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In einer mutigen, hypnotischen Hommage an Detroits ursprüngliche Avantgarde-Rock-Wurzeln verwandeln Schlagzeuger Larry Mullins (alias Toby Dammit) und der legendäre Bassist Mike Watt das eindringliche Mantra ,We Will Fall" von The Stooges in ein fast 40-minütiges Ritual aus Wiederholungen, Zurückhaltung und roher Atmosphäre. Mullins und Watt greifen den unheimlichen Puls und den narkotischen Drone des Original-Tracks von 1969 auf und treiben dessen tranceartigen Kern in unbekanntes Terrain. Mullins, bekannt für seine Arbeit mit Iggy Pop, Swans und Nick Cave, baut mit seiner Shruti-Box, Moog-Elektronik, Tabla und Gongs eine minimalistische Landschaft auf. Watts charakteristisches Low-End-Dröhnen verwandelt sich von einem subtilen Herzschlag zu einer Ganzkörperhalluzination. Das Ergebnis ist keine Coverversion, sondern eine erweiterte Beschwörung. Teils Séance, teils Trauergesang, teils freie Erkundung von Stimmung und Geist. Es ist ein langsames Brennen klanglicher Hingabe, das den Geist der Stooges ehrt und gleichzeitig die Tür zu etwas völlig Neuem öffnet: ein tiefes Eintauchen in das Heilige und Fremde. Dieses meditative und bedrohliche Stück ist auf zwei Seiten der LP aufgeteilt, die exklusiv für den Record Store Day Black Friday 2025 erhältlich ist. Die Hälfte der Pressung erscheint auf goldenem Vinyl, die andere Hälfte auf schwarzem, die Auswahl erfolgt nach dem Zufallsprinzip.

40 Years COSMIC PSYCHOS, 40 years dirty, mean, simple, garagey punk rock & roll! EU pressing of the guys seminal 1991 album, the first for Amphetamine Reptile Records back then Noisy alternative punk rock from Down Under for fans of Stiff Richards, The Chats, Nashville Pussy, Supersuckers, Hard -Ons, AmpRep, early Sub Pop "As 1990 set in, Jones vacated the guitar spot. Knight and Walsh asked their friend Robbie Watts, a self-taught guitarist, to join the fold. Watts said yes and Cosmic Psychos ventured to Wisconsin to record their third full-length release at producer Butch Vig's Smart Studios. Released in 1991, Blokes You Can Trust was the band's first record for the American noise rock label Amphetamine Reptile, after the bandmembers became drinking buddies with label head Tom Hazelmeyer. ... The Psychos conducted a European tour during which they developed an unusual trademark. After seeing many other rock bands take bows after performances, at the end of a show in Potsdam, Germany, Cosmic Psychos decided to alter the tradition by pulling down their pants and mooning the unsuspecting audience." - Do we have to say more? Classic.

Unfassbar! Cosmic Psychos kehren mit erstaunlichem Geständnis zurück: "I Really Like Beer"! Über 40 Jahre albern-schlauer Punkrock werden mit einem brandneuen "Konzeptalbum" über Bier fortgeführt, obwohl jedes frühere Album der Jungs auch irgendwie ein Konzeptalbum darüber war. Die Bierväter des australischen Punks klingen wie die Ramones mit Crocodile Hunter als Frontmann und schreiben Songs in einem unverkennbaren Down-Under-Stil über's Saufen, Raufen, Roadkill und die beste Zeit des Lebens. Die knallharte Herangehensweise der Jungs an den Punk hat sich als nachhaltig erwiesen und viele andere beeinflusst, von L7 und The Meanies bis hin zu The Chats und Amyl & The Sniffers. Das lärmende Punk-Trio wurde ursprünglich um 1985 von Bill Walsh, Peter Jones und Ross Knight in Melbourne gegründet. Robbie Watts ersetzte Jones 1990/91 an der Gitarre, und nach einer zwischenzeitlichen Pause gingen die Psychos 2005 zurück ins Studio, um ein neues Album aufzunehmen, wobei der neue Schlagzeuger Dean Muller (ex-Voodoo Lust) Bill Walsh ersetzte. Nach dem Schock über den tragischen Verlust von Robbie Watts im Jahr 2006 stand die Option im Raum, "Cosmic Psychos" zu begraben. Aber Knight war überwältigt von der Trauer und der Unterstützung der Fans, sodass er mit voller Unterstützung von Robbies Kindern beschloss, dass doch noch mehr Bier getrunken werden muss. John McKeering (von The Onyas) war bereits seit geraumer Zeit mit der Band befreundet und wurde Ende 2006 ausgewählt, von diesem Zeitpunkt an mit Knight & Muller Gitarre zu spielen. Mit einer legendären Debüt-EP, fast einem Dutzend Studioalben, einer Handvoll Live-Alben und einer von Fans finanzierten Dokumentation mit einer ziemlich prominenten Besetzung aus der Alternativ-Szene, liefern the blokes you can trust, wieder 12 neue Tracks mit geradlinigem, bierdurchnässtem Punkrock für Fans von Celibate Rifles, Radio Birdman, den frühen Saints, den Ramones aus ihrer mittleren Schaffensphase, Hard-Ons, C.O.F.F.I.N. und Stiff Richards. Das neue Album ist Classic Psychos, australischer Punkrock, so roh, laut und herrlich dumm wie eh und je - mit gelegentlichen Lebensweisheiten, die unter einem Haufen Riffs versteckt sind. Als CD (mit Bierschutzhülle aka Jewelcase) oder auf klassisch schwarzem Vinyl oder in farbigen LP-Versionen.

Unfassbar! Cosmic Psychos kehren mit erstaunlichem Geständnis zurück: "I Really Like Beer"! Über 40 Jahre albern-schlauer Punkrock werden mit einem brandneuen "Konzeptalbum" über Bier fortgeführt, obwohl jedes frühere Album der Jungs auch irgendwie ein Konzeptalbum darüber war. Die Bierväter des australischen Punks klingen wie die Ramones mit Crocodile Hunter als Frontmann und schreiben Songs in einem unverkennbaren Down-Under-Stil über's Saufen, Raufen, Roadkill und die beste Zeit des Lebens. Die knallharte Herangehensweise der Jungs an den Punk hat sich als nachhaltig erwiesen und viele andere beeinflusst, von L7 und The Meanies bis hin zu The Chats und Amyl & The Sniffers. Das lärmende Punk-Trio wurde ursprünglich um 1985 von Bill Walsh, Peter Jones und Ross Knight in Melbourne gegründet. Robbie Watts ersetzte Jones 1990/91 an der Gitarre, und nach einer zwischenzeitlichen Pause gingen die Psychos 2005 zurück ins Studio, um ein neues Album aufzunehmen, wobei der neue Schlagzeuger Dean Muller (ex-Voodoo Lust) Bill Walsh ersetzte. Nach dem Schock über den tragischen Verlust von Robbie Watts im Jahr 2006 stand die Option im Raum, "Cosmic Psychos" zu begraben. Aber Knight war überwältigt von der Trauer und der Unterstützung der Fans, sodass er mit voller Unterstützung von Robbies Kindern beschloss, dass doch noch mehr Bier getrunken werden muss. John McKeering (von The Onyas) war bereits seit geraumer Zeit mit der Band befreundet und wurde Ende 2006 ausgewählt, von diesem Zeitpunkt an mit Knight & Muller Gitarre zu spielen. Mit einer legendären Debüt-EP, fast einem Dutzend Studioalben, einer Handvoll Live-Alben und einer von Fans finanzierten Dokumentation mit einer ziemlich prominenten Besetzung aus der Alternativ-Szene, liefern the blokes you can trust, wieder 12 neue Tracks mit geradlinigem, bierdurchnässtem Punkrock für Fans von Celibate Rifles, Radio Birdman, den frühen Saints, den Ramones aus ihrer mittleren Schaffensphase, Hard-Ons, C.O.F.F.I.N. und Stiff Richards. Das neue Album ist Classic Psychos, australischer Punkrock, so roh, laut und herrlich dumm wie eh und je - mit gelegentlichen Lebensweisheiten, die unter einem Haufen Riffs versteckt sind. Als CD (mit Bierschutzhülle aka Jewelcase) oder auf klassisch schwarzem Vinyl oder in farbigen LP-Versionen.

Unfassbar! Cosmic Psychos kehren mit erstaunlichem Geständnis zurück: "I Really Like Beer"! Über 40 Jahre albern-schlauer Punkrock werden mit einem brandneuen "Konzeptalbum" über Bier fortgeführt, obwohl jedes frühere Album der Jungs auch irgendwie ein Konzeptalbum darüber war. Die Bierväter des australischen Punks klingen wie die Ramones mit Crocodile Hunter als Frontmann und schreiben Songs in einem unverkennbaren Down-Under-Stil über's Saufen, Raufen, Roadkill und die beste Zeit des Lebens. Die knallharte Herangehensweise der Jungs an den Punk hat sich als nachhaltig erwiesen und viele andere beeinflusst, von L7 und The Meanies bis hin zu The Chats und Amyl & The Sniffers. Das lärmende Punk-Trio wurde ursprünglich um 1985 von Bill Walsh, Peter Jones und Ross Knight in Melbourne gegründet. Robbie Watts ersetzte Jones 1990/91 an der Gitarre, und nach einer zwischenzeitlichen Pause gingen die Psychos 2005 zurück ins Studio, um ein neues Album aufzunehmen, wobei der neue Schlagzeuger Dean Muller (ex-Voodoo Lust) Bill Walsh ersetzte. Nach dem Schock über den tragischen Verlust von Robbie Watts im Jahr 2006 stand die Option im Raum, "Cosmic Psychos" zu begraben. Aber Knight war überwältigt von der Trauer und der Unterstützung der Fans, sodass er mit voller Unterstützung von Robbies Kindern beschloss, dass doch noch mehr Bier getrunken werden muss. John McKeering (von The Onyas) war bereits seit geraumer Zeit mit der Band befreundet und wurde Ende 2006 ausgewählt, von diesem Zeitpunkt an mit Knight & Muller Gitarre zu spielen. Mit einer legendären Debüt-EP, fast einem Dutzend Studioalben, einer Handvoll Live-Alben und einer von Fans finanzierten Dokumentation mit einer ziemlich prominenten Besetzung aus der Alternativ-Szene, liefern the blokes you can trust, wieder 12 neue Tracks mit geradlinigem, bierdurchnässtem Punkrock für Fans von Celibate Rifles, Radio Birdman, den frühen Saints, den Ramones aus ihrer mittleren Schaffensphase, Hard-Ons, C.O.F.F.I.N. und Stiff Richards. Das neue Album ist Classic Psychos, australischer Punkrock, so roh, laut und herrlich dumm wie eh und je - mit gelegentlichen Lebensweisheiten, die unter einem Haufen Riffs versteckt sind. Als CD (mit Bierschutzhülle aka Jewelcase) oder auf klassisch schwarzem Vinyl oder in farbigen LP-Versionen.

Unfassbar! Cosmic Psychos kehren mit erstaunlichem Geständnis zurück: "I Really Like Beer"! Über 40 Jahre albern-schlauer Punkrock werden mit einem brandneuen "Konzeptalbum" über Bier fortgeführt, obwohl jedes frühere Album der Jungs auch irgendwie ein Konzeptalbum darüber war. Die Bierväter des australischen Punks klingen wie die Ramones mit Crocodile Hunter als Frontmann und schreiben Songs in einem unverkennbaren Down-Under-Stil über's Saufen, Raufen, Roadkill und die beste Zeit des Lebens. Die knallharte Herangehensweise der Jungs an den Punk hat sich als nachhaltig erwiesen und viele andere beeinflusst, von L7 und The Meanies bis hin zu The Chats und Amyl & The Sniffers. Das lärmende Punk-Trio wurde ursprünglich um 1985 von Bill Walsh, Peter Jones und Ross Knight in Melbourne gegründet. Robbie Watts ersetzte Jones 1990/91 an der Gitarre, und nach einer zwischenzeitlichen Pause gingen die Psychos 2005 zurück ins Studio, um ein neues Album aufzunehmen, wobei der neue Schlagzeuger Dean Muller (ex-Voodoo Lust) Bill Walsh ersetzte. Nach dem Schock über den tragischen Verlust von Robbie Watts im Jahr 2006 stand die Option im Raum, "Cosmic Psychos" zu begraben. Aber Knight war überwältigt von der Trauer und der Unterstützung der Fans, sodass er mit voller Unterstützung von Robbies Kindern beschloss, dass doch noch mehr Bier getrunken werden muss. John McKeering (von The Onyas) war bereits seit geraumer Zeit mit der Band befreundet und wurde Ende 2006 ausgewählt, von diesem Zeitpunkt an mit Knight & Muller Gitarre zu spielen. Mit einer legendären Debüt-EP, fast einem Dutzend Studioalben, einer Handvoll Live-Alben und einer von Fans finanzierten Dokumentation mit einer ziemlich prominenten Besetzung aus der Alternativ-Szene, liefern the blokes you can trust, wieder 12 neue Tracks mit geradlinigem, bierdurchnässtem Punkrock für Fans von Celibate Rifles, Radio Birdman, den frühen Saints, den Ramones aus ihrer mittleren Schaffensphase, Hard-Ons, C.O.F.F.I.N. und Stiff Richards. Das neue Album ist Classic Psychos, australischer Punkrock, so roh, laut und herrlich dumm wie eh und je - mit gelegentlichen Lebensweisheiten, die unter einem Haufen Riffs versteckt sind. Als CD (mit Bierschutzhülle aka Jewelcase) oder auf klassisch schwarzem Vinyl oder in farbigen LP-Versionen.

"Impressed are thrilled to be presenting The Bamboos Best, a compilation in celebration of twenty five year anniversary of the formation of The Bamboos.

The definitive collection of one of Australia’s most celebrated, influential and enduring Soul & Funk acts - tracing the history of the band that laid the foundation for the now internationally recognised Australian Soul scene.

Twenty songs taken from across their extensive catalogue, including many that have been unavailable on vinyl since their original release, and one track appearing in the format for the very first time.

From their raw Deep Funk origins through their own genre defying musical path, The Bamboos have reinvigorated a classic sound whilst seamlessly incorporating contemporary influences to create something altogether brand new.

Managing to appeal to both Soul/Funk purists as well as casual music fans along the way, the band have always focused on what’s important: songwriting, groove and powerful vocals.

I H8 Camera is the improvisation collective of ‘Master of Ceremonies’ Rudy Trouvé who, for more than 15 years now, has been leading an ever-changing line-up of absolute top-notch musicians through an insane adventure across rock, jazz, folk, krautrock, no wave, post-punk...boundless improvisation starting from a few brief pointers...innovative, contrary, abrasive and often very brilliant.

This double album was recorded during a 5 day residency at the famous club L’Archiduc in Brussels with a killer line up of Rudy Trouvé (Guitar, vocals) Stef Kamil Carlens (Bass, vocals), the late and dearly missed Matt Watts (Vocals), Teun Verbruggen (Drums), Teuk Henri (Guitar) and Jef Mercelis (Korg MS 10). Guest appearances by a.o. Roland Van Campenhout (Guitar) and Catherine Graindorge (Violin).
An intense and adventurous album, super hot CBGB’s vibes in Brussels!

Lathe of Heaven kehren mit ihrem zweiten Album Aurora zurück, einer kühnen Erweiterung ihrer klanglichen und thematischen Palette, die sich wie eine Reihe lebendiger, emotionaler Vignetten entfaltet. "Aurora" ist eine bisher unerforschte Variante des Lathe of Heaven-Sounds, die eine delikate Balance zwischen ihren Punk-Wurzeln und einer fesselnden New-Wave- und 80er-Jahre-Post-Punk-Ästhetik bietet, die Einflüsse aus dem britischen und finnischen Post-Punk der mittleren 80er-Jahre mit subtilen Nuancen aus dem Underground-Pop der 90er-Jahre und der Gegenwart kombiniert. Aufgenommen mit Ben Greenberg bei Circular Ruin und gemastert von Brad Boatright, ist das Album klanglich beeinflusst vom melodischen Rock von The Cure, Musta Paraatis Gothic-Post-Punk-Synthie und intensivem Schlagzeugspiel und A Flock of Seagulls' Art-Pop-Gesang und Gitarrenriffs. Textlich schreckt Aurora nicht vor schweren Themen zurück. Aurora ist als eine Sammlung von Science-Fiction-Kurzgeschichten gedacht, die von Themen wie Antikolonialismus, Vielfalt und Gleichberechtigung beeinflusst sind und sich in den Texten niederschlagen. Diese Geschichten sind von den Romanen von Ursula K. le Guin, Octavia Butler, Greg Egan und Peter Watts inspiriert und führen den Hörer in mythische, kühne und etwas beunruhigende Realitäten. Der Titeltrack "Aurora" spielt in einer dystopischen Zukunft, in der die Erde aufgrund von nuklearem Fallout längst verlassen ist - er erforscht Themen wie Verlust, Liebe und Hingabe. "Oblivion" befasst sich mit dem Phänomen der semantischen Sättigung - wenn man ein Wort oft genug sagt, verliert es seine Bedeutung. "Exodus" ist eine Neuinterpretation des Schiffsparadoxons von Theseus und erzählt von der Erfahrung, das Bewusstsein in einen neuen, perfekten Körper zu übertragen. An anderer Stelle steht "Portrait of a Scorched-Earth" für einen direkten Akt des Widerstands. Als einer der emotionalsten Songs des Albums bricht er mit der üblichen lyrischen Abstraktion der Band und ist eine schonungslose Abrechnung mit den Schrecken der modernen Kriegsführung und der Vertreibung, die in der gelebten Tragödie von Gaza wurzelt. Lathe of Heaven hoffen, dass "Aurora" ein breites Spektrum an Emotionen hervor ruft und zum Nachdenken über den Zustand unserer Realität und der Menschheit anregt. Es ist literarisch, ohne prätentiös zu sein, politisch, ohne zu predigen, und emotional, ohne mit der Wimper zu zucken. Jeder Song hält ein Stück eines zerbrochenen Spiegels, und was zum Vorschein kommt, ist eine prismatische, verwundete Schönheit, die mit tausend Gesichtern zurückstarrt. "Aurora" erhebt den Anspruch, "ohne Angst in das traumlose Vergessen zu zittern". Sie sind herzlich eingeladen.

Get ready for a musical journey like no other as Apollo Junction, the dynamic and innovative indie rock sensation, prepares to launch their eagerly awaited new album, ’What In The World’ on August 22nd. The members of Apollo Junction hail from Leeds, UK. Known for their electrifying live performances and genre-blurring sound, the band has captured the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.

With a strong and dedicated fan base, Apollo Junction continues to push the boundaries of their craft, creating music that resonates on a profound level. Apollo Junction’s new album ‘What in the World’ has been years in the making - born from highs, lows, countless gigs, and all the chaos in between. It’s the most honest version of the band yet, a record shaped by every late-night argument, every breakthrough, every crazy story they have ever told each other.

Recorded at Chairworks Studio with David Watts (The Reytons, OMD, Paul Heaton, and Kaiser Chiefs) the album also features tracks co-written with Eliot Kennedy (known for his work with Bryan Adams and the Spice Girls) and includes a track with a powerful guest vocal from Brianna Corrigan of The Beautiful South. Lead singer Jamie Williamson explains the importance of the album: “This album feels exactly right for where we are now. Every track is a snapshot—of getting lost, finding our way back, and remembering why we started. It’s about making something that feels like home. We went looking for meaning and realised it was right in front of us: the band, the songs, this record. ‘What in the World’ isn’t just a title—it’s the answer we’ve been chasing all along.” Leeds-based quintet Apollo Junction is made up of Jamie Williamson (singer) Matthew Wilson (guitarist), Ben Hope (bassist), Jonny Thornton (drummer) and Sam Potter (keyboards). Their shared love of live music and dedication to performing, coupled with an incredible hard-work ethic has taken them on this magical journey which has included support slots for Shed Seven, Kaiser Chiefs, Richard Ashcroft and performing at festivals including the prestigious Isle of Wight Festival. Coming up this summer, the lads will be playing with Blossoms, Manic Street Preachers and Doves

Detroit’s own Brian Kage returns with Timeless Times Remixed, a interstellar re-imagination of his album "Timeless Times" featuring an all-star lineup of remixers. Timeless Times Remixed brings together some of the finest minds in house and techno, delivering deep, timeless grooves with Detroit soul.

Brian Kage, a staple of Detroit’s electronic music scene, brings together a heavyweight lineup of producers to rework key tracks from his latest album. The legendary Delano Smith infuses Detroit Techno City with his signature deep and hypnotic touch, while Scotland's Milton Jackson reworks Just The Groove with a dose of his classic rolling house energy. The collaborative Reference (Luke Hess & Brian Kage) Remix of Nordhouse leans into peak time dub-techno atmospheres, while Detroit's newest and finest young talent from the Submerge crew Max Watts takes Galaxian into raw, driving 808 Electro terrain.
This essential four-tracker bridges deep house, techno, electro, and dub, while staying true to the classic and timeless sounds of Detroit’s roots.

It takes grindin' to be a king and Houston's Mike Jones' work ethic of "You Don't Work, You Don't Eat, You Don't Grind, You Don't Shine" had his phone blowing up in 2005 with the release of his major label debut Who is Mike Jones? on Asylum/Swisha House/Warner Records. Mike Jones started rapping in the early 2000s and he released a couple of independent albums on his own label Ice Age Entertainment before linking up with Michael "5000" Watts of Swisha House. He recorded the underground single "Still Tippin" with Texas contemporaries Paul Wall and Slim Thug, which appeared on the Swisha House compilation The Day Hell Broke Loose 2. The song, full of southern hip-hop slang and braggadocio, was an ode to the classic car culture in Houston, Texas, and could be heard bumpin' out the trunks of cars nationwide with its heavy bass and classical string loops. Before the release of Who Is Mike Jones? girls would ignore him, but after the release of "Still Tippin" they were all up on him, which led to the release of the single "Back Then" where he shouted out his real cell phone number that played a major part in the marketing and promotion of the album.You could call 281-330-8004 and get his voicemail and leave a message, but sometimes he would answer, which led to spreading the word of Mike Jones' debut album. "Back Then" was also a top-selling ringtone because (back then) you had to buy and download ringtones, unlike today. Mike truly went viral before going viral was even a thing. After dropping the two hit singles, Who Is Mike Jones? was released on April 19th, 2005, and would sell over a million copies that year, leading to certified platinum status. Twenty years later, this Texas Rap classic still holds up with features from other H-Town legends including S.U.C.'s Big Moe (RIP),Bun B, Paul Wall and Lil Keke. Juicy J & DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia added their Memphis touch to the "Got It Sewed Up Remix" and the album ends with a heartfelt dedication to Mike Jones' late Grandmother on "Grandma". Get On Down is proud to present the first vinyl reissue of Who Is Mike Jones? in a limited edition silver and red color-in-color pressing packaged with a full color printed insert tocommemorate the 20th anniversary of this H-Town classic

Jahtari label compilation full of all-new Outsider Dubs, Dancehall bangers and lots of cosmic low end, marking twenty years of Reggae oddness from Leipzig.

Vol. 5 is the first addition to the Jahtarian Dubbers series in over ten years, starting off with ‘The Loop Jerk’ by DJ and activist Dave Watts aka KingLMan (who sadly passed away in 2024).

Kiki Hitomi turns up the heat with ‘Red Mustang’, a raw but sweet PG 18-rated Japanese lofi Reggae gem, followed by ‘Casio HipHop’, an addictive synth & drum machine session by UK bedrock producer Kris Kemist (Reality Shock Records).

Singjay miracle El Fata brings the positive energy with ‘Boom Sound’, a synthie dancehall scorcher hot off the tape reels at Naram’s studio in the New Zealand bush, while Jura Soundsystem’s hypnotizing ‘On My Way (Dub)’ easily shifts gears into Sly & Robbie-mode.

Side B starts off with Pupajim’s prophetic ‘Tidal Wave’, produced by digi-reggae specialist Raggattack and coming in an epic extended Disco Dub version.

Melodica wizard Taka Noda (Mystica Tribe) and synth shaman Danny Wolfers (Legowelt) enter into deep magnetic communion with their Sacred Tascam tape deck on ‘Cabal of Puppeteers’, followed by DJ veteran Speng Bond chanting ‘Wha Mek’ over a spaced out depth charge by Jahtari co-founder Rootah.

Gameboy-whisperer DJ Scotch Egg (WaqWaq Kingdom, Seefeel) joins forces with disrupt and Dub trumpet black belt Pablo Volt (STA) for a mindbending journey going all the way from synth heavy Roots to Acid Jazz, on Namahage‘s ‘Voidout Dub’.

The voyage ends with a hazy and mystical Ambient Dub version of ‘Muuri’ by Finish singer Tiiu Helinä, with Tapes on keys – not to be missed!

All lovingly mixed by disrupt, coming with iconic artwork by Disko 69 (Doppeldenk).

Emma-Jean Thackray, the visionary producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, releases her highly anticipated second album, “Weirdo” on April 25th via Gilles Peterson’s celebrated label, Brownswood Recordings / Parlophone Records. Known for defying musical boundaries, Thackray's latest work is a deeply personal and utterly original exploration of selfhood, grief, and gratitude.

Drawing on an eclectic mix of influences—grunge, pop, soul, p-funk, and jazz— “Weirdo” is a triumphant celebration of survival and individuality. Written, performed, recorded, mixed, produced and arranged entirely by Thackray in her South London flat, the album stands as a testament to her extraordinary musicianship and fearless self-expression.

Unreleased Miami boogie and deep soul from the vault of Teddy Studstill. Mixed and mastered from the original session tapes recorded in the early eighties. Terrestrial Funk ties back to their first release with this Miami magic. Teddy Studstill, an unsung hero of South Florida who played guitar on Lang Cook's 'She's Hot With 2,000 Watts' unearths these timeless tunes he wrote four decades ago. Accompanied by Miami legends Luke Jasmin on the keys and vocalist Harris Mazyck. We're grateful Teddy has brought these tracks to light and now the world can finally indulge in their delight. *comes with double sided insert poster*

After a two decades long hiatus, One Self have reformed to present a new record – ‘Visions’ - to celebrate 20 years since the release of their acclaimed debut album – ‘Children of Possibility’ which was released on Ninja Tune and featured their indie hit single ‘Bluebird’. The ‘Visions’ EP sees Blu rum 13, Yarah Bravo and Daddy Vad rejoin forces with some special friends - Mr woodnote on the sax (DUB FX), Dj Woody, Reggie Watts and Meryem Saci to bring some organically grown soul to the hip-hop flavours the group are known for.

"Perfect Teeth" war das finale Album der amerikanischen Indie-Institution Unrest. Dreißig Jahre nach der ursprünglichen Veröffentlichung lassen 4AD und die Band es als Doppelalbum neu aufleben. Die 30th Anniversary Edition besteht aus dem remasterten Originalalbum sowie "Extra Teeth", einem Bonusalbum mit EP-Tracks, Singles und Raritäten. Unrest, die ihren Namen einer Henry-Cow-Platte entliehen hatten, gründeten sich 1983 in einer Schule in Arlington, Virginia. Anfangs noch improvisierende Instrumentalband, perfektionierten sie bald einen vielseitigen Sound mit unterschiedlichen Genreeinflüssen. Sie veröffentlichten ihre Musik über TeenBeat, das Label ihres Frontmannes Mark Robinson und später auch bei 4AD, Caroline und Matador. Auf "Perfect Teeth" sind die Gründungsmitglieder Mark Robinson und Phil Kraut sowie Bassistin Bridget Cross (ursprünglich Sängerin von Velocity Girl) zu hören. Das Album wurde im Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota aufgenommen, wo erst kurz zuvor Nirvanas "In Utero" fertiggestellt wurde. Brian Paulson, bekannt durch seine Arbeit für Slints "Spiderland", nahm "Perfect Teeth" auf. Die Produktion übernahm Simon LeBon. Für die 30th Anniversary Edition wurde das Album nun inklusive aller Bonustracks - meist auf Grundlage der Originalbänder - neu gemastert. In Zusammenarbeit mit Designer Chris Bigg enstand ein neues Backcover, ein neues Sleeve sowie das "Extra Teeth" Artwork. Der einmalig neu aufgelegte Release kommt mit einem 16-seitigen Art Catalogue mit Linernotes von Unrest, 4AD-Gründer Ivo Watts-Russel und Chris Bigg.

Repressed for the first time in 2 years, Note price change. Sermonizing Black Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and the benefits of a healthy and just lifestyle during the height of the Bad Boy/Roc-AFella era of nihilistic excess in the late 90's, Dead Prez also signed to a major label (Loud/Columbia) despite leaning much more towards the burgeoning indie aesthetics of the day. But this was a good thing – using major label muscle to wake up righteous hip-hop fans who might have fallen asleep at the wheel. The group itself – consisting of MCs stic.man and M-1, who produced or co-produced most of the duo’s music – was formed in Tallahassee, Florida in the early 1990's.

By later that decade, the duo had started making significant waves, having their music heard on the soundtracks to “Soul In The Hole” and “Slam,” as well as appearing on albums by Big Pun and The Beatnuts. By 1998, they released their first official single, the serious, stark “Police State,” on Loud, appropriately brought to the label by Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian. After building a solid rep over the next two years with fiery live performances, in 2000 they unleashed their debut album, Let’s Get Free.

The album was a welcome return to provocative and often radically political rhetoric that hearkened back to hip-hop forebears including The Coup, Public Enemy and KRS-One (as well as poetic descendants like the Last Poets and Watts Prophets). Let’s Get Free was critically acclaimed and benefited from multiple singles, including the infectious, thick analog drive of “Hip-Hop” “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop,” with a remix co-produced by a young Kanye West; “Mind Sex” (with Abiodun Oyewole of the Last Poets); and the poignant “I’m An African.”

But the singles weren’t the only worthy songs, as just about every cut here has deeper meaning than most full albums by their early 2000's peers. Highlights: the thought-provoking, anti-drug album opener “Wolves”; “We Want Freedom” “They Schools” and “Propaganda” . All in all, this is one of the more underrated and possibly Top 5 fully-realized political hip-hop albums of all time.

Punk Slime Recordings are proud to present the new full-length album from Birmingham, UK's Swampmeat Family Band. Their new album Muck! is a massive step forward both songwriting and production-wise, offering up a blend of uptempo garage rock and gentle americana. Featuring members of PNKSLM's own The Castillians and Terror Watts as well as Low Cut Connie, PWEI and Bentley Rhythm Ace.

f11 FLRNTN, Benjamin Duchenne - "Last Man Standing" (feat Sivan) (1:08)
f12 Nicholas Gunn & Harshil Kamdar - "Here I Am" (feat Alina Renae - Richard Durand remix) (1:08)
f13 DJ TH X TH3 ONE X Sue McLaren - "Everything To Me" (1:08)
f14 Matty Ralph - "Te Adoro" (1:08)
f15 Armin Van Buuren & Vini Vici - "Sarabande" (feat Anna Timofei) (1:08)
f16 Lilly Palmer - "Hare Ram" (1:08)
f17 David Forbes - "Techno Is My Only Drug" (1:08)
f18 Armin Van Buuren - "Blah Blah Blah" (Lilly Palmer remix) (1:08)
f19 Armin Van Buuren - "The Road To Your Destination" (A State Of Trance Year mix 2024 outro) (1:14)

"In celebration of its 20th Anniversary, Waxwork Records is proud to present THE RING Original Motion Picture Music by Hans Zimmer! This long anticipated release marks the first time that The Ring will be available on vinyl. The Ring is a 2002 supernatural horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts and Brian Cox. It is a remake of Hideo Nakata’s 1998 Japanese horror film Ringu, based on Koji Suzuki’s 1991 eponymous novel. The plot follows a journalist who investigates an urban legend of a cursed videotape that seemingly kills the viewer seven days after watching it. The Ring was released on October 18, 2002 to positive reviews praising its atmosphere, visuals, and Watt’s performance. It is one of the highest grossing horror remakes and paved the way for English-language remakes of other Asian horror films such as The Grudge and Dark Water. The score by composed by Hans Zimmer is a dark symphonic orchestration that shifts from ghostly and melancholic to frightening and terror stricken. Constructed from a base of a piano, violins, synthesizer, and two cellos, Zimmer’s score is thoroughly effective in bringing the listener into the haunting space that is The Ring with dreadfully anxious strings, mournful keys, and rolling percussion. Zimmer creates a shadowy ambience that pulls you into the gripping ghost story. Waxwork Records is thrilled to present the full score to The Ring composed by Hans Zimmer for the very first time on vinyl as a deluxe double LP for the film’s 20th Anniversary. Featuring 180 gram “Samara & The Well” Green & Black Marbled Vinyl and “Cursed VHS Tape” Black with White Splatter Colored Vinyl, heavyweight gatefold jackets with matte satin coating, new art and design by Matt Needle, exclusive liner notes by director Gore Verbinski, a 12”x12” printed insert, and enthusiastic album packaging approvals from director Verbinski and composer Hans Zimmer.

Since the late 90"s, Jakob "Dino" Dinesen has become a stalwart of the Danish jazz scene, performing with nearly everyone of note in the country as well as internationally celebrated names such as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Jakob Bro and Paul Motian. Finding joy and inspiration in the building of bridges between genre boundaries, his career in music has seen him travel and perform all over the world, enriching his sound and soul with every new experience. His new record seeks to convey his dream of a future world at peace with itself. "Slow Flow" is set to release on January 25th on April Records. "I envision a world where people from every corner of the globe come together, dancing, sharing meals, and finding joy through my music. My children are a blend of Africa and Denmark, and I hope they"ll carry the traditions and wisdom of both their mother and father as they navigate their path. I would love for music like this to be the soundtrack to their journey through life." Rooted in the playful live sound of an atypical quintet featuring cello and djembe, Slow Flow sits in a unique space somewhere between earthy, simplistic, and acoustic and contemporary, electronic, and unexpected. The record"s sound is soft spoken and full of compassion-a dark-timbred music where the intimate, warm breath of his tenor saxophone intertwines with the crisp, organic tones of the cello. Together, they float over smooth, analog synths and electronic loops, while the carefully crafted lines of the bass and the gentle rhythm of hands on drum skins carry the music forward. Occasional erratic, quirky bursts from an affected keyboard and weaving improvisations offer moments of energy and contrast. Each of the album"s nine original compositions paint musical pictures of contentment that are dear to Dino, as well as offering musical tributes to four of his heroes in Yusef Lateef, Wayne Shorter, Coleman Hawkins and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis". Drawing on modern European jazz, African rhythms, Italian circus music, and reggae, Slow Flow plays as a deeply personal exploration of Dino"s identity, whilst providing a dream-like message of global peace that promises to resonate with like-minded people all around the world..

This Is DJs Choice Vol. 4 brings you a great selection of Funk, Soul, Latin and Hip Hop.

Five years after the last installment of the series, Volume 4 is compiled by Gu, a long-time friend and DJ partner of Unique label founder Henry Storch, and the tracks represent the two decades they have known each other and played records together, as well as the music they enjoyed.

All choices are originally 7 Inch records from Gu's crates put together like a DJ-Set for you to enjoy: The Soul of The Sweet Vandals and Carlton Jumel Smith, the Deep Funk of Naomi Davis & The Knights Of Forty First Street, The Supersonics and Sharon Jackson & The Soul Destroyers, the Latin sounds of Diesler and Eli Goulart E Banda Do Mato and the Hip Hop grooves of Jay Are (aka J.Rawls and John Robinson), The Bamboos featuring Ohmega Watts and Daddy-O of Stetsasonic.

This compilation is a celebration of music from beginning to end.

About This Is DJs Choice:

The series started as a friendship project by Henry Storch, who wanted to immortalise friends and allies from the DJ scene, who picked vinyl as their format of choice. The genre didn't matter, as long as the vibe was right. In 2008 Vol. 1 featured a selection of organic Club Sounds and Break Beats put together by Soulinus & Pun, followed by Keb Darge & Lucinda Slim and their favorite Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly and 60s Soul tunes on Vol. 2 in 2009. In 2019 Les Intouchables aka Marc Hype and DJ Suspect presented a variety of funky and soulful music with an addition of the occasional Boogie, Reggae and Hip Hop track.

About Gu:

Gu is a DJ, musician, label owner, producer, writer and producer from Northern Germany. His dedication to music started in his pre-teens in the late eighties and he is playing vinyl ever since. Over the years he has worked with a number of his favorite DJs and artists like Keb Darge, Andy Smith, Snowboy, The New Mastersounds, Osaka Monaurail, The Sweet Vandals, The Allergies, Andy Cooper of Ugly Duckling, Daddy-O of Stetsasonic and Chuck D of Public Enemy to name a few. His DJ career took him all over Europe again and again.

In 2005 he started Our Label Records with his brother Tom to release new Funk music on 7 Inch vinyl and added the Hip Hop 45 imprint Origu in 2015. Since 2009 and he is on air every week with his radioshow Home Diggin', which was also picked up by Chuck D's Rapstation in 2019. Additionally he is lead singer/rapper for the Songcore duo Sorry We're Closed and the Hip Hop outfit Alder Ego. He also does readings of his book of one-liners and competing on Slam Poetry stages.

Golden era classic from NY's finest taken from their "Love Movement" album on the A, with the funky as hell original sample source on the B.

En Esch's corrosive new album decimates both standards and dance floors alike.

Anyone familiar with industrial luminary En Esch and his essential work in groups like KMFDM and PIG knows he is no stranger to political statements through his art. Now, on his first LP in eight years, Dance Hall Putsch, Esch decimates your standards and dance floors with vitriol. With carefully-sown and complimenting features from fellow KMFDM alumnus Raymond Watts, Guenter Schulz and Mark Durante, plus Vas Kallas (Hanzel und Gretyl), Mea Fisher and Erica Dilanjian (Lords of Acid), Hope Nicholls (Pigface) and more, Dance Hall Putsch delivers everything an industrial fan could want. From opener "Get Lost," with its categorically punishing industrial-metal riffs to the slicing EBM electronics of "Yum Yum Beauty & The Nasty Thief," it's all here and in no less than four languages throughout. En Esch's signature rasp is often contrasted by the sparkling vocals of his female counterparts, and the album is lush with brutal honesty, humor, and even a bonus En Esch-lullaby.

"I began work on Dance Hall Putsch in the early days of Covid-19. I was trying to create an upbeat, rather positive and very danceable album to leave the pandemic days behind us. Then it happened that a war began near where I live with tens of thousands of civilians killed and wounded so far. Everyone was caught by surprise and it influenced me, especially lyrically. "This current conflict is just 500 miles away from Berlin, and while that does not make it more horrific than other wars, it is very close to home. From living with this 'war next door,' the album turned out much more sinister than originally planned. It became a rather political album that reflects on the senselessness and nastiness of all the current wars around us. It's always the innocent and those who hold no power that suffer the most. Their fate isn't always death, but many times indescribable and long-term suffering. We must not forget them or turn a blind eye. "I’m very pleased that I had the opportunity to collaborate with different and interesting colleagues here. Thanx everybody for your interest in my musical works and for your love and support."

Hitting Number 1 in 19 countries on release, Hackney Diamonds marked the return of The Rolling Stones as their first original studio album since 2005’s A Bigger Bang.

The album includes the GRAMMY nominated lead single Angry alongside Sweet Sounds of Heaven featuring vocals from Lady Gaga and keys & piano from Stevie Wonder.

Late drummer Charlie Watts features on two tracks, ‘Mess It Up’ and ‘Live By The Sword’ alongside Bill Wyman. The album also includes collaborations with Paul McCartney & Elton John.

This special limited edition 1 year anniversary 2LP version of Hackney Diamonds includes Live at Racket NYC featuring the 7 tracks the band performed at the intimate launch event in New York on 19th October 2023 with debut live performances of Angry, Bite My Head Off, Whole Wide World and Sweet Sounds of Heaven with Lady Gaga. The 24 page booklet includes photos from the performance by Kevin Mazur.

CULT FRENCH TOUCH DUO'S 7TH ALBUM

A UNIQUE ELECTRONIC SOUND INFLUENCED BY ROCK AND FUNK PRODUCED BY VINCENT LEIBOVITZ (LA FINE ÉQUIPE) WITH BENJAMIN DIAMOND (STARDUST), IZZY LINDQWISTER, JESSIE CHATON (GENERAL ELEKTRIKS), BNANN WATTS (INFADELS)

'Freak The Speaker' is an evolution of The Allergies trademark sound, seeing duo Moneyshot and Rackabeat deliver their biggest beats to date on their latest album. They enlist a quality melting pot of artists to bring additional vibrancy with K.O.G, Ohmega Watts, Dynamite MC, Dr Syntax, and Skunkadelic, all stepping up to the plate. Long-time collaborators and live tour band members Andy Cooper Ugly Duckling, sax supremo James Morton and soul sensation Marietta Smith, continue to keep it nice and lively, rounding off another quality album full of funk, soul and hip-hop, guaranteed to provide good vibes and shake your sound system.

Promo

"A banger from those Bristol boogie boys" Craig Charles on 'Koliko'

"Obsessed with this new track from The Allergies." Lauren Laverne on 'Koliko'

"I love that it's recognisably you but also an evolution from what you've done before... " Adam Walton - BBC Wales

"All over this one. Absolutely incredible." Lauren Laverne on 'No Flash'

"Hot new release." Steve Lamacq on 'No Flash'

"Boom-bap rap cut from the finest cloth." Chuck D (Public Enemy) on 'No Flash'

Almost three decades on from their last release, Acid Jazz forefathers Galliano are back with news of their new LP ‘Halfway Somewhere’ which is being released on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings on 30 August.

Born out of London’s underground clubs and warehouse parties of the mid to late eighties, with the debut single on the Acid Jazz label in 1988, Galliano came out of a culture that spanned music, dance, fashion, art, design, and the written word.

When they arrived as the first act on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label in 1990 with ‘Welcome to the Story’ (produced by Chris Bangs who invented the term Acid Jazz) dressed in Gabicci sweaters, beads and skullcaps they captured a scene built on re-invention. “We were all playing around with what we could get our hands on whether that was a seventies book on Jamaican style or old Last Poets and Watts Prophets records,” says Gallagher. “We’d been recycling things for a few years but suddenly everything had coalesced and you’ve got an amalgam that seemed quite solid.”
For their first album since 1997, Rob Gallagher and his partner, vocalist Valerie Etienne, are joined by Galliano stalwarts Ernie McKone on bass, Crispin Taylor on drums, and Ski Oakenfull on keys (with guests including saxophonist Jason Yarde and percussionist Crispin ‘Spry’ Robinson).

Where the old Galliano recycled records they heard at clubs, today they are responding to the kaleidoscopic global jazz scene - from Total Refreshment Centre in London to International Anthem in Chicago. More than forty years since they came together, Galliano are still only ‘Halfway Somewhere’, but listening to the album they are obviously having fun getting there. “I think the stars have to be aligned when you redo things,” says Gallagher. “Coming at it from this door is very different to the door we came into back then. But once it's existing it is something. But I’m still not sure what that something is.”

Almost three decades on from their last release, Acid Jazz forefathers Galliano are back with news of their new LP ‘Halfway Somewhere’ which is being released on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings on 30 August.

Born out of London’s underground clubs and warehouse parties of the mid to late eighties, with the debut single on the Acid Jazz label in 1988, Galliano came out of a culture that spanned music, dance, fashion, art, design, and the written word.

When they arrived as the first act on Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud label in 1990 with ‘Welcome to the Story’ (produced by Chris Bangs who invented the term Acid Jazz) dressed in Gabicci sweaters, beads and skullcaps they captured a scene built on re-invention. “We were all playing around with what we could get our hands on whether that was a seventies book on Jamaican style or old Last Poets and Watts Prophets records,” says Gallagher. “We’d been recycling things for a few years but suddenly everything had coalesced and you’ve got an amalgam that seemed quite solid.”
For their first album since 1997, Rob Gallagher and his partner, vocalist Valerie Etienne, are joined by Galliano stalwarts Ernie McKone on bass, Crispin Taylor on drums, and Ski Oakenfull on keys (with guests including saxophonist Jason Yarde and percussionist Crispin ‘Spry’ Robinson).

Where the old Galliano recycled records they heard at clubs, today they are responding to the kaleidoscopic global jazz scene - from Total Refreshment Centre in London to International Anthem in Chicago. More than forty years since they came together, Galliano are still only ‘Halfway Somewhere’, but listening to the album they are obviously having fun getting there. “I think the stars have to be aligned when you redo things,” says Gallagher. “Coming at it from this door is very different to the door we came into back then. But once it's existing it is something. But I’m still not sure what that something is.”

2024 Repress

180 Gram, Tip On Sleeve RSD version of this classic. One of the rarer records of the mythical Strata East albums is finally reissued for the first time on Heavenly Sweetness!
The recording of Earth Blossom, the John Betsch Societys one and only album, seems something of an enigma nowadays. For even though Nashville is clearly one of the towns in the US with the highest number of recording studios, who would have thought that the capital of country music would give birth to one of the forgotten masterpieces of 1970s spiritual jazz. The path leading to the album starts in 1963 when John Betsch, originally from Jacksonville in Florida, arrives in Nashville to study at Frisk University. He is a young drummer and joins Bob Holmes trio. Holmes is one of the towns major jazz organists and pianists; he becomes Betschs mentor and, over the space of two years, John will play alternately with him and with the trumpeter Louis Smiths group. However, in 1965, John leaves town to go to the prestigious Berkeley University in Boston and do a two-year course along with his fellow debutants with names like John Abercrombie, Ernie Watts and Alan Broadbent. Two years later, he is invited by a pianist friend, Billy Chilf, to join the legendary singer/songwriter Tim Hardins group. Just after Woodstock, John Betsch and Tim record a psychedelic album Columbia will never release together with the members of the future group Oregon: Colin Walcott, Glen Moore, Paul McCandles and his friend Billy Chilf. But he soon leaves this group to return to Nashville where he hooks up again with his friend Bob Holmes. Two years later, he is accepted on Archie Shepp and Max Roachs famous course at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMASS) and for the next four years he participates in this collective of intellectuals and musicians under the aegis of the two masters.
During this period he returns to Nashville to form his Society whose music is obviously influenced by the Afrocentric ideas of the UMASS student and political movement. However, the album, recorded in one day and in one take, also bears the hallmark of their generations psychedelic experiences, and in the themes and playing of the musicians we can hear a less violent form of music than the radical free jazz of New York or Chicago. Nature and environmental themes are the inspiration behind tracks touched by the spirit of Coltrane but also of Flower Power.

After Amherst, John Betsch joins Marion Browns group in 1976, leaves Tennessee for good and makes his home in New York over the next ten years or so. He plays and records with Dollar Brand, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre and many others, before heading off to France. He has lived in Paris for the last twenty years and played in Steve Lacy, Mal Waldron and Archie Shepp bands, as well as forming groups of his own. He now lives in Paris and plays with many musicians/bands.

Das neue Album von Alex Izenberg - ein Sound von King Crimson bis zu Fleet Foxes!

Alex Izenberg veröffentlicht sein viertes Album "Alex Izenberg & The Exiles" am 26. Juli über Weird World / Domino. Der in Los Angeles lebende Izenberg arbeitet auf dem Album erstmals mit fester Band zusamme und hat sich auf ein einfaches Ziel konzentriert: etwas zu schaffen, das Bestand hat. Die Melodien sind romantisch und warm, die Arrangements sind einladend und ausladend, wobei das neues Ensemble, das sich um die stärksten Songs seiner Karriere formiert hat, gekonnt eingesetzt wird. Passend zu einem Album erweiterte Izenberg seinen Prozess weiter, indem er den erfahrenen Produzenten Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty, Built to Spill) für den Mix des Albums verpflichtete. Der daraus resultierende Sound ist genauso intim wie Izenbergs eher hermetisches Material und strahlt gleichzeitig ein mystisches, gemeinschaftliches Leuchten aus, das sich in seinem Gesamtwerk ganz neu anfühlt. Das Herzstück von Alex Izenberg & The Exiles sind kühne Ideen, die von den kopflastigen Gedanken des Philosophen Alan Watts, den vielschichtigen Erzählungen von King Crimson und den imaginären Visionen von Fleet Foxes inspiriert sind. Auch wenn die Thematik esoterisch anmutet, lassen Izenberg und seine Band die Musik auf angenehme Art und Weise auf die Erde driften. Zum ersten Mal in Izenbergs Karriere passt der umwerfende Sound zur Größe seiner Vision.The

After debut LP Lord Of The Dark Skies, London-based acid psych trio Outskirts Of Infinity released Scenes From The Dreams Of Angels on their own Infinity imprint. Heading deeper into space rock, the album had bassist Nick Saloman on keyboards in places and front man Bari Watts on synth, but his ripping is really spectacular throughout and there’s a nod to the Hendrix influence on a killer cover of ‘Spanish Castle Magic.’ Arguably their best album, it has style, grace, and hallucinogenic power, this edition reproducing the inner gatefold lyrics.

Repressed for the first time in 2 years, Note price change. Sermonizing Black Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and the benefits of a healthy and just lifestyle during the height of the Bad Boy/Roc-AFella era of nihilistic excess in the late 90's, Dead Prez also signed to a major label (Loud/Columbia) despite leaning much more towards the burgeoning indie aesthetics of the day. But this was a good thing – using major label muscle to wake up righteous hip-hop fans who might have fallen asleep at the wheel. The group itself – consisting of MCs stic.man and M-1, who produced or co-produced most of the duo’s music – was formed in Tallahassee, Florida in the early 1990's.

By later that decade, the duo had started making significant waves, having their music heard on the soundtracks to “Soul In The Hole” and “Slam,” as well as appearing on albums by Big Pun and The Beatnuts. By 1998, they released their first official single, the serious, stark “Police State,” on Loud, appropriately brought to the label by Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian. After building a solid rep over the next two years with fiery live performances, in 2000 they unleashed their debut album, Let’s Get Free.

The album was a welcome return to provocative and often radically political rhetoric that hearkened back to hip-hop forebears including The Coup, Public Enemy and KRS-One (as well as poetic descendants like the Last Poets and Watts Prophets). Let’s Get Free was critically acclaimed and benefited from multiple singles, including the infectious, thick analog drive of “Hip-Hop” “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop,” with a remix co-produced by a young Kanye West; “Mind Sex” (with Abiodun Oyewole of the Last Poets); and the poignant “I’m An African.”

But the singles weren’t the only worthy songs, as just about every cut here has deeper meaning than most full albums by their early 2000's peers. Highlights: the thought-provoking, anti-drug album opener “Wolves”; “We Want Freedom” “They Schools” and “Propaganda” . All in all, this is one of the more underrated and possibly Top 5 fully-realized political hip-hop albums of all time.

Ollie Spalding and Jack Watts were friends first, and songwriting partners second, and this quality sets them apart. They're marked by that peculiar alchemy when two voices become one, a special sense of human connection wrought through harmony and emboldened with experience.

New album 'Redsetter' is their coming- of- age moment - gilded indie- folk with an optimistic sense of maturity, it dares to look towards the light. "We had literally no idea what was gonna happen!" Ollie gasps when looking back on the pair's self-titled debut album. Sculpted over the pandemic and released on Real Kind Records - the boutique Communion imprint chaired by Lucy Rose - the record displayed their core values. "The emotion has to be right," says Oliver.

"When we record songs, we want to stay true to the emotion - as though those songs had just been written seconds before they were recorded." The success of their debut brought fresh experiences - writing with Flyte, collaborating with everyone from Matthew & The Atlas and Victoria Canal to Talos and Olafur Arnalds - but also new challenges.

New LP 'Redsetter' takes them from their base in Brighton to a remote part of Texas (and back again); it's a record that's driven by a special kind of determination, dealing with intimate bonds, familial connections, and a quiet sense of renewal. Looking for perfect moments within our imperfect lives, Memorial have displayed extraordinary sense of character to drive themselves forwards. "We've let go of trying to make everything sound perfect," says Jack. "Being vulnerable in that way means that the end product is truer to you than it ever could be. There's a realness to it." Memorial have taken true ownership of their lives, pushing through enormous challenges to unlock new aspects of their artistry, and actualise their dreams.