Emperors (pa)
Karate
Repress. Between 1966 and 1967, a strange phenomenon was sending shivers up the spines of the keenest dance fans. Following the rash of songs about martial arts,came a growing fascination with Latin rhythms. That's just how wonderfully absurd things got those days. And The Emperors, a fine five piece were not slow to rise to the challenge. The result was two guaranteed floor-fillers: "Karate", recorded in 1966 for Mala Records, and "My Baby Likes To Boogaloo", released four months later under the same label. Now, no less than 40 years later, we have the pleasure of recovering on one single two of the most dazzling Emperors tracks. On the A side you'll find an alternative, previously unreleased take of "Karate" -probably ruled out because of its lunatic sax - and on the flip the incredible "My Baby Likes To Boogaloo". Play it again and again and you too will be amazed to discover the novel raw sound of soul fused with Latin rhythm and pre-funk all from the original master tapes. Hard cardboard full colour sleeve with liner notes.