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Ripple

Ripple (Black Friday 23 Edition)

    THIS IS A BLACK FRIDAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24TH ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

    IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8AM ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25TH).


    Seminal rare groove funk and deep soul album originally released in 1973 on GRC Records now released 50 years later on Soul Jazz Records in this fully remastered edition of this CLASSIC album especially for RSD/Black Friday.

    The album ‘Ripple’ contains the all-time classic ‘I Don’t know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky’, one of the most memorable funk tunes of all time and sampled many times over.

    Ripple’s unique blend of funk, soul, rock, proto-disco and more stood them alongside groups like Funkadelic, Brass Construction, Mandrill, Pleasure, Kool and the Gang and The Blackbyrds, who were all blending these styles while remaining firmly focused on the dancefloor. Like the group Funkadelic, Ripple hailed from Michigan and in 1976 opened for the group on their Parliament/Funkadelic Mothership Connection tour.

    This classic album has been out of print for nearly 30 years on vinyl and is now fully remastered and presented here in its original artwork

    Limited to 500 copies for the UK & Ireland.

    TRACK LISTING

    1. You Were Right On Time
    2. Be My Friend
    3. I Don't Know What It Is,
    4. But It Sure Is Funky
    5. I'll Be Right There Trying
    6. Get Off
    7. See The Light In The
    8. Window
    9. A Funky Song
    10. Willie, Pass The Water
    11. Dance, Lady Dance
    12. Ripplin'

    Ravi Shankar & Ali Akbar Khan

    In Concert 1972 (Black Friday 23 Edition)

      THIS IS A BLACK FRIDAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24TH ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

      IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8AM ON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25TH).


      In Concert 1972 is a double live album by sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar and sarodiya Ali Akbar Khan, which was produced by George Harrison, Zakir Hussain and Phil McDonald. It is a noted example of the two Hindustani classical musicians’ celebrated duet style of playing, with accompaniment from tabla player Alla Rakha.

      Following Shankar’s death in December 2012, David Fricke of Rolling Stone included In Concert 1972 as one his recommended recordings by the sitarist, writing: “This wonderful recording comes from a show at New York’s Philharmonic Hall with a dream team: Ali Akbar Khan on sarod and Alla Rakha on tabla. One of the three pieces, “Raga – ManjKhamaj,” totals almost an hour, enabling you to get much closer than on most Shankar albums of the period, to the natural extension and patient exploration of an Indian classical-music evening.” Originally the final Shankar-related release on the Beatles’ Apple label, it is reissued here as a limited Record Store Day Black Friday release by Dark Horse Records, which was started by George Harrison in 1974.

      TRACK LISTING

      Side A
      1. Raga – Hem Bihag

      Side B
      1. Raga – Sindhi Bhairavi

      Side C
      1. Raga – ManjKhamaj (Pt. 1)

      Side D
      1. Raga – ManjKhamaj (Pt. 2)

      Radiante Pourpre

      II

        One of the many musical entities the French collective Simple Music Experience sent to earth to vociferate electronic incantations, Radiante Pourpre is the name of a duo comprised of Alex and Leopold as well as the name of their 2017 debut album on Antinote. Last year, they have released an acclaimed LP on Kneklehuis under another moniker, Violent Quand On Aime, but the place from which they keep on transmitting musical signals has not changed: a post-exotic world ("No Zone") where the only remains of the societies we live in are barbwires, battered radio transmitters ("Takato") and deserted oil rigs the duo uses as fictional shelters.

        From their precarious haven, they send us field recordings of waves mixed with analog glitters ("Interlude"). From their lost at sea run down tower, they record the cries of ominous seagulls ("Small Talk") and a bewitching Spanish voice ("Mala 800"), incorporating these to primitive drum machine patterns… And then…

        A miracle happens when the record is flipped: a Balearic hit for post-apocalyptic times ("Lemanja")! Begining exactly like the opening track ("The Cops, The Jazz, The Birds"), in an unexpected twist of fate, it summons the angelic voice of Galadriel Andrade for a delicate Brazilian conjuration. There might even be a sunny spell lurking in the spirited closing tune ("Ms Butterfly"): “No Borders, No Cops, No Problems”.

        TRACK LISTING

        The Cops, The Jazz, The Birds
        Lesson Tropic
        Untitled
        Mala 800
        No Zone
        Iemanja
        Interlude
        Small Talk
        Takato
        Ms Butterfly

        Ramones

        Live At The Palladium, New York, NY (12/31/79)

          THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2019 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

          Double LP of Ramones - Live At The Palladium, New York, NY (12/31/79) which first appeared on CD only as part of the 40th Anniversary Deluxe set of “Road To Ruin”. This then previously unreleased recording of the band’s entire 1979 New Year’s Eve concert, was mixed live by Stasium, and broadcast on WNEW-FM. Recorded in New York City at The Palladium, with audio sourced from Tommy Ramone’s original cassette of the console recording, it features blistering performances of “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Rockaway Beach,” and “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker,” along with several songs from Road To Ruin: “I Don’t Want You,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” and “I Wanted Everything”. This will be its first release on vinyl.

          Roy Ayers

          Stoned Soul Picnic (RSD23 EDITION)

            THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 22ND ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

            IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8PM ON MONDAY APRIL 24TH).


            "Ayers' 1968 Masterwork Issued On Splatter Colored Vinyl Exclusively For RSD 2023. In the late 1960s, vibraphonist Roy Ayers was among the top young talents in jazz, thriving during a remarkable era for the genre. While Ayers would later become a jazz-funk pioneer and delve heavily into R&B fusions, his third album Stoned Soul Picnic is a masterful showcase of soul-jazz grooves. Produced by Herbie Mann, Stoned Soul Picnic features a memorable Laura Nyro-penned title track, along with an exceptional lineup of musicians, including Gary Bartz, Hubert Laws, Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, and Grady Tate. Originally released in 1968, this early Roy Ayers classic is now receiving an official reissue on limited-edition splatter colored vinyl via Nature Sounds."

            Ramones

            Pleasant Dreams - New York Sessions (RSD23 EDITION)

              THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

              Original mixes by album producer Graham Gouldman and 3 additional songs from the sessions not included on the original album. Will feature alternative artwork found in the Warner Library.

              TRACK LISTING

              Side 1
              1. We Want The Airwaves
              2. All’s Quiet On The Eastern Front
              3. The KKK Took My Baby Away
              4. Don’t Go
              5. You Sound Like You’re Sick
              6. It’s Not My Place (In The 9 To 5 World
              7. I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind
              Side 2
              1. She’s A Sensation
              2. 7-11
              3. You Didn’t Mean Anything To Me
              4. Sleeping Troubles
              5. This Business Is Killing Me
              6. Sitting In My Room
              7. Touring

              Rich Kids

              Ghosts Of Princes In Towers (RSD23 EDITION)

                THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 22ND ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.

                IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8PM ON MONDAY APRIL 24TH).


                Ghosts of Princes in Towers is the only studio album by British band Rich Kids, founded in 1977 by Glen Matlock (ex Sex Pistols) and Midge Ure (Ultravox) and Rusty Egan released in August 1978 and produced by ex-Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson. Exclusive for RSD 2023, the original album will be newly remastered. Release overseen by Rich Kids Rusty Egan.

                Rose City Band

                Earth Trip

                  Rose City Band is celebrated guitarist Ripley Johnson. A prolific songwriter, Johnson started Rose City Band to have an outlet to explore songwriting styles apart from Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, where he is often not the lead songwriter. Rose City Band allowed him to follow his musical muses as they greet him and not be bound by the schedule of bandmates and demands of a touring group. Stepping out from behind the psychedelic haze that envelops his other output, Rose City Band’s lean yet richly textured arrangements lay bare the beauty of his songcraft. On Earth Trip, Johnson reveals more of himself than ever before, coloring the project’s country-rock twang with a melancholic, wistful undertone. It charts a journey of personal growth and introspection with surprising honesty, from pining for summers spent with friends to meditations on space, stillness and the splendor of the natural world. It continues Rose City Band’s celebration of summer warmth and the great outdoors, seen from a new vantage point, and with newfound appreciation for the freedom and joy that nature provides.

                  Earth Trip was written during a period of sudden shocks and drastic lifestyle changes for Johnson. Forced to cancel extensive touring plans for 2020, the guitarist found himself home for an extended period for the first time in years. No longer in constant motion, he was able to experience and enjoy the simple pleasures of home life, of being in one place: hikes in nature, bathing outside, and waking with the dawn. Forming new connections to his surroundings, from tending to a garden to sleeping out under the stars, Johnson found hope and healing in a more mindful relationship with the natural world.

                  Themes of recalibration and finding personal space are equally mirrored in Earth Trip’s lean production. Recorded at his home studio in Portland and mixed by Cooper Crain (Bitchin’ Bajas, Cave), Johnson makes deft use of space while experimenting with new sonics. Shimmering pedal steel, woozy harmonica melodies, and stately piano enhance the album’s introspective tone without ever clouding arrangements. Psychedelic elements that nod to Johnson’s other projects and influences still appear throughout, but hover at the edge of perception, a subtle halo adding colour and texture to Johnson’s songwriting rather than taking centrer-stage. He elaborates: “I told Cooper I was trying to capture that feeling when you take psychedelics and they just start coming on - maybe objects start buzzing in the edges of your vision, you start seeing slight trails, maybe the characteristics of sound change subtly. But you’re not fully tripping yet. He got the idea right away and his mix really captures that feeling.” Johnson’s lithe guitar playing throughout treads a fine line between country and cosmic, taut melodies spiralling out into long reverb trails or free-form solos buoyed by a breeze, radiating summer warmth.

                  Through its daring honesty and masteful arrangements, Earth Trip cements Johnson’s place as a singular songwriter of inimitable skill. It’s message of mindfulness and our interconnectedness to the environment expands on a long country and blues music tradition that draws a symbiotic relationship between storyteller and the land, capturing the beauty of the natural world while also emphasising our responsibility in preserving it for future generations.

                  STAFF COMMENTS

                  Barry says: Rose city band go full country! Slide guitars, lap steel and tasteful reverb coalesce into a brilliantly evocative and wonderfully produced distillation of that Rose City sound into a country shell. It's a testament to Ripley Johnson's skill that his sound can be so successfully transplanted into a different shell while retaining everything that made him so great in the first place. Lovely stuff.

                  TRACK LISTING

                  1. Silver Roses
                  2. In The Rain
                  3. World Is Turning
                  4. Feel Of Love
                  5. Lonely Places
                  6. Ramblin’ With The Day
                  7. Rabbit
                  8. Dawn Patrol

                  Rose City Band

                  Earth Trip

                    Rose City Band is celebrated guitarist Ripley Johnson. A prolific songwriter, Johnson started Rose City Band to have an outlet to explore songwriting styles apart from Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, where he is often not the lead songwriter. Rose City Band allowed him to follow his musical muses as they greet him and not be bound by the schedule of bandmates and demands of a touring group. Stepping out from behind the psychedelic haze that envelops his other output, Rose City Band’s lean yet richly textured arrangements lay bare the beauty of his songcraft. On Earth Trip, Johnson reveals more of himself than ever before, coloring the project’s country-rock twang with a melancholic, wistful undertone. It charts a journey of personal growth and introspection with surprising honesty, from pining for summers spent with friends to meditations on space, stillness and the splendor of the natural world. It continues Rose City Band’s celebration of summer warmth and the great outdoors, seen from a new vantage point, and with newfound appreciation for the freedom and joy that nature provides.

                    Earth Trip was written during a period of sudden shocks and drastic lifestyle changes for Johnson. Forced to cancel extensive touring plans for 2020, the guitarist found himself home for an extended period for the first time in years. No longer in constant motion, he was able to experience and enjoy the simple pleasures of home life, of being in one place: hikes in nature, bathing outside, and waking with the dawn. Forming new connections to his surroundings, from tending to a garden to sleeping out under the stars, Johnson found hope and healing in a more mindful relationship with the natural world.

                    Themes of recalibration and finding personal space are equally mirrored in Earth Trip’s lean production. Recorded at his home studio in Portland and mixed by Cooper Crain (Bitchin’ Bajas, Cave), Johnson makes deft use of space while experimenting with new sonics. Shimmering pedal steel, woozy harmonica melodies, and stately piano enhance the album’s introspective tone without ever clouding arrangements. Psychedelic elements that nod to Johnson’s other projects and influences still appear throughout, but hover at the edge of perception, a subtle halo adding colour and texture to Johnson’s songwriting rather than taking centrer-stage. He elaborates: “I told Cooper I was trying to capture that feeling when you take psychedelics and they just start coming on - maybe objects start buzzing in the edges of your vision, you start seeing slight trails, maybe the characteristics of sound change subtly. But you’re not fully tripping yet. He got the idea right away and his mix really captures that feeling.” Johnson’s lithe guitar playing throughout treads a fine line between country and cosmic, taut melodies spiralling out into long reverb trails or free-form solos buoyed by a breeze, radiating summer warmth.

                    Through its daring honesty and masteful arrangements, Earth Trip cements Johnson’s place as a singular songwriter of inimitable skill. It’s message of mindfulness and our interconnectedness to the environment expands on a long country and blues music tradition that draws a symbiotic relationship between storyteller and the land, capturing the beauty of the natural world while also emphasising our responsibility in preserving it for future generations.

                    STAFF COMMENTS

                    Barry says: Rose city band go full country! Slide guitars, lap steel and tasteful reverb coalesce into a brilliantly evocative and wonderfully produced distillation of that Rose City sound into a country shell. It's a testament to Ripley Johnson's skill that his sound can be so successfully transplanted into a different shell while retaining everything that made him so great in the first place. Lovely stuff.

                    TRACK LISTING

                    1. Silver Roses
                    2. In The Rain
                    3. World Is Turning
                    4. Feel Of Love
                    5. Lonely Places
                    6. Ramblin’ With The Day
                    7. Rabbit
                    8. Dawn Patrol

                    Stroom's valentine special for 2019 sees the label excavate some lovely wave from Venice, Italy (1981-1984). Though the city may be best known for gondolas, the biennale and romantic getaways, it seems those canals spawned some vital contributions to Italy's vibrant underground pop scene in the 80s, not least the DIY sounds of Ruins. The collaborative project of Alessandro Pizzin and Piergiuseppe Ciranna, Ruins took inspiration from British post punk, US electro, the robots from Düsseldorf and the sleek new wave topping the international charts at the time. Opener "Elegant Shout" fuses crunchy electronics and grooving bass and guitar to create a bedroom pop beauty which could easily have made it onto MFM's "Uneven Paths" comp. "Alone" is a punchier affair, more obviously directed at the leftfield dancefloors with insistent synths and the kind of garbled chorus you get from no-wave. Cut a rug in your baggiest trousers with the early-Spandeau stylings of "You're Like A Cigarette", then go wild with the drunk in the jazz club weirdo post-punk of "Skeleton In Love". The flipside keeps the hits coming, be it the slow and sleazy "Fit Of Nerves", tropical pop bangers "Boys & Girls" and "Everybody Knows Me" or the whacked out white funk of "It's Not Too Grand". Long live Stroom and their endless knowledge of alternative wave greats.

                    STAFF COMMENTS

                    Patrick says: Skinny ties, skew-wiff sounds and the weirdest, white funk around - sounds good to me. Sitting at the groovier end of the post punk/synth pop spectrum, "Occasional Visits" is a wavey masterpiece from Italy's 80s underground. Time to dance differently...

                    TRACK LISTING

                    A1. Elegant Shout
                    A2. Alone
                    A3. You're Like A Cigarette
                    A4. Skeleton In Love
                    B1. Fit Of Nerves
                    B2. Boys & Girls
                    B3. Everybody Knows Me
                    B4. It's Not Too Grand

                    Rudolf Abramov

                    Paracetamol / Clonex

                    Rudolf Abramov is taking a step in a different direction from his last release on Höga Nord Rekords. This 7” contains the works of deep mining in an old hard drive during the introversion of the pandemic quarantine. These two gems have been given a bit of tasteful polishing before reaching the point of release and the result is a punk meets stoner rock experience propelled by hard sequencers and drum machines.

                    This record is as English / Irish as you find em: straight forward instrumentation and lyrical performance presented with a dirty and rough production. The beats are stripped with an edgy punch and the synthesizers are overdriven, giving them guitar like qualities.

                    The “Paracetamol / Clonex” 7” is a release of covid demons, and the sound of spitting out the bitter taste of isolation, or to use his own words: ‘On this 7" you will find absurd and desperate lyrics accompanied by heavy English and Irish accents, driven robotic drum machines, dirty synths, crunching bass, and as unpolished as your dad's old Angle grinder.’


                    STAFF COMMENTS

                    Matt says: One of the shining lights of the underground, Höga Nord Rekords, continues to usher in a crucial roster of artists eschewing music trends and Instagram stardom for a dark, nocturnal, gothy inspired sound all of their own. Equally at home in the rock club or warehouse; this is uncompromising music strictly for those who like it strange!

                    TRACK LISTING

                    A. Paracetamol Feat. Matthew Johnson
                    B. Clonex Feat. Brendan Cleary

                    Ryan Adams

                    Chris

                      Ryan Adams’ “Chris” double album recorded and released in 2022. Chris is the first in a series of four original studio albums released by Ryan Adams in the calendar year. Available for the very first time in physical format on double baby blue colour vinyl. 

                      TRACK LISTING

                      Side A
                      1. Take It Back
                      2. Still A Cage
                      3. Flicker In The Fade
                      4. Chris
                      Side B
                      1. About Time
                      2. Aching For More
                      3. Say What You Said
                      4. So Helpless
                      5. Crooked Shake
                      Side C
                      1. Dive
                      2. Was I Wrong
                      3. Lookout
                      4. Schizophrenic Babylon
                      Side D
                      1. Moving Target
                      2. I Got Lost
                      3. Replaced
                      4. Spinning Wheel
                      5. Letting The Light In

                      Ryan Adams

                      Devolver

                        Ryan Adams’ “Devolver” recorded and released in 2022. Devolver is the fourth and final original studio album released by Ryan Adams in the calendar year. Devolver follows the double albums Chris and Romeo & Juliet and third album FM. Available for the very first time in physical format on classic black vinyl.

                        TRACK LISTING

                        Side A
                        1. Don’t Give It Away
                        2. State At The TV
                        3. Alien USA
                        4. Banging On My Head
                        5. Marquee
                        6. Eyes On The Door
                        Side B
                        1. Too Bored To Run
                        2. Free Yourself
                        3. Get Away
                        4. I’m In Love With You
                        5. Why Do You Hate Me?
                        6. Revelations
                        7. I Am Alone

                        Ryan Adams

                        Romeo & Juliet

                          Ryan Adams’ “Romeo & Juliet” double album recorded and released in 2022. Romeo & Juliet is the second in the series of four original studio albums released by Ryan Adams in the calendar year. Romeo & Juliet follows the first in series – another double album titled “Chris”. Available for the very first time in physical format on double power purple colour vinyl.

                          TRACK LISTING

                          Side A
                          1. Rollercoaster
                          2. In The Blue Of The Night
                          3. I Can’t Remember
                          4. Somethings Missing
                          5. Doylestown Girl
                          6. Romeo & Juliet
                          Side B
                          1. Anything
                          2. Rain In LA
                          3. Poor Connection
                          4. In The Meadow
                          Side C
                          1. Run
                          2. This Is Your House
                          3. At Home With The Animals
                          4. Earthquake
                          5. Hold Me Together
                          Side D
                          1. Losers
                          2. My Heaven
                          3. Theo Is Dreaming
                          4. They Will Know Our Love

                          This is Rodrigo Amarante’s first solo record. It was made during an unexpected but very welcome exile, in a land he wouldn't have predicted he’d linger for too long; the west of the west. But the sense of distance and his newly acquired refreshing anonymity kept him staying. Rodrigo found himself leaning on that distance, projecting onto it, the space echoing back to him with a new voice.

                          Cavalo means horse in Portuguese, a word also used for people who channel spirits in service, something normal to Brazilians. Another instance of an amalgam between vehicle and vehiculated, and writing these songs felt like that, an attempt to merge these often conflicting voices, the mind, and the gut.

                          Rodrigo repeatedly found himself a foreigner, an explorer, moving from city to city every three years as a kid. He pretended to have the forbearance and courage he ended up forging while secretly carrying the resentment of the imposed detours, of the wait to return. When he finally arrived back in Rio no longer a child and with an accent three times tampered he realized that his hometown wasn't his, that he had invented it in light of what he saw elsewhere, its memory a dream of scents and light that didn't seem to exist in space, maybe in time. He discovered himself a stranger, what he had been since he first left and knew to be temporary, what he realized was definitive. And it was a bitterness at first but it slowly turned into something sweet, warm, he felt free and grateful, he had to invent that too, cut the bushes to a new path. He departed again.


                          TRACK LISTING

                          01. Nada Em Vão
                          02. Hourglass
                          03. Mon Nom
                          04. Irene
                          05. Maná
                          06. Fall Asleep
                          07. The Ribbon
                          08. O Cometa
                          09. Cavalo
                          10. I'm Ready
                          11. Tardei

                          You may know Rodrigo Amarante already. You may have heard "Tuyo," his theme tune to the Netflix drama Narcos, or the Little Joy album, recorded with Fab Moretti and Binki Shapiro, you might have noted his name among the credits on songs by Gal Costa, Norah Jones and Gilberto Gil; or perhaps you saw him play live with Brazilian samba big band Orquestra Imperial, or with Rio rockers Los Hermanos; you really should have heard his debut album, Cavalo, released in 2014. You may think you know Rodrigo Amarante already, but Drama, his second solo album, is going to introduce a whole new level of confusion to the mix.

                          Drama is purposefully caricatural, cinematic; "As biased as memory". It flows as an arch, playfully deceiving, like a tale. The ominous opening number gives you a hint that things might not be what they appear, and clues are hiding in plain sight. "Projection, attachment, deception: that is Drama." The sunny upbeat start of "Maré", with a nearly childish opening melody, echoes something less naïf: "The tide will fetch what the ebb brings". The beat helps you move past. "Tango" sounds like falling in love on the dance floor, warm and tropical, it celebrates companionship, while perhaps pleading for it, yearning. "Tara," meanwhile, feels like something Astrud Gilberto might have sung at the height of bossa nova’s global popularity, with the twist of the big-band-era muted horns on the chorus, nearly self-deprecating, as if mocking such idealized infatuation.

                          Drama closes with the piano on "The End." To live is to fall. After all the emotional upheavals the singer has put his cast through, is this some kind of farewell to this mortal coil? "Everything Furthers." says Amarante. "Whispering, you get louder like that, people respond better to an invitation," and adds: "Staring at the absurd while remaining kind, being open to the gifts of confusion; that's why we create these tools that are stories and songs, to help us see each other."

                          TRACK LISTING

                          01. Drama
                          02. Maré
                          03. Tango
                          04. Tara
                          05. Tanto
                          06. I Can't Wait
                          07. Tao
                          08. Sky Beneath
                          09. Eu Com Você
                          10. Um Milhão
                          11. The End

                          Richard Ashcroft

                          Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1

                            The album features twelve newly recorded acoustic versions of classic songs from his back catalogue spanning both his solo career and his time with The Verve.

                            After lockdown was lifted, Richard decided to start the project as a way to reunite the community around him, bringing a selection of great musicians and old friends back together again. As the project took shape, they discovered just how varied their new approaches could be. Some of the arrangements proved to be timeless and remained similar to the originals, with years of experience and a new found passion that saw Richard’s vocals express a fresh empathy within their lyrics. Meanwhile, other songs took on a new shape in this stripped-back set-up.

                            The rebirth of the iconic ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ was an emotional moment for Richard. It felt particularly poignant re-recording a song that he had written almost twenty-five years ago, especially as it's now officially his composition after Mick Jagger and Keith Richards relinquished their writing credits to him.

                            Another big moment comes with the new version of ‘C’Mon People (We’re Making It Now)’, a duet with Richard’s old friend Liam Gallagher. The pair have often talked about recording or performing the song together since it was first released in 2000, and now it’s finally happened - the sheer energy and delight that they shared during the session is palpable as the new recording beams with a joyous feeling of optimism.

                            ‘Velvet Morning’ is another track that has been transformed. The vocals on the original version, as featured on The Verve’s classic ‘Urban Hymns’, were sung via a megaphone that Richard had purchased from a car boot sale the day before the recording session. Now Richard’s vocal really shines as it unleashes the song’s full magnitude.

                            The biggest surprise on ‘Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1’ is the inclusion of ‘This Thing Called Life’, a song which Ashcroft has rarely played live. It was originally recorded with No I.D. in the USA as a highlight of his soul-tinged RPA & The United Nations Of Sound project. Now taken back to basics, the new arrangement reveals a song that feels perfectly at home alongside Richard’s most highly regarded work.

                            Produced by Richard with regular collaborator Chris Potter, the album features his regular live band boosted by some special collaborators. Wil Malone provides the string arrangements, which were recorded at Abbey Road Studios. In addition, Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers) performs piano, Roddy Bloomfield leads the brass section, and Steve Wyreman (Leon Bridges, Vic Mensa) contributes acoustic guitar and backing vocals.

                            TRACK LISTING

                            CD
                            Bittersweet Symphony
                            A Song For The Lovers
                            Sonnet
                            C'mon People (We're Making It Now) – Featuring Liam Gallagher
                            Weeping Willow
                            Lucky Man
                            This Thing Called Life
                            Space & Time
                            Velvet Morning
                            Break The Night With Colour
                            One Day
                            The Drugs Don't Work

                            Vinyl Tracklist
                            SIDE A
                            Bittersweet Symphony
                            A Song For The Lovers
                            Sonnet
                            SIDE B
                            C'mon People (We're Making It Now) – Featuring Liam Gallagher
                            Weeping Willow
                            Lucky Man
                            SIDE C
                            This Thing Called Life
                            Space & Time
                            Velvet Morning
                            SIDE D
                            Break The Night With Colour
                            One Day
                            The Drugs Don't Work

                            Richard Ashcroft

                            C'Mon People (We're Making It Now) Don’t Stop Now Mix Featuring Liam Gallagher

                              C’mon People (We’re Making It Now)’ wasn’t a classic by any means when it first surfaced back in 2000, but the decision to pull in Liam Gallagher to lay down his vocals alongside Ashcroft has turned it into one, as the pair swap soulful verses like two heavyweights exchanging blows on a stunning duet. (NME) 

                              TRACK LISTING

                              SIDE A
                              C'mon People (We're Making It Now) (feat. Liam Gallagher) (Don't Stop Now Mix)
                              SIDE B
                              Bring On The Lucie (FREDA PEEPLE)

                              As the frontman for the epic British drone-pop band The Verve, Richard Ashcroft proved himself the spiritual descendant of rock & roll icons like Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison - rivetingly charismatic, menacingly serpentine, and possessed of an almost shamanic intensity, he embraced and articulated the anthemic fervor of rock music with a power and eloquence unparalleled by any of his contemporaries.

                              Featuring ten new songs, all of which were written by Ashcroft, ‘Natural Rebel’ was produced by the singer-songwriter alongside Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Kate Bush) and Emre Ramazanoglu, Bobby Gillespie). The majority of its recording took place at State of the Ark Studios in Richmond, with further sessions at The Bunker, Tileyard Studios and Hoxa HQ.

                              TRACK LISTING

                              1. All My Dreams
                              2. Birds Fly
                              3. Surprised By The Joy
                              4. That's How Strong
                              5. Born To Be Strangers
                              6. That's When I Feel It
                              7. We All Bleed
                              8. A Man In Motion
                              9. Streets Of Amsterdam
                              10. Money Money

                              Richard Ashcroft

                              These People

                                Richard Ashcroft returns in 2016 with his fourth solo album entitled ‘These People’ released on his Righteous Phonographic Association label via Cooking Vinyl Records on 20th May.

                                The previous Brit and Ivor Novello award winner (and Grammy nominated) artist made a handful of solo live appearances at the end of 2015, playing a performance at Zermatt Unplugged in Zurich in October and an incredible solo acoustic set in front of 30,000 people at Mexico's Corona Capital Festival in November (see below), live dates for 2016 will be announced shortly.

                                The album was recorded in London and produced by Ashcroft and longtime collaborator Chris Potter. It marks a reunion with Wil Malone, who worked with Ashcroft on the string arrangements on the seminal albums by The Verve ‘A Northern Soul’ and ‘Urban Hymns’. 

                                Richard Ashcroft Is Alive: The Verve Man's Thrilling Resurrection At Mexico's Corona Capital Festival – NME.
                                ‘Who else here has got the bollocks to stand up on this stage, on their own, with their own tunes and their own guitar and play it from the soul?" NME.


                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                Andy says: Lead single "This is How it Feels" typifies this lush return to form for Richard. Hooked up again with both the producer and strings conductor of Urban Hymns, this album has the depth and most importantly tunes that he used to knock out for fun all those years ago.

                                Roberto Auser

                                Flush / Spy Satellite

                                Hailing from the Netherlands, Roberto Auser has been a mainstay of the underground electronic scene for over a decade. With a passion for vintage synthesizers and a knack for crafting irresistible beats, he has released a string of critically acclaimed albums and EPs that have won him a dedicated following around the world.

                                His new release for Ferry Lane sees Roberto on a synthwave tip, and it is a testament to his skill and creativity as a producer. Flush, with its infectious beats and hypnotic synth lines, is a prime example of Roberto's ability to create music that is both danceable and emotionally resonant. On the flip, Spy Satellite showcases his versatility and range with its haunting melodies and atmospheric textures.

                                Limited to 200 copies, hand-stamped labels.

                                RIYL Martial Canterel, Wierd, June, Strangers For Love. 


                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                Matt says: A blink-and-you'll-miss-it cold wave romp that sounds like it's been dragged out the sewers alongside Light Sounds Dark's more recent excavations and overseen by Rodion Ga. Expert analogue synth work, nice crisp recording, ooh yes...

                                TRACK LISTING

                                A. Flush
                                B. Spy Satellite

                                We do love the one and only Mr Roy Ayers here at Dynamite Cuts, so here are two new wonders reformatted for 7" vinyl for the first time. We have choosen two killer tracks from the "A Tear To A Smile" album.

                                TRACK LISTING

                                1. A Tear To A Smile
                                2. Time & Space

                                Dynamite Cuts has unleashed perhaps one of the greatest, if not, the greatest, summer time soul classics. The legendary Roy Ayers has written many gems over the years, loads of club and dance tracks and some killer down tempo songs but, one stands up above all the rest. It's been issued as a 7" before, back in 1975 and now sells for big bucks - if you're lucky enough to find one.

                                TRACK LISTING

                                1. Everybody Loves The Sunshine
                                2. Lonesome Cowbody

                                Roy Ayers

                                Good Good Music / Chicago

                                  The Roy Ayers album "Silver Vibrations" celebrates it's 40th Anniversary this year. The Uno Melodic label via Expansion now release "Good Good Music" (Edit) from that album on 7" for the very first time. It's released back to back with "Chicago", also still sought after on 7" single, again taken from "Silver Vibrations"

                                  TRACK LISTING

                                  1. Good Good Music
                                  2. Chicago

                                  Roy Ayers

                                  Liquid Love / What’s The T?

                                    With both tracks now coming out for the first time on vinyl, the Liquid Love and What's The T? 7” single is a must get for all Roy Ayers fans and serious music collectors, not least as 2023 witnesses Roy's final ever tour of live dates. This release is a fitting tribute to the career of one of the most influential musicians in global Black music history and each track represents his virtuosity as a vibesman and his versatility across genres. Liquid Love is taken from the digital version of the 2015 BBE released compilation of Roy's unreleased material, Virgin Ubiquity II, and is a wicked mid-tempo track where Roy's vibraphone complements an amazing female vocal arrangement to create harmonies and melody over a tough as you like breakbeat, bass line and keyboard riff. Coming from the 2004 initial release in the Virgin Ubiquity series of unreleased Roy Ayer's tracks, What's The T? is a more uptempo, bassline driven slab of dance floor funk. Augmented by a horn section and a huge female vocal from Merry Clayton over a hi-hat drumbeat, What's The T? is Roy Ayers and his musicians playing Roy's arrangements to perfection. Releasing on BBE Music's ALIM imprint, Liquid Love/What's The T? vinyl single issue is two musical moments in time now presented as a moment in history in the year we celebrate the excellent career and legacy of Roy Ayers as a touring musician. This is Roy at his best as musician, arranger and artist, grab this now.

                                    TRACK LISTING

                                    1. What's The T?
                                    2. Liquid Love

                                    Roy Ayers

                                    Reaching The Highest Pleasure / I Am Your Mind Part 2 (Pépé Bradock Remix)

                                      'There are moments when we harmonise with each other and become one with nature and reality.' When, in the early 2000's, Pete Adarkwah heard of the existence of tapes of unreleased Roy Ayers and Ubiquity recordings sitting in storage he contacted Roy to get hold of them to be mastered and released. Released they were under the banner of 'Virgin Ubiquity' which spawned two volumes of the original grooves as well as a compilation of remixed versions of selected tracks. Now coming out on a 10” single, 'Reaching For The Highest Pleasure' gets it's first ever vinyl release, thus adding to the canon of 'must have' Roy Ayers records. This vibraphone heavy track and funk-fuelled bassline epitomises Roy's Black Consciousness inspired output from the mid-70's that also saw seminal albums such as Red Black and Green, Mystic Voyage and Everybody Loves The Sunshine recorded with various line ups of 'Ubiquity'. This release is backed with the call to arms of personal freedom and self that is 'I Am Your Mind part 2' remixed by Parisian producer Pépé Bradock AKA Julien Auger. First released by BBE on the original 'Virgin Ubiquity' compilation as the original recording and subsequently as a remixed version on 'Virgin Ubiquity remixed', this track features a stunning female vocal as well as Roy's spoken word philosophies laid over a deep and infectious groove. These two tracks are Roy Ayers at his legendary best from his most innovative period of creativity with his Ubiquity band of top flight Jazz, Funk and Soul musicians and artists. As already said, this a must have record.

                                      TRACK LISTING

                                      1. Reaching The Highest Pleasure
                                      2. I Am Your Mind (Part 2) Pépé Bradock Main Mix

                                      This is the first ever reissue of Roy Ayers' 1983 album 'Silver Vibrations'. Originally released in the UK only on Uno Melodic Records, 'Silver Vibrations' shares some of its musical DNA with 'Lots Of Love', Ayers' US album from the same year. However, 'Silver Vibrations' contains four unique cuts all of its own, plus extended takes of three songs, including the definitive version of iconic song 'Chicago'. The rarity of the original pressing has led to eye-watering second-hand prices for this truly brilliant LP. 'Silver Vibrations' was perhaps the last album to retain the sound of Ayers' organic 'classic' period of the latter '70s and manages to stand up well under its current re-evaluation. "Chicago", the unedited version of which is exclusive to this L.P., received considerable airplay in its time and has barely faded from earshot ever since; its woozy, mysterious vibe and cosmic ruminations from Roy in the second half have certainly endured. The strutting, funky "Good, Good Music" echoes Ayers at his pre-'80s, up-tempo disco peak, sporting a grittier edge and an old-school party atmosphere. Title track "Silver Vibrations" was only ever released in the U.K., both on this album and as a single, backed with "Fast Money". Both "Lots Of Love" and "Keep On Movin'" hark back to previous times and are a pleasant listen without being at all taxing. "Smiling With Our Eyes" is mid-tempo, lilting and jazzy, with a vocal vaguely reminiscent of Stevie Wonder in places. The wistful "D.C. City", a close companion of Ubiquity's original recording of "The Third Eye" is, in many ways, quintessentially Roy Ayers. 

                                      STAFF COMMENTS

                                      David says: Overdue reissue of this Roy classic. Worth buying purely for 'Chicago'. One of his finest moments it's been sampled and re-edited more times than his lawyers can count.

                                      TRACK LISTING

                                      1. Chicago
                                      2. Lots Of Love
                                      3. Keep On Movin'
                                      4. Silver Vibrations
                                      5. Smiling With Our Eyes
                                      6. D.C. City
                                      7. Good Good Music

                                      This release another double pack full of Roy Ayers delight! Roy Ayers was born back in the 1940s and soon became an amzing Soul Jazz Vibraphone player and created his own neo soul vibe. So many great tracks, this Dynamite Cuts release gives you more sunshine vibes

                                      TRACK LISTING

                                      1. Hummin' In The Sun
                                      2. The Fuzz
                                      3. I Can't Help Myself
                                      4. Love

                                      Roy Ayers

                                      Virgin Ubiquity II: Unreleased Recordings 1976 - 1981

                                        BBE Music announces the first repress of the classic Roy Ayers albums ‘Virgin Ubiquity’ 1 and 2 since 2006, on luxurious 180g vinyl with brand new sleeve notes written by Sean P. The music on 'Virgin Ubiquity' was selected and mixed down from previously unreleased multi-tracks recorded between 1976 & 1981, which Roy had in storage. It's all unmistakably Ayers, but is diverse and fresh enough to be more than a mere adjunct to one of his most productive and popular periods - testament to his and his musicians' creative abilities, as much of most revered Ayers output stems from this time. These discoveries take their place beside some illustrious company in a timeline bookended by 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' and 'Africa, Center Of The World', several solo and Ubiquity albums, collaborations with Wayne Henderson & Fela Kuti, as well as guesting on LPs by Buster Williams and Herbie Mann. Out of print on vinyl and CD for over a decade now, BBE is delighted to re- present these groundbreaking Roy Ayers titles, neatly coinciding with the 45th anniversary of his classic album ‘Mystic Voyage’.

                                        TRACK LISTING

                                        Disc: 1
                                        1. Holiday
                                        2. Funk In The Hole
                                        3. Liquid Love
                                        4. I Am Your Mind (Part 2)

                                        Disc: 2
                                        1. Third Time
                                        2. I Like The Way You Do It To Me
                                        3. Tarzan
                                        4. Come To Me

                                        Disc: 3
                                        1. Touch Of Class
                                        2. Kwajilori
                                        3. Wide Open
                                        4. Release Yourself
                                        5. Sunshine (Demo)

                                        Roy Ayers

                                        Virgin Ubiquity: Unreleased Recordings 1976 - 1981

                                          BBE Music announces the first repress of the classic Roy Ayers albums ‘Virgin Ubiquity’ 1 and 2 since 2006, on luxurious 180g vinyl with brand new sleeve notes written by Sean P. The music on 'Virgin Ubiquity' was selected and mixed down from previously unreleased multi-tracks recorded between 1976 & 1981, which Roy had in storage. It's all unmistakably Ayers, but is diverse and fresh enough to be more than a mere adjunct to one of his most productive and popular periods - testament to his and his musicians' creative abilities, as much of most revered Ayers output stems from this time. These discoveries take their place beside some illustrious company in a timeline bookended by 'Everybody Loves The Sunshine' and 'Africa, Center Of The World', several solo and Ubiquity albums, collaborations with Wayne Henderson & Fela Kuti, as well as guesting on LPs by Buster Williams and Herbie Mann. Out of print on vinyl and CD for over a decade now, BBE is delighted to re- present these groundbreaking Roy Ayers titles, neatly coinciding with the 45th anniversary of his classic album ‘Mystic Voyage’.

                                          TRACK LISTING

                                          Disc 1:
                                          1. Oh What A Lonely Feeling
                                          2. Boogie Down
                                          3. What's The T?
                                          4. Sugar
                                          5. Mystery Of Love
                                          6. I Really Love You

                                          Disc: 2
                                          1. Mystic Voyage (Version)
                                          2. Green And Gold
                                          3. I Just Wanna Give It Up
                                          4. Brand New Feeling
                                          5. Together Forever
                                          6. I Did It In Seattle
                                          7. I Am Your Mind

                                          Roy Ayers

                                          Virgo Vibes - 2023 Reissue

                                            Long before becoming an icon of funk, acid jazz, and R&B, Roy Ayers was a promising young jazz vibraphonist. Originally released in 1967, Virgo Vibes was Ayers' second album, and his debut for Atlantic. With five cool, funky jazz tracks, the LP features talented musicians like Joe Henderson, Charles Tolliver, Bruno Carr, Jack Wilson and the mysterious pianist Ronnie Clark (Herbie Hancock playing under a pseudonym). A rare treasure infused with the relaxed, sunny vibe that defined Ayers’ stellar career, Virgo Vibes is now available again on vinyl. 

                                            TRACK LISTING

                                            A1. The Ringer
                                            A2. Ayerloom
                                            A3. In The Limelight
                                            B1. Virgo Vibes
                                            B2. Glow Flower

                                            Rayland Baxter

                                            If I Were A Butterfly

                                              Rayland’s new release ‘If I Was A Butterfly’ is his first new album in 4 years. The album is certainly his most experimental – diving deep into the indie psych space – but keeping the essence of Rayland’s beautiful songwriting. A couple years ago, Rayland released a Mac Miller tribute EP ‘Good Mmornin.’ Rayland was deeply inspired by Mac’s music but he approached it from an entirely different perspective. It was surely an experiment yet it really worked. His cover of “Small Worlds” has 11 million Spotify streams. It’s been incredible to see how this project connected with core Rayland fans and Mac fans alike – it expanded his following to a whole new space. The Mac Miller project was a bridge from Rayland’s last album ‘Wide Awake’ which came out in 2018. Since then, Rayland has been through a lot of heavy experiences. His father, the legendary pedal steel player Bucky Baxter (toured with Bob Dylan), died suddenly. Rayland went through heartbreak and found new love.

                                              Rayland Baxter

                                              Wide Awake

                                                Thoreau had Walden Pond. Kerouac had Big Sur. Rayland Baxter? He had an old rubber band factory in Franklin, Kentucky, and it suited him just fine. As one of the hardest-touring artists on the road today, Baxter’s spent most of his professional life in transit, but ever since he was a kid, he dreamed of creative seclusion someplace lonely and isolated, somewhere he could sit still and devote his every waking hour to writing without interruption or distraction. When the opportunity finally presented itself in late 2016, the Nashville native pounced.

                                                “I packed everything in my van and moved to Franklin for three months,” says Baxter. “It was the fist time I ever got to be alone and focus solely on songs like that. All I did was write, write, write all day every day. I was obsessed.”

                                                By the time Baxter emerged, he’d penned more than 50 tunes and crafted a detailed blueprint for his spectacular new album, ‘Wide Awake.’ Deftly produced by Butch Walker, the record infuses Baxter’s easygoing, soulful sound with British Invasion melodies and rock and roll swagger, marrying lean, muscular songwriting with adventurous, inventive arrangements. It’s a cutting, insightful collection, one that takes a sardonic view the violence, greed, and division that seem to define the modern American landscape. Rather than point a finger, though, the music holds up a mirror, offering a sober reflection of the times thoughtfully bundled in bright, infectious hooks. There’s no judgment here, only keen observation, and Baxter implicates himself as much as his neighbor through it all.

                                                “This is an album about decision making,” he explains. “It’s about being a human at the crossroads. Do I do good or do I do evil? Do I lie or do I tell the truth? Am I going to be happy or am I going to be sad? All of these questions and emotions are things I see in myself, and they’re the same things I see in everyone else no matter where I go.”

                                                Baxter’s built a career on capturing those sorts of timeless, deeply human sentiments, bringing colorful characters to vivid life with equal parts humor and pathos. His debut album, ‘feathers & fishhooks,’ was a critical hit praised by Interview for its “well-worn maturity,” while NPR described “Yellow Eyes,” the lead single from his 2015 follow-up, ‘Imaginary Man,’ as “close-to-perfect.” Stereogum dubbed the record “an impeccable sophomore break-out,” and Rolling Stone hailed its pairing of “whimsical narrative with often deceptively complex arrangements.” The music earned Baxter festival appearances from Bonnaroo to Newport Folk in addition to tours with an astonishing array of artists, including Jason Isbell, The Lumineers, Kacey Musgraves, The Head and The Heart, Shakey Graves, Lauryn Hill, and Grace Potter.

                                                “The six months leading up to the release of ‘Imaginary Man,’ that was the first time I really started playing electric guitar and performing with a band,” says Baxter. “We did my first headline run and toured that album for a year-and-a-half, and the experience really opened up this whole new sound for me. It helped me figure out more of who I was as an artist and a songwriter and a traveler and a human being.”

                                                It was with that newfound sense of self that Baxter entered Thunder Sound, the abandoned rubber band factory-turned-studio in the cornfields of Kentucky that would become his home for three months of intensive soul searching and songwriting.

                                                “I blanketed the windows so no one could see inside,” he explains. “I laid a mattress down next to an old Wurlitzer so I had somewhere to sleep. I had a guitar, a desk with a lamp and some paper and pencils, and that was it. For fifteen hours a day, I wrote.”

                                                When it came time to record his mountain of new songs, Baxter relocated to Santa Monica, California, where he wrangled an all-star studio band that included Dr. Dog’s Erick Slick on drums, Butch Walker on bass, Cage The Elephant’s Nick Bockrath on guitar, and piano wizard Aaron Embry (Elliott Smith, Brian Eno) on keys. A producer and artist equally at home working with massive pop stars and indie stalwarts, Walker immediately embraced Baxter’s vision for the album, and the result is a sunny and altogether charming collection. Scratch beneath the surface, though, and you’ll find it’s populated by a cast of characters who project a vision of the good life as they struggle to keep it all together behind closed doors. On the punchy ‘Casanova,’ the singer reckons with debts he knows he’ll never be able to repay, while the volatile “Amelia Baker” charts the narrator’s descent into near-madness as he pines for a starlet perpetually out of reach.

                                                “We have this society where we’re obsessed with celebrity and living on the top of the mountain,” says Baxter. “But what’s at the top? Maybe it’s a lonely place to wake up.”

                                                Late 2016 was a particular tumultuous time in the country, and though Baxter did his best to isolate himself from the outside world while he wrote, it was inevitable that some of the chaos would seep in. On album opener “Strange American Dream,” a chiming piano and spare Motown groove give way to lush harmonies and unexpected melodic twists as Baxter sings, “I close my eyes and realize that I’m alive inside this strange American dream.” Meanwhile, the soaring “79 Shiny Revolvers” finds him reflecting, “you really wanna save the world, man / well, I wanna save it, too / we can blow ’em away / the American way.”

                                                While ‘Wide Awake’ offers plenty of broad, wide-angle musings, some of its most arresting moments arrive bundled inside deeply personal memories and snapshots. The heartfelt “Everything To Me” is a tender tribute to family (Baxter’s father Bucky, who played pedal steel with Bob Dylan and Ryan Adams among others, contributes to the record), and the laidback “Let It All Go Man” is a reminder that there’s beauty in simply being alive.

                                                “I actually started that song two years ago on a trip to South America,” says Baxter. “I was sitting on the porch of a house in this little town in Colombia, and I was all alone playing a gut string classical guitar, just staring out at the ocean and the beach in the middle of the night. It made me realize how much unnecessary stuff we hold on to, all the grinding away we do chasing success and money and missing the big picture. It made me realize what an incredibly beautiful gift it is to be human.”

                                                That empty South American beach may have been a world away from the rubber band factory in Kentucky, but for Baxter, the effect was the same. The solitude offered a chance to observe, to reflect, to grow, to appreciate, and most importantly, to write.

                                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                                Andy says: Effortlessly melodic pop craftsmanship in a Southern/ West Coast easy stylee. This is the perfect album for the summer.

                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                1 Strange American Dream
                                                2 Casanova
                                                3 Angeline
                                                4 79 Shiny Revolvers
                                                5 Amelia Baker
                                                6 Without Me
                                                7 Hey Larocco
                                                8 Sandra Monica
                                                9 Everything To Me
                                                10 Let It All Go Man

                                                "Albidaya" in Arabic means "The Beginning", which in the case of Beaini’s, might be the return to the beginnings, or the start of the path. The album is conceptually a revisiting of the traditional and early psychedelic Arabic music, all through distorted paths and instruments, remashed and deconstructed sounds, recreating patterns with diverse instruments to give a different perspective of the sound itself. Includes musicians from Upperground Piero Bittolo Bon and Tommaso Cappellato. Commissioned by Annihaya in Lebanon by Sharif Sehnaoui, Raed Yassin and Hatem Imam - includes artwork by Maria Kassab.

                                                “Almost entirely recorded in a day, and featuring cello, saxophone and drums in addition to electronics, Albidaya doesn’t attempt to replicate Lebanese folk music. Instead, it articulates a point of contact between various worlds.” Rory Gibb for the Wire

                                                Robert Levon Been

                                                Original Songs From The Card Counter

                                                  Composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Robert Levon Been, announces his forthcoming album, ‘Original Songs From The Card Counter’. Levon Been composed several original songs as well as a majority of the score for writer and director Paul Schrader’s new film, ‘The Card Counter’, starring Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, Willem Dafoe and executive produced by Martin Scorsese. “Ironically this entire project began by working the last scene of the film first,” says Levon Been. “Paul had reached out asking if I would write an original song for a very intimate final scene he had been struggling with. As tempting as the concept was, I must admit that kind of composing is also my biggest fear - to write directly to picture with such precision that it takes over the narrative in a substantial way, which I knew Paul never shies away from. It also turned me into a nervous wreck because I know just how easy it is to quickly ruin a movie with merely a single lyric at the wrong time. Thankfully for ‘Mercy Of Man’, I had S.G. Goodman there in NY singing with me to help experiment with how to create a fairly unconventional duet of sorts that is intended to evoke the emotions of the two characters in that final scene.”
                                                  ‘The Card Counter’ marks the fifth collaboration between Schrader and Scorsese, who previously worked together on ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Raging Bull’, ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ and ‘Bringing Out the Dead’. Robert Levon Been is a producer, composer, singer songwriter and founding member of the band, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, with whom he has released eight albums and toured the world with since 2001. With a dedicated following across Europe, the US, Australia and Asia, their record ‘Howl’ has ranked many top album lists. In 2013, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were featured in Dave Grohl’s Grammy-winning documentary, ‘Sound City’. 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s self-titled first album. Robert is currently producing and writing for multiple projects, dividing his time between Los Angeles and Vienna. 


                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                  1. Rapture
                                                  2. Murder Hum
                                                  3. Mercy Rev
                                                  4. Arise Sun
                                                  5. S.E.R.E.
                                                  6. Adore
                                                  7. Casino Floor 1 (Beta
                                                  8. Testing)
                                                  9. Casino Floor 2 (Stable)
                                                  10. Smoke Ring
                                                  11. Erutpar
                                                  12. Determined Events
                                                  13. OPM
                                                  14. Mercy Of Man (featuring S.G. Goodman)

                                                  Roger Bekono

                                                  Roger Bekono - 2023 Reissue

                                                    Long out-of-print release available digitally for the first time. Extensive notes by a local writer in English and French. Previously unpublished family photos. Urbanized traditional music at a dance-floor-friendly tempo. The very definition of an "Awesome Tape From Africa". Roger Bekono made a deep mark in the contemporary history of Cameroonian music through the four-on-the-floor, ribald intensity of bikutsi. The Ewondo-language dance-pop style that forms an undulating tapestry of interlocking triplet rhythmic interplay came to international prominence in the European "world music" scene as the 90s began. But the relentless sound of bikutsi developed in Yaoundé at the hands of Bekono and many others, as it developed from a village-based singing style performed mostly by women into a cosmopolitan music force that rivaled the popularity of established musics like Congolese rhumba, merengue and makossa. With his unique—some say suave—voice, Bekono contributed much over a period of more than 10 years as part of the evolution of this traditional rhythm-turned-urban dance movement. Bekono worked with legendary producer Mystic Jim, who had built a prolific home studio along with a crack team of musicians. They joined as part of the production of his self-titled album, which became known locally as "Jolie Poupée," the name of the album's lead single and most popular song. For "Jolie Poupée" Mystic Jim programmed the kick or bass drum, adding effects to have a heavier bass. Overall the album represented a new level of finesse and professionalism for his second release. In the middle of 1989, Jolie Poupée was released by the label Inter Diffusion System and aggressively hit the radio, discos and national television. The music video for the title track was on loop on TV. It felt like everyone was talking about it, even artists in adjacent music scenes like makossa. The album came out on vinyl and cassette and remains Bekono's best-selling recording to this day. With Jolie Poupée Bekono finally made an impact outside Cameroon as the record captured listeners in some Central African countries like Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Sao Tome & Principe. In these countries, we find the Fang or Mfan people (also known as Ekang), Bantu-speaking ethnic groups that are also found in Cameroon. This umbrella language group includes the language in which bikutsi is mainly sung. Most of Bekono's songs are in French, Ewondo (of which Beti is a dialect) and Pidgin. The four songs on Jolie Poupée are all considered bikutsi classics. On September 15, 2016, Bekono died of a long illness at the age of 62. In the wake of his passing the media published a wave of tributes, thanking him for what he did for Cameroonian music. He was an admired musician, songwriter and guitarist, and some of his old colleagues and some of the new generation of performers showered Bekono with vibrant tributes via social media, many of which noting something to the effect of: "The artist dies but his works remain." 

                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                    1. Jolie Poupée (7:26)
                                                    2. Etam Mot (7:29)
                                                    3. Enying Moni (7:29)
                                                    4. Ye Wo Kombel (7:52) 

                                                    Robert Berry

                                                    The Wheel Of Time

                                                      Robert Jordan's epic series of fantasy novels, "The Wheel Of Time" is one of the most successful, longest running and most closely followed of all the works in this genre. Berry has been a member of Asia and this neo-prog creation is an imaginary soundtrack which reflects the drama and action of the books.

                                                      Rory Block

                                                      I'm Every Woman

                                                        Rory Block's new album is a powerful mix of acoustic blues, accapella gospel, big soulful blues ballads and out and out rock songs that show off her sensual vocals and her fine guitar playing skills. With the help of people of the calibre of Kelly Joe Phelps this is a fine reaffirmation of her blues and roots heritage.

                                                        Ricardo Bomba

                                                        Eu Sei / Flutuando

                                                        Written and recorded in 1978 by pianist, composer, sound engineer, studio owner and former amateur skateboarding champion Ricardo Bomba, ‘Eu Sei’ and ‘Flutuando’ were almost doomed to total obscurity when the master tapes were binned following a ruthless studio clear out. Luckily Bomba kept a cassette tape copy from which Far Out has remastered the release for 7” vinyl/ digital.

                                                        Throughout a varied career, which included a four year stint as bandleader of Jorge Ben’s live show (78-82), Ricardo Bomba had a string of idiosyncratic, underground pop hits throughout the 80s, including ‘Voc Vai Se Lembrar’ which recently featured on Soundway’s Onda De Amor (Synthesized Brazilian Hits That Never Were 1984-94) compilation, as well as his then award-winning, now obscure solo album Ultralight (1988).

                                                        With the stunning vocals of Mariana Couto (the first wife of Chicago percussionist Laudir de Oliveira), legendary drummer Peninha who has recorded with the likes of Jorge Ben, Quarteto Em Cy, Lincoln Olivetti, Tony Bizarro and Gal Costa, and Brazilian guitarist Blimba Buarque, “Eu Sei” and “Flutuando” truly are lost gems of the late ‘70s Rio de Janeiro MPB scene.

                                                        *Disclaimer! This release was mastered from cassette tape, so the sound quality may differ from other releases on Far Out Recordings. We advise listening to sound clips before buying where possible... The music was simply too good to not release!

                                                        Credits: Ricardo Bomba - Piano, Soprano saxophone, Vocals Roberto Lee - Bass, Vocals Peninha - Drums Mariana Couto - Vocals on “Eu Sei” Blimba - Guitar Compositions by Ricardo Bomba Produced by Ricardo Bomba

                                                        Recorded at Transam rica Studios in 1978 Engineered by Vanderlei Loureiro and Toninho Barbosa

                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                        Eu Sei
                                                        Flutuando

                                                        Roy Brooks

                                                        Beat - Verve By Request Series

                                                          Recorded for Berry Gordy's short-lived Workshop Jazz imprint and recorded at the Hitsville USA studio, Roy Brooks (joined by fellow Detroit natives George Bohanon and Hugh Lawson, along with his Horace Silver Quintet bandmates Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook, and Eugene Taylor) injects a Motor City soul-jazz groove into the hard bop root of this engaging 1964 album. Audio transferred from the analog tapes.

                                                          Verve By Request Series features 180-gram vinyl, pressed at Third Man in Detroit.

                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                          1. Homestretch (Side A)
                                                          2. If You Could See Me Now (Side A)
                                                          3. Passin’ The Buck (Side A)
                                                          4. Soulin’ (Side B)
                                                          5. Soulsphere (Side B)
                                                          6. My Secret Passion (Side B)

                                                          Spin magazine described Buckner as “equal parts Bay Area bohemian and dust bowl traditionalist” and named Bloomed one of its best albums of 1994, while Pitchfork wrote, “It’s a traditional outsider-country record in the lineage of Townes Van Zandt. Buckner’s voice is all honey and oak, his guitar style elaborately twanging, his constant subject matter heartache.” Richard Buckner provides some background on the album: Bloomed was originally (erroneously?) released on an unnamable German label in 1994. I was living in San Francisco at the time, having just moved out of a residential hotel and into the 1906 hilltop prefab that adorns the cover. At the time, I was heading a band called The Doubters. We were playing high profile events such as The Covered Wagon Saloon’s Musical Barstools, but weren’t making much headway. We had been turned down consistently every year by SXSW, but I was somehow finagled in as an unannounced guest onto an already unofficial SXSW showcase created by Butch Hancock at his gallery in downtown Austin. There, I met up again with Lloyd Maines, who agreed to produce my first record. Maines and I met in Lubbock, TX, a few months later, where we worked with Lubbock musicians in a small recording studio walled in wooden shingles Sharpied with bible passages from various church groups that also enjoyed working there. It was 112°F the morning I arrived under the suspicious (Californians are merely B-grade yankees) gaze of downtown’s Buddy Holly statue. That first night there, it hailed so hard that heaven’s angry pellets were storming in under my motel door. It only let up for a few moments that first night, allowing me to run across the street to get a butter burger and fries to go. We finished four days later and I flew back to San Francisco, dismembered the band, and embarked on a tour that would last about 20 years (or a few days, if you count what I actually remember). Nothing’s changed. I’m still dodging the sky and busking to strangers.

                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                          1. Blue And Wonder
                                                          2. Rainsquall
                                                          3. 22
                                                          4. Mud
                                                          5. Six Years
                                                          6. This Is Where
                                                          7. Gauzy Dress In The Sun
                                                          8. Daisychain
                                                          9. Desire
                                                          10. Up North
                                                          11. Surprise, AZ
                                                          12. Cradle To The Angel

                                                          Bonus Track Info:
                                                          1. The Last Ride
                                                          2. Settled Down
                                                          3. The Worst Way
                                                          4. Emma
                                                          5. Hutchinson - Recorded In 1995 At Black Eyed Pig In San Francisco By Kyle Statham
                                                          6. Surprise, AZ - Recorded In 1996 At World Café
                                                          7. Blue And Wonder - Recorded In 1997 At KCRW
                                                          8. Still Lookin' For You-Townes Van Zandt - Recorded In 1997 At World Café
                                                          9. Up North
                                                          10. Six Years
                                                          11. Gauzy Dress In The Sun - Recorded Live At The Starry Plough

                                                          Richard Buckner

                                                          Impasse

                                                            A husky-voiced country / folk singer-songwriter, his guitar is based in rootsy country traditions, but his lyrics are far too personal and ambitious for Nashville. "Impasse" is his first new record of original material for over four years, and was recorded entirely at his home studio in Canada, with Richard playing virtually every note on the record. The album strikes the perfect balance between his acoustic introspective side and his driving electric side. For fans of Smog and Damien Jurado.

                                                            Rory Campbell & Rory Stitt

                                                            Nusa

                                                              Two of Celtic music's young guns, Malcolm Stitt and Rory Campbell have released a groundbreaking album. In many ways "Nusa" encapsulates what is happening in Scottish music today. Featuring traditional and original tunes it also adds DJ scratching that brings a new dimensions to tracks featuring pipes, whistles, guitar, bouzouki and drums and percussion.

                                                              Originally released in 2012, the second album by the São Paulo-born composer Rodrigo Campos marks a turning point in both lyrical and aesthetic inspiration. “Bahia Fantástica” is the result of the absorption of a then recent influence of soul music (especially Curtis Mayfield) and is in the middle of this path marked by an unlikely geography in the lyrical part (São Mateus, Bahia, Japan) and by an expansion of sound (from samba to the indefinable, with a passage through black American music).

                                                              The album turns ten years old in 2022 and exudes vitality. The soul reference takes on a different aroma when it passes through the filter of the composer and his band – formed by Kiko Dinucci on guitar, Marcelo Cabral on bass, Maurício Fleury on keyboards, Maurício Takara on drums and Thiago França on sax: it has Brazilian sauce, hints of afrobeat and a very particular seasoning. The lyrics bear the artist's mark: they project scenes in the listener's imagination and design the characters and environments with their own style of subjective chronicle. Bahia is both imaginary and intimate in Rodrigo Campos’s music.


                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                              Cinco Doces
                                                              Princesa Do Mar
                                                              Ribeirao
                                                              Beco
                                                              Morte Na Bahia
                                                              Sete Vela
                                                              Aninha
                                                              Jardim Japao
                                                              General Geral
                                                              Elias
                                                              Capitao
                                                              Sou De Salvador

                                                              Robin Carolan & Sebastian Gainsborough

                                                              The Northman Original Motion Picture Score

                                                                Rob wanted the world of The Northman to feel harsh and uncomfortable, and for everything to feel like it was caked in mud and dry blood, so it was crucial for the score to mirror that.” Composers Robin Carolan (Tri-Angle Records) and Sebastian Gainsborough (Vessel) were given a task of epic proportions when director Rob Eggers(The VVitch, The Lighthouse) asked them to create the score for his ambitious and highly anticipated new film The Northman, releasing on April 22nd. They needed to make a score that both honored the immense research that had gone into the authenticity of this Viking era period piece and complimented the cinematic maximalism of the film for a modern audience. The artists stretched themselves to the depths of their creativity and the resulting album is a gorgeous sonic tableaux that places the listener right in the center of the film.

                                                                While arranging the score the composers consulted musician and ethnographer PoulHøxbro for inspiration and insight into the history of Viking music. Having backgrounds in left field electronic music, Robin and Sebastian felt liberated by the constraint of using a small selection of musical tools for this piece. “Electronic music has almost limitless potential when it comes to making sounds and that’s obviously an incredible thing, but you can also go down the wormhole and get lost in it sometimes. There’s no risk of that happening when you only have a few primary instruments to draw upon.” Robin remarked.

                                                                They utilized traditional instruments such as the tagelharpa, langspil, kravik lyre, and säckpip to build the cinematic world of The Northman but they also took creative freedoms in adding instruments likes drums, which some academics believe wouldn’t have played a big part in Viking musical culture, simply due to the lack of archaeological evidence of actual drums. “One of the pieces we wrote was intended to emulate the sound of a bullroarer; an ancient instrument used in sacred rituals or in battle to intimidate enemies. It makes a really disorienting roaring vibrato sound and low frequencies capable of traveling insane distances.” Robin says when asked about one of the more unique aspects of the score. Everyone involved put so much effort into both their research and their creativity and this richness is evident in every track. The album as a whole is a cinematic masterpiece of sound and ambiance, both gorgeous and disturbing, like the film it so beautifully accompanies.


                                                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                Barry says: A wonderful soundtrack from the ever-reliable Sacred Bones, by music scene aficionados Carolan & Gainsborough. Tense, orchestral scores and deep ambient passages, both bleak and beautiful, perfect for listening to as meditative home listening as well as a perfectly measured soundtrack.

                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                1. Approaching Hrafnsey
                                                                2. The King
                                                                3. Entering The Temple
                                                                4. Last Teardrop
                                                                5. Blood Tree, Part I
                                                                6. Strike, Brother
                                                                7. Escape
                                                                8. I Will Avenge You, Father
                                                                9. The Land Of The Rus
                                                                10. A Burning Barn
                                                                11. Seeress
                                                                12. Raven’s Omen
                                                                13. Storm At Sea / Yggdrasill
                                                                14. Iceland
                                                                15. I Will Save You, Mother
                                                                16. Slave Work
                                                                17. Guðrún
                                                                18. Follow The Vixen’s Tail
                                                                19. He-Witch
                                                                20. Draugr
                                                                21. Mound Dweller
                                                                22. To The Games
                                                                23. Birch Woods
                                                                24. First Of Many
                                                                25. Trollish Sorcery
                                                                26. Svið Night, Part I
                                                                27. Svið Night, Part II
                                                                28. I Am Your Death
                                                                29. Come Morning
                                                                30. I Am His Vengeance
                                                                31. Óðinn
                                                                32. Valkyrie
                                                                33. Vestrahorn
                                                                34. Hidden Valley
                                                                35. Blood Tree, Part II
                                                                36. Blóð Inside / I Choose Both
                                                                37. A Maiden King
                                                                38. The Wolf Has Grow
                                                                39. The Gates Of Hel / Slain By Iron
                                                                40. Hekla
                                                                41. Cut The Thread Of Fate
                                                                42. Make Your Passage / Valhöll
                                                                43. Ættartré / End Credits

                                                                Ron Carroll & Trilogy Inc

                                                                Mysteries / Dreams / Awakening / Hi Cycle

                                                                  Legendary NYC label Nu Groove presents an unmissable vinyl package spotlighting two celebrated house selectors and their 2023 releases. First up on the A-side, Chicago native Ron Carroll presents two tracks from his ‘House Of Love EP’; ‘Mysteries’ aims to answer the question “Where does house come from?” as it namedrops fellow icons, while ‘Dreams’ is more forceful, asserting that “This is OUR house”.

                                                                  Both feature Carroll’s distinctive vocals, their messages ringing clear and true over that classic, Chicago-club-ready sound. On the flip, Trilogy Inc. return with fresh originals ‘Awakening’, a bouncy club track built from smooth chords and a dynamic beat decorated with vocal house snippets, and ‘Hi Cycle’, continuing with energetic percussion and syncopated synth patterns to give a classic feel. Coming together on wax for the first time, these tracks are for the choice selectors seeking serious underground heat

                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                  A1. Ron Carroll - Mysteries
                                                                  A2. Ron Carroll - Dreams
                                                                  B1. Trilogy Inc. - Awakening
                                                                  B2. Trilogy Inc. - Hi Cycle

                                                                  Riccardo Cioni

                                                                  Fog - Morgan Geist, Tiger & Woods, N.O.I.A. &Daniele Baldelli & Marco Dionigi Remixes

                                                                  ‘Fog’ is one of most obscure and dark italo instrumental works done in 1984 late at night in Riccardo Cioni’s garage/studio by his trusty Stephen Head experimenting on PPG Wave 2.2, Linn 9000 and Phophet 5.

                                                                  Mondo Groove release this 12″ 45rpm involving 4 key figures of analog electro: Morgan Geist (Metro Area), Tiger & Woods, N.O.I.A. and Daniele Baldelli.

                                                                  Strictly limited edition.

                                                                  STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                  Matt says: An all star cast of cosmic commandos guide Riccardo Cioni's "Fog" through the glitter-galaxy on the way to planet party.

                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                  1 Fog (Morgan Geist Edit)
                                                                  2 Fog (Tiger & Woods Remix)
                                                                  3 Fog (N.O.I.A. Remix)
                                                                  4 Fog (Remix)

                                                                  Robert Cohen-Solal

                                                                  Les Shadoks (50th Anniversary Edition)

                                                                  WRWTFWW Records is delighted to announce the release of the complete soundtrack of cult French animated TV series Les Shadoks (1968-1974) by Robert Cohen-Solal, available for the first time ever in its entirety. Right in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jacques Rouxel and René Borg’s legendary television cartoon, this collector’s item comes in two versions: a limited edition 12" + 7" vinyl album housed in a high glossy gatefold and with an exclusive Shadok drawing by Robert Cohen-Solal, and a digipack CD. Both versions are cut and mastered from the original reels under the supervision of the artist, and contain liner notes in French and English.

                                                                  Electro-acoustic pioneer and eminent member of the illustrious GRM (Groupe de recherches musicales, the French equivalent of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop), Robert Cohen-Solal has explored music and sound alongside luminaries such as Bernard Parmegiani, Pierre Henry, Luc Ferrari, and Iannis Xenakis, and is responsible for numerous projects in the field of applied music, soundtracks (documentaries, shorts etc.), and experimental recordings. His work on Les Shadoks is simply extraordinary - a fascinating and bizarre collage of wacky electro pop (à la Jean-Jacques Perrey), drones, musique concrète, classical, and dadaist sound experiments seamlessly mixing into a cohesive and cinematic listening experience. The ideal soundtrack for what will remain one of the weirdest animated TV series ever created!

                                                                  A true literary, cultural and philosophical phenomenon in France, Les Shadoks caused a sensation while airing between 1968 and 1974. Its unique combination of Alfred Jarry-style surrealism, off-centered British humor, and US comic strip inspiration, all brought to life by illustrated bird-like creatures (reminiscent of Paul Klee’s La machine à gazouiller), left a lasting mark, making the term Shadok an often-used satirical expression to describe policies and attitudes considered to be absurd.


                                                                  STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                  Patrick says: Les Shadocks are a new one to me, but a cursory listen and glance over the sales notes suggests a definite Clangers vibe, mais en Francais. That's right, an interplanetary animation soundtrack from the home of musique concrete - totally bonkers in the most charming way.

                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                  A1 Introduction
                                                                  A2 C’était Il Y A Très Très Très Longtemps
                                                                  A3 Cosmogol 999 Carburant De La Fusée Gibi
                                                                  A4 Au Fond Du Cosmos
                                                                  A5 Le Lancinant Voyage Dans L’espace
                                                                  A6 Les Humeurs Géophysiques De La Planète Shadok
                                                                  A7 Le Devin Plombier Soigne Un Shadok Malade
                                                                  A8 La Machine à Pomper Dite Cosmopompe
                                                                  A9 Le Professeur Shadoko Parle De Son Invention
                                                                  A10 Shadok à Bicyclette Dans Une Route Et Sur Et Sous Et Dans Des Escaliers
                                                                  B1 Thème Gibi Classique
                                                                  B2 Air Gibi Hot
                                                                  B3 Air Gibi Sériel
                                                                  B4 Menuet Variation
                                                                  B5 Départ Solennel De La Shadokaravelle
                                                                  B6 Sérénade à Gégène
                                                                  B7 Faux Départ
                                                                  B8 Fête Gibi Et Errance Des Shadoks Dans L’espace
                                                                  B9 Fuite Dans L’espace
                                                                  B10 La Planète à Poissons
                                                                  B11 Guerre Musicale
                                                                  B12 Ambiance Nouilles
                                                                  B13 Difficile De Cuisiner Dans L’espace !

                                                                  Bonus 7"
                                                                  A1 Arrivée Des Shadoks Sur Terre
                                                                  B1 Fuite Des Shadoks

                                                                  Ry Cooder

                                                                  Paris Texas - Original Soundtrack

                                                                  Legendary guitarist Ry Cooder has been performing for over 40 years as a solo artist, soundtrack composer and session musician. He has collaborated with some of the world’s elite including Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Neil Young and The Rolling Stones, where he guested on their classic albums ‘Let It Bleed’ and ‘Sticky Fingers.’ Ry Cooder’s distinctive score to the 1984 Cannes Film Festival winner ‘Paris Texas’ is very suggestive of the film’s imagery and the desert itself. The title track is Ry Cooder’s most recognisable/popular song that sets the tone for a soundtrack filled with evocative and ringing acoustic guitar.

                                                                  STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                  Darryl says: A hugely evocative and beautiful soundtrack from the legendary Ry Cooder. Stark and meditative acoustic slide guitars - you can almost taste the desert heat.

                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                  Paris, Texas
                                                                  Brother
                                                                  Nothing Out There
                                                                  Canción Mixteca
                                                                  No Safety Zone
                                                                  Houston In Two Seconds
                                                                  She’s Leaving The Bank
                                                                  On The Couch
                                                                  I Knew These People
                                                                  Dark Was The Night

                                                                  "Search Party" is the debut album from pianist, Rupert Cox. Rupert has made a little following for himself already being a respected player for Myele Manzanza, China Moses, Chris Hyson and many more.

                                                                  His debut album swings between laidback contemporary jazz and swirling electronics. There are mellow and moving moments alongside joyful, uplifting melodies and dancing rhythms.

                                                                  The record has already won support from people like Deb Grant on BBC Radio 6 Music and is slowly developing an ardent following.

                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                  A1. The Nowhere Dance
                                                                  A2. Fig Tree
                                                                  A3. Summer Wake
                                                                  A4. Hearth
                                                                  A5. Lament
                                                                  A6. Search Party
                                                                  B1. Embers
                                                                  B2. Gold
                                                                  B3. Remember This
                                                                  B4. Sanctuary
                                                                  B5. Green Yellow Brown

                                                                  Rudi Creswick

                                                                  Different Forms

                                                                    Having spent the past few years supplying low notes as bass player for a who’s who of UK Soul and Jazz talent (including Tom Misch, Loyle Carner, Berwyn, Jordan Rakei, Poppy Ajudha, Jamie Isaac, Puma Blue, Jorja Smith, Alfa Mist & Charlotte Dos Santos) Rudi Creswick steps into the spotlight with his first full length solo offering ‘Different Forms’ on Alfa Mist’s Sekito imprint.

                                                                    Hailing from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Rudi was immersed in club culture from a young age, the low end sonics of which guided his playing, and led him to discovering his own style In the years that followed, Rudi continued to hone his craft, melding the sub rattling sounds of Hip-Hop producers such as J Dilla, MF Doom and Knxwldge with the technical sensibilities of influential Jazz players such as Pino Palladino, Derrick Hodge and Thundercat.

                                                                    With this record serving as a chance for Rudi to stretch his creative legs, the aim was to showcase the many musical sides of his creative spirit. The first single lifted from the project ‘Sometimes’ enlists the vocal talents of the incredible Emmavie - who dives into self-reflective and cutting, honest lyrics. She explains: “No one ever leads with “often temperamental, quick to anger and generally hot and cold” when describing themselves. Something about Rudi’s laidback production and bouncy singing bass line pulled this reflective and apologetic yet playful subject out of me. “

                                                                    On the LP, Rudi says: ‘This whole project is thanks to Alfa , Barney Artist and the team at Sekito who’ve helped me realise my dream. They had faith in me for which I’ll always be grateful. The project’s kind of all over the place because there’s so many corners to anyone’s being, inspirations and their musicality, so I wanted Different Forms to reflect that’

                                                                    Throughout the record, Rudi’s musical prowess and vast influences are laid bare for all to see. From the gliding melodies and twinkling keys and hazy fanfares of second single ‘Peace Of Mind’ (Feat. Manny & The Coloured Sound) through to the sparse and haunting tones of ‘Charlotte’ the LP traverses high peaks and deep valleys, channelling a sense of beauty of textured mystique throughout. Sporting an impressive roster of collaborators including Alfa Mist himself, Trumpeter Sheila Maurice Grey (Kokoroko), Chelsea Carmichael on Tenor Sax, Barrel Jones (Drummer for Nubya Garcia) and Vels Trio’s Jack Stephenson-Oliver (who played synth for the track ‘With Want You’). The lush instrumentation provides an incredible backdrop for esteemed performers such as Barney Artist to drop bars over the crisp drums and laid back strut of ‘Holding The Fence’, meanwhile Berwyn supplies sombre lyrics of the vast expanses of ‘96BPM’. An emotive and engaging listen from start to finish, ‘Different Forms’ is a truly stunning debut.

                                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                                    A1. Sometimes (ft Emmavie)
                                                                    A2. Peace Of Mind (ft MANNY)
                                                                    A3. Fight Or Flight
                                                                    A4. Holding The Fence (ft Barney Artist)
                                                                    B1. Different Forms
                                                                    B2. With Want You
                                                                    B3. 96 BPM (ft BERWYN)
                                                                    B4. Charlotte

                                                                    Rodney Cromwell

                                                                    Memory Box

                                                                      'Memory Box' - the new album by Rodney Cromwell - fuses a European synthpop sensibility with a world of magical realism. It was inspired as much by the literature of Alice in Wonderland, Franz Kafka and Anna Kavan, as by its musical influences of artists such as Kraftwerk, Neu!, The Cure, Silver Apples, Oppenheimer Analysis and Polyrock. The sonic pallet of 'Memory Box' is rich, colourful, often surprising and utterly unique. Since the release of his debut 'Age of Anxiety' album in 2015, Rodney Cromwell has been featured by the likes of NME, Electronic Sound Magazine, Huffington Post, Paste, BBC6 Music and national RNE3 in Spain for whom he recorded a live session. 'Age of Anxiety' was included in a wealth of Best of Lists, not least that of Electronic Sound.

                                                                      He has appeared on compilations alongside Cavern of Anti-Matter, John Foxx, Devo, OMD, Katy Perry and many more. Rodney Cromwell is the project of Adam Cresswell. The first band he founded was SALOON, who were John Peel darlings, who recorded three Peel Sessions and the Festive 50 number 1 of 2002. They released three acclaimed albums on Track & Field (UK) and Darla Records (US) and played with a host of alternative acts including Stereolab, Electrelane, Quickspace, Laika, Of Montreal & Movietone. He followed Saloon with ARTHUR & MARTHA the acclaimed tweetronica duo that released the sole album ‘Navigation’ before vanishing. In addition to performing as Rodney Cromwell, he runs the Happy Robots record label.

                                                                      The Rodney Cromwell live set is a joyful mixed-media extravaganza, incorporating analogue synths, video visuals and live instrumentation, interjected by Rodney’s ‘offbeat wit’. His debut festival appearance at Indietracks in 2015 was described as 'like a spiritual experience". He has shared stages with acts including Pram, Marsheaux, Death & Vanilla, Rowetta and Steve Davis. His sole performance in 2020 was as part of Damo Suzuki's backing band.

                                                                      He will be promoting the album with a series of live-dates in 2022. Cromwell's recent singles 'Memory Box' and 'Get Me To Prague' received play on BBC 6 Music as well as national play in Spain, Finland and Japan. 'Memory Box' featured in the Official Festive 50 on Dandelion Radio. To coincide with the album we have early confirmed reviews with Electronic Sound Magazine and interviews with ElectricityClub.co.uk, Pennyback Music and You haven't heard this music vodcast.

                                                                      TRACK LISTING

                                                                      01 Intercom
                                                                      02 Opus Three
                                                                      03 Memory Box
                                                                      04 Fluctuations
                                                                      05 Waiting Room
                                                                      06 Butterflies In The Filing Cabinet
                                                                      07 Cloud Catalogue
                                                                      08 The Small Print
                                                                      09 The Department Of Public Tranquillity
                                                                      10 Wristwatch Television
                                                                      11 Calculations
                                                                      12 The Winter Palace 

                                                                      Rodney Crowell

                                                                      The Houston Kid

                                                                        Self-produced by Rodney Crowell, "The Houston Kid" is a labour of love. He's poured so much of himself into the songs, most of which have a genuine autobiographical feel about them. Full of heartfelt moments and superb vocal performances. Destined to become one of the Americana albums of the year.

                                                                        Rachael Dadd

                                                                        FLUX

                                                                          Contemporary folk multi-instrumentalist Rachael Dadd is set to release her new album “Flux” on Memphis Industries on the 8th November 2019. Produced with Marcus Hamblett (Villagers / Laura Marling), “Flux” is a response to external and internal tides: the flow of life uprooted; a protest against the flow of recent political history and a diary of the flow within the intimate space of home.

                                                                          Collaborators include multi-instrumentalist Emma Gatrill (Willie Mason / Matthew and the Atlas), drummer Rob Pemberton (Emily Barker / Low Chimes), bassist Jim Barr (Portishead) and vocalists Kate Stables (This Is The Kit) and Rozi Plain. Flux follows Rachael’s highly acclaimed album “We Resonate” which came out on Talitres and Sweetdreams Press, and a string of international releases on Broken Sound, Lost Map, Sweetdreams Press and Angel’s Egg. Living half her time as a travelling musician in Japan, witnessing how other people create things, connecting with other cultures and landscapes; all this is a furnace for Rachael’s innovative song writing, which has seen her gain a reputation as a pioneering and thought provoking artist, unafraid to push the boundaries of folk and pop.

                                                                          STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                          Barry says: There are moments in 'Flux' of such whimsical beauty that hark back to the early days of American psychedelic folk, with plucking guitars and Dadd's gorgous vox. It's the more soulful pieces here that really impress, soaring and weaving in equal measure, providing a fascinating but cohesive listen. Lovely stuff.

                                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                                          1. Arrows
                                                                          2. Cut My Roots
                                                                          3. Beacon
                                                                          4. Two Islands
                                                                          5. Language Of Water
                                                                          6. Animal
                                                                          7. Palaeontologist
                                                                          8. Super Moon Machine
                                                                          9. Knot
                                                                          10. Two Coiled Springs
                                                                          11. Connected To The Rock

                                                                          Rachael Dadd

                                                                          Kaleidoscope

                                                                            Wildly creative free-form songwriter Rachael Dadd releases her brand new studio album ‘Kaleidoscope’ via Memphis Industries and follows 2019’s 'Flux', which was released to much acclaim and which she was touring when the pandemic struck.

                                                                            Like so many people disconnected from their communities and struggling through the lockdowns, Rachael Dadd turned inwards, seeking escape through music and connection through song writing, and her hope is that when people listen to ‘Kaleidoscope' “they will feel held and find space to breathe, grieve and celebrate.”

                                                                            “This album is a lot more honest and personal than ‘Flux'” she shares, “but I feel the songs are universal as they are largely rooted in truth and love. If I had to pick a favourite album it would be this one because of the magical rekindling of human connection when me and my band got back in a room together again. All that magic went into these songs."

                                                                            Co-produced "intuitively, boldly, and playfully" by Rachael and Rob Pemberton (The Staves, Emily Barker, Maja Lena), ‘Kaleidoscope’ includes musical collaborators such as Maja Lena (Low Chimes), long-time collaborator Emma Gatrill (Willy Mason), Alex Heane (bass), Charlotte West (synths), Alex Garden (strings) and ‘Flux’ producer Marcus Hamblett (Villagers, James Holden, The Staves), giving the record "just the right colour combination, just the right pattern of shapes, plenty of space where needed and finally landing in a sound world that feels fresh and open and true” reflects Rachael.

                                                                            Japanese aesthetics absorbed from her time spent living there are subconsciously woven into Rachael’s songs. "I first stepped foot in Tokyo in 2008, sparked by the adventure of such a rich and different culture and later on I lived on a small island and experienced an appealing and balanced way of life: the aesthetics, the art and the traditions,” she recalls. “There was a lot of caring for each other, a lot of gentleness, and a lot of simple living in harmony with nature. Japan left its cultural mark on me and is now part of my inner world and I’m sure this comes out with the words and music I write”.

                                                                            “But overall” Rachael explains “this is an album of homecoming and reconnecting to my own truth, to my community here, to the earthy land that I love and to the sky that I know.”

                                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                                            Side A
                                                                            Children Of The Galaxy
                                                                            Footsteps
                                                                            Moon Sails
                                                                            Ox
                                                                            Ghost
                                                                            Side B
                                                                            River Spirit
                                                                            Heads Down
                                                                            For Honey And Ray
                                                                            White Snow
                                                                            Swift
                                                                            Join The Dots

                                                                            Dinked Edition Bonus CD
                                                                            The Bridge (feat Kate Stables – This Is The Kit)
                                                                            Fronds
                                                                            Crystalizing In Time
                                                                            Fences (feat Rozi Plain)

                                                                            Rhoda Dakar

                                                                            Version Girl

                                                                              Rhoda Dakar is back with her first solo album in seven years with Version Girl, a collection of reggae and ska covers by artists and songwriters she admires. Rhoda Dakar began her musical career as lead vocalist with all female 2Tone band, The Bodysnatchers. They only ever released two singles, 'Let's Do Rocksteady' and 'Easy Life'. After a year together they split and Rhoda went on to guest with The Specials in Europe and the USA, having featured on their second album, 'More Specials', for which she won the first of her seven gold records. After their demise, and before joining Jerry Dammers' new project, she recorded The Bodysnatchers' first original song, 'The Boiler', a harrowing tale of date rape, which was inevitably banned. The Special AKA spent the next two years recording 'In The Studio', spawning a top ten hit with 'Free Nelson Mandela'.

                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                              Barry says: Dakar takes these classics and gives them all a deep makeover into grooving Reggae, laid-back ska and swooning Lovers Rock reworks. Topped with Dakar's perfectly fitting vocal accompaniments.

                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                              1. Version Girl
                                                                              2. Stop Your Sobbing
                                                                              3. Everyday Is Like Sunday
                                                                              4. What A Wonderful World
                                                                              5. Hangin’ ‘Round
                                                                              6. Song To The Siren
                                                                              7. Walking After Midnight
                                                                              8. The Man Who Sold The World
                                                                              9. Comme Un Arbre
                                                                              10. As Tears Go By
                                                                              11. Love Hurts
                                                                              12. Peace, Love And Understanding 

                                                                              Rhoda Dakar

                                                                              What A Wonderful World

                                                                                Rhoda Dakar began her musical career as lead vocalist with all female 2Tone band, The Bodysnatchers. They only ever released two singles, 'Let's Do Rocksteady' and 'Easy Life'. After a year together they split and Rhoda went on to guest with The Specials in Europe and the USA, having featured on their second album, 'More Specials', for which she won the first of her seven gold records. After their demise, and before joining Jerry Dammers' new project, she recorded The Bodysnatchers' first original song, 'The Boiler', a harrowing tale of date rape, which was inevitably banned. The Special AKA spent the next two years recording 'In The Studio', spawning a top ten hit with 'Free Nelson Mandela'.

                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                SIDE A
                                                                                1. What A Wonderful World

                                                                                SIDE B
                                                                                1. A Wonderful Version

                                                                                Roger Damawuzan

                                                                                Fine Fine

                                                                                Since his introduction in the 60’s, Roger Damawuzan has lit stages on fire, whether it be with The Rickers Orchestra or with The Melo-Togo Orchestra (taking home 2nd place for the first National Festival of Tologese Music). His first 7" vinyl "Wait For Me" is a holy grail for diggers all around the world. It was such a hit that Togolese music is and will forever be stamped by Roger Damawuzan. He was principal in introducing Gazo, Akpesse and Kamou rhythms to modern day soul music. Relentless and unstoppable, Roger Damawuzan is now making a comeback with a heavy funk 7 inch!

                                                                                This release contains an unreleased single from the album "Seda". Such a force of nature, this album could have been only captured, if not mastered, by one studio. Such mission was accomplished by the legendary studio OTODI (Office Togolese of Disks) by utilizing solely analog equipment to translate and to breath all of Damawuzan’s soul into this album. Roger Damawuzan could have been supported by only one group. Led by Peter Solo, the members of the Vaudou Game and Lomé’s most talented musicians are at Damawuzan’s disposal for this new record. 

                                                                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                Matt says: Tologese fire from one of the country's well regarded music proponents. Unequivocally funky and infectious!

                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                Fine Fine
                                                                                Red Light

                                                                                Since his introduction in the 60’s, he has lit stages on fire, whether it be with The Rickers Orchestra or with The Melo-Togo Orchestra (taking home 2nd place for the first National Festival of Tologese Music).

                                                                                His first seven-inch vinyl, “Wait For Me,” is a holy grail for diggers all around the world. It was such a hit that Togolese music is and will forever be stamped by Roger Damawuzan. He was principal in introducing Gazo, Akpesse and Kamou rhythms to modern day soul music. In Avépozo - a few kilometers from the capital, Lomé. Though Tropicana Hotel has been closed for years, the many European tourists who were lucky enough to visit have not forgotten the nights that Roger Damawuzan set ablaze throughout the years. Indeed, in their collective memory is nostalgic of his flaming spirit and the rawness of his rigorous funk. He is timeless: since 1987, the Tropicana is no longer but Damawuzan roars on.

                                                                                In response to requests from his studio and his label, “Tropicana Sounds”, which, during 80s, was responsible for releasing his work, Damawuzan also gave his expertise and was a major influence on the evolution of hip-hop and Tologese electro. Relentless and unstoppable, Roger Damawuzan is now making a comeback with SEDA. Afro. Soul. Funk. Vaudou. This album may be described, but it cannot be explained. Only through listening to this disk at a high volume will one completely understand, at its full scope, Roger Damawuzan’s emotions, his complaints, his cries, and all his evisceration when he takes the mic.

                                                                                Such a force of nature, Roger Damawuzan could have been supported by only one group. Led by Peter Solo, the members of the Vaudou Game and Lomé’s most talented musicians are at Damawuzan’s disposal for this album. The bass thunders in his honor, the brass escorts his arrival through the drums' rhythmatic steps, and the guitars riff so perfectly to serve as the ideal bedrock. Such a force of nature, this album could have been only captured, if not mastered, by one studio.

                                                                                Such mission was accomplished by the legendary studio OTODI (Office Togolese of Disks) by utilizing solely analog equipment to translate and to breath all of Damawuzan’s soul into this album. In Mina, Roger Damawuzan’s native tongue, SEDA means “listen.” And this is neither advice nor a suggestion - it’s an order!


                                                                                STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                Paul says: Funky fresh music from Tonga. Already in my record bag! Perfect for the oncoming warmer months. Loving this...

                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                Need My Money
                                                                                Why Why
                                                                                See Your Face
                                                                                What Time Is It ?
                                                                                I'm Crying

                                                                                Paris
                                                                                Fine Fine
                                                                                Juliana
                                                                                Shut Up
                                                                                Mama

                                                                                Ray Davies

                                                                                Working Man's Cafe

                                                                                  Eighteen months after releasing his first ever solo album, Ray Davies is back with what promises to be one of the best albums of his incredible career. While last year's "Other People's Lives" was a lifetime in the making, this new album happened relatively quickly. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, "Working Mans Café" features 12 stellar songs written by Ray Davies and co-produced with Ray Kennedy. They assembled a crackerjack band of top musicians who breathe life into a wonderful collection of songs. The 12 new songs are vintage Ray Davies and bear all the hallmark classic musical and lyrical insights we have come to expect from him. The album is infused with a transatlantic sound befitting Ray's close ties to the American south coupled with his well respected Englishness. From the first upbeat notes of the lead track "Vietnam Cowboys", it is clear Ray has never sung better. "Working Mans Café" is a wistful, humorous and poignant look at today, just what we have come to expect from one of Britain's greatest songwriters. Highlights are many and include the Preservation Jazz Hall sway of "Morphine Song", the painful longing of "Imaginary Man" and the haunting emotion of "One More Time".

                                                                                  Richard Dawson

                                                                                  2020

                                                                                    Richard Dawson, the black-humoured bard of Newcastle, returns to release his sixth solo album 2020, his first since the critically acclaimed, Peasant. 2020  is an utterly contemporary state-of-the-nation study, that uncovers a tumultuous and bleak time. Here is an island country in a state of flux; a society on the edge of mental meltdown.

                                                                                    On 2020, Dawson introduces us to grand themes through small lives. His are portraits of human beings struggling with recognisable (and dare we say it, relatable) concerns, conflicts and desires, each reminding us that tragedy and gallows humour are not mutually exclusive, and that the magical can sit next to the mundane. Lyrically it is by far Dawson’s hardest-hitting and unflinchingly honest album to date. It is his poetic masterwork.

                                                                                    Within, we find disgruntled civil servants dreaming of better days, anxiety-addled joggers listlessly searching Zoopla for houses they cannot afford in their spare time, amateur footballers who think they’re Lionel Messi and beleaguered pub landlords battling rising floodwaters.

                                                                                    Here is life, in all its strange and wonderful ways.

                                                                                    STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                    Barry says: Massive stadium rock choruses and strolling folk meet headfirst in this decidedly odd but absolutely on-brand distillation from Richard Dawson. Fiercely political but with a wry humour and unmissable melodic drive (an often overlooked aspect of the more 'humorous' releases) coupled with Dawson's flawless delivery and brilliant ear for a progression make this his most direct and essential release yet.

                                                                                    Richard Dawson

                                                                                    The Ruby Cord

                                                                                      Pop in your earpiece, close your eyes and embrace the wonders (and horrors) of augmented reality and prepare to travel 500 years into the future as Richard Dawson returns with…The Ruby Cord. These seven tracks plunge us into an unreal, fantastical and at times sinister future where social mores have mutated, ethical and physical boundaries have evaporated; a place where you no longer need to engage with anyone but yourself and your own imagination. It’s a leap into a future that is well within reach, in some cases already here. 

                                                                                      STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                      Barry says: Richard Dawson hits the legendary Domino once again for a new album of wonderfully off-piste songwriting, both wildly inventive and full of stylistic turns that he alone pulls off so seamlessly. I admit that I didn't quite get Dawson's music for a while, but I definitely do now, and this is for my money, his finest work to date.

                                                                                      Rudy De Anda

                                                                                      Closet Botanist

                                                                                        For Fans Of... Adrian Quesada, Black Pumas, Chicano Batman, Brainstory, Drugdealer, Sugar Candy Mountain.

                                                                                        The sophomore album from Rudy De Anda, and a prolific follow up to 2020's 'Tender Epoch'. Produced by Adrian Quesada of the Black Pumas. Recorded in Austin, Texas at Electric Deluxe Recorders. LPs include digital download card. In 2020, Rudy De Anda moved his homebase out of California for the first time. He was headed East. Somewhere in the back of the U-Haul, among the boxes and baggage, was a mostly finished record. Upon arriving in Chicago, Rudy quickly found the final pieces of his new LP, Closet Botanist. The Electric Deluxe recording studio is owned and operated by Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas), who helped produce and engineer Rudy’s new LP.

                                                                                        “In the past, I’ve done most of my recording in California,” Rudy explained. “The new location changed the vibe. The band and I were 100% focused on the process.” Rudy’s previous releases have grown synonymous with California sunshine. He was born in Los Angeles and spent most of his formative years in Long Beach. “People often tell me my music reminds them of the beach and the sun,” Rudy said of his older songs. Closet Botanist isn’t a total departure from Rudy’s beachy, psych-rock roots, but it does sound more mature. Rudy points to The Velvet Underground and The Kinks for direct inspiration. “I glorify those bands I’m a 60s psych-rocker at heart.” For the seasoned listener, there’s a trail of psychedelic breadcrumbs to find throughout the track list. Rudy dedicates the album to those who love so hard that they neglect to water their own garden. Even in a much colder climate, the closet botanist continues to grow. 

                                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                                        1. In My Shoes
                                                                                        2. Hey Mr. Sun
                                                                                        3. June Gloom (Smilin')
                                                                                        4. Miel
                                                                                        5. Tu Mirada
                                                                                        6. WYD
                                                                                        7. Por Ti
                                                                                        8. Coronado / Where Are You Baby
                                                                                        9. The Murder Mystery Pt. 2
                                                                                        10. I Can't Change You

                                                                                        Rudy De Anda

                                                                                        Tender Epoch

                                                                                          FFO: Chicano Batman, Brainstory, Drugdealer, Sugar Candy Mountain.

                                                                                          Conceived in the 1980s in Mexico and brought to California through the border inside of his 6-month-pregnant mother, Rudy de Anda's debut solo record is a love letter to the long historical lineage of rock 'n roll music as interpreted through his multicultural lens. "I write my own story, I don't want to be defined by any scene" de Anda proclaims of his personal journey, and his ability to adapt and flit between cities and cultures is part of why L.A. Record has called his sound "deliberately difficult to classify, familiar but novel at the same time." Since 2005, De Anda has played thousands of shows in various musical projects, but with 'Tender Epoch', tellingly the first recorded under his own name, he has clearly found his own voice with a wealth of stories to spotlight. It's exquisitely crafted pop, with universal messages of heartbreak and loss that still feel appropriate played speeding windows-down on the highway in the coastal sunshine.

                                                                                          Above all, De Anda likes to keep people guessing: from the album artwork to the multi-faceted textures of sound, 'Tender Epoch' feels ambiguous to any era, a perfect collusion of old and new that showcases a music historian's knowledge of both past greats and influential peers. Sculpting his own path through a wild ride that feels unlikely to let up, De Anda refuses to settle down or get comfortable, instead carving out a classic record that is sure to set a standard for songwriting to come. The whole Colemine and Karma Chief family is proud to welcome Rudy De Anda and to present Tender Epoch.

                                                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                                                          1. The Mirror
                                                                                          2. Los Canarios
                                                                                          3. Me Revulco En Tus Arenas
                                                                                          4. Tender Epoch
                                                                                          5. Espume
                                                                                          6. Cariño
                                                                                          7. It Didn’t Have To Happen
                                                                                          8. Helado
                                                                                          9. Tres Boletos
                                                                                          10. No Me Cruces
                                                                                          11. Cavallet Del Mar
                                                                                          12. I’m Still At The Bar
                                                                                          13. Abrasive

                                                                                          Rick Deitrick

                                                                                          Coyote Canyon

                                                                                            Coyote Canyon is a wilderness area behind my daughter's house where coyotes gather and howl before taking off for their nightly foraging. Little Tujunga (pronounced "Tuhunga") is a river running through the Angeles Forest near a house I lived in five decades ago. Half my ideas for this piece came from onshore guitar ruminating. The rest was improvised in studio. Emma was my close and sweet companion during this period, a lifelong deep friend. I composed her song one evening at the kitchen table of our place while she was cooking.

                                                                                            Tumbleweedin' describes a desert tumbleweed storm. I menaced every inch of the Yamaha, recreating the effect of these 4 windblown monsters screeching along boulders, smacking into cactus and anything else in their way at often impossible speeds, following the whims of the heavy winds. This song was completely improvised at the moment in studio and forgotten. Roy's Rain is a tribute to my great good friend and musician killed in a car accident in 1973. I found For Marsha Version2 on a well-worn studio tape. It's a variant of the same composition on the Gentle Wilderness album. I like this loose and flowy version. Movin' On has one thing on its mind -- getting away fast and now. Going Home is my improvised take on an American root song. The above seven were recorded between 1972-1975. Three Sisters was recorded on a 20-minute studio break in 1999 describing three barren red hills somewhere in the Arizona desert, a cherished location.

                                                                                            Raheem DeVaughn & Apollo Brown

                                                                                            Lovesick

                                                                                              Soul is more than a sound. It is a timeless idea and an immortal condition. It can’t be borrowed or traded, bequeathed or imitated (no matter how much they try). Soul isn’t the blues, but the best blues has soul. Hip-Hop isn’t soul, but it’s the most fundamental component of its DNA. R&B is the genre, but soul is the yearning, the lust, the regret. Without soul, love is merely sex. With it, you get something like “Lovesick”.

                                                                                              “Lovesick” is a collaboration between the 3x Grammy-nominated singer Raheem DeVaughn and the legendary hip-hop producer, Apollo Brown, best known for making hip-hop so gritty & streetwise that it lodges itself underneath your fingernails and talks back to you in your head all day. It is a work of startling beauty, a blend of modern R&B, classic soul, and guttural funk that recalls Smokey Robinson, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye. Yet it doesn’t sound out of step alongside DeVaughn’s peers The-Dream, Anderson .Paak, and Miguel. It is an album that bears the echoes of Jodeci and James Brown, but it is ultimately the clarion vision of two masters of their respective forms.

                                                                                              Released on Apollo Brown’s Mello Music, “Lovesick” is a stylistic departure from the producer’s typical cold-blooded 21st century boom-bap, but it shouldn’t come as a shock considering his historical skill at mining a soulful sample or three. 


                                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                              Matt says: Nice to see Apollo putting the breaks on the streetwise boom-bap and offering us a sultry soul offering. His trademark production nuances still in full effect as he provides ample canvas for DeVaughn's intimate moods.

                                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                                              1. If You're The One (feat. Skyzoo) 04:29
                                                                                              2. One Time (feat. Becky Cane) 03:51
                                                                                              3. When A Man 03:00
                                                                                              4. If I Made Love To You 04:34
                                                                                              5. Just Fall In Love (feat. Westside Boogie) 04:18
                                                                                              6. Broken Pieces 04:07
                                                                                              7. I Still Love You 03:36
                                                                                              8. Honey 04:32
                                                                                              9. Zaddy (feat. 3D Na'Tee) 05:01
                                                                                              10. Rick James 03:41
                                                                                              11. On Top 03:41
                                                                                              12. Everything Baby 03:52

                                                                                              Berliner Robert Dietz lands on the Rotterdam label Nous'klaer Audio with the summery (bit late! - Ed) five-tracker "RIP To My Idea Of You". A record infused with beautiful melodies and bright, energy boosting drums - for the club, home and everything in between. The vinyl comes with a special poster designed by Hendrik Schneider. We're really loving this record - it floats on electric energy, tantalizes with its textures and sounds hi-tech AF. Highly recommended! 

                                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                              Matt says: Sophisticated dance music with a playful disposition and highly advanced synthesis. Some of the sounds on display are mesmerizing and there's plenty of variation across the five tracks.

                                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                                              1 Crop Circle
                                                                                              2 Should I Get A Dog
                                                                                              3 Rip To My Idea Of You
                                                                                              4 Everything You Do Melody Version
                                                                                              5 Picking Grapes

                                                                                              Roger Doyle

                                                                                              Oizzo No

                                                                                                This manifesto of outsider orchestrations, teenage symphonies and cultivated concrete is the debut album of experimental Irish avant garde and electro acoustic innovator Roger Doyle - a pianist, composer and improvisational jazz drummer with a penchant for experimentation that would marginalise him from traditional seats of learning in his native homeland but embrace him to the bosom of Europe’s leading forward-thinking research centres for electronic and computer music. Here he would piece together two highly sought after experimental albums before returning home to channel his multi-disciplinary work ethic into the agit pop theatrical company Operating Theatre and play a leading role in the burgeoning Irish new wave scene as an early signing to U2’s Mother Records.

                                                                                                A collection of some of Doyle’s earliest works as an indomitable scholarship student of composition at the Royal Irish Academy Of Music in Dublin and then as founding member and drummer of experimental jazz rock outfit Jazz Therapy (who would later become Supply Demand & Curve), this patchwork 1975 debut long player draws from what was an already bulging portfolio that included academic assignments, living room compositions and soundtrack collaborations with Irish filmmakers.

                                                                                                Originally part-recorded and subsequently aborted when the would-be label vanished without trace overnight, Oizzo No was shelved indefinitely until a scholarship at the prestigious Institute Of Sonology at the University Of Utrecht in Holland afforded Doyle not only the opportunity to partially revise his humble opus in their state of the art studios (as well as those of the EMS Studios in Stockholm) but also the money to press a limited run of 500 copies and help further cement the foundations of his future status as one of Ireland’s leading and most versatile contemporary composers.

                                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                Oizzo No
                                                                                                Ceol Sidhe
                                                                                                Bitter Sweet Suite
                                                                                                Obstinato
                                                                                                Why Is Kilkenny So Good
                                                                                                Two Movements For Flute
                                                                                                And Strings
                                                                                                Theme From Emtigon
                                                                                                Extra Bit

                                                                                                Richard Edwards

                                                                                                Verdugo

                                                                                                  Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, Elliott Smith, Neil Young & Big Star. Richard Edwards felt almost human when he returned to Los Angeles to record songs for what became Verdugo. It’s the follow-up to the Indiana singer’s 2017 album Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset, a beautiful, personal release that was deeply unpleasant to make. Not only was he afflicted at the time by an intestinal ailment that often left him unable to stand, let alone sing, his marriage fell apart midway through making the album. If Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset ended up being a record about letting go, Verdugo is the album where Edwards pulls himself up after falling down.

                                                                                                  “The making of it was kind of my recovery from all the stuff,” says Edwards, who worked again with producer Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck) in L.A. “I went back and wasn’t as sick, so making the second one, and finishing it, was a much, much more joyous event.” Verdugo features 10 new songs that showcase Edwards’ considerable and longstanding talent as a writer, and also a new way of singing: Edwards’ chronic pain meant finding a vocal approach that didn’t make him feel like throwing up. “I sing in a half-falsetto high range that came out of not being able to belt stuff out for a year,” Edwards says. His new vocal style deepens the air of melancholy on the atmospheric “Strange,” takes on a wistful cast on “Beekeeper” over subtle drums and a distinctive guitar part, and is lifted aloft on a soaring blend of guitars, drums and backing vocals on “Minefield.” “They kind of disappear in this weird sky sonically now, because of this range,” he says.

                                                                                                  “They don’t feel rooted anymore, they fly all over, and that falsetto — if you’re looking at it as a picture, it goes higher up in the room than it used to.” This is Edwards’ second solo album after more than a decade leading the Indianapolis band Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s, which he founded in 2004. When health problems made touring with Margot impossible, Edwards turned inward and began writing songs “loosely inspired by all one learns, and fails to learn, while dealing with one’s own mortality,” as he wrote in a piece for Talkhouse. Verdugo is completely Edwards, the result of an agonizing stretch of dissolution and, over time, regeneration. Best of all, it’s not an end point, but merely the next station on a continuing journey. “It’s somewhere between that last record and what will happen after that, and what was going to happen before,” he says. “It comes from three years of having to get really quiet, and figure out what grows out of that.” 

                                                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                  Gene
                                                                                                  Beekeeper
                                                                                                  Minefield
                                                                                                  A Woman Who Can’t Say No
                                                                                                  Howlin’ Heart
                                                                                                  Olive Oyl
                                                                                                  Something Wicked
                                                                                                  Tornado Dreams
                                                                                                  Strange
                                                                                                  Pornographic Teens

                                                                                                  “Hello. I’m Robert Ellis, The Texas Piano Man. I wanted to take a moment to say a few words about this record and what you might expect from it. ‘Texas Piano Man’ is a collection of songs specifically written for my piano driven Rock & Roll band from the great state of Texas. Myself and the guys bring these songs to you in the very spirit of Texas itself; loudly, confidently, over the top, larger than life, at times deadly serious and yet always with a wink and a smile. We invite you to come on in, stay a while, and when you leave take with you the spirit of these songs, the spirit of Texas, and the spirit of The Texas Piano Man himself. Adios!” - Robert

                                                                                                  STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                                  Barry says: From the grand, cinematic soundtrackery of Elton John or off-kilter college-rock keyfoolery of Ben Folds, Robert Ellis skilfully weaves heartfelt piano minimalism into grand classic rock opuses (opii?) within the space of a couple minutes. Perfectly constructed and brilliantly conceived rock and/or roll.

                                                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                  Fucking Crazy
                                                                                                  When You’re Away
                                                                                                  Nobody Smokes Anymore
                                                                                                  Passive Aggressive
                                                                                                  Father
                                                                                                  There You Are
                                                                                                  Let Me In
                                                                                                  Aren’t We Supposed To Be In Love
                                                                                                  Lullaby
                                                                                                  He Made Me Do It
                                                                                                  Topo Chico

                                                                                                  Roger Eno

                                                                                                  The Turning Year

                                                                                                    Roger Eno is a British composer and musician whose distinctive style as a recording artist has attracted a cult following. Last year he made his debut on Deutsche Grammophon with Mixing Colours, his first duo album with his brother, Brian, which was released to great acclaim.

                                                                                                    Now Roger’s latest solo album, The Turning Year, is set for release on the Yellow Label. The Turning Year allows the listener to step through Roger Eno’s looking-glass, filled with glimpses of pastoral scenes and free-flowing, affecting compositions. These pieces are exquisitely realised by Eno as pianist and he is joined on some tracks by the lauded German string ensemble Scoring Berlin.

                                                                                                    With a blend of recent compositions and live favourites from Eno’s concert repertoire, the album offers a comprehensive presentation of the composer’s solo work. “The Turning Year is like a collection of short stories or photographs of individual scenes, each with its own character but somehow closely related to the other,” explains Eno. “Listening to it made me think about how we live our lives in facets, how we catch fleeting glimpses, how we walk through our lives, how we notice the turning year.”

                                                                                                    STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                                    Barry says: Poor Rodge, hiding in the shadow of his definitely better known brother while crafting such sweet and beautiful modern-classical compositions must be a bitter pill to swallow, it must give him *some* comfort to know that I, a lowly shop worker in Manchester actually listens to and enjoys his work far more often. Surely? This is stunning anyway. Gorgeous, evocative modern classical soundscapes.

                                                                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                    A Place We Once Walked
                                                                                                    Slow Motion
                                                                                                    Introit
                                                                                                    Hymn
                                                                                                    Clearly
                                                                                                    The Turning Year
                                                                                                    Bells
                                                                                                    Hope (the Kindness Of Strangers)
                                                                                                    On The Horizon
                                                                                                    Innocence
                                                                                                    Something Made Out Of Nothing
                                                                                                    An Intimate Distance
                                                                                                    Stars And Wheels
                                                                                                    Low Cloud, Dark Skies

                                                                                                    Roberta Flack

                                                                                                    Lost Takes

                                                                                                      A collection of tracks recorded by Roberta Flack in the sessions leading up to the recording of her seminal debut album ‘First Take’. These tracks have never been released on wax before and are presented here as a double LP in a beautiful midnight blue gatefold sleeve and pressed on heavy-weight 180g black vinyl with sleeve-notes from Harmony Holiday.

                                                                                                      TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                      1. This Could Be The Start Of Something
                                                                                                      2. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
                                                                                                      3. Hush-A-Bye
                                                                                                      4. Afro Blue
                                                                                                      5. It's Way Past Suppertime
                                                                                                      6. On The Street Where You Live
                                                                                                      7. Frankie And Johnny
                                                                                                      8. The House Song
                                                                                                      9. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
                                                                                                      10. The Song Is Love
                                                                                                      11. To Sir With Love
                                                                                                      12. Groove Me

                                                                                                      Magically delicious, "Lucky Charm" completes Roman Flügel's personal feel-good-tetralogy on Running Back. Joining "Garden Party", "D.I.S.C.O." and "Mega" for a quadrophony of fun.

                                                                                                      The lead track comes in three flavours - the main mix displaying all the artifacts in a dizzying spectrum of piano licks, warm bass and jacking drum beats. Add a few timpani rolls and juddering arps and it's easy to fall victim of the overwhelming joy thrown at you... leave your troubles at the door!

                                                                                                      The dub mix and perc mix do a good job of highlighting various other elements of the track; the dub obviously focusing on bass and rhythm whilst the perc mix chucks a whole manner of extra percussion into the mix for a fiery track that's perfect as a segue, tension builder or DJ tool!

                                                                                                      "Whatever This Is" happens to be our favourite however. Harking back to the sounds explored on The Primitive Painter project (alongside long time collaborator Jörn Elling Wuttke) it's got that undeniable Flügel personality - quirky, jerky, naive and playful - with a brilliant ear for synthesis. Its correspondent "Luv Armour" is a piece of sonic shine that's doing the splits: house, new wave, synth pop and some melancholy for the finishing touches. Perfect late night alternative dance material.

                                                                                                      Finally, "Film 4" is the final dish of this lush meal. Referring to the other "Film” tracks on the "Mega" 12" and created during the hard and dark times of closed amusement party parks, it is full of yearning and contemplation; yet executed in that typical Flügel style.
                                                                                                      An excellent conclusion to this four part series - highly recommended! 


                                                                                                      STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                                      Matt says: Roman Flügel's been a constant for nearly three decades - always innovating, grooving and playful. This latest EP for Running Back is no exception as he pairs synthesis wizardry with wide-eyed, technicoloured optimism. The Primitive Painter-esque "What This Is" is worth the entrance fee alone in my book.

                                                                                                      TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                      A1. Lucky Charm - Main Mix
                                                                                                      A2. Lucky Charm - Dub Mix
                                                                                                      A3. Lucky Charm - Perc Mix
                                                                                                      B1. Luv Armour
                                                                                                      B2. Whatever This Is
                                                                                                      B3. Film 4

                                                                                                      Rebecca Foon

                                                                                                      Waxing Moon

                                                                                                        Rebecca Foon, the composer and musician behind Saltland and Esmerine (and former longstanding member of Silver Mt. Zion) presents a new album entitled Waxing Moon. While best known as an incomparable cellist crafting textural soundscapes and instrumental chamber-rock in the aforementioned projects (and more recently recognized for her creative and organisational work as cofounder of Pathway To Paris), this new collection of songs finds Foon emphasizing piano and voice with striking intimacy and elegance, showcasing a captivating evolution in her always resplendent songwriting. The climate crisis has profoundly framed Foon's political and artistic life for many years now, and Waxing Moon finds her writing and singing her most arrestingly direct yet poetic words, tapping universal and personal heartbreak in both despair and hope.

                                                                                                        With Waxing Moon, Rebecca sets side the Saltland moniker - her electronically-tinged string-centric project from the past five years - to release this more personal new work under her own name. The album's ten songs are predominantly minimal and delicate, immersive and hauntingly beautiful - with vocal-driven tracks booked-ended by piano-based instrumentals, along with one up-tempo guitar-driven number ("Wide Open Eyes") that closes out Side One. While piano figures most prominently on the record, Foon continues to play cello on several tracks, complemented by gentle touches from a close coterie of musical guests including Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire) and Mishka Stein (Patrick Watson) on acoustic and electric basses, Sophie Trudeau (Godspeed You Black Emperor) on violin, Jace Lasek (The Besnard Lakes) on electric guitar, and Patrick Watson as co-vocalist on the dreamlike "Vessels". Foon co-produced the album with Lasek at Montreal's Breakglass studio and it sounds glorious. Waxing Moon is Rebecca Foon's first eponymous release: a sublimely stunning, bracingly intimate, glimmeringly full-hearted new chapter in her celebrated musical catalog

                                                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                        A1 New World
                                                                                                        A2 Pour
                                                                                                        A3 Another Realm
                                                                                                        A4 Ocean Song
                                                                                                        A5 Wide Open Eyes

                                                                                                        B1 Waxing Moon
                                                                                                        B2 Dreams To Be Born
                                                                                                        B3 Vessels
                                                                                                        B4 This Is Our Lives
                                                                                                        B5 New World Reprise

                                                                                                        Richard Formby / Spectrum

                                                                                                        Sweet Running Water / The Drunk Suite

                                                                                                          A first time release for 2 untitled demos from Spectrum’s 1992 classic “Soul Kiss (Glide Divine)” LP.

                                                                                                          Listed here as “untitled”, the pair of tunes here were penned by Richard Formby initially and were developed into the classics “Sweet Running Water” and “The Drunk Suite” for the LP which represented Sonic Boom’s first project as a band post Spacemen 3.

                                                                                                          Lovely stripped down minimal pieces which represent a fascinating insight into how the tracks were first laid down and presented to Sonic and Mike Stout in the band.

                                                                                                          Definitely one for all Spacemen (and post S3 bands) afficionados and released as a one time pressing of 500 45s dressed up nice in PY’s BBC ‘70s library ‘tip of the hat’ sleeves and additional backing card. 

                                                                                                          Seven years since Robert Forster's last album The Evangelist (2008). Seven years since one of Australia's most respected singer-songwriters released what was widely regarded as his best solo album, and one that more than lived up to the many high points of his legendary band The Go-Betweens. Seven years for fans and critics alike to ask, what the hell was he doing?

                                                                                                          Quite a lot, as it turns out. Record producer for acclaimed albums by Brisbane bands The John Steel Singers and Halfway. An extended stint as a music critic for the Australian periodical The Monthly that was so well received, a collection of his writings was published as 'The Ten Rules Of Rock And Roll' in 2009 - and was reissued, revised and updated in 2011. Curator and compiler of G Stands For Go-Betweens. Volume 1 - the first of three lavish boxset compilations charting the career of an Australian music icon, of which he was founding member, singer and songwriter.

                                                                                                          Still ... seven years. Long time, musically speaking. Time for writing songs, time for gathering musicians, time spent preparing for what was to be the next chapter of his musical life – a refreshed creative direction that took shape as the new album Songs To Play. Ten very different Robert Forster songs recorded on a mountain top half an hour from his Brisbane home, in an analogue studio, with a troop of young musicians: talented multi-intrumentalists Scott Bromley and Luke McDonald (from The John Steel Singers), Matt Piele (drummer from his touring band), and violinist and singer Karin Baumler.

                                                                                                          "I had originally envisaged the gap between my last album and my new one as five years," Robert says. "I wanted time to pass, for there to be a cut-off. I knew what happened next would be the start of something new."

                                                                                                          "Five years became seven."

                                                                                                          The resulting album is really nothing like he's ever done before, although it retains many of the qualities we know from his songwriting: highly melodic, with incisive, witty lyrics attuned to real people and real lives. The surprise will be the spirit of the record, its sense of adventure and fun - especially after the meditative reflections of The Evangelist (recorded a year after the death of The Go-Betweens co-founder Grant McLennan). Seven years has brought a bolder, wilder approach to sound ... and a set of truly inspiring compositions. Pop songs. Five minute epics. A bossa nova tune. Singer-songwriter classics. Add the more experimental and detailed production assistance of Bromley and McDonald and no wonder - from the album's opening lines on the super-charged Learn To Burn - Forster is bursting to get out and tell his story. Time's a sequence and you wait for changes. Problem is you know I've got no patience. I've got no desire to be the fourth person in line.

                                                                                                          Seven years in the making. And worth every minute.

                                                                                                          Robert Forster

                                                                                                          Calling From A Country Phone

                                                                                                            2020 sees the thirtieth anniversary of the album that launched the solo career of sometime Go-Betweens frontman Robert Forster. Upon its release ‘Danger In The Past’ met with universal acclaim from critics, even drawing comparison with Bob Dylan’s ‘Blood On The Tracks’ in some quarters. To mark this milestone, Needle Mythology will be reissuing expanded versions of both Danger In The Past and its 1992 successor ‘Calling From A Country Phone’. The re-release of these albums comes on the back of an incredible 2019 for Forster, in which he released an acclaimed studio album Inferno and received unanimous five star reviews for G Is For Go-Betweens Vol. 2, the second in a trilogy of box-sets gathering Go-Betweens studio albums and previously unreleased live recordings and outtakes. Forster himself has been fully involved on this expanded reissue contributing new liner notes and newly unearthed photographs. For Danger In The Past, Robert recorded in Berlin with an illustrious ensemble that included Bad Seeds alumni Mick Harvey (producer, multi-instrumentalist), Hugo Race (guitar) and Thomas Wydler (drums). BBC 6 Music’s Gideon Coe, described the record as "a beautiful, confident solo debut.” Of these new remasters, Needle Mythology co-founder Pete Paphides says, “The remastering (from Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios) has dramatically revealed a depth and physicality to these recordings that casts new light on Robert’s intentions for these records. 

                                                                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                            CD/LP:
                                                                                                            1. Atlanta Lie Low
                                                                                                            2. 121
                                                                                                            3. The Circle
                                                                                                            4. Falling Star
                                                                                                            5. I Want To Be Quiet
                                                                                                            6. Cat's Life
                                                                                                            7. Girl To A World
                                                                                                            8. Drop
                                                                                                            9. Beyond Their Law
                                                                                                            10. Forever &Time
                                                                                                            11. Lonely Boy
                                                                                                            12. Brookfield 1975

                                                                                                            Bonus 7”:
                                                                                                            1. Lonely Boy
                                                                                                            2. Brookfield 1975

                                                                                                            Robert Forster

                                                                                                            Danger In The Past

                                                                                                              2020 sees the thirtieth anniversary of the album that launched the solo career of sometime Go-Betweens frontman Robert Forster. Upon its release ‘Danger In The Past’ met with universal acclaim from critics, even drawing comparison with Bob Dylan’s ‘Blood On The Tracks’ in some quarters. To mark this milestone, Needle Mythology will be reissuing expanded versions of both Danger In The Past and its 1992 successor ‘Calling From A Country Phone’. The re-release of these albums comes on the back of an incredible 2019 for Forster, in which he released an acclaimed studio album Inferno and received unanimous five star reviews for G Is For Go-Betweens Vol. 2, the second in a trilogy of box-sets gathering Go-Betweens studio albums and previously unreleased live recordings and outtakes. Forster himself has been fully involved on this expanded reissue contributing new liner notes and newly unearthed photographs. For Danger In The Past, Robert recorded in Berlin with an illustrious ensemble that included Bad Seeds alumni Mick Harvey (producer, multi-instrumentalist), Hugo Race (guitar) and Thomas Wydler (drums). BBC 6 Music’s Gideon Coe, described the record as "a beautiful, confident solo debut.” Of these new remasters, Needle Mythology co-founder Pete Paphides says, “The remastering (from Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios) has dramatically revealed a depth and physicality to these recordings that casts new light on Robert’s intentions for these records. 

                                                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                              CD/LP:
                                                                                                              1. Baby Stones
                                                                                                              2. The River People
                                                                                                              3. Leave Here Satisfied
                                                                                                              4. Heart Out To Tender
                                                                                                              5. Is This What You Call Change
                                                                                                              6. Dear Black Dream
                                                                                                              7. Danger In The Past
                                                                                                              8. I've Been Looking For Somebody
                                                                                                              9. Justice
                                                                                                              10. The Land That Time Forgot
                                                                                                              11. Falling Star (Original)

                                                                                                              Bonus 7”:
                                                                                                              1. The Land That Time Forgot
                                                                                                              2. Falling Star (Original)

                                                                                                              'Inferno' is acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Robert Forster's first solo album in four years - his second album over the last eleven years. Forster only makes records when he feels he has the songs - on 'Inferno', he has nine he totally believes in.

                                                                                                              They range from the exhilarating top ten pop of 'Inferno (Brisbane In Summer)', the beach shack groove of 'Life Has Turned A Page', via 'Remain's 1977 New York strut, to finish in a way that this concise, brilliant, drama and wit filled album only can - on the big build epic 'One Bird In The Sky'.

                                                                                                              'Inferno' was made in Berlin in 2018, during the hottest German summer in decades. Noted producer/engineer Victor Van Vugt (Beth Orton 'Trailer Park', P J Harvey 'Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea'), recorded the album; the first time he and Forster had worked together since Van Vugt engineered Forster's debut solo album classic 'Danger In The Past' in Berlin in 1990.

                                                                                                              'Inferno' in its making is a perfect mix of the familiar and the new. Also working with Forster again, are Brisbane based multi-instrumentalists Scott Bromley and Karin Bãumler from 'Songs To Play' (2015), while new recruits are drummer Earl Havin (Tindersticks, Mary J. Blige) and keyboardist Michael Muhlhaus (Blumfeld, Kante). Four musicians from the corners of the world, who, with Van Vugt's bold and beautiful production, sound like a band of the ages. In front of them, Forster delivers the best vocal performances of his career.

                                                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                                              Barry says: Encompassing all of the best melodic aspects of some of the greatest songwriters to date (Forster's vocal drawl sounding not entirely unlike Morrisey's at points), Forster manages to be both poignant and accessible all at once. Shimmering acoustic guitar and crisp production come together to accentuate the country-folk-indie at every turn. A wonderfully written and brilliantly conceived outing.

                                                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                              1. Crazy Jane On The Day Of Judgement
                                                                                                              2. No Fame
                                                                                                              3. Inferno (Brisbane In Summer)
                                                                                                              4. The Morning
                                                                                                              5. Life Has Turned A Page
                                                                                                              6. Remain
                                                                                                              7. I'll Look After You
                                                                                                              8. I'm Gonna Tell It
                                                                                                              9. One Bird In The Sky

                                                                                                              Robert Forster

                                                                                                              The Candle And The Flame

                                                                                                                Former Go-between Robert Forster announces his 8th solo album 'The Candle And The Flame'.

                                                                                                                It's an album for Forster that has taken a very different path in creating than his previous works. The first single is titled 'She's A Fighter'. It reveals only part of what became a journey of creating music with family and friends with a need to find joy and solace in the face of adversity.

                                                                                                                Robert explains: "'She's A Fighter' is the last song I wrote for 'The Candle And The Flame' album. I wrote the music for it in June 2021. I liked the tune and the quick energy of the song, but I didn't know yet what it was going to be about. In early July, Karin Bäumler, my wife and musical companion for thirty-two years, received a cancer diagnosis. In late July, with a series of chemotherapy sessions about to begin, Karin talked of fighting for her health and a path through chemotherapy to recovery. The phrase, 'She's A Fighter' came to me. I liked it. And I knew immediately that it would work with my new melody. I needed just one other line for the lyric. 'Fighting for good.' The song was finished. I had written my first two-line song. I had just out-Ramoned The Ramones! Because the song has so much meaning to us, we decided to record it as a family. The only time this happens on the album. Karin sings and plays xylophone. Our daughter Loretta plays electric guitar. Our son Louis plays guitar, bass and percussion. And I strum an acoustic guitar fiercely and sing. And that's 'She's a Fighter'."

                                                                                                                That coming together musically as a family is captured in the video for 'She's A Fighter'. "The video was shot in the same studio (Alchemix Studios, Brisbane) as the album was recorded in. So there is continuity," Forster said. "And the way the four of sit in a circle playing, is very much how we recorded 'She's A Fighter' and other tracks on the album."

                                                                                                                'The Candle And The Flame' consists of 9 songs written by Robert. Produced by Robert, Karin Bäumler and Louis Forster (The Goon Sax), the album was mixed by Victor Van Vugt (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey) and features former Go-Betweens and Warm Nights bass player Adele Pickvance as well as Scott Bromiley and Luke McDonald (The John Steele Singers), who worked on Robert's 'Inferno' and 'Songs To Play' albums.

                                                                                                                "The recording sessions for the album were done sporadically over six months. Sometimes just one or two days a month. As that was all Karin's strength and condition allowed her to do. So we had to record 'live', catching magical moments and going for 'feel'. And that became the sound of the album." says Robert.

                                                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                1 She's A Fighter
                                                                                                                2 Tender Years
                                                                                                                3 It's Only Poison
                                                                                                                4 The Roads
                                                                                                                5 I Don't Do Drugs I Do Time
                                                                                                                6 Always
                                                                                                                7 There's A Reason To Live
                                                                                                                8 Go Free
                                                                                                                9 When I Was A Young Man

                                                                                                                Robert Forster

                                                                                                                The Evangelist - Reissue

                                                                                                                  Following the 1989 break-up of the Go-Betweens, the band he had formed at college in 1978 with his friend Grant McLennan, Robert Forster embarked on a solo career, releasing four albums under his own name between 1990 and 1996, before reforming The Go-Betweens in 2000.

                                                                                                                  After the death of bandmate Grant McLennan in 2006 Robert released, this, his 5th solo album in 2008, including the last three songs he wrote with Grant. 

                                                                                                                  Reb Fountain

                                                                                                                  Iris

                                                                                                                    RIYL: Patti Smith, Sharon Van Etten, Aldous Harding, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Kate Bush

                                                                                                                    The perfect extension of her 2020 self-titled record, IRIS elevates Reb Fountain’s music to new heights. Reb effortlessly combines pop elements with her trademark noir folk-punk sound; weaving authentic and anthemic tunes that create an instant and indelible impression. Written during lockdown in 202, Reb has said on the album “Writing a song a day to keep myself grounded and productive during lockdown, IRIS provided me an opportunity to speak my unspoken, to reflect what I have seen and experienced from within and to bear witness.”

                                                                                                                    Diving into the deeper meaning of the album’s namesake, Reb says “Iris is in many ways an unsung hero, known as the goddess of the rainbow, sea and sky, she acts as bridge between the gods to humanity with little of her own story known. So many stories go unheard, so many aspects of our humanity are unsung; visibility is a contested and inequitable space where what is essential and of beauty is often ‘invisible’. I wanted and needed to give voice to this essential human spirit; to conjure and hold and commune with the very real, valid and invaluable voices within and around me.”

                                                                                                                    The award-winning songwriter, Reb Fountain, is a consummate recording artist and performer; spell-bounding audiences with her music and artistry alike. Throughout 2020, Reb and her all-star band (Dave Khan, Karin Canzek and Earl Robertson) astounded audiences around the country on her sold out album release tour. Reb was born in San Francisco and immigrated with her family from North America to Lyttelton the quiet port town out of Christchurch that’s been fundamental to New Zealand’s alt-folk scene, raising artists like Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, and Delaney Davidson.

                                                                                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                    SIDE A
                                                                                                                    1. Psyche
                                                                                                                    2. Foxbright
                                                                                                                    3. Invisible Man
                                                                                                                    4. Heart
                                                                                                                    5. Beastie

                                                                                                                    SIDE B
                                                                                                                    6. Fisherman
                                                                                                                    7. Swim To The Star
                                                                                                                    8. Lacuna
                                                                                                                    9. Iris
                                                                                                                    10. Intermission

                                                                                                                    Robert French And Antony Johnson

                                                                                                                    Robert French Meets Anthony Johnson

                                                                                                                      The meeting of two great reggae artists, reissued on LP for the very first time. A must-have for reggae, roots and dancehall collectors. Includes Johnson’s fabulous take on ‘Sitting In The Park’ and French’s protest ‘No War’. Recorded at the legendary Channel One Recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica, with the reputed Roots Radics Band, produced by ‘Jah’ Thomas Remastererd by Nick Robbins at Sound Mastering and presented in a deluxe sleeve, featuring the original artwork by Wilfred Limonious

                                                                                                                      TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                      1. Sitting In The Park
                                                                                                                      2. Park Dub
                                                                                                                      3. Know Yourself Mankind
                                                                                                                      4. Mankind Dub
                                                                                                                      5. I Want To Hold You
                                                                                                                      6. Hold You Dub
                                                                                                                      7. Stop Spread Rumour
                                                                                                                      8. Rumour Dub
                                                                                                                      9. Number One Lover
                                                                                                                      10. Love Dub
                                                                                                                      11. No War
                                                                                                                      12. War Dub

                                                                                                                      Robbie Fulks

                                                                                                                      Couples In Trouble

                                                                                                                        A collection of 12 songs, each of which, as the title suggests, documents a tale of two people in crisis. Mostly country / bluegrass songs but occasionally deliving into pop and rock. Very good!

                                                                                                                        Robbie Fulks

                                                                                                                        The Very Best Of

                                                                                                                          14 all new, frightfully rare, or altogether unreleased tracks.

                                                                                                                          Roel Funcken

                                                                                                                          Cassette DJ Mix

                                                                                                                            Roel Funcken curates two 30 minute tracks consisting of music from Roel, Funckarma and Legiac. Cassette DJ Mix showcases the Funcken legacy whilst offering fresh, unique sounds. Roel has been at the heart of the electronic music scene for over two decades and continues to share his wonderful vision and style with the music community.

                                                                                                                            Cassette DJ Mix Part 1 and 2 (consists of tracks from Roel Funcken, Funckarma and Legiac).

                                                                                                                            STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                                                            Barry says: Roel Funcken presents a suite of electronic drifts and rich meditative synth, industrial atmospherics and brittle, aquatic modular blips. It's a huge body of work that feels both consistent and transportive, with as many moments of crystalline beauty as there are intimidating walls of noise. A lovely, fascinating behemoth.

                                                                                                                            Ross Gay

                                                                                                                            Dilate Your Heart

                                                                                                                              Over the last 12 years, Ross Gay’s poems have given us indelible images and phrases of radical empathy and unabated gratitude; about community, collaboration, connectedness and hard work. They have crept into our hearts and made a home of all of us. And so we are launching our 25th Anniversary celebration with ‘Dilate Your Heart’, our first spoken word album since titan Robert Creeley’s self-titled release twenty years ago.

                                                                                                                              “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” is given a gorgeous, slowly creeping bed of vines by Bon Iver, as Gay’s unadorned voices speaks a lifetimes of Thank You’s. On “Burial,” harpist and composer Mary Lattimore’s lunar landscape follows Gay’s voice into space, telling of our endless energy exchange with nature. Chicago’s Angel Bat Dawid dances with the frenetic, joyous scene Gay leads us through on “To the Fig Tree on 9th and Christian,” in which a group of Philadelphia strangers scramble together to harvest the fruit of the titular urban fig tree. Songwriter Gia Margaret provides a mystical, amniotic environment for Gay’s “Poem To My Child If Ever You Shall Be,” a love letter to an imagined future child, treating Gay’s voice like a message in a bottle to a far off idea made only of love and potential. Sam Gendel, a secret weapon collaborator, affects Gay’s voice on “Sorrow Is Not My Name” to something glassy and almost singsongy. Throughout, Gay recites his poems with bright aliveness, his voice as warm and easy when he speaks about death as when he speaks about mercy, or love.

                                                                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                              1. Catalog Of Unabashed Gratitude (with Bon Iver)
                                                                                                                              2. Burial (with Mary Lattimore)
                                                                                                                              3. To The Fig Tree On 9th & Christian (with Angel Bat Dawid)
                                                                                                                              4. Poem To My Child, If You Ever Shall Be (with Gia Margaret)
                                                                                                                              5. Sorrow Is Not My Name (with Sam Gendel)

                                                                                                                              Ron Geesin

                                                                                                                              Sunday Bloody Sunday (Original Soundtrack)

                                                                                                                                Sublime unreleased soundtrack by Ron Geesin, to one of the most important and controversial films in British cinema history.

                                                                                                                                Standard black vinyl (750 Copies) with sleeve art taken from the 1971 film poster. Cool as fuck.

                                                                                                                                Side One is the score for Sunday Bloody Sunday, the controversial 1971 drama directed by John Schlesinger. Starring Peter Finch, Glenda Jackson and Murray Head, it tells the story of an open love triangle between a gay Jewish doctor, a divorced woman and a bisexual young male artist who makes glass fountains. Daniel Day Lewis also makes his uncredited screen debut as a yobbo scratching up posh cars. The films significance at the time of release lay in the depiction of a mature gay man who was both successful, well adjusted and at peace with his sexuality.

                                                                                                                                The music on Side Two comes from two different sources: tracks one to four are from the 1985 Channel Four documentary about Viv Richards. Simply called “Viv” it was directed by Greg Lanning, with words and narration by Darcus Howe. It was (and still is) a fascinating film recounting Richards’ rise from young talented Antiguan to global cricket superstar. It also explored the long history of West Indian players through the English game. Howe later recalled how seeing Viv Richards walking out to bat at the Oval (just down the road from where Howe lived in Brixton) without a helmet on no matter how fast the bowler was - and wearing his Rasta sweatbands of gold, green and red, was inspirational. The documentary was later re-titled ‘Viv Richards - King Of Cricket’ for the video market, and let’s face it, that’s a more commercial title. I’d strongly recommend trying to track it down to spend an hour or so in the company of Viv and Darcus. As I write this it’s still up on a popular online streaming site for free.

                                                                                                                                The last six cues of Side Two are from a 1970 BBC Omnibus film ‘Shapes In A Wilderness’. Directed by Tristram Powell this was a documentary about the importance and influence of art therapy in mental hospitals, tracing its origins from a painting hut in a wartime military hospital to its successful and widespread incorporation in institutions. It featured fascinating medical insights, disturbing imagery and Ron’s finely tuned accompaniment. On its original transmission John Schlesinger saw it and was heard to say “I must have that composer for my new film!”. And he got his way.

                                                                                                                                I could spend another paragraph analysing the music and stuff like that but you can listen and work all that out for yourself. But I will say that all the music just confirms the fact that Ron Geesin is one of the most underrated, inventive and versatile composers (and musicians) we have.


                                                                                                                                TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                SIDE ONE
                                                                                                                                1: Sky HIgh Balloons
                                                                                                                                2: Intriguing Cables
                                                                                                                                3: Bittersweet Reflections
                                                                                                                                4: Affections For String Quartet (unknown Studio String Quartet)
                                                                                                                                5: Chemical Dreams (voice Bridget St. John)
                                                                                                                                6: Blitzful Memories
                                                                                                                                7: Piccadilly Bustle
                                                                                                                                8: Motoring Sparkle (Second Gtr: Bridget St. John)
                                                                                                                                9: Wayward Balloons
                                                                                                                                SIDE TWO
                                                                                                                                Tracks 1 - 4 From The Soundtrack Of ‘Viv’
                                                                                                                                1: War Of The Willow
                                                                                                                                2: Slo-Mo Bowl
                                                                                                                                3: Through Loud Bamboo
                                                                                                                                4: Antiguan Stroll Tracks
                                                                                                                                5 -10 From The Soundtrack Of ‘Shapes In A Wilderness’
                                                                                                                                5: Mad Picture Gallery
                                                                                                                                6: Sculptural Drift
                                                                                                                                7: Muttering Mini Monsters
                                                                                                                                8: Cranial Cathedral
                                                                                                                                9: Ghostly Wasps
                                                                                                                                10: Hope And Misery

                                                                                                                                Rhiannon Giddens

                                                                                                                                You're The One

                                                                                                                                  Rhiannon Giddens’ You’re the One is the Grammy- and MacArthur-winning singer, composer, and instrumentalist’s third solo studio album and her first of all original songs; her last solo album was 2017’s critically acclaimed Freedom Highway. This collection of 12 songs written over the course of Giddens’ career bursts with life-affirming energy, drawing from the folk music that she knows so deeply, as well as its pop descendants. The album was produced by Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Alicia Keys, Valerie June, Tank and the Bangas) and recorded at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami with a band composed of Giddens’s closest musical collaborators from the past decade alongside musicians from Splash’s own Rolodex, topped off with a horn section, making an impressive ten- to twelve-person ensemble.

                                                                                                                                  Giddens made You’re the One with some of her closest musical collaborators from the past decade, including her partner, Italian multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi, plus multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell, bassist Jason Sypher, and Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu. The album features electric and upright bass, conga, Cajun and Piano accordions, guitars, a Western string section, and Miami horns, among other instruments, capturing the inclusive spirit that channels through all of her work.

                                                                                                                                  "I hope that people just hear American music," Giddens says. "Blues, jazz, Cajun, country, gospel, and rock – it's all there. I like to be where it meets organically. They're fun songs, and I wanted them to have as much of a chance as they could to reach people who might dig them but don't know anything about what I do. If they're introduced to me through this record, they might go listen to other music I've made and make some new discoveries.”

                                                                                                                                  You’re the One opens with ‘Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad’, an R&B blast (complete with background "shoops" and horns) that takes a titan for inspiration. "I listened to a bunch of Aretha Franklin, and then turned to fellow Aretha-nut Dirk Powell and said, ‘Let’s write a song she might have sung!'" Giddens recalls. Her danceable, vivacious tribute to Franklin's sound is a vocal showcase, spotlighting her soaring high notes and nearly-growling low ones. Another highlight, ‘If You Don't Know How Sweet It Is', intentionally puts an edgier spin on the sass of Dolly Parton's early work.


                                                                                                                                  TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                  1. Too Little, Too Late, Too Bad
                                                                                                                                  2. You’re The One
                                                                                                                                  3. Yet To Be (feat. Jason Isbell)
                                                                                                                                  4. Wrong Kind Of Right
                                                                                                                                  5. Another Wasted Life
                                                                                                                                  6. You Louisiana Man
                                                                                                                                  7. If You Don’t Know How Sweet It Is
                                                                                                                                  8. Hen In The Foxhouse
                                                                                                                                  9. Who Are You Dreaming Of
                                                                                                                                  10. You Put The Sugar In My Bowl
                                                                                                                                  11. Way Over Yonder
                                                                                                                                  12. Good Ol’ Cider

                                                                                                                                  Robert Glasper Experiment

                                                                                                                                  Black Radio - Deluxe Edition

                                                                                                                                    Ten years ago in 2012, Robert Glasper changed the game. After several acclaimed Blue Note albums that solidified his Jazz cred while hinting at his Hip-Hop leanings, the visionary pianist went all in with Black Radio, an album that laid out a new paradigm for creative music, reaching beyond entrenched genre boundaries to create a singular vision that drew from all reaches of contemporary black music and beyond.

                                                                                                                                    Featuring his Experiment band with Casey Benjamin on sax/vocoder, Derrick Hodge on bass and Chris Dave on drums, the album boasted a rollcall of special guests including Erykah Badu, Yasiin Bey, Lupe Fiasco, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello & others.

                                                                                                                                    Black Radio would go on to debut on four different Billboard charts peaking at #1 Jazz, #4 R&B/Hip-Hop, and even reaching #15 on the Top 200. The cherry on top came in February 2013 at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards when Black Radio was awarded Best R&B Album.

                                                                                                                                    Now, a special 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition presents the full Black Radio experience by expanding it to 3-LPs featuring the original album plus three bonus tracks previously unreleased on vinyl, and the remix EP Black Radio Recovered which featured additional contributions from Questlove, Solange, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, and more.

                                                                                                                                    TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                    VINYL TRACKLISTING:
                                                                                                                                    LP 1 | Black Radio | Original Album
                                                                                                                                    Side A
                                                                                                                                    Lift Off / Mic Check Feat. Shafiq Husayn
                                                                                                                                    Afro Blue Feat. Erykah Badu
                                                                                                                                    Cherish The Day Feat. Lalah Hathaway
                                                                                                                                    Always Shine Feat. Lupe Fiasco And Bilal
                                                                                                                                    Side B
                                                                                                                                    Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.) Feat. Ledisi
                                                                                                                                    Move Love Feat. King
                                                                                                                                    Ah Yeah Feat. Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michele
                                                                                                                                    The Consequences Of Jealousy Feat. Meshell Ndegeocello
                                                                                                                                    LP 2
                                                                                                                                    Side A | Black Radio | Original Album
                                                                                                                                    Why Do We Try Feat. Stokley
                                                                                                                                    Black Radio Feat. Yasiin Bey
                                                                                                                                    Letter To Hermione Feat. Bilal
                                                                                                                                    Smells Like Teen Spirit
                                                                                                                                    Side B | Black Radio | Bonus Tracks*
                                                                                                                                    Twice
                                                                                                                                    A Love Supreme
                                                                                                                                    Fever Feat. Hindi Zahra
                                                                                                                                    *Previously Unreleased On Vinyl
                                                                                                                                    LP 3 | Black Radio Recovered | The Remix EP
                                                                                                                                    Side A
                                                                                                                                    Afro Blue Feat. Erykah Badu (9th Wonder's Blue Light Basement Remix)
                                                                                                                                    Black Radio Feat. Yasiin Bey (Pete Rock Remix)
                                                                                                                                    Twice (Questlove's Twice Baked Remix Feat. Solange Knowles & The Roots)
                                                                                                                                    Side B
                                                                                                                                    The Consequences Of Jealousy (Georgia Anne Muldrow's Sassy Geemix)
                                                                                                                                    Letter To Hermione Feat. Bilal (Robert Glasper And Jewels Remix Feat. Black Milk)
                                                                                                                                    Dillalude #2

                                                                                                                                    CD TRACKLISTING:
                                                                                                                                    1. Lift Off / Mic Check Feat. Shafiq Husayn
                                                                                                                                    2. Afro Blue Feat. Erykah Badu
                                                                                                                                    3. Cherish The Day Feat. Lalah Hathaway
                                                                                                                                    4. Always Shine Feat. Lupe Fiasco And Bilal
                                                                                                                                    5. Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.) Feat. Ledisi
                                                                                                                                    6. Move Love Feat. King
                                                                                                                                    7. Ah Yeah Feat. Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michele
                                                                                                                                    8. The Consequences Of Jealousy Feat. Meshell Ndegeocello
                                                                                                                                    9. Why Do We Try Feat. Stokley
                                                                                                                                    10. Black Radio Feat. Yasiin Bey
                                                                                                                                    11. Letter To Hermione Feat. Bilal
                                                                                                                                    12. Smells Like Teen Spirit
                                                                                                                                    13. Twice
                                                                                                                                    14. A Love Supreme
                                                                                                                                    15. Fever Feat. Hindi Zahra
                                                                                                                                    16. Afro Blue Feat. Erykah Badu (9th Wonder's Blue Light Basement Remix)
                                                                                                                                    17. Black Radio Feat. Yasiin Bey (Pete Rock Remix)
                                                                                                                                    18. Twice (?uestlove's Twice Baked Remix Feat. Solange Knowles & The Roots)
                                                                                                                                    19. The Consequences Of Jealousy (Georgia Anne Muldrow's Sassy Geemix)
                                                                                                                                    20. Letter To Hermione Feat. Bilal (Robert Glasper And Jewels Remix Feat. Black Milk)
                                                                                                                                    21. Dillalude #2

                                                                                                                                    Robert Glasper

                                                                                                                                    In My Element (Classic Vinyl Series)

                                                                                                                                      Robert Glasper’s 2005 Blue Note debut Canvas signaled the arrival of a singular new voice in jazz and his 2007 follow-up In My Element solidified his status as a rising star who was taking the music someplace new. Featuring bassist Vicente Archer & drummer Damion Reid, the album expanded the possibilities of where a modern jazz piano trio might go by delving further into his hip-hop & gospel roots.

                                                                                                                                      This 2-LP Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition was mastered by Kevin Gray and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

                                                                                                                                      Ruben Gonzalez

                                                                                                                                      Introducing... (Extended Edition)

                                                                                                                                        World Circuit provide all lovers of latin music with a welcome double heavyweight vinyl reissue of Ruben Gonzalez' "Introducing...". Mastered from the original mix tapes by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road, several tracks are now heard in unedited, full length form for the first time with the addition of a further track that has never previously been released. When the Cuban pianist Ruben Gonzalez recorded his first solo album in Havana in 1996 he was 77 years old. Released on World Circuit the following year, along with the Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club on which he also played, it led to a remarkable late flowering of his career that lasted until his death in 2003, as he toured the world and was revealed as one of the timeless legends of Cuban music. The story of Ruben Gonzalez's rediscovery was movingly told in Wim Wenders' award winning Buena Vista Social Club lm. A maestro whose piano playing in the 1940s helped de ne the Cuban sound as we know it today, by the 1990s Rubén had virtually stopped making music. Suffering with arthritis, he no longer even owned a piano. Invited to come out of retirement in 1996 to play on World Circuit's remarkable trio of albums recorded in a two week session in Havana in 1996 - alongside Ry Cooder on the Buena Vista Social Club album, and with the Afro-Cuban All Stars on their debut 'A Toda Cuba La Gusta' - his pleasure as his touch and phrasing returned was palpable and infectious. Every morning he was the first to arrive at the studio in Havana, waiting for the doors to be unlocked. Once inside he played all day long, prompting Cooder to dub him "the greatest piano soloist I have ever heard in my life." Accompanied by a hand-picked band playing a selection of Cuban classics 'live ' in the studio, Gonzalez turned in one of all me classic Cuban piano albums.

                                                                                                                                        TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                        La Enganadora
                                                                                                                                        Cumbanchero
                                                                                                                                        Tres Lindas Cubanas Melodia Del Rio
                                                                                                                                        Mandinga
                                                                                                                                        Siboney
                                                                                                                                        Almendra
                                                                                                                                        Tumbao
                                                                                                                                        Como Siento Yo
                                                                                                                                        Descarga Ruben Y Cachaito

                                                                                                                                        Roxy Gordon

                                                                                                                                        Crazy Horse Never Died

                                                                                                                                          The Choctaw, Assiniboine, and Texan poet, journalist, visual artist, American Indian Movement activist, and musician Roxy Gordon (First Coyote Boy) (1945–2000) was above all a storyteller, known primarily as a writer of inimitable style and unvarnished candor, whose wide-ranging work encompassed poetry, short fiction, essays, memoirs, journalism, and criticism. Over the course of his career he recorded six albums, wrote six books, and published hundreds of shorter texts in outlets ranging from Rolling Stone and The Village Voice to the Coleman Chronicle and Democrat-Voice, in addition to founding and operating, with his wife Judy Gordon, Wowapi Press and the underground country music journal Picking Up the Tempo. Along the way he cultivated close friendships with fellow Texan songwriters such as Lubbockites Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, and Tommy X. Hancock, as well as Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, and, most famously, Townes Van Zandt, whom he called his brother. Although his work covered a vast array of topics exploring strata personal, local, global, and cosmic alike, Gordon’s primary subject as a writer, musician, and visual artist was always American Indian culture, specifically the ways it collided and coexisted with European American culture in the South and West and within the context of his own life and braided identity.

                                                                                                                                          The ten songs on Crazy Horse Never Died, his first officially released and distributed album, were recorded in Dallas in 1988. “Songs” is perhaps an imprecise taxonomy for what Roxy captured on this and his other albums, all of which remain out of print or were released in instantly obscure limited editions of homebrew cassettes and CD-R’s. (Paradise of Bachelors plans to reissue remastered, expanded editions of his catalog; Crazy Horse is the first.) He only occasionally attempted to sing, and his musical recordings are primarily corollaries of, and vehicles for, his poems. His sharp West Texan drawl, tinged by formative years of reservation living in Montana and unmistakable once you hear it high, lonesome, flat, and cold-blooded as a bare rusty blade instead patiently unfurls in skewed sheets of anecdotal verse and discursive narrative rants. His songs are essentially recitations over backing tracks of fingerpicked guitars, rubbery washtub bass, and buzzing, oscillating keyboards. On the stark yellow and red jacket of Crazy Horse, which he designed himself, Gordon describes these recordings as innately ambivalent in terms of form, content, and identity: These are poems and/or songs about the American West, white and Indian.

                                                                                                                                          Crazy Horse Never Died comprises songs that span the personal and political arcs of his writing practice and the poles of his native and white ancestries. His introduction to the almost-title track in the strikingly illustrated poetry chapbook supplement to the album (included in the LP edition) draws explicit parallels between the oppression and displacement of Palestinians by Zionists and the similar treatment of Native Americans by Europeans, justifying the historical necessity of resistance to racist imperialism through terrorism.

                                                                                                                                          In his 1984 essay “Breeds,” from the fine collection of the same name, he concludes with a note of hope:

                                                                                                                                          The voices of these continents are not stilled because, for a few centuries, this land is overrun by human beings who cannot hear. Over years of cultural and racial genocide, over centuries of lies and misdirection, That Which Is still calls . . . and the old American blood in us listens.

                                                                                                                                          Roxy’s friend and fellow poet-turned-musician Leonard Cohen had kind words for Breeds, writing: “It is strong. The word goes out. Can a change come on dove’s feet?” Bestir that old American blood and listen.

                                                                                                                                          TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                          A1. Crazy Horse Is Alive
                                                                                                                                          A2. Junked Cars
                                                                                                                                          A3. Living Life As A Living Target
                                                                                                                                          A4. Flying Into Ann Arbor (Holding)
                                                                                                                                          A5. I Used To Know An Assiniboine Girl
                                                                                                                                          B1. The Hanging Of Black Jack Ketchum
                                                                                                                                          B2. The Western Edge
                                                                                                                                          B3. An Open Letter To Illegal Aliens
                                                                                                                                          B4. The Texas Indian
                                                                                                                                          B5. Why Do I Miss Someone?

                                                                                                                                          Rob Grant

                                                                                                                                          Lost At Sea

                                                                                                                                            The father of Lana Del Rey.

                                                                                                                                            Rob Grant's debut album, Lost At Sea. An accidental recording artist, Grant has never had a lesson on any instrument in his life. No kind of formal musical training at all. He can't read sheet music. But when he sits down at a piano, something magical happens. Notes flow from him and out pours composition after composition.

                                                                                                                                            The father of international icon Lana Del Rey, he enlisted an array of talent to contribute to the making of the album. Features and writing credits include his daughter Lana Del Rey, while production credits include Jack Antonoff, Luke Howard, Laura Sisk, and Zach Dawes.

                                                                                                                                            TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                            Moon Rise Over The Ocean
                                                                                                                                            Setting Sail On A Distant Horizon
                                                                                                                                            Lost At Sea (feat. Lana Del Rey)
                                                                                                                                            The Texture Of Dreams
                                                                                                                                            The Poetry Of Wind And Waves
                                                                                                                                            A Beautiful Delirium
                                                                                                                                            Deep Ocean Swells
                                                                                                                                            My Deep Blue Dream
                                                                                                                                            Reflections Of Light On Water
                                                                                                                                            In The Dying Light Of Day: Requiem For Mother Earth
                                                                                                                                            A Delicate Mist Surrounds Me
                                                                                                                                            The Mermaids’ Lullaby
                                                                                                                                            Song Of The Eternal Sea
                                                                                                                                            Hollywood Bowl (feat. Lana Del Rey)

                                                                                                                                            Rachel Grimes

                                                                                                                                            The Way Forth

                                                                                                                                              The expansive new album Rachel Grimes, the renowned modern composer and cofounder of iconic chamber-rock group, Rachel’s. A rich, sprawling folk opera that explores the controversial history of Kentucky’s overlooked figures. The Way Forth, a new folk opera from Rachel Grimes, encompasses lush layers of voices and orchestrations in an experiential, non-linear investigation highlighting perspectives of Kentucky women from 1775 to today. Inspired by a treasure-trove of family documents, photos, and letters spanning several generations, Grimes began in 2016 to research some of the more vexing questions that came to the surface about these people, places, and events.

                                                                                                                                              The songs that make up The Way Forth weave back in time through a postcard, a personal account of a long life on a farm, traces of folk tunes, names, places, and rivers, all woven into an emotional fabric of yearning, nostalgia, grief, and the rich intimacies of everyday life. Initially solo voices are heard above vivid orchestrations, expanding with the choral voices of the community through fragments of traditional church music and popular tunes. The scope widens to include a modern male narrator's reflections on a place battered by greed, civil war, bigotry, and the exploitation of natural resources. Through music, voice, and film, The Way Forth honors the emotional legacy of the silenced, the holistic, the beauty in quotidian life, and explores the eternal grace and redemption of time, as symbolized by the great Dix and Kentucky Rivers

                                                                                                                                              STAFF COMMENTS

                                                                                                                                              Barry says: An honest and tender look at rural history and locality as well as the place of arts and creativity within society, all presented through Grimes' singular musical vision. Any fans of Rachel's tender chamber classical (myself included) will find a lot to enjoy here, while being comfortingly different from anything that's come before.

                                                                                                                                              TRACK LISTING

                                                                                                                                              1. Got Ahold Of Me (4:15)
                                                                                                                                              2. Postcard From Pauline (1:46)
                                                                                                                                              3. Patsy (2:11)
                                                                                                                                              4. Sisterhood Of Man (3:20)
                                                                                                                                              5. Red House School (5:24)
                                                                                                                                              6. The Hysterical Society (2:15)
                                                                                                                                              7. Nowhere On Earth (3:24)
                                                                                                                                              8. There Is No Other (3:33)
                                                                                                                                              9. The Spells (1:33)
                                                                                                                                              10. Fontaine Ferry (4:25)
                                                                                                                                              11. For So Long (4:40)
                                                                                                                                              12. Dix River Doxology (3:21)
                                                                                                                                              13. Dolly (1:43)
                                                                                                                                              14. Bill Of Sale (1:53)
                                                                                                                                              15. End Of Dominion (12:07)
                                                                                                                                              16. Sara (2:45)
                                                                                                                                              17. A New Land (3:39)

                                                                                                                                              Robin Guthrie

                                                                                                                                              Mockingbird Love

                                                                                                                                                Robin Guthrie returns with Mockingbird Love, a four track EP, the first in a short series of newly recorded instrumental releases for late 2021. Guthrie, whose production and signature guitar sounds are said to have shaped multiple genres was the co-founder and producer of Cocteau Twins. Over forty years he has produced and remixed countless artists, recorded instrumental albums, movie soundtracks and collaborated with many outstanding artists. Mockingbird Love is a most welcome introduction to a series of releases which will be available for a limited amount of time exclusively on Soleil Après Minuit



                                                                                                                                                Robin Guthrie

                                                                                                                                                Riviera EP

                                                                                                                                                  Following the October release of the EP Mockingbird Love and the November release of the album Pearldiving comes another unique release by Robin Guthrie, the 4 track EP, Riviera, a collection of tunes completed earlier this year. Riviera stands on its own, as a release apart from the album, featuring Guthrie’s ever present signature sound and atmosphere, displaying a refinement and maturity only found in the work of an artist working largely unfettered from the constraints of the music industry. His approach to music is perhaps more akin to that of a painter or a photographer. The adept use of light and shade, melody and counter melody, the carefully and precisely arranged instrumentation, musical textures and colorings gives his music a depth and level of detail which marks a master craftsman.

                                                                                                                                                  Robert Haagsma

                                                                                                                                                  Passion For Vinyl - Part I: A Tribute To All Who Dig The Groove

                                                                                                                                                    This book is a tribute to vinyl, a format that is making a spectacular comeback recently, although for many music lovers it never really disappeared.

                                                                                                                                                    Brazilian superstar Ed Motta came to Holland to buy an apartment, but spent all his money on vinyl instead. When a young Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth discovered a scratch on his recently bought Bathory LP he demolished his bedroom. It’s Atlantic’s CEO Craig Kallman mission to own all relevant albums on vinyl. He has 750.000 already. That’s what vinyl does with music lovers.

                                                                                                                                                    In Passion For Vinyl a wide selection of DJ’s, musicians, label owners, designers, record dealers, collectors and engineers like Henry Rollins, Bernie Grundman, Hans Pokora, Chris Ellis, Steffi, Mala, Vaughan Oliver, Lee Dorrian, Jacco Gardner, John Dyer Baizley and many others share their unconditional love for vinyl. They muse about the first record that changed their lives, talk about their prized collectibles and explain why they were determined to keep vinyl alive. Passion for Vinyl also tells the history of Record Industry, the Dutch factory that has been pressing vinyl since the 1950’s.

                                                                                                                                                    The 7” single contains two exclusive tracks from Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell and Rinus’ Garage Feat. Triggerfinger.

                                                                                                                                                    Robert Haagsma

                                                                                                                                                    Passion For Vinyl - Part II: An Ode To Analog

                                                                                                                                                      Record stores are popping up again everywhere. New vinyl pressing plants are opening in America, Europe and Asia. Young vinyl enthusiasts – both male and female! – are swarming to record fairs looking for old and new records to build their collection. When Passion for Vinyl Part 1 came out, there was still some doubt about the comeback of vinyl. Wasn’t it all just a hype? Now, five years later, even the biggest sceptic can’t deny it: vinyl is back and it’s here to stay!

                                                                                                                                                      In light of all these new and exciting developments, a follow-up to the successful and well-received first volume of the Passion for Vinyl book is more than viable. DJs, musicians, engineers, designers, shop managers, record label CEOs and collectors like Dischord’s Ian MacKaye, Norton’s Miriam Linna, singer-songwriter Ryley Walker, musician and producer T Bone Burnett, Abbey Road’s half-speed maestro Miles Showell, DJs Sven Väth and Ellen Allien, designer John Kosh and many others tell about the records that changed their lives, their love for vinyl and the impact its resurgence has had on them. Passion for Vinyl Part 2 also shows how analogue recording techniques are making a comeback in the recording and mastering studios.

                                                                                                                                                      In the last few years, countless music lovers have (re)discovered that nothing beats listening to a vinyl record on a proper stereo set. It makes the listener connect with the music like nothing else. This book is a tribute to that unique experience.

                                                                                                                                                      The 7” single contains three exclusive tracks from Norton Records’ Hasil Adkins & Bloodshot Bill and DJ/producer Ellen Allien.

                                                                                                                                                      Robert Haagsma

                                                                                                                                                      Passion For Vinyl - Part III: Tales From The Groove

                                                                                                                                                        It’s quite amazing that in a world that has become increasingly digital and where ‘stuff’ has become invisible, vinyl has made such a spectacular comeback. Yet it is very likely also one of the main reasons for its resurgence. People like to collect. The physical aspect of playing a record adds to the listening experience and creates memories. An album can take you back to an important time or place. And buying a new record is a great way of supporting a favorite artist and their label. That’s also the reason why new generations of music lovers have embraced vinyl.

                                                                                                                                                        This new edition of Passion for Vinyl tells these stories. It’s about the records that inspire people. The way they shaped their lives. How they sparked them to pick up an instrument, become a DJ, or start a label, pressing plant or YouTube channel. Passion for Vinyl features exclusive interviews with Blue Note recording artist Gregory Porter, CEO of Linn Gilad Tiefenbrun, Bettina Richards of Thrill Jockey Records, YouTube personality Melinda Murphy, Beggars Group US president Nabil Ayers, Ben Blackwell of Third Man Records, Classic Album Sundays’ Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Liz Dunster of Erika Records, Robert Trujillo of Metallica, DJ, collector and label owner Gilles Peterson, Jenn D’Eugenio of Gold Rush Vinyl and Women in Vinyl, Bad Seed member Warren Ellis, Paulo Jr. of Sepultura, Chad Kassem of Acoustic Sounds, and many others.

                                                                                                                                                        This book offers close to 30 interviews with a very diverse cast of characters. They have in common a deep love of music. Passion for Vinyl shares the unique experience of making, buying, collecting, and enjoying vinyl. Its purpose is to inspire.

                                                                                                                                                        The 7" single contains two exclusive tracks from Lovemonk’s Gecko Turner and Munster Records’ Los Saicos.



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