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The Beloved Harmony Jamaican Group The Ethiopians Released Their Debut Album Engine 54 In 1968. Train Imagery Is The Main Focus On The Album, With Excellent Falsettos And Consistent Music From The Prime Of The Rock Steady Period. "train To Skaville" Is The Hit Classic Which Appeared On This Specific Album. It Made An Huge Impact Overseas And It Brought The Group Their First Tour In The Uk.

The Ethiopians Was One Of Jamaica's Most Popular Bands During The Late Ska, Rocksteady And Early Reggae Periods. The Band Was Founded By Leonard Dillon, Stephen Taylor And Aston Morrison.

Monika Enterprise welcomes a new act to her roster with Berlin based experimental pop duo Post Neo releasing their new EP. Individually known as Nicole Luján and Pauline Weh, both musicians pursued their own solo projects before forming the duo Post Neo. On “Alles Immer Wieder” they combine as more than the sum of their parts to produce 5 songs of dark and powerful experimental avant- pop which is released as an exclusive 10” vinyl.

Pauline and Nicole met making music in Berlin during the summer of 2019 and kept collaborating online, until Nicole moved to Berlin in 2022. The musicians' different musical backgrounds result in diverse intuitions which complement each other perfectly when producing tracks together - Nicole was more into synthesis and electronic music production in Mexico City while Pauline received a classical piano education in Munich before she started doing electronic music.

In 2022 they released their first EP, «do you?», which consists of five tracks that were composed and produced as an inter-continental project between Berlin and Mexico City. In autumn of that year Post Neo received a residency at Sternhagen Gut from Musicboard Berlin where they caught the ear of monika head Gudrun Gut who was so taken with their compelling mix of techno beats and dreamy melancholic atmospheres she immediately signed them to her label.

The EP’s opening and title track “Alles Immer Wieder” (trans. Everything again and again) is a reflection on repetition and monotony as transcendence in the form of sleep, dreams, work and other daily cycles. The rhythmic juxtapositions and tempo shifts make for a captivating opening track. “Ganz Schön Was Los” (trans. A lot happening) has a proper synthwave electro pop vibe while the vocals lend a little light hearted humanity to the otherwise calculated computer music aesthetic. With its fusion of synthesizers and drum machines track B1 “Die Verwirrung” (trans. The confusion) brings a sense of melancholic doom. The flow of B2 “Wenn Wir Wüssten” (trans. If we knew what would happen) is a future-focused reflection on the unidirectional movement of time's arrow. Sampled harmonies and instrumental breakdowns make it possibly the most emotive track on the EP. And the record comes to a close with “Dreh dich” (trans. Turn around) which lures us in with delicate vocals before menacing synthesizer sounds blast us into oblivion. It is an invitation to turn the record over and start listening from the beginning again.

Post Neo’s music is steeped in minimalism: at once managing to be hugely expressive and evocative while still retaining a sense of privacy and mystery for the listener to decrypt. Like all great pop music their songs are musically captivating while also conveying a strong message. As their band name suggests, Post Neo are essentially futuristic and with live shows at some of Berlin’s hottest underground venues under their belt as well as in their hometowns of Munich and Mexico City, plus the release of „Alles Immer Wieder“ in 2024, great things are in store for the electronic pop duo.

Transparent Yellow w/ Black Splatter Vinyl. Since founding Swedish synthpop duo KITE in 2008, singer Nicklas Stenemo and keyboardist Christian Hutchinson Berg's brooding fusion of cinematic electronics and anthemic pop has steadily elevated into a spectacle of passion, atmosphere, and communion. Their debut double-A vinyl single for Dais Records, Don't take the light away / Remember me captures KITE at their most urgent, thrilling and apocalyptic."Don't take the light away" is a song about "the war between energies," with singer Stenemo's wounded croon leading a rising tide of stabbing strings, pulsing percussion, and looming bass orchestrated by keyboardist Hutchinson Berg, surging to a mass-chanted chorus both desperate and triumphant ("dance, let them dance into me / people versus people can't see / hands should be holding hands"). "Remember me" was written following the band's 2017 US tour, capturing the intense feelings of burnout and exhaustion. "Remember me, Won't you remember me, Promise you'll remember me."Words only tell half of the story; smoke spills across the stage, and the melodies become a battle cry. Our worst fears eventually boil over, turning into hope and resilience. Like the best of KITE's music, "Don't take the light away" and "Remember me" fuse theater and catharsis into anthems of universal yearning, born of "the struggle to keep a flickering candle lit in a very dark space."

"Nemesisters is the third and final studio album recorded by Babes in Toyland. It was produced by Tim Mac at AmRep Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota and released in May 1995. Unlike on the group's previous releases, they opted to record together to capture a ""live band"" sound; on their previous release, Fontanelle, bassist Maureen Herman had recorded her bass tracks separately from vocalist-guitarist Kat Bjelland and drummer Lori Barbero. This album contains a killer version of Sister Sledge’s ""We Are Family"" and a cover version of Eric Carmen's ""All by Myself"". Nemesisters is available as a limited edition of 750 individually numbered copies on purple coloured vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve. "

Nemesisters by Babes In Toyland, released 5 April 2024, includes the following tracks: "Drivin' ", "Surd", "Killer on the Road ", "Middle Man " and more.

This version of Nemesisters comes as a 1xLP in a(n) Gatefold Sleeve packaging.

Acclaimed Americana duo Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams have been called "the first couple of Americana" by MOJO Magazine, while American Songwriter declared: "They have created a sound that is spirited, stirring and timeless"

Initially Larry and Teresa made their marks separately: Larry as indispensable multi- instrumentalist with Bob Dylan, kd lang, Sheryl Crow, Keith Richards and Emmylou Harris among others, and Teresa as a stage actor in productions like Keep On the Sunny Side where she portrayed Sara Carter and Always...Patsy Cline where she starred as none other than Patsy herself.Their performing partnership, however, was born when recording and touring with Levon Helm, iconic drummer and voice of The Band.

"All This Time" by Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams includes the following tracks: "Ride With Me", "I Think About You", "A Little Better", "We Done Earned It" and more.

The legendary Norwegian rockers Backstreet Girls, was founded in 1984 (!) and have delivered hard rocking, no-compromise boogie rock inspired by AC/DC, Ramones, Rose Tattoo, Hanoi Rocks and Status Quo to their faithful fans ever since. "Let's Have It" is the band's fifth studio album, originally released on Warner Music in 1992, and was the first and only studio album featuring the swedish singer Olle Hillborg. Now available on vinyl for the first time.

"Jerskin Fendrix should have tea with Jarvis Cocker" - Iggy Pop on BBC 6 Music "Winterreise has proved his brilliance, but it has also only affirmed his status as an enigma" - The Quietus. Originally billed as the "quasi-godfather of the south London Scene" by The Quietus for his influence on bands like Black Country, New Road, Black Midi and Famous, Jerskin Fendrix has recently made the leap onto the global stage for his Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe-nominated film score for Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film 'Poor Things'. Since this stratospheric rise to red carpet fame, the Shropshire-born musician's debut 'Winterreise' has been put into a fresh perspective; at the time of its release it was lauded as something of an enigma, a collection of errant pop songs that gave little away about the artist behind them. Now, the record that was awarded album of the year in 2020 by Loud & Quiet, can be seen as a prototype for Jerskin's strange blend of baroque, pop, electro, punk - an amalgam that takes the record beyond the referential. Having been out of print for a number of years, untitled (recs) has re-pressed it with its original artwork on a limited run of 1000 copies

Cock Sparrer, die britischen Streetpunk-Legenden, meldet sich mit ihrem finalen 8 Studioalbum zurück.

Das Album mit dem Titel „HAND ON HEART“ wird wahrscheinlich das letzte Album der britischen Oi/Punklegende sein. 7 Jahre haben sie sich Zeit gelassen nach ihrem letzten Album „Forever“. In der vergangenen Zeit haben sie weltweit sehr erfolgreiche Liveshows gespielt. 10 neue Songs sind es geworden, die die Band auch auf der Bühne vorstellt.

Bewaffnet mit einem bereits umfangreichen Backkatalog an atemberaubender Musik, kehren Palace mit der Ankündigung ihres brandneuen, zutiefst persönlichen, vierten Studioalbums ”Ultrasound” zurück. Für die Produktion des Albums hat sich die Band acht Jahre nach der gemeinsamen Arbeit an ihrem Debütalbum wieder mit dem Produzenten Adam Jaffrey zusammengetan. Das Album folgt auf die beiden EPs ”Part I - When Everything Was Lost” und ”Part II - Nightmares & Ice Cream”, die 2023 erschienen sind. Während die ersten Songs für das Album geschrieben wurden, erlitt die Partnerin von Frontmann Leo Wyndham eine späte Fehlgeburt. ”Ultrasound” wurde so automatisch zu einem offenen Tagebuch eines jahrelangen Kampfes zwischen Verzweiflung und Heilung. ”Es war unglaublich schwer zu begreifen, was passiert war, wie man damit umgehen und wie man weitermachen sollte”, sagt Leo. ”Das Album ist die Verarbeitung dieser Erfahrung - beginnend mit einem Verlust, dann eine Phase der Verarbeitung und schließlich Akzeptanz, Loslassen und Wachstum. Und ich habe Respekt vor den Frauen, die das erleben. Ihre Würde, ihre Stärke und ihr Mut, wie sie mit diesen Dingen umgehen können, die sich für einen Mann unmöglich anfühlen.”

Bewaffnet mit einem bereits umfangreichen Backkatalog an atemberaubender Musik, kehren Palace mit der Ankündigung ihres brandneuen, zutiefst persönlichen, vierten Studioalbums ”Ultrasound” zurück. Für die Produktion des Albums hat sich die Band acht Jahre nach der gemeinsamen Arbeit an ihrem Debütalbum wieder mit dem Produzenten Adam Jaffrey zusammengetan. Das Album folgt auf die beiden EPs ”Part I - When Everything Was Lost” und ”Part II - Nightmares & Ice Cream”, die 2023 erschienen sind. Während die ersten Songs für das Album geschrieben wurden, erlitt die Partnerin von Frontmann Leo Wyndham eine späte Fehlgeburt. ”Ultrasound” wurde so automatisch zu einem offenen Tagebuch eines jahrelangen Kampfes zwischen Verzweiflung und Heilung. ”Es war unglaublich schwer zu begreifen, was passiert war, wie man damit umgehen und wie man weitermachen sollte”, sagt Leo. ”Das Album ist die Verarbeitung dieser Erfahrung - beginnend mit einem Verlust, dann eine Phase der Verarbeitung und schließlich Akzeptanz, Loslassen und Wachstum. Und ich habe Respekt vor den Frauen, die das erleben. Ihre Würde, ihre Stärke und ihr Mut, wie sie mit diesen Dingen umgehen können, die sich für einen Mann unmöglich anfühlen.”

,Bester Bandname, bestes Debütalbum, bestgehüteter Geheimtipp der österreichischen Musikszene", schreibt Der Standard zur Veröffentlichung ihres ersten Longplayers ,Augenlieder". Jetzt geht die klangliche Reise in die Vergangenheit und zurück in die Zukunft weiter. Zu welcher Zeit man sich beim Hören des zweiten Albums ,Augenblicke" gerade aufhält ist nicht ganz klar - so schafft die Band in ihrer Verspieltheit es aufs Neue, alle Grenzen aufzuheben. Eingehüllt in Retro-Sounds und Melodie, in Emotion und Indie-Rock, nimmt dich das Album mit auf eine Reise durch musikalische Augenblicke. Die Produktion legt keinen Wert darauf einem breiten Publikum zu gefallen und klingt gerade deshalb erfrischend und richtig. Kein Einheitsgedudel, zu Tode editierte Tracks und platt gedrückter Klang erreichen die Gehörgänge, sondern Schwingungen, die einen an die glorreichen Zeiten des Rock and Roll erinnern.

Das Debüt des Schlagzeugers Gard Nilssen bei ECM erscheint, nachdem er bei hoch geschätzten Aufnahmen mit dem Maciej Obara Quartet und mit Mathias Eick mitgewirkt hat. Elastic Wave präsentiert Nilssens kraftvolles Trio mit seinem norwegischen Kollegen André Roligheten am Saxophon und dem schwedischen Bassisten Petter Eldh (kürzlich mit Kit Downes zu hören). Das dynamische Zusammenspiel der Gruppe, ihr tanzbarer Puls und ihre markanten Themen – alle drei Spieler steuern Kompositionen bei – machen Acoustic Unity zu einer der interessantesten Bands der heutigen Szene. Das Trio interpretiert aufwühlende Hymnen und dezente Balladen mit dem gleichen Maß an Elan und Überzeugung. Elastic Wave wurde im Juni 2021 in den Studios La Buissonne in Südfrankreich aufgenommen.

Founded in 2018 by Dutch violinist Floortje Beljon, Ensemble Ambidexter is an eight-piece ensemble from Leipzig/Germany on a radical borderline between contemporary classical music, jazz and quotes from such a colorful palette of genres and eras that the attempt to
clearly classify a musical style will leave the listener in joyful confusion. Chamber music meets jazz quartet. Or vice versa?
Four classically trained and four jazz musicians open doors, take a quick look inside to take in the most interesting forms they can perceive and put them together in their music. Somehow organized like a band, but at the same time like an orchestra, freedom and
improvisation can be found in the music, as well as the realization of written, precise visions of the composers (including Teresa Allgaier, Oene Van Geel) who have been writing for this peculiar line-up.

Die britische Sängerin, Songwriterin, Multi-Instrumentalistin und Produzentin Fabiana Palladino veröffentlicht am 5. April 2024 ihr selbstbetiteltes Debütalbum bei Paul Institute / XL Recordings. Das Album entstand nach dem Ende einer langen Beziehung und setzt sich mit komplexen Fragen zu Liebe und Einsamkeit in Beziehungen auseinander. Das Ergebnis sind 10 Songs, die sich von den großen R&B-, Soul-, Pop- und Disco-Studioproduktionen der 80er und 90er Jahre inspirieren lassen, gefiltert durch einen modernen Blinkwinkel. Es ist eine intime Platte, die die Toughness und Weiblichkeit von Janet Jackson auf ihrem 1986er Album "Control" und Annie Lennox" bei "DIVA" ausstrahlt, das klassische Songwriting von Kate Bush und Joni Mitchell aufgreift und die romantischen Motown-Duette von Marvin Gaye und Tammi Terrell unterläuft, um die Normativität in Beziehungen zu hinterfragen. Das von Palladino selbst geschriebene und eigenproduzierte Album enthält Beiträge von renommierten Musikern und engen Freunden, darunter vom Mitbegründer des Paul Institute, Jai Paul, dem legendären Session-Bassist Pino Palladino (Fabianas Vater), ihrem Bruder und Yussef Dayes-Bassisten Rocco Palladino, dem bekannten Schlagzeuger Steve Ferrone sowie Streichern von Rob Moose. Fabiana Palladino hat in den letzten Jahren als gefragte Session-Musikerin für Acts wie Jessie Ware, Sampha, SBTRKT oder Laura Groves gearbeitet, während sie in ihrer eigenen Musik intensiv nach Pop-Perfektion strebt. Im vergangenen Jahr war sie Teil von Jai Pauls Band für sein lang erwartetes Live-Debüt, sowie Support-Act der gefeierten Shows.

FYEAR is a Montréal-based ensemble led by composer Jason Sharp and poet/writer Kaie Kellough that fuses spoken word into genre-bending compositions for electronics, two voices, two drummers, and processed saxophone, pedal steel guitar, and violins. FYEAR incorporates drone, out-jazz, post-classical, ambient metal, avant-rock, and modular synthesis in a sonic and stylistic palette the opposite of collage or pastiche: the FYEAR ensemble integrates a unique and unified sound/aesthetic while traversing adventurous and variegated terrain. Kellough’s poetic materiality conveys acute political-existential themes, alternating between declarative, meditative, and cut-up/semiotic manifestations. This self-titled debut album is a supremely innovative 40-minute multi-movement work; an ardent mission statement that mines the interzone where Saul Williams, Moor Mother/Irreversible Entanglements, Shabazz Palaces, Zulu, Angel Bat Dawid, Damon Locks/Black Monument Ensemble, Shabaka Hutchings, and Matana Roberts are all iconoclastic neighbours. FYEAR melds improvisation and composition, traditional notation and graphic scoring, electronic and acoustic instrumentation, lucid recitation and abstract vocalization, balancing intensive structure with an expansive sense of exploration. Through several years of collaboration, development, workshops, commissions and performances conducted by Sharp and Kellough, their wordsound practice has culminated in this nine-piece group which also features poet/writer/activist Tawhida Tanya Evanson (present director of the Banff Centre Spoken Word program) violinists Josh Zubot and Jesse Zubot (Tanya Tagaq, Darius Jones, Joshua Hyslop), pedal steel player Joe Grass (Tim Hecker, Patrick Watson), drummers Stefan Schneider (Bell Orchestre) and Tommy Crane (The Mingus Big Band, Aaron Parks), with live visual typographics from Kevin Yuen-Kit Lo, who also designs the album art. Propelled by the vocal interactions of Kellough and Evanson, FYEAR interrogates our present and future post-capitalist polycrisis, invoking collective anxieties, emotions, and critiques. FYEAR re-poetizes our constructed, manipulated social/conceptual realities, re-inscribing questions about the future by setting them to a wildly dynamic and evocative temporal soundtrack: Who does it belong to? How will it be shared? How do we project a collective future into the contested challenges of climate change, global migration, wealth gaps, safety/precarity, identity/affinity, segmentation / segregation, all our seemingly irreconcilable histories and forward visions for the world we dream to inhabit

Für Fans von QOTSA, Red Fang, Elder, Black Sabbath'

"Es gibt Dinge, die passen einfach zusammen. Und manchmal ist auf den ersten Blick gar nicht so klar, warum die eigentlich so gut zusammen passen. Eines dieser Phänomene ist Stoner und Desert Rock aus Skandinavien. Es braucht keinen akademischen Abschluss in Geographie um zu erkennen, dass die Heimatstadt von Slomosa Bergen recht weit von der Wüste entfernt ist. Und dennoch kommen gerade aus den skandinavischen Ländern einige der besten Wüstenrock Bands unserer Zeit. Dozer, Greenleaf, Brutus und Spiritual Beggars sind nur einige Beispiele dafür. In dieser Reihe darf sich nun auch Bergen's Quartett Slomosa wähnen. Die vier Musiker aus der zweitgrößten Stadt Norwegens platzten in diesem Sommer mit ihrem selbstproduzierten und selbstbetitelten Debut auf den Musikmarkt (…) Dabei reichen die Einflüsse von den schwerfälligen Desert Rock Giganten Thin White Rope über den krachigen Desert Fuzz à la Sloburn bis zum zackigen und melodischen Skandivavien Blues, wie Brutus ihn spielen..." (Silence)

Bereits im Laufe der vergangenen Woche hatten Vampire Weekend damit begonnen, via Instagram Teaser zu teilen, die das Kürzel "OGWAU" sowie Teile des Artworks zur neuen Platte und Musik-Snippets enthielten. Die offizielle Ankündigung folgte dann letzten Donnerstag: "Only God Was Above Us", das fünfte Album der New Yorker, erscheint am 5. April 2024. Die beiden ersten Vorboten "Gen X Cops" und "Capricorn" werden diesen Freitag erscheinen. Am 8. April 2024 hat die Band zudem eine besondere Release-Show geplant: Zur Mittagszeit, exakt während der stattfindenden Sonnenfinsternis, im Moody Amphitheater in Austin.

Sie sind die größte Band, von der Sie noch nie gehört haben. Unbesungene Helden, deren Musik politisch und spirituell war und ihrer Zeit um Generationen voraus. Ihre Geschichte ist nie erzählt worden. Bis jetzt... Cymande, eine Gruppe schwarzer britischer Musiker, die alle als Kinder aus der Karibik nach Großbritannien gekommen waren, veröffentlichten Anfang der 70er Jahre kurz hintereinander drei brillante Alben und wurden in den USA begeistert aufgenommen. Doch im Vereinigten Königreich sahen sie sich mit einem Musikgeschäft konfrontiert, das von Vorurteilen gegenüber einheimischen schwarzen Talenten geprägt war, und wurden weitgehend ignoriert. 1975 lösten sie sich auf. Aber ihre Musik lebte weiter, da nachfolgende Generationen von Künstlern und Fans ihre Songs entdeckten und sich für sie begeisterten.

Die brandneue Neuauflage des bahnbrechenden selbstbetitelten Albums der Band, Cymande, wurde 2022 in den Abbey Road Studios neu gemastert.

In diesem Jahr kommt die gefeierte Cymande-Dokumentation "Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande" in die britischen und internationalen Kinos. "Getting It Back" wurde unter der Regie von Tim Mackenzie-Smith gedreht und enthält Interviews mit einer ganzen Reihe von Musikern und Produzenten, die beeinflusst und begeistert sind von der Musik Cymandes, darunter Mark Ronson, Jim James, Kool DJ Red Alert, DJ Maseo und Louie Vega.

Close Encounters Of The Third World' ist ein erhabener Mix aus Roots-, Vocal- und synchronisierter Instrumental-Magie und der gefragteste Titel im reichhaltigen Creation Rebel-Katalog. Teils aufgenommen im Channel One Studio in Jamaika und gemischt von Prince Jammy in London, erschien das chronologisch zweite Album der Band ursprünglich auf dem Pre-On-U-Sound-Label Hitrun und war 45 Jahre nicht mehr erhältlich. Die neu geschnittene Reissue enthält erweiterte 12"-Discomix-Versionen von 'Beware' und 'Natty Conscience Free', neue Sleevenotes des Reggae-Forschers David Katz mit der Entstehungsgeschichte des Werks, sowie eine DL-Card.

Second in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Record IS Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Soul Makossa' originally released in 1973. Transparent blue colored LP

In 1971, an undocumented seven-member Afro-American ensemble known as the Bobby Boyd Congress made a transformative journey from the United States to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recollects, "We sensed that the soul and funk market was saturated back home, and our original plan was a brief 6-month stint in Paris. Surprisingly, we ended up staying for a decade." Upon lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the U.S., the group rebranded as Ice and crossed paths with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, a seasoned studio professional with credits on groundbreaking recordings alongside Charles Mingus, John Lee Hooker, and Archie Shepp, among others.

Drawing inspiration from Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. He recalled, "I didn't want to mimic Berry, but with seven talented musicians collaborating daily, something unique emerged." The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango.

Rechristening themselves Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group's musical direction shifted towards predominantly instrumental compositions, characterized by a weightier, more intricate Afro-funk sound. Their debut recording under this new moniker, 'Soul Makossa,' made a powerful impact with a dynamic rendition of Dibango's classic, coupled with the intense break of 'Hihache' and the contagious 'Nicky.' Initially released by Musidisc in France and later in the U.S. via Editions Makossa, the album omitted the title track due to publishing clearance issues.

Despite modest sales upon its initial release, the album's enduring influence became evident as hip-hop culture surged in the '80s, establishing it as a primary source for samples and riffs. The iconic 'Hihache' break found fame in Biz Markie's 'Nobody Beats The Biz,' and tracks from the album were lifted by LL Cool J, The Beatnuts, Kruder & Dorfmeister, and numerous others.

First in a series of reissues from Pierre Jaubert’s Parisound studio archive on Strut Record IS Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974. Transparent blue colored LP

In 1971, an undocumented seven-member Afro-American ensemble known as the Bobby Boyd Congress made a transformative journey from the United States to France. Bandleader Frank Abel recollects, "We sensed that the soul and funk market was saturated back home, and our original plan was a brief 6-month stint in Paris. Surprisingly, we ended up staying for a decade." Upon lead singer Bobby Boyd's return to the U.S., the group rebranded as Ice and crossed paths with independent producer Pierre Jaubert, a seasoned studio professional with credits on groundbreaking recordings alongside Charles Mingus, John Lee Hooker, and Archie Shepp, among others.

Drawing inspiration from Motown's work ethic, Jaubert initiated regular rehearsals with Ice. He recalled, "I didn't want to mimic Berry, but with seven talented musicians collaborating daily, something unique emerged." The band, residing in Paris and immersed in the African-dominated Barbesse district, began infusing African elements into their music frequently performing with Paris-dwelling Camaroonian and legendary composer Manu Dibango.

Under the new moniker Lafayette Afro Rock Band, the group's music transitioned to predominantly instrumental compositions, featuring a denser Afro-funk sound. Their inaugural recording with the new name, 'Soul Makossa,' included a compelling rendition of Dibango's classic and the impactful break in 'Hihache.' The subsequent release a year later, 'Malik,' refined their sound with the percussive Afro party jam 'Conga,' the atmospheric vocoder and piano-led piece 'Djungi,' and the robust funk of 'Darkest Light.' Despite a limited impact upon its initial release, 'Malik' found appreciation as hip-hop culture flourished in the '80s, establishing itself as a rich source of samples and riffs. 'Conga' was featured in the 'Ultimate Breaks And Beats' series, while the opening horn line from 'Darkest Light' became a pivotal hip-hop motif, employed by Jay-Z, Public Enemy, Wreckx 'N' Effect, and many others

Escape Music are pleased to announce the release date for long awaited Turkish Delight studio album titled “Volume 1" with 500 limited edition double Vinyl “Side A+B Snowy White colour and side C+D Skull Gold colour” all will be numbered 1-500! ‘Turkish Delights Volume One’ celebrates the absolute joy that Escape Music co-owner Khalil Turk has for the kind of music he loves so much and has spent the last thirty and then some years championing. Indeed, his enthusiasm for a new band or a new song today is no different from when I first met him in the mid ‘80’s. I lost count of the number of phone calls he made to me when I was working for ‘Kerrang!’ magazine, where he would excitedly tell me ‘Dave, you just have to listen to this! It’s brilliant! You’ll love it!’ before playing me something over the phone – new and often obscure - he had picked up on his international record buying trips. Nine and a half times out of ten he’d be right!! Khalil’s quality control has been such that the record label he co-founded with fellow melodic rock enthusiast Barrie Kirtley in 1995 remains reliably and solidly in place all these years later. Escape continues to deliver monthly doses of quality hard rock, melodic rock and AOR to a very devoted following. Khalil had first entered the music business in the early ‘90’s, effectively as a talent scout for the German owned Long Island label. However, after the company folded, Turk felt that, rather than look at opportunities with other labels, he had the enthusiasm and now had rather more knowledge of the inner workings of the music business to put something together himself alongside the equally enthusiastic and astute Kirtley. We’ve seen hundreds of solid album releases from a huge variety of acts (including AXE, Steve Walsh (Kansas), John Elefante (Kansas), Lonerider, Shadowman, Alliance, Pinnacle Point, Mass, Heartland, Grand Illusion, Overland, Last Autumn’s Dream, Punky Meadows, ColdSpell, Chris Ousey, Ozone and Touch, to name just a few) as well as reissues (from Aviator, Sugarcreek, Jon Butcher Axis, Franke And The Knockouts, FM, Tantrum and Surrender, Zon, Hanover Fist etc) ever since. So here we are, over twenty-five years since that first Escape Music album appeared hot off the presses (Heartland’s ‘III’ album in November 1995, if you’re asking) and this collection of songs, personally chosen by Khalil, reiterates that pure joy he still possesses for the music he is utterly immersed by. With material from the pens of Steve Overland (FM), Chris Ousey (Heartland), Steve Morris (Export/Ian Gillan/Heartland), Mick Devine (Seven), Steve Newman (Newman/Compass) and Tommy Denander (Radioactive) there’s also a list of musicians culled from Khalil’s contact book that, quite frankly, is VERY impressive. Just a few names appearing on ‘Turkish Delights’ to throw at you include Ronnie Platt (Kansas), Billy Greer (Streets/Kansas), Billy Sheehan (Talas/David Lee Roth/Mr Big), Gary Pihl (Sammy Hagar/Boston/Alliance), Gene Black (Device), Jeff Pilson (Dokken), Jeff Scott Soto, Chris Childs (Thunder), Mike Slamer (City Boy/ Streets/Seventh Keys/ Steelhouse Lane) Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake/Joel Hoekstra’s 13), Mark Mangold (American Tears/Touch/ Drive, She Said), Mark Stanway (Magnum), Mat Sinner (Sinner), Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake/Journey), Ricky Phillips (The Babys/Bad English/Styx), Robin Beck, Robin Mc Auley (Grand Prix/MSG), James Christian (House Of Lords) Steve Overland (FM), Jerome Mazza (Pinnacle Point/solo), Terry Brock (Strangeways) and Vince DiCola (‘Transformers’/Thread/Storming Heaven). This is a cast of thousands. Well, it at least appears that way! It’s a very interesting package and, as Khalil would surely say, you’ll love it! - Dave Reynolds / August 2022. Produced by Khalil Turk for Turkish Delight Productions / Mixed and Mastered by Stephen DeAcutis at Sound Spa Studio, New Jersey, USA / *Mixed by Andy Zukerman / *Mastered by Fredrik Folkare / **Mixed and Mastered by Brian J Anthony (Vinyl Only) - Artwork Design by Hugh Syme (Rush/Bad English/Elton John) - Turkish Delights: The Musicians are: Ronnie Platt: Lead vocals (Kansas) / Billy Greer: Lead vocals (Kansas/Seventh Keys/Streets) / Jeff Scott Soto: Lead and backing vocals (Talisman/Yngwie Malmsteen/Trans-Siberian Orchestra) / Robin McAuley: Lead and backing vocals (Michael Schenker Group/Grand Prix/solo artist) / Chris Ousey: Lead vocals and Backing vocals (Heartland/Ousey-Mann/Virginia Wolf/Ozone)/ Jerome Mazza: vocals (Pinnacle Point/Steve Walsh) / James Christian: Lead and backing vocals (House Of Lords)Terry Brock: Lead vocals (Strangeways/Kansas) / Lee Small: Lead and backing vocals (Phenomena/Lionheart/Shy) / Mick Devine: Lead and Backing vocals (Devine Intervention/7/solo artist) / Ronnie Romero: Lead and backing vocals (Rainbow/Michael Schenker Group) / Tony Harnell: Lead vocals and backing vocals (TNT/Westworld/Starbreaker/Morning Wood) / Steve Overland: Lead and backing vocals (Lonerider/FM/Shadowman/solo artist) / Robin Beck: Backing vocals (solo artist) / Matt Sinner: Bass (Primal Fear/Sinner) / Joel Hoekstra: Guitars (Whitesnake/Trans-Siberian Orchestra/13) / Mike Slamer: Guitars (City Boy/Streets/Seventh Key/Steelhouse Lane) / Jeff Pilson: Bass (Foreigner/Dokken) / Gary Pihl: Guitars (Sammy Hagar/Boston) / Steve Morris: Guitars and Keyboards (Heartland/Lonerider/Ian Gillan Band/Shadowman) / Gene Black: Lead Guitars (Tina Turner/Rod Stewart/Device) / Billy Sheehan: Bass (Mr Big/The Flood/Talas) / Tracy Ferrie: Bass (Stryper/Boston) / Ricky Phillips: Bass (Baby’s/Styx/Bad English) / Rocky Newton: Bass (Michael Schenker Group/Lionheart) / Josh Devine: Drums (One Direction/Levara/Devine Intervention) / Takeaki Itoh: Bass (Pinnacle Point) / Jim Kirkpatrick: Slide guitar (FM/The Flood/Bernie Marsden Band) / Chris Childs: Bass (Thunder/Lonerider) / Steve Mann: Keyboards (Michael Schenker Group/Lionheart/Ousey/Mann) / Vince DiCola: Keyboards (Rocky4/Staying Alive/Transformers/Storming Heaven/Thread) / Mark Mangold: Keyboards (Touch/American Tears/Drive She Said) / Alessandro Del Vecchio: Keyboards (Revolution Saints/Edge Of Forever/Hardline) / Stevie D: Lead guitar / Marco Mendoza: Bass (Whitesnake/Thin Lizzy/Journey) / Jimmy Nicholas: B3 (Faith Hill/Kenny Loggins/Van Zant/Jim Peterik/Juice Newton) / Tommy Denander: Guitars and keyboards (Radioactive/Steve Walsh/Robert Hart)) / Brain J Anthony: Bass (Steve Walsh/Lonerider/Robert Heart/Robbie LeBlanc) / Brian Tichy: Drums (Whitesnake/Dead Daisies/ Foreigner) / Mark Stanway: Keyboards (Magnum/Grand Slam) / Robin Beck: Backing vocals (solo artist) / Nikolo Kotzev: Lead guitars (Brazen Abbot/Robin Gibb) / Fredrik Folkare: Guitars (Unleashed/Heartwind) / Mikael Rosengren: Keyboards (Heartwind) / Steve Newman: Guitars/keys/backing vocals (Newman/Compass) / Eric Ragno: Keyboards (Baby’s/Joe LynnTurner) / Fredrik Bergh: Keyboards (Talk Of Town/BloodBound) - CD Track listing: Intro; Live Again; Crazy Days; Bad Enough; Never Will Forget; Harder They Fall; Get Out Of Here; Believe; Hangman Blues; State Of Mind; Belly Of The Beast*; Holy Water; Sweet Serenity; Take It Away; Bad To Good. Vinyl Track listing: Intro; Live Again; Crazy Days; Bad Enough; Never Will Forget; Harder They Fall; Get Out Of Here; Believe; Hangman Blues; State Of Mind; Belly Of The Beast*; Holy Water; Sweet Serenity; Take It Away; Bad To Good; The Year 2000; Frozen Rose

repress !

The birth of rock steady portrayed in a consummate collection from the vaults of Federal Records

Most of them drawn directly from Ken Khouri's master tapes this miscellany of cool rock steady includes marvellous music from the originator of the genre, the one and only Lynn Taitt, alongside an array of Jamaica's greatest singers and vocal harmony group

American rhythm & blues fervour, boosted by a multitude of sound systems playing 78rpm records on increasingly larger sets, gripped Jamaica from the late forties onwards but, towards the end of the decade, the American audience began to move towards a somewhat softer sound. The driving rhythm & blues discs became increasingly hard to find and the more progressive Jamaican sound system operators, realising that they now needed to make their own music, turned to Kingston's jazz and big band musicians to record one off custom cut discs. These were not initially intended for commercial release but designed solely for sound system play on acetate or 'dub plates' as they would later be termed. These 'specials' soon began to eclipse the popularity of American rhythm & blues and the demand for their locally produced music proved so great that the sound system operators began to release their music commercially on vinyl and became record producers. Clement Coxsone' Dodd, Duke Reid 'The Trojan' and Prince Buster, who operated his Voice Of The People Sound System, were among the first to establish themselves in this new role and the nascent Jamaican recording industry now went into overdrive.

In 1954 Ken Khouri had numbered among the first far sighted entrepreneurs to produce mento records with local musicians (mento is Jamaica's original indigenous music) before progressing to opening Jamaica's first record manufacturing plant. Three years later he moved his operation to Foreshore Road (later renamed Marcus Garvey Drive) where, with the assistance of the inestimable Graeme Goodall, he updated and upgraded his recording studio. The importance of this enterprising move was critical to the development of Jamaican music and its influence both profound and far reaching.

"It was Ken Khouri's Federal Recording Studio, the womb that gave birth to the talented writers, artists and musicians that gave Jamaica its musical identity." Prince Buster

Federal Records was not only the place for the sound system men to record their music but it was also where they had their records manufactured and, consequently, the company enjoyed a near total monopoly on recording and record pressing in Kingston. In 1963 Ken Khouri sold his one track board to Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd, who established Studio One, and Ken imported the first stereo equipment to Jamaica and Federal began making stereo records. The following year WIRL (West Indies Records Limited) opened but the competition served to drive the company on to higher heights. Ken Khouri continued to work on his own productions and, in 1966, the seven inch release of Hopeton Lewis' 'Take It Easy', recorded under the guidance of Trinidadian guitarist Lynn Taitt, ushered in the rock steady era.

These two essential albums showcase a stunning selection of well known hits, and not so well known rarities, from the vast Federal catalogue. All tracks have been transferred direct from the master tapes and assembled with the invaluable assistance of Ken Khouri's son, Paul Khouri, who generously gave Dub Store unlimited access to the Federal tape vaults. The extensive liner notes feature extracts from extensive interviews with Paul Khouri whose knowledgeable recollections of working on Marcus Garvey Drive, not only as a producer but as an engineer and musician, are illuminating and educational. Both sets present an insight into the birth and growth of Federal Records and the Jamaican recording industry and are essential to an understanding of the real roots of reggae music.

Marshall Titus is an award winning actor and performer who began his career in High School singing in local bands and vocal groups before gaining national attention by becoming a finalist in the male vocalist category on the hit T.V. show Star Search. Prior to his fame coming up in Chicago, Titus worked with Jun Mhoon, a session drummer for Brunswick records and later VP of A&M Records, to produce and promote "Take A Chance On A Feeling". The track won the 1984 Budweiser Tournament of Jams (Chicago) and was released as a radio promotional 7inch single through Starstream.

Back on vinyl for a limited time, Original version (with extended intro) A Side , and a synth-centric PPU mix B Side.

First Word Records is very proud to present 'The Liminality of Her', a brand new 10-track album from their newest signing, Amanda Whiting; a highly-acclaimed Welsh harpist & composer. A virtuoso in her field, this classically trained musician has quickly established herself as an essential player in the UK jazz scene, carving her own unique sound, following on from the paths forged by Ashby and Coltrane. Amanda recently joined the First Word label roster, via a collaborative project with Don Leisure, 'Beyond The Midnight Sun', as well as a feature on his Welsh Music Prize nominated project 'Shaboo Strikes Back'. She's previously toured extensively with her own band, as well as with Matthew Halsall, Rebecca Vasmant, DJ Yoda and Chip Wickham (who also features on this new project), whilst previously releasing three solo albums on Jazzman Records, and a remix project for Scrimshire's Albert's Favourites imprint. Along the way, there's been a nomination for 'Instrumentalist of the Year'...

Returning from a period of intense and concentrated seclusion in its purest form, WRISTMEETRAZOR make their return in 2024 with their upcoming third album, Degeneration. The US metalcore outfit’s latest full length will be released via Prosthetic Records on March 29. Following the release of their 2021 sophomore effort, Replica of a Strange Love, the WRISTMEETRAZOR’s line-up went through of metamorphosis with Justin Fornhof abdicating his role on bass in favour of lead vocals - bringing Elaine Dalton (bass) and Nate Billmyer (guitar) to the fold in the process. Extensive North American touring soon followed with stints on the road among the likes of Seeyouspacecowboy, Traitors, Eighteen Visions and festival appearances at Furnace Fest and Code Orange’s Code World, respectively. Having solidified and fine-tuned the strengths of their latest incarnation onstage, the newly upgraded quintet found themselves with a renewed focus leading into Degeneration’s gestation period. During this moment of rare quiet for the group, WRISTMEETRAZOR sought the production skills of Randy Lebeouf (The Acacia Strain, Dying Wish, Kublai Khan). Ushering themselves into near total isolation in the woods of New Jersey, the writing and recording process for Degeneration was one of acute solitude, only leaving the studio’s cabin three times during the 30 day lock-in between almost non-stop 12 hour recording sessions. Degeneration’s backdrop of self-imposed seclusion bore fruit as the album’s lyrical focus began to develop. Whilst there are still traces of WRISTMEETRAZOR’s established world of Nietzchian philosophy and twisted romanticism, Fornhof found himself gravitating towards themes of misanthropy, apoplexy, and moral, political and religious hypocrisy within society. With WRISTMEETRAZOR’s ire pointed outwards rather than inwards, societal degeneration is explored through allegorical tales of mechanical decline and system failure that pull together to reveal a larger picture of the band’s disdain for humankind’s more repulsive traits. Songs such as Turn On, Tune In, Drop Dead, DogdayGod and The Greatest Love Offering in the History of the World reference intentional exits from society and sordid real life stories of assassination, against deftly woven industrial and EBM influences with groove based nu-metal flourishes at the fore. Degeneration’s post-apocalyptic production values lend a cold and methodically calculated quality to WRISTMEETRAZOR’s new skin, without losing the visceral core of their identity. Seeking to ensure a fully realised aesthetic to represent the absurdity of seeking justice in an unjust world, the cover was put together by Philadelphia, PA visual artist Alex Eckman-Lawn (END, Dim Mak, Woe).

limited repress available! *gatefold sleeve + insert, regular 120g black vinyl!0 Through the recent years of lockdowns and silence and having too much time to think, Tex Perkins always found solace in the company of song. Having his friend Matt Walker as a co-writer-conspirator, Perkins revelled in the experience which prompted the forming and recording of the first Fat Rubber Band album at Walker & #39's Stovepipe Studios with bassist Steve Hadley, drummer Roger Bergodaz and percussionist Evan Richards. After such an affirmative and creative experience Perkins was itching to commence work on what has become the band's second album, Other World. "The first Fat Rubber Band album was kind of deliberately a little ragged. A bit fuzzy around the edges" said Perkins. "There is a certain maturity that we now possess where ideas can be realised and take form very quickly. We've become a real band. I think what you heard on the first album is the band being formed." While he's played with many musicians, finding true collaborators is something that Perkins treasures. During the lockdowns, he pondered whether he would ever have that day-to-day musician experience again. With The Fat Rubber Band it's not just another grouping of musicians playing music together, but a gathering that is very much about the head, heart and soul and something he is clearly grateful for. "Roger Bergodaz was incredible. His drum kit was in the control room and he engineered the record and played drums pretty much at the same time! He constantly created the surroundings where an enthusiastic and positive atmosphere always prevailed. We never came away empty handed. I loved making this record so much," Perkins says, "because fucking magic happened. Yes, that's right, magic or how about alchemy? (A medieval science with a mysterious process that seeks to turn base metals into Gold.) Well, I dunno about gold, but I witnessed ideas, thoughts, whims and imaginings transmute almost effortlessly into living breathing songs with a soul and a heartbeat and even their own private history every time we went into the studio for this recording. Actually, no, magic is better." Perkins explains "This magic came about with the help of over 4O years of experience from each of the Fat Rubber band members. They're all truly great players and they're all really generous collaborators, so I guess what I'm saying is, it doesn't matter what happens from here. I'm very aware these days, with 100s of new releases each week, it's harder than ever to get people to give a shit about a new album from anybody, let alone from a bunch of hairy blokes in their 50s from Australia fronted by a dude that's been around since the early eighties named Tex. Actually, I can't believe you're still reading this! But you know it doesn't really matter, I've seen the magic."

During the 1990s Shizuka self-released a series of four cassettes, barely heard by anyone outside of their inner circle. Culling together live recordings and home demos, these served as companions to the scant amount of proper Shizuka releases at the time (including the recently reissued Heavenly Persona). Concentric Circles is proud to present the third and most anomalous cassette from Shizuka, simply titled III, on vinyl for the first time in an edition of 500 copies. Formed by guitarist and singer Shizuka Miura, alongside husband Maki Miura, who’d previously played with both Les Rallizes Dénudés and Fushitsusha, the group known as Shizuka started in the early 90s with Jun Kosugi (also of Fushitsusha) on drums, and a revolving cast of bass players, including J.J. Junko, whose sole recorded appearance with the band is here on III. Devoid of any of their trademark noise and bombast, III feel distinct from their studio and live albums of the era, largely due to its fragility; haunted and spare, the songs revolve around Shizuka Miura’s gentle, unforced sighs, and Maki’s flickering, flinty guitar. The first side of the album features four songs – “For You,” “Lunatic Pearl,” “The Night When The Door Opens” and “To The Sky” – which will be well-known to Shizuka fans from previous recordings, but the drastically understated renditions here are particularly moving for their quietude and intimacy. The second half of III consists of a side-long duo session, just Shizuka and Maki Miura together at home, circling around the simplest two-chord motif for twenty minutes, Shizuka singing the most heavenly melody, strung through the sky of this lengthy improvisation. It’s an astonishingly beautiful performance, one that stills time through its becalmed repetition, pointing towards the endless forever. In this respect, it feels like an ultimate extension of Opal’s early recordings, Big Star’s 3rd or even Galaxie 500’s quietest moments. III lifts the darkness away, allowing for a softer, more gentle Shizuka to shine through, bringing with it a side to the band that most never knew existed. A lovely discovery if there ever was one.

Los Angeles dream merchants return with a re-release of classic tracks initially from the 1994 debut “Nearfield”. This new interpretation entitled “Dissolve” includes different mixes and a never-before-heard track, “Skywards”. Closedown stand out as one of the most curiously overlooked. This four-piece from Los Angeles was one of America’s earliest shoegaze bands; some even say they were the first. Emerging from currents of drenching spectral etherealism, Closedown pin you down permanently with swelling whirlpools of brilliant sounds. The comparison to other bliss-rock bands is inevitable, yet such analogies overlook the uniqueness of Closedown’s musical conception.

Die beiden vorherigen Veröffentlichungen von Witch Vomit, "Abhorrent Rapture" und "Buried Deep In A Bottomless Grave", festigten und erhöhten ihre Position als eine der stärksten und direktesten Kapellen des aktuellen US-Death Metals, die gekonntes, kakophonisches Gemetzel bieten. Mit methodisch unerbittlicher Inbrunst und gnadenloser Aggression haben sich Witch Vomit einen formidablen Ruf für brutales Riffing mit Hooks erarbeitet, die so eingängig sind, dass sie Fleisch von Knochen reißen.

Auf dem neuen Album "Funeral Sanctum" erweitern Witch Vomit die dunkle Melodik, die in der Raserei vergangener Veröffentlichungen vergraben war - nun zu schwarzem Obsidian geschliffen und mit der für die Band typischen Brutalität verschmolzen. Die DNA von Tracks wie Blood of Abomination" und Dominion of a Darkened Realm" erinnert nicht an die beschwingten Harmonien, die man im typischen Melodic Death Metal hört, sondern eher an die dämonisch-böse Macht der frühen Dissection, die in gefrorener Dunkelheit glänzt. Die blutgetränkte USDM-Grausamkeit bleibt der verrottete Kern von Witch Vomits Fundament.

Witch Vomits dominante dynamische Entwicklung innerhalb ihres konzentrierten stilistischen Rahmens hat mit "Funeral Sanctum" einen neuen Höhepunkt erreicht. Der intensive Fokus des Albums und der unaufhörliche Riffsturm entfesseln eine Welle blutiger Befriedigung, die sich mit unbarmherziger Eindringlichkeit in die Gehörgänge fräst!

Die beiden vorherigen Veröffentlichungen von Witch Vomit, "Abhorrent Rapture" und "Buried Deep In A Bottomless Grave", festigten und erhöhten ihre Position als eine der stärksten und direktesten Kapellen des aktuellen US-Death Metals, die gekonntes, kakophonisches Gemetzel bieten. Mit methodisch unerbittlicher Inbrunst und gnadenloser Aggression haben sich Witch Vomit einen formidablen Ruf für brutales Riffing mit Hooks erarbeitet, die so eingängig sind, dass sie Fleisch von Knochen reißen.

Auf dem neuen Album "Funeral Sanctum" erweitern Witch Vomit die dunkle Melodik, die in der Raserei vergangener Veröffentlichungen vergraben war - nun zu schwarzem Obsidian geschliffen und mit der für die Band typischen Brutalität verschmolzen. Die DNA von Tracks wie Blood of Abomination" und Dominion of a Darkened Realm" erinnert nicht an die beschwingten Harmonien, die man im typischen Melodic Death Metal hört, sondern eher an die dämonisch-böse Macht der frühen Dissection, die in gefrorener Dunkelheit glänzt. Die blutgetränkte USDM-Grausamkeit bleibt der verrottete Kern von Witch Vomits Fundament.

Witch Vomits dominante dynamische Entwicklung innerhalb ihres konzentrierten stilistischen Rahmens hat mit "Funeral Sanctum" einen neuen Höhepunkt erreicht. Der intensive Fokus des Albums und der unaufhörliche Riffsturm entfesseln eine Welle blutiger Befriedigung, die sich mit unbarmherziger Eindringlichkeit in die Gehörgänge fräst!

The 8-member strong brass band from the windy streets of Amsterdam are back with their fifth studio effort reflecting on their over a decade-long career of bringing the best that instrumental brass music has to offer. With their newest album, they claim their righteous throne as stalwarts of the new European wave of brass bands making waves on the continent.

Containing 9 tracks of top-notch quality brass music from a collective of musicians, friends, and renegades that pursue a quest of innovating of what we know instrumental brass music to be. Gallowstreet is considered a reference point for the (future) sound of European brass bands that mix a multitude of styles into a new sound, whilst simultaneously (re)anchoring the notion of brass bands in its counter-cultural and communal roots. Distinct from its American counterpart, whilst paying homage to the legacy

LP - limited re-press 2024! coloured Vinyl ! Cash Savage is one of the most respected and talented songwriters in Melbourne. With her band The Last Drinks, she has forged a reputation for gritty, raw and Australiana-tinged storytelling. One of Us is the result of a "fucking awesome, but fucking hard" 2015 for Savage, using the experience to generate a broader scope for songwriting. There's exploration of dichotomies and dualities, the songcraft emboldened by aural landscapes laid bare by The Last Drinks (Joe White, Rene Mancuso, Chris Lichti, Brett Marshall, Kat Mear).

The album "Vital - Van der Graaf Live 2CD Edition" by Van der Graaf Generator is a captivating live recording that showcases the band's exceptional talent and energy on stage. Released by Cherry Red Records, this 2CD edition offers fans an immersive experience of the band's electrifying performances.

Recorded during their European tour in 1978, "Vital" captures the essence of Van der Graaf Generator's unique sound and intense live presence. The album features a selection of tracks from their critically acclaimed albums, including "Pawn Hearts," "Godbluff," and "Still Life."

From the opening track to the closing notes, each song on "Vital" is performed with precision and passion. The band's signature blend of progressive rock, jazz influences, and poetic lyrics shines through in every moment. Peter Hammill's powerful vocals soar above the intricate instrumentation provided by Hugh Banton on keyboards, Guy Evans on drums, and David Jackson on saxophone and flute.

The remastered audio quality of this 2CD edition enhances the listening experience, allowing fans to fully appreciate the dynamic range and nuances of each performance. The package also includes a booklet with rare photos and extensive liner notes written by renowned music journalist Sid Smith.

Whether you are a longtime fan or new to Van der Graaf Generator's music, "Vital - Van der Graaf Live 2CD Edition" is a must-have addition to your collection. Immerse yourself in the energy and artistry of one of progressive rock's most influential bands with this exceptional live recording.

A showcase for Peter Frampton’s growth as a songwriter and guitar player, Frampton’s Camel is named after his touring band, honouring the groove this collective had reached in 1973. Prominently featuring Mick Gallagher’s superlative keyboards, the hard-rocking hooks and catchy melodies here lay the foundation for the superstardom that would come just a couple albums and tours later with Frampton Comes Alive. Camel includes the smash hits “Lines On My Face,” “Don’t Fade Away” and a majestic cover of Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe (When I Fall In Love With You It Will Be Forever).” Camel also introduced the world to the all-time classic rock anthem “Do You Feel Like We Do,” with a songwriting credit to the entire band. This fan favourite has remained a highlight of Frampton’s legendary live performances for decades.

Janis Joplin wouldn't be denied on Pearl. The powerhouse vocalist had kicked her addictions, teamed with a stupendous band, and partnered with a producer that knew how to best showcase her voice on record. She came to the sessions with an armload of astonishing songs, and a burst of creative energy that mirrored her rejuvenated emotional state and undeniable spirit. You can hear it on every note of the 1971 record. Ranked #135 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, Pearl sold more than four million copies and stands as the first female rock superstar's definitive studio work.

Mastered from the original master tapes, cut at 45RPM, and pressed on dead-quiet vinyl at RTI, the iconic audiophile label's reissue takes Joplin and Co.'s stupendous performances to newly transcendent levels. Boasting a fidelity that further magnifies the singer's passion and producer Paul A. Rothchild's clear production, this pressing benefits from increased spaciousness, dynamics, and openness afforded by the wider grooves. Joplin's husky, strong, and penetrating singing has never sounded so vibrant or made deeper connections. Warm, organic, and free of any artificial ceilings, this version lets you step into Sunset Sound Recorders with the performers, such is the degree of realism and authenticity. Indeed, few, if any words, describe Joplin better than "authentic," and her spirit comes to life on this 2LP set in positively transcendent fashion. Like its headliner, this pressing leaves it all on the floor.

While Joplin's electrifying vocal prowess is universally lauded – she's recognized as the greatest white female blues singer the world has ever seen – her mix of compassion, confidence, and charm play as large a role in attracting listeners and keeping them ensnared more than four decades after her tragic death. And on Pearl, she burrows into deeper stylistic veins, teasing out sides of her persona and craft she'd never previously displayed. Her signature desperation, sadness, and vulnerability remain – the harrowing, lonely wail that begins her soul-ravishing take on Jerry Ragovoy's "Cry Baby," underlined with a Wall of Sound-like piano accompaniment, could only come from a person severely scarred by loss and disappointment – yet Joplin also reveals a sense of humour and beatnik innocence that helped propel the album to the top of the charts for nine straight weeks.

Playfully introduced as "a song of great social and political import," the acapella "Mercedes Benz" reflects Joplin's throaty timbre as well as her enhanced, sunnier mood. Similarly, her definitive read of Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee" signals a laidback demeanour and a move into country strains, with the delivery as natural, carefree, and loving as any in the rock canon. As she does throughout the record, Joplin invests her all in the narrative so that there's no line between the performer and the song. She makes everything on Pearl feel autobiographical, and by extension, gut-wrenchingly honest, and devastatingly intimate. Joplin achieved these feats often during her brief career, yet there are differences on Pearl, chiefly among them her balance of impeccable timing and raw emotion. Heart-aching anthems such as "A Woman Left Lonely" offer both grit and control, subtlety and attack, resulting in cathartic releases distinguished with originality, personality, and instinctual passion.

Pearl remains Joplin's finest hour, with credit also owed to the Full Tilt Boogie Band – the only group she ever considered to be her own – as well as the Doors alum that sat behind the boards. Joplin and Rothchild both admitted to sharing a common bond and understanding, with the latter inheriting the role of teacher and Joplin, a willing student ready to discover how she could use her voice in new, more expressive ways. The fruits of the pair's labours fill Pearl, be it the guardedly optimistic "Get It While You Can" or assertive, fleet-footed "Move Over."

Experienced in the new light brought to fore by this definitive Mobile Fidelity edition, Joplin's swan song is no longer about a masterpiece that its creator never lived to see finished. Rather, it's about a once-in-a-lifetime vocalist realizing mammoth potential and wringing passion out of every note. It's not a tragedy, but a triumph. Get it while you can.

Recorded by award-winning mastering engineer Kevin Gray's record label, Anthony Wilson's Hackensack West is Cohearent Records' follow-up to Kirsten Edkins' Shapes & Sound album. Produced by Joe Harley and recorded all-analogue/all-tube at Gray's studio, Cohearent Recording, the AAA vinyl release is pressed on 180-gram vinyl at RTI and housed in a deluxe tip-on gatefold jacket.

From the liner notes:

The week before these sessions in the summer of 2023, I sat down each morning with the goal of composing one new song by day's end. I knew I'd soon be in the room with my dear friends Gerald Clayton, John Clayton, and Jeff Hamilton, three musicians whom I trust the most, and with whom I've played the most over the last couple of decades. I tried to imagine themes that would feel natural to us, the kinds of songs we could simply dive into without much thinking. When we headed to Kevin Gray's studio to record, I brought seven new songs along with me. Five are included on this album.

"Daido" is dedicated to Japanese photographer Daido Moriyama, who became known in the late 1960s for his grainy, sometimes blurry, high-contrast black and white images made throughout Japan. I love his pictures taken on the streets of various Tokyo neighbourhoods such as Shinjuku. His portrait of a menacing stray dong, from his series "A Hunter," is the kind of picture that, seen just once, is unforgettable. These days Daido is still out on the street making pictures, at the ripe young age of 85.

"Verdesse" has a sinuous, chorinho-like melody and rhythmic feel. The tune seems to weave and bob playfully in a space of brightness the way a grapevine seems to curl towards the sunlight. So I named it after a wine grape native to the pre-Alpine region of Isère, near Grenoble in eastern France, that makes a particularly delicious and drinkable white wine.

I wrote "Sunday," well...on Sunday. It unfolds slowly, like a good Sunday does when there's nothing to do, you can sleep in, you've got your person beside you, and you just relax into the day.

"The Lands" is dedicated to a family very dear to my heart: that of tenor saxophonist Harold Land. My mother met Harold when they were both teenagers growing up in San Diego, California. The two of them became lifelong friends, and a little later, Harold enjoyed a fruitful musical association and close friendship with my father, Gerald Wilson. Harold, his lovely wife Lydia, and their son Harold Jr. were extended family for us; they looked after me with love and care. Some of my first gigs ever as a young guitarist were with Harold's incredible band that included Oscar Brashear, Billy Higgins, Richard Reid, and Harold Land Jr.

I've loved Todd Rundgren's "Marlene" since I first heard it on his epic double-album Something/Anything. With its tender, well-contoured melody buoyed by a few special harmonic surprises, it almost seems like something from the pen of Burt Bacharach. It tells such a complete musical story. Rundgren's recorded version has a beautiful endlessly repeating tag. So we played the melody simply, and used the tag as a small staging area for a bit of improvising.

Hackensack West is our alias for engineer Kevin Gray's studio Cohearent Recording, a place inspired by Rudy Van Gelder's first studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. Located inside Van Gelder's parents' home, the musicians played in the living room! It was there, in 1954, that Thelonious Monk recorded his classic tune "Hackensack," a "contrafact" melody over the chord changes to the Gershwins' "Oh, Lady Be Good!" In contrafact-like fashion, my own bebop-spirited melody "Hackensack West" seems to nod toward the changes of a few recognizable standards, without corresponding to any particular one.

Miles Davis' boundlessly influential On the Corner was so far ahead of its time upon release in 1972, the jazz cognoscenti rejected its groundbreaking concoction as middling in nature. Yet time has a way of righting wrongs and shifting views by adding needed context and perspective to visionary ideas, music, and approaches — the likes of which fill Davis' boldest and most controversial — undertaking. Designed to bring the focus back on the groove and bottom-end frequencies, the funk-loaded On the Corner revolutionized jazz. It also set new standards for record production, presaging remixing and electronica by more than a decade. And the work has never sounded more thrilling thanks to this very special pressing.

Sourced from the original master tapes and pressed on MoFi SuperVinyl, Mobile Fidelity's numbered-edition 180g 33RPM SuperVinyl LP of On the Corner exposes the internal mechanisms, free-associated playing, and then-unmatched studio techniques in vivid fashion. The low end, crucial to every composition here, is both heard and felt, with locked-in bass lines and low-range percussion conveyed as taut, solid, and visceral passages. You can discern the multiple layers of rhythm Davis employed on complex tracks such as "Black Satin," as On the Corner stands as his first effort to use overdubbing and multiple tape machines. As a pioneer, Davis likely would’ve loved MoFi’s groundbreaking SuperVinyl profile that features the lowest-possible analogue noise floor as well as pristine transparency, dead-quiet surfaces, and superb groove definition.

New degrees of spaciousness and airiness — equally important to the musique concrete arrangements — give the impression Davis and Co.'s creations float in space. Instruments are portrayed in three-dimensional manners, rhythmic loops retain tonal purity, and horn solos skitter across an extra-wide soundstage that takes listeners into Columbia's Studio E. Mobile Fidelity's SuperVinyl LP captures Teo Macero's innovative production — and the trumpeter's cutting-edge aural collages — in definitive fashion.

Heavily inspired by Sly and the Family Stone, On the Corner portrays street vibes and remains Davis' Blackest-sounding record. The conscious attempt to connect with youthful audiences tapped into rock and funk is evident not only on the colorful cartoon cover art depicting hot-pants and zoot-suit revelers, but in the music's emphasis of recurring drum and bass grooves. Distinct from Davis' earlier fusion experiments, the record's long-misunderstood set dials back improvisation in favor of beats, loops, and atmospherics that generate trance-like effects. While Davis utilizes his band for core duties — Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock prominently figure — he also relies on an all-star cast of side-men for concentrated soloing and additional support.

With rhythm providing the basic foundation, other notes fall into place, with their positioning steered by Macero and Davis' editing-room techniques. Looking to the manipulation-based work of Karlheinze Stockhausen and teaming with Stockhausen disciple Paul Buckmaster, Davis re-imagines what grooves constituted and could accomplish throughout On the Corner. The shapes of the songs become completely transformed as they progress. Faint melodies, spacey chords, chunky riffs, wah-wah fills, and repeated motifs bounce in and out of a sonic funhouse that wouldn't be out of place at a Harlem block party.

Exotic, intrepid, and filled with Davis' "jungle sound," On the Corner remains daringly hip more than four decades later.

Für LORNA SHORE war 2020 nichts weniger als eine Abrechnung - in einer Karriere, die auf Herausforderungen, Veränderungen und einer zielstrebigen Vision aufgebaut war. Für das Quintett aus New Jersey bedeutete 2020 die Pandemie und abgesagte Tourneen. Das darauffolgende Jahr stellte die Band vor eine große kreative Herausforderung in Form des Songs 'To the Hellfire' von ihrer vielbeachteten '...And I Return to Nothingness'-EP. Und doch haben sie mit 'Pain Remains' ihr klangliches Niveau gesteigert, ein Album, das nicht nur alles zusammenfügt, was LORNA SHORE angedeutet haben, sondern es auch übertrifft - brutal und großartig. 'Es fühlt sich an wie eine Wiedergeburt von allem für uns - von der Energie, der Band, der Moral', sagt Schlagzeuger Austin Archey. 'Pain Remains' ist der Sound einer Band, die ihren Klang und ihre Identität verfeinert hat. Von den eröffnenden Chorgesängen und der Orchestrierung (komponiert von Gitarrist Andrew O'Connor) von 'Welcome Back, O' Sleeping Dreamer' direkt in das Labyrinth aus musikalischen Wendungen, technischen Details und rohen Emotionen im Kern von Tracks wie 'Sun Eater' oder 'Soulless Existence' und gipfelnd in der 'Pain Remains'-Trilogie, haben LORNA SHORE ein ausuferndes Dokument aus Ehrgeiz, Seele und Können gewoben, das nur Wenige erreichen können. Es ist auch der Sound von LORNA SHORE, der aus jeder Art von Kategorisierung ausbricht und sich selbst als eine großartige Extrem-Metal-Band etabliert. Mit 'Pain Remains' sind LORNA SHORE wirklich angekommen. 'Das war schon seit Jahren die Idee und die Vision für die Band', sagt Adam. 'Wir wollten uns nie einschränken lassen oder die Erwartungen von irgendjemandem erfüllen, was wir zu sein haben.

Die kultige schwedische Hardrock-Band enthüllt erneut ihr musikalisches Können auf ihrem mit Spannung erwarteten 11. Album "Wheel of Illusion". Mit einer langen Geschichte, die bis in die frühen 90er Jahre zurückreicht, hat THE QUILL immer wieder Grenzen überschritten, indem die Band kraftvolle Riffs und gefühlvolle Melodien vermischt hat.

"Wheel of Illusion" verspricht eine klangliche Reise zu werden, die die Entwicklung der Band zeigt und gleichzeitig ihren Hardrock-Wurzeln treu bleibt. Von den donnernden Schlagzeugbeats bis hin zu den brennenden Gitarrensoli ist jeder Track ein Beweis für The Quill's beständiges Engagement, einen rohen und authentischen Sound zu liefern.

Das Album beschäftigt sich mit Themen wie Selbstreflexion, Widerstandsfähigkeit und mit der rätselhaften Natur der Realität. Mit Texten, die nachhallen und Musik, die fesselt, ist "Wheel of Illusion" auf dem besten Weg ein wichtiges Kapitel im musikalischen Vermächtnis von The Quill zu werden.

Während die Band ihre Nische in der internationalen Rockszene weiter ausbaut, bestätigt dieses Album den Status von The Quill als Pioniere der schwedischen Hardrockbewegung. "Wheel of Illusion" ist nicht einfach nur ein Album, sondern ein Beweis für die ungebrochene Leidenschaft von The Quill, Musik zu machen, die die Zeit überdauert und Fans auf der ganzen Welt anspricht.