Vaudeville Villain, qu’est-ce que c’est?
Hello, Friends.
Welcome to the new week and our latest batch of new-not-new. Much like the week’s actually-new (read here), today’s offering is brief but belting.
Available for the first time since its 1984 release, Talking Heads’ absolutely iconic Stop Making Sense is reissued this week on a handsome double vinyl pressing. This one is always right up in the top echelons of any conversation about the greatest ever concert films, and quite rightfully so. Jonathan Demme’s film captured the incredible energy of the live performances and highlighted the tightness of their musicality, reimagining themselves with such fluidity.
Available in new artwork across a double vinyl pressing, this ‘23 edition also includes a reproduction of the original booklet from the 1984 limited edition pressing with additional pages and never before seen photos. It also includes brand new notes written by Chris, David, Jerry and Tina, plus the previously unreleased tracks “Cities” and “Big Business/I Zimbra”.
Oh, how we do love having DOOM readily available. Following the King Geedorah Take Me To Your Leader repress a few weeks back on Big Dada, today we are blasting Viktor Vaughn’s (an interdimensional time-travelling MC from an alternate realm where Hip-Hop was banned) Vaudeville Villain that is back on wax via Rhymesayers. The first of two under the VV name falls just before MM Food in the DOOM timeline and is one of the most uniquely produced of that time period, with real drive and some of his most hypnotic flows. It’s all killer, but this really is killer.
+ Pressed on double Silver vinyl.
Twenty years since its original release, Ninja Tune reissue the critically acclaimed Dial ‘M’ for Monkey, the second studio album by Bonobo. Downtempo, but the cinematic flourishes make for a really engaging listen. Brooding and smoked jazz vibes that never remains in one steady flow for too long.
+ Available on 140g crystal clear double LP in printed card inners, housed in an amazing sleeve with rotating view mechanism and all new anniversary artwork. A really lush job.
Unit Structures is an explosive and seriously out-there set from free jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. The players really create a hot fever across the four pieces (two per side), but conversely and quite unpredictably move into some beautifully sedate atmospherics.
Same time period and also on Blue Note was American drummer Anthony Williams’ Spring. Not quite as ‘free’ as Unit Structures, but the quintet (including Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock) certainly go through the gears and paces and Williams’ drum breaks are something special.
Both albums are produced under the Blue Note Classic Vinyl series in stereo, all-analogue, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
Lastly for today, Dark Horse Records release Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros’ Live At Acton Town Hall, the 2002 benefit concert for striking firefighters. It was one of Joe’s last performances (he died a month later) and hasn’t been available physically other than a limited RSD pressing in 2012.
+ Pressed on limited double Clear colour vinyl, it is packaged in a gatefold sleeve featuring never-before-seen photos from the show and new liner notes.
Belters Like we said, what a way to start the week!