fter dominating 2023 with two joint albums from two of hip-hop’s biggest producers in The Alchemist (The Great Escape) & Cardo (The Night Shift), Larry June is back with his first full length offering of 2024, Doing It For Me. Going back to his roots of what made him the type of man he is today and the formula that initially brought him success, the album contains no features and focuses on Larry doing things his way, for himself. From enlightening listeners on how to move like a boss and live a healthy lifestyle, to flashing what his hard work has brought, fans are sure to be able to soak up some game on how to improve their own situations. The 15-track album features production from Jake One, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Cardo, Cookin’ Soul, Teeko & more. Singles include "Imported Couches," "Meet Me In Napa," "Dreams," & "Like A Mack." If there’s one thing we know about Uncle Larry thus far, it’s consistency. Listen to Doing It For Me and prepare to watch your habits improve. Picture Disc vinyl, housed in a gatefold jacket, and includes a 12x12 Insert and obi strip.

Key Marketing/Selling:
Larry June is a heavy physical mover
Previously released albums, The Great Escape, The Night Shift, Spaceships on the Blade, & Orange Print, have all performed well physically
1xLP Picture Disc vinyl, housed in gatefold jacket, includes obi strip and 12x12 insert
Larry June recently went on sold out nationwide tour, and is expected to tour in support of this release
Bike ride activation in SF planned on album release
Merch line to be released alongside album release
Extensive OOH/Digital campaign
Multiple music videos released with more to come
Album contains no features, only raps from Uncle Larry
Production includes notable producers such as Jake One, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Cardo, Cookin’ Soul, Teeko & more
Previously released singles have all performed well across DSPs
Imported Couches - 5.5M+ streams
Meet Me In Napa - 6M streams
Dreams - 3.7M+ streams


Tracklist:
A1/1. From Uncle Herm, Pt. 5
A2/2. Magnum P.I.
A3/3. Morning Calculations
A4/4. A Little While
A5/5. Stinson Beach
A6/6. Real Talk, Pt. 2
A7/7. Three Piece
A8/8. Where I'm Going
B1/9. Meet Me in Napa
B2/10. Breakfast in Gold Coast
B3/11. Imported Couches
B4/12. Cleaning My Spot (Interlude)
B5/13. Like a Mack
B6/14. Dreams
B7/15. Money Bag


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Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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After a monsterous run of sold out North American and European shows following the release of the critically acclaimed album, Orange Print, San Francisco legend and entrepreneur Larry June is back with his next solo offering, Spaceships on the Blade. The 18-track album features the previously released singles, "Private Valet" & "In My Pockets," and sees production from a wide range of producers, such as Jake One, DJ Khalil, Cardo, DJ Fresh, Chuck Inglish, Turbo & more. With an eye on always expanding and diversifying his income streams, it's clear to see that Uncle Larry is going to continue to do numbers for a long time. Good Job, Larry.

Key Marketing/Selling:
- 10th solo studio album from the acclaimed San Francisco rapper, Larry June
- Second offering of 2022, following the highly successful joint album with Jay Worthy, 2 P'z In A Pod
- The first two singles from the album, "Private Valet" & "In My Pockets," have collectively generated over 1M Spotify streams & 1M views on YouTube since release on July 15th & July 29th respectively - 8/1/22
- The two singles landed numerous placements on DSPs:
- Spotify Playlist Placements: NMF (US), New Joints, Mind Right, Westside Story, Mellow Bars
- Apple Playlist Placements: NMD, The Plug, Street Politics, Get Up And Go, New In HipHop, BASE:LINE
- Apple Music Features (Hip Hop): Best New Songs
- Tidal Playlist Placements: New West Coast, New Arrivals: Dolby Atmos, Hip-Hop: Dolby Atmos
- Amazon Playlist Placements: Breakthrough Hip-Hop, Fresh Hip-Hop
Tracklist:
1. Track 1
2. Private Valet
3. Track 3
4. Track 4
5. Track 5
6. Track 6
7. Track 7
8. Track 8
9. Track 9


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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LP
Translucent Orange Vinyl

About:
The San Francisco Legend, Larry June, returns with the aptly titled Orange Print, which maps out his own vision for success. With themes of health, wealth, numbers, and diversifying your income streams, Larry June flexes the philosophies that have helped him go from street hustler to made man. With production from heavyweight producers such as Jake One, Sndtrak, Cardo, & Sledgren, features include Money Man, Trae The Truth, & DeJ Loaf.

Key Selling/Marketing:
- In-person album release activation for release weekend
- Multiple music videos released with more planned
- RapCaviar has supported each single release and has made several mentions about the album
- The singles "Wait On Me" and "You Gotta" have combined for over 1M views on YouTube and over 500k streams on Spotify in 2 weeks
- Outdoor campaign planned
- Larry June has over 668k monthly listeners on Spotify
- Larry June has worked with countless notable producers in the space, including Harry Fraud, Jake One, Cookin Soul, Cardo, & Sledgren

Tracklist:
A1/1. From Uncle Herm, Pt. 3 (Intro) (feat. Herm Lewis)
A2/2. Tangible Assets
A3/3. Wait On Me
A4/4. 6am In Sausalito
A5/5. Intercepted (feat. Money Man)
A6/6. Organic Respect
A7/7. You Gotta
B1/8. Still Cookin
B2/9. Grand Nash Chronicles (feat. Trae Tha Truth)
B3./10. Say Less (feat. DeJ Loaf)
B4/11. Escrows And Orange Juice
B5/12. Iced Coffee
B6/13. 7 Mile Bike Ride (Outro)



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Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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CD
About:
The San Francisco Legend, Larry June, returns with the aptly titled Orange Print, which maps out his own vision for success. With themes of health, wealth, numbers, and diversifying your income streams, Larry June flexes the philosophies that have helped him go from street hustler to made man. With production from heavyweight producers such as Jake One, Sndtrak, Cardo, & Sledgren, features include Money Man, Trae The Truth, & DeJ Loaf.

Key Selling/Marketing:
- In-person album release activation for release weekend
- Multiple music videos released with more planned
- RapCaviar has supported each single release and has made several mentions about the album
- The singles "Wait On Me" and "You Gotta" have combined for over 1M views on YouTube and over 500k streams on Spotify in 2 weeks
- Outdoor campaign planned
- Larry June has over 668k monthly listeners on Spotify
- Larry June has worked with countless notable producers in the space, including Harry Fraud, Jake One, Cookin Soul, Cardo, & Sledgren

Tracklist:
A1/1. From Uncle Herm, Pt. 3 (Intro) (feat. Herm Lewis)
A2/2. Tangible Assets
A3/3. Wait On Me
A4/4. 6am In Sausalito
A5/5. Intercepted (feat. Money Man)
A6/6. Organic Respect
A7/7. You Gotta
B1/8. Still Cookin
B2/9. Grand Nash Chronicles (feat. Trae Tha Truth)
B3./10. Say Less (feat. DeJ Loaf)
B4/11. Escrows And Orange Juice
B5/12. Iced Coffee
B6/13. 7 Mile Bike Ride (Outro)



Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

fter dominating 2023 with two joint albums from two of hip-hop’s biggest producers in The Alchemist (The Great Escape) & Cardo (The Night Shift), Larry June is back with his first full length offering of 2024, Doing It For Me. Going back to his roots of what made him the type of man he is today and the formula that initially brought him success, the album contains no features and focuses on Larry doing things his way, for himself. From enlightening listeners on how to move like a boss and live a healthy lifestyle, to flashing what his hard work has brought, fans are sure to be able to soak up some game on how to improve their own situations. The 15-track album features production from Jake One, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Cardo, Cookin’ Soul, Teeko & more. Singles include "Imported Couches," "Meet Me In Napa," "Dreams," & "Like A Mack." If there’s one thing we know about Uncle Larry thus far, it’s consistency. Listen to Doing It For Me and prepare to watch your habits improve. Picture Disc vinyl, housed in a gatefold jacket, and includes a 12x12 Insert and obi strip.

Key Marketing/Selling:
Larry June is a heavy physical mover
Previously released albums, The Great Escape, The Night Shift, Spaceships on the Blade, & Orange Print, have all performed well physically
1xLP Picture Disc vinyl, housed in gatefold jacket, includes obi strip and 12x12 insert
Larry June recently went on sold out nationwide tour, and is expected to tour in support of this release
Bike ride activation in SF planned on album release
Merch line to be released alongside album release
Extensive OOH/Digital campaign
Multiple music videos released with more to come
Album contains no features, only raps from Uncle Larry
Production includes notable producers such as Jake One, DJ Khalil, Harry Fraud, Cardo, Cookin’ Soul, Teeko & more
Previously released singles have all performed well across DSPs
Imported Couches - 5.5M+ streams
Meet Me In Napa - 6M streams
Dreams - 3.7M+ streams


Tracklist:
A1/1. From Uncle Herm, Pt. 5
A2/2. Magnum P.I.
A3/3. Morning Calculations
A4/4. A Little While
A5/5. Stinson Beach
A6/6. Real Talk, Pt. 2
A7/7. Three Piece
A8/8. Where I'm Going
B1/9. Meet Me in Napa
B2/10. Breakfast in Gold Coast
B3/11. Imported Couches
B4/12. Cleaning My Spot (Interlude)
B5/13. Like a Mack
B6/14. Dreams
B7/15. Money Bag


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

After a monsterous run of sold out North American and European shows following the release of the critically acclaimed album, Orange Print, San Francisco legend and entrepreneur Larry June is back with his next solo offering, Spaceships on the Blade. The 18-track album features the previously released singles, "Private Valet" & "In My Pockets," and sees production from a wide range of producers, such as Jake One, DJ Khalil, Cardo, DJ Fresh, Chuck Inglish, Turbo & more. With an eye on always expanding and diversifying his income streams, it's clear to see that Uncle Larry is going to continue to do numbers for a long time. Good Job, Larry.

Key Marketing/Selling:
- 10th solo studio album from the acclaimed San Francisco rapper, Larry June
- Second offering of 2022, following the highly successful joint album with Jay Worthy, 2 P'z In A Pod
- The first two singles from the album, "Private Valet" & "In My Pockets," have collectively generated over 1M Spotify streams & 1M views on YouTube since release on July 15th & July 29th respectively - 8/1/22
- The two singles landed numerous placements on DSPs:
- Spotify Playlist Placements: NMF (US), New Joints, Mind Right, Westside Story, Mellow Bars
- Apple Playlist Placements: NMD, The Plug, Street Politics, Get Up And Go, New In HipHop, BASE:LINE
- Apple Music Features (Hip Hop): Best New Songs
- Tidal Playlist Placements: New West Coast, New Arrivals: Dolby Atmos, Hip-Hop: Dolby Atmos
- Amazon Playlist Placements: Breakthrough Hip-Hop, Fresh Hip-Hop
Tracklist:
1. Track 1
2. Private Valet
3. Track 3
4. Track 4
5. Track 5
6. Track 6
7. Track 7
8. Track 8
9. Track 9


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

2xLP: Cotton Candy Skies Vinyl, Gatefold Jacket,double-sided 11x17 poster,obi strip, marketing sticker

Larry June & prolific producer Cardo have joined forces once again to bring you their latest masterpiece: "The Night Shift," a nocturnal adventure that takes you on a ride through the vivid and pulsating streets of Larry's life, as brought to life by Cardo's distinctive production. Larry June, the San Francisco native known for his smooth, laid-back flow and his unwavering commitment to living a healthy and prosperous lifestyle, seamlessly blends his distinctive style with Cardo's signature production, creating a sound that's as crisp and refreshing as a glass of cold-pressed orange juice. "The Night Shift" is the soundtrack to those late-night drives, providing the perfect backdrop for contemplation and cruising. "The Night Shift" is more than just an album; it's a testament to the chemistry between Larry June and Cardo, two artists at the top of their game. This project is a reminder that, in the still of the night, when the city's lights are aglow, and the world is asleep, Larry June and Cardo are hard at work, crafting music that transcends time and place.

Key Marketing/Selling:
- Larry June & Cardo are each extremely respected and notable individual artists in the Hip-Hop community
- Album activations & listening parties in LA, SF, Houston, Dallas and NY during release week, with exclusive merch drops released alongside each event
- 3 previously released singles include "The Good Kind," "Chops On The Blade," & "Without You (Blxst Interlude)"
- Multiple music videos set to be released in support of the album
- Extensive outdoor and digital campaign in major markets
- Larry June's previous releases, Orange Print, Spaceships On The Blade & The Great Escape have done exceptionally well at retail
- The Great Escape peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200 while Spaceships on the Blade peaked at number 39
- All production is handled by Cardo
- Cardo has produced for the likes of Wiz Khalifa, Drake, Mac Miller, Payroll Giovanni, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Travi$ Scott, Jay-Z, Meek Mill, Schoolboy Q & Skepta, among others
- Cardo most recently went 16x Platinum for his work on Drake's "God's Plan" & 5x Platinum on Drake's "Wants And Needs"
- Larry June is most recently off of an impressive run of sold out headlining shows - a 56 date US tour, and international stops in Europe, New Zealand, Australia & Japan
- Larry June is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper & more often than not, Cardo is the producer behind some of the biggest songs in Hip-Hop

Tracklist:
1. Clocked In
2. Chops on the Blade
3. Ocean Cuisine (feat. 2 Chainz)
4. Love of Money
5. Sweet Lady (feat. Dej Loaf)
6. Pop Out (feat. ScHoolboy Q)
7. Glasshouse Knockin'
8. Without You (Blxst Interlude)
9. GRGP (feat. Too $hort & Peezy)
10. Stickin' and Movin'
11. Won't Wait (feat. Jordan Ward)
12. Let Me Know
13. Made A Way (feat. Payroll Giovanni)
14. Road Runnin'
15. Big Fish (feat. Alemán)
16. The Good Kind


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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Terretories: Only Germany/Austria/Switzerland

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/album/05d5zAD9KAdaJf7yQ98jxF?si=alJljbSCSa2S_k-Sv1_79w

Celebrating 25 years since its original release, The High & Mighty's seminal debut album, "Home Field Advantage", returns in a special anniversary edition vinyl reissue. Originally launched under the iconic Rawkus Records banner, this album became a defining moment in underground hip-hop, showcasing the sharp wit and raw talent of Mr. Eon and DJ Mighty Mi. Now, in collaboration with Eastern Conference Records, RRC Music Co. revives this classic with the care and respect it deserves.

"Home Field Advantage" stands as a testament to the golden era of hip-hop, featuring an all-star lineup of guests who helped cement its legendary status. The album includes unforgettable appearances by Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Evidence, Eminem, Defari, Cage, Kool Keith, among others, each bringing their unique flavor to the project and ampli-fying its impact.

This 25th-anniversary edition is more than just a reissue; it's a revitalization. As a special treat for collectors and die-hard fans, this edition includes six bonus tracks, adding further depth to an already rich collection of tracks. Remas-tered for vinyl by the renowned Davide "Bassi Maestro" Bassi and packaged in a gatefold jacket with restored original artwork curated by Mr. Krum, this release pays homage to the album's legacy while celebrating its enduring influence.

This 25th anniversary reissue is not just a trip down memory lane - it's a reminder of why this album continues to res-onate in the hip-hop community today. Don't miss the chance to own this piece of music history, reborn for a new gen-eration.

Tracklisting

A1. Tip Off Time
A2. Dirty Decibels (feat. Pharoahe Monch)
A3. Top Prospects (feat. Defari, Evidence)
A4. Dick Starbuck
A5. B-Boy Document '99 (feat. Mos Def, Mad Skillz)
A6. The Last Hit (feat. Eminem)
A7. Ay Yo

B1. Hot Spittable
B2. The Meaning
B3. In-Outs (feat. Cage)
B4. Papers Please
B5. Shaquan & Eon (feat. Mad Skillz)
B6. The Half
B7. Newman Skit

C1. Hands On Experience Pt. II (feat. Bobbito Garcia, Kool Keith, What? What?)
C2. Weed
C3. Open Mic Night (Remix) (feat. Thirstin Howl The 3rd, Wordsworth)
C4. Mind Soul And Body
C5. Friendly Game of Football
C6. Cranial Lumps *

D1. E=MC2 (OG Version) (prod. by The Alchemist) *
D2. Hands On Experience Pt. 2 (OG Version) (feat. Bobbito Garcia, Kool Keith, What? What?) *
D3. High & Mighty (OG demo debuted on WKCR) *
D4. The Vibe That I Give Em (High & Mighty Demo) *
D5. Under Pressure (High & Mighty Demo) *



Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Non Exclsuive Title! Oreirder Only. No Returns.

Format:Deluxe Edition of 299 copies, remastered from the original analog tapes
by Masami Akita, each LP comes in its individual sleeve reproducing the
original artwork, also includes a LP-sized 32-page book + Wooden Box


Tracklist:

Tracking list:

1.
Collection 001 - 001 A 23:46
Collection 001 - 001 B 23:48
2.
Collection 002 - 002 A 18:12
Collection 002 - 002 B 20:54
3.
Collection 003 - 003 A 22:14
Collection 003 - 003 B1 09:33
Collection 003 - 003 B2 05:25
4.
Collection 004 - 004 A 16:11
Collection 004 - 004 B1 07:08
Collection 004 - 004 B2 09:52
5.
Collection 005 - 005 A1 08:38
Collection 005 - 005 A2 08:54
Collection 005 - 005 B1 07:14
Collection 005 - 005 B2 03:53
Collection 005 - 005 B3 03:57
Collection 005 - 005 B4 04:03
6.
Collection 006 - 006 A1 17:35
Collection 006 - 006 A2 05:12
Collection 006 - 006 B 23:12
7.
Collection 007 - Merzrock B1 + Dubbing 5 11:21
Collection 007 - Merzrock A1 + Anemic Pop 1 02:00
Collection 007 - Merzrock A1 + Anemic Pop 2 08:32
Collection 007 - E-Study #3-1 + Merzsolo 1 15:49
Collection 007 - E-Study #3-1 + Merzsolo 2 05:58
8.
Collection 008 - Concrete Tape PH#1~ 05:19
Collection 008 - E8 A1 + 006 A1 06:03
Collection 008 - Merzsolo 10/6.81 A1 10:36
Collection 008 - E8 B2/Concrete Tape PH#1~ 06:28
Collection 008 - Sans Titre Merz 1 + Tape Loops 04:54
Collection 008 E6 A3 + Concrete Tape PH#1~ 06:46
Collection 008 - Merzsolo 10/6.81 A5 + Violin 03:21
9.
Collection 009 - N.A.M.4 + E-8 06:11
Collection 009 - Telecom 1/3 + N.A.M.5 17:32
Collection 009 - E-3-1-1 11:24
Collection 009 - E-3-1-2 01:50
Collection 009 - Tape Loop + Noise 1 (Concrete Tapes) 02:39
Collection 009 - Tape Loop + Noise 2 (Concrete Tapes) 04:25
10.
Collection 010 - 007 B1 + Ah Corps 11:47
Collection 010 - E3 B2 + Ah Corps 11:28
Collection 010 - N.A.M.6 With Radio & Tapes 22:47

Carrying on their longstanding dedication to the seminal output of
Merzbow, Urashima returns with what is unquestionably their most
ambitious release to date: “Collection 001-010”, a deluxe, 10 LP vinyl
box set limited to 299 copies, gathering together the entirety of the
project’s first ten releases, originally released in 1981. Encountering
the band in its early incarnation of the duo of Masami Akita and Kiyoshi
Mizutani, raw, exposed and bristling with energy, foreshadowing numerous
trajectories they would follow over the coming years, these astounding
full lengths - the majority of which have never been released on vinyl -
come housed in a beautifully produced, deluxe wooden box, with each LP
in its own individual sleeve reproducing the original artwork, and a
LP-sized 32-page book containing reproductions of artworls and collages
by Masami Akita, an interview conducted by Jim O'Rourke, and liner notes
penned by Lasse Marhaug, Thurston Moore, and Akita himself, amounting to
what is unquestionably one of the most historically significant releases
we’re likely to encounter in 2025.

Deluxe Edition of 299 copies, remastered from the original analog tapes
by Masami Akita, each LP comes in its individual sleeve reproducing the
original artwork, also includes a LP-sized 32-page book. ** Since its
founding during the late 2000s, the Italian imprint, Urashima, has
become a definitive voice in the landscape of noise. Bringing forth
beautiful limited edition releases, they’ve sculpted a singular vision
of one of the most vibrant and revolutionary bodies of experimental
sound to have graced the globe. Among the many projects that they have
supported over the decades, there has been an undeniable dedication to
the output of the seminal Japanese noise outfit, Merzbow, making a
significant amount of the project’s out of print back catalog available
across a range of formats. Now they return with what is arguably their
most stunning and ambitious release dedicated to the project to date:
“Collection 001-010”, gathering the entirety of Merzbow’s first ten
releases, largely privately released by the band on cassette across
1981, in a deluxe, 10 LP vinyl box set. Representing what is effectively
ground zero in Japanese noise and collectively amounting to some of the
most sought after releases ever produced within that movement,
Urashima’s truly beautiful collection comes fully remastered by Masami
Akita himself from the original tapes, presenting all but a small number
in their first ever vinyl pressings, with each LP housed in its own
individual sleeve reproducing the original artwork, alongside a LP-sized
32-page book containing reproductions of artworks and collages by Masami
Akita, an interview conducted by Jim O'Rourke, and liner notes penned by
Lasse Marhaug, Thurston Moore and Akita himself. Towering with energy
and groundbreaking creative vision, within the realms of noise and
experimental music, releases don’t get more monumental or historically
important than this!

Merzbow came roaring onto the Tokyo scene in 1979, and remains, to this
day, one of the most prolific and aggressively forward-thinking projects
in experimental music. Eventually becoming the solo vehicle for the
efforts of Masami Akita, in its earliest incarnation the project was the
duo of Akita and Kiyoshi Mizutani, taking their name from German artist
Kurt Schwitters' pre-war architectural assemblage, The Cathedral of
Erotic Misery or Merzbau, and quickly set out to challenge entrenched
notions of what music could be. Embracing technology and the machine,
even in its earliest iterations, Merzbow pushed toward new territories
of the extreme, arriving at a space of pure, unadulterated sonic
onslaught that has continued, for over 40 years, to set the pace for the
entire genre of noise, and has remained one of the movement’s most
important, definitive voices, continuously laying the groundwork for
countless artists who have followed in its wake.

When dealing with historical gestures, there’s an invertible aura
surrounding original line-ups and early statements, and rightfully so.
It is often within a band’s debut that we catch the purest glimpse of
the raw energy and creative ferment that made them what they are. This
is certainly the case when regarding the coveted early releases of
Merzbow, capturing the emergence of the project in its form as the duo
of Masami Akita and Kiyoshi Mizutani as they helped set the blue print
from the then emerging movement of Japanese noise. Over the course of
its nearly five decades of activity, Merzbow has always been noted for
how prolific and ambitious the project is. This was no less the case in
the very beginning. While they were active for roughly two years prior,
in 1981 alone they issued ten self-released cassettes numerically titled
“Collection 001-010”, albums which have both individually and
collectively become holy grails in the realms of noise, with only two -
“Collection 007” and “Collection 009” - ever receiving vinyl reissues
prior to now.

As Lasse Marhaug deftly articulates in the newly commissioned liner
notes for “Collection 001-010”, despite having been recorded in
different location across a span of time, the sum total of Merzbow’s
first ten releases might be best regarded as a single release to be
listened to in the same, durational sitting, with the material standing
well apart from what most came to expect from Merzbow, while
foreshadowing numerous trajectories the project would take over the
coming years. Not only do these recordings feature a vast array of
instrumentation - tapes, acoustic and electric guitar, violin, drums,
voice, recorder, organ, found sounds, clarinet, homemade and prepared
instruments, a vast arsenal of effects and electronics, and piano, to
only begin to scratch the surface - the majority of which would
disappear from the project’s active sources of sound generation over the
subsequent years, but there is a slow pacing and raw sense of openness
and exposure that reveals strong connections to the avant-garde
improvisations of groups like AMM, Musica Elettronica Viva, and Gruppo
di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza, the psychedelia of groups like Taj
Mahal Travellers and Flower Traveling band (both of whom Akita mentions
having seen in youth within his interview with Jim O’Rourke), and rock
in general - albeit in fully abstracted forms - unspooling as brittle,
pointillistic, textural, raw and abrasive forms, that occasionally
flirts with unexpected tonal sensibilities. As Marhaug describes it in
his excellent liner notes: «Sonically, “Collection” sounds more sparse
and stripped. It’s dry sounding, up-front, no reverb, and there’s less
heavy low-end grime and thin on the signature frequency sweeps. Viewed
in a 1981 context, musically, it’s more akin to what the LAFMS (Los
Angeles Free Music Society) pool of artists were doing at that time than
what was happening in industrial music... There’s a strong playfulness
throughout, like the sound objects are being explored for the first
time, without neither restraint nor hurry. Events are allowed to be
fully examined before the music moves on, or simply cuts off. To a large
degree, the music on “Collection” feels acoustic in nature, although a
Electro-Harmonix ring-modulator features prominently throughout.»

Easily described as a rarely encountered revelation into the original
and earlier documented studio sound of Merzbow, “Collection 001-010”
collectively amounts to an engrossing sonic journey in its own right,
while also allowing for important, often overlooked connections drawn
from numerous other creative wellsprings, notably free jazz, underground
rock, the output of European and Japanese avant-garde music, as well as
Dada, Fluxus, and Mail Art, much of which, beyond the illumination made
possible by the sounds, Jim O’Rourke’s fantastic interview with Akita,
published in the booklet, further explores, offering great insights into
the origins of Merzbow and the thinking behind the project, as well as
aspects of the earliest days of Japanese noise.

Absolutely incredible in every possible way, with “Collection 001-010”
Urashima takes their already astounding dedication to the output of
Merzbow to new heights, producing one of the most beautiful and
historically significant releases we’re likely to encounter in 2025.
Gathering the entirety of Masami Akita and Kiyoshi Mizutani’s first ten
releases together, largely privately released by the band on cassette
across 1981, in a deluxe, 10 LP vinyl box set, with each full-length
fully remastered from the original analog tapes by Masami Akita himself,
optimized for vinyl pressing by Andrea Marutti, and housed in its own
individual sleeve reproducing the original artwork, alongside a LP-sized
32-page book containing reproductions of original artworks and collages
by Masami Akita, an interview with Akita conducted by Jim O'Rourke, and
liner notes penned by Lasse Marhaug, Thurston Moore and Akita himself,
all housed in a stunningly produced wooden box.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Territories: WORLD EXCL Japan

LP: Heavyweight Sleeve with Selective Varnish Print, Special Paper Obi

Tracklisting LP
A1. Sonatine ~act of violence~
A2. Light And Darkness
A3. Play OnThe Sands
A4. Rain After That
A5. A On The Fullmoon Mystery
A6. Into A Trance
A7. Sonatine ~in the beginning~
B1. Magic Mushroom
B2. Eye Witness
B3. Runaway Trip
B4. Mobius Band
B5. Die Out Of Memories
B6. See You...
B7. Sonatine ~be over~


Info

WRWTFWW Records is honored to announce the first ever vinyl release of Joe Hisaishi’s original soundtrack for the critically acclaimed and all around classic 1993 Japanese yakuza/crime/thriller movie Sonatine. The legendary album comes in a limited edition housed in a luxurious heavyweight sleeve with selective varnish printing and a special paper obi belt.

The celebrated Sonatine was directed, written and edited by Takeshi Kitano, who also takes center stage as the main protagonist of the thrilling yakuza film. Director, screenwriter, comedian, actor, tv personality and icon, 'Beat' Takeshi is also known for Boiling Point, Hana-Bi, Battle Royale, Johnny Mnemonic, Ghost in the Shell and many many more.

Considered one of the greatest ever, Joe Hisaishi is a composer, musical director, conductor and pianist behind over 100 film scores including Kitano’s A Scene at the Sea, Kikujiro, and Brother, as well as his famed work for director and animator Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli masterpieces Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and the list goes on. Little known fact: his first ever produced-album is a collaboration with percussionist Midori Takada (Through the Looking Glass): MKWAJU Ensemble’s MKAWJU also released on WRWTFWW Records.

The Sonatine movie score showcases the composer’s more contemplative, minimalistic, and intimate side in a superb and deeply evocative neo-classical and ambient musical journey. The depth and emotional resonance of the compositions make for an exceptional and timeless soundtrack. It is known to be one of Hisaishi’s own favorites.

Sonatine (Original Soundtrack) by Joe Hisaishi follows the release of the soundtrack of Takeshi Kitano’s Violent Cop (1989), as well as music from another groundbreaking Japanese movie, Shin’ya Tsukamoto’s Tokyo Fist (1995). Collect them all on WRWTFWW Records!



Points of interests

- For fans of yakuza movies, legendary soundtracks, Takeshi Kitano, Joe Hisaishi, piano, ambient, minimalism, classical, crime thrillers of the 90s, obi belts, Ghibli, good stuff.

- First vinyl release of the soundtrack for classic Japanese crime/yakuza movie Sonatine (1993) directed by and starring the legend (Beat) Takeshi Kitano.


Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Territories: Worldwide no restrictions

Format Notes: First ever vinyl release of Stimulator Jones's formative early boom-bap beat experimentations, 140g vinyl.

Track List:

A1 Pharoah Jones
A2 Ghost Gospel
A3 Ill Feeling
A4 Capital Punishment
A5 Do Not Adjust
A6 Cool Green Trees
A7 Chill Scratch
A8 Poisonous Fumes
A9 Welcome Aboard The Starship

B1 Keep On Runnin
B2 Sounds Impossible
B3 Painted Faces
B4 The Knew Style
B5 Chicken Wing Blues Sauce
B6 Kool Breeze
B7 Sexx Bullets
B8 Soul Child
B9 Take Off Runnin
B10 Centurian
B11 Bozack
B12 Church
B13 Splash One
B14 Hank
B15 73 Goatee

"Chasing the funky symphonies that filled my head and my dreams..."

December 25th, 2023 - an Instagram post. Stimulator Jones shared half a dozen FIRE tracks from his beat tape archive. We were immediately drawn to the rough hewn boom bap.

"I'd release that", Rob commented.

Hours of material was shared and the result is this: Cool Green Trees (1999-2005). A collection of beats and loops Stimulator Jones created between the ages of 14-20 at home in his basement, bedroom and computer room in Roanoke, Virginia.

You will not believe the profound soulful genius contained within these naive schoolboy melodies.

December 25th, 1998 - 25 years ago to the day and his much-coveted Yamaha SU10 sampler was finally bestowed upon young Stimmy AKA Sam Lunsford: "I immediately hooked up a CD Walkman to the input jack and looped the beginning two bars of Grover Washington Jr.'s "Mercy Mercy Me". I don't know what exactly was so thrilling about hearing two measures of music repeating over and over but it was so infectious and hypnotizing and enthralling to me. I'll never forget that ecstatic rush of making my first loop - an uncontrollable, gleeful smile plastered all over my face." When you hear the pocket breakbeat symphonies featured here on Cool Green Trees, you'll feel the same sense of frisson.

In the wake of his Stones Throw breakthrough - Exotic Worlds & Master Treasures - Stimulator Jones was pegged by many as a 90s throwback artist. However, he literally IS a 90s artist. He's been recording music most of his life and he's now 40. He created the bulk of Cool Green Trees as a teenager. Everything before 2004 was recorded when Sam was still in school. He was in 8th grade when he made the 1999 tracks - he didn't even have his learner's permit. This album is a snapshot of a young man in a simpler time. Things were still mysterious back then and he was flying blind, relying on his ears and having to figure things out for himself: "I had no road map for becoming a beatmaker. I have been collecting music since I was a kid, I am a lifelong digger and seeker of cool and interesting sounds. I was there in the golden age of Hip Hop, and while I may have been a suburban white kid in Roanoke, Virginia, I was tuned in and I bought so many classic albums when they came out. I was attracted to Hip Hop because of the musical and poetic quality. I was hypnotized by the rhythms, partially because I was a drummer. I didn't brag about collecting my breakbeat records or making beats - it was something I did in isolation. It wasn't something I generally wanted to bring attention to and it didn't really score me any cool points. I certainly wasn't flexing on social media about it."

Hell, he can do that now!

Opener "Pharoah Jones" was inspired by Yesterday's New Quintet and Madlib's ability to capture that classic 70s sound whilst playing all the instruments. Sam created this one stoned afternoon by laying down a 2 bar loop and a shaker loop on his Yamaha SU700 sampler. He hung a microphone from the ceiling and played his Yamaha Stage Custom drum kit over the top before adding ender Rhodes and playing his dad's Selmer tenor sax through an Electro Harmonix Memory Man echo pedal. Yes! Up next, "Ghost Gospel" utilises a dope loop from a gospel record and adds some soul-funk drums overtop, whilst working that filter knob. Says Sam: "The loop reminded me of something Ghostface would rap over. The sample was in 3/4 waltz time but I flipped it for a 4/4 groove, a technique I picked up from RZA. "Ill Feeling" uses sped-up pieces from a dusty old funk record and putting them over a classic NOLA drum loop; gain chopping up a slow, bluesy 3/4 time signature and bending it to a 4/4 groove. Classy shit. "Capital Punishment" features drums tapped in live, inspired by MF Doom's Special Herbs series. "Do Not Adjust" consists loops found on a compilation of 70s French music at Happy's Flea Market, a classic Roanoke digging spot.

The sublime, evocative title track, "Cool Green Trees" was created when Sam was still living at home. He dumped samples off his SU10 into the family desktop and arranged them in a demo version of Pro Tools: "This track was sort of my ode to the DJ Shadow style of sample based production. Super spacey, slow, and moody. The heavily filtered drums were inspired by Alec Empire's 'Low on Ice' album. I later added some scratches and sounds from a Spider Man storybook record." "Chill Scratch" snags the final bit of a bossanova record and pairs it with a drum loop before adding experimental scratching run through an Electro Harmonix Memory Man echo pedal. "Poisonous Fumes" was made using a sampler, mixer and a turntable; a kind of mixtape beat collage with added scratches and sounds from various records. Using dialogue from superhero records was a nod to Madlib. "Welcome Aboard The Starship" is dark, downtempo trip-hop with a spooky bent. Sam paired a slow, hard drum loop with a guitar sample grabbed off a psychedelic rock record. To finish, he added various backwards sounds and weird atmospheric effects and a little scratching. Swoon.

Side B opens with "Keep On Runnin", made on a borrowed Roland SP202 sampler. Having always loved the sound of the Lo-Fi filter on those machines, reminiscent of the Emu SP1200, Sam always imagined Del or another of the Hieroglyphics crew rapping over this beat. You can certainly hear why. "Sounds Impossible" sees Sam experimenting with layering multiple kick samples at different volumes to create patterns similar to those heard by Showbiz and Lord Finesse during their God-level 1995 period. "Painted Faces" was made by chopping up a [REDACTED] record which he had gotten from Happy's Flea Market and paired it with a [REDACTED] drum loop. By the time Sam recorded "The Knew Style", he had acquired a shitty old 1960s portable turntable off eBay. It didn't function properly when he bought it but his brother opened it up, cleaned it out and got it working: "I remember he told me that there was a bunch of sand inside of it when he opened it up, as if its previous owner had taken it to the beach. I would take that turntable on my Happy's Flea Market digs so I could preview records...that's how I found this loop."

"Chicken Wing Blues Sauce" loops up a classic blues joint and pairs it with some [REDACTED] drums. A bit of filtering and arranging et voilà! "Kool Breeze", from 1999, is one of Sam's oldest surviving beats, as is "Sexx Bullets". The Roots sampled the same record, leaving Sam frustrated yet vindicated. "Soul Child" was an early SU10 creation, looping a dusty old Soul Children 45 and pairing it with 70s rock drum loops to great effect. "Take Off Runnin" was another loop found digging with a portable turntable. Paired with some boom bap drums it makes for a hypnotic head-nod groove. "Centurian" was intended to be a little beat interlude a la Pete Rock. The sample is from a sun-dappled soft-psych record and it's paired with a Robin Trower drum loop that just happens to fit perfectly. Sometimes you slap things together kind of haphazardly and magic happens. "Bozack" was the first beat Sam made using Pro Tools, his first foray into using chopped sounds instead of loops, an exciting new world. "Church" is beat interlude using a Phil Upchurch loop with the "Long Red" drums - a favourite break of Dilla et al. Sam was really on a tear in late 2004, probably because he was unemployed and phoneless and able to just make beats all day. He made "Splash One" on a borrowed Yamaha SU700 and again was experimenting with tapping the drums in live with his fingers, instead of using a loop or sequenced pattern. Channeling 9th Wonder, Sam used a water splash sound effect from a Batman record as a percussive element, hence the title (also a 13th Floor Elevators reference). The main loop is a backwards portion of one of his favourite Roy Ayers songs.

"Hank" is another fun little beat interlude thing, created on a borrowed Roland SP202 sampler with the fantastic Lo-Fi effect that resembled the Emu SP1200 at a fraction of the price. "73 goatee", from 99, is another of his oldest surviving beats, created in his bedroom with his Yamaha SU10 and his brother's Vestax MR-300 4-track recorder: "This one will always feel special. I can remember having a feeling all the way back then on the night that I created it that this was a solid beat with a catchy loop. There was something in the Fender Rhodes melody that resonated with me emotionally, and I had never heard a producer sample that portion before. I felt like I had found my own unique sound, my own unique loop. It came from an Ahmad Jamal '73. I actually even recorded myself rapping and scratching over this beat way back then, I still have that version in all its imperfect sloppy glory."

Sam explains just how much these tracks mean to him: "They all have immense historical and sentimental value and I'm proud of them. These beats come from an innocent, simple time when I was just figuring out how to craft these sounds. They're something very personal to me. They are the initial part of a journey that I really was taking *alone*. There was no YouTube. I couldn't Google shit. I didn't even know any other beatmakers, producers or DJs in my town that could teach me anything. It was always just me, alone, in a room with some equipment - chasing the funky symphonies that filled my head and my dreams. What I was doing wasn't cool. Most of my peers thought I was a weirdo and couldn't care less. Creating these sounds was an anti-social endeavour. In a sense, I felt like it was me against the world, and all I had to instruct and assist me were the recordings produced by my heroes - RZA, DJ Premier, Erick Sermon, Beatminerz, Showbiz, Diamond D, Beatnuts, Prince Paul, The Bomb Squad, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, E-Swift, Mista Lawnge, DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Peanut Butter Wolf, El-P and so many more...I dedicate this collection to them, and to my older brother Joe who has always been a musical and technical guiding light for me.

This was a time before every kid was a self-described producer and beatmaker, before everyone had a DAW, before Kanye and "chipmunk soul", before Red Bull beat battles, before there was any social media beyond chat rooms and AOL Instant Messenger, before Soundcloud, before SP-404 mania, before lo-fi beats to study to, before Splice, before targeted ads for MIDI chord packs, etc. In 99 when I told people that I had a sampler and made beats I was mostly met with bewildered confusion and indifference. Kids and adults alike would wonder why I got this weird machine for Christmas instead of something worthwhile like a Playstation or a mountain bike or even a guitar for that matter because at least that could be used to make "real music". Back then, sampling was still not widely respected as an art form - it was seen as lazy, talentless and unoriginal at best and outright criminal theft at worst. I had gotten respect for playing drums and guitar and things of that nature but this was a step in the wrong direction in the eyes of many."

The cover photo is a picture of Sam standing on his back porch in the latter part of 1998, just before he got his first sampler. He was 13 years old, in 8th grade. His dad took the picture with his 35mm film camera: "I actually wanted to be pointing my dad's .22 pistol at the camera lens but he wouldn't let me. He gave me an old walking cane to use instead. The Tommy Hilfiger puffer jacket came from the lost and found at William Fleming High School where my mom worked as a secretary. I was thrilled when she brought it home because we never spent money on expensive name brand clothing like that - we were for the most part strictly a sale rack, bargain bin, thrift store, yard sale, flea market kind of family when it came to clothes. My watch is some cheap off-brand fake gold department store watch." Mastering for this vinyl edition was overseen by Be With regular Simon Francis and it was cut by the esteemed Cicely Balston at Abbey Road Studios to be pressed in the Netherlands by Record Industry.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More