SPOTLIGHT 442

17/03/2014 17:39

Welcome to the Spot Light! This week's edition is full of rare and special releases, including music from bands such as Blek Le Roc, Irma Vep, Michael Lynch, Strange Turn, Pholac Dactylus, Foggy, Lila, Sexton Creeps, Vocokesh, Cavemen V, Boz Boorer, Las Aspiradoras, Übertrager, Belinda Bell, Christopher Kearney, Electric Citizen, Hornss, Spiral Shades, The Adicts, C.W.K. Joynes, Bordel Militaire, Tenhorned Beast, Toroidh, Ulver and Savage Republic. Be sure to check out some touring artists like King Ayisoba who plays traditional Ghanaian songs, or something heavier like the stoner, doom and avant-garde bands playing this year's Roadburn festival! 

PSYCHEDELIC/PROGRESSIVE

 

BLEK LE ROC - WE JUST MET/PUNK FLOYD (+CD) (7"/DOWNTOWN SOUND)

RECORD STORE DAY 2014 RELEASE. Adding fuzzbass and incorporating elements of modern retro synthie chic to their trademark lush and cinematic soundscape, Munich based trio Blek Le Roc return to the scene just in time for Record Store Day 2014! 'We Just Met' sees Blek Le Roc flirting with '70s disco nostalgia while staying true to their most defining features: merging epic reverb-laden guitars with spherical vocals to create anthemic and exciting, yet intimate psych-rock. With the A-side serving as ambassador for the upcoming release the B-side's tantalisingly self explanatory title 'Punk Floyd' reveals a glimpse of the new direction the band is headed in, taking it to new levels of sonic soundscapes. Blek Le Roc is an essential part of the new wave of German Krautrock. White vinyl. Strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide for Record Store Day. Plus CD of both tracks.

Listen to 'Punk Floyd' HERE.

IRMA VEP - THE JERK (7"/GREAT POP SUPPLEMENT)

The first of 3 ace new 45s to kick off the new year at The Great Pop Supplement HQ, the mighty 'The Jerk' 45 from Manchester's Irma Vep is a debut on 7" wax and is heavy on distorted / phased vocals and passing nods to The Velvets. Initially from Llanfairfechan in North Wales by way of Manchester these days, main man Edwin recorded both sides with the expertise of Karl Sveinsson at Queens Ark Audio in Levenshulme. Apparently whilst not recording, Edwin works in a caf, enjoys watching wrestling and papier machet. He plays in several other bands, notably Desmadrados Soldados De Ventura, Klaus Kinski, Dinner Party and Sex Hands amongst others. With Irma Vep, he prefers jamming with people live instead of "teaching people my songs as you usually make something new and good and I wouldn't want to waste their time over something old and 'done'. The songs I record are pretty fluid and not thought about too much. More a cathartic process than anything". To these ears 'The Jerk' is not only pretty fluid but pretty damned amazing; it drones like prime era Velvets with a totally addictive chorus; you almost feel Moe standing in on drums not to mention the ace violin work of local Manc legend Dan Bridgwood Hill. A fantastic 45 following an equally impressive back catalogue of LPs, cassettes and CDRs on labels such as Giant Hell, Comfortable on a Tightrope, Endless and Turquise Coal. Beautifully dressed with typical GPS eye for details on clear vinyl in a pressing of 300 copies on 7" vinyl only.

Listen to 'The Jerk' HERE.

LYNCH, MICHAEL - SHE'S ON HER WAY/THIS GIRL (7"/MARKET SQUARE)

Michael Lynch is a talented New York based singer-songwriter, he's been hanging around on the edges of the New York music scene as both a member of various groups and also as a record producer for other artists. Here's the debut 45 by the talented musicmaker himself and shining a light on his own works. The Top-Side 'She's On Her Way', is a sure-fire pop classic, finishing just under two minutes, the song is catchy, up-beat and could well have been a track which left the Brill Building in the heyday of pop-song writing, this is where Michael excels, fusing elements of Beatlemania with Bubblegum to create a track which stays in your head all day.... Pop perfection. The Flip-Side 'This Girl' is a more down-beat affair however, yet still highlighting the genius of Lynch's pop style song-writing, the song ebbs and flows, with tender vocals and jangley guitar. In an age where Pop music is dead, you can't fail with this 45, both sides are the epitome of what pop music is and should be. this 45 is limited to just 300 copies, in a hand-numbered picture sleeve.

STRANGE TURN - PINK LITMUS PAPER SHIRT (7"/MEGADODO)

Limited edition 100 copies comes with poster and postcard and is on pink vinyl. Described as sounding like "a stranger sounding Syd Barrett" and "Roy Wood in disguise", 'Strange Turn' isn't your usual pop combo. Far from it, they delight in the unusual and obscure. They like nothing better than to mash up their favourite influences into the kind of rich sonic soup that might once have graced the shelves in Radio Caroline's pantry of delights. 'Pink Litmus Paper Shirt' is their debut 45. Inspired by a mythical lost Beatles recording of the same name, it has more than a faint whiff of Fabness to its arrangement. Drawing on the spirit of the Dukes Of Stratosphear, this is no mere pastiche; it was fashioned with care and affection as homage to a swinging decade that was long gone before they even had the chance to save the magic bus fair to pay it a visit. Choppy, jangly and most definitely trippy, ,Pink Litmus Paper Shirt, is an intoxicating mix of sybaritic, psychedelic pop. It's backed with ,Elevator Operator,, a song originally written and recorded by Gene Clark. Strange Turn,s reading stays close to the original, but gives it a contemporary beat treatment. Its insistent riff and pounding backbeat drive it along with the verve youd expect from a Benzedrine beat group bound for glory.

Listen to 'Pink Litmus Paper Shirt' HERE.

PHOLAS DACTYLUS - CONCERTO DELLE MENTI (LP/BLACK WIDOW)

Re-edition. Pholas Dactylus was one of the most interesting bands of Italy's '70s progressive scene. Their only album, 'Concerto Delle Menti' (Concert of the minds), was issued in 1973 on Vittorio De Scalzi's Magma Studio Recording. 'Concerto Delle Menti' is not the average progressive rock, but it's a musical journey through different styles with an experimental approach of great fascination that turns out to be really original and unique in the entire Italian progressive era. This is a 50-minute suite, divided over two sides, with great poetical lyrics and a theatrical feel which sounds really new. Paolo Carelli impresses with his hypnotic voice, and the instrumental parts range from hard progressive to modern electric jazz to psychedelia. Echoes of King Crimson, Jethro Tull, and Magma make this album function like a bridge between progressive and vanguard. A must have. This version also contains a 10-page booklet full of vintage photos of the group, and a 4-page insert that features the lyrics.

Listen to 'Concerto delle Menti' HERE.

FOGGY - SIMPLE GIFTS (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

Reissue on CD of the British folk duo Foggy's first album, which originally was released on York Records in 1972. You may expect nice remakes of well-known classic pop and folk tunes. A must for collectors of British folk rock!

lISTEN TO 'She's Far Away' HERE.

LILA - LILA (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

This record was the Californian female trio's (Sati, Nanda and Thakur Vadini) only album. It's full of acid drenched psych folk with spacey vocals, backed up with flutes, tablas, and sitar. First ever release on CD!

Listen to '1978 Same' HERE.

SEXTON CREEPS - LESBIAN SKIES (CD/GEERTRUIDA)

'Lesbian Skies' is the fourth studio album by Sexton Creeps. In comparison to their previous album 'Alex Hotel' the band certainly has left those more experimental psychedelic sounds on 'Lesbian Skies'. The aim of this new album was to research the boundaries of pop music. This all resulted in something more solidly structured than before, but without having to compromise the edges of their 'own' Sexton Creepish sound! They are still their neurotic screaming selves. They still stack tons of organs on top of pounding drums, they in fact never left that twisted soulful element that defined who they were, and still are! To sum it up, 'Lesbian Skies' is a tank of a record, it pounds, it's rough, it's edgy but still smooth, and ready to take a shot at the indie charts.

Watch the official video for 'Jazz' HERE.

VOCOKESH - SHADOWS OF THINGS PAST (6CDBOX) (CD/KRAUTED MIND)

This special edition contains unreleased material, studio and live recordings. The 6CD box-set includes 3 gatefold double-CD digipacks. LIMITED EDITION OF 300 COPIES. Awesome psychedelic/space rock from the United States.

 

GARAGE/BEAT/PSYCH/MOD

 

CAVEMEN V - I'VE BEEN WAITING (7"/SOUNDFLAT)

The A-side 'I've Been Waitin' has that typical BO DIDDLEY-rhythm, and with it's powerful saxophone and singer Ian's characteristic voice it reminds a little of London's rhythm'n'blues-punk-sensation KING SALAMI & THE CUMBERLAND THREE. The B-side is a cover version of SAM THE SHAM & THE PHARAOHS' 'Sorry Bout That' and carries across a fun party-attitude, again with a cheeky saxophone and a loud-voiced and exciting, rockin sound. You just won't get enough of it!

Listen to 'I've Been Waitin' HERE.

ASPIRADORAS, LAS - HACIENDO AMIGOS (LP/SOUNDFLAT)

'Haciendo Amigos' is a crazy album of primitive, powerful garagepunk. It's exactly right to dance and go wild to at your maniac rock'n'roll-parties! These Spaniards have a great energy, and use a lot of fuzz, farfisa organ and screaming vocals, so it's not surprising that within the last years they have achieved an international reputation as a mind-blowing live-band.

Listen to 'Haciendo Amigos' HERE.

ROCK'N'ROLL/PSYCHOBILLY

 

BOORER, BOZ - COMIC BOOK NIGHTMARE/SLIPPERY FORCE (7"/DOWNTOWN SOUND)

RECORD STORE DAY 2014 RELEASE. Boz Boorer is a modern legend on the rockabilly scene. He had chart success in the 1980s with his band The Polecats and worked with artists such as Adam Ant, Kirsty MacColl, Joan Armatrading, Jools Holland, and Edwyn Collins. However, he is better known these days for being the guitarist, song writer and musical director for Morrissey (since 1991). He has released a number of solo records and the B-side of this release is a remix of a song from his last album. However, the added bonus is that the remix is by Christopher Chaplin who is the youngest son of the actor Charlie Chaplin. Purple vinyl. Strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide for Record Store Day.

 

ROCK/POP/WAVE

 

UBERTRAGER - NEBEN MIR (7"/GREAT POP SUPPL)

The third of this month's tasty trio of new GPS 45s features a 7" debut from German 2 man outfit Ubertrager. Having debuted on GPS sister label Deep Distance Record Store Day 'Grasshopper Mind' 10" last year, the wait has been worth it as 'Neben Mir' is a beauty. Beautiful electronic pop featuring an icy French, Nico-esque vocal courtesy of Clémence "Faidherbe" Fichard (also to be found guesting on the last Prefuse 73 LP for Warp) ghosting in amongst the electronics and guitar work. A wonderful single and companion piece -sure to build upon the cool word of mouth response- to their track on last year's 10" (which to this day is still played on both 6music and by Andrew Weatherall). 300 copies on purple vinyl poking through the bubbles in a diecut sleeve! Lovely stuff destined not to hang around long.

Listen to 'Neben Mir' HERE.

BELL, BELINDA - STONE VALLEY (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

'Stone Valley' was originally released in 1972. With this album Belinda proved that she, as far as talent goes, could easily be compared to other famous English singers such as Dana Gillespie, Carol Grimes and Elkie Brooks. First release on CD!

KEARNEY, CHRISTOPHER - PEMMICAN STASH (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC)

Canadian singer songwriter and guitarist Christopher Kearney's second album on CD!. All of his three albums remind of '70s swamp, country rockers like The Band, Gene Clark and Buffalo Springfield. First ever release on CD!

 

METAL/STONER/HARDROCK

 

ELECTRIC CITIZEN - SATEEN (LP/EASY RIDER)

EXCLUSIVE CLEAR SPOT COLOUR FOR THIS VINYL VERSION. The 2014 album from ELECTRIC CITIZEN. Taking its name from a song by the legendary Notting Hill Gate set the Edgar Broughton Band, this outfit is the brainchild of guitarist Ross Dolan, the enigmatic vocalist Laura Dolan, Nick Vogelpohl (bass), and Nate Wagner (drums). The music is powerful hardrock, with a '70s retro sound and influences of late '60s psych rock.

Listen to 'Burning in Hell' HERE.

HORNSS - NO BLOOD NO SYMPATHY (LP/EASY RIDER)

EXCLUSIVE CLEAR SPOT COLOUR FOR THE VINYL VERSION. On vinyl, here's the 2014 full-length from LA's heavy outfit Hornss. A truly fiendish affair!

SPIRAL SHADES - HYPNOSIS SESSIONS (LP/EASY RIDER)

EXCLUSIVE CLEARSPOT COLOUR FOR THIS VINYL VERSION. An awesome full length from one of the best bands in the realms of Sabbath and Pentagram influences doom! Vinyl edition.

Listen to 'Illuminati' HERE.

 

PUNK/HC

 

ADICTS - VIVA LA REVOLUTION/JOKER IN THE PACK (7"/RADIATION)

The second issue in Radiation's exclusive record store day releases series! The Adicts' 1982 classic 'Viva La Revolution' backed by their 1983 instant hit 'Joker In The Pack'! Edition of 300 hand-numbered picture disc 7-inches. Available for Record Store Day April 19th, 2014!

Listen to 'Viva La Revolution' HERE.

VARIOUS - BORED TEENAGERS, VOL. 7 (LP/BIN LINER)

As with the previous volumes, the vinyl version of this compilation is limited to just 500 copies and comes with a 16-page A5 size booklet, while the CD version is a pressing of 1000 copies with an extra 8 tracks. SIDE ONE: THE SINGLES - 'Adolf Hitler', 'Mercy' / IN THE GYM - 'Don't Go Slow', 'Playing The Fool' / KATZ - 'Talking 'Bout You', 'I'm So Nasty' / CHAOS UK - 'Summer Of Hate', 'I Wanna Be Left Alone' / THE HOBBS - '(Just) Don't Come It With Me' SIDE TWO: THE HOBBS - 'We're The Hobbs' / THE WHAT - 'Anything Goes', 'East Coast Kids' / THE VENDETTAS - 'Such A Pity', 'Inside Looking Out' / SKIDMARKS - 'No Way', 'Life's A Farce' / SYSTEM X - 'Underground', 'Homage'

 

FOLK/ACID FOLK

 

JOYNES, C.W.K. -& THE RESTLESS DEAD- - INFERENCE-OF-THE-CAM SHAKEDOWN (7"/GREAT POP SUPPLEMENT)

Also featuring amongst The GPS fabulous 3 new 45s for March is the 5th and final instalment of C Joynes epic series of singles featuring collaborations with a weird and wonderful selection of fellow travellers. Released at various points over the last 3 or 4 years by The GPS and Bo Weavil in tandem, the series comes to the end of its run of remarkably consistent, yet each very different, 5 volume set with possibly the most diverse selection yet. The final single featuring; on one side, Phil Tyler on banjo alongside the skewed pop and lo-fi grumbling of Pete Um, while the reverse is totally different again, with the bubbling analogue sound world of Woodcraft Folk, yet both as ever underpinned by the eternally wonderful guitar work of C Joynes. A worthy finale to a fantastic series. Each volume having sold out instantly and always with a keen eye on the packaging as well as its sounds. Beautiful diecut sleeves and a numbered pressing of 300 copies. Get on it, itll go quick, be warned.

 

INDUSTRIAL/DARK AMBIENT

 

BORDEL MILITAIRE - PERFUMED LIES (7"/NEUROPA)

Limited to only 99 copies, so don't sleep! This 7-inch follow up to Bordel Militaire's debut release has the antipodean peddlers of industrial exotica angrier and more bitter than the boss' daughter. SIDE A's cut is a brand new track that swings as much as it hurts - a perfect summary of BM's marriage of downtempo noir with fierce power electronics. Side B features a live rendition of 'Black Mood Tonight' recorded in Adelaide, Australia in 2011, and showcases the band recreating this song in a live environment. Play at night, play loud.

TENHORNED BEAST - THE HIGH PLACES (7"/NEUROPA)

Limited to only 99 copies, so don't sleep! Known for long, sometimes very long, macro-compositions that evoke vast empty landscapes and open doors to those who watch us from beyond the veil, the 7-inch vinyl record is perhaps not the first format that comes to mind when one thinks of TenHornedBeast but worry not, for our cloven-hoofed English friend has managed to distill the hills and winds of his North Pennine haunts into two tracks that act as a postscript to the 2013 Neuropa Records album 'Elphame'.

TOROIDH - ALLIANCE PRODITORUM (7"/NEUROPA)

Limited to only 99 copies, so don't sleep! After several years of silence, Toroidh returns with an ominous soundtrack, maintaining the approach of their previous album 'Segervittring'. The 'Alliance Proditorum' EP is equal parts critique of a failing system as well as equal parts homage to the poetry of Pär Lagerkvist (1891-1974).

 

SOUNDTRACKS GENERAL

 

DONATI, ROBERTO - CANNIBAL FEROX O.S.T. (LP/ONE WAY STATIC)

Working with different directors (including legendary director Umberto Lenzi) Maestro Roberto Donati aka Budy-Maglione has written music for films in various genres including Italian comedy, erotic, western & horror. Highlights include 'Apache Woman' & 'Assault With A Deadly Weapon' (1976), 'Emanuelle E Lolita' (1978), 'Eaten Alive' (1980), 'Cannibal Ferox' (1981) and 'Daughter Of The Jungle' (1982). These compositions made him an established player in the Italian soundtrack scene and for which he received international praise, just like his contemporaries Fabio Frizzi and Riz Ortolani. Umberto Lenzi's 'Cannibal Ferox' is often described as one of horror filmdom's golden grails of soundtrack albums and holds its place between other contemporary classics like 'Cannibal Holocaust', 'The Beyond' and 'Zombi 2'. Like many of the Italian cannibal films, the soundtrack is just as powerful and effective as the disturbing butchery. The use of funk guitar, bass, rock piano and synthesizer makes for a fun yet still powerful sound. Its 70s recklessness with an 80s sensibility is perfect for a film that rides the line between two decades. Surprisingly funky and light-hearted, then again: there are cues which are genuinely mean and foreboding, serving as an essential piece that makes the film a pulse-pounding inferno of death. One Way Static Records is now proud to announce the release of this historical motion picture soundtrack on vinyl and cassette. All packaged in deluxe editions with extensive liner notes. Also included are several bonus tracks making this effort the most complete and accurate presentation of the soundtrack to date. Available as a deluxe black vinyl edition, limited to 1000 copies worldwide. Packaged in an old school tip-on gatefold jacket. Comes with a printed insert containing extensive and exclusive liner notes from Roberto Donato (AKA Budy-Maglione) Giovanni Lombardo Radice ('The House On The Edge Of The Park', 'City Of The Living Dead', 'The Church') Danilo Mattei ('Ironmaster', 'The Sicilian', 'Mark Of The Scorpion') Robert Kerman ('Eaten Alive', 'Cannibal Holocaust', 'Debby Does Dallas', 'Spiderman') Stephen Romano (author, screenwriter, illustrator) & Zora Kerova ('Anthropophagus', 'The New York Ripper', 'The New Barbarians').

Check out the official trailer HERE.

 

EXPERIMENTAL/SOUND ART

 

ULVER - BLOOD INSIDE (PD) (LP/JESTER/NEUROPA)

Reissue of the 2005 album on a 180-gram vinyl picture disc, designed by Trine and Kim. Limited edition of 500 copies.

Listen to 'Blood Inside' HERE.

ULVER - SHADOWS OF THE SUN (PD) (LP/JESTER/NEUROPA)

Reissue of 2007 album as a 180-gram vinyl picture disc, designed by Trine and Kim. Limited edition of 500 copies.

Listen to 'Shadows of the Sun' HERE.

SAVAGE REPUBLIC - AEGEAN (CD/MOBILIZATION)

2014 album by influential Los Angeles post-punk/industrial/psychedelic band Savage Republic. More info soon.

 

AFRO/BEAT/DESERT BLUES

 

VARIOUS - BALANI SHOW SUPER HITS (LP/SAHEL SOUNDS)

Compilation of popular modern electro music from Mali. High energy jams from "Balani Show" sound systems. A collage of cut up balafons and djembes over Kuduro and Coup Decal rhythms - interspersed with samples of drums, bells, and whistles. Heavy dance tracks from some of the top names in Balani Show, from old school originators to bedroom DJ innovators, a sampling of a music with over a decade of hits.

Listen to 'Balani Show Super Hits' HERE.

 

SHOWS

King Ayisoba & Band + Zea (Makkum Records)

26/3 Merleyn Nijmegen

27/3 Rasa Utrecht

28/3 OCCII Amsterdam

29/3 Bijlmer venue t.b.a. Amsterdam

30/3 Worm Rotterdam

Noothgrush (Emetic Records / Southern Lord)

11/4 OCCII Amsterdam

Black Leather Jesus (Steinklang), Con-Dom (Tesco Organisation / Old Europa Café) e.a.

18/5 OCCII Amsterdam

19/5 The Pit’s Kortrijk

Naïve Set & Katadreuffe (Subroutine)

5/4 Patronaat Haarlem

Eläkeläiset (Nordic Notes)

8/4 Patronaat Haarlem

The Cosmic Dead (Sound of Cobra / Evil Hoodoo)

5/7 Patronaat Haarlem

Bob Log III (Voodoo Rhythm)

3/6 Patronaat Haarlem

Roadburn 2014 (9-13/4):

11 Paranoias (Ritual Prod.), Atlantis (Dunk! / Vinyl Overdose), Bong (Blackest Rainbow / Ritual Prod.), Carlton Melton (Blackest Rainbow), Circle (Ektro etc.), Horisont (Crusher), MührNoothgrush (Emetic), Procession (Doomentia / High Roller), Sourvein (Emetic), Sula Bassana (Sulatron), The Cult Of Dom Keller (Cardinal Fuzz), Papir meets Electric Moon (Sulatron).

 

Blog

Previous editions:

13/03/2024 09:08 SPOTLIGHT 10

06/03/2024 10:32 SPOTLIGHT 9

27/02/2024 07:31 SPOTLIGHT 8

19/02/2024 16:36 SPOTLIGHT 7

13/02/2024 08:19 SPOTLIGHT 6

06/02/2024 09:02 SPOTLIGHT 5

29/01/2024 17:52 SPOTLIGHT 4

22/01/2024 19:20 SPOTLIGHT 3

16/01/2024 08:42 SPOTLIGHT 2

09/01/2024 07:33 SPOTLIGHT 1

19/12/2023 08:48 SPOTLIGHT 50

11/12/2023 19:25 SPOTLIGHT 49

05/12/2023 08:38 SPOTLIGHT 48

28/11/2023 08:07 SPOTLIGHT 47

20/11/2023 17:59 SPOTLIGHT 46

14/11/2023 08:08 SPOTLIGHT 45

07/11/2023 08:13 SPOTLIGHT 44

31/10/2023 08:17 SPOTLIGHT 43

24/10/2023 08:10 SPOTLIGHT 42

17/10/2023 08:51 SPOTLIGHT 41


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