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Spotlight 20
Welcome to the Spot Light. Check out the latest psychedelic, cosmic, prog, freakbeat, folk, kraut, experimental, jazz, drone, mystical, and avant-garde sounds!
Looking for older versions of Spotlight Magazine, check the Spotlight Archive.
PSYCHEDELIC/PROGRESSIVE/FOLK
Weeping Mist
This Train Goes To Sorrow (black)
'This Train Goes To Sorrow' is Weeping Mist's sophomore album. It continues exactly from where 'Lonely Streets' had stopped... Spiros keeps walking his lonely sixties path... You see, at the very end of that Lonely Street, there was an old train station. Just one platform in use, a few old wooden wagons, and a black rusty locomotive engine... The engine steam gets tangled up with the darkness and the blurry wet fog, creating a mysterious Mist, a Mist that Weeps... A Weeping Mist... What you have here is 16 original songs penned by the idiosyncratic persona of Spiros. 16 stops... till the train reaches its destination, deep inside the Forest of Black, deep inside your soul. 16 songs sprayed with garage psych mood-o-delica, deeply '60s inspired (of course). An esoteric, fragile, and incredibly emotional set of songs where the melody overflows and the lyrics captivate you, resulting in a colorful deconstruction of your inner self. These songs have tremendous ability, they can fill every abandoned inch of your heart with the desired sentiment whether is joy, pain, sadness, hope, or euphoria... 'This Train Goes To Sorrow' is a take-no-prisoners album! Modern garage-psychedelia couldn't sound more '60s! Limited to 200 copies on black vinyl.
Stonus
Live In Zen (black)
Live session recorded in January 2023 in Zen studios in Nicosia, Cyprus. This release is the completing piece of the 'Aphasia' era before moving to the new Stonus album which is currently under process. The session is a collection of tracks from the album 'Aphasia' and the EP's 'Seance' and 'Lunar Eclipse' which was the core setlist the band used live in their European tours in 2022 and 2023.
Oberland/dargent/elieh/halal
Sihr
The debut album by post-anything quartet Frédéric D. Oberland (Oiseaux-Tempête), Grégory Dargent (H), Tony Elieh (Karkhana) and Wassim Halal (Polyphème) is a folklore manifesto for a devastated planet. Trance and contemplation, acoustics and electronica merging in a stimulating mystical magma.
Kostogiorgis, Giorgos/argyris Bakirtzis/dimitris Polyzoidis
To Kalokairi Perase Sa Rigos
The first album of the composer Giorgos Kostogiorgis after 2.5 years finally on vinyl (limited 300 copies). The record contains 14 compositions of favorite Greek poems from the mid-war period. 13 of them are performed by Argyris Bakirtzis, the well-known lead singer of the band Heimerinoi Kolymvites. The sound of the album is defined by Dimitris Polyzoidis. Limited to 300 copies.
Anta
Organesson
"We're old and familiar friends. These compositions represent the thing that happens when we get together. They aren't representative of one individual, one moment in time, or one chain of decisions. Some are ancient refrains, beginning life as habits and warm-ups, in-jokes; others are distilled jams; more still are refined from MIDI sketches and ideas whistled into voice notes. On whatever terms these elements become something we're happy to stand in front of you and play, to put on record, so be it." So Anta describe the process behind 2024's 'Organesson.' Characteristic of the Bristolian sci-prog quartet, the record weaves together mesmerising, muscular riffs in insanely loud compositions that extend well into excess. Less typical is the polarisation at play, where granular polymeters will yield in an instant to passages of one or two-note simplicity. The record strides from one raging refrain to the next, lurching between devastation, joy, chaos, and stirring the themes accumulated along the way in exposition. "It comes down to those precious sweaty hours" the group suggest, "in which we get to vibrate these sounds into your face and chest, and you can dance and laugh with us. This is the stuff we remember and plan for, the moments we talk about the most when writing these songs." Anta's live shows, ceaseless onslaughts of deafening riffs, have been notable for maintaining the same intense energy among festival crowds or to three people in a basement. Walls of amps going full-pelt. Pounding, ornate drums and metals, wherein drummer James King is relentless in discovering strange and mighty rhythms. Full-drawbar organs, electric pianos, piercing synths from keys-man Alex Bertram-Powell. Joe Garcia's growling bass that strides rather than walks. Ben Harris' all-encompassing, dizzying guitars. Hypnotic, communal, compelling, indefinite energy. 'Organesson' is the latest effort to put this feeling on record.
Ogives Big Band
Boisterous Love
Ogives Big Band is a riff powerhouse hailing from Bristol, UK, initially forming as an instrumental trio with a view to expand the existing Ogives solo material. This album showcases a move into whole new musical territories of savage, angular, doom laden sludge, progressive metal and psychedelic stoner rock.
Splitterzelle
Drumhard Sessions, Vol. 1
Splitterzelle are Sidney Jaffe (Arcane Allies, Burnpilot, Parse) on drums and synths and Pedro Pestana (10.000 Russos, Tren Go! Sound System) on guitar and pedals. Following their solo collaboration as Tren Go! Sound System and Ornamental on 2021's album 'Assessment,' Sidney and Pedro decided to officialize their partnership with a new band. 'Drumhard Sessions' are a series of recording sessions hosted by Splitterzelle with guest musicians which are recorded live at the Drumhard. Vol. 1 is the first session they hosted and it features Rouven Bienert (TV Strange) on guitar synth and also handling the recording and Jonas Heheman (Burnpilot, TV Strange) on bass. Limited to 300 copies on green vinyl. Co-release with Dirty Filthy Records (UK), Echodelick Records (USA) and Saliva Diva (Portugal).
Salo Ra Ii
Viptronic
Salo Ra II is a new duo of Topias Tihesalo and Jussi Lehtisalo. Taking inspiration from the old vacuum tube televisions and the decayed industrial landscape of the city of Salo, the duo's debut LP 'Viptronic' creates a beautiful and an intuititive balance of seemingly incongruous sounds: overdriven zither-noise and unearthly electronic basso continuo blend touchingly with the resonances of electric guitars open tunings. Dedicated to whoever who has ever been in love with stringed instuments. True music of the yesteryear - easy said but less often done.
Lehtisalo, Jussi
Electric Catapult
Bursting with high energy and unpredictability, 'Electric Catapult' showcases Lehtisalo's evolution as a solo artist, moving away from his previous electronic maximalism into a realm of impressionistic soundscapes. The album's frenetic, all-over-the-place pace and eclectic composition reflect Lehtisalo's willingness to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories. Drawing inspiration and style from early '00s New York and New Zealand improv groups like Witcyst or even No Neck at its noisiest, 'Electric Catapult' channels the raw energy and improvisational spirit of these scenes while infusing it with Lehtisalo's distinctive adventurous style. One of the most striking aspects of the album is its subtle quality. Rather than adhering to traditional song structures, Lehtisalo paints with sound, creating tapestries that evoke a range of emotions and imagery. Each track feels like a sonic collage, with layers of instrumentation and effects colliding and intertwining to form a rich and immersive listening experience. Despite its experimental nature, 'Electric Catapult' never feels aimless or too chaotic. Lehtisalo's gifted command of composition ensures that even the most frenzied moments are grounded in a sense of purpose and direction. The result is a bold and ambitious statement that marks a new chapter in Lehtisalo's solo career.
Circle Vs Circle
Supermassive
Double-edged Circle lineup performed a precision incision at Supermassive Festival (October 23 2014) at Tavastia Club Helsinki with a combined blow of seven guitars maneuvered through air like extinct alphabet.
Man And Robot Society
Asteroid Lost (black)
'Asteroid Lost' is an epic musical journey from Man And Robot Society. It's a spiritual space voyage produced by Greece's premiere record label Sound Effect Records that is a unique blend of electronic, rock, prog and ambient music that takes listeners on a journey through time and space.
Soutar, Richard
Lavender Daydreams
Reissue of 370 copies on black vinyl with original black an white cover of this EXTREMELY RARE folkrock album from New England, in style similar to D.R. Hooker at times and recorded in the same area. 12 tracks, a variety of PSYCHROCK and FOLKROCK with a title track being a very nice DREAMY PSYCHEDELIC BALLAD.
Wynder K. Frog
Jumpin'
14 killer cuts from one of the UK's most exciting Hammond organ players! Released on limited press vinyl this fine selection of songs from 1966-1968 also includes 2 previously unreleased tracks.
Khirki
Kykeonas
Drawing inspiration from the legendary sorceress Circe from Homer's Odyssey, Khirki continues to captivate audiences with their unique blend of rock'n'roll and seductive Greek folk. Despite the challenges of creating a sophomore album, Khirki has managed to uphold their very own mixture of sounds, while also expanding their musical horizons. 'Kykeonas' weaves mythological tales with traditional instruments, proggy twists, captivating choruses, bass-heavy beats, '70s rock vibes, and powerful metal riffs, creating an intoxicating musical experience. Lyrically, the album pays tribute to the elemental power and symbolism of the sea, delving into themes of storms and the call of freedom.
GARAGE/BEAT/SURF/ROCK’N’ROLL
S.t.t.o.
Keep Smiling We're Drowning
Hailing from France, S.T.T.O. plays a mixture of indie rock and post-punk, with influences from Aussie bands s.a. Eddy Current Suppression Ring.
Various
Born Bad Record Shop 25 Years Anniversary
Presented in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Born Bad Record Shop in Paris, here are 15 previously unreleased tracks from some highly regarded bands/artists, issued on vinyl.
Pointbreak
Ming Dynamite
Pointbreak is an instrumental surf rock'n'roll act from Dublin. A unique project formed in late 2014, with 3 EPs released over the years, and a brand new full-length album in the making. Renowned as a live band, they put on a high-energy show and have played hundreds of gigs around Ireland and abroad.
Hungaria
Rock And Roll Koncert Az Ifiparkban
Here comes an almost legendary recording of a local rock and roll legend, Hungaria. Their concert at Budai Ifjusagi Park, Budapest was a major success in May 1980. A bunch of their original hits were premiered that night, like 'Jungle Rock,' 'King Of Kisses' and 'Rock And Roll Party' and some rock and roll standards from Little Richard, Chuck Berry and more were also performed. Recorded 24 May 1980. Limited to 700 copies.
Sharp Class
Catch My Breath/ordinary People
Hot on the tails of the first jam-packed album and sandwiched between the next, this is the first Sharp Class vinyl offering of 2024 and another progressive slice of mod revival/indie tunemanship. The flip 'Ordinary People' is the first penned by latest recruit Billy Woodfield and slots in perfectly with the band's sound. Limited to 250 copies.
POP/ROCK/WAVE/NOISE
Badtime
Tape Compilation: Vol. 1, 2 & 3
Sinister and gloomy wave/post-punk music and visual art collective from Amsterdam. Vinyl compilation of the previously releases tapes vol. 1, 2 and 3.
Pivnoy Cowboy
Bytovoy Spiritualism
Pivnoy Cowboy introduces the world to 'Domestic Spiritualism' - a profound exploration of the artist's creative depths, drenched in darkly romantic stylistics. It marries the ethereal with the intimate, combining elements of post-punk somberness, electronic danceability, and crunchy guitar riffs.
Program
It's A Sign
The Melbourne four piece return with their sophomore LP 'It's A Sign' and showcase their love of rock music once again. Whilst still staying dear to the sentiments of 'Show Me,' platonic childhood sweethearts Rory Heane and Jonathan Ross-Brewin put together a fresh batch of catchy, hook-laden rock'n'roll tracks to sing along to supported by James Tyrrell on the tubs and new member Charlotte Stewart holding it down on bass.
Subjagger
The Lost Album
"Subjagger arose from the ashes of a couple of bands knocking around London sometime in late 1991. A three-piece guitar band, we started jamming under the arches of a railway line in East London. Our own energy fuelled us though, as we worked to hone our sound which was somewhere between '60s power pop and '70s rock. This was before Britpop made all these sorts of cultural references fashionable. In '93 we signed to Acid Jazz on their new rock imprint Focus and the 'Flock' EP was released , produced by Eddie Piller. We played some hip clubs in London like Magick and Smashing. Our record was played in the happening Blow Up club in Camden and other mod clubs too. We did a couple of UK tours supporting the likes of Corduroy and Mother Earth. When the end came in '95 it was unexpected and in the middle of recording that last album. Three became two. Those recordings have now been beautifully mastered and made available through Heavy Soul Records. At the end of the day, we were Subjagger. And so were you."
Various
Mods Mayday '24 (black)
45 years after the original 'Mods Mayday '79' album came out, Heavy Soul is proud to release the follow-up album featuring bands who will be appearing at the 2024 event. Original MM'79 contributors Secret Affair and Squire are present along with other '79 faves Purple Hearts, Chords, Nine Below Zero and The Circles alongside current trailblazers Sharp Class and Block 33.
Dandelion Adventure
John Peel Session
Released for the first time ever, here is the Dandelion Adventure session that they recorded for the John Peel show in 1990. These tracks have never been released before on any album and were recorded exclusively for Peelie. Featuring a double drum attack (Geoff and Jason), bass (Ajay), guitar (Stan), and vocals (Mark). Recorded on 13 May 1990 at Maida Vale Studios, and broadcast on 18 June 1990. Engineered by Mark Farrar and produced by Dale Griffin... it's a monster sounding session. The flip side of the album showcases the group's very first release... a demo tape they recorded in Blackpool in 1988 on a 4-track recorder (including fan favourite 'Speed Trials'). Plus a couple of songs that were recorded in their Oyston Mill rehearsal space in Preston. The whole album is a perfect capsule of the first and last thing the group ever recorded, and a brilliant reminder of the genius that this band exuded. All on 180gr blue vinyl with an insert full of photos, posters, reviews, gigography. Dandelion Adventure were one of the greatest underground bands to emerge from Lancashire in the late '80s. At a time when the UK was fizzing with great groups like My Bloody Valentine, Bog-Shed, The Pastels, A Witness, bIG fLAME, and whilst more "established" underground giants like The Fall, The Nightingales, and Spacemen 3 were all going strong and steady, Dandelion Adventure certainly held their own. A band tendering the kind of leviathan rhythms that only early '80s Fall could have competed with, time changes that would make Captain Beefheart proud, and an experimental streak to get the pulse racing of any On-U-Sound fan. This is a limited edition release of 200 copies worldwide. You snooze, you lose!
PUNK/HARDCORE
Sloppy Seconds
Destroyed (it)
Originally released on Toxic Shock records in 1989, this is the debut album of junk rockers Sloppy Seconds. It makes you want to jump around, dance, party and roll through town with the windows down and the volume up to eleven. Shirtless, sweaty and unleashed, not for the faint of heart. The junk-rock classic is back!
INDUSTRIAL/EXPERIMENTAL/NOISE/NEOFOLK/GOTHIC
Muslimgauze
Zul'm (2lp)
'Zul'm' is the third part in a series of 4 outstanding double vinyl albums with bonus songs, previously released on CD between 1990 and 1994 on the Australian cult label Extreme Music. Original press release from Extreme (1992): "'Zul'm' is an album of contrasts. It is evocative of a culture caught up in a web of local and global politics. The narrative appears as a slice of urbanity - up tempo, carefree soundscapes of human activity interspersed with digitized spatial rhythms. The boundary between East and West coalesces, melding and jutting into a changing whole. Muslimgauze are from Manchester, forming in the post-industrial early eighties. Theirs is a world music based on western rhythms, integrated with ethnic instruments and atmospheres. The music is a minimal, polyrhythmic soundscape. A vision of unresolved cultural change. 'Zul'm' sees a further step in the interaction of two very different nations, with guest musicians Said Nasser on Arabic percussion and voice and Zorawar Singh on Indian percussion and voice. Also appearing on the album is Mark Lawrence on keyboards. The title 'Zul'm' is derived from the name of the Muslim prophet Zulkifl, meaning fate. The plight of the Palestinian people continues to inspire the music of Muslimgauze."
Muslimgauze
Citadel (2lp)
'Citadel' is the fourth part in a series of 4 outstanding double vinyl albums with bonus songs, previously released on CD between 1990 and 1994 on the Australian cult label Extreme Music. According to many critics and fans, this was a unique and very special period in Bryn Jones' work, during which he went from amateur musician to experimental sound sculptor. Sadly, Bryn passed away in early 1999 at the age of 38. The original tracks have been perfectly remastered for this first vinyl release and the new masters have been praised by Extreme Music owner Roger Richards.
Berliner Lvft
Totalschade
n the gutters of Berlin there's a band that howls like a banshee in the night. Berliner Lvft, they call themselves, and they're a motley crew of misfits who live to drink and get high. Four weirdos who make the devil's music with aluminum neck guitars and strange tunings that would make your ears bleed. A raw, unfiltered energy that shakes you to your core and leaves you gasping for air. "'Totalschaden' in German means 'broken beyond repair' while 'Schade' translates to 'sorry' or 'pity.' The blended word might be understood as 'completely sorry.' This play on words aptly describes our sentiments about the world today. Outrageous acts of violence driven by hatred, ignorance, intolerance, and greed, terrible cases of human rights violations, social injustice manifesting itself in an enormous class divide and growing poverty, irreversible damage humanity is causing to the planet, climate change and the extinction of species - these are just a few things that give us anxiety, the feeling of how fragile our world is and how uncertain our future is. Sometimes these emotions make us want to scream, and that is what 'Totalschade' is born from."
Coil/nine Inch Nails
Recoiled (black)
10 year anniversary LP edition! Out of print for nearly a decade, Cold Spring is proud to announce the much-demanded new vinyl edition of this legendary collaboration. 'Recoiled' is a rambunctious alchemy, of magikal Coil sensibilities and hi-tech home circa '90s mixing technique, all fused in the cave-like early studios of Danny Hyde/Peter Christopherson. These were the unrestrained pre-big studio-mix downs, of four songs which long time Coil admirer/collaborator Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) requested Coil to remix. Reznor sent over the original multi-tracks and DATs to Hyde/Christopherson, who independently mixed versions and then met to synch both creations, molding them into these master versions.
Gwendoline
Apres C'est Gobelet!
Reissue of the first Gwendoline album. Gwendoline is the project from Micka (a.k.a. Mikoune) and Pierre (a.k.a. Daniel). Based in Brest in France, musically influenced by the classic cold wave which originated in their country, precarious and aimless, they shape Gwendoline to their own image. Pure DIY ethics, quick recordings at their home studio. Dark lyrics, self-mockery, criticism, sarcasm derived from the world's mediocrity. 'Après C'est Gobelet!' is their first album. Melodic but dark, ironic but direct, sophisticated but absolutely minimalistic. A testimony of today's world viewed under a grey prism of sarcasm and wrapped around beautiful melodies and rhythms.
ELECTRONIC MUSIC/AMBIENT/D’N’B/TRIPHOP
Kaboutertje Putlucht
Debuut Ep (10")
Dutch language rave wave punk! This kabouter (gnome) makes music like a highway toilet in the south of France. Lyrics that come straight from the shower drain. Are you ready to stink? Kaboutertje Putlucht is the remedy for all those freshly washed sounds. Dirty riffs, a bit of wave, a pinch of rave and above all dancing.
Seidel, Wolfgang
Friendly Electrons
'Friendly Electrons' presents the electronic side of the original Ton Steine Scherben drummer, book author and longtime Conrad Schnitzler friend/collaborator Wolfgang Seidel.
SOUNDTRACKS/LOUNGE/CULT ETC
Los, Thierry
We Believe In Love
'We Believe In Love' is the original soundtrack of the road movie 'Vegomatic Trip' directed by Thierry Los. A man's realization during a road trip just after the split with the mother of his son. It features singers like acclaimed soulman Myles Sanko at the start of his career as well as Macha, Éric Los and Thierry Los. Limited to 200 copies. You can watch the 40 minute movie here: https://www.capuseen.com/films/2919-vegomatic
VARIOUS: WORLD, CLASSICAL, SPOKEN WORDS ETC
Dengue Fever
In The Ley Lines
In 2008, Real World Records approached Dengue Fever to record an albums worth of material for the high-end audio manufacturer Bowers and Wilkins' music subscription service "Society of Sound." The band recorded 'The Province' for the first time, four newly arranged tracks of previously released material, and five tracks recorded live at Real World Studios in front of a live audience. 'In The Ley Lines' gives fans a chance to hear Dengue Fever like never before. The quality of the recordings is cleaner, crisper, and contains the only studio version of 'Doo Wop (Today I Learnt To Drink),' plus live versions of fan favorites 'Sober Driver,' 'New Years Eve,' and a rocking six-and-a-half minute live performance of 'One Thousand Tears Of A Tarantula.' Limited to 200 copies only.