Hi, Sam Tompkins

May 2019 saw TesseracT’s lead vocalist and songwriter release his debut solo album Castles, his first foray into a more pop rock electronic sound. Ruins sees Tompkins rework Castles. The lyrical and conceptual side still represents the same ideas as Castles, but with more aggression musically, showcasing a truer and darker tone. With the new version being significantly different to Castles, it was felt that renaming the album and each song was appropriate – aside from the lyrics, it is essentially a completely new album.

The ten 1963-1964 sides that make up the majority of this set have sort of fallen through the historical cracks over the years. They didn't deserve such shoddy treatment - Sam didn't record "Back Door Friend" or "Hi-Heel Sneakers" anywhere else, and he's in top shape throughout The Late Great Magic Sam. Two live tracks at the set's close from 1969 don't add much to the overall package.

"Salvatore Di Vittorio is seen as heir to the Italian neo-Classical orchestral tradition with a narrative style notable for its colourful orchestration and 'swelling lyricism' (American Record Guide). This second volume of his orchestral works includes a vivid portrayal of the cultural and historical diversity of his home city in Overtura Palermo. Sinfonia No. 3 evokes the beauty and magnificence of Sicilian temples, while Sinfonia No. 4 'Metamorfosi', based on Ovid, is Di Vittorio's most important work to date. His Overtura Respighiana and Sinfonias Nos. 1 and 2 can be heard on Naxos 8.572333."

The debut solo album from the innovative British singer-songwriter of TesseracT, White Moth Black Butterfly and Skyharbor. Due for release on 31st May.

Charlie Louvin - Murder Ballads And Disaster Songs (2008) {Tompkins Square TSQ2127}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 235 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 88 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 39 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2008 Tompkins Square | TSQ2127
Country / Folk / Americana / Traditional Country / Country Boogie

Louvin's rough, weathered voice is many years removed from the clean, soaring work of his Louvin Brothers heyday but his joy in the material is audible, and as a re-encapsulation of the country and folk traditions he grew up with and helped shape, the album's a lovely treat. He revisits a number of songs he recorded with brother Ira, including "Katy Dear" and "Mary of the Wild Moor," an enjoyable instance of compare-and-contrast where these versions still work just fine on their own.

Sonny Clark Trio - The 1960 Time Sessions with George Duvivier and Max Roach (2018) {2CD Set Tompkins Square TSQ 5579}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 598 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 244 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 1960, 2018 Tompkins Square | TSQ 5579
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Jazz Piano Trio

Sonny Clark’s reputation as one of the finest jazz pianists of his era has grown in recent years, with many folks rediscovering his classic Blue Note recordings like ‘Cool Struttin’, ‘Dial ‘S’ for Sonny’, ‘Leapin’ and Lopin’, as well as session work with Lee Morgan, Grant Green and others. Cut down by heroin addiction at age 31 in 1961, Clark’s legacy continues to expand.

A characteristically humongous (8-CD) box set from the wonderful obsessive-compulsives at Bear Family, documenting the Killer's '60s tenure at Smash Records. Lewis made consistently good music during this period, but the combination of his personal scandals and the British Invasion made him a pariah to radio programmers until mid-decade, when he returned to his country roots. Highlights of the set include the entirety of a Texas live show, with Lewis and his crack band rendering various early rock standards at dangerously high (i.e., proto punk) speed, some excellent duets with his (then) wife Linda Gail, and gorgeous renditions of standards like Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" and Merle Haggard's "Lonesome Fugitive." Lewis fans with deep pockets should grab this one immediately…