SUGARBUSH RECORDS Rare Vinyl Mail Order

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "AFTERLANDER" SUGARBUSH SB042 out now on vinyl, buy it here!

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "AFTERLANDER" (SUGARBUSH SB042), limited to only 200 copies, housed in a gorgeous single sleeve cover and completely remastered from the 1st pressing of only 99 copies which is now a major collectors' item! Melbourne based psych folk artists Trappist Afterland have been quietly but consistently releasing some of the most outstanding and distinctive albums in underground circles over the last four years or so. Consisting effectively of the trio of Adam Cole, Phil Coyle and Nick Albanis along with various friends and musical accomplices their use of unusual instrumentation and unique sound (as well as their easy but persistent way with a melody that will get its hooks in and not let go) marks them out as one of the most important and visionary bands currently working in the psych scene. Their new opus 'Afterlander' not only builds on the successes and strengths of past albums but takes the Trappists into a whole new realm of their own, with a set of assured, powerful and majestic songs tinged with mystery, ritual and beauty. t once otherworldly and yet also immediate and persuasively melodic, Trappist Afterland ably suggest a dark mysticism and esoteric sound whilst also maintaining a tight, rhythmic and controlled mastery of their song craft, similar perhaps to contemporaries such as Stone Breath, Six Organs Of Admittance or James Blackshaw. 'Saint Peter And The Rainbow's eastern drone leads into tense and intricate, inventive string work (instruments present on this album include bell citern, hammered dulcimer, bowed psaltery and lute), eerie backing vocals and strident tabla, propelling the song ever forwards. Fans of the afore mentioned bands, acid folk acts such as the Incredible String Band and COB and also of Michael Gira's work with Angels Of Light will find much to adore here.
(Courtesy of THE ACTIVE LISTENER blog). The sleeve also contains exclusive, specially comissioned for the SUGARBUSH RECORDS release, sleevenotes by DAVID TIBET.
Black vinyl only £19.99 including worldwide postage.

THE GREEN RAY - "HALF SENTENCES" (Sugarbush SB040), out now, ex-MAN, HELP YOURSELF, TYLA GANG

THE GREEN RAY - "HALF SENTENCES" (SUGARBUSH SB040), a really special album - to us - sees the light of day. Bevis Frond (Nick Saloman) suggested we issue this lovely album. So we did, and we are pleased to offer the only vinyl issue of this great record. Limited to only a few hundred copies on green vinyl this is set to become a collectors' item. This lovely LP effortlessly incorporates West Coast trippyness recalling the best of Quicksilver, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead albeit the more rural and laid-back side of these bands. Guitars abound and songs stretch out to gentle meandering jams - a really nice album.

The Green Ray were formed in the mid 1990's by Ken Whaley & Richard Treece, both of whom had previously played with the much loved band 'Help Yourself' alongside Malcolm Morley & Dave Charles. After 'Help Yourself' split in 1973, Ken Whaley joined the legendary Welsh band 'Man', contributing to two LP's followed by an appearance on 'The Fish' album, by former 'Country Joe & The Fish' guitarist Barry Melton. Both Ken & Richard Treece had stints with 'The Tyla Gang' - with Richard going on to play with 'The Flying Aces', 'The Neutrons' & 'Donovan's Brain'.

The band released 'Sighs, Whales & Trees' on Shagrat Records in 1995 followed by 'The Green Ray' on Father Yod/Soft Cloud in 1996. During the late 90's many gigs followed including appearances with old friends 'Man'. Ken Whaley passed away in 2013 and this album is Richard Treece's last one with the band prior to his sad passing in 2015. Half Sentences blends Richard's last lyrical runs with the guitar playing of Ken's brother, Simon who switched from drums to share the guitar role on this album. The result is wonderful. The band are still gigging strong with Simon Whaley now permanently on guitar, keeping the Green Ray legacy ever evolving - you can catch them in and around London and at various festivals..£18.99 including postage anywhere! (Album sleeve is by the renowned artist John Hurford).

Gentle Brent - "Just Dandy" out now n on vinyl, buy it here now!

GENTLE BRENT "JUST DANDY", another volume in our SPECIAL IMPORTS series of albums (IMP 043) and another release on Spain' YOU ARE THE COSMOS LABEL.You might know Brent Randall from his work as Pinecones, but he’s changing the moniker to GENTLE BRENT offering up a brand new album titled Just Dandy. This song’s opening guitar will wrap around you from the get-go, just as the vocals playfully bounce their way into the number. The vocals clearly have the focus, almost giving off a dose of swing in the way they move back and forth with stretched melodies. It’s a short spurt of pop music, dripping with sugar for your ears - twee, sugary bubblegum tinged power pop. .£17.99 including postage anwhere!

THE JACOBITES (Nikki Sudden & Dave Kusworth) "Old Scarlett" buy it here on vinyl!

JACOBITES - "OLD SCARLETT", another volume in our SPECIAL IMPORTS series of albums (IMP 042) and another release on Spain' YOU ARE THE COSMOS LABEL. Following the breakup of the seminal British post-punk outfit Swell Maps, frontman Nikki Sudden embarked on a solo career, then concurrently formed a new band called the Jacobites. Far more classicist than Swell Maps had been, the Jacobites gave Sudden a chance to exercise his penchant for straightforward, elegantly wasted rock & roll, drawing chiefly from the Stones and the Faces while adding elements of singer/songwriter rock (Neil Young, Bob Dylan) and crunchy British glam (T. Rex, Mott the Hoople, David Bowie).£17.99 including postage anwhere!

Parson Red Heads, Ronnie D'Addario & Wade Jackson, all on vinyl, buy them here!

THE PARSONS RED HEADS - "BLURRED HARMONY" (IMP 041), The Parson Red Heads took things into their own hands for their new record, and turned the rear view on the preceding three-and-a-half years since Orb Weaver to get a long, close look at themselves. The resultant exposition of smart, lucid songwriting and willingness to take skewed stances on established modes of sound is refreshingly blurry, and a fantastic soundtrack to the psychoses of your summery, sunny days. £17.99 INCLUDING POSTAGE

RONNIE D'ADDARIO "THE BEST OF 1976-1983" (IMP 040), since 1976, D’Addario has been recording wonderful records in the vein of Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, and other classic pop songwriters. Published for the first time in a physical format, this LP gathers the very best from his first three albums. £19.99 including postage.

WADE JACKSON "WHISKEY ALPHA DELTA ECHO" (IMP 039), a fantastic slice of retro Byrds-tinged 12-string Pop by this Aussie legend, who was alos featured on the 12-STRING HIGH sampler some time ago. Very limited, and expected to sell out quickly! £17.99 including postage

KONTIKI SUITE - "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" (SUGARBUSH SB039) out now on vinyl, buy it here!

KONTIKI SUITE - "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" (SUGARBUSH SB039), this fabulous album sees a timely reissue on vinyl (only 300 copies) as we recently released their debut LP ON SUNSET LAKE. This album is equally as good and I am happy to let our friends at the ACTIVE LISTENER blog take up the story:
"Kontiki Suite proudly flies its Byrds banner via some obvious stylistic hat-tips to 1968’s "The Notorious Byrd Brothers". This time out, the band boasts a batch of impressive new Rickenbacker-based janglers (mainly from the pen of guitarist Ben Singh) and a tougher sound from the rest of the band (Jonny Singh, lap steel guitar; Marcus Dodds, guitar; Mario Renucci, bass; Chris Brown and Craig Bright on drums and percussion respectively). The result is a cohesive, 50-minute flight high above exquisitely atmospheric psych/country-rock/chamber pop soundscapes.
The opening moments of guitar/rim shots in the rousing, Golden Smog-like opener “Bring Our Empire Down” recall David Crosby’s serene “Dolphin’s Smile,” after which some Neil Young-like crunch is thrown in as the song gathers steam. “My Own Little World” features the kind of textured ‘n’ trippy triple-guitar interplay (including lap steel and 12-string Rickenbacker) that characterizes the overall tone of the album – tone that is often upended by deliciously abrupt shifts in tempo: the lads in Kontiki Suite are more than happy to jolt you out of the hypnotized state in which they deftly placed you. Occasional, judiciously chosen blasts of harmonica tug on the same heartstrings as in Big Star’s “Life is White.”
“Free From Sound” and “Here for You Now” are tremendous pop songs, the kind of tracks that, back in the day, would’ve jumped out of an AM radio and grabbed you by the throat. The former features a keening pedal steel hook that’s hell-bent on becoming your next earworm. The latter blends a “Ticket To Ride” beat with power-poppy rhythm reminiscent of Gene Clark’s evergreen “I’ll Feel A Whole Lot Better.” Remastered and re-cut for this new vinyl edition to offer an improved sound spectrum!

THE PRIMARY 5 - "NORTH POLE" (SUGARBUSH SB038) buy it here on vinyl, only 300 copies.

THE PRIMARY 5 - "NORTH POLE" (SUGARBUSH SB038), a new Sugarbush Records release. This time a classic British Pop gem by this fantastic band led by Paul Quinn (ex- Soup Dragons & Teenage Fanclub). When originally released on CD (and only on CD) this album sold a staggering 30,000 copies worldwide including masses of sales in the USA and Japan. To give you an idea of what to expect I can tell you that this is a top notch album which was years ahead of its time. Shades of Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, The Hollies, Gram Parsons, The Flamin' Groovies all melt together in a quite unique album that is simply stunning. Recorded on an 8-track in an Scottish Village Hall (really!) the production values are, nevertheless, sky high with beautiful arrangements, great playing and singing and - most of all - superb tunes. This is the great lost British Pop album of the 90s, there is no equal. £19.99 including postage worldwide.

Psychotic Youth - "The Voice Of Summer" buy it here on vinyl!

PSYCHOTIC YOUTH - "THE VOICE OF SUMMER", one more in our series of SPECIAL IMPORTS from around the world of titles we like ad think our customers will like (IMP 038). Of this one we only have a handful of copies, and it is such a nice album by Sweden's legendary Psychotic Youth who have been making great records since the 1980s. Psychotic Youth deliver REAL POWER-POP, with the word power written in capital letters. Putting together the essential elements of the music of the Ramones, the Plimsouls and the Ohio Express, the 6t's and the 70's, bubblegum and punk, pop and rock'n'roll, just to create their very own sound, which has influenced many bands ever since they started back in the 80s.
So if you dig extremely catchy pop-music with a fat, rockin' guitar sound, well executed vocal-lines, ridin'-on-the-waves drums and a crunchy punk feel to it, the music of the Yum Yums, Paul Collins Beat and the Kurt Baker Combo, this one's a true must have for you!! Only £17.99 including worldwide postage.

THE CAROUSELS - "SAIL ME HOME ST. CLAIR" (SUGARBUSH SB037) buy it here on vinyl!

THE CAROUSELS - "SAIL ME HOME ST. CLAIR" (SUGARBUSH SB037), finally released is this Scottish band's second long player. Their first album - you may recall - was highly praised and received excellent reviews and (a little know fact) is actually Sugarbush' best ever selling album in terms of numbers sold of both pressings over the years. In many ways this was a real surprise but then again a band of such heart and soul and invoking the spirit of Gene Clark, Gram Parsons and Sweethearts-era Byrds ought to sell a lot of records. Especially when the songs are so poignant and beautiful. The band have built a firm worldwide following with tours of the continent in their back (denim and patchwork) pockets. This second LP carries on where the first one left off with another excellent clutch of songs (see track list below). £19.99 (with no extra postage charged)

Here are some of the nice things people said about the first album:

Highlands-based combo The Carousels echo the likes of Teenage Fanclub or Whiteout with a dose of The Beatles' 'Please Please Me' thrown in for good measure on countrified rocker 'Call Along The Coast'.' Drowned In Sound

'The Carousels deliver an important reminder that it's quite possible to be psychedelic without overloading the eardrums, opting instead for a Byrds-flavoured twelve-string jangle.' Louder Than War

'Melodious and up-tempo, the Live Revolution rendition of The Carousels' Mayflower blows its studio recording out of the water. With vocals perfectly spun among sunshower guitars and heady percussion, intricacy is intensified in the live arena yet made to sound effortless.' Britpop News

'Moving more in to the more pop arena, the octahedron of sound is squared up with The Carousels, whose song craft is very reminiscent of the Liverpool band Shack in their pomp around the release of the HMS Fables album.' Qromag

The Carousels take influence from Gene Clark, The Byrds and Gram Parsons and have been compared to fellow Scots Teenage Fanclub, Whiteout and the Cosmic Rough Riders. They have received multiple plays and Song of The Day on KEXP Radio for Marianne and have received airplay by Steve Lamacq on BBC6 Music.

Track listing:

1. Josephine
2. Lord Speed My Hurricane
3. Silvio
4. Wishing Well
5. Lake Eloise
6. Little Darlin'

Side B
1. By Your Side
2. New Morning
3. Here In Time
4. Like A Loaded Gun
5. Man Out Of Me

KONTIKI SUITE - "ON SUNSET LAKE" (SUGARBUSH SB035), finally this fantastic album is out on vinyl.

KONTIKI SUITE - "ON SUNSET LAKE" (SUGARBUSH SB035), finally this fantastic album is out on vinyl. In some ways a companion album to our fantastic GREEK THEATRE Lps, as it delves into the same trippy waters as those, recalling along the way more than a hefty dose of THE BYRDS NOTORIOUS BYRD BROTHERS 1968 album. "On Sunset Lake is a pleasing concoction no mistake - equal parts cosmic Americana, west coast psychedelia, and pastoral Englishness, this is a style we've seen a lot of this year from English bands. Alfa 9 and the See See have already both delivered very fine albums in this idiom in recent memory, but Kontiki Suite have upped the ante considerably on both of them, through a combination of impeccable songwriting and arranging and particularly lush production - potentially the nicest sounding album I've heard this year, including major label releases.
Gems abound, but my favorites are "See You In The Morning" which mixes the twelve string jangle of early Byrds with their more easy-going psychedelic country rock shamblings of the late sixties even better than the Byrds themselves managed and "Hollywood" which sounds like Candidate produced by Jonathan Wilson.
And where a lot of otherwise excellent albums tend to taper off at the end, Kontiki Suite have saved the best for last with "Music Man" a lush piece of canyon rock with subtle mellotron touches, and "Magic Carpet Ride" which is aptly named, feeling just like one with it's hypnotic psychedelic coda." (Review by Nathan Ford)

£19.99 (no extra postage charged)

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