Pop & Rock News

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
Following his majestic revival in the mid - late 1980s, Paul Simon's slowing of pace during the next decade can easily be forgiven.
This Double LP release features one such concert, his Unplugged performance recorded for and broadcast by MTV, from Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York on 4th March 1992. This extraordinary event features a broad range of classics from the entire Paul Simon songbook, from his earliest hits with Art Garfunkel to numbers from his latest records. Performing solo, in fine voice and good humour, Paul Simon once again proves, on this previously unreleased recording, how he gained his reputation as one of the finest songsmiths in the business.

Originally released in 1968, Harumi is a classic double album of obscure Japan meets Greenwich Village psych with legendary producer Tom Wilson (Velvet Underground, Zappa, Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel) at the helm, desperately trying to reign in the talents of this enigmatic Japanese artist on the outer fringes of an East/West freak out. All songs are sung in English. 'Harumi' is a remarkable album with tracks ranging from catchy pop to more experimental moments. Including contributions from his parents, this is a truly unique and seriously psychedelic work. A great reissue!

One of the most influential artists from the southern parts of the United States is undoubtedly Leadbelly. Gifted with the ability to write thought provoking lyrics, he became a true master of the folk and blues scene. More than just a musician, Leadbelly was a force of nature. And one of his songs sparked a revolution when Lonnie Donegan's 1956 hit Rock Island Line inspired not just The Beatles, but pretty well every fledgling Brit rock & roller with a new type of music called skiffle.

Describing his first solo record for nine years as the most free I've felt making a record since my debut Small Moments', David Kitt's sense of freedom is bound up in themes of renewal, movement, and a constant reshaping of his musical preoccupations. The last number of years have seen him touring and recording as a member of Tindersticks, producing other musicians' work, exploring techno, disco, and house under his New Jackson moniker, remixing everyone from Shit Robot to The XX, and producing intriguing, eclectic DJ sets and radio shows.

All of these experiences have been brought to bear on his latest record Yous, which mingles a sense of freedom, and calm reflection, with an independent impulse, There was no pressure whatsoever with this record,' he says. No label or manager, or anyone breathing down my neck. I was happy to wait as long as it took to have the right 10 songs'.

"The intention was to release it very low-key via Bandcamp and do a small vinyl run, but when it was done and mastered I had a feeling I had something special on my hands, and for the first time in a long while all my friends were chiming in saying it was their favourite thing I'd done. So I played it for Olan at All City and he convinced me to give it a proper release".
Yous is a finely wrought and elemental piece of work, folding in electronic hisses and beats that ground carefully finger-picked guitars (inspired by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt and John Fahey) and stirring violin, weaving between glorious pop-kissed melodies and stark, immersive, poignant compositions - something Kitt does so well.

In the spirit of J.J. Cale, Love is Overtaking Me-era Arthur Russell, and Ronnie Lane, the relaxed nature of the album was intentional, I'm getting my electronics fix from New Jackson, so I wanted to leave room for all the live instrumentation on this, and keep the backing as simple as possible, to let every element have room to breathe, and be heard, and have a strong personality.'
The record was largely done by Kitt at his Dublin home, in a teeny attic room' although old friend and collaborator, Karl Odlum, pops up, and Margie Lewis's violin plays a crucial role throughout the record, as does Ireland, and more specifically, Dublin. The city, surrounding countryside, and its inhabitants, are a constant thread throughout, giving the album the feel of a personal travelogue that spans two decades.

This is explored on Made It Mine', a song that was the hardest to finish because of the complexities of trying to capture our particular sense of identity, The Taste of Without' tackles the financial crash that hit the country especially hard, and the recession that followed, whilst Like Lightning' explores a night of adventure after a missed bus back home from Galway on the West Coast.
The rest of the album, held together by Kitt's uniquely rich vocals, offers a great deal of variety amidst its cohesiveness. Keep the Streets Empty for Me' is a Fever Ray cover which he makes his own, whilst other moments harness early Dire Straits-influenced guitar tones, and Serge Gainsbourg grooves. While the closing track, Song of Two Birds' says Kitt, Reminds me of the record Bobby Charles made with The Band in Woodstock in the '70s, but with Warren Ellis on violin.'
Although Yous is a record that is born of a particular place (the title is an Irish colloquial term for the plural of 'you'), it is equally about personal exploration and a sense of duality, as Kitt reveals, "It also refers to the different versions of ourselves we pass through in life, which is reflected in these songs, which span a ten-year period in terms of writing, and longer, in terms of experience.'

Yous is both the waking' and the breaking' of the heart that Arthur Russell sings of, and one of Kitt's best, and most personal musical statements, to date.

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
Leonard Cohen - Upon A Smokey Evenening Vol. 1
A delightful broadcast recording from Leonard Cohen's 1979 tour. On 13th October 1979, Leonard Cohen began his most extensive tour to date in support of his sixth studio album, 'Recent Songs', with a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden. Entitled 'The Smokey Life Tour', this 48-concert European leg of what would eventually become a world tour (ultimately encompassing too Australia, the USA, and in November 1980, Israel) progressed through Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, England and Ireland. This concert, from Bonn's prestigious 2,000 capacity Beethovenhalle, was recorded towards the end of the European extravaganza on 3rd December, and, as is evident, the cast were performing superbly by this juncture.

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!!
Leonard Cohen - Upon A Smokey Evenening Vol. 2
A delightful broadcast recording from Leonard Cohen's 1979 tour. On 13th October 1979, Leonard Cohen began his most extensive tour to date in support of his sixth studio album, 'Recent Songs', with a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden. Entitled 'The Smokey Life Tour', this 48-concert European leg of what would eventually become a world tour (ultimately encompassing too Australia, the USA, and in November 1980, Israel) progressed through Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, England and Ireland. This concert, from Bonn's prestigious 2,000 capacity Beethovenhalle, was recorded towards the end of the European extravaganza on 3rd December, and, as is evident, the cast were performing superbly by this juncture.

Rituals is the ambitious new album from Australian musician Amaya Laucirica, which is due for release on 2 March 2018 via Opposite Number.

Amaya's work blends the swirling contours of the Cocteau Twins with the wistful melodies of The Go-Betweens and the sonic depth of Yo La Tengo. Within this rich palette of sound resides Amaya's uniquely captivating voice, restrained yet beautiful, with rich breathy tones offering touching moments of yearning and lament.

Amaya began work on Rituals in 2015 while residing in Berlin. During this period, she also spent time performing live and completed a solo tour of venues throughout Spain.

She returned to Australia in 2016, where she formed the band behind Rituals, featuring Andrew Keese (a singer/songwriter and composer in his own right, on guitar), Hugo Cran (from Beggars Banquet alumnus The Devastations on drums) and Giles Fielke (previously of Lowtide on bass). The record was produced by John Lee at Phaedra Studios and mastered by David Walker at Stepford Mastering.

The first single from the album, More Than This', was accompanied by a stunning video directed by Geoffrey O'Connor, featuring the dancer Oge Ogemdi which was premiered via Gold Flake Paint. The second single, All Of Our Time', is a gorgeously melodic ballad that manages to be wistful, introspective and uplifting all at once. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of a long-term relationship and was debuted by The Line of Best Fit.

Over the course of two EPs, three albums and countless live shows Amaya Laucirica has established a unique presence in the Australian musical landscape.

From her childhood in rural South Australia, Amaya first moved to Sydney before finally settling in Melbourne where, in 2008, she released her debut album Sugar Lights. A beguiling and delicate blend of country, folk, rock and pop, Sugar Lights was critically lauded and resulted in Amaya being invited to perform at the North by Northeast (NXNE) music festival in Canada.

In 2010 she released Early Summer, an album that truly defined Amaya's sound and captured the attention of critics and listeners alike. Early Summer was recognised as JJJ's Album of the Week' and led to Amaya undertaking a series of shows with respected international acts such as Blonde Redhead, Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age) and a national tour with Australian rock icon, Adalita in 2011.

Her third album, Sway was released in 2014 and supported by national tour dates covering both regional areas and capital cities. In addition to these dates, Amaya also performed shows at MONA, White Night and Melbourne Music Week.

Rituals is a personal and intimate album dealing with themes of time, frustration, acceptance, loss and love. Musically, it is a richly complex and layered album that, although intricate and sometimes dense, also contains sparse moments of quiet transcendence and space. Rituals marks a major artistic statement and is the perfect demonstration of her talent for her first international release.

Rituals will be released on March 2, 2018 on UK label Opposite Number. The album will also be supported by a UK tour including dates to be announced in England, Scotland and Ireland.

On 2nd March 2018 Ginger Wildheart is to release his new album, the aptly titled 'Ghost In The Tanglewood'. A seamless mix of country, folk, roots and rock, the record showcases Ginger's song writing maturity as he wears his heart and influences on his sleeve over 13 deeply personal tracks, channelling his emotions and pouring his soul into every note. Influenced by the likes of Steve Earle, Maria McKee, Tom Waits and Richard Thompson, this is Ginger's music on the mellow side, roots music played by a working class Geordie raised on country and Northern folk music.

While leaning towards country music, my fairly unavoidable accent means that the songs come off less Willie Nelson and more Bobby Thompson, but every lyric is purely heartfelt and every song is as true a story as you'll ever hear. This stuff has always been in my blood since I was a wee nipper and it's an honour to finally get it out for people to hear' says Ginger.

The songs largely deal with the traditionally taboo subject of mental health issues, specifically depression, which I have suffered from my whole life. Having recently weaned myself off medication, the music I make now serves as both therapy and comfort. I find relief in this music and hope that the songs bring a similar comfort to the listener. The narrative throughout is pretty confessional in nature, but I think the candid approach showcases the lyrics in a more bold and open way than a traditional rock album.'

Opening with the rousing 'The Daylight Hotel', which was written while receiving treatment in a mental hospital and is a peak into that world and the kind of people that reside within its walls, the album ranges from the beautiful country sounds of 'Don't Say Goodbye' to the folk of 'Golden Tears' (a melancholic but uplifting song about the inner strength we somehow summon to fight adversity), the torchlight closer 'Remains' and 'I Could Have Cared For You', which recalls Paul Westberg at his best.

Recorded in John Kettle's Giraffe Studios in Wigan, 'Ghost In The Tanglewood' was produced by John Kettle and Dave Draper and features an all new gang of seasoned musicians that Ginger handpicked for their feel and experience. The players are Maurice Hipkiss - pedal steel, Emily Ewing - vocals, Matthew Colley - piano, Neil McCartney - fiddle and John Kettle - guitar and mandolin.

'Ghost In The Tanglewood' began life as a Pledge campaign, with profits donated to The Samaritans, with the main cause being suicide prevention. I shouldn't need to explain how very important it is to make people aware of mental health issues and suicide prevention, but this is a subject that can never be talked about enough' says Ginger. Speaking out about mental illness is currently our strongest weapon in the war against suicide. We still live in an age where governments and communities continue to largely ignore this problem, so anything that highlights this issue is a step in the right direction. I hope I can do more to raise awareness and be a small part of the change in attitude that is needed in regards to this issue.'

Following the success of the Retro-Zouk mixtapes series (4 volumes / 15k plays on Soundcloud), Secousse Radio proudly presents its first official vinyl reissue of a long lost Zouk banger.

Originally released in 1993-1994, those two tracks have been road-tested in various clubs and parties for months and the feedback is clear: it's dancefloor devastation business.

Their author is Jules Henri Malaki, an established and self-produced artist from Guadeloupe, a French overseas island in the Southern Caribbean Sea.

As the popularity of Zouk music keeps growing every day in Europe, America and Asia, just whisper the name Makiyaj' to any of the best DJs from the current tropical diggers scene and watch their eyes scintillate... This secret weapon shall not remain secret very long.

Essential Debut From Counterculture Icons On 180g Vinyl LP!
Newly Remastered Audio!

Original Stereo Recording!

For many, 1967's Electric Music For The Mind And Body is the premier, defining moment when the attitude and philosophies of the emergent 1960s counter-culture were actually matched by what was in the grooves. The rabble-rousing element of much of Country Joe & the Fish's subsequent career - the "Fish Cheer," Woodstock and their sardonic musical stance - obscured the fact that the group was responsible for some of the most evocative and striking sounds associated not just with their native Bay Area, but the entire late-60s rock movement. More importantly, over the years, Electric Music has transcended the era of its creation and remains a truly bold and powerful musical statement. The linchpin release finds the group combining engaging melodies with sharp, satirical lyrics encompassing different facets of the counterculture including drugs ("Bass Strings"), sex ("Porpoise Mouth") and politics ("Superbird").

Ghanaian music legend Ebo Taylor returns with perhaps his finest album to date.
But don't take our word for it. That's coming straight from the man himself.
And he should know after more than 60 years in the business.
The 81-year-old composer, arranger, guitarist and vocalist has been a key figure in the evolving afro-funk sound since the Seventies, working with the likes of Apagya Show Band, CK Mann and Pat Thomas.
Famously, he rubbed shoulders with Fela Kuti while studying in London in the Sixties, before going on to lead the Ghana Black Star Band (featuring Osei and Sol Amarfio from Osibisa) and later the Uhuru Dance Band back in Ghana. Like Fela, he is always pushing forward, constantly reconceptualising his sound and
attuning it for a new generation. Part teacher, part messenger.
Listen to Yen Ara and you will not only hear the high-energy afrobeat, sweet highlife, jazz and konkoma influences that he's famous for. There is also a disco pulse and hard-hitting percussive edge to the tracks, which were produced by Justin Adams (Tinariwen, Rachid Taha, Robert Plant) and recorded in the live room at Electric Monkey Studio in Amsterdam. An Ebo Taylor for these times, you might say.
His group, the Saltpond City Band, are all handpicked local musicians featuring two of his sons. An appropriate line-up on an album whose titles means we'.
And they are on fine form, ripping through tracks such as 'Krumandey' (a surefire party starter) and 'Mind Your Own Business' (a simple message delivered over a frenetic drum rhythm).
Elsewhere, 'Aboa Kyirbin' will please fans of tough afrobeat grooves, while Taylor could well be inciting a riot at his next gig with 'Mumudey Mumudey', We hear him calling for 'preshaaah' and leading us into a call and response as the trumpet takes us higher. And the lift of those horns on 'Ankoma'm' evokes some
of his finest work such as 'Love & Death' and 'Come Along', the latter recorded with the Pelikans and featured on a recent Mr Bongo reissue.

Park Jiha first gained attention as the leader and producer of the neotraditional Korean duo (su:m). Her music combines the formalism of classical minimalism, the rootedness of Korean folk motifs and the dynamics of post-rock and contemporary jazz. A calm from within the storm.

Blindsmyth ist ein musikalischer Weltenbummler. In verschiedenen Bands erkundete er Klangspektren von Metal und Postrock bis zu Electronica. Während seines Musik-Studiums tauchte er dann noch tiefer in die unterschiedlichsten musikalischen Genres und Produktionstechniken ein, kombinierte verschiedenste Instrumente mit elektronischen Produktions- und Performance-Techniken und fand so, auch durch viele live-shows, zu seinem eigenen Sound.
Das Debütalbum von Blindsmyth ist eine Entdeckungsreise zwischen tiefen elektronischen Klanglandschaften und experimenteller Popmusik. Alle Tracks wurden mit analogen Instrumenten, organischen Drum Sounds und eigenen field recordings produziert. Es ist impulsiv, groovig, experimentell und verträumt. Die Stimmung changiert zwischen House, Folk und langsamen Techno - kombiniert mit Atmosphären aus Ambient, Dub und Post Rock.
Der Album Opener - Wacklige Brücken bringt den Tanz zwischen Freiheit und Sicherheit zum Ausdruck. Dynamische Beats, eine energetische Bassline und eine schwebende Bassklarinetten-Melodie runden den hypnotischen Refrain aus einem Chor gepitchter Stimmen ab. "Wir tanzen auf wackligen Brücken und umarmen den Asphalt . - Secret Walls  bewegt sich zwischen tiefen, groovigen Klängen und experimenteller Popmusik, gekennzeichnet durch seinen charakteristischen Gesang. Der Track basiert auf Samples, die Blindsmyth in einem Bunker aus dem zweiten Weltkrieg aufgenommen und zu elektronischen Sounds verarbeitet hat. Entscheidungen treffen, versagen, sich verlieren um sich sich dann wieder zu finden. In - Stuck singt Blindsmyth über die Höhen und Tiefen des Lebens auf einem Bett von weichen Gitarrenakkorden, die von abstrakten hölzernen Perkussions getragen werden. Melancholisch und zugleich hoffnungsvoll. 

Bubblewrap Collective and The Gentle Good are proud to present 'Y Gwyfyn', a new EP entirely in the Welsh language to celebrate Welsh Language Music Day 2018. The EP contains brand new tracks and previously unreleased material as well as outtakes and an album track from the recent Welsh Music Prize winning 'Ruins/Adfeilion'.

In keeping with the'Ruins/Adfeilion'album, themes of the naturalworld,cultural identityandsocial justice feature prominently in 'Y Gwyfyn' EP. The title  track describes a hot summer evening as perceived through the senses of a moth,  whilst 'Briwsion' (Crumbs) is a critique of social inequality in today's modern  world. Fan favourite track 'The Fisherman' (Y Pysgotwr) is reworked into the Welsh  language, followed by a brand new recording of traditional Welsh folk song 'Cariad  Cyntaf' (First Love). The EP ends with an epic 8 minute instrumental, 'Golwg y  Gwdihw' (An Owl's Eye View), a musical representation of a nocturnal woodland  scene originally recorded as part of a project for National Museum Wales. The EP features some of the finest musicians in Wales, including Jack  Egglestone on drums, Callum Duggan on bass and Georgia Ruth on vocals. The  EP also gives a platform to the stunning string arrangements of Cardiff­ based  composer Seb Goldfinch, performed beautifully by the Mavron Quartet.

Since 2016, Rémy Poncet aka Chevalrex sits among the top new French songwriters to watch thanks to Futurism (Vietnam, 2016), an intimate sophomore album critically acclaimed by the press and on which he plays all the instruments. Wondering how one finds his/her place in today's world while staying true to him/herself, Chevalrex offers his answers in this third album and leaves behind his minimalist compositions to raise his ambitions and push his music into a whole other dimension. Recorded this time with additional musicians and even a whole string orchestra, Anti Slogan compiles ten songs meticulously crafted in which the worlds of Jim O'Rourke, Vincent Delerme, Tindersticks and Boris Vian collides, showcasing a level of refinement hardly ever heard in the French pop scene.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- RE-ISSUE OF HIS DEBUT FOLK ROCK ALBUM

Roy Harper's first solo album was originally released in 1966, The Sophisticated Beggar, and by 1970 he had met up with Pink Floyd manager Peter Jenner and re-released his debut as Return Of The Sophisticated Beggar.

Roy Harper's music can be best defined as progressive folk, but as his work is so varied there are many instances where his music transgressed these genre confinements.

He worked alongside greats like Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, The Nice, Kate Bush and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Roy Harper is also recognized for his vocal contribution on Have A Cigar', the third track on Pink Floyd's 1975 album Wish You Were Here.

Senegalese master Lamine Cissokho has played kora all his life. This has led him all over the world, to many musical collaborations and praise from the likes of Toumani Diabaté.Lamine is currently living in Sweden where he is constantly touring in different line-ups. Up 'til now he has released two previous solo albums. Full of great singing and rhythms- this is something else.

Born in Russia, raised in Israel and now living in Berlin, constantly touring around the globe. Mary Ocher's upbringing is reflected in her free music and wide artistry.This new 10' was recorded in Kraut-legends Faust's studio and produced by Faust member Irmler. Among the 8 tracks here is a beautiful cover version of Robbie Basho's 'Blue Crystal Fire" and the percussive track "Ulifant Fadera', straight from the wilderness.

In 1971, at the age of 25, Pat Ament self-released his debut album, Songs By Pat Ament, in a very limited run for friends and local shops. The album is sparse and moody, conjuring a space not unlike the one that Songs Of Leonard Cohen occupies, featuring Ament on Wurlitzer with a jazz drummer and a guitarist alternating between acoustic and electric. It's dark and at times forlorn, with meditations on yearning and loss and love. It's ideal long-night-of-the-soul music. The lyricism evokes Dylan, Cohen, Tim Hardin and Bill Fay. When he released Songs, Ament was already a world renowned mountain climber, and he became famous for pioneering '60s and '70s ascents in Colorado and Yosemite. He wrote poetic books and essays on climbing, including biographies of legendary climbers Royal Robbins and John Gill. Through the years he's balanced multiple simultaneous careers as artist, photographer, filmmaker, chess master, karate black belt, lecturer, teacher, and, yes, singer-songwriter. Pat Ament's musical mastery was clear right out of the gate but it was only one of his many interests. Perhaps if he hadn't been moved to pursue life's other tempting summits and focused solely on music, he'd be as well known for his songs as for his climbing. Grapefruit is extremely proud to reissue this rare and virtually unknown singer songwriter masterpiece, sourced from original sources and under Ament's supervision, with original artwork and deluxe Stoughton tip-on jacket. The record also comes with a bonus career retrospective CD entitled Time Moved On of additional songs hand-picked by the artist.

Blissed out electronic Hip Hop from the Sahara. Gao's hyper-localized genre reinterprets western hip hop into a sound unlike anything else in the world. Auto-tune, melodic synth, and PC-based beats combine in abstract home studio experiments. Droning takamba meets Hausa synth pop, with a healthy dose of ragga. Obscure music that thrives on the local MP3 trade, this compilation highlights some of the most ambitious recordings of the past 10 years. Limited to 500.

First ever reissue of this rare Swedish psychedelic hard-rock & progressive album from 1975. Powerful guitar / organ and great melodic vocals, featuring ex-LIFE member Anders Nordh on guitar.

The Bättre Lyss project was born during 1973-74, when mutual friends Rolf Hammarlund (vocals, bass) and Christer Palmquist (vocals, acoustic guitars, piano) started to write songs sung in English. Soon after, the lyrics were changed to Swedish and another friend, drummer & songwritter Rolf Johansson joined in. That's when they decided to record an album. Helped by some talented friends, including THREE electric guitar players (among them Anders Nordh of LIFE fame) and a flute / sax player plus an organist, they registered Till Den Sträng...' on a 2-track machine at a state-of-the art studio. The result was stunning and was released as a private pressing in 1975.

*Master tape sound, insert with liner notes and photos.

*Includes download coupon.

Limited edition 4LP/4CD case-bound 24 page book-back box set. A Man I'd Rather Be' (Part II) comprises Jansch's late '60s and early '70s output, an under-rated era, no doubt influenced by the now well-established Pentangle sound. Bandmates Danny Thompson (bass) and Terry Cox (drums) regularly feature among the musicians as well as cameo appearances by Mary Hopkin, Toni Visconti and Dave Mattacks. In this period we see Jansch's take on pop (Nicola), blues (Birthday Blues funnily enough), handsome arrangements (Rosemary Lane) and barque folk (Moonshine). All of this being conjured during a time when Pentangle was simultaneously releasing albums and constantly touring, to say that the man had a generous talent is something of an understatement. The lush orchestration of Nicola was partly recorded by John Wood who would later engineer Nick Drake's recordings at the same studio. The heart melting cover of Birthday Blues contains a set with some of the stalwarts of Bert's solo and Pentangle sets, 'Poison' and 'A Woman Like You' and some of his most arresting work including 'Come Sing a Happy Song' which featured on the soundtrack of Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale in 2005. Rosemary Lane is considered by many to be one of Bert's finest records, a smooth mix of traditional folk such as the title track and 'Reynardine', timeless original compositions like 'Tell Me What Is True Love' and in 'Alman' and 'Sarabanda', examples of early music including the 16th and 17th/18th centuries, all with the sympathetic production of Bill Leader. Moonshine, Bert's first release after Pentangle split, It was produced by fellow member Danny Thompson and the legendary Tony Visconti, who not only arranged a number of songs but also played on the record. It also features Mary Hopkin duetting with Bert on Ewan MacColl's 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', Aly Bain and Charles Mingus' drummer Charlie Richmon. "Simply, I think Bert was a truly unique musician. Somehow he could elegantly bridge differing musical and singing traditions to sing and play in a way that sounded only like Bert Jansch.' -Anne Briggs // The Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar' -Neil Young // "At one point, I was absolutely obsessed with Bert Jansch. When I first heard that LP, I couldn't believe it. It was so far ahead of what everyone else was doing. No one in America could touch that.' -Jimmy Page // Box-set includes:Nicola, Rosemary Lane, Birthday Blues, Moonshine.

"PARKA" was the fourth album by Turkish legend CEM KARACA, originally released in 1977 and which was a compilation of singles released in Turkey between 1969 and 1976, featuring Dervisan, Kardaslar, Apaslar and Mogollar.

You can expect the usual dose of powerful and deep vocals by Karaca backed by great Anatolian arrangements.

When HAVANA MEETS KINGSTON - when Cuba meets Jamaica. This idea was born thanks to Australian globetrotter producer Mista Savona. In 2015 he decided to bring together all the best from
Kingston and Havana. So, Sly & Robbie,Bongo Herman, 'Bopee' Anderson, Ernest Ranglin, Rolando Luna and Barbarito Torres from BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, Los Van Van, Havana Cultura and many more met together and experimented with young musicians from the two islands. An histrorical intergenerational and intercultural exchange!

Drawing from the styles the islands are best known for - roots reggae, dub and dancehall on one hand and son, salsa, rumba and Afro-Cuban on the other - 'Havana Meets Kingston' sees an incredible team of musicians come together to bend and twist genres effortlessly, and the results are exceptional.

- 180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
- FEATURING GIN-GO-LO-BA' (DRUMS OF PASSION), AKIWOWO' (CHANT TO THE TRAINMAN) AND MORE

Drums of Passion was the first album released by Babatunde Olatunji (1927-2003) in 1960.

Olatunji was a drummer, social activist and musician, born in Ajindo, Nigeria. In this album he has recaptured some of his early impressions in his drum beats and giving them new zest. The African drum rhythms are not only musical melodies and songs but also ways of communication. For instance, the first track Akiwowo' was the name of a train conductor who shouted his humorous cry against the fading rhythm of the freight train. Baba Jinde' is a dance play and the title track Gin-Go-Lo-Ba' was sampled by many contemporary artists (Santana and Fatboy Slim amongst others) and covered in 1979 by latin jazz/percussionist Candido for his disco chart smash Jingo'.

Drums of Passion is mainly a danceable album and often cited as one of the first African albums recorded in (then called) stereophonic sound in the United States in 1960.

For the first time ever, the ive's brothers cult debut album is reissued, here in remastered format. Spread across 13 folk electro-acoustic pieces, an english love ode mixed with a melonconic darkness that transcends any simple happy-hippy pigeon-holing to offer much more.

Emotional Rescue is delighted to announce welcoming the enigmatic, electo-acoustic duo Woo to the roster. Consisting of brothers Mark and Clive Ives, Woo will be releasing no less
than three albums with the label, Whichever Way You Are Going being the first.
Hard to catagorise, their personal folktronica is the result of Mark's melodic guitar, clavinet, bass and vocals running through Clive's array of synthesisers. filters and effects, creating
something unique and sadly still, an largely unknown genius.
Described as sounding like the music the Durutti Column would of made with Penguin Cafe Orchestra if produced by Brian Eno, Woo have recorded over 1,500 tracks, however here for
the first time is the remastered reissue of their cult and cryptically titled debut album.
With percussion that echoes elements of Kosmiche's rolling rhythms, the subtle and often brooding textures and moods hint at fully formed songs that are in reality a series of instrumental vignettes which together create a cinematic whole.
More than simple ambient minimalism, the liquid sounds seep in to your brain to offer a particular take of the English new age meditative mindset - the green and pleasant land maybe but with a twist of darkness not expected across 13 laconic pieces.
Released on both screen printed vinyl and CD, Whichever Way will be followed by what could be their masterpiece, Into The Heart Of Love. Previously only available on cassette this will
be a collectors dream, while an in production third album promises further intrigue, bringing together the Ives brothers and fellow space travellers the Seahawks. Close your eyes.

Blue fabric-covered deluxe replica gatefold with circle cut on the front and white hot stamp, printed paper inner-sleeve and black vinyl. includes CD (inserted in a clear pvc wallet) the new album! vinyl tracklisting : Side A: Sous le sable, Lasso, Fontaine de lait, Seeds, Les loups, Je ne mâche pas mes mots Side B : Twix, Nuit debout, Piscine, Fille à papa, Langue The internationally celebrated artist, award winning singer and composer Camille releases 'OUÏ' her fifth studio album and first for Because Music on June 2nd. Recorded over a year in La Chartreuse, a 14th century monastery-turned-artist's residence in Avignon, France 'OUÏ' is a cornucopia thrumming with folk, hymns, ballads, pop, lullabies and breathtaking a cappella. 'The story of the album is like this, moving from the arcane drums' - percussion is used throughout as the bedrock - 'to the treble and harmonics and light in my voice.' An instrument of exhilarating range and phenomenal power, Camille's voice provides all the vocal parts on 'OUÏ'. 'All the voices are telling a story,' she says, 'and I am all the voices. Co-produced by Camille with two of her longtime collaborators, composer and multi-instrumentalist Clement Ducol and sound and mixing engineer Maxime Leguil, and featuring the versatile Moog analogue synthesiser, 'OUÏ' is a work with a pulse. 'It really resonates,' says Camille, 'On some songs there are no drums, just this sub-bass like a kick drum, which leads the way and gives it a beat.' While she sets out to write politically charged songs inspired by drum-driven French traditional dances, that reflect upon the country's recent, tragic events, she was equally led to something peaceful, vowel-oriented and vibrational in her exploration of sound. The latter explains the album's title, 'Oui' - ooo...eee - a playfulness with sounds and language, a breaking free from its oft imposed restrictions.

Strut present the debut compilation from SOFRITO, one of the UK's leading tropical music collectives.

Comprising DJs Hugo Mendez and Frankie Francis alongside The Mighty Crime Minister, Sofrito has consistently combined the serious vinyl hunter's ear for amazing records with the know-how to throw a great party, rocking dancefloors worldwide since their inception in 2005 with a mixture of vintage tropical grooves and exclusive dubplate edits.

From their legendary Tropical Warehouse events in East London to the clubs and bars of Brooklyn, from beach parties in Greece to festivals and clubs across Europe including WOMAD and the Worldwide Festival, Sofrito has now become an international proposition. Over the years the club has also attracted a string of A-list guests for live performances including Manu Dibango, Poets Of Rhythm, Souljazz Orchestra and Quantic.

The club's graphics by artist Lewis Heriz have become a vital part of its identity, with each event accompanied by unique hand-drawn poster art, each now a classic in its own right. Running alongside their events, their Sofrito Specials 12' imprint has made available exclusive edits of impossible-to-find rarities aimed strictly at the dancefloor.

For their debut compilation, Sofrito bring together 15 dynamite tropical grooves old and new ranging from raw cumbia, heavy Congolese soukous, bassline calypso and cosmic highlife. Highlights include an exclusive cumbia by Quantic, 'Cumbia Mochilla', a new edit of a rare Victor Uwaifo disco cut and firing Carnival jams from old-timers Roaring Lion and Mighty Shadow. This isn't about 'world music', this is some of the best dance music ever made.

Dirtmusic return with their fifth album, a full-scale collaboration with Turkish-psych visionary Murat Ertel from Baba Zula.

Bu Bir Ruya is a questing, restless record for the head, but perhaps more so for the body. It broods throughout, as post-punk, Turkish psych, funk, rock and electronics stalk the grooves with widescreen intent. Love is a Foreign

Country', features a startling appearance by Gaye Su Akyol, a treat for those who loved her Hologram Imparatorlugu, one of the most striking Glitterbeat releases of 2016. Fans of Baba Zula, Turkey's premier psychedelicists, will also have more than

enough to chew on, particularly in the remarkable title track that closes the album. Recorded in Istanbul, the album navigates hypnotic, rhythms, cinematic, atmospheres and dark, political realities.

John Johanna's eclectic output uses psychedelia and oriental tonalities, primal gospel blues and folk - among other ingredients - to create a body of diverse yet coherent devotional music. A singer and multi-instrumentalist who works on cassette and reel to reel tape at his home in rural Norfolk, and with Kristian Craig Robinson (Capitol K) at Total Refreshment Centre in London, his songs are informed by the mystical cosmology of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
This release draws from a range of John Johanna pieces gathering four re-mastered tracks that previously appeared on a now sold out ltd cassette tape run and four new tunes. Introducing a incredible gifted singer and player. Leaning in part to the acoustic and dark balladeer aspect of his music, whilst drum machine and blues pieces hint to what's to comes in future.
 Bound a most personal piece written with a deceased friend in mind recalls discussions on Greek mythology of Prometheus. Rock My Soul an adaptation of traditional words from blues gospel lineage. Knowledge And Power, Nathaniel is a Raga. I'll be ready when the great day comes track itself has a full live band ccompaniment. World Unknown words come from Isaac Watts 1700's hymn writer and theologian. (A lot of John Johanna's material takes its cue and shares from a rich tradition of mystical spiritualist music words and motifs)
 Characteristically appearing live accompanied with a four track tape deck his incredible voice and simple raw guitar style always recalling the pure mysticism his music wishes to convey the In the last year he's played sets at End Of The Road Festival a multitude of support slots with label mates Blue House and Super Best Friends Club amongst others.









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First UK vinyl pressing since 2000.
Limited edition of 1000 180g black vinyl. Non-Returnable.
Deluxe replica gatefold sleeve with lyric inner sleeve and restored artwork.
Produced in 1970 by the legendary Joe Boyd, Just Another Diamond Day has long been considered a holy grail for Brit-folk record collectors, with original copies of the album fetching over $1,000 at auction. It shouldn't take many listens to realize why it's so highly regarded, Just Another Diamond Day is, in its own humble way, nearly a thing of perfection.' PITCHFORK 9.0

Vashti Bunyan's legendary debut album from 1970 finally gets a UK vinyl repressing. Produced by Joe Boyd for Witchseason Productions and originally released on Philips in 1970, the album features contributions from Fairport Convention's Simon Nicol and Dave Swarbrick and The Incredible String Band's Robin Williamson.
The songs mostly concern the events that took place when Vashti and her lover travelled to the Hebrides in a horse and cart to join up with Donovan's artistic community but by the tiime they got there that community had all left.
This story has been brilliantly told in Kieran Evans' rarely seen 2008 film Vashti Bunyan: From Here To Before.

* Kat Frankie is from Sydney but in 2008 she quit her job and moved to Berlin. I was a big fan of Chicks On Speed. In an interview they said Berlin was the best place in the world to make music, and I believed them.'
* She says she likes things 'messy' - untidy, teeming, excessive, rich - and the luxuriant diversity of her music reflects that. No question, Kat Frankie writes the most artistic songs you'll hear in local pop music: rhythmically complex, like the most sophisticated R&B, with divinely intricate vocal harmonies reminiscent of old-time doo-wop and folk. Think of Florence + The Machine or
Christine and the Queens.
* 'Bad Behaviour' is a major, boundary breaking work, a creative climax for an exceptional artist and an album that will continue to engage for a long time to come.
* Coloured vinyl.

"Times To Come" will see the light of day. It will be the third record of Duesseldorf based LOVE MACHINE.
It's their first collaboration with Unique Records.

In times of emerging cold and fear LOVE MACHINE preach the joy of love . Their new record is an indirect witness of the last moving years that have been passed since the release of LOVE MACHINE's last record.
"Times To Come" shows the band's unbound lust to play and their deep believe in the power of eternal groove.
Folk Rock and Rock'n'Roll influences connect with contemporary Psychedelia, harmonic vocals and slide guitars meet up with analog synthesizers and Voodoo percussion. All that parts melt to a sweaty, mind-opening cocktail of Americana and Kraut Rock.
Pushed be the "beardiest" rhythm section of our time and finalized by two guitar's great love story, LOVE MACHINE offer nothing less than salvation.
Singer Marcel Rösche is the shaman, the maniac and visionary, enthroning above everything and being beyond any doubt.
Rösche's vocals are supported by the harmonies of Bonn based weird Folk duo The Mañana People.
With the release of pre-album "CIRCLES" in spring 2016 LOVE MACHINE established their status as the hottest must-see in German underground.
The video of the single "Sun Paradox" is rotating on MTV Germany, legendary Klaus Fiehe calls the album "craziest shit" and his new favourite German album of 2016.
Followed up by endless touring all over Germany and performances on festivals such as Copenhagen Psych Fest, Open Source, c/o Pop or Burg Herzberg as well as supporting acts like von Kikagaku Moyo, Acid Mothers Temple, Boris and The Flying Eyes.

But the LOVE MACHINE is not satisfied with spreading the love only on the German territory. Also France, England, Denmark, Switzerland and Poland have already been in the machinery of love.
And LOVE MACHINE won't rest until every human being has tasted the pulp of love and peace.

Detroit's Anna Burch announces her debut album, 'Quit The Curse', on Heavenly Recordings.
The nine songs that comprise 'Quit The Curse' come on sugary and upbeat but their darker lyrical themes and serpentine song structures are tucked neatly into what seem at first just like uncommonly catchy tunes. Burch's crystal clear vocal harmonies and gracefully crafted songs feel so warm and friendly that it's easy to miss the lyrics about destructive relationships, daddy issues and substance abuse that cling like spiderwebs to the hooky melodies. The maddeningly absent lover being sung to in '2 Cool 2 Care', the crowded exhaustion of 'With You Every Day' or even the grim, paranoid tale of scoring drugs in 'Asking 4 A Friend' sometimes feel overshadowed by the shimmering sonics that envelop them.
Though the deceptively complex pop of 'Quit The Curse' marks the debut of Anna Burch, it's anything but the green first steps of a fledgling new artist. Growing up in Michigan, her fixation with music transitioned from a childhood of Disney and Carole King singalongs to more typically angsty teenage years spent covering Bright Eyes and Fiona Apple at open mic nights.
To me this album marks the end of an era of uncertainty. Writing
songs about my emotional struggles helped me to work through
some negative patterns in my personal life, while giving me the sense of creative agency I'd been searching for.'
Emerging from years spent as a supporting player, 'Quit The Curse' stands as a liberation from feeling like Burch's own songwriting voice was just out of reach - an opportunity, finally, for the world at large to hear what's been on her mind for quite a while.
Early praise for Anna Burch's music: Frank and gratifying all the
same, Burch's tightly structured pop is an invigorating take on an
evergreen sound.' - Pitchfork, Anna Burch is a veteran of the Detroit music scene, which helps explains why '2 Cool 2 Care', the first single from her upcoming solo debut LP, lands like an old friend. There's an instant familiarity and warmth to it that can be partially attributed to the song's gentle sway - all oohs and ahhs and starry-eyed romanticism - but it hits even deeper than that.' - Stereogum