Now-Again Records

Now-Again Records is a Los Angeles–based music imprint that specializes in reissues and compilations of funk, soul, and psychedelic rock from the 1960s to the 1980s. Founded in 2002 by Eothen "Egon" Alapatt as a subsidiary of Stones Throw Records, the organization has since grown into an independent label with a vast global catalog and its own roster of contemporary artists.

Now-Again
Parent companyStones Throw Records
(former; 2002–early 2010s)
Founded2002 (2002)
FounderEothen "Egon" Alapatt
Distributor(s)Traffic Entertainment Group
Genre
  • World
  • funk
  • psychedelia
  • afrobeat
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles
Official websitewww.nowagainrecords.com

History

Now-Again was founded in 2002 by Eothen Alapatt, then-General Manager of Stones Throw Records.[1] The imprint was originally founded to reissue American funk and soul music following the success of Stones Throw's first anthology, The Funky 16 Corners, which had been compiled by Egon the year prior. These efforts included releasing music by artists like the L.A. Carnival, Ebony Rhythm Band, Kashmere Stage Band, and Amnesty.[2]

In the late 2000s, Now-Again embraced a global perspective and began also reissuing music and compiling anthologies featuring the 1970s-era musical scenes of countries like India (Atomic Forest), Indonesia, Zambia (WITCH, Ngozi Family, Amanaz), Zimbabwe, Ethiopia (Ayalew Mesfin), Nigeria,[3][4] and Iran (Kourosh Yaghmaei). Their compilations are complemented by independent research.[2]

Music from the Now-Again catalog is often sampled, in part due to their straightforward sample clearance procedure and curated libraries.[5] Kanye West has sampled the Now-Again catalog;[6] songs by Beyoncé and Janet Jackson have also sampled their reissues.[7]

Now-Again incorporated in 2010 and is partners with music retailer Rappcats and label Madlib Invazion.[8][9] Alapatt left Stones Throw in 2011 to focus on Now-Again, among other ventures.

In early 2022, Alapatt sent the entire Now-Again Records catalog Logic to provide samples for his seventh and final album on Def Jam Recordings, entitled Vinyl Days. From January 11 to January 20, 2022, Egon worked with Logic on the album’s production. The album was released on June 17, 2022. As a result, he is prominently featured in Logic’s documentary on the album.[10]

Roster

Contemporary performers

The Gaslamp Killer and Melvin Van Peebles have also released music on Now-Again in collaboration with Heliocentrics. Hip hop and electronic artists Cook Classics, Cut Chemist, J Rocc, Kenny Dope, Koushik, Maker, Oh No, and Percee P have all released remix albums on the label.[11]

Reissue performers

This list is likely incomplete.[11]

  • 4th Coming
  • Amanaz (Zambia)
  • Amnesty
  • Apple and the Three Oranges
  • Aristocrats
  • Ayalew Mesfin (Ethiopia)
  • The Black Seeds
  • Atomic Forest (India)
  • Carleen and the Groovers
  • Darling Dears & Funky Heavy
  • Damon
  • David Axelrod
  • Detroit Sex Machine
  • Diplomatics
  • East of the Underground
  • Ebony Rhythm Band
  • The Equatics
  • Fabulous Souls
  • German Oak (Germany)
  • Heitkotter
  • Isaac Hayes
  • James Brown
  • James Reese and the Progressions
  • The J.B.'s
  • Kaleidoscope (Puerto Rico)
  • Kashmere Stage Band
  • Key & Cleary
  • Kourosh Yaghmaei (Iran)
  • LA Carnival
  • Leon Mitchison and the Eastex Freeway Band
  • The Lightmen
  • Lil' Lavair and the Fabulous Jades
  • Mark III
  • Mark Fry (United Kingdom)
  • Michael Cosmic / Phill Musra Group
  • Michael Liggins and The Supersouls
  • Music Makers Band
  • New World Generation
  • Ngozi Family / Paul Ngozi (Zambia)
  • Paternoster (Austria)
  • Phil Hewitt / P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble
  • Peace (Zambia)
  • Question Mark (Nigeria)
  • Ray Alexander Technique
  • Regional Garland
  • Rhythm Machine
  • Richard Marks
  • Rikki Ililonga / Musi-O-Tunya (Zambia)
  • Rob Thomsett (Australia)
  • SOAP
  • Soul Seven
  • The Sound Trek
  • Split Decision Band
  • Stark Reality
  • Timothy McNealy
  • Tirogo (Nigeria)
  • Wells Fargo (Zimbabwe)
  • Whitefield Brothers (Germany)
  • Willie Bobo
  • WITCH (Zambia)
  • World's Experience Orchestra

Catalog

Compilations

American regional music anthologies

  • South Dallas Pop Fest 1970 (2003)[12]
  • Midwest Funk: Funk 45s From Tornado Alley (2005)[13]
  • Cold Heat: Heavy Funk Rarities, 1968-1974 Vol 1. (2005)[13]
  • Texas Funk: Black Gold From The Lone Star State, 1968-1975 (2006)[14]
  • Carolina Funk: First in Funk, 1968-1977 (2008)[15]
  • Florida Funk: Funk 45s From The Alligator State, 1968-1975 (2008)[16]
  • Spiritual Jazz: Esoteric, Modal + Deep Jazz from the Underground, 1968-77 (2009)[17]
  • Forge Your Own Chains: Heavy Psychedelic Ballads and Dirges, 1968-1974 (2009)[18]
  • California Funk: Rare Funk 45s From the Golden State (2010)[19]
  • True Soul: Deep Sounds from the Left of Stax Vols. 1-2 (2011)[20][21][22]
  • Original Raw Soul III (2011)[23]
  • Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971–82 (2012)[24]
  • Soul 7 (2012)[25]
  • Enjoy The Experience: Homemade Records, 1958-1992 (2012; with Sinecure Books)[26]
  • Loving on the Flip Side: Sweet Funk and Beat-Heavy Ballads, 1969-1977 (2012)[27]
  • Function Underground: The Black and Brown American Rock Sound, 1969-1974 (2016)[28]
  • LAMP Records – It Glowed Like The Sun: The Story of Naptown’s Motown, 1969-1972 (2019)[29]

Global music anthologies

  • Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration of Fela Kuti (2009)[30]
  • Those Shocking Shaking Days: Indonesian Hard, Psychedelic, Progressive Rock and Funk, 1970-1978 (2010)[31]
  • Kouroush Yaghmel – Back from the Brink: Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock from Iran, 1973-1979 (2011)[32]
  • Christophe Lemaire and Now-Again Present: Where Are You From? Global Psychedelic Rock, Funk, and Rare Grooves (2011)[33]
  • Christophe Lemaire and Now-Again Present: Can’t You Hear Me – African Nuggets & Garage Rock from Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (2016)[34]
  • Wake Up You! The Rise and Fall of Nigerian Rock, 1972-1977 Vols. 1 & 2 (2016)[35][36]
  • Power to the People! A Survey of Zimbabwe's 70s Revolution Rock Scene (2016)[37]
  • Welcome to Zamrock! How Zambia's Liberation Led to a Rock Revolution, 1972-1977 Vols. 1 & 2 (2016)[38][39]

Label compilations

  • Now-Again on Wax (2005)[40]
  • Science Class: Heavy Funk + Raw Disco Soul (2008) (promotional release with Soul-Cal)[41]
  • Now-Again Re:Sounds Vol. 1 (2008)[42]
  • Art Class: Masterpieces from the Soul-Cal & Now-Again Catalogs (2008) (promotional release with Soul-Cal)[43]

References
  1. "Now-Again Records | HHV Mag". www.hhv-mag.com. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  2. "Egon". Now-Again. September 15, 2011. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  3. "'Wake Up You!' Explores The Transitional, Post-War Rock 'N' Roll Of Nigeria". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  4. "Various Artists: Wake Up You!: The Rise & Fall of Nigerian Rock 1972-1977". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  5. "Now-Again Records – Defend Music". Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  6. Weingarten, Christopher R. (2018-06-28). "Inside the Labels Where Kanye West Finds Many of His Best Samples". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  7. "Stream Beyoncé LEMONADE". Stereogum. 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. "Now-Again Records, LLC". Manta. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  9. "Newsletter / Contact / Information". Rappcats. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  10. Logic - Vinyl Days Documentary, retrieved 2023-05-17
  11. "Catalog". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  12. "Various – South Dallas Pop Fest 1970". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  13. "Various – Midwest Funk". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  14. "Various – Texas Funk". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  15. "Various – Carolina Funk". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  16. "Various – Florida Funk". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  17. "Various – Spiritual Jazz: 'Esoteric, modal and deep jazz from the undergound, [sic] 1968-77'". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  18. "Various – Forge Your Own Chains". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  19. "Various: California Funk". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  20. "Various – True Soul, Deep Sounds From The Left Of Stax, Vol. 1 (CD/DVD)". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  21. "Various – True Soul, Deep Sounds From The Left Of Stax, Vol. 2 (CD/DVD)". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  22. "Various – True Soul, Deep Sounds From The Left Of Stax (4LP Box Set)". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  23. "Various – Original Raw Soul III". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  24. "Various – Soul Cal". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  25. "Various – Soul 7". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  26. Gross, Rebecca L. (2014). "See, Experience, and Enjoy": Visuality and the Tourist Experience in the National Parks, 1864-1966 (Thesis). Smithsonian Institution. doi:10.5479/si.parsons.201511240804.
  27. "Various – Loving On The Flip Side". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  28. "Various – Function Underground". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  29. "LAMP Records - It Glowed Like The Sun: The Story of Naptown's Motown, 1969-1972". Rappcats. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  30. "Various: Black Man's Cry – The Inspiration of Fela Kuti". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  31. "Various – Those Shocking Shaking Days". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  32. "Kourosh – Back From The Brink: Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock From Iran". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  33. "Christophe Lemaire Presents – Where Are You From?". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  34. "Christophe Lemaire Presents: Can't You Hear Me - African Nuggets & Garage Rock from Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe". Rappcats. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  35. "Various – Wake Up You! Vol. 1". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  36. "Various – Wake Up You! Vol. 2". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  37. "Various – Power to the People!". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  38. "Various – Welcome To Zamrock! Vol. 1". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  39. "Various – Welcome To Zamrock! Vol. 2". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  40. "Various – Now-Again On Wax". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  41. "Various – Science Class". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  42. "Various – Now-Again Re:Sounds". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  43. "Various – Art Class". Now-Again. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
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