeated listens. Thee Sacred Souls have crafted an album that is both a nod to soul music's past and a statement for the present, ensuring their story continues to grow.

Review: The creation of Got A Story To Tell was a transformative journey for Thee Sacred Souls, recorded and produced at Daptone's Penrose Recorders by Gabriel Roth in Riverside, CA. Written amidst the whirlwind of their acclaimed 2022 album tour, the process tested and strengthened the band, leading to their most compelling songs yet. Founding members Alejandro Garcia, Salvador Samano, and Josh Lane crafted the album, enriched by a lineup of horn players, string artists, percussionists, organists, and background vocalists. Notably, Larry Rendon from Thee Midniters, an iconic East LA band, joined on saxophone, connecting the album to soul music's rich history. Got A Story To Tell resonates with a timeless quality, blending soul influences with a contemporary edge. Tracks like the empowering 'Lucid Girl,' driven by Garcia's potent drums and Samano's resonant bass, set a vibrant tone. The album unfolds with narratives and characters, from the psychedelic allure of 'Waiting On The Right Time' to the poignant plea for empathy in 'One and the Same.'

Review: Those masters of the modern but classically inclined soul sound that we know as the Daptone label are back again, this time with a fantastic debut album from Thee Sacred Souls. This is a record that was produced by Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth, and it is brilliantly warm and textured throughout. Mixing up 60s soul with 70s R&B, each performance is majestic with heart-aching vocals and longing rhythms powering it along. Chicano, Philly, Chicago, Memphis and Panama soul all colour the sound while the rawness and realness of the tunes connect deeply on many levels.

Review: As well as it coming on lovely smoky red wax, this first-ever solo album under his own name from Victor Axelrod also comes on original black vinyl. If you don't know his name then rally you probably know his music if you have ever listened to anything put out by Daptone Records. He is a producer, arranger, recording and mixing engineer, and keyboardist who has had a huge hand in the label's many releases over the last two decades. This collection has plenty of his singles from between 2007-2023 as well as some previously unreleased gems from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite.

Review: Victor Axelrod is key to the Daptone Records sound that you most likely know and love even if you arent familiar with his name. He is a producer, arranger, recording and mixing engineer, and keyboardist who has had a vast influence across the imprint's releases of the last 20 years. Amazingly, though, If You Ask Me To is the first ever album he has put out under his own name and it features a collection of his singles released between 2007-2023 next to a load of unreleased gems from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite. They all show his range and unwavering quality and musicianship.

Review: Penrose Records returns with Vol. 2 of its coveted compilation series, featuring 14 tracks of sweet soul from SoCal's finest. This LP brings together hits from the label's top 45 releases over the past two years, including standout performances by Thee Sacred Souls, The Altons, Vicky Tafoya, and Jensine Benitez. Newcomers Johnny Ruiz & The Escapers and Junior Scaife also make a memorable impression. Each track is steeped in vintage late 60s and early 70s soul influences, but the songwriting and performances elevate them beyond mere homage. Following in the footsteps of Brooklyn's Daptone Records, Penrose and its sister label, Colemine Records, have spearheaded the modern soul revival. The music is organic and raw, recorded without sequencers or excessive effects. Highlights include Thee Sacred Souls' 'Can I Call You Rose?' and Los Yesterdays' infectious 'Nobody's Clown.' Vicky Tafoya's 'Forever' is a lovely lowrider jam that captures the essence of classic soul. Pressed on vinyl with a pure, warm sound, Vol. 2 is perfect for any soul enthusiast looking to dive into modern takes on timeless grooves.

Review: What time is it? It's time for love! Just in time for the more discerning holiday get-downs across the globe, Daptone indulges the privilege of introduce their newest singing sensations, The Yuletime Lifters. Backed by a who's who of Daptone session stalwarts, and featuring vocals by Ron Preyer (of fabled LA soul group The Younghearts), Torrence Brannon (current member of the Delfonics), and Clarence Matheney (Los Yesterday's multi-instrumentalist and former Red Fox road dog), the Yuletime Lifters serve up a funky, Latin-tinged mover steeped in love and positivity. A non-denominational anthem that pairs nicely with the cheer of your choice. 'Cause my time is Yuletime and Yuletime is my time, baby!