CDs:
Adebisi Shank – This Is The Third Album Of A Band Called Adebisi Shank CD/LP (Sargent House)
Adebisi Shank is a three-piece instrumental rock band from Wexford and Dublin, Ireland. The self-styled “robot rock” act fuses frenetic hardcore-influenced math rock with the epic scope of post-rock, the freewheeling intensity of heavy metal, and the dancefloor-shredding sensibilities of electronic dance music.
Adore – Infamy Of The Black Legions CD (Adore)
Debut from the New Orleans black metal multi-instrumentalist Shantell Daggs aka Adore. At times haunting and unsettling, Infamy Of The Black Legions is one of the most whispered about black metal titles in a long time.
Kris Allen – Horizons CD (Dogbear)
Third full-length album from the singer/songwriter and former American Idol winner. Horizons sharpens Allen’s songcraft and brings a more boldly open-hearted spirit to his soulful brand of pop/rock than ever before. Kris’ first independently released album finds him reaching a new level of sophistication in his melody-minded songwriting while fully tapping into his natural grace as a singer and guitarist.
Ben Bennett/Jack Wright – Tangle CD (Public Eyesore)
Featuring Bennett on drums and percussion, and Wright on alto and soprano saxophone, the duo weaves pure spontaneous improvisation in which the players allow for anything to happen.
Billy Thermal – Billy Thermal CD (Omnivore)
Unreleased 1980 album from ace songwriter with five #1 singles. Before Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston, The Bangles, Pretenders, and Heart had mega-hits with his songs, Billy Steinberg was the leader of California’s Billy Thermal. Billy Thermal contains the original versions of songs later made famous by superstars like Linda Ronstadt—who took “How Do I Make You” to the Top 10 in 1980, Pat Benatar—who named her third album after Steinberg’s “Precious Time” and Rick Nelson—who cut “Don’t Look At Me” on his last album of new material, Playing To Win.
Philip Catherine/Martin Wind – Midnight Melodies CD (Act)
Both are aesthetes that love melodic jazz with swing roots. Without any haste or superficial virtuosity, but instead with complete mutual trust they find the ideal tone, the right timbre for each note, lining up sound and space perfectly. A meeting of generations marked by harmony and respect.
Cyrus Chestnut – Midnight Melodies CD (Smoke Sessions)
This nearly perfect set of piano jazz, captured at NY’s Smoke Jazz & Supper Club, is Cyrus Chestnut’s first live recording. He is joined by bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Victor Lewis, and together they take listeners on a musical odyssey that includes music by Billy Strayhorn, John Coltrane, and John Hicks.
Comet Gain – Paperback Ghosts CD/LP (Fortuna POP!)
Recorded at Soup Studios with producer Simon Trought at the helm, and inspired by the psycho-geography of walks in North London woods and in the forgotten grey hinterland of the city’s back streets, Comet Gain’s seventh album Paperback Ghosts comes soaked in autumn melancholy. Tender-hearted but not miserable, defiant but not angry, it maintains the delicate balance that has always been Comet Gain’s strength.
Dama/Libra – Claw CD (Northern Spy)
Dama/Libra is a new collaboration between two revered veterans of the national indie and avant rock scenes, Joel RL Phelps (formerly of underground rock legends, Silkworm, and currently working with his own band, The Downer Trio) and G. Stuart Dahlquist (formerly of doom metal progenitors, Burning Witch/Sunn O))), and currently of Asva).
Gareth Dickson – Invisible String CD (Sleeping Man)
New album from the Scottish singer/songwriter. Invisible String is a collection of live recordings made by Gareth Dickson on his solo odyssey around Europe in 2012. From the banks of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, to a rooftop in Paris overlooking the Sacre Couer, by way of a slightly less glamorous stairwell in Caen, this relentless travelling and performing allowed Gareth to hone his art to its summit, and resulted in a bewitching batch of live performances.
Dilated Peoples – Directors Of Photography CD/LP (Rhymesayers)
Evidence, Rakaa (Iriscience) and DJ Babu’s new collection demonstrates how Dilated Peoples has been able to remain loyal to its signature sound, style and sentiment while adding new and dramatic artistic wrinkles to its already-extensive musical repertoire. With their new album, Dilated Peoples shows it only improved during its hiatus, returning to a genre quick to dismiss veterans.
Peter Escott – Long O CD/LP (Bedroom Suck)
Tasmanian resident Escott made a shift from shy retirer to flamboyant frontman of The Native Cats, who have thrilled crowds from Gonerfest to the Sydney Opera House. And here is his new solo album.
Orrin Evans – Liberation Blues CD (Smoke Sessions)
Debut live recording of a new quintet, featuring drummer Bill Stewart and the first collaboration of
Sean Jones and JD Allen. Includes music dedicated to the memory of bassist Dwayne Burno,
including the Liberation Blues Suite featuring Dwayne’s compositions.
FaltyDL – In The Wild CD/LP (Ninja Tune)
“If FaltyDL’s new album were a hashtag, it would be #sorrynotsorry, or possibly #nofilter. It’s a crude way of thinking about it, but that fits: In The Wild, like so much of Drew Lustman’s output, is cut through with a wry smile in track titles like ‘Some Jazz Sh!t’ and its bubbling, gurgling palette of sound. Here more than ever before, Lustman has let go of the need to control or refine his playful urges in the production process to come up with tracks that are frothy and full of life, taking unpredictable, impulsive twists …” — Dazed
Farmers By Nature – Love & Ghosts 2xCD (AUM Fidelity)
Farmers By Nature is the phenomenal trio of drummer Gerald Cleaver, bassist William Parker, and pianist Craig Taborn, each an internationally renowned master musician-improviser-composer-bandleader. They are without question one of the finest improvising units in the world today.
Freddy Fender – Para Siempre En Mi Corazon CD (Varese/Fuel 2000)
Freddy Fender (June 4, 1937 – October 14, 2006) was a Mexican-American Tejano, country and rock & roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados. He is best known for his 1975 hits ”Before The Next Teardrop Falls” and the subsequent remake of his own ”Wasted Days And Wasted Nights”.
The Fifth Estate – Take The Fifth CD (Varese/Fuel 2000)
New album from the underrated ‘60s pop/psych band best known for their novelty hit “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead.” Take The Fifth is a recompilation from Time Tunnel (2011) plus two new tunes, and was executive-produced and mixed by Kinks/Who producer and music industry legend Shel Talmy.
FKA Twigs – LP1 CD (XL)
FKA Twigs is a London-based producer, singer, songwriter, video director, classically trained ballerina, and choreographer. Vinyl version due August 25.
Bunji Garland – Differentology CD (RCA)
New album from the Trinidadian soca star. Produced by Trinidad’s Keron ”Sheriff” Thompson, Differentology was originally released in November 2012 on Sheriff Music in anticipation of the plethora of parties, concerts and musical competitions held during Trinidad’s annual pre-Lenten Carnival season. Vinyl version due August 25.
Martin Garrix – Gold Skies CDEP (Republic)
Martin Garrix is an 18-year-old Dutch DJ whose song, “Animals,” has been one of the biggest EDM tracks of 2014.
The Gaslight Anthem – Get Hurt CD/LP (Mercury)
The fifth album from the New Jersey-based rockers. New Jersey rockers. Get Hurt sees The Gaslight Anthem pushing their raw stripped back rock & roll into new territory, drawing on a fresh palette of influences ranging from folk, punk, and Americana. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds three bonus tracks.
Gothard – Bang! CD (The End)
The Swiss rock band toured the globe for over 20 years throughout Europe, North and South America and Asia on the back of over ten studio and live albums. Gotthard have collected multiple gold and platinum awards on the way, selling almost three million records and appearing at the biggest, most important festivals on the map of rock.
Tom Harrell – Trip CD (Highnote)
Few people would fit the “jazz hero” mold less than Tom Harrell, whose modesty and lack of pretense is in direct inverse proportion to his talent. And yet, Harrell is revered, not for playing fast, high or loudly, but for his supremacy at fashioning astonishingly beautiful aural shapes with a tone of immense gentleness and depth.
Heartists – Feeding Fiction CD (Roadrunner)
Equal parts anthemic grandeur, brawny metalcore-infused heaviness, and chorus-driven radio rock nirvana.
Eldridge Holmes – Now That I’ve Lost You: Allen Toussaint Sessions CD (Varese/Fuel 2000)
18 remastered tracks from the legendary Sea-Saint Studio recordings produced by Allen Toussaint. Includes extensive liner notes by R&B expert Bill Dahl. New Orleans soul singer Eldridge Holmes began collaborating with producer Allen Toussaint in 1962, making his debut on Toussaint and Joe Banashak’s Alon label with the single “Poor Me.”
Hyperbubble – Attack Of The Titans (Original Soundtrack Music By Hyperbubble) CD (Pure Pop For Now People)
Avant-garde may be too light of a description here. A lot of strangeness is to be expected, as this is the fifth effort by the Texas-based innovative futuristic electro-pop duo Hyperbubble. If you put the B-52 s, Kraftwerk, and maybe The Postal Service in a blender, you get the idea of the throbbing intensity happening here.
Indigo Mist – That The Days Go By And Never Come Again CD/LP (Rarenoise)
Trumpeter-composer Cuong Vu has established himself as a distinctive voice on the new music/improvising scene for his adventurous work over the past 20 years with the likes of guitarist Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny and Laurie Anderson as well as his body of works as leader. Electro-acoustic composer and pianist Richard Karpen has earned accolades for his work in the classical field as well as for being a cutting edge sonic experimenter of the highest order. Joined by their faculty colleagues at the University Of Washington, innovative bassist Luke Berman and Vu’s longstanding bandmate, drummer Ted Poor, these two kindred spirits push the envelope in a myriad of provocative ways on That The Days Go By And Never Come Again, an extended suite that pays tribute to the indelible composing team of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in a most uncompromising fashion.
Interstatic – Arise CD/LP (Rarenoise)
This potent Norway-based trio of expatriate Brit organist Roy Powell, Norwegian guitarist Jacob Young and Norwegian drummer Jarle Vespestad has upped the ante on intensity and audaciousness while arriving at a nexus where rock organically meets jazz. Now the powerhouse unit has reached a new level with Arise.
Etta James – It Takes Love To Keep A Woman: The Allen Toussaint Sessions [Reissue/1979] CD (Varese/Fuel 2000)
Throughout her career, James created a remarkably deep and diverse catalog of R&B, blues, soul, pop and jazz recordings. James crossed all musical genres and styles and has been cited as a major influence by a wide range of singers from Janis Joplin to Irma Thomas to Christina Aguilera and Adele. It Takes Love To Keep A Woman was produced in 1979 by Allen Toussaint at his famous Sea-Saint Studios.
Caleb Johnson – Testify CD (Interscope)
Debut album from the winner of Season 13 of American Idol. Rocker Caleb Johnson took the nation by storm with his magnetic personality and powerhouse vocals. The 22-year-old from Asheville, NC’s self-titled debut album features his infectious hit “As Long As You Love Me,” written by Justin Hawkins and produced by Howard Benson.
Darius Jones/Matthew Shipp – Cosmic Lieder: The Darkseid Sessions CD (AUM Fidelity)
The intergenerational partnership of alto saxophonist Darius Jones and pianist Matthew Shipp seamlessly meshes the talents of two of the most restlessly inventive and deeply gifted instrumentalist-composer-improviser-leaders working today.
Toh Kay & Sycamore Smith – You By Me: Volume 2 CD/LP (Pimento Music)
Toh Kay (Tomas Kalnoky of Streetlight Manifesto) and Sycamore Smith cover three of each other’s songs for the second volume of their You By Me series.
Rory Kelly – Kings Never Sleep CD (Rusty Knuckles)
Blame it on the heady highs in the air that permeates the Black Mountains of North Carolina, but the state has produced an artist that is bringing new dimension to the tour de force that is America’s beloved Southern rock.
Franz Kirmann – Meridians CD (Denovali)
Best known as half of post-classical/electronica duo Piano Interrupted, London-based French producer Franz Kirmann goes back to his electronic roots with Meridians, his second album. Strongly influenced by movies (he cites filmmakers Wong Kar Wai, Michelangelo Antonioni, Sergio Leone, and David Lynch among his musical influences), Kirmann has a weakness for walls of sounds and fragile melodies, which to him are the sonic equivalent of slow-motion sequences, travelling shots or landscapes in cinemascope. Vinyl version due September 2.
Lucero – Live From Atlanta 2xCD/4xLP (Liberty)
32-track live album from Memphis rockers, recorded at Atlanta’s Terminal West at the end of November 2013.
Shawn Mendes – The Shawn Mendes EP CD (Island)
In less than one year since he first began using the digital platform Vine to record himself singing covers, Shawn Mendes has become one of today’s most buzzed-about young artists.
Sinead O’Connor – I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss CD (Nettwerk)
Indicative of where Sinead is in life, I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss is passionate and direct, yet with an overarching fragility; her voice is a weapon, as powerful as it is tender. Available in Regular and Deluxe editions. Deluxe features hardbound book packaging and three bonus tracks. Vinyl version due August 25.
Opposition Rising – Aftermathmatics LP & Get Off Your Ass CD (Profane Existence)
Opposition Rising is a relatively new Boston-based DIY hardcore punk band that has quickly made a name for itself in the underground music scene. A brutally tight and energetic live performance along with catchy song writing and constant touring has made the band a lot of fans from the different sub genres of underground music.
The Paramedic – Diary Of My Demons CD (Bullet Tooth)
New album from the Dayton, OH metal quintet.
Party Cannon – Partied In Half CD (Gore House Productions)
Party Cannon features members of Iniquitous Savagery and Laceration. By mixing their sense of humor with their love of brutal tunes, Partied In Half was born. Originally, this three-track EP was released as a CD-R via Autopsy Records(UK), Gore House Productions is proud to bring forth this killer release with bonus material.
Period – 2 CD (Public Eyesore)
Without conforming to any one genre’s rules, Period creates a sound that exists in between the worlds of metal, free form jazz, electronics and glacial rock music.
The Pharmacy – Spells CD/LP (Old Flame)
Maturity can be a hard thing for any band to achieve, let alone one known for originally known for fuzzy power punk. Yet, despite the youth of its members, The Pharmacy has become quite the seasoned musical force over the last few years.
Prawn – Kingfisher CD (Topshelf)
New album from the New Jersey emo band. Vinyl version due September 2.
Quasiviri – Super Human CD (Wallace)
Intense, contemporary prog rock from Italy.
Reverend – World Won’t Miss You [Reissue/1990] CD (Divebomb)
Reverend – Play God [Reissue/1991] CD (Divebomb)
Despite traditional heavy metal falling out of favor, Reverend never compromised their musical vision to try and fit in like many of their counterparts awkwardly did. Their albums found Reverend mining from their classic metal roots and infusing the material with a modern thrash bite. It was a perfect marriage of both the song craft of early ’80s metal with the muscular guitar tones of the day.
Eric Roberson – The Box CD (Blue Erro Soul)
The eighth album from the “King Of Independent Soul/R&B” features a mix of R&B, neo soul, hip-hop and many other genres that Roberson seamlessly adds to his unique musical mixture.
Porter Robinson – Worlds CD/LP (Astralwerks)
Imagine the sonics and songcraft of M83, Passion Pit and Skrillex all in one package.
David Rosenboom – Zones Of Influence CD (Pogus Productions)
Zones Of Influence documents for the first time the complete version of a major composition for percussion and computer/electronics that introduced new virtuoso performance techniques along with significant developments in real-time algorithmic composition and advanced interactive linking of percussion instruments with software.
Brian Setzer – Rockabilly Riot! All Original CD (Surfdog)
Iconic guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy-award-winner Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot: All Original is a straight-ahead rockabilly album from start to finish. Vinyl version due August 19.
Sheer Terror – Standing Up For Falling Down CD/LP (Reaper)
New album from the reunited hardcore band. Heavy, hard, and honest.
Slow Motion Rider – Slow Motion Rider CD/LP (The Committee To Keep Music Evil)
Debut album from the Los Angeles trio. Slow Motion Rider formed in 2009. Despite a couple of lineup and scenery changes, the message is still simple: keep the music pure. The simple yet fiery combination of sound is reminiscent of the heavier early days of psych rock. Produced by Rob Campanella of The Brian Jonestown Massacre at the committee headquarters.
Smoky Babe – Way Back In The Country Blues CD (Arhoolie)
Today it is hard to find anyone who remembers Robert Brown, the powerful Mississippi-born guitar player known to a few blues fans as Smoky Babe. Born in Itta Bena, MS, Smoky was recorded by folklorist Harry Oster in Louisiana and Mississippi on some twenty occasions between February 1960 and August 1961. These recordings were previously unissued, hidden away on tapes in Oster’s widow s house. This record represents what we feel is the best of those long lost performances.
Soja – Amid The Noise & Haste CD/LP (ATO)
The fifth album from the DC-natives. Amid The Noise & Haste was produced by multiple Grammy-winning Jamaican producer Supa Dups (Bruno Mars, Eminem, Rihanna, John Legend). Featured guests include Michael Franti, Damian Marley, J Boog and Collie Buddz. Also available on gold color vinyl.
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen – Cold Spell CD (Compass)
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen is the next big thing on the bluegrass circuit. Fronted by mandolinist, singer and songwriter Frank Solivan, the band has been nominated several years in a row for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist Of The Year award. Cold Spell’s ten tracks show just how far the traditional bluegrass instrumentation of banjo, mandolin, guitar and acoustic bass can go in the right hands.
Chris Staples – American Soft CD/LP+MP3 (Barsuk)
Chris Staples is an American songwriter/musician well known as the principle songwriter and singer of angular rock band Twothirtyeight (1996-2002) and Discover America (2005-present). He has played in numerous NW bands including Telekinesis and J Tillman.
Steel Prophet – Omniscient CD/LP (Cruz Del Sur)
New album from the progressive power metal originators.
Swine Overlord – Parables Of Umbral Transcendence CD (Gore House Productions)
Since 2011, Swine Overlord has become a well know name in the underground scene. Not only did the bands’ five-track EP land them a signing with GHP, but also landed the bands’ first live performance at Sevared Records third annual Brutality Reigns Fest. This exposed the band further more. With over a year of anticipation, the wait is finally over and their debut album Parables Of Umbral Transcendence is finally available.
Tank – Stronger CD (Atlantic)
Sixth solo album from the multiple Grammy-nominated R&B superstar.
Twista – Dark Horse CD (Get Money Gang)
New album from the pioneering platinum-selling rapper.
Unisonic – Light Of Dawn CD (Eagle)
New release from the metal supergroup featuring Michael Kiske (Helloween) on vocals, Kai Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray) on guitars, Mandy Meyer (Asia, Cobra, Gotthard, Krokus) on guitars, Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) on bass guitar and Kosta Zafiriou (PC 69) on drums.
Upon A Burning Body – The World Is My Enemy Now CD (Sumerian)
Third full-length from Texas based metal band.
Various Artists – Deesu Records Story: New Orleans LA 2xCD (Varese/Fuel 2000)
Remastered 36 track collection, with 15 tracks previously unavailable on CD. This is the only authorized Deesu collection available. Includes liner notes by R&B historian Bill Dahl. Allen Toussaint’s talents appeared infinite during the 1960s (and indeed, to this day). He wrote, arranged, produced, and played singular piano on many of the rhythm and blues hits that emanated from New Orleans, transforming the definition of his hometown’s R&B with his vision.
Mirel Wagner – When The Celler Children See The Light Of Day CD/LP+7”+MP3 (Sub Pop)
Finland-raised singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner creates music that melds subversive lyricism touching on themes of love and death against a backdrop of spare and minimalist folk music.
Watsky – All You Can Do CD (Steel Wool Ent.)
All You Can Do is the hotly anticipated follow-up to the whip-smart hip-hop lyricist’s breakthrough album Cardboard Castles. All You Can Do finds Watsky mining more introspective themes without shedding any of his trademark hook-laden wit. ”A pioneer blending Rivers Cuomo’s earnest alienation, Eminem’s furious flow and B.o.B’s quirky hipster vibe, Watsky is like no MC to come before him.” — Boston Herald
Wheat – Medeiros [Reissue/1997] CD/2xLP (Shorebird)
Reissue of Wheat’s debut album. “The music of Massachusetts outfit Wheat is swathed in the very texture of the substance from which the band takes its name: dry and earthy, evoking suggestive images of a sun-bleached, soft-focused haze. Think of their sound as the aural equivalent of something shot through the American pastoral lens of Terrance Malick or David Gordon Green, and suddenly it becomes unfortunate, but hardly surprising, that they remain one of the more unheralded late ‘90s post-Pavement indie-rock bands.” — PopMatters
DVD + Blu-ray:
Devo – The Men Who Make The Music Plus Butch Devo & The Sundance Gig DVD (MVD)
The Men Who Make The Music combines concert footage from Devo’s 1978 tour with music videos and interstitials featuring a vague story about the band’s rocky relationship with “big entertainment.” As for the bonus program, Butch Devo & The Sundance Gig, Jerry Casale says, “In ’96, we closed Sundance Film Festival. We wore ‘20s-style prison suits, and did a special show with really old, hardcore Devo songs from the early ‘70s, before we ever had a deal.” 120 minutes.
Van Morrison – A Glorious Decade 2xDVD (Pride)
This double-disc set includes a two hour documentary film looking at the first decade of Morrison’s career, from the years when he fronted R&B titans Them out of Belfast, through his early efforts at solo success and on across albums like Astral Weeks, Moondance and Tupelo Honey which made him a household name, recognized worldwide as a creative musical genius. This program looks again at these records, and the man who made them, and in doing so provides the most enlightening, revealing and entertaining Van Morrison documentary yet to emerge. The second disc contains almost an hour of audio interviews with Van during which he talks about the development of his career, his biggest musical influences and his philosophy of life. 162 minutes.
Elvis Presley – Elvis: That’s The Way It Is DVD+Blu-ray (Warner Home Video)
An inside look at “The King,” this documentary follows Elvis as he prepares for his big opening-night performance in Las Vegas and paints Elvis as the master showman. Includes: Both the remastered 2001 special edition (Blu-ray) and the original 1970 theatrical version of the film (DVD), as well as an all-new 40-page book featuring concert photos, backstage glimpses, etc. Also included are ten musical performances not included in the movie, featurettes, and more. 192 minutes.
Various Artists – Live At Wacken 2013 3xBlu-ray (UDR)
Recently released on DVD – now available on Blu-ray. 43 bands and 106 songs, featuring: Legion Of The Damned, Trivium, DevilDriver, Whitechapel, Alpha Tiger, Soilwork, Mustasch, Fozzy, Candlemass, Ihsahn, Amorphis, Agnostic Front, Serum 114, Die Kassierer, Thunder, Pretty Maids, Heaven’s Basement, Sonata Arctica, Alestorm, Dezperadoz, and many more. 190 minutes.
Vinyl:
The 5,6,7,8’s – Teenage Mojo Workout [Reissue/2002] LP (Sweet Nothing)
Reissue of the 2002 album from the Japanese all-girl alternative rock band whose primitive energy is matched by the humor of their tongue-in-cheekiness. This outing includes covers of Jonathan Richman (“Road Runner”), Tommy James & The Shondells (“Hanky Panky”), Booker T & The MG’s (“Green Onions”), Bob & Earl (“Harlem Shuffle”) and more.
The Animals – The Best Of The Animals [Reissue/1965] 2xLP (Abkco)
The Animals’ greatest hits collection covering the 1964-1965 period is now available for the first time on HQ-180gm clear vinyl as part of ABKCO’s Clearly Classic Vinyl Series, showcasing the band’s tough-edged rock hits combined with their more devoted blues and R&B workouts.
Antibalas – Tattletale 7” (Daptone)
“Tattletale” is a sinister, funky flute-driven live staple, drawing from musical inspirations of Ethiopian funk and jazz masters Mulatu Astatqe, Wallias Band and Mahmoud Ahmed of the mid-1970s.
Bastions – Bedfellows Part II: The Forgotten Daughter LP (Holy Roar)
Exciting, visceral, diverse post-hardcore.
Liam Betson – Cover Of Hunter LP (Double Double Whammy)
Debut from the indie musician and former guitarist for Titus Andronicus. On Cover Of Hunter, Liam is joined by Ian Drennan, Ian Dykstra, Julian Lynch, Kevin McMahon, Alex Steinberg, Patrick Stickles and Luka Usmiani. (Limited copies pressed on white vinyl.)
Black Wine – Yell Boss LP (Don Giovanni)
Black Wine is a punk rock trio from New Brunswick, NJ. They unleash a punk/rock/pop sound that’s perfectly suited for banging and stomping with wild abandon. Or contemplating a Swedish existentialist novel.
The Blackbyrds – City Life [Reissue/1975] LP (Fantasy)
Produced by legendary jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, City Life showcases The Blackbyrd’s’ unique jazz-funk crossover sound and includes the runaway hits “Happy Music” and “Rock Creek Park,” which stand even today as pinnacles of the ’70s jazz-funk movement.
Blackie And The Rodeo Kings – South LP (File Under Music)
Released earlier this year on CD – now available on vinyl. South represents a fresh creative step for Blackie And The Rodeo Kings, while embodying the qualities of rootsy musical uplift and quirky lyrical depth that have long distinguished the ensembles varied output. The albums largely acoustic yet reliably punchy arrangements showcase the three songwriters multiple strengths, while their organically energetic performances maintain the vibrant chemistry that has kept Blackie a consistently vital and distinctive musical force.
Blind Uncle Gaspard And Delma Lachney – On The Waters Edge LP (Mississippi)
12 great songs recorded by two of Cajun music’s finest and most unusual artists. Originally released on 78 RPM records in the late 20s, these fragile and dignified performances feature French vocals accompanied by guitar or fiddle (sometimes both). Impeccable ballads and breakdowns.
Bologna Violenta – Uno Bianca LP (Wallace)
An imaginary soundtrack to the worst crimes committed by the Banda della Uno Bianca, a gang formed by five policemen responsible for more than 20 murders, paying homage to the city of Bologna, telling stories through music one of the most violent stories ever.
Johnny Cash – The Legend Of Johnny Cash [2005] 2xLP (Mercury)
On vinyl for the first time, The Legend Of Johnny Cash is the Man In Black’s first career-spanning album, and contains material from his American Recordings era in addition to songs from his time at Sun (“Cry Cry Cry,” “Hey Porter,” “I Walk The Line,” and “Folsum Prison Blues”) and Columbia.
Cocteau Twins – Heaven Or Las Vegas [Reissue/1990] LP+MP3 (4AD)
Long out-of-print, Cocteau Twins’ sixth album is available once again – this time cut from the High Definition masters and pressed on HQ-180gm vinyl.
Common – Nobody’s Smiling 2xLP (Def Jam)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Tenth album from the two-time Grammy Award-winning Chicago rapper.
Crippled Black Phoenix – A Love For Shared Disasters [Reissue/2007] 2xLP (Invada)
Born from a blizzard of horned cats, Crippled Black Phoenix bring you a twisted cinematic experience, handcrafted by a mercenary crew of musical outsiders, giving depth and gravity to regal songs about love, loss, tragedy and redemption. Using a blend of modern and Victorian-era equipment, the band has produced a captivating, slow-burning sound that’s both archaic and modern at the same time.
Dear Mr. Time – Grandfather [Reissue/1970] LP (Mayfair Music)
Official reissue of the band’s only album from 1970. A psychedelic/progressive journey through a man’s life.
DeZurik Sisters – Sing And Yodel Their Greatest Hits LP (Mississippi)
Two absolutely amazing identical twin sisters with soaring voices that must be heard to be believed. Sing And Yodel Their Greatest Hits is first ever LP of tracks from these two incredible entertainers. These ladies sing, yodel, and cackle some of the most impressively acrobatic vocal performances you’ll ever hear in your life. Beautiful and novel country tunes to warm your heart and make you feel alright. A great, unsung chapter in the history of country music.
Dragon Turtles – Distances LP (Oscillating Color)
“Tom Asselin and Brian Lightbody may not live in the same city (or state, even), but that doesn’t stop them from creating bone-chilling music together under the moniker Dragon Turtle. Splitting their time in New York and Pennsylvania, the duo produce lush, reverb-laden atmospheric tracks that mesmerize the listener upon first spin.” – Pure Volume
Jorge Elbrecht – Coral Cross 7” (Mexican Summer)
Coral Cross is the first release of a new metal project helmed by Jorge Elbrecht (Lansing-Dreiden, Haunted Graffiti, Violens). Described by Elbrecht as “choral thrash,” the music is simultaneously blurry and fast paced, blistering single-note guitar lines layered over with barely-audible cathedral harmonies.
Employed To Serve – Change Nothing Regret Everything LP (Holy Roar)
Miserablist post-hardcore from one of 2014’s brightest talents — a musical open letter to those who despise their current situation but do nothing to alter it.
Enabler – Flies 12” (Holy Roar)
An alloy of crust, punk, and hardcore, where relentlessly gloomy melodies and perpetually cynical, “fuck off” attitudes surge heavily.
Ben Fields – Extraordinary Light LP (Sire)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Ben Fields is bringing a style of introspective song writing pioneered by artists like Nick Drake and Van Morrison back into the mainstream.
Freedom – Freedom [Reissue/1970] LP (Sireena)
A reissue of a progressive blues/rock jewel, originally released in 1970. Color vinyl.
Joe Glazer – Garbage & Other Songs Of Our Time [Reissue] LP (Smithsonian Folkways)
Joe Glazer – Old Folks Ain’t All The Same [Reissue] LP (Smithsonian Folkways)
Joe Glazer – Union Train [Reissue] LP (Smithsonian Folkways)
For decades, Joe Glazer’s musical efforts on behalf of union struggles earned him the nickname “Labor’s Troubadour” inspiring workers in mills, factories and on railways. In 1970, he founded Collector Records, primarily to produce records supportive of the struggles of workingmen and women. On these three recordings, he sings topical songs from the 1960s and 1970s that are primarily of his own composition and are heavy on humor and satire. The subject matter ranges from civil rights to politics to defense of environmentalism. The Charlie Byrd Trio provides the accompaniment.
G. Green – Area Codes LP (Mt.St.Mtn)
These Sacramento party punks put bad sex, drugs, heartbreak, drunken frustration, and f**k-you ambivalence to tape.
Gulp – Season Sun LP (Everloving)
“An amalgam of 21st-century electronic squiggles and vintage airy psych-folk, as contemporary as video games and as old as the hills” – Spin. “Less off-kilter than some of Super Furry Animals
work, the new song is driving, moody, and a little psychedelic with Lindsey’s cool, hushed vocals
casually taking the lead.” — Brooklyn Vegan
Frankie Knuckles – Beyond The Mix [Reissue/1991] LP (Virgin)
Frankie Knuckles – Welcome To The Real World [Reissue/1995] LP (Virgin)
Knuckles played an important role in developing and popularizing house music in Chicago during the 1980s, when the genre was in its infancy. Due to his importance in the development of the genre, Knuckles was often known as “The Godfather of House Music.”
Hair – Piece [Reissue/1970] 2xLP (Mayfair Music)
Official reissue of Denmark’s premiere hard-psychedelic band’s only album from 1970, expanded with bonus tracks.
La Cerca – Sunrise For Everyone LP (Fort Lowell)
Daydream Nation-esque maelstroms of expressionist guitar, expressive lyrics abstracted and refracted, pulled together with unforgettable pop hooks.
Mallevs – Mallevs LP (Gilgongo)
Six tracks of dreary and beautiful female-fronted industrial/post-punk/synth music. Think early New Order by way of Pain Teens or Throbbing Gristle.
Maths/Throats – Split 2xLP (Holy Roar)
Maths write epic, furious Orchid-esque walls of melody and noise with tunefulness many of their contemporaries lack. Fast, loud, complex and honest. Throats are bred to play punk f**king rock laced with metal influences whilst still unfazed by genre confines.
More Than Life – What’s Left Of Me LP (Holy Roar)
Darkly melodic hardcore with alt rock/indie inflections and tones.
The Muffs – Whoop Dee Doo LP (Burger)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Whoop Dee Doo is the pop/punk band’s first full-length of new material in a decade.
µ-Ziq – Rediffusion LP (Planet Mu)
“The DJ, producer, and Planet Mu chief has been pressing records under the name µ-Ziq since 1993. While listeners may know the pseudonym for high-speed breakbeats, impossible rhythms and jazzy, chaotic MIDI arrangements, Rediffusion takes a turn towards relaxed, quirky hip-hop variations. Planet Mu describe the record as ‘a thing of joy and hazy childhood memories.’” – Resident Advisor
Pen Test – Biology 7” (Moniker)
The exploitation of ecological systems to affect biological systems funded military-industrial-media-systems are abstracted into cascading, overlapping sequences, and fixed-note arpeggiators, expressing a sense of triumph in what appears to be mastery over the natural and its subjugation.
Plasma Expander – Cube LP (Wallace)
Repetitive, psychedelic, minimal atmospheres – a balance between structure and improvisation, noise and groove.
Shocking Blue – Attila [Reissue/1972] LP (Music On Vinyl)
In 1972, Shocking Blue released their sixth album Attila, a solid pop album written entirely by Van Leeuwen, anchored by Mariska Veres’ powerful vocals. This album is definitely worth picking up for a comprehensive view on Holland’s biggest export product’s early ’70s output. HQ-180gm.
Sleaford Mods – Mr. Jolly F**ker 7” (Fourth Dimension)
Sleaford Mods strike out against modern mediocracy with a full-on punk attitude, smart hip-hop beats, and a fiery lyrical swagger rarely heard.
Levi Smith’s Clefs – Empty Monkey [Reissue/1970] 2xLP (Mayfair Music)
Official reissue of Australia’s finest (soul) progressive LP from 1970, expanded with bonus tracks.
Stacian/Gel Set – Voorhees LP (Moniker)
Ethereal vocals and blissful pop with an aggressive electronic spirit, translating eternal, lucid longing into catchy synth riffs and repetitive oblivion.
Stickers – Swollen LP (End Of Time)
Hyper-sexual, dissonant post-wave with elegant darkness coupled with saxophone skronk and scintillating guitar lines, and vocals that are a force of nature, broadcasting straight from Seattle.
Tusmørke – Underjordisk Tusmørke LP (Termo)
Highly acclaimed and bestselling debut from Norwegian stoner/psych/prog band.
Up River – Undertow LP (Holy Roar)
Short stabs of melodic post-hardcore, wrought with emotion and memorable songs.
Various Artists – Studio One Dancehall – Sir Coxsone In The Dance: The Foundation Sound 3xLP+MP3 (Soul Jazz)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Featured here is a new collection spanning Studio One’s dancehall period – singers and deejays on classic Studio One rhythms, studio and electronic wizardry from the Brentford Road headquarters, lots of rare 12″ singles, all effortlessly brought together to nice up the dance.
Vial Of Sound – God’s Oscillator LP (Gilgongo)
Hypnotic, gorgeously gleaming cosmic disco made using all analog ‘70s/’80s gear. It’s music for Lamborghinis and rocket ships, tearing up the Saturnian riviera at twilight.
Rick Wakeman – Journey To The Centre Of The Earth [Reissue/1974] LP (Write Notes)
Rick Wakeman – Return To The Centre Of The Earth [Reissue/1999] LP (Write Notes)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of his landmark concept album, Rick Wakeman presents the repackaged, re-recorded, extended Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. Based on the novel by Jules Verne, which will also mark its 150th anniversary in 2014, the album is one of the rock era’s landmark achievements. Originally released in 1999 as a sequel to Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, Return To The Centre Of The Earth has been out of print and unavailable for many years.
Cassettes:
Alpha Owl – Boscage (Tor Johnson)
Drawing from ‘70s metal, Alpha Owl will have you banging your head to dual harmonies and rifftastic solos.
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