CD Releases: Current  updated:23/06/2004

 

NAIROBI TRIO Safari CD
(Nairobi Trio)
File Under: Nairobi Trio / Jazz / NZ Music
NTCD5
Since their inception in 1989 the Nairobi Trio have become New Zealand's favourite jazz entertainers, touring regularly throughout the world, appearing at major festivals in New Zealand, the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia. Now in their 15th year together, Nairobi Trio are more passionate about their music than ever. They have released a total of seven albums together. On tour Nairobi Trio perform as a quartet. With the inclusion of Andrew Dixon on saxophones/ flute/ vocals, the trio line-up of Richard Adams (Violin/ vocals), John Quigley (Guitar/ vocals) and Peter Koopman (Bass/ vocals) take you on a musical journey, in a show packed with some real gems. The performance is contagious, expressive, and much of it spontaneously improvised. The program includes a selection of jazz standards re-worked by the group, however Nairobi Trio are perhaps best known for their skilfully crafted original pieces, many of which evoke images of New Zealand's geographic beauty and cultural diversity. Safari, the latest CD from Nairobi Trio, is a collection of original tunes. The group explore a range of musical genres, taking you on a journey from the Scottish Highlands through the Caribbean to New Orleans and back to New Zealand. Nairobi Trio are one of New Zealand’s most respected Jazz combos. They are continually on tour, their shows are most often sold out - and their CDs sell well!

Nairobi Trio Dates

MAY (completed)

  • 20th, Christchurch Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu
  • 21st, Nelson Nelson School of Music
  • 22nd, Blenheim The Boathouse Theatre
  • 23rd, Kaikoura Kaikoura Winery
  • 24th, Greymouth Regent Theatre
  • 25th, Wanaka Wanaka Community Centre
  • 26th, Queenstown Sky Alpine Casino
  • 27th, Invercargill Legends Bar
  • 28th, Gore Gore Little Theatre
  • 30th, Dunedin Dunedin Public Art Gallery
  • 31th, Geraldine Easyway Cafe

June

  • 16th, Whangarei Killer Prawn
  • 17th, Kerikeri Citrus Bar
  • 18th, Omapere Omapere Tourist Hotel
  • 21st, New Plymouth The Devon Hotel
  • 22nd, Wanganui The Commercial Club (Tickets From Royal Wanganui Opera House)
  • 23rd, Palmerston North Regent on Broadway (Book at the Theatre or TicketDirect)
  • 24th, Wellington Old St Pauls (Book at Ticketek)
  • 25th, Martinborough Martinborough Wine Centre
  • 26th, Napier Church Rd Winery
  • 27th, Whakatane Whakatane Baptist Church (2pm show)
  • 27th, Tauranga 16th Ave Repertory Theatre

also available:

Absolutely!

"Variously a swinging and supple set, this was recorded live at jazz festivals in Norway last year. It features as centrepieces the romantic seven-minute original Portugal, in which the music dissolves down to Peter Koopman's bass before Richard Adam's violin emerges to parry with Andrew Dixon's weaving sax, and a treatment of Charlie Chaplin's ballad Smile. Longtime followers will have other versions of some of these tracks but there's also Dixon's new, lightly funky Blue Mamba delivered over a bed of effects and wah-wah from guitarist John Quigley. And the Quigley/Adams discreetly Celtic composition Firth of Forth is always worth re-hearing. " 20.06.2002 - By Graham Reid (Herald rating: ***)

Standards

It is an album of jazz standards performed in the distinctive Nairobi Trio style, classy playing, four-part vocal harmonies, and plenty of good humour. Standards was captured on digital tape at John's house in Auckland, New Zealand in a single recording session. The short time taken gives the album a relaxed, live feel that audiences worldwide have come to enjoy from the group's live concerts.

Live at the McDonald Winery

Recorded live at Montana Wines' McDonald Winery in Hawkes Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand.

"The key word here is "live" because that's how this four-piece "trio" (occasionally expanding to a quartet) is best appreciated. Here the keening melodic violin of Richard Adams, the mesmerisingly inventive guitar of Nigel Gavin and the secure rhythm section of guitarist John Quigley and bassist Peter Koopman spiral through material which owes less and less to the Django/Grappelli sound they established their reputation with. Gavin's three originals are among the standouts, the collection shifts from avant-guitar and skittering fiddle to straight-ahead swing and, as always, the vocals are an acquired taste. Still, the live energy carries all before it and the release of this couldn't be more timely." NZ Herald Feb 1998 ****

Shelf Life

"Nairobi Trio are an unsung success story of New Zealand music, having garnered fans and acclaim from around the world. Their sound is an eclectic mix of acoustic styles. Double bass, fiddle and twin guitars blend and battle to create the Trio's own brand of very accessible jazz.

Shelf Life is their third album, and their first of completely original music which shows off their passion and flair. Eight of the 11 tracks are completely acoustic, but all manage to convey a certain New Zealand quality, vis a vis the evocative Bluff Wisdom, with its opening violin seagull cries and bass foghorn effects.

Evocative is a fair description of the Trio's music. Punters who recently saw the band described being carried away to exotic locales by a performance as faultless as you'd expect from such experienced talents. If it's quirky, mellow jazz you're after, then Shelf Life is worth a look." Ken Lewis, The Strip, December 1996.

Through the Clouds

"This is a good album;a very good album. Any number of its 13 tracks should easily find airplay on MOR or jazz-oriented radio, particularly as the Nairobi Trio (all four of them…) are so well known and popular.

Although playing in the piano-less/drummer-less style and tradition (though guitarist John Quigley turns in some nice brushwork on two tracks) that began with Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli's celebrated Hot Club Quintet, the Nairobis are kicked into modernity by the more intense playing of violinist Richard Adams and Guitarist Nigel Gavin, strongly supported by Quigley and bassist Peter Koopman. Also by some astute choices of material (Tom Ludvigson's Do Your Own, Nigel Gavin's Sacred Hill, Miles' Nardis). As a result, although their sound is still satisfyingly 'Lounge Lizard' when required, it's a lot less louche than Django and Stephane can now sound to contemporary ears.

Stand out tracks, for me, are the opener Lady be Good, the aforementioned Do Your Own (boldly programmed second up), Nuages, Limehouse Blues (always a favourite), the beautiful Cahn/Van Heusen ballad All My Tomorrows (an inspired choice) and the perennial Caravan (not an easy tune to refresh, but the group have done so here). There are plenty to choose from, including a few jaunty and insouciant vocals too." Bruce Morley, NZ Musician - June 1993.

Live

Is the Nairobi Trio's first album recorded in 1991 at Mandrill Studios in Parnell, Auckland. The name comes from the fact that the recording, although done in a studio without a live audience, was laid straight down to two–track tape with no overdubbing. What you hear is exactly what happened that night.

 

SHIMA Light CD
(Shima Music)
File Under: electronica / NZ Music
SH003
Shima is Auckland musician, Michael Ferriss, Shima's music has been described as an orchestra on acid. His approach to sound is almost organic with samples of found sounds mixed with digital and analogue synthesizers. Simple, lush and beautiful are terms that spring to mind when listening to Michael’s accomplished compositions. A great album if you want to enter into a uniquely different world of electronica, turn on the light.

 

 

CRAZY PENIS
24 Hour Psychedelic Freakout

"24 Hour Psychedelic Freakout is like a comfy pair of old dancing shoes that you just have to slip into one more time" Pavement Magazine
(Shiva Records)
File Under: Dance / Crazy Penis
SHIVACD01
Following the release of the acclaimed album The Wicked Is Music, the artistes that could only be known as Crazy Penis have gone from strength to strength, taking their humour-filled, funk-infected Northern floorshow into the world to wow audiences from Manchester to Moscow and from Sydney to San Francisco from Aldershot to Auckland and back again. In addition, founder members Chris Todd and Jim Baron have seen their remixing skills put to consistently excellent use by peer labels such as Naked Music, Guidance, Faith & Hope, Shiva and Shaboom. 24 Hour Psychedelic Freakout represents a 60+ minute rollercoaster ride through the mixed-up world of Crazy Penis. Instinctively groovy, occasionally laid-back and always rocking, 24 Hour Psychedelic Freakout is a flash-fried, new season collection of brand new Crazy Penis tracks and exclusive Crazy Penis remixes joined at the hip by mixers du jour Chris Todd and Jim Baron. Blissful, elegant and an essential listening experience for all!

Tracklisting
    • The Time Is Right
    • Mid-Lounge Crisis
    • Listen to the Music (Crazy Penis Remix)
    • I Think I Like You
    • The Rite Place (Crazy Penis Remix)
    • 13th Movement
    • Magical Progression
    • Show Me (Crazy Penis Remix)
    • You've Lost That Loving Feeling
    • Summer Song (Crazy Penis Remix)

 

DICK MAGIK JOHNSON joins singles club
NRK SINGLES COLLECTION 6 Various 2CD
(NRK Sound Division)
File Under: NRK /Dick Johnson /Dance / House
NRKCD014
Maybe he didn’t get a valentines card this year, but in 2004, Dick "Magik" Johnson joins the elite NRK Singles club, with the honour of mixing the Bristol imprint's finest 12" releases from the last 12 months. "NRK Singles Volume 6" is a killer double CD, which showcases NRK’s ear for a killer house record, and this compilation spanning the last 12 months includes such tracks by Joey Negro (under his Akabu guise as well as remixing Q-Burns), Nick Holder (also remixed by Ian Pooley), Rocket (the awesome Chicken Lips mix), Miguel Migs and Peace Division. A bonus mix CD is included on Singles 6 mixed by man of the moment, Magik Johnson. Known as Dick Johnson down this way, the New Zealand based producer is on fire right now with a remix of Neon Heights (championed by Pete Tong), his Del-5 release on The End Recordings, new EPs forthcoming on H-Foundation’s Hipp-e’s Nightshift label, Red Melon and remixes on Paper and Shaboom. A superb package at a bargain price, NRK Singles 6 is the perfect companion for house music fans as well as a great introduction not only to the NRK label but also to the genre as well. A superb package at a bargain price, NRK Singles 6 is the perfect companion for house music fans as well as a great introduction not only to the NRK label but also to the genre as well.

 

PAPA M Hole Of Burning Alms CD
(Drag City / Spunk)
File Under: Ariel M / Papa M / Spunkrock
URA120
"All these instrumental singles and B-sides make [DAVE PAJO’s] sonic trajectory clearer and easier to organize-- when taken together, they chug hard like [his] career, shifting chronologically from Slint-ish guitar surges to acoustic country hymns to traveling beats to scummy rock songs." Pitchfork
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.

 

BONNIE PRINCE BILLY Greatest Palace Music CD
(Drag City / Spunk)
File Under: Bonny Prince Billy / Will Oldham / Palace / Spunkrock
URA121
"a frequently uproarious, deeply affectionate record full of good jokes worth sharing with everyone" 4./5 Uncut Mag
'With new arrangements and a more traditional approach Oldham just may open
the doors to the masses that have left him largely a cult figure.' XPRESS’ (7/4)
'A polished version of rambling country/folk'. *** Daily Telegraph 28/3
'It's lovely when the gospel kicks in'. *** SMH (16/4)
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.

 

BRAZILIAN BEATS VOL 5 Various CD/2x12"
(Agenda Music)
File Under: Brazilian Music / World
MRBCD032/VMRBLP032
Woah now boy! Hold on to your horses as the next Brazilian Beats instalment hits our shores! And what classics do we have this time round I hear you ask? For one thing you get two formats, 18 tracker CD or 14 tracker double on vinyl. Including the massive Beatfanatic re-edit of Jackson do Pandeiro's Eu Balanco, the genius of Jorge Ben Jr's Take It Easy My Brother Charles, Jorge Ben Xica Da Silva, Sasso's Tudo Bem, from hiphop to electro to carnaval - it's all on here. Mr Bongo Records continues to set the pace for new innovative sounds originating from Brazil. This edition is more urban carioca hip hop meets break‘n’bossa action courtesy of a nice old style selection. Funk parties, Brazilian hip hop, car adverts… could be one of the baddest volumes yet, you'll have to be the judge of that!

 

VENETIC Ambient Headroom CD
(Independent)
File Under: NZ Music
CDWSMKSS002
"Venetic is the brainchild of Wayne Stuart McCallum. "Eastern Variations" and "Distortion is Beautiful" set the tone here with scratchy, meandering guitar figures and whispered vocals. Subsequent lo-fi pop structures address metaphysical questions facing a young man trying to make sense of the world and are clothed in folksy and beatnik-noodle instrumentation, articulated in an even-tempered conversational manner. [...] The Spanish language "Segue" swings in a tic-tacky fashion, and touches of recorder, harmonica and organ throughout lend a down-home ramshackle charm. Wah-wah squalls are balanced by vanishing-point delayed guitar strumming." New Zealand Musician, February/March 2004
Ambient Headroom witnesses the return of Venetic with a second album, radically different from the acoustic garage debut CD. This time around, Venetic delves into electric guitar, wah wah pedals, keyboards, synthesisers, recorder and precorder and miscellaneous effects, including a phased filing cabinet, with musical influences encompassing from the East, Latin America, Eastern Europe and even Jamaica. Ambient music meets psychedelia? Supporting the CD’s release is a new video of the song "She Walks Away", directed by Richard Bell, who has produced music videos for international artists including U2, Nick Cave, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, Henry Rollins, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Depeche Mode and The Pixies to name just a few. A very rewarding listen.

 

THE RAINY DAYS Hot Shit! CD
(GICSN)
File Under: The Rainy Days / Rock
GISCN02
The Rainy Days first came together as the members of Gestalt found themselves embattled in recording their Motherlode album. They were looking for an outlet to perform live, in a setting that did not require the personnel for their increasingly bizarre arrangements and strict instrumentation demanded by their principal songwriter Davy G. Since forming in 1993 they have released a 7" single Uh-Huh! on Flying Nun (1995) and released Spongomumagummabullybeef + Microchips an album on Honest Tooth Records in 2003. Following on from this is the current incarnation of the band. The album features ten new tracks from the band.

 

WWIV Rock N Roll Point Of View CD
(GICSN)
File Under: Rock
GISCN01
"Included within the ranks of the WWiV are the full compliment of the super trio Rock 'n Roll Machine…. Throw another guitar and a bunch of new rockin' tunes into that already heady mix and you've got yourselves a super-size can o' kick ass. Neanderthal is just a stellar rock tune no mistake and of the others It Ain't Paranoia, Rok In Rol Ram Raid and No Rulz all sit quite comfortably beside any of the rest of the shit hot 'garage rock' that's blasting the airwaves at present." The Fix Magazine
10 tales from the meat-side of the cyber-divide. A hard-rok dissertation on the post-new world order from the perspective of post-September 12 Auckland (New Zealand, the other side of the dateline). A 3 man 1 woman crew playing with electricity and kinetics; fashioning an antidote to nu-metal and the nu-m.o.r

 

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.

  1. Magik Johnson – Dustys Problem
  2. Sun Valley All-stars – Fall Down
  3. Reed & Radley – Tears Over The Years
  4. Cuffy & LeonD – Your Love
  5. Soane – Song for Sesilia
  6. ReactorMusic – Here We Come
  7. Daniel Ward – Filthy
  8. Craig Harris & Tim Richards – Wild Life <Cook St Dub>
  9. ReactorMusic – Rainy Day
  10. 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.

 

soane



TonganChic

Leading DJ and Producer Soane releases his eagerly awaited debut artist album, TonganChic. It’s been a long time since his days as a doorman and then DJ at Club Roma and the Box back in the day. Since then Soane has released several 12" singles for UK Labels Shaboom and Paperecordings and has also compiled and mixed three local mix CDs, as well as finding the time to grace the decks at all of New Zealand’s top clubs and club nights.

In 2002 Soane teamed up with local engineer Luke Toomes and set about recording his debut album, which has like all good things taken a bit longer than expected. TonganChic the resulting album named after Soane’s BFM show is to be unleashed on the New Zealand public February 2004 the first single All I Need which features the vocal talents of Boh Runga and Feelstyle will coincide with the album release and will be complimented by a video kindly funded by NZ On Air. With the release of TonganChic Soane will embark on a New Zealand wide tour to support the album.

Tracklisting:

  1. Not Without You
  2. Crazy Cousins
  3. Leap of Faith
  4. Gettin High
  5. Song For Sesilia
  6. Saxy Beast
  7. Boavida Feat. Robson Santos
  8. Where Do We Go Feat. Anthony Gold
  9. Syncopated Music
  10. Kenneth Ave Shuffle
  11. Secret Weapon
  12. All I Need Feat. Feelstyle and Boh Runga
  13. The Tonic (Instrumental)
  14. Runaway feat. Hassanah Iroegbu

 

 

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