In The Red Records is proud to announce a previously unreleased new album by Brooklyn-born master of minimalism Alan Vega, Insurrection. The eleven songs here showcase the unparalleled vision and uncompromising force from one of the most influential artists of all time. Alan Vega was born in Brooklyn in 1938. He co-founded the legendary New York City punk band Suicide with Martin Rev in 1970. Suicide’s groundbreaking 1977 debut is considered one of the most influential albums of all time. Vega considered his solo records the audio counterpoint to his visual art that reflected the world around him while simultaneously exploring universal themes. It makes his work as relevant today as it was when he created them. It was during his highly experimental period beginning in the late ’80s that he began working with Liz Lamere, who became the most crucial collaborator of his solo career until his death in 2016. Lamere, along with Jared Artaud, resurrected these newly unearthed collection of lost recordings, which they co-produced and mixed. Lamere and Artaud spearhead the Vega Vault project, which aims to bring rare, unreleased and back catalog work spanning Alan Vega and Suicide’s career to the public for the first time. On Insurrection, Lamere says: “Insurrection was created in the time period around 1997/98, after Mutator and prior to Vega’s 1999 release of 2007 and captures the intense energy of NYC in the ’90s rife with crime, killing, hate, fascism, racism, and moral bankruptcy. You can hear the tortured souls floating through this album. Post-Gulf War angst still enveloped Alan. He was having premonitions about a major terror attack in the US, well before 9/11. The upcoming birth of his son raised further awareness of the state of our world. All these emotions are mirrored in the sounds he magnetized. And true to Vega form, there remains hope and empowerment coursing through the tracks. In the almost three decades of going into the studio with Vega, we recorded significantly more material than the seven albums released. Vega’s intention was to experiment with sound which would become the canvas for the poetry that reflected his vision of the universe. Because the goal wasn’t to make albums, he had no timeline or constraints and would freely follow new paths uncovered along the way.”

TRACK LISTING

1. Sewer
2. Invasion
3. Crash
4. Cyanide Soul
5. Murder One
6. Fireballer Fever
7. Genocide
8. Chains
9. Jet Lord
10. Mercy
11. Fireballer Spirit

Two tracks from Louie Vega's "Expansions In The NYC" LP given the 12" treatment. On “Another Day In My Life” Louie Vega incorporates elements of the classic jam “Never Had A Love So Good” by Charles Johnson (fully cleared and licensed from the legendary Henry Stone Music Company), and creates a driving, hands aloft, soul-infused club anthem that has 'last track at Southport Weekender' written all over it. On the B side, Louie works with his long time collaborator Axel Tosca as well as legendary Chicago DJ / vocalist Mike Dunn to create his own very soulful and New York flavored interpretation of the renowned 1999 "Deep Burnt" song by Pepe Bradock, done of course with Pepe Bradock's blessings and appreciation.

TRACK LISTING

A. Another Day In My Life
AA. Deep Burnt Feat. Axel Tosca 

Forth volume of the Vega Records 5x12" bumper pack. A highly detailed snapshot of Louie Vega's iconic label, showing off its world beating pedegree as we close off 2023 and open 2024.

Gems from Leroy Burgess, Two Soul Fusion, Tony Touch, Professor featuring Ndu Shezi & Thebe, Johnny Dangerous, and gospel royalty Bebe Winans plus a cheeky Elements Of Life demo make up special 5 piece vinyl set. With 12 tracks in the sequence there are a select number of talented producers on the project which include Two Soul Fusion AKA Louie Vega & Josh Milan, Pablo Fierro, Johnny Dangerous, Luis Radio, Pietro Nicosia and musicians Axel Tosca and Luisito Quintero. Exploring the musical side of house music and the expressive areas of modern disco - it's got that Louie Vega flair and flamboyance coursing through its grooves! 

They all contribute to these unique pieces of music mastered by the one and only Mr. Herb Powers of PM Mastering and manufactured by Optimal, Germany. Limited pressing. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Another bumper pack of musical delights from Louie Vega's camp. All his recent all stars are featured and spread across 5 records it allows each one plenty of headroom and fidelity. For house music aficionados this is a must.

TRACK LISTING

A. Leroy Burgess - Nothing Stays The Same (Two Soul Fusion Remix) 
B1. Tony Touch - Apaga La Laz (Pablo Fierro Afro Latino Remix) 
B2. Leroy Burgess - Nothing Stays The Same (Two Soul Fusion Dub) 
C. Two Soul Fusion - Lovin' (Two Soul Fusion Dub) 
D. Louie Vega & Johnny Dangerous - You Are A Star 
E. Bebe Winans - Let's Go Champ (Two Soul Fusion Piano Dub) 
F1. Elements Of Life - Let Us Shine Ft. Josh Milan (Louie Vega Mix) 
F2. Louie Vega - Where I Wanna Be (Demo) 
G. Louie Vega - Swayin' Demo Ft. Axel Tosca 
H. Two Soul Fusion - Brazillian Soul Fusion 
I. Professor Ft. Ndu Shezi & Thebe Vs Luis Radio, Pietro Nicosia - Unobenga Vs Sermon Of The Drums (Ken Terry Rework) 
J. Elements Of Life - Dusk On The Beach (Demo) 

"Apaga La Luz" has proven itself to be a bonified club hit with the Tony Touch and Pablo Fierro mixes released last summer 2022. A new buzz has been created with brand new 2023 remixes by Two Soul Fusion AKA Louie Vega & Josh Milan, David Morales, Mike Dunn, and David Guetta. 

 Championed by everyone from David Morales, Mike Dunn, Louie Vega & Anané Vega to Seth Troxler, Marco Corola, Paco Osuna, The Martinez Brothers, Pablo Fierro and many more.

One of those tracks that instantly screams - inferno! The fiery Latin vocal is both arresting, infectious and rousing - certain to cause a blazing surge of energy across any dancefloor. Across the double pack we get lots of different producer's take on this bonafide instant-anthem - each keeping true to the rebellious nature of the track whilst adding shed loads of their own personality across each iteration. Mastered by Herb 'Pump' Power as spread across a lavish double pack 12" - this is best way to fully devour this red hot club hit. Don't sleep on this one folks...

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: You'll be screaming that vocal hook like a werewolf for the entirety of the evening after hearing this one! Can't choose a favourite mix as nearly every one of them is absolutely killer!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Apaga La Luz (Tony Touch OG Mix) 
A2. Apaga La Luz (Mike Dunn Re-Touch) 
B1. Apaga La Luz (David Guetta Remix) 
B2. Apaga La Luz (Pablo Fierro Raw Dub) 
C1. Apaga La Luz (Two Soul Fusion Remix) 
C2. Apaga La Luz (Two Soul Fusion Beat-Sax Mix) 
D1. Apaga La Luz (David Morales Remix) 
D2. Apaga La Luz (David Morales Alt Mix) 

Elements of Life brings a full on boogie disco tune with some 80s synth goodness. The backgrounds are provided by an all star cast of singers including Cindy Mizelle, Audrey Wheeler, Anané, Dawn Tallman, and Ramona Dunlap. The song is penned by Nico Vega, just at 19 years old writing lyrics with the soul of a person who’s been through various experiences in life. It is a statement song coming from an adolescent stating where we are in the world today with war, and encouraging all to stop fighting, “no more war”, “Let Us Shine Bright As Day”, “Let Us Find A Peaceful Way”, “Let Me Hear You Say”, these words are crying out to the world.

Remixes by Josh Milan who feeds us an early 80s vibe, reminding us of the seminal label West End Records. The Louie Vega mixes stay true to the Elements Of Life sound mixed with some Detroit bass groove and synthy overtones. A bonus track also added to the release featuring Axel Tosca on keyboards is entitled “Los Tonos Sagrados” which means ‘The Sacred Tones’. This instrumental has an early afrobeat rhythm with Axel Tosca ripping through with an organ solo and snare hits accenting the drums and groove. Take a listen and enjoy the sounds of “Let Us Shine” and “Los Tonos Sagrados” and it’ll sure to have you with your arms up and eyes closed singing along with the tune in no time!

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: High glamour, maximum glitz new disco / house music from an all-star cast of musicians and vocalists, including Mr. Louie Vega himself! That good the original needs two mixes backing it up, with bonus track, "Los Tonos Sagrados" equally enticing. Proper music, proper vibes throughout. Regulars to Irfan Rainy's Community club night here in Manchester are gonna dig this.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Let Us Shine (Josh Milan Honeycomb Mix) 
A2. Let Us Shine (Honeycomb Remix Instrumental) 
B1. Let Us Shine (Original Louie Vega Mix) 
B2. Los Tonos Sagrados Ft. Axel Tosca 

Mr. X is a young new talent from northern Jersey, USA who takes it to the raw underground with driving electronic stabs and a deep pulsating bassline with swinging beats and unique perc sounds that pop in and out abruptly within the arrangement on the track entitled “The Curse”. “The Underground” has a hooky flip flop keys action happening with vocals saying 'Thank You' creating a hypnotizing groove which is fast becoming synonymous with Mr. X's style. The B-side of the 12” starts with a steaming revisit to “The Curse” giving it another lease of life on the dancefloor along with the sample hits and catchy groove on “B-Side Only” created only in the way Mr. X can to make you jump on the dance floor. All hot club bombs, all fire!

Early support from Honey Dijon, Kenny Dope, Anané, Luke Solomon, Melvo Baptiste, Joseph Capriati, & Louie Vega. 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: New material from Louie Vega's camp that follows the delicious lineage of deep, soulful, tribal-tinged house that's emanated from New York and the surrounding areas for over 30 years.

TRACK LISTING

A1. The Curse 
A2. The Underground 
B1. The Curse (Revisited) 
B2. B Side Only 

Vega Rally is an incendiary self-taught, bedroom producer hailing from Manchester into big beats, baggy guitar riffs & Fred Perry. Since signing to independent Manchester record label; Spirit Of Spike Island in 2022, Vega Rally has released 3 earworm singles, hitting over 100k streams online, receiving airplay across BBC 6 music & Radio X in the process. He has also remixed tunes for underground indie starlets; Pastel & exciting upcoming folk artist; Ava Carlyle. Interest on the underground scene culminated in tour supports With Afflecks Palace, Pastel, Andrew Cushin and invites to perform at Isle Of Wight Festival, Humber Street Fest, Truck Festival & Why Not? Festival.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Infinity '93
A2. Come Out N Play
B1. This Moment
B2. Back At It Again

Futurismo are proud to present a first time reissue of the killer 1985 album: Just A Million Dreams by the uncompromising Alan Vega.

The remastered version of this LP comes with two unreleased bonus tracks produced by Liz Lamere and Jared Artaud of The Vacant Lots. It is packaged in a gloss laminated sleeve with a huge fold-out poster and contains new liner notes by Henry Rollins.

Presented in a remastered deluxe vinyl package, Just A Million Dreams, produced by Ric Ocasek and Chris Lord-Alge, takes Vega on an expedition into new territory. As an artist Vega had a crucial drive, but having a hit record was never a motive, neither was pandering to expectations, which is why Just aMillion Dreams is perhaps a perfect statement for that moment, bettering the then bastions of MTV rock without even trying, an exercise in subversion that still has Vega’s unique artistry at its core. Would you expect anything less from one half of NYC legends Suicide? Perhaps not, but the hows and whys to Vega landing himself in such a mainstream position are perhaps just as fascinating as the record itself.

Here Alan Vega’s vocals sound better than ever, full of emotion and brooding honesty. Lyrics painting images of dystopian love might be a sideways move away from the intense nihilism of his past, but it’s still the real deal. Alan Vega could not be anything else. Listen to tracks like ‘Creation’ and you still get that raw emotion he spent his career honing. Set against the grandeur of mid 80’s production: big processed drums, runaway guitar solos, we get a rare peak into what Vega would sound like if he was allowed to be a rock star drenched in the sonic excesses of the era. It was a brave and unfairly misunderstood move, but the components come together to form an incredible anti-commercial, commercial album. Just A Million Dreams is the sound of Alan Vega taking on the 1980’s and winning.

With help of the official Vega Vault, two never before heard tracks have been unearthed from the 1985 JAMD recording sessions and brought to life by long time collaborator Liz Lamere and Jared Artaud of The Vacant Lots, adding a new insight to the recordings. Henry Rollins also lends a new written perspective, making this release a vital addition to the collections of Alan Vega and Suicide fans. It has been said that Alan Vega is forever, his unwavering artistic approach can be witnessed throughout his career, whether as part of Suicide or as a solo songwriter, poet or sculptor. Just a Million Dreams is just another example.

TRACK LISTING

1. On The Run
2. Shooting For You
3. Hot Fox
4. Too Late
5. Wild Heart
6. Creation
7. Cry Fire
8. Ra Ra Baby
9. Hey Gorgeous (Unreleased)
10. Did We Say Goodbye? (Unreleased)

Celebrated engineer Yas Inoue and DJ Takaya Nagase come together in the studio and rework the Voltage Brothers rare groove jam “Happening In the Streets” with a cleverly put together edit with filters, effects and sonically tweaking it to perfection. They've created a perfect dancefloor masterpiece already championed by Louie Vega, Joe Claussell, Spinna, Mike Dunn, and Rich Medina. 

Japanese sound engineer Yas Inoue, based in New York began his career in the world renowned MAW Studios in the late 90s and has engineered for producers such as Masters At Work, Patrick Adams, Leroy Burgess, and Randy Muller contributing to the creation of various New York house and disco hits.

Takaya Nagase, a New York based Japanese DJ started as an A&R for Japanese record label Soundmen On Wax. He learned and studied under the great David Mancuso of the Loft Party NYC and later held his own Joy parties along with other Loft members. Having had regular gigs at Club Shelter from 2006 to 2007 and at Club Output from 2017 until the closing in 2019, he built his DJ chops and now currently DJs at New York City's top venues such as Le Bain, Good Room and Nowadays along with monthly shows on the famed Lot Radio in Brooklyn.

Together they are Domo Domo and with their first project on Vega Records they are on their way to becoming New York household names in the dance music industry. "A Happening In The Streets" does indeed, sound like a lost Loft jazz dance classic. The type of track you assume they don't make anymore. Vibing keys going right off, big bolshy brass staps, crazed conga, wandering b-line - every single musician playing their heart out like its their last performance on earth - and finally given a riotous and soulful injection through that empowered vocal part. Seriously - a future classic of the genre make no mistake! Backed with a tasty DJ tool that stretches out the hook with added filtered reverb, inventive DJs are definitely gonna make use of this...

  

TRACK LISTING

A. Happening In The Streets (Domo Rework 7 Edit)
B. Happening In The Streets (DJ Tool) 

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

Andy Rourke, formerly of The Smiths & one of the most revered bassists of all time, has teamed up with front-man & guitarist Kav for their music project "BLITZ VEGA" They release their debut vinyl for Record Store Day, featuring new versions of their single "Strong Forever", including guest guitar from Johnny Marr & B-Sides / mixes & remixes from Z-Trip, Jagz Kooner, DayBreakers & Will Kennedy. The vinyl features unreleased new material, unavailable online.

TRACK LISTING

Strong Forever (single Version) Z-Trip Mix
Strong Forever Original (Jagz Kooner Mix)
Strong Forever (Day Breakers Remix)
Strong Forever ( Will Kennedy Live Band Mix)
Lost & Found (Jagz Kooner Mix)
Lost & Found ( Day Breakers Remix)
LA Vampire ( Jagz Kooner Mix)
Big Nose

There is a global musical movement happening right now, and an integral part of this rhythmic and cultural evolution is the legendary Grammy award-winning DJ / Producer / Artist Louie Vega.The movement is comprised of the Expansions In The NYC album and the Expansions NYC events, and it represents the very best in music, dance and club culture from New York City to London to Miami to Ibiza and every locale around the world where people appreciate the power of house music.

Up next in the continuing series of product releases and events in connection with the Expansions juggernaut, a limited edition Expansions In The NYC 7” boxset on Nervous Records.

“Releasing vinyl has always been part of my mantra, but this is a unique one,” said Louie Vega. “For the first time having our music released on a (10) piece 7” set along with new original art by Andrew Thiele (who also created the Expansions In the NYC Album cover), it’s a highlight in the history of all my vinyl releases. Not too many artists release 10 pieces of vinyl within a set. And what makes it even more special is the calibre of all the amazing artists who worked on the tracks and songs with me. This is a landmark and essential collector’s item. A veritable “Must Have!” Never before have all these artists graced one album together from Honey Dijon to Lisa Fischer, Moodymann to Bernard Fowler, Robyn to Unlimited Touch, and Karen Harding to Kerri Chandler. It’s a dancer’s and vinyl collector’s paradise.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: The hot and highly acclaimed collection from Louie Vega gets a 7" box set release. For lovers of real house music, "Expansions" has been one of the strongest albums in recent years.

TRACK LISTING

A. The Star Of A Story Ft. Lisa Fischer 
B. Deep Burnt Ft. Axel Tosca 
C. Change Your Mind Ft. Bernard Fowler 
D. Another Day In My Life 
E. Seven Mile Ft. Moodymann 
F. Come Away Ft. Kerri Chandler 
G. Music Is My Life Ft. Unlimited Touch 
H. You Got Me Dancing Ft. Audrey Wheeler & Cindy Mizelle 
I. Chimi Ft. Elements Of Life 
J. Love Has No Time Or Place Ft. Elements Of Life (Unreleased Instrumental Dub) 
K. Atmosphere Strut Ft. DJ Spinna 
L. Cosmic Witch Ft. Anané 
M. How He Works Ft. Nico Vega 
N. A Place Where We Can All Be Free Ft. Janine Lyons 
O. Touch The Sky Ft. Tony Momrelle 
P. Dreaming Ft. Cindy Mizelle 
Q. All My Love Ft. Robyn 
R. Feel So Right Ft. Honey Dijon 
S. Free To Love (Louie Vega & Karen Harding) 
T. It's All Good (Louie Vega Remix) (Bebe Winans Ft. Debbie Winans Lowe & Korean Soul) 

Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago. Back in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts The Close Up Series, originally released over a decade ago, is now available in a beautifully packaged and designed Bookpack and is limited to just 2,000 copies worldwide. It includes the Close-Up albums Volumes 1-4, each as a different colour 180g heavyweight vinyl LP. It also contains a 28-page booklet featuring a foreword by Suzanne Vega, a brand new essay by Lenny Kaye and the full lyrics for each song.

TRACK LISTING

1. Small Blue Thing
2. Caramel
3. (If You Were) In My Movie
4. Gypsy
5. Marlene On The Wall
6. (I'll Never Be) Your Maggie May
7. Harbor Song
8. Headshots
9. Songs In Red And Gray
10. Stockings
11. Some Journey
12. Bound

Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago. Back in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts The Close Up Series, originally released over a decade ago, is now available in a beautifully packaged and designed Bookpack and is limited to just 2,000 copies worldwide. It includes the Close-Up albums Volumes 1-4, each as a different colour 180g heavyweight vinyl LP. It also contains a 28-page booklet featuring a foreword by Suzanne Vega, a brand new essay by Lenny Kaye and the full lyrics for each song.

TRACK LISTING

1. Rosemary
2. Honeymoon Suite
3. World Before Columbus
4. As You Are Now
5. Soap And Water
6. Widows Walk
7. Blood Sings
8. Bad Wisdom
9. Ludlow Street
10. Tired Of Sleeping
11. Pilgrimage
12. Brother Mine
13. The Silver Lady
14. Daddy Is White

Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago. Back in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts The Close Up Series, originally released over a decade ago, is now available in a beautifully packaged and designed Bookpack and is limited to just 2,000 copies worldwide. It includes the Close-Up albums Volumes 1-4, each as a different colour 180g heavyweight vinyl LP. It also contains a 28-page booklet featuring a foreword by Suzanne Vega, a brand new essay by Lenny Kaye and the full lyrics for each song.

TRACK LISTING

1. Luka
2. Zephyr & I
3. New York Is A Woman
4. In Liverpool
5. Calypso
6. Fat Man And Dancing Girl
7. The Queen And The Soldier
8. Rock In This Pocket (Song Of David)
9. Angel's Doorway
10. Ironbound/Fancy Poultry
11. Neighborhood Girls
12. Tom's Diner
13. Man Who Played God

Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who “observes the world with a clinically poetic eye” (The New York Times), Vega’s songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognisable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago. Back in 2010, Suzanne began re-recording and releasing songs from her extensive back catalogue as the “Close-Up” Series. She thought that her fans might like to hear the songs of her past stripped of their original productions, to hear them in an intimate setting, something more personal, that felt like she was singing to them alone. During the recording process for these four albums, Suzanne also decided to rearrange the songs by theme, so people could rediscover them out of their original contexts The Close Up Series, originally released over a decade ago, is now available in a beautifully packaged and designed Bookpack and is limited to just 2,000 copies worldwide. It includes the Close-Up albums Volumes 1-4, each as a different colour 180g heavyweight vinyl LP. It also contains a 28-page booklet featuring a foreword by Suzanne Vega, a brand new essay by Lenny Kaye and the full lyrics for each song.

TRACK LISTING

1. Undertow
2. When Heroes Go Down
3. My Favorite Plum
4. Solitude Standing
5. Cracking
6. Last Years Troubles
7. Solitaire
8. Tombstone
9. Blood Makes Noise
10. 50-50 Chance
11. Penitent
12. Straight Lines
13. Pornographer's Dream
14. Instant Of The Hour After

Lead singer Al Johnson and Tom Fauntleroy, two US soul & R&B greats who founded their first band at University in Washington D.C. originally wrote and released the song on Johnson’s first solo independent album “Peaceful” in 1978. They’d later go on to rerecord the track for Johnson’s follow up album on major label CBS “Back For More” which introduced the song to a wider audience and is the version featured here on this 12”

Tata Vega, American singer from New York would go on to cover the track that same year. Starting her career in the 60s featuring in musicals and performing with various groups, she got signed to Motown by Berry Gordy on the spot who was in the audience at a concert one of Vega’s groups was performing at. Tata Vega’s version of “I’ve Got My Second Wind”, in duet with soul singer George Curtis Cameron was originally released on her fourth solo album on Motown, “Givin’ All My Love”. Reissued and now available on loud 12” for the first time!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Tata Vega – I’ve Got My Second Sind
B1. Al Johnson – I’ve Got My Second Wind

One of Alan Vega’s greatest talents was his ability to bring the past and the future together into a suspended place of timelessness. His groundbreaking duo Suicide was often seen as future primitivism and most of his musical output has exemplified this blending of the primordial human condition and visionary thinking. With Invasion b/w Murder One, the next release from the now infamous Vega Vault following 2021’s Mutator, we see this innate power in full effect.

The two tracks “Invasion” and “Murder One” were recorded two decades apart from one another in New York City. “Invasion” was recorded toward the end of the 2012-2015 studio sessions for the posthumous album IT and was one of his last recordings, while “Murder One” was recorded in 1997-1998, (after the Mutator sessions) and is part of a cluster of material that was recorded but never mixed prior to the sessions for his album 2007, released in 1999. Pairing these two songs together as a release illustrates the timelessness of the 30 plus years of unreleased material that he deemed the Vega Vault.

This release continues the collaboration of Mutator’s mixing and producing team, Liz Lamere and Jared Artaud. Liz provides a bridge to the past, having performed throughout the recording process of “Murder One” and “Invasion” while Jared opens a bridge to the future having been chosen by Alan himself to carry the torch and ensure the vision stays intact. Alan trusted no one more than Liz and Jared, and gave his blessing and encouragement to continue releasing material from the Vault. As Alan stated in the song “Vision” from IT, “If you destroy the vision, you will suffer the whirlwind.”

Listening to the various tracks during these mixing sessions brought up vivid recollections of how the sounds (such as the haunting voices in “Murder One”) were created and the constant experimentation that was involved, memories that informed Liz’s approach in the mixing process. Together with Jared’s technical skills, intuition, and deep understanding of the feeling these sounds were intended to evoke, the two were able to preserve the authenticity of the recordings while enhancing the quality of sound so the listener can fully experience the nuances of these unique auditory creations.

TRACK LISTING

1. Invasion
2. Murder One 

Alan Vega’s name is synonymous with unfettered, tireless creativity. Beginning in the late 1950s, when he was a fine art student at Brooklyn College, through his years playing in Suicide, and all the way up until his death in 2016, Vega was constantly creating. That process naturally led to a wealth of material that didn’t see the light of day immediately when it was recorded, which came to be known as the Vega Vault. Mutator is the first in a series of archival releases from the Vault that will come out on Sacred Bones Records.

Mutator was recorded alongside Vega’s longtime collaborator Liz Lamere at his NYC studio from 1995-1996, and it serves as a document of a particularly fertile time in his creative life. He had 11 full-length solo albums come out during the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s - plus numerous collaborations, and Suicide records A Way of Life and Why Be Blue. Mutator wasn’t shelved intentionally, but Vega’s back-to-thegrindstone M.O. meant that he had moved on to making his next record before this one was finished. Lamere and Vega’s friend and confidante Jared Artaud (The Vacant Lots) rediscovered the raw, unmixed recordings from the Mutator sessions in the Vault in 2019. Soon after, they mixed and produced them into the visionary album that was lurking within those tapes.

“Our primary purpose for going into the studio was to experiment with sound, not to ‘make records,’” Lamere recalls. “I was playing the machines with Alan manipulating sounds. I played riffs while Alan morphed the sounds being channeled through the machines.”

At the time of the Mutator sessions, Vega was massively inspired by what was happening in the streets of New York - not only the hip hop scenes that were exploding throughout the outer boroughs, but also the literal sounds of the streets, the traffic noise and industrial ambience of city living. That influence trickled into the sounds he and Lamere captured in those sessions. That sensibility, paired with Vega’s unmistakable voice and force of personality, is what made it the great album it is now. The final piece was the production job, completed by Lamere and Artaud 25 years after the songs were first captured.

- A never-before-heard full-length recorded by legendary NYC musician Alan Vega (Suicide) in the mid ’90s with his frequent collaborator Liz Lamere

- The tapes were uncovered by Lamere and Jared Artaud (The Vacant Lots), who mixed and produced them to create the record

- Mutator is the first release in the Alan Vega Vault series on Sacred Bones, collecting rare and unreleased archival recordings

TRACK LISTING

1. Trinity (1:16)
2. Fist (5:12)
3. Muscles (4:45)
4. Samurai (3:44)
5. Filthy (3:30)
6. Nike Soldier (4:18)
7. Psalm 68 (4:37)
8. Breathe (4:22)

The accomplished and uniquely characteristic world-builder Mart Avi delivers his most complete body of work yet with Vega Never Sets. His fifth full-length solo release, a record of abstract soul and spectral electronic textures finds him evolving further into a state of hyperkinetism and timeless grandeur. Like the great storyteller, Mart Avi blends the familiar and comforting with the new and the unpalatable, to seduce the unawares with a bold new record that veers between folkloristic tech-noir and melodic, post-digital ballads; a movement of electronic pulses, gently held together by his finely composed worlds. Pulling at deeper contexts, he expresses an unstrained defiance of gravity through his playful character — one that is smartly dressed, charming and full of boyish anarchism. As The Quietus wrote, Avi is “like a David Foster Wallace of pop”, cerebral and hot-blooded, with plenty of fervour and a lust for living.

STAFF COMMENTS

Patrick says: Porridge Bullet play host to Mart Avi's fifth full length solo release, revelling in every second of its uncanny beauty. Reminiscent of both the chamber pop of Dutch Uncles, James Blake's electronic ballads and the synthesised shimmer of Rex Orange County, this is Avi's most honed release to date.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Feather
A2. Wire
A3. Soul Reaver
A4. Avirex
A5. Firefly
B1. The Fifth Season
B2. Spark
B3. Endsville
B4. Milton
B5. Vega

Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has written and recorded numerous songs that have become part of the contemporary music vernacular, including “Luka”, certainly the only hit song ever written from the perspective of an abused boy, “Marlene on the Wall”, a surprise hit in the UK and “Tom’s Diner”, a strange little a cappella piece that was remixed by U.K. electronic dance duo “DNA” and became a major club hit. Her albums, including her self-titled debut, the follow up, Solitude Standing and 99.9F have sold millions of copies. WHAT IS THIS ALBUM ? Produced by Gerry Leonard (Guitar player with David Bowie, played with Roger Waters, Laurie Anderson) mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Kevin Killen and mastered by Grammy Award winner, Bob Ludwig. On An Evening of New York Songs and Stories, Vega revisits some of her most New York-centric repertoire in a stunning live recording on which she is backed by longtime guitarist, Gerry Leonard, bassist Jeff Allen and keyboardist Jamie Edwards. Recorded at New York City’s famed Café Carlyle in early 2019, the album includes both familiar songs like “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” and deep cuts from her catalog like “Frank and Ava” and “Ludlow Street”. The mix of repertoire also features “New York Is My Destination” from Lover, Beloved: Songs from an Evening with Carson McCullers, Vega’s one-woman play about the Southern gothic novelist Carson McCullers, and a cover of her late friend Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.

TRACK LISTING

1. Marlene On The Wall
2. Luka
3. 'So How Many People Are Here From Out Of Town?'
4. New York Is A Woman
5. 'This Next Song Takes Place On 59th Street...'
6. Frank And Eva
7. 'So I Myself Came To New York City When I Was 2 ½ Years Old'
8. Gypsy
9. Freeze Tag
10. Pornographer's Dream
11. 'This Next Song Is Called New York Is My Destination'
12. New York Is My Destination
13. 'The First Time I Saw Lou Reed...'
14. Walk On The Wild Side
15. Ludlow Street
16. Cracking
17. 'And Now We've Got A Song About Those Times...'
18. Some Journey
19. 'I'm Gonna Close With This Song...'
20. Tom's Diner
21. 'Would You Like Another One?'
22. Anniversary
23. Tombstone
24. Thin Man

For BBE Music’s landmark 500th release, the label joins forces with Louie Vega, Leroy Burgess and Patrick Adams to revisit "Barely Breaking Even", the iconic track after which the label is named. Coaxed into the studio together by BBE founder Peter Adarkwah, Grammy winning House music hero Louie Vega, arranger extraordinaire and New York disco royalty Patrick Adams, plus the song’s original writer (and king of boogie) Leroy Burgess soon got to work. Even given the caliber of those involved in this special session, the results are simply exceptional. Featuring live strings by The Apple Hill String Quartet arranged by Adams and Burgess, Vega’s ‘Boogie Mix’ stays faithful to the Universal Robot Band original, with potent vocal performances and a tough new groove for 2019. It was at the string recording session for the boogie version that Louie Vega unveiled his 'NYC House Mix' to the assembled musicians, at which point he and Leroy Burgess quickly arranged a brand new horn section and re-wrote the song’s melody to compliment the track’s accelerated pace. What the team emerged with is so much more than a remix- it’s a unified call-back to two golden eras; that of disco-boogie and that of New York House. And it’s beautiful.

TRACK LISTING

Disc: 1
1. Barely Breaking Even (Louie Vega NYC House Remix (Instrumental))
2. Barely Breaking Even (Louie Vega Boogie Mix)

Disc: 2
1. Barely Breaking Even (Louie Vega NYC House Remix)
2. Barely Breaking Even (Louie Vega Boogie Mix (Instrumental))

Carson McCullers was an American novelist, short story writer, playwright, essayist, and poet. Her first novel, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, explores the spiritual isolation of misfits and outcasts in a small town of the U.S.

The album features 10 songs from her upcoming play about the iconic American author Carson McCullers.

The play is a one woman show written and staring Suzanne Vega, with songs written by Suzanne Vega and Tony Winner Duncan Sheik.

TRACK LISTING

1. Carson's Blues
2. New York Is My Destination
3. Instant Of The Hour After
4. We Of Me
5. Annemarie
6. 12 Mortal Men
7. Harper Lee
8. Lover, Beloved
9. The Ballad Of Miss Amelia
10. Carson's Last Supper

Another soaring melodic pop song from Vega 4, for fans of Coldplay, Snowpatrol, Keane etc.