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Spotlight 25
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
Viaje A 800
Conac Oxigenado (2cd)
2CD reissue of Spanish-cult heavy psych-prog band Viaje A 800's third studio album, sold out for over a decade. It includes the album released in 2012 as well as the original recordings from 2009 (the album was recorded twice) featuring new tracks, lyrics, arrangements, etc. Comes in digisleeve. For fans of Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath, Kyuss.
Treatment
How Much Is Enough? (2lp)
True acid wizards of the 1980s/1990s psychedelic underground TreaTmenT performed at Stonehenge Free Festival and at squats and clubs all over London including the now legendary Alice In Wonderland, The Crypt and Club Dog where they assaulted the minds of those present with their unique and somewhat terrifying blend of '60s psychedelia and '70s space rock, all liberally spiked with a questioning punk attitude. Performing with Dr & The Medics, Ozric Tentacles, The Magic Mushroom Band, Naz Nomad and The Nightmares and other luminaries of the neo-psychedelic space rock revival, TreaTmenT were an integral part of the scene and possibly the most psychedelic band of them all. Hardcore to the max, the band insisted on performing in a psychedelicised state, looking like a cross between Arthur Brown's Kingdom Come and early Pink Floyd and often with a lightshow. Firmly fixated on taking their audience on the trip of a lifetime TreaTment consisted of Adam Blake (Jacket Xerxophon) on guitar and vocals, Gordon Leach (Gordon Zola) on further guitar and vocals, Clive Leach (Evil C. Live, Ron Number, Curtis Vile) on bass/trombone, Paul Ross (The Big Beat, Mr Raagh) on drums/percussion and Paul McWhinnie (Mutant) on keyboards, noises and vocals. They were without doubt a live phenomenon, and although they released a couple of singles, cassettes, a live album and a studio album - 'Cypher Caput' - on the Delerium label (home to Porcupine Tree), they never really managed to commit their mind-blowing magic to vinyl. Now, nearly 20 years after it was recorded TreaTment are releasing a limited-edition double vinyl LP of their second studio album 'How Much Is Enough?' in memory of guitarist Gordon Leach who sadly passed away in 2021. The album was intended to be released on Delerium in 2000 but never was and whilst one track 'Keep Ahead' appeared on the Cherry Red box set 'Last Daze Of The Underground - Delerium Records Anthology' in 2011 nothing else has seen the light of day until now. Fans of the band will note cornerstones of their live set such as the wondrously trippy 'What The Hell To Do,' the humorous swipe at the music press 'Hate The Band,' the melodic keyboard swirling 'Restless,' the frenetic guitar cross fire of 'No Understanding' and the nihilistic nightmare 'Blot Out.' Housed in a gatefold sleeve packed with photos and memorabilia as well as for the first time the full history of the band and limited to only 300 on 180 gram vinyl 'How Much Is Enough?' will no doubt be seen in the future as one of the landmark releases of the '80s/90s neo-psychedelic revival. Order fast!!
Seaorm
Nekyia
Third album by Seaorm. As you know, Seaorm consists of Angel Ontalva on guitar and Víctor Rodríguez on keyboards (October Equus) and Arkady and Ivan Fedotov from Vespero on bass and drums respectively.
GARAGE/BEAT/SURF/ROCK’N’ROLL
Prevost, Greg 'stackhouse'
After The Wars
Greg is in a state of grace. Following the great reception of his third work (the acoustic yet soulful 'Songs For These Times'), our man returns, right on time, with a new album under his arm. And it comes full of surprises and collaborations-more than ever. Here you will find true folk rock wonders, classy baroque pop and psychedelia, country, blues, gospel, and -of course- straight rock and roll. This is a festival of good taste in the form of songs infused with shiny 12-string guitars, plush acoustics, crafted vocal harmonies, wailing harps and hypnotic arrangements of cello, piano and organ, steel guitar, and much more! All of this, rounded off with a simply perfect production, makes 'After The Wars' Greg 'Stackhouse' Prevost's most varied, complete... and best album to date.
Various
Modstock 3
'16 MOD CLUB SOUNDS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY' - Compiled by Rob Bailey. The collection includes rare mod club dance music from the sixties, in most cases compiled for the first time. The album sequences like a DJ set, with all tracks having one thing in common, the dance floor firmly in mind. Some songs are already established floor fillers on the 21st Century scene and some will surely have their day soon. You can put this disc on and go join in the fun with your guests at your house party.
Dead Moon
Dead Ahead
Back in print! Dead Moon's final album remastered with VERY radically improved sound and reissued here for the first time ever. 'Dead Ahead' is filled with all time great rockers and ballads. Some of the legendary band's heaviest work. The world's greatest rock band's swan song is not wasted - dark corridors are explored and conquered. Remastered from the original tapes with amazing new dynamics and the murk reduced to the noise layer it was meant to be.
Killer Kin
Point Blank/mr. Dynamite
Last copies! You wanted blood? Well, we've got your speed! Killer Kin's live-wired single 'Point Blank' is just what you need! With a name inspired by New York Dolls bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane, it's no surprise that this band plays ball-breaking, high powered rock'n'roll! Killer Kin was formed in 2018 by singer Matt and guitarist/songwriter Chloe Rose in Connecticut, USA. Stabbing fuzz-freaked guitars and brutal vocals combined with pure raw energy. Kinda like The Stooges meets Motörhead with a hint of Black Flag. For their first European tour in May/June 2024, the band released a single featuring 'Point Blank' on one side and fuzz-freaked banger 'Mr. Dynamite' from their 2023 debut album on the other side. Limited to 400 copies on black 7" vinyl.
Doctor Velvet Feat. Tito Ramirez
Road To Nowhere/camino Hacia Ningun Lugar
Amsterdam's hottest rhythm 'n blues band Doctor Velvet teamed up with the prince of Spanish soul, mambo and boogaloo: Tito Ramirez! The Doctor Velvet penned original 'Road To Nowhere' is tailor-made for that last chance to dance in a hazy nightclub on a hot summer night. The mysterious and self-proclaimed 'King of Mambo' gives the song the Latin treatment with 'Camino Hacia Ningún Lugar' on the other side with lyrics sung in Spanish and a slightly different mix for some extra "sabor". Be warned: both sides are so steamin' hot, the vinyl is almost about to melt directly onto your turntable! Limited to 400 copies on black vinyl.
L.a. Sagne
L.a. Sagne Ii
This five track EP of Amsterdam garage punks L.A. Sagne consists of humorous figments of imagination and outbursts of thoughts about modern day struggles.
POP/ROCK/WAVE/NOISE
Las Nubes
Tormentas Malsanas
Las Nubes was founded by Emile Milgrim and Ale Campos, two key women in Miami's noise scene. Following the EPs 'Matter That Soils Or Blackens' (2014), 'Conveniently Broken' (2015), and 'Some Things To Let Go' (2017), the band released their debut album 'SMVT' in 2019, and a year later a split album with Palomino Band. Endorsed by no other than Iggy Pop, the band has been featured at publications such as KEXP, NPR, KCRW, Rolling Stone, Radio 3, Idioteq, Mondo Sonoro, Post-Trash, Indie Rocks and Ruta 66. In 2023, the band released a double single with Thustoon Moore's (Sonic Youth) label Ecstatic Peace/Daydream Library before joining Spinda Records to put out their second studio album 'Tormentas Malsanas.' Including singles 'Would Be' and 'Pesada,' the album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche) and it's coming out in as part of the label's 'Noisy Series' (together with albums by Fin del Mundo and Adelaida) as limited to 300 copies on coke bottle green marbled vinyl. Style: indie-rock, shoegaze, alt rock, dream pop, grunge. FFO: Pixies, Hole, Lush, My Bloody Valentine.
Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness
Dead Calm (delux Edition)
Bobo Integral Records releases the deluxe edition of 'Dead Calm,' the 2019 debut album by The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness. This edition enriches the original tracks (now remastered), which were met with immediate success and critical acclaim, with new material and acoustic demos. Also incorporates an expected insert with all lyrics. Upon its initial release in 2019 by Pretty Olivia Records, 'Dead Calm' was celebrated for its melodic craftsmanship. Purepopradio praised it asa "masterpiece of melody and harmony," Powerpopaholic rated it 9/10 and included it in their "best of 2019 list for best power pop this year," and Section 26 recommended it as "Presque indispensable." After two other records, 'Songs From Another Life' and 'The Third Wave Of...,' that are now cult classics in the genre, it's the time to come back to the record that started it all. The deluxe edition offers fans an exclusive track from the original sessions, 'Wouldn't Be Anywhere Else,' and six acoustic demos that provide insight into the band's creative process. Reflecting their musical influences, such as The Byrds, R.E.M., Big Star, The Go-Betweens, Teenage Fanclub and the classic power pop era, the band's sound is a contemporary homage to these inspirations.
PUNK/HARDCORE
Sect
Plagues Upon Plagues (black)
Sect's 4th LP is about a political plague swept in worldwide under the chaos of a literal and ecological one. 'Plagues Upon Plagues' faces a mournful new reality: the profound loss of lifelong battles in an unraveling civilization. On 'Plagues Upon Plagues,' Sect pierce through the veil of complacency, forcing listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about the fragility of our world. The band wields their sonic arsenal like a prophetic warning and with raw vocals and uncompromising lyrics, they confront the harsh realities of existence in these tumultuous times. As society teeters on the brink of chaos, Sect's cold hard statement resonates with an urgency that cannot be ignored.
Excel
Seeking Refuge
The lost third album from Venice, CA. Suicidal Tendencies adjacent skate-thrash/punk heroes Excel. Out of print since 1995. Guest vocals from HR (Bad Brains). Remastered from the original tapes by Nick Townsend. New artwork from cult Japanese artists USOGROW. Limited to 500 copies on red vinyl.
Covids/nestter Donuts
Banned From The Usa
The lyrics to 'Banned From The USA' are based on a true story. In 2023 the Amsterdam-based punk band The Covids were supposed to go on their first USA tour. Because of a mistake with the visa of two band members, things quickly went from bad to worse in their encounter with the American border police and this resulted in them both being banned from entering the country in the future. The tour was cancelled. The two remaining members who did enter the USA had nothing else to do, but to go into the studio to write and record a song about it. Together with their (would-be) touring buddy and Spanish one-man band Nestter Donuts, they laid down the tracks while drinking away their sorrows at Savannah Studios. The recordings were done by Ignacio Gonzalez, owner of Lolipop Records. Once back in Amsterdam, The Covids re-recorded the song together with the two band members that got banned at Slachthuis Studio. This track was recorded by Bart van Hasselt (Asbest Boys). This single features both recordings, one on each side. Limited to 350 copies on black vinyl.
Discharge
First London Gig (it/black)
Formed in Stoke on Trent in 1977, northern band Discharge changed the British punk scene forever with a distinctive brand of hardcore, making minimalistic music with heavily distorted guitar, drone-like bass, shouted anarchic vocals and a style of propulsive drumming, known as D-beat. This new edition of the legendary London debut, unleashed at Camden's Music Machine in October 1980, is a blistering set that captures our heroes at their freshest, the audience response so great that they revisit 'Realities Of War,' 'Fight Back,' 'Tomorrow Belongs To Us' and 'They Declare It' for the full-throttle encore. Essential Discharge!
INDUSTRIAL/EXPERIMENTAL/NOISE/NEOFOLK/GOTHIC
Tone Generator & The Body Without Organs
Normalisation Of Response
Tone Generator aka Dominic Guerin is a somewhat infamous key contributor to the early classic industrial/noise era of SPK (i.e. late 1970s/early 1980s). But apart from his sporadic involvement with another industrial group Last Dominion Lost, he has not been publicly active with music over the subsequent four decades. For this project Dominic has teamed up with Scott Barnes, while the experimental industrial tracks spanning 50 minutes have been recorded over the period of 2019/2020. All tracks function as standalone compositions, where wonky tripped out synths, convulsive rhythmic elements, squelching sonics and a general buzzing thrum abound, but also which evokes a darker hued atmospheric industrial/noise thread throughout. The overall production is specifically noteworthy given it is thick and forceful without being overblown or its tonal elements muddied through sonic overcrowding. The cover then provides short liner notes on each track to articulate specific conceptual underpinnings, but even so sonic appreciation of the album is not hampered without it.
Tnb/knurl
Trash Ritual
Coruscating noise oblivion from the highly influential The New Blockaders who have been making a relentless and brutal racket for three decades, and show no signs of stopping. They share this record with Canadian noise artist and kindred spirit Knurl, whose background in welding environments comes to the fore with his metallic grinding and scraping assault on the ears. Immense!
Digamma Cottage With Andrew King & Aima
Ulysses/cor Cordium
This unique collaborative release is the product of the best part of a decades work between the three artists. The two compositions continue to chart the Italian group Digamma Cottage's long abiding interest in the poetry of the Romantic movement, with the source instrumentals for both songs being recorded by them in 2013. Side A is a collaboration with the English artist and folk-song expert Andrew King, and plays at 33rpm as it consists of an 8 minute setting of Tennyson's great meditation on old age, experience, and the ever-questing nature of the human spirit - 'Ulysses'. For this track, King's vocals were recorded at Edgrey Studios in Barcelona, in late 2013-early 2014. Side B, 'Cor Cordium,' is a collaboration with the multi-disciplinary Italian artist AimA, based on a fragment of Wordsworth's poem 'The Thorne.' AimA's sections being recorded at her studio in Italy in 2014 with contributions from Evor Ameisie.
Darkwood
Heart Of France/heimkehr
After 'Twilight Garden,' Darkwood return with a 7-inch entitled 'Heart Of France' announcing a new album later in 2024. The English title track is about an involuntary journey to a foreign land and a great love. The German B-side 'Heimkehr' presents an exclusive track about homecoming and the despair of what remains. The two songs impress with minimalist instrumentation of acoustic guitar, bass, accordion, and keyboard and male and female vocals. The 7-inch comes with beautiful artwork and black splattered white vinyl and is limited to 500 copies.
Kraum
Dorf
After captivating audiences with their raw energy and uncompromising sound with two singles released in 2024, Kraum is back, ready to shake your old bones with their highly anticipated debut album, 'Dorf.' In just one year, the dynamic duo from Geneva, Fabio and Alexey, has undeniably left its mark on the Geneva music scene. Embracing a DIY ethos and a no-compromise attitude, Kraum delves into themes of human-machine relationships, the absurdity of the contemporary world, and the deterioration of human connections with unapologetic fervor. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like Kino, Joy Division, and Grauzone, as well as contemporary artists such as Molchat Doma and Noir Boy George, Kraum crafts a sonic universe that transcends temporal boundaries. 'Dorf' promises a visceral journey through cold, harsh landscapes, pulsating rhythms, and haunting melodies that linger long after the music stops. With tracks sung in Swedish, Russian, and French, Kraum's music captures the essence of existential angst and punk emotion, resonating with audiences hungry for authenticity and raw emotion.
METAL/STONER/HARDROCK
Galg
Monochroom (+cd)
Galg's debut, 'Monochroom,' was self-released as a free download in 2014. Consisting of one 26-minute long track, 'Monochroom' doubles as the group's sonic manifest. An extremely challenging but rewarding listen, it can be filed under black metal whilst also touching on industrial, doom, harsh noise and drone. Since their creative outburst of 2014 - which also saw the release of 'Afzicht' and 'RPM Sessions' - the members of Galg have focussed on other projects such as Fluisteraars, Turia, Iskandr, Leechfeast, DOOL and Solar Temple. Due to their collective effort, Gelderse black metal has grown into an internationally known and acclaimed sub-genre. It was only a matter of time for them to revive Galg. Ten years after the initial release of 'Monochroom' Galg and Waaghals Records proudly present its anniversary reissue, complete with new artwork and remastered audio courtesy of Pieter Kloos (The Void Studio). As the track is carefully broken down into two side-long excursions, they have decided to also include a CD copy of the album, for uninterrupted listening. Limited run of 300 copies worldwide.
Wyndrider
Revival (orange)
WyndRider is a four-piece stoner doom band from the mountains of East Tennessee. For fans of Black Sabbath, Mountain, Sleep, Church of Misery, and Acid King, the group was founded in 2022 and has been labeled "one of the hardest working bands in the stoner doom community." Harnessing the momentum of their debut album in 2023, WyndRider hit the studio once again in 2024 to record their second album 'Revival.' Working with Danielle Fehr of The Wizard Productions and Electric Valley Records, 'Revival' is the sharpened knife of a band who has refined their sound. After playing all over the Eastern US, the group returned to their home in the Appalachian Mountains, focusing in on the hopes and horrors of living there with an unapologetically heavy Southern groove. This album, washed in the blood of its region, sheds light on the smoke and mirrors of life in the Bible Belt and provides a fix for those left craving more after the first dose that WyndRider brought to the scene.
Black Breath
Box (5lp+mc)
Behold! Every single raw, filthy, ripping old school punk/(death)metal note from Seattles' legendary lords of destruction ever recorded is within this box! Contains Black Breath's first demo on cassette available for the first time ever!, the 'Razor To Oblivion' EP (with 2 previously unreleased tracks), the 'Heavy Breathing' LP, the 'Sentenced To Life' LP and the 'Slaves Beyond Death' double LP. This essential box also contains a killer 8-page booklet with tons of photos, liner notes from Todd Jones (Nails) and a tribute to bass player Elijah Nelson.
Uk
Uk (black)
Formed in Lewisham, southeast London, punk band The Business joined the Oi! scene after supporting The 4 Skins in 1981. Debut single 'Harry May' hit the Indie charts before the group disintegrated, leading frontman Micky Fitz to recruit new members. Then, in 1987, original guitarist Nick Kent joined Fitz for heavy metal side project UK, with former Tank drummer Mark Brabbs, channelling their love of AC/DC, Motörhead and Rose Tattoo. As Kent goes all-out with the hard rock solos and Fitz aims for the melodic, this is a great slice of New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and a startling surprise for all Business fans!
BLUES/COUNTRY/OLDIES
Anderson, Virgil
...on The Tennessee Line
Amazingly pure Appalachian folk music! As good as it gets. Delicate, intricate mountain music played on guitar or banjo and accompanied by plaintive perfect vocals. What's not to love? The second release on the same label that brought you 'You're Gonna Leave The Old Home.'
JAZZ/AVANTGARDE
Amado, Rodrigo -the Bridge-
Beyond The Margins (2lp)
In this quartet Amado gathers three of his strongest longtime influences: German pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach, Norwegian double bass player Ingebrigt Håker Flaten and American drummer Gerry Hemingway. For Amado this band represents a deep dive into his own formative roots, something he has been dealing with more and more in these last few years. With Schlippenbach, Håker Flaten and Hemingway by his side, Amado has the perfect context to explore the classic materials he considers to be the basis of his journey as a musician, an impulse that is part him and part history. This is a quartet whose name really represents, aside from a direct homage to Sonny Rollins, a bridge between different languages, backgrounds and generations, all united through improvisation. Recorded by Bartosz Szkielkowski at Pardon To Tu, Warsaw, October 3rd, 2022. Rodrigo Amado - tenor saxophone, Alexander Von Schlippenbach - piano, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten - bass, Gerry Hemingway - drums.
Die Like A Dog
Fragments Of Music, Life And Death Of Albert Ayler (2lp
'FRAGMENTS OF MUSIC, LIFE AND DEATH OF ALBERT AYLER' - Peter Brötzmann - tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, tárogató, Toshinori Kondo - trumpet, electronics, William Parker - double bass, Hamid Drake - drums, frame drum. Brötzmann reflected: "The idea of expressing my love of and admiration for Albert Ayler - both man and music - in a musical statement is not new. We both tried to do similar or almost identical things at the same point in time, each independently and without knowing anything about each other - each of us within his own culture." This album was recorded in August 1993 at Townhall Charlottenburg in Berlin, and was released in 1994 by FMP.
AFRO-BEAT/FUNK & PSYCH/DESERT BLUES/ETHIOPIQUES
Africa Negra
Antologia, Vol. 2 (2lp)
Continuing their exploration of Sao Tomé and Príncipe with DJ Tom B., Les Disques Bongo Joe prsesents Africa Negra - 'Anthology Vol. 2.' They've carefully selected and remastered 13 standout tracks for this volume, digitized from studio tapes by their tour manager. The album includes a booklet with updated liner notes and vintage photos of the group. Africa Negra, established in the early 1970s by Horacio and Emidio Pontes, is Sao Tomé and Príncipe's most renowned musical group. Their blend of puxa and rumba, infused with Leonildo Barros' guitar riffs, Armando Tito's bass lines, and vibrant percussion, gained them recognition beyond the archipelago. This volume offers a glimpse into their musical journey, featuring unreleased sessions from 1979 and 1990, showcasing lead vocalists like Joao Seria and Sergio Fonseca. This anthology is dedicated to the memory of General Joao Seria, Gabriel Joao, Sep 1, 1949 - May 4, 2023.
ELECTRONIC MUSIC/AMBIENT/D’N’B/TRIPHOP
Citron Citron
Mareeternelle
Citron Citron is back! The ethereal sister-and-brother duo has worked hard over the past two years on the album 'Maréeternelle.' Maintaining their majestic compositions, dual lead vocals, and home-made organic sound machinery, Citron Citron delves deeper into their sonic universe, singing about daily life, death, and love with the same poetic and personal vibe. Recorded in their home studio, and with a rare '70s EMS synth handed down from their respected avant garde artist grandfather Rainer Boesch also making an appearance, Citron Citron's light touch is an analogue charm, measuring up to the giants of the genre's history. Its title, 'Maréeternelle,' is a compound word coined by the duo and translating as 'eternal tide.' It references the continuous cyclical flow of existence - day and night; life and death - and how they, you and I structure our lives around this.