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Ray Mono, who first came onto the scene as a resident at well regarded Leeds party Mono_Cult more than a decade ago, is now helming the label of the same name.

After a notable first outing, he is quickly back with another of his supple and subtle minimal workouts. 'Synchronicity' is a brilliantly warm and bubbly opener with balmy pads and sci-fi signifiers, while 'Awakenings' picks up the pace for a more driving and late-night tech house vibe that oozes drum funk.

'Synchronicity' then comes as a Nu Zau remix with more chattery percussion and textured bass rumbles, and Sepp's remix of 'Awakenings' is deep, bumping minimal house. A super fresh EP once more.

Das zweite und letzte Studioalbum der Punk-Ikonen - X-Ray Spex. Das heiß begehrte Album wurde 1995 in einer sehr kleiner Auflage nur auf CD bei Receiver Records in Großbritannien veröffentlicht und war in den letzten 27 Jahren offiziell nicht erhältlich! Das Album vereinte die original X-Ray Spex-Sängerin Poly Styrene mit der ursprünglichen X-Ray Spex-Saxophonistin Lora Logic und dem Bassisten Paul Dean sowie dem Kula Shaker-Frontmann Crispian Mills an der Gitarre unter seinem damaligen Pseudonym Red Spectre. Das Reissue wurde von den Original-Masterbändern neu gemastert und ist zum ersten Mal überhaupt auf LP erhältlich! Mit dem originalen und erweiterten Artwork, einschließlich bisher unveröffentlichter Texte und originaler Cover-Notizen von Poly. Die Popkultur ist voll von klassischen Alben, die iregndwie durchrutschen. In den letzten Jahren haben die verstorbenen Poly Styrene und X-Ray Spex mit ihrem 1978er Debütalbum "Germfree Adolescents" Kultstatus erlangt, aber das 17 Jahre später veröffentlichte Nachfolgealbum "Conscious Consumer" ist im Sand der Zeit untergegangen. Heutzutage wissen die meisten Leute nicht einmal, dass X-Ray Spex ein Nachfolgealbum hatten. Diese liebevoll zusammengestellte Neuauflage rückt ein verlorenes Juwel ins Rampenlicht, das viele Merkmale des Debüts aufweist, aber durch eine andere Brille betrachtet wird. Conscious Consumer" war eine Weiterentwicklung des klassischen Debüts mit derselben Punkrock-Dringlichkeit und denselben Konsumthemen, aber mit einer poppigeren Kante und einer durchdachteren Weisheit, die aus der Perspektive eines älteren, weiseren Krishna-Anhängers aus den Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens geschöpft wurde. Im Jahr 1995 war das Album ein unerwartetes Comeback und wurde ein verlorener Klassiker. Es war das erste neue Material, das die Band seit Jahren aufnahm, obwohl viele der Songs bereits ein Jahrzehnt zuvor geschrieben worden waren. Nach der Veröffentlichung verschwand das Album jedoch schnell vom Radar, lang bevor Poly dihren verdienten Kultstatus erlangte. Die Band, die sich 1991, 1995 und 2008 neu formierte, wird heute weltweit dafür verehrt, dass sie eine neue Art von musikalischem Lebensgefühl ausgelöst hat. Die verstorbene Poly ist heute ein Pin-up der Punk- & Popkultur für eine Originalität und einen Feminismus, die zu dieser Zeit kaum existierten. Ihre bissigen, witzigen und brillanten Texte und ihre unverwechselbare Stimme haben den Test der Zeit bestanden, und zusammen mit der ursprünglichen Saxophonistin der Band, Lora Logic, ist sie Teil der Punkrockgeschichte geworden. Die unscharfen Schnappschüsse der kurzen frühen Besetzung zeigen den frechen und scharf gekleideten Teenager-Kern, der vor Talent, Originalität und Stil strotzt, in einem Standbild der popkulturellen Punkrock-Perfektion. Wenn er sich das Album nach einer langen Pause wieder anhört, ist Bassist Paul Dean überrascht. Conscious Consumer" klingt jetzt so viel besser als in meiner Erinnerung. Damals wurde es nicht richtig veröffentlicht und deshalb kennt es niemand. Wenn du Germfree Adolescents liebst, wirst du Conscious Consumer lieben, sie sind miteinander verbunden. X-Ray Spex hatten nicht nur ein großartiges Album, sie hatten zwei!" CD, Eco Mix LP (random colour) & Crystal Clear LP (for Indies Only)

Zander Raymond is an interdisciplinary artist and musician working in Chicago, IL. In his visual work, he improvises with found materials, tools, and images to make drawings, prints, and sculptures that question the idea of productivity in a studio environment and serve as an autobiographical record of experience. His music is similarly rooted in improvisation, utilizing modular synthesizers and open-source sound computers to sample, warp, and build sonic images that embrace non-linear approaches to composition. Since 2018, he has participated in numerous exhibitions as well as performances across Chicago.

Always traveling, El Gato Negro, the moniker of "nomadic" singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, stopped this time in Dakar, Senegal to record his new album “Tigre qui pleure” (“Crying Tiger”). In a combination of West African and Cuban musicians, under El Gato's Colombian flute, Jazz blends with Hip-Hop, traditional with digital, French with Wolof and Spanish. In this third album, produced by GUTS, El Gato Negro invited his musical family (Florian Pellissier, Kumar, Orchestra Baobab, Cucurucho Valdés, Pat Kalla, Cyril Atef, iZem, Djeuhdjoah & Lieutenant Nicholson...) and dropped his festive mask to let Axel, the melancholic, express himself.

Murdock will release his second album in January 2024. The first was released in 2018, collected 20 million streams, and reached radio in Belgium and abroad with a number of strong singles, partly thanks to guest appearances from UK legend Jenna G and reggae hero Errol?Dunkley.?Studio Brussel chose 'Make Me Stronger' and 'Different Way' for daytime radio, George FM in New Zealand played 'Dollars Aren't Cheap' so much that the track made it into the top 10 of the national Shazam list, and in the UK it was 'Double Dutch' with?Roni Size that convinced BBC Radio 1.?

This time he once again brings Sena Dagadu on board, with whom he scored his biggest hit to date: Can't Keep Me Down has almost 12 million streams and the title is tattooed on loads of body parts worldwide.?She will provide goosebumps again on the upcoming album with 'Reign'.?Omar Perry (son of!) gets on board for 'Fire Burning', which will also be the anthem of the upcoming Rampage edition in the Sportpaleis, Ayah Marar helps the euphoric 'Lost In You' to a dose of soul, and new talents Emilie Rachel and Medyk?steal the show on 'Living In The Moment' and 'Runaway' respectively, on which Murdock combines drum & bass with their pure songwriting skills.?Advance single 'Cola' has already done extremely well: 600,000 streams in a few months, and a lot of radio play in Belgium, New Zealand and United Kingdom.?The album is called X-Ray as each track represents a piece of the identity that makes Murdock a whole.

Dutch lute player and composer Jozef Van Wissem's new album The Night Dwells in the Day out 19th January 2024. “It's like a part of my body,” says Jozef Van Wissem of the relationship he has to his chosen instrument, the lute. “The complexity of it is what keeps me going because you can always find something new.” The ability to constantly extract something different and explore fresh terrain is evident throughout Van Wissem’s sprawling back catalogue and up to his latest album, ‘The Night Dwells in the Day’. Over the years he’s released countless solo albums stretching into double figures, there’s been collaborations with Jim Jarmusch and Tilda Swinton, award-winning computer game soundtracks, along with award-winning film soundtracks, from Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive to Pierre Creton’s 2023 film A Prince. Since studying the lute in New York with Patrick O'Brien in the 1990s, Van Wissem has gone on to create works equally as rooted in classical Renaissance and Baroque forms of lute music, as contemporary sounds spanning drones, electronics and field recordings. Throw in some of his formative influences from the no wave and industrial scenes, alongside a dedicated approach to minimalism and this has resulted in Van Wissem producing distinct and singular work whose sound is often a marriage of opposites; meditative and intense, forward thinking but with a sense of the arcane. The Quietus has called him “probably the most famous lutenist in the world”. The genesis for his latest album began during lockdown in Warsaw, where Van Wissem splits his time between Rotterdam. “The Call of the Deathbird” was the first song he wrote from the album and is the first to be shared, along with an accompanying video today. Over a hypnotic yet beautifully fluid and plucked melody - captures scenes of deserted streets, death and the intense isolation that gripped us all. One of the relatively rare tracks that Van Wissem sings on - along with some stirring and enveloping guest vocals from Hilary Woods (who will tour with Van Wissem later this year – details below) - his towering voice circles above the music much like the swooping deathbird he sings of. Normally Van Wissem writes all the music for one album within a confined period but this one song from a few years ago stuck around and took on a new lease of life and so joined a bunch of freshly written songs for the album. While one song written during, and about, the pandemic came to be the album’s centerpiece, the rest of the album grapples with the world as it moved on and all the dualism and dichotomies that followed. “It has to do with darkness and light,” Van Wissem says of the album. “The title can mean different things to people but sometimes people say that if I play a happy piece of music that it still sounds sad. So this is why I came up with that title.”

The first release from the remastered catalogue campaign on Melanie’s own revitalised Neighbourhood Records label (via UKs Easy Action) features the song recently used on the cult TV show Black Mirror, backed with an unreleased version of the 60s hit ‘Bo Bo’s Party’. This year Shindig Magazine did a 3-page feature on Melanie as more and more people start to ask who is she? The 7” is limited to 350 coloured vinyl copies and comes in a spined picture sleeve. Melanie landed in the New York City music and radio scene in the late 1960’s. Her first single Beautiful People immediately became a turntable hit. Her first tour began with an impressive 40-day run of shows at Paris’ world-famous L’Olympia Theater at the personal invitation of Bruno Coquatrix. In the years to come she would entertain millions: at An Aquarian Exposition (the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival), at Carnegie Hall, and the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury music festivals, The Sydney Opera House, the South Korean DMZ, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Royal Albert Hall, and other Venues around the globe. Melanie launched Neighborhood Records, making her the first American woman to open a mainstream record label. She recorded over 20 chart hits. Melanie received an Emmy after composing lyrics for the theme song of the hit television series Beauty and the Beast. “What Have They Done to My Song Ma” was re-recorded by Ray Charles with the Count Basie Band. Nina Simone delivered a remarkable rendition, as well. “(Lay Down) Candles in the Rain” was re-recorded by Mott the Hoople on their 1971 album Wildlife. Meredith Brooks and Queen Latifah later re-recorded the anthem. “Some Say (I Got Devil)" was re-recorded by Smith’s frontman Morrissey. Melanie has always known her calling in life was to entertain. Audiences have welcomed her to the stage for more than fifty years, and she continues to perform today.

On 6th October, multi BRIT-nominated DJ/producer Joel Corry releases his debut album, ‘Another Friday Night’ via Asylum / Atlantic Records, with the pre-order going live on the 18th August.

To be released on both vinyl & CD, as well as via streaming/download, ‘Another Friday Night’ is a collection of Joel’s most iconic records of the last five years, including breakthrough hit ‘Sorry’, ‘Lonely’, multi-platinum UK #1 single ‘Head & Heart’ ft. MNEK, ‘BED’ w/ RAYE & David Guetta, ‘OUT OUT’ w/ Jax Jones, Charli XCX & Saweetie, plus fresh 2023 cuts like ‘Dance Around It’ with Caity Baser and the anthemic ‘0800 HEAVEN’ with Nathan Dawe & Ella Henderson, ‘Another Friday Night’ toasts a remarkable run of releases that’s seen Joel become one of the UK’s biggest and most impactful dance acts.

“My debut album ‘Another Friday Night’ is the biggest moment of my life”, says Joel Corry. “Everything I have dreamed about and worked so hard for has come together with the release of this record. It has been an incredible journey and I am so proud to have reached this moment in my career. I want the songs to make people feel good and bring happiness to their days, and the album includes everyone’s favourite bangers from over the years, as well as some really exciting new material. This is the ultimate Joel Corry playlist, perfect for Another Friday Night.”

Ahead of the release of ‘Another Friday Night’ on October 6th, Joel has also announced a special headline show at London’s Ministry Of Sound on Friday 29th September – his first London headline date since playing at former 5000-cap venue, Printworks, in autumn 2021.

Fans who pre-order ‘Another Friday Night’ will be granted early pre-sale access to tickets on August 24th, before general sale opens on August 25th

Calm, introspective and minimal music for pondering and reflection. Inspired by
giants like Earth, early Santana and Bohren & der Club of Gore, their single-song,
self-titled debut lifts up its listeners onto divine rays of grandeur into infinity.
Gilded Form is founded by members of internationally acclaimed underground
bands such as Desertion Trio, Dead Neanderthals, Many Arms, MNHM, Plague
Organ, Cryptae and Imperial Cult.
FFO: later period Earth
Nick Millevoi: guitar
Otto Kokke: synthesizer
Rene Aquarius: drums

James Ray kickstarted his career as a teenager in 1959 after he left Washington DC for New York, but debut single ‘Make Her Mine’ flopped. Two years later, songwriter Rudy Clark discovered Ray and got him signed to the Caprice label, the resultant ‘If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody’ a top-30 hit that the Beatles covered in early live sets. Ray’s self-titled debut album had that hit and the equally appealing follow-up, ‘Itty Bitty Pieces,’ as well as ‘I’ve Got My Mind Set On You,’ later successfully covered by George Harrison. An overdose would tragically cut short Ray’s career, this sole LP a testament to his enduring talent.

All the music from the iconic Mr Benn cartoons, available for the only time. Recorded in two sessions - Olympic Studios in 1969, and Gateway Studios in 2004. All the music was written by Duncan Lamont, and featured some iconic session musicians including

Kenny Wheeler, Ray Swinfield and Duncan Lamont himself. Ray Swinfield used the same instruments as he used on The Beatles Penny Lane on these recordings. Mr Benn has an enduring popularity, and was shown on The BBC every year from 1971 - 1999, then on Nick Jnr till 2010. The sessions have ben fully remastered, and sound fabulous! It was due to Nick Jnr that a 14th Mr Benn cartoon was made, and the second session features re-working of some of the original tunes as well as lots of new tunes for Gladiator.

The packaging features an insert with Mr Benn dressed in all his adventure outfits, and a game to match all the souvenirs to each adventure. Not to be missed. A must for everybody that grew up with Mr Benn. All the sleeve notes have been written by The Mr Benn cartoon producer Clive Juster, and are full of insights from the recording sessions.

Texan country blues kingpin Lightnin’ Hopkins was rated one of the top 100 guitarists of all time by Billboard, and was a notable influence on Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others. Recordings for Aladdin and Gold Star cemented his reputation, and after performing at Carnegie Hall with Pete Seeger and Joan Baez, ‘Mojo Hand’ was a breakthrough hit. The superb 1961 LP Lightnin’ (The Blues of Lightnin’ Hopkins) benefits from the understated presence of King Curtis’ drummer, Belton Evans, and jazz bassist Leonard Gaskin, placing Hopkins’ guitar licks and raspy voice at centre stage, playfully relating heartbreak and woe.

A real soul gem from 1970 on the James Brown affiliated Deluxe label, the first and only album by this mysterious singer: Marie Queenie Lyons.
It is perhaps apropos that Queenie Marie Lyons’s best known song is titled ‘See And Don’t See.’ For all the acclaim that song has accrued, and all the times it has been compiled, reissued and, yes, bootlegged — for all the times it has been seen — Queenie herself has somehow remained unseen. How did a singer from Ashtabula, Ohio record one of the great female-led soul albums and then simply fall off the map, never to record or perform again? Queenie was a natural performer and a gifted singer. At the age of fifteen, she was doing three shows a week at a local venue. In early 1962, Queenie moved to Queens and was soon playing gigs across the city — an early engagement was with Gene Krupa at the famous Metropole Café in Times Square — as well as touring with established acts like Fats Domino and Ray Charles. The following year, Queenie made her debut recording, for a subsidiary of RCA called Groove, credited to an entirely fictitious “Shelley Shoop and the Shakers.” It remained Queenie’s only presence on wax until early 1968, when a Nashville-based label called Sims gave her her first accurately attributed single, “A Minute Of His Goodtime / Good Soul Lovin’.” Although the 45 is now a highly collectible part of the Northern Soul and Lowrider Oldies pantheons, it made no impact at the time, as Sims was focused on more typical Nashville sounds. A few months later Queenie was back in New York City, performing R&B and pop covers with her band when a man passed her his business card at a performance. The card read James Brown Enterprises. James Brown “was my idol,” she says, and someone whose business acumen and stage presence she strove to emulate. Although Queenie ended up on tour with James Brown for only a month or so, when the group reached Cincinnati in mid-’68 she entered the King Records studio there to record what would become the
album you hold in your hands. The songs were a combination of covers, some of which she’d been doing in her live shows, like ‘Fever’ and ‘Try Me,’ and originals written by producer Henry Glover and pianist Don Pullen, who was the bandleader on the session. The album opener, ‘See And Don’t See,’ was also recorded by the veteran R&B singer Maxine Brown, but Queenie’s version blows hers away. “Soul Fever” is a supremely funky and soulful affair, with Queenie’s powerful and captivating voice magnetically attractive, with an urgency that is impossible to ignore. ‘Your Thing Ain’t No Good Without My Thing,’ ‘Your Key Don’t Fit It Anymore,’ and ‘I Don’t Want Nobody To Have It But You’ are as funky and soulful as the best of Tina Turner and Aretha — a statement not to be made lightly!
The album was critically acclaimed — the October 10, 1970, issue of Billboard listed it as their sole “four star” pick in the Soul category — but perhaps due to the tumult at Starday-King, whose stewardship had turned over several times in only a few years, it never seemed to be able to break through to a larger audience.

KID FRANCESCOLI, leader of the French Riviera Touch is back with the stellar album SUNSET BLUE out Sept 22nd 2023.

After a first sold-out world tour (over 200 concerts in Europe, USA, Asia...), and successful hits such as Nopalitos, Blow Up or Moon (now certified diamond, with more than 200 millions streams), the Marseille-based producer, crooner and multi-instrumentalist, Mathieu Hocine, is eager to share his most accomplished LP ever. This fine collection of soulful songs honor his Mediterranean roots, with elegant and pop melodies. His most recent success and the creation of his first original soundtrack with AZURO, installed him as one of the best French songwriters of his generation, with a unique signature sound.

"I live in Marseille, I spent my childhood in Corsica, I have Algerian origins, my first vacations with friends were in Barcelona, vacations with my first girlfriend in Roma,... Then, I had the chance to perform in Morocco, Greece, Turkey and Egypt: each time I spent time in the Mediterranean region, the people I met there made me feel like I was part of the same country. This shared multiculturalism is really comforting, it has its own poetry and strength, bringing uniqueness and empathy to the people. It is essential for me. I love my city: it’s the perfect place to feel good with sun, sea, family, friendships, love... It gets me emotional, bringing tears with a smile".

With his new musical gem, Mathieu Hocine unveils 11 elegant tunes of his finest craft: sunbathed French Touch (Run Run, 1986), romantic chillwave (Corsica), uplifting synthpop (You Are Everywhere, Like Magic), electronic-soul (Casino Soul), cinematic disco (Solaris), cosmic R&B (Sweet and Sour, Take Time), … Everything is in this record.

For the first time ever, Kid Francescoli paid tribute to his mixed origins with his collaboration with world-renowned lute and mandolin player Hakim Hamadouche (Rachid Taha, Patti Smith, Brian Eno, Tricky...), whom added Algerian patterns to the introspectives songs Drift in Blue and The Morning After.

"My ambition is to create pictures in people's heads with music, to transport them instantly into a movie"

SUNSET BLUE is an instant-crush album: crystal-clear, strong, personal but universal at the same time.

It's an ecstatic soundtrack for this moment when time is suspended, the golden hour when everything seems possible. It feels like Love is in the air, you're living your best life and you're at the right place at the right time. This album embodies this magic moment where we would like to last forever… Like an epiphany, Kid Francescoli's new album is a moment of pure pleasure, a soothing way to escape reality.

"I see myself as a melodist.I would like my music to feel like velvet. There's something cinematic, classy about it, and yet comforting. It's very simple, popular and synonym of love and passion"

His friend French 79 co-produced the album, while the american rapper Bamby H2O brought his NYC swag (on Sweet & Sour), Stan Neff (Polo & Pan, Kungs, Christine and the Queens...) took care of the mix and Alex Gopher (Daft Punk, The Blaze, Bon Entendeur...) added a final touch of magic when mastering. Nicolas Despis (known for his work with Etienne Daho, Hoshi, Juliette Armanet... and many famous French rappers) later joined this dream-team to craft custom-made artworks. SUNSET BLUE is a deeply personal quest, a human adventure for Mathieu Hocine (whom explores his maghrebian origins, his feminine side, his subconscious space, ...). It's a male's work, but don't get it wrong, this LP would be nothing without women’s touch : Julietta (on Run Run and Take Time), Sarah Gaugler from Turbo Goth (on You Are Everywhere and Like Magic), and iOni (on Drift in Blue).

“Music has this magical power to broaden your vision of the world. It's fascinating because, like dreams, it's the kind of irrational things science can't explain and that makes life exciting."

Planets aligned perfectly on this project and thanks to this five-star cast of collaborators, Kid Francescoli achieved his personal holy grail : he orchestrated a great 21st century pop-music album.SUNSET BLUE is a new turning point between organic and electronic, both a mediterranean travel and a Californian dream, a bridge between Ennio Morriconne and modern electronic music.

Also, while it might be called SUNSET BLUE in honor of the sea and the Portuguese / Brazilian concept called “saudade”, but it is a really optimistic album, whose true colors would rather be "yellow-orange-red" in nod to the sun.

Created in the midst of the world tour, SUNSET BLUE is a direct result of the lives’ energy and fans’ joyful vibes: going back in the studio after smiling, singing and dancing with people all around the world inevitably gave Kid Francescoli the desire to retranscribe this ecstatic feeling in music. This album is a sensitive experience, from sunrise to sunset, from first track to last one. It’s an exploration of an everlasting summer, reaching its climax in the very final seconds of the track Corsica, making us want to press play and dive into this jewel all over again.

A beautiful cosmic trip, whether you like to stay in bed cocooning, to travel far, far away or to dance ‘till dawn, to catch the first rays of light.

Make sure to catch Kid Francescoli on his next world tour to have a good time.

Repress!

On 22nd October, the Nottingham-raised and highly-praised musician/DJ/producer Matt Cutler, AKA Lone, presents his 8th album – and first in 5 years – ‘Always Inside Your Head’. It marks two major changes, with both a new label and new approach – featuring vocalists for the first time.

This deeply textural and ethereal artwork is situated high above the clouds, amidst the heavens, occupying a stratospheric state where swathes of synthesized vapour and azure rays sound like a literal breath of fresh air.

A varied selection of music influenced the record, but two main influences were Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine. “I wanted to approach a range of different styles, but attack them from their angle in a way, so for example on 'Inlove2' I tried to imagine what a Balearic / acid house tune might sound like if it were produced by Kevin Shields”, comments Lone.

Another key example of Cutler’s strange but successful combination of elements is the halcyon bliss of ‘Echo Paths’, where his trademark fat drums and love for hip hop meet double-time pan pipes, dub effects and dream pop, mixed into a wonderfully lysergic concoction.

This rarefied auditory stratus was previously evident in tracks like ‘Alpha Wheel 4 (Ambient Mix)’ from ‘DJ Kicks’, ‘Under Cherry Blossoms (Minds Eye Reprise)’ from ‘Ambivert Tools, Vol. 2’, ‘Pulsar’ (from ‘Ambivert 4’), and ‘How Can You Tell’ (from ‘Abraxas’), but is now more fully-fledged, broader in scope and even more celestial.

In addition to the above, the LP exists somewhere between trip hop on Mo' Wax, 90s Warp, intelligent drum & bass and ambient house. There are heavier forays too, like ‘Mouth Of God’, where darker clouds emerge, but are pierced like acid lightning with fierce, tearing tech-step bass.

Although still firmly rooted in club culture – here Lone shows a definite leaning towards a song-based sound, with several tracks edging towards the same crossover space as the nineties hits which also inspired him – particularly William Orbit’s production on Madonna's 'Frozen', and Olive's 'You're Not Alone'. This is especially evident on the bright, spacious brilliance of 'Hidden By Horizons', where vocals and synths swirl around one another, with crisp breakbeats and reggae rolls pushing purposefully through the ether.

Despite initially seeming almost entirely sunny of disposition, upon deeper immersion there’s lot more beneath the album’s surface, both in its deep pools of immiscible layered elements, and also thematically. When recording Cutler kept in mind a loose narrative based on birth, death, and our existence in-between.

He then extended this idea to reach what may happen after death, which is reflected in the sequencing: By penultimate track ‘Undaunted’ the life reflected in this longplayer has come to an end, which is then followed by 'Coming In To Being And Passing Away' – an afterlife epilogue, which evokes a transition from this world to the next.

Emerging from the depths of Cardiff’s burgeoning music scene, heirs to their country’s lineage of storytellers, are Slate. Formed by frontman Jack Shephard and drummer Raychi Bryant, the four-piece band are barely touching their twenties, but together, they have command of post-punk which rings with the gravitas of a death knell; a grasp of atmosphere and melody which touches on the ethereal.

With the addition of bassist Lauren Edwards and guitarist Elis Penri who completed the band at the end of 2021, the four bonded over the written word playing poetry games over pints. Together, they found an affinity with the surreal works of Arthur Rimbaud and the Welsh poets R. S. Thomas and Dylan Thomas, whose reverence for their country and its people bleeds into Slate’s own lyrics.

The 7" collects Slate's stunning 1-2 of debut singles 'Tabernacl' and 'St Agatha', which were both produced by Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard's Tom Rees. Both songs come loaded with frontman Jack Shephard's distinctive, poetic drawl, blistering yet gothic and ornate guitars and rollicking, road-ready drums. Together they offer a snapshot of a band born fully-formed and prove a statement of intent that's hard to ignore.

Of the track, Shephard explains: "'St Agatha' is the first song we wrote about being Welsh. Though, living in in the south, we each converge at the forefront of anglicisation. At the time of writing, we were indulging in literature, landscapes as well as each another, in an attempt to re-connect with much of our disregarded national identity. So much was left unrevealed to us in school. We read about a churchyard on the border, where some people are buried with their heads in Wales and their feet in England. It was the perfect place to tell the story of a conflicted protagonist. Severed at St Agatha’s, between there and the homeland

Re-release Soul entwickelte sich gegen Ende der 1950er Jahre aus Rhythm"n"Blues, Gospel, Blues und Jazz. Im folgenden Jahrzehnt war Soul ein Synonym für schwarze Popmusik. Kennzeichnend dafür waren vor allem die Produktionen von Motown Records, zum Beispiel Diana Ross & The Supremes oder Sam Cooke. Seither sind herzergreifender Gesang und groovige Vibes die größten Stilmerkmale des Soul. Zu den weiteren Ikonen des Soul gehören Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Barry White, Sam Cooke, Al Green und viele mehr. Deren Erfolg ist eng mit dem Kampf der US-amerikanischen Bürgerrechtsbewegung gegen Rassentrennung und für Gleichberechtigung verbunden. 1969 benannte man die Rhythm"n"Blues- in Soul-Charts um. Der Soul-Orkan, der während der Sechziger in den Charts tobte, ebbte jedoch wieder ab, kam aber runderneuert in den 70ern als Phillysound wieder zu erneuten Hitparadenehren. 1982 änderte man die Chart-Bezeichnung von Soul in Black Music. Die vorliegende Kompilation vereint die legendären Stimmen des Soul mit ihren unvergesslichen Hits.

Bryan Adams, der preisgekrönter Singer/Songwriter, hat sich als einer der besten Rocksänger und Showman etabliert. Seine Live-Konzerte und sein einzigartiger Stil aus Wohlfühl-Rock'n'Roll und Hit-Balladen sind weltweit bekannt.

Im Jahr 2022 trat er in der historischen Royal Albert Hall in London auf und präsentierte an drei Abenden seine klassischen Alben "Cuts Like A Knife, (Abend 1)" "Into The Fire" (Abend 2) und "Waking Up The Neighbours" (Abend 3). Diese bemerkenswerten Live-Auftritte werden nun in einem Vinyl- und CD-/Blu-Ray-Box-Set veröffentlicht.

Bryan Adams' Musik hat in über 40 Ländern Nummer-1-Status erreicht, und er ist Träger zahlreicher Auszeichnungen, darunter 3 Oscar-Nominierungen, 5 Golden-Globe-Nominierungen, einen Grammy Award und mehrere Juno Awards. Mit der Veröffentlichung dieser Live-Alben aus der Royal Albert Hall setzt er seine beeindruckende musikalische Reise fort.

Led by musical director Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra keeps Basie’s unmistakable style alive and thriving around the world. In the great traction of the Basie Swings albums comes this explosive album of collaborations with some of the greatest living blues and jazz artists, Basie Swings The Blues. In preparation for these sessions, Barnhart took a pilgrimage to the Mississippi Delta to immerse himself in the land where blues began. The resulting album is joyful mix of downhome blues with the deep swing and sophistication that only The Count Basie Orchestra can provide. As Count Basie famously once said, “our blues will make your blues go away.” Produced by Barnhart along with Grammy-winning producer John Burk (Ray Charles Genius Love Company), and Grammy-winning drummer/producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones), the album brings together Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Keb’ Mo’, Shemekia Copeland, Robert Cray, Charlie Musselwhite, Betty LaVette, Ledisi, George Benson, and others to bring the blues and swing back together for a set that jumps and jives with an energy not heard since Louis Jordan and T-Bone Walker lit up stages in the ’40s and ’50s.

180g audiophile vinyl reissue of American blues guitarist Melvin Taylor's 1995 album 'Melvin Taylor & The Slack Band', which is appearing on vinyl for the first time with remastering by Cicely Baston at Alchemy/Air Mastering, London "The U.S. release of Melvin Taylor's two early-'80s LPs by Evidence a decade later was a shock introduction to a blues guitarist who seemingly blazed out of nowhere - outside of Rosa's Lounge in Chicago, that is. "Blazed" is the right word, too, because Taylor is a total maximalist who unleashes torrents of notes to fill up every space. But he's so convincing a player that the concept of "blues guitar hero" might get a good name again, even with fans dead- tired of excess who never thought they'd think things like, "Man, can Melvin Taylor play the ever-loving (add the expletive superlative of your choice) out of the guitar" again. Taylor's first real-time release, Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band, is a pretty straightforward affair - basic trio with minimal overdubs, serviceable vocals in an Albert King mode, and a mix of originals and very classic covers. The opening "Texas Flood" lets him rip on a slow blues, constantly changing up his playing with wah-wah blitzes as the real ace in his sonic hole. The originals "Depression Blues" and "Groovin' in New Orleans" add some funk flair, while "Talking to Anna Mae" is a straight- up Chicago boogie instrumental that Taylor shines on. But he's even more in his element on the unadorned slow blues "Tin Pan Alley" and King's "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong." It's partly the speed but even more the phrasing - the unexpected stops and starts, the spiky and blazing runs and flurries, the unusual note selections he tosses in - that sets his playing apart. The other covers have their sporadic moments - "TBone Shuffle" is inconsequential, but Otis Rush's "All Your Love" and "Voodoo Chile" are worth listening to, even if the latter doesn't add anything to the famous Hendrix wah-wah workout. Taylor actually doesn't sound that radical here, like he was playing to establish blues circuit credentials by putting his stamp on familiar songs more than indulging offbeat personal touches like the mellow lounge jazz take on the Champs' "Tequila." But his playing can be truly electrifying and Melvin Taylor & the Slack Band is recommended for anyone, especially Stevie Ray Vaughan fans, looking for a distinctive new blues guitar voice." - Don Snowden, AllMusic Personnel: Melvin Taylor, guitar, vocals / Willie Smith, bass guitar / Steve Potts, drums Recorded and mixed on March 27-30, 1995 at Dockside Studios, Maurice, LA

Powerhouse R&B/Soul vocalist and Canadian Idol finalist. Gary Beals, is thrilled to be releasing his new album, The Melody Within. The Melody within is a musical journey that unfolds across two sides, much like a story that reveals new layers with each turn. The album is more than just a collection of songs; it's an emotional guide that beckons us to explore the depths of our own feelings and explores navigating emotions, self discovery, and nostalgia through soulful melodies. "This album serves as the aftermath to my previous album, "Bleed My Truth". It's a continuation of my musical journey, a fusion of soulful melodies and diverse influences that mirror both my personal and artistic evolution," said Gary Beals. "Each song is a chapter, a piece of my heart and soul, inviting listeners into my world of emotions, experiences and connection. It uncovers the melody that resides within. The anticipation is building as I look forward to sharing this collection of new music, and I hope it resonates deeply, offering a meaningful and memorable musical experience enriched with a multitude of emotions." With this new body of work, Gary had the opportunity to work with two talented primary producers,Beatchild (Drake, Justin Nozuka, Glen Lewis) and Myles "Losh'' Schwartz (Allan Rayman, Tobi, The Game, Pretty Lights). Additional production credits on the album include, Chris Guirguis, Frizzy Astro (Raz Fresco, Daniel Son), Jordan "Tempo" Farmer, Kobebeats (Rodwave, Kcamp, Sevyn),Sid Aakowa, Ty Danelley (Popcaan, Tory Lanez, Pressa) and Warren Williams, who all helped to shape the makings of the album while maintaining a consistent synergy. Side A of the album draws inspiration from the likes of Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and James Brown, and pays homage to artists who have played an integral part in shaping Gary's musical roots. This side includes Gary's previously released singles, "Good People, Good Vibes" and "All of Me," and the album's title track "The Melody Within," that commends the process of self-discovery and introspection. Also included is the album's 5th single, "Self Revolution," which will be released on October 27th along with the official music video. On Side B, you'll encounter a fusion of R&B and pop elements while still staying true to the album's soulful essence. Included on this side, is Gary's third single "I Like That," featuring JRDN and KAYO ,and the new single "How Do I Say (I Love You)," released September 22nd. "How Do I Say (I Love You)" dives into the inner conflict of conveying affection, showing vulnerability, and the bravery needed to expose one's heart to someone else. About Gary Beals: Two decades ago, Gary embarked on his musical journey when he, a small-town kid from Nova Scotia (now calling Toronto home), made a remarkable entrance onto the national stage as a part of Canada's inaugural season of Canadian Idol. This month marks the 20th anniversary of the finale where Gary was crowned as the "runner up" on the show. The experience ignited a transformative period of self-reflection and discovery that propelled Gary toward personal growth, shaping his life and musical career in lasting ways.

Fast forward through three albums and twenty years, Gary's work and talent have made a remarkable impact and received widespread critical acclaim. Among his accomplishments are debuting in the top 10 of the Canadian sales chart, being nominated for a JUNO Award for "Best R&B/Soul Recording," winning an East Coast Music Award and seven African Nova Scotia Music Awards, as well as scoring nominations for an Urban Music Award and a Canadian Radio Music Award. These accomplishments led to his home province's Premier officially designating November 22nd as Gary Beals Day in acknowledgment of his achievements.

With his return, Gary is poised to make a positive impact on the ever-expanding global community as he prepares to release his new album The Melody Within. The album will stand as a tribute to the strength that resides within all of us and a reminder that true fulfillment comes not just from achieving goals, but from discovering the intricate beauty that lies within our own hearts and souls.

Craig Charles is a big supporter of Gary Beals and spun his single 'All Of Me' for three weeks in a row on his Funk and Soul Show on BBC Radio Six

BERTUS DISTRIBUTION INTRODUCES NORTH SEA JAZZ CONCERT SERIES

Bertus Distribution, in collaboration with NTR, AVROTROS and MOJO, presents a new vinyl series consisting of live recordings of legendary artists through the decades made at the renowned North Sea Jazz Festival.

The North Sea Jazz Concert Series will include officially licensed releases that will be released as standard on 180-gram white vinyl in a sleeve of heavy paper printed on reversed board. The records will be captured in mainly black-and-white artwork by Hans Pol in his signature style of the festival with inspiration from the covers of classic older jazz releases from the Blue Note label, for example. The liner notes are written by journalist and jazz expert Jeroen de Valk.

For the first release in this series, the honour is given to one of the most famous jazz singers ever, Ella Fitzgerald. On Friday 13 July 1979, she gave a raucous and peerless performance at the festival then still held in The Hague. The "First Lady Of Song" worked her way with verve through standards like 'There Will Never Be Another You', 'Satin Doll', ''Round Midnight' and 'Mr Paganini'. Her accompanists that night were Paul Smith on piano, Keter Betts on bass and Mickey Roker on drums; a trio line-up with the power of a big band.

Future releases will include NSJ recordings by such notables as Dizzy Gillespie, Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Dexter Gordon and Jan Akkerman. It will be a long-running series with the aim of releasing the most extraordinary NSJ performances on vinyl.

The first edition of the North Sea Jazz Festival took place in 1976 at The Hague’s Nederlands Congresgebouw with some 9,000 visitors. In the first year, jazz legends such as Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz performed alongside a host of artists from the Dutch avant-garde.

The festival, officially NN North Sea Jazz since 2018, has now developed into a major international event that is also known beyond the Dutch borders as an event where jazz from the past, present and future merges with other genres such as blues, soul, funk, hiphop, pop and more. Over the years, it has grown to fifteen venues, around thirteen hundred musicians and an annual audience of between eight-five and ninety thousand. Since 2006, the festival has been held in new wider venue, namely Rotterdam Ahoy.

FROM RAY CHARLES TO SELAH SUE, FROM NINA SIMONE TO IBEYI, FROM BARRY WHITE TO ALOE BLACC, DISCOVER THE BEST OF THE GREATEST VOICES OF SOUL MUSIC OF ALL TIME IN A 5 VINYLS BOXSET

Legendary international DJ, Keb Darge, fell under the spell of this music when his Japanese girlfriend forced him to go down to a ‘Rockabilly’ night back in 1989. As soon as the DJ dropped the needle on Johnny Burnette’s ‘Rockabilly Boogie’ Keb was mesmerized. He was soon hunting down the hideously rare top tunes and slipping thousands of pounds into specialist collectors like Boz Boorer’s back pocket, when the legendary guitarist was not recording or touring with Morrissey. Of course, Keb was then taking these records and introducing them to new audiences in his DJ sets worldwide.

Although it has taken an age to persuade him, Keb has now applied his perfectionist compiling skills to pick 14 killers to grace this fantastic collection. Ranging from the bopping Glen Glenn’s ‘Blue Jeans and A Boy’s Shirt’ to the almost hillbilly Jimmy Johnson’s ‘All Dressed Up’. This is a must-have compilation not only for those who have been oiling their quiffs for decades, but also those wondering what this “rockabilly” is all about. Keb drops you in at the deep end with no easy-going fillers, and you’ll be glad he did.

Keb has written the sleeve notes and with cover art by the legendary Robin Banks – this album looks as good as it sounds.

"PRODUCER ZEV FELDMAN’S NEW IMPRINT, JAZZ DETECTIVE, LAUNCHES NEVER BEFORE RELEASED CAL TJADER LIVE SETS RECORDED IN THE 1960s AT THE PENTHOUSE JAZZ CLUB IN SEATTLE.
THIS IS THE FIRST OFFICIAL RELEASE OF PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED LIVE CAL TJADER MUSIC IN NEARLY 20 YEARS!
Transferred from the original tapes by Bernie Grundman, Cal Tjader: Catch The Groove – Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967 is presented as a 180-gram vinyl limited edition 3-LP SET and will also be available as a Deluxe 2-CD set and as a digital download.
Package includes reflections by producer Zev Feldman and jazz writer Greg Casseus, as well as interviews with Poncho Sánchez, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Locke, Gary Burton, Carl Burnett, and Brent Fischer, and a statement by Tjader’s son and daughter Rob and Liz Tjader. The extensive booklet contains previously unpublished photos by Ray Avery and Fred Seligo.
All of the performances heard on this set are previously unreleased. Legendary vibraphone player Tjader is heard with a variety of quintets, backed by pianists Clare Fischer, Lonnie Hewitt and Al Zulaica, bassists Fred Schreiber, Terry Hilliard, Monk Montgomery and Stan Gilbert, drummers Johnny Rae and Carl Burnett, and percussionists Bill Fitch and Armando Peraza.
Taking its name from Feldman’s handle “the Jazz Detective” and reflecting his determined work unearthing hitherto unheard, award-winning treasures, the Jazz Detective label is an imprint of Deep Digs Music Group, a partnership with Spain’s Elemental Music, with which Feldman has enjoyed a long professional relationship."

Exclusive Ten Track Compilation Of Mungo Jerry In Original Mono Mix. Includes Previously Unreleased Versions Of All Their Major International Hits. ‘Mighty Man’ - Original PYE Records Test Audition Version. ‘Lady Rose’ - Previously Unreleased Mono Version. ‘Hello Nadine’ - Previously Unreleased Mono Version. ‘Alright, Alright, Alright’ - Unreleased Version Containing The Third Verse Missing From The Original Hit Single. ‘Long Legged Woman Dressed In Black’ - Unreleased Mono Version. ‘You Don’t Have To Be In The Army To Fight In The War’ - Acoustic And Harmonica Version. ‘Feels Like I’m In Love’ - Ray Dorset’s Original Demo Of Kelly Marie’s Global #1 Hit.

Das dritte Album der wiedervereinigten Rain Parade, eine der führenden Bands der Paisley Underground Szene in Los Angeles Anfang und Mitte der 80er Jahre.

Produziert von Jim Hill, bleiben sich Matt Piucci und Steven Roback auf Last Days of a Dying Sun treu, ihrem psychedelischen Sprachbild und unverfehlbaren Gespür für starke Melodien.

Unter den Gastmusikern finden sich auch Debbie und Vicki Peterson von The Bangles.

Limitierte Vinyl-Erstpressung auf transparentem, blauem Vinyl.

2LP - 180 Gram Vinyl Trumpeter Raynald Colom immediately captivates with the hauntingly beautiful dream-like opening notes of his new live recording, A Million Dreams. Colom demands the listener's attention throughout the cohesive eight-track outing, alongside pianist Tony Tixier, Joe Sanders on double bass and Francesco Ciniglio on drums. French born and Barcelona-based, Colom is a seasoned musician inspired by many genres and artforms, but with firm roots in flamenco. A Million Dreams documents a truly magical live experience, transporting listeners to the Italian town of Pontinia, where the album was recorded.

2LP - 180 Gram Vinyl Trumpeter Raynald Colom immediately captivates with the hauntingly beautiful dream-like opening notes of his new live recording, A Million Dreams. Colom demands the listener's attention throughout the cohesive eight-track outing, alongside pianist Tony Tixier, Joe Sanders on double bass and Francesco Ciniglio on drums. French born and Barcelona-based, Colom is a seasoned musician inspired by many genres and artforms, but with firm roots in flamenco. A Million Dreams documents a truly magical live experience, transporting listeners to the Italian town of Pontinia, where the album was recorded.

With 2 solo albums («Digital Pixel » in 2016 and « Bass Attack » in 2018 ), a dozen of EPs and more than 800 shows performed all over the globe, the most international French beatmaker in the world of Reggae is back on November 2023 with his brand new album « Step Up », in which he pushes further the fusion between Reggae and Bass Music. With « Step Up » Manudigital made his music evolves toward more electronic and hybrid productions. He navigates between musical genres like no one does, inviting guests from all over the world. Armed with his bass, MPC and synthesiser, Manudigital surrounded himself with no less than 17 hand-picked artists to make his productions their own. « (…) I was already working on my upcoming album and I thought I would keep this small Reggae loop to take it to another style, fully electronic which has given my new album’s DNA » - Manudigital about the track « Step Up » The album opens with the eponymous explosive track « Step Up » featuring veteran Jamaican deejay Joseph Cotton and British Drum & Bass MC Bellyman, author of the successful YouTube video series « Carz Barz ». Among the artists of the British underground musical scene, Reggae/Soul genius Liam Bailey has been invited on the Pop-infused Digital Reggae track « Enough » which will delight the lovers of soulful Reggae. Manudigital also reminds us Reggae has always be his first love and, after having produced Alborosie and Protoje’s hit « Strolling » a few years ago, he proposed the Sicilian MC to collaborate with Jamaican artist Yami Bolo on the track « Reggae Music and Love ». A big tune built upon a classic digital riddim in the Jamaican way, a catchy chorus carried by the high voice of Yami Bolo and the legendary flow of Alborosie of the verses. Cult band Asian Dub Foundation’s singer Ghetto Priest takes also part of the project with « Rasta Corner », MC Caporal Negus joins Manudigital on « Dub and Bass » and on tour, and Jolly Joseph sings on « The world is Hell » for the Reggae Dub tracks of the album. In terms of surprises, Manudigital takes pleasure in inviting benchmark artists in each musical genres, walking through Lo Fi Hip-Hop’s path with the Dancehall President aka Skarra Mucci on « Fi Di Youths », Baile Funk with Punjabi-American rapper Alo Wala and their song « Love on Tap » or even Afrobeat with Dynamq for the last song « Piki Piki ». Finally, whereas Manudigital will soon celebrate his career 10th anniversary and as his name resonates in sound systems from all over the world, we appreciate each risk taken and each nod to Reggae Culture, wondering what his next shape will be. First parts of response on November 17, 2023 with the release of

180g virgin vinyl pressing, limited edition of 1000 copies only - the complete album + 1 bonus track With her intriguing, smoky voice and her graceful, behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretations of song lyrics, Carmen McRae (1922-1994), who started her career as a pianist, became one of the most memorable vocalists in jazz. McRae sang in jazz clubs throughout the United States - and across the world - for over fifty years. 'After Glow' presents Carmen accompanying herself on piano on four tracks backed by a trio that includes her husband Ike Isaacs on bass, and Specs Wright on drums. For the remaining tracks, Carmen gives way to pianists Ray Bryant and Ronnell Bright joining the trio, each taking four songs apiece

180g virgin vinyl pressing, limited edition - the complete album
''Ella and Louis' is some of the most fascinating and commercially successful
jazz music ever produced. This was the first of the three LPs Ella Fitzgerald and
Louis Armstrong made for jazz producer Norman Granz between 1956 and 1957
(the other two were the sequel Ella & Louis Again and a selection of tunes from
George Gershwin's folk opera Porgy & Bess).
While the latter utilised a big orchestra conducted by Russell Garcia, the first two
albums were made in a small group format. And what an incredible small group!
The Oscar Peterson Trio, featuring Herb Ellis, Ray Brown (who had been Ella's
husband) and Buddy Rich (on the second album the drum chair was covered by
Louie Bellson).

First pressing of this album on White vinyl is now completely sold out via the band's wonderful fanbase. This Red Vinyl version is the first to receive a fully official commercial release.

To celebrate Ruts DC will be playing a headline tour across the UK between May 10th and 28th 2023.

'A resolute return to form, angry and articulate but without exploiting past glories.' Classic Rock
'Ruts DC continue to forge their own path, Counterculture is the natural progression from Music Must Destroy – the strength in the lyrics, the subtlety of the arrangements; Ruts DC remain a force to be reckoned with.' Louder Than War
'Drums and Bass building the defence wall. Guitar and whatever else lobbed in stun/attack mode. That is Ruts DC. That is all you really need to know.' Vive Le Rock

George Coleman (born March 8, 1935) is an American jazz saxophonist best known for his work with Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock in the 1960s. Coleman was born in Memphis, Tennessee and learned to play the alto saxophone in his teens. After his work with Ray Charles, George started working with B.B. King in 1953 and switched to playing the tenor saxophone.

George Coleman was a member of legendary outfits such as Max Roach’s quintet, The Slide Hampton Octet, Miles Davis’ Quintet and The Chet Baker Quintet. The list of his collaborations is impressive to say the least, Mr. Coleman recorded and performed with greats such as Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Charles Mingus, Ahmad Jamal, Idris Muhammad, Pharoah Sanders, Ornette Coleman, Melvin Sparks, ArtBlakey…and many others.

Coleman was named an NEA Jazz Master, was added to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2015, and received a brass note on the Beale Street Brass Notes Walk of Fame. George Coleman’s performances were included on classic recordings released by prominent labels from the likes of Blue Note, Atlantic, Prestige, Strata-East, Muse, Verve and Impulse!

On the album we are proudly presenting you today: Amsterdam After Dark (Recorded in 1978 at the famous NY Sound Ideas Studio and released on Timeless Records in 1979) the listener is treated to six majestic tracks of the highest caliber and features a remarkable outing of advanced musicianship by jazz-giants in their prime, delivering an inspirational gem of an album.

The all-star line-up includes Sam Jones (Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Ben Webster) on bass, Billy Higgins (Donald Byrd, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane) on drums and Hilton Ruiz (Roy Brooks, Rashaan Roland Kirk, Sonny Rollins) on piano. Most players featured here were also part of the legendary ‘Eastern Rebellion’ collective responsible for releasing multiple ground-breaking albums over several decades.

Amsterdam After Dark shows off George Coleman’s mastery of the sax, his brilliant vintage techniques and deep soulful tones. Coleman plays from the heart and is on top of his game. Expect both original compositions as well as standards, beautiful ballads with elegant (yet fierce) solos alternating between the instruments, growling blues-oriented themes…this is a contemporary sounding Hard Bop & Post-bop crossover album and a must have for any self-respecting jazz fan or collector!

Cylene II is the new materialization of the collaboration between François J. Bonnet & Stephen O"Malley, initiated in 2018 and continued without interruption since then, taking form in a myriad of contexts ranging from common practice to recording sessions, concerts and tours. Cylene II bears witness to these different contexts, offering a multifaceted sound signature developed on different occasions (artist residencies in La Becque, Switzerland and Modena, Italy, live performance excerpts, a studio session at INA-GRM Studios in Paris). The epic opening track "Four Rays (Anti Divide)" welcomes, for the first time, other musicians - in this case a wind quintet - expanding the duo"s sonic palette without betraying the fundamental component of their music, namely the driving of sonic energy. Elsewhere, Bonnet and O"Malley propel the energy between themselves, extending the singular climate that has characterized their musical development over the past five years. Among their minimal presentation of tones and resonances, as glacial harmonic intersections slowly elevate with massive physicality to an orchestral degree, new refinements become evident: the music"s relationship to silence, and a brightening of the fine metallic edge glowing at its core. For the listener, Cylene II is a sound that reaches from the deep and scales up to the far firmament in its careful motion, drawing emotions viscerally from the chest, giving rise to the suggestibility of the soul. A séance of sorts for all who witness it, whether playing or listening.

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson lebt in seiner Heimatstadt Los Angeles und ist einer der herausragenden Musiker, Orchestratoren, Arrangeure und Komponisten unserer Zeit. „Les Jardins Mystiques Vol.1“ ist sein lang erwartetes Debütalbum. Es präsentiert uns eine leidenschaftliche Liebeserklärung und ein Reich der schönen Möglichkeiten.

Es gibt eine Fülle von Möglichkeiten, sich Miguel Atwood-Fergusons Musik zu nähern - und es gibt keine Grenzen, wohin sie jemanden führen könnte. Als Komponist, Arrangeur, Multiinstrumentalist und Produzent hat er an mehr als 600 Alben und Soundtracks für genreübergreifende Künstler:innen gearbeitet, darunter Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Anderson .Paak, Mary J. Blige oder Seu Jorge. Seine Klangpalette umfasst Jazz, Klassik, Hiphop, Electronica, Avantgarde, Pop und vieles mehr. Zu seinen gefeierten Live- und Aufnahmeprojekten gehören die innovative orchestrale Neuinterpretation des Repertoires von J Dilla, „Suite For Ma Dukes“ (2009), seine produktiven Werke mit seinem langjährigen Freund und Kollaborateur Carlos Niño, darunter das improvisierte Album, „Chicago Waves“ (2020), auf International Anthem, und seine Gruppen wie das Quartetto Fantastico und das Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble. „Les Jardins Mystiques“ ist ein Projekt, das Miguel Atwood-Fergusons musikalisches Universum offenlegt und mit anderen teilt. Es hat sich über ein Dutzend Jahre hinweg entwickelt, wurde größtenteils von ihm selbst finanziert und zeigt seine ausgesprochen elegante Musikalität (u. a. auf Geige, Bratsche, Cello und Keyboards) sowie seine freigeistigen Dialoge mit mehr als 50 Instrumentalist:innen. ‚Volume 1‘ ist hierbei bloß der erste Teil eines geplanten Triptychons, das insgesamt ganze zehneinhalb Stunden origineller und erfrischend ausladender Musik umfassen wird. Atwood-Ferguson verband sich mit seinen Gastmusiker:innen auf vielfältige Weise: durch gesellige Studiodialoge, durch Fernkommunikation während der Pandemie und durch die Energie von Live-Auftritten in seiner Heimatstadt, darunter im Del Monte Speakeasy (das herrlich belebende, von einem Klavier begleitete „Dream Dance“) und im Bluewhale (u. a. „Ano Yo“ mit dem temperamentvollen Alt-Saxophon von Devin Daniels und den kosmischen Harmonien von „Cho Oyu“). Bennie Maupin, der legendäre US-Multi-Blasinstrumentalist, zu dessen Repertoire auch Miles Davis' Fusion-Opus „Bitches Brew“ gehört, spielt Bassklarinette auf der hinreißenden Eröffnungsnummer „Kiseki“. Im Laufe seiner illustren Karriere hat Miguel Atwood-Ferguson mit Künstler:innen wie Rihanna, Ray Charles, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Anderson .Paak, Dr. Dre, Kamasi Washington, Mary J. Blige, will.i. am, Big Boi, Arthur Verocai, Bonobo, Lianne La Havas, Kaytranada, Moses Sumney, Seu Jorge, Common, The Roots, The Cinematic Orchestra, Jamael Dean, Shafiq Husayn, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Carlos Niño, Bilal und viele mehr zusammengearbeitet.

Auf Album Nr. 4 wendet die britische Electronic Music Komponistin, Produzentin und Musikerin, die auch mit Ihren Filmscores für einiges Aufsehen sorgen konnte, ihren Blick nach innen, setzt sich mit Trauma und Trauer auseinander und konfrontiert ihre Ängste. Für Fans von u.a. Fever Ray.

Elizabeth Bernholz (geb. Walling), geboren 1981 in Canterbury, England, besser bekannt unter ihrem Künstlernamen Gazelle Twin, ist eine Electronic Music Komponistin, Produzentin und Musikerin, die derzeit in Leicestershire, England, lebt.

Auf ihren bisherigen drei Studioalben hat Gazelle Twin nach außen geblickt: auf Städte, auf einen gequälten Körper, auf die sich windenden Eingeweide des ländlichen Großbritanniens. Auf ihrem ersten Album für das neue Label Invada Records wendet sie ihren Blick jedoch nach innen. Black Dog ist ein Album über die Konfrontation mit der Angst und die Erwartung, dass die Dinge, die in der Dunkelheit lauerten, als man ein Kind war, verschwinden werden, wenn man erwachsen wird.

Black Dog erzählt eine Geschichte, die sich wie ein Film entrollt. Es geht darum, wie unsere Kindheit unser Erwachsensein geprägt hat: wie sich jedes Gefühl von Trauma und Trauer für immer in die Erinnerung eines Menschen einbrennt, egal wie sehr wir versuchen, ihm zu entkommen. Black Dog deutet an, wie diese Gefühle in besonderer Intensität zurückkehren, wenn man Eltern wird, wenn man sich selbst dabei beobachtet, wie man Dinge weitergibt, von denen man sich wünscht, sie nicht gehabt zu haben, nicht zu wollen.

In gewisser Weise läutert sich Bernholz auf diesem Album selbst. Im Gegensatz zu ihren maskierten Charakteren bei früheren Veröffentlichungen ist ihr Gesicht erkennbar, und sie erklärt, dass sie sich „dieses Mal nicht so weit entfernt hat" von ihrer Persona. Sie stellt sich als Medium für die Stimmen in ihrem Inneren vor, anstatt sie mit anderen Ideen zu verdrängen. Dabei wirkt sie groß und innig, ihre Stimme wechselt von feinfühliger Zärtlichkeit zu doomiger Kraft.

Dies ist ein Album, bei dem alte Geschichten geplündert, verdaut und wieder hochgewürgt werden müssen, um neue zu schreiben, bei dem wir uns selbst völlig in Frage stellen müssen. Black Dog blickt zurück und blickt hinein. Wir verschaffen uns Zugang, während wir zuhören. Unser Innerstes nach außen gekehrt.

Today we announce The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2, an 11-LP boxset to follow 2021’s Vol. 1, which includes the remainder of Billy’s catalogue: Glass Houses, The Nylon Curtain, An Innocent Man, The Bridge, Storm Front, River of Dreams. It exclusively features Fantasies & Delusions & Live from Long Island on vinyl for the first time. The boxset includes a 60+ page booklet that highlights the era through photos, quotes, and an essay by Rob Tannenbaum. All albums remastered from original sources at Sterling Sound.