Little Simz, Queens Of The Stone Age, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Baaba Maal, Bright Eyes, Texas Best Of, The Charlatans, De La Soul, Louth's Outfields Music Festival

'If 2021’s Sometimes I Might Be Introvert catapulted Little Simz into the big leagues, crashing into the top 5 of the albums charts, collecting Mercury Music Prize, Mobo, Ivor Novello and Brit Award wins and earning her the biggest live audiences yet in the UK and Europe yet, NO THANK YOU is yet another delicious left field turn for 29-year old Simbiatu Ajikawo. Sleek, succinct and utterly propulsive, it’s Simz’ defiantly punk rock, two fingered salute to conformity and fame, and all the expectations and restrictions that come with. Recorded with her regular collaborator Inflo, this is Simz at her most free, daring and spontaneous. In her own words: 'emotion is energy in motion. honour your truth and feelings. eradicate fear. boundaries are important.’

Choose clear vinyl, split colour red/white vinyl and CD

'Queens of the Stone Age release their long-awaited 8th studio album, In Times New Roman... on Matador. 

In Times New Roman... is raw, at times brutal and not recommended for the faint of heart. And yet, it’s perhaps the most beautiful and definitely the most rewarding album in their epic discography. Founder Joshua Homme's most acerbic lyrics to date are buoyed by the instantly identifiable QOTSA sonic signature, expanded and embellished with new and unprecedented twists in virtually every song. With In Times New Roman… we see that sometimes one needs to look beneath scars and scabs to see beauty, and sometimes the scabs and scars are the beauty.'

Lots of versions to choose from! Ltd Red, Ltd Green, Ltd Blue, Ltd Silver, Standard vinyl, CD

Yusuf/Cat Stevens' King of a Land is an epic body of work. More than a decade in the making, its 12 new songs are full of extraordinary surprises. Unique and transportive, Yusuf’s new music, words and melodies paint a vivid picture of a world where childlike dreams are brought back into touching distance. His poetical storytelling invites the listener on a journey towards the gates of an alternative universe to that which we presently inhabit - where happy endings do happen.'

'New album, Being, is a powerful continuation of Baaba Maal's pioneering, transcendent work over the last forty years blending the ancient and the modern. Continuing his exciting partnership with Johan Hugo, it was recorded in Brooklyn, London and Senegal and confirms Maal's position as one of the most uniquely compelling musicians in the world.'

'Jayda G, the Grammy-nominated writer, producer, DJ, environmental toxicologist, campaigner and broadcaster, returns with her new full length album Guy. Co-produced with Jack Peñate (who has previously worked with the likes of Sault, David Byrne and Adele), with contributions from Lisa-Kaindé Diaz (of Ibeyi), Ed Thomas (Stormzy, Nia Archives, Jorja Smith) and more.'

Limited & recycled colour vinyl - colour/pattern may vary

Out this week is the Limited fifth 7" by John Grant and Emeli Sande from the Nick Drake tribute album The Endless Coloured Ways.

'An orchestra is an integral component of Bright Eyes' album, Cassadaga. The 13-track set begins with 'Clairaudients (kill or be killed)' where an orchestral swell a la the Beatles' 'A Day in the Life' gives way to lonely acoustic guitar picking. 'Make a Plan to Love me' seems inspired by Phil Spector's trademark wall of sound production style, with plucked string and angelic backing vocalists filling every available space. The album leans heavily toward country-rock territory on tracks like 'Four Winds,' 'Classic Cars' and the shuffling 'I Must Belong Somewhere,' which sports pedal steel guitar accompaniment. Elsewhere, frontman Conor Oberst pays homage to the Pogues on the irish waltz on 'Soul Singer in a Session Band,'. 'Hot Knives' blends the orchestral elements with more of a rock sensibility, alternating between stripped-down and lush sequences. The album features guest contributors from M Ward, Gillian Welch and Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney, Quasi).'

And sticking with Bright Eyes Cassadaga A Companion Limited gold edition- Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005) Limited Edition Champagne Wave Double Vinyl and Noise Floor (Rarities: 1998-2005) A Companion - limited edition gold LP

'De La Soul's Stakes is High was critically lauded for its music, lyricism, and its overall
message concerning the artistic decline rap music began to face in the mid-90s.
The title track and first single was produced by J Dilla and the album's second
single, "Itzsoweezee (HOT)", with only Dave on vocals, was accompanied by a
creative music video. The album spawned a third single "4 More", featuring
Zhane.

The album did provide a launching pad for future star rappers and actors Mos
Def, who appeared on the track "Big Brother Beat" and Common who is featured on "The Bizness."'

The Charlatans Tellin' Stories

'Building on the sound of their eponymous, previous release (The Charlatans - also a number 1), the band's performance has the feel of a classic British rock band, (the type which also contain 'Roll' in the Music'), combined with the more focussed songwriting of 'Britpop'. It has aged well. beggars banquet now release a special expanded edition.'

'Lost soul phenomenon Lewis Taylor's ‘Numb’ finally arrives on double vinyl! 

One of UK soul’s most fascinating artists, most enigmatic figures and most under-appreciated talents, Andrew Lewis Taylor is a prodigious multi-instrumentalist and eclectic polymath. He enjoys a fiercely loyal following which, over the years, has included celebrity champions like Bowie, Elton and D'Angelo. Numb is Taylor's sixth album, initially released on his own label Slow Reality (an anagram of his name) and licensed to Be With for this long-awaited physical edition. It captures Taylor's wholly unique, intoxicating take on lush, late-night psychedelic soul music.'

'In March 2022, Nigeria's leading record label EMPIRE Assembled Some Of Africa's Finest Singers And Songwriters, The Musical Equivalent Of Ocean's Eleven, At A Writing Camp In San Francisco. The Result is Where We Come From, Vol. 1, A 15-Track Compilation Featuring Afrobeats Royalty Wande Coal, Tiwa Savage And Olamide As Well As Tanzanian Duo Navy Kenzo, Cape Verde's June Freedom And A Host Of Other Stars Across Nigeria And Ghana - KiDi, Fireboy DML, Kizz Daniel, Tolani And More. The Sounds Traverse East, West And South Of The Continent, Incorporating Drill, Amapiano, Trap And Afrobeats In Fashioning An Album That At Once Sandwiches Luxury Between Lust And Love While Also Being A Flagpost To Hedonism.'

'In 1995, Son Volt released their seminal debut album, Trace, one of the most influential albums of the alt-country movement and what would later become Americana. For the 25th anniversary of the album in 2020, the group planned a tour to perform Trace from top to bottom in celebration of the milestone. However, the pandemic did not cooperate...Son Volt pay homage to the legendary Doug Sahm on the new album Day Of The Doug. Son Volt founder Jay Farrar’s goal with this 12-song collection was not only to pay tribute to Sahm’s music and influence, but to also highlight some of the deeper tracks in his heralded canon, specifically from a prolific period during the late 1960s through the 1970s. It’s a celebration of a songwriter and performer whose work forged country, Tex-Mex, rock, rhythm and blues, folk, and psychedelia into an utterly unique American sound.'

'Kelly Jones of Stereophonics has co-written an album with Austin’s Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker (aka The Wind and The Wave) resulting in the formation of a new band Far From Saints, evoking a cross-genre sound spanning country, rock, folk, and Americana. Far From Saints is a project born from a shared, unadulterated love of music and collaboration, rich with emotions, creative integrity and defined by the unique sound of Kelly and Patty’s vocal harmonies.'

This Is The Kit are storming up the album charts with their new album Careful of Your Keepers

BROWSE ALL THESE RELEASES HERE 

Outfields Music Festival is on in Louth this Saturday 17th June. Tickets available from the shop

Reggae & Ska Weekender

'Intermission is a 3 dimensional artwork structure - an exhibition and performance space with sound, wearable collage and painted surfaces.

A place to pause and explore - come along for an opportunity to get up close, be immersed in the experience...everyone is welcome, all ages and abilities '

Free live art events take place on Sat 24th June 11am at Spout Yard Park, Sat 1st July

Mark had a jaunt to Liverpool and hit The Beatles tourist trail visiting Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. Both incredible to see after loving the songs for so many years - and as you'd expect completely different to what Id expected.

Penny Lane esp. was a charming, peaceful Victorian residential street 'peppered' with shops - halfway along is the Penny Lane Development Trust Visitor Centre which works with the local community and promotes local music/art/culture they have a Penny Lane / Beatles Gift Shop and Gardens. The staff were really welcoming and friendly. Both are well worth a visit.