9-piece powerhouse Nubiyan Twist embark on a fresh musical odyssey with their vibrant fourth album 'Find Your Flame’. Over 12-track the band seamlessly weaves together global grooves, soul and jazz; expertly intertwined with electronic elements, horn-led melodies and spontaneous improvisation. The album marks a significant evolution for the group as they welcome Sheffield based vocalist Aziza Jaye to the forefront, adding a fresh dimension of Patois and RnB to their sound.

The heady, sun-drenched release is peppered with impressive collaborations, including musical legends Nile Rodgers and Seun Kuti who bring their trademark disco and afrobeat mastery to tracks ‘Lights Out’ and ‘Carry Me’ respectively.

Embracing the roots of UK sound system culture, ‘Find Your Flame’ takes dynamic turns, from the frenetic broken beat of the title track to reflective lyricism and lo-fi beats in 'Reach My Soul' and ‘Battle Isn’t Over’. Nubiyan Twist venture into grime and hip hop territory with 'Woman' and 'Pray for Me (Part 1)' featuring rising UK-based MC NEONE the Wonderer. The exploration continues into highlife and soukous with 'Pray for Me (Part 2)' featuring long-time Ghanaiancollaborator K.O.G. and neo-soul with the sensual vocals of Ria Moran. The exceptional Corto Alto from Glasgow features on 'You Don't Know Me’. ‘Find Your Flame’ culminates in a sublime collaboration with ex-Salif Keïta backing singer Mamani Keïta, paying homage to traditional Malian music and the roots of the genres elegantly woven throughout the album.

“As with the creation of all our albums, it’s a snapshot of our collective influences and journeys throughout the time it was made.” Explains bandleader & producer Tom Excell. “A catharsis for our struggles, yet a vessel for our joy. Navigating through COVID, the magic of becoming a new parent, undergoing a vital leg amputation, recovering from car accidents, losing loved ones and forming new friendships have all shaped this music. But most importantly, the collaborative process helped reignite a liberating fire of resistance in each of us.” Gaining international acclaim, 'Find Your Flame' is poised to enhance Nubiyan Twist's global appeal, firmly establishing them as a prominent soulful collective in the UK music scene. Produced by Tom Excell and mixed by Oli Barton Wood and Paulo Germano, the album features artwork by Max Bloom and is mastered by Peter Beckmann. The band is scheduled to embark on a European tour starting in April 2024.

TRACK LISTING

1. Battle Isn’t Over
2. Lights Out (Ft. Nile Rodgers)
3. All The Same (Ft. Ria Moran)
4. Woman
5. You Don’t Know Me (Ft. Corto Alto)
6. Carry Me (Ft. Seun Kuti)
7. So Mi Stay
8. Pray For Me Part 1 (Ft. NEONE The Wonderer)
9. Pray For Me Part 2 (Ft. K.O.G)
10. Reach My Soul
11. Find Your Flame
12. Slow Breath (Ft. Mamani Keïta)

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRACK LISTING

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

Dublin's highly revered psychedelic dreampop quartet KEELEY release their first ever commercial CD in the wake of two acclaimed EPs in 2021. Led by enigmatic frontwoman and songwriter Keeley Moss, this Irish outfit went from strength to strength last Summer with the success of break-out single "The Glitter And The Glue" from their debut EP 'Brave Warrior', which attracted airplay from 6Music's Steve Lamacq, Radcliffe & Maconie and spins on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Cymru in the UK, and national airplay in Ireland from RTE, Newstalk, 8Radio, Radio Nova and many more.

Armed with seven new songs which showcase the maturity and breadth of KEELEY's songwriting, this mini-album bristles with lush harmonies, muscular beats and inventive atmospherics, skipping gleefully across genres and further establishing Keeley Moss as one of Ireland's most creative and visionary songwriters. As with previous songs, this set highlights Keeley's ongoing fascination with the murder and short life of German backpacker Inga Maria-Hauser, who was brutally murdered in Northern Ireland in 1988 and whose case has still to be solved. As an authority on the subject, Keeley has recently appeared in "Murder In The Badlands", a moving BBC documentary that further explores Inga-Maria's case.

With an in-depth Anglo-Irish media campaign due to begin in May around the single "Shadow On The Hills", KEELEY will spend 2022 touring the UK and Ireland, winning hearts and minds with her inimitable brand of retro-futuristic psychedelic pop. Her devoted and ever-expanding social media followers will be regularly updated on the progress of "Drawn To The Flame" and will be directed to retail outlets on both sides of the Irish Sea.

The album was produced by Keeley and Alan Maguire and features mixes by Paul Tipler (Stereolab, Placebo, The House Of Love) and piano and organ contributions from Morgan Fisher (Love Affair, Mott The Hoople, Queen)

DJ Vadim returns to the Dubcatcher kitchen for another feast of reggae, dancehall and digital bass pressure. A futuristically-leaning interpretation of the JA standards, mixed with the occasional bit of UK flaver, it sees Vadim relocate from London to Barcelona and as such, is more sun-flecked, energetic and party-focused.

As usual, a royal guest list reading like an A-2-Z of global talent: Mr Lexx (Major Lazer), Suku from dancehall legends Ward 21, BAY-C from TOK, Red Fox & studio 1 legend Earl 16 plus UK grime champion Killa P.

If you've ever been lucky enough to see this multi-textured and incendiary DJ play live, then this album should take you right back to front left, twerking and jerking you're way through myriad styles of bass culture. Also sounds mega soundtracking a hot box session in a blacked out Honda Civic! Big ting!

TRACK LISTING

1. Dead To Us (feat Mr Lexx)
2. Nuff Years (feat Ras Demo)
3. Mi Gwarn (feat Claire Angel)
4. Yung N Powerfull (feat Bay C, Zumbi, Abstract Rude & Irah)
5. Manipulators (feat Earl 16)
6. Party Hard (feat Clare Angel)
7. Flames Up (feat Jman, Navigator, Inja, Galak Spiritual & Sr Wilson)
8. Corrupted (feat Big Red, Sr Wilson & Jman)
9. Free Ya Mind (feat Red Fox & Chyna Soulstar)
10. Only Jah Knows (feat Ramon Judah & Parly B)
11. Raving (feat Tenor Youtman, Jago & Syross)
12. The Father (feat Tenor Ucee & Serocee)
13. Nah Badboy Fe We" (feat Jamalski)
14. No Hype Man (feat Jman & Killa P)
15. Talk To Me Propa (feat Suku)
16. Rude Boy (feat Lion D, Raphael & Syross)
17. Ta Tell U (feat Ras Demo)
18. Control U (feat Macka B)

A vinyl LP issue of Cities On Flame by Xwave, originally released as a limited CDr/tape by the Brisbane-based Breakdance The Dawn label. recorded in 2008. Featuring guitar heaviness that some have compared the sounds to Kray Cherubs. I think it hits on the Vermonster "spirit of yma" leanings. Either descriptions are a great place to start. A limited edition of 250 copies, housed in silk-screened album art. Little Big Chief Records.

The members of TKF are some of hardcore's founding fathers. Featuring Joe D.Foster (Ignite/Uniform Choice), Joe Nelson (Triggerman), Gavin Oglesby (No For An Answer) and Ed McKirdy (Hands Tied), TKF are bringing back the hardcore spirit of the '80s - determinedly old skool.