Back catalogue: All genres

Review: One of the most successful British bands of the last 3 decades, Blur are back with their first new album in over 8 years: The Ballad of Darren. The album was produced by James Ford and recorded in Studio 13, London and Devon, and is the sound of a band at the very top of their game.

The Ballad of Darren is the band's ninth studio album, their first since the chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr.

Region code: ABC (universal)

Notes: Having been only peripherally aware of Kate Bush, this examination of the work of the visionary English artist and songwriter was a fine education for me. In fact, now I know where Tori Amos, Joanna Newsom, and Bjork nicked some of their signature moves. Hah.

This newly-packaged set is, in fact, two earlier unauthorized Kate Bush documentaries, simply re-titled. So take that as you will.

The first disc, previously released as Kate Bush: Under Review, is a lengthy and detailed bio, complete with plenty of video clips and interviews with journalists and biographers. There are critical appraisals of all of Kate Bush's major albums, from Wuthering Heights in 1978 to her 2005 Aerial album. Under Review provides a wealth of info and history, and with the generous portion of visual and audio clips, a good illustration of the artists' music and styles. Quite enjoyable.

The second disc, previously known as Hounds Of Love: Under Review, fares almost as well. It begins with a simplified bio and history up until Bush's definitive Hounds Of Love album, which is then exhaustively examined, track-by-track, by some of the same journalists and writers as the first disc. Again, plenty of sound snippets and clips from promotional videos are presented, making this one a wholly worthy addition to any Kate Bush fan's collection.

A solid set, and A Life Of Surprises has encouraged people to check out some of this extraordinary artist's marvelous music.

Notes: From Emperor Media Ltd. and acclaimed producer/director Jon Brewer, music icon David Bowie narrates this unprecedented celebration of the life and works of guitar virtuoso Mick Ronson - a rock hero virtually unknown despite his direct contribution and involvement in countless compositions, lyrics and recordings that changed the face of music forever.

His humble beginnings in Hull, England underpinned the values and modest, unpretentious personality of Mick Ronson, who worked with the city's council while he pursued his craft with consummate dedication. Soon word of his talent reached David Bowie, who grabbed at the chance to work with Ronson, in what would become a career-long association, alongside collaborations with other greats such as Bob Dylan, Ian Hunter, Lulu and Lou Reed.
The Man Who Sold the World, Aladdin Sane, Hunky Dory, The Jean Genie - all were constructed with Ronson on guitar.

Sadly in 1993, while working on a solo album, Ronson passed away before receiving the recognition he so richly deserved or before taking that final bow. Now, with unprecedented access to archival backstage footage - never before released - and iconic imagery from superstar photographer Mick Rock, this fascinating and at times controversial special reveals the ultimate authentic chronicle of the career of a cornerstone of rock.

Bonus interview footage from Angie Bowie, Rick Wakeman, Glen Matlock, Cherry Vanilla, Ian Hunter, David Stopps and more!

Notes: Booka Shade reveal their ninth studio album Dear Future Self on Blaufield Music.

Leaders, purveyors and pioneers within the emotive, melodic realms of house and techno, German duo Booka Shade have remained at the forefront of the scene for over 25 years. Following on from their longplayer Cut The Strings in 2018, the iconic duo deliver their latest extended body of work as they unveil the thirteen-track LP Dear Future Self on home turf - a project which welcomes an emphasis on club-ready sounds with the tracks across at the package featuring heavily as part of their rigorous touring schedule and stand-out live performances within the past year. Recorded across the globe as the band continually tour the worldwide circuit, the album takes in recorded sessions from New Zealand to their home city of Berlin, and features collaborations with artists from Iceland, South Africa, England and Germany to deliver a collection of dancefloor-focused cuts that capture the band's current club output.

CD is a Blu Ray.

- Dolby Atmos / Headphone 3D (binaural) / LPCM STEREO
- Ultra High Quality 3D Audio & Stereo Sound / No Video Content / Compatible with all Bluray Surround and Stereo Systems
- 3D Audio Mix and Mastering by Fritz Hilpert
- Authoring by Sven Holsten and Ekkehard Kruckenberg at Enteractive.
- Packaging: blu-ray amaray

Notes: Extended documentary that examines the period David Bowie spent living in Berlin in the 1970s. Overworked and struggling with drug addiction, Bowie headed to Berlin in 1975 for relief from the stresses of LA life. He lived with Iggy Pop, who was in a similarly dishevelled state. Nonetheless, Bowie produced a series of albums in Berlin that arguably rank among his best. The programme makes use of archive interviews and performance footage to bring this period of the musician's career to life.

Notes: Taken from this years record breaking world tour, is Beyonce's first live concert release. Across three formats, this 25-track release, showcases Beyonce as a world class live performer with fantastic vocal talent, to produce a briliant show.

The I Am World Tour DVD includes all the hits from her solo career & a few Destinys Child hits, ads, features & reviews, MTV promo campaign and TV ads.

Notes: This 75 minute DVD is a live concert event in Las Vegas. It features music through 5 decades of chart-topping hits such as: Get Up Offa That Thing, Gonna Have a Funky Good Time, Papa Don't Take No Mess, Sex Machine and much more.

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business brings his unique vocal styling to the famous House of Blues in Las Vegas. Still pouncing and bursting with energy after nearly 40 years on stage, the Godfather Of Soul performs rousing renditions of hits including Living In America, Soul Man, I Feel Good and many more.

Notes: This DVD features over seventy minutes of live footage from Sydney. Special features include the performances of hit singles from "Monkey Business" and "Elephunk" and an exclusive picture gallery of photos from behind the scenes.

Notes: Dolby Atmos mixes/Blu-ray audio. Brand new Dolby Atmos mixes of the style-defining Booka Shade classic Movements (2006), which marked the international breakthrough for the Berlin duo with club hits like "Mandarin Girl" and "Body Language (Interpretation)", followed by a world tour with 150 shows in 20 months, support gigs for Depeche Mode and Royksopp and remixes for Yello, Hot Chip, Moby, Dave Gahan, and Roxy Music. The new UHD versions were again created in collaboration with immersive mix and mastering engineer Fritz Hilpert (Kraftwerk), who was also involved in the Dolby Atmos mixes for Booka Shade's 2020 album Dear Future Self, which was nominated for "Best Immersive Audio Album" at the 63rd Grammys.

Regional code: global

Notes: William Burroughs was undoubtedly one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. Amongst those who site him as an influence are Clive Barker, Patti Smith, REM, U2, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Cabaret Voltaire and the late Kurt Cobain, many of whom he collaborated with. His extensive literary legacy is constantly reprinted as each new generation study the man who influenced modern contemporary literature more than any other writer. His readings are legendary. "The Final Academy Documents" DVD contains a rare glimpse of the man himself appearing in public with some stunning readings from his work at Manchester's famous Hacienda club. Its very limited release on video in the 1980's makes this DVD even more collectable. Also featured on this highly collectable DVD are some wonderful examples of Burroughs' work as an experimental film artist. "Ghosts At Number 9" and "Towers Open Fire" are two classic examples of Burroughs' film work.

Notes: A deluxe box set containing three DVDs focusing on David Bowie's life and career. The set features the following DVDs, which are the complete, unabridged versions including all original extras, set up features and menus. Disc 1- David Bowie- The Calm Before The Storm: This enticing documentary covers the period which began with Bowie's first forays into the music industry in the mid-1960s, until the point at which he became a household name following the release of his Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars LP. Disc 2- . David Bowie In His Own Words. Featuring a host of recorded interviews and press conferences given during Bowie's career, where he reveals all about his life, his music and his hopes and dreams, which together form the most concise collection of the great man's thoughts yet to emerge. Disc 3- David Bowie The Berlin Briefings. Covering the period when David Bowie recorded and released the albums which came to be known as The Berlin Trilogy, during which he lived and worked in the titular city, this film covers one of the most creative and productive period in all of the Thin White Duke's Career.

Notes: Water on the Road, a live-concert DVD directed by Brendan Canty of Fugazi and Christoph Green featuring performances from Vedder's August 16th and 17th 2008 solo tour engagements at Washington, D.C.'s Warner Theatre. The DVD features a live performance of You're True from Ukulele Songs as well as a mix of Pearl Jam catalog, covers and songs from Vedder's critically acclaimed, award-winning solo record, Into The Wild.4* review in MOJO. Press advertising and features in all relevant music press.

Notes: The Beat Machine Colouring Book features a collection of over 30 images inspired by vintage samplers, drum machines, and other tools that shaped modern music. In addition to the colouring pages, the book also features historical information including the release year of each beat machine, plus a brief history of the art of sampling.

Version 2.0 features all new illustrations to colour and customize. A colouring book for music lovers, producers and drum machine enthusiasts.

Notes: Hip-hop is huge, and it's time someone wrote it all down. With more than 25 years of interviews, and virtually every hip-hop single, remix, and album ever recorded at their disposal, the highly respected Ego Trip staff are the ones to do it. Their "Book Of Rap Lists" runs the gamut of hip-hop information, breaking it down into chapters on art, lyrics, production, fashion, names, performances, etc. This is an exhaustive, indispensable and completely irreverent bible of true hip-hip knowledge.

Notes: From disenchanted Catholic schoolgirl and glam maniac to instigator on the 1980s hardcore punk scene, NANCY BARILE discovered freedom at a time when punk music was new and dangerous. She made her place behind the boards and right in the front row as insurgents such as SSD, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys and Black Flag wrote new rules and made history. She survived punk riots and urban decay, ran the streets with outcasts, and ultimately found true love as she fought for fairness and found her purpose. A unique insider perspective and life lessons from this national award-winning teacher on the dynamics of the DIY punk scene. Features over 50 live and candid photos of Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SSD, Andy Warhold and... Nils Lofgren. Includes an intro with IAN MACKAYE discussing the crucial role of women in early hardcore punk. 192 heavily illustrated pages. Softcover book.

Notes: The History of Gangster Rap is a deep dive into one of the most fascinating subgenres of any music category to date. Sixteen detailed chapters, organized chronologically, examine the evolution of gangster rap, its main players, and the culture that created this revolutionary music. From still-swirling conspiracy theories about the murders of Biggie and Tupac to the release of the 2015 film Straight Outta Compton, the era of gangster rap is one that fascinates music junkies and remains at the forefront of pop culture. Filled with interviews with key players such as Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, and dozens more, as well as sidebars, breakout bios of notorious characters, lists, charts, and more, The History of Gangster Rap is the be-all-end-all book that contextualizes the importance of gangster rap as a cultural phenomenon.

Creator Bio:

Soren Baker has written more than 3,500 articles, and his work is published in such outlets as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Rolling Stone. He has interviewed dozens of rappers including Eminem, Jay Z, Ice Cube, Kanye West, and more. Baker has written and produced for VH1 and has been featured on camera on VH1, ESPN, E! Entertainment, and Fuse. Baker is currently cowriting a screenplay with Snoop Dogg.

Praise:

"The History of Gangster Rap is the essential book that contextualizes the importance of gangster rap as a cultural phenomenon." The Source

Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Illustrations: 2 colour design

Notes: Leading dance music writers Brewster and Broughton detail the visionary DJs who dramatically changed the course of music: from the very first nightclub DJs, to the founders of entire genres, including northern soul, hip hop, disco, techno, drum'n'bass and beyond. These are the obsessives, the playboys, the musical eccentrics who founded the craft of DJing, developed amazing techniques for performing with recorded music, and revolutionised the way music is conceived, created and enjoyed. They gave us new ways to have the times of our lives and forged a worldwide industry of nightlife and dance music. From unsung pioneers to overheated superstars, all the biggest DJ names are here.

Notes: Crass was the anarcho-punk face of a revolutionary movement founded by radical thinkers and artists Penny Rimbaud, Gee Vaucher, and Steve Ignorant. When punk ruled the waves, Crass waived the rules and took it further, putting out their own records, films, and magazines and setting up a series of situationist pranks that were dutifully covered by the world's press. Not just another iconoclastic band, Crass was a musical, social, and political phenomenon.

Commune dwellers who were rarely photographed and remained contemptuous of conventional pop stardom; their members explored and finally exhausted the possibilities of punk-led anarchy. They have at last collaborated on telling the whole Crass story, giving access to many never-before-seen photos and interviews.

Praise:

"Lucid in recounting their dealings with freaks, coppers, and punks the band's voices predominate, and that's for the best."
The Guardian UK

"Thoroughly researched...chockful of fascinating revelations...it is, surprisingly, the first real history of the pioneers of anarcho-punk."
Classic Rock

"They (Crass) sowed the ground for the return of serious anarchism in the early eighties."
Jon Savage, England's Dreaming

About the Author:

George Berger has written for Sounds, Melody Maker and Amnesty International amongst others. His previous book was a biography of the Levellers: State Education/No University.

Author: George Berger
Publisher: PM Press
Published: 9/2009
Format: Paperback
Page count: 304
Size: 6 x 9
Subjects: Punk Rock, Anarchism