Ignored by the majority but adored by a faithful, modest few, Failsworth, Manchester's Puressence were something of a contradiction in terms. Although they shared a laddish image and an implied arrogance with the mid-'90s incarnations of other north west England indie rock acts such as Oasis and the Charlatans, the high-register, ethereal vocals of frontman James Mudriczki pointed to something altogether more sophisticated. Claims that the band met on a bus on the way to the Stone Roses' legendary May 1990 gig at Spike Island, helped fuel and maintain their down-to-earth credentials, while in contrast their music represented a transcendence of the mundane – similarly executed during this period by acts such as Aberdeen, Scotland's Geneva, and later by Southampton's the Delays.
From the beloved and trusted JUST THE HITS range, comes an inarguably groovy decade-based addition – THE SEVENTIES! An unmistakably value-packed, hit-laden, all-killer collection of highly recognisable, well-loved and anthemic tracks from the decade that provided the world with some of the most loved and enduring anthems of the ages. The tracklist features a superstar rollcall of artists and their mega-hits – from ABBA to Elton John, Neil Diamond to Blondie, alongside Motown classics (Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Rick James and The Commodores) further imbued with Australian classics from Helen Reddy, Cold Chisel, Little River Band, Aussie Crawl and many many more!
2016 release from the former Japan, Rain Tree Crow and Dalis Car bassist, his seventh solo album, Three Part Species, illustrates more than any other, how completely in command of musical composition he has become. A mixture of so many diverse types of music that, somehow never, even for a second, sound confused in direction. It's impossible with each piece to predict which genre will come next, as the listener is guided through Mick Karn's unique world. At times, there are elements of Motown rhythms and gospel choirs, classical arrangements and Rock guitars, passing through Hip Hop and Jazz Fusion, ethnic traditions and Pop songs.
Liam Gallagher’s third solo studio album C’MON YOU KNOW looks set to be one of the biggest album events of the year. Anticipation for the album was ignited with the lead single “Everything’s Electric,” which powered into the UK Top 20 as Liam’s biggest solo hit so far. Now Liam unleashes the album’s title track, “C’MON YOU KNOW” – featuring Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig on saxophone – which is out now on Warner Records. While “C’MON YOU KNOW” pulsates with the traits that have made Liam such an iconic figure – a raucous rock ‘n’ roll anthem topped by his signature snarl – it’s also a strong step forward in terms of both attitude and audio. Musically it’s layered with unexpected sonic touches: surging Motown-tinged gospel backing vocals, shrieking saxophone from Ezra Koenig, and vintage Moog synths heightening the sonic maelstrom.
The Ultimate Collection: Northern Soul brings together 5CDs containing 100 tracks that encapsulate the very best from the music and dance movement that emerged in Northern England in the late 1960s from the British mod scene.
Chuck Berry fanatics, your ship has come in, and it’s the Queen Mary — or maybe we should call it the Queen Maybellene. As you’d expect from the Bear Family label, which specializes in gargantuan reissues, this 16-CD, 396-song box doesn’t simply span Berry’s career, it embraces virtually every musical note the man has ever issued. You’ll find all of his released album tracks and singles, starting with an obscure 1954 recording and including everything from the Chess, Mercury and Atco labels, plus every surviving alternate take. Also here are five CDs’ worth of concert performances from 1956 to 1972.