News

DAN ZANES AND FRIENDS’ 76 TROMBONES ALBUM RE-IMAGINES LEGENDARY BROADWAY TUNES FOR FAMILY AUDIENCES

October, 2009

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Family music pioneers Dan Zanes and Friends delve into a vital part of America’s musical heritage with their forthcoming album of timeless songs owned by Sir Paul McCartney’s MPL Music Publishing catalog. 76 Trombones, to be released November 17th 2009, features an array of new friends from Broadway, including Tony Award winners Carol Channing (Hello, Dolly!), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me, Kate) and Matthew Broderick (The Producers), along with de’Adre Aziza (Passing Strange) and Derick K. Grant (Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk). The album will introduce a new generation of kids to classic Broadway songs that everyone knows and loves.

Zanes says, “With the exception of the Hair soundtrack, musicals were never my thing as a kid. I was too caught up in the music of Leadbelly back then. But as a parent, one afternoon at my daughter’s request, I figured out how to play “Bushel And A Peck” (from Guys and Dolls). I had a sudden realization that once you took away the hopped-up big band and the high intensity vocals it was an amazing folk song. It occurred to me that maybe a lot of these Broadway songs could be broken down to their ragged essence, reworked as 21st Century all-ages music, and presented in a manner that might make you think, ‘Hey, I can do that.’ When the people at MPL called me two years ago about a possible Broadway album I took it as a sign that the time was finally right to put on my dusty, moth-eaten tux and get loose with the songs of American musicals. For me, the songs and performances on this CD are packed with emotion and celebration. I’m grateful and still a little surprised that the people at MPL trusted us with them!”

Zanes, known for his popular 80’s college band the Del Fuegos, began his second career in family music by distributing a homemade cassette at a neighborhood park in New York City’s West Village and has since released several Parents Choice Award-winning for his best selling albums including Catch That Train!, which won the 2007 Grammy for “Best Musical Album for Children”. Music videos for Zanes’ songs have aired on The Noggin Network, Sesame Street and The Disney Channel’s “Playhouse Disney.”
About MPL

Founded by Sir Paul McCartney in 1971, MPL’s music publishing business has been marked by considered acquisitions and sensitive, honest handling of copyrights.  Among the writers for whom MPL administers are Frank Loesser, Carl Perkins, Buddy Holly, Jerry Herman, Harold Arlen, Jelly Roll Morton. The company also administers the songs from many Broadway shows including Hello, Dolly!, Annie, Grease, Peter Pan, Guys and Dolls, Hans Christian Andersen, Mame, A Chorus Line, The Music Man, La Cage Aux Folles and others.

Virtual Label welcomes Terrible Records

October, 2009

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We are excited to be able to digitally distribute a brand new label from Chris Taylor, multi-instrumentalist/producer of widely acclaimed Brooklyn band Grizzly Bear. ‘Ghost’ is the first single recorded under Taylor’s moniker, CANT, and will be available wordwide from Virtual on October 13th. Forthcoming is the debut EP from Brooklyn up and comers Acrylics (produced by Taylor), to be released October 27th.

Destroy All Concepts

August, 2009

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Virtual Label are excited to welcome Destroy All Concepts to the family! Headed by the versatile, Dub Gabriel, D.A.C prides itself on a genre blending and bending aesthetic, which promotes unlikely collaborations. Thus far, the likes of Michael Stipe (R.E.M.), Yo Majesty, Dr. Israel and members of Bahaus and New York Dolls have all contributed to releases.

Watch this label to take Dub, World, Free Jazz and Electronic music too far reaches and new heights, one exploration at a time.

SONNY LANDRETH ALBUM REISSUED

April, 2009

levee_town_webSonny Landreth's 'Levee Town' album will be reissued with a bonus disc April 21st on Landfall Records.

Originally released in 2000 on Sugar Hill Records, the remastered album features guests John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt and Michael Doucet of BeauSoliel. Levee Town contains a bonus disc with five previously unreleased tracks from the original sessions (“Pedal To Metal,” “Road A Plenty,” “Old Flame,” “Fare You Well” and a co-write with Will Jennings, “For Who We Are (The Nightbird Sings),” with guest Jennifer Warnes. The album was a tale of life in Lousiana, mixing music, myth and mojo to conjure up music that rocks hard and runs deep.

The Dukes Of Stratosphear Finally Remastered

March, 2009

dukes of stratosphearNearly 25 years since their initial release The Dukes Of Stratosphear finally get remastered. Formed in 1985 to create an album that sounded like it was made in 1967, The Dukes Of Stratosphear were destined for either huge success or catostrophic failure. The alter ego for XTC, they used antique gear including a Mellotron and went  into Chapel Lane Studios to record what Virgin record execs insisted be a real band. 25 O'Clock Includes the Original 6 EP Tracks, 9 Demos and Extra Recordings, plus the video for Mole From The Ministry
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After the runaway success of 25 O’Clock, Psonic Psunspot was the Dukes first album proper, tipping their hats to the White Album and Yellow Submarine, Smiley Smile, and the Hollies. It Includes 16 Tracks with 11 Remastered from the Original LP, Plus 5 Unreleased Demo Tracks and the Video for You’re A Good Man Albert Brown

These LIMITED EDITION reissues come in HARDBACK digibooks and feature brand new artwork. Booklets include new sleeve notes by XTC's Andy, Colin and Dave Gregory.

Vinyl 180 Teams Up With 4AD and Beggars Banquet

March, 2009
bauhuasUK based Vinyl 180 continues to work with the hugely influential 4AD and Beggars Banquet labels. Following reissues of early albums by Cocteau Twins, Bauhaus, Gary Numan, Dead Can Dance, the latest are Standard and Limited Edition versions of The Cult’s Love album. In May will be the debut release from 1982 by the Cocteau Twins, "Garlands". Beyond that will be more from Bauhaus, The Fall, and The Birthday Party. 

All Vinyl 180 releases have been remastered from the original analogue tapes. All pressings are on 180g heavyweight vinyl and inserted into heavy duty inner bags. The sleeves are printed on high quality heavyweight board.

A Duel In The Sun

March, 2009

king tubby once upon a time coverA strong Pressure Sounds title which has garnered recent features in the Wax Poetics digital store, the Other Music newsletter, and on iTunes.

‘Once Upon A Time At King Tubby’s’ captures from start to finish the full story of the most well known, and certainly the wittiest, of all the wars of words that the highly competitive Kingston recording scene ever produced. I Roy and Prince Jazzbo were the principal players aided and abetted along the way by an assorted bunch of onlookers and minor characters who all helped the drama to unfold. Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee was the catalyst that started this particular schism and the producer of all but one of the tracks.

It generated some life inna the music business!” - Bunny Lee

Stuart Argabright Launches His Own Label

March, 2009
stuart argabright dominatrixAfter releasing albums over the years with Gigolo Records, Troubleman, Gomma and Acute / Car Park Records, Ike Yard founder, and downtown NYC post punk legend, Stuart Argabright, forms his own label, REC, in order to release new music as well as choice reissues.

The debut release on REC is a 3-track EP by Dominatrix in honor of the 25th anniversary of the original  “The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight“ 12”. REC has produced two new songs and taken one alternative mix from the vaults from 1984 for the occasion. The Dominatrix EP (Dominatrix Party / You Never Forget Your First Dominatrix / City That Never Sleeps V2 ) comes with special cover art by NYC artist David Levinthal and will serve as reintroduction to the global network of playful vibes, soft vocals, techno pop and ‘Drums !’ that is Dominatrix.

This first EP will be followed by a second EP later this year with plans for the all new album in 2010.