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DJ Support: Don Letts (6 Music), Piet Blank Blank & Jones / Dj Ease Nightmares On Wax / Macca Nts Radio / Coyote / Mike Salta Music For Dreams / Pete Gooding / Layne Fox 40 Thieves / Chris Coco / Richard Dorfmeister Kruder & Dorfmeister / Bill Brewster / Simon Mills [Bent. Plus Loads More.

DJ Feedback:

Lovely laid-back vibes. Excellent! - Francois K [NYC, USA]

Ay what a beauty! Takes you away from the madness for a moment. - Macca (NTS)

Following on from Los Rayos Del Sol (2021) & the follow up Los Rayos In Dub (2022) NuNorthern Soul presents ‘Moonbeams’ by Ibiza based producer, per-cussionist and sunset selector, George Solar.

Inspired by nocturnal moods and illuminated by the moon in all its phases, this collection follows the vibrations of 'Los Rayos Del Sol.' It's a journey into night-time peace and harmony, embracing the moonlit atmosphere.

MEDIA LUNA (feat. Ken Fan)
Opening with angelic dubby downtempo, this track translated is 'Half Moon,' sets the tone for the night.

MOONBEAMS (feat. Ken Fan)
Featuring love poet JEN, 'Moonbeams' captures the rise of the moon and the message of love.

COUNTERMOON (feat. Ken Fan)
Originally a slower cumbia demo, this track evolved into a retro dance piece with a minimalistic touch. Reflecting the off-center vibe of lunar forces.

LUNATICOTINA (feat. Ken Fan)
A tribute to the global beats scene, this ritual tune incorporates grooves from all continents, dedicated to Ibiza's 'global beats' oasis LAYLAH venue.

O LUAR
Influenced by Samba vibes and the Brazilian approach to moonlight, this track combines Solar dub and cosmic stardust.

MOONBEAMS reprise (for KS)
A tribute to Klaus Schulze, a secret Solar Moon band member, this reprise is a spontaneous improvisation recorded in memory of the spiritual godfather.

10-piece UK afro-fusion outfit TC & The Groove Family are proud to share their new EP ‘We Have Each Other’. Releasing on Friday 7th June via Bridge The Gap, the project sees the band refine the sound debuted on their 2022 album ‘First Home’. Returning to work once again with producer Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, ONIPA), the project explores a darker sonic palette, channelling a deep appreciation of UK bass and electronic music alongside afro-jazz sounds and hip-hop sensibilities.

The record documents a time of change within the group - a new lineup, plus members living in different cities and pursuing various paths - whilst also reflecting the turbulent socio-political climate, and the major shifts and changes on the horizon for humanity. However, despite the heavy subject material, the band strike an optimistic, uplifting tone, with MC Franz Von channeling the music into a message encouraging listeners to look around and embrace
community, whatever that may look like. Bandleader Tim Cook shares:

“Our collective purpose is to craft music that empowers and energises individuals to embrace their true selves with pride, celebrating the unity and strength we radiate as one community. No one needs to be alone when they are striving for common humanity. No one should be lonely when we celebrate each other, drawn together by a sound that says it’s good to be me, it’s better to be us. As our MC, Franz Von says, music brings peace, love & energy”.

Opener and lead single ‘Stand Strong’ is a love letter to afrobeat, creating a contemporary twist with its Khruangbin-esque guitar lines and weaving horns, whilst ‘Here, Now’ takes the tempo down to an atmospheric haze of dubbed-out ambient effects, pierced by uplifting horn melodies. ‘Blessed’ sees the group welcome Nubiyan Twist’s Aziza Jaye for a dancehall-meets-North African-flavoured feature, subtly reimagining what Elephunk era Black Eyed Peas would
sound like today.

At the EP’s centre-point and emotional peak, title track ‘We Have Each Other’ showcases the band’s jazz fusion, Latin and dark electronic influences. The tracks growling, subbed-out bass tones return as a theme for ‘Wile Out’ - a UK hip-hop & jungle tinged collaboration with SANITY complete with virtuosic, tight-knit grooves, furious horn lines and a whirlwind of immersive turntablism.

Originally formed in Leeds, TC & The Groove Family’s sound reflects the diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at the core of the project, with songs exploring grooves and genres including afrobeat, broken beat, jungle, jazz and grime. Their music has drawn widespread acclaim, supported by tastemakers including Jamz Supernova and Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6, BBC Introducing West Yorkshire, Jazz FM, Rinse FM, Radio FIP and more. The group have performed at the likes of Glastonbury, We Out Here, Greenman and Boomtown, and will embark on a UK tour across May & June in support of the release of ‘We Have Each Other’.

Keine andere Band schaffte es Melodie & Härte so zu vereinen wie LINKIN PARK. Millionenfache Tonträgerverkäufe, weltweite Auszeichnungen, ausverkaufte Tourneen - die US-Amerikaner gehör(t)en seit Jahren zur Elite der besten Rockbands. Die strikt limitierte Picture-LP enthält Konzertaufnahmen (Radio Broadcasts) von 2001 inklusive den großartigen Welthits In The End, Runaway und Pushing Me Away.

Pure Mania is the debut album by The Vibrators, who have always been considered one of the most important punk pioneers in the UK. The band was formed in 1976 by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, Pat Collier, John Ellis and John 'Eddie' Edwards. In 1976 they were backed by Sex Pistols producer Chris Spedding, who recommended the band to the successful RAK label. The band had legendary shows on John Peel's BBC Radio 1 and played the pioneering punk venue: London's Roxy Club. The band supported Iggy Pop and Mott the Hoople frontman Ian Hunter. Pure Mania has always been considered a true punk classic that was essential to the birth of the British punk scene. Even the Stiff Little Fingers took their name from a track on the album. The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music also named Pure Mania as one of the 50 greatest punk albums of all time. Pure Mania is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on translucent magenta coloured vinyl.

In den letzten zehn Jahren hat sich DANIEL DAVIES zu einem gefeierten Komponisten atmosphärischer, synthielastiger Instrumentalmusik entwickelt - für Film- und Fernseh-Musik, an der Seite von JOHN CARPENTER auf den "Lost Themes"-Alben des Regisseurs und auf Solo-Veröffentlichungen wie "Signals And Spies". In seinem früheren musikalischen Leben war DAVIES jedoch ein Rocker, der mit Bands wie YEAR LONG DISASTER und KARMA TO BURN durch die ganze Welt tourte. Mit seinem neuen Solo-Album "Ghost Of The Heart" kehrt DAVIES zu dem Alt-Rock-Sound zurück, den er vorübergehend beiseite gelegt hatte, und ergänzt ihn mit dem, was er beim Produzieren von Soundtracks und Instrumentalmusik gelernt hat. "Ein Rockalbum zu schreiben ist ein Ausdruck der Gefühle des Künstlers, während es bei der Vertonung eines Films darum geht, Klanglandschaften zu schaffen, die die Geschichte eines anderen ergänzen", sagt DAVIES. "Bei diesem Album wollte ich die schweren Gitarrenriffs aus meiner Rockzeit mit den atmosphärischen Synthesizerklängen verbinden, mit denen ich als Komponist experimentiert habe." Die Songs auf "Ghost Of The Heart" lassen sich nicht in ein bestimmtes Subgenre einordnen: Sie sind stimmungsvoll, schwer und ein wenig proggig, aber mit einer starken Pop-Sensibilität und viel Melodie. Das Album verrät DAVIES' Vorliebe für eingängige, zukunftsweisende Bands wie RADIOHEAD und BLUR, aber vor allem fühlt sich "Ghost Of The Heart" natürlich an, so als würde er etwas Grundlegendes über sich selbst als Musiker wiederfinden. DAVIES nahm "Ghost Of The Heart" im Laufe des Jahres 2023 mit dem Produzenten John Spiker auf, seinem langjährigen Freund und Mitarbeiter. Spiker steuert auch den Bass bei, während Matt Flynn Schlagzeug spielt. Alles andere auf der Platte wird von DAVIES selbst eingespielt.

2024 Reissue

Baricentro is an Italian funk-rock band founded in 1976 by two brothers Francesco and Vanni Boccuzzi; after the release of two albums in mid seventies (Sconcerto and Trusciant) for the major record company EMI; they recorded in 1983 the single "Tittle Tattle" representing a clear innovation in sound from their past, without believing that would receive a positive response in the New York City underground music scene and soon becoming a Paradise Garage and Loft classic. Best Record Italy today came out with this special reissue-project as a Limited Edition Ep, remastered from the original master tapes and containing for the first time all the versions from 1983 and 84 including the unreleased dub that was previously available as an acetate cut only for deejay play.

Since their inception in Tromso in 2017, the Norwegian (dark) indie (punk)rock band Heave Blood & Die has been hailed by national radio as one of the most exciting new bands, played big festivals like Oya, Roskilde, Reeperbahn and SXSW, and toured with Kvelertak. “Burnout Codes” is their fourth full-album, and is dedicated to their former bass-player Eivind Andre Imingen. On their new record you still hear their typical ‘cold and hypnotic apocalypse sounds’, but ‘more emotional, energetic, varied and colourful’ now; a mix of atmospheric ’80s darkwave, indie (post/punk-)rock and electronic krautrock!

Repress.

Back in print and just in time for summer relaxation. It's hard to believe this album came out over 10 years ago. Back then we thought it was too rough for consumption, were we wrong! Today, “Songs” can be heard on hundreds of playlists around the world and still attracts listeners with its unique sonic grit. It became a template for LOFI producers and has even been featured in multiple Thrasher skate videos. Its appeal continues to cross genres and remains entirely random, but unmistakably Dwight. If you missed out on this album the first time, it's your chance to get that first PPU restoration of Dwight's solo songs from the 80s. This is the restoration that took over 2 years and included; phones held up to speakers, cassette to 1/4 reel transfers, Tascam manipulations, scotch tape, and a pair of scissors.

Dwight Sykes aka Sporty Cat, was born February 27, 1956 in Nettleton, Mississippi. At the age of two Dwight and family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he would remain for most of his younger years. At the age of nine Dwight started his musical career singing background vocals with a spiritual group, Airs of Harmony, Jr., now known as the Michigan Nightingales. After three years of signing, Dwight started playing guitar. He joined his first r&B band, The Kenyatahs, at age thirteen and then played for five years with the group. Following the break up of the group and the death of his mother, Dwight enlisted in the U.S. Army. During that time he played guitar and drums for the band 100% Pure Poison. They played throughout Germany for 18 months. After being honorably discharged, and back in the states, Dwight started playing in numerous local Michigan bands including Domain, and Chaos. Eager to write his own material, Dwight created the group Jahari. They toured for a couple of years in the Michigan area until another break-up. Still under the Jahari alias, Dwight wrote "Situations" which received respectable air-play on Michigan local radio stations, WKMI, WQXC, WRDR, WKZO and WKDS. Dwight now resides near Atlanta, Georgia. He continues to write and produce songs on his Tascam 464 four track console. Although he uses other avenues to provide for the upkeep of himself and son, his love of music keep the hope alive that he will one day get that big break in the music business. Dwight Sykes - Songs Volume One is a collection of material written, produced and recorded by Dwight Sykes on 4-Track Cassette, in his home studio L.U.S.T. Productions.

Info: The soulful power of Asabi Goodman's vocals is finally on vinyl! Blunted Stylus ft. Asabi Goodman s' "Rhythm's Got Soul" has "groove and style" reminiscent of the back-to-back, wall-to-wall packed dancefloors of the fever-pitched disco era, steady spinning in at 115 BPM. The highly anticipated collaboration between the renowned singer/ songwriter Asabi Goodman, and producer/arranger Geoff Boardman A.K.A. Blunted Stylus brings authority and intrigue to the dance floor, with soul.... "Free your mind and the mirror ball will follow".



Side A "Rhythm's Got Soul bursts through the stratosphere 'all frequencies blazing!"

Treating the listener to pitched horns, filtered drums, those sultry Asabi vocals, reinforced by the everlasting bass from Andrew 'Bigfoot' Leslie.

Momentum steps up with the rhythm guitar of Dave VHS, accompanied with vamp keys and hectic percussion.

The SOULICITORS are the band on this release 'sitting in the groove', syncopated and loose after the MPC4000 sample treatment, a sort of new paradigm of band-samples soul-fusion exploration!



Side B "Rhythm's Hot" (Afro Instrumental) is a monster cut on the flip, a relentlessly persuasive percussion groove, well timed transitions spread smooth like butter, akin to Midnight Marauders chords, styled across 'A Taste Of Honey' bassline for example, on an Afrocentric trip building up to the disco-fever instrumental strut.



Asabi Goodman is an American born (Oklahoma), entertainer now calling Australia home, consistently performing in stage and screen productions, and touring with bands and Broadway musicals (Hairspray! The Musical, CHICAGO). Asabi's vocal ability effortlessly elevates from 'sweet and soulful' to 'commanding and powerful', all the while showing unmistakably that her passion for the audience, and respect for the song is at the heart of every performance.

Geoff Blunted is an Australian producer, avid record collector, and co-founder of the ground breaking sample-funk group the 'RESIN DOGS' (1996-2005) extensively touring and producing. From the early days in the 80's of cutting his teeth in mixtapes, and volunteering at community radio at 4ZZZ in 1988 (arguably the golden era of hip hop) hosting Australia's first dedicated Hip Hop show "Just2Def" that aired for 1 year. Four Jazz-funk sample albums under his belt, 'Rhythm's Got Soul' arrives cued-up ready! The track highlights Geoff's ability to blend his time proven sample ethic into a resonating dynamic disco experience.

Drawing inspiration from the raw energy of the 1960s women's garage bands in the style of Girls in the Garage and the fervent revival of the '80s with a strong influence from The Brood, The Pandoras, The Makers, The Headcoatees, among others. The Go-Goettes infuse their music with a fresh twist on underground rock. The band consists of Rita on organ and vocals, Naye on guitar, Ana on drums, and Tete on bass. The Go-Goettes' music resonates with authentic lyrics that narrate their personal experiences and perspectives as women navigating life in Mexico. Their compelling sound has captured the attention of influential DJs worldwide, leading to features on international radio stations such as El Sotano De Radio 3 in Spain, La Bicicleta & la Machine a Sons in France, Radio LUX in the USA, and The Paul Groovy Radio Show in the UK.

Rock n Roll Star! zeichnet Bowies Weg zu Ziggy Stardust nach. Angefangen bei frühen Demos für zu Hause, über Radiosessions und Live-Auftritte bis hin zu Session-Aufnahmen, Outtakes und alternativen Versionen von den Aufnahmen zum Album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR! enthält 29 unveröffentlichte Tracks, darunter frühe Songwriting-Demos, Aufnahmen von Davids Band The Arnold Corns, Proben in Bowies damaligem Zuhause Haddon Hall, BBC-Sessions, Singles, Live-Auftritte sowie Outtakes und alternative Versionen von den Original-Aufnahmesessions des Albums, die vom ursprünglichen Album-Produzenten Ken Scott neu gemischt wurden. Zu den unveröffentlichten Highlights gehören eine alternative Version von "Lady Stardust", eine ungehörte Version des Deep-Cut-Klassikers "Shadow Man" und eine Up-Tempo-Aufnahme von The Who's "I Can't Explain", die er später verlangsamt und für das PIN-UPS-Album gecovert hat. Die reine Audio-Blu-Ray enthält das definitive Remaster des Original-Ziggy Stardust-Albums aus dem Jahr 2012 in 96kHz/24bit PCM Stereo, das Album und zusätzliche Mixe aus dem Jahr 2003 in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sowie die Singles, Outtakes und alternative Versionen in 96kHz/24bit PCM Stereo. Die Blu-Ray enthält außerdem eine Version des ZIGGY STARDUST-Albums namens WAITING IN THE SKY (BEFORE THE STARMAN CAME TO EARTH), die von Trident Studio-Bändern vom 15. Dezember 1971 stammt und eine alternative Reihenfolge sowie vier Songs enthält, die es nicht auf das endgültige Album geschafft haben. Diese wird auch als limitierte Vinyl-LP am 20. April 2024 zum Record Store Day erhältlich sein. Außerdem gibt es eine 1-LP-Version von ROCK 'N' ROLL STAR! mit den alternativen Aufnahmen und Abmischungen.

With his new album, the wryly titled My Bad Side Wants a Good Time, Paul and company further expound upon the groove- laden approach that remains so essential to the Sooner State's revered traditions, some of the songs were recorded in the restored environs of Church Studio in Tulsa, the former home of Shelter Records once owned and operated by Leon Russell.

The recording efforts have clearly paid off, while also remaining true to the vision Paul had for the album early on. "I wanted make a record that encompassed the sounds coming out of that historic studio in it's glory days," he reflects. "Now, when I listen back, I find that it also echoes a vibe that was consistent with the diverse sounds once heard during the glory days of rock and roll radio. I can almost hear a deejay talking up each track while segueing between songs."

Das nordirisch-niederländische Duo Fräulein hat in Zusammenarbeit mit der in London ansässigen US-Band Cosmorat seinen turbulenten Sound in gestochen scharfer Wiedergabetreue eingefangen und so sowohl eine exakte Momentaufnahme seiner Livepower und Skills geliefert, als auch unendlich neue Türen zu weiteren Experimenten geöffnet. Die kraftvolle Debüt-Mini-LP "Sink Or Swim" wechselt zwischen grüblerischem Aufbau, rhythmisch-komplexen Wirbelstürmen und seekrankem Geprügel. Kritiker wie DIY, The Independent oder BBC Radio 1 & 6Music sind bereits auf Fräulein aufmerksam geworden. Transparent-blaues Vinyl, exklusiv für Indies.

Originally issued in 1984, World Shut Your Mouth saw the mercurial leader of The Teardrop Explodes establish himself as a fully-fledged solo artist. This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1984 Mercury Records UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl. When The Teardrop Explodes finally ground to a halt in late 1982, all eyes were on what leader Julian Cope would do next. After retreating to the village of Drayton Bassett in Staffordshire for an extended period, Cope began writing World Shut Your Mouth, his first solo album. Released in March 1984, it is the closest to his old band of all his solo work (Metranil Vavin and Pussyface were both originally intended for the Teardrops), World Shut Your Mouth featured Gary Dwyer on drums, and giving the album its most distinctive sound, Kate St. John on oboe. Beautifully pastoral, it is full of highlights such as Strasbourg, Kolly Kibber's Birthday and the wistful, reflective Head Hang Low. The strange, string-led, schizophrenic, Sunshine Playroom was the album's first single, followed up by 'radio hit' Greatness And Perfection.

U.S. Cinematic outfit Whatitdo Archive Group returns to explore the worlds of Mid-Century Exotica and Library Music with "Palace Of A Thousand Sounds," out on May 5th.

From the instrumental cinematic-soul outfit behind 2021's critically acclaimed The Black Stone Affair comes Whatitdo Archive Group's most recent foray into the realms of the esoteric and arcane, and their most adventurous album to date: Palace Of A Thousand Sounds, available May 5th, 2023 on Record Kicks on limited edition LP, CD and digital platforms.

After The Black Stone Affair enthralled record collectors by traversing the cinematic landscape of an imagined 1970s Spaghetti Western, Palace Of A Thousand Sounds finds Whatitdo Archive Group entrenched deeper in the worlds of mid-century exotica and library music—from the Tropicalia-steeped Amazon to the minor key tonalities of the far-out Near East.

When the dust finally settled from their debut album, composer and tireless sound scientist Alexander Korostinsky set out to discover the band's new direction, with the ultimate goal to breathe new life into the mid-century era sound with the compass of modernity as his guide.

From its conception in 2021, Palace has sought to carry on a legacy set in motion by the likes of Martin Denny, Les Baxter and Juan García Esquivel. Korostinsky, guitarist Mark Sexton, and drummer Aaron Chiazza recorded the album in marathon sessions from Korostinsky's Studio "A," in Reno, Nevada—a mysterious sonic laboratory where the year 1970 has yet to happen, and vintage analog equipment interfaces with modern musical perspectives and experimental recording techniques to produce era-defining sounds.

Not content to appeal to the sensibilities of armchair anthropologists, Palace Of A Thousand Sounds finds the band interrogating the genre itself while making studious tributes to the real places and times it draws from. It's in this tension between here and there, fantasy and reality, that Whatitdo Archive Group find their groove.

Drawing from a century of pop and folk sounds from around the world the way only 21st-century crate-diggers can, Palace is rooted in an undercurrent of heavy funk that is decidedly here and now. Whatitdo Archive Group showcase the breadth of their influences with disarming confidence, equally at home behind sweeping harp, loungey vibraphone or Turkish bağlama saz. A lush seventeen-piece orchestra commanded by award-winning composer Louis King (Janelle Monáe, Monophonics) completes the instrumental mélange, enticing listeners to imagine a borderless planet unified by melody and rhythm.

The album is unafraid to explore the strange and uncomfortable in pursuit of an authentic musical identity, subverting expectations in pursuit of forwarding the genre while paying homage to its past. Fans will appreciate the architectural complexity of the record accessible only through multiple listens—each visit to the palace yielding new details to marvel at, curiosities to ponder, grand mysteries to explore.

Once the needle drops, W.A.G carefully guides you from room to room, sound to sound within the walls of the album's sonic palace. Listening becomes an aural journey providing glimpses into different worlds both real and imagined; you are everywhere and nowhere all at once—a guest in the grand halls and hanging gardens of time and sound.

Steeped in obscurity, a cult following of crate-diggers and musical oddity collectors has been brewing over the mysterious releases of the Whatitdo Archive Group. Surfacing in 2009 from the high deserts of Reno, NV USA, this three-piece recording collective(Alexander Korostinsky, Mark Sexton and Aaron Chiazza) focuses solely on curating, performing and preserving esoteric soundtrack, library and deep-groove collections. As an onlooker, it's hard to tell whether the music they are procuring is actually archival, music of their own creation, or both. Their debut LP The Black Stone Affair, the formerly lost soundtrack music of a once-shelved Italian cinematic masterpiece, was released in 2021 and received praise from the likes of Wall Street Journal, Mojo Magazine, Uncut, Shindig, Blues & Soul Magazine, BBC 6, FIP Radio (FR), KCRW (US), JazzFM (UK) and more. Two years later, the Whatitdo Archive Group is back. Get ready for an exotic adventure with their sophomore full-length effort: Palace of a Thousand Sounds.

‘Empires into Sand’ is the first album of new material from Normil Hawaiians in 40 years. The group first refined their sound during the early 80s, hitting on a pastoral experimentalism that drew on ambient drone, motorik impulse and post-punk pep.
‘Empires into Sand’ came together in the familiar manner of their original three albums, with improvisation and nuance informing the blueprint of the tracks. It was with the official release of this last record ‘Return of the Ranters’ (originally recorded in 1984/85, but then unconsciously shelved) in 2015 by Upset The Rhythm that led to the group reconnecting with the intention of playing music together again. Normil Hawaiians played a launch show for that ‘lost album’ and followed that up with more concerts, including an appearance at Supernormal, a residency at the Edinburgh Festival, gigs at Cafe OTO. They were even chosen by Richard Dawson to perform with him in London.
Throughout this time, Normil Hawaiians revisited their original songs for live performance. However for a group always so interested in evolving their sound, it came as no surprise that they shirked at the idea of a faithful retread. The band pushed their songs into new inventive dimensions, still progressive at core, but now imbued with a cosmic uncanny. A cinematic approach that was always quietly present has come to the fore. The quaint weirdness of folk song, the humanity of communal practice and the group’s ecological mindedness have all found a place in Normil Hawaiians’ current sound world.
When Normil Hawaiians write and record music they prefer to gather in a remote location and live together for a while, such is their communal ethos. Being far-flung across the UK, the Family Hawaii (numbering seven key members) decided to encamp to Tayinloan, a small village on the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula in Scotland. They set up their own studio in an isolated, windswept house overlooking the sea and started the tape rolling. Noel Blanden from the band explains the process neatly: “we set up and began playing, slowly and patiently, allowing the music to take its own shape based on where we were staying and our ongoing friendship. We recorded for days, capturing everything. A lot of new and rich ideas began to emerge”.
Normil Hawaiians took their time to develop these threads at their own pace, allowing songs to mutate and settle over months. Simon Marchant deftly produced and recorded the album whilst also performing in the band, this marked the first time the band had total control of their own sound. The last few years has seen the band reconvene in Herne Bay, Faversham, London and Leith to record new parts, constantly responding to the changing form of these quietly spectral songs of defiance.
‘Empires into Sand’ incorporates samples from old rehearsals and live music into the new finished pieces, this is in continuum with their previous records. Snippets of sound from the static of short wave radio and satellite transmissions also embellish the work. In fact the whole album is stitched together with interludes, creating an acutely immersive 45 minutes. ‘Exiles’ opens the album amid swirling atmospheres, synth flights and recordings of Vilnis Egle (father of Zinta Egle from the band) retelling his experience of fleeing his home in Latvia during Soviet occupation in 1942. George Bikandy also features on this track talking about his flight from Syria in 2014. ‘Ghosts of Ballochroy’ is a winding river of a song featuring a lively discourse in Scots courtesy of Rodney Relax. There’s a commitment to truth telling present across this hopeful album populated with angels, incoming tides, long shadows and the rose-washed sun. “From our broken windscreen, we feel the breeze” soars Guy Smith triumphantly over the driving beat of ‘Waterfalls : Bedford 330’. ‘Big City Sky’ flutters and sparkles with rapid synth runs, tape-looped drums and Jimmy Miller’s commanding vocal. With ‘In The Stone’ Zinta’s melody is deliberately jagged and blunt, exaggerated by octave-layered vocals and interjections from Guy.
This is thought-provoking, boundary-bothering music. Honest in intent, a solidarity of vision. The album’s title is derived from a poem by band member Mark Tyler, who sadly passed away during the recording process and the transience of life is felt heavily throughout. Noel best coins the group’s wish for the album: “we wanted to create an album that acknowledges our history and also reflects who we are today. We remained true to ourselves and we wanted to make something beautiful without removing the edges.” ‘Empires into Sand’ certainly does that, it’s an echo from the past, an echo from the future.

Principal member Keith Finch linked up with reggae manager and publisher Othman Mukhlis at Stanley House Studio in 2001 and began a series of projects featuring there love of retro reggae. JA13 worked with major reggae stars of the sixties on the ‘Heroes of Kingston’ project, Alton Ellis, Derrick Morgan, Dave Barker Dave and Ansell Collins Winston ‘Mr Fixit’ Francis, Denis Alcapone, Owen Grey, BB Seaton Gaylads and legendary trombonist Rico Rodriguez. [Which lead to two solo albums with Rico Rodriguez]. Project championed by David Rodigan and Ranking Miss P. Music in films and TV including Hawaii 5-0, various US films, BA, Tesco, various BBC, latest and currently they have many tracks on BBC most successful export ‘Death in Paradise’. They also feature two tracks in the forthcoming Shaggy documentary Other reggae artists projects include Bob Andy, Joseph Cotton, General Saint and Clint Eastwood, Don Campbell, J C Lodge, Susan Cadogan, Glen Adams [Upsetters] Pat Rhoden [first artist on Trojan] Tippe Irie, Tenor Fly, Spanna Banner, FYA [Platinum in Japan], Bounty Killer, Elephant man, and many more on ‘Bar Mitzvah riddim’ which was co written and produced with Skatta Burrell. Written for UK pop reggae band Madness on last two albums, and on the project ‘Charge of the Dance Brigade’ with Lee Thompson [Madness] and Jennie Matthias Belle stars singer] with Brazilian jazz accordionist/pianist Chico Chagas. And a host of other top musicians. [Which he co wrote, produced, engineered and nurtured] JA13 have featured on many reggae projects and remixes, the latest offering is ‘World Radio Dub – Chapter One’

A kaleidoscopic sonic riot, Nandakke? is the hotly anticipated debut album from Japanese-Belgian duo Aili. Featuring 10 tracks of surreal electro-pop, joyful electronica, house music and more, Nandakke? is a euphoric album that sees Aili Maruyama and Orson Wouters more than fulfil the promise of their acclaimed debut EP.

Recorded over the course of six months in Orson's studio, packed full of vintage synths, Nandakke? captures the spontaneous spirit and creativity of those sessions. Exchanging riffs and rhythms, bouncing sounds and samples off each other, Aili and Orson would let the music take them where it wanted. The result,an album full of wild ideas and bold, playful experimentation.

More than anything an exhilarating feeling of discovery courses through Nandakke?, leaving you never sure where it will go next. One minute a pulsing electro-pop number featuring Aili's dad discussing his takoyaki (battered octopus) recipe, the next an explosive high energy workout song like Up & Down.

Certainly Aili was surprised to find herself singing in her own unique version of Japanese again.

"I thought that I was done with that after our debut EP, but apparently not as I speak even more Japanese on the album!" said Maruyama. "Every time we were in the studio these words would just tumble out. It's a complicated language but I just love to play with it.

"In many ways I'm an outsider, I left Tokyo aged 7, so there's a lot I notice as someone who is not a native speaker and it doesn't always make sense, there's a lot of mistakes in it.But in a way that sums up the whole philosophy of the album and how Orson and I work together."

That notion of duality, a sense of belonging but feeling apart, of being between two worlds and inventing your own captures the spirit of Nandakke?, itself a Japanese word that roughly translates to "Well, what was it?".

"It's something you say when you're looking for a word, like you know it but have forgotten how to say it. That's literally how I communicate with my dad the whole time," Maruyama explains. "The main feeling I have when I go to Japan is that I know the language, I can speak it, but part of me still feels like it doesn't have all the vocabulary. There's a gap there that nandakke has always filled for me. All the lyrics come from that place, that seven-year old trying to speak Japanese."

Whether Aili's singing about the language she invented with her father over the years to bridge the gap between them (Nandakke?), the idiosyncratic Japanese relationship to fashion (Fashion) or riffing on children's playground songs (Yubikiri) the result is a remarkable album that defies easy categorisation.

Bursting onto the Belgian scene in 2021 with their acclaimed debut EP, Dansu, its lead track spent 8 consecutive weeks at the #1 spot of Radio 1's VOX list and saw the band nominated for Studio Brussel's De Nieuwe Lichting ('New Generation') award. Since then Aili have appeared playing live on the Belgian TV show Roomies, been tipped by the likes of Rolling Stone, become regulars on tastemaker stations like KEXP and KCRW in the US and Nova in France, toured across Europe and, just recently, played their first sell out shows in Japan.

"Ghosts" ist eine Schatztruhe voller fesselnder Melodien. Diese sind so eingängig, dass man sich nach mehrmaligem Hören vielleicht in einen Piraten verwandelt. Die Songs sind mit der meisterhaften Mischung von Edel-Power-Metal mit Piraten-, Fantasy-, Symphonie- und Fantasy-Elementen entstanden. Die wunderschönen Gitarrenmelodien und der bezaubernde Gesang Ihrer Majestät Maria Aurea bieten Explosionen von Noten und Harmonien mit einer gewaltigen Produktion, die dieses Album zu einem Piraten-Metal-Meisterwerk machen. Von eiskalten arktischen Gitarrenparts über geheimnisvolle Gesangsharmonien und eine gespenstische Meeresatmosphäre bis hin zu warmer Tropical-Adventure-Metal-Orchestrierung schweben Sie in einer wunderschönen, magischen Welt. Pirate Queen ist mehr als eine gewöhnliche Heavy-Metal-Band. Es sind fünf neue talentierte Musikerinnen, deren wahre Identität ein Rätsel zu sein scheint.

"Ich bin neu in der Hamburger Schule" haben Tocotronic 1995 gesungen. "Die Lehrer sind alle ganz nett hier und die meisten meiner Mitschüler auch." Doch wer sind die "Lehrer" dieser 1993 gegründeten Band, die erst spät zu der unter dem Namen "Hamburger Schule" bekannten Szene gestoßen ist? Und wie blicken die "Mitschüler" heute auf die Musikszene, die sich ab Mitte der Achtziger an den Tresen, in den Übungsräumen und Konzertsälen der Hansestadt entwickelte? Zu einer Zeit als Deutschpunk stumpfer und die Neue Deutsche Welle schlagerhafter wurde, entstand irgendwo dazwischen etwas Neues, Eigenes. Noch ohne Trainingsjacken, Seitenscheitel und deutschsprachige Texte herrschte zunächst eine musikalisch wilde Mischung vor - Alternative neben Northern Soul, Punk neben Noise, Pop neben Instrumentalmusik. Erst nach und nach schälte sich der deutschsprachige, intellektuelle Diskurspop heraus, der zum Markenzeichen - und Klischee - der Hamburger Schule wurde und Bands wie Blumfeld, Die Sterne oder Tocotronic zu überregionaler Bekanntheit führte. "Der Text ist meine Party" begleitet zahlreiche Akteur:innen auf ihrem Weg aus der Provinz nach Hamburg. Viele der Musiker:innen hatten in der Punkszene die Selbstermächtigung, den Do-it-yourself-Ethos erlernt und gründeten Bands und Tonstudios, Labels und Konzertorte. "Der Text ist meine Party - Die Hamburger Schule 1989-2000" ist das musikalische Pendant zum gleichnamigen Buch von Jonas Engelmann (Ventil Verlag). Auf der Compilation finden sich viele Musiker:innen, die auch im Buch zu Wort kommen und einige mehr.