Suche:ph 1

All tracks licensed from Makkum Records | Produced and mixed by remix artists | Mastering by Detlef Funder, Paraschall Studios Düsseldorf | Artwork by Darko Kujundžic

It's the kind of project that brings the old mad scientist cliché out for an airing, "It's insane, but it just might work." The insanity in this case being a motley cast that features Andy Moor (The Ex, Amsterdam), Desmond Denker (Cologne), Phanton (Cologne), Yürke (Düsseldorf), Dubby King Knarf (Knarf Rellöm, Hamburg), Istari Lasterfahrer (Hamburg), Begritty (Cologne) laying down their versions of tracks from the demento-a-go-go-electro-pop-rock-mono-mind known as Zea.

How could we resist the spasmodic schizoid psychedelic menace of that devilish Dutch juggernaut called Zea. This bastardised twelve inch slab of wax has Zea sonically re-assessed, dissected and twisted in side out. And it had to happen, it had to be made.

"Standing up I forgot what came to mind when I was lying on the kitchen floor. Standing up I forgot what came to mind, something I tried to remember before." It's the punky pop intro of the song 'Staande ben ik vergeten wat ik dacht toen ik lag', the Dutch translation of the first sentence of the song that provided the title for this collection of remixes. Zea, a.k.a. Arnold de Boer, a musician who skips sitting down, who either jumps or lies on the floor fumbling with a dictaphone trying to remember the ideas that just came to mind jumping around from the couch straight into the kitchen, trying to write the next song while cooking spicy food that makes his head explode. It's all inthere, everyone is in there; shrinking people, growing people, dead people. And all "Sub specie ludens" (from the perspective of human play).

Die New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Band Apocalypse aus London wurde um 1980 von Gitarrist Steve Grainger gegründet. Die Band ging aus zwei Bands im Norden Londons hervor. Phaze und Stone Lady. Ursprünglich verließen Nick Brent, Dave (MEX) Higgen (Stone Lady) und Marc und Steve Grainger (Phaze) Mex die Band, um eine andere Richtung einzuschlagen und das Octave Studio und die PA Company in Nordlondon zu gründen. Dave Robertson stieß dazu und Apocalypse wurden gegründet. Ironischerweise war es Dave (Mex) Higgen, der die Band APOCALYPSE nannte. Es dauerte zwei Jahre, bis die Band ihre einzige Single "Stormchild" für Gate Records veröffentlichte. Nach kleineren personellen Problemen mit einer anderen Band gleichen Namens änderte die Band ihren Namen in Omega und nahm die Nummer "Blood Sacrifice" für die eher obskure "Metal Warriors"-Compilation von Ebony auf (erschienen 1983). "The Prophet" wurde ursprünglich 1985 auf Rock Machine (im Grunde eine Unterabteilung des Punk-Labels Razor Records) veröffentlicht. Die Besetzung bestand aus Dave Robertson (Bass, Gesang), Nick Brent (Gitarren, Gesang), Steve Grainger (Leadgitarren, Keyboards, Gesang) und Graham Roberts (Schlagzeug). Die High Roller Wiederveröffentlichung des Albums kommt mit neuem, hochwertigem Cover-Artwork. Die CD-Ausgabe enthält unveröffentlichte Demoaufnahmen von "Summertime", "Heat of the Night", "Abandon Hope", "Blood Sacrifice" und "The Child" als exklusives Bonusmaterial.

Die New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Band Apocalypse aus London wurde um 1980 von Gitarrist Steve Grainger gegründet. Die Band ging aus zwei Bands im Norden Londons hervor. Phaze und Stone Lady. Ursprünglich verließen Nick Brent, Dave (MEX) Higgen (Stone Lady) und Marc und Steve Grainger (Phaze) Mex die Band, um eine andere Richtung einzuschlagen und das Octave Studio und die PA Company in Nordlondon zu gründen. Dave Robertson stieß dazu und Apocalypse wurden gegründet. Ironischerweise war es Dave (Mex) Higgen, der die Band APOCALYPSE nannte. Es dauerte zwei Jahre, bis die Band ihre einzige Single "Stormchild" für Gate Records veröffentlichte. Nach kleineren personellen Problemen mit einer anderen Band gleichen Namens änderte die Band ihren Namen in Omega und nahm die Nummer "Blood Sacrifice" für die eher obskure "Metal Warriors"-Compilation von Ebony auf (erschienen 1983). "The Prophet" wurde ursprünglich 1985 auf Rock Machine (im Grunde eine Unterabteilung des Punk-Labels Razor Records) veröffentlicht. Die Besetzung bestand aus Dave Robertson (Bass, Gesang), Nick Brent (Gitarren, Gesang), Steve Grainger (Leadgitarren, Keyboards, Gesang) und Graham Roberts (Schlagzeug). Die High Roller Wiederveröffentlichung des Albums kommt mit neuem, hochwertigem Cover-Artwork. Die CD-Ausgabe enthält unveröffentlichte Demoaufnahmen von "Summertime", "Heat of the Night", "Abandon Hope", "Blood Sacrifice" und "The Child" als exklusives Bonusmaterial.

Introducing the latest release on Phunkation records - a funky techno banger record that will get you up and dancing! Drawing influences from classic techno and funk, this release is sure to be a hit on the dance floor.
Featuring a pumping bass line, a catchy synth hook and a groovy beat, it's destined to keep you moving all night long.
This one-of-a-kind release is sure to get you into the groove with its dirty drums and infectious energy, perfect for a peak time occasion. Whether you're hitting the club or just having a dance party at home, this is the record to get you in to the mood. Don't miss out on this must-have release from Chris Chambers & Homma Honganji - get it now and get ready to dance!

"Due to the huge success of the Original Source Series and due to frequent wishes by both fans and critics alike, DG have decided to launch a reprint of all four titles of Batch 1 – marked as “SECOND EDITION”. Same Quality, just without numbering. THE ORIGINAL SOURCE is a new series of celebrated albums reissued on vinyl. These new releases include Claudio Abbado’s fascinating interpretation of works by Debussy and Ravel with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1 LP), the legendary recording of Brahms’s Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 with Emil Gilels, the Berliner Philharmoniker and Eugen Jochum (2 LPs), and Verdi’s Messa da Requiem in the iconic version of Herbert von Karajan and Berliner Philharmoniker (2 LPs). The renowned Berlin-based Emil Berliner Studios are remastering 4-track recordings from the 1970s, using their own cutting-edge and 100% pure analogue techniques (AAA) to create versions of the highest possible audio quality. Compared to the original releases, the advantages in sound are outstanding: More clarity, more details and a better frequency response, less noise, less distortion, less compression – the highest possible audiophile quality which gives listeners the chance to enjoy this repertoire like never before.
Produced on 180g virgin vinyl by Optimal, these limited and numbered releases will be issued in deluxe gatefold editions featuring the original artwork and liner notes, with additional photos and facsimiles of the recording documentation on the inner sleeve. Furthermore, each release includes a note by Rainer Maillard/EBS detailing the technical background and procedure of the Original Source Series, and an additional insert with a photo of the original tape box. Each LP comes in a protective cellophane jacket with a sticker highlighting the
"

2024 Repress

Get Up! Time to release this beast on 7".

Breakwater’s earth-shattering “Release The Beast” is unquestionably the standout song from their 1980 funk masterpiece LP Splashdown. It also came out as a now-hen’s-teeth-rare 7" in the same year and when it came to putting it out as a 7" again we just had to do it in a miniature version of the Splashdown sleeve. It’s one of the best album cover shoots of all time.

For the b-side, we’ve backed Breakwater’s biggest track with Be With’s favourite: the quietly majestic gem “Let Love In”, another winner from the same LP.

Possessing a sound and a feel that was lightyears ahead of its time, “Release The Beast” is a showcase for Breakwater’s phenomenal power-funk capabilities. The energy is astounding. It rips out of the grooves on a deep funk tip, with speaker-smashing, room-shaking drums competing with distorted funk-rock guitar, bumping bass and space-age synths. But it’s not without its compellingly haunting elements too. What else can we say? It’s a genius piece of music.

And, yes, of course this is the tune Daft Punk sampled for their 2005 track “Robot Rock”. Let’s be blunt, they lifted the Philly act’s funk-rock vamping pretty much wholesale. But to be fair to them we wouldn’t have messed with the perfection of the original either and those Parisians shone a much-needed spotlight on an innovative band from the halcyon period of post-disco funk.

On the flip, “Let Love In” is a smooth, easy glide that demonstrates Breakwater’s superb, sophisticated musicianship. The tight horn section and irresistible bass make for an undeniable groove. However, it also reveals a depth to their lyricism that’s often overlooked. In these dark days, the sentiment of the opening lines is truly one to we should all take to heart:

“It feels good to be friends with everyone, Walk around and the feeling’s in the air, No more hate can’t you see, This is really for me.”

A feel good hit for the summer if ever there was one.

Remastered for this vinyl reissue, we’re delighted to present this modern soul double-sider. Essential in every way.

2023 Repress

Frank Maston’s Tulips is a sample-ready film score to the best 70s movie never made. Originally a super-limited self-release on his Phonoscope label in late 2017, Tulips has already become incredibly sought-after. Be With were introduced to Maston by mutual friends Aquarium Drunkard and it didn’t take long before we decided this modern classic deserved a reissue.

Inspired by the deep-grooving soundtracks of Italian cinema - think Morricone, Umiliani and Alessandroni - Maston conceived the entire Tulips project as a continuation of these revered works. Frank designed the artwork and made two 16mm films to accompany the music: “It wasn’t just the LP… it was kind of a whole vibe I was trying to create. Not really trying to emulate the things that influenced me but more trying to make something that could sit alongside those records on a shelf. I’m still very proud of the project.”

There’s a distinct library music feel too, with wiry organ, spacey keyboards and loping 60s guitar hinting at KPM and DeWolfe. Like the best library music, Tulips creates a cinematic universe through sound alone, evoking moving images in the listener’s technicolour imagination. It turns out that was accidentally on purpose: “I was discovering a lot of library music for the first time… listening to a composer’s entire catalog or finding all this obscure stuff. I wasn’t entirely conscious of the influence until I started making this music and realized I was channeling the vibe. That’s when I began focusing more on weaving melodic themes throughout the record to make it function more like a soundtrack”.

Tulips was recorded between 2015 and 2017 in a small studio in a village called Zwaag in Holland, during downtime from Frank’s touring duties with Jacco Gardner’s band. “Tulips” comes from the title of the very first demo he made in Holland, it was the first thing that came to mind. Makes sense.

Recording in Europe with some very European influences in mind, Frank wanted to eschew any American influences. But we can still feel the studio wizardry of the likes of Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson in there somewhere. A psychedelic bedroom-pop song-cycle, full of hypnotic hooks and dusty drums, Tulips manages to sound charmingly homemade yet wholly widescreen.

Dreamy opener “Swans” is an exquisite soul instrumental and recalls the soft-psych of Koushik, which Be With loves of course. Tropicalia influences abound in the cool and breezy “New Danger” and the KPM-references are loud and proud on the lush organ pop of “Old Habits”. Fast-paced “Chase Theme No. 1” manages to be both tense and laid back, decorated by acid-drenched spaghetti Western guitars. The glorious Gainsbourg-esque melancholia of “Infinite Bliss” is all gauzy flutes and happy-sad vocalizing and the title is almost perfect: it’s bliss, no question; *if only* it went on forever. Side A closes with “Evening”, a subtle bossa nova beat thing. Gorgeous.

Side B opens with the heat-shimmer guitars of “Rain Dance”, evoking an unreleased Byrds or Buffalo Springfield backing track. Yes, it’s that good. “Sure Thing” is music to accompany an elevator ride you never want to end, but in a good way! The ornate “Garçon Manqué” is as beautiful as the instrumentals on Pet Sounds (think “Let’s Go Away For A While”) and the wistful “Turning In” starts like a stroll in the park before Maston introduces a scorched-Earth guitar solo that would startle if it wasn’t so pitch-perfect. “Chase Theme No. 2” is a briefer, more keening counterpart to what we hear on side A. The head-nod bass-drums-keys funk of “Hues” rounds out this staggeringly assured set; still opening each phrase with a plaintive strum, but using vibrato and heavy reverb to accent the electric organ melody. Sublime.

All these top drawer musical references might sound like just more of the usual release notes hyperbole, but there’s a reason that this still-young LP already changes hands for big money. It really is that good. Of course that first pressing didn’t hang around for long and Frank’s regularly been asked about a re-press pretty much ever since.

Re-issuing Tulips on Be With made sense to Frank “because the record would fit in so well with the catalogue”. Having already delved into the archives of KPM and Themes, and beginning to do the same with Coloursound and Selected Sounds, the collaboration “just makes sense and seems inevitable”. We agree.

Frank wasn’t sure a record of instrumentals with obscure soundtrack references would be an easy sell when it was originally released, and was surprised when Tulips turned out to be exactly what some people wanted to hear. We reckon its timeless beauty ensures that it’ll *always* have an audience.

The record was originally cut to be played at 45rpm, a technical quirk that grants the home listener the opportunity to go deeper, for longer. Played at 33rpm, the more languid unfurling of the tracks proves just as wonderful a trip. As a psilocybin-soaked case study from Aquarium Drunkard back in January of 2019 describes, some of the songs sound as if they were intended to be heard that way. The slower speed allowing the listener to step inside and perhaps even “crack the code” of the music’s meaning.

Mastered for this vinyl reissue by Simon Francis and featuring alternative burnt orange artwork from Maston himself, this Be With pressing is limited to just 500 copies. Hypnagogic it may be, but please don’t sleep.

Seiya is an orphan who, as a young boy, was selected by the Kido Foundation to bring legendary bronze armour back to Japan. He succeeds, along with 10 other orphans. Forced by the foundation to take part in a "show", the knights embark on a tournament before the prize, the golden armour, is stolen. Little by little, they realise that their problems stem from the Sanctuary in Greece, home to the 12 most powerful knights, the Golden Knights, and their leader, the Great Pope. His target is the young Saori Kido, heiress to the foundation and reincarnation of Athena.

The series was a huge success and spawned an extensive franchise, with TV series, films and video games. This album features the best music and songs from the anime, composed and arranged by Seiji Yokoyama (GATCHAMAN).

Das lebenslange Armdrücken zwischen Kopf und Herz steht im Mittelpunkt von Faith Crisis Pt 1, dem dritten Album der Emo-Indie-Rocker Middle Kids aus Sydney. Die neuen Songs legen die schmerzhaften, frustrierenden und chaotischen Teile des logischen Puzzles dar, das das Leben jeden Tag von uns verlangt. Produziert von Jonathan Gilmore (The 1975, Beabadoobee), bringen Hannah Joy, Tim Fitz und Harry Day meisterhaft Emotionen des Überwältigtseins zum Ausdruck, die den Hörer von den ersten Takten an fesseln. Das Trio greift erneut auf das Wesentliche des Indie-Rock zurück (Gitarre, Bass, Schlagzeug) und hebt seine Songs mit euphorischen Gesangsdarbietungen, einer mitreißenden Produktion und unvergleichlichen Pop-Sensibilität hervor.

Das lebenslange Armdrücken zwischen Kopf und Herz steht im Mittelpunkt von Faith Crisis Pt 1, dem dritten Album der Emo-Indie-Rocker Middle Kids aus Sydney. Die neuen Songs legen die schmerzhaften, frustrierenden und chaotischen Teile des logischen Puzzles dar, das das Leben jeden Tag von uns verlangt. Produziert von Jonathan Gilmore (The 1975, Beabadoobee), bringen Hannah Joy, Tim Fitz und Harry Day meisterhaft Emotionen des Überwältigtseins zum Ausdruck, die den Hörer von den ersten Takten an fesseln. Das Trio greift erneut auf das Wesentliche des Indie-Rock zurück (Gitarre, Bass, Schlagzeug) und hebt seine Songs mit euphorischen Gesangsdarbietungen, einer mitreißenden Produktion und unvergleichlichen Pop-Sensibilität hervor.

The music of Atlanta trio Omni has always swung fast and hit hard. And Souvenir, their fourth album and second for Sub Pop, packs their biggest punch yet. Inactive during the majority of the pandemic-the longest downtime in their history-they approached this recording with lots of pent-up energy. Guitarist Frankie Broyles, singer/bassist Philip Frobos, and drummer Chris Yonker converted their creative fuel into sharp, driving songs that land immediately, sporting chopping riffs, staccato beats, and wiry melodies. Why does Souvenir sound so sharp? Because each track is a compact unit that stands on its own, reflecting the time and place in which it was created. That's why Omni called the album Souvenir: it's a collection of audio objects, a stash of musical miniatures. Think of it as a family photo album, a binder of rare playing cards, a shoebox holding precious gems. Take "Plastic Pyramid," the first song Omni wrote after coming out of lockdown. Filled with twists and turns, it's a journey unto itself, charged by clanging chords, spinning rhythm, and Frobos trading lines with Izzy Glaudini of Automatic, with whom Omni toured with last fall. (Glaudini sings on two other Souvenir tracks, the first guest vocalist the band has collaborated with). Or take opener "Exacto," a slicing web of intertwined guitar and bass. Its razor-fine notes and syncopated beats perfectly match pointillist Frobos lyrics such as "Exacto, de facto, concise, quite right"-a line that could well be an Omni mantra. The precision and clarity of Souvenir comes from some new Omni developments. For one, this is their first album with Yonker as their full-time drummer, and his forceful playing adds exclamation points to every pointed moment on Souvenir. In addition, the trio worked with Atlanta-based engineer Kristofer Sampson for the first time. Sampson pushed the band to a higher degree of power, with Frobos's vocals more upfront in his pulsing mix and the rest of the music leaping out of the speakers. You might notice that Frobos' singing is a bit more emotional and even nostalgic this time around. In crafting his vocals, he was inspired by the early college radio rock of formative favorites like REM, the Cure, and Big Audio Dynamite-the kind of bands whose melodies could have been top 40 hits in an alternative universe. The lyrics on Souvenir are also by turns funny, absurd, and even cryptic. A wry humor has always coursed through Omni's songs, and this time, it comes in shades of both dark and light. In "Granite Kiss," an "astronomical" love story concludes with the hope that "we can decay together," while in "PG," a romantic walk in the park includes a rose-colored mugging. Immediacy rushes throughout every moment of Souvenir, making it the band's most powerful album to date. Omni has truly crafted a musical keepsake-a set of songs that you'll want to keep close, an aural memento you'll cherish for the rest of time.

WRWTFWW Records is happy to announce the first-ever physical release of Louisiana-based composer and producer Jammin’ Sam Miller’s full HD re-creation/restoration of the beloved Super Metroid video game soundtrack. The limited biovinyl double LP is packed with 27 tracks and features an exclusive artwork by French illustrator Pierre Thyss, as well as an obi strip.

Composed by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano, the soundtrack for 1994 SNES exploration / action-adventure / sci-fi / alien video game Super Metroid has always been a fan-favorite. A true masterclass in music storytelling, it beautifully evokes the epic and eerie adventure of the game’s protagonist Samus Aran with superb use of atmospheric sounds, space-operatic arrangements, rumbling bass, oppressive techno-futurist moods, tribal drums, and airy synth themes, admirably balancing the ominous feel of a dark menace and contemplative, even soothing, ambient soundscapes.

Jammin' Sam Miller assiduously recreated the soundtrack note by note, by finding the original equipment used to create it, translating the MIDI into a modern studio context, adding in keyboard samples, and re-mixing and re-mastering the whole score. He explains: "This was made possible by locating the original instrument samples from workstation keyboards and drum machines before they were put into the game and rebuilding the soundtrack from the ground up, applying some modern mixing techniques along the way to lift the veil of 16bit compression and create an updated listening experience."

Super Metroid is pressed on biovinyl, a sustainable alternative to traditional vinyl. Biovinyl replaces petroleum in S-PVC by recycling used cooking oil or industrial waste gases, resulting in 100% CO2 savings in bio-based S-PVC production. Furthermore, it is 100% recyclable and reusable, embracing the circular economy ideology.

Days of the New (the Green album) is the second self-titled studio album from Days of the New, originally released in 1999 and written, performed and produced by Travis Meeks. After the first album, the band broke-up and with only Matt Taul on board from the past, lead bandmember Travis Meeks surrounded himself with a sea of musicians, including a young pre-Pussycat Dolls Nicole Scherzinger for background vocals and even drew in an orchestra. Influential Rolling Stone's review called the album "a progress report from an artist in the midst of a head-spinning transition". The first single "Enemy" charted #10 in the US Alternative Airplay chart, #10 in the Mainstream Rock Tracks and the second single "Weapon & The Wound charted #10 in the Mainstream Rock Tracks. Days of the New (the Green album) celebrates its 25th anniversary and is available on vinyl for the first time. This 2LP includes an insert.

Days of the New (II) by Days Of The New, released 16 February 2024, includes the following tracks: "Enemy", "Skeleton Key", "Bring Yourself" and more.

This version of Days of the New (II) comes as a 2xLP. This release comes with (a) Insert(s).

Ihr Genre ist „Celtic Fantasy Metal“ und ihre Alben könnten
problemlos als Soundtracks für Serien wie Game of Thrones
oder Vikings dienen. Ihre Fans nennen sie die „Metal-Enya
“ und sie verkörpert für Tausende engagierter Zuhörer auf der
ganzen Welt den Archetyp der „Kriegerkönigin“.
Ihr bevorstehendes sechstes Album „The Glory and the Fallen
“ markiert eine neue Entwicklung für die Singer-Songwriterin.
Dieses Album stellt neue Herausforderungen vor und betritt
neue Gebiete in der Songwriting-Phase. Es verspricht nicht
nur, ihr bislang epischstes und bahnbrechendstes Projekt zu
werden, sondern ist auch eine monumentale Klanglandschaft,
die von Fantasie, Geschichte und persönlicher Reise inspiriert
ist.
Die mit Spannung erwartete Neuveröffentlichung wurde von
Oliver Philipps (Everon, Phantasma) produziert. Das
erstaunliche Kunstwerk wurde von Giannis Nakos (Kamelot,
Evergrey, Amaranthe) geschaffen.

FOR FANS OF: NIGHTWISH, AMARANTHE, HALESTORM, WITHIN TEMPTATION
TEMPERANCE BESTSELLER! Zum ersten Mal auf Vinyl Limitiert auf 500, in ‘MARBLED ORANGE’ Vinyl. Temperance ist eine der meist gepriesenen
neuen ‘Melodic Metal’ Bands, die in den letzten Jahren in Europa aufgetaucht ist. Mit gleich 3 Sängern in ihrem Line-up, besticht die Musik von
Temperance durch ihre ausgefeilten Harmonien, sowohl auf ihren Studioalben als auch bei ihren starken Konzerten, welche auch durch eine Fülle von
schneidenden Gitarren-Riffs, Electronica und sogar Einflüsse des Rock glänzen. Melodien, geballte Energie und überragende gesangliche Harmonien:
Drei Worte, um die Seele und den Erfolg von Temperance’s Sound treffend und prägnant zu umschreiben.
‘Of Jupiter and Moons’, das 4. Opus der Band aus dem Jahr 2018, stellt einen weiteren kräftigen Schritt vorwärts in der Karriere der umtriebigen Band
dar. Gemischt und gemastert von Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Amaranthe), mit einem hervorragenden Cover Artwork von Yann Souetre (Ayreon)
und Band Photos von Tim Tronckoe (Nightwish, Ghost), kehren Temperance zurück ins Zentrum der Szene, stärker als je zuvor!
Die Veröffentlichung des Albums 2018 fiel zusammen mit der Vorstellung des neuen Vocal Teams: Das Talent von Marco Pastorino wird nun verstärkt
durch die neuen Sänger Michele Guaitoli (bereits bekannt als Leadsinger von Kaledon und Overtures) und Alessia Scolletti, einer begnadeten Sängerin
und ‘Rising Star’ der italienischen Szene!










[j] Daruma's Eyes [Part I]

To celebrate the 20th release on Khazad Records and the first of 2024, label chief Balrog presents his long anticipated album, The Industrial Groove Association.

After nearly three years in the making this album, released on digital and vinyl sampler, represents the true essence of the unique Industrial Groove sound that Balrog has been looking to develop since his emergence on to the techno scene.

Taking inspiration from a broad spectrum of musical genres and culture, over the course of the album Balrog explores the use of captivating vocal stabs and phrases, carefully crafted atmospheric synths and rolling bass lines. All these elements are consistently bound together with the heavy and unrelenting drums and percussion that Balrog has become synonymous with.

This vinyl album sampler features 6 tracks from the LP, pressed on 12" vinyl with full color sleeve.

INDUSTRIAL GROOVE IN YOUR NOSTRILS

Mastering: Micky Nox

Danielle Boutet’s P »Pièces« is a mysterious artifact of Quebecois marginalia, self-released in 1985. Moving from languid ennui to high drama, »Pièces« is a dreamy gestalt, an album that borders Chanson, spoken-word, jazz noir, and minimalism, conjured from the chasm between acoustic and electronic realms. »Pièces« allows us a window into the highly intimate songcraft and compositional skill of an artist who longed to linger not in the public eye, but in relation with others and the world around her.

Born in Quebec City, Boutet studied music at the University of Montreal, where she focused on composition and percussion, before becoming involved in Montreal’s feminist and lesbian art scene. Primarily written, performed, and recorded by Boutet, with voice, guitar work, and technical assistance by Sylvie Gagnon, Pièces was created during a paradigm shift in home recording. Originally composed for the piano, Boutet and Gagnon utilized a consumer-friendly Tascam 4-track Portastudio and versatile Yamaha DX-7, alongside guitar, bass, marimba, and the human voice, to expand and contemporize the original composition’s scope.

Inspired by prog rock and British poet and musician Anne Clark, »Pièces« translates Boutet’s influence by moving between sunny, wistful fairytale and dark, wintry dirge. Filled with longing marimba, vertiginous, startling synth pads, and folk guitar, each track on Pièces offers a wholly unique proposition. Some are modal and rife with the ethereal psychological tension of a sci-fi soundtrack, while others are more like entering a smoke-laced lounge, the entertainer embodying seduction.

With the sprechgesang of artists like Serge Gainsbourg, there is an intense intimacy to Boutet’s delivery, sometimes as if she is performing for an audience of one. As one lyric goes, translated to English from French: “Like holograms/ Images from a world/ That inhales souls/ And exudes drama.” Another song contains an excerpt from The Tao of Physics: “The eastern sages specify clearly that they do not identify an ordinary void, but rather, a void having an infinite creative potential.”

To English-language audiences, the album’s title, »Pièces«, might seem to simply refer to the eleven different pieces. The title can also, of course, refer to parts of a larger whole, but Boutet is keen to point out that there is also another meaning: In French, a pièce is a room. On the cover of the original cassette, Boutet is seen sitting on a chair, alone in an empty apartment, a cable snaking at her feet. Listening to »Pièces« is like entering eleven different rooms: whether a study encased in shadow, a greenhouse left to wither in an eternal frost, or a divine nave.

Boutet sold a few dozen copies around Montreal, a scene mostly occupied by the new wave explosion de rigueur, but the inclusion of Pièces in the 1987 issue of Ladyslipper—the North Carolina-based mail order catalog that championed women musicians of all calibers and careers—led to more exposure throughout North America. “In the catalog,” Boutet says, “they included it in the New Age section, but I was, and still am, aware that this album is relatively unclassifiable.”

Boutet would release one more album, titled Musiques Urbaines, before getting pulled in the direction of interdisciplinary art and theory. “Although I never stopped making music, I lost all interest in public diffusion or performance,” Boutet says. Despite her departure from performance and publicly releasing music, she left behind a strange and enthralling document of Montreal’s 1980s feminist fringe, an aural document of the historic moment when self-recorded music and its practical potential became a prismatic reality.

Danielle Boutet’s Pièces arrives February 16, 2024 as part of uncommon¢ (“uncommon sense”), an open-ended, serialized endeavor from Freedom to Spend that provides new meaning for rarefied recordings from music’s outermost fringe.

With his seemingly endless capacity for creating compositions which have an alluring quality, and which are often wrapped in a mesmerising arrangement that pays homage to those towering sound constructions made by Phil Spector, Shadow Morton, Brian Wilson and the likes, veteran New York polymath Marc Jonson is also deserving of household name status. Involved in making records since the mid-sixties, Jonson's latest long-play collection is a particularly special glimpse into a secret stash of recordings made between 1979 and 2012 in his tiny flat on Cornelia St., New York's Greenwich Village, during the years we spend living (and surviving) there. These tracks are only now seeing the light of day, with many featuring Jonson at his melodic, awe-inspiring best; soul-baring, honest and vulnerable. Spanning these grooves are such delightfully told stories as 'The Man Who Walks On Air', 'November Paint Brush', the atypical jazz stylings of the instrumental title cut, plus the revealing light that is 'The Moon' and the magical, wide eyed beauty as conjured by 'Ages Of Wonder'. These tracks are only now seeing the light of day, with many featuring Jonson at his melodic, awe-inspiring best; soul-baring, honest and vulnerable. "Those who have taken the leap into Jonson's hitherto unknown musical world will be able to tell you that this is not only an experience which is immensely rewarding, but it's also one which needs to be heard to be believed. The captivating layers and mesmerising quality heard throughout lies in the way Jonson's startling array of songs seem to breathe in and exhale from many different, often eclectic elements." Lenny Helsing (Shindig!, Ugly Things Magazine).