Strut Records Podcast

Still moving butts on contemporary dancefloors (and the source of the bassline to Eric B. & Rakim's "Eric B Is President"), Fonda Rae's "Over Like A Fat Rat" is one of the most enduring classics of the disco era. The track was written by Leroy Burgess (of Inner Life, Universal Robot Band, Logg, Phreek, etc.) a man whose own contributions to the time period are legendary themselves, and is an instantly recognizable slice of modern soul perfection. For part two in a series of interviews, producer Bob Blank discusses the making of the track, its unique arrangement, and just what it means to be getting "over like a fat rat."

For more info visit: www.theblankgeneration-blanktapes.com

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Part 1 of 4, Legendary producer and disco architect Bob Blank discusses his Blank Tapes studio, which produced classics from Arthur Russell, Kid Creole, Fonda Rae, Sun Ra & many more. The first anthology of his work, The Blank Generation: Blank Tapes 1975-1985 is out February 2nd 2010 on Strut Records.

For more info visit: www.theblankgeneration-blanktapes.com

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Vibraphone and keyboard player, master arranger and bandleader, Mulatu Astatke is one of the all-time greats of Ethiopian music and the creator of his own original music form, Ethio jazz.
In November of last year, he recorded an inspired new album with London psych jazz band The Heliocentrics for Strut’s ‘Inspiration Information’ studio collaboration series. Now, Strut are proud to present, for the first time anywhere, the definitive Mulatu career retrospective covering his landmark ‘60s and ‘70s recordings. Watch here the trailer to the Mulatu Astatke Restropective album "New York - Addis- London - The Story of Ethio Jazz"

For more info visit: www.mulatu-ethiojazz.com

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Strut’s Inspiration Information series moves on from the critically acclaimed Mulatu Astatke / The Heliocentrics collaboration with the fourth album in the series, a mouth-watering head to head between Finnish maverick Jimi Tenor and Afrobeat drumming legend, Tony Allen.

For more info check: www.inspiration-information-4.com

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For more info check: www.inspiration-information-3.com

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Strut is pleased to announce the release of Grandmaster Flash’s first high profile studio album in over 20 years ‘The Bridge’. Recorded at Flash’s own Adrenaline Lab studio in New York during 2007-2008, the over-riding theme of the album is the global language of hip hop. Throughout the album, Flash mixes up the flow and features some heavyweight guests and intriguing collaborations.
For more info check: www.grandmasterflash-thebridge.com

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The third in Strut’s Inspiration Information studio collaboration series brings together an intriguing pairing between one of Africa’s great bandleaders, Mulatu Astatke, with the next level musicianship of The Heliocentrics collective from the mighty roster of Stones Throw / Now Again.
For more info check: www.inspiration-information-3.com

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Grandmaster Flash - The Bridge, album coming end February 2009! for more info check: www.grandmasterflash-thebridge.com

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The second in the new Inspiration Information studio album series on Strut pairs up Studio One reggae legend and Massive Attack collaborator Horace Andy with revered UK producer and remixer Ashley Beedle (X-Press 2 / Ballistic Brothers / Warbox / Black Science Orchestra) for a new and unique soundclash.

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This Autumn brings the launch of a priority new series on Strut as the label takes a break from its schedule of funky compilations and moves into new studio recordings for the first time. Entitled Inspiration Information, the series brings together current artists and producers with their musical heroes for a mouth-watering one-off collaboration. With each album centred around an intensive five-day writing and recording session, the emphasis is on spontaneity, musicianship and an open A&R brief.
The series kicks off with Detroit soul maverick Amp Fiddler in a head-to-head with reggae legends, Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare. “This is monumental for me,” says Amp. “I discovered Sly & Robbie through their Compass Point productions with Wally Badarou, all the Grace Jones records, ‘Boops’ too. I loved the way they experimented with a more ambient direction.”

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