Glen Porter – Mr. Vampire & The Deadly Walkers

Glen Porter returns with a brand new album, “Mr Vampire & The Deadly Walkers”. Mixing well chopped drums, with live instrumentation – guitar, keys, bass, organ, Mr Porter creates what can be best described as prog-hop.  From what we have heard, this may be one of his best outings yet, capturing a dark, unique blend of styles that fits somewhere between raw Americana folk, psychedelia, and well programmed instrumental hip hop.
Released on the 6th of October on The Content Label we are truly excited to hear the album in full.

Cryptochrome – More Human

Cryptochrome’s second album, “More Human” is now available for download. Having release a slew of videos to preempt the full length release, you can now grab the album in full and enjoy one of the most entertaining, interesting, genre blending albums of the year. Taking influence from underground hip hop, trip hop, electronica, folk and more, “More Human” is a truly refreshing and unique album. Mixing Una’s Bjork-esque vocals with Anik’s well rounded rhyming skill all over SON’s razor sharp production, the album has something for everyone. We urge you to get your copy and fill your head with cryptochrome!

 

Function Underground: The Black and Brown American Rock Sound 1969-1974

The Great Divide between R&B and rock n’ roll came after the Beatles and the British Invasion decimated the Top 40 chart in 1964. Simultaneously, R&B entered a new phase, soon to be labelled “soul,” which upped the music’s gospel quotient and turned its frantic twang. So somewhere in the mid to late-1960s, rock n’ roll became perceived as something for the Caucasian kids. When Jimi Hendrix and Arthur Lee made the scene, they were said to be black musicians entering into a white world. While that couldn’t be farther from the truth, that false dichotomy has existed in America’s popular conscious ever since, to the point where the idea of a black rock musician is on the level with the idea of a black cowboy.
This anthology presents earnest questions as to why we know so little about these bands and the movement of which they were a part. While we don’t anticipate that we’ll ever find a definitive answer as to what these ensembles’ true goals were, then, we do know that they took their charges seriously. And they knew they were onto something different, something that, though only they and their immediate kin might recognise it, was more interesting than the status quo. Function Underground shines light on an important and overlooked part of rock n’ roll’s history and talented ensembles that toiled in the shadows, derided by their peers.
Available to buy on CD, LP and digital now from Now Again Records.

Rob Thomsett – Yaraandoo/Hara

Now-Again are back with another rare re-issue, this time from Australian guitarist Rob Thomsett. Originally released as a private press LP in the mid 70’s, “Yaraandoo” and “Hara” are a blend of jazz and progressive rock both brought together on this excellent new re-issue.
Jazz rock is by no means an unheard combination, however Thomsett’s music has a unique sound, never fair from jazz and prog and even a library music feel (especially on the upbeat title track “Hara”), but there is also an underlying darker feel, giving great appeal to the modern beat lover. The short yet perfectly crafted, “Moulding of Red Earth” is a perfect example of this, sounding not dissimilar to something the Heliocentric’s might produce.Available now from Now-Again on LP and CD.

https://soundcloud.com/nowagainrecords/rob-thomsett-moulding-of-red-earth

REVBJELDE – REVBJELDE

Mixing up experimental noise, jazz, ambient soundscapes with pastoral psychedelic folk music, Berkshire musicians Richard Bentley, Roy Goss & Alan Gubby have created an enthralling debut album.
For every hint of floral British countryside, there is a healthy amount of electronics and dark undertones, giving “Revbjelde” a unique sound. Breathing modern life into medieval folk madness. Very British, magical and mythical, very Radiophonic workshop, and most importantly, very enjoyable.
Pre-order your copy now from Buried Treasure bandcamp now.

Madeleine Chartrand “Ani Kuni” (2nd Class Citizen edit)

For those that do not know, Madeleine Chartland’s “Ani Kuni” is an awesome psych, pop hit from the early 70’s. Chartland took a Native American song or chant and give it the psych, glam rock treatment.
Now in 2016 Brighton producer 2econd Class Citizen has given the track a new re-edit, but I would call this more of a remix. It’s not just taken elements and extended them, he has added a whole new feel to the track and it sounds fantastic! It’s up for download now and all yours for free, check it out and the rest of Mr Citizens back catalogue while you’re at it.

Paul & The Tall Trees – Our Love In The Light

Staten Island is both close enough to New York City and far enough away to make it easily the most exotic of the 5 boroughs. Rza from WuTang Clan attributes the uniqueness of the Wu to it’s Hip Hop contemporaries at the time to just that dynamic. Growing up on an island that is neighbours with the capital of the world, but has no bridges to it, no trains or tunnels, only a ferry, turns out to be the perfect recipe to give a New York band a unique take on the energy of the city.
Paul Schalda, the bandleader, singer and songwriter of is from Staten Island. One part of a crazily talented musical family, Paul’s music seems to embody the unexpected overlap of The Band’s Americana, Ian MacKaye’s unhinged emotion, Otis Redding’s raw, warm soul, and the doo-wop melodies his father, Bill Schalda Sr. (a member of Brooklyn vocal group, The Montereys) raised him on.
On Paul & The Tall Trees’ debut album “Our Love In The Light” you hear the sum of his experiences. This singular sound is helped by the fact that his father, William Schalda, Sr., and brother, Will Schalda Jr., play on and inspire the record. The album was written entirely by Paul, and produced by another Staten Island native, Thomas Brenneck of Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band, and Budos Band fame. The combination of the two gives the record an amazing sonic range, from the powerhouse rocker Crack Of Down to the ethereal western vibes of She Comes Around . Paul pens a tune about the forever changing conviction of a man in love on Once In A While , and ironically The Little Bit Of Sunshine, is a story about Paul giving up on a career in music. One thing you hear in Schalda s music, no matter which song, is that the road hasn t been easy. His voice can be hauntingly harsh, yet hopeful and tender, raucous and gravelly one moment, smooth and intimate the next. Even though he is being compared to the famous groups and musicians mentioned above, he can only call it Rock and Roll and be humbled. ‘I’m very lucky to be able to do this,’ Schalda says. ‘And I’m extremely happy. Especially for my father. He worked hard for his sons and this record.’
“Our Love In The Light” is out now on Big Crown Records and it is awesome! Have a listen, you won’t be disappointed.

El Michels Affair & The Shacks – Strange Boy

El Michels Affair have teamed up with New York band The Shacks for the new single, “Strange Boy” b/w “No Surprise”.
Strange Boy sounds like the Five Keys met Neil Young and cut a record with Jane Birkin, but in English. A fuzzed out, heavy backing track with doo-wop background vocals create a peculiar, but perfect bed for singer Shannon’s dead pan celebration of her strange boy, of whom she would gladly “drink the kool aid from his cup”.
Side B, No Surprise is a perfect blend of El Michels Affairs hazy, cinematic soul and 60’s pop ala Sonny and Cher.
The 7″ single is available to buy now from Big Crown Records.

 

Kuparilinna – Kuparilinna

Kuparilinna plays 60s-style prepsychedelic pop influenced particularly by 60s & 70s folkrock from Eastern Europe and Soviet Union. Band member Tuomas Palonen, has been collecting music of this style and from this era for some years now and has produced some excellent modern music heavily influenced by this sound.
This is definitely worth a listen if you like a bit of folk, psych, alternative rock, grab it now!

Sevadar Sehaj – Blue Bridge

Sevadar Sehaj releases the 7 track “Blue Bridge” EP. The sound Sehaj captures on this release is a unique, personal take on 70’s soul, RnB, blues and hip hop. This isn’t all shiny, overproduced RnB, this is gritty, slightly off-key, beat based soul music.  His vocals are firmly based in smooth soul, however you can hear a rock and folk influence in there, which proves to create a far more interesting listen than your average modern hip hop soul release.
At times “Blue Bridge” reminds me of a less electronic and more boom bap James Blake, but then it switches and provides a more rough, low slung funk track, such as “Down The River”. Sevadar Sehaj has definitely create a really interesting and enjoyable slab of soulful music, moving in the dark corners rather in the over blown light as the majority of modern soul music.
Out now on limited edition CD and digital release, check it out I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.