Since I started collecting records I have been slightly obsessed with underwater music. I could analyse this in many ways but the most obvious starting point for me was the weekly dose of Sunday afternoon TV onboard the Calypso with Jacques Cousteau throughout the 1970s.
My collection of underwater LPs and singles is now extensive - in the hundreds I reckon. But in amongst it all is only one underwater soundtrack from the UK. And this is it. It took me an age to track down Jezz, but I did. And now you don’t have to take an age to track down an original super rare copy of the 1981 pressing.
These days when there are so may represses, rediscoveries and reissues, I thought we’d make this stand out a little more, so I decided to take us all back to my childhood 1970’s when I used to get a little “Action Transfer” set on very special occasions, and stick the little transfers of scuba divers, fish and mini subs all over a small paper underwater landscape. Sadly we couldn’t get classic rub down Letraset style transfers but I think Kev (DJ Food) has done a miraculous job in creating a modern version.
So sit back (mess about with the stickers) and wonder at the beautiful, submersive electronic sounds created by Jezz all those years ago. Dive in, the water is lovely.
Jonny Trunk 2023
THE SLEEVE
To put together such a unique sleeve Jonny Trunk teamed up with Kevin Foakes / DJ Food who used AI programming to generate this underwater wonderland, the sleeve images and the record labels. The sticker sheet was generated using influences from vintage 1970s “Action Transfer” imagery and period graphic styles. The result is a magical clash of then and now tech and a totally unique sleeve for an incredible soundtrack.
THE MUSIC
As underwater albums go, this is the very peak. Made using the best cutting edge synth tech of the day (see tech list below - most used by Vangelis at the time too!!!), the result is a sublime wash of underwater ambience, emotions and more. IT GETS NO BETTER.
THE COMPOSER
Jezz Woodroffe (aged 29 when this LP was originally made), having played keyboards from the age of five and reaching musical distinction at the age of ten, has played in many bands.
Jezz left ‘Black Sabbath’ in his pursuit to find alternative ways to stretch his ability and because of his obsession with perfection released his first solo album “Opposite Directions” and single “Peace In Our Space” (Graduate Records). The resulted in the offer to score for the film ‘Wonders Of The Underwater World”. Faced with a difficult task, Jezz set up his complex of equipment at the foot of the screen (as in the silent movies) and played to the action. It soon became obvious that his talents and sympathy for the underwater environment were enhancing the filming beautifully.
Having been totally involved in this project from its original conception I could only sit back in awe and admiration during the three months it took Jezz to complete the soundtrack, which, when viewed with the film is a very moving experience. The music, listened to in its own right - as an album - is for me as much an amazing trip as the two years around the world it took to make the film!
THE STUDIO EQUIPMENT USED ON THE LP
Yamaha Polyphonic Synthesisers CS80 & CS60 ~ Yamaha Symphonic Ensemble SK20 ~ Yamaha Monophonic Synthesisers CS30, CS150 & CS20M ~ Yamaha Electric Grand CP708 ~ Roland Monophonic Synthesisers SH1, PRO-MARS ~ Roland Digital Sequencer CSQ600 ~ Roland Vocoder VP330 ~ Roland Organ / String Synth. RS09 ~ Mini Moog & Moog Prodigy Monophonic Synthesisers ~ Godwin String Concert 649 ~ H/H Electric Piano P73
Search:may
This EP is 6 unreleased tracks in the Thomas Brinkmann celebrated Max Ernst series of 12", all with female names, released with names ordered alphabetically. Starting with. 1. Anna Beate, the series ran for 12 releases over the 2 years from 1998 to 2000. 2. Clara Doris 3. Erika Frauke 4. Gisela Heidi 5. Inge Jutta 6. Karin Lotte 7. Monika Nikola 8. Olga Petra 9. Susie Trixi 10. Ulla Vera 11. Wanda Xenia 12. Yvette Zara, followed. There was never an ep with Q and R. Number 9 is Susie and Trixie. The tapes were lost. But have come to light nearly 25 years later. So now, here is Q/R; Quila 1-3 and Romy 1-3. What we have here are the original tracks as intended for release, with some minor editing and rearranging for release now. The original series was very successful. The first 3 12", released at the same time were a sensation on release. Suddenly, Thomas Brinkmann was the name to check. Today, these Quila/Romy tracks may well have the same impact as the other tracks in the series had when they were released. There is still nothing that sounds like this music. It seems to be an example of a perfect melding of soul and machine. 25 five years later... a annniversary of sorts, offered up by the machines.
Mr. Joe Jackson Presents: MAX CHAMPION in ‘WHAT A RACKET’! The genre started in the pubs and streets of London in the mid-19th century and grew into the first form of mass entertainment to be created by the working classes. By 1900 it regularly drew huge audiencesfrom acrossthe whole spectrum ofsociety, from prostitutes to princes, allsinging along with superstar performers in gorgeoustheatres (some of which still survive). Like its American cousin Vaudeville, Music Hall featured magicians, acrobats, and ventriloquists – elements that we still see today in musical theater and cabaret shows. One of the most fascinating of the Music Hall performers was Max Champion. We know little about him, except that he was born in London in 1882. Champion was almost completely forgotten until the sheet music of his songs was found in Valletta, Malta, in 2014. How it got there is a complete mystery. “What A Racket!” presents eleven of Max Champion’ssongsforthe first time in more than a century. According to producer Joe Jackson, ‘These were wonderful songs in their time, but they’re surprisingly modern, too. Sometimes it’s almost as if Max is speaking, from his London of the early 20th century, directly to us in the early 21st’. What may sound different to the Joe Jackson you know at first listen, in fact corresponds to his consistent artistic development. This record is 100% Joe Jackson. And perhaps you already guessed it: Joe Jackson and Max Champion have more in common than it appears at first glance. Formats; CD, LP.
- A1: Antonio Carlos Jobim& Roberto Paiva - Um Nome De Mulher
- A2: Maysa - Outravez
- A3: Carlos Lyra - Ciúme (Dá Um Geito)
- A4: Sérgio Ricardo - Maxima Culpa
- A5: Silvia Telles - Sóemteusbraços
- A6: João Gilberto - Brigas, Nuncamais
- A7: Lúcioalves - A Sobrinha Da Judite (On The Sunny Side Of The Street)
- A8: Johnny Alf - Rapaz De Bem
- A9: Elizete Cardoso &Moacyrsilva -Palhaçada
- B1: Paulo Alencar & His Brazilian All-Stars - Ideas
- B2: Laura Villa - Corcovado
- B3: Walter Santos - Samba Só
- B4: Agostinho Dos Santos - A Felicidade
- B5: Shorty Rogers & His Giants - Chega De Saudade (No More Sadness)
- B6: Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd - O Pato
- B7: Sérgio Ricardo - Pernas
- B8: Lalo Schifrin - Bossa Em Nova York
The Music Lovers collection brings you a cool selection of Bossa Nova hits for our greatest plaisure!
140 Gram White Vinyl Limited Edition Of 1500 worldwide. Includes full album download + 2 bonus download tracks from the out of print 1999 Suz EQ /to whom it may consume 7-inch. Originally released in 2000 as Enon burst on the scene to wide acclaim +++ Pitchfork called Enon lyricist / guitarist John Schmersal “one of indie rock’s most consistently compelling songwriters.” Long, long ago, at the beginning of the new millennium, the world begot Enon. It was before Willliamsburg was, like, totally over, before beards made you cool, and just at the cusp of all this modern computer recording tomfoolery. What a time, before innocence lost. From all this came a much beloved and oft-overlooked record – one Touch and go is damn proud to re-issue on vinyl today – Believo! This record makes a bridge between the 20th and 21st centuries – full of effects, samples, pop sensibilities, and a complete respect for and disregard of The Rules. In 2000, Enon was all Brooklyn style, comprised of John Schmersal of Brainiac and Rick Lee and Steve Calhoon of Skeleton Key. John and Rick bonded over a penchant for suitcases full of electronics and battery powered trickery – portable musical distractions capable of making tracks on the fly. That’s what this era was all about for Enon – the suitcases, and being in the moment wherever they were. Though the band would later evolve to 2007’s lineup of Schmersal, Toko Yasuda and Matt Schulz, you’ve got to know where you’re coming from to see how you got to where you are today. So, come along with us, please, to the re-birth of Believo!
- A1: Ben E King - Stand By Me
- A2: The Platters - The Great Pretender
- A3: Ella Fitzgerald - Georgia On My Mind
- A4: Barry White - Lady, Sweet Lady
- A5: James Brown & The Famous Flames - Please, Please, Pleas
- A6: Timmy Thomas - Why Can't We Live Together
- B1: Sam Cooke - (What A) Wonderful World
- B2: George Mccrae - Rock Your Baby
- B3: Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Clean Up Man
- B4: Carla Thomas - B-A-B-Y
- B5: Dionne Warwick - Don't Make Me Over
- B6: Mavis John - Use My Body
- B7: Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You
- C1: The Isley Brothers - Right Now
- C2: Etta James - At Last
- C3: The Clovers - Love Potion No 9
- C4: Little Willie John - Fever
- C5: The Mar-Keys - Last Night
- C6: Brenda Lee - I'm Sorry
- C7: Aretha Franklin - God Bless The Child
- D1: Gwen Mccrae - 90% Of Me Is You
- D2: Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions - Gypsy Woman
- D3: Booker T & The Mg's - Green Onions
- D4: Bobby Byrd - Back From The Dead
- D7: Nina Simone - Work Song
- E1: Gil Scott-Heron - Lady Day And John Coltrane
- E2: Ray Charles - Unchain My Heart
- E3: Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite
- E4: Jerry Butler - He Will Break Your Heart
- E5: Mary Wells - The One Who Really Loves You
- E6: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - You Really Got A Hold
- F1: Diana Ross & The Supremes - Your Heart Belongs To Me
- F2: Ike & Tina Turner - I'm Jealous
- F3: Doris Duke - Woman Of The Ghetto
- F4: Solomon Burke - Cry To Me
- F5: The Marvelettes - Please Mr Postman
- F6: Gladys Knight & The Pips - Every Beat Of My Heart
- F7: Dinah Washington - Mad About The Boy
- G1: Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova
- G2: Betty Wright - Clean Up Woman
- G3: Esther Phillips - Release Me
- G4: The Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
- G5: Latimore - Let's Straighten It Out
- G6: Aretha Franklin - Try A Little Tenderness
- G7: Marvin Gaye & The Vandellas - Stubborn Kind Of Fellow
- H1: Otis Redding - These Arms Of Mine
- H2: Aaron Neville - Hercules
- H3: Rufus Thomas - The Dog
- H4: Sir Joe Quaterman & Free Souls - (I Got) So Much Troubl
- H5: Lavern Baker - Love Me Right
- D5: Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Expansions
- H6: Gene Chandler - Duke Of Earl
- H7: Al Jarreau - Ain't No Sunshine
- I1: Ibeyi - River
- I2: Aloe Blacc & King Most - With My Friends
- I3: Kimberose - I'm Sorry
- I4: Terry Callier - Running Around (Fug City Mix)
- I5: Jamie Lidell - Building A Beginning
- I6: Asa - The Beginning
- J1: Selah Sue - This World
- J2: Cunnie Willams Feat Monie Love - Saturday
- J3: Cookin' On 3 Burners Feat Kylie Auldist - This Girl
- J4: Alice Russell & Nostalgia 77 Seven Nation Army
- J5: Greyboy & Quantic Feat Sharon Jones - Got To Be A Love
- D6: Stevie Wonder - Contract On Love
Get ready for psych funk and a cover from far left field. PP12005 has all the makings of an instant classic.
Enter the dark opium den — a release reminiscent of those pioneers of funk, early Parliament and Funkadelic. These found tracks by Bruce Marshall and Bill Thomas were likely recorded around the time of “Osmium” and “Maggot Brain” — in fact, the artists featured here may have been directly influenced by the movement as it was happening, making these discoveries remarkable entries into the history of psych funk.
Where to begin with Bruce Marshall’s Gimme My Wife on the A side? Try to imagine a psychedelic football game, with driving wah wah funk as the halftime show. The frenetic instrumentation is guided by an infectious guitar hook, coupled with a loose chorus of voices and whistle blows. They all come together at the end to chant what sounds like “parrrr-tay,” a foreshadowing of that refrain the Beastie Boys would popularize.
For our EP-exclusive track on the A side, we present to you a haunting cover of the Ides of March song, Vehicle. Bruce Marshall’s version is much more sparse — a psychedelic dirge that’s almost unrecognizable compared to the original. Dark, simmering and sensual, it explodes into a soul-splitting vocal wail as the track reaches its end.
Things get a little more solemn on side B with an instant classic by Bill Thomas, Ease My Mind Pt. 1. A surprising dirge of fuzzy guitar leads into a chorus that sings, like a mantra, “I have seen much trouble...ease my mind.” Things morph into tight horns backed by some prominent organ — in fact, this is one of the tightest horn sections on any of our releases to date.
For the exclusive EP B-side, Bill Thomas and band pick up right where they left off with Ease My Mind Pt. 2 — an extended instrumental of “Ease My Mind Pt. 1.” It kicks off with a drum solo, then throws you into some horn-driven funk, with guitars holding down the background. Sax and organ take turns on the lead in this hot and delicious track that’s ready for your enjoyment.
Funk is alive and well on our fifth release — adding a new dimension to the amazing body of psych funk that’s already out there. Who knows what could have happened had these cuts reached ears during the 70s — but the time for the Marshall-Thomas ship to land is now. Put this on to get your next party going, and it’ll do most of the work for you.
Gloam is the highly anticipated sophomore album from alternative folk band MAYBEL. Similar characteristics from their debut, Gathering, are carried forward: elegant harmonies, soft instrumentals and a shared optimism coupled with a wide open vulnerability. The songs still echo the intimacy, warmth and closeness of their relationships, yet the band has matured. MAYBEL's evolution shines through with ambitious compositions, thoughtful songwriting, and a deeper understanding of themselves as the album’s themes pierce with growing pains, anxieties and hopes for change. It’s a record about movement and stopping; the ongoing act of coming apart and coming together. Gloam is for listening in your bedroom or in transit, missing friends, on your way to see them. It holds an optimism that rings clear yet nestles and dwells in a brooding, muddy darkness - placing it firmly in the illustrious Canadian folk canon. This is the first album for which all four members (Fez Gielen, Ali Hendra, Loris Kecaj and Lauren Spear) wrote songs. For the most part, they were written during the pandemic separately and then shared in the upstairs living room where Lauren, Ali and Loris used to live together. The result is a shared diary on love, grief and moving on. The band's ability to effortlessly blend traditional folk elements with modern production techniques is reminiscent of the collaborations between Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois. Just as Harris and Lanois brought a fresh perspective to country music, MAYBEL embraces experimentation in their sound without compromising the warmth and intimacy inherent to folk music. As with their debut Gathering, MAYBEL recorded Gloam with producer/engineer Jonas Bonnetta at Port William Sound in Mountain Grove, Ontario. Resonating with a sound borne of the studio’s deeply intimate rural environs it is no wonder the band chose to return. Here they were joined by Eliza Niemi on bass/cello, Caylie Runciman on bass/drums with Jonas adding synths and percussion. Gloam is an old Scottish word for twilight. It appears like a fantasy between the day and night, a time seemingly frozen, drifting, or ignored all together. Gloam is the mood and time within which the album takes place. MAYBEL describes it as being: “In transition, between sleeping and waking—a quiet underworld where one is alone with their thoughts, in true presence with the in-between.” The final track on the album, “For Nothing”, captures something of the album’s twilight hope. It begins with lilting solos and gracefully builds in energy and color. MAYBEL sings to its listeners, “All that work for nothing” with a buoyancy and radiance that chimes against the lyrics. They repeat: “All that work for nothing”. For all of the band, the last few years have resulted in significant change and stress. Yet they continue to try, through their music, to will themselves towards optimism. They ask for you to marvel with them at the charming and terrifying possibility of life. They harmonize again, not despairingly, but almost ecstatically “All that work for nothing!”
Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels” is a concept album born of the idea of merging singer & songwriter Mayssa Jallad’s two vocations: music and urban research/architectural history. Written in collaboration with producer Fadi Tabbal, the music builds upon Tabbal’s spatial approach to sound and Jallad’s research on Beirut’s Hotel District. The album is a reference to Jallad’s Historic Preservation master's thesis, in which she detailed the history of the “Battle of the Hotels”, a 5-months battle that took place in Beirut at the beginning of the Lebanese Civil War, from October 22nd, 1975 to March 29th, 1976. Jallad saw architecture as a main protagonist of the battle, as she discovered it was the first high rise urban battle in the world. The close of the battle resulted in the 15-year Green Line, an urban rift which split Beirut into “East and West”, restricting movement and communication and creating a violent divide that still resonates today. The album comprises two parts. Part A: Dahaliz, is a stroll in the city, where Jallad tries (and fails) to follow an old map. Musician Youmna Saba is a companion in this journey of remembering the once winding corridors (“Dahaliz”) of the city, destroyed by new developments since the 1960s. Empty skyscrapers propel her onto a past filled with the violence of snipers, and a present filled with the glamorous injustice of empty luxury real estate endorsed by powerful warlords-turned-politicians. In Part B: Maaraka, Jallad inhabits the building of the Battle of the Hotels, as its events unfold. She calls the fighting militias the Blues and Reds, respectively the Lebanese Front (Christian Nationalists) and the Lebanese National Movement (Pro-Palestinian leftists), leveling the playing field, and drawing a map of the battle through songwriting. Sary Moussa produces the conclusion of the battle in “Holiday Inn (March 21 to 29)”, which ends with the ultimate severance of the city of Beirut. The music caters to post-war youth who have never been taught this difficult history. Once we consider the “Battle of the Hotels” as our common heritage, it provides an opportunity to teach the value of civil peace. It is also a call to protest for the renewal, rather than the recycling of the political class that has once destroyed the country and holds us, to this day, hostage of its violence. Limited edition of 300 copies. 140gsm vinyl pressed at Microforum (Canada).
2023 Repress!
DJ Mo Reese excites crowds with his unique brand of House music. A Detroit native, his music is steeped in the tradition of his hometown and blended with his own soulful, funky style.
Influenced by such legends as Dennis Ferrer, Kevin Saunderson, Todd Terry, Derrick May, Roger Sanchez, and Terrence Parker, DJ Mo Reese has entertained around the world for over 25 years. Most recently, he performed at Tresor, in Berlin, Germany and Kitsch in Eindhoven, Netherlands. A crowd of over 100,000 was blown away as he performed his special four turntable set at the Detroit Movement Festival. He banged the box at the Cornerstone Event near Chicago before a crowd of 600+. DJ Mo Reese shined at the Winter Music Conference in Miami, and has been featured on stations WGPR, WJLB and won the Mixidome contest on WHYT. As a performer/producer, DJ Mo Reese inspires audiences with his uplifting and soulful style of House music.
Bristol’s four-piece outfit Quade's debut album.
The first single ‘Of The Source’ will be released 4th October, alongside the album announce.
‘Of The Source’ opens in familiar territory for Quade, with distant drones and searching violin, before breaking down into perhaps the album’s most experimental track.
‘Nacre’ is the culmination of three years of work from the band, the blueprints of their songwriting and sound firmly established in the sprawling, haunting and yet hopeful record. Traipsing between gothic expansiveness and cosmic psychedelia, the record cannot be pinned down into one recognisable place. By the album’s close, the listener may be left wondering whether it was all a memory or a dream.
The recording and production of the record was collaborative, with the band drawing upon the services of Jack Ogbourne and Larry ‘Bruce’ McCarthy - two divergent pillars of Bristol’s music community - for engineering and mixing respectively.
Enter the dark opium den that is PP005 — a release reminiscent of those pioneers of funk, Parliament and Funkadelic. These found tracks by Bruce Marshall and Bill Thomas were likely recorded around the time of “Osmium” and “Maggot Brain” — in fact, the artists featured here may have been directly influenced by the movement as it was happening, making these discoveries remarkable entries into the history of psych funk.
Where to begin with Bruce Marshall’s Gimme My Wife on the A side? Try to imagine a psychedelic football game, with driving wah wah funk as the halftime show. The frenetic instrumentation is guided by an infectious guitar hook, coupled with a loose chorus of voices and whistle blows. They all come together at the end to chant what sounds like “parrrr-tay,” a foreshadowing of that refrain the Beastie Boys would popularize.
Things get a little more solemn on side B with an instant classic by Bill Thomas, Ease My Mind Pt. 1. A surprising dirge of fuzzy guitar leads into a chorus that sings, like a mantra, “I have seen much trouble...ease my mind.” Things morph into tight horns backed by some prominent organ — in fact, this is one of the tightest horn sections on any of our releases to date.
Funk is alive and well on our fifth release — adding a new dimension to the amazing body of psych funk that’s already out there. Who knows what could have happened had these cuts reached ears during the 70s — but the time for the Marshall-Thomas ship to land is now. Put this on to get your next party going, and it’ll do most of the work for you. Get this special, split 7” on limited-run vinyl while you can.
While this may be the first release on Sheffield's Central Processing Unit from Global Goon, the one known to friends and family as Johnny Hawk brings a whole heap of experience to the Nanoclusters mini-LP.
Hawk started dropping Global Goon records on the legendary Rephlex Records back in the 1990s. The project's subsequent releases have taken in imprints as esteemed as WéMè and Balkan. Factor in a whole host of other aliases which have delivered missives via the likes of Planet Mu, and you know even before you press play on this witty, wily record that you're dealing with a master at work here.
The confidence with which Global Goon approaches Nanoclusters shines through in Hawk taking much of the mini-album at midtempo. Cuts like 'Khroxic Mould', 'Metallik' and 'Syntheseers' sound like Bochum Welt heading down a dark alleyway. The former in particular is a seasick lope, the tuned synths lurching around like sailors on deck in a storm as bass ebbs and flows underneath the mix.
The influence of Kraftwerk comes through prominently at times here, particularly in the way 'Calcula' and 'Digit Six' play pensive, slightly sombre synth chords off some simple but effective forward motion in the drum programming. That is not to say that Nanoclusters is not full of invention, though. None of the productions are overly flash, but this approach allows the little details to shine through more clearly, from cleverly panned hi-hats to hissing synth counter-melodies which flit in and out of the mix. Enthralling and packed full of ear candy, they're further evidence that Nanoclusters is the work of an expert craftsman.
While the pulse of Nanoclusters remains relatively steady throughout, it's still a rather lively record. Plenty of these tracks will get the dancefloor moving if deployed correctly - though whether they're heard at home or in the dance, it's the attention to detail which makes them stand out.
'Snapterisk' is as perfect an example of machine-funk as you're likely to find - the drum programming is razor-sharp but rubbery with bongos, the bass a lithe burble, and those wobbly stabs of keys that put a bit of wiggle in the beat? Delightful stuff. Elsewhere the ever-looping arpeggio of 'Metro Esc' has hints of Frankie Knuckles' house classic 'Your Love', though an array of interesting sonic nuggets - snippets of vocal, radar-like bloops, a gently insistent low-end pulse - soften the track's clubbier elements with a pillowy sheen. And Hawk throws us a curveball right at the end of Nanoclusters, tapping back into that old Rephlex sound for the fizzy, braindancing 'Metal Glass'.
Global Goon doesn't need to show off on Nanoclusters - from brilliantly slick machine-funk to Kraftwerkian reveries, the CPU debutant lets the music do the talking here. It makes for a confident and vivacious mini-LP, one which wears its expertise lightly.
RIYL: Cardopusher, Bochum Welt, Cygnus, D'Arcangelo
Mostly known for his work as founder, vocalist and main songwriter for The Legendary Pink Dots, Edward Ka- Spel has long forged an equally prolific career as a solo artist given to sometimes exploring similar sonic realms as his group but clearly working at such a pace the need to channel ideas and songs in this capacity must be enforced. And just as well too, because Edward Ka-Spel is one of those rare and exceptional artists whose high workrate doesn’t betray a keen sense of quality control. Long known as somebody unafraid to venture wherever he pleases, his work has for a few decades now long traversed the more outward-bound or so-called ‘fringe’ areas of electronic music, psychedelia, hypnotic rock, kosmische sounds and the avant-garde. Heartily sewn into all of this is Edward’s fantastic grasp of spinning a twilight tale or spiralling deep into the mind’s recesses to craft a song from comparatively nimble melodies and words of Kafka-esque proportions. It’s a strikingly rich blend that’s always deserved far more attention than the cult audience it thankfully at least has.'Tales from the Trenches' is the second release by Edward for Lumberton Trading Company. Following on from the abstract-flavoured ‘Permission to Leave the Temple’ 10” released at the start of 2023, this LP collects eight tracks of a personal nature mostly pinned into place by some refined electro rhythms, molten cosmic textures, plaintive strings, introspective keys and a late night hue that sways effortlessly between the beautiful, haunted and even, a couple of times, a steam-pumped and sweat-ravaged dancefloor. Limited to 500 only, 'Tales from the Trenches' delivers exactly as the title indicates. Everything may at first feel ominous or sombre in tone, but there’s also a glimmer of hope laid bare in all its sun-drenched glory poking between the cracks.
Die-cut sleeve. In the fall of 2013 Bry Webb was putting the finishing touches on his second album Free Will. Released on May 20th 2014, Bry, with his newly assembled band The Providers, spent the following few years traversing North America playing clubs, festivals and storied stages such as Toronto’s Massey Hall. Nothing new for an artist who had spent the aughts in a constant state of motion with Constantines, a band who on average had performed one of every three nights on a stage somewhere in the world. In fact, running in parallel to Bry’s solo touring schedule was a reunion with his former Constantines’ bandmates to once again present their incendiary live show and celebrate the 11th anniversary reissue of the band’s Shine A Light. It is what happened as the decade wound down that seemed out of character for an artist who had spent close to 20 years immersed in the studio and on the stage: the music stopped altogether. Bry explains his feelings at that time, “I lost the musical plot about 5 years ago and stopped playing music entirely, sold instruments and recording equipment, and committed myself to the idea that I was absolutely done”. Webb dedicated himself to his ongoing work in community radio, months turned to years and musical life seemed to be all but gone from view. Now in an unexpected turnaround 10 years on from the recording of his last studio album, there is not only a return to the stage for Bry but also a new record. Primarily composed in a season of upheaval, Run With Me contains some of Bry’s rawest sentiments. Fresh and painfully present there is an immediacy one can hear as emotional walls collapse in real time. Bry explains the context of the album’s creation: “In early 2023 my personal life exploded. In the process of dealing with that, I started writing music again and started recording at home. Advised that I needed to figure out how to ask for, and accept, help from other people, I sent early recordings of songs to friends from twenty-five years of music making - many folks I hadn’t connected with in years - and asked if they’d contribute anything to the songs. People came through in ways that overwhelmed me to the point that I cried when I wrote out the list of players for the liner notes. I felt incredibly cared for. From Andy Magoffin, who recorded the first Constantines album in 1999, to members of the Cons, to my nieces Addy and Ella playing drums, and a doppler recording of my daughter’s heartbeat, the record is a document of my creative life, and the people who made it possible to make music again.” If the cover of Run With Me looks familiar, it is with full intent. The album’s technicolor marbling and die cut text serve to signal the inclusion of the album in a trilogy started with Bry’s first record Provider. Just as that album starts with the track Asa, this new one introduces itself with the instrumental Webb. The trilogy is now completed with his daughter's first, middle and last names represented as the first tracks on each of the three albums. While the LP’s package signals its place in the collection, and tracks such as Older Than The Dirt and What I Do revisit their predecessor’s familiar sonic starkness, Run With Me is the outlier of the trio. A number of new tracks forego the quietude of Provider and Free Will, clearly recalling the rallying rhythms of Constantines’ anthems. Thunder Bay (instrumental backing courtesy of The Harbourcoats circa 2009), with its insistent kick drum and wall of electrics, support one of Webb’s most indelible melodies, and the not so subtly psychedelic Modern Mind reveal an expansion of Webb’s palette. Perhaps the furthest afield is the contextual centerpiece of the album, Goodbye, where we not only hear a joyful voice that lay dormant for years, but hear it reclaim its power. Backed by Constantines’ Will Kidman, Doug MacGregor and Dallas Wehrle, Bry belts out “I’m through with all the rage, now watch the light pour out of me.” As with all of Bry’s work, Run With Me’s lyrics take their time to settle in. Songs of self-examination, reconfigured love ballads, and songs for those who work to help others. Songs of singing abound. It’s there in Older Than The Dirt’s second verse: "Logic to the last intention, logic in the way we kept holding on forever, singing as the floor- was swept”, ten thousand birds sing a warning song in Thunder Bay and again in Goodbye’s telling of a cathartic return to one’s true self with its celebration of those “Who sing - sing all joy - all joy of language, in a single word”. Joining Bry in singing Run With Me’s songs of “death, transition and hope,” are kindred spirits Jennifer Castle, Julie Doiron, Daniel Romano and Steph Yates. All of these singers elevate the album’s healing sentiments and help express the album’s central plea; a prayer of sorts wrapped in the traditional Scottish Gaelic melody of She Is Here’s second verse: “Let the sun rise in the morning and any witness bring. Let all the blooming cosmos teach us to sing”.
black 2x12"[45,17 €]
Director's Cut is Kate's 9th studio album and was released on 16 May 2011 on Kate's own label Fish People.
On Directors Cut Kate revisits a selection of tracks from her albums The Sensual World and The Red Shoes.
Kate has re-recorded some elements whilst keeping the best musical performances of each song - making it something of a director's cut but in sound, not vision.
red 2x12"[48,70 €]
Director's Cut is Kate's 9th studio album and was released on 16 May 2011 on Kate's own label Fish People.
On Directors Cut Kate revisits a selection of tracks from her albums The Sensual World and The Red Shoes.
Kate has re-recorded some elements whilst keeping the best musical performances of each song - making it something of a director's cut but in sound, not vision.
Step into the captivating world of Melody Fields as they release their transformative albums, "1901" and "1991." With a marbled musical background, these albums are crafted with the precision of a brushstroke by the likes of Pablo Picasso or Gustav Klimt. Each track is carefully composed, drawing inspiration from manic behavior, fixated obsessions, and the pursuit of something greater. Melody Fields explores themes of spirituality, faith, trust, and conviction in various forms, often leading to addiction or madness. During the pandemic, Melody Fields accumulated hours of material, embracing the freedom to experiment with drum machines and synthesizers in one session, and exploring oriental instruments in another. The result is a sonic tapestry that defies conventions and pushes boundaries. The primary album, "1901," can be described as a rock album with psychedelic influences. It features repetitive guitar riffs, distorted soundscapes, and mesmerizing three-part harmony vocals. As they traverse these musical landscapes, Melody Fields is joined by guest musicians from esteemed bands such as Goat and Holy Wave, adding an extra layer of sonic brilliance. The album culminates with the captivating track "Mayday," a haunting composition written by the legendary Klaus Dinger from Neu! In contrast, "1991" is a concept album that evolved from late-night jam sessions, experimental sounds, and danceable music. It presents four remixes, including contributions from Goat and Al Lover, breathing new life into the original composition “Jesus” from “1901”. Notably, "1991" includes the thought-provoking composition "Diary of a Young Man," written by Daniel Treacy from Television Personalities, which invites introspection and reflection. Melody Fields' "1901-1991" presents a sonic journey through time, combining elements of rock, psychedelia, and experimentalism. These albums showcase the band's dedication to musical craftsmanship and their willingness to embrace diverse influences. Prepare to be immersed in their sonic universe, where boundaries are shattered, and creativity knows no limits.
- 1: I'll Slip Away
- 1: 2 After Laughter (Comes Tears)
- 1: 3 How Could You Let Me Go
- 1: 4 We'll Understand
- 1: 5 Key To Love Is Understanding
- 1: 6 If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up
- 1: 7 Low Life
- 1: 8 Once I Was
- 1: 9 We Don't Run
- 1: 0 Won't You Tell Your Dreams
- 1: The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea
- 1: 2 Heidecker
- 2: 1 You've Become A Habit
- 2: Honey Moon
- 2: 3 Send It On
- 2: 4 Le Chant Des Fauves
- 2: 5 Same Old Man
- 2: 6 Something On Your Mind
- 2: 7 Blink
- 2: 8 Plain As Your Eyes Can See
- 2: 9 Rabbit Hills
- 20-track collection includes Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band covering Sixto Rodriguez, Iggy Pop & Zig Zags performing a Betty Davis classic, Ethan & Maya Hawke interpreting Willie Nelson, and Angel Olsen paying homage to Karen Dalton - Double LP pressed on special limited edition color wax - Featuring new cover art by renowned British artist Sophy Hollington - Booklet with track-by-track notes by Lydia Hyslop // For more than 20 years, acclaimed reissue label Light in the Attic Records has shined a spotlight on some of music's most unique - and often forgotten - voices. But reviving these long-out-of-print recordings is only half of the process. "We believe that an essential component of archival work, aside from simply honoring the music, is to seek ways in which to bring fresh perspectives, context, and reverence to the original artists and their work," says LITA founder, Matt Sullivan. Thus, LITA's acclaimed cover series was born, in which contemporary acts pay homage to their favorite LITA artists and songs. Spanning more than a decade, 20 of these inspired cover songs will be available together for the very first time on the 2xLP Light in the Attic & Friends. From Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band covering Detroit singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez and Mac DeMarco performing a song by Japanese icon Haruomi Hosono, to Iggy Pop & Zig Zags honoring funk queen Betty Davis, and Ethan & Maya Hawke covering country great Willie Nelson, these performances bridge the gap between generations, languages, and musical traditions.




















