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In 1965 in the face of social unrest, legendary Memphis label Stax Records put on two pulsating shows at the 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles, featuring Rufus Thomas, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, William Bell, Carla Thomas, Wilson Picket and more. 60 years later the recordings, newly mastered by Joe Tarantino, with lacquers cut by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl, have been collected with a bonus set of performances recorded at Club Paradise, Memphis to form Stax Revue – Live In ’65!.

A heretical masterpiece with an overwhelming presence in the history of Japanese jazz. Jiro Inagaki was one of the central figures in the development of jazz rock in Japan. Inagaki, who had doubts about the existing jazz music, turned the helm to jazz-rock at once with this album recorded in 1970. From the opening track "The Vamp" to the closing "Head Rock," Inagaki poured all his ideas and passion into this jazz-rock album that leaves no time to exhale.

Since the late 1960s, jazz drummer Takeo Moriyama has been a dominant force in the free jazz scene, initially with the Yosuke Yamashita Trio, and more recently, collaborating with the KYOTO JAZZ SEXTET, earning respect from past to present. Recorded in 1980 with his quartet featuring Fumio Itabashi, this album is renowned for being the first to include the emotionally rich Japanese masterpiece "Watarase". Other highlights include the spirited "Exchange" and the beautifully poignant "Goodbye". Each track is a standout, offering a grand-scale performance where tranquility and movement organically intertwine, making it one of the top albums in the history of Japanese jazz.

Southern Thailand, Songkhla-based Baa Records takes you on a guided tour of the grooviest tracks to come out of the
Golden Sound studios! From their headquarters on Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road, GS were pioneers of Thai studiocraft and
electronization, bridging the gap between the nightclub disco showbands of the '70s and major-label pop idols of the '90s.
Collected here are 10 rare and glorious cuts introducing you to this highly influential yet little-remembered scene.
All of the music that emerged from the studio, though, shared an unmistakable signature production sheen: like the
producers of Japan's city pop scene, Golden Sound was influenced by Southern California's "West Coast sound", an
amalgam of smooth soul, jazzy R&B and tight disco sounds, with an emphasis on both high-calibre musicianship and
adventurous incorporation of electronic gadgetry.
This excellent selection of tunes from the folks at Baa Records highlights some of the most vibrant and danceable of the
label's output, with an intriguingly synthesized sonic palate.

For a decade now, BAD SUNS have thrived in the sweet spot between indie rock polish and modern alt-pop energy, crafting a sound that feels both urgent and timeless. Accelerator, their fifth studio album, doesn"t just refine that identity-it pushes it into new territory. Stratocasters shimmer through overdriven Vox amps, synths surge like late-night city lights, and the rhythm section pulses with a restless, undeniable energy. It"s a record that doesn"t just move; it commands attention. The band"s evolution has been constant. Since their early days cutting their teeth on tours with Halsey and The 1975, Bad Suns have spent the past two years stretching their reach across genre lines, proving their versatility at major festivals and iconic venues. Whether electrifying Red Rocks alongside All Time Low, opening for Angels & Airwaves, or winning over Finneas" pop-leaning crowd on their 2025 U.S. run, they"ve made a case for themselves as a band without borders. Helmed once again by longtime collaborator Eric Palmquist (MUTEMATH, Thrice) at Palmquist Studios, Accelerator feels like the band"s most conceptually realized work to date. Its 12 tracks unfold with cinematic ambition, balancing airtight hooks with an emotional resonance that shifts depending on how you approach them. It"s an album that doesn"t just sit in the background-it begs to be experienced.

Seattle punk rock 'n rollers The Drowns are proud to present their brand new live album Live At Rebellion, on Pirates Press Records. This is the band's first foray into recording a live performance, but it has been an idea on the table from very early on. While the band are rightfully acclaimed for their studio albums, the first thing anyone in the know talks about is their electrifying live shows. "Within the first year of starting the band, we saw the reactions we were getting from people live, and we had the idea to record a live album," says guitarist and singer Rev. "Almost a decade later now, we felt like the time was right." While a live album recorded during the first year may have captured the raw power of a hungry band kicking off their momentum, Live at Rebellion is the sound of a seasoned band playing in front of a veritable army of international fans on their largest festival stage at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, UK - fans that they have earned one by one, sweating it out with relentless transcontinental touring. "Rebellion has always been a highlight of our year, and we love the performances there because the energy from the crowd is raw and visceral," explains Rev. "That's why we made the choice to do it there in Blackpool." While far from a "Greatest Hits Live" preserved in amber, the setlist features selections from every era of the band's career and was determined by the band's knowledge of what songs get their audiences fired up - all killer, no filler, as the saying goes! The gritty attack of "Them Rats" exemplifies the band's streetpunk influences and lyrical calls to unite against abusive authoritarian power. Meanwhile, the vital ass-shaking boogie of "Live Like Yer Dyin'" was a direct result of the band fully embracing their collective appreciation of the energetic joys of both 70s glam and original 50s rock 'n roll! Their choice of cover song - "Ballroom Blitz," - truly hits the Sweet spot, if you'll pardon the pun, as one of the foremost glam-proto-punk-bovver rock masterpieces. It is executed here in masterful hands by The Drowns. The band acknowledges Daz Russell & Daryl Smith, the organizers at Rebellion, for backing the making of the record. David Casey (Success, One Step Beyond) helmed the boards to capture the recording, mixing and engineering was done by Evan Douglas Foster (The Sonics, Boss Martians), and the final master was produced by Seattle legend Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden), who also recently oversaw the re-master of The Drowns' debut album View From the Bottom. "This album was a cumulative effort between people who still believe in rock 'n' roll," sums up Rev. "We couldn't be more proud."

‘Platinum Rare 2’ contains extremely rare recordings by the four original SWEET members. The legendary glam/hard rock band continues to thrill fans all over the world to this day. Over the years, SWEET have sold more than 55 million records and reached 34 number 1 chart positions. The songs on ‘Platinum Rare 2’ come from the private archive of SWEET guitarist Andy Scott and were personally selected by him. Fans of the band will be thrilled with this collection of rare and alternative takes and mixes. Many of the songs on the album have never before seen the light of day on a regular SWEET release. ‘Platinum Rare 2’ is an absolute enrichment for every true fan of SWEET.

s its title suggested, Groove Armada’s third studio album, issued in September 2001, was a more upbeat statement than its predecessor, Vertigo, and spawned two singles - the certified banger ‘Superstylin’’ and the slyly funky ‘My Friend’ - alongside a series of accomplished grooves featuring guests of the calibre of Richie Havens, Nile Rodgers and rapper Jeru the Damaja.

Now approaching platinum status in the UK, this is a seamless journey through the many moods of clubland, encompassing house, hip-hop, left-field and disco-funk

‘Best tunes for your answering machine’ is the debut album of oblique, introspective electronic music by the mysterious solo artist Tekamolo.

Fusing melancholic synth pop and absurdist trip hop, ‘best tunes for your answering machine’ is a special assemblage of pitch-modified vocals, retrofuturist samples and freeform electronics that coalesces into music both outlandish and bittersweet, playful and profound.

Produced by a renowned artist, opting to conceal their identity under the guise of a new pseudonym, Tekamolo presents a series of curious, incognito confessionals with ‘best tunes for your answering machine’. An album led by a voice like a sentient, heavy-hearted android, the nine tracks collected here contend with themes of inertia, solitude and longing, revealing an inspired, affecting stream of messages from an unknown caller.

Without preconceptions tied to provenance, this is music liberated from the burdens of biographical detail. Music that eschews ego and the cult of the self. An album that can be heard purely for the strange, poignant sounds unfurled throughout.

For Tekamolo, the album signifies an attempt to navigate aesthetic reductionism, as well as an absolute sense of seclusion:

“An audio diary of a lonely soul. Broken, wounded mantra-songs. Memories of things that never happened. Dreams that never had the chance to be dreamed. Disassembled songs. As if testing the limits of emptiness — how much void can a song endure while still remaining a song? How much can be stripped away, how bare can it be, and still, the groove lingers, the melody pierces the memory, sinking into the listener's mind.

These are the skeletons of songs, an attempt to assemble music from the bare minimum — words, sounds, fragments of memory.

The songs are filled with desperate calm. They are not sung to the world, nor to anyone tangible, but solely to oneself and to the unseen. In a way, they could be considered songs of the end of the world: you wake up, and there is not a single person left in the world. At least, no one you can see. You wander through empty streets and deserted shopping malls, humming softly to yourself, hoping that someone — anyone — might hear you.”

‘best tunes for your answering machine’ is a sui generis conception of warped 21st century blues from an enigmatic figure, a work filled with surreal, indelible songs of modern isolation. Lost contemporary hymns, now recovered. Voicemails worth hearing.

Bob and Marcia were a Jamaican vocal duo, that consisted of Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths.

Griffiths & Andy achieved international fame with their rendition of Nina Simone’s “Young, Gifted and Black.” The song resonated deeply with audiences in the UK, selling over half a million copies and earning Bob & Marcia a place on Top of the Pops.

It reached the number #5 spot in the UK charts.

This album is packed with classic tracks & cover versions - gems like “It ain’t me babe” , “Keep the customers satisfied” & “Put a little Love in your heart”.

Their popularity soared, and the duo continued with hits like “Pied Piper,” bringing reggae to European audiences during a time when the genre was still emerging on the global stage. Their success was not just commercial but symbolic,
as they inspired pride and cultural appreciation among Jamaican communities worldwide.

Young, Gifted And Black is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on orange coloured vinyl.

Released in 1970, Earwax marked the debut album of Dutch Free Jazz ensemble Association P.C., recorded in Wageningen, The Netherlands, and produced by Dtuch Jazz pioneer Wim Wigt. The album fuses Free Jazz with Jazz-rock, showcasing an adventurous sound led by drummer Pierre Courbois. The line-up includes guitarist Toto Blanke, bassists Siggi Busch and Peter Krijnen, and Jasper van ‘t Hof on electric piano. Members Courbois, Blanke and van ‘t Hof are considered as the early inspirators of the Jazz-rock and German Krautrock sound. Now, 55 years later, Earwax by Association P.C., finally sees its first-ever reissue since its original release. This long-awaited edition consists of six tracks and is presented
in a gatefold sleeve, featuring details about the musicians involved.

Released in 1997, Uptown Saturday Night is the acclaimed debut album by Bronx hip-hop duo Camp Lo. Known for its smooth blend of jazz- influenced production and 1970s-inspired flair, the album stands as a standout in East Coast hip- hop. Produced primarily by Ski Beatz, the album features lush, nostalgic beats that complement Camp Lo’s unique slang, stylish delivery, and cinematic storytelling.

The lead single, “Luchini AKA This Is It”, became a cult classic, praised for its infectious groove
and sophisticated wordplay. Other highlights like “Coolie High” and “Black Nostaljack AKA Come On” showcase the duo’s charismatic chemistry and retro vibe.

Uptown Saturday Night received critical acclaim for its originality and timeless aesthetic,
cementing Camp Lo’s place in hip-hop history. Its fusion of golden-era rap and soulful funk makes it a must-listen for fans of classic 90s hip-hop and genre-defying creativity.

Uptown Saturday Night is available as a limited edition of 2000 individually numbered copies on translucent blue coloured vinyl.

Black Swan is a 2010 American psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder. The plot revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet
by a prestigious New York City company. Usually described as a psychological thriller, Black Swan can also be interpreted as a metaphor
for achieving artistic perfection, with all the psychological and physical challenges one might encounter.

The original score for the film was composed by Clint Mansell, an English musician, composer, and former lead singer of the band Pop Will Eat
Itself. Mansell was introduced to film scoring when director Darren Aronofsky hired him to score his debut film, Pi. Ever since Mansell wrote the score for many of Aronofsky’s films. Notable additional film scores include The Fountain, Moon, Smokin’ Aces, Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, Doom, and High-Rise.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & The Upsetters’ classic Return of Django. Lee Perry had already been making name in the Jamaican music scene for about a decade before Return of Django hit the UK charts in 1969. It was released after Trojan released
a hugely popular collection of Perry’s biggest instrumentals. This album is a must for everyone that enjoys that good old vintage reggae sounds.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a pioneer of dub music and worked together with artists such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash and The Beastie Boys.

Return of Django is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on white coloured vinyl.

Released in 1993, The Love of Hopeless Causes is the sixth studio album by British post-punk and alternative rock band New Model Army. The album delivers powerful, politically charged lyrics and intense instrumentation. Key tracks like "Here Comes the War," "Living in the Rose," and "Fate" showcase the band's signature blend of raw energy, thought-provoking storytelling, and anthemic melodies. The album’s themes explore social unrest, personal struggles, and resistance, reflecting New Model Army’s unwavering commitment to their message. Produced by Niko Bolas, The Love of Hopeless Causes was the band's only release under Epic Records. With its mix of fiery rock anthems and atmospheric ballads, the album remains a standout in New Model Army’s discography, appealing to both longtime fans and newcomers to their music. The Love of Hopeless Causes is available on black vinyl.

Hatebreed vocalist Jamey Jasta described Supremacy as an “all-out onslaught of completely adrenaline-charged, in-your-face brutality,” and who are we to argue (in fact, we’d be afraid to)?! Hatebreed came up through the Connecticut hardcore scene (they actually kind of invented it), and recorded acclaimed albums for the Victory and Universal labels before moving to Roadrunner for this 2006 record, which featured the debut of guitarist Frank “3 Gun” Novinec. Supremacy’s sonic assault took it to #31 on the charts, but there’s more to it than just piledriving riffs; Jasta’s personal statement (reproduced on the insert) is remarkable for its honesty and its quasi-Nietzschean philosophy, and the lyrics (e.g. “Mind over All;” “Supremacy of Self”) follow suit. Remastered for its U.S. vinyl debut by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision, pressed in ruby red wax!

Motown’s L.A.-based Mowest label lasted less than two years, but managed in that short time to release some of the most adventurous music the company ever put out. And probably the most intrepid—and nowadays, adored—Mowest release of them all was the 1992 self-titled release from Odyssey. This one-off brought elite West Coast sessionmen like Wrecking Crew mainstay Don Peake, one-time Chicago member Donnie Dacus, and arranger/orchestrator extraordinaire Gene Page together with a bunch of West Coast hippie rockers (as Peake says, “We were invited to lunch, introduced to some nice people and told we were going to form a band”).

The happy result was a record that has appeared on more deejay turntables than you can count, a one-of-a-kind blend of funky Motown bottom with a spacy sensibility and sound that fits right in next to, say, the latest Khruangbin album on your psychedelic chill playlist even as it activates your 5th Dimension sunshine pop endorphins. The single “Our Lives Are Shaped by What We Love” is probably the pick to click, but the whole album is a total vibe. We’re reissuing Odyssey for the first time ever in the U.S. (the Japanese have long been all over this album) in blue-green “ocean spray” vinyl, complete with original album art including the lyric insert. Remastered for the format by Mike Milchner at Sonic Vision, and pressed at Gotta Groove Records for superior sound. A must!

20th anniversary edition (180g) with new master. Candlemass is a Swedish doom metal band formed in Upplands Väsby, a suburb of Stockholm, in 1984 by bassist, songwriter, and bandleader Leif Edling, alongside drummer Matz Ekström. The band has had a defining influence on doom metal, with the epic doom genre itself taking its name from their debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. Along with Pentagram, Saint Vitus, and Trouble, Candlemass has been recognized as one of the "big four of doom metal". In November 2004, the band announced their second reunion. They recorded a new album, simply titled Candlemass, and it was released in May 2005. The album earned them a Swedish Grammy that year.

CANDLEMASS - a name forged in darkness; a legacy built on doom. Born from the cold shadows of Stockholm in 1985, this Swedish titan of epic doom metal has stood as a monolithic force for nearly four decades. In 2025, CANDLEMASS marks 40 years of sorrow-laden grandeur, a testament to their unwavering reign over the genre they helped shape. Their journey began with the seismic release of “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” (1986), a requiem that redefined heavy music, followed by the monumental “Nightfall” - both now sacred texts in the annals of doom. These albums remain cornerstones of a genre that thrives in the echoes of CANDLEMASS somber majesty. Despite doom’s reputation for slow, crushing weight, CANDLEMASS themselves show no signs of slowing down. Relentless and untamed, they continue to storm stages worldwide, bringing their towering hymns to devoted Candlemaniacs from Tokyo to Los Angeles. With Grammy win in Sweden and a U.S. Grammy nomination in 2019, the band’s fire still burns with undiminished intensity. Originally released in 2009, “Death Magic Doom” is the tenth studio album from CANDLEMASS.

I had known of Ontology for a few years now, for her releases on Meditator Music & some of the sublabels of Amenology, but I got to know her a bit better last year, when she helped me & Dwarde get a booking in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is based & we got to meet her, work on some music with her and also see her DJ.

Since then, she's been sending me some wicked tunes of hers that she's been making and "This Music Belongs To All Of Us" was a track she sent me, which I absolutely could not refuse. I had to have it for release on Future Retro London and that led to FR038, which also has remixes from DJ Sofa, me & a VIP mix that Ontology had made shortly after finishing the original.

Big up to Ontology for the wicked beats, for DJ Sofa for her quality work on the remix & a special shout to all the people me & Dwarde hung out with in Nashville (Nicholas Latiff, Sterbo, Digimon, Lapilli & everyone else I've forgotten to mention!)

2025 Repress, New Colour variant, Apricot colour vinyl. Led by vocalist Amy Boone (The Damnations, TX), Cory Gray on keyboards, & horns, Tucker Jackson (The Minus 5) on pedal steel, as well as former Richmond Fontaine members: Sean Oldham, Freddie Trujillo, and Willy Vlautin. Vlautin, the acclaimed novelist and songwriter for Richmond Fontaine, has penned all ten tracks. Recorded in Portland, Oregon and produced by John Morgan Askew, The Imperial shows us again why songwriter, Willy Vlautin became so enamored with Amy Boone"s voice. The combination of Vlautin"s songs and Boone"s voice creates a late night country soul world full of hopefulness and heartbreak.

2025 repress in a new colour variant (Pearl White colour vinyl) with printed innersleeve. The third album proper for "Country-got-Soul"s finest, The Delines, on Decor Records sees them exploring the US Gulf Coast, not far from where Amy Boone grew up. The songs in this cinematic opus all focus around this area and are inspired by when Amy asked Willy Vlautin to write her a song like Tony Joe White"s "Rainy Night In Georgia" after her tragic accident being hit by a car in 2016 and her 3 year recovery. This follows on from 2019"s The Imperial which was number one in the UK official AMA charts for two weeks. Written and partially recorded before lock down the rest of the album was finished last Summer, produced by John Morgan Askew at his Bocce studios just outside of Portland, Oregon.

Musikalisch schon immer auf der Schnittstelle zwischen Rap, Gitarrensounds und sogar Country unterwegs,
legt mgk (Machine Gun Kelly) diesen Sommer sein wohl bisher wichtigstes und persönlichstes Projekt vor
– „lost americana“ erscheint am 08.08.25.
„lost americana“ ist mgk’s kompromisslose Neuerfindung und der Beginn einer Ära, bei der es um klassisches Storytelling, Identität und Selbstentfaltung geht.
Angeführt von der ironischen und doch retrospektiven Leadsingle „cliché“ verwischt das mittlerweile siebte
Album die Grenze zwischen Satire und Authentizität und vereint Humor, Nostalgie und Kulturkritik auf
mgks’s einzigartige Weise.
„lost americana“ nimmt Hörer*innen mit auf eine emotionale und ehrliche Reise durch staubige Diners,
dem simplen Leben von früher und der eigenen Selbstreflexion.
Seit seinem ersten Album „Lace Up“ (2012) ist mgk (damals noch unter den Namen Machine Gun Kelly
bekannt) zu einem der einflussreichsten US-Musikern avanciert.
Singles wie „Bloody Valentine“ und „My Ex’s Best Friend” wurden zu weltweiten Hits, die beiden letzten
Alben „Tickets To My Downfall“ und „Mainstream Sellout“ zu Nr. 1 Charterfolgen, „Tickets To My
Downfall“ wurde zudem in der Kategorie „Best Rock Album“ bei den Grammys nominiert.
lost americana“ erscheint am 08.08.25. als CD und auf Vinyl

Eins steht fest, Slime bleiben unberechenbar und erfi nden sich in regelmäßigen Abständen neu. Die mittlerweile nicht mehr ganz neue Besetzung ist erfolgreicher als jemals zuvor. Viele neue Fans wurden dazu gewonnen und viele alte Fans, die der Band im Laufe der Jahre den Rücken gekehrt hatten, sind seit dem letzten Album wieder zurückgekehrt

Jodo was a short-lived but powerful British hard-rock band from the early 70s with connections to Deep Purple, Green Bullfrog, Jasper, Killing Floor...
Featuring the ace guitar playing of Rod Alexander plus two lead singers - one white (Bill Kimber) - one black (Earl Jordan) - their music blended heavy-rock, blues and proto-metal.
In 1971 they released their sole self-titled album, produced in London by Derek Lawrence (Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash...) and engineered by Martin Birch (Black Sabbath, B.O.C...).
For some strange reason, the album never saw a UK release, being available only in the US and New Zealand and housed in a cryptic packaging — the cover shows a man with a bicycle, without band photos or band details.
*First band-sanctioned reissue / *24-bit domain remaster
*Insert with liner notes by Austin Matthews (Shindig!) and rare photos / *Download Card
RIYL: DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, CREAM, LED ZEPPELIN, ORANG-UTAN... “A genuine lost classic” - Giles Hamilton (Galactic Ramble)

"Impala", das sagenumwobene zweite, ursprünglich 1998 erschienene und längst vergriffene Songs:Ohia Album wird im August von Secret Canadian auf Vinyl neu aufgelegt. Diese Veröffentlichung enthält ein neu gemastertes Demo von "Tess", ursprünglich während der Aufnahmesessions für "Impala" aufgenommen. ,Lorain, Ohio; es ist ein schwieriger Ort zum Aufwachsen. Entweder man entkommt oder nicht. Angesichts der Industrie, die es dort gibt (oder gab) - das Stahlwerk, das Ford-Werk und die Werft - ist die Mischung der Menschen wie keine andere. Eines ist jedoch sicher, es ist eine Arbeiterstadt durch und durch. Was hat das mit einer neuen Veröffentlichung von Songs: Ohia zu tun? Nun, Jason - der Hauptverantwortliche für Songs, wuchs wie ich in diesem gottverlassenen Loch einer Stadt auf und so sehr man die Stadt auch verlassen kann, sie verlässt dich nie. "Impala" ist ein weiterer Beweis für das Songwriting-Talent von Jason Molina. Die hier enthaltenen Tracks bieten einen Einblick in die die Seele eines Mannes, der versucht die Dämonen des Lebens und des Verlusts auszutreiben. Das ist nichts, was man vortäuschen kann. Das kommt davon, wenn man mit dem Wissen aufwächst, dass die Fabriken, in denen deine Eltern gearbeitet haben, keine Option für dich sind und dass deine einzige wirkliche Option ist, zu versuchen, auszusteigen (leichter gesagt als getan). Die auf Jason und Geof Comings reduzierten Tracks auf "Impala" sind die spärlichsten und strukturiertesten Stücke, die die Band bisher veröffentlicht hat. Eine der ehrlichsten und stärksten Veröffentlichungen von Songs:Ohia.

20th anniversary reissue of the 2005 classic! Limited edition zoetrope picture disc!

The Suicide Machines’ classic 6th studio album! The Detroit four piece cranks it up a few notches with “War Profiteering is Killing Us All.” These are some of the heaviest, loudest and politically charged songs the band has ever done. Produced by Mr. Bill Stevenson (Black Flag, ALL, Descendents), the 2025 remaster is by Nicholas Townsend. Brace yourself!!!

20th Anniversary edition back in print on black vinyl! Full album remaster from the original analog tapes by Nick Townsend. Includes previously unreleased track "Smile" originally by Japanese ska-punk legends Potshot and housed in a silver foil-stamped jacket.

Auf »Necessary Fictions« zeigt das Trio GoGo Penguin, das seit seiner Gründung Jazz, klassische Musik und elektronische Einflüsse miteinander verbindet, was es aktuell als seine »wesentlichen, authentischen Qualitäten empfindet«. Das führt zu einem verstärkten Einsatz modularer Synthesizer in seinem Sound.

GoGo Penguin, zu denen seit der Pandemie der Schlagzeuger Jon Scott gehört, luden erstmals einige Gastmusiker für ihr neues Albumprojekt dazu: das achtköpfige Streicherensemble Manchester Collective unter der Leitung der künstlerischen Direktorin und Geigerin Rakhi Singh sowie den Singer-Songwriter Daudi Matsiko.
»Necessary Fictions« wurde so ein Album voller ambitionierter neuer Entwicklungen – von einer Band, die vollkommen im Reinen mit sich selbst ist: selbstbewusst genug, um sich auf Zusammenarbeit einzulassen, gespannt darauf, wohin die Reise als Nächstes geht, und voller Lust, dabei auch Spaß zu haben. »Mir ist sehr bewusst aufgefallen, wie oft ich im Studio beim Aufnehmen gelächelt habe“, sagt Illingworth, „und ich lächle jetzt gerade, wenn ich nur daran denke. Ich hoffe, diese Energie überträgt sich auf die Menschen.«

Für »Necessary Fictions« konnten sie ihr eigenes Studio in Manchester in einen stimmungsvollen Treffpunkt verwandeln – einen angenehmen Ort, an dem man gerne Zeit verbringt, mit Kunstwerken, Fotografien und anderen Bildern an den Wänden, die als Anregung und Inspiration dienten. Illingworth und Blacka waren dort so gut wie jeden Tag über zwölf Monate hinweg im Jahr 2024; dann kam Scott, der in London lebt, nach Manchester, um mit den beiden festen Größen von GGP zu arbeiten, sobald sie bereit für seinen rhythmischen Input waren. Der Titel des Albums stammt aus dem Buch »The Middle Passage - From Misery to Meaning in Midlife« des Psychoanalytikers James Hollis, das, wie Nick sagt, »sehr jungsche Sachen über das Schatten-Ich und verborgene Persona präsentiert. Man fängt an zu denken, ‚Moment mal, da ist ein authentisches Ich, tief drinnen irgendwo!«. »Musikalisch«, ergänzt er, »war es der gleiche Prozess, die gleiche Reise, einige der Dinge abzulegen, an die wir uns gewöhnt hatten und die uns zurückhielten.«

Der gesamte Veränderungsprozess ihrer musikalischen Entwicklung wird von einem Track auf »Necessary Fictions« zusammengefasst, der bezeichnenderweise den Titel »What We Are And What We Are Meant To Be« trägt. »Es ist wirklich einfach, wirklich melodisch«, erklärt Nick. »Es ist kein Showoff, wie ‚Hey, schaut mal, was für Skills wir haben und wie großartig wir sind!‘ Es gibt nicht einmal Improvisation darin. Bassmäßig hat es einfach einen Bass-Synthesizer wie ein Dance-Track. Ein Teil von mir denkt immer noch: ‚Was werden die Leute denken?‘ Dann gibt es einen anderen Teil, der einfach denkt: ‚Was soll‘s, die können denken, was sie wollen! Das ist das, was wir gerade machen wollen, und es fühlt sich authentisch an.‘«

Für Chris Illingworth hingegen bestand ihre Reise darin, weiter in eine Welt vorzudringen, die ihn immer schon angezogen hat, nämlich Synthesizer. »Ich bin früher oft live zu Leuten gegangen, die auftraten, wie Underworld, The Prodigy, Orbital, sogar Nine Inch Nails, und ich habe all ihr Equipment auf der Bühne gesehen, und ein Teil von mir dachte: ‚Verdammt, das sieht nach Spaß aus!‘« Illingworth und Blacka blieben jedoch weiterhin äußerst vorsichtig, was das willkürliche Einfügen von schrillen Sounds betrifft. »Wir wollten nicht, dass es wie ein Gimmick wirkt«, erklärt Chris. »Es musste einen Grund geben – und für uns war das der Wunsch, an bestimmten Stellen den Charakter der Musik zu verändern.«

GoGo Penguin hatte schon immer einen erzählerischen, filmischen Ansatz in ihrer Musik – weit entfernt von simplen Strophe-Refrain-Strukturen, inspiriert von Debussys »Préludes« bis hin zu Underworlds »Pearl’s Girl«. Auf »Necessary Fictions« nimmt diese Klang-Erzählkunst nun deutlich größere Dimensionen an – mit spürbar mehr Raffinesse.
GoGo Penguin graben nun selbstbewusst tief in sich hinein, um ihr bestes Selbst hervorzubringen und andere Talente in ihre harmonische Klangwelt einzubeziehen. Mit »Necessary Fictions« bewegen sich die Drei auf neuen Pfaden – und ja, es ist völlig in Ordnung, dabei zu lächeln.

The Verve Remixed volume debuted in 2002, its concept – inviting top DJs and producers to select songs from the label’s storied vaults – was an instant success, introducing classic jazz recordings to a new generation of listeners and kickstarting a global trend of jazz-electronic fusion.

Now back on vinyl for the first time in 20 years, with the series’ inaugural project VerveRemixed we hear what happens when Master’s at Work meet Nina Simone, and Dzihan & Kamien take on Billie Holiday. Experience the interpretations of renowned remixers with this refreshed physical format.

The UK's renowned jazz-funk outfit Speedometer spawns a new single here that takes the form of a bunch of classy covers, all taken from their recent third album Four Flights Up. The A-side offers a refined version of 'Am I Your Woman?', plus a take on the Chi-Lites' classic 'Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)' with Ria Currie's standout vocals lodging deep in your soul. This one was inspired by a night spent dancing at a club in Osaka during their 2005 Japan tour and arms with a smooth groove. On the B-side, they do a fine job of 'Nam M'Yoho Ren'Ge Kyo,' originally by the Night Blooming Jazzmen, by delivering a tight, funky groove with exceptional horn and drum arrangements.

The Black Keys - 13. Studioalbum mit der Hitsingle „The Night Before“ sowie „No Rain, No Flowers“ und „Babygirl“. In Zusammenarbeit mit ikonischen Songwritern wie Rick Nowels, Daniel Tashian und dem legendären Keyboarder Scott Storch hat die GRAMMY-gekrönte Band aus Ohio ihr bisher ehrgeizigstes und abenteuerlichstes Album geschaffen, das die weitreichenden, eklektischen musikalischen Einflüsse des Duos miteinander verflechtet.

Hamburg-born composer, pianist and producer Niklas Paschburg announces his latest project, 'Mexican Alps' EP due for release on July 11th. 'La Hormiga' is a rhythmic exploration of life in motion. Pulsing beats and textured synths create forward momentum, echoing the journey through the winding paths of Oaxaca's mountainous surroundings, where tradition and nature intertwine. 'Mexican Alps' combines inspirations gathered from the picturesque mountains of southern Mexico and the majestic peaks of the Swiss Alps. The EP is a mesmerizing journey through those landscapes; drawing inspiration from nature's grandeur and the vibrancy of Día de los Muertos, Niklas blends electronic textures, atmospheric samples, and innovative instrumentation to create a soundscape that is both grounding and transcendent. Without relying on his signature piano, this EP explores new creative territories, evoking deep emotional resonance and moments of introspection. -- If his first album, 'Oceanic '(2018), was conceived as an ode to the Baltic Sea, for his next release, 'Svalbard' (2020), produced with Andy Barlow of Lamb, the Hamburg-born musician, now a Berliner by adoption, sought refuge on an island in the Arctic Ocean, surrounded by snow, ice, darkness and breathtaking landscapes. This time, however, the setting is completely different. "It all started with an invitation to play at a festival in Oaxaca," Niklas says. "Since I had never been to Latin America, I began considering how to take advantage of the opportunity to stay for a while and write something there. I started looking for houses, but I quickly realized it was almost impossible to find one with a piano—it's not a common instrument in Mexican culture. I thought, why not try immersing myself in a writing process that doesn't involve one? I was so excited about the idea that I jumped in." 'Mexican Alps' is the result of a challenge in which Paschburg harnessed his collection of synths and effects to create an ambient-electronic record. On the one hand, an evolution of the work primarily carried out in 'Svalbard' and 'Panta Rhei'; on the other hand, an episode in its own right, distinct from its predecessors due to the absence of the piano and the greater role played by improvisation, by coincidence, it became his first work created without his signature instrument. "Not having the opportunity to write chords, harmonies, and everything else on the piano, I improvised more, focusing on the sound. This was the approach I used to record demos in Mexico, which I then brought with me to Switzerland, where I carried on working on the EP. In addition to my usual setup (the OB-6 by Dave Smith and Tom Oberheim and the OP-1 by Teenage Engineering, plus my ever-beloved Hohner accordion, inherited from my grandfather), I was also guided by the purchase of a new Moog Matriarch with a unique delay. All this helped me build the sound I had in mind: a spacious, abstract, 3D sound that is definitely immersive." He expands. It is an emotional landscape that translates into music. In some of the tracks, Paschburg has also included field recordings collected during the Día de los Muertos, a deeply felt Mexican holiday: "A great celebration, a colorful parade of skeletons, skulls, flowers, and decorated altars, so engaging and intoxicating that I felt compelled to use its sounds in my music." It was precisely from this blend of influences that the fourth track, "Oaxaca de Juárez", emerged—a single characterized by a catchy funk procession and enhanced by the guitar work of Tal Arditi, a rising European jazz artist and singer-songwriter based between Basel and Berlin. 'Mexican Alps' is his new calling card, featuring an enveloping sound crafted by Paschburg in collaboration with Gijs van Klooster, who mixed the EP in a studio specifically designed for Atmos music. Mastering was handled by Bo Kondren at Calyx Studio in Berlin.

Visionary producer and one half of pioneering electronic duo The Chemical Brothers, Tom Rowlands returns to Phantasy with ‘We Are Nothing / All Night’, the first solo dancefloor material since his last appearance on Erol Alkan’s storied London label in 2013 with ‘Through Me / Nothing But Pleasure’.

Once again, Rowlands delivers a double A-side single in order to commit two progressive new productions to wax. Heavily road-tested across the world in Chemical Brothers DJ sets, the sprawling arrangement of ‘We Are Nothing’ trips through a decades-long obsession and subversion of house music and psychedelia alike. Imaginatively sampling Canadian outsider artist Bill Bissett, Rowlands uses the poet’s existential phrasing as the foundation for a rising slalom of acid catharsis, peppered with snatches of soul, analogue freakouts, and all-encompassing groove.

‘All Night’, meanwhile, finds a different, perhaps unexpected rhythm. Here, Rowlands’ unmatched studio instincts deviate in a different direction entirely, employing a searing tempo to embrace the analogue experimentation at the heart of his work, as well as an appreciation for electronic music’s willingness to barrel ever-forward; the result is a worthy head spinner from both label and artist alike.

Tom Rowlands will play a rare solo DJ set at Glastonbury's Stonebridge Bar on Friday 27th June, as part of Bugged Out's 30th Anniversary celebrations.

Jazz Room Head Honcho Paul Murphy kept hearing all these fab versions of some of his favourite tunes.

He couldn't release them all, a year is just not long enough so it was time to put together the first Jazz Room Records Compilation, entitled JAZZ ROOM PRESENTS: COVERS. Snappy & to the point.

Some exclusives and first time Vinyl releases on this Double Vinyl album, ranging from the Psychedelic Jazz Fusion of Helsinki Collective "Saimaa" with their epic LIVE version of the Deodato Classic "Super Strut" to the Japanese Shibuya Jazz Artistry of Quasimode with a Jazzy take on the Galaxy2Galaxy 90's Techno Floor Filler. Jazz meets Dub in the "Slowly" produced "Riot In Lagos" and some finger snapping Cool New York Vibes on Giacomo Gates Hip To The Trip version of Gil Scott-Heron's "Is That Jazz".

There's even a Gospel meets Soul Jazz tribute to Simon and Garfunkel. Oh yeah. Did we say there's a Chip Wickham exclusive too?

Louie Vega says: "This is an Awesome Compilation!"




d 04: Jazzbois - Nutville (Live At Ninety One Living Room) feat. Dom Beats

It’s very difficult to describe someone as prolific as Misha Panfilov. So, I feel the best way to define him is to think of a “Trivial Pursuit Playing Piece,” where each pie piece represents one of the bands he heads up, and each band has its own distinct style and genre. Yet, when looked at all together, create the whole musical persona of Misha. This is the lens I would like to view his latest endeavor, Days As Echoes.

The vibe on this sophomore release channels Krautrock philosophy and Library music, peppered with elements of jazz, Ethiopian, cinema, ambient and bits of everything between. This atmosphere is created from all the instruments Misha uses and the resulting compositions are heard as repetitive patterns that are forged from the multiple layering of melodies. Thus, creating six unique songs with emotional granularity, yet collectively encompass a genuinely positive “feel good” vibe…with a hint of nostalgia.

Moods of the day, moods like echoes say, A future of hope is yours, by following the Sun’s ray.

The opening track, “Days As Echoes,” is a dedication to a much simpler time when the sky was bluer and the snow was whiter…just like how you remember it when you were a child. A time when people honestly cared more about everything as a given, and not as a selfish accolade. A time when optimism seemed within reach. In other words, nostalgia marred by awareness.

…Leading to a path where the skies are not gray. Where dreams of castles in the air are the mainstay.

“In A Dream” has a style that pays homage to both spiritual jazz and ambient music. A simple theme is introduced and leads to the climax of this stormy dream, putting it all in perspective. That pivotal point when one realizes the truth by re-tracing the events, which led to the epiphany of how to find the answer while traveling within this airy soundscape.

…Diurnal or nocturnal, day or night, Traveling the path of truth must be done without fright.

One can’t help but feel a definite traveling vibe that comes from “Moonscape Waltz” To me, it has a dual-characteristic that can be visualized as a train trip, either at sunrise or sunset. Regardless, the time is not of major relevance, but the actual pursuit is. Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with that first step.” This track takes you beyond that initial step into this vast world toward your destination as you search for the truth.

…The unknown is real, but you know the deal. People need people to show which direction you point the wheel.

“Together” is the most peaceful and solo oriented compositions of this album. It shows how one cannot achieve happiness alone, but the importance of having someone special or a group of others to help along the way. Not only to help seek your goal, but also the ability to enjoy the scenery while on your journey

…The end of this tunnel has a light that’s so bright. Illuminating the trodden way, your destination, now in sight.

One is free from the chains of the unknown as you listen to a “Few Layers For Smith”, a dedication to a friend. A song that draws energy from the ECM works of Steve Reich, thats married with a primitive lo-fi basement setting. Its positive force breaks those encumbrances and gives you a glimpse of your prize. But you ruminate on this and come to the conclusion that the path that led you there is equally important as the goal itself. Question is, how do you share your realizations and experiences?

…The route was cast, the trials have passed. The glittering treasure you sought is yours now, at last.

“Ocean Song” meanders from the ritual rhythms of its shoreline to the crashing riptides of unbridled guitar feedback, creating this raging ocean atmosphere. However, its message is quite clear and states that people’s goals and experiences are not just meant for personal growth, but to be shared with
others, so that they too can live vicariously thru your story and somehow utilize it for their own.

…The prize has been won, but the journey is never done. You now have the responsibility to share everything under the Sun.

These six songs, each with its own sound, collectively comprise the vibe of this album. One cannot help but feel a sense of joy and fulfillment when listening to it. Each song has its own unique mood, yet together create an atmosphere of hope and happiness that has no choice but to spill out of the listener. I feel this was the ultimate goal of Misha’s on this record. Quite a challenge for the man who never sleeps, but is always searching for the perfect beat. One may not fully grasp his musical mind, but this album does give you a gateway into the moods and magic of Misha!

- Brent Sawicki

Ken Muramatsu's debut album, released in 1983 when he was only 21 years old at the time.

From mellow songs to groove-heavy songs that would later be called British JAZZ FUNK, Ken Muramatsu's piano plays melodies against the backdrop of perfect arrangements.

This is a rare J-FUSION masterpiece, which is also highly acclaimed because the CD was out of print for a long time.