The Stones' 1967 concession to psychedelia. Mick, Keith, Brian et all wander into the unknown and come back with insane arrangements, unsettling dark patches and classic tracks in the likes of 'She's a Rainbow' and '2000 Light Years from Home'.

A power combo of funk heavyweights, see’s the legendary Kool and the Gang paired up with the Jamiroquai front man.

Taken from a live performance of killer track, “Hollywood Swingin” featuring guest vocalist Jay Kay, has now been reworked by duo Matt Early & Lee Jeffries the result is a track that pays homage to the original while injecting new energy and groove, making it perfect for both longtime fans and newcomers to enjoy on the dance floor.

Limited Vinyl Release Act Fast!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Hollywood Swingin Disco Dust Mix
B1. Hollywood Swingin After Party Mix

A lyricist, lawyer and a Londoner, legendary MC Essa has earned praise over the years from artists such as Nas and Mark Ronson, as well as performing and recording with legends like De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, Slum Village and Pharoahe Monch.

This 15-track album is considered one of the greats to emerge during UK Hip Hop's "golden era"; a vibrant time for the genre when artists such as Ty, Jehst, Roots Manuva, Klashnekoff, Skinnyman, Task Force, Doc Brown and Foreign Beggars were garnering huge fanbases, and an eco-system of shops like Deal Real, club nights like Kung Fu, labels like Lowlife, and stations like Itch FM were prevalent, while BBC 1Xtra was a mere infant.

'The Essance' includes production and features from luminaries such as Harry Love, Mr Thing, Lewis Parker, Kyza, Devise & Ben Grymm, to name a few.

Esteemed author Musa Okwonga says on the reissue liner notes "the most startling thing about 'The Essance' was its range. Yungun (Essa) was one of the few MCs who could perfectly walk the paths of hope and melancholy with equal ease, whose artist name belied the wisdom of his lyrics. Beyond that, his delivery was supremely self-assured, filled with a swagger he could always justify.

Yungun's gifts also extended to the stage, where he was one of the best young actors that many of his contemporaries had seen, and to languages, which saw him writing and rhyming in Spanish with a notable flourish. He was also someone who constantly walked between two worlds, excelling in one of the country's most competitive academic environments during the day and then delivering a soaring radio set by night. Raised in a vibrant vein of North London, endlessly curious about the world around him, Yungun's fine ear for music and passion for the variety of life made him someone who could reach all audiences.

'The Essance' is a beautifully-woven meditation on the human condition, one which takes you from the dancefloor to the summer afternoon barbecue to the bathroom mirror; yet it is also the opening statement of a unique career."

In the words of Essa himself "my key goal for this album was to span so many moods and styles that I couldn't be categorised, leaving me free to then go in whatever direction I chose. I was almost too successful with this – I would later struggle to pin down my own identity, both on and off the mic, as a rapper slash lawyer, of mixed-heritage, blessed to be able to enter many circles but feeling truly at home in none. As I write this, twenty years (plus a marriage and several children) on, I finally feel more at peace with being undefinable, and am getting better at bringing my full, authentic self into as many aspects of life as I can. I am grateful to be able to look both back and forward, with equal passion."

'The Essance' was followed with a collaborative album with DJ Mr Thing ('Grown Man Business'), then some years later on First Word with 'The Misadventures of a Middle Man' in 2014. There's also a forthcoming project in the works, due for release Summer 2024 with all-new material produced by Pitch 92. Both these releases also coincide with the 20th anniversary of the First Word label (named "label of the year" at the 2019 Worldwide Awards).

A timeless piece of work, 'The Essance' is true-skool boom bap through and through that stands up two full decades later, from the ethereal anthem 'Liquid Love', to the uptempo bounce of 'Dancing Shoes', to the grit of 'The Big Idea', to the thought provoking 'What Eye See Pt.2', to bangers like 'Push' or 'Spit Fire', this is an essential addition to the collection of any discerning hip hop head.

TRACK LISTING

1. In
2. The Big Idea (feat. Lewis Parker)
3. Push
4. The Art Of Celebration
5. Tea Break
6. Chef YG
7. Gringo Lingo (feat. Red & Nico Suave)
8. I.C.
9. What Eye See, Pt. 2 (feat. Devise)
10. City Breaks
11. Liquid Love
12. Everything Is Alright
13. Dancing Shoes (feat. Mr Thing)
14. Spit Fire (feat. Kyza Smirnoff)
15. Out

Meatbodies’ latest undertaking and borderline lost album, Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom, is their most varied and realized work to date. It’s a melodic, hook-filled rock epic in which frontman and lead guitarist Chad Ubovich faces the trials of sobriety, redemption, reinvention while literally learning to walk and play again. Resurrection not only accompanies the record, but its production as well, Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom examines themes surrounding love and loss, escapism, defeatism, hedonism, psychedelics and much more.

By 2017, Ubovich had reached a crossroads. After years of increasingly insane shows playing to heaving crowds with an ever-evolving and rotating door of personnel, fatigue had taken its toll and he realized another change was on the horizon. Retreating to the seedy Los Angeles underbelly—in search of meaning and a reset—he escaped into that world, ignoring his own well being, trying to forget his successes. It was at this point that Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom began to take shape—a project built by a man searching for new beginnings and his own sense of self. After sobering up, sessions began with longtime collaborator Dylan Fujioka. However, due to discrepancies with the studio, tensions were high and the plug was pulled. And as the world took a back seat, so did the idea of Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom. Not wanting to sit still at home, Ubovich began to comb through his previous demos, and, with that, 333 was born, the now de facto third Meatbodies album. Yet Flora was never far from Ubovich’s mind. When restrictions started to lift, Ubovich headed to Gold Diggers Sound in Los Angeles, backed by engineer Ed McEntee and a team of colleagues and friends, and completed the final act to the album. It recalls the searing Blue Cheer-meets-Iggy Pop-with-psychedelia that permeated previous releases, but adds new elements of shoegaze, classic alternative, Britpop, drone, and hints of country. Simultaneously an ode to ’80s LA punk and the rise of indie / alternative music in the U.K., it plays like a radio station broadcasting from the void.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: 'Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom' has all of the scuzzy groove and thumping psychedelic heft of their debut or the brilliant '333' from 2021, but shows that beneath the fuzz and chaos, there's a deeply melodic core breaking through. 'Hole' for example channels 90's grunge and sings with the bombastic percussion and multi-tracked guitars of Smashing Pumpkins or Silverchair. In all, a beautifully composed and stylistically diverse triumph.

TRACK LISTING

1. The Assignment
2. Hole
3. Silly Cybin
4. Billow
5. They Came Down
6. Trapped?
7. Move
8. I Believe In Pink (Interlude)
9. Criminal Minds
10. ICNNVR2
11. Psychic Gardens
12. (Return Of) Ecstasy
13. Gaste

The Dutch icon Orlando Voorn is releasing his second album for Deeptrax Records sublabel Contrafact! Having started his career in the early 80s with major influences of Parliament, Kraftwerk, Motown and P funk, he is now widely recognized as an ingenious (Detroit) house and techno producer with former releases on Juan Atkins’ Metroplex records and Kevin Saunderson’s KMS. "The Master 2" is the follow up to "The Master 1" as sees the producer explore brave new worlds of electronic jazz, Detroit techno and futuristic, yet highly soulful house music. Orlando Voorn has used aliases in the past to present and release various styles of music without limiting himself and is one of the most versatile producers out there. As well as expert sound design and brilliant use of textures and dynamics, the LP possesses a musicality that elevates it far outside the immediate dance music spectrum and gives is a universal appear and sophisication.  

TRACK LISTING

A1. Style Is Free
A2. Jazz Hoppin
A3. 6 Feet Away
B1. Venus
B2. Jazzism
B3. Drama At The Opera
C1. Swing That Jazz
C2. Infinite Fusion
D1. Aquarius
D2. Bizar Escape
D3. 6 Feet Away (Funk Mix)

Voyager invite Mike Storm to create his own sonic narrative. "The Pale Blue Dot"  is Mike's aural interpretation of the Voyager spacecraft missions. Each track gives its own take on the journey of spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, with a story board for each track contained inside this limited edition press.

Netherlands native Mike is no stranger to conceptual sci fi music, with numerous releases and albums on Axis Records, plus EP releases on Warm Up Recordings and Modularz to name but a few. The Axis affiliation is tangilbiel, with the whole LP more than tipping its hat to Jeff Mills' "Something In The Sky" series - proper intergalactic space techno with its own red shifted signature.

Mostly all his tracks are written live in one take, with no recall. This makes his music very unique in the digital DAW age. Recommended! 

TRACK LISTING

A1. Prologue - The Call Of Distant Worlds
A2. Pale Blue Dot - Earths Odyssey
A3. Interstellar Sojourn - Voyagers Departure
A4. Celestial Caravan - Across The Outer Reaches
B1. Echos Of Solitude - Voices From The Abyss
B2. Stardust Serenade - Tales Of The Cosmos
B3. Gravitys Embrace - Dancing Among The Planets
B4. Lullaby For Sol - Nostalgia Of Home
B5. Epilogue - Homecoming Of A Voyager 

The debut record by a new duo, Amkarahoi.

"Uncle Reed In The Purple Mine" conjures ghosts of 90s chill out tents, aqueous ambient, exploratory turn of the century IDM and echoes of jammy dub. Amkarahoi is named for a remote region of Eastern Siberia an intimidating car and boat journey from the nearest city - several songs are named after rivers - and the record was borne from a largely improvised show in Saint Petersburg, later overdubbed and mixed down in the studio. The combination of heady, melancholic synthscapes, unexpected samples and the loose, spontaneous nature of it’s genesis make for a unique, compelling proposition.

"Kirenga" alternately swells and submerges ravey pads and shifting kicks, coming up midway for air before plunging again, and "Cutima" peppers the stereo field with foreboding stabs, collapsing drums and faintly nightmarish ambience before emerging from the darkness with gently plucked erhu. "Handa"’s simple four note piano loop and cuckoo vocal sample lament blooms into an engulfing E rush, before "Mogoul" threatens serotonin syndrome with it’s loved up lead and stuttering morning after nostalgia. "Chininga" ekes out a gentle groove over which is laid a hazy, head nodding shimmer, and on "Djegda" they finally submit and throw down a speedy breakbeat for some more classically vintage fire twirling shapes.

Amkarahoi is Nikita Chepurnoi and Sergey Dmitriev. Chepurnoi has released records as Minereed on his own Echotourist imprint, and as part of The Patience and Copacabana on Hair Del. Dmitriev has made music as Purple Uncle for Echotourist, Hair Del and Nazlo

"Uncle Reed In The Purple Mine" was written, produced and mixed by Nikita Chepurnoy & Sergey Dmitriev. Mastered by Rashad Becker. Art by Susumu Mukai.

TRACK LISTING

Kirenga
Cutima
Handa
Mogoul
Chininga
Ichikta
Djegda
Minia

After releasing countless collectable and in-demand 7" singles and making a name for themselves in the contemporary raw funk and soul scene; and after working with the legendary Janko Nilovic For "Maze of Sounds" and "Two Tales For The Mind vol 1", The Soul Surfers drop their first 7" on Broc Recordz. "High Roller" is a reverb soaked, breezy afternoon funk jam, with nods to Surprise Chef and Khruangbin along the way. "Big Slick" meanwhile, revolves around a raw, untreated drum break whilst more reverby guitar chops lie atop a sparsely populated bassline.

Psychedelic collage cover made by the italian artist Riccardo Bettazzoni. Limited edition of 500 copies. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: More dusty, psychedelic funk with library leanings and a relaxed mood - file next to Surprise Chef and other releases on the killer Broc Recordz .

TRACK LISTING

A. High Roller
B. Big Slick

ATA Records are proud to announce the new album I Too Am A Stranger from The Sorcerers, following previous album successes The Sorcerers and In Search of The Lost City of The Monkey God, which garnered high praise from Mulatu Astatke Who's this? The Sorcerers? It's cool! This is great. Give me the CD man!" and recent Radio 6-listed 7" single Exit Athens, of which Giles Peterson said, "Great Stuff as always".

Recorded wholly at ATA Studios and produced by label head, Neil Innes, I Too Am A Stranger features the Sorcerers trio, (lead by Neil Innes) of Joost Hendrickx/Neil Innes/Richard Ormrod, with assistance from regular percussion collaborator Danny Templeman and up-and-coming Leeds trumpeter Olivia Cuthill. Joost and Neil's drum and bass bond is tighter than ever, and Richard is given free rein on baritone and alto saxophones, flutes, bass clarinet, vibes, and the wonderland that is the ATA vintage keyboard collection.

I Too Am A Stranger is a resolutely maximal endeavour, a layered recording both sonically and via many interwoven influences: as ever, the Ethiopique sound is front and centre [Bebaynetu, Kid Mahout, She Who Perceives The Sounds Of The World], but there are also references to the declamatory baritone sax-heavy chanbara soundtracks of Fumio Hayasaka [Yasuke In Roppongi, Oromo Moon], the fuzzed-out vibes sound of Vibrafinger-era Gary Burton [side openers The Warrior Code and He Who Kills With One Leap], and Moondog's popping woodblocks [Moth, The Dao Of The Sorcerers].

In truth, there is so much on this album to appeal to so many different listeners: tight – and new! – beats, exotic melody, far-out horns, references from within and without the worlds of Jazz, Library, Ethio, etc etc, as well as the wholly analogue ATA sound that satisfies DJs and audiophiles alike.

TRACK LISTING

1. He Who Kills With One Leap
2. Moth
3. Yasuke In Roppongi
4. Bebaynetu
5. The Warrior Code
6. Kid Mahout
7. The Road Forward
8. Oromo Moon
9. She Who Perceives The Sounds Of The World

Repro of this sought after 1969 reggae LP. Includes 10 classic tracks featuring top Jamaican session players such Val Bennett, Winston Wright, and Gladstone Anderson.

TRACK LISTING

1. Sitting On Top
2. Been So Long
3. Close To Me
4. Long Time
5. Standing In
6. Have Some Mercy
7. The Girl's Alright With Me
8. You Really Got A Hold On Me
9. I'm Not Begging
1.0 It's All Right

Produced by Henry Jenkins (Surprised Chef), cinematic funk combo The Diasonics are back with a limited edition 45 feat. an explosive version of soul stormer "Beggin'. Limited to 500 copies worldwide.

Produced and mixed by Henry Jenkins (Surprised Chef), Russian cinematic funk combo The Diasonics unleash a limited edition 45 featuring an explosive version of soul classic "Beggin'. Composed by Bob Gaudio and Peggy Farina and initially brought to success by the Four Seasons of Frankie Valli in 1967, "Beggin" became a classic of the Northern soul scene in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. With a tight rhythm section, a super funky bassline and heavy wah-wah guitars The Diasonics version is an instant floorfiller. On the flip side the brand new track "Take One", an irresistible hammond-funk mover, full of heavy breaks and eastern spices.

Active since 2019 The Diasonics are five young and seriously talented Muscovite musicians: Anton Moskvin (drums), Maxim Brusov (bass guitar), Anton Katyrin (percussions), Daniil Lutsenko (electric guitar) and Kamil Gzizov (keyboards). In just a few years the band has amassed a cult following, releasing collectable and in-demand 45s on labels such as Funk Night Records and Mocambo Records. In 2021 they released their debut album "Origin of Forms" on Record Kicks produced by Henry Jenkins, producer amongst the others of the Australian cult instrumental band Surprise Chef. Thanks to the Diasonics's unique style that blends infectious Funk Instrumentals, East European flavours, abstract hip-hop and psychedelia, the album rapidly went sold out on vinyl and it's heavily praised on the international cinematic-funk scene.

TRACK LISTING

1. Beggin'
2. Take One

Darius Jones: The New York based composer and saxophonist draws connections between Fluxus and US avant jazz. By John Morrison

Steve Roach: Synthesizer worship with the Arizona ambient musician. By Ned Raggett; [Ahmed]: Revolutionary grooves from the radically minded Anglo-Swedish-French quartet. By Stewart Smith

Clarissa Connelly: The Scottish born, Denmark based multi-instrumentalist meditates on myth, memory and modernity via her singular songcraft. By Leah Kardos

Shovel Dance Collective: The London avant folk ensemble balance the trad and the weird. By Lucy Thraves

Invisible Jukebox: Ka Baird: Will the New York based artist lose their Bearings when faced by The Wire’s mystery record selection? Tested by Ryan Meehan

Unlimited Editions: Industrial Coast

Unofficial Channels: The Rest

Arushi Jain: The India born synthesist humanises electronics. By Vanessa Ague

Kulku: Berlin no-age ensemble prepare rare record release. By Oli Warwick

Harmony Holiday: Backstage with the pioneers of Black music. By Kehinde Alonge

Richie Culver: Outsider art and working class electronics. By Spenser Tomson

The Inner Sleeve: Raji Rags on D’Angelo’s Voodoo

Global Ear: Dublin DIY strategies against economic constraints. By Daniel Baker

Epiphanies: Aura Satz heeds the siren’s song

The Wire Tapper 64: A track-by-track guide to this issue’s free CD

BOOK OF THE YEAR 2017 - MOJO MAGAZINE & UNCUT MAGAZINE "In early '77 I asked Grant if he'd form a band with me. `No,' was his blunt reply." Grant McLennan didn't want to be in a band. He couldn't play an instrument; Charlie Chaplin was his hero du jour.

And yet, when Robert Forster wrote Hemingway, Genet, Chandler and Joyce into his lyrics, McLennan couldn't resist a second invitation to become 80s indie sensation The Go Betweens. The friends would collaborate for three decades, until Grant's premature death in 2006. Beautifully written - like lyrics, like prose - Grant & I is a rock memoir akin to no other.

Part `making of', part music industry expose, part buddy-book, this is a delicate and perceptive celebration of creative endeavour. With wit and candour, Robert Forster pays tribute to a band who found huge success in the margins, having friendship at its heart.

The Rolling Stones embarked on the Licks World Tour in 2002 & 2003 to celebrate their 40th anniversary, featuring the band performing in arenas and stadiums, in addition to the occasional theater. In November 2002, the Stones arrived in Los Angeles to perform at a packed Wiltern Theatre, treating fans to a set heavy on rarities which feel right at home in such an intimate setting. While some of the hits are performed, this night at the Wiltern is for the rarely played classics, including “Stray Cat Blues”, “No Expectations” and a cover of “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love” featuring a guest spot by the legendary Solomon Burke, who opened the show that night.

TRACK LISTING

3LP Tracklisting:
Side A:
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Live With Me
Neighbours
Hand Of Fate
Side B:
No Expectations
Beast Of Burden
Stray Cat Blues
Side C:
Dance, Part 1
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (with Solomon Burke)
That’s How Strong My Love Is
Going To A Go-Go
Side D:
Thru And Thru
You Don’t Have To Mean It
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
Side E:
Rock Me Baby
Bitch
Honky Tonk Women
Start Me Up
Side F:
Brown Sugar
Tumbling Dice

2CD Tracklisting:
CD1:
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Live With Me
Neighbours
Hand Of Fate
No Expectations
Beast Of Burden
Stray Cat Blues
Dance, Part 1
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (with Solomon Burke)
That’s How Strong My Love Is
Going To A Go-Go
Band Introductions
CD2:
Thru And Thru
You Don’t Have To Mean It
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
Rock Me Baby
Bitch
Honky Tonk Women
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
Tumbling Dice

Today's club culture all started with Northern Soul and its roots in the Mod all-nighter scene of London clubs. All the ingredients were there: DJs privy to the latest imports and advance promos, dancers fuelled by illegal uppers, venues which had scarcely opened when the pubs were all but deserted. The records, drugs and clubs have all changed, true, but the lifestyle is identical. Featuring classics from the Northern Soul Scene including Tom Jones, Ronnie Jones, Brotherhood of Man, Sonny Childe, Billie Davis, Tony Newman, Bats and more. Presented for the first time on orange colour vinyl and CD, this is essential for any funk and soul lovers.

TRACK LISTING

Side A:
1. Frankie & Johnny - I'll Hold You
2. David Essex - So-Called Loving
3. The Flirtations - Nothing But A Heartache
4. Fearns Brass Foundry - Don't Change It
5. Clyde McPhatter - Baby You've Got It
6. Micky Moonshine - Name It You Got It
Side B:
1. Ronnie Jones - My Love
2. Fantastics - Ask The Lonely
3. Tom Jones - Stop Breaking My Heart
4. Billie Davis - Billy Sunshine
5. Amen Corner - Our Love (Is In The Pocket)
6. Danny Williams - Whose Little Girl Are You
Side C:
1. Eyes Of Blue - Heart Trouble
2. Bobby Hanna - Everybody Needs Love
3. Dave Berry - Picture Me Gone
4. John E. Paul - I Wanna Know
5. Elkie Brooks - The Way You Do The Things You Do
6. Jon Gunn - I Just Made Up My Mind
7. Adrienne Poster - Something Beautiful
Side D:
1. Brotherhood Of Man - Reach Out Your Hand
2. Sonny Childe - Giving Up On Love
3. Truly Smith - My Smile Is Just A Frown (Turned Upside Down)
4. Stevie Kimble - All The Time In The World
5. Tony Newman - Let The Good Times Roll
6. The Bats - Listen To My Heart

Before releasing their lone self-titled debut album, one of the most rare rock records to be released in Europe in the 1970s, Paternoster provided the soundtrack for a film that could only have been made while the psychedelic movement was still in its first wave. The group’s first recordings presented here are the soundtrack for Herbert Holbaís 1971 hippie sci-fi film Die Ersten Tage (The First Days), screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, and interestingly played on Austrian TV in August of that year. The material issued here is the genesis of Paternoster and set the stage for the release of one of the world’s great rock albums with their self-titled debut the following year. The music has been painstakingly transferred directly from master tapes

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A: Cues 1-15.
SIDE B: Cues 16-30

Love Makes Magic, the debut LP by JIM - aka Jim Baron of Crazy P & Ron Basejam notoriety - was released in June 2023 and the album has connected with an ever growing number of fans; lured in by great songs, Laurel Canyon singer-songwriter acoustics, 60’s psychedelic folk-rock, a dash of Balearic, discoid funk and a healthy dose of yacht-rock. The album was voted Album of the Year in the Bill Brewster Furtive 50 chart for 2023 - like a Balearic BAFTAs - and Still River Flow (Generalisation Dub) came 2nd in the tracks of the year... which was nice.

Disco Pogo, Piccadilly Records and Mr Bongo all gave the LP honourable mention in their end of year charts too. As you’d expect with an artist who has 25 years of dance music connections the accompanying remixes weren’t bad either... Crooked Man, Ruf Dug, Flying Mojito Brothers and Generalisation all came up with fine reinterpretations. Luke Unabomber hailed The Crooked Goth version of Phoenix as his track of the year. The vinyl run of the Crooked Mixes sold out in record time.

As the remixes racked up we considered collecting them together for a remix LP. And so here we are... presenting Love Makes Magic - The Remixes.

The five aforementioned mixes will be joined by five brand new ones from X-Press 2, Mang Dynasty, Chris Coco, Begin ( James Holroyd) and Brown Fang. Spanning pumping club bangers, perfect sunsets soundtracks and left-field electronica.

We love them.
We hope you do too..

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A stunning set of remixes from some of the hottest names in the electronic music world, for Jim's brilliant 'Love Makes Magic' LP, one of our collective favourites of 2023. Basking in the relaxed, Balearic waters of the original but twisted and coaxed around a variety of grooves, these pieces shine in a whole new light when viewed through a different lens, and show the talents of remixers and Baron alike. Brill.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Still River Flow (Generalisation Dub) Phoenix (Crooked Goth)
A2. Oxygen (Ruf Dug Remix)
B1. Ballad Of San Marino (Mang Dynasty Remix) Still River Flow (Begin Remix)
B2. Where The Leaves Are Falling (Brown Fang Remix) Across The Street (Generalisation Dub)
C1. Phoenix (X-Press 2 On Fire Remix)
C2. Oxygen (Flying Mojito Bros Refrito)
D1. The Ballad Of San Marino (Chris Coco Extended Dub Version)

Bananarama celebrate over 40 years at the top with the release of ‘Glorious - The Ultimate Collection’. With 40 tracks selected by Sara and Keren themselves, the album revisits every decade of the band’s career, with hits including ‘Cruel Summer’, ‘Venus’, ‘Love in the First Degree’, ‘Only Your Love’, ‘Preacher Man’, ‘Move in My Direction’ and more, along with two new singles, ‘Feel The Love’ and ‘Supernova’.

TRACK LISTING

LP (Transparent Red)
Cruel Summer (3am Mix)
Robert De Niro’s Waiting
Venus (Boys Noize Rework Edit)
Love In The First Degree
Preacher Man
Movin’ On (Disco Chic)
Move In My Direction
Look On The Floor
Love Don’t Live Here
Stuff Like That
Looking For Someone
Favourite
Masquerade
Forever Young
Feel The Love
Supernova

2CD / 3LP (Transparent Gold)
Really Saying Something
Cruel Summer
Robert De Niro's Waiting
Venus
More Than Physical
A Trick Of The Night
I Heard A Rumour
Love In The First Degree
Only Your Love
Preacher Man
I Could Be Persuaded
Movin' On [Disco Chic]
Last Thing On My Mind [Electrified]
Every Shade Of Blue
Take Me To Your Heart
Prove Your Love
If
Crazy
Move In My Direction
Look On The Floor (Hypnotic Tango)
Feel For You
Lovebite
Love Comes
Love Don't Live Here
Seventeen
Extraordinary
Baby It's Christmas
Now Or Never
La La Love
Stuff Like That
Looking For Someone
I'm On Fire
It's Gonna Be Alright
Favourite
Masquerade
Forever Young
Running With The Night
Cruel Summer (3am Mix)
Feel The Love
Supernova

Idris Muhammad is a American jazz drummer and bandleader and is one of contemporary music's most sampled drummers. His resume includes nearly 500 recording credits that range across the genre spectrum and 12 studio albums as a bandleader, including the 1976 House Of The Rising Sun. The album is arranged by David Matthews, also known as leader of the Dave Matthews Band (DMB), and produced by Creed Taylor, founder of CTI Records. The track "Sudan" is arranged by jazz trumpeter Tom Harrell. The album features several guest performances by New York studio aces, including Joe Beck, Don Grolnick, David Sanborn, Fred Wesley and Michael Brecker amongst others.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
1. House Of The Rising Sun
2. Baia (Boogie Bump)
3. Hard To Face The Music
4. Theme For New York City

SIDE B
1. Sudan
2. Hey Pocky A-Way 

Hard to find debut single originally released on Molesworth Records in 1988
Formed in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire after drummer Simon Scott met Guitarist Graham Garduilo in local band The Giant Polar Bears.

They were tour buddies to Ride and most of the late 1980s shoegaze bands. Simon Scott was stolen by Slowdive after a gig at the White Horse in Hampstead in 1990, where the Boo Radleys opened the three-band bill.

They split after releasing two albums. John Peel loved them and NME gave debut album Lovehappy 9 out of 10.

TRACK LISTING

Side 1
Are You Happy Now
Side 2
How Can You Say (you Really Feel)

The Soninke collective consciousness finds its origins in a founding myth, a blood pact: the legend of Biida and the decadence of the empire of Ghana or Wagadu (evoked by Léopold Sédar Senghor as a land of plenty in his poem Le Kaya Magan). From the 3rd century AD, gathered in the region of Sahel, on the edge of the Sahara desert, the Soninko ruled over their kingdom and its capital Kumbi Saleh. According to folklore, they were blessed with abundant rain and nuggets of gold could be picked directly from the ground.

They owed this prosperity to a providential but cruel protector: the Wagadu Biida, a seven-headed serpent who lived at the bottom of the Kumbi well. Every year, as a reward for his favours, the Biida demanded an offering: the life of the most beautiful virgin woman in the community. Sacrifices took place for generations, until the 13th century AD, when fate chose Siya Yatabéré, Maamadi Sehedunxote's sweetheart...

Centuries later in 1977, Gaye Mody Camara, a young Soninke raised in Mali's Kayes region, settled in France to found his own empire. Initially selling wax, kola nuts and other goods in his Parisian outlets, he rapidly started distributing cassette tapes and eventually producing a multitude of recordings for his own label: Camara Production.

Crossing paths and collaborating over the next four decades with legendary artists, griots and industry moguls like Boncana Maïga, Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Ganda Fadiga, Diaby Doua or Ibrahima Sylla, Camara became one of the great independent music producers of his generation, and a pilar of the Parisian Soninke diaspora.

Released in close collaboration with Gaye Camara and with the assistance of Daouda N'diaye, one of A.P.S' (Association pour la Promotion de la langue et de la culture Soninké) historical members, this selection of songs and accompanying notes aim to shed a light on an intricate culture and its modern music, injustifiably unknown outside of West Africa and the various Soninko diasporas around the world.

From Malian Zouk to Mauritanian Reggae and other psychedelic groovers originally released on cassettes or digitally, we have given the utmost attention to bringing this music to a new format. It has been carefully remastered and pressed on 180g vinyl, with riso printed liner notes.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Really nice comp which shines a spotlight on this criminally undiscovered West African hub. There's a fresh, contemporary feel to a lot of the tracks, even though many of them date back some years. Progressive afrobeat rich in vitalic vocal parts and skilled instrumentalists; not to mention its evocative nature which takes easily-guided minds straight to the heart of its community.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Mamadou Tangoudia - Kori
A2. Halima Kissima Touré - Koolo Fune
A3. Lassana Hawa Cissokho - Ñogome

B1. Hadja Soumano - Nteri Diaba
B2. Naïny Diabaté - Sankoy Djeli
B3. Mah Kouyaté - Soso

C1. Halima Kissima Touré - Alla Da Fo Ña
C2. Ami Traoré - Tenedo
C3. Babani Koné - Soyeba
C4. Kaniba Oulé Kouyaté - Songne Bela

D1. Diaby Doua - Boliñaame
D2. Diobo Fode - Yexu
D3. Halima Kissima Touré - Duna
D4. Hadja Soumano - Ayebo

Get ready for an electrifying revelation as we delve into the mind-blowing credits of this extraordinary record! This record has an outrageous lineup as Moplen is let loose to brilliantly remix and reprise of Loose Change’s timeless masterpiece, “Straight From the Heart. A track that emerged from the creative genius of none other than Tom Moulton, the legendary maestro behind legendary Donna Summer’s iconic hits. But that’s not all! Enter the realm of Thor Baldursson, the brilliant mastermind known for his groundbreaking concepts and awe-inspiring arrangements. Together, the three of them form a disco dream team!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Edit supremo Moplen gets gifted the stems of this Loose Change mammoth. As you'd expect he more that does the track justice, giving it a fresh lease of life at the disco. No one handles an extension better than Moplen - ooooh matron!

TRACK LISTING

1. Straight From The Heart (Moplen Remix)
2. Straight From The Heart (Moplen Reprise)

Focus On Nature is the new studio album from celebrated post-psyche singer songwriter Nick Saloman and his band The Bevis Frond. Seventy-five minutes of glorious melodies that span 60s psych, English folk, Seattle art-punks The Wipers, the buzzsaw pop of Dinosaur Jr and Hendrix-esque explorations. There’s always an element of playful Englishness to their music.

Heavily influencing the likes of The Lemonheads, Teenage Fanclub, Elliot Smith, Pavement and Dinosaur Jr, the cult icons have produced another off-kilter mix of melodic piano-led melancholy, acoustic ruminations, scratchy garage rock with a punky edge and full-on guitar histrionics.

Like its much-praised predecessor, ‘Little Eden’, the new record studies the world’s weariness but fills out a bigger canvas; fast food and global warming, broken hearts and long gone nights out, everyday immortality and being God’s gift all share space. It’s like Townshend at his most thematic; Big Star in all their acoustic glory, perfectly balancing the punky garage rock combo who end up running on ‘Empty’ with Gilmour breaks that elevate it all to grandeur.

“Still mixing pop, punk and psych to giddy effect.” The Guardian

“Self-reflection is twinned with a rueful survey of the current state of the nation.” Uncut

TRACK LISTING

1. Heat
2. Focus On Nature
3. God's Gift
4. Vitruvian Man
5. A Mirror
6. Leb Off
7. Here For The Other One
8. Happy Wings
9. Empty
10. Wrong Way Round
11. Mr Freds Disco
12. Jack Immortal
13. Hairstreaks
14. Maybe We Got It Wrong
15. Brocadine
16. Big Black Sky
17. The Hug
18. I Can't Breathe
19. Hung On A Wire

Faye Webster’s songs are direct lines to the human subconscious, and Underdressed at the Symphony documents what happens once you begin to build a new self from the ashes of your old routines. This rebirth isn’t flashy or definitive, but is instead a series of seemingly mundane moments that, scattered across weeks and months, sneak their way toward something like healing. Yes, there’s a breakup in play, but Webster is not documenting the heartbreak of a breakup so much as she’s navigating the contours of heartbreak itself.

Recorded at Sonic Ranch Studios in Texas with her longtime band, Webster is accompanied on Underdressed at the Symphony by Matt Stoessel’s arcs of shimmering pedal steel, the plaintive, unhurried drums of Charles Garner, and, occasionally, additional guitarwork from Wilco’s Nels Cline, among many other crucial players. The title of the album refers to Webster’s post-breakup compulsion to visit the symphony on a whim, usually buying a ticket at the last possible second. “Going to the symphony was almost like therapy for me. I was quite literally underdressed at the symphony because I would just decide at that moment that that's what I wanted to do,” she says. “That's what I felt like I needed to hear. I got to leave what I felt like was kind of a shitty time in my life and be in this different world for a minute.”

That strain of lightheartedness with a melancholic backbone permeates the album, and is the major driving force behind “Lego Ring,” which features Atlanta multi-hyphenate Lil Yachty, the only guest voice on the entire album. Yachty’s ghostly warble floats just under Webster’s voice, jabbing through empty space, trembling over a low rumble of bass. The song is also a sort of release—a buoyant moment that cuts through the sadness. “I think I hit a point in songwriting during this record where I was just like, man, I said a lot.” Webster says. “I'm just going to sit down and sing about this ring that I really want.” Like the rest of the album, Webster isn’t providing answers, nor is she on some epic journey of healing and self-care. Instead, she’s choosing to just live, to document heartbreak and ridiculous moments right next to each other, until they start to blur together, becoming real enough for us all to feel.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A soaring, swooning selection of beautifully penned ballads, grooving guitar lines and cracked vocoder vox from the brilliant Faye Webster. 'Lego Ring' is for me, one of the top bangers of the year thus far. A perfectly mixed cocktail of synth-pop, indie and with wisps of country woven through her compositions, Webster is a true talent. Brilliant.

TRACK LISTING

1.Thinking About You
2. But Not Kiss
3. Wanna Quit All The Time
4. Lego Ring
5. Feeling Good Today
6. Lifetime
7. He Loves Me Yeah!
8. EBay Purchase History
9. Underdressed At TheSymphony
10. Tttttime

The Pheromoans are tenants of an unruly domain. Over the last 18 years the group have evolved from garage rock primitivists to auteurs of their own curious sound; a frothy brew of loose electronics, refractory rock and humdrum musing. Their songs are mutable, capricious, unreliable narrations, often withholding as much as they reveal. Russell Walker’s understated vocal has always been the band’s unifying focus, it is wry, unsparing and wilfully honest. Walker’s lyrics are an observational tour de force, sometimes droll, yet often tipping over into unlikely pathos. With previous releases on Upset The Rhythm, Convulsive and Alter, 2024 will witness The Pheromoans return with lucky album number 13, entitled ‘Wyrd Psearch’ (out March 1st on Upset The Rhythm).

‘Wyrd Psearch’ was recorded in Lewes throughout 2023. This was undertaken by founding member James Tranmer, his keen instinct for how the band should sound shaping many of the creative decisions. Joined by new guitarist Henry Holmes, the five piece doubled down on a decidedly breezy, melodic approach. Scott Reeve’s drumming is ever brisk, whilst Daniel Bolger explores AOR peripheries on keyboard and bass. “Wyrd Psearch finds us on relatively zestful form” affirms Walker “whether it be merrily recalling the Jason Williamson / Tim Lovejoy Covid summit, or mentally bathing in the pleasures of lunch hours spent strapped to a listening post in Borders.” With The Pheromoans there is always a familiarity at play, only broken and reassembled, like a bygone sitcom gone rogue in your memory. This contributes to the group’s peculiarly British outsider perspective, one that shouts from the sidelines, but never goes unnoticed.

Subjects covered lyrically on ‘Wyrd Psearch’ include “mid-life crises, male pattern baldness, and thwarted artistic and personal ambitions” according to Walker himself. “Nothing is off limits for scrutiny, even rural arts communities” he concludes. Lead single ‘Downtown’ swings with chiming guitars and finds Walker mid-breakdown trying to persuade a loved one to accompany him into the town centre to collect controlled medication and wind back the clock to happier times. “I want to keep you in cotton wool until pay day” he confides. ‘Cropped to Death’ and ‘Father Austin’ are ruminative and more relaxed in nature, whilst ‘Twibbon Wife’ is a more energetic effort, all jabbed synth chords, circuitous basslines and rampant drum fills. ‘Faith in the Future’ similarly bounds along with reverie.

Walker claims that the album’s title is an expression of his frustration at the ubiquity of people claiming things are eerie or weird / wyrd in the present cultural milieu. The artwork for the record is designed as an actual word search too, a knowing nod to how we all grapple for meaning amongst the absurdity of each day. Leaning into ‘weird’ as a coping mechanism is not on The Pheromoans’ agenda however. This album holds little sway with the supernatural, it’s not enough. The overriding impression given by ‘Wyrd Psearch’ is of a band renewed with ideas. There’s no trouble finding the right words, they’re hitting their mark, keeping up with the commentary. ‘Wyrd Psearch’ is a document of The Pheromoans mastering their unquiet moment.

TRACK LISTING

01. A Brash Child
02. Downtown
03. Father Austin
04. The Inland Road
05. 00’s Wyrking
06. Twibbon Wife
07. Faith In The Future
08. It’s A Little Bit Different
09. General Mojo
10. Compound Shock
11. Cropped To Death
12. Pop-up Companion

Best known for his work in WAH! and its off various off shoots. He began his career in bands with friends Julian Cope, Ian McCulloch and Pete Burns, before gaining nationwide attention under his own various project names with a string of singles 'The Story Of The Blues', 'Come Back', 'Sinful, 'Seven Minutes to Midnight' and later, the LFC anthem 'Heart As Big As Liverpool'.

Wylie's 'Heart As Big As Liverpool' is especially popular within the city and with Liverpool Football Club supporters, being used in the official Hillsborough tribute video. In 2008 Wylie performed at the opening ceremony of Liverpool's European City of Culture tenure.

'Teach Yself WAH! - A Best Of' is a new compilation bringing together music from across his numerous musical names. Wylie has hand-picked 20 songs, highlighting key points from each period in his illustrious career. As well as including his early singles and the songs which brought him chart success, he has also chosen deep cuts including the original version of his collaboration with Big Hard Excellent Fish, available for the first time since it's intial 12" only release. 

TRACK LISTING

CD Tracklist:
1. Remember
2. The Story Of The Blues (Part One)
3. You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory
4. Hope (I Wish You’d Believe Me)
5. Talking Blues (The Story Of The Blues: Part Two)
6. Come Back
7. Diamond Girl
8. Fourelevenfortyfour
9. Sinful – Song Of The Sinful Angel
10. The Day That Margaret Thatcher Dies – A Party Song
11. Loverboy
12. Free; Falling (In Love With You)
13. Heart As Big As Liverpool
14. Better Scream 2024
15. Seven Minutes To Midnight 2024
16. Somesay
17. Big Hard Excellent Fish – Imperfect List (Original Version)

LP Tracklisting:
1. Remember
2. The Story Of The Blues (Part One)
3. You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory
4. Hope (I Wish You'd Believe Me)
5. Sleep (A Lullaby For Josie)
6. Talking Blues (The Story Of The Blues: Part Two)
7. Come Back
8. Diamond Girl
9. Fourelevenfortyfour
10. Sinful - Song Of The Sinful Angel
11. The Day That Margaret Thatcher Dies - A Party Song
12. Loverboy
13. Is That What Love Is All About?
14. Free; Falling (In Love With You)
15. Heart As Big As Liverpool
16. Better Scream 2024
17. Seven Minutes To Midnight 2024
18. Somesay
19. The Seven Thousand Names Of WAH!
20. Big Hard Excellent Fish - Imperfect List (Original Version)

Brand New Remastered Versions.

The June Brides debut single originally released in 1984 on The Pink Label.

Both tracks are from fresh transfers from the master tapes which were then remastered by Jason Mitchell at LOUD Mastering in Taunton in early 2021.

The June Brides are true innovators, hailing from the first wave of British indie, with fans that include Manic Street Preachers (who covered their song “The Instrumental” as a tribute) , Morrissey and Belle and Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch.

They have always been regarded as pioneers, and one of the most beloved of the bands that formed the original UK independent music scene, which has since been tagged as C86.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
In The Rain
Side B
Sunday To Saturday

English alternative rock band The Blinders' return with third album, 'Beholder'.

The perfect introduction to their album, 'Brakelights' drips with a dark atmospheric intensity which equally lurks across the albums other 9 tracks. Beholder shares a frenetic energy with their previous albums, but there's a new depth both lyrically and musically to the album.

With a visceral urgency live to more than match the likes of contemporaries IDLES or Fontaines DC, The Blinders live shows are brooding and intense, recalling the dark atmospherics of The Bad Seeds or peak-period Bunnymen.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Swimming with gothic influence, but kept moving along with propulsive percussion and throbbing post-punk bass, The Blinders' new outing 'Beholder' has all of the moody drive and melodic leaning of their previous two but refined into a finely honed melodic powerhouse. Reminiscent of several bands but with a sound all of their own.

TRACK LISTING

1. Ceremony
2. Brakelights
3. While I’m SVll Young
4. At Any Hand But Hers
5. Always
6. Iggy Got Camaro
7. Waterfalls Of Venice
8. Nocturnal Skies
9. Swallowing Static
10. All I Need

Atlanta’s original Eccentric Soul labels - Jesse Jones’ Tragar and Note - captured critical regional R&B, soul and funk from 1968-1976.

Compiling 34 tracks and sprawled across two LPs, this 15-year anniversary deluxe edition appears on vinyl for the first time.

Featuring rare-as-hens’-teeth 45s by Eula Cooper, Tee Fletcher, Richard Cook, Frankie & Robert, Tokay Lewis, Nathan Wilkes, Chuck Wilder, Bill Wright, Sonia Ross, Sandy Gaye, Four Tracks, Young Divines, and several others the label can’t fit on a hype sticker.

TRACK LISTING

Tee Fletcher - Down In The Country
Bill Wright - You Got A Spell On Me
Eula Cooper - Shake Daddy Shake
The Knights - Tipping Strings
L. Daniels - Nitecap (inst)
Frankie & Robert - Sweet Thing
Franciene Thomas - I’ll Be There
Richard Cook - Somebody Got’a Help Me
Frankie & Robert - Love (It’s Been So Long)
The Knights - The Hump (inst)
Chuck Wilder - The Clown
Tokay Lewis - Who Wants Me Now
Nathan Wilkes - Now That I’m Wise
Langston & French - Tumbling Down
Eula Cooper - Heavenly Father
Tokay Lewis - What Can The Matter Be
Richard Cook - Love Is So Mean
Bill Wright - You’re The Only Thing I’ve Got Going For Me
Sonia Ross - Every Now And Then
Sandy Gaye - Watch The Dog That Bring The Bone
Bobby Owens & The Diplomats - Messing Around
Bill Wright - How Can I Hit The Ball
Tee Fletcher - All Because Of You
Eula Cooper - Standing By Love
Four Tracks - Charade
The Young Divines - Deep In Your Heart
Eula Cooper - I Need You More
Chuck Wilder - Why
Sonia Ross - Let Me Be Free
Eula Cooper - Try
Young Divines - Ain’t That Sharp
Franciene Thomas - Too Beautiful To Be Good
Sonia Ross - Breaking My Heart
Four Tracks - You Mean Everything To Me

Volume II of a new Light Sounds Dark two part compilation plunging further into the occult and mystery frequencies. A terrifying front cover lending insight at what black magik lays instore for the listening ritual. As usual, LSD procure sounds from completely unheard of seams, the resulting witch's cauldron of musical mayhem likely to challenge even the highest order sonic shamans. 

Limited copies, won't hang around long! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: This might be the scariest edition of Light Sounds Dark we've ever had. From the occultist demon charging at you on the sleeve to the cauldron of gurgling electronix and sonic witchcraft contained on the black magik wax; it's a hauntingly arresting journey from our astral planing spirit guides. Confront your inner shadow and book a meeting with the cosmic serpent!

Volume I on a New Light Sounds Dark two part compilation, plunging further into the occult and mystery frequencies. A terrifying front cover lending insight at what black magik lays instore for the listening ritual. As usual, LSD procure sounds from completely unheard of seams, the resulting witch's cauldron of musical mayhem likely to challenge even the highest order sonic shamans.

Limited copies, won't hang around long! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: This might be the scariest edition of Light Sounds Dark we've ever had. From the occultist demon charging at you on the sleeve to the cauldron of gurgling electronix and sonic witchcraft contained on the black magik wax; it's a hauntingly arresting journey from our astral planing spirit guides. Confront your inner shadow and book a meeting with the cosmic serpent!

2 more rap classics on one slice of 7" vinyl - this time a pair of neck snapping bangers from Common. Limited numbers as always, these don't hang about!

TRACK LISTING

1. The 6th Sense
2. The Light

Another amazing Dirty Blends edition with three tracks of heavy jak beat and OG Chicago warehouse flavours.

The A side kicks off with Kincaid presenting a dark and menacing composition played and created with blood and sweat behind the vintage music boxes to come with this 12 minute cranium splitter - "Circuit Collapse".

Cliff Solomon honors the timeless work of originators Boyd Jarvis & Timmy Regisford with an '85 flavoured exercise of proto-house entitled "Battle Cry". With drum machines you'd associate more with the boogie genre, plus expert keyboard sections and sound effects, this retrograded house track will definitely devastate today's dancefloor leaving people scratching their heads as to its origin.

The Jak and Lex Lathan collaborate on "The Call (On The Edge)". recorded at Nation HQ and perhaps the most twisted and discordant offering out of the three. Warped vox, detuned synths and deranged licks smothering a straight up jak beat rhythm. Seriously wild stuff for the more adventurous DJ and dancer - TIP! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Dirty Blends can do no wrong in my book at the moment. There's no one out there daring to take on the dark passion of jak beat with such authority. With each release they seem to get closer to the spirit of Ron Hardy... if you don't know - get to know.

TRACK LISTING

A1. William Kincaid - Circuit Collapse
B1. Cliff Solomon- Battle Cry
B2. The Jak & Lex Lathan - The Call (On The Edge)

The Last Dinner Party present a new 7” vinyl to celebrate their debut single release ‘Nothing Matters’. This limited-edition Crystal Clear transparent 7” release features the hauntingly beautiful 'Nothing Matters' on the A-side and a stunning stripped back acoustic version of 'Nothing Matters' on the B-side.

Often cited as the masterwork of French icon and national treasure Serge Gainsbourg, Histoire De Melody Nelson features actress, amour, and inspiration Jane Birkin, arranger/conductor and co-conspirator Jean-Claude Vannier (L’Enfant Assassins Des Mouches), and a tight,hand-picked crew of top shelf U.K. session musicians, including Big Jim Sullivan, Vic Flick, Brian Odgers, and Dougie Wright. Originally released in 1971, this is an essential album for the discerning music lover.

Our initial reissue marked the first time that Histoire De Melody Nelson was ever made available domestically in the U.S., now available in two brand new très chic color variants. Dispelling countless myths, hearsay, and rumors surrounding Nelson, New York-based writer Andy Beta contributes a stylish essay for your edification, while the maestro himself chimes in with a period Q&A interview from France’s Rock N Folk Magazine, originally published in June 1971.

TRACK LISTING

Melody
Ballade De Melody Nelson
Valse De Melody
Ah ! Melody
L'hôtel Particulier
En Melody
Cargo Culte

In the 1970s, Betty Davis defied genre and gender by pushing her voice to extremes and embracing the erotic. She articulated a kind of pre–punk, funk–blues fusion that had yet to be normalized in mainstream music — a style that few musicians have come close to replicating. As one of the first Black women to write, arrange, and produce her own albums, Betty was a visionary who disregarded industry boundaries and constraints. Raw, unapologetic, and in full control, Betty paved the way for generations of future artists who said ‘funk you’ to the music industry and social norms.

In 1975, Betty Davis’s star was on the rise. With the backing of Island Records and a new band, Funk House, Betty’s third album, Nasty Gal, leans into the hyper-sexualized persona with which her critics were so obsessed. She raps, purrs, shrieks, and moans on top of Funk House’s manic funk-rock and lays claim to the “bad girl” anthems that now saturate the music industry. Mastered from the original tapes, Nasty Gal showcases Betty’s groundbreaking work as a performer, writer, and producer.

TRACK LISTING

Nasty Gal
Talkin Trash
Dedicated To The Press
You And I
Feelins
F.u.n.k.
Gettin Kicked Off, Havin Fun
Shut Off The Light
This Is It!
The Lone Ranger

USA underground legend Strategy (Peak Oil, Idle Hands, Further, 100% Silk) returns with his 20th album that repurposes the chill-out subgenre to withstand the heat of armageddon.

On "The Wet Room", Cascadian experimental music fixture Strategy set out repurpose chill-out for improved resilience under the strains of record-breaking heatwaves. Syrupy bass workouts, generative freeform bubblers, captured freak transmissions, uneasy soundbites, buried secret messages, dubbed-out mixing board sessions coalesce into a purposeful, yet liquid, choreography. 

Fans of the West Mineral / Huerco / 3XL universe and some of the recent trip-hop inspired releases from last year should defo check!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Under the radar downbeat / dub engineer Strategy returns with another unfathomably deep exercise in echo chamber science and precision bass workouts. If you liked his "Dub Mind Paradigm", you're gonna love this.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Sun Comes Down
A2. Deadly Rainbow
A3. No Defects
A4. Mysteries Inside The Dogmind
A5. Heat
B1. Meanwhile Moon
B2. Ride Rite (Dub)
B3. Numeros
B4. Freshmosphere

Unreleased lo-fi goodness from the Lee Tracy & Isaac Manning catalog with a little drum work in the studio from ECLA to give it a little more oomph. Fliiped with 'Jesus Going To Clean House', one of the most popular tracks from the LP, a track is so insanely good I had emails from heads who refused to believe it was not a concocted fake rarity, but no, this is the real deal and on 45 now, one time deal 500 only, pic sleeve, you know what to do.

TRACK LISTING

1. Foxy Lady
2. Jesus Going To Clean House

DJ Moplen has outdone himself with this reimagining of Machine’s disco classic. Sticking purely to elements from the original, he’s managed to completely redesign the song, starting with an extended version of the soulful piano intro. Punching up the kick drums and handclaps moves the track into house territory, complemented by a funky guitar riff that was completely buried in the original. When the bass enters front and center Moplen practically forces you to the dancefloor, leaving you vulnerable to August Darnell’s controversial lyrics. Fresh from a career-making start with Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, lyricist/vocalist Darnell’s collaboration here with Machine was only months from his next incarnation as Kid Creole. Just like those groups, Darnell here fills his song with the politics of race, religion, and sexuality under the guise of a great beat. This release features that rarest of things: a dub just as good as the original. Rather than just removing the vocals, Moplen again rearranges the song, removing the slow intro and building a killer groove from the ground up. As well as the 1979 version, and an acapella reprise, this 12” also features the 1994 Timmy Regisford house mix that captures the dark energy of the song perfectly.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Moplen Remix
A2. Moplen Dub
B1. Original 1979 Version
B2. 1994 Timmy Regisford Remix
B3. Acapella Reprise

The Who’s 1982 tour, which was all in North America apart from two warm-up dates at the Birmingham NEC in England, was their last to feature Kenney Jones on drums and they wouldn’t tour again until 1989. The tour promoted the recent “It’s Hard” album, which had been released in June 1982, and the set list included a number of tracks from that album, some of which the band would only play live on this tour. This release features the show from the second of their two nights at New York’s Shea Stadium and was recorded on October 13th 1982. Although a couple of tracks have appeared on compilations, this is the first official release of the audio from the full show.

TRACK LISTING

3LP:
A1. Substitute
A2. I Can’t Explain
A3. Dangerous
A4. Sister Disco
A5. The Quiet One
B1. It’s Hard
B2. Eminence Front
B3. Behind Blue Eyes
B4. Baba O’Riley
C1. I’m One
C2. The Punk And The Godfather
C3. Drowned
C4. Tattoo
D1. Cry If You Want
D2. Who Are You
D3. Pinball Wizard
D4. See Me Feel Me
E1. Love Reign O’er Me
E2. Long Live Rock
E3. Won’t Get Fooled Again
F1. Young Man Blues
F2. Naked Eye
F3. I Saw Her Standing There
F4. Summertime Blues
F5. Twist And Shout

2CD:
(CD1)
1. Substitute
2. I Can’t Explain
3. Dangerous
4. Sister Disco
5. The Quiet One
6. It’s Hard
7. Eminence Front
8. Behind Blue Eyes
9. Baba O’Riley
10. I’m One
11. The Punk And The Godfather
12. Drowned
13. Tattoo
14. Cry If You Want
(CD2)
1. Who Are You
2. Pinball Wizard
3. See Me Feel Me
4. Love Reign O’er Me
5. Long Live Rock
6. Won’t Get Fooled Again
7. Young Man Blues
8. Naked Eye
9. I Saw Her Standing There
10. Summertime Blues
11. Twist And Shout

The Selecter were one of the key bands of the ska revival in the late 70’s and one of the few racially and sexually integrated bands on the scene. Vocalist Pauline Black wrote about sexism, racism, and social issues. Their debut release was the AA side of The Specials single ‘Gangsters’ in the summer of 1979, which only consisted of Neol Davies and John Bradbury (of The Specials) before quickly forming a full band by the end of the year. Releasing their follow up single ‘On My Radio’ which reached No. 6 in the UK charts. Their debut album ‘Too Much Pressure’ was released in February 1980 and reached No. 5 in the UK charts. The album also included two further hit singles ‘Three Minute Hero’ and ‘Missing Words’.

TRACK LISTING

Vinyl Tracklisting:
Side A
1. Three Minute Hero
2. Everyday
3. They Make Me Mad
4. Missing Words
5. Danger
6. Street Feeling
7. My Collie (Not A Dog)

Side B
1. Too Much Pressure
2. Murder
3. Out On The Streets
4. Carry Go Bring Come
5. Black And Blue 
6. James Bond

Next year is Ipecac’s 25th Anniversary, and they couldn’t have made it this long without the support of independent record shops. To start the celebrations, they’re releasing the 2005 album from General Patton vs. The X-Ecutioners on vinyl for the first time ever… and it’s only available to independent retailers, pressed on Silver Streak coloured vinyl.

The release teams up Mike Patton, the legendary frontman for Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk and countless others, with one of the most respected DJ crews in all of hip-hop, The XEcutioners.

The collaboration came about after both factions performed a few improvisational live shows together. With the sweet scent of chemistry soon wafting through the air, it was decided to take it a step further - collaborate on a full-on recording. What you get are 23 tracks that approximate a head-on collision between hip-hop and the wild and whacky world of Ipecac.

TRACK LISTING

"X-Men Doctrine And Declaration: Target=40:40:11N 73:56:38W"
"General P. Counterintelligence: Target=37:47:36N 122:33:17W"
"¡Get Up, Punk! 0200 Hrs. (Joint Special Operations Task Force)"
"Roc Raida: Riot Control Agent / Combat Stress Control"
"Improvised Explosive Device 0300 Hrs."
"¡Vaqueros Y Indios! (Joint Special Operations Task Force)"
"Precision Guided Needle-Dropping and Larynx Munitions (PGNDLM)"
"Duelling Banjo Marching Drill"
"Battle Hymn Of The Technics Republic”
"¡Fire In The Hole! 0400 Hrs. (Joint Special Operations Task Force)"
"Convulsive Antidote For Nerve Agent Autoinjector (CANAA)"
"Modified Combined Obstacle Overlay (MCOO) …or... "How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love the Turntables""
"Surprise Swing Insurgency / Tabla and Tongue Twist Counterattack / "Dragon Seeks Path""
"¡Kamikaze! 0500 Hrs. ("Take A Piece Of Me")"
""We'll Paint This Town" -- Throat and Phonograph Fire Support Coordination Measures (TPFSCM)"
"Imitative Electromagnetic Deception (IED) / Digital Nonsecure Voice Terminal (DNVT)"
"A.W.O.L. Block Party Brawl 0600 Hrs."
"Eastside Multichannel Tactical Scratch Communications (EMTSC)"
"¡Pimps Up, Aces High! 0700 Hrs. (Westside Swashbuckling Parade)"
"Warcry / Infrared R'n'B Hallucination / Jungle Operations Exfiltration System"
"L.O.L. - ¡Loser On Line! (Hate The Player, Hate The Game)"
"Low Altitude Vocal Parachute Extraction System (LAVPES)"
"Battle Damage Assessment And Repair / White Flag Surrender / "Wake Me Up In Heaven""

The memoir from Joel Gion, the tambourine playing frontman of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, one of the great contemporary cult American rock and roll bands.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are one of the great contemporary cult American rock and roll bands. At the peak of their anarchic reign in the San Francisco underground of the mid '90s their psychedelic output was almost as prodigious and impressive as their narcotic intake. Immortalised in one of the most unforgettable rock and roll documentaries of all time, DIG! alongside their friends/rivals/nemeses, The Dandy Warhol's, in their early years when the US were obsessed with grunge, the BJM felt like a '60s anachronism. But with albums like Their Satanic Majesties Second Request and Thank God for Mental Illness, and incendiary, often chaotic, live shows, they burnished their legend as true believers and custodians of the original west coast flame; a privilege and responsibility which continues to this day when the band have a bigger and more dedicated audience than ever.

Joel Gion's memoir tells the story of the first ten years of the band from the Duke Seat. A righteous account of the hazards and pleasures of life on and off the road, In the Jingle Jangle Jungle takes use behind the scenes of the supposed behind the scenes film that cemented the band's legend. Funny as hell, shot through with the innocence and wonder of a 'percussionist' whose true role is that of the band's 'spirit animal', In the Jingle Jangle Jungle is destined to take its place alongside cult classics in the pantheon of rock and roll literature like Playing the Bass with Three Left Hands, Head On, and 45 by Bill Drummond. It will also feature a foreword by Anton Newcombe, fellow member and founder of The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Dirty Blends hit us with their 10th release. I don't think a label has epitomized the OG spirit of Trax, the Muzic Box, and those early tape experiments by Adonis, Ron Hardy et al so well. Proper primitive, primordial warehouse tackle that gets right inside your body!

The A-side comes from new label member Grizzly Knuckles with "Caviar" - an edit of Jackmaster Dick's Revenge's (real alias) 1986 release, "Sensuous Woman Goes Disco" - but utilizing a much less x-rated vocal snippet, revolving around food rather than explicit sexual material. 

The B-side comes from label head The Jak who recreats the drum rhythms of Jesse Saunders with his KPR, taking us back to the mosh pits of The Reactor or Medusa with another stripped back exercise in jak beat. 

Dirty Blends - strictly for the most outrageous nightclub weirdos! Recommended. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The Dirty Blends jak beat enslaught continues in earnest with a double header from label stalwarts Grizzly Knuckles and The Jak. Chicago historians will recognize "From The Old Days Past", a clever tweak of Jackmaster Dick's make-you-blush booty track (also used quite recently by Paranoid London). This stuff is so powerful and carnal; almost has me tearing off my clothes ready to slam dance.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Grizzly Knuckles - Caviar Ensemble
B1. The Jak - From Old Days Past

Karen Dalton's 1969 Capitol debut is finally back in print! Light in the Attic is thrilled to present a brand new edition of this heart-wrenching & bluesy introduction to the intoxicating world of Dalton and her deep well of musical secrets.

World-weary and filled with the blues, Dalton’s unsurpassed interpretive depth and emotional range were like no other. Recorded for Capitol in 1969, It’s So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best spans generations of classic American songwriting–covering classics by Lead Belly, Fred Neil, and Tim Hardin. While no longer with us in the physical, Karen’s growing musical presence is stronger than ever and worthy of re-examination by both the converted and the uninitiated alike. This new re-release serves as the definitive, all-analog version of Dalton’s stunning debut, featuring remastered audio from the original Capitol masters, the original 1969 artwork in an expanded gatefold jacket, unseen photos by album photographer Joel Brodsky, and an essay interviewing Karen’s friends and music collaborators, from album producer and bassist Harvey Brooks to musician Peter Stampfel of the Holy Modal Rounders.

TRACK LISTING

1. Little Bit Of Rain
2. Sweet Substitute
3. Ribbon Bow
4. I Love You More Than Words Can Say
5. In The Evening
6. Blues On The Ceiling
7. It Hurts Me Too
8. How Did The Feeling Feel To You
9. Right, Wrong Or Ready
10. Down On The Street

A collection of unreleased tracks from the early 90's "Jumpin' & Pumpin'" era, when FSOL hid behind various guises. Generally revolving around bleep, hardcore and ambient house; three, then-recently-established genres that FSOL would explore and develop on throughout the extensive discography. A lot of these tracks have been out of print and quite sought after for many years, making this anthology quite a special releases for fans of Garry Cobain and Brian Dougans' boundary-pushing project. 

TRACK LISTING

01. Sightings
02. 1st Calling
03. Across The Rivers
04. Great Danger
05. Corridor Lm3
06. Shes So Automatic
07. Keep Walking
08. In A Cage
09. Under The Rock
10. Visual Attack
11. You Might
12. Garden Bridge
13. We Bring It
14. Kremlin Taped
15 .travellers
16 .just Look
17. 831am

Back in 2020 The Whole Truth dropped a heap of gospel inspiration on Parkway in the shape of “Lord, Quench My Soul.” Three years later and they’re back stronger than ever.

The original "Believe" is an intense call for hope, featuring some amazing hooks and instrumentation that reference the sound of classics yet still bring new flavors.

Parkway boss Mark Seven has stretched the piece out into two further mixes, injecting time and space to create club friendly mixes that are high on hope!

Altogether it’s more timeless magic from the collectable proto-house / boogie label. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: With one of the most iconic sound signatures, Parkway is the leading label when it comes to new takes on classic proto-house and electro-boogie sounds, with a reliable formula curatedn by label head Mark Seven. The Whole Truth return to the label for a dazzlingly good, Zanzibar flavoured cut with the usual bonus dub and club mixes for various stages of the party. Expert stuff as always.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Believe (Original)
A2. Believe (Club Mix)
B1. Believe (Life After Dub Mix)

Fucked Up’s now classic 2008 album "The Chemistry Of Common Life" synthesizes numerous diverse impulses into an expansive epic about the mysteries of birth, death, and the origins of life (and re-living). Merging elements of hardcore songwriting with up to 70 tracks of guitars, organs, winds and vocals, (including 18 guitars on the first single, the fatalistic “No Epiphany”), the music remains iconoclastic and startling, with Pink Eyes’ vocals front and center. Guest musicians, of course, abound, notably gorgeous voices such as Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls and Toronto’s Katie Stelmanis.

TRACK LISTING

1. Son The Father
2. Magic Word
3. Golden Seal
4. Days Of Last
5. Crooked Head
6. No Epiphany
7. The Peaceable Kingdom
8. Black Albino Bones
9. Royal Swan
10. Twice Born
11. Looking For God
12. The Chemistry Of Common Life

Picking up right where they left off over ten years ago, 'Welcome To The Rest Of Your Life' sees Little Man Tate deftly tap into the band's original unremitting magic with a fresh, fully-grown twist.

TRACK LISTING

1. Cheap Stolen Kisses
2. Under Cover Lovers
3. Down In The Gutter
4. You Rub Me Up The Wrong Way
5. 23
6. Get Up Get Out
7. Kiss And Just Be Friends
8. Two Lives
9. We Can Be The Gossip
10. One Last Song
11. You Know You're Turning Me On *
12. Beautiful, Deadly & Mine *

*CD Only Track

For more than 30 years, singer-songwriter and guitar hero Mary Timony has cut a distinctive path through the world of independent music, most recently as vocalist and guitarist of acclaimed garage-pop power trio Ex Hex (Merge) but also as a member of seminal post punk band Autoclave (Dischord), celebrated leader of the deeply influential Helium (Matador), multifaceted solo artist (Matador, Lookout!, Kill Rock Stars), and a co-founder of supergroup Wild Flag (Merge). Described by Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein as “Mary Shelley with a guitar” and dubbed “a trailblazer and an innovator” by Lindsey Jordan a.k.a. Snail Mail, Timony has distinguished herself as one of her generation’s most influential. Although she has remained a cult hero and critical favorite since the early ’90s, Timony’s many triumphs have long been counterbalanced by crippling doubt and self-nullification.

Her fifth solo album, Untame the Tiger, approaches these emotions head on. Her first solo release in 15 years is a startling document of an artist fully coming into her own power during the fourth decade of her career. It is the product of lessons learned during life-altering struggle. The mystical, acoustic-driven Untame the Tiger emerged after the dissolution of a long-term relationship and was bookended by the deaths of Timony’s father and mother. The album was recorded during a two-year period during which she was the primary caregiver for her ailing parents. The tectonic psychic shift Mary experienced due to this loss informs many of her lyrics.

Standout track “No Thirds” “is a song about losing everything and having to keep on going,” says Timony. “I wanted the verses to sound like a wide-open barren space, like driving across a desert, because that is what the song is about—losing people and the feeling that your future is a giant, wide-open blank space.” The stripped-back acoustic instrumentation of “The Guest” conjures Sweetheart-era Byrds. Timony describes it as a song sung directly to loneliness: “I was imagining loneliness as a house guest who keeps knocking on your door. I thought it would be funny to say loneliness is the only one who always comes back.”

Untame the Tiger does not eschew Timony’s guitar hero reputation; in fact, “Summer” relishes in it, a straight-up banger that you’d be half tempted to call “no frills” until its initial garage rock stomp breaks into the unexpected bliss of a twin guitar solo conclusion. “I wanted the recording to have the energy of the Kinks, early Dio and Elf, or Rory Gallagher,” she explains. “I was also listening to a lot of Gerry Rafferty’s first solo album and was inspired to have two simultaneous guitar solos.” Untame the Tiger picks up the thread woven through Timony’s freak-folk-anticipating solo albums of the early ’00s. Basic tracks were recorded at Studio 606 in Los Angeles, with Timony backed by Dave Mattacks, drummer of legendary British folk-rock band Fairport Convention. “Mattacks is a hero of mine and one of my favorite musicians of all time. He is a true legend.

I never in a million years thought he’d agree to play on my record,” says Timony. “Before the session, I had a panic attack and had to go sit alone in the parking lot… Once we started playing together, it felt so great that the fear subsided and turned into excitement. His playing felt instantly familiar, which makes sense because it’s the foundation of many of my favorite records.”

Untame the Tiger was produced by Mary Timony, Joe Wong, and Dennis Kane. The album was recorded over the course of two years at Studio 606, Magpie Cage, 38North, and in Mary’s basement. Additional engineering by J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines). Musicians include Chad Molter (Faraquet, Medications), David Christian (Karen O, Hospitality), and Brian Betan-court (Cass McCombs, Devendra Banhart, Hospitality). The album was mixed by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, The Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev), Dennis Kane, and John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile, Waxahatchee).

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A
1. No Thirds
2. Summer
3. Dominoes
4. Looking For The Sun
5. The Guest
SIDE B
6. Don’t Disappear
7. The Dream
8. Untame The Tiger
9. Not The Only One

Musician and writer Karl Bartos has long been admirer of Weimar-era culture. During his time in Kraftwerk, he helped create the stunning track 'Metropolis', directly inspired by a band viewing of the classic 1927 Fritz Lang film of the same name.

The original orchestral music composed for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari by Giuseppe Becce had long been lost and in 2005, after watching the film, Bartos imagined what it would be like to create an entirely new one in the 21st Century in his home studios in Hamburg. Now with crystal clear images, digitally restored by the Friedrich-Wilhelm -Murnau-Foundation, the film is visually the best quality it has ever been, and now, with Bartos' soundtrack, there is impressive sound to go with the haunting vision. Narrative film music and sound design for Robert Wiene's classic 1920 psychological thriller.

For the task, Bartos ransacked his own library of musical compositions, recreating pieces he had written as a young classical musician in his pre-Kraftwerk days whilst creating new sounds, melodies and textures. The intention was not simply to write a film score per se. This was to be an immersive listening experience with special sound effects to match the action as we enter the film as both spectator and participant. A creaking door, footsteps on gravel, the turning of pages in a ledger, a half-heard fragment of dialogue are seamlessly synchronised to the action on screen. By taking the characteristics of Expressionism in the arts, and transferring them into film making, a disturbing, distorted depiction of reality enwrapped and entrapped the viewer.

The subjective replaces the objective. We are sucked into a parallel world lit in menacing chiaroscuro, where dimension, proportion and perspective are all off skew. From the convex polygon-shaped windows of precipitously sharp-inclined buildings to the surreally odd tables and chairs with long spindly legs to be found in preposterously small and oddly shaped rooms, alienating camera angles and impossible vanishing points, the town of Holstenwall in which much of the action takes place, is the world of the imagination, not the empirical world of our own eyes and ears. 'The cinema image must become an engraving,' the film's set designer Hermann Warm said. We can hear melodies that lie within the tradition of the Baroque Age of Bach, the early Romanticism of Mozart, the dissonance of Schoenberg, the unsettling metric play of Stravinsky and the harshly dramatic repetitions of Philip Glass.

From outside of the classical tradition there is the folklorist bricolage of the fair- ground barrel organ tempered playfully by some psychedelic backwards musique concrete along with some melodies which would not have been out of place on a Kraftwerk album from the classic era. All the time the listener is on a journey, sounds move in and out, music weaves and entwines, the soundscape is immersive and intoxicatingly rich. It is music which is, by turns, beautiful, amusing, playful and profoundly dis- quieting and it is perfect fit for the aesthetic of era-jumping in the actual film. Dr. Caligari's action switches from the then present day to the past century and even further back before rebooting back to the imagined present. 'There's something about this film. No matter how often you watch it, it keeps its secrets. Who is mad and who is not always remains a question of interpretation,' says Bartos. The film remains an enigma, but now one with the soundtrack and soundscape it deserves.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: It's a classic format isn't it, wise synth maestro crafts found-sound collage (in this instance it's his own 'lost sounds' that got 'found'), over classic psychological thriller. It's on Bureau B, and Karl Bartos and it's an absorbing and beautifully crafted listen. What's not to love.

TRACK LISTING

1. Prologue
2. Scary Memories
3. Atonal Floating
4. Full Of Life
5. In The Town Hall
6. At The Funfair
7. A Mysterious Crime
8. At The Funfair 2
9. The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari
10. Jane's Theme
11. March Grotesque 2
12. Janeâs Theme 2
13. Shadows
14. Tragic Message
15. Suspicion
16. Tragic Message 2
17. The Plan
18. A Dark Figure
19. Caligari's Theme
20. Arrest Of The Suspect
21. Caligari's Theme 2
22. Worried Jane
23. Interrogation
24. Jane's Fear
25. Francis's Observation
26. Cesare's Attack And Escape
27. Safe And Sound
28. Francis At A Loss
29. Caligari's Deception
30. Lunatic Asylum
31. In Search Of The Truth
32. Out In The Field
33. The Director Rants And Rages
34. Scary Memories 2
35. Who's Mad Here?
36. Francis Rants And Rages
37. Epilogue

Originally released in 1984, following the band’s evolution from the Southern Death Cult, to Death Cult, and then simply The Cult, Dreamtime finds the outfit featuring Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, pivoting from their goth and punk roots into something eclectic, aspirational, and adventurous. Rife with lyrical references to the indigenous cultures of the Americas and Australia, and set against a more bombastic and muscular musical backdrop, Dreamtime hints at what would envelop the band over the next four decades, a dedication to their wholly unique songwriting, both musically and thematically, and the frenzy that was soon to come with the release of Love only a year later.

TRACK LISTING

1. Horse Nation
2. Spiritwalker
3. 83rd Dream
4. Butterflies
5. Go West
6. Gimmick
7. A Flower In The Desert
8. Dreamtime
9. Rider In The Snow
10. Bad Medicine Waltz

One of the country's most underrated singer-songwriters, John Bramwell, returns to the fray with a remarkable new album The Light Fantastic via Townsend Music.

Anyone who has heard John's work with seminal Manchester band I Am Kloot, will be cheered by the news of this impending release. Nominated for a Mercury Prize in 2010 for their acclaimed Sky At Night album, I Am Kloot never quite received the widespread success their music deserved.

This new album is a masterclass in emotionally charged and melodically driven tunes for the adventurous. All 12 tracks were written by John except for 'Nobody Left But You' which he co-wrote with album producer Dave Fidler.

"After both my Mum and Dad died, I started writing these songs to cheer myself up," John admits with typical candour. "The themes are taken from my dreams at the time. Wake up and take whatever impression I had from what I could remember of my dream and write that."

Despite the sentiment, the songs are surprisingly uplifting. And will no doubt sound great live.

TRACK LISTING

1. Leave No Traces
2. A World Full Of Flowers
3. It's Just You
4. The Light Fantastic
5. Here It Comes
6. A Sky Full Of Thunder And Lightning
7. I Am The Sky
8. Days Go By
9. The Element Of Truth
10. I Feel Me
11. Nobody Left But You
12. Illegalised

Coming off the heels of 2022's A New Kind of Love, A Trip To The Moon sees Ghost Funk Orchestra diving even deeper in the worlds of film music, exotica, and psychedelic surf rock. The aim is to create a layered and collaged listening experience with more elements than you could possibly pick out in a single listen.

The guitars are fuzzy and flooded with spring reverb, and the horns are arranged in a studio big band fashion. It's full of big compositions with garage rock attitude.

Influences range everywhere from Eddie Palmieri and Esquivel to The Lively Ones, Dusty Springfield, and War. The tracks are tied together by real recorded transmissions from the Apollo moon missions. The concept for the album is a story about a woman stranded on earth by her cosmonaut partner, left to ponder his whereabouts and whether or not he'll make it back from the cosmos alive.

TRACK LISTING

Opening
Eyes Of Love
Where To?
To The Moon!
Achluo
Nova
Helios
Into The Abyss
Again
A Solar Wind
Space Walk
Casadastra
A Rare View
Totality
Infinite Dar

As the empowerment of the ’60s gave way to the societal bankruptcy of the ’70s, a turned-on Black music emerged to soundtrack the agony of America at a crossroads. Tracked at DB Sound in Silver Spring, Maryland by producer R. Jose Williams, Your Funny Moods is built around the rhythms and keys of drumming wiz James Purdie. Remastered here from the original analog tapes, this 50th anniversary edition is peak group harmony soul from the Chocolate City.

TRACK LISTING

A1. I Need Your Love
A2. Town Called Nowhere
A3. Struggling Man
B1. Your Funny Moods
B. I’m Looking Away From My Past
B3. Seems Like The Love We Had Is Dead And Gone
B4. We Share Love

Whitelands are Etienne, Jagun, Vanessa and Michael and they are ostensibly a shoegaze band ever since Etienne stumbled across Slowdive’s KEXP session in his recommended videos on YouTube a few years ago. However, they come at the resurgent, Gen Z-soundtracking genre from a refreshingly different angle thanks to their mishmash of musical backgrounds. There’s also the fact that their line-up is fully PoC in what is traditionally seen as a predominantly white genre.

“There’s an underlying narrative that it’s OK for white men to be romantic, sensitive, emotional and make dreamy music and, by contrast, young Black men should be making angry music,” says Vanessa. “We’ve all grown up with these stereotypes and therefore I think people are mystified when they see Whitelands.” “I consume a lot of media,” says Etienne of his wide range of influences. “Videogames, music, news, paintings, manga, animations and film are my go-to, especially anime. There is this drive to want to understand and feel the whole weight of an expression. So, the songs are based on other songs, pictures, aesthetics, ‘vibes’, an emotion someone else felt. Fundamentally, you are what you eat.”

As a result of this diet, the lyrics are stunning, dealing with everything from unbalanced relationships and vulnerability to depression, being diagnosed with ADHD and, on the new single ‘Tell Me About It’ (featuring vocals by Dottie from the band’s Sonic Cathedral labelmates deary), trying to navigate love following that diagnosis.

The album is bookended by two poetically political songs – ‘Setting Sun’ and ‘Now Here’s The Weather’ – that deal with imperialism, racism and performative ignorance.

“We’ve experienced tokenism, micro-behaviours, envy and resentment,” concludes Vanessa. “So we feel we have to continually prove ourselves. We know we’re making a positive impact, but I want Whitelands to really break some barriers.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Liam says: Massive shoegaze tip!!! I've been loving their track 'Tell Me About It' (which is complete ethereal bliss) for the past month and thankfully the rest of this LP from Whitelands lives up to the anticipation. With sprinklings of DIIV, Slowdive and even an appearance from fellow gazers Deary, 'Night-bound Eyes Are Blind To The Day' is proper reverb drenched goodness that manages to avoid the derivative trappings many modern shoegaze acts can sometimes fall in to. It also has the Slowdive seal of approval as it was mastered by drummer Simon Scott, with the shoegaze legends also taking Whitelands out on tour with them - so how's that for a recommendation? MEGA!

TRACK LISTING

1. Setting Sun
2. The Prophet & I
3. Cheer
4. Tell Me About It
5. How It Feels
6. Chosen Light
7. Born In Understanding
8. Now Here’s The Weather

After his recent release on Robert Johnson, Daniel Klein aka SIRS returns to his own Sirsounds Records imprint serving up more sumptuous original compositions on the searingly good ‘The East Is Near EP.’

The Berlin-based musical polymath SIRS (Sounds in Real Stereo), and his project has won over an abundance of admirers across the dance underground in recent years. He's produced and remixed for benchmark labels including Public Possession, Live at Robert Johnson, Compost, Future Disco, and Music for Dreams, and has been drafted to remix artists as diverse as 2raumwohnung and Ennio Morricone. His latest release arrives on the label he launched in 2017 to provide a home for his effervescent output.

On ‘The East Is Near’ Klein has elegantly produced and cleverly arranged spicy and exotic cuts for different moments of the dance, however they all have something in common – an Eastern touch. Teaming up with Berlin master musician Declan McDermott, the captivating tracks have already done some damage and noise on dancefloors around the world

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: It might be the tail end of winter, but SIRS offer up some optimism via Spanish guitar licks and gentle beach canter on four sun-blushed movements of Balearic-house.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Zappelnder Hindu
A2. Treibsand
B1. Ocean Dreams
B2. Zappelnder Hindu Instrumental

A superb 12” slab of rare South London British Jazz-Funk, originally released in the UK in 1984 by Jamaican-born producer Tony Williams, the man behind the seminal Funk Masters’ jazz-funk masterpiece, ‘Love Money’.

Nat King Cool’s stunning in-demand one-off single release ‘Checking Out’ sounds like a blend of MFSB’s ‘Mysteries of the World’ meets UK Brit- Funk, complete with very cool flip-side instrumental. Originally released on the tiny Tai Wan label, this track sounds fresh.

An absolutely essential 1980s Brit-Funk 12” tune, fully remastered from tapes, bespoke exact reprolabels, pressed on pristine vinyl and housed in groovy Soul Jazz / Funk Masters house bag.

TRACK LISTING

1. Checking Out
2. Checking Out (Instrumental)

Consisting of Colorado-based singer-songwriters Josephine Foster and Andy Bar, then later David Pajo of Slint and Tortoise, The Children’s Hour released one studio album (2003’s SOS JFK) and supported Billy Corgan’s Zwan on a tour of North American arenas before parting ways. Going Home is a collection of unreleased material that might have constituted a second album at the time, a beautiful reminder to the world of their passionate, low-key and refined indie rock style.

TRACK LISTING

1. Leader Soldier
2. Dance With Me
3. Bright Lights
4. Rainbow
5. Adoption Day
6. Anna
7. Wyoming
8. Going Home 

Four elusive, somewhat previously unofficial club remixes of the iconic "Papua New Guinea" come together on one 12" vinyl EP. All underground dance hits now in demand.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Tasty remixes of one of the biggest dance tracks of all time. Two jungle remixes, one breakbeat and one for the house brigade. Lovely jubbly.

TRACK LISTING

1. Papua New Guinea (Soul Central Remix)
2. Papua New Guinea (L. Major Remix)
3. Papua New Guinea (Nishesque Remix)
4. Papua New Guinea (Dee Montero Remix)

More jak beat from the on-fire Dirty Blends crew. This one's mad as a box of frogs, recalling the crazed genius of Steve Poindextor and early Lil Louis madness. All three tracks revolve around slam dance repetition, primordial jack patterns and pure Chicago spirit. Not for the fainthearted - strictly for the freaks! Recommended and limited. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: There's simply nothing like the Dirty Blends cartel out there at the moment. Revisiting the embryonic spirit of Chicago house music, when it was literally just a drum machine and a sampler, they manage to capture a primitive energy that's more intoxicating than half the other shit out there made with tons more equipment! Essential stuff for fans of Ron Hardy, Jamal Moss, Trax Records, Steve Poindextor, Adonis, Lil Louis etc etc.

TRACK LISTING

A. The Falcon - Sound The Alarm
B1. Grizzly Knuckles - Mad Bell
B2. The Jak - Aftermath

‘Mr. Machine’ is a record that put them alongside names as Steve Reich and Philip Glass, but with considerably more groove. More than anything, Daniel, Jan and Paul are keen that the Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble are not written off as a curiosity.

“Often people focus a lot on this whole "cross-over" aspect,” says Brauer. “We wish people would simply notice we have good chords, melodies etc. and take the music as it is. Because we make it the way we feel, and not for other, let's say purely conceptual reasons. Some only seem interested in how it’s made. Some reviewers perceive us as minimal techno, some as modern classical, some as nu jazz and so on. But we don’t divide the world into techno and nontechno.”

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A rhythmic, hypnotic selection of classical instrumentation and cyclic music-concrete riffs, underlaid by pulsing bass and snapping jazzy percussion. It's dance music made by nature, or like that bit in Spaced where tyres does the 'everyday raving' bit.

TRACK LISTING

1. Mr. Machine
2. Bop
3. You Make Me Real
4. Pretend
5. Mi Corazon
6. On Powdered Ground (Mixed Lines)
7. Teufelsleiter
8. 606 ‘N’ Rock ’N’ Roll

Blessings of the Highest Order compiles all of Thou’s Nirvana covers, originally recorded and released piecemeal on various EPs, splits, and tributes from 2009 – 2018. The songs feature guest appearances from Emily McWilliams (Silver Godling), Melissa Guion (MJ Guider), Rebecca Levy (Turboslut), Isidore Grisoli (High), and Jennifer Murphy (that one Thou tote). The record features artwork by New Orleans’ underground, BDSM, xerox freakaleek “Trashboy.”

TRACK LISTING

1. Blew
2. School
3. Stain
4. In Bloom
5. Territorial Pissings
6. Scentless Apprentice
7. Aneurysm
8. Floyd The Barber
9. Sifting
10. Milk It
11. I Hate Myself And I Want To Die
12. Dive
13. Even In His Youth
14. Endless, Nameless
15. Something In The Way
16. Where Did You Sleep Last Night? 

In August of 2012, Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit assembled in their home state of Alabama in front of a couple of sold-out concert halls to record their first live album, Live From Alabama.

After years of hard touring, the critically-lauded band has gelled into a versatile rock and roll squad that is equally at ease performing Muscle Shoals soul to hardcore country to balls-out rock. Live From Alabama's tracklist mines some of Isbell's most popular songs and includes a pair of inspired covers in Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane" and Candi Staton's "Heart on a String."

TRACK LISTING

1. Tour Of Duty
2. Decoration Day
3. Goddamn Lonely Love
4. Heart On A String
5. Danko / Manuel
6. In A Razor Town
7. Alabama Pines
8. Outfit
9. Cigarettes And Wine
10. TVA
11. The Blue
12. Dress Blues
13. Like A Hurricane

The Body & Dis Fig are a natural pair. Each has pioneered instantly recognizable worlds of sound all their own that defy any traditional categorizations or boundaries. The Body, Lee Buford and Chip King, continually challenge any conventional conception of metal, collaborating with myriad artists and from the folk-leanings of their work with BIG|BRAVE to their groundbreaking work with the Assembly of Light Choir to the intensity of their collaborations with OAA or Thou. Dis Fig, aka Felicia Chen, pushes electronic music into dark extremes, from warped DJ sets to avant production, from being a member of Tianzhuo Chen’s performance-art series TRANCE to being the vocalist with The Bug. The Body and Dis Fig find kinship in reimagining what it means to make “heavy music”. Their debut Orchards of a Futile Heaven is the perfect synthesis of two forces, twisting melodicism and intoxicating rhythms, layering a dense miasma of distortion with intense beats and a soaring voice clawing its way towards absolution.

Orchards of a Futile Heaven’s walls of sputtering texture and tectonic booms are soaked in the reverence and melancholy of sacred spaces brought to life by palpable intensity by Chen’s voice. Crafted during a time of personal fragility, the album’s devastating force lies beyond any of the expected noise and abrasive textures typically associated with both The Body & Dis Fig. Suffused with a raw vulnerability and a longing for catharsis, Chen’s voice searches for escape in the midst of oppressive atmospheres as if determined to find relief from guilt. “Eternal Hours” patiently unfurls waves of surprising sounds, whispered undulations that are punctuated by sudden crashes, all beneath Chen’s haunting harmonies. “Dissent, Shame” evokes grief and shame with a minimalist drone dirge that gradually builds to an enchanting choral passage. King’s guitar on “Holy Lance” matches the uncanny drone of Chen’s accordion in an all-consuming blast, Chen’s voice transforming the moment from anguish to defiance and empowerment. The album’s arc finishes with “Coils of Kaa” acting as a kind of propulsive exorcism, breaking through a suffocating air before the funeral procession of “Back to the Water” lays the album to rest.

While sampling has long been essential to each, The Body & Dis Fig deftly meld their differing approaches to sampling and creating extreme sounds until the boundaries are entirely blurred. The two found kinship in their desire to find new avenues to make heavy music that looked beyond tropes of metal and electronic music by merging the two. “I always wanted the heavier stuff but I also didn’t really like heavier guitar music,” says Buford. “None of it really felt quite heavy enough to me. A human can’t be as heavy as a machine.” Chen counters, “I love the balance. You could never connect to just a machine as well as you could a human. Which is why the combination is so potent for me. I don’t want to hide. I think nothing connects you more empathetically than another human's voice.”

Orchards of a Futile Heaven affirms The Body & Dis Fig as skilled sound sculptors who have an exceptional ability to make deeply affecting music, bracing as it is touching, harrowing as it is awe-inspiring. Together, the two have harnessed their expansive artistry to make music that is profoundly emotional, and staggering in its beauty.

TRACK LISTING

1. Eternal Hours
2. To Walk A Higher Path
3. Dissent, Shame
4. Orchards Of A Futile Heaven
5. Holy Lance
6. Coils Of Kaa
7. Back To The Water

Following the dark, expansive power of 2018’s ‘Image’ and 2021’s minimal ‘Several Others’, Whispering Sons’ third album, ‘The Great Calm’, represents a reimagining and rethinking, though this growth has produced a series of songs that are still defiantly and uniquely true to the group.

With bass player and producer Bert Vliegen’s credentials to call on, rather than give the band musical sketches to be fleshed out later as he did previously, guitarist Kobe Lijnen was able to provide more fully formed pictures of his potential new songs.

Recorded in four weeks - two in the Audioworkx studio near Eindhoven, Holland, before being finished at the start of 2023 using a homemade set up on Vlieland, a small Dutch island just off the North Sea coast - the power, energy and beauty behind ‘The Great Calm’’s making is etched through the heart of each of its 12 songs.

TRACK LISTING

Standstill
Walking, Flying
Cold City
Dragging
Something Good
Still, Disappearing
The Talker
Balm (After Violence)
Poor Girl
Loose Ends
Oceanic
Try Me Again

Maya Shenfeld’s expansive, kaleidoscopic music is as illuminating as it is exquisite. Classically trained, Shenfeld has fast grown into one of contemporary music’s most exciting, vital voices. Every aspect of her dazzling, multifaceted output interrogates the way we experience the world around us - be it solo microtonal explorations, sitespecific installations, or commissions for leading New Music ensembles. Shenfeld balances orchestral ambition and compositional rigor with the joy of noise, and granular detail.

‘Under The Sun’ provides a daring expansion of that musical vision, a series of pieces exploring change and repetition, deep time and the ephemeral moment, equilibrium, and imminent threat. Composed and produced between a studio in Berlin and on-site at one of the world’s deepest marble quarries in Portugal, the album’s powerful sounds are a meditation on the natural world, wrestling with the looming threat of catastrophe and crisis, and the power of community and collaboration to enact change.

Our environment is more than just an abstract theme, it is interwoven into ‘Under The Sun’’s very sonic DNA. Field recordings taken deep within the still-active quarry in Portugal were recorded, quite literally, under the scorching sun on one of the hottest days on record in the country. Shenfeld extracted sounds from this scarred, deeply mined landscape, and threaded these samples into rich arrangements of synthesizers and acoustic instruments. The atmospheres of Under the Sun evoke that push and pull through an eclectic and rich sonic palette, from the sacred sounds of the organ at St Matthew’s Church to the ethereal voices of the Ritter Youthchoir conducted by Ann-Kristin Mayr.

Reflections of her punk and electronic forays bubble up in a collaborative composition with Emptyset’s James Ginzburg, summoning raw, primal energy. ‘Under The Sun’ encourages us to explore how we relate to our environment. Shenfeld’s slowly evolving, hypnotic pieces make canny use of repetition, space, and silence to play with our very sense of time and our relationship to our surroundings. A deep listening that enables us to better attune our ears to the world around us, championing collective listening and collaboration as a force for change.

TRACK LISTING

A Guide For The Perplexed
Tehom
Geist
Interstellar
Light, Refracted
On Its Rounds The Wind
Returns
Sedek
Analemma

Levitation Sessions continue with Italian psych pop group Dumbo Gets Mad, as they take us on a journey through 13 of their feel-good, groovy tunes. Recorded in Reggio Emilia in Italy, Dumbo Gets Mad invites us into the taste of a European summer day. Get a preview of the upcoming session and prepare your eyes and ears for the full release Cotton Candy Colored Vinyl . "In the countyside of my hometown there is a forgotten Villa from the 1700s that is surrounded by peace and quiet. It is a pastoral place that hosted my band and me for this special session. We got there on a hot summer day, hooked up a Studer mixing console, and start playing a bunch of Dumbo Gets Mad jams. When the sun came down, we realized that our session was over but it had been a very nice day indeed, one that I had the pleasure to spend with friends and music." - Dumbo

TRACK LISTING

1. Self Esteem
2. Eclectic Prawn
3. Plumy Tale
4. Before Kiddos Bath
5. Crystal Balls On A Roll
6. Congratulations
7. Try To Be Your Best Person
8. Makes You Fly
9. She Knows
10. Indian Food

The Snuts present Millennials: a sharp, snarling 10-track run of firecrackers, out February 23rd, 2024 on the band’s newly set up label Happy Artist Records - via The Orchard From start to finish, top to bottom, Millennials has been made entirely to The Snuts’ script. The result: a tight, taut, fat-free masterclass in songwriting and production. The Snuts have a chart-topping and top 3 albums under their belts, songs that attack subjects affecting the youth of today, and an arsenal of adoring fans up and down the country. As these four lads from Whitburn, West Lothian vowed four years ago, The Snuts wanted to be risky. And with Millennials, The Snuts have followed through on that promise. On their third album they’ve followed up, changed up and – fully, wholeheartedly, joyfully – revved up.

TRACK LISTING

1. Gloria
2. Millionaires
3. Yoyo
4. NPC
5. Butterside Down
6. Novastar
7. Dreams
8. Wunderkind
9. Deep Diving
10. Circles

Deluxe CD Bonus Tracks
11. Mexico
12. Right Hand Girl
13. Jam_5.mp3

Released in September 1985 and includes the classic single,T'he Whole of The Moon', along with other tracks, 'Don't Bang The Drum', 'The Pan Within' and 'Old England', 'This Is The Sea' is the third album by The Waterboys. 

TRACK LISTING

1. Don't Bang The Drum
2. The Whole Of The Moon
3. Spirit
4. The Pan Within
5. Medicine Bow
6. Old England
7. Be My Enemy
8. Trumpets
9. This Is The Sea

The Atta Girl and P.U.N.K. Girl singles were released in 1993; album The Decline and Fall of Heavenly came soon after in 1994: collectively they show a band that is rapidly expanding its scope. The album veers confidently from high speed indiepunk (Me And My Madness) to cool surf instrumental (Sacramento) and back again to the sweetest indiepop (Itchy Chin). Meanwhile, the singles, which include the band’s most celebrated tune - P.U.N.K Girl – demonstrates how much confidence Heavenly were deriving from their involvement in the nascent Riot Grrrl scene. All the anger is there, the politics are direct and crystal clear – yet the whole thing is still delivered with the sweetest pop melodies. It’s like being punched and kissed at the same time.

The three releases also show how Heavenly had come to feel equally at home in the UK and in the US. The album maybe feels more British, as demonstrated by the Old World irony of the ‘Decline and Fall’ title. At Heavenly gigs in the UK, often playing with other bands on the increasingly influential Sarah Records, audiences were getting bigger, while the bands were finding a sweet spot where anti-corporate understatement and a dismissive attitude to an increasingly misogynist UK Press was no barrier to success. P.U.N.K Girl and Atta Girl on the other hand, are more gleeful, more headlong, and somehow feel more American: they are carried along by the excitement and adrenaline of having found another spiritual home - the indiepunk Riot Grrrl scene that was focussed on Olympia, WA, the HQ of Heavenly’s US label K Records. (K released P.U.N.K Girl and Atta Girl together on one 10” EP.)

Amelia Fletcher and Cathy Rogers were now confidently sharing vocals, sometimes harmonising, sometimes taking it in turns, sometimes singing over each other. Peter (guitar) Mathew (drums) and Rob (bass) had become adept at changing gear from ornate pop to full-on punk, unafraid of genre rules and increasingly happy to make up their own version of what pop music should sound like.

TRACK LISTING

1. Me And My Madness
2. Modestic
3. Skipjack
4. Itchy Chin
5. Sacramento
6. Three Star Compartment
7. Sperm Meets Egg, So What?
8. She And Me
9. P.U.N.K. Girl
10. Hearts And Crosses
11. Attagirl
12. Dig Your Own Grave
13. So?

East Los Angeles quartet Levitation Room’s floaty, cosmic songs are always a trip. Since forming nearly a decade ago, they’ve self-produced dizzying, otherworldly music that’s connected with fellow travelers in the hallucinogenic world of outré rock music.

Led by singer and guitarist Julian Porte along with founding members Gabriel Fernandez (lead guitar) and Johnathan Martin (percussion), the band has enchanted live audiences at Desert Daze and on tour with like-minded groups Post Animal and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. The band’s vivid sound has found them placed on popular playlists like Modern Psychedelia and the legendary superproducer’s Danger Mouse Jukebox. Their 2015 debut, “Friends,” has surpassed 18 million streams. Joined by new member Kevin Perez (bass) in 2021, Levitation Room have continued to expand their colorful, unearthly sound, a process that has culminated with the vibrant new album Strange Weather.

Collaborating with former Brian Jonestown Massacre keyboardist Rob Campanella, Jason Kick (Mild High Club), and Black Crowes’ Joel Robinow, Levitation Room take a new step in their story and vision with Strange Weather. The record’s lyrical narratives—about love in the park, life in the city, and the fact that “The world today is such an illusion”—are appropriately steeped in ’60s sonics and a dreamy, lo-fi atmosphere. It’s spacey, celestial guitar music for escaping into, and “it feels just like heaven.” Join Levitation Room on their new voyage.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: A brilliantly widescreen fusion of heady psychedelic rock, perfectly manicured breakdowns and crisp, rhythmic percussion. Strange Weather have the pace and groove of the best electronic indie forebears with the carefree aura of the most exploratory free-psych of the 70's. Lovely stuff.

TRACK LISTING

1. Heaven
2. Strange Weather
3. Cool It, Baby
4. Expectations
5. Immortal Love
6. Scene For An Exit
7. Pintura
8. Morning Star
9. Revelations
10. The Other Side

Consider this your invitation to Café Molly, a lounge bar like they don’t make them anymore. The lights are low, the martinis are ice cold, the banquettes are velvet, and the stage is set for the electrifying talent of whistler Molly Lewis. After the exotica stylings of The Forgotten Edge EP and the tropicalia-indebted Mirage EP, Molly wanted to encapsulate the sound of Café Molly for her debut album On The Lips, a dreamy tribute to classic mood music, it conjures up misty visions of classic Hollywood jazz clubs, Italian cinema soundtracks and lingering embraces between lovers. Recorded with producer Thomas Brenneck of the Menahan Street Band at his newly-built Diamond West Studios in Pasadena, and with something of an open door policy during the sessions, a stream of acclaimed musicians ended up across the album’s 10 tracks, including Nick Hakim, Latin Grammy-nominated Brazilian guitarist Rogê, Leland Whitty and Chester Hansen of Canadian instrumental group Badbadnotgood, Chicano soul group Thee Sacred Souls appear on the melancholy ‘Crushed Velvet’, experimental jazz pianist Marco Benevento and El Michels Affair’s Leon Michels. With her intoxicating compositions, and wry brand of stagecraft (she might not be singing up there, but she can sure tell a joke) Molly Lewis looks set to join her heroes in the storied lore of the Los Angeles lounge scene and beyond. So pull up a chair, order your favorite drink, and prepare to fall for On The Lips.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: I Don't think i've ever been into a 'lounge' club, I know i've been into places that say they're a lounge club but they're really not, so with that in mind, i'm not sure where would be there perfect place for Molly Lewis' brilliantly rich lounge-jazz masterpiece 'On The Lips'. Lounge club, actual lounge, lounge bar, perfect for all. Sleek, smooth and sparkly.

TRACK LISTING

1. On The Lips
2. Lounge Lizard
3. Crushed Velvet
4. Slinky
5. Moon Tan
6. Silhouette
7. Porque Te Vas
8. Cocosette
9. Sonny
10. The Crying Game

Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist’s joint album VOIR DIRE is available now across all digital streaming platforms with an updated tracklist via Tan Cressida / ALC / Warner Records. Accompanying the album’s digital streaming platform encompassing debut, the duo tallies their third visual of the project with the release of a music video featuring album track "Vin Skully."

Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist surprised both the music and media landscapes at large with the initial August release VOIR DIRE, which arrived with the exciting lead single, "Sentry" ft. MIKE. As the anticipation for the album in its entirety continued to grow, the second DSP-accessible track, "The Caliphate" materialized alongside the release of its visual, featuring Vince Staples. Today marks the official release of the entire album in its original form and sequence — with two previously unreleased tracks including "Heatcheck," and "Mancala," the latter of which features Vince Staples for his second appearance on the album.

Supporting the album’s release, the duo is trekking an 11-stop tour spanning the month of November featuring Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist performing together with support slots from MIKE & Black Noi$e.

The Alchemist initially hinted that they put out a secret album on YouTube under a fake name but four years went by without any fans discovering it. Fast forward to this summer, a new series of clues led fans on a scavenger hunt that unearthed VOIR DIRE, the long-rumored and highly-anticipated album from Earl Sweatshirt and The Alchemist.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: I'm not sure how much I need to say here to be honest. Most of you will know Earl Sweatshirt, and his low-slung hip-hop drawl atop The Alchemist's famously brilliant beats is everything you could hope for. A perfect fusion of production and lyrics from two legendary figures in the scene. don't wait on this one.

TRACK LISTING

1. 100 High Street
2. Vin Skully
3. Sentry Ft. Mike
4. Heat Check
5. 5. Mancala Ft. Vince Staples
6. 27 Braids
7. Mac Deuce
8. Sirius Blac
9. Dead Zone
10. The Caliphate Ft. Vince Staples
11. Free The Ruler

As one of the most traditional guitar bands to emerge during the Brit-pop era of the mid-'90s, Cast have carved out a sound that was heavily indebted to the British Invasion of the early '60s, yet it was infused with a mystical, pseudo-hippie lyrical sensibility, which lead singer John Power expanded upon. What really made Cast into a success was Power's gift for simple, classic pop hooks, as demonstrated on the hit singles "Fine Time," "Alright," and "Walkaway."

With seven Top 10 singles, three Top 10 albums and a rich catalogue of timeless songs, Cast were one of the big success stories of the Britpop era. Power’s gift for sparkling melodies and instantly additive hooks remains as strong as ever.

Power has hinted that the new album Love is The Call feels like a missing link between his time with The La’s and Cast’s first breakthrough with their debut album ‘All Change’.

TRACK LISTING

1. Bluebird
2. Forever And A Day
3. Rain That Falls
4. Far Away
5. Starry Eyes
6. Love You Like I Do
7. Love Is The Call
8. I Have Been Waiting
9. Look Around
10. Time Is Like A River
11. Tomorrow Calls My Name

Demi Riquísimo has collaborated with close friend and fellow producer Manami on his sub-label A Lifetime On The Hips. The release see’s Demi Riquísimo and Tokyo born Manami link up on two new originals, accompanied by stand-out remixes from Subwax owner Baldo and prolific Italian DJ and producer Matisa.

The fourth release on the sub-label it opens up with the EP’s namesake 'Sugar Snap’ a dreamlike record that effortlessly blends ambient textures and celestial melodies, yet remains primed for the dance floor. Following suit, the A2, 'Interstellar,' aptly lives up to its name, enhanced by cosmic soundscapes that transcend traditional boundaries.

Barcelona based DJ, producer and label owner Baldo takes the reins for a remix of the A1, delivering a spacey rework infused with breakbeat elements that breathes alternative life into the original. Meanwhile, Italian producer Matisa works her magic on 'Interstellar,' transforming it into a lively organ-driven roller with a more playful bounce to it.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Defo feeling the 90s influences on this uptempo monster. Prog, trance and hard house styles unfolded and expanded for the modern dancefloor connoisseur. Impossible not to crack a smile and a wiggle to!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Sugar Snap
A2. Interstellar
B1. Sugar Snap (Baldo Remix)
B2. Interstellar (Matisa Remix)

We Started Nothing is the debut studio album by English indie pop duo The Ting Tings. Jules & Katie's combination of dance, indie pop and new wave proved to be one of the hottest things in 2008. The result being the album peaking at #1 in the UK Albums Chart. We Started Nothing spawned no less than six hit singles, including "That's Not My Name", which reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart. Eventually, the band, the album and several singles and videos were nominated for a variety of NME, MTV, Grammy Award and Brit Awards. The Ting Tings won the MTV Award for Best UK Act and "Shut Up and Let Me Go" won the award for Best UK Video.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Great DJ
2. That's Not My Name
3. Fruit Machine
4. Traffic Light
5. Shut Up And Let Me Go

Side B
1. Keep Your Head
2. Be The One
3. We Walk
4. Impacilla Carpisung
5. We Started Nothing

A raw-nerved hybrid of elemental Merseybeat, lugubrious surf-noir and sheer sonic assault, the remarkable legacy of Long Island’s Mystic Tide has long been venerated within the ’60s garage rock pantheon, even if their existential racket only slipped out on a series of painfully rare 45s. Now, the fruit of Joe Docko Jr and friends’ cottage industry has been refurbished in best-ever sound, along with fresh insights as to how this singular brand of noise came to be.

TRACK LISTING

1. Frustration
2. Why
3.Running Through The Night
4. Mystery Ship
5. Stay Away
6. I Wouldn’t Care
7. Psychedelic Journey (Part 1)
8. Psychedelic Journey (Part 2)
9. Mystic Eyes
10. I Search For New Love
11. You Won’t Look Back

Two brand new tracks by The Courettes on GOLD coloured vinyl! A-side will also feature on the band’s next album! B-side exclusive to this release! The grooviest Courettes’ tune to date! Try to listen to ‘Shake!’ without rocking your hips! An invitation - or better, an intimation - to put out your pointy shoes, let it loose and make your best sleazy moves! Killer fuzz riffs, Motown beats, hints of soul and young Tina Turner vibes are all in there, showcasing a bit of the recipe of The Courettes’ next album due out in September 2024 on Damaged Goods Records. 

TRACK LISTING

1.Shake!
2. You Woo Me

The second part of the famous collaboration between two UK based electronic pioneers: John Bolloten aka The Rootsman and Bryn Jones aka Muslimgauze. For this album the original The Rootsman material from his albums Into The Light and 52 Days to Timbuktu was remixed and deconstructed by Muslimgauze. As always with Bryn Jones, all material is inspired by Arab culture. We hear distorted dub rhythms, sawn-off loops, traditional music, male and female voices and then distorted rhythms again. Closing your eyes, you can find yourself in the middle of an eastern city, walk along its noisy streets, admire the ancient architecture. This noise can tell amazing stories!

An edition of 620 copies in a generic card sleeve, with a hand stamped band name and Duophonic logo, plus each disk will be numbered.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Andrew Pekler composes with samples, field recordings, electronic and acoustic instruments and is the very definition of a DIY artist.

The Mess We Seem To Make is the eagerly anticipated debut album from Crawlers. Digging deeper into what fans already know and love about their eclectic alt-rock sound, it builds on the relationship of trust they have with producer Pete Robinson and engineer Tom Roach at Liverpool’s Coastal Studios and takes on a whole range of challenging topics; trauma, sexual politics, mental health, the general goings on in a young person’s life.

TRACK LISTING

Meaningless Sex
Kiss Me
Hit It Again
Better If I Just Pretend
Would You Come To My Funeral
Golden Bridge
Come Over (Again)
Kiss Me To Be Kind
What I Know Is What I Love
I End Up Alone
Call It Love
Nighttime Affair

Mysterious Robert Pollard project in limited edition of 1000/1000. IYKYK Besides Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard has released music under a stunning number of aliases and band names. Today he adds another one. As Brooklyn Vegan points out, Rip Van Winkle, Pollard’s latest alter ego, will release their debut EP, The Grand Rapids, next month. It’s unclear who’s playing with Pollard on this one, but lead single “Prose Kaiser” nicely laces Uncle Bob’s usual style with a glowing neon post-punk vibe.

TRACK LISTING

1. Prose Kaiser
2. He Did The Clock
3. -1
4. Images From A Dead Planet
5. Storage
6. No Crowns For Valdez
7. Circle Of One
8. The Metal Clip That Goes Over

Chicago legend, Green Velvet, returns to Toolroom as he locks horns with label founder Mark Knight and studio partner, James Hurr, for 'The Greatest Thing Alive'. A low slung, chunky affair that screams Miami Space terrace at 8am! Quirky, full of character and Green Velvets unmistakable vocal re-work of the classic 'Mannish Boy' from Muddy Waters pushes this record into a really special place. Green Velvet debuted on the label back in 2015 alongside Technasia with 'Suga', a record that went onto to be an overall Beatport #1 and remained as their highest selling track for many years that followed, the track also sits on an impressive 9m streams. On the flipside, head honcho Mark Knight, returns with studio cohort and DJs favourite James Hurr, as they take on one of House music's all-time classic records; 'Lady (Hear Me Tonight)'. No messing around, Mark and James offer up an alternative take to this stone cold classic, bringing the infectious vocal and iconic guitar riff to the forefront, mixing into a signature Mark Knight club heavy beat. Having previously collaborated on 'Make You Happy' with Todd Terry and last year's 'You Are A God' with vocalist Cari Golden, Mark Knight and James Hurr are fast becoming a killer duo in the studio, and throughout the scene. Offering up a killer reinterpretation of legendary House classic 'Lady (Hear Me Tonight)' by French House duo Modjo, a record which transcended the boundaries of dance music back in the early 2000's and has since become a record synonymous with the era. True to form, Mark Knight and James Hurr mix their musical prowess together and deliver yet another stomping hit for the clubs!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Phwooaaarr!! Take it to the terraces and the super clubs with two stonkingly large main roomers. Hard to pick a fave - whether its the monumental deep chug of "The Greatest Thing Alive" or the rattling refix of "Lady" - both are gonna blow the roof off!

TRACK LISTING

A1. The Greatest Thing Alive
B1. Lady (Hear Me Tonight)

Multi-hyphenate artist James Alexander Bright releases soulfully tender paean to romance 'Fall For You', backed with urgent funker 'Viper Flames'. This new music heralds James' third solo album, currently being recorded and mixed, which is planned for release via Athens of the North mid 2024.

On 'Fall For You' James says "You know when you've loved, to love is a magical thing. Whether it's an experience, an object, or a person; we've all loved and lost. The senses, vibration and elements have a wondrous strength and power. Love is the most powerful of all."

Following the release of !K7 debut album 'Headroom' ("Blissful choruses, sweetly nagging refrains and a lo-fi sensibility. Hard not to love" Mojo), James featured on Groove Armada's album 'Edge Of The Horizon', contributed 'Under The Sun' to the Too Slow To Disco: The Sunset Manifesto compilation and released single 'It's Alright' with Feiertag. His second album, the joyous 'Float' ("Vivid intermingling of buoyant breakbeat drum loops, sunkissed psychedelic folk song, retrofuturist synthesisers and hot buttered British soul" Test Pressing), was released in July 2022 with singles 'Drink This Water', 'Wheels Keep Turning' and 'Sundown' feat Fink paving the way. This was followed in early 2023 by 'Mirage In The Mojave' ("One hundred percent proof dancefloor ready" Louder Than War), an album of collaborations and reworks with cosmic Americana-disco DJ/producer duo Flying Mojito Bros. On radio his tracks have been played across BBC 6 Music (where he's recorded guest mixes for Tom Ravenscroft and Huey Morgan), Amazing Radio, Bandcamp Weekly, Worldwide FM, Soho Radio, KCRW, Triple J and BBC Solent (who chose his track 'Tigers Roar' to soundtrack Portsmouth FC's 2019 journey to Wembley – awkwardly James is a Saints fan).

A new project with Groove Armada's Tom Findlay as Bright & Findlay - married around their shared love of machine-led funk, outsider soul, 70s-80s nautica and 21st century basement disco - was released via Athens of the North in summer 2023. Solid tastemaker support included BBC 6 Music's Gilles Peterson, who included 'Slow Dance' amongst his tracks of the year, and Huey Morgan, for whom the duo recorded a Block Party mix.

STAFF COMMENTS

Paul says: Nestled proudly at the front of my record bag ready for my next Sunday session, Athens Of The North never fail to deliver the goods and this modern soul 7" is just the ticket.

TRACK LISTING

1. Fall For You
2. Viper Flames

As the fable goes: pre-discogs, intrepid disc jocks would often take trips to Italy (many tricking their spouse into believe it was a ‘holiday’!) to source records from the seemingly endless supply of top tier Italo, disco and cosmic record shops across the country. According to legend, the classified sections of local yellow pages and information booklets which would contain the addresses of the record shops and dealers in the area would often be ripped out unscrupulously, thwarting – or at least making it more difficult for – the next vinyl tourist to source out the rare gems amongst the rich seams – a wild west vinyl gold rush if you will.

Such stories are a rarity these days, with youtube making some of the most underground tracks common knowledge, and discogs almost making any record obtainable – at a price of course. Upgrading his digging methodology, Bosco has developed a secret New Technique to side-step the machine and in doing so obtained a clutch of amyl-soaked fluffers that are so rare, that upon writing they aren’t even listed online! Seriously, he must be communicating with some interdimensional, upper echelon Italo overlords; taking us on a primo-thrust tour through the most unexposed recesses of the Italo disco galaxy.

Don’t be hoodwinked by their sheer obscurity however; we wouldn’t give a toss if they couldn’t tear the arse off the dancefloor. But they’re all fuckin rhodium grade tackle peeps! Eight neon-drenched late night roman candles of Italo disco decadence that’ll defo have you jizzing rainbow skittles over the dancefloor as you search desperately through the fog for another huff of poppers off Darren.

Total Discogs market value: as yet undetermined
Pharaoh Brunson’s Pyramid Points: 9999999999999

Official reissue of Dortmund's self-released single from 1981. For those in the know a sought-after gem, for everybody else the single you didn't know you need in your life! Comes in picture sleeve with the original artwork. Limited edition.

'Titanic' - quite self-explanatory - is about the queen of the ocean and her sinking as a ship believed as unsinkable. Starting off with its morse code-like sounds it evolves into a heavy grooving mélange of alternative rock, funk, new wave and synth pop.

The B-Side 'The Deep' explores depths you didn't know about. This instrumental jazz boogie funk fusion piece takes you on a five minute journey that will be your life-saver on any day.

In the early 1980s the scene of the Ruhr area was alive and kicking but still under the radar. Musicians played in different bands and projects of various styles. Three guys gathered simply under their city name "Dortmund" and did their own thing which led to this conceptual single - their only release.

Before that Elmar Krohn (keyboards) and Thomas Meyer (vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards) were part of the "Mardi Gras Band", a funk and soul band with a great reputation for their live shows. They were also involved in writing 'Blame It On The Boogie' which got performed by "The Jacksons" in 1978 but that is another story. On the drums they were joined by Siegfried Hermes who also played in the band "Die Salinos".

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: A Balearic-rock curio that's intriguing as it is inviting. "Titanic" is a daft, rawkus, but ultimately danceable track that should find favour towards the end of any fun and eclectic session. "The Deep" is bit more bean bags and sun loungers - perfect daytime beach bar tackle. A interesting 7" no doubt!

TRACK LISTING

A. Titanic
B. The Deep  

New Parisian label, Disques Messager, presents its new and second release. As its name suggests, the label has a simple leitmotiv: to place itself among the best messengers for rarities and sought-after gems of international rare groove. A mission which began like fire last year with a 7inch reissue release including two Brazilian disco bangers by Cristina Camargo. 

Not many info can be found about Yoanson & Karamie, two young artists from the French African diaspora, who randomly met with Nessim Saroussi and his label Ness Music in the late 80s. Nessim produced their only EP release, "Kalimba" in 1988. Part of this EP, "African Leaders" is a stunning track melting Afro-tropical percussions, disco bass, proto-electro beats and leftfield vocals in a way that reminds us of Dinosaur L or Arthur Russel productions.

Philippe de Lacroix-Herpin (aka Prof Jah Pinpin) has a long musical career started in the mid-70s and became a renowned saxophonist playing and recording for many famous French acts such as Jean-Jacques Goldman, Alain Chamfort, FFF, or even rap band NTM. In 1994, he moved to the Reunion Island where he quickly launched the Prof Jah Pinpin 4tet, in his own words, playing 'free/funk/jazz/rock/tropical' music… Quite a vast and large musical tag, but which immediately make sense when listening to the surprising "The Final Bird" track. Only released as CD in 1996, this instrumental production has a unique sound and flavor mixing all kinds of elements together (even samples of Weather Report!).

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Two tracks of deliciously cosmic music that are, unless its just me, pretty obscure and under played.

TRACK LISTING

A. Yoanson & Karamie - African Leaders
B. Prof Jah Pinpin 4tet - The Final Bird (Le Temps D’une Vie)

Down with the King is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on May 4, 1993, by Profile Records. The album was produced by Pete Rock, Q-Tip, EPMD, DJ Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature, Jam Master Jay, The Bomb Squad, Daniel Shulman, Run-D.M.C., Chyskills, Jermaine Dupri and Clifton "Specialist" Dillon.

Showcasing their evolving style, this innovative album boasted invited guests, including reggae star Mad Cobra and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello. The album features guest appearances from rappers Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Q-Tip, EPMD and Onyx. Down with the King was generally received more favorably by fans and critics than the group's previous album, Back from Hell.

TRACK LISTING

1. Down With The King
2. Come On Everybody
3. Can I Get It, Yo
4. Hit 'Em Hard
5. To The Maker
6. 3 In The Head
7. Ooh, Whatcha Gonna Do
8. Big Willie
9. Three Little Indians
10. In The House
11. Can I Get A Witness
12. Get Open
13. What's Next
14. Wreck Shop
15. For 10 Years

New out on Feral Child is a super limited 7” EP from Italian Kosmische | Library artist Alessio Bosco, under his 30 DOOR KEY moniker.

A wonderful 5 trk 45 heavy on Hauntology vibes, samples, nods to minimal electronica and kosmische. With one foot firmly within the “long lost ‘70s supernatural TV themes” camp, the record is superbly and consistently fresh and ambitious- and comes hugely recommended to devotees of all the above, Trunk records heads and minimal synth, electronica nuts.

It looks as cool as it sounds too; screened black board sleeves, with inserts galore and hand numbered to 187 copies on black wax.

Chaos In The CBD return with two more tracks on their In Dust We Trust imprint. 

Keeping with their tried-n-tested formula - inspired by Ron Trent and classic deep house - "Sirena Deep" has a warm and deep rolling bass line and beautifully layered keys. Washed over with a stunning flute accompaniment from long-term collaborator and legendary jazz musician Nathan Haines which adds the extra magic to this outstanding production.

On the B-side the boys deliver a slightly darker, mischievous and moody roller with "Outdoor Limit" - an 8 minute journey through minimal grooves, in what feels like the perfect soundscape for getting lost in a dark room in the small hours.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: London-via-New Zealand duo Chaos In The CBD return with more of their smooth, deep house stylings.

TRACK LISTING

A. Sirena Deep (Ft Nathan Haines)
B. Outdoor Limit

The Technarchist returns to the label with a 2 track 7” of chunky dancefloor weirdo techno funk, overflowing with humour and all the zaps, wobbles and basslines that we love!

These tracks return to the core sound that defined the label in its earlier years. For fans of Dance Mania, Luke’s Anger, Relief, Sativae and of course, Don’t. Even recent fans of ork music microlabel PRR! PRR! will enjoy this.

Some of you will know The Technarchist from his amazing track ‘Danse Macabre’ on the Don’t compilation album a few years back. 

Limited copies! 

TRACK LISTING

A1. Wonkahuntas
B1. To Kill A Jackingbird

The Shape of Jazz to Come was a watershed event in the genesis of avant-garde jazz. The record shattered traditional concepts of jazz harmony, disposing of both the piano player and the whole idea of concretely outlined chord changes. The compositions here follow almost no predetermined harmonic structure, allowing Coleman and Don Cherry an unprecedented freedom to take the melodies of their solo lines in whatever direction they felt in the moment, regardless of what the piece's tonal centre appeared to be. This was the first time Coleman recorded with a rhythm section - consisting of bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Billy Higgins - that was open- eared and loose enough to follow his already controversial conception. All the composition are by Ornette Colman.

TRACK LISTING

Lonely Woman
Eventually
Peace
Monk And The Nun
Focus On Sanity
Congeniality
Chronology
Just For You

The last of the Konduko series from Emotional Rescue arrives now and quite possibly it is the best of the lot from Noel Williams. His 'Fantasy' saw him work with Larry Dermer aka Der Mer on what is an effective and catchy electro jam that operates at the higher end of the tempo chart with some classic vocoder vocal action to really make it pop. Despite being released originally in 1984 this one still bangs with its emulated TR-808 beats and nagging melodies. The instrumental heightens that and then the Jonny Rock Discomix shuts down with long-form rework that shows why the DJ, editor and all-round amiable bloke is so well regarded.

STAFF COMMENTS

Mine says: Just when you thought Emotional Rescue had mined all the King Sporty gold they go an unearth a fresh seam! Jonny Rock's on hand to add to its karat, very nice!

TRACK LISTING

Fantasy
Fantasy (Instrumental)
Fantasy (Jonny Rock Discomix)

The Edits Collection label is fast becoming essential with a third irresistible offering in a little over a year. This latest one opens with some soul drenched boogie and disco featuring a heart-aching vocal hook and snappy grooves, then gets more deep and jazzy with 'Disco Is A Feeling'. The flip side opens with the steamy 'Take U 4 A Ride' with its explosive Philly strings and busy percussive lines and '10.15' then slow it down with a more steamy and sexy late-night sound that is all big loved-up vocals and freewheeling synths. All four of these are glorious weapons to have handy.

TRACK LISTING

One With The Wynd
Disco Is A Feeling
Take U 4 A Ride
10.15

Presenting " COWBOY BEBOP: Songs for the Cosmic Sofa,” an auditory journey with striking designs by the acclaimed Toshiaki Uesugi, known for his work for the Cowboy Bebop franchise. This LP, curated with the guidance of Yoko Kanno, is a collection of chill-out and downtempo tracks taken from the Cowboy Bebop discography. Explore iconic songs like “Adieu “from Cowboy Bebop: Blue (featuring Emily Bindiger) and a brand-new recording of the hit “The Real Folk Blues” (Featuring Mai Yamane). Join the cultural phenomenon that is Cowboy Bebop in this outstanding vinyl format.

This vinyl set features a deluxe LP Disc, pressed on 140g pink and dark blue marbled 12" vinyl. It includes an insert print with song track list, song credits, extensive liner notes and interviews with Yoko Kanno, all housed in a single pocket jacket.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: I didn't know what Cowboy Bebop was for quite a while, and you don't necessarily need to know to appreciate this collection of reasonably relaxed, jazzy swooners. The whole Seatbelts Canon is amazing actually, performed by a whole lot of incredibly talented musicians, but this selection of less frenetic pieces is for me the most enjoyable.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Net Rush
2. Odd Ones
3. The EGG And YOU
4. Woodcock
5. Twilight
6. THE REAL FOLK BLUES 2022
7. POT CITY
Side B
1. Kickin' Colt
2. Bye Mel
3. ADIEU - Seatbelts & Emily Bindiger
4. Gateway
5. Beans Be
6. FAREWELL BLUES

Introducing "COWBOY BEBOP: The Real Folk Blues Legends," a vinyl masterpiece with captivating designs by Toshiaki Uesugi, celebrated for his work for the Cowboy Bebop franchise. This LP, carefully supervised by the legendary Yoko Kanno, compiles tracks from the whole Cowboy Bebop discography including Blue, No Disc and Knocking on Heaven’s Door, featuring the iconic "The Real Folk Blues." This release brings to vinyl for the first-time classics like "Call Me Call Me" and "Blue," delivering to fans a unique sonic experience. Join the legacy of one of the most successful anime series of all time.

This vinyl set features 2x deluxe LP Discs, pressed on 140g dark blue marbled 12" vinyl. It includes an insert print with song track lists, song credits, extensive liner notes and interviews with Yoko Kanno, all housed in a gatefold jacket.

TRACK LISTING

DISC 1 - LP - Side A
1. THE REAL FOLK BLUES
2. COSMIC DARE (PRETTY WITH A PISTOL)
3. ELM
4. Clutch
DISC 1 - LP - Side B
1. CALL ME CALL ME
2. Is It Real?
3. WO QUI NON COIN
4. Forever Broke
5. SPY
6. Time To Know~ Be Waltz
DISC 2 - LP - Side A
1. Gotta Knock A Little Harder
2. Fantaisie Sign
3. The Singing Sea
4. Hamduche
5. BLUE
DISC 2 - LP - Side B
1. Theme From Cowboy Bebop
2. Cats On Mars
3. Waltz In High Socks
4. The Fate Of Three
5. The Adventures Of Losers
6. Piano Solo

Time to Attack the Dancefloor once more as we supply some heavy Disco & House weaponry. Featuring the brand new remix of Opolopo's storming 'Stroke my Disco' by dutch funkateers Fouk who double down on the Piano and Clav workouts for the peak time. Exclusive new material from Wipe The Needle who's 'Skyscrapers' track is a modern Jazz-Funk masterpiece, heavy on the flute and soulful bass. On the flip Dave Lee takes it back to '97 with his rework of Backroom Productions 'Classic Vibe' which sees him flex his house-ier muscles, re-arranging the classic elements and adding extra keys to this much loved underground tune. Finishing off the EP is Dave's remix of nu-soul diva Raquel Rodriguez, where he crafts Raquel's dynamic vocal delivery over chunky Disco drumming & soulful synths before letting loose into Roy Ayers-esque vibes finale!

TRACK LISTING

Opolopo - "Stroke My Disco" (Fouk Remix)
Wipe The Needle - "Skyscrapers"
Backroom Productions - "Classic Vibe" (Dave Lee Remix)
Raquel Rodriguez - "Undone" (Dave Lee's Disco Blend)

Deep and heavy Roots in a 70s Revival style. Self produced, written and performed by the great Prince Jamo out of UK! Shaka style

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Second 7" from this skilled new UK dub reggae star who, from what I can gather, is also the musician and vocalist as well as the dub engineer? Surely not.. Hailing from Birmingham and previously part of Ruffneck Trilogy I'm already deep into the internet finding out what I can about this dub cat. Proper old school style - love it!

TRACK LISTING

A1. The Badlands (Vocal)
B1. Dubwise

Live recording of The 1975’s sold out ‘At Their Very Best’ performance from New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden, recorded on 7th November 2022 and now pressed on double orange vinyl.

Formed in Manchester in 2002, The 1975 have established themselves as one of the defining bands of their generation with their distinctive aesthetic, ardent fan base and unique sonic approach. Their latest offering Being Funny In A Foreign Language became their 5th consecutive UK No.1 album. The critically acclaimed band were crowned ‘Best Group’ at the BRIT Awards in 2017 & 2019, with their third album ‘A Brief Enquiry Into Online Relationships’ winning the ‘Mastercard British Album of the Year’ in 2019.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: It's a document of one of the most legendary live performances from 1975's tour last year, and i've been assured it was a great tour too. Our Liam is a big fan. As for the record, it's ram-packed full of perfectly paced indie-pop drifters, all the 1975 classics. Lovely.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. The 1975
2. Looking For Somebody (To Love)
3. Happiness
4. Part Of The Band
5. Oh Caroline
6. I’m In Love With You
7. All I Need To Hear
Side B
8. Roadkill
9. Fallingforyou
10. I Like America & America Likes Me
11. About You
12. When We Are Together
Side C
1. If You’re Too Shy
2. TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME
3. Me & You Together Song
4. It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)
5. Paris
6. Robbers
Side D
7. Somebody Else
8. I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)
9. Love It If We Made It
10. The Sound
11. Sex
12. Give Yourself A Try