SEPT 2012 10 Charles st, Newport, np20 1ju 01633 259661

AIMEE MANN “CHARMER” The long awaited album from Aimee Mann, Charmer, is influenced by what Mann calls the 'super pop' of the '70s and '80s. The album is her first release since 2008's celebrated “@#%&*! Smilers”. Of

Charmer, her eighth studio album, Mann comments, "I'm fascinated by charming people and the whole idea of charm. It's hard to remember sometimes that there is usually an agenda behind the act of being charming, and that is what I'm most interested in. Is someone's charm being utilized just to try and entertain people, make them feel special and interesting, or is there a more sinister purpose behind it? Sometimes I think 'charm' can just be another word for 'manipulation'." The album also includes a duet with James Mercer of The Shins on "Living A Lie". Since her last album, Aimee has performed for the President at the White House, appeared as herself on the TV series Portlandia and fast became an internet darling. Named one of The Huffington Post's "13 Funny

Musicians You Should Be Following on Twitter," Mann has gained a diehard social media following for her quick wit and stinging observation, much of which is reflected on this album.

LAU “RACE THE LOSER” ON DIVERSE RECORDS Diverse Records are delighted to announce that we’ll be releasing the brand new album from Scottish folk band Lau in association with Reveal Records. It is titled ‘Race The Loser‘ and we’ll be releasing a very special deluxe double 180g vinyl gatefold sleeve package containing the album on disc 1 and the ‘Ghosts’ EP that Lau recorded with Adem on disc 2. There will also be a CD of ‘Race The Loser’ included for those of you with cars or computers. Lau are modern folk music’s most innovative band. Brilliant musicians, thrilling performers and free-thinking visionaries. Their new album ‘Race The Loser’ (out on October 1st) was recorded with American producer Tucker Martine (Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists, R.E.M., Laura Veirs) in Scotland throughout the Spring of 2012. ‘Race The Loser’ pushes Lau’s complex, yet accessible sound, even further to the outer reaches of folk music whilst retaining all the strengths of the original acoustic trio (Kris Drever Vocals/Guitar, Martin Green Accordion, Aidan O’Rourke Fiddle). ‘Race The Loser’ features Lau’s best, most universal and significant music yet, the sound of three exceptionally talented friends embracing with open arms yet another new chapter of what has already been an extraordinary musical journey.

MUSE “THE 2ND LAW”

This sixth album from the English prog rockers is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to 2009's The Resistance. Described by the band as "radically different" from their previous work, the album incorporates electronic and synth pop elements and is said to be influenced at least in part by acts such as Justice, Skrillex, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? It includes the singles "Survival" (the official song of the 2012 Olympic Games) and "Madness" and features lead vocals for the first time from bassist Chris Wolstenholme, on two tracks which he also wrote.

DONALD FAGEN “SUNKEN CONDOS” Sunken Condos is Donald Fagen's fourth solo album for Warner Reprise. His first three solo albums, The Nightfly, Kamakiriad and Morph the Cat comprised the project known as the Nightfly Trilogy. Sunken Condos begins a new chapter in the creative evolution of this innovative artist, whose career is going strong after forty years. The nine tracks on Sunken Condos were co-produced by Michael Leonhart and Donald. All but one track, an Ashkenazi recasting of Isasc Hayes' Out of the Ghetto, are Fagen originals. Some familiar names from the Steely Dan family of players are on hand (Jon Herrington, the Steely Dan horns, Freddie Washington) plus some new faces. The word is that, from now on, everything Donald does has got to be funky. Donald Fagen, the Grammy award winning voice of Steely Dan, since the '80s has continued to make an impact.

BETH ORTON “SUGARING SEASON” Beth Orton will release 'Sugaring Season,' her first album in six years and her Anti- Records debut, on October 2. Recorded in Portland, Oregon, with producer Tucker Martine (Lau, My Morning Jacket, The Decemberists), the album bears the fruits of a period of introspection & renewal: deeply lyrical songwriting, a newfound expressivity of voice, and, more than ever before, a daring synthesis of her broad musical influences into a powerfully individual artistic vision. "I stretched myself as a singer on this record and used voices I never have before as a writer," she explains. "A lot of the writing on this record happened in the dead of night, when spiders mend their webs, with an infant asleep in the next room... as a result, my writing became a secret again: illicit and my own."

TIM BURGESS “OH NO I LOVE YOU”

Following the huge success of the publication of his autobiography, Telling Stories, earlier this year, TIM BURGESS releases his new solo album Oh No I Love You on September 24th on O Genesis Recordings. The album’s release is followed by a UK tour, starting in Aberdeen on October 18th, culminating at The Union Chapel in London on October 24th. “The root of this album goes right back to a Kurt Wagner show in Manchester. It was the quietest yet the most powerful live performance I had ever seen and afterwards I carried Kurt's guitar to the car for him. I took the chance to ask him if he would ever consider writing a song with me. "Sure Tim, you write the music and I'll write the words". That one song turned into an album and almost ten years after we first talked about it, the album is ready and it's called Oh No I Love You.

JEFF LYNNE “LONG WAVE” Jeff Lynne’s first solo album in 20 years features masterful and fresh interpretations of some of the most recognizable and beloved songs ever written. From Rogers & Hammerstein to Chuck Berry, fans will be thrilled to hear Lynne offer his unique take on their favourite tunes.

DINOSAUR JR “I BET ON THE SKY”

There is nothing quite like a Dinosaur Jr. album. The best ones are always recognizable from the first notes. And even though J tries to trip the listener up by smearing ‘Don’t Pretend You Didn’t Know’ with keyboards, it’s clear from the moment he starts his vocals that this is the one and only Dinosaur Jr. ‘I Bet On Sky’ is the third Dinosaur Jr. album since the original trio - J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph - reformed in 2005. It marks the band’s 10th studio album since their debut on Homestead Records in 1985.The trio have taken everything they’ve learned from the various projects they tackled over the years, and poured it directly into their current mix. J’s guitar approaches some of its most unhinged playing here - this is head-bobbing riff-romance at the apex. Lou’s basswork has more melody now as well, although his two songs on ‘I Bet On Sky’ retain the jagged rhythmic edge that has so often marked his work. Murph still pounds the drums as hard and as strong as a pro wrestler, with deceptively simple structures that manage to interweave themselves perfectly with his bandmates’ melodic explosions.

JOHN CALE “SHIFTY ADVENTURES IN A NOOKY WOOD” After nearly 50 years of making music it’s still freshly evident that Cale draws from a make believe world first imagined by his young self. Track title ‘Mothra’ pays homage to the Japanese monster from Godzilla movies. As a boy practicing scales in grey skied Welsh valleys such fantastical flights of fancy must have been reassuring of the path that was potentially about to unfold for him. Lyrics reveal even more explicitly earlier incarnations of Cale and in the same song we relive an encounter with a local bully: “You see me running, you see me climb, reading my books and always trying, laughing and teasing and I love to play, dreaming my dreams are never far away”.

BECK “SONG READER” A ground breaking and unique artist, Beck has a knack for fusing genres with ease and pushing the boundaries of pop music. His latest project is no exception! Faber and Faber are thrilled to announce they will be releasing Beck’s new ‘album’ in the form of twenty songs existing only as individual pieces of sheet music, never before released or recorded. Complete with full-colour, heyday-of-home-play-inspired art for each song and a lavishly produced hardcover carrying case (and, when necessary, ukulele notation), Song Reader is an experiment in what an album can be in the 21st century. Beautifully illustrated by Marcel Dzama, Leanne Shapton, Josh Cochran, Jessica Hische and others, Song Reader has been designed by Beck with the help of McSweeney’s for release in December 2012.

BELLOWHEAD “BROADSIDE” Broadside, their fourth album, writes another extraordinary chapter in the story of Bellowhead, which began in 2004 when a disparate group of characters who initially knew one another from informal pub sessions thought it might be a good wheeze to pool their widely varied backgrounds, influences and talents and form a big band… just to see what happened. Even they couldn’t have imagined the results as their funny little enterprise - swiftly expanded into a gung-ho 11-piece line-up. Four albums, a glut of awards, sell-out tours and a long trail of thunderous festival appearances down the line, they’ve transported folk music into hitherto unknown territory, introducing a whole new audience to it with them.

DEVIN TOWNSEND VINYL AT LAST!! After years of constant and sound nagging from the fans InsideOut eventually gave up. For all those Townsend disciples: "Ocean Machine" and "Terria" are finally going to be released on vinyl. Both releases come in deluxe gatefold sleeves on 180g double-vinyl.

AMY COOK “SUMMER SKIN” Summer Skin represents a new plateau for Cook as an artist. "This is the happiest I've ever been with anything I've ever recorded," says Cook, "I was working with people who really were able to get into my mind and help me let go of my expectations — instead of worrying ‘Is this gonna rock hard enough or be rootsy enough or be smart enough?'" Those people begin with producer Craig Street, whose long list of credits includes Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Henry & k.d. lang. Then comes an all-star band, featuring David Garza (guitar), Me'Shell N'Degeocello (bass), Chris Bruce (guitar) and Jonathan Wilson (drums). Cook had a few other friends make some special contributions to Summer Skin. Robert Plant sings harmony with Cook on the beautiful "It's Gonna Rain", and joins Patty Griffin on the moody "Airplane Driver". Ben Kweller co-wrote and sings back up on the catchy rocker "Getting To You." Cook's songs have appeared in a number of TV shows, such as "The Good Wife," "Veronica Mars," "Dawson's Creek," "Laguna Beach" and "The L Word."

DJ SHADOW “THE BEST OF”

DJ Shadow is set to release his career-spanning retrospective collection 'Reconstructed: The Best Of DJ Shadow'. The collection showcases the greatest DJ Shadow tracks throughout his 23-year long career as a producer/artist including tracks from his five studio albums as well as his collaborative UNKLE album Psyence Fiction with James Lavelle. Alongside some of Shadow’s biggest singles, the collection features two new tracks, 'Listen' (featuring the legendary Terry Reid) and 'Won’t You Be'. Available as a 1CD set with 16 tracks, 2CD deluxe with 25 tracks and a Heavyweight Gatefold LP with 16 tracks.

GREEN DAY “¡UNO, DOS Y TRE!”

Green Day have been in the studio recording three albums - a trilogy entitled ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré! - that will be released by Reprise Records on September 24th 2012; November 12th 2012 and January 14th 2013 respectively. The albums are the follow-up to the Grammy Award winning ‘21st Century Breakdown’, and are produced by the band’s long–time producer Rob Cavallo. ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré! were recorded in their hometown of Oakland, CA. “We are at the most prolific and creative time in our lives. This is the best music we've ever written, and the songs just keep coming,” said the members of Green Day. “Instead of making one album, we are making a three album trilogy. Every song has the power and energy that represents Green Day on all emotional levels. We just can’t help ourselves… We are going epic as f**k!” Green Day fans also need to know about a forthcoming live album “Bullet In A Bible” which is expected as a US import in the next few weeks.

THE KILLERS “BATTLE BORN” One of the biggest bands on the planet are back! With 5 million albums sold in the UK to date, The Killers return with ‘Battle Born’ – their first studio album since 2008’s million selling ‘Day & Age’. The highly anticipated new album has all the sonic characteristics expected from world class rock band and promises the same excitement and energy invoked by ‘Hot Fuss’ back in 2004. Las Vegas-based post-punk/new wave pop provocateurs the Killers took a two-year hiatus after the release of 2008's Day & Age, allowing vocalist Brandon Flowers and drummer Ronnie Vannucci the opportunity to release some long-gestating solo material, and providing the remaining members some much needed time off. After reconvening in early 2011, the band got to work on its fourth studio album, enlisting a small army of notable producers, including Daniel Lanois, Steve Lillywhite, Damian Taylor, Stuart Price, and Brendan O'Brien. The resulting 12-track Battle Born was preceded by the predictably ambitious and soaring first single, "Runaways."

THE JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION “MEAT AND BONE”

‘Meat And Bone’ is the first studio album by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion in eight years. Mixed by Mr Spencer himself, with no special guests, ‘Meat And Bone’ is 12 prime cuts of raw rock 'n' roll, recorded on Sly Stone's ‘Riot’ Flickinger console at the legendary Key Club Recording Studio in Benton Harbor, MI, and mixed in the jungles of New York City. They continue to blow minds with their fusillade of energy and rhythm, and have once again proven that the Blues is Number 1. On stage and in the studio, Judah Bauer, Russell Simins and Jon Spencer have destroyed and rebuilt American roots music with such ferocity and wild abandon. Make no mistake: The Blues Explosion was there first. They are the original. It was their sanctified outbursts and blues-bending riffs that began the new-fangled roots rock revolution and spawned countless imitators. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has blazed a furious trail into the future with incendiary spirit built from courage, audacity, and revolt. Nothing has been the same since.

DAVE STEWART “THE RINGMASTER GENERAL” Dave Stewart holds a special place in his heart for Nashville. That's where the legendary British singer, songwriter and guitarist has now recorded two albums: 2011's critically praised The Blackbird Diaries and now The Ringmaster General, set for release via Surfdog Records. The album was produced by Stewart and Mike Bradford. A potent and distinctive musical gumbo with rock, blues, country, rhythm & blues and psychedelia, The Ringmaster General was recorded and mixed by John McBride at the famed studio he owns with Martina McBride, Blackbird Studio. It features 13 new songs including striking duets with Alison Krauss, Diane Birch and Joss Stone, as well as one sung with and co-written by Jessie Baylin. The blistering guitar skills of Orianthi are featured as well. Stewart is backed by some of the finest musicians in Nashville including: guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, bassist Michael Rhodes, steel guitarist Dan Dugmore and Mike Rojas on piano.

NUTTY SLACK’S AMERICANA & COUNTRY ROCK REVIEW THE AVETT BROTHERS “THE CARPENTER” The critically acclaimed North Carolina folk-pop-rock stalwarts the Avett Brothers are returning with their first album since 2009's I and Love and You (Paul’s Album Of The Year!), with The Carpenter due out this month. "We're very excited," Scott Avett says about the Avett Brothers' seventh album, The Carpenter. In January 2011, the band started recording a total of 24 songs in Asheville, North Carolina, for the follow up to their 2009 LP “I And Love And You”, once again working with producer Rick Rubin. The brothers get loud on "Paul Newman Versus the Demons," lead a waltzing sing-along on "Down With the Shine" and contemplate life on the road on the acoustic ballad "The Once and Future Carpenter."

JOHN HIATT “MYSTIC PINBALL”

John Hiatt builds on the worldwide success of his last album ‘Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns’ that featured the US Top 20 single ‘Adios To California’, with his new album ‘Mystic Pinball’. Hiatt works again with producer Kevin ‘Caveman’ Shirley (Silverchair, Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa), delivering a record that features Hiatt’s timeless songwriting. The first single is ‘We’re Alright Now’.

LITTLE FEAT “ROOSTER RAG”

Rooster Rag is the 15th album by the band Little Feat. It marks their first original album since 2003's Kickin' It at the Barn and the recording debut with the group of new drummer Gabe Ford, who replaced the late Richie Hayward. Four of the songs were written by former Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter in collaboration with keyboard player Bill Payne, now the only musician to have played with every line-up of the group. Little Feat was discovered and signed to the Warner Brothers label by legendary producer Russ Titelman. The band's 1971 self-titled debut instantly established Little Feat as a fresh slice of musical Americana. This eclectic group of talent is steeped in their love of rock, R&B, blues and country with just a pinch of New Orleans spice.

MARK EITZEL “DON’T BE A STRANGER”

Mark Eitzel of American Music Club returns from his longest absence with his sixth solo album (as well as 9 albums with AMC), and it's his best solo work to date. Over the last three years Mark's life was thrown upside down. While working on demos to the new American Music Club album tragedy struck with Mark suffering a serious heart attack that forced him to bed rest for months where he re-evaluated his life. Mark decided the demos would work better as solo project than an AMC album and abandoned the recordings. Then luck struck, a funder who had just won the lottery decided to lend Mark a hand by loaning him the money to record his album in a proper studio with an outside producer, real strings, real everything. The producer that brought Mark's vision was the brilliant Sheldon Gomberg (Rickie Lee Jones, Ron Sexsmith) "Don't Be A Stranger" is Mark's first properly produced solo album of new material since 'The Invisible Man' in 2001 (2008 Klamath being recorded by himself and not released in the US) Featuring the likes of Pete Thomas from the Attractions on drums, Vudi from American Music Club on guitar plus a full string section.

THE MOUNTIAN GOATS “TRANSCENDENTAL YOUTH”

John Darnielle has been called "America's best non-hip-hop lyricist" by the New Yorker and last year was tagged on the cover as SPIN Magazine as, "Indie Rock's Greatest Lyricist". John Darnielle is a human male and American musician who was born in Indiana. Alone or in collaboration with others, he has been known as the Mountain Goats since 1991. He grew up in Central California, and has lived in many states, but now lives in North Carolina with his wife and child and at least one cat. He has written almost 600 songs now, and some of them are very sad, dealing with hard drugs and tragic ends, hurting yourself and others, sicknesses of both body and brain, offbrand alcohols. They are told in beautiful, unnerving, specific detail, because John Darnielle is a very good writer, and also some of them are just true stories about his own life. TRANSCENDENTAL YOUTH is full of songs about people who madly, stupidly, blessedly won't stop surviving, no matter who gives up on them. The album includes Peter Hughes on bass, Jon Wurster on drums, and, for the first time, a full horn section. And all of this makes a very joyous noise.

DIVERSE ARCHAEOLOGY: Digging Up Vinyl Gems From The Past…

VELVET UNDERGROUND – THE VERVE/MGM ALBUMS Sundazed presents The Velvet Underground: The Verve/MGM Albums. This beautiful, boxed set gathers the rare mono versions of the band’s first three studio albums along with the superior mono version of Nico’s Chelsea Girl and a definitive edition of the band’s unfinished fourth album! Sourced from the original Verve/MGM analogue reels and mastered by Bob Irwin, this collection is an essential purchase for the discerning vinyl devotee. Housed in a beautiful deluxe box with all original LP artwork along with two bonus poster inserts plus an introduction by Rolling Stone senior editor/MOJO contributor David Fricke. For all tomorrow’s parties, this is your soundtrack!

JETHRO TULL “THICK AS A BRICK” In 1972, Ian Anderson wrote and recorded the Jethro Tull progressive rock classic album ‘Thick As A Brick’. The lyrics were credited at the time to the fictitious child character, 'Gerald Bostock', whose parents supposedly lied about his age. The record instantly became a number one album and enjoyed considerable success in many countries of the world. 2 x LP set with the original Thick As A Brick remixed, and the new Thick As A Brick 2, both as 180gm audiophile pressings and available for the first time in vinyl. The package also has a 72 page 12x12 book all held in a hard card slipcase.

KING CRIMSON “LIZARD” DGM & Panegyric are proud to present the third in a series of King Crimson high quality vinyl reissues with the September release of ‘Lizard’. The album’s return to the 12” vinyl format is newly cut from masters approved by Robert Fripp. Manufactured on 200 gram super-heavyweight vinyl & housed in a reprint of the original beautiful gatefold sleeve, this edition also contains bonus MP3 codes giving access to a download of a transfer of an original 1970 pressing. ‘Lizard’ - King Crimson’s third studio album & second recording of 1970, was, like its predecessor ‘In the Wake of Poseidon’, the product of a studio band. It was also the first Crimson album for which Robert Fripp provided all of the music. Remarkably self-contained & sounding somewhat atypical for a King Crimson album - even by the standards of a band that rarely sounded similar from album to album, ‘Lizard’ is an often overlooked & under-appreciated gem from their early years. Certainly at the time of release, anyone expecting an extension of the soundscapes introduced & explored on the band’s earlier two albums was in for a surprise.

IRON MAIDEN BACK CATALOGUE REISSUES A series of special limited edition IRON MAIDEN vinyl picture disc albums are due to be released by EMI starting in October 2012. Comprised of the first eight albums of Maiden’s career, all released in the 1980’s, each picture disc will be packaged in a gatefold sleeve with full colour printed inner bags and the heavyweight vinyl will be cut from the original album master tapes. The albums will be released chronologically between October and February, starting with ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers’ on 15 October 2012 followed by ‘The Number Of The Beast’ and ‘Piece Of Mind’ in November 2012. To open the new year ‘Powerslave’ and the double album ‘Live After Death’ will be released in January, with the final two titles, ‘Somewhere In Time’ and ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ coming out in February 2013. These vinyl picture discs are being released to commemorate IRON MAIDEN’s current Maiden England tour which comprises largely 80’s material, in particular focussing on the ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ album.

DAVID BOWIE AND FRIENDS “A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION” Modern-rock icon David Bowie celebrated his 50th birthday in fine style. He performed a 25 song set at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with a host of celebrity musician friends, many of whom would undoubtedly hold Bowie as an influence in their own work – Robert Smith, Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Frank Black and Lou Reed amongst them! The set list is peppered with tracks from his then two most recent albums "Earthling" and "Outside" but primarily focuses on greatest hits and fan favourites. An absolute must for the Bowie completists! Fans of the Vinyl Passion label’s digging in the crates, might also like to know that they’ve also unearthed a live performance by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds this month. The set called “Live In Germany” features a show from Butzweilerhof, Cologne, Germany, August 17, 1996.

FAMILY “BANDSTAND”

Growing out of the R&B boom of the early 60s, Family's sound evolved into a unique mix of blues, folk, jazz, psychedelia and high energy rock'n'roll built around the distinctive vocals of frontman Roger Chapman, Charlie Whitney's innovative guitar playing and Rob Townsend's thunderous drumming. Bandstand is the band's best known and most loved album. Moving towards a harder sound, yet still retaining some of the art-rock tendencies that made the band so unique. Containing the hit Burlesque and the evocative My Friend The Sun, Bandstand was the last album to feature John Wetton prior to his departure to King Crimson. This edition is pressed on heavyweight (180g) vinyl and packaged in a radio-shaped gatefold sleeve that mirrors the original iconic artwork (with window patch and shaped inner bag too!). This special edition reissue is strictly limited to 2000 individually numbered copies and is the first in a series of re-mastered classic albums from the Family catalogue to be released on Madfish. Pre-order now for 24th September release date.

SPARKY'S BAG PROGRESSIVE AND PSYCHE REVIEWS FROM THE UNDERGROUND

STEVE HACKETT “GENESIS REVISITED 2” If you love quality rock music, then you will certainly have heard Steve Hackett’s work on some of the greatest songs of the past four decades. Between 1970 and 1977, guitarist Steve Hackett contributed to six Genesis studio albums, three live albums and seven singles. On ‘Genesis Revisited II’ STEVE HACKETT is reinterpreting the golden era of Genesis while also remaining true to the original spirit which produced such a remarkable string of timeless songs. Guest appearances by Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings), Neal Morse (Transatlantic), Francis Dunnery, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth), Conrad Keely (And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead) and many many more… In all, you’ll hear around 35 guests!!! “It’s a project of Wagnerian proportions!” Steve Hackett says. We’re expecting an epic 4LP & 2CD box set!

QUIET SUN Quiet Sun were Phil Manzanera, Bill MacCormick (Robert Wyatt/Matching Mole), Charles Hayward (This Heat, Gong) and Dave Jarrett. This album was recorded in 1975 at the same sessions as Manzanera's first solo album Diamond Head (EXPCD1R). The press release at the time described it thus "Hot, dark, manic, and electrifying, "Mainstream" stands smouldering in the debris of a multiple collision between elements of Lifetime, The Soft Machine, The Velvet Underground, and a stray nuclear warhead. Beyond a shared use of vivid colour and high-voltage execution, "Mainstream" seems to have little in common with its sister album, "Diamond Head" herself." This was followed up with high praise from rock journalists, Allan Jones then of Melody Maker said "'Mainstream' is probably the most invigorating record you're likely to hear this Summer...I think the only occasion I've been fortunate enough to hear music of comparable intensity and excellence was when seeing Lifetime in concert."

MORE FROM Music On Vinyl

The unstoppable juggernaut that is the M.O.V. release schedule continues to throw out a diverse selection of new releases. Here’s our pick of the rather more-eclectic-than-usual recent new releases:

NICK CAVE & WARREN ELLIS “LAWLESS” Lawless is a brand new star studded movie by director John Hillcoat (The Road, The Proposition) about a gang of bootleggers in Virginia during the Great Depression. And when we say star-studded, we really mean it: Guy Pierce, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy and Shia LeBoeuf signed up for the gritty and evocative story about brothers who try to create their own American Dream during Prohibition. None other than Nick Cave helped Hillcoat with the screenplay, while he also took great care of the movie’s soundtrack. Cave and fellow musician Warren Ellis form the core of The Bootleggers, a country and bluegrass ensemble that welcome a string of guests artist like Emmylou Harris, Ralph Stanley and Mark Lanegan. The Lawless OST contains cover versions of artists such as Velvet Underground and Captain Beefheart and also features original compositions by Cave/Ellis and the great Willie Nelson!

HALL & OATES “BIGGER THAN BOTH OF US” Blue eyed Philly Soul icons Daryl Hall & John Oates were one of the few white groups to ever break into the top positions of the R&B charts. The duo has been honing their craft since the mid-sixties,

building on their experience of working with producers like Gamble & Huff. Gradually showcasing a more poppy sound, their fifth album Bigger Than Both Of Us (1976) enabled them to continue the

golden success of its predecessor Daryl Hall & John Oates. Noteworthy tracks are “Rich Girl”, opening track “Back Together Again” and “Do What You Want, Be What You Are”. Bigger Than Both Of Us is a diverse album with a central theme: the band rocks on “Room To Breathe” and flies high

on “Falling” – but the soul is always there.

RESIDENTS “ESKIMO” Whether the masterminds of the avant garde soundscape band (if that is the correct term) The Residents have camped out on the Northpole in order to find inspiration for Eskimo (1979), we will never know. What we do know is that putting Eskimo on the record player is like a mini trip to cold, windy and mysterious surroundings. The album’s title is aptly chosen: when hearing the tribal drumming, chanting and cold splashes of arctic life, it makes you actually believe you’re looking over the shoulder of the Inuit people. The band’s members are shrouded in obscurity. They could be from outer space for that matter. Maybe this thought helps putting The Residents and their music in perspective. We do know they were founded in the late sixties, after which The Residents continued to turn heads with their ability to stay out of musical confinements. Each and every one of their records that have been released from their debut Meet The Residents in 1974 until present (which add up to more than 60 (!) albums), is a groundbreaking effort in itself. No different for Eskimo, a highly desirable record that is an excellent starting point to discovering the ways of The Residents. Don’t forget to put on your furry winter coat.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA “RODRIGO Y GABRIELA” It is an utter and complete joy to listen to this third album of the Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo Y

Gabriela. Actually, let’s call it a riotous celebration! After the first studio album, and one live album they toured all over the world with greats such as David Gray and Buena Vista Social Club. For the

recording of this album they hooked up with the legendary producer John Leckie who was able to help them capture the excitement of their live gigs.

The tracks are dancing between ancient and futuristic Latin Rock to romantically seductive Folk. If you’ve never heard of this controversial duo, this album is the ultimate introduction. Rodrigo y

Gabriela, where metal chops, flamenco, and tango music become entwined in a musical ménage à trois. The original pressing has been out of print for quite a while, so we’re delighted to

have this title back in our racks, courtesy of Music On Vinyl! The full list of MOV titles can be seen on the Recent Releases and Forthcoming Pages.

DIANA KRALL “GLAD RAG DOLL”

Diana Krall's extraordinary new album, 'Glad Rag Doll' is an exhilarating and adventurous exploration of new sounds, new instrumentation and new musicians. It stars a singer and piano player, filled with mischief, humour and a renewed sense of tenderness and intimacy. The record reveals itself at that remarkable vanishing point in time where all music; swinging, rocking and taboo, collide with songs of longing, solace and regret. All are made new again in a vaudeville of Krall's own imagining. It is at once a major departure and a natural progression for the gifted musician. Diana simply calls the album, "a song and dance record."

WEATHER REPORT “TALE SPINNIN” “We played music that people listened to every day just as they watch the news every evening, music which changed constantly – just like the weather”, reminisced Joe Zawinul when talking about coming up with a name for the group. This would probably frighten off listeners in today’s mass market. But back in those days CBS was satisfied with the group’s sound being somewhat similar to the Miles Davis Combo and offered them a recording contract without carrying out the usual sound check. The magic potion "Bitches Brew", which Zawinul and Wayne Shorter had conjured up with Miles Davis, was a taste of exhilarating new things to come!

TUBBY HAYES “TUBBY’S GROOVE” One of the greatest jazz musicians to ever come out of the UK, saxophonist Edward Brian “Tubby” Hayes began playing professionally when he was just 15 years old, quickly rising to stardom in the late 1950s as co-leader of the legendary Jazz Couriers alongside saxophonist Ronnie Scott. Recorded in December 1959—shortly after Scott left the Couriers to open his own club (the famed ‘Ronnie Scott’s’ in Soho)—Tubby’s Groove is widely considered to be one of his greatest studio albums. Here Tubbs plays in a quartet setting with former Couriers, Terry Shannon on piano and Jeff Clyne on bass, as well as the great Phil Seamen on drums. Although Tubby became ill and died at age 38, he was at this time still very much in his prime, as can be heard in his virtuoso playing on tracks like the opener “Tin Tin Deo” and “Sunny Monday”. He can also be heard playing vibes on his own “Embers”.

NEIL ARDLEY “A SYMPHONY OF AMARANTHS” First ever vinyl reissue of this 1972 masterpiece by another of the big names in UK Jazz. Neil Ardley was offered the leadership of the seminal New Jazz Orchestra in 1964. Under his direction the Orchestra moved though different styles and changes of personnel, bringing in musicians such as Mike Gibbs (trombone), Harry Beckett and Henry Lowther (trumpets) or even Jack Bruce (bass), some of them also contributed with the writing of some original compositions, making the NJO the root from which the UK's 70's jazz scene was to blossom. Ardley's 'A Symphony Of Amaranths' is his tribute to his idols Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, and featured the skills of some great musicians of the scene including Don Rendell, Stan Tracey, Henry Lowther, Harry Beckett, Jeff Clyne & Jon Hiseman. Side B is inspired by the words of Edward Lear, W. B. Yeats, James Joyce and Lewis Carroll that are musicated by Ardley and feature, among other highlights, Ivor Cutler's narration of 'The Dong With A Luminous Nose' and Norma Winstone's vocals on 'Will You Walk A Little Faster'.

NORMA WINSTONE “EDGE OF TIME” First ever vinyl reissue from one of the greatest UK jazz vocalists, featuring the cream of the crop of Britain's brilliant jazz wunderkind here: Kenny Wheeler, Paul Rutherford, Art Themen, Chris Pyne, Chris Laurence, John Taylor... She joined the Michael Garrick Quintet - where she added the wordless vocal improvisations that would become one of the elements she has developed throughout her career - and collaborated with artists such as Mike Westbrook or Amancio D’Silva. Winstone’s fantastic solo debut album was originally released in 1972 and voted amongst the best British records of that year by Melody Maker.

BETH HART “BANG BANG BOOM BOOM”

On 8 October 2012, Beth Hart will release her new album 'Bang Bang Boom Boom', the follow-up to 'Don't Explain', her stunning 2011 collaboration with Joe Bonamassa. Featuring eleven stunning blues, jazz and soul influenced tracks, penned by Beth Hart, 'Bang Bang Boom Boom' is a life-changing record for the West Coast born singer, songwriter and musician. All of her life experiences, both positive and negative have come together for this career defining album. The eleven original songs on this new collection, recorded live by Kevin Shirley, give Beth's eclectic influences free rein, spinning from Spirit Of God's brassy gospel to the sparse Thru The Window Of My Mind, with her first-ever piano solo on Swing My Thing Back Around, and an impossibly tender vocal on the Billie Holiday-flavoured Baddest Blues.

TAJ MAHAL “HIDDEN TREASURES” As one of the most prominent figures in late 20th century Blues, singer/multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal played an enormous role in revitalizing and preserving traditional acoustic Blues. Not content to stay within that realm, Mahal broadened his approach. He took a musicologist's interest in a multitude of Folk and Roots music from around the world - Reggae and other Caribbean Folk, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Zydeco, various West African styles, Latin and even Hawaiian music. The African-derived heritage of most of those forms allowed Mahal to present the blues as part of a wider musical context. Yet while he dabbled in many different genres, he never strayed too far from his laid-back Country Blues foundation. The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal 1969-1973 is a two-disc sonic portrait chronicling the early stirrings of Taj Mahal's solo career.

GARY MOORE “BLUES FOR JIMI” This unique concert was recorded at the London Hippodrome on 25 October 2007. It formed a part of the launch for the Jimi Hendrix “Live At Monterey” programme and featured Gary Moore and his band performing classic Hendrix tracks. At the end of the night Gary was joined by Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox of the Jimi Hendrix Experience for 3 tracks. Gary Moore was one of the finest British guitarists of all time and is one of the few players who could pay homage to Jimi Hendrix’s groundbreaking and truly distinctive guitar style. This is a stunning tribute from one master guitarist to another.

HANS THEESINK & TERRY EVANS “DELTA TIME”

"Delta Time" the new album, recorded in Los Angeles, is a naked and intimate, bare to the bone, recording that leaves a lot of space for Hans' and Terry's expressive voices and instruments. The great Ry Cooder contributes with some phenomenal trademark guitar sounds while Terry's singing colleagues Willie Greene Jr. and Arnold McCuller add some gospel-blues drenched vocals to die for. Hans is probably Europe's blues export no 1. After more than 7.500 concerts, 40 years "on the road" and more than 20 albums, an instruction video, a songbook and a DVD to his name, Hans Theesink has become a roots and blues institution. With his sonorous baritone voice and unmistakable guitar work Hans is in great demand delighting audiences around the world with his rich and emotional sounds. The US blues press called him "An international blues treasure" and "One of the world's preeminent pickers". The legendary Bo Diddley called him "One helluva guitar player". Terry hails from Vicksburg, Mississippi. At a very early age he was exposed to gospel music in the local church and knew that singing was his call. In a career that spans over 50 years, Terry has done several albums under his own name and has a long working relationship as a backing vocalist with Ry Cooder. Terry's voice is pure "Mississippi Magic" the real deal and one of the most soulful voices in the business. His singing can be heard on countless productions.

ANALOGUE AUDIOPHILE ROUND UP:

BIG MAYBELLE “THE OKEH SESSIONS” ON PURE PLEASURE

Her mountainous stature matching the sheer soulful power of her massive vocal talent, Big Maybelle was one of the premier R&B chanteuses of the ‘50s. Her deep, gravelly voice was as singular as her recorded output for Okeh and Savoy, which ranged from down-in-the-alley blues to pop-slanted ballads. Big Maybelle's career was hampered throughout and cut short by a severe drug addiction, but she packed a lot of living into her shortened lifespan. It's worth mentioning how, almost half a century later, the power in her Okeh sessions is still palpable. With her bold, gritty sound, she comes off like nothing so much as a female Howlin' Wolf, and one can't imagine her not being an influence on the full-throttle blues of Etta James, Aretha, Janis Joplin and countless others. ‘So Good to My Baby’ features typically microphone-distorting belting from the singer, and an appropriately blazing horn section. ‘Gabbin' Blues,’ her 1952 Okeh debut smash, is a humorous dialogue between Maybelle and gossiping rival Rose Marie McCoy, the tune's co-writer. One of the most stirring cuts here is ‘Ocean of Tears,’ a percolating, minor-key tune in which Maybelle bemoans her sorrowful state with an unforgettably cathartic angst. ‘Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On,’ a song that she took to the top of the R&B charts before Jerry Lee Lewis turned it into a rock & roll anthem, her 1955 single 'One Monkey Don't Stop No Show' and 1954's 'I'm Getting 'Long Alright', are also standouts. New York session wizards such as tenor saxophonist Sam "The Man" Taylor and guitarist Mickey Baker provide great support throughout. The tracks contained on this album showcase one of the greatest blues singers of all time, at her prime.

TEARS FOR FEARS REISSUES ON MOBILE FIDELITY Few songs in the mid-'80s attained bigger status than Tears for Fears’ contagious “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Shout.” As commercial breakthroughs, the singles drew attention to the meticulous detail and sophisticated arrangements gracing Songs From the Big Chair, a creative maelstrom of emotional catharsis, dreamy melodicism, and magnetic lyricism. Having hit the top of the album charts in most major countries, the 1985 album remains a staple of the decade’s essential sounds and a critically beloved work. Having elected to defy tradition and wait four years to release a follow-up to their commercial breakthrough, Tears for Fears expand their creative prowess on The Seeds of Love. Opting for grand melodies over radio-targeted hooks and reflecting a slightly sunnier disposition, the compositions establish an even closer relationship to soulful roots and hint at gospel undercurrents. The duo, too, also discovered a secret weapon in the person of Oleta Adams.

SANTANA “WELCOME” ON SPEAKERS CORNER

Many of Santana’s rock-addict fans could well have understood the inviting word "Welcome" on the white LP cover as an attempt to break away from the spiritual aura of his previous album "Love Devotion Surrender". And the musicians certainly managed to produce a rich Latin feeling, with such titles as "Samba De Sausalito" and "Yours Is The Light". But luckily their concessions did not alienate them from their die-hard fans in that they came up with a sort of copy of the rhythmical "Caravanserai" (Columbia KC 31610). They truly attempted something new. Encouraged by the success of the jazz-fusion formula created by Miles Davis and his disciples, Santana combined his virtuoso guitar playing with specially chosen electronic features. The amazingly acrobatic jazz vocalists Leon Thomas and Wendy Haas contributed complicated, quirky parts and the maestro himself vies with John McLaughlin in a dense conflict carried out on their instruments in "Flame Sky". This is an album with a strong intellectual drive and offers the discerning listener a dazzling blend of Latin, jazz and fusion.

DIGITAL DISCOURSE LAST SHOP STANDING DVD

Last Shop Standing is a documentary charting the rise, fall and rebirth of the UK independent record shops. It is a celebration of the unique spirit of comradeship and entrepreneurial ingenuity that has enabled so many shops to keep operating against the backdrop of massive changes in the music industry. It is a film full of pathos and humour mingled with hope and love for an iconic scene in UK music culture. It features over 20 unique independent record shops from across the UK, industry experts as well as many music celebrities including Norman Cook, Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr, Richard Hawley, Nerina Pallot and Paul Weller. It also features a great soundtrack from many independent bands. Based on the book "Last Shop Standing" by Graham Jones which is also in stock now.

DateS For Your Diary…

Autumn is well and truly underway, and that means it’s “Hi Fi Show” season. Sadly we’ve lost Sound & Vision Manchester from the itinerary this year, although keep that weekend free in your diary, as we’ll be in Manchester at Audio T for a Vinyl Roadshow. With the diary already full to bursting, here’s a round up of all the events we have confirmed:

NATIONAL AUDIO SHOW - 22nd & 23rd September, Whittlebury Hall, Northants, NN12 8QH

Now in a class of its own NAS has created an event of International appeal, putting new life into the UK's Audio scene. Support for the National Audio Show in 2011 was magnificent, growing significantly on 2010, and for 2012 there’s a whole host of new features and exclusives including live music a Classic Album Sunday session and the premier of “Last Shop Standing” a new film adaptation of Graham Jones book that charts the history of record shopping in the UK. For the latest announcements, check their website.

AUDIOJUMBLE - 7th October 10am – 4pm (early entry tickets from 9.30am) The Angel Centre, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1SF

Audiojumble is the UK's largest second-hand and vintage hi-fi event. Celebrating its 20th year, the event is now so popular there’s now two a year! Whether you’re a collector of vintage equipment, or simply looking for a more modern second hand bargain, it’s worth a look around the two halls, which will be packed with esoterica! Diverse Vinyl will take up its usual position by the door.

VINYL ROADSHOW @ AUDIO T, MANCHESTER 20th October 10am-4pm 63 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BQ

Our second roadshow of the autumn takes the place of the cancelled Manchester Sound & Vision show, at Audio T’s stunning new city centre store. Equipment being demonstrated is TBC at this stage but they’ll also be offering a half price service on all turntables along with 10% off any spares and parts that may be needed.