There are a couple of notable re-issues this week.
First up Bobbie Gentry's Delta Sweete gets a much needed re-issue. Overlooked and under appreciated at the time of its release (Sexism in the music industry? Surely not...) barely repressed and certainly not with the respect it deserves. Following Mercury Rev's incredible Bobbie Gentry's Delta Sweete Revisited, Universal have come good. This deluxe re-issue features the original album re-mixed and re-mastered along with a second LP of demos and alternate versions that have never been released on vinyl before. And for those who are fascinated by all things Bobbie Gentry I recommend this podcast.
The second re-issue is Paul McCartney's Flaming Pie. Re-issued for the first time since 1997, we have the 2LP half-speed re-master as well as a 3LP box set which also features demos and home recordings. A lovely package for one of Mr McCartney's best loved solo records
Some very exciting upcoming releases have been announced.
Angel Olsen is releasing Whole New Mess, an album of songs that her all conquering All Mirrors grew from, on 28th August on Jagjaguwar. We have a VERY limited number of the Indies Clear Smoke vinyl LP so please let us know asap if you would like a copy.
Laura Veirs is back with her 'my songs knew I was getting divorced before I did' album. We absolutely adored The Lookout so are very much looking forward to what My Echo has to offer.
New/old Bernard Butler music alert! So it turns out that Bernard Butler and Catherine Anne Davies (aka The Anchoress) recorded an album together but it never got released. No, we don't know why either. Thankfully, Pete Paphides' Needle Mythology are rectifying this situation and is releasing In Memory Of My Feelings on 18th September. The vinyl edition comes with a bonus 7" featuring a cover of Madonna's Live To Tell.
Osees have a new album out with a new spelling of Osees just to mess with our website code. But we forgive them because no Osees record is every anything less than vital and surprising. Protean Threat out on Castle Face 18th September.
Charli XCX just banged out an album during lockdown. It then got nominated for a Mercury. As you do. how i'm feeling now will be available on vinyl 18th September.
Katy J Pearson has been releasing excellent songs over the past year on Heavenly and her debut album has finally been announced. Return is pressed on red vinyl and is out 13th November. She's also booked to play Bedford Esquires in February. Of course we don't know what the future holds, but just the hope this gig is going to happen is making us smile.
Finally, Black Pumas fans, a gorgeous deluxe edition has been announced featuring studio outtakes and cover versions. It arrives October 9th.
A quick update on Record Store Day August drop on Saturday 29th August. We will be able to open, but people will have to book their slot in the queue so that we can maintain social distancing. Booking will start at 6pm on Friday 28th via our website. Keep an eye on the website and the socials for more updates. Anything remaining will be sold online from 6pm on the Saturday. Any questions, give us a shout!
Warren & Nerys
]]>First off - new Dylan on vinyl. How great is that? Hearing great reviews from our Bob Dylan fans of Rough and Rowdy Ways, who are putting it up with his best work. Pressed on indie exclusive olive green vinyl
A discovery for us has been Fad from Silverbacks. Mixing post-punk, Television, The Fall and a bit of slacker rock make for a rather tasty debut.
Shout out to our other favourite this week - Zara McFarlane's new record Songs Of An Unknown Tongue. Further digging in to the African rhythms that appeared on her last record, Arise, and bringing in electronica, Zara's voice remains the star of this fab record.
Lianne La Havas has released her third album and it is a beaut. JARV IS / Jarvis makes a welcome return (what took you so long?) with Beyond The Pale pressed on very pretty translucent orange vinyl. At the other end of the productivity spectrum our boy Alfie Templeman dropped another E.P of indie goodness, Happiness In Liquid Form.
Three huge re-issues this week Joy Division - Closer, Tin Machine - Tin Machine II and Slowdive - Just For A Day. All on pretty clear / colour vinyl pressings.
Siti Muharam - Siti of Unguja finally landed on vinyl. It is an astonishing record and if investigating taarab music - with East African, Indian and Middle Eastern influences- intrigues you, we recommend having a listen. It's already starting to make the records of 2020 lists.
On the 7" front we had the recorded in lockdown 'See You Late Maybe Demos' from Easy Life as well as sneak peeks from the Blue Note Re:imagined record featuring Poppy Ajudha, Jorja Smith, Ezra Collective and Skinny Pelembe. Seriously can't wait for full record to land 25th September.
Huge announcements this week - finally Doves have announced their upcoming album. The Universal Want arrives 11th September and there's a lovely white vinyl indie edition as well as an all-singing all-dancing box set.
After her super successful EP's Nubya Garcia has announced her debut album Source, to be released by Concord on August 21st. Even more exciting is there is a very limited (1000 copies) Indies exclusive splatter vinyl edition that is rather good looking.
More PJ Harvey re-issues are on their way. As well as Dry (arriving next week) and Rid Of Me (August) we have To Bring You My Love as well as a Demos album coming September 11th.
Whitney are dropping an album of covers entitled Candid, with an Indies blue vinyl pressing available for those who are quick! Featuring tracks from John Denver, SWV, Brian Eno and David Byrne and an appearance from Waxahatchee,
Finally we are super pleased to tell you that from next month we'll be stocking Forever Living Originals label releases. The label is home to the ever so exciting and elusive Sault as well as up and coming soul artist Cleo Sol , both of whom have recorded some of the best music we have heard this year. These are up for pre-order on the website and will be in the shop early August.
And here's a smattering of what's been gracing the turntable/computer this week
Huge thanks to everyone who has been making social distancing work in the shop. Remember for those who don't fancy browsing you can order online for mail order or to pick up from the shop. We've adjusted out hours to 10-5 Tuesday - Saturday.
Finally, keep an eye out next week for news on our plans for the August RSD Drop.
Warren & Nerys
]]>I know we say this every week, but there are some truly wonderful albums out this week.
The Beths followed up the success of their first album with Jump Rope Gazers. An indie pop gem of happy songs with sad lyrics we predict this one will outshine Future Me Hates Me. The first press is on tangerine colour vinyl.
Laura Marling cut out all the label bother and just released Songs For Our Daughter while we were in the deep depths of lockdown. A beautiful album, it was finally released widely on physical formats this week and has flown out. We have a couple of copies of the limited edition vinyl LP in stock left.
Mr. Ben & The Bens make their Bella Union debut with Life Drawing. An absolute joy of a record, we sold out over the weekend, but will be re-stocking next week, so give us a shout if you want a copy!
In the ambient space we have Healing Is A Miracle from Julianna Barwick, debuting on Ninja Tune. Featuring collaborations with Sigur Rós’ Jónsi, we have limited edition copies with signed prints.
Margo Price follows up All American Made by going BIG with That's How Rumours Get Started. As you would expect with a Margo Price record she goes deep, doesn't varnish a damn thing and makes the toughest s*&t sound beautiful. A blinder of a record, we have copies of the Indies exclusive edition that comes with a bonus 7".
The Lightning Orchestra - Source and Deliver is described by the band as 'psychedelic booty shake' which we are seriously considering adding as a genre to the racks. Pulling in all the good stuff from Hendrix, Fela Kuti, Talking Heads, Sun Ra and Isaac Hayes it is an absolute blast pressed on neon yellow vinyl. Enjoy!
There's also new music from The Streets, DMA's, NZCA Lines and one of those awesome 7" from The Lovely Eggs to keep you going.
We also have some lovely things to look forward to.
Not news, but wanted to flag the posthumous Jason Molina release, Eight Gates again. While reading an article about this record (in Gold Flake Paint, highly recommended and well worth the subscription) I realised I hadn't actually listened to any of the songs released so far. So I did. And was blindsided. I could have put them in the playlist but felt they needed to be heard on their own. Out 7th August on Secretly Canadian.
My Morning Jacket have already released Waterfall II digitally and they have gone to town on the vinyl editions, due 11th September. There's an Indies only clear LP and deluxe zoetrope edition.
International Anthem return with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Niño and Chicago Waves. A live genre bending album from a label that is all about integrity and boundary pushing. Out 25th September on vinyl, it is The Guardian's Contemporary Album of the Month.
Ever since Ley Lines we have loved Emma-Jean Thackray's work and are looking forward to Um Yang, a direct to disc recording out 31st July. Known as a trumpeter who is part of the South London jazz scene, she is an incredible composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist who is very much doing her own, brilliant, thing.
And finally, the pride of Bedfordshire, and let's face it, the UK, Alfie Templeman has a new EP Happiness In Liquid form out next Friday 17th July. He is quite rightly getting all the plaudits and buzz.
Remember, if you are after a new release, you can pre-order on the website or just send us a message to reserve you a copy until pay day!
And here's a little selection of what we have been enjoying...
Laters!
Warren & Nerys
]]>Keleketla! have blasted in and we love it. A collaboration between South African artists and musicians including Tony Allen, Shabaka Hutchings, Dele Sosimi, Tenderlonious and Joe Armon-Jones. Oh and The Watts Prophets and Antibalas show up too. Powerful and uncompromising and brilliant.
Dream Wife are back and laughing in the face of the 'difficult second album' curse. So When You Gonna is a joy and it is on neon pink vinyl.
Right, so A.A. Williams - Forever Blue was not on our radar and had no plans to get it in. But then Nerys had a listen to the first 20 seconds and plans changed immediately. It is a gorgeous, atmospheric web of a record and we love it. Contender for the best of 2020 lists.
Jazz pianist extraordinaire Greg Foat continues to be more productive than just about everyone else with a new release, this time on the Strut label, entitled Symphony Pacifique. That combination is as good as you think it is.
We have a re-issue of The Charlatans Between - 10th & 11th, featuring The Only One I Know and Sproston Green!
Finally, it is always a good day when there is a new release from the exceptional Now-Again label. This week we have Experience Unlimited's sought after debut Free Yourself. It is the latest instalment of their re-issue series of the legendary Black Fire label.
Reminder - you can pre-order upcoming releases on the website or just send us a message and we'll put one by for you.
Things went a bit nuts when the new Sufjan Stevens album Ascension was announced. We have a few of our pre-sell allocation left but these will go before release day, so please do pre-order, or let us know you would like a copy reserved, asap to avoid disappointment.
This Is The Kit have a new album, Off Off On, arriving 23rd October and if the single This Is What You Did is anything to go by it is going to be an outstanding follow up to Moonshine Freeze. There's a limited indie red vinyl version for those of you who fancy it.
Just announced is the second solo album from James Dean Bradfield - Even In Exile due 14th August. We've got limited copies of the Indies blue vinyl exclusive.
Flaming Lips have announced their new album, American Head. Not only are we looking forward to the new music, which looks like being an absolute triumphant return, but the colour vinyl is ridiculous in the best possible Flaming Lips style.
We've fallen in love with the new songs released by Willie J Healey and his new album Twin Heavy arrives 7th August. We've snagged a few copies of the limited edition yellow vinyl edition.
More PJ Harvey magic arriving 21st August with the re-issues of Rid Of Me and 4-Track Demos.
And here's what we've been listening to
Right have a good one,
Warren & Nerys
]]>So we may not know what the weather has in store for us, but we can accurately forecast some excellent music heading our way.
The new record from Khurangbin, Mordechai, has arrived. More funk filled fabulousness - via Thailand, Iran, Spain and a few other places en route - from this trio. Available on limited edition pink vinyl, it's one we are adding to our collection.
Haim's Women In Music Pt. III, is predicted to be the soundtrack to the summer, come rain or shine. Highly anticipated by more than a few of you, it is available on yellow 2LP, and full of sunshine vibes plus it's own dance routine.
We were big fans pf Nadine Shah's 2017 record Holiday Destination, so very pleased she is back with Kitchen Sink. We have the limited edition orange vinyl edition in stock.
Jessie Ware has delivered an album of dance floor bangers on What's Your Pleasure? Choose your lockdown dance floor (Nerys is a fan of the kitchen) and let loose.
Now we should have mentioned Various Artists - Help The Witch last week, but you know, we're rubbish. A concept album soundtrack to Tom Cox's book of short stories, it features Bedford's very own Jack Sharp on what is quite rightly being called THE folk horror album of 2020.
If that isn't enough for you we've had some super exciting announcements of upcoming releases
Bright Eyes return after nine years with Down In The Weeds, Where The World Once was, out on Dead Oceans. Eagerly anticipated, this release comes in Blue/Red and Red/Orange Editions, both with an animated etched D-side.
We know you guys love Japanese Jazz and Funk so we think you are going to love the compilation Wamono A-Z Vol. 1 - Japanes Jazz Funk 1968 - 1980. Compiled by DJ Yoshizawa Dynamite and Chintam, (Chintam quite literally wrote the book on Wamono and said book is now impossible to get hold of) and using fully licensed Nippon Columbia and Victor Japan masters (a first outside of Japan) this release is serious quality.
Another re-issue from The Twilight Sad, this time the Andrew Weatherall produced No-One Can Ever Know. This is available on burgundy 2LP out 4th September.
There is major buzz around Siti of Unjuga by Siti Muharam from On The Corner Records. It's been a Bandcamp album of the day, Vinyl Factory have named it one of 20 records to look out for in 2020 and it has been a Guardian Global album of the month. Already out digitally, the vinyl edition arrives 17th July.
And then we have a never previously released studio album from Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Just Coolin'. Recorded on 8 March 1959, it finally shows up 17th July 2020!
Finally here's a snippet of what we've been listening to this week...
Cheers,
Nerys & Warren
]]>Some great records out this Friday. First up is Neil Young's Homegrown. Mythic among Young fans, this lost album from 1975, finally gets its release, with 7 songs that have never appeared on any other Neil Young record. We've got a few copies of the Indies exclusive edition with a limited inner sleeve litho.
Phoebe Bridgers returns with Punisher. A beautiful record and Bridgers is an astounding story teller. We could rave one, but you can listen yourself as she released it a day early in support of a number of charities. A small number of the limited edition blue/green vinyl are still available and we'll have the standard edition in next week.
It is always a happy day in Slide when there is a new Skinshape album. Umoja is Will Dorey's fifth album and he worked with Senegalese, Kenyan and Ghanaian artists to bring Afrobeat to his already impressive soul-funk grooves. Highly recommended.
Originally intended as an RSD release, Wire's rework album, 10:20 finally makes it out. We know quite a few of you will be pleased about that.
On the re-issue front, The National present us with High Violet Expanded Edition. This wonderful album gets re-issued in a stunning 3LP package which includes tracks never before released on vinyl.
Finally some announcements this week on the pre-order front.
Hold on to your hats, Idles are back! Ultra Mono is out 25th September on Partisan and there are Deluxe and Vortex vinyl editions to choose from.
Zara McFarlane returns with Songs Of An Unknown Tongue on Brownswood, due 13th July. The first singles released are intoxicating as Zara pushes the boundaries of jazz exploring the folk and spiritual traditions of Jamaica. We anticipate falling in love with this record when it lands.
Run The Jewels - RTJ4. Okay this is not newly announced but Warren finally sat down and listened to it in full this week, a few times. He then talked for 45 minutes straight about how brilliant it is, including 15 minutes on how EL-P had found a new way to flip a sample of 'Misdemeanour' by Foster Sylvers . Vital, innovative and just a damn great record. Physical editions out 18th September.
4AD are re-issuing Pixies - Bossanova on its 30th anniversary. Out 7th August, this will be a limited edition red vinyl pressing with the 16 page booklet that was originally only available with the initial UK pressing.
Another re-issue we've got excited about is Slowdive - Just For A Day which is available on limited edition numbered copes pressed on flame vinyl. Out 17th July, from those lovely folks at Music On Vinyl, these are likely to go quickly, so let us know if you want a copy.
First up is Blue Note Re:imagined, out 25th September, which we are very excited about. The leading talents of the London jazz scene are brought together to rework Blue Note classics. Artists include Ezra Collective, Emma-Jean Thackray, Poppy Ajudha, Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia. If the first track released, Jorja Smith's reimagining of Rose Rouge, is anything to go by, this is going to be one of THE albums of 2020.
Bully blast into 2020 with SUGAREGG 'Like My Bloody Valentine after 3 espressos'. Out 21st August on Sub Pop, this record promises to see Alicia Bognanno make some of the most expressive and powerful of her career. We were big fans of 2017's Losing so are very much looking forward to what comes next. Available on a limited edition indies exclusive clear red vinyl.
You know a re-issue is going to be good when you have customers asking you about it months before it is announced. Goldfrapp have finally sashayed into view with the long anticipated re-issue of Supernature. Pressed on green vinyl accompanied by an art print this is a suitably glamorous package for a record that contains the glittery disco ball bangers of 'Ooh La La' and 'Ride A White Horse.' Out 14th August.
After their all conquering Everything Will Not Be Save Pts 1 and 2 Foals return with Collected Reworks. Featuring Slide favourites Kieran Hebden/Four Tet, Mount Kimbie and Hot Chip doing their magic with tracks from throughout the band's career. Comes in a 3LP package pressed on Mint Green, Yellow and Pink vinyl.
Finally Tin Machine II gets a long, long overdue re-issue on silver vinyl. This sold ridiculously quickly but we still have a couple of copies available for pre-order.
As always, any questions, anything we've missed, give us a shout. More soon.
Warren & Nerys.
]]>Re-opening the shop on 15th June for browsing, listening to and talking records is something we would love to be able to do, but we just can’t do it at this moment. We have been told that it is safe to open up, but the last few months have not given us a lot of confidence that this advice has everyone’s health and safety at heart. Bedford is having a really rough time with COVID-19 and if our shop was in Cardiff or Edinburgh then we wouldn’t be allowed to open.
As a couple with young children and elderly relatives, and family we have not seen in months, we don’t feel comfortable being at the forefront of shops re-opening. Many of our customers and members of their families are vulnerable to this awful illness and we have a responsibility to do everything we can to help keep them safe.
So much of the joy of record shopping is browsing and touching records. This is incredibly hard to manage, but we are committed to getting back to it, safely. We are talking to our trade body, other record shops, pulling in expert advice and making upgrades to the shop to find a way forward. In the meantime, we are building up our website for pre-orders and second hand. We will also be participating in Love Record Stores and RSD Drops online (more details on these to come).
We are offering a free pick-up service from the shop for online orders and if you want help tracking down a record or have any other questions you can contact us here.
Thank you, stay safe and we will get there.
Warren & Nerys
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