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Ten years on from its release on in 2015 on the Super Weird Substance label, ‘Summer Came My Way’ is issued as a limited edition 7-inch, b/w with a previously unreleased ambient mix. Written and produced by DJ Greg Wilson, mixed by Luxxury, featuring Merseyside vocalists, The Reynolds, the track gained much Balearic kudos and became a festival favourite, the 12-inch quickly selling out, as did the ‘Substance Select’ 12-inch on which it featured three years on. A smouldering groover for sure, right on time for a summer of ’25 revival.

Lynn White hails from Mobile, AL and started singing at the age of six in her local church. She worked in Ike Darby’s record store where she would sing along to the sounds that were playing, and it wasn’t long before the owner decided to record her on his local label Darby Records in 1978 at the age of 25. Three singles and the highly collectable album “Am I Too Much Woman For You” ensued, but they didn’t bring much success to the label, which folded shortly afterwards. They did get married though.

Her sultry bluesy Darby-penned/produced “I Don't Ever Wanna See Your Face Again” was released in 1982 on another local label, Sho-Me Records, and it quickly came to the attention of Willie Mitchell, who signed her immediately to his Waylo imprint. A fruitful period followed with 7 albums and 12 singles released for the Memphis-based label during the rest of that decade. Her mid-paced “See You Later Bye” was a huge favourite with the modern soul scenes in Europe, and it was a pleasure to see White as part of Waylo’s A Memphis Soul Night - Live In Europe in 1990 when she appeared with Otis Clay, Ann Peebles and David Hudson, performing in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Berlin and London; each artist doing a solo spot then all four joining together for some rousing soul medleys.

By now a Memphis resident, she switched to S.O.H. Distributions in 1990, which gave her more control of her output, and these two sides are from that period; “I Don’t Know Why” (1993), clearly her most popular track was only available as a 12” single, and featured the amazing but uncredited vocals of Farris Lanier Jr., who was lead singer of another Waylo act, Lanier & Co. Now very hard to find, this will be an eagerly awaited release as a 7” single. The flip is a gorgeous stepper written by George Jackson (previously recorded by Otis Clay) and from her CD only album The New Me (1990). White’s version just oozes with soul and makes for an essential double-sider.

Killer Warehouse Find of this 2005 House stomper from Master At Work Kenny Dope!

"My Last Star" began as a dream that Greg Lee of Hepcat had the week before his death in March of 2024. Greg dreamed of a Slackers song. The Slackers have completed this song, and now the world can hear this truly one of a kind collaboration. In Greg's dream, an old neighbor picked him up in a classic car, turned on the stereo, and played a Slackers song that - at the time - did not exist on our plane of reality. It sounds like the stuff of myth, but the song was so crystal clear in the dream that when he awoke around 2 or 3 in the morning, he immediately wrote down the lyrics he had heard, still humming the tune. "I hadn't seen Greg so excited about a new song in a very long time," says Lee's longtime partner, Mandie Becker. "I found the lyrics when I was organizing his things. I knew he had a voice recording on his phone, too. I decided the best situation was to offer it to The Slackers so we could all hear the song on the stereo from Greg's dream." "I was floored when I received Greg's vocal demo with the lyrics and I vowed to finish the song and make the dream a reality," says Slackers saxophonist Dave Hillyard. "I took the vocal demo to The Slackers, Vic Ruggiero harmonized it, and we wrote music around the words. With this song we came full circle. Greg had given us a gift and we needed to give it back to his family, friends, and musical community. We are the medium for his message." The longer history behind this collaboration is a story of decades of friendship, collaboration, artistry, and mutual respect between LA's Hepcat and NYC's The Slackers, who although from opposite coasts, have both been leading lights and creative forces in the underground ska scene since the early 1990s. Both Hepcat and The Slackers concerned themselves with timeless songwriting that paid homage to the longstanding roots of the music. It is an extraordinary final work envisioned by a beloved and thoughtful musician of the highest caliber and completed by longtime friends and collaborators he knew from the moment of inspiration were the ones that would play it. It is literally a dream come true. "My Last Star" is available as a 12" UV Printed Vinyl Single from Pirates Press Records, with art by The Slackers' in-house artist Catt Gould. The 12" also includes instrumental and dub versions of the song. As a matter of fact, snippets of Greg's original vocal demo from his phone are subtly mixed in toward the end of the instrumental version, underscoring his posthumous presence on the record. Greg's songwriting royalties, as well as a portion of the proceeds from the sales of "My Last Star," will be passed on to his four daughters.

Wie so viele Coming-of-Age-Geschichten mit nachhaltigem Eindruck spielt das neue Album der Brooklyner Band Momma in einem bezaubernden und turbulenten Sommer. "Welcome To My Blue Sky" wurde mit der gesamten Band live im Studio aufgenommen und von Bandkollege Aron Kobayashi Ritch produziert. Mit Hilfe des Drummers Preston Fulks gelangen Momma 12 kraftvolle Songs, die die rohe Dringlichkeit des Rock mit den eindringlichen Melodien und straffen Arrangements des Pop kombinieren – eine Dynamik, die aus ihrem Engagement entstand, das direkteste Ventil für ihren emotionalen Ausdruck zu finden. Jeder Track ist zugleich geteilte Erinnerung, gemeinschaftlicher Erguss und fesselnder Reisebericht voller Selbstbewusstsein und Sensibilität. Das Ergebnis ist ein mutiger Sprung nach vorne für eine der kreativsten, kompromisslosesten und einzigartigsten Stimmen im Indie-Rock.

Annie and the Caldwells are a family that plays a powerful disco soul from West Point, Mississippi, led by Annie Caldwell (who sings) and her husband of the last fifty years Willie Joe Caldwell, Sr. (who plays guitar). Can"t Lose My (Soul) is their new album 40 years in the making ... and it"s already gotten rave reviews in MOJO and The Guardian, even before it"s been announced!

Steeped in Caribbean flavor and seasoned with a fistful of hand-percussion, "Yamar" was initially sidelined from 2009's Cult Cargo: Grand Bahama Goombay for feeling less like cargo than an authentic piece of pan-Americana. Phish fans may recognize this previously unattainable A-side as it as been a staple in their setlists since the late '80s, imported by bassist Mike Gordon who heard the Mustangs performing it in a Bahamian hotel. Backed with the sweltering "Words To My Song," this doubler-sider is a must for any sea side or pool side DJ.

This year, Youth Fountain embarks on a new chapter with this acoustic EP, Together in Lonesome. Like previous Youth Fountain acoustic EP’s, the release reimagines their signature sound, stripping down the intensity to reveal raw, poignant renditions of their songs. Alongside this, fans will be able to dive deeper into the band’s catalog with the release of a limited-edition vinyl LP, ‘Stuck in My Own Hell’, which is released 25th April 2025 and brings together all three of their acoustic EPs into one stunning package. These projects highlight the band’s ability to connect through vulnerability, offering listeners an intimate experience that resonates deeply. "Getting to have all 3 acoustic EP's in one whole collective compilation for Youth Fountain is really exciting. Super nice way to tie everything together. I’m sure a lot of super fans of Youth Fountain will also be stoked to have the songs all on vinyl for the first time ever. " says Tyler Zanon

When we accessed Joe Evans’ master tapes in the mid-90s we were pleased to find the superb ‘A Broken Heart Cries’ by the Pretenders as it had never been released. Over time enterprising Crossover DJs picked up on it from our CD, causing demand for a Kent Select release in 2007. Once that had sold out demand continued, making that original Kent 7” so in demand that prices are now into the low hundreds of pounds.

We took the opportunity to add the group’s beautiful harmony ballad ‘For The Rest Of My Days’ for its debut UK vinyl release.

The egyptian producer Saharty debuts with his first release on Impakto Records. Robotic vocoder vocals, 80's drums patterns, Italo/Valencia mix synths and basslines to create a complete EP that takes the best of the new and old school sound

Repress

Traveling time to the year 1979 we find ourselves on the Gulf Coast of Florida in a city called Sarasota. Sal Garcia leads Omni, the resident band at the Columbia, a Spanish restaurant operating in the city since the turn of the century. Sal and his band look to record a single ironically called Disco Sucks but the restaurant isn't willing to fund a record with the word 'sucks' in it, so the band changes the track title to 'Disco Socks'. The song is a disco odyssey with driving drums, ethereal flutes, playful lyrics, and a synth solo for the gods. On the b side there's a little latin number called 'Sarasota (Que Bueno Esta)'. An ode to their city, the song praises Sarasota for its beautiful women and precious beaches. Sal is still living his dream playing at piano bars in the city. Terrestrial Funk provides you with the first officially licensed reissue of this rare disco 12". Floridian Love.

Nachdem sich die Sache in den letzten Monaten bereits abgezeichnet hatte und Julien Baker & TORRES kürzlich auch ihre erste gemeinsame Single "Sugar in the Tank" veröffentlichten, kündigen die beiden nun ihr Debütalbum "Send a Prayer My Way" an. Es erscheint am 18. April bei Matador. Die Idee, zusammen ein Country-Album zu machen, kam bereits 2016 auf, als Baker & TORRES ihre erste gemeinsame Show spielten. So entstand ein Werk, das wie alle beständigen Country-Alben daran erinnert, dass niemand auf dieser Welt allein und Musik ein verlässlicher und steter Begleiter ist. "Send a Prayer My Way" enthält zwölf Song von radikaler Empathie, in denen zweite und auch dritte Chancen gewährt werden und es bei allem Ringen und Bedauern auch Humor und Widerstand gibt. Mit der Ankündigung des Albums erscheint die neue Single "Sylvia", eine Hommage an einen Wegbegleiter ganz besonderer Art. TORRES berichtet: "An dem Morgen, an dem ich loswollte, um Sylvia aus dem Tierheim zu holen, machte ich mir zu Hause noch einen Kaffee und schaltete das Radio ein. Dolly Partons "Cracker Jack" lief. Ich brach in Tränen aus - es fühlte sich an, als würde das Universum mir sagen, dass sie mir gehören würde - dabei war Sylvia nur als Pflegehund vorgesehen. Ich weiß noch, wie ich dachte, dass ich gerne einen Song wie diesen schreiben würde, einen Song, den die Menschen innerhalb von fünf Sekunden nach dem Einschalten im Innern spüren können. Denn jeder, der schon einmal die Ehre hatte, sein Zuhause mit einem heißgeliebten Haustier zu teilen, weiß, dass es zur Familie gehört." Den ersten Vorgeschmack auf ihr neues Album hatten Julien Baker & TORRES bereits vor einem Monat mit einem Auftritt bei Jimmy Fallon gegeben. Dort spielten sie ihre Debütsingle "Sugar in the Tank". Der Song berichtet von Erfahrungen beim Aufwachsen als queere Person in den Südstaaten. Er spiegelt nicht nur die Liebe der beiden zur dort tief verwurzelten Country-Musik wider, sondern transportiert auch die Traditionen und die Ikonographie des Genres ins Hier und Jetzt. "Send A Prayer My Way" ist ein Country-Album, geschrieben und gesungen in bester Outlaw-Tradition - trotzig, subversiv und entschlossen, trostspendend und aufrichtig. Es erscheint am 18. April 2025.

Nachdem sich die Sache in den letzten Monaten bereits abgezeichnet hatte und Julien Baker & TORRES kürzlich auch ihre erste gemeinsame Single "Sugar in the Tank" veröffentlichten, kündigen die beiden nun ihr Debütalbum "Send a Prayer My Way" an. Es erscheint am 18. April bei Matador. Die Idee, zusammen ein Country-Album zu machen, kam bereits 2016 auf, als Baker & TORRES ihre erste gemeinsame Show spielten. So entstand ein Werk, das wie alle beständigen Country-Alben daran erinnert, dass niemand auf dieser Welt allein und Musik ein verlässlicher und steter Begleiter ist. "Send a Prayer My Way" enthält zwölf Song von radikaler Empathie, in denen zweite und auch dritte Chancen gewährt werden und es bei allem Ringen und Bedauern auch Humor und Widerstand gibt. Mit der Ankündigung des Albums erscheint die neue Single "Sylvia", eine Hommage an einen Wegbegleiter ganz besonderer Art. TORRES berichtet: "An dem Morgen, an dem ich loswollte, um Sylvia aus dem Tierheim zu holen, machte ich mir zu Hause noch einen Kaffee und schaltete das Radio ein. Dolly Partons "Cracker Jack" lief. Ich brach in Tränen aus - es fühlte sich an, als würde das Universum mir sagen, dass sie mir gehören würde - dabei war Sylvia nur als Pflegehund vorgesehen. Ich weiß noch, wie ich dachte, dass ich gerne einen Song wie diesen schreiben würde, einen Song, den die Menschen innerhalb von fünf Sekunden nach dem Einschalten im Innern spüren können. Denn jeder, der schon einmal die Ehre hatte, sein Zuhause mit einem heißgeliebten Haustier zu teilen, weiß, dass es zur Familie gehört." Den ersten Vorgeschmack auf ihr neues Album hatten Julien Baker & TORRES bereits vor einem Monat mit einem Auftritt bei Jimmy Fallon gegeben. Dort spielten sie ihre Debütsingle "Sugar in the Tank". Der Song berichtet von Erfahrungen beim Aufwachsen als queere Person in den Südstaaten. Er spiegelt nicht nur die Liebe der beiden zur dort tief verwurzelten Country-Musik wider, sondern transportiert auch die Traditionen und die Ikonographie des Genres ins Hier und Jetzt. "Send A Prayer My Way" ist ein Country-Album, geschrieben und gesungen in bester Outlaw-Tradition - trotzig, subversiv und entschlossen, trostspendend und aufrichtig. Es erscheint am 18. April 2025.

After dropping hints for months and following the release of their first single "Sugar in the Tank,” Julien Baker & TORRES are excited to announce the April 18 release of their debut album Send a Prayer My Way. The album has been in the works since the two played their first show together in 2016 and at the end one singer turned to the other and said, “You know, we should make a country album.” This is the origin story, the stuff of legend in the world of country music, and the beginning of a collaboration between two artists already admired for their spare, elegant lyrics as well as the courage to share their struggles with those who love their music. It’s also the beginning of creating a work that, like the most enduring country albums, sustains and inspires, reminding both singer and listener that not one of us is ever totally alone in this world, that music is a steady companion. Julien Baker & TORRES’ Send A Prayer My Way was written and sung in the best of the outlaw tradition - defiant, subversive, working class, and determined to wrestle not only with addiction, regret and bad decisions, but also with oppressive systems of power. Mercifully, this is only the beginning of the stories TORRES and Baker are determined to tell. Because these are also songs about radical empathy and second chances, and third chances, and while there’s plenty of struggle and regret in here, there’s also humor and defiance.

After dropping hints for months and following the release of their first single "Sugar in the Tank,” Julien Baker & TORRES are excited to announce the April 18 release of their debut album Send a Prayer My Way. The album has been in the works since the two played their first show together in 2016 and at the end one singer turned to the other and said, “You know, we should make a country album.” This is the origin story, the stuff of legend in the world of country music, and the beginning of a collaboration between two artists already admired for their spare, elegant lyrics as well as the courage to share their struggles with those who love their music. It’s also the beginning of creating a work that, like the most enduring country albums, sustains and inspires, reminding both singer and listener that not one of us is ever totally alone in this world, that music is a steady companion. Julien Baker & TORRES’ Send A Prayer My Way was written and sung in the best of the outlaw tradition - defiant, subversive, working class, and determined to wrestle not only with addiction, regret and bad decisions, but also with oppressive systems of power. Mercifully, this is only the beginning of the stories TORRES and Baker are determined to tell. Because these are also songs about radical empathy and second chances, and third chances, and while there’s plenty of struggle and regret in here, there’s also humor and defiance.

Ralph Lawson's legendary Leeds-based label 20/20 Vision is in the middle of celebrating 30 years in the game. Part of that now extends to this reissue of a record that played a huge part in establishing the imprint back in the day. It comes from the co-founders' production alias Wolf n Flow and though it was recorded more than 20 years ago, this record still bangs. 'Messin' With My Mind' is a perfect mix of squelchy tech and vocal loveliness that calls to mind early Fresh & Low. The Oliver.r dub is more sleek and blissed out and two Electric Press remixes close out with some late-night heft.

First Reissue of this fantastic Folk Funk masterpiece on 'starflower leaf green' Vinyl, a beautiful collection of songs from the late great Linda Waterfall, the record sells for over £50 and has been exhanging hands between collectors for more than that for the past few years. Essential reissue for collectors, portion of the profits will go towards the Linda Waterfall Foundation. Joni Mitchell-esque folky funk blissness.

First ever vinyl edition of the acclaimed British
Jazz artist’s debut album.
In January 2020 Downbeat Magazine named Yazz
as one of 25 artists set to shape the future of jazz
over the next decade.
Recipient of the highly prestigious Ivor Novello
Award for Innovation.
Jazz FM ‘Jazz Act of the Year’ 2020
Jazz FM ‘Jazz Album of the Year’ 2020, for her
2019 album, ‘Polyhymnia’.
Has won accolades from The Wire (Jazz Album
Of The Year), Bandcamp (Best albums of 2017,
Best Jazz Album), The Vinyl Factory, Stereogum,
The Guardian, All About Jazz, and many more
publications.
Yazz Ahmed receives regular airplay on Soho
Radio, Deutschlandfunk, Openlab, BBC Radio
2, BBC Radio 3, FBI Radio, FIP, Radio Raheem,
KCRW, Rai Radio 3, Radio 1 (BE), NTS, Worldwide
FM, and many more.
‘The Birth Of The Fool’ amongst Yazz Ahmed’s
most streamed tracks.
‘Conciliation’ features on the soundtrack of Steve
Buscemi’s 2022 film, ‘The Listener

2026 Repress
Gloria Jones, known as 'The Queen of Northern Soul,' recorded her hit single 'Tainted Love' in 1965, along with 'My Bad Boy's Comin' Home.' In 2025, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of these two iconic records. To commemorate this milestone, we have relicensed the original records from Champion and are releasing a limited edition clear 'diamond' 7-inch vinyl, this release honours the anniversary theme. The original version of these records can sell for over £800, so this is a great opportunity to own one of only a thousand limited presses made. Every generation since '65 knows this record in its many forms, most famously via Soft Cell's electronic/new wave/new romantic pop hit, now you can own the original. Comes in a picture sleeve with liner notes along with that limited 'diamond' coloured vinyl.

DJ Support: Walla P (Voyage Funktastique), Zackey Force Funk, Soul Clap.

Moniquea brings it back to the west coast streets that shaped her. 'Womp In My Spirit' is a direct ode to the California g-funk sound that has also inspired much of her previous output in the modern funk vein – This time it's just in the form of a rap song, co-produced by Moniquea herself & XL Middleton, who is also featured on the track.

Wie so viele Coming-of-Age-Geschichten mit nachhaltigem Eindruck spielt das neue Album der Brooklyner Band Momma in einem bezaubernden und turbulenten Sommer. "Welcome To My Blue Sky" wurde mit der gesamten Band live im Studio aufgenommen und von Bandkollege Aron Kobayashi Ritch produziert. Mit Hilfe des Drummers Preston Fulks gelangen Momma 12 kraftvolle Songs, die die rohe Dringlichkeit des Rock mit den eindringlichen Melodien und straffen Arrangements des Pop kombinieren – eine Dynamik, die aus ihrem Engagement entstand, das direkteste Ventil für ihren emotionalen Ausdruck zu finden. Jeder Track ist zugleich geteilte Erinnerung, gemeinschaftlicher Erguss und fesselnder Reisebericht voller Selbstbewusstsein und Sensibilität. Das Ergebnis ist ein mutiger Sprung nach vorne für eine der kreativsten, kompromisslosesten und einzigartigsten Stimmen im Indie-Rock.

The Trzaska, Haker Flaten, Nilsen Love trio played a concert tour in Poland in March 2024. A combination of one of the most famous sections of the world"s intuitive jazz (e.g. The Thing) and one of the most famous representatives of the domestic improvised music scene, film music composer and saxophonist Mikolaj Trzaska. The Haker Falten and Nielssen Love section are the basis of many important world bands, known as Atomic, Fire!, The Thing, David Maray or Peter Brötzmann. The Krakow concert was recorded and we present it to you in these 3 parts.

OHYUNG aka Lia Ouyang Rusli describes their new album as “my trans self and my former self in conversation, from both perspectives.” The record represents their lengthy, complicated, but crucial journey between lives, strewn with both doubt and excitement. It is an ecstatic, pop-oriented shift in direction from an artist primarily known for noise, experimental hip-hop, and ambient music, but carried with sleek confidence, maturity, and a silvery, hallucinogenic shimmer that reveals Rusli’s experimental background. It is, writes Rusli, “sometimes written from a dark place and other times from a place of happiness.” Throughout, darkness and light rise and fall in layers of phased strings, trip-hop drum production, and earworming vocal lines.

Also a film score composer, Rusli’s songwriting craft is meticulous and nuanced. You Are Always On My Mind was, perhaps surprisingly, formed primarily from processed “generic string loops” found in online sample packs - a strange and wilfully jarring reminder that what seems to be is not always what is. Recontextualised, these string loops enshadow the simplicity of their origins and reveal a grace and purposefulness perhaps not even imagined by their authors, subtly drawing out euphoria and tension in equal balance.

Rusli also writes of the influence of rave culture central to their transition, and of the record’s production and theme. “It’s a declaration of love for raves and the dark hazy rooms that helped me to be free and true with myself— seeing other people who are so free and beautiful and thinking that one day that can be me— that’s me in the future.” But there is also a fear and unease present. Key moment “no good” explores “the worst version of myself as a trans person, feeding doubt to my pre-transition self” with its core lyric anyone can see / I’m no good for you, delivered over a relentless beat, swooning strings, and glistening synthesis.

Later, “i swear that i could die rn” renders a Spectreish Motown beat lamenting and lush with breathy synths and knife-edge melodies that eventually yield a hazy, gliding string section, created again from mutated, spliced, and transitioned royalty-free sample packs. The track is about “seeing my beautiful friends at raves and feeling at home appreciating the harsh noises of hardcore techno and acid. Feeling that I could die at this moment and be happy.”

180g black vinyl - limited to 200 numbered copies.

"What is my heart now"is the debut solo album by Ziemowit Klimek, known so far from bands such as Immortal Onion, Hania Rani, and Magda Kuraś Quintet. It is a cycle of five improvised compositions – "What," "Is," "My," "Heart," and "Now" – unified by a unique artistic concept, with each piece created in collaboration with a different musician.

The creative process for each of the five duets began with a conversation between Ziemowit, the guest artist, and the video team. Deconstructing the title word into its fundamental elements through questions like "What does 'What' mean? What emotions and associations does this word evoke in us? How can we capture its essence in sound and image?" became the starting point for artistic exploration.

To preserve the authenticity of the material as much as possible, both sound and image were recorded live, with no cuts or post-production editing. Equally important was the choice of spaces that corresponded to the meaning of each title word. Instead of sterile studios, the recordings took place in a variety of unique locations – "Heart" was captured in Ziemowit's most personal space, his bedroom, while "Now" was recorded inside a car during a dynamic drive, where the physical forces acting on the musicians significantly influenced their decisions while playing.

The album resonates with dialogue – not only musical but also emotional and intellectual. It is a meeting of individualities who, for Ziemowit, are not only inspirations as artists but also significant people in his life."What is my heart now"is an album about defining one's identity and capturing the moment, created in an atmosphere of honesty and trust. Ultimately, the question arises: is it even possible to definitively answer the question posed in the album's title?

"What Is My Heart Now"

Ziemowit Klimek (Double bass, Bass, Piano, Moog)

feat.

Krzysztof Hadrych - Guitar

Michał Jan Ciesielski - Saxophon, Volca

Hania Rani - Piano

Mikołaj Kostka - Violin

Jacek Prościński - Drums

Auf dem vierten Album von Chrystia Cabral als SPELLLING verwandelt die Künstlerin aus der Bay Area ihr gefeiertes Avant-Pop-Projekt in einen Spiegel. Cabrals Texte auf „Portrait of My Heart“ befassen sich mit Liebe, Intimität, Angst und Entfremdung und tauschen den allegorischen Ansatz vieler ihrer früheren Werke gegen einen Blick in ihr menschliches Herz. Die thematische Unverblümtheit des Albums spiegelt sich in den Arrangements wider und macht es zum bisher schärfsten und direktesten SPELLLING-Album. Vom düsteren Minimalismus ihrer frühesten Musik über den üppig orchestrierten Prog-Pop von „The Turning Wheel“ aus dem Jahr 2021 bis hin zu diesem neuen energiegeladenen Ausdruck ihres kreativen Geistes hat Cabral immer wieder bewiesen, dass SPELLLING alles sein kann, was sie braucht. Der Titeltrack mit seinem treibenden Drum-Groove und dem hymnischen Refrain von „I don't belong here“ ist die stärkste Verkörperung der Hinwendung des Albums zu emotionaler Direktheit. Sobald sich die Hauptmelodie herauskristallisiert hatte, nutzte Cabral den Song als Werkzeug, um ihre Ängste als Performerin zu verarbeiten, und entschied sich für eine straffere, rockigere Komposition. Diese Transformation spiegelt die allgemeine Verlagerung des Albums in Richtung Energie und Unmittelbarkeit wider, die von der Kernband Wyatt Overson (Gitarre), Patrick Shelley (Schlagzeug) und Giulio Xavier Cetto (Bass) vorangetrieben wird, deren Zusammenarbeit neue Konturen des SPELLLING-Sounds offenbart. Cabral schreibt und demontiert immer noch alleine, aber die Präsentation der Songs für „Portrait of My Heart“ vor ihren Bandkollegen hat ihr geholfen, die späteren lebendigen, organischen Formen zu entdecken. Das gilt auch für die Zusammenarbeit mit einem Produzententrio: Drew Vandenberg, der Tontechniker von „The Turning Wheel“, Rob Bisel, der mit SZA zusammenarbeitet, und Psymun, der Produzent von Yves Tumor. Wichtige Gastbeiträge prägen das Album zusätzlich. Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) liefert SPELLLINGs erstes Duett auf „Mount Analogue“, Turnstile-Gitarrist Pat McCrory verwandelt Cabrals ursprüngliches Piano-Demo für „Alibi“ in die knackige, rifflastige Version, die auf dem Album zu hören ist, während Braxton Marcellous von Zulu „Drain“ seine schlammige Wucht verleiht. Diese Teile fügen sich nicht nur nahtlos in das Album ein, sie fühlen sich wie ein integraler Bestandteil seines Universums an. Letztendlich ist Portrait of My Heart jedoch niemandes Platte, sondern die von Cabral. Sie zieht furchtlos den Vorhang über Teile ihrer selbst zurück, die sie in SPELLLING noch nie gezeigt hat - ihre Gefühle als Außenseiterin, ihre übermäßig vorsichtige Art, die Art und Weise, wie sie sich rücksichtslos in intime Beziehungen stürzen kann, um sie dann genauso schnell wieder abzubrechen. „Es ist wie ein offenes Tagebuch all dieser Empfindungen“, sagt sie.

Auf dem vierten Album von Chrystia Cabral als SPELLLING verwandelt die Künstlerin aus der Bay Area ihr gefeiertes Avant-Pop-Projekt in einen Spiegel. Cabrals Texte auf „Portrait of My Heart“ befassen sich mit Liebe, Intimität, Angst und Entfremdung und tauschen den allegorischen Ansatz vieler ihrer früheren Werke gegen einen Blick in ihr menschliches Herz. Die thematische Unverblümtheit des Albums spiegelt sich in den Arrangements wider und macht es zum bisher schärfsten und direktesten SPELLLING-Album. Vom düsteren Minimalismus ihrer frühesten Musik über den üppig orchestrierten Prog-Pop von „The Turning Wheel“ aus dem Jahr 2021 bis hin zu diesem neuen energiegeladenen Ausdruck ihres kreativen Geistes hat Cabral immer wieder bewiesen, dass SPELLLING alles sein kann, was sie braucht. Der Titeltrack mit seinem treibenden Drum-Groove und dem hymnischen Refrain von „I don't belong here“ ist die stärkste Verkörperung der Hinwendung des Albums zu emotionaler Direktheit. Sobald sich die Hauptmelodie herauskristallisiert hatte, nutzte Cabral den Song als Werkzeug, um ihre Ängste als Performerin zu verarbeiten, und entschied sich für eine straffere, rockigere Komposition. Diese Transformation spiegelt die allgemeine Verlagerung des Albums in Richtung Energie und Unmittelbarkeit wider, die von der Kernband Wyatt Overson (Gitarre), Patrick Shelley (Schlagzeug) und Giulio Xavier Cetto (Bass) vorangetrieben wird, deren Zusammenarbeit neue Konturen des SPELLLING-Sounds offenbart. Cabral schreibt und demontiert immer noch alleine, aber die Präsentation der Songs für „Portrait of My Heart“ vor ihren Bandkollegen hat ihr geholfen, die späteren lebendigen, organischen Formen zu entdecken. Das gilt auch für die Zusammenarbeit mit einem Produzententrio: Drew Vandenberg, der Tontechniker von „The Turning Wheel“, Rob Bisel, der mit SZA zusammenarbeitet, und Psymun, der Produzent von Yves Tumor. Wichtige Gastbeiträge prägen das Album zusätzlich. Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) liefert SPELLLINGs erstes Duett auf „Mount Analogue“, Turnstile-Gitarrist Pat McCrory verwandelt Cabrals ursprüngliches Piano-Demo für „Alibi“ in die knackige, rifflastige Version, die auf dem Album zu hören ist, während Braxton Marcellous von Zulu „Drain“ seine schlammige Wucht verleiht. Diese Teile fügen sich nicht nur nahtlos in das Album ein, sie fühlen sich wie ein integraler Bestandteil seines Universums an. Letztendlich ist Portrait of My Heart jedoch niemandes Platte, sondern die von Cabral. Sie zieht furchtlos den Vorhang über Teile ihrer selbst zurück, die sie in SPELLLING noch nie gezeigt hat - ihre Gefühle als Außenseiterin, ihre übermäßig vorsichtige Art, die Art und Weise, wie sie sich rücksichtslos in intime Beziehungen stürzen kann, um sie dann genauso schnell wieder abzubrechen. „Es ist wie ein offenes Tagebuch all dieser Empfindungen“, sagt sie.

On Chrystia Cabral's fourth album as SPELLLING, the Bay Area artist transforms her acclaimed avant-pop project into a mirror. Cabral's lyrics for Portrait of My Heart tackle love, intimacy, anxiety, and alienation, trading the allegorical approach of much of her previous work for something pointed into her human heart. The album's thematic forthrightness is echoed in its arrangements, making it the sharpest, most direct SPELLLING album to date. From the dark minimalism of her earliest music to the lavishly orchestrated prog-pop of 2021's The Turning Wheel to this newly energetic expression of her creative spirit, Cabral has proved again and again that SPELLLING can be whatever she needs it to be. The title track, with its propulsive drum groove and anthemic chorus of "I don't belong here," is the most potent embodiment of the album's turn toward emotional directness. Once the main melody emerged, Cabral used the song as a tool to process her anxiety as a performer and opted for a tighter, more rock-oriented composition. This transformation mirrors the album's broader shift toward energy and immediacy, driven by the core band of Wyatt Overson (guitar), Patrick Shelley (drums), and Giulio Xavier Cetto (bass), whose collaboration uncovers new contours of the SPELLLING sound. Cabral still writes and demos in isolation, but presenting the songs for Portrait of My Heart to her bandmates helped her discover their eventual lively, organic forms. So did working with a trio of producers_The Turning Wheel mixing engineer Drew Vandenberg, SZA collaborator Rob Bisel, and Yves Tumor producer Psymun. Key guest contributions further shape the album. Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) delivers SPELLLING's first duet on "Mount Analogue," Turnstile guitarist Pat McCrory turns Cabral's original piano demo for "Alibi" into the crunchy, riff-y version that appears on the record, while Zulu's Braxton Marcellous gives "Drain" its sludgy heft. These parts aren't just incorporated seamlessly into the album; they feel like an integral part of its universe. Ultimately, though, Portrait of My Heart is nobody's record but Cabral's. She fearlessly draws the curtain back on parts of herself that she's never included in SPELLLING before_her feelings of being an outsider, her overly guarded nature, the way she can throw herself recklessly into intimate relationships and then cool on them just as quickly. "It's very much an open diary of all those sensations," she says.

Zweite 7inch Auskopplung aus dem hervorragenden Thee Sacred Souls Album "Got A Story To Tell"! Das stimmungsvolle Mid-Tempo-Stück „My Heart is Drowning“ beginnt mit einem ahnungsvollen, echogetränkten Tröpfeln, das sich hinter der Geschichte des Sängers Josh Lae über eine verlassene Geliebte verbirgt, die aufgrund vergangener Fehler in Verzweiflung ertrinkt. Mit seinem grüblerischen Piano und der düsteren Bassline würde dieser Song in klassischen R&B- und Soul-Kreisen gleichermaßen gut ankommen. "Stuck in the Mud“ lehnt sich ebenfalls an einen früheren R&B-Sound an, jedoch mit einem subtilen Hauch von Gospel durch den Call-and-Response-Gesang, der diese wunderbare Komposition durchdringt. Soul Fans dürfen sich freuen!

Junior Scaife meldet sich mit zwei auffallend souligen Songs zurück, die von Penrose-Mitstreiter Anthony Masino produziert und mitgeschrieben wurden. Als einer der begabtesten Sänger in der aktuellen Soul-Szene verleiht Junior Scaife jeder Silbe eine tiefe Seele. Mit seinem vibrierenden Groove und der ansteckenden Melodie verbindet "Nobody Gets My Love“ die "rawness" des Detroit-Souls aus den späten Sechzigern a la Hestor und Wylie mit einem entspannten Westcoast-Je-Ne-Sais-Quoi. Auf der Flipside erscheint mit „Too Much Too Soon“ eine raue Ballade mit Wah Wah Effekten, die in der Low-Rider-Szene sicherlich für Aufsehen sorgen wird.

Mr. K with two slices of Philadelphia disco, from smooth and slinky on our A-side to all-out floor pounding disco madness on the B.

Janice McClain, rightly adored for her Garage classic “Smack Dab In The Middle” (feat. on MXMRK-2068) but her second single is a real under-the-radar treat. The comfortably laid back groove somewhere between a stepper and simmering midtempo disco, classy and danceable as the finest Philly soul. Originally on a small LA-based label in 1983 (and sounding like it could have come out a good five years earlier), written and produced by McClain’s uncle Milt Tennant and his writing partner Thom Page, the same team responsible for “Smack Dab” — all Philadelphia rooted, so the sound should come as no surprise. Add McClain’s heartfelt and uplifting vocal and we easily have a lost classic. Mr. K’s edit trims the rare 12-inch version down for maximum sonic fidelity for its first appearance in a 7-inch format.

The flip side vibe goes in a completely different direction, although once again has its roots in Philly. The disco remake of the standard “Brazil” was a massive hit for the Ritchie Family in 1975, topping Billboard’s dance charts and getting deep into the Top 20 on the Hot 100. The group itself was a studio concoction led by veteran producer Richie Rome, with legendary trio Sweethearts of Sigma handling vocals — you’ll recognize their trademark harmonies from other huge classics like “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” and “Love Is The Message", studious listeners will detect a lot of similarities in the vamp section of “Brazil” and “Love Is…” as the MFSB house band launches into their trademark groove. This vamp section is unfortunately truncated on the original 7-inch single, but the always-attentive ear of Mr. K picks this point to begin his edit, starting where the original single faded out and giving us a full four-plus minutes of galloping disco delight.

Two flavors, both as tasty as it gets, all on one compact piece of wax! Another essential addition to your collection.

From the deepest trenches of deadstock 45s and the unsung annals of soft rock infamy, we present SR4HT02: (Till You're) Back In My Arms.

Universal Cave and the Street Road Band cover Dan Strimer with Insured Sound's cult anthem (Till You're) Back In My Arms which was originally released as a 45 in 1977 on Lost Nation Records out of Guysville, Ohio. When Universal Cave featured Back in My Arms on Soft Rock for Hard Times Vol 8 in 2023, we reached out to Dan Strimer to tell him how much we loved his record, and quickly made a friend who helped us release a cover of his song 47 years after it first came out. Dan is still making music to this day and there are even rumors of some unreleased recordings making their way out in the near future.

On vacation in Hawaii when we released Soft Rock for Hard Times Vol 8, Alex Tebbs Mitchell of Universal Cave kept coming back to Dan's catchy, rural classic rock tune. When Alex returned to Philadelphia, he assembled the Street Road Band to record a laid back, 'southwestern Balearic' cover version with André Ethier on vocals, Charles Simon on guitar, Jesse Spearhawk on Pedal Steel, Alex Tebbs Mitchell on Rhodes and bass, Ryan M. Todd on synthesizers, and Shawn Ryan and Brian Cassidy on additional programming and arrangement. The result is a blissful soft rock ballad inspired by the likes of Chris Rea and Mark Knopfler.

After recording the cover, we called in the UK's finest Balearic maestro's Coyote to take the multitracks to the White Isle and back for a remix worthy of Cafe Del Mar. Coyote send the song into a dreamy, dubby, deep house groove, confirming that the record is, in fact, Balearic.

Mixed by Alex Tebbs Mitchell
Mastered by Mat Leffler-Schulman