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'Under the name The 4th Street Orchestra, Dennis Bovell released a series of limited-edition albums in the mid-70s specifically for the UK sound system scene. Yuh Learn! stands as a prime example of Bovell’s creativity and production prowess. With its strong Jamaican Roots appeal, it is a record cherished by sound system selectors, capable of taking every listener on a deep journey through the many shades of dub.
'The album features two of Real Rock Records’ favorite tracks. First, the instrumental The Grunwick Affair, recorded in solidarity with the striking workers of the Grunwick Film Processing Laboratories in Willesden. This historic industrial dispute paved the way for the socio-political shifts of the late 70s and remains a landmark in British labor history. The track was even hailed by Time Out as one of the top 100 songs about London. The horn section features also the legendary Rico Rodriguez, Michael ‘Bammy’ Rose, and Eddie Thornton on trumpet. Also included is the classic sound system anthem Rowing Down The River.
'Presented here in an extended version, Bovell’s vocals ride the rhythm perfectly until a heavyweight dub version takes over. The musicians performing as “The 4th Street Orchestra” deserve special mention. The lineup includes drummer Jah Bunny, a foundation musician who played on crucial albums with Bovell and the late Jah Shaka, and John Kpiaye, a leading figure in the British reggae scene and “Lovers Rock” producer. Kpiaye has collaborated with Dennis Brown, Aswad, and I Jahman Levi, and serves as the resident guitarist for the Dennis Bovell Dub Band backing Linton Kwesi Johnson.The late Eddie “Tan Tan” Thornton on trumpet, an Alpha Boys School alumnus and legendary session man also for The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, brings his expertise to the project, having also contributed to masterpieces like Rico Rodriguez’s Man From Wareika.
This is a limited-edition, vinyl-only first reissue of one of the rarest and most sought-after albums from Dennis Bovell’s legendary catalog.'

born (literally) in fire, soma flared briefly as the alchemical pairing of two unique and dynamic musicians. david thrussell and pieter bourke met through mutual friends in the artistic melting-pot of early 1990s elwood, melbourne, australia. bourke was an integral member of the gothically ambient eden, thrussell frontman of anarchic industrial combo snog. both admired each others work, and though some considered them an unlikely combination, something rather potent was brewing which drew them inexorably together.

initially bourke joined snog live and then in the studio, contributing mightily to their epic second album ‘dear valued customer’. as a natural result of their friendship and muse, thrussell and bourke instituted their own project, soma, to explore the intersections of arcane and mysterious technologies. the first soma album “hollow earth” was released to acclaim.

soon after, thrussell was awoken by a 3am knock on his door. bourke was now homeless - the result of a devastating fire that had just torn through his apartment and studio - and he needed somewhere to sleep. this is when work on ‘the inner cinema’ began, with bourke and thrussell ensconced in the same dwelling, able to write and record around the clock (often only leaving to plan the next session while dining at local vegan eateries).

at the time thrussell was obsessed by the testosterone bravado and haunting alienation of ‘spaghetti-western’ theme songs, while bourke brought his love of all things percussive and the other-worldly atmospherics of arvo pärt (with the outer-space dub of king tubby) to the mix. together, on a diet of blood-plum sago, fortean times and lingering smoke fumes, they concocted their dadaist brew.

magical and unforgettable, ‘the inner cinema’ stands apart and outside of the musical mainstream. since its 1996 release the album has developed a mythical reputation and is spoken of in hushed and adulating tones among acolytes of atmospheric and electronic music. you hold in your hands a lovingly remastered deluxe reissue of this sonorous gem.

time marches on, and after a few more sporadic soma recordings bourke and thrussell moved on to other pastures. bourke would work with dead can dance, lisa gerrard and hollywood auteur michael mann, as thrussell toured regularly with snog and black lung, cut some interesting soundtracks and birthed the idiosyncratic omni recording corporation.

expelled from its fiery crucible, this dark jewel of sound, this soundtrack of the mind, has lain in the soft earth awaiting rediscovery. fluid metabolic rhythms and breathy washes of timeless melancholy pulsing, inviting, in the warm soil. now is your chance.

'As I Slip Into the Sky reflects a particularly small sliver of time compared to Where the Smoke Goes, with recordings taking place in early 2025, while Johnny was bed-bound in an assisted living facility with multiple sclerosis. Alabama born, Portland based artist Joel Nelson helms the nearly entirely electronic backdrop, posing a new canvas for Johnny, with Buchla Music Easel bubbling up between Johnny’s lines. This album captures Johnny in a remarkably tender and emotive form. Love and all its permutations. The tangled, but caring nature of familial love, (“But you and me, we can talk on the phone every day. I would never leave you behind”), to the anguish and euphoria of romantic connection. Johnny has a remarkable ability to pose questions, ("What is real love like?), and provide answers that reflect the truest of realities, absent cliche ("I don't know. His curly hair, short on his head, his smile, his smile, his smile...that is what real love is like").
'Joel Nelson's nimble work across a small array of analog synthesizers creates a flowing backdrop to Johnny's stream of consciousness. At times, Broadcast's fuzzed out ballads come to mind, while at others, early Oneohtrix Point Never's gauzy, distant drones anchor beneath Johnny's slippery syntax.
'Johnny recorded his poems while confined to a hospital bed, through an iPhone laid gently on his chest. Assisted by the caring presence of friends John Albea and Lauren Jones, we can hear through these recordings Johnny immersed in his world of words, taking in the world of sounds Joel had provided for him. We hear his breath, at times we hear the harsh sibilance captured by the iPhone microphone, but more than anything, we hear the tenderness and poetic resolve of his caring soul. He was incredibly grateful for the past years of connecting with the small cohort of Birmingham-affiliated musicians and artists who upheld him as the unofficial poet laureate of "The Magic City", Birmingham, AL. Perhaps most appropriately, Johnny closes the album out in a state of gratitude:'

"My funeral was perfect
I was buried wearing a very charming jacket
A very charming jacket I just happened to have on when i died
He was always the lucky one, Mary-Ellen said
I've been looking for a nice casual jacket like that I could wear to casual little outdoor parties and to my funeral all my life
But Johnny just had one
Probably someone left it in his car
He was so lucky
It doesn't even make sense
But its true
He really was that lucky"

'Where the Smoke Goes captures the conscious and unconscious of Johnny Coley in duet between 2020-2024 AD. Alabama-born, Marseille-based artist Turner Williams Jr. wraps a selection of his dear friend Johnny’s penultimate compositions in arresting tone poems.
'The music buzzes and hums with distant trains, trembling strings, and lapping water, haloing our protagonist in a humid glow as he considers whether horses can live to 70 years old, cigarettes potent enough to knock you on your ass, and orchids facing the wrath of winter storms.
'This work began in the first Covid spring, as Johnny's advancing multiple sclerosis gave way to a permanent domestic confinement and a final period of prolific creativity. Johnny braved the toxic gales of social media to share his thriving poetry and visual art practice and to keep in touch with friends like Turner, who had recently moved abroad. For the first time, Johnny recorded himself, sending Turner fresh poems, day and night.
'Taking cues from late era Coil and the operas of Robert Ashley, Turner approached these recordings both as language and pure sound, arranging accompanying mosaics that emerge as much from Johnny’s unseen text as his mercurial drawl. Tracks draw from Turner’s solo practice as well as sessions including Henry Birdsey of Old Saw, members of the French underground (Manoir Molle, Loto Retina, Mona Assayag) and close Birmingham collaborators (Jasper Lee, Jimmy Griffin, Ladonna Smith). The voice is parsed and played as an instrument and each poem becomes a score.
'There is Johnny’s poetry and Johnny’s voice. These are two independent yet interwoven instruments. For Turner, Johnny's vocabulary, cadence, and timbre carry all of the contradictions that he writes about. His work is a dialogue of rich contradictions. "He plays with Southern American vernacular speech in his poetry while embodying it with his speech, creating a zone of emotional frisson. He loved combining opposites. Rough yet soft was one of his favourite descriptors", Turner recalls, "That was Johnny. ” Upon hearing the completed record, Johnny likened it to "a beautiful wood box, that when you open it there are fabrics shot through with silk threads and sharp fall woods smells - supporting and decorating the poems that fall out of them. ”
'This record captures something unconscious, atmospheric, and gives it unexpected materiality. Smoke that you can feel like grass under your feet. Stars that you can touch like a lover. Meeting for the final time in the summer or 2025, the time for words had passed so they just held hands and listened to the album opener Stargazer in silence as Johnny drifted off to sleep.'

There are enough fools and malignant actors trying to conquer the world right now as ever. Do we as humans always need to conquer, subjugate, destroy in a never
ending cycle? Kill animals, nature, each other? Or can we finally conquer our own limitations in perceiving our place on this planet?

Maybe we can borrow from an organism that is aspiring to be the true ruler of Gaia and who might just decide to take back it’s reign from us. Can we conquer ourselves and our limits with a wider vision, decompose the barriers, build rhizomes and enhance consciousness? Or will we be the conquered?

Another gem from the east after VC 029 and the track on MSTR 13. This one further explores a psytrancey current in Mental Tribe with a pumping bass and crystal clear, minimal sound design. Unashamed innocent melodies frolicking thru the forest, oblivious to the judgement of the elders. The uptempo pace between 165 and 170 beats makes for a smooth lift off.

We all remember Surgeon 16 Recordings and UK Skullfuck banging out some of the most intense music of the 90’s. Next up is a new label from ½ of UK Skullfuck, UK artist, Dr Machette. He had a great solo release on Special Forces back in 1998, The Damaged Skull EP. Machette Recordings #1 is a throwback to the punk-hardcore vibe of the mid-nineties. The sheer brutality of these tracks is off the scale. Without a doubt some of the most intense, uncompromising filth the scene has been subjected to in decades. Self-funded by Dr Machette himself so show some support for this label as he has lots more great music to come.

Limited edition of 300 copies!

Lello Di Franco aka L.D.F. leans fully into his curatorial instincts here, and the result is less a traditional “producer ep” and more a cohesive, late-night DJ narrative. World Beats Vol. 2 doesn’t try to grab you instantly it unfolds, patiently, like a deep set in a small, packed club where the focus is on groove rather than spectacle. The collaborations are the real backbone: Byron the Aquarius injects looseness and jazz DNA his touch is immediately recognizable in the swung rhythms and slightly off-grid keys. These moments feel alive, almost jam-session-like. Tilman brings polish and restraint. His contributions tend to be more hypnotic, smoothing transitions and keeping the flow meditative. Trinidadian Deep adds emotional weight his Afro-deep sensibility introduces warmth and a sense of space that elevates the project beyond pure club functionality. Fire Drums II close the ep, an electronic/percussive track with a tribal and hypnotic feel. It combines intense drum rhythms with dance and worldbeat sounds, creating an energetic and ritualistic atmosphere. World Beats Vol. 2 is a refined, deeply musical project aimed at listeners who value texture, groove, and atmosphere over instant hooks. It’s less about standout singles and more about immersion.

Mellizos & Mixmasters have collaborated on a new track titled “My Life Is A Disco (In The Mix),” which is a reimagining of the Chicago classic “In The Mix” by Mixmasters. The track is a joint effort between the Texas-based twin DJ/producer duo Mellizos and the classic Chicago house outfit and get’s a release on Franky Rizardo’s LTF Records outfit. The track combines the classic Chicago house sound with a modern, high-energy, and deep percussive vibe, intended for dancefloors. Coachella 2026 went off for this one! The vinyl also includes the Mixmasters’ ‘Fast Eddie’ classic mix.
Essential.


b Mellizos & Mixmasters - My Life Is A Disco (In The Mix) Intrumental


b B1 Mellizos & Mixmasters - My Life Is A Disco (In The Mix) Intrumental


b B1 Mellizos & Mixmasters - My Life Is A Disco (In The Mix) Intrumental

Originally released by Panjabi MC in 1998 and propelled to worldwide success in 2002, “Mundian To Bach Ke” is widely recognized as one of the most influential Punjabi tracks ever recorded. Featuring the unmistakable vocals of Labh Janjua, the record fused traditional Punjabi bhangra with contemporary hip-hop production, creating a groundbreaking crossover sound that resonated with audiences across continents. Today, it remains a cultural landmark that helped introduce Punjabi music to international audiences and paved the way for the worldwide rise of South Asian artists.
Now, Spanish electronic music heavyweight Dario Nuñez joins forces with Afro House tastemaker Juany Bravo to breathe new life into this timeless anthem. The remix transforms the iconic vocal hook and instantly recognizable melodies into a high-energy Afro House and tribal-infused club weapon, blending modern production with the infectious spirit that made the original a worldwide phenomenon.
Also included on side A is the new remix by Benin-born, Brooklyn-raised DJ and producer, Amémé. Celebrated for his "AMÉMÉ House" sound, he blends deep house, tech, and ancestral African tribal percussions. The remix bridges two very distinct styles, classic South Asian bhangra and modern, spiritual Afro-house energy, all with Panjabi MC's personal blessing.
On side B the classic original version alongside the remix featuring Jay-Z !

For Love of Grace & the Hereafter is the sixth studio album from beloved Danish quintet Iceage. Across the sprawling, twelve song arc of the album, love variously retaliates and retreats in an eternal tango, Elias Rønnenfelt's lyrics burn with apocalyptic intimacy while the band manically maneuvers around their shape-shifting brand of feral post-punk. Produced by Iceage and longtime collaborator Nis Bysted, the album threatens to bite back if bitten, thriving in the haunted shadows with streetwise, saintly splendor.

A &meless disco classic meets modern house energy as Hamilton Bohannon returns with a brand new
reimagining of “Let’s Start The Dance”, featuring the unmistakable touch of interna&onal house icon Joe T
Vannelli. This special release blends the original groove and soul of Bohannon’s legendary sound with
ontemporary club produc&on, delivering a powerful package for DJs and dancefloors worldwide. Alongside
the main Joe T Vannelli Remix, the release also includes a Classic Mix that stays closer to the spirit of the
original version and a New Corve7e old school mix. A perfect fusion of disco heritage and house music
culture, created for true lovers of groove, rhythm and &meless dance music.

ALP002, Alpine Sound’s second self-released record, sees the duo charting new territory, trading their signature heavy-hitting steppas sound with a more meditative and introspective palette.

‘Do The Cobra Dance’ on side A delivers deep acid-dub textures, anchoring a hypnotic rhythm with healthy doses of washed-out 303 action. Flip it over and you enter the more atmospheric realm of dub techno with ‘Clouds Connect’, where muted stabs, heavy low-end, and expansive delays send you drifting straight through the echo chamber.

Mastered by Jack Robinson at The Dub Crate and pressed at Well Tempered, these are two weighty dubs, equally suited to home-listening and the dance.

This is the first studio album recorded by The Fabulous Thunderbirds - It introduced the outside world to the contemporary blues of this peerless band that was forged in the clubs of Austin, Texas featuring Jimmie Vaughan on guitar and Kim Wilson on vocals and harmonica with Keith Ferguson on bass and Mike Buck on drums

The Unsung Adventures of Punch Brothers is a highly strategic, physical-format priority scheduled for release on July 24, 2026, via Nonesuch Records. This document has been professionally designed to serve as an in-store info sheet to justify why this title demands a prominent listing and prime shelf space in your store. Core Commercial Arguments For Your Inventory:High Physical Media Affinity: Punch Brothers possess an exceptionally loyal, audiophile-leaning fanbase that heavily prioritizes purchasing physical LPs and CDs rather than relying solely on streaming platforms. Grammy-Winning Prestige & New Lineup Buzz: As previous winners of the Grammy for Best Folk Album (for All Ashore), this release marks a monumental shift—their first-ever all-instrumental record and the studio debut of acclaimed fiddle virtuoso Brittany Haas. It serves as a natural conversation starter for acoustic, classical, and bluegrass buyers. Massive 28-City Tour Traffic: The band's largest tour since 2019 spans from summer into late autumn 2026, targeting iconic institutions like Carnegie Hall (NYC), major folk festivals, and regional hubs. Local tour stops are critical touchpoints to align with your regional endcaps and point-of-sale displays. Premium Production Appeal: Engineered by recent Grammy-winner Joseph Lorge (Guilford Sound Studio), the pristine sonics will make this a staple for high-fidelity test spins and vinyl showcase walls.

A beloved cult classic of late-'90s indie pop, Beverley Atonale captures The Ladybug Transistor at their most elegant and timeless. Blending baroque pop arrangements, warm analog textures, jangly guitars, and lush vocal harmonies, the album has become a cornerstone release for fans of sophisticated, melody-driven indie. Long sought after by collectors, this vinyl reissue brings back an essential title from the American indie underground - a record whose cinematic songwriting and vintage pop sensibility continue to resonate decades after its original release. With enduring collector demand, strong catalogue value, and broad appeal among fans of Elephant 6-inspired indie pop, Beverley Atonale stands as an essential addition to any indie-focused catalogue and a timeless rediscovery for a new generation of listeners. Recommended For Fans Of The Essex Green, Belle and Sebastian, Broadcast, Stereolab, The Olivia Tremor Control.

Mit seinem GRAMMY-Gewinn 2021 für seine Zusammenarbeit mit Esperanza Spalding hat sich der Komponist, Sänger und Multi-Instrumentalist Corey King still und leise zu einer der vielseitigsten Stimmen der zeitgenössischen Musik entwickelt. Seine Karriere umfasst Kooperationen mit so unterschiedlichen Künstlern wie Milton Nascimento, Gil Scott-Heron, Bonobo, DJ Premier und Iggy Pop und prägt einen Sound, der fließend zwischen Jazz, Soul, experimentellem Songwriting und filmischer Komposition wechselt. Auf ,Change the Wind" bündelt King diese Bandbreite zu einem fokussierten, zutiefst persönlichen Statement. Das Album, das in Jahren des Umbruchs und des Wandels entstanden ist, schafft einen Ausgleich zwischen Intimität und Weite und bewegt sich zwischen stiller Reflexion und ausladenden Arrangements mit voller Bandbesetzung. Themen wie Resilienz, Klarheit, und emotionale Neuausrichtung ziehen sich durch das gesamte Werk und verleihen der Platte einen Zusammenhalt, der sich eher gelebt als konzeptionell anfühlt. Im Kern steht ein tiefes Gefühl von Hingabe und Verletzlichkeit, das am deutlichsten in ,R.M.K." zu spüren ist, einem strahlenden Stück, das von der Geburt von Kings Tochter inspiriert wurde. Ohne sich in narrativen Details zu verlieren, verankert der Song das Album emotional und gibt den Ton für ein Werk vor, das sich mit Fürsorge, Verantwortung und der Zerbrechlichkeit von Verbindungen beschäftigt. An anderer Stelle erkundet King Liebe, Zweifel und persönliches Wachstum mit einer leichten, aber beständigen Hand, wobei sie Stimmung und Bewegung gegenüber explizitem Storytelling den Vorzug gibt. Musikalisch ist ,Change the Wind" reichhaltig, ohne schwerfällig zu wirken. Warmes Klavier, mehrstimmiger Gesang und kammermusikalische Bläserarrangements werden durchbrochen von Broken-Beat-Rhythmen und subtilen elektronischen Texturen. Manchmal neigt sich das Album zu Groove und Vorwärtsdrang, mit von Afrobeat geprägten Passagen und dynamischen Bläsersätzen, während es sich an anderer Stelle in spärliche, intime Räume zurückzieht. Beiträge von engen Mitwirkenden, darunter Spalding und der Trompeter Takuya Kuroda, verleihen dem Album Tiefe, ohne dessen zusammenhängendes Gefühl zu überwältigen. Anstatt einzelne Titel in den Vordergrund zu stellen, offenbart sich ,Change the Wind" als ein ganzheitliches Hörerlebnis, das sich allmählich entfaltet und mit der Zeit belohnt. Es ist ein Album über stetige Verwandlung, darüber, Klarheit in der Bewegung zu finden, und darüber, inmitten ständiger Veränderung an etwas Menschlichem festzuhalten.

Die international gefeierte und GRAMMY-prämierte Sängerin, Songwriterin und Schauspielerin Miley Cyrus
(Flowers, Party In The U.S.A) veröffentlicht ihre Single „Younger You (From the Hannah Montana 20th
Anniversary Special)” als Teil des großen Jubiläumsprojekts rund um die Kultserie „Hannah Montana“. Der
Song verbindet nostalgische Elemente aus ihrer frühen Karriere mit einem gereiften, genreübergreifenden
Sound und schlägt so eine Brücke zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart.
„Younger You (From the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special)” erzählt von dem Rückblick, persönlichem Wachstum und der Auseinandersetzung mit dem eigenen früheren Ich. Mit der Verbindung aus
Mileys emotionalem Pop und den modernen Country-Einflüssen von Lainey Wilson entsteht ein zeitloser
Track, der sowohl langjährige Fans als auch neue Hörer*innen anspricht.
Younger You (From the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special)” ist erhältlich als 7‘‘ Vinyl

Mit ihrem neuesten Album "Cycles In The Infinite Dream" bündeln REZN die erdrückende Wucht ihres gesamten klanglichen Arsenals mit himmlischen Melodien und einer synästhetisch aufgeladenen, geradezu erhabenen Atmosphäre - und zwar so nahtlos, dass es beinahe jenseitig wirkt, als befände man sich in einem Grenzbereich zwischen zwei Realitäten. Während sich REZN in den ungezügelten Sphären des Metal und den grenzenlosen Weiten der Psychedelia bewegen, zeigt ihr neues Album eine Band, die mit Disziplin und klarer Intention arbeitet - selbst dann, wenn diese Absichten bewusst kryptisch gehalten sind. Wie der Albumtitel andeutet, erkundet "Cycles In The Infinite Dream" die Schnittstelle zwischen Wachzustand und nächtlicher Welt. Ähnlich wie das vom Unterbewusstsein geleitete Werk von David Lynch existiert das Album als eine Art Parallaxe zwischen Künstler und Publikum: Es erschafft einen verschleierten, verzerrten Raum, der zugleich vertraut und fremd wirkt - wie ein Korridor in die eigene Vergangenheit, in dem man die Umgebung wiedererkennt und sich dennoch in ihrer verschobenen Geometrie verliert. REZN bewegen sich seit jeher - und äußerst erfolgreich - im unterirdischen Kosmos jener Musikfans, die nach dem klanglichen Äquivalent veränderter Bewusstseinszustände suchen. Mit "Cycles In The Infinite Dream" haben sie nun ihr bislang wohl psychedelischstes Werk geschaffen. Die Vinyl-Erstpressung kommt mit einem 20seitigem Booklet (Deluxe Ed.).

Mit ihrem neuesten Album "Cycles In The Infinite Dream" bündeln REZN die erdrückende Wucht ihres gesamten klanglichen Arsenals mit himmlischen Melodien und einer synästhetisch aufgeladenen, geradezu erhabenen Atmosphäre - und zwar so nahtlos, dass es beinahe jenseitig wirkt, als befände man sich in einem Grenzbereich zwischen zwei Realitäten. Während sich REZN in den ungezügelten Sphären des Metal und den grenzenlosen Weiten der Psychedelia bewegen, zeigt ihr neues Album eine Band, die mit Disziplin und klarer Intention arbeitet - selbst dann, wenn diese Absichten bewusst kryptisch gehalten sind. Wie der Albumtitel andeutet, erkundet "Cycles In The Infinite Dream" die Schnittstelle zwischen Wachzustand und nächtlicher Welt. Ähnlich wie das vom Unterbewusstsein geleitete Werk von David Lynch existiert das Album als eine Art Parallaxe zwischen Künstler und Publikum: Es erschafft einen verschleierten, verzerrten Raum, der zugleich vertraut und fremd wirkt - wie ein Korridor in die eigene Vergangenheit, in dem man die Umgebung wiedererkennt und sich dennoch in ihrer verschobenen Geometrie verliert. REZN bewegen sich seit jeher - und äußerst erfolgreich - im unterirdischen Kosmos jener Musikfans, die nach dem klanglichen Äquivalent veränderter Bewusstseinszustände suchen. Mit "Cycles In The Infinite Dream" haben sie nun ihr bislang wohl psychedelischstes Werk geschaffen. Die Vinyl-Erstpressung kommt mit einem 20seitigem Booklet (Deluxe Ed.).

Am 24. Juli 2026 präsentieren wir voller Stolz die Rückkehr eines wahren Meilensteins der Metal-Geschichte: AVANTASIA – The Metal Opera
Part I, neu aufgelegt als Vinyl-Edition zum 25-jährigen Jubiläum.
Das Album, ursprünglich 2001 erschienen, markierte den Beginn von Tobias Sammets visionärem Projekt AVANTASIA und definierte die Möglichkeiten des Symphonic und Power Metal neu. Mit einer außergewöhnlichen Besetzung an Gastmusikern und -sängern wurde The Metal Opera Part I schnell zu einem genreprägenden Werk und legte den Grundstein für eine der ambitioniertesten und fortlaufendsten Sagen des Metal.
Für diese besondere Jubiläumsausgabe erscheint das Album zum ersten Mal in seiner endgültigen Vinyl-Form, mit einem eigens von Mika Jussila erstellten Vinyl-Master, das optimale Klangqualität speziell für das analoge Format garantiert.


Diese Veröffentlichung erscheint als hochwertiges Doppel-LP-Set auf 180g schwerem Vinyl in einem wunderschön gestalteten Klappcover, sie spiegelt den epischen Umfang und die erzählerische Kraft des Originals wider.


Eine wegweisende Veröffentlichung – und die lang ersehnte Gelegenheit, das Album in seiner bisher kraftvollsten und authentischsten Vinyl-Präsentation zu erleben.

Am 24. Juli 2026 präsentieren wir voller Stolz die Rückkehr eines weiteren Meilensteins der Symphonic-Metal-Geschichte: AVANTASIA –
„The Metal Opera Part II“, neu aufgelegt als Vinyl-Edition zum 25-jährigen Jubiläum.
Das ursprünglich 2002 erschienene Album setzte Tobias Sammets bahnbrechendes AVANTASIA-Konzept fort und erweiterte es,
wodurch sich das Projekt als eine der ambitioniertesten und auf Zusammenarbeit ausgerichteten Kräfte im modernen Metal etablierte.
Mit einer herausragenden Riege an Gastmusikern und -sängern festigte „Part II“ den Ruf von AVANTASIA als echte
Metal-Oper im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes.
Für diese Jubiläumsausgabe erscheint das Album erstmals in seiner endgültigen Vinyl-Form, mit einem eigens von Mika Jussila erstellten Vinyl-Master, das speziell für die hochwertige analoge Wiedergabe optimiert wurde. Die Veröffentlichung erscheint als Premium-Doppel-LP auf 180g schwerem Vinyl in einem eindrucksvollen Gatefold-Cover, das die Größe und Dramatik der Originalproduktion würdigt. Eine lang erwartete Sammleredition – und die ultimative Art, „The Metal Opera Part II“ auf Vinyl zu erleben.

Songs, interpretiert von Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Big Bill Broonzy und anderen. Als United Artists 1959 ,Blues in the Mississippi Night" endlich veröffentlichte - nachdem man das Album jahrelang als ,zu kontrovers" eingestuft hatte -, erhielten die mitwirkenden Künstler Pseudonyme, um ihre Familien zu schützen. Das war der Preis dafür, dass sie die brutale, ungeschönte Wahrheit aussprachen. Heute wissen wir, dass ,Natchez, Sib & Leroy" die legendären Bluesmusiker Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Slim und Sonny Boy Williamson waren. 1947 nahm Alan Lomax die drei Giganten mit einem Presto-Disc-Aufnahmegerät in den Decca Studios in New York City auf, nachdem sie im Rahmen seiner ,Midnight Special"-Konzertreihe in der nahegelegenen Town Hall aufgetreten waren. Lomax bat sie, ein paar Songs zu spielen und über ,den Blues" zu sprechen, und ermutigte sie, offen über die Ungerechtigkeiten des Lebens der Schwarzen in Amerika zu reden. Das Ergebnis war ,Blues in the Mississippi Night", eine bahnbrechende Aufnahme ihrer Songs und Geschichten, die die Ursprünge der Musik in Blut, Schweiß und Tränen der Afroamerikaner aufzeigt, die im Mississippi-Delta unter den Ausbeutungsbedingungen der Jim-Crow-Gesetze lebten. Einfach gesagt: Die Aufnahmen sind atemberaubend in ihrer brutalen Ehrlichkeit und ihrer fesselnden Meisterschaft. Heute hat das Lomax-Archiv die Originalbänder dieser historischen Aufnahme digital remastert, um sie zum ersten Mal seit 1959 wieder auf Vinyl zu veröffentlichen. Im Paket enthalten ist ein 20-seitiges Deluxe-Booklet mit einer vollständigen Transkription der gesamten Aufnahme sowie brandneuen Liner Notes von Anna Lomax Wood und einer Einleitung des renommierten Schlagzeugers und Produzenten Steve Jordan (Rolling Stones, John Mayer). ,Ich fordere jeden, der das Leben und die Wahrheit liebt, auf, sich diese Aufnahme anzuhören", sagt Jordan. Wenn man sich die Texte und die Musik darin anhört, wird das schnell klar. Dies ist eine unverzichtbare Aufnahme - ein Eckpfeiler in der Plattensammlung jedes Blues-Fans und ein unbestreitbarer Teil der amerikanischen Geschichte.

Im Jahr 2025 feiert Chess Records sein 75-jähriges Jubiläum. Anlässlich dieses historischen Meilensteins
wird Chess im Oktober dieses Jahres eine umfassende Jubiläumsreihe mit einer kuratierten Auswahl audiophiler Vinyl-Neuauflagen starten.
Die fortlaufende monatliche Serie wird Veröffentlichungen von legendären Künstlern aus dem renommierten
Chess-Kader präsentieren.
Das Album „Howlin’ Wolf“ von Howlin’ Wolf, das wegen der Abbildung eines Schaukelstuhls auf dem
Cover liebevoll als „The Rockin’ Chair Album“ bezeichnet wird, rockt in mehr als einer Hinsicht. Diese
Platte fängt den wahren Sound des Electric Blues ein und versammelt Singles, die ursprünglich zwischen
1957 und 1961 veröffentlicht wurden. Mit den Talenten der Chess-Stammbesetzung, darunter Willie Dixon,
Hubert Sumlin, Sam Lay und Jimmy Rogers, liefert das Album einen kraftvollen Sound. Zu den herausragenden Titeln zählen unter anderem „Little Red Rooster“, „Spoonful“ und „Back Door Man“.
„Muddy, Brass & The Blues“ markiert einen Wendepunkt in Muddy Waters’ Karriere. Obwohl das Cover
Waters mit einer Gitarre zeigt, sind es seine Talente als R&B-Sänger, die auf dieser Platte zur Geltung kommen. Er erkundet einen neuen Sound, der klassische Blues-Elemente mit Bläsern verbindet. Das Ergebnis
ist eine beeindruckende Interpretation des Blues, die frisch und gewagt wirkt. Zu den wichtigsten Titeln
gehören „Corine, Corina“, „Black Night“ und „Sweet Little Angel“

FLO are leading the modern revival of the British girl group — and doing so at a scale not seen in over two decades. With over half a billion global streams, the trio have delivered the highest-selling tour by a British girl group in more than 20 years, becoming the first since the Spice Girls to reach that milestone. They are also the first British girl group to receive a Grammy nomination in two decades, alongside three MOBO nominations in 2026, cementing their status as both a commercial and cultural force. Rather than simply revisiting the past, FLO are reshaping the possibilities for what a contemporary girl group can be.

Comprised of Renée Downer, Stella Quaresma and Jorja Douglas, FLO’s story is one of intention, craft and deep-rooted connection. The trio had long been aware of one another through theatre school circles, social media and shared creative worlds before coming together as a group in 2019. That early familiarity quickly grew into a sisterhood, shaped behind the scenes through years of studio work, vocal development and trust. Raised by strong single mothers and immersed in performance from a young age, each member brings resilience, emotional intelligence and discipline into the group — qualities that underpin both their sound and their dynamic.

Individually, FLO’s balance comes from contrast. Renée is the group’s compass: composed, business-minded and creatively precise, grounding the trio with clarity and vision. Stella is the spark and the glue — sociable, emotionally intuitive and collaborative — shaped by a childhood between England and Mozambique where music was communal, expressive and felt. Jorja is the fire: outspoken, instinctive and vocally commanding, with a natural ear for harmony and arrangement. Their roles shift and evolve, but together they form a unit built on mutual respect, honesty and shared authorship.

That chemistry is central to FLO’s music. Drawing from classic R&B and soul while pushing it forward through modern production, their sound centres vocal harmony, emotional nuance and storytelling that reflects the realities of young womanhood. FLO reject the idea that strength requires emotional distance; instead, they explore power through vulnerability, confidence and control. From independence and self-worth to intimacy and desire, their writing is direct and unapologetically theirs. As Jorja puts it, FLO are “the brains, the heart and the soul” behind everything they do.

The success of their debut album marked a defining moment — not only for FLO, but for British pop more broadly. It confirmed the appetite for harmony-led, female-fronted groups operating with creative agency, and propelled FLO onto global stages, from sold-out headline tours to major festivals and international television. Along the way they have earned respect from R&B legends and peers alike, performing during Grammy Week for icons including Mariah Carey, Brandy and Chaka Khan, and showcasing their vocal chemistry on NPR’s Tiny Desk — a moment that further underlined the trio’s technical precision and emotional depth.

With their next chapter, Therapy At The Club, FLO expand this emotional honesty into a fully realised creative universe. The concept reimagines the club not just as a place of nightlife, but as a site of release, confession and self-possession — encompassing the moments before, during and after the night out. From mirror affirmations and pre-game chaos, to late-night Uber conversations, dance-floor catharsis and the clarity of the morning after, Therapy At The Club captures how women process desire, heartbreak, confidence and healing in real time, together. It is both fantasy and reality: cinematic, fashion-led and emotionally raw, grounded in sisterhood as a form of survival.

Sonically, the new music leans into dark, euphoric R&B and pop with sharper edges, built on vocal mastery and diaristic storytelling. Lead single “Leak It” sets the tone for the era — playful, charged and unapologetically self-aware — exploring what happens when desire spills over, secrets surface and control is reclaimed. Across the new songs, FLO move fluidly between intimacy and euphoria, turning the club into a space where vulnerability is power and feeling everything is the point.

As a trio built on discipline, joy and deep creative trust, FLO represent a new model for the British girl group: one rooted in authorship, harmony and cultural impact. Balancing softness with strength and ambition with authenticity, they are shaping the future of R&B and pop on their own terms. FLO are not looking backwards — they are setting the standard for what comes next.

High Roller Records, reissue 2022, black vinyl, ltd 250, lyric sheet, poster, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel/ Temple of Disharmony
“Urm the Mad” was Protector’s sophomore album, recorded in the summer of 1989 at the Phönix Studio in Bochum, where the four-piece from Wolfsburg had already recorded their killer full-length debut “Golem”. Urm the Mad” was to become the last album before the split in 2003 that features Martin Missy; he should be replaced by Olly Wiebel in December 1989. Protector did not change too much about their style – genre-defining early thrash/death – but one of the most notable things about “Urm the Mad” was the sound: The album is famous for its heavy, noisy, dirty sound, for its raw production that makes the music all the more evil and menacing, with guitars in the front and Martin’s unmistakeable vocals lying on the riffs like poisonous mould. “Urm the Mad” is thrash metal walking the path of death. Protector’s special blend of thrash and death metal has always set them apart from their compatriots and even inspired German metal tabloid Rock Hard to declare Protector to be “Germany’s hardest band” – and this in 1989, the year both Kreator’s “Extreme Aggression” and Sodom’s “Agent Orange” were released! Protector, too, play fast and energetic thrash, but the overall feel of the album is that of creeping, lurking evil – crawling along on frequently slowed down, heavy riffs and Martin Missy’s sick death-like growls which seem to come straight from the charnel house. “Urm the Mad” does not sport that “positive” aggression usually found in 80’s thrash; on the contrary, the album is grim, dark and desperate, but nonetheless brutal and extreme. Back in the days, Protector’s contribution to the then-proliferating Teutonic thrash was mainly recognized within the underground scene, and the metal press played its own part in keeping Protector a bit below the radar: “We got pretty much the same response as we got for ‘Golem’: Good, positive feedback from our fans and ‘ok’-reviews from the bigger metal magazines.” Time to make up for that.

Australian black metal force, Faustian, have been referred to as a super group of the Antipodean extreme metal scene; the members of this formidable three-piece having set their demons loose with the likes of Werewolves, The Berzerker, The Amenta, The Antichrist Imperium, Psycroptic, Abramelin and more. However, when confronted with the atmospheric, majestic inferno that is the sound of Faustian, whatever else its creators may have achieved is inconsequential - nothing else matters beyond experiencing the firestorm they unleash in this particular incarnation to its fullest enticing, exhilarating, unnerving extent. With a new deal signed with Apocalyptic Witchcraft, the band are now prepared to unveil their latest collection of unholy hymns. Following in the scorched earth wake of 2023s We Come As Angels, Faustian present Parable Of The Sewer_ From the first, breathless assault of 'I Curse You', with its storm torn atmosphere, dramatic darkness and furious speed, to the warped denouement of 'The Rot Shall Inherit The Earth', a sickly melodious foretelling of putrefaction and degradation, Parable Of The Sewer careers through fear-filled twilight and tenebrous realms of profane secrets. A combination of powerfully evocative lyrics and soul scarring music creates an unequivocal, yet irresistible invitation to damnation. From the indefatigable velocity of the wicked 'Cephalophore' to the precision guitar patterns and chanted revelations of 'Immaculate', the cruel, haunting and surely damned 'We Do Not Use Names Here' to the cold menace of 'Tenements (Only The Wicked Walk In Circles), steeped in the sweat and stench of terror, every moment of Parable Of The Sewer is a masterful expression of black metal art. Sinister and insidious, overwhelming and darkly glorious, walking the edge of a sacrificial blade between repulsion and temptation, Parable Of The Sewer is music at its most potent and dangerous.