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.

History

Now-Again was founded in 2002 by Eothen Alapatt, then-General Manager of Stones Throw Records. 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.
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, Indonesia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Iran. Their compilations are complemented by independent research.
Music from the Now-Again catalog is often sampled, in part due to their straightforward sample clearance procedure and curated libraries. Kanye West has sampled the Now-Again catalog; songs by Beyoncé and Janet Jackson have also sampled their reissues.
Now-Again incorporated in 2010 and is partners with music retailer Rappcats and label Madlib Invazion. Alapatt left Stones Throw in 2011 to focus on Now-Again, among other ventures.
In early 2022, Alapatt sent Logic the entire Now-Again Records catalog 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.

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.

Reissue performers

This list is likely incomplete.

Catalog

Compilations

American regional music anthologiesSouth Dallas Pop Fest 1970 Midwest Funk: Funk 45s From Tornado Alley Cold Heat: Heavy Funk Rarities, 1968–1974 Vol 1. Texas Funk: Black Gold From The Lone Star State, 1968–1975 Carolina Funk: First in Funk, 1968–1977 Florida Funk: Funk 45s From The Alligator State, 1968–1975 Spiritual Jazz: Esoteric, Modal + Deep Jazz from the Underground, 1968–77 Forge Your Own Chains: Heavy Psychedelic Ballads and Dirges, 1968–1974 California Funk: Rare Funk 45s From the Golden State True Soul: Deep Sounds from the Left of Stax Vols. 1-2 Original Raw Soul III Soul Cal: Funky Disco & Modern Soul, 1971–82 Soul 7 Enjoy The Experience: Homemade Records, 1958–1992 Loving on the Flip Side: Sweet Funk and Beat-Heavy Ballads, 1969–1977 Function Underground: The Black and Brown American Rock Sound, 1969–1974 LAMP Records – It Glowed Like The Sun: The Story of Naptown’s Motown, 1969–1972
Global music anthologiesBlack Man's Cry: The Inspiration of Fela Kuti Those Shocking Shaking Days: Indonesian Hard, Psychedelic, Progressive Rock and Funk, 1970–1978
Label compilationsNow-Again on Wax Science Class: Heavy Funk + Raw Disco Soul Now-Again Re:Sounds Vol. 1
  • ''Art Class: Masterpieces from the Soul-Cal & Now-Again Catalogs''