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Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos welcome listeners to a new day with SOL, their groundbreaking second album for Olindo Records. Venezuelan rhythms and traditional songs blend with spiritual jazz, psychedelic funk, and Afrobeat, delivering an exhilarating, boundary-pushing experience.
Led by Venezuelan bassist Raúl Monsalve, the group gained international acclaim with Bichos (2020), praised for its Afrobeat influences from legends like Fela Kuti and Orlando Julius, alongside Afro-Venezuelan rhythms. Featuring Luzmira Zerpa (Family Atlantica) and Betsayda Machado, the album earned praise from The Wire, Songlines, Gilles Peterson, and others, with airplay on BBC 6 Music, NTS, and Worldwide FM. This success brought performances at Super Sonic Jazz Festival and Shambala Festival.
SOL marks a leap forward for Los Forajidos, evolving from a studio project into a cohesive ensemble. Monsalve, now contributing bass, vocals, and percussion, is joined by vocalist Lya Bonilla, keyboardist Edgar Bonilla, flautist/guitarist Nando Guerrero, saxophonist Andrés Vela, drummer Mario Orsinet, and percussionist Yves Prud’homme.
The album features contributions from producer Nick Woodmansey (Emanative), singer Carlos Talez, mixing by Malcolm Catto (The Heliocentrics), percussionist Gustavo Ovalles, and Congolese guitarist Kiala Nzavotunga.
Drawing from Venezuelan traditions while embracing modern influences like George Clinton, Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi, Jeff Parker, and Nyege Nyege Tapes, SOL bridges cultural heritage and forward-thinking artistry.

"Perfect Teeth" war das finale Album der amerikanischen Indie-Institution Unrest. Dreißig Jahre nach der ursprünglichen Veröffentlichung lassen 4AD und die Band es als Doppelalbum neu aufleben. Die 30th Anniversary Edition besteht aus dem remasterten Originalalbum sowie "Extra Teeth", einem Bonusalbum mit EP-Tracks, Singles und Raritäten. Unrest, die ihren Namen einer Henry-Cow-Platte entliehen hatten, gründeten sich 1983 in einer Schule in Arlington, Virginia. Anfangs noch improvisierende Instrumentalband, perfektionierten sie bald einen vielseitigen Sound mit unterschiedlichen Genreeinflüssen. Sie veröffentlichten ihre Musik über TeenBeat, das Label ihres Frontmannes Mark Robinson und später auch bei 4AD, Caroline und Matador. Auf "Perfect Teeth" sind die Gründungsmitglieder Mark Robinson und Phil Kraut sowie Bassistin Bridget Cross (ursprünglich Sängerin von Velocity Girl) zu hören. Das Album wurde im Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota aufgenommen, wo erst kurz zuvor Nirvanas "In Utero" fertiggestellt wurde. Brian Paulson, bekannt durch seine Arbeit für Slints "Spiderland", nahm "Perfect Teeth" auf. Die Produktion übernahm Simon LeBon. Für die 30th Anniversary Edition wurde das Album nun inklusive aller Bonustracks - meist auf Grundlage der Originalbänder - neu gemastert. In Zusammenarbeit mit Designer Chris Bigg enstand ein neues Backcover, ein neues Sleeve sowie das "Extra Teeth" Artwork. Der einmalig neu aufgelegte Release kommt mit einem 16-seitigen Art Catalogue mit Linernotes von Unrest, 4AD-Gründer Ivo Watts-Russel und Chris Bigg.

It's hard to imagine El León Pardo, a loyal advocate of some of the most advanced projects in which folklore is the road map and the destination itself, without his kuisi. It's hard to see him with his hands free. Always holding on to that ancestral instrument, that pre-Colombian flute that survived the conquest and has become a symbol of resistance, overcoming the ravages of time, the imposition of ideologies, dogmas and religions. Despite all that, the kuisi continues with its liberating sound, the power of its cry, its invitation to dance, its sound a cure and a blessing. That's why it leads the way in this Viaje Sideral ("Space Voyage"), an astral journey in which the kuisi is the vehicle and the life force of the rhythm. Viaje Sideral feels like floating eternally in the infinite cosmos. This second long player from El León Pardo is inspired by humanity's relationship with the stars, escaping to mythical planes and led into a trance by Caribbean percussions, analog synths, deep bass, electric guitars and the hypnotic vibrations of the kuisis and trumpets that complete the soundtrack of this voyage. Through these nine songs, El León Pardo continues to create a sound of his own, evolving in his intention to pay tribute to the psychedelia of the tropical world of the Caribbean in the 1970s and 80s, but this time also taking as reference artists like Terry Riley, Kraftwerk and Mad Professor, including the roots of ambient and electronic music with the characteristic sound of the kuisi, an encounter of dreamlike and astral sounds, with the music of the bandas pelayeras of the tropics and figures like Pedro Laza and Juan Lara. In this new universe the Cartagena trumpeter dialogs with the past, processing the ideas that have emerged over the years and morphed into his personal search that gives an identity to his ideas, nurtured by figures like producer Diego Gómez (Llorona Records, Discos Pacífico, Cerrero) who awoke his interest in electronic instruments, Edson Velandia and kuisi maestros like Juan Carlos Medrano and Fredy Arrieta. In his sound there is a particular feature, one that contains histories of personal experiences, accompanied by the kuisi, including ancient Zenú flutes dating from between 600 and 800 AD and which helped create the atmosphere of "Invocación." "Viaje Sideral," the song that gives the album its name, was born from a dream in which two stars speed towards the earth and an imminent collision. As the record continues, the stellar connection becomes clear with songs like "Urmah" with Edson Velandia, inspired by an article about extra-terrestrial races and how the Urmah were a race of hominid felines, the greatest geneticists of the universe; and "Cumbia espacial," featuring rapping from N. Hardem, seeking to create that aura of immensity and consciousness of the infinity of the universe.

'Baby’ – cross it off your Wants List at last. Written by Caetano
Veloso, arranged by Arthur Verocai, covering Gal Costa. An
absolutely killer Brazilia modern soul jam – a rarity in Brazil
that we hammer in DJ sets and have been wanting to release for a
while. Taken from the Quinteto Ternura self-titled LP from 1974.

‘Filhos De Zambi’ is uptempo samba-funk of the highest order, and now very difficult to find at a decent price in it’s original RCA ’compacto’ format. Percussion high on the mix, hands claps and a brilliant harmonised chorus line.

A new artist appears on the streets of City HC Records, he is Andrey Orenstein
multidisciplinary artist, part of the alternative Rock band ‘Tequilajazz’, with several solo musical incarnations such as: Amor Entrave, for electronic Indie beats with tocuhes of IDM of broken beats, Do you like trains? for Acid House, and 50DIX, dedicated to street beats such as jungle, drum n bass, ghetto house, Juke and Footwork, and the pseudonym he uses for Go Ahead! EP, the new and multifaceted 22nd release from the Valencian label.

IF U WANT 2 is the elegant track that takes us into the bustling avenues of the 2st century megapolis, where the urban rhythms of the dance battles in Chicago, Footwork and Juke, along with brief Jungle passages alternate in a brilliant composition with funk and jazz nuances accompanying tight percussion and distorted kicks at 160 BPM.

Tough and Ghetto House and rugged acid define FOOLZ, second track of the A-side in which the demonic power of the 303 sounds embrace the thick and husky voice that together with infectious laughter set a rhythm as pugnacious as it is playful.

FETTA DI LIMONE, Juke, Footwork and Jungle, a perfect combination of American influences, legacy of Dj Rashad together with the English tradition around bass music, are fused by 50DIX with the unexpected and playful Italian lyrics of Tomasso Girardi, in perfect conjunction with the pianos, ethereal pads and mutant synths, that forge the development of the track. Already anthemic before the first beat sounds.

Juke, IDM, Halftime and abstract broken beats combine for the ultimate dance elixir, in the last track of the vinyl titled ICE FEELS KEEN, reaching 170 BPM in a catharsis of braindance, soul and acid exaltation in a dreamy harmony, where the syncopated notes of Oleg Egorov's bass and the velvety voice of Julia Garnits (Ice Hokku) commune.

Bonus digital track - 50Dix ICE FEELS KEEN (DZA REFLIP). Hypnotic, sharp and minimalistic, DZA's remix transforms the original track into an intimate and evocative experience, in which every sonic element acquires more prominence and presence.

Bonus digital track 2 - Fetta di limone (Kaxtelian remix) Inspired by the classic hardtrance sounds of the 90s, from Valencian dance temples such as Chocolate, Kaxtelian reinterprets the track with distorted drums, catchy melodies and Rave spirit at 165 bpm.

Mastering by Steve Voidloss at Black Monolith Studios in London (UK), except for the Bonus track 2 mastered by Raszia.

Once again, artwork and design by Dani Requeni, giving artistic coherence to the label's aesthetic.

My Boy, the third solo record from New Zealand singer/ songwriter Marlon Williams, announces an artist emerging anew. Gone is the solemn, country-indebted crooner with the velvet voice - in his place comes a playful, shapeshifting creature. Following the release of his second album, 2018's Make Way For Love, Williams' toured the world, playing major festivals and collaborating with Lorde, Yo-Yo Ma and Florence Welch. He also forged a fledgling acting career with roles in films The True History of the Kelly Gang and Netflix series Sweet Tooth, as well as a cameo in Oscar winning film A Star Is Born. My Boy parlays this flush of worldly experience into a vivid record as spirited and kinetic as the unfolding life of its performer. "I've always explored different character elements in my music," says Williams. "And the more I get into acting, the more tricks I'm learning about representation and presentation. To get braver and bolder with exploring shifting contexts and new ways of doing things." As the pandemic paused global travel, Williams found himself at home in New Zealand, reconnecting with family and friends. Soon new demos and lyrical themes emerged: of self-identity and escapism; tribalism and a gnarled family tree; and ruminations on the role of masculinity and mateship. Co-produced with Tom Healy and recorded at Roundhead Studios in New Zealand, My Boy finds Williams' leading a new band through a set of genre-hopping tunes: from the cheery sway of `My Boy' and chugging `80s noir sheen of `Thinking Of Nina', to the charging synth of `River Rival', and the sultry pop jam `Don't Go Back.' All this sonic and emotional whiplash is intentional, and ultimately My Boy sees Williams having fun, even while interrogating the behaviors of himself and those around him.

My Boy, the third solo record from New Zealand singer/ songwriter Marlon Williams, announces an artist emerging anew. Gone is the solemn, country-indebted crooner with the velvet voice - in his place comes a playful, shapeshifting creature. Following the release of his second album, 2018's Make Way For Love, Williams' toured the world, playing major festivals and collaborating with Lorde, Yo-Yo Ma and Florence Welch. He also forged a fledgling acting career with roles in films The True History of the Kelly Gang and Netflix series Sweet Tooth, as well as a cameo in Oscar winning film A Star Is Born. My Boy parlays this flush of worldly experience into a vivid record as spirited and kinetic as the unfolding life of its performer. "I've always explored different character elements in my music," says Williams. "And the more I get into acting, the more tricks I'm learning about representation and presentation. To get braver and bolder with exploring shifting contexts and new ways of doing things." As the pandemic paused global travel, Williams found himself at home in New Zealand, reconnecting with family and friends. Soon new demos and lyrical themes emerged: of self-identity and escapism; tribalism and a gnarled family tree; and ruminations on the role of masculinity and mateship. Co-produced with Tom Healy and recorded at Roundhead Studios in New Zealand, My Boy finds Williams' leading a new band through a set of genre-hopping tunes: from the cheery sway of `My Boy' and chugging `80s noir sheen of `Thinking Of Nina', to the charging synth of `River Rival', and the sultry pop jam `Don't Go Back.' All this sonic and emotional whiplash is intentional, and ultimately My Boy sees Williams having fun, even while interrogating the behaviors of himself and those around him.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY has had more than its share of out-of-nowhere bands following from the second big bang that was punk rock. The Babylon Dance Band, Circle X, Your Food, Squirrel Bait, Bastro...these are but some of the exceptional music acts originating in Louisville after 1977. Now it"s time for the great secret of the Louisville first-wave punk scene to be revealed: The Endtables. The Endtables were the crazed brainchild of guitarist Alex Durig, brooding chess-master of the amplified freak-out, and singer Steve Rigot, a flamboyant transgender giant from the shores of southern Indiana who reinvented himself as a Warhol Factory superstar. Like Scarlett O"Hara wrapped in a green velvet curtain, Rigot crafted his own glamorous reality from what was available in the blasted cultural landscape of 1970"s Kentucky. Gold spray paint, duct tape, Ace bandages ... a spectacularly other trailblazer who caused folks to toss their received ideas of beauty and go with the new thing instead. The band first took the stage in late 1978 and was finished by the summer of 1980. In the fall of 1979 they recorded six tracks at a Louisville studio, four of which came out on a 7" EP on their own Tuesday Records. The two remaining tracks ("White Glove Test" and "Trick or Treat") were issued as a single on Self Destruct records in 1991. Both records are among the rarest of any American punk release - more sought after than seen, passed on disintegrating cassette tapes and shouted over upon impact. The music of The Endtables is another chapter in pure American weirdness, as jaw-locking today as the day it was recorded. The scent of modern can be detected in Steve Rigot"s remote vocalese, set against Alex Durig"s guitar outbursts, while drummer Steven Jan Humphrey and bassist Albert Durig (age fifteen!) supply frenzied rhythm. The band rocks its fevered vision to a ferocious degree while Rigot grimly rhymes the truths that remained locked out of the public"s pop tastes in "79-"80. Thirty years of rap and roll later, The Endtables seem inevitable.

"Invisible Threads" is a sonic assault that penetrates the darkest depths of existence. This album explores themes of human degradation, unspoken fears, and wars that ravage not only bodies but also minds. A fierce manifestation of death metal, "Invisible Threads" overwhelms the listener with a crescendo of sonic brutality and raw emotions_an unrelenting frontal impact from the first to the last track, destined to leave a lasting mark.

"Invisible Threads" is a sonic assault that penetrates the darkest depths of existence. This album explores themes of human degradation, unspoken fears, and wars that ravage not only bodies but also minds. A fierce manifestation of death metal, "Invisible Threads" overwhelms the listener with a crescendo of sonic brutality and raw emotions_an unrelenting frontal impact from the first to the last track, destined to leave a lasting mark.

Blend Mishkin & Soul Sugar - Theory of Mind
Cultural Collaboration Sparks New Sound:
Athens and Paris Unite for Soulful Jazz-Reggae Fusion Album.

A collaboration between two creative musical minds, Blend Mishkin from Athens meets Parisian Soul Sugar to co-create a genre-bending album titled “Theory of Mind”
This album features nine compositions which uniquely fuse vibes of jazz, soul, reggae, afro-beat and even some 70’s b-movie soundtrack all brought to life through the warm tones of vintage keyboard instruments such as the Hammond Organ, Clavinet and Fender Rhodes electric piano, played by virtuoso keyboardist Soul Sugar aka Guillaume Metenier paired with flawless orchestration, arrangements and production by Blend Mishkin.

Soul Sugar, a disciple of jazz master Dr. Lonnie Smith on the Hammond organ, known for his
intricate reggae-jazz masterful improvisation, brings a distinctive mellowness and complexity to the album. His use of the Hammond organ, Clavinet and Fender Rhodes electric piano adds a layer of depth and authenticity that transports listeners back to the golden age of soul and reggae. Blend Mishkin, a versatile artist, who has mixed and moved across reggae, dub, soul, as well as world music, introduces elements of funk and reggae rhythms to the mix. His production techniques, combined with the rich, analog sound of the vintage instruments, creates a sonic landscape that is both timeless and inspired.

Guest vocalists are featured in four out of nine tracks. Greek-French funk powerhouse Georges Perin delivers a heavy soul tune called “I Miss Those Days” , Fae Simon from London lays a velvety vocal on an old school steppers groove, Thaliah from Athens brings her smokey jazz flavour with “Moonlit Letter” and Jeffrey Diop from Senegal adds the perfect chant in “Big Boss in a Small Town”.

The recording sessions, split between Athens and Paris, were as much about cultural exchange as they were about musical experimentation. The result is a collection of tracks that resonate with the energy of live performance, while also echoing the rich musical background of both artists.
"We wanted to create something that felt organic and real," says Guillaume. "Using these incredible vintage instruments allowed us to tap into a sound that feels both timeless and brand new."
Blend adds, "This album is about mixing our roots, our sounds, and our experiences. It's a celebrationof music that transcends borders and eras."

“Theory of Mind” it's a cross-cultural journey. The project emerges from the vibrant, sun-soaked melodies of Athens with the sophisticated, urban grooves of Paris, resulting in a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

Im Juni 2023 teilten sich Lust For Youth und Croatian Amor während des Vivid Live Festivals die Bühne im kultigen Sydney Opera House. Diese Begegnung hat ihre kreative Partnerschaft wiederbelebt und den Grundstein für ihr gemeinsames neues Album "All Worlds" gelegt. Inspiriert von der Goldenen Schallplatte, die als Botschaft der Menschheit an das Unbekannte ins All geschickt wurde, spiegelt "All Worlds" diese Sehnsucht nach Verbindung und Verständnis wider. Jeder Track fängt ein Fragment eines Gefühls, einer Kultur oder einer Erinnerung ein und bietet einen kaleidoskopischen Blick auf die menschliche Erfahrung. Der Titel des Albums spiegelt die Idee wider, Fragmente von unterschiedlichen Orten, Gefühlen und Geschichten zu sammeln. Jeder Song enthüllt für sich eine einzigartige Welt, die zu den übergreifenden Themen der Erforschung und Selbstbeobachtung beiträgt. Diese Welten repräsentieren die inneren Landschaften, die wir in uns tragen und die unsere Identität formen. Der Titel ist auch eine Geste der Verbindung - als ob diese Welten durch den Raum schweben und darauf warten, entdeckt und verstanden zu werden. Letztlich verkörpert "All Worlds" die Suche nach Zugehörigkeit und Bedeutung. Auf einer klanglichen Reise durch Isolation, Widerstandsfähigkeit und Wunder verflechten sich introspektive Texte mit üppigen, beschwörenden Klanglandschaften. Die träumerische Atmosphäre, die sowohl für Lust For Youth als auch für Croatian Amor charakteristisch ist, wird durch die hallgetränkte Produktion des Albums beibehalten und verleiht ihm eine ätherische, nostalgische Qualität. Während Themen wie Melancholie und Sehnsucht im Mittelpunkt stehen, sorgen energiegeladene Beats und aufmunternde Arrangements für eine bittersüße Harmonie, die zwischen Verletzlichkeit und Euphorie oszilliert. Das Album markiert einen Wechsel im Tonfall und entfernt sich von den synthiegetriebenen Post-Punk-Wurzeln von Lust For Youth. Stattdessen setzt "All Worlds" auf eine tanzbare Ästhetik, die pulsierende Rhythmen und von Techno inspirierte Motive mit überlagerten Gesangssamples verwebt. Das Ergebnis ist eine strukturierte Klanglandschaft - eine Erkundung der emotionalen Zerbrechlichkeit durch schimmernde Produktion und introspektive Melodien. Zwölf Jahre nach ihrem 2013 erschienenen Ambient-Industrial-Album "Pomegranate" spiegelt "All Worlds" die Entwicklung von Lust For Youth und Croatian Amor wider. Dieses Album ist sowohl eine Antwort auf ihre früheren Arbeiten als auch eine Weiterentwicklung, die von einem Jahrzehnt des Wachstums und der Veränderung geprägt ist. Es vertieft ihre Erforschung von Klang und Bedeutung und spricht direkt zum gegenwärtigen Moment. Wie die Goldene Schallplatte, die im Weltraum treibt, ist "All Worlds" eine Sammlung von Momenten, die darauf warten, sich mit denjenigen zu verbinden, die zuhören wollen.

Long time friend of the label and Stones Throw alumni "Rejoicer" joins forces with longtime collaborator, fellow Apifera band member and renowned pianist Nitai Hershkovits to present a new moniker and concept piece "Cinema Royal" - a delicate yet audacious album that quietly commands attention.

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back) author Oli Freke returns with a new volume in his Synthesizer Evolution A6 zine series. The first two volumes (Vintage Synths and Drum Machines & Samplers) focused on vintage electronic instruments from the 1970s and 1980s. Volume three moves into the 21st century, showcasing a selection of the most interesting, impactful, and—arguably—best synthesizers of the past two decades.

The synths in this book celebrate the vast range of sonic possibilities now available to musicians and producers. From analogue wonders to extraordinary digital creations, from tightly designed monosynths to open-ended polyphonic beasts, each one is more marvellous than the last!

Am 28. Februar 2025 machen Stereolab sieben Studioalben erneut als 2LP-Formate erhältlich. Diese verwenden dieselben Remaster wie die erweiterten Vinylausgaben von 2019, die von Bo Kondren bei Calyx Mastering von den Original-1/2-Zoll-Bändern unter der Aufsicht von Tim Gane (Stereolab) geschnitten wurden, jedoch ohne das Bonusmaterial der 3LP-Versionen (die inzwischen eingestellt wurden). Die Idee dahinter besteht darin, Fans und Läden kostengünstigere Formate dieser begehrten Alben zur Verfügung zu stellen. Jede Platte wird im 5 mm dicken Cover mit bedruckten Innenhüllen und einer schützenden PVC-Aussentasche geliefert.

Die Alben:
1. Transient Random-Noise Bursts With Announcements (1993)
2. Mars Audiac Quintet (1994)
3. Emperor Tomato Ketchup (1996)
4. Dots And Loops (1997)
5. Cobra And Phases Group Play Voltage In The Milky Night (1999)
6. Sound-Dust (2001)
7. Margerine Eclipse (2004)

Orange-farbenes Vinyl mit DLC sowie Digisleeve-CD! Memorial Waterslides" ist das Debütalbum von MEMORIALS, dem Duo bestehend aus Verity Susman und Matthew Simms (zuvor bei Electrelane und Wire). Es handelt sich um ein surrealistisches Pop-Album, das sowohl zeitlos als auch zeitgemäß ist und eine seltene Mischung aus klassischem Songwriting und Avantgarde-Attitüde aufweist. MEMORIALS kreieren einen Panorama-Pop, der auf Vertrautes und Fremdes zurückgreift, aber bekannte Pfade aber auch neue Wege beschreitet. Mit ihrem verspielten und experimentellen Stil, kombiniert mit einer Liebe zu Melodien, stehen sie in einer Reihe mit Broadcast, Portishead, Arthur Russell, The Velvet Underground, Yo La Tengo und Tortoise. Das Album ist voll von Bildern, die eine verlorene Zukunft, eine verschleierte Gegenwart und eine tagträumerische Vergangenheit heraufbeschwören, wobei jeder Song eine Rolle bei der Schaffung einer wirbelnden Breitwandatmosphäre spielt und den Hörer mit auf die Reise nimmt. Der Sound des Albums, das die beiden komplett selbst produziert haben, wurde von den Experimenten mit Tonbändern inspiriert, mit denen sie zunächst auf der Bühne herumspielten, als sie begannen, ihre vielschichtigen Aufnahmen für Live-Auftritte als Duo zu entwickeln. Nach ihren gefeierten 2023-Soundtracks "Women Against The Bomb" und "Tramps!", einer Europatournee mit Stereolab (sie wurden als "Stereolabs böser Zwilling" bezeichnet) und einem neuen Musikauftrag des Centre Pompidou in Paris kamen Verity und Matthew auf MEMORIALS in umgekehrter Richtung an, indem sie ihren Soundtrack-Alltagsjobs entflohen, um kosmische Reisen durch den Gartenschuppen in psychedelischen Rock, abgefahrenen Folk und wilde analoge Elektronik zu unternehmen. "Exciting and unpredictable" The Guardian. "Everything you'd expect from a duo adept in the strange and esoteric, while also in thrall to pop music's melodic bent." The Quietus.

"With all songs written by the band over the past year or so, the album was recorded and produced by Michael Giblin (The Split Squad) at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania in Sep 24 and mastered at Rare Form Mastering by Greg Reierson, Like all three previous Vapors releases, this album conveys an individual feeling of it's own, both lyrically and musically. The title derives from a line in the song ""Forever & Ever"" but it also describes perfectly the high velocity, guitar and bass, heavy punked up tempo that runs through a number of the songs, whilst conjuing up an image of bottled-up anger that runs through a number of the album's lyrics.
Best known for their major worldwide 1980 hit ""Turning Japanese"", The Vapors originally split in 1981 after two short years producing six singles, two albums, three major US tours and an Australian tour, and countless shows in the UK. After a 35-year hiatus, the band reformed for a series of four shows in Ireland and England in 2016 which were so well recieved that they continue to tour extensively, with over 160 gigs played since, with a comeback album ""Together"", in 2020 and several singles released along the way."

Bubblegum XX features features members of Queens of the Stone Age, PJ Harvey, Greg Dulli, Izzy and Duff from Guns & Roses/Velvet Revolver, among other assorted rock luminaries. When Bubblegum was released, Mark chose to let it speak for itself and didn"t have much to say aside from within the small handful of interviews he did at the time. In 2017, he released a book of lyrics and writings called I Am The Wolf and wrote about the album then. Shared here are some of his words about the record. Song favorites include "When Your Number Isn"t Up," and "Strange Religion," a love song I wrote in a Tokyo hotel room. While many of the songs came from a place of dejection and ennui at the end of a tempestuous relationship, "Bombed" in particular came about when, after I had written and recorded it in just a few minutes, I put a microphone in front of Wendy Rae Fowler, my soon-to-be-ex-wife, and had her sing along while simultaneously hearing it for the first time. I loved the result as it reminded me of Royal Trux, a band I liked. When I insisted on using the first and only take of the song, it made her slightly unhappy, but to be fair, that was just one of many things I did that had that effect.

Over the last few years, New York based producer umru has applied his vivid sonics to an expansive pool of sounds through his own work, or with those operating on the cusp of the underground and mainstream space such as Charli XCX, 100 gecs and ericdoa. After opening a new era late last year with the carnal rap chaos of ‘check1’ ft. Tommy Cash and 645AR before following it out with the hyperactive love story of ‘heart2’ with Rebecca Black and Petal Supply, umru today announces his second official EP on the PC Music label; comfort noise. Alongside the announcement, he’s sharing another taste from the project - a collaboration with Fraxiom titled ‘all i need’, also featuring Hannah Diamond and Tony Velour. Opening more gently than his most recent previous efforts, ‘all i need’ is centered around a pervading tenderness that glitters even through the song’s more hectic moments. Fraxiom’s vocal glides in a breathless fashion as if they’re expressing their crush in as descriptive fashion as possible, becoming the main melodic centrepiece as the track transforms into a relentlessly percussive workout. Tony Velour’s verse brings a more laid back rhythmic approach to the track before Hannah Diamond lays down a twinkling contribution to the track’s closing moments, making ‘all i need’ one of the most sonically diverse electronic pop tracks of recent times. With comfort noise, umru has compounded his reputation as one of this generation’s most inventive crossover producers. Taking his truly versatile sonic palette and applying it to classic pop songwriting, umru is pushing the boundaries of what is possible within his scene, and as unpredictable as his sound is, you can be sure it’ll be one hell of a ride. North American tour with Hyd through November 2022 followed by Boiler Room stage (OOM ROOM) curated by umru featuring ericdoa, Petal Supply, William Crooks.

Memorial Waterslides" ist das Debütalbum von MEMORIALS, dem Duo bestehend aus Verity Susman und Matthew Simms (zuvor bei Electrelane und Wire). Es handelt sich um ein surrealistisches Pop-Album, das sowohl zeitlos als auch zeitgemäß ist und eine seltene Mischung aus klassischem Songwriting und Avantgarde-Attitüde aufweist. MEMORIALS kreieren einen Panorama-Pop, der auf Vertrautes und Fremdes zurückgreift, aber bekannte Pfade aber auch neue Wege beschreitet. Mit ihrem verspielten und experimentellen Stil, kombiniert mit einer Liebe zu Melodien, stehen sie in einer Reihe mit Broadcast, Portishead, Arthur Russell, The Velvet Underground, Yo La Tengo und Tortoise. Das Album ist voll von Bildern, die eine verlorene Zukunft, eine verschleierte Gegenwart und eine tagträumerische Vergangenheit heraufbeschwören, wobei jeder Song eine Rolle bei der Schaffung einer wirbelnden Breitwandatmosphäre spielt und den Hörer mit auf die Reise nimmt. Der Sound des Albums, das die beiden komplett selbst produziert haben, wurde von den Experimenten mit Tonbändern inspiriert, mit denen sie zunächst auf der Bühne herumspielten, als sie begannen, ihre vielschichtigen Aufnahmen für Live-Auftritte als Duo zu entwickeln. Nach ihren gefeierten 2023-Soundtracks "Women Against The Bomb" und "Tramps!", einer Europatournee mit Stereolab (sie wurden als "Stereolabs böser Zwilling" bezeichnet) und einem neuen Musikauftrag des Centre Pompidou in Paris kamen Verity und Matthew auf MEMORIALS in umgekehrter Richtung an, indem sie ihren Soundtrack-Alltagsjobs entflohen, um kosmische Reisen durch den Gartenschuppen in psychedelischen Rock, abgefahrenen Folk und wilde analoge Elektronik zu unternehmen. "Exciting and unpredictable" The Guardian. "Everything you'd expect from a duo adept in the strange and esoteric, while also in thrall to pop music's melodic bent." The Quietus. (Limitiertes) Pink farbenes Vinyl mit DLC sowie Digisleeve-CD!

Big Crown is proud to present Crown Jewels Vol. 3. As we are approaching seven years as a label these compilations have given us an opportunity to put the different artists on the label together on the same release. These compilations are something of a calling card for the "Big Crown Sound" where we get to put the most well established next to the newest on the roster and through that paint a picture of the overall ethos of the label. It's been extremely satisfying for us when the fans of one Big Crown artist discover another one because they are label mates. We put out these Crown Jewels comps with the hope that it will continue that process. Even though not all BCR artists can be found in the same aisle of the record store, after listening to Crown Jewels Vol. 3, it should be clear how they all fit on the same record label. When we started Big Crown we wanted to have a label that's only boundaries were defined by our taste, not by genre. Seven years later, we can say we have been able to do that. There is a sound, but that sound stretches into a lot of different directions, but that sound is uniquely ours. Thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far and please stay tuned as we continue pushing our sound and putting out tunes we believe in.

The Velveteers bring a visceral energy to their explosive sophomore album, A Million Knives. The album is a blistering rock anthem infused with melodic indie songwriting. With GRAMMY Award-winning producer Dan Auerbach at the helm, the Boulder, CO trio encapsulates the raw, forceful, and profoundly heavy energy of their live performances and laser-focuses a spotlight on tightly crafted songs as they carve out their own distinctive niche. Driving The Velveteers is the commanding presence of frontwoman Demi Demitro, a no-bullshit, five-foot-something spitfire with thunderous guitar riffs and soaring vocals, backed by the incendiary duo of Baby Pottersmith and Johnny Fig on drums. The band's signature dual drum setup creates a thunderous foundation that propels their gritty, dynamic garage rock sound. On A Million Knives, this setup melds seamlessly with a more modern indie rock influence-the attitude of Wolf Alice, the colossal sound of Queens of the Stone Age, and the singular lyrical voice of Hole. The Velveteers have built a dedicated following through relentless touring and electrifying performances, sharing stages with renowned acts such as Smashing Pumpkins, The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Guns N' Roses, and Des Rocs. With A Million Knives, The Velveteers offer a compelling testament to their rising stardom, a rock 'n' roll album as beautiful as it is terrifying.

2023 was a whirlwind year for Oracle Sisters. The trio—Julia Johansen, Chris Willatt, and Lewis Lazar—followed the release of their debut album Hydranism with a globe-spanning tour that captivated fans and critics alike. From the highways between Knoxville and Nashville to sold-out clubs in rain-soaked Seattle, and festival stages across the UK, they logged countless hours on the road. Their journey was a tapestry of exhaustion and exhilaration, falling apart, brawls and disputes, love and acceptance. By the year’s end, just two days before Christmas, they found themselves in Tokyo, reflecting on the fleeting nature of time and the fragments of inspiration gathered along the way. It was there the seeds for their next album, Divinations, began to sprout. Composing as a true trio for the first time, Oracle Sisters pieced together sketches formed during stolen moments on tour. These fragments coalesced into Divinations, an album shaped by the band’s nomadic existence. The recording sessions spanned cozy Parisian studios, a barn in northern France, and the storied Valentine Studios in Los Angeles. Their creative process embraced experimentation—swapping primary instruments, playing with toy drum machines, and crafting melodies on quirky tools like the OP-1 and a baby Casio keyboard. This spirit of discovery lent the album a sense of spontaneity and wonder. At its core, Divinations channels mysticism and timeless storytelling. The band’s songwriting draws on diverse influences, from the surrealist poetry of Baudelaire and Rimbaud to the introspective philosophies of Carl Jung. Musically, echoes of Talking Heads, Air, and Leonard Cohen resonate throughout the album and tracks like “Riverside” delve into existential questions— “How far are you going? Is it more than money can buy?” Elsewhere on the album “Marseille,” born in the city that gave the song its name, kicks off as a trance with lyrics that play between the sincere and desperate self-help affirmations, we give ourselves while trying to find a bridge between our individual lives and a universal feeling. Lead-single “Alouette” is Oracle Sisters at their most direct; propelled by a driving bassline and exuberant strings, the track summons the sound of 80’s, 90’s, and early 2000’s rock n roll as they sing about “getting out of dodge, finding a pirate ship and sailing home.” Inspired by the book Caliban and the Witch, “Blue Left Hand” is a lyrical tapestry weaving together history, philosophy, and cultural critique. The lyrics, “It’s in the harbor of every page / It’s in the corner of the playwright’s stage / And every player and every fake / And every witch that we burned at the stake,” reflect on the forces that shaped the capitalist society we know today. Across Divinations’ 11 tracks it’s not only geographic boundaries that were crossed but also the boundaries of time and circumstance. While their work may not consciously reflect specific worldly events, they seek to embrace the universal and offer a space for healing. “Good music would make sense to a farmer in 17th century France as it would to a pastry chef in Slovenia in the 21st century,” shares Lazar. “It’s not written for any temporal powers that be. It’s about expressing our common humanity and taking it from there.” This intuitive approach fuels Oracle Sisters creative process - whether composing in a frozen French farmhouse or performing live with an ever-expanding lineup of collaborators, the band remains committed to exploring the unknown. Through Divinations, they hope to leave listeners feeling transcendent, levitating on waves of intuition and discovery.

Needle Mythology, the label founded by music writer, author and broadcaster Pete Paphides, is thrilled to announce the release of SENSITIVE the first ever vinyl anthology to cover the indiepop scene of the 1980s. SENSITIVE features 30 songs in total by artists who defined the indiepop aesthetic, among them The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Sea Urchins, Primal Scream, The Pastels, Talulah Gosh, Orange Juice, The Field Mice, The Primitives, The Wedding Present, Miaow, Razorcuts, Dolly Mixture, The Bodines, Shop Assistants, The Soup Dragons, The Loft, The Chills, That Petrol Emotion and The Railway Children. SENSITIVE takes its name from the single released by The Field Mice, and marks the first time that The Field Mice have allowed one of their songs to be used on a compilation released by any label other than Sarah Records, who released all their records at the time. Also features on SENSITIVE is Dying Day from Orange Juice’s hugely influential debut album You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever – marking the only time that Edwyn Collins and his wife and manager Grace Maxwell have given permission for an Orange Juice song to be featured on an anthology. Many of the records featured on SENSITIVE have become highly sought-after collectors’ items since their original release. The Sea Urchins’ Pristine Christine changes hands for up to £400. Original mint copies of April Showers’ only single Abandon Ship command up to £380. If you were to try and individually buy all the records featuring the songs on SENSITIVE, you can expect to pay something around £1150. SENSITIVE features 10,000 words of extensive track-by-track notes and an essay by Pete Paphides, who was and remains an avid proponent of the indiepop scene that this collection chronicles. All the songs on SENSITIVE have been newly mastered at Abbey Road by Miles Showell. SENSITIVE will be released on double LP and double CD Needle Mythology Records.

Scanning Backwards, Phase Fatale’s second full-length album originally released on Berghain’s in-house label Ostgut Ton in 2020 is now reissued via his label BITE on limited edition pink marble vinyl after being long sold out and sought after. Using the connection between weaponized sound and psychological manipulation as a conceptual foundation, Hayden Payne explores the ways in which music – and sub frequencies in particular – are used to influence thinking and to synchronize emotions and behavior: from military technology to sound systems and the physicality and sexuality of queer techno culture.

Known for his innovative post-punk takes of dance music as featured on EPs for unterton and Ostgut Ton, the Berghain resident draws on his background as both a guitarist and sound engineer to create a heady mix of broken rhythms, noise-, and shoegaze-inflected techno, often at slower tempos. The result is music with space and pace to expand, highlighting the intense rushes of frequencies found in both sonic warfare and functional dance music. Over eight tracks named after a combination of historical and fictional narratives from literature and science fiction, Payne’s rhythmic excursions explore different manifestations of sound as power – specifically within the context of seeing Berghain as an instrument itself. This is also reflected in the album artwork, taken from an early flyer for the SNAX party series and an obvious ode to the fetishization of power dynamics.

In his own words: “All tracks on the album, no matter the style, were tailored to sound a certain way in Berghain – something I figured out through years of dancing in the middle of the floor, DJing as a resident and investigating what frequencies really penetrate the body. This includes speech and high-frequency, brain-penetrating instrumentation and drilling textures that I had not utilized so often before, but which I think also have an effect on thought and memory. It’s especially true in a space where gay and fetish roots combine with music in unexpected ways, almost in a cultish manner. A musical and physical deprogramming and reprogramming, psychic driving and de-patterning, the erasing and replacing of memories.”

Ultimately, Scanning Backwards surveys not only the manipulative properties of electronic music (mantras, loops, subliminal messages) but also how rhythm facilitates both moving and thinking in synchrony; a pulse of coordinated sound- and brainwaves.

"Langt Fra Jorden" ("Lejos De La Tierra", in Spanish, for the book) is the result of the dialogue between the Spanish photographer and artist Irene Zottola and the Danish musician and artist øjeRum initiated by IIKKI, between June 2024 and November 2024.

øjeRum is Copenhagen based musician and collage artist Paw Grabowski. In his øjeRum guise, he plucks and strums his treated acoustic instruments, sounding at times like church bells, at times like angelic harp, at time like drones, and suspends the listener in the magic of his melodies.
With a deep back-catalogue of releases since 2014 - spanning labels such as eilean rec., Room40, Line, Opal Tapes and many more - he continues exploring his minimal, textural and deeply personal style of ambient music.

Irene Zottola is a Spanish photographer and artist who explores the limits of analog photography to generate a world of dreamlike and poetic character, often accompanying her images with text.
She has been self-taught in Madrid in the laboratory of the Slow Photo collective since 2016. In 2017 she is a finalist in the Rfotofolio Grant.
Her work has been exhibited in Spain, Italy and Morocco. She has published with editorials such as La Bella Varsovia and Lumen (Spain) and magazines such as She shoots film (Australia), Fisheyemagazine (France) and Vostmagazine (Korea).
In 2021 she received one of the Grants to Creation granted by VEGAP with which she began a new project in Paris and was part of the artistic residence ART(e)gileak of the BBK with a participatory photography project. She is one of the 33 authors of the Mission Region project organized by the Community of Madrid and is part of the platform of the National Image Centre in Spain. Winner in 2020 of the V Edition of the Photochannel Contest, she has published with Ediciones Anómalas her first photobook, "Icarus", which has been a finalist in PhotoEspaña and in Les Photobook Awards of Les Rencontres d'Arles 2022.
"Lejos De La Tierra’’ is her second book.

Fine Art Book, Ltd. to 500 copies:
Hardcover book printed on Munken Print Cream 115g/m2 // 80 pages, 17cm x 23cm, 42 photos // Logo and slot embossed // Hot gold stamping // Visible seam and cutting cover pages // Hand-numbered, hand-stamped.

Hardanger is a collaboration by Mariska Baars (aka Soccer Committee), Niki Jansen, and Rutger Zuydervelt (aka Machinefabriek). The title refers to the instrument played by Jansen, the Hardanger fiddle. It’s a fresh addition to the established musical chemistry from regular collaborators Baars and Zuydervelt.

The music on Hardanger started with improvisations by Niki Jansen, guided by Mariska Baars, who responded with vocal and guitar recordings. Rutger Zuydervelt used this material as the building blocks for the two long-form pieces found on the album. These tracks are like two sides of the same coin, one a collage-like electro-acoustic piece, the other more drawn-out and contemplative.

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Mariska Baars is probably better known as soccer Committee, creating an experimental blend of ambient rooted in folk music, with minimal arrangements. She has been releasing albums since 2005. In addition to her solo output she is part of improvisation ensemble Piiptsjilling and Fean (Laaps, 2020) and has worked on several duo albums with Rutger Zuydervelt. On other occasions she collaborated with a.o. Annelies Monseré, Wouter van Veldhoven, Peter Broderick and Greg Haines.

Niki Jansen is a violinist who plays both the regular and a hardanger fiddle.She specializes in folk music, especially old Dutch folk music. She plays in various ensembles like Twee violen en een bas (with Jos Koning and Willem Raadsveld), and country quartet Daisy Chain. In addition to music, she also works as a sustainability advisor for governments and institutions and manages a food forest in a cooperative.

Rutger Zuydervelt is perhaps better known as Machinefabriek, the alias under which he releases music since 2004. The stream of releases since is vast, many of them collaborations (with Peter Broderick, Gareth Davis, Chantal Acda, Dirk Serries, and many many more). He regularly works with Mariska Baars, with whom he also plays in Piiptsjilling and Fean (Laaps, 2020). Zuydervelt is an avid composer of scores for film and dance performances, and also works as a graphic designer.

WRWTFWW Records is honored to present a one of a kind collaboration release between buzzing UK producer and DJ Pizza Hotline and Swedish electronic and synth icon Mitch Murder, delivering 3 gigantic tracks each for the Anti Gravity Tournament album, now available as a limited-edition LP housed in a heavyweight 350gsm sleeve illustrated by the legendary junkboy. It is also available in digital formats.

Inspired by the classic WipEout video game series, this high-energy boosted split-album transports listeners into the futuristic world of anti-gravity racing, a colorful turbo adventure soundtracked by 6 mega tracks of fast-paced atmospheric jungle, thunderous breaks, and liquid drum & bass. The adrenaline-fueled collection delivers maximum energy and dreamy vibes, a true paradise for fans of 90s/Y2K video games, LTJ Bukem, Peshay, Soichi Terada, and previous efforts by Mitch & Pizza.

Anti Gravity Tournament follows 2 critically-acclaimed albums by Pizza Hotline – Level Select and Polygon Island, both still available on WRWTFWW Records, as well as the limited Low Poly Breaks cassette series which sold out in a few minutes.

Mitch Murder is known as one of the originators of synthwave and has released timeless albums on Rosso Corsa Records, Mad Decent, and My Pet Flamingo (TimeSlave Recordings). He is also the man behind the Kung Fury soundtrack and has collaborated with…David Hasselhoff himself!

The astonishing exclusive artwork comes from the one and only junkboy, creative director at Mojang Studios (Minecraft) and all-around design grandmaster.

Fasten your seatbelt and join the fun.

Ocean Moon - alias of producer Jon Tye (MLO).

In addition to running the long-standing label Lo Recordings, Tye has recorded under various names and been involved in numerous projects over the past three decades. Keen fans of the label may also notice that this isn't Tye's first collaboration with MFM; his work during the 1990's as part of UK ambient group MLO captured our attention years ago, leading to the release of their retrospective album 'Oumuamua' in 2021.

Releasing archival work alongside new material from an artist has been a fundamental aspect of Music From Memory's identity since we began the label, and is something that continues to bring us immense joy. With Jon continuing to produce work under a wide range of names to this day, the short step to releasing this new work was organic and natural. Working under the name Ocean Moon Jon carries echoes of his work with MLO into the modern day, weaving an ambient electronic music that radiates gentle positivity.

The title 'Ways To The Deep Meadow' is inspired by the poem 'Universal Solar Calendar' written by poet, mystic, shaman, and visionary Angus Maclise. Maclise began as the percussionist in an early iteration of La Monte Young's Theatre Of Eternal Music and later played with the Velvet Underground before moving to Nepal, where he wrote and published an impressive collection of poetry and music.

Side one of the album was created at a time when Tye had been exploring ideas around artificial intelligence, delving into books such as 'The Physics Of Immortality' by Frank J. Tippler, 'Novacene' by James Lovelock, and '12 Bytes' by Jeanette Winterson, seeking an alternative to the prevalent, negative views of AI. He was also inspired by the Buddhist perspective of AI as an integral part of consciousness evolution, as evidenced by the creation of a Buddhist robot that preaches in the Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto.

Side two consists of two long-form pieces, one composed for Janine Rook's 'Made In Dreams' exhibition and the other for Vix Hill Ryder's 'Wild Edges' film. For 'Made In Dreams', text from the exhibition catalogue was processed via the Holly Herndon Holly + app to create an environment that is simultaneously otherworldly and warm.

As with much of Jon's work, this music seeks to nurture an optimistic outlook in the listener, something he achieves here with subtlety and a truly delicate touch. The immersive ambient music of 'Ways To The Deep Meadow' reaches out to the listener like gentle trails of light, offering it's spells,invocations and enchantments to all who choose to listen.

'Ways To The Deep Meadow' will be released on 31st January 2025 on LP as well as digitally. Sleeve art and design by Michael Willis.

Tours (France) -based post-psych and deep-shoegaze powerhouse Stuffed Foxes are set to release their third LP, Standardized, on December 6th, 2024, via Bristol’s Stolen Body Records and French labels Reverse Tapes and Figures Libres. Songs / Revolving and Songs / Motion Return, a discographic diptych released in 2022, established Stuffed Foxes as accomplished ambassadors of the French rock scene. True to its predecessors, Standardized was recorded live in the Rennes studio of producer and musician Thomas Poli (Laetitia Sheriff, Dominique A). Mastering was entrusted to Matt Colton (Spiritualized, Swans, Shame). Early on, the six members transformed their youthful camaraderie into an adventure, embracing communal living (sharing a leaky roof had to be an integral part of the ride) and diving into the underground with their label, Reverse Tapes, a source of endless exciting music. They also adopted a democratic approach to creation fueled by endless jams, with the sexted striving to compose together from the outset. It is from this collective spontaneity that the unique expression of their music is born: long, hypnotic tracks, swirling mists of noise, and moments of vocal urgency that should be experienced in person during their invariably cathartic and incendiary concerts. It is a band that strives to stay true to its ethos, its soul haunted but never enthralled by the ghosts of its musical ancestors and battered icons. Their influences create joyful chaos: the musical walls of noise of My Bloody Valentine, the No-Wave drones of Swans, the psychedelic vapours of Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Post-Shoegaze eclecticism of Six-By-Seven. Standardized opens with Biting the Dawn, a Noise elegy that builds with relentless intensity. Léo's recitative voice soars above a searing blend of saturated guitars and echo-drenched drums. Next, Merry Xmas unleashes sharp, incisive guitar riffs reminiscent of Gang of Four and Fugazi, only to surprise with a dramatic twist that builds to a breathtaking, soaring climax echoing the brilliance of Ride’s most epic moments. Rough Up emerges as a Velvet Underground-inspired ballad, built on two simple acoustic guitar chords and an organ, showcasing a more subdued and vulnerable side of the band. In contrast, Standardized plunges into a powerful trance, unleashing a massive, deliciously primal wall of saturation with raw, unfiltered intensity. With Standardized, Stuffed Foxes appear to have reached an aesthetic milestone, transcending the semantics of the genres that once defined them. They have ‘de-standardized’ their sound and embraced a sense of freedom, opening up to the possibilities of a wider creative spectrum. Stuffed Foxes - Pretend to Be a Dog (Gamelle) (Official Video)

Die französischen Pop.-Connaisseure aus Paris, LA FEMME, veröffentlichen ihr zweites Album ,Mystère".

Die Band hat die kulturelle Landschaft des modernen Paris massiv beeinflusst und ihre Musik an beiden Seiten der Stadt an der Seine verortet: im Glamour und an den weniger glamourösen Schauplätzen. Seit der Veröffentlichung ihres Debüts ,Psycho Tropical Berlin" haben LA FEMME prominente Bewunderer gesammelt: darunter die Regisseure Jacques Audiard und Romain Gavras, Legenden wie JEAN MICHEL JARRE und Hedi Slimane sowie eine stetig wachsende junge Fangemeinde, die ihnen den Titel ,French Best New Band of the Year" bei den französischen Music Awards und Plätze ganz oben in den französischen Charts einbrachte; dazu sorgten TV-Werbespots von Aplles, Renault und Sonos mit der Musik von LA FEMME für gespitzte Ohren.

Die Band kehrt mit einem psychedelischeren Sound und einer ganzen Reihe von Gastsängerinnen zurück, die eine Schneise durch die härtesten Elektrobeats schlagen. LA FEMME feiern ihre wunderbare Heimatstadt und hinterfragen das Ver- und Entlieben. ,Mystère" ist tatsächlich eine Kollektion von Kurzgeschichten über Liebe und Verlust. Jeder einzelnen Song überspringt Sprachbarrieren durch reine Melodie. Der retrofuturistische Surfpop-Sound der Band beruft sich noch immer auf den gleichen glamourös-punkigen Krach wie zuvor, doch dieses Mal ist er durchzogen von einer Zusammenstellung eleganter Einflüsse zwischen ENNIO MORRICONE, dem Disco-Rock von MARIE ET LES GARCONS und THE VELVET UNDERGROUND.

,Mystère" ist ein Fundament für die neue LA FEMME Vorliebe für orientalische Klänge; türkischen Disco, Tuareg Blues, mittelalterliche Psychedelia lehnen sich an an BRIAN ENO und PINK FLOYD.

"Because it's the passion for music that drives the person behind the decks, a dj's debut is bound to exude authenticity. It's often themselves they're recounting in music, posing on the slip mats their DNA and what makes them who they are.

When you're just starting out, you're faced with a multitude of routes to take and styles to play. When you know just how devastating it can be to step out of line and empty the dance floor even faster than it filled up, it often takes a lot of audacity to break the unity of a funk evening with a punk track.

Over time, to evolve is to find oneself facing only two roads.

On the first one, to satisfy the greatest number of people and not lose the credit for his fees, the dj adapts to the trend. Whether he likes what he's playing or not, the road has become a freeway and, indeed, a very comfortable one. The audience already knows everything there is to hear and doesn't come to hear anything else. Thirty seconds, or even a minute of each track, is more than enough. Everything has to flow quickly. Everything is marked out and secured. Those who respect the regulations will (normally) make the journey without accident. Several times a week, several times a month, several times a year. Curiosity disappears altogether.

And then there's the other road. Where nothing is expected nor sometimes even ever heard. The road of an unquenchable passion for diggin' and the desire to always know more and more. A passion billed at the price of hours of research-finding spent in the discomfort and possible disappointment of never coming across anything exciting, as well as nights exploring platforms and multiplying clicks resulting in a good old headache. Until that moment of grace happens when, after thousands of fruitless shakes, the nugget stands alone in the sieve, without the slightest doubt as to its quality.

Coming from places never mentioned for their music, sometimes classics of their genre, they are also rarities miraculously saved from total disappearance, as much as current marvels, but threatened to never leave the immensity of the web. Even if the possibility of a text with substance is never excluded, they can tell long stories or be destined solely to make you dance till you're dehydrated. Scintillating with spirituality, some can also vaporize energy and replace it with a pure emotion capable of touching hearts in the bareness of simple percussions.

This road is marked by sincerity, singularity and surprises, but always in a communion between the dj and the audience, who embark on it together, with mutual confidence in the promise of hours of sharing and discovering. "

Comprising someof Denmark"s most prominent young musicians, Copenhagen"s trailblazing neo-jazz quintet OTOOTO refer to their innovative blend of jazz tradition and modern indie-pop as "homeshake meets the jazz messengers". Their third studio album"2nd Quake" is set to release on November 8th on April Records. OTOOTO, consisting of Jonas Due (trumpet and flugelhorn), Oilly Wallace (alto sax and flute), Calle Brickman (keys), Andreas Svendsen (drums and percussion), and Matthias Petri (bass), has been a fixture on both the Danish and international jazz scenes since their 2021 debut "This Love Is For You". Their new release marks a new chapter in their journey, reflecting a bold, mature artistic vision that promises to cement their place as leaders in Scandinavian contemporary jazz. "Our mission is to reflect the modern society and put a sound to its vibrations. And through this sound we seek to transmit purity, love, and joy." Navigating through a wide array of inspirations from 70"s rock and European church music, to the pioneering sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis, the five piece - led by trumpeter Jonas Due and saxophonist Oilly Wallace - self describe their sound as"a roaring sea of analogue synths and velvety horns". Featuring eight meticulously composed original pieces, 2nd Quakebalances strong memorable melodies with intricate orchestration, a continuous sense of groove, thick layers of texture and fearless, lyrical improvisations. A collaboration with electronic producer Sofie Birch, the record is an electro-organic sonic exploration of the union between acoustic instrumental timbres and electronic manipulation, spearheaded by the sound of the legendary Juno 106 synth alongside stellar jazz-informed musician-ship.

Acclaimed pianist Renee Rosnes fell in love with the music of Brazil as a teenager, from the moment that she first heard the iconic Bossa Nova singer Elis Regina. With "Crossing Paths," her brilliant new album for Smoke Sessions Records, Rosnes brings to stunning reality a dream held for decades: to explore the intersection between Brazil's scintillating sounds with her own visionary approach to modern jazz. Due out on December 6, 2024, "Crossing Paths" reimagines compositions from master composers like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, and others. The album brings together a remarkable band - saxophonist Chris Potter, trombonist Steve Davis, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Adam Cruz - with contemporary Brazilian voices (percussionist Rogério Boccato and vocalist Maucha Adnet) and special guest appearances by legendary vocalist/composers Edu Lobo and Joyce Moreno.

Lamina is the moniker of multi-disciplinary French artist Clarice Calvo-Pinsolle. 'Olas Curativas' is Calvo-Pinsolle's first vinyl release. Taking influence from the natural world, works of hydrofeminism, and experiences with hypnotism, Calvo-Pinsolle prolifically performs and records her own refreshing take on ambient music alongside working as an established installation artist. She has previously released two full-length albums on Orila Records & Complex Holidays, as well as a joint LP with Kitchen Cynics, and a collaboration project with Bear Bones Lay Low under the moniker XAXI. Her discography is fleshed out by various contributions to compilations, including the opening track 'Soupire' on Twin System's 'Tendrils Lurched Purple In The Slush' tape series. Radio play of Laminas music includes Graham Dunning / NTS, Emil Mirzoev/ Kiosk Radio, Laura de Diaz / CAMPO BASE, xYsse / Radio Vacarme, Melina Despretz / Kiosk Radio, Chris Penty Alvarez / Noods Radio, Leoni Leoni / Radio Alhara, Laura Connant / Ola Radio, Bravo Tounky / Rootradio. Performances of material from 'Olas Curativas' include shows at Cafe Oto / London, Cosmos / Lisboa, TV Control Center / Athens, Iklektic / London, Braille Satellite / Lithuania, Slug Gallery / Leipzig, Spazio X / Treviso, Krut Festival / Ghent, Schiev Festival / Brussels, Woodblocks Festival / Brussels.


'Olas Curativas' was developed and written in 2022, with these pieces first heard as live jams at shows mainly around Brussels and Portugal, before being honed into this mesmeric full-length LP. Calvo-Pinsolle's effective use of manipulated field recordings and tape loops provide a backdrop for harmony that leans towards the mystical, brimming with melodies equal parts haunting and enchanting. Alongside harvesting a sound library over the past several years, Calvo-Pinsolle has developed an approach to composition using field recordings that informs both her musical and sculptural work. These recordings are transformed much like the ceramics seen in the record artwork; shaped, chiseled, and transformed. These ceramics were crafted and painted by Calvo-Pinsolle herself, and hints at this bridge between her two disciplines of music and sculpture. Although an expansive realm, throughout Calvo-Pinsolle's output there are consistent moods and qualities that are absolutely distinctive to this artist's creative worldview, and of which 'Olas Curativas' is a perfect encapsulation.

Mit ihrem Debütalbum „Pairing Mode“ (2023) schuf Ray Lozano gemeinsam mit ihrem Co-Produzenten Samon Kawamura ein Werk mit Signalwirkung für die deutsch-asiatische Popkultur. Lob gab es unter anderem von Jamz Supernova, WDR Cosmo und Spiegel Online. Die deutsch-philippinische Sängerin und Produzentin wurde seitdem nicht nur mit dem renommierten Holger-Czukay-Preis und dem NICA-Artist-Residency-Programm gewürdigt, sondern begeistere Fans mit Konzerten in ganz Deutschland. Nun erscheint „Pairing Mode“ auch auf Vinyl.

Als ein Zusammensetzung aus zwölf musikalischen Kurzgeschichten, befasst sich „Pairing Mode“ mit dem zentralen Thema „Aloneness“ – Das zelebrierte Alleinesein. Großteils in den Jahren 2020 und 2021 geschrieben, spiegelt es das neu gewonnene Tempo des Lebens während der Pandemie wider. Für die visuelle Umsetzung hat sich Ray Parissa Charghi ins Boot geholt, die neben dem Artwork für Album und Singles einen ästhetisch detailverliebten Kurzfilm zu den Songs von „Pairing Mode“ produziert hat.

Released in October 1974, Fear is an incredibly important in the 50+ year career of John Cale - This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1974 Island Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.Fear marked Cale's return to recording in London after the best part of a decade in America. Signing to Island, he made fast friends with two key admirers, Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno, who assisted him in returning his music to the rawer sound of his earlier work, as opposed to the lush textures of his previous studio album, Paris 1919. The tense, clipped "Fear Is A Man's Best Friend" harks back to the work of the Velvet Underground, as does the standout, "Gun", eight minutes of overdriven bleakness with Eno duelling with Cale's guitar solo on synthesisers. Much is rightly made of these tracks, but there is also the sweetness of the gospel of "Buffalo Ballet" and the Beach Boys homage "The Man Who Couldn't Afford To Orgy". The pretty, semi-autobiographical "Ship Of Fools" offers listeners an opportunity to hear Cale reference the South Wales city of Swansea, its seaside suburb, Mumbles and his home village of Garnant. In its often-skeletal simplicity, the often triumphant Fear is an album that brought an angular aggression with it.

Following on quickly from Fear, and capitalising on that album's energy Slow Dazzle is another fiery release by Velvet Underground founder John Cale - This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1975 Island Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl. Released in March 1975, initially, the album offers a false sense of mellow security: "Mr Wilson", a tribute to Brian, the leader of Cale's beloved Beach Boys starts the on a much sweeter note than "Fear Is A Man's Best Friend", as does "Taking It All Away"; by "Dirty Ass Rock'n'Roll" Slow Dazzle is off to darker terrain, business as usual. Cale, however, cannot resist a pop song and a ballad "Ski Patrol" is a great two-minute vignette, and "I'm Not The Loving Kind" is soul-baring. The album's reputation, however, rests on two tracks "Guts", a bald telling of Cale's wife's infidelity and his pitch-black cover of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel". 50 years later, these songs still pack a tremendous punch.

Na de comeback plaat van 2021 'Is er iets?', is Madou terug met de EP, 'Engel', net op het moment dat Vera Coomans 75 jaar wordt.
De afgelopen 3 jaar speelde Madou op vele mooie plekken en is de band ook uitgebreid: Mattijs Vanderleen (Marble Sounds, Tommigun) op drums en Marc De Maeseneer (Lady Linn etc...) maken nu ook deel uit van de band.
Hoogtepunten waren Dranouter in 2022 en de uitverkochte AB 'Rewind' show in september 2022 met de re-release na 40 jaar van de eerste Madou plaat op vinyl.

Al die concerten gaven goesting en Vera begon Wiet en Thomas naar nieuwe songs te vragen.
Die nieuwe melodieën leidden tot nieuwe verhalen die nieuwe liedjes werden. Een beetje zoals Randy Newman deed op 'Little Criminals'. Filmische verhalen, muzikale kortfilms, als je wil, een beetje zoals Randy Newman deed op 'Little Criminals'. Maar hier heeft elke song een verhaal met een vrouw als hoofdpersonage.

In november 2023 kreeg Vera telefoon van Gorik van Oudheusden, aka Zwangere Guy.
Hij was op zoek naar muziek voor de TV-serie, 'Putain' waaraan hij werkte, en hij vroeg ons of hij wat nieuw materiaal kon horen. Vera en Thomas speelden in de ICP studio in Brussel een akoestische versie van 'Engel' voor Zwangere Guy en Chuki Beats en die reageerden meteen enthousiast. 'Engel' staat ook op de soundtrack van 'Putain' in een prachtig strijkersarrangement van Wiet Van De Leest.

In mei 2024 trok Madou een paar dagen naar de Jet studio in Brussel en namen ze de EP 'Engel' op onder leiding van Peter Van Laerhoven.

De EP:

Engel:
Gaat over de onvermijdelijkheid van de dood. Vera Coomans:' Als je 75 bent, dan probeer je je in verloren uren wel eens 'de overkant' voor te stellen en wie je op een dag zal komen halen. Of je hem zal herkennen ook. En of het spannend wordt.

Waar het beter was:
Een vrouw wordt wakker uit een nachtmerrie in een nog bangelijkere realiteit.

Koude Voeten:
Waar maanziek zijn toe leiden kan, of hoe je verloren kunt lopen in je eigen hoofd.

Myanmar:
Hoe troostend en het kan zijn om verloren te lopen in je eigen hoofd.

Mooie Dag:
Een mooie dag maar met weerhaken.

Gebroken Glas:
Wat eerst 'Bovary' als titel had, werd uiteindelijk 'Gebroken Glas'.

Madou:
Vera Coomans: zang
Wiet Van De Leest: piano, viool, altviool
Thomas Devos: gitaar, bas, zang
Louis Van De Leest: keyboards, synths, beats
Mattijs Vanderleen: drums, percussie, beats
Marc De Maeseneer: saxofoon

Madou speelt ook live: