quête:penguins

Mammoth Penguins are a 3-piece indie powerhouse, showcasing the songwriting and vocal talents of Emma Kupa (Standard Fare) backed up by the noisiest rhythm section in indie pop. May 2024 sees the release of their fourth album Here on Fika Recordings. After 2019’s big, bold and confident There’s No Fight We Can’t Both Win, and the initial shock of the global pandemic cancelling a trip to SXSW in 2020, the band returned to the studio in the summer of 2021 to start recording. The new record leans into a raw pop-punk power-trio sound more than ever, with a deep growl in layered guitars and bursts of percussion and harmony. The songs and artwork explore themes about finding a place for yourself and familiarity with people and places. Although it turns back towards a classic three-piece sound, the band weren’t restricted by that palette, adding finishing touches of percussion, extra guitars and backing vocals in short bursts in a garden shed, and also bringing in gorgeous strings to sweeten the title track. The sound builds on the band’s first album, Hide and Seek, which was released with the much-loved and sorely missed Fortuna POP! in 2015. The follow-up LP John Doe in 2017 was an ambitious concept album, exploring the feelings of loss and anger at a man who fakes his own death only to return years later, expanding well beyond the 3-piece rock‘n’roll template, with washes of strings, synths and samples. The ‘Penguins have been smashing it at some high-profile support slots in the lead up to this album release, including at Allo Darlin’s joyous reunion at Islington Assembly Hall (Oct 2023) and Muncie Girls last ever London show (Dec 2023). They play the Leicester Indiepop all-dayer and Wales Goes Pop in March, before heading out on tour in support of the new album in May. Those big singalong choruses need your voice shouting back from the crowd with joy and defiance. Mammoth Penguins are Emma Kupa (guitar, vocals), Mark Boxall (bass, vocals) and Tom Barden (drums, vocals). Reminiscent of the pop melodies of The Beths, the indie dissonance of Land of Talk, and the guitar forward slacker rock of Weezer, Mammoth Penguins marry heart-ache indiepop with spiky guitars and Emma’s frank confessional songwriting. “wonderfully awkward indie pop with a literate flair, sounding a lot like a Weezer record or even a more feminine Wedding Present” Clash // “eminently relatable earworms” Brooklyn Vegan // “one of the finest examples of simple and true indie rock around” All Music // “her characterful voice still carrying masses of charm and the messier, grungey approach bringing a strength all of its own, aided by a clutch of cheerful hooks and riffs that contrast nicely with lyrics dealing mostly with heartbreak and misery” Drowned In Sound

Written in 2012 using just a MicroKorg and a mic, “Penguins Can’t Fly” is a magnificent slice of italo disco and a tribute to the Ghent based italo night Pingwing. It became a bit of a local underground hit which lead to Club Mayz performing it live at one of the parties at SMAK Ghent – once. The track never saw the light of day before so we’re stoked to announce this 7inch containing the original version backed with a powerful instrumental on the flip.

Inspired by the soundtrack from the motion picture American Graffiti, this 3LP collection captures the sound of late night cruising, jukebox romance and early rock ’n’ roll rebellion. Spanning doo wop, rockabilly and classic pop, the set brings together era defining hits from the mid 1950s to early 1960s, featuring timeless favourites by Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Dion, Little Richard, Sam Cooke, The Platters and many more. Pressed across three vividly coloured vinyl records, red, blue and yellow, this set is both a nostalgic listening experience and a striking collector’s piece, celebrating the golden age of American rock and pop in authentic style.

This festive vinyl brings together the best of blues and R&B holiday spirit! From Sonny Boy Williamson's soulful "Sonny Boy's Christmas Blues" to Carla Thomas's sweetly nostalgic "Gee Whiz, It's Christmas," each track adds a unique flavour to the season. Detroit's wild Nathaniel Mayer shouts out in "Mr. Santa Claus (Bring Me My Baby)," while Chuck Berry gives us a laid-back "Merry Christmas Baby." The set captures raw teen R&B from the `50s with Cleveland's Hepsters and their catchy "Rock 'n Rollin' with Santa Claus," plus California's Youngsters spinning a cautionary tale with "Christmas in Jail." The classic Penguins bring warmth with "A Christmas Prayer," and Jimmy McCracklin's "You're the One" adds a bluesy, downbeat edge. Closing with the Ronettes' lush "Sleigh Ride," Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva's spirited duet on "The Christmas Song," and Babs Gonzales' jazzy New Year's ode "Watch Them Resolutions," this collection is the ultimate groove for a holiday celebration that lasts right through New Year's. Perfect for any record player, it's a swinging, soulful holiday feast!

Green vinyl. This festive vinyl brings together the best of blues and R&B holiday spirit! From Sonny Boy Williamson's soulful "Sonny Boy's Christmas Blues" to Carla Thomas's sweetly nostalgic "Gee Whiz, It's Christmas," each track adds a unique flavour to the season. Detroit's wild Nathaniel Mayer shouts out in "Mr. Santa Claus (Bring Me My Baby)," while Chuck Berry gives us a laid-back "Merry Christmas Baby." The set captures raw teen R&B from the `50s with Cleveland's Hepsters and their catchy "Rock 'n Rollin' with Santa Claus," plus California's Youngsters spinning a cautionary tale with "Christmas in Jail." The classic Penguins bring warmth with "A Christmas Prayer," and Jimmy McCracklin's "You're the One" adds a bluesy, downbeat edge. Closing with the Ronettes' lush "Sleigh Ride," Big Dee Irwin and Little Eva's spirited duet on "The Christmas Song," and Babs Gonzales' jazzy New Year's ode "Watch Them Resolutions," this collection is the ultimate groove for a holiday celebration that lasts right through New Year's. Perfect for any record player, it's a swinging, soulful holiday feast!

Katie Meluas Debütalbum "Call Off The Search" machte sie sofort zu einem außergewöhnlichen neuen Talent. Das Album, welches dieses Jahr sein 20-jähriges Jubiläum feiert, zeigt ihren einzigartigen Gesangsstil, der Jazz-, Blues- und Folk-Einflüsse mit zeitgenössischer Pop-Sensibilität vermischt. Das Album wurde von Mike Batt mitgeschrieben und produziert, der eine zentrale Rolle bei der Entwicklung des prächtigen und anspruchsvollen Klangs des Albums spielte. Das zentrale Thema von "Call Off The Search" ist die Liebe und die Selbstfindung, ausgedrückt durch eine Sammlung von gefühlvollen und introspektiven Songs, darunter die Leadsingle "The Closest Thing to Crazy", die mit ihrer gefühlvollen Performance und der fesselnden Melodie das Publikum weltweit sofort in ihren Bann zog. Von Kritikern und Zuhörern wurde das Album für seinen reifen und gefühlvollen Sound gelobt, vor allem wenn man bedenkt, dass Katie Melua zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung erst 19 Jahre alt war. Call Off The Search" fand bei einem breiten Publikum Anklang, wurde ein kommerzieller Erfolg und zu einem der meistverkauften Alben des Jahres 2003.

Diese Neuauflage zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum wurde in den Metropolis Studios in London neu gemastert und enthält B-Seiten sowie sieben bisher unveröffentlichte und unverfälschte Demos, die Katie und Mike Batt 2002 aufgenommen haben. Die von Pete Paphides verfassten Liner Notes enthalten Beiträge aus einem neuen Interview mit Katie.

Repress!

RYUICHI SAKAMOTO'S 1985 ELECTRONIC AND AMBIENT CLASSIC RELEASED OUTSIDE OF JAPAN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE ITS ORIGINAL RELEASE WITH NEW LINER NOTES BY ANDY BETA AND AUDIO REMASTERED BY SEIGEN ONO

Wewantsounds continues their Ryuichi Sakamoto reissue series with the release of the 1985 album "Esperanto", composed for a performance by New York avant garde choreographer Molissa Fenley. Produced and performed by Sakamoto with contribution by Arto Lindsay and Japanese percussionist Yas-Kaz, "Esperanto" is a fascinating instrumental work mixing electronica, ambient and synth pop. Released in Japan in 1985 on Midi Inc.s' School label, the album has never been released outside of Japan until now. This special reissue comes with original artwork including a 2 pages insert with a new introduction by Journalist Andy Beta. The audio has been remastered in Tokyo by Seigen Ono.
"Esperanto" originally came out in 1985 and was Ryuichi Sakamoto's sixth solo album. Coming after his stint with the influential Yellow Magic Orchestra, and also the worldwide success of Sakamoto's 1984 soundtrack for the film "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" (in which he starred alongside David Bowie), "Esperanto" was a return to Sakamoto's leftfield roots.
?Composed as the soundtrack to a performance by New York choreographer Molissa Fenley (a show commissioned by Japanese producer Shozo Tsurumoto), the album was masterminded by Sakamoto with the help of the cutting-edge electronic technology of the time (the only external contributions are by Arto Lindsay on guitar and Japanese composer Yas-Kaz on percussion).
?Indeed, the album is a fascinating soundscape experimenting with the new sampler technology - which, according to Ryuichi Sakamoto from a conversation with journalist Andy Beta mentioned in the liner notes, needed a computer that was huge at the time.
?Esperanto is composed of eight tracks displaying a varied mix of influences. "A Wongga Dance Song" is pulsating with rhythms while "A Rain Song" adopts a minimalist mode with its distinctive
repetitive pattern. "Dolphins" and "A Carved Stone" are captivating ambient pieces showcasing Sakamoto's talent for setting beautiful abstract melodic ornaments over atmospheric tones.
?One of the highlights of the album is "Adelic Penguins", a fascinating proto techno piece with a funky twist stretching over six minutes which echoes the electro funk of 1981's album "Hidari Ude No Yume." "Ulu Watu", a collage-like piece featuring bird motives and a tropical soundscape closes the album with an experimental note. It's interesting to note that, a year later, the tracks from "Esperanto" would be turned into an experimental video project by New York visual artists Kit Fitzgerald and Nam June Paik collaborator Paul Garrin.
?A unique album in Ryuichi Sakamoto's rich discography, "Esperanto" is a groundbreaking work worth rediscovering in its full glory.

Superjock Records is proud to present the 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition of Connie Price & The Keystones’ cinematic Psychedelic masterpiece “Wildflowers” for the first time on vinyl!

Originally released in 2004 on Now-Again Records, the Expanded Edition features B-sides, EP cuts, and rarities from the vault.

Masterminded by producer/composer/multi-instrumentalist Dan Ubick, the album also features members of Breakestra, Orgone, Poets of Rhythm, L.A. Carnival, Funk Inc., Dap Kings, and The Heliocentrics!

Katie Meluas Debütalbum "Call Off The Search" machte sie sofort zu einem außergewöhnlichen neuen Talent. Das Album, welches dieses Jahr sein 20-jähriges Jubiläum feiert, zeigt ihren einzigartigen Gesangsstil, der Jazz-, Blues- und Folk-Einflüsse mit zeitgenössischer Pop-Sensibilität vermischt. Das Album wurde von Mike Batt mitgeschrieben und produziert, der eine zentrale Rolle bei der Entwicklung des prächtigen und anspruchsvollen Klangs des Albums spielte. Das zentrale Thema von "Call Off The Search" ist die Liebe und die Selbstfindung, ausgedrückt durch eine Sammlung von gefühlvollen und introspektiven Songs, darunter die Leadsingle "The Closest Thing to Crazy", die mit ihrer gefühlvollen Performance und der fesselnden Melodie das Publikum weltweit sofort in ihren Bann zog. Von Kritikern und Zuhörern wurde das Album für seinen reifen und gefühlvollen Sound gelobt, vor allem wenn man bedenkt, dass Katie Melua zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung erst 19 Jahre alt war. Call Off The Search" fand bei einem breiten Publikum Anklang, wurde ein kommerzieller Erfolg und zu einem der meistverkauften Alben des Jahres 2003.

Diese Neuauflage zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum wurde in den Metropolis Studios in London neu gemastert und enthält B-Seiten sowie sieben bisher unveröffentlichte und unverfälschte Demos, die Katie und Mike Batt 2002 aufgenommen haben. Die von Pete Paphides verfassten Liner Notes enthalten Beiträge aus einem neuen Interview mit Katie.

In 2005, Chiodos came onto the scene with their odd, theatrical and weirdly catchy debut, All’s Well That Ends Well. Now a cult-classic of 2000s post-hardcore, Craig Owens and Co. expressed a unique blend of zany metalcore and heart-on-sleeve emo that drew from Thursday, Glassjaw, At the Drive-In and AFI without sounding like any one of those bands in particular. With unreadably long song titles and scrappy production, this LP is both a product of its time and a lasting vessel of post-hardcore vision. This exclsuive Ultra Clear vinyl variant is printed with Greenyl, eco-friendly, PVC-free, 100% recyclable record. Limited to 300 copies worldwide. This exclsuive Ultra Clear vinyl variant is printed with Greenyl, eco-friendly, PVC-free, 100% recyclable record. Limited to 300 copies worldwide.

12” black vinyl, lyrics insert, edition of 250. Let’s Whisper started many moons ago as a home recording project between Colin Clary and Dana Kaplan, during time off from their other outfit, The Smittens. Since then, the line up of the Vermont outfit has expanded, and now includes Brad Searles, The Essex Green’s Jeff Baron and Emma Kupa of Mammoth Penguins/Standard Fare. In addtion, Jeff’s bandmate from The Ladybug Transistor, Gary Olson, produced, engineered, plays trumpet and sings on the record. The In-Between Times is a leap forward for Let’s Whisper, taking the lush orchestration familiar to fans of The Essex Green and Ladybug Transistor. It’s a tender, brave, and earnest album, exploring grief, gender, and goodbyes. The times between pronounced transitions: life and death, pre- to post-testosterone, the storm to the calm after. Tracklist: A1) You Are Loved A2) The Thing That Defines You A3) Sing! A4) Simple Times A5) Hey You A6) This Might Not Be A Crush A7) 40 Ways To Love You B1) Balloon In The Sky B2) Long Run B3) I Don’t Know What I Would Do Without You B4) Hey There B5) When We Were Young B6) The Year Of Getting High

The Memphis rap duo returns with Dum and Dummer 2, the monumental follow up to their highly acclaimed album, Dum and Dummer, which charted #8 on the US Billboard 200. With more of a lighthearted approach than the more serious back-and-forth on the first project, Young Dolph & Key Glock hit their stride as a duo and show the world what Memphis has to offer. With hit songs like “Aspen,” “I’m The Type,” & “Penguins,” the album boasts an impressive 20 song tracklist and feels as effortless as an old friendship.

Vinyl-Wiederveröffentlichung des vierten Studioalbums von Millencolin aus dem Jahr 2000.

Melancholie verbinden die meisten mit Schwermut. Für Skater ist "Melancholy" aber einfach ein Trick mit dem
Board. Und wer des Schwedischen mächtig ist, verbindet Millencolin mit einer Ska-Punk-Band. Die wird von
Nikola Sarcevic (Gesang, Bass), Erik Ohlsson (Gitarre) und Mathias Färm (Gitarre, Drums) im Herbst 1992 in
Örebro, Schweden, beim - ist doch klar! - Skaten gegründet. Komplett ist die Band 1993, als Schlagzeuger
Fredrik Larzon dazu stößt. Einige Platten und weltweite Touren später erscheint im Frühjahr 2000 ihr viertes
Album "Pennybridge Pioneers". Pennybridge ist die wörtliche Übersetzung des Namens ihrer Heimatstadt
Örebro (Öre = Penny, Bro = Bridge). Produzent ist Brett Gurewitz, Chef der Labels Epitaph und ehemals
Mitglied der amerikanischen Punk-Urgesteine Bad Religion. Für viele Kritiker gilt "Pennybridge Pioneers" als
beste Veröffentlichung von Millencolin. Kennzeichnend für das Album ist der Abschied von Ska-Rhythmen bei
gleichzeitiger Hinwendung zu eher rockigeren Riffs. Wenn man so will, bietet "Pennybridge Pioneers"
Punkrock nach amerikanischer Tradition in einer schwedischen Variante. Die Vinyl-Wiederveröffentlichung
kommt wie seinerzeit das Original via Epitaph auf den Markt.

Optimo Music is delighted to release a first album by Fantastic Twins (formerly known as The Twins). We'll let them tell you the story behind this inspired and beguiling record -
Obakodomo (Au Balcon Du Monde) is a soundtrack I created for a piece of contemporary dance, performed by two dancers for a young audience from the age of 4. It is the story of an imaginary journey in Antartica where two explorers go on an adventure. They encounter a colony of penguins and will progressively learn to understand their habits and respect their environment. Essentially, Au Balcon Du Monde is a metaphor of how to exist next to each other, how to share a territory, how to learn to live together and share resources.
The scenography and stage accessories were designed in a minimalistic and non-obvious form to leave all the space for imagination. The penguins were made of translucent material to provide light effects and were programmed to move in a swaying motion, allowing interaction with the dancers and the music. LED system could be wireless piloted.
With the soundtrack, I wanted to create an atmosphere that would immediately transport the children into this terra nova - a poetical space, like a cold sphere, where the strange meets the frightening and the playful. Translating the immense vs the small, the far-off vs the near, the collective vs the individual, the strange vs the familiar or the cold vs the heat. My intention was to follow the thread of the story in a narrative, yet non-caricatural way. Music for children doesn't have to be 'childish'. Children love to be scared or even just challenged. They love to love and react instantly to what they hear through their emotions. Ultimately, the soundtrack aims to provide different levels of 'reading' so that it becomes something more universal. So we, adults, just have to accept the invitation.