What's new on vinyl - February 2023
In this occasional feature, RGM looks a look at a quartet of recent/upcoming releases on the good old LP. The vinyl resurgence continues to gather pace with artists and labels embracing technology that had been thought dead and buried nearly forty years ago. Personally, I own plenty of CDs and LPs and enjoy both, but I’ll readily admit there’s still something special about holding a record in your hands. The experience of sitting, listening and then getting up to flip over to side two feels right and, dare I say, comforting. I also seem to concentrate on the music more intently. Is it just me? With all this in mind, let’s check out an LP or four.
Originally released in January 2022, ‘The Light At The End Of The Line’ received great acclaim from The New York Times, NPR, The Guardian and Pop Matters. Unfortunately, later that year, Janis Ian contracted a non-Covid related virus leaving her with scarring to the vocal cords. So her first album in fifteen years would be her last, and all touring plans were cancelled. Janis received her 10th GRAMMY nomination, as well as a nomination for Artist of the Year from the International Folk Music Alliance for the record. The album is now belatedly available in the UK on vinyl via Rude Girl Records, distributed by BFD / The Orchard.
“My intention had been to finish up my final U.S. tour this past fall, then play major venues in Europe, U.K., Ireland and Scandinavia. Unfortunately, I had to cut the tour short when I contracted this weird virus. I won’t ever be able to sing the way I did again, so this album is truly my ‘last’. There will be no more tour dates,”
“Remember, you audiophiles - every vocal track on this was recorded at a live show or is a ‘first-take’ vocal. If you hear the occasional breath or spit sound, that’s why. We did as little as possible. No vocal limiting or compression. Enjoy!”
One of the most strikingly impressive records of 2022 was Zenzile - The Reimagination Of Miriam Makeba’ by Somi Kakoma. I don’t claim to be any kind of expert on Miriam Makeba beyond a few songs, or world music in general if I’m honest, but ‘Zenzile’ is a record you really should check out. The album features a host of talent from across the globe including from South Africa, male vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, singer-songwriter Msaki, vocalist and activist Thandiswa Mazwai and jazz pianist-composer Nduduzo Makhathini’ all pay respects to their compatriot, while Nigerian singer-musician Seun Kuti (the youngest son of Fela Kuti), Beninese singer-songwriter/activist Angelique Kidjo and Gregory Porter also contribute (check out their sultry, jazzy take on ‘Love Tastes Like Strawberries’)
‘Zenzile - The Reimagination Of Miriam Makeba’ will be released on 2LP vinyl on March 10th, 2023 via Salon Africana/Membran and Somi will play an exclusive live show in London to coincide with the release at the famed Ronnie Scott’s a week earlier on the 2nd March, 2023. tickets
“This album is my attempt to honour the unapologetic voice of a woman who inevitably made room for my own journey and countless other African artists. In short, I owe her. We all do, and she deserves her rightful place in the larger cultural archive of the US in particular but also the world in general”
If ever there was an artist whose music should be on vinyl, it is Jennifer Crook. The Bath-based singer and songwriter is a child of the ‘70s, growing up to the sounds of Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell and readily admits to teaching herself every song from Carole King's 'Tapestry' album. Her most recent album, ‘The Broken Road Back Home’ was released in late 2022, with Maverick and Folking.com praising the record. The album will see a limited vinyl release on the 22nd of April, 2023. Preorder is up now, and if you visit Jennifer’s website you can also nab a free download of the 'live at Real World' EP featuring Jennifer and her excellent band performing tracks from the album live at the famed Real World studios.
Concluding our quartet, we’ve a classic single from 1979, ‘Sound Of The Suburbs’ by The Members. One of the best singles from the era gets a welcome reissue to mark forty-five years of The Members. This release is a strictly limited edition, unique Double A-Side pressing containing the original 7” Steve Lillywhite Mix of their iconic anthem ‘The Sound of the Suburbs’ and the Martin Rushent Mix of Their US smash ‘Working Girl’. Pressed on White Vinyl and Limited to 1000 numbered units. It’s worth noting that this 7” Mix was, for many years, very much buried in the basement of Abbey Road Studios with only the vastly inferior album version available on digital, and the hundreds of CD compilations that this record is on.
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