Review: This newly formed and already brilliant label is back with more previously unreleased instrumentals that bring a different twist and dancefloor edge to classic sounds from the rock and indie world. First up we get a subtle edit of 'Sound and Vision' which has a nice fat and funky bassline bouncing beneath the splashy drums as nice acoustic guitar melodies ring out next to glistening retro-future pads. It's a cosmic trip that oozes soul then things slow down on the flip with 'Young Americans'. This one is a nice go-slow instrumental with funky and expressive horn work taking the lead over the fat-bottomed drums and bass.
Review: Deep Purple have been rocking long enough to have written a song in response to the infamous Montreux Casino fire, which nearly killed Frank Zappa, forever changing his vocal range, in 1971. By the time that smash hit single came out - complete with arguably rock & roll's most iconic riff - the band were already on their sixth studio album. Skip forward 51 years after the track came out, alongside the Machine Head album, and we're still writing about Ian Gillan, Roger Glove, Ian Paice, Don Airey and Simon McBride. In a lot of ways, our thoughts are still the same. That blues psychedelia at work here, and the work still sets a benchmark for heavy rock and proto-metal. Of course, both canons have evolved and developed since their inception - which Deep Purple had a big hand in - but when you're faced with the pioneers and their new single, they rarely sound this complete.
Review: Sheffield rock royalty Def Leppard build momentous hype for their upcoming tour alongside Journey with the release of their brand new single 'Just Like 73'. Written in collaboration with Rage Against The Machine axeman Tom Morello, the banger comes complete with an absurd music video of computer generated de-aged models of the band and a parachuting Morello making their way to Earl's Court to perform for a massive crowd of adoring fans. Elaborating on the experience, the guitar guru stated - "I had a blast rocking a solo on 'Just Like 73.' I played 'Rock of Ages' in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here Def Leppard are still killing it in stadiums with a brand-new tune that's one of their best." Pressed on limited 7" wax with an alternative version on the flip, the Leppard evidently still have plenty of sugar in the petrol tank.
B-STOCK: Record is slightly warped, otherwise in excellent condition
The Tinker & The Crab
Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Review: ***B-STOCK: Record is slightly warped, otherwise in excellent condition***
A pair of classic Donovan tracks get pressed up to this new 7" from The state51 Conspiracy. They are taken originally from his seminal double album A Gift From a Flower to a Garden and come in a beautifully printed new sleeve with golden details and limited to just 500 copies. Both are mixed in mono and first is the delicate falsetto of 'The Tinker and the Crab' with is Americana overtones and light flute motifs next to the acoustic guitar strumming and 'Wear Your Love Like Heaven' is another lushly layered folk rock sound.
Review: Legendary guitarist Earl Slick is well known for his long-standing partnership with David Bowie and now he releases a remixed version of a track featuring Bowie on vocals. It comes on 7" coloured vinyl and celebrates a collaboration that produced plenty of iconic rock music that was well detailed in Slick's recent autobiography Guitar. In it, he recalls how Bowie spontaneously offered to sing on the track and that led to an unforgettable recording session. The remixed version honours their creative chemistry and brings Bowie's voice back to the forefront.
Review: 51 years have now passed since Funkadelic dropped their first two albums, Funkadelic and Free Your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow. The latter album's numerous highlights included 'Funky Dollar Bill', a flash-fried funk-rock masterpiece that's as bonkers as it is low-slung and floor friendly. This anniversary edition of the song, which was released as part of a double A-side single in 1971, combines the pioneering Detroit crew's original vocal version (side A), with a never-before-heard instrumental take from the original recording sessions (B). This is particularly revelatory, as it offers a chance to hear everything that was going on below George Clinton's singing - and trust us, that's a lot! It's genuinely refreshing to hear an alternate take on a such a fantastic funk-rock gem, so we'd recommend giving it a listen.
Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me) (Rehearsal instrumental) (4:08)
Review: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steve Harley's iconic hit 'Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)', Chrysalis Records is serving it up on a limited 7" for Record Store Day. The single features the original version backed with a previously unreleased recording from Apple Studios, which offers a different perspective and nice twist on the original. 'Make Me Smile' was a UK chart-topper in 1975 and has sold over 1.5 million copies and is thought to have inspired more than 120 cover versions from artists like Duran Duran and Erasure. However, you can't beat the original, which is a glam-pop classic that continues to get love across generations.
Review: The 2024 limited edition release of Jimi Hendrix's 'Angel' on white vinyl is a gem for fans and collectors. Side-1 features a previously unreleased version of 'Angel' (Take 7), presenting a stripped-down mix of the original recordings by Hendrix, Mitchell and Cox from July 23, 1970. This version notably excludes the posthumous drum and percussion elements added by Mitchell, offering a raw and intimate listening experience. On the flip side, 'Message To Love,' recorded live at the New York Pop Festival on July 17, 1970, captures the electric energy of Hendrix's performance. The picture sleeve and factory-sealed packaging add to the allure, making this ideal for Hendrix enthusiasts. This release not only showcases Hendrix's enduring legacy but also provides a fresh perspective on the very last chapter in his timeless music.
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