New Releases
Thundercat “It Is What It Is” (Brainfeeder)
Thundercat is set to release his new album “It Is What It Is” on Brainfeeder Records on April 3, 2020, and shares the first music; ‘Black Qualls (featuring Steve Lacy and Steve Arrington)’. The album, produced by Flying Lotus and Thundercat, features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole and Zack Fox.
“It Is What It Is” follows his game-changing third album “Drunk” (2017). That record completed his transition from virtuoso bassist to bonafide star and cemented his reputation as a unique voice that transcends genre. “This album is about love, loss, life and the ups and downs that come with that,” Bruner says about “It Is What It Is”. “It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, but at different points in life you come across places that you don’t necessarily understand… some things just aren’t meant to be understood.
The unruly bounce of new single ‘Black Qualls’ is classic Thundercat, teaming up with Steve Lacy (The Internet) and Funk icon Steve Arrington (Slave). It’s another example of Stephen Lee Bruner’s desire to highlight the lineage of his music and pay his respects to the musicians who inspired him. Discovering Arrington’s output in his late teens, Bruner says he fell in love with his music immediately: “The tone of the bass, the way his stuff feels and moves, it resonated through my whole body.”
‘Black Qualls’ emerged from writing sessions with Lacy, whom Thundercat describes as “the physical incarnate of the Ohio Players in one person – he genuinely is a funky ass dude”. It references what it means to be a black American with a young mindset: “What it feels like to be in this position right now… the weird ins and outs, we’re talking about those feelings… Part of me knew this [track] was where Steve [Arrington] left us.”
Thundercat forms a cornerstone of the Brainfeeder label; he released “Golden Age of Apocalypse” (2011), “Apocalypse” (2013), followed by EP “The Beyond / Where The Giants Roam” featuring the modern classic ‘Them Changes’. He was later “at the creative epicenter” of the 21st century’s most influential hip-hop album Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp A Butterfly”, where he won a Grammy for his collaboration on the track ‘These Walls’ before releasing his game-changing third album “Drunk” in 2017. In 2018 Thundercat and Flying Lotus composed an original score for an episode of Golden Globe and Emmy award winning TV series “Atlanta” (created and written by Donald Glover).
Various Artists “Garland Records: Pacific Northwest Jukebox” (Sundazed)
Rare and unissued Pacific Northwest floor fillers! While soul music might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the music of the Pacific Northwest, Salem Oregon’s Garland Records was churning out high quality hip shakers along with their reels of garage & psych.
Contained here is some super deep ‘Northwestern Soul,’ including three cuts making their inaugural spins 50 years after they were put to tape.
Nils Frahm “All Encores” (Erased Tapes)
Nils Frahm announces the release of Encores 3 on 18 October 2019, the third and final installment of his Encores series. The three EPs will be available as one full length release titled All Encores featuring 80 minutes of music, to follow his masterful 2018 album All Melody.
Whilst Encores 1 focused on an acoustic pallet of sounds with solo piano and harmonium at the core, and Encores 2 explored more ambient landscapes, now Encores 3 sees Nils expand on the percussive and electronic elements in his work.
“The idea behind All Encores is one we had from before All Melody; to separate releases each with their own distinct musical style and theme, perhaps even as a triple album. But All Melody became larger than itself and took over any initial concepts. I think the idea of All Encores is like musical islands that compliment All Melody.”
Moulded during All Melody but refined by his live performances, All Encores is testament to Nils’ exceptional ability to craft his art on stage. Artificially Intelligent which showcases his ‘mad professor’ organ, and All Armed which has been a live favorite for some time, appearing on set lists since 2015, are now available to hear on record for the very first time. The final track of Encores 3, as well as the whole series, Amirador, perhaps aptly nods to the Spanish word for ‘lookout’ and hints at what’s to come.
Peel Dream Magazine “Agitprop Alterna” (Slumberland)
Lightning Bolt “Hypermagic Mountain” (Lightning Bolt)
Hypermagic Mountain, Lightning Bolt’s 4th album has been unavailable for nearly a decade since it’s 2005 release. Back as a double LP including a full drawing by Brian Chippendale as the D side Etching! The package includes a large scale 4-page book (previous pressings included a cd size book). Recorded at Machines with Magnets and Lightning Bolt’s home by Dave Auchenbach. Lightning Bolt play with abandon that is unmatched and remarkably undiluted and this album is just one more example of that raw power and sound.
They are often called one of the loudest rock outfits in existence, both on record and on (or famously, off) the stage. Brian Gibson creates sounds that are unexpected and remarkably varied with his virtuosic bass playing and his inventive approach to the instrument, centered around melody rather than rhythm. The dizzying fury of Brian Chippendale’s drums twist from primal patterns into disorienting break beats as his distorted, and echoing vocals weave more melody into the mayhem.
Robbie Basho “Songs of the Great Mystery–The Lost Vanguard Sessions” (Real Gone)
Robbie Basho was one of the big three American acoustic guitar innovators, John Fahey and Leo Kottke being the other two. Basho was the least commercially successful of the three, but his influence and reputation has steadily grown since his untimely death in 1986 at the age of 45. And with good reason; for Basho’s deeply spiritual approach, intellectual rigor, and formal explorations (among his goals was the creation of a raga system for American music), present a deeply compelling, multi-faceted artist. Basho was actually a college friend of John Fahey, and his early recordings (like Kottke’s) were for Fahey’s Takoma label. Following Fahey ‘s move to Vanguard, Basho followed suit, and released Voice of the Eagle and Zarthus for the label in 1972 and 1974, respectively (his most commercially successful records were made for the Windham Hill label later in the decade). Flash forward to 2009: Vanguard contacted guitarist (and long-time Basho champion) Glenn Jones with the intriguing news that an unreleased Robbie Basho album session had recently been found, on a tape that, alas, lacked any real documentation. It was only 12 years later, when Jones, in the process of researching the liner notes for this release, discovered the truth: that not just the mysterious tape but both Voice of the Eagle and Zarthus were the result of one marathon session in 1971 or 1972 recorded in New York City by Vanguard staff engineer Jeffrey Zaraya. Songs of the Great Mystery—The Lost Vanguard Sessions, then, takes its place as the third of the triumvirat of albums Basho recorded for the label, and it is their equal in every way, exploring, in particular, some of the same Native American themes found on Voice of the Eagle. Some of the tunes showed up on later albums in much different forms; 1978’s Visions of the Country featured “A Day in the Life of Lemuria” (re-titled “Leaf in the Wind”) and “Night Way,” and “Laughing Thunder, Crawling Thunder” went through various permutations before appearing on 1981’s Rainbow Thunder as “Crashing Thunder.” But for Basho fans, the originals will probably steal the show, particularly “Song of the Great Mystery,” which, unlike some of the songs here that showcase Basho’s singing and piano-playing, brings to the fore his amazing six-string guitar technique and touch. Vanguard briefly put these sessions up digitally when they were located, but Real Gone Music’s release represents the first time they have come out in any physical form (and the alternate take of “A Day in the Life of Lemuria,” also discovered by Jones, has never been heard anywhere). Featuring track-by-track annotation, rare photos (including Basho’s own handwritten notes found in the tape box), and remastering by Mike Milchner of SonicVision, Songs of the Great Mystery—The Lost Vanguard Sessions is a timely release heralding the release of a new documentary and an upcoming Basho box set. Available on a double-LP set pressed in clear vinyl limited to 1000 copies at Gotta Groove Records and housed inside a gatefold jacket. A great American artist, finally getting his due!
Ranil “Ranil Y Su Conjunto Tropical” (Analog Africa)
The 11th Limited Dance Edition Ranil y su Conjunto Tropical. Fourteen mindblowing Cumbia masterpieces – many of which have never seen wide release outside the Amazonian region.
Ranil’s extraordinary output has remained one of the best kept secrets among collectors of cumbia and psychedelic Latin sounds. With the release of Ranil y su Conjunto Tropical it is a secret no longer. Assembled by Analog Africa founder Samy Ben Redjeb from original LPs sourced from Ranil himself, this fully-licenced compilation presents 14 tracks – many of which have never seen wide release outside the Amazonian region – by a singular artist at the very height of his considerable powers. Prepare yourself for a guitar groove you won’t soon forget.
Tindersticks “See My Girls” (City Slang)
Tindersticks release a new limited four-song EP See My Girls. The four song EP features a radio edit of See My Girls, an instrumental dub version of the track and two new songs – the David Boulter penned instrumental A Street Walker’s Carol and Blood And Bone, with Sidonie on lead vocals. The EP is a companion to Tindersticks’ 2019 release No Treasure but Hope.
Daniel Romano “Okay Now” (You’ve Changed)
In a shocking turn of events, Daniel Romano has decided to give you exactly what you asked for–– He and his unparalleled live band, The Outfit, have decided that you deserved it, that it is in fact already yours––and they want to say “you’re welcome.” The record is called “OKAY WOW”. Which is probably what you’ll say when you listen to it. It’s all your favourite songs except superior in every way to the versions you’ve exhausted. “OKAY WOW” also features several rarities previously heard only on two albums which received brief, momentary release via Bandcamp before being deleted forever. “OKAY WOW” was RECORDED LIVE by Kenneth Roy Meehan the 1st while on tour across Scandinavia.
Sorry “925” (Domino)
North London’s Sorry release their hotly-anticipated debut record 925 via Domino. Together with co-producer James Dring (Gorillaz, Jamie T, Nilüfer Yanya), best friends Lorenz and Louis O’Bryen have woven 925 like a dreamscape in which idyllic and hellish scenes intermingle, forcing the question of what is real and what is make believe. Inspired by everything from Hermann Hesse to Aphex Twin and old-school crooner Tony Bennett, their experimental and holistic approach marks them out as a thoroughly 21st century band; from their open-minded approach to genre to their creativity allowing them to self-produce the music and direct accompanying videos. Joined by drummer Lincoln Barrett and Campbell Baum on bass, Sorry emerged from a thriving scene of bands in London, and though 925 is their debut album, it is by no means their first statement. It follows a series of mixtapes, released sporadically and used as a way to experiment with the disparate influences and sounds that give 925 its distinctively modern and apocalyptic sound. Where previous singles and mixtapes earned the band their status as one of the most vital and relentlessly creative new British bands of the moment, 925 is a record which will undoubtedly cement their status as true originals and cross-genre innovators in 2020 and beyond.
Arbouretum ”Let It All In” (Thrill Jockey)
Arbouretum’s mystic folk-rock uses English folk, country blues, Americana and 70s psychedelia as touchpoints in their singular and distinctive sound and they’ve perfected the craft of storytelling, using a delicate interplay of melodies and prosaic lyrics. Let It All In is their most accomplished and evocative album yet. Guitarist and vocalist Dave Heumann’s melodies and solos remain a central focus bolstered by the hypnotic rhythms of bassist Corey Allender and drummer Brian Carey, enhanced by Matthew Pierce’s substantial yet understated keyboard figures. Each song a vivid scene or tale; Heumann’s deep sense of spirituality and command of storytelling through myth and metaphor transports the listener to another world and time.
The Edgar Broughton Band ”The Edgar Broughton Band” (Timeless)
Repress! The most conventional of the band’s albums, 1971’s’ ‘Edgar Broughton Band’ finds the group dispensing with the no-holds-barred psychedelic blues stoned rock.
Acrimony ”Hymns To The Stone” (Burning World)
The first album by Acrimony (from 1994) for the first time ever on vinyl! Remixed and mastered in 2019 from original studio files by James Plotkin. Includes new artwork from JimBob Isaac (Taint/Hark). Acrimony’s influences were varied, from ’70s rock to trance techno, but their riffs were undeniably heavy, with lyrics exploring the isolation of their hometown and the same kind of disaffection that once launched Black Sabbath to the outer reaches of doom from a blues rock beginning.
Aardvark “Aardvark” (Esoteric)
One of the best albums released on NOVA, “Aardvark” features such outstanding pieces as the evocative ‘Once Upon A Hill’, ‘Many Things To Do’ and the powerful album closing track; ‘Put That In Your Pipe And Smoke It’.
This Esoteric Recordings reissue has been remastered from the original master tapes and features a booklet with fully restored artwork and new essay.
Matt Karmil “STS371” (Smalltown Supersound)
Made primarily while on the road, the nine-track LP spans techno, electro, deep house and ambient. It’s Karmil’s second full-length on Smalltown Supersound, following 2018’s Will.
Describing his production process, the UK artist says, “I tended to record a little here and there when I could grab some time with my gear, and then do most of the arranging and choices while I was traveling about—until the end when I went to mix in one of my favourite studios, Cologne’s incredible The Brewery.”
Chapterhouse ”Whirlpool” (Music On Vinyl)
British shoegazing/alternative rock band Chapterhouse released two albums during their existence, ‘Whirlpool’ (1991) and ‘Blood Music’ (1993). Their debut album is a fantastic example of shoegaze at its best. The wall of sound approach is built around dance music structures and they’re creating some heavy grooves. Comes on 180 gram vinyl.
Paul Chain “Ash” (Blood Rock)
Paul Chain has long been known for his improvisational eccentricities, aggressive nightmarish doom, and moody atmospheric meanderings. Since its release in 1988, the ‘Ash’ EP has been considered a masterpiece of thrash and total doom.
Burzum ”Thulêan Mysteries” (Back On Black)
2020 album from the legendary and notorious Burzum. Soundtrack to Burzum mastermind Varg Vikernes’ own fantasy playing ‘MYFAROG’ (Mythic Fantasy Role-playing Game). Comes on black vinyl.
The Greg Foat Group “Girl And Robot With Flowers” (Jazzman)
‘Girl And Robot With Flowers’ is a thematic journey into the emotive and enthralling realms of cinematic jazz, seductive ambience and majestic drama. Greg Foat uses everything from brass bands and kettle drums to Moog synthesizer and harmonium to take the listener above and beyond the stratosphere of senses.
Epizootic “Daybreak” (Longhair)
Epizootic’s sole album is very rare one and in good shape a very expensive album if you are looking for an original one. Longhair is proud to present the first official re-release of this album, first issued in 1976 by Epizootic as a private pressing. Their music could be described as raw hard rock with psychedelic flavours, dominated by organ and guitar. Breaks and tempo changes within the titles are responsible for a diversified album. In his book ‘Scented Garden Of The Mind’ Dag Erik Asbjornsen declares: Epizootic made one of the most obscure Swedish heavy rock albums, in a joyful style reminiscent of Fuzzy Duck and early Atomic Rooster. The album has been re-remastered from an early CD self-release by the band and gains a better sounding. On the insert, keyboarder Lars Liljegren tells the band’s story and some never before seen photos show the band in their glorious days. Don’t miss the limited edition of this extremely rare album. Recommended.
D.R.I. “Greatest Hits” (Back On Black)
Reissue of the D.R.I. ‘Greatest Hits’ album, originally released in 2001. D.R.I.’s music has combined elements of punk rock, thrash metal, speed metal and heavy metal, while their early material has been described as hardcore punk. They are often cited as one of the key bands that helped create the crossover thrash genre, along with S.O.D., Suicidal Tendencies and Corrosion of Conformity.
The Collectors “The Collectors” (Music On Vinyl)
The Collectors represents the Canadian psychedelic movement. This self-titled album is one of the true forgotten gems from 1968. The superb song-writing and intelligent use of unusual chord progressions are just brilliant on this record. Comes on 180 gram vinyl.
GR ”The GR Record Head” (Cardinal Fuzz)
No-bullshit underground free-rock and proto-punk dosage featuring a multi-piece line up of GRs! This acetate slab of defiant mixture makes the magic happens like an hallucinatory disenchantment incorporated into some ultra vindictive power… Infectious, scary, brutal, elegiac, freakish and wickedly stylish, GR’s fifth solo album ‘The GR Record Head’ pushes the boundaries straight up to cook your synapses. Once again, the album comes out outside of the standards, with no other backing than GR himself on all instruments plugged into overheated tubes, then a few dusty razor-like moving coil transducers, a mixing board built like a Panzer and an analog 4 track reel to reel recorder from another age. GuitaRazing, frenzied riffing and cranked soloing vagabondage on corroded strings, mesmeric tone, acid rave ups, rhythms like catapults, motorik plus deconstructive free forms, opaque vocals full of venom and fuelled by raw lines & metrics… Now pair all that with the craft of fixing sounds onto an early ’80s 1/4 inch reel tape and you got an idea of what The GR Record Head is all about.
The mother of all fuckers in actual D.I.Y./low-fi rock’n’roll.
Limited edition of 300 copies on white vinyl. An Opaque Dynamo (FR) and Cardinal Fuzz (UK) co-production.
Golden Earrings “On The Double” (Music on Vinyl)
Golden Earring’s On The Double was the band’s first double album, released in January 1969. It contains 19 tracks varying from poppy songs and acoustics to their well-known heavier rock tracks. The album includes the bands first piano based ballad simply entitled “The Grand Piano”. However, most people will know this album for the song “Just A Little Bit Of Peace In My Heart”, which reached #2 in the singles chart in their homeland The Netherlands. The band was charging like a mad bull through venues all over the country and started to gain attention from countries all over the globe. This is when it started to get really serious for the band.
On The Double is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on red coloured vinyl and the package includes an insert.
Gagarin Kombinaatti “83-85” (Sahko)
Gagarin Kombinaatti was Mika Vainio’s earliest band project in Turku in the early ’80s. This band was influenced by industrial groups like Throbbing Cristle, Einsturzende Neubauten and Test Department. Vainio compiled a this album from the original cassette recordings in 2015.