Corbett vs Dempsey US Vinyl & CDs

Review: A groundbreaking document of avant-garde music from Romania, originally released in 1981 under Ceaucescu's oppressive regime, that's grown in reputation enough over the years to now necessitate a reissue. This compilation, featuring Dumitrescu and three other visionary composersiOctavian Nemescu, Stefan Niculescu and Corneliu Cezaridefies both the political climate and conventional musical boundaries. Opening with Dumitrescu's 'Movemur Et Sumus', the album immediately plunges into uncharted sonic territory. Strings are transformed through radical processing, oscillating between shimmering abstraction and visceral intensity. Nemescu's 'Combinatii In Cercuri' marries intricate ensemble writing with electronic textures added in 1980, creating a circular, evolving soundscape. Niculescu's 'Sincronie' combines composed and improvisational elements, culminating in a hauntingly dramatic exploration of stasis and movement, with Dumitrescu contributing both piano and conducting. Finally, Cezar's 'Rota' blends Balkan and Romanian folk influences with startling electronic effects and prepared instruments, evoking natural sounds like wind and waves alongside experimental timbres. Recorded in a Bucharest radio studio against all odds, this album showcases the revolutionary potential of Dumitrescu's Ansamblul Hyperion, a daring chamber group he founded in 1976. Newly remastered from the original tapes, the reissue preserves the original cover art and reintroduces these boundary-pushing works to a global audience. With its fusion of spectralism, acousmatic exploration and Eastern traditions, this release remains as daring and relevant as ever.

Review: Compiling the complete works of Splat! onto one CD has been desired by their fans for years now. Finally, this British post-punk band that defined the genre's chaotic, off-kilter spirit is now complete to one special. Formed between Nottingham and Derby, Splat! was a blend of misfits influenced by The Pop Group, PiL, The Fall and The Birthday Party, with quirky musical tastes that spanned from punk to jazz, noise rock, and obscure prog. The compilation features 19 tracks, including their first 7" single and a 12" EP, along with unreleased material, capturing the band's raw energy and absurdist charm. Splat! were known for their anarchic live performances, often involving blood, sweat and tears. Their debut single, released in 1983 on Ron Johnson Records, sold out quickly, and the follow-up EP in 1984 continued their DIY ethos. Despite critical praise and a John Peel session, the band's inability to self-promote led to their breakup. However, the compilation brings their best moments together for the first time on CD. And Yeah So encapsulates the band's unique blend of messy, high-octane punk and absurdist humor, offering listeners a deeply authentic look at an era of post-punk energy and anti-commercialism.

Review: Sun Ra's 1971 U.C. Berkeley lecture, "The Black Man in the Cosmos," has been officially released for the first time, revealing a previously unknown half-hour of cosmic insight from the visionary musician. In this newly unearthed session, Ra guides his students through thought-provoking ideas, underscored by the sound of chalk on the board, creating an almost meditative atmosphere. His soft-spoken yet powerful delivery touches on themes of space, existence, and identity. The lecture closes with two rare musical performancesia serene piano rendition of 'Love In Outer Space' and an electrifying 16-minute Moog synthesizer solo. These performances capture the boundless creativity that defined Ra's work during this pivotal time in his career. The audio, sourced from the Creative Audio Archive, has been carefully restored and transferred by Todd Carter, with Alex Inglizian handling the mastering. The release includes images of the original tape box and reel, featuring Ra's handwritten notes. Produced by John Corbett and packaged with care, this CD offers a rare glimpse into both the intellectual and musical genius of Sun Ra during a defining era of his artistic journey.