1. Ben Tankard - All Keyed Up EP - Inner Ocean Records
  2. Ben Tankard - All Keyed Up EP - Inner Ocean Records
  3. Ben Tankard - All Keyed Up EP - Inner Ocean Records
  4. Ben Tankard - All Keyed Up EP - Inner Ocean Records
  5. Ben Tankard - All Keyed Up EP - Inner Ocean Records

Ben Tankard

All Keyed Up EP

Regular price $15.99
Release Notes
  • 45rpm loud cut EP on 180g Heavy vinyl
  • Includes liner notes & limited Japanese Obi for the first pressing

This collection of ground-breaking instrumentals captures a moment of musical alchemy. Stylistic edges become blurred with by-turns into jazz, gospel, soul, funk and dance. A new genre – gospel jazz – was created in their wake.

The son of a minister father and a missionary mother, Tankard grew up playing drums in his local church. Numerous offers of scholarships to music college came his way but his height and youthful speed determined the choice of a scholarship in basketball. Turning pro, he was drafted with NBA team Portland Trailblazers before a knee injury cut his career short and led to a period of homelessness: “I could not pay my rent so for a short time I was living in my car and sleeping on friend’s sofas.”

A church visit proved life-changing: “I heard of a revival service that was going on. I was nearly starving with no job or income so I went only for the free meal. Afterwards the preacher called me up and told me to sit down to the keyboard. I was hesitant but after all I did not have anything to lose. When my hands touched the keys I began to play like George Duke! No lessons – just instant awareness. That is where ‘gospel jazz’ was born. Since it was jazzy in nature, yet inspired in the church, I decided to call it ‘gospel jazz’.”

Tankard got a job at a local music store where he spent the next few years honing his craft before he began recording his own music. “I programmed all the instruments myself on a keyboard so I called it All Keyed Up.”

Curator Pol Valls found the record while digging and was struck by it’s genre-defying creativity: “the track which stood out the most for me was Eden Celebration which has the feel of early dance music. I also loved Melodic Heaven and the title track All Keyed Up. That track was really short though so we decided to make a remix of it.

If Eden Celebration, with its highly rhythmic cross-breed of jazz fusion and electro shows Tankard at his most creative, then All Keyed Up – a stellar exercise in funk-laced jazz fusion replete with Don Blackman-esque piano runs – demonstrates his prowess on the keys. On Melodic Heaven lo-fi synths and boogie-fied bass synths combine with his elegant and soulful piano. The remix of the title track expands the short-but-sweet piano-based vignette into a Balearic anthem replete with extra drums, synths and guitar.

Released in 1989, Tankard’s All Keyed Up album kick-started a hugely successful recording career. Nowadays he’s also known as a motivational speaker, author, trained pilot (famously flying to shows in his own planes) and as the star of his own reality TV show. This collection chronicles the magic that happened at the beginning of his career, it’s inspired melding of styles sounding as fresh today as when they were first put to tape on his home studio.

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 269 reviews.

Customer photo review of Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

I was concerned about shipping from Canada to the UK, but the records were packaged great and arrived without a scratch. Great communication. Some items were second hand, the gradings were perfectly accurate. Very pleased, would recommend!

Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Tape Cassette - Mystery Grab Bag

I got the mystery tape box specifically the "your getting tons of tapes" tier and it didnt disappoint at all packaged securely overdelivered in the best way in terms of content and didnt take long to get here ,it was exciting to finally see what i got, genuinely made my day when it came in the post, a massive 22 tape package and so far every tape ive listened to has been really really good! Quality all the way, and if anyone was on the fence about getting it, well dont be, go for it you wont be disappointed . Major respect to whoever curates the box, excellent choices!! I Usually never leave reviews of things but this was worth doing it for. I will definitely be buying this again no doubt about it and yeah just awesome really, very happy with it :)

Tape Cassette - Mystery Grab Bag

Customer video review of BLESS Vol. 1

The vinyl itself is very beautiful, and the sound is very punchy and clear! Of course all the tracks slap hard. Really great pressing, really great album!

BLESS Vol. 1

Customer photo review of BLESS Vol. 1

I discovered the Bless Vol. 1 compilation a few years ago. Some of my favorite lo-fi artists were featured on it, and last year I reached out to the label hoping to get some of their releases. Cory got in touch with me and personally made sure the record arrived safely. It sounds incredible, and the editions are beautifully produced. Now I'm eagerly waiting for Vol. 1 Greetings from Argentina!

BLESS Vol. 1

Customer photo review of Idealism - Hiraeth EP

Solid pressing, beautiful, artwork and a sturdy case.

Idealism - Hiraeth EP

Customer photo review of We Are Rewind - Tape Cassette Player

Really big fan. It’s a solidly built player and I think the aux-in recording function and ability to pair Bluetooth headphones/speaker is really unique, especially on the same device. I can’t speak to the Bluetooth pairing as I haven’t tested it out. I specifically was looking for an aux-in recording cassette player and this fit the bill perfectly. I tested this function and it sounds really great without completely losing the charm of a mic recording.

We Are Rewind - Tape Cassette Player

Customer photo review of Makoto Matsushita - First Light (Japan Import)

It was packaged perfectly! Everything that it came in was great, too! HOWEVER, the page for this product does have a preview of all the songs ASSUMED to come with the album. This is not the case. This album comes with everything EXCEPT: September Rain (English Version) With the previews available, I thought it'd be there. I was apparently missinformed. That is the ONE AND ONLY issue I have with my purchase. I wish they gave you the EXACT track list on the webpage. But like I said, that'd the only issue I had. Everything else was great.

Makoto Matsushita - First Light (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Kingo Hamada - Mugshot (Japan Import)

I've been looking for an original copy of this album for a while at a price and quality that I was happy with. I was thrilled to find this on your website and couldn't pass up the opportunity to support you and support my unhealthy collection.

Kingo Hamada - Mugshot (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Good Mood / Lofi Juice

Quality tape and case. Love the music. Perfectly chill mix. Will definitely be back for more.

Good Mood / Lofi Juice

Customer photo review of tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

This album is truly fantastic. I have the cassette as well, it's so dynamic and interesting to listen to on both the turntable and in my case the player with headphones! blips is also just a very talented artist and incredibly kind person, sent me a short to make up for the shipping delay with the vinyl. I can't say enough nice things about inner ocean and the artists on here. Interesting work from very talented people, great deals on buying multiple tapes and records, professional and kind customer service, I've honestly never had a bad transaction from inner ocean and I look forward to my next purchase! Thanks all!

tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

Customer photo review of Anri - Heaven Beach (Japan Import)

Legit and amazing quality!!! These are my very first two vinyl albums and I just love how these two turned out! Would definitely recommend Inner Ocean Records to those who enjoy collecting vintage Japanese albums.

Anri - Heaven Beach (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of 1986 Omega Tribe - Navigator (Japan Import)

Shipped promptly, arrived quickly, and was in good condition. I played it and it sounded great. Perfect transaction. What more could I ask for??

1986 Omega Tribe - Navigator (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

Most beautiful cassettes on earth as always. Every Inner Ocean release is an instant classic and everything I’ve ever ordered (cassettes, vinyl, merch) always comes quick and very well packaged. Best record label out!

tiny.blips - juicy curveballs: beat tape

Customer photo review of Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

Absolutely PHENOMENAL transaction, adding a piece of Casiopea history to my collection. Shipped fast, packed well, and Always a pleasure to do business with. Not my first Inner Ocean order, and FAR from my last! Again, many thanks to the IO crew!

Casiopea - Mint Jams (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Casiopea - Cross Point (Japan Import)

I’m so glad to be able to have my favorite casiopea album on vinyl and it play wonderfully. Would say it got here quickly but alas the Canadian post strike happened not too long after I ordered it. But all in all I will definitely be ordering more from here.

Casiopea - Cross Point (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Miki Matsubara - Pocket Park (Japan Import)

Favorite Miki album. The added posted was wonderful surprise. Inner Ocean Records shipping and customer support is top notch. Can’t wait for my next purchase!

Miki Matsubara - Pocket Park (Japan Import)

Customer photo review of Lofi Snacks Series 2

This is my first entry into the Lofi Snacks series after bumbling into the Inner Ocean label on Bandcamp and looking up their website. And my, what can I say other than it has been a delight! Really fresh vibey beats that sound great digitally on on my desk cassette player. The art is also fantastic and I love the print on the cassette itself. I've had this album on repeat since it arrived Monday. Look forward to exploring more of the Inner Ocean catalogue.

Lofi Snacks Series 2

Customer photo review of Yellow Magic Orchestra - Solid State Survivor (Japan Import)

One of the greatest records in my collection! There are few legendary records that scratch the sonic itch this one does. Love the addition of the obi strip. Inner Ocean delivers greatness yet again!

Yellow Magic Orchestra - Solid State Survivor (Japan Import)

Store owner replied: What a solid selection! (pun intended) Thanks so much for supporting our store!

Always good experience getting in Inner Ocean Records. Well packaged, so arrived in mint condition. Excellent catalogue of dope and beautiful music.

Zac Colwell - Through The Glass, Dimly