All-time classics, contemporary soothers and a dabble into the occult.

We start this week off with a contemporary classic back on wax, in the shape of IV from Toronto jazz band BADBADNOTGOOD. Their cinematic funk/soul/jazz had won them huge plaudits and an avid fanbase, but the release of 2016's IV exploded them into the mainstream, especially with the guest appearances of Future Islands frontman Sam Herring, Charlotte Day Wilson, Kaytranada, Mick Jenkins and saxophonist Colin Stetson. We had been hoping to get a restock for ages so we’re delighted about this all-new, double White vinyl pressing.

From start to finish, this one has such a special vibe.

A super bit or archive work from the David Bowie vaults this week with Rock ‘n’ Roll Star, a new release charting Bowie’s journey to Ziggy Stardust. Starting with early home demos, through radio sessions and live performances, to session recordings, outtakes and alternate versions from the recording of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust album.

Features alternative takes and mixes including an alternative version of ‘Lady Stardust’, an unheard version of the deep-cut classic ‘Shadow Man’ and an up-tempo take of The Who’s ‘I Can’t Explain’, which Bowie would later slow down and cover for the PIN-UPS album.

Half speed master for that nice nice sound and the mirror sleeve is pretty lush too, if not hard to photograph!
Sounding as magnificent as ever, Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The U.S.A. turned forty years old back on June 4th and we have a new anniversary pressing in the building and firmly on the stereo this morning. Had a little wander about the shop and an air punch when Glory Days dropped, unequalled euphoria.

Pressed on Translucent Red colour vinyl, this edition also features a gatefold sleeve and exclusive booklet with archival material from the era, new liner notes penned by Erik Flannigan and a four-colour lithograph.

Since 2006, listeners have been curious about the origin of the label name Italians Do It Better. Some say it's an homage to Italo Disco, others guess it's related to ancestry, but in fact it's a nod to the iconic T-shirt Madonna wears in the "Papa Don't Preach" video circa 1986.

With that in mind, label main-man Johnny Jewel curated and executive-produced a compilation to celebrate their muse, with 20 covers from the bedrooms of 19 artists across 10 different countries. Rich in analogue synths, every one has really channelled something here and it’s a really great listen.

+ Pressed on Neon Pink double vinyl.

Also newly in our new-not-new racks this week, we have a double from White Lies with limited pressings of their Ritual and BIG TV albums, both on colour vinyl and deluxe double LPs too. We will shortly have Paul McCartney and Wings’ One Hand Clapping, one of the most bootlegged live albums in musical history, finally receiving a proper release! Fire Records present a limited double pressing of Royal Trux’s absolutely wild Twin Infinitives LP. Silver vinyl on that one.
A stunner on Mississippi Records with Sheida Gharachedaghi & Mohammad Reza Aslani’s lost soundtrack to Chess of the Wind, Iran’s banned 1976 queer-gothic-class-horror masterpiece, restored by the director and released for the first time. Really quite chilling.

First edition of 1000 copies, on black or amber-coloured vinyl.

We have saved the most bonkers till last today, with Numero digging deep into ‘California mail-order mystic’ Master Wilburn Burchette. He first came to our attention via the seminal ‘I Am The Center (Private Issue New Age Music In America 1950-1990)’ compilation, but there really is so much more to discover. Acoustic strums, hissing tapes and blooping synths, it’s really evocative stuff.

So, for the first time in goodness knows how long, please enjoy; Mind Storm, Guitar Grimoire, Music of the Godhead, Transcendental Music for Meditation and Opens the Seven Gates of Transcendental Consciousness.

There is a fantastic obituary on the Numeo website here that sheds a little more light into a fascinating character.