IN STORE AND READY TO GO!
CURRENT
RECORD SHACK
AUSTRO SOUL SMASHER
STEFANIE & ORF BIG BAND
DELUXE 2×7″ SET
NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL
GOOD RECORD STORES!
OOH-YES, FINALLY IT’S HERE!
We’re so very delighted to present our strictly limited Stefanie & ORF Big Band DELUXE 2×7″ set…
AND BOOM!, what a high-quality ‘BELTER‘ it is, sourced from original master tapes, pressed on top-notch quality vinyl, served in a stunning, stylish gatefold sleeve with extensive, bi-lingual liner notes.
There’s two smashin’ ‘Austro Soul‘ marvels unearthed from the vaults of the Austrian Public Broadcasting Institution ORF available for the first time on official 7“ release.
Only ever noticed by a few deeper diggin’ deejays & collectors in Europe & Japan who kept it ‘secret’ within their circles to have an ‘exclusive’ which stayed unknown to public ‘Ordinary Joe’.
Our limited 500 copies affair makes it possible for Rare Soul and Funk 45 deejays to own it on their preferred format, a legal, ‘OVO‘ (Original Vinyl Only) 7″single, in this case a proper Austrian made first press. So no danger of being ‘punished’ for playing reissues or bootlegs with this one.
On top of that there’s never before heard or even released alternative takes of both tracks sourced directly from the ORF archive masters, would anyone have expected an Austrian recording to be so very ‘funky’ as the ‘Compared To What‘ alternative take here?
Why are these recordings so ‘tight’ and of such high quality? The answer is that the ORF Big Band was out on a mission to put Austrian ‘popular’ music on the international map supported by the government.
That’s why they got to use the best studio technique and the cream of local musicians. Furthermore some of the international ‘big players’, top American Jazz musicians like Art Farmer got signed in, which added some proper ‘grooviness’ to project. Apart from being highly collectable and internationally sought after, ORF Big Band Library LPs were mostly instrumental.
However the tracks here were recorded in the early 1970s featuring the obscure Austrian songstress Stefanie. It’s obvious that she ‘felt the Soul’. In the 1960s she went to the US, returned to Austria right on time to be noticed by Erich Kleinschuster (the band leader & conductor) to lay down these tracks at the ORF studio.
Our ‘Compared To What‘ version actually has ‘harder’ lyrics than the Les McCann/Eddie Harris/Roberta Flack previous ones, which got partly censored (beeped for radio play) due to being critical of the US government.
Another level is reached through the ORF Big Band’s hard hitting, tight funky rhythm section, those razor sharp horns plus a certain dash of Latin Jazz topped by that convincing, strong vocal delivery, all in four-beats-to-the-bar driving Motown arrangement, take this version to another level.
The tune oozes pure dancefloor bliss, which makes it perfect for Northern Soul floors and beyond. ‘Feelin’ It’ is more of a laid back Jazz-funky groover, reminiscent of the top library tunes through it’s full, well dosed instrumentation, a bit more like veteran ORF Big Band collectors would expect.
This is a piece of pure Austrian Underground Soul history on 7″ vinyl, to call it ‘Austro-Pop’ would be a real ‘offense’, in order to avoid that we decided to create a new ‘genre’ which is ‘AUSTRO SOUL‘!
The single is already causing big waves internationally, especially in UK, getting BIG PLAYS on the upfront Northern Soul, Rare Funk and 60s Mod scenes. It even got featured as the #1 TRACK on BBC6‘s countdown of the TOP 2024 RELEASES.
So is there any way around this MONSTER of a record? We are deeply convinced that the answer is a clear ‘NO!’, just secure yours and BUY NOW!
Meet ‘ya on the floor dancin’ to ‘Compared To What’,
Jörg
P.S.: We’d like to invite you to SOUND of SOUL at Porgy&Bess Vienna, our OFFICIAL RELEASE CELEBRATION, please see below for details!
…INTERNATIONAL & LOCAL TASTEMAKERS ON OUR STEFANIE SINGLE:
Marianne Mendt Peter Rapp (with groupie) Rosalind Glasgow Edward Piller Acid Jazz
‘Right from the beginning I was blown away by her voice, her outlook and especially her timing, phrasing and so on. She most definitely had what it takes to make a name for herself on the international music scene. With the help of EMI, the label I was under contract with at the time, we wanted to support her career. Sadly, she didn’t trust the contract we offered. She was reluctant and eventually didn’t sign it. What a shame. Her voice was a gift from above.’ Marianne Mendt, legendary Austrian actress and singer
‘I remember it very well. At the time when these songs were recorded, Vynhak was in a league of her own. She was extremely musical, had an excellent intonation and perfect timing.’ Heinz Czadek, ORF-Big Band trombonists
‘Steffi went to the states, where she was working as a waitress and gigging with various jazz bands. When she returned to Austria Dr. Erich Kleinschuster heard her singing and produced a track with her for national radio backed by the ORF-Big Band. What this girl has on offer is way beyond anything we’re used to hear from local young singers. Just listen to it, this is Steffi and ‘Compared to What’.’ Peter Rapp, legendary Austrian TV ‘character’ announcing ‘Compared To What’ on Spotlight TV Show ORF 1972
‘People can think of the public broadcasting service whatever they want, but there are still some treasures to be dug up from the depths of its archives. With a bit of distance, one will realise how excellent the ‘in-house’ big band was and what a loss its breakup meant about ten years after these gems were recorded. It was Erich Kleinschuster’s achievement to shape this ensemble and arrange it in a contemporary way. He succeeded in doing so and this journey into the soul genre is the definitive proof. Great voice, great arrangement – half a century has passed and everything still sounds fresh and modern. Chapeau!‘ Christoph Huber, Porgy&Bess Vienna
‘Is there a definition of musical nerdism? If not, the name Hansjörg Lauermann would be a more than appropriate contender – in the most positive way. Releasing an unknown recording of ‘Compared to What’ by an obscure Austrian singer backed by a long-gone big band certainly requires a huge amount of commitment. The perfectionist accuracy that Lauermann displays in his historic search for clues and the design of the record combined with the typographic details does not fit in with the fast paced times, obsessed with quick production and release. It’s a thing of great beauty, that there are still full-time nerds like him.’ Andreas Felber (Ö1 jazz department)
‘What a tune! That voice of Stefanie is something else, and who knew that the ORF-Big Band could sound this funky! Definitely up there as one of the best versions of this classic! And an undiscovered gem, having never been played by ORF themselves, so very proud to have given it its first play on UK national radio’ Craig Charles, The Craig Charles Funk And Soul Show, BBC6
When it comes to soul music, putting Austria on the international map was – and still is – not an easy task, but when it happens, it definitely makes an impact. This single grabs you and pulls you straight onto the dancefloor. Hands in the air, staying still is almost impossible. With Czech-Hungarian roots, Stefanie Vyhnak was a true Viennese, but her voicec was made for the whole world. And then, there’s that musical mastery. Erich Kleinschuster and his ORF Big Band were in a league of their own. ‘Compared to what’ – perfect question. Gerald Travnicek (Radio Superfly)
Compared To What! And WHAT a tune by one of Austrias best voices in Jazz and Soul from the 1960s/70s! When first played at Soul in the Sun in Lanzarote it took the dancfloor by storm. This will be a worldwide classic and bring Stefanie to a well deserved fame after all those years. Thumbs up to Jörg for that great discovery! Alex Harasek SoS resident formerly known as big 90s Rave DJ LX
‘This record is physically amazing. When I play it the dancefloor comes alive! Seriouly!’ Eddie Piller Acid Jazz label boss and genre creator
‘There’s crossover and there is CROSSOVER! This record will be BIG on so many different underground music scenes, the Northern Soul scene for sure being one, and possibly it may ultimately have a much wider commercial appeal as well. Great release 👏. Get It While It’s Hot…🔥 Guy Hennigan British premium league Rare Soul deejay & Northern Soul authority
‘WOW, This absolute gem of a tune truly deserves its own 45 release! I love all versions of this, including the brilliant one by Les McCann, but this cracking version is so perfect for the big Northern Soul dancefloors across the UK and Europe and just the one to play NOW! There’s absolutely no doubt this belter will be an instant major floorfiller and instant classic! Jordan Wilson Young Souls Wigan
BBC6 RADIO STRIKES AGAIN! OUR STEFANIE & ORF BIG BAND 45 FIRST TUNE ON CRAIG CHARLES’ ‘FUNKIEST RELASES OF 2024’!