quête:11 am

Die schönsten und bekanntesten italienischen Melodien auf 1 Vinyl.Mit Eros Ramazzotti, Al Bano & Romina Power, Umberto Tozzi, Paolo Conte, Raffaela Carrà u.v.m.12 unvergessliche Songs!

Best Of Italo Hits

With this, their fourth album Black Helium find themselves widening the parameters of their take on heavy psychedelic rock, with probably their most baked and hook-laden material to date.

From the no-safety-net freak out of ‘Return the Curse’, to the sawtooth groove of ‘Up on a Hill’, ‘The Animals Are Coming’ LP is Black Helium at their most exploratory and focused.

Recorded one sun-drenched week in late June 2024, this time at Axe and Trap Studios with Ben Turner (Hey Colossus, Part Chimp). ‘The Animals Are Coming’ is the band sweating it out in a room, fueled by “party foods “and vintage amps. Digging deeper towards the source, no matter how transcendent, no matter how dark.

Black Helium are a psychedelic power trio, based in London. Never afraid to stray from the beaten path, they traverse aural hallucinatory soundscapes; from detuned Neanderthal rock to deep oceans of introspective blissed out psychedelia.

The band consistently gig across the UK (including a two week tour with Japanese label mates Hibushibire late 2024), and have recently started ventures into mainland Europe. And plan to continue throughout 2025.

Psychedelic rock in the dark!

Dope Purple's new album 'Children In The Darkness’ was recorded when the band hosted a live midnight recording session at Revolver, Taipei City, Taiwan on Friday 3rd March 2023.

Amidst the tense silence of the middle of the night, the five members of Dope Purple, two guest musicians: saxophonist Yong Yandsen from Malaysia, British drummer Darren Moore from Singapore, and a familiar audience, came together to produce the album 'Children In The Darkness’.

The album is a ferocious space psychedelic rock, no starlight, no glamourous psychedelic paradise, just a meditative journey of infinite darkness and ear-splitting tinnitus. Unlike our last album, I didn't have a specific theme or idea for this album, however I named it 'Children In The Darkness’ because all the songs on this album share the same lonely, disorientating chaos that reminds me of children forgotten in the darkness, and Dope Purple has always been a messenger for those children, playing sedative music for their ghosts.

At the end of each performance, I can clearly feel my furious brain melting away and only the calming spirit remains in my body.

Initially influenced by the skinhead scenes of France and Italy, their new LP “Renaissance” borrows from sounds outside the subculture, orchestrating harmonies to unite the punks, skins and moshers. The comparison to L’INFANTERIE SAUVAGE is undeniable with odd song structures switching from slow melodies to fast punchy pogo beats. However on this LP, there is a subtle influence of early American hardcore bands, adding more stomping rhythms and upping the pace of the songs. Renaissance is an excellent example of how a band can evolve their sound without losing the aspects that define them: razor sharps riffs, unexpected disco drum syncopations and, of course, orchestral “Ohhs”. Every song verges on an anthem that will get stuck in your head for days.

Ride bassist Steve Queralt’s debut solo album Swallow is a beautifully brooding nine-track collection that combines the darkly textured soundscapes of early M83 and Sigur Rós with an electronic sheen reminiscent of Boards Of Canada. It also features guest vocals from Sonic Cathedral labelmate Emma Anderson (formerly of Lush and Sing-Sing) and Verity Susman (Electrelane, Memorials).Swallow has been slowly but surely pieced together between Ride albums and tours over the past five years and, perhaps as a result, has a slightly dystopian, Blade Runner feel that reflects the liminal spaces in which it was created.Despite the fact that the majority of the album is instrumental, there is plenty of power and emotion poured into these moody, moonlit soundtracks. When words do appear, an underlying anger and political slant emerges and amplifies the album’s dark intensity. This is most notable on the closing track, ‘Motor Boats’, where he overlays words from Julie Sheldon’s polemic poem The Same Boat (“We’re all in the same boat they say, but I would disagree”). According to Steve, these simple words of rejection “capture the reality of our times perfectly”. However, it was the collaborations with the two guest vocalists that tied the whole thing together and paved the way to the finished album. “After a few false starts, I had started to doubt the project altogether. It was going nowhere,” says Steve. “Then, out of the darkness, Emma got in touch to tell me that she’d found her voice and could I send her some tracks. A few files back and forth and an afternoon in the studio later and we had ‘Lonely Town’ and ‘Swiss Air’.”In the meantime, Verity from Electrelane had added vocals to the song ‘Messengers’ and transformed the track. Matthew Simms, now her bandmate in Memorials, would go on to mix the finished album.“Swallow has turned out so much better than I had hoped,” enthuses Steve. “I’d fallen out of love with it so many times I was thinking of calling it Loveless. But then, that wouldn’t be the whole story.”

Limitierte Auflage, weißes Vinyl + 36-seitiges Booklet. „King of a Land“ ist ein tiefgründiges und bewegendes Selbstporträt eines der beständigsten und beliebtesten Songwriter der Popmusik. Einzigartig und mitreißend zeichnen Yusufs neue Musik, Texte und Melodien ein lebendiges Bild einer Welt, in der kindliche Träume wieder in greifbare Nähe gerückt sind. Sein poetisches Geschichtenerzählen lädt den Hörer auf eine Reise zu den Toren eines alternativen Universums ein – in dem es durchaus Happy Ends gibt. Von der herrlich unerwarteten Hardrock-Intensität von „Pagan Run“ über die Tschaikowsky-inspirierte Orchestrierung von „How Good It Feels“, die zarte Akustikballade von „He Is True“ bis hin zum treibenden Phil-Spector-Gospel-Vibe von „Highness“, dem rollen-Americana-Groove im Stil der Traveling Wilburys von „All Nights, All Days“ und dem kunstvollen, atmosphärischen „Son Of Mary“ ist „King of a Land“ ein episches Werk. Das Album-Artwork stammt von Peter H. Reynolds, dem preisgekrönten Kinderbuchillustrator.

Neben dem Cover hat Peter für jeden Song Illustrationen zu den lyrischen Themen des Albums erstellt, die im 36-seitigen Vinyl-Booklet enthalten sind.

Limitierte Auflage, transparentes 140-g-Vinyl.

Nach seiner überraschenden digitalen Veröffentlichung ist Sigur Rós’ erstes neues Studioalbum seit zehn Jahren, ÁTTA, ihr bisher intimstes und emotional direktestes Album.

Nur wenige Bands dringen so durch den Lärm und die Ablenkungen der Welt und vermitteln eine reine, elementare Wahrheit und ein Gefühl wie Sigur Rós. Wie man auf ÁTTA hört, spürt man in der Band einen neuen Antrieb und eine neue Dynamik, die mit der neuen Besetzung einhergeht. Multiinstrumentalist Kjartan Sveinsson ist zurück – nachdem er die Band 2012 verlassen hatte – und schließt sich Frontmann Jónsi und Bassist Georg Holm an.

Aufgenommen auf mehreren Kontinenten – im Sundlaugin Studio der Band in Island, im legendären Abbey Road Studio in Großbritannien und in mehreren Studios in den USA – ist „ÁTTA“ stark orchestral ausgerichtet und berührt alles, was Sigur Rós mit fast zehn Millionen verkauften Alben zu einer der ambitioniertesten und gefeiertsten Bands der letzten Zeit gemacht hat. Gleichzeitig weist es auf eine spannende und weitreichende Zukunft hin. Auf „ÁTTA“ sind das London Contemporary Orchestra unter der Leitung von Robert Ames sowie Blechbläser des langjährigen isländischen Bandpartners Brassgat í bala prominent vertreten. Gemischt und koproduziert wurde das Album von Paul Corley, einem weiteren häufigen Kollaborateur der Band

Die mit Sicherheit coolste Spaghetti-Western-Compilation aller Zeiten kommt vom legendären SoundtrackLabel CAM Sugar. Niemand geringeres als der Brite Jeymes Samuel, Regisseur des modernen NetflixWesterns „The Harder They Fall“ und anderer Erfolgsfilme, sowie Singer-Songwriter (The Bullits), kennt sich mit der Musik italienischer Kult-Western bestens aus. Aus den CAM-Sugar-Archiven hat er jetzt 20 mitreißende Tracks aus der Feder von Ennio Morricone, Piero Umiliani, Nico Fidenco und anderen Legenden zusammengestellt. Diese Themen voll wilder Rhythmen, donnernder Gitarren und entfesselter Orchester sorgen für Action auch auf dem Plattenteller.

Drei der von den Originalbändern remasterten Tracks sind bislang auf Vinyl unveröffentlicht. Multi-Talent Jeymes Samuel hat auch das Cover-Artwork von Hand gemalt, im beiliegenden Booklet interviewt er die beiden Stars seines Westerns “The Harder They Fall”, Regina King und David Oleyowo, außerdem sind Original-Notenblätter und Filmposter abgebildet.

This is the very first reissue on 7” single of these super rare and gorgeous early Reggae tracks by one of the most underrated voice of Jamaica. Both these tracks were produced by Dandy Livingstone and released in 1969 on the Downtown label, a Trojan sublabel, on two separate singles:
- DT-436: Audrey "You'll Lose A Good Thing" with Desmond Riley "If I Had Wings" on the flip.
- DT-414: Audrey "Love Me Tonight" with Brother Dan All Stars "Shoot Them Amigo" on the B side.
NOTE: Desmond Riley "If I Had Wings" is featured on our companion single also to be released on June 21, 2025.
This reissue brings these two rare gems together for the first time on a 7” single allowing enthusiasts and collectors to experience their gorgeous sound.
The original pressings have become highly collectible, with copies fetching big sums in the collectors' market.
This exceptional release will be available on our website and in select record shops worldwide from June 21, 2025.

Audrey Hall, aka Audrey was born in Kingston in 1948, sister to Pam, Trevor & Raymond Hall, all Reggae artists. She began her career as a duo, Dandy & Audrey with Dandy Livingstone. She recorded two albums with Dandy as a duo in 1968 and 1969.
She also recorded a handful of solo singles on the Down Town label with Livingstone as a producer. Dandy was a key producer shaping Jamaican sounds in Britain at that time. Although these tracks are actually all quite nice, two tracks really standout: “You’ ll Lose A Good Thing” and “Love Me Tonight” both released together for the first time on this single.
After the Skinheads craze subsided in Britain, Audrey moved to New York. During much of the 1970s and early 1980s, she worked as a backing singer alongside her sister Pam Hall. She made a real come-back as a solo artist in 1985 with producer Donovan Germain and scored many hits in the U.K.including “One Dance Won’t Do”, "Smile" and "The Best Thing For Me".
While she gained wider success in the 1980s with lovers rock hits, she did not quite get the recognition her outstanding singing skills deserved and she remains one of the most underrated voice of Jamaica…

Enjoy The Toons Records in partnership with Paramount
Pictures proudly presents Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Out of the Shadows (Music from the Motion Picture),
Score by Steve Jablonksy. Michelangelo, Donatello,
Leonardo, and Raphael are back to battle bigger, badder villains,
alongside April O’Neil (Megan Fox) and a newcomer:
the hockey-masked ally Casey Jones (Steven Amell).
After supervillain Shredder (Brian Tee) escapes custody,
he joins forces with two dimwitted henchmen, Bebop
(Gary Anthony Williams) and Rocksteady (WWE's Sheamus),
to unleash a diabolical plan to take over the world. As the Turtles
prepare to take on Shredder and his new crew, they find themselves facing an even greater threat with similar intentions: the notorious Krang (Brad Garrett). Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (Music from the Motion Picture) features music by Steve Jablonsky (Transformers film series, The Sims 3, Gears of War 2). Jablonsky's signature sound is present, with a unique call-back to the original theme and fun, exciting orchestration for the 2016 film score. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (Music from the Motion Picture) is a 2xLP, housed in a gatefold jacket and pressed on colorful themed vinyl. The pressing is limited to 750 copies across 3 color variants. –

Swingrowers are known for their mixture of JAZZ, SWING, POP and ELECTRO, they have extensively toured Europe and North America, opening sell-out shows for Parov Stelar, Chinese Man & Caravan Palace. On top of delivering official remixes for Caro Emerald and Swing Republic, Swingrowers also boast musical collaborations with The Lost Fingers, Gypsy Hill, DJ Pony Montana and have had their own songs remixed by Bart&Baker and Jamie Berry.

Following on from their debut album 'Pronounced Swing Grow'ers' in 2012, Swingrowers have released their second album 'REMOTE' in early 2015, followed now by 'OUTSIDEIN', the band's third full-length studio album. This new release shows their expert musicianship and most meticulous production to date, mixing genres from jazz to electronica, from gypsy-swing to full-on rock'n'roll with a melodic pop sensibility.

Horizontaler Gentransfer" beschreibt die Übertragung genetischer Informationen bei den Mikroorganismen jenseits normaler Paarungsbarrieren .Die Band "Horizontaler Gentransfer" (HGT) ist eine Experimental Art Pop, K-Punk- Kollektiv, das von sechs (!) Künstlerinnen (Mizi Lee, Seonha Park, Jerry Ahn, Yun Park, Lilian Gonzalez, Hanseo Oh) mit Migrationshintergrund im Mai 2022 in Stuttgart initiiert wurde. Dem Prinzip der horizontalen Übertragung folgend, übertragen sie dies auf u.a. Memes, Posts, Chats- oder K-Pop-Kulturen, die sich über Smartphones oder iPads verbreiten und suchen dabei nach einem experimentellen Weg, um mit Text, Musik und visuellen Elementen zu Mode, Infektion und Migration zu forschen. HGT hinterfragt nicht nur kulturelle Normen, sondern reagiert direkt auch auf Stereotypen oder rassistische Angriffe. Direkte Fragen werden gestellt, energetische Aussagen getroffen und Stimmungen eingeholt die mal aggressiv, mal entspannt oder mit einem Augenzwinkern dargeboten werden. HGT sind eine Wundertüte verschiedener Genres und Stile, von Punk bis Poetry aber auch Schlager und Elektro gibt es zu entdecken. 'Everything Possibbong' ist das zweite Album und HGT lassen sich weiterhin nicht eine Schublade stecken. Das Album verbindet traditionellen koreanischen Schlager mit elektronischem Punk und einer guten Prise urban contemporary Pop. Die erste Single 'From Kita' zeigt wie sich Vielseitigkeit in Sinuswellen ausdrückt ohne aus der Reihe zu tanzen. Ein minimalistisches 808 pattern, ein vorantreibendes Keyboard und eine Telefonhörer Stimme mäandern durchs Intro und wandeln sich schließlich mittels Break in einen dadaistischen Pop Song der am ehesten an OOIOO denken lässt, sonst aber keinerlei Vergleichsfläche bietet. Vinyl comes with many goodies as there are 2 Stickers, 2 random character cards, a lyrics booklet & download code.

The new darlings of the American post-rock underground present a collection of well-wrought bangers on their debut full-length album. Powerfully melodic and heavy at the same time, Wield shows the Philadelphia-based quintet mastering their game of creating compelling melodies that sound larger than life. 2022 saw HIROE burst onto the scene with an explosive debut minialbum "Wrought" full of soaring anthems and sublime soundscapes. Combining the sonic expansiveness of Deftones with the dynamic heaviness of bands like ISIS and Caspian, HIROE already figured out how to make the most majestic sounding post-rock early in their career. "Our first, Wrought was a statement of creation," explains principal songwriter EricKusanagi about the intent behind their debut. "This second record is about what to do with that creation. The thought was, we've created this, now how do we wield it?" "We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record," continues Eric. "You'll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up." Wield packs a lot of details, which are fun to uncover over repeated plays. «Collider» is almost completely driven by high precision tapping leads, which are ingeniously mirrored by the chords on the final climax. «The Crush» sees the band's three guitarists chugging away happily over a clever 7/8 rhythm subtly exchanging thrashy, sludgy and prog-inspired stylings. Nevertheless, Wield is still an affair of instant gratification for fans of guitar driven post-rock. From the soaring leads of «Tides» to the epic finale of «I've Been Waiting For You All My Life», HIROE show they've upped their game in every department, but especially the one that tugs at your heartstrings. Wield presents the brave new future we all need in these confusing times. A new American frontier on which we can build our wildest dreams and our most daring ambitions! FOR FANS OF Caspian, Isis, pg.lost, Red Sparowes, If These Trees Could Talk, Shy Low, Ranges, Pray For Sound

The new darlings of the American post-rock underground present a collection of well-wrought bangers on their debut full-length album. Powerfully melodic and heavy at the same time, Wield shows the Philadelphia-based quintet mastering their game of creating compelling melodies that sound larger than life. 2022 saw HIROE burst onto the scene with an explosive debut minialbum "Wrought" full of soaring anthems and sublime soundscapes. Combining the sonic expansiveness of Deftones with the dynamic heaviness of bands like ISIS and Caspian, HIROE already figured out how to make the most majestic sounding post-rock early in their career. "Our first, Wrought was a statement of creation," explains principal songwriter EricKusanagi about the intent behind their debut. "This second record is about what to do with that creation. The thought was, we've created this, now how do we wield it?" "We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record," continues Eric. "You'll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up." Wield packs a lot of details, which are fun to uncover over repeated plays. «Collider» is almost completely driven by high precision tapping leads, which are ingeniously mirrored by the chords on the final climax. «The Crush» sees the band's three guitarists chugging away happily over a clever 7/8 rhythm subtly exchanging thrashy, sludgy and prog-inspired stylings. Nevertheless, Wield is still an affair of instant gratification for fans of guitar driven post-rock. From the soaring leads of «Tides» to the epic finale of «I've Been Waiting For You All My Life», HIROE show they've upped their game in every department, but especially the one that tugs at your heartstrings. Wield presents the brave new future we all need in these confusing times. A new American frontier on which we can build our wildest dreams and our most daring ambitions! FOR FANS OF Caspian, Isis, pg.lost, Red Sparowes, If These Trees Could Talk, Shy Low, Ranges, Pray For Sound

Few lovers stay together for life-and beyond. Just as rare are the artists who manage to keep alive the burning flame of their creative desire. Areski Belkacem is one of those who nurtures in his heart a fire that never dies out, a passion that burns just as intensely for music as it does for his beloved. As long as the message eventually reaches its intended recipient, he cares little for how long the journey takes. His new album, Long courrier, is proof of this: twelve unreleased songs that flow like a love letter set to music. In nearly 60 years of career, Areski Belkacem has released only three solo albums-intimate and deeply personal works that feel like whispered confidences to a loved one. In an era where commercial demands shape much of music production, these records exist solely to fulfill his need for expression. The late music lover and producer Jean-Philippe Allard once said, "Areski goes against the tide-he always seems to enjoy taking forbidden paths!" In Long courrier, Areski tenderly expresses love for his homeland and his beloved. He believes in the power of sensuality, the sacredness of pleasure, and the hidden beauty in every person despite life's hardships. He shows a fraternal gaze toward outsiders and sings of inner journeys, doubt, vows, eternal bonds-with a voice as warm and bright as a loving smile. He honors the mystery of the union between music and the French language. Blending his familiar chaabi rhythms and guitar with piano, accordion, bass, and electric guitar, he plays alongside the same musicians who have accompanied him for over two decades on stage-supporting the woman he shares both stage and life with: the incomparable Brigitte Fontaine.

After the explosive Comme à la radio, infused with the free jazz energy of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Brigitte Fontaine and Areski Belkacem released six albums together or separately between 1972 and 1977. Their music, often stripped down to voice, guitar, and percussion-or performed a cappella-stood in stark contrast to the orchestrated French pop of the time. This minimalist and spontaneous approach highlighted the poetic power of the lyrics and the intimacy of the melodies, earning them recognition in the counterculture and underground scenes. By the end of the 1970s, Fontaine sought to make her work more visible without losing its originality. The Baraka album marked this transitional moment, initially recorded in a home studio without external musicians. Its title (meaning "blessing" in Arabic) hinted at a desire for success. Mixing introspection, absurd humor, and bold stylistic choices, the album was technically ambitious, featuring stereo duets and layered vocals, and lyrically rich, tackling everything from metaphysical themes to playful nonsense. However, the project ultimately veered off course. After moving the recordings to the massive Studio Davout and bringing in producer and guitarist Martial "Mimi" Lorenzini, the album lost its original intimacy. Overproduced arrangements clashed with the simplicity of Fontaine and Belkacem's initial intent, resulting in an album-renamed Les églantines sont peut-être formidables-that the artists later disowned, refusing to allow its commercial release. Recently rediscovered demo tapes, stripped of their bombastic layers, reveal the raw, emotional core of the songs-showcasing the duo's voices with a rare authenticity. These recordings bridge a missing link in their discography, between their experimental lo-fi years and their later, more accessible work. Decades on, Fontaine and Belkacem remain defiant originals, never settling into a formula, always evolving, and continuing to shake the foundations of French chanson.

"CAM Sugar is thrilled to present Jeymes Samuel’s Spaghetti Western Collection, a selection of rare cuts from Italian Western film soundtracks (1963–1972), curated by the acclaimed father of the contemporary Spaghetti Western genre, BAFTA-winner director (The Harder They Fall, The Book of Clarence) and singer-songwriter Jeymes Samuel (The Bullits, Executive Music Consultant for The Great Gatsby alongside Jay-Z and Baz Luhrmann, as well as collaborator of Gorillaz and Talib Kweli, Jay Electronica). The English artist has also supervised the art direction of the products – painting the cover artwork by hand – compiled the music selection and produced two new original tracks. 2-LP DELUXE VERSION 2LP, a 20-track deep dive into the CAM Sugar catalogue casting a light on the trademark Italian sound that shaped Spaghetti Western, the legendary film genre birthed 60 years ago from the brainchild of Sergio Leone A Western Saloon Inspired Box Set with additional artwork for the box set. Exclusive 7” featuring an original song written and composed by Jeymes Samuel and an instrumental version of the song. Exclusive 10” featuring an original song written and composed by Jeymes Samuel with a CAM Sugar Sample and an unreleased poem by Regina King. Exclusive Official and unreleased story board from The Harder They Fall by Dwayne Turner Exclusive Interviews by Jeymes Samuel with The Harder They Fall protagonists Regina King and David Oleyowo, included in a booklet that will also feature content from the CAM Sugar Archives: Original Scores and Movie Posters One Dollar mini poster customized with Jeymes Samuel’s portrait in pure Spaghetti Western style THE STANDARD 2LP and CD versions:Featuring the 20 tracks selected by Jeymes Samuel and the exclusive booklet, including interviews By Jeymes Samuel to The Harder They Fall protagonists Regina King and David Oleyowo as well as content from the CAM Sugar Archives: Original Scores and Movie Posters.
"

Hampus Lindwall’s Brace for Impact might just be the first album of post-internet pipe organ music. It’s an album of five new contemporary classical compositions, all performed by the composer himself on the 78-stop grand organ at St. Antonius church in Düsseldorf, Germany. Featuring the electric guitar of SUNN O)’s Stephen O’Malley on the title track. A highly visceral forty-five minutes of music with undeniable elemental power.
As 2024 came to a close, in New York and Paris chords rang out from thirty-two-foot pipes for the first time in half a decade. Following twin fires in 2019, the grand organs at the cathedrals of St John the Divine and Notre-Dame, amongst the largest instruments in their respective countries, had finally been restored. The news was justly celebrated in the international press, but the incidents were far from isolated. In England, the city of Norwich hailed the return of its cathedral’s five manual organ in 2023 and just two years earlier York Minster heralded a “once-in-a-century” refurbishment of its own 5,000-plus pipe instrument. Meanwhile, further organ restoration projects are ongoing at churches in Liverpool, Bradford, Bristol, Winchester, and Washington DC. Significant as they are to their respective communities, they’re also emblematic of a wider rebirth for one of humanity’s oldest musical instruments.
The organ is having a moment. Over the last few years, albums by the likes of Kali Malone, Ellen Arkbro, Anna von Hausswolff, FUJI|||||||||||TA, and Áine O’Dwyer, as well as projects in the visual arts by Sollmann Sprenger, Cory Arcangel, Massimo Bartolini and many other talented artists, have given a new prominence to the old ecclesiastical stalwart. The pipe organ bears historical traces which stretch back to the third century BC. But that doesn’t mean it can’t speak to a contemporary moment haunted by algorithms and networked culture. Hampus Lindwall’s Brace for Impact is an album of organ music for today.

Far above the skylark sings And beats the air with joyful wings Till all the sky with music rings At high noon of the day With 2022's critically acclaimed album Ghosts, enigmatic Shropshire group HARESS markedout their own place in a growing landscape of artists navigating the world of the traditional and the rural in new ways. Ghosts led to the normally reclusive Haress venturing out from their base in the Shropshire Hills for live performances with the likes of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Shovel Dance Collective, Big Brave, Steve Von Till and appearances at Supersonic and Krankenhaus Festivals - not to mention making fans of everyone from Kevin Martin to James Holden in the process. Skylarks is perhaps the natural conclusion of these past few years for the group. Whereas previous Haress recordings have embraced something of the unknown in the process of their making, Skylarks sees a well-travelled group of musicians carefully craft long and expressive pieces of music in a powerful and instinctual way. The music here might be long, but it never sprawls out of control. The telepathy present in live performance has been harnessed and used to carefully compose and arrange these four pieces, narrating a journey through landscape and time that is as powerful as it is beautiful. Inspired by found folk songs, the power of nature and the power of community and Ben Myers' brutal tale of resistance The Gallows Pole, Haress have created a genuinely epic soundtrack to a world both past and future, real and imagined. The ambience and atmosphere of the recording (expertly captured by Phil Booth of JT Soar Studio on location in the group's hometown of Bishop's Castle) is entirely natural, the sound of an ensemble playing live in the room around you. The only vocal interjection this time comes from a choir of voices, replicating the communal singing that has been the centrepiece of Haress live performances. When the voices emerge, it feels truly euphoric and heavy. Not heavy as in metal, but heavy as in the Earth itself - a primal, joyful gut punch to the system. "This blissed-out psychedelia is not quite pastoral – there’s nothing twee about these unwinding grooves – yet evokes water and wood, light and shadow, a place of forgotten labour and the absent human form with a beguiling grace" - Luke Turner on Ghosts, The Quietus Albums Of The Year 2022 "That timelessness of the old sounds but with an added tripped out modernity and dissonance hooked into the past by the power of drone is magical and exhilarating stuff – they are truly spellbinding – ancient and modern like British ragas or a damp searching for the soul of England take on the desert blues of a Tinariwen" - Jon Robb reviews Krankenhaus Festival 2023, Louder Than War