New Releases - 1/11/19
Hitting The Racks
Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's
Jump to… New Releases Reissues & From The Vaults Compilations, Best Of's & Sundry Collections New on Vinyl
New Releases
Tommy Emmanuel & John Knowles - Heart Songs CD/LP (CGP Sounds)
Heart Songs is a new collaborative album from two of the world's greatest guitarists, Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles. Both are masters of their instrument, honored by the iconic Chet Atkins with the rare designation of CGP (Certified Guitar Players). Their early journeys were dissimilar. Emmanuel began his in Australia, grew up on the road with his family's band, settled as a teenager in Sydney and left his rock band to launch a spectacular solo career. Knowles followed a more academic path, eventually earning a PhD in physics from Texas Christian University but then electing to pursue his true love of music. Inevitably they would cross paths, become friends and perform on stages and clinics around the world. Their styles are distinctive but for that very reason they mesh seamlessly, with Knowles generally creating sophisticated but compelling foundations over which Emmanuel's guitar soars in astonishing yet always musical flights. Don't miss Tommy Emmanuel and John Knowles when they perform at Grimey's on Saturday, February 23rd, at 1PM. It's free and all ages!
Old Sea Brigade - Ode To A Friend CD/LP (Nettwerk)
Old Sea Brigade is Ben Cramer, an indie folk singer-songwriter. After a series of EPs, his debut album remains rooted in Americana, indie, rock, and ambient soundscapes but also toss and turn between analog cinematic flourishes and provocative lyricism. At times singer-songwriter, other times indie-rock - no matter the inspiration behind the mélange of styles, Cramer has created a soundscape of the utmost sincerity and beauty.
Kero Kero Bonito - Time 'n' Place CD/LP/CS (Polyvinyl Records)
The second full-length from the three-piece English group sees them expanding on instrumentation and song structure while holding true to their undeniable knack for crafting the perfect pop hook. Following a year of loss for all three members, the band felt compelled to diverge from the carefree electro-pop sensibilities of their early work and find a more visceral, full-band sound. Time 'n' Place collages crunchy guitars, shining melodies, string arrangements, and noise/electronic elements together in a sound that's both chaotic as punk and symphonic as '60s pop. It's a sublimely untidy album, anarchic but balletic in grace, music born from willful imagination and a sense of purpose best captured in the band's own words: "More than ever music needs to be set free, because it can be anything, so we just decided to do whatever the f*** we wanted."
Jacob Banks - Village CD/LP (Interscope)
New release from the Nigerian-born/UK-based singer/songwriter. Inspired by the proverb it takes a village, the record explores human experiences, both good and bad, that universally shape our lives. Jacob became the first unsigned act to ever appear on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. His music is influenced by a range of genres including soul, R&B and hip-hop.
Gregory Porter - One Night Only (Live At The Royal Albert Hall) CD+DVD (Blue Note)
One Night Only captures the two-time Grammy-winning singer in a stunning live performance at the famed London venue with his band accompanied by the London Studio Orchestra conducted and arranged by Vince Mendoza. Porter sings songs from his acclaimed recent album Nat King Cole & Me, as well as favorite songs of his own.
Compilations, Best Of's & Sundry Collections
Taking Back Sunday - Twenty CD/2xLP (Craft Recordings)
A 21-track career retrospective, celebrating 20 years of Taking Back Sunday. The collection spans all seven of their full-length studio albums: Tell All Your Friends (2002), Where You Want To Be (2004), Louder Now (2006), New Again (2009), Taking Back Sunday (2011), Happiness Is (2014) and Tidal Wave (2016).
Reissues & From The Archives
The Doors - Waiting For The Sun [1968] CD/2xCD/LP (Elektra)
50th Anniversary remastered edition of the Doors' third album - available on single-disc CD and vinyl LP and expanded double-CD which features rough mixes and a live set recorded in Copenhagen 9/17/68.
Zero 7 - Simple Things - Special Edition 2xCD (New State Ent.)
Expanded reissue of the British downtempo duo's 2001 debut.
Kero Kero Bonito - Bonito Generation CD/LP (Polyvinyl Records)
The debut full-length from the London-based band, reissued by Polyvinyl. London trio Kero Kero Bonito (Sarah, Jamie, Gus) seemed to bounce onto the scene fully-formed with their effervescent DIY mixtape, Intro Bonito, in 2014. They'd created a technicolor world all their own-one wherein J-pop, K-pop, video games, art, club and electronic music all danced together and everyone was invited. On this album, their diverse musical influences blend as seamlessly as Sarah's combination Anglo-Japanese lyrics.
New on Vinyl
Lead Belly - Easy Rider: Leadbelly Legacy Volume Four [Reissue/1950] LP (Smithsonian Folkways)
This collection of songs by Lead Belly was assembled by Folkways founder Moses Asch from recordings made in the early to mid-1940s, and it focuses primarily on the legendary folk/blues artist's observations on the hate and racism that permeated America and the world during this turbulent period of history.
Brownie McGhee And Sonny Terry - Brownie McGhee And Sonny Terry Sing [Reissue/1958] LP (Smithsonian Folkways)
The acoustic music duo of guitarist Brownie McGhee and harmonicist Sonny Terry were named National Heritage Fellows in 1982 in recognition of their distinctive musical contributions and accomplishments. Although primarily considered to be blues musicians, McGhee and Terry transcended the genre by including American folk songs and ballads in their repertoire. This 1958 recording, their first for the Folkways label, provides a small but inspiring example of the range of Americana and down-home blues music the duo performed throughout their 40-year partnership.
Jamie Wyatt - Felony Blues [Reissue/2017] LP (Forty Below)
Vintage California country that's equal parts humor and humility, with a few middle fingers thrown in for good measure. For Fans of: Margo Price, Elizabeth Cook, and outlaw country artists who have served time.
Lupe Fiasco - Drogas Wave 3xLP (1st And 15th Productions)
Released last October on CD - now available on vinyl. The sequel to Drogas Light features contributions from Damian Marley, Nikki Jean, Crystal Torres, Rosy Timms, Troi Irons, and others.
Metro Boomin' - Not All Heroes Wear Capes LP (Republic)
Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. Debut solo studio album by the record producer featuring guest appearances from Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Swae Lee, Gunna, Young Thug, Wizkid and Offset, as well as Gucci Mane, J Balvin, Kodak Black, and Drake.
Found Wild - Found Wild LP (Memory Music)
Found Wild is the duo of Tim Arnold and Keith Goodwin, both founders of Good Old War.
Matt & Kim - Grand [Reissue/2009] LP (The Fader Label)
Vinyl reissue of the second album from Brooklyn-based duo. From the anthemic opener "Daylight" to the harmony-rich, atmospheric ballad "Turn This Boat Around" and demented pop of "I Wanna", Grand is quite literally the sound of Matt and Kim discovering their voice. "All of the songs on the last album we wrote the first year we learned how to play our instruments," Matt acknowledged, "but this one is much more diverse and instead of thinking about the songs we thought of the album as a whole, too."
For Against - Aperture [Reissue/1993] LP (Sainte Marie)
For Against - Mason's California Lunch Room [Reissue/1996] LP (Sainte Marie)
For Against - Shelf Life [Reissue/1997] LP (Sainte Marie)
For Against - 90s Reissues Vinyl Box Set 3xLP+MP3 (Sainte Marie)
It was surprising-gratifying last decade, when Lincoln, Nebraska stalwarts For Against finally garnered the cult popularity they'd long deserved-at least in Europe, where generous, rapturous crowds hailed them as darkwave pioneers. Back home, though, it took this era's shoegaze explosion/revival to bring them equal underground acclaim, accelerated by Captured Tracks' 2014 Box Set, compiling their two LPs and EP, 1987-1989. It even received a 7.8 in Pitchfork, suggesting, "If they had gained a tenth of the attention Interpol attracted, it would have been a wonderful world!" That richly deserved, delayed recognition is bound to heighten with these reissues of their three '90s records Aperture (1993), Mason's California Lunchroom (1996) and Shelf Life (1997).
Various Artists - Astral Daze: Psychedelic South African Rock 1968-1972 LP (Take It Acid Is)
This collection brings together rarities from well-known artists like Abstract Truth, Suck, Otis Waygood, and Freedom's Children, as well as lesser known acts like Buzzard, The Fireflies, and The Idiots. Although the South African rock movement of the late sixties and early seventies was not a major commercial success, its participants heralded an exciting new age in South African rock and started a movement aimed at changing the musical tastes of the times. Stadium concerts became the vehicle for feeding the youth with heavier rock sounds, and producers like Clive Calder and Billy Forrest acted as change agents to transform conventional pop into heavier four to five minute songs.
Rough & Wojtyla feat. Richard Pinhas - Rough & Wojtyla feat. Richard Pinhas LP (Bam Balam Records)
Rough & Wojtyla's second album. Richard Pinhas, the founder of '70s legends Heldon, is one of France's best known experimental musicians and is a key figure in the fusion of rock with electronic music. Drones are supported by a tentative jazz drum beat and Pinhas's guitar. In perfect harmony, the three musicians don't take themselves seriously. They saturate their sonic world with long abstruse silences, before returning more furiously into the barely hidden chaos. The listener is constantly pushed around, always looking for something to hang on to without ever finding it.
Strawberry Alarm Clock - Wake Up... It's Tomorrow [Reissue/1968] LP (Sundazed)
Swirl colored vinyl pressing of the second album by the psychedelic rock band that featured Ed King, later of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Bow Street Runners - Bow Street Runners [Reissue/1970] LP (Sundazed)
Vinyl reissue of a rare LP-a other-worldly blend of sweet female blotter acid harmonies, hypnotic Farfisa and high-octane fuzz guitar histrionics.
Throbbing Gristle - 20 Jazz Funk Greats [Reissue/1979] LP (Mute)
Vinyl reissue of the landmark 1979 album from the industrial music pioneers.
Behemoth - God = Dog 7" (Metal Blade)
Limited 7" picture disc single. Features an alternate version of "God = Dog" on the B-side.