Back catalogue: All genres

Review: 'Behind The Green Door' understands the power of lunging rhythms. A one-man-band by some estimations - the 'group' has just a single permanent member, Danny "Lee Blackwell" Rajan Billingsley, with the founder, drummer James Traeger, only involved intermittently. And this isn't the only norm defied. Psychedelic garage rock for some, to us it's a kind of hypnotic, swampy, choral thing with shades of rhythm and blues and soul. With plenty of encouragement to chant. In 2023, Night Beats dropped a sixth studio album, Rajan, and then promptly ran back into the same ether that's been obscuring them from many views since 2009. Still, if you caught a glimpse then, or rather an earshot, and took the brave decision to follow, here's where we've wound up - and it sounds awesome.

Review: The Nut Jumpers is a collaboration that brings together Helen Shadow, Ricky Lee Brawn (of The Stargazers and The Big 6), and 'Mr. Dynamite' aka Jake Calypso, and it finds them blend their talents into a diverse yet authentic rock'n'roll experience. With Helen's stellar guitar, Ricky Lee's dynamic drums, and Jake's vocals, harmonica, and bass, their sound spans rockabilly, rock'n'roll, blues boppers, and sixties vibes with effortless cool. They fuse these influences seamlessly, occasionally evoking guitar riffs reminiscent of Link Wray in a way that means The Nut Jumpers deliver a rich musical tapestry that resonates with classic authenticity and a contemporary edge.

Review: A second joining of forces from two celebrated Chicago acts, blending deep, organic rhythms with a minimalistic electronic pulse. With the novel but logical addition of Jason Stein on bass clarinet, the collaboration stretches even further, pulling together the spiritual fluidity of Natural Information Society and the electronic minimalism of Bitchin Bajas. The first single, 'Clock no Clock,' is a deep dive into hypnotic rhythms, with guimbri grooves intertwining seamlessly with electronic bursts, flutes and organs. The other three tracks are equally compelling, the music unfolding like a living organism, constantly shifting but always grounded. Expansive, intricately woven sonic delights.

Review: Neu! 75 was the third and final studio album from Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother, and many years on it stands proud as a great piece of electronic rock history. Released in, you guessed it, 1975, the album's signature insistent rhythms, phased guitars and propulsive drums continue to sound fresh and retain a vitality that feels futuristic even decades later. This official reissue is a great way to get back into the raw energy and precision that made Neu! 75 so influential with their groundbreaking fusion of motorik beats and experimental soundscapes. It was their finest work, frankly.

Review: It's hard to sum up the brilliance of the interconnected bands which emerged out of Dusseldorf in the 90s, but Neu! are about as perfect a place to start as any. Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother left Kraftwerk and, sparring with Conny Plank in the studio, came up with album after album of steadfast, motorik grooves that stretch out for miles on end. You can dive into any part of the Neu! legacy and it won't disappoint, but Neu! 2 is especially wonderful thanks to the visionary approach to remixing Dinger and Rother took to fill up the second half of the album when the label withheld any more money to record the album. Short-sighted of the label maybe, but it pushed the pair to create something far wilder with wrongspeed manipulation - just listen to 'Super 16' and you'll understand.

Review: Paul Ngozi's 99% Confusion represents a powerful chapter in the history of Zamrock, a vibrant music scene that emerged in 1970s Zambia. This late-period hard rock and proto-punk album, featuring drummer Chrissy Zebby Tembo, shows Ngozi's enduring influence in the Zamrock movement. The LP comes with an oversized eight-page booklet filled with rare photographs, a detailed discography, and insightful annotations, providing a deeper understanding of Ngozi's musical journey. Zamrock itself was a unique fusion, blending fuzz-driven psychedelia, raw garage rock, and energetic funk with traditional African rhythms. This distinctive sound, cultivated by bands like Musi O Tunya, Amanaz, and Ngozi Family, stood apart from anything else on the African continent. 99% Confusion, released under license from Paul Nyirongo's estate, is part of Now-Again's ongoing effort to preserve and reissue these vital records. This album continues to showcase Ngozi's pivotal role in shaping the Zamrock legacy.

Review: The 1978 release Heavy Connection by Paul Ngozi and Chrissy Zebby Tembo is a thrilling ride through the heart of Zambia's vibrant Zamrock scene. A fuzz-drenched masterpiece, this split LP has the raw energy of two of Zamrock's most influential figures. Tembo's jagged drums and Ngozi's searing guitar riffs create a unique blend of psych-rock, funk, and garage that sets this album apart. Tracks like 'Bells of Death' and 'Born Black' feature swirling guitar lines and off-kilter rhythms that embody the strange, moody sound that defines Zamrock. The production may feel rough around the edges, but it only adds to the gritty, DIY atmosphere of the record. There's a sense of urgency and experimentation throughout, with tracks like 'I Shot Her' and 'Bye Father' carrying both an eerie intensity and melodic unpredictability. This reissue campaign breathes new life into this forgotten gem, highlighting its importance within the broader Zamrock movement.

Review: Nice Biscuit's sophomore album SOS via Bad Vibrations comes after the success of Digital Mountain in 2018 and their ensuing EPs in 2022. Written and recorded at Swan Pond Studios, the nine-track album blends the band's signature psych-rock sound with new influences from disco, jazz fusion, and world music. Vocalists Billie Star and Grace Cuell's soothing harmonies explore themes of finding balance amid chaos so the album reflects diverse emotional responses to global crises, from hope to anger. Recorded over a year, SOS marks the last album featuring original guitarist Jess Ferronato and might be their best yet.

Review: Broc Recordz's Cosmos Giants album is a celestial creation that stems from a monumental collaboration between Janko Nilovic, JJ Whitefield from Poets of Rhythm, and Igor Zhukovsky of the Soul Surfers. Together, they've sculpted a sonic world where genres meld seamlessly and offer a transformative auditory experience where funk, psyche, and soul all inform a jazz underbelly. The ensuing musical odyssey rather defies easy categorisation that is all about immersion in meticulously crafted tracks. From the laidback vibes of 'Inner Space' to the eerie and celestial melodies of '(Wind From) Mount Everest' this is a high-class record.

Review: Niningashi's elusive 1974 debut Heavy Way emerged as a Japanese acid folk treasure that showcased Kazuhisa Okubo's musical prowess amidst his pharmaceutical studies. This album marked a pivotal moment in Okubo's life and Japanese society, blending pastoral nostalgia with urban allure. Immersed in Tokyo's acid folk scene, Okubo and his band craft a unique sound across nine tracks, from the Neil Young-esque 'Ameagari' to the whimsical 'Semai Boku No Heyade.' Despite subsequent success with bands like Neko and Kaze, Heavy Way remains shrouded in mystery, its soft allure drawing a dedicated online following. It has in part previously featured in Time Capsule's Nippon Acid Folk collection and is a prized relic of Japan's musical past that now gets a full reissue.

Review: The limited edition double album Weird Scenes From The Hangout presents an exhilarating journey through psychedelic and freakbeat anthems that were the heartbeat of Liverpool's renowned mid-'80s club night, The Hangout. Released on striking Neon Pink and Transparent Curacao vinyl, this 2 x LP compilation curated by Richard Norris (The Grid, Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve) captures the vibrant essence of his club's eclectic soundscape. The album features a carefully selected roster of tracks from iconic acts like The Velvet Underground, Can, Captain Beefheart, The Seeds and The Left Banke, reflecting the diverse and energetic vibe that Norris fostered at The Hangout. This special compilation brings together floor fillers and dancefloor anthems that defined the psychedelic scene during the 1967-1982 period, meticulously licensed to recreate the magic of Norris's celebrated club nights. The Hangout, launched in autumn 1984 at Liverpool's Krackers club, was a haven for psychedelic enthusiasts and dance music aficionados alike. With its pulsating beats and psychedelic visuals, the club became a hub for revelry, featuring guest performances from bands such as Zodiac Mindwarp and The Cardiacs. Norris's vision was simple yet profound: to curate a dance experience that embraced both obscure and popular tracks, ensuring that every tune ignited the dancefloor. This reissue not only revives the spirit of The Hangout but also celebrates the enduring impact of its eclectic playlist. With remastered sound and original artwork, this compilation is a treasure trove for fans of psychedelic and freakbeat music, showcasing a pivotal era in Liverpool's vibrant club culture.