Kerri Chandler's 'Bar A Thym' is one of those tracks that seems to contain everything great house music aspires to beia groove so undeniable it feels perpetual, melodies that loop and evolve as though they've always existed. This reissue, spanning Chandler's original extended mix, Foremost Poets' vocal edit, and THEMBA's reimagined version, charts not only the track's history but its continuing relevance. The Foremost Poets edit imbues the already hypnotic motif with an enigmatic narrative, its vocal fragments both anchoring and reframing the mood. THEMBA's remix, on the other hand, nudges the groove toward Afro house, subtly opening up the track's spatial dynamics while preserving its magnetic pull. Chandler's work never feels datediit shifts and reshapes to meet each new moment, and 'Bar A Thym' remains as arresting today as it was when it first found its way onto the dancefloor.

Ryan Adams' cult classic album Blackhole is finally being released, much to the anticipation of his devoted fanbase. Initially demoed in 2006 and heavily bootlegged over the years, this long-awaited official release features raw and emotionally charged tracks, including 'Catherine', previously only performed live. The album's creation coincided with a tumultuous period in Adams' life, marked by struggles with addiction, making its release not just a musical event but also a reclamation of a pivotal moment in his career. Adams merged two versions of the albumione reflecting a chaotic vocal performance and another crafted in the midst of his struggles. The release promises to satisfy years of speculation while offering an authentic glimpse into Adams' artistic evolution. With its blend of previously unheard material and emotional depth, Blackhole stands as a testament to the beauty found within vulnerability and fans eagerly await its arrival.

Flabaire's latest release unfolds with a balance of emotive melodies and groovy rhythms. 'Desperado (Part I & II)' opens with a hypnotic groove, layering intricate percussion and a steady bassline that pulls you in. The second track, 'Ivory Queen,' brings lush synths that add a warm contrast to the tight rhythm section. On the B-side, 'People' picks up the tempo, with syncopated beats and infectious hooks, while 'Saturday Afternoon' provides a mellow, introspective close with soothing melodies. Flabaire demonstrates a refined ability to blend groove with emotion, crafting a release that resonates on multiple levels.

The nearly mythical Buckingham Nicks from 1973, featuring Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, has gained significant acclaim despite its original obscurity. With no CD or streaming availability, its tracks are typically found only through rare vinyl copies or dubious online rips. Enter Andrew Bird and Madison Cunningham, whose collaborative project, Cunningham Bird, breathes new life into this largely forgotten album. Produced by Mike Viola, this reinterpretation strips away the original's heavy production, showcasing Bird's exquisite violin and Cunningham's smooth vocals. Their shared harmonies replace the tension that characterised the Buckingham-Nicks dynamic, transforming songs like 'Long Distance Winner' into poignant laments. Notably, 'Lola (My Love)' is reimagined as a heartfelt ballad akin to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene', adding depth to the material. Bird and Cunningham's interpretations not only honour the original but also enhance it, proving the songs' flexibility and enduring appeal. Their unique sound and vibrant acoustic instrumentation, offer a fresh perspective for a new generation, making Cunningham Bird a compelling and accessible homage to a classic.

KSB stands for Kashmere Stage Band group that was initially founded by Conrad O. Johnson. He was at the heart of the group which is surely one of the most accomplished student outfits of all time. They hailed from the eponymous Kashmere High School in Houston, Texas, and were active in the 1960s on until the late 1970s. They related a number of albums which only get got pressed up a maximum of 1000 times so have become cult favs and hard to find treasures. P-VINE however changes all that with a series of limited reissues of their most renowned albums, including this one, Out Of Gas But Still Burning, as well as some others which have never actually been on wax before.

Originally released in 2014, Bloodstone & Diamonds marked the eighth full-length from Oakland, California groove metal titans Machine Head. Serving as follow up to the somewhat tepid reception bestowed on 2011's Unto The Locust as that project had the misfortune of following the band's 2007 magnum opus and staple of American heavy metal The Blackening, expectation and project comparison appeared to cease within the fanbase this time around, allowing for fresh ears to digest what's easily one of the band's simultaneously heaviest, yet most melodic and experimental works to date. Their first album to feature Jared MacEachern on bass after replacing founding member Adam Duce in 2013, this politically charged mammoth clocking in at a beastly 70 minutes celebrates its 10-year anniversary with this lush multi-coloured splattered 2xLP pressing.

Black Eyes returns for a second volume in the Hydro Trip series on the tasteful Lost Control label and do a fine job of serving up some delicious house depths. 'Message From The Deep' kicks off with dynamic kick drums and cosmic synths leaving painterly trails over the muscular beat. 'Master Of Hydro' brings weighty kicks and more smeared synth work that is late night and seductive and 'Wisdom Of The Stingrays' then taps into classic house with its empowering spoken word monologue and perfectly pitched and dusty drums. Walt J remixes to close out a tasteful and heartfelt EP in style.

Avant pop icons The High Llamas' founder Sean O'Hagan put his band on the back burner for a bit recently but by no means stood still. He's kept busy with his work as a film composer and arranger, even doing the score for Owen Kline's film, Funny Pages. But 2024 has seen a resurgence: the first High Llamas album since 2016 was released released and it was followed by a huge reissue announcement. Drag City is reissuing their five out of print 90s album on vinyl and Snowbug is the underdog within the collection but an underrated gem. It's O'Hagan's take on all manner of world-folk, 60s Ethiopian music and classic Brazilian pop. O'Hagan, who is a recording member of Stereolab, had an impressive cast of top players join in for the sessions. However, guest vocalists Laetitia Sadier and Mary Hansen from Stereolab are particularly noteworthy, bringing a bit of voodoo to the breezy morning-after vibe.