Search:ant to be

Bridge was to be the Edinburgh-born Kieran Warren’s debut release circa 1994 on Metatone - a short-lived techno label by J. M. Adkins (Electro Music Union) and Damon D'Cruz (Jack Trax, Chill). As fate had it, Metatone folded before the album got printed, and the music was lost in time. That is, until Adkins tipped the Cold Blow boys off while they were working on his anthology, the 2019 double LP "Electro Music Union, Sinoesin & Xonox Works 1993-1994".

Atonal’s Cithare EP last year was the world’s first glimpse at the fuzzy, warm techno archives of Kieran Warren. As a sequel, Cold Blow has restored and compiled their vision of the ‘94 “Bridge” while tapping into the same demo archives that were being scoured through by Metatone in their day.

Essential for the fans of early Aphex Twin, the album moves between warm melodic techno cuts and nostalgic ambient pieces before reaching the grand finale of Arkanoids, an 8-minute ambient epic straight from the school of Selected Ambient Works 2.

Housed in full, cosmic artwork designed by Ed Cheverton. Mastered by Keith Tenniswood.

Santa Cruz native Oliver Tree is gearing up to release his much-anticipated sophomore album Cowboy Tears on February 18th. The internet based vocalist, producer, writer, director and performance artist has 12M+ TikTok followers and an overall social reach of 20M+. He writes and directs all of his colourful and eccentric music videos, which have received over 400M+ views to date.

Oliver Tree has collaborated with Lil Yachty, Marshmello, Trippie Redd, Ski Mask The Slump God, blink-182, Dillon Francis, grandson, Whethan and more. His hit single “Life Goes On” has over 575M+ streams, 160M video views, 25M+ TikTok creates and 30M+ TikTok video views. His debut album Ugly is Beautiful has gained over 1 billion global streams and broke into the Top 40 in the UK album chart.

2026 Repress

Armada Music and PDD are proud to welcome a new series to their ever growing roster of releases with “A State Of Trance Volume 1”. Kicking things off is the legendary Armin van Buuren with one of his classics “Communication” originally released in 1999 on Cyber Records this trance anthem was an instant hit, known for its driving bassline and signature piano melody it served as his breakthrough hit and the lead single from his debut studio album 76. It reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart and number 2 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

On the flip are The Thrillseekers (Steven Helstrip) with “Synaesthesia (En-Motion Extended Remix)”. The Thrillseekers have been at the forefront of the global trance scene for 20 years from releasing his first ever single “Synaesthesia” which is now being brought back to life on fresh vinyl for the first time in over 20 years.

Last but not least is “Lange feat. Skye - Drifting Away (Extended Mix)” originally released in 2002 on VC Recordings. Stuart Langelaan, renowned as Lange, has many achievements under his belt such as 20 UK top 40’s and mixing the return of the legendary Trance Nation series for Ministry of Sound.

This release is for any fans of trance new and old, make sure to give trance a chance.

Keyboardist/composer Doug Carn was the
biggest star on the legendary Black Jazz Records
label, with four releases to his credit (all reissued
by us at Real Gone Music), and remains a
touchstone for spiritual jazz fans and musicians
alike. But very, very few folks have heard his
debut record, cut for the venerable Savoy label
back in 1969. In fact, it’s so rare that we couldn’t
even find a copy to use for artwork, so, with
Doug’s help, we enlisted his daughter Eroniffa
Ibrahim to create illustrations for our reissue
based on the original cover photos. But you know
what we did find? That’s right…the original master
tapes! So, not only is this the first LP reissue for
The Doug Carn Trio, but it’s an all-analog edition to
boot, pressed at Gotta Groove Records with their
proprietary GrooveCoated stampers to minimize
high-frequency loss with each successive pressing.
And, we’ve added an insert with liner notes by Aaron
Cohen based on an exclusive interview with the man
himself. As for the music, it’s a tight organ trio set
that starts cooking right from the get-go with a groovin’ cover of Gus Cannon’s “Walk
Right In,” which became a folk hit for The Rooftop Singers. Carn’s fluid, forward-thinking
playing anticipates Larry Young’s future keyboard forays, and originals like “Butter from
the Duck” and “Yna Yna’s Delight” presage the compositional prowess he flashed on the
Black Jazz releases (note: that’s Don Hales on guitar, not Gary Starling as credited on the
original record). The opening salvo from a scintillating career, finally available again!

After the wild Afro-jazz fusion of Trancedance (reissued as BT118) and the meditative solo Christer Bothén Donso n’goni (BT133), legendary Swedish multi-instrumentalist Christer Bothén returns to Black Truffle as part of a dream quartet completed by the three members of Ghosted: Oren Ambarchi (guitar), Johan Berthling (bass) and Andreas Werliin (drums). Recorded at a rustic studio built by Werliin and Hans Fredriksson in the sylvan surrounds of Hamburgsund, Sweden across a few days in September 2023, Serpentine offers up four generous slices of hypnotic repetition and shimmering resonance, cut through with wild bursts of Bothén’s bass clarinet.

The depth and ease of the quartet’s rapport is evident from the first moments of the opening title-track. Berthling’s resonant upright bass locks into a head-nodding ostinato that makes sensitive use of a prominent end-of-phrase rest, opening spaces through which Werliin’s continually shifting statements of the pulse shine through. Having worked together in various groups for many years, Berthling and Werliin are masters at playing subtle games of difference and repetition, creating a driving rhythmic flow animated by perpetually changing details: here, you can never step in the same groove twice. Weaving through it all is Ambarchi’s now-signature Leslie-cabinet guitar tone, sounding out long chords at times strikingly close to a Hammond, while also creating intricate cross-rhythms through the play of his tremolo modulations against the bass and drums. When Bothén enters five minutes in, the growl of his bass clarinet at first works deep in the collective brew, carving off brief staccato phrases and twisting them into fragmented melodies. As he moves into the instrument’s higher registers, Bothén’s playing becomes wilder, twinning with Ambarchi’s guitar in shimmering arcs like a 21st century update of the Garbarek-Rypdal pairing immortalised on Sart.

Each of the four pieces explore different possibilities of a shared language. On ‘Antigorite’, another hypnotic bass riff emerges gradually from an atmospheric haze, eventually developing into a frenetic rhythmic workout propelled by Werliin’s cowbell. Berthling sits out for ‘Lizardite’, while Bothén moves from bass clarinet to the Donso n’goni, the sacred Wassoulou hunter’s harp he has studied for half a century; the resulting performance streamlines the approach heard on other tracks into pure modal propulsion, sparkling with harp-like arpeggios from Ambarchi’s guitar. On the closing ‘Chrysotile’, the bottom drops out, leaving a swampy, churning mass of wavering organ-like chords, roaming bass runs, and distant toms, over which Bothén floats bass clarinet figures by turns bluesy and abstract, the whole thing landing somewhere between classic ECM and the most blasted freeform moments of early Amon Düül II. Bearing a delicate calligraphic abstraction by Bothén on its cover and beautiful documentation of the recording sessions on its inner sleeve, Serpentine is a powerful reminder of the magic that can happen when inventive musicians just get together and play.

In the years after independence, Tunisia made an unlikely bet: tourism. Beach resorts rose along the coast, each one trying to outshine the next, and each one needing a band to entertain their guests. A whole generation of musicians grew up on those hotel stages - sharing bills with James Brown, Claude François and the Mingus Dynasty - and what came out of it was a small revolution. Funk played on Tunisian instruments. Disco with an oud in it. Reggae carried back from the island of Kerkennah. A "Third Language" the press didn't quite know what to do with.

Tunis Hotel Stereo gathers nine of those records. Most of them were pressed in tiny quantities, sold to tourists as souvenirs, censored before reaching the radio, or quietly slipped onto a 45 between two hotel sets. Some of these artists filled the Carthage amphitheatre. Some topped the Maghreb hit-parades. Most have been waiting, for forty years, for someone to play their music again.

This compilation is the result of years of work - collating memories, hunting down records, sitting with the artists who made them, and with the people who once danced to them. It is the third release on Shakshouka Records, and the first compilation of Tunisian music ever curated by Tunisians, in Tunisia.

SIDE A

The mysterious Les 4 Dés, who turned the national anthem into psychedelic pop on Ya Tounes - and then nearly vanished. Peace Band, hard rockers turned hotel professionals, recording as Omnya at Hammamet's legendary Topkapi club. Ridha Zalila, the eternal shape-shifter, in a rare instrumental of Tiou Tiou Tiou. And Sadok Gharbi's Noujoum - pulled from his sabotaged, near-lost masterpiece Souar.

SIDE B

Carthago, the impossible big band that married the elite of Tunisian jazz-rock with the stars of tourist entertainment, with the original Dhikrayet. Khaled Mellef, one of the great UFOs of his generation, with Wait Till the Morning Dew, recorded in the Netherlands. Marhaba Band's Baba Bahri, originally pressed only for hotel guests and now a cult artefact. Corniche Band's Dance, cut in Milan during a technical stop on a cruise ship. And Jomaa Bouzrara, the "Bob Marley of the Maghreb," with Now That, drawn from his landmark 1983 debut Sunset.

These weren't rebels without a cause. They were musicians who understood that modernity and heritage are not opposites - that a Tunisian could play funk and still be deeply, irreducibly Tunisian. They drew from every direction at once, and built something that belonged to none of those worlds entirely, and to all of them at the same time.

This compilation is one small act of remembering. The music does the rest.

Stanley Brinks is renowned for his unique anti-folk style: both playful and suggestive, insightful and entertaining. Brinks was born in Paris, France, in 1973. He studied a bit of biology and worked as a nurse for a while. Half Swedish, half Moroccan, strongly inclined to travel the world, he soon began spending most of his life on the road and developed a strong relationship with New York.
By the late 90s he’d become a full time singer-songwriter – André Herman Düne – as part of three piece indie-rock band, Herman Düne alongside his brother, David-Ivar. Several albums and Peel sessions later and after a decade of touring Europe, mostly with American songwriters such as Jeffrey Lewis, Calvin Johnson and early Arcade Fire he settled in Berlin. The early carnival music of Trinidad became a passion, and in the early 21st century he became the unquestioned master of European calypso, changing his name to Stanley Brinks.
Under this moniker he has recorded well in excess of 100 albums, collaborated with the New York Antifolk scene on numerous occasions, recorded and toured with traditional Norwegian musicians, and played a lot with The Wave Pictures.
Freschard grew up in a farm in French Burgundy. Aged 18 she moved to Paris, where she baked pies and cakes in a cafe. There, a local musician and regular customer called Stanley Brinks wrote a few songs for her to sing. Homeless in Paris, she saved up just enough money to get herself a ticket to New York. There she found an old electric guitar and started writing her own songs. In 2004 she moved to Berlin, where she recorded her first LP, "Alien Duck". Her second album, "Click Click", recorded in 2006, features electric guitar by Stanley Brinks. On her third album, she plays the drums herself. On her fourth “Shh...” she also plays the flute, and she breaks out the washboard on her fifth “Boom Biddy Boom”. Press for Stanley Brinks and Freschard.
“an absolute joy.” Q.
“...a set that’s as wistful and charming as it is playful and self-concious.” Uncut.
“quietly charming” Pitchfork.

Stanley Brinks is renowned for his unique anti-folk style: both playful and suggestive, insightful and entertaining. Brinks was born in Paris, France, in 1973. He studied a bit of biology and worked as a nurse for a while. Half Swedish, half Moroccan, strongly inclined to travel the world, he soon began spending most of his life on the road and developed a strong relationship with New York.
By the late 90s he’d become a full time singer-songwriter – André Herman Düne – as part of three piece indie-rock band, Herman Düne alongside his brother, David-Ivar. Several albums and Peel sessions later and after a decade of touring Europe, mostly with American songwriters such as Jeffrey Lewis, Calvin Johnson and early Arcade Fire he settled in Berlin. The early carnival music of Trinidad became a passion, and in the early 21st century he became the unquestioned master of European calypso, changing his name to Stanley Brinks.
Under this moniker he has recorded well in excess of 100 albums, collaborated with the New York Antifolk scene on numerous occasions, recorded and toured with traditional Norwegian musicians, and played a lot with The Wave Pictures.
Freschard grew up in a farm in French Burgundy. Aged 18 she moved to Paris, where she baked pies and cakes in a cafe. There, a local musician and regular customer called Stanley Brinks wrote a few songs for her to sing. Homeless in Paris, she saved up just enough money to get herself a ticket to New York. There she found an old electric guitar and started writing her own songs. In 2004 she moved to Berlin, where she recorded her first LP, "Alien Duck". Her second album, "Click Click", recorded in 2006, features electric guitar by Stanley Brinks. On her third album, she plays the drums herself. On her fourth “Shh...” she also plays the flute, and she breaks out the washboard on her fifth “Boom Biddy Boom”. Press for Stanley Brinks and Freschard.
“an absolute joy.” Q.
“...a set that’s as wistful and charming as it is playful and self-concious.” Uncut.
“quietly charming” Pitchfork.

There is something to be said about being both popular and prolific enough to be anthologized—it’s a space that soul music stalwart Kelly Finnigan and his latest release, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems, occupies with intent and fire. Serving as a mile marker pacing the 15 year collaboration between Finnigan and Colemine Records, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems is an easter egg moment for new and long-time fans to collect rare takes and flip sides in one spot, while unearthing Finnigan’s evolution as an artist, producer, and vocalist.


From his earliest explorations to one of the first tracks cut at his new studio in Ohio, this travelogue in sound both brings the listener forward to the present while laying out Kelly Finnigan’s road ahead.


“Colemine has grown so much, I've grown so much… I think this collection is a chance to take a little look back and share that with the people, the fans, the music lovers, the Colemine lovers,” says Finnigan.

There is something to be said about being both popular and prolific enough to be anthologized—it’s a space that soul music stalwart Kelly Finnigan and his latest release, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems, occupies with intent and fire. Serving as a mile marker pacing the 15 year collaboration between Finnigan and Colemine Records, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems is an easter egg moment for new and long-time fans to collect rare takes and flip sides in one spot, while unearthing Finnigan’s evolution as an artist, producer, and vocalist.


From his earliest explorations to one of the first tracks cut at his new studio in Ohio, this travelogue in sound both brings the listener forward to the present while laying out Kelly Finnigan’s road ahead.


“Colemine has grown so much, I've grown so much… I think this collection is a chance to take a little look back and share that with the people, the fans, the music lovers, the Colemine lovers,” says Finnigan.

There is something to be said about being both popular and prolific enough to be anthologized—it’s a space that soul music stalwart Kelly Finnigan and his latest release, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems, occupies with intent and fire. Serving as a mile marker pacing the 15 year collaboration between Finnigan and Colemine Records, B-Sides, Singles & Forgotten Gems is an easter egg moment for new and long-time fans to collect rare takes and flip sides in one spot, while unearthing Finnigan’s evolution as an artist, producer, and vocalist.


From his earliest explorations to one of the first tracks cut at his new studio in Ohio, this travelogue in sound both brings the listener forward to the present while laying out Kelly Finnigan’s road ahead.


“Colemine has grown so much, I've grown so much… I think this collection is a chance to take a little look back and share that with the people, the fans, the music lovers, the Colemine lovers,” says Finnigan.

You'd be hard pressed to name a song with the driving, emotional intensity and raw energy of the Hamilton Movement's anthemic ode to heartbreak, "She's Gone." Issued as the B-Side of the band's 1976 single "We're Gonna Party," and distributed in and around Indianapolis, there is no evidence the song garnered significant attention upon release—yet over the past fifty years it has amased a cult of devotees across the globe. But while interest in the group's music remains strong, little information has surfaced about the Hamilton Movement's history, and until now, there have been no official reissues of their work. This collection presents the band's discography, alongside previously unreleased music discovered on tape; it is the Indianapolis soul album that should-have-been.

The keys to the Hamilton Movement's mystery can be found in central Indiana, where promoter Dick Melvin has lived the past few decades, in a rural suburb of Indianapolis, amidst forests and cornfields. Melvin served as the group's manager throughout their entire existence, but his involvement extended far beyond typical managerial duties. He co-wrote and co-arranged the band's music; he produced and released their recordings on his Look Out label. Dick is also the band's archivist. His home is filled with boxes of demo sessions, live tapes, contracts, posters, and promotional photos documenting his work with the Hamilton Movement. He entrusted his archive to Now-Again's care and they've assembled this album under his watch. Dick's story, and the story of his band, are presented in an extensive, oversized booklet with Dick's rarely-seen photos and ephemera and words by Now-Again's Egon and Naptown historian Kylie Long.

DC The Don has emerged as one of the most dynamic voices in modern rap, known for blending raw authenticity with genre-defying creativity. Hailing from Milwaukee and now based in LA, he spent years cultivating a fiercely loyal fanbase, culminating in his 2023 XXL Freshman Class selection, where fans propelled him to win the coveted 10th spot. His breakout year marks the arrival of REBIRTH, which he formally introduced to fans with a sold out pop-up at LA’s iconic Roxy Theatre.
With millions of streams and a reputation for introspective yet hard-hitting tracks, DC The Don continues to shape the future of hip-hop while staying true to his artistic roots.

Their music draws from the rich traditions of classic guitar pop while maintaining a distinctly contemporary voice. Packed with sharp hooks, jangling guitars, and the melodic urgency that has long defined the band's sound, 'Box' delivers a fresh collection of songs that balance classic power pop craftsmanship with restless modern energy. Across the album's running time, The Jacks channel the spirit of late-70s radio gold and underground college rock while sounding unmistakably like themselves. Recorded with an ear for immediacy and emotional punch, 'Box' moves confidently between driving anthems, bittersweet harmonies, and punchy guitar-pop excursions. The result is an album that feels both timeless and alive -- a record built equally for longtime devotees of the genre and new listeners discovering The Jacks for the first time.

Ready for the summer!!!!!
This highly anticipated double EP by Skatman is yet another weapon from the Time Passages arsenal.
Aziz Haddad, better known as Skatman, is one of the most promising figures in the contemporary electronic music scene. Known for his genre-fluid approach and distinctive artistic vision, he continues to blur the lines between house, techno, and deeper cinematic influences. His ability to craft immersive sonic journeys has earned him a respected place within the international underground circuit, making each new release a testament to his evolving creativity and unmistakable sound.
Featuring eight tracks, this double EP showcases the full spectrum of Skatman’s sonic universe. Some of the cuts may already sound familiar to attentive dancefloors, having been championed by Binh at several of last summer’s most celebrated festivals and events. Balancing hypnotic grooves, intricate rhythms, and atmospheric depth, the record is built to leave a lasting mark on both intimate club settings and open-air dancefloors alike.

2026 Repress, Black Vinyl, Unicover
Johannes Albert brings back the iconic anthem that is "More Action Pleeease!". This time stretched across a full A-side, cut at 45 rpm for maximum punch and pressed on a weighty 180 grams. Built sturdy, loud, and ready to tear through any system. The full-cover artwork seals the deal, but the B-side brings the real twist: the Disco-House edit everyone's been craving (yes, exclusively on vinyl!). Dompe's "Lemon Ice" gets the full "Action" vocal treatment, transforming it into a guaranteed dancefloor riot. Finally - the complete "Actionpella" is attached for the hard-working DJs and the lazy ones alike. Now? More Action Pleeeeeeeeeeease!

Fiat Lux return with Desire & Belief, their third album of new material this millennium, following their acclaimed comeback LPs Saved Symmetry and Twisted Culture. The trio—Steve Wright, Will Howard, and David P Crickmore—combine modern production with vintage synths and instruments rooted in their Polydor-era beginnings to craft ten tracks that span cinematic atmospheres, synth-pop anthems, and moody electronica. Tracks like "Clear Sky " and "Turn Me Around" offer hook-laden synth-pop, while "Summer Solstice " and "Am I Dreaming " delve into ambient and darker tones. Desire & Belief is a natural progression for Fiat Lux—retaining the spirit of their 1980s Northern roots in synth, goth, and indie, yet confidently stepping into new sonic territory for long-time fans and new listeners alike. RIYL: Blancmange, OMD, Scary Thieves, Tears For Fears

Longform: Across two decades, the California-born hardcore outfit CEREMONY has earned its standing as one of punk’s most adaptable and unflinching bands, always ready to meet the moment without surrendering its principles. True to form, CEREMONY's seventh album, Tell Me Your Dream pushes the group’s punk-forged intensity all the way to the fore, capturing the quintet at its most expressive, expansive, and timely. “We’re living in an era of mass uncertainty,” says CEREMONY vocalist Ross Farrar. “In punk, I don’t see how you can’t respond. It’s taken over our lives in so many different ways — economically, politically, spiritually. We want people to wake up and get into what’s happening.”  Ferociously alert, Tell Me Your Dream reunites CEREMONY — Farrar, guitarist-keyboardist Anthony Anzaldo, guitarist Andy Nelson, bassist Justin Davis and drummer Jake Casarotti — with producer John Reis for ten songs of searing breadth. That means everything from bristling hardcore to moody post-punk — all while taking fundamental inspiration from Discharge, Crass, and other anarcho-punk troupes that first helped certain members of CEREMONY find their own political voices back when they were teenagers. The result is a culmination of the band’s 21 years together, if not some kind of riddle: CEREMONY knows how to make a return-to-form sound like evolution — and vice versa.

The talented Mr. K continues to build up the most comprehensive collection of DJ essentials to hit the 7-inch format with this latest offering of two beloved classics from the golden era of neo soul. First up is Jill Scott’s self-empowerment anthem ‘Golden’, here the original version stitched together with an unreleased 2005 breakdown remix by London crew Blackbeard. Using sweeping strings from the Blackbeard version, dramatically building to a tambourine acapella & original track makes for a masterful edit, one even more impressive when it’s done as seamlessly as this. The flip side ups the tempo with Mos Def’s ‘Umi Says’, a unique hybrid of broken drums, swirling keyboards (courtesy Weldon Irvine Jr. and Will.I.Am!), a propulsive bassline, and those instantly addictive vocals. Mr. K adds a solid minute of intro, giving the song the room it deserves to breathe, and just lets things simmer without distraction. Another masterclass at the edit board, and another gem to add to our growing treasure trove of work from Mr. Krivit in maximum sonic fidelity both for their first appearance in a 7-inch format.

There’s something quietly defiant about Melody Boy. Written and recorded in a tiny beach hut studio on the English coast, and notably know for his previous work with Paul Weller and The Moons, Andy Crofts’ debut solo album arrives without compromise or concession to trend. It’s a record built on melody above all else, songs that feel unearthed rather than manufactured, guided by instinct, memory, and a lifelong obsession with the craft of songwriting.

Crofts, long established as a songwriter and musician, steps forward here with a voice that feels both seasoned and strangely elusive. There’s no rush to explain, no attempt to overstate. Instead, Melody Boy unfolds with a natural confidence, hook laden, harmonically rich, and emotionally direct without ever losing its sense of mystery.
Drawing from a lineage of classic songwriting while remaining firmly his own, the album leans into warmth, analogue textures, and a sense of timelessness that resists the churn of the modern music cycle. It’s not chasing a moment, it’s creating its own space.
Lead single “Blue” introduced that world: melodic, reflective, quietly anthemic. Across the album, that same thread runs deep, songs that reveal themselves slowly, rewarding repeat listens rather than demanding immediate attention.
There’s a deliberate sense of distance in Melody Boy. Not coldness, but clarity. A refusal to overexplain. The result is a body of work that feels personal without being confessional, detailed without being crowded.

In a landscape built on constant output and fleeting attention, Andy Crofts offers something else entirely: a record that trusts the listener to meet it halfway.
"Blue is another song that I can't get enough of at the moment" - Gary Crowley (BBC London)

There’s something quietly defiant about Melody Boy. Written and recorded in a tiny beach hut studio on the English coast, and notably know for his previous work with Paul Weller and The Moons, Andy Crofts’ debut solo album arrives without compromise or concession to trend. It’s a record built on melody above all else, songs that feel unearthed rather than manufactured, guided by instinct, memory, and a lifelong obsession with the craft of songwriting.

Crofts, long established as a songwriter and musician, steps forward here with a voice that feels both seasoned and strangely elusive. There’s no rush to explain, no attempt to overstate. Instead, Melody Boy unfolds with a natural confidence, hook laden, harmonically rich, and emotionally direct without ever losing its sense of mystery.
Drawing from a lineage of classic songwriting while remaining firmly his own, the album leans into warmth, analogue textures, and a sense of timelessness that resists the churn of the modern music cycle. It’s not chasing a moment, it’s creating its own space.
Lead single “Blue” introduced that world: melodic, reflective, quietly anthemic. Across the album, that same thread runs deep, songs that reveal themselves slowly, rewarding repeat listens rather than demanding immediate attention.
There’s a deliberate sense of distance in Melody Boy. Not coldness, but clarity. A refusal to overexplain. The result is a body of work that feels personal without being confessional, detailed without being crowded.

In a landscape built on constant output and fleeting attention, Andy Crofts offers something else entirely: a record that trusts the listener to meet it halfway.
"Blue is another song that I can't get enough of at the moment" - Gary Crowley (BBC London)

Fij makes a vibrant return with his new single "Don't Bring Me Sunshine," a bittersweet, high-speed ode to independence and renewal. Described by Fij as an "anti-love song," "Don't Bring Me Sunshine" flips the script on romance. Its sardonic, bah-humbug lyrics are set against a rush of euphoric energy - inspired by the simple thrill of driving fast with the windows down, music blaring, and summer stretching endlessly ahead. As Fij puts it: "Who needs love when you've got a full tank of petrol... and the whole of Summer lying ahead on the heat-hazed open road?" The track is the latest preview of his long- awaited debut solo album, due this September via Tip Top Records. It signals a clear shift in tone and tempo. After years marked by introspection - shaped by personal upheaval, frontline work during the pandemic, and his role as a funeral celebrant - Fij has hit reset.

Re- embracing the electric guitar, raising the BPMs, and rediscovering joy, his new material blends the fuzzed edges of dream-pop with elements of pop and electronica, all delivered with his signature wit and melodic finesse. Fij first emerged in the early 90s with Adorable, whose debut album Against Perfection (Creation Records) became a cult favourite, earning multiple NME accolades and topping the Indie charts. The band's legacy continues to resonate, with artists citing their influence and figures like Noel Gallagher famously calling their label's decision to drop them a major mistake. Following Adorable, Fij explored new sonic territory with Polak and later collaborated with Terry Bickers of The House of Love, producing critically acclaimed releases that reaffirmed his reputation as one of Britain's most distinctive voices. His baritone - often compared to Lee Hazlewood, Lou Reed, and Richard Hawley - remains as rich and compelling as ever, now carrying a renewed urgency.

Sometimes the only way to feel better is to spend some time feeling bad. Countless albums have provided the soundtrack for picking yourself back up, but Public Opinion are there for when you’re getting kicked while you’re down. Their sophomore album, the cheekily titled The Curse of Public Opinion, is a ten-song, 23-minute ode to frustration and disappointment–all set to some of the catchiest punk songs you’ll hear this year. Who knew swallowing a bitter pill could be this fun? Recorded with Brett Romnes (Anxious, I Am The Avalanche, Hot Mulligan), the album plumbs the depths of disappointment over a tight set of fuck-you anthems that perfectly bottle 2000s garage rock swagger, classic punk hooks, and hardcore ferocity into Public Opinion’s own sneering cocktail. "Public Opinion are making straight up, relentless, rock and roll. And thank God." -Anna Zanes, Alternative Press

Catch them on tour across the US this year with Drug Church, White Reaper and Spy.

Black Vinyl Repress

This is Partisan Records' black vinyl repress of Cymande's 1974 classic Second Time Round. This album features the stunning singles “Crayshaw,”“Fug” & “Genvieve”. Their self-titled debut was the first UK soul album to land on the Billboard Top 200 charts, and Second Time Round placed them back on the US charts. And in another first while touring on this album they became the first British band to ever headline the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.

A new chapter unfolds on Cécille Records as Naples-based duo Shokë step forward with their first full solo EP for the label.

Following a string of standout appearances on Cécille, Shokë now deliver the “Chiamami EP” – their most complete statement on the label to date.

Now firmly part of both the Cécille Records and Cécille Events roster, this EP feels long overdue. After consistently delivering every time, Shokë have more than earned their own full release on the label. Leading the EP is “After You”, a warm and uplifting house record with all the ingredients of a true Ibiza summer anthem. Built around an infectious groove and feel-good atmosphere, it’s one of those tracks that instantly creates memories of sunsets, terraces and open-air dancefloors. The rest of the EP follows suit, packed with the timeless house grooves and understated musicality that have become a trademark of the Shokë sound.

A strong release from two artists who continue to establish themselves as an important part of the ever-growing Cécille family.

Im Oktober 1962, als das Bossa-Nova-Fieber in den USA gerade erst um sich zu greifen begann, gab
der Tenorsaxofonist Ike Quebec dem neuen Stil aus Brasilien auf seinem Album “Bossa Nova Soul Samba”
eine ganz eigene Note. Sein sinnlicher Ton durchdrang die luftige brasilianische Atmosphäre mit einer
seelenvollen Prise Blues und schuf so ein melodiöses Meisterwerk, zu dem auch der Gitarrist Kenny Burrell
erheblich beitrug. Dabei mied Quebec geschickt die Bossa-Nova-Hits von Tom Jobim, João Gilberto und
Luiz Bonfá. Stattdessen stellte er ein sublimes Repertoire aus Eigenkompositionen, weniger bekannten
brasilianischen Stücken sowie zwei klassischen Kompositionen von Antonín Dvořák und Franz Liszt zusammen. Umso tragischer war es, dass dies sein letztes Album sein sollte: Nur drei Monate später starb Quebec
im Alter von 44 Jahren an Lungenkrebs.

The legends of the golden era of Italian soundtracks and library music go by many names, but the backbone of that era’s definitive sonic identity is most often identified as I Marc 4 (also known as Marc 4 or I Marc Quattro). While the moniker might be less familiar to the uninitiated, it is a simple acronym derived from its founding members: Maurizio Majorana (bass), Antonello Vannucchi (organ), Roberto Podio (drums and percussion), and Carlo Pes (guitar). The number "4" serves to highlight the core synergy of these four master musicians. Their journey began in Rome’s vibrant jazz scene of the 1950s and early 1960s, where they honed their craft as members of the RAI national orchestra and collaborated with the most prominent jazz and pop icons of the day. However, it was their pivotal role in defining the Italian cinematic sound of the 1960s and 1970s that secured their legacy. Their unmistakable style was an eclectic fusion of beat, jazz, classical, and Latin influences—textured with early synthesizers, experimental sound effects, and a blend of electronic and baroque instrumentation. Consequently, their initials are etched into the credits of countless landmark recordings by legendary composers such as Nino Rota, Armando Trovajoli, Gianni Ferrio, Alessandro Alessandroni, Piero Umiliani, and Ennio Morricone.

Beyond their work as session luminaries, they produced a vast body of library music under their own name at the legendary Telecinesound Studios in Rome. These recordings were released through prestigious library labels like Sermi, Ricordi, and Fonit Cetra, as well as through their own imprints: Nelson Records, Silver Men, and Silver Music, spanning a definitive series of sixteen albums. Ten of these volumes were issued on Nelson Records during the 1970s, featuring the now-iconic military stencil design. Each release was color-coded: red (G.L.P. 1001), dark blue (G.L.P. 1002), gold (G.L.P. 1003), light green (G.L.P. 1004), brown (G.L.P. 1005), black (G.L.P.1006), light blue (G.L.P. 1007), yellow (G.L.P. 1008), orange (G.L.P.1009), and cool green (G.L.P. 1010). The series was completed by two elusive companion releases: S.M. 2001 on Silver Music and S.M. 2002 on Silver Men, both presented in the same distinctive brown sleeve. Rediscovered in the 1990s and 2000s, these Nelson releases have since achieved cult status among collectors, producers, and DJs worldwide. The final two installments, S.M. 2001 and S.M. 2002, remain the rarest and most enigmatic of the set.

Often overlooked, they contain some of the most profound "hidden gems" in the group’s catalog. The tracklist traverses a wide stylistic spectrum: from the rare groove and proto-hip hop energy of "Trama Nella Metropoli", "Beat Morbido", and "Candy", to the lush cinematic atmospheres featuring the ethereal vocals of Edda Dell'Orso on "Summer In Love", "On The Rain", and "Arcobaleno". The collection is rounded out by sophisticated jazz pieces like "Flauti Ensemble", "Passeggiata", and "Atmosfere Dolci”. Sonor Music Editions has meticulously curated the finest moments from these two rare albums for this first-ever dedicated reissue. Bringing together the best of Silver Music (S.M. 2001) and Silver Men (S.M. 2002), this release retains the iconic stencil artwork but introduces a striking silver finish. This design choice honors the original ten-album sequence while shedding new light on these outstanding recordings—works that remain, in every sense, golden.

The second album from Chicago based Brigette Calls Me Baby firmly establishes them as a band to watch. It's fair to say that they are a band that takes a lot of influence from 1980s UK indie in general and The Smiths in particular. Opening track 'There's Always' finds vocalist Wes Leavins channelling Morrissey's finer moments; and in particular those moments when Morrissey was in thrall to the crooners of the 1950s. This is particularly poignant in relation to the themes that run through the album, most notably the idea that certain moments in your history shape your very being for the rest of your life. Clearly hearing certain records has shaped Brigette Calls Me Baby as much as those all important life-change moments. That's not to say this a band that isn't ploughing its own furrow, songs like "Slumber Party" with its relentless bassline and dance influenced drums show a band that can mix its influences are create something unique. "I Can Take The Sun Out Of The Sky' might have those darkened crooning tones from Leavins, but they can't keep a lid on the sheer positivity that his band is generating, it has the feel of a real summer anthem.

Since The Summoned announced Mama Terra as one of Britain's more intriguing modern jazz propositions, anticipation has only gathered pace, and this latest offering more than answers it, with Marco Cafolla's Glasgow ensemble stretching spiritual jazz into widescreen territory, enriched by Conrad Roberts' evocative narration on the title track and 'Bliss'. Elsewhere, 'Isha' drifts with serene assurance, then 'The Observers' gives way to a far more expansive finale. It's another bold step from a group whose musical vocabulary seems to grow richer with every outing.

Kid Katana Records teamed up with Digital Eclipse / Atari to bring the legendary Wizardry remake game OST, for the first time on vinyl. Winifred Phillips crafted a unique soundtrack, which was recognized by the 2025 Grammy Award Winner for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media.


This OST is steeped in ancient history and culture, with Phillips using authentic period instruments from around the world, including gitterns, nyckelharpas, dulcimers, and bone flutes, and a choral battle anthem in the ancient language of the Wizardry spellbook.

Soul Music legend Candi Staton returns to her down-home Alabama roots on her 32nd album, Back to My Roots. The twelve-track Americana set features an array of Staton-penned originals and some well-chosen covers.

"These songs represent my roots," Staton adds as she reflects on her many trials and triumphs. "Even the new songs on some level represent something I've experienced and that's what real soul music is about." Back to My Roots was produced by Staton with her second eldest son, Marcus Williams, a professional drummer who has toured with the likes of Peabo Bryson, Isaac Hayes, and Tyler Perry. They brought in Mark Nevers of Lambchop fame, who produced three of Staton’s prior Americana albums for Honest Jon’s and Thirty Tigers, to sweeten certain tracks. “Some of the first songs I ever heard were songs like `Peace in the Valley’ and `It’s Gonna Rain,’” says Staton. “The new songs or cover songs are tracks that remind me of that era when I was growing up as a child and evolving as a young woman. That’s why I named the album Back to My Roots because I’m going back to the roots that made me who I am.”

Staton received the Americana Music Association UK’s highest honour, the International Lifetime Achievement Award, at the UK Americana Music Awards ceremony at Hackney Church in London last year for her southern soul work that stretches from her 1969 Muscle Shoals hits to her more recent collaborations with the likes of Americana kings Jason Isbell and John Paul White.
The album opens with a mid-tempo Bonnie Raitt-styled contemporary blues “I Missed the Target Again” that finds Harry Connick Jr.’s longtime guitarist Jonathan DuBose Jr. (aka the Prophesying Guitarist) showing off his skills that set the tone for the song and the album.

Staton’s older sister, Maggie Staton Peebles (who alongside Staton was a member of the Jewel Gospel Trio in the 1950s), joins her for two duets. The first, “It’s Gonna Rain,” features just a drum, steel guitar and vocals. “My mother used to sing that song to us all the time when I was a child,” Staton recalls. “It’s a really soulful kind of song I wanted to revisit.” They then take turns leading Thomas Dorsey 1939 gem “There Will Be Peace in the Valley” that Elvis Presley popularized in the 1950s.

“Hang on in There” is a new, mid-tempo song that has an old school gospel flavour and features vocals from veteran bluesman, Larry McCray.
While in Europe in 2023 for her farewell concert tour that took her to the Glastonbury Festival and Love Supreme, Staton and her British band, PUSH, went into a London studio to record a new version of The Rolling Stones’ 1972 gem, “Shine A Light.” “I love the way that came out,” Staton says. “We put a big choir on it and put our own twist on it.”
From there, Staton revives another Thomas Dorsey classic, “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow,” with a bluesy vibe. When Al Green started recording gospel in the early 1980s, he re-introduced this song into the culture.

“God’s Gonna Use Me Anyway” is a new mid-tempo blues with subtle Caribbean influences.

The mood takes a turn on “1963.” It’s a poignant, spoken-word reflection on September 15, 1963, when four black girls were killed in the Birmingham Church bombing. “I was in the city that day and I remember the chaos and horror after the bombing,” Staton recalls. “Just thinking of how racism and hatred caused those men to kill those girls was so emotional for me that I could only do it in one take.”

It's a perfect segue into "Reach Down and Touch Heaven," a haunting, plea for divine intervention into the affairs of mankind. "That's straight Baptist," she says. "I used to be a church pianist back in the 1960s. I've never played piano on one of my records before so that's a unique song for me because I’m finally playing on one of my records. The message of that song is about the homeless. It came to me when a homeless person on the street asked me for $5. When God touches your heart to help somebody else that’s heaven to God’s hears. So, when we reach into our purse or wallet to help someone, we’re touching heaven."

Staton offers love as an antidote to hate on the bouncy, Motown-styled, “Love Breakthrough.”

Her publicist brought Aaron Frazer & the Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY’s 2017 cut “My God Has a Telephone” to Staton’s attention. She shifts the track from a retro 1960s groove to more of a 1980s Malaco Records arrangement, a subtle but distinct variation. Staton brought in her longtime friend and STAX Records legend, William Bell (“I Forgot to Be Your Lover” and “Trying to Love Two”), to add raspy seasoning to the track.

The album closes with the wistful, “In God’s Hands We Rest Untroubled,” that was originally written and recorded by the late country star, Lari White, who died in 2017 at the age of 52. “Lari sent me that song to consider at least ten years ago and I always loved it,” Staton says. “The record label didn’t want it on the album or something, so I just held it.”
Staton says, “I grew up hearing a lot of these old songs when they were new songs. I toured with the Jewel Gospel Trio in the 1950s and we got to know people like Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and others who sang these types of songs. So, I’m sort of paying tribute to them and the influence they had on me by refreshing these songs and making new songs in the old style.”’

John Edwards’ early releases, mainly at Aware Records under the tutelage of Floyd Smith, thrilled soul lovers with his consummate vocals and impressed the multi-million selling Spinners enough to hire him to replace their revered vocalist Philippe Wynne.
Edwards’ first Aware hits, such as ‘Stop This Merry-Go-Round’ and ‘Careful Man’, led to his eponymous debut LP. As the label’s major male artist, the company followed up by recording a second album and were probably anticipating a further hit. But Aware collapsed thanks to the label owner’s criminal activities, putting paid to that proposed disc.
When the master tapes were uncovered in the ’90s, the tracks were issued on the 1996 Kent CD ‘Careful Man’ and handful of singles were issued to great acclaim.
At last, we have collected the tracks on vinyl and the beauty of ‘Tin Man’, ‘How Can I Go On Without You’ and ‘Cold Hearted Woman’ can be enjoyed as they were originally intended. Modern soul fans will be able to sleep easily again.

Memento Records proudly presents a new single by MAP, a.k.a. Massimino Lippoli, Angelino Albanese and Peonia. We’re talking history of Italo House here: Lippoli and Albanese are part of the Sueño Latino collective that released the eponymous track in 1989 to worldwide acclaim. The track, which samples sounds from Manuel Göttsching’s E2-E4 record, went on to become one of Ibiza’s balearic anthems, thanks to the support of legendary DJ Alfredo Fiorito, and a classic staple on the House circuit in clubs all over the planet, with epic remixes by Derrick May, Carl Craig and Bushwacka cementing its legacy as one of the genre- defining pieces. 2026 sees the duo joined by Peonia do what they do best: melodic ambient House Music infused with catchy grooves and beautiful melodies. Opening with a sexy rhythm and dreamy pads, the crescendo leads the way to voluptuous vocals and a swinging arpeggio, making this a total dancefloor darling, perfect to be enjoyed at sunset, on the beach, at your favourite stylish disco, or at that private villa party where everyone is having their best time. B-side rounds off the EP with a stripped down Dub rendition that again is proof of the immense talent of these artists.

Back on Swamp Green coloured vinyl! The album that broke Teenage Bottlerocket to the punk rock masses, They Came From The Shadows burst onto the scene in 2009, like a runaway train on greased rails. Featured in Alternative Press as a "Band You Need To Know," the album became a punk rock classic, with hits like "Skate or Die" and "Bigger Than Kiss." The most rocking thing to come out of Wyoming since, well... ever, Teenage Bottlerocket have taken pleasure in showing everyone just how potent and exhilarating that fresh, gimmick-free punk rock can be. On their debut Fat Wreck Chords release (third full-length), They Came From the Shadows is comprised of 14 straight forward punk rock gems, laced with the unforgettable melodies that have become the calling card of TBR. In the tradition of the Ramones (leather jackets and all), TBR brought an unrelenting barrage of fast-paced anthems that will no doubt serve as the soundtrack for a generation. Produced by Jason Livermore at the Blasting Room (Rise Against, Descendents) Features hit singles "Skate Or Die" (bands #1 song) and "Bigger Than Kiss" For fans of Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Descendents, The Queers, The Lillingtons

With their ever-mutating brand of jazz-and-country-laced punk, Opus Kink have always cut a singular figure in a saturated landscape. Making their name with incendiary, cult-like live shows, the band - formed in Brighton (UK) in 2017 — has developed a sound as elusive as it is recognisable. Underscored by a formidable horn section and ragged, sardonic delivery, the band bear passing resemblance to post-punk and no-wave acts like The Pop Group, Birthday Party and Lounge Lizards, but it’s the weaving of older, more traditional influences - choral, folk, country, Latin, Weimar cabaret, cruise-ship-crooning - into the fabric of their music that sets them apart. Their highly anticipated debut album 'The Sweet Goodbye' is set for release on 31st July 2026 via So Recordings and follows a series of EPs and singles which have earned acclaim from NME, DORK, DIY, CLASH, SO YOUNG, BBC Radio 1 and playlisting on BBC Radio 6 Music. The album is produced by Grammy award-winning producer and mixer Craig Silvey (Arcade Fire, Florence & The Machine, Baxter Dury, REM, Kronos Quartet, Sam Fender), with album track 'The Head Tree' featuring The New Eves (No.1 Independent album in 2025). Opus Kink brings their alluring live show to audiences around the UK and Europe later this year, including a headline show at London's 2,300-cap venue o2 Kentish Town Forum, while the Summer sees them supporting The Libertines at Rochester Castle, Kent. TRACKLISTING A1. Come Over, Do Me Wrong A2. Will It Come For You? A3. I'm A Pretty Showboy A4. The Sweet Goodbye A5. Peckham Nocturne B1. I Have To Shine My Sunday Shoes B2. The Head Tree (ft. The New Eves) B3. 448C (The Colour of Love) B4. Crucify! B5. Oh, Irony QUOTES - ?"Horn-fuelled filth-funk, where punk and jazz combine in grimy circumstances." - NME - "One of the UK’s most exciting new bands?...A raucous, intense blast of guitar pop...as equally anxiety-inducing as it is sublime." - C?LASH - "Barnstorming, infectious" - Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music - "One of the most enjoyable genre fusions I've ever seen." - Nels Hylton, BBC Radio 1 - "(Their) ferocious live performances have earned them a reputation as? one of the best live bands in the country?." - So Young

The debut album from The Story So Far. These 11 songs do burst with the cathartic desperation of the former and the boundless urgency of the latter. Rough but catchy, raw but well-recorded, songs such as “High Regard” and the terse, broken-hearted indictment of “Mt. Diablo” threaten to burst with youthful, angst-ridden aggression. While these are powerful, punchy anthems, there are subtleties and nuances in the arrangements that elevate the likes of “Quicksand” and “Daughters” to be more than just another batch of angry songs sung by frustrated young men. Under Soil and Dirt 10 Year Anniversary Picture Disc - Limited to 5000 - Die Cut Gatefold Jacket - Screenprinted Slipmat

With their ever-mutating brand of jazz-and-country-laced punk, Opus Kink have always cut a singular figure in a saturated landscape. Making their name with incendiary, cult-like live shows, the band - formed in Brighton (UK) in 2017 — has developed a sound as elusive as it is recognisable. Underscored by a formidable horn section and ragged, sardonic delivery, the band bear passing resemblance to post-punk and no-wave acts like The Pop Group, Birthday Party and Lounge Lizards, but it’s the weaving of older, more traditional influences - choral, folk, country, Latin, Weimar cabaret, cruise-ship-crooning - into the fabric of their music that sets them apart. Their highly anticipated debut album 'The Sweet Goodbye' is set for release on 31st July 2026 via So Recordings and follows a series of EPs and singles which have earned acclaim from NME, DORK, DIY, CLASH, SO YOUNG, BBC Radio 1 and playlisting on BBC Radio 6 Music. The album is produced by Grammy award-winning producer and mixer Craig Silvey (Arcade Fire, Florence & The Machine, Baxter Dury, REM, Kronos Quartet, Sam Fender), with album track 'The Head Tree' featuring The New Eves (No.1 Independent album in 2025). Opus Kink brings their alluring live show to audiences around the UK and Europe later this year, including a headline show at London's 2,300-cap venue o2 Kentish Town Forum, while the Summer sees them supporting The Libertines at Rochester Castle, Kent."Horn-fuelled filth-funk, where punk and jazz combine in grimy circumstances." - NME - "One of the UK’s most exciting new bands?...A raucous, intense blast of guitar pop...as equally anxiety-inducing as it is sublime." - C?LASH - "Barnstorming, infectious" - Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music - "One of the most enjoyable genre fusions I've ever seen." - Nels Hylton, BBC Radio 1 - "(Their) ferocious live performances have earned them a reputation as? one of the best live bands in the country?." - So Young

2026 marks a historic chapter in his musical journey as Ross prepares for the release of his twelfth studio album, Set In Stone, slated to drop in July 2026. The highly anticipated album rollout was ignited by the Top 10 radio single "Minks In Miami," an opulent track featuring French Montana and Max B. To further commemorate his enduring legacy, Ross is currently celebrating the twentieth anniversary of his debut number-one album, Port of Miami. Honoring the milestone, he is embarking on a grand 17-city orchestra tour, performing his timeless classics alongside the soaring live instrumentation of the Renaissance Orchestra and the powerful vocals of the Sainted Trap Choir. In addition to the new album Rick Ross' also released his 3rd book "Renaissance Of A Boss."

Best known as the DJ for multi-platinum band Sugar Ray, American DJ, musician, rapper, singer, record producer and radio personality Craig Anthony Bullock aka DJ Homicide_ has been active for more than three decades. His solo work finds him flipping a wide range of source sounds into his own fat, club-ready joints, all informed by years of working various crowds into party mode. He opens here with 'Se Acado Fl', and brings a light touch to heavy beats that are overlaid with impassioned Spanish vocals that add a florid edge next to the excitable horns. On the backside is Big Syphe'd 'Our Generation Flip' which is soul music welded to a low slung and dusty hip-hop foundation.

For the first time ever, Los Campesinos! are proud to offer new pressings of their first three studio albums on their very own record label; Heart Swells.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of LC!’s formation, and coincides with the band being more popular and relevant than ever before. The 3 albums are available for the first time since 2020, on brand new colour ways, on 12” vinyl and CD, with updated artwork and packaging.

What the press said:

“a messy, glorious, noisy document of internet café-era indie life that sounds best when sung by heart.” 8.3/10 - Pitchfork

“full of half-heartfelt, half-hilarious songs that capture the rush of being young in a noisy new century.” - 10/10 - Entertainment Weekly

“smart, immediate, and anthemic” - 10/10 - The AV Club