All genres

Review: This has been described as Shelflife for Calibre's 120-140 material. If you know the means, methods and magic of Dominic Martin, you'll already have this in your basket. But in case you need a little extra info or new to the abyssal vaults of Calibre, the Shelflife series is a regular collection of projects and unreleased material he's made over the years. While best known for his d&b, his house, techno and dub material is just as prolific, deep and mesmerising. As is the case here as we range from steppy, curmudgeonly techno ('Front Loader') to funky electro style breaks ('The Saki') to bumping shufflesome house ('Ukrained') to vast spacious dub ('Come With Me') Complete with many other deep and reflective shades between, this is yet another fantastic body of work from one of electronic music's most unique and revered artists.

Review: Either you weren't born, or Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms turning 40 this year will make you feel decidedly long in the tooth. It's an unquestionable landmark for one of the best-selling albums of all time. To mark the occasion, the London-formed band's fifth studio album is being reissued across a bunch of formats, with this five album box set including a full live set from their 1985 show in San Antonio, capturing Mark Knopfler, John Illsley, Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher in their stadium-filling prime. As for the album itself i well, the vastly emotive 'Brothers in Arms', fuzz guitar earworm 'Money for Nothing' and feelgood singalong 'Walk of Life' pretty much speak for themselves. Classic pop-rock, this is a must-have for Straits fans, and well worth a listen for anyone who happens to be uninitiated.

Review: Few artists in electronic music are as legendary as Laurent Garnier. It is only right then that he finally makes his entry into the equally titanic and influential Fabric Presents series. His mix is a real doozy that here gets the full deluxe edition treatment and comes on 4 x12"s with a hefty booklet. The House Odyssey mix opens with afro house from South African producer Mr. Blase, leading into vibrant cuts from Cape Verde to Chicago. Newer faces like Culoe De Song, Neinzer, and Tal Fussman join stalwarts DJ Spen, DJ Lady D and Mike Dunn. The Rhythmic Resonance mix delivers high-impact techno moments from Red Axes, John Tejada, Electric Rescue, and more. Garnier's UK-focused Into The Low-End session includes Skrillex, MC GQ and more and all in all offers up a diverse mastery, from luminous house to bass-heavy techno.

Review: "What was amazing about Liska's music was that, unlike most other composers, he didn't attempt to go with the mood of the film and milk the emotions but listened to the rhythm of the movie itself. Especially in an animated film, this helped to greatly enhance the sense of the picture's pace and drama. He was able to discover rhythms in films that even their authors weren't aware of." Jan Svankmajer, whose 90th birthday coincides with the release of this compilation, clearly holds Zdenek Liska in high regard. Respectively, a director and his regular composer-collaborator, the Czech artists worked on ten short films together. The original recordings of music for three of those have survived on tape - Don Juan (Don sajn), Leonardo's Diary (Leonard?v denik) and Jabberwocky (evahlav aneb sati?ky Slam?neho Huberta). Now here they are in all their surreal, folk-ish, playful, comedic and, at times, library-style glory.

Review: This is a stone-cold classic from the legendary and late MF Doom that gets s deceiving special Japanese Edition reissue for its 20th anniversary, complete with fresh artwork by Sam Rodriguez. This one has long been revered for its inventive production, sharp wordplay and food-themed metaphors which blend humour with incisive social commentary as Doom explores themes of vice, violence and jealousy with playful yet profound storytelling. Tracks like 'Beef Rapp' critique conflict glorification, 'Hoe Cakes' examines indulgence and 'One Beer' delves into escapism and ego. With its witty, layered narratives and textbook beats, this one is a brilliant fusion of satire and social insight.

Review: This definitive 2025 edition of the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack has been meticulously recreated by Jammin' Sam Miller using original SNES data and studio-grade equipment. Originally released in 1994, the game's music, featuring classics like 'Aquatic Ambiance' and 'Fear Factory', redefined video game soundtracks. This triple-vinyl boxset takes in all of the many highlights with fixed playback speeds and refreshed packaging. It's a nostalgic listen for those old enough to have been gaming back in the mid-nineties but also a rich source of samples for adventurous modern producers.

Review: The bounty hunter's journey continues, accompanied by a score that has left an indelible mark on cinematic history. This newly expanded edition showcases Ennio Morricone's remarkable work for Sergio Leone's 1965 classic, featuring the original eight-cue soundtrack program first issued by RCA Records, paired with the complete mono film score. The remastering, handled by Claudio Fuiano and Daniel Winkler, enhances every note of Morricone's haunting compositions. The packaging itself is a collector's dream, with front cover art by Renato Casaro and a portrait of Morricone by Fuiano. This vinyl release, presented on transparent white and orange wax, is housed in a gatefold sleeve. Added to this edition are two poster prints and a 24-page booklet written by Daniele de Gemini, adorned with Averardo Ciriello's artwork and a layout by de Gemini, offering deep insight into the music and its context. Morricone's score integrates pre-written themes, including a recurring melody tied to a musical pocket watch that becomes a pivotal element in the film. The music's enduring appeal is evident in covers by Hugo Montenegro and Billy Strange. Often overlooked, this film and its score deserve renewed attention through this meticulously crafted release.

Review: The iconic UK duo's equally recognisable second self-titled album i better known as the Brown Album i remains a towering achievement of early 90s electronic music. Originally released in 1993, it blurred techno, ambient and rave into a sprawling, richly detailed soundscape. This deluxe reissue, spread across four records, is the most rewarding edition into one of the genre's most enduring masterpieces. The remastered original tracks i from the shimmering melancholia of 'Halcyon + On + On' to the urgent pulse of 'Impact (The Earth Is Burning)' i still sound breathtakingly vital. 'Lush 3-1' and 'Lush 3-2' in particular benefit from the new half-speed vinyl cut, giving extra weight to their cascading synths and intricate rhythms. The real treasure for longtime fans lies in the bonus material including live recordings like the propulsive 'The Naked and the Dead' and the hypnotic 'Sunday'. Meanwhile, the lavish packaging i complete with a hardcover book, vintage flyers, and even a slipmat i reinforces how pivotal this album was in shaping Orbital's legacy. Sprawling yet intimate, futuristic yet deeply human, the Brown Album still feels like a world unto itself i and now, it's more expansive than ever.

Review: The aptly titled Morbid Metal offers up the ultimate fan service to devout worshippers of Swiss industrial black metal legends Samael, who whilst nowadays are renowned for their uniquely oppressive and mechanical machinations, began life in a far more primitive, traditional sense. Spread out across 5 x 7" picture disc EPs, the box set collates all of the band's recorded output preceding their 1991 debut full-length Worship Him, including Into The Infernal Storm Of Evil (Demo recorded in March 1988), Macabre Operetta (Rehearsal recorded in May 1988), Medieval Prophecy (7" EP recorded in October 1988), From The Dark To Black (Promo recorded in 1989), and Morbid Metal (Live in Rotterdam in 1992), while also featuring a 120-page hardcover book including a new in-depth interview with mastermind Vorphalack as well as liner notes, unseen pictures, a patch and a hand-numbered certificate. Strictly limited to 500 copies, this collection provides a rare glimpse at the origins of one of the most vital purveyors of underground metallic extremity.

Review: The complete studio recordings from Austin, Texas noise rockers Scratch Acid - all remastered from the original tapes. Formed in 1982, they received minimal attention outside their hometown scene and their time as a band was short-lived as they split in 1987. Nevertheless, the band members have punk rock CV's for the ages (frontman David Yow formed The Jesus Lizard with bassist David Sims) and they leave in their wake a treasure-trove of frenzied, darkly-atmospheric tunes. The recordings, which you leave you dumbfounded how they didn't become more popular, are the perfect companion to messy nights in. Instead of looking like a hipster-by-numbers and putting Nick Cave's The Birthday Party on - put a track from this collection on instead; say 'Owner's Lament'. It's way cooler.

Review: Longplay II: 10 Years Anniversary Compilation is a monumental six-record box set that celebrates a decade of cutting-edge mininalist techno. From the hypnotic rhythms of Cezar's 'Nkv2' on Side-1 to the atmospheric 'Nochi' by Denis Korablev on Side 12, each side brings its unique flavour. Tracks like Vincentiulian's 'Owowow' and SIT's 'Internal Network' showcase intricate, minimal soundscapes that are both cerebral and dancefloor-ready. The compilation also includes standout moments like Alci's "Man Studer" with its deep, pulsating basslines, and Ben Neville's 'Good Techno Stops Time', a testament to the timeless nature of the genre.

Review: Recorded live in Switzerland on September 27-28, 2024, this special concert celebrates 20 years of the instantly recogniseable game, with the iconic music performed by a sweeping 190-piece ensemble. The concert features compositions from various expansions, with a standout performance by the 21st Century Orchestra and three choirs: Tale of Fantasy, Ardito and Madrijazz Gospel. The music, orchestrated by William Liston and Penka Kouneva and conducted by Derek Duke, brings the beloved scores to life in a grand, emotionally charged presentation. From the iconic 'World of Warcraft Suite' to 'Burning Crusade: Beyond the Dark Portal' and the stirring 'Wrath of the Lich King: Echoes of Northern'. this collection captures the epic journey through Azeroth. With mastering by James Plotkin and stunning graphic design by Janie Peacock and Nolan Fleming, this release is a nostalgic dive into the past and a new way to experience the game's rich musical legacy.

Review: This movie from 1997 was, at the time, hailed as one of the greatest LGBT films of its era. That has not diminished in the years since and it is still much-loved flick that rightly solidified Wong Kar-wai's reputation and earned him Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival. It's a classic that explores the sorrow of love-lost and identity struggles amidst Hong Kong's 1997 handover and the film's evocative soundtrack heightens the whole narrative. It features Caetano Veloso's 'Cucurrucucu Paloma' and Astor Piazzolla's 'Tango Apasionado' and perfectly underscores the emotional journey of lovers played by Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung, all set against the backdrop of Argentina. With handpicked live recordings, this beloved soundtrack remains a poignant complement to the film's exploration of heartbreak and self-discovery.

Review: Shinichiro Yokota's legendary discography finally arrives on vinyl with The Pitstop Box, featuring 24 essential and exclusive tracks. Originally available only in Japan via Far East Recording, this long-awaited collection highlights Yokota's signature blend of funk, hip-hop, electronic and Japanese influences. It features house classics like 'Right Here Right Now' and 'Night Drive', plus a cover of Haruomi Hosono's 'Simoon' and a collaboration with Soichi Terada that is packed with signature melodic sugariness. Inspired by his love for sports cars, The Pitstop Box is a brilliant overview of one of house music's finest talents..

Review: Bethesda Game Studios and Laced Records team up to bring the music of Bethesda's latest video game release, Starfield, to a deluxe vinyl edition. The anticipated follow-up record to titans in the open world genre, such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim - also developed by Bethesda - the 2023 game makes ample use of orchestral scoring and motifs, befitting of the interstellar sci-fi genre it operates in. Suitably, they chose composer and producer Inon Zur for composition duties; Zur's deft electronic palette weaves astrally through orchestral and classical traditions, bringing several centuries' worth of musical convention into a single OST, backed by the Budapest Film Orchestra.