Name: If You Ask Me To...Victor Axelrod Productions for Daptone Records
Brand: Various

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

DAP070LP

Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: Yes

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Housed in Tip On Sleeve

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2023-09-22

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

823134007017

Total Cap

Black LP

DAP070CD

Download code: No

2023-10-06

823134007024

Artist

Various

Genre GB

Funk / Soul

Reggae / Dub

Label GB

Daptone

Daptone is a label that specializes in hard funk, soul, and afrobeat music by current artists. It was formed by musicians and producers from the now defunct 1990s funk revival pioneer label Desco Records. The label is run by Gabriel Roth (also known as Bosco Mann) and Neal Sugarman. Daptone is home to renowned artists such as Sharon Jones, The Dap-Kings, Lee Fields, Sugarman 3, Antibalas, The Mighty Imperials, and others.

Most of Daptone's seven inch singles feature a generic blue record label. However, all singles are produced in limited quantities of 1000 - 2000 copies. In some cases where titles are highly sought after and sell out quickly, a second press run with a red colored label may be done.

Mikey Post oversees Direct Sales & Distribution at Daptone and explains that their releases have been continuously available since February 2019. While records released prior to 2009 did not include barcodes initially, they still use the original 'Mother' plates for pressing new copies today. There may be slight variations in the color of labels over the years due to printing on an offset machine with stock paper.

Newest Listed Items

If youʼre a fan of Daptone Records, chances are youʼve read or heard the name Victor Axelrod, and even if you havenʼt, youʼve heard music from his hand. As a producer, arranger, recording and mixing engineer, and keyboardist, his creativity has extended across more than two decades of the labelʼs releases, even dating to its prehistory with Desco Records.

If You Ask Me To..., the first LP under his name for the label, is a collection of singles released between 2007-2023 as well as unreleased tracks from Sugar Minott and Binky Griptite. The genesis of which came via an 11th hour request from Daptone for a Sharon Jones remix (2007) that resulted in the reggae version of “How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?” found here. 

This opened the door to additional explorations of reggae/soul synergies within the catalog, affirming the musical and cultural link between Daptoneʼs core soul sound and Axelrodʼs passion for Jamaican music. While previous projects like Ticklah Vs. Axelrod and Roots Combination (produced under the alias Ticklah) were inspired by the Jamaica of the 1970s and 80s, this set specifically channels an earlier period in the 1960s when Jamaica was both strikingly original in its continuum of genres but also closely and empathetically attuned to Black American music. 

Through Axelrodʼs exceptional taste and the notable contributions of guitarist Tom Brenneck, original tapes from Bob and Gene's MoDo discography, members of The Frightnrs, and others from the NYC reggae community, the legacy of trailblazing Jamaican artists like Alton Ellis, Tony Gregory, and Ken Parker continue to resonate and inspire a whole new generation of reggae and soul enthusiasts.

If You Ask Me To...Victor Axelrod Productions for Daptone Records

Music GB

Discover If You Ask Me To...Victor Axelrod Productions for Daptone Records by Various. A collection of singles and unreleased tracks from Daptone, showcasing the reggae/soul synergies of Victor Axelrod. Vinyl records available.