Review: Originally released in 1993, this special edition enhances The James Taylor Quartet's legacy with remastered tracks and bonus material. Known for its infectious grooves, soulful melodies and catchy Hammond organ riffs, it captures the energy of London's 90s jazz scene and then some. Featuring standout tracks like 'Love Will Keep Us Together,' the album seamlessly blends jazz, funk and soul and this reissue reaffirms its timeless appeal by introducing new generations to its dynamic sound while offering nostalgia for longtime fans. A cornerstone of modern jazz-funk brilliance.
Saturday Night Special (Kai Alce NDATL remix - extended version) (7:22)
Saturday Night Special (DJ Amir & Redecay remix) (5:05)
The Lyman Woodard Organization - "Saturday Night Special" (7:05)
Review: Last year BBE released the latest project from nu jazz titans Jazzanova. Strata Records (The Sound Of Detroit Reimagined By Jazzanova) was an ambitious project which took the formidable troupe into new territory while doing great credit to the hugely important original works. Now we're being treated to a single pulled from the album with some additional remixes of 'Saturday Night Special'. The first of these comes from DJ Amir, who also served as executive producer on the album project, working alongside Re.decay, and on the flip you can hear Atlanta legend Kai Alce doing his thing with that high grade house sound that just gets better and better as the years go by.
Forever Sunshine (I:Cube Soup Less 2 Less Guit remix) (6:48)
Fibber's Aardvarck (Aardvarck remix - Jay Ka L'Abbé Chamelle Rew-Edit) (5:57)
Moon's Man (Stefan&Chair Jay Ka & Flabaire remix) (5:08)
Forever Sunshine (10") (4:26)
Fibber (3:53)
Moon 's Man (4:00)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve, plastic sleeve crumpled in one corner, but otherwise in excellent condition***
A powerful visual statement is presented on the front cover of the latest I:Cube and Jim Ka Ray release, on which McDonalds' french fries are likened to mollifying injections. Though the political conclusions we might glean from this are obvious and many, there is also an irony to the conceit; 'Jim Ka Ray' presents music that is almost equally as mollifying. Perhaps, however, the new alias of Jay Ka (aka. Kogui, who has formerly released with of Saft, As It Is and Phonogramme) would like to suggest that there are different forms of mollification; some that simply placate the soul so as to distract it from the world's injustices, and others that are more genuine, in that they serve to relax us by helping us articulate solutions. Music, luckily, is always part of the solution, as it resists the course of the world by form alone: 'Forever Sunshine', 'Fibber' and 'Moon's Man' ostensibly sound as mollifyingly Balearic as can be, but further listens reveal an attention to detail, a polish, that is not only rare in contemporary downtempo but evokes a subtler sense of emancipation, in that only the freer spirits among us could possibly have the talent or wherewithal to polish such gems. Enough blather; the remixes by the likes of Soup Less and Aardvarck (a name we haven't heard from in a while) are equally as subtle and tasty; dare we say far more nourishing than a L1.99 fry-fest.
Review: Female vocalist Sharon Jones continues to fly the flag for raw femme funk with her fifth album for US label Daptone, ably assisted by the labels in-house band - The Dap Kings. The new record is a collection of rare tracks and B-Sides going back as far as 2002. The only new track appears to be the Motown-esque "New Shoes", which, like the rest of the album, could be mistaken as a lost soul classic.
Review: Originally released in 2002, Alive Or Just Breathing would serve as the acclaimed sophomore full-length from Massachusetts metalcore legends Killswitch Engage. Noted for initially marking the end of their tenure with original vocalist Jesse Leach, who would depart and be subsequently replaced by Howard Jones until 2012 before his eventual return; the album is considered a landmark in the scene due its ability to highlight the commercial viability of a melodious metal meets post-hardcore style, which had remained a niche underground subgenre up until this point. Produced by guitarist/ drummer/overall mastermind Adam Dutkiewicz before switching his sole focus to guitar, the crunching grooves, saccharine melodies and staggering confidence displayed quickly cemented the band's legacy, whilst lead single 'My Last Serenade' remains their most popular hit to date.
Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It) (4:01)
Get Down On It (3:32)
Let's Go Dancin' (Oh La, La, La) (3:58)
Straight Ahead (3:30)
Joanna (3:58)
Fresh (3:52)
Cherish (3:58)
Emergency (4:03)
Victory (3:52)
Peacemaker (4:02)
Rags To Riches (3:47)
Celebremos (5:17)
Review: From their early jazz roots to their pop picking party time peak via their late 70s dabbles with disco, Kool & The Gang have dominated airwaves and dancefloors en mass for over 50 years, and this is one of most comprehensive collections of their work ever curated. Obviously all the big hits are present and correct but it's the lesser spotted (but still just as floor poking) jams that really make this collection shine; the hip wriggling "Slick Superchick", the swooning mournful chord changes of "Too Hot" and the sleaziest bassline they ever laid down in the form of "Higher Plane" are but three stone cold killing examples. Good times...
Review: This release, which was recorded for Bremen Radio in 1971, features four extended tracks showcasing German pioneers Kraftwerk in a very different light from their later work. The short-lived lineup of Schneider, Rother and Dinger fused electric guitar with their then-signature electronic sounds and it gives rise to unusual, exciting and innovative music. Half of the tracks here, as hardcore fans will recognise, are drawn from their debut album, Kraftwerk 1, and the recording quality is excellent. This release also includes full recording details along with extensive sleeve notes that help offer a fascinating glimpse into Kraftwerk's early, experimental sound before their more iconic and pioneering electronic phase.
Review: Ultra lo-fi stereo funkage from L'Eclair, the latest signage to Swiss label Rock This Town. 'Cruise Control' is a muddy and smoggy six-track instrumental disco-funk EP, with seven members laying down parts on wah-wah, space horn, and synth. It sounds as if a mega-talented disco troupe were performing in the next building, but they could only be heard through thick insulation or some kind of muffling foam. The tone is ultimately pleasing, blurry and cloudlike, as if this were disco beamed to us from heaven as opposed to the material world. The softest cuts, such as 'Safari In D', are our highlights.
El Paso Del Gigante/La Dana De Los Mirlos/Cumbia Sampuesana (4:17)
Lucia (4:27)
Angel’s Point (3:17)
San Fernando Rose (3:21)
Juana La Cubana (3:52)
Llorar (3:41)
Ooo Baby (4:00)
Cascabel (4:07)
Review: LA Lom's March 2024 show at Chicago's Thalia Hall debuts on vinyl for Record Store Day 2025 a year or so after the band's defining live moment. Just months after packing the Empty Bottle, the band returned to an even larger crowd, which served as proof of their ever-growing Chicago fanbase. Determined to keep the raw energy of their LA roots alive, they built a bright red round stage in the centre of the hall and were surrounded by fans dancing and singing from every side. The night was captured on film and tape by longtime collaborator Jacob Butler and now, the much talked about performance featuring original tracks, classic cumbia covers and a Smokey Robinson ballad finally makes its way to wax.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Hymnal (2:19)
Northern Shuffle (6:04)
Omission (3:25)
Serenade (5:21)
Myself Around You (5:52)
South Mountain (5:05)
Speak To Me (4:18)
Two & One (4:17)
Vanishing Points (4:19)
Tiburon (4:22)
As It Were (5:03)
76 (4:33)
Nothing Happens Here (4:08)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
Guitar virtuoso Julian Lage's Speak To Me is a dynamic Blue Note album produced by Joe Henry. Arriving with 13 original tracks, Lage's compositions navigate a rich tapestry of American music genres, from gospel hymns to California singer-songwriter vibes and skronky jazz. The album's lead single '76' showcases a hard-driving blues essence, while 'As It Were' offers an atmospheric acoustic ballad. With contributions from Kris Davis, Patrick Warren, Levon Henry, and his trusted trio with bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King, Lage presents a multifaceted musical journey that captivates and enthrals in equal measure here.
Review: Leaf Hound have been a staple of the heavy rock scene for decades, but this offering feels like a rebirth. A band often heralded as the pioneers of metal, their journey started in the early 70s, but it's their ability to keep evolving that stands out here. More than 50 years since their debut, the London-based band is back with their first studio album in over 15 years. And while many might think you can't teach an old dog new tricks, Leaf Hound have a few surprises left. The opening track, 'Burn The House Down,' feels like the start of a fire that only gets hotter as the album progresses. The kind of heavy, groovy riff that gives you a sense of nostalgia for the glory days of stoner rock, it's clear that the band still has that bite. As you hit the upbeat 'Yippee Ki Yay' and the harder-hitting 'Bold 'n' Easy,' it's impossible to ignore the fire in their belly. Sure, the lineup has changed over the years, but with Peter French still at the helm, the powerful vocals that originally defined Leaf Hound continue to ring out loud and clear. By the time you get to tracks like 'Thought Police' and 'Watching Life's Wheels,' the album begins to speak to the turbulent times we live in. There's no pretension here - just hard-hitting rock for hard-hitting times. Closing with the anthemic 'High Danger,' it's evident that Leaf Hound still have a lot to say and are far from fading away into obscurity.
Review: The original Bridgit Mendler soundtrack to the citrine teen drama movie of the same name sees a full version on vinyl LP this spring. Notable not only for its inclusion in the contemporary musical film, but also for its chart-topping success, the ten songs that make up the many acts of this high-school drama were destined to charm the pubescent masses, coinciding with the film's overarching theme of the school's students transcending use of after-school detention to musical effect, in order to overcome their personal struggles. Imagine Glee meets The Breakfast Club; a cabal of songwriters including Ali Dee, Maria Christensen, Bryan Todd and Jeannie Lurie lay down an array of sure-to-be hits for Mendler to perform on behalf of the cast here.
Review: There's no denying that Under The Skin was a cinematic triumph, and cemented Scarlett Johansson's status as a screen powerhouse capable of dynamic and highly varied performances of consistently high standards. The story of a young woman making her way through Scotland, seducing men and then doing horrific things to their bodies. An allegorical tale wherein the on-screen alien portrays the experience of immigrants and females trapped in a world of toxic masculinity, director Jonathan Glazer's long-awaited return to feature filmmaking is a bonafide classic.
Part of the reason behind its power is Mica Levi's incredible score. Taking inspiration from the work of Gyorgy Ligeti, a master of horror scores whose fleeting sounds and moments of near-silent tension can be heard on landmark such as The Shining and Lontano (both renowned for the effectiveness of their soundtrack), this isn't so much music as we know it, but aural motifs and movements designed to create a feeling of relentless unease.
Review: An homage to the golden era of soul-jazz, and recorded live to two inch analogue tape at All Things Analogue Studios in Leeds, Doo Ha! sizzles with an electric soul undercurrent - perfect nourishment for the meditative but motivated dancefloor. Flaunting flautist Chip Wickham front and centre, it's the perfect complement for a lazy Sunday afternoon listen, whence groove and grit need not succumb to nostalgia. Inspired by jazz greats like Ramsey Lewis and Les McCann, the album's soul-stirring rhythms are driven by ATA's Sam Hobbs (drums) and Neil Innes (bass), plus contributions from Sam Bell, John Ellis, and Wickham on flute. The seven tracks range from the down-home swagger of 'Walk On' to the cinematic vibes of 'The Saint And The Stranger,' celebrating the totemic spirit of soul-jazz in the North of England.
Review: Unatoned (stylized as UNATONED) serves as the 11th full-length from Oakland, California groove metal titans Machine Head and marks their first effort to feature drummer Matt Alston and lead guitarist Reece Scruggs (with the latter replacing Decapitated axeman Wac?aw Kie?tyka aka Vogg who worked with the band on 2022's Of Kingdom & Crown). First announced through lead single 'These Scars Won't Define Us'; a self-described "Wu Tang Clan-level thrash collaboration" featuring guest vocals from members of In Flames, Lacuna Coil and Unearth, who will all support the band across their 2025 North American tour in support of the project, the addition of secondary single 'Unbound' showcases mastermind Rob Flynn's knack for marrying venomous heft to anthemic structures, whilst the air of brevity compared to some of their previously far lengthier compositions is indicative of a much more instantaneous sonic delivery (or gut-punch) this time around.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
The Illest Villains (2:02)
Accordion (1:56)
Meat Grinder (0:32)
Bistro (2:48)
Raid (2:30)
America's Most Blunted (3:54)
Sickfit (1:21)
RainBows (2:51)
Curls (1:39)
Do Not Fire (0:53)
Money Folder (3:07)
Scene Two (Vouce Skit) (0:02)
Shadows Of Tomorrow (featuring Quasimoto) (2:34)
Operation Lifesaver aka Mint Test (1:31)
Figaro (2:24)
Hardcore Hustle (featuring Wildchild) (1:22)
Strange Ways (1:24)
Intro (0:29)
Fancy Clown (featuring Viktor Vaugh) (1:55)
Eye (featuring Stacy Epps) (1:57)
Supervillain Theme (0:53)
All Caps (2:10)
Great Day (2:17)
Rhinestone Cowboy (3:56)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
Madvillain is the collaboration of the most dynamic duo from today's hip-hop underground, MF Doom and Madlib. "Madvillainy" has witty, mental lyrics combined with rugged beats fashioned from every possible source material, resulting in a truly unique album pointing the way to hip-hop's future.
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