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Soul Music legend Candi Staton returns to her down-home Alabama roots on her 32nd album, Back to My Roots. The twelve-track Americana set features an array of Staton-penned originals and some well-chosen covers.

"These songs represent my roots," Staton adds as she reflects on her many trials and triumphs. "Even the new songs on some level represent something I've experienced and that's what real soul music is about." Back to My Roots was produced by Staton with her second eldest son, Marcus Williams, a professional drummer who has toured with the likes of Peabo Bryson, Isaac Hayes, and Tyler Perry. They brought in Mark Nevers of Lambchop fame, who produced three of Staton’s prior Americana albums for Honest Jon’s and Thirty Tigers, to sweeten certain tracks. “Some of the first songs I ever heard were songs like `Peace in the Valley’ and `It’s Gonna Rain,’” says Staton. “The new songs or cover songs are tracks that remind me of that era when I was growing up as a child and evolving as a young woman. That’s why I named the album Back to My Roots because I’m going back to the roots that made me who I am.”

Staton received the Americana Music Association UK’s highest honour, the International Lifetime Achievement Award, at the UK Americana Music Awards ceremony at Hackney Church in London last year for her southern soul work that stretches from her 1969 Muscle Shoals hits to her more recent collaborations with the likes of Americana kings Jason Isbell and John Paul White.
The album opens with a mid-tempo Bonnie Raitt-styled contemporary blues “I Missed the Target Again” that finds Harry Connick Jr.’s longtime guitarist Jonathan DuBose Jr. (aka the Prophesying Guitarist) showing off his skills that set the tone for the song and the album.

Staton’s older sister, Maggie Staton Peebles (who alongside Staton was a member of the Jewel Gospel Trio in the 1950s), joins her for two duets. The first, “It’s Gonna Rain,” features just a drum, steel guitar and vocals. “My mother used to sing that song to us all the time when I was a child,” Staton recalls. “It’s a really soulful kind of song I wanted to revisit.” They then take turns leading Thomas Dorsey 1939 gem “There Will Be Peace in the Valley” that Elvis Presley popularized in the 1950s.

“Hang on in There” is a new, mid-tempo song that has an old school gospel flavour and features vocals from veteran bluesman, Larry McCray.
While in Europe in 2023 for her farewell concert tour that took her to the Glastonbury Festival and Love Supreme, Staton and her British band, PUSH, went into a London studio to record a new version of The Rolling Stones’ 1972 gem, “Shine A Light.” “I love the way that came out,” Staton says. “We put a big choir on it and put our own twist on it.”
From there, Staton revives another Thomas Dorsey classic, “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow,” with a bluesy vibe. When Al Green started recording gospel in the early 1980s, he re-introduced this song into the culture.

“God’s Gonna Use Me Anyway” is a new mid-tempo blues with subtle Caribbean influences.

The mood takes a turn on “1963.” It’s a poignant, spoken-word reflection on September 15, 1963, when four black girls were killed in the Birmingham Church bombing. “I was in the city that day and I remember the chaos and horror after the bombing,” Staton recalls. “Just thinking of how racism and hatred caused those men to kill those girls was so emotional for me that I could only do it in one take.”

It's a perfect segue into "Reach Down and Touch Heaven," a haunting, plea for divine intervention into the affairs of mankind. "That's straight Baptist," she says. "I used to be a church pianist back in the 1960s. I've never played piano on one of my records before so that's a unique song for me because I’m finally playing on one of my records. The message of that song is about the homeless. It came to me when a homeless person on the street asked me for $5. When God touches your heart to help somebody else that’s heaven to God’s hears. So, when we reach into our purse or wallet to help someone, we’re touching heaven."

Staton offers love as an antidote to hate on the bouncy, Motown-styled, “Love Breakthrough.”

Her publicist brought Aaron Frazer & the Flying Stars of Brooklyn NY’s 2017 cut “My God Has a Telephone” to Staton’s attention. She shifts the track from a retro 1960s groove to more of a 1980s Malaco Records arrangement, a subtle but distinct variation. Staton brought in her longtime friend and STAX Records legend, William Bell (“I Forgot to Be Your Lover” and “Trying to Love Two”), to add raspy seasoning to the track.

The album closes with the wistful, “In God’s Hands We Rest Untroubled,” that was originally written and recorded by the late country star, Lari White, who died in 2017 at the age of 52. “Lari sent me that song to consider at least ten years ago and I always loved it,” Staton says. “The record label didn’t want it on the album or something, so I just held it.”
Staton says, “I grew up hearing a lot of these old songs when they were new songs. I toured with the Jewel Gospel Trio in the 1950s and we got to know people like Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke and others who sang these types of songs. So, I’m sort of paying tribute to them and the influence they had on me by refreshing these songs and making new songs in the old style.”’

John Edwards’ early releases, mainly at Aware Records under the tutelage of Floyd Smith, thrilled soul lovers with his consummate vocals and impressed the multi-million selling Spinners enough to hire him to replace their revered vocalist Philippe Wynne.
Edwards’ first Aware hits, such as ‘Stop This Merry-Go-Round’ and ‘Careful Man’, led to his eponymous debut LP. As the label’s major male artist, the company followed up by recording a second album and were probably anticipating a further hit. But Aware collapsed thanks to the label owner’s criminal activities, putting paid to that proposed disc.
When the master tapes were uncovered in the ’90s, the tracks were issued on the 1996 Kent CD ‘Careful Man’ and handful of singles were issued to great acclaim.
At last, we have collected the tracks on vinyl and the beauty of ‘Tin Man’, ‘How Can I Go On Without You’ and ‘Cold Hearted Woman’ can be enjoyed as they were originally intended. Modern soul fans will be able to sleep easily again.

Wenn Sie das Glück hatten, in den 50er- und 60erJahren aufzuwachsen, erinnern Sie sich bestimmt an die wunderschönen, romantischen und beschwingten Lieder aus Italien, die im Radio, in den Theatern und in Hollywood-Filmen zu hören waren. Zyx Music lässt diese Erinnerungen wieder aufleben und macht sie der jüngeren Generation zugänglich, die dieses goldene Zeitalter der italienischen Musik verpasst hat. Begeben Sie sich mit uns auf eine Reise an der Seite von Sophia Loren, Domenico Modugno, Rocco Granata, Tony Renis und vielen anderen mit unvergesslichen Melodien wie „Volare“, „Marina“, „Come Prima“ und „Quando Quando“. Träumen Sie sich nach Italien und genießen Sie pure „Nostalgia Italiana“ … che bella!!!!!

In the wake of the release of Swedish post-rock luminaries OH HIROSHIMA's 6th studio album And The Dead Tree Gives no Shelter, Pelagic is reissueing OH's Oscillation (2019) and Myriad (2022) on vinyl. Myriad captures OH HIROSHIMA at their most focused and ambitious. The album moves between crushing despair and fleeting moments of catharsis weaving heart-wrenching melodies into towering walls of noise and explosive crescendos. The incorporation of trumpet, cello and trombone adds new dimensions to the band's sound, resulting in a record that resonates far beyond the post-rock scene and highlights the band's continued artistic evolution. Following the departure of bassist Simon Forsberg in early 2021, OH HIROSHIMA were reduced to a duo _ a shift that challenged the band to rethink and expand their creative approach. While Myriad remains firmly rooted in post-rock, brothers Jakob Hemström and Oskar Nilsson use the album as an opportunity to push beyond the genre's familiar boundaries, drawing from a far broader musical palette than ever before. To get a sense of what the album has to offer, watch the music video for "Humane". Guitarist & vocalist Jakob Hemström comments: "Humane might be the most direct and intense song we've created as a band. For us it marks a somewhat new direction that we wanted to explore and we're very proud of how it turned out. We felt right away that this was the first song of the new album we wanted our listeners to hear. The lyrics revolve around themes of human hubris and the video was filmed, directed and edited by our drummer, Oskar." Recorded by Kristian Karlsson (pg.lost, Cult of Luna) and once again mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg of Cult of Luna, Myriad blends soaring melodies with immense emotional weight and dynamic intensity and stands as a compelling testament to the band's continued evolution. Classic black or rosé (Dead Flamingo) vinyl available. FOR FANS OF Alcest Mogwai God Is an Astronaut Karnivool pg.lost

In the wake of the release of Swedish post-rock luminaries OH HIROSHIMA's 6th studio album And The Dead Tree Gives no Shelter, Pelagic is reissueing OH's Oscillation (2019) and Myriad (2022) on vinyl. Myriad captures OH HIROSHIMA at their most focused and ambitious. The album moves between crushing despair and fleeting moments of catharsis weaving heart-wrenching melodies into towering walls of noise and explosive crescendos. The incorporation of trumpet, cello and trombone adds new dimensions to the band's sound, resulting in a record that resonates far beyond the post-rock scene and highlights the band's continued artistic evolution. Following the departure of bassist Simon Forsberg in early 2021, OH HIROSHIMA were reduced to a duo _ a shift that challenged the band to rethink and expand their creative approach. While Myriad remains firmly rooted in post-rock, brothers Jakob Hemström and Oskar Nilsson use the album as an opportunity to push beyond the genre's familiar boundaries, drawing from a far broader musical palette than ever before. To get a sense of what the album has to offer, watch the music video for "Humane". Guitarist & vocalist Jakob Hemström comments: "Humane might be the most direct and intense song we've created as a band. For us it marks a somewhat new direction that we wanted to explore and we're very proud of how it turned out. We felt right away that this was the first song of the new album we wanted our listeners to hear. The lyrics revolve around themes of human hubris and the video was filmed, directed and edited by our drummer, Oskar." Recorded by Kristian Karlsson (pg.lost, Cult of Luna) and once again mixed and mastered by Magnus Lindberg of Cult of Luna, Myriad blends soaring melodies with immense emotional weight and dynamic intensity and stands as a compelling testament to the band's continued evolution. Classic black or rosé (Dead Flamingo) vinyl available. FOR FANS OF Alcest Mogwai God Is an Astronaut Karnivool pg.lost

Roh, laut und kompromisslos: Los Problemas aus Santiago de Chile liefern mit ihrer neuen 4-Track-Single puren Oi!/Streetpunk voller Working-Class-Spirit, Straßenpoesie und rebellischer Energie. Zwischen Nostalgie, Wut, Loyalität und durchzechten Nächten erzählen die Songs von echter Straße statt falscher Romantik - direkt, ehrlich und ohne Filter. 4 Track 7inch black Vinyl 300 Stück mit Einleger Smith & Miller Records SMR EP013

For the first time ever, Los Campesinos! are proud to offer new pressings of their first three studio albums on their very own record label; Heart Swells.
2026 marks the 20th anniversary of LC!’s formation, and coincides with the band being more popular and relevant than ever before. The 3 albums are available for the first time since 2020, on brand new colour ways, on 12” vinyl and CD, with updated artwork and packaging.

What the press said:

“a messy, glorious, noisy document of internet café-era indie life that sounds best when sung by heart.” 8.3/10 - Pitchfork

“full of half-heartfelt, half-hilarious songs that capture the rush of being young in a noisy new century.” - 10/10 - Entertainment Weekly

“smart, immediate, and anthemic” - 10/10 - The AV Club

'Heavy Metal' ist das Debüt-Soloalbum von Geese-Frontmann Cameron Winter. Es ist eine unerwartete klangliche Kehrtwende von Geeses unverkennbar Jam-ähnlichem Indie-Twang undverzichtet größtenteils auf Stadiongitarren zugunsten eines sanfteren Anschlags, der seinen mystischen, fantasievollen lyrischen Stil voll zur Geltung bringt. Gelegentlich verwirrend, doch unendlich bereichernd, enthüllt 'Heavy Metal' Winter als Chamäleon-artigen Meister seines Fachs, einen wandlungsfähigen Singer-Songwriter im Stil von Größen wie Dylan, Cohen und Nilsson.

Throughout the 1980s the inimitable Sun City Girls self-released over twenty full-length cassettes . Each of these cassettes were universes unto themselves, each a slice of the one of a kind SCG universe. Three Lobed is honored to help bring some these long out of print titles to vinyl for the first time ever through the continuation of a series of 2xLP releases. Remastered from original sources and packed within heavy gatefolds filled with never-before-seen vintage photos, these titles give fans - long time, long suffering, intrigued by the legend - the first real chance to hear these titles in over thirty years. Presented here are "Cloaven Theatre" (assembled from three titles which were originally released in 1987 and 1989 as Cloaven Cassettes #14, 15 and 18) and "That Old Western Sieve" which was originally released in 1989 as Cloaven Cassette #21. From a one-time edition of 1000 copies on heavy black vinyl housed within old-style heavy Stoughton gatefolds.

Throughout the 1980s the inimitable Sun City Girls self-released over twenty full-length cassettes . Each of these cassettes were universes unto themselves, each a slice of the one of a kind SCG universe. Three Lobed is honored to help bring some these long out of print titles to vinyl for the first time ever through the continuation of a series of 2xLP releases. Remastered from original sources and packed within heavy gatefolds filled with never-before-seen vintage photos, these titles give fans - long time, long suffering, intrigued by the legend - the first real chance to hear these titles in over thirty years. Presented here are "The Palm Leaves of Victory" (originally released in 1987 as Cloaven Cassettes #13) and "Audio Letter to Mitch Myers" (originally released in 1989 as Cloaven Cassette #19). From a one-time edition of 1000 copies on heavy black vinyl housed within old-style heavy Stoughton gatefolds.

To mark its 10th Anniversary,
discover Awa Ly's Album "Five And A Feather" (Including one previously unreleased track) On Vinyl For The First Time !

One night, Awa had a dream.

The atmosphere was enchanted, almost mystical, enveloped in a setting that summoned the moon, the Earth, and the elements. An ancestral blend of Native American and African cultures, a shamanic being was there, speaking in an unknown language, narrating stories both real and imagined. She received these tales from others, made them her own, absorbed them, shared their joy, and soothed their harbored pain or sadness.

Upon waking, the shamanic narrator had vanished, but her presence was still palpable; Awa made her the storyteller of this new album: Five and a Feather.

Five, like all things counted by fives: the senses, the oceans, the lines of a musical staff, the fingers on a hand. And feather, the magical element that connects them-the very one Awa used to write and compose the ten tracks of this new album where, under the brush of SainaSix, she becomes the first Black woman immortalized in Mucha's Art Nouveau aesthetic.

Ballaké Sissoko's kora, Paco Sery's senza, Greg Cohen's double bass, Faada Freddy's vocals, the steel guitar, or the erhu (Chinese violin) are all elements that illuminate the shamanic storyteller's tales.

Produced alongside the duo Jean Lamoot and Pascal Danae (winners of the 2015 Victoires de la Musique in the World Music category with their band Rivière Noire), Five and a Feather faithfully captures the warm atmosphere of live-recorded sessions where instruments answer and interlock with one another, creating the perfect showcase for the album's principal instrument: Awa's voice.
Words that she delicately places or lets fall onto the notes like tears of joy or sadness, flowing from that source called love.

An album written, composed, and recorded like fine lace, starry with details that only reveal themselves to those who know how to seek them out.

The Body"s landmark record Master, We Perish, originally released in 2013, found the acclaimed duo at a crossroads in their career. Recorded just before the duo of drummer Lee Buford and guitarist/vocalist Chip King were leaving their longtime home of Providence for Portland and released in between their breakthrough albums All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood and Christs, Redeemers, Master expanded on the duo"s love of layered worldbuilding with more precision and a stronger emphasis on percussive samples than ever before. The seeds of the duo"s celebrated collaborative inclination are evident as the album features Assembly of Light Choir leader Chrissy Wolpert, choir member Reba Mitchell, Otesanek vocalist Leslie Weitz, and guitarist David Lifrieri. With the expanded edition, the album"s striking cover painting by Providence mainstay Manifester aka Matt Brinkman (Mindflayer, Forcefield) is finally rendered in its original form. Master, We Perish is expanded with rare bonus tracks from The Body"s early days, taken from a pair of rare 7" singles Cop Killer/Dead Cops as well as a split with Get Killed. These storied singles mark the first time the band truly pushed the boundaries of sound in the studio and on record. It also marks the beginning of The Body"s practice of wielding the studio as a veritable weapon to translate their gargantuan sound with deeper impact on LP. The results are not only pushing the capacity of the album format but are sonically riveting. The bonus material was recorded at Machines with Magnets. The band described them economically: "NASTY."

The Body"s landmark record Master, We Perish, originally released in 2013, found the acclaimed duo at a crossroads in their career. Recorded just before the duo of drummer Lee Buford and guitarist/vocalist Chip King were leaving their longtime home of Providence for Portland and released in between their breakthrough albums All the Waters of the Earth Turn to Blood and Christs, Redeemers, Master expanded on the duo"s love of layered worldbuilding with more precision and a stronger emphasis on percussive samples than ever before. The seeds of the duo"s celebrated collaborative inclination are evident as the album features Assembly of Light Choir leader Chrissy Wolpert, choir member Reba Mitchell, Otesanek vocalist Leslie Weitz, and guitarist David Lifrieri. With the expanded edition, the album"s striking cover painting by Providence mainstay Manifester aka Matt Brinkman (Mindflayer, Forcefield) is finally rendered in its original form. Master, We Perish is expanded with rare bonus tracks from The Body"s early days, taken from a pair of rare 7" singles Cop Killer/Dead Cops as well as a split with Get Killed. These storied singles mark the first time the band truly pushed the boundaries of sound in the studio and on record. It also marks the beginning of The Body"s practice of wielding the studio as a veritable weapon to translate their gargantuan sound with deeper impact on LP. The results are not only pushing the capacity of the album format but are sonically riveting. The bonus material was recorded at Machines with Magnets. The band described them economically: "NASTY."

Mr Bongo presents a reissue of the 1619 Bad Ass Band’s self-titled album, originally released in 1976 on the ultra-rare tax-scam imprint TSG Records. Formed by Khalid Abdul Shalid, the record was the only album released by the group, and has since become a mythical, highly sought-after prize for collectors and DJs, ranking among the most coveted albums on the 1970s rare soul scene.

This New Jersey soul-funk gem captures the raw energy of mid-‘70s underground funk and soul. Its journey began in relative obscurity having been released on TSG, one of several US “tax-scam” labels operating at the time. These labels exploited loopholes in the tax system by inflating production costs to create write-offs against their tax bills, meaning commercial success was never the objective. Records were often pressed in extremely limited quantities, with little to no promotion or distribution and in many cases, artists were unaware their music had even been released. While this led to the 1619 Bad Ass Band’s album slipping into obscurity upon release, it later cemented its status as a holy grail for diggers and DJs. Unfortunately, like many releases of its kind, it also meant the band never received the recognition they deserved at the time.

Musically, the album is a unique listen with a varied palette that will appeal to fans of a broad range of tastes. From the luscious, dreamy ballad ‘Rain’, which will melt even the stoniest of hearts, to the raw, drum-heavy funk of ‘Love To Love’, it showcases the group’s depth and versatility. Highlights include the string-laden, floaty stepper ‘Just From You’, and ‘Nothing Can Stop My Loving You’, with its spacey synth lines, which will be a joy for modern soul fans. Elsewhere, ‘Step Out’ opens with a heavy drum break (later sampled on Latyrx’s ‘Interlude’ from their 1997 debut) before unfolding into a brilliant male-female vocal exchange.

Every track on here is a winner and it’s criminal that the band never received the publicity or credit they deserved when it was first released. Alongside the TSG Records release in 1976, the album was later released again in 1978 with alternate cover art on another tax-scam label, Graham International. Both versions have since become highly collectable and over time, the album has steadily gained the recognition it always deserved. This reissue by Mr Bongo offers a wider audience the chance to experience a truly special record, one that stands as a testament to the overlooked brilliance of the era’s underground soul and funk scene.

Originally released in 2012 the "Collider EP" by Romanian producer x sound artist YVAT caters a hefty set of six tracks for advanced, yet bass aware and low end loving late night dancefloors. Fractured IDM meets HyperPhonk, dense layers of slightly off-kilter synths, fragmented echoes of Bass Music and Post-Glitchstep, scattered remnants of Drum'n'Bass, cheeky vaporchrome melodies and highly detailed structures, all bound and glued together by gnarly, oftentimes overwhelming sawtooth synth basslines for the braindance crew. This sounds like a WARP Records release that never happened.

Press quote:
".... this one can be best described as a conjunctional work of Autechre and Aphex Twin, teaming up with the likes of Michael Forshaw on a dark'ish, but still melodic structure of Industrial patterns. Heavy, but still accessable and even spiced up with a slice of humour, a release to hunt down and watch out for - hard to find but important for the collection of an open minded spirit." [baze.djunkiii / nitestylez.de / 07/2012]

,AGON" ist das Regiedebüt von Giulio Bertelli und feierte auf den Filmfestspielen von Venedig 2025 Premiere. Der Film wurde mit dem Luciano-Sovena-Preis für die beste unabhängige Produktion sowie dem FIPRESCI-Preis (Internationaler Verband der Filmkritiker) ausgezeichnet. Er begleitet drei Sportlerinnen bei ihrer Vorbereitung und ihrem Wettkampf bei den LUDOJ 2024, fiktiven Olympischen Spielen, in ihren jeweiligen Disziplinen - Judo, Fechten und Sportschießen. Inspiriert von den historischen Figuren Kleopatra, Jeanne d'Arc und Nadezhda Durova werden diese Frauen vor dem politischen, sozialen, technologischen und physischen Hintergrund dargestellt, der den Spitzensport und die Höchstleistungen in diesen Disziplinen prägt. AGON untersucht eine zeitgenössische Darstellung der Widersprüche dieser Sportarten, die als Friedensübungen für den Krieg begannen, während ihre Disziplinen institutionell bereinigt, zu harmloser globaler Unterhaltung umgestaltet und schließlich in neuen digitalen Arenen gänzlich entmaterialisiert werden. Die Veranstaltungen bei LUDOJ finden nicht in Sportarenen statt, sondern in Tonstudios, ohne Live-Publikum. Diese spartanischen Räume werden nur von Athleten, Sportfunktionären und dem Filmteam bevölkert, die jede audiovisuelle Informationsebene einfangen. In dieser Umgebung wird jeder Mattenaufprall, jedes Schwertgeklirren und jeder Schuss bis ins kleinste Detail erlebt. Tom Wheatleys Filmmusik begann als konzeptioneller Spiegel dazu. Er nahm drei Musiker, von denen jeder einen einzigartigen Ansatz für sein Instrument verfolgte, wobei jedes Instrument eine Ausdruckssprache besitzt, die sich auf die jeweilige Sportart bezieht: Percussion für Judo, Cello für Fechten, Saxophon für Gewehrschießen. Hinzu kamen klaustrophobische analoge Elektronik und Dudelsäcke, um einen Zustand jenseits des Wettkampfs darzustellen: Krieg. Die reichhaltigen, detailreichen Signale dieser Musiker wurden live im Studio extrem bearbeitet, wodurch sich die Musik zeitweise in eine Grauzone zwischen Filmmusik, Sounddesign und Geräuschaufnahmen bewegte. ,Ich sah eine wesentliche Parallele zwischen dem Sportler und dem Musiker. Dass man diese Werkzeuge hat, die man durchs Leben trägt und die komplexe Nutzungsgeschichten in sich bergen. Diese Techniken und Traditionen werden erlernt und mit zeitgenössischen Technologien kombiniert, um neue Potenziale zu erschließen. So wie Alex Sokolov zu ihrer Waffe steht, so steht Jean-Luc Guionnet zu seinem Saxophon. Aus diesem Modell entstanden viele Ideen, die den Grundstein für die Filmmusik legten: die Anwendung der Gestik des Degenfechtens auf Utes Bogen; die ,gestimmte Luft` sowohl des Gewehrs als auch des Saxophons; die Übernahme des Judo-Konzepts des Schwerpunkts und dessen Anwendung auf eine Form rhythmischer Schwerkraft bei Seijiro. Es war eine reichhaltige Fundgrube" - Tom Wheatley ,So wie in der Welt von AGON Realismus und Fiktion verschwimmen, hat Tom dasselbe für die Filmmusik erreicht und die Grenze zwischen der akustischen Landschaft des Films und der Musik verwischt, wobei er den theoretischen Rahmen des Films selbst respektierte." - Giulio Bertelli











[k] 11REZ (GAME MUSIC) [BONUS TRACK]
[l] 12COURT (ROUGH SKETCH) [BONUS TRACK]
[m] 13PORK CHOP PLOT [BONUS TRACK]
[n] 14AGON TRAILER [BONUS TRACK]

Nachdem Taake seit über drei Jahrzehnten die Balance zwischen Tradition und Innovation hält, bleibt die Band kompromisslos unabhängig und erweitert zugleich kontinuierlich ihre eigenen kreativen Grenzen. Diese unbeirrbare Vision findet auf dem neunten Studioalbum *En Skog av Nidstang* einen neuen Ausdruck. Die vergangenen Jahre zunehmender Isolation - losgelöst von zeitgenössischen Trends und weitgehend unbeeinflusst von anderer Musik - haben den kreativen Antrieb des Songwriters Hoest nur noch verstärkt. Das Ergebnis sind vier ausladende Kompositionen, die sich auf natürliche Weise aus der inspirierten Geisteshaltung entwickeln, die bereits hinter dem von der Kritik gefeierten Album *Et Hav av Avstand* aus dem Jahr 2023 stand. Die Aufnahmen zu "En Skog av Nidstang" wurden südlich von Bergen in den moosbedeckten Wäldern rund um die Insel Borgoy abgeschlossen. In jener Landschaft, die einst vom vom Schicksal gezeichneten norwegischen Maler Lars Hertervig dargestellt wurde, suchte Taake bewusst die konzentrierte Abgeschiedenheit der Umgebung. Dabei verließ sich die Band weniger auf moderne Technologie oder übermäßigen Studioaufwand als vielmehr auf Intuition, Rückzug, Kreativität und die meisterhafte Beherrschung der grundlegenden Werkzeuge ihres Handwerks. Und das Ergebnis klingt unverkennbar nach Taake: Rücksichtslose, rasende Riffs treffen auf düstere Schwermut, eisige Melodien entstehen aus roher Intensität, und Momente trostloser Reflexion gehen nahtlos in ungezügelte Aggression über. Das Resultat ist ein Album, das die anhaltende Kraft einer kompromisslosen künstlerischen Vision feiert - der Beweis dafür, dass Taake auch nach 33 Jahren nichts von seiner Vitalität, Eigenständigkeit und Relevanz eingebüßt hat.

Nachdem Taake seit über drei Jahrzehnten die Balance zwischen Tradition und Innovation hält, bleibt die Band kompromisslos unabhängig und erweitert zugleich kontinuierlich ihre eigenen kreativen Grenzen. Diese unbeirrbare Vision findet auf dem neunten Studioalbum *En Skog av Nidstang* einen neuen Ausdruck. Die vergangenen Jahre zunehmender Isolation - losgelöst von zeitgenössischen Trends und weitgehend unbeeinflusst von anderer Musik - haben den kreativen Antrieb des Songwriters Hoest nur noch verstärkt. Das Ergebnis sind vier ausladende Kompositionen, die sich auf natürliche Weise aus der inspirierten Geisteshaltung entwickeln, die bereits hinter dem von der Kritik gefeierten Album *Et Hav av Avstand* aus dem Jahr 2023 stand. Die Aufnahmen zu "En Skog av Nidstang" wurden südlich von Bergen in den moosbedeckten Wäldern rund um die Insel Borgoy abgeschlossen. In jener Landschaft, die einst vom vom Schicksal gezeichneten norwegischen Maler Lars Hertervig dargestellt wurde, suchte Taake bewusst die konzentrierte Abgeschiedenheit der Umgebung. Dabei verließ sich die Band weniger auf moderne Technologie oder übermäßigen Studioaufwand als vielmehr auf Intuition, Rückzug, Kreativität und die meisterhafte Beherrschung der grundlegenden Werkzeuge ihres Handwerks. Und das Ergebnis klingt unverkennbar nach Taake: Rücksichtslose, rasende Riffs treffen auf düstere Schwermut, eisige Melodien entstehen aus roher Intensität, und Momente trostloser Reflexion gehen nahtlos in ungezügelte Aggression über. Das Resultat ist ein Album, das die anhaltende Kraft einer kompromisslosen künstlerischen Vision feiert - der Beweis dafür, dass Taake auch nach 33 Jahren nichts von seiner Vitalität, Eigenständigkeit und Relevanz eingebüßt hat.

Limited Edition 20th anniversary re-issue of _And the Battle Begun, 2xLP featuring a newly remastered version of album plus unreleased live recordings in a gatefold jacket with gold foil. Four new live songs include fan favorites "Apparition", "In Her Drawer" and "Only for the Night" Rx Bandits' landmark album ...And the Battle Begun marked a defining creative leap for the band, channeling intricate musicianship, dynamic arrangements, and socially charged lyricism into one of the most influential independent rock records of its era. Originally released in 2006, the album captured the band at a creative crossroads - expanding far beyond the ska-punk roots they emerged from and embracing a broader spectrum of progressive rock, jazz fusion, reggae, dub, psych, and melodic experimentation. The result was a deeply ambitious and emotionally resonant album whose impact continues to be felt twenty years later. In celebration of the album's 20th anniversary, Sargent House will release a limited-edition deluxe double LP featuring a newly remastered version of the full album alongside four previously unreleased live recordings, housed in a special gold foil gatefold jacket. The re-issue also commemorates the first album ever released by the label, honoring the lasting legacy of a record that continues to inspire listeners and stands as a defining chapter in Rx Bandits' history.

Limited Edition 20th anniversary re-issue of _And the Battle Begun, 2xLP featuring a newly remastered version of album plus unreleased live recordings in a gatefold jacket with gold foil. Four new live songs include fan favorites "Apparition", "In Her Drawer" and "Only for the Night" Rx Bandits' landmark album ...And the Battle Begun marked a defining creative leap for the band, channeling intricate musicianship, dynamic arrangements, and socially charged lyricism into one of the most influential independent rock records of its era. Originally released in 2006, the album captured the band at a creative crossroads - expanding far beyond the ska-punk roots they emerged from and embracing a broader spectrum of progressive rock, jazz fusion, reggae, dub, psych, and melodic experimentation. The result was a deeply ambitious and emotionally resonant album whose impact continues to be felt twenty years later. In celebration of the album's 20th anniversary, Sargent House will release a limited-edition deluxe double LP featuring a newly remastered version of the full album alongside four previously unreleased live recordings, housed in a special gold foil gatefold jacket. The re-issue also commemorates the first album ever released by the label, honoring the lasting legacy of a record that continues to inspire listeners and stands as a defining chapter in Rx Bandits' history. 2LP Vinyl colour is Eco Citrus!

Originally released in 2006, Alive marked an important chapter in the career of Kate Ryan, further establishing her as one of Europe's leading dance-pop artists of the 2000s. Following the international success of earlier hits such as “Désenchantée”, “Libertine” and “The Promise You Made”, Alive showcased a more mature and contemporary pop sound, combining energetic eurodance productions with melodic pop songwriting and multilingual performances that became a trademark of Kate Ryan’s style.

The album features the Eurovision hit single "Je t'Adore", the song with which Kate Ryan represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. Although the song narrowly missed qualification for the final, it became a well-beloved track among fans across Europe. Alongside the Eurovision hit “Je t’Adore”, the album features the singles “Alive” and “All For You”, complemented by the standout tracks “How Many Times”, “Driving Away”, “Wonderland” and “That Kiss I Miss”. Many consider the album to be the strongest release of Kate Ryan.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Alive, this release brings forward an expanded edition containing four French versions and three extended bonus versions, highlighting the multilingual approach that helped define Kate Ryan’s unique crossover appeal across Europe. Blending euphoric dance-pop, emotional melodies and unmistakable early-2000s club energy, Alive remains an essential release in the discography of one of Belgium’s most successful international pop artists.

Alive (Expanded) is available as a 20th anniversary edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on green vinyl and includes an insert with liner notes by Kate Ryan.

ABOUT WORLD WITHOUT GOD: Alongside the band's early '90's counterparts 'World Without God', Convulse's first proper full-length, helped pave the way for a new generation of death-metal extremity. ABOUT CONVULSE REISSUES 2026: Finland's CONVULSE present the official 2026 Remastered, Reissues of their classic titles "World Without God", "Reflections" & the new demo compilation "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation - The Early Years" All three remastered titles are streaming now & pre-orders are out July 31, 2026 on LP/CD/CS formats. Convulse original member Rami Jämsä comments on the reissues: "I am very grateful for the Relapse Records from all these three classy Convulse reissues. "World without God" (1991) is our best known debut album with full of rotten old school death metal notes. But don't miss our hidden gem "Reflections" (1994), which is our second album and will be released first time ever on vinyl format. Death 'n roll album "Reflections" comes to home on Relapse Records after 30 years with a brand new layout and a brilliant remastered sound. Third release will be "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation" which presents Convulse's transformation from the straightforward death metal band to more diverse death&rock band. It includes our first demotape "Resuscitation of Evilness" (1990) and "Lost Equilibrium" EP (1992)." All 3 Convulse titles were Remastered by Jaakko Viitalähde/Virtalähde Mastering (Oranssi Pazuzu, Havukruunu).

For over a decade, Drug Church have been building a very strong case that they’re the best loud guitar band in the game; their fifth full-length PRUDE–a 28-minute blast of aggression, melody, irreverence, and genuine heart–feels like the undeniable proof. The album is so downright satisfying it tricks you into thinking there’s nothing all that surprising about a difficult-to-pigeonhole punk band from Albany, NY, with a name like Drug Church somehow having a career at all, much less one that would last over 10 years and qualify them as the best band going. But before you start trying to think of who might have them beat (good luck), consider what just might be the key to Drug Church’s unexpected staying power: Don’t take it too seriously.

Bruised and bloodied, Knocked Loose opens up the pit with a brutal sound that falls between hardcore, punk and metal. Back in 2014 frontman Bryan Garris, Guitarists Isaac Hale and Cole Crutchfield alongside bassist Kevin Otten and drummer Pac Sun were most likely jamming in a garage or basement somewhere like every other wannabe World touring band. After the release of this, their debut EP, the band have gone from strength to strength with fans among their peers. This EP is where is all began. If you’re looking for a release that delivers heavy, driven riffage, together with vocals that cover subjects ranging from atheism to suppressing personal insecurities then you found it.

Iconic return with “II”, a second album that doesn’t just continue the band’s journey — it defines it. Where their debut introduced the chemistry between five world-class musicians, II sharpens that vision into a clearer, heavier, and more confident sonic identity, delivering a sound that is more powerful, more direct, and unmistakably rock. At the heart of the album lies the electrifying guitar partnership of Joel Hoekstra and Michael Sweet, delivering a masterclass in soaring melodies, blazing solos, and muscular riffs that perfectly balance technical brilliance with pure hard-rock attitude. Beneath them, the rhythm section of Tommy Aldridge and Marco Mendoza drives the record with thunderous authority, creating a groove that is both massive and relentless. The album kicks off with “Cry No More”, a high-octane opener that immediately sets the tone — an energetic slice of hard rock packed with driving riffs, explosive drums, and a chorus built to stick. On the other side of the emotional spectrum, “Tears Keep On Falling” showcases the band’s dynamic range, unfolding as an electrifying power ballad where melody, atmosphere, and intensity come together in dramatic fashion. Towering above it all is Nathan James, whose performance on II is nothing short of extraordinary — powerful, soulful, and commanding, elevating every track with unmistakable presence. With bigger riffs, deeper grooves, and a stronger sense of identity, II captures Iconic at full force: a band no longer introducing itself but fully owning its sound.

Als Blackwater Holylight vor drei Jahren ihre Heimatstadt Portland, Oregon, verließen, war es ihr Ziel, der Tristesse des pazifischen Nordwestens und dem beruhigenden Komfort des Vertrauten zu entfliehen. Mit dem Ziel, das sonnigere Klima von Los Angeles zu genießen, fand sich die Band nicht nur in einer wärmeren Umgebung wieder, sondern auch in einer völlig neuen Landschaft - einer ohne Arbeitsplätze, langjährige Freundeskreise und die bequeme Zuflucht alter Gewohnheiten. Und genau hier, unbelastet von der Zufriedenheit der Sicherheit, begann Blackwater Holylight fleißig an ihrem vierten Album ,Not Here Not Gone" zu arbeiten. Wie schon ihre früheren Werke beschäftigt sich ,Not Here Not Gone" mit der Dualität von Licht und Dunkelheit - bedrohliche Riffs bilden das Fundament für betörende Melodien, dichte Wände aus Shoegaze-Gitarren paaren sich mit luftig-leichten Synthesizern, und schwere Themen werden durch sirenenhafte Gesänge vermittelt. Im Laufe des Albums verspürt der Zuhörer mal ein Gefühl der Stärke, mal ein Gefühl der Verletzlichkeit. Wie Schlagzeugerin Eliese Dorsay es beschreibt: ,In einigen Songs sind wir die Raubtiere, in anderen die Beute." Die Gegenüberstellung von Selbstvertrauen und Unsicherheit ist nirgendwo so deutlich zu spüren wie bei einer lebensverändernden Entscheidung, was vielleicht erklärt, warum der Umzug der Band ihr Studium der Kontraste auf ,Not Here Not Gone" zu neuen Höhenflügen intensiviert hat. ,Not Here Not Gone" wurde im Sonic Ranch außerhalb von El Paso, Texas, von Sonny Diperri (Narrow Head, DIIV, Emma Ruth Rundle) aufgenommen, wodurch die Band erneut ihre Komfortzone verlassen und sich an einem Ort isolieren konnte, an dem sie sich ausschließlich auf ihre Kunst konzentrieren konnte. Das Ergebnis ist das Kronjuwel von Blackwater Holylights Diskografie - eine reichhaltige und eindringliche Studie in tonalen Hell-Dunkel-Kontrasten, in der das Licht seinen Weg aus den Schatten findet.

Futurismo are proud to present the iconic 1982 debut album, Only Theatre of Pain, by gothic legends CHRISTIAN DEATH. Available on deluxe 2xLP, CD digipak.

Hailed as a masterpiece of it’s genre, and considered by many as ground zero for Deathrock, Only Theatre of Pain is a seminal work of unholy power and pitch black emotion. Whilst this record may have it’s roots in punk - the origins of this true original version of Christian Death took place in Southern California during the early 80’s hardcore explosion - it cannot be overstated how important this record was in shaping the subsequent landscape. Emerging like an adrenaline shot into the heart of darkness, this unrestrained and mysterious recording still remains unclassifiable.

Featuring the late visionary Rozz Williams (then only in his teens) alongside punk luminary Rikk Agnew (guiding light in the Adolescents), James McGearty and George Belanger, Only Theatre of Pain’s musical exploration is adorned with psychosexual lyricism and an innate struggle with faith. Rozz’s vocals creep and possess, demonic and haunting, against the captivating, unmistakable guitar work of trailblazer Agnew. It’s a performance, but also a truth, perhaps Only Theatre of Pain is an art show, as much as it is an era defining record.
Aside from their spellbinding sound, it may have also been the lore of Christian Death that set them apart from other LA goth bands of the time. A near-nude Rozz Williams nailed to a cross at the Whiskey a Go Go may have played a part, but what it is apparent when you listen to the unhallowed musical stages on Only Theatre Of Pain is a depth of vision and orchestration that goes beyond the simple stance of brooding many of their contemporaries emulated, delving into the realms of pure unadulterated catharsis. The result is an eradefining statement that remains as unsettling, innovative, and resonant today as it was over four decades ago.

Only Theatre Of Pain is presented here in a new remastered deluxe pressing with a second disk containing early demo’s and rare material, further demonstrating why Christian Death stood alone in their sound and approach. This journey of religious depravity, recorded by the legendary producer Thom Wilson in a matter of days, harnesses the huge concepts of band projecting older than their years. Ahead of the curve in sonic artistry and visual aesthetics, this slab of sacrilegious American punk is nothing short of essential listening for the gothic inclined. A must for fans of The Misfits, Bauhaus and The Cramps.

This classic LP comes in deluxe super limited edition ‘California Hell’ coloured vinyl and contains a second disk of bonus material. It is packaged in a gloss laminated sleeve with metallic ink, containing printed inner sleeves, a large fold out poster, redux artwork featuring the photography of Edward Colver, and liner notes by Lisa Fancher of Frontier. Also available as CD digipak

Eine rasante Mischung aus Jazz, Funk, Indie-Pop, Kammermusik und futuristischer Klangforschung: WHO
ASKED? von DOMi & JD BECK dürfte eines der mit größter Spannung erwarteten zweiten Alben einer
Jazzband der letzten Jahre sein.
Mit ihrem Debüt NOT TiGHT sorgten Keyboarderin Domi Louna und Schlagzeuger JD Beck 2022 für
internationales Aufsehen. Festivalauftritte und zwei Grammy-Nominierungen machten das junge Duo zu
einer der spannendsten neuen Stimmen des stilistisch offenen Jazz. Vier Jahre ließen die beiden musikalisch
kaum etwas von sich hören, bis erste Social-Media-Clips mit neuer Musik aus dem Stand mehr als eine
Million Aufrufe erreichten.
Jetzt melden sich DOMi & JD BECK mit ihrem zweiten Studioalbum unüberhörbar zurück. Statt einer
prominenten Gästeliste wie auf dem Vorgänger prägen diesmal – neben dem atemberaubenden Spiel der
beiden an Keyboards und Drums – filigran arrangierte Orchesterklänge das Soundkonzept. Auch gesanglich
treten DOMi & JD BECK erstmals in Erscheinung. Mit WHO ASKED? beweisen sie einmal mehr, dass sie
sich jeder stilistischen Einordnung trickreich entziehen und ihren Fans jene ebenso virtuose wie eigenwillige
Musik liefern, die sie in den siebten Jazzhimmel katapultiert.

“No-one does 140 better than the UK, the way it gets done here is different and I really wanted to explore that…”

King Kashmere is an experimental musician from North West London.

Best known as a voice of distinction among the UK rap fraternity and frontman of decorated duo Strange U, much less is known about his work as a producer.

After years of fine tuning his craft, King Kashmere reveals ’Zero Point Modulations’, his first full length release as executive producer / from behind the boards.

A feature-stacked, genre-blurring spectacular that shines a powerful light on what Kashmere sees as his true calling, the 23-track release marks the start of a long-awaited shift in King Kashmere’s output; rooted in the coding boom of the mid-eighties but encapsulated in a double disc vinyl this Summer.

FEATURE LIST (in order of appearance):

Gawd Status, Joker Starr, Durrty Goodz, Flirta D, Harry Shotta, Genesis Elijah, Killa P, Dabbla, Jaz Kahina, PAV4N, Jae Mann, Jazz T, Cappo, Illaman, Ramson Badbonez, Flowtecs, Micall Parknsun, BVA, Fliptrix, Farma G, C.O.N-Vers, Verb T, AyiTe, Tommy Biz, Ray Vendetta, HPBLK, Reign MC, Confucious MC, Alecs DeLarge, TrueMendous, Raggo Zulu Rebel, AnyWay Tha God, JayaHadADream, Larwood




[d] 04 - Big [Bad] Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla

“No-one does 140 better than the UK, the way it gets done here is different and I really wanted to explore that…”

King Kashmere is an experimental musician from North West London.

Best known as a voice of distinction among the UK rap fraternity and frontman of decorated duo Strange U, much less is known about his work as a producer.

After years of fine tuning his craft, King Kashmere reveals ’Zero Point Modulations’, his first full length release as executive producer / from behind the boards.

A feature-stacked, genre-blurring spectacular that shines a powerful light on what Kashmere sees as his true calling, the 23-track release marks the start of a long-awaited shift in King Kashmere’s output; rooted in the coding boom of the mid-eighties but encapsulated in a double disc vinyl this Summer.

FEATURE LIST (in order of appearance):

Gawd Status, Joker Starr, Durrty Goodz, Flirta D, Harry Shotta, Genesis Elijah, Killa P, Dabbla, Jaz Kahina, PAV4N, Jae Mann, Jazz T, Cappo, Illaman, Ramson Badbonez, Flowtecs, Micall Parknsun, BVA, Fliptrix, Farma G, C.O.N-Vers, Verb T, AyiTe, Tommy Biz, Ray Vendetta, HPBLK, Reign MC, Confucious MC, Alecs DeLarge, TrueMendous, Raggo Zulu Rebel, AnyWay Tha God, JayaHadADream, Larwood




d 04 - Big [Bad] Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla




[d] 04 - Big [Bad] Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla

“No-one does 140 better than the UK, the way it gets done here is different and I really wanted to explore that…”

King Kashmere is an experimental musician from North West London.

Best known as a voice of distinction among the UK rap fraternity and frontman of decorated duo Strange U, much less is known about his work as a producer.

After years of fine tuning his craft, King Kashmere reveals ’Zero Point Modulations’, his first full length release as executive producer / from behind the boards.

A feature-stacked, genre-blurring spectacular that shines a powerful light on what Kashmere sees as his true calling, the 23-track release marks the start of a long-awaited shift in King Kashmere’s output; rooted in the coding boom of the mid-eighties but encapsulated in a double disc vinyl this Summer.

FEATURE LIST (in order of appearance):

Gawd Status, Joker Starr, Durrty Goodz, Flirta D, Harry Shotta, Genesis Elijah, Killa P, Dabbla, Jaz Kahina, PAV4N, Jae Mann, Jazz T, Cappo, Illaman, Ramson Badbonez, Flowtecs, Micall Parknsun, BVA, Fliptrix, Farma G, C.O.N-Vers, Verb T, AyiTe, Tommy Biz, Ray Vendetta, HPBLK, Reign MC, Confucious MC, Alecs DeLarge, TrueMendous, Raggo Zulu Rebel, AnyWay Tha God, JayaHadADream, Larwood




d 04 - Big Bad Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla




d 04 - Big [Bad] Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla




[d] 04 - Big [Bad] Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla




[d] 04 - Big [Bad] Feat. Genesis Elijah, Killa P & Dabbla

Red Dwarf Star emerges as a striking new chapter for Coley Taylor of famous US/CH based MASERATI, a new project that captures a deeply personal arc that spans continents, relationships, and creative reinvention. Working largely alone, Taylor embraced a deliberately stripped-down approach, navigating unfamiliar technology with joyously unpolished determination. Much of the material was recorded in a modest, direct manner that prioritizes feeling over finesse. This DIY ethos is balanced by key collaborations that elevate the record's sonic depth. Drums were recorded in Los Angeles by Kellii Scott, whose distinctive style adds weight and clarity, while contributions from Allen Epley and Jenna Fournier introduce subtle vocal textures that expand the emotional range of the songs. Despite its introspective origins, Red Dwarf Star is not intended to remain a solitary endeavor. What began as a personal outlet is evolving into a fully realised band, with a lineup assembled to bring these songs into a more expansive, dynamic setting. This shift signals not only a new phase for the project, but also a broader artistic trajectory. Taylor is known best for his work with Maserati, a legendary outfit that leans into collaborative, rhythm-driven expanses rooted in krautrock and electronic psych. Through Red Dwarf Star Taylor's lineage of influence is felt, echoing the raw emotional immediacy of `90s alternative, post-hardcore, and the textured atmospheres of jagged dream-pop that bleeds. These are sounds that have lingered in Taylor's creative subconscious for decades, now resurfacing with renewed urgency. For fans of MASERATI, FAILURE, SLOWDIVE, QUICKSAND, SHINER, HUM Black or coloured vinyl LP or CD available

Those albums that never age, that never cease to surprise with their innovative freshness-listen after listen-defying the years that go by. Released in 2016, Heimat's debut album is one of those records you love knowing is there on the shelf or on the turntable, like a reassuring talisman. To mark it's 10th anniversary, and such an awaited repress, we decided to honor this landmark album as it deserves: with a powerful remaster by Tioma Tchoulanov (UVB76, NzeNze) featuring enhanced dynamics, and an ultra-limited edition on blue splatter vinyl.

What a beautiful object this is, celebrating-alongside Armelle and Olivier Demeaux-ten years spent exploring the outer limits of music, in France and abroad, from SMAC venues to squats and other joyful initiatives. Their deeply sincere music loses none of it's naive tension; the emphasis is there, yet it remains restrained, contained, almost nervous, without any show of. Here, then, is something to make this fantastic album, a subtle milestone in a teeming musical landscape. A fine achievement indeed!

“Released on Joe Boyd’s Hannibal label here was a band rooted in Thompson/Swarbrick Fairport but also a snatch of the Velvet Underground and a sprig of The Byrds. The Eighteenth Day Of May evoked a legendary era, and now they are a justifiably legendary band too.” – KLOF Mag

Beginning life as a trio in London, 2003, the original line-up consisted of Allison Brice (vocals, flute), Richard Olson (acoustic guitar) and Ben Phillipson (guitar, mandolin) before expanding the following year to include the rhythm section of Mark Nicholas (bass) and Karl Sabino (drums, autoharp) and finally Alison Cotton (viola).
This being the mid zeros, the independent music scene in the UK was reluctant to embrace a sun-dazed folk band but this, their sole album, has gradually feathered a bed of affection amongst international folk fans. Twenty years on, the album is now rightfully seen as a trailblazer for the myriad alternative/psych folk bands that emerged in its wake.
Andy Childs who signed the band originally takes up the story. “I first heard their music on a cover mounted CD with the much missed Comes With A Smile magazine and as far as I could tell no-one was making music like this anymore, certainly not with such panache and confidence. To my jaded ears it all sounded so uninhibited - old weird folk songs, Americana, original psych-folk, minimalist drones. Great melodies and all six of them could sing! A joyous, unfettered sound that could in one moment conjure up flashes of The Byrds and then effortlessly the spirit of Velvet Underground would drift through. They even covered a Spacemen 3 song. I loved the fact that they had the aplomb to tackle traditional folk songs like Lady Margaret and Flowers In The Forest and not be afraid to stamp their own identity on them.
Signing them to the Hannibal label was straightforward. If anything the album somehow sounds fresh and undated, even better than it did in the day when perhaps eclecticism was out of synch with the times; its subtleties have become more apparent.”
“Their rendition of Lady Margaret builds to a headswirling crescendo that challenges anyone who claims Shirley Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie or Trees have recorded the definitive version and the hallucinatory The Waterman’s Song To His Daughter raises an already brilliant album to an unholy level” - IT’S PSYCHEDELIC, BABY Magazine

Somewhere in the Wind is the third record that Loren Connors and I have made together. Of the three, it’s the first that consists exclusively of electric guitar duos and it’s the first that was recorded live. To me it feels very much like a live record; this music happened in crowded rooms in Brooklyn on two dates in 2025 and there’s an urgency to connect with others and a pleasure in doing so that can be heard on both of these tracks. On the first of our duo records (Arborvitae, 2003) I primarily play piano, and on the second (Evening Air, 2024) we switch off on piano and guitar. Both of those albums bespeak the privacy of the recording studio, where time is suspended and one can explore the quietest of sounds. By contrast, Somewhere in the Wind is the noisiest, most raucous and most free of our duo records. It’s the sound of us taking it to the stage.

I became a fan of Loren’s playing from the moment that I first heard it, after happening upon a beat-up copy of In Pittsburgh circa 1992 in a used bin in the Dr. Wax record store in Chicago where my then-bandmate Bundy K. Brown worked. Everyone has taken a chance on a record because it looked interesting and wouldn’t set you back too much. In that regard In Pittsburgh was the find of a lifetime. I had just switched from playing in a postpunk power trio (Bastro) to making mostly drummerless respect-your-neighbors music (Gastr del Sol), and Loren’s pacing and touch and his lovely, unaffected compositions had me from the first listen. Not long after that, Jim O’Rourke and I reissued In Pittsburgh on our Dexter’s Cigar label, and I fondly remember first meeting Loren in New York’s Grand Central Station—so glamorous for this country mouse—and taking the train upstate with him where he shared a bill with Gastr del Sol. During soundcheck, Jim, Loren, and I played together for a bit and Loren’s approach to the instrument was something that one could instantly sink into, the kind of situation where there are no mistakes. I still feel that when we play together.

David Grubbs

Above The Trees
Written and produced by Vietnam Siren
Mastered by Joe Farr
Photography by Jelle Reynders
Layout and design by Sam Londero

Sophomore album by Brighton based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Marlon Bianco. Concept album with the A-side sticking firmly to terra firma and the flip blasting off into outta space. Psychedelic spacetronics mixed with soulful vocals and soundtrack sounds. Marlon is helped along his journey by his clones including SFJ's Oscar 'Sholto' Robertson, David Bardon (who both also produced it) and a host of other talented musicians: Dante Notar, Jonathan Chung, Laura Gallon and Federico Bersano.







[g] 07: Roboland (SFJ) [feat. SFJ]

Not all tropical escapes are meant to soothe. Some are meant to seduce… and unsettle.

On Haunted Bossa Nova, Creepxotica reimagines the language of classic exotica through a darker, more cinematic lens—where swaying rhythms and lush melodies drift through shadows instead of sunlight. This isn’t background music for a carefree afternoon. It’s a late-night transmission from a hidden lounge at the edge of a dream.

Built on the bones of traditional bossa nova and mid-century exotica, the album pulses with nylon-string guitars, vibraphone shimmer, and hypnotic percussion—but everything feels just slightly off-center, like a memory slipping out of reach. There’s a tension beneath the beauty, a sense that something unseen is moving just beyond the music. Each track unfolds like a scene, contributing to a larger atmosphere that’s immersive, cohesive, and quietly haunting.

What sets Haunted Bossa Nova apart is its intention. This is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake—it’s a deliberate evolution. Creepxotica honors the lineage of the genre while pushing it into more mysterious territory, blending tropical warmth with ambient unease and cinematic depth. The result feels less like a throwback and more like a lost soundtrack—discovered, not created.

Sonically rich and meticulously arranged, the album invites deep listening. Every tone, every pause, every echo has purpose. It’s exotica for those who crave mood over kitsch, atmosphere over imitation.

For listeners drawn to the edges of jazz, lounge, and ambient soundscapes, Haunted Bossa Nova offers something rare: a fully realized world that lingers long after the final note fades.

"Stare Away, the solo project of New York City-based musician Ben Nelson, deals in music where atmosphere isn't decorative — it's load-bearing. In Absence, his seven-song debut EP on à La Carte Records, is built on brooding, synth-driven arrangements and melodies that linger well past their welcome. Rooted in the emotional vocabulary of post-punk and new wave without feeling like a nostalgia exercise, the record carries the shadowed grandeur of The Chameleons into firmly present-tense territory.

From the urgent propulsion of ""Parting Ways"" to the cinematic sweep of ""Familiar,"" In Absence moves between moods with deliberate precision — restless, melancholic, and impossible to shake.