Akiha Den Den starts this Thursday

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Simon James (The Simonsound) and Neil Cargill have created a 6-part audio drama which begins this Thursday. It centers on a radio ham (Ian McDiarmid) who picks up a mysterious voice which belongs to a girl (Joy McAvoy) trapped in an abandoned amusement park called Akiha Den Den. A whole community resides there, whose words and music become woven into a plea for help and when one of the trapped inhabitants finds a way into our
world his impact on us could be as devastating as an unknown virus. I’m lucky enough to have heard the first episode and it is extremely weird.

After a preview on Glasgow’s Radioprenia this weekend just gone and a very limited, 50 copy 7″ on Castles In Space selling out in hours (see below), the full radio play launches online on Thursday 15th September at 7.45pm at www.akihadenden.com. There is also a special launch event open to everyone – at Underdog, 1 Union Street,
Aberdeen on Thursday 15th September, doors open 7pm, starts 7.30pm. It features exclusive
excerpts from the series’ soundtrack performed by Simon and insights behind the scenes by Neil. Free, but you need a ticket – available from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, or His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen or phone 01224 641122, and also on the door on the night.
Artwork featured here is by the excellent Nick Taylor

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Four From Food Fridays

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Here’s something new I’m going to attempt to do: Four From Food Fridays – a weekly look at four music releases that have been doing it for me. They can be new or old, any style so long as it’s been getting some rotation in the studio. From top left:
The Mesmerizing Eye – A Musical Light Show (Mercury)
Pye Corner Audio – Stasis (Ghost Box)
Lost Idol – Chrome Machine Tales (EOE Recordings)
Juice Aleem – Warriors (lead single from his new album VooduStarchild) (Gamma Proforma)

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Steve MacManus’ 2000AD memoir

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It’s a big year for 2000AD – in 4 weeks time they hit Prog 2000 – that’s issue 2000 to the uninitiated. Now in their 38th year, that’s a feat only rivaled by The Beano and The Dandy (to my knowledge). It’s already an institution but, given the comic’s title, it’s 2000th issue has always been a landmark in waiting. They’ve got multiple signings on October 1st all over the UK, a choice of three different covers and several high profile artists have returned for one-off stories. But that’s not all…

MacManusCoverLast week I dutifully lined up with the other Squaxx inside Orbital Comics to meet Steve MacManus, the editor who helmed the comic through it’s first golden age in the 80s and who has just published his memoir of his time as Tharg, The Mighty One, the alien editor of the comic since its inception in 1977. He genially signed my copy as well as one for Steve Cook, aka Robo-Cook, the designer in his charge at the time, who designed the logo they still use to this day and now resides in LA as head of book design for DC Comics. The book is out today, published by 2000AD/Rebellion and you can order it here – it promises to be a real warts and all collection too.

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There was a special significance for me too as, when I walked in, I recognised a selection of part of my collection of 2000ADs that I’d sold to the store this Spring, adorning the back wall of the shop in honour of the signing.

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Kenneth Rocafort on The Ultimates

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Most regular readers will know that I don’t really read many comics published by ‘the big two’, but I do make the odd exception, usually when an artist I like is on a book. The rebooted The Ultimates with Kenneth Rocafort on art and Brit writer Al Ewing is one such title. Rocafort has a unique style with a keen eye for detail that is unlike much of what comes out of your standard super hero monthlies these days. With Ewing pushing a more cosmic agenda so far, it’s given plenty of scope to open up the story to more fantastical imagery with Galactus appearing early on. The cover and spread here are from issue #9 which crosses over to be part of the Marvel Civil War II storyline in places.

Ultimates spread

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Out of the Wood radio at FEAST this Sunday

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Above are some of the records I’ve pulled out for this Sunday’s live session of Out Of The Wood radio hosted by WNBC London from the Book & Record Bar in West Norwood. I’ll be on with Pete W. before Alex and George take over for their monthly afternoon Cakelab session. Pete and I will be playing selections from his recent digging finds in the French countryside along with some new pieces of recently acquired vinyl. You can listen live here and it will be uploaded to Mixcloud later. As usual, it’s FEAST weekend which means loads of food stall dotted around West Norwood, food, craft and vintage markets too, all for free and loads of music to soundtrack it all.

*UPDATE* – and here’s the mix (with very low mic. levels) and a photo by Pete of me playing, check his mix after mine, so many great tracks.

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Ennio Morricone – Paura Vol.1 & 2

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I remember seeing the cover to volume 1 of this Ennio Morricone collection last year and liking it, now there’s a second will another great image to continue the series. Both on trnasparent vinyl in an edition of 499 copies on Rustblade Records. Showcasing “the darker experimental side of Ennio” vol. 2 contains “Frightening orchestrations, dark jazz tapestries and unsettling piano movements…” apparently on vinyl for the first time. Both volumes and much more are available from OneWayStatic.com.
Paura

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New comps from Mr Bongo

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Loving the covers of these two new compilations from Mr Bongo. Above is Pedro Santos, ‘Krishnanda’ was released in 1968 and is described by them as, “an album in the truest sense of the word-a spiritual, psychedelic Brazilian masterpiece from start to finish”. Below is the new ‘Mr Bongo Record Club’ compilation series – “a selection of favourites, recent discoveries and sought after obscurities, which form the basis of the Bongos Sound System DJ sets and their radio show of the same name”. Find out more about both of them here

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Paolozzi from the Edinburgh Beer Factory

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On my trip to Edinburgh last weekend, one of my missions was to track down a bottle or two of the Edinburgh Beer Factory‘s Paolozzi – mostly for the design of the bottle it has to be said. I only managed to find it on draught in one bar but was surprised at how nice it tasted, a superbly light, clean beer with a slightly sweet taste. On returning home I was sent a link to the EBF website where they sell not only the beer in bottles, but glasses too, in various numbers, all wrapped in glorious Eduardo Paolozzi designs.
You can get boxes of just beer or get them to swap out bottles for glasses and some sets come with coasters and a poster. I ordered a box and it arrived in less than 24 hours and all for under a fiver postage, excellent service and a beautiful set to behold with design touches like the ‘Ta Da’ when you open the box. The box and bottles are so nice you don’t want to throw them away when you’re finished. Find them all here in a multitude of combinations including a tour of the brewery.PaolozziTaDaPaolozziBoxOpen PaolozziBottlesPaolozziBottleTop PaolozziBottleBack PaolozziGlassunwrappedPaolozziWrapperPaolozziGlassTopPaolozziGlassFrontPaolozziGlassDetail2PaolozziGlassDetail

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El Paraiso Records Videodrones teaser

The love affair with El Paraiso Records continues with this new video teaser. Coming on like a cross between parts of Ghost Box, Beyond The Black Rainbow and Board’s of Canada‘s ‘Tomorrow’s Harvest’, it has pretty much everything I want in sight and sound. No more info at present except that it’s an LP that’s ‘out soon’... *UPDATE: Out Sept 30th, 300 copies, pre-orders up NOW! Just look at that cover!

Videodrones cover
Check these two videos for Causa Sui while you’re here for that sun-bleached super 8 feel.

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More Dan Lish Egostrip images

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It’s been a while since I featured any of Dan’s work but he’s been churning them out and here’s just a small selection. Above: Biz Markie Below: MF Doom, J Dilla, James Brown, Leaders of the New School, King Tubby, Man Parrish, Melle Mel, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, The Pharcyde, Wu Tang Clan, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Breakbeat Lou, The Cold Crush Brothers. Buy prints from Dan’s site here...

DLishDoom DLishJDillaDLishJB DLishLOTNSDLishKingTubby DLishManParrish DLishMelleMel DLishPeteRoRockCL DLishPharcyde DLishWuTang DLish PiklzDLishBrkBeatLou DLishCCBros

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