CDs + Vinyl:
The Acacia Strain – It Comes In Waves CD/LP (Closed Casket Activities)
New (ninth) full-length from the Massachusetts-based metalcore band. The seven-song album is 30 minutes in length with the single-word song titles forming the sentence “Our only sin was giving them names.”
Acid Mother’s Temple – Reverse Of Rebirth Reprise CD/LP (Nod & Smile)
Japan’s psychedelic troubadours return with a new album focusing on the folksier galaxy of their tripped out universe.
Lauren Alaina – Getting Good CDEP (Mercury Nashville)
Country music singer/songwriter Lauren Alaina was the runner-up on the 10th season of American Idol. Her debut studio album, Wildflower, was released in 2011. Her second album, Road Less Traveled, was released January 2017. She was on Dancing With The Stars and placed 4th alongside her partner Gleb Savchenko.
Amos – Imperator Of Pop CD/LP (Sounds Subterrania)
Amos is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and entertainer. On his debut album Imperator Of Pop – as the name implies – you find twelve songs at the highest stage, a disco cocktail made of contemporary sound patterns and the essences of ‘80s pop.
John Anderson – Years CD/LP (BMG)
Dan Auerbach co-produced this album by the country-music legend and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer. The Blake Shelton collaboration “Tuesday I’ll Be Gone” joins “I’m Still Hangin’ On”, “Celebrate”, “Years”, “What’s A Man Got To Do”, “Wild And Free” and more. Both Anderson and Auerbach were deeply inspired by these sessions full of songs about the prospect of death and the celebration of life.
Ayreon – Electric Castle Live And Other Tales 2xCD+DVD/2xCD+2xDVD+Blu-ray/3xLP (Music Theories)
Over four nights at Tilburg’s 013 venue (scene of the Ayreon Universe series of live shows in 2017) Dutch songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen and his band Ayreon – one of modern progressive music’s most emphatic groups – celebrated the 20th anniversary of their third Ayreon album Electric Castle in front of thousands of adoring fans. [Deluxe photobook edition adds the concert on DVD and Blu-ray as well as hi-res audio and more. Limited colored vinyl pressing and stand-alone Blu-ray edition also available.]
Brant Bjork– Punk Rock Guilt [Reissue/2008] CD/LP (Heavy Psych Sounds)
Brant Bjork – Gods & Goddesses [Reissue/2010] CD/LP (Heavy Psych Sounds)
CD and vinyl reissues of the sixth and seventh albums from the from the desert/stoner rock artist. The former Kyuss/Fu Manchu/Queens Of The Stone Age skins man Brant Bjork has always liked to keep fans guessing during his lengthy solo career. With constantly rotating musical styles – to the point where the psychedelic musician is spacier than Nebula – pinning down his next move is virtually impossible.
Blackfield – Live In NYC [Reissue/2007] CD+DVD (Kscope)
Reissue of this 2007 release recorded live at New York’s Bowery Ballroom. Blackfield is a collaborative music project by the English musician and founder of Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, and Israeli rock singer Aviv Geffen.
The Brains – Satana Tarantula CD/LP (Cleopatra)
Brand new album from cult psychobilly band The Brains formed by current Nekromantix skinman and jack-of-all-trades producer/guitarist/singer Rene D La Muerte. The Brains continue their theme of combining retro horror-inspired lyrics with high energy punk-infused rockabilly.
Calligram – The Eye Is The First Circle CD/LP (Prosthetic)
New release from the London-based black metal/hardcore band featuring members hailing from the UK, France, Italy and Brazil.
CB3 – Aeons CD/LP (The Sign)
CB3 bring the spirit of psychedelic music to the 21st century, with a style that ranges from heavy psych rock riffs to cosmic soundscapes and mind-bending solos.
Clientelle – Destination Unknown CD/LP (On The Dole)
Clientelle came from St. Albans, UK and in 1981 they released the now extremely hard to find Destination Unknown album. Considered a NWOBHM masterpiece, the album perfectly blends heavy and loud metal with frenetic power pop and punk. It’s also beer-stained pub rock with glam rock-roots and even some prog bits thrown in for good measure.
Cordyceps – Betrayal CD (Unique Leader)
New release from the Las Vegas-based brutal death metal act.
Dool – Summerland CD/2xLP/2xCD+2xLP+12” (Prophecy)
Expansive and more varied on all fronts Dutch dark rocker’s new album Summerland represents the constant evolution that goes along with the soul’s quest for ascension resulting in a bedazzling mix of dark and post rock Middle Eastern flourishes psychedelia and metal. [Limited colored vinyl pressing and limited deluxe box set editions are also available.]
Dream Boogie – Sorry To Disappoint All Music Lovers CD/LP (Sounds Subterrania)
It’s always fascinating to see what great pop songs can hide in the garb of garage punk. Dream Boogie, with their singalong garage pop/punk power pop, simply manage that.
The Dream Syndicate – The Universe Inside CD/2xLP+MP3 (ANTI-)
L.A. indie rock forbearers The Dream Syndicate deliver their new album, The Universe Inside, a mind-bending set introduced by lead single “The Regulator”. Reminiscent of ’70s Miles Davis and his chaotic brilliance, the track starts all fired up. Over of the course of the song, textures of Eastern droning electric sitar (played by Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders), deep funky bass, haunting vocals, and saxophone flourishes by guest Marcus Tenney (a member of all-instrumental progressive ensemble Butcher Brown) grow into something delightful and unexpected.
Wayne Escoffery – The Humble Warrior CD (Smoke Sessions)
The British saxophonist’s new features Randy Brecker, David Gilmore, David Kikoski, Ugonna Okegwo, and Ralph Peterson.
Naama Gheber – Dearly Beloved CD (Cellar Live)
Conceiving her 2020 debut album, vocalist Naama Gheber summoned inspiration from an intimate life on the New York bandstand. Among tapering red curtains, maple bar tops, snares and brushes, the Be’er Sheva-born artist nightly explored selections from the canon of American standards with her fellow artists – music that would become the centerpiece for Dearly Beloved.
Grey Goose – Til The Medicine Takes CD/LP (Sounds Subterrania)
Grey Goose, partly comprised of former members of punk legends Radon and melodic hardcore favorites As Friends Rust, as well as current members of the incredible Hot Water Music side-project Cro(w)s, delivers an uncompromising amalgam of gut-wrenching agony, spirited urgency and haunting melody, all subtly blanketed in strange, familiar sadness.
Gruppe 80 – Ja Ja CD/LP (Sounds Suberrania)
These lads from Bremen interpret early ‘80s NDW with contemporary references, a good pinch of humor and a punk attitude.
Heathen Foray – Weltenwandel CD (Massacre)
Following a three-year break to recharge the batteries, band founder Jürgen Brüder revived Heathen Foray in 2018. All new channeled energy was then put into the new album Weltenwandel. Darker sounds are combined with the band’s well-known pagan flair, and melodic metal fans will surely eat their hearts out.
Holiday Fun Club – Holiday Fun Club CD/LP (Sounds Subterrania)
HFC are influenced by a lot of the early punk and post-punk but also modern punk and rock bands like Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and C. AARMÉ.
Jazz Sabbath – Jazz Sabbath CD/LP (Blacklake)
Adam Wakeman presents his unique interpretations of Black Sabbath classics.
Killing Joke – Unperverted Pantomim CD/LP (Cadiz Music)
A timely remastered reissue of this rare collection of live recordings and radio sessions that features the classic Killing Joke line up of Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards), Geordie Walker (guitar), Youth (bass) and Paul Ferguson (drums) in raw, blistering form.
King Size Taylor – Dr. Feelgood: The Brits Are Rocking Vol. 3 CD (Bear Family)
King Size Taylor was known in the early sixties as a regular guest in Hamburg’s Star-Club. In the Hanseatic city he had more than 250 performances between 1962 and 1964 and recorded exclusively in Germany during this time. Dr. Feelgood: The Brits Are Rocking Vol. 3 features Taylor’s complete recordings from 1963-64 for the German labels Philips, Polydor and Ariola.
Kool Keith x Thetan – Space Gortex CD/LP+MP3 (The Anti-Corp)
Legendary Bronx, New York City-based rapper Kool Keith and Nashville power violence duo Thetan present their collaborative Space Goretex LP. Includes guest appearances from members of Gwar, Three 6 Mafia, Dwarves, Lost Dog Street Band, and more.
Pokey LaFarge – Rock Bottom Rhapsody CD/LP (New West)
“The man singing these songs isn’t exactly the same man who wrote them,” says Pokey LaFarge of Rock Bottom Rhapsody. In early 2018, LaFarge relocated from his longtime home base of St. Louis, Missouri, to Los Angeles, California. New songs came quickly to LaFarge in his new environment, but new temptations soon found him, as well. LaFarge admits that he experienced a significant “fall from grace” during the last months of 2018. Shortly before the recording of Rock Bottom Rhapsody began, LaFarge experienced “a spiritual awakening” and the faith he re-embraced in his hour of darkness helped to buoy him through the making of the album.
Bill Laswell – Against Empire CD (Mod Reloaded)
Against Empire projects a hybrid activity, constantly evolving texture crashes against smooth, unfolding rhythms built around the solid and elastic drum foundations of four iconic drummers – Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Hideo Yamaki (Japan’s top dummer) and Satoyasu Shomura (Japanese pop phenomenon). Other contributors include legendary saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, versatile multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum, minimal contributions from the great Herbie Hancock on electric piano and the unmistakable touch of master percussionist Adam Rudolph.
Macbeth – Gedankenwächter CD/LP (Massacre)
Macbeth are back with an intensive album full of heavy and fast riffs as well as raw vocals.
Maddie & Tae – The Way It Feels CD (Mercury Nashville)
Award-winning duo Maddie & Tae are drawing praise for their new music anchored around their stellar vocal pairings and “some of the tightest harmonies on Music Row” (Rolling Stone). They have toured with the likes of Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. [Vinyl edition due June 5.]
Richard Marks – Love Is Gone (The Lost Sessions: 1969-1977) CD/2xLP (Now Again)
Previously unreleased soul and funk from the legendary Atlanta guitarist/singer/songwriter. He stands out as a most mysterious talent to originate from Atlanta, a city that birthed no shortage of genius, and Love Is Gone (The Lost Sessions 1969-1977) further makes the case for a reassessment of his talents and his place in the soul and funk canon.
Massicot – Kratt CD/LP (Bongo Joe)
Massicot’s latest album occupies a strange space situated between the traditional spiritual storytelling mysticism of North European pagan folklore, Latin and Middle Eastern inspired polyrhythms and post punk.
Metal Church – From The Vault CD/LP (Rat Pak)
A special edition compilation album that features 14 previously unreleased tracks from the Mike Howe era, which include four newly recorded studio tracks including a redux of the band’s fan favorite classic “Conductor”.
Moniquea – Los Robles & Washington CD/LP (MoFunk)
Recently released on vinyl – now available on CD. For her third release on the MoFunk label, Moniquea takes to the streets on a certified west coast ride. Named after the corner she resided at in Pasadena, California, during the mid- ‘90’s, Los Robles & Washington is equal parts tribute to her hometown, ode to the laid back Los Angeles lifestyle, and a forward-thinking envisionment of how the G-funk sound of nearly three decades past fits perfectly with the modern funk sound of the present day.
Myth Of I – Myth Of I CD/LP (The Artisan Era)
Myth Of I paints lush landscapes and takes the listener on a wild ride through virtuosic guitar solos, mellow ambience, and enough time signature changes for the whole family.
Nightwish – Human II Nature CD/3xLP (Nuclear Blast)
The thematic fields of “humanity”, “nature” “technology” “art” and “music” run as a red thread through Human II Nature, which is explicitly not a concept album. It is a musical bag of magic, which is filled with unexpected twists and turns stylistically ranging from rock to metal, from folk rock to the neo-classical.
Nyrst – Orsök CD/LP (Karisma)
From the depth of Reykjavik in Iceland emerges Nyrst with its blackened creation Orsök, an album that pays homage to the band’s grim and icy Icelandic heritage.
The Prophecy 23 – Fresh Metal CD/LP (Massacre)
The Prophecy 23 put thrash metal, death metal and punk through a meat grinder on their new album, Fresh Metal.
Roedelius – Selbstportrait Wahre Liebe CD/LP (Bureau B)
Roedelius – Tape Archive Essence 1973-1978 CD (Bureau B)
The first part of Hans-Joachim Roedelius’s Selbstportrait (Self-Portrait) series was originally released under the title Sanfte Musik on Sky Records in 1979. Now, some forty years later, a new instalment has arrived in the form of an album entitled Wahre Liebe. Tape Archive Essence 1973-1978 offers a deep insight into the creative process of his music. Fleeting notes, slivers of ideas, so to speak, moments of inspiration. Finger exercises, experiments in harmony, studies in rhythm are also preserved on these magnetic tapes.
Rotting Out – Ronin CD/LP (Pure Noise)
Third full length album from the California hardcore punk band.
Joe Satriani – Shapeshifting CD/LP (Sony Legacy)
New (18th) studio album from the acclaimed guitarist.
Schapiro 17 – New Shoes: Kind Of Blue At 60 2xCD (Summit)
It’s not quite right to say that New Shoes features arrangements of the five songs on Miles Davis’ landmark album Kind Of Blue. They are more like entirely new compositions, which happen to take the Miles material as a starting point. Schapiro translates the lean sound of the sextet into the wide-screen colors of a jazz ensemble in the tradition of the Ellington and Basie bands.
The Sewergrooves – Trouble Station CD/LP (Sounds Subterrania)
The Sewergrooves play a brand of soulful rock that is quite unique in the contemporary musical landscape.
The Sleep Eazys – Easy To Buy, Hard To Sell CD (J&R Adventures)
The Sleep Eazys is comprised of Joe Bonamassa, Anton Fig, Michael Rhodes, Reese Wynans and John Jorgenson with special guests appearing throughout the album. Produced by Joe Bonamassa. The album pays tribute to Joe’s mentor, friend and one of the greatest guitarists of all time – the late great Danny Gatton – who fused blues, rockabilly, jazz, and country to create a unique musical style. [Vinyl edition due April 24.]
Sparta – Trust The River CD/LP (Dine Alone)
Sparta, the El Paso, TX band featuring Jim Ward, returns with their first full length studio album since 2006’s Threes. Beyond Sparta, Ward has performed in various bands and under several monikers over his long and winding career – from the iconic post-hardcore band At The Drive-In, to a slew of solo albums and, recently, his alt-country project, Sleepercar. Having been a member of heavy bands but also showcasing his more melancholic side via his solo work, Ward says the new Sparta album feels like the logical meeting point of his influences.
Steep Canyon Rangers & Asheville Symphony – Be Still Moses CD/LP (Yep Roc)
These Grammy winners and perennial chart toppers from North Carolina have been Steve Martin’s longtime musical companions. Now, the Rangers can add the Asheville Symphony to their list of collaborators; together, they breathe new life into the band’s favorites “Easy To Love”, “Radio”, “Be Still Moses” (featuring Boyz II Men), “Call The Captain”, “Let Me Out Of This Town”, “Blow Me Away” and more. [Transparent blue colored vinyl pressing also available.]
The Stereotypes – The Stereotypes CD/LP (Sounds Subterrania)
The Stereotypes formed in 2001 in San Diego, CA and have recorded two albums and opened for Spoon, Supergrass, and the legendary Buzzcocks.
Shawn Stockman – Foreword CD/LP (SoNo Recording Group)
Shawn Stockman is a founding member of one of the top selling groups of all time, Boyz II Men. Foreword is his first solo album. Foreword features collaborations with super producer Tim Kelley (BoyzIIMen, TLC, Sisqo, 112) and R&B star Raphael Saadiq (Tony, Toni, Tone).
Kaleb Stewart – Tropical Depression CD/LP+MP3 (Sounds Subterrania)
With Tropical Depression, Kaleb Stewart has created a singer-songwriter album for the hardcore kids of the 90s.
The Strokes – The New Abnormal CD/LP+MP3 (RCA)
Produced by Rick Rubin, The New Abnormal is The Strokes’ first album in seven years, following Comedown Machine (2013), and their first release since the Future Present Past EP (2016). The album artwork features the 1981 painting Bird on Money by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and is packed full of the razor-sharp hooks, vintage vibes and NYC cool that made the Strokes an early-2000s phenomenon.
Johnny Summers – Baker’s Dozen: Celebrating Chet Baker CD (Cellar Live)
Trumpeter and vocalist Johnny Summers has been a mainstay on the Canadian jazz scene for years. His swinging and soulful new album Baker’s Dozen features 13 of Johnny’s arrangements, representing some of the songs best known from Chet in his legendary career. For the set, Johnny assembled a cast of musical cohorts who share his vision and approach.
Sun Ra – Celestial Love CD/LP (Modern Harmonic)
Celestial Love contains recordings made in September 1982 at New York’s Variety Studios, which had hosted countless Sun Ra sessions since the late 1960s. This was one of the last extended sessions at Variety, and these recordings were the last studio works released on Sun Ra’s own Saturn label (though the label did continue to press concert recordings, and new studio recordings did appear on other labels). [Limited orange colored vinyl pressing also available.]
Symbolik – Emergence CD/LP (The Artisan Era)
This incredibly catchy technical death metal album features lots of heavy symphonic passages which set them apart from the rest of the pack.
Various Artists [Mr. Scruff] – Mr. Scruff DJ-Kicks CD (!K7)
As a DJ, Andy Carthy aka Mr. Scruff plays across the board, flitting between soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, reggae, Latin, African, ska, disco, house, funk, breaks, soundtracks and loads more. As a producer he makes music that draws on these influences, with a large dose of cheek and good humor. 2020 sees Mr. Scruff kicking off the 25th anniversary of the DJ-Kicks series. [Vinyl edition due June 5.]
Watkins Family Hour – Brother Sister CD/LP (Family Hour)
Returning to the studio as Watkins Family Hour, Sean and Sara Watkins consider Brother Sister a duo-centric record – yet one that feels bigger than just two people. With Sean primarily on guitar and Sara on fiddle, and with both of them sharing vocals, the siblings enlisted producer Mike Viola (Jenny Lewis, Mandy Moore, J.S. Ondara) and mixer-engineer Clay Blair to harness the energy and honesty of their live sound.
Wayward Dawn – Haven Of Lies CD/LP (SPV)
35 minutes of gritty, primal and utterly nasty death metal.
Why Bonnie – Voice Box CDEP/12” (Fat Possum)
Blair Howerton started songwriting as a coping mechanism during her formative years. Her vivid lyricism has bloomed into the dazzling, full-band emotional release known as Why Bonnie. Their new EP, Voice Box, celebrates unhindered expression via beguiling, propulsive guitar pop.
Webb Wilder – Night Without Love CD/LP (Landslide)
Combining potent Wilder originals with well selected covers, Night Without Love showcases his take on all forms of romance and lost love. Produced by Wilder with multi-instrumentalist George Bradfute (guitars, keyboards, strings, etc.) at Tone Chapparal Studios in Nashville, the album also features strong backing from Tom Comet (bass), plus Jimmy Lester and Rick Schell (drums).
Witch Taint – Sons Of Midwestern Darkness CD (Tee Pee)
Witch Taint are probably the most extremely extreme and satanic Norwegian black metal bands … from Indiana.
Wolfheart – Wolves Of Karelia CD/LP (Napalm)
Emerging from dusky woods, the untamed and forlorn nature of Finnish quartet Wolfheart leads them to one of the most picturesque regions of their home country, Karelia. Just as wildlife maintains harmony through a violent clash of the beautiful and unpredictable, Wolves Of Karelia explore the previously coined genre of winter metal.
DVDs + Blu-ray:
Ayreon – Electric Castle Live And Other Tales Blu-ray (Music Theories)
Over four nights at Tilburg’s 013 venue (scene of the Ayreon Universe series of live shows in 2017) Dutch songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen and his band Ayreon – one of modern progressive music’s most emphatic groups – celebrated the 20th anniversary of their third Ayreon album Electric Castle in front of thousands of adoring fans.
Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool 2xDVD/Blu-ray+DVD (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool tells the story of the legendary trumpeter, bandleader, innovator and trend-setter who crossed musical genres and whose life was notable on and off stage. Directed by award-winning documentarian Stanley Nelson, the film features Miles’ music from live performances, studio recordings and outtakes, as well as interviews with those who knew Miles best (Quincy Jones, Santana, Wayne Shorter, etc). Includes bonus DVD disc of live footage from the Montreux Jazz Festival.
This Week’s Vinyl Exclusives:
Isaac Aesili – Hidden Truths LP (Bastard Jazz)
Sophmore solo album by one of the gems of the New Zealand underground soul scene. Woven through electronic soul, with threads of jazz, funk, R&B and house music, Isaac’s Hidden Truths is the stylistic unification of all his previous projects into a dazzling and diverse body of work.
All The Bright Lights – All The Bright Lights [Reissue/2010] LP (Old Bear)
All The Bright Lights was a North Carolina based trio that quickly made a name for themselves with alt rock and indie fans due to their unique brand of melodic swirling guitars, brooding arrangements, sonic patchwork, and a masterful approach to writing and performing instrumental music that cuts right to the heart.
Almanac – Rush Of Death LP (Massacre)
For more than 15 years, Belarusian guitar wizard Victor Smolski shaped the sonic tapestry of rage before finally starting his own project Almanac – perfect amalgamation of metal and classical music spiced with enthralling historic themes.
Ásgeir – Afterglow [Reissue/2017] LP (One Little Indian)
Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and collaborator; the mighty Ásgeir returned in 2017 with his highly anticipated second album, Afterglow. The Icelandic artist spent three years honing and perfecting the 11 tracks that make up this affecting body of work.
BBQ – The Complete Recordings Vol. 1 LP (Sounds Subterrania)
To call BBQ just a one-man band would be like calling his influences just rock ‘n’ roll. BBQ is the perfect mix of the most primitive blues, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, and rockabilly sounds lightly assaulted with garage, soul and a punk aesthetic. BBQ, the one-man band, is actually ‘Mark’, ex-singer of the legendary Spaceshits and singer/drummer for the world-renown Sexareenos.
Beat City Tubeworks – Top Rock LP (Sign)
The gasoline reeking boys from Jönköping, Sweden are back with a new full-length of ten top shelf rock ‘n’ roll tracks.
Behexen – Rituale Satanum [Reissue/2000] LP (Debemur Morti Productions)
A dark and possessed work of satanic black metal in its darkest and purest form, Rituale Satanum is a quintessential explosion of unadulterated blasphemy, spewing forth intense and funerary riffs while sanctifying infectious, timeless melodies.
Benighted – Obscene Repressed LP (Season Of Mist)
Benighted detonate Obscene Repressed, their latest (s)platter of high-velocity death metal destruction. Long one of Europe’s finest death metal exports, they deliver a razor-sharp synthesis of modern extremity with a ferocity that cannot be understated. [CD edition due May 15.]
Black Death – Until We Rock: The Lost Recordings 3xLP (Wyrd War)
Cleveland, Ohio’s legendary Black Death is widely hailed as one of the first African American heavy metal bands, and this definitive new triple LP anthology assembles for the first time on vinyl their seminal demos, compilation tracks and only existing live recordings from the classic 1983-1988 era.
Black Mercy – For The Man That Has Everything 12” (Insect)
Think 1981-84 punk/hardcore era Dischord Records or mid-nineties SPAZZ/West Coast power violence movement, the Midwest’s Negative Approach, the Northwest’s Poison Idea, and you’ll have an idea of what this powerhouse delivers.
Black Snake Moan – Phantasmagoria LP (Teen Sound)
Black Snake Moan is a blues-psych one-man-band.
The Brapidos IV – Surf Session LP (Teen Sound)
14 amazing instrumental surf gems, including a version of “Moon Relay” (The Vistas) and “A Fistful Of Dollars” (Ennio Morricone).
Broken Bones – Dem Bones [Reissue/1984] LP (Jungle)
Limited black & white ‘quad’ (quartered) vinyl reissue of the classic debut studio by the ex-Discharge speed-metal punk band.
Crazy Baldhead – Go Oasis LP (Badasonic)
Crazy Baldhead’s music blends original ‘60’s, ‘70s, and ‘80s Jamaican influences with 21st century lyrical, melodic storytelling. With four previous LP’s and numerous 45s under their belt, their fifth full-length, Go Oasis, is a return to the ska origins of the band’s core musicians, with a healthy dose of bass-heavy, danceable sound-system beats and dub.
Karen Dalton – Recording Is The Trip: The Karen Dalton Archives 3xLP+4xCD+DVD+MP3 (Megaphone)
This set includes on CD, DVD and for the first-time ever on vinyl Dalton’s 1962 double live album Cotton Eyed Joe, remastered, and the 1963 home recordings album Green Rocky Road, remastered. It also includes a CD of unreleased home recordings featuring a mesmerizing take on “God Bless The Child”, a 52-page book with scans of Karen’s personal archives (writings, photographs, memos), and a large T-shirt.
Jesse Daniel – Rollin’ On LP (Jesse Daniel)
Inspired heavily by the California country music that’s been emanating from his home state for decades, Rollin’ On finds Jesse Daniel in fighting shape, clear-eyed and inspired after overcoming the addictions that haunted his teens and early twenties. It’s a record about momentum, redemption, and the realization that the darkness of your past doesn’t have to dim the brightness of your present.
Dens – Taming Tongues LP (Facedown)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Dens’ ability to walk the line between heavy and ambient is fortified on Taming Tongues, with unforgettable vocal hooks and melodies that give the passionate message a solid place to land.
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows – D.R.U.G.S. [Reissue/2011] LP (Enjoy The Ride)
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (often stylized as D.R.U.G.S.) is a post-hardcore super group composed of Craig Owens (Chiodos), Nick Martin (Sleeping With Sirens), Matt Good (From First To Last), Aaron Stern (Matchbook Romance) and Adam Russell (Story Of The Year).
Dillon & Batsauce – Self Medicated LP (Full Plate)
Atlanta based MC/DJ, Dillon & globetrotting beat maker, Batsauce are back with another dose.
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Parents Just Don’t Understand [Reissue/1988] 12” (Enjoy The Ride)
Colored vinyl reissue of the extended radio mix of the theme song from The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air called “Yo Home To Bel Air”. The extended radio mix includes two rarely heard additional verses. Pressed at 45rpm for optimal sound quality.
Dreadzone – Once Upon A Time [Reissue/2005] 2xLP (Dubwiser)
First-time vinyl pressing. “The ‘zone fuse together sounds of ragga, dub, and dancehall with a breakbeat outlook.” – Resident Advisor
D-Styles – Noises In The Right Order LP (Beat Junkie Sound)
In the world of turntablism, Dave Cuasito aka D-Styles is widely known and hugely respected for his unique scratching skills and his smooth style. He’s a low key character who expresses himself on his turntables. For D-Styles, it’s always been about turntable music. Making beats, Scratching, DJing and it’s what he lives for and something he doesn’t take for granted. As far as he’s concerned he’s still improving with absolutely no fear of the future, just an incredible passion to keep pushing forward.
Existenz – Meltdown LP+CD (Heptown)
Limited blue colored vinyl LP pressing including bonus CD edition. New release from the veteran Swedish punk band.
The Fuzztones – Help, Murder, Police 12” (Teen Sound)
Reissue of the 2001 7” EP featuring three tracks recorded in Rome at Delta Studio during The Fuzztones tour that year.
Galileo 7 – Are We Having Fun Yet? LP (Teen Sound)
Classic act led by ex-Prisoners bassist Allan Crockford. UK psych/mod.
Gladiators – Serious Thing [Reissue/1984] LP (Omnivore)
Digitally remastered edition of this roots reggae classic.
Dexter Gordon – A Swingin’ Affair [Reissue/1962] LP (Blue Note)
Two days after recording his best-selling album, Go!, Dexter Gordon followed with another classic, A Swingin’ Affair. The tracks are full of Gordon’s unique and innovative improvisations supported by his returning line-up, with Sonny Clark on piano, Butch Warren on bass, and drummer Billy Higgins. A Swingin’ Affair brings a relaxed and upbeat feeling to a hard-bop influenced band.
Ilaria Graziano & Francesco Forni – From Bedlam To Lenane [Reissue/2012] LP (Crytmo)
Vinyl reissue of the 2012 debut album by Italy’s leading new-folk scene duo, offering an unprecedented mix of uncommon folk and blues-tinged acoustic traditionals and inspired originals sung in English as well as in neo-Latin languages
The Guess Who – The Best Of The Guess Who [Reissue/1971] LP (Friday Music)
Limited 180gm audiophile vinyl reissue. The Best of The Guess Who is the fourth compilation album by the Canadian group and contains recordings made between 1968 and 1970. [Limited gold colored pressing also available.]
Dae Han – Blue LP (Aloha Got Soul)
Dae’s swift, technical style compliments every situation, from jazz and funk to R&B, reggae, and hip-hop.
Shafiq Husayn – The Loop (Instrumentals) LP (Nature Sounds)
Shafiq Husayn is a talented musician, producer, songwriter, and recording artist who has defied boundaries and worked with some of the top artists in R&B, hip-hop, soul, funk, and beyond. Perhaps best known as one third of innovative Los Angeles musical collective Sa Ra Creative Partners, Husayn has produced for the likes of Erykah Badu, Andre 3000, John Legend, Kanye West, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jurassic 5, Bilal, and many more. The Loop is a genre-defying opus incorporating spaced-out funk, raw neo-soul, free jazz, hip-hop beats, and electronic elements. This the official instrumental version of The Loop, showcasing the album’s stellar production on limited-edition vinyl.
Jóhann Jóhannsson – Last & First Men 2xLP+Blu-ray (Deutsche Grammphone)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Inspired by the cult scifi novel by Olaf Stapledon of the same name, Jóhann Jóhannsson paired images of a decaying futuristic landscape – filmed in 16mm black and white in the former Yugoslav republics – with his haunting orchestral score to form Last and First Men, a meditation on memory and loss. Featuring narration by Tilda Swinton and musical performances by Hildur Guðnadóttir, the set includes the never-before-released film on Blu-ray.
Mary Lambert – Grief Creature LP (Tender Heart)
Released last November on CD – now available on vinyl. Mary Lambert is an American singer-songwriter and spoken word artist who reached mainstream success back in 2013 with help from Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. She worked with them on their The Heist album and was featured on their single “Same Love”, which advocated for LGBTQ+ rights. Lambert continues sharing her voice and soulful words in her second studio album, Grief Creature.
Paul Levinson – Welcome Up (Songs Of Space And Time) LP (Old Bear)
What happens when you mix the experimental production of Old Bear Records producer, Chris Hoisington with the Old Bear Session Squad and an award winning science fiction author? You get Welcome Up by Paul Levinson. It is a collection of eight songs that beam you up into a creative galaxy where you take on the persona of an astronaut exploring sonic spaces that at times are reminiscent of The Beach Boys on tracks like “Welcome Up” and “Tau Ceti”, and at other times can feel like the MC5 being shot out of a ray gun on tracks like “Samantha”.
Like Rats – Death Monolith LP (Hibernation Release)
Eight songs and nearly 40 minutes of pure, pummeling death metal combining angular, vicious riffage with groove-ridden, blasting beats and chill inducing, visceral death growls.
Lit – A Place In The Sun [Reissue/1999] LP (Sony Legacy)
Limited white vinyl LP pressing of Lit’s second studio album which features the hits “Miserable”, “Zip-Lock” and the multi-platinum “My Own Worst Enemy”.
Wall Matthews – Spine River: The Guitar Music of Wall Matthews, 1967-1981 LP (Tompkins Square)
Guitarist Wall Matthews is surviving member of experimental 70’s collective, Entourage. Sampled by Four Tet, their name whispered in reverence through the decades, Entourage forged bold musical ideas on their two rare ’70s Folkways LPs. Spine River: The Guitar Music Of Wall Matthews, 1967-1981 is a collection of unreleased or obscure music by the master guitarist. This volume is a limited edition LP, along with four other digital volumes of Wall’s music, chronologically mapping his career.
Jackie McLean – Fickle Sonance [Reissue/1961] LP (Blue Note)
Jackie McLean pushed boundaries in this 1961 recording of A Fickle Sonance. McLean shows his artistry by being one of the few Jazz artists to incorporate freer jazz melodies into his hard-bop style. He raised the bar with his style’s evolution was backed by an incredibly talented group of musicians which included Tommy Turrentine on Trumpet, pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Butch Warren, and Billy Higgins on drums.
Mo Lowda & The Humble – Ready Coat LP (Workaround)
New release by the Philadelphia rockers.
Wolfgang Muthspiel & Scott Colley & Brian Blade – Angular Blues LP (ECM)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel is paired here with long-time collaborator Brian Blade on drums and Scott Colley, whose especially earthy sound helps give this trio its own dynamic. Muthspiel alternates between acoustic and electric guitar and, along with his characteristically melodic originals, plays some standards, his first-ever bebop rhythm-changes tune on record and a single guitar-only track with electronic delay imbuing the baroque-like rounds with a hypnotic glow.
Lee Morgan – The Rumproller [Reissue/1965] LP (Blue Note)
After trumpeter Lee Morgan set the music world on fire with the runaway success of his hit soul-jazz single The Sidewinder, many artists tried to duplicate his triumphant feat. Morgan himself cooked up funky follow-up The Rumproller, which was recorded the next year. The quintet featured Joe Henderson, Ronnie Mathews, Victor Sproles & Billy Higgins. The album covers diverse territory from the post-bop of “Desert Moonlight” to mournful closing ballad “The Lady” dedicated to Billie Holiday.
Nurse With Wound – Rock N Roll Station [Reissue/1994] 2xLP (Abstrakce)
This double-LP edition includes a previously unreleased mix of “Subterranean Zappa Blues” and comes with a letterpress OBI and a letterpress insert in black cardboard and silver ink.
Oneness Of Juju – African Rhythms [Reissue/1975] LP (Now Again)
Best known for the Larry Levan mixed “Every Way But Loose” and the rare groove anthems “African Rhythms” and “River Luv Rite”, Oneness Of Juju was one of the first bands to successfully fuse elements of avant garde jazz, funk and touches of Sun Ra cosmology, all topped with the powerhouse jazz vocals and messages of Eka Ete Jackie Lewis. From their early politically motivated hard jazz/Afro percussion work on the legendary Strata East label in 1973, Oneness Of Juju moved to Richmond, VA and got funky with their album African Rhythms.
Maggi Payne – Arctic Winds [Reissue/2010] 2xLP (Aguirre)
Maggi Payne – Ahh-Ahh (Music For Ed Tannenbaum’s Technological Feets 1984-1987) [Reissue/2012] LP (Aguirre)
From the sounds of dry ice, space transmissions, BART trains, and poor plumbing she immerses the listener in a world strangely unfamiliar. Maggi Payne is a composer, video artist, recording engineer, photographer, and flutist and is Co-Director of the Center for Contemporary Music and a faculty member at Mills College, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Various Artists – Konstantin Raudive: The Voices Of The Dead 2xLP (Sub Rosa)
For many, the first traces of the Raudive Tapes were in William Burroughs fictions and articles. The fact is, these mysterious magnetic tapes, which capture the voices of the dead, and were recorded by the Baltic scientist Konstantin Raudive, are not a fiction but a reality (we are not here to judge their scientific objectivity). These tapes, as rare as Lovecraft’s Necronomicon, are now in the Sub Rosa archives. This set includes remixes by Brett Dean, David Toop, CM von Hausswolff, Calla, Lee Ranaldo, Scanner, Random Inc., Ensemble.
Savak – Rotting Teeth In The Horse’s Mouth LP (Ernest Jenning)
George Washington’s famous wooden dentures were actually crafted from hippopotamus ivory, brass and gold. The teeth currently occupying the Oval Office are just made of fallacies, narcissism and slime. Rotting Teeth In The Horse’s Mouth, Savak’s fourth full-length LP in five years, shows truths about these delusions in the decay of democracy, but also invoke dreams for the daughters of the future. We’re finally in a new decade we only thought existed in the distance of a dystopian science-fiction novel, faced with a waning optimism overcome by the burdening weight of pessimism. [Limited colored vinyl pressing also available.]
Scarab – Martyrs Of The Storm LP (ViciSolum Productions)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. New album from the Egyptian death metal act.
Seven Mary Three – American Standard LP (Wargod)
Limited edition colored vinyl. 1995’s American Standard is the breakout major label debut album from Seven Mary Three following 1994’s independently released Churn. Propelled by the pop-grunge hits “Cumbersome” and “Water’s Edge,” the album earned platinum certification and put the band on the map in a big way.
Sicarius – God Of Dead Roots LP (M-Theory)
Recently released on CD – now available on vinyl. Sicarius – whose moniker means contract killer or assassin in Latin – draw influence from and pay homage to classic black metal bands, yet the quintet also injects a modern, high-velocity sense of immediacy into their bludgeoning and bloodthirsty extreme metal assault. With a sound that that nods to Hellhammer and Bathory and an attitude inspired by the likes of The Misfits, Motörhead and Midnight, the Southern California-based group embodies the dark danger that rages unabashed within the most memorable extreme metal.
Squarepusher – Lamental 12”+MP3 (Warp)
Following his latest album, Be Up A Hello and the Vortrack 12”, Squarepusher quickly returns to the fray with the Lamental EP. The EP bookends the latest saga in the Squarepusher legacy, a stunning atmospheric masterwork that completes the trilogy of recent releases as well as works on its own terms of captivating, meteorological electronics.
The Steppes – Drop Of The Creature [Reissue/1986] LP (Teen Sound)
Paisley Underground psych masterpiece originally produced by Greg Shaw in 1986 on the legendary Voxx label.
Taake | Whoredom Rife – Pakt LP (Van)
Both bands feature two tracks each, Taake with an exclusive track plus a cover of none other than Sisters of Mercy. Whoredom Rife continues to trample down the classic Norwegian black metal-path, delivering two exclusive tracks which will make you taste the Norwegian mountains and fjords through violent black metal of the highest order.
Ultimate Fakebook – The Preserving Machine LP (Sonic Ritual)
The power-punk-emo-pop trio return with their first new album in sixteen years.
Various Artists – Chillhop Essentials – Winter 2019 LP (Chillhop Music)
24 relaxed and vibrant instrumentals.
Various Artists – Silver Girls & Indian Pipes: The Very Best Of Penny Wise/Amsterdam/Peter Bewley LP (Misty Lane)
For lovers of Nedebeat, late ‘60s/early ‘70s pop-sike.
Whitesnake – Slide It In [35th Anniversary Remix] 2xLP (Rhino)
Limited 180gm red colored vinyl pressing of the British rock band’s sixth studio album, originally released in 1983.
Leave a Reply