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Pioneering in the 80' and 90's and an absolute spearhead in the world of post-punk, cold and new wave, EBM, electro... a series of albums and compilations from the extensive Antler Records archives are now being released again. The first compilations 'Early Years Vol. 1 and Vol 2” were received with great enthusiasm and flew out the door.



Now there is already Vol. 3 with again carefully chosen gems from the rich Antler archives with carefully selected recordings of influential bands such as The Klinik, Snowy Red and A Split Second.



Again a great compilation of the best what the Belgian synth-wave/EBM scene had to offer in the mid-eighties of the 20th century.

How did Dexter make a TV audience sympathize with a serial killer? No question, it took an ingenious premise, great writing, great direction…and a stellar ensemble cast headed by lead actor Michael C. Hall. But long-time viewers of the show know there was another “character” that played a huge role in the series: the soundtrack. From Rolfe Kent’s unforgettable title theme to the well-chosen Latin-tinged tunes that fit the Miami setting to composer Daniel Licht’s brilliant themes, the score of Dexter commented on the action even as it amplified its emotional power. Special mention must be made of the late Licht’s work, which employed Latin and electronic elements to portray Dexter’s warm and cold sides; among the favorites here are “Astor’s Birthday Party” and the haunting “Blood Theme” that played over the credits in every episode. In 2007, the Milan label put out a CD and a truncated single-LP soundtrack album containing music from the first season; now, for the first time, we at Real Gone Music are offering all of the music that appeared on the CD in an expanded double-LP edition, pressed on blood with white swirl vinyl and housed inside an appropriately gory gatefold. Don’t miss Michael C. Hall’s spoken word pieces, either…perversely pleasurable listening, limited to 1500 copies!

LOLO hat sich im Laufe von drei EPs mit ihren Texten, die das Herz auf der Zunge tragen, und ihren knallharten, von Pop-Punk geprägten Melodien eine begeisterte Fangemeinde aufgebaut. Auf ihrem Debütalbum erkundet LOLO, was es heutzutage bedeutet, ein Mensch zu sein". Aufgenommen mit dem Produzenten Mike Robinson aufgenommen, wurde ihre Single ,u turn me on (but u give me depression)" bereits über 18 Millionen Mal angehört. EUPHORIA schreibt: ,LOLO hat sich zu einer unbestreitbaren Größe im Pop-Punk-Genre entwickelt", was durch ihre ständigen Tourneen mit Künstlern wie Boys Like Girls, New Found Glory und Against the Current deutlich wird. Das Wunderbare an den 15 Songs ist, dass alle direkt reingehen und Spaß machen. Irgendwo gibt es das lose Konzept, aber die Stücke stehen für sich und haben jeweils eine eigene Identität. - plattentests.de "LOLO creates honest, grungy breakup anthems and hot-girl bangers that mix genres and confuse categories."-Westword Für Fans von Charlotte Sands, Maggie Linderman, Stand Atlantic Nachpressung der Emerald Green coloured Vinyl-LP sowie CD (Digisleeve) erhältlich.

Talking to machines in the land of happiness.

Machines are machines. Art is art.

Even the greatest artificial-intelligence machine is a machine.

Earquake 1992 is the second part of the man-made "Best Of 90s" music series by the various artist Wolfgang Voigt.

The prayer flags are waving in the stormy wind of truthfulness.

Time for change.

Mit Maschinen sprechen im Land des Glücks.

Maschinen sind Maschinen. Kunst ist Kunst.

Auch die größte Künstliche-Intelligenz-Maschine ist eine Maschine.

Earquake 1992 ist der zweite Teil der menschengemachten „Best Of 90er Jahre“ Musik-Reihe des diversen Künstlers Wolfgang Voigt.

Die Gebetsfahnen wehen im stürmischen Wind der Wahrhaftigkeit.

Zeit für Veränderung.

Universal Music hat in den Archiven einen wundervollen Schatz wiederentdeckt und wiederveröffentlicht
„Rare Diamonds“, das erste offzielle Best Of-Werk von DORO & WARLOCK, welches ursprünglich im
März 1991 beim berühmt-berüchtigten Vertigo-Label erschien.
Der Re-Release erscheint – in streng limitierter Auflage - erstmalig als Picture-Vinyl. Die kraftvollen,
wunderschönen Titel bilden die ersten acht Jahre der großartigen Karriere von DORO Pesch ab.
14 Songs für die Ewigkeit, inklusive der Mega-Kracher „All We Are“, „Für Immer“ und „True As Steel“ –
bis heute Fixsterne einer jeden DORO-Setliste. DORO kommentiert: „Auch auf der kommenden WinterTour durch Deutschland werden wir jede Menge Songs von der ‚Rare Diamonds‘ im Programm haben!“
Und weil DORO auch auf der Bühne schon immer eine Wucht war, glänzt „Rare Diamonds“ zudem mit
raren Live-Aufnahmen aus New York von Hits wie „East Meets West“ und „Rare Diamond“.
Auch „Unholy Love“ darf auf diesem Meisterwerk nicht fehlen – einer der Top-Songs aus DOROs Soloalbum
von 1990. Produziert von keinem Geringeren als KISS-Bassist und Doro-Idol Gene Simmons.
DORO hat in ihrer 40-jährigen Karriere über 3500 Konzerte in über 60 Ländern absolviert. Sie verkaufte
bis heute über 12 Mio. Tonträger und konnte für ihre Alben legendäre Musiker-Kollegen wie Gene Simmons (KISS), Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), Russ Ballard, Slash (Guns N‘ Roses), Pete Steele (Type O
Negative) und unlängst Rob Halford (Judas Priest) gewinnen.

The Norwegian indie-pop super-group with members from Making Marks, The Little Hands of Asphalt, Mildfire, Flight Mode and Elva return with a third album of original Christmas songs.

Get into that alternative, Nordic Christmas spirit! Christmas III at its heart is an alt-Christmas album: the songs are firmly rooted in December’s festivities, albeit not usually relying on the season’s traditional reference points. The songs hone in on the more ambivalent sides of Christmas - family, customs and the passing of time - with a keen eye towards the holidays’ most obvious function in countries close to the Artic circle: getting through the cold and dark times to celebrate the winter solstice and the turning of the sun. Drawing from Sufjan Stevens’ epic indie Christmas compendium and Phil Spector’s wall of sound classic A Christmas Gift From You, Christmas III is built on shimmering guitars, snow filled piano lines, gentle strings, springy vocals and dynamic drums - all steadily conducted by Sunturns’ own Sjur Lyseid (Flight Mode, The Little Hands of Asphalt) in the producer’s seat at his Globus studio in Oslo. With 3 songwriters (Ola Innset, Einar Stray & Sjur Lyseid) contributing to Christmas III, there’s an ever shifting sense of reflections. Parenthood and the struggles of the dark Norwegian winter is behind Ola’s track First Winter. “Sometimes I feel bad about bringing children into such a difficult world. Not so much with respect to daylight and the seasons, they’re just going to have to learn how to live with it, but with many other things – like war, poverty, climate change and even just death.” Back In Town might have been inspired by a discussion over whether Thin Lizzy’s “The Boys Are Back In Town” is a Christmas song or not, but it’s written about his youngest daughter Klara, to his elder daughter, about taking holidays with your family in a town you once lived. Einar pulls in Phoenix and Mew by the way of Jesus and Mary Chain on Crash Course Christmas, resulting in a seasick wave of a pop tune. “It’s a song about the guilt of not prioritizing your relationships. It’s been year of rainchecks and Christmas finally gives you some time to reflect. You’ve experienced so much and changed so much as a person that you almost forget your origins. Coming home for Christmas can then be a ritual of finding your way back to what you left behind." Drawing on the knitwear from the film Love, Actually, Turtle Neck, taps into the Backstreet Boys by way of Mac Demarco, with a sneaky reference to the legendary Norwegian Christmas hit En Stjerne Skinner I Natt. Album closer This Christmas / Next Christmas leans in on the hook for the Norwegian Christmas TV show Jul i Blåfjell, a multi-generational seasonal staple (essentially a daily children’s advent calendar kids show). “The song is about your parents ageing and needing your help – possibly really far away - while at the same time having your own children to take care of”. The cover artwork is a homage to Christmas dress codes for Norwegian men. Suits and shirts are a rarity in day to day life, but there are a handful of occasions that require some form of formal attempt at a suit: New Year’s Eve, National Day, weddings & funerals, and Christmas Eve: resulting in various degrees of sartorial elegance on the day (and on this instance, a hot summer’s day stifling the Christmas vibes, with ambiguous apparel instructions ahead of the photoshoot!).

Merry Christmas! Sunturns are Ola Innset – vocals, guitars, banjo. Sjur Lyseid – vocals, guitars. Einar Stray – vocals, keyboards, guitars. Eivind Almhjell – guitars, bass. Simen Herning – guitar. Jørgen Nordby – drums.

Prairiewolf make easy listening music for an age of fracture. They almost do it in spite of themselves. No one can seriously question the head music bona fides of the members of this Colorado-based trio.

Guitarist Stefan Beck has already assembled a formidable discography of jewel-toned guitar zone-outs under his Golden Brown moniker. And keyboardist and guitarist Jeremy Erwin and bassist Tyler Wilcox have both made their reputations as chroniclers of the vast world of out-music. Erwin helms the indispensable Heat Warps blog, a performance-by-performance archive of Miles Davis’s labyrinthine electric period. And Wilcox has been covering the ragged edges of psychedelia and experimental rock at Aquarium Drunkard and other publications, not to mention his own virtual basement for heads, the great bootleg blog Doom and Gloom from the Tomb.

These guys come by it honestly. And yet, given their backgrounds, Prairiewolf’s self-titled debut last spring was remarkably free of face-melters, brown acid blowouts, and ascendant spiritual jazz odysseys. Instead, they dropped a record of beautiful, elegant, low-key cosmic groovers that sounded like the piped-in background music to a resort hotel on Jupiter. It was an unlikely psychedelia, brocaded with mid-twentieth century sonic threading from the hi-fi era: vintage synthesizers, smears of spaghetti western, luxe tropical details, the faint schmaltz of space age pop. Imagine something like a Harmonia residency in the airport lounge. And yet somehow it all worked brilliantly. Prairiewolf became last summer’s cool-down standard. After a year woodshedding around Colorado’s Front Range region, the Prairiewolf boys have fired up their trusty Korg SR-120 drum machine for another outstanding collection of suborbital exotica. The appropriately titled Deep Time operates in its own chronology, unspooling at its unhurried pace. All its incongruous period and stylistic references—the new age pulses, Hawaiian steel, shaggy hippie rambles, lysergic guitar spirals, and orchestral synthesizer flourishes—float atop the album’s own singular temporality. Deep Time makes its own time.

From the moment Beck folds his slide guitar, origami-like, into a sound resembling the call of gulls on the tranquil album opener, “Peach Blossom Paradise,” there is a sense of departure from everyday life. The shimmering “Lighthouse” has a similar sunbaked nonchalance, like an afternoon passed day-drinking in a seaside bar. That they named their lush, kaleidoscopic downtempo track “The Meander” pretty much says it all. The ranging, propulsive “Saying Yes to Everything” seems like a nod in the direction of Rose City Band’s brand of wookie krautrock. And the motorik noir of “Demon Cicadas in the Night” also goes hard. Beck and Erwin’s intertwined guitar jam on the eerie album standout “The Cold Curve” evolves into something that sounds like primitive computer music. A genteel bassline from Wilcox on another album highlight, “Revisionist Mystery,” sets the stage for a loopy space jazz turn from guest clarinettist Matt Loewen of Rayonism. The title of post-rock cowboy tune “Another Tomorrow” might refer to the alternative future that so many critics heard in the music of Prairiewolf’s first album. Or it might simply refer to the persistence of time, however deep. Either way,

I’m thankful for the way Prairiewolf make each of their tunes a little oasis or sanctuary, each subsisting according to its own crystalline little logic for a few minutes. It is no simple task to filter out the omnipresent anger and anxiety of everyday life these days. But Prairiewolf are out here making it seem easy.

Brent S. Sirota

The second of four 12" vinyls will be released on December 6th, anticipating the release of the new Death SS concept album: "The Entity
produced by Steve Sylvester with the magic touch of Tom Dalgety, a Grammy-winning english producer, already at work with Rammstein,
Ghost , Cult and others.

The second single “Out To Get Me” is a dark and orchestral ballad that underlines the moment of the concept of the work in which the main
character Jekyll becomes aware of the evil that his alter-ego has caused. After that he feel the reaction of people surronding him. Tormented
by doubts and remorse, his mental health degenerates and he become to feel himself persecuted by infernal creatures, that are actually the real
monsters of his conscience coming to life.

“Limited Deluxe” edition on transparent blue vinyl with a special shaped cover. The product contains the second part of the booklet with the
entire story behind the concept album together with two other songs taken from the album: “TWO SOULS and HELL IS REVEALED”,
available only in physical format.

Niederländischer Metal-Klassiker remastered! Ein absolutes Highlight des 80er Speed/Power Metal endlich wieder erhältlich: „City Ad Mortis“, der
lang verschollene 80er Klassiker der niederländischen Speed/Power Metal Legenden Defender! Ursprünglich 1987 veröffentlicht, ist „City Ad Mortis“
nun remastered und endlich wieder erhältlich! Vom explosiven Opener „City Ad Mortis“ über das galoppierende „Deadly Peril“ bis hin zum epischen
„In The Beginning“ ist jeder Track ein Kraftwerk aus roher Energie, schweren Riffs und Simon Mentings hochfliegenden, wilden Vocals. Die
Bonustracks sind drei neu aufgenommene Klassiker der Originalband, die nach 38 Jahren endlich wieder auf Vinyl erhältlich sind (und natürlich auch
auf CD)!

Jabu return with ‘A Soft and Gatherable Star’, an LP that sees the Bristol-based trio evolve from a uniquely spectral take on trip hop to proffer a singular vision between cloudy, downered dream-pop, off-kilter ambient, and the warm, low-end throb of sound system culture. This development is aligned with contemporaries like HTRK, Dean Blunt, Tarquin Manek, YL Hooi and Rat Heart Ensemble, whilst also harkening back to the likes of AR Kane (with whom they are set to play shows and release a collaborative single), the languorous drift of 'Victorialand' era Cocteau Twins or The Cure circa ‘Disintegration’. Comprising Jasmine Butt (vocals, guitar), Alex Rendall (vocals, keys) and Amos Childs (production, bass guitar), the trio’s method may have shifted but the feel remains consistent - slow, spatial, sensuous and gently melancholic. With a career arc unlike almost any other current guitar outfit, Jabu sit within a strong lineage of off-centre Bristolian music, and a very British strain of home-spun DIY bands. Self-recorded between Jas and Amos’ home in South Bristol and Amos’ mum’s house in rural North Somerset, the album came together via a process of trial and error - learning to play on borrowed instruments, using the equipment “wrong”, staying up late recording and slipping into strange, semi-conscious sleep deprived/inebriated headspaces. Having captured over 50 tracks, they honed in on those they liked most, shaping them further, whilst carving out space to allow input from people they love and admire - Daniela Dyson’s voice and Will Memotone's clarinet on ‘Ashes Over Shute Shelve’, Birthmark's synth on ‘Gently Fade’ and ‘Sea Mills’, Rakhi Singh (Manchester Collective) and Sebastian Gainsborough (Vessel)’s strings and arrangements on ‘All Night’, Josh Horsley’s cello on ‘If I Asked You, You'd Tell Me’, and Lorenzo Prati’s sax, again on ‘Sea Mills’. The album was mastered by Amir Shoat (HTRK, ML Buch, Dean Blunt, Carla Dal Forno). Influence-wise, the guitar-based material recalls the bands Amos listened to when younger, and Jas’ more folk-leaning inspirations. Deep-lying dub, hip hop and soul influences are also evident in both the way the LP was mixed, and the space ingrained in their subconscious. Tinged with melancholy, the songs cohere as a set of soliloquies and ruminations on love and tenderness. The album’s title comes from a poem by Amos’ late father which hangs on his wall and seeped into the record. ‘Ashes Over Shute Shelve’ is formed of lines from another poem of his. Recited by longtime collaborator Daniela Dyson and with Will Yates (Memotone) playing his mother’s clarinet, the track was imagined as a conversation between his parents. Geography and location also play a big part in the record, with several significant places name-checked in songs. Shute Shelve itself is a hill near Amos’ mum’s house, who explains “There’s a tree at the top with a 360° view of the Mendips, where my dad’s ashes were scattered. We used to go up there when we could first buy booze from the petrol station down the road, get drunk, light a fire, listen to music from my little battery powered CD player and sleep out without tents.” Titled after a Bristol suburb near where Amos’ grandparents lived and where Jas would spend time as a teenager, ‘Sea Mills’ references her being abandoned by friends on the Downs while high on mushrooms, stranded and missing the bus back. ‘Kosiše Flower’ references the city in Slovakia where Amos and Jas holidayed shortly after getting together and a flower he gave her, which she pressed in a book after an argument. ‘Oceanside Spider House’ is a location in Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, where someone seeks shelter from the falling moon. Genre: Electronic / Ambient / Dream-pop

Bastille melden mit einem neuen Album „&“ zurück! Es handelt sich um ein Soloprojekt von Dan, das
unter ‘Bastille Presents‘ erscheinen wird.
Das Album ist in jeder Hinsicht zurückhaltend, von der Musik bis zum Kreativen. Textlich schöpft das
Album aus den Geschichten interessanter Individuen und Charaktere im Laufe der Geschichte. Dan spricht
über das Album: ”Ich wollte eine schöne Sammlung von Story-Songs machen - mit dem Leben von verschiedenen interessanten Menschen - um über das Leben, mein Leben und menschliche Erfahrungen zu
sprechen. Diese Sammlung von Tracks klingt intim, organisch und anders, als die Leute es vielleicht
erwarten, und ich bin sehr stolz auf das Gesamtwerk.”

Label and collaborative musical collective, +33JOY announce their debut release, this first one from Bopperson & Bikbaye.

Born out of a meeting at New York’s annual Winter Jazz Festival, back in 2020, this 4 track EP entitled ‘The Wellness Project’ is a very personal project.

Neil Bopperson is a DJ, musician and producer originally from Yorkshire. Having travelled the world working as a DJ and chef, he landed in London for a while where he remixed afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi for Wah Wah 45s. Now residing in Paris, France, a sharer and carer of music in every aspect, he chooses not to follow trends but instead follow his heart, with variety being an essential part of his musical DNA.

Based in Los Angeles, Bikbaye Inejnema works as a cultural activist, writer, teacher, counselor and spoken word artist. He has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology boasting over ten years experience in social work. He works as a A.T.O.D. (alcohol, tobacco & other drugs) prevention specialist for Homeless Healthcare in L.A. He is also the Executive Director of The Conscious Youth Global Network (CYGN)

Bikbaye strives to utilize art to equip the youth with the skills to become positive, productive citizens. Focusing on diverse topics ranging from leadership development to financial literacy to health and nutrition, Bikbaye gives youth the tools they need to create empowered and enlightened content.
As Bikbaye says, “The goal is to flood the airwaves, the media, everywhere with enlightened art.”

This first release on +33JOY comes in the form of a collaborative project, with music coming predominantly from Neil, with a little help from some additional players - Sam Crowe; keys (Lianne La Havas, Little Simz & Native Dancer) and the saxophone of Nick Briggs; (Joel Culpepper, Poté & The Last Skeptik). All words and vocals are from Bikbaye.

After a chance meeting in NYC, where Bikbaye was hosting talks at The Winter Jazz Festival, speaking mainly about mental health and wellness in the music industry. His words really resonated with Neil, they connected and this EP is the outcome.

Sitting somewhere in the alternative hip hop world, music is used as a vessel for Bikbaye’s words to ring out. Upon being presented with Bikbaye’s recordings, Neil composed music and collected sound design accordingly.

Starting out the set is the stripped back ‘Wellness Is A Practice’, as the opener to proceedings the vocals take forefront and the message is clear. Found sound, an old crunchy keyboard and some guitar pulses keep the poem afloat.

‘Who Are You?’ raises important questions, directed at other artists and music industry professionals. Flute, choirs and spacy drums come together for an eerie and dubbed out moment.

Third track ‘Consumption’ conveys perhaps the most important memo on the release. Sam Crowe’s grand piano floats beautifully over the reading, really highlighting Bikbaye’s statements.

Finally, and with a more hopeful feel, ‘Changes’ was the last addition to the recording sessions. A sketch Neil had been sitting on for a while, DJ Bobafatt added some cuts and Nick Brigg’s sax solo opens this track out to a goosebumps inducing ending. The most upbeat of the four tracks serves as a perfect prelude to the club-ready remixes that will follow this release.

As we all know, reggae music was created in the Ghettos and has helped many people in their struggle & creating many opportunities for those who worked hard for it. In Brasil, with the rise of sound systems inspired by the UK and JA scene, Monkey Jhayam was one of the first artists to express his art and also build a solid and prominent career alongside many sound systems in his country. Out of São Mateus, Monkey broke barriers and has been collaborating with producers from all over the world.

Monkey Jhayam features on an interpretation of the Johnny Osbourne Roots Reggae Classic, “Truths & Rights” / Inst Vs on the A side and a re-mix Vs of “Great Old Men”/Vs (AA side). All tracks also feature Alvin Davis (Horns), Asha B (Congos & Percussion) with Rhythm/Lead Guitar from Steven ‘Marley’ Wright.

Way back in 2008 Soul Junction released a 45 on Duane Williams “Yes My Love Is Real” with Duane being one half of the Detroit husband and wife singing duo Beverley and Duane. The duo under the guidance of their lifelong friend Will Hatcher recorded six songs of which two “ We Got To Stick Together” and “Glad I Got You Baby” were picked up by local Detroit label president Woodrow ‘Woody Wilson for release as a 45 single on his Fee label. The popularity of the 45 was to attract attention from the major Ariola label, who picked it up for national distribution during 1978 leading to the subsequent Ariola album ‘Beverley & Duane”. As the 1980’s dawned Beverley and Duane recorded a solitary 45 single for the independent Detroit Brown Bomber label “Love/You Belong To Me”. The label was owned by John L. Barrow a nephew of former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis, (Brown Bomber being Louis’s nickname). Beverley and Duane later moved to the west coast until their amicable divorce which led to Duane returning to his native Detroit to reacquaint himself with his former mentor Will Hatcher. This meeting of old friends led to the creation of Duane’s first solo project which Will brought to Soul Junction in late 2007. Hot on the heels of Duane’s hugely popular Soul Junction 45 came his subsequent CD album “These Songs Are For You” (SJ5001) released in 2009. Contained within this album was the very pertinent gospel/social commentary song “Father We’re Having Trouble” a song which two very close and knowledgeable friends of mine the late John Anderson and Bill Randle claimed had all the right ingredients for a potential hit record. Over the ensuing years this song has always remained in my thoughts until a few years ago I broached the idea with my good friend Jesse James recording a cover version of it, Jesse upon hearing the song was very receptive to the idea. Another period of time elapsed before we again reignited the idea. A decade or so on from Duane’s original version and the lyric’s of this particular song still remain as pertinent as ever, if not more so! During early 2020 Jesse entered, Con Funk Shun multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Felton Pilate’s Felstar Studio in Atlanta to lay down the basic tracks with Felton acting as co-producer on this project. Everything was progressing nicely until a worldwide pandemic intervened. With Jesse locked down in his new home on the West Coast and Felton in Atlanta the project unfortunately came to a holt. During this enforced period of inactivity further racial and political upheaval occurred which only added more poignance to the project. Eventually with the lifting of lockdown restrictions Jesse finally made it back to Atlanta to finish the project, the fruits of which you have before you now.

This band, and this album, function as critical missing links that takes one from The Fall to Yard Act, from Television and The Minutemen to Parquet Courts and Sleaford Mods, from punk as a sound to punk purely as an ethos. While any Van Pelt album is a stand alone album, the unique approach they take begs one to enter their world and dig deep in.

RELATED TO: The Lapse, Native Nod, St Vincent, Blonde Redhead, Enon, Jets to Brazil, Vague Angels, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, American Football, Texas is the Reason.

‘The lines between post-hardcore, indie rock, and emo blurred on the two mid-’90s full-lengths from the Van Pelt.’ Pitchfork

‘New York City’s The Van Pelt are an influential, but too often overlooked indie rock band -- cult favorites for many an emo-inclined crate digger.’ Consequence of Sound

‘...should be mentioned a lot more than they are when you talk about the history of emo.’
Washed Up Emo

Back in the day there was this thing called an A&R guy. They would hang out at small venues looking to throw money at the next big thing. In the early 90s, everyone was looking for the next Nirvana of course. NYC's The Van Pelt had just released an album of anthems called "Stealing From Our Favorite Thieves" that seemed to be just that. The only thing is, they didn't want to sign. Legend has it $2 million was turned down over pierogies and coffee one Monday morning because The Van Pelt didn't want to risk crashing and burning. Instead, they were gunning for a long and stable stride even if that meant they would largely remain out of the public's eye forever.

Lack of willingness to play the game didn't mean people weren't waiting with baited breath for their follow up album though. In 1997 The Van Pelt released "Sultans of Sentiment", an album nearly devoid of the anthems and licks people were expecting. In fact, it's a complete bummer of an album that subjects the listener to the point on life's curve where the hubris of youth gives way to a cresting crashing defeat no kid with heart could ever have seen coming. Seeing as humanity are sick fuckers who revel in the misery of both themselves and others, the popularity of Sultans grew and grew and continues to win new loyal fans even today. It's for this classic album The Van Pelt has never fallen off the radar.

That being said, their swan song "The Speeding Train" was recorded while they were working on their third album. In any other age, in any other way, this song would have been a hit. The Van Pelt broke up mid-recording, released Speeding Train as a single, and the rest of the songs from that session didn't see the light of day until they were released in 2014 as the "Imaginary Third" lp.

Why are we here talking about them today in 2023? Because in preparation for the release of "Imaginary Third" The Van Pelt started playing some reunion shows. Soundchecks revealed to them that this band has a voice that was prematurely muted by their inability to see clearly in the thick of it. Returning to explore just what that is 25 years later has led to this first collection of 9 songs, "Artisans & Merchants". This is not a reunion album. This is vindication for that decision made over pierogies and coffee decades ago. The Van Pelt is a band in it for the long haul, free from whatever trappings the mayflies of trends and markets may bring.

For lovers of The Van Pelt, listening to "Artisans & Merchants" is like hearing the voice of a dear friend you haven't seen in years, a friend you used to share countless beers with over banter that went nowhere other than delivering a solid night. Your friend is older, they've changed. In some ways you're worried for them, looks like they might be teetering on the brink of something. In other ways it's the same old them, a nugget of a soul too unique to ever be altered. It's for those unfamiliar with The Van Pelt though for whom we should be truly jealous. This is a stand alone album, incredible vital song writing in and of itself regardless of the long history this band has. The climax of the single "Image of Health" perhaps describes the beautiful desperation best: "And you never felt more alive / Than when the priest came to read you your rites!"

Frenchie King is a veteran artist and producer from the world of Reggae music. He was born in Jamaica and moved to the UK at the age of 12, where he began singing in a church choir. In the late 1960s he formed a church band with two friends called "The Ressurectors". Their music caught the attention of Reggae star Alton Ellis. After meeting Alton a new band formed called "Black Stallion" and their first song on Venture Records was released entitled - "Love Power". Alton was mentor and guiding light for Frenchie and crew; enabling them to jam with a host of Studio One artists.

Frenchie went on to work with noteworthy Reggae arists like: Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown, Dennis Alcapone, Ken Parker, Tito Simon, Dave Barker, Bobby Davis (The Sensations), Ruff Cutt, Owen Gray and Akabu.We didn't tour with Dennis or John Holt but Alton would always call them to the stage to jam, but we did a few shows with Alton sister Hortense Ellis and few other too much to mention...

Moving into the 1980s, Frenchie started a solo career and switched to the label "M1" where he released projects like "Your Entitled" and "Poor Me Natty Dread". During this time he also worked with renowned producer Sid Buckner (Studio One), before taking a brief hiatus; returning to help produce artist Owen Gray. He also wrote the song "Blackbird" for the band Akabu which was released in 1995 on U-Sound. M1 recording produce yours truly under name countryman linkup with the man Ezekiel in Luton hence M1

Moving forward into the 2000s, along with other musical adventures the iconic album "People Had Enough" was released in 2017, along with singles, "Let Us Do Something" and "Dance Cork". On let us do something and dance (kark) is produce by Michael McNeil aka the original jah son , a good musical sou-jah.

Which brings us up to date. In 2023 Frenchie hooked up with The Blackstones. Through this came the opportunity to work with Iron Sound Records and producer Alien Dread. This is the first single on ISR, with a solid Roots vocal track backed by studio band: Alvin Davis, Asha B and Steven Wright. More to follow!

La Lupe gained fame in Havana with explosive performances. Her collaboration with Tito Puente on The Exciting Lupe Sings – Tito Puente Swings showcases their combined talent and energy.

Features hits like "Don't Love Me Like That," "Love Me Always," and "With the Devil in the Body," along with her first recording of "Fever."

Studying piano and trombone, Rita Payes joined the Sant Andreu Jazz Band and released her debut album at 16.

Die Goldenen Zitronen sind seit mehr als drei Dekaden eine der prägenden Bands in der deutschen Independent-Szene. Seit ihrer Gründung 1984 in Hamburg haben sie 13 reguläre Alben veröffentlicht. Anfangs als Teil der Funpunk-Szene, erweiterten sie ihr musikalisches Spektrum von einfachen, schnellen Punk- und Rockabilly Songs zu komplexeren und experimentellen Songstrukturen. In ihrer Musik finden sich sowohl Verbindungen zu New Wave Bands der 80er und zum Krautrock der 70er-Jahre, als auch zu zeitgenössischen Formen elektronischer Musik. In ihren Texten wurden die Goldenen Zitronen seit den 90er-Jahren immer mehr zu scharfsinnigen Beobachtern gesellschaftlicher Zustände und entwickelten einen ganz eigenen Stil, mit der deutschen Sprache umzugehen. 2024 feiern sie ihr 40. Jubiläum mit einer Best Of Zusammenstellung auf 3 Vinylen inkl. 24 Tourplakaten aus allen Dekaden.

Following the success of Highly Refined Pirates' forward-thinking guitar gymnastics and Menos El Oso's groundbreaking glitch rock, Seattle's premier pop revisionists Minus The Bear dug into some of rock music's most ostentatious years for inspiration for their 2007 album, Planet of Ice. The title alone conjures images of Yes's Relayer album art, and the influence of the elder statesmen's symphonic scope can be felt throughout Planet of Ice's lush and intricate arrangements. You can also hear the band channel the ominous instrumental interplay of Lamb-era Genesis on "Dr. L'Ling", the deceptively savvy musicianship and pristine production of Steely Dan on "White Mystery", and the tightrope walk between ethereal space and pre-metal riffage of Pink Floyd's "Echoes" on "Lotus". Not that Minus The Bear completely abandoned their earlier style_elements of Menos El Oso's sample-driven technique can be heard on the lead single "Knights". But the heart of the song ultimately belongs to the haunting Fripp-esque guitar lines spliced between verses. After being out of print on record since 2010, Suicide Squeeze is proud to reintroduce Planet of Ice's creative marriage of classic motifs and modern musical wizardry with a vinyl remaster courtesy of Bernie Grundman.

Poly dance Theatre speeds up the tempo (perhaps in search of lost time) and so here already the first announcement for the next release: POL008, called "Le Commerce" (The Business).

It's a very special record. Beyond the deep bass line, the efficient ryhtmics and the ghostly apparitions of dubbed-out commercial romantic melodies, this 10" is above all an object-question, a small political gesture of sabotage. Be careful. Be careful. Rare! Very very very rare! even unique! (…300 copies)

Prepare yourself "mentally", as the EP contains 4x the same track (and that's all). A track that spins. A track that does the trick. An eternal return. Difference and repetition? All this is a opportunity to question consumption, especially in the "world of music", the "world of records", the "world of DJs", the "world of nightlife"... and so on. Production, distribution, consumption. Objects. Things. A history from the 60s to today. Where are we now? Still here: Organizing lack in the abundance of production. Lack. Abundance. A history of desires. And music? What's its role? What do we want? What do you want?

On the cover, there are poems/collages about commerce, scarcity, abundance, commodity fetishism, an insulting letter and other little things.

Erstmals als Vinyl, 2009

Unangenehme Ereignisse neigen dazu, die wesentlich bedeutsameren glücklichen Momente in den Schatten zu stellen, - dieser Gedanke liegt Johannes Oerding's neuer Single "Engel" zugrunde. Und mal Hand aufs Herz: Braucht nicht jeder Mensch einen "Engel"? Ein Wesen, auf das er vertrauen kann, das einem Mut macht und in schlechten Tagen an die schönen Dinge des Lebens erinnert? Johannes Oerding hat diesen Engel offenbar gefunden. Wie sonst ist zu erklären, dass der charismatische Musiker mit seiner dritten Single ein derartig emotionales und lebensbejahendes Meisterstück in die Umlaufbahn schießt.
"Ich habe soviel Glück gehabt im Leben, dass ich mich einfach gefragt habe, wem ich das zu verdanken habe.", erklärt er über die Entstehung seines Songs. Nur wenige Wochen lagen zwischen den ersten Textzeilen aus Johannes Oerding's Feder und der finalen Produktion dieses Songs. Unterstützung bekam der moderne Singer/ Songwriter von den Produzenten Mark Smith und Sven Bünger.
Und wer sich jetzt fragt, wo oder wer sein ganz persönlicher Engel ist, der sollte seinem Gefühl folgen und die Sinne schärfen - "denn Engel haben ihre Flügel gut versteckt!"

Erstmals als Vinyl, 2013

Wow, was für ein Jahr für Johannes Oerding. Sein drittes Studio-Album "Für immer ab jetzt" entert die Charts Anfang 2013 auf #4, die Single "Nichts geht mehr" geht souverän in die Top 50 und erringt einen starken zweiten Platz beim Bundesvision Song Contest - und auf Tour geht bei dem bekennenden Live-Junkie sowieso wieder alles. Über 120 Mal geben Oerding und seine Band auf den Bühnen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz alles und begeistern als Support-Act auch noch das Publikum von Joe Cocker. Es gibt also eine Menge Musikfans, für die eine Erinnerung an dieses Über-Jahr das Größte wäre - ein Wunsch, den die kommende Re-Edition von "Für immer ab jetzt" voll und ganz erfüllt: Die Doppel-CD vereint das erfolgreiche Album mit hautnahen Aufnahmen von Oerdings ausverkauftem Konzert im Hamburger Stadtpark. Die einmalige Nacht im vergangenen August war nicht nur deshalb legendär, weil alle Hits der letzten Alben gespielt wurden, sondern auch weil in seiner Wahlheimat immer eine besonders intensive Stimmung aufkommt. "Für immer ab jetzt - Live und Deluxe" ist das perfekte Souvenir für alle Oerding-Fans.

First time 7” reissue of this mega-rare Bobby Marin produced Latin funk gem.

‘Together People (Pamoja Watu)’ sounds like a cross between James Brown’s ‘It’s A New Day’ and Manu Dibango’s ‘Soul Makossa’, while 'It's Your Thing' is a heavy Latin funk instrumental version of the Isley Brothers classic, featuring screaming Hammond organ. Both are DJ favorites and the original 45 fetches large sums, if you can find a copy.


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Generally, when discussing the first wave of Latin soul and boogaloo, it’s the bands and their leaders, the singers and the songs that get all the recognition. But what of the producers, composers, and arrangers?

One of the top old-school New York Latin music producers, Bobby Marin, was behind the scenes for some of the best independently produced boogaloo and salsa of the ‘60s and ‘70s. One of his best and most obscure productions was credited to Los Africanos, a studio project featuring Chico Mendoza and New Jersey-based band Ocho.

‘Together People (Pamoja Watu)’ sounds like a cross between James Brown’s ‘It’s A New Day’ and Manu Dibango’s ‘Soul Makossa’ and was originally released in 1974 on Tito Rodriguez’s label TR Records. On the B side, 'It's Your Thing' is a heavy Latin funk instrumental version of the Isley Brothers classic, featuring screaming Hammond organ.

Both are DJ favorites and the original 45 fetches large sums, if you can find a copy. First time 7” reissue.

Die skandinavischen Death-Metal-Meister Konkhra werden mit „Sad Plight of Lucifer“ alle umhauen! Das neue Album „Sad Plight of Lucifer“ von
Konkhra liefert ihren klassischen skandinavischen Death Metal-Sound mit neuer Intensität. Das von Tue Madsen abgemischte Album markiert die
Rückkehr der Band zu ihren Wurzeln und bietet eine kraftvolle Fortsetzung ihres Vermächtnisses.Schwierigkeiten beim Touren und ein instabiles
Lineup führten dazu, dass sich die Band erneut in der klassischen Besetzung für eine Tour mit Behemoth in Südafrika, eine einmalige Show mit
Volbeat vor 37000 Menschen und eine Show im Copenhell vor dem Album Alpha and the Omega im Jahr 2019 in Zusammenarbeit mit Hammerheart
reformierte. Dieses Album schaffte es in Meral Hammers „Top Ten dänischer Bands“ neben Volbeat, Mercyful Fate und anderen. In der Zwischenzeit
beschuldigte eine christliche Sekte die Band, 500.000 Dollar von einem YouTube-Konto gestohlen zu haben! Die Tourneen beinhalteten eine Reihe
von Headlinershows sowie Touren mit Batushka und Malevolent Creation.

Der Soundtrack zum Netflix-Film "Rustin" über den afroamerikanischen Bürgerrechtler Bayard Rustin, dem 1963 die Organisation des Marsches auf Washington mit über 200.000 Menschen gelang, einem Höhepunkt der US-Bürgerrechtsbewegung, auf dem Martin Luther King seine legendäre "I Have A Dream" Rede hielt. Komponist ist der renommierte Saxophonist, Dirigent und Jazzkomponist Branford Marsalis aus der weltberühmten Marsalis-Dynastie von Jazzmusikern, eine hoch angesehene Persönlichkeit der Jazzwelt mit einer beeindruckenden Liste von Auszeichnungen, darunter drei Grammys.

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX ist seit Gründung im Jahr 2004 ein Leuchtfeuer für die Gebrochenen und Unerhörten. Mit Justin Greaves an der Spitze haben sie Alben geschaffen, die zu den Stimmlosen, den Ausgegrenzten und den Enttäuschten sprechen.
Mit diesem Doppelalbum, „The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature“ + „Horrific Honorifics Number Two(2)“, feiern CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX zwei Jahrzehnte des Trotzes und der Selbstreflexion.

„The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature“ lässt die Echos ihrer Vergangenheit wieder aufleben, indem sie Klassiker, die von der Zeit und dem Wandel geformt wurden, überarbeitet und neu aufgenommen haben. Zusammen mit alten Freunden und neuen Verbündeten pulsieren diese neu interpretierten Hymnen mit neuem Elan und rohen Emotionen. Von der ausgedehnten Odyssee von „Song For The Loved“ bis hin zur Wiederauferstehung des verlorenen Klassikers „Whissendine“ zeigt jeder Track die Erforschung des menschlichen Zustands und den immerwährenden Kampf für Gerechtigkeit und Gleichheit.

In „Horrific Honorifics Number Two(2)“ legen CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX einmal mehr die Seele der Musik frei, die ihren Weg geebnet hat, und huldigen den Titanen, die ihren Geist geschürt haben. Mit eindringlichen Interpretationen wie „Vengeance“ von New Model Army, einer Hymne des Widerstands und der Rebellion, und der eindringlichen, introspektiven Interpretation von Laura Branigans „Self Control“ fordern CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX uns auf, diese Klassiker durch eine neue, unbeirrbare Linse zu sehen.

Für Fans von Solstafir, Mogwai, Pink Floyd, Junius

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX ist seit Gründung im Jahr 2004 ein Leuchtfeuer für die Gebrochenen und Unerhörten. Mit Justin Greaves an der Spitze haben sie Alben geschaffen, die zu den Stimmlosen, den Ausgegrenzten und den Enttäuschten sprechen.
Mit diesem Doppelalbum, „The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature“ + „Horrific Honorifics Number Two(2)“, feiern CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX zwei Jahrzehnte des Trotzes und der Selbstreflexion.

„The Wolf Changes Its Fur But Not Its Nature“ lässt die Echos ihrer Vergangenheit wieder aufleben, indem sie Klassiker, die von der Zeit und dem Wandel geformt wurden, überarbeitet und neu aufgenommen haben. Zusammen mit alten Freunden und neuen Verbündeten pulsieren diese neu interpretierten Hymnen mit neuem Elan und rohen Emotionen. Von der ausgedehnten Odyssee von „Song For The Loved“ bis hin zur Wiederauferstehung des verlorenen Klassikers „Whissendine“ zeigt jeder Track die Erforschung des menschlichen Zustands und den immerwährenden Kampf für Gerechtigkeit und Gleichheit.

In „Horrific Honorifics Number Two(2)“ legen CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX einmal mehr die Seele der Musik frei, die ihren Weg geebnet hat, und huldigen den Titanen, die ihren Geist geschürt haben. Mit eindringlichen Interpretationen wie „Vengeance“ von New Model Army, einer Hymne des Widerstands und der Rebellion, und der eindringlichen, introspektiven Interpretation von Laura Branigans „Self Control“ fordern CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX uns auf, diese Klassiker durch eine neue, unbeirrbare Linse zu sehen.

Für Fans von Solstafir, Mogwai, Pink Floyd, Junius

Erleben Sie den Schrecken von Uzumaki in einer neuen Dimension mit dem offiziellen Series Soundtrack auf Vinyl! Auch die Serien-Adaption des klassischen Horrormanga von Junji Ito folgt den Bewohnern von Kurozu-Cho, die von einem rätselhaften Fluch heimgesucht werden.Der Soundtrack von Colin Stetson (Hereditary, The Menu) ist tief mit der düsteren Erzählung verwoben und erzeugt eine wirbelnde Klanglandschaft. Gepresst auf 180-Gramm-Picturedisc-Vinyl, ist dieses Sammlerstück ein Muss für jeden Fan.

Serbian powerhouse KATRAN, the mastermind behind Jezgro label and one half of Ontal, unleashes four colossal, rhythm driven, noise infused industrial techno anthems accompanied by nasty remix from talented 6SISS. This meticulously crafted dystopian soundscapes are engineered to obliterate any dancefloor, heralding the chaos. Handle with caution this is dangerous material.
The album ignites with intricate drum patterns that thunder like tanks across a barren, icy wasteland, while haunting atmospheric elements loom, setting a menacing tone for the journey ahead.

Next, a feverish descent into robots nightmare ensues, where mechanical drum liturgies weave relentless tension, immersing listeners in a post human auditory realm.
As the odyssey progresses, doom laden horns and mechanized drums merge to unleash subversive, devastating frequencies.

Just when the intensity seems to peak, filthy analog sine waves bubble through obscurity, pushing the boundaries of industrial techno music to its limits. Annihilation is the word that resonates here.

Zwölftes Volumen dieser grossartigen Erfolgs-Serie (und Stag-O-Lee Bestseller) mit entschleunigten R&B/Soul/Exotica Songs, so wie sie einmal im Monat in einem Club in Melbourne/Australia auf den Plattenteller kommen. Um Mitternacht am letzten Samstag jeden Monats versammeln sich jede Menge finstere Gestalten und vintage music lover in einem schlecht beleuchteten, mit Zigarettenqualm gefüllten Raum in Melbourne, um zu diesen slow grinding Tunes zu tanzen. Compiliert von SGF-Chef Ritchie1250, der auch für die Linernotes verantwortlich ist.

Miles Away are thrilled to present the first-ever 7-inch vinyl reissue of the modern-soul classic "Yes It's You" now backed with the original A-Side "We're Lovers Day & Night". Officially licensed from the Smiley estate and presented in brand new picture sleeve designed by the talented Jeremy Zombie.

Eugene Smiley had soul music running through his veins. His career began with The Mists (later to be known as The Visitors), who signed to Dakar Records in the late '60s. Under the mentorship of one Carl Davis, Eugene grew into a powerful musician, who would go on to tour with the likes Rufus Thomas, Bobby Womack, Al Green, the Stylistics, Eddy Kendricks and The Chi-lites.

Released in 1978, "Yes It's You" is a three-minute, up-tempo modern soul gem that draws from the decades Eugene spent spreading quality soul music performing across America, with some of the finest cats the soul music world has ever seen. A track that wouldn't have been out of place had it been found on the Brunswick catalogue.

Über drei Jahrzehnte nach ihrer Gründung durch Leslie Mandoki, setzen Mandoki Soulmates mit ihrem Album "A Memory Of Our Future" nicht nur musikalisch neue Maßstäbe, sondern präsentieren ein produktionstechnisches Meisterwerk: Das gesamte Album wurde analog aufgenommen und produziert - vom ersten Ton bis zum fertigen Vinyl. Die Produktion des rund 80-minütigen Konzeptalbums ist ein seltenes Unterfangen in der heutigen Musiklandschaft. Mit durchgehend analoger Signalverarbeitung vom Mikrofon bis zur Vinylpressung ist die Produktion von "A Memory Of Our Future" ein Manifest von Präzision und Leidenschaft, die in jedem Ton des Albums zu spüren ist. Das Mastering des analogen Magnetbandes durch Greg Calbi im renommierten Sterling Sound Studio in New York und der Vinylschnitt in den Emil Berliner Studios sind ein Symbol für die audiophile Exzellenz des Albums. Mit einem Setup, das in der gegenwärtigen Musikproduktion kaum noch zu finden ist, und mit der die Band eine Wärme und Lebendigkeit in ihrer Musik eingefangen hat, die in digitalen Aufnahmen oft verloren geht, haben die Soulmates ein Werk musikalischer Vielfalt geschaffen, das von Prog bis Jazz Rock reicht, und kompositorische Reife, spielerische Leichtigkeit und kunstvolle Solos mit großen Spannungsbögen und tiefgründigen Texten zu gesellschaftspolitischen Themen verbindet. Die generationsübergreifende Supergroup von Rock- und Fusion-Großmeistern mit Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Stern, Al di Meola, Randy Brecker, Till Brönner, Bill Evans, John Helliwell (Supertramp), Cory Henry, Richard Bona, Steve Bailey, Simon Phillips (Toto), Leslie Mandoki, Tony Carey (Rainbow), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Jesse Siebenberg und Mark Hart (beide Supertramp) ruft mit dem Album zum Handeln gegen Spaltung und für Menschlichkeit auf. Mit "A Memory Of Our Future" gelingt den Soulmates eine einzigartige Verschmelzung audiophiler Exzellenz und gesellschaftspolitisch relevanter Musik. Dieses Album ist nicht nur für Fans von Prog und Jazz Rock, sondern für alle, die echte Musik zu schätzen wissen.

A next salvo of big people dubwise out of the ITAL COUNSELOR stable comes on this, the label’s first foray into the 7” format.

This relick of the legendary Black Brothers 1970s dub plate is perfectly crafted for dropping at the deepest of sound system sessions or right on your home hi-fi for some front room skanking. This is in no small part due to the pedigree of artists who contributed to its creation.

Hughie Izachaar first started in the reggae business as part of obscure UK band, Black Brothers, during the heady days of the late 70s and early 80s. Only known to have recorded two legendary dub plates, the band never committed their music to plastic. A multi-instrumentalist versed in the art of playing the melodica and guitar as well as singing, Izachaar went on to join the band, The Original Rockers, with whom he recorded the underground classic, “Mountain Rock.” Into the 90s and through the 2000s he has been heard across a number of 7”, 10”s, 12”s, and LPs on labels such as Reggae on Top, Jah Warrior, Inner Sanctuary, and King Earthquake.

On this release, he is reunited with the equally esteemed Jah Warrior who was responsible for Hughie’s high water mark showcase, “Can’t Take the Pressure” in 1998. Jah Warrior’s usual hard and strident steppers vibrations are in attendance here.

Uniquely, this 7” represents the first time Hughie and Jah Warrior have been combined with the third ingredient in this musical stew. Another long-time music industry journey man, Gil “Tuff Scout” Cang, augments the sound with additional production and remixing. A veteran of Studio One, Riz Records, and Tuff Scout, not to mention innumerable soul, acid jazz, and pop productions, Gil adds that “little way different” touch that has become a defining character of ITAL COUNSELOR productions.

As the saying goes: If you don’t know, get to know. Neither your ears, your skanking feet, or your soul will be disappointed!

INFINITE ICON is a self-reflective journey through Hilton’s life, exploring themes of fame, female empowerment, mental health, and motherhood. The 12-track collection marks Hilton’s first album in nearly two decades and features collaborations with some of today’s most exciting names in music including Sia (“Fame Won’t Love You”), Meghan Trainor (“Chasin’”), Maria Becerra (“Without Love”), and Rina Sawayama (“I’m Free”). Musically, INFINITE ICON serves shimmering electronic arrangements, driving dancefloor beats, summertime poolside vibes, and emotional ballads in a glittery swirl of unapologetic pop glamor that can only have come from Paris Hilton.

In 2002, Regina Spektor was in the midst of a creative explosion. She found herself writing so many songs that she was unable to keep track of them. Her friend Joe Mendelson noticed she was forgetting some entirely, and offered to archive everything she had written that year. After Regina recorded dozens of songs, one take each, they decided to pick twelve and make them into an album. And so, Songs was born. The record includes the original versions of “Samson” and “Ne Me Quitte Pas”, later re-recorded on Begin to Hope and What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, respectively. These early recordings have now been expertly remastered by Bob Ludwig right in time for their 22nd birthday, playable for the time ever outside of a handmade CD-R.