New Releases - 12/7/18

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

Richard Swift - The Hex CD/LP (Secretly Canadian) 

Richard Swift believed in and sought real beauty. And so, even at its most caustic and sardonic, his masterpiece swan song The Hex is beautiful. Conceived in pieces over the last several years and completed just the month before his passing, The Hex is the grand statement Swift acolytes have been a-wishin-and-a-hopin' for all these years. After a career of sticking some of his finest songs on EPs and 45s, here are all his powers coalescing into a single, long-player statement. Free poster with purchase! [The Novelist / Walking Without Effort double-vinyl reissue is also available this week.] 

Van Morrison - The Prophet Speaks CD/2xLP (Caroline) 

The Prophet Speaks follows a recent run of hugely acclaimed records by Van Morrison (Roll With The Punches, Versatile and You're Driving Me Crazy), each of which has delved deep into the musical styles that have continued to inspire Van Morrison throughout his life - vocal jazz and R&B. Here, Van takes on a series of unarguable classics by the likes of John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke and Solomon Burke (among others) and makes them unmistakably his own. Alongside these reinterpretations are six new Morrison compositions. The Prophet Speaks again finds Van working with the incredible multi-instrumentalist Joey DeFrancesco (the artist co-credited on You're Driving Me Crazy) and his band (including Dan Wilson on guitar, Michael Ode on drums and Troy Roberts on tenor saxophone). "It was important for me to get back to recording new music as well as doing some of the blues material that has inspired me from the beginning," Van notes. "Writing songs and making music is what I do, and working with great musicians makes it all the more enjoyable."

Hammock - Universalis CD (Hammock Music) 

Nashville's Hammock follows up 2017's critically-acclaimed Mysterium with Universalis, the second installment of a planned three-album series. While Mysterium took listeners down a horizontal path that explored themes of death and grief, Universalis begins a vertical, upward movement back into the light. At times, Universalis rediscovers early influences like Low and Red House Painters, while also retaining Mysterium's deep ambient, neoclassical style. [Vinyl edition due January 4.]

Lido Pimienta - La Papessa CD/LP+MP3 (ANTI-) 

Lido Pimienta is a Toronto-based, Colombian born interdisciplinary musician and artist curator. She has performed, exhibited, and curated around the world since 2002, exploring the politics of gender, race, motherhood, identity and the construct of the Canadian landscape in the Latin American diaspora and vernacular. Her 2017 Polaris Prize-winning album, La Papessa, charts Pimienta's evolution into an independent woman and artist who refuses to fit into pre-conceived notions of what a pop Latina artist ought to be. [Limited colored vinyl pressing.]

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - Live At KEXP! CD/LP (Colemine) 

This session was released on vinyl for the first time for RSD 2018, marking the first full KEXP session ever to be pressed on vinyl. Now it's available once again on black vinyl and CD.

Charley Crockett - Lil G.L.'s Blue Bonanza CD (Son Of Davy) 

For his second covers album in as many years, Crockett rediscovers some familiar and some forgotten songs that add up to form one entertaining and soulful affair. The 15-track collection features songs originally performed by Hank Williams, Ernest Tubbs, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Roy Acuff, Webb Pierce, and other great heroes of honky tonk. [Vinyl edition due January 18.]

Brett Young - Ticket To L.A. CD/LP (BMX) 

Brett Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast-meets-Southern sound, aptly dubbed "Caliville" style. Ticket To L.A. follows-up his breakout 2017 self-titled debut and its four No. 1 hits "Sleep Without You", "In Case You Didn't Know", "Like I Loved You" and "Mercy".

Carpenters - Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra CD (A&M) 

Carpenters With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra showcases the anthemic ballads of Karen and Richard Carpenter with brand new symphonic arrangements composed, produced, and conducted by Richard Carpenter himself. Performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, this fresh orchestration paired with the timeless original vocals is a true reimagining of the signature songs everyone knows and loves. [Vinyl edition due February 8.]

Sharptooth - Clever Girl CD/LP (Pure Noise) 

New album from the Baltimore hardcore band.

Compilations, Best Of's & Sundry Collections

Various Artists - Feelin' Right Saturday Night - The Ric & Ron Anthology CD/2xLP (Craft Recordings) 

Recently released on vinyl for RSDBF - now available on CD. Feelin' Right Saturday Night - The Ric & Ron Anthology commemorates the 60th anniversary of pioneering New Orleans R&B label Ric Records, and its sister label Ron Records. The Ric and Ron labels occupy a unique place in the history of New Orleans rhythm and blues. Operating for only four years, between 1958 and 1962, these sister imprints document a unique and transitory sound in New Orleans music, between the eras of the hit-making producers and songwriters Dave Bartholomew in the 1950s (Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis) and Allen Toussaint in the 1960s and 1970s (Lee Dorsey, Irma Thomas, the Meters).

Cold War Kids - This Will All Blow Over In Time 2xCD (Downtown) 

Cold War Kids' first-ever compilation album covers the band's first 10 years with Downtown Records. 23 tracks including the band's radio singles as well as deep cuts and rarities never before released, such as the track "Expensive Tastes". [Vinyl edition due February 8.]

Key & Cleary - Love Is The Way 2xCD/2xLP+2xCD (Now Again) 

Drum-machine soul, funk, disco and boogie from Buffalo, NY. Love Is The Way collates the breadth of Key & Cleary's recordings from 1970 until the mid-1980s, both the songs issued on rare 7" singles and previously unreleased. It presents a conjoined musical vision and tells the story of a duo years ahead of their time, both musically and culturally. Love Is The Way was their ethos - their goal was to enlighten humanity and to bend history in a more loving direction through communion. [Deluxe 2xLP set with 2 CDs available for special order]

Various Artists - Studio One Lovers Rock CD/2xLP (Soul Jazz) 

A fantastic selection featuring all-star legendary Studio One vocalists - Alton Ellis, Marcia Griffiths, The Heptones, Horace Andy, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott - alongside a host of classic and super-rare Lovers Rock cuts all of which Clement Dodd recorded at the Brentford Road studio. Lovers Rock brought together many elements and here you will find sweet harmonies, late-60s rocksteady, '70s soul covers, disco mixes, recuts and new rhythms - which all fit together in a timeless twilight of love & harmony.

Various Artists - Norman Granz: The Founder 4xCD (Verve) 

Norman Granz created the Verve label around the voice of Ella Fitzgerald. His roster included an amazing list of jazz artists in addition to Ella: Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Gerry Mulligan, Art Tatum, Mel Torme, Count Basie, Bud Powell, Lester Young, Herb Ellis, Oscar Peterson and many more. This four-CD collection surveys the studio, live, and jam session recordings that Granz made over his career at Verve.

Reissues & From The Archives

Paul McCartney & Wings - Wild Life [Reissue/1971] 2xCD/3xCD+DVD (Capitol) 

Paul McCartney & Wings - Red Rose Speedway [Reissue/1973] 2xCD/3xCD+2xDVD+Blu-ray (Capitol) 

Paul McCartney & Wings - Red Rose Speedway (Reconstructed) 2xLP (Capitol) 

Paul McCartney presents the eleventh (Wild Life) and twelfth (Red Rose Speedway) classic works from his revered catalogue to be remastered, reissued and expanded across multi-format installments of his Grammy-winning Archive Collection. [The deluxe edition of Wild Life includes 25 bonus audio tracks including rough mixes, original single edits, B-sides, home recordings and other previously unreleased material plus a DVD featuring rare footage of acoustic home videos, rehearsals and more. The deluxe edition of Red Rose Speedway is packed with more rare and previously unseen video footage, including the James Paul McCartney TV Special, interviews and music videos, as well as the never before seen film The Bruce. Red Rose Speedway Reconstructed features two vinyl records including a reconstruction of the originally conceived double album version of Red Rose Speedway, remastered at Abbey Road.]

David Axelrod - Earth Rot [Reissue/1970] CD/LP (Now Again) 

New audiophile transfer directly from Axelrod's original EQ'ed master tapes. Earth Rot is visionary composer/arranger/producer David Axelrod's third album, and the last of his Capitol trilogy. Recorded as a concept album about the decrepit state of the environment in 1970 Los Angeles, and scheduled for release on the first Earth Day, it features choral vocals and marks a departure for Axelrod's signature sound, which would take on a jazzier feel in the 1970s. A new vinyl reissue of Earth Rot was released for RSD Black Friday and is still available & in stock at Grimey's.

The Lightmen Plus One - Energy Control Center [Reissue/1972] CD (Now Again) Released earlier this year on vinyl - now available on CD. Drummer, bandleader and activist Bubbha Thomas had toured America with R&B revues, served as a session musician for Peacock and Back Beat Records, and played straight ahead jazz with legends before the political and social upheaval of the late 1960s led him to a path first charted by Coltrane. Energy Control Center, his third LP with his Lightmen band is his masterpiece: deep set, maverick jazz on part with the best Tribe and Strata East titles. This is a highpoint amongst the best of the 1970s jazz underground, a collective voice of resistance to the musical and cultural status quo.

Craft - Terror Propaganda [Reissue/2002] CD/LP (Season Of Mist) 

Originally released in 2002, Craft's Terror Propaganda saw the cult Swedish black metal band sharpen their knives and deliver one of their most focused albums. Long out of print, the uncompromising Terror Propaganda boasts some of the grimmest and hideous European black metal. On it Craft take influence from the old guard (genre cornerstones such as Bathory and Celtic Frost) and combine these with their own stamp of sonic violence.

Mayhem - Grand Declaration Of War [Reissue/2000] CD/LP (Season Of Mist) 

Mayhem's Grand Declaration Of War is one of black metal's most controversial albums. An abrupt shift away from black metal orthodoxy, the 2000 release veered sharply in a progressive and dissonant direction that split the scene asunder. Newly remixed and remastered by Hellhammer and Blasphemer and featuring new art from renowned Polish artist Zbigniew M. Bielak (Ghost, Paradise Lost, Bolzer, Zhrine).

Fred Hersch Trio '97 - @ The Village Vanguard CD (Palmetto) 

A recording of pianist Fred Hersch's first appearance at the Village Vanguard in July of 1997.

New on Vinyl

Dire Wolves / Headroom - split LP (Centripetal Force) 
"Carrying on in the traditions of bands like Amon Düül II and Träd, Gräs och Stenar, Dire Wolves and Headroom are dedicated to the art of free-form jamming and composition. Both bands share an organic collaborative approach to their craft, relying more on improvisational techniques than traditional songwriting methods". Two copies available for sale at Grimey's include business cards that award the purchaser a bonus cassette or Psych Out! t-shirt (XL), courtesy of Centripetal Force Records. Email the label a pic of the card to collect your prize!

Richard Swift - The Novelist / Walking Without Effort [Reissue/2004] 2xLP (Secretly Canadian) 

Richard Swift's duo debuts, The Novelist and Walking Without Effort, are fraternal twins wrestling with same Big Questions in opposite ways - one toiling in a cinderblock basement slugging typewriter coffee; one lost on the Pacific Coast Highway, looking again and again for something in a sunset that just ain't there. One's wheezing through a crusty gramophone in some Artie Shaw air-conditioned nightmare; one's gliding on the soft tape of an 8-Track, fat tears welling up behind those outlandish '70s sunglasses. Taken together, they speak to Swift's wild, preternatural shapeshifting ability, an auteur's understanding of mood and place.

The Struts - Young & Dangerous LP (Interscope) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. Sophomore album from the British rockers. The Struts' influences include Queen, The Darkness, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, The Killers, The Smiths, Oasis, The Libertines, The Strokes, and My Chemical Romance. The band has been described as unabashedly over the top retro-fetishist classic rock, glamorous and dangerous.

Angélique Kidjo - Remain In Light LP (Kravenworks) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. Global pop star and three-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo has partnered with 2015 Grammy producer of the year Jeff Bhasker (Kanye West, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé) for a full circle re-imagining of Talking Heads' 1980 landmark album Remain In Light. The album features appearances by Alicia Keys, Questlove, Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, Blood Orange, Tony Allen, Angelique's longtime guitarist Dominic James, and Magatte Sow (percussionist for the Black Panther film score). 


John Legend - A Legendary Christmas 2xLP+MP3 (Columbia) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. New holiday release from the acclaimed soul artist. A Legendary Christmas was executive-produced by Raphael Saadiq. The album features Esperanza Spalding and Stevie Wonder (playing harmonica on "What Christmas Means To Me"). Includes classic holiday songs as well as new Christmas originals.

LANY - Malibu Nights LP (Interscope) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. Alt-pop trio LANY (short for Los Angeles New York) follow-up their 2017 self-titled debut. Drawing influence from the likes of U2 and Coldplay, the group's '80s drums and synths anchored sound provides the perfect bed for frontman Paul Klein's affecting lyrics.

RÜFÜS DU SOL - Solace LP (Reprise) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. "There are few artists in the past three years that have exploded and captivated electronic music like RÜFÜS DU SOL. Since the release of their sophomore album Bloom, the trio of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt have gone on to play just about every major festival around the world, every big city multiple times and made them favorites of most big DJs. After the intense touring, they turned the page and took some time to step away and write their new album, Solace. Sonically, [their] albums have managed to bridge a gap between summery house music and a darker, more melodic style of electronic music, and Solace still keeps that same ethos, but leans towards more of the darker, dancefloor vibe. The productions are more complex with more emphasis and care taken towards drums and bass, potentially a byproduct of their years of touring and seeing how certain drops work on crowds." - Magnet.

Trixie Mattel - Two Birds, One Stone LP (ATO) 

Trixie Mattel, winner of Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars 3, is releasing her pair of critically-acclaimed albums, Two Birds (2017) and One Stone (2018), in one deluxe gatefold colored vinyl package. Marking their first appearance on wax, a full color die-cut sticker sheet, exclusive double-sided 18" x 24" fold out poster, and exclusive interview with Trixie and producer Brandon James Gwinn round out the proceedings.

Various Artists (featuring Coupler) - Pop Ambient 2019 CD/2LP (Kompakt)
Wolfgang Voigt (aka GAS)-curated series, Pop Ambient returns with a more acoustically prominent/avant-garde collection that follows the aesthetic of previous editions... and goes where you have never heard before in the series. Features Coupler, a Nashville/Chicago-based trio of Grimey's staffers past and present, as well as Kenneth James Gibson, Thomas Fehlmann, and others. Voigt: "I felt there was a strong need to add a certain elegance -- ensouled by discourse as much as hedonism -- to a sound that was recognized as "chill out" music that could be heard in back rooms and forgotten festival areas. For this edition, I create a homogenous experience that would both appeal to our followers and continue our tradition while integrating new micro-facets from neighboring musical universes as much as possible."

Jing - Diffraction 12" (6Dimensions)
Jing returns to Steve Bicknell's 6dimensions with an esoteric five-track release titled Diffraction, the second in her mystery project trilogy. The Berlin-based Taiwanese electronic live performer, DJ, and storywriter returns after Adularescence to compose soundscapes telling her short stories in audio form. Whilst the inaugural release is based around moonstones, the effect of light and the optical phenomenon of "Adularescence", Diffraction tells the story from the perspective of the moon and how it views the world we live in.

This Mortal Coil - It'll End In Tears [Reissue/1984] LP (4AD) 

This Mortal Coil - Filigree & Shadow [Reissue/1986] 2xLP (4AD) 

This Mortal Coil - Blood [Reissue/1991] 2xLP (4AD) 

Remastered from the original master tapes by band and 4AD founder Ivo Watts-Russell on 180gm vinyl with re-imagined artwork by Watts-Russell and Vaughan Oliver. The inspiration of Ivo Watts-Russell, This Mortal Coil emerged in the early-80s when the post-punk scene was splintering in exciting new ways and Ivo's then-fledgling record label 4AD was in the thick of it all. This Mortal Coil were not a band per se, never performing live, rather a collaboration of musicians, with both Ivo and co-producer John Fryer the only constants while the cast rotated. Experimentation was rife over three albums, they produced a heady mix of original works, musical links and reinterpretations of impeccably curated songs; helping to introduce a new audience to the talents of a previous generation, including Big Star, Tim Buckley, Roy Harper, Spirit, Gene Clark, Dino Valenti, Rain Parade, Emmylou Harris, Syd Barrett and Colin Newman.

Bauhaus - Best Of Bauhaus | Crackle [Reissue/1998] 2xLP (Beggars Banquet) 

Celebrating 40 years of Bauhaus, Beggars Banquet offer up a colored double vinyl reissue of the band's 1998 Best Of Bauhaus | Crackle which presents a 16-track selection of their finest works from across their revered catalog including fan favorites, covers, non-album singles and alternate versions. [Limited colored vinyl pressing.]

Coldplay - A Head Full Of Dreams: Live In São Paulo/ Live In Buenos Aires 3xLP+2xDVD (Atlantic) 

The Live In Buenos Aires album was recorded on November 15, 2017 - the final night of the A Head Full Of Dreams Tour. The 24-track audio set marks the first time that a Coldplay concert has been released in its entirety. The accompanying two-hour concert film Live In São Paulo was filmed a week earlier on November 8, 2017. The combined live album/live concert film release - also known as "The Butterfly Package" - is completed by the new A Head Full Of Dreams documentary film, which charts Coldplay's colorful 20 year history. [Limited gold colored vinyl pressing.] The CD & DVD configurations shipped late & should arrive next week.

Morrissey - Low In High School [Deluxe Edition] 2xLP (Etienne) 

Deluxe expanded vinyl edition of Morrissey's 2017 album includes his newly recorded cover of The Pretenders' "Back On The Chain Gang," five live B-sides from the recording session, three unreleased tracks, a limited edition lithographed photograph of Morrissey, and a rare version of a photo booth portrait taken when the legendary frontman was a student.

Barbra Streisand - Walls LP (Sony) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. Walls is Barbra Streisand's first album primarily consisting of original songs since 2005 and the first release from the multi-talented star to encompass a unified social theme. It finds Barbra exploring both her concerns and hopes for the future in a collection filled with beautiful melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.

Sheryl Crow - Live At The Capitol Theatre - 2017 Be Myself Tour 2xLP (Cleopatra) 

Includes phenomenal performances of Crow's best-loved songs from old favorites "All I Wanna Do", "If It Makes You Happy", and "Strong Enough" to the newer hits "Soak Up The Sun", "The First Cut Is The Deepest", and more.

John Coltrane - 1963: New Directions 5xLP (Impulse) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. 1963: New Directions features material from Trane's recordings during 1963, from the albums Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, Dear Old Stockholm, Newport '63 and Live at Birdland. 1963 came to be regarded as a point of transition between his previous jazz masterpieces and the genre-expanding music he went on to create.

Aretha Franklin - Atlantic Records 1960s Collection 6xLP (Atlantic) 

Studio albums plus one LP of rare studio tracks: I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (1967), Aretha Arrives (1967), Lady Soul (1968), Aretha Now (1968), and Soul '69 (1968).

Cardi B - Invasion Of Privacy 2xLP+MP3 (Atlantic) 

Comprised of a contagious mix of street rap, Latin music and R&B buoyed by a stack of famous guest artists like Migos, Chance The Rapper, YG and SZA, the self-made 25-year old Bronx native not only asserts herself as a force to be reckoned with here but proves she's a perfectly timed modern pop star with staying power in the process.

Talib Kweli / Styles P - The Seven 12" (Javotti Media) 

Legends in their own right, Talib Kweli and Styles P brought their veteran skillsets to the aptly titled collaborative effort, The Seven. Finally seeing a physical release, the seven-song EP with a star studded feature/producer list including Common, Marco Polo, Oh No and Rapsody is available on limited edition splatter vinyl.

Lauryn Hill - MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 [Reissue/2002] 2xLP+MP3 (Sony Legacy) 

Lauryn Hill is best known for being a member of The Fugees and for her critically acclaimed solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which won numerous awards, broke several sales records and was listed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest albums of all time.

Busdriver - Electricity Is On Our Side LP (Temporary Whatever) 

Drawing from memory and community roots, the 10th album from rap innovator Busdriver plays out like an ode to modern folk art via the act's characteristically warped take on the world's leading pop music: hip-hop.

Genius / GZA - Liquid Swords [Reissue/1995] 2xLP (Geffen) 

Urban Legends and Marvel Comics have collaborated to bring together the mighty, epic worlds of comics and hip-hop with an ongoing exclusive album series that will feature variant covers for select collector's editions of some of the record label's most legendary hip-hop releases. [Limited red colored vinyl edition also available.]

LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out [Reissue/1990] 2xLP (Def Jam) 

Urban Legends and Marvel Comics have collaborated to bring together the mighty, epic worlds of comics and hip-hop with an ongoing exclusive album series that will feature variant covers for select collector's editions of some of the record label's most legendary hip-hop releases. [Limited red colored vinyl edition also available.] 50 Cent - Get Rich Or Die Tryin' [Reissue/2003] LP (Aftermath) Urban Legends and Marvel Comics have collaborated to bring together the mighty, epic worlds of comics and hip-hop with an ongoing exclusive album series that will feature variant covers for select collector's editions of some of the record label's most legendary hip-hop releases. [Limited red colored vinyl edition also available.]

Nanna. B - Solen LP (Jakarta)
Danish R&B/soul songstress Nanna.B moves fluidly between modes and genres, spinning organic, ethereal instrumentals into introspective feminist slow jams. This musical mixture has captivated the likes of Anderson .Paak, with whom she has toured, Anthony Valadez, Iman Omari, Mndsgn, Shafiq Husayn and the Boiler Room crew to name a few. Besides being a talented songwriter, producer and musician, Nanna.B is a trained visual artist directing everything from her cover art to videos, and for Solen she has created a detailed universe for each song that will be printed as a limited edition zine and exhibited at her release show.

Scone Cash Players - Blast Furnace! LP (Mango Hill) 

Scone entered the studio on Dunham Street, Brooklyn wearing a blue Adidas jump suit. The studio had just opened. At the helm was his old compadres from The Dap-kings & Menahan Street Band. Namely Tommy Brenneck, Eric Kalb, Homer Steinweiss and Ian Hendrickson-Smith. They make up the Bliss Machine behind Scones's groove.

The Putbacks - The Putbacks LP (Hope Street) 

Recently released on CD - now available on vinyl. Melbourne's dirtiest, darkest and heaviest funk rhythm section bring you an album of crunchy post-soul post-jazz mystery cinema instrumentals for your turntable and your sampler.

The Hold Steady - Stay Positive [Reissue/2880] 3xLP (Vagrant) 

10th anniversary reissue on 3xLP triple gatefold with die cut jacket. Cut at 45rpm for audiophiles. Includes original album, rarities, plus three never before released tracks.

Donovan - Wear Your Love Like Heaven [Reissue/1967] LP (Sundazed) 

Colored vinyl LP pressing. Donovan's 1967 release Wear Your Love Like Heaven is one of his brightest and most upbeat albums. Presented in it pristine original mono mix, this definitive LP edition boasts one of Donovan's most memorable cover designs, featuring a haunting infrared photograph of the artist by noted photographer Karl Ferris.

Various Artists - Fire In The Sky: Rockin' On (Celebrating 60 Years Of Warner Bros. Records) 2xLP (WB) Includes Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Foghat, Jethro Tull, the Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top, Faces, Van Halen, Montrose, Eric Clapton, Little Feat, Creek the Band, Gary Wright, Todd Rundgren, Prince, Seal, Pretenders, and Fleetwood Mac. 

'68 - Summertime Blues 10" (Cooking Vinyl) 

Before there was Black Sabbath, there was Blue Cheer's debut album Vincebus Eruptum in 1968. Some people will argue that Blue Cheer is the genesis of heavy metal and was only popularized by Black Sabbath, but that point remains contested. Vincebus Eruptum contained a cover of Eddie Cochran's 1958 song "Summertime Blues", though it was given a much heavier sound. Now '68, the duo fronted by ex-The Chariot frontman and guitar Josh Scogin, has released an even heavier cover of the tune. [Limited colored vinyl pressings also available.]

The Dirty Heads - Any Port In A Storm [Reissue/2008] 2xLP (Five Seven Music) 

In 2008, Orange County, CA quintet Dirty Heads emerged with the fan favorite full-length debut, Any Port In A Storm. The signature single "Lay Me Down" achieved an RIAA gold certification and clinched No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Chart for 11 weeks - a record run for that year.

The Secret - Lux Tenebris LP (Southern Lord) 

The signature sound of The Secret is pushed to its extreme by further developing the black metal and doom influences reminiscent of Southern Lord mid-2000s catalog, showcasing them as one of Italy's undeniably darkest bands in existence once again.

Anguish - Anguish LP (RareNoise) 

The dark, impossibly intense dirges, industrial noise onslaughts and banshee-like free jazz wailing heard throughout Anguish could be an imposing soundtrack for a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future. This powerhouse, inter-generational offering brings together an unlikely gathering of members of the New Jersey-based experimental hip-hop group Dälek (electronic musician and vocalist Will Brooks with guitarist-keyboardist Mike Mare), the Swedish free jazz group Fire! Orchestra (tenor saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, drummer Andreas Werliin) and the classic '70s German krautrock band Faust (keyboardist and 68-year-old founding member Hans Joachim Irmler).

Itibere Orquestra Familia - Pedra do Espia 2CD/LP (Far Out Recordings)
Originally released in 2001. Itiberê Zwarg is an award-winning Brazilian bassist and the longest-serving member of Hermeto Pascoal's ground-breaking ensemble O Grupo. Back in 2001, Itiberê led a workshop with twenty-nine of Rio de Janeiro's most exceptionally talented young musicians. Employing the principles of Universal Music alongside his long-held belief in the powers of listening and intuition, Itiberê composed and arranged in real time, transcribing the improvisations of the prodigious orchestra while allowing the players total freedom to experiment. The record harnesses the pure creativity of youth and nature, creating a magical sense of innocence amongst the striking compositions and astonishing musicianship. 

Combo Chimbita - Abya Yala LP (Figure & Ground)
Rooted in Colombia and based in New York, Combo Chimbita explore Afro-Caribbean styles through improvisational long-form trips, drawing on "traditional music from everywhere: Panama, Caribbean, Colombia, tamboritos, '70s funaná from Cape Verde, kompa from Haiti, cumbia, dub and reggae from Jamaica. We try to incorporate it in a way that if feels ours, so you hear these influences there but they come from our background, and our background is heavy rock, psychedelic funk and soul," says guitarist Niño Lento.