"We grew up here in Little Hulton and the 'Height, moved south for 16 years, but we've recently returned and re-established our indie label in M7" says Paul Travis of A1(M) Records "It's great to be back in Salford."
Co-founder of the Salford Music Co-op, which promoted gigs by the likes of Death To The Strange and Briggzy, and organised events at In The City, Paul's label has returned, initially launching the Suzuki Method's Native EP and now releasing a new EP, Time For Love, by northern urban soul outfit The Winachi Tribe.
The collective's musicians and producers have collaborated and toured with everyone from Ian Brown to Danny Saber, their sounds were featured in this month's Hacienda documentary, Do You Own The Dancefloor?, and Rowetta is a fan... "One of the most exciting bands around at the moment" she says.
Time For Love is an uplifting slice of dancey soul, with a video featuring Keith Allen (see here), and this Thursday, 27th August, it's being ignited with a live launch at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester, with special guests Tigerside, Ruby Tuesday and The Happy Fallen plus DJ sets.
Meanwhile, A1(M) Records which "takes its identity from the `Great North Road', where, since the 1950s, bands have travelled the length and breadth of this backbone of English music, London to Edinburgh, playing live and building a fan-base" is back in Salford and pushing the D.I.Y. indie music ethic to the max...
The Winachi Tribe EP Launch
Thursday 27th August from 7:30pm
The Ruby Lounge, 28-34 High St, M41QB
£5 pay on the door, or tickets via ticketweb (click here)
Download the track for less than a quid on iTunes - click here
For details about the label see www.a1mrecords.com
Also see the Facebook page A1M Records and the EP launch event page