Norman Records 25 Anniversary release of GOAT's World Music

To help celebrate 25 years of Norman Records the shop has an exclusive version of GOAT's World Music for sale, ltd to 300 copies and is a tri colour vinyl in the shops three colours.

Buy from here: Norman Records

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The shop have also written a great appreciation piece about the album:

Anniversary Retrospective: Goat - World Music

Goat's 'World Music' might well be our best-selling album of all time. It's only fitting, then, that Daoud should run the rule over this masterpiece of modern psych-rock as part of our 25th anniversary retrospective series.

Though I’m not a fan of professional wrestling, I have long been fascinated by the concept of kayfabe. Kayfabe is wrestling’s unwritten rule, it’s a posteriori belief. Without kayfabe wrestling is nothing - just some strong people pretending to beat each other up; with kayfabe, wrestling becomes its own world, its own reality. Kayfabe is that core suspension of disbelief, the mutual agreement between all involved that everything happening is real, that everything that is happening matters. Fundamentally, kayfabe turns its audience into participants - The Rock and John Cena and your local DIY wrestling scene (support them!) need you to believe, to feel every punch, to jeer at every heel turn... 

Read in full here: World Music

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Raven Sings The Blues reviews DJINN's Transmission

They say:

In an acrobatic leap over their debut, Swedish duo Djinn explore the boundaries of psych-jazz on their latest LP Transmission. Formed from members of Hills and Goat, the pair scrape the foam from works that explored both the cosmic pulse and the earthen shake of bone on bone. As they creep into the record, howls in harmony with the sickened ether begin to rise from the speakers. The pair shake out rhythms that wax wounded before the sax starts to crawl in from the corners. Though this is by no means and album untethered from the groove. It’s always there thrumming from the heart, steaming for the ground, hiding in the shadows. The band grab at the mantras of Don Cherry, Popul Vuh, Herbie Hancock, and The Art Ensemble of Chicago, though they also name check Arbete Och Fritid from their home turf as well.

As they sidle to the side of the pulse proper, the pair prove hypnotic, letting the rhythm wash in waves while they scratch, yowl and burn in a soul-soaked groove that proves they’ve been paying attention to the creased corners of their favorite records all along. Alongside their sax and drums setup the record lets in a raft of flutes, guitar, piano and percussive shakers. The album unfolds as a longform landscape, funk-dinged one moment and awash in elegiac tones the next. They sew in sweat, letting the listener get swept along in the patterns of turbulence and calm. While the debut set them apart from their past, the new record digs into their desires, walking the cut path of masters before them. They might not be cutting the path anew, but they’re keeping their footing with deft skill. This one has found its way onto my speakers again and again over the past few weeks, and the pulse tends to burn into the veins with a new fire each time.

See review in full here: Raven Sings The Blues

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Update on delayed Hills and GNOD releases

We have now been provided dates by our manufacturer's for delivery of the 'Hills - Frid (Re-issue)' & 'GNOD - Easy To Build, Hard To Destroy' which have both been delayed for months from their initial release dates.

Hills - Frid (Re-issue) should be shipping from around the 26th of April.

GNOD - Easy To Build, Hard To Destroy will now be released on 7th May and shipping around that time too.

So sorry it's taken so long to get this one to you, it was never our intention that it was delayed this amount of time, Brexit & Covid have thrown a lot of issues across the whole of the industry, I know some of you have have enquired & have shown great patience to these delays so we appreciate that.

Again thanks for your patience.

Rocket

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Listen to Matt from Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs on Loud and Quiet's 'Sweet 16' podcast

It says:

As this photo suggests, this episode of Sweet 16 is a particularly fun one, with Matt Baty, frontman with sludge metal band Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (who also runs the brilliant DIY label Box Records).

Based in Newcastle, the start of Pigs can be traced back to the scenic town of Richmond in the North Yorkshire Dales, when a 16-year-old Baty formed his first band, No Fouling, with Pigs bassist John-Michael Joseph Hedley.

It was a time of nu metal, surviving Fear Factory at Newcastle SU, entering Battles of the Bands and some inspiringly confused lyrics, all shared here by Matt through tears of laughter.

Listen here: L&Q

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Announcing 'Aphelion Vols.1 & 2' – two ltd edition LP compilations of rare Rocket remixes exclusively for Record Store Day

Record Store Day returns this year on 12th and 17th June and we have news on some exclusive albums to share with you.

‘Aphelion Vol.1’ and ‘Aphelion Vol.2’ are two LPs that bring together a selection of rare remixes from the Rocket Recordings back catalogue - all but one track are being released on vinyl for the first time.

The LP’s bring together tracks by Rocket favourites like Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation, Sex Swing, Gnoomes, Bonnacons of Doom and many more. 

These classic Rocket tracks have been pushed, pulled, stretched, dissected and some, completely re-imagined by an eclectic mix of incredible artists. These include some of the current leaders of electronic exploration like Nyege Nyege’s Nihiloxia, Bristol’s Giant Swan and Oliver Ho’s Broken English Club.

Remixes from the post-punk royalty of IDLES, to the untouchable, experimental sounds of Tomaga – the albums also includes contributions from two of NTS Radio’s most acclaimed DJ’s, Optimo’s JD Twitch and the ‘godlike’ Cherrystones, both exploring addictive bass churning sounds.

The albums also see Rocket artists remixing their fellow label mates – Mexico’s J. Zunz unexpected remix of Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, GNOD’s Negra Branca remix of Greece’s Kooba Tercu, and one of the stand out tracks, the 9 min+ Gnoomes remix of the Flowers Must Die song ‘Hey, Shut Up’. Aphelion Vol.1 also includes a brand new, unreleased remix by Cage And Aviary’s Jamie Paton and his krautdub take on J. Zunz track ‘Four Women and Darkness’.

The results are a cauldron of repetitive sounds across two LPs – taking in everything from psych, techno, krautrock, afro, noise, dub and all the other ingredients you would expect to find on a compilation released on the ever reliable Rocket Recordings.

Each LP is ltd to 500 copies, with only 420 going to record shops worldwide (the other 80 are going to all artists/band members involved).

Visit RSD's website for more info about this years event: Record Store Day

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DJINN's new album 'Transmission' is out today

"Perfectly commands an increasingly colourful palette" 9/10 Backseat Mafia

"A greater breadth of listening experience." Terrascope

"It is clear we are dealing with some quality musicians here." Weirdo Shrine

"A sonic mainline straight into your veins." Fragmented Flaneur

DJINN the duo featuring members from Sweden's finest troupes GOAT and Hills have their latest album called 'Transmission' released on ltd edition vinyl today.

The album is ltd to 400 copies on Orange/Red Swirl vinyl. We have just put the last 15 copies we have up on Bandcamp but some shops still may have copies left.

All copies will receive a free download code of the album + the bands 2020 cassette release 'Avant de servir'.

'Transmission’ is an intrepid step into new terrain for DJINN - the mantric rhythms are hypnotic here, the freeform extrapolations hit new peaks of vivid abandon, and the moments of calm are blissfully meditative. Yet their sound palette extends into refreshing collisions of intent and metaphysical intensity that echo across the psychic landscapes of Sunburned Hand Of The Man-style freak-folk, as well as the polylingual fusion of jazz, European and Asian music that Don Cherry essayed on 1969’s ‘Eternal Rhythm’ and 1973’s ‘Organic Music Society’.

Amidst these intoxicating and richly eclectic soundworlds, the band are just as comfortable invoking Popol Vuh (as on the mellotron-abetted title track) Art Ensemble Of Chicago and the lineage of Swedish underground music that found epiphanies in the radical folk-psych of Arbete Och Fritid whilst also sounding - crucially - like no-one but themselves. 

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Celebrating April's Bandcamp Friday

It is Bandcamp Friday once again!

We are sure you are as fatigued by lockdown as you are fatigued by these Bandcamp Friday's...but these monthly events have been life savers for us and most DIY labels like ourselves, so all your support for us and our bands is greatly appreciated

Here's some of the things we wanna shout about:

The Holy Family – The Holy Family 2LP/CD
This is a mesmerising debut double album from a group of very talented musicians, ltd frosted clear vinyl

Land Trance – First Séance LP
One of our favourite releases of 2020 which we needed to own on vinyl, so make it happen we have pressed it ourselves

Urdog – Long Shadows: 2003-2006 LP
Ltd edition Ice Black splatter vinyl version of this incredible retrospective compilation, if you are a true lover of psychedelic music then you will love this, essential jams

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Off Cuts LP
We have a handful of copies of this album on Purple/Black splatter – this is the band sounding at their most ferocious best

VED – Ett visst fängelse 7"
Banging two track ltd edition 7" from these Swedish master of repetitive psych rhythms

GOAT – World Music LP/CD
Our best ever selling album, now on ltd 'Sacrificial Blood' vinyl, plus on CD in mini LP gatefold packaging

GOAT – Requiem (Single LP edition)
Ltd Edition repress on 'Red Flame' vinyl

Pharaoh Overlord – 6 LP/CD
The immensely epic album '6' is available on 'Snake Bite' Yellow vinyl edition

Paisiel – Unconscious Death Wish LP
Stunning second album, only a handful of copies lest ltd Red/Black 'colour-in-colour' vinyl

Anthroprophh – Toilet Circuit EP 7" 
Our 200th release – epress on yellow vinyl 

GNOD/Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs/GOAT – T-shirts
Reprints of classic Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, GOAT and GNOD t-shirts available

+ there are loads of other great albums, shirts and posters to pick up from the Rocket or individual bands Bandcamp stores:

Rocket Bandcamp

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Backseat Mafia say some words about The Holy Family debut single 'Inward Turning Suns'

They say:

MASTERFUL psychedelic imprint Rocket Recordings has added another string to its bow with the signing of the hallucinatory collective The Holy Family, with an album due in July.

The band is the feverishly brainchild of David J. Smith, otherwise of Guapo and Miasma & the Carousel of Headless Horses, and thus a name well appreciated by voyagers out into more esoteric sonic landscapes.

The Holy Family, the album of the same name, presents as a 13-track, double-album explosion through worlds of psychedelia, pastoral psych-folk, kosmiche and more, ever-shifting, ever-seductive.

“I guess if I had to try to put it into words, it’s my attempt at a musical interpretation of a very trippy and psychedelic murder mystery tale, or otherworldly dream/hallucination,” reflects David.

The Holy Family’s very particular aesthetic evolved naturally from initial improvisation and then sharp-eyed honing of this raw material alongside longtime friends and musical travellers from Guapo, Kavus Torabi, Emmett Elvin, Sam Warren and Michael J. York, who retreated to the countryside to get it together and allow the vision to form.

And you can watch the glorious video for a first track reveal herein: “Inward Turning Suns”, the track itself a delicious longform riot of backwards masking, chanted lyrics, flutes trilling in flight...

Read the rest here: Backseat Mafia 

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Rocket Probes – March 2021 playlist

The Holy Family – Inward Turning Suns
(First track to be revealed from their astonishing debut album – amazing video by Mike Bourne too!)
The Holy Family

Land Trance – A Raft
(Amazing track from their amazing album...a record that we wanted on vinyl, so we had to release it to make that happen...accompanied by another great video by John O'Carroll)
Land Trance

Tomaga - Intimate Immensity
(Incredible)
Tomaga

Sam Barton – Bien Boa
(Stunning track by Teeth of The Sea's Sam Barton from a must buy charity comp, also featuring Gazelle Twin, Dorcha, Lower Slaughter etc etc) 
Sam Barton

Rakta & DEAFKIDS – Live at Sesc Pompia
(Brilliant first track to be revealed off this new collab live album)
Rakta & DEAFKIDS

Gazelle Twin & Nyx – Deep England
(Essential listening)
Gazelle Twin & Nyx

USA/Mexico – Del Rio
(More pure filth)
USA/Mexico

Sathönay – Hello Sunny
(Saz, beats and melodies...on Zam Zam)
Sathönay

Ashtray Navigations – Greatest Imaginary Hits
(A wealth of quality immersions)
Ashtray Navigations

Homeboy Sandman & Edan– Rock & Roll Indian Dance
(Killer psyched hip-hop via Gary the Tall's NTS show)
Homeboy Sandman & Edan

Smote – Portcullis/Bodkin/Drommon
(Channeling some nice lo-fi Hills and Myrrors sounds)
Smote

Mouse and The Boys - Xcedrin headache
(More essential psyched sound courtesy of Cherrystones)
Mouse and The Boys

Various – LA OLA INTERIOR Spanish Ambient & Acid Exoticism 1983-1990
(Nice comp of eclectic sounds)
LA OLA INTERIOR

Various  – Warfaring Strangers: Darkscorch Canticles
(Good collection of 70's rock/proto metal)
Various Artists

Art Ensemble of Chicago – Saturday Morning
(Rhythms)
Art Ensemble of Chicago

Popera Cosmic – Les Esclaves
(Sounds from '69 France on Finders Keepers)
Popera Cosmic 

Suzanne Ciani – Concert At WBAI Free Music Store
(Modulations)
Suzanne Ciani

Tren Go! Sound System & Ornamental – Assessment
(Psychscapes)
Tren Go! Sound System & Ornamental

Beak> - Oh Know
(Banger of a new Beak> tune)
Beak>

Wayne Adams – Drift
(And relax...)
Wayne Adams

Listen to and follow our updated monthly Rocket Probes Spotify playlist here:

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Raven Sings The Blues say some words about The Holy Family

They say:

Another excellent entry to 2021 from Rocket Recordings today. The label unveils the debut from The Holy Family, a fog-draped psych folk journey trapped between the mind and the astral plane. With a loping beat tattooed on hand drums and offered to the sun on the winds of flutes and synths, the first track, “Inward Turning Suns” makes a play for the spiritual as it descends onto the speakers. The accompanying video continues the course, tracking a protagonist through mystical rituals and laced with an ancient magic. The album is headed by David J. Smith, along with longtime collaborators Kavus Torabi, Emmett Elvin, Sam Warren and Michael J. York. The band’s eponymous debut is out July 2nd.

See the piece here: Raven Sings The Blues

The S/T debut album is available to preorder from Friday: Bandcamp

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