Back catalogue: Library/Archive

Review: KPM Music might just be one of the most expansive music libraries out there, boasting a whopping 30,000 exclusive music tracks for licensing. Some of their earliest pieces are being reissued by Measured Mile, the latest of which appears here in the form of a split 7" by four of the label's most treasured contributors. 'Viva La Tamla Motown' helms up the A-side with wonky, laboured drumming and an excitable rock n' rolly guitar and harmonica. 'Main Chance' brings up the B with a more loungeified flutey strutter.

Review: A unique slice of classic library music flies off the shelf. These four tracks were lifted from the classic library music series known only as 'Sounds Music Album Volume 18', and were made by the library maestro Klaus Weiss, the former jazz drummer who later turned to the trade after falling in with German music publisher Ring Musik. An eerie uncanniness cuts across these instrumentals, as Weiss' drumming provides steady boppage to serene yet dubious backings of strings and synth.

Review: Klaus Weiss was a German jazz drummer who left behind a rich legacy of library music, especially on the series of Sound Music albums for Golden Ring Records in the late 70s-early 80s. In the digging era, Weiss' impeccable grooves now fetch serious prices second hand, and so be thankful for the likes of Dynamite Cuts reaching over into the world of library music reissues to pull four perfect joints from unreachable realms back into the hands of real music fans. From low down nasty funk to space-age star gazing, Weiss packed a lot into these tracks, and now you can cop them on a sureshot 7".

Review: This great series from Dynamite Cuts continues to delve deep into the alluring world of library music. It is sound that captures real feelings and evokes all sorts of memories, even those that are imagined, with a single note or seductive groove. This collection is made of tracks from the German Library series Sound Music Albums which sell for over L150 if you can find a copy. There are four tunes in all, three from Klaus Weiss and one from Peter Thomas, all of which add up to another great collection and a must for serious music heads.

Review: The work of legendary drummer turned library musician Klaus Weiss continues to be reissued. For this series, Dynamite Cuts are looking back on a mid-1970s series of EPs released by Weiss originally for the famous library Sound Music. Carrying a minimal production that still has appeal for the modern listener (don't Dynamite know it), the four tracks here are curt, squelchy and beat-centric, with highlights including the clavichord-wacky 'Frogs', the sonically obese 'Productive Facilities', and the space-age drum freakout 'Coordinates Meeting'.

Review: Hailing from Reno and steeped in cinematic atmosphere, Whatitdo Archive Group return with a single preceding their anticipated new album Palace Of A Thousand Sounds. Coming to us via Record Kicks, 'Forbidden Cove' finds the band leaning in on their strong suits in soul and funk while retaining that widescreen, world-building quality which has marked them out since their 2021 debut LP The Black Stone Affair. Don't sleep on the B-side 'The Cashmere Chamber', which takes us deeper into their smoky, vintage sound.

Review: Whatitdo Archive Group goes deep with Wild Man, diving headfirst into the eerie side of holiday folklore. This isn't your average Christmas fare; Side A's 'Wild Man' pulses with heavy, driving bass and swirling wah-guitar that captures the energy of dark legends like Krampus and the Yeti. On the flip side 'Greensleeves' takes on a haunting Ethio-jazz edge, stretching the familiar tune into shadowy, hypnotic territory. Each track is a bold reimagining, blending ancient mythology with grooves fit for any late-night winter gathering that dares to step off the beaten path.

Review: Music for Shape-Shifters: Field Recordings from the Amazonian Lowlands, 1981-1985 offers an extraordinary glimpse into the rich musical heritage of the Wakuenai (Curripaco) people. These recordings, left behind by anthropologist Jonathan Hill, are an incredible 12 hours of diverse local genres, including sacred chants, spirit languages and the excellent sounds of trumpet and flute ensembles. Captured during all-night sessions, canoe paddling on the river and deep within the forests, these tapes serve as vital artifacts of indigenous ethnomusicology, illustrating the deep connection between sound and the animistic beliefs of Wakuenai society. Listeners will encounter the enchanting range of Wakuenai wind ensembles, from the deep bass drones of handmade trumpets to the piercing dissonance of flutes. The music often embodies rhythmic and melodic patterns that evoke the natural worldirepresenting jaguars, spawning fish and the calls of various spirits and animals. At times, these instruments unite in cacophonous displays, evoking the primordial chaos of creation. Presented here for the first time, these recordings not only honor the cultural legacy of the Wakuenai but also celebrate the cosmic sound that they believe opened the world. Produced by Radio Is A Foreign Country, this collection is essential for anyone interested in the profound relationship between music and culture.

Review: Italy's TAVA TAVA Rare label has become quite the hotspot for all manner of weird and wonderful Japanese Anime and soundtrack albums. This latest one looks to the much-loved Great Mazinger series which was composed by M. Watanabe. This super-limited, autographed and hand-numbered Mazinger Z TV BGM Best Collection is a mix of scores and thees from the show which first aired in the 1970s. It is steeped in heavy jazz and library-style music with majestic cover art to boot. Only 100 copies of this real collector's item exist so move quickly to snap up yours.

Review: Not to be confused with Klaus WeiB, the East Germany-born handball hero of the Summer Olympics 1972, although born in the same era, this Klaus Weiss is in fact the man who started out as a jazz drummer before expanding his remit to other instruments and genres, winding up pretty prolific in the world of movie and TV scores. As can be heard here.

While not directly linked to, taken from, or inspired by screen work, Open Space underscores (ahem) many of the same totems. It's un-rushed, yet tracks are relatively brief, not much more than interludes. Each feels similar to the next, but they clearly invoke very different emotional responses. Somewhere between synth-laden fantasy soundtracks of yore, and medieval court music, it's like going into the future only to realise civilisation has gone backwards while retaining some of its tech prowess.

Review: U.S. Cinematic outfit Whatitdo Archive Group returns to explore the worlds of mid-Century exotica and library music with Palace of a Thousand Sounds, out on May 5th. This is a rare case of a contemporary "library music" or "archival" record released commercially. Rather than being library music outright, the band, Whatitdo Archive Group, instead aim to reinterpret the many sounds that waft from its esoteric world - from exotica to lounge to 'world'. This album hears them dive into the connotations we might find from 1970s adventure movies, critiquing genres like Spaghetti Westerns and exotic murder mysteries through ironic analog vintagism, chase-scene funk tension, and all-out skill.

Review: Over three decades of musical exploration and innovation have cemented German guitarist and bandleader JJ Whitefield as a stalwart in the realm of authentic, timeless music. As a founding member of the Poets Of Rhythm in the early 90s, Whitefield pioneered a hard-edged take on 70s street funk, setting the stage for the Deep Funk scene to come. His subsequent ventures under various pseudonyms, including Karl Hector, showcased his versatility and eclectic influences, drawing from Ethiopian Jazz, West African funk, Kraut-rock, and ambient sounds. With his latest album, The Infinity Of Nothingness, Whitefield delves into the astral realms of spiritual jazz, paying homage to influences like Sun Ra and Pharoah Sanders while forging his own path. The album's mature, delicate orchestrations evoke a trance-like atmosphere, with subtle accents of hip-hop, library and avant garde seamlessly integrated. Tracks like the sparse opener 'Nothingness' and the expansive 'Infinity Suite' demonstrate Whitefield's ability to create music that not only honors his influences but also stands the test of time. The Infinity Of Nothingness represents a culmination of Whitefield's lifelong musical journey, showcasing his unwavering dedication to authenticity and innovation.

Review: German guitarist and bandleader JJ Whitefield, known for his authentic, timeless sound, delves into 'spiritual jazz' on his latest album, The Infinity Of Nothingness. With a career spanning over three decades, Whitefield's journey began in the early 90s with Poets Of Rhythm, pioneers of the Deep Funk scene. Since then, he has explored various musical styles, including funk with Karl Hector and Ethiopian Jazz, West African highlife, Kraut-rock, and ambient music under his Rodinia moniker. The Infinity Of Nothingness is a set of mature, meditative orchestrations, drawing inspiration from Sun Ra and Pharoah Sanders without becoming mere tributes. The album weaves subtle elements of hip-hop, library music, and avant-garde into its sound, creating a unified, trance-like feel. From the sparse opener 'Nothingness' to the three-part 'Infinity Suite' - 'Time', 'Space' and 'Energy' - the album reflects Whitefield's exceptional ability to craft music that resonates deeply with its influences while standing the test of time. As with his early work, Whitefield's latest project continues to set a high standard in musical exploration.