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‘Mehldau can truly translate his thoughts and feelings into complex and lasting music. He is one of those people whose brain and fingers and musical ability is all one beautiful entity.’ – Jamie Cullum

Nonesuch Records releases Brad Mehldau’s Jacob’s Ladder on 2 x 140g black vinyl on June 17th . The album features new music that reflects on scripture and the search for God through music inspired by the prog rock Mehldau loved as a young adolescent, which was his gateway to the fusion that eventually led to his discovery of jazz. Featured musicians on the album include Mehldau’s label mates Chris Thile and Cécile McLorin Salvant, as well as Mark Guiliana, Becca Stevens, Joel Frahm, and others. The album’s first single, ‘maybe as his skies are wide’, builds off an interpolation of one portion of Rush’s classic ‘Tom Sawyer’.

Mehldau explains, “We are born close to God, and as we mature, we invariably move further and further away from Him on account of our ego. Jacob’s Ladder begins at that place closer to God with the voice of child, and then moves into the world of action. God is always there, but in our discovery and conquest, and all the joys and sorrows they bring, we may lose sight of him. He sets a ladder before us though, like in Jacob’s dream, and we climb towards him, to find reconciliation with ourselves, to stitch up all those worldly wounds and finally heal. The record ends with my vision of heaven – once again as a child, His child, in eternal grace, in ecstasy.

“The musical conduit on the record is prog,” Mehldau continues. “Prog – progressive rock – was the music of my childhood, before I discovered jazz. It matched the fantasy and science fiction books I read from C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L’Engle and others at that time, aged ten through twelve. It was my gateway to the fusion of Miles Davis, Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra and other groups, which in turn was the gateway to more jazz. Jazz shared with prog a broader expressive scope and larger-scale ambitions than the rock music I had known already.

“The prog from Rush, Gentle Giant, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer here only hints at the genre’s conceptual, compositional and emotional range. These bands and others have continued to influence newer groups that bring prog impulses into the arena of hard rock and screaming math metal, like Periphery, whose music is included here, and also inspired the screaming vocals on ‘Herr und Knecht.’ I tried to avoid a direct tribute approach to all the songs, and opted in some cases for excerpts, or reworking of themes.”

Although Brad Mehldau is best known as a jazz composer and improviser, he has made several albums that fall outside of the mainstream jazz genre, including his 2001 Largo, produced by Jon Brion. Wide-ranging in texture and big in scale, it features woodwind or brass ensembles are on several tracks, as well as a heavy emphasis on powerful drums. In 2010, Nonesuch released his second collaboration with Brion, Highway Rider, which includes performances by Mehldau’s trio – drummer Jeff Ballard and bassist Larry Grenadier – as well as drummer Matt Chamberlain, saxophonist Joshua Redman, and a chamber orchestra led by Dan Coleman. Mehldau also orchestrated and arranged the album’s fifteen pieces for the ensemble.

Mehldau’s 2014 collaboration with Mark Guiliana, Mehliana: Taming the Dragon featured Mehldau on Fender Rhodes and synthesizers and Guiliana on drums and effects, playing twelve original tunes – six by the duo and six by Mehldau. His 2019 album Finding Gabriel featured performances by him on piano, synthesizers, percussion, and Fender Rhodes, as well as vocals. Guest musicians included Ambrose Akinmusire, Sara Caswell, Kurt Elling, Joel Frahm, Mark Guiliana, Gabriel Kahane, and Becca Stevens, among others.

A collection of introspective, smooth and relaxing tunes both in core repertoire and neoclassical

Top-class core classical musicians: Martha Argerich, Gautier Capuçon, Bertrand Chamayou, Renaud Capuçon, David Fray…

Established neoclassical artists and composers: Riopy, Einaudi, Carlos Cipa, Maxence Cyrin…

The (seventh) new Half-handed Cloud album, ‘Flutterama’, is
a record of 18 jubilant indie-pop songs by John Ringhofer
that investigate spiritual incompetence with lively
arrangements and radiant melodies that skilfully dissolve into
deterioration using herky-jerky tape manipulation, analogue
wow-and-flutter, and an animated orchestra of homerecorded sound effects.
 Ringhofer’s work on ‘Flutterama’ was inspired by Frances
Mary Hunter Gordon’s adolescent liturgies (recorded at
Abbey Road during The Beatles era), turbid sights and
sounds in Guy Maddin films, audaciously bold forms in Sister
Corita Kent’s devotional printmaking, the exquisite brittleness
of Elizabeth Cotten’s voice, Alberto Burri’s stitched wound
burlap assemblages, Alvar Aalto church design, Andrea
Büttner’s poverty-informed artwork, Lou Barlow/Dinosaur Jr’s
lo-fi ‘Poledo’ sound collage (which namechecks Jesus), Julie
Canlis book ‘A Theology of the Ordinary’, Wallace Berman’s
visual collage, and The Raincoats’ magnificently shaky DIY
aesthetic.
 The album’s tape-fiddled tunes - recorded on the very same
16-track recorder last serviced by a sound technician who
also worked with The Beach Boys in their home studio -
employ surprisingly little synthesizer (“it felt like cheating,”
says Ringhofer) - he preferred to craft most of the album’s
effects the long way, frequently going behind the back of rock
instrumentation by hand-feeding ½” magnetic reel recordings
of chord organs, deflating balloons, some guitars, piano
(occasionally tracked with a baby on his lap), brass,
tablecloth swipes, and a quickly-cranked half-speed music
box. He was assisted by long-time Half-handed Cloud
contributor Brandon Buckner on drums, and single song
backing vocals from Anacortes, WA songsmith John Van
Deusen.
 LP pressed on Opaque Brown vinyl

Repressed !

Die in Berlin lebende peruanische Produzentin Sofia Kourtesis kündigt ihre neue EP „Fresia Magdalena“ an, die am 19. März 2021 über das Ninja Tune-Sublabel Technicolour erscheinen wird.

Nach ihrer bahnbrechenden EP „Sarita Colonia“ - die vom Observer als „One To Watch“ bezeichnet wurde, und auf den „Emerging Artist“-Listen von DJ Mag und Mixmag stand und in den diesjährigen NME 100 auftauchte - verfeinert sie auf der EP weiterhin ihren einzigartigen Sound, indem sie klug ausgewählte Samples und einen fröhlichen Sinn für Persönlichkeit und Lokalität verwendet, um etwas absolut Ansteckendes zu schaffen. Obwohl in all ihren Arbeiten unbestreitbar präsent, ist „Fresia Magdalena“ mehr denn je in Kourtesis Heimat Peru verwurzelt. Auf einer ihrer regelmäßigen, ausgedehnten Reisen nach Hause begann der Entstehungsprozess der EP mit dem Sammeln von Feldaufnahmen rund um die Stadt Lima, in der Kourtesis' Familie derzeit lebt, und speziell in Magdalena, ihrem Stadtteil. Das Ergebnis, das dann zwischen Peru und Berlin entstand, zeigt, dass beide Aspekte ihres Lebens mühelos in ihre Musik einfließen und sich um Themen und eine breite Palette von Stilen weben, die universell bleiben.

A totally obscure release from Youngstown, Ohio's Tony Lavorgna and his late 70's early 1980's band: The St. Thomas Quartet. Like many private press album's it's an ad for their set list, recorded on the cusp of cassettes and definitely pre-cd so strictly vinyl it is. A mixed bag of tunes and influences but two of the tunes absolutely leap into your ears.

A Hammond led Soul Jazz version of Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" at nearly ten minutes that seems to just get more drivingly funky and intense and David Thomas on the B3 is absolutely inspired on this monster of a track. It makes you wonder why on earth more Hammond players didn't make a feature of this tune?

The other inspired choice is War's "The World Is A Ghetto" which just has to be one of the funkiest versions of this much covered tune. Some soulful sax from leader Lavorgna signposts the way for the rest of the bands soulful and jazzy contributions with again Hammond man David Thomas underpinning with his funk drenched riffs.

Tony Lavorgna is a one off too, his life story is available in Comic Book form under the title "Bebopman" by American Splendor writer Harvey Pekar.

Folksongs and Ballads by Tia Blake & Her Folk-Group, is more than just a “lost classic”. As clear and honest as can be, Folksongs and Ballads is a magnetic record, a refuge like only Nick Drake, Nico, and a few others have been able to create. A graceful, delicately minimalist approach to classic Appalachian and British folk songs.The perfect balance between melancholy and daydream. Originally released only in France in 1971, Ici Bientôt is very pleased to present the first-ever reissue on vinyl.

When she recorded her only album, Tia Blake was nineteen years old and had just arrived in Paris a year and a half beforehand. She spent most of her time at Disco’Thé, a record shop in the Latin Quarter, a free space, peaceful and inspiring, a hub for students as well as the local artistic community.

There, Tia would occasionally sing—when she managed to overcome her shyness. Two young guitarists who were passionate fans of folk music and regulars at the shop began to accompany her, forming “Her Folk Group.” One year later, they cut 11 tracks at Pierre Barouh’s Studios Saravah.

Folksongs and Ballads is composed of traditional tunes that have been covered many times, but they’re not the best-known folk standards. A collection of stories ranging from the Middle Ages to the 1960s, bringing together sublimely doleful ballads, lamentations for a lost lover, and an unexpected, brilliant version of the road anthem “Plastic Jesus.”

Tia Blake's haunting, unaffected voice captivates and comforts us, wrapping us in its cool embrace. Meanwhile, the tasteful, stripped-down, mellow acoustic arrangements provided by the guitarists, reminiscent of Bert Jansch and John Renbourn, occasionally supported by a kena flute, have created the space Tia Blake needed to reinvent these traditional songs.

Folksongs and Ballads is a timeless record, deep and unique, a longtime companion for repeated listening, in the vein of works by Sibylle Baier, Bridget St. John and Vashti Bunyan.

Prince Jazzbo started his career at Studio One before moving on to record for Glen Brown and Bunny Lee. He cut more classics with Lee Perry before establishing his own labels ‘Mr Funny’ ‘Ujama’ ‘Brisco’ and ‘Count 123’.

Rally Round Zion only appeared on a very limited run on the Wildflower label and has always had a cult status with collectors. An authentic roots tune with a deep Tubbys dub on the flip side. This is the first time it has been re-pressed. Comes in a hand stamped bag. Killer no filler!!

Available for the first time on 180 Gram 45rpm Double Vinyl! One of Diana's most sought after albums!

The first-ever live concert recording from Grammy®-winning vocalist/pianist Diana Krall was Recorded at the Paris Olympia Theatre. Here finally, captured in amazing audio quality, is an album showcasing the magic of Krall’s concert performances.

Krall and her band – perform some of the tunes from Krall’s studio recordings, such as "East of the Sun (West of the Moon)" and "Devil May Care." They are joined by special guests John Pisano (acoustic guitar) and Paulinho DaCosta (percussion) for several tracks, including the Gershwin’s "S’wonderful." The Orchestre Symphonique European, conducted by Alan Broadbent with special guest conductor Claus Ogerman, is featured on the upbeat "Let’s Fall in Love" and a haunting interpretation of "I’ve Got You Under My Skin."

Audiophile Audition / audaud Rated 4 1/2 stars
"ORG has remastered the tapes for audiophile 45 rpm vinyl. The results are flawless. There is warmth in the tones that reflect the acoustic sound of the band. The separation is precise, especially in the mixes with the orchestra. The intricate registers and suppleness of Krall’s voice are presented with impeccable clarity." - Audiophile Audition, audaud, September 2011

Soundstage Rated 5 out of 5 for Recording Quality!
"A favourite of audiophiles because her music and voice lend themselves to purist recording techniques, Diana Krall perpetually sounds in great form on her recordings... The sound, remastered by Bernie Grundman, is clear, spacious and well defined -- outstanding in every way, the backing players as vivid as Krall's voice and piano..." - Marc Mickelson, soundstage, May 2009

"One of Diana Krall’s most beloved CDs, Live in Paris, has been given a loving audiophile LP remastering treatment by ace engineer legend, Bernie Grundman and produced by an audiophile label new to us, Original Recordings. The shimmering string arrangements on Let’s Fall in Love and I’ve Got You Under My Skin, are testament alone to the real life power of vinyl..." - Audiophile Audition

"Bernie Grundman’s remastering for vinyl puts Live in Paris in the gold plated category for the legions of Krall aficionados. This two-LP audiophile edition would make an ideal late night listening experience, or the perfect background soundtrack for a special dinner party." - Audiophile Audition

Also on this recording is a special bonus studio track, a rendition of Billy Joel’s "Just The Way You Are" featuring Michael Brecker's beautiful tenor sax solo.

Mastered by Bernie Grundman from the Original Analog Master Tapes & Pressed at Gotta Groove!
Numbered Deluxe Laminated Gatefold Jackets!
Only 2500 Numbered Limited Edition Copies Worldwide!

John Coltrane returns to his roots using the Blues to explore the boundaries of Jazz! Features McCoy Tyner, Steve Davis and Elvin Jones! Recorded in 1960 during the My Favorite Things sessions, Coltrane Plays The Blues features "Blues To Bechet," "Blues To Elvin" and "Blues To You" in addition to three other tracks.

"Coltrane's sessions for Atlantic in late October 1960 were prolific, yielding the material for My Favorite Things, Coltrane Plays the Blues, and Coltrane's Sound. My Favorite Things was destined to be the most remembered and influential of these, and while Coltrane Plays the Blues is not as renowned or daring in material, it is still a powerful session. As for the phrase "plays the blues" in the title, that's not an indicator that the tunes are conventional blues (they aren't). It's more indicative of a bluesy sensibility, whether he is playing muscular saxophone or, on "Blues to Bechet" and "Mr. Syms," the more unusual sounding (at the time) soprano sax. Elvin Jones, who hadn't been in Coltrane's band long, really busts out on the quicker numbers, such as "Blues to You" and "Mr. Day." - Richie Unterberger


"The Coltrane Quartet, three-fourths complete at the time of this recording, had begun its historic rise and had also turned the corner in Coltrane's music, transitioning from the expressive verticality of Giant Steps to the more elongated, long-limbed lyricism that would define his role in the avant-garde. It can come as no surprise that to do so, he engaged the material he'd known longest and best - the blues." - Neil Tesser, author of The Playboy Guide To Jazz

10” Mini LP featuring outtakes and re-recorded B-sides from the 'Back In Mono' sessions!!! Back in Mono, The Courettes´ third album, was critically acclaimed worldwide and made it onto numerous best -of -the-year lists in 2021. If, like us, you can’t get enough of Back in Mono, here's some good news! Back in Mono - B-sides & Outtakes is coming out at the end of May, just in time for the band's UK tour! Bringing some more “spit ´n´ snarl garage-meets-Phil Spector pop” (Mojo) in three brand new unreleased tracks.Look forward to hearing the three new smash tunes 'Daydream', 'Tough Like That' and 'Talking About My Baby', all wrapped in a new mix by Wall of Sound aficionado Seiki Sato (Japan) and produced by the hit wizards Søren Christensen & C.T. Levine.Also included are the three non-album B-sides from the band's most recent singles. These B-sides have been newly spruced up with extra instrumentation. Making up the eight tracks is the inclusion of a Courettes rarity - 'So What' was previously only available on a split single with The Jackets released on Chaputa Records back in January.

"Released in May 1986 on SST Records and Blast First! in the UK, EVOL was the third studio album by Sonic Youth and showed the first signs of the band transforming their No Wave past into a greater alt-rock sensibility. “EVOL … marks the true departure point of Sonic Youth’s musical evolution,” noted Pitchfork, “In measured increments, Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo … bring form to the formless, tune to the tuneless, and with the help of Steve Shelley’s drums…, impose melody and composition on their trademark dissonance.” ""If Daydream Nation is Sonic Youth’s opus, EVOL was crucial research. There’s a directness that makes everything feel close. It is pure tension with little release. The entire record is a shadow." Stereogum likewise praised the album as one, “full of suspense…, the cornerstone [Nico-evoking] monotone [by Kim Gordon]. ‘In The Kingdom #19,’ featuring Mike Watt on bass and … vocals [by Ranaldo]…, is a harrowing story of a highway wreck over a suitably edgy instrumental backing punctuated by … live firecrackers in the vocal booth.” For Popstache, “EVOL slithers into the unconscious. Once the....detuned melodies and haunting riffs and final whispers of feedback depart from the speakers… the music [leaves] a faded footprint, forever reeling the listener back for another strange trip.” // “The seeds of greatness…” Pitchfork (who placed the album #31 of the Top 100 Albums of The 1980s) // “A near-masterpiece.” Trouser Press // “A stunningly fluent mixture of avant-garde instrumentation and subversions of rock’n’roll.” All Music Guide"

Equipe de Foot is a French duo of singer-songwriters who record pop
songs and play them much louder on stage
Since their formation in 2015, Alex & Mike have played hundreds of gigs, from the
sweaty basements of their hometown of Bordeaux to the stages of nationally
renown festivals and European venues, making a solid name for their band, and
little by little becoming part of the new wave of French rock. Equipe de Foot now
admit that their flaws might be their greatest strength, and bring their love for
English and American indie pop music and production to the forefront in their
songs. For 'Geranium' they have chosen to work with producer and sound
engineer (and fellow Beatles fan) Johannes Buff (Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo,
The Drones, Dalek and other various amazing projects) at Shorebreaker studio in
Tarnos, France. A meaningful choice both in terms of technical and artistic skills,
Johannes was able to assemble Equipe de Foot's good old wall of guitars, as well
as reach the heart of their pop songs to make the whole thing gloriously shine,
without altering the charming homemade vibe emanating from their beloved
demos.
The album is a constant rollercoaster, alternating lo- fi ballads and powerful
anthems, but always with a twist, be it a pitched loop on a chorus or an auto
tuned solo trumpet at the end of a sad piano song.

More Late 70s/early 80s Westcoast Yachtpop you can almost dance to!
Buoyed by the incredible love felt for TSTD Vol. 1 in summer 2014, Berlin's renowned pop archaeologist, that master musical excavator DJ Super-markt, has leapt straight back into the soft-top and been out digging for the lost gems you'll find here on Volume 2. This is another perfect collection of missing-in-action, late-70s/early-80s smooth, singer/songwriter, AOR-paced, yacht-based pop and blue-eyed soul. Every song brims over with that West Coast sunshine, and for Volume 2 we've dug even deeper into obscure corners of LA, London, even Cologne, to create an even more potent soundtrack to that lost world that's somehow always with us. So join us on another sunset trip as we soundtrack summer 2015 in the company of these lost luminaries. Bask in every detail of that glorious over-production, and recall an era when the music industry had the time, money and sheer musical talent to make everything BIG. Pay no mind to the cynics, the cooler-than-thou-erati, or the buzz kills of the sincerity police. These are big tunes that deserve to be hits, even if it's taken 40 years to get there, driving slowly up that winding California coast road in the wonderful warm summer air.

Patrice returns to home base with a fresh trio of sonic delicacies for the Sistrum faithful. Bringing his signature depth of soundyet infusing a sense of funk, Patrice lays it out proper, as always. A1 Soulfood Crisp breaks meet a solid 4/4, moving quickly into top-shelf broken/nu-jazz vibrations. A deep, punchy bassline follows warm key stabs as metallic percussion shuffles amongst the tones. Think of modern, late night machine funk and you're on the right track with this savory slice of goodness. Soulfood for discerning ears, indeed. B1 Feels So Good A 4/4 rides over a looped break, warm chords float in and the groove is locked in. Sweet, jazzy stabs ensue before Patrice brings in that bassline... Punchy in all the right places. The title really says it all - this tune just feels good and could roll on forever, without a care in the world. B2 InstantGratification Patrice brings it back to traditional vibes with this deep, stripped down groove. As the kick marches on and looped hand percussion begins to hypnotize, a rotund square wave bassline bumps through the mix to excellent effect. Signature, deep Detroit keys creep in and are soon accompanied by delicately processed synth textures - like transmissions intercepted from deep space. Gratification comes to those who open their ears and hear between the sounds.

Adeen Records comes with its series of funk, soul, dsco and jazz only edits label called The Bird. And it's first releases comes from label head Camille and Spanish graffiti artist and dj Cad73, and edited by DJ Boring. These two 7" gems came from each selectors childhood memories from living in Detroit and Barcelona respectively. While Camille draws such tunes as "Stop Bajon and Carino" from influences Detroit, Cad73 pulls "Shakedown and The Vulture" from early radio and parties growing up around Baecelona. Already a staple series amongst Adeen's catalog, This "The Bird" series may be the label we've been craving.

Two and a half years after the inception of Shall Not Fade's bass-focused sub-label, and a year since its last edition, Time Is Now is proud to present Allstars Vol.3.

For most, the artists featured on the compilation need little introduction. This will almost certainly be true for the Leicester duo who kick off proceedings with a fresh garage cut. "Pick Me Up" is Y U QT's second contribution to the Time Is Now catalogue and sees them rep the Midlands sound with their take on UKG, complete with a 4x4 speed garage switch-up, sure to energise any dancefloor.

Next up, proving that all good things come in twos, is Manchester duo Cortese who first blessed the label with the warmth of their tuneful concoctions in June last year. This time around is no different: "Regatta" is a real summertime banger, with sunny piano stabs and arpeggiating synths that drift above.

Keeping things soulful is Dublin producer PROZAK who hots things up with the buoyant 4x4 garage track "Next To You" - his third release on TIN.

Yosh sees in the compilation's B-side with "To Me" - a track that captures the London badman's ability to keep you on your toes with stuttering breaks that catch you off-guard.

Next up, and repping Copenhagen for the third time on the label, is Main Phase with the aptly-named "Pull Up Tool"- a thumping 4x4 UKG track which gives a healthy dose of ruffage before Groovy D closes proceedings with speed garage banger "Wun4Me". Set closer business.

‘Black Pride’ is the seminal Lovers Rock tune from Brown Sugar pressed loud for the first ever time on this new one-off press limited-edition (just 1,000 copies worldwide) 12” on Soul Jazz Records!


Brown Sugar formed in London in 1976 made up of teenagers Pauline Catlin, Caron Wheeler and Carol Simms. After Brown Sugar Caron Wheeler became known worldwide as the vocalist in Soul II Soul and Carol Simms launched a successful solo career under the name ‘Kofi'. “Black Pride” was originally released on the Lovers Rock label, a fledgling reggae label formed by musicians Dennis Bovell and John Kpiaye and producer Dennis Harris. Brown Sugar were unique – not only were they one of the most important of the first wave of lovers rock groups, they were the only group who managed to successfully blend together a reggae roots consciousness with a lovers rock sensibility. The classic ‘Black Pride’ perfectly reflects this unique sound.

Irish folk-pop brothers Harry and Alfie Hudson-Taylor are back with their first new music since the release of their second album - "Loving Everywhere I Go" - which topped the Irish album charts in February 2020. Produced by Luke Potashnik, who has recently worked with Gabrielle Alpin, Hannah Grace and Katie Melua. Lead-off track "Won't Be Too Long" is instantly recognizable as a warm-hearted, acoustic-powered, camp-fire sing-along, the kind that has helped forge Hudson Taylor's reputation as master tunesmiths and harmonizers. This is the first taste of Hudson Taylor's new album which will be released in June 2022. Hold Out Hope (Acoustic) Irish brothers Alfie and Harry Hudson-Taylor continue to explore the laid-back, acoustic side of their songwriting with this delicious, campfire-lit version of their latest single 'Hold Out Hope'. Following the successes of 'You Me Myself' and 'Honest' (featuring Gabrielle Aplin) which have seen Hudson Taylor's monthly listener figures grow to over 400,000 fans, 'Hold Out Hope (Acoustic)', with it's positive lyrics and easy-going groove is another joyful leap forward to their much-anticipated new album - 'Searching For The Answers' - out June 3rd. Hudson Taylor have just announced a 10-date, national Irish tour in support of the album release.

On June 3rd, the GRAMMY-nominated six-piece — Adam Deitch (drums), Ryan Zoidis (saxophone), Adam ‘Shmeeans’ Smirnoff (guitar), Erick ‘Jesus’ Coomes (bass), Nigel Hall (keyboards/vocals), Eric ‘Benny’ Bloom (trumpet) — will be delivering a whole host of new tunes to the world in the form of 'Unify,' the eighth studio album from Lettuce and the third consecutive record made at Denver’s Colorado Sound Studios, completing a loose trilogy starting with 2019’s GRAMMY-nominated Elevate, and continuing with 2020’s Resonate. Fans can expect the same tight, wildly-funky instrumentals Lettuce has always been known for, but in the tightest form they’ve ever taken. And this time around, the guys have gotten the stamp of approval from one of the genre’s most legendary icons, Mr. Bootsy Collins, himself, who can be heard singing on the track “Keep That Funk Alive.” “Dealing with the pandemic, being in separate places, trying to survive without our best friends, without touring, not to mention the political divide in this country,” says Deitch.

Inspiration can strike anyone at any time, and more often than not from somewhat peculiar quarters. Rarely more so than when Sam Grant - thus far best known as guitarist and producer of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - finally set about work on a solo project that had been pursuing him for some years. “I want people to imagine that feeling of rubber - its physical memory, the unnatural vibe of it. It’s so tactile but alien. It’s an odd analogy, but that’s what this music is for me.”A specific gravity is one more property that rubber has going for it, and that much is certainly true of Rubber Oh’s debut album ‘Strange Craft’, the result of his elasticated fixation, and his debut album of deliriously tuneful sci-fi tinged psychpop. It’s a unique soundworld in which an emphasis on beguiling melody marries a kaleidoscopic grandeur. Widescreen gems like the warped interstellar voyage that is Children Of Alchemy and the unshakeable earworm Hyperdrive Fantasyare all vibrant colour and celestial energy, setting their psychic stall out somewhere between the incandescent headspace of a ‘70s sci-fi TV show and the red-light-fever of the overheated ampstacks Grant has been historically more familiar with.Ultimately, for Grant as well as everyone else, Rubber Oh amounts to one strange trip - “Many of the lyrics are about alchemy, journeying and vessels, as interchangeable metaphors for knowledge and wisdom” he says. “I wanted to mesh the land and sea, the cosmos and the psyche across the tracks as one single plane” Mission accomplished, in short. This Strange Craft is fuelled up and ready to accept all comers on a ride into extensions through dimensions01