A few classics that we know inside out, and some more recent discoveries that we are sure diggin’ getting to know.

We start this new week and end this fine month with something sublime, an essential repress of Dorothy Ashby’s Afro Harping. Originally released on the Cadet label in early 1968, it is such a groover; swooping jazz across the full scale of Ashby’s harp, with tons of soul, early funk energy and beautiful orchestral swells under the arrangement of Richard Evans. Such timeless music, she really was cool and we absolutely love this.

+ This new pressing is remastered from the original ¼ inch tapes by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios and sounds superb. An album that everyone should own.
Very different but also right up our street is Uncollected Noise New York '88-'90, a twenty-four track chronological journey through rarities and outtakes of the iconic Galaxie 500. It includes never-heard-before songs from the start of their incendiary career to their final studio sessions. They were the forerunners to so many wonderful bands, so vast was the trio’s influence that it’s hard to even quantify. A great band and much of this is thrilling.

+ Available on limited double Silver + Purple colour vinyl.

As we are getting progressively louder, it’s a very suitable time to mention 25 years of Amplifier Worship and a killer reissue of the heavy, heavy Japanese trio, Boris. Pressed on a super impressive looking Lime Green Swirl colour vinyl, this is not for the faint hearted; five slabs of relentless distortion and sludge. Perhaps the change in season, but we’ve been going pretty hard on this…

Strut Records celebrate their 25th anniversary in fine fashion with a super nice pressing of Sun Ra’s Lanquidity. Recorded in one night, the session was one of his most mellow and funky sets, with improvised jams swelling into hot and hypnotic loops.

+ This deluxe LP edition features the widely distributed version of the album originally released on Philly Jazz and reflects the album’s original packaging with a metallic foil / magenta sleeve, housed in a tip-on sleeve with OBI strip and featuring both liner notes and a limited edition poster.

Supreme Salsa from the Fania vaults this week with Puerto Rican Hector Lavoe’s De Ti Depende. It was his first record as leader of his own orchestra for the first time, including close friend Willie Colón. Dramatic balladeering and hot night swaying, it has variety.

+ Featuring (AAA) lacquers cut from the original master tapes, this remastered reissue is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and housed in a classic tip-on jacket.

Ninja Tune release a 20th Anniversary Edition of Music by Cavelight, the first solo studio album by American hip hop producer Blockhead. Sample-heavy collages and such lush textures, it really creates a big mood.

+ Pressed on limited 4LP Forest Green colour vinyl, this version includes bonus Aesop RockInstrumentals, plus previously unreleased Lost Files ‘99-’03.

Miami Sound 2 is a formidable new compilation from the Soul Jazz Records heads, covering 70s soul, funk, disco and boogie. It features tracks from; Betty Wright, Timmy Thomas, Gwen McRae, Milton Wright, T-Connection and many more, all originally released on Florida’s mighty TK Records.

Also this week we have a new pressing of Alice in Chains’ 2009 LP, Black Gives Way To Blue.

Lastly, this weekend saw the release of Distant Call: Collected Demos 2000 - 2006, the final release from the esteemed and dearly missed Broadcast. Following May’s Spell Blanket: Collected Demos 2006-2009 release, Distant Call is a collection of early demos of songs that would subsequently appear as finished productions on the albums Haha Sound, Tender Buttons and The Future Crayon. It was released on Saturday 28th September which would have been Trish Keenan’s 56th birthday. Sketches and ideas forming out of whispers, it’s really special stuff and a beautiful last gift. Highly Recommended.