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Venom & Faith (Released in 2018) is two Americana artists pushing expectations to create something both familiar but also innovative. Not many artists could pull off what they"ve done here.

Seminal rare groove funk and deep soul album originally released in 1973 on GRC Records now released 50 years later on Soul Jazz Records in this fully remastered edition of this CLASSIC album. The album "Ripple" contains the all-time classic "I Don"t know What It Is, But It Sure Is Funky", one of the most memorable funk tunes of all time and sampled many times over. Ripple"s unique blend of funk, soul, rock, proto-disco and more stood them alongside groups like Funkadelic, Brass Construction, Mandrill, Pleasure, Kool and the Gang and The Blackbyrds, who were all blending these styles while remaining firmly focussed on the dancefloor. Like the group Funkadelic, Ripple hailed from Michigan and in 1976 opened for the group on their Parliament/Funkadelic Mothership Connection tour. This classic album has been out of print for nearly 30 years on vinyl and is now fully remastered and presented here in its original artwork.

Hailing from the Los Angeles underground of the 1980s, Savage Republic forged an astonishing reputation for themselves as art-punk and industrial pioneers with their legendary performances. Their brand of ritualistically tribal exhibitions blurred the boundaries of Post-Punk and Industrial music. Their music incorporates minimialist bass rumbles, exotic and/or militaristic drumming, Arabic melodies, alternate tunings, primal chants and even a bit of surf guitar. Savage Republic released four full length albums in the 1980s, plus several live records and compilation tracks. 1989 everything went quiet as the republic scattered to pursue other interests and their labels and distributors folded. After reuniting in 2002 for a brief U.S. tour supporting the boxed-set reissue of their five studio albums by Mobilization Records, several of the members began sharing ideas for new songs, reviving the band officially in 2005. In 2006/2007 Savage Republic added drum professor Alan Waddington (the Unforgiven) to the line-up and released "1938" on Neurot Recordings, the band"s first studio recording in 18 years. The limited edition "Siam" EP was also released on Neurot Recordings featuring alternate mixes of some of the "1938" material. In 2021 Savage Republic released the album "Meteora" on Gusstaff Records and during the tour promoting this album in January 2023, the band also played a concert in Wroclaw, Poland. It became not only a document of this route, but also a kind of summary of their entire history. The album is released in CD format (the entire concert), as a black LP (over half of the concert) and as a limited red vinyl with an 8-inch vinyl record (lathe-cut) added with a few remaining songs from the concert. Both LP versions were pressed on thick 200g vinyl. Vinyl versions include download codes with the entire concert.

Jordsjø ist ein Duo aus Oslo, inspiriert vom französischen Composer Olivier Messiaen über Popol Vuh, Anthony Braxton, skandinavische Folklore und Jazz bis hin zum frühen britischen Prog. Jordsjø steht in der Tradition einiger der besten nordischen Rockmusiker des letzten Jahrhunderts und schafft es, Progressive Rock mit fantastischen Melodien und einem folkigen Touch zu verbinden. 'Salighet' ist das vierte Studioalbum der Band. Die sieben neuen Tracks ergeben eines der wohl besten Prog-Alben des Jahres 2023. Sie erforschen durch Kompositionen und Texte unterschiedliche Formen der Ekstase. Sei es in Form von Tanz, einer Bergwanderung, einem Märchen, religiösen Grübeleien oder anderen inneren Reisen, zu einem farbenfrohen symphonischen Folk-Rock-Sound. Die Musik ist ein Kontrapunkt zum alltäglichen Leben und sehnt sich nach Geheimnissen und alternativen Realitäten - mit großer Dynamik und Dramatik, immer auf der Suche nach einer guten Melodie. Das Album lässt sich von nordischem Jazz und Volksmusik, klassischer Musik des 20. Jahrhunderts und Rock der 60er und 70er Jahre inspirieren und kreiert so eine eigene starkes musikalische Identität.

repressed !

This vinyl only Simple Things re-issue will mirror the original release, cut over 4 sides and using the original artwork but now pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl. Cutting is by engineer Kevin Metcalfe using his original cutting notes.

Simple Things is a timelessly classic album and the essential soundtrack to any laidback summer chilling.

Zero 7 were formed in 1997 by producers Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. In 2001 their debut album Simple Things was released selling over a million copies to date and was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize. Zero 7 were also nominated as Best Newcomer at the Brit Awards 2001.

Simple Things peaked at no.28 in the UK album chart and spent 89 weeks on the chart. Stateside, the album hit no.4 on the Billboard Dance / Electronic album chart and stayed on that chart for 52 weeks.

Singles taken from the original album included I Have Seen featuring Mozez, Destiny featuring Sia & Sophie Barker, In the Waiting Line featuring Sophie Barker and Distractions featuring Sia.

Cologne-based afro-fusion collective Muito Kaballa announces their signing to Batov Records with the new single "Live A River Part I": Acting as the introduction to the musical world and lyrical narratives of the upcoming record "Like A River, the track leans into the river theme, providing an all-encompassing, flowing journey. Tim von Malotki"s percussive bass clarinet lines cut through the meandering wash of Benjamin Schneider"s rootsy, highlife-inspired guitars and atmospheric piano flourishes, courtesy of Jan Janzen. Vocalist Nora Beisel floats across the arrangement, backed by emotive horn harmonies whilst reflecting on the change of path at the end of a relationship; a new orientation and course set.

Written, Produced, and Mixed by Jai Paul.
RECORDED AT HOME IN RAYNERS LANE, LONDON, ENGLAND.

Published by BMG Music Publishing Ltd. Except:

Str8 Outta Mumbai contains a sample of Bala Main Bairagan - Vani Jairam. Banner: Suchitra International Productions “Meera”. Music: Ravi Shankar. Lyrics: Meerabi. Licensing courtesy of UNIVERSAL MUSIC INDIA PVT. LTD.

Crush Written by Berny Cosgrove, Kevin Clark, Clifford Mueller and Andy Goldmark. P ublished by Warner/Chappell North America Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Ltd. and Shapiro Bertstein & Co. Ltd.

Baby Beat contains a sample of “All My Life” performed by K-Ci & JoJo. Courtesy of Geffen Records, A Division of UMG Recordings Inc., under license from Universal Music Enterprises.


Chix contains a sample from “Adagio For Strings, Op11.” as recorded by Leonard Bernstein and The New York Philharmonic, used courtesy of Sony Masterworks, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

Lacquers cut by Scott Stratton at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood CA.

Sababa 5 continues their musical journey following the success of their acclaimed self-titled debut album, which fused deep funk and Middle Eastern grooves. Their latest offering, still under the Batov Records label, ventures into more explorative and experimental instrumental compositions. While evolving their musical direction, "Aspan" delves into the realm of psychedelic rock while retaining the essence of the band"s signature Middle Eastern groove.

Neither so young nor the eternal promise, Promising/Youngster is here to stay. Diego Cadierno signs his second appearance on AF with 'Bernesga EP' (tribute to his homeland), a free-flying 4-tracker full of dreamy landscapes and nostalgic electronics, with nods to the 90's golden era but exploring paths of present and future. Suitable for listening inwards or shared outwards, perfect to express emotion and lightness. Artwork by Geometric Love, UK. Enjoy!.

FSOL present the final instalment in the Environments Trilogy. “7.003” goes deeper and darker than the previous two albums, the flavour here harping back with memories of the group’s 90’s sounding pre “Dead Cities” album. On this release we have swamp laden electronics dripping from cavernous breakbeats weaving in and out of otherworldly chords and strings firmly back in the driving seat.

FSOL deliver not only the final piece of the jigsaw but a clever jaw-droppingly sensorium.

Saxophonist Alex Hitchcock continues his mission to seek out new sounds and textures at the forefront of contemporary jazz, and to act as a catalyst to bring together some of the finest musical talents drawn to the fervid internationalism of the contemporary London scene His response to the current challenging climate for artistic endeavour is to go big and go bold: Dream Band: Live in London is a truly groundbreaking project presenting three different 'dream bands' of his favourite musicians, captured live over three nights at London's legendary Vortex club performing music specially composed for each ensemble. The extraordinary line- ups he assembled are testament to the respect he has earned among his peers as a composer, player and bandleader with a uniquely inspiring vision. The band for the first night features the frontline of Mark Kavuma's trumpet and Liselotte Ostblom's vocals blending together over the trio of Rob Luft, Rio Kai, and Jamie Murray: the second features James Copus on trumpet with longtime musical partners Kit Downes on piano and Lewis Wright on vibes, and Conor Chaplin and Marc Michel supplying bass and drums, and the third sets Downes' piano alongside the guitar of Ant Law and Alexandra Ridout's trumpet, with the international all-star rhythm section team of Orlando le Fleming and James Maddren. Part of the album's delight lies in the unexpected combinations of these acclaimed players, and the new levels of creativity that they bring forth; the constant presence of Hitchcock's unmistakeable voice on tenor sax and the strength and consistency of his writing gives the project a compelling unity. Each of the three bands brings their own unique blend of voices to Hitchcock's compositions, taking them in directions unforeseen even by their composer.

Nick Leon, Swimful, DJ Znobia. One of the first artists from outside of Africa to sign to Hakuna Kulala, WULFFLUW XCIV brings his borderless productions to the label's ongoing Whitelabel series following a slew of dancefloor agitations from T5UMT5UMU, Menzi & Scratchclart, and others. "Toxica EP" builds on the mutant fusion of 2020's acclaimed "Ngoma Injection", stripping back the woozy psychedelia and chromium ambience and replacing it with pure soundsystem pressure. 'Take a Ride' bends acid techno machinery around rubbery East African rhythms, anchoring block party hedonism with a 4/4 bump that wouldn't be out of place in Kreuzberg and vocal shakes straight from São Paulo. But this isn't a mindless mashup of aesthetics, its a conversation with the world's fringe agitators, using stylistic and rhythmic strokes to highlight commonality, not exclusivity. Hakuna Kulala's own Chrisman appears on 'Tetemeka', and the two producers adapt the syrupy tarraxinha inversions the Congolese engineer perfected on last year's "Makila" full-length. Low, resonant gqom atmospheres underpin the entire track, but WULFFLUW XCIV's squeaky toy synths prevent it from slipping into darkness. Elsewhere 'Kluck' distorts the timeline completely, wedging flute-led Latin American tribal sounds into a riddim vs. trap superstructure, and 'Exp' sublimes speed dembow into delirious trance and minimal techno vapors. The boundaries between dance subgenres are slowly dissolving, and WULFFLUW XCIV's digital-era intermixture sounds like the cyberpunk carnival we're all desperately in need of

The phoenix symbolizes a new beginning. The fire burns off the last vestiges of the past as the bird spreads its wings and takes flight into the future. The Polyphonic Spree harness the flames of rebirth on their 2023 full-length offering, Salvage Enterprise. Led by frontman, founder, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and visionary Tim DeLaughter, the group embark on their next season. They're reverent of their history, yet they're also ready for an even brighter tomorrow. "Across all of the music I've done, lyrically there's a sense of desperation and a moment of convincing myself I'm going to make it through regardless of how the music dresses up," notes Tim. "On this one, I struggled with the amount of vulnerability I was experiencing and was willing to share both musically and lyrically, but ultimately decided to let it play out. Now that it's done, I'm happy with the dance between the two. It's a `rising-from-theashes' record." Salvage Enterprise beckons complete immersion. Opener "Galloping Seas (Section 44)" affixes softly strummed acoustic guitar to an orchestral hum as Tim urges, "Hold on through the galloping seas." "We're all galloping through rough waters," he says. "I tried to describe the process as well as I could and encourage people to keep their heads above the storm and the waves. Ride it out. It's going to be okay. It starts off very calm and introspective, and you can envision where it's going." Flute echoes over nimbly plucked guitar during "Shadows On The Hillside (Section 48)" as keys twinkle. A glorious harmony amplifies the nostalgia of "Hop Off The Fence (Section 49)." It concludes with "Morning Sun, I Built The Stairs (Section 52)." Optimism strains through his hopeful intonation, "I learned to fly, the more that I become a new reason, I want to try," uplifted by boisterous horns and cinematic strings. It crashes into an Ennio Morricone-style crescendo bolstered even higher by operatic vocals. "There is an arc of leaving the world behind, stripping your old self away, and becoming new again," he offers. "You're shedding off this old world, and you're heading into the future. It's an epic ending. You've made it. You're going to be alright." In the end, The Polyphonic Spree are the soundtrack to that light at the end of the tunne

The phoenix symbolizes a new beginning. The fire burns off the last vestiges of the past as the bird spreads its wings and takes flight into the future. The Polyphonic Spree harness the flames of rebirth on their 2023 full-length offering, Salvage Enterprise. Led by frontman, founder, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and visionary Tim DeLaughter, the group embark on their next season. They're reverent of their history, yet they're also ready for an even brighter tomorrow. "Across all of the music I've done, lyrically there's a sense of desperation and a moment of convincing myself I'm going to make it through regardless of how the music dresses up," notes Tim. "On this one, I struggled with the amount of vulnerability I was experiencing and was willing to share both musically and lyrically, but ultimately decided to let it play out. Now that it's done, I'm happy with the dance between the two. It's a `rising-from-theashes' record." Salvage Enterprise beckons complete immersion. Opener "Galloping Seas (Section 44)" affixes softly strummed acoustic guitar to an orchestral hum as Tim urges, "Hold on through the galloping seas." "We're all galloping through rough waters," he says. "I tried to describe the process as well as I could and encourage people to keep their heads above the storm and the waves. Ride it out. It's going to be okay. It starts off very calm and introspective, and you can envision where it's going." Flute echoes over nimbly plucked guitar during "Shadows On The Hillside (Section 48)" as keys twinkle. A glorious harmony amplifies the nostalgia of "Hop Off The Fence (Section 49)." It concludes with "Morning Sun, I Built The Stairs (Section 52)." Optimism strains through his hopeful intonation, "I learned to fly, the more that I become a new reason, I want to try," uplifted by boisterous horns and cinematic strings. It crashes into an Ennio Morricone-style crescendo bolstered even higher by operatic vocals. "There is an arc of leaving the world behind, stripping your old self away, and becoming new again," he offers. "You're shedding off this old world, and you're heading into the future. It's an epic ending. You've made it. You're going to be alright." In the end, The Polyphonic Spree are the soundtrack to that light at the end of the tunne

The phoenix symbolizes a new beginning. The fire burns off the last vestiges of the past as the bird spreads its wings and takes flight into the future. The Polyphonic Spree harness the flames of rebirth on their 2023 full-length offering, Salvage Enterprise. Led by frontman, founder, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and visionary Tim DeLaughter, the group embark on their next season. They're reverent of their history, yet they're also ready for an even brighter tomorrow. "Across all of the music I've done, lyrically there's a sense of desperation and a moment of convincing myself I'm going to make it through regardless of how the music dresses up," notes Tim. "On this one, I struggled with the amount of vulnerability I was experiencing and was willing to share both musically and lyrically, but ultimately decided to let it play out. Now that it's done, I'm happy with the dance between the two. It's a `rising-from-theashes' record." Salvage Enterprise beckons complete immersion. Opener "Galloping Seas (Section 44)" affixes softly strummed acoustic guitar to an orchestral hum as Tim urges, "Hold on through the galloping seas." "We're all galloping through rough waters," he says. "I tried to describe the process as well as I could and encourage people to keep their heads above the storm and the waves. Ride it out. It's going to be okay. It starts off very calm and introspective, and you can envision where it's going." Flute echoes over nimbly plucked guitar during "Shadows On The Hillside (Section 48)" as keys twinkle. A glorious harmony amplifies the nostalgia of "Hop Off The Fence (Section 49)." It concludes with "Morning Sun, I Built The Stairs (Section 52)." Optimism strains through his hopeful intonation, "I learned to fly, the more that I become a new reason, I want to try," uplifted by boisterous horns and cinematic strings. It crashes into an Ennio Morricone-style crescendo bolstered even higher by operatic vocals. "There is an arc of leaving the world behind, stripping your old self away, and becoming new again," he offers. "You're shedding off this old world, and you're heading into the future. It's an epic ending. You've made it. You're going to be alright." In the end, The Polyphonic Spree are the soundtrack to that light at the end of the tunne

Verdammt, es ist schon wieder passiert! Nicht nur haben ADAM ANGST ein neues Album aufgenommen, ihr drittes, nein, sie haben auch schon wieder Songs geschrieben, die so gnadenlos perfekt ins gesellschaftliche, deutsche Jetzt passen, dass es wirklich wehtut. Denn sagen wir mal so: Es sieht nicht gut aus. Für uns alle. Das dritte Album von Felix Schönfuss, David Frings, Roman Hartmann, Christian Kruse und Johannes Koster hört auf den Namen "TWIST" und erscheint am 17.11.2023 über Grand Hotel van Cleef. Die erste Single aus dem Album heißt "Die Lösung für deine Probleme", und ist leider, leider, leider heute aktueller als 2021, als der Song ursprünglich geschrieben wurde.

Verdammt, es ist schon wieder passiert! Nicht nur haben ADAM ANGST ein neues Album aufgenommen, ihr drittes, nein, sie haben auch schon wieder Songs geschrieben, die so gnadenlos perfekt ins gesellschaftliche, deutsche Jetzt passen, dass es wirklich wehtut. Denn sagen wir mal so: Es sieht nicht gut aus. Für uns alle. Das dritte Album von Felix Schönfuss, David Frings, Roman Hartmann, Christian Kruse und Johannes Koster hört auf den Namen "TWIST" und erscheint am 17.11.2023 über Grand Hotel van Cleef. Die erste Single aus dem Album heißt "Die Lösung für deine Probleme", und ist leider, leider, leider heute aktueller als 2021, als der Song ursprünglich geschrieben wurde.

Im achten Bandjahr sind sich LETO aus Hamburg mit ihrem dritten Studioalbum "LEben und TOt" der eigentlichen Bedeutung ihres Bandnamens bewusst. Nach den beiden Alben "Vor die Hunde" (VÖ 08/18), "Wider" (VÖ 10/20) und drei digitalen Singleveröffentlichungen in 2022 ("Meins/Deins u.a.) dehnen Leto die Genrevielfalt, die ihnen von einschlägigen Magazinen seit dem Debütalbum zugesprochen wird, erneut. Auf dem sicheren Post-Punk-Trampelpfad, den Bands wie Turbostaat, Love A oder Pascow über Jahre in die Musiklandschaft stapften, lässt es sich nach wie vor gemütlich gehen. Allerdings reißen Leto auf "Leben und tot" so stark wie noch nie aus und schreien sich in Emo-/Post-Hardcore-Manier die Seele aus dem Leib und drehen Gitarreneffekte wieder auf Anschlag. Textlich sind Leto auf "Leben und tot" klarer als zuvor und diskutieren und punktieren in Themenfeldern wie struktureller Ungleichheit oder Klimakrise - den Zeigefinger richten Leto dabei vornehmlich auf sich selbst. "Leben und tot" ist laut und verlangt ab. Insgesamt wurden für das Album über 30 Songs geschrieben, wovon 11 Lieder ausgewählt wurden. Das Album wurde von Kristian Kühl im Toolhouse (Rotenburg a.d. Fulda) aufgenommen und in Hamburg gemischt. Hauke Albrecht hat das Mastering der Platte übernommen. Julius Dettmer hat das Artwork erstellt.

Das Progressive/Cinematic Metal Projekt Mayfire wird durch Leidenschaft für Songwriting und Filmemachen getrieben. Mayfire wurde im Spätsommer 2019 gegründet und ist ein außerordentlich ambitioniertes Projekt, das Musik und filmische Visuals wie nie zuvor kombiniert. Mit Elementen von den frühen Pionieren des Progressive Metal wie Dream Theater bis hin zu den modernen Giganten wie TesseracT und Skyharbour, mit aufsteigenden Melodien von Bands wie In Flames und Ghost. Der Ehrgeiz lautet: Ein episches/ larger than life Erlebnis, durch eine visuelle Story vorangetrieben, geeignet für die großen Szenen und zukünftige Plattformen wie Metaverse und VR u.a. Moderner, melodischer & cineastischer Metal, inspiriert von Künstlern wie: Dream Theater, Ghost, Leperous, In Flames und mehr. Inspiriert von Visionären wie: James Cameron, Denis Villeneuve, George Lucas und anderen.

Reissue

''Early" brought together a series of formative recordings from the late 70s and early 80s, for an America-only vinyl release in 2005. The collection, accompanied by sleeve notes from Green Gartside, included the band"s debut single "Skank Bloc Bologna", along with seminal tracks including The "Sweetest Girl", "27/8/78" and "Lions After Slumber", and offered a stunning chance to enjoy the long-overlooked musical foundations of Scritti Politti again. Emerging from the scene around Leeds Art School, with fellow travellers The Mekons and The Gang Of Four, and recorded while the band were residing in a Camden squat organised along Marxist principles, these post-punk rallying cries which prefigured Green and co"s pop-leaning rebirth several years later, were the songs that grabbed the attention of John Peel, Rough Trade founder Geoff Travis and a generation of music fans who helped bring the indie music scene - and the labels that accompanied it - into existence. A musical community in which Scritti Politti played an influential and formative role.

My Love Is Your Love is a testament to Houston’s place in history as one of the greatest vocalists ever and is now available on 2LP vinyl featuring a new essay by Wyclef Jean, photos, lyrics, and fan testimonials.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Whitney Houston’s 4x Platinum album My Love Is Your Love, originally released worldwide on November 17th, 1998.

Her first studio album in eight years, Houston re-emerged with this remarkable work, graced by her transcendent talents and a prestigious ensemble of musicians. The vibrant sonic landscape interweaves sentiments of love, faith, and ardor with emotional integrity in every note, featuring the hit songs "Heartbreak Hotel," "It's Not Right But It's Okay" and the title track.

My Love Is Your Love is a testament to Houston’s place in history as one of the greatest vocalists ever and is now available on 2LP vinyl featuring a new essay by Wyclef Jean, photos, lyrics, and fan testimonials.

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Whitney Houston’s 4x Platinum album My Love Is Your Love, originally released worldwide on November 17th, 1998.

Her first studio album in eight years, Houston re-emerged with this remarkable work, graced by her transcendent talents and a prestigious ensemble of musicians. The vibrant sonic landscape interweaves sentiments of love, faith, and ardor with emotional integrity in every note, featuring the hit songs "Heartbreak Hotel," "It's Not Right But It's Okay" and the title track.

Available for the first time on vinyl, Whitney Houston's The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album is the best-selling gospel album of all time. Released on November 26, 1996, the album features songs performed and produced by Houston, who also starred in the film. From the moment you press play, your heart will move to soul-stirring vocals like the hauntingly beautiful "I Believe In You and Me," and the spiritual "Joy To The World," "I Love The Lord," and "Step By Step." The album features guest artists including Shirley Caesar, the Georgia Mass Choir, and Houston's mother, the legendary Cissy Houston. This 2LP vinyl features a new essay by producer Mervyn Warren and fan testimonials of love.

Available for the first time on vinyl, Whitney Houston's The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album is the best-selling gospel album of all time. Released on November 26, 1996, the album features songs performed and produced by Houston, who also starred in the film. From the moment you press play, your heart will move to soul-stirring vocals like the hauntingly beautiful "I Believe In You and Me," and the spiritual "Joy To The World," "I Love The Lord," and "Step By Step." The album features guest artists including Shirley Caesar, the Georgia Mass Choir, and Houston's mother, the legendary Cissy Houston. This 2LP vinyl features a new essay by producer Mervyn Warren and fan testimonials of love.

Nachdem The National den Soundcheck für ihren Auftritt in Vancouver am 5. Juni 2023 beendet hatten, spielte die Band einfach weiter. Etwas braute sich zusammen: Die prägnanten Gitarrenparts von Aaron und Bryce Dessner trafen auf den Signature-Drumbeat von Bryan Devendorf. Als der Bassist Scott Devendorf loslegte, fing Matt Berninger an, einige Zeilen zu singen, die schon seit ein paar Jahren in ihm reiften. " Smoke detector, smoke detector / All you need to do is protect her", intonierte er. Ihr Tontechniker ließ die Aufnahme laufen und plötzlich war es ein 12 Minuten-Jam. Sie wussten, dass sie etwas Besonderes hatten, und nahmen die Live-Aufnahme bald darauf in Aarons Studio mit. Sie haben ein paar Minuten gekürzt, aber ansonsten das beibehalten, was auf der Bühne in Vancouver passiert ist. Dieser Song, "Smoke Detector", ist der krönende Abschluss von "Laugh Track", die überraschende zweite Hälfte eines Doppelalbums, das im April mit "First Two Pages of Frankenstein" begann. Es erwies sich als das letzte Kapitel eines Werks, das ansonsten neben dem Schwesteralbum geschrieben wurde - der Schlussakt einer Katharsis, die zeigt, was The National in den letzten drei Jahren durchgemacht haben. Vor zwei Jahren war die "Smoke Detector"-Zeile einer der wenigen Fetzen, die Matt während einer lähmenden Depression schreiben konnte und das zu einer Zeit, in der sich die Band fragte, ob sie jemals wieder ein Album machen würde. Nach der Pandemie belebte ihr neuer Glaube aneinander die kreativen Fähigkeiten wieder. "Weird Goodbyes", das bereits im August 2022 erschien, war ihr erster Durchbruch und der erste Vorgeschmack auf diese neue Ära. "Wir haben es wirklich schnell veröffentlicht, weil es wie ein Baby war, das in der Dunkelheit geboren wurde, oder so", lacht Matt. "Wir mussten es den Menschen zeigen". Aber als sie schließlich mit diesem umfangreichen Werk vorankamen, entschieden sie sich, "Weird Goodbyes" nicht auf das Frankenstein-Album zu nehmen. "Es fühlte sich an, als ob die Geschichte bereits erzählt worden wäre. Es war eine eigene Sache", sagt Aaron. "Aber es fühlte sich auch so an, als hätte es einen Bezug zu dem, was wir taten. Das war ein Teil der Logik für die Aufnahme einer weiteren Platte - wir wollten "Weird Goodbyes" ein eigenes Zuhause geben." "Laugh Track" ist das vielleicht musikalisch bedingungsloseste Album, welches die Band seit Jahren gemacht hat. Es ist aufmüpfig und dennoch leichtfüßig, doch es enthält ebenso viel seltene, ungebremste Schönheit wie Trostlosigkeit. Thematisch gibt es keine absichtliche Trennung zwischen "Frankenstein" und "Laugh Track". Während Matt auf "Frankenstein" eher auf der Suche nach einem Zufluchtsort war, hat er hier eine neue, klare Sicht auf das, was zählt. Sein dringendes Bedürfnis nach Intimität wird durch eine immer größere Angst vor der Unwirklichkeit des modernen Lebens noch verstärkt. Die Charaktere auf diesem Album (keine Vornamen, abgesehen von einer Tourmanagerin namens Alice - nur "ich" und "du") decken einander, träumen füreinander und helfen, den Schein zu wahren - und lösen damit das Versprechen von der gegenseitigen Fürsorge ein, das Matt auf dem Frankenstein-Schlusslied "Send for Me" gegeben hat. Wenn "Frankenstein" ein Zeichen für die Wiederherstellung des Vertrauens zwischen den einzelnen Bandelementen war, so ist das lebendige und neugierige "Laugh Track" das selbstbewusste Produkt dieses Prozesses und eine Absichtserklärung für jetzt und die Zukunft.

God knows enough has been written about Workshop. Surely you haven't read it, but this group has been around since 1985, and what they did was this: musically quite limited, they made the music they wanted to hear, but in an ingenious way. Some played the instruments skillfully and others not so much. Something came out of it! One says: that's just the way I like it. The other one boasts: yes, I understood everything how you play here, sometimes you hit it, or sometimes you play so that the parents cry with joy. In fact, seven records were recorded, which, with the exception of the second LP, are still more than worth listening to today. Are they in danger of being forgotten?

Yes and no. What is worth listening to here has often been banned. One must bring it out again. Make attentive. Against the forgetting. These impetuous songs - just let them get close to you again and listen to them in a new context and forget all the smart-ass talk that was said about them. That means to put the self with all its reality entanglements in the pillory. This is of course not only pleasant. Bravo!

Re-Release von R.I.B., das Album der deutschen Thrash Metal Legende Tankard, das ursprünglich am 2014 über Nuclear Blast Records veröffentlicht wurde. Fast zehn Jahren nach seiner ursprünglichen Veröffentlichung, wird das Album in limitierter Auflage als Gatefold Red/White/Black Splatter veröffentlicht.

Ancient Infinity Orchestra is a 14-member jazz ensemble led by double-bassist and composer Ozzy Moysey, based in the bustling creative city of Leeds in the North of England – home to one of the most innovative and community-based jazz scenes in the UK. Saxophonist Matt Cliffe who also performs with Matthew Halsall is a key member and the rotating line-up which includes drums, two bassists, keyboards, harp, violin, cello, two tenors, alto, oboe, flute and percussion. "River of Light’ drinks deep from the well of spiritual jazz and is especially inspired by the soulful sounds of Pharoah Sanders, Alice and John Coltrane but also channels a certain Northern sensibility that can be heard in the music of Matthew Halsall or Alabaster de Plume. Melodic, warm and honest this is music that is happy to wear its heart on its sleeve.

After two years, Carl and Andreas present their second album, and once again, it opens up a wide associative space for us. What strikes us initially is the uncommon instrumentation: a church organ, harpsichord, glass tubes, and more. Like their first album (The Aporias of Futurism), it is mysterious and dark. But it also carries a strong touch of rebellion and adrenaline, sometimes quite pointedly. The pieces are now shorter and feature intricate yet irresistible rhythms. The impact is immediate, yet it maintains a sense of solemnity and ceremony. The Apollonian complexity of the rhythms and subtle melodic interweavings is transformed into a Dionysian, ecstatic, hypnotic, and at times tribal context. "Music for Unknown Rituals" oscillates between primitive instincts and avant-garde intrigues.

The process began in Döblitz, a small village on the Saale river in Germany, inside an old church that houses an organ built in 1886 by Johann Adolph Ibach. Carl and Andreas gained access and secluded themselves there for a few days, accompanied by the organ, an instrument made of glass tubes, and a set of modular synthesizers. After recording the basic tracks in Döblitz, the work continued in Munich and Berlin. Carl played electric guitars, harpsichord, bass, metallophone, xylophone, Indian harmonium, and various percussive instruments. Andreas added layers of electronic sounds, noises, and atmospheric drones. He also created percussive structures extracted and derived from recorded material of technical and industrial noises, which contrasted with the acoustic drums played by Carl. The antithetical approach continues with the dichotomous arrangement of the instruments, often panned hard left and right in the stereo field, creating an antiphonic communication. Some parts, especially the use of the electric guitar, evoke memories of the psychedelic sixties. However, this is anything but a nostalgic album—these musical references are merely remnants, set pieces, and fragments used from a contemporary, post-modern, post-youth-cultural, and post-romantic perspective.

Although Andreas and Carl continue on their chosen path of composing music with an almost literary narrative structure, this album is conceptually and formally completely different from their first effort. If “The Aporias of Futurism” was a revolutionary manifesto (in a pataphysical sense), "Music for Unknown Rituals" is more like the implementation in action; it is the practical application of the previous statement. To put it another way, if "The Aporias of Futurism” was the conceptual manifesto of a dark utopia of modernity, "Music for Unknown Rituals" is the staging of free will surrendering to the myths and catharsis of a Greek tragedy. And in response to this, the artwork features a leitmotif of histrionics with hands, the hands being the first and intuitive part of the body to express something: a ritual, a prayer, a defeat...

— Andreas Gerth is one half of Driftmachine, and Carl Osterhelt is part of F.S.K and collaborates with Hans-Joachim Irmler of Faust. Both became connected through their participation in the Tied & Tickled Trio.

25th anniversary release of the album from 1998 as expanded special limited edition. It is the eighth Dub Syndicate studio album mixed by Adrian Sherwood. Originally released as catalogue number Lion & Roots 002 in 1998 on Style Scott"s own label here"s the expanded and remastered collector"s limited edition as 2LP-set including six additional tracks not available on the original vinyl release and also as 18-track CD release, with the booklet including excerpts from an unpublished interview. Main vocal contributor is the legendary artist Big Youth plus Little David courtesy J.R. Productions (Junior Reid"s camp), backing vocals by Skip McDonald and Style Scott"s inimitable laughter. The basic tracks were recorded in Jamaica, with some of the pals from the Roots Radics days (i.e. Flabba Holt, Steely Johnson) at Studio 2000 (Steely & Clevie"s studio) and the legendary Tuff Gong Recording Studio, followed by overdubbing in the USA at Greenpoint Studios (Bill Laswell"s studio) and Playroom Studios in New York, with additional overdub and final mix at On-U Sound (London) by Adrian Sherwood.

South African pianist Thandi Ntuli traveled to Los Angeles in 2019, where she recorded this album of bare, explorative piano and voice pieces at a Venice Beach studio with International Anthem artist Carlos Niño in the producer chair. An absolutely stunning, intimate listen, with Ntuli"s prowess as a pianist and singularity as a vocalist on vivid display as much as her fearlessness, vulnerability and adventurousness during occasional experiments with synthesizers and percussion. Niño colors open minimalist soundscapes with overdubbed percussion, cymbals and plants.

Brooklyn-based bassist/composer Kenneth Jimenez presents his new work Sonnet to Silence on We Jazz Records. Consisting of 7 original compositions by Jimenez performed by his quartet including pianist Angelica Sanchez, drummer Gerald Cleaver and saxophonist Hery Paz, Sonnet to Silence echoes the original fire of New York free jazz while stepping into a terrain of its own, boldly forward-thinking.

Sababa 5 continues their musical journey following the success of their acclaimed self-titled debut album, which fused deep funk and Middle Eastern grooves. Their latest offering, still under the Batov Records label, ventures into more explorative and experimental instrumental compositions. While evolving their musical direction, "Aspan" delves into the realm of psychedelic rock while retaining the essence of the band"s signature Middle Eastern groove.

SIGIR ist eine Melodic Death Metal Band aus Finnland.

Sie kommen aus den Wäldern und folgen dem Weg, den Bands wie Amorphis, Children Of Bodom und Opeth beschritten haben. Sie sind noch jung und kommen aus einer Gegend, von der selbst die Finnen nicht wissen, dass sie existiert, und gehören zu der jungen Generation mit phänomenalen Spielfähigkeiten. Mit Hilfe von Jakob Herrmann (Schlagzeugproduktion), Jake E (Gesangsproduktion) und Euge Valovirta (Produzent) und Petri Alanko (Programmierung, Orchester), haben sie ein atemberaubendes Debütalbum geschaffen.

Electric, their third album, came out in 1987 and really caused the band to explode to new levels of fame. It contains the massive hits "Love Removal Machine", Wild Flower" and "Lil" Devil" and was produced by Rick Rubin. Electric is a seminal work, featuring some of the band"s most iconic songs. It is a departure from the band"s previous work, with a raw, agressive and stripped-down sound. The album"s opening track, "Wild Flower," sets the tone with its pounding drums, blistering guitar riffs, and Ian Astbury"s wailing vocals. Electric was a commercial and critical success, propelling The Cult to the forefront of the hard rock scene and cementing their status as one of the most influential bands of the era. The album remains a touchstone for hard rock and heavy metal fans, a classic work that captures the spirit of rebellion and the power of rock and roll. The Cult has remained an important and enduring force in the rock music world. The band has sold millions of records worldwide and has earned critical acclaim for its powerful live performances. The Cult continues to tour and record new music, and their influence on rock music shows no sign of diminishing.

In the late 1970’s Athens, Georgia was buzzing with a raw but sophisticated music scene. The turn of
the decade began producing new sounds from bands like the B-52’s, R.E.M. and Art-Rock luminaries,
Pylon. Before they were a band, Pylon were art-school students at the University of Georgia:
invigorated by big ideas about art and creativity. In 1980 the band released its first record, Gyrate and
began touring across the country in support of the release. Following the critical acclaim of Gyrate,
Pylon went back into the studio. They gleefully pulled their songs apart and put them back together in
new shapes, revealing a band of self-proclaimed non-musicians who had transformed gradually but
noticeably into real ones. The resulting album was, Chomp. Now, more than three decades later, both
studio recordings have been remastered from their original audio tapes and are set for release on New
West Records.

In the late 1970’s Athens, Georgia was buzzing with a raw but sophisticated music scene. The turn of the decade began producing new sounds from bands like the B-52’s, R.E.M. and Art-Rock luminaries, Pylon. Before they were a band, Pylon were art-school students at the University of Georgia: invigorated by big ideas about art and creativity. In 1980 the band released its first record, Gyrate and began touring across the country in support of the release. Following the critical acclaim of Gyrate, Pylon went back into the studio. They gleefully pulled their songs apart and put them back together in new shapes, revealing a band of self-proclaimed non-musicians who had transformed gradually but noticeably into real ones. The resulting album was, Chomp. Now, more than three decades later, both studio recordings have been remastered from their original audio tapes and are set for release on New West Records.

Twentysomething Dwight Yoakam was literally the new kid in country music when he stepped onto the Austin City Limits stage in October 1988. But even then, as he has ever since, he was doing things his own way. Dwight was born in a small Kentucky town and grew up listening to mountain and bluegrass music, and unlike most of the mainstream country-pop crooners of the eighties, he almost single-handedly revived the rockabilly / honky tonk / hillbilly sound that was one of the cornerstones of country music’s formative years. Early on he discovered the fabled “Bakersfield” sound of the 60’s and adopted it as his own, in the tradition of country legends Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Buck, in fact, became his hero and friend. When Dwight was playing a fair in Bakersfield, he stopped by Buck’s office and coaxed him into playing a few songs with him onstage that night. The result was a lasting friendship and their historic duet, “Streets Of Bakersfield.” Much like his heroes, Dwight has been true to his roots and breaking new ground for almost 20 years. - Terry Lickona (Producer Austin City Limits)