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- A1: Fumiko Yotsuya Let's Dance The Tango
- A2: Kiyoshi Utsumi & Asami Kuji A Wandering Journey
- A3: Kusunoki Shigeo White Camellia Song
- A4: Michiyakko Oh, That's It
- A5: Nakano Rhythm Boys Kazuhisa Yamadera
- A6: Noriko Awaya Blues For Farewell
- A7: Kouta Katsutaro Kanaka's Daughter
- A8: Sato Chiyako Tokyo March
- B1: Wantanabe Hamako I'll Forget It
- B2: Dick Mine Yukari's Song
- B3: Fujiyama Ichiro Recollection
- B4: Kouta Katsutaro & Shigeo Kusunoki Tairiku Bushi
- B5: Issei Mishima Over The Kuroshio
- B6: Fumiko Yotsuya The Izu Dancer (Dancer's Song)
- B7: Hanko Kagurazaka & Toshiro Oumi Hatsukoi Nikki
- B8: Akasaka Koume Is It Really Goodbye?
A further volume of ryūkōka recordings, covering the end of the 1920s though to the late 1930s, supplementing the recent Longing for the Shadow collection...
Emerging during the early stages of the recording industry in Japan, the ryūkōka style adopted western classical, blues & jazz elements into traditional and classical Japanese music.
Is It Really Goodbye? further collects pre-war ryūkōka records which capture the hauntingly unique sound of a cultural merging that was starting to reflect itself via popular song, ahead of the widespread influence of western pop music during post-war US occupation.
Polish production legends Catz ‘n Dogz journey to Club Sweat to drop a double A-side ready to set the rave-craving animals out of their cage, releasing ‘Rendezvous / Nasty’. The duo have creatively crafted a double A-side oozing floor-to-floor elixir, to skillfully entice underground cavern connoisseurs. As those punters find their way to their dancefloor destination they are met with the aptly named ‘Rendezvous’ a tech-house heater that couples deep stomping kickdrums, with underlying techno textures for an insatiable groove that is augmented by the deep yet sensual melodies of R&B vocalist Raymoane.
The pace is turned up a notch on the flip-side, with stank-face inducing textures apropos for the title of ‘Nasty’, a tune that layers the hypnotic and conspicuous vocals of Kiddy Smile over a bounce-loaded bassline with underlying rhythmic drums and sirens to evoke a bustling party atmosphere.
Radio Support: Danny Howard (BBC Radio1), Ben Malone (Kiss FM), TCTS (Kiss FM)
DJ Support: Riva Starr, Todd Terry, Roger Sanchez, severino panzetta, Pirupa, boys noize, Eli Escobar, Tocadisco, Hifi Sean, Tommie Sunshine, Nhan Solo, Kolombo / Olivier Grégoire, Tough Love, Anna Lunoe, Kryder, Lorenzo Borgatti, Funkerman, Pat Lok, Lucati, Martin Ikin, Cut Snake, GAWP, Utah Saints, Vanilla Ace, Das Kapital, Tommy Trash, Sam Divine, Cassimm, Hector Romero.
- A1: Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
- A2: Bread - Make It With You
- A3: Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
- A4: Deep Purple - Black Night
- A5: Free - All Right Now
- A6: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tears Of A Clown
- A7: The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
- A8: Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
- B1: Elton John - Your Song
- B2: Rod Stewart - Maggie May
- B3: Slade - Coz I Luv You
- B4: The Who - Baba O'riley
- B5: Ike & Tina Turner - Proud Mary
- B6: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
- B7: Diana Ross - I'm Still Waiting
- C1: Don Mclean - American Pie - Pt. 1
- C2: Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair
- C3: Bill Withers - Lean On Me
- C4: Harry Nilsson - Without You
- C5: Roxy Music - Virginia Plain
- C6: T. Rex - Metal Guru
- C7: Mott The Hoople - All The Young Dudes
- C8: Lou Reed - Perfect Day
- D1: Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song
- D4: Sweet - Ballroom Blitz
- D5: Wizzard - See My Baby Jive
- D6: Billy Joel - Piano Man
- D7: Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door
- E1: Queen - Killer Queen
- E2: Paul Mccartney, Wings - Band On The Run
- E3: Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
- E4: Suzi Quatro - Devil Gate Drive
- E5: Mud - Tiger Feet
- E6: Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us
- E7: Barry White - You're The First, The Last, My Everything
- E8: The Three Degrees - When Will I See You Again
- F1: John Lennon - Imagine
- F2: 10Cc - I'm Not In Love
- F3: Barry Manilow - Mandy
- F4: Bay City Rollers - Bye Bye Baby
- F5: David Essex - Hold Me Close
- F6: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
- F7: The Stylistics - Can't Give You Anything (But My Love)
- F8: Minnie Riperton - Lovin' You
- G1: Abba - Dancing Queen
- G2: Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night)
- G3: Chicago - If You Leave Me Now
- G4: Joan Armatrading - Love And Affection
- G5: Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing
- G6: Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town
- D2: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now
- G7: John Miles - Music
- H1: Fleetwood Mac - Don’t Stop
- H2: Meat Loaf - Bat Out Of Hell
- H3: Status Quo - Rockin' All Over The World
- H4: Donna Summer - I Feel Love
- H5: Baccara - Yes Sir, I Can Boogie
- H6: David Soul - Don’t Give Up On Us
- H7: Commodores - Easy
- J1: Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights
- J2: Althea & Donna - Uptown Top Ranking
- J3: Chic - Le Freak
- J4: Boney M. - Rivers Of Babylon
- J5: The Jam - Down In The Tube Station At Midnight
- J6: The Boomtown Rats - Rat Trap
- J7: Siouxsie And The Banshees - Hong Kong Garden
- K1: The Clash - London Calling
- K2: The Police - Message In A Bottle
- K3: Pretenders - Kid
- K4: Blondie - Heart Of Glass
- K5: Earth, Wind & Fire With The Emotions - Boogie Wonderland
- K6: Tubeway Army - Are 'Friends' Electric?
- K7: The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star
- D3: Kiki Dee - Amoureuse
Coloured Vinyl[126,01 €]
NOW Music is delighted to introduce our new sub-brand ‘NOW Presents…’. This new series starts with ‘NOW Presents… The 1970s’, the first-ever NOW vinyl boxset featuring 5 LPs uniquely designed to reflect the era.
The boxset is a musical time capsule of the decade that saw so many different genres find chart success. Across its 74 tracks over 10 sides of vinyl, the massive hits sit alongside enduring classics from each year. The set not only includes 5 beautifully designed front covers on the individual albums (that slot into a rigid slip case), but also features track by track annotations with chart positions and facts about the artists and songs.
Each year, 1970-1979 is presented as 1 side of each LP… Kicking off with the iconic ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon & Garfunkel from the biggest selling album of the year, and of the decade. 1970 also includes Motown classics from Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and the debut hit ‘I Want You Back’ from the Jackson 5.
1971 includes the seminal ‘What’s Going On’ from Marvin Gaye, alongside Elton John’s breakthrough – the timeless ‘Your Song’, Rod Stewart’s breakthrough ‘Maggie May’, and The Who’s defining rock anthem ‘Baba O’Riley’.
The charts in 1972 began to reflect the popularity of ‘Glam Rock’ – and ‘Virginia Plain’ by Roxy Music, and ‘Metal Guru’ by T. Rex are included, as is the David Bowie-produced ‘Perfect Day’ from Lou Reed.
‘Killing Me Softly With His Song’ – one of the most beautiful songs, and vocals ever from Roberta Flack opens 1973’s side – and is joined by, amongst others, Billy Joel’s signature song ‘Piano Man’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door’.
1974 celebrates Queen having their first Top 5 single with ‘Killer Queen’, and title tracks from two of the decades’ biggest selling albums: Paul McCartney & Wings with ‘Band On The Run’, and ‘Tubular Bells’ from Mike Oldfield.
John Lennon released ‘Imagine’ in 1971 – but it became a UK hit in 1975, and so, starts this side… and finds space for some of the year’s perfect pop from Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, David Essex, 10cc, and the biggest hit ‘Bye Bye Baby’ from Bay City Rollers, at the peak of their popularity.
ABBA enjoyed 7 UK Number 1’s in the 1970s, and their biggest was the enduringly popular ‘Dancing Queen’ which leads into 1976. Electric Light Orchestra had a huge hit with ‘Livin’ Thing’, as did Thin Lizzy with ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ – plus Joan Armatrading emerged with ‘Love And Affection’.
1977 saw Fleetwood Mac release their mega-selling album ‘Rumours’, and from it ‘Don’t Stop’ is here, as is Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ – one of the most influential dance tracks of all time – and one of 1977’s favourite TV stars, David Soul, enjoyed a #1 single with ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’.
With ‘Wuthering Heights’, Kate Bush not only had 4 weeks at number 1 in 1978, but became the first female artist to achieve this with a self-written song. The Jam, The Boomtown Rats and Siouxsie And The Banshees all found consistent success as Punk & New Wave established new chart stars.
1979 concludes the set and opens with the iconic ‘London Calling’ from The Clash, and includes two of the biggest bands of the era, The Police and Blondie. A couple of years later the first video played on MTV would be ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ from The Buggles – and it’s fitting that this is the final track on the collection, a #1 in late 1979 – it signposted the synth-pop wave that would define the early 80s…. (but that’s a different box set).
- 1: God Only Knows
- 2: In My Room
- 3: Don't Worry Baby
- 4: California Girls
- 5: The Warmth Of The Sun
- 6: Wouldn't It Be Nice
- 7: You Still Believe In Me
- 8: I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
- 9: Sketches Of Smile
- 10: Surfs Up
- 11: Friends
- 12: Till I Die
- 13: Love And Mercy
- 14: Mt Vernon Farewell
- 15: Good Vibrations
Genius, icon, trailblazer - he revolutionised music as head of the Beach Boys. Now, legend Brian Wilsonr etraces his steps and reimagines the most iconic songs from his back catalogue into their purest form, him alone at the piano. Featuring renditions of classic hits 'God Only Knows', 'Wouldn't It Be Nice', 'California Girls', 'Good Vibrations' and many more on solo piano. "I can't express how much the piano has played such an important part in my life. It has bought me comfort, joy and security." - Brian Wilson.
- A1: A Bid Farewell
- A2: Take This Oath
- A3: When The Darkness Falls
- A4: Rose Of Sharyn
- A5: Inhale
- A6: Breathe Life
- B1: The End Of Heartache
- B2: Declaration
- B3: World Ablaze
- B4: And Embers Rise
- B5: Wasted Sacrifice
- B6: Hope Is…
- C1: Irreversal
- C2: My Life For Yours
- C3: The End Of Heartache Alternative
- C4: Life To Lifeless Nlive
- C5: Fixation On The Darkness Live
- C6: My Last Serenade Live
Killswitch Engage first shook the structure of heavy music upon climbing out of snowy industrialized Western Massachusetts in 2000. A musical outlier, the band pioneered a union of thrashed-out European guitar pyrotechnics, East Coast hardcore spirit, on-stage hijinks, and enlightened lyricism that set the pace for what the turn-of-the-century deemed heavy. 2002’s Alive Or Just Breathing became avowed as a definitive album, being named among “The Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the Decade” by Decibel and celebrated by everyone from Metal Hammer to Revolver. Not only did they bust open the floodgates for dozens to follow, but they also garnered two GRAMMY® Award nominations in the category of “Best Metal Performance” in 2005 and 2014, respectively, and gold certifications for The End of Heartache (2004) and As Daylight Days (2006). The group landed three consecutive Top 10 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with Killswitch Engage (2009), Disarm The Descent (2013), and their career high best bow at #6 with Incarnate (2016). The latter two releases would also both capture #1 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts. Their total streams have exceeded half-a-billion to date. Along the way, the boys have shared stages with some of the biggest acts in the world and have sold out countless headline gigs in six continents across the globe.
In 2019 the quintet—Adam Dutkiewicz (lead guitar), Joel Stroetzel (rhythm guitar), Mike D’Antonio (bass), Justin Foley (drums), and Jesse Leach (vocals)—sharpened every side of this signature sound on their eighth full-length and first for Metal Blade, Atonement. The vision they shared two decades ago crystallizes like never before as evidenced by the first single “Unleashed,” “The Signal Fire” (feat. Howard Jones), “Crownless King” (feat. Chuck Billy), and “I Am Broken Too.”
- A1: Wallpaper For The Soul
- A2: 1,000 Times
- A3: The Other Side
- A4: Separate Ways
- B1: Get Yourself Together
- B2: Happy End
- B3: Fun Fair
- B4: Sould Deep
- B5: Open Book
- C1: The Train
- C2: Don't Look Below
- C3: Memories Of The Past
- C4: Don't Misunderstand
- C5: Silently Walking
- D1: Listen
- D2: Antonelli
- D3: Aftermath
- D4: Strange Thing
- D5: Better Day Will Come
- D6: In My Arms
After the worldwide success of their first album Puzzle (1999), which sold over 200,000 copies and went gold in Japan, Xavier Boyer (vocals, guitars), Pedro Resende (bass), Médéric Gontier (guitars) & Sylvain Marchand (drums) reunited with producer Andy Chase to record the follow-up, Wallpaper for the Soul, in New York City. Starting in November 2001 at Stratosphere Sound, the prolific sessions gave birth to twenty tracks, twelve of which appeared on the original tracklist. The eight outtakes were compiled on the mini albums A Piece of Sunshine (2003) & Extra Pieces of Sunshine (2004). This new vinyl edition will be the first time all these songs appear together.
Almost 20 years on, WFTS is a tour de force of contemporary songwriting with obvious nods to the past somehow revisited in a timeless fashion. Tahiti 80’s second effort can also be seen as an alternative and more sophisticated snapshot of an era often associated with the rebirth of rock (The White Stripes, The Strokes…). This set of songs also established them as stalwarts of the Post French Touch cannon, showcasing both their ability to write catchy songs and their knack for mélanges & experimentation. 1,000 Times or The Train are unique examples of blue-eyed soul augmented with French flair (« Prefab Sprout as produced by Thomas Bangalter » suggested Uncut which listed WFTS in their Top Ten’s albums of 2003). Listen to Don’t Look Below today, and ask yourself who was mixing Destiny’s Child with My Bloody Valentine in 2001? Delicate numbers like Open Book or live favorite Better Days Will Come both demonstrate T80’s songwriting skills and their innate sense of melancholia.
Listening back to WFTS today, one cannot help but think of it as an album recorded in a state-of-the-art fashion. All four members would typically perform together in the same room. Basic takes were printed on a 24-track analog tape machine and then bounced onto a computer for editing. A fine example of this method is the title track itself. Originally written on acoustic guitar, Wallpaper … is the result of three eight minutes synthesizer jams pieced together. The Frenchmen were keen to try out multitude of ideas and had developed a taste for experimentation. The sessions also coincide with a rich outburst of creativity from a band on top of their game after several months of touring around the world.
Another typical WFTS characteristic is Richard Hewson’s orchestration. Veteran string arranger, famous for arranging The Beatles’ The Long And Winding Road or writing RAH Band’s ‘80s classic Clouds Across The Moon Hewson gave the songs a sweeping orchestral touch. Strings, Horns & woodwinds were all performed at the now defunct Olympic Studios in London. Urban Soul Orchestra, a 24-piece ensemble who played on Oasis’ or Spice Girls’ hits can be heard on five songs: the opening trilogy Wallpaper…, 1,000 Times and The Other Side, then on the Northern Soul revival Soul Deep and lastly on the album’s closer Memories Of The Past.
Rouen’s most famous four-piece, now relocated in a house on France’s North West Coast, in the quiet seaside town of Étretat, added more bells & whistles and resumed production on the songs. With one last transatlantic leap during the summer of 2002, the boys flew to Portland, Oregon to attend the mixing sessions held by sound wizard Tony Lash (Elliott Smith, The Dandy Warhols…). Suggested by Sub Pop’s craftsman Eric Matthews, also a guest on trumpet and keyboards, Lash would later become a major collaborator on Tahiti 80’s subsequent albums.
In the meantime, Laurent Fétis, the designer behind Puzzle’s iconic artwork, had started working with artist Elisabeth Arkhipoff on a set of nostalgic photographs transfigured with a soft air-bush technique. Those visuals, like their predecessors, have since become an inseparable companion to Tahiti 80’s music.
Many musical fashions and flavors of the month have come and gone, but twenty years after its release, WFTS still sounds fresh and relevant. And always forward-looking, Tahiti 80 is currently wrapping up the recording of their eighth album, to be released in early 2022.
Samia's 2020 full-length debut The Baby was an introduction for many, but the Nashville-by-way-of-NYC songwriter had been cultivating a fanbase with a series of singles dating back to 2017. Before The Baby collects those early Samia singles on an official 12" release for the first time.
Legendary Brazilian group Orquestra Afro-Brasileira are reborn for first new album in over fifty years, produced by Beastie Boys collaborator Mario Caldato Jr.
Led by maverick composer Abigail Moura, Orquestra Afro-Brasileira were one of the most influential yet overlooked groups in Brazilian music history. Operating for almost thirty years until 1970, they released just two albums - the first of which, Obaluayê, has recently been reissued by Day Dreamer Records - and left behind a legacy of Afro-Brazilian consciousness that continues to resonate today.
Combining Yoruba spirituality, folk tales, Candomblé chants and West African percussion with the instrumentation of the big band jazz tradition in the United States, the Orquestra placed Afro-Brazilian heritage in a new and vital context. Weaving emancipatory narratives into complex poly-rhythms and powerful, syncopated horn lines, the group educated and enlightened all those who saw them perform.
For Abigail’s protégé and percussionist on the group’s 1968 album Carlos Negreiros, the message of the group’s music had a profound impact: “I became aware of what it is to be black,” he says, “discovering the extraordinary potential of the Afro-Brazilian culture in the making of the national ethos.” Now the last remaining member of the original Orquestra, Carlos was tracked down by producer Mario Caldato Jr. - whose credits include Beastie Boys, Marcelo D2 and Seu Jorge among others - to oversee the first new album of Orquestra Afro-Brasileira material since 1968.
“I was overwhelmed with the percussive rhythms, beautiful deep vocals and combined energy,” Caldato Jr. explains. “It felt like the most authentic Brazilian roots music I had ever heard. It was raw and dynamic, a pure organic sound and energy. It was a spiritual experience.”
Alongside arranger Caio Cezar, Carlos assembled his Orquestra to record five tracks at Berna Ceppas’ Estudio Maravilha 8 studio in Rio De Janeiro. With percussion, horns and vocals cut in single takes over three days, the session captured the intuitive, pure and natural spirit of the group in full flow.
Following the success of the initial session, five additional tracks were recorded at the iconic Estudio CIA dos Tecnicos in Copacabana to complete the album. Mixed by Caldato Jr., 80 Anos is a contemporary incarnation of Abigail Moura’s vision, bristling with the flair of the original recordings.
Marrrtin is back on vinyl with some new and some unreleased
tracks on vinyl before.
If you don't know "Tango Hustle", you have to know it!!! Marrrtin
took time to totally replay it, cause it's one of his favorite funk track
EVER !!!!!
On B side 2 two b-boys tracks never released on vinyl.
The Levellers have been a gang on the road for over thirty years and, unable to tour since early 2020 due to COVID, they were bored.
As the band started to arrive at their home for the last quarter of a century - Metway Studios - to film and record a ‘live in the studio’ set, a second nationwide lockdown was announced, making it impossible for Simon to make the trip down from Scotland…what to do?.
With everyone eager to play, there was no turning back. The band sent Simon their final takes, while he recorded his parts at home.
What you can see and hear on The Lockdown Sessions is the Levellers few people get to witness.
Old friends doing what they do best - having a riot. Of their own. The excitement of being back together is palpable.
The Lockdown Sessions is available on three limited edition coloured vinyl LPs or CD, with each format including a DVD of the full film of the Levellers, live in the studio running through songs from the last album, Peace and some of their greatest hits.
- A1: Wonder Boy
- A2: I Never Get Lonesome
- A3: Everybody Everybody
- A4: You Did It Yourself
- A5: Come To Life
- B1: Iowa Dream
- B2: Words Of Love
- B3: I Still Love You
- B4: You Are My Love
- C1: Barefoot In New York
- C2: Just Regular People
- C3: I Wish I Had A Brother
- C4: Felt
- C5: The Dogs Outside Are Barking
- D1: Sharper Eyes
- D2: Follow You
- D3: List Of Boys
- D4: I Kissed The Girl From Outer Space
- D5: In Love With You For The Last Time
- A1: Ke Ke Ke Ke Ke Ya
- A2: Talk To Tapestries
- A3: The World Is Round
- A4: The Old Man Carrying A Black Bag Is In Their Garden
- A5: Chihuahua Talking Dog
- A6: St Mar
- A7: Meshes Over Morning
- A8: Offerings
- A9: Sang Sang
- B1: Shaking Johnny
- B2: The Tattoo Breathes
- B3: Little Red Sports Car (From Psycho Boys) (From Psycho Boys)
- B4: Commit To Fire
- B5: Authoress
BERTIE MARSHALL is a writer/ performer. He is also an acclaimed memoirist, most well known for his book ‘Berlin Bromley’ (2006) about his transformation from Bertie, an anxious, androgynous, depressed teenager, into Berlin, a teenager who would reject suburban values and become a founding member of punk’s ‘Bromley Contingent’, alongside Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin and Billy Idol.
October 29th sees Upset The Rhythm release ‘Exhibit’ by Bertie Marshall, collecting for the first time his songs and spoken word tracks from this fertile period of the 80s-90s.
He’s currently working on ‘Looking: Backwards To Go Forwards’, picking up from where ‘Berlin Bromley’ left off. His other books include the debut novel ‘Psychoboys’ (1997), ‘Nowhere Slow’ (2014), ‘From Sleepwalking to Sleepwalking’ (2016), ‘Wild - re write’ (2017), ‘The Peeler’ (2018) and ‘Pete’s Underpants’ (2019). In 2015 the British Library purchased his writing archive.
From 1980-83, Bertie was the frontman for post-punk boundary-pushers Behaviour Red - they released one single (favourably played by John Peel), did a mini-tour and broke up. At various times Behaviour Red featured Noel Blanden of Normil Hawaiians and fine artist Nicola Tyson. Their sound was characterised by looseness and freedom, boasting at times tribal drumming, streams of vocals, dazed guitars and feedback. Bertie continued sketching out atmospheric compositions afterwards too, walking a tightrope between bewildered pop and gothic folk. Central to everything is Bertie’s commanding voice; heartfelt, impassioned and masterfully leading you through the story.
Bertie became interested in spoken word and performance poetry in the 90s, which then led him into writing and performing in his own plays and devised theatre pieces. He did regular readings and performances in NYC and began writing books inspired by the visceral talents of Acker & Burroughs. Having lived in Berlin, San Francisco, and Brittany, Bertie now lives in London.
The much anticipated Remix EP of “415-PR22” finally arrives from pressing hold ups.
A truly international roster of remixers and co-conspirators, topped off with graphics by UK legend Fergus “Fergadelic” Purcell.
Abstract Dance: London new school Kolago Kult, remixes London old school Richard Sen.
EBoys 2020: SF/NY based Earth Boys, get flipped via Tokyo icon Licaxxx.
Summer into Winter: Old friends share a track; Eric Duncan gives Tokyo’s Mild Bunch member Fran-Key an offering.
8th & Broadway: The great white north; Jex Opolis drops his trademark touch on Tim Sweeney's first solo production.
Slice the Top: SF/BE friends Vin Sol and Matrixxman produce this blissed out version for Greek brothers Tendts.
1. Some records hit you with an instant impression of timeless brilliance, and Low Life’s Dogging is one of those records, what the wise call “an instant classic”. 2. From Squats to Lots: The Agony and the XTC of Low Life is more like their second album Downer Edn (read Edition), a little more withdrawn, a little more textured. Complex. Rich. Which is to say: you’re going to need some time with it. 3. Some show, some grow. Low Life have done both. This one is a grower. Spend some time with this one. It’s got that nuanced flavour. Don’t guzzle. Sip. Savour. 4. Sip it, and sense the recurring brilliance of Mitch Tolman’s lyrics, exploring the usual territory of gutter life, lad life, punk life, low life. The dirge. Disgust and shame in white Australia. Council housing, bills piled to the neck, substance abuse and rehabilitation, the fallen lads and lasses who stood too close to the flame, loss and loneliness, from squats to lots. Un-Australian gutter symphony. 5. There is a celebration of resilience and that’s a central theme of this record and a time like ours needs a record like Agony & XTC. Low times are coming through, but if you’re low they won’t get to you. 6. Iggy Pop’s Bowie produced studio rock masterpieces ‘The Idiot’ and ‘Lust For Life’ are important reference points to the 3rd album sounds of Low Life. Here comes success! 7. ‘The Agony and Ecstasy’ is a 1985 novel by Irving Stone about the life of Italian Renaissance painter Michelangelo. Stone wrote another novel about the single eared painter Vincent Van Gogh called ‘Lust For Life’. This synchronicity hit me. 8. Iggy and the Stooges are a pretty safe reference for Low Life (and all good rock music). Iggy and the Stooges are a low life’s Michelangelo, but solo Iggy like Lust for Life is a better reference for this particular incarnation of Low Life, which is to say they are studio rock albums. 9. Bowie later referred to this period of his life as profoundly nihilistic. But Iggy looked at it as the period of his life that saved him from an early grave. This confrontation is Low life lore. 10. Let’s stick to this, because there’s something about this era of Bowie that makes sense with Low Life’s new album, particularly Low. One should never miss the Low in our new album from Low Life. Producer and studio boss Mickey Grossman has the ear for the Low, and he has carved out a little statue of David right here. 11. Mickey’s ears are recording, mixing and producing the best of Sydney, most notably the Oily Boys Cro Memory Grin. A great companion record to this one. Use Agony & XTC AFTER Oily Boys. Not on an empty stomach, and don’t try to operate heavy machinery (bobcat, bulldozer etc). 12. The relationship between Low Life and Sydney hardcore should not be understated, but it also shouldn’t guide how to listen to Agony & XTC. This is not austere, disciplined music. 13. Think, like, if Poison Idea were given the kind of studio time and budget as Happy Mondays. You wouldn’t play it to a teenager. It’s not for children. This is a mature flavour, one for the adults who have had to contend with failure and hardship, medical bills and disappointed family members, betrayed lovers and worrisome growths, police brutality and tooth decay, humiliating bowels and collapsed septums, detoxing and drying out, for those who have seen themselves as corrupted and putrid and unloveable, for those who endure all of this and aren’t willing to lie down and cop it sweet: Low Life are still here and they ain’t going nowhere. NOTES ON HOW NOT TO LISTEN TO AGONY AND XTC OF LOW LIFE: 1. Don’t think of shoe-gaze. It suggests a safe passage to 90’s reminiscences, a vogue style of our time, but nothing to do with Low Life style. Low Life style is always of its time. The content changes. Agony & XTC shares weight of records like My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless and Slowdive’s Kebab, records that were laboured on after the songs were recorded, songs that were written as they were recorded. 2. We can call these “studio albums” as opposed to albums built in the heat of live performance. Studio albums from the 90’s are called shoe-gaze by some journalist nerds, but we know better than to use words like this. 3. Studio albums are excessive and, at the same time, so empty. Agony & XTC, Loveless, Kebab, Rumours: excessive! And empty. This is not to suggest this is Low Lite, some throwback, soft. A band like Low Life can make an overproduced studio rock album without having to use the word shoe-gaze. So, don’t think studio albums mean anything especially 90’s. Don’t look back. 4. Let’s lose these distasteful labels, like “shoe-gaze”, “rehab rock”, “stab”, “guitar OD overdrive”, “western Sydney wonder”. They can fade out. A low life was once referred to as a vagabond. Who uses this term today? Nobody. Language can murder. Words can die. Kill ‘em all! - Daniel 'DX' Stewart, Melbourne, 2021.
Lennert Jacobs' music is an echo of his imagination, inevitably reflecting and reinforcing a natural philosophy of enlightenment. L. Jacobs employs modern and classical instruments to enhance and distill a spirit of humanity through his aesthetic currency of sound.
Surveying his debut album ‘Enthusiasm’ and its instinctive impulses delivers a sublime sonic experience. Specifics of musical styles fade obliquely in service of resonance on a deeper level—sound speaking on a universal language with innately humorous wonkiness whirling you into a state of pure delight.
Kaleidoscopic keyboards shape a celebration of freedom and spontaneity. With warped beats, the songs clatter in crafted structures to create obscure alternative atmospheres. ‘Enthusiasm’ is a sonic lens that lands right from the first moment you hear it, a showcase of musical talent and intuitive expression.
Lennert Jacobs does an excellent job of investing and producing mainly instrumental compositions which manage to touch on a wide variety of emotions over the course of their unfolding. The works on ‘Enthusiasm’ are synthetic creatures, living and growing autonomously. The duality of the composer is on full holistic display: the lighter side—relaxing, ethereal, and dreamy, and the darker—disturbing and uncanny. This is a sonic transportation and cerebral massage. Stick a needle in it to activate.
Infamous Southern wrecking crew return with an all country & western album, marking their 25th anniversary. Features numerous guest legends from the Grand Ole Opry along with Jello Biafra. Join those Legendary Shack Shakers as they mark their 25th anniversary as a band on Planet Earth to celebrate the occasion, they’ve invited former members to help them record an all country & western album! From spaghetti western to bluegrass, western swing to rockabilly, Tex-Mex to country folk, the variety of the genre is on full display. Always ones to respect their history, the Shack Shakers have also included some Kentucky local legends to “pick and grin”. Hotshots such as Stanley Walker (Grand Ole Opry band leader for Jean Shepard and guitarist for Sun Studio’s “Rockin’ ” Ray Smith) and Jack Martin (dobro-player for Lester Flatt) really give those “young ‘uns” a run for their money. And the always-ornery “Hillbilly” Bob Prather (Louisiana Hayride fiddler and running buddy of Opry star Onie Wheeler) pitches in too. Just add The Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra, hillbilly royalty Chris Scruggs and an Old Crow Medicine Showman and you’ve got a recipe for what could only be a Legendary Shack Shakers masterpiece. Titling it Cockadoodledeux was done, admittedly, to bookend 2002’s Cockadoodle-Don’t, an album by which many fans were first made aware of the group. However, it also serves to signal the start of another twenty-five years! Just as the plucky, two-headed chick emerges from the egg on the cover, so too begins a fresh start for the band’s creative energies. Once again, generations of fans both young and old get to lean in, listen and expect the un-expected.
"Formed in 1967 as a psychedelic electronic duo featuring Dan Taylor on drums and Simeon on a homemade synthesizer consisting of 12 oscillators (and an assortment of sound filters, telegraph keys, radio parts, lab gear and a variety of second hand electronic junk), Silver Apples quickly gained a reputation as New York's leading underground musical expression. Their pulsating rhythmic beats with the use of electronics laid the groundwork for what would become 'Krautrock'. Silver Apples was released in 1968 and still remains an innovative and revolutionary album. Their highly influential sound has influenced countless bands from Stereolab, Beastie Boys, Blur and more. 'Silver Apples... a beautiful and mysterious artifact.' - New York Times.
Sales points
- New 24 bit /96 kHz transfer taken from the original master tapes.
- Limited Blue Sky Colored Vinyl
- First Reissue from Original Tapes
- Currently Touring in the US and Europe
- 'Oscillations' featured in Pitchforks Top 200 songs from the 60's.
- A1: Velvet And Pearl
- A2: Where The Wind Turns The Skin To Leather
- A3: Aaaa (1)
- A4: Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys
- B1: Man On A String
- B2: Bottom Of The Barrel
- B3: Aaaa (2)
- B4: Can Do Girl
- C1: Blue Blue Marble Girl
- C2: Baby It's Cold Outside
- C3: Re-Entry
- C4: Loretta And The Insect World
- C5: Aaaa (3)
- C6: Talula And The Last Straw
- D1: Vows 16 Aaaa (4)
- D2: Recital
- D3: The Leaving You
RSD album now available at a slightly cheaper price. Double Transparent Violet Coloured vinyl & DL card. 1000 copies pressed. Fist time on vinyl. Double debut from Howe Gelb’s one-off project that features members or Arcade Fire, Grandaddy, Scout Niblett and M Ward among others. Featuring extensive notes and interviews with the collaborators, exploring how the whole thing was put together.




















