Back catalogue: Balearic/Downtempo

Review: Wah Wah presents another acid folk delicacy from The Village Thing catalogue. 'The Sun Also Rises' was recorded by Graham Hemingway (vocals, guitar)
and Anne Hemingway (vocals, dulcimer, glockenspiel, vibes, percussion). They were occasionally joined by John Turner (string bass, finger-picked & with a bow)
and Andy Legget (whistle on one of the songs). It features an amazing tapestry of acid folk sounds with great male/female vocal harmonies. On the sources of this
record you will hear echoes of The Incredible String Band, Comus, C.O.B and Tir Na Nog, but of course delivered with the own personality of this Cardiff duo, very
hippie sounding with a very trippy atmosphere. The album was originally released in 1970, and our reissue will include one bonus track not on the original release,
taken from a 1972 Village Thing sampler. Comes in beautifully reproduced artwork in nice matt finish. Not only a top listener, but also a beautiful addition to your
acid folk collection.

Review: 1980's post-punk outfit 23 Skidoo release their first new material in fifteen years! These guys have been right up there with the likes of Cabaret Voltaire and Throbbing Gristle in the past, always evolving and developing their sound while retaining a distinctive industrial edge. Beyond Time is inspired by a 2011 documentary of the same name - the DVD of the documentary is slotted inside this packaging - and it's probably the most 'relaxed' work we've heard from the group before. There's plenty of ambience and slow-paced beats, dense landscapes of sound and even flurries of jazz. Fantastic from beginning to end, this comes hotly recommended for all the B-side junkies.

Review: Past Inside The Present has really gone to town with the re-release of this 36 album The Lower Lights: it comes in several different formats and vinyl versions with this one being a limited, numbered and opaque red vinyl including a download code. Musically it is just as essential as a collection of tracks from a year-long 'Audio Diary' project undertaken by 36 between April 2018 and April 2019. It first came back in May 2019 and soon sold out, such is the quality of the vibrant and eclectic ambient sounds within. This is not sleep-inducing background material, but rather emotionally charged soundscaping with a mix of dark, futuristic and urgent pieces all making the cut.

Review: Thanks to this lovingly presented reissue from Past Inside The Present, you can own The Lower Lights by 36 in just about whatever coloured vinyl you wish: This is the Past Inside The Present translucent red version with others also available on Juno. It's an album first put together by the label back in 2019 shortly after 36 had finished a year-long 'Audio Diary' project. Not all of the tracks they wrote in that time make the cut, but the best 10 do. They are direct, absorbing and energetic ambient soundscapes that are emotionally charged and demanding of your attention.

Review: The Lower Lights is well known as one of the most emotionally potent ambient records of recent years. It is a collection of 10 tunes from a busy period in which 36 undertook a year-long 'Audio Diary' project. The sounds are immediate and direct, demanding of your full focus and a mix of dark and urgent, cyberpunk-inspired and emotionally charged ambient sounds that bring all new thinking to the genre. Nice work.

Review: True originators are thin on the ground but 4hero's claim is more robust than most. As pioneers of jungle and drum n bass, they massively changed the face of 90s music and made a huge contribution to dance culture. Forging ahead with new beats and new techniques, the London duo have released a steady stream of precious moments and crafted a sound which is entirely their own.
Play with the Changes is their first album in 6 years. Influenced by underground techno, their music is a synthesis of past and future, artificial and organic, strange and familiar. Intertwining live and electronic sounds, 4hero create futuristic soul for real music heads. Play with the Changes is a richly textured and musically complex album.

Review: Previously spotted on the likes of Rong and Permanent Vacation, San Frandisco troupe 40 Thieves celebrate a decade of sonic conjurations with their massive debut album The Sky Is Yours. Bounding across the groove galaxy with such extensive momentum, it takes up two entire albums. Part one is a full sensory overload: Get hypnotised by chugging analogue weaves on "Face Full Of Fur", get massaged by the soft funk guitar strums and graceful piano licks of "In Your Space", go crazy to the punk-funk struts and slurs of "Les Planetes", take one giant leap for dancefloor kind on the peculiar angularities of "Zott Enough"... However you choose to digest this stunning opus, just make sure you leave space for the second helping.

Review: The second part of 40 Thieves massive debut album, it's yet another immaculate adventure as the San Fran collective explore every corner of the dancefloor with silky, cosmic gusto. Highlights across this sophomore set include the contemporary jazz twinkles of "Rhythm Queen", the infectious Floydian psychedelic riffage of "Automagic" and the emotional synth drama and star-gazing dynamics of "Outer Mission". Sometimes the second part of albums this size seem superfluous, but in the case of 40 Thieves, this is just as perfect as the first part. Accomplished, impressive and essential in every

Review: 55 Cancri E may be known as a distant exoplanet to some, while to others it is some truly beautiful and ethereal folk/nu-gaze business courtesy of Malmo via Berlin's Sara Hausenkamp.
She appears again on Denmark label Music For Dreams with her new release. The album is about the search for peace in the soul, a longing to find a home and a journey between planets Tellus and 55 Cancri E. Hausenkamp's seductive yet angelic voice soars above some endearing and transcendental arrangements. We particularly enjoyed the mellow country/blues flavour of "Att Lamna Tellus I (Oknen)" or the eerie and contemplative "Alltid Du" which indeed really showcases that amazing voice of hers.

Review: For those that don't know, Ex:El was the third LP by British electronic pioneers 808 State released in 1991. The album features guest vocalists such as New Order's Bernard Sumner on "Spanish Heart' and Bjork on "Qmart" and "Ooops" which would result in the Icelandic singer having a continued working relationship with Graham Massey over the years. Their teaming up with figures of the alternative music scene of the time started a trend that many other electronic music groups would become to follow. Perceived by many to be one of their finest albums, this one will be a welcome edition to any 808 State fans collection on vinyl.

Review: ex:el is the third studio album by 808 State, originally released on 4 March 1991 by ZTT Records. In contrast to the band's previous work, the album features catchier melodies and heavier acid techno beats and percussion, embracing earlier flirtations with hip-hop and industrial. The album also features the guest vocals of Bernard Sumner of Joy Division and New Order, who sings on 'Spanish Heart' and Bjork, who sings on 'Qmart' and 'Ooops', and is credited with co-writing both. The album marked the start of a long-running working relationship between Bjork and Graham Massey, who wrote and remixed many tracks for her. Featuring two iof the band's most anthemic rave moments, too, in the shape of 'Cubik' and 'In Yer Face', we know you're not going to let this one slip from between your mitts.

Review: The Way The Wind Blows is the incandescent third album from A Hawk And A Hacksaw, and was partly recorded in a remote Romanian village with members of the justly admired Balkan folk group, Fanfare Ciocarlia. Now a duo comprising songwriter Jeremy Barnes (drums, accordion, vocals) and Heather Trost (violin), Ahaah's music is a joyous and romantic romp through traditional sounds, interspersing the duo's passionate musical duets with exuberant brass band Stomp. And how did they get here? Well, since you ask... April 2006. Jeremy embarks on a wild goose chase. He has the phone number of Henry Ernst, manager of Fanfare Ciocarlia (the gypsy brass band who recently picked up the award for 'Best European Artist' at the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards, and feature on the Felix 'Basement Jaxx' Buxton compiled Gypsy Beats And Balkan Bangers album), takes his savings and flies to Bucharest. He rings the number. Upon meeting and drinking together for some hours, Ernst agrees to take Jeremy to meet the band. The next day, they drive for nine hours to a tiny rural community, not on any map, near the Ukraine border. Barnes sets up a makeshift studio in the front room of a local's house for two weeks. Partially recorded in the tiny Moldovan village of Zece Prajini, Romania, The Way The Wind Blows was begun in a place where there are no pavements or plumbing, and farmers drive horse-drawn carts instead of cars. But the town is suffused with a forgotten music, harboured here for decades. Out of every open window comes the sounds of brass instruments, playing a joyous mixture of Jewish and gypsy music that originally fused in the early 20th century at weddings and other celebrations. "I was treated like family," Jeremy recalls. "The Roma were just as curious about me as I was about them. What we played together was not traditional Romanian music by any means - you will have to look elsewhere for that - but these amazing musicians certainly etched into the record their own sound, that I could not have found anywhere else." Later in May '06, Jeremy and Heather completed work on the album in Chicago, and at home in Albuquerque, with help from a 19-year-old local trumpet player called Zach Condon. "He was the only other person in town that listened to the same music as we did." Zach's outfit, Beirut, has recently released a debut album (Gulag Orkestar) in the US with accompaniment from Jeremy and Heather. Currently a cause celebre amongst the blog cognoscenti in the US and other discerning publications internationally ("wonky, disheveled magnificence... Gulag Orkestar is steeped in the blackest of Balkan sorrow, but the experience of listening to it... is almost unfeasibly uplifting" OMM), Jeremy and Heather will perform as part of Beirut on tour this autumn, culminating in a series of UK dates supporting Calexico this November, at which AHAAH will also appear as a duo. They will return to Europe UK next spring to tour with some of their Balkan friends... The Way The Wind Blows... the sound of the Old World, made new again.

Review: It's been over two decades since original Balearic heroes A Man Called Adam last treated us to a full-length excursion. "Farmarama", then, is rather a big deal - at least for those of us with fond memories of key early singles such as "Barefoot In The Head", "Musica De Amor" and "Earthly Powers". We can happily report that Sally Rodgers and Steve Jones are in fine form throughout, lazily drifting between jazz-funk fired dancefloor workouts ("Mountains and Waterfalls"), atmospheric chug-pop ("Ou Pas"), tactile Balearic deep house ("Farmarama", "Higher Powers"), blissful sunrise soundscapes ("Top Of The Lake"), and surprisingly out-there experimental missives (the music concrete style collage of "Spots of Time"). Sally Rodgers' tribute to early female synth pioneers, "Ladies Of Electronica", is also brilliant.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


It's been over two decades since original Balearic heroes A Man Called Adam last treated us to a full-length excursion. "Farmarama", then, is rather a big deal - at least for those of us with fond memories of key early singles such as "Barefoot In The Head", "Musica De Amor" and "Earthly Powers". We can happily report that Sally Rodgers and Steve Jones are in fine form throughout, lazily drifting between jazz-funk fired dancefloor workouts ("Mountains and Waterfalls"), atmospheric chug-pop ("Ou Pas"), tactile Balearic deep house ("Farmarama", "Higher Powers"), blissful sunrise soundscapes ("Top Of The Lake"), and surprisingly out-there experimental missives (the music concrete style collage of "Spots of Time"). Sally Rodgers' tribute to early female synth pioneers, "Ladies Of Electronica", is also brilliant.

Review: A Mountain Of One are back with a sublime sophomore album that travels far and wide for its mature musical thrills. To kick off with there is sparkly synth-pop from 'Custard's Last Stand' then some piano-laced jazz-funk on 'Black Apple Pink Apple' and much more cosmic and head-melting tackle on the heavily treated 'Make My Love Grow.' Things pick up with the superb jazz-disco of 'Surrender' and the widescreen grooves of 'Dealer' while 'Star' has a more folky and mountain feel. A couple more star gazers close out this lush and heartfelt listen.

Review: We're never short of new Ricardo Villalobos material and he's generous with his time as a mixer, but this project offers something different from the Chilean mad scientist of minimal. A Mountain Of One are a duo who deal in Balearic-leaning pop with a subtle charm and an adventurous spirit, and they initially approached Villalobos for a single remix of one of their tracks. As a fan of their sound, Villalobos ran with the project and it wound up as a full remix album of seven different versions. On the earlier tracks Ricardo takes a surprisingly light touch, while the later stages find us knee deep in the mesmerising roll of his minimal house, shot through with dubbed out ingredients from the original songs. It's surprising and satisfying in equal measure, showing Villalobos at his best and quite the scoop for A Mountain Of One.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


We're never short of new Ricardo Villalobos material and he's generous with his time as a mixer, but this project offers something different from the Chilean mad scientist of minimal. A Mountain Of One are a duo who deal in Balearic-leaning pop with a subtle charm and an adventurous spirit, and they initially approached Villalobos for a single remix of one of their tracks. As a fan of their sound, Villalobos ran with the project and it wound up as a full remix album of seven different versions. On the earlier tracks Ricardo takes a surprisingly light touch, while the later stages find us knee deep in the mesmerising roll of his minimal house, shot through with dubbed out ingredients from the original songs. It's surprising and satisfying in equal measure, showing Villalobos at his best and quite the scoop for A Mountain Of One.

Review: A Vision Of Panorama have the kind of quintessentially inviting sound that by rights should find him soundtracking every sojourn from the swanky lounge bar to the sunkissed terrace, no matter the crowd. After the blissful sounds of the Sentimental Coast EP and Follow The Melody last year, Mikhail Khvasko returns with his third full-length, this time on Mellophonia. If you already dig the Panorama sound, you know what to expect. Plush, symphonic synth tapestries dripping with good vibes and accomplished musicality. You might get the odd dash of sultry sax, as on album highlight 'The Light', but primarily this is a place to revel in Khvasko's illustrious, feel-good keys.

Review: Having thus far released EPs for Aficionado and Music For Dreams, A Vision Of Panorama return to their regular haunt Mellophonia to expand on the promise of their shorter works to go deep into a Balearic dream on Aquafusion. It's a perfect meditation on serene funk from start to finish, spanning eight tracks of tender musicianship that sit very easy on the ears. The likes of "Surf Blue" almost do away with drums entirely in a quest for calm, while "Barbados" and others offer up a more sprightly vision of 80s-flavoured groove, but throughout the mysterious hands behind the record maintain a smooth and steady mood that binds the album together.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Record sleeve damaged, product in working order***


A Vision Of Panorama have the kind of quintessentially inviting sound that by rights should find him soundtracking every sojourn from the swanky lounge bar to the sunkissed terrace, no matter the crowd. After the blissful sounds of the Sentimental Coast EP and Follow The Melody last year, Mikhail Khvasko returns with his third full-length, this time on Mellophonia. If you already dig the Panorama sound, you know what to expect. Plush, symphonic synth tapestries dripping with good vibes and accomplished musicality. You might get the odd dash of sultry sax, as on album highlight 'The Light', but primarily this is a place to revel in Khvasko's illustrious, feel-good keys.

Review: Fusion Sequence is a new offshoot from the Mellophonia label that kicks off with a heavyweight release both literally - its 180g vinyl - and metaphorically. It features seven different artists offering up one track each on what is a widescreen exploration of fresh deep house. They are A Vision of Panorama, Eternal Love, Pool Boy, Wolfey, Laseech, Larry Quest and Jay Sound and between them everything from cuddly depths to more moody late-night deepness is covered on an EP that brings plenty of new perspectives. A fine inaugural 12", then.