(cache)Shake It - Make It Loose | J. D. (Puma) Lewis

Shake It - Make It Loose

by J. D. (Puma) Lewis

supported by

	Shake It - Make It Loose 00:00 / 04:54

Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
- Highly collectible and best Funk / Boogie album produced in Germany
- Fully Licenced, recorded in 1984
- Contains 2 previously unissued bonus tracks
- Deluxe gatefold sleeve with additional pictures and liner notes
- 4 tracks fransferred from original master tape
- Mastered by Frederic Stader
- Quality lacquer cut by SST

Includes unlimited streaming of Shake It - Make It Loose via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

ships out within 2 days

Purchasable with gift card

€25.90 EUR
Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

Download available in 24-bit/48kHz.

€8.90 EUR

	1.	The Cat (Puma) 03:40
	2.	Dancing Shoes 05:01
	3.	Tears 03:56
	4.	Shake It - Make It Loose 04:54
	5.	Hearts Of Gold 04:26
	6.	Automatic Lover 04:05
	7.	Life's A Party (Bonus Track) 04:27
	8.	Red Drops (Bonus Track) 03:41
	9.	Pick It Up Off The Ground (Bonus Track) 05:08
	10.	Walk Out On Me (Bonus Track) 04:22

about

We are proud to present a true gem on our label: the first-ever vinyl reissue of the highly collectible Shake It – Make It Loose LP by J.D. (Puma) Lewis. Originally released on the infamous Metrovynil label in 1984, it stands as the best and most authentic boogie/80s funk album ever produced in Germany.

However, little is known about this legendary release, and the credits are sparse and often confusing. In reality, Shake It – Make It Loose was a collaboration between just two musicians: John Davis (R.I.P., later one of the real voices behind Milli Vanilli for producer Frank Farian) and Reginald Hudson (of Hudson People). Both were first-class, highly talented musicians and composers from the U.S., who spent most of their lives living and working in Southern Germany.

Hudson describes their creative process: "It was just me and Johnny, playing all the instruments. Johnny handled the bass, guitar, and vocals, and we programmed the drum machine together. Most everything else was keyboards." He recalls that they spent only six or seven days recording the album at Hartmann Digital... Studio.

The combination of their musicianship and the cutting-edge technology at the studio resulted in a masterpiece of pure, state-of-the-art funk and boogie. The album features all the hallmarks of great 80s music: fresh synths, drum machines, and powerful lead vocals from John Davis. Upbeat tracks like "The Cat (Puma)" and the title track sit comfortably alongside more soulful songs like "Tears" and "Hearts of Gold," while "Dancing Shoes" remains one of the era's catchiest dance tracks.

Still, Shake It – Make It Loose holds a few mysteries. Why was it released under the unusual name J.D. (Puma) Lewis? And what’s the story behind tracks like "The Cat"? While J.D. Lewis stood for John Davis Lewis’s full legal name, Hudson sheds light on the "Puma" connection: “At the time, I was working as a promotions manager for Puma sportswear. Jörg Dassler, son of Puma founder Rudolf Dassler, was a friend of mine and financed our studio sessions.” As said, these sessions took place at Hartmann Digital, a state-of-the-art studio in Untertrubach, Bavaria, where iconic artists like Nena, Yello, Visage, DAF, and Soft Cell recorded.

The use of such an expensive studio would have been out of reach for the two musicians without Puma's backing, which also explains why there is a title like “Dancing Shoes.” When we had licensed the track for the Boogie On The Mainline compilation in 2018, we had the chance to speak with John Davis (who sadly passed away in May 2021 due to COVID-19). Davis revealed that there were plans to make a video for the song in collaboration with Puma, but those plans fell through. In the end, the album was signed to the Deggendorf-based Metrovynil label.

Interestingly, the original contract reveals that the first version of the album only contained six tracks. Metrovynil added two more: "Sexy Highschool Lady," a track Davis recorded solo, and "Party Rap" by The Dynamite Two, which had no connection to Davis or Hudson at all. The album’s credits also list a "Fred Fiore" as the person "who made all of this possible." Hudson, who sees himself as the producer, has no idea who Fiore was - likely another fabrication from the label. “That’s just the kind of thing Metrovynil did,” Hudson comments with some regret.

Despite the behind-the-scenes confusion, the music spoke for itself. The original pressing looked and sounded fantastic, featuring a stylish cover shot of John Davis in a sharp suit. Now, with this first-ever vinyl reissue, we’re thrilled to include additional photos and more background information in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

This reissue includes all six tracks from the original Hartmann Digital sessions, plus two bonus tracks. From the original reel tapes, we unearthed additional material that Hudson and Davis produced together in the early to mid-80s. We’re excited to share the previously unreleased tracks “Life’s A Party,” and “Walk Out On Me.” The digital version of the reissue will also feature two more songs: “Red Drops” and “Pick It Up Off The Ground.”

Shake It – Make It Loose is a classic boogie-funk album that belongs in every serious funk and disco collection. It showcases the undeniable talent of two true musicians and stands as a testament to the friendship between Reg Hudson and John Davis. more

credits

released January 17, 2025

Music and lyrics by Reginald Derrick Hudson and J.D. Lewis aka John Davis

Recorded at Hartmann Digital Studio, except bonus tracks.

Reginald Hudson: keyboards, drum machine
John Davis: bass guitar, guitar, drum machine, vocals

Reissue production and liner notes by DJ Scientist
Mastered by Frederic Stader
Additonal vinyl mastering and restauration by Robert Wenzel

Reel transfer provided by Backatcha Records
Additional transfer by Tom Sky at Faible Studio

Special thanks to Reginald Hudson & Jasmin Davis
Additional thanks to Aidan (of Backatcha) & Stephan Fischer (of Joker)

license

subtotal	- -	USD
taxes calculated at checkout

about

The Outer Edge Berlin, Germany

The Outer Edge is an independent record label from Berlin, Germany. Focused on rare and lost recordings, unissued songs from master tapes or music that never received the attention it deserved.

live events

Skyscraper Listening Party

July 9, 2025

3:00 AM GMT+9

contact / help

Contact The Outer Edge

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Top

If you like Shake It - Make It Loose, you may also like:

Party Tonight / Give it up
by Heather Haywood (from The Cool Notes)

supported by 8 fans who also own “Shake It - Make It Loose”

This nostalgic boogie maxi from the UK funk legend flew under the radar for some selectors. Committed to the underground funk sound, Nickee B helps bring that cool and casual sound into the... baby sam
go to album
Hot Mess / Girl Fan
by ADESHA & VINCENT KWOK

supported by 8 fans who also own “Shake It - Make It Loose”

Wooooah! Dancefloor shaker!!! Discomoderni
go to album
Take A Chance On A Feeling
by Marshall Titus

supported by 7 fans who also own “Shake It - Make It Loose”

Thanks PPU, we want more budweiser records reissue ! Alternate version is very great ! Fabulous killer synth KFM85
go to album
Magic Theme
by The Magic Twins

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 25, 2022
go to album
Prosthetic Boombox
by Cola Boyy

California's Cola Boyy threads a message of rebellion through an effortless, uplifting blend of indie pop, funk, soul, and disco. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 18, 2021
go to album
Jumbo Street
by Figmore

featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 26, 2021
go to album
What's the Deal [BTBS-12001]
by CAROL WILLIAMS

supported by 7 fans who also own “Shake It - Make It Loose”
go to album

Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

With guest host Dimitra Zina for Refuge Worldwide.

listen now

Shake It - Make It Loose

by J. D. (Puma) Lewis

Vinyl LP with Gatefold Sleeve Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

Buy Vinyl €25.90 EUR

Send as Gift

Digital Album Streaming + Download

Buy Digital Album €8.90 EUR

Send as Gift

Share / Embed

about

credits

license

tags

Tags

Shopping cart

about

live events

discography

contact / help

Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

€25.90 EUR

Streaming + Download

€8.90 EUR