Actress delivered his mix for RA in June and it was suprisingly all new and exclusive Actress music. When asked if this was a new album, Actress aka Darren S.Cunningham simply answered that "it's a collage -Braque". Whatever you call this, a mix, a mixtape, a collage/braque, a new album, what it is, is another Actress statement. Actress grows music. Completely unconcerned with what it is, with what format it is or what it's defined as.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Very exciting to hear new stuff from the highly innovative Actress who, in the past, has often dictated the sounds of the near future with his inspired, sometimes challenging, always rewarding pieces of music.

TRACK LISTING

1. ДАРЕН ДЖ. КАННІНГЕМ

'Sweet Release' is the second album from master musicians Justin Adams & Mauro Durante.

Three years of worldwide touring has turned what was originally a fusion project into a fully realised and unique entity. Drawing on Durante's Taranta background with Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, as well as his work with Ludovico Einaudi, and Adams' prolific career as guitarist, with everyone from Sinead O'Connor to Robert Plant and Tinariwen, their musical landscape ranges from raw Rockabilly to Sufi ecstasy via Minimalism. For this album they have brought in some guest vocalists adding yet more layers to their distinctive sound. 

Exploring themes of musical healing and catharsis, the title track and opener 'Sweet Release' is a heartfelt manifesto of the duo's vision, featuring Adams' unmistakeable touch on the guitar and Durante's masterful tamburello frame drum. Along with original tracks such as the shimmering pizzica- based 'Leuca' featuring guest singer Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino's Alessia Tondo and the wildly rocking 'Ghost Train', they cover Lebanese Diva Fairuz's haunting Easter Hymn 'Wa Habibi' with guest singer Yousra Mansour from Bab L' Bluz, which becomes a timely meditation on suffering. CBGB's underground legend Felice Rosser brings vocals to 'Tide Keeps Turning' adding a deeply soulful touch to the ritual Neapolitan Tammurriata beat of Durante's drum, while Adams' starkly beautiful guitar illuminates 'Aurora', inspired by a dawn call to prayer heard in Rajasthan. The anthemic Instrumental 'Ithaca Return' opens brightly before turning into a wild pizzica-like tune led by Durante's rhapsodic violin. 'Qui Non Vorrei Morire', sung by Durante, is a setting of a poem by Vittorio Bodini, another native of Salento, originally recorded by Mauro's late father Daniele, one of the leading lights of the Taranta revival.

TRACK LISTING

Sweet Release
Leuca (ft. Alessia Tondo)
Ghost Train
Wa Habibi (ft. Yousra Mansour)
Silver And Stone
Aurora
Ithaca Return
Qui Non Vorrei Morire
Tide Keeps Turning (ft. Felice Rosser)
Santu Paulu

David Allred is a prolific composer and producer based in Portland, Oregon. His new album The Beautiful World captures an enriched, realised understanding of why he composes in the first place. Dedicated to the expression of existential themes such as death, grief, longing and loss, the album’s core theme centres around the suicide of a young girl Lauren, who was a family friend to Allred. For as long as he could remember, Allred always created music out of a kind of dissociative state which he finds alluringly easy to lapse into. A repetition of a motif is usually where he begins composing. But unlike his previous works, The Beautiful World firmly has one foot in reality and is deeply intertwined with Allred’s relationships, past and present.

Through his correspondence with Erased Tapes label head and the album’s producer, Robert Raths, over the past year, he came to realise that everyone has a Lauren in a way – someone they’d lost. Through writing to Raths, Allred was able to draw out this thread from the work and position it more clearly as the central concept to this work. The music doesn’t reflect the chaos of trauma, instead it has a therapeutic quality. It was through this dialogue that Allred was able to create what may be his most cohesive body of work to date. The 11 track album unfolds around Oh Lauren, providing the core of the album’s sentiment – how grief returns to us throughout life over and over. Embedded more than halfway through the album, Allred allows listeners to cohabit a meditative space through ambient textures, drones and ballads echoing the vocal sincerity of Arthur Russell, Daniel Johnston and the hypnotic storytelling of Robert Ashley.

To truly reckon with The Beautiful World’s emotional position, listeners must understand the importance of the figure of Lauren, and the significance she has had throughout Allred’s life. Lauren’s suicide as a child provided the catalyst for Allred’s lifelong grief. But it was death anxiety and grief itself which provided Allred a link to a universal relationship that people have with each other and the world they live in. Impermanence and loss are the driving force behind all of our connections.

The trance-like nature of the album perhaps comes from David Allred’s time sense – particularly when it comes to memory and trauma. Time becomes non-linear rather than a straight line – where one can repeat or return to the same themes but older and in a different frame of mind. Grief continues to manifest itself in life and despite personal growth, there will always be moments where the same feeling will manifest itself again. The album encourages listeners to sit with the concept of grief, and Allred is hopeful they can find comfort and learn to process it in a healing way.

The Beautiful World is therefore heavily influenced by Allred’s work in therapy, particularly his relationship to writing music. In the past, Allred would be composing music as a means to dissociate from his life, but the album sees him engaging and connecting more authentically than ever with others and himself. Despite his prolific previous works being made in the company of others, Allred needed to step back from the scenes that he’s worked in to discover what he really wanted to create. Allred concludes: “In the power of love, curiosity, humour, and reconciliation, we give you The Beautiful World.”

TRACK LISTING

Side A:
1. Pupper
2. The Beautiful World
3. Stray
4. Piano Tree
5. Introverts As Leaders
6. Our Secret

Side B:
1. Good Afternoon
2. Oh Lauren
3. The Door
4. Look
5. Elevation

Sam Amidon is a singer and multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, fiddle).

New album, 'Salt River' finds Amidon reinterpreting and regenerating 10 familiar pieces of music that he has collected together over time, ranging from traditional English shanty 'Golden Willow Tree' to Lou Reed's 'Big Sky'. It was recorded in collaboration with saxophonist and producer Sam Gendel. Sam has released 7 acclaimed albums plus collaborated with The National, Bon Iver, Beth Orton, Marc Ribot & The Blind Boys of Alabama.

TRACK LISTING

1. Oldenfjord
2. Three Five
3. Big Sky
4. Tavern
5. Golden Willow Tree
6. I'm On My Journey Home
7. Ask The Elephant
8. Cusseta
9. Friends And Neighbours
10. Never

With her new “Let Me Be Your Fantasy” remix package, Anané continues to solidify her position as one of the most talented and charismatic recording artists in the world today. It’s never easy to take on a classic disco tune, which in this case is a song originally released in 1978 by The Love Symphony Orchestra. But working with producers Two Soul Fusion (Louie Vega and Josh Milan), Anané has crafted a new version of this song that retains the glamour of disco while also injecting a raw toughness and rhythm perfectly suited for today’s dancefloors. As is her custom on her remix packages, Anané has pulled together an outstanding team of producers to lay down their own very unique and high impact mixes, including Masters At Work, Dimitri From Paris, Mousse T, Blackchild and Moplen. Not only that, but the string section was arranged and conducted by Leroy Burgess and the instrumental credits reads like a who's who of session musician royalty. An incredibly well put together package. Limited copies!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Here's Nervous with another one of their expansive, deluxe, 12" double packs. Featuring a plethora of royal remix talent (just look at that list!), it's a modern take on disco anthem "Let Me Be Your Fantasy" and should have the Horse Meat Disco / Southport Weekender / Glitterbox / La Discotheque crowds whipped up into a mirror ball adoring frenzy.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris Club Mix)
A2. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Dimitri From Paris Dub)
B1. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Masters At Work Clap Yo Hands Dub)
B2. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Moplen Remix)
C1. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Mousse T. Fantastic Shizzle Mix)
C2. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Blackchild Remix)
D. Let Me Be Your Fantasy (Two Soul Fusion Remix) 

Brian Auger formed The Oblivion Express in 1970 after the demise of his chart topping jazz & R&B combo Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger, and The Trinity. Deciding he would continue to defy creative expectations with his genre bending vision, Auger even based the groups name around this precarious anti-commercial approach; “I decided that I would like to push on and see whether I could develop that music" he recalls, "but maybe I’m headed the quickest way to oblivion!”.

Auger needn't have worried, the bands first slew of albums; the heavy, jazz rock influenced debut 'Oblivion Express', 1971s laconic, folky 'A Better Land', the proto jazz funk of 'Straight Ahead' released in 1972, all made serious inroads into the United States, which proved to particularly fertile ground for the group.

By 1973, the London born Auger felt his various American influences of jazz, R&B, funk and soul had fermented into his own brand of fusion, and upon listening to the final mixes, was confident he was approaching his original musical mission, hence naming the album 'Closer To It'.

It's predecessor, 'Straight Ahead' had hit the US charts, and awoken RCA Records to the crossover potential of this somewhat undefinable music, who stepped up their game in regards the follow up, which broke out in the Tri State area, where it received major radio and press support and billboard advertising whilst the band were touring. All these factors combined favourably and resulted in Closer To It entering the Billboard Jazz, R&B and Rock charts simultaneously!

For a British multi-racial group composed of fans of African American music, this was both creatively and commercially satisfying. This acceptance of the Oblivion Express’ sound and style also led to the band touring with Herbie Hancock's Head-hunters and Earth Wind & Fire, and Brian receiving a US Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition for his ‘contribution to the American art form of Jazz’.

Regarded as his masterpiece, 'Closer To It' features some of Augers' most inventive and beautiful Hammond Organ and Fender Rhodes playing, on tunes that become the defining tracks of his career, especially the anthemic opener Whenever You're Ready, co-written with bass player Barry Dean. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend was later covered by Cuba Gooding Snrs' band The Main Ingredient who had a major hit with their version. Auger also saluted his soul and jazz hero's with his versions of Marvin Gays Inner City Blues and Eddie Harris, Les McCann's classic Compared To What.

With an iconic cover featuring the Oblivion Express train logo designed by Auger's wife Ella. Closer To It remains a highpoint in Auger's recording career.

TRACK LISTING

1. Whenever You’re Ready
2. Happiness Is Just Around The Bend
3. Light On The Path
4. Compared To What
5. Inner City Blues
6. Voices Of Other Times

Matt Berry returns with his first new solo album since 2021’s ‘Blue Elephant’. This time he delivers a Soul and West Coast Psych-inspired collection of songs, which attach an innate sense of melody to a lush, contemporary take on classic recording techniques. All of this is allied with Matt’s rich voice and unique lyrics.

The album’s opening single ‘I Gotta Limit’ is a sharp, pounding number with vocal duties shared with Kitty Liv. Elsewhere, there are collaborations with Eric D Johnson of The Shins, and Golden Globe-winning actress Natasha Lyonne. In the past four years Matt has been busy with a number of projects, including his Library Music collaboration with KPM ‘Simplicity’, and his EMMY award nominated role as Laszlo in ‘What We Do In The Shadows’.
 
This record, his 8th studio album for Acid Jazz, sees him return to his love of music.

TRACK LISTING

1. Why On Fire?
2. Silver Rings
3. Interlude
4. Be Alarmed
5. I Gotta Limit
6. Wedding Photo Stranger
7. Stay On The Ground
8. I Entered As I Came
9. There Are Monsters
10. To Live For What Once Was
11. Canada Dry
12. The Snakes Will Slide
13. Interlude 2
14. Sky High

Following the success of his debut EP on WeMe records, Binary Digit is back with a brand new 6-track EP dedicated to the mythical Balearic Islands. From the very first tracks, we find the atmosphere represented by the legendary island of Ibiza, synonymous with partying, relaxation and getting high. The rest of this EP is a good definition of the well-being and the holy and benevolent feeling that all these clubbers can offer every year, who come to party in an atmosphere of sharing and respect, and above all who make a point of honor of ecology by favoring swimming. The track "Smkndpe", literally translated from Latin as 'how to better consume your herbal tea', is already a hit on Tik Tok to accompany the best female influencer of the moment! We end this EP with the track "Overdoze In Ibiza", which will bring this well-deserved vacation to a close.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Imagine Radioactive Man and Luke Vibrant jovially skipping through the white sands of Talamanca beach. Braindance and acid with the sun on its face and given a pastel blue wash. Ace!

TRACK LISTING

1 Desilusion In Palma 
2 Ale By The Sean
3 Corner Office Acid View
4 SmknDpe
5 Bongoz
6 Overdoze In Ibiza

Richard Barrett, the man like Parrot, fires up his Bitter End alias again for more soul-flecked, full fat house music. Always on point with his production, the track's are sonically plump and velumptuous, perfect for sound systems or a cruising around in a souped up Honda Civic. 

Following his work with Roisin Murphy we get another smattering of soulful house tracks (vocalist currently uncredited) that pump, sway and swing in all the right places. Recommended! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Bitter End brilliance with fizzy textures, high def bass and rich production that pours of the wax like Manuka honey.

TRACK LISTING

A. Adjustment->love
A. Rivers
B. Maladjustment->love
B.something Going Nowhere

To celebrate Frank Black’s landmark solo album, Teenager Of The Year, turning 30 comes a special vinyl pressing to accompany a tour of North America plus Paris and London where Frank and original band will be performing the album in its entirety.

Recorded amid a rich songwriting vein, just as the Pixies had been placed on hold, Frank Black’s ambitious 22-track album Teenager Of The Year came out in May 1994, just one year after his fantastic self-titled solo debut. Recorded with scene legend Eric Drew Feldman (Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band, Pere Ubu, The Residents) and featuring the single ‘Headache’, Teenager Of The Year is seen by many as his greatest solo work, subsequently appearing in both Pitchfork’s Top 100 Albums of the 1990s poll and the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die book.

For its 30th anniversary, Frank Black and original band are heading out in January 2025 on a 14-date tour of North America, Paris and London where they’ll be performing Teenager Of The Year from start to finish each night. To complement, 4AD are releasing a special vinyl tour edition of the album, with Kevin Vanbergen having expertly remastered the album from its original analogue studio tapes. Sounding as essential as ever, the limited 30th Anniversary Tour Edition has been cut at 45 rpm for optimum playback and is being pressed on double gold vinyl. It also comes in a gatefold sleeve that includes liner notes by both Frank Black and producer Eric Drew Feldman.

TRACK LISTING

Side One
A1 | Whatever Happened To Pong?
A2 | Thalassocracy
A3 | (I Want To Live On An) Abstract Plain
A4 | Calistan
A5 | The Vanishing Spies
A6 | Speedy Marie

Side Two
B1 | Headache
B2 | Sir Rockaby
B3 | Freedom Rock
B4 | Two Reelers
B5 | Fiddle Riddle

Side Three
C1 | Olé Mulholland
C2 | Fazer Eyes
C3 | I Could Stay Here Forever
C4 | The Hostess With The Mostest
C5 | Superabound

Side Four
D1 | Big Red
D2 | Space Is Gonna Do Me Good
D3 | White Noise Maker
D4 | Pure Denizen Of The Citizens Band
D5 | Bad, Wicked World
D6 | Pie In The Sky

Berlin based label "Matasuna Records" kicks off the new year 2025 with a soulful 7inch featuring songs by Barcelona's "The Blaxound" and singer "John Vermont". Their common love for vintage soul from the 60s and 70s brought them together for this project to compose and record classic soul sung in Spanish. This 45 shows that the concept worked out wonderfully: Spanish Soul at its best, sounding authentic and contemporary at the same time!

Matasuna Records, known for its reissues of musical treasures from the past, also has an eye for exciting new discoveries in contemporary music. With "The Blaxound & John Vermont" the label has once again found an interesting project for soulful & contemporary music that fits perfectly into the label's sound spectrum and will appeal to lovers of authentic soul music.

The two songs "No Es Por Ti" and "Qué Más Te Da?" from their recently released album will be released for the first time as a 7-inch vinyl single on Matasuna Records. The instrumentation and the lovely harmonies are the ideal basis for John Vermont, who with his versatile voice, sometimes powerful, sometimes smooth - but always soulful - can fully develop his vocal spectrum and fill the songs with his presence. Instrumental and vocal arrangements are beautifully balanced and harmonious. Beatific!

TRACK LISTING

A1. No Es Por Ti
B1. Qué Más Te Da?

9 time GRAMMY® Award winning, 12 Billboard Music Awards winning “Queen of R&B”, Mary J Blige, releases her long-awaited 15th Studio Album ‘Gratitude’.

The 15-track album hosts nostalgic collaborations with Fat Joe, Jadakiss, and more!

TRACK LISTING

Breathing (feat. Fabolous)
Need You More (feat. Jadakiss)
Beautiful People
You Ain’t The Only One
Never Give Up On Me
Nobody But You
Here I Am
Don’t Fuck Up
Superpowers
Can’t Wait For You
God’s Child (feat. Fat Joe)
I Got Plans (feat. FERG)

The Blue Aeroplanes are Bristol's longest running band and a true art-rock institution who have inspired generations of post-punk and alternative groups including REM, Radiohead, and Manic Street Preachers.

'Magical Realism - The Best Of The Blue Aeroplanes 1985-2025' is the first definitive anthology curated by the band, including tracks from across their catalogue, newly remastered by Phil Kinrade at AIR Mastering.

The collection includes 23 tracks, featuring indie anthems like '...And Stones' and 'Jacket Hangs,' fan- favourites such as the classics 'Fun' and 'Bury Your Love Like Treasure', as well as more recent songs including 'Dead Tree! Dead Tree!' which has become a highlight of the band's legendary live sets.

Also included are two bonus tracks - 'Showing Off To Impress The Girls', a recording by pre-Blue Aeroplanes group Art Objects, and 'I Will Love You', an exclusive demo of a brand-new track.

'Magical Realism' features a 24- page booklet with lyrics, new track- by- track sleeves notes by frontman Gerard Langley offering insight into the stories and inspirations behind each song, plus rare photographs from the band's archives. The cover art features a painting by Ann Sheldon, the artist behind many of the band's most memorable covers.

TRACK LISTING

Action Painting
Tolerance (Single Version)
Spitting Out Miracles
Season Ticket To A Bad Place
Bury Your Love Like Treasure
Severn Beach
Jacket Hangs
...And Stones (US Promo Single Edit)
Yr Own World (12" Single Version)
Fun
Colour Me (Alternate Mix)
Broken And Mended
Whatever Happened To Our Golden Birds
Missy Lane
Warhol's Fifteen (Live)
Cavaliers Pt 2
Beautiful Is (As Beautiful Does)
Camus In Pocket
Up In A Down World
Sulpher
Elvis Festival
Dead Tree! Dead Tree! (Single Edit)
Building An Ark For The Anthropocene
Showing Off To Impress The Girls
I Will Love You (Previously Unreleased)

On the album 'Faux Animaux', Blue Violet continue their exploration of rich electronic avenues inspired by Calvi, St Vincent, Radiohead, Bowie, recent Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Twin Peaks.

With their songwriting as sublime as ever, they've become one of the most enthralling underground propositions of the age. Recorded in Bristol's J&J studios with Bat For Lashes and Hannah Peel mixer / producer TJ Allen, 'Faux Animaux' is a unified and sophisticated update of modern British alt-pop, drifting from sizzling space disco to stunning, swirling cinematic vistas.

Blue Violet returned to the stage in March - when they also shared one off single 'Human After All' - to join The Gaslight Anthem during various shows at London's Roundhouse, but as the duo have shown festival crowds this summer, 'Faux Animaux' is set to usher in their own glory days. It's a stunning amalgam of modernism and melody that spotlights not just humankind's failings and fakery but its leaders' too. "The fake animals could be seen as the powers that be, leading us down paths that result in us ignoring our more natural instincts, often making decisions without our permission," says Sam. Quietly, a beast awakens.

TRACK LISTING

1. Sweet Success
2. Imagine Me
3. Survival
4. Talking To You
5. The Librarian
6. Cold Hearts
7. Boogie Shoes
8. Fire
9. Teeth Out
10. Barefoot On The Seine
11. Faux Animaux

Blueboy continue their extraordinary re-emergence after 20 years of separation with a magnificent new single that hits you in the solar plexus and then forces you to sing along.

Darkness, light and shade, melancholy and euphoria, sadness and joy are Blueboy's natural territory; in ‘Deux’, an anthemic chorus is juxtaposed with quietly spoken verses, mood and emotion driven by ever-present guitar.

Blueboy first got together in the early 1990s and went on to build a global following, touring Europe and Japan and featuring regularly in the UK independent charts with a series of acclaimed singles and well regarded albums.

At various times, their guitar-led sound has been described as having echoes of bands like The Smiths, Slowdive, Lush and The Cocteau Twins.

Having reformed in 2024, founder member Paul Stewart was joined by Gemma Malley (now on vocals) to play in London, Cologne and Paris; their comeback single ‘One’ was launched at a triumphant full band show in London where drummer Martin Rose and bassist Mark Cousens rejoined the team from the 1990s line-up.

The last place you’ll find Benjamin Booker is where he was yesterday. Following two critically acclaimed albums marked by his signature fuzzy americana-inspired garage rock and soul sound, world tours, and opening slots with the likes of Jack White, Tame Impala, and Neil Young… he disappeared.

“I wanted to get to this sound, but I didn’t know how. At some point I decided I’m going to find it or die trying.”

He spent years tinkering in a loft near Skid Row in Los Angeles before ending up across the globe in Perth, Australia. Trading stems via email, Booker crafted his third album with LA underground hip-hop mastermind Kenny Segal.

The new album, LOWER, mixes experimental hip hop, dream and noise pop, and singer-songwriter music into something that is entirely his own. Through the changes, Booker’s lyrical exploration of pain and longing have been persistent.

LOWER is Booker's 3rd studio album, and first official release since 2017's critically-acclaimed 'Witness.' 

TRACK LISTING

1.  BLACK OPPS
2.  LWA IN THE TRAILER PARK
3.  POMPEII STATUES
4.  SLOW DANCE IN A GAY BAR
5.  SPEAKING WITH THE DEAD
6.  REBECCA LATIMER FELTON TAKES A BBC
7.  NEW WORLD
8.  SAME KIND OF LONELY
9.  SHOW AND TELL
10.  HEAVY ON MY MIND
11.  HOPE FOR THE NIGHT

Burial and Kode9’s acclaimed joint 12”, initially released as a Hyperdub webshop exclusive in summer 2024, now available in record stores worldwide, with revised label art and custom sleeve.

TRACK LISTING

A. Burial – Phoneglow
AA. Kode9 - Eyes Go Blank

DJ Support: Dr Packer, Aston Shuffle, Fdel, All Good Funk Alliance, Fingerman, Jordan Lee, Jsquared. 2 more slices of Hip Hop & R&B mash-up gold on 45 via CC.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Wet Ass Pony
B1. Gimme Some Now

“Death Knocks And He Shall Die” is an instrumental hip-hop album inspired by Italian ‘Giallo’ movies and Film Noir. It's a movie for your ears or rather a soundtrack to a film that doesn't exist. Using film dialogue sampled and arranged across 16 tracks, it tells a story of seduction, infidelity and murder over boom-bap styled jazzy grooves and horror soundscapes that are layered with seductive and haunting female singing. This album is a journey best listened to from start to end and should appeal to fans of DJ Shadow and some of the instrumental hip-hop LPs we get in from over in the US. A nice concept well executed! Check!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Local beatsmith Chalk gets all Giallo on our backsides and drops a killer soundtrack to an imaginary film Noir. Perfect for hot boxing the Beemer, throwing down some freestyle bars or utilizing in your next cutting and scratching sesh!

TRACK LISTING

A1 The Seduction
A2 And Now You're Here
A3 Stay With Me
A4 Last Hope
A5 Maker Of Evil
A6 He Shall Die
A7 Death Knocks
B1 Worries
B2 Missing Person
B3 The Crime Scene
B4 Coroner's Office
B5 Nightmares
B6 The Other Woman
B7 Sirens
B8 Shadow's In The Dark
B9 The Confession

Recorded in February 1962 at Capitol Studios in New York City, Modern Sounds In Country & Western Music featured country, folk, and Western music standards reworked by Charles in popular song forms of the time, including R&B, pop, and jazz. Charles produced the album with Sid Feller and performed alongside saxophonist Hank Crawford, a string section conducted by Marty Paich, and a big band arranged by Gil Fuller and Gerald Wilson.

TRACK LISTING

Bye Bye Love
You Don't Know Me
Half As Much
I Love You So Much It Hurts
Just A Little Lovin
Born To Lose
Worried Mind
It Makes No Difference
You Win Again
Careless Love
I Can't Stop Loving You
Hey, Good Looking
I'm Moving On
At The Club
You Are My Sunshine
No Letter Today
Someday (You'll Want Me To Want You)
Don't Tell Me Your Troubles
Midnight
Oh, Lonesome Me
Take These Chains From My Heart
Your Cheating Heart
Making Believe
Teardrops In My Heart
Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin
Hang Your Head In Shame
Hard Hearted Hannah

Described as the "finished version" of his album '3.15.20', 'Atavista' is the fourth album from Donald Glover under his Childish Gambino moniker. 

Features guest spots from 21 Savage, Ariana Grande and Summer Walker

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Glover's music has always inspired an understandable amount of hype, with his unique soulful style sitting him comfortably in the top echelons of hip-hop ingenuity and earning him much acclaim. So to hear that '3.15.20' was finally getting the attention it deserved, and being reinvigorated as this majestic full-length odyssey was exciting indeed. The album absolutely doesn't disappoint. Superbly produced, extremely well polished and full of Glover's blissful melodic turns.

TRACK LISTING

1. Atavista
2. Algorythm
3. Time Feat. Ariana Grande
4. Psilocybae (Millennial Love) Feat. 21 Savage, Ink & Kadhja Bonet
5. To Be Hunted
6. Sweet Thang Feat. Summer Walker
7. Little Foot Big Foot Feat. Young Nudy
8. Why Go To The Party
9. Human Sacrifice
10. The Violence
11. Final Church 

Reissue of The Clean classic 'Late Last Night' - remastered and available on vinyl for the first time since it's inital release in 1994. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Late Last Night
2. Psychedelic Clown

'Modern Rock' crackles with spontaneous energy, as if The Clean namely, Hamish Kilgour, David Kilgour, and Robert Scott couldn’t help but make music together whenever they were in the same room. Following their 1989 reunion tour and the 1990 release of Vehicle, those opportunities were rare, with Hamish in New York City fronting The Mad Scene, David releasing his first solo album, and Robert recording albums with The Bats at a breakneck pace. Then, for nine days in April 1994, the stars aligned over Dunedin and Modern Rock bloomed into life.

It’s an album of easy charm by a band so attuned to guitar pop that they make the creation of their sonic universe seem easy, as if what you’re being let in on is a long-running conversation between three masters at a point where all three are riffing off of each other, line by line and hook by hook. Significantly, after making 'Modern Rock', The Clean decided to keep the project going on a part-time basis. More than just a reminder to listeners of the reverence fans and musicians had for The Clean, each new record was a welcome surprise that established them as one of the great active bands of the 1990s and 2000s, their second act on par with the many, many groups their first act inspired.

TRACK LISTING

1. Starting Point
2. Outside The Cage
3. Linger Longer
4. Wake Up In The Morning
5. Two Reasons
6. Safe In The Rain
7. Secret Place
8. Something I Need
9. Different World
10. Stomp The Guru
11. Too Much Violence
12. Phluke
13. Do Your Think
14. Ginger Ale

Blue Train was recorded September 15, 1957, in Hackensack, New Jersey. The personnel include Coltrane's Miles Davis bandmates, Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums - both of whom had worked before with pianist Kenny Drew - and trumpeter Lee Morgan and trombonist Curtis Fuller, who were then up-and-coming jazz musicians and would go on to join Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.

TRACK LISTING

Blue Train
Moment's Notice
Locomotion
I'm Old Fashioned
Lazy Bird

Newfangled popstar back-cat diggers label Bowie kick off their 7"s arm with an intention to "dig deep into the unreleased sides of pop superstars material from the past", focusing initially on two formerly unreleased funk instrumental tracks recorded by the label's namesake. Who knew an anisocoric kid from Bromley could end up playing funk? So he did, having, at an unnamed point in time, laid down funk versions of 'Fame' and 'Golden Years', two already towering moments in the discography. His trademark jerkiness shines as ever here, but it's the 'Fame' instrumental that really flexes his twanging side, flaunting long releases and dramatic two-tone movements.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: What's this?! Funk instrumentals of Bowie classics? You'da thunk that'd be a well worn verse round these parts by now... but, whoever David is, they've uncovered some rather fine work here.

TRACK LISTING

Golden Years (Previously Unreleased Instrumental)
Fame (Previously Unreleased Instrumental)

Donning a decadent sound described by Resident Advisor as “dark disco meets EBM”, Dina Summer is a collaborative project formed of electro-punk band Frittenbude member Kalipo and dark-disco dj & producer duo Local Suicide.

Their previous work includes the critically acclaimed 2022 album ‘Rimini’, which offers a nostalgic dive into retro disco vibes, along with the 2021 EP 'Who Am I’ and 2024 EP ‘Hide & Seek’. They also contributed to Curses’ 'Next Wave Acid Punx’ compilation, participated in Purple Mag x radiooooo’s ‘2070’ project, and performed at Reeperbahn Festival's prestigious ‘Collide Session’.

With millions of streams and worldwide radio airplay, Dina Summer's music has earned spots on numerous Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlists and has been supported by DJs like Charlotte De Witte, The Hacker, Âme, Dixon, Joris Voorn, DJ Hell, Joyce Muniz, and Dubfire. Their releases have been covered by major publications such as Resident Advisor, DJ Mag, Mixmag, Groove, Spiegel Online, Musikexpress, Tsugi, ELLE, Penthouse and FAZE among others. The new album is a versatile collection of 11 tracks that delve into themes such as empowerment ('No More Tears' & 'Girls Gang'), outsiderhood ('Alien' & 'Zombie'), impermanence ('Promise' featuring Curses and Joshua Murphy), nostalgia ('Halkidiki'), and relationships ('Nothing To Hide' & 'Hypnotized'). While their debut album was characterized by its club-centric sound, drawing from Italo disco and '90s electro influences, this new release explores a richer palette of new wave, post-punk, and synth-pop.

TRACK LISTING

1. Girls Gang
2. Schall & Rauch
3. Nothing To Hide
4. Alien
5. Halkidiki
6. Promise Me Feat. Curses & Joshua Murphy
7. Hypnotized
8. Zombie
9. Disco Goth
10. FOMO
11. No More Tears

This is like rave. Only if it was for now and could sit happily in any set. Breakbeats that roll and tidy samples. You know… These are fun club tracks. On and on to the break of dawn… Bass heavy. Inside. Ask a dream. Solid. 

TRACK LISTING

A1. Perceptive
A2. Kazbah
B1. Bass Instinct
B2. Ask A Dream

Back with a bang! Road To Happiness marks the triumphant return of Manchester’s one and only Dislocation Dance - after a 7-year long hiatus. The new album - their sixth - features ten new and fresh songs.

Main songwriters Ian Runacres (guitar/vocals) and Phil Lukes (bass/vocals) most probably never sounded better. Kinda like Manchester’s Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards they create killer grooves a la Chic and The Real Thing. Melodies galore & disco euphoria plus beautiful vocals. To Love And Be Loved! Daft Punk meets Everything But The Girl.

Gorgeous chord progressions, disco strings and wah-wah guitars - just listen to I Just Need A Friend. 70s Soul - beamed into today! The title song pays homage to Northern Soul classics by Candi Staton and Phyllis Hyman. There’s also a healthy dose of Todd Rundgren in there. The Sound Of Philadelphia meets The Sound Of Manchester.

DD’s female vocalist Sam Heywood shares lead vocals with Ian Runacres and Phil Lukes. Check out her stunning performance on It’s Not True! Featuring superb trumpet action by Jon Board.

What The Funk (Theme) - DD getting down and dirty - sounds like the sexy love child of Funkadelic and Paul McCartney & Wings’ Zoo Gang. Like a lost funky 70s movie theme.

Ian Runacres formed DD in Manchester, and soon got trumpet player Andy Diagram on board who later joined The Pale Fountains and James. They created their unique mix of Post-Punk, New Wave, Jazz, Disco, 60s French Pop and Soundtracks. The NME called their mix of styles “the real mutant disco”. SOUNDS even voted them the “city’s best band”. The band played their first ever gig at the legendary Factory in Manchester, recorded sessions for John Peel, Janice Long and Kid Jensen, and went on their own eclectic journey. Always maintaining their unique DD sound.

Now they are back. With a truly fabulous album. On Marina - the perfect home for them. Let’s get (it) on... the road to happiness.

TRACK LISTING

Side A:
1. I Just Need A Friend
2. Road To Happiness
3. To Love And Be Loved
4. We All Need Love
5. Incurable Romantic

Side B:
1. Really Should Know Better
2. Sugar Coated
3. Can’t Come Back
4. What The Funk (Theme)
5. It’s Not True

‘Never Exhale’ is the sound of a band that hasn’t stopped for a breath. DITZ have toured relentlessly since the release of their first album ‘The Great Regression’. The songs that form their newest offering were written across Europe, often on off days and in borrowed rehearsal rooms.

It could be said that the band treat recording and release of music as an afterthought. Often playing songs live years before their release, tweaking them as they go. The songs on the final record may change before they are ever heard as part of the album.

‘Never Exhale’ was largely recorded at Holy Mountain studios in London during a freezing cold January. The process was frought with obstacles, the original plan, to go and record in Rhode Island, was abandoned when DITZ were offered a support tour with IDLES, although the album was still mixed by the originally intended engineer, Seth Manchester (Model/Actriz, Lingua Ignota, Big Brave). The result is an album hardened by the pressure of its own making. Laboured but not loved.

The album themes reveal themselves more on further listens. The opening gambit taxi man is an exploration into what it would be like to weigh up your impact of the world. The eponymous taxi man could be seen as a St Peter type figure.

Further on the album explores themes of unnecessary hatred and division, Space/Smile and It smells like something died in here, aging, Senor Siniestro and the separation of the physical from reality, The Body As A Structure. It’s political, but ultimately personal. More Genet or Kafka than Orwell or Huxley.

Sonically the album has its roots in the usual DITZ influences, classic noise rock such as The Jesus Lizard or Shellac, or the obtuse post punk of the Fall, but also brings in fresh influences. The closing track Britney, could be compared to Radiohead or Mogwai. Overall the album is a clear development from their first effort. A sign of things to come.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Ditz' second record is an incendiary slab of distorted guitars, pummelling percussion and roaring vocals. There's a post-punk groove and militaristic stomp to proceedings, but the instrumentation and timbres lean more towards post-hardcore (Fugazi come to mind in places) and claustrophobic industrial metal.

TRACK LISTING

V70
Taxi Man
Space/Smile
Senor Siniestro
Four
God On A Speed Dial
Smells Like Something Died In Here
18 Wheeler
The Body As A Structure
Britney

"I love the idea of something being so romantic that it almost hurts," says C (for Chris) Duncan of the music he adores.

Glasgow's classically trained multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter honours that idea with tremendous reserves of panache and feeling on his fifth album, It's Only a Love Song, released through Bella Union on 24th January 2025. Flushed with swooning strings, enraptured images, classicist melodies and dreamy harmonies, it's a record of orchestral pop romanticism at its most sublime: one from the heart, warmed by a deep ache of constant yearning.

An expansive beauty of an album, the record is made all the more extraordinary by its homegrown gestation. Duncan wrote and played most of it himself at his home studio (he also did the artwork) in Helensburgh, an experience suited to his sense of care and craft. "If you want to spend ages working on one tiny sound and then do a broad sweep of something else, it doesn't matter because the time is yours. I'm not paying for studios, which works for me because I go from having intense periods of working to spending ages making a snare drum sound a bit nicer. It'll take days to do, but it's good."

The result is Duncan's most lush release, and a fresh peak in a dazzling creative arc. Born in Glasgow, he played in school bands before studying music composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His haunting debut album, Architect (2015), banked a Mercury Music Prize nomination; its follow-up, the Twilight Zone-inspired The Midnight Sun (2016), reached the shortlist for the Scottish Album of the Year. A tour with Elbow then beckoned, after which Duncan recorded the richly melodic Health (2019) at Elbow's Salford studio with Craig Potter. Another entry on the shortlist for Scottish Album of the Year came accompanied by effusive reviews: throughout his career, Duncan has banked raves from The Guardian, NME, MOJO, Uncut and others, alongside much love from BBC Radio 6 Music.

Besides support slots with Belle & Sebastian and Elbow, Chris went on to fill sizable venues in his own name, including London's Union Chapel and Scala. Another career development beckoned in 2020 via a collaboration with Bella Union's Simon Raymonde for the Lost Horizons project on the song 'Circle', prefiguring the effortless-seeming breeziness of Alluvium. It's Only a Love Song is his next great leap forward, a heartfelt valentine to romance with its head in the heavens and its sweep in the cinema stalls. Alongside The Carpenters and Scott Walker, declared influences range from Michel Legrand to Bernstein's West Side Story and the films of Jacques Demy, whose The Umbrellas of Cherbourg boasts music to make hearts sing. "It's almost hyper-romantic, which I love," explains Chris: "That way in music where you get to a point where your heart can't actually take anymore." Radiant and rapturous, It's Only a Love Song takes you right there.

TRACK LISTING

It's Only A Love Song
Lucky Today
Triste Clair De Lune
Worry
The Space Between Us
Think About It
Delirium
Sadness
Surface Of A Fantasy
Reprise
Time And Again

Chris Eckman is one of those songwriters with the alchemist’s touch. He’s proved it over the years as the songwriter of the Seattle rock-folk band The Walkabouts, as well as across a lauded six album solo career. His songs have been recorded by Townes Van Zandt, Steve Wynn, Willard Grant Conspiracy (and others), and his last album, the spare, haunted Where the Spirit Rests, won the prestigious German Record Critics Award (Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik) in 2021. Three and a half years later he’s back with 'The Land We Knew the Best', and new stories to tell.

Yet this isn’t just a continuation, it’s not the same character. Time has passed, but maybe more importantly, the geography has altered. The songs on 'The Land We Knew the Best' aren’t populated by the broken people and tumbledown, raw landscapes of the American West that has been the setting for much of his previous work. He’s lived in Ljubljana, Slovenia for many years, and it’s seeped into his consciousness. Not just the city, but also the mountainous and thickly forested nature that surrounds it. 'The Land We Knew the Best' has its own distinctive landscape. Its own emotional geography.

TRACK LISTING

1. Genevieve
2. Town Lights Fade
3. Running Hot
4. Buttercup
5. Laments
6. Haunted Nights
7. The Cranes
8. Last Train Home

Eddie C and Keita Sano joins forces on new label Disko Universal. Leading with the synonymous title track, a shuddering electro-disco jam with stupendous slow-down / speed-up breakdown that's sure hit the accellerator on any dancefloor languishing in first gear. "Joy Joy Joy" on the flip is a silky deep house groove peppered with jungle subs and lashings of breakbeat science. 

The manifesto is evolve and hybridize past dancefloor sounds into a futuristic new vision. They've more than managed that, and in doing unleashed a beast of peaktime track that's certain to do the rounds come festival season. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Cranium bursting festival banger anyone? I know it's late January listening to this I can almost see the sweat sizzling off a crowd of gyrating bodies under the canopy of a hot day's raving.

TRACK LISTING

A. Disko Universal
B. Joy Joy Joy

Why do we need art? What Art Does is an invitation to explore this vital question. It is a chance to understand how art is made by all of us. How it creates communities, opens our worlds, and can transform us.

Curious and playful, richly illustrated, full of ideas and life, it is an inspiring call to imagine a different future.

Everything Is Recorded, the collaborative music project centred around producer Richard Russell, returns with a brand new single, 'Porcupine Tattoo' - a stripped-back lament featuring two American musical icons - Noah Cyrus and Bill Callahan - who appear on record together for the very first time.

The collaboration came together while Russell was hosting sessions for a forthcoming Everything Is Recorded album, one set to build on previous acclaimed releases including 2018’s eponymous, Mercury Prize-nominated debut album. Reaching out to Callahan - an artist he’s long admired and whose song “I’m New Here” was covered by, and provided the title for, Gil Scott-Heron’s final, Russell-produced studio album - Russell asked the simple question “who would you like to write a song for?”. “Noah Cyrus” was Callahan’s reply. The final single features Callahan’s original demo vocal, pitched down and resting on layers of sub bass and complemented by Cyrus’ crystalline counterpoint vocal. It was recorded during a rainy week of sessions in a bungalow at Los Angeles’ Chateau Marmont, which Russell described as “comfortable but haunted”. The song continues a lineage of Russell productions – from 'I’m New Here' to Bobby Womack’s 'Deep River' and Damon Albarn’s 'History of a Cheating Heart' – that explore a sparser, more acoustic side of his sound.

The limited edition 7” vinyl single is released on XL Recordings in partnership with Drag City, Bill Callahan’s long term label home. The 7” exclusively features a second collaboration between Everything Is Recorded and Callahan in the form of 'Norm', a tribute to the Austin-based singer songwriter’s favourite comedian Norm MacDonald.

TRACK LISTING

1. Porcupine Tattoo - Everything Is Recorded, Noah Cyrus & Bill Callahan
2. Norm - Everything Is Recorded Feat. Bill Callahan

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1971 Island Records UK release in gatefold sleeve, inner sleeve with lyrics, 8 page booklet, promotional poster and sticker; it is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl

'Babbacombe' Lee was Fairport Convention's foray into the concept album so loved by groups in the 70s. Instead of looking at something fantastical or progressive, the group went back to the tale of John 'Babbacombe' Lee, the man they couldn't hang: The gallows failed three times after he was convicted of the murder of Emma Keyse in Torquay in 1885. Dave Swarbrick found details of the trial in a junk shop, and the band worked up the story into an album. Released at the end of 1971 with ephemera from the day telling the story, 'Babbacombe' Lee had episodes listed rather than tracks. It contained the most original material of a Fairport album to date, and was seen as taking folk-rock a huge step forward. Within weeks of the album's release both Dave Mattacks and Simon Nicol left the group, leaving Swarbrick and bassist Dave Pegg to lead Fairport on through their next chapter. Today, 'Babbacombe' Lee is one of the group's most enduring albums.

TRACK LISTING

The Verdict
Little Did I Think
I Was Sixteen (Part 1)
John My Son
I Was Sixteen (Part 2)
St Ninian's Isle
Trumpet Hornpipe
Sailors Alphabet
John Lee
Newspaper Reading
Breakfast In Mayfair
Trial Song
Cell Song
The Time Is Near
Dream Song
Wake Up John (Hanging Song)

"Disco Music" is probably one of Toy Tonics’s catchiest tracks. Played by DJs like Palms Trax, A-Trak, Louie Vega, Folamour and tons of other big names, this track could become a anthem for the new wave of disco that is invading the clubs.

Fimiani who made this track, inspired by a rare old song from the 1970ies played all instruments himself with a group of friends (no samples).

Now its time to bring on variations of the track, Remixes by Young Pulse, the house maestro from Paris; Elado, crazy edit king from Tel Aviv; Berlin's Delfonic, who one more time proves that he knows how to tune a soul song into a dancefloor anthem and last but not east Paul Older, the guy who just released his debut EP on Toy Tonics with massive support himself by DJs like Folamour, Master at Work and many others..

These remixes are all dancefloor gold. Fimiani is on the roll.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: After the deep house elegance of recent releases, Toytonics return to the flamboyance of "Disco Music". A unifying anthem sure to raise arms and spirits on the dancefloor, three fresh remixes that all add to the magic in various ways.

TRACK LISTING

A1) Disco Music (Young Pulse Remix)
A2) Disco Music (Elado Remix)
B1) Disco Music (Original)
B2) Drums From The Motherland

Eusexua is a state of being. A feeling of momentary transcendence often evoked by art, music, sex, and unity. Eusexua can be followed by a state of bliss and feelings of limitless possibility. Also used to refer to: ‘The pinnacle of Human Experience’. It is united through any moment in which we are fully embodying ourselves, present in the moment, disconnected from technology, synthesized with those around us. It was moments of Eusexua that birthed 'EUSEXUA' the album, as twigs cites her late nights in the underground techno scene of Prague.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Jagged, glitchy pop music and euphoric, trance flavoured minimalistic electronica, both phasing in and out beneath the sometimes haunting, often ethereal vocal passages. Perfectly crafted, constantly moving and drawing influence from all over the musical spectrum.

TRACK LISTING

Tracklist TBA

Described by the Wall Street Journal as “one of modern music’s most compelling vocalists,” New York-born and Tamil Nadu-raised singer and multi-instrumentalist GANAVYA has announced details of her new album, "Daughter of a Temple*", set to be released on November 15, 2024. The album follows her performance at SAULT’s acclaimed live debut in London in 2023, where, according to The Guardian, her “voice had a delicate emotive heft that could turn stoics into sobbing wrecks.” Her first single for LEITER, "draw something beautiful," was released earlier this year in July.

For "Daughter of a Temple", GANAVYA invited over 30 artists from various disciplines to a ritual gathering in Houston. Consequently, the album features numerous contributors, including renowned musicians such as esperanza spalding, Vijay Iyer, Shabaka Hutchings, Immanuel Wilkins, and Peter Sellars. The results—an innovative and deeply moving blend of spiritual jazz and South Asian devotional music—were initially recorded by Ryan Renteria and then further edited and mixed by Nils Frahm at LEITER's studio in Berlin in 2024. GANAVYA is the author and singer of the first Tamil text to win a Latin Grammy. She was a vocalist in Vijay Iyer’s Ritual Quartet and the soloist on Quincy Jones-produced „Tocororo", which reached No. 1 on the Jazz Charts. Her most recent album, "like the sky I’ve been too quiet", was recorded with Shabaka Hutchings and features guests like Floating Points, Tom Herbert, Carlos Niño, and Leafcutter John.

TRACK LISTING

1. A LOVE CHANT (FEAT. ESPERANZA SPALDING)
2. OM SUPREME (FEAT. VIJAY IYER & IMMANUEL WILKINS)
3. PREMA MUDITHA (FEAT. SHABAKA HUTCHINGS)
4. ELDERS WAYNE AND CAROLINA
5. OM NAMAH SIVAYA (FEAT. CHARLES OVERTON & GANESAN DORAISWAMY)
6. JOURNEY IN SATCHIDANANDA / GHANA NILA
7. A LOVE SUPREME, PART 1: ISHMAEL WADADA LEO SMITH
8. A LOVE SUPREME, PART 2: PETER SELLARS (FEAT. PETER SELLARS)
9. A LOVE SUPREME, PART 3: ALICE COLTRANE
10. A LOVE SUPREME, PART 4: IONE (FEAT. IONE)

More from the Relaxin Records axis! 

'"Light Decline" is mostly built from manipulated samples. The lyrics are inspired by and addressed to those who have pissed me off. Bass is the only played instrument.

The songs sound sad, even though ‘sad’ has no real existence - it’s just a sensation produced by atoms ricocheting off each other mechanistically in an otherwise empty void. However this record has a natural tendency towards sad, and it’s worth recognising the significance of that.'

Great Area are currently supporting the amazing Mark William Lewis on his UK tour. Essential for fans of Bar Italia, Dean Blunt / Hype Williams and the World Music label, early Peaking Lights and The XX. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More excitable melancholy from the indelible Relaxin stable. Great Area look set to win the hearts of taste makers and cool kids alike this year with their gloriously sad songs and sincere, honest story telling.

TRACK LISTING

1.light Decline 
2.pest 
3.hazards 
4.fun 
5.the Laws Of Physics 
6.100% Enthusiastic
7.if You Stop Moving You Don't Exist, If You Fall Behind You're Dead 

Forerunners to The Thanes, The Green Telescope started out in 1981 as ardent ambassadors for 60s-style psychedelic sounds, soon becoming well known around Edinburgh for putting together exotic-sounding shows featuring freak-out style lights.

A couple of line-up changes later, they took fresh inspiration from the British beat group era plus the US/European teen garage-punk explosion – think ‘Nuggets’ and ‘Pebbles’.

There were only two singles – including the much-sought-after ‘Face In A Crowd’ seven-inch – so this, their only BBC session from 1986, is a proper one-off, capturing the spirit and sound of the times via a swirling organ, a psych heart and three totally unreleased tracks. Plus one that was recorded only 20 years later in a different version by the Thanes.

… and don’t miss their inimitable cover of the Driving Stupid’s ‘Horror Asparagus Stories’!

TRACK LISTING

Who Knows?
X+Y=13
Try To
Horror Asparagus Stories

On Hardcore, James Mapley-Brittle (GRRL) and Nick Sanborn (Made of Oak), meld their love of late-night club music to make mind-bending high-energy dance music. GRRL is one of the brightest emerging stars in the underground arts space and a regular collaborator with PC Music, NTS, and more; Sanborn is better known as one half of the Grammy-nominated electronic pop duo Sylvan Esso.

First sparked during DJ sets in North Carolina basements, the duo’s unique creative chemistry has grown exponentially since the 2022 release of their debut EP, Inertia. GRRL x Made of Oak’s glitched-out sounds have been featured on Adult Swim, Fortnite, and with their own sample pack on Splice. Finding new fans in the likes of Björk, Arca, AG Cook, Porter Robinson, Barker and DJs across the world, GRRL x Made of Oak is an exhilarating experience that will shake the speakers and get any after-hours dance floor moving.

TRACK LISTING

01 Hardcore
02 Power Station
03 Chord Thing
04 Juno

After a couple of demos for the French promoter who paired him with his childhood hero Love’s Arthur Lee in 1992, Pale Fountains and Shack legend Michael Head entered a Liverpool recording studio the following year, with a new project in mind, ‘The Strands’. Michael teamed up with his brother and lifelong companion, John, his long-time drummer Iain Templeton and two new recruits, Michelle Brown on bass and Les Roberts on flute. The recording sessions would last two years and were only halted because Michael was offered a new major label deal. A deal, not for his current work, but for him to record as Shack again.

So it came to be that Stephane Bismuth, the French promoter, was left with 100 or so minutes of a thwarted project, only a third of which had made it to the mixing studio in Sheffield in the summer of ‘95.

Patch-working and weaving rough mixes and sketches – by engineer Steve Powell, made in Liverpool – with completed mixes by producer Mark Coyle who had hired an arranger and string section for sessions in Sheffield, Stephane Bismuth founded a new label Megaphone and finally released ‘The Magical World of The Strands’, in autumn of 1997.

TRACK LISTING

1. Queen Matilda
2. Something Like You
3. And Luna
4. X Hits The Spot
5. The Prize
6. Undecided (Reprise)
7. Glynys And Jaqui
8. It's Harvest Time
9. Loaded Man
10. Hocken's Hay
11. Fontilan

Greatest Hits is a compilation album of hits from singer-songwriter Buddy Holly. It includes top ten hits like "Peggy Sue", "Oh, Boy!", “Maybe Baby” and “Rave On” along with the number-one hit in the UK "That'll Be the Day" which was the first number one hit from The Crickets, the band formed by Buddy Holly in 1957.

TRACK LISTING

That'll Be The Day
Peggy Sue
Oh, Boy!
Maybe Baby
Listen To Me
Rave On
Think It Over
Fool's Paradise
Early In The Morning
Heartbeat
It Doesn't Matter Anymore
Raining In My Heart
Midnight Shift
Peggy Sue Got Married
True Love Ways
Learning The Game
What To Do
(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care
Valley Of Tears

Co-produced by Guy Massey (Spiritualised, The Divine Comedy, Kylie) and Sophie Jamieson, 'I Still Want To Share' is an album exploring the push and pull, merry-go-round nature of anxious attachment and how it weaves, cuts and steals through familial and romantic relationships.

Throughout the record is a perpetual longing to belong, a yearning to learn how to love and let go, and a continual missing of the mark. Each song clings tightly to the possibility of home, but never arrives there. The album was recorded in North London between Guy's studio and Konk Studios, with string arrangements from Josephine Stephenson (Daughter, Ex:Re, Lisa Hannigan) and drums from Ed Riman (Hilang Child).

TRACK LISTING

1. Camera
2. Vista
3. I Don't Know What To Save
4. Baby
5. Welcome
6. Highway
7. I Still Want To Share
8. How Do You Want To Be Loved?
9. Your Love Is A Mirror
10. I'd Take You
11. Time Pulls You Over Backwards

A highly-respected trumpeter born in Kobe, Japan, Takuya is a forward-thinking musician that has developed a unique hybrid sound, blending soulful jazz, funk, post-bop, fusion and hip hop music.

After following the footsteps of his trombonist brother playing in big bands, he relocated to New York to study jazz & contemporary music at The New School in Union Square; a course he graduated from in the mid-noughties. It was here that Takuya met vocalist José James, with whom he worked on the 'Blackmagic' and 'No Beginning No End' projects.

Following graduation, Takuya established himself further in the NYC jazz scene, performing with the likes of Akoya Afrobeat and in recent years with DJ Premier's BADDER band (also including acclaimed bass player, Brady Watt). Premier said "The BADDER Band project was put together by my manager, and an agent I've known since the beginning of my Gang Starr career. He said, 'What if you put a band together that revolved around a trumpet player from Japan named Takuya Kuroda? He's got a hip-hop perspective and respect in the jazz field…"

Takuya Kuroda is already incredibly prolific, releasing five albums in the past decade and fortifying a solid reputation in the global jazz scene. 2011 saw the release of Takuya's independently-produced debut album, 'Edge', followed by 'Bitter and High' the following year and 'Six Aces' on P-Vine in 2013. Takuya was signed to the legendary Blue Note Records in 2014 for his album 'Rising Son', as well as appearing on their 2019 cover versions project, 'Blue Note Voyage'. He released his 5th album 'Zigzagger' on Concord in 2016, which also featured Antibalas on a reimagining of the Donald Byrd classic 'Think Twice'.

TRACK LISTING

1. Fade (feat. Corey King)
2. ABC
3. CHANGE (feat. Corey King)
4. Do No Why
5. Fly Moon Die Soon
6. Moody
7. Sweet Sticky Things
8. Tell Me A Bedtime Story
9. TKBK

For roundabout a decade now, The Lavender Flu has been pumping their inimitable, underground group-sound way past all manner of lesser modern muck, moving only and always as their varied inspirations prompt them. As players, Chris Gunn, Ben Spencer, and Scott Simmons remain open to where any given moment might take them, which has resulted in thrilling experiences both live and on record at every turn. Tracing The Sand By The Pool, their latest album for In The Red, finds The Flu firing at their most crisp and direct, a full-band collection of meander-free hits triumphantly captured to tape by the lads themselves. Moments will tug, others will stun, but there can be no doubt this new communiqué is their mightiest. The record unfolds from “Within,” born out of a Kiwi brightness that is methodically guided through a series of near-crashes and sly, inward moves, spotlighting the key pillars of the band’s songcraft and tailored to convert the uninitiated. Gunn’s guitar work continues to fascinate and marvel, boasting too many moments of both melodic sweetness and violent shattering to detail here. Their cover of the hangmen’s “I’m Gonna Love You” capably inverts Suicide’s menace to a hopeful, romantic sheen. Of critical note are a pair of guest contributions from The Spatulas’ Miranda Soileau-Pratt, who lends vocals to multiple songs including the deceptive 80s dosed pop of “Snail On The Map”, and The Tube Alloys’ Shelby Jacobson, who takes lead on a cosmos-injected cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “That’s Alright,” as well as “Patron Eyes (Cocoon 2069),” the most vicious, smashingly punk moment the band has unleashed to date. From the jump to its final rest, the album is boundless and full of gifts.

Sophisticado Recordings presents Vick Lavender double vinyl LP: "The Time Traveler". This 14 track double vinyl LP highlights the production skills of the deep house music veteran as he explores many different moods of the musical soundscape
.
Disc one explores everything from the bossa influenced "Again" - featuring New York vocalist/songwriter Ammawhat - to the r&b influenced track "Nothing Broken" featuring Detroit native Angel-A; and on to jazz influenced tracks "411" & "Reminisce", featuring Chicagoan Spike Rebel.

Disc two focuses on the genre that Vick Lavender is known for throughout the deep eclectic house music world. Four deep house jamz that explores his roots in jazz and Afro-Latin rhythms. Along with Justin Dillard they've created a seriously musical and dare-I-say sophisticated vibe. Tracks like "Herbie" & "Rise I Rise" are sure to become deep house classics. "Play" goes right into a Johnny Hammond influenced heater, a relentless groove that's sure to please dancers all over the world. Meanwhile "Flame" mirrors Vicks love for r&b with hints of jazz fusion. Listen loud. Listen over & over. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: After winning our hearts and hips with some killer 12"s, modern poster of the deep house world Vick Lavender presents an expansive double LP. Highly musical house music, with downbeat interludes and rich instrumentation throughout; this is a super strong addition to the cannon of timeless deep house LP.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1.4-11
2.A Space Love Affair
3.Acid Outpost (album Version)
4.Archive 80(album Version)
5.Misty

Side 2
1.1981
2.Again (with Ammawhat - Album Version)
3.ICC (Inner City Children)
4.Nothing Broken (with Angel-A)
5.Reminisce (Sign Of Times)

Side 3
1.Herbie (Vick's Extended Time Traveler Mix)
2.Play (Vick's Jazz Playground Vamp Mix)

Side 4
1.Flame (Vick's Extended Time Traveler Mix)
2.Rise/Rise (Vick's Extended Time Traveler Mix)

Creation Records legends The Loft release their first new songs for nearly 40 years in the shape of the single ‘Dr. Clarke’. Available on limited edition seven-inch vinyl on Precious Recordings of London.

Taken from the forthcoming album ‘Everything Changes Everything Stays The Same’ on Tapete Records, ‘Dr. Clarke’ is backed with an exclusive B-side ‘Got A Job’, available only on the vinyl single.

The Loft notched up an impressive list of firsts for Creation label artists back in the mid-80s. First Creation band on TV, first to hit the top of the indie singles chart, first to be invited on to a major UK tour and first Creation band to record a coveted BBC radio session – for Janice Long’s Radio 1 show in 1984. Then, on the verge of biog-time indie greatness, they split up. And how they split up: mid-song, amid bitterness and acrimony, onstage at the Hammersmith Palais in front of 3,000 people.

Now the band has reunited, their status as one of the UK’s most influential guitar bands of the 1980s only growing through the intervening years Last year, after a sell-out show at London’s MOTH club and their heralded appearance at the Glas-Goes Pop festival, the group was invited by BBC 6 Music’s Riley & Coe to record their fourth BBC session at Maida Vale’s famous Studio 4. Within six months the session was rush-released by Precious Recordings of London on glorious ten-inch vinyl.

Precious is now proud to release ‘Dr. Clarke’ as a taster to their debut album ‘Everything Changes Everything Stays The Same’, released by Hamburg-based Tapete (tapeterecords.de) on March 14, 2025. Single and album were recorded in Hackney in August and produced by Dexys’ Sean Read with the original Loft line-up of Pete Astor (guitar/vocals) Andy Strickland (guitar), Bill Prince (bass) and Dave Morgan (drums).

TRACK LISTING

Dr. Clarke
Got A Job

Local Sugar Diggers is a series from label head Scruscru that draws together a fine selection of re-edits and reworks of a mix of hard-to-find old records, all done by his mates. This time out it is LTF who steps up his 'At The Pier' is an effortlessly funky jam with some laid-back horn work adding extra spice next to the jumbled percussion. Flip it over and you find 'Con Ritmo Y Melodia' which is a slower, steamier, more Latin-flavoured sound with shuffling percussive grooves and big old breaks to get the floor going.

TRACK LISTING

At The Pier
Con Ritmo Y Melodia

100% inspired by an old favorite album of Gary’s called "How To Belly Dance For Your Husband" by the Sonny Lester Orchestra in 1963. It’s jazz and belly dance influenced. "Belly Dancer Waltz", the lead track, setting the exotic and mysterious tones wonderfully with a tumbling 3/4 groove, funky guitar chops and mystic sax line. Very clever, and sure to cause a simmering feeling of excitement and anticipation on the dancefloor. "Turkish" fires of rampant percussion before hitting us with wild eastern melodies, technofied through Martin's outbaord. A real head turner with intriguing sound design and unignorable energy. "Unveiled" closes things off with a rambunctious live-bossa-techno romp that feels like it could have been used in Jeff Mills' infamous "Exhibition" mix.

This release reminds us of songs he won our hearts with decades ago like "Casa Caugat" and "Girlfriend". Sure to make old Teknotika fans happy and make some new ones as well. Not only that, it's guaranteed to inject novelty and excitement, and freshen up any stale dancefloor. TIP! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Tumbling out of the starting blocks with carnival energy and shit tons of style and personality. Old school techno favourite Gary Martin shows the young guns how it's done as he revisits tribal and jazzy techno with flair and precision.

TRACK LISTING

1. Turkish
2. Belly Dancer Waltz
3. Unveiling

‘Studio Natives, Vol.1’ is filled with improvisation, the most natural form of Jazz. Jackson Mathod is a trumpet player with intangible skill for the instrument, having played alongside Stormzy for his Glastonbury set he’s making waves with his third album. Speaking on the track ‘Mandible’ Mathod expands on his development into creating the album, ‘I think in some of my previous recorded music I was more focused on creating well-crafted music with great melodies and harmony. Whereas here there's a bit more focus on playing as a group and being more explorative in improvisation. We also didn't have a melody for this track until a week before the recording! Sometimes it just takes a while to find that melody or it might just pop into your head one day.’

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Modern trumpet player, Guildhall jazz alumni and session musician for Stormzy and Jordan Rakaei, Jackson Mathod drops his third album. A bright, fragrant and free jazz affair that's sure to give Halsall a run for his money. Lovely stuff.

TRACK LISTING

1. Watermelon Man
2. Mandible
3. Slum
4. Jerome Arrived Late
5. Red Pistachio

Starting life as the most asked about ‘ID’ in Maur’s DJ sets during the Summer, to now finally being released on Toolroom, this stone-cold classic from 2006 gets an update from Maur. Maintaining much of the original vibe but adding their trademark big room melodic twist with bundles of energy. Already causing a huge stir at club level with Gorgon City, Danny Howard, Adam Beyer and Nicky Romero all providing early support. On the flip is the 2006 original in all its glory.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Maur Vs Dave Spoon - At Night
B1. Dave Spoon - At Night

Mogwai’s “The Bad Fire” was recorded at Chem19 studios in Scotland with American Grammy Award winning producer John Congleton (St Vincent, Angel Olsen, John Grant) joining the band in the studio for their eleventh album. A Scottish colloquialism for Hell, The Bad Fire draws inspiration from a series of tough personal moments that the band found themselves in following on from their chart-topping tenth album, As The Love Continues. All vinyl comes packaged in a gatefold sleeve, with MP3 download code and etching. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: I'd find it hard to say anything bad about a Mogwai album for two reasons. Firstly, I *LOVE* Mogwai, so it would feel wrong. Secondly, they're one of the greatest bands in the world and thus i'm convinced they'll never make anything less than astounding. The Bad Fire is thematically, visually and aurally impeccable. Beautiful, climactic crushing post-rock with bags of melody.

TRACK LISTING

1. God Gets You Back
2. Hi Chaos
3. What Kind Of Mix Is This?
4. Fanzine Made Of Flesh
5. Pale Vegan Hip Pain
6. If You Find This World Bad, You Should See Some Of The Others
7. 18 Volcanoes
8. Hammer Room
9. Lion Rumpus
10. Fact Boy

No one edits a classic like Mr. K, as he has proven time and time again. Now the legendary studio craftsman is back and revisiting Paradise Garage and some of the club's legendary sounds. First up is TW Funkmasters' 'Love Money,' which was conceived by UK radio reggae jock Tony Williams and fuses Dennis Brown's reggae hit 'Money In My Pocket' with early rap influences. The dub version was embraced by New York's dance scene and became iconic at the 'Garage, with many homages coming later such as Larry Levan's Man Friday remake, 'Love Honey, Love Heartache.' On the flip, Janice McClain's 1979 Philly disco classic 'Smack Dab In The Middle' shines as Larry Levan's mix is reworked by Mr. K who turns up the jazzy groove with fresh breaks.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A super funky twosome from one of the masters of the edit, Mr K. This time we get a housey NYC bumper in the Funkmaster's 'Love Money' and the sultry lounge swing of 'Smack Dab In The Middle'. Classic tunes, great edits.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. "Love Money" (Mr K Edit)

Side 2
1. "Smack Dab In The Middle" (Mr K Edit)

In The Fishtank is an ever ongoing project of Konkurrent, independent music distributor in the Netherlands.In this collection Konkurrent invites musicians to whom they feel strongly related to record. They are given two days studio time and freedom to do whatever they like musically. The Fishtank offers a space for expression and experimentation, results may vary but are always surprising.

This was the first Fishtank title, originally released in 1996, and includes a cover of The Residents "Would Be Alive"

One of our absolute faves of 2023 gets a much appreciated reissue, here's what our Matt had to say about it in our 2023 End of Year review:

"Perhaps it's his amateur, 90-styled music videos, shot himself on a 4K iPhone; maybe it’s his awkward dancing coupled with his blue-collar Baltimore aesthetic; or his catch-all culmination of soul, electro, freestyle and R&B - but there’s something completely unfashionable yet utterly relevant and alluring about NBT. Landing somewhere between Arthur Russell, Dean Blunt and Frank Ocean, there's almost a spiritual element at work too – although (real name) Marcus admits that while he's prayed to Jesus, he’s “never heard a word back in plain English”. Instead he offers inspired commentary on consumerism and capitalism as the modern churches of religion (detailed brilliantly on album highlight “The Fields”), whilst also covering more intangible and existential subjects such as break-ups, longing and fighting despair. A truly original and enigmatic character that I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of in the future."

TRACK LISTING

1. Quantum Suicide
2. Shed That Fear
3. Daddy
4. Interlude
5. The Fields
6. Rain Water Promise
7. Soap Party
8. Workers Interlude
9. Unbreak My Love

Emotional Rescue and Utopia Originals join forces to release the pop / new wave funk of Obscure Desire, a one-off project and EP from effervescent 80s Auckland, New Zealand that saw three friends come together to make a perfect piece of club pop history.

Revolving around the musical talent of Andrew Waldergrave, a trained pianist, music degree drop-out, who moved to the island’s cultural centre of Auckland and emersed himself in the arts and nightlife scene the city had to offer. Working at Obscure Desire, a Fashion Boutique meets Salon, he became friends with Grant Mitchell and Giselle Trezevant, together forming not a band, but as they saw it, a project to make a record for their scene and beyond.

Coming from outside of the established band route of endless rehearsals, local gigs, growing a fan base and home recordings, they fell did not have the support network of indigenous New Zealand labels. As so often the case in unearthing these lost reissue gems, the artists took matters into their own hands, seeking to write, record and release themselves. After meeting Trevor Reekie, head of the local Pagan Records label, he took on production duties. Collating the necessary musicians, the project grew from the one song to become a full EP, recording between a home 16 track studio and a full 24 track desk at Harlequin Studios.

Centred around the title song, "Obscure Desire" is a perfect pop moment. Waldergrave’s piano leads into an infectious groove of slap bass, gated drums, Reekie’s acoustic guitar and cut vocals, before Trezevant’s vocals propel the song to an 80s swing out vibrations. 

Here reduced to the best two versions, more room is given to let the other recordings breathe, first the gloriously anthemic instrumental "Bullet". Intricate programming and production, lead into the pop sensibility of "I Wonder", some kind of wonderful antipodean reimagining of Chris & Cosey finest pop moments, an optimistic paene that permeates the whole EP. Closing "4A", espouses the jazz-funk, with Trezevant’s simple French lyrics telling of dreams of a lover’s image.

Released in 1986 with no local support from radio and TV, it became something of a hit record in New Zealand’s more discerning clubs, however the members soon moved to London and the project remained a one-off moment. Over time the EP has gained cult status to become globally desired that sees copies of the original 12” selling for hundreds of dollars. Now at last available for a global reach, while remaining a personal, uplifting moment of time. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Isle Of Jura kick off 2025 in fine style with this ineffable slice of 80s mayhem. Straddling, no striding into electro-funk, new wave and boogie with an enchanted nonchalance.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Obscure Desire (Extended Mix)
A2. Obscure Desire (Harlequin Mix)
B1. Bullet
B2. I Wonder
B3. 4A

Gold print of the Piccadilly Records logo on a black tote bag.

Elvis 56 - originally released in 1996 - is a compilation of studio master recordings made by Elvis Presley in 1956. The sessions on this LP took place at RCA studios in Nashville and New York, as well as at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. Comprising the most complete and essential overview of The King’s first year at RCA, Elvis 56 is the definitive rock ‘n’ roll album, including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog” and “Rip It Up. The album also includes an insert with rare photos and complete recording data.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Heartbreak Hotel
2. My Baby Left Me
3. Blue Suede Shoes
4. So Glad You're Mine
5. Tutti Frutti
6. One-Sided Love Affair
7. Love Me
8. Anyplace Is Paradise
9. Paralyzed
10. Ready Teddy
11. Too Much
12. Hound Dog

Side B
1. Anyway You Want Me (That's How I Will Be)
2. Don't Be Cruel
3. Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
4. Shake, Rattle And Roll (Alternate Take 8)
5. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
6. Rip It Up
7. Heartbreak Hotel (Alternate Take 5)
8. I Got A Woman
9. I Was The One
10. Money Honey

WeMe has always had the ambition of producing outsiders alongside its established artists. Let's hear it for the debut EP from Rehab333, a discreet but no less creative artist and graduate of the Rephlex School Academy. After taking classes with teachers such as Richard d James and Dr. Chris Jeffs, analog machines hold no secrets for him, enabling him to develop wonderful melodies at a time when they are sorely lacking. First released on cassette on the Binary Bigit label, it seemed essential for WeMe to record these tracks on vinyl, in perfect harmony with the label's musical history.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More braindance excellence from the WeMe label with Rehab333 piloting the drum boxes and 303s for a Cornish sounding excursion that also nods to Holland's RX-101.

TRACK LISTING

1 DR0000 0187
2 DR0000 0189
3 DR0000 0217
4 DR0000 0174
5 DR0000 0175
6 DR0000 0195

Rose City Band’s music is sun-kissed timeless country rock whose seemingly effortless momentum carries the joy of its creation without ignoring the darkness pervading our consciousness. Led by guitarist/vocalist Ripley Johnson, the music of Rose City Band is rooted in his love of private press records of the mid to late 70’s. The band, in addition to Johnson, features pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg and drummer John Jeffrey who enmesh a keen sense of rhythmic drive and melody with gentler, sumptuous atmospheres. Sol Y Sombra digs its heels into insatiable grooves, its parade of catchy songs conjuring a sunset drive through an open desert, both a celebration of a sojourn and a reach for the warmth of home.

The contrasts of Sol Y Sombra, the musical equivalent of bright stars in a night sky, are to Johnson an inevitability. “With Rose City Band, I'm generally trying to make uplifting music, good time music,” says Johnson. “This time I couldn't avoid the shadow being more of a presence. There's no getting away from it. The shadow is always there. So, I left it in.” Like many genre-breaking private press albums, the melancholia-infused Sol Y Sombra’s contrasts equally enhance moments of joy and movement whilst elevating the music with its honesty and intimacy. Nuanced performances and interplay between players unfurl like desert flowers splashing color onto an arid landscape. The ensemble's buoyant moments still glide with ease, but there is room to revel in respite of the shade of a dark cloud. For Johnson, the album finds places where the conscious meets the unconscious, the songs emanating the more mercurial and curious aspects of their sonic dream world, using darker hues to paint the panorama around them.

Sol Y Sombra’s opener “Lights on the Way” is halogen on the highways, a beam of light pressing onward past dashed lines and soaring with Johnson’s guitar work and lush harmonies. The album’s first half is rife with blissful Americana, from upbeat rollicks to ballads dripping with sweet molasses. Walker’s pedal steel speckles the slow-motion shuffle of “Evergreen” with glinting starlight. His playing throughout pairs perfectly with Johnson’s effervescent guitar lines, exuding the casual virtuosity of pedal steel country legends while lending remarkable modern twists to his graceful licks. Across the album, Johnson’s tasteful guitar interjections and soothing voice are met in kind with the versatile playing of Walker, Hasenberg, and Jeffery, with special guest performances by synthesist/vocalist Sanae Yamada. Album closer “The Walls” perfectly captures the band’s explorative and expansive songs, Hasenberg’s soulful organ driving the album to an emotionally cathartic conclusion.

Throughout his prolific career with Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo and now Rose City Band, Johnson’s music has consistently centered around exploration and discovery. Sol Y Sombra imbues his penchant for space and resplendent tonality with a denser amalgam of his influences. Johnson tactfully incorporates new elements with deftness and fluidity, while holding the band’s center intact. “One of my takeaways from making this record is that I spent a lot of energy trying to do things a little different but ended up back where I started in many ways,” notes Johnson. “And that's OK.” Through a delicate balance of the somber and the serene, of subtle evolutions and familiar sounds, Sol Y Sombra makes for a holistically joyous experience, finding solace in both sun and shade.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: As you'd expect, any new album from Ripley Johnson and co is bound to be a well written and beautifully produced collection, and the stunning ray of sunshine that is 'Sol Y Sombra' is no different. Hazy slide guitar and warm strummed acoustic beneath airy reverbed vocals and swooning harmonies. for me, their most immediately irresistible outing yet.

TRACK LISTING

Lights On The Way
Open Roads
Rolling Gold
Evergreen
Sunlight Daze
Radio Song
Seeds Of Light
La Mesa
Wheels
The Walls

There is a wealth of No Fuss releases all dropping this year and number 12 is a tasteful house four-tracker from various quality artists. Saison's 'Suffer' is up first as a remix from Fouk, and it is a lovely, jazzy, laidback and heartfelt sound with an infectious skip in the drums. The original is just as infused with dusty soul and warming chords and on the flip Saison remixes Pete Moss & Colette's 'Higher' into carefree grooves with more noodling melodies and DirtyTwo then keeps the grooves flowing with 'Rymden' which exudes summery excellence.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. Saison - "Suffer" (Fouk Remix)
2. Saison - "Suffer"

Side 2
1. Pete Moss & Colette - "Higher" (Saison Remix)
2. DirtyTwo - "Rymden"

Now universally recognized as one the great ambassadors of house music around the globe, Todd Edwards first built his reputation in the early 90’s with a string of 12" releases from some of New York’s more prominent independent labels. This was an era when on any given week you would have up to 100 new 12" releases from New York based producers, all vying for space on the 12" shop walls. In this hypercompetitive environment it was not easy for a new producer to garner a reputation. But Todd’s releases did not sound like anything else. Using an innovative blend of rhythmic, cut-and-paste vocal samples, rubbery basslines, and slapping percussion, he created a 4 track EP for Nervous in 1994 under the production acronym The Sample Choir. This 12" created such a massive buzz in the UK that it is now considered instrumental in helping to propel Britain’s Sunday clubscene into the genuine cultural phenomenon of speed garage.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The importance of this record simply cannot be ignored! Todd Edwards injecting energy and attitude into a genre that could be argued, was in danger off getting too smooth around the edges. Credited in the birth of speed garage, and now available on Nervous once again.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Feelin' Lonely
A2. Love Will Make Things Better
B1. The Praise (God In His Hand)
B2. Break Smooth 

Star Creature alumni Saucy Lady does a spot of moonlighting on Dippin', delivering the forth LP from this Boston-based boogie bug. Featuring a few cool collabs and some creative cover versions; its boogie-centred dynamics veer casually at times into house and pop-territories with assured confidence and style.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A truly charismatic songstress and star operating within the new boogie and modern funk landscape. Much like Manchester's Sarah Bates or Glasgow's Hidden Groove / Tension, Saucy Lady runs the whole shebang herself - from vocals to drum hits to squelches and sirens. "Love Fest" is one of her strongest releases to date.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1.Falling In Love
2.What If? (feat Jay Mumford)
3.Break The Ice

Side 2
1.Silver Haze (feat Derrick McKenzie)
2.What You Won't Do For Love (feat Yam Who?)
3.Love Lock
4.Sao Paulo

Linking music and literature, building a bridge between the written and the sung–only the greats have managed to do this in the past. Leonard Cohen, Scott Walker, and Patti Smith were just some of the shining stars that Anna B Savage orientated herself towards as a teenager. Born on the anniversary of Bach’s death, the young musician spent her birthday every year in the Green Room of the Royal Albert Hall watching her parents perform compositions by the grand master. That shaped her.

Today, thanks to albums such as her debut, “A Common Turn” (2021), and the incredibly sensual art-pop opus “in|FLUX” (2023), the singer-songwriter is one of the truly exceptional talents on the British independent scene. In her music, otherworldly vocals nestle up against chamber orchestral compositions, delicate arrangements rise up and blow away, and the musician’s highly eclectic sound grows song by song into an experience that lingers for days and weeks. Potentially life-changing.

A sense of rootedness is at the heart of Anna B Savage’s third record You and I are Earth, a record that is as much about healing as it is an unbowed sense of curiosity, and, more simply, “a love letter to a man and to Ireland.” Following on from her critically acclaimed records ACommon Turn and in|FLUX, You and I are Earth manages to convey a sense of intimacy, while also being open-ended. Gentleness is as radiant a touchstone on the record as earthiness, something that Savage attributes to the place she finds herself at present, both geographically and emotionally. And quite literally the record bears witness to a particular piece of earth-Ireland, and Savage’s relationship to it as her new home. That process is brilliantly rendered on Agnes, a complicated piece of work featuring AnnaMieke that turns on tropes of duality and transformation. It mirrors an unsettling experience that Savage had through meditation, which ultimately ended in an immersive, beautiful feeling, “I felt like I was part of the earth, completely connected to the mycelium network, felt like I was where I was meant to be.”

In many ways, that experience framed the album’s artwork, a photograph taken in some woodlands in Co. Sligo, with Savage looking up at the trees, their fractals reflected in her eyes, mirroring something she had felt in her meditation, bringing us back full circle, and to that sense that we are essentially in unison, or at least striving to be, that “you and I are earth”

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A beautifully tender mix of flickering acoustic guitar, dynamic chord changes and airy bucolic lyrical themes, perfectly presented in Savage's athletic vocal style. It's a wonderfully enthralling, constantly twisting tapestry of melody and rhythmic drive, and shows just how influential Savage's unique style could be.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Talk To Me
2. Lighthouse
3. Donegal
4. Big & Wild
5. Mo Cheol Thu
́
Side B
6. Incertus
7. I Reach For You In My Sleep
8. Agnes
9. You & I Are Earth
10. The Rest Of Our Lives 

Fresh from the lab, "Black Print" is finally here - a sonic formula meticulously crafted by Detroit’s Scan 7 to awaken minds and ignite souls. This release delivers five distinct tracks, including a collaboration with acclaimed Detroit DJ / producer AMX, aka The AM. Each track is a universe unto itself, bound together by rhythm and energy, guiding you toward a singular truth. To truly grasp the message, dive in. Listen deeply, surrender to the sound, and step into "Black Print". 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: New material from long serving, cult Detroit technicians Scan 7, one of the of the most inventive collectives on the Underground Resistance roster. Constantly looking to evolve and innovate the techno genre, these five cuts should have the club crackling with high voltage power.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Addicted Feat. AMX 
A2. Light Seekers
B1. Born Out Of Darkness
B2. Code 7
B3. Ripple Effect

This album from 1957 excellently captures what was the definition of jazz at that time, and this became one of the best jazz albums of all time. Sonny Clark's playing on this album has the sound of beautiful perfection, and (along with the great work of Paul Chambers on bass and ‘Philly’ Joe Jones on drums) the playing really swings. Sonny shines on “Tadd's Delight” and “I Didn't Know What Time It Was” with the crisp support from Chambers and ‘Philly’ Joe. He takes on the challenge of 'Be-bop', a very difficult tune, and pulls it off with his typical Sonny Clark touch.

TRACK LISTING

1. Be-Bop
2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
3. Two Bass Hit
4. Tadd’s Delight
5. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
6. I’ll Remember April

Vinyl re-issue of the third album from The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, the outfit featuring former Pussy Galore front man Jon Spencer, Judah Bauer and Russell Simins.

Originally released in 1993,  'Extra Width' is (slightly) more polished than their previous releases, but still has the same raw energy. Opening track 'Afro' sets the scene for the whole LP - taking soul, funk, blues and good ole fashioned rock'n'roll and whipping them up into a visceral righteous racket.

TRACK LISTING

Afro
History Of Lies
Back Slider
Soul Letter
Soul Typecast
Pant Leg
Hey Mom
Big Road
Train #2
Inside The World Of The Blues Explosion
The World Of Sex

It's fitting that the Stones Throw alum would tap Star Creature for round 2 on this next phase of his already impressive musical journey. Coming off several incredible albums ranging from beats, RnB, jazz-funk and all sorts of in between fusions for Stones Throw Records, arguably one of the most influential underground labels of last couple decades, Stimulator Jones pushes us even deeper into the underground clubset on "The Stimulator Tracks Vol 2" via Tim Zawada's Chicago-based Star Creature label.

Whereas Vol 1 gave us part Larry Heard, part Ten City, part Ron Trent; Volume 2 comes a bit harder to the face with even more original analog production gear and techniques diving further along the historic progression of Chicago house music. "Cali Red", the lead single and opening A1, kicks this off with a massive, big-room space stomper - might leave dents on the dancefloor if it wasn't so atmospherically lifting.

The rest of the EP follows heavily with a hefty bites of acid, deep, gritty filter disco, and borderline booty – the project lays down raw & uncut, heavy trax that somehow manage to stay soulful and breathable. Another big 12" that fits somewhere between a secret Ron Hardy rhythm weapon,  undiscovered basement reel-to-reel demo tape, and the output of the legendary Trax label.

This one is sure to sound slamming near any front left speakers with mastering job courtesy of underground East Coast techno veteran Dietrich Schonemann of Complete Mastering. 

TRACK LISTING

A1. Cali Red
A2. Cytoplasm
B1. Fantasies
B2. Hold Plz

Galaxy Sound Company has become one of those cop-on-sight labels thanks to is cultured 45rpm edit series. This time, label staple, bedroom B-boy beatmaker and Michigan native Strictlybutters drops a sweet duo of beatstrumentals that skate, stomp and groove with great style. Side A's 'Espresso Con Panna' flips Salt of the Earth's 1984 gospel-funk banger 'Love Light II' into a bass-thumping, sax-smooth hip-hop gem that will enliven any party. The second offer is just as sweet: 'Pain Au Chocolat' is a Detroit-inspired and buttery groove dripping in jazzy Axelrod-esque flair. Pure head-nod gold.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
1. "Espresso Con Panna"

Side 2
1. "Pain Au Chocalat" (With Extra Butter Bonus Beat)

Some called Studio, the project of Swedish musicians Dan Lissvik and Rasmus Hägg, “the missing link between The Cure and Lindstrøm,” Pitchfork heard Durutti Column and Can, as the duo’s story became swept up in a loosely developing scene — adjacent first to the label Service (Jens Lekman, The Whitest Boy Alive) and later Sincerely Yours (The Tough Alliance, jj) — and a precursor to the 2010s boom at the axis of electronic and psychedelic music guided by indie greats like Caribou, Four Tet, and Darkside.

'West Coast', their seminal 2006 debut, captured a faraway romanticism of Balearic brushed up against Krautrock, disco, dub, and afrobeat, with pop lyricism lifted from new wave, all made modern by two art school grads in Gothenburg. First pressed in a small vinyl-only run via their own Information label, the album has been notably absent from most streaming services, and the internet’s record of its initial impact is all but fossilized from a bygone blog era, while its sound is simply untraceable to any one moment in music.

Outside of three 7” releases, they’d keep the music to themselves for several more years. In 2005, Hägg remembers, “We got our degrees and were kicked out of our studio spaces so all these recordings were just piled up. A year later we dusted them off and started to deconstruct and assemble them in a more drawn-out fashion.” In the same breadth, they cite DJ Screw, J Dilla, and Joy Division, along with early ‘80s European live DJ sets from the likes of Beppe Loda, Dj Mozart, and Baldelli as reference points. “The anything-goes mentality was very encouraging and was a big cornerstone to the Studio sound,” says Hägg. “But there’s so much more to the picture, we were not that young then and had lots of musical baggage in our suitcases, the new thing was that we finally let it all come through, not bound by any borders that was often the case with music identity in Sweden during the 90s.”

In the afterglow of the record’s 2007 reception, Studio receded from view, clouded behind a mountain of remix requests (including one for Kylie Minogue that saw release) and label bureaucracy. “It’s easy to wish we would have done some proper recordings of our own instead,” Hägg reflects. But both artists, now well into respective careers beyond Studio, have come to peace with West Coast as their most enduring effort together. Lissvik adds, “It serves as a good reminder for me to keep to that decision and promise and to continue exploring and growing.

TRACK LISTING

1. Out There
2. West Coast
3.Origin
4. Life’s A Beach!
5. Self Service
6. Indo

Super Flu has crafted a unique and special track with a fresh reinterpretation of Cher’s legendary Grammy Award winning song "Believe". Infusing raw electronic beats and atmospheric soundscapes, this track reimagines the classic in a way that resonates with the burgeoning underground dance community, but at the same time retains the essential melodic elements of the tune that gave it such universal appeal. Experience the haunting allure and hypnotic rhythms that only Super Flu can deliver, redefining a timeless anthem for the next generation of listeners.

Early support from Keinemusik, Black Coffee, LP Giobbi, Blondish, Desiree, Adam Ten and more

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Marmite tackle but I'm on board. I reckon it's gonna find favour with the younger ones and well timed moments of Ibizan excess.

TRACK LISTING

A. Believe (Main Mix)
B. Believe (Instrumental) 

Japanese indie-pop favourites taffy return with their sixth studio album.
'Lull' marks the first material from the band with new guitarist Rio Kato, who brings his own unique, inimitable style to the taffy sound.

Thin Lizzy's 'Acoustic Session', a groundbreaking new frontline album that brings together the legendary voice of Philip Lynott, the masterful guitar work of founding member Eric Bell, and the powerful original drum takes of Brian Downey. This unique project offers fans a rare opportunity to experience Thin Lizzy's classic hits like never before, with Lynott's previously unheard vocal takes perfectly complemented by Bell's fresh acoustic arrangements and Downey's dynamic drumming. Drawing on material from the band's iconic Decca era, the album revisits tracks from Thin Lizzy's first three albums, presenting them in an intimate, stripped-down format that is sure to captivate both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Mama Nature Said
2. A Song For While I'm Away
3. Eire
4. Slow Blues - E.B.
5. Dublin
6. Whiskey In The Jar
7. Here I Go Again
8. Shades Of A Blue Orphanage
9. Remembering Pt. 2
Bonus Track
10. Slow Blues - G.M (Gary Moore) - 

Transport, partly staffed by former members Ural Thomas' 1960s band, was a fairly short-lived Portland phenomenon. The incarnation heard here was an eleven-piece stone Disco-Funk powerhouse that tracked a whole album's worth of smashers in 1978, which sadly lay untouched for over 40 years. The steady-rolling A-side is emblematic of their original sound, but the cake is rather taken here by their awesome reading of 'Always There,' arguably one of the best versions of the much-covered Ronnie Laws classic yet.

First time ever on 7" 45rpm vinyl, dinked centre hole with picture sleeve, 500 numbered copies only.

TRACK LISTING

1. Move Your Body
2. Always There

While 'Love You All Over Again' represents a considered, if free-flowing return to Tunng’s stylistic and aesthetic rudiments, it is also a reflection of the magical cohesion the band have come to realise over time, particularly on stage. “There’s a bizarre chemistry between us”, affirms Becky Jacobs, “which is quite extraordinary given that we’re all very different – especially now that we’ve got kids and live in different parts of the world. And our tastes in music are quite diverse, even if there are things that overlap. Tunng has always been about Mike and Sam at the centre, but there’s something about the six of us – it just works.” Genders agrees. “Chemistry is not just about the individual abilities of the people involved; it’s about facilitating ideas. We always bounce off each other – there are some Herculean email chains... Tunng has always been eclectic; it’s Mike’s production that makes everything coherent.”

Whether it’s that ineffable esprit de corps, the meticulous studio craft or simply a turn of the karmic wheel, 'Love You All Over Again', with its folk-hymnal intimacy, its glimmering lights and long shadows, its unforced fusion of soul and machine, feels like a Tunng album for today – something of a familiar comfort in uncertain times and, equally, a record for the ages. While, as Genders contents, this is not a pop album per se, it is, nonetheless, as melodically generous and lyrically bewitching as it is eccentric and startling, and in its highly detailed, genre-melding production, and in the preternaturally timeless, reverb-less blend of Genders’ and Jacobs’ voices (sporadically joined by Lindsay and the rest of the ensemble’s distinctive shanty choir), as captivating as anything in the band’s considerable canon. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: It's another big one for me this week, with the new Tunng LP. Ever since I first heard 'Good Arrows', i've been enamoured with their deeply melodic, glitchy folk grooves. Though 'Don't Know Why' is a more immediately cheerful prospect than the darkly (and unfathomably brilliant) 'Dead Club', it's got a stream of tentative, mournful unease among the shimmering guitar and gorgeous melodies.

TRACK LISTING

1. Everything Else
2. Didn’t Know Why
3. Sixes
4. Snails
5. Laundry
6. Drifting Memory Station
7. Deep Underneath
8. Levitate A Little
9. Yeekeys
10. Coat Hangers

Originally released in November 2004 it featured two non-singles, tracks pulled from the sessions for their third album Urban Hymns, ‘This Could Be My Moment’ and ‘Monte Carlo’.

2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of an album that has never been pressed on vinyl and, under the group’s direction, this long overdue reissue replaces the bonus tracks with the powerful singles from the band’s 2008 reunion album, Forth – ‘Love is Noise’ and ‘Rather Be’ – as well as including their second single ‘She’s A Superstar’ (1992) in its original, full-length, eight-and-a-half-minute form (rather than the five-minute edit). As such, the album now represents the complete story of The Verve’s singles.

Named after the band’s sixth single, the first issued from their second album, A Northern Soul, it brilliantly documents the potency of The Verve’s relatively short but epoch-making journey through the musical cosmos.

On their emergence (when they were known simply as Verve), they were frequently referred to as purveyors of the shoegaze sound, although their output was more expansive, cinematic and genuinely psychedelic than that description implies, as evidenced by their first three non-album singles/EPs, all of which reached the summit of the UK indie charts.

After splitting up for the first time in 1995, they reconvened (with the addition of guitarist and keyboard player Simon Tong) to reach their commercial peak in 1997 with the hugely successful Urban Hymns, which was centred around a brilliantly accomplished suite of songs written by Ashcroft, including the worldwide smash ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, the UK number one ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ and the beautiful and evocative ‘Lucky Man’.

Combustible, intense and highly influential, this stellar journey is finally available on wax, where, in its definitive form, it easily stands comparison with any other singles collection from the last three decades.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: I mean, you know the singles from Urban Hymns already obviously because they're all stunning and they were on the radio constantly, but do you know the other singles from Northern Soul or Storm In Heaven? I didn't until early last year, and I wish this had been about at the time. A superb greatest hits of a brilliant, genre-spanning act.

TRACK LISTING

LP1 Side A
This Is Music
Slide Away
Lucky Man
History

LP1 Side B
She's A Superstar
On Your Own
Blue
Sonnet

LP2 Side C
All In The Mind
The Drugs Don't Work
Gravity Grave

LP2 Side D
Bitter Sweet Symphony
Love Is Noise
Rather Be

Released in 1998, relatively early on in the soon-to-be global superstar DJ / producer's career, "Heike" is regarded by many as one of few, no nonsense, balls-out techno bangers in his catalogue. The swirling drive, trippy daft 8-bit loop, female vox and slamming beats all contributing to a heady and exhilarating ride.

Side B's "Mood Mix", though beginning gently and subtly, soon grows into a growling technoid beast - that square wave bassline acting like a sonic obelisk to which 4/4 drums, squiggly fx and warm bass are tethered to. It's equally captivating and arresting as its precursor on side A and shows the producer's genius grasp of dancefloor kinetics perfectly.

Post 2004 the producer starting exploring more cerebral and, shall we say complicated? areas of the techno landscape; but "Heiki" still stands as a high watermark in this iconic dance music star's discography. Reissued for the first time since 2006. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Rawax reissue a huge moment in Villalobos' catalogue. The mighty "Heike" and it's Mood Mix show the up-all-nite genius of the producer keenly at play. Driving, hypnotic, and possessing an ethereal divine energy.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Heike
B1. Heike (Mood Mix)

Malcolm's Law is a sizzling, maximalist, impossibly complex guitar record. While Waldo’s Gift have been associated with the UK jazz explosion, mainly owing to their focus on improvisation, there are shades here of prog-metal, math-rock, and the more intense ends of Squarepusher or Aphex Twin. “We Trojan-horse metal into jazz venues,” Vine laughs. Unbelievably, every track is a single live performance, recorded with no overdubs or extras. “We’ve tried to multi-track stuff, but it doesn’t sound like us,” he says. “To sound like us is to be a sweaty, chaotic mess, on the precipice of falling apart. We’re all on the limit of what we can physically play, and that’s where the fun comes from.”

TRACK LISTING

1. Candifloss
2. Malcolm’s Law
3. Classic Waldi Anthem
4. Cosy Hour
5. The Galli
6. Cafe Jim
7. Jellyfish
8. This One Is Improvised
9. Last On The Plane

Jamwax reissue the iconic single "The Man Who Sold The World" by the Wally Brothers, originally released in 1974 on the Explosion label, a subsidiary of Trojan Records. This deep roots reggae track stands out with its unique orchestral strings, delivering a soulful and distinctive interpretation of David Bowie’s legendary song. Some even argue that this version surpasses Bowie’s original in coolness and creativity.

Produced by Desmond Bryan and Webster Shrowder, the Wally Brothers, better known as the renowned reggae band The Cimarons, brought their signature style to this remarkable track. Featuring Bobby Davis on vocal as confirmed by Locksley Gichie of The Cimarons, this version bridges Jamaican roots music with international influences.

At the time of its release in 1974, "The Man Who Sold The World" was relatively unknown to the general public, making this reggae adaptation a daring and unconventional choice. Decades later, Kurt Cobain’s unforgettable performance of the song during Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York introduced it to a new audience, transforming Bowie’s original and its various covers, including this reggae rendition, into a cornerstone of music history.

Originally released in 1974.
Licensed courtesy of BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Rare that a cover surpasses the original but in this case (Bowie fans may berate me for this), I'd say it's true! A rousing roots take on David's global smash, complete with killer dub version.

TRACK LISTING

The Man Who Sold The World
The Man Who Sold The World (Version)

The War On Drugs, "one of the premier live bands of their generation" (Pitchfork), announce Live Drugs Again, via Super High Quality Records and Transgressive / Canvasback.

Live Drugs Again follows 2020's Live Drugs and represents The War On Drugs at their ragged, righteous best. Bandleader Adam Granduciel comments, "Live Drugs Again chronicles the evolution of these songs from the studio to stages all over the world; documenting our continued growth as a live band. This series ensures that these versions, and some of our favorite moments on stage, will live on." As Consequence so accurately hailed, "it's hard to imagine a musical experience that's more enveloping and uplifting." This is hearing a band at its peak.

TRACK LISTING

Harmonia's Dream
Burning
Old Skin
Come To The City
I Don't Wanna Wait
Pain
Slow Ghost
In Chains
Living Proof
Under The Pressure
I Don't Live Here Anymore

Frits & WOLF team up once again for the fourth edition in the series with another four floor filling heaters. The Heartbeat FM EP opens with Rhythm and Blaze a track made exclusively for the WOLF 15th Birthday earlier this year in London. The EP continues with three tracks that have been road tested by a select numbers of DJ’s in the last few months, turning dancefloors into a frenzy! As always, Frits brings a level of class and style like no other and with the previous FRITS X WOLF 12 Inch selling out in record time, we’re serious when we say BUY OR CRY!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Rhythm And Blaze
A2. Lost In The Moment
B1. Turbo Passion
B2. Nocturnal

Available for the first time on vinyl, an exploration into Yes' breakthrough 1971 fourth studio album, Fragile, remixed by Steven Wilson. Includes hits such as Roundabout, Long Distance Runaround - The Fish, and many more!

TRACK LISTING

1. I Confess
2. Jeanette
3. Sorry
4. Sole Salvation
5. Spar Wid Me
6. Rotating Head
7. Save It For Later
8. She's Going
9. Pato And Roger A Go Talk
10. Sugar & Stress
11. End Of The Party
12. Ackee 1 2 3

Four years have passed since Young Knives’ last studio outing – 2020’s aggressive and philosophical look at humanity’s propensity for hyper-violence, 'Barbarians' – and during this time the band have taken a step to consider the changing of the world around them, their place in it, and the sometimes-futile pursuit of controlling what it is that we leave behind when we’re gone.

Music fans will pick-up on the tongue-in-cheek use of the word "landfill" as an album title from a band that emerged during the post-indie-rock-revival of the 00s. But rather than dwelling on the derogatory landfill stick that has sometimes comes to beat them, Young Knives instead use this coming phase of their career to contemplate the nature of existence and how best to catalogue it through song. As lead singer and guitarist Henry Dartnall puts it, “it’s a record is about letting things go before they are taken from you, including the carefully curated images of ourselves. Embracing everything the world throws at you and not taking it to heart.”

Fans of Young Knives may be forgiven for thinking that 'Landfill' may be about to enter nihilistic territory, and with the band being evicted from their long-time home and studio during the recording process it is true to say that the album is imbued with a fear of the unknown, as adrenaline stokes the fires of vitriol. However, the record is far more concerned with retaining a philosophical outlook on how we view the passing of time, best exemplified by lead single ‘Dissolution’, which is partly inspired by the Hitchiker’s Guide To The Galaxy quote “Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.” Dartnall expands: “I love ideas like this. What an amazing way to present such a deep idea but also make it fun. I just wanted to experiment with doing our version of that. You can’t force ideas on people, you can just suggest them and leave them hanging in a way that people might one day consider if they feel like it.”

Opening up more about the single, he continues: "This song is kind of dumb. The words are about the dissolution of the ego or ego death; a thing that appears in eastern religions and was written about in Joseph Campbell’s “A Hero’s Journey”. It’s the refocusing of your attention on the part of you that never becomes yesterday and can never become tomorrow, or something like that. It’s very similar to what people report from psychedelic experiences too. The problem is that writing and performing rock music is very much rooted in the world of the ego, so the idea of my big ego mouth shouting words about ego death is ridiculous. But then I thought that contradiction was kind of fun too."

We recorded the song to an old tape machine as a throwaway experiment. The tape we used was from a car boot sale and all perished and dusty. The channels of the tape machine kept failing because they were all clogged up with tape oxide. It was a live take and we did it with our friend’s Silke and Max Blansjaar playing drums and piano. It was also recorded at the end of our time in the studio we have had since we started together, so we were in the middle of packing it down. It felt like we were dismantling everything about our band and music so it all made sense at the time and felt very apt"

As a parting thought on the idea of identity and legacy, he offers: “We often think we have to fight the world to get success and legacy, or even just security and other such weird concepts. But even the most successful people in history have only postponed their second death (the last day someone says your name) by 500 - 2000 years tops. After that you are 'Landfill' FOREVER. So why do we do it to ourselves?”

TRACK LISTING

1. A Memory Of Venom
2. Ugly House
3. Cause & Effect
4. People From The Second Way
5. Dissolution
6. No Sound
7. Your Car Has Arrived
8. Completely Gone
9. Love The Knives
10. Fresh Meat

'Columbia Records and Searchlight Pictures present ‘A Complete Unknown (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ . Featuring tracks from the film like “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” “Like A Rolling Stone,” and “Girl From The North Country,” the soundtrack includes performances from Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, Edward Norton as Pete Seeger, Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez, and Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash.

Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music. He forges intimate relationships with music icons of Greenwich Village on his meteoric rise, culminating in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide. Timothée Chalamet stars and sings as Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s A COMPLETE UNKNOWN, the electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history. 

THE LATEST IN THE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL ‘C’ SERIES, RIFFING ON THE ORIGINAL ‘C86’ CASSETTE.

EXPLORING THE POST-BAGGY, PRE-BRITPOP INDIE SCENE OF 1992.

PACKED WITH WELL-KNOWN FAVOURITES – Radiohead, The Charlatans, Ride, Lush, Inspiral Carpets, Dodgy, Boo Radleys, The Auteurs, The Stairs, Levitation, Sultans Of Ping F.C. among them.

1992 saw the British indie scene unwittingly poised to go overground and global in the wake of the guitar’s revival in the early 1990s. ‘C92’ captures something of a no-man’s land moment in time, with the “baggy” scene brushed aside by American grunge and the artists who’d come to define the rest of the decade only beginning to emerge.

From the intensity of shoegaze pioneers Ride and Lush, through to melody-driven 60s revivalists Inspiral Carpets and The Stairs, in hindsight the year can be seen as a period of healthy transition and expansion which ultimately saw the scene pulled together by the music media under the umbrella term “Britpop”. Established names such as The Charlatans and Boo Radleys glided effortlessly over the landscape re-alignment, whilst soon-to-be household names like Radiohead and The Cranberries took their first tentative steps into a bigger world, enjoying the license to pursue their artistic persuasions with the luxury of major label financial backing. A sea change was clearly coming.

Essential for collectors of the ‘C’ series, fans of that time and place and anybody interested in the ongoing, mazy story of British pop music, ‘C92’ brings with it familiar favourites and previously unknown gems, to sit alongside other titles in the series.

TRACK LISTING

Disc One:
1 Radiohead - Prove Yourself
2 The Auteurs – Showgirl
3 Delicious Monster - Dull Dull Dull
4 Ride - Leave Them All Behind
5 Gallon Drunk - Bedlam
6 Swallow - Tastes Like Honey
7 Blind Mr Jones - Fading Fast
8 Adorable - Homeboy
9 Earwig - Safe In My Hands
10 Huggy Bear - Single Bullets
11 Jacob's Mouse - Oblong
12 Kinky Machine - Going Out With God
13 White Town - Bewitched
14 Wonky Alice - Sirius
15 Moonshake - Secondhand Clothes
16 Swirl - Grass Harps (Sing For Me)
17 Some Have Fins - Watered Down
18 The Last Peach - Jarvis
19 The Harvest Ministers - You Do My World The World Of Good

Disc Two:
1 The Cranberries - Dreams
2 Bang Bang Machine - Geek Love (Edit)
3 The Charlatans - Weirdo
4 Scorpio Rising - Saturnalia (7" Version)
5 Boo Radleys - Lazy Day
6 Th' Faith Healers - My Loser
7 Kingmaker - Eat Yourself Whole
8 Submarine - Chemical Tester
9 Bleach - Shotgun
10 Catherine Wheel - Balloon
11 Poppy Factory - Stars
12 Dodgy - Worth The Blood
13 The Rosaries - Leaving
14 Hair & Skin Trading Co - Ground Zero
15 Levitation - World Around
16 The Exuberants - Who Knows How Many Tonight
17 The Stairs - Mr Joke Shop Owner
18 Sun Dial - I Don't Mind (EP Version)
19 Headcleaner - Bogieman
20 Egyptian Kings – A Matter Of Time
21 Thousand Yard Stare - Comeuppance

Disc Three:
1 Inspiral Carpets - Dragging Me Down
2 Sweet Jesus - Real Babe
3 Lush - Superblast (Remix)
4 Revolver - Don't Ever Leave
5 Sultans Of Ping F.C - U Talk 2 Much
6 Daisy Chainsaw - Pink Flower
7 Teenage Filmstars - Kiss Me
8 Secret Shine - Secret Shine
9 Headtime - Being There
10 The Telescopes - You Set My Soul
11 The Revs - Julie Got A Raise
12 Mexico 70 - Wonderful Lie
13 Drop - Sorrow
14 The Wendys - Gobbledygook
15 The Suncharms - Tranquil Day
16 Medalark Eleven - I Call Your Name
17 Smashing Orange - Whenever
18 Greenhouse - Her Too
19 Spitfire - Wild Sunshine
20 The Moonflowers - Brothers And Sisters
21 Triple Blind - Stoke
22 Amelia Fletcher - Can You Keep A Secret?

King Street Sounds continues to reissue house classics from their legendary back catalogue, this time releasing a second VA sampler featuring four deep soulful house tracks.

This compilation showcases dancefloor fillers from notable artists such as Dennis Ferrer, Lil Louis, Masters at Work, Mood II Swing, and Kimara Lovelace. These underground anthems have stood the test of time and still sound as fresh as when they were first released.

House music enthusiasts can once again come together and take the opportunity to own these incredible tracks on this fantastic EP.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Dennis Ferrer Feat. K.T. Brooks – How Do I Let Go
A2. Rain: A Lil Louis Painting – Give It Up (Masters At Work Club Mix)
B1. Mood II Swing – Sunlight In My Eyes
B2. Kimara Lovelace – Misery (Lil Louis Club Mix)

The German SABA and MPS family of labels extended this sentiment to include music from musicians all around the world, no matter where they were from - and here on Spiritual Jazz 17 SABA MPS we explore that very theme.

Throughout the '60s & '70s both labels released a wealth of music from a wealth of international jazz musicians coming from both North and South America, Europe, the Caribbean and the Far East. The aim was to release jazz that was exciting, innovative and interesting, regardless of style: there was swing, blues, bop, avant-garde, fusion – and spiritual jazz. Plurality became a defining feature and the immense breadth of their output made both SABA and MPS worthy European counterparts to American imprints such as Blue Note and Impulse.

On Spiritual Jazz 17 SABA MPS we feature, among others, international contributions from Americans Elvin Jones, Nathan Davis & Dave Pike, Europeans Pedro Iturralde, Jef Gilson, and George Gruntz, and the Japanese Hideo Shiraki. In our extensive liner notes we outline the history of the SABA and MPS labels, and go some way to explain the spirit and philosophy behind the long-standing record company and the musicians who bore their souls to the recording process.

Friedheim Schulz, who oversaw many of the sessions, has fond memories, "These guys had ideas, they had their special thing, it was the time when there were lots of ideas and new sounds and what have you, and [SABA proprietor] Hans Georg was always of the mind that people should do their own kind of music. So he gave them the chance to record and then he would just put out the albums and that was it! The musicians would really play what they wanted to play."

Their great legacy is a lineage of music that has transcended the fatigues of time, and we've picked prime examples from the SABA & MPS catalogues to uphold our own legacy in our long-running series of Spiritual Jazz.

TRACK LISTING

1. Tony Scott And The Indonesian Allstars - Gambang Suling
2. Elvin Jones Jazz Machine - Little Lady
3. Nathan Davis - Evolution
4. Dave Pike Set - Raga Jeeva Swara
5. Hideo Shiraki Quintet & 3 Koto Girls - Matsuri No Genzo
6. Albert Mangelsdorff Quartet - Never Let It End
7. Orchester Roland Kovac - Blue Dance
8. Fritz Pauer - Gratuliere - Movement A
9. Joachim Kühn Group - Depression And Illusion
10. George Gruntz - Hightime Keepsakes
11. Pedro Iturralde Quintet - Veleta De Tu Viento
12. Jef Gilson Nonet - Ouverture San Remo

New 2x12" compilation from LSD who conjure up an imaginary soundtrack to the one of the great ancient mysteries - was there really an advanced cilvilization some 10,000 years ago in direct communication with interstellar beings? For fans of Graham Hancock, Egyptology, library electronics, noise//drone, sonic conspiracies and astral planing. 

 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More interplanetary communication devices from the Light Sounds Dark cult. Fifth dimension antennas for red shifted sonic exchanges and extra terrestrial radio frequencies. Concept aside, there's some incredible rare library electronics available here.

 Follow up to the 2022 release ‘Deep In The Woods’ (curated by Richard Norris (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve/The Grid)

The sequel, ‘The Magic Forest’ is another triple CD set assembling rare cuts and cult favourites from the worlds of psychedelic, pastoral and funky folk from 1968-1975.

Boasting some overlooked gems from long collectable acts such as Mellow Candle, Forest, Agincourt, Knocker Jungle, Zior and many more.

Housed in a 3 CD digipack in a striking wraparound collage by Lyndon Pike.
Celebrating the collision of traditional folk with new psychedelic studio techniques, new and exotic textures, and a developing groove. It's a wide and broad range of styles, drawing from folk, its oral storytelling tradition, and also from jazz, beat, rhythm and blues, and the more mind opening sounds of psychedelia.

Ultimo Tango (Milan) & Glossy Mistakes (Madrid) are thrilled to announce the release of "Tribal Organic: Deep Dive into European Percussions 79-90", a compilation of otherworldly percussion-driven tracks, digging deep into this unknown realm of a past era

Compiled by Luca Fiore and Glossy Mario, the album takes listeners on a rhythmic journey through the diverse sounds of Europe from 1979 to 1990. This collaboration between two like-minded labels highlights forgotten recordings from across Europe, including works by artists from France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands...

Opening with the ethereal “Rainforest” by British female duo Ova, this collection weaves together nine tracks from artists who were deeply influenced by global percussion traditions. With hints of jazz, new age, gamelan, and West African rhythms, these tracks feature instruments like congas, tablas, and shekeres, and reflect a shared fascination with the organic beat of the drum.

From the industrial-meets-African grooves of Jean-Michel Bertrand’s “Engines”, to the hypnotic accordion and tribal chants of Cuco Pérez’s “Calabó Bambú”, the compilation offers a cross-cultural listening experience that is both meditative and invigorating. Despite creating these works in isolation during the last years of the Cold War, each artist was inspired by a borderless world of sound. The compilation pays homage to these nomadic musicians who respected the traditions they drew from, while contributing their own experimental takes on percussion-led music.In Tribal Organic, Glossy Mario and Luca Fiore have unearthed a treasure trove of rhythm-driven tracks that blur the lines between nations, genres, and cultures.

This compilation offers more than just music; it’s a listening experience that is both spiritual and grounded—bold, exploratory, and deeply rooted in the beat of the Earth.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Super intriguing dive into European percussion records over a fertile eleven year period. Each one a sonic curio that you want to explore every last detail of. Made even more mysterious due to the obscurity of some of the artists involved.

TRACK LISTING

A1. OVA - Rainforest
A2. Jean-Michael Bertrand - Engines
A3. Terry Keegan - Nutze Die Technik
A4. Slagerij Van Kampen - A Long Walk On A Short Pier
A5. Votu - Beyond
B1. For Drummers Drumming - Wok
B2. Calabò Y Bambù Luis Delgado, Cuco Pèrez Y Luis Palès
B3. Χόρες - Χόρες
B4. Angklung - Das Versprechen
B5. Cipriani One Man Band - From Peru To China