One long (ten minutes) mesmerising track from punk / funk masters !!! (CHK CHK CHK) who sound like a fantasic mix-mash of James Brown's backing band, ACR, Liquid Liquid, Happy Mondays and The Meters. Out Hud contribute three remixes of a song in a rich reverb heavy dub / funk instrumental style.
One long (ten minutes) mesmerising track from punk / funk masters !!! (CHK CHK CHK) who sound like a fantasic mix-mash of James Brown's backing band, ACR, Liquid Liquid, Happy Mondays and The Meters. Out Hud contribute three remixes of a song in a rich reverb heavy dub / funk instrumental style.
Full length album originally released in 2001 from these punk / funk masters who superbly combine angular punk with funk rhythms. !!! (CHK CHK CHK) recall a fantasic mix of James Brown's backing band, ACR, Liquid Liquid, Happy Mondays, The Clash and The Meters.
Full length album originally released in 2001 from these punk / funk masters who superbly combine angular punk with funk rhythms. !!! (CHK CHK CHK) recall a fantasic mix of James Brown's backing band, ACR, Liquid Liquid, Happy Mondays, The Clash and The Meters.
The definitive edition of this Northern California jingly, jangly garage psychedlic trio featuring a teenage Barbara Manning on bass and vocals, Cole Marquis (later of the Snowmen) on vocals and guitar and drummer Mike Cloward. This is heady and engaging stuff, mixing toe tapping rhythms with sweet harmonies.
The long awaited 3rd LP from these U.K. punk hopefuls definitely lives up to expectations - while they stick to their melodic skate punk roots, there is more maturity and depth to the sound, with added experimentation in both rhythm and song structure. As infectious as an embarassing rash.
The first single from the critically acclaimed debut album, "The Fall Of Math". Seamless guitar shapes with ferocious drum 'n' bass styled beats, live drums and c-c-c-computer g-g-g-g-glitch create a soundtrack to a new dimension - where rock, dance and electronica are equals. In addition to the album track "Retreat! Retreat!" there are two new tracks.
Limited repressing of the sought-after first release on Stockholm's Raw Fusion featuring killer cover versions of three Brazilian classics. Airto Moreira and Flora Purim's "Tomba in 7/4", Nascimeto and Borges' "Vera Cruz" and "Maria Des Mercedes" are the recipients of some fantastic playing and interpretation.
The Swedish-Brazilian connection is made whole with this full length album from Raw Fusion's in-house nu latin troupe. Singer Miriam Aida is backed by the super talented five piece core of the band, producing sunny latin music with a hint of nu jazz. The group present a wealth of their own compositions and a couple of crowdpleasing standards, including the awesome "Skindo-le-le".
The Swedish-Brazilian connection is made whole with this full length album from Raw Fusion's in-house nu latin troupe. Singer Miriam Aida is backed by the super talented five piece core of the band, producing sunny latin music with a hint of nu jazz. The group present a wealth of their own compositions and a couple of crowdpleasing standards, including the awesome "Skindo-le-le".
Two of the best tracks from the "Eletrificacao!" album get rebumped for extra club action from Raw Fusion. First up, the Swedes keep it in house with SUMO ramping up the anthemic "Skindo Lele" with a plump 4/4 house tempo. Then it's over to the other side of the world, as Australia's Ennio Styles amps up "Quem Vai Devolver Meu Dia" with radical broken flavour incorporating a dash of Neptunes funk!
Raw Fusion keep up the pressure with this fantastic double header from their Brazilian sounding outfit (who we're trying to decide if they're A Bossa Eletrica or Electrica, 'cos labels and sleeves say different things!). As well as the wonderful dancefloor latin-jazz original, we also get Spiritual South's bumpy latin-house rework that's gonna bring the house down over the Summer months. Say no more!
Debut solo album from Nina Persson. Produced by Mark Linkous from Sparklehorse. This special edition CD includes a short film - "Camplife (Part 1)".
Soul Jazz bring us the definitive ACR collection. Along with Joy Division, ACR were the first band to sign to Factory Records in the late 70s. They were one of a wave of UK and US bands (the Pop Group, ESG, Liquid Liquid etc) who wanted to play dance music, but in the spirit of punk. The result was a fantastic loose limbed punk-funk-latin fusion, that still sounds totally fresh today. Essential!
Soul Jazz bring us the definitive ACR collection. Along with Joy Division, ACR were the first band to sign to Factory Records in the late 70s. They were one of a wave of UK and US bands (the Pop Group, ESG, Liquid Liquid etc) who wanted to play dance music, but in the spirit of punk. The result was a fantastic loose limbed punk-funk-latin fusion, that still sounds totally fresh today. Essential!
Re-release of this classic studio album by post-punk funkers A Certain Ratio, originally released by Factory Records in October 1982. The last album to feature the original quintet of Donald Johnson, Jeremy Kerr, Martin Moscrop, Simon Topping and Peter Terrell, "I'd Like to See You Again" saw the band move from the aquatic textures of "Sextet" towards a more stripped-down sound, influenced by the latin and electro scene in New York. Stand-out tracks include the funky "Touch", vocoder workout "Show Case" and the minimalist single "Guess Who". On this remastered and expanded CD edition, no less than five bonus tracks have been added to the original eight on the album. These include the 7" and 12" versions of the ACR dancefloor gem "Knife Slits Water", flipside "Tumba Rhumba", an exclusive remix of "Guess Who?", and the rare single "I Need Someone Tonite", released in 1983 and the first ACR record to feature keyboard player Andy Connell.
Originally released on Factory Records in 1981, "Sextet" mixes post-punk funk, heavy African, latin and Brazilian influences with New York dance sounds, all played with that scratchy, atmospheric ACR sound, showing them to be way ahead of their time, and one of the most influential bands of the 80s.
Originally released on Factory Records in 1981, "Sextet" mixes post-punk funk, heavy African, latin and Brazilian influences with New York dance sounds, all played with that scratchy, atmospheric ACR sound, showing them to be way ahead of their time, and one of the most influential bands of the 80s.
ACR's legendary first LP finally gets reissued!Originally released as a Factory cassette in 1980, this album has been a collectors item ever since only 1000 copies were made at the time. Mixing up angular guitar sounds with scratchy funk, this is a definitive piece of post-punk history.
ACR's legendary first LP finally gets reissued!Originally released as a Factory cassette in 1980, this album has been a collectors item ever since only 1000 copies were made at the time. Mixing up angular guitar sounds with scratchy funk, this is a definitive piece of post-punk history.
Originally released on Factory Records in 1981, "To Each" was ACR's first full studio album and has the legendary Martin Hannett on production. Here they can be found mixing up funk, dub, percussion and electronics to create a truly unique sound - the album was instantly hailed a classic at the time. Included on this Universal Sound reissue are two bonus reggae tracks, "Abracadabra" and "Somnadub" which were originally released as a 12" single independently, a few months after this album under the pseudonym Sir Horatio (!) and have been a collectors item ever since.
Originally released on Factory Records in 1981, "To Each" was ACR's first full studio album and has the legendary Martin Hannett on production. Here they can be found mixing up funk, dub, percussion and electronics to create a truly unique sound - the album was instantly hailed a classic at the time. Included on this Universal Sound reissue are two bonus reggae tracks, "Abracadabra" and "Somnadub" which were originally released as a 12" single independently, a few months after this album under the pseudonym Sir Horatio (!) and have been a collectors item ever since.
1972 debut album by these unusually named Canadian psyche / progsters was originally released on the Daffodil label. Musically confident it veers from progressive, through to melodic pop / rock and winding up in a hard heavy psychedelic mode. Paul Naumann is a very talented guitarist and vocalist Alex Machin is so much better than most.
Having each cut their musical teeth many years prior on bands like Cows, Butthole Surfers, and Scratch Acid. Seattle's A Frames formed during the late '90s and began collectively designing their own brand of stripped-down, neo-modern experimental noise. Erin Sullivan's angular, angry guitars and bleak, deadpan lyrics march over Lars Finberg's robotic trashcan beats and Min Yee's stirring, sexy low end. With "Black Forest", the band's third full-length and their first for Sub Pop, they continue to engage thick, rich chords of chaos to illustrate ideas about the commonalities of existences. The A Frames make anachronistic analog dance hits and post-modern blues ballads for binary code casualties.
Having each cut their musical teeth many years prior on bands like Cows, Butthole Surfers, and Scratch Acid. Seattle's A Frames formed during the late '90s and began collectively designing their own brand of stripped-down, neo-modern experimental noise. Erin Sullivan's angular, angry guitars and bleak, deadpan lyrics march over Lars Finberg's robotic trashcan beats and Min Yee's stirring, sexy low end. With "Black Forest", the band's third full-length and their first for Sub Pop, they continue to engage thick, rich chords of chaos to illustrate ideas about the commonalities of existences. The A Frames make anachronistic analog dance hits and post-modern blues ballads for binary code casualties.
Famed for his work as a member of Tortoise, Isotope 217, and the Eternals, this is John Herndon's second album in his solo project guise. He has remixed the likes of Tommy Guerrero, Trans Am and Tortoise. AGD has found beats where there are none, and with collaborations with the likes of Doseone, Kathryn Frazier and Sally Timms has come up with a bass-heavy, dub influenced album.
Since the late eighties, A Guy Called Gerald has produced groundbreaking music: Manc techno classic "Pacific State" with 808 State, the acid house anthem "Voodoo Ray", and early 'intelligent' drum and bass tracks. Produced in his new home base of Berlin, this EP demonstrates a return to form. The opening track "First Try" is a typical Gerald tune; mighty, epic sounds, a racy, forward pushing kick drum and minimal acid sounds. Track two, "Meaning", is a deep track attached to a breakbeat groove. The B side opens with "Pump", a minimal tech-house groover in which string accents and funky chords create an irresistible drive. Lastly Middle Eastern-tinged "Tajeen" glistens with a digital jazz feeling, instrumented by a double bass, live percussion, synth strings and 303 beats.
A Guy Called Gerald, pioneer, icon and legend of global dance culture, returns with a new album that takes him back to his roots in acid house and electro beats. "To All Things What They Need" is an album shaped by a gentle and deep atmosphere that exudes an irresistible sensuality. Here Gerald fuses oriental harmony fragments with electronic sounds, combining the spoken word poetry of Ursula Rucker with jazz beats, whereas "Strangest Changes" mixes the distinctive vocals of Finlay Quaye in a track that nods towards a return to his urban drum & bass roots.
A Guy Called Gerald, pioneer, icon and legend of global dance culture, returns with a new album that takes him back to his roots in acid house and electro beats. "To All Things What They Need" is an album shaped by a gentle and deep atmosphere that exudes an irresistible sensuality. Here Gerald fuses oriental harmony fragments with electronic sounds, combining the spoken word poetry of Ursula Rucker with jazz beats, whereas "Strangest Changes" mixes the distinctive vocals of Finlay Quaye in a track that nods towards a return to his urban drum & bass roots.
Welcome re-issue for this 1988 acid house classic. Produced by Manchester's Gerald Simpson after many an inspired night down at the Hacienda, it quickly became and anthem at the hallowed club and spread all over the world after the Summer of Love. This US 12" also features Frankie Knuckles' remixes. Inspirational.
"A Hawk And A Hacksaw" was conceived and performed by Jeremy Barnes of Bablicon and Neutral Milk Hotel. A gerne-defying one-man orchestra, the album features intricate piano based compositions, layered with accordion, percussion, horns and bells. It was recorded over the course of fifteen months in the Loire Valley with a variety of guest performers.
Former Neutral Milk Hotel mainstay Jeremy Barnes returns with the second A Hawk And A Hacksaw album, a huge progression from 2004's self-titled debut. "Darkness At Noon" is a heady brew of accordian, piano and drum passages that spans Eastern European folk traditions, Klezmer, Mariachi, American folk and modern composition. Fans of the primitive-cum-American-heritage style folk of Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Animal Collective etc, will find much to enjoy as will fans of anything from Calexico to Asa-Chang & Junray to Tom Waits.
Former Neutral Milk Hotel mainstay Jeremy Barnes returns with the second A Hawk And A Hacksaw album, a huge progression from 2004's self-titled debut. "Darkness At Noon" is a heady brew of accordian, piano and drum passages that spans Eastern European folk traditions, Klezmer, Mariachi, American folk and modern composition. Fans of the primitive-cum-American-heritage style folk of Joanna Newsom, Devendra Banhart, Animal Collective etc, will find much to enjoy as will fans of anything from Calexico to Asa-Chang & Junray to Tom Waits.
It's THAT sought after cover version of the DJ Rolando techno classic by the Japanese jazz-house band! Played by GP ages ago, Wave Music pick up this inspirational track which manages to sound so authenic that you'd think the UR hit was originally written for a string quartet and a troupe of electric guitars that pick up the famous chords! The alternative rhythm mix grooves along for a while with various percussive aspects before the hook kicks in. "So Eye On" is a fuller, string-backed blaxploitation epic, set to a solid 4/4 tempo.
Justin Brett's A J Scent guise discloses the electronically enhanced "Naughty Times" for Honchos, a proper piece of club tackle that gets seriously ramped up in a modern acid style by Paul Woolford.
Justin Brett produces a slightly Greens Keepers influenced jazzy groove (thought not quite as daft), which is then given a chunky old scholl rendering by Wally Lopez, with a monstrous breakdown and all the trimmings.
The very first techno record to come out of Detroit (1981!) gets remixed for 2002 and comes out on the Gigolo label, specialists in all things 80s. Ectomorph and The Hacker & Vitalic are on the mix.
A Quiet Revolution is the brainchild of ex Undertones and That Petrol Emotion fella Damian O'Neill, and is nothing like either of his previous bands. Moody, atmospheric soundscapes. A soundtrack to an imaginary film. Very good indeed.
Second album that finds the band expanded to a six member core. The addition of cello, second violin and second guitar has allowed them to develop a much broader sound with more vocals and guitar. Think of a sound somewhere between Godspeed.., Spiritualized and Rachels. Fantastic stuff!!!!!
Due to the massive success of A Skillz and Krafty Kuts' critically acclaimed album "Tricka Technology" in 2004, scratch master extraordinaire A Skillz has re-rubbed two of the best tracks from the LP to bring you a 2005 package you won't want to miss out on! Who can mistake the sweet and syrupy lyrics from US rapper Droop Capone in "Peaches", or the bouncing P-funk (Parliament's "Flashlight" to be precise) from the Real Elements in "Simple Things" with trademark Fingerlickin' funk beats? Pure b-boy action!
Originally recorded in 1994 on Soleilmoon Recordings in America, this is the soundtrack to a western that will never be released. Think Ennio Morricone vs Fridge! This limited double CD (2000 only) includes the original CD and 2002 update.
Mixed up in the Hague, Alden Tyrell gets into one of his Italo moods with some authenic FM-tuned arcade themes that could have been made back in 1984. "Hills Of Honolulu" immediately reminds one of the sunny stages on OutRun, while the slower B-side "The Rising" has soaring Vangelis synths, throbbing bass and Miami Vice drums.
This 18-track CD is a definitive compilation of the career of A Witness. They were based in Manchester, and released their debut EP on the legendary Ron Johnson records in 1984. This CD includes all their releases, along with two previously unreleased tracks. "Dudefield" was the final song the band worked on and was recorded by Vince Hunt a year after the death of guitarist Rick Aitken. "Threaphurst Lane" is a sad piano reflection recorded several years later. Ace!
Grimes, Iowa isn't exactly known for it's music scene. 5,399 people call this place home - and A-ko doesn't even live in Grimes but a few miles outside where a 26.4k dial-up connection keeps him in touch with the beatmaking world. His favourite hang-out is Soulstrut.com where his raw talent wa spotted. Now that A-ko has finished high-school RJD2 might have to watch his back because this kid is just so fresh - you better enjoy his DIY funk breaks before he gets famous!
The debut single from the Billy Childish produced debut album by England's, the A-Lines. "One Day" is from the highly anticipated album and "Heidi's Head" is a scorcher exclusive to this limited slab. What else do you need to know? Buy it! Limited to 1000 copies.
The A-lines are four ladies who hail from Seattle and Belgium and London. Their sound is that of a genuine girl punk band of the 70s rather than a manufactured garage group of the 21st century. They play garage-punk without playing dumb and are not afraid of a good melody or straight forward rock n roll. All this and The A-Lines also have one of the finest pedigrees in underground girl group history, members having featured in the likes of Thee Headcoatees, The Stuck-Ups, Mambo Taxi and Dutronc to name but a few. Produced by Billy Childish this LP is set to become a bench mark by which future girl groups will have to measure themselves.
The A-lines are four ladies who hail from Seattle and Belgium and London. Their sound is that of a genuine girl punk band of the 70s rather than a manufactured garage group of the 21st century. They play garage-punk without playing dumb and are not afraid of a good melody or straight forward rock n roll. All this and The A-Lines also have one of the finest pedigrees in underground girl group history, members having featured in the likes of Thee Headcoatees, The Stuck-Ups, Mambo Taxi and Dutronc to name but a few. Produced by Billy Childish this LP is set to become a bench mark by which future girl groups will have to measure themselves.
Featuring founding members of classic California hardcore bands Outspoken, Insted and Chorus of Disapproval. A18's message is not new, but their commitment is particularly refreshing. No room for compromise in their musical vocabulary. This is powerful, loud and demanding hardcore at its best.
Poor old Aaliyah... Released to promote her forthcoming "Definitive Collection" it's a lush Arabic-influenced Timbaland production with Aaliyah sounding well sweet that's bound to be another massive hit. The B-side's got a freaky-deaky remix by some Norwegian guy called Thomas Eriksen(?) which should satisfy the avant-garde r'n'b DJs AND "Try Again" for all you who missed out on the now-deleted 303 anthem (which still sounds ace!).
This US 12" features a (bootleg) mix of the Aaliyah song by the Body&SOUL resident DJ, Danny Krivit. Like the mix he did of Erick Sermon's "Music", it's extended in a seamless manner for maximum DJ play. The other side (actually the 'A') is a version of sought after Balearic house number "Frontera Del Ensuento" from Rey De Copas.
This much anticipated soundclash of the Netherlands' Mike Kivits and Detroit's Carl Craig has been a long time coming, but now that it's dropped, you'd better be ready. Aardvarck's electrofied original is a brain-searing tune of abrasive techno breaks, pummeling beats and sheer dancefloor mania inducing twists. Not that Carl Craig's take is radically different, it's just occasionally more chopped up and sounds like it could have been released on Planet E at any time in the last decade and a half. If your set needs a good kick up the arse, look no further than this dynamite 12".
Compared to Flying Saucer Attack, Azusa Plane, Labradford and Windy & Carl. Beautiful drifting guitars and electronics.
Boogie aka Jason Rivera, and Lee Majors aka Chris Ivery first met in 1996 when both had cameo appearances on an album released by a mutual friend. Taking on the name AB/NRML, the two began playing shows ranging from house parties, to clubs, and then to festivals. The AB/NRML formula lies within their vast selection of musical infuences, and taking a deliberate choice to utilize a collection of producers who create soundscapes, not necessarily seek to make the next hot hip-hop cut. Hence the sound includes aspects of everything from house music, trip-hop, rock, and electro all married to hip-hop concepts.
Canada's Austin Bascom has an immaculate pedigree, with several deep house classics on labels such as Presciption, Balance and Guidance in his past. This 12" is the first release on his own label Re:think. It features two of his lovely productions, the glorious (almost Naked Music style) "These Things" and the more personal, offbeat vibe of "Sweet Embrace". Deep garage genius.
"Humanistic" is Tommy Walter's first work since leaving the influential band Eels. On this album he casts a knowing eye on society's hypocrisies and deceits with a musical palette that combines some of his own unique influences.
ABBC is a collaboration between Tucson, Arizona's Calexico and the Parisien combo Amor Belhom Duo. Drifting from eerie South western desert sounds accented by the vibe of fifties French cabaret to straight up country singer songwriter material
These Fender junkies know how to play the Blues and the acronym ABB is not an accurate one: Average Blues Band they ain't.
A new artist to the ECM roster. A virtuoso vocal talent with influences and elements from India, America and Europe. Accompanied by Harpsichord, Piano, Clarinet and Harmonium with subtle percussion underpinning proceedings.
Debut UK album release for DJ Format's hugely popular, regular vocal sparring partner, Abdominal. Originally recorded back in Canada with his usual music partner DJ Fase in 2001, imports trickled into the UK, which is how DJ Format found out about Abdominal, and got him to add vocals to "Music For The Mature B-Boy". The tracks on "Flowtation Device" are easy-on-the-ear hip hop head nodders that go down a treat.
Bassist Abdul-Malik continues to experiment blending jazz with African and Eastern music on this 1962 LP. There's six tracks that touch on high life, bossa nova, blues, Middle Eastern folk and straight-up bop, all built around a backbone of heavy African percussion from Montego Joe, Chief Bey and Andrew Cyrille.
Amazing 1961 Eastern-influenced jazz LP from Monk's ex-bassist, with a young Andrew Cyrille on drums. You can get the general idea from the sleevenotes to "Nights On Saturn", 'an outgrowth of Abdul Malik's thoughts about the space age and his idea of how Orientals might think about outer space. The main soloist is Abdurrahman, who plays an ancient Korean reed instrument so obscure neither he nor Ahmed are sure of its name'. Like Sun Ra records of the time, it mixes straight-up jazz with unsettling exotic elements to great effect.
This LP fuses late 50s jazz cool with traditional north African / Middle Eastern sounds. There's a great cartoon on the back of the sleeve of a man on a camel meeting up with two hep cats on a scooter!
Add the considerable talents of violinist Mark Feldman to the sensitive guitar stylings of ECM stalwart John Abercrombie and you've got the makings of one of this brilliant artist's finest recordings for a number of years.
"Heliopolis By Night" is the first full single by Edinburgh's Aberfeldy. They play immaculately crafted folk pop and have opened for acts such as Mountain Goats, Laura Veirs and Sufjan Stevens. This single is taken from the band's debut album "Young Forever". With their boy / girl harmonies, gentle acoustic moments and fine percussion, you can see how they put a smile on Rough Trade's face.
This is the third single from their critically acclaimed debut album, "Young Forever". Comprising of an atmospheric, country-tinged dissertation on the l-word courtesy of this Edinburgh five-piece specialising in bittersweet acoustic pop, like Brian Wilson's Scottish cousins. It's the kind of sentiment which could put cupid out of business. Cue the sound of breaking hearts and the sight of turning heads.
This is the third single from their critically acclaimed debut album, "Young Forever". Comprising of an atmospheric, country-tinged dissertation on the l-word courtesy of this Edinburgh five-piece specialising in bittersweet acoustic pop, like Brian Wilson's Scottish cousins. It's the kind of sentiment which could put cupid out of business. Cue the sound of breaking hearts and the sight of turning heads.
Debut Rough Trade single from this Edinburgh five piece. Their beautiful boy-girl harmonies, gentle acoustic sensibilities and fine percussive accompaniment look set to win over hearts this Summer. This limited edition features "What You Do" on the B-side.
Aberfeldy's debut album "Young Forever" may just have provided you with the soundtrack to this Summer. Conjuring up images of youthful, innocent, carefree and hazy afternoons with blue skies above, this Scottish pop combo's choral tendencies and beautiful harmonies will soon find you day-dreaming of some special place you'd rather be. The five-piece were formed by like-minded folk in Edinburgh's art cafes and pubs. The warm and organic sound of the record owes a lot to the unusual recording technique used by the group and producer Jim Sutherland. By huddling the whole band around just one mic and recording, in such a way Aberfeldy are paying homage to the likes of Sinatra and Elvis.
Abicah Soul have released many cool garage and deep house tracks with Detroit and Chicago connections. This extended subtle garage song for the vastly improved Jellybean Soul label is brimming with heartfelt spirituality and touches of Yoruba-esque soul. The B-side's Synth Mix is a wholly instrumental take.
The Funk 45 guys come up with a killer double header of rare funk delights here, delivering two Meters / JBs style horn-filled dancefloor bombs. Despite 1000 copies pressed up of "Party" in 1974 on Abraham And The Metronomes' own Hot Soul label (named after Isaac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul imprint that nearly signed them, but folded instead), there's only two or three original copies in known existance today, making it one of the funk scene's must haves! Flip for the even more rare, never-got-pressed-up-at-all 1978 "Po' Boy's Dream" by a later incarnation of Abraham and Co, Illinois Connection. Hottter than hot!
25 minutes of unsettling, spiked guitar noise which surely represents some kind of old school indie thinker's damp dream.
Fresh from the excellent electro-house excursions of Stockholm upstart John Dahlback, Germany's Systematic label returns with more quality dancefloor dynamite. This time Abysm (two well-known German producers, who've already had lots of attention in Europe) deliver two slices of high-end 80s flavoured peaktime electro-house action. This is sure to become a fave for all fans of labels like Get Physical or Turbo. Heavy basslines and cheeky percussions meet cold chilling breakdowns and sweaty atmospherics.
One of the best LPs from one of the 70s greatest vocal harmony trios. Recorded in 1978 at Dynamic, Harry J's and Joe Gibbs studios.
Both tracks are exclusive to this release and are crunchy electronica to scare your mum with. Ltd to 250 copies.
Following close on the heels of last years "Ipsissima Vox" album, Accelera Deck (aka Chris Jeely) delivers a 30 minute EP of maximalist / minimalist guitar feedback sonorities. In much the same way a split speaker created a fascinating 'new' guitar sound, Jeely's digitally clipped guitar ponderings lend a unique character to his playing. At times the guitar oscillates freely, notes are bent and shaken, new clusters emerge, loops spiral out of control, and feedback overwhelms.
Another strong Yoshitoshi prog-tech-tribal-house groover - bubbling basslines, tough percussion, FXish keys.
Simply wonderful laid back rock with irresistible guitar lines weaving melodies under cool vocal harmonies. Mark Lightcap, Richie Lee and Steve Hadley have recorded a perfect album - steel pedal guitar and Hammond organ add to the rich mix. Subtle, inventive and destined to be one of our albums of the year. Only available as an import hence the price tag.
Already a firm fave with Richie Hawtin and Laurent Garnier, "Filthy Pitch" is a slowly building funky acid house tune - reminds me of Paperclip People tracks. Large!!
Basically one huge stoned jam session from the Bevis Frond's Nick Salomam and a host of like-minded psychedelic rockers including Simon House, Tony Hill, Andy Ward, Steve Broughton and loads of others. Two CDs of superbly spaced out guitar and long instrumental passages occasionally interpersed with those trippy lyrics we love so much.
Recorded in May and July 2000 "Zap Your Mind!!" really shows what the Acid Mothers Temple do best. A 2xCD wig out full of space rock cliches, flanged, wah-wahed and echoplexed guitar to the nth degree. Backward tapes, loops and drones. It really does have it all. Mind you, it helps if you're into illicit substances to make sense of it. (Not that I'm recommending that).
Turning their talents towards 20th century minimalism, they've produced a version of Terry Riley's "In C" - a definitive composition in contemporary music. They follow this with a composition altogether more strange, "In E" has psychedelic photon source Kawabata (here playing violin, zuruna, synth and electric guitar) and regular band-mates Higashi Hiroshi (electric guitar / synth), Tsuyama Atsushi (monster bass), drummer Ichiraku Yoshimitsu, singer Cotton Casino, and Terukina Noriko (vibraphone / glockenspiel) creating their own colossus for a disturbed age. They prove themselves to be a highly innovative and adventurous group of musicians. This is further in evidence on the extra CD-only track the long drone-piece "In D".
Turning their talents towards 20th century minimalism, they've produced a version of Terry Riley's "In C" - a definitive composition in contemporary music. They follow this with a composition altogether more strange, "In E" has psychedelic photon source Kawabata (here playing violin, zuruna, synth and electric guitar) and regular band-mates Higashi Hiroshi (electric guitar / synth), Tsuyama Atsushi (monster bass), drummer Ichiraku Yoshimitsu, singer Cotton Casino, and Terukina Noriko (vibraphone / glockenspiel) creating their own colossus for a disturbed age. They prove themselves to be a highly innovative and adventurous group of musicians. This is further in evidence on the extra CD-only track the long drone-piece "In D".
"Minstrel In The Galaxy" is the first Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO studio recording since the departure of vocalist / synth goddess Cotton Casino earlier this year. To replace Cotton's space whispers, AMT have recruited Japanese duo Afrirampo (who recently toured Europe with Sonic Youth) to contribute vocals to this album and they fill the void with ease. Musically you can forget the mind-melting guitar psychouts of previous AMT albums, this is the sound of a much darker AMT in comedown mode. Drones, acoustic guitars, misplaced voices and a beautiful 41 minute centre-piece title track all combine to make this their finest experimental studio work since "Absolute Freakout".
And now, pop pickers: this week's Acid Mothers Temple release: "By now Japan's notorious freak-rockers need no introduction - they've conquered the world with relentless touring, an endless number of releases, and countless side-projects. There's even quite a few live recordings at this point, but i will insist that this is unique. The in-store at Reckless (yes, the day before the cataclysm) was simply magical with perhaps the greatest dynamics i've yet witnessed (and i've seen over a dozen amt shows) with pin-drop quiet acoustic passages to wall-shaking bombast." - Steve Krakow. This is a one time pressing of 1000 copies.
The legendary Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. in Russian underground film soundtrack shock! Acid Mothers accompaniment to this psychedelic nonsense movie conceals potentially massive frontal lobe damage. Real punch-drunk music!
This very limited clear vinyl 10" features parts one and two of the "In G" session recorded live at KVRX Radio, Austin, Texas in March 2002. Comes with special 'inkless' artwork.
As a Japanese soul collective, Acid Mothers Temple And The Melting Paradiso U.F.O are something of an enigma to the Western world, and most likely to Eastern ears too. Their music can be described as acid-rock, experimental, psychedelic or a whole host of genres dependent on the listeners mood.
After performing with such bands as Toho Sara, Ohkami No Jikan, Musica Transonic, and Mainliner, Japanese guitarist Mokoto Kawabata decided to continue his musical explorations by bringing together like-minded individuals to create trippy psychedelic freak-outs inspired by Karlheinz Stockhausen, Krautrock, and 70s progressive hard rock. Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. (Underground Freak Out) was founded in 1996 as a Soul Collective. The collective has spun out numerous offshoots, including Floating Flower, Nishinihon, and Tsurbami. Now they have changed their name to Acid Mothers Temple SWR and will become a permanent group. The group is a trio: Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins), Tsuyama Atsushi (Vo: Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O.), & Kawabata Makoto (Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O., Gong).
In the year 2000, Japan's psychedelic rock masters, the Acid Mothers Temple, hit the road on an endless journey. That journey has taken them to many far and strange places. While braving their way through the wilds of the American venues, they were captured on tape. That tape surfaced a year later as the much sought after "Born To Be Wild In The USA" LP. It looked like one of those classic dubious 'live' records from the seventies in the vein of the Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake and Palmer or Kiss. Photo copied image on plain white sleeve with black labels. Apparently there were 1000 pressed. Not much more was known except the fact that it disappeared very quickly. That LP has now been remastered for this one time CD release.
Japanese guitarist Mokoto Kawabata leads his troupe of trippy psychedelic freak-out merchants the Acid Mothers Temple in their heaviest outing yet. In fact it's almost as heavy as Mainliner and Musica Transonica, two other projects Kawabata was associated with and rivals Keiji Haino in its unadulterated ferocity.
Not only does the imagery on the box reflect a trippy, loopy space orgy but the music does too! This Acid Mothers Temple offshoot opens with an 11-minute slow building drone with whispered, echoing female vocals drifting in and out of the mix. Reminiscent of early Tangerine Dream ("Atem" period) the tracks are long and evolve slowly with a real sensation of space and the passage of time.
Re-release of this long deleted classic AMT CD. This 40 minute epic has formed the centre piece of Acid Mothers Temple gigs for the last few years. Arguably one of their finest and most cohesive works, the CD version has been long out of print.
After literally endless emails and phone calls from stores, distributors, and fans the Acid Mothers Temple and Important Records have decided to release the complete "Magical Power From Mars" in its entirety with the addition of the fourth and final track "Aladdin Kane". Housed with completely new front and back art and no expense was spared on more 3D lenticular covers for the front, this is the complete album available for the first time in its entirety.
The recording is made up of two tracks. "La Le Lo", a traditional occitan piece it is largely based around the very melodic vocals of Cotton Casino. Halfway through the track speed guru Kawabata Makoto lets the thunder roll, giving the feeling of an entirely new track until it becomes melodic again. The recording's 15 minute closing piece, "L'ambition Dans Le Miroir", starts of with Casino's gurgling synth washes panning from left to right, and then a beautiful guitar melody is introduced.
Another day another album from the band currently amongst the hottest, most sought after on the planet. These Nipponese pixies just don't know when to stop. Maelstroms of distorted electric guitar and tranquil melodic passages vie for total mind control. The Masters of the ironic freakout.
What goes on in their minds?! Another sensory overload from the Acid Mothers Temple, bringing 'space-rock' kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. The mantle of the cosmic masters of the universe descended onto the shoulders of the Nihonjin maestros of sonic noise. Awesome.
What goes on in their minds?! Another sensory overload from the Acid Mothers Temple, bringing 'space-rock' kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. The mantle of the cosmic masters of the universe descended onto the shoulders of the Nihonjin maestros of sonic noise. Awesome.
From Hardwax in Germany, the same source as the Wackies reissues, Rhythm & Sound and Burial Mix, comes this ace mid 80s dancehall track. Originally released in 1986 on the Heavyweight label (an offshoot of the Heavyweight soundsystem, based in the Wood Green and Tottenham areas of north London), it features singjay vocals by Ackie and a chunky rhythm by his uncle Chester Roots. Includes a full vocal and two dubs.
Barbara Acklin and Young Holt Unlimited sing and solo over the same backing track on side A's 1968 / 69 soul-funk gem. On the flip is the 1975 disco-soul smash from Shirley & Co (the label says 1985, but I reckon they're a decade out!), the Sylvia 'Sugarhill' Robinson penned "Shame, Shame, Shame".
West London meets Holmfirth on the Last Of The Summer Wine broken beater! The bumpy, quirky beats are musically enhanced with mouth organ, acordion, oboe, acoustic guitar and barking dog. Bizarre, but quite endeering too. There's a Gak Sato mix of "Mugiminipichi", which is violins and electro beats, and three other tracks besides.
An incendiary chemical reaction resulting from the mixing of equal parts synth pop, spiky, burning guitar riffs, walls of feedback and Mark Thomas Kluepfel's spine tingling, bruising imagery exploring the divergence of life, death, love and war. Features Taking Back Sunday's Eddie Reyes and Gary Bennett of Kill Your Idols.
Garage-punk-soul, somewhere between Make-up and Huggy Bear.
From a label purporting to deal in future forms on drum'n'bass, the loud stadium filling rock of the original is surprise enough. But it's really going on with Nubian Mindz remix, a challenging, forceful affair of harsh broken techno, kick ass breaks and wretched electronics. The Sileni and Fanu mixes develop the tune along the futuristic D'n'B channels.
Adam F's "KAOS" hip hop LP project gets put through the drum'n'bass blender with remixes by (on the vinyl) Matrix & Fierce, Dillinja, J Majik, Mickey Finn & L Double, (extra's on the CD) Roni Size, Origin Unknown, John B, Hype & Pascal, High Contrast etc.
This single disc, 16 track album is basically last Xmas's 2 EP's welded together. So if you bought them, you've got the extra out-take tracks, but you may be slightly miffed to hear that this release has one extra song, and lush, new(ish) artwork. The track is a new version of "Anybody Wanna Take Me Home". If you've not heard this stuff then you're lucky, 'cause: A. It's amazing, and B. You'll get the album as it was originally intended. It was meant to be the follow-up to the multi-platinum "Gold", but the record company rejected it, I think because it's so unremittingly downbeat. Only when Ryan gave them the trahy, sexy, alt. 80s jukebox which was "Rock 'n' Roll" did they agree to "Love Is Hell"'s release. The reviews were ecstatic. Some even called it his masterpiece. Every single song is a saddie! And so romantic, poetic, broken and damaged. Think Big Star's third mixed with lonesome Radiohead. Add The Smiths and you've got the mother of all disenchanted, outsider, life sucks, love's a bitch, what's the point(?) records. Of course the point is this: beauty and magic. They're worth going through the pain for!
The chameleon returns. This time there's no posturing. If you found the 80s underground rock or bleak, broken downer songs a little disorientating, then prepare to be puzzled again. Ryan returns to alt-countryville, but these aren't "Gold"'s singalongs, or "Heartbraker"'s Dylanish rollers. Instead, this double CD meanders beautifully, laid back and unusual, and if anyone springs to mind, this time it's Neil Young. Nothing leaps out but you can feel yourself being drawn in. This isn't a pop record at all. It's too early to tell how great this record is: it's a proper double album with some tricky arrangements, but Ryan's using his gorgeous country voice again and not throwing shapes or trying on hats. The real Ryan Adams has just stood up. Maybe! Watch this space.....
New album from Barry Adamson, and his most accessible to date. Still with his usual cool, dark vibes and filmic layered moods, but with an added dimension of lush, funky, soul-jazz. Add to that great musicianship and deep production and you've got yet another absolutely superb Barry Adamson album. Totally essential.
New album from Barry Adamson, and his most accessible to date. Still with his usual cool, dark vibes and filmic layered moods, but with an added dimension of lush, funky, soul-jazz. Add to that great musicianship and deep production and you've got yet another absolutely superb Barry Adamson album. Totally essential.
These are supposedly demos cut between "Heartbreaker" and "Gold", but there is nothing unfinished, out-take like or second rate about any of this. Whilst namechecking the likes of the Smiths and Radiohead and hailing from the alt.country scene, this is big, beautiful widescreen music most redolent of Springsteen at his best, or even Tom Petty! Whether bruised ballads or sunroof-down rockers, it's so natural sounding, so effortless. Great words, great phrasing it rolls just as it should.
These are supposedly demos cut between "Heartbreaker" and "Gold", but there is nothing unfinished, out-take like or second rate about any of this. Whilst namechecking the likes of the Smiths and Radiohead and hailing from the alt.country scene, this is big, beautiful widescreen music most redolent of Springsteen at his best, or even Tom Petty! Whether bruised ballads or sunroof-down rockers, it's so natural sounding, so effortless. Great words, great phrasing it rolls just as it should.
Debut album from former Whiskeytown frontman Ryan Adams.
Because Ryan Adams didn't give the press what they wanted (more alt.country with doses of Bruce, Gram and Tom Petty) with his comeback LP, "Rock And Roll", they've been in a sulk with him and panned this record as well. One problem: this is his masterpiece! This is the record deemed too gloomy and uncommercial by his record company. This is the real follow up to "Gold". He's put everything into it and it's a gem. He had a friend dying of cancer, he felt lonely, messed up, confused and adrift yet he turned it into such poetic observations: each song paints such an evocative picture. And musically it's a cohesive statement where the Smiths, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead and Costello are summoned to create a bleak yet beautiful wintery soundscape. There's a lot of people on the edge songs, and lots of ice and snow, but like a Raymond Carver short story you end up feeling alive and nourished, even though the outlook's bleak. There's also a couple of Xmassy lines, so it all feels quite topical to me - this album is connecting with me in a big way.
Two years after his last 'proper' album (discounting the outtakes comp. "Demolition"), boy wonder Ryan Adams hits us with two albums of new material, "Love Is Hell: Part One" and "Rock'n'Roll". The latter is a carefree blast through the Adams' teenage record collection, the Stones, AC/DC, the Smiths, Cure and even an Oasis homage. Those reared on Whiskeytown or his solo debut "Heartbreaker" be warned, think of the rockier tracks off "Gold" and you're not far off the mark here. The alt.country leanings and tender balladry of past are replaced with low down boogie, crunchy guitars, meaningless lyrics and rip-roaring choruses. Be warned!
Soundtrack to a new film, based on a hoax documentary programme from the 70's, where our planet is doomed to die from global warming and America and Russia have been secretly co-operating for decades, have colonised Mars with selected superior humans and plan to leave the rest of the human race to die!
Brand new 13 track album from Add N To (X). It hints at everything from hip hop to 50s rock'n'roll and yet never settles on a recognisable sound. From the glamtronic opener "Total All Out Water" to the frenzied, rock 'n' roll of "Sheez Mine", the P-funk surrealism of "Party Bag" and the pastoral analogue suite "Up The Punks", the stomping single "Take Me To Your Leader" and synth thrasher "Large Number", the album gathers up the band's history and spins it into gorgeously twisted nuggets. Features contributions from Richard Hawley, JP Buckle (National Bandit), drummers Joe Dilworth & Goldfrapp's Rowan Oliver plus long time collaborator, Dean Honer (All Seeing I / I Monster).
This was the debut album from Add N To (X) featuring original members Barry Smith, Anne Shenton and Andrew Averling. The band split from Andrew Averling a few months after this release, recruiting new member Steve Clayton and going on to record for Satellite and Mute. "Vero Electronics" is a must for collectors of the band, showing them in their full uncompromising glory. Tracks from this album have been used in underground films, soundtracks and on TV. Add N To (X) described themselves as moog situationists and pioneers of avant-garde electronica.
Fuxa's Randall Nieman and Add N To (X)'s Barry 7, team up for this hypnotic CD single. The two tracks were recorded in one day on Randall's digital 8 track recorder at Terminal Studios, London last September.
A new series aimed at fans of labels like Perlon, Kompakt and Playhouse, who like their beats with an old school Detroit and Chicago twist. The duo Add Noise create a modern take on sub bass driven house music with echoes of those bygone eras in experimental dance music production. This 12" also features a flipside mix that reduces the A side to a minimal and efficient 4/4 groove, bringing to mind the work of infamous Detroit minimalist Dan Bell. Cut at Dubplates And Mastering in Berlin, home of Basic Channel, by Rashad Becker, giving both sides a very clean, loud and clear sound.
Axelrod-produced soul-jazz-gospel Biblical concept double LP - SAY NO MORE! You know what to expect - ultra-heavy mindblowing spiritual vibes - and it definitely does not disappoint! They don't make them like this any more - JESUS CHRIST THIS IS AWESOME!!!
First release on Botchit & Scarper's new Index offshoot label. Side A is an infectious disco tinged groover (think Drop Music / Inland Knights etc), while side B goes for a more electronic feel.
Nu-metallers who feature Mark Chavez, brother of Johnathan Davis, lead singer of Korn!!! Currently on tour with Linkin Park.
Hotly tipped as one to watch in 2004 Adem steps into the light with "Homesongs" - his stunning solo debut for Domino. In contrast to the experimental project, Fridge (with Keiran Hebden aka Four Tet), Adem literally found his voice for these subtle folk-inflected and emotive songs: it's a warm, weary, cosy thing, too! But these are proper songs, not too dissimilar to a more fractured Badly, or Turin Brakes' weirder, non-mainstream, other-worldly pieces. The sound is refreshingly unique, D.I.Y bedroom electronica mixed with folksy whimsy. There's a plethora of percussive clicks, chinks and tinkles and a musical toyshop vibe with glockenspiel, harmonium and anything basically that comes to hand. There's hints of early Floyd, Tim Hardin, maybe Nick Drake, definately Sparklehorse. The songs do filter through the playful, hazy exterior. You can feel the love of sound, love of song that's gone into this record. Wer'e going to love it too.
Hotly tipped as one to watch in 2004 Adem steps into the light with "Homesongs" - his stunning solo debut for Domino. In contrast to the experimental project, Fridge (with Keiran Hebden aka Four Tet), Adem literally found his voice for these subtle folk-inflected and emotive songs: it's a warm, weary, cosy thing, too! But these are proper songs, not too dissimilar to a more fractured Badly, or Turin Brakes' weirder, non-mainstream, other-worldly pieces. The sound is refreshingly unique, D.I.Y bedroom electronica mixed with folksy whimsy. There's a plethora of percussive clicks, chinks and tinkles and a musical toyshop vibe with glockenspiel, harmonium and anything basically that comes to hand. There's hints of early Floyd, Tim Hardin, maybe Nick Drake, definately Sparklehorse. The songs do filter through the playful, hazy exterior. You can feel the love of sound, love of song that's gone into this record. Wer'e going to love it too.
Mellow indie-pop with country-ish guitar pickin' from this Brooklyn band. This is their fourth album (previous releases on Teenbeat) and was produced and mixed by Mark Nevers from Lambchop.
Paraphrasing William Blake in their album title is just one aspect of Adequate Seven's unusual penchant for strange bedfellows. Who else could blend skacore brass, bouncing grooves and hardcore vocals into such a distinctive groove-laden hardcore sound. They make it work and use influences as wide as Funkadelic, AFI and Sick Of It All to make a whole new sound. Live they've toured with Capdown, Lightyear, and Hundred Reasons. Now, fresh from touring with Fishbone, the band release their debut full length album on Household Name, a label that rarely lets you down.
Alexi Delano (AD) and Jesper Dahlback (JD) go back to the future, updating the classic 80s acid sound on this dark and dirty three tracker.
Super limited split 7" of dark and intense electroclash on Adults own Ersatz Audio label.
Electroclash originators Nicola Kuperus and Adam Lee Miller are back with this darkly humoured (track titles include "Glue Your Eyelids Together", "Kick In The Shins" and "Blank-Eyed Nosebleed") set of synth-pop / nu-electro gems on their own Ersatz Audio label.
Electroclash originators Nicola Kuperus and Adam Lee Miller are back with this darkly humoured (track titles include "Glue Your Eyelids Together", "Kick In The Shins" and "Blank-Eyed Nosebleed") set of synth-pop / nu-electro gems on their own Ersatz Audio label.
Adult is Adam Lee Miller and Nicola Kuperus. "D.U.M.E." was recorded in November 2004 in a studio built by Adult in Detroit. This marks their second release recorded entirely to tape. (The first was a split 7" with Detroit's Dirtbomb's where they discovered the rich sound produced when working with tape.) Also marking a change from previous releases, many of the songs on "D.U.M.E." had been played live thus allowing each to evolve a great deal before they were recorded.
Adult is Adam Lee Miller and Nicola Kuperus. "D.U.M.E." was recorded in November 2004 in a studio built by Adult in Detroit. This marks their second release recorded entirely to tape. (The first was a split 7" with Detroit's Dirtbomb's where they discovered the rich sound produced when working with tape.) Also marking a change from previous releases, many of the songs on "D.U.M.E." had been played live thus allowing each to evolve a great deal before they were recorded.
Those Dutch electro guys at Clone and the rest of the Hague underground are on to something. This brilliant electro track, with sultry female vocals and wicked sounds comes from Adult of Detroit's Ersatz Audio. Not only do you get their 2 mixes, but the Planet E don, Carl Craig, drops an awesome proper deep techno mixand Nature's Mat 101 follows up with another ace mix. The electro revolution is in full swing!
The Detroit duo's classic four track EP from 2000 on Clone, includes the anthemic "Hand To Phone". Pure Euro-centric electronic sounds.
Their music defies easy genre categorizing by manipulating the essence of early '70's punk, 80's electro-pop and the dance intensity of 90's techno. This is ideal for fans of Add N To X and the entire pre-'85 Mute Records catalogue.
Two brand new exclusive tracks; the hard hitting "Suck The Air", complete with low frequency live bass, dichotomous lyrics delivered from a fire in the belly, cymbal hits. This is coupled with the instrumental "High Heels On Tile Floors", originally recorded as two separate 3:30 minute versions: one arranged by Nicola, one by Adam. These were then combined into one version, beginning with Adam's and seamlessly transferring into Nicola's.
Daedelus and Frosty produced LP from 2003, featuring hiptronic genius and H2O related tunes with input from Saul Williams, Nobody, Pigeon John and Sacajawea. Daedelus' abstract break fixing continue to impress, with this LP being a big fave of Mr Scruff also, for obvious reasons (the sea-shanty fixarion, the cute hand-drawn sleeve, the out-there beats, etc!).
Daedelus and Frosty produced LP from 2003, featuring hiptronic genius and H2O related tunes with input from Saul Williams, Nobody, Pigeon John and Sacajawea. Daedelus' abstract break fixing continue to impress, with this LP being a big fave of Mr Scruff also, for obvious reasons (the sea-shanty fixarion, the cute hand-drawn sleeve, the out-there beats, etc!).
The first 12" to drop from Daedelus and Frosty's extraordinary album of hiptronic sea shantys and it's about time too! Ubiquity's Californian psychotropic producer Nobody touches "Whetting Whistles" with a reverse-grooved break, complementing Pigeon John's odd rhymes, while Caural gets into Daedelus time on his "Kappabashi" remix. The 12" also includes a fabulously unhinged new jazzy track "Bail Bossy Never" and the Adventure Time remix of Shakeyface's "Crazy, Crazy Like A Fox".
Five track EP from this trio. Angular, energetic songs with buzzsaw guitar, throbbing bass and pounding drums topped with boy / girl vocals. Inventive, passionate songs which hint at both Sonic Youth and The Pixies as influences.
Aereogramme are a Glasgow three piece, who combine agression and emotion, metal and electronica, transforming calm in to mayhem and fury back into restraint without any surface glitches.
Aereogramme are a Glasgow three piece, who combine agression and emotion, metal and electronica, transforming calm in to mayhem and fury back into restraint without any surface glitches.
Brand new album from Scottish rockers Aereogramme (formerly of Chemikal Underground). "Seclusion" features six brand new tracks,including a Flaming Lips cover - "Lightning Strikes The Postman", as well as a film that is the Scottish quartet's 'respectful homage to our favourite Japanese horror directors'.
Second album from this band formed from the ashes of Ganger. They play intense, loud guitar tunes, with a nod to Sonic Youth and the Pixies. Chemikal Underground are hailing them as the future of Scottish rock music! They might just be right...
The first release on new Chemikal Underground imprint "Fukd i.d.". Fuk i.d. will release a collection of singles on 12" and CD, each limited to 1000 copies. The series will include a selection of new artists as well as some of the label's favourites. This EP ranges from heavy fuzzed up guitars to gentle melodic tunes.
Excellent single from Glasgow trio Aereogramme. Follow up to their limited edition "Glam Cripple" EP which was released on Chemikal Underground's "Fukd Id" imprint. Gentle vocal melodies and searing noise.
Def Jux split 12", with the genius Aesop Rock laying down some expert lyrical moves and Karniege rocking a couple of evil cuts on the flip featuring El-P, Access Immortal and Aesop again.
Mr Lif and El-P guest on this long awaited follow up to 2001's "Labor Days". This is a disorientating, multi-layered, wall-of-words avant hip hop fest.
Mr Lif and El-P guest on this long awaited follow up to 2001's "Labor Days". This is a disorientating, multi-layered, wall-of-words avant hip hop fest.
Limited edition double CD version of Aesop's last album from Def Jux, which separates the vocals and instrumentals of each song onto two different CDs. The entire album, rent asunder for you to play together (with two CD players obviously) or use to your own ends, like entering the Aesop Rock remix contest for example!
Latest leftfield winner from Aesop / Def Jux, with two tracks of melancholy electronic soundscaping from Blockhead, plus a fat sinister streetbeat from El-P.
Aesop Rock applies his edgy Bazooka Tooth raps to a backing track that would rock any hip hop floor with its rolling piano, horn stabs and funky, loping head nod beats. Produced by Blockhead (Ninja Tune), the track also features ad libs by SA Smash and scratches from DJ Big Wiz, and comes in dirty, clean and instrumental versions. "Number Nine" is slightly more off kilter, but still accessible, and also comes in dirty, clean and instrumental versions.
This mini-album features seven brand new tracks of Aesop's most focussed work to date, produced by Ninja Tune signee Blockhead, amongst others. As usual he's to be found spitting out diatribes over some rough, tough electronic / rock based hip hop beats.
One of the original exponents of America's (if not the world's) abstract hip hop scene, Aesop Rock, returns after guesting here and there for a new full length on Mush. Dense, thick beats and some of the most intelligent rhymes around, with Vast Aire, Dose One and Slug repaying the compliment.
One of the original exponents of America's (if not the world's) abstract hip hop scene, Aesop Rock, returns after guesting here and there for a new full length on Mush. Dense, thick beats and some of the most intelligent rhymes around, with Vast Aire, Dose One and Slug repaying the compliment.
This 1983 Warren Doris and Mark Kamins produced track on Island's Mango offshoot is a huge anthem on the New York scene, but remains largely unknown over here. Check out the extended dub mix (9'28"), a firm favourite of DJ's such as Morgan Geist (I've heard him play it, that's how I know!).
Two tracks from Japan's Aflex Combo, "Freedom Hill" and "Magic Mood", both of which are on a mellow, chilled new jazz tip. Flip for two remixes of the title track, on a tighter nu-jazz tip, by Alessandro Oliviero.
Classic Studio One and Treasure Isle rhythms get updated by the Professionals (AKA The Revolutionaries) inna rockers style, with Mr Errol "ET" Thompson in the mix. One of the first super-popular dub albums.
The second part in the wildly popular African Dub All-Mighty trilogy. More Studio One and Treasure Isle classics given the re-rub by The Mighty Two (Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson). Essential dub.
A great 10 track live document from this legendary roots & dub collective, highlighting Bonjo & the band at their on-stage best. Selected from some storming London shows, offering their much-loved combination of thundering beats, psychedelic tribal dub, ancient African spritualism, and a typically mental Adrian Sherwood On-U sound mix.
This is a long overdue retrospective from the mighty AHC. Originally started as a studio-based project by Adrian Sherwood and Bonjo I, AHC took on influences as diverse as Count Ossie's nyahbingi drumming, Brian Eno's ambient works ,especially the weird sampling on "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts" with David Byrne, which they borrowed for the title of their debut LP, "My Life In A Hole In The Ground" (which referred to the Berry St Studios where all the On-U tracks were recorded), the punk-funk of The Slits, The Pop Group etc, and of course reggae. This LP includes some old favourites like "Belinda", "Dinosaurs Lament", "Throw It Away" and "Far Away Chant" as well as brand new never released before tracks recorded in 2003.
This is a long overdue retrospective from the mighty AHC. Originally started as a studio-based project by Adrian Sherwood and Bonjo I, AHC took on influences as diverse as Count Ossie's nyahbingi drumming, Brian Eno's ambient works ,especially the weird sampling on "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts" with David Byrne, which they borrowed for the title of their debut LP, "My Life In A Hole In The Ground" (which referred to the Berry St Studios where all the On-U tracks were recorded), the punk-funk of The Slits, The Pop Group etc, and of course reggae. This LP includes some old favourites like "Belinda", "Dinosaurs Lament", "Throw It Away" and "Far Away Chant" as well as brand new never released before tracks recorded in 2003.
Bob Sinclar remakes the 1976 tropical disco classic "Kalimbo" by Malinga Five as the latest blockbusting Africanism release on Yellow, providing supercharged humid house action with a distinctly carnival edge. The B-side is a stripped down rhythm version.
Bob Sinclar mixes up all the 12" series on this special Yellow CD featuring deleted and unreleased dancefloor bombs from DJ Gregory, Julien Jabre, Mighty Bop, Martin Solveig, Lego, Liquid People, Eddie Amador. salome De Bahia, Shoa and Bob Sinclar himself! If you like house, you'll love this!
Full release now available. The latest (and last?) Africanism 12" is a bit of a departure from the usual sound, though liable to maintain the big club presence. Produced by Diva and Bob Sinclar, it harks back ten years to the height of the progressive house boom. A track so Balearic (not in the Spanish guitar manner) that it could have been played at sundown outside the Cafe del Mar forever. The simple synth lines and piano breakdown are from the first Sasha era, real Renaissance style. The B-side mix is a dub that comprises simply of some ramped-up percussion and the merest hint of the synth, but it's the main track that's gonna be all over the place.
Bjorn Lundt produces this rich Africanism groove that just keeps on building when you think it's going to blow any second. The layers pile up with South African chants and a little afrobeat guitar lick remaining constant, until eventually it breaks into a more open section with substantial breakdowns. The flipside's dub mix is a more familiar, stripped down Africanism rhythmic version.
Yellow's superlative series returns with a bang, as Bibi produces an afro-latin explosion par excellence! Funky horn chants, light vibes and keys and a saxophone solo plus some hefty 4/4 action and you've got the best update of the classic Fela Kuti set-up ever! This really does rock like a mutha...
The Africanism originators, Julien Jabre & DJ Gregory, return to the fold under their Soha guise, with a uniquely electronic house meets tribal sounds track. Ethnic vocal cries and simple percussion are married to a darkside deep house track with Planet E-esque techno synths.
Produced by Chicago's Latin house experts, Lego, and previously only available with the Africanism collected box set, Yellow release the mad trumpet jam on a solo 12". Every bit as good as every Aficanism 12" has been.
Four track EP from Big Bear kingpin Steve 'Fella' Kotey in his Afrobutt disguise, with a little help from his friends Mudd and Trent Longbridge. We're talkin' properly unhinged leftfield disco, from a Talking Heads direction with cosmic percussion, mad electronics, found sounds and plenty of echo. Bonkers.
Steve 'Fella' Kotey cuts some lovely rubbery deep house on his Hairy Claw label, away from the Noid / Idjuts disco vibe but still pretty leftfield.
Very hard to find (and expensive) US remix EP. Includes a remix of Erykah Badu's "Southern Girl", some afrofunk over the basslines from Queen's "Another One Bites The Dust", Chic's "Good Times" and Grandmaster Flash's "The Message"!
The second hard-to-find Afrodisiac blends EP features Roy Ayers and Fela Kuti's "2000 Black" with Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", Fela's "ITT" with the mad disco electro of Kano's "I'm Ready" and finally, a mash-up of Earth Wind & Fire and more Kuti afrobeat.
Formed in Montreal, Canada in early 2003 by Gabriel Aldama, this ten piece live powerhouse group took the country by storm with their appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, where the national papers all described them as the act of the event. Afrodizz cite their influences as Fela Kuti, Afro-beat, funk, jazz and soul music, all of which are on display on these five long tracks.
Formed in Montreal, Canada in early 2003 by Gabriel Aldama, this ten piece live powerhouse group took the country by storm with their appearance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, where the national papers all described them as the act of the event. Afrodizz cite their influences as Fela Kuti, Afro-beat, funk, jazz and soul music, all of which are on display on these five long tracks.
Two sides of afro-beat from this Canadian ten-piece live outfit. "No Time" is a rousing upbeat mix of afro-funk and straight up funk with soulful vocals by Vance Payne. Flip for a cover of Fela's 1976 cut "Kalakuta Show" - eleven and a half minutes of dancefloor aimed afro-beat.
Frenchman Fudge seems to have grasped the knack of compositing Afro-latin elements so cleverly into well-produced house tracks that they swiftly become more than the sum of their parts. Both "Doum-Dele" and "Ramaya" display the assurance and comfort with which such results can be achieved, previously the preserve of the odd Bob Sinclar production and the New York masters like Joe Claussell. Guaranteed floor friendly vibes for music loving ears.
Caned by 4Hero, Jazzanova, Gilles Peterson and Kruder & Dorfmeister... shall I go on?!! It's a wicked vocal track on a percussive nu jazz tip, with a funky punchy bassline, quite possibly THE genre defining broken beat record. Produced by Bugz In the Attic's Orin Walters with Seiji on keys. Originally released in 2001 on the now defunct Apollo R&S offshoot, it's rock hard to find nowadays. ESSENTIAL.
Again backed by Son De Batey, Orin 'Afronaut' Walters follows the massive "Carnaval" with an even phatter broken latin bomb. Recording the Puerto Rican band live and then reconstituting it with West London embellishments in the BITA studio, "Golpe Tuyo Calinda" is the absolute superlative. The 'Boricua Dub' dispenses with the vocal chant for a more head-down furrow.
Orin Walters returns to the studio for a fresh jaunt as his solo Afronaut persona, kicking off the Naut label with a bombastic South American and Jamaican marinated, post-Notting Hill carnival blast of the hottest broken beats around! The uncompromising breaks, reverberating bass and the passionate vocals from a throng of riotous vocalists together fashion an undeniably infectious rhythm. The 12" also includes an instrumental version and acapella.
This limited vinyl reissue of one of AFX's classic musical moments now comes as a remastered double vinyl format, with all new packaging, and featuring ALL the tracks from the CD issue for the first time! Classic braindance (TM) tunes from Cornwall - originally out in 1993. As there's so few copies it's a real first come, first served release.
Aphex Twin kicks off his new "Analord" series with this stunning seven track EP on Rephlex. He seems to have been re-inspired by acid house, giving these tracks more of a feel of his early work, sitting somewhere between his R&S twelves, "Analogue Bubblebath" EPs and first "Selected Ambient Works" collection. Essential!
Mr James keeps up the pressure with the second EP in his "Analord" series. As with part one he seems to have gone back to his more melodic, acidic "Analogue Bubblebath" and gentle "Selected Ambient Works" style of production, with "Laricheard" sounding particularly retro. The end result is an easy on the ear collection of electronic gems.
Part three in this already indispensable series, and four more cuts of fantastic retro-edged acid-electronica. Includes "Boxing Day", "Midievil Rave 1", "Klopjob" and "Midievil Rave 2".
Another fine release in Aphex Twin's "Analord" EP series. This four tracker features some great squelchy acid-techno work and melodic electronica - definitely up there with his best work. Includes "Crying In Your Face", "Home Made Polysynth", "Halibut Acid" and "Breath March".
Just two tracks this time, but what tracks they are! On side A "Reunion 2" starts off with some trademark Afx key lines and a super-slow kick before building up into a frenzied, full-throttle dancefloor-slaying acid breaks killer. Over on side B things are much more melodic and subtle at the start of "Cilonen", before it too succumbs to the 303.
Part six in this essential series, and Afx drops six (two of them are just snippets really) value for money acid tracks for us. By now you'll know the score with these twelves, so I won't waste your time wittering on about them. Buy. Listen. Enjoy.
The seventh installment of this essential series includes the epic "Lisbon Acid" which moves between full on Detroit / Chicago-inspired dancefloor sounds and goes on a journey through acid electronics. Amazing! On the flip there's the Cornish braindancing "Pitcard" and more sedate "Afx Acid 04".
Possibly the strongest yet of the "Analord" series! It opens with Afx's own take on disco, the strangely named (they all are on this one!) "PWSteal. Ldpinch. D", which mixes his warbling synth lines with a snapping cymbal and kick drum rhythm. This is followed by the deeply atmospheric "Backdoor. Berbew. Q". On the flip there's the sparkly "W32. Deadcode. A" and superbly warm, soulful acid-house groover "Backdoor. Spyboter. A".
Back in April of 2004 the lads hired a pal to go on the road with them and document a month of touring, the highly entertaining results of which you can now get your lucky little mitts on. Perfectly captures the intensity of their live performance, plus all the highs and lows of life on the road - as a bonus you get three brand new songs.
Damaged Goods brings you the debut release from a mysterious group of people from Hull. There's five of them and they make a sound far removed from anything you'll currently hear, a mix of pop, electro beeps and samples, and has seen them compared favourably to Clinic, the Human League (circa 1979) and Blur.
Debut single for this eclectic five piece from Hull. An electronic-poppy-hardcore sort of band, they've been compared to Clinic, The Human League, Fonda 500 and Blur.
IG Culture and Visions' Alex Attias collaborate on this 12" of mighty, mighty furiously out-there nu jazz. High paced, clipped afro chants, obscured by techno beats, deep bass and jazz squalls lead to a very original sound. Flipping to the alternative mix, IG and Alex line up some slightly more orthodox beat patterns and throw down sections of broken soul.
The mysterious Mother Tongue label pops up with a couple of dark NYC trax. "Acid What?" uses some vocal clips from Cevin Fisher's "The Way We Used To" married to a tracky rhythm. "Daniel Wiggy" has boogie movements and dirty melodies.
They've toured for ages after their debut "Red Alert" with people like Less Than Jake and their second studio recording is tight and punchy - filled with classic melodies and damn fine punk rock!
New single from Stoke's finest five piece.
With shades of the Cult resonating "Crossbreed" is the triumphant follow up single for the Stoke quintet, to the summer's "Something Else".
Debut single from this Stoke five piece. Chugging guitars and pounding drums, reminiscent of The Ruts with a hint of Ian Curtis in the vocals.
"Something Else" is the second single release from Stoke's finest mentalists. Just over two minutes of fine punk scruff, charging guitars and catchy choruses.
"Something Else" is the second single release from Stoke's finest mentalists. Just over two minutes of fine punk scruff, charging guitars and catchy choruses.
Three tracks of pith and vinegar - punky but not punk, funky but not funk, heavy but not rock - but a bit of all three - all at once - all the time. On the Manchester / Bolton label Team HiFi.
Strange loose electronica with Germanic ice cold spoken vocals.
"Fly Away" was recorded in 1970 and originally released in 1974 and was virtually the follow-up LP by Ithaca. Again only 99 copies were pressed. Think early Floyd, Trees and a flutey Genesis bit too.
"Fly Away" was recorded in 1970 and originally released in 1974 and was virtually the follow-up LP by Ithaca. Again only 99 copies were pressed. Think early Floyd, Trees and a flutey Genesis bit too.
New York hardcore legends Agnostic Front have outlived contemporaries such as Minor Threat, SS Decontrol, Black Flag and are, on this evidence, still capable of producing a very mean noise. It's all here; the trademark sledgehammer rhythms, chainsaw guitar hooks and street anthem choruses. Produced by Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta, and featuring Terror's Scott Vogel and Karl Bleuchner of Earth Crisis.
NYC punk legends return with a blistering set of songs on Epitaph.
L'Arome continue their vinyl reissue program of 70s Ethiopian souljazz with this album, regarded as an all-time classic among today's fans of Ethiopian music! If you've picked up any of the Mulatu Astatke LPs, you'll know what to expect music-wise (out of this world, heart-wrenching Middle Eastern souljazz) but this time with the addition of the mighty voice of Mahmood - one of Ethiopia's biggest ever stars.
Phwoarr!! Original Finnish jazz funk track from '76 reissued by Jazzpuu (the second release on this perfect-so-far label!) and remixed by Kenny Dope (he sampled it on "Illout")!! The original is pretty special and the remix is a 16-minute live four deck mix of "The Illout", "Grandma's Rocking Chair" and a load of mad percussive breaks. E-FUCKING-SENTIAL!!
Delirious, obscure New York disco track from Peter Brown's Land Of Hits label circa early 80s, produced by Osborne Hunter and Steve Boston.
Fourth album from this Bergen trio. Gorgeous, drifting, melancholic songs, with hints of both Velvet Underground and Galaxie 500. Laid back male vocals and sleepy, half whispered female vocals (that remind me of Drugstore) alternate and duet over delicate rhythms. Lovely!
Another mad rare disco oddity from under the radar. Made in New York in 1976 on an offshoot of Greg Carmichael's Red Greg label, it's a five track album that features equal amounts of shrill vocals and whacked out synths, reminiscent of colleague Patrick Adams. The standout cuts are the title track (which takes up the whole of the A-side) and the flip's "Bettr Days". And Future 2000 is the name of the band, not a typo spelling of the NYC artist!
Debut album from Barrow's Andy Turner. It's a mix of hip hop beats and soulful samples or dreamy downbeat folk. includes "The Force" with Q-Ball & Curt Cazal, "True To Hip Hop" with AG, "Ain't Got Time To Waste" with YZ and "Sail" with Kate Rogers. Pure Grand Central.
Brilliant follow up to "Cold Water Music". It's more of the same really - subtle, intricately crafted sampled built hip hop / downbeat tracks. Guest vocals from Souls Of Mischief, Kate Rogers, Stephen Jones and Diamond D. Quality Grand Central LP.
A collection of Aim's long-deleted (all the remaining copies and stampers were lost in a freak accident at the pressing plant!) early singles for Grand Central. Sampleful funky hip hop breakin' and head nodding instrumentals. Includes "Loop Dreams", "Original Stuntmaster", "Just Passing Through", "Soul Dive (All City Mix)", "Coast Road" etc.
Some tasty mixes to play with across these two 12"s. The original is a sweet hip hop-soul type thing, remixed by Andy Votel (one of his dark and menacing avant-funk grooves), Jon Kennedy (deep, mellow, semi-acoustic downbeat) and Gripper (70s soft rock style dreaminess). Nice.
Some tasty mixes to play with across these two 12"s. The original is a sweet hip hop-soul type thing, remixed by Andy Votel (one of his dark and menacing avant-funk grooves), Jon Kennedy (deep, mellow, semi-acoustic downbeat) and Gripper (70s soft rock style dreaminess). Nice.
Here Air provide backing music for an extended reading by Italian writer Alessandro Baricco. Don't worry, the booklet provides English translations, and it's the music you're interested in anyway, right? Well, it's delicious as ever - pastoral melodies, touches of Floydian whimsy, drifting Krautrock synthetics and lilting acoustic guitars. They keep on surprising us!
Less easy, more sleazy listening than "Moon Safari", this "Virgin Suicides" follow up wraps you in layer upon layer of warm electronic production, sounding like a fusion of early '70s Pink Floyd, mellow ELO and warmer Kraftwerk. Guests include Beck and Buffalo Daughter. We like this a lot.
Phazers set to stun your brain. The Antipop duo continue to push the envelope, producing hard-on-the-ears beats that it's impossible to jig to. Start humming and you're liable for a beatdown as ravey UFO melodies and warped extra-terrestrial noises kick in, to leave you numb to the MC's directions.
Phazers set to stun your brain. The Antipop duo continue to push the envelope, producing hard-on-the-ears beats that it's impossible to jig to. Start humming and you're liable for a beatdown as ravey UFO melodies and warped extra-terrestrial noises kick in, to leave you numb to the MC's directions.
This ultra rare French only 7" features the original and the amazing delicate acoustic version featuring Hope Sandoval, only on this release!
French only remix 12"s, featuring tracks from the "Everybody Hertz" remix album.
Exclusive remixes from Modjo, Neptunes, Mr Oizo, Adrian Sherwood, The Hacker, plus free 9-track DVD!
On this 7" Ant offers up two tracks of melodic beauty spun with his enchanting vocals, guaranteed to moisten the eyes of most sensitive types. Swedish born Kristian Rosengren is usually found playing guitar for his band Aerospace. This rare and unaccompanied excursion as Airliner has provided Kristian with the perfect platform to showcase the delicate qualities of his vocal style, "Always Up To You" and "Happiness", were both recorded in his home studio in Stockholm. Extremely limited, each copy has been personally signed by Ant.
Classic debut album from the French duo. Lush downbeat sounds with a hint of 70's pop and 80's electronic music - an essential purchase!!!
This is the second collaboration between Guided By Voices stalwarts Robert Pollard and Tobin Sprout. This time they've created a heavier slab of pop with Sprout again taking care of all instrumentation and Pollard writing the lyrics.
Debut album from Airport Girl, following limited edition singles on WIAIWYA and Fortuna Pop. Lovely melodic pop songs.
"Salinger Wrote" is the new single from Airport Girl showcasing the noisier side of the band, with Tom McClure's electric violin providing a perfect counterpoint to a wall of guitars. Weighing in at little over 3 minutes the song tells the story of a girl who leaves town when the local ice rink is demolished, taking with her her boyfriend's Ernest Hemingway and Charles Bukowski collection, but leaving behind her JD Salinger books, knowing as she does 'every word that Salinger wrote'.
Poptones keeps churning out the albums, on this release by Airport we're transported at full speed back to the late 70's of post punk Britain, in otherwords this sounds like a dated Supergrass!
Awesome early singles collection, including their finest moment "Le Soleil Est Pres De Moi". 7 tracks in all.
Awesome early singles collection, including their finest moment "Le Soleil Est Pres De Moi". 7 tracks in all.
Hurrah! The French downbeat duo's single from way back in 2001 with some 70s / 80s sounding grooves.
Hurrah! The French downbeat duo's single from way back in 2001 with some 70s / 80s sounding grooves.
This ace calendar includes artwork by Fred Deakin (Lemon Jelly), plus work produced for Carhartt, London Transport etc. Other stuff you'll recognise from the "Another Late Night" series, or Zero 7's sleeves. All the artwork has gloss / non gloss printed surfaces, AND you get a whole sheet of little stickers (40 of them) to stick everywhere that're really cute!
The Airside crew are back with their 2005 art calender, featuring artwork for Lemon Jelly, Zatoichi, Warp and Shaun Of The Dead. This year it's a CD sized week at a glance version, with a hard card fold out backing to stand it on your desk. Each page has a superb piece of artwork, dates and some weird comments, plus there's a page of little stickers ('birthday', 'date', 'be nice', 'start argument', 'learn banjo', 'write to mum' etc) to stick on relevent dates. As with last year's, this is a strictly limited offering, so first come first served!
Air are back to making pop music. Here's 10 gorgeous, perfectly executed, lovingly produced songs that make a woozilly indulgent whole. It's 43 minutes- just right for a single listen - and crammed full of the most charming, comforting, blissful, seductive dream pop. They're playful again too. One minute cute and silly (one song has the whole tune whistled, another's called "Surfing On A Rocket" though J.B. sings "Wocket" in his sweetest franglais- and it's lovely!) the next all baroque with electronic 'harpsichords' and churchbell pianos (" Mike Mills"). The proggy portent of "10,000 Hertz" has been reduced to backdrop status, whilst the songs take centre stage in all their melodic glory. There's so many subtle delights in the mix and they still have that naive fascination with making retro electronics sound futuristic. It's nostalgic for the 70s yet intent on building a dream world for us right now. Second cloud on the right. All aboard!
Air are back to making pop music. Here's 10 gorgeous, perfectly executed, lovingly produced songs that make a woozilly indulgent whole. It's 43 minutes- just right for a single listen - and crammed full of the most charming, comforting, blissful, seductive dream pop. They're playful again too. One minute cute and silly (one song has the whole tune whistled, another's called "Surfing On A Rocket" though J.B. sings "Wocket" in his sweetest franglais- and it's lovely!) the next all baroque with electronic 'harpsichords' and churchbell pianos (" Mike Mills"). The proggy portent of "10,000 Hertz" has been reduced to backdrop status, whilst the songs take centre stage in all their melodic glory. There's so many subtle delights in the mix and they still have that naive fascination with making retro electronics sound futuristic. It's nostalgic for the 70s yet intent on building a dream world for us right now. Second cloud on the right. All aboard!
Soundtrack to the film of the same name, but basically it's a proper Air album full of lush downbeat instrumentals.
A collaboration between Bobby Donne from LaBradford, and Adam Wiltzie from Stars Of The Lid. Immediately identifiable by the tradmark guitar of Stars Of The Lid, and Bobby's bass clanks, augmented with a mixture of samples and keyboards. And Adam sings.......Occasionally.
A collaboration between Bobby Donne from LaBradford, and Adam Wiltzie from Stars Of The Lid. Immediately identifiable by the tradmark guitar of Stars Of The Lid, and Bobby's bass clanks, augmented with a mixture of samples and keyboards. And Adam sings.......Occasionally.
Next Evidence record as Aja for young Parisien label, Poussez!, doing some discoey edged house with a Caribbean calypso vibe. A couple of techier-edged remixes come courtesy of Joris Voorn and UR's DJ Rolando, who produces a suitably Aztec Mystic informed interpretation!
Unorthodox indeed, as Dave Aju produces four tracks for France's Circus Company label. Broken techno, off-kilter 4/4 and clipped edits ensue as he attempts and succeeds to out-Titonton the rest!
Currently causing a storm amongst the more broadminded house / nu jazz DJ fraternity, "Sign Of The Times" is a unique conjoining of DJ Pope's garage house, global jazz rhythms and broken beat sounds hitherto absent from American dance productions. Mustafa Akbar's lyrics cross from gospel to garage to spoken word poetry, portraying the world as it is today against an everchanging background. Check the dub mix for instant offbeat jazz dance appeal.
Akita (AKA Merzbow) and Haswell team up to create this ultra-extreme electronic noise experiment. Probably the most 'pop' record Merzbow's done to date, and would make the perfect christmas present for your mum! (Only kidding!).
When Akkerman recorded "Profile" in 1972 it was as a determined attempt to break free of the strictures placed upon him in Dutch prog band Focus and really show off his virtuosity, especially in the diversity of his compositions and even a quarter century later it works really well.
Fresh from their co-headline tour with Not Katies, here comes this impressive new single from Bristol punks AKO. Sweet chords, dark hardcore chords, frantic drumming and gorgeous keening vocals care of Toby White and Ben Chritodoulou; this is a mighty, mighty stomper of a tune.
A brand new album from complete and stubborn Brooklyn isolationists Akron / Family, who've developed a playful but hermetic, quasi-religious, sonic world-view / creed known as "Ak" or sometimes "Ak-Ak." Recorded on crude home equipment, the band compulsively chop, splice, and orchestrate their music into fractal jewels of song and schismatically opposed atmospheres. The music veers from gentle American country folk to unabashed electronic noise, to gathering and erupting crescendos, to extended skronk improvisations that suddenly cut to an LSD version of a backwoods barbershop quartet sometimes in the course of one ridiculously long 'song'.
Inflatabl Labl seem to delight in unlikely combinations. Here they get three top notch electronic producers to make four tracks each, in a style they're completely unfamiliar with....the blues. And the results are stunning. Akufen forgoes his house tendencies for a raw, glitchy shuffle,with the voices of the past rising like ghosts. Freeform (Skam) harnesses his encyclopedic knowledge of world music to create something that is Deep South, Far East, nowhere and everywhere at the same time. And lastly Rip Off Artist (Tigerbeat6 / Label owner) focuses on the core of the blues: the guitar and the twelve bar chord progression, then splinters it into a thousand pieces, with rhythms that lurch and sputter, missing a beat here and there. Blues and electronic music would seem worlds apart, yet these artists have managed to fuse the two, turn it inside out...digitize...invert and subvert.
Sought after gem on Force Inc, which received the seal of approval from Sir Gilles of Peterson on his radio show! It's house Jim, but not as we know it. Clipped, cut, clicky samples chopped together in a seemingly haphazard manner, but pulling off an unlikely funk rhythm. Similar in spirit and execution to Matthew Herbert's Music Man productions and as if to bestow his blessing, Mr Herbert and Dani Siciliano do a vocal reworking on the B-side. Also includes the (slightly) more orthodox Crack Haus Remix.
After the ace "Deck The House" single, Marc Leclair brings us a whole LP of his spliced and diced deep house / techno / electronica fusions. On first hearing the tracks sound too complex, too computer generated, but after a few listens the layers strip away revealing music of depth, warmth and soul. This is the best thing Force Inc have put out in years!
More undefinable jazzy music from Steve "Fela" Kotey & co, the second release on Big Bear's new offshoot. The main track is an extended percussive groove that emerges with a phat disco bassline and some ace Balearic rhythm, while The B-side cuts mix afrobeat, deep house and disco to an equally strange degree.
This is Akwaaba's second LP for the Idjut's Discfunction label. Again they combine trippy, dubbed-out New Yorkn style disco with afro-funk and other global sounds. Mmmmmmmm!
Alex Phountzi drops some solo Bugz In The Attic gear on this cracking little Archive 10" (with a little help from fellow Bugz, Mark Force and Kaidi Tatham). The two tracks mix heavy soundsystem broken beats with the requisite Archive tech-funk. Inspired sounds.
Alabama 3 return with the gun-slinging glass-raising anthem "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" taken from their forthcoming album "Outlaw".
A more stripped down, melodic album than its predecessors, "Outlaw" is a superb mixture of tongue-in-cheek nobility and honest, heartfelt song writing. Tracks like "How can I protect You" and the first single, the ode to the Man in Black "Hello I'm Johnny Cash" highlight an album that is down to earth yet eccentric, uplifting yet reflective.
Alabama 3 return with their dark mix of country, blues, rock and dance rhythms.
Brand new album from the band fronted by Russ Pollard (Sebadoh / Folk Implosion) and Imaad Wasif (Folk Implosion), the band also feature Lesley Ishino of Red Aunts.
Includes the original and Quiet Killaz remix. This track has an upbeat, driving, percussive electro feel, with hints of the Middle East. On the flip is a punchier nu-skool mix from Quiet Killaz AKA Pulse & Tango.
The Album Leaf's "An Orchestrated Rise To Fall" is the first solo album by Tristeza's Jimmy Lavalle. The Album Leaf is, in essence, a vehicle through which Lavalle can experiment with and expand upon the styles he has studied while merging them with a blend of minimalist instrumentations and post-rock styling. The interplay of piano, keyboards, and guitars creates a sense of warmth and eliminates any evidence of dry or technical pretension.
The Album Leaf is Jimmy La Valle, a Californian musician of underground repute, having contributed variously to Black Heart Procession, Locust and Tristeza amongst others. Icelandic sensations Sigur Ros heard the Album Leaf material and invited him to join them on their first US tour. He befriended them, and eventually began joining them onstage. This led to an invite to join them at their Iceland studios..."In A Safe Place" is the result of that invite. The album is a perfect distillation of chilled and chilling minimal electronic music and melancholic instrumental neo rock, richly textured dreamscapes that are as intricate as they are epic.
The Album Leaf is Jimmy La Valle, a Californian musician of underground repute, having contributed variously to Black Heart Procession, Locust and Tristeza amongst others. Icelandic sensations Sigur Ros heard the Album Leaf material and invited him to join them on their first US tour. He befriended them, and eventually began joining them onstage. This led to an invite to join them at their Iceland studios..."In A Safe Place" is the result of that invite. The album is a perfect distillation of chilled and chilling minimal electronic music and melancholic instrumental neo rock, richly textured dreamscapes that are as intricate as they are epic.
Schooled in New York, the Caribbean and Detroit, Kai Alce has delivered a couple of things for Track Mode previous to this untitled track. Moodymann's ear was pricked whilst DJing at Kai's Atlanta based club, the Deep Detroit House Session and has led to this special cut on Mahogani (remember, there hasn't been a KDJ release since Kenny started the Mahogani label!). A sublime piece of shifting, layered percussion, the track bears all the hallmarks of its esteemed benefactor.
More Detroit style music from Atlanta's Kai Alce, this time for the Motor City's Track Mode stable. After his Mahogani track, Kai produces a quality deep house moment with help from Ron Trent, playing his signature keys.
Like early Hawkwind merging into the Stranglers by way of a garage in Luton.
After a winter in the wilderness, Manchester's finest exponents of future listening return with the third LP proper in their ouevre, following incendary debuts from Boards of Canada and Bola. New millenial Vangelis sound pieces, juxtaposed with deformed beats, this is the sound of 2001...
After a winter in the wilderness, Manchester's finest exponents of future listening return with the third LP proper in their ouevre, following incendary debuts from Boards of Canada and Bola. New millenial Vangelis sound pieces, juxtaposed with deformed beats, this is the sound of 2001...
The Slope and Alessandro Alessandroni project come up with this happy disco-garage concoction, buoyed by live licks and Sunburst Band catchiness. Maurice Fulton, being the obtuse kind of man that he his, drops the song from a great height, totally destructing it and starting off from scratch again with a low-slung 4/4 for some bad grinding funk. Olav Brekke Mathisen takes a crispier house turn with an electronic undercurrent for a neat dub with hints of Yello's "Oh Yeah"!
Sonar Kollektiv's Slope and Alessandro Alessandroni's joint project receives house, nu jazz and