New
Joe Yorke – Hopeless (LP)
€27.90*
"Singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist hailing from the
north of England, Joe Yorke has made quite a name for himself on the
international reggae sound system scene in recent years. Today, from
Bristol, he presents 'Hopeless,' his third LP. This new album, available
on his own label Rhythm Steady, is without a doubt his most personal
work to date. A true mosaic of inspirations and influences, 'Hopeless'
embraces Northern Soul, Rocksteady, Doo-Wop, Soul, Roots Reggae, and
Lovers Rock to paint a portrait of contemporary Britain where daily life
rhymes with uncertainty and struggle."Hopeless", much like the
sentiment that animates many British in the face of the current economic
situation, the harshness of everyday work, and the irrational exercise
of political power. On this new album, Joe draws inspiration from
characters encountered in his past, his own journey, and stories that
have been relayed to him, to weave a musical narrative that captures
snapshots of life across the UK. With his heartfelt voice and
metaphorical lyric approach, he intertwines themes of love and
relationships with topics of a political and social nature."Hopeless"
touches upon the intimate and is tinged with melancholy. Its influences
echo the past, but the album emerges with an undeniably modern sound
that bridges the gap between the eras it evokes and the genres it
harnesses. The anecdote goes that « Hopeless » had to be completely
re-composed during the winter of 2022 after being accidentally erased
from a hard drive, and that this version available today is even more
refined than the previous one. What is certain is that, with the
collaboration of English MC Solo Banton and Italian singer Marina P,
with the total involvement of his partner and co-producer Joe Baker, and
with the desire to work on new grooves, Joe Yorke has crafted a solid
LP with a unique style."
VA - If I Had A Pair Of Wings: Jamaican Doo Wop, Vol. 2 (LP)
€19.90*
The second volume in a two-part collection of Jamaican doo wop from the late 1950s through to the early 1960 represents a period in which sound systems began to dominate the island, and were starting to step up their rivalry by beginning to record heir own platters rather than rely on imports to gain the competitive edge.
With the uniquely Jamaican ska craze yet to fully catch hold, these tracks are largely imitative of the sounds that had been reaching the island from American shores, albeit peppered with hints of what was to come ~ some of the future stars of ska, rocksteady and reggae are starting to cut their teeth here on these records, providing a unique view into the fledgling industry at a time of creative flux.