R.A.D Vinyl

Martin Lopez Y Sus Estrellas- Cocinando (Masstropicas)

Buy it here: 

http://lightintheattic.net/releases/769-cocinando

One of the side effects of the growing vinyl market is that many labels are eschewing releasing new music and instead turning their focus to reissuing long lost records. Everything from small private press to far reaching foreign sounds are getting new life in their grooves. Some labels like Numero Group and SoundWay Records have large catalogs and garner a lot of attention from media and fans alike. Masstropicas is more of a hidden gem of a label that simply uses a blog for a website and distributes their titles through another incredible reissue label Light in the Attic. Masstropicas has focused their energies on releasing Peruvian music that only some of the most dedicated crate diggers have laid ears on in 30+ years. “Cocinando” by Martin Lopez Y Sus Estrellas becomes the eleventh release on Masstropicas with a limited one time pressing of 500 copies on black vinyl with rare photos and liner notes by Martin Lopez himself. This means for a limited time you don’t have to have deep pockets or be a globetrotting record junkie to snag a copy of this forgotten masterpiece. The title track “Cocinando” kicks things off proper with the grooving rhythm of the bongos and some Martin Denny exotica style whistling jungle sounds before the swirl of the organ creates an almost circus like atmosphere of glee. Make no mistake this is a record you put on to party and dance. The rhythms are intoxicating, the horns enticing and the guitar work is pure fun. “Cocinando” is solid gold from start to finish and will take you on an incredible journey to the heart of Peru circa 1969-1971 when this album was first put to tape. This album is not to be missed.

Axxess-Novels for the Moons (Medical Records)

Buy it here: http://medical-records.org/

http://www.forcedexposure.com/bin/search.pl?search_string=axxess&searchfield=keyword

 http://fabrica.bigcartel.com/product/axxess-novels-for-the-moons-lp-medical

 Medical Records has quickly become one of my favorite labels around today. Even though I am always hesitant to buy reissues, Medical Records easily erases my hesitancy with killer packaging, high quality vinyl and limited pressings of rare records. Medical Records focuses on the crazy world of synthesizer music back in the heyday of analog equipment. The newest release is Axxess Novels for the Moons. Axxess is the brainchild of French multimedia artist Patrick Mimran. Mr. Mimran was co-director of Lamborghini Motors (along with his brother) at the time and fittingly released the album on the imprint Lamborghini Records. Mimran commissioned the German engineer Andreas Bahrdt to build a custom complex synthesizer which eventually materialized into a sixteen voice analog synthesizer. Mimran then used the synth to record 15 sequenced instrumentals that are absolutely essential for fans of analog music, Kraut and Cosmic Disco alike. It’s hard to explain how amazing this record really is, the upbeat driving pulse, the circular rhythms, and the sick synth tones will leave you entranced. Think the offspring of Kraftwerk and John Carpenter and you’re starting to get the idea. Tracks like “Kissing the Desert Ghost” and “Slower Combing Eggs” blew my mind while the nature channel sounds of “Owls” had my two year old running around the house making monkey sounds. In reality there isn’t a bad track on here. Novels for the Moons is fun and unique and comes on a gorgeous 180g yellow vinyl in a limited pressing of 1000. Medical Records, like the original records they repress, tend to sell out so don’t sleep on this record. 

 I got my copy of this in the mail a few days ago and let me tell you it does not disappoint. A fabulous reissue job and their first gatefold!

Throughout the sixties, Mickey Murray made a name for himself as a hard working entertainer viewed by many as a cross between James Brown and Otis Redding. He held a regular gig with Dyke and The Blazers on Broadway in NYC, toured with Wilson Pickett and The Staple Singers, and also performed sporadically with the queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. All of his hard work finally paid off (though not financially) when he recorded his first single, “Shout Bamalama” in late 1967. It sold a million copies!

In 1969 Murray was signed to King Records. The label was preparing for the inevitable loss of James Brown. Since they obviously couldn’t afford to sign another act of Brown’s caliber, they decided to develop their own. Mickey was groomed by the label to become their next superstar act. He recorded People Are Together and they prepared to release it in 1970 on their Federal Records imprint. They chose the title track as the lead single. The response from most of the black DJs they relied on for support was that they wouldn’t play the song. Most of them feared that the song was far too racially provocative for a developing artist. In fact, many black DJs said they were concerned they’d lose their job if they played the track. It didn’t take long at all for King to abandon the release. According to Murray, the record may have never actually been formally released in stores.

Secret Stash is proud to present the first ever reissue of this lost gem. Each track has been carefully remastered from the original master tapes. We’ve also added a gatefold jacket packed full of liner notes and never before seen photos. As always, each unit is hand numbered, comes in a resalable dust bag, and includes a free download of the entire LP.

Mickey Murray Assembly Party

On Monday, January 9, we hosted an assembly party at our office in Minneapolis, MN.  It was a lot of fun for us to meet local fans and vinyl fanatics as we hand assembled the Mickey Murray People Are Together reissue.  Our assembly process is as follows: we have vinyl, jackets, download cards, polybags, and stickers manufactured and shipped to us. From there, we provide locally made pizza and beer and invite people in our community to help us put everything together.  It is a lot of fun and everyone who helps leaves with a hand numbered, limited edition version of the LP.  We had a great turnout Monday.  Below are some pictures.

Dalek I-Compass Kum’pas’ (Medical Records)

Buy it here: http://medical-records.org/store/

Dalek I - “Destiny (Dalek I Love You)” Sample by Medical Records LLC

Medical Records has given Dalek I’s Compass Kum’pas’ a new life on gorgeous hot pink 180 gram vinyl in a limited edition of 1000 hand numbered copies with great liner notes and the best bonus ever! a Flexi-disc of two b-sides. The general public may have all but forgotten Dalek I in favor of more successful groups like OMD and Kraftwerk but the music contained in these grooves is every bit as good if not better. This is a reissue of the 1980 lp featuring tracks that are dripping with melancholy mixed with tracks with very quirky and catchy lyrics. Obscure synths and drum machines create a synth pop sound that sounds so fresh and at times dance worthy. An insanely fun post-punk sounding rendition of the Kinks “You Really Got Me” even makes it into the mix. Find out for yourself what crate diggers have known for years Dalek I is essential.

On The Turntable Antena-Camino Del Sol(Numero Group) reissue of 1982 album

http://www.numerogroup.com/catalog_detail.php?uid=00216#

from numero group website: 1982, Brussels: The former au pair for Rick Wakeman of Yes and two of her teenage friends are at the doorstep of Les Disques Du Crepuscule to make an album with Gilles Martin. Living on busking wages and next door to Tuxedo Moon, they manage to make a contemporary bossanova record that provides the missing link between Antonio Carlos Jobim and Kraftwerk.  

I would add this record will go over big with fans of Stereolab. This record is insanely good…