Carter Family meets Addams Family in Easy Listening for Jerks, two new covers EPs by gold-certified prairie pickers The Dead South. Rich with quality finger picking and replete with harmonies, Easy Listening for Jerks offers many new moods of songs we think we know so well. Under a title that recalls the songwriting humour of Roger Miller and Steve Martin’s comedy stylings alike, the EPs offer a surprising and compelling mix of gravity and levity. Foggy Mountain Boys, but make it Beetlejuice. Easy Listening for Jerks Parts 1 & 2 are pressed separately on 10" black vinyl.
Carter Family meets Addams Family in Easy Listening for Jerks, two new covers EPs by gold-certified prairie pickers The Dead South. Rich with quality finger picking and replete with harmonies, Easy Listening for Jerks offers many new moods of songs we think we know so well. Under a title that recalls the songwriting humour of Roger Miller and Steve Martin’s comedy stylings alike, the EPs offer a surprising and compelling mix of gravity and levity. Foggy Mountain Boys, but make it Beetlejuice. Easy Listening for Jerks Parts 1 & 2 are pressed separately on 10" black vinyl.
For Fan Of: Journey, Rainbow, Kansas, Fates Warning, Armored Saint, Van Halen, Scorpions, Arch/Matheos, Warlord, Jethro Tull When Mark Zonder, famed former Fates Warning and Warlord drummer, started working on material in early 2020 he had a very clear vision for the band he wanted to put together. “I wanted to have a very accessible band that would appeal to the masses and would lead to the ability to tour larger venues. I knew from myself and the others that I would recruit, it would have some sophisticated music parts but the big hook was the main priority.” The result was A-Z, reuniting him with Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder, Warlord/Steve Vai/Ring of Fire bassist Philip Bynoe, guitarist Joop Wolters and keyboardist Vivien Lalu, the combination of these players stirring up a very specific kind of magic that could not be replicated. The goal was always the same: shorter songs and getting right to the chorus, no twelve-minute songs, and everyone found it easy working to this remit. With everything else coming together nicely, finding the right singer was the hardest aspect of the whole process.
KiNK's first release on Sofia Records this year lives up to its title and its creator's reputation. The relentless energy, love of musical adventure and undamped enthusiasm of a KiNK live set can be found here in all its glory.
Wake Up is not only an instruction and a hidden compliment to Laurent Garnier, it's also evidence of the Bulgarians uncanny ability to deliver steamrollers with various twists and turns, while hitting the peak effortlessly.
Beep Beep adds a certain element of mania to the menu. For the lack of a better description, please imagine Mr. Oizo and Steve Poindexter making a record together. Not for the faint at heart.
That can be said for the rest of the EP as well. Featuring Redeye, Room To Jack is on the same level of Beep Beep. Traditional topics of Chicago House get a bench test on a speed farm.
Dancing to Scrambler one would probably need the same room to jack. Swapping the Windy City with British raving fields, KiNK and Raredub deliver a take on the early sound of UK that might miss breakbeats, but manage to re-use all the other ingredients to a hair: fine-tuned and updated. Quotation without modern misinterpretation. Hyper and epic at the same time. And always remember the future!
out of Stock
Last delivered 13 months ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Am 22. Juli veröffentlicht Paul Weller ”22 Dreams”, sein 9. Studioalbum, zum ersten Mal auf Vinyl!
Auf dem Album sind die Oasis-Stars Noel Gallagher und Gem Archer sowie Steve Cradock (Ocean Colour Scene) und Blur-Gitarrist Graham Coxon zu hören. Erstmals veröffentlicht im Jahr 2008 stieg das Album
direkt auf Platz 1 der britischen Albumcharts ein.
”22 Dreams” erscheint als 2LP Gatefold Sleeve und enthält ein 12ff x 36ff s/w-Poster mit gedruckten Lyrics, Tracklist und Credits auf der Rückseite, sowie ein 8-seitiges Booklet mit dem Titel ”The Missing Dream AKA Dream # 22” von Simon Armitage.
Dynamite Cuts gives you a superb double of the Jazz funk bboy breaks classic “Sweetie Pie” by Stone Alliance.
This heavy, drum-driven sax groove is a Jazz dance floor classic.
Sampled by Showbiz & AG’s – Runaway Slave release.
The B- side is a first time on 7” for this version that was recorded in 2004 and only released as a CD.
The INCREDIIBLE trio is:
Drums Don Alias
Bass Gene Perla,
Sax Steve Grossman
‘They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A
Monument On Top’ is the first instalment of the
new Liars reissue series, where an album from the
back catalogue will be released on recycled
coloured vinyl every two months.
The campaign kicks off with Liars’ debut album,
originally released in 2001 and recorded over two
days in Brooklyn, New York with producer Steve
Revitte (The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion,
Beastie Boys). At the time of release, Liars were
Melbourne born Angus Andrew (vocals & pedals),
Aaron Hemphill from LA (guitar & drum machine)
and Nebraskians Pat Nature (bass & synthbox)
and drummer Ron Albertson.
“There’s an angular funk core to the tunes, built
around insanely brilliant drumming… and they
have the most poetic psychopunk song titles out
there - the LP’s called ‘They Threw Us All In A
Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top’.” - NME
“It's vicious, but you can dance to it!” - Pitchfork
LP pressed on coloured recycled vinyl.
Sol Set is a Detroit-based collective, an amalgamation of composers, musicians, artists and vocalists brought together by producer John Beltran, whose new label All Good Music chooses its debut album for its inaugural release. John Beltran and Shane Donnelly preside over seven sumptuous and confident slices of modern, sub-kissed soul and Latin sure to put a smile on anyone's face, even those of us faced with an altogether more British summer. Influences range from the Steve Wonder-style double vocals of 'Bliss Mode' to the South American 'Rhythm of the Sun', which echoes the beach bum haziness of Jorge Ben, but the vibe remains joyful and skillfully yet effortlessly executed throughout. Gorgeous.
out of Stock
Last delivered 3 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
DARYL HELMS AKA SPACE & HOWARD STEVENS OFFER THEIR NEW GROUP EFFORT.
DNH A HYDRA WORLD.
THE LP SEES THE NATURE SOUNDS RECORDING ARTIST DROPPING HIS ABSTRACT
NEW YORK LYRICISM OVER HYPNOTIC PRODUCTIONS BY THE LONDON BASED PRODUCER.
THE LP SHOWCASES DNH’S FUNK PUNK REGGAE & SOUL INFLUENCES & STANDS PROUD IN THEIR
REVOLUTIONARY THOUGHT & MULTICULTURALISM.
DNH FIRST RECORDED TOGETHER ON THE FIRST WEATHERMEN PROJECT “PARANOID ANDROID”
WITH CAGE & MASAI BEY.
SPACE WOULD GO ON TO FEATURE ON LP’S WITH CAGE, VAST AIRE, CAMUTAO,
CANNIBAL OX….
HOWARD STEVENS WOULD PRODUCE FOR THE LIKES OF MF DOOM, MF GRIMM,
LEWIS PARKER ETC….
THE LP WAS MIXED & MASTERED BY JUICE, ALSO PRODUCING “HYDRA WORLD TRANSMISSION”.
IT ALSO FEATURES A CO-PRODUCTION WITH HIS GREEDY FINGERS BRETHREN SMIMOOZ ON
“MADE IN AMERICA”
THE ALBUM IS AVAILABLE AS SHRINK WRAPPED LP VINYL & DIGITALLY.
THE SINGLE “ANGELS OF GOD” IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD & THE VIDEO BY TRYPTA MEDIA
THERE WILL ALSO BE A SUPPORTING VIDEO AFTER RELEASE FOR “ROUND THE WORLD”
Don't You Turn On Me ist das zweite Album der Poison Boys. Gestarted mit "Out Of My Head" in 2019, ist das 2. Ablbum ein großer Schritt in Richtung Punk und der Fähigkeit, knallharten Punk der späten 1970er Jahre zu schreiben mit einer großen Portion Rock 'n' Roll. Es reicht von sleazy Hits der frühen bis Mitte der 70er Jahre bis hin zu glühenden Punk-Tracks, von Instant-Punk-Klassikern bis hin zu Johnny Thunders Garage Rock. Ganz anders als viele andere Bands, die zu viele moderne Einflüsse in ihrem Streben nach Punk hinzufügen, bringen dich die Poison Boys mit diesem neuen Album zurück ins Jahr 1977 und versetzen dich in eine Zeit und an einen Ort, an dem du vielleicht noch nicht einmal existiert hast, aber auf jeden Fall wünschtest, du wärst da gewesen. Gegründet im Jahr 2014 von Matt Dudzik und Mike Lippmann, der tragischerweise an einer Überdosis verstarb, bleibt die Band den Klängen der späten 1960er / frühen 1970er Jahre Protopunk-Bands wie den Stooges, den New York Dolls und den Flamin 'Groovies treu und mischt sie mit New Yorker und britischen Punkbands der späten 1970er Jahre wie The Heartbreakers, Dead Boys, Vibrators und Slaughter and The Dogs, hinzu kommt noch ein Dosis Hanoi Rocks Glam. In der aktuellen Besetzung der Poison Boys spielen Sänger und Gitarrist Matt Dudzik, Gitarrist Steve Elfinger, Bassist Nico Bones und Schlagzeuger Matt Chaney. Poison Boys tragen die Rock'n'Roll Fackel glorreich weiter.
Cheri Knight's music emerges from the outskirts of late seventies / early eighties Olympia, Washington, offering sound that is both performative and meditative, electronic and organic, collaborative and self-contained, and richly rewarding. Nestled in the nascent milieu of Evergreen State College, where Cheri studied music composition, her practice developed between campus studios and expeditions to San Francisco and Mt. Temper, New York, where she apprenticed and collaborated with Pauline Oliveros and Linda Montano; always adapting to the musical and philosophical timbre of those times and places. American Rituals captures an artist's environmental emergence, unearthing a unique compositional voice and spotlighting regional sonic ethos. The seven works collected here, largely from various DIY cassette and vinyl compilations, range from polyvocal chants, pensive instrumental works, spoken-word collages, primal post-punk excursions, and hymn-like incantations. All are bound by a performative energy, expressing a Cage-ian commitment to the present moment, but also harboring a meditative interior. Marrying the seeing and hearing senses, Cheri's early work primarily plays with words-spoken, sung, recited, incanted, chanted, instructed, whispered - expressing the ritualized patternings of everyday material turned beautiful and strange, musical and hummable, conceptual and devotional. Freedom to Spend excavates this verdant period of experimentation, meeting Cheri at a moment of elemental evolution. Restored and remastered from original tape sources by Josh Bonati, the vinyl edition includes comprehensive liner notes by Steve Peters, a high quality, multi-format digital download, and a future world of past possibilities.
Originally released in 2012 'Like Comedy' is released for the very first time on vinyl. The Proclaimer's ninth studio album was recorded in Bath, written by Charlie and Craig Reid and produced by Steve Evans. Pressed on LTD Edition Gold vinyl, the album includes 'Whatever You've Got' ,' Spinning Around In The Air' & 'Women And Wine'.
Mudlow have been making trouble and music for over twenty years,
playing stages as far-flung as Minnesota's Deep Blues festival, Belgium's
Muddy Roots festival and Dorset's Dark Holler festival, to name a few -
Their good fortune has led them to play alongside household names such
as Model T Ford, Cedric Burnside, Seasick Steve, Scott H Biram, The
Detroit Cobras, The Jim Jones Review, Daddy Longlegs, The Bonnevilles
and Alabama 3 - Now it is time for Mudlow to become a household name
themselves
.Dangerous and unashamedly funky, Mudlow's world is populated with characters
full of lament and thoroughly committed to their mistakes. Tobias Tester (Guitar/
Vocals), Matt Latcham (Drums, Percussion) and Paul Pascoe (Bass/ Producer)
soundtrack these fables of misfortune with their distinctly scuzzy take on the
blues. Prepare to enter their world as Mudlow take you Lower Than Mud...
· "Wild bluesy rock from Mudlow, who have been going a good twenty years but
never quite got their due. I hope their new album "Bad Turn" will change that" –
Huey Morgan, The Blues Show, BBC Radio 2 · "This is really good" – DJ Andy
Smith · If you have soul, you need this new Mudlow record. If you don't have soul
you need this Mudlow record to help you get some." - Andy McGibbon Jr, The
Bonnevilles · "Mudlow are a swamp dream of a band... You have to hear this
beast" – Folk and Honey
The Lee Perry produced Black Ark classic! 2022 remaster with exclusive
printed inner
."the best roots reggae album ever…" Lloyd Bradley"a defining statement of
Jamaican vocal group artistry in the seventies, by virtue of it's thematic
coherence, superb musicanship and beautiful vocals it is exemplary roots music
of the highest order. It is also the most perfectly realised album to come from Lee
Perry's Black Ark" Steve Barrow Blood & Fire Reggae Historian.
Decomposed recalls classic American hardcore like Bad Brains, Poison Idea and Jerry’s Kids or Japanese ragers like Paintbox, The Comes, Eiefits and Skizophrenia. But there’s also a healthy slug of classic UK and US punk and even a bit of Krautrock, psychedelia and Black Sabbath in there too. Nottingham has always been a melting pot for heavy music. For a small city, it has boasted more than its fair share of genre defining bands and artists, not to mention record labels. Bands cross-pollinate, form projects and offshoots and play one-off gigs that would result in lengthy careers and world tours if they had happened across the Atlantic. It has always been like that there. No big deal (but yet, a really big deal if you know). One such band/project/offshoot were Endless Grinning Skulls. Formed by guitarist Andy Morgan (also from Bloody Head, Army Of Flying Robots, Nadir and countless more), drummer Steve Charlesworth (Heresy, Wolves Of Greece, Meatfly, Geriatric Unit) and bassist Gords (Hard To Swallow, John Holmes, Geriatric Unit) in the early twenty-teens, they re-set the bar for the 3-piece hardcore band before (perhaps inevitably) burning out in 2018. Morgan and Charlesworth weren’t done though. They’d forged a bond in EGS and wanted to carry on playing together so - in a familiar Nottingham storyline - they recruited former Pitchshifter guitarist Stu Toolin on bass and Anmarie Spaziano (who you might know from running a famous burger joint) on vocals and formed Blind Eye. They knew Toolin was about to relocate to Portland, Oregon so they wrote and recorded an EP (released on Morgan’s own Viral Age Records). Quick-sharp. No messing about. And that – by rights – should have been that: over and out. New band please. However, the demo captured a rare intensity and vitality that more considered projects often fail to achieve. This was a band let loose, free from previous shackles and loving the noise they made. It seemed a shame to stop there. Recruiting Matt Grundy (a former bandmate of Morgan’s in both Nadir and Dead In The Woods) to the bass vacancy they went back to Stuck On A Name Studios in 2021 with Ian “Boulty” Boult at the helm again and delivered the album Decomposed.
Decomposed genuinely rocks out without losing one iota of the effervescent anger that made the demo such an essential listen. From the insistent, minimal opener Ready To Go Now via the unhinged thrash of Straw Man and the menace of the stomping Pero No Quieres, to the measured chugging and epic crescendo of closer Broken Star, this record is a fucking blast. Needle off, flip it back over, play it again. Your neighbours are loving it so much they’re banging on the walls to tell you. “I suppose the intention was to write high energy, catchy hardcore, with a nod to what has come before, but also to do our own thing,” explains Andy. “Lyrically, the album was written during the pandemic, and although it’s not ‘a pandemic album’, I think it deals with a lot of the feelings of loss, separation and isolation
This OST promises another exciting instalment in The Minions franchise. Produced by legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff and filled to the brim with a star-studded list of artists, the soundtrack celebrates a range of dazzling funk, disco and soul classics with brand-new versions of some of the biggest hits of the 1970s. From St. Vincent’snew take on Lipps Inc’s 1979 hit Funkytownand H.E.R.’s rendition of Sly and The Family Stone’s 1967 smash Dance to the Music, to Bleachers version of John Lennon’s 1970 track Instant Karma! and Phoebe Bridgers’ interpretation of The Carpenters’ 1972 single Goodbye To Love, every track has been reimagined by each artist with ingenious results. Set in the 1970s, Minions: The Rise of Gru tells the origin story of how Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell), the world’s greatest supervillain, first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assemble.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
This OST promises another exciting instalment in The Minions franchise. Produced by legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff and filled to the brim with a star-studded list of artists, the soundtrack celebrates a range of dazzling funk, disco and soul classics with brand-new versions of some of the biggest hits of the 1970s. From St. Vincent’snew take on Lipps Inc’s 1979 hit Funkytownand H.E.R.’s rendition of Sly and The Family Stone’s 1967 smash Dance to the Music, to Bleachers version of John Lennon’s 1970 track Instant Karma! and Phoebe Bridgers’ interpretation of The Carpenters’ 1972 single Goodbye To Love, every track has been reimagined by each artist with ingenious results. Set in the 1970s, Minions: The Rise of Gru tells the origin story of how Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell), the world’s greatest supervillain, first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assemble.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
First ever repress of the sought after psychedelic tinged funk rock private press album 'Eclipse of the City' from 1980 New York. Originally recorded between 1975 and 1977 in Manhattan's garment district. Eclipse of the City lay dormant on a reel to reel player whilst frontman Carlos Fire Aguasvivas muddled through life working as a data entry clerk away from his fellow band members. It wasn't till he rediscovered the tapes that a sudden life affirming moment drove him to get the music pressed. Putting pen to paper Carlos created the artwork as a homage to his love of comic art and brought the band to life on the reverse with his spindly characters engrossed in the jam. Only 300 copies were pressed at the time leading to eye-watering prices for a copy. with a recent digital re-release from Indian Summer's Anthology Records, Sticky Buttons stepped up to repress the record with a limited run of 500, lovingly manufactured in the UK in all its vinyl glory.
Arriving in the Bronx from the civil unrest of Santo Domingo in the early 60's Aguasvivas was surrounded by the raucous sounds of rock, jazz and prog. Absorbing the humdrum atmosphere of life in New York, Eclipse of the City came from the minds of close friends Carlos Aguasvivas, Steve Garcia and Eddy Garcia. Meeting at Monroe High School the three of them quickly formed a strong bond over their shared interest in music. It wasn't long after that they began rehearsing in a basement under a neighbourhood cleaners and in the attic of Steve and Eddy's family home piecing together their extended sessions of tripped out cinematic psychedelia.
Recording got off to a rocky start as a car accident left the three band members in A&E after taking an early morning cab ride through Manhattan to watch the sunrise on their way into the studio (a theatrical artistic statement of intent conceived by Steve Garcia) - as Eddy mentioned "Eclipse was forged from a lot of pain". Their recording sessions were postponed but a few weeks later they were back and with the added energy of John Ortega on Bass and Vincent Anderson on electric piano and organ - with just a few microphones and a reel to reel recorder, Eclipse of the City was laid down as the stark bold homage to New York's downtown.
Influences ranged from the cinematic behemoth Jaws to the UK prog rock bands of Genesis, Yes and Emerson Lake & Palmer but only could Eclipse of the City take its unique form in the attics and basements of New York with the full band adding their Puerto Rican and Dominican slanted New York energy. Side one includes 3 fully formed tracks breaking out into eerie moments of calm before diving into well timed jolts of reprise as each element weaves over the top of one another whilst side two presents a 30 minute narrative work following the night adventures of a young group of friends exploring the vibrant nightlife of downtown New York. A rumbling half hour of wobbling guitar, tight drumming and synth organ licks jutting out from the glistening lights of the night before the sun rises down Manhattan's East-West axis as the lilt changes and the organ lulls the friends back home. A truly idiosyncratic take on the heady world of New York in the 70's and one that still resonates with our urban landscapes and love for the nights they bring today.
a 01: Think Positive (Live) feat. Steve Garcia, Edward Garcia & John Ortega
b 02: Jennifer (Live) feat. Steve Garcia, Edward Garcia, Vincent Anderson & John Ortega
c 03: Try It All Again (Live) [feat. Vincent Anderson, John Ortega, Edward Garcia & Steve Garcia]
[d] 04: Eclipse A (Beginnings) [Live] [feat. Vincent Anderson, John Ortega, Edward Garcia & Steve Garcia]
[e] 05: Eclipse B (First Movement) [Live] [feat. John Ortega, Steve Garcia & Edward Garcia]
[f] 06: Eclipse C (Hustle Bustle) [Live] [feat. Vincent Anderson, John Ortega, Steve Garcia & Edward Garcia]
[g] 07: Eclipse D (Funky Side of Town) [Live] [feat. Vincent Anderson, John Ortega, Steve Garcia & Edward Garcia]
[h] 08: Eclipse E (Midnight) [Live] [feat. John Ortega, Steve Garcia & Edward Garcia]
[i] 09: Eclipse F (First Movement Continued) [Live] [feat. Vincent Anderson, John Ortega, Steve Garcia & Edward Garcia]
[j] 10: Eclipse G (Home) [Live] [feat. Vincent Anderson, John Ortega, Steve Garcia & Edward Garcia]
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
‘Cranes In The Sky,’ was originally written by Beyonce’s baby sister Solange alongside Raphael Saadiq, for her album back in 2016 that was cited by Rolling Stone as one of the most important 500 records of all time. The words exploring a fearless journey inward, pulling up the root of a problem, and the first glimpse of blue sky after the storm has passed.
Fast forward to 2022 - Ross Allen and Andy Thompson’s Foundation Music Productions enlist the expertise of Baltimore club legend, Dj Oji, together with Tracy Hamlin (Pieces Of A Dream), to take Solange’s breakout delivery to the dancefloor. Soulful vocals will heal you, while the mid-tempo moments will mellow the masses, and UK Funky grooves will keep the shuffle moving along way into the early hours. Three remixes come in the form of the ethereal DJ Pope Funkhut Reprise, a signature Joe Goddard groover and the Star One. KDA. Meltdown Dub.
DJ Feedback:
FRANCOIS K
Yes! I played the vocal version the other day again.
KAI ALCE
Dope re-interpretation from Baltimore stalwarts OJI, POPE & Tracy!
GREG WILSON
What's not to like? Love the orig Solange jam!
DANNY KRIVIT
Nice, I like a lot of DJ Oji.
SOUL CLAP/ ELI GOLDSTEIN
Fire right here
DAZ I KUE/ BUGZ IN THE ATTIC
Yea I love this one…cool vibes.
THATMANMONKZ
Oh yeah, love the Solange original, and I’m a big Oji fan! That reprise version might come in very useful for the right set!
TERRY FARLEY/ FAITH
Got to be contender for single of the month with that story x
HOT TODDY
Simply beautiful.
CRAIG SMITH/ 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT
Loved the original of this from Solange a few years back, this is a real nice interpretation of it. Liking the reprise and Dub, handy tools
CHARLES WEBSTER
Nice soulful groover. Like this.
FISH GOO DEEP/ GREG DOWLING
Lovely re imagining of one of my favourite tracks of all time
FRANK BOOKER
Love this package. Reprise mix is the one for me. Very cool!
NICK V/ LA MONA
Thanks a lot I actually prefer the dub version :)
JIMPSTER/ FREERANGE
Killer groove on this and really nice to hear a housed up version of Cranes which is such a stunning song in it’s OG form. Def something I’d like to play out.
FELIX JOY/ SWU.FM
Yes ! I flippin love a good reprise mix and this one is doing it for me. Love the original version by Solange and this is a really great rework!
STEVE PARRY / FOR SASHA
Really Smoove love it.
GROOVE ARMADA/ TOM FINDLAY
THIS IS LOVELY!!
RALPH SESSION/ HALF ASSED RECORDS
Wow the dubstrumental really gives it new life.
QUENTIN HARRIS
I love this package.
GRAME PARK/ THE HACIENDA
This is tremendous
HECTOR ROMERO/ DEF MIX
Good to see this one got picked up. I’ve played this a few times since 2018 but will get it back in rotation. Glad to see this song is getting some traction. I look forward to the unreleased versions.
ANDY BUCHAN
What a sun-dappled slice of beauty! Full support on this, what a gorgeous EP. And those drums are ace, really propulsive.
DANIELLE MOORE/ CRAZY P
Yeah I really like this. I mean I love the original but theres something quite interesting about this. Nice yeah x
MARC MEISNERE/ SOL POWER SOUND
Yes please! Can’t wait to play this one!
STEFANO TUCCI/ HELL YEAH
This is one of the best best vocal of recent times, I love It, the crescendo towards half of the track is nothing but gorgeous!
TREVOR FING/ GRAFITTI KINGS
Love these remixes.
MAX P/ HELL YEAH
Yeah, full pack is what I needed !
HORSE MEAT DISCO/ SEVERINO
Really into this!
SEAN JOHNSTON/ ALFOS
I wouldn't play it, but it's a beautiful piece of work
GRAEME PARK/ THE HACIENDA
I’m gonna enjoy playing this its lovely.
NICK V/ LA MONA
Thanks a lot I actually prefer the dub version :)
TREVOR FUNG/ GRAFITTI KINGS
Love this !!
QUENTIN HARRIS
Being a fan of the Original I love everything about this.
ALAN DIXON/ MIDNIGHT MAGIC
Killer!!!!
DAVE JARVIS/ FAITH
This is amazing! Absolutely love xx
NICK V/ LA MONA
This is a fantastic track!
MAX P/ HELL YEAH
Oh yeaahhhh
RICK GILL/ OUTLAWS YACHT CLUB
Beautiful soulful house. Quality production and top draw vocals.
MICKEY JUKES/ 1BTN
Ooof! Such a strong record to step to but i love this. Classy production, vocals are killer. All round winner!
TOMMY TURBO JAZZ/ JAXX MEDICINE
I was a fan of the OG but I really needed this cut!!
RUSSELL FORMAN/ PIKES/ HARRYS KEBABS
This is great .... I'm writing an article on the Coney Island Boardwalk house parties atm.
JIM LISTER/ 1BTN
Loving the reprise and the dub!I'm a big fan of the Solange original, so it's nice to hear a new angle on it
CHRIS DE BEURRE/ THE EAGLE
Gorgeous vocal! And such a deep production - really like this! Infectious x
DAIRMONT/ ROOM WITH A VIEW
Amazing track. Loving it!
STEVE PARRY/ FOR SASHA
Beautiful super smooth.
LES CROASDAILE/ FREIGHT ISLAND
Tune this, reminds of Southport weekender!
out of Stock
Last delivered 3 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Quarto Valley Records proudly announces the release of 'Brother Johnny', a
tribute to the legendary blues guitarist created by his brother Edgar Winter.
The album is a powerful sonic journey, traveling the course of Johnny's musical
life, impeccably directed, as only his brother Edgar could. Joining Edgar on the
inclusive project is an impressive array of renowned musicians who knew, or were
inspired by Johnny, including: Joe Bonamassa, Doyle Bramhall II, John McFee,
Robben Ford, Billy Gibbons, David Grissom, Taylor Hawkins, Warren Haynes, Steve
Lukather, Michael McDonald, Keb Mo, Doug Rappoport, Bobby Rush, Kenny
Wayne Shepherd, Ringo Starr, Derek Trucks, Waddy Wachtel, Joe Walsh, Phil X
and Gregg Bissonette. The guitar- driven album celebrates the expansive styles
Johnny was known for. The 17 tracks were carefully curated by Edgar and
producer Ross Hogarth to represent Johnny's evolution as an artist, honoring his
great legacy while also incorporating a personal tribute from brother to brother,
and for which Edgar penned two new songs.
Print coverage:
the Telegraph, The Daily Mirror and The Scottish Daily Express
Mojo feature and Review, Classic Rock Magazine, Record Collector, Blues In
Britian, HRH Magazine, RNR, Vintage Guitar, Rock Candy, Fireworks
Review in Blues Matters confirmed, Guitar Techniques
Online coverage: Velvet Thunder, Pennyblack Music, Spiral Earth
Radio:BBC Radio Solent, BBC West Midlands, Total Rock Radio, Forest FM, Castle
Sound Radio, 242 Radio, Brooklands Radio, Hard Rock Hell, Mystery Train,
Graham Lavendar Blues Show
Podcasts: Blues In The Night, The Blues Podcast
Hot Creations welcome back Fabio Neural and DJ Fronter who join forces once again for their second release on the label titled Ding Dong. Following on from their success with the first release, the eagerly anticipated second drops in May.
The title track opens proceedings, plunging straight into a heavy 4x4 beat, creating a stripped back, minimalistic base, expertly layered with finely chopped vocals. Foghorn like sounds and sharp percussion bring the piece together, resulting in a raw, industrial experience. Shocked follows, encapsulating the Hot Creations sound in true style, packed full of energy. Riveting bass lines paired with fanfare-esque melodies lay at the forefront of the track, transporting the listener to a bustling, colourful dancefloor.
Fabio Neural threw himself into the music industry at an early age. His productions have seen him release on Steve Lawler's Viva Music and feature in Pete Tong’s 500th Essential Mix. His eclectic DJ sets have enabled him to share the stage with heavyweights such as Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin and Adam Beyer. Colombian native DJ Fronter has become one of the greatest promises to come out of South America with releases being supported the likes of Paco Osuna, DJ Sneak and Matthias Tanzmann.
out of Stock
Last delivered 3 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
The Woggles are proud to announce the release of “The Wicked Coolest Songs” which compiles “Coolest Songs of the Week” the Woggles have had on Little Steven’s Underground Garage, while on Wicked Cool Records. These tracks also coincide with the years that Flesh Hammer aka Jeff Walls was the guitar player in band. It has 12 tracks, with an insert featuring the Woggles pictured as 8" Mego styled dolls. Layout and design by Scott Sugiuchi and doll concept by by Austin Hough. All proceeds benefit the “Flesh Hammer Family Fund.” Jeff Walls passed away on May 29, 2019 from pancreatic cancer. As a member of the Woggles, he spread joy to people all over the planet. Let's join together to honor him by raising funds to help his family with the overwhelming medical expenses.
Something's happening in country music. Newer artists and younger audiences are embracing instrumentation, vocal stylings and song structures long thought drowned in the ocean of slick, snap-track productions. Not easily dismissed as merely regional or a novelty throwback, the trend could be on its way to full-blown movement. If so, Kimberly Kelly's Show Dog Nashville debut album may prove to be the clarion call. Either way ... she's not asking. I'll Tell You What's Gonna Happen is more than her (abbreviated) album title, more than a reference to her connection with a Country Music Hall of Famer, and much more than a historical footnote. Rather, it's a statement of musical confidence earned the only way that happens: talent, work ethic, experience, vulnerability, and courage. For Kelly, it's all of a piece. "I like to think of it as a sub-genre of country music called 'country music,'" she says with a wink. A native of Lorena, Texas, Kelly has multiple connections to the Nashville industry. She has also been unafraid to defy convention. "This is not my first rodeo," she says of her label debut. "I worked really hard in Texas before I came to Nashville. I wrote songs, put out records, did a radio tour, and played every weekend while earning a Master's degree. They say don't have a 'plan B,' but I watched my mom struggle to get that next level of pay. My mom earned her bachelor's degree when she was 60, so school was important to me to know I could take care of myself.
Kari Faux is a multi-faceted artist - rapper, singer, producer, DJ and
clothing designer - from Little Rock, AR - She is known for her bold
fashion and genre-bending music, fusing elements of southern hip-hop,
funk, and alternative soundscapes
Her unique style of rhyming, dashes of sultry vocal harmonizing and confidence
have helped garner a cult following and make her a force amongst the new
generation of hip-hop's most fearless and outspoken female voices. At the start
of her career, Kari's hit 'No Small Talk' was remixed by Childish Gambino and
featured on HBO's Insecure. Since then, she has made an imprint on the music
industry as an independent artist who has released four projects, headlined tours,
opened for acts such as Steve Lacy and Mick Jenkins, and has written or
produced on tracks for artists such as The Internet. Kari Faux's forthcoming
album, Lowkey Superstar Deluxe, drops September 24 and features fellow heavyhitters Smino, J.I.D, Yung Baby Tate, Jazz Cartier and Deante' Hitchcock. Lowkey
Superstar represents a new chapter along Kari Faux's creative journey. What
started as a phrase has turned into two independent albums, a record label,
clothing line and identity representative of Kari's innate superstar qualities mixed
with her lowkey demeanor. The Lowkey Superstar Deluxe album is a sonic
conglomeration of Kari's longtime influences, including funk, alternative, and
southern rap soundscapes and covers a range of topics from self-preservation to
dating to braggadocious raps.
TRANSMISSION REISSUE CLASSIC INSTRUMENTAL COMPILATION
FROM THE LEGENDARY PORCUPINE TREE
'Voyage 34', an instrumental composition from 1992/93, is a journey split into 4 phases that rocks for over an hour, this was P.T.'s entry into the ambient trance genre popularised by artists such as the Orb. Combining trance rhythms alongside more typical Porcupine Tree textures & guitar solos, 'Voyage 34' was a big hit in the ambient/ chill out club scene of the early 1990's (when it was originally issued across two 12" singles). Following the now sold-out first box set
of Porcupine Tree's 'Delerium Years' & the near sold-out second box set, Kscope are re-releasing the band's records from the era, including 'Voyage 34', as a series of LP's presented in gatefold packaging.
This double LP version features the tracks remastered by Steven Wilson in 2016 with more naturalistic dynamics & EQ - remasters previously only available in 'The Delerium Years 1991 – 1993' box set.
The artwork was completely redesigned for the original re-release & contains new images from long- term collaborator of Porcupine Tree frontman & founding member Steven Wilson, Lasse Hoile.
In Wilson's own words, "The whole point about 'Voyage 34' was an exercise in genre. In that sense it stands apart from the rest of the catalogue...back in the early Nineties, there was an explosion in ambient music, a fusion of electronic music & techno music with the philosophy of people like Brian Eno & Tangerine Dream. "
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
"The letter X marks the spot, crosses over, literally with a cross. It’s the former, the ex-. The ex-lover known simply as “an ex”. Ex- is the latin prefix meaning “out”. Exterior, an exit. Extraordinary. Excellent. It’s exciting. Generation X. X-files. X is the unknown. X is Extreme“
Extreme is Molly Nilsson’s tenth studio album. Recorded in 2019 and throughout the 2020 global pandemic at home in Berlin, Extreme is a departure for Nilsson, an explosion of angry love. It’s an album of anthems for the jilted generation, soaked with joy and offering solace, bristling with distorted, Metal guitars and planet-sized choruses that bring light to the dark centre of the galaxy. It’s an album of the times, by the times and for the people. It’s a record about power. About how to fight it, how to take it and how to share it.
Absolute Power explodes with massive guitars, double kick beats and the instantly iconic line “It’s me versus the black hole at the centre of the galaxy.” Nilsson’s performance itself portrays absolute power in its confidence but the song is a call-to-arms, an entreaty to grasp the here and now, to take the power back. It’s Nilsson pacing the ring and we’re instantly in her corner. Earth Girls takes familiar Molly Nilsson themes - female empowerment and subverting the patriarchy - but casually throws in one of the choruses of her career. “Women have no place in this world” she sings, but it’s the world that isn’t good enough. Stadium-sized but still warmly hazy, Earth Girls has its fists in the air, glorifying in harmony, almost ecstatic in its feeling good. Nilsson’s Springsteen-level conviction and righteousness bleeds through the speaker cones, the cognitive dissonance between the song’s cadences and angry lyrics redolent of Bruce in his prime. Female empowerment isn’t always an angry energy on Extreme, however. On Fearless Like A Child, Nilsson’s anthem to the female body and women’s sovereignty of it, she croons over a mid-80s blue-eyed Soul groove. It sets a nocturnal scene as the narrator surveys her past and her surroundings. Before we’re fully submerged in a dreamlike, Steve McQueen-era Prefab Sprout poem to learning from your mistakes the song erupts into one of those lines only Molly Nilsson can get away with: “I love my womb, come inside I feel so alive” she fervently sings. Against the backdrop of ever-encroaching, conservative rulings on women’s reproductive rights in places like Texas, it’s simultaneously angry and full of love.
Every song on Extreme is a gleaming gem in a pouch of jewels. On Kids Today, Nilsson is the voice of wisdom, archly commenting on the eternal struggle between youth and authority. Wisdom infuses Sweet Smell Of Success with a transcendent love that forgives the narrator’s shortcomings and celebrates the moment, it’s a letter to the author from the author that asks “what is success” and concludes that this is it, this song, this moment. It’s a rare moment of simple reflection that is generous in its insight to Nilsson’s inner life. “Success” is a tool of power and we don’t need it… We need power tools and there are moments on Extreme where it feels like Nilsson is showing us how to find them. It's an open conversation through out Extreme. She’s a warm, comforting presence through out the album and specially on these songs of encouragement, songs perhaps sang to a younger Molly Nilsson or, really, to whomever needs to hear them. “They’ll praise your efforts, they’ll call you slurs a rebel, a master, an amateur / Merely with your own existence, you already offer your resistance.” On Avoid Heaven she’s even more direct, pleading with us to avoid concepts of purity and to embrace the glorious, ebullient, emotional mess we’re often in as a method of upending the power structures who need things to be perfect.
They Will Pay brings back the big, distorted power chords in the form of a agit-punk, pop slammer. Of course, when Molly Nilsson does punk pop we get the catchiest chorus this side of The Bangles or The Nerves. It’s rendered in an off the cuff, throwaway manner that is just perfect in its roughness. However, it’s on Pompeii that Nilsson delivers the album’s epic, emotional heartbreaker. Like 1995 on Nilsson’s album Zenith, or Days Of Dust on Twenty Twenty, the lyrics of Pompeii are heavy with a transcendent sadness, an aching poetry that cuts to the truth of the heart like the best Leonard Cohen lines, though here delivered with an uplifting, life-affirming love. It contains the most personal moments of Extreme, a song lit by the dying embers of romance. Yet it’s here where the alchemy at the base of all Nilsson’s best work is found. Turning small nuggets of personal truth into big, generous universal moments that invite everyone to cry, to love and to fight the power. In an album of jewels, it might be the shining star.
Molly Nilsson’s biggest, boldest and most vital album to date, Extreme is about power. Against the love of power and for the power of love.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
"Astro's death came as such a shock, and I'm still reeling from it,” comments Ali. “This album is now more poignant and special than either of us could have imagined when we were recording it. Astro heartbreakingly passed just two weeks after we'd finished the final mixes, so this is a way of keeping his memory alive.”The follow-up to 2018’s A Real Labour Of Love – which debuted at No.2, the highest charting album by any incarnation of UB40 since 1993's Promises And Lies, and spent a month in the Top 10 – Unprecedented is fueled by the roots rocking spirit that powered UB40's original incarnation, and is an album to inject a little reggae sunshine into even the darkest days.Recorded in studios in London and Jamaica in between lockdowns, the album is a collection of songs that Ali and Astro have loved for many years by artists they admire such as Steve Wonder and Kris Kristofferson alongside self penned tracks that were inspired by the pandemic and the state of the UK at the moment.
This OST promises another exciting instalment in The Minions franchise. Produced by legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff and filled to the brim with a star-studded list of artists, the soundtrack celebrates a range of dazzling funk, disco and soul classics with brand-new versions of some of the biggest hits of the 1970s. From St. Vincent’snew take on Lipps Inc’s 1979 hit Funkytownand H.E.R.’s rendition of Sly and The Family Stone’s 1967 smash Dance to the Music, to Bleachers version of John Lennon’s 1970 track Instant Karma! and Phoebe Bridgers’ interpretation of The Carpenters’ 1972 single Goodbye To Love, every track has been reimagined by each artist with ingenious results. Set in the 1970s, Minions: The Rise of Gru tells the origin story of how Gru (Oscar nominee Steve Carell), the world’s greatest supervillain, first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assemble.
Love At Leeds is the realization of many dreams for Mikey Erg
A lifelong music obsessive, growing up in the early 90's,there was one sound he'd
always hoped to capture on his recordings. The sound of Steve Albini. Steve's
credits include The Pixies, PJ Harvey, Jimmy Page & Robert Plant and of course
Nirvana's 3rd LP In Utero, One of Mikey's absolute favorite records. Mikey had
never in his 20 plus year recording career ever gotten to make a fully analog
recording. Love At Leeds was the perfect time to rectify all of that. Using the
group of musicians that helped him realize his debut solo LP Tentative Decisions
(Jeff Rosenstock, Alex Clute & Lou Hanman), He Headed out to Chicago to make
this dream a reality. Recorded and Mixed in only 5 Days, Love at Leeds is a swift
25 minute long grunge-pop tour de force. Once the album was complete, Steve
and his trusty razorblade compiled the master mix reels and sent the band on
their way. The tapes then made the journey to Hollywood, California to the
legendary Bernie Grundman Mastering facility to be mastered and cut straight to
lacquer disc by Chris Bellman (Frank Zappa, Neil Young, Kenny Dorham, Pearl
Jam).
亂 (luan) is the latest release from LA based producer/DJ Mix Match Emperor who weaves powerful soundscapes with an amalgamation of field recordings, obscure samples and original music compositions that combine to form a cohesive work of sound art that stays true to its name, translated to “Chaos”.
The combination of jazz samples and lo-fi mixing techniques create a cocktail that in parts resembles vaporwave whilst regularly pulling away from any genre formulation with sharp cuts into noise and then back through electronic rhythms reminiscent of Autechre.
Although listeners can often be tempted to pick out their favourite tracks, this record is definitely designed to be listened to in its entirety, as it takes you on a journey through varying phases that nod to both Steve Reich & the late Sam Mehran simultaneously.
The album is the leadoff release under the Strictly Frisky label with a limited cassette run available here for the first time.
out of Stock
Last delivered 2 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
Coming 40 years after he first started performing in bands in his native North West of England, Butterfly Mind is the most surprising release yet from Tim Bowness. From the short, sharp shocks of Always The Stranger and Only A Fool to the long-form ambition of the sensuous Dark Nevada Dream, the cinematic Electro-Ballroom of Glitter Fades and the dystopian paranoia of Say Your Goodbyes Parts 1 and 2, Butterfly Mind delivers a thrilling fusion of Art Rock invention, Post-Punk energy and epic soulful ballads. Tim’s seventh solo album features the stellar rhythm section of Richard Jupp (in his first major session since leaving Elbow) and Nick Beggs alongside a spectacular guest list including Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Dave Formula (Magazine), Peter Hammill (Van Der Graaf Generator), Martha Goddard (The Hushtones), Gregory Spawton (Big Big Train), Mark Tranmer (The Montgolfier Brothers / GNAC), Saro Cosentino (Franco Battiato), Italian Jazz musician Nicola Alesini, US singer Devon Dunaway (Ganga), Stephen W Tayler (Kate Bush) and, marking his first studio work with Tim for nearly three decades, former No-Man violinist Ben Coleman. Produced by Tim Bowness and Brian Hulse (Plenty), the album was mixed and mastered by Steven Wilson. Available as Limited 2CD Edition (featuring alternate mixes and bonus material), and a Limited 180g LP + CD edition featuring special die-cut artwork by Carl Glover. Also available as Digital Album.
Charlie Griffiths, guitarist for British Progressive Metal band Haken, proudly presents his debut solo album ‘Tiktaalika’. With musical roots still firmly in the progressive realm, Charlie draws from his love of old-school 80s thrash, 90s tech-metal and alternative rock. Running the gamut from melodic to avant-garde to straight-up heavy, you might say Tiktaalika bridges the gap between King Crimson and King Diamond! This concept album was 375 million years in the making, with the 9 tracks drawing inspiration from themes of geological time, fossilisation, transformation and humanity’s connections with each other and the planet we inhabit. The Griffiths-penned lyrics are given voice by some of the best vocalists in the business: Tommy Rogers (Between the Buried And Me), Danïel De Jongh (Textures), Vladimir Lalić (Organised Chaos) and Neil Purdy (Luna’s Call). The album also features a host of guest musicians: Drummer Darby Todd (Martin Barre, Frost, Devin Townsend), Keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Saxophonist Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett). The album was mixed by Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood and mastered by Ermin Hamidovic. The artwork was created by Dan Goldsworthy. Available as Limited CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD & as Digital Album.
Charlie Griffiths, guitarist for British Progressive Metal band Haken, proudly presents his debut solo album ‘Tiktaalika’. With musical roots still firmly in the progressive realm, Charlie draws from his love of old-school 80s thrash, 90s tech-metal and alternative rock. Running the gamut from melodic to avant-garde to straight-up heavy, you might say Tiktaalika bridges the gap between King Crimson and King Diamond! This concept album was 375 million years in the making, with the 9 tracks drawing inspiration from themes of geological time, fossilisation, transformation and humanity’s connections with each other and the planet we inhabit. The Griffiths-penned lyrics are given voice by some of the best vocalists in the business: Tommy Rogers (Between the Buried And Me), Danïel De Jongh (Textures), Vladimir Lalić (Organised Chaos) and Neil Purdy (Luna’s Call). The album also features a host of guest musicians: Drummer Darby Todd (Martin Barre, Frost, Devin Townsend), Keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Saxophonist Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett). The album was mixed by Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood and mastered by Ermin Hamidovic. The artwork was created by Dan Goldsworthy. Available as Limited CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD & as Digital Album.
While Sass Jordan is celebrated as a multi-platinum selling premiere rock
singer, her 2020 album, Rebel Moon Blues, demonstrated that she sings
the blues with as much power and authenticity as she personified in the
rock world
Following up on the rave reviews garnered by Rebel Moon Blues, Sass continues
to mine her talent as a blues singer with 8 new tracks on Bitches Blues, on Stony
Plain Records.Reflecting on the impact the past two years has had on us all, Sass
has recorded songs that examine the visceral emotional territory of a pandemic,
and the multiple conflicts that the world is reeling from in the aftermath. "Still
Alive and Well' is Sass's triumphant take on a Rick Derringer song that leads off
the album. Her original song, "Still The World Goes Round" marks the mid-point
with a look at power structures, both within and without, while another new
creation" Change Is Coming" ends the collection with a trance- like chant that
offers an uplifting perspective.
As we have come to expect from Sass, the album features fierce guitar licks,
driving tempo's, the raw and soulful Sass Jordan rasp, and a glorious assortment
of rambling road dogs, known as the Champagne Hookers. This particular
collection of Hookers includes longtime associates and rebel rouser guitarists
Chris Caddell and Jimmy Reid, drummer Cass Pereira, keyboardist Jesse O'Brien
and the magnificent Mr. Steve Marriner on bass and harmonica.
Netherlands tour in June 2022.
TRANSMISSION EDITION OF PORCUPINE TREE'S 2008 MINI ALBUM 'NIL
RECURRING'.Following on from the announced reissue series from
Porcupine Tree, issued through their own Snapper Music imprint
Transmission, 2008's mini album 'Nil Recurring' will be made available on
classic black vinyl edition
Originally released on CD in 2008, the mini- album (29 minutes of music) was
written during the 'Fear Of A Blank Planet' sessions, completed over the Summer
of 2007 & is presented as a cohesive, self-contained Porcupine Tree work in its
own right. The title track features Robert Fripp on lead guitar, & the album moves
through the full Porcupine Tree spectrum of atmospheric ambience, melodic
hooks & crushing riffs.
Porcupine Tree are gearing up for the release of their new album in June, marking
another step forward in the incredible journey of the band that began as a solo
studio project created by Steven Wilson in the late eighties to a multi grammy
nominated act & one of the world's most revered live bands, selling out arenas
across the globe & wowing fans with their incredible performances.
This new Transmission reissue of 'Nil Recurring' remains faithful to the original
artwork & has never sounded better.
"post- prog pearls of modern intelligent, rock- propelled pop....very tasty indeed"
Classic Rock
Part of The Optic Sevens 4.0 Reissue Series.
Limited to 800 copies worldwide. Please check your allocation with your sales rep.
Pressed on White Vinyl.
Includes postcard and poster. Non-Returnable.
The Wake formed in Glasgow (Scotland) in April 1981, after singer/ guitarist Caesar teamed up with drummer Steven Allen and a bassist, Joe Donnelly. Previously Caesar had played guitar in Altered Images, writing first single Dead Pop Stars and appearing on the first two John Peel sessions, but left the group shortly before they crashed into the mainstream pop charts with Happy Birthday.
With few opportunities to play large live shows the new group financed a single on their own Scan 45 label, coupling upbeat indiepop number On Our Honeymoon with Give Up, a darker song featuring a keyboard line picked out by band friend Robert ‘Bobby’ Gillespie.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability
He may not have known it before, but Toronto-born, New York-based
guitarist Matthew Stevens, prized for his forceful, distinctive electric
sound was an ideal candidate to make an album fully devoted to solo
acoustic guitar: the intimate, unadorned, straightforwardly titled
'Pittsburgh'
September 2020, Stevens was hunkering down in his wife's family's hometown of
Pittsburgh, while navigating his way through the crisis. He had with him a vintage
Martin 00-17, a small- body mahogany guitar. Practicing daily on the Martin, he
began generating a series of short song "starts" - ideas and sketches he thought
might lead somewhere. Then one rainy Pittsburgh day, Stevens' bike slid out from
under him and he broke his right elbow. Rather than getting derailed musically, he
became immersed in a creative process that led straight to 'Pittsburgh': a
document of those short song "starts" from the notebook, now hatched as
completed compositions. "Playing this music became a big part of my rehab,"
Stevens recalls.
As the album took shape, it became clear to Stevens that he was headed in the
direction of a wholly unaccompanied recital, with no overdubs or sound layering
of any kind. Just him and this special Martin, two Neumann U89 mics and enough
peace of mind across two separate sessions to make 'Pittsburgh' the triumph that
it is.
In addition to his extensive high-profile work with Esperanza Spalding (serving as
co- producer on 'Exposure' and '12 Little Spells'), Stevens is also a member,
songwriter and co-producer of Terri Lyne Carrington's GRAMMY-nominated Social
Science band. He has made vital contributions to groups led by Dave Douglas,
Linda May Han Oh, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Ben Williams and more. With
tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III he co-leads the In Common collective. Stevens
has also amassed many credits beyond the jazz world, collaborating on
forthcoming releases by Anna B Savage, Jamila Woods, Tyler Armes
(Murdagang) and Berlin-based electronic artist Robag Wruhme.
'Mellow Moon' is the debut album from Alfie Templeman - an album that
"feels like something of a miracle, landing somewhere between an
otherworldly trip and a joy-filled ode to life back on earth"
Like all journeys, the change in mood is palpable throughout Mellow Moon, with
songs like the nostalgic '3D Feelings' or 'Broken', which is about "all the little
wobbles of being a teen and figuring yourself out," that bristle with the energy of a
life being lived again.
There's nuance in there, too. Candyfloss suggests that life can sometimes appear
too good to be true, something Alfie has felt since was a kid. "There's always a
downside to the cool shit," he says. "Candyfloss is what it all appears to be until
you get deeper into it."
The result is an easily accessible comfort place. Across 14 tracks Alfie closes his
eyes and imagines another world, one where he's at ease and not distracted by
life's many challenges.
Inspired by modern influences like Steve Lacy, Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, as
well as Alfie's constant cosmic guide Todd Rundgren, Mellow Moon flows with an
ease that belies its difficult creation. "It's a moment in my life that I want to
remember forever. I've put so much effort into this and it's a real experience to
listen to."
Acting as both an intimate diary entry and a communal call to arms, Mellow
Moon is Alfie's most complete work to date and a platform from which he will
surely use to propel himself further into the stratosphere. If ever proof were
needed that music is a salvation or a transportative force, this is it.
Live sessions with Radio 1, Radio 2 and Virgin have now aired.
TV performances confirmed with Sunday Brunch (22 May) and Blue Peter (20
May), the week prior to album release (EMBARGOED!!!!!).
135M total global career streams
Animal Records – founded by Chris Stein of Blondie fame – only ever released one album in its brief early-80s history, but what an album that was. Wild Style remains the most seminal soundtrack in hip-hop history, a snapshot of the scene as it evolved from the streets to the recording studio. But it’s not just a vital document, it’s also a damn good listen.
The line-up is a who’s who of those who stood out from hip-hop’s nascent block party days. The Double Trouble pairing of Rodney Cee and KK Rockwell, The Chief Rocker himself, Busy Bee, the mighty line-ups of both The Cold Crush Brothers and The Fantastic Freaks. The music captures the free-form, roaming nature of the film – it’s rough at the edges, it’s occasionally amateurish, but it’s completely, utterly glorious.
The original Animal tracklisting, of which this is a reissue, is full of recurring sounds and motifs, all of them co-produced by Chris Stein and Fab Five Freddy, stepping away from breakbeats to produce a sound that reminds you of them, while being totally unique. The epic drums are courtesy of Lenny ‘Ferrari’ Ferraro, a Vietnam vet and punk drummer whose career spanned stints backing Aretha Franklin and Lou Reed.
Over time, those sounds – the Charlie Chase and Grand Wizard Theodore scratches, the indelible lyrics - have become hip-hop touchstones, endlessly sampled and referenced, the bedrock of so much music to follow. That’s because the soundtrack perfectly encapsulated the essence of the film, the scene and hip-hop’s emergence from The Bronx to the attention of the wider world. Presented in this reissue with the original artwork, it remains the blueprint.
out of Stock
Last delivered 4 years ago available to reorder, subject to availability