Staff recommendations

This week

Funeral Party - The Golden Age of Knowhere

The Golden Age of Knowhere (2011) by Funeral Party

“The debut release from this East LA four-piece offers up high tempo drums, rocket-fuelled riffs and the energetic vocals of Chad Elliott. Enough to get any heads rocking.” Phil Murphy

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A Different Ship (2012) by Here We Go Magic

“Brooklyn-based indie-pop outfit team up with Nigel “Radiohead” Godrich. The whole album’s fantastic but ‘Over The Ocean’ is my current obsession.” Gemma Samways

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Grace for Drowning (2011) by Steven Wilson

“Second solo offering by Porcupine Tree head honcho Steven Wilson. Prepare to be taken on a psychedelic journey through jazz, prog, post and ambient rock. If you like music which crosses the borders of genre, this is the album for you.” George Heslop

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Garden

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Garden (2011) by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

“Intriguing stage name and even more intriguing electro music from this young English producer, who tends to dress up as a dinosaur on stage... I won't say more.” Emmylou Prevett

Last week

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Mixed Emotions (2012) by Tanlines

“For fans of Hot Chip and other indie electronic bands.” Goncalo Pereira

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La Suite (2012) by 1995

“For all fans of French hip hop, this Parisian crew’s flow is worthy of any good classic 90’s hip-hop, à la MC Solaar.” Emmylou Prevett

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Poems From A Rooftop (2012) by Dictaphone

“The latest release in the consistently fascinating and unique Sonic Pieces series. It’s also the first Dictaphone output in the six years since Vertigo II, making this record doubly-exciting for me. A muted, contemplative fusion of glitchy electronics and experimental-jazz; trust me, it’s better than that sounds.” Nick Skelton

Various Artists - Renaissance - The Mix Collection

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Renaissance - The Mix Collection (2011) by Various Artists

“A throwback to the days when DJ mixes changed hands on C90 cassettes, this thankfully stands the test of time. It’s worth noting for nostalgia-fans that this is not the re-issued, re-recorded 10th anniversary edition but the original with tracklist intact.” James Kane

The week before last week

Orchestre Super Borgou de Parakou - The Bariba Sound

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The Bariba Sound (2012) by Orchestre Super Borgou de Parakou

“Analog Africa has firmly established itself as a buy-on-sight label for anyone with an interest in the roots of black music. This latest collection gathers psychedelic sounds from Benin, blending elements of Mulatu's Ethio-jazz, Tony Allen's Afro-shuffle and Ghanaian high-life.” Aaron FitzGerald

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I Beg for a Summer - EP (2011) by Alb

“Alb are a French electro band from Reims. They were very popular with their first album, Mange Disque. Their new EP finds them singing in English and one from it is featured in a TV ad in France. It makes for easy listening and the title’s quite apt considering the current weather.” Sarah Schaub

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Circular Haze EP (2012) by Kevin Pearce

“Brand new EP from singer/songwriter Kevin Pearce. Circular Haze carries on where his full-length album from last year left off, but this time with a more paired-back approach. Warm, delicate and subtle melodies.” Jim Sanders

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Barock (2010) by Aufgang

“Just an EP, but one that gets you hooked. The most genius marriage of electronica with classical music. Not heard anything like it since its release two years ago.” Lorena Blattner

The week before that

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Flying Colors (2012) by Flying Colors

“Ex-Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy returns! Flying Colors is a supergroup made up of prog-rock legend Neal Morse, Dixie Dregs guitarist Steve Morse (no relation to Neal), bass player Dave Larue and Alpha Rev frontman Casey McPherson. Highly recommended for any fans of Opeth, Rush, Spock’s Beard and Porcupine Tree.” George Heslop

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jasmine (demo) (2012) by Jai Paul

“Jai Paul’s debut single ‘BTSTU’ won fans right around the world, with Beyoncé and Drake paying him the ultimate compliment by sampling his work. This long-awaited follow-up summons the spirit of Shuggie Otis, D’Angelo and Purple Rain-era Prince to devastating, understated effect. A debut long player can’t come too soon.” Aaron FitzGerald

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Link Wray (2007) by Link Wray

“I only discovered this album recently and all I can think is: WHY?! Why only just now?! I’m still far too much in awe to give you a valid reason as to why this album is so brilliant. Just listen to ‘Fire And Brimstone’ and tell me you don’t feel the urge to at least move your head to the stomping beat of this raw rock n roll force.” Lorena Blattner

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Dark Steering (2012) by Squarepusher

“If, like me, you've been pining for another Squarepusher record rammed with the kind of dense, sonic filth he was putting out at the turn of the millennium, then this first cut off the upcoming Ufabulum will not disappoint. Tense, bass-heavy and full of all the hyperactive, zippered delay-effects that put most people off this music; it's incredibly promising for the album. Though, it must be said, that punctuating mid-section... “Stunt Car Racer” or “Turbo Esprit”?” Nick Skelton

And so on...

Daniel Rossen - Silent Hour / Golden Mile

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Silent Hour / Golden Mile (2012) by Daniel Rossen

“Whet your appetite for the follow up to Veckatimest with this gorgeous solo effort by Grizzly Bear's Daniel Rossen.” Gemma Samways

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Be Strong (2012) by The 2 Bears

“The 2 Bears (one of them from Hot Chip) release their full length. A fun, dance-oriented pop album.” Goncalo Pereira

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Little Earthquakes (2007) by Tori Amos

“Tori's first studio album and still my favourite.” James Atherton

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Gin Nation (2011) by Tiger & Woods

“Great slice of nu-disco with an infectious hook.” Will Munn

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Locked Down (2012) by Dr. John

“Dr John released some amazing cajun-voodoo albums in the sixties, most notably Gris Gris. Since then, his output has been limited to either boogie or woogie, and in many cases, both. While perfectly acceptable, some of us yearned for that spooky, swampy sound. Enter Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys who produces, plays and even co-writes on this album, steering it away from Disney-Mardi-Gras and back down the Bayou.” Stephen Somerville

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Sofrito: Tropical Discotheque (2011) by Sofrito

“The Sofrito camp have been doing sterling work in recent years, unearthing and remastering forgotten tropical gems from right across the African diaspora. This compilation focuses on the more DJ-friendly results of their excavation, that can be heard at their infamous London warehouse parties.” Aaron FitzGerald

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Run Loose (2012) by Animal Noise

“Upbeat, melodic indie-rock. The singer plays a flamenco guitar but the band still have their roots firmly in punk rock! This is the first album from the Essex three-piece who describe their music as bruised, battered and beaten acoustic dance music. Pick up the album you won't regret it!” Jim Sanders

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Amnesia (1989) by Mr. Fingers

“House music at its memerising best.” Costas Kontos

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Walking Down Mainstreet (2006) by Tarras

“Tarras are an awesome six-piece, traditional/original folk band from the north of England. They're all incredible musicians and songwriters. If you ever get a chance to see them live I highly recommend it.” George Heslop

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Tosta Mista (2012) by Hooded Fang

“Hugely uplifting, brilliantly ramshackle surf-pop. I’ve gotten round the fact it’s only 28 minutes long by playing it over and over and over...” Gemma Samways

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Eating (2002) by Takagi Masakatsu

“Takagi Masakatsu's music steps into the room as softly as a tiny cat, and brightens up the dullest pre-spring day. It's a bit like a more playful Savath & Savalas, and obviously made in closer temporal proximity to the 90s - none of which does its loveliness any harm.” Mia Filisch