Back catalogue: Library/Archive

Review: The Mesmerisers' debut 7" record is a Shaolin Morricone production that draws listeners into a world of exotic allure and sonic mystery. This enigmatic trio, shrouded in secrecy, deliver a musical experience that feels like it has been resurrected from the vaults of a long-forgotten studio, the record's sultry grooves transporting you to a golden age of music where boundaries dissolve and imagination reigns. The Mesmerisers craft lush melodies and seductive rhythms that evoke a timeless charm, their sound seemingly channeled from another era. The trio's mysterious identity only heightens the intrigue, as these compositions seem to have lingered in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to captivate discerning ears. With this vinyl treasure, The Mesmerisers invite you to explore a realm where the past and present merge, creating a soundscape that is both nostalgic and refreshingly unique.

Review: Curiously, 'The Winning Streak' has nothing to do with Miami Vice the TV series - in fact, the artist was an alias of library music legend Alan Hawkshaw and the track was a piece he composed in the early 1980s that ended up being used as the theme for a long-forgotten UK drama about 'family business intrigue'. The track, presented on this Miss You reissue in extended and original forms, is however a far-sighted treat - a combination of Harold Flatermeyer style synthsesiser excellence, delay-laden drums, Martin Rushent-esque percussion, trippy melodic motifs and just the right amount of sonic intrigue. A slept-on delight for sure. To round off an excellent EP, we also get original bonus cut 'Roadrunner', a synth-heavy instrumental which was used as incidental music in the TV series.

Review: Stridulum (aka. The Visitor) is a 1979 sci-fi horror that featured a star-studded cast including Mel Ferrer, John Huston, and Shelley Winters. The score was written by Italian composer Franco Micalizzi and while the movie wasn't a huge commercial success, the soundtrack became a favourite amongst collectors even if Micalizzi is still best known for his Poliziotteschi scores and collaborations with director Umberto Lenzi. His trademark sound was still there for all to hear and now three key cuts form it are pressed up to this special 7".

Review: This is the first-ever reissue of Gianni Marchetti's 1978 LP Solstitium, which was originally released as part of RCA's "Original Cast" series in limited promo copies and has long been considered one of the most rare and enigmatic pieces of Italian library music. Library music was primarily created for television, radio and film but often yielded hidden gems that fused jazz, lounge and soul into storytelling vignettes of sounds. Marchetti's wonderful Solstitium is a prime example of innovation within this space which rightly remains a classic in the history of Italian music.

Review: Gianni Marchetti's 1977-78 LPs Equinox and Solstitium are truly rare gems from Italy's library music scene. Long thought lost, these tracks were unearthed from original DAT tapes and remastered for vinyl. They are loved for their ethereal, imaginative compositions as Marchetti's work blends driving rhythms, lush strings and intoxicating jazz sounds that offer a cinematic, dreamy feel. These albums, previously promotional-only and still highly coveted by collectors, now shine as part of Dialogo's initiative exploring RCA's "Original Cast" series. They lay bare the brilliance of Italian library music.

Review: Marie Guerin, or maybe you know her as Marie de la Nuit, is a sound artist who has explored field recordings, radio archives and "hertzian ghosts" for almost a quarter of a century since her debut in 2001. Her work blends voices, textures and ambient sounds that examine sound heritage and its preservation. Transportees is an electroacoustic composition that connects archaic and electronic trance and in doing so weaves a musical thread from Brittany to Tunisia. It follows a trance-like journey through recordings and oral traditions, all rooted in Guerin's passion for archives. The album reflects her fascination with capturing and preserving songs and transforming them into a soundscape that bridges past and present.

Review: At 85, free jazz legend Joe McPhee delivers a knockout performance of spoken word improvisation paired with Mats Gustafsson's sparse yet electrifying brass work on this great new long player. This transfixing collaboration is part of Smalltown Supersound's Le Jazz Non series and captures McPhee's lifelong commitment to jazz at its freest. In 11 parts, McPhee reflects on everything from NYC's neon grit to political satire and mixes urgency with dreamlike contemplation. Gustafsson's multi-instrumental approach provides a rich backdrop that allows McPhee's dynamic phrasing to shine. This is both playful and profound.

Review: The sound of Medline exploring the deeper edges of electronic music, crafting a sonic landscape that's both hypnotic and evocative. 'The Edge' is a journey through atmospheric textures, pulsating rhythms and subtle melodies, creating a mesmerising soundscape that's perfect for late-night listening or introspective moments. The production is pristine, with each sound carefully crafted to create a sense of depth and immersion.

Review: The Diamonds Four has seen its share of action of the years, but remains a rare piece of Mario Molino history which is finally available thanks to this Sonor Music effort. One of the most prominent figures in the library sounds world, the Italian composer, musician, and guitarist first released this collection on B.M.P. in the 1970s. It was then reissued on the Music Scene label, rebranded as Action Beat Group, with track titles named and the artist changed to the pseudonym Luigi Ferracioli. All of which only adds to the intrigue surrounding Molino, a name few seem to know much about, but one that has contributed to the development of fizzy pop, hip hop, jazz, funk, and psychedelic rock via forward-thinking arrangements. A hidden gem in the true sense, finally unearthed and polished to its original glory.

Review: It's surprising more standup routines aren't released as audio only. John Mulaney's 2023 set at the Boston Symphony Hall arrived on Netflix in April 2023, receiving rave reviews from critics thanks to the main man's deft - and hilarious - approach to storytelling and his raw honesty. This coming after a spell in rehab, which itself followed an intervention by close loved ones. Drug addiction is a running theme, then, and the subject is tackled with the wry wit of someone who has been there and done that - those who don't appreciate shorthanded quips about big issues might want to avert their ears now. For the rest, we can only say that Mulaney deals with death, politics, family tropes, iCloud, WebMD, steaks, substance abuse and more like a seasoned pro.

Review: Renowned DJ and selector MURO is a Jedi-level compiler and this new collection of his delves into Victor's extensive archives to spotlight a world of Japanese jazz, fusion and AOR. It take sin plenty of internationally known names like Yasuko Agawa on the sunset sounds of 'L.A. Night', Sadistics who offers the more psyched out guitar leans of 'On the Seashore', Yuji Ohno's neo-Balaeric bliss-out 'The Dawn of Seychells' and Hiroshi Fukumura's soul soothing Ry Ayres-style melodies on 'White Clouds.' These are luxurious sounds and timeless tracks with MURO's signature funky perspective making this a brillaint choice for brighter, warmer days.