„Song of Songs“ ist die zweite Sammlung von Hard-Bop-Avantgarde-Kompositionen des legendären Trompeters
Woody Shaw auf dem Label Contemporary, produziert von Lester und John Koenig. Mit einer hochkarätigen Besetzung, darunter Benny Maupin, George Cables und Henry Franklin, bringt diese Neuauflage von
Jazz Dispensary Top Shelf das Album nach fünf Jahrzehnten wieder auf Vinyl – geschnitten von Kevin
Gray direkt von den originalen analogen Bändern (AAA), gepresst auf 180-Gramm-Vinyl bei Fidelity Record
Pressing, in einer Gatefold-Tip-On-Hülle.
DJ Koze unveils a spiritual and surprising journey into rapturous spheres with Wespennest EP. The visionary artist and master of electronic sound, presents his first own release after 2018's global club hit "Pick Up".
"Candidasa" and "Wespennest" are the result of DJ Kozes inspiring stay in a secluded Benedictine monastery on the enchanting island of Sulawesi. Amidst this idyllic setting, he found the perfect environment to unleash his musical vision. He composed all of the music of "Candidasa" while lying on his stomach, in an act of deepest devotion and self-reflection. In doing so, he fed exclusively on so-called heroin kebabs to immerse himself in a trance-like state of creative flow. The result is a soundscape of unimagined depth and beauty that enchants the senses and transports listeners to another dimension by massively increasing the frequency of flicker fusion.
On "Wespennest” the wonderful Sophia Kennedy takes the stage and breathes a new dimension into the music with her impactful lyrics and vocals. With generous dedication, Sophia has provided exclusive excerpts of her yet unreleased songs, giving this track a radiant psychedelic power. The combination of DJ Kozes musical genius and Sophia Kennedy's glorious vocals creates a club track full of wonderment, opening up a mystical rapturous world for listeners. Already an instant classic of German dance music.
With "Candidasa" and "Wespennest" DJ Koze has once again pushed the boundaries of electronic sounds and created a spiritual journey that touches the soul and frees the mind. This EP is the first harbinger of his highly anticipated new album, which will be released in 2024. The time until the release can be wonderfully bridged with the magical album "Hit Parade", which DJ Koze has produced for the British legend Róisín Murphy and on which we can be carried away into the world of musical brilliance.
Ty Segall, precleared for flight in full rock congress with the band (Ben Boye/Evan Burrows/Mikal Cronin/Emmett Kelly), shifts Chrome. Songs of massive riffs, swung, tightly arrayed lines of fuzz & distortion, twin-guitar attack-and-parry, endopic keyboards kicking, precise & thudding power, a rhythmic core on the march in full BAND energy. The songs are lyrically allusive trips, dark passages in the labyrinth, everything in the air bristling collectively, as minds collide.
I SPLIT MY ORGAN IN TWOS - a sonic world where animals could speak and parents would never grow old. Music is playing beneath the trees. Creeks are flowing towards the treehouse. Bears are singing and Owls are sailing through the wind like miniature spaceships. Solitude is a chosen path of clarity. And when this world collapses, all memories will vanish. Left behind is the Sting that keeps us separated from the insane.
The debut album I SPLIT MY ORGAN IN TWOS by Munich indie project plainhead is a freak folk inspired rockrecord fusing key aspects of 00s experimental indie with 90s indie rock.
The organic soundscapes remind of yetto-be-refined the Microphones from the album It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water (2000). Acoustic Guitars fuse with the sound of fuzz and distortion. Clarinets and pianos can be found somewhere buried beneath the noise,
while the vocals remain dry and tired in the front. The 18-track double LP features easy-listenable songs such as the single Ghost / Smoke, short playful instrumentals named after animals and long ever-evolving operas such as River and Sunsick. The album was released on Munich local DIY recording label new basement.
By Most Bands' Fifth Album, The Sound Is Pretty Set. Parameters
Established. Refinement Dissipated In Favour Of Formulaic Execution Of
What's Worked In The Past. Fair Enough. All Them Witches Take A
Harder Route. In 2017, The Nashville Four-piece Offered What Might've
Otherwise Become Their Own Template In Their Fourth Album, 'sleeping
Through The War'. Their Second For New West Records Following
2015's Mellow-vibing 'dying Surfer Meets His Maker', 'sleeping
Through The War' Brought Larger Production Values To Dug-in Heavy
Psych Blues Jamming With Oversight From Producer Dave Cobb (jason
Isbell, Sturgill Simpson). After Exploring New Ground On 2013's
'lightning At The Door' And 2012's 'our Mother Electricity' As Well As
'dying Surfer Meets His Maker', With 'sleeping Through The War' The
Band Had Arrived At Something New, Something Sprawling, And
Grander-feeling Than Anything Before It.
So Naturally, In A Year's Time They've Thrown That All To The
Appalachian Wind, Turned The Process Completely On Its Head And
Reversed Paths - Recording In A Cabin In Kingston Springs, About 20
Miles Outside Of Nashville On I-40, With Guitarist Ben Mcleod At The
Helm. The Result, Mixed By Rob Schnapf (beck, Elliott Smith, Kurt
Vile), Is The Most Intimate, Human-sounding Album All Them Witches
Have Ever Recorded And Another Redefinition Of The Band. Introducing
Keyboardist / Percussionist Jonathan Draper To The Fold With Mcleod,
Bassist / Vocalist Charles Michael Parks, Jr., And Drummer / Graphic
Artist Robby Staebler, The New Eponymous Record Isn't Self-titled By
Mistake. It's The Band Confirming And Continuing To Develop Their
Approach, In The Shuffle Of 'fishbelly 86 Onions', The Organ-laced
Groove Of 'half-tongue', The Tense Build Of 'hjtc' And The Fluid Jam In
Closer 'rob's Dream'.
From The Sustained Consonants In Parks' Vocals To Mcleod's
Commanding Slide In 'workhorse' And Drifting Melancholy At The
Outset Of 'harvest Feast', All Them Witches Are Laying Claim To The
Essential Facets Of Their Identity.
Lp Format Pressed On Red Transparent 140g Double Vinyl In A Gatefold
Sleeve.
For Fans Of The Oh Sees, Baroness, Mastadon.
Following the success of UNLOCKED and UNLOCKED 1.5, acclaimed rapper Denzel Curry and visionary producer Kenneth Blume fka. Kenny Beats reunite for another explosive collaboration on upcoming album ii. Featuring JPEGMAFIA, Yebba, and Westside Gunn, the project pairs boundary-pushing production with sharp lyricism. The campaign includes music videos for both focus tracks, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, and more, giving fans an inside look at the making of this highly anticipated release.
Analog Africa's latest essential compilation began with a ruined needle. Samy Ben Redjeb, who was newly back from a 2002 digging trip, dropped a stylus into a groove that censors at the SABC had gouged with a blade. The record had been marked "not suitable," and the story behind it runs through the whole compilation. The 22 tracks pull American soul, funk and disco toward jazz, reggae and local rhythm until the result sounds utterly Jo-burg. 'How Long?' and 'Take It' are the early standouts, though the Beat Set two-parter and Dudu And The Big Time Boys hold their own. The 16-page booklet fills in the context nicely on this well assembled deep dive.
1986 was a very good year for Mike Mareen. It was the moment when something changed in his music. After years of searching for the right sound, Mike decided to change his production team and it turned out to be exactly the right decision. The first major result was “Love Spy”, with Lutz Rahn playing a crucial role in shaping its sound. The record simply exploded. Even without the kind of massive promotion normally associated with an international hit, “Love Spy” became one of the defining records of that peculiar German intersection between synth-pop, electro, Hi-NRG and Italo Disco. But Mike and Lutz were only getting started. Soon afterwards they wrote and recorded “Agent Of Liberty”. And once again, everything worked. The single travelled far beyond Germany, appearing in places as distant as Mexico, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Venezuela and South Africa. It was another demonstration of how sophisticated Euro Disco could be when it was treated as serious electronic music rather than disposable dance-pop. The sound was simply dope. Sharp digital synthesizers, metallic FM textures, punchy electronic drums, dramatic arrangement changes and the kind of bright, futuristic timbres that made the Yamaha DX7 era so instantly recognizable. But the biggest change… was Mike himself. This was no longer the romantic lover of “Dancing In The Dark”. On “Agent Of Liberty” he sounds tougher, sharper and more confrontational. His half-spoken, half-rapped delivery cuts through the production with almost streetwise confidence, while huge uplifting backing vocals and highly melodic synth lines keep pulling the track back towards the dancefloor. And beneath the attitude there was something much more interesting going on. “Agent Of Liberty” announced a new chapter in Mike Mareen’s music, a direction that would later be developed much further on the “Let’s Start Now” album. Mike wanted to belong to the intelligent side of the electronic scene. And, just as importantly, he wanted to help shape where that scene was going next. “Agent Of Liberty” is probably one of the clearest examples of that ambition. It has all the ingredients of a huge club record, but there is tension in it, drama, attitude and a sense that something bigger is happening behind the beat. Four decades later, it still sounds completely distinctive. Not merely like a record made in 1986, but like a record that captures what was exciting about 1986 in the first place.
For its 40th anniversary, Vintage Pleasure Boutique brings “Agent Of Liberty” back to vinyl in newly remastered form. The release will be available on classic black vinyl and in a striking bright orange edition. And because this is not meant to be just another archival reissue, we have added two brand-new interpretations. Disco Computer takes the track into more adventurous territory. His remix is the more unconventional of the two, approaching the original from a slightly more modern and experimental angle while keeping its unmistakable melodic identity. A.P. Mono takes almost the opposite approach. Rather than trying to reinvent “Agent Of Liberty”, his version works more like a contemporary DJ edit. The original character remains intact, but the structure has been reshaped for the modern dancefloor, with stronger build-ups, clearer mixing points, carefully controlled changes in dynamics and moments designed to let the tension rise before the track hits again. The idea was simply to give DJs two new ways of playing it.
Forty years after its first release, “Agent Of Liberty” remains one of the most characteristic records not only of Mike Mareen’s career, but of the entire German electronic dance scene of the 1980s. Powerful, melodic, intelligent and wonderfully excessive. The Agent is back.
London producer and live musician Ben Hauke announces his new album ‘Future Bruk’ , set for release via Woop Records. The ten-track record sees Hauke push Broken Beat beyond its familiar territory, exploring darker, faster and more experimental directions while keeping its rhythmic DNA at the core.
The project began after Hauke found himself questioning where the genre could go next. Inspired by Mark Mac’s ‘Vintage Bruk’ , but deliberately moving away from its softer, jazzier tendencies, ‘Future Bruk’ takes in electro, two-step, raw club music and experimental electronic textures. “I knew there was something I rejected in Broken Beat. I didn’t like how soft and jazzy it was, so I thought, why not make what I wanted to hear?”
Across the album, Hauke moves between the raw drums and bass of ‘FYS’ , the eerie textures of ‘SPOOOOKY’ featuring Sheiva, and the dark, hopeful energy of ‘No Regulation’ featuring Nigerian artist Meso-IX. ‘No Bruk On Splice’ finds humour in the lack of a Bruk category on the sample platform, while ‘Tuned Into Happy’ reflects on growing up in London, where youthful romance and casual violence could exist side by side.
Produced largely between July and December 2025, the album was built with both the club and headphone listener in mind. Around 15 additional tracks were made during the process, with Hauke ultimately distilling the project down to ten tracks with a focus on groove, movement and varied moods. “I feel the style has more room to evolve. I wanted to explore that and think about what the future of electronic music looks like to me. ”
Wewantsounds continues its Middle East reissue series with Assa"d Khoury"s 1978 rarity, Electronic Touches Belly Dance. Reissued for the first time in nearly 50 years in partnership with Byblos Records founder Mozart Chahine, the album features Oriental classics reimagined through Khoury"s pioneering electronic keyboards. This definitive edition includes original artwork, remastered audio, a new introduction by Ahmed Khalil (Dikraphone), and an exclusive interview with Chahine, the album"s producer, conducted by Mario Choueiry (IMA)
Power Of Soul is the third record as a bandleader by legendary jazz drummer Idris Muhammad, originally release in 1974. He embarked on his solo career in 1970 after years of work as a sideman for the absolute biggest names in jazz such as George Benson, Lou Donaldson, Grant Green, Ahmad Jamal, Pharoah Sanders, and many, many others.
This record was produced by Creed Taylor, founder of CTI, and engineered by Rudy Van Gelder. The architect of the Blue Note sound developed a deep relationship with Muhammad and played a big role in finetuning his sound. But, don't forget the rest of the line-up; the recorded features arrangements and compositions by keyboard legend Bob James and smooth jazz founder Grover Washington Jr., supplemented with performances by Randy Brecker, Joe Beck, and Ralph MacDonald. All in all, you can see why Muhammad's works ended up as samples on so many hip-hop records.
Power Of Soul is available as a limited edition of 2000 individually numbered copies on white vinyl.
For nearly 30 years, SUNN O))) – Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson – have pushed the boundaries of heavy music, straddling the worlds of the avant-garde and rock to forge a style instantly recognisable as their own. Now, SUNN O))) return with their first album of new material since 2019’s acclaimed Pyroclasts. Their tenth album – their debut for Sub Pop – demonstrates the duo’s mastery of time and space, light and dark, and their willingness to evolve their unmistakable sound into bold new forms.
The eponymously titled SUNN O))) was tracked at Bear Creek Studios, Woodinville, Washington with Brad Wood (HuM, Tar, Sunny Day Real Estate, Liz Phair). This location proved crucial to the recording process. “The vast tracking room had big windows looking out on trees,” says O’Malley. “We could go hiking and be out in the woods, spend time outdoors. That became a big part of it.”
SUNN O))) have long welcomed collaborators into their self-contained world: past work has featured, Attila Csihar (Mayhem), composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, multi-instrumentalist Steve Moore, polymath Mark Deutrom, Silkworm’s Tim Midyett and legendary singer-songwriter Scott Walker. But on this album O’Malley and Anderson found fresh possibilities in the primal territory of the duo format, performing all the instrumentation themselves. “What’s been happening with our performances over the last couple years with the two of us and no other collaborators has been really fresh and exciting,” says Anderson.
The compositions on SUNN O))) are expansive and panoramic yet finely detailed, reflecting the arboreal setting in which they were recorded. Amidst howling feedback and glacial crunch, one finds surprisingly delicate moments: a field recording of water trickles beneath, piano interludes lend a hushed, solemn feel. All while the duo attains fresh heights of telepathic intensity as they shape music that breathes the bracing, earthy air of the Pacific Northwest.
Framing the album visually are two paintings by the late American artist Mark Rothko. Liner notes are by award-winning British writer Robert Macfarlane, famed for his works concerning landscape and the relationship between humanity and nature. Through the work of the band, Macfarlane, and Rothko, sound, word and visual combine into a fully immersive experience that is undeniably, completely SUNN O))).
*TIP* Previously released on Low Company in 2023, now back... a weirdo lo fi gem
Naturestrip, Naarm, Australia write:
"purely physical teeny tapes perform an invaluable public service in exhuming static cleaner lost reward’s ‘breathing under honey from the heady year o’ 2023’, a slack-jawed riddle within the all-consuming enigma that is thee world of tarquin manek™.
few records command a reissue so soon after their release, the soil heaped atop the (sainted) low company corpse still remaining more than a little damp, but this one’s discreet-to-the-point-of-fury initial release justifies the flogging of the proverbial carked horse, boiled back down into glue for a fresh round of rollicking mucky. arriving as the last release on that fine imprint, ‘breathing under honey’ represents (obliquely, natch) something of a convenient summary of that aforementioned elegantly sloshed world™, condensing as it does the artist’s proclivities exercised among the sweetest of contemporary depth-dwellers, articulated alongside/within y.l. hooi, bum creek, carla dal forno, f ingers, kallista kult, under endless solo monikers…the fun never ends.
let loose here in a suitably gonzo/spellunked mood, the second full-length under the static cleaner moniker (see debut $mile$ from 2013 thru altered states) is compiled of delirious half-thoughts & riddimic gestures accumulated between 2013 & 2020, everything wet & awash with a fine sprouting of lysergic mush between its digits. the implication thereof might suggest something schlonky or amateurish, but fear not, prospective listener, for your ears are in the sticky hands of one of the finest shit-savant prodigies these times have known, crud-caked technoid shapes & blissed pop-glob nous submerged in sublime dubbed-out grog, the resulting sonar-pong shards positively chemical in their ability to simultaneously slant + seduce.
think: martin denny face-deep in a paper bag at the black ark, graciously fucked tropicalia, liquid dub techno housed in vat of spiked quaff, the skaters infiltrating urban tribe, lopsided + caked to the nines in glitter for the gutter.
utterly tranced, sumptuous/sweet & patently ill. a classique of this modern horror epoch if there ever was one."
MTMS2 - Mystica Tribe Meets Scopeotaku 2 Following the duos first release - Mystica Tribe Meets Scopeotaku on 13/Silentes. Mystica Tribe and Scopeotaku push their collaborative adventures further with MTMS2. Creating psychedelic dubs with rich textures, tape saturation and echo chambers. Utilising acid synths combined with deep dub rhythms and melodic electronics evolving into a new dimension of dub. Deep psychedelic electronic steppers blend with bass pressure and heavyweight rhythms drifting into techno, ambient and mutant dub. Creating a sonic adventure where tradition is often pushed into unfamiliar territory. Two distant worlds, one frequency. Nine tracks for the mind and body. Deep dub frequencies. Psychedelic textures. Heavyweight rhythms. —————————
Mystica Tribe is the musical alias of Tokyo, Japan based producer Taka Noda. Drawing on a wide range of influences from dub, soul, bass and rhythm & blues. Mystica Tribe has been developing a very distinctive sound that exists in a weird freaked out zone, between dub and techno. Noda is especially interested in deep psychedelic music and this is reflected in his productions. Which are equally suited for late night listening sessions or on bent broken dancefloors.
Scopeotaku is the alter ego of Scott Prentice, a Glasgow, Scotland based artist. Scopeotaku has experimented with audio since purchasing a sampler and a four track cassette deck many many moons ago. His love for left-field dub and eccentric sounds have led him to create a variety of output, from industrial ambient, illbent electronics to mutant dub.
Portuguese techno force Lewis Fautzi debuts under his own name on Mutual Rytm with ‘Beneath The Surface’. Hailing from Barcelos, Portuguese maestro Lewis Fautzi has carved out a formidable reputation through a run of uncompromising releases and a sound rooted in tension, precision and raw power - exemplified by his recent outing on the agenda-setting Hayes Collective. He has previously established his fierce, potent sound on Soma, PoleGroup, Mord, and a number of other influential labels, while also heading up Faut Section. Having previously appeared on Mutual Rytm’s Federation Of Rytm III compilation under his Non Cyclic alias, he now steps out on SHDW’s label with a six-tracker busting full of impactful techno cuts. The heavily-requested ‘Beneath The Surface’ opens the EP with menacing low-end and tightly coiled pressure that's released through simmering valves and hissing synths. ‘The Hollow Cycle’ brings a loopy, tunnelling groove with a snaking lead and snaking metallic percussion, while ‘Inner Mechanism’ keeps things dark, deep and driving with a backlit glow that pulls you in. ‘Nonlinear Form’ is streamlined deep techno that fizzes with texture, spraying chords and a rumbling sub-bass, while closer ‘Anamorph’ rides meticulously designed broken beats with an ever-present sense of bass-driven foreboding. For digital purchasers, sparse and eerie bonus ‘Surface’ slams down with industrial weight and real warehouse grit, shaping up another weighty offering for the label.
For our next release, we welcome Eduardo de la Calle. An artist whose music has long moved beneath the surface of electronic music, shaping minds and dancefloors through depth, restraint and timeless vision. This EP drifts through hypnotic rhythms, deep pulses and evolving textures, inviting the listener into a space where time softens and movement becomes instinct. A meeting of two currents, flowing in the same direction, guided by depth, energy and a shared love for the spaces between sound. Eduardo de la Calle Synthetic Collapse CRRT02 A1 Eduardo de la Calle - Subverse A2 Eduardo de la Calle - Black Input B1 Eduardo de la Calle - Protocol Remain B2 Eduardo de la Calle - Systemic Error All tracks written and produced by Eduardo de la Calle except Black Input and Subverse written and produced by Eduardo de la Calle and Andres Fusaro under the project RSCA. Brighter Days Vocals from Karen Gordon - Djaè - extract from - CAJ201 1992 Mastered by Javier KTC Mastering
Some records never really disappear. They wait for the right moment to be rediscovered.
Originally created in 1981 by legendary Italian composer and keyboardist Claudio Simonetti alongside producer Giancarlo Meo, Kasso emerged at a pivotal moment when disco, jazz-funk and electronic music were beginning to collide, and a distinctly Italian dance sound was taking shape.
Built around Simonetti’s unmistakable piano and keyboard work, Kasso developed a significant following across Europe, particularly in France and Italy. The project would produce cult favourites including “Kasso”, “Key West”, “One More Round” and “Walkman”, the latter becoming a major French success, reportedly selling around 500,000 copies.
Kasso’s influence travelled considerably further. Finding its way into the underground clubs of New York and Chicago, with original material receiving the remix and edit treatment from John “Jellybean” Benitez and, later, house music pioneer Frankie Knuckles.
Behind it all is Claudio Simonetti, a musician whose extraordinary career stretches from European disco to some of cinema’s most iconic soundtracks as keyboardist and composer with Goblin, including Deep Red, Suspiria and Dawn of the Dead. Now, more than four decades later, Claudio Simonetti’s Kasso returns.
Unlocking key elements from the original production, including Simonetti’s distinctive piano, the music has been placed in the hands of another European dance music pioneer: Ben Liebrand.
A hugely influential DJ, producer and remixer, Liebrand’s groundbreaking In The Mix radio shows and legendary Grandmix series have helped shape European DJ culture, while his extensive remix catalogue stretches across artists including Bill Withers, Phil Collins, Sting, Salt-N-Pepa and countless others.
His new interpretations of Kasso respect the musicianship and unmistakable character of Simonetti’s original while giving it a fresh, contemporary dancefloor life.
And this is only the beginning.
Kasso launches a series of four new singles, culminating in Kassologie, a definitive collection bringing together the essential Claudio Simonetti recordings alongside new remixes and updates. And all vinyl will be released in a colored-vinyl edition also!
Over forty years after it first emerged from Italy’s extraordinary early-’80s dance scene, Kasso is ready for another round.
New Darius album, featuring Wayne Snow, Kadhja Bonet, Benny Sings...
After the release of his last EP "OASIS (Prelude) on Roche Musique, Parisian producer Darius reveals his second album "OASIS" with the powerful track "EASE YOUR MIND". A groovy dancing track reminiscing of his early trademark electro dance sounds with catchy R&B lead from Devin Tracy. The acclaimed and certified artist is now ready to unveil his new project, teased since the release of the +10 Million streams "EQUILIBRIUM" in 2020.
Franc Fala & Benja land Crosstown Rebels debut with hypnotic collaboration, ‘Dirty Dancing’.
Out on 31st July 2026, the Dutch pair unite for a dark, groove-led first appearance on Damian Lazarus's label, backed by two distinct reinterpretations from Brazilian artist Malive.
Anchored in a heavy groove that never loosens its grip, Crosstown Rebels’ latest release, ‘Dirty Dancing’, brings together two Dutch artists whose ideas have been shaped by a shared creative language built over time. Amsterdam’s Franc Fala continues to build on what has been a rapid rise onto the global house circuit, with a run of notable releases coupled with a growing touring schedule, ensuring his records and name have been the talk of the town for many. Alongside him, regular collaborator, fellow countryman and close friend Benja has also ensured his approach to music has also landed with impact, leaning on energy and atmosphere to shape records designed to resonate beyond the dancefl oor. Here, the pair reunite for their biggest collaboration to date as they make their debut outing on Damian Lazarus’s revered imprint with a record crafted for the peak hours.
Everything revolves around a vocal hook that doesn’t sit in the background; it emerges to take over the track, keeping listeners locked into the groove beneath. Rather than pushing in obvious directions, it circles and tunnels deeper, drawing listeners in until it becomes the only thing that matters. On remix duties, Brazilian DJ/producer Malive delivers two contrasting interpretations that take command of the B-side. His ‘Noturno Mix’ pushes into shadowy, late-night territory, extending the track’s hypnotic pull through melodic textures and tension, whereas his ‘Goes To Rio’ mix takes a more fluid direction, loosening the groove and introducing bright keys alongside a slick rhythmic swing.
Tauchen Sie ein in die goldenen 60er Jahre mit der neuen Vinyl-Compilation „Chart Hits der 60er Jahre Vol. 1“! Diese exklusive Zusammenstellung bringt Ihnen die unvergesslichen Hits und Interpreten, die eine ganze Generation geprägt haben – in originaler Aufnahmequalität und mit zeitlosem Charme.
Erleben Sie die größten Erfolge der damaligen Zeit mit legendären Künstlern wie Nana Mouskouri, Connie Francis, Peter Alexander und Peter Kraus. Jede Seite der Schallplatte erzählt die musikalische Geschichte eines Jahrzehnts, das voller Emotionen, Melodien und Lebensfreude steckte. Freuen Sie sich auf eine sorgfältig kuratierte Auswahl von Originaltiteln, die die Hitparaden der 60er Jahre stürmten und bis heute Kultstatus genießen Ein Muss für Nostalgiker und Vinyl-Liebhaber gleichermaßen! „Chart Hits der 60er Jahre Vol. 1“ ist die perfekte Gelegenheit, die Magie der 60er Jahre neu zu entdecken – authentisch, emotional und unvergesslich.
A special 12" reissue of a Detroit techno classic from Gary Martin, originally released in the early 2000s on his Teknotika label.
Built around infectious, loop driven grooves, the record captures the timeless spirit of Detroit techno while showcasing Gary Martin's unmistakable signature sound and singular sonic vision. Over the years, this enduring classic has transcended genres, earning support from influential DJs including Zip and Ben Klock.
Expertly remastered and repressed, this long-overdue reissue brings together all three main versions on a single 12" for the first time. Essential Detroit classic!
Assembler Code - We've Felt This One Coming For A Minute Now. After An Unstoppable Run Of Releases Along Side Jensen Interceptor On Labels Such As Cultivated Electronics, Private Persons & Boysnoize Records, Ac Is Finally Flying Solo With This 4 Track Electro Assault Masterpiece 'mental Escape'.
Plugging Into The Title Track 'mental Escape', It's A Rugged Machine Driven Work Out Through Idm & Industrial Landscapes Formulated To Present His Vision Of Futuristic Electro Whilst Still Providing All The Nostalgic Rother & Drexcyian Nods We All Love.
Now That The Tone Has Been Set, 'simulant' Follows Suit. Entering The Celestial Sphere Via Some Haunting Sci-fi Strings, We're Slapped In The Face With Slamming Percussion Followed By A Relentless Acidic Modulated Baseline That Takes Us From One Planet To The Next At Light Speed.
The Journey Wouldn't Be Complete With Out His Old Partner In Crime Jensen Interceptor Coming On Board For A Ride. 'type 2' Is A Classic Case Of Past Meets Present. Scrapyard Industrial Groove Ready To Split Speakers At Your Next Warehouse Party Married With A Selection Of Classic Alpha Sounds To Keep All The Purists In Check.
The Thunder Continues To The Very End. If You're A Tape Saturation Fiend Begging For Your Next 808 Crack Hit, Prepare To Have Your Back Bent In Half With Euphoria As Soon As 'hal's Machine Tool' Is Injected Into Your Ears. In Short, 4 Minutes & 44 Seconds Of Hard Nasty Robotic Electro Booty Sweat.
Tether Records emerges from the ether with a statement of purpose in People People’s third offering on wax after their acclaimed Out of Our Hands LP. Born from the genre-bending minds of André Baum and Gulp, “Waking Up” finds the duo stretching their wings into bold and uplifted raver territory. The single is complimented by carefully selected remixes from fellow dreamers Adam Collins, Aline Umber & Krol, Arno, and Dana Ruh. This is music for tethering body and mind in wild and wooly times. “Now your heart is on fire/ you’re coming back to life/ you’re waking up, waking up, waking up…”
‘veneration for the sacred action’ is the first compilation release by london-based independent record label ‘lifeis beautiful records’ released in celebration of the three-year anniversary of the label (& the gesamtkunstwerk that it exists within), the compilation brings together members of the life is beautiful septet collective, as well as various collaborators and special guests from previous life is beautiful events of the past three years. it highlights a range of the various solo, group projects, and alias’ of the septet, as well as various artists from the wider orbit of the life is beautiful constellations. the project was executively produced and curated as an album by label founder aloisius, as a selected works of the life is beautiful constellations. it stands as a comprehensive yet intentionally incomplete representation of the past three years of life is beautiful
2026 Repress
Efficient Space honours the memory of producer and MC Ali Omar with Hashish Hits, a posthumous selection from the dub rebel’s self-released discography.
One of ten children in working-class Liverpool, Omar drew deep influence from his father's Arabic heritage—a thread central to his identity and sample origins. After art school and a spell clubbing during Manchester's halcyon days, he relocated to Sydney, where he cofounded the blunted downbeat duo Atone with fellow British expatriate Andy Fitzgerald. As an MC, he infiltrated the city’s house, dub, jungle, and bass circuits, becoming a regular fixture at the Bentley Bar, where he commanded the mic with his versatile, rumbling baritone and charisma.
Freakishly talented in the studio, Omar was a pioneer of the Akai sampler and Atari, deftly recording live sessions straight to DAT. Drawing on industry insights from his sister, Merseybeat firebrand Beryl Marsden—who supported The Beatles on their final UK tour and was signed to Decca and Columbia—the non-conformist sought to build a self-sufficient business model. Between 1998 and 2004, he independently issued four albums on CD through his Hashish Studios imprint, hustling copies directly to local record stores and live shows for instant returns, even hand-sewing screen-printed hessian sleeves for his final release.
Uncompromising in his principles and refusing to suffer fools or charlatans, Omar relished the opportunity to collaborate with those who embodied the same spirit. Hashish Hits offers a snapshot of his inner sanctum—Fitzgerald on the opening track's billowing smoke stacks, the serpentine vocals of Gina Mitchell and the magic hands of mixer Louis Mitchell on 'On Release,' and Wicked Beat Sound System’s Kye on 'Poor Man Beggar Man Thief'. Meanwhile, 'Suicide Bomber' smoulders with the tension of a lost Muslimgauze relic, as the instructional 'Roll Up' and 'The Last Straw' spiral deeper into Omar’s signature production vortex— where space stretches in slow motion and walls reverberate with ricocheting delay.
A true icon of Sydney’s underground scene, the larger-than-life Omar passed away on 23 June 2009 after a valiant battle with cancer. He is remembered for his assertive spirit, larrikin humour, wild anarchic personality, and enduring mantra: “Love and live your life”.1
Originally released in 2014, Travellers, the acclaimed album from Bison, returns in a newly remastered edition as a limited double vinyl LP.
Created by an exceptional cast of collaborators including Paul Mudd Murphy, Ben Smith, Ursa Klose, and the late Holger Czukay of the legendary German group Can, Travellers occupies a unique space between experimental electronics, psychedelic soundscapes, and leftfield dance music.The album also features reinterpretations by Conrad McDonnell of the influential DJ and production duo Idjut Boys, helping to cement its reputation among adventurous listeners and collectors alike.
Over the years, Travellers has quietly become a cult favourite. Long unavailable on vinyl, original copies have become highly sought after and increasingly expensive on the second-hand market, earning the record a near-mythical status among collectors and fans.Fully remastered from the original recordings, this new edition of Travellers brings renewed depth, clarity, and presence to an album that has quietly earned cult status over the past decade, while preserving the atmosphere and character that made it so distinctive.
More than ten years after its original release, Travellers returns not as a nostalgic artefact, but as a vital and enduring work whose reputation has continued to grow through word of mouth, discovery, and devotion from collectors and listeners around the world. Travellers remains a document of a unique moment in time, a collection of friendships, ideas and happy accidents that somehow found their way onto tape.
GLITCH001 is the inaugural release from Glitch Festival. A various artists compilation celebrating ten years of the festival. Curated to mark the occasion, the release brings together thirteen exclusive tracks from artists who have played a defining role in the Glitch story. From long-standing collaborators to a new generation shaping today's dancefloors, the compilation reflects the sound that has evolved with the festival over the past decade. More than a commemorative release, GLITCH001 captures the artists, relationships, and musical vision that continue to define Glitch. Pressed as a limited-edition double vinyl and available digitally, the compilation features exclusive music from Alarico, ANNĒ, Human Safari, Chlär, Sera J, Yazmin, Thelma, Mac Declos, Kenji Hina, Benwal, Kyle Starkey, Entasia, and Pegassi.
Adam Freeland relaunches Marine Parade with the ‘Transhuman’ EP, a collaboration with Spooky’s Duncan Forbes and the first of three releases set to arrive throughout the year. Available to stream now, the title track previews a deeper, more atmospheric direction ahead of Freeland's first solo material in sixteen years and the first new music on Marine Parade since 2009.
Across Adam Freeland and Duncan Forbes’ ‘Transhuman’ EP, broken rhythms sit subtly beneath spacious arrangements, while flickering synths, sci-fi -infused vocals and static-charged textures create an immersive, cinematic feel. It's a sound that reflects both Freeland's longstanding love of dub and Techno and the distance gained from stepping away from the dance music landscape in the 2010s.
Best known for his seminal ‘Coastal Breaks’ mix album and a run of acclaimed releases, remixes, and mix compilations spanning Fabric Live, Global Underground and Back To Mine, Adam Freeland spent a decade living off -grid in California’s Mojave Desert, while also working with Ry X to form The Acid, a band that has since released the ‘Liminal’ LP on Mute/Infectious, penned a film score and toured to great acclaim from well outside the electronic world.
Joining Adam Freeland is Duncan Forbes, one half of pioneering UK duo Spooky, whose landmark releases on Guerilla Records and influential debut album ‘Gargantuan’ helped define the early ambient Techno and progressive House movements. In the decades since, Forbes has continued to evolve through projects including collaborations with Mr. G and Sasha, as well as recent solo releases via Enzo Siragusa’s Fuse London and his own 49North imprint.
The ‘Transhuman’ EP marks the beginning of a new chapter for Marine Parade, with two further EPs from Freeland scheduled throughout 2026. The label will also expand with forthcoming material from longtime friends and previous label artists Evil Nine, alongside a new generation of talent joining the roster.
2026 Repress
The Greek artist comes back with a fully realized EP this time, that goes deeper into his personal world. This is not pointless or flashy music. It has soul and character.
It is music that you can listen the personality of the artist beneath the layers and sound design.
Another strong statement from a producer who is quietly building his own language.
Luca “DJ Rocca” Roccatagliati isn’t just a producer, he’s a shapeshifter of sound. Emerging from the late ’90s under the Maffia Soundsystem alias, he’s spent decades bending genres, dissolving boundaries, and reconfiguring the DNA of club music.
From cosmic disco to leftfield house, Rocca’s catalogue reads like a map of underground excellence. He’s collaborated with a roll call of innovators—Howie B, Dimitri From Paris, Daniele Baldelli, François K, Jazzanova, Zed Bias and many more. Crafting releases for some of the most respected imprints in the game: like Rekids, Toy Tonics, International Feel, Defected, Rush Hour, Hell Yeah, Rotters Golf Club among others.
His output is prolific, restless, constantly evolving.
Partnership is central to Rocca’s universe. With Dimitri From Paris, he co-created Erodiscotique, a sleek electro-disco project that fuses vintage sensuality with future-facing production. Alongside Daniele Baldelli, he’s explored deeper, more psychedelic terrain, delivering albums like Podalirius and Quagga—records that blur the line between Balearic mysticism and dancefloor propulsion.
His aliases Ajello, Supersonic Lovers, Crimea X are parallel auditory dimensions. Each one pushes a different facet of his sound, from Italo-tinged grooves to raw, analog-driven club cuts. As a remixer, Rocca has reworked everyone from Andrew Weatherall to Soul Clap, always imprinting his unmistakable signature.
To say we are excited about this new EP is kind of a massive understatement……
Having been huge fans for over two decades, when he reached out to us it was a bit of an eye rubbing and arm pinching moment.
We have been graced with a 3 track EP titled “Tonight is the Night”
A1. Sun Deck – A link-up with Athens mainstay Lex, drifting somewhere between yacht funk and late-night boogie. Sun-washed grooves, crisp synth leads, and just enough 80s energy to keep it moving without trying too hard.
B1. Italo Boogie Stomp – Does exactly what it says. Rolling Linn drums, sharp synth lines, and a nostalgic flute motif that nods to NYC’s street soul era without getting stuck in it.
B2. Ferroso – Picks up the pace slightly. Deep house drums meet a driving electro bassline, with arpeggiated synths and warm pads rounding it out—focused, functional, and built for the floor.
Proto Exotica notches its third release with The Infinite Hum EP , the debut project from Melbourne producer Mateo Torres Rodriguez under his new alias: Cerro.
Cerro is a personal and transportive collection of recordings owed to four months in Colombia, where Mateo returned to the neighbourhood he grew up in. On a table in his childhood home, he set up a modest travelling studio with a small collection of analogue hardware. At times, he'd pack individual pieces of
gear to travels within his travels, working without a fixed room or routine.
And so from a drum machine, a monophonic synth, a polyphonic synth, a laptop, and a pair of headphones (but no speakers) came five tracks of dub-inflected house and cosy Balearica.
The EP opens with 'The Bright Side' , dub bass, warm analogue pads, housey tempo. 'Unending Journey' slows things down, its deep low-end holding space beneath a synth that drifts in and
out.
'Power Of The Small' brings a dreamy house melody alongside a dubbed-out analogue lead, the filter opening and closing as the track breathes. On the B-side, Andras remixes 'The Bright Side' , keeping the bounce and weaving a jazzy lo-fi Rhodes solo through it. The EP closes with 'Indubitably' , dubbed-out vocal samples and floating pads settling into a downtempo Balearic lilt.
Younger Brother Live, with Shpongle and The Orb at Troxy, London 9th May
Twisted Records is thrilled to announce the release of the long-awaited fourth album by Younger Brother: Mutually Assured Distraction.
The first full-length release by the fabled electronica project in a decade features nine sumptuous tracks that each embody the project’s intoxicating fusion of profoundly human sonorities and etheric electronic soundscapes.
The title is a subversive reframing of the Cold War doctrine “Mutually Assured Destruction,” pointing to a world currently frozen not by the geopolitical threat of a Nuclear Winter but by a Digital Summer of mindless overstimulation. Mutually Assured Distraction is a sonic salve for the pervasive numbness induced by an emotionally disconnective artificiality that seeks to pacify with counterfeit happiness; the album offers an antidote to mundane superficiality with nine musical masterpieces that convey the depth of human experience and authentic creative expression.
The progression of track titles symbolically represents the arc of this soulful journey through an evocative auditory landscape of moods, harmonies, and textures, progressing from the haunting opening “I Belong to Nowhere” to the penultimate “Home In This World” before arriving at the concluding “Endless Drift.”
The synthesised musical mastery of renegade musicians Simon Posford and Benji Vaughan is complemented by the contributions of some supremely skilful musicians, with beguiling vocals by MiraBelle Rose and Jay Marsh and the rich cello of Rena Jones. With poignant lyrics that speak to the universal human condition in a world where voices are amplified yet so many feel unheard,
Mutually Assured Distraction provides, through its fusion of electronic and real-world music- making, an example of how technology can pair harmoniously with our humanity - an energetic homecoming as the music draws us away from the unconscious scroll into an open field where we can embody our essential nature.
The album stands as both a reflection of our times and a timeless reminder that beneath the noise, a deeper presence continually exists, waiting to be felt, heard, and expressed.
Barranquilla born multi-instrumentalist Pernett is undoubtedly a true pioneer in fusing Colombian folklore with electronic elements. Back in 2003, when he released his first album “Música Para Pick Up”, Humberto was immediately seen as genius by some, crazy and outrageous by others. How dare he incorporate synthesizers into traditional music? What would be called this avant-garde genre where gaitas, traditional drums and keyboards come together? To this date, Pernett has released 6 albums, worked with an impressive number of prestigious artists such as Phil Manzanera, Calle 13, Novalima, or Quantic, and is still influencing whole generations of forward-thinking musicians.
Originally released from is latest album, “Vamos A Hacer” and El Pajarito have been edited for the occasion, by talented recording engineer Benjamin Calais AKA Ben Matik,
A-side “Vamos A Hacer - Ben Matik Instrumental Edit” is a joint collaboration between Pernett and renown British producer Will Holland aka Quantic. A heavy blend of funky breaks and cumbia. A 7-minutes version, exclusive to this 10″, has been especially taken out from the masters vault, and edited by Ben Matik: the original short version takes a unexpected turn to a completely freaked-out “Puya” rhythm, where gaitas and synths perfectly merge together.
B-side “El Pajarito - Ben Matik Instrumental Edit” is a deep downtempo anthem, a perfect fusion of powerful electronic beats, 808 bass, analog synths and gaitas. special attention should be paid to the enchanting voice of Diana Pereira on this one.
Kora Koumakan, or Word of the Kora, is a boundary-pushing Afro-Manding group from Conakry, Guinea. Led by master kora player and composer Sekouna Conte, Kora Koumakan channels Guinea's rich musical heritage into modern compositions, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and forward-looking. Inspired by Guinea's iconic Ballets Africains and legendary artists like Bembeya Jazz National and Mory Kante, the band masterfully blends contemporary instrumentation with traditional West African instruments - handmade by the band themselves - including the kora, djembe, and balafon. Since 2018, they have been touring extensively across West Africa, honing their sound and earning a nomination for Best Band at the 2025 Guinea Music Awards.
This inaugural limited edition vinyl release on Jambulance Movement Records features two standout remixes by London's Tigerbalm and Ben Gomori, which transform the band's original Afro grooves into hypnotic house tracks already making waves on dancefloors worldwide. Tigerbalm's remix expertly layers the original percussion around a driving 4/4 beat, with the ethereal kora and powerful vocals weaving through the rhythm to create compelling dancefloor energy. Ben Gomori's remix takes a more atmospheric route, anchored by a groovy bassline loop with layered guitar and keyboard melodies that add depth and movement, gradually building into immersive moments of tension and release. The record also includes instrumental versions of these remixes, with the band's EP of original tracks set to drop in early 2026.
Jambulance Movement Records is a social enterprise record label and recording studio based in Guinea. Their mission is to empower the next generation of emerging African artists by providing free professional recording services. Operating a solar-powered mobile studio and a static studio in Conakry, the label discovers new talent through casting events across the country. Selected artists receive comprehensive training and mentorship, with the overall aim to foster sustainable careers for young African artists.
Emotional Response's 10th-anniversary celebration are brought to a superb close with Benedikt Frey. He serves up a magnificently dubbed out and psychedelic cover version of Joy Division's 'She's Love Control across four different versions. The vocal version might be the best for us - it retinas that compelling dark drum funk you expect from the band with eerie synth additions and hefty bass. The instrumental is more slow and dubbed out in a traditional sense with the Lucas Croon dub doused in endless reverb. Last of all is a dub by Frey himself that is full of open space and bass bin distorting headiness.
Move in Stereo: The Cars’ Eponymous Debut Album Functions as a Greatest-Hits Set with Classics Such as "You're All I've Got Tonight," "Good Times Roll," and "Just What I Needed"
Experience the Six-Times-Platinum Record in Definitive Sound on
Mobile Fidelity’s UltraDisc One-Step 180g 45RPM 2LP Box Set:
Strictly Limited to 4,000 Numbered Copies,
It Plays with Reference Definition and Presence
1/4” / 15 IPS analogue master to DSD 256 to analogue console to lathe.
Among the most critically and commercially successful debuts in history, the Cars' eponymous album doubles as a greatest-hits collection. Not one song on it is widely unrecognized or unknown. Consider the list: "You're All I've Got Tonight." "Good Times Roll." "Just What I Needed." "Moving in Stereo." "My Best Friend's Girl." "Don't Cha Stop." “Bye Bye Love.” Just call The Cars the best new-wave rock album ever made. And a natural candidate for preservation on a Mobile Fidelity UltraDisc One-Step pressing.
Sourced from the original analog tapes, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing in California, mastered by engineer Krieg Wunderlich, and strictly limited to 4,000 numbered copies, MoFi’s UD1S 180g 45RPM 2LP box set presents the six-time platinum record in the most vivid, wide-spanning, three-dimensional sound it has enjoyed on vinyl. Compared to the label’s outstanding and out-of-print 180g 33RPM version, this collectible edition features richer textures, broader openness, greater presence, and bigger dynamics.
Benefitting from the extra groove space on 45RPM by playing with enhanced definition, deep-black backgrounds, and ultra-quiet surfaces, this reissue portrays the band’s oscillating rhythms, futuristic keyboard passages, and panned images with stunning realism. Songs take on an absolutely surreal quality. The Cars and producer Roy Thomas Baker manipulate arrangements at will to mesmerize listeners' senses. The concept of "moving in stereo” has likely never been truer.
The industry-leading packaging of the UD1S set gives fans another reason to gravitate towards the 1978 album. A deluxe slipcase, two foil-stamped jackets, faithful-to-the-original graphics, and MoFi inner sleeves make for a premium tactile experience. It invites you to immerse yourself in everything about the record, including the now-familiar cover art depicting Nataliya Medvedeva behind the wheel. Enhanced by her glistening ruby-red lips, her face flashes an expression caught between surprise, ecstasy, and disbelief — an apropos way of responding to The Cars whether you’re hearing it for the first or 1,115th time.
Introduced in 2024 into the National Recording Registry for its significance, and ranked the 353rd Greatest Album of All Time by Rolling Stone, The Cars explodes with emotion, energy, and hooks. Its songs unite then-disparate styles: bubblegum melodies, art-rock angularity, progressive structuralism, terse minimalism, and power-pop sheen. The stylish arrangements also benefit from a laidback cool and understated irony that remain uncommon in the world of contemporary mainstream music.
Equally rare is the deep chemistry the members shared before they entered London’s AIR Studios and knocked out the record in less than a month. Benjamin Orr and Ric Ocasek began their first band together in the early ‘70s. A subsequent group with future Cars keyboardist Greg Hawke preceded Orr and Ocasek bonding further by temporarily performing as a duo. One final pre-Cars ensemble, Cap’n Swing, brought guitarist Elliot Easton into the fold. A decision by Ocasek to take the band in a rock direction, a crucial lineup shuffle, and a name change begat the Cars so many listeners know and love.
Already a going concern in Boston, the quintet cut its teeth and woodshopped songs for nearly a year and a half before signing with Elektra and partnering with Baker. The Cars enjoyed success right out of the gate, hitting No. 18 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and netting a pair of Top 40 singles in the form of “Just What I Needed” and deceptively happy “My Best Friend’s Girl.” The sarcastic “Good Times Roll” climbed to No. 41, but soon enough, almost every track on The Cars became a radio staple — an honor far more meaningful than chart positions.
Obsessed with incorporating the latest technologies and sounds into its palette, the band spiced tunes with delightful and quirky accents — country-tinged guitar fills, echoing Syndrums, reggae splashes, hard-rock tones, robotic pulses. Orr's low, nuanced deliveries and Ocasek's cool, detached vocals lend shades of doubt and double meaning to the lyrics, which are further counterbalanced by synthesizer flourishes and electronic beats.
Accessible and eccentric, edgy and catchy: The results comprise a landmark whose characters come to vivid life with nuclear boots, dry-drip gloves, ribbon-festooned coiffures, suede-blue eyes, and rock ‘n’ roll hair. It's practically impossible to avoid humming along to every song, all enhanced by Baker's stellar production. Best known for his work with Queen, he ensured the record packed a punchy midrange, opened up with instrumental and vocal separation, and breathed with airy harmonies.
Indeed, from the timeless music to the sleek production and sonic restoration, The Cars on UD1S is just what you needed.
The Temptations Get High on Psychedelic Soul: Cloud Nine Soars with Ambitious Arrangements and Production, Features Standout Vocal Performances and Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers
The Temptations’ Cloud Nine announced that Motown — and “The Sound of Young America” — would never be the same. Influenced by the emergence of cutting-edge rock and pop currents, as well as increasing sociopolitical turmoil, the album broke down barriers between rock, psychedelia, and soul while heralding the arrival of visionary arrangements and production techniques. Bookended by traditional R&B numbers, the 1969 record sent the Temptations in bold new directions and signaled the advent of psychedelic soul.
Sourced from the original master tapes, strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket, Mobile Fidelity’s 180g 45PM 2LP set presents Cloud Nine in audiophile sound for the first time on a domestic pressing. This collectible reissue bestows Norman Whitfield’s extraordinary production with the grand-scale dynamics, natural tonality, expansive openness, and low-end weight it deserves. The timbre of each of the five members’ voices is readily identifiable — even within the group harmonies — bestowing a realism never experienced outside the recording studio.
Making its debut on 45RPM, the album further benefits from the wide groove space by playing with greater separation and more realistic presence than prior editions. Everything from the brassiness of the horns to the dry snap of the snare comes across with reference-grade clarity and positioning. And since Motown’s renowned Funk Brothers backing band plays on many of the cuts, you’ll want to savor every note. The imaging, soundstaging, and organic bloom-and-decay of the notes make that possible.
Amid Cloud Nine, the instrumentation and architecture stand out as much as any element. Never before had a Motown album contained such ambitious patterns and complex passages. Seemingly conscientious of the departure from their past methods, the Temptations and Whitfield bunched together the tracks that mark a deep dive into psychedelic territory and counterbalance them with seven sterling soul cuts that dovetail with Motown tradition drenched with heartfelt vocals, swelling strings, and finger-snapping beats.
On the original 33RPM release, traditional Motown soul — laden with heartfelt vocals, swelling strings, and finger-snapping beats — occupies Side Two. These songs reveal an ensemble still very much on top of delivering pristine pop-soul material graced with romantic sweetness, persuasive insistent, and soaring highs. Re-energized after the departure of lead singer David Ruffin, who was fired for a variety of reasons in June 1968, the Temptations seamlessly meld with his replacement, Dennis Edwards, on one melodic gem after another.
The collective tackles five songs co-written by the legendary Motown team of Barrett Strong and Whitfield. Not the least of which are the smooth, shuffling “Why Did She Have to Leave Me (Why Did She Have to Go)” and deceptively simple, horn-spiked “Gonna Keep on Tryin’ till I Win Your Love.” On these tracks, as well as on a lush rendition of the ballad “Love Is a Hurtin’ Thing” and pleading, tender send-up of the Gerry Goffin-Carole King classic “Hey Girl,” Edwards and Paul Williams take turns on the lead with the estimable Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams providing backing support.
All five vocalists trade-off leads on the simmering title track, a groundbreaking composition shot through with wah-wah-pedal effects, liquid funk, deep bass lines, Cuban percussion, saturated reverb, and gang choruses. Whitfield mines each member’s natural vocal range with spectacular results, keeps time with cymbals, and channels both the heated temperatures and escapist desires of a society embroiled in war, conflict, and experimental drugs.
Amazingly, the Temptations top themselves on the similarly revealing “Run Away Child, Running Wild.” Nearly 10 minutes in length, the song explodes R&B parameters and harbors a cinematic scope. Urgent pianos, distorted guitars, stripped-down percussion, steamy Hammond organs, minimal bass motifs, five distinct voices narrating the tale of a boy who fled home and now finds himself amid the scary, unforgiving external world: They combine to give the urgent tune a walls-closing-in atmosphere where fear and desperation reign. Bolstered by an extended instrumental section that precedes a climactic return of the singers’ voices, “Run Away Child, Running Wild” equaled the success of the record’s title track, with both reaching No. 6 on the pop charts.
Following the chart success of their debut album Survival Mode (#3 UK Official Rock & Metal Chart) and explosive appearances at Reading & Leeds, Download, TRNSMT and 2000Trees, THE HARA return with their most ambitious record to date. Backed by their signing to Mascot Records, the trio deliver a fearless, genre-bending album that fuses stadium-sized riffs, cinematic electronics and raw, unflinching lyricism. Having shared stages with Sum 41, Nothing More and Ice Nine Kills, THE HARA are ready to break through to the next level – and this album proves they’re one of the UK’s most vital rising rock acts.
Carly Simon’s quietly intense sophomore album comes across like an assertive notice nailed to a telephone pole for all to see. Bold, personal, and autobiographical, Anticipation announces the arrival of an artist who won’t back down. While Simon stands her ground on her eponymous debut, she elevates her passion and persona to heightened levels throughout this gold-certified record, dealing in private matters related to love, relationships, and desire. At times, Simon is nothing short of primal. She reflects on the difficulties of retaining your own identity while also giving yourself to a partner. Simon’s connection to her folk roots would never be stronger.
Sourced from the original master tapes, strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies, pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing in California, and housed in a Stoughton gatefold jacket, Mobile Fidelity’s 180g 45RPM 2LP set of Anticipation lays bare the rich tapestries afforded by the spare blend of soft guitars, mellow orchestration, and dreamy melodies. Audiophiles and record collectors, take note: This is the first time Anticipation has been available on 45RPM. The wider grooves and dead-quiet surfaces prove extremely rewarding.
The rhythmic framework anchored by session pro Andy Newmark’s drumming sounds dynamic and balanced, with songs benefiting from a focused midrange and taut low-end. Simon’s attachment to and investment in each lyric is made evident by way of the intimate, hushed atmospherics and expansive responsiveness. And just as Simon’s vocals feel more transparent and direct, so, too, do the supporting choral arrangements.
Released before the singer-songwriter movement reached full bloom, Anticipation remains remarkable for the high-quality songwriting and Simon’s gutsy stance. The album cover — depicting the vocalist holding the gates at Queen Mary’s Garden in Regent’s Park and seemingly defying anyone to take her on — serves as a metaphor for the content within.
Known for having relationships with high-profile partners, Simon was heavily involved with Cat Stevens leading up to the recording of Anticipation. She draws from her experiences to craft tunes that resonate because of their honesty, realism, and strength. Few of those moments are better known than the Top 20 title track, which Simon composed in just 15 minutes as she waited for Stevens to pick her up for a date. Imbued with the nervousness, tension, and excitement that accompany the moments when a romance could go either way, the Grammy-nominated song presages the feminist-minded vulnerability and burning longing that informs a majority of the record.
On the soulful “Legend in Your Own Time,” also inspired by Stevens, Simon harnesses yearning as a conduit to feel-good paradise. Deemed by Rolling Stone an “absolute clincher, an awesome description of the psychic ravages of gone-nuts, know-nothing love,” her cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “I’ve Got to Have You” moans with no-holds-barred desire and breathtaking sensuality.
For all the wanting Simon pursues on Anticipation, her way of staying in control — vocally and personally — make the record a courageous statement of contemporary femininity. For further evidence, look to the bossa nova of “Summer’s Coming Around Again,” somber “Share the End,” soothing “Three Days,” and sincere “Julie Through the Glass,” a tribute to her young niece.
Simon would achieve international fame with her next album, No Secrets. Yet as this definitive reissue shows, Anticipation suggests the rest of the world was just a little late catching up to her.
