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Annlaug Borsheim is an established freelance musician and songwriter based in Bergen, Norway. She comes from the folk music world, but operates within a wide range of genres, theatrical expressions, and instruments. She sings in Norwegian, and the music reflects Annlaug's versatile background, from traditional tunes from Hardanger to indie rock. She is joined by a star team from the local music scene in Bergen, led by the album's producer, Pedro Carmona-Alvarez.

Whitney K returns with 'Bubble', his first album for Fire Records and follow-up to 2022's acclaimed 'Hard To Be A God'. Whitney K continue his migrant mind games, summoning up a series of intriguing characters, littered with everyday foibles and fantasies. Along the way, he pens a journal of possibilities as he travels further into transient America, touching on everything from bar room chatter, rumour and distortion to misinformation, daydreams, misunderstanding and self-realisation; with anecdotes lifted from the paperback in his back pocket and his half-forgotten past. 'Bubble' is a 13-part cerebral mystery that unravels on songs that bring to mind the gruff sentimentality of the late Kris Kristoferson, Lennon's 'Jealous Guy', Eels at their most troubled and the American Gothic sketches of David Ackles; the perfect soundtrack for a Raymond Carver book club. Recorded in Montreal, it's self-produced by band members Josh Boguski and Michael Halls at their home studio. This stripped back release is Whitney K's most raw yet refined work to date-an honest, sonically paradoxical collection that finds fresh possibilities in the familiar shapes of rock, pop, and folk with the same unfiltered energy and poetic gravity we have come to expect from this modern-day troubadour whose descriptive storytelling is filled with sketchy characters and rudimentary comment. RIYL Bill Callahan, Silver Jews, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Cate LeBon, Kurt Vile, Wilco, MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee, Cass McCombs, Giant Sand...

Die Black Lips sind mit einer 40-minütigen Rock'n'Roll-Odyssee quer durch die Genres zurück, bei der Garagenrock auf New-Wave-Pop trifft und verärgerter Country sich die Hand mit epischen Western-Soundtracks gibt. Das 14-Track-Album fängt die Energie und den Geist der frühen Black Lips ein und geht gleichzeitig neue Wege beim Songwriting. Das Album ist ein musikalisches Karussell, eine Trip mit straßengeschundenen Geschichten aus der Schattenseite eines lichtlosen Amerikas. Die Rahmung bildet "The Illusion", pt.I und II: eine Suche nach Hoffnung, Angst und Hass in einer Bar, die immer wieder von einem Gefühl der Resignation durchkreuzt wird: ,you reach for the sky / but it's an illusion". An anderer Stelle spielt sich "Wild One" wie ein Morricone-Taumel durch einen weiteren Tag in der Hölle ab. Ein Mantra für verkatertes, himmelschreiendes Klagelied zum Lob des Wilden im Herzen. "Tippy Tongue" zeigt, wie Black Lips den Soul der 60er-Jahre-Girlgroups aufgreifen, wie Shangri-Las oder Ronettes, die von Jayne/Wayne County infiltriert wurden, und ist eine Hommage an Buddha Records. "Kassandra" hat einen sonntäglichen Gitarrensound, der sich wie The Chocolate Watchband mit Zappa am Gesang durch immer wiederkehrende Salven schlängelt. "Zulu Saints" ist ein beschwingter Country-Hupf, ein Gute-Laune-Stück mit Bravour, gespickt mit Cole in einer ungläubigen Radio-Telefon-Show, der nach schwarzäugigen Erbsen sucht und an den Spielautomaten groß gewinnt. Für die Aufnahmen verschanzten sie sich in der idyllischen Umgebung von Schlagzeuger Oakleys neuem Sound At Manor Studio in den Catskills (das erste Album, das dort aufgenommen wurde, seit Oakley das Studio 2020 baute). In dieser idyllischen Umgebung entzog sich die Band dem Stadtleben und nahm ihre Musik analog auf Band auf - Teil ihres Bestrebens, Spontaneität zu leben und die Energie eines Live-Konzerts der Black Lips auf Platte einzufangen. Gelungen! "Simply masters in their field" NME" - Limitiertes, cremefarbenes Vinyl mit DLC sowie CD im Digisleeve

Wir feiern das 30. Jubiläum von „Afraid of Sunlight“, dem achten Studioalbum von Marillion. Seit seiner Erstveröffentlichung im Jahr 1995 hat sich das Album zu einem der von der Kritik am meisten gefeierten Alben der Band entwickelt. Es wurde 1995 vom Q Magazine in die Liste der „Recordings of the Year“ aufgenommen und rangiert auf Platz 90 der Liste der „100 Greatest Prog Albums of All Time“ des Prog Magazine.

‘Acker Bilk was a bowler-hatted Titan of Trad jazz who conjured a warm, sentimental sound from his clarinet.’ So began the Daily Telegraph’s affectionate obituary for Acker Bilk, who died in November 2014, aged 85. It inevitably and correctly identified ‘Stranger On The Shore’, his biggest hit, as ‘among the best-selling records of the 20th century. Enjoy not only ‘Stranger…’ but many more examples of his mellifluous mastery here on this 180g Vinyl set.

There can be no doubt that Nina Simone was one of the great Black American women who bridged the movement from Blues and R&B to Soul. She was nicknamed 'The High Priestess Of Soul' and spoken of in the same awed tones as the likes of Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Ruth Brown, but in so many ways she trumps all of them with her musicality and versatility. This release emphasizes her bluesier side

Legendary and pioneering Träd, Gräs och Stenar is considered Sweden's oldest rock band to introduce psychedelic underground music. The group originally formed in 1967 as International Harvester, later became Harvester, and eventually evolved into Träd, Gräs och Stenar. Their unique blend of psychedelic rock and traditional Swedish folk music was groundbreaking at the time-and still resonates with new generations of listeners today. This long-awaited "Green Album" from 1970 marks their very first release under the name Träd, Gräs och Stenar. Now, for the first time since its original release, it's being reissued on vinyl-complete with rare photos, an in-depth story, and a 30x60 cm poster. Decades later, the band continues to perform under the name TRÄDEN, now with only one original member. He is joined by a new generation of acclaimed musicians, who are keeping the spirit alive and carrying the sounds and legacy of Träd, Gräs och Stenar into the future.

Pop-punk veterans Teenage Bottlerocket are primed to release their new LP Ready to Roll, the band's first full length for Pirates Press Records. "This time around, there was no big concept, no pressure. We just wrote songs that felt good to play," explains bassist Miguel Chen. "That freedom brought something fresh. It reminded us why we started doing this in the first place. The vibe is all about reconnecting with the joy of making music together. "The band returned to The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO, with Andrew Berlin behind the board & Jason Livermore overseeing the final master. "The Blasting Room is like home for us," says Miguel. "Working with Andrew and Jason is always a smooth ride-they know how to pull the best out of us." Fans got their first taste of what's to come via the lead single "She's the Shit." Ray Carlisle wrote the song for his wife Rachel, who he says "loves to give me a hard time-she rolls her eyes when I rock out in front of the mirror, makes fun of the music I love, and calls me an old man when I bring up movies she's never seen. And I totally love her for it." As for the song, Ray says, "It kicks the door open. It sets the tone for the whole record-fast, catchy, and not taking itself too seriously. Just the way we like it." This back to basics approach carries through the album, making it equally satisfying for longtime fans & newcomers alike. "Whether it's your first TBR album or your tenth," says Miguel. "There's something here for you." It's packed with everything you'd expect from TBR with a few surprises the band think you'll love - including a couple of songs where Miguel steps up to the mic for his first-ever lead vocals! "We're lucky to still be here, making music with our best friends, and connecting with people who get it," sums up Miguel. "Ready to Roll is exactly what it sounds like-we're stoked, and, in a way, we're just getting started."

Pop-punk veterans Teenage Bottlerocket are primed to release their new LP Ready to Roll, the band's first full length for Pirates Press Records. "This time around, there was no big concept, no pressure. We just wrote songs that felt good to play," explains bassist Miguel Chen. "That freedom brought something fresh. It reminded us why we started doing this in the first place. The vibe is all about reconnecting with the joy of making music together. "The band returned to The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO, with Andrew Berlin behind the board & Jason Livermore overseeing the final master. "The Blasting Room is like home for us," says Miguel. "Working with Andrew and Jason is always a smooth ride-they know how to pull the best out of us." Fans got their first taste of what's to come via the lead single "She's the Shit." Ray Carlisle wrote the song for his wife Rachel, who he says "loves to give me a hard time-she rolls her eyes when I rock out in front of the mirror, makes fun of the music I love, and calls me an old man when I bring up movies she's never seen. And I totally love her for it." As for the song, Ray says, "It kicks the door open. It sets the tone for the whole record-fast, catchy, and not taking itself too seriously. Just the way we like it." This back to basics approach carries through the album, making it equally satisfying for longtime fans & newcomers alike. "Whether it's your first TBR album or your tenth," says Miguel. "There's something here for you." It's packed with everything you'd expect from TBR with a few surprises the band think you'll love - including a couple of songs where Miguel steps up to the mic for his first-ever lead vocals! "We're lucky to still be here, making music with our best friends, and connecting with people who get it," sums up Miguel. "Ready to Roll is exactly what it sounds like-we're stoked, and, in a way, we're just getting started."

Echo Beach proudly presents: Don Letts - The Rebel Dread - legendary film and video director, disc jockey and musician. Don Letts, in his capacity as a selector (it"s not for nothing that he hosts his own show on BBC6 radio), enthusiastically accepted the invitation to create a compilation from Echo Beach"s extensive catalog to mark its 30th anniversary. A splendid and crisp selection.

Die frühen Achtzigerjahre waren für den härteren Rock aus Deutschland eine ganz besondere Zeit. Der ausufernde Progressive Rock und der sogenannte Krautrock waren am Ausklingen, der Punk musste dem New Wave weichen und der Heavy Metal begann Fahrt aufzunehmen.

Einige Bands saßen zwischen 1980 und 1983 zwischen den Stühlen und können gar als „das fehlende Glied“ bezeichnet werden. In diesem Boxset
befinden sich gleich drei Schmuckstücke und Geheimtipps, die heute sogar aufregender klingen als damals. REQUIEM kamen aus Stuttgart
und lieferten auf ihrer einzigen LP einen Mix aus Hardrock, Pomprock und Progressive Rock. Gitarrist Tommy Clauss wurde später mit Bands wie ZAR
berühmt, bei denen auch ex-Uriah Heep Sänger John Lawton dabei war.

SPHINX ist eine andere Geschichte, denn hier haben ein paar italienische Gastarbeitersöhne im Raum Stuttgart eine Band gegründet. So wurde
das Debüt „Here We Are“ vom Label als „Made In Italy“ verkauft, was natürlich nur eine Verkaufsstrategie war. SPHINX nehmen das voraus,
was uns Jahre später unter Anderem Dream Theater lieferten. Eine frühe Version des Prog Metal, oder ein Vorläufer davon. Das gleiche Album wurde
von einem anderen Label 1985 als „Burning Lights“ erneut ins Rennen geschickt; dieses Mal mit einem Heavy Metal-tauglichem Coverartwork.
LIMERICK aus Saarbrücken haben als Schülerband 1980 eine heute sehr rare Single aufgenommen. Das einzige Album erschien dann 1983 – mit
deutschen Texten! Regional war der kräftige Rock mit Dialekt im Gesang sehr erfolgreich und spielte Shows mit Kim Wilde und Climax Blues Band.
Die Gruppe ist heute wieder aktiv und wurde kürzlich im Magazin Rock Hard gefeatured

Requiescat Record is the new EP by New Brutalism, a minimal rock quartet formed in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1998. The band comprises vocalist Shane Elliott, guitarist/vocalist Matt Hall, bassist/vocalist David Basford, and drummer Carey Balch. The three-track release - "088," "087" and "089," in keeping with their strict numerical naming convention - was recorded in 2021 by the late, great Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, and mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service in 2025. For the band, "less is more" became a guiding principle - channeled through an unwaveringly raw, direct, and honest approach to sound. Out of partly sound, partly aesthetic, mainly a thirst to build, New Brutalism performs on aluminum instruments built by the band members. They chose the material because itE¼s lighter than steel, more consistent than wood, and easy to machine. Above all, itE¼s precise - and thereby, can produce precise music. In 2021, New Brutalism entered Electrical Audio to record Requiescat Record. Named after a Latin term meaning a prayer for the repose of a dead person, Requiescat Record retroactively became a dedication to AlbiniE¼s memory. The band acknowledges that so much of the aesthetic, interests and sounds they admired are a product of his influence and the circle of artists around him. His death instigated a state of urgency. A desire to act became more pressing, to strike more often, and usher in a new era of productivity. Shattered and kinetic, forgedby time and tragedy, with god-given sonicquality, Requiescat Record may acknowledge the dead, but this music feels ever so alive.

Requiescat Record is the new EP by New Brutalism, a minimal rock quartet formed in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1998. The band comprises vocalist Shane Elliott, guitarist/vocalist Matt Hall, bassist/vocalist David Basford, and drummer Carey Balch. The three-track release - "088," "087" and "089," in keeping with their strict numerical naming convention - was recorded in 2021 by the late, great Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, and mastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service in 2025. For the band, "less is more" became a guiding principle - channeled through an unwaveringly raw, direct, and honest approach to sound. Out of partly sound, partly aesthetic, mainly a thirst to build, New Brutalism performs on aluminum instruments built by the band members. They chose the material because itE¼s lighter than steel, more consistent than wood, and easy to machine. Above all, itE¼s precise - and thereby, can produce precise music. In 2021, New Brutalism entered Electrical Audio to record Requiescat Record. Named after a Latin term meaning a prayer for the repose of a dead person, Requiescat Record retroactively became a dedication to AlbiniE¼s memory. The band acknowledges that so much of the aesthetic, interests and sounds they admired are a product of his influence and the circle of artists around him. His death instigated a state of urgency. A desire to act became more pressing, to strike more often, and usher in a new era of productivity. Shattered and kinetic, forgedby time and tragedy, with god-given sonicquality, Requiescat Record may acknowledge the dead, but this music feels ever so alive.

Nach dem Erfolg der ersten zehn Alben der Vinyl Edition von Hyperion (veröffentlicht im September 2024
und März 2025) folgen nun sechs weitere LPs. Alle Alben erscheinen erstmals auf Vinyl und zeigen weltweit
tourende Künstler, mit denen das Label seit langem eng zusammenarbeitet. Jeder der sechs Titel wird als
limitierte 180g-LP erscheinen, die in einem vollfarbigen Gatefold präsentiert wird und mit einem Begleitheft
ausgestattet ist.
Die Zusammenarbeit von Hyperion mit Stephen Layton und Polyphony hat im Laufe der Jahre zu einigen
der besten Choraufnahmen geführt, die es gibt, und Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst & other choral works
ist wirklich etwas Besonderes: Das für einen Grammy nominierte Album wurde von BBC Radio 3 als
„atemberaubend“ und von der Times als „ein Gewinner“ beschrieben und machte Whitacres einzigartige
kompositorische Stimme einem weltweiten Publikum bekannt.
Polyphony wurde 1986 von Stephen Layton für ein Konzert in der King’s College Chapel in Cambridge
gegründet. Seitdem hat der Chor regelmäßig Konzerte gegeben und Aufnahmen gemacht, die von Kritikern
in der ganzen Welt gelobt wurden

FJAAK return with a powerful remix package, delivering fresh takes on a selection of tracks from their unforgettable 2024 album 'FJAAK THE SYSTEM'. Welcoming three standout remixes from some of techno's most respected names, 'REMIX02' sees offerings from Robert Hood, Shed and West Code, as well as some surprise Bandcamp digital only remixes selected from the participants of FJAAK's latest remix competition. Kicking off the main remix package release, Detroit legend Robert Hood brings his unmistakable raw, relentless and pioneering sound to the table as he reimagines FJAAK's 'Breathe Underwater'. The genre-defining godfather serves up an undeniably signature cut flooded with euphoric energy, thumping grooves, rippling musicality and spaced-out vocal injections, carving out an authentic Floorplan-esque peak-time jam. Berlin-based artist Shed (one of the many monikers of established electronic stalwart Ren? Pawlowitz) is next to feature, delivering another impressive spin on FJAAK's work, this time exploring his vision on 'Micro Expressions'. An impressive blend of hypnotism and electricity, this bold remix echoes FJAAK's preference for cultivating huge dancefloor heaters that thrive on live instrumentalism and limitless energy. It's racy, groovy and raw, building around rolling rhythms, warping layers of analogue sound and intricate breaks throughout. Argentinian talent West Code was the winner of the 'Redemption' remix competition and rounds off the main package with a huge interpretation of FJAAK's original mix. Almost bordering into tribal techno in places, its emphasis on groove and subtle South American influences create a unique remix, overflowing with boomy low-end drive, piercing percussive drive and mind-bending melodics - a real gem for the height of the party and irresistibly sinister from start to finish. The remix competition of 'Redemption' drew an overwhelming response from producers worldwide, which made it very difficult to choose a winner. Even though West Code's interpretation was the chosen remix, four other interpretations were so good that FJAAK decided to showcase the talent of Helsmoortel, Genex, Ay Din and Your friend daao by including their reworks on an exclusive Bandcamp-only EP, highlighting the duo's ongoing commitment to to the underground.

Composed, Arranged, and Conducted by: Norio Maeda

Has there ever been a soundtrack so thrilling and beautiful? This is the pinnacle of cine-jazz, crafted by the master Norio Maeda.

Released in 1971, Shadow Of The Highway is a suspense-action film produced and starring Jiro Tamiya, and directed by Jun Fukuda.
True to its tagline—“A sports car tearing vertically through Japan, from Kagoshima to Hokkaido”—the film features a Mitsubishi Galant GTO racing
across the country. Often compared to the American New Cinema classic Vanishing Point, it stands as a Japanese road movie gem.

The music was composed by the legendary Norio Maeda. His piano corners with elegance, the vibraphone dashes forward with flair, the bass charges
ahead with power, and the drums shift gears with precision. Motion and stillness, obsession and desire, joy and sorrow—thrilling performances and
beautiful melodies elevate the film to new heights.

As a soundtrack, it is exceptional. But even more, it represents an extraordinary level of quality for Japanese jazz in 1971. The performances are so
remarkable that it’s unfortunate the exact personnel remain unidentified. However, it has long been rumored that the musicians may have been associated
with Takeshi Inomata’s Sound Limited—or possibly The Third.

Text by Yusuke Ogawa (UNIVERSOUNDS / DEEP JAZZ REALITY)

The Belgian leading punk band The Kids, founded by Ludo Mariman, made their debut in 1978 with their landmark titleless album, surely deserving to be part of the global top list of great seventies punk albums. After another four studio albums, the band called it a day... only to resurface a good ten years later, at the end of the 1990s. Since then, The Kids have become an international cult punk band, much in demand in Belgium and abroad (USA, Germany, France, Italy, Japan…), mainly focusing on their initial seventies punk repertoire, with many classic songs that have effortlessly survived the ravages of time.

The Kids are still the most angry Belgian band, which says a lot about the eagerness and sharpness of Ludo Mariman and his mates. The Kids, for sure, still are an absolute top band!

"Flabbergasted" was recorded early 2001 at the AB Club in Brussels and released the following year on CD, which sold out quickly. Starman Records issued the album in 2015, making it available on vinyl for the very first time, with restored audio and entirely new artwork. Sold out long ago, it was followed by a second print run in 2023 on limited colored vinyl. An album you can’t miss—sharp as a razor blade and containing many of The Kids' classics, along with a couple of contemporary punk covers. The band still tours actively and will celebrate, in 2026, their 50th anniversary.

Kimberly Claeys, known as Little Kim, has been pursuing her musical career for 20 years. She has performed with the Western Swing band Little Kim & The Alley Apple 3 in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany, and has released four albums. Since 2019, she has brought a breath of fresh air to the folk monument Kadril, with whom she released the album Jolie Flamande in 2022. Little Kim is also known as one of Guido Belcanto’s regular guest singers.

Her solo debut, Moederland (2022), was produced by Guido Belcanto, who also appears on several songs and lent her his band Het Broederschap. In addition to Belcanto, Bruno Deneckere and Lieven Tavernier wrote and interpreted songs for her, drawing from artists such as Gillian Welch, Nathalie Merchant, and Bob Dylan. The album was very well received by both the press and fans.

On 28 March 2025, her new album, Ademhalen, was released, featuring Dutch-language songs written especially for Little Kim by Bruno Deneckere, Lieven Tavernier, Lennaert Maes, and Wigbert.

Little Kim offers a mix of country, folk, roots, and Americana — you could call it Flandricana, or as record boss Felix Huybrechts describes it: “Country molded from Flemish clay.”

For the recording of Ademhalen, Kim was able to rely on her regular band and the support of Gianni Marzo (Marble Sounds, Isbells). Together, they created a new sound that can be abrasive at times and soothing at others, but always centered on the pure beauty of the song.

Her new single, Bij Jou, was featured on Radio 2's playlist for weeks.

Little Kim performs as a soloist, a trio, or with a full band.

LITTLE KIM & GROUP
With: Kimberly Claeys – vocals | Bruno Deneckere – vocals, guitar | Bart Vervaeck – pedal steel, guitar | Andries Boone – violin, mandolin, accordion | Jasper Hautekiet – double bass | Bert Huysentruyt – drums

Matt Watts (1987–2024) was born in Philadelphia, in the USA. He recorded his first songs along the banks of the Missouri River in Montana when he was 15, touring the north-western states extensively as a young troubadour. He arrived in Belgium at the tender age of 19 and grew into a full-fledged singer-songwriter that combines a profound respect for the folk tradition with contemporary influences.

His solo album, Songs from a Window, was released in 2014 by Starman Records and received glowing praise in the press.

Matt Watts played dozens upon dozens of shows in the Benelux, often together with Stef Kamil Carlens and Nicolas Rombouts. While his predecessor Songs from a Window was a true solo album, How Different It Was When You Were There includes personal stories by Watts that have been subtly seasoned with wonderful musicians such as Nathalie Delcroix, Bjorn Eriksson, Geert Hellings (Stanton, Guido Belcanto), Maarten Moesen (Guido Belcanto), and bassist and this album’s producer, Nicolas Rombouts (formerly with Dez Mona, Stef Kamil Carlens, The Colorist, Guido Belcanto, and many others).

One of the highlights of this album, which truly showcases Matt Watts’ awakening, is “Many a Friend Too Kind”: a fabulous duet with Stef Kamil Carlens. Watts also performed in Zita Swoon Group’s production, The Ballad of Erol Klof. Sadly, Matt Watts passed away in June 2024.

MORE QUOTES

“Watts, who washed up in Belgium, sings his personal, poetic lyrics in a high, whispering voice that immediately brings Nick Drake to mind.” 4/5 **** (De Standaard)

‘This is an album full of sincere sentiment and stimulating, evocative stories in fine songs that have been beautifully coloured by Watts and his band, and on which he brings the narrative aspect to the fore more than ever.’ (daMusic)

‘Sensitive songwriter, exceptional storyteller... Introverted, dark, more country, less Nick Drake.’ (OOR)

‘This is real, raw, authentic. Well done, Matt, very well done.’ (Keys And Chords)

‘And no matter how young Matt Watts may be, the singer/musician writes timeless songs reminiscent of those by David Blue and John Martyn...’ (Rootstime)

‘Matt knows how to strike that chord in the same way as Cohen, which immediately moves you. From the beginning to the end of this record.’ (Gigview)

‘A singer-songwriter who believes in simplicity (not a note too many), but grabs you by the scruff of the neck from the start and confronts you with the painful beauty of romance.’ (Luminous Dash)

‘Let's be honest here: Belgium has simply become too small for an album like “How Different It Was When You Were There”. Song material of this calibre deserves a much, much wider audience!’ 4.5***** (ctrl.alt.country)

Starman Records, the Belgian label renowned for re-releasing Belgian rock from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, has so far released five volumes in the highly anticipated and widely acclaimed Belgian Vaults Series, praised by both press and fans.

These unique albums focus entirely on the sixties and early seventies, compiling many rare and hard-to-find tracks—mainly originally released as singles on small, long-forgotten labels. Covering genres such as pop, beat, rock ’n’ roll, and psych, these gems are well worth rediscovering. Belgian Vaults are not just collector’s items; each album features restored and remastered sound quality and is carefully curated to appeal to all fans of sixties rock.