Pop International

Finally, the live-album "Leeheim" returns to the fiery, cheerful and sometimes melancholy Balkan sound of the combo Absinto Orkestra. And more, because "Leeheim" immortalises the rare joint concerts of the Mainz quintet with Gypsyswing virtuoso Joscho Stephan on record. With a total of 12 brilliant songs, "Leeheim" is a tribute to life in its most beautiful tones. Thus the compositions of the extraordinary musical symbiosis move between love and longing, lust and passion, and captivate the listener with the first sound. Melodically, Absinto Orkestra and the internationally renowned guitarist Joscho Stephan live on their live album for almost seventy minutes their love for the lively and rousing rhythms of the Balkans. And yet they present a unique style that seems too complex to categorize with genre. Alongside lyrics in German, English and Romanes, the rich and refined sounds of a grandiose instrumental ensemble of accordion, guitar, contrabass, mandolin, percussion and violin shine. And last but not least, "Leeheim" impresses with its own energy that is thanks to the live atmosphere and the ever-changing interactions of the band with the audience. For more than 15 years, the Absinto Orkestra has delighted with its music influenced by Balkan rhythm and melody. Three studio albums have so far published the heads of the German-Russian-South African quintet (Clinton Heneke, Pavel Klimashevsky, Stefan Ölke, Johannes Reinig and Joachim Schappert). In the course of more than 600 concerts, they have put their music on the stage all over Europe Record Label: Recordjet Style: Balkan

Artist: Beatrix Players Label: Beatrix Players

Artist: Junkyard Label: Acetate Records

Artist: Rhino Bucket Label: Acetate Records

Artist: R.I.P. Label: Riding Easy

Artist: The Vaughan Brothers Label: Analogue Productions

Artist: Stevie Ray Vaughan Label: Analogue Productions

Artist: JFDR Label: White Sun Rec

Artist: NIGHTMEN Label: Lovely Records

Artist: HERE LIES MAN Label: Riding Easy

Artist: Stevie Ray Vaughan Label: Analogue Productions

Artist: JFDR Label: White Sun Rec

Artist: TOOG Label: Karaoke Kalk

Downloadcode. With her debut solo album Ya Nass (2013), Yasmine Hamdan introduced her personal, modern take on Arabic pop. In Al Jamilat (‘The Beautiful Ones’), she pursues her musical exploration, while taking a look at the mutations at work within the Arab world. While Yasmine’s vocals are definitely connected to traditions of Arabic music (to which she takes an unconventional and fresh approach), the structures and arrangements of the songs are very remote from its codes, and take in elements from contemporary Western electronic, pop and folk music. Her unique vision is fully realised in this new album, which she jointly produced with UK producers Luke Smith (Foals, Depeche Mode, Lily Allen) and Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, Carl Barât), and recorded with contributions from NY musicians Shahzad Ismaily (Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, John Zorn, Marc Ribot) and Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley. Yasmine is a wanderer, she’s lived in half a dozen countries and has been immersed in as many cultures. The making of this album couldn’t therefore be anything else but a voyage, during which she collected and merged sounds & ideas, interacting along the way with a variety of people, nurturing her reflections and enriching the sociopolitical awareness which always runs through her lyrics. The release of the Ya Nass album has been getting tremendous attention in Europe and America, as well as in North Africa and the Middle East (where Yasmine Hamdan has enjoyed iconic stature since the days of Soapkills, the duet she had founded in her native Beirut, which was one of the first indie/electronic bands in the Middle East). She’s performed prestigious shows on four continents (including a series of concerts for the launch of the Jim Jarmusch movie “Only Lovers Left Alive”, in which she’s featured singing, onscreen, in one of the film’s most memorable scenes). Record Label: Crammed Style: Pop

180g. On October 7th, Blaudzun released the first of his three-part album cycle Jupiter: Jupiter Part I. According to Rolling Stone Germany, Part I was “...a genuinely powerful musical statement.” Blaudzun has now announced the second installment. Jupiter Part II contains brisk new songs exemplar to Blaudzun’s knack for stunning arrangements and large-scale sonic inquiry. This time, sounds testimonial to the German kraut rock movement, 80s Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and contemporary indie pop have shaped the Dutch songwriter’s (real name Johannes Sigmond) unique songwriting acumen. Jupiter II is slated for release on March 3rd. Over the breadth of nine tracks, Blaudzun’s unmistakably rich timbre and shrewd pop melodies permeate more than ever. If there’s one consistent thing throughout Blaudzun’s prolific career, it’s is his devout work ethic: whether he’s occupying himself with touring, writing or media-appearances, his art is always spearheaded by strong self-determination. Making an album comprised of three different parts deviates from the traditional game plan. This fresh approach dovetails with new creative challenges as well. “I started writing songs for Jupiter Part II almost immediately after the last shows supporting Part I. It’s been very stimulating, especially the pace in which I’m producing a record. There’s always a sense of risk involved, and I really enjoy that. Think of it as a fresh bottle of wine: the grapes that have been picked are immediately processed, with no time to ripe properly. At the moment, that’s exactly how I’m approaching my songs. The transition between fledging ideas and finished compositions happens relatively quick.” Tear GunOne of the cuts on Part II, ‘Tear Gun’, is an exception to this rule. Blaudzun came up with the basic idea of the track more than seven years ago. “Prior to the sessions for Seadrift Soundmachine, Heavy Flowers and Promises of No Man's Land, I kept fiddling with ‘Tear Gun’. In a way, the song served as a launchpad for all the work I’ve done on my previous albums. But I was never quite pleased with it, and I never got around to actually finishing it. However, the concept and overall vibe of ‘Tear Gun’ inspired me to write a lot of other stuff. I reckon there are about sixty versions of ‘Tear Gun’ in total. This time, nevertheless, I kind of felt obligated to include the track on Jupiter II. Perhaps the time was simply right, or perhaps I had to warm up to the song myself, maybe that’s the case.” One of the more remarkable features of Jupiter II are the piercing drums and especially the baritone sax, giving Blaudzun’s commanding live performances a vivid sense of romanticism and mystique. Deft analogue synths are featured more pervasively within the overall production, without upending the sheer gravitas of Blaudzun’s creative vernacular. “Melody and drums are the ones in charge. The inflections of the bass and drums shift and alternate repeatedly, a bit like an ebb and flow-effect. Also, Jupiter Part II features more traditional song structures than on Part I.” Record Label: Glitterhouse Style: Pop

Melanie Safka received national attention for the first time when she entered the Woodstock stage in the summer of '69. At sunrise and in the rain she performed on the stage and enchanted a whole generation. GARDEN IN THE CITY is released for the first time on CD and is certainly an experience for all fans. Record Label: Talking Elephant Style: Pop

Melanie Safka received national attention for the first time when she entered the Woodstock stage in the summer of '69. At sunrise and in the rain she performed on the stage and enchanted a whole generation. This wonderful collection has been compiled lovingly to combine the best of her work. A hit follows the other from their first five albums. Record Label: Talking Elephant Style: Pop

Debut album of a new great singer and songwriter talent! Record Label: Motor Music Style: Pop

In memory of George Michael. While his detractors are many and he was not immune to criticism, George Michael remains a first class musical performer and an entertainer of rare ability whose place in the great cannon of popular music was assured soon after he split up Wham. This documentary celebrates the startling longevity and consummate professionalism of George Michael. Record Label: Laser Media Style: Pop

On October 7th, Blaudzun released the first of his three-part album cycle Jupiter: Jupiter Part I. According to Rolling Stone Germany, Part I was “...a genuinely powerful musical statement.” Blaudzun has now announced the second installment. Jupiter Part II contains brisk new songs exemplar to Blaudzun’s knack for stunning arrangements and large-scale sonic inquiry. This time, sounds testimonial to the German kraut rock movement, 80s Bowie, Bruce Springsteen and contemporary indie pop have shaped the Dutch songwriter’s (real name Johannes Sigmond) unique songwriting acumen. Jupiter II is slated for release on March 3rd. Over the breadth of nine tracks, Blaudzun’s unmistakably rich timbre and shrewd pop melodies permeate more than ever. If there’s one consistent thing throughout Blaudzun’s prolific career, it’s is his devout work ethic: whether he’s occupying himself with touring, writing or media-appearances, his art is always spearheaded by strong self-determination. Making an album comprised of three different parts deviates from the traditional game plan. This fresh approach dovetails with new creative challenges as well. “I started writing songs for Jupiter Part II almost immediately after the last shows supporting Part I. It’s been very stimulating, especially the pace in which I’m producing a record. There’s always a sense of risk involved, and I really enjoy that. Think of it as a fresh bottle of wine: the grapes that have been picked are immediately processed, with no time to ripe properly. At the moment, that’s exactly how I’m approaching my songs. The transition between fledging ideas and finished compositions happens relatively quick.” Tear GunOne of the cuts on Part II, ‘Tear Gun’, is an exception to this rule. Blaudzun came up with the basic idea of the track more than seven years ago. “Prior to the sessions for Seadrift Soundmachine, Heavy Flowers and Promises of No Man's Land, I kept fiddling with ‘Tear Gun’. In a way, the song served as a launchpad for all the work I’ve done on my previous albums. But I was never quite pleased with it, and I never got around to actually finishing it. However, the concept and overall vibe of ‘Tear Gun’ inspired me to write a lot of other stuff. I reckon there are about sixty versions of ‘Tear Gun’ in total. This time, nevertheless, I kind of felt obligated to include the track on Jupiter II. Perhaps the time was simply right, or perhaps I had to warm up to the song myself, maybe that’s the case.” One of the more remarkable features of Jupiter II are the piercing drums and especially the baritone sax, giving Blaudzun’s commanding live performances a vivid sense of romanticism and mystique. Deft analogue synths are featured more pervasively within the overall production, without upending the sheer gravitas of Blaudzun’s creative vernacular. “Melody and drums are the ones in charge. The inflections of the bass and drums shift and alternate repeatedly, a bit like an ebb and flow-effect. Also, Jupiter Part II features more traditional song structures than on Part I.” Record Label: Glitterhouse Style: Pop