7/16/21 NEW RELEASES & SOME IMPORTANT RESTOCKS
BACAO RHYTHM & STEEL BAND – Expansions LP/CD (Big Crown) limited color or black vinyl
The fantastic steel pan group from Hamburg returns with another album of solid covers. This time they tackle JAY-Z, Grace Jones, SLUM VILLAGE, Minnie Ripperton & more. RECOMMENDED!
BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY & MATT SWEENY – Superwolves LP (Drag City)
Will Oldham & Matt Sweeney revisit their duo project in 2021 with “Superwolves.” Matt Sweeney displays his impressive guitar prowess with nods at classic rock, Saharan guitar & efficient fingerstyle playing while Oldham provides the lyrics & vocals. Despite a few upbeat tunes, the album has a mostly dark & somber vibe with mostly just guitar & vocals. RECOMMENDED.
ALICE COLTRANE – Kirtan: Turiya Sings LP/CD (Impulse!)
2021 is the 60th anniversary of Impulse Records & this release is the first ever vinyl issue of Alice Coltrane’s 1982 cassette “Turiya Sings” but with an altered mix. Alice Coltrane’s devotional cassettes recorded & released through her ashram have developed a cult following specifically in the last decade. The original version has overdubbed strings & synths giving the songs & almost otherworldly feel, almost predicting the sounds of 90s/00s trip-hop & ambient music. Though a proper reissue of that version would be appreciated (come on Impulse!) this stripped-down version of the original recording of Alice singing with simple Wurlitzer accompaniment does have a special, very mellow quality. We’re not going to complain, any unheard Alice Coltrane music is welcome in our shops. RECOMMENDED!
DAMIANA – Vines LP (Hausu Mountain)
The duo of Whitney Johnson (aka MATCHESS) and Natalie Chami (aka TALSOUNDS) forms DAMIANA, and prior to this debut release they’d joined together on stage at spots like The Hideout & Sub-T, weaving their unique voices together over ambient electronics and lite percussion. This collaborative effort is absolutely stunning, and recalls the swirling sound design of GROUPER with the gentle pathos of mid/late-80s ENYA, while capturing their quiet intensity recreated on stage. RECOMMENDED!
JODI – Blue Heron LP/CD/TAPE (Sooper)
JODI is the new project of Nick Levine of PINEGROVE. This is a more mellow & folky approach to the melodic post-Emo that PINEGROVE is known for. Fans of PINEGROVE, AMERICAN FOOTBALL/OWEN, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE etc…will dig.
HOLLIE KENNIFF – The Quiet Drift LP (Western Vinyl)
Along with her husband, Hollie Kenniff is a member of the band MINT JULEP & “The Quiet Drift” is her 2021 album. Swirling synths, deep sub bass & layered vocals make us think of Badalamenti’s TWIN PEAKS score, Juliana Barwick & even ENYA plus that cover photo! RECOMMENDED.
LUGGAGE – Happiness LP (Husky Pants)
The Chicago trio LUGGAGE are back with a new album in 2012 called “Happiness.” Post-industrial noise/rock sounds that remind us of Chicago/Touch and Go Records days of yore ala TAR, early SHELLAC etc…Metallic guitars, motorik beats & hush/spoken vocals
on Ryley Walker’s Husky Pants label & RECOMMENDED.
OTHER IMPORTANT NEW RELEASES & RESTOCKS
BAD BRAINS – Bad Brains cassette (Bad Brains)
KAREN BLACK – Dreaming of You: 1971-76 LP/CD
CAUTIOUS CLAY – Deadpan Love LP (Cautious Clay)
COCHEMEA – Vol. 2: Baca Sewa LP/CD limited “amethyst” vinyl
FLEETWOOD MAC – Fleetwood Mac Live 2LP/3CD (Warner)
GARY HIGGINS – Red Hash LP/w7” (Drag City) back in print!
J ANN C TRIO – At Tan-Tar-A LP (Modern Harmonic) limited gold vinyl
CURTIS MAYFIELD – Curtis 2LP (Run Out Groove) expanded edition
CHARLES MINGUS – At Carnegie Hall 3LP (Run Out Groove)
OPETH – Blackwater Park LP (Music for Nations) silver or black/white marble vinyl
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS – Hologram CD (Dedstrange) vinyl coming this summer
RADIOHEAD –KID A LP (XL)
RADIOHEAD – OK Computer LP (XL)
SOUTHERN ENERGY ENSEMBLE – Southern Energy LP (Strut) remastered
TINA TURNER – Foreign Affair 2LP (Parlophone) remastered
VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Contra LP (XL)
VAMPIRE WEEKEND – Vampire Weekend LP (XL)
XIU XIU – Dear God, I Hate Myself LP+7” (Kill Rock Stars) remastered
VARIOUS ARTISTS – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (soundtrack) LP (Abcko)
KANYE WEST – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 3LP (Def Jam)