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Review: London's seasoned producer ADMNTi with four tracks that distil years of immersion in tech-house, jungle and grime into sharp, percussive club tools with distinct UK flair. 'Second Hand Sushi' drives the point home with its snapping drums, snarling basslines and wiry synth stabsibig-room energy and definitely no excess fat. 'Lost Fruits' stays steppy, leaning into sub pressure and pirate radio textures, soundbites crackling like a tape pack rewind. On the flip, 'Diptych' shifts tone without dropping paceichopped strings and warped vocals glide over crunchy drum work, locking into a more introspective groove. Closer 'Shrublands' dips further into dubwise atmospherics, pairing wobbly low-end with hazy flute lines and ghosted sax, while snippets of graffiti lore from both London and New York float through the mist. Early support from Ben UFO, Enzo Siragusa and Tristan da Cunha points to the range and functionality of these cutsiwhether heads-down or heads-up, they pull threads from the capital's soundsystem heritage into something that works across times and tempos. A strong first outing for Forms World and a clear step forward from ADMNTi.

Review: This Vincent Arthur album is a tribute to his daughter Vivian and was crafted by talented musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Germany. Once obscure for 30 years, its standout track, 'Travel With The Music' became an anthem after making a high-profile appearance in a Dekmantel set where its euphoric afro-disco sound really made a lasting mark. Online sleuths uncovered its origin which has reignited interest in this hidden gem, which has been remastered by Frank at The Carvery. It revives three key tracks in 'Travel With The Music' which shines with afro, disco, and gospel-like euphoria. 'Afro Disco' brings playful energy while 'Jubilation' closes the night with deep, celebratory vibes.

Review: Loredana Berte's unmistakable voice meets the glittering finesse of French touch as Dimitri From Paris spreads her 1980 hit 'In Alto Mare' across a hot griddle of club-ready disco. The track launches a new remix series celebrating Berte's legacy through the lens of contemporary producers and DJs: Dimitri, known for his stylish refits of Jamiroquai, Chic and Dua Lipa, now leans into a comparatively classic funk groove, elevating it with a cinematic glide and streamlinear post-prod polish. Long a staple of his DJ sets and broadcasts in bootleg form, this official release feels fated. "It's melodic, disco-flavoured, cinematic, and emotionally powerful - all the things I love," he says, as it manifests as the first of seven reworks dropping over the course of May 2025.

Review: Kurt Cobain favourites and Texan punk outliers Butthole Surfers don't know when or where exactly this live recording was made. But who cares!? The most important thing to know is the recording is gnarly and the band sound out of this world with their blend of noise, punk and psychedelic rock a truly idiosyncratic affair. Highlights on here include 'The Annoying Song' with singer Gibby Haynes' belligerent use of a toy megaphone. The guitar solos are top notch here, too. While 'Human Cannonball' is a thrilling number that you imagine created raucous circle pits at the actual show. It's great to see technology put to good use and cleaning up old live punk shows and getting them sounding this powerful.

Notes: Enjoy high-speed MIDI data transmission without latency thanks to the ultra-thin, high-performance plug design. The right angled plugs fit seamlessly into tight spaces and is easy to connect with convenient protrusions.

Seamlessly connect your MIDI devices - keyboards, synthesizers, controllers, guitar pedals - using TRS 3.5mm (1/8") Type A and 5-pin DIN MIDI In, Out & Thru ports, following the MIDI Association standard.

Nickel-plated connectors and oxygen-free copper core endure frequent plugging and unplugging. Integrated shielding prevents interference, ensuring error-free MIDI data transfer of all your MIDI messages.

Notes: 4-pack of low-profile 5-pin DIN MIDI cables, male-male, 3 ft/90cm

Review: Seven strong San Francisco rock band Counting Crows have always walked a fine line between intimate storytelling and grandiose soundscapes. This time - taking the four tracks from their Butter Suite pt 1 Ep and adding five more new tracks - they sound like a band utterly in control of their own narrative. Adam Duritz's lyrics reflect a certain self-assurance as they weave through themes of reinvention and regret. Musically, the band brings a tighter, more focused intensity, merging rock, folk and even hints of alt-country with the ease of a band at their peak. 'Spaceman In Tulsa' takes its time, unfolding languidly, savouring every detail before pushing forward. And in moments like 'Boxcars,' it's clear this is the most cohesive they've sounded in years, with every instrument serving the story rather than competing for attention. They've done the work, and now, it's all paying off.

Review: A series of vivid, nocturnal transmissions blending altered-state refinements and rich storytelling as Canadian composer and producer Coverdale merges synthesis with live instrumentation, creating a multi-dimensional sound that feels both intensely personal and universally resonant. Drawing on a wide range of influences, including 19th-century programmatic music - that's music with spoken narrative, like Provokiev's Peter & The Wolf - and mid-70s jazz, her compositions balance improvisation with deeply emotional content. Each track explores a range of textures, from the ethereal, soaring flights of 'Daze' to the grounded, material energy of 'Freedom.' The use of strings, woodwind, brass and modular synthesis intertwines with Coverdale's voice to create a language that feels alive and constantly evolving. Whether navigating the turbulent gales of 'Coming Around' or finding catharsis in the drummed sequences of 'Offload Flip,' the music speaks to the physicality of sound and the emotional charge it carries. The narrative arcs throughout, painting an intricate portrait of grief, dislocation, and the quest for self-connection, each track embodying a different facet of this deeply personal yet expansive journey.

Review: As we hapless reviewers make our way through these five new experimental LPs by Current 93, we cannot help but feel increasing torment and terror at the figures portrayed on the front covers of each record: hand-painted by David Tibet himself (the artist has increasingly indulged such formal solo trend-buckings through his own Cashen's Gap imprint in recent years) they appear like sleep paralytic demons or the ghosts of cancelled English folk yore. All the records are apparently ritually connected to a recent string of live appearances between London and Hastings, and Tibet's penchant for demonologic peerage titles such as GreenSleeve Drakon and Gnostic Sketch - blurring a sense of self-referentiality and occult otherworldliness - leave us bewildered and slack-jawed.

Review: Moony Tunes is one of five new 12" LPs recently unveiled by David Tibet aka. Current 93, mad witch doctor of the post-80s industrial continuum. An ever-morphing project, Current 93 always implies motifs of apocalyptic folk, dream logic, and esoteric revelations, and this volume, subtitled Preparing To Sleep In Menstrual Night, feels like a whispered dispatch from the edge of sleep and symbol. True to C93's nature, it resists easy description, lullabying eerily through hoveringly attentive drones and spellcasting vocals. Each pressing includes a riso print of Tibet's painting Moony Toons, hand-signed in pencil, thus hand-stamping an album best received as a kind of ritual, and shaped by the occult aurae of Tibet's performances in London and Hastings earlier this year.

Review: Taylor Deupree and The Humble Bee have hooked up for their first collaborative album, Re: Case Studies, an immersive and pensive ambient beauty. It was originally conceived as a solo project and Deupree's abstract feedback loop-based compositions were shelved until discussions with the label prompted him to invite a collaborator. Craig Tattersall, aka The Humble Bee, responded with his own sonic interpretations and built on Deupree's foundations. The result is a cohesive yet distinct collaboration that honours the original while evolving into something new so what began as an unfinished idea is now a full-fledged and thoughtful, layered exploration of sound.

Review: Originally released in 1982, this is an iconic album that remains a defining moment in new wave and synthpop, marking the Brummies' ascendance to the pop tree. A sleek fusion of rock, dance and electronic elements, shining with its infectious hooks, shimmering production and visual sophistication. The title track, 'Rio', bursts with energetic basslines and saxophone flourishes, embodying the band's jet-set glamour. 'Hungry Like the Wolf' is a synth-driven, jungle-infused anthem with a howling chorus that became a staple of MTV's golden era. 'Save a Prayer' softens the mood with lush synth textures and melancholic lyrics, showcasing Simon Le Bon's emotive delivery. 'New Religion' is a more hidden gem with its intricate layering of funk-tinged bass and atmospheric synths, while 'The Chauffeur' closes the album on a haunting note, blending minimalistic electronic beats with surreal poetry. Beyond its commercial success, Rio shaped the future of pop and rock, influencing artists across genres. The album's stylish, forward-thinking production and music videos set new standards for the MTV generation, ensuring Duran Duran's legacy as pioneers of the synthpop movement.

Review: UK label Rezpektiva unearths another gem from the archives, this time shining a light on Fade 2 End, the elusive duo of Nick Woolfson and Mark Shimmon. Their output may have been limitedijust two releases in 1996ibut what they left behind is a masterclass in deep, rolling, late-night techno. 'Sundance' sets the tone with its undulating rhythms and hypnotic loops, while 'The Passage' weaves together tough beats and drifting synth lines. 'Dreams' and 'Daze' lock into a mesmerising groove, all heady atmospherics and resonant grooves. On the flip, 'Another Day' and 'Another Night' explore the contrast between euphoria and tension, their hypnotic vocals pulling the listener deeper into the groove. 'Feel The Magic' rounds things off with a shimmering, dreamlike quality, balancing lush pads with crisp drum programming. Fade 2 End had a rare touchitracks that feel alive, shifting and evolving as they play out. Now, thanks to Rezpektiva, these lost classics finally get the attention they deserve.

Review: A decade on from its original release, this compilation remains a spellbinding window into the musical mind of one of modern music's most innovative figures. As comfortable behind a grand piano as a homemade synth, Frahm brings his taste for boundary-blurring to this curated journey. Consider this a love letter to his inspirations and a reflection of his multifaceted artistry. The compilation weaves classical greats, jazz legends, ambient pioneers and experimental mavericks into a singular, late-night odyssey. Vladimir Horowitz's crackling rendition of 'The Flight of the Bumblebee' connects Frahm's own virtuosic piano play to the classical canon, while Miles Davis' smoky 'Generique' and 'Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio)' speak to the atmospheric jazz undercurrents that color much of his work. Nina Simone's aching rendition of 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' carries the same stripped emotional core that Frahm achieves in his more minimalist moments. Elsewhere, the warmth of Dub Tractor's 'Cirkel' and the ghostly dub of Rhythm & Sound's 'Mango Drive' nod to his love of minimalism beyond genre. Boards of Canada's slow-burning 'In a Beautiful Place Out in the Country' is also featured, showing the esteem Frahm holds these newer tracks in, nestling among legendary musical acts of the past. From Colin Stetson's avant-garde saxophone to Bibio's lush textures, the compilation spans eras and aesthetics with cohesion and care. It's not just a mixtape - it's a tribute, a seriously rich tapestry of influences that shaped a singular voice.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


The 1998 debut record from Michael Head & The Strands was six years in the making. Having taken up refuge in a Liverpool recording studio in 1992, Head had set his Pale Fountains and Shack days aside, and was now dead-set on a new project, The Strands. Iain Templeton, Michelle Brown and Les Roberts joined in, resulting in a two-year set of recording sessions in which Head would be offered a new major label deal, muddying the proceedings at the midpoint. The record therefore only made it to the mixing studio in 1995, but perhaps the long break was needed, as the result is redolent: its pearly guitar arpeggiations and patchwork verse make for a glistening listen, one that all too readily translates to this reissue via Megaphone.

Review: Brooklyn's Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were already underground legends by 2005, but this was the release that blew the doors wide open. Reissued here in a 20th anniversary remaster with full instrumental versions, it captures the group in peak form: tight, defiant and dripping with groove. From the snarling funk of 'My Man is a Mean Man' to the gospel-inflected ache of 'Stranded' and the rolling swagger of 'You're Gonna Get It', every track is a showcase for Jones' irrepressible power. 'How Long Do I Have to Wait For You?' and 'This Land is Your Land' still hit like soul standards, while 'Fish in My Dish' and 'Your Thing is a Drag' lean into grit and grind. The instrumentals only deepen the appreciation: pure rhythm section muscle. Recorded in Bushwick's now-legendary House of Soul, it's the record that built the Daptone soundiand lit the fuse for a soul revival that still resonates today.

Review: Sol - the new album from Paris-based Venezuelan music artists Raul Monsalve y Los Forajidos - hears the band merge Venezuelan rhythms, jazz, Afrobeat, psychedelic funk, and experimental electronics into an utter boundary-piercing hyper-stimulater. For fans of George Clinton, Herbie Hancock, and Nyege Nyege Tapes, the album plants some roots and uproots others, with next-gen collab explorers Emanative, Kiala Nzavotunga, and Gustavo Ovalles using the passed-down torch to both burn old bridges and light the way over new ones. Drawing on old Venezuelan ecclesiastical traditions such as the Saint John the Baptist festival, the album opens with 'Fuego al campanero', blending Venezuelan chants with futuristic sounds, and burns into 'Como el Sol' and 'Machete no hace piquito', devling into themes of strength and perseverance.

Review: Originally released in 1977, if there's a rock or metal-oriented album that requires little to no introduction, it's the self-titled debut from Motorhead, welcoming the unsuspecting masses to the blistering balls to the wall ferocity that was Lemmy (bass/vocals), Phil Taylor (guitar) and Eddie Clarke (drums). Complete with a silver hot foil replication of Joe Petagno's original Motorhead logo on a vibrant red background, this 2xLP includes the original full-length boasting classics such as 'White Line Fever', 'Violator' and 'Keep Us On The Road', as well as a bonus disc featuring the Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers EP, along with newly mixed and alternative versions of bangers like 'Motorhead', 'The Watcher' and 'Keep Us On The Road'. Complete with sleeve notes by Ted Carroll, taking the reader through the story of how Chiswick Records managed to scrape together enough money to fund the recording of what would eventually enter both the label and band into the annals of rock history.

Review: In celebration of its 40th anniversary, this Italo-disco classic now returns in a deluxe limited edition pressed on 180g vinyl so it can be played nice and out on wonder sound systems. And it will sound superb as it has been remastered from the original master tapes so offers hi-fidelity from its deep bass to its crisp highs. Originally released in 1985, the album broke away from mainstream disco of the day with its innovative, alternative edge and has since gained cult status among audiophiles and Italo fans alike. All the tunes still do a job and are likely gunna get some heavy plays across the summer season and at open-air festivals.

Review: Frightened Rabbit's singer and chief songwriter Scott Hutchison devastatingly passed away in 2017 aged only 36. He's left behind an incredible oeuvre including this debut and sole solo album under the moniker Owl John. Hutchison as a lyricist had a warts and all approach, poetically delving into depressing subject matter in a spellbinding, artful way. The track 'Hate Music' is a case in point, his loathing of the record release cycle is conveyed with biblical imagery and brutal honesty. The cinematic polish of Frightened Rabbit is toned down in favour of a distinctive, more experimental aesthetic that resonates deeply..

Review: Celebrating its 30th anniversary this Record Store Day, 'Original Soundtracks 1' is a bold, imaginative collaboration between British ambient pioneer Brian Eno and Irish band U2 under the moniker Passengers. Blurring the line between ambient experimentation and cinematic storytelling, the album features 15 tracks that were all conceived as soundtracks for fictional films. Highlights include the haunting 'Miss Sarajevo' with Luciano Pavarotti and contributions from Howie B and Holi and this remastered anniversary edition comes on recycled black vinyl. An adventurous 1995 release that stands up now as an atmospheric, genre-blurring work and a rare and inspired detour in U2's discography.

Review: Pellegrino & Zodyaco's skillfully intertwine Neapolitan disco, funk, jazz and world music while channelling a spirit of creative escape of this new album, which is inspired by Henri Laborit's 'Eloge de la fuite'. It explores conscious escapism as a return to authenticity and seeks a "common language" through sound by merging Mediterranean melodies with global rhythms, vintage instruments and ethnic percussion that all bridge past and present. Four years after his last outing, Morphe, Pellegrino is still in top form here with a soulful, genre-blurring portrait of modern Naples that reflects the fact that, in the city, musical traditions meet modern experimentation.

Review: Pink Floyd's filmed performance in the haunting ruins of Pompeii has always been one of the band's most enigmatic moments, and this newly reworked version reveals an even deeper level of intimacy and chaos. The remastering by Steven Wilson accentuates the tonal complexity, particularly in 'Echoes,' where each reverberation and shift in atmosphere feels more present. The raw, untamed energy of 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' and the hypnotic pulse of 'A Saucerful of Secrets' add a depth to the band's evolving sound. There's a startling sense of discovery in these tracksiboth in the unedited 'A Saucerful of Secrets' and the alternate take of 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene.' Pink Floyd's creative tension and experimental spirit pulse through these recordings, making the listening experience feel like an invitation to witness them at their most initmate and unguarded.

Review: DFA Records prime mysterious new Brighton signees Proper Monday Number with a sure start, flicking the proverbial Rube Goldberg machine into gear with a banging remix of their otherwise unreleased debut track 'High Horse'. Here, of course, it's LCD Soundsystem / DFA's very own James Murphy at the remix controls, together with resident DFA DJ and "decent human" Matt Cash. Toolroom dance moods extend over a lusciously simple seven minutes, bringing home FM stabs and LinnDrum faceslaps aplenty. And the lyrics: "stop what you're doing now... you ain't got no crown! get off your high horse! turn this ship around!" In our day and age, we need more anti-stagnation, ego-teardown anthems like this, so we welcome the sentiment by the masked duo.

Review: Rain Parade's recent EP Last Stop On The Underground marks their notable return to the music scene, coinciding with the release of their first album in nearly forty years, Last Rays of a Dying Sun. Original members Matt Piucci and Steven Roback, who have been collaborating since 1981, continue their legacy of neo-psychedelic rock with this fresh material. The band, co-founded by the Roback brothers and Piucci, made a significant impact in the 1980s Paisley Underground scene with their debut album Emergency Third Rail Power Trip, widely regarded as a classic. Following David Roback's departure, the band's EP Explosions In The Glass Palace in 1984 maintained their high acclaim and has only grown in reputation over time. Reflecting on the creation of the new EP, Sid Griffin of The Long Ryders mentioned their recent tour with the Third Mind, which inspired Rain Parade to produce new material for their European audience. The EP features three new songs, including the title track, which incorporates elements from an older unfinished piece, and a leftover track from their latest album, creating a cohesive four-song collection. The recording process, guided by Jim Hill in familiar Oakland studios, was efficient, showcasing Rain Parade's ability to craft captivating music swiftly.

Review: Nearly a decade since the Swedish trio's last full-length Casino (2014), brothers Andreas and Johan Berthling, along with Tomas Hallonsten, ease back into the fold with Preludes, a five-track collection that reaffirms their mastery of delicate, genre-blurring soundscapes. Following the promising 'Refrains' 10" in 2023, this new release is a comforting reminder that Tape's signature blend of acoustic instrumentation and electronic processing remains as singular and stirring as ever, as they continue to weave hypnotic textures that feel both ethereal and earthy. 'Opener Lights Out' is a tender folk threnody where repeating guitar patterns create a meditative haze. 'Naukluft Plateau' drifts with ruminative piano over cascading tones, while the brief 'Golden Gain' mixes huffing harmonium and subtle electronic scrums. 'Tangential Thoughts' is quintessential Tape, a dreamy two-chord motif, rustling organ and delicate percussion all evoking wistful reveries. The closing track, 'On The Accordion Bus', sways with glitch-like textures and gentle rhythms, blurring the line between transit and reflection. There's a unique warmth to their balance of melody and abstraction here, reminiscent of Aphex Twin's ambient pop or Susumu Yokota's textural elegance. Praise indeed, but sometimes the quietest returns make the deepest impact.

Review: This remarkable collection of mid-70s reggae captures legendary deejay U Roy at his most intimate and authentic, toasting exclusively for the King Attorney Hi-Fi sound system. Originally crafted as dubplates rather than commercial releases, these tracks are a time capsule from the golden age of Jamaican dancehalls. U Roy's charismatic flow, filled with shout-outs and jive, rides effortlessly over heavyweight rhythms recorded by The Revolutionaries at Channel One. With rich dubs from the Mighty Diamonds' Right Time and updated classics like 'Ali Baba' and 'Swell Headed', this is a joyous, immersive listen and an essential document of reggae's deep cultural roots.

Review: Kassi Valazza's latest work continues her journey of storytelling through intimate and reflective folk, with a sound steeped in the timeless influence of artists like Karen Dalton and Joni Mitchell. Hailing from Oregon, Valazza channels raw emotion with a tender, almost fragile voice that remains central to her style. On this new collection, she leans into themes of personal transformation, finding clarity amid uncertainty. The album, recorded during a period of change in Portland, sees Valazza navigating life's cyclical nature, a sense of heaviness and hope woven into every note. Her songwriting cuts through the noise with startling honesty, touching on love, loss, and self-discovery in ways that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. It's the melodies and introspective lyrics that stand out, delivered with a sense of quiet wisdom. Valazza's voice soft yet commanding sits comfortably between nostalgia and new beginnings. On tracks like 'Weight of the Wheel,' her storytelling feels at once vulnerable and resilient, offering a glimpse into the artist's own search for meaning. The production, sparse yet lush, serves as the perfect backdrop to her intricate lyricism, proving that sometimes the most impactful moments in music come from the simplest, most genuine expressions of the self.

Review: With standout tracks from proper legends like Barrington Levy, Delroy Wilson, Dillinger, The Mighty Diamonds, Yellowman and more, Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story is an essential compilation chronicling one of Jamaica's most influential studios during its most famous golden era. Plenty of historic moments are included such as the country's first 12-inch maxi-single release (The Jays & Ranking Trevor's 'Truly Deejay Mix') and 'Queen Majesty,' a soul-drenched reggae rework of a Curtis Mayfield classic. Also included are extended cuts and rich production which means this anthology celebrates Channel One's lasting impact on reggae history with a little extra insight than you might have already heard.

Review: Analog Africa's latest gem is a wonderful celebration of Zimbabwe's musical roots that traces back to the label's beginnings over 20 years ago. This carefully curated collection showcases the explosion of creativity from the 1970s and 80s before genre boundaries were clearly defined. Artists boldly fused rock, rumba, soul and traditional rhythms into an experimental sound that remains fresh today. Accompanied by an in-depth booklet, the compilation features rare and unreleased tracks from legends like Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi and all of them make for a dynamic and essential snapshot of a transformative era in Zimbabwean music history.

Review: This reissue brings a rare gem from Jamaica's golden era of ska back into the spotlight, offering an authentic snapshot of the genre's flourishing evolution in the early 60s. Prince Buster takes centre stage, delivering five exclusive tracks that exemplify his mastery of infectious, horn-driven rhythms, including the lively 'Flying Ska' and the gritty 'Eye For An Eye.' However, it's not just Buster's presence that makes this collection stand out; the inclusion of tracks from legends like The Maytals, Don Drummond, and Roland Alphonso highlights the diversity within the ska scene. The Skatalites' 'Perhaps' is a moment of unmistakable instrumental brilliance, while 'Ska War' from The Maytals pulses with that unmistakable energy that still defines the genre today.

Review: With their sixth album in seven years, German jazz quartet Web Web return with a fresh touch: Plexus Plexus is more psychedelic and at times far "Krautier" than before, representing a speedy departure from their previous Web Max release. Special guest JJ Whitefield (The Poets Of Rhythm, Karl Hector & The Malcouns, Syrup) weaves a remarkable guitar thread throughout, gluing its sound together through solo intermissions, riffs and vamps. In his style, we hear everything from The Poets of Rhythm and Syrup to the more psychedelic vibes of Karl Hector & The Malcouns, injecting the record with the zoomed-out energy of 70s jazz-Kraut bands. Departing from their last record, Web Web have truly a back-to-basics approach through spontaneity, riffing on the back of an intense three-day recording sesh in Munich.

Review: Wild Planet was originally a duo consisting of Simon J Hartley and Richard Brook who put out a fine debut album on Warp. After that. Hartley became the sole member for a further album on Octave One's Detroit-based 430 West label. This album came first in 1999 and has been fully remastered and sounds better than ever, with three bonus tracks from the original CD version making their vinyl debut. Transmitter captures a distinct blend of raw, warm and futuristic Detroit electro and techno that ranges from deep machine funk to atmospheric synth work. It's a shining example of Motor City innovation at its peak. Do not sleep.