releases
Peter Evans - BEYOND CIVILIZED AND PRIMITIVE
12" LP - 180 gram - edition of 500 - UKP12.75
BEYOND CIVILIZED AND PRIMITIVE is the new solo album by American maverick trumpeter Peter Evans. Titled after a thought provoking essay by philosopher Ran Prieur, it is a heavyweight pressing and comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap around sleeves featuring the forceful brushwork of 15 year old artist Owen Gould.
Recorded during two sessions at Eastcote Studios, London, this album sees Evans push into uncharted territory by utilizing the recording facilities as compositional tools. Overdubbing and looping are the two significant techniques employed on this album.
In the first two tracks Evans pushes his instrument and his lungs to its opposite extremes whilst testing the listener's stamina. The closer of Side A, however, is also the first track to make use of studio experimentation featuring both looping and overdubbing. Following are a steaming duo freely improvised by two trumpets and an extended recording of the innermost grumbles and utterances of the instrument. The album finally ends with an epic two part piece which needs to be heard to be believed!
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR which features four additional pieces from the studio sessions.
Okkyng Lee & Phil Minton - ANICCA
12" LP - 180 gram - edition of 350 - SOLD OUT
A delicate, intimate and sometimes slightly thorny affair ANICCA, named after the concept of impermanence in Buddhism, is a first encounter between boundary pushing cellist Okkyung Lee (New York) and legendary singer Phil Minton (London). Recorded in a day at Eastcote Studios, London, this release comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap around sleeves based on an intricate papercut by Okkyung. Exclusive liner notes are provided by artist Christian Marclay, a frequent collaborator of both Phil and Okkyung.
Recorded acoustically and with the aim to capturing the rawest, smallest, biggest and most beautiful sounds of their respective instruments, Okkyung’s cello and Phil’s voice sound nothing like they should. At their most powerful the resonance of both strings and vocal cords trade places, merge and tangle to create a storm, a wave and a crackling fire. But each gust of the wind is preceded and followed by the hush tones of two strangers meeting for the first time. Listening to ANICCA is witnessing a constant state of flux. Just as the strings meet in celebration, turmoil pulls them apart and therein lies the thrill of this music.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR which features one additional duo track and two solo pieces from the studio sessions.
Mats Gustafsson - NEEDS!
12" LP - 180 gram - edition of 500 - SOLD OUT
NEEDS! is the brand new heavyweight long player by heavyweight saxman MATS GUSTAFSSON. This studio album comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap-around sleeves designed by Austrian artist Mathias Pöschl. Liner notes were exclusively penned by musician producer extraordinaire Jim O’Rourke. Most importantly, however, this LP is being released on deluxe 180 gram vinyl.
NEEDS! is a duo as much as a solo effort featuring Gustafsson on either his favoured baritone or the unusual slide saxophone (a rare antique instrument) as well as on a small selection of live power electronics. For the first time, he combines both the acoustic sounds of his saxophones with the amplified sounds of electronic devices in the same audio body mixing them as overdubs as well as live improvisations. From gasping to rasping to tongue slapping, nothing smoothes over the up close physicality of conjuring sounds from the instruments. While Gustafsson's acoustic playing is rich in dynamics with a sense of punctuation and spaces, some of his electronic concoctions are thick slices of condensed, compressed mass.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR entitled "NEEDS & DEEDS" which features four additional tracks from the studio sessions. PLEASE NOTE: The 3" bonus disks have now sold out!
JOHN EDWARDS & CHRIS CORSANO - Tsktsking
12" LP - edition of 500 - SOLD OUT
TSKTSKING is the first duo album by London-based double bassist John Edwards and US drummer extraordinaire Chris Corsano. The album was recorded at Eastcote Studios, London in December 2008. Limited to 500 copies it comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap-around sleeves. The accompanying insert features exclusive and humerous liner notes written by UK sax pioneer Evan Parker.
Defying the drum and bass’s classic roles as rhythm instruments, Edwards and Corsano’s TSKTSKING is a beautifully melodic album. At times Corsano’s drumset sounds like it’s got strings whilst Edwards’s double bass takes its fair share of scrapes and slaps.
Extended passages explore the most subtle and some unexpected sounds that can be summoned from metal and timber. Equally, possessed progressions and untamed eruptions of energy and power are conjured up. These two musicians prey and pounce on their instruments like it’s their last chance.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR entitled "Vanishing Point" which features two tracks from the studio sessions. Like the LP these are also packaged in small hand screenprinted sleeves. The 3" bonus CDRs are now SOLD OUT!
ASTRAL SOCIAL CLUB - Plug Music Ramoon
12" LP - edition of 500 - UKP10
Featuring two tracks of fearless sonic bliss and two long journeys to a state of sustained ecstasy ASTRAL SOCIAL CLUB's “Plug Music Ramoon” was recorded in one day on analogue 2” tape.
The LP combines percussive sticks and bells, resonant electronics, keyboard odysseys and some experimental vocal work from helmsman Campbell. Whilst Club member John Clyde-Evans’s laptop contributions provide much of the backbone groove of the album, Stewart Keith adds light and shade on a variety of keyboards and toys. Together they weave a rich tapestry of sound and noise. But it’s Campbell’s dense guitars that thicken the very stem of these four tracks and leads his Astral Social Club to conjure up his visions.
This limited edition 12” comes housed in a gorgeous hand-printed silkscreen sleeve.
The first 100 copies of the LP also come with a bonus 3" CDR of four reworkings of a session outtake by Neil Campbell entitled "Black Note Maroon #1-4". These are packaged in a rubberstamped silver sleeve. On top of that, the album covers have been printed using a special colour blending technique, so no two are the same. The 3" bonus CDRs are now sold out!
DIRECTING HAND - What Put The Blood
12" LP - edition of 500 - UKP10
DIRECTING HAND have recorded an exciting and chilling record of folk and fire tunes. Placing equal emphasis on experimental free drum and wordless vocal improvisations and reinterpretations of traditional English folk songs, “What Put The Blood” is beautiful, ugly, loud and quiet all at once. “And just as the traditional readings are illuminated by the advanced application of vanguard, modernist aesthetics, the improvisations feel intuitively authentic and deeply volk-ish. For a tradition to go on living, sometimes it is necessary to kill it off completely.” (from the liner notes). Now consisting of Alex Neilson on drums and vocals and soprano Lavinia Blackwall who also plays harp, cello and harmonium, DIRECTING HAND have truly zoned in on the essence of their craft.
The LP features exclusive liner notes by Volcanic Tongue’s David Keenan and comes housed in a hand screenprinted wrap-around sleeve designed by Lavinia Blackwall.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3” CDR of four songs that Lavinia recorded in the studio shortly after the Directing Hand sessions. Utilizing electric organs, guitars, grand piano and her pure soprano voice, she hauntingly interprets and reinterprets two traditional English folk songs and two of her own compositions. The disk comes in a handmade sleeve letterpressed with a Masonic image from Lavinia’s collection. The 3" bonus CDRs are now sold out!
MOTOR GHOST - A Gold Chain Round Her Breast
12" LP - edition of 300 - SOLD OUT
MOTOR GHOST is the new project of drummer / vocalist alex neilson and multi-instrumentalist ben reynolds. ‘A Gold Chain Round Her Breast’ is their first recorded document as a duo. from the brooding opener through tracks of soaring electricity to the beautifully fragile a capella rendition of the folk song ‘Leaves Of Life’, this album sees alex and ben exploring darkness and light and all shades in between. alex’ drumming provides much of the backbone of the album supporting and conversing with ben’s acoustic and electric guitars, loops and the call of the dümuk (a greek horn). the album comes in screenprinted sleeves, all of which have been hand embellished and are individually numbered.
the first 100 copies of the album include a 3” bonus cd-r containing a 4 song solo vocal set alex performed at the macbeth in london the day before the MOTOR GHOST studio session and feature exclusive and extensive liner notes by scottish folk singer alasdair roberts. these will sell on a first come first serve basis.
12" LP - 180 gram - edition of 500 - UKP12.75
BEYOND CIVILIZED AND PRIMITIVE is the new solo album by American maverick trumpeter Peter Evans. Titled after a thought provoking essay by philosopher Ran Prieur, it is a heavyweight pressing and comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap around sleeves featuring the forceful brushwork of 15 year old artist Owen Gould.
Recorded during two sessions at Eastcote Studios, London, this album sees Evans push into uncharted territory by utilizing the recording facilities as compositional tools. Overdubbing and looping are the two significant techniques employed on this album.
In the first two tracks Evans pushes his instrument and his lungs to its opposite extremes whilst testing the listener's stamina. The closer of Side A, however, is also the first track to make use of studio experimentation featuring both looping and overdubbing. Following are a steaming duo freely improvised by two trumpets and an extended recording of the innermost grumbles and utterances of the instrument. The album finally ends with an epic two part piece which needs to be heard to be believed!
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR which features four additional pieces from the studio sessions.
Okkyng Lee & Phil Minton - ANICCA
12" LP - 180 gram - edition of 350 - SOLD OUT
A delicate, intimate and sometimes slightly thorny affair ANICCA, named after the concept of impermanence in Buddhism, is a first encounter between boundary pushing cellist Okkyung Lee (New York) and legendary singer Phil Minton (London). Recorded in a day at Eastcote Studios, London, this release comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap around sleeves based on an intricate papercut by Okkyung. Exclusive liner notes are provided by artist Christian Marclay, a frequent collaborator of both Phil and Okkyung.
Recorded acoustically and with the aim to capturing the rawest, smallest, biggest and most beautiful sounds of their respective instruments, Okkyung’s cello and Phil’s voice sound nothing like they should. At their most powerful the resonance of both strings and vocal cords trade places, merge and tangle to create a storm, a wave and a crackling fire. But each gust of the wind is preceded and followed by the hush tones of two strangers meeting for the first time. Listening to ANICCA is witnessing a constant state of flux. Just as the strings meet in celebration, turmoil pulls them apart and therein lies the thrill of this music.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR which features one additional duo track and two solo pieces from the studio sessions.
Mats Gustafsson - NEEDS!
12" LP - 180 gram - edition of 500 - SOLD OUT
NEEDS! is the brand new heavyweight long player by heavyweight saxman MATS GUSTAFSSON. This studio album comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap-around sleeves designed by Austrian artist Mathias Pöschl. Liner notes were exclusively penned by musician producer extraordinaire Jim O’Rourke. Most importantly, however, this LP is being released on deluxe 180 gram vinyl.
NEEDS! is a duo as much as a solo effort featuring Gustafsson on either his favoured baritone or the unusual slide saxophone (a rare antique instrument) as well as on a small selection of live power electronics. For the first time, he combines both the acoustic sounds of his saxophones with the amplified sounds of electronic devices in the same audio body mixing them as overdubs as well as live improvisations. From gasping to rasping to tongue slapping, nothing smoothes over the up close physicality of conjuring sounds from the instruments. While Gustafsson's acoustic playing is rich in dynamics with a sense of punctuation and spaces, some of his electronic concoctions are thick slices of condensed, compressed mass.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR entitled "NEEDS & DEEDS" which features four additional tracks from the studio sessions. PLEASE NOTE: The 3" bonus disks have now sold out!
JOHN EDWARDS & CHRIS CORSANO - Tsktsking
12" LP - edition of 500 - SOLD OUT
TSKTSKING is the first duo album by London-based double bassist John Edwards and US drummer extraordinaire Chris Corsano. The album was recorded at Eastcote Studios, London in December 2008. Limited to 500 copies it comes housed in hand screenprinted wrap-around sleeves. The accompanying insert features exclusive and humerous liner notes written by UK sax pioneer Evan Parker.
Defying the drum and bass’s classic roles as rhythm instruments, Edwards and Corsano’s TSKTSKING is a beautifully melodic album. At times Corsano’s drumset sounds like it’s got strings whilst Edwards’s double bass takes its fair share of scrapes and slaps.
Extended passages explore the most subtle and some unexpected sounds that can be summoned from metal and timber. Equally, possessed progressions and untamed eruptions of energy and power are conjured up. These two musicians prey and pounce on their instruments like it’s their last chance.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3" CDR entitled "Vanishing Point" which features two tracks from the studio sessions. Like the LP these are also packaged in small hand screenprinted sleeves. The 3" bonus CDRs are now SOLD OUT!
ASTRAL SOCIAL CLUB - Plug Music Ramoon
12" LP - edition of 500 - UKP10
Featuring two tracks of fearless sonic bliss and two long journeys to a state of sustained ecstasy ASTRAL SOCIAL CLUB's “Plug Music Ramoon” was recorded in one day on analogue 2” tape.
The LP combines percussive sticks and bells, resonant electronics, keyboard odysseys and some experimental vocal work from helmsman Campbell. Whilst Club member John Clyde-Evans’s laptop contributions provide much of the backbone groove of the album, Stewart Keith adds light and shade on a variety of keyboards and toys. Together they weave a rich tapestry of sound and noise. But it’s Campbell’s dense guitars that thicken the very stem of these four tracks and leads his Astral Social Club to conjure up his visions.
This limited edition 12” comes housed in a gorgeous hand-printed silkscreen sleeve.
The first 100 copies of the LP also come with a bonus 3" CDR of four reworkings of a session outtake by Neil Campbell entitled "Black Note Maroon #1-4". These are packaged in a rubberstamped silver sleeve. On top of that, the album covers have been printed using a special colour blending technique, so no two are the same. The 3" bonus CDRs are now sold out!
DIRECTING HAND - What Put The Blood
12" LP - edition of 500 - UKP10
DIRECTING HAND have recorded an exciting and chilling record of folk and fire tunes. Placing equal emphasis on experimental free drum and wordless vocal improvisations and reinterpretations of traditional English folk songs, “What Put The Blood” is beautiful, ugly, loud and quiet all at once. “And just as the traditional readings are illuminated by the advanced application of vanguard, modernist aesthetics, the improvisations feel intuitively authentic and deeply volk-ish. For a tradition to go on living, sometimes it is necessary to kill it off completely.” (from the liner notes). Now consisting of Alex Neilson on drums and vocals and soprano Lavinia Blackwall who also plays harp, cello and harmonium, DIRECTING HAND have truly zoned in on the essence of their craft.
The LP features exclusive liner notes by Volcanic Tongue’s David Keenan and comes housed in a hand screenprinted wrap-around sleeve designed by Lavinia Blackwall.
The first 100 copies of the LP come with a bonus 3” CDR of four songs that Lavinia recorded in the studio shortly after the Directing Hand sessions. Utilizing electric organs, guitars, grand piano and her pure soprano voice, she hauntingly interprets and reinterprets two traditional English folk songs and two of her own compositions. The disk comes in a handmade sleeve letterpressed with a Masonic image from Lavinia’s collection. The 3" bonus CDRs are now sold out!
MOTOR GHOST - A Gold Chain Round Her Breast
12" LP - edition of 300 - SOLD OUT
MOTOR GHOST is the new project of drummer / vocalist alex neilson and multi-instrumentalist ben reynolds. ‘A Gold Chain Round Her Breast’ is their first recorded document as a duo. from the brooding opener through tracks of soaring electricity to the beautifully fragile a capella rendition of the folk song ‘Leaves Of Life’, this album sees alex and ben exploring darkness and light and all shades in between. alex’ drumming provides much of the backbone of the album supporting and conversing with ben’s acoustic and electric guitars, loops and the call of the dümuk (a greek horn). the album comes in screenprinted sleeves, all of which have been hand embellished and are individually numbered.
the first 100 copies of the album include a 3” bonus cd-r containing a 4 song solo vocal set alex performed at the macbeth in london the day before the MOTOR GHOST studio session and feature exclusive and extensive liner notes by scottish folk singer alasdair roberts. these will sell on a first come first serve basis.