The Yale Herald | On The Record: …Elm City Sounds opened its flagship store in Westville in August, and it’s already attracted an unexpected number of casual walk-ins — customers who aren’t collectors or experts, or even necessarily music buffs, but just dabbling. Chris Della Ragione, the shop’s owner, likes it that way. The shop sells “regular good music,” he says affectionately. “Marvin Gaye, Billie Holliday, Dylan, everyone loves that. Before I opened the shop, I was selling really rare [records].” He points to the records on the wall: Abdullah Ibrahim, Prince, and a slew of albums I’ve never heard of. He used to deal in “sample-based hip-hop, and crazy collector jazz, funk, soul, reggae… This was more on an international basis, because I would sell on eBay, and I would sell online to collectors.” Chris wipes down a record from the small stack in front of him while he’s explaining, and then he carefully tucks it back in its paper sleeve. You can’t call him a dabbler — but in the shop, he’s managed to foster eclecticism, without the snobbery.
Buxton, UK | Chesterfield record shop celebrates fifth birthday- and launch of its own music label: An independent record store ‘turning’ five this year is marking the milestone with the launch of its own music label which will attract and recognise talented Chesterfield artists. Tallbird Records, based on Soresby Street, has become a hub for music fans and musicians in the area since its launch in 2013- and hopes to further its success with the Tallbird record label. Owner Maria Harris says a loyal customer base, personable service and a generous loyalty card scheme is what has kept the indie thriving in a digital age—and she now hopes to give something back by investing in the town’s undiscovered artists. Maria said: “We’re proud of the town and keen to promote artists from Chesterfield and the surrounding area who’d like to advertise under our banner.
Wax Trax! documentary ‘Industrial Accident’ due out on DVD in April — plus a soundtrack: Fans at long last will be able to get their hands on a copy of the “Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records” documentary, as the film — and a much-anticipated soundtrack — will be released in April, according to an email sent today to the project’s Kickstarter backers. In that message, Julia Nash — daughter of late Wax Trax! co-founder Jim Nash — writes: “I can report with 100% certainty that we will be releasing both the DVD and the soundtrack in April of 2019. We have officially cleared the last of our commercial licensing hurdles. Just to be crystal clear, this isn’t ‘we’re working on it’ or ‘if everything goes as planned,’ or any other ambiguous language in case we run into obstacles. The soundtrack WILL be released in conjunction with the DVD next April.”
Coventry, UK | MUSIC MATTERS by Pete Chambers: My holy grail of records is here! It’s a special day as I write this and the man on the street who cares not about vinyl and record collecting may look away now. Those of you who like a spot of crate digging and cherish their record collecting will understand where I am coming from when I say I have found my holy grail of a record and my search is over. Yes, last Saturday, a package arrived and it contained a single 45 record that I have been wanting for the Music Museum for years and years. It’s the Belgium picture cover of The Orchids song ‘Love Hit Me’. I have the English, German and American release, but never this very rare copy that comes with a picture sleeve! Picture sleeves were standard in Europe in the 1960s but not in Britain.
Rush Announce Deluxe Expanded Edition of 1978’s ‘Hemispheres’: The new set features previously unreleased and newly restored bonus footage, original artwork and more. Rush will release an expanded edition of 1978’s Hemispheres on November 16. The set is the latest offering from UMe/Anthem/ole label group’s extensive Rush 40th anniversary album series. Said Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson about the record, the band’s sixth studio effort: “Hemispheres was one of our most challenging and demanding records to make. From its inception in a Wales farmhouse where it was written over a four week span to the very difficult mixing sessions in two London recording studios, it stands as a key transitional album in Rush’s long recording history.” Hemispheres will be available in four configurations: a Super Deluxe Edition, a two-CD Deluxe Edition, a three-LP Deluxe Edition and a Deluxe Digital Edition
Tricky’s Landmark ‘Maxinquaye’ Album Gets Vinyl Reissue: A new 180-g vinyl reissue of Trip-hop pioneer Tricky’s landmark 1995 debut Maxinquaye is now available through Island Records. Tricky began his career with an eclectic collective of musicians and DJs in his native Bristol during the late 1980s. Known as The Wild Bunch, they also included producer/remixer Nellee Hooper and future Massive Attack trio 3D, Daddy G and Mushroom. The collective later signed with 4th & Broadway and issued a couple of singles, before dissolving in 1989. Signing with 4th & Broadway as a solo artist in 1993, Tricky began collaborating with his newly-discovered vocalist Martina Topley-Bird who would deliver a new depth and dimension to his lyrics. Maxinquaye was recorded in 1994, primarily at Tricky’s home studio in London with Topley-Bird as the album’s main vocalist. Additional singers included Alison Goldfrapp, Ragga, and Mark Stewart.
