page56.html
Leroy Walks! (LP)
Leroy Vinnegar
A fine jazz LP from one of the most prolific west coast bassists. One of the early adaptors of the “walking bass line”, Leroy and his band are really swinging! One of his handful of albums as a band leader.
Read more
La Voz (LP)
Hector Lavoe
Gem of a salsa record from one of the all-time best vocalists to ever grace this earth. Beautiful pressing, sounds incredible! A nice mix of super-salsa jams and ballads.
Read more
Sintetizamor (LP)
João Donato e Donatinho
Sad news of the prolific Donato’s passing just days ago! Big love to such an Accomplished master. This record slams!! Fans of Brazilian music surely have at least heard of Joao Donato. His son does most of the production on this and really created some badass disco/boogie tracks. Donato plays Rhodes on most of the tracks and rips it up! Danceable tracks front to back. Highly recommend this! Reissue for RSD of a 2017 album. Still some copies floating around
Read more
Brand New Life (LP)
Brandee Younger
Super vibey soulful jazz from this hot young harpist. This record is pretty moody and chill. Very understated. Expecting her to really blow up on the jazz scene!
Read more
Dixie Chicken - Deluxe Edition (LP)
Little Feat
One of the greatest groove-rock records of all time with two bonus LPs, one of which is demos/ alternate takes and the other a live set. The demos are some Lowell George and a drum machine and are just killer, and the alternate song versions are super fun to hear. Live set is nearly as good as any of their live material, boots or official. Fantastic press and mastering. Sounds superb. Can’t wait for the “feats don’t fail me now” deluxe edition!!
Read more
Homicidal Ecstasy (LP)
Sanguisugabogg
The latest release from Ohio death metal group Sanguisugabogg. Featuring a song with Aaron Heard of Jesus Piece!!!
Read more
Romantiq (LP)
Oval
Experimental electronica with a really nice special element. For fans of Ryoji Ikeda, Fennesz, etc.
Read more
Anthronomicon (LP)
Ulthar
Literally what more could I ask for? TWO Ulthar releases in 2023?! (Check out Helionomicon too!) Support local Bay Area Artists!
Read more
Holy Spider (BLU)
This movie is taking its sweet time getting a physical release in the US. An Iranian true crime film about a series of prostitute murders at the turn of the 21st century and the female journalist investigating the story. This movie couldn't possibly have come out at a more relevant time. The acting from the lead is quite stellar. There is apparently an officially government sanctioned film about this same subject that I am dying to see. This film was, as you expect, not filmed in Iran but oozes atmosphere from its Jordanian shooting locations. Directed by Ali Abbasi who made the amazing Swedish film "Border" in 2018.
Read more
Accion Mutante (BLU)
Alex De La Iglesia is one of my favorite directors. His sense of style and wild energy are infectious. His first film, Accion Mutante, owes quite a bit to the style of Jeunet and Caro (City of Lost Children) and I believe even shared some crew members. This is a definite outlier for Iglesia but its still a great movie and a great introduction. If you checked out Iglesia's Day of the Beast you already know you are in for a good time.
Read more
A Zed & Two Noughts and The Falls / Drowning By Numbers (BLU)
My three favorite Peter Greenaway films now have official US blu-ray releases.
A Zed & Two Noughts is my favorite. Twins, time lapse photography, and style for days. The Falls is a 3+ hour faux documentary that I believe is one of the greatest things ever made. It might be a bit daunting in one sitting but my god the amount of creativity involved is stunning.
Drowning by Numbers has long been hard to get in the states and I don't know why. This is one of the more crowd pleasing films of his catalog. Why is The Cook, the Thief... his most famous movie? Drowning by Numbers is way more fun. Who doesn't like a group of ladies plotting their husbands deaths.
Read more
Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1 (BLU)
When I heard this set was coming out, I assumed there would be a fair amount of double dipping from the now very out of print Platinum blu-rays. Well I was dead wrong. 20 Looney shorts never before on blu-ray.
Read more
Samurai Wolf I & II (BLU)
Hideo Gosha! While somehow not a household name in the west, Hideo Gosha is well known to fans of Samurai films as quite possibly the best director out there. Sure there are some ideas borrowed from Kurosawa, but pretty much all of Gosha's films are highly recommended.
These 2 definitely borrow from the same Western influences as Yojimbo, but with their own attitude and style galore. I think I liked the second one even more. B&W blood sprays never looked so good. Also, I really appreciate the short running times on these. Movies almost never need to be 2+ hours.
Read more
In The Line of Duty I - IV (BLU)
Yet another stellar Hong Kong action box set from 88 Films who thankfully are now releasing titles stateside. These films are very loosely related, with their titles being renamed after the fact to fit a quadrilogy. Michelle Yeoh stars in the first 2 and Cynthia Khan the latter. Yes Madam!!
Read more
Tiger Cage Trilogy (BLU)
Excellent collection of gritty action packed flicks from Hong Kong's golden age (in this case 1988-1991). These movies have some great stunt work and pretty good acting to boot.
Read more
A Moment of Romance (BLU)
The new boutique label, Radiance, has been quietly kicking ass here and more-so, across the pond, with some wildly disparate releases. A Moment of Romance, made in Hong Kong in 1990, is my favorite so far. This movie really nails the ghost romance, the humor isn't too over the top and the acting is great. More Wong Kar Wai, less Wong Jing.
Read more
Baroque Hoedown (Expanded Edition) (LP)
The Three O'Clock
A great reissue of this EP that now includes extra tracks that were only on the original French release. Terrific melodic psych-pop from the originators of the Paisley Underground and a nice prelude to their "Sixteen Tambourines" LP. (Available on CD/LP/Cassette)
Read more
