After immersive and emotive contributions from Jan Schulte and Moonboots, Music For Dreams' collectors series continues to delight with this playful and profound selection from Growing Bin curator Basso.

A longtime friend of the legendary Copenhagen label, Basso is a 5th dan black belt in the ancient art of digging, a fearless selector and adroit editor who knows more about records than anyone you know. On its journey from blog to shop to label, the Growing Bin has become the perfect embodiment of its creator - smarter than the average bear, eagle-eared and very very funny - the kind of cat who's just as comfortable serving cocktails by the pool as taking an esoteric road-trip. So sit back, let the falanghina chill and load up on sonic sunscreen.

Armed with birdsong, backbeat and Spanish guitar, Hans Hasse says hello via the sumptuous Austrian Balea-rock of 'Welche Farbe Hat Der Wind', an AOR albatross which soars high above the cliff tops, chills on the jet-stream then dives deep into scat silliness. This impactful opener gives way to cucumber cool 'The Dawn', a forgotten jazz break from stoner heroes DJ Food built entirely from tender tabla, horizontal synthlines and positive energy - strictly high grade folks...

How do you follow such a downbeat delight? With something from Golden Pudel resident and acid-techno warlock RVDS of course! But before you raid your medicine cabinet, remember that beauty can be found everywhere, and nestled away in Richard von der Schulenburg's 2016 outing "Shadows" was ketamine bossa lullaby 'Minuet de Vampire'. As the clean bass tones and simple rhythm stroll through the shadows, a haunting harp line tugs at your heartstrings, pulling you into the light and holding you tight. The harp-healing continues on Horizont's 'Light Of Darkness', an esoteric odyssey with the greatest key change you'll ever hear, and a dreamy segue into Xiame's sedate jazz-pop pearl 'Nosso Destino'.

Basso brings the first disc to a close with an all time Growing Bin favourite, Mico Layczak. Here the NDW queen is in more restrained mode, conjuring an avant pop paradise with the atmospheric 'Im Garten' - a dead cert for any fans of MFD alumni 55 Canri E.

At the top of the C-side, Massimo Stella's 'C'è Una Donna Sola' explores another Growing Bin speciality - acceptable fusion. This sweet Mediterranean shuffler makes a delightful defence of jazz's most maligned sub-genre before the esoteric, organic and new age flavours intensify on Trimolo's 'Tempo 100', a subtle groover topped by breezy flute and clipped guitar licks. Moving from woodland to wave, Basso introduces a man who definitely wore his sunglasses at night, unsung synth popper Diedel. Eerie and emotional, 'Wo Seid Ihr' is the sound of Don Johnson driving that white Spyder down the autobahn at night.

Taking a turn towards the dance floor, Basso serves up Mikey D's 'I Need You', an exceptionally rare German streetsoul bomb in dubform, complete with sampled vox and high school prom vocals before flexing his scalpel skills via an expert extension of German rockers' Wolfsmond's groovy 'Fühl Dich Frei', a serious secret weapon for any Balearic DJ.

The tempo drops to a cinematic stroll with Ghia's 'You Won't Sleep On My Pillow', a sweet synth pop serenade which cuts straight to the heart of the break up, keeps its cool and soundtracks your slow dance at the end of the night. And to finish, how about the most moving electronic jam ever, Jean-Philippe Rykiel's "Fair Light", a shimmering, shining jazz-rock opus played entirely on synth.

So there you have it, a selection of rare cuts, Plattenrille discoveries, organic excursions and electric lullabies, all perfectly at home in the Growing Bin. Whether you're coping some rays, watering the plants or tackling the tax return, 'Proper Sunburn' will ensure you keep your cool and stay smiling. Copenhagen's Music For Dreams has done it again with this release for the proper connoisseurs.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: On active digging duty since his pre-teen trips to the flohmarkt, Basso knows a thing or two about records. From mixing ‘The House Sound Of Chicago’ compilation for classmates at his 11th birthday party, through encyclopaedic retention of vintage rap verses and German jazz sessionists, to cross continental road-trips with contemporaries Tako and Chee, the Hamburg man has dedicated his life to discs. And while some vinyl obsessives share a passion for stinginess and exclusion, Basso has always enjoyed music best with friends. If you pay a visit to his blog or online boutique, you’ll discover a wealth of information on Black Forest jazz, organic wonders and killer European pop songs, saved from the pound bin and served by the pool. So race to the sun lounger, lay down a towel and leave your worries behind, this is Balearic with a twist, served with emotion, humour and honesty in classic Growing Bin style.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Hans Hass - Welche Farbe Hat Der Wind 04.29
A2. DJ Food - The Dawn 04.55
A3. RVDS - Minuet De Vampire 05.42
B1. Horizont - Light Of Darkness 05.29
B2. Xiame - Nosso Destino 04.50
B3. Miko - Im Garten 03.10
C1. Massimo Stella - C'e Una Donna Sola 04.08
C2. Trimolo - Tempo 100 04.53
C3. Diedel - Wo Seid Lhr 03.52
C4. Mikey D - I Need You (dub) 05.59
D1. Wolfsmond - Fühl Dich Frei (Basso Maxi Version) 05.59
D2. Ghia - You Won't Sleep On My Pillow 03.48
D3. Jean Phillipe Rykeil - Fairlight 04.21

Soul Jazz Records release this stunning new collection featuring music influential to the artist Keith Haring.

The art of Keith Haring is today one of the most recognisable of any visual artists of his generation, defining 1980s New York during an intense period when downtown artists and musicians collaborated like never before. Haring’s musical inspiration took in the punk/dance downtown sounds of clubs like The Mudd Club, underground disco at Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage, as well the early days of hip hop and electro.

The album is released to coincide with the opening of the first major exhibition in the UK of Keith Haring’s work at Tate Liverpool, which runs for the next six months.

Haring’s many friends included Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Madonna, Fab Five Freddy, William Burroughs, Jenny Holzer, Yoko Ono, Grace Jones, Larry Levan, Futura 2000.

The music here includes the work of a number of Haring’s close friends, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yoko Ono, Larry Levan, John Sex and George Condo (The Girls), as well as healthy dose of rare disco, early electro and New York punk/dance tracks.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Where a lot of Soul Jazz compilations focus on a genre, or a precursor of that genre, Haring's affiliated acts read like the toilet walls of CBGB, Paradise Garage and the Mudd Club. It's a brilliantly varied but cohesive snapshot of the 80s in music and art incorporating art-rock, electro and the burgeoning hip-hop scene. Absolutely essential.

TRACK LISTING

2CD 
B Beat Girls - For The Same Man
Damon Harris - It’s Music
Pylon - Danger
The Jonzun Crew - Pak Man (Look Out For The OVC)
Funk Masters - Love Money
John Sex - Bump And Grind It
Sylvester - Over And Over (12" Disco Mix)
The Girls - Jeffrey I Hear You
Johnny Dynell And New York 88 - Jam Hot (Rhumba Rock)
Talking Heads - I Zimbra
Art Zoyd - Sortie 134 (Part 2)
Class Action - Weekend (Larry Levan Mix)
Adiche - Chuka-Ja (Get Ready)
The Girls - The Elephant Man
The Golden Flamingo Orchestra - The Guardian Angel Is Watching Over Us
Gray - Cut It Up High Priest
Extra T’s - E.T. Boogie
Convertion - Let’s Do It
Yoko Ono - Walking On Thin Ice
Fab 5 Freddy - Change The Beat

3LP
B Beat Girls - For The Same Man
Damon Harris - It’s Music
Pylon - Danger
The Jonzun Crew - Pak Man (Look Out For The OVC)
Funk Masters - Love Money
John Sex - Bump And Grind It
Sylvester - Over And Over (12" Disco Mix)
Johnny Dynell And New York 88 - Jam Hot (Rhumba Rock)
Art Zoyd - Sortie 134 (Part 2)
Adiche - Chuka-Ja (Get Ready)
Class Action - Weekend (Larry Levan Mix)
Gray - Cut It Up High Priest
The Golden Flamingo Orchestra - The Guardian Angel Is Watching Over Us
Extra T’s - E.T. Boogie
Fab 5 Freddy - Change The Beat
Convertion - Let’s Do It
Yoko Ono - Walking On Thin Ice

Compiled by Andy Cabic (Vetiver), Zach Cowie (DJ & music supervisor) and Mark “Frosty” McNeill (dublab), "Pacific Breeze" documents Japan’s blast into the stratosphere. By the 1960s, the nation had achieved a postwar miracle, soaring to become the world’s second largest economy. Thriving tech exports sent The Rising Sun over the moon. Its pocket cassette players, bleeping video games, and gleaming cars boomed worldwide, wooing pleasure points and pumping Japanese pockets full of yen.

Japan’s financial buoyancy also permeated its popular culture, birthing an audio analog called City Pop. This new sound arose in the mid ’70s and ruled through the ’80s, channeling the country’s contemporary psyche. It was sophisticated music mirroring Japan’s punch-drunk prosperity. City Pop epitomized the era, providing a soundtrack for emerging urbanites. An optimistic spirit buzzed through the music in neon-bathed, gauzy tableaus coated with groove-heavy strokes.

"Pacific Breeze" is an expertly compiled collection of choice cuts that range from silky smooth grooves to innovative techno pop bangers and everything in between. Long-revered by crate diggers and adventurous music heads, this music has never been released outside of Japan until now. Including key artists like Taeko Ohnuki and Minako Yoshida, as well as cult favorites Hitomi Tohyama and Hiroshi Sato, the long-awaited release also features newly commissioned cover painting by Tokyo-based artist Hiroshi Nagai, whose iconic images of resort living have graced the covers of many classic City Pop albums of the 1980s.

Many of the key City Pop players evolved from the Japanese New Music scene of the early ’70s, as heard on Light In The Attic’s acclaimed Even a Tree Can Shed Tears: Japanese Folk & Rock 1969-1973, the first release of the ongoing Japan Archival Series. In fact, you could say City Pop set sail with a champagne smash from Happy End, the freakishly talented subversives who included amongst their ranks Haruomi Hosono and Shigeru Suzuki, both featured on this compilation. As Michael K. Bourdaghs noted in his book, Sayonara Amerika, Sayonara Nippon, this music was, “Deconstructing the line between imitation and authenticity.” Some of the best City Pop teeters in this zone—easy listening with mutant exotica, tilted techno-pop, and steamy boogie bubbling beneath the gloss.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: If like me, Ryan Horsebeach, Piccadilly supply teacher Michael and mailorder Sil, you've had your head turned by the sounds of Japan, you'll be giddy at the arrival of this LITA compiled collection of City Pop gems. Featuring a who's who of 80s Japan, and their best moments no less, this is sunkissed tropical synth pop with a heavy helping of Japanese soul. Sophisticated music from the future past, presented in typically lavish fashion from the mighty Light In The Attic.

TRACK LISTING

1. I Say Who - Tomoko Soryo
2. Kusuri Wo Takusan - Taeko Ohnuki
3. Midnight Driver - Minako Yoshida
4. Subterranean Futari Bocci - Nanako Sato
5. Sports Men - Haruomi Hosono
6. Coffee Rumba - Izumi Kobayashi
7. In My Jungle - F.O.E.
8. Sun Bathing - Akira Inoue, Hiroshi Sato, Masataka Matsutoya
9. Say Goodbye - Hiroshi Satoh
10. Drip Dry Eyes - Yukihiro Takahashi
11. Bamboo Vender - Masayoshi Takanaka
12. Lady Pink Panther - Shigeru Suzuki
13. Mykonos No Hanayome - Haruomi Hosono, Takahiko Ishikawa, Masataka Matsutoya
14. L.A. Night - Yasuko Agawa
15. Exotic Yokogao - Hitomi Tohyama
16. Machibouke - Tazumi Toyoshima

When Peggy Gou released her debut EP ‘Art of War’ in 2016, she made a list of career goals. One of them was to become the first South Korean DJ to play Berlin’s techno institution Berghain, an objective she achieved only a few months later. Another item on that list was to record an instalment of !K7’s DJ-Kicks series. “It’s the premier class of DJ mixes,” she says. “Some of my favourite selectors have contributed to it.” Now Peggy Gou can tick that off her list too as she proudly presents the 69th edition of the mix series.

The Berliner-by-choice started working on the mix last year. It was a busy time for the 28-year-old: she’d just scored her first Mixmag cover and her single ‘It Makes You Forget (Itgehane)’ was receiving awards and critical acclaim. Each month she would DJ in 20 nightclubs all over the world. And yet, the goal for her mix was ambitious: instead of trying to capture the energy of her DJ sets, she aimed to create a portrayal of her own musical journey. An 18-track listening session that takes you straight into Peggy Gou’s living room where she plays you the formative tunes from her collection. No genre boundaries – she moves across disco, house, techno and electro. No tempo limits – the mix ranges from 90 to 150 BPM. And no age restriction – the earliest tunes on the mix are from 1983.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: DJ superstar, powerhouse producer and general woman of the moment, Peggy Gou has been smashing up the Piccadilly sales totals of late, and this compilation makes it clear where her influence stems from. Seamlessly moving through electro, bass, house and synthpop, the Korean producer leads us on a journey through the best bits of club music from the last 30 years. All in all a brilliantly immersive and hugely flexible collection from the superstar DJ.

TRACK LISTING

CD
1. Spacetime Continuum - Fluresence
2. Peggy Gou - Hungboo (DJ-Kicks)**
3. Pearson Sound - Earwig
4. Pegasus - Perseguido Por El Rayo
5. Sly And Lovechild - The World According To Sly & Lovechild (Andrew Weatherall Soul Of Europe Mix)
6. Dorisburg - Rytm804
7. Hiver - Pert**
8. Kyle Hall - Flemmenup
9. DMX Krew - EPR Phenomena
10. JRMS - 3
11. Shades Of Rhythm - Exorcist
12. Kode 9 - Magnetic City
13. The System - Vampirella
14. Black Merlin - Kundu
15. Aphex Twin - Vordhosbn
16. R-Tyme - Illusion (Mayday Remix)
17. Psyche - Crackdown
18. Deniro - Epirus
19. I:Cube - Cassette Jam 1993**

** Tracks Are Exclusive To This Compilation.

LP
A1. Peggy Gou - Hungboo (DJ-Kicks)**
A2. The System - Vampirella
A3. Pegasus - Perseguido Por El Rayo
B1. I:Cube - Cassette Jam 1993**
B2. Sly And Lovechild - The World According To Sly & Lovechild (Andrew Weatherall Soul Of Europe Mix)
C1. Deniro - Epirus
C2. Psyche - Crackdown
D1. Hiver - Pert**
D2. Aphex Twin - Vordhosbn

** Tracks Are Exclusive To This Compilation.

The iconic album series Back to Mine returns once again in 2019 with the first DJ mix compilation from world dominating indie-dance band Jungle, showcasing their personal tastes for the after-hours. The series was renowned for its eclectic selection and selectors which includes some of the biggest names in electronic and pop music, from the likes of Faithless to Pet Shop Boys, Groove Armada to New Order.

The collection includes an exclusive track from Jungle themselves and takes the listener on an eclectic musical journey. From 90s disco by Merle to more recent house tracks by Manuel Darquart and Drumtalk. Bristol DJ Admin provides the percussion heavy ‘Space Cadet’ and the irrepressible Mocky supplies good vibes on ‘How It Goes’. There’s sophisticated pop from The Marias and Sam Evian and there’s some spotlight for modern jazz with tracks by Kamaal Williams, Mansur Brown and BadBadNotGood featuring Kaytranada. There’s also room for some gospel influenced soul by The Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY, lo-fi dream pop from Paul Cherry before ending with the always impressive HNNY.

“When asked what genre of music we like or create we always answer explaining that we try not to hear music in genre but more in sonic and emotion, and if it feels good then it is good. By that merit, we have conjured a list of far-reaching tracks and brought them together to sit harmoniously on this Back to Mine mix. Put together mostly in the confines of our London based garden studio, where many a late night gathering has taken place, the mix makes its was through psych, Afro-beat, house and soul with some of our favourite tracks of the moment, Have fun and enjoy.” - Jungle

STAFF COMMENTS

Millie says: Jungle’s compilation is a close replica of what I’d include on my own selection of favourite songs featuring BadBadNotGood, Kaytranada, Sly5thAve and Mansur Brown. A fantastic mixture of contemporary jazz spins into broad horizons from house, soul and Afro-beat, leaving no stone unturned when it comes to genre inclusivity. Jungle include their very own exclusive track “Come Back A Different Day” which is drenched in electronic beats with their signature sleek vocals.

TRACK LISTING

LP
A1. Barbara Moore - Steam Heat
A2. Inflo - No Fear
A3. Merle - Fannie Likes 2 Dance
A4. Manuel Darquart - Birds Of Paradiso
B1. Drumtalk - Red Haze
B2. Admin - Space Cadet
B3. Mocky - How It Goes
B4. The Marías – Cariño
C1. Sly5thAve - Super Rich Kids
C2. Kamaal Williams - High Roller
C3. Sam Evian - Next To You
C4. BadBadNotGood Featuring Kaytranada - Lavender
C5. Jungle - Come Back A Different Day
D1. Mansur Brown - Shiroi
D2. The Flying Stars Of Brooklyn NY - Live On
D3. Sault - Masterpiece
D4. Paul Cherry - Like Yesterday
D5. HNNY - Sunday


CD Tracklist - CD1 Mixed & CD2 Unmixed
1. Barbara Moore - Steam Heat
2. Inflo - No Fear
3. Merle - Fannie Likes 2 Dance
4. Manuel Darquart - Birds Of Paradiso
5. Drumtalk - Red Haze
6. Admin - Space Cadet
7. Mocky - How It Goes
8. The Marías – Cariño
9. Sly5thAve - Super Rich Kids
10. Kamaal Williams - High Roller
11. Sam Evian - Next To You
12. BadBadNotGood Featuring Kaytranada - Lavender
13. Jungle - Come Back A Different Day
14. Mansur Brown - Shiroi
15. The Flying Stars Of Brooklyn NY - Live On
16. Sault - Masterpiece
17. Paul Cherry - Like Yesterday
18. HNNY - Sunday
*’Drumtalk - Red Haze’ Not Included On Unmixed CD*

Compiled by Pete Gooding and Mark Barrot, the enchanting Ibizan institution La Torre continues its compilation series with "Volumen Tres", an incredible fifteen track release that draws inspiration from the island's hedonistic history.

Featuring tracks from Mac Demarco, Mark Barrott, Lambchop, Tears For Fears and many more, it's a fresh and varied selection that avoids Balearic cliches and looks to further and expand the blueprint of the idea with new genres and styles.

'The future is the past and the past is the future, but when the sun kisses the ocean... there is only now.' Mark Barrott.

A secluded gem in Ibiza's now commercial landscape, La Torre is located in Cap Negret, within the picturesque countryside of San Antonio. Nestled away, on a cliff that juts deep into the ocean, La Torre acts a mecca for those seeking the original Ibiza experience.

Picturesque views of the magical Meditteranean sunset intertwine with true Balearic melodies, where like-minded strangers connect with bygone friends. Here is a location that offers an introspective experience, one that calms and soothes the soul of attendees whilst recounting the Ibiza experience of old.

"Volumen Tres" is compiled by long term friends Pete Gooding and Mark Barrott. Veterans within the Ibizan landscape, the concept behind the compilation is to reflect the true beginnings of the islands heritage. A place of hedonistic discovery, it was in the 1980s that the likes of Paul Oakenfold made their way to the hidden Meditteranean location. Bathed in an air of mystery and enchantment, institutions such as Pikes Hotel were a place of true personal freedom, often frequented by the late Freddie Mercury and enveloped in tales of opulence and indulgence.

This ethos and feeling is precisely what Volumen Tres represents. In this case, out with (most of) the new and in with the old, as the pure Balearic sound is voiced through the selections of Mark Barrott and Pete Gooding. Old records merge with new boundary pushing productions, but all in-keeping with the theme of the true Balearic soundscape.

'These days, Balearic has become a bit of a catch-all term for the euphoric, poolside house tunes you can hear on YouTube channels. But Barrott and Gooding are inspired by Balearic's defining feature set out by its early DJs: its eclecticism. ' The Guardian.

The compilation begins with "Alsema Dub". The product of Bill Laswell & Jah Wobble 's liquid bass ethnicity, a cooing vocal is complimented by the pulse of trumpets as an ethereal synth runs in the background. Berlin based Neapolitan duo Nu Guinea create "A Voce 'E Napule", an exotic funk-driven number, whilst Canadian native Pacific Coliseum creates the tropical & emotive "Morning at Made's". American Alt Country icons Lambchop provide a feel-good yet bitter sweet anthem in "Up with the People", before psychedelic Australians Tamam Shud create "Bali Waters", a masterpiece from the cult surf movie 'Morning of the Earth'. Downtempo talents Satoshi & Makoto produce the gently-moving "Crepuscule Leger", whilst Mac DeMarco's "On The Level" features soothing left of centre vocals and dream-like melodies.

The late English Punk Impressario Malcolm McLaren takes us on an intricate, Asian inspired journey with "Obatala" , before Mark's re-imagination of the classic Tears for Fears track "Head Over Heels" ratchets up the drama & bliss with it's widescreen vista. Up next is Trance's iconic "Ambiente", released in Germany in 1984, it marries Eastern Philosophy with Western electronics, before English hauntology talent The Advisory Circle forms a chillingly-beautiful masterpiece with "Sundial". American songwriter and composer Richard Torrance provides the groove-laden, percussion-filled Anything's Possible, whilst Swing Out Sister's classic "After Hours" transports us into the Twilight via it's 80's jazz refrains. The penultimate track comes courtesy of Mark Barrott, who's "Mokuso" was inspired by his adventures in rural Japan and Tokyo by night, paving the way for the final selection: Colorama's Coloured In Remix of poet & author John Stammers' "Idle I'm". Moving, and wholly satisfying, the Londoner rounds off the compilation in style, as we are left pensive in a state of nostalgic musical reflection.

In compiling La Torre Ibiza - Volumen Tres, Mark Barrott and Pete Gooding create a sonic vision of paradise; a utopian declaration of freedom, one that conceptualises their intent through musical selections. Despite times changing, we are left frozen in a soundscape of sizeable proportion, whilst the healing-like nature of the records administer a type of medicine that can not be found elsewhere. We listen, in the present, to the Ibizan soundscape of old, nurtured and soothed in a Meditteranean bliss & beautifully re-framed for the modern world.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Keeping selection as the key point, focus and motive throughout, Barrott & Gooding have compiled a truly Balearic release - spontanious yet relaxed, familiar but constantly surprising us with new sounds, treading new ground whilst paying tribute to the vast history of the island. A classic!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Bill Laswell & Jah Wobble - Alsema Dub
A2. Nu Guinea - A Voce 'E Napule
A3. Pacific Coliseum - Morning's At Made's
A4. Lambchop - Up With The People
B1. Tamam Shud - Bali Waters
B2. Satoshi & Makoto - Crepuscule Leger
B3. Mac DeMarco - On The Level
B4. Malcolm McLaren - Obatala
C1. Tears For Fears - Head Over Heels (Sketches From An Island Sunrise Mediation)
C2. Trance - Ambiente
C3. The Advisory Circle - Sundial
D1. Richard Torrance - Anything's Possible
D2. Swing Out Sister - After Hours
D3. Mark Barrott - Mokush?
D4. John Stammers - Idle I'm (Colorama Coloured In Remix)

A heavy new compilation from Brownswood shines a light on the independent underground in Melbourne, where a close-knit collection of artists have taken cues from soul, jazz and club culture to carve out a fresh Melbournian sound. Featuring nine different groups, many of them sharing members and studios, the record surveys the musical contours of this bubbling scene, nodding to house, broken beat, samba, p-funk and soul.

Recorded over a week at The Grove, a fabled house-cum-studio in the North Melbourne suburb of Coburg, it’s home to the record’s engineer, Nick Herrera, and two members of Hiatus Kaiyote, the city’s breakout gangster-soul dons with whom many of the record’s personnel have collaborated. Silentjay was musical director, the Rhythm Section-affiliated multi-instrumentalist and producer (who’s played with Joey Bada$$ and Flying Lotus) marshalling together the album’s different players, many of them part of influential collectives 30/70 and Mandarin Dreams.

Nurtured in the city’s collaborative, close-knit confines, the scene has been bubbling up under the radar of Australian music institutions, in the garages and makeshift studios of Melbourne’s suburban sprawl. Sunny Side Up is a colourful portrait of the scene’s potential, exploring the story behind this flourishing period and shining light on some of its most compelling figures.

STAFF COMMENTS

Millie says: Brownswood shifts its focus to creative collectives from Melbourne in Sunny Side Up, filled to the brim with Afro-beat, jazzy goodness and samba. From Allysha Joy to SilentJay, this compilation provides the relaxing chilled tones which make you want to sail away on an idyllic coastline.

TRACK LISTING

1. Phil Stroud - Banksia
2. Dufresne - Pick Up / Galaxy
3. Kuzich - There Is No Time
4. Audrey Powne - Bleeding Hearts
5. Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange - Powers 2 (The People)
6. Laneous - Nice To See You
7. Silentjay - Eternal / Internal Peace
8. Horatio Luna -The Wake-Up
9. Allysha Joy - Orbit

A beautiful swimmer is a small blue crab. The Beautiful Swimmers are Ari Goldman and Andrew Field-Pickering (AKA Max D). And you, my friend, are about to get high on the happy. They’re here to take you on a gleeful joyride around their collective musical imagination. The Swimmers are full-bore record enthusiasts you see, but whereas you might associate this with squirrelly, exclusive and crabby sorts, they are inclusive, human and warm. It’s a wide-eyed ebullient romp and the joy of discovery is one to share. And to see them DJ IS a joy - they’re having at least as much fun as anyone else in the room, locked together tight, riding the same wave.

So even when shit gets somewhat darker, the tempos higher and sounds gnarlier ("Analogous Doom") the world is never grey. When we’re stone cold Balearic in the Adriatic ("Plunky") the vibe is up, young and fun. Banging them B’more house beats? Well, you’re probably going to be recognising a welcoming RnB sample (KW Griff). We’ve also been blessed with some Swimmer’s specials in the shape of "Blow Up Girl" and "Living in a Zone". Exclusive.

Ari and Andrew have previously worked in dog and childcare respectively. If this compilation were a dog it’d be a 'rascal', if it were a kid it’d be 'spirited'. We can’t think of anyone better to be your guides, as they themselves might say, 'it’s a vibe'.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The first compilation from emergent festival / brand / record label Love International and it's a pretty cutting edge selection, highlighting the maverick and hedonistic spirit that epitomizes much of the brand's ethos. Takes me back to those raucous nights with Swimmers at Wet Play.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Plunky - Africa Sunset
A2. Harlem Gem - More Than You Can Wish
A3. Svend Undseth - Aquilla Aquela
B1. Alex Simon - Runnin’ Out Of Time (Instrumental)
B2. Mark Goddard - Tiny’s First Journey
B3. Foe - Are U Da Bomb / Blow Up Girl (Beautiful
C1. Nature Love - You Turn Me Around (Karu Mix)
C2. KW Griff - Be Ya Girl
C3. The Horn - Whiddon On Down
D1. Hieroglyphic Being Presents Analogous Doom - Living In A Zome
D2. Spirit Garden - Electra City

Floating Points’ personal collection of global soul, ambient, jazz and folk treasures form the latest in the warmly revered Late Night Tales series. 

Sam Shepherd aka Floating Points’ music taste is notoriously tricky to define, ranging from ethereal classical at one end to coruscating techno at the other, united only in a firm belief in the transcendental power of music to move hearts, minds and – yes – feet. Similarly, his production career has ranged from early experiments in dance music with breakout records such as the ‘Shadows EP’ and collaborating with legendary Gnawa master Mahmoud Guinia to his expansive album ‘Elaenia’, which met with critical acclaim upon its release in 2015. 

This Late Night Tales excursion into the depths of the evening reflects his broad tastes. The globally-travelled producer has collected untold treasures on his travels from dusty stores in Brazil to market stalls near his hometown. There’s the gorgeous ‘Via Làctea’, culled from Carlos Walker’s debut album, Abu Talib’s (Bobby Wright) plaintive ‘Blood Of An American’ and Robert Vanderbilt’s gospel reworking of Manchild’s ‘Especially For You’. Raw soul and feeling oozing from each song’s pores. 

At the other end of the music scale are the modernists, such as Québécoise Kara-Lis Coverdale who weighs in with the indelible ‘Moments In Love’, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith whose ‘Milk’ is an exercise in tranquility, while Sarah Davachi’s meditative mix-opener offers respite from a weary world. 

We have some exclusive tracks for Late Night Tales; alongside Davachi’s offerings there is also Toshimaru Nakamura’s ‘Nimb #59’, as well as the now traditional cover version. hepherd delved into his childhood memory for this one, a track taken from the first album his parents bought him, Kenny Wheeler’s ‘Music For Large & Small Ensembles’: Sam offers up his interpretation of ‘Opening Part 1’. Wheeler also contributes horns to Azimuth track The Tunnel, written and performed by Norma Winstone and John Taylor who, coincidentally, are the parents of Floating Points’ drummer Leo Taylor. Closing the album, Lauren Laverne reads the suitably nocturnal poem ‘Ah! Why, Because The Dazzling Sun’ by Emily Brontë. 

“I tried to find music that reflects the stillness of night. And because my musical interests lie all over the place, it’s quite difficult to distil that notion down to just a few songs. I was quite keen to have some electronic music in there but I also really wanted to have some soul music mixed in, so I had to try and find a pathway between all of this different music.” - Sam Shepherd (Floating Points) March 2019

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Classically trained musical genius, production whizz and record obsessive Floating Points helms this edition of the long running series, and it's just as good as you'd hope! Electronic lullabies, rare soul, Brazilian funk and modern classical, all brought together into a truly nocturnal journey. It nearly had Matt Ward in tears on release date - it's that good.

TRACK LISTING

1. Sarah Davachi – Untitled, Live In Portland (Excerpt) (Exclusive Track)
2. Carlos Walker - Via Láctea
3. The Rationals – Glowin’
4. William S. Fischer – Chains
5. Max Roach - Equipoise
6. Abu Talib (Bobby Wright) - Blood Of An American
7. Sweet & Innocent - Express Your Love
8. Robert Vanderbilt & The Foundation Of Souls - A Message Especially From God
9. The Defaulters - Gentle Man
10. Alain Bellaïche – Sun Blues
11. Alain Bellaïche - Sea Fluorescent
12. Kara-Lis Coverdale – Moments In Love (Excerpt)
13. Azimuth – The Tunnel
14. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – Milk (Excerpt)
15. Toshimaru Nakamura – Nimb#59 (Exclusive Track)
16. Floating Points – The Sweet Time Suite, Part I - Opening (Exclusive Kenny Wheeler Cover Version)
17. Lauren Laverne - Ah! Why, Because The Dazzling Sun (Exclusive Spoken Word Piece)

In celebration of the fifth anniversary of his Mercury Rising residency at Pikes Ibiza and loving memory of the legendary Tony Pike, Harvey has put together a second collection of music inspired by and that represents the party. Never Mind the Balearics Here’s DJ Harveys Mercury Rising volume II.
Blending the classic and the cutting edge like the superstar he is, Harvey switches from the chugging Balearic house of Music For Dreams signings Rheinzand to an instrumental of Mandy Smith's primo pop pick "I Just Can't Wait". Elsewhere we get recent and decent jams from Mildlife, Das Komplex, Nu Guinea, Mildlife and Hugh Mane as well as disco delight "Dance, Dance, Dance" by Marta Acuna, boogie bomb "It's You I Love" by Pamela Nivens and Mr Marvin's Italo-house anthem "Entity".

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Balearic badboy, surf idol and all round pin up DJ Harvey hits us with a second selection of Mercury Rising bangers, assembled in loving memory of the late great Tony Pikes. Finding an equal balance between recent winners and all time classics, Harvey does disco, house, street soul and jazz funk in his distinctive Balearic style.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Rheinzand - Mr Mercury
A2. Mandy Smith - I Just Can't Wait (Instrumental)
A3. Marta Acuna - Dance, Dance, Dance (Disco Version)
B1. System Olympia - Close To My Nebula
B2. Mildlife - Magnificent Moon
B3. Das Komplex - Slap
C1. Nu Guinea - Je Vulesse
C2. Forgotten Corner & Khidja - Tatooine Moons (Original Mix)
C3. Pamela Nivens - It's You I Love (Instrumental Mix)
D1. Hugh Mane - Real Sucker For Your Love
D2. Switchdance - Arabian Ride
D3. Mr Marvin - Entity (Jazzy Mix)

Light In The Attic’s Japan Archival Series continues with Kankyō Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music 1980-1990, an unprecedented overview of the country’s vital minimal, ambient, avant-garde, and New Age music – what can collectively be described as kankyō ongaku, or environmental music. The collection features internationally acclaimed artists such as Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Joe Hisaishi, as well as other pioneers like Hiroshi Yoshimura, Yoshio Ojima and Satoshi Ashikawa, who deserve a place alongside the indisputable giants of these genres.

In the 1970s, the concepts of Brian Eno’s “ambient” and Erik Satie’s “furniture music” began to take hold in the minds of artists and musicians around Tokyo. Emerging fields like soundscape design and architectural acoustics opened up new ways in which sound and music could be consumed. For artists like Yoshimura, Ojima and Ashikawa, these ideas became the foundation for their musical works, which were heard not only on records and in live performances, but also within public and private spaces where they intermingled with the sounds and environments of everyday life. The bubble economy of 1980s Japan also had a hand in the advancement of kankyō ongaku. In an attempt to cultivate an image of sophisticated lifestyle, corporations with expendable income bankrolled various art and music initiatives, which opened up new and unorthodox ways in which artists could integrate their avant-garde musical forms into everyday life: in-store music for Muji, promo LP for a Sanyo AC unit, a Seiko watch advert, among others that can be heard in this collection.

Kankyō Ongaku is expertly compiled by Spencer Doran (Visible Cloaks) who, with a series of revelatory mixtapes as well as his label Empire of Signs (Music For Nine Postcards), has been instrumental in shepherding interest in this music outside of Japan. Together with Light In The Attic’s celebrated anthologies I Am The Center and The Microcosm, Kankyō Ongaku helps to broaden our understanding of this quietly profound music, regardless of the environment in which it’s heard.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Now, while the Japanese ambient revival has been going on for some years (check out essential reissues on Palto Flats, WRWTFWW, 17853) Light In The Attic steal a march on their competitors with this sublime compilation of obscurities from the Land of the Rising Sun. Wonderfully packaged, presented and curated, "Kankyo Ongaku" is a fitting companion to "I Am The Center" and the "Microcosm", exploring the New Age and ambient sounds of 80s Japan. Minimal, relaxing and utterly beautiful, this music is almost heavenly.

TRACK LISTING

Still Space - Satoshi Ashikawa
Glass Chattering - Yoshio Ojima
Nemureru Yoru (Karaoke Version) - Hideki Matsutake
Islander - Joe Hisaishi
Ear Dreamin' - Yoshiaki Ochi
Variation III - Masashi Kitamura + Phonogenix
Park - Interior
Nube - Yoichiro Yoshikawa
Meet Me In The Sheep Meadow - Yoshio Suzuki
Ishiura (abridged) - Toshi Tsuchitori
Tomoshibi (abridged) - Shiho Yabuki
Chaconne - Toshifumi Hinata
Seiko 3 - Yasuaki Shimizu
Apple Star - Inoyama Land
Blink - Hiroshi Yoshimura
See The Light (abridged) - Fumio Miyashita
Praying For Mother / Earth Part 1 - Akira Ito
Breathing New Life - Jun Fukamachi
Snow - Takashi Toyoda
Loom - Yellow Magic Orchestra
A Dream Sails Out To Sea - Scene 3 - Takashi Kokubo
Umi No Sunatsubu - Masahiro Sugaya
Original BGM - Haruomi Hosono
Nagareru - Ayuo Takahashi (LP Only)
Dolphins - Ryuichi Sakamoto (LP Only)

The soundtrack for Quentin Tarantino’s heavily anticipated music-laden film Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.

Personally curated by Tarantino himself, the soundtrack is a love letter to the music of 1960s-era Hollywood. The Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood soundtrack features over 20 standout tracks from artists such as Paul Revere & The Raiders, Deep Purple, and Neil Diamond, as well as vintage radio advertisements, creating a true time capsule of a golden era of filmmaking.

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age. Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino. Produced by David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh and Quentin Tarantino. Georgia Kacandes, YU Dong and Jeffrey Chan serve as executive producers. The film also stars Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate plus Al Pacino, Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Lena Dunham, and more.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: It's always a highlight seeing what soundtrack Tarantino has chosen for his films, and 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' continues the trend with a perfect selection. Evocative of Hollywood's golden era, and ram-packed with musical gems, this is a classic soundtrack to a brilliant film.

TRACK LISTING

1. Treat Her Right - Roy Head & The Traits
2. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man - The Bob Seger System
Boss Radio Feat. Humble Harve:
3. Hush - Deep Purple
4. Mug Root Beer Advertisement
5. Hector - The Village Callers
6. Son Of A Lovin’ Man - Buchanan Brothers
7. Paxton Quigley’s Had The Course (from The MGM Film Three In The Attic) - Chad & Jeremy
8. Tanya Tanning Butter Advertisement
9. Good Thing - Paul Revere & The Raiders
10. Hungry - Paul Revere & The Raiders
11. Choo Choo Train - The Box Tops
12. Jenny Take A Ride - Mitch Ryder And The Detroit Wheels
13. Kentucky Woman - Deep Purple
14. The Circle Game - Buffy Sainte-Marie
Boss Radio Feat. The Real Don Steele:
15. Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel
16. Numero Uno Advertisement
17. Bring A Little Lovin’ - Los Bravos
18. Suddenly / Heaven Sent Advertisement
19. Vagabond High School Reunion
20. KHJ Los Angeles Weather Report
21. The Illustrated Man Advertisement / Ready For Action
22. Hey Little Girl - Dee Clark
23. Summer Blonde Advertisement
24. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show - Neil Diamond
25. Don’t Chase Me Around (from The MGM Film GAS-S-S-S) - Robert Corff
26. Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon - Paul Revere & The Raiders (feat. Mark Lindsay)
27. California Dreamin’ - Jose Feliciano
28. Dinamite Jim (English Version) - I Cantori Moderni Di Alessandroni
29. You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Quentin Tarantino Edit) - Vanilla Fudge
30. Miss Lily Langtry (cue From The Life And Times Of Judge Roy Bean) - Maurice Jarre
31. KHJ Batman Promotion

Following 2018’s acclaimed "Jazz On The Corner" compilation, 2019 sees Martin Freeman team up with Acid Jazz’s renowned head honcho Eddie Piller once more, to present a veritable and personal collection of tracks. Compiled from the pair’s personal favourites, be it hearing on the radio, word of mouth or out DJ'ing - "Soul On The Corner" represents the entire gamut of soul from the sixties and seventies right up to the present as illustrated by the likes of Tommy McGhee and the Acid Jazz recent signee Laville.

Opening with the inimitable Bobby Womack and "How Could You Break My Heart", as Piller explains; 'I never tire of hearing this record and have used regularly to close my DJ set, it’s a real hands-in-the-air moment.' Further cuts from the renowned and less well-known seamlessly complement each other - the smooth sultry jam of Laville’s "Thirty One" or the superbly nuanced slice of progressive soul in the shape of Sergio Mendes & Brasil 77’s "Love Music". Piller’s selection transcends the rock / soul divide with "Never Gonna Give You Up" from former Impression Jerry Butler, adding: 'I plumped for this because I recalled the incredible response from The Black Keys’ version that I aired on the BBC’s Funk and Soul show.'

No less varied is the choice of soul fan Martin Freeman, opening with the vintage ’68 soul with a twist of something rockier, Barbara Acklin’s "A Raggedy Ride" that he professes; 'is an unexpected gem that’s been a favourite of mine for forever.' Other picks arrive in the form of Georgie Fam’s cover of Bobby Womack’s "Daylight" that has Freeman enthusing; 'the original is a beaut. This is better.' Further inclusions come from The Supremes and The Wisdom Of Time, representing the mid-nineties contemporary soul scene is Lewis Taylor with "Lucky" that as Freeman asserts is; 'an epic tune.' Meanwhile, taken from their first self-titled album Earth, Wind & Fire’s "Fan The Fire" epitomizes the innovative nature of one of the most successful acts of all time and adds Freeman; 'this is a funky-as-hell cry for peace and love. Good lord, they were SO good.'

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: After hitting us with a choice selection of jazz cuts last year, deep digger, class actor and snappy dresser Martin Freeman and Acid Jazz head honcho Eddie Piller return with a collection of sweet modern soul sounds.

TRACK LISTING

CD:

Bobby Womack – How Could You Break My Heart
Willie Hutch – Lucky To Be Loved By You
Tommy McGee – Now That I Have You
Leroy Hutson – Positive Forces
Laville – Thirty One
Sergio Mendes & Brasil 77” – Love Music
Pamoja – Oooh Baby
Hot Chocolate – Brother Louie
Goodie – You & I
Patsy Gallant – It’ll All Come Around
Arnold Blair – Finally Made It Home
The Reverend T.L Barrett And The Youth For Christ Choir – Like A Ship (Without A Sail)
Honey Cone – If I Can’t Fly
Bobby Jukes – Just To Be With You
The Modulations – Can’t Fight Your Love
Jerry Butler – Never Give You Up
Barbara Acklin – A Raggedy Ride
Georgie Fame – Daylight
Major Lance – I Just Can’t Help It
Earth, Wind & Fire – Fan The Fire
Lewis Taylor – Lucky
Wayne Davis – I Like The Things About Me That I Once Despised
The Supremes – The Wisdom Of Time
Donny Hathaway – Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)
Mille Jackson – It Hurts So Good
Syreeta – I’m Going Left
Curtis Mayfield– Miss Black America
Tower Of Power – Don’t Change Horses (In The Middle Of A Stream)
Brook Benton – Shoes
Tommie Young – Hit And Run Lover
Betty Wright – The Babysitter

LP:

Side A – Eddie Piller
Bobby Womack – How Could You Break My Heart
Willie Hutch – Lucky To Be Loved By You
Tommy McGee – Now That I Have You
Laville – Thirty One
Sergio Mendes & Brasil 77” – Love Music
Pamoja – Oooh Baby

Side B – Eddie Piller
Goodie – You & I
Patsy Gallant – It’ll All Come Around
Arnold Blair – Finally Made It Home
The Reverend T.L Barrett And The Youth For Christ Choir – Like A Ship (Without A Sail)
Bobby Jukes – Just To Be With You
Jerry Butler – Never Give You Up

Side C – Martin Freeman
Barbara Acklin – A Raggedy Ride
Georgie Fame – Daylight
Earth, Wind & Fire – Fan The Fire
Lewis Taylor – Lucky
Wayne Davis – I Like The Things About Me That I Once Despised

Side D – Martin Freeman
Donny Hathaway – Voices Inside (Everything Is Everything)
Syreeta – I’m Going Left
Curtis Mayfield– Miss Black America
Tower Of Power – Don’t Change Horses (In The Middle Of A Stream)
Brook Benton – Shoes
Tommie Young – Hit And Run Lover
Betty Wright – The Babysitter

Bonobo is an artist who explores elements of instrumental hip-hop, electronica and ambient with live instrumentation and enjoys an illustrious career with a sea of collaborators ranging from Erykah Badu and Andreya Triana to Rhye and Nick Murphy.

His highly textural aesthetic translates into an ethos that looks to introduce a more open musical palette without losing sight of its past. His mix supports 10 exclusives or unreleased tracks, including 2 from himself and another from his rare pop-up alias Barakas. Employing the multi-instrumental arrangements of his own work in this 74 minutes of house, techno, electronica and breakbeat, each track exudes character and allows animated melodies to wander and develop, all the while grounded by an acute sense of harmonic progression and rhythmic precision.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Featuring a diverse range of artists and genres, it becomes clear where the mix of instrumental hip-hop, traditional electronica and house meet in the euphoric middle-ground Bonobo treads. A superb compilation and a fascinating timeline of Bonobo's considerable influences with the dance floor as the focus.

TRACK LISTING

CD:
1 Bonobo - Flicker
2 Bonobo - Boston Common
3 Poté - Jacquot (Waters Of Praslin)
4 Alex Kassian - Hidden Tropics
5 Âme - Nia
6 Durante - Maia
7 Dark Sky & Afriquoi - Cold Harbour
8 Bonobo - Ibrik
9 Olsen - Femenine
10 O’Flynn - TKOTN
11 TSHA - Sacred
12 Will Saul - By Your Side
13 Titeknots - Buzzard Walk
14 Dan Kye - Focus
15 Barakas - Roach
16 R. Lyle - Perpetrator
17 Rhone - Mirapolis (Laurent Garnier Remix)
18 Throwing Snow - Rheged
19 Nepa Allstar - The Way
20 DJ Seinfeld - Stargard
21 Earth Trax & Newborn JR Ft. Annjet - If You (Club Mix)
22 John Beltran - Collage Of Dreams

LP:
A1. Bonobo - Flicker
A2. Poté - Jacquot (Waters Of Praslin)
A3. Durante - Maia
A4. Dan Kye - Focus
B1. Dark Sky & Afriquoi - Cold Harbour
B2. Bonobo - Ibrik
B3. Olsen - Femenine
C1. TSHA - Sacred
C2. R. Lyle - Perpetrator
C3. Throwing Snow - Rheged
C4. DJ Seinfeld - Stargard
D1. Nepa Allstar - The Way
D2. Bonobo - Boston Common
D3. Âme - Nia
D4. O’Flynn - TKOTN

The iconic compilation series "Back to Mine" returns in 2019, to mark its 20th anniversary, with the indomitable Nightmares on Wax, to share his personal collection of music for after hours grooving. The series was renowned for its eclectic selection and selectors which includes some of the biggest names in electronic and pop music, from the likes of Faithless to Pet Shop Boys, Groove Armada to New Order.

The collection includes three exclusive tracks, one new track from Nightmares on Wax, along with a remix from the man himself of seminal band Fat Freddy’s Drop and brand new project Creative Principle. The album is impeccably mixed and blended, as you’d expect from a DJ and collector of George’s pedigree. His selection includes a strong representation from his roots in Northern England. Opening with respected Manchester soul duo Children of Zeus, Hull’s Steve Cobby provides his own "Lefthanded Books" featuring Crazy P’s Danielle Moore and also introduces his chuggy-disco project Chieftain. There’s also room for the recent Nightmares on Wax recent single "Look Up". Moving internationally; there’s Greek producer Dim Zach who doffs a cap to Imagination on the synth-heavy "Innocence", US-born / Colombian based Afro / Latin / disco / funk producer Bosq, Italy’s Massimo Vanoni with the slo-mo funk "Exciting Groove", the deep and jazzy "Gotta Have It" by Berlin’s SoulPhiction side project SBM and two tracks by New Zealander Ladi6.

This first re-installment of "Back to Mine" is a triumphant return for the iconic and music loved series. Nightmares on Wax delivers an incredible selection of tracks that gives the listener a real insight into the artists personal and extensive taste. 'I always hoped that when the time was right I would be asked to do a Back To Mine release and so when the call came there was absolutely no hesitation'. - Nightmares on Wax.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: The iconic album series Back to Mine returns in 2019, to mark it’s 20th anniversary, inviting the indomitable Nightmares on Wax to share his personal collection of music for after hours grooving. Dig in for Piccadilly faves Children Of Zeus and Steve Cobby along many other jamz!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Children Of Zeus - Fear Of A Flat Planet (feat. LayFullStop)
A2. Ladi6 - Ikarus
A3. Creative Principle - Caught In The Middle
A4. Bosq Ft. Induce - Step Into Midnight (Disco Stepper)
B1. Massimo Vanoni - Exciting Groove
B2. Nightmares On Wax - Good Ship (Feat. Steve Spacek)
B3. Dim Zach - Innocence
B4. Ladi6 - Royal Blue (Silent Jay, Sensible J And Leigh Fisher Remix)
C1. Chieftain - Out Of My Life (Instrumental)
C2. Steve Cobby - Lefthanded Books Feat. Danielle Moore
C3. Soulphiction Presents SBM - Gotta Have It
D2. Nightmares On Wax - Look Up (Feat. Andrew Ashong & Sadie Walker)
D3. Fat Freddy’s Drop - Russia (Nightmares On Wax Remix)

Ann Arbor Blues Festival 1969, is a 50th anniversary celebration collecting previously unheard songs by such blues legends as Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, James Cotton, Son House, Magic Sam, T-Bone Walker, Junior Wells, Big Mama Thornton, Clifton Chenier, Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Lightnin’ Hopkins, J. B. Hutto & His Hawks, Roosevelt Sykes, Luther Allison, Otis Rush, Big Joe Williams, Charlie Musselwhite and more. 

The historic gathering was presented by a small group of blues-obsessed University of Michigan students determined to give their blues heroes a public spotlight where they might shine before it was too late. Among those enterprising student-promoters was John Fishel, whose teenage brother Jim Fishel, gathered some friends to help record the festival as a personal memento. Taking advantage of their all-access pass and juggling a small Norelco tape recorder from set to set, the friends let the 1⁄4” tape roll. Though field recordings in the literal sense of the term, they capture the brilliance of the musicians, the excitement of the crowd and the loose, convivial nature of the entire festival. Those tapes, long thought to be lost, have now been lovingly restored to capture the electric energy of the landmark concert. Both volumes include never-before-seen photographs, an exclusive reminiscence from Jim Fishel, and extensive liner notes by Parker Fishel, Sophie Abramowitz and David Beal.

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: Released on Jack White’s Third Man label, this is a 50th anniversary documentation of the historic and legendary blues festival. Sprawling across a double CD and two volumes of vinyl this epic compilation features previously unheard material from the likes of Muddy Waters, Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Lightnin’ Hopkins and many many more.

TRACK LISTING

LP1 Tracklisting
1 Dirty Mother For You – Roosevelt Sykes
2 So Glad You’re Mine – Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
3 Too Much Alcohol – J.B. Hutto & His Hawks
4 I Wonder Why – Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins
5 Help Me (A Tribute To Sonny Boy Williamson) – Junior Wells
6 I’ve Got A Mind To Give Up Living – B.B. King With Sonny Freeman And The Unusuals
7 John Henry – Mississippi Fred McDowell
8 Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie – Pinetop Perkins
9 Introduction – Big Bill Hill
10 Everybody Must Suffer/Stone Crazy – Luther Allison And The Blue Nebulae
11 Tu M’as Promis L’amour (You Promised Me Love) – Clifton Chenier
12 Hard Luck – The Original Howlin’ Wolf And His Orchestra
13 So Many Roads, So Many Trains – Otis Rush

LP2 Tracklisting
1 Long Distance Call – Muddy Waters
2 Movin’ And Groovin’ – Charlie Musselwhite
3 I Feel So Good (I Wanna Boogie) – Magic Sam
4 Jelly Jelly Blues – Shirley Griffith
5 Mojo Boogie – Big Mojo Elem
6 Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad) – T-Bone Walker
7 Announcements – Big Bill Hill
8 Ball And Chain – Big Mama Thornton And The Hound Doggers
9 Juanita – Big Joe Williams
10 Key To The Highway – Sam Lay
11 Mojo Hand – Lightnin’ Hopkins
12 Off The Wall – James Cotton Blues Band
13 Death Letter Blues – Son House

2CD Tracklisting
ANN ARBOR BLUES FESTIVAL 1969 - VOL. 1
1 Dirty Mother For You – Roosevelt Sykes
2 So Glad You’re Mine – Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
3 Too Much Alcohol – J.B. Hutto & His Hawks
4 I Wonder Why – Jimmy “Fast Fingers” Dawkins
5 Help Me (A Tribute To Sonny Boy Williamson) – Junior Wells
6 I’ve Got A Mind To Give Up Living – B.B. King With Sonny Freeman And The Unusuals
7 John Henry – Mississippi Fred McDowell
8 Everybody Must Suffer/Stone Crazy – Luther Allison And The Blue Nebulae
9 Tu M’as Promis L’amour (You Promised Me Love) – Clifton Chenier
10 Hard Luck – The Original Howlin’ Wolf And His Orchestra
11 So Many Roads, So Many Trains – Otis Rush

ANN ARBOR BLUES FESTIVAL 1969 - VOL. 2
1 Long Distance Call – Muddy Waters
2 Movin’ And Groovin’ – Charlie Musselwhite
3 I Feel So Good (I Wanna Boogie) – Magic Sam
4 Jelly Jelly Blues – Shirley Griffith
5 Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday Is Just As Bad) – T-Bone Walker
6 Ball And Chain – Big Mama Thornton And The Hound Doggers
7 Juanita – Big Joe Williams
8 Key To The Highway – Sam Lay
9 Mojo Hand – Lightnin’ Hopkins
11 Off The Wall – James Cotton Blues Band
12 Death Letter Blues – Son House

From the team that put together the acclaimed Running The Voodoo Down sets comes a carefully assembled celebration of the counter culture - from ALLEN GINSBERG and THE GRATEFUL DEAD to BRIGITTE FONTAINE, GONG and WITTHÜSTER & WESTRUPP.

A compilation for the heads, not a playlist.

“This is a journey … into Sound” ….

..…a different maverick sound one million light years from either the classic rock of the late 60s West Coast, the psychedelic pop of the UK, the primal shriek of the Vietnam soundtrack, or the wah wah powered protest of Blaxploitation. This is a journey into a new scene “THE ALTERNATIVE OF THE ALTERNATIVE”. This music is too abstract for the soldiers, and too square for the Panthers. This is a journey into the sound of the Freak Left and into an early DIY, powered by acid and humour, that is in many ways a true precursor of punk rock. It’s a journey into a cosmic mash up of folk, country, busking, comedy, music hall, raga percussion, chanting and the occasional spiked acid guitar solo. Music created communally and without commercial expectation over bottle after bottle of LSD laced soft drinks and free trips! But as much as it’s a journey into an alternative sound, it’s a journey into a different world .. the world of the Heads, the Freaks and Humbeads’ Map, a map created in a Berkeley coffee house and reworking the world to connect up the “Turned On” universe – a 5 boroughs type world dominated by a huge San Francisco & Berkeley and embracing New York, Cambridge, and LA and by implicit extension “hip” outposts in London, Paris, Berlin, Sydney and Sao Paulo.

Ten years after it had started the counterculture seemed almost done – washed away in a tide of punk rock nihilism, and economic hardship.

These artists represent something else, and something else important. Ideas of self made, of freedom and of protest through provocation live across these grooves. It’s time to give them a place in the pantheon and respect what they tried to achieve, because they did achieve change. The world we live in today is different and the Rainbow coalition is a valid and vibrant political force – it is the wave that gave us Obama and hope. And maybe the one that will bring further change in the future. “Sticking it to the man” was a state of mind and an ideal. Maybe we can give it a small voice again.

STAFF COMMENTS

Darryl says: Curated by the team that brought us 2018’s ‘Running The Voodoo Down’, this compilation charts the original counter-culture. A journey through the acid laced and cosmically mashed-up world of the Heads and the Freaks, from Timothy Leary and Allen Ginsberg to Hawkwind, Grateful Dead and Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Footnote To Howl - Allen Ginsberg
A2. That’s It For The Other One (Pts. I-IV) - The Grateful Dead
A3. Fly - The Fool
A4. Music For The Head Ballet - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band
B1. Earth - Third Ear Band
B2. Le Goudron - Brigitte Fontaine
B3. Way Back In The 1960s - The Incredible String Band
B4. Nimm Einen Joint Mein Freund - Witthüster & Westrupp
C1. Fohat Digs Holes In Space - Gong
C2. A Mind Blown Is A Mind Shown - Hapshash & The Coloured Coat
C3. Be Yourself - Hawkwind
C4. Why -Yoko Ono
D1. Up Against The Wall - David Peel And The Lower East Side
D2. The STP Song - The Holy Modal Rounders
D3. The Fish Cheer & I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag - Country Joe & The Fish
D4. That Cat Is High - Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band
D5. Part II: One Final Word - Timothy Leary
D6. Exorcising The Evil Spirits From The Pentagon October 21, 1967 - The Fugs

The ever-popular "Under The Influence" series continues in earnest. Following on from Red Greg, Paul Phillips, James Glass, Nick The Record, Sean P and Faze Action (phew!), it’s now the turn of one of the scenes most prolific but yet unknown collectors, Winston.

Outside of the established record collectors Winston is pretty much unknown but those that know of him will tell you that despite his low profile he has one of the best record collections around.

Sean P remembers his first trip to Winston’s house in the sleeve notes: 'When I visited his house for the first time, I felt like a beginner - my expectations were far exceeded by the neat rows and piles of 12"s and L.Ps everywhere; and I had brought along a foolscap notebook which after eight hours or so, expanded my wants list considerably. I thumbed through hundreds of weird and mysterious independent and major label releases. Winston played whatever I was interested in hearing, occasionally spinning random 7"s ("Space Funk" by Manzel, for example) and various LP cuts of his choice. I had perused around half of the collection by the time I left, but I'll never forget that kid-in-a-toyshop feeling, along with the realisation of Winston's buddha-like status as a master of this arcane pastime.'

Sean continues: 'Winston is still doing the 'rounds weekly; and since the Hammersmith Black Music Record events of the mid-'80s, he's missed few record fairs, if any - trading with dealers & fellow collectors and parting with cash when necessary. Surprisingly, he has no truck with the internet – somewhat curious to the rest of us who now can't imagine life without it. And as a man with no online presence, knowledge of Winston's existence is restricted to the real world. Some justification, perhaps, for giving this fervent ambassador of all things boogie an opportunity to share some of his favourites beyond those in the know.

So for Volume Seven of the Under The Influence series Winston has included tracks taking in soul, funk, disco & boogie with many of the tracks costing hundreds if you were able to find the originals.'

As always with ZR compilations a lot of time and effort has been spent on creating these masters from the original vinyl, cleaning them up, removing all the clicks and pops resulting in the cleanest sounding copy possible.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: If boogie, disco and soul are your bio-fuel, then this should have you up and running in no time at all. Impeccable selection of hits, all legit and licensed - if you were to attempt to seek these tracks out individually it'd take thousands of pounds and hours! Winston does the leg work...

TRACK LISTING

CD One
1. Mary Gold - Dancing
2. Doug Payne & Polygon - Holiday
3. Bollyn Thompson - Build Your Foundation
4. Betty Padgett - Sugar Daddy (Part One & Two)
5. Bilalian Creation - Save The Children
6. Expose - I Just Wanna Dance With You
7. Lord Of Storm - I'm Human
8. Jungle Band - Jungleland (Part Two)
9. RG's All Nite Funk Band - Go For It Sucker
10. T.T. Sotto - Chorus Line
11. Bramsam - Get Up And Dance Now

CD Two
Jonnie Vibes Lambert - Can't Stop Dancin'
Synergy Feat. Donnell Pitman - More People Than Me
Al ''Man'' Muntzie And The Embraceables - We Are Steady Rockin'
Are & Be - If There Is No Struggle (Long Version)
Juice - Mercy On Me
The G.T.’s - Let's Do It Together
Eklips - My Love
Ms. Victoria Barnes - Never Too Late (Disco Version)
The Olympics - Do You Like It
Suave - Salsa Gon Gitcha
The Rappers - Funky Juice (Part One)

Double LP
A1. Synergy Feat. Donnell Pitman - More People Than Me
A2. Betty Padgett - Sugar Daddy (Part One & Two)
A3. Bollyn Thompson - Build Your Foundation
B1. Are & Be - If There Is No Struggle (Long Version)
B2. Bramsam - Get Up And Dance Now
B3. Lord Of Storm - I'm Human
C1. Jonnie Vibes Lambert - Can't Stop Dancin'
C2. The Olympics - Do You Like It
C3. The G.T.’s - Let's Do It Together
D1. Mary Gold - Dancing
D2. Al ''Man'' Muntzie And The Embraceables - We Are Steady Rockin'

The Time For Peace Is Now compiles fourteen songs that, while recorded over four decades ago, speak now more than ever.

The tracks are a subset of 1970s-era gospel, not directly talking about Jesus or God, but instead tackling how we live with ourselves and each other.

These are undeniably soulful, passionate, and urgent songs from obscure 45s, dug up from a long dormancy in attics, sheds and rated across the American south. Compiled by Gospel guru Greg Belson.

“The Gospel bands heard on The Time For Peace Is Now were comprised of musicians who played both church and secular music. The church borrowed—or rather commandeered—the guitar, bass, drums, and other instruments used to backup Motown, Stax, and other popular labels—to give power to the songs they supported. Musicians who sang at ‘the club’ on Saturday night were often leading solos or singing in the choir on Sunday mornings. Saturday night and Sunday morning music began to interweave, which was especially felt when the church choirs sang Gospel. It was Gospel’s influence that made Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, and many others the voice of the 1960s and 1970s. Gospel was the soul of America. This album is reflective of the dichotomy of the sacred and the secular. The music here is in some sense the same as the music of the club. “Keep Your Faith To The Sky” could have you singing “Keep Your Head To The Sky” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Listening to “It’s Hard To Live In This Old World” and “That’s A Sign Of The Times” imbues the pessimistic/realistic sense of what was happening. Like many Blues songs, the problem must first be named before it can be solved. At the end of The Time For Peace Is Now, hope is still present. The problem is named in the beginning and a possible solution is presented. -Pastor Keith L. Whitney

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Luaka Bop's latest compilation lifts the lid on the peculiar 70s fusion of funk, soul and gospel, with a singular focus on the songs about us - not Him. If you're hankering for some humanist grooves, look no further.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Time For Peace - The Little Shadows
A2. It’s Hard To Live In This Old World - Rev. Harvey Gates
A3. That’s A Sign Of The Times - The Floyd Family Singers
A4. Keep Your Faith To The Sky - Willie Scott & The Birmingham Spirituals
A5. We We Are In Need - James Bynum
A6. Condition The World Is In - The Religious Souls
B1. We Don’t Love Enough - The Triumphs
B2. Peace In The Land - The Gospel I.Q.’s
B3. I’m Trying To Be Your Friend - The Soul Stirrers
B4. We Got A Race To Run - Staples Jr. Singers
B5. Let Your Light Shine - Willie Dale
B6. Price Of Love - Rev. Harvey Gates
B7. Sunshine After Every Rain - The Mighty Reverlaires
B8. Don’t Give Up - The William Singers

Following the sell-out success of our landmark compilation, J-Jazz: deep modern jazz from Japan 1969-1984, BBE Music is thrilled to present another exploration into the very finest Japanese modern jazz. J-Jazz 2 builds on the solid foundation of the first compilation and sees co-compilers Tony Higgins and Mike Peden once again pick choice sections from their own record collections.

They present a deep dive into an intoxicating and beguiling range of styles: from cinematic roaring big-band (Little G by Nobuo Hara) and sparse minimal acoustic funk (Teru-Teru Bozo by Teru Sakamoto), to deep spiritual modal epics (Dragon Dance by Makoto Terashita and Harold Land) and funk fusion (Mother of the Future by Electro Keyboard Orchestra).

J-Jazz 2 delivers more astonishing high quality jazz that will appeal the old school hard-core jazz head as much as those digging the current sounds of the current vibrant jazz explosion in the UK and USA. The specially chosen tracks on J-Jazz volume two span across 25 years of Japanese musical progression and invention. From the elegiac stark beauty of Serenade to a Dimly Lit Street and the modal vortex of Daguri, to the fierce post-bop freedom of Bull Trout and the mid-tempo bossa lilt of Vietnam, there is enough here to satisfy the most curious and demanding jazz fan seeking something extra special.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: After scoring a sell out success with the first volume, BBE revisit the treasure trove of Japanese jazz for another killer compilation of wild cuts and diverse rarities. This is a set so deep that the listener is a cat, whiskey and coffee away from turning into a Murakami protagonist...

TRACK LISTING

A1. Makoto Terashita Meets Harold Land - Dragon Dance
A2. Kohsuke Mine Quinte - Daguri
B1. Mabumi Yamaguchi Quartet - Distant Thunder
B2. Hideto Sasaki & Toshiyuki Sekine QuarteT + 1 - Stop Over
C1. Miyasaka + 5 - Animals Garden
C2. George Kawaguchi Big Four - Vietnam
C3. Hiroshi Matsumoto & Hideo Ishikawa Quartet - Serenade To A Dimly Lit Street
D1. Electro Keyboard Orchestra - Mother Of The Future
D2. Teru Sakamoto Trio - Teru-Teru Bozu (Black Keys)
D3. Toshiyuki Miyama & The New Herd - Fallout (with Masahiko Sato)
E1. Makoto Terashita - Dai Hosaku (Great Harvest)
E2. Takashi Miyasaka Quintet - Straight Road
F1. Nobuo Hara & His Sharps & Flats Orchestra - Little Giant
F2. Akira Miyazawa - Brown Trout