The World is On Fire is Collier’s observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice. The album is the final body of work with his quartet, The Chosen Few, marking the closing chapter of the group’s 8-year journey. The World is On Fire is Collier’s observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice. The potency of Collier’s compositions is reinforced by utilizing harrowing real-life news clips throughout the album that radiate the urgency, somberness, and turmoil during this time in history as the album as a whole serves as a requiem for countless lives lost and injustices that remain unacknowledged. The World Is On Fire showcases Collier’s fiery approach as a bandleader with tightly focused solos on both Alto and Tenor Saxophone, that are interwoven with the other musicians. As The Chosen Few prepare for their curtain call, The World is On Fire is a final offering that is more than a collection of songs—it’s a passionate plea for awareness, understanding, and change. Through the journey of sound and reflection, Collier urges us all to play a role in crafting a more just and equitable world. More

The World is On Fire is Collier’s observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice. The album is the final body of work with his quartet, The Chosen Few, marking the closing chapter of the group’s 8-year journey. The World is On Fire is Collier’s observation journal reflecting on the tumultuous period from before the pandemic to the present day. The title itself wields his lens on vile acts committed by those in power addressing themes of economic upheaval, systemic racism, and the relentless fight for justice. The potency of Collier’s compositions is reinforced by utilizing harrowing real-life news clips throughout the album that radiate the urgency, somberness, and turmoil during this time in history as the album as a whole serves as a requiem for countless lives lost and injustices that remain unacknowledged. The World Is On Fire showcases Collier’s fiery approach as a bandleader with tightly focused solos on both Alto and Tenor Saxophone, that are interwoven with the other musicians. As The Chosen Few prepare for their curtain call, The World is On Fire is a final offering that is more than a collection of songs—it’s a passionate plea for awareness, understanding, and change. Through the journey of sound and reflection, Collier urges us all to play a role in crafting a more just and equitable world. More

Wewantsounds is delighted to announce the release of Ryuichi Sakamoto's classic LP "Coda”, issued in Japan in 1983 as a solo piano version of the "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" soundtrack. The album, which was never been released outside of Japan until now, sees Sakamoto on acoustic piano reinterpreting fascinating versions of his famous soundtrack including the classic theme and "Germination," which was later used in the "Call Me By Your Name" soundtrack. This reissue has been remastered by Seigen Ono's Saidera Mastering studio in Tokyo and boasts the original artwork plus a 4-page insert with new liner notes by Andy Beta.



When the film "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence" hit the cinema in Summer 1983, it was a worldwide instant success, due in no small parts to its renowned director, Nagisa Oshima and to its superb cast including David Bowie, Takeshi Kitano and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The latter, fresh from his success with Yellow Magic Orchestra and a thriving nascent solo career, was also enrolled to compose the score of the film.

The soundtrack was released at the same time as the film in Summer 1983. It became equally successful and made the Japanese composer a global icon as the instrumental theme became an instant classic all around the world and also Sakamoto's signature track from then on.

That same year, his Japanese label decided to release an exclusive cassette book as the format was getting popular in Japan. The project, called “Avec Piano,” featured an audio cassette together with a beautiful 80 page book including illustrations and texts by various designers and writers. As for the music, Sakamoto re-recorded the Merry Christmas soundtrack on solo piano at the Onkyo Haus studio in Tokyo. This version of the theme which Sakamoto would re-record many times, is therefore the first ever recorded solo piano version of the composition. As Andy Beta notes in the liner notes, "Now we can hear Sakamoto –seated in front of Steinway full concert piano housed in the first studio at Onkyo House in Ginza– his lifelong debt to the music of Debussy (and “Claire de Lune” specifically) laid bare.

The cassette book's success led to an LP release a few months later under a new title, "Coda" and with a different artwork by Japanese designer Tsuguya Inoue. The original orchestrated theme "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (which had been included on the cassette as a bonus on top of the piano version) was dropped, replaced by two new tracks, "Japan" and "Coda," recorded a couple of years earlier in 1981 and featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto's blend of ethereal ambient soundscapes and modern electronics.

The album, which has never been available outside of Japan, has become cult over the years for the fascinating interpretation of the main theme, but also for "Germination," which was used by Luca Guadagnino in the soundtrack of his arthouse hit "Call Me By Your Name" in 2017. "Coda" is quintessential Ryuichi Sakamoto and an essential album in the Japanese composer’s discography, which Wewantsounds is delighted to bring to his many international fans for the first time.



Side 1

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence 4:49
Batavia 0:50
Germination 2:09
A Hearty Breakfast 1:18
Before The War 1:44
The Seed And The Sower 3:55
A Brief Encounter 2:27


Side 2

Ride Ride Ride 1:02
The Fight 1:20
Dismissed! / Assembly 1:50
Beyond Reason 1:26
Sowing The Seed 1:31
Last Regrets 2:05
The Seed 1:06
Japan 2:58
Coda 5:32 More

On Albacete Knife Al Wootton offers up four hardware tracks of raw percussion and
ambience dubbed out to infinity. Drawing on the Post-Punk elements of his Holy Tongue project and transmuting them for the sound-system deejays, the EP covers low slung steppers, trance inducing percussion trips, psyched out Goa beatdowns and mutoid hardcore reductions. Raw and bristling psychedelic techno dubs for out there heads and feet. More

Parisian-by-choice Detlef Weinrich aka Tolouse Low Trax turns the page again. Always willing for a new episode, notion, impulse, idea, ideal. Searching for some light out there. Now Kiosque Versions, a compilation compiled by himself, featuring seven edits by friends and treasured artists. They renew some rare TLT tunes, as well as hits, that never took the charts by storm. More

A new chapter in the Spazio Disponibile story. Since 2016, Donato Dozzy and Neel released a wide range of their favorite electronics on their collaborative imprint. From here they inaugurate a new side branch named Spazio Nero, focussing on heady dancefloor techno only. First edition comes from Neel himself, his Movimente EP sets the tone for what to expect. Four cuts of flawless techno pressure for the late nights. More

Dino Lenny’s latest two singles for Belgian titan R&S Records get coupled together for a vinyl release. ‘Lose Control’ and ‘Washington Street’ are both served up with alternate mixes. The London based Italian producer fired out another irresistible club heater on the ‘Lose Control’ single, racking up Top Ten chart positions across the dance DSPs. On the Tea With Quincy Mix, legendary American musician Jerry Hey in drafted in to add his unmistakable horn playing to this version of ‘Lose Control. Hey is a highly seasoned orchestrator and session musician, playing on hundreds of classic recordings including Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, ‘Rock With You’ and ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’, and also playing with Earth, Wind & Fire, Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, George Benson and numerous others, including Quincy Jones, whom the mix title doffs its cap to. A special ‘4am Mix’ of ‘Washington Street’ from Dino Lenny himself sits on the flip side, a propelling and heavyweight dancefloor cut laced with seductive saxophone and climaxing with sparkling melodic electronics.
More

“Django” and “Japanese Funk Machine” are 2 mid80s outstanding avant-garde dance tracks released by UnknownmiX, a Swiss avant-experimental group with unique vocal, punkish/art-pop/minimal wave atmosphere, solid synth and percussions in an anarchic world.

At the center of the project were the very talented vocalist Magda Vogel and the well-known experimental composer Ernst Thoma, who with this radical project sought to push boundaries and explore extremes with sounds that moved between tribal and distorted far ahead of their time.

The remixes were made by cosmic wizard Daniele Baldelli, assisted by the faithful Marco Dionigi, and Delphi (half of Tiger & Woods). More

Les Rythmes Ruban invites you to immerse yourself again in the unique sonic universe of Pupajim and Blundetto. ”Tancardub” is the Dub versions of Tancarville LP. Rock on!

Tracklist:

A1 - Lampadub
A2 - Rive Dub
A3 - Groendub
A4 - Cartons Dub
B1 - Dub du 22
B2 - Ordub
B3 - Parenthe`ses Dub
B4 - Tancarville (Alternate) More

Repress!

A wonderful, rare record wrapped in a mysterious yet playful ambiance. Or maybe it's just the impression that the Japanese language often gives me. ''Suiren'' is an odd jazz-fusion-wave tune that sounds like its boiling, waiting to burst but somehow manages to stay in control. Like the nervous tick of a leg fidgeting under the table of a restaurant on a first date. Re-issued again, with new liner notes.

Yasuaki Shimizu is a Japanese composer, producer and saxophone player born in 1954. He worked with Ryuchi Sakimoto on certain arrangements, with the South Korean artist Nam June Paik on art+sound installation pieces and even DJ Towa Tei (of Deee-Lite fame). ''Suiren'' was released in 1981 and is the opening title on the sought-after ''Kakashi'' album and is my personal favorite on this overall brilliant record. It weaves behind new wave, jazz, fusion, ambient and experimental music.

Repetitive and hypnotizing, punctuated by exclamation marks on most first mesures, the muted triangle percussion hits me straight in the heart. About 90 seconds into the song, the saxophone makes its appearance and the song goes from ''this is cute'' to ''oh, this is some serious shit!''. Shimizu's saxophone frees the song from the rest of the elements which are more calculated and repetitive.

A joyful, mysterious slow-moving train ride led by the artist's mellow voice that rocks us with this calming but funky lullaby. Every phrase is punctuated by the xylophone there to energize the piece, albeit very subtely. More

Strut proudly presents the official remastered reissues of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974 and Soul Makossa' from 1973, both pressed on black vinyl LP.

Tracklist

1.1Djungi
1.2Raff
1.3Conga
1.4Avi-Vo
1.5Malik
1.6Darkest Light
1.7Baba Hya More

Strut proudly presents the official remastered reissues of Lafayette Afro Rock Band's elusive funk/Afro original album, 'Malik,' originally released in 1974 and Soul Makossa' from 1973, both pressed on black vinyl LP.

Tracklist
1.1Soul Makossa
1.2Azeta
1.3Oglenon
1.4Voodounon
1.5Hihache
1.6Nicky More