Theodor
Theodor

Favorite Recordings proudly presents this new official album reissue of Music Life by Crystal: A killer LP produced in 1983 by Georges Debs (GD Productions), and mixing elements of zouk and tropical influences from the French West-Indies, with heavy disco and funk flavors.Crystal was an 8 piece combo from the French West-Indies islands led by Franck Donatien. Gifted guitarist and composer, Franck Donatien had a few experience leading band projects such as Crystal, Lazer or Taxi Créole, and is mostly known and respected for his long and prolific career as a musicians for many artists from the local zouk music scene.With Crystal, he released 2 albums between 1984 and 1985, both today very hard to find and famous for including some amazing tracks. If Funky Biguine, Crystal’s second album, is mostly a 1 track LP with few other moments, Music Life is truly a brilliant album from first note to the last, including climax titles such as “Music Life”, or “Santo Domingo”. Today, Favorite Recordings is deeply honored to officially make this forgotten treasure available again for all. Fully restored and remastered with great attention to sound quality, Music Life by Crystal is presented in a deluxe vinyl replica, and digital versions.And later this year, more Crystal music can be expected, with the track “Funky Biguine” to be included in the second edition of the French Disco Boogie Sounds compilation series.

Following previous ventures with The Funk League and production credits for Large Professor, Diamond D or Gift of Gab, french producer Hugo LX returns with a new collective project under his KenJaNaï’ alias.The debut album “Faceless Heroes” (coming out in October 2014) showcases a radical shift for the young beatsmith, as the production style leans towards futuristic beats, 80’s synths and also some downtempo - sometimes ambiant - jams influenced by Japanese electronic and new funk legacy.KenJaNaï is not only a producer effort, but a close collaboration with fellow musicians and top shelf vocal artist: the mighty Elzhi (from Detroit very own Slum Village) and indy star Oddisee supply classic verses, while Canadian songstress Amalia (known for her tremendous work with Opolopo) brings her Nu-Funk trademark and soulful vibe in the mix, alongside Kandisky Effect' bassist Gael Petrina and turntablist DJ Suspect.Cruising through atmospheric layers and hard hitting drum patches, “Faceless Heroes” expresses nowadays producers’ ability to navigate from a place to another on the musical spectrum, in order to keep the music vibrant.

1988: Six years after entering the music scene, and just a few months after the release of the teen, 80s earworm, “Bonne bonne humeur ce matin” by Tristan, the producer and arranger, Michel Bassignani, recorded “Tu me tues” in Belgium. Dissatisfied with the result, Michel went back to the drawing board at Waldbery Studios in Paris recording all instrumentals (except sax). After hearing his new work, Dominique, a high school pal, proposed to sing for Bassignani. Dominique's stage name became Maureen, and in addition to the single and extended versions, the duo recorded a “Dance mix”. We asked Jkriv to express its talent to produce a new version of this classic music track. Pardonnez-nous, but check it out!

Mr Day is also known as the singer of French combo Metropolitan Jazz Affair, the main singer in The Dynamics, for his House-Soul records released on indie label Rotax, as well as his superb guest vocals on productions by Boozoo Bajou, Patchworks and Mr President! "Small Fry" evokes classic soul music, from Curtis Mayfield to Motown, and from northern soul to west coast, without being a specific genre album. The musical style is vast and replete, but the composition and production manage to never fall prey to shortcuts or repetitiveness.

If you’re into funky sixties or seventies B-movies soundtracks, Mustang Force is what you need! Composed of 14 tracks recorded live and composed by Sébastien Blanchon (drums, rhodes, organ, clavinet, synthesizers) and Emmanuel Marée (drums, guitar, bass, percussion), Hollywood Hustlers is an imaginary soundtrack inspired by all these movies. 14 songs recorded live, illustratring scenes of pursuits, deals, investigations. An album which will undoubtedly delight fans of funk and rare groove.