Independent Record news from an Independent Record shop… No matter what got said over the weekend!
Hello, Friends.
We’re back to indie shop business after the weekend’s hysterical (and very convincing) Amazon buy-out pun. Thanks for all being so appalled, we felt dirty, even in jest!
A full emotional cleanse? Yes. She’s called Alice Coltrane and this week we have an Acoustic Sounds Series presentation of the iconic Journey in Satchidananda. I tried for ages to get a good copy from discogs, so this absolutely mint-sounding new pressing has been a delight. Transcendental floating from Coltrane on piano and harp, with saxophonist Pharoah Sanders as a stunning counter-balance. This really is an absolute classic, we can’t leave it alone.
A couple of serious compilations for you next.
Paul Hillery’s Once Again We Are The Children Of The Sun on BBE is a glorious set of rare finds and laid back jams; mostly rooted in folk and acoustic, but all with such amazing light pouring in. This is such a vibe. A reminder that Paul put us together a really amazing mix to celebrate the release and you can tune into that, here.
This Is Flying Dutchman 1969–1975 pays tribute to the amazing label started by iconic producer Bob Thiele. It’s an extraordinary roll call of talents, including; Gil Scott-Heron, Leon Thomas, Ornette Coleman, Cesar, Steve Allen, Esther Marrow and more. Although not all of the releases were headline grabbing on release, their impact remains fairly seminal to this day. Includes fascinating and in depth sleeve notes.
It’s a DOOM double this week with Rhymesayers reissues of KMD’s Black Bastards (on a limited double red vinyl pressing) and the all-time MF DOOM debut, Operation: Doomsday.
Don’t know about you guys, but we still miss his voice so much. Been playing these a lot already over the weekend.
Smugglers Way/Domino have reissued the cult 2004 compilation The Upper Cuts this week, an absolutely pumping set of cuts from Alan Braxe, Fred Falke & Friends. A rich set of house bangers, including the worldwide smash “Music Sounds Better With You” by Stardust, a track Braxe produced with Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter and singer Benjamin Diamond. This one is serious good times guaranteed, might pop it on again later and have a can of gin.
Needle Paw is the debut solo LP from Naomi Saalfield (of Hiatus Kaiyote), getting a full pressing via the impeccable Brainfeeder this week. Released back in 2017, it’s way more intimate than her day job, but her vocal is as commanding, even when she whispers.
We have a little volley of reissues from Los Angeles based band Surf Curse this week too, with Heaven Surrounds You, Nothing Yet and Buds; the latter including the song ‘Freaks’ that has been tiktok’d about 3756 million times.
Moonage Daydream is the companion to the critically acclaimed David Bowie film by Brett Morgen. The set features unheard versions, live tracks and mixes, created exclusively for the film. It also includes dialogue from Bowie himself which is pretty lovely.
It’s a pretty lush package across three LPs.
Last one today - and on the stereo as we write to you - is Tied Down, an absolutely astonishing Country set from Joyce Street. Fairly overlooked at the time (and largely since). Numero have lovingly pressed up this gem and it really is special stuff. A snapshot of American life in the 70’s South; with lyrics drawn from the pages of her diary. She’s a heartbreaker.
We’re loading a ton of exciting pre orders for the coming week, already live today we’ve had essential Codeine and De La Soul reissues, plus new Dexys!
Take it easy out there.
- Drift