Born out of a summer (and time) most sadly lost forever - this new release on Souvenirs From Imaginary Cities will break your skull open most tenderly, so it's fine particles of audio-dust can mingle with the last rays of sunshine and the bitter storm of this autumn. Track after track, this LP draws you in with a natural flow and a deep-felt pulse - reminiscent of classic slices of raw and sample- based ambient like Susumu Yakota's 'Sakura' and 'Everyone Alive Wants Answers' by Colleen. These tunes are heartfelt and channelling tons of real emotions and other melancholia.
It's a very personal and unique blend of almost nineties chill out zoning with a dubby undertone, rich textured loops, mixing a whole range of crazy acoustic and electronic flavours - stuff that shouldn't work together but are dancing all the way to heaven anyways - with slow burning dusty slabs of melody and yes those deep choral pads ( some Rachmaninov vesper magic in the air ), everything rough around the edges and low slung but so damn precise. A subtle mélange between abstract and more concrete sonic territories, but delivered in an upfront, improvised manner with great intuition and a quite ruff but poetic touch.
Name of this piece of swampy, chopped up but most nicely selected ambient work is La Ho, by Purpurny Dyadya aka Purple Uncle aka Sergey Demitriev, originally residing in St-Petersburg but living now for obvious reasons in Armenia. Sergey has been busy on labels like Echotourist, Hair Del, Nazlo and most recently with fellow traveler Nikita Chepurnoi as Amkarahoi on Patience/Impatience. Using a bunch of old tapes from his childhood times, filled with all kinds of sonic memories and Russian underground hip-hop as sample ground, he loaded up his MPC with magic dust and jammed out the basis of this LP during a summer fest near St-Petersburg before current hell broke loose.
It's the kind of a record that needs some time to really let loose his inherent power, give it some air, let it hop along a bit and those sounds will bloom wide open.
quête:aud
Join El Maquinista Hypnotica on a sonic voyage to the bygone era of electronic dance music with his latest release, "Chakra EP". This 4-track collection encapsulates the spirit of the late 80's and early 90's, drawing inspiration from New Beat, Techno, and Acid House.
Infused with the universal energies and the golden ratio concept, each track corresponds to the seven chakras, tapping into the ancient wisdom woven into the fabric of our being.
Utilizing genuine vintage hardware, El Maquinista Hypnotica brings four unadulterated techno sounds, embracing the origins of sonic creation with these timeless and potent machines, delivering a raw energy that echoes the purity of the original techno movement.
Chakra's EP visual approach serve as a testament to the fusion of technology and art. P2T has created an immersive experience that reflects the 'trippy', otherworldly artwork of the era using Bryce 3D (version 2.0), a program that was first commercially available in 1995. This antiquated tool was brought back to life via emulation technology, creating a universe that both musically and visually symbolizes the seven chakras and realigns the human body with it's ideal golden ratio.
El Maquinista Hypnotica is not only a producer, he's a magician, who hypnotically manipulates frequencies to light up dance floors. Every song combines the cosmic with the physical in an audio journey that is an alchemical fusion of the past, present, and future.
Get ready to be enthralled and invigorated by the mystical power of El Maquinista Hypnotica and his Chakra EP.
- A1: Jezebel
- A2: Parce Que
- A3: Les Deux Gitares
- A4: Je M'voyais Déjà
- A5: Il Faut Savoir
- A6: Les Comédiens
- A7: La Mamma
- A8: Sa Jeunesse Entre Ses Mains
- A9: Et Pourtant
- B1: For Me Formidable
- B2: Sur Ma Vie
- B3: A Ma Fille
- B4: Que C'est Triste Venise
- B5: Une Enfant
- B6: Hier Encore
- B7: Au Printemps Tu Reviendras
- B8: La Bohème
- B9: Paris Au Mois D'août
- C1: Tout S'en Va
- C2: Emmenez-Moi
- C3: Le Cabotin
- C4: Non Je N'ai Rien Oublié
- C5: Mourir D'aimer
- C6: Les Plaisirs Démodés
- D1: Comme Ils Disent
- D2: A Ma Femme
- D3: Tous Les Visages De L'amour
- D4: Mes Emmerdes
- D5: J'ai Vu Paris
- D6: Toi Et Moi
- D7: Je T'aime Aime
- E1: Avec Un Brin De Nostalgie
- E2: Tomorrow Is My Turn
- E3: How Sad Venice Can Be
- E4: The Old Fashioned Way
- E5: The I Love You' Song
- E6: She
- E7: Yesterday When I Was Young
- E8: I'll Be There
- F1: La Légende De Stenka Razine (With Les Compagnons De La Chanson)
- F2: Je Voyage (With Katia Aznavour)
- F3: Il Faut Savoir (With Johnny Hallyday)
- F4: Young At Heart (With Frank Sinatra)
- F5: J'aime Paris Au Mois De Mai (With Zaz)
- F6: Ave Maria
Collected by Charles Aznavour is a wonderful collection of hits and classics by the French chansonnier, that touches your soul at every moment. It’s an overview of his work during the sixties, seventies and duets with Johnny Hallyday on “Il Faut Savoir” and with Frank Sinatra “Young At Heart”. Also his English versions of “How Sad Venice Can Be”, “The Old Fashioned Way”, “She” and four more English songs are included on this deluxe Trifold 3LP album.
In the early 1950s a man of short stature attempts to win over his audience. With a hoarse voice he delivers songs that do not catch on. People jeer at him. Tomatoes fly through the air. The Frenchman with Armenian roots slinks off the stage, but does not quit. Ironically, the song that makes him a household name is the song in which he recalls his agonising trial. The audience reacted indifferently when Charles Aznavour decided to try out his new song on stage. But when he went on to greet the audience for one final time they all stood and gave him a thundering standing ovation.
In the sixties, hits and classics succeed one another. Nobody is bothered any more by his husky voice, by his small stature or his rugged characterful face. The croony “For Me Formidable” (1963), the heart breaking “Et Pourtant” (1963) and the nostalgic “Hier Encore” (1964) confirm his standing as a fan favourite. “La Bohème” (1965) and “Emmenez-moi” (1967) turn Aznavour into a superstar. In “La Bohème”, there are impressionist painters strolling in the shadows of the Sacré-Coeur, the compelling “Comme Ils Dissent” (1972) is the first chanson after Vichy France to overtly endorse homo sexuality and in the present “France Of La Manif Pour Tous” (the movement that opposes gay marriage), does it again to sound particularly topical. “Camarade” (1977) was about the nomenklatura, the ruling elite in the Soviet Union and is a social and historical topic. “Avec Un Brin De Nostalgie” is an Aznavour grand cru, maybe even the best he has made over the last thirty years.
Charles Aznavour Collected is available as a limited pressing of 1000 individually numbered copies on gold vinyl. The package includes a 4-page booklet with liner notes and photos.
Trees Speak are releasing their new album TimeFold worldwide on 15 Nov 24 on Soul Jazz Records.
Trees Speak return with TimeFold, their sixth release on Soul Jazz Records, further expanding their ever-evolving sonic universe. This new album builds on their signature blend of hypnotic krautrock rhythms, post-punk angularity, and experimental soundscapes while venturing into new terrain by blending influences from avant-garde electronics to ceremonial sound forms.
On TimeFold, Trees Speak (comprised of the Tucson-based duo Damian Diaz and Daniel Martin Diaz) push their musical boundaries from expansive, intergalactic landscapes to eerie, imagined 1970s Italian and French sci-fi horror film scores. The album seamlessly weaves John Carpenter-esque synthesizer motifs with ambient sound sculptures, conjuring immersive worlds that are both cinematic and otherworldly.
The album also incorporates the duo’s deep-rooted influences, which span across electronic pioneers like Jean-Michel Jarre (Oxygene), Tangerine Dream, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Drawing on the revolutionary techniques of Musique Concrète, TimeFold features experimental track splicing, looping, and collage work that harkens back to the golden age of avant-garde music. At times, the album channels the ceremonial tones and hypnotic rhythms reminiscent of early 1970s krautrock, fusing these sounds with organic instrumentation like dulcimers, adding an earthy, drone-like ritual quality to the experimental electronic framework.
A new element in this release is the inclusion of spoken word by Ashley Christine Edwards, which lends the album a haunting, apocalyptic edge. Her contributions evoke a tone reminiscent of the 1970s avant-garde scene, recalling literary and conceptual artists like Ruth White. The spoken words create a sensory experience akin to ceremonial chants, adding to the atmospheric intensity of the album. These vocal elements tie into the overall theme of TimeFold, which continues Trees Speak’s exploration of futuristic technologies and the communication of nature, with the evocative concept of trees and plants acting as organic hard drives storing data and knowledge.
Drawing further influence from Italian and French horror cinema, Trees Speak explore cinematic tension throughout TimeFold, creating a layered listening experience. The record transports the listener from the haunting, desolate beauty of Southwestern desert vast landscapes to an auditory space that melds early electronic experimentation with the contemporary urgency of conceptual art.
Since their debut Ohms in 2020, Trees Speak’s prolific output on Soul Jazz Records has continually redefined genre boundaries. TimeFold solidifies their position as visionaries in experimental music, offering an album that is as much a meditation on future technologies as it is a tribute to the avant-garde traditions that have come before.
Makhunik Records is thrilled to announce the much anticipated second vinyl only release from the talented DJ, producer, and live performer, Generali Minerali. Known for his distinctive blend of raw electro/break sounds and techno, Generali Minerali has established himself as a prominent figure in the electronic music scene with a string of successful releases on esteemed record labels. With a discography that includes 8 EPs, 1 LP, and numerous contributions to various VA compilations, Generali Minerali brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his music. His productions are characterized by their immersive textures and dynamic rhythms, drawing inspiration from a wide range of electronic dance music genres such as Techno, Electro, Break, and Acid. As a crew member and resident artist of the TES Club, Generali Minerali has solidified his place as a driving force in the electronic music community, captivating audiences with his unparalleled live performances and DJ sets that span a diverse spectrum of sounds and vibes. The upcoming release, Dance In Factory EP, invites listeners to embark on a sonic journey through the depths of the mind. Each track on the EP, from the mesmerizing K Driver to the introspective Phase In Head, is a testament to Generali Mineralis skillful production and innovative approach to sound design. The concept behind Dance In Factory reflects the interconnected nature of humanity, where we are all integral parts of a larger whole, dancing to the rhythms of life. Through tracks like River and Transformer Fox, Generali Minerali invites listeners to explore the depths of their consciousness and experience a world of boundless creativity and imagination.
- A1: Megan Leber - Tides
- A2: Mattheis - Swell (Pye Corner Audio Remix)
- A3: Marie K - Silver Lining
- B1: Mattias El Mansouri - Transcendence
- B2: Cooper Saver - Cloudburst
- C1: Kems Kriol - Blimund
- C2: Martinou - Glider
- D1: Human Space Machine - Second
- D2: Koraal - This One
- E1: Eversines - Rhapsodia
- E2: Erik Luebs - Toward Entropy
- F1: Mathilde Nobel - May + Be (Oceanic Remix)
- F2: Mary Lake - Evergloom
- F3: Gotu Jim - De Last
Limited Edition[31,89 €]
Nous'klaer Audio proudly presents Paerels III (aka Pearls 3), the third and final edition of its beloved 3x12" compilation series. This release brings together a refreshing splash of sounds, unbound by genre, blending deep-listening pieces with driving techno, rave-tinged house, and a few playful surprises. Contributions come from both familiar faces and new voices on the label, with some tracks pulled from the archives and others fresh out of the studio - curated by label-head Oberman. Featuring artists like Megan Leber, Mattheis with a remix from Pye Corner Audio, Marie K, Mattias El Mansouri, Cooper Saver, Kems Kriol, Martinou, Human Space Machine, Koraal, Eversines, Erik Luebs, Mathilde Nobel with an Oceanic remix, Mary Lake, and lastly Gotu Jim.
Twin Color - Vol 1 marks the grand return of Murcof to producing a full-length album in all its glory and generosity, nearly two decades after the release of Cosmos in 2007. Celebrated for his classical, minimalist textures and unique soundscapes, Murcof has established himself as a master of modern ambient music alongside Tim Hecker, Alva Noto, and Johann Johannsson. With this new album, Murcof takes a bold step forward, embracing a distinctly cinematic and dystopian narrative influenced by the great science fiction films of the 1980s. This new direction immerses the listener in atmospheres that are at times dark, at times filled with nostalgic brightness, drawing inspiration from post-punk and synth-wave, while partially reconnecting with his early experiments with the Nortec Collective.
Premiered at Mutek Montréal in August 2024, Twin Color is also an unprecedented audiovisual performance, created in collaboration with Simon Geilfus, based in Brussels, who has nourished and colored the album’s production. This immersive performance, conceived in the IRCAM studios in Paris in 2022, unfolds the album's tracks against a backdrop of moving natural landscapes, as mysterious as they are fascinating, highlighted in the album's visual elements.
Twin Color - Vol 1 will be available in vinyl, CD, and digital formats, each with track listings adapted to the listening experience. This album reaffirms Murcof’s unique sonic signature, blending analog synthesizers with modern production techniques to create a multisensory experience, propelling Murcof into an exciting new decade.
Breve is the new album by Stefan Paul Goetsch aka Hainbach.
"After a ceaseless amount of work and family struggles, 2023 had left me empty and tired. Instead of the many hats I usually wear, I shifted my focus exclusively on my music. For two weeks every day I sat down behind a few modular synths, a toy piano and an Ondioline, recording tape after tape. I did not lock myself in though - my kids were playing around me, commenting, touching knobs, adding oscillations. What in „deadline times“ can be disrupting, became restorative. I was with my family, just drifting on waveforms. I hope some of that atmosphere shines through, and the album can help you to find peace as it did for me.
Thanks to Forgotten Futures for the loan of the Ondioline and technician Daniel Kitzig for the beautiful restoration work." - Hainbach
Based out of Berlin, Germany, electronic music composer and performer Hainbach creates shifting audio landscapes THE WIRE called "One hell of a trip". His music has been released on Opal Tapes, Seil Records, Spring Break Tapes, Limited Interest and Marionette. He has been fascinated with sine tones, noise and FM since he discovered the dial on the radio. Never losing his childhood wonder, he still searches for the sounds in between on modular synths and other devices.
Quality Gatefold sleeve.. absolute classic. TIP!
August 1988, Spacemen 3 embark on one of the strangest events in the band's already strange history. Billed as "An Evening Of Contemporary Sitar Music" (although consciously omitting the sitar), the group would play in the foyer of Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford, Middlesex to a largely unsuspecting and unsympathetic audience waiting to take their seats for Wim Wenders' film Wings of Desire. Spacemen 3's proceeding set, forty-five minutes of repetitive drone-like guitar riffs, could be seen as the "Sweet Sister Ray" of '80s Britain. Their signature sound is at once recognizable and disorienting – pointing as much to the hypnotic minimalism of La Monte Young as to a future shoegaze constituency. On this double LP reissue, Dreamweapon is augmented by studio sessions and rehearsal tapes from 1987 that would lead up to the recording of Spacemen 3's classic Playing With Fire album. "Spacemen Jam," featuring Sonic Boom and Jason Pierce on dual guitar, is a side-long mediation on delicate textures and psychedelic effects. Includes download card and new insert with liner notes by Will Carruthers.
Always endeavoring to drop it a little way different, Ital Counselor Records once again stretch things in a forward direction while paying full and forceful tribute to that which has come before. This heartical 7" is a tribute to the late great Prince Lincoln Thompson in the form of a reimagined take on his composition "Kinky Money Game."
It is with great honor that ITAL COUNSELOR records has been able to work with two legends of the music business on this slab of plastic. Firstly, Jeb Loy Nichols comes with a storied history in music and the visual arts. He first came to ITAL COUNSELOR’s attention upon discovering the 1981 compilation, “Wild Paarty Sounds” via Cherry Red/On-U Sound. Later would be greater, with projects skirting the realms of country, soul, reggae, and leftfield. Bands like the Fellow Travelers, solo albums with Adrian Sherwood, and more recently writing songs for Horace Andy’s latest On-U album have all contributed to an impressive body of work.
Over the years when Jeb is not making music, he can be found writing books or churning out block prints of birds, leaves, pithy phrases, and the odd sleeve art for labels like Pressure Sounds, and, yes ITAL COUNSELOR. His sleeve work on this 7” indeed captures the essence of the music hiding under the cardboard exterior. Lo-fi, retro while poignantly on time. Social commentary manifested auditorily and visually.
Jeb’s reinterpretation of Thompson's original bubbles over a slow burning one drop built by none other than Studio One, Riz Records, and Tuff Scout Records alum Gil Cang. In yet another musical first brought to you by ITAL COUNSELOR, this piece of wax represents the only time Jeb and Gil have worked together. The results are a magical mix equally at home in the hands of a sound system operator unconstrained by the current ‘steppers’ norms as it is on a home stereo where one can deeply sit with the lyrics of depth and significance. An old time something feel for these nowadays times. An ITAL COUNSELOR Records essential.
Feel the vibes…
“The upcoming release is about the ‘Interconnection’ between different senses, for example sound and touch: when sound becomes vibration our perception enhances,” says Enrico. “The track creates a metaphor of the concept using a voice and a synthesizer that playfully evolve and merge into each other to become one, while still keeping their distinctive identities. ‘Interconnection’ is a track made for the dancefloor, a place where all our senses come together and go beyond the auditory experience, becoming a multisensory experience where we're all... interconnected.”
As a producer Enrico Sangiuliano has done it all, from remixes of classics to chart topping techno tracks that range from deep and dark to more melodic and euphoric. His creativity knows no bounds and after 'Can U Feel It' explored the connection between auditory perception and physical sensations with fresh and emotive rave sounds, this new sound impresses once more.
The brilliant 'Interconnection' is a pulsating cut that locks dancers into the hypnotic drums as flashes of acid synths spray about up top. Edgy vocal stabs add to the pressure as trance-infused pads change shape through various filters. They range from smooth and smudged to sawtooth and make the trip all the more dynamic. Each element has plenty of room to breath and make its mark and a spine-tingling breakdown offers a moment to set before the groove kicks in and oscillating pads take dancers to the next level.
Enrico Sangiuliano's Interconnection EP is another essential work from this revered talent.
Twenty-four strikes on Exarde with Parchi Pubblici, the hardware analog act from Italy who records his songs in one take and have been laying it heavily and steadily for a while, henceforth we can hear the result of it with our own ears. The release consists of four original works by the man himself with first three ready for peak time club cuts with the help of roaring analog machines. They are produced to ready to sweat the dance floor, these stories are followed by a great outro track to conclude this EP. “Pressed Trouble” which is the name of this disc describes the content of it perfectly, because sure as hell this body of work is on the mission to create trouble and trouble sometimes needed to construct the top-level audio trips. Having produced digital contents for the respected labels that you can look up, this is a debut physical vinyl release by the artist and it is a great honour to host him on the label and hopefully to many more to come in the future.
Prepare to embark on an immersive sonic journey with Rites of Passage, the self titled debut album from the enigmatic duo Atiq and dreadmaul.
Released on vinyl and digital, this album delivers an overwhelming and hypnotic interpretation of the age-old concept of transformation and initiation.
With each track, the listener is invited to delve deep into an otherworldly soundscape where mysticism and archaic rituals blend seamlessly with the pulse of modern electronic music.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, Rites of Passage transports you to a pre civilization era, incorporating organic elements like bone flutes, haunting throat singing, and shamanic invocations.
These sounds are woven into the fabric of intricate electronic arrangements, creating a unique atmosphere that feels timeless yet contemporary a delicate balance between the ancient and the modern.
This concept album is not just a collection of tracks its an experience, a ceremonial rite that transcends the listener from one state of mind to another.
The vinyl format, with its warmth and physicality, only heightens the immersion, making it an essential addition for collectors and audiophiles alike.
Whether youre a fan of experimental music or simply seeking something transformative, Rites of Passage delivers an unforgettable journey through sound.
A ritual in itself, this album truly earns its name.
Dont miss your chance to own a piece of this alchemy Rites of Passage on vinyl is a musthave for those ready to enter a new sonic dimension.
First release from @ascending.signs.records, @domenico.niki's own label.
Acid influences, percussive jams and emotional broken beats characterize the 3 tracks with unpredictable soundscapes, landing into new warm and dancing territories.
Goin "Through Lines" is a way to shine with the signs and open ascending points of view,
is a journey into new bright spaces and sonic feelings to let the deep come to light and move.
Audio engineering: @chromemastering
Visual design: @r_t_studio
Colombian-born artist Juan Carlos Torres Alonso, aka OKRAA, presents his third sonic exploration on A Strangely Isolated Place titled, La Gran Corriente. This album marks a profound shift in Juan's creative journey, where themes of portals, the illusion of time, and the paradoxes of self-discovery converge into a powerful auditory experience.
Following a transformative visit to Bogotá in May 2023, Juan underwent an introspective journey that inspired a new direction in his music. This experience, which he describes as an encounter with "an infinite current behind or inside of everything," led to a complete reimagining of his work. Abandoning previous demos, Juan embraced a liberated creative process that was both challenging and exhilarating.
La Gran Corriente is characterized by its innovative production techniques, eschewing fixed grids and BPMs in favor of fluid, organic structures and combining influences from Juan’s other production alias, ‘Laudrup’. This approach not only opened up new creative possibilities but also led to numerous "happy accidents," resulting in a body of work that is as unpredictable as it is cohesive.
At the heart of the album lies a poem written by Juan during production, a text that echoes the themes woven throughout the music. Translated loosely to English, the poem reflects on the nature of reality and time, with lines like "the land of oblivion is not real" and "the great current reminisces; time is an illusion." These words serve as both a guide and a reflection of the album’s deeper meaning.
La Gran Corriente is a record that invites the listener to unlearn and to immerse themselves in a sonic current that is both infinite and transformative. It’s a testament to the power of creative reinvention and the relentless pursuit of deeper truths through music.
Featuring artwork by Peter Skwiot Smith, La Gran Corriente is available on gatefold colored vinyl 2LP, mastered by Taylor Deupree / 12k Mastering.
Here at Mr Bongo we have been inundated with people asking us to reissue this release. Ana Frango Elétrico's petit cult classic masterpiece 'Little Electric Chicken Heart' from 2019, which was only ever released on vinyl and CD in Brazil and Japan, has fast become a collector's item.
Well received by fans, DJs, and reviewers on release, The Needle Drop expressed "Ana Frango Elétrico's authentically vintage fusion of chamber pop, rock, samba and jazz is a real blast!" listing it as one of its Top 50 Albums of 2019. The album's reputation has been slowly building ever since, gaining a Latin Grammy nomination in 2020, and now solidly cementing itself as a gem of contemporary Brazilian music.
Across the albums nine tracks, Ana blends elements and influences from MPB, Tropicália, indie rock, punk and pop, forging them together with a sumptuous dose of her signature style. The finesse of 'Saudade' kicks off the LP, one of Ana's most known tracks to a non-Brazilian audience. A sublime opener, beginning with a spellbinding piano solo before transcending into a beautiful dream-laden slice of warmth, complete with luscious jazzy horns and deft vocal delivery. ‘Promessa e previsões’ follows, the only track on the album not to be written by Ana, instead being penned by Chico França. It’s a swelling and sweeping twilight groover, building and breaking across absorbing peaks.
Other highlights on the album include the anthemic 'Chocolate', which was a firm favourite with a packed sing-along crowd when we heard Ana perform it live. Elsewhere, 'Se No Cinema' hits with its quirky allure, charm and catchy melodies before transforming into a carnival spirit.
Tapping into the richness of Brazil’s new wave of musical energy, the album also includes a heavyweight lineup of collaborations with artists such as Dora Morelenbaum (Bala Desejo), Tim Bernardes, Antonio Neves and Guilherme Lirio to name but a few.
A short, sweet and refreshing record, that leaves nothing to waste, marrying playful ideas with poignant themes. 'Little Electric Chicken Heart' is a future classic and will beguile fans of ‘70s Brazilian recordings, Gal Costa, Mac DeMarco, Stereolab, Superorganism, Caetano Veloso and more.
Ed Rain is somewhat of a “new” name on the label’s roster.
His fresh debut LP, titled ‘Met Him on a Wednesday’, explores various channels of artistic expressions and ideas, compiled together into a cohesive and entertaining album.
It is an immersive venture into post-genre sonic landscapes, providing glimpses into both the artist’s serious and playful sides, offering listeners a fun and captivating auditory experience.
Parsley Sounds was the glorious debut album for Mo Wax by Parsley Sound. The album was one of the iconic label’s final releases before it closed in 2003 and locating a clean copy has been extremely tricky of late, unless you're flush enough to drop 150 notes on it. Mercifully, the Be With reissue, put together with invaluable assistance from the group, should remedy this situation. It's a lo-fi, bass-heavy, blunted beat treat, warped with heat haze and dreamy soft-psych and has been criminally under-heard for far too long.
As with most cult-like records, Parsley Sounds has many influential fans, far and wide. From Four Tet and Caribou to NTS's modern day breakfast hero Flo Dill, its reputation has only grown in stature. At the time, the notoriously hard-to-please Pitchfork garlanded it with a scarcely achievable 8.8 whilst, just recently, the Numero Group's Rob Sevier described it as a "visionary bit of proto-Salvia Palth (or Steve Lacy)" via a Ghostly International missive.
Parsley Sound comprised super-talented duo Preston Mead and Dan Sargassa. They released an early single (the perfect "Twilight Mushrooms", featured here) on Warp Records as Slum, before signing to Mo Wax. Hidden behind a wall of sound - fuzzy layers of beats, bleeps and symphonic synths - they were convinced they made mainstream pop music. And, in many respects, Parsley Sounds really is a beautiful pop album. It overflows with memorable, gorgeous melodies and inspired songcraft. As the contemporaneous Pitchfork review correctly had it: "Parsley Sounds is one of those rare records that manage to sound modest while frequently pushing the sonic envelope."
Killer opener "Ease Yourself And Glide" is a thing of aching, soft-psych, wonky beat-beauty. A melodic masterpiece, part Crosby, Stills & Nash, part proto-Koushik, it presents a melancholy falsetto, surging bass and blunted lead guitar. As it climaxes, gorgeous strings are ushered in to see us out. Sublime. "Twilight Mushrooms" is up next and it's an acid-drenched, strung-out acoustic-led campfire wonder. Amid layers of tape-hiss and beautiful, sun-dappled strings, its understated vocal track provides a haze of wistful innocence.
The breezy "Spring's Near" is a krautrock-inspired chiming instrumental of heavenly excellence, its warm, skipping, motorik groove and dreamy synths completely infectious. Another total highlight, the technicolour "Yo Yo" initially presents itself as a more abstract, bleepy offering but as it organically swells into ever more beautiful places, with the addition of a choppy insistent drum loop, flute bursts, horns and sweeping strings, it puts one in mind of early Manitoba and Four Tet releases. Shimmering, blissed-out greatness.
The celestial harmonies and glistening harps of the wonderfully beatless, serenely sullen "Ocean House" are very much in conversation with late-60s meditative psych whilst, closing out Side A, the jaw-dropping, lushly experimental effort "Find The Heat" comes on like Arthur Russell meets Brian Wilson. Yep, *that* good.
Side B opens with the warped, bleepy "Stevie", a brief but beautifully wonky, soulful and intricate instrumental. The more upfront vocals that propel the fuzzy "Platonic Rate" have a refreshing swagger to them, the heavy bass and neck-snapping in-the-red beats too much for any system to deal with whilst the guitars and strings have a sweeping, cinematic feel which just beguiles. The slow, urbane soul of "Candlemice" will stop you in your tracks, no matter what you're doing. It carries a delicate sadness, as does much of the album in that classic "down lifting" style we so love here at Be With.
The fuzzing, buzzing "Templechurchmansions" is a searing, soulful dubwise detonation. Heavily stoned with slow-burning jazzy snatches and a tense, moody atmosphere, it's a Tricky-adjacent gem. The album rounds out brilliantly with the ominous instrumental "Neon Breeze" before giving way to the propulsive, almost incongruous punk-funk / disco-dub of secret "untitled" track "Caution", a scratchy, smacked-out groove-fuelled workout with a female vocal dripping with 'tude. Just sensational.
Under the watchful eye - and attentive ears! - of Parsley Sound themselves, the audio for Parsley Sounds has been carefully mastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, with a few much needed tweaks here and there, according to the artist's wishes. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the records have been pressed to the highest possible standard at the always stellar Record Industry in Holland.
Preston and Dan always thought the colours on the first vinyl pressing looked a bit "washed out" vis-a-vis the original artwork which was way more vibrant. We feel we've got it popping back to the original intention with the restoration work here at Be With HQ. So with the audio and artwork now approaching completeness after 20 years, this long overdue re-issue could be considered its definitive vinyl release.




















