Hot Wax/ Various - Hot Wax (Various Artists)

Be With Records presents a reissue of Alan Hawkshaw/Brian Bennett/John Fiddy's Hot Wax, originally issued in 1976. Hot Wax is an assured KPM masterclass from a dream team line-up of Bennett, Hawkshaw and Fiddy. This is what happens when all three decide to explore the latest trends in production music. The latest as of 1976, of course. Fiddy's numbers are sumptuous, string-led and light. Floaty soft-psych underpinned by a solid groove, particularly on "Taste For Living" and "Fresh Start". If one is into Koushik and those early Manitoba/Caribou records - and one should be - these will be appreciated. The Bennett and Bennett/Hawkshaw stuff is on another level. "Capitol City" oscillates between driving funk and downbeat sentiment. "Name Of The Game" is tough, smokin' funk, famously sampled in 2007 by Madlib for Percee P's "Who With Me". "Bop On The Rocks" knocks hard and "Full Throttle" features a guitar solo with some of the nastiest, about-to-explode fuzz one is ever likely to hear. Be With has worked with the hallowed KPM to re-issue ten of our favorites from across the KPM 1000 Series and the Themes International Music catalogue, currently under KPM stewardship. Whether it's killer soul-funk, sweet jazz-samba, scuzzed-up guitars or accidental Balearic beauty, these records include some of the most innovative work from some of the most talented composers and musicians of the 20th century. These records were never readily available, being originally released as a ready-made, affordable alternative to commissioning music for television and radio. Consequentially the originals have been unobtainable for decades by all but the most dedicated collectors. The audio for all ten re-issues comes from the original analog tapes and has been remastered for vinyl by Be With regular Simon Francis. The same care has been taken with the sleeves, handing the reproduction duties over to Richard Robinson, the current custodian of KPM's brand identity. 180 gram vinyl.