On HEADSPIN we offer heavy stoner and psych rock sounds by excellent contemporary artists.
SPOTLIGHT 341
19/03/2012 11:32
the Spot Light #341
d.d. Monday, March 19th, 2012
NEW RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
DANS DANS - FREEDOM SUITE (LP/BESTOV) A splendid debut album by a Belgian three piece. 'Freedom Suite' mixes psychedelia, deep blues and skilful improvisations. The tracklist includes special versions of Nick Drake's 'Riversong' and Sonny Rollins's 'Freedom Suite', and there also are clear nods towards Sun Ra and Thelonius Monk. Limited edition of 500 copies on 180 gram vinyl and including CD.
BURIAL HEX - BOOK OF DELUSIONS (CD/COLD SPRING)Classic horror electronics and post-industrial apocalyptic soundscapes with unsettling notes, anguished cries and voices of the dead. 'Book Of Delusions' is Burial Hex's most ritualistic album yet, originally only available as a limited edition LP. This CD reissue offers bonus tracks taken from the split LP's with Kinit Her and Zola Jesus, all of which are remastered and available on CD for the first time.
SAGITTARIUS - THE KINGDOM COME (CD/COLD SPRING) Sophisticated neo-classical compositions with a touch of suicidal folk noir,
recorded between 2008 and 2011 and influenced by the intellectual world of German poet Stefan George, 'The Kingdom Come' contains 18 songs with a playing time of 65 minutes. These days Sagittarius is a full four piece, co-featuring new members Herr Twiggs (known from Kammer Sieben) on vocals and Theresia W. on oboe. During the sessions they were assisted by a number of well known guest musicians from the world of neo-folk.
VIOLENCE CONJUGALE - VIOLENCE CONJUGALE (LP-CD/BORN BAD) Available on LP and CD, here's a tasteful release in a style reminding of French minimal and synthi acts from the '80s, f.i. Charles De Goal, or Guerre Froide. The cover was designed by Kiki and Lou Picasso fro Bazooka.
BLACK PYRAMID/ODYSSEY - SPLIT 7" (7"/TRANSUBSTANS) A cool split between Black Pyramid and Swedish outfit Odyssey. Limited to 300 copies on black vinyl.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
NOLLA NOLLA NOLLA - NOLLA NOLLA NOLLA (LP/SVART RECORDS) Reissue of a legendary album from 1984. Nolla Nolla Nolla (also known as 000) were loved for their powerful style, adding a Killing Joke-like post punk-feel to their classic punk rock sound. This reissue comes with a sturdy gatefold jacket and a 24-page A4 booklet with bilingual liner notes from the band's guitar player Make and many previously unpublished photos from the era.
EXPECTED RELEASES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
AMPS FOR CHRIST - CIRCUITS (2LP/WATER WING) First ever vinyl release for this classic Amps For Christ title, originally dating from 1999.
RIPE - INTO YOUR EARS (LP-CD/GET HIP) The debut album from a promising and colourful band. 'Into Your Eyes' blends many shades of power pop, folk, and psychedelic rock, with impressive results.
LA MORT DE L'HIPPOCAMPE - SYMPHONIE NEURONALE (LP/ENFANT TERRIBLE) A performance-like project led by Jérôme Fontan (known from his elektro project Porn.Darsteller), who sadly passed away last year. The music has experimental, industrial and classical sides, and can be placed somewhere between cabaret, Die Tödliche Doris and Schönberg. Intriguing!
MODERN PETS - MODERN PETS (LP/P.TRASH) Second edition on clear vinyl. 12 Yummy punk rock tunes that shit in society's milk and piss on the hipster parade.
ZEBRASSIERES - GOOEY ZOO (LP/P.TRASH) A one-sided LP, released in a limited edition of 300 copies. 'Gooey Zoo' sounds like a stripped down B-52's that got the White Wires treatment, enriched with synthesized Devo chop chop. Simplistic, yet stylish! Includes new silkscreened artwork. Remastered by Dave Williams of the Sedatives and the Steve Adamyk Band, who gave the appealing new-wave/pop-punk sound a classy polish.
MB & MO - SPIRITUAL NOISES (CD/OLD EUROPA CAFE) A historical collaboration between two of the godfathers of Italian old-school industrial, Maurizio Bianchi (M.B.) and Pierpaolo Zoppo.
SLEEP RESEARCH FACILITY - STEALTH (2CD/COLD SPRING) Evolving drones, resonant dark ambient, micro soundscapes, cryptic voices, and intelligent electronics, based on covert recordings of one of the most mysterious and concealed military aircrafts of the 20th century. The first 1.000 copies come as a 2CD special edition with the original field recordings of Stealth bomber cockpit resonances and engineering teams.
ANDY LEWIS & WESLEY DOYLE - BEST OF DAYS (7"/ACID JAZZ) A teaser for the upcoming full length. The A-Side is a catchy pop gem and on the flip you find an upbeat, easy listening dancer.
MEN OF NORTH COUNTRY - MIRROW MAN (7"/ACID JAZZ) Men Of North Country emerged from Tel Aviv's thriving soul scene, bringing with them a fresh approach to creating the perfect three-minute soul nugget.
PAUL MESSIS & JESSICA WINTER - SUNFLOWER/AS NIGHTMARES TURN TO DREAMS (7"/STATE RECORDS) The hip new single from Paul Messis together with Jessica Winter, featuring two Messis-penned psych monsters.
PSYCHIC FELINE - WHITE WALLS/NON DOT (7"/WATER WING) Arising from the ashes of The Caldonias, Psychic Feline consists of Bob Desaulniers, Sydney Roth and Curtis Muenze. The trio create knock-out hooks, savage fuzz and soul-vibrating feedback. Vocals are a tasteful additive in this 50% instrumental outfit. So it's appropriate that their newest offering (and first for Water Wing) contains a blistering fuzzed out rocker on the A side and a catchy instrumental on the flip. Digital download included. Limited to 500 copies.
WITCH GARDENS - R-I-P- (7"/WATER WING) Each of this EP's three songs of love, friendship and identity are articulated through their trademark dreamy melodies, buoyant rhythms, resonant guitar/autoharp, and endlessly infectious charm. Lovely! Digital download included. Limited to 500 copies.
SUZY CHUNK - LOOK BACK AND LAUGH/TRIPWIRE (7"/STATE RECORDS) The debut single from Cardiff's Suzi Chunk. Suzi's vocal style and performance on this 45 adds a fresh attitude and soulful quality to the tunes which, combined with the driving beat and insanely catchy riffs from her backing group, will leave you gasping for more! Edition of 500 on translucent red vinyl.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
NERVEBREAKERS - HIJACK THE RADIO! (LP-CD/GET HIP) An anthology of mid to late '70s studio recordings, some of which ended up on the Nervebreakers' 7" vinyl releases on Wild Child Records, some on the 1979 Texas punk compilation 'Are We Too Late For The Trend?, some on a volume of Italian label Rave Up Records series of '' American Lost Punk Rock Nuggets', and others that have up-to-now never been publicly released.
VARIOUS - MONDO INFERNO, VOL. 1 (LP/DEVILLE'S PAD) A fourteen track grab bag of worldwide sleaze, soul, and cool grooves galore! Includes tracks by Madiate Et Son Ensemble (Congo), Claus Ogerman (GDR), Chris Frank Weir (Colombia), Sal Davies (Tanzania), Duke Flloyd (Luxembourg), The Man Dallions (Ireland), Francoise Deldick (France), Les Mods (Belgium), Augusto Alguero (Spain), a.o.
NEWS
Italian beat-garage-mod-label TEENSOUND has announced a number of tasty releases for the near future. The plans include LP's from Dortmunds psychy powerpop kings THE CHEEKS, the UK's leading modband DC FONTANA (new album 'La Contessa'), TITO AND THE BRAINSUCKERS, Swedish garage rockers THE MOVEMENTS, Australian '80s garage heroes THE STEMS ('From The Vault' compilation) and THE THUNDERBEATS ('60s punk stylists from Moscow!). Also expected are CD's from GALILEO 7 and CUT KEY HOLE, and a split single featuring I GANZI and I RIVIERA.
SELECTED PRESS QUOTES
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
GROUNDATION - BUILDING AN ARK (CD-LP/SOULBEATS) reviewed by Raymond Rotteveel for Oor (translated excerpt) Groundation are at their best when they play genuine roots reggae, and let the trance aspect of the reggae rhythm prevail over their virtuoso qualities.
DEAN ALLEN FOYD - SOUNDS CAN BE SO CRUEL (LP-CD/CRUSHER) reviewed by Patrick Bruneel for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) Their main intentions are having a good time and recording timeless songs. And right they are.
SWITCH OPENS - JOINT CLASH (LP-CD/TRANSUBSTANS) reviewed by Jan Simon for Lords Of Metal (translated excerpt) Compared to their previous releases the band sounds more mature, they don't tend towards getting more commercial and all in all this album marks a giant step forward. (85/100 rating)
DISTORTION TAMERS - JUNGLEHEAD STORIES (CD/GREEN COOKIE) reviewed by Patrick Bruneel for Gonzo Circus (translated excerpt) A cover of Arthur Alexander and nine appealing self penned tunes...
PATRICIA DENNISON - WHO'S WATCHING (CD/SELF RELEASE) reviewed by Gerald van Waes for Psyche van het Folk (excerpt) ...a solo comeback album from one half of the duo Heaven And Earth... Recommended!
ZEA & XAVIER CHARLES - BOURGEOIS BLUES (7"/MAKKUM) reviewed by Oscar Smit for Vinyl (translated excerpt) All of these three tracks reveal a Ghanaian influence that's hard to describe.
60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES
LE SUPER BORGOU DE PARAKOU - THE BARIBA SOUND (CD-LP/ANALOG AFRICA) reviewed by Bas Springer for Revolver/Lust For Life (translated excerpt) With these raw and explosive sounds from the Islamic funk-belt sitting still is no option. (*****/***** rating!) reviewed by Govaart Van De Bossche for Goddeau (translated excerpt) Those who are really touched by these sounds can simply put the whole Analog Africa catalogue on their wish lists.
MAD HATTERS/FALLEN ANGELS - MAD HATTERS MEET THE FALLEN ANGELS (CD/CICADELIC) reviewed by DubbelMono for FileUnder (translated excerpt) The Mad Hatters were a kind of Stones-covers band with a talented songwriter in their ranks. The Fallen Angels started out as a comparable r&b-unit, but they developed in a different direction. They grew their hair, wore strange clothes and their stage act became more eccentric.
EVOL - EVOL (LP-CD/GEARFAB) reviewed by Gerald van Waes for Psyche van het Folk (excerpt) A really fine discovery... reviewed by Robert Haagsma for Revolver/Lust For Life (translated excerpt) ...an album full of tasty pop songs, dominated by harmony vocals.
LIVE
SPEEDBALL JR. (GREEN COOKIE) March 22: Gent, B (Charlatan) / April 28: Middelburg, NL (Kaffee 't Hof) BRAT FARRAR (P. TRASH, OFF THE HIP) March 22: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat) / March 23: Amsterdam, NL (Pacific Parc)
LISA ISAAKSON/LISA O PIU (SUBLIMINAL SOUNDS) March 31: Zwolle, NL (Papenstraattheater)
BIRCH BOOK (AHNSTERN) March 31: Zwolle, NL (Papenstraattheater)
STRANGE FLOWERS (VARIOUS, incl. TEENSOUND, BEYONDYOURMIND) April 5: Utrecht, NL (dB's)
ROY & THE DEVIL'S MOTORCYCLE (VOODOO RHYTHM) April 11: Tournai, B (t.b.a.) / April 20: Utrecht, NL (dB's)
HORISONT (CRUSHER) April 12: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
LORD VICAR (CHURCH WITHIN) April 12: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
SATURNALIA TEMPLE (THE AJNA OFFENSIVE) April 12: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
SPIDERS (CRUSHER, DE:NIHIL) April 12: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
MARS RED SKY (MRS) April 13: Antwerp, B (Kavka) / April 14: Tilburg, NL (Roadburn) / April 15: Leeuwarden, NL (Mukkes)
ANEKDOTEN (VIRTA, MELLOTRONEN) April 13: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
GNOD (BLACKEST RAINBOW, a.o.) April 13: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
CHURCH OF MISERY (EMETIC, a.o.) April 14: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
BONG (BLACKEST RAINBOW) April 15: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
FLESHPRESS (SVART) April 15: Tilburg, NL (013/Roadburn)
ELÄKELÄISET (NORDIC NOTES) April 16: Haarlem, NL (Patronaat)
TARRUS RILEY (SOULBEATS) April 21: Antwerp, B (Le Petrol Club) / April 25: Rotterdam, NL (Heidegger) / April 26: Amsterdam, NL (Melkweg)
GROUNDATION (SOULBEATS) April 24: Antwerp, B (De Roma) / April 25: Brussels, B (AB) / April 30: Utrecht, NL (Tivoli) / May 5: Luxemburg, LUX (Rockhall)
EXCITEMENTS (PENNIMAN) April 29: Vlieland, NL (Into The Great Wide Open-Pre Party) / April 30-daytime: Eindhoven, NL (Effenaar) / April 30-evening: Rotterdam, NL (Rotown) / May 2: Amsterdam, NL (Paradiso) / May 10: Brussels, B (Bar du Matin) / May 11: Liège, B (Jazz à Liège)
PUSSYWARMERS (VOODOO RHYTHM) April 30: Eindhoven, NL (Effenaar) / May 2: Utrecht, NL (ACU) / May 3: Kortrijk, B (Den Trap) / May 4: Middelburg, NL (Kaffee 't Hof) / St. Katelijne-Waver, B (Gasketblowers Fest.)
DELANEY DAVIDSON (VOODOO RHYTHM) May 9: Oostende, B (De Zwerver) / May 10: Eindhoven, NL (Altstadt) / May 11: Leeuwarden, NL (Asteriks) / May 12: Zwolle, NL (Vestzak Theater) / May 13: Breda, NL (Mezz)
CYNICS (GET HIP) May 17: Utrecht, NL (dB's) / May 18: Diksmuide, B (4AD) / May 25: The Hague, NL (Supermarkt)
ELECTRO EMPIRE (SOULBEATS) May 18: Amsterdam, NL (Bitterzoet)
OS HAXIXINS (GROOVIE) September/October t.b.a.
THREE SEASONS (HEADSPIN/TRANSUBSTANS) September t.b.a.
AUTUMN SHADE (STRANGE ATTRACTORS AUDIO HOUSE) September t.b.a.
Blog
Previous editions:
10/05/2013 11:41 SPOTLIGHT 400
03/05/2013 11:24 SPOTLIGHT 399
29/04/2013 11:15 SPOTLIGHT 398
19/04/2013 11:25 SPOTLIGHT 397
12/04/2013 11:37 SPOTLIGHT 396
05/04/2013 11:19 SPOTLIGHT 395
29/03/2013 11:19 SPOTLIGHT 394
22/03/2013 11:34 SPOTLIGHT 393
15/03/2013 11:23 SPOTLIGHT 392
08/03/2013 11:34 SPOTLIGHT 391
01/03/2013 11:31 SPOTLIGHT 390
22/02/2013 11:12 SPOTLIGHT 389
15/02/2013 11:44 SPOTLIGHT 388
08/02/2013 12:05 SPOTLIGHT 387
01/02/2013 12:37 SPOTLIGHT 386
25/01/2013 11:16 SPOTLIGHT 385
18/01/2013 11:37 SPOTLIGHT 384
11/01/2013 11:25 SPOTLIGHT 383
04/01/2013 11:13 SPOTLIGHT 382
21/12/2012 11:33 SPOTLIGHT 381
