Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: The fourth edition in Original Gravity's Down In The Basement series, which gathers instrumental soul and swing cuts onto worthy 7" slabs, resounding the fervent 1960s decadal gap in which mod reigned supreme. With juleps flowing and kneecaps knocking, Abramo & Nestor bring newfangled electric pianistic swing with 'Dig It!', while a twinned "hit it!" injunction is heard from Floyd James & The GTs on the reissued 'Work That Thang'; James' voice is tubed and speed-delayed to terrific effect, achieving a sprung intonation. Curtis Baker brassifies the bonanza with the lively 'Fried Fish 'n' Collard Greens', while The Native Yinzer's exiting excitation 'The Hip Strip' quilts our ears with a mnemic, down-feathery Hammond-breaks bit.

Review: The latest addition to Echo Edits keeps the funk coming courtesy of Break Character who delivers two powerful tracks that are indicative of his unique approach, names to enhance each edit with extra layers of FX and beats. 'Cosmic Freaks' takes a 60s go-go rock groove and infuses it with Moog and Space Echo effects while paying homage to the psychedelic club sounds of Pierre Henry and JJ Perrey. 'Cherie Boca' then transports you in an instant to the funky samba rhythms of 70s Brazil with an extended edit and added beats to guide dancers from the favela to the beach. Two distinct styles, perfect for different vibes.

Review: Straop yourself in and prepare for a cosmic trip on psyched out cosmic polyrhythms with kosmische overtones at the hands of newcomer Glass Beams. This debut on Research Record is a stunning one from the enigmatic producer but will have you googling t find out as much as you can while you get lost in the sliding bass and transcendent synthwork. It's tinged with a certain retro charm and 70s prog magic but also feels decidedly new and fresh. Masterful.

Review: The Smile's latest remix compendium is a striking one, with two eminent producers reimagining tracks from the British rock band/Radiohead offshoot's latest and third album, CUTOUTS. This remix-set takes the core of the band's genre-blend sound, from art rock to experimental electronica, and contorts it into yet another division of volatile allotropes, this time welcoming light show IDM extravaganzist James Holden and East Kent musician Robert Stillman. Both versions are full displays of productive talent, humanisti, but still cognitively vector-mapped out in digi-space ahead of time, mirroring the abstracted, rather listless and amoral lyrics heard in the title track ("And your force means nothing...")

Review: In October 1977, Australian rock titans AC/DC were set to enjoy a night off in London following two successful shows at the Hammersmith Odeon, before they were tapped by The BBC at the last minute to replace The Sensational Alex Harvey Band who had cancelled their scheduled appearance on the Sight & Sound In Concert show at the Hippodrome in North London's Golders Green. While the likes of Queen, Jethro Tull, The Kinks and Roxy Music would perform at the 3,000-capacity venue over the years, no band or set has ever rocked the Hippodrome like Bon Scott and the boys did on this fateful evening. Ripping through a truncated, all bangers setlist of seven tracks in just 40 minutes, including 'Problem Child', 'Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be', 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and 'T.N.T.', while Angus Young would run rampant whilst shredding through the balcony section, this performance has gone down as one of most iconic from this early definitive era of the band.

Review: Originally forming in 1982, Agnostic Front were one of the pioneers of New York City hardcore punk and they've left an indelible mark on the scene and movement ever since. Inspired by their dilapidated surroundings of Lower East Side Manhattan, then blighted by poverty, drugs, violence, and high levels of urban decay, the ugliness around them would help to chart a venomous new course for the sonic potential of hardcore as an urgent, abrasive form of catharsis. This incendiary compilation offers up recordings which date back to the very start of their career, including demos of cuts that would eventually appear on their 1983 debut United Blood 7", while also featuring other recordings from the period that were left unissued at the time; some of the material would later be included on 1995's Raw & Unleased CD, though several of these tracks are making their wax debut. If you're eager for more homeschooling, the band were featured as part of Showtime's The Godfathers of Hardcore documentary in 2017, while frontman Roger Miret's autobiography offers insightful and frightening lore to an already clearly tumultuous yet integral time in punk history.

Review: The new Bauhaus BBC Sessions release hears British goth pioneers Bauhaus at their most vital, documenting the three-year period that they swept the airwaves like vampire bats with a hearse's worth of recordings made for UK radio. Spanning early post-punk urgencies to the relatively more textured darkness of their later work, these sessions were recorded for shows hosted by John Peel and David Jensen, flapping through alternate takes of 'Double Dare', 'In the Flat Field', and 'Third Uncle'. Together with a recent vinyl reissue of a 1983 performance at the Old Vic in London, which snapped a shot of Bauhaus at the peak of their dramaturgic snarks, both releases provide a compelling, rough-edged, bouffant counterpart to their studio albums, before goth went bird's nest: Bauhaus live and direct, with all the mood, menace and momentum fully intact.

Review: Mr Bongo look back to the damn fine Latin funk and rock-infused soul sounds of Coke's 197 self-titled opus for their next well-chosen reissue project here. It is their only album, sadly, but is a brilliant mix of Miami Latin-funk, psychedelic garage rock and gritty soul sung mainly in English. It blends bright funk drumming, flavourful organs and zesty horn with Paul Garcia (guitar), Ariel Hernandez (bass), Ruben Perez (drums), Jose Rubio (keys) and Peter Fernandez (vocals) all produced by Mato. The record was popular in Miami but faded due to limited promotion and a Coca-Cola trademark dispute but was later rediscovered by collectors, with standout tracks like 'Na Na,' 'Got to Touch Your Face' and 'Te Amo Mas' all became staples of Latin sets.

Review: This 1992 live album captures the iconic UK rockers as they toured their final album On Every Street, wielding a setlist that balances hits and deep cuts. Side-A kicks off with the iconic early breakthrough hit 'Sultans of Swing', instantly impressing listeners in Mark Knopfler's signature fingerpicking guitar work. The energy continues with the ever-joyful 'Walk of Life', its infectious rhythm bringing an undeniable feel-good vibe. 'Heavy Fuel' rounds out the first side with its gritty, tongue-in-cheek take on rock star excess. Side-B opens with the smooth jazz-inflected 'Your Latest Trick', complete with haunting saxophone melodies that add emotional depth to the performance. The epic 'Telegraph Road' follows, serving as a masterclass in dynamic storytelling through music, with Knopfler's guitar work shining throughout its extended runtime. The album closes with 'Solid Rock', a fittingly energetic finale that evidently leaves the 65,000-strong audience at the Bedfordshire stately home wanting more. As the years go by, Dire Straits set themselves aside as one of the most talented, versatile and different bands in rock music.

Review: Another BBC Sessions edition compiles nearly two decades of live-in-studio performances from Echo & The Bunnymen, tracing the Liverpool legends' rise from wiry post-punk outsiders to accomplished songwriters. John Peel and Janice Long oversaw the sessions with eagle's eyes, as production polish from classics such as 'The Killing Moon', 'Rescue' and 'Lips Like Sugar' reveal the band's skeletal brilliance and moody immediacy. Something of a guide to the band's career arc as a whole, we hear the way paved for a more expansive, melancholic texture in the later years, despite an ever morphotic, modulable lineup. The Cult Legends reissue set offers longtime fans and newer listeners a chance to hear the Bunnymen with studio intimacy and live spontaneity; less theatrical than their stage shows, but just as haunting.

Review: At the close of 1991, Seatlle grunge gods Nirvana were well on their way to becoming the biggest rock band in the world, but the massive show in Del Mar, California, captured here actually featured them appearing in support of Red Hot Chili Peppers, although Pearl Jam had the prvilege of opening up the show. They'd spent much of the year touring, famously making the first of their two Reading Fesival appearances half way up the bill back in August 1991, and are evidently on peak form here as they wield a setlist dominated by Nevermind album highlights including 'Come As You Are' and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Ending on a raging rendition of 'Territorial Pissings', the trio prove not only why they managed to definite the zeitgeist of the age, but also the fact that however finely tuned and honed they were, the all-important feel of impending anarchy was never far from the surface.

Review: In 1962, a chance convergence of historical contingencies in Dartford, Kent, would set the stage for the formation of one of the world's best-known rock and roll bands, The Rolling Stones. After Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took inspiration from rock icons Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, not to mention the comparatively sentimental Chicago blueses of Brian Jones and Ian Stewart, the group's had laid the mac for their own sound. The Rolling Stones' love for early blues legends would define their success; this compilation The celebrates those roots, from Muddy Waters' 'Just Want to Make Love to You' through to Chuck Berry's 'Memphis, Tennessee' and Robert Johnson's 'Love In Vain'. Special bonus tracks include the jazz-infused 'Key To The Highway' by Jazz Gillum, further proving Jagger and company's far-reaching inspirations.

Review: Offering up a fly-on-the-wall earful of the legendary punk spoken word songstress at the peak of her prowess, First We Take Manhattan is a live LP captured at New York City's iconic CBGB's on August 11th 1979, whilst touring in promotion of the Todd Rundgren-produced Wave, which would mark the third and final album billed under the Patti Smith Group. Whilst receiving somewhat of a mixed reception upon release due its more radio-friendly oriented sound, longtime staples such as 'Frederick', 'Seven Ways Of Going' and 'Dancing Barefoot' all make appearances, exuding Smith's unbothered stance towards critical reception, while also making room for Easter deep cut 'Space Monkey', as well as a reliably hefty dose of material from her classic 1975 debut solo LP Horses, including 'Redondo Beach' and 'Kimberly'.

Notes: Stand-alone high resolution blu-ray audio disc featuring the stunning 50th anniversary 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes of 'Space Ritual'. This legendary live album was recorded on the Hawkwind's UK Tour of December 1972, which followed the release of the band's recent studio album 'Doremi Fasol Latido'.

Region code: ABC (universal)

Notes: In honor of Sawyer Brown's 40th anniversary, the band is releasing Get Me To The Stage On Time, a documentary of how a Nashville outlier changed the country genre by turning 15 minutes of fame into 40 years.

Executively produced by Blake Shelton, Get Me To The Stage On Time is a behind-the-scenes look at millions of miles, 24 albums, 6,000 shows that span the band's storied 40-year career.

Notes: The official authorised full-length documentary "Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll" explores the extraordinary journey of music icon, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter.

Wienerworld is delighted to present iconic American musician Lead Belly's captivating story, brought to life in the aweinspiring documentary DVD, "Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll." This full-length documentary pays homage to the remarkable career, perseverance, and lasting impact of the musical genius.

Through intimate interviews with Lead Belly's niece, Tiny Robinson and a star-studded lineup including Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Joan Baez, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney and Alan Lomax, this masterful documentary unfolds the life of an iconic artist.

From the depths of playing in Jim Crow nightclubs to his tumultuous time on notorious prison farms, Lead Belly's indomitable spirit shines through every triumph and tribulation. The flm echoes his relentless pursuit of self- determination and his unwavering love for music, ultimately leading him to international stages such as Carnegie Hall, and captivating audiences across Europe.

Exploring Lead Belly's musical legacy is more relevant now than ever before. The documentary elegantly showcases the profound infuence this phenomenal artist had on some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. From Bob Dylan to B.B. King, Nirvana to countless others, Lead Belly's raw talent paved the way for future generations. His music transcends boundaries and continues to resonate with audiences across all genres and borders.

"Lead Belly: The Man Who Invented Rock & Roll" offers a vibrant and uplifting journey through the life of a true musical pioneer. It celebrates his achievements, sheds light on his signifcant contribution to music history and emphasizes the importance of his story in today's current affairs. As we navigate complex social issues and seek inspiration, Lead Belly's unwavering spirit and enduring legacy remind us of the power of resilience, unity, and the ability of music to bring people together.

Directed by Curt Hahn, this compelling documentary is a must- watch for music enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone who appreciates the transformative power of art.

Region code: Universal

Notes: Todd Rundgren performs live at the City Winery in NYC in 2012.

Available on Blu Ray for the first time ever, The Unpredictable Todd Rundgren (filmed Live at the City Winery NYC in 2012) showcased Todd's latest musical vision of a contemporary fusion of styles - rock, soul and electronica - that continued the tradition of boundary-breaking works from this visionary genius. Bonus interviews with Todd, Karim Sulton and Jesse Gress included as a treat for fans!

Region code: universal

Notes: Responsible for 14 albums and multiple sold-out world tours, U2 has redefined pop music.

'U2: A Rock Crusade' is the story of U2's efforts to use their influence to help the people who need it most, the poor and disadvantaged. Discover for yourself the remarkable achievements of this gifted group from Dublin who have made a real and lasting difference in our world.

Region code: 0

Notes: Our Spring/Summer '25 issue features a deep dive on Madonna's New York nightclub roots and her links with the dancefloor ever since plus a rare interview and photo shoot in LA with DJ Harvey and our third cover is the super cool Marie Davidson.

Plus we have features on Auntie Flo, Pan Amsterdam, Ela Minus, Tryouts, Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke, DJ Koze, Andy Bell, Everything Is Recorded, The Sabres of Paradise, The Wild Bunch, Kevin Saunderson, HAAi and lots more.

184 pages of quality music journalism by the world's best music writers plus beautiful photography and design in a glossy print magazine.

*** This magazine has three different covers - we can't guarantee which one you're going to get! ***

Notes: Originally released in 1995, this semi-autobiographical novel from Rudimentary Peni singer, guitarist, lyricist, and illustrator Nick Blinko plunges into the world of madness, suicide, and anarchist punk. Lovecraft meets Crass in the squats and psychiatric institutions of early '80s England. This new edition collects Blinko's long sought-after artwork from the three previous incarnations.