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  Meridians

  Half a decade is a sizeable chunk of time, and in the music business, it's nearly forever. For Seattle band The Stares, it's taken five years to follow up their debut record, Spine to Sea (2005), with sophomore outing, Meridians. Following the trajectory of The Stares is like watching glaciers recede, that is, things move slowly. As with any long-term relationship, life happens: band members came together, toured in a sweet R.V., played in other bands, fell out of bands, went back to school, changed careers, fought, had gear fall out of the back of a minivan while driving (twice), and married, though not necessarily in that order. For The Stares, Meridians became a labor of love, not so much in the recording of it, but in the follow-up, releasing the record to the world. Embracing the brave new world of self-release, the band is finally making some headway. Documenting the artistic growth of the entire Stares creative family, Meridians was recorded in spring 2006 at Studio Litho and Aleph Studios by the same production team that worked on Spine to Sea, including engineers Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer (Earth, Sunno))), Boris, Secret Chiefs 3, Sun City Girls, Kinski), and string and horn arranger extraordinaire Eyvind Kang (Blonde Redhead, Bill Frisell, Laurie Anderson, Mr. Bungle, Laura Veirs). Mixing ensued at London Bridge Studio at the tail end of 2006, with a 1973 Neve 8048 mixing board adding the perfect amount of warmth and dust. Yes, The Stares love the vintage gear. The ten tracks on Meridians gestated for some time before the band laid down basic tracks onto 2-inch tape. Benintendi (voice, piano, keys) and Whittemore (voice, guitars) still head up the business of songs, writing all compositions and lyric content before introductions to the rest of the band. The two leads sing on each other's contributions more, often creating a unified voice, breaking down obvious notions of which songwriter is responsible for which tune. The dead-on rhythm section is still helmed by Jason Merculief (Sera Cahoone, J. Tillman) on drums and Don McGreevy (Earth, Master Musicians of Bukkake) on bass and percussion. Resident live player Bill Patton (pedal steel, guitar) was brought into the fold, as was an auxiliary cast of Seattle musicians to round out Eyvind Kang's tasteful string and woodwind arrangements. There is an evolution afoot, as Meridians is steeped with confident economy and poignancy. Compared to songs on Spine to Sea, tempos of some songs have quickened, compositions have compressed into songs with shorter lengths, and while the spacious terrain has a dreamlike quality similar to The Stares' debut, immediacy and focus are taking a shine. Meridians is a record for listeners who value strong songwriting, quality recording, the melding of simple and complex composition, dynamic melodicism, clarity of voice, and a touch of ambiguity. Feel free to chew on this for a while, 2015 is half a decade away.

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  • Price: 15.14 EUR excl. shipping
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  II:For Mankind

  Dramatischster Doom, zwischen klösterlicher Kontemplation, titanischen Riffs, esoterischen Solos und irgendwie auch Doomloungejazz. In this age of instant gratification and 'artist accessibility' via social media and the internet at large, it must be said that some of our favourite bands are those who still manage to maintain an air of mystery, intentional or not. Of course this has to be backed up by incredible music, perhaps even more so if every other aspect of a band or artist is hiding in the shadows..... Whether this obtuseness is by design or flaw matters not when it comes to the Newport-based Haast's Eagled. The simple fact is that 'II: For Mankind' is 4 tracks (clocking in near to 1 hour) of some of the most imaginative, plaintive, acerbic and kaleidoscopic doom we have had the pleasure of hearing. Undulating between monastic contemplation, soaring vocals, titanic riffing, esoteric solos and even exquisitely tasteful doomloungejazz, this is less 'a journey' and more a perfectly executed mission of sound. Of course this is not easy first-time listening, none of the best albums are. However, what we have in our hands here is an album that should go on to be a cult-classic of the underground doom/stoner scene.

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  • Price: 19.67 EUR excl. shipping
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  Everything Tasteful

  No description.

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  • Price: 19.34 EUR excl. shipping
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  Streams in the Desert

  Born and raised in a small rural town in southeastern Connecticut Michael picked up the guitar at an early age. He played in various 'below the radar' bands and in his early twenties embarked on a life changing cross country soul search which eventually landed him back on the east coast in Rockbridge County Virginia. It was here that he began to experiment with loop technology and also fulfilled a long held desire to play the lap steel. It was also here, ironically, that he was irresistibly drawn to the art of stone masonry. He was fascinated to observe that by pushing the boundaries of his creative potential in a physical direction with the stonework a hidden pendulum would often swing and draw out melodious gems from somewhere deep in his psyche. Enter his debut - On The Road To North Mountain. An instrumental odyssey that defies simple description. Organic acoustic guitar and atmospheric lap steel make up the core of this remarkable album. Progressive Ears amply stated, 'Very rarely does something knock me off my feet like this disc from Virginia guitarist Michael Barry-Rec. This is music that needs to be heard and experienced.' 2008 brought the release of Streams In The Desert. A carefully crafted album revealing a maturing artist. Showing outstanding potential for film this disc was awarded 'Acoustic Film Score of the Year' at the 2008 Los Angeles Music Awards. His most current full length effort, Continuum, once again exposes an artist refusing to be confined by external influences. Featuring special guest contributions from George Winston on lead single Sanctum and bassist JD Foster who has toured with Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, and Dwight Yoakam. Additional stellar contributions were made by Johnny Hott (drums) and Adrian Olsen (hammond organ) Exhibiting a very tasteful blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation Michael continues to invite his listeners on often lush, harmonic excursions thick with melodic sensibilities.

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  • Price: 23.76 EUR excl. shipping
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  Vienna

  Dear music lovers, we are glad very much to be allowed to introduce to you a new music label: 'Santec Music'. This unique project stretches a curve of the demanding classical music up to new instrumental music. Besides, helping of orchestras of international meaning is effective also like the creativity of musicians of the most different nationality. On beauty and harmony thought, in Germany as 'New Classic' to defined compositions, are an expression of wonderful and very pleasant melodies with the most careful care of details and arrangements. These arise, primarily, from the internal setting of the musicians: They lay the biggest value on the contents of the music and compose with swing and competence. Many of the big composers of the past which unforgettable symphonies gave us can be often inspired by the nature, and thus also tries the music of 'Santec Music' from the wealth of beauty and harmony which the nature rescues by the unity of the elements together to scoop. The orchestra plays all instruments, whether piano, harp, guitar, flute, or panflute along with a string-orchestra, but it uses no electronic instruments. The new label 'Santec Music' shows one of the probably most interesting new phenomena in the area of new instrumental music in the international music scene and offers space for limitless creativity. About this CD: On this CD the Santec Music Orchestra plays quite different this time to the music for relaxation, although music that expresses joy and vitality can also be relaxing. 'Vienna' is an exclusive and lively recording of the most beautiful melodies from graceful, light music selections and classics of this category. The arrangements selected are played with string instruments accompanied by piano and harp. The many sparking rhythms, including the influence of traditional Spanish and Rumanian folk music, express joy in life and the warm sound of the violins stes the mood for a tasteful ambience. Enjoy a richly variable hour with this light and elegant music.

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  • Price: 20.35 EUR excl. shipping
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  Don't Look Back

  With sleeves rolled up and acoustic guitar in hand, Australia's Leigh Cunningham continues to produce a unique combination of attention grabbing rock music and inspirational live performances. Backed by the powerful yet tasteful musical abilities of Steve Cunningham (Bass), Geoff Payne (Guitars), and Pete Lucas (Drums), "The Leigh Cunningham Band" (TLCB) continue to go from strength to strength. "Don't Look Back" is TLCB's much anticipated second full length album release, and was absolutely worth waiting for. It is a gritty and rock solid progression from the band's debut release "The View From Here" and is full to the brim of those poignant and striking musical moments that the band have developed a reputation for. This is a captivating collection of the unique brand of "heart on sleeve" rock that has seen TLCB receive strong support at their live shows, as well as on radio and television. From humble beginnings as a singer/songwriter backpacking through the USA, Leigh has stayed true to his creed of writing positive music that seeks to challenge the status quo and to encourage, challenge, and inspire the listener to be an agent for change. The songwriting for this project has a notable depth that transcends Leigh's earlier works. "These songs have definitely been affected a lot more by the creative influences of the band which has meant they have developed a new depth and strength as a direct result" Leigh says. Right from the outset of the album's robust first track "Don't Say Goodbye" it is evident that this is an album that is going somewhere. Jump on board, hold on tight, enjoy the ride, and don't look back. This is a 40 minute musical road trip that will grab you, make you think, make you smile, and make you want to do it all over again. "Don't Look Back" is a fitting title for the band's sophomore release. Why spend your time looking back when their is so much to look forward to?

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  • Price: 32.31 EUR excl. shipping
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  Ben Bryan Band

  The Ben Bryan Band consists of five working musicians bringing every style of music to the table to create a fresh new sound. The warmth of their instruments have a timeless ring about them while their humble technical abilities and tasteful playing are nothing short of masterful. There are no restrictions on any individual players creativity from songwriting to performance and it shows through their positive energy and good time vibes on stage. This unplugged album was forged together over 18 months of writing, studio sessions, rehearsals, and live shows working out every detail of this seemless masterpiece. The CD has been selling out at live shows across the southeastern United States making the band a soon to be household name. The disc is truly enjoyable from front o back leaving listeners reaching for the replay button and anxiously awaiting a sequel.

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  • Price: 25.15 EUR excl. shipping
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  Tokyo Ghoul: The Movie

  Riddled with gripping fight scenes and tasteful gore, this adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul brings the popular manga series to life like never before. Buried in books and a quiet life, Ken Kaneki is all but dead to the world in an age where flesh-eating ghouls live among us. But when his only chance for survival is an organ donation that turns him into a ghoul-human hybrid, he finds sanctuary at Anteiku-a café run by the people he once considered monsters. Targeted by anti-ghoul forces, this safe house is up against a hunger more sickening than their own. When their most innocent members are threatened by humanity's taste for vengeance, Kaneki will risk life and limb to protect the very world that changed his own."

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  • Price: 35.02 EUR excl. shipping
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  Diamond in the Dirt

  Diamond In The Dirt is an exceptional blend of rhythm and blues, rap and spoken word poetry. The album showcases Poetic's unique ability to create hit songs in a tasteful and classy manner. Poetic has a new and very appealing style unlike any other rapper or poet. She is a naturally gifted songwriter and performer. The first blazing hot single off Diamond In The Dirt is 'Check Me Out', which is definitely a club banger! Another great song on the album is called 'Just Imagine', which has a rhythm & blues feel to it. The sincerity of the lyrics combined with the beautiful melody is guaranteed to touch everyone who hears the song. Diamond In The Dirt is a timeless album that the audience will enjoy listening to in it's entirety. All of the songs and poems on the album are outstanding. The listener will experience pure poetic ecstasy when the album is being played!

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  • Price: 25.46 EUR excl. shipping
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  Honest Sam

  In 1997, Sam Lardner and his wife, Katherine, packed up their belongings and flew to Barcelona, Spain, along with their 1-year old son, their black lab and a couple of road beaten Guild guitars, leaving behind a promising career on the U.S. contemporary folk circuit. Eight years, three kids, two bands, and a whole lot of adventure stories later, Sam remains happily in that beautiful city on the Mediterranean. In the 10-years I have known Sam, I have watched admiringly as his music evolved from the pure, tasteful acoustic sound of his first two stateside folk CDs, through the gauntlet of a remarkable 5-year romp through Europe with his award winning country band, and into it's current innovative form through the unlikely fusion of Americana and flamenco. Now heads are beginning to turn on both sides of the Atlantic. And with the long-awaited release of 'Barcelona', 2007 promises to be an interesting year for all Sam Lardner fans. The thing I most admire about Sam's music is his unwavering dedication to colorful lyrics and outstanding melodies. He is a great craftsman and a generous performer. I have seen him play before audiences who had no idea what his lyrics were about but who, nevertheless, left feeling touched somehow by the emotional message beneath the words. His voice remains as unique and recognizable with his current flamenco quartet as it did on his first solo CD, 'Still Planet Earth', released in 1995. The only difference now is that this artist has found his musical home, and all of his roads lead unmistakably back to Barcelona. Dan Mead, Great Barrington, MA.

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  • Price: 27.19 EUR excl. shipping

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