Erlebe den hypnotisierenden Soul und Blues von Robert Finleys neuestem Album Black Bayou. Mit seiner reichen und kraftvollen Stimme nimmt Finley die Zuhörer mit auf eine Reise durch die eindringlichen, mystischen Bayou-Landschaften von Louisiana und erzählt dabei sehr persönliche Geschichten. Vom langsam brennenden Funk von ”Livin’ Out A Suitcase” bis zum beschwingten und groovigen ”Sneakin’ Around” zeigt jeder Titel auf diesem Album Finleys außergewöhnlichen Ton und stimmliche Vielseitigkeit. Die Kombination aus Soul, Rhythm and Blues und fachmännisch ausgearbeiteten Gitarrenriffs, jede Note auf diesem Album ist ein Zeugnis von Finleys musikalischem Können und seinem unerschütterlichen Engagement für diese Genres.
Aufgenommen in den Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville und produziert von Dan Auerbach, der Finley als ”den größten lebenden Soulsänger” bezeichnet, ist Black Bayou der Nachfolger seiner von der Kritik hochgelobten Alben Sharecropper’s Son und Goin’ Platinum! Neben Auftritten bei America’s Got Talent (2019) und America’s Got Talent (All-Stars 2023) war Finley Headliner bei Shows in ganz Nordamerika und Europa und tourte unter anderem mit The Black Keys, Greta Van Fleet, Lake Street Dive, Nathaniel Rateliff, Dan Auerbach und Low Cut Connie.
Featuring: Dan Auerbach, Kenny Brown, Eric Deaton, Patrick Carney, Jeffrey Clemens
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Das Debütalbum "A Dream or a Vision" von The Waning Moon wird sicherlich ältere Goths und junge Fledermäuse gleichermaßen zum Jubeln bringen! The Waning Moon ist eine reine, unverfrorene, gitarrenbasierte Gothic-Rock-Band, die an die Klänge der Gothic-Rock Szenen der 80er und 90er Jahre erinnert, mit ihrem eigenen modernen Ansatz des Genres. Die Band ist eine internationale Zusammenarbeit von Ariel Maniki (Costa Rica) von Ariel Maniki and the Black Halos und Zac Campbell (USA) von The Kentucky Vampires. Ariel übernimmt Gesang, Texte, zusätzliche Gitarren, Programmierung, Tasten und live Rhythmusgitarren; während Zac Gitarren, Schlagzeug, Programmierung, Tasten, Bassgitarre und live Gitarren beisteuert. Live-Shows beinhalten Unterstützung von Ian Joseph am Live-Bass und Maggie Campbell an den Live Keyboards. "A Dream or a Vision", das Debütalbum der Band, das über Danse Macabre Records veröffentlicht wurde, sind 10 Tracks reiner Gothic Rock von Anfang bis Ende.
UK dance music antagonist Works Of Intent redefines big room techno on ‘Richer Sound’, an album sampler with four new tracks to accompany the digital release of his album of the same title which features with six
all-new tracks alongside six cuts previously released on Laurent Garnier and Scan X's COD3 QR label.
Works Of Intent is a vital voice in the underground who champions the sounds and stories of South Asian creatives in his role as Project Manager and Visual Designer for DAYTIMERS. He has also written multiple essays on race, class and privilege in the industry while laying down expressive sets across four decks at key clubs like fabric, Panoramabar and Rex. His emotive, storytelling sounds have come on labels like Turbo, Rekids and Monkeytown, and outside that, he's a go-to mix engineer for some of the UK's most exciting prospects.
‘Richer Sound’ features six tracks previously released on the label’s Various Artist EPs and six brand new offerings that avoid tired big room tropes. Gone are the snare rolls, white noise risers and kick drops, instead Work's operates under the mantra of "big tunes for big hearts" where musicality makes the motive. The artist himself has taken care of the artwork, mixing and mastering and says of the album, “It’s melancholia turned up so loud you can’t ignore it. It’s a deafening barrage of emotions designed for super clubs. It’s unsubtle, it’s unabashed, it’s unrelenting, and it wears its heart on its sleeve. It’s unmistakably a work of intent.”
Cars and motorsport have been a recurring theme in previous Works Of Intent releases and appear again here in 'Left Unseen', which has the high octane, death-defying adrenaline of rally driving perfectly transposed into a big room techno experience. ''Old Ways, New Mistakes' bounces boisterously with stadium-sized kick drums and synthetic mourning that will break hearts across arenas. 'Dreamt I Saw You' takes fawning imaginations to lucid heights with a synthand cymbal pairing designed to get you stargazing in the club.
‘Richer Sound’ is just the sort of expertly-crafted, genre-busting work of emotional and physical potency you would expect from such a restless nonconformist as Works Of Intent.
PYLAR, one of the best kept secret of the Spanish underground, is a collective formed in Seville (Spain) by members of Orthodox and Blooming Látigo. With an imaginary that feeds on occult sciences, the sacred (with special attention to pagan themes) or hyperstition, PYLAR navigates the depths of mysticism and cosmic horror evoking interdimensional and abyssal sonic scenarios.
An instrumental training that incorporates percussion, guitars, keyboards, horn, violin or mandolin, to which is added vocals that intone texts by the experimental writer and philosopher Francisco Jota-Pérez, fragments extracted from occult sciences and the cult vanguard grimoire Cyclonopedia. PYLAR moves between experimental doom metal, black metal and psychedelia, creating music of dense textures by superimposing elements in the styles of Blut Aus Nord, Swans or Oranssi Pazuzu. Their first work “Poderoso se alza en my” (2013) was their letter of presentation, praised by the very Julian Cope.
First time repressed since 1982, Akin Nathan was a seasoned session saxophonist who featured on several albums but was chiefly known for his tenure with Sonny Okosuns' Ozziddi during the group's most productive period in the 70s & 80s.
Nathan's Ijama 1982 solo outing Sweet Country, includes drummer Geoffrey Omadehbo, guitarist Brother Didi Lead, bass guitarist Yakubu Daniel, keyboard player Johnny Woode, trumpet Big John Oaikhena & piano Brother Francky Ntoh Song.
Featured cuts are K'ale San Wa, Congratulation & Free Namibia.
Played by dearly beloved luminaries such as Tone Nimble, Ge-ology, Sadar Bahar & Charlie Dark.
- A1: Dragon Song (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
- A2: Total Eclipse (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
- A3: The Light (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
- B1: On The Road (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
- B2: The Sword (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
- B3: Oblivion Express (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express)
- A1: Dawn Of Another Day (A Better Land)
- A2: Marai's Wedding (A Better Land)
- A3: Trouble (A Better Land)
- A4: Women Of The Seasons (A Better Land)
- B1: Fill Your Head With Laughter (A Better Land)
- B2: On Thinking It Over (A Better Land)
- B3: Tomorrow City (A Better Land)
- B4: All The Time There Is (A Better Land)
- B5: A Better Land (A Better Land)
- A1: Truth (Second Wind)
- A2: Don't Look Away (Second Wind)
- A3: Somebody Help Us (Second Wind)
- B1: Freedom Jazz Dance (Second Wind)
- B2: Just Me Just You (Second Wind)
- B3: Second Wind (Second Wind)
- A1: Whenever You're Ready (Closer To It!)
- A2: Happiness Is Just Around The Bend (Closer To It!)
- A3: Light On The Path (Closer To It!)
- A2: Bumpin' On Sunset (Straight Ahead)
- B1: Straight Ahead (Straight Ahead)
- B2: Change (Straight Ahead)
- B3: You'll Stay In My Heart (Straight Ahead)
- A1: Brain Damage (Reinforcements)
- A2: Thoughts From Afar (Reinforcements)
- A3: Foolish Girl (Reinforcements)
- B1: The Big Yin (Reinforcements)
- B2: Plum (Reinforcements)
- B3: Something Out Of Nothing (Reinforcements)
- B4: Future Pilot (Reinforcements)
- B1: Compared To What (Closer To It!)
- B2: Inner City Blues (Closer To It!)
- B3: Voices Of Other Times (Closer To It!)
- A1: Beginning Again (Straight Ahead)
Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express was the phoenix that rose from the ashes of sixties combo The Trinity. Fusing R&B, jazz, soul and funk, keyboard maestro Brian Auger created a new breed of music that took the US and the UK by storm. Auger’s unique experimentation culminated in rhythm-infused jazz funk that united Black and white ’70s audiences. The 6 studio albums that make up Complete Oblivion illustrate the group’s diverse musical influences and progression, from the 1970 self titled debut’s heavy jazz-rock to the jazz fusion, latin and disco tinged Reinforcements from 1975 - this process no doubt powered by the groups’ evolving line up, which included guitarists Jim Mullen and Jack Mills, drummers Robbie McIntosh & Steve Ferrone, bassists Barry Dean and Clive Chaman and vocalist Alex Ligertwood. The musical highlights within Complete Oblivion are many, but particular highlights to mention have to be Total Eclipse (Oblivion Express), Fill Your Head With Laugher (A Better Land), the blistering cover of Eddie Harris’ Freedom Jazz Dance (Second Wind), the Barry Dean composition Whenever You're Ready, the version of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues (Closer To It), Beginning Again (Straight Ahead) and the mind bending keyboard tour de force Brain Damage (Reinforcements). Given the groups legendary status among fellow musicians such as Zucchero and Herbie Hancock, DJ’s like Kenny Dope and Gilles Peterson and Auger’s legion of fans worldwide - that mission was fully accomplished - or to put it another way, in the words of super fans The Beastie Boys: “Those who remain oblivious to the obvious delights of Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express do so at their own risk!”
The heralded Minneapolis-based band Barbaro forges an exhilarating
new musical path on 'About the Winter', their inaugural outing for
StorySound Records
Featuring guitarist Kyle Shelstad, bassist Jason Wells, and violinist Rachel
Calvert, the dynamic young group developed a strong following for their
modernist bluegrass sound on their 2020 debut, 'Dressed in Roses'. Their new
album, however, represents a "coming of age" for Barbaro, according to Shelstad,
as it more authentically reflects the band's adventurous musical evolution over
the past few years. All three band members point to the title tune, "Let's Talk
About the Winter" as the song that established the tone for the album. The song,
Wells explains, "fully captured the soundscape that now defines us as a band."
The ten tracks on 'About the Winter' provide a wonderful showcase for the unique
dynamic created from Shelstad's string band roots blending with Calvert's and
Wells' backgrounds in classical music. The album also finds Barbaro expanding
its sound by having Shelstad share vocal duties with Calvert for the first time,
along with weaving electric instrumentation into the group's acoustic- based
music. The bandmates all agree on the key contributions of producer Brian
Joseph (Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens). "His production," Calvert revealed, "elevated
these tracks to an entirely different level." Together they have fashioned a
captivating pastoral Americana sound on 'About the Winter' that is both
traditional and progressive.
The new album adds to what has been already exciting time for Barbaro, who
were selected by the U.S. government to perform concerts and conduct music
workshops in Qatar, Turkey, and Bulgaria as part of its 2023 American Music
Abroad program.
- A1: Bun Dem -Steel Pulse
- A2: Generals - Natural Mystique
- A3: Mark Of Slavery - Iganda
- A4: Generals - Musical Youth
- B1: Sweet Melody - Carnastoan
- B2: Africans - Bass Dance
- B3: Hustling Man - Linton Haughton
- C1: Rebel - Groundation
- C2: Ruled By The Stone - Sledge Hammer
- C3: Cannot Take It Away - Mystic Foundation
- C4: Right Time Coming - Sceptre
- D1: Equalisation - Capital Letters
- D2: Immigration - Eclipse
- D3: None A Jah Jah Children - Black Symbol
- D4: Run And Hide - Afrikan Star
Repress!
Last year's release of "The Midlands Roots Explosion Volume One", saw the culmination of many years work spent tracking down artists and tapes to shine a light on one of England's greatest, yet most overlooked musical scenes, the home grown take on reggae that briefly flourished from the mid-seventies and had almost disappeared little more than a decade later.
Volume Two starts off in exactly the same way as its predecessor with Handsworth's biggest musical exports, the legendary Steel Pulse and "Bun Dem produced by the legendary Dennis Bovell. Our first act new to the series are Natural Mystique with their 1982 single "Generals" whilst tracks 3, 4 and 5 round off the missing A and B sides from some of the most popular artists we included last time with Iganda's "Mark Of Slavery", Carnastoan's "Sweet Melody" and yet another Generals, this one from Musical Youth featuring the same line up that caused so much surprise and positive feedback with their inclusion on Volume One.
"Africans" from Bass Dance featuring a second appearance from former Steel Pulse guitarist/vocalist Basil Gabbidon, is the first of four previously unreleased tracks. The other three that we've managed to track down on long forgotten tapes, are Leicester's Groundation with "Rebel" recorded a few years before "Fa Ward" which we included last time, "Cannot Take It Away", another lost gem from Handsworth's Mystic Foundation and "Equalisation" another lost slice of early eighties roots from Wolverhampton's Capital Letters.
The late Linton Haughton is another new name with his scarce Shield label 12" cut "Hustling Man". Also making their first appearances, are Afrikan Star with "Run And Hide" originally issued in 1980 on Black Vinyl Records and from the Crucial Music stable, Sledge Hammer with "Ruled By The Stone" released as a 7" single on the Crucial Music Inc. label. The remaining three tracks are provided by label favourites and key players in the Birmingham scene, Black Symbol, Sceptre and Eclipse and showcase songs from the individual albums we've previously released by each band.
British roots reggae at its finest.
The first release from Microtonal Records, Residents of Aotearoa: Microtonal Showcase (ROAMS) EP, presents producers currently living in New Zealand and their interpretation of a warm, atmospheric and dark sound with a groove that provokes movement and thought.
Track A1: Astral Aura by Seb Selknam
A pure analog production from Seb Selknam - Astral Aura provides an instant groove from a warm bassline that sits in pure harmony with the kick to give structure to the melodic and atmospheric landscape you are led into. Minimal crisp percussion and echoing vocals add a familiar and human element to the journey as you slowly float through vista's unknown and aura's unseen. This is 08:22 of pure bliss.
Track A2: Bosun by HRZNTL
The last beat drops, the party ends, the taxi awaits. Bosun by HRZNTL is a reflective piece, the transition from pure adrenaline and the buzz of the rave into a lasting memory of a night spent with family and friends dancing at a castle in the hills of Barcelona. The track itself is built around a detuned dubby key which represents the emotions of ending an epic night, it is surrounded by dark and haunting stabs to add to the atmosphere and a bubbling synth which brings an optimistic reality that it's only day one at Sonar.
Track B1: Admiral Frick by Harvo x Patella
The first ever demo sent to Microtonal HQ, Admiral Frick by Harvo and Patella is pure energy. Taking elements of tribal percussion and combining it with acidic stabs, it is balanced perfectly with a wandering atmospheric pad. There are subtle shifts between four four and breakbeat, as it builds with syncopated snares and a beautiful unrecognisable monotonous vocal calling you deeper into mysteries of the jungle at night. Calmness descends to create space for a powerful sweeping drone like bass that drops you back into a hypnotic state of being. Your relationship with this track will be like an addiction, constantly seeking a hit.
Track B2: Introspection by Felipe Martinez
The epitome of a Microtonal Records track; warm, atmospheric, dark and with a groove. Introspection by Felipe Martinez is a microbreaks track that draws you in with a wide pulsating low end and irregular percussive stabs that float from left to right at the high end. A soft acid synth builds and explodes like a solar flare creating an outer planetary experience. The beautifully crafted breakdown gives you time to pause, observe and contemplate, creating space to process your mental state and explore your emotions from the past, present and future. Introspection; 10 minutes of self healing.
Sampha announces the full details of his highly-anticipated, sophomore album LAHAI, out October 20th on Young. Taken from his paternal grandfather’s name, which is also Sampha’s middle name, LAHAI revels in the awe and magic of our existence, synthesizing the exquisite chaos that one experiences confronting the cycle of life and the beyondness. Spanning 14-tracks, with contributions from some of Sampha’s closest friends, peers and collaborators including: Yaeji, Léa Sen, Sheila Maurice Grey (Kokoroko), Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson (Black Midi), Yussef Dayes, Laura Groves and Kwake Bass, LAHAI, in contrast to Process, is a communal affair seeing Sampha explore the many ways in which we as humans connect to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves. On the album’s latest single “Only,” premiering today via a new music video directed by Dexter Navy in collaboration with Sampha, which follows the recent “Spirit 2.0,” we meet a newly energized Sampha, as he spits melodically over a fragmented hip-hop hued beat with co-production from El Guincho.
Not unlike its maker, LAHAI defies clear categorization. Spanning jazz, soul, rap, dance, jungle and west African music, LAHAI sees Sampha elevating his production and vocal ambition to great new heights. A notable singer, songwriter and producer, it’s no wonder that artists like Kendrick Lamar, Stormzy, Travis Scott and previously, Drake, Solange, Frank Ocean, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne and Alicia Keys have all tapped the artist for his inimitable voice plus songwriting and production contributions to their music. His work expands across multiple disciplines, with previous creative partnerships including the fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner, the Shy Light zine with Durimel (who also shot the LAHAI artwork) his Process film with director Kahlil Joseph, and most recently creative director Jonny Lu, with whom Sampha worked to create the LAHAI album artwork and logo.
If Process, Sampha’s 2017 Mercury-Prize-winning debut album, was an artist figuring out his own place in the world, engulfed in the shadows of grief and loss, LAHAI is an exercise in the radical acceptance and joy in the human condition, and the beauty in the journey itself. Welcome to Sampha’s next musical chapter: LAHAI.
Homemade, charming folk-rock with the lovely voice of MANDY MORTON, 12-string guitars, dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle… Fabulous covers of “Let No Man Steal Your Thyme”, “Matty Groves” and more!
Formed in the early 70s, Spriguns of Tolgus evolved from the folk duo of Mandy & Mike Morton and the scene centered around their Anchor Folk Club in Cambridge. In 1974, the band (Mike and Mandy plus Rick Thomas and Chris Russon) decided to produce a recording to raise funds for new equipment. Using a small tape recorder and mixing desk, “Rowdy Dowdy Day” was recorded live in the dining room at the band’s rented house. A small number of cassettes were produced and subsequently sold at the Anchor Folk Club.
With the original cassette impossible to find now, we’re glad to present a new vinyl edition.
“We grew up in the ’60s to the sound of The Beatles; we embraced flower power and all it brought with it; and we indulged ourselves in every type of music on offer. From America came The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan, and here in the UK we celebrated our own heroes, Pentangle, Fairport Convention, The Incredible String Band and later Steeleye Span” – Mandy Morton
A1 - Theia
Opening his Spatial account in an historic release for the label and a moniker dormant for over 25 years, JLM Productions opens the EP with Theia - a track which will take you right back to early Progression Sessions days - delicately introduced with blippy effects and hi hats, ushering in crisp metallic beats and relaxing padwork. The track develops continually with soothing melodies and amens added into the mix, resulting in a stunning and varied collage of finely tuned elements that never sound too busy to the ear - JLM Productions, welcome back!
A2 - Derealization
Changing things up while still showcasing the ability to combine a crazy level of detail into a cohesive mix, Derealization is a suspenseful, slightly moody track with JLM Productions laying down distinctive snappy breakbeats and sudden, fierce bassy hits, with tension rising from the eerie synthwork to envelop the listener throughout a track which demands repeated listens and will surely do damage on the discerning dancefloor.
AA1 - Quadrature
With a vibe reminiscent of his output in the mid-90's Reinforced era, JLM Productions drops Quadrature which takes that inspiration and brings it right up to date for Spatial in 2023, effortlessly combining synthetic breaks with understated echoing bongos, restless wavy notes and old school melodies punctuating the immersive atmosphere of the piece. This one thoroughly deserves pride of place in the "old school brand new" club.
AA2 - Translight Velocity
Continuing the old school theme, Translight Velocity quickly shows it's intent with inspired off-key notes before a lesson in joyous 90's style breakbeats leaps out of the speakers - not a single head in the room will be still with this on deck! Bouncy basslines and finely crafted drums from a variety of break samples jump around chaotically, sending your mind to the dancefloors of old in a way that feels incredibly fresh today
Words by Chris Hayes
Emerging from the heart of Brussels, the captivating five-piece Azmari is set to release "Maëlström" on October 20. For Maelström, the follow up to their acclaimed debut album Sam?'? (with raving reviews in Uncut, Songlines, Uk Vibe and Electronic Sound), the group has delved into uncharted musical territories creating a mesmerizing "azmarian" identity and melding intricate jazz textures with intoxicating oriental influences, otherworldly ethio grooves, enigmatic dark funk, and the pulsating beats of dub music,
For the creation of "Maëlström," Azmari embarked on an intensive one-week recording journey. During this time, they meticulously honed the sound of their instruments, blending the nostalgic notes of old-school clavinet keyboards with cutting-edge synth sounds, resulting in a distinct and alluring atmosphere. Enriching their traditional instruments with balanced pedal effects and special amplification, the band added new flavours to their sound.
Founded in the vibrant musical haven of Brussels in 2015, Azmari have been crafting a truly unique tapestry of musical exploration. Azmari defies conventional labels to weave a narrative of sonic innovation and artistic liberation. Influences range from an eclectic array of artists, including Okay Temiz, Heliocentrics, Whitefield Brothers, Surprise Chef, Antibalas and Sons of Kemet.
From the band: "For the third part of our musical journey, we dug into a deeper creative process. We literally immersed ourselves in deep waters during a unique two-week aquatic residency. The tracks on this album are thus directly imbued with distinctive underwater frequencies, the sounds of abyssal creatures, and the beauty of the seabed. Convinced by this creative experience, and guided by captain (and producer) Frederik Segers, we brought this album back to the surface and reveal a resolutely scaly, sandy, and deep soundscape."
- Dragon Song
- Total Eclipse
- The Light
- On The Road
- The Sword
- Oblivion Express
- Dawn Of Another Day
- Marai's Wedding
- Trouble
- Women Of The Seasons
- Fill Your Head With Laughter
- On Thinking It Over
- Tomorrow City
- All The Time There Is
- A Better Land
- Truth
- Don't Look Away
- Somebody Help Us
- Freedom Jazz Dance
- Just Me Just You
- Second Wind
- Whenever You're Ready
- Happiness Is Just Around The Bend
- Light On The Path
- Compared To What
- Inner City Blues
- Voices Of Other Times
- Beginning Again
- Bumpin' On Sunset
- Straight Ahead
- Change
- You'll Stay In My Heart
- Brain Damage
- Thoughts From Afar
- Foolish Girl
- The Big Yin
- Plum
- Something Out Of Nothing
- Future Pilot
Brian Auger"s Oblivion Express was the phoenix that rose from the ashes of sixties combo The Trinity. Fusing R&B, jazz, soul and funk, keyboard maestro Brian Auger created a new breed of music that took the US and the UK by storm. Auger"s unique experimentation culminated in rhythm-infused jazz funk that united Black and white "70s audiences. The 6 studio albums that make up Complete Oblivion illustrate the group"s diverse musical influences and progression, from the 1970 self titled debut"s heavy jazz-rock to the jazz fusion, latin and disco tinged Reinforcements from 1975.
Classic black vinyl plus bonus 7"-single with two exclusive tracks! Babydoll is the fifth Rat Columns album and, following 2021's Pacific Kiss, the second to be released on Tough Love. The recordings took place in Perth, Western Australia, partially by engineer Jason Hayles in a 1960's office building that formerly housed the secretarial pool of a successful mattress company, and partially by DW in an industrial unit, and feature the ensemble cast of Taylah McLean, Chris Grunwaldt, Scott Payne, Richard Ingham, Cohen Bourgault and, of course, DW himself. It was then mixed and mastered in Melbourne by Mikey Young and Joseph Carra, respectively. Babydoll seems to mark a return to a murkier, dirgier Rat Columns format. Distortion is fetishized again and many small amplifiers were tortured in the album's production. Tempos have drifted down and the lyrical concerns move ever inward, in an inverse bloom. The mood is dour, introspective, circular, the songs long, and short attention spans are neglected. 'Cerulean Blue' churns through a crystalline memoryscape, homaging low-brow grunge auto-fiction and a partial history of mid-period rave. 'Life In The Jungle' is a fever dream of imperialist wartime fantasy projection. 'Heavenly Assault' attempts a crushing density amid visions of transcendent devotion. 'Virtual Sweden' takes us ever northwards into the frosted tip of Scandinavian détente. 'Babydoll', like 'Cerulean Blue', homages a primarily imagined low-cosmopolitan world of alt-lit digi-poets, bedroom fantasists, underwater prisons for gorgeous, gorgeous girls. 'Bees Make Honey' lets more sophisticated music machines into the conversation, and marks the first use of vocal tuning software on a Rat Columns album, albeit in an avant-amateurist fashion. 'Jane, I Live For You' enters the space-ballad race, dreaming of synthetic folk-rockers, leaning on sampler keybeds in the half-light. 'December' is yet another tribute to fallen Stars, mansions on the hill, winter skin in cashmere sweaters, truth in education, love, faith, (im)purity. In all these respects, it is a classic Rat Columns record. Because all Rat Columns records are classic records.
McCombs is one of the most highly regarded bassists/guitarists working today, known for his pioneering band Tortoise, his bass playing in Chicago"s Eleventh Dream Day, and his innovative instrumental group Brokeback. He has released albums with guitarist David Daniell, and collaborated with the likes of Tom Zé to Yo La Tengo, Stereolab to Daniel Lanois. In addition to being the touring bassist for The Sea and Cake, McCombs has somehow found time to form a new trio Black Duck with guitarist Bill MacKay, and percussionist Charles Rumback. Douglas McCombs" VMAKMcCombs" debut solo album is a mix of improvisation, textural explorations and recurring melodic themes. Taking after Brokeback"s classic Morse Code in the Modern Age: Across the Americas, "Two To Coolness" is a piece that McCombs refined through a series of improvised performances and features Calexico drummer John Convertino, as well as singer/guitarist/synth player Sam Prekop (also of The Sea and Cake). "Green Crown"s Step" was largely improvised working through melodies and patterns. The stately "To Whose Falls Shallows" reshapes three key themes that Tortoise and Brokeback fans will find to be signature McCombs, buoyed by fellow Brokeback member James Elkington (Tweedy), who also engineered and mixed the album. On the album, McCombs plays with spare instrumentation and primarily plays electric and acoustic guitars as well as the Bass VI, drawing out textures that stretch the scope of his instruments. McCombs" work is pastoral and expansive, his playing is refined and nuanced, and his melodies often bely his admiration for Ennio Morricone as his guitar imbues endlessly sprawling fields of the midwest with the same sense of magic. It is a true pleasure to hear him perform in such an intimate way. This is an absolute essential for followers of McCombs and newcomers alike, as the album lays bare his influence on each of his groups as well as firmly stakes McCombs as a force all his own.
Heart's Ann Wilson is releasing a new record with Tripsitter, 'Another
Door'
Prior to starting the 2023 tour, Ann Wilson and her band Tripsitter finished
'Another Door', a record of all-original material, which marks the first time since
the '70s that Ann has written a full- length album collectively with a band.
Tripsitter features Tony Lucido (bass), Ryan Wariner (guitars), Sean T. Lane
(drums), and Paul Moak (guitars and keyboards). Tom Bukovac (guitars) was also
a primary contributor.
ANOTHER DOOR marks the first time in her career where Ann was the sole lyricist
and her presence on a record has never been greater. Ann says, "This is an
exciting time in my creative life; so much new and fresh to remind me of why I
love my calling!"
The cover for 'Another Door' was created by Storm Studio which began in the
early 1990s with Storm Thorgerson, Peter Curzon, Rupert Truman, and Dan
Abbott. Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell co- founded Hipgnosis, who
between 1968 and 1983 created artwork for the likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin,
Paul McCartney & Wings, 10cc, AC/DC, Genesis, Peter Gabriel, and many others.
Following Storm's passing in 2013 Aubrey Powell has worked closely with Storm
Studio on numerous projects since.
** Widely praised as one of the greatest singers in the history of Rock, Ann's
extraordinarily powerful voice has been sending chills down her audience's
collective spine for over five decades, earning record sales of more than 35
million, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a Grammy Lifetime
Achievement Award.
** "Barracuda," "Crazy On You," and "Magic Man" are among the many songs she's
written that now reside in the pantheon of Rock's greatest hits. "This Is Now" from
ANOTHER DOOR plays seamlessly alongside the classics in her current live set.
** Last year Ann sang with Disturbed's frontman David Draiman on the duet,
"Don't Tell Me," from their recently released DIVISIVE album, and lent her voice to
Dolly Parton's forthcoming rock record "Rock Star." Ann Wilson defies genre!!
“Jack With A Feather” was the first vinyl album (after the private cassette only release of “Rowdy Dowdy Day”) by SPRIGUNS OF TOLGUS, just before they shortened their name to SPRIGUNS and signed to Decca, recording two classic progressive folk-rock albums.
Recorded in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, the album offers mostly traditional songs with charming homemade atmosphere, psychedelic touches, male / female vocals (by MANDY MORTON), acoustic/electric guitars, mandolin, dulcimer, fiddle… One of the tracks, “Seamus The Showman”, originally written by Tim Hart of Steeleye Span (future Spriguns producer), landed the band a deal with Decca Records.




















