Label Artists

Souleance

Souleance are a French duo composed of Fulgeance and DJ Soulist. The pair have been releasing their own brand of funky, infectious hip hop and party music via the London-based First Word Records since 2010 and have received praise and acclaim from the likes of Gilles Peterson. We asked them to be a part of the Zoooriginals series and their obliged with the track Vacances, an upbeat slice of electro funk like only they know how to do. They are joined by Katzuma on the 7", vinyl only release. The track is also available on the 'Vacances' EP released by First Word records.

Katzuma

Katzuma is an Italian producer based in Bologna with a long and rich history in the Italian hip hop scene. He first worked with Original Cultures in 2010 overseeing the music of the From Inner Space production, directing the band we put together for the occasion, The Expanding Disco Machine. In 2013 he joined Souleance for the second Zoooriginals 7", with the track All Night which further explores his love of classic house and disco. The track is also available as a digital single in extended format. [Photography: Luca Sgamellotti]

Sleepin Giant

Sleepin Giant is an Amsterdam-based producer with a love of soul. He's an old friend of ours from the scratch days, having spent the past decade refining his craft he is now ready to unleash his music onto the world. And we are glad he's chosen us to do it with. His debut release is the Purple EP which will be out early 2014 featuring the vocal talents of Aja Monet, Romaine Smith and more. Ahead of that we've put together a free EP of remixes called Leftist Hobbyist that showcase his unique modern soul vibe. Stay tuned, feel the soul.

EAN

EAN is our in-house mastering guy. He's also an accomplished musician, producer and engineer with over ten years under his belt including credits and releases on XL Recordings, Brownswood, Cosmic Bridge, Project Mooncircle and more. We've been a fan of his for a long time, which is how he became our go-to guy for mastering. One thing leading to another we've decided to also release some of his music, starting with a short, four-track EP in June 2013 to mark the first anniversary of the label. This is to be followed by a proper EP release on digital and physical in the second half of 2013.

Lewis James

Lewis James is an Irish producer currently based in Amsterdam. An old friend of ours from the scratch days, he's one of our favourite producers, an accomplished musician and technician capable of creating the most vivid soundscapes, the catchiest rhythms or the sweetest melodies. Following his debut EP in 2012, Heavy Romance on Raid System, he'll be releasing two EPs on Original Cultures in 2013, the first of which is out in May, titled Krakatoa - an EP of dancefloor music inspired by the scratch days. This is preceded by a single in the form of a scratch posse cut featuring D-Styles, Om Unit and more.

Almighty Sion

Almighty Sion are a production duo based in Liverpool, England and composed of SertOne and Bolts. These two young producers share not only a love of hip hop and beat making but also a keen interest in the history of the artform, which informs their work - both solo and as The Almighty Sion. Their debut release is a beat tape project inspired by and paying homage to the beat generation. Titled The Beat Generation, it is released as a limited edition cassette on Original Cultures in April 2013. Watch the trailer.

Jealousguy

Jealousguy is a female producer based in Hokkaido, northern Japan. She's been making music since 2003 and in recent years has garnered increasing attention both inside and outside of Japan, opening shows for Gold Panda, Four Tet and Low End Theory as well as being invited to perform at the Tokyo Sonar Festival. She's released on Volvox and Gaterecords in Japan and is part of the first release for the Zoooriginals series. Her music is a blend of hip hop and experimental electronic music performed entirely live using 2 Akai MPC controllers and a laptop.

Daisuke Tanabe

Daisuke Tanabe is a Japanese producer, based in Tokyo. He's released on labels such as Circulations, Ninja Tune, BBE, Brownswood and Project Mooncircle. In 2010 he attented the Red Bull Music Academy and he's performed in Europe and Japan including Sonar Festival. Taking inspiration from ambient, jazz, folk, reggae, and the entire canon of electronic music, Daisuke Tanabe assembles superbly subtle compositions made up of distinctively miniscule layers of sound. He's currently working with Kidkanevil on the Kidsuke project.

Blackjob

Blackjob is the latest project from famed Italian bassist Mannaman, a musician who over the last 20 years has worked with renowned Italian artists and collectives such as the Isola Posse All Stars and Casino Royale with whom he has recorded numerous albums, releasing on major labels and collaborating with the likes of Howie B and Tim Holmes from Death In Vegas. Blackjob's music takes inspiration from dub's Jamaican roots and its modern day incarnations and offshots. The Blackjob project also features Suz on vocals.

Beat Inc.

Beat Inc. are Bioshi aka Bkun and Hed. The pair have known each other and collaborated for years however the Beat Inc. project was born following their involvement in the 2011 Original Cultures production The Formula. Following the show the pair set to work on music together. Bioshi handles the writing, keyboards and overall production while Hed provides the drums. Their sound is rooted in hip hop and dub, taking in electronic influences and stadium rock vibes.