This deluxe three-CD set, including a hardbound, 200-page book, documents the music of a major figure on the European electronic music scene since the '60s, but one who is largely unknown stateside. At its best, which is often, Dick Raaijmakers' work compares favorably to better-known composers such as Iannis Xenakis or Pierre Schaeffer. His pieces range widely, from relatively "traditional" electronic scores to ultra-abstract works like the "Canon" series from the mid-'60s, made up of static-sounding crackles derived from vinyl surface noise and with only arcane relationships to one another.
Status Quo are to release another batch of deluxe two and three CD releases via Universal Music. Under the spotlight this time are the '1+9+8+2' album released to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the bands formation, 'Back To Back' from 1983, which features the last studio performances of original bass player Alan Lancaster before he left the band in late 1985, 'In The Army Now' (originally released in 1986) and its 1988 follow up, 'Ain't Complaining' which are all due for release by UMC/Mercury on Friday 28th September 2018.
Funkmaster Flex's The Mix Tape, Vol. 1 recalls hip-hop's past while pointing toward its future. Featuring a wide array of hip-hop styles graced by amazing freestyle raps by some of the '90s top MCs, the album sounds like a mixtape compiled from the radio and 7" singles - there's simply nothing but first-rate music, with no filler whatsoever. Although there are elements of old-school rap as well as modern funk, the daring production and stunning rhymes make The Mix Tape a rarity of mid-'90s hip-hop - it's a record that sounds like none of its competition. It announces itself as an instant classic.
The Robert Shaw recordings on this Document Records CD features a selection of Mac McCormick recordings, live concert recordings, radio sessions and the recording by Ben Conroy, on a reel-to-reel recorder at a house party of his making, in 1971. The party went on for at least 4 hours, capturing a whole evening with Robert Shaw, his music and many personal recollections of his earlier performing years.
By the time he was a teenager, Robert Shaw would slip away from the farm to hear Jazz musicians play in the clubs and roadhouses in and around Houston. As soon as he was able Robert sought out a piano teacher and paid for the lessons out of his own earnings…
Barb Wired Tour Vol. 2 is the second of two volumes of Empress Valley’s ambitious nine disc compilation of important tapes from Ron Wood’s New Barbarians side project in support of his solo album Gimme Some Neck. Picking up where The Drug Dealer Tapes Vol. 1 (Empress Valley EVSD 196/200) leaves off, Vol. 2 contains four discs with another hour of the tour rehearsal tape along with two complete shows…
Edited by guitarist Trey Anastasio in the late '80s, this compilation of early demos and four-track experiments was sold by the band at early performances. After going out of print, the collection (known as The White Tape) informally circulated among fans for years before being officially released by the band in 1998…