Quake 2

Marking his return to Smog Veil after a string of top sellers for various labels, Cleveland's punk-junk-funk one-man garage industry, Bim Thomas (This Moment In Black History, Bassholes) delivers a 12 song ripper full of soulful grooves, sonic manipulations, and hooks and lyrics you will not soon forget. Spin if you like Beefeater, Living Color, 24-7 Spyz and everything in between. "… Thomas's grooves are so simple and powerful they feel instantly classic, as if he plucked them from some hidden vault of magic funk tricks."

Nowhere To Hide became a concept - the record was recorded live in single takes, played together by the musicians in the same room. The only instruments involved were voices, a grand piano, acoustic guitars and dobro. The release features fan favorites spanning Alexander's entire nine album career, as well as covers of Bread's "Everything I Own" and Stephin Merritt's "Book Of Love."

Next to Embryo, Kraan are among those German groups who include psychedelic, sometimes ethnic elements to their distinctive, innovative jazz rock. At the beginning of their career, started in 1970, Kraan free form jazz rock was really into jam sessions, totally improvised, mainly instrumental (featuring sax sections and many guitar/bass solos). Their self title album was experimented with ethnic, psychedelic/acid tastes and discreet electronic manipulations. Since their debut album and with their two following "Wintrup", "Andy Nogger" the band has demonstrated with interest, dynamism and humour how can we make fusion / jazz with addition of influences from everywhere. Really imaginative, inspired and technical these albums provide something new and amazing: an absolute trippy ethnic jazz rock. This particular facet of the Kraan music culminates with their masterwork "Live" (1975)…

Mojo Presents David Gilmour & Friends. Some three years ago, David Gilmour very kindly sent Mojo a cover version of The Beatles’ "Here, There And Everywhere". After a spot of cajoling he’s finally agreed to let include it on the free CD that comes with this edition of Mojo (October 15 / #263). "I really wish I had been in The Beatles," Gilmour tells Mojo of the genesis behind his cover. "They taught me how to play guitar, I learnt everything. The bass parts, the lead, the rhythm, everything. They were fantastic." That love is manifested on the wonderful harmony-filled cover of the 1966 Revolver original recorded with his son Joe. Previously unreleased anywhere. A number of Gilmour’s closest collaborators appear on this compilation while the guitarist is featured on six of the tracks himself, including songs from Phil Manzanera, Robert Wyatt and The Pretty Things.