October 7, 2021
NEW THIS WEEK AT THE SHOP:
Still in their 20s somehow, the Canadian jazz quartet BADBADNOTGOOD has already reached incredible heights as a unit; collaborating with everyone from Frank Ocean to Future Islands, honing a meticulous, fun and fluid approach to the conversational tradition of their genre. On a fantastically poised new record called 'Talk Memory', they pay homage to their influences, enlisting the legendary Arthur Verocai on half of its tracks, plus contribs from Brandee Younger, Karriem Riggins, and Laraaji. Singer and producer JAMES BLAKE would seem to be having a tough go of it lately, based on the cover art and title of his latest record, 'Friends That Break Your Heart', but it hasn't dimmed the sheer pathos of his voice, joined on tracks here by JID, SZA, and Wisconsin's own Monica Martin. We have some very limited silver vinyl on this release. "Don't get it twisted, Switzerland," trumpeter JAIMIE BRANCH reminds her Zurich audience on 'Fly or Die Live' before launching into a soaring, excoriating elegy for an America riven by racial injustice. With a quartet including Chicago mainstays Jason Ajemian and Chad Taylor, Branch unleashes a potent, Art Ensemble-style fusion of spiritual jazz and rebellious punk, on a gorgeous new double LP offering from International Anthem, in the house on limited 'metallic falcon' color wax.
Peruvian singer SUSANA BACA enters the 50th year of her illustrious, era-bridging career with a lovely new LP called 'Palabras Urgentes'. Kiwi spice purveyor LORDE delivers a fresh round of vinyl copies of 'Solar Power' which sold out with a quickness last time. R&B vocalist and former Prince protege SNOH AALEGRA doesn't exactly welcome comparisons to Sade (can't say I blame her, though I also can't relate in the slightest) so let's just say she's got a wonderful, supple and timeless voice with a healing, yet intangibly human quality. Kind of like Sade? Maybe. 'Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies' is finally in the house on vinyl this week.
Can't say we've had more requests for any other artist than one BILLY STRINGS this year. The upstart bluegrass bon vivant finally gets us copies of his latest album 'Renewal' this week, though they ain't likely to stick around long. Pride of Kansas KEVIN MORBY revisits his insta-classic album 'Sundowner' with a new LP called 'A Night at the Little Los Angeles'. featuring 4-track demo versions of tracks from that album. Speaking of the Kevster, the latest release from his Woodist sub-label Mare Records is in, a debut LP from Chicago folk-popper LIAM KAZAR, who's grown up playing with Spencer Tweedy, Vic Mensa, and the gals from Ohmme, one of which is his sister. Precocious UK songwriter DECLAN MCKENNA delivers the first domestic pressing of his breakout album 'What Do You Think About The Car?' on clear yellow wax.
Man, is it Rocktober already? Time sure does fly. This time around, we've got limited edition clear vinyl of LOU REED's powerful 1989 return to songwriting form, 'New York', new pressings of long out of print jams from GALACTIC, P.O.D., and VIOLENT FEMMES, a very limited edition reprint of the early classic from MY MORNING JACKET, 'The Tennessee Fire', and unheard sessions from the one-off combo of the Blasters' Dave Alvin and the Gun Club's Jeffrey Lee Pierce as SOULSUCKERS ON PARADE.
Even the most certifiable Can-aholics might overlook one or two of their many tertiary spinoff groups. Take it from me, who hadn't heard a note of DUNKELZIFFER until a few years back, and hasn't been the same ever since. With a deep membership including Reebop Kwaku Bah, Dominik Von Senger, Jaki Liebezeit, Damo Suzuki and others, the fluid dub-rock ensemble released a vibrant run of albums in the early 80s, the first two of which - 'Colours and Soul' and 'In The Night' - are reissued this week. Fans of Tom Tom Club, African Head Charge and, of course, Can should take note! Equally compelling are new editions a pair of records from the absolute dawn of punk time, their influence on the last 40 years of music utterly inestimable: the earliest recordings from the mighty SCREAMERS, and the 1976 debut album 'The Visitation' by San Francisco's CHROME, which took the doomy psych of the 13th Floor Elevators to a snarling new degree.
Underground rap titans ATMOSPHERE return with a big new album called 'Word?', plus we get a vinyl edition of the huge 38 SPESH mixtape from last year called '1995', which does in fact sound like something straight out of that era. The Numero Group outdoes themselves yet again with a super, duper elegant boxset of PASTOR T.L. BARRETT's deep gospel tunes, 'I Shall Wear A Crown', while a new comp called SACRED SOUL OF NORTH CAROLINA investigates Barrett's southern compatriots.
They're super hard to google so you might just have to take my word for it that the Belgian jazz-rock unit PLUS released a world class record full of funky breaks in 1972, reissued now for fans of Ian Carr's Nucleus or Barrabas. Unfortunately still an obscure rarity over 50 years since its release, the 1969 debut LP from Argentinian rockers ALMENDRA revolutionized the scene in Buenos Aires and remains one of the most classic and endearing albums in the wide world of psychedelia, like a parallel universe version of 'Revolver'. This Sony Argentina pressing is not cheap, but its still worth every penny. Few jazz players had as long and diverse a career as pianist HANK JONES, who started out cutting shellac records in the 40s, played thousands of gigs as an in-demand New York sideman with everyone under the sun, and by the 90s was staging sessions with Malian legends CHEICK TIDIANE SECK & THE MANDINKAS. Their 1995 album 'Sarala' gets its first ever vinyl release this week.
Heavy stuff this week includes a ferocious new record from Kansas City's BUMMER, who leaven their technically brutal metalcore ala Botch or Dillinger with some dark humor on 'Dead Horse'. BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME return with 'Colors II' on a limited color pressing, and if you're looking for your Positive Mental Attitude, you can find it on the new reissue of BAD BRAINS' 1983 classic 'Rock For Light'.
The brief collab of bedroom dream pop icons Warren Defever from His Name Is Alive and Ian Masters from Pale Saints was called ESP SUMMER and only yielded one classic album in the mid 90s. Or so we thought! 'Kingdom Of Heaven' collects some rare unheard tracks that really scratch the itch on grey days like today. A new vinyl release from post-rock unit HEY!TONAL includes credits to musicians from bands like Tarentel, Rumah Sakit, Maps & Atlases, Storm and Stress, and more, and is served up in a vacuum-sealed silver foil bag, like a pound of coffee. Alrighty then. 'Moon-Drenched' is the latest open-ended jam session from JOHN DWYER of Osees fame, and we've got a creepy new solo record from DOMINGAE, who is one half of the Chilean psychlords Follakzoid.
The oft-fruitful duo of F.S. BLUMM & NILS FRAHM returns with a brilliantly techy album called '2x1=Four' Uh, whatever you say fellas. A slew of cool names remix last year's wonderful KELLY LEE OWENS on some new EPs, plus we've got banging electro in from LUNICE and DJ SOTOFETT.
Soul-influenced minimalism is in on a great new LP from DOLPHIN MIDWIVES called 'Body of Water'. Minneapolis musician COLE PULICE crosses up saxophone and new age with stunning results on a new LP called 'Gloam'. A pair of iconic relaxation tapes from American new age pioneer RANDALL MCLELLAN get limited vinyl reissues, and we welcome a new record of piano miniatures from DIY hero LAZY MAGNET.
USED VINYL ALERT:
Our diligent warehouse crew tied their diggin' shoes tight this week, highlighted below in this week's Used Vinyl Alert.
On the rock front we've got Clash, Buzzcocks, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Steely Dan, Doors, Yes, Queen, Van Halen, Prince, Madonna, Hendrix, Beatles, New Order, The Cure, Warren Zevon, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Stones, and more.
Nice run of soul & funk LPs this week, from Ike & Tina, Marvin Gaye, Isaac Hayes, Bill Withers, Mandrill, Hot Chocolate, Isley Brothers, Commodores, Temptations, Platters, Supremes, and Roberta Flack.
There's a clean selection of reggae from Steel Pulse, Bob Marley (and Ziggy), Third World, Itals, Yellowman and Black Uhuru.
The bins are rounded off with a choice handful of house, techno & downtempo 12"s, Latin LPs, plus some eye (and ear) catching miscellany; instructional, self-help & sports records.
All this and more available at the usual gripping time. Friday 10AM.
STRICTLY DISCS IS HIRING:
VINYL PRICING SPECIALIST AND/OR SHOP CLERK:
Required skills:
Excellent customer service skills; ability to anticipate customer needs
Computer proficient
A passion for music, and a broad, deep base of recorded music history
Knowledge of Goldmine standards & experience grading and pricing records
Knowledge of stereo equipment/functionality
Availability to work nights and weekends
Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds repeatedly
To apply, submit letter of interest & resume to angie@strictlydiscs.com
SELL US YOUR CDS & LPS:
Yes, we are still buying! Call Ron to schedule (608.213.3610).
BLACK FRIDAY RECORD STORE DAY IS NOVEMBER 26:
Strictly Discs will be the place to be this Post-Thanksgiving-Shopping-Melee-Day, also known as Black Friday.
And that's because certain indie stores across the country will be the place to get special releases created just for you, for giving and getting this holiday season, and they're scheduled for release on Black Friday, November 26, 2021.
Now, this is not Record Store Day, Jr., but it is brought to you by the powers-that-be at Record Store Day. This is a group of special releases you can only find at certain independent record stores nationwide. The magic of these pieces (many uber-limited) is that every one of them is something someone will really LOVE to get, and you'll really ENJOY giving. And you may have the added nice feeling of supporting a local, independently owned (Strictly Discs, Independently Owned since 1988) business during the holidays.
THE LIST HAS BEEN RELEASED & WISHLISTS CAN NOW BE MADE HERE.
The DEADLINE for making or modifying Black Friday Wishlists was Wednesday, September 22 at 10AM.
Ron, Ryan, Angie, Marty, Evan, Matt, Ed, Jack, Eric, Steve, Nick, Matt B. & Mark
