CD Releases: April 2004 updated:25/04/2004
Roger Perry and Joost Langeveld present
Sun Valley Sound volume 2
We are truly proud to present to you ten tasty new nuggets from the Reliable stable.
Sun Valley Sound 2 represents some of New Zealand’s finest production talent including Dick Johnson, Soane, ReactorMusic, Reed & Radley, Subware, Cuffy & LeonD and also introducing new emerging artists Daniel Ward, Tim Richards and Craig Harris.
It’s been Reliable Recordings primary aim to work with people who are fully committed to the development of a healthy and thriving House Music community.
All the artists on Sun Valley Sound Part 2 are active contributors to our local music scene and are the creative forces behind the Sinister Sound System, Electric, Black Vinyl, Home Made Productions and of course our own Reliable Recordings club night: Sun Valley Sound System!
Reliable’s origins lie in the principle that if we work our talents collectively we can accomplish great things.
"We have built up a solid core of people we work with regularly and it is our sole objective to release music by the cream of established and upcoming New Zealand producers."
To celebrate the launch of this cracking new chapter in the development of our New Zealand house scene, the Sun Valley All Stars will be taking to the road for a series of release parties.
Magik Johnson – Dustys Problem Sun Valley All-stars – Fall Down Reed & Radley – Tears Over The Years Cuffy & LeonD – Your Love Soane – Song for Sesilia ReactorMusic – Here We Come Daniel Ward – Filthy Craig Harris & Tim Richards – Wild Life <Cook St Dub> ReactorMusic – Rainy Day Subware – Move Back --------------------
TORTOISE It's All Around You
CD
(Thrill Jockey / Spunk)
File Under: Tortoise / Post Rock
URA123
Throughout their 10-year history, Tortoise have been one of the most singularly dynamic bands in modern music. With each record they have not only redefined their own sound, but helped to nudge music itself in unique and exciting new directions. Their members are perpetually involved with multiple projects, thus it is quite noteworthy that It's All Around You, Tortoise's fifth full-length, is the first album that the band has ever made without a single line-up change. The results of this are a record that is the product of five distinctly visionary musicians who are able to synergistically unite like never before. This consistent line-up also allowed the band to move forward in directions that were previously unexplored, and It's All Around You contains a number of Tortoise firsts. It's All Around You was written largely in the studio, in the midst of recording, over the course of a full year. This allowed Tortoise to use John McEntire's SOMA Electronic Music Studio (used by Wilco and Stereolab, among others) not just as a state-of-the-art recording facility but as a compositional tool as well. It took months of continuous writing, recording, tinkering, mixing, and perfecting to bring It's All Around You to its finalised state. The results of this process are clear in the lush, orchestrated tones, intricate melodies, and densely elaborate rhythms that make It's All Around You Tortoise's most adventurous and thoughtful record to date. These songs build deliberately and consistently, amassing music of great detail; exploring their layers is both exciting and infinitely rewarding.
TOM STEPHEN These Beats Are…. (Nite:Life 018) CD
(NRK Sound Division)
File Under: Dance / NRK / Nite:life
NRKMX018
Mix compilations from Tom Stephan are rarer than hen's teeth. Whilst there are a few live bootlegs in existence there is precious little opportunity to take home a slice of one of his blistering DJ sets. The New York born, now London-residing DJ and producer, has only released 1 commercial DJ mix in his career, the highly acclaimed Soundworx Session Two. So it's a godsend that NRK's nite:life 018 lands in Mr. Stephan's capable hands. Tom's production alias, Superchumbo, has taken most of his attention, creating the classic The Revolution, and a run of highly-successful artist singles including Irresistible and This Beat Is, as well as remixing Kylie, Missy Elliot, Pet Shop Boys, Basement Jaxx and many more to international success. His DJ sets have caught the imagination of a global clubscene and the result is a hectic tour schedule that can cover Space in Miami and New York's Crobar in one weekend, then Agaya in Tokyo and Zouk in Singapore the next. A truly international fan base turn up in their thousands to hear his awe-inspiring sets of dark, electronic rhythms spiked with anything from house, techno, and tribal, to the hip hop bootlegs he's renowned for using. This live mix then, is a rare chance to hear the kind of set that has inspired long queues each time his Superchumbo party has taken over The End. Mixes like these are a glimpse into the hedonistic world of the dancefloor that, like it or not, will always offer far more riotous abandon than watching a gang of prima-donnas replay the tired rock formula on stage at a gig. A club experience is all encompassing. The perfect mix of technology, chemicals, and music – held together by a DJ with a box of tricks that these days extends far beyond just two decks and a mixer. These Beats Are... was mixed live using an array of gadgets including Cycloops, a pair of 1210's, CDJ1000 CDJ mixers and more: exactly what you'd hear him utilise in booths across the world. For the music, Tom has looked across the electronic spectrum. Highlights include the beat-driven house of Chus and Ceballos vs Tedd Paterson's In Stereo, the quality, shiny funk of Harry Choo Choo Romero's Corruption, the dark acid synths of DK's Murder In The Bass (a pitched down version of the hard dance anthem), and Carl Cox's eastern-tinged techno-funker Moraccan Chant. This is the sound of a DJ at the top of his game, it may be three years since the last one but this is well worth the wait.
0474:8455 SAMPLER 02 Various CDR
(0474:8455 Recordings)
File Under:
CDR02
More local drum n bass shenanigans from the 0474:8455/Data:Bass crew. Data:Bass a collective of DJs committed to wicked music and great gigs to build their own unique contribution to the local DnB scene. The focus being on establishing viability within the Drum 'n’ Bass market while their collective production skills are still developing and the stand out tunes are making themselves known. These CDs are not professionally mastered or pressed but are an excellent way of exposing the best new work from a wealth of up and coming artists. This sampler contains twelve tracks from artists such as Culprit, Longsdale, Romantech, DJ Fiction and Black Panther and includes the State Of Mind BFM fave Battle Cat. Recommended!
DANIEL GANNAWAY Bound & Suburban CD
(Leinad Records)
File Under: folk / rock
LR004
"It’s like walking alone on the beach at night and seeing Jim Morrison and Jeff Buckley strumming and singing at the water’s edge." Jennifer Layton, Indie-Music.com
"Bound And Suburban' has that home demo feel we seem to love. Production is great though, clean, leaving the floating ethereal mood that's consistent across all 10 original tracks, to waft like incense around the room. And speaking of clean, these tracks could well have been written by the love child of David Kilgour, especially (and use your imagination here) if the other 'parent' was David Byrne (Talking Heads). Romantic, dreamy, lush - all words one could use. I'd recommend instead just listening to it. Nice!" Simon Sweetman - NZ Musician Magazine
"...Daniel Gannaway combines a brooding, geographical view and a warm, visceral folk vocal to create a timeless and striking album in 'Bound and Suburban'..." XTRAMSN
Predominantly a one-man-and-his-guitar album with some drum machine and the occasional overdubbed keyboards and backing vocals, Bound And Suburban benefits from some self-assured musicianship and an excellent lyrical sensibility. Gannaway's firing on all pistons here, with some outstanding guitar work, some light keyboards in all the right places, and vocals with are neither too thin nor too overpowering for the song. The entire album is relaxing, but never in a sleepy way.
DANIEL GANNAWAY Bootlegged At The Temple CD
(Leinad Records)
File Under: folk / rock
LR003
Daniel's third album, Bootlegged at The Temple, came at a time when Daniel was fascinated with the idea of "a guy doing his thing, unannounced in a bar." In context with Daniel's previous two albums - Fine By Me and Flashback - and subsequent release Bound and Suburban, Bootlegged is a departure, which provides the listener a greater perspective on all of his work. Bootlegged is a great live album, which, over time, becomes as much a voyage of discovery and inspiration for the listener as for the musician himself.
DANIEL GANNAWAY Flashback CD
(Leinad Records)
File Under: folk / rock
LR002
Flashback is, like Fine By Me, a sleeper album. A few listens and you may just catch yourself caught knowing lines and humming along. While it was still an album predominately based around Daniel's voice and acoustic guitar, Flashback definitely has an edgier and more varied feel from its predecessor. Daniel's songwriting had become cheekier, more socially observant and less apologetic in some way.
DANIEL GANNAWAY Fine By Me CD
(Leinad Records)
File Under: folk / rock
LR001
Fine By Me is an album that contains songs that came to light over a Sydney summer. It's one of those albums you can put on and not think about, yet you might find yourself realising the myriad of different aspects to each track throughout the album's course.
TORTOISE It's All Around You CD
(Thrill Jockey / Spunk)
File Under: Tortoise / Post Rock
URA123
Throughout their 10-year history, Tortoise have been one of the most singularly dynamic bands in modern music. With each record they have not only redefined their own sound, but helped to nudge music itself in unique and exciting new directions. Their members are perpetually involved with multiple projects, thus it is quite noteworthy that It's All Around You, Tortoise's fifth full-length, is the first album that the band has ever made without a single line-up change. The results of this are a record that is the product of five distinctly visionary musicians who are able to synergistically unite like never before. This consistent line-up also allowed the band to move forward in directions that were previously unexplored, and It's All Around You contains a number of Tortoise firsts. It's All Around You was written largely in the studio, in the midst of recording, over the course of a full year. This allowed Tortoise to use John McEntire's SOMA Electronic Music Studio (used by Wilco and Stereolab, among others) not just as a state-of-the-art recording facility but as a compositional tool as well. It took months of continuous writing, recording, tinkering, mixing, and perfecting to bring It's All Around You to its finalised state. The results of this process are clear in the lush, orchestrated tones, intricate melodies, and densely elaborate rhythms that make It's All Around You Tortoise's most adventurous and thoughtful record to date. These songs build deliberately and consistently, amassing music of great detail; exploring their layers is both exciting and infinitely rewarding.
PAPA M Hole Of Burning Alms CD
(Drag City / Spunk)
File Under:
URA120
Dave Pajo, Tortoise and Slint man and an associate of Will Oldham and Billy Corgan, has been quietly releasing records for some years now as Aerial M and Papa M, and this collection of singles, B-sides and rarities is a welcome retrospective. Even if you are aware of his work, the chances are you won't own even half of the pared, pastoral instrumentals on offer here. From the two-chord trick of debut single Safeless to the banjo and tambourine of the lovely Up North Kids No.2, it all hangs together beautifully. Surprise treats come in the form of the over-compressed vocal of Last Caress and the nifty, retro step programming of Travels in Constants. Understated, excellent and essential.
sun valley sounds 2
coming to a grassy knoll near you soon
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY Greatest Palace Music CD
(Drag City / Spunk)
File Under:
URA121
"a frequently uproarious, deeply affectionate record full of good jokes worth sharing with everyone" 4./5 Uncut Mag
You just never know what you're going to get with Will Oldham. Having released albums under a bewildering number of different names, mostly some variation on the word Palace, the self-styled Bonnie 'Prince' Billy has now decided to re-record a selection of his favourite old songs with some top country session musicians. This might seem like a typically perverse decision, since Oldham's rather creepy tales of loneliness and sexual jealousy are about as far removed from contemporary Nashville as you can hope to get. In the event, however, the experiment turns out surprisingly well - songs that originally saw the light of day on scratchy, lo-fi recordings sound just as good dressed up in their shiny new clothes. If anything, the hillbilly guitars and jaunty violins only serve to highlight the staggering bleakness of Oldham's nihilistic lyrics. So, if you're sick to the gills of cheesy pop music, get your hands on this - it's the unlikeliest greatest hits collection you'll ever hear in your life.
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide