Just a heads-up about some upcoming vinyl pieces. Some interesting stuff, for sure:

Five volumes on Mississippi Records of Various Artists compilations to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alan Lomax's Southern Journey.

1. Wave the Ocean, Wave the Sea
2. Worried Now, Won't Be Worried Long
3. I'll Meet You On That Other Shore
4. I'll Be Glad When the Sun Goes Down
5. I'm Gonna Live Anyhow Until I Die

Here's a little write up:

In 1959 and 1960, at the height of the Folk Revival, Alan Lomax undertook the first-ever stereo field recording trip through the American South to document its still thriving vernacular musical culture. He traveled through Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, and North Carolina, making over 70 hours of recordings. The trip came to be known as Lomax's "Southern Journey," and its recordings were first issued for the Atlantic and Prestige labels in the early '60s. Those, however, as well as subsequent releases on New World and Rounder Records, are now all out of print. To remedy this, and to celebrate the Southern Journey's 50th anniversary, Mississippi Records and the Alan Lomax Collection have collaborated on five commemorative LPs, spanning the breadth of Lomax's '59-60 Southern recordings, drawing on new transfers of the original 1/4" tapes, and featuring a considerable amount of previously unreleased material. The five LP volumes feature singing siblings Hobart Smith and Texas Gladden from Saltville, Virginia; menhaden fishermen's chorus the Bright Light Quartet; the Young Brothers' Mississippi Hill Country fife and drum band; Blue Ridge instrumentalists Wade Ward and Charlie Higgins; Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers; work songs and hollers from Parchman Farm; congregational hymns from African American and white Appalachian meeting-houses; Alabama's singing washerwoman Vera Ward Hall; the 1959 United Sacred Harp Convention; and the debut recordings of bluesman Fred McDowell, among much else.

Each volume is being sold separately with its own distinctive packaging. All come with a 12 page booklet featuring many never before published photos. Old school tip on sleeves & beautiful sound. Like all MR releases, these will be limited. I've ordered a few of each but if it's something you're desperate for, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) so I'm certain to order enough. Not to be missed!

Italy's Doxy Records has some nice stuff coming out:

Willie Dixon - Walkin' the Blues
Ornette Coleman - Something Else
Ornette Coleman - Tomorrow Is the Question
Miles Davis - Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud
John Lee Hooker - Driftin' the Blues
John Lee Hooker - The Blues
John Lee Hooker - The Great John Lee Hooker
Lightnin' Hopkins - Country Blues

The wonderful The National's first few records are finally coming out on vinyl: Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and The National.

Ambient Doom master Svarte Greiner's got a new release on Digitalis--it's a rerelease of a 2008 cassette-only album, with a new side of material as a bonus. We'll be getting it in on CD and LP. Title is Penpals Forever (and Ever). The vinyl is limited to just 450 copies.

Speaking of Digitalis, the Roll the Dice LP which we sold out of earlier in the year... ? It's coming in on CD. I play it often at the store and people always inquire. It's a duo, featuring the male half of The Knife, which lots of people have been asking about as well. We'll have Silent Shout 2LP in stock soon.

Soundway's got two 3LP sets coming: The World Ends Part A and Part B. But what are they, you ask? Here's the write-up:

The World Ends is the latest title from Soundway Records showcasing a wave of guitar-driven and psychedelic groups that sprung up in Nigeria during the early 1970s. Featuring 32 electrifying and funk-laden grooves, this is the sound of a generation attempting to pick up the pieces after the devastation of the Nigerian civil war. Spread over 2 triple gatefold LPs, this bumper collection is brimming with youthful exuberance, fuzzed-out guitar and cosmic organ vibes and owes much to the psychedelic sounds of Jim Morrison, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and James Brown. As the Summer of Love was blossoming in London and San Francisco, Nigeria was imploding into civil war. Also known as the Biafra War of 1967, it was a grisly conflict taking over three million lives, yet at the same time the country was being pulled apart, there was a new world beginning. The tracks featured represent a forgotten chapter in Nigeria's musical history when the youth threw their varied morsels into the pot, from hard rock to psychedelic soul, when guitars were cherished instruments, symbolic of a new movement, when highlife and Afrobeat played second fiddle to "the beat."

Another interesting 2LP release is coming from Sublime Frequencies: Saigon Rock & Soul: Vietnamese Classic Tracks 1968-1974:

Saigon Rock & Soul delivers the goods international retro collectors have been searching for in vain for many years -- and it delivers beyond belief. Every song is a mini-masterpiece, be it heavy acid-rock psychedelia, horn- and guitar- drenched funk grooves, or gripping soul ballads reflective of life during wartime. The tracks that form this collection cut a window into a rich musical Vietnamese music scene that has long been obscured, and for the most part, forgotten. As the scope of electrified Vietnamese music from the 1960s and 1970s begins to be revealed, it becomes evident that this was among the heaviest and most eclectic musical scenes of Southeast Asia at the time. These songs tell of war, love and what war does to love. All of them were recorded in makeshift studios and even U.S. army facilities while the Vietnam War raged -- and were issued by a handful of Saigon record companies on vinyl 45s and reel or cassette tapes.

I guess I should also be asking whether anyone is keen on the multi-LP Neu! box. It's CRAZY expensive so we're not bringing it in unless it's a special order. That said, I *do* think I can get the best price on it in the city, which would be around $200, I think. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you want me to investigate further.

And, finally, 12-string guitar master James Blackshaw's new album, All Is Falling is coming soon. Here's a taste:

Thanks to all who came out to the Annual Summer Sale. Sorry if you had to wait in line too long. Sorry if you tried to sneak in after 8pm yesterday and were tossed out.

In other news... some new vinyl coming in in the next week or so:

Sonic Youth - Goo
Tracey Thorn - Love and Its Opposite
Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune
Fennesz - Transition 7"
Doris Duke - I'm a Loser

And two acoustic gems:

Jack Rose - Kensington Blues
"An inventive and self-taught player on acoustic six-string, 12-string, and lap steel guitar, Jack Rose was considered part of the so-called Takoma revivalist movement that echoes the often Eastern-tinged acoustic guitar experiments of John Fahey, Robbie Basho, and others..." -- Allmusic

Glenn Jones - Barbecue Bob in Fishtown
"The third full solo release by Glenn Jones finds the scholarly, carefully elegant performer continuing to stake out his own style on not only acoustic guitar, but banjo... the focus on shorter pieces and immediate, joyful thrills helps situate the release as both a showcase for his abilities and a way to introduce a new listener to possibilities of experimental acoustic performance on the instruments." -- Allmusic (4 stars)

and restocks of:

Bob Dylan - Another Side Of, Bringing It All Back Home, and Highway 61 Revisited
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
James Carr - A Man Needs a Woman and You Got My Mind Messed Up
Husker Du - Zen Arcade
Tina Brooks - True Blue
Captain Beefheart - Safe as Milk
Tool - 2LP Picture Disc

I'm too tired to organize my thoughts this morning (very busy yesterday) so here's how it's pouring out of my head:

1. As mentioned previously, we will be starting to bring in a small qty of new CDs (as in sealed). As I did with the new vinyl when we started that seven months ago, I'll be concentrating for the most part on smaller labels and lesser-known artists. We'll also stock the latest releases from the hip bands that the kids are listening to these days.

For instance, in the next few days, weeks, we expect the latest releases on both vinyl and CD by Spoon, Vampire Weekend, Ben Frost, Tindersticks, Leyland Kirby, Them Crooked Vultures, Grouper, Black to Comm, and a few others. As the weeks and months pass I'll try to stay on top of these titles so we have them on their first day of release.

In addition, we'll be stocking some older titles that are out of print or harder to find in Toronto. One such title will be My Morning Jacket's second, and, in my opinion, best album: At Dawn. I've managed to get my hands on just 8 copies of this title in its original edition, which was as a double and limited to a pressing of just 2000. The regular CD is nice enough on its own but the bonus disc of demos is also a delight. I'm pretty comfortable saying it's unlikely anyone else in the city or country will have these as they've been out of print for close to a decade. To my recollection, we've never even had a used copy come into the store in the years I've been there. I've spoken directly with the label and they've assured me it's not going to be repressed.

We will be pricing these titles as reasonably as possible and should be competitive with the downtown shops. For instance, the new Spoon will be $14.99 on CD and $19.99 on vinyl. I don't know what the other indie shops will be pricing it at yet as it doesn't come out until next Tuesday, but Amazon and HMV are at least a buck or two higher than that.

Now, because of the set up of our store and the lack of a security buzzer at the door, I obviously don't want to put sealed product on the floor. As a result, we will open one copy of each title for display purposes and keep sealed copies behind the counter. When we're down to our last copy of a title or when the title doesn't warrant me stocking more than one, the CD will be open, but it will still be new and unplayed. Such is the nature of the beast.

I will appropriate a section of the wall directly above the New Arrivals, between Compilations and Folk, and place this new product there. New vinyl will go in the new arrivals where it always is.

If there are titles in particular you'd like to see, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I'll see what I can do.

2. I've been catching hell from a number of customers because I've been playing the excellent second release from Budos Band without having any on hand to sell. I finally found a source for their stuff, but on vinyl only. I placed an order yesterday so we should have them in a week or so. I'll be bringing in all their titles as well as other artists on Daptone Records: Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Daktaris, Antibalas, and Sugarman 3 (with Lou Donaldson). We also have access to their 45s, but I'll only be bringing those in on a special order basis.

3. A heap of ambient/drone/modern classical is on its way. Most of it is very small run stuff, limited to 300 or so copies each, all on CD. Artists will include Richard Skelton, Concern, Scott Tuma, Evan Caminiti, Elm, and many others. These aren't well known artists but they're turning out quality stuff. Click the links to read Boomkat reviews. As you'll see, they don't even have stock on most of them anymore. Again, not sure who else in the city carries this stuff.

One of the choicest finds in this haul will be the last copies I could find of Black to Comm's first release, Ruckwarts Backwards on vinyl. Limited to just 222 copies. BtC's Fractal Hair Geometry is also on its way on vinyl. Limited to 500 copies. Given the high praise the artist's received for his latest release, Alphabet 1968, which made a number of year end top 10 lists, and which we sold out of promptly (it is limited to 500), these should be nice treats for those who dig Richter's particular take on electronic.

4. I've got another copy of Charley Patton's 4LP set coming in next week. We sold out once already and this will probably be my last order of it as it's limited to 275 copies world-wide. $125. That's $25 cheaper than the competition sells it for downtown.

5. Another heap of Numero Group titles will probably be in in about 2 weeks. For the first time, we'll also be bringing some of their titles on CD. Should happen around first week in February.

6. Restock of some Mississippi Records titles are on the way: Clara Rockmore and Reverend Overstreet in particular.

7. I added the ability to sample some audio to the site. This entry features a track from the above mentioned My Morning Jacket release. You should see the option in the left hand column under Listen To. If you experience problems with the audio player, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

That's all I got at the moment. Back to bed with me.

Some of you may have noticed that the Blues, Gospel, and Reggae sections are now organized horizontally instead of vertically. This makes it easier for us to keep things in alphabetical order (and we'd appreciate your help regarding this when you put stuff back). I've gotten mixed responses from people, with the vast majority of it being positive. If you've thoughts on it, please mention them to whoever's working and we'll keep them in mind while trying to sort out the rest of the shop.

Here's a list of new vinyl that should be out by the weekend:

Jimmy Reed - Rockin' With Reed and I'm Jimmy Reed
Otis Redding - Pain in My Heart
Radiohead - Pablo Honey (180g)
My Morning Jacket - Z (2LP)
Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsies (140g)
Dirtbombs - Ultraglide in Black
Miles Davis - Workin'
Ornette Coleman - Free Jazz (180g)
John Coltrane - Blue Train
Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss
MF Doom and Madlib - Madvillian (2LP)
Slayer - World Painted Blood
Bonny Billy and The Picket Line - Funtown

As well as the following restocks:

James Carr - A Man Needs a Woman and You Got My Mind Messed Up
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (180g)
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing (2LP)
Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus

And... some updates on past entries:

We only have one copy of Light: On the South Side left. It's been opened to show off the book but is otherwise new (records unplayed). We've got the best price in town on this one. We're sold out of the other Numero Group box sets that we brought in (Twinight, and Tap), but still have stock on some of the 2LP Eccentric Soul sets and Guitar Stoli. Again, cheapest in town.

The new Tom Waits releases went on the floor on Tuesday--we have a few of Glitter and Doom left but only two of the Orphans 7LP sets remain of the six we brought in. $22.99 and $138.99 respectively.

Only two of the William S. Burroughs Grey Room LPs remain. It's a limited pressing of 800 copies and is one we probably won't bring in again as it's an import. Just $18.99.

The Mingus - Live at Antibes sold out before I even had a chance to price them. Literally. More will be coming.

One copy of Ocean's 2LP Here Where Nothing Grows is also on its way.

A few more things coming from Mississippi, probably late next week:

Rev. Louis Overstreet - An Evening With His Guitar, His four Sons, And the Congregation at St. Luke's Powerhouse Church of God in Christ
Reissue of the Arhoolie LP recorded in 1962 at Overstreet's church in Phoenix, Arizona with a slightly altered track listing. Includes two tracks previously unissued on vinyl. Recorded very live during a church service. Rev. Overstreet plays electric guitar and bass drum in his own driving & intense style while his four sons and the congregation take care of tambourine, backup singing and hand claps. A powerful record of gospel energy and testament.

Clara Rockmore - The Art of the Theremin
This LP, originally recorded and released by Delos International in 1977, features the eerily beautiful theremin accompanied by piano. A record of stark simplicity & emotional intensity. We are proud to present the first ever vinyl reissue of this material. Gatefold tip on cover with extensive liner notes detailing the history & inner workings of the theremin & Clara Rockmore.

The Breeders - Fate to Fatal EP 12"
Limited edition of 1,000. The four songs on the Fate to Fatal EP were recorded in a variety of places. The band booked time at the Fortress in London to record the title track. Track two, "The Last Time," was written by Kim and recorded in her Ohio basement with guest vocalist Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age). For "Chances Are," a cover of the Bob Marley and the Wailers song, Kim and Kelley went to Steve Albini's Chicago studio where they recorded it live. The EP's closing song, "Pinnacle Hollow," was also recorded in Kim's Ohio basement on a four-track, tape hiss and all.

All this and restock of the Cecil Barfield, the Joseph Spence, and the Mortika box set to boot.

I think that most people who like the respective genres of the above artists will be familiar with these albums. The one exception is probably the little-known UK band Yndi Halda. Though I'm loathe to pigeon-hole them, they're probably considered a post-rock band with a splash of 20C classical. I'd guess that anyone who enjoys GY!BE, Explosions in the Sky, Mono, Do Make Say Think, or Mogwai would appreciate them.

The shortest song on their Enjoy Eternal Bliss LP is almost 12 minutes long. The other three hover around 17 minutes and "A Song for Starlit Beaches" clocks in at almost 20. Because the tracks are so long, they're not very Youtube friendly. However, here's the second half of "Illuminate My Heart, My Darling":

Titles we've had before and titles we haven't:

- Restock on the Numero Group titles, including the Twinight and Light: On the South Side box sets
- Various Artists - African Scream Contest (2LP)
- Various Artists - Legends of Benin (2LP)
- Bo Diddley's Have Guitar Will Travel and Bo Diddley is a Gunslinger
- Charles Mingus - At Antibes (2LP)*
- Anduin - Abandoned in Sleep (cd and LP)*
- W.S. Burroughs - Break Through In Grey Room (limited to 800 copies)*
- Freakwater - Dancing Under Water*
- Black to Comm - Alphabet 1968
- Anarchist Republic Of Bzzz - s/t (Marc Ribot, Arto Lindsay)*
- Various Artists - An Anthology Of Noise & Electronic Music Volume 1 (3LP)*
- Various Artists - Oh, Run Into Me But Don't Hurt Me - Female Blues Singers - Rarities 1923-1930*
- Various Artists - Dr. Boogie Presents Rarities from the Bob Hite Vaults*
- Various Artists - Dr. Boogie's Shim Sham Shimmy*
- Various Artists - Dr. Boogie Presents 20 Deranged And Smokin' Cool Cats*
- Various Artists - Dr. Boogie Presents Heavy Jelly: Essential Instrumentals*
- Brethren of the Free Spirit - The Wolf Shall Also Dwell With the Lamb* (features James Blackshaw; ltd to 500 copies)
- Dead Letters Spell Out Dead Words - Lost in Reflections*
- Ocean's Pantheon of the Lesser* and Here Where Nothing Grows* (both 2LP 200g, limited to 500, w/ letterpressed covers; I'm betting we've got the best price in the country on the latter title).
- Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss*
- AC / DC - Back in Black
- Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (180g), Summer Days (And Summer Nights) (180g, ltd), Today! (180g, ltd)
- Beatles - Abbey Road
- Captain Beefheart - Mirror Man and Safe as Milk (both 180g)
- John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
- Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables and Plastic Surgery Disaster
- DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
- Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced (2LP)
- Husker Du - Land Speed Record, New Day Rising, Zen Arcade
- Jay-Z - Black Album
- MF Doom - Mm...Food
- MF Doom and Madlib - Madvillain
- My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything and Loveless
- Nirvana - In Utero, MTV Unplugged, Nevermind
- Gram Parsons - GP and Grievous Angel
- Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus, Way Out West and The Bridge
- Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger, Flower, and Ultramega OK
- Soundtrack to Friday Night Lights (music by Explosions in the Sky)
- Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones
- Susumu Yokota - Grinning Cat

These are coming in from 4 different locations (in three countries) so will arrive at different times over the next week or two.

* First time we've had stock on these titles