…..news letter #928 – shop…..

We’re nearing the home stretch folks! 2019 is quickly coming to a close but there’s still records coming out! And we’re constantly restocking all your favs for you to give to all your pals for Christmas. We also got loads of accessories and swag that make great gifts. Come for a dig and make someone’s xmas even better!

And speaking of top albums of the year… Looks like we’ll be HIRING someone again real soon! If you dream of hanging out and talking about records all day, then bring us a resume along with your top ten albums of 2019 and of all time!

Oh ya… if you don’t follow us on Instagram, WHY NOT?! And now you know.

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…..picks of the week…..

Heartwood Institute: Tomorrow’s People (Polytechnic Youth) LP
The follow up to 2018’s wonderful Secret Rites LP and Barsham Faire 45 by the mighty Heartwood Institute. Jonathan Sharp’s HI project continues it’s fascination with the world of 70’s counter- culture. The hippies, the bikers, the occultists, the idealists and activists. From Amanda Feilding and her self-trepanation, the Albion Fairs and the Pop Festivals, the rural idyll of Findhorn to the fragmenting Ballardian cities choked with uncollected rubbish. As Jonathan himself urges “Come with us on a search for alternative ways of living with Tomorrow’s People!” Another wonderful record of often otherworldly, earthy, organic electronic music interspersed with sampled narrative passages. Always fascinating and to these ears, occasional forays into horror soundtrack world- reassuring for fans of previous HI output I’m sure…. Like Secret Rites, the new record features another superb Nick Taylor sleeve design; inside and out jacket print, in top loading reverse board sleeves.

File Under: Electronic, Ambient
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Jim Sullivan: If the Evening Were Dawn (Light in the Attic) LP
On March 4, 1975, Jim Sullivan mysteriously disappeared outside Santa Rosa, New Mexico. His VW bug was found abandoned, his motel room untouched. Some think he got lost. Some think the mafia bumped him. Some even think he was abducted by aliens. By coincidence–or perhaps not–Jim’s 1969 debut album was titled U.F.O.. Released in tiny numbers on a private label, it too was truly lost until Light In The Attic Records began a years-long quest to re-release it–and to solve the mystery of Sullivan’s disappearance. Only one of those things happened, and you can guess which… Light In The Attic’s reissue of U.F.O. introduced the world to an overlooked masterwork and won Sullivan, posthumously (presumably), legions of new fans. Those new admirers are in for a real treat: a lavish, first-time release of a previously unheard 1969 studio session. If The Evening Were Dawn contains 10 acoustic solo recordings that have never seen the light of day. Whereas U.F.O. was bolstered by legendary sessioneers The Wrecking Crew, this is Jim Sullivan on his own terms, stripped down and soulful as ever. Recorded at a Los Angeles studio circa 1969, the session contains acoustic versions of a handful of U.F.O. tracks alongside a half dozen previously unheard songs. This, then, is the closest thing to those fabled Malibu bar performances at which Sullivan was first noticed. According to his widow, Barbara, this was the album Jim always hoped to record. It serves as an unprecedented glimpse into the mysterious, larger-than-life figure who’s become the stuff of legends. While Sullivan’s disappearance remains unsolved, his music endures and is finally gaining him the recognition he deserves, albeit long overdue. This recording serves as an unexpected missing piece of the puzzle; this is Jim Sullivan’s true swan song.

File Under: Folk
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…..new arrivals…..

Apostles: Black is Beautiful (Tidal Wave) LP
The Apostles were a renowned Nigerian funk/soul group from the city of Aba (an epicenter for music during the 70s & 80s) and disciples of the heavy psychedelic soul/rock fusion style…for over forty years, they have stood as the jewel in the crown of the Afrobeat genre in Eastern Nigeria and champions of its flourishing post-war music scene. Since their formation in 1973, the band has turned out memorable performances in a variety of styles including rock, soul, funk, pop and reggae. The Apostles amassed a large following, enjoyed an immense success throughout Nigeria and went on to release multiple albums. Although most of their songs are sung in English, a few of their songs are also sung in Igbo. The Apostles became superstars on the strength of several hit singles and have been preaching a particular blend of funky psychedelic soul/rock fusion for over 40 years. The LP we are presenting you here Black Is Beautiful (1977) is one of the most enjoyable albums of the Afrobeat era: proud, assured, relaxed and extremely powerful. Black Is Beautiful contains a heavy mix of wailing guitars, swirling funky organ sounds and James Brown-style vocals. It is one of their best albums (also one that became a fixture in many East Nigerian homes) and an essential Afro-Funk record to add to your collection. Today we are proud to present to you the first ever vinyl reissue of this rare Nigerian album originally released on EMI Nigeria in 1977. This reissue is now available as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (limited to 500 copies) featuring the original artwork.

File Under: Funk, Soul, Psych, African
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J.S. Bach: Partita No. 2 In D Minor (Octatonic) LP
“Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) announces the formation of Octatonic Records, a new imprint via Council Records. Greenwood’s Octatonic Records will champion classical music. Discussing the label, Greenwood said: ‘This year, I’m launching a new record label, called Octatonic Records. I’ve been documenting the musicians I’ve worked with and encountered in the contemporary classical world. Since doing my first soundtrack, I’ve become friends with lots of these remarkable musicians, as well as familiar with the music they play. It’s a whole world out there. I’m only recording soloists, or small groups, and as it’s my party, I’m including some of my own ideas that have never been recorded, including ‘Miniatures from Water’ for piano, violin, string drone and tanpura. My intention is to capture these musicians playing the pieces they love, both contemporary and ancient, and release the recordings on vinyl and streaming services, as regularly as I can. The sessions I’ve already had with some of these friends have been glorious. Any excuse to hear them play is a pleasure. But, more importantly, I want to produce a great, intimate recording, that captures the music in a way in a way that does justice to the musician’s talent, and the composers they choose to interpret. I hope these recordings encourage more people to see live classical music, and to take an interest in the featured artists. And, whilst a recording can only ever be an approximation of the real thing, I’m going to work hard to produce recordings that encourage you to see this music as something vital and passionate.’”

File Under: Classical, Radiohead
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James Brown: Live at Home With His Bad Self – The After Show
(Universal) LP
In tomorrow… A complement to the 50th anniversary release of Live at Home With His Bad Self (which itself is an expansion of a 1969 live show that was heavily edited into the LP ‘Sex Machine’), this RSD Black Friday exclusive is the after-show set, featuring extended versions of rare (released) cuts, new mixes, a duet with Marva Whitney and some revealing stage patter.

File Under: Funk

Detox Twins: Dead Horse Ghost (Polytechnic Youth) LP
At last, the long mooted, hotly anticipated Detox Twins debut full length finally hits the racks. Following a slew of instant sell out, hugely acclaimed 45s, the first LP is utterly wonderful despite the apparent silence during its preparation, the wait is more than worth the while. Comprising the duo of Mark Vorderhaus (recently returned to the UK after a period in Berlin where almost all the LP was recorded) and Devi von Teufel. Ten absolute high end, synth pop nuggets, each one superbly crafted with the ageless electronics and pop savvy-ness of Mark’s writing and electronics, icily coated with Devi’s Germanic, Nico-esque vocal delivery. Based heavily on the tracks which formed the bulk of the duo’s 7” releases on PY, these are an absolute joy and work superbly and seamlessly well over the course of the album. Hugely recommended to fans of early Mute / Blackwing studios output, Fad Gadget, DAF, The Normal and co; their music is often described as “typifying the PY sound” as imagined by label head Dom, upon his setting up Polytechnic Youth in 2014. A record that has that rare trait of sounding timeless in its (very European) nod to that key period of electronic pop from the mid ‘70s whilst also sounding utterly fresh and new in 2019. A fabulous record released as a vinyl only pressing on tasty half black and half pink vinyl, in a pressing of 500 only.

File Under: Synth Pop, Electro
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Dhidalah: Threshold (Guruguru Brain) LP
Since 2013, Dhidalah has hailed from the Tokyo underground as a space rock power trio. The band name derives from the Japanese legend of the Giant Gods — known as the creaters of mountains, lakes and islands. Dhidalah plays improvisational music performances inspired by various genres from stoner/doom to kraut rock. Their first EP ” No Water ” was released by Guruguru Brain in 2017. The EP was internationally acclaimed, resulting in 2 shows at the 2018 Roadburn Festival as their first European debut. Dhidalah will release their first album in fall 2019, influenced by all aspects of outer space. They will be touring Europe and introducing these new songs. Dhidalah is comprised of Guitarist Ikuma Kawabe (ex Church of Misery), bassist/vo Kazu Gotoh and Robin (ex Minami Deutsch) who has joined as their new drummer. This is their first full-length record. With this record, they added a krautrock influence to their Eastern doom sounds. The band leader Gotoh says that the concept is about the evolution of the human race and the beginning of the universe. For fans of Ashra Tempel, Earthless, and Fuzz/Echo pedals.

File Under: Psych
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Flaming Lips: Soft Bulletin – Live at Red Rocks (Warner) LP
On May 26, 2016 The Flaming Lips performed their classic album The Soft Bulletin in its entirety with the Colorado Symphony at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO. The Flaming Lips (Wayne Coyne, Steven Drozd, Michael Ivins, Derek Brown, Jake Ingalls, Matt Kirksey and Nicholas Ley) were accompanied by a 69-piece orchestra and 56-strong Chorus. The performance was conducted by the internationally celebrated conductor Andre de Ridder. The Lips performed the 12-track album in its original sequence with new arrangements for each song that use the orchestra and chorus to great effect. This entire concert was produced by The Flaming Lips, Scott Booker and their long-time collaborator Dave Fridmann. The resulting live album is being released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Soft Bulletin, originally released in 1999. The critically acclaimed album served as the band’s breakthrough moment and featured the hit singles “Race For The Prize” and “Waitin’ for a Superman.”

File Under: Rock
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Ceasar Frazier: 75 (Be With) LP
Funky soul-jazz organist Caesar Frazier crafted superior Hammond funk. 75, his second LP, is a rare gem. It’s comfortably his greatest artistic statement. The follow-up to Hail Ceasar!, it’s a taut, grooving set that expands his sound and, put simply, it’s got better songs. The key elements of his debut album are all there – production from maestro Bob Porter, accompaniment from hip players (Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Cornell Dupree, John Tropea) and arrangement from Horace Ott – but the overall sound is elevated. The tightly jamming, expressive jazz-funk makes for a richer, fuller, more satisfying experience. 75 is a mixture of hard-driving originals, deeply beautiful slower numbers to vary the tempo and a couple of classy covers. The crazy bombastic “Mighty Mouse” – a riot of horns, organ and in the pocket drums – became an acid jazz classic at Dingwalls and it’s easy to see (hear?) how. A blissed out, lushly instrumental take on Seals and Crofts’s “Summer Breeze” follows, perfect for those sunshine sets. Side A closes with the heavenly “Sweet Children”. A loping, funky jazz masterpiece famously sampled by Kanye West for Common’s “Real People” from Be. It opens beautifully, with soaring sax and a funky horn section combining with weightless keyboard tones atop snapping drums. Unsurprisingly, the excellence endures right through to the end. The B side opens with perhaps the album’s most famous track. “Funk It Down” contains the familiar “I can feel the funk” vocal refrain throughout. But it’s the gorgeous, insouciant bridge that you should all know and love, having been used as the hook for Gang Starr’s “Ex-Girl To Next Girl”. A great cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City” comes next, with an unforgettable bass-line which anchors the entire heavy rhythm section workout. Dizzying organ, triumphant horns and sun-dappled guitar grooves combine to create “Walking On The Side”, rounding out a pretty smoking set. This is one of those rare 70s funk-soul-jazz LPs on which a bad track cannot be found. It’s all essential. So of course finding original copies on vinyl at affordable prices has been tough for years. Mastered brilliantly by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and with painstakingly reproduced artwork by the Be With team, this fresh Be With reissue ensures this legendary LP now sounds, looks and feels as sensational as it should.

File Under: Funk
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Ben Frost: Dark: Cycle 2 (Lakeshore) LP
Dark is set in a German town in present day where the disappearance of two young children exposes the double lives and fractured relationships among four families. The story takes on a supernatural twist that ties back to the same town in multiple time periods. The second season continues the story of four families and their attempts to change their fate within their tightly knit community. Through eight hour-long episodes, they experience how every decision irretrievably influences the present, the past and the future. For the surreal German supernatural thriller, Australian producer/composer/Mute Recording artist Ben Frost’s dynamic and ominous orchestrations provide a striking backdrop. Says Frost, “Working in this strange and beautiful world of light and shadow has been a gift and an endless source of inspiration.” The colored vinyl LP pressing comes housed in a heavyweight spined sleeve with beautiful artwork throughout. Also included is a 17″ x 11″ fold out poster with additional artwork.

File Under: OST, Ambient, Electronic
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Mort Garson: Wozard of Iz: An Electronic Odyssey (Audio Clarity) LP
An extraordinary, acid, counterculture take on The Wizard of Oz created under the auspices of electronic producer, Bernard Krause and combining Jacques Wilson’s inventive lyrics with the moog synthesizers of the legendary Mort Garson. Even in the heady, drug-fuelled atmosphere of sonic exploration that ruled the late Sixties, there was never another album quite like The Wozard of Iz; a psychedelic masterpiece both of and ahead of its time. A psychedelic concept album of estimable mind: funny, crazed, beautiful and thought provoking.

File Under: Early Electronic
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Michael Gordon/Jonny Greenwood: Industrial Water (Octatonic) LP
“Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) announces the formation of Octatonic Records, a new imprint via Council Records. Greenwood’s Octatonic Records will champion classical music. Discussing the label, Greenwood said: ‘This year, I’m launching a new record label, called Octatonic Records. I’ve been documenting the musicians I’ve worked with and encountered in the contemporary classical world. Since doing my first soundtrack, I’ve become friends with lots of these remarkable musicians, as well as familiar with the music they play. It’s a whole world out there. I’m only recording soloists, or small groups, and as it’s my party, I’m including some of my own ideas that have never been recorded, including ‘Miniatures from Water’ for piano, violin, string drone and tanpura. My intention is to capture these musicians playing the pieces they love, both contemporary and ancient, and release the recordings on vinyl and streaming services, as regularly as I can. The sessions I’ve already had with some of these friends have been glorious. Any excuse to hear them play is a pleasure. But, more importantly, I want to produce a great, intimate recording, that captures the music in a way in a way that does justice to the musician’s talent, and the composers they choose to interpret. I hope these recordings encourage more people to see live classical music, and to take an interest in the featured artists. And, whilst a recording can only ever be an approximation of the real thing, I’m going to work hard to produce recordings that encourage you to see this music as something vital and passionate.’”

File Under: Classical, Radiohead
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Gritness Acoustronics: Mahakali – The Music of Don Cherry (Komos) LP
Electro Funk trailblazer Gary Gritness re-imagines Don Cherry’s late 70s and early 80s experiments through a synthed-out prism, reworking the standard jazz trio format into synth, saxophone and analogue drum machine for a one-take live session featuring a guest appearance from Malian kora maestro Ballake Sissoko.

File Under: Jazz, Funk, Synth
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King Hannibal: Truth (Featuring Lee Moses) (Tidal Waves) LP
James Shaw (aka The Mighty Hannibal aka King Hannibal) was an American R&B, soul and funk singer, songwriter and record producer known for his showmanship and outlandish costumes. Several of his songs often carried deeper social or political themes. His biggest hit was “Hymn No. 5,” a commentary on the effects of the Vietnam War on servicemen, which was banned on radio. Shaw was raised in the Vine City neighborhood of Atlanta where he started singing doo-wop as a teenager, and in 1954 he joined his first group, The Overalls. In 1958 Shaw moved to Los Angeles where, under the name of Jimmy Shaw, he recorded several solo singles. At this point he also adopted the name ‘Hannibal’ and in 1962 he joined King Records, who released four further singles. Between 1962 and 1965 Hannibal also worked as a pimp in Los Angeles, a lifestyle that saw him dropped by King Records. In 1966 (and back in Atlanta) Hannibal adopted a more socially conscious stance and wrote “Hymn No. 5” which became his best-known recording, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard R&B chart. The success the track brought however fueled a growing heroin addiction, and Hannibal spent eighteen months in prison for failing to pay a tax bill. Released from jail (and free of drugs), he restarted his recording career in the early 1970s when he issued a number of singles and the album Truth, (1973) on the Aware label. Trying to find a new direction in the late 1970s, Hannibal was employed on the staff as a record producer at Venture Records, before working on the Atlanta Voice newspaper and even taking up acting roles. in 2001 Norton Records released Hannibalism, a compilation album of songs written between 1958 and 1973. The cult film, Velvet Goldmine, also included fragments of his work and in 2009 he was the subject of a documentary film (Showtime!). Hannibal lost his eyesight in 2002 but still continued to perform live, and even enjoyed a seventieth birthday celebration on stage in 2009. The following year he contributed on Elton John and Leon Russell’s album The Union. Hannibal passed away in 2014, at the age of 74. Hannibal’s larger-than-life performance aesthetic, combined with his willingness to address social issues in many of his songs, make him an important figure in the history of soul and funk, and a legacy worth examining. Today we present to you the first (official) vinyl reissue of King Hannibal’s 1973 masterpiece Truth. Expect mad funky soul classics and intense dirty tracks backed by energetic musicians from the likes of Lee Moses, George McCurn (The Staple Singers) & Herman Hitson (Jimi Hendrix). At times the tunes on ‘Truth’ drift into a mellower southern type of soul and at other times the raw, fuzzy & gritty funky guitars make it a full-on funk-rock type of album more indebted to Funkadelic. Even on the slower tracks the psych-fuzz guitar from Lee Moses washes over everything, leaving a delightfully hazy gauze perched atop the simmering rhythms. The groove on ‘truth’ grabs you from the first note to the last. Remastered from the original master tapes by Ginn Music Group-Aware Records, this reissue is now available as a deluxe 180g vinyl edition (limited to 500 copies).

File Under: Funk, Soul
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Lee Konitz: Alone Together (Blue Note) LP
In tomorrow… In honor of Blue Note Records’ 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label’s history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in December 2019 with Part 2 of the Blue Note Live theme – Jimmy Smith – Groovin’ At Smalls’ Paradise (1958), Lonnie Smith – Live at Club Mozambique (1995) and Lee Konitz – Alone Together (1997) – and will continue with three albums released each month for the coming year. 1997’s Alone Together, Lee Konitz’s recording first for Blue Note, finds the distinctive alto saxophonist teaming up with perfect foil Charlie Haden on bass and young pianist on the rise Brad Mehldau in a cool bop set of standards captured live at Los Angeles’s Jazz Bakery. Largely improvised with Konitz calling out the standards on the stage, the inventive and invigorating collection is what Konitz called the “sound of surprise” and the embodiment of what jazz is all about!

File Under: Jazz
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Mario Nascimbene: Psycorama (Roundtable) LP
If conceivable, imagine a collaboration between Brian Eno and Aphex Twin, both in their ambient periods, recording stock music for an Italian Library music label. If so, then behold Psycorama!, a collection of experimental music used to soundtrack a series of films and documentaries produced by the Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini. Composed by Mario Nascimbene, a name synonymous with the golden age of Italian film music, a composer whose grandiose scores of the 1950s and 60s defined the very essence of Cinecitta. While the widespread influence of these soundtracks is undeniable, it is beyond the commercial domain of the major studios where this compendium takes focus, revealing a deeper, darker and more complex composer. Forged on the ‘Mixerama’, a unique homemade sampling instrument, Nascimbene employed visionary techniques to deconstruct and render sound, sculpting pre-existing recordings into intense and evocative other-worldly soundscapes (most notably used for the 1971 existential TV drama Socrates and the 1969 Egyptian modernist film Al-Mummia (The Night Of Counting The Years). Previously unpublished except for a lone and mysterious Library music LP, the soundtrack cues are collected here for their first commercial release. Psycorama is a fascinating document of electro-acoustic music comparable to the beautifully dark music of fellow colleague Egisto Macchi.

File Under: Library

Queens of the Stone Age: Rated R (Universal) LP
Over nearly two decades, Queens of the Stone Age have built a powerful and distinctive body of work that marks QOTSA as one of rock’s most consistently audacious outfits. The band’s reputation was built on its early hot streak of four smash releases: Rated R, Songs For The Deaf, Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris. Interscope Records/UMe adds an exciting new chapter to QOTSA’s catalogue with high-quality 180g vinyl editions of Rated R and Songs For The Deaf in November 2019, and Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris to follow in December. In 2000, Queens of the Stone Age achieved a creative and commercial breakthrough with their major-label debut Rated R, featuring the breakout tracks “The Lost Art of Keeping A Secret” and “Feel Good Hit of the Summer.” This new LP edition marks Rated R‘s first U.S. vinyl pressing, and is the first vinyl edition worldwide to feature the album’s original blue artwork. This LP also augments the original album with the international bonus track “Ode To Clarissa,” as well as a unique 12″ x 24″ insert.

File Under: Rock
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Queens of the Stone Age: Songs for the Deaf (Universal) LP
Over nearly two decades, Queens of the Stone Age have built a powerful and distinctive body of work that marks QOTSA as one of rock’s most consistently audacious outfits. The band’s reputation was built on its early hot streak of four smash releases: Rated R, Songs For The Deaf, Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris. Interscope Records/UMe adds an exciting new chapter to QOTSA’s catalogue with high-quality 180g vinyl editions of Rated R and Songs For The Deaf in November 2019, and Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris to follow in December. 2002’s Songs For The Deaf became QOTSA’s first Gold album in the U.S. and their first platinum seller in Britain and Canada, spawning the hits “No One Knows,” “Go with the Flow” and “First It Giveth.” The musical cast includes guest drummer Dave Grohl, who put his own band Foo Fighters on temporary hold to record and tour with Queens of the Stone Age. Songs For The Deaf‘s new vinyl edition is a two-LP set with a gatefold jacket and a 12 ″x 12″ insert, with the album’s original red background and black graphics/text art making its first-ever LP appearance.

File Under: Rock
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Scattered Purgatory: Lost Ethnography of the Miscanthus Ocean (Guruguru Brain) LP
“Lost Ethnography of the Miscanthus Ocean” contains six of their earlier works from 2013 to early 2014. The original release was on cassette from Guruguru Brain which was sold out less than a month. There is a new added D2. Miscanthus Ocean only for the LP version. The album is dedicated to Grass Mountain and the incredibly hot, humid summertime in Taipei. This is also the echo of their instrumental trio period before they move on to digital composing.

File Under: Experimental
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Jimmy Smith: Groovin’ At Small’s Paradise (Blue Note) LP
In honor of Blue Note Records’ 80th Anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this second series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features 180g vinyl LP releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the label’s history presented by themes: Blue Note Debuts, Blue Grooves, Great Reid Miles Covers, Blue Note Live, and Blue Note Drummer Leaders. The series resumes in December 2019 with Part 2 of the Blue Note Live theme – Jimmy Smith – Groovin’ At Smalls’ Paradise (1958), Lonnie Smith – Live at Club Mozambique (1995) and Lee Konitz – Alone Together (1997) – and will continue with three albums released each month for the coming year. Jimmy Smith introduced more people to jazz than just about any of his contemporaries as his brand was both accessible and easy to get into, yet complex and challenging too. His debut for Blue Note was A New Sound… A New Star… Jimmy Smith at the Organ, Volume 1 in 1957, followed by Volume 2 the same year. Other highlights of his time with the label included Groovin’ at Small’s Paradise (1958), Back At The Chicken Shack (1960) and Prayer Meetin’ (1963). Recorded live in New York City in 1957 with his regular band of guitarist Eddie McFadden and drummer Donald Bailey, the freewheeling Groovin’ at Smalls Paradise finds the Hammond B3 organ legend in great rapport with his small combo and absolutely going to town in the night club environment with a seminal reading of “After Hours” stealing the show!

File Under: Jazz
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Stereolab: Margerine Eclipse (Duophonic) LP
In tomorrow… In November 2019, Stereolab complete their year-long seven album reissue campaign with the release of 2001’s Sound-Dust and 2004’s Margerine Eclipse as expanded and remastered editions on vinyl via Warp Records and the band’s own Duophonic UHF Disks. As with May’s reissues of Transient Random Noise-Bursts With Announcements and Mars Audiac Quintet, and September’s reissues of Emperor Tomato Ketchup, Dots and Loops, and Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night, each album in November’s final batch has been remastered from the original 1/2″ tapes by Bo Kondren at Calyx Mastering and overseen by Tim Gane. Bonus material will include unreleased demos and tracks from rare tour singles. Stereolab’s first full-length recording without guitarist/vocalist Mary Hansen, who died in a tragic accident in December of 2002, Margerine Eclipse finds the band soldiering on in admirable fashion. Essentially picking up where they left off on 2001’s Sound-Dust, the group continues to employ their trademark blend of vintage keyboards, airy French/English vocals, and frothy lounge-meets-electronica pop sensibilities. That’s not to say that there absolutely no new developments; one can hear the occasional dash of hip-hop rhythm (“La Demeure”), Autechre-like laptop glitch-pop (“Vonal Declosion”), and even a bit of disco (at the end of album-closer “Dear Marge”) amid the familiarly odd time signatures, quirky socio-political lyrical observations, and postmodern retro-futurism. Most importantly, though, Stereolab’s finely tuned knack for interesting arrangements, arresting timbres, and modestly elegant melodies remains unsullied.