Shimmy Disc US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Occupying a wildly cosmic position alongside artists such as Space Lady, Bruce Haack - AKA The Captain- is a bonafide Canadian electronic music legend, albeit a name that often goes unsung, or at least under-referenced, in conversations about groundbreaking synthesised sounds. Born in 1931, and active since the mid-1950s, his is a story we cannot even come close to doing justice here, touching upon indigenous pow-pow rituals, peyote, time studying at New York's Juilliard School, and an approach to making music that rejected any kind of restriction in favour of open exploration. The latter certainly rings true on Captain Entropy, a record that seems to have one foot in the formative days of rock & roll, and another tethered to some one-man spaceship, freewheeling through the universe on a mission to develop new ideas into tangible things people can listen to.

Review: "I would beg listeners both animal and human to allow these beautiful landscapes I've created in collaboration with Mark Nelson to sing and speak and weep for themselves. Please. Forget about words. Just LISTEN," says Kramer of this latest exploration of sounds less familiar. Meanwhile, Nelson quotes the legendary Arthur Russell for his take on things: "If I could convince you these are words of love, the heartache would remain but the pain would be gone". The Chicago-based composer and performer certainly summarises this listening experience. There's pure bliss running through these serene ambient, almost New Age-style tracks, but within that a certain reflective sadness. Crystalline melodies refract and develop, ebb and flow, at times making pure harmonies, in other moments more atmospheric refrains. They make us long for things that were or may be, although there's still space here for taking stock and acknowledging what is.

Review: JD Pinkus' Grow A Pea" is a triumphant return for the musician, offering a blend of heavy psychedelia, drum & bass grooves, and bouncy boogie that delights the senses. The album, a labour of love five years in the making, showcases Pinkus' musical evolution while paying homage to his roots. Tracks like 'Heaven As Fuck', 'Rejoice Unto Yourself' and 'Charmer' are standout examples of his ability to craft catchy tunes with a sprinkling of tasteful horns, keys and strings. Pinkus' collaborations with musicians like Paul Leary of Butthole Surfers, Sam Coomes of Quasi, and Mike Savino of Tall Tall Trees add depth and complexity to the album's sound. Grow A Pear is a testament to Pinkus' artistry and a strong album for fans of American indie music.