The road is a wrinkled timeline. Uncanny flatness conceals unfolding textures, transparent layers and open tabs. The truck cuts the landscape, tracing the road with a line of mad logic that composites time, space, thought. On “Le Camion de Marguerite Duras,” French duo Jean-Marie Mercimek have returned with a road movie for the blind. Composed and recorded by Marion Molle and Ronan Riou over six years across France and Belgium, this unlikely distillation of microtonal MIDI composition, French B.O., and post-punk chansons brazenly expands the duos’ penchant for lowkey narrative spectacle.
Across “Le Camion,” sounds form a theatrical screen. Our ears are the curtains drawn wide and listening with a look that pans across the shot. No title cards, they cut straight to action. The truck is a camera, zooming and framing the tracks as scenes. Songwriting and sound design blur in a tangle of delicate economy. The balance of mutant music-boxes and dewy miniatures recalls otherworldly hits from Gareth Williams’ Flaming Tunes, Residents, and catchier corners of the Lovely Music catalog. Strange, sure, but this flick is never quite a cartoon. Molle and Riou’s vocals dilate into a cast of very human characters. Voices sing borrowed texts like untrained actors (playing themselves, in fact) stepping into the frame once before disappearing forever. And when they’re gone, you miss them. But here in the truck, it all comes back again under the cyclic spell of repose in perpetual motion. Turn up the radio and appuyez sur le champignon. - Turner Williams Jr.
Man singt und es wird: Im Zuge eines Zusammenbruchs hat Max Gruber den Soloartist Drangsal gekillt und die Band Drangsal gegründet. Am Ende des Tunnels steht das im Juni 2025 erscheinende Album, Aus keiner meiner Brücken die in Asche liegen ist je ein Phönix emporgestiegen.
Seit über zehn Jahren sichelt Max Gruber mittlerweile die Zick-Zack-Schneise Drangsal durch die deutsche Poplandschaft: Harieschaim aus 2016, Zores aus 2018 und zuletzt Exit Strategy – das ihm 2021 Platz 6 der Albumcharts bescherte – erdachte Gruber größtenteils im Alleingang. Und dann war da noch etwas nach seiner Exit Strategy: Ein Zusammenbruch. Max Gruber wusste nicht mehr, ob und wenn ja, wie er weiter Drangsal machen will, veröffentlichte im Ullstein-Verlag sein literarisches Debüt »Doch«, gründete Die Benjamins, holte so gemeinsam mit Charlotte Brandi, Thomas Götz und Julian Knoth Hans-A-Plast Frontfrau Annette Benjamin aus dem Ruhestand und reaktivierte unlängst das 2016 mit Stella Sommer gegründete Duo Die Mausis.
Und doch, von innen wie von außen, immer wieder die Frage nach einem neuen Drangsal-Album. Wenn es denn überhaupt nochmal eines geben soll, erkannte Gruber, musste er die Arbeitsweise, auf deren Grundlage Drangsal-Songs entstehen, fundamental verändern. Auf alles Ringen folgte, was unvermeidbar war: Der Reset. Max Gruber hat den Soloartist Drangsal gekillt und die dreiköpfige Band Drangsal gegründet – zusammen mit zwei Mitmusikern, die ihn aus seinen Gewohnheiten gelöst haben: Lukas Korn und Marvin Holley.
Erstgenannter ist Gitarrist und Produzent, spielt in der Band Lyschko, produzierte zuletzt das Album silber von Mia Morgan und hat seit 2020 als Bassist an der Drangsal-Liveband partizipiert. Zweiterer studierte Jazz- und klassische Gitarre sowie Komposition in Stuttgart und Wien, stand mit Sam Vance-Law und Fil Bo Riva auf der Bühne und arrangierte für Film und Theater. Lukas Korn und Marvin Holley haben dafür gesorgt, dass sich die zentrale Figur im Kosmos Drangsal dreiteilt.
Das Liedermachen in Bandkonstellation ließ alle Angst platzen: Getragen von Euphorie nahmen Gruber, Holley und Korn ab Ende 2022 etliche Songskizzen und damit den Unterbau eines siebzehnteiligen Albums auf. Nach Kreativurlauben an der polnischen Grenze und Ostsee stand eine von Max Rieger produzierte und von Lukas Korn Co-produzierte vierte Drangsal-LP. Sie trägt den schwergängigen Titel Aus keiner meiner Brücken die in Asche liegen ist je ein Phönix emporgestiegen und erscheint im Juni 2025. Gruber, Holley und Korn haben sich auf das Credo so wenig wie möglich, so viel wie nötig verständigt – und dadurch einen Umbruch im Klangkosmos Drangsals manifestiert, der völlig neue Dynamiken mit sich bringt. Aus keiner meiner Brücken die in Asche liegen ist je ein Phönix emporgestiegen hält Leerstellen aus, in seinem Zentrum stehen, statt Synthesizer, Akustikgitarren, die immer wieder an der Grenze zu Blues und Jazz wandeln. Wo speziell auf Exit Strategy noch überzuckerter Synth-Pop preschte, ist nun Klavier zu hören; Orgel, Klavinet und Cembalo; Xylophon, Violinen und Celli; von Ralph Heidel gespielte Querflöten und Saxophone.
Dazwischen drei Episoden, in denen sich Gospel Chöre und Technobeats breitmachen. Max Rieger hat die drei dazu motiviert, Echtheit, auch Imperfektion im Moment der Aufnahme zuzulassen – und großen Anteil daran, dass »Aus keiner meiner Brücken die in Asche liegen ist je ein Phönix emporgestiegen« ein realistisches Abbild des Trios bietet. Die Stimmung? Dagegen eher ein Wechselbad. Max Gruber singt von Selbstentfremdung, vom Für und Wider des Stillstands, vom Sichhingeben und Sichwegschmeißen – mal auf deutsch, mal auf englisch, mal zart, mal angewidert. Grubers Stimme klingt, nach einer klassischen Gesangsausbildung, die der Einunddreißigjährige angetreten hat, zielbewusster. Umarmungen Marke »Ich hab von der Musik geträumt und Inkomplett treffen auf Gewitterwolken à la Mein Eid und dem Sophia-Blenda-Feature Mein Mo(nu)ment. Entlang rigoroser Entkernung und Hexenjagd geht es Bergab – für dich, für mich, für Max Gruber sowieso. Er ist über weite Teile der Platte hinweg auf der Flucht vor sich selbst, den alten Geistern, dem leidigen Wachzustand: Wär’ ich doch bloß nimmermehr erwacht, ich schliefe in ewigem Glück. Gruber sucht und sucht: Nach innerem Frieden, nach Gnade, nach unverbranntem Boden, nach neuen Versionen seiner Selbst – und das vergeblich. Immerhin scheinen Erinnerungen mit der Zeit zu verschwimmen: Grubers Worte – zu sich und zur Welt – klingen im hinteren Teil der Platte sanfter, vergebender, resümierender. Ein Schlüsselmoment? Das von der Schauspielerin Rosa Lembeck eingesprochene, Monolog artig formulierte Klanggedicht Rosa – Es ist so: Man singt und es wird.
Iori Wakasa, one of the leading lights of the Tokyo club scene is set to release his second 12” from his own label, “BOTANICA” which he established to express his own primal sensibilities.
The Concept of the Label:
Tokyo-based DJ/producer, Iori Wakasa launched BOTANICA to assert that his label’s activities in itself is art and a palette for his creative, self-expression. It is also based on 2 main concepts: To integrate the sensibilities of both "nature" and “artificial and human activities" and to “contribute music that presents a scenery from the listener's point of view”.
For Iori, his label is an interface of some sort and is also a symbol of his own personal musical expectations.
Iori produced these 2 new tracks during the recent pandemic when the world was under severe restrictions. While taking into account and focusing on both 'his current outlook' and returning to “the roots of his own production aesthetic', he strived to produce something that would substitute it and as a result, created these two new tracks and the artwork that are presented in the label's second release, 'The Party Is Here EP’.
In this EP, he also attempts to express the sentiment that 'the experience that music provides to people is invaluably infinite' and that 'if you truly want to go out and party, it will happen, then and there!’.
About the tracks:
For the track, ’Bedroom Disco’, Iori tries to express his memories of 'a virtual night of partying’ that he experienced during Covid and created this track while being ‘in a state of wanting to break free from oppression’ and reminiscing about a party in a bedroom at night.
He also wanted to express the idea that no matter what situation or environment you are in, you can go to anywhere you want if you really want to and with that sentiment, he wanted to express a scenerio that transcends it and at the same time, he also wanted to convey his feelings of nostalgia for the past, rebellion against the environment and his feelings of desire.
For this track, Iori did not use any sampled voices or field recordings and created it by layering pure sonic imagery repeatedly folded and desolved which triggered the creation of new developments while imagining the thought that “a party actually begins when you step out” and the swaying of emotions that take place from it.
’Tropica' is a track that Iori produced by heavily mixing a utopian feel that people have inside of them with his own sensuality and is designed to ‘guide you to a tropical seaside', regardless of what the listener may have experienced in the past.
Unlike 'Bedroom Disco', this track uses a variety of samples and envisages "many elements intertwining with each other, working together to create this sound structure”. And it also expresses that equal opportunity exists for anyone who wants to visit an imaginary tropical land as well as the hope that even a brief break of the mind can be created by yourself and those close to you, if one pursues it.
About the artwork:
The cover of this new EP, the concept text 'Is your window open?', and the label's logo was designed by illustrator, HILOSHI SHINOZAKI who also worked on the first release, BOTANICA EP. For over 10 years, he has been a regular visitor of Hawaii, where he tries to cultivate his "true way of life” in his art.
And, artwork for the cover and label design of the EP is complemented by the label design and art direction of the record by hiro, a graphic designer who has been his partner and best friend since the first Botanica EP.
hiro expresses Bedroom Disco track's shifting compositional changes and its complex series of sound waves by creating an intricately multi-layered design that is a perfect representation of the way he sees it.
Also initially inspired by the fluctuations of waves, islands, sun, rays, sky and time, the artwork of Tropica also found inspiration from a drawing that made by Iori’s daughter who drew a picture of a scenery when she listened to the track. So through this design, one of the label’s concept of “the label’s activities is in itself art” was realised via the surprising contribution coming from his own family.
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Having spent the last half decade building up a name as a jazz and soul singer of rare distinction, Ada Morghe now presents her fourth album, 'Pure Good Vibes', which features the British reggae icon Maxi Priest A trip to Jamaica in January 2024 set 'Pure Good Vibes' in motion. Ada headed to th island after hearing that her bassist and producer Livingstone Brown, was flying the to work with Maxi Priest. It was an idea that was underlined by her desire to explo the music, culture and Jamaican heritage that had also shaped the lives of her oth band members Luke Smith (keyboard) and Josh McNasty (drums). The resulting album is a beautiful, intimate reflection on adult themes, such a keeping the passion alive, making the most of life's sweet moments and capturing th closeness of two people in love, which is underpinned by a sound that, though n beholden to Jamaica's musical traditions, certainly shares a spirit with them. The are other influences - such as Michael Kiwanuka's soulful fervour, the vibrancy of '60 R&B, and a love of Sade's 'Diamond Life'. Before stepping whole- heartedly into music, Ada Morghe was already a renowne actress and an award-winning author in her homeland of Germany. Having written an starred in the play-turned-film 'Frau Mutter Tier' and been asked to write songs for i soundtrack, she found herself working with former Prince sound engineer Han Martin Buff. That led her to Abbey Road studios in London, her debut album 'Picture and 2020's 'Box', an expression of her refusal to be tied down to any one genre o profession. From there came 2023's 'Lost', a free-flowing vocal jazz suite based on th four elements. 'Pure Good Vibes', however, pulls her toward what sounds like her most natural albu yet: sophisticated jazz and soul that deals with both the romance and reality o matters of the heart.
HEXVESSEL erkunden auf ihrem epischen siebten Album "Nocturne" liminale Räume, z.B. zwischen Licht und Dunkelheit sowie Natur und Einsamkeit. Die sich kontinuierlich wandelnde finnische Band besinnt sich wieder auf ihre Wurzeln im Folk und im psychedelischen Rock, indem sie akustische Zwischenspiele, kosmische Synthesizer und geisterhafte Pianoklänge kunstvoll mit den frostgesponnenen Fäden ihres Black Metal Geflechts verwebt. "Nocturne" klingt sowohl vertraut als auch unverhohlen progressiv, da HEXVESSEL ihre eigene Tradition mit einer frischen Neuerfindung ihres charakteristischen Sounds vermischen. Der Keim für dieses Meisterwerk wurde durch die Aufführung eines Auftragswerks beim Roadburn Festival 2024 gesetzt, das ursprünglich den Titel "Music for Gloaming: A Nocturne" trug. Mit diesem Album nimmt das Projekt eine ausgearbeitete physische Gestalt an. Dieses opus magnum verbindet den rauen Geist von Quorthons Black Metal mit dem komplexen Minimalismus zeitgenössischer Komponisten wie Philip Glass, György Ligeti und Avro Pärt. Den eklektischen Charakter von "Nocturne" unterstreichen ausgewählte Gastauftritte wie der ätherische Gesang von Saara Nevalainen oder die harschen Stimmen der Avantgarde Black Metal Vorreiter Yusaf Vicotnik Parvez (DHG/DØDHEIMSGARD) und ORANSSI PAZUZUs Juho Vanhanen. HEXVESSEL stammen zwar aus dem finnischen Tampere, die Band wurde aber vom englischen Sänger und Songwriter Kvohst alias Mat McNerney gegründet, nachdem er im Jahr 2009 in das nordische Land gezogen war. In vielerlei Hinsicht spiegeln HEXVESSEL die Natur ihres Gründers wider. Der Sänger und Songwriter war schon in vielen erfolgreichen Gruppen und Projekten aktiv, deren Spektrum von der britischen Black Metal Band CODE über einen Abstecher bei den norwegischen Legenden DHG bis hin zu den Rock-Shootingstars BEASTMILK reicht, die er später mit GRAVE PLEASURES fortsetzte. Mit "Nocturne" laden HEXVESSEL alle dunklen Seelen der Erde zu einem transzendentalen Nachtritual ein, das unter anderem die Klangvisionen von DARKTHRONE, TANGERINE DREAM und Philip Glass aus der toten Vergangenheit erweckt und mit neuem Leben erfüllt.
With their seventh full-length "Nocturne", HEXVESSEL explore the liminal spaces between light and darkness, nature and solitude on an epic album. The ever evolving and shifting Finnish band has reawakened their treasured roots in folk music and psychedelic rock as they artfully weave acoustic interludes, cosmic synths, and spectral piano into the frost-spun threads on their black metal loom. "Nocturne" sounds both familiar and fearlessly progressive as echoes of tradition entwine with a fresh reinvention of their characteristic sound. The seed of this masterpiece was sown by the performance of a commissioned work at Roadburn Festival 2024 that was originally entitled: "Music for Gloaming: A Nocturne". With this album, it arrives fully fleshed in recorded form. This opus magnum blends the raw spirit of Quorthon's black metal with the intricate minimalism of contemporary composers such as Philip Glass, György Ligeti, and Avro Pärt. Its eclectic nature is elevated and underlined by select guest performances, including the vocals of Saara Nevalainen, as well as the avant-garde black metal luminaries Yusaf Vicotnik Parvez (DHG/DØDHEIMSGARD), and ORANSSI PAZUZU's Juho Vanhanen. While HEXVESSEL are based in Tampere, Finland, they were founded by English singer & songwriter Kvohst aka Mat McNerney after he moved to the country in 2009. In many ways, HEXVESSEL reflect their founder. The vocalist and songwriter has instigated and been involved in various bands ranging from UK black metal act CODE, a stint in Norwegian legends DØDHEIMSGARD, and to rock shooting stars BEASTMILK – later 'continued' with GRAVE PLEASURES to name but a few of his success stories. With "Nocturne", HEXVESSEL invite all souls on earth to a transcendental night ritual that is imbued with DARKTHRONE, TANGERINE DREAM, Philip Glass, and sounds unearthed from the dead past, now instilled with new life.
The visionary 1983 album by Anthony Hobson, is a bold exploration of enterprising drama themes. Featuring hypnotic synth layers, commanding brass motifs, and the pulsating rhythms of electric bass and drum machine, each track resonates with confidence and ambition. Hobson's masterful compositions from this album were regular features on sports highlight reels throughout the 80’s and 90’s, including “Polestar 1” on NFL Films. From touchdowns and slam dunks to space age captains of industry, "Millenium" captivates listeners with its dynamic compositions, offering a compelling musical journey through the aspirations and achievements of the burgeoning digital age of the early 1980s.
Available 13 June 2025 on double translucent orange vinyl, Trios captures the magic of Buddy Rich's legendary three- man jam sessions-- performances that have never been officially released until now. Recorded live during international concerts in 1976 and 1977, Trios showcases Rich alongside extraordinary talents: bassists Jon Burr and Tom Warrington, and young piano prodigy Barry Kiener. These trio interludes--recorded by Rich's alto saxophonist Alan Gauvin--feature Rich playing with brushes in an intimate setting, spotlighting his dynamic range and nuance. "These trio sets were often played to give the brass section a break," says Gauvin. "But what Buddy did with those moments was extraordinary. It was a masterclass in restraint, creativity, and musical interplay." Among the album's ten tracks are beautifully reimagined standards such as "Just Friends," "Stella by Starlight," and "My Romance." Each performance highlights Rich's desire to step back and allow the piano and bass to shine--something unheard of for a drummer of his stature. The release also serves as a tribute to Barry Kiener, the immensely gifted pianist who tragically passed away at 30. "Barry had been like a son to him," remembers Buddy's daughter Cathy Rich, who serves as an Executive Producer. "This album is a rare glimpse into Barry's brilliance and the deep musical bond he shared with my father." Trios was recorded and produced by Alan Gauvin, mastered by Tom Swift, with cover art by Michael Patterson, the award-winning visual artist and USC professor known for his work on a-ha's iconic "Take on Me" video.
Polar Bear's groundbreaking debut 'Dim Lit' (2004) is being released on vinyl for the first time, marking over two decades since its arrival reshaped the UK jazz landscape
Led by drummer and composer Seb Rochford, the album introduced a band whose fearless approach to improvisation, rhythm, and texture would go on to influence a generation. Blending raw energy with intricate composition, 'Dim Lit' set the blueprint for Polar Bear's signature sound - expansive, unpredictable, and entirely their own.
From the outset, 'Dim Lit' positioned Polar Bear as one of the most forward-thinking groups of their time. The album bridged jazz, electronic elements, and avant- garde sensibilities, carving out a new space in the contemporary music scene. The interplay between Rochford, saxophonists Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart, bassist Tom Herbert, and electronics specialist Leafcutter John created a dynamic, shape-shifting sound that blurred genre boundaries. With its hypnotic grooves, explosive improvisation, and unexpected sonic detours, 'Dim Lit' remains a vital document of a band redefining what jazz could be.
This first- ever vinyl release offers a new perspective on 'Dim Lit's deep, layered soundscapes, giving longtime fans and new listeners alike the chance to experience the album in a fresh, immersive format. Edition Records now represents all digital rights to the Polar Bear catalogue, ensuring the band's visionary work continues to reach audiences worldwide.
49th & Main veröffentlichen ihr lang-erwartetes Deübtalbum ‘Happy Tears’ im Juni auf Counter Records.
Mit über 200 Millionen Streams, 2 Millionen monatlichen Spotify-Hörer:innen, zahlreichen von den Medien unterstützten Veröffentlichungen und einer Berücksichtigung in den NME 100 sind die beiden zu einem der populärsten Acts der irischen Musikszene geworden und stehen weltweit an der Spitze der Indie-Elektro-Musik. Von der Selbstveröffentlichung von Tracks im irischen Kilkenny bis hin zu ausverkauften internationalen Tourneen haben 49th & Main einen Sound entwickelt, der UK-Garage, Jazz-infizierten House und emotionsgeladenen Indie-Pop miteinander verbindet. Sie haben sich entgegen dem traditionellen Schema der Branche vom Tiktok-Buzz zu großen Festivalauftritten beim Glastonbury Festival, Electric Picnic und The Great Escape entwickelt. „Happy Tears“ ist ihr bisher wichtigstes Statement - ein Album, das alles, was 49th & Main ausmacht, in 21 (!) Tracks bündelt. Es fängt den Rausch der Live-Musik und die Katharsis des Songwritings ein, kanalisiert alles, von der chaotischen Schönheit einer Nacht bis zum Schmerz der Nostalgie in einer vertrauten Melodie oder der flüchtigen Klarheit eines Sonnenaufgangs nach dem Schlaf. 49th & Main haben ein Album geschaffen, das den Puls der Indie-Elektronik einfängt und gleichzeitig eine Fülle von Klangelementen einfließen lässt. Seit ihrem kühnen Aufstieg von Kilkenny zu internationalem Ruhm hat das Duo einen unkonventionellen und inspirierenden Weg eingeschlagen. Ihre Mischung aus von der Kritik gefeierten Live-Auftritten, der Unterstützung von Fachmedien, dem viralen Streaming-Erfolg und einer tiefen Verbindung zu den emotionalen Strömungen der heutigen Jugend hat sie zu einem kulturellen Phänomen gemacht. 49th & Main sind eine Geschichte, die die Aufmerksamkeit verlangt, die sie verdientermaßen bekommen.
For their third album on Bongo Joe, Madalitso Band takes a new direction.
After two records capturing the raw intensity of their live performances, the Malawian duo ventures for the first time into the possibilities of the studio — without ever compromising their signature style or energy.
Armed with their handmade babatone, a guitar, and their interwoven voices, Yobu and Yosefe craft a sound at the crossroads of banjo music, kwela, gospel, and African folk. An acoustic trance that’s both minimal and vibrant, deeply rooted in tradition yet undeniably fresh and contemporary. On Ma Gitala, they add new textures: layered vocals, playful percussion, melodic surprises, and guests from their close and family circles.
Always guided by instinct, the band reveals a more intimate and narrative side of their universe — full of memories, spontaneity, and close-knit complicity. An album that captures the joy and creativity of two artists who turned the street into a stage, and the stage into a playground.
For their third album on Bongo Joe, Madalitso Band takes a new direction. After two records capturing the raw intensity of their live performances, the Malawian duo ventures for the first time into the possibilities of the studio - without ever compromising their signature style or energy. Armed with their handmade babatone, a guitar, and their interwoven voices, Yobu and Yosefe craft a sound at the crossroads of banjo music, kwela, gospel, and African folk. An acoustic trance that"s both minimal and vibrant, deeply rooted in tradition yet undeniably fresh and contemporary. On Ma Gitala, they add new textures: layered vocals, playful percussion, melodic surprises, and guests from their close and family circles. Always guided by instinct, the band reveals a more intimate and narrative side of their universe - full of memories, spontaneity, and close-knit complicity. An album that captures the joy and creativity of two artists who turned the street into a stage, and the stage into a playground.
Third album by singer and producer Charlotte Marionneau. A collection of sonic trips that try to capture the spark of beat poetry. She is almost a magician who has captured the directness of punk and can do magic with the emotion of pop. And she is always in the experimental grab bag. On the track 'Two-Love' Noel Gallagher plays piano and bass. Further on there is a Daniel Johnston cover presented as a duet with Terry Hall and his son Theodore and here Noel plays guitar. Marionneau reminds one of a female Syd Barrett. She counts among her admirers: Kevin Shields, Mazzy Star, Noel Gallagher, The Television Personalities, Simon Raymonde, Grimm Grimm, Piano Magic and Cillian Murphy. Le Volume Courbe "Planet Ping Pong" is a collection of sonic trips echoing fulgurances of beat poetry. Charlotte is a magician who can weave the directness of punk with the emotions of pop while staying in the realms of edgy experimentation. The bunny comes out of the hat smoking a cigarette and looks you in the eye. The single "Two-Love" is a collaboration with Noel Gallagher on piano and bass and Lascelles Gordon on percussions. The album also includes a cover by Daniel Johnston "Mind Contorted" which is presented as a duet with Terry Hall, and also features his son Theodore Hall and Noel Gallagher on guitars. The originality of Charlotte's music shares something with outsider art: naïve, primitive, primal, rather than following the standard rules. The new album selfproduced and mixed by Brendan Lynch and Charlotte is no exception, It's a unique and compelling listen laced with surprises, subversions and a refreshing candour which sets it apart from anything else. Charlotte was born and raised in France and moved to London in 1995. She was first signed to Alan McGee Poptones label in 2001, and her debut "I killed my best friend" was released in 2005 on Honest Jon's Records. She has also worked with a number of other bands and musicians including Kevin Shields, Mazzy Star, Noel Gallagher, The Television Personalities, Simon Raymonde, Grimm Grimm, Piano Magic etc.. Her song "Born to Lie" was featured in Series 2 of Killing Eve and Spotify selected her song "Rusty" for their "best of the decade 2010-2020" alternative compilation. Cillian Murphy selected the same song for his BBC6 compilation. "She reminds me of a female Syd Barrett... she keeps running into me all over the place from concerts or serving me ice cream at the Curzon on a wet Saturday night or on Jools Holland with the High Flying Birds... I love Charlotte... a great talent and a real psychedelic soul musician." Alan McGee "Inspiring originality, fiercely independent beautiful music, always years ahead of its time. I remember hearing Charlotte's music for the first time and being immediately taken by the freshness, great melodies and utterly unique approach." Kevin Shields "When I first met her she was wearing a cape... she looked like a little piece of Lego. She told me she liked some of my songs but not all. (I hadn't even asked her opinion!!) She's beautiful, fearless and one hell of a tambourine player." Noel Gallagher. "Charlotte is bewitchingly talented, a true rarity that has inspired many creative people. The kind of woman songs are written about. She's an artist that steals your heart away and then comforts you with her stunning music." Hope Sandoval. "A true original and a truly unique artist. There is not many I can say this about, but I honestly think I love everything she's ever recorded! All hail the Scissor Queen!" David Holmes.
Repress of 2018’s classic compilation from Brownswood.
A primer on London’s bright-burning young jazz scene, this new compilation brings together a collection of some of its sharpest talents. A set of nine newly-recorded tracks, We Out Here captures a moment where genre markers matter less than raw, focused energy. Looking at the album’s running order, it could easily serve as a name-checking exercise for some of London’s most-tipped and hardworking bands of the past couple of years. Recorded across three long, fruitful days in a North West London studio, the crossover between each of the groups speaks to the close-knit circles which make up the scene.
Surveying the way that London’s jazz-influenced music had spread outside of its usual spaces in recent years, this album bottles up some of the vital ideas emanating from that burgeoning movement. Giving a platform to a scene where mutual cooperation and a DIY spirit are second-nature, it’s a window into the wide-eyed future of London’s musical underground.
Ubiquitous, much-lauded saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings is the project’s musical director. His own recent projects span from South Africa-connected, spiritually-minded jazz players Shabaka and the Ancestors to Sons of Kemet, who match diasporically-connected compositions with viscerally-direct live shows. His entry on the album, ‘Black Skin, Black Masks’, is typically difficult-to-define: with an off-kilter, shifting rhythmic backbone, repeated phrases – mirrored between clarinet and bass clarinet – shape the track with an alluring hue. His input ties together a deft, genre-agnostic sensibility that’s shared through all the players on the record.
Theon Cross – who’s also part of Sons of Kemet with Hutchings – starts his track, ‘Brockley’, with the solo, distinctive low rumble of his tuba. Winding and mesmeric, it sees tuba and sax lines winding together in rhythmic and melodic parallels. Ezra Collective – whose drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso has toured with Pharaohe Monch – run a tight, Afrobeat-tipped rhythm on ‘Pure Shade’, with the final third changing gear into a melodic, momentous closing stretch.
Joe Armon-Jones, whose ludicrous chops on the piano have seen him touring with the likes of Ata Kak, showcases earworm-like, insistent motifs on ‘Go See’, balanced with a playful, improvisatory approach with room for ad-libbing and solos a-plenty. Taking a softer tact than many of the other entries, Kokoroko – whose guitarist Oscar Jerome has been making waves with his solo material – spin a lyrical, steady-paced meditation on ‘Abusey Junction’, matching chanted vocals with gently-played guitar.
Nodding to spiritual jazz influences, Maisha’s ‘Inside The Acorn’ is a wandering, explorative rumination, balancing delicate washes of piano and percussion with sharp interplay between flute and bass clarinet. In contrast, Nubya Garcia’s ‘Once’ is taut and carefully-poised, her tenor sax guiding a carefully-built energy to an explosive conclusion. And finally, Triforce’s ‘Walls’ is a performance in two parts: starting with Mansur Brown’s languorous, lyrical guitar, the second half switches up to a low-slung, g-funk-tipped groove.
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Der Savatage- und Trans-Siberian Orchestra-Gitarrist präsentiert eine sehr persönliche Auswahl von 21 Tracks aus seiner erfolgreichen Solo-Karriere, die sich neben seiner Rolle in den erwähnten Bands mittlerweile über zwei Jahrzehnte erstreckt. Die Zusammenstellung enthält Songs aus seinen früheren Soloalben, sowie seltene und unveröffentlichte Tracks, die Chris für zu wichtig hält, um sie seinen Fans vorzuenthalten.
REPRESS of the Orchid second full length. Strong riffs, a tight rhythm section and psychedelic background guitar passages are the first things that come to mind when trying to describe how the album sounds. Theo Mindell's voice bears some resemblance to Blackie Lawless' and while W.A.S.P. isn't the first band that comes to mind when thinking of doom metal and stoner rock, his voice fits the music perfectly. The production is spot-on, guiding the listener's thoughts to the sound of Master Of Reality while still sounding modern.
Violet vinyl, limited to 200 copies. REPRESS of the Orchid second full length. Strong riffs, a tight rhythm section and psychedelic background guitar passages are the first things that come to mind when trying to describe how the album sounds. Theo Mindell's voice bears some resemblance to Blackie Lawless' and while W.A.S.P. isn't the first band that comes to mind when thinking of doom metal and stoner rock, his voice fits the music perfectly. The production is spot-on, guiding the listener's thoughts to the sound of Master Of Reality while still sounding modern.
Wie ihre berühmten Vorgängerinnen Alice Coltrane und Dorothy Ashby verbindet die Grammy-nominierte Harfenistin Brandee Younger den flirrend schönen Klang ihres Instrumentes mit dem Groove und der Freiheit des Jazz.
Für Younger, die schon mit Pharaoh Sanders, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, Common, The Roots und Ravi Coltrane zusammengearbeitet hat, ist ihr drittes Album für Impulse! Records auch ihr bislang persönlichstes. Alle Kompositionen stammen aus ihrer Feder, mit den mal balladesk melodischen, mal subtil groovenden Tracks beschreibt sie ein Jahr mit für sie tiefgreifenden Veränderungen.
Drei Tracks beinhalten Kollaborationen mit Shabaka, Courtney Bryan und Josh Johnson.
Light Yagami, a gifted young student, one day picks up the "Death Note", a notebook previously kept by a shinigami (God of death), Ryuk, who apparently was bored in his world. Just write the name of a person in this notebook, and this one dies (according to certain conditions that the shinigami will explain to Light during their meeting). Thus, with the "Death Note" in hand, Light decides to rid the planet of all criminals to make it a just world, a perfect world. However, who is he to judge people? He therefore becomes the worst wanted criminal on the whole planet.. Two composers and arrangers composed for this work: Hideki TANIUCHI (HAJIME NO IPPO, NANA) and Yoshihisa HIRANO (FINAL FANTASY, HUNTER X HUNTER).
Sahib Shihab (Edmund Gregory) played with many of jazz’s finest musicians. Shortly after he became one of the first jazz players to change their names due to an Islamic conversion, he joined Thelonious Monk for his Blue Note sessions. He also played with Art Blakey, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Pettiforn and Quincy Jones. A unique musician, he was at home in every musical style, from the experimentalism of Thelonious Monk to the more direct hard bop of Art Blakey. Sahib Shihab’s distinctive sound was rooted in his modernist compositions and arrangements, complemented by an intense, soulful playing style.
In 1959 he toured Europe with Quincy Jones after getting fed up with racial politics in USA and ultimately settled in Scandinavia. He worked for Copenhagen Polytechnic and wrote scores for television, cinema and theatre. He remained there until 1973. During this period, he recorded several albums as leader for European labels such as Vogue, Storyville and Futura.
In 1961 he joined The Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland Big Band and remained a key figure in the band for the 12 years it ran. He married a Danish lady and raised a family in Europe, although he remained a conscious African-American still sensitive to racial issues.
This record, on the Danish Oktav label, his second as a leader and also his rarest is a true masterpiece !!!
Personnel :
Sahib Shihab (Baritone saxophone, Flute, Cowbell)
Poul Hindberg (Alto saxophone, Clarinet)
Ib Renard (Baritone saxophone)
Bent Nielsen (Baritone saxophone, Flute, Clarinet)
ANORAX sticks to its’ #eatsleepmantra with the reissue of the perennially in demand TIGHTEN UP by Melbourne soul disciples THE BAMBOOS.
The track - a catchy as you like instrumental slant on Archie Bell & The Drells USA #1 million selling smash from 1968 - was originally released in 2006 on Kenny Dope and Keb Darge’s KAY-DEE label.
It immediately became a favourite in Soul & Acid Jazz circles, and it’s’ popularity rapidly spread across all dance genres, THE BAMBOOS main man LANCE FERGUSON showed genius by ditching the idea of vocals and lyrics in a composition hailed by Rolling Stones magazine “as one of the greatest songs of all time” and instead coming up with the quirky irresistible instrumental we all love. Funky flute anyone?
The Kay Dee 45 was reissued some years ago but enduring demand has outstripped supply.
Limited edition press so grab em while you can….
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Graham Hunt hat die intuitive Fähigkeit, sich seinen eigenen Platz in der langen, verwirrenden Geschichte der amerikanischen Popmusik zu schaffen. Der Songwriter aus Wisconsin hat in den letzten vier Jahren hart an Platten gearbeitet, die zeitlosen Gitarren-Pop mit einem vielschichtigen Produktionsansatz und einem schlauen lyrischen Auge verbindet. Seine Musik verbindet das Surreale mit dem Alltäglichen, das Melodische mit dem Rhythmischen, das Kryptische mit dem Triumphalen - und beweist oft, dass Slacker Verspieltheit und Heartland-Ehrlichkeit sich nicht gegenseitig ausschließen. "Timeless World Forever" - die erste Veröffentlichung von Hunt für Run For Cover - bildet den Abschluss einer beeindruckenden Reihe von Songs und öffnet die Tore für eine neue Phase in der langen, produktiven Karriere des Künstlers. Seit Jahren ist Hunt eine feste Größe in der Indie-Rock-Welt des Mittleren Westens, seit seiner Zeit als Kopf von Midnight Reruns und Auftritten mit Künstlern wie Mike Krol und Disq. 2019 veröffentlichte er sein erstes Soloalbum "Leaving Silver City", aber es war 2022 das Album "If You Knew Would You Believe It?", mit dem er seinen Durchbruch hatte. Das 2023er Album "Try Not To Laugh" folgte schnell, und jetzt nimmt "Timeless World Forever" diese Fäden wieder auf. Die drei Platten sind aus einem Guss: alle entstanden im selben Keller in Madison mit einer Beat-getriebenen Dichte und einer klanglichen Fantasie, die Rap und Rave ebenso zu verdanken ist wie dem Power Pop. Es ist schwer, gleichzeitig nach hinten und nach vorne zu schauen, ohne mit den Rädern in einem schlammigen, zeitlosen Schlamm stecken zu bleiben. "Timeless World Forever" ist der Sound eines eines Lebenskünstlers, der einen höheren Gang einlegt, den Fuß auf das Pedal drückt und den Highway in Angriff nimmt.
Die 1992 in London von Sänger und Songschreiber David Christian gegründete Band Comet Gain war ursprünglich inspiriert von den frühen Creation Records, Television Personalities und der Mod-Kultur. Comet Gain schöpften aus denselben Idealen wie Dexys, The Style Council oder Vic Godard und aus Traditionen wie der von The Velvet Underground, The Byrds und den 13th Floor Elevators. In den darauffolgenden Jahren veröffentlichte die Gruppe acht Alben auf so angesehenen Labels wie Wiiija, Kill Rock Stars, What"s Your Rupture und Fortuna POP!. In diesen Veröffentlichungen vermischten sich französischer New Wave mit englischem Arbeiterherz, Riot Grrrl mit Acid Punk und Twee Pop mit Post-Punk und Northern Soul. Comet Gain überdauerten ihre Zeitgenossen und inspirierten eine neue Generation von DIY-Bands. Auf dieser Platte, Comet Gains zweitem regulären Album bei Tapete Records, hören wir David Christian (Stimme, Gitarre), Ben Philipson (Gitarre), Rachel Evans (Gesang), Robin Christian (Schlagzeug), Anne Laure Guillain (Keyboards) und Clientele-Bassist James Hornsey, mit zusätzlichen Gesangs-, Bläser- und Keyboard-Beiträgen von Produzent Sean Read (Dexys, Edwyn Collins, Rockingbirds).
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NIGHTBEARER melden sich mit ihrem dritten Albumkracher "Defiance" zurück. Die deutschen Death-Dealer aus der ostwestfälischen Stadt Paderborn bleiben dabei dem typischen HM-2 Kettensägen-Gitarrensound ebenso treu wie auch ihrer unverhohlene Liebe zum melodischen Death Metal schwedischer Prägung. Dabei markiert "Defiance" dennoch einen weiteren Schritt in der ebenso stetigen wie umsichtigen Evolution ihres Sounds, indem sie ihrem Old-School-Stil beispielsweise angeschwärzte Passagen und doomige Momente hinzufügen. Das Ergebnis dieser Horizonterweiterung ist ein enorm atmosphärisches Werk, das perfekt zu seinem lyrischen Konzept passt. Denn dieses Album wurde direkt von der berühmten "His Dark Materials"-Trilogie des englischen Autors Sir Philip Pullman inspiriert. Auf einer tieferen Bedeutungsebene drehen sich die Texte um die Emanzipation der Menschheit von ihrer Unterdrückung durch Religion. Als NIGHTBEARER im Jahr 2017 von Sänger Michael Torka und Gitarrist Dominik Hellmuth gegründet wurden, bestand ihre Motivation an erster Stelle aus der brennenden Leidenschaft zum Old School Death Metal - und besonders dessen goldenen Zeiten in den glorreichen 1990er Jahren. Im Gefolge der 5-Track-EP "Stories from Beyond" (2018) erreichte ihr Debütalbum "Tales of Sorcery and Death" (2019) auf Anhieb eine Top Ten Position (#8) im Soundcheck des deutschen Rock Hard Magazins; neben reichlich weiterem Lob von Fans und Kritikern. Auf ihrem zweiten Studioalbum "Ghosts of a Darkness to Come" (2022) erweiterten NIGHTBEARER den Rahmen ihrer lyrischen Themen auf konzeptionelle Größe, indem sie den Hörer auf eine Reise in die dunklen Ereignisse von Robert Jordans epischer Saga "Das Rad der Zeit" mitnahmen. Mit ihrem dritten und bisher komplettesten Album beweisen NIGHTBEARER ein perfektes Gespür für das richtige Timing, indem sie der Welt mit "Defiance" einen ebenso wörtlichen wie metaphorischen Death Metal Akt des Widerstands auf Grundlage der "His Dark Materials" Trilogie präsentieren!
"For Japanese people, min'yo is both the closest, and most distant, folk music" explains band-leader Katsumi Tanaka. "We may not feel it in our daily, urban lives, yet the melodies, the style of singing and the rhythm of the taiko drums are engrained in our DNA".
Initially indifferent to min'yo, a tragic event in recent Japanese history set Tanaka on his current path: "Following the Tohoku earthquake of 2011, I reflected on my life, work and identity. A fan of world music, I began searching for Japanese roots music I could identify with. Discovering mid-late 20th century acts like Hibari Misora, Chiemi Eri and the Tokyo Cuban Boys, I was captivated by their eccentric arrangements and how they mixed min'yo with latin and jazz music."
Lead singer Freddie Tsukamoto fell for min'yo after hearing a song from his hometown on a TV competition whilst in a restaurant. It was a revelation – until then he had been an aspiring jazz singer yet was uncomfortable singing in English. The restaurateur told him a min'yo teacher was his neighbour and the two connected. Tanaka and Freddie formed Minyo Crusaders in 2011 in Fussa, a city where the US military Yokota Air Base is located, in western Tokyo.
Recruiting other local musicians versed in afro and latin rhythms, they began hosting jam sessions at the Banana House, a building that was previously part of the military base and that used to house US soldiers. The band started recording their music, and their debut album "Echoes Of Japan" was released in 2017. It received huge acclaim in Japan and abroad, and was also released by British label Mais Um in 2019. Several European tours followed, as well as some US and South America gigs.
In this second opus, the Minyo Crusaders take us on a trip to Japanese folk songs fused with latin rhythms. Their unique arrangements breathe new life to classics like Kiso Bushi, Sado Okesa or Soran Bushi, among many other min'yo songs from all over Japan that were originally performed by Japanese fishermen, coal miners and sumo wrestlers hundreds of years ago. The magical groove created here proves once again that the Minyo Crusaders are one of the most dynamic representatives of the current Japanese world music scene. Yoi Yoi, Enjoy!
Ivory Vinyl. The Swell Season ist zurück. Nach einer begrenzten Anzahl von ausverkauften Shows, unter anderem in der Radio City Music Hall in New York, kehrt das Duo mit neuer Musik zurück. Aus einer Studio-Session, die als Versuch begann, ein paar neue Songs für die Tournee zu schreiben, wurde ein komplettes Album, das passenderweise den Titel ,Forward" trägt - ihr erstes komplettes Album seit 16 Jahren nach dem großen weltweiten Erfolg ihrer Oscar-prämierten Rolle im Film ,Once". Die Geschichte und der dazugehörige Soundtrack wurden weltweit zu einem preisgekrönten Musical. Das Album besteht aus 8 Titeln, die von Glen Hansard und Markeeta Irglovae geschrieben wurden, die abwechselnd den Leadgesang übernehmen. Aufbauend auf dem Fundament und mit Respekt vor ihrer gemeinsamen Geschichte gehen sie als zwei Gleichberechtigte voran, die sich gegenseitig unterstützen und aufrichten. Begleitet von alten Bandmitgliedern und produziert von Sturla Mio Thorisson, schaffen sie für The Swell Season einen Sound, der sowohl alt als auch neu ist. In diesem Jahr tourt die Band erneut durch Großbritannien/Europa und die USA, wobei alle Shows entweder ausverkauft oder fast ausverkauft sind, einschließlich der prestigeträchtigen Royal Festival Hall in London.
F.G.S.–the musical project of Los Angeles artist Flannery Silva–announces the first-ever vinyl release of her debut album ‘Tinker Bell’s Cough’, arriving May 27 via Scenic Route. Alongside the release comes a new single, ‘The Punisher (Tinker Bell’s Edit)’, and an exclusive vinyl-only live track, ‘Passions (Live at Tinker Bell’s Clubhouse)’.
Co-created with musician and producer Chase Ceglie, ‘Tinker Bell’s Cough’ is a surreal Americana record that filters the language of girlhood, heartbreak, and fantasy through a warped, theatrical lens. It’s Lana Del Rey meets David Berman in a cartoon whirlwind, with traces of Dolly Parton, Arthur Russell, and David Lynch.
Silva describes the record as “fairy tale theatre”. It’s packed with alt-universe country hits (‘Beth’s Deth’, ‘American Shield’), uncanny ballads (‘I’m Growing A Cross Around My Neck’), and leftfield pop songs rooted in character and place. ‘Passions’, the opening track, was inspired by Mary MacLane’s ‘I Await the Devil’s Coming’, while the title track imagines Tinker Bell herself singing a lullaby to God.
New single ‘The Punisher’ is an anthemic road song about loneliness and transcendence. “It’s about driving north on I-5 in California, worrying my car will overheat, bargaining with God, and falling in love with dust tornados,” Silva says.
Raised in the woods of upstate New York and formerly one half of the cult duo Odwalla88, Silva brings a visual artist’s sensibility to music. She studied art in Baltimore and continues to make sculpture and performance work that informs her songwriting. ‘Tinker Bell’s Cough’ was written on the Rhode Island coast, where she and Ceglie met weekly to write and record—drawing from old texts, visual references, and poetry.
F.G.S. has drawn praise from NTS, The FADER, Gorilla vs. Bear, The Line of Best Fit, Artforum, Sex Magazine, and more. With the reissue of ‘Tinker Bell’s Cough’ and the release of ‘The Punisher’, Silva continues to expand the strange, magnetic world of F.G.S., one that feels both deeply American and entirely her own.
As we saw with their debut release "Breukelen Story", Masta Ace & Marco Polo once again drop a deluxe edition of their sophomore LP "Richmond Hill". This new version includes 4 bonus tracks not previously available on the album—three remixes (one featuring Talib Kweli) and one brand new song from Ace & Marco.
"Richmond Hill", the highly anticipated follow up to Masta Ace and Marco Polo's "Breukelen Story", is inspired by Marco's childhood in the titular neighborhood, a small town in Ontario, just outside of Toronto. Between interstitials about Marco's passion for hip-hop and cartoons, his struggle with addiction, and the support of his parents, Marco Polo and Masta Ace tackle the issues of the day head-on with clarity, the rapper using his decades-worth of rapping experience to slice through the producer's warm soul samples and crisp percussion. A cinematic journey that explores how the past echoes through the present, the album welcomes guest appearances from notable names from all eras of rap history, including Inspectah Deck, Coast Contra, Blu, Che Noir, Speech of Arrested Development, Masta Ace's longtime collaborators Stricklin and Wordsworth, and many more.
s Below The Clouds [Remix] (feat. Talib Kweli)
[u] Get Shot [Marco Polo Remix]
[v] Below The Clouds [Roselle Remix] (feat. Blu)
[s] Below The Clouds [Remix] (feat. Talib Kweli)
[u] Get Shot [Marco Polo Remix]
[v] Below The Clouds [Roselle Remix] (feat. Blu)
Das panamaische Heavy-Stoner-Alt-Rock-Duo AlphaWhores veröffentlicht sein zweites Album als limitiertes Black+Green Marbled Vinyl. Durchdrungen von ihren unverwechselbaren Gesangsharmonien und einer schneidenden Palette an schmutzigen Riffs, entwickelt die Band auf "You Can Come Out Now" ihren eklektischen Mix aus Heavy-Styles weiter. Produziert vom zweifachen Grammy-Preisträger Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse), präsentierten AlphaWhores erste neue Albumsongs sowie ein Cover von Hot Chips Hit "Over And Over" während ihrer ersten Headliner-Tour durch Europa im Frühjahr 2025 (darunter Deutschland, Österreich). Zu den Referenzkünstlern von AlphaWhores zählen Alice In Chains, Deftones und Mastodon.
Pat Boone or Elvis Presley? That was the burning question on
the lips of Fifties teen America. Certainly, the two were the most
successful solo artists of rock’s breakthrough years. But while
Presley was the good-looking ‘white kid who sang black’, Boone
was married, God-fearing and covered hits by African-American
artists to chart-topping if unthreatening effect. Elvis, of course, is
no longer with us though his image and influence will never fade.
Pat Boone is still alive and there’s no doubting he was
responsible for some of the best-remembered classic pop of the
era.
Nach 25 Jahren Herman Dune und 15 Alben freut sich BB*ISLAND, Odysseús zu präsentieren, eine neue Sammlung von Songs, die den Hörer auf eine Reise durch das turbulente Leben von David Ivar mitnimmt, eine Reise voller Sehnsucht, Schmerz, Liebe, Tod, Glaube und Erlösung. Es ist das erste Mal, dass Herman Dune mit einem externen Produzenten, David Garza, zusammenarbeitet. Das Set-up besteht fast ausschließlich aus akustischen Instrumenten, die live mit der Band in einem Raum aufgenommen wurden. Es ist Folk-Musik im typischen Stil von Herman Dune mit Anklängen an Americana, Country, jüdische und hispanische Traditionen, aber mit einer ganz neuen Wendung in Sound und Arrangements, vor allem im Vergleich zu seiner letzten rein akustischen Trilogie The Portable Herman Dune. David Herman Dune über die Produktion: "...David Garza getroffen zu haben war reiner Zufall. Ich mühte mich gerade mit einem Geigenarrangement für einen der Songs ab, als er sich in einem überfüllten Café in der Innenstadt von San Pedro an meinen Tisch setzte und mich fragte, woran ich gerade arbeitete. David, ein mit einem Grammy ausgezeichneter Produzent und Musiker, hatte mit Fiona Apple, Iron & Wine, John C. Reilly und den Milk Carton Kids gearbeitet und mit einigen meiner musikalischen Helden wie Lucinda Williams und Townes Van Zandt gespielt. Wir verstanden uns auf Anhieb, und er bot mir an, meine Songs zu produzieren. Wir begannen, die Stücke jeden Abend bei mir zu Hause zu spielen, und einmal pro Woche in einem französischen Restaurant namens Le Compagnon. David kannte die besten Musiker in L.A. - Leute wie Sebastian Steinberg am Kontrabass (Fiona Apple), Richard Edson (Schlagzeuger von Sonic Youth, Schauspieler in Jim Jarmuschs Stranger Than Paradise und Spike Lees Do The Right Thing), Odessa (violin, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros) und Paul J. Cartwright (violin, Olivia Rodrigo). Als wir uns bereit fühlten, versammelten wir alle in meinem Haus für drei Tage Live-Sessions. Es war ein chaotischer, schöner Prozess, bei dem alle in einem Raum zusammen spielten, keine Kopfhörer, keine Overdubs - nur rohe, echte Musik. Aufgenommen und gemischt wurden die Sessions von Chris Sorem (ebenso Grammy-prämiert für seine Arbeit mit den mit den LA-Legenden Los Lobos). Chris brachte eine Wagenladung alter Mikrofone mit und konzentrierte sich auf "Raummikrofone" - djene, die die Atmosphäre des Raums einfangen. Er sagte, dies sei eine Technik, die auf Alben wie Buena Vista Social Club verwendet wurde, und es erzeugte eine Magie im Raum, die spürbar war. Sogar die traurigsten Lieder wurden lebendig mit so viel Freude, Energie und Elektrizität. Die Aufnahmen waren ungefiltert, organisch und hatten Seele. Als wir mit dem Abmischen begannen, waren wir alle vom Ergebnis erstaunt, wir hörten einen Moment in der Zeit, der sich gleichsam zeitlos anfühlte"
SWEARING AT MOTORISTS haben einen langen Weg hinter sich, seit der Name 1994 auf Plakaten für eine Fake-Band erschien Die hingen auf mysteriöse Weise in Plattenläden und Musiklokalen in Dayton, Ohio, Ein paar Monate nachdem die Plakate auf auftauchten kritzelte Dave Doughman den Namen auf eine Kassette mit homerecordings, die er an Freunde verschenkte, und 1995 war die Band dann offiziell geboren. Ende der 90er Jahre veröffentlichten S@M eine Reihe von 7"-EPs bei verschiedenen Labels, und nachdem sie wiederholt von John Peel gespielt wurden und die Presse weltweit positiv über sie berichtet hatte, erhielt die Band einen Vertrag mit dem damals neuen Label Secretly Canadian. Sie veröffentlichten 2 EPs und 4 LPs auf Secretly Canadian, darunter Number Seven Uptown aus dem Jahr 2000 und This Flag Signals Goodbye aus dem Jahr 2002, die beide in den Jahren ihrer Veröffentlichung vom MOJO Magazine zum Underground Album of the Year" gewählt wurden. Swearing At Motorists zogen 2005 nach Berlin, Deutschland, und veröffentlichten im folgenden Jahr ihre letzte LP für Secretly Canadian, Last Night Becomes This Morning, bevor sie leise in der nicht enden wollenden Berliner Nacht verschwanden... 8 Jahre später war die Band plötzlich in Hamburg wieder aufgetaucht, mit einem neuen Album: "While Laughing, The Joker Tells The Truth", das 2014 auf Anton Newcombes Label A Recordings Ltd. erschien. Co-produziert von Dave und Rick McPhail (von Tocotronic), erzählt das Album die Geschichten dieser verlorenen" 8 Jahre im klassischen Motorists-Stil. Der Autor Camden Joy, vielleicht eine weitere Underground-Figur der 90er/00er Jahre, beschreibt es am besten: "Like Iggy Pop's great lost Nashville record or the legendary demos for the Strokes masterpiece that never was, this recording is full of catchy courage, significant low notes, bedroom rhythms, hooks, and so on, all of which make for an impossible amount of pleasure. This Swearing At effort towers heads and squirrels above whatever that was you were just listening to. I see why Rolling Stone gave it five stars." - Camden Joy 11 Jahre später ist die Band in Hamburg erneut aufgetaucht, aus einer weiteren Auszeit und mit einem neuen Album, das im Herbst 2025 über BB*ISLAND erscheinen soll. Vor der Veröffentlichung stellen wir euch das Album von 2014 noch einmal, oder zum allerersten Mal vor. Vielleicht lag Camden Joy genau richtig. Zu gut, um vergessen und vergriffen zu sein. Das Beständige an Swearing At Motorists sind ihre Auszeiten als Band. Alles andere ist Bonus, aber das ist natürlich der beste Teil. "...While Laughing...demontrates Doughman's unerring abilitity to turn autobiographical minutiae and emotional turmoil into exquisitely heartfelt rock'n'roll poetry. From the warmly familiar powerpop chug of Groundhog Day (Damn The Piper) and Great Actress, to the tearjerker wistfulness of Wrote You A Letter and acoustic closer It's Love That Chooses You, this is classic Swearing At Motorists throughout...." - Andrew Carden/ MOJO
The songwriter Joseph Allred is always prolific, but breaks up their string of solo releases for one of the most orchestrated offerings since the excellent Branches And Trees. Allred’s often monastic guitar works are fleshed out here on Old Time Fantasias, turning them towards ensemble visions of country, Americana, and Appalachia. Album opener, “The Groundhog,” features the distinctive piano of Hans Chew, with bass from Daniel Kimbro and brass from Mikey Allred. Elsewhere the new album features Kelby Clark, Courtney Werner (Magic Tuber String Band), Evan Morgan (Magic Tuber String Band), Lydian Bramblia, and Jack Bird in the mix. “I started recording this album in Spring ‘23, thinking I might be making a mostly solo acoustic album with a couple of duets thrown in for good measure. I met Hans Chew at a Nashville show a few months earlier and sent him a few tracks to see if he wanted to add anything to them. Before long the ‘solo acoustic album’ had given way to what’s probably the most involved and densely orchestrated album I’ve made to date. “I enjoyed following some threads of influence that aren’t as easily discernible in my solo playing—I hear some classic country and psychedelic flourishes, baroque pop glockenspiel and horns, percussion ideas that may be cribbed from Danny Elfman and Tom Waits albums, nods to post-rock-filtered western guitar twang, and a little Cocteau Twins dreaminess. “All in all this was a satisfying record to make. I’m especially grateful to the collaborators for adding their touches and making it a less solipsistic affair than it would have been otherwise. The political climate has changed so much over the last two years that I find it hard to imagine I could make a record with this kind of fantastic mood if I started now. I hope that it can maybe re-enchant those of us who are felling disillusioned.” —Joseph Allred
This is what you get when an emcee/producer is fed on a diet of abstract hip-hop, Southeast Asian samples, and Taoist folklore. Together with the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club (a five-piece band of up-and-coming musicians schooled in jazz from the local scene in Singapore), Mary Sue melts samples with live instrumentation on 'Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword.' At the core of the album is the tale of a time-traveling oracle, struggling to find meaning in the modern world-where ancient wisdom feels fragile, and truth is ever-shifting. A reinterpretation of idioms shapes its journey, where spiritual pursuits feel performative, and where the weight of the past clashes with an uncertain future. The music mirrors this tension: phrases of Gamelan music dissolve into smoky brass, spectral melodies unravel over off-kilter drums, and time bends through layered textures. 'Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword' is both a reckoning and a dream, where echoes of the past find new life in the chaos of now. A porcelain shield shatters on impact; a paper sword folds before it cuts. It's about the constant, fragile push-and-pull between aesthetics and money, tradition and progress, meaning and spectacle. "Like the oracle, we're all stuck in a world where spiritual longing gets tangled up with consumerism, where authenticity is blurred by performance, and where finding real meaning feels shakier than ever," rapper and producer Mary Sue explains. "'Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword' lives in that field of tension. The album drifts between beauty and collapse, truth and illusion, and past and present, without ever landing on solid ground."
Teri Gender Bender — born Teresa Suárez Cosío — is ready to show you another side of her eccentric artistry. This time, the Mexican-American singer-songwriter and producer who was raised in Denver, Colorado, and Guadalajara, Mexico, is delving into her Mexican roots with a new Spanish-language album called “TGB.” Filled with electronic, psychedelic, and experimental pop-rock, “TGB” is an empathetic auditory vessel Teri created to understand her loved ones on a personal level. Inspired by her close friends’ woes, the singer-songwriter shows sincerity and kindness by purging their most negative feelings and transforming them into sonic masterpieces for them to reflect and heal with
U-BEND return with two certified benders that won't disappoint those trapped in this permanent bent affair.
Possessing many of the bendy qualities prized by the balearic connoisseur, the duo serve up ‘Better Place’. This timely, optimistic workout swells with the kind of uplifting energy that only the brothers bend can deliver.
‘Couples Therapy’ is a cosmic reimagining of an old bent favourite that picks up where 50Peter20 left off. Swollen chugs and sordid womps take listeners on a backseat drive through familiar territory.
U-BEND’s infinite lack of wisdom ensures that these are once again kitchen-and-living-room verified as go-to options for the last track of the night, or the first track of the morning. A dyed-in-the wool MO which proves once a legend is established, the truth can never catch up.
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Space-surf-psych-rock quartet Japanese Television’s album ‘Automata Exotica’ has been remixed by invited friends and peers; including Goat Fool from GOAT, Factory Floor’s Gabe Gurnsey, and Edgar Breau from cult band Simply Saucer. Informed by UFO encounters, ritualism, robots, Northern Soul, and nuclear weapons, ‘Automata Exotica’ was released in March 2024 and was described as “Heavy but also joyful” by The Quietus, “A fuzzy blast of space-surf energy”in Shindig and “A remarkable and unique proposition” by Louder Than War.
Rather than having been transformed out of all recognition, “reimagined” is a more apt term to describe this new version of ‘Automata Exotica’. With the album’s eight tracks presented via considered, alternative mixes with pertinent sonic application, it hangs together incredibly coherently - albeit as a wild and feverish psychedelic experience.
JTV toured with GOAT while writing ‘Automata Exotica’, with the fat fuzz tones and extended middle percussion section of ‘Typhoon Reggae Police’ heavily influenced by their time watching and learning from side stage. Starting life as an uneasy mixture of scratchy 60s garage rock and 70s Afghan psych folk, Goat Fool from GOAT ripped the song apart and stitched it back together. Recognisable but weird and uncanny, it’s a stripped down, oppressive, shimmering voodoo nightmare.
“We used to go and see Gabe’s weird, excellent band Factory Floor playing dark little club nights in Shoreditch years ago and marvel at the racket” says JTV. “Gabe’s been a long time collaborator of ours, in fact he’s the only person to not only do more than one remix for us, but has featured on every remix release we’ve done. Our most ecstatic, cathartic song, ‘Tabadaboum’ was the perfect match for Gabe - the motorik krautrock bassline fits right in with the pneumatic grind of his vintage drum machine loops and synth flurries”.
It's hard to measure the impact cult 1970s Canadian space rock proto punk psych band Simply Saucer had on the formation of Japanese Television. The band reached out to Edgar Breau - the band’s founding member and guitarist - who guitarist Tim says was “really generous with his time, and really kind to an overly keen and slightly awkward Simply Saucer mega fan. It's a real honor to have him playing guitar on one of our records”. His cosmic reimagining of ‘Golden Birds’ layers on the delay, reverb and screaming guitars, launching the track into outer space.
‘Automata Exotica (Remixed)' is set for release on 6th June 2025 on limited edition LP and digital formats. Japanese Television tour in Europe through March and April. The album is released by cult underground label Tip Top Recordings (Jim Wallis, Mandrake Handshake, Pearl & The Oysters), run by Ben Rimmer and David Warn.
Marconi Union, one of the most influential names in contemporary ambient and electronic music, announce their twelfth studio album, The Fear of Never Landing, set for release 6th June via Just Music. The news is paired with the release of first single Eight Miles High Alone, out 20th March on all major streaming platforms.
Known for their ability to craft cinematic, immersive soundscapes that blur the lines between ambient, electronic, and experimental music, the Manchester-based duo once again push the boundaries of sonic exploration. The Fear of Never Landing takes us on a dynamic journey that’s atmospheric, diaphanous and never short of mesmerising. While the new record is certainly infused with a sense of hope, there’s more than a soupçon of anxiety too, as the title suggests.
A 55-minute odyssey presented as one seamless piece divided into nine movements, they transcribe the nexus of modern living into a mostly wordless odyssey. The album encapsulates Marconi Union’s ability to translate the complexities of the human experience into sound, all while maintaining a stunning sense of cohesion.
While the music feels effortless, the creative process was anything but. During the two years it took to complete the album, members Jamie Crossley and Duncan Meadows faced creative struggles that even led them to briefly question the band’s future. A pivotal moment came when they performed a live soundtrack to the 1975 skateboarding film Downhill Motion, rekindling their connection to atmospheric composition. By testing new material live and returning to their roots, Marconi Union redefined their creative process, leading to some of their most emotionally impactful work to date.
“We’ve always made atmospheric music but we had started to lose that aspect. Other than some rough ideas, we had no sense of what we were doing anymore, a kind of musical wilderness. Eventually a couple of things fell into place, and it was like, ‘Ah, okay.”
With a foundation to build upon, they went back to basics and decided to take their time going forwards. “We tried out a few new tracks live which gave us the opportunity to see what worked and what didn’t. We've never given ourselves that luxury before.”
The first track to be shared, Eight Miles High Alone, is a mesmerizing sequencer-driven track that builds an immersive, atmospheric soundscape. Its hypnotic pulses and intricate layers evoke a sense of solitude and weightlessness, perfectly capturing the album’s blend of tension and introspection. “Eight Miles High Alone was the first piece that we managed to complete and helped to inform our approach to the rest of the album.”
Formed in Manchester in 2003, their debut album, Under Wires and Searchlights (2003), introduced their signature sound, but it was their 2011 release of Weightless that brought international acclaim. Developed in collaboration with a sound therapist, Weightless was scientifically recognised as “the world’s most relaxing song”, praised for its ability to reduce anxiety and heart rates. With over 900 million streams and widespread coverage across media, the track remains a cultural phenomenon.
Over the years, Marconi Union has continued to evolve, producing critically acclaimed albums such as Signals (2021), Ghost Stations (2016), and Tokyo+ (2017). Their work has been hailed for its emotional resonance and sonic depth, with The Quietus noting their ability to find “beauty in the bleakest places” and The Sunday Times describing them as “amongst today’s most talented musicians.”
Beyond their studio albums, Marconi Union has collaborated with visual artists, provided soundtracks for installations, and remixed notable acts like Max Richter and Vök. Their invitation by Brian Eno to perform at Norway’s Punkt Festival further cemented their reputation as innovators in the ambient music sphere.
With The Fear of Never Landing, Marconi Union once again showcases their unmatched ability to create immersive soundscapes that resonate deeply. The album reaffirms their position as masters of atmosphere and emotional storytelling, making it an essential addition to their storied catalog.
Presenting “M.L.K. & The Breadwinners- The World Is In Trouble”. Vintage analogue business. Eleven new vocal cuts in a ROOTS tradition from songwriter and vocalist M.L.K. originally from Sierra Leone and now based in Amsterdam, a man with pure vibes and a serious message to share.
The music is a mix of original Breadwinner riddims and a few choice re-cuts, drawing on some of the more obscure recordings from Lee Perry’s Upsetters house band, most of which have never been re-versioned. They were suggested for a re-cut by long time Breadwinners supporter Chris Durning, who was curious to see where M.L.K. could take the vibes with his unique vocal style and fresh lyrics.
IF I WERE BRITTANIA I'D WAIVE THE RULES IS BUDGIE'S SIXTH ALBUM, RELEASED IN APRIL 1976. THE TITLE IS A PUN ON THE CONCEPT
OF BRITTANIA RULING THE WAVES. BUDGIE ARE DESCRIBED BY AUTHOR GARY SHARPE-YOUNG AS ONE OF THE EARLIEST HEAVY METAL BANDS AND A SEMINAL INFLUENCE TO MANY ACTS OF THAT SCENE WITH FAST, HEAVY ROCK - AN INFLUENCE ON THE NEW WAVE OF BRITISH HEAVY METAL (NWOBHM) AND ACTS SUCH AS METALLICA - BEING PLAYED AS EARLY AS 1971. THE BAND HAS BEEN NOTED AS "AMONG THE HEAVIEST METAL OF ITS DAY". INCLUDES ANN NEGGEN, SKY HIGH PERCENTAGE AND MORE.
Born and raised in the heart of London, 25-year-old Amara Soul is quickly becoming one of the
most exciting new voices in the soul music scene. With a voice that blends raw emotion, rich
melodies, and a modern twist on classic jazz, she has captured the attention of Londoners
audience.
Amara’s journey to notoriety began at an early age, inspired by legendary artists such as Aretha
Franklin, Lauryn Hill, and Amy Winehouse. Her deep, expressive vocals and heartfelt songwriting
set her apart, making her a standout contestant in some of the most renowned pub stages in her
hometown. Her performances on these platforms not only showcased her vocal prowess but also
her ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.
Following her local success, Amara has been making waves in the music industry, performing at
major venues and collaborating with top producers. With a debut album on the horizon, she is
poised to bring a fresh yet timeless energy to the soul music scene.
Authentic, passionate, and undeniably talented, Amara Soul is more than just an emerging artist—
she is the future of soul!
