GETTING NEXT TO YOU by RANDOLPH BAKER

First ever official reissue of the four choice tracks from Randolph Baker's privately pressed elusive 1982 disco album 'Reaching For The Stars', plus an unreleased instrumental take of 'Party Life' sourced from the original 24-track analogue master tapes. Check!Originally recorded at Jim Morris and Rick Miller's Tampa-based Morrisound Studios, 'Getting Next To You' features a mixture of both local Florida talent plus jazz superstar Nat Adderley and bassist John Lamb at their finest. Originally pressed in a run of just one-thousand copies, with limited distribution, original copies have long been sought-after by both collectors and DJs alike, acknowledged as a true disco masterpiece and deservedly demanding extortionate figures to those lucky enough to find their own. Here, in collaboration with Randolph, Kalita Records offer the four in-demand tracks from the album: ‘Getting Next To You’, ‘Jazzman’, ‘Callin’ Me’ and ‘Party Life’. The former is an in-demand horn and chant-filled disco masterpiece, which, as Randolph explains, concerns unity and “everyone on the same level… in other words, everyone just loving life”. It is arguably the song that Randolph is most well-known for in the disco and funk scene and perfect for the modern discerning dance floor. ‘Jazzman’ is an instrumental track with prominent trumpet and saxophone solos working with funky basslines to produce a truly great jazz-funk groove. ‘Callin’ Me’ is a soulful disco number featuring the lead vocals of Laurie Erickson and is “about being on the road and ensuring loved ones that you will always come back home no matter what. It was like a promise to ensure loved ones they didn't have to worry”. Lastly, ‘Party Life’ is a joyous disco track with a strong funk bassline and horns. Here, with access to the 24-track master tapes we have been able to include the original version plus an unreleased instrumental take, allowing us to focus on the infectious bassline and make it even more ready for the modern dance floor.