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* A repress of an absolutle classic, this EP is one of the original Liquid Crystal masterpieces, lovingly remastered and rereleased! Nothing more needs to be said!

* This EP was absolutely huge when originally released, and the same is expected for this wonderful remaster and repress. Much sought after, and deservedly so, a big EP from back in the day is finally on its way….

Club / DJ Support
Billy Bunter, the Fat Controller, Glowkid, Slipmatt, Dj Jedi, Dj Luna-C, Dj Brisk, Clayfighter, Jimni Cricket, Bustin, Sc@r, Doughboy, Saiyan, Dave Skywalker, Ponder and many others

Pick A Dub" zeigte die anhaltende Stärke und die zentrale Bedeutung des Rhythmus für die Entwicklung der Reggae-Musik, und Keith Hudsons vollständige Beherrschung des Genres und das uneingeschränkte Lob, das seiner Veröffentlichung folgte, waren völlig gerechtfertigt. Die "strengen klanglichen Qualitäten" des Albums sind ehrfurchtgebietend, die großartigen Rhythmen kommen ohne zusätzliche Effekte und Studiotricks voll zur Geltung, und die Gesamtwirkung ist heute noch genauso fesselnd wie vor über vierzig Jahren.

DJ Beeno and Paul Bradley have been mainstays of the Kniteforce roster for some time now, and it was only a matter of time before they appeared on the same EP, and this seemed like the perfect time.

DJ Beeno makes a rare traditional piano breakbeat track in the style of early Remix Records, circa 1994. Then, Paul Bradley takes the track and makes it more 1995 in style with big kicks, bigger breaks, and stabs for days.

Paul Bradley then goes back, once again, to the 1994 sound with his track, with all the energy of a freight train only stopping for the euphoric breakdowns. DJ Beeno then takes the track and flips it upside down with his signature sound, a sound that cannot be described easily but will put a fat smile on your face none the less!

This fantastic EP is part of the hugely successful Move-E series from Kniteforce. The series covers all the Kniteforce sub labels, and this new one from Hannibal Selector on KFW ramps up the darkness tenfold. Huge menacing basslines, ruff amen breaks, and sinister samples are the order of the day, and this EP has been absolutely destroying dancefloors everywhere!

Frankey & Sandrino make their HABITAT debut with *The Moment,* a thrilling three-track EP that reimagines early trance and house through a contemporary lens. The title track "The Moment" features a haunting female vocal line, "The moment is eternity and now is just a dream," set against lush, layered synths that evoke the euphoria of rave's golden era. Balancing out the EP are “Intrinsic”, with its hypnotic grooves and futuristic vocals, and “Motivation,” with its powerful, driving synths that are sure to take over any dance floor.

Here, the celebrated German duo has crafted a package that balances underground credibility with mainstream appeal, offering a masterclass in immersive electronic music. With a rich legacy releasing on labels like Innervisions, Diynamic and their own label Sum Over Histories, Frankey & Sandrino make for a welcome addition to HABITAT, pushing new boundaries, and solidifying their impact on the global electronic music scene with this mesmerizing new release.

'Freak The Speaker' is an evolution of The Allergies trademark sound, seeing duo Moneyshot and Rackabeat deliver their biggest beats to date on their latest album. They enlist a quality melting pot of artists to bring additional vibrancy with K.O.G, Ohmega Watts, Dynamite MC, Dr Syntax, and Skunkadelic, all stepping up to the plate. Long-time collaborators and live tour band members Andy Cooper Ugly Duckling, sax supremo James Morton and soul sensation Marietta Smith, continue to keep it nice and lively, rounding off another quality album full of funk, soul and hip-hop, guaranteed to provide good vibes and shake your sound system.

Promo

"A banger from those Bristol boogie boys" Craig Charles on 'Koliko'

"Obsessed with this new track from The Allergies." Lauren Laverne on 'Koliko'

"I love that it's recognisably you but also an evolution from what you've done before... " Adam Walton - BBC Wales

"All over this one. Absolutely incredible." Lauren Laverne on 'No Flash'

"Hot new release." Steve Lamacq on 'No Flash'

"Boom-bap rap cut from the finest cloth." Chuck D (Public Enemy) on 'No Flash'

Prepare to experience a true soul gem reimagined for the modern age with this special 7-inch reissue of Matt Covington’s classic, I'm So In Love With You. Originally released in 1983, this rare groove masterpiece captures the essence of early '80s R&B with its smooth, heartfelt vocals and lush instrumentation. Covington’s romantic delivery and the track's elegant arrangement have made it a coveted piece for collectors and soul aficionados alike, with the original pressing becoming increasingly hard to find over the years. For the first time ever, I’m So In Love With You is being reissued, allowing a new generation of listeners to discover its timeless charm. On the flip side, we’ve included Muhammad Ali, a standout cut from Covington’s self-titled album that resonates with soul, funk, and infectious energy. A favorite of acclaimed DJ Floating Points, Muhammad Ali pays tribute to the legendary boxer with a groove that’s as fierce as its namesake. Whether this has been sat in your wantlist for years or new to Matt Covington’s music, this 7-inch offers an essential addition to your collection. With its impeccable blend of silky soul and rhythmic punch, this reissue promises to become as cherished as the original release.

The brand new ANORAX RECORDS label’s mantra is #eatsleepcollect - which makes its’ debut release right on point.

Drizabone’s anthemic “Pressure” has become a huge collectors want with appeal to Modern Soul fans, Northern Soul followers and House addicts via the much loved Roger Sanchez remix.

Drizabone burst on to a dazzling British Soul scene in the early 1990’s, following the footsteps of Soul II Soul and Loose Ends, rubbing shoulders with the likes of The Brand New Heavies as UK acts laid down their own distinctive Soul DNA.

After debuting with “Real Love” which went from a mystery white label to a chart smash, Drizabone went on to record the iconic “Conspiracy” album.

“Pressure” has endured like fine wine and is now hailed as an all time classic.

ANORAX present the original and very in-demand original backed with Roger Sanchez’s Nu- Solution remix on limited edition 7 inch single.

Dan Ghenacia's influence on the European underground over the last 25-plus years cannot be overstated. He has run vital labels, hosted essential parties, laid down definitive DJ sets, and produced seminal sounds both solo and as part of the tastemaking Apollonia trio with friends Shonky and Dyed Soundorom. His understanding of house music across the ages and continents is second to none, and he brings all that experience to this fantastic new solo EP.

The bumpy and infectious 'Rouge Ou Noir' opens with looped and funky guitar riffs and neon synths winding their way through dusty, dynamic drums. Cooing vocal stabs ramp up the steaminess of this most tasteful party starter. The superb 'Chilly' has a bustling blend of louche rhythms and rugged synth arps that dart about the mix. They hurry along beneath swirling vocal sounds up top with hints of Metro Area magic and tripped-out colours, all making it a characterful groove. Last but not least, 'Chilly' gets dubbed out and becomes a more low-slung sound with a fleshy bassline popping up the choppy, playful and synth-infused rhythm.

This release is part of the Move-E series, and features long time Kniteforce artist Abyss on top form. Always a master of the darker styles, this EP shows he has never lost his tough, with fierce amen edits, huge bass, and the darkness we all crave in our underground jungle sounds...

The link up between Mantra and Vivek goes back to 2013 when Mantra used to frequent his System nights at The Dome. Both share similar values in grafting hard, focusing on the music and not getting distracted by the noise surrounding the culture. This EP has been in the making for over 2 years and we’re proud to finally be releasing Mantra’s debut SYSTEM EP.

4 cuts spanning different corners of electronic music - from broken beat, garage, and jungle, all with a heavy dub influence. Chopped up breaks, carefully programmed hits, dub baselines, heavenly pads - this release is raw, weighty & System to the core!

Mit mehreren erfolgreichen Singles in den deutschen Radiocharts, einer fast ausverkauften Debüttour und Auftritten im deutschen Fernsehen vor einem Millionenpublikum hat sich der sympathische Finne als Solokünstler etabliert. Musikalisch hat Fliku Rajamaa ebenfalls Quantensprünge gemacht und bewiesen. dass er welt mehr als nur der ehemalige Lead-Gitarrist von Sunrise Avenue ist. Im September 2024 erscheint nun seine EP »Blood Sweat Tears« als 12" Vinyl. Dieser ist zudem auch ein exklusives Gitarren Plektrum beigelegt.

Mit der gleichnamigen Single lässt Riku die Musikwelt wieder einmal an seinem Ausnahmetalent teilhaben, einen Ohrwurm nach dem nächsten kreieren zu können, den man direkt mitsingen möchte. Die weiteren Singles auf der EP spiegeln seine Vielseitigkeit wider: mal melancholisch und tiefgründig. mal positiv und charmant. Seine Musik ist ehrlich und emotional. Man darf also gespannt bleiben, was der sympathische, finnische »Guitar Nerd« noch alles für uns bereithält und was er noch erreichen wird. wenn er sich nach so kurzer Zeit schon erfolgreich einen Namen als Solokünstler gemacht hat.

RAWAX welcomes Rupert Hartick to the artist family!
We are very happy to present you this very talented Producer and DJ on our 24th edition of the RAWAX S-series. Rupert delivered here warm, trippy & soulful release which will see the light in Spring!
Highly recommended release from KONFUS Records- boss!

Ranges welcomes Elias. with an exclusive reminiscent dub EP. The A-Side opens with the expansive soundscapes in “Aquatic”, followed by a beautifully designed 4/4 dub action in “Red Lantern”. The B-side puts emphasis on faster shades of dub. “Severe” delivers a reminiscent chord action accompanied by peak-time grooves. “FM Therapy” and “Fog” showcase a darker edge of dub with raw energy supported by cold yet evocative atmospheres. A compelling collection of 5 diverse tracks making a unique contribution to the label catalog. Limited 12” pressing!

Heavy support by Radio Slave, Sam Divine, Acid Pauli, Green Velvet and Maceo Plex to name a few, while also being played on radio stations world wide. The album marks the beginning of a new chapter for The Glitz as they embark on a journey beyond the world of electronic music. After a wide range of beautiful, inspiring, provoking and uplifting The Glitz-singles, we are now approaching the full album in all its might. The singles have shown us the diverse soundscapes you can find in Andreas and Daniels musical multiverse, with the genres ranging from the classic House and Techno genres, to also introducing their take on Trip Hop, Neo RnB, Hip Hop, Ballad and Electronica. This journey into their musical realm has resonated with fans and colleagues alike the last months, putting the first single on position 1 in the German Club Charts for four weeks straight (it is still in the Beatport top100 after 7 months). Born out of a desire to create a space to explore and expand their unique sound, their new album is a bold extension of The Glitz vision and purpose. It has been a long time coming and is the result of four intense years in the studio together with the unique and talented singer and songwriter Mulay. And now it is time to present the full album to the world. is the mesmerising product of one of their many jam sessions in the studio. It carries the unique The Glitz fingerprints all over it while also letting them shine in a new context. The slow flowing Hip Hop beat paired with Mulays raw vocals and incredibly poetical and personal lyrics is a must hear for old and new The Glitz-fans alike.



Placed between some of the beautiful singles we have heard before, "Ergh" hits us with full force. The track takes us on a breaky, synth loaded trip. As an energetic and driving fresh breath of air, the track combines a frisky attitude with a tension building arrangement, showing that while Andreas and Daniel embrace new genres and styles, they still have good ears for club oriented, heavier hits as well. "Flummi" is put to work in a similar setting, but with a completely different world of sounds. Bright synths slowly build up, paralleled with the pulsating low end and guiding the listener towards an explosive breakdown. The track is followed by the wild and intoxicating "Rabbit Underground" that swoops you off your feet like a rocket launch. A skilfully crafted yet raw drum work with an exquisite snare creates a foundation for tantalising synths and captivating vocals that radiates with power. After this rollercoaster of a track, the wilderness is countered with the soft and playful "Mother". The Glitz bring together various layers of soft synths and smooth percussions, creating a beautiful sphere where the captivating vocals by Mulay shine in a new way. Ending this incredible journey of sound exploration is the stunning ballad "Seven Rivers". No noise, no distractions, just a beautifully stripped down ballad that carries an ocean of emotions. A perfect completion of "Axen". In their own way, each song carries the unique sound characteristics that Andreas and Daniel are so known and loved for, while giving them space to experiment and show themselves in new ways. The mix of emotionally charged, dance floor oriented and vibrant songs are bound to give the listeners an entrancing, unforgettable experience.

Stepper Hight Ranking with blessed Murray Man !!

RAWAX proudly welcomes DJ Rush to the Family! We are thrilled to annouce 3 releases by the Chicago Legend.
Starting with the former Dance Mania from 1991 called "Childs Play".
Highly recommended!

Selector Series has really hit its stride with a rich vein of audio gold and following hot on the heels of Gene Harris’s ‘Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong’, they have unearthed yet another in demand gem with The Vibrations ‘Shake It Up’. It is remarkable to think that this re-issue marks the 50th anniversary of its original release in 1974. It then resurfaced as one of the biggest records soundtracking the mid ‘80’s London warehouse parties and rare groove scene. The epitome of modern soul, this 2-step masterclass sounds as fresh on today’s dancefloor as it did when tearing the roof of those all-nighters.

Co written by Bunny Sigler and arranged by Vince Montana, the swirling strings and distinctive percussive intro is guaranteed to uplift any dance and subsequently, Shake It Up found its way onto many a diggers wants list. Flipped with the mellower Thom Bell and Linda Creed penned ‘Make It Last’, here is your chance to own a pristine vinyl copy. As with everything on this label, buy on sight and spread the love.

RAVING PITYLESS A-CLASS FLAVOR


SUPA BLOOD MOON STYLE !

A record all about 333 BPM. Every tunes are OK with 333 BPM... And you ?

Notice last tune is a collab between Dj Balli and Ewen XKV8, the original Hangar Liquides 02 producer (in association with U-Bald).
But he is also a writer/documentalist of high ranking.

Enjoy that crazyness !!

BIG EP HERE !

Stripped down techno groovers.New Made Of Concrete by Alexander Kowalski & Rebar.

“Überkeine underlines his inclination towards textured techno drifts with this second Ep. Four tracks designed for the club, designed for motion, stirring up disorder on the dancefloor. Aggressive Starter, as its name implies, lays the foundations of the record with assertiveness.
Infatuated with Broken beat techno debauchery, Überkeine continues
experimenting the relationship between kick drum layers and synthetic rambunctious sounds. Revolving around a simple yet effective loop, this track toggles between various stages of distortion bringing emotions through force and discharge. Piggyback Ride brings us into a wavering and unhealthy yet very danceable chamber of depravity.
Energetic, odd and straightforward, the track is divided into two different sections acting as trauma resolving pieces of cake. Radical Jazz starts the B side with ruthless energy, delivering a noteworthy slap dipped in lunatic infringement. A not so sorry, carnal bassline, that hits you in the guts, right where it belongs. Techno with a lack of boundaries. Last but not least, Atomic moog’s proficiency in making deep and spaced out techno acts as leverage for the record. A breath of fresh-air, dedicated to the after-hours. Solid, dubbed-out and delectable piece of equipment. Black and clear “split effect” vinyl, each record is unique !”

Oh yes! First ever official reissue of the positively sublime and very rare Butterfly LP, recorded in Tokyo in 1979 by Japanese songstress Kimiko Kasai and jazz legend Herbie Hancock.

Due to it's super-rare status as a Japan-only release, this exquisite collection of covers never got the recognition it deserved at the time, despite incredibly inspired performances from Kimiko, Herbie and the supremely talented musicians assembled for the project. From heavenly drummer Alphonse Mouzon and renowned organist Webster Lewis to bassist Paul Jackson, reedman Bennie Maupin and the master percussionist Bill Summers, the legendary performers crafted amazingly good vocal versions of Herbie / Headhunters jazz-funk. Unsurprisingly, it has been heavily in demand for many years.

The LP opens with Kimiko's highly desirable version of "I Thought It Was You", an elegant take on Herbie's own anthem. Other superb re-workings include the delicately soulful "Butterfly", jazzy groover "Sunlight", the smooth and sexy "Tell Me A Bedtime Story" and the beautiful ballads "Maiden Voyage" and "Harvest Time". A wonderful example of perfectly understated and masterful jazz-funk soul fusion that shouldn't be missed, the set closes with a jaw-dropping version of Stevie Wonder's "As".

This lovingly curated reissue enables a long overdue reappraisal of this hitherto unavailable masterpiece. The stunning artwork which adorned the original jacket - complete with OBI strip and sumptuous
4 page folded insert - has been faithfully restored. Simon Francis' sensitive mastering elevates the sound throughout and, as ever, it has been pressed at a reassuringly weighty 180g. Essential.

LA threesome ASHRR aka lead vocalist Steven Davis and producer-musician-vocalists Josh Charles and Ethan Allen are back with a brilliant new album for Ralph Lawson's superb 20/20 Vision Recordings that finds them working by the old mantra of 'art for art's sake'. This effortlessly eclectic record collides electronic soul, post-punk, space disco and indie-dance and is rich in melancholic melody, hazy, late-summer moods and late-night dancing. The vocals bring an indie edge to jangling delights like 'Please Don't Stop The Rain' while 'What's Been Turning You On' is a laidback and languid groove for lazy sessions.

We are delighted to present the debut record by pianist, poet and radio producer Phil Smith. Turning his attention away from BBC feature-making, and his cult Jazz-Disjunction NTS show, Phil offers us the diaristic, heartfelt and homespun "Tagebuch".

"Tagebuch" is a collection of musical journal entries, spanning Phil's time living in Berlin from 2013—2017. Using sweetly tumbling piano as a starting point, he flexes his storytelling chops, shifting from scene to scene via voice, folk-jazz arrangements, musique concrète and the occasional techno-synth chugger.

Don't be fooled by Phil's back-of-envelope charm, this is an expertly-crafted radio biopic without words; the minutiae of life percolated through layers of accordion, U-Bahn harmonics and beer foam. A talented cast of guests and friends, notably multi-instrumentalist Zac Gvi, add an unassuming weight and emotional muscle to this deeply personal source material.

Recommended if you like John Carroll Kirby, Penguin Cafe Orchestra or Alabaster DePlume. The vinyl edition of "Tagebuch" comes complete with a book of poems and photos by Phil.

We are delighted to offer a very limited hand-stamped repress of Black Loops’ debut EP, 7 Hills on Freerange

The Italian producer who splits his time between Berlin and his native country has had a solid few years rising through the house music ranks through releases on respected labels such as Shall Not Fade, Pets, Toytonics, Aterral, Gruuv & Neovinyl.

His broad-ranging influences taking in funk, soul, disco and 90’s NY house inform a depth, warmth and musicality to his productions which has seen him in demand DJing around the world and makes him an obvious fit for us here on Freerange.

This EP, produced almost exclusively during an extended tour in Australia opens with title track 7Hills, the area where he stayed and worked on this release. The trademark Black Loops swinging groove, smooth Rhodes stabs/ keys licks courtesy of Nikos Haropoulos and a deep, rolling bassline all come together to form the perfect warm up track - uplifting, understate and with a subtle sense of anticipation.

Next up we have Parisian producer Mad Rey getting stuck into 7Hills for a raw, bumping interpretation which jacks things up a notch taking it into heavier peak-time territory. Mad Rey has been responsible for some brilliant releases on French label D.Ko, Rekids and most recently Mamie’s Records and alongside label mates Flabaire and Paul Cut he has helped reestablish Paris as a hotbed of fresh, musical talent.

Flipping over we have two more Black Loops originals. King Paul takes an old soul vocal sample and works it to great effect over crisp 909 beats and sun-soaked keys whilst a vinyl-only bonus track Linda38 treads a similar path but with a punchier groove and warm pads rounding off this EP in fine style.

The multi-media project Kraftwerk was started in Düsseldorf, Germany 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. They set up their electronic Kling Klang Studio where they conceived and produced all Kraftwerk albums.

Kraftwerk created the soundtrack for the digital age of the 21st century. AUTOBAHN 1974, RADIO-ACTIVITY 1975, TRANS EUROPE EXPRESS 1977, THE MAN-MACHINE 1978, COMPUTER WORLD 1981, TECHNO POP 1986, THE MIX 1991, TOUR DE FRANCE 2003. Their compositions, using innovative techniques, electronic sounds and synthetic voices combined with computerised rhythms, had a major musical influence on Electro, Hip Hop, Techno and Synth-Pop. 

Superhero? Supervillain? Super WHAT? CZARFACE & MF DOOM's newest team-up record Super What? is, much like the Avengers' arch-enemy Thanos...inevitable (and all-powerful!).

The icon MF DOOM unleashes his wizardry and wordplay throughout the record, while CZARFACE (bolstered by the legendary Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck and Esoteric) slash through each of the Czar-Keys' produced tracks as the team raises the bar on their previous LP, Czarface meets Metalface (2018). Featuring golden-age superhero DMC (of RUN-DMC) and Hieroglyphics' leader Del The Funky Homosapien, with art by longtime CZARFACE co-creator Lamour Supreme, this album will bring all
the thrills of a cosmic summer blockbuster.

Recorded and slated for an early 2020 release, and paused while COVID raged, this collaboration of masked men is finally finding its way to you on all formats.

The Magic of Boney M (Special Remix Edition)' LP includes the very best of one of the 70's biggest pop acts. From the mega hits 'Daddy Cool' and 'Rivers Of Babylon' to the back in vogue 'Rasputin' which went viral on TikTok in 2021 becoming the 2nd most popular catalogue track on the platform last year after the meme generation rebooted the disco classic. This double vinyl version (one LP is translucent pink and one is translucent blue) release also features stunning new remixes from LIZOT and Majestic. Promo/marketing activity. Limited pressing/stock may need to be allocated.

Secrets Of Sound sold out their first release in quick fashion and now they return with a second instalment in the Exotic Origins series, designed to take you a million light years away from your current reality and deep into the far depths of space with eight superbly cosmic explorations of ambient and downtempo magic. Italians Do It Better man Johnny Jewel kicks off with some sultry sax-laced sounds, David Lynch's musical partner Dean Hurley crushes on shimmering pads and Pye Corner Audio bring a little intergalactic tension. Elsewhere there are sugary synths from Legowelt, suspensory pads from TM Solver and plenty more to help you escape to another dimension. Add to that the fact it arrives on a random variety of different vinyl colours and comes with a download code, and you've got rather a nice package.

Lalomie Washburn is an US soul vocalist (25th August 1941 - 18th September 2004) from the Soul/Funk 70's band „High Voltage“ who released her solo album, „My Music Is Hot“, in 1977 and collaborated with many artists including Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan and Ray Charles over decades.

In 1992, she released several 12" singles including the independant hit „Try My Love“. This hit single leaded her 1997 second (self-titled) solo album and became a huge Acid Jazz classic to be found on various compilations in the mid to the late 90ts.

In 2005 she was inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
Now, 20 years later this song still got all the energy and musicality to be back big in the clubs and with the 2024 Boogie Back Remix in the Boogie Funk style on the flipside, DJs will have even more reasons to spin it and prove their love for it…

By it's very nature "Radio Chevére", the new album by Rio 18 and their host of guests cannot be categorized simply: at once both a Latin mixtape and a radio show, it's also an internationalist love letter, an offering to the goddess of Tropical Music and all that it encompasses. Ambitious, yes. Foolhardy, possibly. But sincere, committed and FUNKY? Definitely.

With the voice of guest DJ Coco Maria as our guide, "Radio Chévere" takes us on a journey through myriad musical styles and stories. Stopping off at Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Mexico, California, New York and countless other sonic destinations via Samba, Salsa, Funk, Cumbia, Joropo, Disco, Psychedelic and Electronic stylings, "Radio Chévere" is also a musical metaphor for migration - a journey from one continent, one life to another.

This album features songs in no less than four languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Welsh and English) and includes collaborations with Brazilian legends the +2's (Moreno Veloso, Kassin and Domenico Lancellotti) on the tender samba ballad, "Oh Minha Querida", transatlantic Yacht Rock gods Young Gun Silver Fox ("She's In LA"), "Sao Paulo's finest" Silvia Machete on the sweaty funk "Maybe Man" and Venezuelan Llanera and Joropo queen Luzmira Zerpa sings "Padre Tiempo", set to an incessant Afro-Venezuelan pulse. Why this torrent of eclectica now? Having recorded three albums in Welsh, predominantly inspired by Brazilian music, Rio 18 founder, Carwyn Ellis had a hard time following 2021's "Yn Rio": "We'd made a concept album with an orchestra. How do you follow that?" he says. "So I retreated to my laboratory, learned as much new music as I could, started learning Spanish too, and ended up writing tunes in a bunch of languages and styles, all of which reflected things I've learned or experienced over the last couple of years."

Since the group's inception in 2018, on the suggestion of Chrissie Hynde when he toured South America as a member of the Pretenders, Carwyn has been on a voyage of musical discovery through the styles of that continent. And in those five years he learnt a lot! But in a radical new move, Carwyn has stepped back from the mic, preferring to focus on writing and producing, handing over the vocal duties to band members Baldo Verdu (Venezuela) and Elan Rhys (Wales) plus a host of collaborators. "They can sing and express what I'm feeling so much better than I can, and both Elan and Baldo bring an authenticity and strength to our songs that surprise and elevate me. Collaborating with so many other inspiring artists on this album has helped us to grow and assimilate more styles - we're halfway through our next album already."

Rio 18 is an internationalist collective with Celtic and Latin roots and love at their core. With eye popping carnivalesque cover art by the brilliant Colombian graphic artist, Yoda, "Radio Chévere" is both timely and timeless.

The fertility of the Cuban music scene in the 1970s was rich and blooming. FA-5’s self-titled album from 1976 is a perfect example of the energy and vitality emanating from the country’s musicians and marks the next release in Mr Bongo’s Cuban Classics series. A unique musical fusion that encompasses Latin rock, funk, soul, disco and Afro-Cuban rhythms to form a diverse and alluring album.

The exquisite, funk-fuelled opener, 'Muevete Con Las Fuerzas Del Corazon', is maybe the most-known song on the album. It is a super catchy cut powered by a dynamite bassline, joy-filled horn playing and splashes of drum breaks that will ignite any dancefloor.

The record surfs through genres as it progresses. 'Di Tu Que Haras Sin Mi’ and 'Paso Sin Mas' lean back with a West Latin rock / AOR flavour to their grooves. Elsewhere, the dreamy, cosmic, Balearic-tinged 'El Blue' and fuzzy funk-rock breaks of 'Pero Lo Cierto Es Que No Quise Mas' further show the breadth of styles at play on the LP. Another big highlight on the album is the Latin, disco-funk sounds of 'Casa De Ladrillo', which morphs into a cover version of the Commodores 'Brick House'. The result is a superb alternative take on a much-loved classic.

Released on the state-owned Areito Records, the album was directed by Nestor Caballero, who arranged the songs alongside Aneiro Taño and Osvaldo Caraballoso. The prolific Tony Taño produced the album with the recording courtesy of Tony Lopez who worked with Juan Pablo Torres, Los Reyes 73, Grupo Los Yoyi, Raúl Gómez and many other Cuban greats that we have featured in the Cuban Series.

A fabulous, under-the-radar classic, that will enrich any collection.

Kraftwerk 2 is the second studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, entirely written and performed by founding Kraftwerk members Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in late 1971 and released in January 1972. Perhaps the least characteristic album of their output, it features no synthesizers, the instrumentation being largely electric guitar, bass guitar, flute and violin. On the second side, the more rock-oriented origins of the group still cling on, mostly without any percussion whatsoever

Madteo is next for Accidental Meeting’s mixtape series, recorded live at an AM party at Spanners, London.

NY drenched house oddities and disco curveballs, all served up raw, rough & ready in Madteo’s trademark style.

Full on body printing & custom sticker by Ciaran Birch, on a light pink clear cassette with white hubs.

deadbeat Records are back with an EP from Dawn Razor. Five tracks of varying styles, including a rare remix from the elusive Kovyazin D.

EP title track Sixteen is an ethereal affair - designed to sweep you away on a wave of joyous confusion. One for the twilight hours.

The A2 is a remix of Sixteen by veteran producer Kovyazin D - a chugging electro house banger which you can expect to be hearing lots over the coming months.

Panomatic Mono is a rumbling breakbeat affair with bass that will knock your socks off, while Good Old Days chugs and sputters its way into the wee hours.

Only 150 records were pressed - they'll go fast.

Acid jazz pioneer Chris Bangs returns with a brand
new album for 2024, following his early-2023
release ‘Firebird’, and 2022’s collaboration with
Mick Talbot ‘Back To Business’. His latest longplayer ‘Dream World’ is set for release on the Acid
Jazz label on 20 September – a characteristic font
of latin jazz from the maestro producer.
Bangs is known for originally coining the term
‘acid jazz’ – a movement which subsequently
morphed into the label – as he and likeminded DJs
(including Gilles Peterson and Eddie Piller) began
to combine jazz, soul and rock-fusion with the
prominent sounds of acid house in the late ‘80s.
He has since worked extensively as a producer
and DJ – including credits with his own The Quiet
Boys and Yada Yada, along with Paul Weller,
Galliano and of course most recently Mick Talbot.
The new album see some new collaborators in the
Bangs ranks – including Argentine keyboardist
Luciano De La Rosa, Italian Massimo Morganti on
trombone, Chile’s Juan Pi Salvo on trumpet, and
Fabio Tiralongo on sax – making it a truly global
production. Described as ‘pure labour of love’ by
Bangs himself, the album is a further expansion of
his remarkable sound and vision, and his own
ever-expanding dream world of (acid) jazz that
moves far beyond genre-casting

MENSCHENFRESSER" heißt das aktuelle Album von RAWSIDE, mit dem die Band es sogar auf die #81 in den deutschen Albumcharts geschafft hat. Deshalb muss nun auch eine Nachpressung sein. Ink Spot Vinyl bedeuted knallroter Kern und außenrum schwarz-rot gemischt. Fünf Jahre nach dem wahrscheinlich persönlichsten Album "Your Life Gets Crushed" gibt es neue Songs der Hardcore-Punks aus Coburg. Songs, die wieder politischer, wütender und angriffslustiger sind. Menschefresser meint hier emotionalen Kannibalismus, psychischer Druck, der ausgeübt wird, wie Menschen sich verhalten, Ellbogen auspacken wenn sie nur versuchen, sich ihren eigenen Vorteil zu verschaffen. Oder Menschen, die denken, sie wären der Mittelpunkt der Welt. RAWSIDE werden nicht müde, den Finger in die Wunde zu legen und sich mit korrupten Wirtschaftsbossen, selbsternannten Verschwörungstheoretikern, rechten Politikern oder stumpfen Wutbürgern anzulegen. Die 13 neuen Songs von RAWSIDE sind eine volle Breitseite, musikalisch kommt es laut und fordernd zwischen Hardcore, Metal und Punk daher. Die Wucht der Songs hat seit dem letzten Album ein neues Level erreicht. Das liegt vielleicht auch an der Frischzellenkur in der Besetzung. Sänger/Shouter Henne ist das einzig verbliebene Gründungsmitglied nach mehr als 30 Jahren Bandgeschichte. Seit Sohn Justin am Schlagzeug ist gerade mal 23 Jahre alt. "RAWSIDE ist zum Glück keine One-Man-Show", sagt Henne. "Das waren wir nie und wollen wir auch nicht sein. 2024 hat die Band beim LOIKAEMIE-Label Fettfleck angeheuert. "Für uns war es ein Schritt in Richtung Selbstverantwortung", erklärt Henne. Bei Fettfleck sind wir in alle Prozesse eingebunden. Und das ist doch die Idee, die hinter dem ganzen Punk- und Hardcore- Gedanken steckt. So bleiben RAWSIDE auch nach über 30 Jahren Bandgeschichte ein Grundpfeiler der deutschen HC/Punkszene. "Menschenfresser" ist ein Biest von einem Album, dass die Vorfreude auf die Open Air-Saison nochmal steigert. Wir lassen schon mal das Dosenbier zischen. - Wolfram Hanke (Ox, Zündfunk, Der kosmische Penis)

For as much as Sammy Rae & The Friends may be a band, this collective of dreamers and artists considers themselves a family first. That all-for-one and one-for-all camaraderie ignites their unforgettable and can’t-miss live shows, which serve as a catharsis for both the musicians and their fervent audience. Fronted by singer/songwriter Sammy Rae and honed through years of touring, the group is capable of flourishing in any spotlight thanks to its signature blend of palpable chemistry, deft virtuosity, and vocal fireworks.

Their sound, which has attracted new fans by the thousands in the past few years, is a unique mélange of Sammy’s influences: classic rock, folk and funk and sprinkled with soul and jazz. Rae has been building toward this moment since moving to NYC from Connecticut in her early 20s. Finding herself without a built-in peer group, she simply built it herself: the literal and proverbial Friends. When she started playing shows, she made sure the audience was part of the family too. Everything that’s happened since, from the EPs The Good Life (2018) and Let’s Throw a Party (2021) to sold-out shows in major markets and secondary markets alike across North America and the UK & Europe, to high-profile festival sets around the world, including Bonnaroo’s main stage, Sound on Sound and more, has been based on friends telling friends. As they prepare for the release of their long-awaited debut full-length album in 2024, Something for Everybody, Sammy Rae & The Friends have come to represent more than just a band: they are a full-on movement being adopted with a refreshingly diverse clientele.

German Powerhouse Labels Public Possession and Running Back Team up to bring you a nostalgic tribute to 80s Disco-Synth-Pop and Balkan Self-Pity. In a blend of cultural nostalgia and contemporary resonance, be-friended artists Krystal Klear and La Raf are set to release their first collaborative record titled "Boli Boli" (It hurts, it hurts) this autumn. The record is a steamy homage to the 80s disco-synth-pop. La Raf’s vocals equipped with Krystal Klear’s sound remind us of the bittersweet memories of the bygone yet still beloved music-era from former Yugoslavia.
The song came to life during a spontaneous creative outburst when Krystal and Raf reunited in a studio in London last year. Singer La Raf, a Croatian native based in Berlin, channeled the raw emotions of a not so recent break-up regret into the lyrics of "Boli Boli."
Infused with Balkan self-pity, the song delivers a very personal experience of pain and regret, not as mere sorrow but as a confident, joyful indulgence in one's own grief. This emotional depth finds a perfect counterpart in Krystal Klear’s talent for crafting melodies
that evoke both happiness and melancholia. Together, they have created a track that is as introspective as it is danceable, offering its listeners a glimpse into a world where sadness is embraced with a sense of pride and joy, capturing the cultural tapestry of the Balkan region.

With Our Latest Release, We Proudly Introduce the Exceptionally Talented Italian Producer, Younger Than Me. Since 2016, He Has Been a Consistent Force in the Music Scene, Gracing the Catalogues of Exceptional and Friendly Labels Like Bordello a Parigi, Tusk Wax, Xxx, and Dischi Autunno. His Impressive Body of Work Showcases a Diverse Musical Landscape, Blending Elements of Trance, Breakbeat, Techno, and Progressive House, All Interwoven With His Very Personal Touch. Younger Than Me's Relentless Dedication and Distinctive Style Have Seen His Popularity Soar, Gaining Recognition and Admiration From Music Enthusiasts Worldwide. His Hard Work Has Recently Culminated in a Meteoric Rise, Catching the Attention of Esteemed Venues Such as Le Berghain and Hör Berlin, Which Didn't Hesitate to Extend Invitations to Showcase His Extraordinary Talent. the Ep Consists of Six Compelling Tracks That Embody the Essence of Younger Than Me's Musical Prowess: "Artemide," "The Narcissist" "Ghost in the Rave" (Featuring Kiara Scuro), "Sonnenalle," and Two of These Tracks Undergo Exciting Remix Treatments. "The Narcissist" Receives a Remix by the Prodigious Figure in Dark Disco, Mahkina, While "Artemide" Gets Reimagined by the Equally Talented GЯeg. Each Track on This Ep Is a Testament to Younger Than Me's Sonic Innovation and Prowess, Showcasing His Ability to Traverse Various Genres While Infusing His Signature Style Into Each Composition. From the Haunting and Mesmerizing "Ghost in the Rave" to the Pulsating Energy of "Sonnenalle," the Ep Promises an Immersive Journey Through a Diverse and Richly Textured Musical Landscape. Younger Than Me's Collaboration With Kiara Scuro on "Ghost in the Rave" Adds a Captivating Layer of Depth, While the Remixes by Mahkina and GЯeg Elevate the Ep to New Heights, Offering a Fresh Perspective on Younger Than Me's Original Creations. This Ep Is a Must-Listen for Any Music Enthusiast Seeking an Unparalleled Blend of Musical Genres, Expertly Crafted by an Artist Whose Trajectory Continues to Ascend Within the Electronic Music Scene. Younger Than Me's Artistry Knows No Bounds, and This Release Stands as a Testament to His Evolving Brilliance and Unwavering Dedication to His Craft....

Rage Queen Delilah Bon is a force to be reckoned with blending elements of hip-hop, nu-metal, and riot grrrl ethos into her signature "Brat Punk" style. Her music serves as a fierce anthem for marginalized communities, particularly women, non-binary and the LGBTQ+ community. Her performance at the 2023 Glastonbury festival garnered acclaim from Kerrang!, who hailed her as a ‘standout voice in the rise of bold and bratty heavy music’. This recognition secured her a coveted spot on Kerrang!'s 'Sound of 2024' artist list and further recognition as ‘New Noise’ artist in Metal Hammer magazine and full feature in Clash Magazine. 2024 promises to be a monumental year for Delilah Bon, with a series of highly successful single and video releases to date and her highly anticipated album ‘Evil, hate Filled Female’ due for release in September. She’s also playing a host of Summer festivals including Download, Glastonbury, 2000 Trees and several European festivals including Rock For People in Czech Republic and Metropolis Festival in the Netherlands, with more to be announced! Her singles from the upcoming album, “Maverick” and "Finally See Me” have received widespread support from BBC Radio 1 and Kerrang! Radio, earning coveted spots as Track of the Week’ on Alyx Holcombe’s BBC Radio 1 Introducing Rock Show, ‘Future Flavour’ on Nels Hylton’s BBC Radio 1 Future Alternatives and ‘Track of the week’ on Kerrang! New Noise with Hope Lynes. She’s also had major editorial support from Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon Music, including her 3rd Misfits 2.0 playlist Cover artist. Delilah Bon's international appeal was further solidified by her support slot on US artist Scene Queen's UK tour in 2023 and performances at sold-out arena shows in France earlier this year supporting French band Shaka Ponk. Notably, she made National television appearances on Le Late Show and Taratata TV in France, showcasing her magnetic stage presence to a global audience. With her bold persona, genre-defying sound, and unwavering commitment to amplifying marginalized voices, Delilah Bon continues to cement her status as a trailblazer in the music industry.

"‘A virtuoso guitarist with a galvanising charm that electrifies her audience.’ - Guardian

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway release a new six-song EP, Into the Wild, via Nonesuch Records. The EP, a follow-up to their Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed 2023 album, City of Gold, includes three new songs as well as previously released covers of Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ and Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘good 4 u’, and an alternate version of the City of Gold track ‘Stranger Things’.

In addition to the band’s previously scheduled US tour dates, which include a performance at the Ryman in Nashville in September, they have announced a new batch of US dates in November, including stops in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, upstate New York, Massachusetts, and more.
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Of the new release, Tuttle says: “With this new EP we invite you to come on a journey with us Into the Wild. I wrote the title track with Ketch Secor after a week spent in the redwoods. This song is about getting lost in the wilderness even if it’s just in the forest of your mind. ‘Getaway Girl’ was an unfinished song I had started writing for our last LP City of Gold. It’s about a whirlwind romance set in New York City, kind of like Carrie Bradshaw meets bluegrass. In addition to these two new original songs, we included some of our favorite covers that we’ve woven into the live show, ‘White Rabbit’ by Jefferson Airplane and ‘good 4 u’ by Olivia Rodrigo.”

She continues: “We paid tribute to one of my favorite California songwriters Kate Wolf with a new version of her song ‘Here in California’ which features my dad, Jack Tuttle, and longtime friend AJ Lee singing with me. I used to play this one with my family band back in the day! On ‘Stranger Things’ (Down the Rabbit Hole Version) I wanted to go for a stripped back ethereal version of this song originally played by the full band on City of Gold. It features a trio with Dominick Leslie on mandolin, and Nathaniel Smith on cello and synth. I hope you enjoy trekking deeper into the woods with us as we pick up where we left off on City of Gold and explore new territory as a band.”

Earlier this year, Tuttle and the band—fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, mandolinist Dominick Leslie, bass player Shelby Means, and banjo player Kyle Tuttle—earned their second consecutive GRAMMY win for Best Bluegrass album for City of Gold, released last year on Nonesuch Records. Earlier this month, the band was nominated for eight IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards: Tuttle and the band are up for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, and Album of the Year for City of Gold. Tuttle is nominated for both Female Vocalist of the Year and Guitar Player of the Year, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes for Fiddle Player of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Additionally, Jerry Douglas, who produced City of Gold with Tuttle and is up for Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year, will be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Raised in Northern California, Tuttle moved to Nashville in 2015. In the years since, she has received many accolades; in addition to the two GRAMMY wins she was also nominated for Best New Artist. She has earned three wins at the 2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards and Tuttle won Album of the Year at the 2023 International Folk Music Awards. Additionally, she has earned Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Awards, and Guitar Player of the Year at the IBMAs in both 2017 and 2018. Tuttle has performed around the world, including shows with Billy Strings, Béla Fleck, Hiss Golden Messenger, Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Dwight Yoakam, as well as at several major festivals including Newport Folk Festival and Pilgrimage."

"The Paradox" ist das sechste und ohne Zweifel vielseitigste Album der Thrasher ERADICATOR. Es erscheint im Jahr des 20. Jubiläums der Band. Zehn neue Songs befassen sich textlich mit der widersprüchlichen Natur des Menschseins und präsentieren viele musikalische Facetten, nicht nur des Thrash Metals.

"The Paradox" trägt die Handschrift von ERADICATOR und zeigt ihre ungebrochene Spielfreude. Damit hat sich die Band inzwischen auch live einen Namen gemacht. Die vier Sauerländer scheuen aber nicht davor, ihre neuen Kompositionen stilistisch zu verfeinern und weiterzuentwickeln.

ERADICATOR beginnen auf The Paradox atmosphärisch mit "Beyond The Shadow's Void": Der Track entwickelt sich zu einem stampfenden Headbanger, um sich zuletzt in einem Thrash-Gewitter zu ergießen. Neben Death Metal Growls, unter anderem im Titeltrack, findet mit "The Eleventh Hour (Ramble On)" erstmals eine Halbballade Einzug in das Band-Repertoire. ERADICATOR haben aber keineswegs verlernt die Thrash-Keule zu schwingen, was sie unter anderem mit "Drown In Chaos", "Hell Smiles Back" oder "Fake Dealer" und auch sonst unermüdlich unter Beweis stellen.
Die lyrischen Themen auf "The Paradox" spiegeln die Zwiespältigkeit und Ambivalenz des menschlichen Handelns und Denkens wider. In "Perpetual Sacrifice" geht es darum Schwächere zu verunglimpfen, um sich selbst größer zu fühlen sowie um die Umkehr zwischen Opfer und Täter. "When The Shooting Begins" handelt von der Paradoxität durch Krieg Frieden schaffen zu wollen - wobei im Regelfall die Wahrheit nach dem Aufschrei der Waffen eine der ersten Opfer ist. Das abschließende "Debris Of Demise" ist eine fiktive Erzählung davon, dass die Menschheit aufgrund von Umweltzerstörung den Planeten evakuieren muss, die rettende Arche wegen der großen Menge an Weltraumschrott den Orbit jedoch nicht verlassen kann. Sänger und Gitarrist Seba Stöber sagt dazu, "Dabei wollen wir uns nicht als Moralapostel profilieren, sondern viel mehr die Themen und Probleme unserer Zeit reflektieren. Als Künstler besteht die Aufgabe auch darin, einen Diskurs anzuregen!"

Gemixt und gemastert wurde das Album, wie schon sein Vorgänger, von Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm), der es wieder geschafft hat, ERADICATOR mit einem authentischen Sound auszustatten. Nach 20 Jahren wissen die vier Musiker wie sie klingen möchten und genau so klingt "The Paradox".

DREAMLESS VEIL make their debut with the new album, Every Limb of the Flood. The band, featuring members of INTER ARMA, ARTIFICIAL BRAIN, and PSYCROPTIC manifest terrifying Blackened Extreme Metal and offer one of the year's most haunting releases. Every Limb of the Flood is a concept album. Through tracks such as "A Generation of Eyes", "Saturnism", and "Cyanide Mine" Vocalist Mike Paparo and co. task the listener to consider what it would be like for an individual to fully disappear. DREAMLESS VEIL delves into this murk through 8 tracks - dramatic swells, melodic crescendos, and abrasive blast-beat poundings make way to more introspective moments ultimately resulting in pure horror. Paparo explores the concept of corporeal disintegration with pained shrieks and disembodied bellows, resulting in one of the most unchained performances of his storied career. Lyrics for the record show, but don't tell. DREAMLESS VEIL's concept alludes to misery leading to grotesquery - The opener "Dim Golden Rave" throws the listener into an ambiguous time and place: "Grief, spiritless, collapses against the filth-ridden street". The second track, "A Generation of Eyes" follows this narrative by invoking Neil Young, quoting him to the extent of "rust never sleeps." What ensues is a grief so powerful it decomposes from within. The end result manifests in the album closer "Dreamless" - the body is now fully discarded, hinting at a possible enlightenment through a horrible, gruesome process. Sonically, Every Limb of the Flood is a caustic, corrosive journey. Critically acclaimed drummer David Haley flexes some of his most creative drum work to date, dragging the listener through wild tempo changes, breakneck speeds that come to sudden halts, while guitarist Dan Gargiulo (ARTIFICIAL BRAIN) interweaves disorienting guitar madness. Recorded by Brett Bamberger (REVOCATION) Every Limb of the Flood was mixed by Gargiulo and mastered by Colin Marston (Gorguts, Krallice, and more.)

Wynd Chymes' 1982 album Arrival is a standout in the funk and R&B genre, highlighting the band's dynamic sound and tight musical arrangements. Released on RCA Records, the album features the recognizable and addictive production of Anthony Lockett of Cameo and includes the diggers' classic ""Body Rap"". Known for their compelling blend of funk, soul and jazz influences, Wynd Chymes showcases their musical prowess and distinctive style on Arrival. This album is a testament to the vibrant funk scene of the '80s, with catchy hooks and rhythmic grooves that keep listeners engaged. A must-have for fans of classic funk and R&B, Wynd Chymes' Arrival captures the essence of the era's musical innovation. Arrival is available as a limited edition of 500 copies on blue coloured vinyl and includes an insert.

Jeffrey Lewis’s 2015 masterpiece ‘Manhattan’ in random-colour reground vinyl. “Lewis’s catchiest and finest album” - (Grade: A) Vice. Blang Records are thrilled to announce they’ll be bringing the wild streets of Manhattan to the UK and Europe this autumn with the vinyl re-release of Jeffrey Lewis’s 2015 masterpiece ‘Manhattan’. The LP sold out of its first pressing and has been impossible to buy anywhere for years…until now. Out on exclusive Random Mix Colour Reground EcoVinyl in record shops from 20th September. Blang Records and Jeffrey Lewis have history: before Blang was a label, it started life as a live night at the 12 Bar Club in Denmark Street, hosting many a set of the NY Antifolk artists over on UK shores, including Jeffrey Lewis. Now 20+ years since Jeffrey first played Blang, it feels fitting that tour support comes from UK antifolk linchpins, Blang Records mainstay, and arguably one of the UKs most criminally underrated bands, David Cronenberg’s Wife (“A mix of 80’s fall and the Velvet Underground” - NME). Native New Yorker Jeffrey Lewis is a comic book writer/artist and a musician. A cult hero birthed from the now infamous antifolk movement that sprung up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the 90s, Jeffrey has released dozens of albums showcasing his unique blend of bleakly witty observations, scratchy, lo-fi punk and croaky folk/anti-folk, all firmly rooted in a strong DIY sensibility. Jeffrey and his band have toured the world multiple times over, released albums on Rough Trade, Moshi Moshi and Don GIovanni Records, and have been featured by NPR, The History Channel, The NY Times and more. ‘Manhattan’ was mixed by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Phosphorescent, War On Drugs) and recorded by Brian Speaker at SpeakerSonic Studios NY, produced by Brian Speaker and Jeffrey Lewis. “We’ve been fans of Jeffrey Lewis since seeing him at the Sidewalk Cafe in 2001, so we’re really really pleased to be really-re-releasing the excellent album ‘Manhattan’ just in time for his September UK Tour. This all started when Jeffrey asked for help looking after his merch after his UK tour finished last year and we said we’d help him press some records in Europe from a UK address as the postage costs from the US were way too much. This ultimately led to us re-releasing his classic album (and respectful nod to Lou Reed's New York) ‘Manhattan’. It's beyond a dream come true. Blang is the home of fantastic lyricists and that's exactly what Jeffrey is - this is a perfect fit.” - Blang Records. “Jeffrey Lewis is an amazing musician, and if you don’t know his songs you probably have a hole in your heart that can only be filled by his words… I did!” – Regina Spektor. “Jeffrey is the best pure songwriter I know of… ‘Sad Screaming Old Man’… is one of my favourite songs ever written.” – David Berman, Silver Jews. Tour Dates: Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage, w/ support from David Cronenberg’s Wife - Aug 29th Hertford – Corn Exchange, 30th Coventry – The Tin Music & Arts, Sept 1st Stockton-on-Tees – Georgian Theatre, 2nd York – The Crescent, 3rd Stirling, Scotland – The Tolbooth, 4th Birkenhead – Future Yard, 5th !SOLD OUT! – Halifax – The Grayston Unity, 6th Norwich – Norwich Arts Centre, 7th Northampton – The Black Prince, 8th Carmarthen – CWRW, 9th Nottingham – The Old Cold Store, 10th Southampton – The Joiners Arms, 11th Hastings – The Pig // Jeffrey Lewis solo: 12th London – West Hampstead Arts Center, 13th London – West Hampstead Arts Center

2024 Reissue

Repress!

Leif Vollebekk, the Montreal singer songwriter and multi instrumentalist had hit a wall. In the midst of endless touring Leif found himself retreating to his lonely hotel rooms after shows and listening to Nick Drake's 'Pink Moon' alone in the dark. His own songs didn't sound right and he felt the bright spots in his sets were the covers he'd end with: songs by Ray Charles or Townes Van Zandt. In this deep blue mood he booked a secret show at a Montreal dive bar, only playing covers with a band that rehearsed once.  The experience led Leif to change his approach to songwriting: explore the ideas that came spontaneously to him, and let the songs shape themselves. Soon the songs came pouring out of him. This approach is what created the lush, freewheeling and often devastating 'Twin Solitude,' out February 24 on Secret City Records.

"By the time the last notes die away, all that's left should be you," Leif says. "And I'll be somewhere else. And that's Twin Solitude.' 

Leif's third album, features 10 delicate and expansive original songs, with lyrics that pour out of this singer songwriter that are often compared to Jeff Buckley.  Leif's words lay on a bed of elastic instrumentation full of piano, synthesizer, guitar, rich electric bass and strings.

Several songs on the album came to Leif and were written in one sitting. 'Into the Ether' came to be while he was exploring a Moog synthesizer. 'Elegy' is a bedside soliloquy, of love slipping through fingers and came to Leif while he was riding his bike through Montreal.  The meditative 'Michigan' was written on a half-tuned guitar and fully written as he was about to go to sleep.  Other songs on the album capture the countless hours Leif has spent on the road, crisscrossing North America. 'Big Sky Country' recalls a trip to Vancouver with his family when he was young, never forgetting the expanse of Montana and listening to Ian Tyson's song 'The Gift' in the car over and over again.
'Twin Solitude' features Olivier Fairfield from Timber Timbre (drums), Sarah Page from the Barr Brothers (harp) on 'Rest' Shahzad Ismaily of Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog and SecretCheifs3 (bass) on several tracks and the string duo Chargaux throughout the album as well.  It was engineered by Dave Smith and recorded at his Breakglass Studios in Canada.  Produced by Leif Vollebekk.

Vollebekk made his album debut in 2010 - and since then has performed at the Newport Folk Festival, and shared stages with Daniel Lanois, Beth Orton, Sinéad O'Connor, Patrick Watson, Coeur de Pirate, William Fitzsimmons and Sam Amidon. His debut 'Inland' was described as  beautiful, memorable and moving' by NPR and  timeless and monumental'  by The Independent.

After over a year spent in a slight creative slump in a crumbling terraced house in Tottenham, Jam Baxter rang his label boss while heavily intoxicated to request they fly him to Bangkok forthwith, to rejoin forces with '...so we ate them whole' producer and engineer, Chemo. After an initial period of understandable hesitancy, the flights were booked and Baxter found himself suddenly regurgitated from the belly of a Jet Airliner into the magical and surreal surroundings of Mansion 38.

Mansion 38 is the name of the apartment block in Bangkok in which Baxter wrote the entire album, all the while going slowly insane on a heady mix of local liquor and multicoloured pharmaceuticals. The album is very much a product of the month he spent there in a dream-like state, becoming a delusional half-man half- goat figure to be admired and feared in equal measure.

Despite not being the wholesome and creative Zen retreat he anticipated and most probably needed, the backdrop of seedy late nights and impulsive tropical hedonism has resulted in some of his most intriguing and honest work to date. Chemo once again provides the haunting and evocative canvas that is all too perfect for Baxter's colourful imagery and dark psychedelic storytelling, blending a huge array of influences into an album that flows seamlessly from start to finish.

With comrades Lee Scott and Trellion flying to Bangkok on a whim to record their contributions and with videos shot in Bangkok, Hanoi and London this is truly an international project born of grand ambition and abject madness.

Mansion 38 is clear proof that after several years and multiple solo and group projects, Jam Baxter is still angrily shoving the boundaries of hip hop and lyricism further outward.

2024 Repress

Pitch Black’s “Electronomicon”, a landmark album in New Zealand’s electronica scene, finally gets pressed on vinyl.First released in 2000, “Electronomicon” shows Pitch Black developing their deep dubby sound further by creating long and involved song structures that traverse a range of sonic experiences. The resultant album journeys from organic ambience and layered soundscapes to skanking keyboards, cutting acid riffs and thumping rhythmic grooves, with dub being the glue that holds it all together.

“Electronomicon” reached 28 in the New Zealand album charts and led to a sell-out 30-date tour of New Zealand and Australia. It has since gone on to become one of the duo’s most popular albums, regularly finding new fans around the world.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release, the band dug out the original audio files and Angus McNaughton has remastered them for this vinyl release. Hamish Macaulay has also adapted the original artwork, creating a brand new collage for the centerfold out of pictures taken at the time.

What an unbelievable record. From the wild cover to the iconic breakbeats, Roots from Ian Carr’s Nucleus is one of the dopest albums we know. This is seriously thick, funky-prog jazz-rock heaven. Originally released on Vertigo in 1973, other than a couple of versions at the time for other territories, Roots was never re-pressed since so it’s gone on to become another one of those impossible to find records.

Maybe it was a little too out there for the time, but it’s aged very, very well indeed and this Be With re-issue, re-mastered from the original analogue tapes, shows off just why this deserves to be back in press.

Genius trumpeter and visionary composer Ian Carr was one of the most respected British musicians of his era. He was a true pioneer and saw the potential in fusing the worlds of jazz with rock, just as Miles Davis and The Tony Williams Lifetime did in the US. In late 1969, following the demise of the Rendell-Carr quintet, and tiring of British jazz, Carr assembled the legendary Nucleus. Regarding music as a continuous process, Nucleus refused to “recognise rigid boundaries” and worked on delivering what they saw as a “total musical experience”. We can get behind that.

Under bandleader Carr, Nucleus existed as a fluid line-up of inventive, skilled musicians. This constant evolution and revolution was all part of the continuous musical exploration and discovery that took jazz to new levels.

Working together with producer Fritz Fryer and engineer Roger Wake, the seven compositions by Carr, Brian Smith and Dave MacRae that make up Roots flirt with perfection, and Nucleus at that time made up of the cream of 1970s UK jazz with Brian Smith on tenor saxophones and flutes, Dave MacRae on piano and electric piano, Jocelyn Pitchen on guitar, Roger Sutton on bass, both Clive Thacker and Aureo De Souza on drums and percussion, Joy Yates delivering the vocals and of course Carr on trumpet.

The spellbinding title track immediately renders the album indispensable. Riding the illest of loping breakbeats, “Roots” is low-slung, doped-out heist-funk. An absolute monster. If it sounds familiar then that’s likely down to it being sampled by Madlib for Lootpack and Quasimoto’s “Loop Digga”, as well as by a whole host of beat manipulators. “Roots” conjures prime instrumental hip-hop / beat music, only 20 years ahead of its time. Truly, these are the roots. Through sinuous bass, twinkling keys and a hypnotic guitar riff, a smoky brass motif weaves its way into a gloriously deep haze around Carr’s solos. “Roots” is over 9 minutes long, but there’s not a single wasted second, not surprising given that this is a condensed version of an originally 40 minute long commissioned composition.

The soothing vocal fusion delight of “Images” follows. Meticulously constructed, with gorgeous flute work from Brian Smith, with Joy Yates’ silky vocals and Dave MacRae’s Rhodes never sounding better. The cool, driving “Caliban” closes out the first side. Originally the third movement in a four part commission to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday it stands up on its own, all robust rhythms and blended brass. Keyboard colour and Carr’s trumpet are splashed across the funk drums and basslines (and there’s even some bamboo flute). This really is fusion: the elements of jazz and rock coming together in beautifully synthesis.

Side two opens in riotous fashion with the short, thrilling samba of “Wapatiti”. Next up, “Capricorn” forms a smoothed-out, jazzy constellation. Mellow and dreamy, its twinkling percussion and languid horns slowly build the vibe before head-nod drums and a killer bassline enter the fray. With a distinct heaviness that Black Sabbath would’ve envied, “Odokamona” is a venomous slice of riff-soaked jazz metal (yes, you read that right), elevated by Carr’s wah-wah horns.

The album closes with MacRae’s exceptionally cosmic “Southern Roots and Celebration”. Very much in conversation with Weather Report, it opens as a languorous, spiritual jazz of chiming keys and serene guitar that turns slowly, gorgeously into a mid-paced, brass-laced banger. It’s another sure-fire party starter and the sound of the band having a righteous blast, building an ecstatic chaos that ends with Yates screaming.

And of course we need to talk about Keith Davis’ cover for Roots. Perhaps the coolest record cover of all time? Certainly one of the most bonkers. Just your run-of-the-mill high-gloss, acid-tinged airbrush dystopian/utopian living-room party scene. Consider this your chemical flashback trigger warning.

Front-and-centre the hip-to-death green robot holds court with their giant ball of yellow barbwire wool, hooked up to… something(?) being teased out from under the stairs (probably best not to ask). A thoroughly zoned-out, long-legged Pop Art party-goer lounges half-plugged in to the painting behind her as a pair of legs flail into shot from the the top of the stairs opposite. We won’t even begin to guess what the chap’s up to in the middle, but the view out of the windows is rather nice, and someone’s already got the hoover out ready to tidy up. All of the Nucleus sleeves are something special, but this particular one? Crikey.

This Be With edition of Roots has been re-mastered from the original Vertigo master tapes, Simon Francis’ mastering working together with Pete Norman’s cut to weave their usual magic with these wonderful recordings. The crazy cover has been restored at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue.

In this electrifying 2024, we're buzzing with excitement as we celebrate 40 years of Flexi, the record emporium that's weathered countless storms amidst the ever-shifting tides of the music industry, catering to vinyl aficionados across the ages. Alongside the raves and swag, no doubt, there's a killer compilation dropping on the indie label "Flexi Cuts," dubbed evocatively as "Musica Solida" spread across 3 or perhaps 4 12-inch samplers, boasting a carefully curated selection of singles from cherished Flexi-affiliated artists and producers. The vision? To cultivate a virtuous movement of sublime tunes, echoing the fervor and zeal to persist within the realm of quality that Flexi embodies within the Italian scene, alongside kindred spirits... despite the daunting challenges of the market in recent years.



Musica Solida # 1 showcases

DJ Rocca: One of the most solid producers on the panorama, a respected maestro of the clubbing scene in Italy and worldwide.

Club Soda: Live electronic ensemble, still dreamin' from their latest EP 'Basso e Batteria', which packs an unreleased track recorded directly from their house-flavoured jam sessions.

Lex (Athens) & Locke : A Greek producer who is well established in today's dance house scene, with quality-vibey releases and a very nice and classy and groovy sound. We will definitely hear from him in the future!

Hiroyuki Kato: Emerging Osaka-based multi-instrumentalist makes his debut with a very punchy and catchy track!

The Mechanical Man (feat. Bob Vito) : Neapolitan super producer. Raw-sounding, gritty, powerful and never dull, a pleasure to have him with us.



The record will be released in about 200 vinyl copies no more.

Packaged in the classic discobag 2- holes, with a distinctive letterpress print in a beautiful silver cover.



Compiled by Simone Guerra aka Relative

Mastered by Francesco Brini (except track B1, Mastered by Marco Spaventi)

Distributed by Rubadub, Glasgow

Pressed by Desslab

Design by GLZ

Das sechste Studioalbum von Shellac "To All Trains" besteht aus 10 Songs und hat eine Gesamtspiellänge von 28 Minuten. Die Band ist immer noch: Steve Albini (Gitarre), Todd Trainier (Schlagzeug) und Bob Weston (Bass). Aufgenommen und gemischt wurde "To All Trains" bei Electrical Audio in Chicago an einigen langen Wochenenden im November 2017, im Oktober 2019, im September 2021 und im März 2022. Das Album wurde von Bob & Steve bei Chicago Mastering Service gemastert. Artwork und Aufmachung von LP und CD sind identisch (die CD ist kleiner). Bob hat alle Fotos gemacht, einige mit einer schicken Kamera und andere mit einem Telefon. Wie immer hat die Tonqualität bei Shellac höchste Priorität. Die LPs werden von Green Vinyl Records in einem Spritzgussverfahren hergestellt. Dieses neue Verfahren verwendet zu 100 % recycelbares PET (wie Limonadenflaschen) und ist umweltfreundlich, da es kein PVC oder Phthalate enthält. Außerdem verbraucht das Verfahren 79 % weniger CO2 als herkömmliche hydraulische PVC-Vinylpressen. Die Platten wiegen 180 Gramm. Wie zuletzt bei Shellac, wird es für dieses Album keine Werbung, keine Presse- oder Radiopromotion, keine E-Promotion, keine Werbe- oder Rezensionsexemplare, keine Werbegimmicks und auch sonst kein kostenloses Mittagessen geben. Die Band wird weiterhin sporadisch und entspannt Shows spielen oder auf Tour gehen, so wie immer. Es gibt bei Shellac keine Korrelation zwischen Shows und Plattenveröffentlichungen. Shellac haben keine Website. Vielleicht sollten sie sich eine zulegen.

Following on from his 2022 debut release on American Dreams Records, 'Choreographies of Decay', J. Doursou offers a critical reflection in 'The Deafening Veil' of the West's warped relationship with war in other regions.

The Deafening Veil has early support with reviews confirmed with MOJO Magazine, Headphone Commute (single premiere), A Closer Listen, and Noise Narrative. A writer from Quietus is also pitching to editorial with a review TBC. Doursou began the creative process of the album when Russia invaded Ukraine. The album's lead single, 'song for Elena', is a tribute to Doursou's close friend from Ukraine. The rest of the album critiques the silence that surrounds war in other regions.

No messing basement gear on a new Non Stop Rhythm sub-label.
Late night steez that go into the filthy realms. All cuts bump. TIP!

Album, auf dem die Künstlerin aus Bristol sich die Welt ganz nach ihren Vorstellungen formt.

Nach 'Return' (2020) und 'Sound of the Morning' (2022) ist 'Someday, Now' die Fortsetzung von Pearsons akustisch geprägter Singer-Songwriter-Kost, die sie mit Hilfe des Elektronik-Produzenten Nathan Jenkins alias Bullion (u.a. Carly Rae Jepsen, Ben Howard, Nilüfer Yanya, Avalon Emerson) gestaltet hat. Nach einer Zeit des Burnouts, des selbst erzwungenen Exils vom Musikmachen und des Alleinreisens kehrte die Künstlerin aus Bristol mit klarem Verstand und einer Vision zurück. “I knew exactly who I wanted to work with, I knew exactly who my session band were going to be, I knew where I wanted to record. It felt like I was finally calling the shots for myself, and that was so empowering.”

Eine breite und interessante Palette von Inspirationen hat dabei die Platte beeinflusst: Beck, Neneh Cherry, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kate Bush, Tears For Fears, Arthur Russell. 'Someday, Now' zeigt das natürliche Talent der Songwriterin für Ohrwürmer und präsentiert zehn Pop-Tracks, die mit Bullions leichter, aber anspruchsvoller Note verfeinert werden. Während frühere Platten von Katy J Pearson langsamer und stückweise entstanden, wurde 'Someday, Now' in den Rockfield Studios in Wales innerhalb weniger Wochen mit einer Band aus den Heavenly-Labelkollegen Huw Evans (H. Hawkline, Aldous Harding), Davey Newington (Boy Azooga sowie Joel Burton (Broadside Hacks) geformt.

Fast ein Jahrzehnt hat sich Jamie xx seit Veröffentlichung seines Solodebüts Zeit gelassen. „In Waves“, das zweite Album des Londoners, der mit seiner Band The xx zu den prägendsten Figuren der jüngeren Musikgeschichte gehört. Erneut lässt er seiner Liebe zur elektronischen Musik freien Lauf und entwirft die Geschichte einer Nacht, in der man in den himmlischen Puls von Schatten, Licht und Dancefloor-Rhythmen hinabtaucht.



“In Waves” hat seinen Ursprung in einem Mix, den Jamie 2020 für BBC Radio 1 machte. Hier tauchten neben Tracks der aktuellen Generation an UK-Dancemusic auch diverse musikalische Helden auf, etwa Roy Ayers, Fela Kuti, Tom Zé oder Philip Glass. Auch erste Versionen von Songs, die nun auf dem Album erscheinen werden, waren zu hören. “Es erinnerte mich daran, warum ich diese Musik liebe“, so Jamie, der zuvor lange mit der Frage gehadert hatte, wie es für ihn weitergehen würde. “Ich fand einfach Spaß am kreativen Prozess, ohne dabei an ein Ergebnis zu denken.“



Jamie xx pflügt auf „In Waves“ durch die Subgenres und Dekaden und fügt Northern Soul, Disco, Garage, Acid House, Techno, Tropicalia. Hip-Hop, Funk und den Sound der UK Underground Pirate Radios zusammen. Die kleinen Momente sind dabei so eindrucksvoll wie das übergreifende Ganze. Etwa jener Part bei “Treat Each Other Right“, der parallel zum Album-Announcement erscheinenden neuen Single: Zunächst wird man herausgerissen aus dem breiten Breakbeat-meets-Future-Soul-Vehikel, um sich mit den gepitchten Motown-Vocals plötzlich im Mittelwellenradio der 60er wiederzufinden. Die Worte “I’ll never let you down“ werden in die Ewigkeit gezogen, bevor ein biepender Puls über atmosphärischen Synths einsetzt und man direkt zurückgeführt wird in die schweißnasse Katharsis des Dancefloors.



Im Zeitalter der Algorithmen ist “In Waves” Zeugnis für pure menschliche Empfindung, ein lebensbejahendes Gegengift, das über den Kopfhörer in eine andere Dimension führt und zugleich gemeinsam auf der Tanzfläche erlebt werden will. Mit dabei sind u. a. Romy und Oliver, The Avalanches, Robyn und John Glacier.

Fast ein Jahrzehnt hat sich Jamie xx seit Veröffentlichung seines Solodebüts Zeit gelassen. „In Waves“, das zweite Album des Londoners, der mit seiner Band The xx zu den prägendsten Figuren der jüngeren Musikgeschichte gehört. Erneut lässt er seiner Liebe zur elektronischen Musik freien Lauf und entwirft die Geschichte einer Nacht, in der man in den himmlischen Puls von Schatten, Licht und Dancefloor-Rhythmen hinabtaucht.



“In Waves” hat seinen Ursprung in einem Mix, den Jamie 2020 für BBC Radio 1 machte. Hier tauchten neben Tracks der aktuellen Generation an UK-Dancemusic auch diverse musikalische Helden auf, etwa Roy Ayers, Fela Kuti, Tom Zé oder Philip Glass. Auch erste Versionen von Songs, die nun auf dem Album erscheinen werden, waren zu hören. “Es erinnerte mich daran, warum ich diese Musik liebe“, so Jamie, der zuvor lange mit der Frage gehadert hatte, wie es für ihn weitergehen würde. “Ich fand einfach Spaß am kreativen Prozess, ohne dabei an ein Ergebnis zu denken.“



Jamie xx pflügt auf „In Waves“ durch die Subgenres und Dekaden und fügt Northern Soul, Disco, Garage, Acid House, Techno, Tropicalia. Hip-Hop, Funk und den Sound der UK Underground Pirate Radios zusammen. Die kleinen Momente sind dabei so eindrucksvoll wie das übergreifende Ganze. Etwa jener Part bei “Treat Each Other Right“, der parallel zum Album-Announcement erscheinenden neuen Single: Zunächst wird man herausgerissen aus dem breiten Breakbeat-meets-Future-Soul-Vehikel, um sich mit den gepitchten Motown-Vocals plötzlich im Mittelwellenradio der 60er wiederzufinden. Die Worte “I’ll never let you down“ werden in die Ewigkeit gezogen, bevor ein biepender Puls über atmosphärischen Synths einsetzt und man direkt zurückgeführt wird in die schweißnasse Katharsis des Dancefloors.



Im Zeitalter der Algorithmen ist “In Waves” Zeugnis für pure menschliche Empfindung, ein lebensbejahendes Gegengift, das über den Kopfhörer in eine andere Dimension führt und zugleich gemeinsam auf der Tanzfläche erlebt werden will. Mit dabei sind u. a. Romy und Oliver, The Avalanches, Robyn und John Glacier.

Wer sich in den letzten Jahren mit deutschsprachiger Metal- & Rockmusik beschäftigt hat, der kam an HERBST nicht vorbei. Nachdem die 4 Berliner mit ihrer ersten EP und dem Debütalbum „Ein letzter Abend“ ein ersten Achtungserfolg landen konnten, ging es auch direkt in den Tourbus mit ENGST quer durch die Republik.
Mit „Spiegel“ (VÖ: 20.09.24) folgt nun der neue, mitreißende Longplayer der Band. Treibend, mit krachenden Gitarren und Mörder-Hooklines, entfesseln die 10 neuen Tracks auf "Spiegel" eine unbändige Energie, die dich von der ersten Sekunde an packt und nicht mehr loslässt. Das Feature mit Ex-Annisokay Shouter Dave Grunewald und Alles Mit Stil zeigt eine der vielen Facetten des neuen Albums! So geht moderner, deutschsprachiger Metal im Jahr 2024!

We can't hide the fact that we're a Manchester label with some very strong feelings for the Red side of the city. Regardless of your tribal affiliation - whether you have one or not - Edric Connor's "Manchester United Calypso" is an undisputedly joyous, soulful classic. Like the bunch of bouncing Busby Babes the song sought to raise up, it's remarkable, stylish and profoundly memorable; and its magical legacy has only grown in the 70 years since it first surfaced.




A testament to its enduring brilliance, "Manchester United Calypso" is heard to this day on the terraces of Old Trafford and beyond. However, it's impossible to find a copy of the original 78rpm shellac release or, indeed, the 45rpm vinyl. So, we're delighted to reissue this unforgettable anthem - with Lord Kitchener's equally dazzling "Manchester Football Double" on the B-Side - and make it available on 7" vinyl to United fans of any vintage; as well as fans of vintage calypso fire! Featuring typically striking, specially commissioned artwork from the legendary Stan Chow, this record is a collectors item for the ages.


"Manchester,
Manchester United
A bunch of bouncing "Busby Babes",

They deserve to be knighted

If ever they're playing in your town,

You must get to that football ground

Take a lesson come to see,

Football taught by Matt Busby

Manchester,

Manchester United"



Whether you have United in your heart or not, "Manchester United Calypso" is a record that, like the best football teams in Old Trafford's history, swaggers with an addictive beauty that's impossible to ignore.
It's impossible to discuss the significance of the calypso without remembering what ultimately ripped through the heart of this most beloved youthful side.
Eight of the Babes who were celebrated in the Calypso tragically lost their lives on 6th February 1958 in the Munich air disaster.
Like the players and the club itself, the United calypso radiates a special type of magic and speaks to the spirit of United:
the demand to be fearless, unrelenting, creative and obliged to entertain the viewing public.



The Calypso was written by Eric Watterson and Ken Jones and sung by Edric Connor, who moved to England from Trinidad in 1944.
Connor is considered a pioneer, popularising calypso music, becoming the first black actor to perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company, setting up the Afro-Asian Caribbean Agency to represent Black and minority artists with his wife, Pearl and establishing a theatre workshop.
“I would think coming to this country right after the war, as Edric did, and getting into BBC radio, and moving among the people, he did a great deal of good for our own community,” Pearl once revealed.
He saw himself as a self-appointed ambassador for his country, Trinidad. We were very nationalistic back then. We believed we had a country worthy of recognition”.



The B-Side is another doozy.
Swoon along to Lord Kitchener's fantastically woozy "Manchester Football Double" - a fitting ode to the city where you'll "find football's headquarters".


Then and, after the 2024 FA Cup Final, now.

Simon Francis remastered the original audio for both tracks and Cicely Balston's precise cut for Alchemy at AIR Studios ensures this 7" well and truly soars.

The immaculate Record Industry pressing will ensure this sought-after gem finds a home in many more collections, from Manchester to Malta, Mumbai to Malaysia.

Nubya Garcia isn’t an artist you can easily classify. Is it jazz? Sure, the London-born saxophonist, composer and bandleader grew up studying the genre under the noted pianist Nikki Yeoh at Camden Music. But it isn’t until you listen to albums like 2020’s Source and 2024’s Odyssey that you hear broader creativity shining through: It’s jazz, classical, dub, R&B and whatever else Garcia wants to convey. It all comes from a place of exploration and self-study, of wanting to do all the things across all disciplines while ignoring arbitrary boxes that don’t t.

Garcia’s sophomore album Odyssey, out in September 2024 via Concord Jazz, is a majestic feat on which she blends orchestral arrangements with R&B, jazz, broken beat and dub, resulting in a grand, nuanced record that feels airy and celestial without sacricing the groove. It’s a deeply personal oering about her trek to falling back in love with musical composition over the past four years.

Source, her 2020 debut album, was released via Concord Jazz to massive critical acclaim, an NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert, a Pitchfork “Best New Music” review and a Rolling Stone “Album of the Month” mention. In a prole, The New York Times called Source “a sweeping set of jazz with Afro-Caribbean inuences that funnels a life’s worth of experiences into an hourlong listen.” Also upon release, the album entered the UK charts in the Top 30, and she was just one of three artists selected to perform live at Glastonbury’s 2020 Experience, which aired on the BBC to thousands of viewers. Source was also nominated for the Mercury Prize, a prestigious award given to the best albums from the UK or Ireland.

In 2022, Garcia toured the US in support of Khruangbin, performing in sold-out venues including Radio City Music Hall in New York, the Ryman in Nashville and the Met in Philadelphia. She then headlined her own tour in the UK and US, performing at various festivals including Glastonbury, Love Supreme, Pickathon and Newport Jazz.

Garcia continues to tour worldwide while also collaborating with major brands like Lululemon, Paul Smith, Labrum, Nicholas Daley and Burberry. She was one of three creatives selected for Fossil’s “Moment In Time” campaign, which was published globally in VOGUE, GQ, and GLAMOUR magazines. Elsewhere, Garcia has been featured in numerous print publications, including Mojo, Vogue and Ebony.

As a composer, Garcia’s original music has been placed with Apple TV (Ted Lasso); OWN Network (Cherish The Day); FX TV (Atlanta); EPIC GAMES (Fortnite); and on multiple podcasts (including the theme tune for Anika Noni Rose’s Clio award-winning podcast Being Seen).

Nubya Garcia isn’t an artist you can easily classify. Is it jazz? Sure, the London-born saxophonist, composer and bandleader grew up studying the genre under the noted pianist Nikki Yeoh at Camden Music. But it isn’t until you listen to albums like 2020’s Source and 2024’s Odyssey that you hear broader creativity shining through: It’s jazz, classical, dub, R&B and whatever else Garcia wants to convey. It all comes from a place of exploration and self-study, of wanting to do all the things across all disciplines while ignoring arbitrary boxes that don’t t.

Garcia’s sophomore album Odyssey, out in September 2024 via Concord Jazz, is a majestic feat on which she blends orchestral arrangements with R&B, jazz, broken beat and dub, resulting in a grand, nuanced record that feels airy and celestial without sacricing the groove. It’s a deeply personal oering about her trek to falling back in love with musical composition over the past four years.

Source, her 2020 debut album, was released via Concord Jazz to massive critical acclaim, an NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert, a Pitchfork “Best New Music” review and a Rolling Stone “Album of the Month” mention. In a prole, The New York Times called Source “a sweeping set of jazz with Afro-Caribbean inuences that funnels a life’s worth of experiences into an hourlong listen.” Also upon release, the album entered the UK charts in the Top 30, and she was just one of three artists selected to perform live at Glastonbury’s 2020 Experience, which aired on the BBC to thousands of viewers. Source was also nominated for the Mercury Prize, a prestigious award given to the best albums from the UK or Ireland.

In 2022, Garcia toured the US in support of Khruangbin, performing in sold-out venues including Radio City Music Hall in New York, the Ryman in Nashville and the Met in Philadelphia. She then headlined her own tour in the UK and US, performing at various festivals including Glastonbury, Love Supreme, Pickathon and Newport Jazz.

Garcia continues to tour worldwide while also collaborating with major brands like Lululemon, Paul Smith, Labrum, Nicholas Daley and Burberry. She was one of three creatives selected for Fossil’s “Moment In Time” campaign, which was published globally in VOGUE, GQ, and GLAMOUR magazines. Elsewhere, Garcia has been featured in numerous print publications, including Mojo, Vogue and Ebony.

As a composer, Garcia’s original music has been placed with Apple TV (Ted Lasso); OWN Network (Cherish The Day); FX TV (Atlanta); EPIC GAMES (Fortnite); and on multiple podcasts (including the theme tune for Anika Noni Rose’s Clio award-winning podcast Being Seen).

Aesthetically, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat hates to tread water. At the same time, the Baltimore-based two-piece of vocalist Ed Schrader and bassist Devlin Rice won’t force their songs to fit a preconceived style. “The next album’s always gotta be different from the last one. We’re different people from record to record. So, writing authentically to ourselves will always bring our work to a place that we haven’t been to yet,” Rice said. Schrader added, “We’re terrified of turning into AC/DC. We never want to be married to one scene or time or sound. We want to be the Boba Fett of bands! Constantly altering the way in which we make records has been pretty key in that process.”
For Orchestra Hits, the band’s latest, that alteration was welcoming longtime musical comrade Dylan Going into the fold as a co-writer and co-producer. A songwriter in his own right, a guitar sideman for ESMB on their last two tours, and a collaborator with Rice in the noise riffage band Mandate, Going had both a unique vision and an intimate familiarity with the ESMB vibe.
“Dylan came to every show we’ve ever played in New York—no matter how weird it was,” Schrader said. “He’d be standing there ready to move an amp or feed us barbecued cactus after the gig and toss on some Golden Girls so we could decompress. It felt like family as soon as we began working, but I honestly had no idea how damn good he was at tossing out these hooks.”
According to Schrader, the songs “just poured out of us” over the course of a highly caffeinated three-day weekend in a tiny room in Devlin’s house while his cat, Sandy Goose, screamed continually. “It was like three kids hiding from the world to get into some lovely mischief,” they said. The lack of external pressure in the process gives Orchestra Hits an almost paradoxical vibe. For all of the album’s layers, that mix live and sequenced instruments, it never loses the raw energy of a small handful of friends in the same room plugging in, cranking up, and playing until they pass out.
Lyrically, the album finds Schrader, now 45, meditating on experiences in their youth to make sense of the present moment. “We are not into the garden,” Schrader wails on the relentless “Roman Candle,” a song about the sad debacle of Woodstock ’99, and a direct response to Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock,” a utopian ode to hippie idealism. A 19-year-old Schrader, having snuck into Woodstock ’99 through a hole in the fence, was there the night members of the crowd used candles intended for a vigil for victims of the Columbine High School massacre to set fires all over the grounds. Even before the fires, Schrader remembered feeling disconnected from the music, the nostalgic cash grab, and the meatheads in the crowd. After watching a press tower collapse, they boarded a random shuttle bus and were dropped off near a Denny’s. “It was a far cry from the Garden of Eden,” Schrader said. “That experience defined what I didn’t want to be a part of, and yet America is more like Woodstock ’99 than ever.”
With percolating synthesizer arpeggios, and climbing bass grooves, “IDKS” is the album’s dance-floor slapper. “’IDKS’ is a funny one,” Schrader said. “We already had a pretty satisfying suite of songs when Dylan was packing up to head back to New York, but he missed the train because of a freak snowstorm. Realizing he’d be stuck in town another day, he says to me, ‘Here’s this other weird thing I have.’ It was ‘IDKS.’ The hooks were so good I felt like Homer Simpson at a free donut convention. I just dove right in, and we cranked that baby out in like 20 minutes.”
Lyrically, “IDKS” is a letter from the true self to public-facing self. “It’s an angry song,” Schrader said. “Because the public-facing self is always looking for an easy escape, but it forces the true self into a cage. I honestly thought my lyrics were corny and was about to change them, but Dylan was digging it just the way it was. So that’s what you hear.”
With the soaring “Daylight Commander,” the band went against all of their musty-basement-bred instincts. “I went full High School Musical with the vocals,” Schrader said. “At first it felt almost embarrassing, but I remember reading somewhere that Bowie recommended always floating a little bit above your comfort zone, and that’s what we did here.” The song is part exercise in absurdity and part pop Trojan horse. “If ever we had a ‘Shiny Happy People’ moment, I guess this is it,” Schrader said.

2024 Reissue

"Hairway To Steven" was rleased for the first time in 1988. "Hairway to Steven" is a blast, ranging from the blood-smeared guitar-overload of "Jimi" to the acoustic guitar-based sing-along sweetness of "I Saw an X-Ray of a Girl Passing Gas" to the Fugs-like ranting of "John E. Smokes." Yet somehow, the album managed to get the straight media to actually notice. For all its strangeness, "Hairway" got rave notices in places that had never paid the band any attention previously. It was the Buttholes" last album of the "80s and marks the beginning of their ascendance into something akin to commercial success. Not that the band actually imagined anything at all like that occurring.

Das kommende Album von Thurston Moore ist sein neuntes Soloalbum. Einige der Songs wurden in Europa und Großbritannien geschrieben und arrangiert und enthalten lyrische Verweise auf ihre Umgebung und sind von der Natur, luzidem Träumen und modernem Tanz beeinflusst. Im Jahr 2023 wurden zwei Singles veröffentlicht: das energiegeladene, non-album, von Isadora Duncan inspirierte 'Isadora' mit einem Musikvideo mit Sky Ferreira in der Hauptrolle. Und "Hypnogram", welches die Presse als eines der intensivsten Stücke bezeichnete, die Moore je veröffentlicht hat, verbindet die melodischeren Momente seiner früheren Band Sonic Youth mit den vielschichtigen, berauschenden Schnörkeln der Hauptband seiner Bassistin Deb Googe, My Bloody Valentine. Das neue Material vermittelt eindringlich das Gefühl von Träumen und lässt die Fans gespannt sein, was der Amerikaner mit seinem Album vorhat." 2024 dann die mitreißende Earth-Day-Hymne 'Rewilding': Der Musiker lieferte erschütternde Zeilen, als er über die Entfernung der menschlichen Hand aus der Natur nachdachte: "...Don't stir anything...". Moore sang über Erneuerung und eine Zeit für Freunde der Erde, um zu schlafen und einen natürlichen Weg zu verwirklichen, indem man "Korallenmorphologisch träumt". Der Musiker sagte, die britische Rewilding-Bewegung strebe danach, den menschlichen Einfluss auf Ökosysteme zu reduzieren.



Die Texte sind größtenteils wieder vom Künstler Radieux Radio verfasst. Der Name "Flow Critical Lucidity" stammt aus dem Text von "Sans Limites", und auf dem Cover des Albums ist Jamie Nares' "Samurai Walkman" zu sehen - ein Helm, der mit Stimmgabeln ausgestattet ist. Jamie Nares (geboren in Großbritannien) ist ein lebenslanger Freund von Thurston Moore aus dessen New Yorker No-Wave-Tagen und die beiden haben schon oft zusammengearbeitet. Mit dabei sind außerdem Jon Leidecker, James Sedwar, Jem Doulton sowie als Backing Vocals-Gast Laetitia Sadier von Stereolab . Als CD mit Textbooklet, MC oder LP mit bedruckter Innenhülle & Bonus-Flexi

Das kommende Album von Thurston Moore ist sein neuntes Soloalbum. Einige der Songs wurden in Europa und Großbritannien geschrieben und arrangiert und enthalten lyrische Verweise auf ihre Umgebung und sind von der Natur, luzidem Träumen und modernem Tanz beeinflusst. Im Jahr 2023 wurden zwei Singles veröffentlicht: das energiegeladene, non-album, von Isadora Duncan inspirierte 'Isadora' mit einem Musikvideo mit Sky Ferreira in der Hauptrolle. Und "Hypnogram", welches die Presse als eines der intensivsten Stücke bezeichnete, die Moore je veröffentlicht hat, verbindet die melodischeren Momente seiner früheren Band Sonic Youth mit den vielschichtigen, berauschenden Schnörkeln der Hauptband seiner Bassistin Deb Googe, My Bloody Valentine. Das neue Material vermittelt eindringlich das Gefühl von Träumen und lässt die Fans gespannt sein, was der Amerikaner mit seinem Album vorhat." 2024 dann die mitreißende Earth-Day-Hymne 'Rewilding': Der Musiker lieferte erschütternde Zeilen, als er über die Entfernung der menschlichen Hand aus der Natur nachdachte: "...Don't stir anything...". Moore sang über Erneuerung und eine Zeit für Freunde der Erde, um zu schlafen und einen natürlichen Weg zu verwirklichen, indem man "Korallenmorphologisch träumt". Der Musiker sagte, die britische Rewilding-Bewegung strebe danach, den menschlichen Einfluss auf Ökosysteme zu reduzieren.



Die Texte sind größtenteils wieder vom Künstler Radieux Radio verfasst. Der Name "Flow Critical Lucidity" stammt aus dem Text von "Sans Limites", und auf dem Cover des Albums ist Jamie Nares' "Samurai Walkman" zu sehen - ein Helm, der mit Stimmgabeln ausgestattet ist. Jamie Nares (geboren in Großbritannien) ist ein lebenslanger Freund von Thurston Moore aus dessen New Yorker No-Wave-Tagen und die beiden haben schon oft zusammengearbeitet. Mit dabei sind außerdem Jon Leidecker, James Sedwar, Jem Doulton sowie als Backing Vocals-Gast Laetitia Sadier von Stereolab . Als CD mit Textbooklet, MC oder LP mit bedruckter Innenhülle & Bonus-Flexi

The principles of pleasure radiate a knowing, carnal heat throughout the genre-fluid sound of LSDXOXO. His decade of dedication to the sensibility of underground club culture has brought forth club classics interwoven with pop music hooks and subversive, tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

After four years of what LSDXOXO, real name RJ Glasgow, calls a period of “healing and self-discovery,” he is consolidating his multiplicitous sound with one compelling masterstroke: the debut album DOGMA, to be released on his own imprint F.A.G. DOGMA marks a complete paradigmatic shift: it is a poetic and fantastical performance, a route for deep escapism through an expanded musical palette including piano and guitar, and a deeply personal confessional through a fresh approach to songcrafting.

Within DOGMA, RJ meditates on the interlinked qualities of fame, infamy, lust and submission, as he rediscovers a pure, unadulterated approach to music-making, all the while adopting a futurist approach to pop music appreciation. RJ’s unmistakable signatures—the smutty dancefloor caller, the maker of irresistible bangers, the latter-day electroclash and DnB nostalgist—take on even more shades and intricacies. Despite his widespread acclaim as a collaborator with and songwriter for other artists, RJ strips DOGMA down almost exclusively to himself, carving out intentional space as a chameleonic vocalist and performer. He breathes life into the album with private thoughts, external fears and a red thread through personal themes that crystallise the album’s narrative from front to back.

The album’s promo single “Bloodlust” offers angsty, intimate indie-tronica, and musings on the intoxicating nature of love and infatuation. The lead single “Ghost” reaches beyond RJ’s Philadelphia origins to find itself in the deep south, in a sultry fever dream of coquettish R&B featuring backing vocals from close collaborator Kelela. Elsewhere on the album futuristic love, pensive pop earworms, evocative vintage dance styles and sleazy club tracks intermingle. While the DOGMA era will eventually explore remixes and reworks, the album is RJ’s purest embrace of himself and his artistry.

RJ first garnered attention as LSDXOXO in New York City with his on-the-pulse Soundcloud edits and then as part of the cult GHE20GOTH1K collective. His DJ sets and productions quickly earned him acclaim across globally-linked underground scenes. His decision to shift from sampled vocals to picking up the pen and microphone pushed his reach out to the stratosphere; his association with XL Recordings via the Dedicated 2 Disrespect EP in 2021 was a turning point for the burgeoning superstar.

This multiplicity of the LSDXOXO sound has led to enviable co-signs. These include being selected as the opening DJ for Beyoncé’s German Renaissance tour dates, remixing Lady Gaga, Pink Pantheress and Shygirl and producing five tracks for Kelela's highly acclaimed 2023 album for Warp Records, Raven. His fully-realised live show has also taken to the stage, serving fierce charisma to huge audiences at festivals including Primavera, Nuits Sonores and Rewire.

Das 10. Studio-Album der beliebten Band - bestehend aus Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis und Nate Walcott - enthält Gastauftritte von langjährigen Freund*innen wie Cat Power, Matt Berninger von The National und Alex Orange Drink von The So So Glos. "Five Dice, All Threes" wurde in Eigenregie produziert und in Mikes und Conors Studio ARC in Omaha, Nebraska, aufgenommen. Es ist ein Album von ungewöhnlicher Intensität und Zärtlichkeit, von gemeinschaftlichem Exorzismus und persönlicher Ausgrabungen. Das sind natürlich Qualitäten, die die Fans von Bright Eyes auch nach fast drei Jahrzehnten ihrer Karriere erwarten. Aber selbst mit ihrer reichen Geschichte im Rücken verströmen diese neuen Songs eine emotionale Spannung wie nichts, was sie zuvor versucht haben. Conor hat schon immer mit einer Stimme gesungen, die ein Gefühl von Leben und Tod vermittelt. Auf "Five Dice, All Threes" macht man sich manchmal Sorgen um ihn, manchmal scheint er der Einzige zu sein, der den Durchblick hat, um uns aus dem Schlamassel zu helfen. Wie bei Bright Eyes üblich, ist die Musik voller Subtexte, die zum tieferen Hinhören einladen - das Markenzeichen einer Band, die das Album immer als ihr eigenes, erhabenes Kunstwerk betrachtet hat. Mit den neuen Songs umarmt das Trio die schwer fassbare Qualität, die sie über Generationen und Genres hinweg so beständig und einflussreich gemacht hat, und bringt ihren hausgemachten Sound aus einem Schlafzimmer in Omaha zu einem begeisterten Publikum in aller Welt. In Conors Songwriting liegt das Versprechen, dass unsere einsamsten Gedanken und Gefühle großartige Formen annehmen können, wenn sie zwischen Freund*innen ausgetauscht, aus Lautsprechern geschmettert oder von Menschenmengen geschrien werden. "Five Dice, All Threes" ist so bekenntnisreich und ungeschützt, wie Conor es seit Jahren nicht mehr war. Mit diesen zeitlos konstruierten und doch unverschämt modernen Songs verdient er sich seinen Platz in der seltenen Klasse von Songwritern, die mit dem Alter furchtloser und grenzenloser geworden sind. Im Spiel der Dreier würde der titelgebende Zug einen perfekten Wurf bedeuten. In der Welt von Bright Eyes bedeutet Perfektion jedoch etwas anderes, denn hier sind es unsere Fehler, die uns Autorität verleihen, und die Suche nach Bedeutung ist nur möglich, wenn wir den dunklen, kurvenreichen Weg dorthin mitmachen. Auf "Five Dice, All Threes" umarmen Bright Eyes diese Überzeugungen mit Musik, die sich aufregend lebendig anfühlt, als wären wir alle mit ihnen im Raum, schreien mit und gewinnen die Kraft, gemeinsam vorwärts zu gehen. Das klingt nicht nur nach den klassischen Bright Eyes. Es klingt auch wie ihre Zukunft.

Das 10. Studio-Album der beliebten Band - bestehend aus Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis und Nate Walcott - enthält Gastauftritte von langjährigen Freund*innen wie Cat Power, Matt Berninger von The National und Alex Orange Drink von The So So Glos. "Five Dice, All Threes" wurde in Eigenregie produziert und in Mikes und Conors Studio ARC in Omaha, Nebraska, aufgenommen. Es ist ein Album von ungewöhnlicher Intensität und Zärtlichkeit, von gemeinschaftlichem Exorzismus und persönlicher Ausgrabungen. Das sind natürlich Qualitäten, die die Fans von Bright Eyes auch nach fast drei Jahrzehnten ihrer Karriere erwarten. Aber selbst mit ihrer reichen Geschichte im Rücken verströmen diese neuen Songs eine emotionale Spannung wie nichts, was sie zuvor versucht haben. Conor hat schon immer mit einer Stimme gesungen, die ein Gefühl von Leben und Tod vermittelt. Auf "Five Dice, All Threes" macht man sich manchmal Sorgen um ihn, manchmal scheint er der Einzige zu sein, der den Durchblick hat, um uns aus dem Schlamassel zu helfen. Wie bei Bright Eyes üblich, ist die Musik voller Subtexte, die zum tieferen Hinhören einladen - das Markenzeichen einer Band, die das Album immer als ihr eigenes, erhabenes Kunstwerk betrachtet hat. Mit den neuen Songs umarmt das Trio die schwer fassbare Qualität, die sie über Generationen und Genres hinweg so beständig und einflussreich gemacht hat, und bringt ihren hausgemachten Sound aus einem Schlafzimmer in Omaha zu einem begeisterten Publikum in aller Welt. In Conors Songwriting liegt das Versprechen, dass unsere einsamsten Gedanken und Gefühle großartige Formen annehmen können, wenn sie zwischen Freund*innen ausgetauscht, aus Lautsprechern geschmettert oder von Menschenmengen geschrien werden. "Five Dice, All Threes" ist so bekenntnisreich und ungeschützt, wie Conor es seit Jahren nicht mehr war. Mit diesen zeitlos konstruierten und doch unverschämt modernen Songs verdient er sich seinen Platz in der seltenen Klasse von Songwritern, die mit dem Alter furchtloser und grenzenloser geworden sind. Im Spiel der Dreier würde der titelgebende Zug einen perfekten Wurf bedeuten. In der Welt von Bright Eyes bedeutet Perfektion jedoch etwas anderes, denn hier sind es unsere Fehler, die uns Autorität verleihen, und die Suche nach Bedeutung ist nur möglich, wenn wir den dunklen, kurvenreichen Weg dorthin mitmachen. Auf "Five Dice, All Threes" umarmen Bright Eyes diese Überzeugungen mit Musik, die sich aufregend lebendig anfühlt, als wären wir alle mit ihnen im Raum, schreien mit und gewinnen die Kraft, gemeinsam vorwärts zu gehen. Das klingt nicht nur nach den klassischen Bright Eyes. Es klingt auch wie ihre Zukunft.

For years, Manu Chao has been travelling the world to meet his fans in unusual venues, villages and small festivals. Elusive, but always accessible to those who cross his path, Manu now presents his new studio album 'Viva Tu', a collection of songs written at the heart of daily lives and struggles, and a fresh take on the state of the world, singing sunny, universal songs in Spanish, French, English and Portuguese, painting an unforgiving picture of social imbalances.
The lead song 'Viva Tu', a heartfelt rumba dedicated to the daily life heroes, has already made its mark. The second single, 'São Paulo Motoboy', is a colorful, sunny ode to the two-wheeled delivery people venturing the Latin American metropoles every day.
The album, to be released September 20th, also features some memorable collaborations, including 'Heaven's Bad Day' with country legend Willie Nelson and 'Tu Te Vas' with rising French rapper Laeti.

For years, Manu Chao has been travelling the world to meet his fans in unusual venues, villages and small festivals. Elusive, but always accessible to those who cross his path, Manu now presents his new studio album 'Viva Tu', a collection of songs written at the heart of daily lives and struggles, and a fresh take on the state of the world, singing sunny, universal songs in Spanish, French, English and Portuguese, painting an unforgiving picture of social imbalances.
The lead song 'Viva Tu', a heartfelt rumba dedicated to the daily life heroes, has already made its mark. The second single, 'São Paulo Motoboy', is a colorful, sunny ode to the two-wheeled delivery people venturing the Latin American metropoles every day.
The album, to be released September 20th, also features some memorable collaborations, including 'Heaven's Bad Day' with country legend Willie Nelson and 'Tu Te Vas' with rising French rapper Laeti.

For years, Manu Chao has been travelling the world to meet his fans in unusual venues, villages and small festivals. Elusive, but always accessible to those who cross his path, Manu now presents his new studio album 'Viva Tu', a collection of songs written at the heart of daily lives and struggles, and a fresh take on the state of the world, singing sunny, universal songs in Spanish, French, English and Portuguese, painting an unforgiving picture of social imbalances.
The lead song 'Viva Tu', a heartfelt rumba dedicated to the daily life heroes, has already made its mark. The second single, 'São Paulo Motoboy', is a colorful, sunny ode to the two-wheeled delivery people venturing the Latin American metropoles every day.
The album, to be released September 20th, also features some memorable collaborations, including 'Heaven's Bad Day' with country legend Willie Nelson and 'Tu Te Vas' with rising French rapper Laeti.

Toy Tonics ITALOMANIA Vol. 2 is a compilation dedicated to NEW ITALIAN DISCO. (Not Italo Disco.)
13 young contemporary Italian producers made new organic disco, indie dance, avant pop and house tracks with Italian vocals.

Everything on this compilation has been produced in 2023. Fresh dance music by Italian indie electronic star Myss Keta together with DJ Severino (of Horse Meat Disco) and newcomers Sam Ruffillo, Fimiani, Magou, Tommiboy, Daniel Monaco, Giovanni Damico. And new music by artists Stump Valley (from Dekmantel), Munk (Gomma records), Rodion (Slow Motion Records) and DJ legend Lele Sacchi,

The ITALOMANIA compilation was initiated by Toy Tonics boss Kapote. The idea is to show the status of Italian Disco of today. It’s like a „manifesto“!
Kapote invited the most relevant Italian producers to make new tracks with Italian vocals and show different styles of modern Italian disco, dance and house music.
with Italian vocals. All tracks compiled by Kapote aka Mathias Modica aka Munk. Italo-German producer, DJ, keyboarder and head of Toy Tonics and Gomma records.

Italian Disco is not Italo Disco.
While the last years the slightly trashy pop music of the 1980’s called Italo Disco (with English lyrics) had a big revival. But now also the attention for more quality and organic dance music with Italian language is rising. This compilation is about this Italian Disco,
It’s a fact that not just in Italy but also in France and Germany there are now artists singing in Italian or using Italian words and names - even if they are not Italian.

Let’s not forget: The world’s culture of party, dancing, showbizness and pop music would be unimaginable without the heritage and creativity that Italians contributed.
Italy is not just the country of good food, beautiful beaches and high fashion, but it’s also the original country of dance music. Since almost 3000 years, since the ancient roman times the Italians have been making (dance) music culture, creating popular culture and being the maestros in organizing parties.
Also the disco wave of the 1970ies and the Pop music of the 1980ies has been co-created by Italians (and Italo-americans in New York).

The ITALOMANIA artists & tracklist:

M¥SS KETA
The most famous artist on the compilation is singer M¥SS KETA. The Italian press calls her "the Italian Lady Gaga“. M¥SS KETA is an edgy performer that reached the top of the charts with indie pop songs, but is also well rooted in the Milan art, fashion and LGTB scene.
To create a song for Italomania she teamed up with DJ Severino. The Italian part of London’s Horse Meat Disco DJ collective. Probably the world leading queer DJ team. (M¥SS KETA recently was invited to perform Berghain in Berlin).

Sam Ruffillo
Sam Ruffilo has contributed a new (party) version of his song Mediterranea. A organic disco track with lyrics in Neapolitan dialect. Sam Ruffillo is an upcoming Italian DJ and producer and one of the lead artists of Toy Tonics (along with Coeo, Kapote and Cody Currie). He had a few underground hits combining leftfield disco and Lofi House with Italian vocals creating a new genre that is finding lot of fans right now. One of his songs (Chiamami Subito) made it into the rotation of big Italian radio station M20. On Instrgam you can see his DJ sets where hundreds of Italians sing his songs at Toy Tonics parties.

Munk
Toy Tonics head honcho Kapote reworked the Munk song ‚La Musica‘ for this compilation. Munk is the former producer name of Mathias Modica aka Kapote. The creative mind behind Toy Tonics and Gomma records. ‚La Musica‘ is an Italo house song that he originally released 2010 when he was doing his former label Gomma records. Now there is this new version of this catchy dance song with the Italian hookline that became almost iconic when first released.
It made sense to include a new version of this track on ITALOMANIA because its a blueprint of italian disco and sounds so fresh again now.

Giovanni Damico
The south Italian DJ, producer made „Tropica“. The song is a tribute to the music of the Italian discos of south Italy of the 1980ies. A Balearic session that can be great at a beach in the afternoon, but also for dancing in the early morning. Damico is part of the new Italian disco scene releasing his dance tracks on international labels like Lumberjacks in hell and White Rabbit records since 2013.

Kapote
His new song „Sono tropical“ is an ironic Latin pop song based on a classic salsa piano riff and a strong Latin soul bassline. It reminds the big tunes from the 1970ies New York Salsa Scene (Tito Puente, Willie Colon, Fania All Stars). The vocals performed by Kapote are a mix of Italian and Spanish. The girl’s voice is also performed by Kapote. But transferred into a female voice by an AI. All instruments played by Kapote who before starting to get into the DJ and label business used to to study jazz piano. Before starting Toy Tonics Kapote he released 3 albums under his former name Munk and produced records with big names from the electronic music scene like James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, Peaches, The Rammellzee and three albums of Danish band WhoMadeWho. Mathias/ Kapote also worked with artists like Franz Ferdinand, The Rapture and Asia Argento.

Lele Sacchi
Lele Sacchi is an Italian DJ legend and host of Italy's most important DJ radio show on RAI national radio. He has been djing all around the world playing from Circoloco Ibiza to Avalon LA. He has Besides being on Italian national radio he has been doing shows on NTS Radio or guest on BBC Six. He produced for labels like Soul Clap, !K7, Internasjonal, Nervous, Snatch, Crosstown Rebels, Poker Flat and his own Stolen Goods imprint.
Sacchi teamed up with young vocalist Elasi, a new talent from Milano that is making waves in Italy for a few songs she released in a indie disco style. Their song is an interpretation of late 70’s cult slow disco pop classic ‘Malamore’ by the underdog Enzo Carella. A mix of slow house and playful pop with a slight touch of acid!

Tommiboy
Tommiboy made a nasty, disco rock song called Sfinge. Only 26 years old he is one of the most hyped up Italian disco diggers and collectors. Originally from Rimini, the capital of discos, he is the son of a father who was a regular dancer in Rimini’s clubs of the 1980is and fed his son with all things disco.
Tommiboy started to do parties and compilations under the name Disco Stupenda three years ago. By now he and his parties are a big thing in Italy and has fans all around the country. He also is DJ for fashion brands like Gucci and he is the guy who re-introduced 1980s stars like Pino D’Angio.

Fimiani aka BPlan
The DJ und producer from Napoli is part of the new, vibrant disco scene from Napoli. (NuGenea, Mystik Jungle, Manny Whodamanny )
His collabo with italian 1980ies crooner Angeleri called SessoSpaghetti is a remake of a song originally released in 1983, but never became famous when it came out. The drums on the song are played by Napoli legend Tullio De Piscopo and the guitar by Lucio Battisti guitar player Massimo Luca.
The new version is a ironic summer disco with sexy vocals and Italian fun rapping about beach life, beautiful girls and sex on the beach. Fimiani also does edits of rare italo disco under the name of BPlan

Daniel Monaco
Daniel Monaco is a multi-talented artist, producer, and bass player DJ, bandleader and producer from Napoli - but has been living for many years in Amsterdam where he hosted show on Red Light Radio released on Labels of the likes of Rush Hour and Bordello a Parigi. Is one of the key figures of the scene due to unique fusion of Italo Disco, Proto House, Obscure Disco, and a captivating tropical touch. His latest EPs came out on Slow Rush Hour records and Periodica Records contributed the song ‚Milly‘ for Italomania. Played with a 5 person band.

Stump Valley
The two DJs, producers and vinyl collector are experts in all things Italo Disco and Balearic music. Before joining Toy Tonics they released an album on Dekmantel records. One of the guys (Brain de Palma) is the favorite DJ of Peggy Gou. He is regularly opening the shows of Peggy as a warm up DJ and releases his solo records on Peggy's label Gudu records. For this compilation they made Non dire di no. An old school piano house track with catchy vocals in the finest tradition of the piano house style that Italians invented in the early 1990ies.