quête:new world

Colleen thrives on reinvention. For over two decades under the name, French artist Cécile Schott has continuously pushed her compositional practice into new directions. Her creative approaches have included complex samples and loops, instrumental processing and even dub production techniques applied to the baroque viola da gamba. Each album immerses the listener in a wholly unique world while remaining unmistakably a work by Colleen. Schott"s compositions glow with carefully considered textures that move in captivating revolutions while subtly evolving. A connective thread of Schott"s work is the exploration of the intricacies of emotion while reveling in the act of contorting pop and classical forms into new shapes. Colleen"s Le jour et la nuit du réel is a voyage deep into the world of synthesis, a dense thicket populated by drifting echoes and pulsating arpeggios. More than just a creative approach, sound synthesis here becomes a means to interrogate complex concepts, from the self and perception to shifting notions of what is "reality".

Bobby Caldwell's second album, Cat In The Hat, from 1980, is one of his greatest moments and another masterwork of soulful sophistication. Featuring the eternal "Open Your Eyes", brilliantly sampled by J Dilla for Common's "The Light", it's about as essential as records get. Like its eponymous predecessor, it's been out of print for far too long. To finally release the hugely-anticipated reissue is one of our sincerely proudest moments.

Whilst Ned Doheny is known in Japan as "Mr California", native New Yorker Bobby Caldwell has always been "Mr AOR" to his Far-Eastern friends. His distinct charm is an irresistible blend of soul, jazz, and pop influences. He possessed phenomenal songwriting prowess, smooth vocal performances, was both a great soul guitarist and dextrous keyboard player and known for genius chord progressions. It all added up to a multi-layered brilliance entering the studio, and the singular sound he landed on was laced with soulful, sweeping strings and funky horns, touching lightly on disco, while allowing his supple voice to carry the stunning tracks he'd crafted.

Right from the off, it's easy to tell that Cat In The Hat is a deeply special record. It's fantastically produced and incredibly well-rounded, carving its own lane with deep soul, warm jazz and a stunning vocal delivery that really helped Bobby reach out to some big new audiences at the time. Goosebumps at the ready for the rolling power-piano funk of "Coming Down From Love", opening up the album with a track as good as anything Steely Dan or The Doobies ever crafted, with a vocal performance from the heavens. Pumping AOR wonder "Wrong Or Right" is up there with the slick, classy rhythms of prime Ned Doheny whilst the cool, skipping soul of guitar-drenched "To Know What You've Got" is a funky ballad par excellence, with elemental traces of "What A Fool Believes". No bad thing. Closing out Side A, the folk-funk of "You Promised Me" is a bright, soulful strut with a wonderful vocal coda that just builds. Sensational.

The delicate bounce and falsetto self-harmonising of "It's Over" offers a truly delightful introduction to Side B, and serves as a great precursor to what follows. Bobby's dynamite "Open Your Eyes" is likely the reason you're all here. As if he needed it, the eternal J Dilla further immortalised Caldwell in the hip-hop canon with his production of Common’s epochal “The Light,” which heavily samples the magical “Open Your Eyes.” On a post paying tribute to Bobby in March 2023, Questlove claimed that he "got word Brother Bobby loved it". Bobby's original has seen new life even more recently from the likes of Dwele and Kendrick Lamar and deservingly so, as its insistent drums and staccato piano created a modern-soul classic. You'd think that would be hard to follow, wouldn't you? Not so, when you're Bobby Caldwell. Indeed, the horn-drenched stepper "Mother Of Creation" is absolutely ace, and, whisper it, possibly the album's finest track, all funky piano and guitars with horn lines to die for. Exquisite ballad "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love" rounds out the album beautifully.

Bobby sadly passed away on 23rd March 2023, after a long struggle with mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, due to an adverse effect from a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The reissue of Cat In The Hat will be available on vinyl across the globe, ensuring that fans of his incomparable talent - and soul music enthusiasts worldwide - can radiate in the deep beauty of this seminal album. Meticulously remastered and cut by both Simon Francis and Cicely Balston respectively, it has been pressed to the highest possibly quality at Record Industry in Holland.

The Ventures return with their first all-new studio album in 24 years! Teaming up with Hi-Tide Recordings - global leader in surf music - “New Space” seeks to echo and pay homage to The Ventures “In Space” album, originally released in 1964, one of their biggest-selling and most popular albums of all time, still iconic and loved by fans the world over.

The extraordinary trio creates a fascinating, atmospheric fusion of electronic sounds, piano, violin, percussion, field recordings, and mystical Ladino texts and chants with "Metamorfosa." Metamorfosa is a new band project founded by Marlene Schuen (Italy), Dimitri Andreas (Belgium), and Marc Romboy (Germany).

The arrangements, co-compositions, and production come from Marc Romboy and Dimitri Andreas (Music Man, Systematic). Marc Romboy has been releasing electronic music since 1991 and has performed worldwide in legendary clubs like Berghain, Rex Paris, Fabric London, and Womb Tokyo. Marlene Schuen's lyrics for Metamorfosa revolve around nature and stories of mythical creatures in the mountain world of South Tyrol, taking the listener into the world of her homeland.

Her impressive voice and singing style deeply touched and fascinated
Marc and Andreas from the very beginning, ultimately inspiring them to create this fusion of electronic sounds, atmospheric piano parts, violin, field recordings, percussion, and Ladino singing.

"Neural transmissions of crisis on the eve of WEB 3.0"

Net Prophet finds the band moving deeper into the vaporous territory of 21st century excess, where power casually corrupts absolutely and the mental netscape is more deranged in the membrane than we ever knew possible. A world on the edge, where imminent ecocide and violent social upheaval lurk beneath every minute mental distraction. The doomscroll gets longer and the attention span shorter as a disconnected global internet life takes over with its scepters of promise and looming evasiveness.

The sound is rich in variety from the darkwave pulsing synths of "Lichtenberg Monologue" reminiscent of Shape / Shifting's "Tomahawk" to the growling, slowdriving bass of "A New Dawn" which harks back to the bands S/ T 1st record, albeit with a synth instead of guitar. Even with the stark contrasts of murder-punk "AR-15" and jangle- pop "Purgatory Mall" the record never strays from the prime colors of the band: Vox, Drums, Bass, Guitar, Synth.

Recorded live in the Berlin studio Monoton, the record demonstrates the band in its prime - tightened up and influenced by their extensive touring, who have honed their sound from simple elements into a rich and tasty nugget, easily digestible for the modern consumer. Always true to their company slogan "tight, loose and evil".

Taking up the gauntlet thrown down by New York's no wave scene, many Italian bands of the early '80s, playing far from the footlights of the world's stage, began creating compelling, and often cutting edge, hybrid sounds. This kind of experimenting soon went viral along the entire peninsula: from Southern Italy to the Alps, creating a brave new Italian take on post-punk. From the nervous white funk of Neopolitans Bisca, to the instrumental explorations of Confusional Quartet, to the "fake jazz" of the Hi-Fi Bros (who even had a track produced by Arto Lindsay), to Band Aid, this collection testifies to one of the most creative periods of the Italian underground. Also features: Eazycon, Modern Model, Die Form, Funkwagen, Nofun, Hakkah, Illogico, Rinf, and State Of Art. Includes CD; CD features the previously unreleased bonus track by La Maison, "Noise Express".

The return of one of the most individual producers in Detroit - Erik Travis.

With acts like HiTech, reconfiguring Ghettotech for a new audience, now is the time to check out his somewhat twisted take on electro.

Die größten Hits der jüngeren deutschen PopgeschichteɎ interpretiert von der größten Stimme der Popwelt.

Auf ihrem achten Studioalbum zelebriert die Sängerin mit der „Biggest Voice in Pop“ ausgewählte HitɞMeilenɞ steine der deutschen Musikgeschichteɍ Nach 6 Jahren ist Anastacia zurück mit ihrem Coveralbum „Our Songs“ mit insgesamt 12 Titeln bei denen sie erstmals auch selbst mitgeschrieben hatt. Die US-PopɞIkone hatte ihren Durchbruch im Jahr 1999 um nur zwei Jahre später zum „World’s Best Selling New Female Pop Artist“ gekürt zu werden.
Als Stimmwunder für MultiplatinɞHits wie „I’m Outta Love“, „Paid My Dues“ und „Left Outside Alone“ verantwortlich, hat sie seither mehr als 30 Millionen Tonträger verkauftɍ Allein drei Millionen verkaufte Alben in Deutschland. In 19 Ländern eroberte Anastacia Platz #1 der Singlecharts und hat parallel dazu alle erdenklichen Awards abgeräumt.

Die größten Hits der jüngeren deutschen PopgeschichteɎ interpretiert von der größten Stimme der Popwelt.

Auf ihrem achten Studioalbum zelebriert die Sängerin mit der „Biggest Voice in Pop“ ausgewählte HitɞMeilenɞ steine der deutschen Musikgeschichteɍ Nach 6 Jahren ist Anastacia zurück mit ihrem Coveralbum „Our Songs“ mit insgesamt 12 Titeln bei denen sie erstmals auch selbst mitgeschrieben hatt. Die US-PopɞIkone hatte ihren Durchbruch im Jahr 1999 um nur zwei Jahre später zum „World’s Best Selling New Female Pop Artist“ gekürt zu werden.
Als Stimmwunder für MultiplatinɞHits wie „I’m Outta Love“, „Paid My Dues“ und „Left Outside Alone“ verantwortlich, hat sie seither mehr als 30 Millionen Tonträger verkauftɍ Allein drei Millionen verkaufte Alben in Deutschland. In 19 Ländern eroberte Anastacia Platz #1 der Singlecharts und hat parallel dazu alle erdenklichen Awards abgeräumt.

Brand new album from GRAMMY-nominated, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Brent Cobb. The American south isn't just Brent Cobb's home. It's his muse, too. A Georgia native, he fills his Grammy-nominated songwriting with the sounds and stories of an area that's been home to southern rockers, soul singers, country legends, and bluesmen. Cobb has a name for that rich tapestry of music — "southern eclectic" — and he offers up his own version of it with his newest album, Southern Star. "Down here, there's a lot going on and there's nothing going on at the same time," he says. "You've got all these different cultures in the south, and everything is mixed in together. Otis Redding and Little Richard were from the same town in Georgia. So were the Allman Brothers. James Brown and Ray Charles grew up right down the road. All these sounds reflect the South itself, and that music has influenced the whole world. It's definitely influenced mine." Filled with country-soul songwriting, laid back grooves, and classic storytelling, Southern Star distills the best parts of southern culture into 10 of the strongest songs in Cobb's catalog.

Omnivium is the third studio album released by German death metal band Obscura, and the second album of Obscura's four album concept. The album was recorded at Woodshed Studio in southern Germany with engineer Victor Bullok (also known as V.Santura). It was released by Relapse Records on 29 March 2011. The album is based on Friedrich Schelling's Clara: or On Nature's Connection to the Spirit World (1810). Obscura released the track "Septuagint" to the public on 19 January 2011. The second song from Omnivium, "Vortex Omnivium", was released to the public on 24 February 2011. Omnivium debuted at #11 on the USA's Top Heatseekers chart, and at #14 on Germany's Media Control Newcomer chart. furthermore, within the first week the album sold 2,000 copies the US

40 years after The Doors' debut at Hollywood's legendary Whisky A Go Go, The Helsinki Vampires sold our their debut there and finished their first-ever US tour like the new kings of the Sunset Strip! Glam, Goth, Sleaze & Hollywood in 2006! The 69 Eyes is a "goth'n'roll" band from Helsinki, Finland. Founded in 1989, the band blends gothic rock, glam metal, and rock'n'roll together in their music. With thirteen revered albums, multiple tours around the world, and going platinum in their home country the band still maintains a strong tie to the graveyard shift of rock’n’roll.

40 years after The Doors' debut at Hollywood's legendary Whisky A Go Go, The Helsinki Vampires sold our their debut there and finished their first-ever US tour like the new kings of the Sunset Strip! Glam, Goth, Sleaze & Hollywood in 2006! The 69 Eyes is a "goth'n'roll" band from Helsinki, Finland. Founded in 1989, the band blends gothic rock, glam metal, and rock'n'roll together in their music. With thirteen revered albums, multiple tours around the world, and going platinum in their home country the band still maintains a strong tie to the graveyard shift of rock’n’roll.

Dub FX (aka Benjamin Stanford) is a highly acclaimed artist renowned for his captivating live shows and a unique sound that defies specific genres but fuses Hip-Hop, Dancehall, Reggae and more. He also has an impressive talent for crafting complex, multi-layered compositions using just his voice, a sampler and some guitar pedals, earning him a vast and dedicated fanbase worldwide. Albums such as 'Roots' and 'Thinking Clear' have added to his reputation as a boundary-pusher. While some artists opt for flashy videos to promote their releases, Dub FX remains true to his unique approach by creating a series of live clips for ‘Infinite Reflection’, his brand new album. These exceptional performances not only showcase the album tracks, but also highlight his exceptional skills, adding an extra layer of magic to the overall experience. 'Infinite Reflection' is set to be another milestone in his career, showcasing his growth as an artist and his unwavering commitment to using music as a force for change.

Engineered by Kurt Ballou at the band's longtime studio/practice spot God City, "No Heroes" shows the band exploring new sonic textures while still retaining the palpable energy they've become known for. While the album blazes out of the gate with the aptly titled "Heartache," songs like "Orphaned" and the intense "Plagues" prove that breakneck speed and heaviness aren't necessarily interrelated, and when Converge lower the tempo, they're able to effortlessly transcend traditional notions of heaviness. Devotees of "Jane Doe" will also be blown away by epic tracks like the nine-minute "Grim Heart/Black Rose," a doom masterpiece which features guest vocals from Only Living Witness' Jonah Jenkins. From Bannon's captivating artwork and introspective lyrics to Ballou's masterful production techniques, Converge's artistic vision has always separated the band from their peers, and "No Heroes" is no exception. Simply a great album.

The album marks the band's first since the departure of lead vocalist and founding member Woody Platt. The Rangers have added acclaimed singersongwriter Aaron Burdett as an official member of the band, bringing new ideas and harmonies to the sextet's ever-evolving sound. The album was recorded over a weeklong period at the Inn Bat Cave, a legendary spot that used to be Lynyrd Skynyrd's old hideout. On CD and first edition vinyl LP of Morning Shift is pressed on translucent orange vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies worldwide.

Committed to tradition, yet set on innovation, Super Duty Tough Work is a constantly evolving, art-rap ensemble with their intentions set on shaking up the industry and providing offerings that elevate joy, while standing in opposition to the homicidal capitalist ideals of the ruling class and their aspiring accomplices.

Rooted in the tradition of Black American resistance arts, Super Duty Tough Work is known for their scathing wit and thorough analysis, pushing their radical politic of revolution, party, and bullshit - both on record and on stage.

Inspired by the dirty jazz sample sound of 90s east coast hip hop, Super Duty Tough Work are the live incarnation of hip hop culture's quintessential era, appearing as a band but manifesting a sound that's more akin to something straight out of an MPC or SP-404 sampler.

Revered for their methodically curated sets, Super Duty Tough Work mixes laidback rap action and razor- sharp delivery with hypnotic loops and effortless transitions, keeping audiences on their feet and transfixed in anticipation for what's coming next.

Simply put: internationalism is the theme, liberation through hedonism is the dream, and satisfaction is guaranteed from the team whose specialty is taking audiences on a journey through a culture where loops are slayed and jewels are the tools of the trade.

Super Duty Tough Work. Paradigm Shift. Worldwide 9/8 via Next Door Records.

Billy Talent returns with Live at Festhalle Frankfurt, their first live album since 2007’s 666. The new album, produced by Juno Award nominee for Producer of the Year Ian D’sa and mixed by Juno Award winner Eric Ratz, sees the band perform 21 career spanning hits and was recorded this past November at the iconic German venue in front of a sold-out crowd. The 21-track set is slated for release digitally and on double disc CD on June 16, 2023 – with a vinyl pre order available now. The vinyl release is expected to ship to fans in late September. Following the release of Live at Festhalle Frankfurt, Billy Talent will drop several live videos from the show, culminating in a full-length concert film, directed by Dennis Dirksen that will premiere later this fall.

English: Melodies that stay in the ear, with at the same time merciless speed and brutality and always a clear political message – this is what the modern death metal band NECROTTED from Southern Germany stands for now more than 15 years! Founded back in 2008, the band from Abtsgmünd (Baden-Wuerttemberg) has since grown to become a notable force in the scene, constantly thrilling their growing fan base and the music press with both their musical releases and their energetic live shows. In the time of their existence, NECROTTED have already released four albums with ‘Anchors Apart’ (2012), ‘Utopia 2.0’ (2014), ‘Worldwide Warfare’ (2017) and ‘Operation: Mental Castration’ (2021) and two EPs with ‘Kingdom Of Hades’ (2010) and ‘Die For Something Worthwhile’ (2019). In addition, the quintet has played hundreds of live concerts over the years on smaller and bigger stages in various countries. Now, the new album ‘Imperium’ marks another milestone in the band’s history. The LP is once again designed as a concept album and consistently develops the elaborate storyline of its predecessor in a substantial as well as in a visual way. Also, NECROTTED continue to tread experimental parts in a musical way. Their proven recipe of melodic guitar riffs, thundering blast beats and oppressive slams is joined by more and more black metal elements. In the lyrics, which are basically written in English, there are also more and more text passages in the German native language, which are performed as usual in banefully deep growls and strident screams. ‘Imperium’ will be released in September 2023 via the label Reaper Entertainment Europe and will almost certainly leave a resounding echo in the field of contemporary, diversified death metal.

Lost in time yet always in season, here’s a blast of that old perennial, the punk rock, representative of the swiftly changing times around Bailey’s Crossroads, just outside Washington DC, in the early 80s. Skam recorded this stuff in 1982-1983, then broke up, leaving these songs to be released… maybe never? Or more preferably, now, to race into the bloodstream of jaded, faded today with all the vigour and rigour of Skam’s eternal youth.

Though they didn’t release any records during their three years of existence, it’d be wrong to call Skam ‘never-was’ - in addition to these recordings, there’s a trail of flyers for shows with Scream, No Trend, United Mutations and Media Disease, as well as the memories of the student alumni from Bishop O’Connell High, class of ‘83 or so.

The conglomeration of scenes around the greater DC area at that time produced a variety of bands, but the prevailing recollection of the era is of the incendiary hardcore punk and subsequent straight edge values of the Dischord bands. The band that became Skam was a world apart; they were posited for the first time by 8th graders Vince Forcier and Jack Anderson at a Jackson Browne concert, and their initial rehearsals in their parents’ basement were highlighted by covers of Beatles, Stones, Who and Led Zeppelin songs. Bad covers.

It wasn’t until they’d been playing a bit that they discovered The Ramones, and it was then that the die was cast and pedal pressed to the metal for another frantic couple of years.

The Skam recordings from 1982 have an undeniably Clash-like countenance that sets them definitively apart from the ‘First Four’ of Dischord - in some ways, prefiguring the pop-punk sound of Green Day at the dawn of the 1990s instead - but subsequent recordings found them quickly evolving - or devolving - into a personal mastery of savage riffs and tempos, as well as post-punk conceptions.

But even as they were verging into this new territory, their three years together had frayed their alliance and they soon broke up. Jack joined No Trend, Vince played in Racer X and then Second Wind. And life went on. However, the rediscovered Skam tapes make for an incredible addendum to the more well-known music of that incredible time and place