Simply Red Time [lp] (2023)

Astrid Engberg’s masterful sophomore album Trust finds the Danish singer, producer, composer and DJ paying tribute to intuition and new motherhood. Spanning contemporary soul, nu jazz, electronic and more, the LP sees her collaborating with a line-up of Nordic talent as well as Los Angeles-based Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, a venerated multi-instrumentalist, conductor and composer known for works with Ray Charles, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige as well as his esteemed orchestral reimagining of J Dilla’s back catalogue titled Suite For Ma Dukes. Trust will be released through the Danish record label Creak Inc. Records which specialises in groundbreaking Danish music.

Everybody’s here, so let’s play ball! Tried and true rock n' roll stalwarts The Cowboys return after a brief hiatus with their delightful sixth LP, “Sultan of Squat”. This grounded yet adventurous new album marks the reunion of the original lineup, featuring Keith Harman (vocals/keys), Mark McWhirter (Guitar), Zackery Worcel (Bass), and Jordan Tarantino (drums). It is nothing short of a glorious return to form, a long player hoping to bring a smile to the ears of listeners.

This is an in-depth look at the limited edition box sets of Dio’s studio albums from 1996 to 2004, available in both vinyl and CD. These collections encompass albums like “Angry Machines” (1996), “Magica” (2000), “Killing the Dragon” (2002), and “Master of the Moon” (2004).
These box sets are a limited edition offering, featuring 180-gram colored and splatter vinyl. Each album within the collection has its unique charm, with “Angry Machines” being influenced by the new metal wave of the ’90s and “Magica” standing out as a double album epic. The collection also includes a 7-inch single, “Electra,” a part of the second “Magica” album that Dio didn’t have time to complete.

Neneh Mariann Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster. Blending hip hop with other influences, Cherry experienced mainstream success with several of her recordings. Cherry has released five studio albums under her own name. Her first, Raw Like Sushi, was released in 1989 and peaked at number three on the UK Album Chart, thanks in large part to the worldwide hit single "Buffalo Stance". Her second studio album was 1992's Homebrew. Four years later she released Man, It featured the worldwide hit single, "7 Seconds", featuring Youssou N'Dour; and "Trouble Man" a cover of a Marvin Gaye track. Another track, "Together Now", featured Tricky. In France, "7 Seconds" made number one for a record 16 weeks in 1994.

This is Lucien's first album with Columbia. After making three albums for RCA in five years, he didn't attain superstar status, but this, as well as early-'70s efforts I Am Now, Rashida, and Mind's Eye made Lucien one of music's most respected though sluggishly selling acts. This 1975 effort deftly mixes cover versions of well-known songs as well as Lucien's always-creative originals. With a switch to a bigger, more influential label, the changes are minimal. The instrumentation and production are little more palpable, but not by much. The biggest difference here is Lucien's voice; it became warmer, more polished, and accessible. But while that looks great on paper, with an artist with a strong persona like Lucien, it's either going to be hit or miss. He is undoubtedly on his game here, and like the rest of his catalog, this is alternately eccentric and romantic. Due to the production and his focus, "Song for My Lady" became the album which all of his subsequent efforts were measured against.