“I really don’t have any clue about what I initially imagined for it,” chuckles Terry Cole. The American vinyl enthusiast, producer, and musician is the founder of Colemine Records, a leading name in 21st-century soul and funk. The label boasts an array of outstanding groups like Monophonics, Kelly Finnigan, and Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, and also features his own occasional solo work under the moniker Leroi Conroy. His recent studio album ‘A Tiger’s Tale’ was remarkable, filled with crunchy hip-hop beats and cinematic, Axelrod-inspired soundscapes. The catch? It took nearly ten years to finish.
Naturally, he has several valid reasons for this lengthy process. Colemine's rapid growth as a business came with its challenges, leading Terry to juggle four or five different jobs at once. “Life got hectic,” he reflects. “The shop got busy, the label got busy, and I just didn’t have the time. Things have improved significantly – we have more staff, my personal life is much healthier and balanced, and I turned 40 this year. I finally thought, I need to release this record!”
The urgency to finalize the album before his 40th birthday became a point of pride. Initial recording sessions in 2017 with drummer Rob Houk generated numerous beats, although the project was later set aside. However, the initial singles garnered unexpected attention, being sampled by hip-hop legends like DJ Premier and Ghostface Killah. “That was pretty amazing!” he exclaims. “To think those guys sampled my work. The entire project has always been about reverse engineering hip-hop samples.”
Colemine typically slows down in mid-winter, so leading up to last Christmas, Terry – or should we say Leroi – took time to refine his ideas. Conveniently, North America’s leading funk musicians were right in his vicinity, resulting in an album that serves as a sort of all-star showcase for the label. “I’m trying to embrace that as much as possible,” he explains. “What I love about labels like Stax and Hi, as well as jazz labels like Blue Note and Prestige, is seeing the same musicians repeatedly collaborate. I really enjoy that.”
“I thought it would be great to have all my favorite musicians involved,” he continues. “It’s a thrilling and empowering sensation.”
The outcome reflects not only Terry's belief in his abilities but also his ongoing trust in his collaborators. Commencing before the pandemic, the final sessions showcase his growth as a producer and arranger. “I’ve gained a lot more experience now,” he asserts. “In terms of mixing, writing, and arranging… everything felt quite secure. I feel as if I can pull ideas from thin air and bring them to life.”
Currently available, ‘A Tiger’s Tale’ presents a cohesive sound, utilizing a consistent palette. The sonics are spot on, and the artwork – which pays homage to Axelrod – hints at another influence. Terry shares that the themes of the album were inspired by his frequent viewings of The Jungle Book – after all, he is now a father.
“I found myself watching it repeatedly,” he says, “and it started seeping into my dreams. There’s a narrative about man versus nature, and humanity’s attempts to control the natural world. I used to be a zoology teacher; I love nature. So, what is humanity’s role in nature?”
“There’s a lot of darkness as well. Animals face persecution from humans. So why wouldn’t you feel anger about that?”
Having been released earlier this year, the acclaim surrounding his new album seems to have sparked something in Terry Cole. He has plans for more releases as Leroi Conroy, with the excellent collaboration ‘Dreaming’ with Taylor Williams having dropped just days ago. A second album is on the horizon – “it’s going to be about birds!” – and he aims to expedite the process. “I think I'll make this one really quickly – I’ve already got the artwork!”
If Terry seems inspired, he likely is – in his view, he’s found his dream job. Colemine is building upon a tradition – they’re skilled at what they do, but the finest of their output can compete with illustrious contemporaries. “I often use the phrase ‘forward facing,’” he notes. “Yet the origin of a project sometimes stems from my desire to replace a record in my collection. Like, what would the 2025 iteration of this sound like? That’s often my starting point. But when you combine that with individual tastes, you typically land in an original space.”
Colemine isn't the only one in this venture. The label has cultivated a communal atmosphere, sharing connections with other labels such as Daptone and Big Crown in the U.S., as well as groups like Surprise Chef in Melbourne. A new generation is discovering these sounds from a unique perspective. “I believe it’s
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“I have no clue what I originally envisioned for it,” laughs Terry Cole. The American crate-digger, producer, and musician is the founder of