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SPOTLIGHT 242
06/04/2010 11:57
NEW RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
MAGNOLIA - STEG FOR STEG (CD/TRANSUBSTANS) On their excellent third album 'Steg For Steg' Magnolia continue on the path of hardhitting riffs, rooted in improvised early hardrock, with flashes of psychedelia and prog. Once again highly recommended to fans of f.i. Swedish legends November or fellow contemporaries Abramis Brama.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
CHAD'S TREE - CROSSING OFF THE MILES (2CD/MEMORANDUM) At last on CD, the legendary recordings of Chads Tree! This double CD set offers the albums 'Buckle In The Rail' (1988) and 'Kerosene' (1989), every single and B-side and 11 unheard early demos and live recordings. Core members and singer-songwriting brothers Mark and Rob Snarski are best known for their post-Chads Tree careers in The Jackson Code and the Blackeyed Susans respectively. They also both sing with the remaining Triffids. Not without reason, since The Triffids are a band they more than shared stylistic and thematic similarities with. 'Crossing Off The Miles' is housed in a smart gatefold wallet with a 32 page booklet stuffed with rare photos and exclusive liners notes. All recordings remastered. This is an essential purchase for all Australian indie enthusiasts.
GREEN PAJAMAS - COMPLETE BOOK OF HOURS (CD/GREEN MONKEY) Jeff Kelly and his Green Pajamas are consistently referred to as Seattle's most underrated and under-heard musical combo. With twenty-four Green Pajamas releases and seven solo releases since 1986, it is a catalogue rich and long. 'Book of Hours' takes us back to their psychedelic pop beginning. It was their first proper album and it has been (though much sought after) out of print for twenty years. This first ever CD release features all the great, catchy tracks from the original American album as well as more obscure songs released on the Australian, German and Greek versions. Remastered by original producer Tom Dyer, 'Book of Hours' stands the test of time with stunning ease.
EXPECTED RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
LONELY KAMEL - LONELY KAMEL (LP/KOZMIK ARTIFACT) Vinyl edition of their first CD, dating from December 2008. Lonely Kamel, from Oslo, deal in powerful hardrock, pieces of stoner and lots of heavy blues, the way it was frequently played around 1970. And then, in order to top things off, there are pleasant traces of psych and doom.
RAM - FORCED ENTRY (LP/HIGH ROLLER) Along with the new album, 'Lightbringer', High Roller Records is also proud to release 'Forced Entry' on vinyl. There are three different versions. Black vinyl, coloured (limited) and (very limited) bleed.
TROUBLE - SIMPLE MIND CONDITIONS (LP/HIGH ROLLER) Gatefold cover, lyric sheet, limited on black and coloured vinyl. Once the main riff kicks in along with Eric Wagner's soaring vocals, there's pretty much no turning back. The chorus is catchy and the classic groove is there, and this sets the stage for the whole album. All in all, it's not quite as heavy as their classic 80's albums, but the songwriting is frigginspot on. Eric Wagner simply has never sounded better. The guitars also deliver some righteous harmonies, and provide other melodic bends and turns to help mix things up as well. This is a mature album from an obviously seasoned band of veterans whose music gels perfectly into a focused and powerful album.
TYRANT - KING OF KINGS (LP/HIGH ROLLER) Tyrant from sunny California are one of the most legendary US Metal acts of all time. They debuted with the song 'The Battle Of Armageddon' on 'Metal Massacre III' in 1983. In 1985, Metal Blade released their first album 'Legions Of The Dead', followed by 'Too Late To Pray' two years later. Fans had to wait for 'King Of Kings' for almost ten years. Tyrant's third album was issued on CD by Art of Music in 1996. Now here's the vinyl re-release of this lost US metal jewel. Limited edition of 350 black, and 150 coloured copies.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
LAZY SMOKE - CORRIDOR OF FACES (LP/JACKPOT) Vinyl reissue of a true psychedelic gem from small town Massachusetts, 1968. Due to its great songs and Lennonesque vocals, this album gained its wide spread reputation as "one of the very best Beatles-inspired underground lp's ever". But, not too far under the surface, there also is a dark tone with an unpolished edge, making 'Corridor Of Faces' so much more than just a solid collection of anglophile sixties pop.
AIRBUS - TEST FLIGHT (CD/WOODEN HILL) West Coast Consortium spinoff Airbus never played live, or even released a record during their 1970-1972 lifespan. Instead they spent their entire subterranean existence holed up in their self-owned Whitechapel studio, writing and performing innumerable high quality demos and then attempting to place those songs with major label acts. But, more by accident than design, they came to leave behind THE Great Lost Early 70s British Pop Album - a jaw-dropping collision of superb songs, dazzling vocal harmonies, intelligent lyrics and hook-laden melodies that occupy the same studio pop territory as the first two 10cc albums and even Paul McCartney's 'Ram' Here is the strange, previously untold story of a band that didn't leave so much as a footprint in the musical sands, but recorded a greater number of three-minute pop nuggets than almost all of their contemporaries.
DRAGON - DRAGON (LP/GOLDEN PAVILION) Here's an amazing re-release of an album by a Belgian band, self produced in 1976 for the UK based Acorn label. A lost jewell of the progressive genre with awesome mellotron, killer guitar and excellent vocals. Fully licensed and limited to 400 copies, this reissue comes in a beautiful gatefold cover. Pressed on 180gr virgin vinyl.
EXPERIENCIA - PASSO A PASSO (LP/GOLDEN PAVILION) Here's another very interesting vinyl reissue from the Golden Pavilion. Experiencia hailed from Portugal. Their extremely obscure album from 1973 reminds of Peruvian psych acts such as Traffic Sound, New Juggler Sound and Laghonia, as well as of the early 70s British acts on labels s.a. Harvest and Deram. Expect two great vocalists, beautiful harmonies and searing guitar lines. Limited edition of only 400 copies.
GINO PERTOT - JEW NAILS (LP/GOLDEN PAVILION) A stunning reissue of one of Austria's most obscure albums ever. On offer is high quality acid/psych folk, with both fragile parts and dark undertones. This is a very intriguing re-release of a private press gem from 1976!
COMPLOT BRONSWICK - TOME 1: 1982-1986 (2CD) (CD/INFRASTITION) Available again, this double disc collection featuring highly rated recordings by the French 80s underground act, who combined music with image, performance and more.
NEWS
There's a brand new edition of JESSIE EVANS' CD/LP 'IS IT FIRE?' (out on FANTOMETTE), with two videos added. Jessie (and of course her loyal drummer Toby Dammit -also ex-Swans and Iggy Pop-) just played a number of successful shows in France and -on Easter Sunday- at Paradiso in Amsterdam. To get an impression, please visit...
http://www.grandcrew.com/videos/jessie-evans-festival-les-femmes-s-en-melent-paris-live-concert-video
http://vimeo.com/10429369
SELECTED PRESS QUOTES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
HIPBONE SLIM & THE KNEE TREMBLERS - THE KNEEANDERTHAL SOUNDS OF... (CD-LP/VOODOO RHYTHM) reviewed by DubbelMono for FileUnder (translated excerpt) Old fashioned? Yes. Primitive? Sure. Like Neanderthals? When necessary. Dated? Hell no, not in a million years!!!
POLYTOXICOMANE PHILHARMONIE - GO APE (2CD + COMIC/NASONI) reviewed by André de Waal for IO Pages (translated excerpt) For the German psychedelic company with the great, but unpronounceable name, this is their magnum opus.
ELECTRIC ORANGE - KRAUTROCK FROM HELL (CD/SULATRON) reviewed by André de Waal for IO Pages (translated excerpt) Following the spoken introduction, the first impressive tones of the opening track 'Bandwurm' already make clear that this is a magnificent record.
PAINTED AIR - COME ON 69 (CD/GREEN COOKIE) reviewed by DubbelMono for FileUnder (translated excerpt) ...though the basic sound consists of relatively simple rock'n'roll, it's the refined psychedelic sauce that adds the taste.
KENTIN JIVEK - EIGHT NEW PROPHECIES (CD/KENTIN JIVEK) reviewed by Eelco Schilder for New Folk Sounds (translated excerpt) ...an intriguing album with, at times, beautiful music.
OBLIVIOUS - GOONS AND MASTERS (CD/TRANSUBSTANS) reviewed by Cosmicmasseur for ConcreteWeb (translated excerpt) This is a highly competent retro bluesy stoner rock attack...
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
ANNEKE KONINGS - FEELINGS AND FAIRYTALES (CD/EXCALIBUR MUSIC GROUP) reviewed by Matthijs Linnemann for Oor (translated excerpt) ...a compilation without weak spots, that will hopefully lead to some re-appreciation for the talents of Anneke Konings. reviewed by Hans van Deelen for New Folk Sounds on line (translated excerpt) Though very talented, she never made it big. Time to make up for this error of history.
SCENE IS NOW - BURN ALL YOUR RECORDS (CD/LEXICON DEVIL) reviewed by Ewie for FileUnder (translated excerpt) For the more experienced listener -if I may be so arrogant- there's much to enjoy here. ...an adventurous mixture of blues, lo-fi, avant-garde and new wave.
LIVE
DEWOLFF (REMUSIC) selected dates - April 9: Dordrecht, NL (Bibelot) / April 10: Hengelo, NL (Metropool) / April 17: Lelystad, NL (Underground) / April 29: Den Haag, NL (Koninginnenach) / May 30: Landgraaf, NL (Pinkpop) SAMSARA BLUES EXPERIMENT (WORLD IN SOUND) April 15: Tilburg, NL (Roadburn festival) / August 8: Geel, B (Yellowstock festival)
HORISONT (CRUSHER) April 17: Tilburg, NL (Roadburn Festival)
ÖRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE (TRANSUBSTANS) April 14: Den Haag, NL (De Vinger) / April 15, Tilburg, NL (Roadburn Festival)
VERMILLION SANDS (SCREAMING APPLE) April 14: Utrecht, NL (AKU) / April 16: Helmond, NL (Muziek café) / April 17: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)
DEAD BROTHERS (VOODOO RHYTHM) April 29: Eindhoven, NL (Effenaar) / April 30 daytime: Deventer (Burgerweeshuis/Garden party!) + evening: Venlo, NL (Queensday fest) / June 4: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)
HEX DISPENSERS (ALIEN SNATCH!) May 6: Groningen, NL (Vera) / May 21: Amsterdam, NL (OCCII) / May 23: Kortrijk, B (The Pits)
MAGNAPOP (BASSICK) May 13: Geraardsbergen, B (De Spiraal) / May 14: Maastricht, NL (Muziekgieterij) / May 15: -afternoon- Torhout, B (Masters @ work) / May 15: -evening- Arnhem, NL (Luxor) / May 16: Kasterlee, B (Kastival) / June 25: Amsterdam, NL (Melkweg) / June 26: Waasmunster, B (Vierschaarfeesten) / June 27: Genk (Festival On Stage)
SHEETAH ET LES WEISSMULLER (SCREAMING APPLE) May 22: Amsterdam, NL (OT301/Beatfestival)
C.W. STONEKING (VOODOO RHYTHM) May 29: Eindhoven, NL (Naked Song Festival/Muziek Centrum Frits Philips) / June 4: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)
THINGUMA JIG*SAW (DESERTED VILLAGE) June 2010 t.b.a.
GÖSTA BERLINGS SAGA (TRANSUBSTANS) July 16: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat) / July 17: t.b.a.
DUNGEN (SUBLIMINAL SOUNDS) July 17: Tilburg, NL (013) t.b.c. / July 18: t.b.a. / July 19: Amsterdam, NL (Paradiso Open air/Tolhuistuin) t.b.c.
KENTIN JIVEK (S.R.) spring-summer 2010
SIENA ROOT (HEAD SPIN, TRANSUBSTANS) June 19: Zwolle (Eureka) t.b.a.
GRAVES BROTHERS DELUXE (GREEN COOKIE) spring-summer 2010 t.b.a.
Blog
Previous editions:
06/09/2010 11:47 SPOTLIGHT 264
30/08/2010 11:42 SPOTLIGHT 263
24/08/2010 11:09 SPOTLIGHT 262
18/08/2010 11:22 SPOTLIGHT 261
09/08/2010 11:31 SPOTLIGHT 260
02/08/2010 11:29 SPOTLIGHT 259
26/07/2010 11:16 SPOTLIGHT 258
20/07/2010 12:06 SPOTLIGHT 257
12/07/2010 12:22 SPOTLIGHT 256
05/07/2010 11:52 SPOTLIGHT 255
29/06/2010 11:34 SPOTLIGHT 254
21/06/2010 11:21 SPOTLIGHT 253
15/06/2010 11:37 SPOTLIGHT 252
07/06/2010 11:43 SPOTLIGHT 251
31/05/2010 11:35 SPOTLIGHT 250
25/05/2010 12:20 SPOTLIGHT 249
19/05/2010 11:48 SPOTLIGHT 248
10/05/2010 11:26 SPOTLIGHT 247
03/05/2010 11:46 SPOTLIGHT 246
26/04/2010 12:04 SPOTLIGHT 245
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