Back in stock: All genres

Review: Stockholm-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Art Longo impresses here with Echowah Island, a new album sure to wind its way into your affections. It was crafted over years in his home studio and is "psychotropical pop" drawing deep inspiration from late 80s music and dub. The album's lush soundscape evokes orange sunsets and ocean breezes and is layered with spring reverb, space echo and wah-wah effects that smooth out the edges as the steady pulse of vintage drum machines moves things on down low. A standout feature is Claudio Jonas, whose ethereal vocals recall classic French femme fatale singers of the 60s. Her poetic, kaleidoscopic lyrics add to a nostalgic dream world that gently bends reality and makes his both escapist and thought-provoking.

Review: The Birthday Massacre, hailing from Canada, command a bracing gothic blend of 80s electronica and aggressive guitar work. Formed in 2000 as Imagica, the band is led by vocalist Chibi and guitarists Rainbow and Michael Falcore. They debuted in London, Ontario, before moving to Toronto and rebranding, with the 2002 self-released Nothing and Nowhere inducting us into their horror-comedic sonic aesthetic, drawing on macabre cabaret and Grande-Guignol rock. Though little light but fan speculation has been shed on their new album Pathways, this purple detour has sparked rumours of a fresh direction and stylistic tangent for the band, coming helmed up by the pre-released streamer single 'Sleep Tonight', lighting up oneiric stadia worldwide with their mega-metal shreds and huge electronica arrangements.

Review: The Chicago Gangsters, a family-led group originally from Akron, Ohio, span multiple genres from gritty funk to smooth soul. Despite that name, their work largely embodied a mixture of raw disco grooves and emotive ballads. Their 1976 sophomore release, which includes a memorable rendition of Eugene McDaniel's 'Feel Like Making Love' and the title track 'Gangster Love,' stands as a key part of their legacy. This track, notably their first 12" single, hints at their influence in shaping the disco funk sound of the era. While they recorded under the Gold Plate label, they later transitioned to RCA and Heat, producing tracks that resonated across the decades, most famously sampled in LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out.' Their energetic performances and varied discography left a lasting imprint on both the funk and early hip-hop scenes.

Review: In the late summer of 2019, DJ Rocca and Chris Coco spent time together at the intimate La Casella festival in Umbria, Italy, where they chatted about Italo disco, the Rimini/Riccione riviera in the 90s and classic Italian clubs. Inspired by their conversations and imagined memories of scenes they weren't part of, they set out to make the music which over time, evolved into CocoRocca DiscoTeca, an imaginary retro-futuristic club blending past influences with future possibilities. It draws on dub, house and disco and is now resented on this wonderfully escapist full length which starts slow and dreamy, raises the pulse then slows down to a nice emotive finish. A fine reimagine of some classic sounds.

Review: A true return to form, Renascence is a standout in the band's iconic discography, now available on limited edition transparent coral vinyl. Serving as a spiritual and sonic successor to their 1974 album Promised Heights, it brings a fresh, modern edge to their foundational sound, which helped shape early hip-hop and funk scenes in both the US and UK. Renascence tells the story of a band reclaiming the recognition they never fully received, staying true to their rootsipolitically aware, spiritually positive and delivering infectious grooves. This indie exclusive edition is a must-have for any serious collector.

Review: Eroya is a Lagos-based collective bridging generations of musicians who trace Nigerian music from the 1940s to today's Naija grooves. Their sound weaves so called styles such as palm-wine, agidigbo, juju, highlife, Afro-funk and Afrobeat traditions. Key members include Sina Ayinde Bakare, son of juju pioneer Ayinde Bakare, juju legend Fatai Rolling Dollar, Afro-funk saxophonist Prince Eji Oyewole and Afrobeat pianist Duro Ikujenyo of Fela Kuti's Egypt 80. Highlights on this album include Alaba Pedro's soulful 'Ekaete', Tejebaby's hypnotic 'Africa', and Oyewole's flute-led 'Experience'. With its bubbling jazz textures and deep rhythmic energy, Eroya is a perfect tribute to Nigeria's enduring musical contributions.

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: Accomplished UK talent Medlar's Islands albums mark another leap forward for the always evolving producer. It finds him merging electronic textures with live instrumentation and some top-tier collaborations from Dele Sosimi, Rebekah Reid, Finn Peters and more. 80s fusion, jazz, deep house and amapiano influences all collide into summery sounds that work as well in the club as they do pumping out of the car stereo. From the lush, afro-laced opener 'Take a Trip' to acid-tinged house, freestyle rap and blissed-out Balearica, each track has its own charm and personality. With less reliance on samples and more organic improvisation, this record could well be Medlar's best yet and certainly a great soundtrack to summer.

Review: South London's Medlar returns to Delusions of Grandeur at the peak of his production powers, showing up with a distinctly refined sonic palette on the brilliantly expansive LP, Islands. Known for his deep-cut edits, genre-hopping productions and steady underground presence, he's pulled together a cast of collaborators including Dele Sosimi, Rebekah Reid, Arnau Obiols and more. The record builds on years spent engineering and producing for others, drawing on those skills to deliver something more personal than ever. Blending live instruments, 80s-inspired electronics and club-ready low end, it's less sample-based than past work but still rooted in the recognisable Medlar spirit. Highlights come thick and fast, including the blissed-out opener 'Take A Trip', the wigged-out exoticism of 'Yeah', the acid thrust of 'Luv Interlude' and the emotion-rich Balearica of 'Ibiza'. Top marks.

Review: Dietro il Processo is a TV investigation series directed by Franco Biancacci that was broadcast by RAI in Italy from 1978 to 1980 as part of the Storie allo Specchio series. The legendary Ennio Morricone composed the main theme and scored three episodes: L'urlo, L'ultima notte di Pier Paolo Pasolini and Il caso Montesi. Although the tracks were not initially released in any format, the soundtrack became available on CD in 2009. For Record Store Day 2025, this first-ever LP edition has been assembled and comes on white vinyl so allows a chance to revisit to these most dramatic pieces.

Review: This 1973 jazz funk release shines with Steve Grossman at the helm, surrounded by a stellar lineup that's bound to excite both jazz aficionados and the Rare Groove and DJ communities. The original album, a gem from the iconic TBM (Three Blind Mice) label, has earned its place in jazz history, bridging the gap between traditional jazz and more contemporary sounds. Now, after years of anticipation, this reissue brings the record back to vinyl, expertly remastered by Bernie Grundman. The package includes the original liner notes, offering a richer experience for those revisiting this classic and new listeners alike.

Review: Ploy aka UK artist Sam Smith lands on tastemaking Dutch label Dekmantel with Unlit Signals, a double 12" of raw dancefloor power that reconnects him with his house roots. Known for his twisted and percussive techno on Hessle Audio and Timedance, this time he looks back over a ten-year career of crafting club-rocking sounds that mix solid house grooves with his signature percussive flair. Across eight tracks there are plenty of well-honed DJ tools with a mischievous edge that comes from his knack for off-kilter synths, weird samples and razor-sharp rhythms. It's a versatile, high-impact tackle that works for the peak of the night but also the headier times.

Review: Recorded during a 2002 studio session that followed a performance at the Vision Festival in New York City, the album features drummer Ali alongside saxophonist Frank Lowe and emerging talents Jumaane Smith (trumpet), Andrew Bemkey (piano) and Joris Teepe (bass). It's a dynamic ensemble bridges generations, blending seasoned mastery with youthful energy through fiery improvisations and moments of profound unity. Ali's pioneering style, rooted in multidirectional rhythms and polytonal percussion, reshaped jazz drumming by liberating the drummer from a purely time-keeping role. His intuitive interplay with the music, both rhythmically and melodically, made him an equal voice in the ensemble's harmonic creation. This approach resonates throughout the album, where cascading trumpet solos and intricate piano harmonies are tethered by a vibrant bass and Ali's commanding percussion. Tracks like the soaring opener and introspective interludes demonstrate the group's ability to shift seamlessly from bold, expressive improvisation to passages of collective breathing. Originally mixed and mastered by Ali, the recordings were shelved after his untimely passing and are now released by Survival Records in a beautifully restored LP, complete with recollections from Teepe.

Review: Claire Rousay's The Bloody Lady is a reimagined score for Viktor Kubal's 1980 Slovak animated film, based on the story of Elisabeth Bathory, a noblewoman accused of heinous murders. Known for pushing boundaries in experimental and ambient music, Rousay crafted the album after moving to LA, blending granular synths, piano, and field recordings into 11 evocative tracks. This new composition, commissioned after a coincidental visit to Bathory's castle, was first performed live at Videodroom/Film Fest Gent 2023. The score mirrors the film's darkly whimsical tone, shifting between delicate melodies and menacing undercurrents. Inspired by the heart's rhythmic pulse, central to the plot, Rousay's use of subtle, everyday sounds complements the film's folk tale narrative. The multilayered nature of Kubal's animation, with its mix of fairytale simplicity and deeper moral ambiguity, resonated with Rousay, who explored these themes through her sonic landscapes. This album stands as both a tribute to Kubal's legacy and a distinctive artistic statement. By leaving space in the soundtrack, Rousay invites deeper engagement with the story, reinforcing its timeless themes of love, destruction and humanity.

Review: Henley-born British soul singer Dusty Springfield's time in Memphis marked a turning point in her careeriboth an artistic triumph and a personal gamble. By the late 60s, she had outgrown the UK's pop scene, craving the depth and authenticity of American soul. Recording in the same studios as her heroes, backed by Atlantic Records' finest, she delivered some of her most breathtaking performances. The smoky tenderness of 'Just A Little Lovin'' and the aching vulnerability of 'I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore' showcase her gift for storytelling, while 'No Easy Way Down' and 'I Can't Make It Alone' push her voice to extraordinary places, balancing control with raw emotion. But despite the album's brilliance, commercial success eluded it, deepening her self-doubt. Springfield was a perfectionist, often wracked with insecurity, yet here she sounds unshackledifully immersed in the music she loved, even at great professional risk. Decades later, its impact remains undeniable.

Review: In 2019, a conversation between Norman Gervais and Mario Gharios (Pocket Of Light) sparked the idea of using compilations to impress a feeling, rather than focusing on a specific decade, genre, or style. And ho, on a warm July day on the Riviera, so began a for-the-ages discussion as to how music could paint vivid pictures, from kitschy seaside resorts to tranquil sailboats in Caribbean coves. Gervais' taste guided the process; he would decalre tracks "100% Blue Wave," referring to Balearic and new wave fusions, perfect for blasting from the baleinaire. Despite personal setbacks, such as the Beirut Port Explosion and COVID, they continued the collab together with Charles Bals, and a few years later, the result is Transcoastal, a trusty, storm-weathering voyager of a comp, replete with invincible sails. These are Balearic favourites for the bluest of skies, our favourites on which have to be Richard Bowen's 'Sorcery', Neil Davis' 'Jealous Sea' and Ricardo Bomba's 'So Sentindo O Momento'. We hear a predilection for guitar, varied plucks suggesting multi-pelagic moods.

Review: Last year, Spain's DROP Dance Society - a collective initially founded to put on open-minded, inclusive parties inspired by iconic Chicago and New York clubs - launched an offshoot label, unleashing a swathe of digital-only singles. Here the imprint lands on vinyl for the first time via a compilation showcasing the best of their "digi" releases so far. There's predictably plenty to set the pulse racing throughout, from the lightly disco-tinged deep house colour of TeteDe La Course's 'The Light (Soulful Trip Mix)' and ELTE's Soundstream-esque disco-house looper 'Love Will Shine', to the Dave Lee style beefed-up disco revivalism of Katermurr's 'Beautiful Spirit' and the trance-meets-Italodance surge of Alistair Lane's 'Hypnodance'.