quête:be with you

Whitney Houston's third studio album, I'm Your Baby Tonight, is now available on a single LP vinyl edition. Houston served as executive producer for the first time on this 4x Platinum album, originally released on November 6th, 1990. In addition to working with previous producers Narada Michael Walden and Michael Masser, she also worked with the production team of L.A. Reid and Babyface, as well as Luther Vandross, and recorded a duet with Stevie Wonder. Houston also produced the closing song "I'm Knockin'" with her tour music director Rickey Minor. This new vinyl edition features a new essay by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, photos, lyrics, and fan testimonials.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra came to life in basements and bedrooms, the musical vision of Portlander-via-New Zealand Ruban Nielson that fused guitar-god riffs, choppy percussion, soul and funk. II, the sophomore album from UMO, emerged in an era rampant hedonism and isolationism and became the blueprint for everything Nielson has become renowned for. It was, and is, the solidification of Unknown Mortal Orchestra as an endlessly intriguing, brave and addictive band. Ten years on, it's back with an expanded edition. Written during a punishing, debauched touring schedule during which Nielson feared for both his sanity and health, II illustrates the emotional turmoil of life on the road, painting surrealist, cartoonish portraits of loneliness, love and despair. These conflicting themes are evident immediately; on the album's sleeve is an unnerving image of Janet Farrar, the famous British witch, Wiccan, author and teacher of witchcraft. The chilling refrain of opener "Into The Sun" sees Nielson deliver the line "Isolation can put a gun in your hand," softly, his words starkly intelligible above a warm, slow-burning melody that quickly brands itself onto your brain. His playful imagery ("I'm so lonely I've gotta eat my popcorn all alone") mirrors the melody, before a solo that borders on psychotropic ends II`s introduction. UMO is unafraid to dig deeper than the rest, their intoxicating, opiate groove bringing rock'n'roll's exaggerated myths to life. And as it unfolds, II does find Nielson reenergized. "One At A Time" and "Faded In The Morning" boast dizzying choruses and instrumentals; these crusty hunks could have been excavated from a lost 1960s treasure trove. "Monki" unravels over seven minutes like the yarn from a stoner's cardigan with an eye-frying pattern. "Dawn" is a minute of disconcerting noise that stands out between the nooks and crannies of the choruses, guitar solos, groove-heavy bass and drums that were recorded live by newly-recruited drummer Greg Rogove and Kody Nielson in a move away from the electronic percussion employed on album one. II closes with "Secret Xtians," a tender observational puzzle that fizzes to a satisfied end. In celebration of the album's 10th anniversary Nielson's complete collection from the II era is finally available in one compilation, and features the five acoustic tracks from the Blue EP as well as two additional B-sides. Unknown Mortal Orchestra was once Nielson's closeted concern. With an album that uses his singular musical imagination and extraordinary talent to parade his emotions with unyielding honesty, it is now a fully realized band operating at the peak of its powers ten years on.

Frozen reeds presents the only recorded duo playing of two legendary musical figures. Derek Bailey and Paul Motian – two longstanding pioneers of distinct strains of improvised music – came together for a brief period of collaboration in the early 1990s. Tapes of their two known live performances (one at Groningen’s JazzMarathon festival in the Netherlands, the other a year later at New Music Cafe, NYC) were recently unearthed in the Incus archives, and their contents will surprise and delight fans of both supremely idiosyncratic musicians.

The Groningen concert (1990) is released on vinyl, while the New York date (1991) is included with the digital download, free of charge for all purchasers. A conversation between Bill Frisell and Henry Kaiser on Bailey, Motian, their intertwined backgrounds, and the significance of these recordings is included as sleeve-note insert.

“This is one of those moments that we’re always hoping for, and it's so rare. And it's so hard to talk about, because it's so beautiful. It's like you're seeing some new species of plant that you never knew existed or something.” – Bill Frisell

Each player bringing decades of crucial experience to their encounters – with histories taking in vast swathes of the development of jazz and free improvisation – these fleeting shared moments provide some of the most riveting playing in the career of either.

There is precious little recorded evidence of Motian as a free improviser, but his mastery is beyond any doubt in these recordings. From knife-edge precision to textural haze, Motian’s palette is astounding, but perhaps even more impressive is his confidence in the non-idiomatic conversation itself. Pushing far beyond the established vocabulary of free percussion, his playing allows a measured degree of repetition to take form, giving rise to almost song-like structures. The covert influence of the drummer’s work on the post-rock genre (just taking its first nascent steps in the early 1990s) is made overt here.

In turn, Bailey allows some of his most unashamedly melodic passages to unfold without a mote of his trademark contrariness or antagonism. Patterns that would be acerbically disrupted elsewhere are allowed to settle, with variations of note and timbre introduced more gradually than is typical of his playing. When forceful changes in dynamics or tone do arrive, they do so in such close tandem with Motian’s rhythmic and textural transitions as to beggar belief. The guitarist’s duos with percussionists (Jamie Muir, Han Bennink, John Stevens…) arguably provide some of the highlights of his discography. ‘Duo in Concert’ represents a strong addition to the list.

An elegant sense of construction pervades the sets, as the duo ably fulfil the promise of free improvisation: carving out hugely compelling, expertly balanced, and thrillingly paced music as if from thin air.

tom Ravenscroft at 6music amongst others. And now, in true AMO1 creative fashion they are presenting an off-shoot release of that album, one completely reimagined by the man, the myth: Ricardo Villalobos.
Much has been written and talked about when it comes to producer/DJ Ricardo Villalobos over the years.
The mercurial Chilean-German artist has consistently redefined the boundaries of techno and electronica over the past 30-years as a producer, whilst also traversing the world and expanding minds as a DJ who can equally delight as he does challenge.Like a great jazz drummer (he was a percussionist before discovering mixing records), Villalobos has not so much as broken “the rules” of structure as just created his own unique approach. One that is often surprising, ever open-minded, and clearly lead by whatever happens to be inspiring him at any given moment. Watching him work or hearing him play music always feels live and free. He’s an artist. And that is exactly how this (perhaps unlikely) collaborative album has come to light – but then this is Ricardo, so maybe we should all know by now that anything is possible.
Villalobos explains, “In my scientific search for some electroacoustic musical landscapes, the offer of remixing ‘Black Apple Pink Apple’ was just perfect for me… In general, the song writing is so very good and particular, with all the instruments played into a sequencer, so it was very inspiring to strip down these pop songs into my dubby extensions, taking only the drums, bass, and vocals of the song.” Expanding further, “After delivering the first remix, Mo and myself came up with the idea of reimagining the whole album in a new way, mixed simple with other ears and my inspirations, with a new and different point of view of what instruments are important to hold the song to bare itself.”
It says a lot, and somehow captures the essence of Ricardo’s approach to music (and life), that one remix soon evolved into a whole plethora of reimagined works, driven by a creative slipstream and a clear connection to the songs created by A Mountain of One.
Mo Morris provides more insight into his own connection with Villalobos, “I lived in Berlin back in 2002-04 and used to religiously go to dance to Rici at the after (after) hours parties: little, tiny events. And he just used to blow my mind, I hadn’t heard anything like it before (or since). Ultra-modern and forward thinking.”
Mo continues, “A good friend connected to Ibiza happenings introduced me to Ricardo as it transpired that he was a fan of our early material, so I sent him some demo’s when we were in the studio creating ‘Stars Planets Dust Me’ and he loved ‘Black Apple Pink Apple’. The relationship and collaboration grew from there really, and I hope that this release is still at the start of what we can all create together.”
Focussing in on the album at hand – ‘Ricardo Villalobos reimagines: Stars Planets Dust Me’ – we are treated to a concept listen that guides us from dreamy daytime Balearic pop – staying very true to the original songs – all the way through to completely original deep dubby techno excursions. And to Villalobos fans, it will perhaps surprise (and hopefully delight) how light a touch he has provided to the opening tracks, focussing more on enhancing the sonics, and allowing the originals to shine brighter through remastering and mixing down. It’s in these moments that we see Ricardo as a pure music fan, needing not overly change or alter what’s already been created, but simply doing what he can to maximise what’s already there.
What will certainly delight Ricardo fans are the four full ‘klub’ remixes provided of ‘Black Apple Pink Apple’, ‘Make My Love Grow’, ‘Softlanding’ and ‘Dealer’ that each boldly explore the outer regions of the dancefloor in a way that only Villalobos can.
Mo rounds off, “From an electronic and sonics standpoint he’s kind of out there on his own. It’s such a unique sound. Weatherall also had this, and Harvey has that unique flavour, and also people like Nils Frahm and Max Richter have this gift. It’s not an easy thing to produce. Ricardo has his own personal cosmic trademark.”
Indeed he does. Take a trip with him around the stars and planets and see for yourself.

They're baaaack_.. While Brainstory is in the studio finishing their sophomore full-length, they treat us to this bombshell of a 7" as a taste of what's to come. They teamed back up with El Michels Affair who is handling production on the whole album and everything about this is leveled up. This show stopping plug & ballad two-sider is clear evidence of that. Side A is an uplifting, dance floor burning, smash hit that shows what years of touring and backing Lady Wray have brought out of Brainstory. "Nobody But You" is built on drummer Eric Hagstrom's crushing back beat that lays the foundation for this inspirational feel good banger that manages to take the uncomfortable truth that "nobody will save you but you" and turn it into pure blissful motivation. Then they drop a ballad on the flip side that is going to cause an entire scene to reconsider how they are doing it. The B side "Gift Of Life" is drop dead gorgeous, haunting, and profound all at once. An homage to the mysteries of life and the intangible truths that the human experience is built on.

For much of this album, his 16th in 26 years, Hiatt reunites with his best band, the Goners, and takes a giant leap back to his still-hungry days as a jag-edged, Costello-esque rocker while hewing to the soulful, blues-based songwriting he perfected on 1987's Bring the Family. The withering pub rock of 1979's Slug Line--as well as a nod to fallen hero Dale Earnhardt--seeps into the title track, while the roaring guitar, courtesy of the brilliant Sonny Landreth, and tight rhymes of "All the Lilacs in Ohio" suggest the streetwise edge of 1983's Riding with the King. But it's with ballads such as "Something Broken" and "Come Home to You" that Hiatt's musicianship, songwriting, and deeply soulful vocals truly convince and offer the most moving moments on this, his most memorable album in many years.

As the title suggests, the recording Tenorlee finds Lee Konitz, the great American saxophonist,
playing exclusively on tenor. It was a spontaneous decision, and a tribute to his dear friend,
Lighthouse All-Star saxophonist Richie Kamuca, who had passed away just days before Konitz
entered the studio for these sessions. Konitz classically trained on the clarinet, but switched to jazz
saxophone after being enamored by Lester Young. By 1945 the 18 year old Konitz was performing
professionally. He made a staggering 150 albums as a band leader over the course of his long and
storied career. He played and recorded with everyone from Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Ornette
Colman, Elvin Jones, and Gerry Mulligan, to Elvis Costello, Brad Mehldau and Charlie Haden.
Between 1948 and 1950, he was a member of Miles Davis’ group, and participated in the recordings
that would eventually be collected and released as Birth of The Cool. With a trio featuring Lighthouse
All-Star alum Jimmy Rowles on piano and Michael Moore on bass, Kontiz called out old and familiar
songs. The intention was to “let the tunes happen” as only finely tuned jazz musicians of certain
experience can. Of note is “Lady Be Good” which finds Konitz and Rowles quoting Lester Young’s
solo from the 1936 recording with Count Basie. From 1978, originally on the Choice label, this album
has been remastered and is presented here as the artist intended, with its original title, track order and
album artwork, for the first time since its original release. Remastered by Alex McCollough at True
East Mastering. Vinyl cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl.

The guitarist and composer, Trond Kallevåg, sets sail and explores the stories and mystique of American music and culture. With a cinematic quality reminiscent of Ry Cooder and Bill Frisell, that could serve as the soundtrack of a Cohen Brothers movie, it draws inspiration from transformative journeys of hundreds of thousands of Norwegians who embarked on transformative journeys across the vast ocean."Amerikabåten," (“The American boat” in English) is Trond Kallevåg’s highly anticipated third album following the critical success of "Bedehus & Hawaii" (2019) and "Fengselsfugl" (2021). To bring his stories to life, Trond has assembled a stellar ensemble of esteemed young Norwegian musicians, including Selma French, Daniela Reyes, Håkon Aase, Jo Berger Myhre, and Ola Øverby. These talented individuals, who also boast successful solo careers, are revered figures in today's vibrant Norwegian music scene. Drawing from Norwegian hymns, old broadside ballads and Americana, "Amerikabåten" builds upon Trond's unique sound, incorporating the vast expanse of American folk music. Trond's guitar serves as a tool for musical expression, providing a melodic foundation and narrative quality that allows fellow musicians to shine. Trond expands his sonic palette, complementing his masterful guitar skills with the haunting melodies of the pedal steel guitar. As with his previous albums, Trond's compositions and meticulous production are integral to his creative process, bringing his artistic vision to life. Composing and mixing all the music himself, Trond's honest and lyrical instrumental expression earning him praise from critics worldwide."Fengselsfugl" (2021) unveiled Trond's evocative guitar mastery and compositions, which drew inspiration from traditional Norwegian prison ballads and his own firsthand experiences within the walls of Oslo Prison. The album garnered significant acclaim from critics worldwide, further solidifying Trond's artistic prowess. Trond Kallevåg's "Amerikabåten", merges traditional Norwegian and American music into a fresh, contemplative and thrilling ride across the ocean with some of Norway’s finest young musicians."

Bathed in a green haze, the crowd oozed to the mutant rock and roll roaring from the basement's dusty depths — everything and everyone was sweaty and sticky. But as Speedy Ortiz crammed into the back corner, their grins just inches away from ours, D.C.’s Dougout became a moshed-and-sloshed sauna of 20-somethings delirious on rock euphoria.

After spending much of the new millennium bored out of my skull by network soap indie, Speedy Ortiz — not to mention its pals in Pile, Ovlov, Grass is Green and the rest of New England’s burgeoning basement scene — was rock's wild howl. The songs were unpredictable, yet weirdly memorable, swaggering with a winky and wry sense of self. Riffs would twist with a topsy tenderness, then slam a ruptured discord. Sadie Dupuis' sphinxian-yet-sensitive lyrics were not only matched but accentuated by her coil-sprung vibrato. How could Speedy Ortiz not immediately become my new favorite band?

What began as a short-lived solo project recorded in Dupuis' off-hours as a rock camp counselor became a four-piece band in Northampton, Mass., by the end of 2011: Dupuis on guitar and vocals with drummer Mike Falcone, bassist Darl Ferm and guitarist Matt Robidoux. They made cool mixtapes, cracked inside jokes and gushed about teenagers that opened for them on tour. They freaked out (via LiveJournal) when they met the bassist from Polvo or Helium's Mary Timony, but also rolled their eyes at '90s indie-rock comparisons. The band's first single — the gender-bending got-laid grunge yowler "Taylor Swift'' — elicited that rare response of the simultaneous giggle and headbang. The Sports EP amped up the taut yet rubbery riffery.

Released July 9, 2013, Major Arcana is filled with wedding chapel exorcisms, oiled-down attractants and criminally twisted puny little villains — this is Dupuis' haunted lexicon as she scales the toxic Aggro Crag of a breakup. And while Dupuis wrote these songs, the band's convulsing arrangements and diverse influences sprawled the squigglier edges of feedbacked fuzz to mete out matters of the heart. Falcone — who, it's worth noting, has a knack for vocal harmony — swung as much as he smashed the drums. In easily tipoverable songs, Ferm's burly bass and percussive overdubs gave the unruly glee its momentum. Robidoux ripped skronky guitar solos and countered Dupuis' riffs with decorative splatter. Over a four-day marathon session at Sonelab in Easthampton, recording engineer Justin Pizzoferrato sparked the studio imagination of Speedy Ortiz — not only leaning into gritty tones but layer-caking dense dynamics that made these songs pop and pulverize.

For all her sweet-toothed seething, Dupuis was not easy on herself. Everyone's allowed the idiot growing pains of your 20s and the misery that follows, but I can only imagine the emotional exhaustion that playing these songs on the road, night after night, must have wrought. "But you left something on my lips: a mark so sick," she repeats over the doomy destruction that ends the album. Thinking back to the many Speedy Ortiz shows I caught in those early years, including an unofficial after-after party for my own wedding, "MKVI" often served as the noisy down-and-out closer — heads would bang in solidarity as the crowd became co-authors in the chaos, the biting phrase now a hex, Speedy Ortiz forever our coven. —Lars Gotrich

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Major Arcana, Speedy Ortiz release a remastered edition on Carpark Records.

Dalmata Daniel welcomes Filmmaker and Petros Spatharos for the eighth part of their split series. This obscure 3-3 track vinyl is the debut of the Columbian music maker on the label. However, for the Athens-based producer it's a return after his participation on "Dalmata Daniel eats Lahmacun" compilation. But this project isn't their first collaboration, because Petros released his first album on Body Musick, Filmmaker's own imprint.

Filmmaker probably doesn't really need to be introduced to those who are comfortable with contemporary underground music. In less than five years he has composed and released a huge and relevant oeuvre by himself or on labels such as the UK-based Opal Tapes, Dutch Tartarus, Greek Phormix or the German Veyl, etc. To add Dalmata Daniel to this list is kind of a dream come true for the label, because they have been following his musical journey since the beginning. And no doubt, his side of the vinyl is another testament to his already perfected sound. What you recognise from the first moment of this noisy, industrial, sometimes dissonant ebm driven electro, infused with a film noir atmosphere and total darkness.

While on the flip side, Petros Spatharos keeps the obscurity going, which is the real link with his split partner's music. Only his sound is clean, not chaotic, but rather underworld techno with an extremely restrained tempo and some beyond-the-grave acid screams. That's how this inferno journey will be complete with full of dark emotional atmospheres and hypnotic textures.

After two years, Carl and Andreas present their second album, and once again, it opens up a wide associative space for us. What strikes us initially is the uncommon instrumentation: a church organ, harpsichord, glass tubes, and more. Like their first album (The Aporias of Futurism), it is mysterious and dark. But it also carries a strong touch of rebellion and adrenaline, sometimes quite pointedly. The pieces are now shorter and feature intricate yet irresistible rhythms. The impact is immediate, yet it maintains a sense of solemnity and ceremony. The Apollonian complexity of the rhythms and subtle melodic interweavings is transformed into a Dionysian, ecstatic, hypnotic, and at times tribal context. "Music for Unknown Rituals" oscillates between primitive instincts and avant-garde intrigues.

The process began in Döblitz, a small village on the Saale river in Germany, inside an old church that houses an organ built in 1886 by Johann Adolph Ibach. Carl and Andreas gained access and secluded themselves there for a few days, accompanied by the organ, an instrument made of glass tubes, and a set of modular synthesizers. After recording the basic tracks in Döblitz, the work continued in Munich and Berlin. Carl played electric guitars, harpsichord, bass, metallophone, xylophone, Indian harmonium, and various percussive instruments. Andreas added layers of electronic sounds, noises, and atmospheric drones. He also created percussive structures extracted and derived from recorded material of technical and industrial noises, which contrasted with the acoustic drums played by Carl. The antithetical approach continues with the dichotomous arrangement of the instruments, often panned hard left and right in the stereo field, creating an antiphonic communication. Some parts, especially the use of the electric guitar, evoke memories of the psychedelic sixties. However, this is anything but a nostalgic album—these musical references are merely remnants, set pieces, and fragments used from a contemporary, post-modern, post-youth-cultural, and post-romantic perspective.

Although Andreas and Carl continue on their chosen path of composing music with an almost literary narrative structure, this album is conceptually and formally completely different from their first effort. If “The Aporias of Futurism” was a revolutionary manifesto (in a pataphysical sense), "Music for Unknown Rituals" is more like the implementation in action; it is the practical application of the previous statement. To put it another way, if "The Aporias of Futurism” was the conceptual manifesto of a dark utopia of modernity, "Music for Unknown Rituals" is the staging of free will surrendering to the myths and catharsis of a Greek tragedy. And in response to this, the artwork features a leitmotif of histrionics with hands, the hands being the first and intuitive part of the body to express something: a ritual, a prayer, a defeat...

— Andreas Gerth is one half of Driftmachine, and Carl Osterhelt is part of F.S.K and collaborates with Hans-Joachim Irmler of Faust. Both became connected through their participation in the Tied & Tickled Trio.

Charly Records have done plenty of leg work here thatmeans you can save yourself lots of time and effort and immediately make yourself out to be a font of dub and reggae wisdom. Treasure Isle Solid Gold is a well curated selection of the most vital club hits produced by the legendary Jamaican label owner Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid. You will know plenty of the artists he worked with from the opener John Holt via Rolando Alphonso Baba Brooks Band, Don Drummond & The Skatalites and U-Roy & The Pargons.

The sounds are varied but never less than sensational across both sides of wax.

First color pressing. This debut ACL performance on August 9, 2003, captures songs from Neko Case’s three seminal solo releases at the time, combining elements of country, gospel and punk for a very unique sound. That’s why pundits often find the music hard to classify. Which is a good thing. Her voice has been described as lush, torchy, melancholic - even scary (someone once wrote that “she sings like Patsy Cline’s ghost”). She certainly doesn’t sound like anything else on today’s hit parade. Neko began her career as a drummer in a punk band, but it wasn’t long before she started experimenting with songwriting and singing. She also continues to perform as a member of The New Pornographers, but her solo work is where her songwriting skills shine most. As she herself says, “I want to write songs that are timeless...maybe just something more like a novel than a short story.” After the show, Neko took the time to write the ACL staff to thank everybody for making her, her band and friends feel so welcome. “I feel very proud of how the show turned out...It’s so great to find out that something you admire so much is run by good people. Be proud! You kick ass!” You, too, Neko… – Terry Lickona (producer Austin City Limits)

'Smoking in Heaven' is back! After 12 years, our second studio album is receiving its long-awaited re-issue, this time on double Pink Smoke vinyl. The tracks, each one unique, are united upon this album by a strong sense of playfulness, deep rhythmic quality and an unfailing dedication to authenticity. This fast paced album exudes the vitality that in the past has come to captivate the likes of Chris Martin, Eagles of Death Metal and the late Amy Winehouse as well as Dustin Hoffman and Ewan McGregor. In fact their rapturous reception was so strong in the case of Chris Martin that he handpicked the young trio to tour the U.S with Coldplay.

Daryl Runswick is a musical polymath, a top Jazz double bass player he has played with the likes of Stan Sulzmann, Alan Branscombe , Henry Lowther and Tony Coe to name but a few but is also a TV composer, was bassist and then pianist for Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth and is also a highly regarded contemporary classical composer. In Young Man Songs we find Daryl in song writer mode, teaming up with lyricist Kerry Lee Crabbe, these songs come from the 80 when Daryl was a young man trying to sell his musical wares these are more than demos, beautifully recorded and performed, echoes of Bacharach but ultimately Daryl has his own unique musical voice.

This album, except for one track, dates from the 1982 sessions, wonderfully recorded by John Burns.

These songs came to be a record accidentally and unintentionally. They were written sporadically over a tumultuous two years riddled with more valleys than mountaintops. We considered it a victory when we could actually make ourselves get together to write, even if we struggled to produce anything of any quality. Creativity was tough amidst half-hearted business relationships, being dropped from our label, inconsistent touring, and filing personal bankruptcy. It took a toll on everything: our confidence, our outlook, our health, our happiness. In late 2015, our friend Brandi Carlile invited us to Seattle to play a couple of shows in her hometown. It was there that we explained all that had transpired with our career, how we were barely staying afloat. It was also there that she told us she would be producing our next record. Once we saw that this fantasy could actually become a reality, the frantic search for enough songs to make an album began. To our surprise, we had many things to say, and though some were difficult to write and slow to reveal themselves, we pushed onward. The songs here carry a common thread of what remained when we felt like we’d lost everything. It was in the hardest times that we saw the core of where our music and our souls originate. We still had our homes, our family, our friends, and our fans. This is not a record about rising from the ashes. Rather, it is a deep look into ourselves in an attempt to put out the flames. These songs are our catharsis; an effort to forgive, an effort to heal, an effort to look back into the darkness with newfound light and undeterred fearlessness, an effort to redeem ourselves. The damage was done, but our hearts remained.

The sophomore album from NYC musician and singer-songwriter Kyle Avallone, is a collection of nostalgic meditations that take you out of the smoky bar and into the gray daylight of a seaside town. It is a cinematic dreamscape steeped in warm vocals, lush synthesizers, and sweeping steel guitars. Throughout the ten songs, tender narratives play like home movies on a living room wall, revealing little worlds and distilled memories.
Recorded at Studio G in Brooklyn with Jeff Berner (Psychic TV), Avallone reaches beyond the lo-fi sleaze of his 2020 debut, Last Minute Man, for a higher fidelity and grander sound palette. “After making a record by myself on an old four-track tape machine, it felt like a natural progression to go into a proper studio and play music with my friends". The core band consists of Mark Perro (The Men) on keys and Russell Hymowitz on bass, who both sing backing vocals, along with David Christian on drums. On several tunes, pedal steel played by Jon “Catfish” DeLorme (The Nude Party) dances around Avallone’s baritone voice, delivering a twang that is distinctively more New York than Nashville.
Inspired by the conversational storytelling of artists like Terry Allen and Lou Reed, Avallone was moved to capture the drama and mystery of his own life experiences. The characters we meet here are flawed. Mistakes are made and lies are told. Love is either lost or on the line. Dreams manifold as both echoes of the past and hopes for the future – the faded glow of childhood impressions in “Down the Hill”; the single mothers’ kitchen table reverie in “Going to the Beach”; the lament for summer’s end in “Vacant Sea”.

Ben E. King was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He rose to prominence as one of the principal lead singers of the R&B vocal group The Drifters, singing the lead vocals on three of their biggest hit singles "There Goes My Baby", “This Magic Moment", and "Save the Last Dance for Me". As a soloist, King is best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", which became a Top 10 hit. Additionally, King was the original recording artist of the singles "Spanish Harlem", "Groovin'", and "Till I Can't Take It Anymore" all of which have been covered by multiple artists.

Since their formation in 1977 Mark Perry’s group Alternative TV have moved far away from their more direct punk rock beginnings into all manner of other areas of music that have sometimes themselves drawn from improvisation, free jazz, industrial and electronic music. On Direct Action, Alternative TV’s first studio album since Opposing Forces in 2015, we are presented with six instrumental tracks which steadily rip apart all expectations as they shed all allusions to rock music in favour of the kinda sonic mutilations that once helped 1979’s classic (and Nurse With Wound list endorsed) Vibing Up the Senile Man (Part One) stumble into weird and wonderful shapes. Direct Action marries guttural electronics to sounds most artists would consign to the bin and through Perry’s long perfected mastery of pulling together disparate strands to create something entirely alchemical and invigorating delivers a unique stamp to the ATV story. With the help of longtime collaborator Dave Morgan alongside the input of Gareth Matthews, Ruth Tidmarsh and Cos Chapman, abstract patterns of dishevelled sound rub alongside occasional percussion, disembodied plasma guitar strums and even what seems like an oboe groaning in a murky corner. Similar to its distant cousin of Vibing…, everything adds up to a whole that’s demanding yet completely rewarding as every listen prises open the dark scab of contemporary malaise to reveal something fresh. The front cover’s homage to an incredible album by a pioneering electronic group we are not going to name should in itself point to the unpredictable nature of the music here. If you are savvy enough to get that reference, then you’re on the right path to understanding where Direct Action resides. Easy listening this ain’t. Limited to 600

NEA Jazz Master, Toots Thielemans, is widely considered to be the preeminent jazz harmonica
player. It is safe to say that before him, the harmonica in jazz was simply not done, and Thielemans
can be credited with legitimizing the instrument in the genre. Born in Brussels, Belgium in 1922.
Theileman’s excelled on accordion as a small child, before picking up the guitar as a teenager after
hearing Django Reinhart. Along the way, he taught himself to play harmonica as a hobby. In 1948,
during a visit to the US, he sat in on guitar with a jazz group at small club in New York and was
“discovered.” Engagements soon followed with the likes of Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Miles
Davis, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones and more. As the story goes, in response to a
musicians’ union restriction, Thielemans was forbidden to play guitar at a gig. So, he pulled out his
harmonica. The rest, as they say, is history. He went on to have a long and prolific career on the
instrument, as both a band leader and session musician. With his unique sound, he became a go-to
for film scores in the 1970s (The Pawn Broker, Midnight Cowboy). Perhaps most notably, Thielemans
is unconsciously known to generations for having played the melody on Sesame Street’s famous
closing theme. Organized as a purely jazz session, the date here prominently features a young Joanne
Brackeen on piano. It is perhaps Brackeen’s presence that makes this set so interesting. As an
avant-garde player she provides the vehicle for Thielemas to explore more advanced ideas. The
album covers a wide range of material, including two originals by Brackeen, alongside standards by
Coltrane, Ellington, Mercer and Mancini.