Tag: news

Hey everyone,

Hope all is well…..

Quite a bit to mention tonight also and with a self imposed curfew of 1.30am I will cut to the chase and try and avoid rambling tangents where possible (but can’t promise).

The first born (Cormac, whom a lot of you will know from the shop) is home for a break from his year’s holiday; sorry I meant studies, in Italy so my curfew must be obeyed as no spilling into Friday night will be allowed by the newsletter police….

First up is a big Vinyl record reissue for the 22nd May through Universal.

Originally released in 2000 and one that has been off the Vinyl grid for quite some time is RYAN ADAM’s debut record “heartbreaker”.

You could ask me to write down my 10 favorite albums every week and I might have 3 or 4 constants and 30 or 40 albums that will dip in and out depending on my mood…this album would dip in and out for me….a truly great album in my opinion.

Some might argue it never improved from there, but hard to top some more might argue…..some people might think it is not his best album….each to their own…that is one of the great unseen unexplainable qualities of music….different albums resonate differently with different people, be it from personal experiences, friends, age, perceived taste or worst of all coolness ….my opinion is as worthless as anyone’s opinion, it is what it means to you, no one else…..i have heard two different guys ( who know their music) in the shop one day give me their opinions on the Supertramp record “ crimes of the century” …..One saying “Christ Ray, you will do well to shift that, its dreadful” to the other “whoa Ray, see this here, this is my favorite record of all time” ….i kid you not, two guys who love music in the same day had those two varying opinions….brilliant!!

We at the Music Zone Corporation are retailing the RYAN ADAMS double LP at 25 euro, whilst my faceless robotic foe in the sky are selling it for 32 euro (that shower sold more records in America last year than anyone else, that, you might have guessed, makes me feel ill……I shall continue my one man crusade against them and their attempts to rule the retail world whilst helping to turn us into a robotic nanny world…..did anyone see the documentary on them about a year ago on BBC….man they don’t half treat people like shite….employees have 30 seconds to find each product in the warehouses, if they fail, the hand gun scanner beeps loudly and incessantly until they find the item…..the undercover lad who went in said his head was ringing all through the night after his first day….anyway enough said, I’m sure ye can feel my love for them and the nappies, lawnmowers, pencils, bikes, watches they sell.

Look, lastly, I know convenience is massive in today’s world (another issue for some other time) but just don’t always think because they are bigger they are also cheaper….that is my basic point……..for all small business.

Universal has the new album by ASH out next Friday also….it is called “kablammo!” ….Tim Wheeler’s recentish album is a really terrific listen, it is a cycle of songs based around his father and families battle with dementia…..heartbreaking and powerful stuff, as powerful as you will get at times….i imagine ( and that’s all I can do) anyone whose family may be affected by this illness, this album would seriously touch a nerve but yet help a bit also….MEDICINE is one of the most lyrically powerful songs I have heard in quite a while….if you have 10 minutes over the weekend its below and its worth it, very sad but written from his dad’s perspective and brilliantly written in my opinion…serious respect Mr. Wheeler…

UNI also have ROD STEWART LP reissues including “ every picture tells a story” , STYX LP reissues including “ paradise theatre” , blue note LP reissues including ART BLAKEY and LEE MORGAN as well as new albums from POKEY LAFARGE, WILL YOUNG, LEPROUS and ALESSO in no particular genre’s!!

PIAS have a load of good releases for the 29th of May.

The first three BLACK SABBATH records are getting the reissue treatment….again…180 gram with CD included of self titled, paranoid and masters of reality albums.

The biggest new material release is from JAMIE XX of THE XX fame….i really like THE XX stuff so looking forward to this one….friends help him out along the way….sounds alright to me

ALGIERS is another one worth a listen I think….new and fresh sounding…political opinions

new albums also from KIDWAVE, GIRLPOOL, HELLOWEEN as well as the debut from the lass from Derry, SOAK, who is a talented girl….she is playing the Triskel on the 13th June I think….i would have harped on about her in the past….listen below

Lastly from PIAS for the 29th May is the new SUN KIL MOON CD….no sign of LP on that one yet….if someone/anyone can inform me??? Bueller, bueller…those only of a certain age will only find that one remotely humorous….

Sony has most but not the entire FOO FIGHTERS catalogue LPs reissued….all except wasted light and echos ( I think)..out next Friday…..some of them tricky to get over recent years…

Sony also has the new VACCINES record next Friday.

WARNER has a few Vinyl record reissues worth a mention including a couple by A-HA, ELECTRONICA as well as MILES DAVIS “ TUTU” 30TH anniversary deluxe double LP.

Lastly, there is a DVD release from Eagle Vision on “the lost songs: the basement tapes”.

I did not get some of the usual info in because of the curfew by the newsletter police (they are based in my head *nee-naw) but here are the main points…..if anyone needs more info please shout….

MUSIC ON VINYL has up coming releases (REISSUES) from TERRY CALLIER, THE DEREK TRUCKS BAND and WARREN ZEVON’S “EXCITABLE BOY”.

ESSENTIAL for the 29th have a release from THE WILLIS CLAN.

CARGO for June 15 has the new record from cosmic lo-fi quartet IT HUGS BACK.

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC releases include the debut from THE MIGHTY STEF “year of the horse” who have been supporting those Cavan boys recently.

Three or four guys have been raving about this debut record from 53 year old DAVID CORLEY whom I emailed some months back to source his CD for someone….he was genuinely thrilled we over here in Ireland were looking for it….he came across real well to me to be fair….just spreading the word on the street….DAVID CORLEY…your bag or not…..

On the local scene,

We are delighted to announce we just received today some copies of THE ESKIES debut CD “after the sherry went round” and it really is a foot stomping listen….pirate folk rock at its very best….i made that genre up I think!! Sounds great though…playing it all afternoon….sneak listen here…on sale when we open at 10 in the morning.

Brilliant dance off in the video….

Sin e for this week I think,

Check out, give out, and buy out the website…

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Thanks for listening!

Ray.

Ps…..mainly delayed tonight because I keep listening to a sampler of the new songs from THE SHAKER HYMN….all I can say is there is a treat in store for everyone….corks best kept secret….sin e.

Hi Everyone,

How’s it going….

This week is one of those weeks when a load of stuff deserves a mention in my opinion…..it has been one of those weeks………broken cars, broken fridges but no broken bones…..as MASSIVE ATTACK told us all “ just be thankful for what you got”…..anyway move on Raymond before you have a ….

Warner has PAUL WELLER’s debut release on Parlophone for next Friday May 15.

“Saturn’s pattern” is available across four formats if memory serves me correct, CD, CD/DVD, VINYL ( COLOURED), super douper boxy thingy which includes the aforementioned plus a poster and booklet….

The Modfather “thinks it’s one of the best things I’ve done. I can’t compare it to any of my other albums. I think it’s different – not just for me, but different for what else is around. It’s defiantly 21st-Century music.” – Uncut (January 2015)

He is hardly going to say its shite…high opinions…deservedly??….or is the modfather bit gone to the ceann…..sorry I am bit barb wiry!…..here’s a sample

Warner has some EV classic live DVD’s released for the 15th also which include PETER GABRIEL, ALICE COOPER, B.B KING, SLAYER and THE SHADOWS.

There is a new VALKYRIE LP out through Warner also on the 15th plus some nice LP reissues from RHINO including THE WATERBOYS “ this is the sea”, VELVET UNDERGROUND “ loaded” , THE YARDBIRDS “ little games”, MORCHEEBA “ big calm” and STEVIE NICKS “ very best of “ on double Vinyl record.

Lastly from Warner is the new TWENTY ONE PILOTS album.

UNIVERSAL has the new BRANDON FLOWERS record ( LP for release in June) “ the desired effect”.

UNIVERSAL also have some great classic soundtracks reissued on 180 gram Vinyl record through the back on black label including ET, JAWS, THE GODFATHER, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

Some CREAM and BEACH BOYS LPs reissued also plus the ST VINCENT vinyl record gets another reissue.

Universal have even more Vinyl reissues from JOHN COLTRANE “black pearls “ and Vinyl box sets from MARVIN GAYE ( his first seven records) and the SOUNDGARDEN Box Set of rarities, bsides etc gets the Vinyl treatment….CDs were last year…..its nearly all Vinyl with UNIVERSAL this week, noticeably so even from 12 months ago.

SONY has another MARIAH CAREY best of and a new record from ENTRAILS.

The new LEONARD COHEN release: I may have been a bit harsh last week….id say its quite interesting…..probably be apologizing to the modman next week….although I don’t know.

PROPER MUSIC has the latest release by NICK CAVE and WARREN ELLIS out next Friday the 15th also, which is the soundtrack to the movie “ loin des homes” available on LP and CD.

I stumbled across something out through Proper for next Friday also which caught my ear and attention also….so let me introduce SHILAPA RAY, ( no relation) what do you think……a tad rude maybe so if easily offended do not watch….which of course means everyone will watch

Also from PROPER next week is the third FIGHT LIKE APES CD, which was made thanks mainly to a FUNDIT campaign…….i landed in a slight spat recently on that twitter thingy ( and spatting ain’t my thing) with a well known national disc jockey over the FUNDIT thing……some background first….

FUNDIT is where bands/artists take pledges and donations from fans or anyone really to help with the costs of making a record….10 to 20 k ballpark I believe…so the great MOZ tweeted something along the lines of him never doing a fundit album as it would be humiliating and degrading ( something like that anyway) and it got a few thousand retweets…..i saw it and tweeted…..easy for Moz to say……our DJ ( no need to hang him, I’m ok) got a bit catty and bounced back with a reply along the lines of it doesn’t matter a damn who said it….be it the milkman or my mam, it is what is being said….i had to go back again, like a moth to a flame, and nicely suggest that MOZ’s bank balance is rather healthy I would imagine and for young bands trying to make it today “ whatever it takes to get it done” so to cut a long story short, fair fucks to FIGHT LIKE APES for getting it done as I wonder to myself , could life ever be sane again with this twitter thing.

PIAS have the new one from UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA on JAGJAGUWAR entitled “ multi- love”….have a sample listen here below…..also a new album from SUMMER CAMP..

MUSIC ON VINYL have reissues from BARENAKED LADIES, GENE CLARK with the Gosdin bros and STATIC X “ Wisconsin death trap”.

ESSENTIAL have the fourth record by GAVIN GLASS, see attachment as well as the LP release of the new FALL album.

The Music Zone corporation is 14 years old today….the 8th day of May 2001 was the first day……the day is engrained in my brain….mainly because I was shitting myself…excuse the language…and at about 11 am a woman handed me a Bridget Jones CD (was big at the time, ELVIS COSTELLO’S “she” striking a cord) and I was like you want to buy that…from me??….anyway, small businesses are like a small child, you try nurture it along, try to do things the right way, hopefully watching it grow, and when its sick you feel sick also, with worry……anyway still at it….all good.

Sin e for this week,

Check the site for the usual…

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Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hey Everyone,

How’s it going?

Not exactly a mad week for releases this week, it is quite enough really but still a few nice bits.

Warner has a few bits without anything major happening including the latest MusiCares DVD and Bluray release featuring Mr. Paul McCartney.

The tribute concert was over 3 years ago but only seeing release now and a lot of interesting people on it so should be a good one.

I don’t think I ever said a bad word about Macca until very recently when I saw him perform, sorry I should have said stand on stage with Rihanna and Canine West during the Grammys for a performance of the song “ four five seconds”.

Macca is credited with writing the song along with only 8 others….why bother Paul…..to be hip?…..you wrote “yesterday”, “blackbird” and “let it be”….that’s hip enough.

There is a new 7 “single from Noel Gallagher “river man” (fine track again) and Paul Weller’s first single from his new album, single on a 7 again called “Saturn’s pattern”.

I saw Paul Weller support THE STONE ROSES down da Pairc a good few years ago for Feile.

There was a great bunch of hardcore fans of the Modfather up the very front that night and in the few seconds gap between every song there was a chorus of WELLEEERRR, WELLEEERRR, WELLEEERRR in really strong Cork accents…..you probably had to be there…!!

Warner has a new CLAPTON compilation thingy, 3 and 2 CD formats for now, LP to follow later and there is also a SAXON movie on DVD and BLURAY out on the 8th of May.

Lastly from Warner on the 8th of May is the second album together from EMMYLOU HARRIS and RODNEY CROWELL called “the traveling kind” on Nonesuch, again the LP version is coming at a later date and again the way their vocals and harmonies intertwine is unreal.

I have been watching the COBAIN documentary over the last couple of nights…its quite long….nearly 2 and half hours I think.

I am not finished it yet…about 30 minutes left…but it is an interesting watch…very visual, very informative, and very hard to watch at times. Home videos with himself and Courtney smashed off their heads especially hard to watch.

I didn’t realize what an active and artistic mind he had, even from a very young age.

Some of the drawings he did when he was as young as three are simply astonishing for his age…astonishing….if my youngest boy Zach (3) drew a picture as well as Kurt did at three years of age, I would be absolutely astounded and probably retire to a far away island, thinking my boy is a genius!!

His parents did not give me a good bang at all in the documentary.

It’s reported that the Kurt Cobain estate is worth 450 million dollars, i imagine that the main protagonists in the documentary are the main beneficiaries of that estate i.e Courtney, Frances Bean and MOMS and POPS….interestingly Dave Grohl has not said a word in two hours whereas there were numerous pieces with Krist Novoselic…..if anyone has the low down on this, pop it up on the forum please for me….these views are mine obviously but that sure don’t mean they are right….does Grohl think the COBAIN’S are a bunch of money grabbing assholes??

https://musiczone.ie/mzforum/

PIAS for the 15th MAY have the new album by FAITH NO MORE…..little break since the last record….18 years I think.

There are also new records from HOT CHIP “ why make sense”, CEREMONY and the HELIO SEQUENCE.

Lastly on 4AD through PIAS is the debut album by HOLLY HERNDON entitled “platform” really experimental electronica if that sort of thing floats your boat.

SONY have a new SNOOP CD “bush” and a new LEONARD COHEN release “can’t forget: a souvenir of the grand tour” on CD and Vinyl record.

When I first saw the Cohen release I thought it was another live album….again….and I thought they’re taking the piss…..but it’s a record of rare enough tracks from rehearsals and sound checks from the last tour…..still taking the piss??…..I’m going to wait to hear it first.

Universal has a new album by NATHAN CARTER for the 8th of May, the debut album by TOVE LO and the JOHNNY CASH AMERICAN RECORDINGS 7 LP BOXSET….only 140 yo yos folks….only 100 ordered….only 165 euro with my big buddy in the sky…in case you thought I was giving them a break….not today punk…hope the nappies are selling well for ya…

PROPER has the new DECLAN SINNOTT album for the 8th of May called “windows in the world”.

Declan’s last album was a really nice listen, and this one is supposed to be as good if not better.

Proper also have a new Keith Jarrett album next week.

MUSIC ON VINYL has reissues from EUROPE and B.B KING.

On the local scene, the Music Zone Corporation has gone global, viral, sick or whatever cool words Macca is using these days.

Check us all out here….like, share, comment please… or dislike if that floats your boat……

Appearance money will be going out with the kid’s Santa letters when things settle down so don’t forget to keep asking your postman did your letter from Lappland arrive.

Check out the site for new bits or have a rant on the forum or buy a few bits!!

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Sin e for this week I think,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is good…

Well, Record Shop Day is done and dusted for another year and I have a few things to say (when don’t i).

This could be a bit like an Oscar’s acceptance speech….tears and all!!

Those of you reading these ramblings for a while now will know I would have done a bit of moaning (when don’t i) about RSD in the past.

I would have moaned about the langers going on eBay…enterprising they think….dirty touts I think.

I wrongly or rightly quizzed a few strangers early doors last Saturday….good homes for the records is what we want not some ballbag making a quick buck.

I would have moaned about the record companies being the only winner…..still the case….they don’t lose….little 25% Sale or Return or Exchange facility with the companies would be a nice touch.

RSD was set up initially to find a way to help and support independent record shops……..and man that is what happened in our shop last Saturday.

There was just a lovely buzz in the shop from pre shutter opening to post shutter closing….made special by so many of ye loyal folks who visited us on the day.

It was quite humbling the support the shop got….sincere thank you again to all who genuinely made an effort to come in and support us…..sincere thanks.

Aside from the sales ( which were great, don’t get me wrong…two bad weeks business or a week and a half good weeks, in a day) there was just a lovely ambience in the shop all day.

So aside from ye guys…there was another group of people who made the day really special, and that was the musicians.

These guys are legends….coming in to play a few tunes to support the shop…..tough slog, a labour of love for them at times I would think.

So a big massive thank you once again to JOHN BLEK, who was his usual brilliant self, THE SHAKER HYMN who oozed class and found themselves a few new fans while oozing that class…top talented lads, JOHN SPILLANE, who had the crowd wrapped around his finger….the chorus of ORO SE DO BHEATHA ABHAILE being sung by everyone in the shop will live long in the memory, RAISING JUPITER, who as there name suggests raised the roof off the gaff ,to one passing woman’s great annoyance about the noise, as she took a bite out of Shane at the counter over the noise!!

Shane took one for the team there!!!!

Myself and Bobby were busy at the time…..hiding!

(I was doing the meet and greet Ray!)

FOX JAW from Limerick were great…really good sound, tight….we were very impressed…..hard working….done three RSD in stores…fair play to em.

Lastly, we had THE HARD GROUND who got the graveyard shift….probably not starting till about 6….there was only about 8 people saw them but man those 8 got a treat…it was beautiful….perfect end to a perfect day.

THE HARD GROUND are very close to being play listed on Today FM…..so an aul text in to request new single “ pucker” would not go a miss if you find 15 seconds….think of it as your good deed for tomorrow!!….that’s if you like it (were not x factor here) text 53102 and request it….have another listen, it grows

Lastly, I want to thank Bobby, Shane and Ciaran for their help and work all week….#onlyforye

So once again a big thank you to all those who sang for us and sang with us, drank with us, and couldn’t drink with us, shouted at us or shouted for us and supported us all day….we are blessed….

I shall drive on with what is happening for tomorrow week the 1st of May.

Massive release, most preordered this year is the third MUMFORD AND SONS record “wilder man” through Island/Universal.

The banjo’s are ditched for the electric…..not causing as big a stir as Mr. Zimmermann did……top five selling albums of the year??….i liked their first two records anyway.

Universal also has a nice ANNIE LENNOX DVD and the BLONDIE catalogue reissued on Vinyl Record including “parallel lines” and “eat to the beat”.

PIAS has the new record by ROISIN MURPHY which has being well received by press…..leftfield and non conformist….a young female Scott Walker….sorry left out the better looking bit….sorryScott..

Another class release from Pias for the 8th of May is the new record by THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH on Dead Oceans

Other releases of note are BARBAROSSA, BERNARD & EDITH, GOD DAMN and CATHAL SMYTH of MADNESS.

Sony has a few metal releases on Metalblade from SIX FEET UNDER and SATANS WRATH.

Warner has a new record from DJANGO DJANGO , VINYL RECORD reissues from DISTURBED “ indestructible” and “ the sickness” and JETHRO TULL’s “ minstrel in the gallery” gets the reissue treatment as well as red vinyl 10” reissue of Roxette’s “ it must have being love”.

MUSIC ON VINYL has some nice re issues coming up….for the 11th of May they have a J.J CALE 4 LP collection spanning 49 tracks, CAPTAIN BEEFHEART’s “blue jeans and moonbeams” and the Grammy winning LP from TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND “ REVELATOR”.

MUSIC ON VINYL for the 18th of May have the million selling “Graceland “ by Mr. PAUL SIMON, MINISTRY “ dark side of the spoon” , MICK RONSON ‘S “ heaven and hull” and YES “talk” .

ESSENTIAL have a new FALL album….i don’t know if Mr. Smith could tell you how many albums he has….is it over 30 studio albums….something like that anyway….i would bet my signed RSD turntable he couldn’t name all the albums ………I have an unsigned RSD turntable…..signature can be arranged.

Local band THE SHED are launching there third record “stealing away” in the Crane Lane tomorrow night …..Doors at 8. http://www.reverbnation.com/theshed/song/23281609-genie

THE SHED are supported by local Douglas young fellas SKRUJAX who have an EP out…..raw but promising….check out the first track here….early JOY DIVISION??…..i think it’s a great track…

https://soundcloud.com/skrujax/sets/the-skrujax-ep

Check out the aul website for bits coming and hopefully going…

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Sin e for this week I think,

Thanks for listening,

Slan,

Ray.

Hey Everyone,

Well last week was a bit of a rollercoaster of a week.

Stock not coming, stock coming, stock left short etc.

Overall done ok on the stock front, few problems though….

Biggest problem was the Bowie 40th Anniversary “changes” vinyl record picture disc, I know there are a core of ye who buy these picture discs from me very regularly over the last few years but I am afraid I am going to be letting ye down this time…..i hope you can understand that I have done everything I could to try get them but it is out of my control….I’m sorry.

It is a crazy situation really when I buy 15 Bowie picture discs every other time they are released….but then on the biggest day this happens…I would love to be putting 15 copies on the shelf….if it is any consolation at least ye are aware…far from ideal I know, again sorry.

The FOO’s and the U2 releases were an issue also but at least there were a few of them there…….not many.

I spoke to one of the reps from one of the smaller distributors as I had stock issues with them also and he told me with his company that they fulfill their RSD orders in the UK first and only what’s left over finds its way here…..so if UK stores buy up all the stock….then sin e or tough shite…..he was honest I suppose!

Most of the companies allocate 10% for Irish independent stores…which is fair enough when you consider it per capita.

Something I noticed this year, more than other years, was a few shortages in deliveries (stuff on invoice but not in box, happens a bit in general I suppose) and also biro marking down stuff from a printed invoice….minus 2….that kind of thing….scenario in warehouse, like this a cynic might imagine….. WAIT, Elvis in Pontapandy record shop needs three more copies of that Teletubbies picture disc, take it from that box there being shipped to IRREELLAANNDD….…..that’s what a cynic might think.

After that good moan, and aside from the three aforementioned, we done well enough and probably got 70 to 75% of what we in the Music Zone Corporation ordered….enough to fill a good load of shelves….so we hope people will have a Woodstock spirit on Saturday #nogivingouttostaff @benice.com

Loads of special offers and competitions on the day…….

THE HARD GROUND joined us at 5.30PM on rsd to play some tunes from their exquisite new album “triptych” which is just released…..the lads will be selling copies at the in store….if you are not familiar please have a listen here to their latest single….

Right, RSD is going to bed for a while so I will quickly rattle off the releases for the 24th of April.

Parlophone through Warner have the biggest release of the 24th with the new record from BLUR….entitled “the magic whip”.

I think it’s their 7th or maybe 8th album…..been ages since their last album “think tank” and GRAHAM COXON is back in the fold after getting tired of the others for a little while….so a lot expected….i have only heard the first single and just tonight this one….sounds alright to me….

Warner also has a new one from hip hop artist WALE and some MIKE OLDFIELD Vinyl record reissues…..see attachment.

Pias have the new one by JIM JAMES and MY MORNING JACKET called “the waterfall”.

Pias also have new albums by OTHER LIVES, PALMA VIOLETS, ROSE WINDOWS and a live CD/DVD from BRMC.

Lastly any other city records through PIAS have the debut by Dublin four piece JET SETTER….the lads will be playing Coughlan’s next Friday the 23rd April…have a listen

Oh sorry, forgot to mention a lovely SUPER FURRY ANIMALS reissue of “mwng”.

Universal have a new (ish) album by DRAKE, a JOHN LEE HOOKER “ boogie chillum” LP reissue, the new interesting album by SOPHIE HUNGER “ super moon”, the new ZAC BROWN BAND record and five more Vinyl record reissues on the Bluenote label.

Sony has the new record from SAN FERMIN and the Vinyl record release of AMBER RUN “5 am”.

There is a new PROCLAIMERS album through Essential ON THE 24TH April.

I didn’t get to look at some of the smaller companies this week, sorry….

On the local scene, we received copies of the sublime new HAMSANDWICH CD called “STORIES FROM THE SURFACE”….got loads of listens today and sounds great.

Also local band THE SHED has a new album out on Friday the 24th.

Lastly here is a lovely piece about MAZZ O FLAHERTY who has the little record shop in Dingle…..

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/goin-vinyl-in-dingle-nialler-9-s-how-music-works-1.2178210

So if you are in DINGLE on Saturday…..

Check our new stuff at

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Sin e for this week

Hope to see some of ye Saturday…

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is well…

Record Shop Day!

We at the Music Zone Vinyl Record emporium had a mini music festival on the big day, Saturday the 18th of April….people brought the sarnies….we had no kettle but we had some whiskey!! …..rock n roll!!

This was the line up…

11AM – John Blek
One of Cork’s most talented men to put a pen to paper, John Blek graced our ears at the 11th hour! John’s promoting two of his albums, his debut with his band John Blek and the Rats, Leave Your Love at The Door, and his new solo album, Cutting Room Floor!

12PM – The Shaker Hymn
Local genius indie rock n’ roll group The Shaker Hymn graced our ears at 12, performing tracks from their debut album Rascal’s Antique, one of our most played albums of the last 12 months with out a doubt!

3PM – Raising Jupiter
Another fine Cork act, rock power houses Raising Jupiter were in at 3 to perform tracks from their debut album A Better Balance! The last time they played here, they rocked the place! Really looking forward to this!

 Fox Jaw
Bringing riffs all the way down from Limerick, we were delighted to announce that Fox Jaw were also playing for us in the afternoon, promoting their most recent LP Ghost’s Parade, as well as the many LIMITED coloured 7” singles in stock, true RSD style!

Cork legend…MR. John Spillane also made an in store apperance during the day…..the rumours about Hozier showing up are unfounded…but you never know….who was out da lee fields in 1985….

all these local acts have serious talent so we have to support them to help them grow….so have a listen to there links and if you like what you hear….come in to your local record shop, thats us i hope….buy their CD and spread the word….lecture over.

We would really like to thank these local artists for their time and effort…..the real record shop day spirit….what was intended with the idea originally….support your local independant record shop.

Record Store Day 2015 has apparently already begun over at eBay
File this under: “News that’ll break your soul”
by Michael Roffman

on April 08, 2015, 2:47pm

Here’s something worth gritting your teeth over: This year’s Record Store Day releases are already popping up on eBay. Yes, as one Reddit thread points out, several exclusives are available to buy right now. And if that doesn’t boil your blood, try and remember this whole holiday was designed to help independent record stores.

Over 120 soon-to-be sought after releases are currently on-sale, including The White Stripes’ Get Behind Me Satan 12-inch for $150, RSD Ambassador Dave Grohl’s own Foo Fighters’ Laundry Room 10-inch for $99, in addition to various 7-inches featuring Bob Dylan, David Bowie/Tom Verlaine, Syd Barrett/R.E.M., Marvin Gaye, et al.

There’s no indication they’re connected to any physical store, and the buyer says they’ll be available “following April 18th, 2015 Record Store Day.” In other words, do not pass Go, do not toss aside your $200, and wait 10 goddamn days.

Your soul is worth it, right?

So, it’s off already….i really hope that this is some dude chancing his arm hoping he gets the stock he has listed and not some indie record shop owner.

The danger also, is that guy chancing his arm has to try, and maybe succeed in buying those records in a record shop hence keeping them out of the hands of somebody who really wants the record and isn’t trying to purely ride someone else….

We hope the records go to a good home and not some low life profit merchant….

I see him, or she, has the FOO’s EP @ 100 dollars….is that about 80 euro…..that’s a 7 times multiple of its retail value….god loves a tryer, hates a chancer.

There is very little trying in this act, plenty of chancing…

I will quickly run through the releases for mainly April 17th, with little running commentary….

WARNER has a new album by Josh Groban (pushed back to 24th now), some nice budget DVD releases for 8 euro including OTIS REDDING, MEGADETH and THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH.

Warner also has an interesting GOV’T MULE 2LP set where they take on the stones, entitled “stoned side of the mule”…..it is an RSD release in the states as two separate LPs but not RSD day here as a double…..

UNIVERSAL has fairly comprehensive collections from MARC BOLAN/ T- REX and FRANK SINATRA 4 CD SET out on the 17th April as well as TRIBULATION’s third offering (death metal) with a calm enough title “ children of the night”.

PIAS have what looks like a cracker of a debut on Heavenly from EAVES (other voices this Sunday I believe) as well as new ones from MEW, PETER BRODERICK, BILL FAY , UNLEASHED and lastly a new instrumental album for genius MARTIN GORE from DEPECHE MODE titled both artist and album simply MG.

SONY has new ones by PASSION PIT and a reissue by PENTAGRAM.

MUSIC ON VINYL has a reissue from gavin BUSH “razorblade suitcase” for early May.

PROPER for the 24th April have the new Paul Brady release “the vicar street sessions”.

Check out our website for our Vinyl Records…

Home

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope all’s well.

Just saw there that the great Irish Music Journalist GEORGE BYRNE has passed away…RIP.

The biggest release this week is ALABAMA SHAKES second record “sound and colour” coming out on Rough Trade Records via PIAS on the 17th of April.

I quite enjoyed their first album, big things hoped for from this record….so I hope it lives up to the billing it’s getting.

Out the day before RSD and Rough Trade in fairness to them getting into the spirit of the weekend….next year RSW….RECORD SHOP WEEK…..only kidding…for now.

Anyway, Rough Trade releasing the Double LP on clear Vinyl just for independent retailers at 25 euro retail, which is ok to be fair for a double limited edition….my fearless faceless foes in cyber space, are 23 sterling or about 32 euro for the Vinyl….1 nil to the indie retailers.

A little taste from the new album below….

PIAS also has a live album by the musical genius ( it runs in his family) who is MARK EVERETT aka EELS…..2CD/DVD or 3LP/DVD…(30 euro with us, 40 euro with me pals…..2 nil to the indie retailers)…..recorded last year, I think ,in London’s Royal Albert Hall……the LPs are purple too btw if you like your records with a pinch of colour.

And this dude has certainly had a colourful life, tainted with huge sadness…..

How does one young man survive the deaths of his entire family and manage to make something worthwhile of his life? In Things The Grandchildren Should Know Mark Oliver Everett tells the story of what it’s like to grow up the insecure son of a genius in a wacky Virginia Ice Storm-like family. Left to run wild with his sister, his father off in some parallel universe of his own invention, Everett’s upbringing was ‘ridiculous, sometimes tragic and always unsteady.’

PIAS also have a MODEST MOUSE compilation album “build nothing out of something” and an interesting one by SQUAREPUSHER which certainly pushes the bounds of computer generated music experimentation….not my own personal bag.

Speaking of personal bags, obviously writing this is based a lot on my personal bag, and it is a bit of a one way street, pushing stuff at ye folks so please feel free to interact with us on our forum……is ED SHEERAN on LSD??

Please watch

http://www.today.com/popculture/ed-sheeran-visits-sesame-street-perform-adorable-song-2D80584196

Some might say this is catchier than most of his tunes….himself and Noel are great pals again by all accounts…..

UNIVERSAL has a new release by 16 year old singer/ songwriter SHAWN MENDES…..this kid is getting a world wide release date of Monday the 13th April……the industry only does this with albums they accept to sell by the bucket load…..the youngfella has over 40 million you tube hits across a few songs….so if he plays and writes his own songs then more power to him even if it is aimed at a certain market…..i really hope he does play and write and that he aint just a package….am I very cynical?

Strange day at work today…the staff of Dunnes Stores were on strike outside the entrances to the shopping centre and from what I can gather have a real grievance, so I hope they can get it resolved in their favour as I for one support them.

I have never been on either side of a union in my life long charmed occupation, probably fair enough to say that I have not worked in the real world!

Its all champagne and caviar in my game you see…

I must say it is the first time I have encountered a picket and I must admit when I landed at work this morning I found it quite intimidating (not that the people were in anyway intimidating, just the experience of it, if that makes sense)

There must have been 40 good people from Dunnes surrounding the main entrance with their placards…I must admit I felt either rightly or wrongly there were stares/glares at my little red fiesta as I went to my own job…( now when 40 people are standing around like that I suppose any car is a distraction and it will attract eyes…well that’s what I hoped happened anyway) ….but surely picket the shop the grievance is with and not the shopping centre I asked myself?

So I enquired when I went in to work….why outside….with it being outside, are we not all then falling on our swords for a battle we have really nothing to do with.

It suited the bigger party for the pickets to be outside as then there was no pressure at their front doors., and they probably had ROBERT SMITH playing in the background as well I would imagine….if you get me.

If the picket was just at the entrance to DUNNES STORES and not the shopping centre then Dunnes would have been way worse off as I believe very few would have went past at that point of entry and the other 50 odd shops would have been better off because people would not have had to pass a picket outside the centre to get their haircut, a key cut or buy a record.

Now, don’t get me wrong here….i wrote off the day very early on as one of those days…….power cut days….other strange events days…..we ended up doing 50% of what we done last holy Thursday…so be it, not the end of the world by any stretch of the imagination.

It was a landlords decision (landlord in the third person cos I don’t know who that is…..a few guys with loads of money and retail space from America I think) to make the employees picket outside the centre because inside is private property!!, but you have to wonder how much pressure was applied by the anchor tenant for that to happen?

Anyway back to the tunes….actually 22 hours later in my case….too old for those late nights.

UNIVERSAL also have a new album by Australian band THE PREATURES and it sounds alright to

UNIVERSAL have the Vinyl release of the QUEEN “forever” album on 4 LPs for only 110 euro….a few bells and whistles with it also….my friends in the sky, yeah that crowd who sell nappies also, are only 134 euro….3 nil to the indie retailers….and 3 nil to the cork city also tonight…..stand up for the cork city….stand up for the cork city….

Lastly from UNI for the 10th of April or next Friday now is the classic HERBIE HANCOCK record “maiden voyage” on Bluenote for its 50th anniversary on green vinyl.

Warner has new albums of note, in my opinion, from BETH HART, HALESTORM and the WOMBATS out next Friday also….nice variation.

They have reissues of TORI AMOS’s first two records “little earthquakes” and “under the pink” on deluxe 2 CD and LP formats.

Lastly WARNER has a live version of STATUS QUO “AQUOSTIC” from the roundhouse….aquostic was very well received last year.

Sony have new album by CITIZENS, a PAUL SIMON ultimate collection spanning his whole career on CD and LP formats….24 for the LP…I wont bore with pricing comparisons…ye get my drift.

Sony also has a blast of ANATHEMA LP reissues also out next Friday.

PROPER have a new DUKE SPECIAL album on CD and LP.

CARGO has a new album from guitar gods AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR (Irish also)

Republic of Music has a new album by THE BRAIDS.

MUSIC ON VINYL has reissues by JEFFERSON AIRPLANE and WILLY DEVILLE.

Nearly finished the Steve Jobs book, Christ he was wired different to most……not necessarily a bad thing…..they caught his cancer really early and even though it was in his pancreas felt they had a really good chance of getting rid of it, but they had to cut it out pronto…..nah nah Stevie says I will cure it myself by eating carrots and lettuce and leafs for 9 months, the world and his wife told him to get it cut out ( and he knew some heads) but he continued eating grass until it spread to his liver and 9 months later had it cut out….seemed his whole life was one rule for Steve, a different set of rules for everyone else.

That said, they will be talking and learning about him for a long long time to come.

Just two weeks to go to RECORD SHOP DAY and we a have a few local acts lined up to perform in the shop on the day, so will know more next week.

Have your tuppence worth on the forum…we would be delighted……we all have different tastes and opinions.

https://musiczone.ie/content/8-mz-forum

Check us out here and also if its awkward to get to the shop, drop me a mail if you are interested in something and we can keep it for you….no bothers…..free shipping on 3 records or CDs…no bother keeping stuff…

Anyway…sin e for this week

Thanks for listening,

Slan and hope ye had a nice Easter.

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Well the record shop day orders are in….what’s done is done, what’s won is won and what’s lost is lost forever.

Warner mentioned today that orders are going to be cut back….so they have sold everything if they cant fulfill the orders, gee, lucky them.

Excitement has being building for RSD to be honest so I shall stop wining.

Biggest release in this week’s newsletter in my opinion is the third VILLAGERS record on Domino called “darling arithmetic”.

Conor O Brien once again wrote, produced, mixed and played every instrument on this new record….talented cookie…..i must admit I am a bit of a fan….i like the sparse minimalist type of music he makes….the first album you may argue is better but with every listen the second album improves and should have won the mercury in 2013….anyway it’s a game of opinions…. da Opera house boy in May….stay quiet though, Mr. O Brien don’t like the talking during the gigs!

Also out through Pias on the 10th of April is the Vinyl release of THE GLOAMING…just 15 months or so after the CD….better late than never as my mam would say….well worth a listen.

There are some more Motorhead Vinyl reissues as well as three LP reissues from THE DAMNED out through PIAS as well on the 10th.

Btw listening to the new SUFJAN STEVENS album….one word…bliss….well two words may describe it better….quiet bliss.

UNIVERSAL for the 3rd of April have the new album byBRIAN WILSON…..the genius that was or still is??

There seems a very vacant look in Brian’s eyes for a while now and one would wonder is he just a face of a business model……although a few catchy tunes on this one from first listen.

What a life the man has had though….

He readily admits that his mental health problems are most likely caused by his fondness for “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” but he also believes that LSD brought his creative juices to a level that he couldn’t believe existed……

Reading Steve Jobs book at the moment…interesting book…he was a strange but seriously gifted and driven cookie…..he also alluded to taking LSD, and claimed it was one of the three most important things he done in his life.

Both men geniuses anyway or were they drug induced geniuses whose minds reacted off the radar with certain substances??

Not condoning drug use/ abuse here by any means just trying to make a point.

In the music entertainment industry now, everything is so immediate, cameras everywhere, impossible to break free from it…..it seems more a game, who can play it best….get themselves out there…. than it is about the music.

Can you imagine the scandal tomorrow if HOZIER or Ed SHEERAN were known to be taking performance enhancing substances….

I am beating around the bush…..my two tiered point is….were/are musicians more creative when they are high and is it allowed/ condoned in today’s society?

Some kid left some boy band this week, where he had being plucked from complete obscurity and thrown together with 4 complete strangers to be packaged up as the fab five….go home youngfella, keep your head down for a year and you have plenty time to enjoy your Johnny Cash.

Getting video text for Ballincollig where an organic home grown band of kids from Cavan just rocked the place by all accounts……ROCKSTARS ONE AND ALL!!

Anyway, just ever so quickly going back to Jobs….i never really knew the ins and outs of the whole IPOD/ITUNES thing but….he had a meeting with the head of Warner music at the time when they had the iPod but Jobs obviously did not own the rights for the songs and suitable sold yer man the fledling ITUNES, so much so that the top man of Warner said “we don’t know where the whole thing is going, will you help us so” and then Warner boy agreed to get the other majors involved.( this was early 2001 when the Music Zone Corporation was born and Napster was at its most prominent and shops in Ireland were duel pricing CDs at 16.99 punt/21.57 euro in advance of the currency change….. that was never going to push people to pirate island)

Sony were the only ones to put up a fight saying basically all this guy has is a device, we own the content….but in the end the major record companies all dived in…70 cent for us 29 cent a song for Mr. Jobs for having the device and the platform to allow it to happen….

In complete fairness to him though….it probably stopped the rot with Pirate Island and allowed people to access music via MP3 whilst paying for it.

There was some stat in the book; they excepted to sell 1 million songs in the first 6 months….they sold a million songs in 6 days….( 2014 first year since ITUNES began that sales were down …9% I think)….obviously a huge competitor for the likes of me….physical via digital….have ye any iTunes vouchers??…..but you have to tip your hat to him, savage product for its time…..savage man in more ways than one was Steve Jobs.

Ok I shall drive on quickly,

UNIVERSAL also has some nice LP re issues by THE BEASTIE BOYS and the massive selling debut by NORAH JONES as well as the BOB MARLEY “easy shanking in Boston” release.

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC has the new CALEXICO album for the 10th .

This week singles come from Cheena a 3 trk 7″ “Cheena” on Sacred Bones, Fossa’s “Sea Of Skies” CD/EP on Fantastic Plastic & Part 1 the 6 trk “Funeral Parade EP” on Sacred Bones.

2 albums for 13th the wonderful Calexico release their 9th studio album “Edge Of The Sun” on CD/LP & limited CD/LP on City Slang & from Numero Scharpling & Wurster “The Best Of The Best Show” a 16 x CD & a 108-page hardcover book with cover art by Joe Matt.

SONY has the FOO FIGHTERS “sonic highways” DVD and BLURAY for the 3rd April as well as VAN MORRISON’S latest release “ duets” on Vinyl, KINGS OF LEON on Vinyl and a new STEVE VAI live album on CD and DVD.

MUSIC ON VINYL have NINA SIMONE – NUFF SAID LP for the13th April.

ESSENTIAL has a TIESTO album.

WARNER have a new GOV’T MULE and DENAI MOORE as well as some NILE reissues ( death metal)

A good friend of the shop John sent a nice picture during the week……..the rock star is on the left…..taken last Saturday

I am still on a high ………………..!

I knew his wife was attending The Mountains to Sea Writer’s Festival. She wrote lyrics for The Division Bell and The Endless River. Her name is Polly Samson.

I was happy enough to drop in to The Civic Theatre in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday and queue up to have her sign my CD sleeve, as she was doing a book signing.

Lo and behold I spotted David standing in the Foyer and went straight over to him. Went back and got Polly’s autograph too though …………….

My daughter took the picture.

Class is right ……………………..

God loves a tryer ……………..

I was shaking like a leaf ……………….

I met Nick Mason 20 years ago in Silverstone at a motor racing event. So that’s 2 down, one to go!

DG is coming back to the Writer’s Festival in Borris Co.Offaly in June ………………………..

Sin e folks….

Join the forum….please…. and if anyone can tell me how to get rid of that spam shite as well…

https://musiczone.ie/mzforum/

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is good…

Record Shop Day lists became more transparent this week….just over five weeks to go…..Saturday the 18th April.

I have written a bit about RSD in the past and I know some customers are pissed off with it, one customer this week emailed me about the price being thrown about for THE WHITE STRIPES “get behind me Satan” first timer on Vinyl for RSD 2015….. 40 sterling…. very excessive it has to be said….

Why does it have to be so expensive??

A double gatefold on LP 1 red and yep you guessed it LP 2 white vinyl, with a few little extras….some labels can produce a similar product with a 20 euro price tag.

Will it be sought after, I would think so….will parasites want it….i would definitely think so…..so is it the basic principle of supply and demand.

I will let ye know next week how much stock I have left from last years RSD….that’s the retailers gripe!

I know I had nearly 3000 euro retail value of RSD stock left on the 30th April last year because that’s the annual stock take……all profits and some, sitting on the shelves.

So consumer and retailer not overly happy campers with RSD…..who is happy I wonder?

So certain aspects and products can leave a bit of a bad taste, but a lot more are normal and reasonable like the FOO’s 10” for example.

My customer is of the opinion with many others that RSD may shoot itself in the foot….i hope not (obviously), as it was a really great idea and a savage shot in the arm for the shop, I just need to get my buying right!!…..may have explained myself in some other rant that the game is rigged.

I have been bombarded with emails from suppliers all week with releases for RSD; I shall get them together over the next week or two and send out a special newsletter with the titles, info and pricing……just don’t shoot the messenger!

The usual applies as every other year…..no promises…..but if something catches your eye please let me know and I will try my best for it to be on the shop floor on the 18th…..that hopefully helps us both.

Ye will be sick of me talking about RSD so I will drive on with the norm…..

Universal has a rake of stuff coming out on the 20th March including the debut album by the darling of the music press at the moment JAMES BAY, an awful lot excepted of this record, and without doubt there is plenty talent there….but time will tell I suppose.

Have a quick listen here if you like…

Universal also have new albums by LAURA MARLING, SEASICK STEVE, AZEALIA BANKS and a soundtrack to the kids movie “HOME” which stars RIHANNA and features 3 or 4 new songs by her.

Universal also have Vinyl reissues of two of JAME’S records “ laid” and “ wah wah” , THE WHO HITS 50 double LP as well as the back catalogue reissues of all THE WHO’s records including “ who’s next”, “ the who sell out” and “ my generation”.

20 years on from the magnificent BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB record, Universal is releasing an album of lost material from those recordings……throwaways I hear you say…..but it was that good…..my guess is the throwaways will be A ok….check out a taster of the original here if you missed it…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnFfKbxIHD0

Some more Bluenote reissues out too….

Lastly on Universal, there is a rush release of a complete EMINEM LP box set…..10 albums on 20 records….i am told limited to 500 units….that’s what I was told….its 230 euro…..anyone interested??

PIAS have the new album on the 27th March by the incredible SUFJAN STEVENS, “ CARRIE AND LOWELL” a stripped back folky record again it seems…available on a limited run of coloured Vinyl….20 euro with the Music Zone Corporation…..17 sterling plus shipping with….me pals.

Here is a quick teaser from the new record….one word…beautiful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pja8WFQJtms

The new GO! TEAM album is also out on the 27th, and comes highly recommended from me also, adorable – dropping bubblegum nature poetry over candy jump-up runs, the last line there is courtesy of Rolling Stone magazine….….if I start spouting that kind of shite, someone get a gun…….ye may have one for me already I suppose….have a listen for yerselves

PIAS also have new records out on the 27th March by JESSE MALIN, RYLEY WALKER, BALTHAZAR and NIGHTWISH as well as three MOTORHEAD Vinyl reissues “ace of shades” “overkill” and “bomber”.

ESSENTIAL have a big week on Friday the 27th with the release of the new PRODIGY album “the day is my enemy” , as well as new records from RON SEXSMITH and 8:58 ( PAUL HARTNOLL) from ORBITAL.

SONY for the 20th March have the new CRIBS record as well as the second album from metal band WHILE SHE SLEEPS and for serious, and I would have to say tres serious HENDRIX fans there is a reissue of a CURTIS KNIGHT + THE SQUIRES record featuring young Jimi.

WARNER for the 20th have a new release by JOE BONNAMASSA which is a tribute to MUDDY WATERS and HOWLIN WOLF aptly called MUDDY WOLF…a live recording from RED ROCKS across four formats I think, see attachment, BONNAMASSA is surely one of the best modern day guitarists….it seems so effortless to him.

WARNER also has the new STAVES record….little listen below if you like and the LP release of the latest JACKSON BROWNE record which is a nice listen.

CARGO has the new WIRE record, there 13th and a JEFF BUCKLEY rarities CD amongst many others.

MUSIC ON VINYL has the WILLIE NELSON + FAMILY OST “honeysuckle rose”.

Check out our new forum on the website

https://musiczone.ie/content/8-mz-forum

and please feel free to join and add your tuppence worth to the conversation….the more the merrier please….i know a few other cork based websites have Music Forum’s but they aint solely ( no pun intended) music websites….

On the local scene, got in more stock this past week of the excellent rock album from local lads RAISING JUPITER as well as the brilliant debut album “rascals antique” from THE SHAKER HYMN.

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is good.

Interesting week in the music biz….

Universal for the 6th of March have the new Madonna album “rebel heart” (her 13th….unlucky for some…sorry cheap gag).

Now I must admit I only saw a brief bit of the Brit Awards (did see Royal Blood, and they rocked in fairness and an interview with Simon Cowell which was rather cringey…anyway)

But I must admit when I heard this morning that Queen Madge took a tumble last night at the Brits, my cynical hat went on, and I wondered whether it was another one from Bono’s book of album launch stunts, volume 4.

This fall has gathered a huge amount of interest around Madge and her new record….

But, having watched it, Madge did look rather shaken after the incident….and she was never that good an actress anyway…or was she?

Her new album has quite an electronic feel to it and sounds much much better than her last two offerings MDNA and HARD CANDY.

Quick story….i remember getting the deluxe version of Hard Candy for a customer when it came out….he had told me he wanted the deluxe, I said its about 15 quid more, (which is a lot more) he said grand job, he wanted it….i said grand job, thought there would be a few more songs on the deluxe and maybe a book, but never checked.

Deluxe came in, and soon after did the Madonna fan….as we chatted at the counter he excitedly opened the deluxe which was in a larger slightly fatter box than the normal.

Inside was a standard CD copy of the album and a transparent wrapper with 5 or 6 sweets in it…..15 quid for 5 pieces of hard candy…..i wonder did he eat them?

As you might imagine, he didn’t offer me one!!

Maybe he kept them….they might be worth more now!

One last thing on this Madonna release….it is on 4 formats….2 LP, standard CD with 14 tracks, deluxe CD with 19 tracks and super deluxe CD with 25 tracks.

I would be one for quality over quantity myself.

Universal also has the LP reissues of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER albums and DEEP PURPLES “live at long beach”.

They have a soundtrack to the movie “I’ll be me” which is based on, and has the music of, one of country music’s greatest ever, GLEN CAMPELL, as he struggles with Alzheimer’s disease…. and they have a album by Nate MENDEL ( FOO’S bassist ) under the pseudonym LIEUTENANT.

LASTLY, Universal has a compilation album of classical and easy listening tracks curated by Marty Whelan of Lyric FM. (aimed at the mammy’s day market…hint hint)

Pias have some great releases for the 6th and the 13th of March…

They have the new BJORK album “VULNICURA” out on the 6TH as well as her complete back catalogue (7 albums) getting the Vinyl reissue treatment on the ONE LITTLE INDIAN label….some limited coloured Vinyl available….I have my hat in the ring so I am hoping I will get the coloured ones, but can’t promise.

BJORK turns 50 this year (she still doesn’t look much over 15) and has being one of the most influential musicians of the last quarter of a century….the SUGARCUBES were going since the mid to late 80’s id say.

This is her 8th solo album and she has nearly reached 17 million sales….

Pias have an EP release by GLEN HANSARD for early march called “the songs of Jason Molina”.

JASON MOLINA was SONGS:OHIO and a friend of Hansard’s, who slipped into alcoholism which ultimately killed him last year I think.

This is a benefit EP.

PIAS also have an ANNE PEEBLES essential CD and a new live album by SOILWORK as well as HOUNDMOUTH’s second album which I for one like the sound of…sample below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8wifV5RYr

Lastly from Pias is a debut album by a guy called TOBIAS JESSO JNR….only came across him this week while researching the new releases and im hooked.

Its simple piano laden melodies but with a lovely vocal and texture to it…I hear a bit of Elliot SMITH, RANDY NEWMAN and even LENNON in it.

Is there a new star born or is it I am just a sucker for piano based stuff…..he reminds me a bit of the kid who used play piano in FAME , the TV show back in the day….maybe his name was TOBIAS JESSO!!

Essential for the 13th of March has SETH AVETT/JESSICA LEA MAYFIELD sings ELLIOT SMITH as well as the LP release of newest JULIAN CASABLANCAS.

PROPER for next week have the Vinyl release of our own GEMMA HAYES last album “bones and longing”.

Warner has a blast of Vinyl releases for the 6th of March including two CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG reissue and CAPITAL LETTERS “HEADLINE NEWS “reissue.

Warner also has the brilliant POGUES catalogue getting the LP reissue treatment….some real crackers there including “ RUM, SODOMY AND THE LASH” and “ IF I SHOULD FALL FROM GRACE WITH GOD”……the MUSIC ZONE corporation is 20 Euros a POGUES record…..my friends in the forbidden forest are 17 sterling plus delivery….

More or less just LPs on Warner new ones for this week… incredible……as one old codger once said “and the first one now, will later be last, the times they are a changing”

SONY has a new one from REBACCA FERGUSON, SOUND OF MUSIC 50TH ANNIVERSARY release, two RIOT LP reissues and a new VACCINES 7” single.

Music on Vinyl have a few nice releases towards the middle and end of March including NINA SIMONES last studio album “ a single woman” for the very first time on Vinyl.

JAMES TAYLOR “OCTOBER ROAD” is again a first timer on Vinyl.

Music on Vinyl also has reissues of WARREN ZEVON’S excellent debut, ALAN PARSON’S debut after he left the project “ try anything once” with the floydesque “ Mr. time” track, and reissues also from GEORGE BENSON, SERGIO MENDES and WILSON PICKETT.

Plastichead sent a small list of RSD 15 stuff out…

As with other RSD years….i can’t keep stuff…. but by letting me know you like the look of something….then there is a greater chance it will be in shop on the 18th April.

We have been playing the new NOEL GALLAGHER album quite a lot and really liking it,….one of ye guys sent this in to us last week after the newsletter with the words exchanged or not exchanged between the two parties…….snap taken on BONDI BEACH 2002….the rock star is on the left by the way…..words exchanged below the snap

“Bondi beach 2002. Had seen oasis the night before ….they were shite…liam barely spoke in-between songs…didn’t wanna be there I feel. Didn’t tell noel that(I call him noel). City were beaten 3-0 by leeds the day before also….did tell noel (I call him noel) that. He knew, we chuckled. Rock’n’roll stories ray….cant beat em.”

The Music ZONE corporation is running a nice competition since Tuesday to tomorrow Thursday, to win a copy of the lovely NICK DRAKE CD BOXSET……CHECK IT OUT ON TWITTER,,,RT AND FOLLOW TO ENTER….OR SHARE AND LIKE ON FACEBOOK……IF YOU’RE NOT ON EITHER FAIR PLAY TO YA….JUST POP A COMMENT ON THE MUSICZONE FORUM ON THE WEBSITE….will be a competition every week going forward for the time being anyway.

https://musiczone.ie/mzforum/viewforum.php?f=1

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are all keeping well.

Warner for the 27th of February has arguably the biggest release of the week with ex Oasis man, Noel Gallagher’s second solo album.

I really like the new single “the ballad of the mighty I” with Mr. Marr on guitar….as good a tune he has had for many a day in my opinion.

It is available across three formats, standard CD, deluxe CD and LP with a copy of the standard CD included.

It is encouraging seeing more and more Vinyl releases with the CD thrown in or a download code with the LP.

Surely there is only a little extra cost involved in it for the record companies to throw in the CD or the code, so hopefully it will be the standard going forward.

The new Noel Gallagher record is 180 gram gatefold with the standard CD enclosed for 24 Euro….which I think is good value….only issue I see with it…..why not enclose the deluxe CD with the Vinyl??…..you are harming the super fan who likes to buy the physical product, be it CD or Vinyl records (who supports the industry we all work in, Mr. Record Company man) because this super fan wants the bonus tracks on the deluxe CD, so that customer is saying to him or herself “ shit, I want the record on Vinyl but I want the bonus tracks also, that’s going cost me 44 euro”…..do it right, treat people right, stick the deluxe CD in with the LP for 27 or 28 quid…everyone’s happy and the customer isn’t pissed off feeling they paid 20 euro for 4 tracks and a fancier box!

Sony has been putting a CD copy in with their big Vinyl releases of late also.

The new Dylan LP had the CD also thrown in for 22 euro….fair enough I think.

Speaking of the new Dylan album, we had a mad rush on it last Friday afternoon in Music Zone.

We sold about 8 or 10 copies in a few hours after JOE DUFFY done a special on the album on his radio show, for over an hour I was told.

It does go to show the power that a show like that has.

Customers were saying to me that Joe said it was Dylan’s best album ever…..I will repeat that…..his best album ever!!

IT’S A COVERS ALBUM FOR **** SAKE, HOW CAN IT BE ONE OF THE WORLDS GREATEST EVER SONGSMITHS BEST ALBUMS???

Joe had all sorts of people on the show telling Joe (as that’s what you do I believe, tell Joe) that it was his best album ever.

Bob himself would be saying get a grip Joe.

I don’t know which side of the fence ye sit on with this and maybe I will have to bring my bullet proof vest to work in the morning but I for one just can’t hear its greatness.

I always say it, it’s a game of opinions folks, but I for one think this album is grand…….just.

Its greatness seems to have descended from quite a few 5 star reviews and programs from button moon like Tell Joe.

Maybe the great emperor Dylan has just bought himself some new clothes….

Anyone who knows or owns the album, I would be really interested in your views….

Warner also for the 27th has a new CD release from THE OVERTONES with local boy Timmy Matley.

They have the VINYL releases of the RHIANNON GIDDENS and the PUNCH BROTHERS new ones, LP reissues from LES MCCANN “ invitation to openers” and MASTODON “ blood mountain”.

Warner also has the new album from EUROPE…who doesn’t remember the final countdown!

And lastly, a new record from OF MONTREAL, which Raymond here thinks is quite good.

PIAS have the other big release on tonight’s newsletter but it is not released till Friday the 6th of March.

Drum roll please….yep even though it’s a re issue….and yep even though its nearly 20 years old…..it is still and always will be a masterpiece.

Yep, its NICK CAVE’s hauntingly beautiful album “the boatman’s call” on double Vinyl with a download code, partly written about Miss P.J HARVEY I believe.

One of the most asked about records in the shop is nearly with us. A taste of brilliance below….

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnHoqHscTKE

Not to forget, “THE GOOD SON” from NICK CAVE also gets the Vinyl reissue treatment that day…which is another fine album.

Pias also have new records from ENSLAVED, MATTHEW E.WHITE, a bunch of LP reissues from BROADCAST including “ the noise made by people” and a new single from PETE DOHERTY, a tribute to his friend AMY WINEHOUSE.

Sony has new albums from KELLY CLARKSON and BLUE for the 27th Feb.

Universal, (who also are moving house at the moment) have a couple of reissues from UB40 on deluxe CD and double LP “PRESENT ARMS” and “LABOUR OF LOVE” as well as the NEAL MORSE BAND new combo pack LP/2CD of the new album “ the grand experiment”.

ESSENTIAL releases for the 6th of March are attached which include County Down’s THE ANSWER and their new album “raise a little hell”….their 5th album now, a really hardworking band….i was quite randomly introduced to the lead singer Cormac at NEIL YOUNG down da marquee and he seemed like a really good lad….so I really hope they can persevere, and prosper.

Here are the REPUBLIC OF MUSIC releases for the 6th MARCH…

Singles this week, A Sagittariun “No Spring Chicken EP” on Hypercolour featuring 3-4-3 (Original Mix) + Rolando Remix & Delta House, on Ram the latest from Calyx & Teebee “A Day That Never Comes/Snakes & Ladders” and Interrobang?; Dunston Bruce, Harry Hamer of Chumbawamba and Stephen Griffin from the Regular Fries new project; “Are You Ready People” will be part 1 in a series of 3 7s. New Street Adventure release “The Big A.C.” on 7 on Acid Jazz & Reginald Omas Mamode IV gives us “Sunshine/Moneymaker” on Five Easy Peices.

To the albums…. Beam Up release “Innerstand” on BBE, Northern Lite release their 10th studio album and it’s called “Ten” on UNA Music & Saycet release “Mirage” on Meteors Music – catch them live at the Convergence Festival in March. Manchester’s Slow Show release their debut album “White Water” single Bloodlines getting plays across 6 Music, R2 & XFM, on double CD “Balance 27” comes mixed by Mixed By Magda & finally this week on a one week presale brought to you by Death Waltz Recording Co & One Way Static for the first on vinyl!! It’s Riz Ortolani’s 1980 score to Cannibal Holocaust.Get in!

I was reading during the week that the NME are only clinging on to existence as there readership figures have fallen to just over 15,000 per week, half the readership its sister mag MELODY MAKER had when they closed it about 10 years ago.

NME had weekly figures in the 70s and 80s in its heyday of 300,000….it has 5% of that now.

All media seems to be under huge pressure, (as I can partly vouch for!!)

The Irish Times also in print media this week have announced they will be charging people to use the digital version of their paper, I don’t know, is that a smell of the funeral pyre in the air…..all media have to find a way whereby the people who provide the content, be it high quality journalism, music, movies or whatever ….these people must get paid.

NME has being going 63 years and even though they could be found up their own backsides at times, it would be a shame if they were no longer… also, what would MOZ do….he must be having sleepless nights.

Few little bits of news, Blur announced a new album today….first with Coxon since 1999 and first since 2003…

JIMMY PAGE is on Matt Cooper tomorrow evening Friday…..strange one to be on really when you think about it….talking about the PHYSICAL GRAFFITI reissue amongst other things Zepp.

Bowie and Zepp new ones both in store now…..

Check out our website for what’s new on record…

Home

Sin e for this week folks,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope ye are all keeping well.

Quite a bit to plough through tonight so let’s rock on….

Warner could nearly have a newsletter to themselves for all the interesting releases they have for the 20th of February.

ZEPPELIN ZEPPELIN ZEPPELIN “physical graffiti” gets the remaster treatment on Atlantic/Swansong for the 20th, again on 5 formats.

The first 5 Zep reissues last year won the award (awards for crossing the road these days) for best reissues of 2014, Optimal being the pressing plant and the sound quality being exceptional by all accounts.

So “PHYSICAL GRAFFITI” is to be released nearly 40 years exactly to the day it was originally released and too many is Led Zeppelin’s best work.

It will be on a double CD, triple CD, double LP, triple LP and a super duper deluxey boxy thingy for good measure.

The Music Zone Corporation is one euro cheaper on the CDs, four and seven euro cheaper on the LPs and seventeen euro cheaper on the super duper boxy thingy than our/ my big faceless, friendless foe in the sky, who wants to gobble up all retail, from nappies to nail varnish…am I showing them to much love….anyway, anyone who wants to throw a nod my way for the Zep….that pass will be very gratefully excepted by the local lads!!…we will stick your name on one, no nail varnish though unless one of the Bowie lads are in the shop at the same time!

Parlophone through Warner have the next in the DAVID BOWIE 40TH anniversary 7” picture disc with the release of “young Americans” on the 20th also.

Warner doing a blast of Vinyl reissues that day also including FLEETWOOD MAC’S “ then play on”, “ klin house” , “ future games” and “ bare trees”, DR John’s “ in the right place” and the fantastically sounding RAY CHARLES duets album “ genius loves company” 10th anniversary ….his last recording before his death I think…a true legend….sample below if its new to you.

Warner have a nice priced SHADOWS 5 CD set and a best of BILLY TALENT, a DUSTY SPRINGFIELD DVD as well as new records from KID ROCK and hardcore punk band FALLING IN REVERSE.

The last one I want to mention from Warner is MAHALIA BARNES (JIMMY BARNES daughter) doing a covers album of BETTY DAVIS songs (MILES DAVIS’S WIFE….bitches brew album title attributed to her??….as she was by accounts one sassy funky lady) with the help of guitar virtuoso JOE BONNAMASSA…..( if all that makes sense!!)

Universal has an album by acclaimed producer EMILIE HAYNIE getting very well received ….

They also have a blast of RAINBOW LP reissues including “rising”, a deluxe CD version of JOHN MARTYNS brilliant “grace and danger”, and ALI FARKA TOURE with RY COODER “TALKING TIMBUKTU” on a limited gatefold Vinyl….if you forgot how good it sounds or have never heard it hears a sample below..

Universal also have some nice Jazz LP reissues on the Bluenote label including THELONIUS MONK, SONNY ROLLINS and DON CHERRY.

DAVE GROHL was announced as RECORD STORE DAY ( RSD) ambassador during the week, a great choice, a guy who really believes in the cause and is passionate about it…..is it just me or does he get a tad emotional here in the clip below when he talks about his kids and their records…

http://t.co/sbJ1s0TuuH

I have been meaning to speak about RSD for a few weeks and just never got to it.

So here goes….

This is the fourth year that the Music Zone Corporation will partake in RSD….first year that there was a threat of a fee….soon to be more than a threat I would imagine.

It has grown massively since 2012 when I first got involved.

And do not get me wrong here; I think it was an absolutely fabulous idea, and still do by the way once it doesn’t shoot itself in the foot or even worse in the head, which it has the potential to do.

It was the busiest day in the shop in 2014 outside of Christmas week by quite a bit.

But dealing with the record companies for RSD is like dealing with a bank….someone never loses, (and if they do we all chip in so they wont lose again….i wont get sidetracked on banks for to long but got a letter this week from my friendly partly owned by me bank to say they were increasing the charges they apply….12 months ago it cost 32 cent to lodge 100 euro cash in the business account, now its 60 cent….say a big business ( a big business) was lodging 10 k in cash a week, that’s 60 euro to the bank for the 10 second pleasure of putting the money through a counting machine and attributing it to an account…ah Christ don’t get me started on them…lets move back)

I have a very good relationship with most of the record companies and if I have an overstock problem we generally work something out between us, but for RSD all bets are off, what you buy stays with you forever….tough shite if it don’t sell…some retailers posted pictures of their record store day graveyards after last years event.

That’s all fine with me IF it was a level playing field we were playing on, but it aint I am afraid.

You see, this is the scenario for a retailer…….

If you want 5 copies of a limited RSD product, to achieve your 5 copies for your loyal and valued customers ( whom record shop owners like me hate to disappoint) you must show your keenness to get those 5 copies by ordering 15/20 copies…..the more you order the better chance you have of making the qty you desire….but because there is no transparency with it, ultimately you can end up with 15 copies of HENRY MANCINIS PINK PANTHER SOUNDTRACK on yes, you guessed it, pink vinyl ( If you know anyone who is looking for it…..) because sometimes you get what you ordered but not what you really wanted if that makes sense, so you are left with a lot or all of the profit for the day sitting on your shelves for months and months, whilst the record company execs go to lunch with the bankers.

Basically, your orders get cut, so if you want to get the amount you really want, you have to gamble on what % of the order you think they will cut you by…..not a level playing field I think you would agree.

Then from a consumer’s point of view…..

There are a few issues…..a grave one unfortunately is when your favorite bands limited 12 “ record falls into the wrong hands , those hands are only interested in making a quick buck, so you are forced to pay over the odds prices online for it….not good on loads of levels.

The other major issue I would think is the pricing on the product for the day…..retailers I would imagine take the same mark up as usual (well I do anyway) but customers are looking at 15 euro for Nirvana’s “pennyroyal tea “on 7 inch or a Roger Taylor COLOURED NUMBERED record for 50 bucks…..Crazy…..and its not a little thing called love.

There can be some remedies for this issues I believe (I have a few ideas myself which I will share some day soon) but RSD should act soon or what is a brilliant idea and a brilliant day could easily end up shooting itself somewhere it hurts.

Having said all that, I am starting to get excited about RSD, asides from looking at Peter Sellers face everyday, there was a great buzz in the shop last year….kids of all ages going through the racks….it is fantastic for the shop, people in all day long buying long playing vinyl records….as Prince said on presenting the Grammy to BECK for best record “records matter, they do tonight, and they will forever”.

Bit carried away as usual, so I am going to skip through the rest quickly please…

Sony has the new KODALINE LP for the 20th…a step forward sonically I feel with this record and Sony also has a new SCORPIONS album.

Pias has Nick Caves “abbatoir blues/ lyre” 2 CD/DVD reissue as well as two new records from BRANDI CARLILE and PURITY RING which Raymond here gives a thumps up to…quick sample of each below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr5mtKSbd7M

Proper Music has a new album by Irish trad band ALTAN.

I don’t know if many of you read BOB DYLAN’S acceptance speech for the MUSICARES award he received, but it is well worth a read…..

Id say he was saving his breath down da marquee in the summer for this acceptance speech (those of you who were there should find that bit amusing, those who weren’t….well….ye weren’t down there I suppose)

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/read-bob-dylans-complete-riveting-musicares-speech-20150209

On the local scène, the really talented ANNA MITCHELL was in the shop Friday the13th at 4pm signing copies of her new album and playing some tunes from her new album, which is available in the shop.

Also, we should have some copies of THE HEDGE SCHOOLS “at the end of a winding day” CD in stock towards the end of next week.

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.

Hi Everyone,

Hope ye are all doing well enough.

I have had a fairly rough week myself.

A bit of a relationship breakdown I’m afraid, nearly 25 years together , but I felt it was for the best that me and my Johnny Blues parted company.

Man, they are a powerful addiction; it seemed that nearly every thought on Monday revolved around my deadly friend…how life would have no enjoyment ever ever again…..completely absurd irrational thoughts, but yep losing Johnny made me feel that way….but anyway I’m sure ye don’t want to be listening to the battle me and the boy are having so I’ll move on…..

Universal for Friday the 13^th of Feb have the second IMAGINE DRAGONS album, “smoke and mirrors”,

No sign of Vinyl LP with this one for now, which is a bit of a pity, 3 formats of CD, STANDARD, DELUXE AND SUPER DELUXE.

Universal also have new albums from NEYO and THE MAVERICKS, a much talked about debut by MARIKA HACKMAN, reissues from THUNDER and RUSH “ caress of steel” and an interesting BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS release called “  easy skanking in Boston 1978” on a few formats.

Warner for the 13^th have a new STEVE EARLE record called “ terraplane” out on CD, DELUXE CD and LP.

It goes without saying that Mr. Earle is one of the most consistently excellent musicians and songwriters around, and from my brief listen to this, it again won’t disappoint his fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FPttLYUHz4

There is ROEBUCK “POPS” STAPLES last ever recording out through ANTI, WARNER on Feb. 13 also.

Its title is “DON’T LOSE THIS” as these were the words that MAVIS STAPLES father said to her as he gave her the recording whilst he was very ill.

Mavis enlisted the help of her friend Jeff Tweedy to help finish the record.

Warner also have the release of teenage (??) bad girl “I don’t wanna go to school, I just wanna break the rules” CHARLI XCX on the 13^th also, as well as some Vinyl reissues from FRANKIE PAUL, YELLOWMAN AND FATHEAD and THE ORDER OF APOLLYON.

Pias have no info for the 20^th FEB as they are busy moving house as well.

All the big record companies have moved or will have moved house (warehouse) in the last 3 to 4 months.

Sony went back to SONY DADC last October (this plant had been destroyed, burnt to the ground in the London riots a few years ago), Universal are moving their distribution there as well at the end of March.

Pias are moving to CINRAM UK and Warner have moved to CINRAM Germany ( although it feels like WARNER could have moved to Beirut, last Monday two weeks order arrived Tuesday ….only 8 days after, for a 48 hour turnaround…and no Warner new releases ……I am getting to a point, believe it or not.

These moves come down to one thing…..dollars, or saving them.

2014 was a fairly bad year for the Music industry.

The statistics company Nielsen Music released their report on the state of the game for 2014….not pretty reading from where I was sitting.

Total album sales (units) for CD/VINYL/ DIGITAL were down 11% from 289 million units in 2013 to 257 million units in 2014.

Streaming and Vinyl were the only winners….streaming ( spotify, youtube) up 54% and VINYL up 52% ….Vinyl is now 6% of all physical music sales….CD was down 15% and Digital down 12.5%. (So what you gain on one hand, you lose on the other)

What I am hearing/reading is that the record companies are not going to be putting any money into the ailing; fully loaded pressing plants….they just want to cut back on costs.

Wise??

I really don’t know, if they did pump some money into the pressing plants to upgrade them and invest in new machinery, no doubt the consumer would foot the bill….same as dealing with a bank or insurance company, the record company will get their money back.

And, the new records are dear enough as we speak without increasing the cost of them…..which seems to happen randomly…..Van Morrison LPs increased by 50 % over the last few months due to “manufacturing costs” I was told, from an 18 euro price tag to a 25 euro one.

Rubbish, they are taking more margin…..plain and simple…..the floyds are the same 25 to 30 euro price tags…..cos they know they will get it.

So, it seems as if they are going to sit on their well manicured hands and hope for the best….but 52% growth and not willing to invest in trying to improve service, stock title availability, ease backlog…. is that wise?

Small story,

I have been chasing THE STONE ROSES debut LP from Sony since it sold out around Christmas….it was reissued back in September 2014….i was told today it was deleted….i asked why saying it was a great album and a great seller…..to be told that the next time it is reissued it will sell even more because it was hard to get.

This makes no sense to me, they are still treating the market as if everyone is a mad collector who wants limited rare stuff…..a lot of people I believe want to buy a nice collection of Vinyl records because they enjoy the experience of buying them, looking at them and listening to them….they invest more into the experience and ultimately get more out of it.

So, deleting things to increase demand don’t make sense to me….i think it will piss people off.

There’s a hint of that attitude in RSD but that’s for next week now again.

I suppose the plain and simple point of the last few paragraphs is basically this game is as precarious now as it has always been since I joined the match in 2001.

One major positive from that Nielsen report was that independent shops, (like the Music Zone Corporation), were least affected by the 11% drop in sales….only suffering about a 1% decrease whereas chain stores and supermarkets suffered far greater decreases…..so as Elvis might say and on behalf off all indies…..thank you very much!

Sony had nothing worth a mention for the 13^th Feb…… (They have a vast enough catalogue of CDs, they could have reissued a few on Vinyl….let it go Raymond)

MUSIC ON VINYL has reissues from BLACKFOOT “marauder”, RISING SONS which feature both RY COODER and TAJ MAHAL earliest recordings and RON WOOD “ I’ve got my own album to do” ….a dig at Rod Stewart???

CARGO has for the 23^rd of Feb…

Public Service Broadcasting – The Race For Space                         Test Card Recordings

LP Limited     TCRVA02X     23/02   5055869501835          (UK Indies Only)

LP      TCRVA02       23/02   5055869501842                     

CD          TCRCDA02    23/02   5055869501859                     

(March Collective Title) NOTE: There will be a limited edition clear plastic, heavyweight vinyl available as an exclusive to independent record stores while stocks last. Press/Radio highlights: Reviews will be across the board, full lists available but highlights include: “Gagarin” added to 6Music playlist B List from now, Marc Riley 6Music session confirmed, Daily Mirror one page feature w/c 23 Feb, Music Week feature – mid Feb, Album reviews in Q, Mojo, UNCUT, London In Stereo, Classic Pop, Prog, Record Collector, Drowned in Sound and many many more. // Following the critical and commercial success of their debut album last year and 18 months’ extensive touring & festival appearances, Public Service Broadcasting are pleased to confirm the release of their eagerly anticipated second album, The Race For Space. To mark the occasion, the band will perform two very special live transmissions from the National Space Centre, Leicester, on 26 & 27 February 2015 – these shows sold out in under 24 hours. After touring USA/Aus/NZ/Canada, PSB will embark on a major UK tour in April / May – dates below. Before all of this, they will be playing 14 dates as the sole support to Kaiser Chiefs on their UK arena tour where they expect to play to 80k+ people around the country – dates below. Recorded at The Pool Studios and Abbey Road in London and, once again working with exclusive archive footage from the British Film Institute, the new record will tell the story of the American & Soviet space race from 1957 – 1972 via the duo’s eccentric mix of guitar-driven electronica, propulsive drumming and spoken word samples culled from this uniquely rich period of modern history. The Race For Space follows Inform – Educate – Entertain, Public Service Broadcasting’s debut album which reached #21 in the UK album charts and was nominated for ‘Best Independent Album’ at the AIM Awards 2013, as well as being The Guardian’s Album of the Week and one of BBC 6Music’s Top 10 albums of 2013. Press Highlights: “They blend the voices of the past with the music of the present to astounding effect” The Independent // “Genuinely original, innovating and amazing” Artrocker Album of the Month // Time Out “Inspirational stuff” // BBC6 Music: “Absolutely, sensationally brilliant” Top 10 Albums of 2013 // “Adrenalised post-rock and electronics..gripping” 4* Mojo // “A sampladelic delight” 4* Independent on Sunday // “Terrific” GQ // “Brilliant” Q Magazine // “An extraordinary debut” The 405 // “A truly exciting, original and innovative band” Loud & Quiet. Live Dates: UK Tour dates: 22 APRIL Brighton Corn Exchange, 23Bristol O2 Academy, 24 Portsmouth Pyramids, 25 Cambridge Corn Exchange, 28 Sheffield The Foundry, 29 Manchester Ritz, 30 Newcastle Riverside 1 MAY Inverness The Ironworks, 2 Glasgow O2 ABC 3 Belfast Mandela Hall, 5 Dublin Button Factory, 6 Birmingham The Institute, 7 London Roundhouse. Short biog: Taking in archive material from a variety of sources the new album sees the corduroy-clad J. Willgoose, Esq. and his faithful drumming companion, Wrigglesworth, continue their mission statement to Inform, Educate & Entertain. Through both the record and their uniquely spell-binding live audio-visual ‘Transmissions’, audiences witness the band weave samples from these films around live drums, guitar, banjo and electronics, creating an array of diverse tracks. What emerges is, by turns, thrilling, moving, funny and powerful. The Independent’s Simon Price said of the band : “In their love of history, and their understanding of the dignity of the wartime generation, they remind me of British Sea Power, although Stereolab are closer sonically. PSB are progressive without the florid ornamentation of Prog, dense and complex with not a semiquaver wasted. It’s an industrious, diligent sound, and, in the flesh, surprisingly danceable: slamming chemical beats accompanied by old cine footage, providing a peculiar opportunity to party to Pathe news”

Brian Jonestown Massacre  – Tepid Peppermint Vol 2                               ‘a’ Recordings

2LP180g         AUK027LP     23/02   5055869507363

This comes for the first time on 180g vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. Re-mastered for vinyl.This 22 track compilation spans the years 1995 – 2004 featuring key tracks from all their albums as well and live recordings and many unreleased tracks.BJM has been essential in the development of the modern U.S. garage scene, and many LA and SF musicians got their start playing with Newcombe, including Peter Hayes of The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Originally Newcombe was heavily influenced by The Rolling Stones’ psychedelic phase – the name comes from Stones guitarist Brian Jones combined with a reference to cult leader Jim Jones, but his work in the 2000s has expanded into aesthetic dimensions approximating the UK Shoegazing genre of the 1990s and incorporating influences from world music, especially Middle Eastern and Brazilian music.

REPUBLIC OF MUSIC has

Kicking off with singles this week – first up from Southend and riding a wave of fuzz are Asylums with their debut EP on Cool Thing Records. Next up from Death Waltz Record Co we’ve got the first ever official release of Frankie Vinci – Angela’s Song on a white 7 and from the stables of the excellent Hypercolour House of Black Lanterns smashes it out the ground with The Smack.

Loads of albums to plough through this week. We welcoming to the RoM fold this week soundtrack powerhouse Mondo – and they’ve got four releases straight off the bat this week with Jurassic Park, The Iron Giant, Pet Semetary and Cat in the Brain. From Springfield, Massachusetts All That Remains return with their seventh album of metalcore on Razor and Tie, and at the other end of the scale, The Balkan Clarinet Summit ramp it up with eastern flavoured jazz and classical noodlings. From Death Waltz we’ve got the original Indonesian score to the fantastic The Raid on 140g grey vinyl and from across the pond Dave Nada and Matt Nordstrom A.K.A. Nadastrom bring their new album of techno groovers and genre bending club anthems on Dubsided. Noisia are here to celebrate Ten Year of Vision Recordings with a double CD and beautiful book of Vision artwork that comes with a download code. Spectres – one of the loudest bands we’ve ever heard at RoM bring their new album on the mighty Sonic Cathedral – they are going to slay it in 2015 and after a colossal 35 year break – Bristolians The Pop Group return with Citizen Zombie, which is racking up some great reviews in the press. Also new to the RoM stable the effortlessly cool Kitsune releases their latest slick compilation, with the back catalogue titles to follow shortly. From Ram Records this week Audio is the latest artist to step up to the RAMlife series, also with a 12” sampler to accompany. From the wilds of southern Germany, SCNTST releases his second album on BNR and we’ve got the compilation Four Seasons Lounge that may or may not be compiled be a famous German electronic artists – we couldn’t possibly say. Finally there’s a LP version of the new OK GO on a one weeker

On the local scene, we have our own ANNA MITCHELL who launched her beautiful new album “down to the bone” in Music Zone, Douglas Court, Cork on Friday the 13^th at 4 pm.

ANNA sang and signed the album on the day.

Check out her gorgeous lead single here from the new record.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bc7nSvDWpk

As always check out our website for new records like…

https://musiczone.ie/

Sin e for this week,

Thanks for listening,

Ray.