Marius Müller-Westernhagen: Fünf Kult-Alben neu aufgelegt
Fünf Alben, die eine entscheidende Kreativ-Epoche von Marius Müller-Westernhagen prägten, erfahren eine würdige Neuauflage! Am 15. August kehren folgende Werke als 2025 Remaster zurück:
Die Kollektion vereint fünf Ikonen: Das wegweisende "Sekt oder Selters", das unvergessene "Stinker", das intime "Nahaufnahme", das erfolgreiche "Ganz allein krieg ich's nicht hin" und das energiegeladene "Das Herz eines Boxers". Fünf zentrale Alben in remasterter Qualität.
Jede dieser originalgetreuen Editionen wurde aufwendig remastert, um eine brillante und frische Klangqualität zu garantieren, die den ureigenen Charakter der Aufnahmen respektiert. Die Alben sind erhältlich auf hochwertigem 180-Gramm-Vinyl sowie als CD Edition. Beide Formate präsentieren das originale Layout, was Fans ein authentisches Hörerlebnis bietet.
Sichern Sie sich jetzt diese unverzichtbaren Werke in absoluter Bestform – ein Muss für jede Sammlung!
Marius Müller-Westernhagen: Fünf Kult-Alben neu aufgelegt
Fünf Alben, die eine entscheidende Kreativ-Epoche von Marius Müller-Westernhagen prägten, erfahren eine würdige Neuauflage! Am 15. August kehren folgende Werke als 2025 Remaster zurück:
Die Kollektion vereint fünf Ikonen: Das wegweisende "Sekt oder Selters", das unvergessene "Stinker", das intime "Nahaufnahme", das erfolgreiche "Ganz allein krieg ich's nicht hin" und das energiegeladene "Das Herz eines Boxers". Fünf zentrale Alben in remasterter Qualität.
Jede dieser originalgetreuen Editionen wurde aufwendig remastert, um eine brillante und frische Klangqualität zu garantieren, die den ureigenen Charakter der Aufnahmen respektiert. Die Alben sind erhältlich auf hochwertigem 180-Gramm-Vinyl sowie als CD Edition. Beide Formate präsentieren das originale Layout, was Fans ein authentisches Hörerlebnis bietet.
Sichern Sie sich jetzt diese unverzichtbaren Werke in absoluter Bestform – ein Muss für jede Sammlung!
Das Jimi Hendrix Bold As Love Boxset bieten ein erstklassiges Sammlererlebnis in einem 5LP + Blu-ray-Paket. Jedes Set enthält 27 bisher unveröffentlichte Aufnahmen aus dem Jahr 1967, darunter Demos und alternative Takes sowie Fernseh- und Radioauftritte. Diese Deluxe-Edition enthält die Stereo- und Mono-Mischungen des Albums Axis: Bold As Love, die alle von Bernie Grundman anhand der originalen Masterbänder neu gemastert wurden. Sowohl die Stereo- als auch die Mono-Mischungen sind in hochauflösendem 24-Bit/96-kHz-Audio enthalten, ebenso wie eine neu erstellte, immersive Dolby Atmos-Mischung von Eddie Kramer und Chandler Harrod. Ein 36-seitiges Booklet mit seltenen Fotos, detaillierten Liner Notes und Track-für-Track-Einblicken rundet das Angebot ab. Diese Veröffentlichung ist ideal für Hendrix-Fans und Vinyl-Liebhaber, die nach einer definitiven Archivausgabe eines der kultigsten Alben von Hendrix suchen.
Muito Kaballa return in style with a refined modern sound on "Tomorrow A Flower" for the London-based imprint Batov Records, blending indie pop, soul, hip hop, jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and West African grooves.
Sometimes there are discoveries that hit like thunderbolts! Matt Pascale & The Stomps are undoubtedly one of them-and a major one at that. Everything here is simply perfect. Musically, the backbone of this album remains blues, but rock, funk, soul, and even hip-hop are never far off. The compositions flow like a string of potential hits. It only takes listening to this album once or twice for certain melodies to lodge themselves firmly in your brain. As for the performance, it"s downright incredible. Matt Pascale has a raspy voice with a "more Italian you couldn"t get" vibe, his guitar playing is a sheer marvel of precision and feel, and The Stomps are a rhythmic and groovy powerhouse capable of waking the dead. Un-be-lie-va-ble!
Am 15. April 2023 erreichte Gary Numan mit seinem 1.000. Live-Auftritt im Electric Ballroom in Londons Stadtteil Camden Town einen monumentalen Meilenstein in seiner langen Karriere. Die Show, die
letzte von drei ausverkauften Konzerten in der legendären Veranstaltungsstätte, war ein Beweis für Numans anhaltenden Einfluss und die unerschütterliche Hingabe seiner Fans. Die Setlist war eine sorgfältig
zusammengestellte Reise durch Numans umfangreiches Repertoire, die klassische Hymnen („Down In The
Park”, „Cars”, „Are „Friends” Electric?”) mit Auszügen aus seinen neueren Alben Savage: Songs From A
Broken World (2017) und Intruder (2021) wie „The Gift” und „My Name Is Ruin” verband.
Die 1000. Show war mehr als nur ein Konzert, sie war eine Feier der bemerkenswerten Karriere von Gary
Numan und seines tiefgreifenden Einflusses auf die elektronische Musik. Mit einer Karriere, die sich über
mehrere Jahrzehnte erstreckt, sprengt Numan weiterhin Grenzen und inspiriert Generationen von Musikern.
Als die letzten Töne von „Are ‚Friends‘ Electric?“ in der Nacht verklangen, war klar, dass Gary Numans
einzigartige Klangsprache sich auch in den kommenden Jahren weiterentwickeln und begeistern wird.
Dieses besondere Konzert wird hier in zwei physischen Formaten präsentiert: als 3LP mit dreifacher
Gatefold-Hülle (nur Audio) und als 2CD+Blu-Ray-Paket mit dem Konzertfilm und dem Audio
Betterovs zweites Studioalbum »Große Kunst« dokumentiert die Schlägerei seines Protagonisten mit internalisierten Heimatgefühlen - und ein bittersüßes Nachhausekommen. Gleichzeitig erzählt es vom Was
davor geschah- von serpentinenartigen Biografien, von Flucht, von Stacheldraht, von Ferngläsern, von
einem selbsternannten Friedensstaat, der aus Ruinen auferstand und Ruinen hinterließ. Anstatt von großer
Kunst zu singen, singt Betterov von ihrer Absenz - und vom tiefen Riss zwischen Proletariat und Kulturklasse. Harter Tobak, das alles; aber eben schlichtweg das Fundament der Künstler-Persona Betterov, die
nur wegen beschriebener Lebensgeschichte - der Provinzjugend in der Post-DDR, dem Erfahrungsschatz
seines Elternpaars- klingt wie sie klingt und singt wie sie singt.
Mit »Große Kunst« ist Betterov ein Meisterwerk gelungen; und ein Siebenmeilenschritt aus dem sicheren
Kokon. Betterov, das ist noch immer eine unverkennbare Indie-Spielart, die trotz ihrer Schroffheit feierlich zu glitzern scheint, kühlen Dark-Wave Elementen große, zeremoniöse Melodiebögen entgegensetzt
und dabei mit traurigschöner Dynamik überzeugt. 2022 hat Betterov bereits mit »OLYMPIA« ein allseits
beklatschtes Top-5-Album veröffentlicht, die im Oktober 2023 nachgeschobene Erweiterung »OLYMPIA
(Ehrenrunde Deluxe)« samt neuer Stücke und Gastbeiträgen von Paula Hartmann, Blumengarten und Provinz haben Betterov über die deutsche Indieszene hinaus bekannt gemacht. Einmal mehr hat Betterov die
neuen Lieder in Zusammenarbeit mit Produzent Tim Tautorat aufgenommen - immerhin hat dieser seinen
Sound von Beginn an entscheidend mitgeprägt
Originally only available DTC. Durand Jones & The Indications share a new version of the sweet soul anthem Cruisin' To The Park with a Mexican twist from Y La Bamba. The song is a bside of ‘Too Many Tears’ taken from their second album American Love Call, heavily inspired by Jackie Wilson, Curtis Mayfield, and The Impressions..
The long-awaited analog release of “ODDTAXI” by Skirt and PUNPEE, the opening theme of the TV anime "ODDTAXI" is finally here!
■Skirt
Skirt is a self-described “unhealthy pop” band known for its refreshingly light yet slightly shadowed songwriting and band ensemble, earning widespread
acclaim across professions, genders, and age groups.
The project began in 2006 as the solo multi-track recording endeavor of Wataru Sawabe. In 2010, he launched his own label, Kaczka Sound, and released
his first album ""S-O-S,"" marking the true beginning of Skirt’s full-fledged musical journey.
In April 2021, Skirt collaborated with PUNPEE on the opening theme "ODDTAXI" for the anime "ODDTAXI". Drawing from his extensive knowledge of
comedy, Sawabe served as a judge for the finals of the UNDER 25 OWARAI CHAMPIONSHIP—a comedy competition for performers under 25—in
September 2023, and also wrote the event’s official theme song, "Kitai to Yokan"
In addition, he has contributed music to numerous animated works, films, and TV dramas. His exceptional songwriting skills have led him to write songs
for a range of artists including Takashi Fujii, Kaede (Negicco), Toko Miura, and adieu (Moka Kamishiraishi).
As a versatile multi-instrumentalist, Sawabe has also participated in live performances and recordings with artists he deeply admires, such as Spitz,
Makoto Kawamoto, and Moonriders. Skirt continues to attract attention as both a band and the project of a wonderfully talented, genre-defying
singer-songwriter.
■PUNPEE
Active as both a rapper and producer, PUNPEE has released acclaimed albums such as "MODERN TIMES" and "The Sofakingdom"" His diverse body
of work includes contributions to a Red Bull TV commercial, the opening theme for the TBS show "Wednesday's Downtown" a remix of Hikaru Utada’s
"Hikari -Ray of Hope MIX-" and the track "Time Machine ni Notte / Kazoku no Fukei" for the Sotetsu–Tokyu through line commemorative short film.
But of course, what truly matters—is what comes next. P
With HANKY XX, James Eleganz (formerly of Success) and Goulven Hamel (Philippe Pascal, Santa Cruz, The Celtic Social Club) reinvent country music by blending it with sound effects, samples, and a striking cinematic universe. Their debut album, Under A Western Sky, produced by the ZRP label, is a powerful and unique concept album that explores madness, identity, and reinvention. Between poetic narratives and sonic experimentation, HANKY XX surprises with its audacity and originality. The highlight: a completely reinvented cover of Taylor Swift's cult song "The Last Great American Dynasty," already tipped as a hit single. With a vinyl and CD release, HANKY XX offers an album that will appeal to folk and indie fans alike, as well as those curious to discover new musical experiences. A project at the crossroads of genres, tailored to appeal to a demanding audience... and naturally find its place in record stores.
SID MEIER’S CIVILIZATION VII – DER SOUNDTRACK AUF VINYL
Firaxis Games, 2K Games und Laced Records schließen sich zusammen und bringen den epischen Soundtrack von Sid Meier’s Civilization VII erstmals auf Vinyl.
Diese exklusive Doppel-LP präsentiert eine sorgfältige Auswahl musikalischer Highlights aus den verschiedenen „Zeitaltern“ des Spiels – verpackt in kunstvoll gestalteten Hüllen mit historischen Illustrationen aus dem Hause Firaxis.
Der Soundtrack spannt einen weiten Bogen über die Menschheitsgeschichte und Kulturen weltweit – mit orchestraler Wucht, weltmusikalischer Tiefe und eindrucksvollen Chören.
Den Auftakt macht Grammy-Gewinner Christopher Tin mit dem epischen Hauptthema „Live Gloriously“, gesungen in Altgriechisch, Altenglisch, K’iche’ und Sanskrit vom renommierten Crouch End Festival Chorus. Bereits mit „Baba Yetu“ (Civilization IV) schrieb Tin Videospielmusikgeschichte.
Die restliche Ingame-Musik stammt von den langjährigen Civilization-Komponisten Geoff Knorr und Roland Rizzo. Eingespielt wurde sie von internationalen Ensembles wie dem Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra, dem Mongolian State Morin Khuur Ensemble oder der Southern Pine Drum Group – eine weltumspannende Klangreise durch Vergangenheit und Gegenwart.
Ein Must-Have für Sammler*innen, Gaming-Fans und Liebhaber orchestraler Weltmusik.
Westerman’s 3rd album, A Jackal’s Wedding, became a document of leaving and arriving, ongoing transformation, and the liminal spaces between shadows and the lights that cast them. The collaboration with producer Marta Salogni (who mastered An Inbuilt Fault) created a woozy and dreamier work than the 2 previous Westerman albums. Recorded in a 17th century mansion, converted into an art space on the island of Hydra; the album reflects the chaos and limits of the space and uses it as a collaborator.
"From the very first seconds of the opening track "Graffiti Palace", this album establishes itself as one of the clearest and strongest in the band's discography. Eric Deleporte assumes his new ambitions and deploys his song-writing across 10 panoramic, dreamy songs. Seven years after "Black Condensed" and 31 years after a debut album "Icy Morning in Paris" released on the legendary French label Lithium (1994), "The Sharp Bones of my Sleep" marks a major turning point in the band's history. Rémy Poncet (Chevalrex) accompanied the construction of this sound architecture and Angy Laperdrix (Tahiti 80, Aquaserge, Chassol, Zombie Zombie, Halo Maud...) produced the mix. The light-dark atmospheres and heartbreaking melodies are more sensitive than ever in Perio's work, and summon the best of US indie (Deerhunter, Devendra Banhart...), the ghosts of punk and new-wave, and the urban poetry so dear to Eric Deleporte. ""Perio is a rare band. Because it sounds like no other, resolutely French-American, in a folk vein that bridges the gap between tradition as recorded in Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music and resolutely contemporary sounds."" -La Blogothèque
Fin" is the fourth album by Spanish band Exnovios, a group that has been described as a blend of Spacemen 3 influences and the best of Spanish '60s pop. The new dozen songs that make up their fourth LP happily shifts away a bit from to the usual unbeatable formula of this Pamplona-based quartet (garage reverbcore as if sung by Spanish legends Juan y Junior) and add new and fascinating layers-at once fresh yet entirely logical in the evolution of such a unique band within the local scene. Exnovios' new collection of songs wasn't created in a rehearsal space or recorded in a single week in the studio. Rather, it was composed and rehearsed slowly in bedrooms and living rooms-songs that were later brought into the studio with the idea of finishing building them there. Over the course of nearly a year, the band approached each song one by one, in a handcrafted manner, alongside their trusted ally, producer Guillermo Mutiloa. The result is a treasure trove of songs, perhaps more psych-folk than ever, as acoustic pieces abound-full of exquisite melodies without abandoning the consciousness-expanding journeys that have made Exnovios a cult favorite: from the instant classic 'Nubes' (with its very Byrds-like harmonies and gorgeous twelve-string acoustic guitar), to the delightful Big Star-style fiction of 'El cine se queda en silencio', or even the fabulous cover of Stephin Merritt's 'Tú tú tú tú.' These are often drumless tracks, perhaps with some light percussion, always featuring detailed and exquisite arrangements of guitar, electronics, percussion, and even touches of strings. And despite the reduced presence of drums (which, along with the laid-back recording approach, makes this almost Exnovios' "White Album"), fans of the band's legendary fuzz-guitar reverbcore sound won't be disappointed: there's the psychedelic 'Viaje Alucinante', full of their classic riffs; their brutal cover of Psychic TV's 'Godstar' (drenched in echo and eccentric vocal effects); and the perfectly crafted 'Naves Misteriosas', which pulls off the impossible feat of sounding like 'Cerca de las Estrellas'-era Los Pekenikes in the verses, Phil Spector in the chorus, and the Ramones in the post-chorus. And there's much more: percussion reminiscent of the most 'baggy' Primal Scream on the brilliant 'Aún no es tarde'; love lyrics wrapped in an exquisite drum machine soaked in reverb and Suicide-style Farfisa on 'Ha venido a quedarse'; the beautiful two-chord electronic Christmas carol 'Ya es Navidad'; and that lysergic waltz that sings of the peace brought by karmic revenge, carried along by waves of fuzz and delay, titled 'El día del juicio final.' "Fin" reveals more sides and nuances of Exnovios than ever before-a festival of eclectic styles that all remain true to the musical vision that has defined them over the past decade, with their melodic powers at the peak of their talent.
First Word Records are proud to present the sophomore solo EP from Victoria Port.
'Barefoot In The Garden' is a 5-track selection merging classic soul with contemporary sounds.
Put together from sessions recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London, and Victoria's home studio Candle Shop, this project exemplifies her talents as a singer-songwriter, developing upon the building blocks of her debut EP 'Did it Again' and Victoria's work as one half of electronic-soul duo, Anushka (BBE / Tru Thoughts / Brownswood).
On this EP, Victoria is accompanied by a wealth of talented artists in their own right, including frequent collaborators Hemai and JNR Williams, the highly-acclaimed drummer Moses Boyd, and vocalists such as Lea Lea, to name just a few.
The sonic tapestry stitched together on this EP epitomises the quality of British soul music of modern times; a vintage symphonic feel approach with modern-day production techniques, encompassing the Ronson-era of the late great Amy Winehouse, to the pack leaders of nowadays such as SAULT and Jungle. It's a logical progression considering Victoria's lifelong influences of US luminaries like Minnie Riperton, Gladys Knight, Nina Simone and Dionne Warwick.
Her fanbase includes Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 Music / Worldwide FM) who has tipped her as "an exciting emerging new artist whose sound fits alongside current successful acts like Cleo Sol, Lynda Dawn and Yazmin Lacey."
Victoria's previous EP had support from a wide range of tastemakers, including Cerys Matthews, Huey Morgan, Somewhere Soul, Mo Ayoub (Selector Radio), Ronnie Herel (Mi-Soul Radio's "One to Watch"), Tony Minvielle (Jazz FM) and across platforms like Rinse FM, NTS, Soho Radio and Global Soul, whilst her work with Anushka also received airplay from Annie Mac, Jamz Supernova, Huw Stephens and BBC Radio 1.
Victoria says "this EP comes from a place of nostalgia. It's kind of reflective of parts of life up to this moment, culminating in 'Barefoot in the Garden'. I guess it's me starting to understand the things that are truly important to me. How I want to love and be loved, the way I want to spend my time, and just me starting to filter out a lot of the noise. Sonically it's been such a dream to explore elements of old soul and jazz with so many incredible musicians, and to put our own unique spin on the genre."
Already a seasoned live perfomer, additionally to various live appearances solo past & forthcoming including We Out Here, Jazz Cafe, Koko and the London Jazz Festival, Victoria Port is set to be one of the leading lights in the world of British soul music. This EP provides some solid examples as to why.
'Barefoot In The Garden' is due to be released on vinyl and digital, November 7th 2025.
Dutch artist Sander van der Toorn returns to Kit Records, following his much-loved work with analogue-decayed folk duo Love is Yes, in 2024. While Sander's signature haze of tape-smeared synthesis and motorik guitar is ever present, "kom-kom" represents a departure from the elysian warmth of Love's debut.
The industrial throb of tracks like 'FIVE' and 'Rainhum' bear the deconstructed hallmarks of krautrock pioneers Neu!, and even the dystopic glow of artists like Plastikman or Pole. When kom-kom's harmonic ambitions resurface, such as on the synapse-aching 'Dwarsdoor', or the glassy structures of 'Hazenhart', the effect is startling.
van der Toorn cites the inspiration of Morton Feldman and Sarah Davachi when describing his work less as a linear listening experience, more a collection of sculptures that can be viewed from different angles. In this way, kom-kom doesn't have to move forward; the encounter can be one of stillness, of static objects given movement by the beholder's shifting perspective.
Sounds like: John Fahey being stretched into infinitely long pieces of spaghetti.
Recommended if you like: intercontinental rail travel, Mark Fisher, a nice malbec.
Limited edition of 100 cassettes, with risograph printed artwork.
Smith & Liddle are two young artists from the North of the United Kingdom who have never been to the desert and whose mere existence was a long way off the horizon in the 1970s, yet their music wouldn't be out of place on the FM waves in a Cadillac driving through the California desert at that time.
"Songs For The Desert" is Smith & Liddle's debut album, a collection of great songwriting, beautiful harmonies and wonderful musicianship that also offers an unashamedly a large dose of nostalgia harking back to some of the best eras there ever was.
These songs were created during one of their hometowns rainiest year, offering the duo an escape via their creations, dreaming of being transported to California at a time when the music scene there drifted from legendary stars of Laurel Canyon to the soft rock icons of Fleetwood Mac and The Doobie Brothers.
Elizabeth Liddle & Billy Smith grew up 25 miles away from each other in small towns but only met when Billy was on the lookout for a vocalist years later. The chemistry between the pair was instant, and over time their intertwined musical sensibilities evolved into something unique.
Following years of swapping records and building a transcendent musical connection, Smith & Liddle worked alongside producer Josh Ingledew to record 9 songs that blend Soft Rock, West Coast soul & 60s beats to produce their debut album "Songs For The Desert".
Dan Bean is one half of The Transcendence Orchestra, alongside Anthony Child (aka Surgeon). Together they've released three albums on Editions Mego as well as an album on their own Old Technology imprint. Dan has also previously released a solo EP on Eyeless Records.
This debut solo album is deliberately composed and performed using only two instruments: a Roland TB-303 and a bass guitar. The point of this constraint was to try to force the creation of unexpected sounds from two very familiar bass instruments. The eight pieces gathered here succeed in doing so, featuring searing textures, unexpected melodic progressions and trance inducing repetitions. At times tender, these tracks remind us that even the most familiar or even overused instruments and ideas can be subverted and refreshed.
Limitierte Auflage auf grünem Vinyl
• Nur 500 nummerierte Exemplare
• Gatefold-Hülle
• Mit exklusiven Fotos und einem Booklet mit Lyrics
• Enthält einen neuen Brief der Künstlerin
The Band Rotosphere has become a cornerstone of the Blues Festival Baden (Switzerland). Since 2005, led by guitarist and bandleader Nic Niedermann, they"ve been lighting up the festival"s legendary Late Night Jam Sessions. Over the years, they"ve shared the stage with blues icons such as Magic Slim, Susan Tedeschi, Coco Montoya, Justina Lee Brown and Chicago"s own blues harpist, Matthew Skoller. A truly magical moment unfolded in 2022 when Mark Slate took to the stage. The charismatic blues and soul singer captivated the audience from the first note with his powerful voice. Having spent years on the road with the "Joe Cocker Tribute Show", Slate embodies the raw and gritty essence of the blues. Now, performing alongside Rotosphere, they deliver original tracks brimming with energy, passion, and musical fire - an unforgettable experience for every listener!
Limitierte Auflage von 1000 Deluxe-Doppel-LPs mit 11 unveröffentlichten Titeln und Versionen auf "Glacial Blue" Vinyl. "Life in Slow Motion" stieg sowohl in Großbritannien als auch in Irland direkt auf Platz 1 ein und wurde zu einem kommerziellen Erfolg und erhielt begeisterte Kritiken. Aber noch wichtiger war, dass Gray damit wieder Freude am Musikmachen fand - am Schaffen von etwas Bleibendem. Jetzt, zwei Jahrzehnte später, wird "Life in Slow Motion" mit seiner ersten Veröffentlichung auf Vinyl gefeiert, zum 20-jährigen Jubiläum des Albums. Die Neuauflage wird in drei Editionen erhältlich sein: als Standard-Schwarzvinyl, als Farbvinyl und als Deluxe-Farbdoppelvinyl mit unveröffentlichten Demos und zwei bisher unbekannten Tracks aus den Original-Sessions. Diese Neuauflage von "Life in Slow Motion" bietet die Gelegenheit, ein wegweisendes Album wiederzuentdecken - nicht nur ein Produkt seiner Zeit, sondern ein Werk, das noch immer tief nachhallt. Weitläufig, nachdenklich und voller stiller Überzeugung.
Compiled of interviews, features, opinion pieces and contributions from
across the local independent Brighton scene, this magazine offers an
accessible new perspective into the incredible music and art present in the
city
Featuring local staples such as: Bones Ate Arfa, Cordelia Gartside, Trip Westerns,
Hutch, Big Long Sun and many more; as well as containing unique insight into the
multidisciplinary art scene inside the city through pieces with local promoters, poets,
record labels and venues. The magazine also contains a digital download for a
compilation of Brighton indie music that features in the back pages.
Hikmah is an astonishing solo piano work from virtuosic and far-ranging
sound scientist; deep and compassionate thinker and musical treasure: Pat
Thomas
Pat Thomas was Born in Oxford, UK to Antiguan parents on July 27, 1960.
Interestingly, just over 4 months separate his birth to that of fellow modern piano
master Matthew Shipp (Dec 7, 1960) - whose The Piano Equation was TAO Forms
inaugural release. Thomas is most certainly among the Black Mystery School Pianists
of which Shipp elucidates in the title essay of his recently published first book.
Eight thoroughly focused improvised and otherwise compositions recorded at Fish
Factory studio in London. The album's title, Hikmah, means "wisdom" in Arabic. The
title is also presented in two different forms of Arabic calligraphic script on the cover
artwork. This album brings the information. The vibrantly living jazz tradition and new
modes of expression in abundance are brought forth from a lifetime of work and a
decades long devotion to Sufism, understanding that the practice and performance of
this music is an elemental form of spiritual practice. As William Parker writes in the
liner notes, "the music becomes the prophet and the prayer all in one gesture." And,
"If you haven't yet heard the music of Pat Thomas, get hip to it quickly."
Attuned American audiences are most likely to have become familiar with Pat
Thomas through his work with the quartet [Ahmed] , whom over recent years have
amazed with their mesmeric, long-form explorations on the compositions of Ahmed
Abdul-Malik, and more recently, Thelonious Monk. Their debut US performance took
place in March 2025, and TAO Forms were lucky members of the rapt audience at
Roulette in Brooklyn that night; the group flew to Knoxville the next day to perform to
an equally rapt audience at Big Ears.
Available on 6- panel digipak CD printed on heavyweight board, with liner notes by
William Parker and LP with insert featuring liner notes by William Parker & Pat
Thomas Discography + download card. Ltd edition of 500.
Kai Winding (1922 -1983) was a Danish-born American trombonist and jazz
composer, particularly remembered for his collaborations and solo
exchanges with fellow trombonist JJ Johnson
Fans of their classic album 'The Great Kai & JJ' (Impulse!) will welcome 'Duo Bones'
with Kai trading solos with renowned Italian valve trombonist Dino Piana (1930 -
2023). The programme includes three original compositions by Kai, 'Duo Bones', 'Lady
H', and 'Stop Following Me', and one by Piana aptly titled, Kai & Dino. The rest of the
programme includes Cole Porter's 'Get Out Of Town', Bronislawl Kaper's 'On Green
Dolphin Street', Gorden Jenkin's 'This Is All I Ask', and an original composition by
producer Enrico Pieranunzi titled 'Soul Dance'.
"A series of pieces played very well, characterised by a marked swing and with solos
that transmit to the ear the joy felt by the musicians in performing them. An album of
pure fun, impeccable in execution, full of dizzying and spectacular phrasing,
impressive in the speed with which Winding and Piana intertwine their sounds in
elaborate counterpoints." - Marco Giorgi, from the liner notes
Kai Winding: trombone
Dino Piana: valve trombone
Enrico Pieranunzi: piano
Giovanni Tommaso: bass
Tullio De Piscopo: drums
Recorded by Francesco Melloni, Giovanni Fornari, Emmequattro Studio, Rome, Nov. 17
& 18, 1979.
"Amir ElSaffar (b. 1977, USA) is a composer, trumpeter, vocalist, santur player, and modular synthesizer artist whose innovative compositions blend elements of jazz, classical, and traditional Arabic music. His newly established label, Maqām Records, released its first album earlier this year, Maqam Al-Iraq, by legendary vocalist, Hamid Al-Saadi and is now following up with an album of ElSaffar’s work, New Quartet Live at Pierre Boulez Saal. Recorded live in Berlin in 2023, the album captures the ineffable magic of ElSaffar’s first encounter with Greek pianist Tania Giannouli, a star on the European jazz scene, alongside his NYC-based collaborators: acclaimed drummer and bandleader, Tomas Fujiwara, and saxophonist Ole Mathisen, who is also a featured member of ElSaffar’s Two Rivers and Rivers of Sound orchestra. The quartet merges Arabic maqām with jazz harmony and features microtonal and prepared piano. In addition to the concert itself, the album features alternate takes that were recorded at Pierre Boulez Saal the next day without an audience.
RIYL: Classic artists: Miles Davis - “Sketches of Spain,” “Kind of Blue,” John Coltrane - “A Love Supreme,” “Ballads,” Don Cherry - “Relativity Suite,” Ahmed Abdul Malik - “Jazz Sahara,” “East Meets West,” Cecil Taylor, John Hassel, Hossam Ramzy, Ziad Rahbani.
Contemporary artists: Vijay Iyer, Ibrahim Maalouf, Ambrose Akinmusire, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Dhafer Youssef"
"The five-year anniversary release of Orion Sun’s Hold Space For Me, pressed on tangerine vinyl. Her story, that of an early 20s woman of color dealing with and learning about life's obstacles and celebrations, is understood best through her song lyrics; citing J Dilla, Nancy Wilson, Jodeci, Kirk Franklin, Hazel Scott and Digable Planets as just some of her many influences. She's a career artist with a long road ahead and her sound defies trends; capitalizing on a velvety and familiar voice with timeless jazz / folk / R&B instrumentals.
“...a pinch-yourself song that steps lightly with the thrill of a love seemingly too good to be true (and the fear that it might be)” – Philadelphia Inquirer on “Ne Me Quitte Pas”
“stark and lightly poetic.” – Pitchfork
“A smooth, serene downbeat groove and a blissed vocal finds Orion Sun singing about sudden and deep connection — “It feels so good to know ya” — and despite the sadness implied in the title, the outlook is positive and pure.” – WXPN/The Key on “Ne Me Quitte Pas”
“While the track shares the same title as covers done by Nina Simone, Regina Spektor, and Wyclef Jean, she presents a completely different vibe, slowing down a flipped sample with smooth guitar loops and resonating drums. Still, with all of the stellar instrumentation, the 23-year-old’s voice cuts through as poignant as ever.” – Refinery 29 on ”Ne Me Quitte Pas”"
"Released in 1968, “Il medico della mutua” (The Doctor of the Mutual Insurance) is one of the sharpest and most bittersweet comedies in Italian cinema. The film stars Alberto Sordi as Dr. Guido Tersilli, an unscrupulous Roman physician who climbs the professional ladder by exploiting the public healthcare system with ruthless irony. Directed by Luigi Zampa, the film offers a lucid and sarcastic portrait of Italy during the economic boom — a country racing toward modernity, yet flaunting all its moral contradictions.
Giving musical voice to this social satire is Piero Piccioni, one of the undisputed masters of Italian film music. His score for “Il medico della mutua” perfectly captures his elegant and sophisticated style: smooth jazz, orchestral groove, and an ironic touch that mirrors the double nature of the protagonist — respectable on the surface, opportunistic at heart."
"Released in 1994, “Dellamorte Dellamore” (known internationally as Cemetery Man) is one of the most fascinating and unconventional films of 1990s Italian cinema. Directed by Michele Soavi and based on the novel by Tiziano Sclavi (the creator of Dylan Dog), the film blends horror, dark comedy, and surreal poetry into a story suspended between life and death, love and madness.
The protagonist is Rupert Everett, as Francesco Dellamorte, the caretaker of a cemetery where the dead return to life. Beside him, a mysterious woman (played by Anna Falchi) embodies the obsessive nature of love and the cyclical pattern of desire and loss. Soavi crafts a visionary, melancholic, and ironic film in which death becomes a metaphor for existence itself.
Giving voice to this suspended universe is Manuel De Sica, who composed one of his most evocative and underrated scores. The soundtrack for Dellamorte Dellamore is an alluring blend of gothic romanticism, mystery, and lyrical melancholy, perfectly attuned to the film’s tone."
Westerman’s 3rd album, A Jackal’s Wedding, became a document of leaving and arriving, ongoing transformation, and the liminal spaces between shadows and the lights that cast them. The collaboration with producer Marta Salogni (who mastered An Inbuilt Fault) created a woozy and dreamier work than the 2 previous Westerman albums. Recorded in a 17th century mansion, converted into an art space on the island of Hydra; the album reflects the chaos and limits of the space and uses it as a collaborator.
Portland ist einer der überzeugendsten Indie-Exporte Belgiens. Mit einer Mischung aus cineastischem Pop, melancholischem Folk und festivaltauglichem Rock feierte die Band ihren Durchbruch 2019 mit ihrem Debüt „Your Colours Will Stain“ und dem Nachfolger „Departures“ (2023). Bekannt für ihre zarten Harmonien und emotionsgeladenen Live-Shows, wurde Portland von europäischen Trendsettern hoch gelobt und stand auf Bühnen von Rock Werchter bis Eurosonic. „Champain“ ist ihr bisher persönlichstes und furchtlosestes Werk.
„Champain“ ist Portlands drittes Album und die erste Songsammlung, die nach dem Kampf der Singer-Songwriter Jente Pironet gegen Hirnkrebs entstand. Es ist ein Album, das die Narben der letzten Jahre deutlich sichtbar trägt, aber gleichzeitig eine unbändige Lebensfreude ausdrückt. Es liest sich wie das ehrliche Reisetagebuch einer wandernden Seele, von der Bühne ins Krankenhaus an den Schreibtisch und wieder zurück. Vom Fallen – hart und tief – und dem Wiederaufstehen. Von einem Sänger und einer Band, die durchhalten. Und das Ergebnis zeigt: Portland hat noch nie so energetisch, reifer und reicher geklungen wie auf diesen 10 neuen Songs.