Grafonola

T HE SORCERERS - Summoning The Monkey God (ATA) Taken from the upcoming LP 'In Search of The Lost City of The Monkey God', 'Summoning The Monkey God' covers a wide range of influences: Ethiopiques Ethio-Jazz rubs up against European library music of the 60s and 70s. The Sorcerers seamlessly blend these disparate elements into one cohesive sound. Based in ATA Records' home of Leeds, The Sorcerers form the backbone of the ATA Records house band including drummer Joost Hendrickx (Kefaya, Shatner's Bassoon, Abstract Orchestra) and ATA label heads Neil Innes (Bass & Guitar) and Pete Williams (Woodwinds & Percussion). Bass clarinets, flutes, and esoteric percussion that sit alongside bass, guitar and drums are essential to The Sorcerers sound providing cinematic textures on top of a solid rhythmic foundation. 'Summoning the Monkey God' is an edit of a track from their forthcoming 2nd LP. Hypnotic bass and ominous vibraphone set the stage for cre...

WHODAMANNY - The Dance Sucker ( Periodica )  Periodica Records is back with a four tracker 12inch from Raffaele Whodamanny Arcella. "The Dance Sucker" sees Whodamanny off the microphone going for a late 80s and proto-house experience. Tip!

SEASIDE LOVERS - Memories In Beach House ( Ship To Shore PhonoCo ) Originally released in 1983 and never reissued on vinyl, Ship to Shore PhonoCo is proud to present the jazz fusion masterpiece that is Memories in Beach House. With music by legends Akira Inoue, Hiroshi Sato and Masataka Matsutoya (performing under the name Seaside Lovers), the album weaves a tapestry of island beats and rhythms that will transport you to another place and another time. From the lush production of Lovers Paradise to the emotionally stirring strings of Blue Memories, if you close your eyes and listen very closely, we're sure you're bound to hear a wave or two in the background. Highly sought after on the vinyl aftermarket since it was released, we are happy to offer this under-recognized gem to the public again! Newly remastered by Sony Music for this release, after spinning this one you'll agree it's never sounded better! This release is available on blue vinyl and comes with a f...

RED ASTAIRE - Follow Me ( Gamm ) Repress! GAMM flex back sixteen years to the very beginning with a rerun of their first ever release. Cue label mainstay and firm friend, Fredrik Lager AKA Stockholm groove monster Red Astaire who launched the label in style with these two cult edits; "Follow Me" takes D'Angelo to some pretty psychedelic places while "The Wildstyle" struts with serious sentiments of 'unity' and some of the strongest JB chops available on 45. A timeless record that sparked the tales of both Red Astaire and GAMM. Not to be slept on. Follow Me / The Wildstyle by Red Astaire

FABRIZIO FATTORI - Mediterranean Africa (Best Record) Fabrizio Fattori has been a deep cover hero in Italian dance music since the mid 80s, and while he may have shifted his attention to tribal house music in the 90s, this collection zeroes in on his earlier afro disco funk work, which drips with Balearic groove appeal. Collecting sought after records and other archival gems, this lengthy EP is a joyous, synthy excursion through sunny climes, from the MIDI brass and plastic slap bass of "Leg Pulling" to the intricate percussion and live sax of "Bara-Hum-Ba." This is a quintessential Best reissue - beautifully packaged, and putting super rare music back in the hands of the fans. Recommended!

SOSENA GEBRE EYESUS - Sosena Gebre Eyesus ( Little Axe Records ) Ethiopian artist Sosena Gebre Eyesus sings accompanied by her playing of the Begena, or King David’s Harp, one of the world’s oldest and most beguiling instruments. Since ancient times the Harp of David has been used as an aural balm, a soother of evil and disturbed spirits —it’s low, buzzing tones widely noted for their ability to sweetly refresh one’s soul. Said to have been brought to Ethiopia in biblical times by Menelik I, it has long been the central instrument used to accompany Ethiopian Orthodox hymns, which Eyesus plays here in an absolutely entrancing manner while softly singing songs of devotional reflection. Featuring six beautiful hymns that gently unspool at the measured pace of a lullaby, Sosena Gebre Eyesus magically creates a rarefied atmosphere that feels absolutely necessary and vital for these most turbulent of days. Originally released on cassette, Recommended! Sosena Gebre Eyesus by Sosena Gebre...

AKIRA TOYODA - Benkei (Cool Cult) Originally released in 1984 by Sound Design Records Inc.  Credits: Bass – Dean Johnson  Drums – Akira Toyoda Piano – Peter Madsen Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Joe Lovano

Nakara Percussions by Nakara Percussions Nakara Percussions - Nakara Percussions ( Komos Jazz) “Hypnotic percussion tracks and organic soundscapes drawing on African, Asian, Indian & South American traditions, recorded deep in the French countryside in 1984.”  Founded by long-time friends Gerard Kurdjian and Stéphane Olivier alongside compatriot Christian Berthier in 1983, Nakara Percussions was a trio from the south of France, fascinated with percussion instruments, rhythms and textures from across the world.  Steeped in Jazz and ethnographic recordings, the trio designed and built their own instruments and played across the South of France throughout the 80s, recording a single album in the tiny village of Alliens in 1984.  Self-produced and mainly sold at gigs, the record reflects the inquisitive, experimental approach of the group and has become a cult album among DJs and music lovers for its blend of complex rhythms and organic soundscapes, taking in...

Michael O'Shea - Michael O'Shea ( Allchival ) Having sold his instruments to fund a nomadic 1970s lifestyle, eccentric Irish experimentalist Michael O’Shea was forced to create his own handmade answer to the sitars and zelochords he’d become accustomed to playing on his travels around the globe.  Using an old door, 17 strings, chopsticks and combining them with phasers, echo units and amplification, the new device was to become his signature sound, mixing Irish folk influences with Asian and North African sounds in a mesmerising and soulful new way that brought him to the attention of the leading improvisers of his day - Alice Coltrane, Ravi Shankar, Don Cherry and more.  A logical follow up to AllChival’s recent reissue of Stano's debut LP, Michael O’Shea’s self-titled LP was originally released on Wire's Dome Imprint in 1982.  The background to the album is as interesting and inspiring as the artist who created it - born in Northern Ireland but raised in t...