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Spotlight 22
Welcome to the Spot Light. Check out the latest psychedelic, cosmic, prog, freakbeat, folk, kraut, experimental, jazz, drone, mystical, and avant-garde sounds!
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PSYCHEDELIC/PROGRESSIVE/FOLK

Glass Harp
Where Did My World Come From?
Thrilled to welcome the CD reissue of Glass Harp's 'Where Did My World Come From?' on Peppermint Records! Released in a mini-gatefold with the same artwork as the LP releases. Originally recorded in 1969 and long thought lost, this psychedelic gem is officially released from the original masters thanks to guitarist Phill Keaggy's accidental rediscovery. Only two tracks were ever released back then, with the rest surviving in bootlegs , that was until now. This dynamic album blends delicate ballads with powerful rock, showcasing Glass Harp's signature emotional depth and technical skill. Don't miss this essential psych-rock release on Peppermint.

Bull Run
Bull Run
First release of this unearthed acid-rock gem of Bull Run on cd! Peppermint Records designed a stunning mini-gatefold and included 4 bonus tracks for the cd release of Bull Run. Ever wondered what Sabbath with Lemmy on vocals might sound like? Bull Run's sole full-length, recorded in 1971 and now reissued by Peppermint, delivers hard acid rock at its finest. These tracks - never officially released until now - capture the band's shift from pop covers to original, heavy material. With doom-laden riffs, twisted rhythms, and raw energy, this overlooked proto-metal classic from Youngstown finally gets its due.

Gumpert, Ulrich -quartett-
So Einfach Ist Das
These recordings are a minor sensation! It's hard to imagine that, apart from the well-known recordings in the GDR, something "different and deeper" existed in the late 1960s alongside appealing soul and jazz bands. Modern and progressive fuzzy and funky jazz rock. Really? The highly talented pianist Ulrich Gumpert played and composed in one of the country's most renowned ensembles, the Klaus Lenz Orchestra, since 1967. Joining him on stage were the already renowned drummer Günter "Baby" Sommer, one of the best and most studio-experienced jazz bassists of the time, Gert Lübke, and former Modern Soul Septet guitarist Günter Dobrowolsky. Also in the orchestra was the outstanding Günther Fischer! Ulrich Gumpert chose precisely this rhythm section to perform his ideas of contemporary soulful and rocky jazz alongside orchestral sessions starting in 1968. This LP is a milestone and reflects one of the most progressive periods in East German music history in jazz and rock!
GARAGE/BEAT/SURF/ROCK’N’ROLL

Bloodshot Bill & Gerard Van Herk
Shot Of Blood Ep
Bloodshot Bill, the Canadian hickup rockabilly trash lofi King of one-man-bands meets Gerard Van Herk from the legendary Deja Voodoo duo to create music that comes direct out of a rotten crypt and smells like an obscure trashed up rock'n'roll bad-ass delinquent.

Kruger, Horst -septett-
Ich Will Die Zeit Nicht Bereuen/sonderbar
Sound Essence is more than proud to presents a very special production from East Germany of the early '70s! One of the TOP soul-jazz and beat combos in the country led by bassist and singer Horst Krüger, recorded two previously unreleased, outrageously good titles here in the newly formed septet format.
POP/ROCK/WAVE/NOISE

Marc And The Mambas
(black) Three Black Nights Of Little Black Bites (2lp)
The complete recordings of the legendary Marc And The Mambas run of three live performances given at The Duke Of York's Theatre in London's West End in 1983. Restored from the original VHS tape recordings made by the late Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson (Throbbing Gristle, Coil), these remain the only recordings that exist of Marc And The Mambas performing live. Originally released in 2012 on Marc Almond's (Soft Cell) own Strike Force Entertainment label as a CD/DVD set (long sold out), this edition, presented on vinyl for the first time, contains the 17 tracks from the SFE CD release, expanded to include the two bonus DVD-only tracks: 'Près Des Ramparts De Séville' and 'Jacky.' Completely remastered for vinyl by Martin Bowes (The Cage Studios). A combination of the chanson and torch songs which he still sings today, over piano, strings and woodwind-accompanied compositions. "It's quite a spectacle, especially when Almond hits his sweet spot of sinister lyrics, declared pompously over a droned string arrangement... Early signs of the full-on showtune and classical rearrangements that make up Almond's current albums are evident." (Record Collector). Presented on heavyweight double vinyl in a deluxe glossy gatefold sleeve featuring the extensive reminiscence by Marc Almond himself from the 2012 release. Also included is a reproduction of the 16-page programme printed for the three concerts in 1983. The stunning cover painting by Val Denham is exclusive to this release.
REGGAE/DUB/SKA/ROCKSTEADY

Pablo, Augustus
King Tubby Meets Rockers At 5 Cardiff...
...CRESCENT, WASHINGTON GARDEN, KINGSTON' - 13 rare and previously unreleased dub titles by Augustus Pablo, mixed at King Tubby's. Made under license from Rockers International in collaboration with Deep Roots (FR).
SOUL/FUNK/LATIN/R&B/GOSPEL

Raices
B.o.v. Dombe
First release on Sometimes Music, the indie label based in Spain that specialises in reissuing iconic albums while exploring all sorts of differnet genres from the vibrant Latin American scene of the '70s and '80s. Kicking off their activities with the reissue of 'B.O.V. Dombe' by the Uruguayan-Argentinean group Raices, originally recorded in 1978. Their style combines funk, jazz, candombe and rock. The album was mastered at The Carvery Studios (London), a prestigious multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Award nominated mastering studio, who did a fantastic job. LP release comes with a special double-sided 3 panel insert sheet that features photos and liner notes written in both English and Spanish by the prestigious Argentinian music critic Alfredo Rosso and Raices bandm member Andres Calamaro.

Lucola
Waikanae
It is an honour for Sound Essence to have this New Zealand outstanding artist on board. Everything that the heart of the music connoisseur desires comes together here in that 6 track album EP. Balearic neo-fusion jazz combined with '80s synthesizer sounds embedded in rhythm machine grooves with a touch of deep purple new wave and profound "elevator music." When these demos came in some time ago, it was a must to reveal it to the world! Lucola is the brainchild of a globetrotting composer and multi-instrumentalist with roots in Wellington and musical branches that have stretched across the globe. Lucola's 'Waikanae,' recorded at Unisex Studios in Los Angeles with producer Phillip Haut (Don Bolles, Ariel Pink), reflects his journey through diverse musical landscapes. This EP on Sound Essence encapsulates the vibrant energy and experimental spirit that define Lucola's music.

Lloyd And The Joys
That Look Of You/the New York Business
Here comes one of the most exclusive and sought-after recordings of a hotel band from the Caribbean Antilles. The resident and highly talented soul singer Lloyd Baptiste played there during the '70s with his group The Joys in the popular hotel called Divi Divi on the then Dutch island of Aruba. The finest soul, funk and disco filled the repertoire of this outstanding formation. This led to the hotel management sending them to the Pyramid Sound Studio, New York in 1976 for advertising purposes and as a figurehead for an album production. The resulting "hotel record" is now a sought-after holy grail. The two strongest and most essential titles have now been released for you by Sound Essence Records in cooperation with Lloyd Baptiste himself and Deliomar Laclé from Aruba.

Franzetti, Carlos
Dedos/doce Y Diez
Here comes a true South American Latin jazz funk treasure from Argentina!!! Sound Essence is more than proud to present these lost recordings from 1974 to music lovers again in all their glory. Carlos Franzetti, who has once again been in the spotlight in recent years thanks to the re-release of his strong late '70s jazz fusion record 'Graffiti,' was also in charge of this record called 'Dedos.'
SOUNDTRACKS/LOUNGE/CULT ETC

Barron, Louise & Bebe
Forbidden Planet O.s.t.
Vinyl reissue of the legendary soundtrack to 'Forbidden Planet' by Bebe and Louis Barron, an absolute milestone for electronic music. Recorded in 1956 by, the soundtrack to the cult film 'Forbidden Planet' is without a doubt one of the most suggestive and astounding examples of early electronica, bringing the extraterrestrial experience of the movie to new levels with the help of the stunning sounds created by the couple through of a myriad of vintage artifacts, including loop FX and amazing modular synths. Includes a foldout insert with a Bebe Barron interview. An absolute masterpiece of the genre, bringing proto electronica, sci-fi and abstract music together for an unforgettable aural experience.
AFRO-BEAT/FUNK & PSYCH/DESERT BLUES/ETHIOPIQUES

Various
African Jazz Invites O.k. Jazz (2lp)
The evolution of Congolese popular music in the 1960s and '70s is generally classified into two major schools: African Jazz and O.K. Jazz. The main representatives of those schools are Joseph Kabasele alias Grand Kallé, founder of African Jazz, and Franco Luambo, co-founder of O.K. Jazz. Two temperaments and ambiances, one commonly referred to as 'fiesta,' the other as 'odemba,' both seeking their own sublimity or ideal. For the very first time, a compilation brings together explicitly the main protagonists of the two bands on the same album, with a collection of their songs recorded in the early sixties for the Surboum African Jazz label, in addition to three tracks made by Kallé's bands in the late sixties. The heirs of Joseph Kabasele and Franco Luambo kindly gave permission in Kinshasa to release this original selection on Planet Ilunga about these virtuosi of Congolese rumba.

Kouyate, Ousmane
Kefimba/n'ny
Heir to the tradition of the Griots -storytellers, poets and musicians who served for centuries as guardians of West African cultural heritage- Ousmane was an innovator of the modern electric Mandingue sound. Alongside Mory Kanté and Kanté Manfila with Les Ambassadeurs du Motel de Bamako and later on the Abidjan relocated band Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux, Ousmane forged his career before he served Malian singer Salif Keita as his guitarist for more than three decades. A few years of touring got Ousmane to focus on his own compositions. 'Kefimba' named after the all-black bull from his childhood with whom he had shared his Manioc meal and 'N'Ny' were recorded at the esteemed JBZ Recording Studio in Abidjan. Initially released on cassette they made it to vinyl in 1982 and 1983. Just a few months after the Leon Keita release, Analog Africa now presents Ousmane Kouyaté's two funk-infused Mandingue gems from the early 1980s, meticulously restored, pressed on 180g pink colored virgin vinyl, and housed in a beautiful screen-printed jacket. Limited to 2000 copies worldwide, this LP promises to set dancefloors ablaze with its infectious rhythms.
PRESS: SELECTED REVIEW QUOTES, INTERVIEWS A.S.
ASGARD – Trivialities (LP, Rise Above Relics)
First ever reissue of this underground prog rock gem, limited to 250 copies worldwide! Read an in-depth story behind this incredible find on It’s Psychedelic Baby! Magazine.
JOHN HOWARD – For Those That Wander By (CD, Think Like A Key Music)
A very interesting interview with John is available here. Please use Translator. (Via Nocturna)
RUINSZU – Jazzisdead Live (CD-LP, Subsound)
RuinsZu, the explosive collaboration between Zu’s core members Massimo Pupillo and Luca T. Mai and Ruins founder Yoshida Tatsuya, has released ‘Jazzisdead,’ a document of their blistering 2024 live performance in Turin. Interview here.
SLITS – Live At The Gibus Club (LP, Radiation Records)
“This album documents pure, unadulterated chaos, reflecting a time when the line between creativity and violence had been entirely effaced.” (Hunter Felt for Pop Matters)
HOLA GHOST – The Man They Couldn't Hang (LP, Svart Records)
“Add to that a few sprinkles of Mexican folk, surf, and B-movie western music. And it all works incredibly well.”(Hello Pete for OX Fanzine)
BLACK HONEY CULT – ‘Black Honey Cult’ (LP-CD, Heavy Psych Sounds)
“Black Honey Cult is infinitely playable with the effects and layers delivering new sounds with each listen, even as the darker, psychedelic bent falls sonically closer to bands like The Black Angels and Comets On Fire, as opposed to the punked-up energetic take on The Rolling Stones that The Lords Of Altamont are known for.” (Martin Williams for The Sleeping Shaman)
UPCOMING CONCERTS
SKYJOGGERS (SIULATRON)
07-06-2025: Esbjerg (DK) – Fuzztival
11-07-2025: Wuppertal (D) – Alte Schlosserei (+ Zone 6)
12-07-2025: Erfurt (D) – Stoned From The Underground
23-08-2025: Rillaar (B) – Down The Hill (ft. Sula Bassana)
LABASHEEDA (PRESTO CHANGO)
27-05-2025: Wroclaw (P) – Klub Szalonych
28-05-2025: Liberec (CZ) – Barpapir
29-05-2025: Prague (CZ) – Café V Lese
30-05-2025: Brno (CZ) – Alterna
31-05-2025: Dresdan (D) – Sankt Pieschen Festival
13-09-2025: Wormerveer (NL) – De Groote Weiver
20-09-2025: Gent (B) – Kinky Star
ZONE 6 (SULATRON)
06-06-2025: Schlitz (D) – Moon Festival
11-07-2025: Wuppertal (D) – Alte Schlosserei (+ Skyjoggers)
12-07-2025: Münster (D) – Bennohaus/Up In Space Festival
MINERALL (SULATRON)
07-06-2025: Dürröhrsdorf-Dittersbach (D) - Gockelscream
SOCCER COMMITTEE (MORC)
09-08-2025: Millingen aan de Rijn / Kekerdom (NL) - Millinger Theetuin
15-10-2025: Groningen (NL) – J.C. Vera (Cellar Bar)
SULA BASSANA - with band (SULATRON)
23-08-2025: Rillaar (B) – Down The Hill (with Skyjoggers)
TOMO KATSURADA (ex-Kikagaku Moyo)
06-06-2025 Galiläakirche, Berlin, Germany
11-06.2025 St Matthias Church, London, United Kingdom
12-06-2025 Sacred Trinity Church, Salford, United Kingdom
14-06-2025 Future Days Festival, ISOamsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
19-06-2025 Trix (Bar), Antwerp, Belgium
26-07-2025 Psyk Stämman, Stigbergets Ringön Göteborg, Sweden