In the midst of the UK house rave-olution of the early-’90s, London’s V4 Visions imprint documented the confluence of street soul, deep house, swingbeat, and jungle sounds emanating from the clubs and pirate radio signals. Over the course of half a decade, V4’s unparalleled 12” output referenced every significant Black British music scene; from lovers rock to jazz-funk, sound system reggae to hip hop, new jack swing to garage, from artists Ashaye, Julie Stapleton, Maureen Mason, Rohan Delano, The Wades, and Endangered Species. This 18-track double LP is the first critical overview of the label, with extensive notes by Simon Reynolds, era-defining photographs, and fresh remasters, all housed in a glorious foil-stamped gatefold tip-on sleeve. Is this a dream?
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Emerging from Lower Franconia's hidden reverse, Johannes schebler, known as ambient-poltergeist "Baldruin" and surreal folklorists Christian Schoppik & Katie Rich of "Brannten Schnüre"-fame have puzzled and amazed outernational audiences from the stranger end of the avant/lo-fi spectrum in recent years. The trio is now collectively dreaming as "Freundliche Kreisel",reaching for terra incognita rather than common ground on their most bewildering and accessible outing to date. Arch-pontifices of the electro-acoustic and outsider-art realm, they fill in gaps and invent missing links on the go with somnambulistic ease, confusing the hypersensitive and hyaline timbres of contempo-electronic aesthetics with the naïve charm of Germany's obscure Kassettentäter and mutant-NDW.
Think Daniele Mana and Lorenzo Senni digitally rewiring the 4-track recordings of Gareth Williams' Flaming Tunes or sometimes, much scarier, it feels as if it's the other way round. There certainly is an air of whimsical yet post-ironic romanticism to the songs contained here, a madcap, tongue-in-cheek ghost story as filtered through the transcendental senses of a childhood perspective. This attitude is best personified in the disarming innocence of Katie's vocals whose intonation touches on nursery rhymes as much as on dirges and bizarre 'schlager' kitsch.
Heirs to the tradition of magic realism, examining fragments of an arcane sacred mundanity like a crack in the concrete of everyday life, Freundliche Kreisel dwell on this often neglected microcosmic topography, yielding an adventurous and visionary piece of a decidedly Franconian next-level post-modern folklore.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
"Rush to Riot" is the 3rd EP to be released in mid of July 2021 on the Berlin Techno Label INHERIT. After dropping the first Inherit selection IHT S01 back in May 2021 with tracks by Bacch, Geerson, CLTX and many others we are more than happy to announce that this remarkable journey continues - not only with two more original tracks by the co-founders of Inherit, Daniel Heinrich & Disguised, but rather with two exceptional remixed bangers by Hadone & Hioll on IHT 003.
"Rush to Riot" is definitely one of the most ambitious & remarkable tracks ever published on INHERIT so far. The noteworthy collaboration between the co-founders Disguised & Daniel Heinrich brings together what belongs together: trancey basslines and melodic vibrant tunes captivating you on every dancefloor around the world.
Hadone is one of the most exciting Techno artists from France these days and without any doubt his remix of Rush to Riot adds an unique & outstanding layer to IHT 003. His well-known evocative melodies propped up on pounding kicks unite with a more forward-driven interpretation of the original track that brings so much energy to the EP.
"Against the Current" is the 2nd original track on IHT 003 by cofounder Daniel Heinrich with a remix by Hioll, one of the rising stars within the Cuban electronic music scene. While the original track with the progressive baseline by Daniel Heinrich sounds like a famous club banger already Hioll created with his remix a new and distinctive sound, hypnotic techno supported by industrial elements lifting the original track to a new level.
IHT 003 leaves us with the feeling how hard we crave for the clubs to reopen again soon. Until then enjoy your catchy four track compilation by Daniel Heinrich, Disguised, Hadone & Hioll.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
International musicgroup SexJudas feat.Ricky returns to Optimo Music this Winter with a new album: Night Songs. The eight track LP draws inspiration from the night and features Malian percussionist Sidiki Camara,jazz clarinetist Andreas Røysum and noise rocker Linn Nystadnes. Making their own blend of disco, post punk and African music.
“It’s the return of Sex Judas feat.Ricky, this time as a six piece in fully fledged band mode. We’re here to take you on a journey through suburban psychedelia, forming our own brew of postpunk, disco and electronic, as well as traditional music from Mali. Night Songs is a meditation on the night time. The excess, the dreams, the highs and lows of night time activity.”-Sex Judas feat. Ricky.
“Black Cat In A Black Room” begins proceedings, taking the form of a psychedelic six-minute offering packed full of tribal drums and desert-like percussion. “A Man Without Purpose” comes next with its African-inspired vocal, before “Hab Mich Lieb” soon arrives. The six-minute cut is hypnotic, trippy and relaxing all in one, as is “Slow Down” feat. Linn Nystadnes. Taking on more of a funk-rock feel, there’s plenty of groove in the guitar-laced bassline, whilst in “Cold Clementine”, Sex Judas tells the sad tale of rave casualty over a dark and funky groove.
We’re taken down a spiritual path on The Light You Saw Was Not For Real, as Andreas Røysum’s clarinet solos sit underneath shamanic vocal offerings that open neatly into The Night Within The Night. Aslow-burning cut, riffs and hats serenade us before When You Wake Up Everything Will Be Fine brings proceedings to a close. Dream-like chords wrap us in a warm and glowing hue, with the harp-like sounds from Sidiki’s Ngoni, leaving us in a starry-eyed state to finish.
The calming nature of the album is a nod to the band’s influences: they were inspired by the great meditative records of the past, setting off on a musical trip that saw them record the whole release at legendary Norwegian studio Athletic Sound. This happened during lockdown and whilst the LP was never meant to be comment on the pandemic, there remains a brooding intensity to each track because of it. Sex Judas feat. Ricky originally began life as the solo project of Tore Gjedrem (from electronic duo Ost & Kjex), but has since grown into a steady six piece involving the talents of Sidiki Camara (djembe/ngoni/balafon), Ivar Winther (guitar/keys), Tracee Meyn (vocals), Tore Brevik (drums/percussion) and Kristian Edvardsen (bass). Centre stage is also illustrator and comic artist Sindre Goksøyr, this time portraying each character as they paddle their way into the sunset and uncharted territories.
Malian-born, Norwegian-based percussionist Sidiki Camara has played a pivotal role in promoting “Night Songs” to world music circles. Having lived in Norway since 2006, he has helped bring WestAfrican rhythms into the country’s wider jazz scene.
out of Stock
Last delivered 3 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
"In the beginning there was Jack... And Jack had a groove." We know this old tale pretty well. But what do these words really mean? And does this meaning even exist nowadays?
Our fellow musician and sound researcher Stas Sharifullin, known as HMOT, presents his report Jack Studies in the form of a release on the Instrument, Gost Zvuk sublabel. Formally, it is a reissue of his single Prolegomena to Home Music Ontology, released in 2017 on Cyland. But these old tracks have been expanded, remastered by Rupert Clervaux and complemented by the two new ones. HMOT originally prepared the tracks on Jack Studies for release on Gost Zvuk, so these instrumentations are finally coming home after a long journey. Context is everything - and in the new environment, this music speaks even louder.
Originally, house music was associated with HIV/AIDS activism and the fight against racial oppression, among other things - and this was completely lost in translation in Russia. House was stripped of its political and symbolic potential, and Jack Studies tries to show how the context is slowly fading from our memory. But it's not just an observation. It's a tool of light intrusion that the author has already tested in his DJ sets. Once, he says, he played Instrumentation IV (Encore) for eleven minutes at the Kantine am Berghain.
Now that we are finally talking about Western and Eastern ways of making it in music, Jack Studies is more relevant than ever. You can see it not only as a joke said louder this time, but also as a critique of modern house music. You can also see it as a reflection on our strangeness to house music and how we can interpret it in our own way; as Sharifullin astutely suggests, as home music. He sees no line between tragedy and comedy, citing the plays of Samuel Beckett as the root of Jack Studies' irony. "They are funny and somber at the same time. To me, this release is sad, but the music here is joyful." Home music is the paradox. But it is also the beginning of something new. And in the beginning there was... what? Jack Studies has an answer.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Fiat Lux is the debut album by Tarta Relena, a Barcelona-based project featuring Marta Torrella and Helena Ros. The group approaches the oral traditions of the Mediterranean from a contemporary perspective using a unique combination of ancient vocal melodies and subtle electronic textures.
Tarta Relena’s inspiration for Fiat Lux comes from historical characters, such as the Virgin Mary and Hildegard of Bingen, and timeless verses that deal with the cyclic nature of the human experience: “E suïcidi i el cant” (1) is an adaptation of a traditional poem by Pashtun women in Afghanistan; “Esta montanya d’enfrente” (3) is a traditional Sephardic song; “Safo” (9) is based on the love poems by Sappho of Lesbos.
Singing in Catalan, Spanish, Greek, Latin, English, and even Sephardi, the language of Hispanic jews, Tarta Relena explore a complex array of Latin cultures through the simplicity of voice. They draw from vocal techniques that range from flamenco to jazz, introducing elements of electronic music to redefine the melodies.
In January 2019, Tarta Relena released their first EP, Ora Pro Nobis: eight a cappella songs with minimal electronics. In April 2020, they released their second EP, Intercede Pro Nobis: a five-song dialogue between voice and electronics.
Fiat Lux expands on past experimentations, moving away from organic harmonies to embrace digital textures and distortions. The musical production of Juan Luis Batalla and Òscar Garrobé is remnant of Holly Herndon or Eartheater.
Tarta Relena have perhaps been best described by Pitchfork in their review of Pack Pro Nobis: “Tarta Relena is a celebration of musical exchange. At a time of rising nationalisms across Europe, Tarta Relena’s songs are a testament both to the porousness of borders and the ideas that unite disparate cultures, running beneath the centuries like a pedal tone”.
When we first heard from recent Kompakt signing Emma Kollmorgen, with 2021’s “You Are The”, she was hymning the complexity of romance: “Love is scary as fuck!”, she said. On her debut EP, “1243”, she’s built on that intensity and offered up a five-track suite of night-vision electronic pop, bristling with a stealthy sensuality. It’s a cinematic collection, building from the brooding “Escape”, through the drifting, tactile pulses of “Taciturn”, the gritty, bustling noises that run underneath the smoke-signal torch-song of “All The Wild Animals”, and the closing, tear-stained melancholy of “Home”. “You Are The” reappears here as well, settling in perfectly amongst new friends.
It’s a completely assured first EP from an artist who’s been slowly and steadily building her own sonic world. From her early days, when she busied herself by learning guitar and joining bands, Kollmorgen always had a vision of doing something “more independent”, to allow her to find her own sound and write her own songs. A brief creative alliance with the Berlin DJ duo Dole & Kom led to some recordings and live performances. All the while, Kollmorgen was carefully shaping her production and sound designing skills with Ableton Live, and exploring distinctive musical terrain in collaboration with co-producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Seidel (The Ocean Collective, Fern, Nightmarer). She joined the Kompakt family after a recommendation by Patrice Baumel, who also remixed her debut single with typical flair.
On “1243”, though, Kollmorgen fully inhabits her songs, gifting each of them with a sweet, subtle sway, her vocal and lyrical openheartedness balancing the bluer hues of her production. Each song is confident and poised, Kollmorgen relying on cross-thatched patterns of texture as a web to support her melodies: “I like patterns,” she says, “they give me something to hold onto, something stable in an unstable world.” The songs feel as though they’re grappling with moments of revelation and experience in Kollmorgen’s world, which makes sense, given her approach to music: “I never had a diary,” she reflects, “so writing songs is my way of expressing and dealing with life.” On 1243, you’ll catch some glimpses of life lived, made sonorous through songs beautifully sung.
Als wir das erste Mal von Emma Kollmorgen hörten, nachdem sie sich KOMPAKT angeschlossen hatte, besang sie mit "You Are The" (2021) die Komplexität von Romantik: "Liebe ist verdammt beängstigend!". Auf ihrer Debüt-EP "1243" baut sie auf dieser Intensität auf und präsentiert uns eine fünf Tracks umfassende Suite von elektronischem Pop mit ausgeprägtem Nachtsicht-Faktor, die vor verborgener Sinnlichkeit nur so strotzt. Ein geradezu cineastischer Spannungsbogen, der sich vom grüblerischen "Escape" über die treibenden, taktilen Impulse von "Taciturn", die düsteren, umtriebigen Geräusche, die den Rauchzeichen sendenden torch song "All The Wild Animals" untermalen, und die abschließende, tränenreiche Melancholie von "Home" aufbaut. Auch "You Are The" taucht hier wieder auf und fügt sich perfekt in die neue Gesellschaft ein.
Eine überzeugende erste EP von einer Künstlerin, die sich langsam und stetig ihre eigene Klangwelt aufgebaut hat. Seit ihren Anfängen, als sie Gitarre lernte und in Bands spielte, hatte Kollmorgen immer die Vision, etwas "Unabhängiges" zu machen, um ihren eigenen Sound zu finden und ihre eigenen Songs zu schreiben. Eine kurze kreative Allianz mit dem Berliner DJ-Duo Dole & Kom führte zu einigen Aufnahmen und Live-Auftritten. Währenddessen feilte Kollmorgen an ihren Produktions- und Sounddesign-Skills und erkundete gemeinsam mit dem Co-Produzenten und Multi-Instrumentalisten Paul Seidel (The Ocean Collective, Fern, Nightmarer) ihr eigenes musikalisches Terrain. Zur KOMPAKT Label-Familie kam sie auf Empfehlung von Patrice Baumel, der auch ihre Debütsingle remixte.
Auf "1243" lebt Kollmorgen ihre Songs voll und ganz aus und verleiht jedem von ihnen einen süßen, subtilen Twist, der ihre stimmliche und textliche Offenheit mit den melancholischen Tönen der Musik in Balance hält. Voller Selbstbewusstsein und Ausgeglichenheit verlässt sie sich auf durcheinander laufende Texturen und Pattern, die ihre Melodik unterstützen: "Ich mag Pattern", sagt sie, "sie geben mir etwas, woran ich mich festhalten kann, etwas Stabiles in einer instabilen Welt."
Die Songs fühlen sich an, als würden sie sich mit realen Momenten der Offenbarung und mit Erfahrungen aus Kollmorgens Lebenswelt auseinandersetzen, was angesichts ihrer Herangehensweise an Musik durchaus Sinn ergibt: "Ich hatte nie ein Tagebuch", erzählt sie, "also ist das Schreiben von Songs meine Art, mich auszudrücken und mit dem Leben umzugehen." Auf "1243" gibt sie uns einige Einblicke in dieses gelebte Leben, das durch wunderschön gesungene Lieder zum Klingen gebracht wird.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Minimal Wave presents The Complete Collection 1980-1988, a five LP box set by the highly lauded French group Martin Dupont. The band formed in Marseille in 1980 and consisted of Alain Seghir, Brigitte Balian, Beverley Jane Crew, and Catherine Loy. They were immensely talented with a rare dynamic between them that was likely inspired by a combination of their magnetic personalities, creative vision and and the home studio where they recorded. The music they made was colorful, enthusiastic and delicate, but also melancholy and mysterious. A mixture of hot and cold, light and dark. They made electronic music that incorporated guitars and clarinets and are described by many as a New Wave band yet they truly transcended genres. They had some mainstream success finding themselves opening for bands like The Lotus Eaters, The Lounge Lizards and Siouxsie and the Banshees, without any intention of ever being a commercial enterprise. In Beverley Jane Crew’s words, “the songs just tumbled out in a completely organic and spontaneous way and as soon as they were recorded on the four track, they were shared with friends on tapes, openly and excitedly.”
They released three studio albums: Just Because, Sleep Is A Luxury and Hot Paradox, one cassette entitled Inédits 1981-1983 and one 7” single entitled Your Passion. In 2008, Minimal Wave released a compilation of selected tracks entitled Lost And Late. Now one decade later, MW releases its first box set for this phenomenal band.
The Complete Collection 1980-1988 consists of all of Martin Dupont’s recorded material to date in the form of five 180 gram vinyl LPs and spans 60 songs recorded between 1980 and 1988. Along with the five LPs, the box contains a 12 page LP-sized full color booklet featuring previously unpublished photographs of the band, their history, and select song lyrics. The box itself is bound in platinum grey linen, with black foil type and both booklet and box are designed by NYC based artist Peter Miles. All five LPs are pressed on black 180 gram vinyl and feature the original artwork of the French artist Yves Cheynet.
out of Stock
Last delivered 21 months ago available to reorder, subject to availability
First one for 030303 by Daniel Pringle aka The Jaffa Kid. Over the course of six tracks, the Newcastle based producer smoothly blends Detroit and UK informed techno with breakbeat vibes. Highlights include Noon - a deep melancholic techno cut with a subtle optimistic melody line keeping it all together, Zap Ting II - a rich ambient take on deconstructed jungle and acid and Izire Baes, where fast paced breaks are oddly slowed down by deep sonic drones. It's definitely a journey into another world, this one and a big recommendation for anyone keen to escape reality.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Mattiel, the Atlanta based group made up of Mattiel Brown and Jonah Swilley, announce
the release of their third album, ‘Georgia Gothic’, on Heavenly Recordings. ‘Georgia
Gothic’, a magic third in Mattiel’s run of full-length albums, was shaped in the quiet
seclusion of a woodland cabin in the north of the Atlanta duo’s mother-state; “Some
faraway place that just Jonah and I could go where there would be no distractions,
nothing else going on, and we could turn everything off and only focus on writing songs,”
reflects Brown.
Where 2017’s self-titled debut and its 2019 follow-up Satis Factory were written with what
Swilley refers to as a “hands-off” approach - he arranging the music and Brown the lyrics
and vocals, the two working largely separately - the making of ‘Georgia Gothic’ was, for
the first time, a truly collaborative undertaking. “This was the first time we made a point to
just be together and work out ideas in the same room. That was the initial intention... it
was about learning what each other wanted to accomplish on a sonic level, and then just
trying different things out,” Swilley continues. “Everything happened backwards. Normally,
you’d have friends that make a band... with us, we started making music from the jump,
and then became homies.”
Cultivated by time spent together on the road touring the first two albums, it is this
newfound sense of intimacy between Mattiel’s members that enabled the writing of
‘Georgia Gothic’ not as two separate musicians, but rather as one creative entity. The
album remained within the four walls of Brown and Swilley’s private world for much of its
evolution - with recording taking place in a simple studio set up by the pair in the
borrowed room of a dialysis centre, Swilley in the producer’s seat - until, nearing
completion, it was transferred into the trusted hands of the Grammy award-winning John
Congleton (whose extensive list of credits includes artists as diverse as Angel Olsen, Earl
Sweatshirt, Erykah Badu and Sleater Kinney) for mixing.
Not only does the affinity between its creators translate into an electric synergy between
‘Georgia Gothic’s words and music - the brine-shock of Brown’s taut lyricism cut against
the bourbon-smoothness of Swilley’s instrumentation - but here too are the palpable
spoils of experimentation, each party trustful enough of the other to trial and error their
practices into new geometries. Swilley puts this wide palate, in part, down to the place
they call home. “I definitely feel like being from Georgia allows us to have a certain way of
approaching music.” Brown chimes in: “We haven’t really highlighted where we’re from in
the past two records, even though those were also written in Georgia. There’s so much
great art and great music that’s come from Georgia, from all different types of genres and
all over the state - but take R.E.M. and OutKast: there’s this weirdness that I can’t really
put my finger on.” Swilley concurs: “It’s the same with the B-52s, the Black Lips... it
doesn’t feel like L.A., it doesn’t feel like New York, it feels like another planet. We’re not
really in a ‘scene’ here in the same way. You have to make your own sound, create your
own identity.”
And it is precisely the forging of Mattiel’s distinct musical identity that ‘Georgia Gothic’
signals; its members guiding each other ever-homewards not just in a geographical or
sonic sense, but spiritually, too.
Initial LP pressing on Red Hot coloured 140g vinyl with digital download code. (Once this
format has sold out, a black 140g vinyl edition with digital download - HVNLP202 - will be
made available.)
Paganizer are one of the most active and present
bands of shredmaster Rogga Johansson. This
Swedish metal guitar hero is part of many projects,
such as Massacre, Stygian Dark, Heir Corpse
One, Warmagic, Revolting, Megascavenger,
Ribspreader, Putrevore, Blood Gut, Dead Sun,
Graveyard After Graveyard, Necrogod and most
recently To The Gallows.
This compilation album isn’t a sum up of songs
from other albums. Rogga did some work on old
songs and recorded them again with a little twist,
especially for Doc Records. He also dug into his
vault to find some never-released songs, so it’s
much more than just a compilation.
For fans of Dismember, (old) Entombed, Grave,
Necrophobic, Unleashed, Bloodbath.
Green coloured vinyl edition of William The Conqueror’s
‘Maverick Thinker’ album from last year, released to
coincide with the band’s upcoming tour and book
publication.
William The Conqueror have paid their damn dues. Like
the sportsman cutting chipped teeth in the lower leagues
before shooting to the very top, this band have lugged all
the amps, placated the in-house sound guy for an easier
life, their nails dirty, their hair unkempt. Enough.
Except it’s never enough, because despite their slinky,
swampy, razor-sharp, blues-drenched, guitar thrashed
alt. rock songs that form new album ‘Maverick Thinker’
and suggest that the door is opening for bigger rooms
and broader audiences, it’s those sticky basement bar
stages where the songs have always shed a skin and
come alive. The record put the three piece behind the
glass at Sound City Studios in LA, treading the same
carpet as the likes of Nirvana, Johnny Cash, Neil Young,
and Fleetwood Mac and they might well have inhaled
the spirit of them all.
William The Conqueror’s protagonist is Ruarri Joseph,
who knows his way around a melody and a verse.
Joseph’s wryness suggests life just ain’t plain sailin’ and
he fizzes that sigh and lament into something that
breathes heavy with heart and with soul.
LP in a gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeve and
digital download card.
"The 4th volume of The Amazing Bud Powell series recorded in 1958 found the brilliant bebop piano master in particularly fine form on an ebullient set of his original tunes including “Buster Rides Again,” “Monopoly,” and “John’s Abbey.” Powell’s inventive solo flights shine in a trio setting with Sam Jones on bass and ‘Philly’ Joe Jones on drums.
This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal."
On the tribute album Songs for Tres, Psychic Ills band members come together to commemorate the late Tres Warren who passed away just as the world turned upside down in March of 2020. Isolated, feeling helpless and lost by the death of her musical soul mate and collaborator of 18 years, bassist Elizabeth Hart found making music to be her only outlet in a time where people were unable to be physically together to mourn. So, she reached out to Adam Amram, Jon Catfish DeLorme and Brent Cordero, the main players in the Ills line up since the release of their last full length album Inner Journey Out (2016), to ask if they would embark on this cathartic journey with her. This was a different kind of production endeavor for Hart driven solely by “the aching need and urgency” to do something to honor her friend.
Hart, Amram, DeLorme and Cordero reunited for the first time five months after losing Warren at Amram’s loft – the same spot where they’d rehearsed countless times before – although this time with a different objective. In an effort to share, support and create, the old friends joined in the painful and healing experience of making this tribute album to cope with their loss. The band members wrote, arranged, and rehearsed for months and the result of their work culminated in a weekend of recording in the southern Catskill mountains at the end of 2020. This isolated and intimate environment was a perfectly serene and fitting location to finalize their story.
Throughout the album, Hart, Amram and DeLorme take turns as the vocal lead on each of the songs while Cordero showcases his finger-picking guitar skills in addition to his piano and organ playing, which he is known for. Along with the core band members, a number of other musicians played on the album, many of whom had collaborated on prior Psychic Ills releases and wanted to be a part of this last collaboration in memory of Warren. Keeping the project in the Ills family, Hart produced the album alongside Iván Diaz Mathé, the long-time Psychic Ills sound engineer.
The album consists of five original tracks and four cover songs. Initially, learning the covers was just a method for the musicians to “break the ice” and play together again for the first time without their band leader. However, those tracks became just as important to include as the originals because of their essential role in the process of coming together to make the album. The cover songs were chosen because of their unique connections to the band’s memories of Warren. Dennis Wilson’s "Rainbows" and Fleetwood Mac’s "Station Man" come from two of Warren’s favorite albums, Pacific Ocean Blue and Kiln House. The band also recorded Blaze Foley’s "Clay Pigeons" and Powell St. John’s "Right Track Now." The idea for the latter was suggested by Amram. Warren once sent him a clip of Roky Erikson singing a moving rendition of that song in the film Demon Angel and it had stuck with him ever since.
Hart wrote "I’ll Walk With You" on the day of Warrens’ passing, at the time not knowing what it meant. When she got the call with the heartbreaking news, it became clear to her what the song was about. Relying on a gently lilting string arrangement to set the tone, this duet features Mazzy Star vocalist Hope Sandoval alongside Hart. Sandoval previously collaborated with Psychic Ills accompanying Warren on "I Don’t Mind" (2016). The ideas for "Home" and "Walk Around," two other songs on the album by Hart, started simply with an acoustic guitar and lyrics, a hopeful exercise to connect with her lost friend. Brent Cordero’s instrumental "Whole Lotta Piece of Mind" is nothing short of a transcendental experience. By running his pedal steel through a Leslie speaker, Jon Catfish DeLorme crafts the unique tone showcased on Wonderful Feeling, a moving example of studio experimentation combined with old school techniques. DeLorme describes it as “an attempt to highlight the musical experience I shared with Tres both sonically and thematically. What resulted is the unguarded exaltation I feel lucky to have shared with my fellow bandmates.” Adam Amram’s “Into the Sea” was composed spontaneously the week Warren passed. The melodic tune has a hopeful lightness and Amram describes it simply as “a song to my brother”. Their connection shines through.
In fact, the entire album is one that radiates the layers of friendship, love and music that will forever exist between this family of musicians. As the band themselves state: “This album was made out of love and a commitment to honor our dear friend and bandmate.” A portion of the proceeds from the album will be donated to RAICES, a charity who aids children who have been displaced at the Texas/Mexico border.
New Remastered edition of Keith Richards ‘ Main Offender’ available on Limited Edition Red Colour LP, Black LP and 1CD Digipak (also available as a Deluxe 2CD and Super Deluxe Boxset).
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones continues the restoration and reissuing of his storied solo catalogue with this set of Main Offender releases featuring remastered studio and live album recorded in 1992.
The Main Offender LP and CD is newly remastered under the supervision of original producer and X-Pensive wino Steve Jordan.
New Remastered edition of Keith Richards ‘ Main Offender’ available on Limited Edition Red Colour LP, Black LP and 1CD Digipak (also available as a Deluxe 2CD and Super Deluxe Boxset).
Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones continues the restoration and reissuing of his storied solo catalogue with this set of Main Offender releases featuring remastered studio and live album recorded in 1992.
The Main Offender LP and CD is newly remastered under the supervision of original producer and X-Pensive wino Steve Jordan.
A collection of Elvis Presley covers recorded by the duet David Fenech & Pierre Bastien. The idea of "Suspicious Moon" started at a party around the topic of blue color. David Fenech had chosen to play "Blue Moon" and Pierre Bastien asked to join in. It was a very enjoyable party and then they recorded the song and decided to plan an album exclusively based on covers of the King. Not that we were absolute fans of Elvis... but as a starting point to go somewhere else. And this is what we reached: in many aspects a premiere for the two musicians. Pierre focuses on (prepared) trumpet for the very first time, while David is heard extensively as a vocalist and is more than ever responsible for all arrangements and textures. Playing other people's material is also a premiere for both of them. 11 tracks around very well known standards. Like familiar places that are changed when seen in a different light. Please enjoy. "Our choice of the Elvis Presley song book for this record may seem strange to many. It seems strange to me as well. Not that I dislike the original music, but before our sessions it had never been a direct source of inspiration. Paradoxically, this distance gave me freedom and flowing ideas. I hear similar qualities in David's parts too. We hope that our relaxed attitude and its positive outcome will be reflected in this album" - Pierre Bastien "The strange thing about these recordings is that the creative process was so fluid and natural_ that it seems that through playing other people's music, we almost reveal something of ourselves. As if these tracks were our creation, as if they were our own children!" - David Fenech
High Roller Records, reissue 2022, black vinyl, ltd 250, lyric sheet, poster, specially mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel/ Temple of Disharmony, 100% original sound, no remaster!
La Grande Bleue - Musiques Imaginaires de la Méditerranée is a unique private press album recorded in the early 1980's in Montpellier, South of France, by a group of friends from different musical backgrounds.
Enjoy a percussive folk-jazz trip through this one-of-a-kind imaginary folklore, between the Mediterranean world (Greece, Maghreb, Balkans...), global influences (Africa, India, Middle East) and homemade instruments. Official remastered reissue.A1 - Kalamatianos
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Another new colour pressing we have 200 only white vinyl coming in Mrch. Single LPs w/ printed inner sleeve + lyric insert and Download card. The Armed return with their first new album in over three years and Sargent House debut, ULTRAPOP. The album reaches the same extremities of sonic expression as the furthest depths of metal, noise, and otherwise "heavy" counterculture music subgenres but finds its foundation firmly in pop music and pop culture. As is always The Armed's mission, it seeks only to create the most intense experience possible, a magnification of all culture, beauty, and things. The band goes on to explain, "crafting vital art means presenting the audience with new and intriguing tensions sonically, visually, conceptually. Over time and through use, those tensions become less novel and effective and they become expectations. The concept of "subgenre" becomes almost the antithesis of vitality in art itself a fetishization of expectation. ULTRAPOP seeks, in earnest, to create a truly new listener experience. It is an open rebellion against the culture of expectation in "heavy" music. It is a joyous, genderless, post-nihilist, anti-punk, razor-focused take on creating the most intense listener experience possible. It's the harshest, most beautiful, most hideous thing we could make." ULTRAPOP follows their recent contribution to the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack “Night City Aliens” and 2018’s critically acclaimed album Only Love, which landed on ‘Album of the Year’ lists from The Atlantic, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Vice, Stereogum, and many more. The album was co-produced by the band's own Dan Greene in collaboration with Ben Chisholm (Chelsea Wolfe) and features contributions from Mark Lanegan, Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age, A Perfect Circle), Ben Koller (Converge, Killer Be Killed, Mutoid Man) and many more. Kurt Ballou (Converge, High on Fire, Russian Circles) remains at the helm as executive producer. An interactive ARG campaign with numerous stages of engagement is underway and will continue through release. A website, media mailings and various social media interactions are leading fans to find easter eggs including songs, album info, videos and much more. A livestream performance confirmed for same day. Videos for all three focus tracks (“All Futures”, “Average Death” + “An Iteration” are completed and will be released along with each song.
Transparent frosted clear vinyl, no downlode code. Their third album 'WILDLIFE. The Eggs returned with an album that encapsulates the isolation of extensive touring and brief time back in their home town Lancaster. The two piece raucous noise pop duo combine their gritty British northern surreal lyrics with thunderous guitars and crashing drums on this their third self-recorded gem. Working alongside Gruff Rhys who produced Allergies and Cornershop's Tjinder Singh who has remixed Food for a special digital download, Wildlife is yet another wonderful and unique album from a band who continue to cement their reputation as one of the most genuinely exciting and essential bands around today. Already lead track Allergies, the first single taken from Wildlife, released on the Too Pure Singles Club, has won the BBC 6 Music Rebel Playlist - with 82% of the public vote and declared winner of Steve Lamacq's 6 Music Round Table as well as Artrocker's single of the month. For The Lovely Eggs being in a band is a way of life. True to this, they live the way they play. Fiercely, constantly in search of the good times. With this their third album in three years The Lovely Eggs explore further into their own world and the bizarreness of reality and invite you to come inside to join the party, strange as it is!
Calling all old souls, wild childs & real gone gals, here comes the brand spankin’ new solo debut from Kevin Preston (PrimaDonna/Green Day, etc.)! It’s a hot shot of new-old-stock rock n roll that rolls as much as it rocks; strolls as much as it struts; and shuffles as much as it stomps. Close My Eyes slow-burns like a long drag on a Lucky Strike. I Know Where I Stand channels the spirit of fellow Valley boy, the late Ritchie Valens. Caprice is a slapback-drenched rockabilly rave up that sounds like a rumble between the ghosts of Alan Vega, Vince Taylor & Gene Vincent. Kevin cut his teeth in the early 2000’s as a teenager playing guitar in a revamped lineup of original 70’s-era Los Angeles punks The Skulls. Then he started up the rock group Prima Donna, moving to center stage as lead singer. Prima Donna toured relentlessly, slowing down only to knock out a few records along the way & strike up a band-romance with Green Day who took them on tour a few times. That connection led to Kevin joining forces on guitar with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong on two side-hustle bands over the years; Foxboro Hot Tubs (in 2008) and The Longshot (in 2018). In 2019, Kevin joined the Green Day band as touring guitarist/backing vocalist. I was at Dodger Stadium the last time I saw Kevin Preston. There he was, that sweet kid from the Valley who I met at the turn of the century when we were on the Warped Tour together, now plying the boards at Chavez Ravine with Green Day. Man, the fuckin’ Beatles played their 2nd to last show ever there back in 1966! But along with all that stadium rock, our boy is now moonlighting as a solo artist & going back to the basics.... So, dig these new numbers & enjoy the ride, baby!
Back on vinyl for the first time in 5 years on translucent orange with green splatter. Download code included. Beyond the 4th Door, delivered an album not unlike Eternal Tapestry's epic live shows. Containing stretches of melodic guitar improvisations, dark brooding songs slowly build and expand to allow in layers of light. The album was created by recording more that two hours of material in their home studio, mostly live, and hand picking the elements that became these 5 tracks. There is a free and open nature to their structure creating a spacious environment for the listener to explore. Harkening back to the early 70's experimental rock that inspired them, such as Popol Vuh, Cluster and Träd Gräs och Stenar, Beyond the 4th Door is an album meant to be listened to in its entirety. Available on limited edition vinyl again, after the original 2011 release and 2016 re-press sold out within months of their respective releases. Eternal Tapestry are in every way musicians of the now. Extremely active in the new underground of cassettes and CD-Rs, releasing limited edition carefully designed albums on the premier purveyors of the counterculture.
Christian Lee Hutson starts his new album Quitters with a laugh. In this follow up to his ANTI Records debut, Beginners, Hutson moves away from a focus on growing up to the dread and complications of growing older. Written under lock down, the laugh that announces Quitters is the kind you'll find at the end of John Huston films, one of resignation and release, and somehow a cosmic laugh that says "California," a place where lonely people gather together like birds. The song "Rubberneckers" follows the story a romance from beginning to break?up, with backing vocals by Phoebe Bridges, who returns as producer along with Conor Oberst. Quitters is a departure from the digital recording of his debut. Hutson shares, "With this record, Phoebe and Conor had an idea that it would be fun to make it to tape. Phoebe is my best friend and making Beginners with her was so comfortable and easy. So I wanted to work with her again and Conor is someone who I really respect as a lyricist." If every great record is a world, then this is Christian Lee Hutson's world. It's one filled with the fuzzy haze of a dream, and the half-remembered moments of a for?gotten life. It's a record brave enough to say, In the good old days, when times were bad. But beyond the songs, it is this voice. The voice of someone who was alive in 2021 and recorded a group of songs with his friends for us to hear.
A guitarist, a composer, a sought-after musical enabler and sideman? Of course, he's all of those things and more, but none of those descriptions really do the seven-time Juno Award-winning musician justice.
Like all of Steve's albums, 'Gone, Long Gone' features brilliant instrumental performances from some of the finest players in roots music. Jeremy Holmes holds everything together on bass with drumming split between Gary Craig and Jay Bellerose (both drummers play together on 'Six Skeletons'), while Kevin McKendree and Chris Gestrin laid down the piano, organ and other keyboards.
Keri Latimer joins in on vocals on two songs, and Steve's old 'Birds of Chicago' band- mate, Allison Russell joined in to sing on a few as did Steve's daughter Casey Dawson. John Prine alumnus Fats Kaplin also dropped in to add some sweet fiddle and mandolin.
'Gone, Long Gone' is just the first of three new albums that Steve created during the lockdown. The next two will come to light over three month intervals throughout 2022. Be on the lookout for a moody, psychedelic pedal steel excursion coming up next!
Bishop and Musselwhite join forces for a fun and historic collaboration of front porch blues. Among the most famous bluesmen in the world, with over five decades each of recording and performing, Elvin and Charlie have scanned over 600,000 units combined, despite over two dozen of their releases coming before the advent of Soundscan.
Nominated for 2022 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.Winner of Blues Music Awards for Album Of The Year and Traditional Blues Album Of The Year
New West Records is proud to present the reissue of two classic Antone's Records blues titles.
These two titles have been remastered for vinyl. Each LP is displayed in a beautiful, one of a kind package (leather texture, die- cut, embossed logo) and pressed onto 180- gram vinyl that is manufactured in the USA. These limited edition pressings are now available on color vinyl for the first time. Pressed on Limited Edition 180 gram Purple Color Vinyl.
Legendary American musician Ry Cooder played together with the world's greatest artists, such as John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton. Cooder is known for his slide guitar work, and was ranked eighth on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.
Chicken Skin Music was his fifth studio album. The title serves as a direct, simple description of the album's emotional appeal. For this record, Cooder decided to ignore traditional boundaries and instigated lasting cross-cultural communication through music, which was unusual for 1976. Chicken Skin Music blends gospel, folk, blues and Hawaiian with the help of his backing band (Jim Keltner, Milt Holland, Chris Ethridge, and George Bohannon) and two eminent Hawaiian musicians, Gabby Pahinui and Atta Isaacs. In addition, to throw in some Mexican styles, Ry Cooder is assisted by Norteño musician Flaco Jimenez.
Chicken Skin Music is available on black vinyl and includes an insert.
Back in Your Life was released in 1979 under the Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers moniker, but only half the album featured the backup band. The other half of the album features Richman as a solo artist. The Modern Lovers were formed by Richman and included Leroy Radcliffe on guitar, Asa Brebner on bass and Denotra ‘D’ Sharpe on drums. Occasionally, they were joined by Richman’s friend and The Real Kids’ band leader John Felice.
“Coffee & Clouds” EP is the latest release from Sam Hutton and Al
Wreaves AKA South-London soul duo fika, collaborating with songwriter, vocalist and artist Bambie.
Co- produced by Berlin- based producer Fabich, the EP features previous singles “How Can I Love? (When I Can’t Get Away From You)” and “Love Like Mine” which have seen the duo garner support from the likes of Jack Saunders (BBC Radio 1), Jamz Supernova (BBC Radio 1Xtra), Jess Iszatt (BBC London Introducing), Nabihah Iqbal, El Train, Rob Da Bank (Worldwide FM), Stereofox, Mystic Sons and
IGGY Magazine. Stemming from a two-day session between fika and Bambie, the “Coffee & Clouds” EP was co-produced by Berlin-based producer Fabich. The EP expertly balances nuanced musicality with generously open song writing. fika’s ever-growing community of collaborators and irresistible releases has seen them perform at the legendary Ronnie Scott’sand garner support from BBC presenters
Phil Taggart (BBC Radio 1), Jess Iszatt and Abbie Mac (BBC Radio Kent) and from the wider radio community including Jyoty (Rinse FM) and El Train (Soho Radio).
At the end of 2021, they will be appearing at The Jazz Café alongside BBC Radio 1’s Victoria Jane, Raquel Martins, Ruby Francisand Kara Marni. The duo have also seen press and online support from the likes of TRENCH, Indie Shuffle, Notion, Acid Stag, Beautiful Buzz, Somewhere Soul and Discobelle. A project born out of collaborative joy and mutual admiration; the “Coffee & Clouds” EP is set to further
cement fika’s place as a one- to- watch in the realms of Neo- Soul, Hip Hop and Contemporary RnB.
ANATHEMA'S 'WEATHER SYSTEMS' NOW AVAILABLE ON 2LP GATEFOLD VINYL
'Weather Systems' is the ninth studio album from Anathema. Lead vocalist & guitarist, Daniel Cavanagh, discussed the album, "it feels like we are at a creative peak right now & this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album."
He continues, "This is not background music for parties. The music is written to deeply move the listener, to uplift or take the listener to the coldest depths of the soul."
The intertwining melodic structures, the profoundly beautiful & intensely powerful - yet simple - songs transports the listener closer to the heart of life, that is to say, to the heart of themselves.
Previous album, 2010's 'We're Here Because We're Here' was described by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) as, "definitely among the best albums I've ever had the pleasure to work on."
''Weather Systems' was recorded in Liverpool, North Wales & Oslo, each place significant to Anathema. The record was produced & mixed by 5-time Norwegian Grammy nominated Christer- André Cederberg (Animal Alpha, In the Woods...), who Daniel described as "a revelation. His calmness & brilliance helped to bring about the greatest inter- band chemistry that Anathema have experienced
together in their career."
This career stretches back to 1990 when the band formed in Liverpool. Since then, they have embarked on a remarkable musical journey, initially emerging as pioneers of melodic heavy music & continually evolving over the ensuing years, always remaining true to their original goal of creating forward thinking, meaningful, passionate & honest music.
"Absolute World Class" 'Detlef Dengler' Metal Hammer
BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES is a punk-ass blues duo from the South
featuring John Wesley Myers a.k.a JAMES LEG (vocals/ keys), and VAN CAMPBELL (drums/ vocals). 'All To Hell -
Their Baddest and Greasiest' includes 3 tracks released on vinyl for the first time and 2 previously unreleased live tracks featuring founding member Mark 'Porkchop' Holder (guitar/ vocals). All the material on this release has been remastered. 'Their attack of drums and keyboards is a mean, f*cked up, gospel punky hybrid and rocks with ragged, soulful passion.' ' ROCK SOUND. Pressed on Clear Orange Color Vinyl.
Vier Broadcast BBC-Radiosessions, die zwischen 1996 und 2003 meist für John Peel aufgenommen wurden, werden zum ersten Mal kommerziell verfügbar gemacht, mastered von den Originalbändern, mit Artwork von Julian House. Neben alternativen Versionen vieler beliebter Broadcast-Songs enthält das Album auch Raritäten wie 'Forget Every Time' (das nur in der hier enthaltenen Session von 1996 für die Nachwelt festgehalten wurde) und das Nico-Cover 'Sixty Forty'.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Templeight is Temple’s eighth release,
The first in our seventh year.
It features eight tracks
from artists spanning
two continents.
These are bent songs
of glimmering confusion
that rejoice in dissolution;
songs to truncate the space
Between us all.
We love them,
and you might too.
::))
Artwork by Jonathan Castro & Alejos and Robuche.
Mastering by Marco Pellegrino at Analogcut Mastering.
Ex-Terrestrial - Inlet and M & Dust - A Day in June mixed by Priori.
Phones in the Sun - First Look mixed by Lukas Glickman.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Italian artists Francesco Parente and Josh Kalker team up with vocalist David Blank as they get set to release Lost In Paradise on Hot Creations. Upcoming UK producer Wheats is also onboard to deliver a solid remix.
An infectious bassline entices you from the start on Lost In Paradise, as the uplifting chords and sensual tones of David Blank’s vocal make an invigorating and euphoric ride for the dancefloor. On the remix, intricate drum patterns set the pace. Minimal undertones bubble throughout, as the track unfolds with hypnotic vocal cuts, leading to a buildup that will be sure to make the crowd erupt.
Francesco Parente started producing at the age of sixteen and soon received support from the most respected artists in the underground scene like Nicole Moudaber and Marco Carola. In 2017 Francesco started playing in the famous clubs in his region followed by international bookings and support from his mentor Loco Dice, leading to releases on labels like Rawtentic, CUFF and HOTTRAX. Josh Kalker is influenced by the house and techno of the 90s. Since working full time in the studio and DJing in Europe, Josh has had the opportunity to release on labels such as La Pera Records, Nervous, Lost, Roush, Safe, Cryminal Hype, and many more. His music is supported by heavy-weights including Marco Carola, Loco Dice, Wade and Michael Bibi.
Wheats has become one of the most exciting new artists, sitting at the forefront of the UK’s surging wave of rising DJs and producers making an impact on the global scene. Releasing cuts on Hottrax, Kaluki, Circus and Solid Grooves, Wheats enjoys the backing of some of the biggest names in the underground scene.
out of Stock
Last delivered 2 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Humans controlling machines or machines controlling humans. KAOS has born as a form order approaching the machine music to human emotions, from the dance floor for the dance floor. Distinctive techno tools on high energy mode for Disc-jockeys and collectors.
KAOS is a subdivision from OAKS
Compiled and selected by Hector Oaks.
out of Stock
Last delivered 2 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
As a lifelong soul boy - poet, actor, presenter Craig Charles has been adding to his trunk of funk music since his youth, and now after almost 20 years hosting his world renowned BBC6 Music and Radio 2 shows, DJing at clubs and festivals around the globe his reputation as an ambassador for all things soulful & funky is indisputable. Craig was overwhelmed with the success of Volume 1 which hit the Official UK Album charts; "It's been a whole year (and what a weird year) since I unleashed Volume 1 on a music starved world. It clearly hit home with a funk hungry public as it got into the UK charts, nestled between film soundtracks and pop compilations, so I'd like to thank everyone for supporting - especially those who grabbed the double vinyl album - that was an instant sell out!" Volume 2 contains all the trademark features his fans have come to love -kicking off with The Allergies - and their 100% exclusive Trunk Of Funk remix of their bombastic Move On Baby.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Following the release of his exhilarating recent album Bring Backs, London based producer, pianist, bandleader and MC Alfa Mist today announces news of an upcoming EP, Two For Mistake alongside the track 'Bumper Cars'. The EP, out via ANTI-, will be available digitally on 17th November before getting a physical 10" vinyl release on 18th March 2022. Alfa's upcoming tour will be starting in November in the UK and starting Janaury for mainland Europe. The run will be the first time fans will be able to hear tracks from Bring Backs, and Two For Mistake, in a live setting. Bring Backs marked Alfa's first release for the label ANTI- and is also the most detailed exploration of his upbringing in musical form, one which has resonated with audiences to the tune of 7.5 million culuated streams to date. The album's nine tracks of groove-based intricacies, lyrical solipsism and meandering fragmentations are tied together by a remarkable poem written by Hilary Thomas expressing the sensuous realities of building community in a new country. Entirely written and produced by Alfa, the album was recorded in London with a core band of longtime collaborators including Jamie Leeming (guitar), Kaya Thomas-Dyke (bass and vocals) and Johnny Woodham (trumpet).
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability