We’re welcoming in the first Autumnal hues with a full, varied and pretty stonking week of new not-new.
A right cracker on Third Man Records to get the week rolling, with The Music of Heatmiser, a new compilation that features unreleased material from Heatmiser; the Portland band that Elliott Smith played before his solo career. The band released their first cassette, The Music of Heatmiser, at shows and also via local record shops in 1992 and this new edition replicates the title and artwork. Also included are demos, KBOO Portland radio broadcasts and other cuts from the vaults. Loud, messy and just pouring out of them, this is such a time capsule.
+ Available on limited Yellow Sun Splatter colour vinyl.
We did already mention late last week that we have been crushing on Harold Budd, but a reminder, that we are crushing on Harold Budd and All Saints Records reissue of The White Arcades. Originally released in 1988, this is the first time that the album has been repressed and it is a spooky and tranquil beauty. Partly recorded at the Cocteau Twins studio with production help from Robin Guthrie and Brian Eno, synths and pianos float in and out of the fog. Really beguiling.
+ Pressed on Clear vinyl.
We had absolutely no idea how much we wanted to listen to Jon Hopkins’ Immunity until we dropped the needle and cranked it right up this morning. Monday went off like a rocket. This handsome new edition on Domino has been remastered and sounds immense, such vast sonic landscapes, from the piano meditations to the pounding and warping beats. Our 2013 Record of the Year and still sounding as euphoric… Maybe even more so!
+ Pressed on limited double Purple colour vinyl.
Numero keep it eccentric and keep it essential with the new Eccentric Boogie compilation; “The only boogie record you'll ever need to own.” Brilliantly put together, we’re talking funk and boogie singles from the early eighties, all primed for the dancefloor. Some serious squelch, this one has been another most-played over here.
+ Available on ‘Purple Pink Specialty’ colour vinyl.
Jackie McLean’s Demon’s Dance is released as part of the Blue Note Tone Poet series this week. It was the saxophonist's final release for the iconic label, stylistically somewhere between post-bop and free jazz with plenty of fire. Oh, and Mati Klarwein’s artwork gives it that extra something else!
This stereo Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was produced by Joe Harley, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analogue master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI, and packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket.
4AD have put together a really nice 30th Anniversary Edition of Pale Saints’ second studio LP, In Ribbons. This new version includes the UK version of the album, with a second bonus disc of never-before-heard demos and two brass band versions by The Tintwistle Band.
+ Available on limited and exclusive double ‘Unpigmented’ colour vinyl.
Slightly shocked to have a 20th Anniversary pressing of The Darkness’ Permission To Land, but enjoying it wildly all the same. Tongue in cheek, naughty, brilliantly observed and just super fun. Riffs and swears.
+ We have a limited and exclusive pressing on Blue & Black Marbled colour vinyl.
More Tom Waits reissues, with 1993’s The Black Rider (studio versions of tracks written for the stage play of the same name) and 1992’s Bone Machine, which remains one of the finest meeting points of his experimentalism and his boozed-out balladeer. Got a feeling we’ll be playing Tom Waits heavily through the Winter this year.
So, also on the wall racks this week, we have; a couple of releases from the vaults of cult outsiders The Shadow Ring, with the dark and brooding City Lights and Put The Music In Its Coffin. Partisan Records make IDLES’ Joy as an Act of Resistance available in a really nice package (featuring interchangeable album artwork: 8 double-sided inserts with 16 original art prints from the Joy as an Act of Resistance exhibition, all housed in a gold glitter die-cut gatefold jacket). Kid Koala’s cult classic - Some Of My Best Friends Are DJs - gets a shiny 20th Anniversary release via Ninja Tune.
Another fantastic compilation for you, with the second volume of Paul Hillery’s Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours. Some seriously good deep cuts and privately pressed obscurities. Hugely impressive stuff.
And now lastly for today. Guys… did you know that it’s Rocktober™? Well it is and we’ve picked out a handful of gems from the Rocktoberfest buffet for you…
We have Buffalo Springfield’s ripping second LP Buffalo Springfield Again. Mr Soul has to be up there in any conversation about classic Side A track ones. MC5 to the power of three with the all-time rocking Kick Out the Jams, studio debut Back in the USA and following High Time from the Michigan proto-punks. Talk about essential, we also have most of the mid-late Talking Heads discography with Remain in Light, Little Creatures, True Stories and Naked. Lastly, how about one that needs very little hyping at all…
… we have a new pressing of Television’s Marquee Moon.
Blazin’.
- Drift