Powa Project
I Try (So Hard)

Never focussed on one sound (or indeed one location) the imprint has put out a wide gamut of sounds, ranging from R&B by Australian producer Silentjay (Sampa the Great/ Hiatus Kaiyote) to the neo- soul incantations of 30/70 via the retro Street-Soul productions of Manchester's Ruf Dug.While the labels wide ranging catalogue has had occasional run-ins with established musical heavyweights: be it Jordan Rakei in his Dan Kye guise, King Krule on production and vocals for Pinty, or Harvey Sutherland masquerading as Bad Channel on the INTL BLACK sub label - the raison d’être of the imprint has always been to unearth and nurture new talent, not just via the label but through the now established network of radio shows, concerts and club nights Rhythm Section has become known for.The compilation and accompanying tour, ‘SHOUTS’ is a continuation of this mission. Across 36 tracks it takes in past, present and most importantly, future elements of the label to make a clear statement of intent for the next 5 years and beyond.SHOUTS is a nod to the online radio culture that birthed the movement. SHOUTS is the label using its voice to amplify its peers. SHOUTS is 5 years of Rhythm Section International.

The 21 track selection curated by Trujillo, a Venezuelan producer, DJ and record collector based in Berlin, explores the forgotten corners of the 1980s and early 90s Spanish music scene. Veering through early bleep and hip house, electro, boogie, Iberian pop and much more, it has broad appeal to both Balearic heads and diggers alike. Serendipitously, the cover art for the compilation is an original work by Yves Uro, a figurehead of Ibiza’s party scene from the 70s and 80s and whose visionary poster artwork became representative of the white isle.While some of the artists or producers on the compilation went on to have notable careers, many of the tracks selected here represent “one-offs” for the artists, and on occasion the labels as well. These sometimes self-released, privately-pressed productions, on short-lived imprints with names like Cantos and Prismatic, document the nascent clubland communities - from the capital, to major cities to the north, and east, and also smaller locales, coastal towns such as Marbella, Gijón, and Cádiz.Ritmo Fantasía is the result of over a decade’s worth of record collecting by DJ Trujillo, searching out bespoke stores, markets, and dealers. For the first time ever, it brings to light and groups together some hidden gems from an era that without it, would likely remain hidden from view.