Back catalogue: All genres

Review: You know what to expect from The Cramps - punk, rockabilly and garage rock colliding in a gloriously sleazy pile up of distorted twang and deviant attitude. The A-side is a trademark take on those late 50s/early 60s tunes dedicated to the twist dance craze, enough said. It comes backed with the garage-powered 'Confessions of a Psycho Cat' and the more pscyhobilly-slanted, thoroughly howling 'No Club Lone Wolf'. Capturing a raw energy that channels the rebellious spirit of classic rock & roll with gritty guitar riffs, infectious rhythms and an undeniable sense of fun, this is a standout late-career highlight.

Review: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis's soundtrack for the National Geographic documentary about an imagined 2033 manned mission to Mars feels like a sketch for the atmospheric soundscapes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' 2016 album Skeleton Tree. Both works inhabit the same dark-hued, super-charged sonic atmosphere. Cave's cinematic music, enriched by Ellis's imaginative contributions, explores a wide range of sounds: distorted guitars in 'Space X,' sibylline keyboard arpeggios in 'Space Station,' and vast synthesized swathes evoking space's void. 'Planetarium' features soulful drones and synthesized strings, creating anticipation and stillness. With few vocals, this ambient soundtrack is perfect for chilling out and daydreaming. It's a departure from the intense emotions of the Bad Seeds, reflecting Cave's inward focus after personal tragedy. Unlike many soundtracks, this one stands apart, integral to Cave and Ellis's collaboration, and can be savored without thinking about Mars. Now available on vinyl for the first time!

Review: Reggae Charmers was originally released in 1970 and it showcased the best of Lloyd Charmers, who was born Lloyd Tyrell. His career spans Jamaica's vibrant musical eras from the late 50s shuffle r&b and ska boom to the rocksteady and roots reggae of the 60s and 70s. Across those years, Charmers excelled as a vocalist, session musician, and producer and after taking up the piano in 1966, he soon formed his own band. It backed artists like Ken Parker, Max Romeo, Pat Kelly, John Holt, and Slim Smith & the Uniques while Charmers also sang with the Uniques and gained a reputation for delivering some of the era's most compelling rhythms.

Review: A key figure in Jamaican music who first gained recognition with The Uniques before branching out as a solo artist and producer. By the late 60s, he'd honed his skills in arrangement and keyboard-driven reggae, culminating in Reggae Is Tight and Reggae Charm. Reggae Is Tight bursts to life with the insistent chant of '5 to ', riding a thick organ groove. Charmers reinterprets The Uniques' 'Watch The Sound' as the flowing piano instrumental 'Follow This Sound'. He transforms classics like 'Blue Moon' into reggae gems, while 'Psychedelic Reggae' leans into dubby echo effects. The album thrives on tight, dancefloor-ready rhythms, with 'Stronger' capping off the set in style. His deal with Trojan Records led to Reggae Is Tightia stunning example of his keyboard prowess over driving, fast-paced rhythms. Blending infectious organ grooves with classic boss reggae energy, the album captures the golden era of Jamaican sounds. Now reissued as a limited edition on orange vinyl, Reggae Is Tight remains an essential listen for vintage reggae enthusiasts, highlighting Charmers' innovative touch and deep influence on the genre.

Review: American funk and r&b band Chocolate Milk made their mark in the early 1970s and released their self-titled album in 1976. Produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint who was known for his work with Lee Dorsey, The Meters, and Dr. John, the album blended funky rhythms, soulful melodies, and socially aware lyrics. It featured the single 'How About Love' along with standout tracks like 'You've Got Your Spell On Me' and 'Let The Music Take Your Mind.' Praised for its energy and creativity at the time, the album solidified Chocolate Milk's reputation in the funk and soul scene and sounds as good here as ever.

Review: Chocolate Milk's 1975 debut Action Speaks Louder Than Words stands as a funk and soul cornerstone from New Orleans. Produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, the album showcases the band's masterful blend of local musical traditions with contemporary funk and soul influences. The title track, a standout single, has left an enduring mark on music, sampled by major artists such as Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim and Aaliyah. This reissue enhances this classic with a full remastering on striking red vinyl. The album's themes of social awareness and personal reflection, coupled with its infectious grooves and tight musicianship, continue to captivate listeners and collectors alike. Fans of funk and soul should be excited with the news of this fresh pressing of a timeless gem.

Review: The self-titled debut studio album by Jacksonville-based rock band Cold, originally released in 1998. Discovered by A&R man Fred Durst (from Limp Bizkit), Cold burst onto the scene with this potent blend of raw emotion, haunting melodies, and powerful instrumentation. Led by vocalist Scoot Ward, the band quickly garnered attention for their introspective lyrics and intense live performances. With a variegated nu-metal sound - the listener is only first thrust into an ostensibly incendiary sound with 'Go Away', both satisfyingly crisp and grungey in equal measure, before finding respite in the more temperate moments that pepper the record, as on 'Ugly' or 'Strip Her Down' - Cold recalls every influence between Alice In Chains and Type O Negative, and nestles a palpably unique sense of longing in the cracks between the otherwise more prescriptive pillars of the grunge style.

Review: This 1991 release stands as a cornerstone of West Coast gangsta rap, delivering a raw, unflinching portrayal of early 90s Los Angeles street life. With hard-hitting beats and vivid storytelling, the album builds on the group's debut, offering a more refined and confident sound. The deep basslines and funky grooves, courtesy of seasoned production, lay the groundwork for narratives steeped in urban realities. The album's heaviest tracks are a masterclass in gritty storytelling. 'Growin' Up in the Hood,' featured in the world renown movie Boyz N the Hood, pairs evocative rhymes with strings and drums sampling Funk Inc and Mountain, creating a tense, cinematic backdrop. The song captures the struggles of street life, blending hardened perspectives with a sense of inevitability. 'Raised in Compton' dives deeper, painting a stark picture of how systemic decay and gang violence perpetuate cycles of destruction. Meanwhile, 'Driveby Miss Daisy' haunting depiction of violence is another gem, layered with somber samples and a chilling piano solo that amplifies the track's nightmarish aura. Throughout, the album balances braggadocio with complex street narratives, offering a visceral and authentic glimpse into its environment. Along with NWA and Above The Law, this is West Coast rap at its most compelling and unapologetic for the time.

Review: Reissued after its 1997 debut, Crustation's Bloom emerges from the shadows of trip-hop giants like Portishead and Massive Attack as a legendary gem of the genre. Comprised of Ian Dark, Stig Manley, and Mark Tayler, the Bristol-based band crafted a fantastic sonic universe with their singular LP, featuring the enchanting vocals of Bronagh Slevin, ethereal atmospheres, and hypnotic beats. The album, adorned with artwork co-designed by Stanley Donwood of Radiohead fame, immerses listeners in a dreamy landscape from the opening instrumental 'Hey' to the sublime 'Purple.' Slevin's velvety voice guides us through a nocturnal journey, evoking a sense of safety in darkness. Tracks like 'Close My Eyes' and 'Face The Waves' transport listeners to ethereal realms, while 'Reverie' shows the beauty of orchestral strings intertwined with melancholic lyrics. Yet, it's 'Flame' that stands as the album's pinnacle, a transcendent hymn to beauty and serenity. Beginning with ambient dreaminess, Slevin's whispering vocals crescendo into a breathtaking refrain, accompanied by strings that evoke a phantasmagorical atmosphere. Overall, Bloom remains a hidden masterpiece of trip hop, its nocturnal, spacey, and velvet textures embodying the genre's essence.

Review: Cyril's debut album offers a compelling fusion of house and UK garage, underscored by his distinctive Australian flair. Collaborations with artists like Kita Alexander on 'True' and Dean Lewis on 'Fall At Your Feet' infuse the tracks with emotive vocals, enhancing the rhythmic foundations. The inclusion of extended versions of 'Stumblin' In' and 'The Sound of Silence' showcases Cyril's adeptness at reimagining classics, breathing new life into them. Cyril's versatility is remarkable here, solidifying his position in the contemporary electronic music scene.