quête:chris black

I Can Only Be Me ist das jüngste Kapitel einer unvergleichlichen posthumen Karriere und ein bahnbrechendes neues Kollabo-Album mit dem London Symphony Orchestra. Eva Cassidys Originalgesangsparts wurden isoliert und mit neuen Arrangements von Christopher Willis (Schmigadoon!, Death of Stalin) und William Ross (Star Wars, Harry Potter) versehen. Mithilfe neuer Technologien des maschinellen Lernens wurden die vorhandenen Gesangsparts sorgfältig restauriert, um eine bisher ungehörte Klarheit und Tiefe zu erreichen. Das Ergebnis ist ein gefühlvolles, atmosphärisches Album mit üppigen Klanglandschaften, die den unverfälschten Gesang begleiten. Das Album enthält neu definierte Versionen von Klassikern wie Songbird, Time After Time, Autumn Leaves und Ain't No Sunshine.

Nirvana's third LP is a masterpiece of late UK sixties popsike turning into symphonic pop, but not having received proper promotion despite being equally good as, if not better than their previous releases, it also marked the end of the collaborations between Patrick Campbel-Lyons and Alex Spyropoulos back in 1969.



Nirvana presented it to Island boss Chris Blackwell under the title of Black Flower. Blackwell, however, decided to turn it down for release, but gave the masters to Campbell-Lyons and Spyropoulos so they could find a new label to release the album. That was to happen in the USA through Metromedia Records in 1969. At that time, the label's owner went through a scandal due to the payola days, which left Nirvana's third offering without any promotion - as a result of that, very few copies were pressed. There was also a UK release on PYE and it was even released by Metromedia in Japan. However, for years it remained as "the lost" Nirvana release, with the added fact that none of the released editions launched the album under its original title of Black Flower but under the rather cryptic Dedicated To Markos II (read why in the liner notes!).



Musically, this is Nirvana at their best. The tune that should have been the title track, Black Flower, is an incredible piece of symphonic psychedelia and probably the best produced Nirvana track ever. Campbell-Lyons and Spyropoulos were backed for the occasion by Spooky Tooth, who played on many tracks of the album, and big orchestral arrangements mesmerize the listener in one of the duo's darkest offerings. This song aside, the rest of the album was deemed as sounding too much like a French soundtrack by Island, which may do at some points –without that being a bad thing,– but there is a lot more to it, since Nirvana have not lost that popsike edge that characterised their sound in their two previous outings.



This is also a record that was widely acclaimed in the hip hop scene. And samplers of it have been used by several artists, most notably DJ Shadow used Love Suite in his 1996 debut album Endtroducing.



The Wah Wah edition has been remastered from the original tapes by Roger Prades @ Prades Mastering and comes with a bonus 7" EP and a four page colour insert with liner notes by Malcom Dome, plus a sheet with the lyrics of the songs. First ever official vinyl reissue since 1970 in a limited edition of 500 copies only!

Endlevel sind mit ihrem zweiten Album "Weekend War" zurück und starten ihre zweite Offensive. Die 11 neu komponierten Tracks beinhalten alles was Endlevel ausmacht. Thrashige Riffs mit einem Death Metal Einschlag, gutturaler Gesang und hohe Thrash Vocals, treffen auf rhythmische Finesse und unterhaltsame Texte - Metallerherz was willst du mehr? Das entsprechende Artwork von Martin Chmelícek (u.A. Spasm, Gutalax, Insistent, Obscene Extreme Festival) fängt visuell perfekt die Marschrichtung ein: Jeder Track, voll gegen die Kauleiste, dazu viel Bier und das Wochenende steckt einem Montags noch in den Knochen! Die 11 Tracks fräsen sich mit einer Unbekümmertheit und gleichzeitig brillanten Produktion in den Gehörgang, dass es einfach nur Spaß macht. Für den tollen Sound war Christian Schäfer verantwortlich, der unter Anderem auch schon für Fateful Finality oder Doom Division an den Reglern saß. Wer also seinen Death Metal auch gerne mit etwas Thrash Metal vermischt und auf Bands wie "Inhuman Condition", "Bolt Thrower", aber auch "Malevolent Creation" und einer Prise "Anthrax" steht, der sollte sich aber ganz schnell "Endlevel - Weekend War" auf den Plattenteller legen und sich bei einem bis 12 Bier ordentlich die Kauleiste massieren lassen. Das Album erscheint auf CD, Vinyl und ist auf allen gängigen Streaming-Plattformen verfügbar.

Tricky is back. Back with a new studio album, False Idols, and his own label (also bearing the False Idols name), but also back in a personal sense. I was lost for ages, he says. I was trying to prove something to people, trying to do something to please other people and also myself at the same time, which is never going to work. To be honest with you, Ive been floating around since Chris Blackwell and Island. My last two albums, I thought they were good, but I realise now they werent. This album is about me finding myself again.
It opens with a cover of a Van Morrison song, Somebodys Sins, which sees Tricky and vocalist Francesca Belmonte whispering Jesus died for somebodys sins, but not mine over a sparse groaning bass. The lead single Parenthesis, which features a vocals from Peter Silberman of The Antlers, has more rhythmic grunt, which gives a different dimension to the dark gothic atmosphere that pervades the record. No-one does this kind of thing better.
The resemblance to Maxinquaye is undeniable, though the material on False Idols is gentler; more mature. Many of the songs feature artists signed to Trickys new label, including 24-year Londoner Francesca Belmonte and Fifi Rong. The album also includes collaborations with Nigeria's new global star Nneka, the afore-mentioned Peter Silberman. In the months before the albums release, False Idols will also release an EP "Matter of Time" showcasing the labels roster on new non-album material produced by Tricky.
Why the name False Idols Because theres so much bollocks going on at the moment mate, Tricky fires back. People follow celebrities and read every little thing they do. Its living vicariously through someone else. Get your own life. All this stuff is false idols. In this new album Ill stand behind every track, Tricky says. I dont care whether people like it. Im doing what I want to do, which is what I did with my first record. Thats what made me who I was in the beginning. If people dont like it, it dont matter to me because Im back where I was.

Prayer returns to Hooversound once again creating a melting pot of his influences. From classical, to jungle and breaks to ambient, Prayer has doubled down on his refusal to be pigeonholed into a stereotype.

#HOO11/06 is a release combining this EP with his previous release on Hoover - putting it on vinyl form for the first time!

Prayer has always been one to push hard on the emotional front, and definitely brings this energy to this release. Having recorded original piano music from the age of 16, he’s been able to create a distinctive sound that still yet blows expectations out of the park, with previous releases on Grade 10 and Black Acre as well as debuting on Hooversound in 2021.

This EP continues in a run of amazing releases from Hooversound Recordings - the London-based label founded by NAINA and SHERELLE in 2020 - including the likes of Chrissy, Mani Festo, Special Request x Tim Reaper and Sinistarr to name a few.

Released in 1981& the last in a decade-long run of Top 50 R&B albums, ‘The Electric Spanking Of War Babies’ was the band’s twelfth studio LP & featured several players new to the Funkadelic line-up, notably Sly Stone. With its allusions to the Vietnam War & US imperialism, George Clinton’s project was destined to court controversy from the start, not least for its uncompromising sleeve art which original label Warner Bros. censored. Described by Robert Christgau as “the solidest, weirdest chunk of P-Funk since one nation gathered under a groove” & originally conceived as a double LP, many tracks saw release on Clinton’s later P-Funk projects. Arguably, it is better for having been précised down to a single album while still spawning two hit singles, the title track (US R&B No. 60) & ‘Shockwaves’ (US R&B No.53). FUNKADELIC Masterminded by the larger-than-life figure of George Clinton, Funkadelic was a key component of his influential P-Funk empire. Funkadelic’s unique combination of Rock, Psychedelia, R&B & Soul led to the band crossing over to the pop mainstream & gaining a vast international following, becoming one of the most important & influential groups in music. On 6 May 1997, Parliament / Funkadelic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame by Prince. To commemorate six decades of thrilling & delighting fans, George Clinton returned to the stage in 2022 for a series of concerts. To celebrate, Charly have reissued Funkadelic’s classic four albums ‘Hardcore Jollies’; ‘One Nation Under A Groove’; ‘Uncle Jam Wants You’; & ‘The Electric Spanking Of War Babies’ (originally released by Warner Bros during a golden period for the band between 1976-1981). Each album will be available as deluxe gatefold Digi-Sleeve CDs in PVC wallets + obi-strip & facsimile-edition gatefold LPs on 180-gram black vinyl & limited edition 180-gram colored vinyl + 1970s-style obi-strip in a protective PVC sleeve. “They played a HUGE role in creating the future of music.” PRINCE

Tasteful double album with outstanding female singers. When it comes to vocal art alone, the jazz world is firmly in the hands of women. Just think of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald or Nina Simone. But singers of younger days, such as Sarah Vaughan or Diana Krall, are no less impressive with their enchanting voices. Reason enough for the French label Wagram to unite the most renowned female singers of the last decades on a double album.

Waxwork Records is thrilled to announce the release of GET OUT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Music By Michael Abels. Written and directed by Jordan Peele, GET OUT is a critically acclaimed 2017 American horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams. The film received numerous accolades and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Kalluya. GET OUT is the directorial debut of accomplished actor and long time horror-fanatic, Jordan Peele. The film's music was scored by composer Michael Abels, and it also features his debut as a film composer. Included in the new deluxe double LP release of GET OUT are exclusive liner notes in the form of an in depth essay by Peele that illustrates the director's first meeting with Michael Abels, their approach to the film's music, and how it all came together to conjure a new sound. "I had some ideas. I envisioned distinctly black voices harmonically creating an unnatural sound. The absence of hope. The void of the voiceless. A disembodied Negro spiritual. The Sunken Place." GET OUT Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features the complete soundtrack by composer Michael Abels, deluxe packaging, new artwork by Leslie Herman, a printed insert with exclusive liner notes by Jordan Peele, 180 gram black and white splatter vinyl, and old style tip-on gatefold jackets with satin coating.

Brainwave research center is a new project from NYC-based house/techno producer, Chase Smith (W.T. Records, Apartment, is/Was), & documentary filmmaker, Christa Majoras (School of Visual Arts).

Conceived together over two years as musical thought experiments, brainwave research center’s debut album, figure 1, contains a genre-bending distillation of influences from experimental music (Steve Reich, Laurie Spiegel, Black Dice), 1990s ambient techno (The Orb, Pete Namlook/Fax Records), and Motorik/Kosmiche/Krautrock (Kraftwerk, Suicide, Manual Gottsching).

The songs embrace a raw, naive approach to sound design, instrumentation, and technical production to capture the feeling of experimentation of the works they are inspired by. Described by listeners as a mixture of Electronic, ambient, and kosmische/krautrock.

Recorded and produced in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in the back of Smith’s synthesizer/electronic repair shop, Specs Sales & Repair, Figure 1 is the first in a sequence of 4 works to be released.

Made primarily with TR-606, OB8, SH-101, MS-20, Fizmo, H3000, SDE-3000

Justice League is a 2017 superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero team of the same name. The film was directed by Zack Snyder and written by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon. It is the fifth installment in the DC Extended Universe and is a sequel to the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.

The film was scored by Danny Elfman, who previously worked together with Tim Burton on many of his films. Elfman has won numeruous awards and was nominated for four Oscars. Some of his well-known works include the soundtrack for the films The Nightmare Before Christmas, Men In Black, Batman and Edward Scissorhands.

The soundtrack to Justice League includes Sigrid “Everybody Knows”, The White Stripes “Icky Thumb” and “Come Together” by Gary Clark Jr. and Junkie XL.

Justice League is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on flaming coloured vinyl. This 2LP includes a sticker sheet of the different Justice League characters and is housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

A Jazzman’s Blues is the 2022 Netflix drama film written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Joshua Boone, Amirah Vann, Solea Pfeiffer, Austin Scott, and Ryan Eggold a.o. The film centers on the forbidden romance between Bayou and Leanne who are best friends. They fall in love as soon as they cross paths, however Leanne’s mother forbids their union and forcefully takes Leanne with her to Boston.

The orchestral music in A Jazzman’s Blues was composed by the classically trained composer Aaron Zigman, who has previously scored music for films including The Notebook, The Company Men and Sex & the City. He has also written, arranged, and produced for artists including Quincy Jones, John Legend, Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, and Aretha Franklin amongst many others. The songs of this score have been arranged and produced by Oscar-nominated trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. He has been nominated for composing the scores for BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods.

The soundtrack features vocals by the cast members, including Joshua Boone, Amirah Vann and Austin Scott.

AJazzman’s Blues is housed in a gatefold sleeve and includes an unfolded “paper plane” insert with lyrics of Ruth B.’s song “Paper Airplane”.

Limited Cerulean Blue Vinyl LP. RIYL: Amen Dunes, Adrienne Lenker & North Americans. Numün, the NYC psychedelic instrumental trio Pitchfork dubbed as 'savvy navigators of paths less traveled', is releasing its second album Book of Beyond on the legendary Shimmy Disc label. With this record, the band, which includes Joel Mellin and Christopher Romero of Gamelan Dharma Swara and ambient country pioneer Bob Holmes of SUSS, continues to stretch their exploration of the inner and outer astral worlds of their first release Voyage au Soleil – voted one of the Best Ambient Releases of 2020. Dave Segal of Pitchfork called that album a "blending of the opiated psychedelia of the music territory staked Brightback Morning Light with a loose-limbed minimalism that privileges subtle effects and incremental chord changes" and Chris Ingalis from PopMatters called it "a trippy, ambient ride and ambitious debut that pulls off the neat trick of creating music that evokes space travel while also sounding refreshingly grounded to Earth's atmosphere." The new album, mastered by Kramer (Galaxie 500, Butthole Surfers, Bongwater, Low, Bill Frisell, etc.) features a unique mixture of Eastern and Western musical stylings and instrumentation including Balinese gamelan, gender wayang, and cumbuz (a 12-string fretless banjo) alongside the classic Americana instrumentation of slide guitar, baritone, mandolin and violin. The instrumental music charts new territories as it explores themes that are sometimes deeply personal, spiritual and otherworldly, including new fatherhood, sleep deprivation, loss and rebirth with titles that include Steps, Vespers, Eyes Open & Lullaby. Guests on the album include Trina Basu (Brooklyn Raga Massive), Tori Lo Mellin (Dharma Swara), and Willa Roberts (Black Sea Hotel). With their new album, Book of Beyond, Numün creates music that provides a star map to help us all navigate the inner constellations of our daily lives.

Honoring the craft and the ones that came before him through undeniably infectious beats that brace the weight of his choice samples and original layers. Getting his chops up through his younger days, Shane spent his time developing instrumental obstacle courses for local emcees to dance around including Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious), Spills (NY) Kinetic Source (Ozomatli) and Cashus King (LA.) By the age of 21 Shane threw himself into the ring of the Stones Throw beat making contest. To only the surprise of himself, Shane walked away twice as a weekly winner of the battles. After a small hiatus due to the birth of his daughter Clementine, Shane jumped back on the pads and began crafting the instrumentals for what would become Apostolos. With the instrumentals in flux Shane reached out via Instagram to an upcoming emcee out of the Duck Down Camp, a prodigy of the late, great Sean Price, Rim. After chatting back and forth for a small time, making sure Rim knew Shane was in this project for the right reasons, Rim jumped on board and even helped land other up and coming NY emcees like Eddie Kaine & Spills. From there everything snowballed. One feature led to another and soon enough the album was taking shape with features from not only Rim and Eddie Kaine, but hip-hop heroes such as Masta Ace, Planet Asia, A.G. of D.I.T.C. and Geechi Suede. With a few more instrumentals and spaces to fill Shane reached out to long-time bay area engineer/producer Deegan Mack Adams to help with the mixing and mastering and overall release of the project. Apostolos gets its namesake and back cover imagery from Shane Sounds' great great Grandfather, Apostolos Christakis who immigrated to the United States from Greece at the turn of the 20th century. The documents you see on the back cover are Apostolos’s army registration documents only a week after coming to the United States. We pay our respects to the ones who came before us and allowed us to be here to create this project. Salute!

CHRISTIAN DEATH was formed by Rozz Williams in Los Angeles, California in 1979. Williams was eventually joined by guitarist/songwriter Rikk Agnew of ADOLESCENTS, James McGearty on bass and George Belanger on drums. This CHRISTIAN DEATH line-up was responsible for recording the band's iconic 1982 debut, ONLY THEATRE OF PAIN, widely regarded as the #1 American goth album of all-time. This exclusive double-LP version of OTOP commemorates its 40th anniversary- the first disc is the digitally remastered, original version of the album while the second disc is comprised of "Dogs" from HELL COMES TO YOUR HOUSE, four pre-Frontier demos, two studio demos made for a second Frontier Records' LP that never happened and two alternate studio mixes from OTOP. The gatefold LP jacket is printed in its original its black and metallic gold, includes a Colver collage poster and a hardcover copy of the photo book, ONLY THEATRE OF PAIN and all come in a hard slipcase. The oversized 12" x 12" book features rare and never-before-seen photos of CHRISTIAN DEATH as well as new interviews with photographer Edward C. Colver, the surviving band members, Frontier's Lisa Fancher and others. Colver befriended the band and followed them around in late 1981 and early 1982 at more than a dozen concerts as well as photo shoots in Rozz Williams' family home (used on the back cover and insert of ONLY THEATRE OF PAIN) and a session of now famous images at a Pomona CA cemetery. Info: Just as the theatrically-minded LA punk scene was beginning to give rise to such morbidly themed outfits as 45 Grave and the Flesh Eaters, an androgynous teenaged street performer named Rozz Williams (né Roger Painter) founded CHRISTIAN DEATH, one of the most prolific, enduring, and beloved gothic acts of all time. Williams' otherworldly groan can make "Only Theatre of Pain" difficult going for those that aren't the gothic faithful, but the loud/not-too-fast music (courtesy of ex-ADOLESCENTS guitarist Rikk Agnew and the walking-dead rhythm section of bassist James McGearty and drummer George Belanger) is appropriately doom 'n' gloomy, with inventive arrangements and clear sound - thanks to Frontier Records' go-to punk production legend, Thom Wilson- capturing the mood in full B-movie fidelity. The lyrics sacriligiously address horror topics and religion: they're overwrought (the backwards masking of 'Mysterium Iniquitatis' being one clever exception) but easy to overlook in the wash of inspired rock noise. The original lineup's recorded debut is a gem. Artists inspired by CHRISTIAN DEATH include Danzig, Craddle of Filth, Paradise Lost, Korn, Type O Negative, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Jane's Addiction. Press: "A depraved masterpiece, this was punk rock made poetic, subversive, and gracefully savage."- AV Club "The Gothic album to out-gothic all others" - Melody Maker "Only Theatre of Pain's influence should not be underestimated" - Record Collector Limited availability!

Cutting their teeth as teens in a West Bromwich bedroom, The Sea Urchins were nothing like the heavy metal that seemed to fill every bar in the UK Black Country. Fringe haircuts, perfect trousers, suede jackets and infectious tambourines gave plenty of hints as to their youthful ambition, but nothing could fully prepare you for just how utterly spellbinding these songs would be. Compiling their fanzine-only flexi material with the full complement of singles for Sarah Records, Stardust runs chronologically from late 1986 to the middle of 1989, beginning with the singles split for Clare Wadd’s Kvatch and Matt Haynes’ Sha La La, before hitting the first of what would be an even hundred releases from the new label Wadd and Haynes would form - Sarah.

The song that launched a legendary label and defined a sound, a scene, a place and time; “Pristine Christine” still rings out as immediate and magical today as it did on first listen. What a glorious jangly rush racing around the corners of pop’s history! The band would reach such heights time and again over the course of this three year burst. The melancholy swinging folk of “Everglade” and it’s wonderfully yearning vocal; the organ-fueled british invasion garage rock sing-a-long of “Solace”; the playful psych pop of “A Morning Odyssey”; the acoustic sweep of “Wild Grass Pictures”; the perfectly named “Summershine” leaving you with a ramshackle smile out on the dancefloor. All of it is just so filled with delicate humanity, yet somehow absolutely perfect.

As Bob Stanley said about the shimmering ballad “Please Rain Fall” while bestowing it with NME Single Of The Week (an honor also bestowed upon “Pristine Christine”), “think of some variations on the word marvelous and you’re most of the way there.”

In their time, they might have seemed wildly out of step, but it’s not crazy to say that things could have been very different for the likes of Radiohead, The La’s, and Oasis without The Sea Urchins. Liner notes by Television Personalities legend Dan Treacy.

Orange Vinyl

Cutting their teeth as teens in a West Bromwich bedroom, The Sea Urchins were nothing like the heavy metal that seemed to fill every bar in the UK Black Country. Fringe haircuts, perfect trousers, suede jackets and infectious tambourines gave plenty of hints as to their youthful ambition, but nothing could fully prepare you for just how utterly spellbinding these songs would be. Compiling their fanzine-only flexi material with the full complement of singles for Sarah Records, Stardust runs chronologically from late 1986 to the middle of 1989, beginning with the singles split for Clare Wadd’s Kvatch and Matt Haynes’ Sha La La, before hitting the first of what would be an even hundred releases from the new label Wadd and Haynes would form - Sarah.

The song that launched a legendary label and defined a sound, a scene, a place and time; “Pristine Christine” still rings out as immediate and magical today as it did on first listen. What a glorious jangly rush racing around the corners of pop’s history! The band would reach such heights time and again over the course of this three year burst. The melancholy swinging folk of “Everglade” and it’s wonderfully yearning vocal; the organ-fueled british invasion garage rock sing-a-long of “Solace”; the playful psych pop of “A Morning Odyssey”; the acoustic sweep of “Wild Grass Pictures”; the perfectly named “Summershine” leaving you with a ramshackle smile out on the dancefloor. All of it is just so filled with delicate humanity, yet somehow absolutely perfect.

As Bob Stanley said about the shimmering ballad “Please Rain Fall” while bestowing it with NME Single Of The Week (an honor also bestowed upon “Pristine Christine”), “think of some variations on the word marvelous and you’re most of the way there.”

In their time, they might have seemed wildly out of step, but it’s not crazy to say that things could have been very different for the likes of Radiohead, The La’s, and Oasis without The Sea Urchins. Liner notes by Television Personalities legend Dan Treacy.

Die Meister des hymnischen Rock'n'Roll Black Star Riders sind stolz, ihr neues Album mit dem Titel »Wrong Side Of Paradise« ankündigen zu können. Das Album mit 11 Tracks wurde im Herbst 2021 im Studio 606 in Northridge, Kalifornien und Toochtoon Sound in Redmond, Oregon mit dem Produzenten und langjährigen BSR-Mitarbeiter Jay Ruston aufgenommen.

Mit Ricky Warwick (Leadgesang/Gitarre), Robert Crane (Bass), Christian Martucci (Gitarre) und Schlagzeuger Zak St. John veröffentlicht die Band 2022 ihre erste Single und ein Video mit dem Titel »Better Than Saturday Night« (mit Backing Vocals von Joe Elliott von Def Leppard). Das Video zeigt eine blitzschnelle Performance der viermaligen UK Top 25 Band und lässt den Betrachter ein Standard-Rockvideo-Klischee vermuten, bevor es mit dem Auftritt der rauen Roller Derby Dolls auf den Kopf gestellt wird.

Über das Album sagt Ricky: »Ich bin sehr stolz auf dieses Album, Black Star Riders fünfte Veröffentlichung und die erste mit unserer neuen und aufregenden Beziehung zu Earache Records. Wie alle BSR-Alben ist auch ›Wrong Side Of Paradise‹ eine hymnische Absichtserklärung, angetrieben von wilden Gitarren und donnernden Drums. Ich kann nur über meine eigenen persönlichen Erfahrungen schreiben, über meine Familien, meine Freunde und darüber, wie ich eine Welt sehe, die sich schneller verändert, als wir sie begreifen können. Davon abgesehen glaube ich fest an die Kraft der Positivität, etwas, das in diesem Album widerhallt

Die Meister des hymnischen Rock'n'Roll Black Star Riders sind stolz, ihr neues Album mit dem Titel »Wrong Side Of Paradise« ankündigen zu können. Das Album mit 11 Tracks wurde im Herbst 2021 im Studio 606 in Northridge, Kalifornien und Toochtoon Sound in Redmond, Oregon mit dem Produzenten und langjährigen BSR-Mitarbeiter Jay Ruston aufgenommen.

Mit Ricky Warwick (Leadgesang/Gitarre), Robert Crane (Bass), Christian Martucci (Gitarre) und Schlagzeuger Zak St. John veröffentlicht die Band 2022 ihre erste Single und ein Video mit dem Titel »Better Than Saturday Night« (mit Backing Vocals von Joe Elliott von Def Leppard). Das Video zeigt eine blitzschnelle Performance der viermaligen UK Top 25 Band und lässt den Betrachter ein Standard-Rockvideo-Klischee vermuten, bevor es mit dem Auftritt der rauen Roller Derby Dolls auf den Kopf gestellt wird.

Über das Album sagt Ricky: »Ich bin sehr stolz auf dieses Album, Black Star Riders fünfte Veröffentlichung und die erste mit unserer neuen und aufregenden Beziehung zu Earache Records. Wie alle BSR-Alben ist auch ›Wrong Side Of Paradise‹ eine hymnische Absichtserklärung, angetrieben von wilden Gitarren und donnernden Drums. Ich kann nur über meine eigenen persönlichen Erfahrungen schreiben, über meine Familien, meine Freunde und darüber, wie ich eine Welt sehe, die sich schneller verändert, als wir sie begreifen können. Davon abgesehen glaube ich fest an die Kraft der Positivität, etwas, das in diesem Album widerhallt

Die Meister des hymnischen Rock'n'Roll Black Star Riders sind stolz, ihr neues Album mit dem Titel »Wrong Side Of Paradise« ankündigen zu können. Das Album mit 11 Tracks wurde im Herbst 2021 im Studio 606 in Northridge, Kalifornien und Toochtoon Sound in Redmond, Oregon mit dem Produzenten und langjährigen BSR-Mitarbeiter Jay Ruston aufgenommen.

Mit Ricky Warwick (Leadgesang/Gitarre), Robert Crane (Bass), Christian Martucci (Gitarre) und Schlagzeuger Zak St. John veröffentlicht die Band 2022 ihre erste Single und ein Video mit dem Titel »Better Than Saturday Night« (mit Backing Vocals von Joe Elliott von Def Leppard). Das Video zeigt eine blitzschnelle Performance der viermaligen UK Top 25 Band und lässt den Betrachter ein Standard-Rockvideo-Klischee vermuten, bevor es mit dem Auftritt der rauen Roller Derby Dolls auf den Kopf gestellt wird.

Über das Album sagt Ricky: »Ich bin sehr stolz auf dieses Album, Black Star Riders fünfte Veröffentlichung und die erste mit unserer neuen und aufregenden Beziehung zu Earache Records. Wie alle BSR-Alben ist auch ›Wrong Side Of Paradise‹ eine hymnische Absichtserklärung, angetrieben von wilden Gitarren und donnernden Drums. Ich kann nur über meine eigenen persönlichen Erfahrungen schreiben, über meine Familien, meine Freunde und darüber, wie ich eine Welt sehe, die sich schneller verändert, als wir sie begreifen können. Davon abgesehen glaube ich fest an die Kraft der Positivität, etwas, das in diesem Album widerhallt

Masters of anthemic rock ‘n’ roll Black Star Riders (The former Thin Lizzy
members) return with their hugely anticipated 5th studio album by
Earache records
Featuring 11 tracks, it was recorded in the Autumn of 2021 at Studio 606 in
Northridge California and Toochtoon Sound in Redmond Oregon with producer
and long time BSR associate, Jay Ruston. With Ricky Warwick on Lead Vocals /
Guitar, Robert Crane on Bass, Christian Martucci on Guitar and drummer Zak St.
About the album Ricky says “I am very proud of this record, Black Star Riders
fifth release and the first with our new and exciting relationship with Earache
Records. As with all BSR albums, ‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’ is an anthemic
statement of intent, driven by ferocious guitars and thundering drums. I can only
write about my own personal experiences, my families, my friends and how I see
a world that is unravelling and changing faster than we can comprehend. I’m a
firm believer however, in the power of positivity, something that echoes
throughout this album”.

Factory Benelux presents a new 3 disc black vinyl edition of Harmony, the debut album by influential Scottish group The Wake. Originally released by Factory Records in December 1982, this new expanded edition marks the 40th anniversary of this landmark post-punk album.

The Wake formed in Glasgow in 1981 after singer/guitarist Caesar left Altered Images, and joined Factory the following year. Harmony was recorded at Strawberry Studios in Stockport with producer Chris Nagle (formerly Martin Hannett’s preferred engineer), by which time the group comprised Caesar (vocals, guitar), Carolyn Allen (keyboards), Steven Allen (drums) and Bobby Gillespie (bass). On release as Fact 60 the original 7 track mini album earned a 5 star review in Sounds magazine, hailed as the missing indiepop link between Factory and Postcard Records.

Bonus tracks on Disc 2 include The Wake’s dub-informed second single, Something Outside b/w Host, and also their John Peel session from July 1983 – the last recordings to feature Gillespie before his departure for The Jesus and Mary Chain and Primal Scream.
Disc 3 offers a desk recorded live set from Ayr Pavilion on 15 April 1983 during a tour with New Order. The concert includes several songs never recorded in the studio, including Recovery and Country of the Blind.

The enhanced trifold artwork for this new edition includes images of the band by noted photographer Paul Slattery, taken at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, as well as new liner notes by Caesar. A 2xCD edition is also available (FBN 29 CD).

After releasing several further albums on Factory and Sarah Records during the 1980s and 1990s, The Wake returned to recording with A Light Far Out in 2012. A new studio album is expected in 2023.

Duality was recorded in Los Angeles with producers Brandon Paddock Avril Lavigne, Christina Perri, Timeflies, Tommy English [We Came As Romans, Megan & Liz, Black Veil Brides], and Matt Appleton [Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, Foxy Shazam]. Set It Off displays a more refined pop sound on Duality, offering the perfect blend of bright sing-alongs, inspiring anthems, and sinister breakup ballads. Vocalist Cody Carson shines on the new album with his soaring croons and dynamic range, impeccably framed by standout guitarwork, bold horns and driving rhythms. With Duality, Set It Off has expanded upon their signature cinematic sound, creating their most memorable and cohesive work to date. The forthcoming album also features impressive guest vocalist spots from Jason Lancaster (Go Radio) and William Beckett, and was included in Alternative Press’ ‘Most Anticipated Music of 2014’ Issue.

Double vinyl LP pressing. Wagram music present a release chock-filled with jazz tunes that have been appropriated and live on in the sample-heavy world of hip-hop! Includes tracks by Nina Simone, Bob James, Doris Day, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and many others.

Naglfar have an high quality of their recordings, this is the fifth album by those Swedes, and are here again be able to keep up to their high recording standards of the previous albums and if their music would still reek of hatred, evil and suffering. Naglfar is one of those bands that can effortlessly mix raw energy of black metal that we know from their first albums with the elements of melodic death metal introduced in their later releases. This mix makes their songs memorable to a point that you can recognize them from the first riffs. Traditionally of course, intensity mixes with atmospheric slower parts, melodic touches intertwine with ultra fast brutality, and in all that, solos, parts of keyboards or piano are thrown into as if into a twister of sickening sound. Musically, the whole band shows us solid compositional skills, supported by technical instrumentality and respectable experience. Christopher Olivius spits out wicked lyrics, he sang with such passion and malice, that vocals added an extra level of brutality, vocals are very strong and solid. Harvest is an inspired, interesting and originally diverse piece of work. This album comes out in deluxe gatefold edition on vinyl,

Christoph Dahlberg draws fine lines in the music with organic sounds and crackling beats.

After his highly acclaimed debut album "TIME" (2020, Sonderling Records), his second work "Blackforms" follows at the end of 2022, merging cinematic, experimental electronica and ambient textures with astonishing compositional consistency. He knows how to peel out details through intelligent sampling, encountering the idea, capturing it and thus freeing himself - subtlety.
"Blackforms" holds an engaging gloominess that will fascinate you, too!

Bassist/composer Christian McBride's 'The Movement Revisited: A
Musical Portrait of Four Icons' is the culminating documentation of a
richly inspired piece lauding four key figures of the Civil Rights
Movement: Rev
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Muhammad Ali.
Marshalling his ever- sharpening skills as a composer, arranger, conductor,
musician and lyricist, McBride has created a historically and culturally
illuminating five- part suite for an 18- piece big band, chorus and narrators that
places the motivating forces as well as the goals of the Civil Rights Movement
within a powerfully relevant artistic context. It is a one- from- the- heart project
McBride was, apparently, destined to undertake.
This recording of The Movement Revisited marks the addition of a fifth
movement, Apotheosis, which acknowledges the election of Barack Obama as
the first African American President of the United States.
2-LP regular weight black vinyl gatefold jacket.

Although Los Hermanos Ballumbrosio are one of the most emblematic groups of Afro-Peruvian music, no single recording has been able to portray the essence of the group... Until now. "Homenaje a El Carmen" ("Homage to El Carmen"), their debut album for Buh Records, sets the record straight: it captures the true spirit of the musical tradition of El Carmen, a city located a few miles to the south of Lima that is home to the largest black community in Peru. Songs based on percussion and zapateo bring back the memories and experiences of a culture that has produced one of the greatest treasures of Peruvian music. "Homage to El Carmen", the third volume of the series "Perspectives on Afro-Peruvian Music", signals the return of the group to the recording studio, and also to the sources of rhythms such as festejo and panalivio, which they interpret with cajón, quijada (jawbone), congas, bongo and batá. The result is a distillation and a testimony of the memories and experiences that portray the cultural universe of El Carmen. We have access to a selection of traditional songs that are heard during the festivities, such as "Guanchivalito", which is played during the Yunza Negra, a ceremony in which a willow tree is cut to bring benefits to the community. "Panalivio " and "Serrana Vieja" are two traditional Christmas carols that are played in the "Hatajo de Negritos" and which reflect the syncretic character of the Afro-Peruvian culture. These songs speak of the difficulties of rural life, but they also serve as a vehicle to demonstrate the Ballumbrosio brother's mastery in the art of zapateo, a dance that is accompanied by violin and bells. The classic "La Esquina de El Carmen" is perhaps the song that best expresses the erotic character of festejo, also known as baile de cintura (waist dance). "Homage to El Carmen" is the highly anticipated return of the Ballumbrosio brothers to the recording studio. They have become indisputable references of Afro-Peruvian music and have displayed their sound and dances around the world. It was time for an album that portrays the essence of the group: a collective spirit, where the tutelary image of Amador Ballumbrosio always shines, and which traces a history from Africa to El Carmen. This album is published in vinyl format in a limited edition of 300 copies. Include 8 full-page booklet with liner notes in Spanish and English. Produced by Manongo Mujica and Daniel Mujica. Cover by Yerko Zlatar.

Back in stock !

First Word Records is very proud to present a brand new full-length album from Kaidi Tatham. 'It's A World Before You'.

Following on from two EPs released on First Word last year ('Changing Times' and 'Hard Times'), Kaidi has delivered us thirteen tracks that deftly illustrate his various talents as a multi-instrumentalist.

Kaidi is probably best known for his work with Bugz In The Attic, though his musical contributions over the years have also included Amy Winehouse, Slum Village, Mulatu Astatke, Soul II Soul, Moonchild, Leroy Burgess, Amp Fiddler, Chris Dave, Macy Gray, King Britt, DJ Spinna, Mr Scruff and IG Culture to name but a few! In recent times, he's worked with DJ Jazzy Jeff on a variety of projects, including his most recent album 'M3', touring Europe for Jeff and Will Smith's reunion shows, and on the PLAYlist album 'Chasing Goosebumps', with Glenn Lewis, Stro Elliot (The Roots), Masego, Maimouna Youssef, Rich Medina, Daniel Crawford and more.

All this in addition to heating up dances around Europe with his inimitable DJ sets, and working heavily with First Word label-mate, Eric Lau (who also mixed this album) on a variety of projects, and adding releases to his already impressive catalogue on 2000 Black, Eglo and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature, with regular compadre, Dego (who features on the album's title track).

This album personifies Kaidi's diverse palette of sounds - bar Eric & Dego's features, every piece of music is played by himself. Largely flowing on a broken beat rhythm section, Kaidi effortlessly incorporates washes of afro, latin and funk throughout. From the harmonics of 'Your Dream Don't Mean A Thing', to the breakneck funk of 'Outta Audah', each and every riddim exudes energy. But this isn't simply a bruk record. The album is laced together with downtempo beats and future jazz interludes throughout, and some sweet synth boogie is never very far away, especially on the weighty vibes of 'It's About Who You Know'. To top it all off, there's two delightful nuggets of hip hop soul - Mancunian label-mates, Children of Zeus, feature on the neo-soul vibes of 'Out Here On My Own', and there's a feature from Amir Townes, better known as Uhmeer - an upcoming MC from Philadelphia, and son of one Jazzy Jeff Townes - who rides a sub-heavy, piano-led slice of boom bap, voicing an assortment of characters to tell the tale of 'Cupid'.

'It's A World Before You' is set to cause serious damage to sound-systems over the Summer, and show and prove once again the skills of one of the UK's best unsung musical talents, Kaidi Tatham.

"Meat. The story needs meat. (And blood ... coagulated blood (Gore)). The substance we are seeking here lies beyond the bare bones of fact, thewhen and the where (founded in 1988, Mülheim an der Ruhr) or personneland instruments (a trio since 2016, built around keyboards, saxophone, bass & drums). The story is more than the sum of its facts. Mysteries may very well lurk here or there along the way. What keeps the final two foundermembers going after all this time Do Morten Gass and Robin Rodenberg have skeletons locked in their closets How dearly we would we love to know the answer to that one, alas the most beautiful puzzles tend to remain unsolved.Including their debut Gore Motel' (1994), BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE have amassed an impressive eight longplayers. Four album titles allude to the night - their debut was followed by Midnight Radio' (1995), Sunset Mission' (2000), and Black Earth' (2002), whilst the most recent instalment carried the name Piano Nights' (2014). The nocturnal quartet was punctuated by Geisterfaust' (2005), Dolores' (2008) and a mini-album entitled Beileid' (2011), adding rather eerie overtones to the after hours ambience. The BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE legend has grown stronger both at home and abroad with every record they have released and every show they have played. Strange as it may seem, there is a uniform consistency to their reception. Whatever the band does, critiques are unfailingly positive, yet repetitious. References, links and associations recur almost word for word. Consider the arrival of Christoph Clöser in 1997, by way of illustration. When he joined the group, his saxophone replaced the departing Reiner Henseleit's guitar as one of the defining instruments in the band. This was arguably the sharpest break in their sound to this day and a significant marker in terms of the band's reverence for Dutch instrumentalists GORE (the clue is in the name), whose repetitive riffs paved the way for how the guitar would be deployed in a post-everything future. Nevertheless, this fissure in the BOHREN continuum has barely merits a mention in the greater scheme of things. Similarly conspicious by their absence in the BOHREN chronicles are the numerous instruments which they added to the mix - vibraphone, organ, tuba, bass trombone to name just a few. The introduction of choirs at least had a clear visual impact. Since Thorsten Benning left at the end of 2015, the band has continued as a trio, sharing shifts on the drums (although they have equipped themselves with mechanical brushes). A decrease in personnel was conversely accompanied by quantum leaps forward in the group's musical development - or more precisely, minor adjustments triggered major effects. Such changes may not get any easier to spot in the future, such is the intensity of internal imagery sparked by the music, a maelstrom of distractions so powerful that its promises are too sweet and too dangerous in equal measure. The music of BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE opens up remarkable rooms of association, from a warm burrow to a pristine secret lodge, from a
dusky woodland tavern to a smoky quayside dive. Individual and collective floods of images rush forth irresistibly. Loneliness is not at all problematic: empty multi-storey car parks, nighttime drives, remote bridges to nowhere. All in your mind. This is the temptation, a sweet, guilt-free addiction. It's all in your mind - and only there. These sinister crackling songs are invitations to secrete oneself in darkness. With track titles such as 'Maximum Black', 'Zombies Never Die' or 'Dandys Lungern Durch Die Nacht', the mind wanders inexorably into filmic spaces.
Echoing the masters of midnight cinema, stories evolve all by themselves. As the American Film Noir Foundation observed so smartly: 'the vivid co-mingling of lost innocence, doomed romanticism, hard-edged cynicism, desperate desire, and shadowy sexuality.' Their definition of Film Noir serves just as well as an appraisal of the group, 'Bohren For Beginners'.
Which says it all really, doesn't it A final word of warning! Sources close to the band describe the double CD
released in October 2016 as a gateway drug to the Bohren universe. Enter at your own risk, some have never found their way out again."(by Lars Brinkmann)

arbitrary presents the third in the Black Box series of releases by Mads Emil Nielsen. The release, which showcases a more sample- and grid-based side of the Danish musician/composer’s work, is part of a sequence of publications with music and audio originally made for theatre, radio soundtracks and more.

Black Box 3 is based on sound pieces produced for Sprækker (Cracks), a dance performance & installation in Denmark, 2021. The starting points for these pieces are improvisations recorded with contemporary dancers, in which Nielsen guides the listener through a corpus of synthesizer recordings, everyday sounds and radio archives. These original recordings were reworked for this LP and edited into the six tracks in early 2022.

Written & produced, recorded and mixed by Mads Emil Nielsen, Copenhagen, 2021 / 2022. Acoustic sounds on Installation – 2 by Victor Dybbroe. Mastered and cut by Kassian Troyer at D&M, Berlin. Graphic design by Mads Emil Nielsen. Thanks to Aaben Dans, Thomas Eisenhardt, Catherine Poher, Chris Watson, Antoine Hubineau.

Die Powerhouse-Rocker Fozzy veröffentlichen ihr neues Album BOOMBOX, ihr erstes Album seit fünf Jahren. Das Album, das die US-Top-10-Singles "Nowhere to Run" und "Sane" enthält, wurde erneut von Johnny Andrews produziert. FOZZY-Frontmann Chris Jericho sagt über das Album: "Judas... sowohl das Album als auch der Song waren ein RIESIGER Durchbruch für FOZZY. Es brachte uns auf das nächste Level und brachte uns eine gute Position im Rockradio und als Live-Magnet ein. Daher wussten wir, dass wir das Album unseres Lebens nachlegen mussten. BOOMBOX ist dieses Album! Ihr habt bereits die Top-Ten-Singles "Nowhere To Run" und "Sane" gehört - knallharte, eingängige Songs, die den Ton für dieses Album angeben. Aber es sind "I Still Burn", "Army Of One" und "Relax", die meiner Meinung nach dieses Album und diese Band noch weiter nach oben bringen werden! Also dreht die Lautstärke auf und haltet euch die BOOMBOX an eure Ohren!!! Es wird ein wilder Ritt werden."

Nach einer triumphalen Herbsttournee stellen die Jazz-/Electro-Stars mit 300 000 verkauften Alben ihre neueste EP "Between Two Waves" im Vinylformat vor. Ein Neo-Jazz-Juwel mit energiegeladenen und mitreißenden Rhythmen, in denen Klavier, Kontrabass und Drums perfekt miteinander verschmelzen. Mit dieser neuen EP präsentieren Gogo Penguin eine neue Besetzung (der Schlagzeuger Jon Scott schließt sich dem Pianisten Chris Illingworth und dem Bassisten Nick Blacka an, einige Monate vor den Aufnahmesitzungen in den Real World Studios von Peter Gabriel) und unterzeichnen bei einem neuen Label: XXIM Records. Neuanfang und wichtiger Wendepunkt in ihrer Entwicklung: Die Band begann, neue Ideen zu erforschen und zu experimentieren, und erweiterte die Palette der Klänge und Stimmen in den Stücken.

White Vinyl

Wiederveröffentlichung des im Jahr 2014 erschienenen siebten Albums der schwedischen Hardrock Legende. Die limitierte Neuauflage erscheint auf weissem Vinyl inkl. Bonus Track sowie neuen Liner Notes von Astral Doors Sänger Nils Patrik Johansson.

"Notes From The Shadows" (das siebte Album der Band) führt uns zu der dunkleren Seite der Band mit einem näheren Blick in die schwarze Bibel. Ein rein böses Heavy Metal-Album, das die okkulten Texte zum klassischen Heavy Metal zurückbringt.

Elf außergewöhnliche Tracks, gemischt und gemastert im Black Lounge Studio in Grangärde von Jonas Kjellgren (Raubtier).

"Notes From The Shadows" hat sich als ein großer Schritt in der Karriere der Band erwiesen und wird nun als Ltd. Edition White Vinyl wiederveröffentlicht.

Sami Yaffa hat eine lange und Karriere als Musiker hinter sich. Als Gründungsmitglied der Hanoi Rocks (1980-85) nahm er mit der Band fünf Alben auf und tourte ausgiebig durch die Welt. Hanoi Rocks wurde ein großer Einfluss auf viele Bands wie z.B. Guns N`Roses. Nach der Auflösung von Hanoi Rocks spielte Yaffa u.a. mit Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, den späteren New York Dolls oder Jerusalem Slim (mit Michael Monroe und Steve Stevens). Und natürlich immer wieder mit Ex-Hanoi Rocks-Frontman Michael Monroe.
Das erste Soloalbum hat Einflüsse mit einem ziemlich breiten Spektrum, aber es überrascht kaum diejenigen, die Yaffas Karriere verfolgt haben, denn ab 2014 moderierte Yaffa eine musikbezogene Reisefernsehserie in der er Musik und Kultur in verschiedenen Teilen der Welt erforschte. Die zweite Staffel wurde 2015 ausgestrahlt, und die Serie wurde im August 2016 auf Netflix verfügbar.
Drummer Janne Haavisto, mit dem Sami schon als Teenager spielte, sowie Rich Jones, der zusammen mit Sami einen Großteil der Songs geschrieben hat. Auch der Stone Sour-Gitarrist Christian Martucci und Smack-Gitarrist Rane spielten eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entstehung des Albums.
Eine kleine Vinyl-Auflage ist nun nach dem CD-Release 2021 erhältlich.

Based in rural New Mexico, William Fowler Collins (b.1974) is a composer, recording artist and performer. His music extends across and beyond many genres including drone, minimalism, and free improvisation. He records and performs in both solo and group contexts. Collins has released music on the SIGE, Type, Blackest Rainbow, Handmade Birds, Sicksicksick and Root Strata record labels. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Collins has several collaborations including Thalassa with Aaron Turner and Mesa Ritual with Raven Chacon. He has also collaborated with Marshall Trammell, James Jackson Toth, Mamiffer and is currently working on new music with Margarida Garcia.

Alone Inside the Walls of Night is music for Mellotron, violin, synthesizers, and electric guitar. It was completed in 2022 and is dedicated to Maria Valentina Chirico. It features Heather Trost on violin. Artwork by Chris Bigg.

V.39 here you have, 40 special cuts and tracks of the most aclaimed deejay-producer of all the times, DJ PREMIER, helped for someones of the more importants stars of Hip Hop like NAS, SNOOP DOG, GANGSTARR,... This is a special and powerful weapon for all the Hip Hop creators and DJ's.

The exceptional 100% TSF Jazz collection is embellished with its latest " 100% Women " volume dedicated to the great female Jazz performers. Let yourself be carried away by the finesse of this selection which honors the women of Jazz. With: Cecile McLorin Salvant, Carmen McRae, Ayo, Nina Simone, Doris Day, Dinah Washington

Bad Colours is back with his sophomore album, "Always With U," out on Bastard Jazz Recordings in November, 2022. The London-born, Maryland-raised, Brooklyn-based DJ, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist - aka Ibe Soliman - continues to build on the well-deserved acclaim from his 2021 debut LP, "PINK," as well as a slew of standalone singles and collaborations with the likes of Shabazz Palaces, Jarv Dee, and Stas THEE Boss.

"Always With U" sees Ibe further develop his talents as a songwriter and producer, while maintaining the signature balance of banging dance music and dense bars that he's quickly becoming known for. The album expands Ibe's role to a collaborator, band leader, and all-around star-of-the-show; it's certainly still a dance record, but there's also so much more. Live instrumentation accompanies every track, with the notable contributions of Nigerian bassist Akin-Alade Ogo heard across the album, as well as the NY-based saxophonist Carras Paton on the jazzy, upbeat house number, "Heartache + U."

The lead single, "Maybe I Should Move to LA," sees the proudly Brooklyn-based Bad Colours contemplate a move out West – an idea that came about following a trip to LA for the 20 Years of Bastard Jazz anniversary party (which he DJed) in November last year. Bright pads, a thumping four-on-the-floor beat, and a catchy vocal line make it the perfect accompaniment to a top-down joy-ride up PCH. The album's second single, "You Don't Know," features frequent collaborator and PNW darling Jarv Dee, as well as KAS and JVDE who have both been making waves in the Brooklyn scene (KAS for his work with Grammy- nominated producer Harmony Samuels featured on BET, and JVDE as the lead-singer of alternative band Blind Benny). "You Don't Know" turns up the heat with Jarv and KAS trading dense, rapid-fire verses over a high-tempo beat and detuned vocal; the kick cuts out for the bridge, replaced by syncopated keyboard stabs and JVDE's stacked vocals. "You Don't Know" is high-energy hip house at its finest: Super catchy and irresistibly dancey.

The two singles are emblematic of the rest of the album, which largely alternates between vocal and hip house, sometimes jazzy, other times touching on R&B or dancefloor influenced pop. Dave Giles II and Cor.Ece (who recently both contributed to Beyoncé's chart-topping "Renaissance" LP and Honey Dijon's "Work" single) feature on "Flow," while Toribio (of the acclaimed Brooklyn band Conclaves) provides vocals for "Do Better;" both tracks are on the mellower side, reminiscent of late-90s New York mid-tempo garage. Rising artist N.O.V. features on the second track, "Ready," rapping over a bass-heavy beat; MarcusHarmon makes a return after appearing on "PINK," with smooth vocals on the romantic "Come Closer." Aforementioned JVDE can be heard throughout the album, contributing to "You Don't Know," "Flirtation Avenue," and "Easy Come, Easy Go."

While Ibe's career has spanned nearly two decades - as both a DJ (alongside the likes of James Murphy, Mark Ronson, and Q-Tip) and producer (for Kendrick Lamar, Faith Evans, Keyshia Cole, and Rick Ross, among others) - the Bad Colours name only came into being in early 2020, with the debut LP, "PINK," being released in February, 2021 on the Brooklyn tastemaker label Bastard Jazz. By tapping into his deep network of artist friends, Ibe compiled a treasure-trove of vocal samples, snippets, sketches, and fresh instrumental loops into a beautiful debut record that touches on hip-hop, house, and left-field electronic, while remaining danceable.

A slew of singles throughout 2020 and 2021 included "Feelin' Like," featuring the Seattle rapper Jarv Dee, has become an underground hit, popping up everywhere from Best Buy ads, Hulu's "Woke," celebrity Peloton instructor Emma Lovewell's playlist, and even as a soundtrack to the Mayor of Madrid's TikTok video. Most recently, "Feelin' Like" had a prominent placement in the #1 Netflix film "Spiderhead," directed by Joseph Kosinski ("Tron: Legacy;" "Top Gun: Maverick") and starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller, and Jurnee Smollett. The breakout success of "Feelin' Like" further led to a collaborative EP with Jarv Dee, titled "BLAKHOUSE," which saw additional features from fellow PNW natives Shabazz Palaces ("Clouds," featured in Hulu's "Shoresy") and Stas THEE Boss ("Black Skin"). This year, Bad Colours dropped the early Summer banger "Hit The Breaks," and served as the musical director for the influential MADE New York festival, a two-day fashion, music, and arts event presented by Public School NYC and Paypal, that saw performances by Nas, Heron Preston, and Bearcat among others.

"Always With U" is a testament to Bad Colours' versatility as a producer and artist, which has allowed him to bring together such a diverse group of friends and collaborators. Yes, the house and hip-hop roots remain, but "Always With U" shows an evolution of the Bad Colours sound into masterfully crafted dancefloor sounds. It's a truly stunning follow-up from an artist undoubtedly on the rise. The album is out on all platforms, via Bastard Jazz Recordings, November 11th, 2022.

New pressing of the old RSD LP , now on black vinyl. An essential vinyl release of the Throwing Muses’ mainstay’s 2016’s CD and essay book that featured stories from “her life's most perception-altering junctures” (NPR). “As memoirs, her albums are so intensely personal... as art, they’re arguments for the value of unapologetic individuality” Pitchfork. “This music reminds you how alone you are; it consoles you through its insolubility, comforts you by jabbing you in the chest and letting you know how complex the struggle is, how inaccessible we are to each other but just how universal our pain can be.” The Wire. This sonically rich and fragmented record references to Hersh’s past material and sees her perform on guitar, bass, drums, piano, horns and cello. There’s a mysticism and sense of life wonderment throughout ‘Wyatt At The Coyote Palace’ that also has death as a central theme rather than the contemplation of death itself it’s reaching the end of something and beginning a new life. Tracklist: Side A. 1 Bright 2 Bubble Net 3 In Stitches 4 Secret Codes 5 Green Screen 6 Hemmingway's Tell. Side B. 7 Detox 8 Wonderland 9 Day 3 10 Diving Bell 11 Killing Two Birds 12 Guadalupe. Side C. 13 American Copper 14 August 15 Some Dumb Runaway 16 From the Plane 17 Sun Blown 18 Elysian Fields. Side D. 19 Soma Gone Slapstick 20 Cooties 21 Christmas Underground 22 Between Piety and Desire 23 Shaky Blue Can 24 Shotgun