Simple Passion (2020)

One album to their name and already they’re releasing a live album? That’s right – Parcels, aka Australia’s coolest quintet and Daft Punk’s protégé’s, released their debut album just a year and a half ago. This new release features over an hour of music recorded live on tape in the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, where some of the greatest musicians have recorded albums, including David Bowie (Low and Heroes), Iggy Pop (Lust For Life), U2 (Achtung Baby), the Pixies (Bossanova) and all the albums from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds whilst they were based in Berlin.

For a few years, I got to travel with these bands—they included me—a dream come true. I’ve tried to take you on a trip with me and Art and the bands while reliving all of it a little—in writing it, in pictures I took, scenes and conversations I recall. And in the music Art asked me to record. About which I feel absolutely safe in saying it: That’s it. That’s jazz.

Psychedelic Stoner Rockers GEEZER make a welcome return with their new album Groovy. This album feels like the spiritual successor to their 2016 self-titled record which was my favourite album of the year and the best album I think GEEZER released so far. However, that view has changed again with their new offering. As GEEZER return with a steady mix of Blues Rock, Psych Rock, Space Rock and Stoner Rock that’s has a deep passion for all things for 70s Heavy Rock…

With the inevitable heat of summer already making itself at home, there’s few options so tempting as to roll down the windows and embrace the enthusiastic nostalgia of melodic rock brought by the uplifting graces of Tokyo Motor Fist and the vibrant charm of their latest album. “Lions” is so sweet and smooth that listening to it feels almost like a guilty indulgence, something that one would sneak a taste of alone in the kitchen by the blue light of an open fridge. There’s something raw and authentic about it that makes it instantly irresistible for fans of melodic hard rock at any point from the 80s to the present. Tokyo Motor Fist have captured the most decadent tones of melodic rock and are releasing a bright ray of sonic sunshine in a world that certainly needs that pure brand of brightness…

The Lovely Mood Music label's Coffee Bar Lounge series of collections invariably and effortlessly creates a cozy atmosphere for relaxation. It is recommended both for minutes of a coffee break or a summer picnic, and as background music for creative personalities in their good undertakings.

Louisiana guitar slinger Sonny Landreth returns to the studio with his quartet two years after 2017's Grammy-nominated Recorded Live in Lafayette. Blacktop Run is more than just a new studio outing, however. Landreth reunites with producer R.S. Field for the first time since 2005's Grant Street. Field produced Landreth's three breakout sets for Zoo as well as several later albums. He is a studio empath and extends artists full faith and credit. Landreth possesses a distinct sound to be sure, direct, resonant, and simple, but he's restless when it comes to experimenting with styles. He juxtaposes, combines, and balances them with alarming regularity and reckless abandon. But he always anchors them into easily relatable grooves. He and the band recorded live to tape at Dockside Studios.

One thing that's obvious about Dave Alvin if you've followed his career at all is that the man loves music. He's a fan as much as an artist, and the joy derived from the simple act of playing and singing a song that moves him is palpable and infectious. He also loves musicians who feel the same way he does, and his best recordings are full of moments where the interplay between Alvin and his partners is taut and just short of electric. From an Old Guitar: Rare and Unreleased Recordings presents 16 tracks from Alvin's personal archives, 13 of them covers, and according to his liner notes, most of them were recorded for no other reason than he and some friends went into the studio, got to playing, and walked out with some magic preserved for the ages.

To record the complete sets of Mendelssohn's Songs without Words represents a real challenge, with more than two hours of music. The prodigious pianist Stphane De May shares his passion delicately and thoughtfully through his sensitive performance of these works.