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Lone Justice

Viva Lone Justice

    From the band who invented Alt-Country, ‘Viva Lone Justice’ is the first album to be released by Lone Justice in nearly 40 years. Featuring original band members Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington.

    In 1983, Lone Justice started playing the clubs in Los Angeles. Word spread like wildfire. By 1984, Lone Justice was on Geffen records, and by 1985, the self-titled debut album emerged. The LA Times gave it "Album of the Year". They played shows with U2, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Willie Nelson. By 1986, Lone Justice broke up. McKee, Hedgecock, Etzioni and Heffington would begin their solo careers….

    Now, through the advent of technology, sweat and tears, a new Lone Justice album has been completed, featuring the original debut album band Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni and the late Don Heffington. Special guests include string arranger Tammy Rogers, multi-horn player David Ralicke, Greg Leisz on steel guitar and Benmont Tench on piano.

    The opening track, ‘You Possess Me’, puts McKee up front and center, backed only by a string and mandolin quartet. ‘Rattlesnake Mama’ was once a thrashing electric staple in their 1983 live set - this version, however, is all acoustic with Hedgecock on rhythm auto-harp, and features Tammy Rogers on fiddle. Later, they screech through a blistering cover of ‘Teenage Kicks’ (the 1978 single by The Undertones).

    It is no wonder Los Angeles was lit up by the live performances of Lone Justice. The energy continues with palpable excitement… Let word of mouth spread news of Lone Justice like wildfire once again. Let ‘Viva Lone Justice’ touch your heart and burn your barn down, too.

    “Impressive, ingenuous and forceful” The New York Times.

    TRACK LISTING

    A1 You Possess Me
    A2 Jenny Jenkins
    A3 Rattlesnake Mama
    A4 Teenage Kicks
    A5 Wade In The Water
    B1 Nothing Can Stop My Loving You
    B2 Skull And Cross Bones
    B3 Alabama Baby
    B4 I Will Always Love You
    B5 Sister Anne

    Lone Justice

    Teenage Kicks / Nothing Can Stop My Loving You

      80s alt country punk outfit, Lone Justice, with Maria McKee, Ryan Hedgecock, Marvin Etzioni and Don Heffington are in full flight with the release of a brand new 7”.

      Taken from their forthcoming album, Viva Lone Justice, ‘Teenage Kicks’ is a rambunctious slice of punk angst that sounds like it was recorded in one take. It’s a timeless anthem with a joyous riff that explodes into a hail of feedback. A favour returned as Maria McKee, the songwriter of Feargal Sharkey’s only solo hit ‘A Good Heart’, Lone Justice cover The Undertones’ Peel-approved favourite with the artwork of the single being a nod to the original. “As much as we loved Merle Haggard, George Jones, and many other authentic hard core Country artists, we were also deeply impacted by Punk; from the Velvet Underground (we were playing "Sweet Jane" live as early as 1983) to the MC5 ("Sister Ann" is on the album "Viva Lone Justice").”

      Backed with ‘Nothing Can Stop My Loving You’ that’s cut with a wild, squeezebox-powered interpretation of the George Jones and Roger Miller country stomp. “Speaking of George Jones, here's one written by George Jones and Roger Miller. Two of our favorites! We played this song at nearly every show starting in 1983. This ragged and right live recording captures the fire from a sold out show at The Palace in Los Angeles and features Jo-El Sonnier on lead accordion documenting the only time Sonnier played with LJ. "Nothing Can Stop My Loving You" is the only live track on Viva Lone Justice." 

      TRACK LISTING

      A1 Teenage Kicks
      B1 Nothin' Can Stop My Lovin' You 

      Maria McKee

      Late December / Live Acoustic (RSD23 EDITION)

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

        First time on vinyl for the gorgeous 'Late December', with a second LP featuring rare recordings from her Live Acoustic LA tour in 2006, the package includes new liner notes and a download of the studio album and live show. An album thatís broader than Broadway, a panoramic view of life, love and loss filled with drama and theatricality. Plus a live set thatís heart-on-sleeve time, bringing together songs from Lone Justice, plus covers of the traditional country anthem 'The World Is Not My Home', Richard Thompson's 'Has He Got A Friend For Me' and three songs that show the bittersweet beauty of her brother Bryan MacLeanís song writing. In total, it's Kurt Weill, Springsteen, itís the million-selling global hit 'A Good Heart' delivered by the songwriter herself in all its Phil Spector-like baroque beauty.

        Abiodun Oyewole

        Gratitude

          Gratitude is the eagerly anticipated new solo album from Abiodun Oyewole, the poet, teacher and founding member of The Last Poets. The album liner notes include an extensive new interview with Abiodun himself, detailing the writing process of the album. Looking back, the Last Poets are often referred to as the godfathers of rap, and by listening to their early recordings; it’s easy to hear why. Their words encompass revolution, sex, death, drugs, and Black Power - they own their words. From their mouths – words are a sense of pride, a statement, and a feeling of empowerment. There’s no self-conscious hang-up with the Last Poets using words as an art form.

          On May 19th, 1968 (in celebration of Malcolm X’s birthday), The Last Poets performed their first ever concert in Mount Morris Park (in Harlem), now called Marcus Garvey Park. Their debut album was released in 1970 including poet/singer Abiodun Oyewole. Now AFAR is proud to present a whole new way of thinking socially, politically, emotionally, and humanly – via the perspective of Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets with his new solo album ‘Gratitude’ - it's not a protest album, it's an inspirational LP/CD via the inclusive words and God-like voice of Abiodun - this is not an angry man, but an older wiser man - reflecting on his life and spiritual quests. Rappers love him for coining the phrase "Party and Bullshit" decades ago - but this is not that - this is a sacred journey with a universal message for all people regardless of their background and nationality.

          STAFF COMMENTS

          Matt says: A modern day contributions to the annals of hip-hop from, arguable, one of it's very founding fathers. Losing none of his poignant edge on social commentary, "Gratitude" is the self-empowering tonic to the present times you never knew you needed.

          TRACK LISTING

          A1 Rain (Featuring Taylor Pace)
          A2 My Life
          A3 A Poem
          B1 Harlem
          B2 Brooklyn (featuring Ade Da Poet)
          B3 To Begin (featuring Pharoah Davis) 
          C1 Praise The Lord C2 Spirit (featuring Melodie Nicole)
          C3 Without You (featuring Jessica Care Moore) 
          D1 Occupy (featuring Mosi)
          D2 Right Here Waiting (featuring J Ivy)
          D3 What I Want To See


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