Looping magic from Mali, punk-adjacent synth pop and some other serious tones for your stereo.
Numero Group turn their attention this week back to Bamako-based Super Djata Band and we are positively in raptures. Authentique Vol. 2 Feu Vert 81-83 finds Mali’s top orchestra in hypnotic form, combining traditional flavours (Wasulu hunter music, griot praises, Senufo pastoral dances) with Western psychedelia, blues and Afrobeat. The pace is so locked in, with a well-utilised wah-wah pedal scorching riffs right across the stereo. Super, super, super!
+ Pressed on very cool ‘Psychedelic Shadow’ colour vinyl.
Domino have reissued fresh 2025 editions of Pete Shelley’s (of Buzzcocks) first two solo albums, Homosapien and XL-1, the first time both albums have been reissued individually as standalone releases since they were included as part of a box set by Genetic Records in 2018. Smart and provocative punk-adjacent synth pop that too was racy for mainstream consumption.
Both albums come housed in gatefold sleeves featuring the original, fully restored artwork, include an extra disc featuring B-sides, dubs and extended mixes and contain inserts featuring new photos and imagery and extensive sleeve notes from the acclaimed writer Clinton Heylin.
Canadian producer Venetian Snares’ orchestral Rossz Csillag Allat Született album turns twenty this year and Planet Mu have reissued it this week to celebrate. “Combining classical strings and brass with breakbeats” should rightfully send fears into the heart of anyone, but this one really is such a rare treat in that it works spectacularly. As frenetic and deranged as it is ornate and impressive.
Also ornate and hugely impressive (always) is fellow Canadian composer Sarah Davachi, who reissues three early works on the Late Music label this week. Barons Court, Let Night Come On Bells End The Day and All My Circles Run were released between 2015 and 2018 and cover a range of slow-evolving timbres and sonics. No matter how many times we listen to her - and it is a lot - we never fail to find something new in the long form compositions. A magician.
Lastly today, and categorically the heaviest package is New Order’s education entertainment recreation [Live at Alexandra Palace], a suitably stonking box to commemorate their November 2018 show. The set was a total career retrospective, with extended classics, plenty of the recently released Music Complete and even some Joy Division.
+ Containing; Blu-ray Film, 2CD of the audio, 3LP 180g Crystal Clear vinyl, a 48 page hardback book and five 12” art prints.
