Search results: Inside Out (2)

Review: Hot on the heels of volume one, Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein present a second selection of tracks composed for the soundtrack of Netflix's acclaimed weirdo-thriller, Strangest Things. As with the first edition, the 39 highlighted compositions are built around the duo's obsession with vintage analogue synthesizers and drum-computers, including the Granddaddy of the lot, the pioneering Fairlight "computer musical instrument" (check the woozy CMI choral samples on "I Know What I Saw"). Even if you've not seen the series, the music stands on its own; for proof, check out the ghostly ambience of "Crying", the tightly-wound creepiness of "Danger Danger", and the glistening, sun-kissed bliss of "Talking To Australia".

Review: Back in 1990, Electribe 101 were riding high on the success of 'Talkin' With Myself', a Balearic house classic that ranks among the most saucer-eyed and loved-up songs of the era. The album that followed, Electribal Memories, was a gem, too, though has been largely overlooked - though not by those who fell in love with it at the time - ever since. Happily, it has finally been reissued on vinyl, with half-speed remastering and a deep cut to guarantee aural pleasure. With singer and creative force Billie Ray Martin providing some of her most memorable vocal performances, highlights include the early morning E-soul hypnotism of 'Inside Out' (a genius-like cover of a funk-soul classic), warm-up classic 'Heading For The Night' and the tactile deep house delight of 'Diamond Dove'.

Review: Electribe 101's 1990 debut album, Electribal Memories, is undoubtedly one of the strongest sets of the loved-up Balearic house era - a long-player firmly rooted in the Ecstasy experience, from the piano-sporting, wide-eyed tactility of house music of the period, to the after-hours, comedown-friendly downtempo soulfulness that the band's creative force and lead singer, Billie Ray Martin, was always so adept at delivering. This 'Deluxe Edition' expands the album across four CDs via a deep archive dive from dance music historian Bill Brewster. The DJ and author offers-up a wealth of released (and unreleased) club mixes, early versions and alternate takes, while the accompanying booklet features reflections from Billie-Ray Martin and an extensive essay from Pete Paphides.

Review: Once the leader of iconic and legendary Japanese New Wave rockers EX, Shigeru Umebayashi's Music For A Film compilation showcases the better-known work (in today's terms at least) of this multifaceted and multi-talented composer. 21 tracks of absolute beauty, all of which are taken from his 30-strong-plus oeuvre of movie scores, built over time since he first began writing tracks for screens in 1985, after said band called time.
Opening with what may be his most famous work of all time, 'Yumeji's Theme' (title piece from Siejun Suzuki's critically acclaimed 1991 movie, Yumeji) the playlist here really showcases the vision and musicality Umebayashi is renowned for, and removed from the context of movies the work is elevated to new heights. Classical, choral, quiet epics, and romantic mini-overtures rarely sound so good.

Review: Vienna-based funk, rock and electro collective Spitting Ibex are back with another of their head-hitting funk records. Ego has a psychedelic edge and hard-ass drums under a world of guitar effects and far-sighted cosmic intent. The vocals are delivered with a realness and rawness that builds on the band's previous sound and results in some of their most potent tunes to date. The title track in particular 'Ego' is a thrilling fusion of tumbling drums and sci-fi sounds next to trip-hop style vocals. 'Kingdom Of Devotion' also explores a more tender sound with stoner folk and mystic melodies.

Review: 
Soul and r&b sisters The Shindellas hail from Nashville, Tenesse and made an immediate impact back in 2017 when they debuted. Kasi Jones, Stacy Johnson, and Tamara Chauniece call themselves 'truth-tellers' who are brought together by 'self-love' and all that shines though on their new album Shindo. They count the likes of Missy Elliott and Beyonce as fans, apparently, and were put together by multi-Grammy-nominated production and songwriting duo Chuck Harmony & Claude Kelly. This album brings the best of classic soul next to new school soul sounds for a timeless album full of catchy grooves and expressive vocals.