Pop International

Artist: Maritime Label: Grand Hotel Van

Artist: Vimala Label: CD Baby

Artist: Kobito & Sookee Label: CDBY

Record Label: Alien Transistor Style: Indie Pop

Mary Black's 1989 "No Frontiers" is nothing short of a masterpiece. This (and the follow up 1991's "Babes In The Wood", Pure Pleasure PPAN002) was when Black was at her creative and vocal peak. "No Frontiers" (the song) has become something of an Irish classic, a party piece for so many (even the Corrs covered it on "Unplugged") and "Past The Point Of Rescue" was a massive country hit in 1991 for Hal Ketchum. Both songs are superb and Black's versions are the greatest. "Carolina Rua" and "Vanities" (featured on the huge selling "A Woman's Heart") are well known but it is the darker "Columbus" and the mesmerizing "Fat Valley Of Pain" that showcase both the heartbreak and the depth of the album. A fine introduction to Black's music - the right mixture of folk and contemporary and one of the finest albums to come out of Ireland in the 1980s. Recording: 1989 by Dan Fitzgerald. Production: Declan Sinnott Record Label: Pure PleAcoustic Soundsure PPAN 016 Style: Folk

The highly anticipated Ici Paris, the new double 7" release on copaseDisques from the Paris-based stylists known as French Boutik aims to further develop their unique "pop moderniste" sound. The group has some big shoes to fill. Their own. French Boutik's debut 7" Les Chats de Gouttière (copaseDisques 2012) made quite a stir on the independent music scene, receiving rave reviews internationally: "Never has French pop sounded quite so good ... Quite simply, it's stunning" (Pennyblack-UK) - "This EP is a refreshing blast from across the English Channel" (New Untouchables Nutsmag-UK) - "The title may mean "ordinary cats" but this is not an everyday release" (Record Collector-UK)" - "As perfect pop music is timeless, this record is a must-have and not just for the retro fan" (Dynamite-Germany). "a freshness of inspiration and execution that is good for the spirit" (Distortioni Net - Italy)-" impressive and delicious four songs are sure to arouse much interest (Nos Somos Las Muertos - Spain) - "Listen..and you will be conquered" (Scootitude - France) - "they deliver exactly what the doctor ordered - sensible pop for this day and age (Sussed - Ireland). Not missing a beat, Ici Paris sees this talented franco-american quintet continuing to explore their unique talent for mixing classic French and English pop. These finely crafted tunes meld soaring harmonies, sophisticated songwriting, powerful guitar & percolating organ lines with clever bilingual lyrics. The resulting songs pay respect to their 1960s influences with a fresh approach, a moderniste sound completely their own. Ici Paris continues the French Boutik flair for mixing social criticism with irony and humor. The soulful title track Ici Paris finds a protesting renter fighting to keep her apartment from greedy landlords and cynical city planners while taking solace in the city's continuing vibrant everyday life. Facile is a disgruntled employee's rant against corporate culture (and her boss's badly tailored expensive suit!) set to an irresistable organ-heavy riff. The exotic percussion and sinister sounds of Pousse au Crime would be comfortable on any film noir soundtrack, the lyrics portraying the sarcasm of a pastis-guzzling aging dandy disgusted by the bad taste surrounding him. Kinky Allumette is a catchy music-hall singalong utilizing the English language to treat a very Parisian topic, a metro strike. Add the typical inclement Parisian weather and discover how the protagonist attempts to arrive at band practice on time without ruining his guitar nor his trousers. Et le voila enfin. the latest installment of the finest quality pop française for your turntable pleasure, available now from the French Boutik. Record Label: Copasedisques Style: Pop

Record Label: Alien Transistor Style: Indie Pop

Following the release of The National Jazz Trio of Scotland’s Christmas Album on Karaoke Kalk just last December, the Berlin label now presents the second album by acclaimed pianist Bill Wells’ latest project The National Jazz Trio of Scotland; Standards Volume Two. While the previous record focused on seasonal classics, Standards Volume Two is comprised almost exclusively of Bill Wells original compositions. Just for the record, The National Jazz Trio of Scotland don’t play jazz, nor are they a trio. And while their status as national ambassadors is not exactly official, Bill Wells has however worked with many of the key players in the Scottish indie scene from the likes of Isobel Campbell and Future Pilot AKA to the magnificent collaboration with former Arab Strap vocalist Aidan Moffat „Everything’s Getting Older“ on Chemikal Underground recently. Indeed a host of Glasgow’s finest have contributed to the new NJTOS album Standards Volume Two with Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub responsible for additional studio work and lending his voice to Winter Breaks And Back To Spring. Belle & Sebastian’s Chris Geddes and Stevie Jackson also helped with recordings. Jackson of course was responsible for the stunning harmonica performances on Well’s former ensemble, the Bill Wells Trio whose album Also In White on The Pastels’ Geographic imprint remains a seminal masterpiece. Yet despite these impressive rock solid credentials and all the big names with whom Wells works, what sets the National Jazz Trio of Scotland apart is the vocal performances by Lorna Gilfedder, Aby Vulliamy and Kate Sugden. While these girls may not be professional singers their voices posses an honest quality which fits Well’s compositions to a t. The sparse arrangements are understated yet outspoken while the lyrics tell of everyday moments few take the time to reflect on, with titles such as the opener We Grow Accustomed and This Is What You Could Have Won. The National Jazz Trio of Scotland’s music is sublime in in the way it works on the soul especially after repeated listening. Seeing as Bill Well’s has worked with everyone from Jim O’Rourke – on the 2011 album Lemondale – to avant-garde saxophonist Lol Coxhill his move to work with unknown singers on NJTOS lends a delightful freshness to the project. The songs walk a fine emotional line between melancholy and optimism, as demonstrated in the contrast between the songs Hillwalk and Chance. Though the majority of the songs on Standards Volume Two are written and composed entirely by Bill Wells, there are 2 covers including a version of the traditional Scottish folk song Mary of Argyle and a delightful cover of the Moondog tune My Tiny Butterfly with Gilfedder, Vulliamy and Sugden singing in a round to great effect. Singer Lorna Gilfedder also wrote lyrics to Snowed In, a song that from its title at least would not have been out of place on the ensemble’s previous record, the Christmas Album. Standards Volume Two draws Unexpectedly to a close with a lilting waltz. Already his fifth album on Karaoke Kalk following the Christmas Album and including previous collaborations with Stefan Schneider aka Mapstation (the bassist from To Rococo Rot), Barbara Morgenstern and the Japanese improvised free-jazz ensemble Maher Shalal Hash Baz, Standards Volume Two marks another milestone release for the Glaswegian musician. And what with this being The National Jazz Trio of Scotland’s second release in less than a year on Kalk, this is clearly a lasting ensemble with a lot to say. Here’s looking forward to future volumes. Style: Indie Pop

Record Label: Paw Tracks Style: Pop

Style: Pop

Record Label: Miasmah Style: Pop

Classical crossover group EKLIPSE has announced their sophomore studio album Electric Air. The release features renditions of chart topping hits from artists such as ADELE, FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE, MASSIVE ATTACK, MUSE, THE CLASH, NICK CAVE, EMPIRE OF THE SUN and others. Record Label: Mrs Green Records Style: Pop

Classical crossover group EKLIPSE has announced their sophomore studio album Electric Air. The release features renditions of chart topping hits from artists such as ADELE, FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE, MASSIVE ATTACK, MUSE, THE CLASH, NICK CAVE, EMPIRE OF THE SUN and others. Record Label: Mrs Green Records Style: Pop

Artist: Sun Gods in Exile Label: Small Stone Records

Artist: Heroin in Tahiti Label: Boring Machines

Artist: Poliça Label: Memphis Industries

Artist: Various Label: AMHERST RECORDS

Artist: Skinny Puppy Label: Nettwerk

Artist: Stephen Prina Label: Drag City

Artist: Lowercase Label: Amphetamine Reptile