PRE-ORDER: Vance and Suzzanne - I Can't Get Along Without You 12" (KALITA RECORDS)

Due for release 11th of October, to reserve a copy, get in touch

Kalita are proud to announce the first ever official reissue of the holy grail of disco 12” singles, Vance and Suzzanne’s ‘I Can’t Get Along Without You’. A record that deserves its space on the shelf of every collector, DJ and dance music connoisseur, and with original copies now regularly fetching triple figures, it’s time to share this masterpiece with the world once more. In addition, here Kalita accompany the release with a never-before-seen press photo and interview-based liner notes.

Originally privately released in 1980 on Vanton Records, this is the first time that both the record and the label’s story has been told. The product of two members of Crown Heights Affair (Richard Vance Turner and Eleton Johns), the label was established as a way to protect both their musical freedom and copyright that they would have lost had they signed to a major label. With Vanton, they sought to create a sound that combined Eleton’s love for Philadelphia with Richard’s love for New York-based productions.

Vance & Suzzanne consisted of Richard and his childhood friend and fellow band member Suzzanne Slaughter, who was a background singer for many bands in New York including Sister Sledge. The result of a late night writing session between Richard and Eleton and recorded to tape the following day, the record was finished in just twenty-four hours. Yet it’s legacy lives on as one of the most sought-after disco singles in existence.Two thousand copies of ‘I Can’t Get Along Without You’ were originally pressed to test the market, with the initial plan being to re-record it again at a later date with additional strings. However, the record received such great acclaim by DJs such as Larry Levan that the idea of a re-recording was put on ice.

Sadly, due to academic and familial commitments of both Richard and Eleton, only one other single was ever released on Vanton Records in 1985. However, we hope that this definitive reissue helps to celebrate one of the best disco records ever put to wax.

TRACKLISTING:

A. I Can’t Get Along Without You

B. I Can’t Get Along Without You (Inst.)

PRE-ORDER: Okyerema Asante – Sabi (Get Down) LP (KALITA)

Official reissue of Sabi (Get Down), due out early February 2019

Kalita Records are extremely excited to repress once again their second release, Okyerema Asante’s Ghanaian disco monster, ‘Sabi (Get Down)’.

After touring the world and recording with both Hugh Masekela and Oneness of Juju, ‘Sabi (Get Down)’ was Okyerema’s first solo record, released privately in limited numbers on his label Atumpan Records in 1980/1. Recorded and manufactured in the USA, but only ever released on the African continent, this self-funded, scarce, and brilliant afro-disco LP regularly exchanges hands for eye-watering prices.

This is the first time that ‘Sabi (Get Down)’ has ever been officially reissued, and we are happy to reproduce it in its original, 14 minute long form (check out Lady Eke Ete’s amazing vocals at the 13 minute mark!), backed by the equally impressive ‘That’s My Girl’ on the B side. In addition, we are glad to accompany it with extensive interview-based liner notes and never-before-seen photos, detailing Okyerema’s career from his membership of Ghana’s legendary band Hedzolleh to performing with Paul Simon and Fleetwood Mac twenty years later.