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Pleasure of Love reissue imprint, New Islands, launches with a quiet storm, soulful balearic stunner. Kim Yaffa’s Once Bitten was recorded in LA and released on a 1989 private press 7”, only to be buried in american record bins for decades after. A re-emergence of Yaffa’s music on the internet in the last couple years has reached fever pitch, with collectors thirsting for copies of the record. Now, New Islands has worked directly with the artist to deliver an official reissue, professionally transferred from the mixdown reels, carefully restored, and remastered. The title track is an effortless class-act pop tune, with 80s blue eyed soul/Sade inspired sounds, and unknowingly balearic production that make it timeless (reminiscent of Linda Di Franco, Edie Brickell or 80s Fleetwood Mac). The 12” is rounded out by new mixes from Michael David (Classixx) and Nick the Record & Dan Tyler (Record Mission, Idjut Boys)

More about the artist
Kim Yaffa’s music career originated in 1985, Los Angeles. Frequenting the burgeoning club scene and looking for her break, Yaffa signed with hot Hollywood dance/electro indie label Macola and recorded a few singles that didn’t quite catch on. The singer searched for her sound in LA’s crowded scene and ended up meeting producer Rick Delano to record her debut single. “Once Bitten” and the b-side “Lights of LA” were recorded at Larrabee Sound Studios and released on a 1989 private press 7”, only to be buried in american record bins for decades after.

Yaffa shelved her music career and moved onto other aspects of the business. But flash forward a few decades, Yaffa’s music appeared and quickly gained a cult following, with collectors thirsting for copies of the record, spending $$$ on the original 45.

Pleasurable sounds, of the love variety

Label from Dino Socico & Patrick Billard

PLEASURE OF LOVE
(dance label)

NEW ISLANDS
(reissue label)

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