We absolutely love it when we have racks full of totally different sounding stuff.
Hello, Friends.
We love the look of the racks this week; a couple of our favourite artists, a new Dinked Edition and a Record of the Week that we're floating about too.
That new ROTW is Cantus, Descant, the stunning new album from organologist Sarah Davachi. It's a set of drones, long haunting organ compositions recorded across multiple cities. Regardless of the organ being so synonymous with churches, there is a strong spiritual aspect to the album and it's sustained, thoughtful tones. The album also features her vocals for the first time (we think) on two tracks, that really are absolute beauties.
Very highly recommended indeed.
Back, jacked and essential on the racks is Protean Threat, OSEES in thrilling form. John Dwyer has recently been in a more drawn-out prog mode, but Protean Threat is right back in the wham-bam spirit that have made The(e) O(h)SEES such a thrilling prospect. With each new addition to the vaults, there is always the wonder, "will this be the one that falls a little flat...?"... Well, wether that day will ever come some 25 albums in remains unanswered with a tight, pounding and thrashing new set of absolute bangers. No one does it better.
Back in June, Run the Jewels dropped their fourth album - RTJ4 - online; an album addressing class wars and the racist police state head on. It has remained a constant-player here all summer, and we are delighted to now have CD and some delicious-looking vinyl editions for the shop. The production is amazing - break neck speed and big beats with some really inventive sonics - the guest appearances are complimentary and the protagonists of El-P and Killer Mike are as vital as they have ever been. In this climate, a heavily politicised act - as they are - will always take on new cultural importance, but aside from their vitriol and sincerity, you can't deny that Run The Jewels just sound amazing.
+ Standard 2LP on Neon Magenta Vinyl
+ Deluxe 4LP on Neon Magenta and Gold Vinyl
In Your Dreams is the debut solo album from internationally renowned composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and visual artist Tim Koh, on Tim Burgess’ O Genesis Recordings label. We were delighted to work with him on a Dinked Edition, and we're going to pop the last few copies in stock... now!
+ Exclusive Mulberry coloured Vinyl
+ Exclusive 7” with 2 bonus tracks
+ Artworked inner jacket
+ Exclusive Signed & Numbered Print
+ Exclusive environmentally friendly tote bag
+ Artwork by Stefan Marx
+ 350 pressing
BREACH is the second album from Dorset-via-London songwriter Fenne Lily. Although centered on isolation, it was actually written and recorded pre-coronavirus and questions more universal notions of being alone... Which is way more interesting. She has a lush voice, really very keen on this.
+ Indies Exclusive LP Edition on Flame Orange Opaque Vinyl.
Real nice, warm, vintage vibes with country rock radio bite on Closeness, the new LP from the Pennsylvania duo Native Harrow. They really have a great thing going on.
+ Limited indie shop edition on Gold vinyl.
+ The band have signed us some postcards.
The Passion Of is the Cavernous and abrasive new album from Special Interest. Thrilling stuff from the New Orleans' synth-punks on the ever-essential Night School label.
+ Indie shop version is limited to 1000 copies and includes a poster. Pressed on black vinyl.
Also this week;
50 years after the original made him a global superstar Yusuf / Cat Stevens has rerecorded an entirely new version of his 1970 classic album Tea For The Tillerman. The synthwave track is a joy. Fire Records release Empty Horses from Tobin Sprout (the super-productive partner of Robert Pollard in the legendary Guided By Voices). We have the physical debut of How I'm Feeling Now, the album written, recorded and (digitally) released in self-isolation by Charli XCX. Fragments is a collaboration album between Bear's Den and award-winning composer Paul Frith... We have a limited indie shop colour pressing. Host is the sultry fourth LP from the New York-based duo Cults. Limited indie exclusive edition on Evergreen colour vinyl.
The Times is a topical solo acoustic performance recorded by Neil Young at home during lockdown as part of the raw and personal Fireside Sessions series. Acoustic takes on some of his most-iconic moments, plus one of Bob's. He also gets pretty hot about Donnie. We don't half love Neil Young. CD only, as fas as we know.
Lastly, we were just about to hit send, and we received another few boxes of releases that you're going to want to know about. Thread is a set of beautifully simple songs from traditional roots player Sally Anne Morgan (Black Twig Pickers). The NME Poll Winners 1965 EP's are here, two very limited 7" singles from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Monochrome to Colour is the haunting and other-worldy new record from Ed Harcourt, his ninth studio album. Total Wkts Running Tracks is the new solo LP from John Newton, one of the two Johns of JOHN. Very limited this one, really good too!
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of both the self-titled Black Sabbath album and Paranoid, Sacred Bones present What Is This That Stands Before Me?, a compilation of Sabbath covers recorded by the esteemed artists from across their roster. Some absolutely superb moments, here. We sold out on preorder but managed to sneak a few more into the racks. Don't miss this one 🤘
Sub Pop release a 30th-anniversary edition of L7's 90s underground rock classic Smell the Magic. Includes all 9 songs from the album, remastered and available together on vinyl for the first time ever. The all-female L7 are a hugely important part of the Grunge story, hyped to see this one revisited.
+ Indie shop version is limited and pressed on neon orange coloured vinyl.
David Bowie's Young Americans gets a new pressing - on Gold Vinyl - to celebrate its 45th anniversary. We're not doing this one online, so you have to come and see us.
Closing out this week we have two HUGE Jazz LPs. Firstly, John Coltrane's Giant Steps gets a 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. The session was his first album as band leader for his new label Atlantic Records and is still regarded as progressing the whole scene.
+ The LP features a 12” x 12” 12pp booklet, packaged in a replica of the original 1969 stereo pressing, with a 12” x 12” album cover insert included. The 2CD configuration is a 6-panel, 2-pocket digi that features a 24-page booklet.
After quite the song and dance, we are delighted to have stock of Thelonious Monk's Palo Alto. It is nothing short of musical archeology. An unheard recording of a 1968 high school performance by the jazz great debuting physically on the revered Impulse! record label. There is a great piece about the session and it's history on The New Yorker website.
So much to get your teeth (ears?) into this week, visit our news pages for a playlist.
- Drift
