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:

Alright, so not as much product waiting as expected. Here's the lowdown:

Wilco - Kicking Television 4LP ltd edition for Record Store Day
The Magnetic Fields - 69 Love Songs 6 x 10" - Remastered with booklet and DL code
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Record Store Day 7"
Muse - Record Store Day release
Mr. Bungle - Disco Volante
The Black Keys - Record Store Day release

Grouper - Wide - ltd to 1000
Wide is Grouper's second full length-album. Previously released on Free Porcupine Society and Weird Forest, this is a co-re-release between Weird Forest and Grouper's own label with new artwork by Liz Harris. Edition of 1000 copies.

And some new releases from Mississippi Records:

Range Rats - s/t
Recorded in 1986 & completely unreleased until now - this is Fred & Toody Cole's (Weeds, Lollipop Shoppe, Zipper, Torpedoes, Rats, Western Front, Desperate Edge, Dead Moon, Pierced Arrows, & so on) great lost country LP! All original compositions...some sad lilting ballads & some punk as hell. Two songs feature Fred & Toddy playing with "Rollie", a janky Roland drum machine that didn't keep a consistent meter very well. The rest of the songs were recorded with a lean mean band. We are very proud to bring this LP into the world for the first time - another facet of the genius of Fred & Toody Cole & lowfi as cadn be. Housed in an old school tip on sleeve.

Getatchew Mekuria, The Ex and Guests - Moa Anbessa
Getatchew is a legendary Ethio-Jazz saxaphone player. Well documented in the Ethiopiques series, he continues to make amazing music into his seventies. This LP presents eleven new interpretations of Ethiopian tunes. Backed by the awesome force of The EX and a guest horn section. Comes with 28 page booklet.

Various Artists - Fanajana - A Collection of Recordings and Photography from Madagasikara
Over a three year period in the late 1990s, Charlie Brooks embarked on two long field recording trips in Madagasikara. Brooks primarily concentrated on the more remote north and west regions of the island. Upon his return in 1999 he pressed 200 copies of a triple record and stored them under his bed for the last ten years. The three themed Lps: Vocal, Valiha Marovany and Miscellaneous Instruments were released as the now out of print MR-061 Fihavanana. This single lp collection compiles seventeen tracks from Fihavanana. Comes with a twelve page booklet of photography and notes.

CHIN CHIN - Sound Of The Westway
In 1985, Sound of the Westway was released on Chin Chin's own Farmer Records. As a progression from their first 7", SOTW proved to be a brilliant mix of post punk and pop sensibility. The band's fierce DIY stance and girl-positive ethics have echoed down through the indie scene. Mississippi and Slumberland are excited to collaborate on this classic reissue. On vinyl only, remastered by Tim Stollenwerk and new original artwork by Alec Icky Dunn. Includes Free Download Card.

As well as restocks of the Cecil Barfield and Fight On, Your Time Ain't Long MR LPs.

Note that MR have announced a second Abner Jay LP. We only have one copy left of their previous AJ release and it's out of print so grab it now. Here's the scoop on the forthcoming one:

Abner Jay - Folk Song Stylist
Long awaited follow up to the True Story of Abner Jay LP. Abner Jay was a man who had a grand sweeping vision of what folk music was. In his lifetime his expression of what folk music could be encompassed some serious stylistic variations. Sometimes he was a one man band traveling troubadour playing an electric banjo, harmonica, & drums who tried to hoodwink audiences into believing that he was 150 years old & the standard bearer for authentic Americana. Sometimes he played in electric straight up R&B bands such as "Koko Joe & the Jobhunters". Sometimes he claimed to be the "black Bob Dylan" strumming an acoustic guitar & singing socially conscious urban folk. On this LP we find Abner in all of these modes & more. (He also does a pop song about a submarine disaster & a beautiful gospel song.)

Culled from a mix of Abners' 45's & LPs spanning the period 1964 - 1973, including Abner's first long lost LP, which we reproduced the cover image for this LP from. We hope that this release will help to further the current wave of understanding that Abner Jay is an important artist who deserves a wider audience than he ever received during his lifetime. Comes with a self promotional pamphlet penned by Abner & a color photo of Abner. Housed in an old school tip on sleeve.

Aight, so we got some more Daptone LPs in, including the new Sharon Jones, restock of the Naomi Shelton and Budos. Remember that we'll also be selling the Sharon Jones / Budos 7" on Record Store Day. Don't think anyone in the city's got that one but I can't say for sure. It's sweet, dawg. In the pipe we've got restock on the Numero Group's catalog on LP and, for the first time, CD as well. I'll try and make sure the price is right. Also comin' through the mails is some new and old from Mississippi Records. Here's a complete list. But for the 7", the Daptones are already on the floor.

Daptone

Budos Band - s/t, II, and EP
Naomi Shelton - What Have You Done
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - Dap Dippin, Naturally, 100 Days 100 Nights, and I Learned the Hard Way
Various Artists - Daptone Gold (2LP)
Sharon Jones / Budos Band - Daytripper / Money 7"

Mississippi

Various Artists - Fanajana: A Collection of Recordings and Photography from Madagasikara
Over a three year period in the late 1990s, Charlie Brooks embarked on two long field recording trips in Madagasikara. Brooks primarily concentrated on the more remote north and west regions of the island. Upon his return in 1999 he pressed 200 copies of a triple record and stored them under his bed for the last ten years. The three themed LPs: Vocal, Valiha Marovany and Miscellaneous Instruments were released as the now out of print MR-061 Fihavanana. This single LP collection compiles seventeen tracks from Fihavanana. Comes with a twelve page booklet of photography and notes.

Note: Vortex will be raffling off a copy of the above-mentioned 3LP Fihavanana on Record Store Day.

Range Rats - s/t
Recorded in 1986 & completely unreleased until now - this is Fred & Toody Cole's (Weeds, Lollipop Shoppe, Zipper, Torpedoes, Rats, Western Front, Desperate Edge, Dead Moon, Pierced Arrows, & so on) great lost country LP! All original compositions...some sad lilting ballads & some punk as hell. Two songs feature Fred & Toddy playing with "Rollie", a janky Roland drum machine that didn't keep a consistent meter very well. The rest of the songs were recorded with a lean mean band. We are very proud to bring this LP into the world for the first time - another facet of the genius of Fred & Toody Cole & lowfi as cadn be. Housed in an old school tip on sleeve.

CHIN CHIN -Sound Of The Westway LP
In 1985, Sound of the Westway was released on Chin Chin's own Farmer Records. As a progression from their first 7", SOTW proved to be a brilliant mix
of post punk and pop sensibility. The band's fierce DIY stance and girl-positive ethics have echoed down through the indie scene. Mississippi and Slumberland are excited to collaborate on this classic reissue. On vinyl only, remastered by Tim Stollenwerk and new original artwork by Alec Icky Dunn. Includes Free Download Card.

Getatchew Mekuria, The Ex, & Guests - Moa Anbessa
Getatchew is a legendary Ethio-Jazz saxaphone player. Well documented in the Ethiopiques series, he continues to make amazing music into his seventies. This LP presents eleven new interpretations of Ethiopian tunes. Backed by the awesome force of The EX and a guest horn section.

Grouper - Wide
Wide is Grouper's second full length-album. Previously released on Free Porcupine Society and Weird Forest, this is a co-re-release between Weird Forest and Grouper's own label with new artwork by Liz Harris. Edition of 1000 copies.

Note that on Record Store Day we'll be giving away a copy of this in our RSD raffle.

Numero Group

We pretty much got their entire catalog coming on CD and LP.

A short order came in yesterday consisting of:

- Restock of the Cecil Barfield on Mississippi (probably the last batch we'll get of this title as it's almost out of print)

- the 2LP gatefold of The Secret Museum of Mankind Vol.1 - Ethnic Music Classics: 1925-48. Here's a description from the Village Voice:

"Compiled here are many of the greatest performances of world and ethnic music ever recorded. This volume represents a trip around the world, stopping at each port to sample one of that country's finest recordings of its indigenous music. Each of these recordings was captured at a period during the golden age of recording when traditional styles were at their peak of power and emotion. Included inside are extensive notes and beautiful period photographs that work together with the music to communicate an exciting sense of discovery." "One of the most consistently rewarding world music compilations in years, the cuts range from Macedonian fiddle jaunts to Puerto Rican Christmas tunes, from Abyssinian religious chants to ominous Japanese court music. The instruments include Ukrainian sleigh bells, Sardinian triple pipes, Vietnamese moon lutes and Ethiopian one-string violins...a profound artistry lurks beneath the alien vernaculars."

- the 4 X 10" of Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration of Fela Kuti on Now Again. One of these sold before I even had a chance to put it on the floor. Since I bought one, that leaves one left.

- Neutral Milk Hotel's On Avery Island as an import from France. It contains two bonus tracks and is 180g.

- a 10" split between Bardo Pond and Pre. Limited and numbered to 500.

- Two LPs each by Lali Puna and Kammerflimmer Kollecktief.

- the Herbie Hancock and Grachan Moncur III LPs on Heavenly Sweetness (180g, analog, Import from France).

- One CD each from Jasper TX and Rafael Anton Irisarri

We also received restock on a bunch of Soul Jazz CDs as well as some great soul collections.

Okay, so I've been slow updating the site (and the mailing list) because I've been busy trying to get some stuff straightened out for Record Store Day. We're definitely gonna have a few things (prizes, even) that no one else in the city has. I'll post here when things are in my hands.

Here's some vinyl that came in today:

Liars / Gerry Mitchell and Little Sparta - Keep Mothers Vol. 4
Y'all know Liars is one of my favorite bands. They've got a new LP coming out very soon (we'll have stock of the ltd edition 2LP version) but in the meantime, this is a split 10" between them and Gerry Mitchell. Limited to 500 copies. Numbered. UK Import.

Bardo Pond - Bufo Alvarius
Another UK import - Fire Records reissues Bardo's first LP on 180g vinyl. Comes with the CD. One bonus track on the vinyl, I believe. Remastered. I can tell you're curious about the title. It's a hallucinogenic toad. Yup, really. (All Bardo Pond albums are named after drugs or drug-related stuff. Again, yup, really.)

Ntsamina - Spiritual Singers
This is an early-ish release on Mississippi Records. It's out of print but we found a warehouse that had a few. I brought in 5 copies. Not sure if I'll be able to get more. Grab it now.

Various Artists - Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti
Actually, this came in on CD, not vinyl... but we should have the vinyl in about a week. It's a 4x10" set. Comes with a 24 page booklet.

Clogs - Creatures in the Garden of Lady Walton
This is a CD only release, unfortunately. So we'll have it on CD very soon. I've always loved Clogs. If you like Rachel's or maybe Kronos Quartet, you'll dig Clogs. Should be in Thursday.

Jimi Hendrix - First Rays of the New Rising Sun
Yeah, I know this came out today. But I hate the title and forgot to order it. We should have it Thursday. I hope. Though for my money, you're better off with Clogs.

I also expect the following in about a week or so:

Fenn O'Berg - In Stereo
Fenn O'Berg is Jim O'Rourke, Christian Fennesz, and Peter Rehberg. You should know who at least one of those people is. Two if you've ever worked a day in your life. Three and you can have my job (not really). 2LP. Gatefold. Austrian import.

Herbie Hancock - Inventions and Dimensions
Grachan Moncur III - Evolution
These two are new France imports on Heavenly Sweetness, a label that is reissuing six early Bluenote records this year. They're gonna be pricey as they're imports and heavy vinyl, but all the titles in this series have been out of print on vinyl for decades so chances you have 'em are slim.

Bardo Pond / Pre - Keep Mothers Vol 5
Just like the Liars 10" above, this one is limited to 500 copies. Numbered. Yadda Yadda yadda.

Lali Puna - Tridecoder & Faking The Books
Remember Lali Puna. I do. I always liked Korean-born Valerie Trebeljahr voice. That's why I ordered these. Faking the Books also comes with the Micronomic 12" and is limited to 500 measly copies. Both are on Morr Music.

Neutral Milk Hotel - On Avery Island
"I already have this," you're thinking. Well, you're wrong. Because this version was made in the UK and features two tracks that aren't on your version--they're taken from the band's 1993 single Everything Is. 180g.

Kammerflimmer Kollektief - Jinx and Wildling
Wildling is KK's new record. Jinx is an older record. I've always liked the band, especially Cicadidae. Love love love that record. German imports.