TUNBRIDGE WELLS RECORD EXCHANGE / SUGARBUSH RECORDS

Order CADDY - "TEN TIMES FOUR" here on vinyl, in stock now.

CADDY - "TEN TIMES FOUR" (SUGARBUSH SB055), following on from 2015's THE BETTER END, here comes the latest album by Norway's finest: Caddy. Another very fine selection of fantastic songs this really is the last word in Powerepop and in the words of Powerpop News: "There are so many standout tracks here it’s hard to know where to start. The pulsating start of “Somewhere Beautiful” bursts into about as radio-friendly a chorus as you’ll hear this year. The aptly named “Contagious” is more than worthy of it’s title. With it’s harmonies, hand claps and monster hook of a chorus, it’s a real keeper. Then, one can settle comfortably into the jangle-fest that is “Not the One” or soak in the Big Star feel of “Safe Travels”. It’s nothing short of a vacation for the ears. With fantastic production, a killer cut and a fantastic sound, this 140gm pressing is housed in a pvc lined inner for added protection. Only 300 copies pressed, . Only £19.99 including worldwide postage!

NICK PIUNTI "TEMPORARY HIGH" buy it here on vinyl, only 200 copies in the UK. Powerpop.

NICK PIUNTI - "TEMPORARY HIGH" (SUGARBUSH SB050), Nick's 4th album and his third to be released on vinyl on Sugarbush. Another dose of heavy guitar based Powerpop with songs to die for and a huge produciton as ever. Big choruses, hooks galore and crunching guitars make this a stand out record of the highest order. We also still have a few copies of his other albums left so why not get all three? if you are looking for the very best Powerpop in the tradition of Cheap Trick or Aerosmith then look no firther, this album is a true gem. Pressed on 140gm audiophile virgin vinyl! £19.99 including postage anywhere.

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND & MOONGAZING HARE "SONGS FOR NATHAN" buy it here on vinyl, only 200 copies, bonus track!

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND / MOONGAZING HARE - "SONGS FOR NATHAN" (SUGARBUSH SB051), an audiophile issue on vinyl for the first time with 4 extra tracks not on the cd. a collection that gathers together both Moongazing Hare and Trappist Afterland for an twelve track split set. Hopefully if we think on, we’ll be coming back to this in due course, for now a brief tasting of what to expect with us finding ourselves somewhat smitten by both bands openers. The haunting ‘fine horseman’ opens the Moongazing Hare account, emerging from the twilight, a ghost lit ballad whose shadowy entrancement creaks with a magical hush to softly draw you in with its eerily whittled woodland craft and into the bargain sumptuously steeped with a morose majesty that recalls the black heart procession. Trappist Afterland serve up ‘restless day’, in truth sounding like they’ve fallen from another age long since consigned to memory and legend, they craft a seriously intricate and nonetheless bewitching brew which manifests in the shape of this outer worldly spirit walker. Swarthy, hazy and a tad mystic, ‘restless day’ is the kind of thing you’d expect to emerge from the shadowy backwaters of Ecstatic Peace et al, a mysterious folk wanderer weaving a multi lingual tapestry of tripping acid folk and Indian raga mosaics. £19.99 including postage annywhere.

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "LIKE A BEEHIVE, THE HILL WAS ALIVE" buy it here on vinyl, only 200 copies, extra tracks!

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "LIKE A BEEHIVE, THE HILL WAS ALIVE", a brand new deluxe audiophile limited repress, (SUGARBUSH SB053) This contains two BONUS TRACKS (not on the original vinyl): "Penitents' Trail" and "Father - sun itself live. The music Trapped Afterland create is very hypnotic and rich and, while I just sort of look around when they have an abundance of lyrics such as: “I feel like a sketch... lalala... Without any shading”, the understated richness of the multitude of odd and compelling vocals and instruments makes it all work.
Don’t pass Trappist Afterland up if you truly want a heavy, melodic dose of authentic modern psychedelic music. While they advertise themselves as producers of spirit music for the dispossessed (Not exactly the target audience for great financial reward...), they have a marketable musical product here which is well worth listening to by any fan of late 60s pop music at its purest.
£19.99 including postage anywhere.

Schizo Fun Addict "El Shoegaze Bossa Nova", new album on Sugarbush Records - buy it here on vinyl!

Schizo Fun Addict "El Shoegaze Bossa Nova" (Sugarbush SB052), out now on Sugarbush is the latest release from this legendary cult band who have graced us with many, many fine releases before. This latest album - limited to 300 copies on vinyl - is another superb addition to the mindbending catalogue of music the band have concocted down the years. A lovely, lush swirl of guitars blending - yes - Bossa Nova and the guitar Indie pop so beloved by acts such as LUSH, MY BLOODY VALENTINE & ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN. (Oh, trivia fans not that the album pictured on the turntable is none other than The Junipers - Red Bouquet Fair.) Only £19.99 with free postage (album comes shrinkwrapped with polylined inners for extra vinyl protection!)

THE GRIP WEEDS "HOUSE OF VIBES" (SUGARBUSH SB048) out on vinyl now, buy it here!

THE GRIP WEEDS "HOUSE OF VIBES" (SUGARBUSH SB048), out now is their classic debut 2004 album repressed on high quality 140gm audiophile vinyl! Limited to only 400 copies with a full colour insert.
The New Jersey band's raucous blend of Cheap Trick's power chords, the Byrds' ethereal jangle and CSNY's airy harmonies was different, half a decade too early for the New York-based garage revival of the early 00s, and a decade or so too late to be in sync with the West Coast's Paisley Pop movement. No wonder this self-recorded, self-released gem of the power pop art fell on mostly deaf ears, lauded by a few Jersey visionaries, hailed in Germany but completely ignored by commercial radio and MTV.
It's too bad, because if there ever were a record tailor-made for blasting out of AM radio on the way to the beach House of Vibes is it. From the first crunching chords of "Out of Day" through the last feedback tripping psych solo of "Walking in the Crowd", the record balances precisely at the tipping point between rock and pop. It's the same enticing ground that the Who covered in their classic Sells Out, simultaneously hard-edged and accessible, blossoming with melody and rackety with drums. And along the way, the band cranks out half a dozen classic songs, "Salad Days", "Close Descending Love", and "Don't Belong."
This is a truly stunning album and the fact that this band are not massive is tragic as well as kinds cool as it keeps us who are in the know part of a very exclusive club. Buy this album today, you will not regret it. Sealed from the factory - limited to 300 copies - on audiophile 140g black vinyl - now with extra smooth polylined inners to ensure maximum quality. Only £19.99 including FREE worldwide postage.

DOM MARIANI & THE MAJESTIC KELP - "HI SEAS" new album out now, buy it here on vinyl

DOM MARIANI & THE MAJESTIC KELP "HI SEAS" (SUGARBUSH SB047), out now in a very limited pressing of ONLY 300 copies on vinyl comes Aussie legend Dom Mariani's latest release. Touring with the Stems this year in 2018 will do nothing to harm what should be rave reviews for this fanatstic platter. Taking its cue and influence from Soft 60s Surf sounds it also incorporates elements of LEE HAZLEWOOD, JACK NITZSCHE and sounds of EXOTICA. Always prevalent, however, is Dom's twangy reverb drenched guitar. What makes this album stand out are the superb arrangements and an overwhelming air of mystery and wonder. Some of the tracks are so laid back as to be almost soporific but keep the listener hooked and awaiting the next surprising twist. The album is almost completely Instrumental with a few vocals added here and there. This is a gorgeous album and the perfect soundtrack for a laid back summer's afternoon. Sealed from the factory - limited to 300 copies - on audiophile 140g black vinyl - now with extra smooth polylined inners to ensure maximum quality. Only £21.99 including FREE worldwide postage. Buy it now.

Pugwash - "Almond Tea" on white (tea) vinyl, 200 copies only - get your copy here, free postage worldwide!

PUGWASH - "ALMOND TEA" (SUGARBUSH RECORDS SB021), long awaited repress of their legendary 1999 debut album on white vinyl, 200 copies only. £19.99 (no extra postage)

Click here to buy:

The Ptolemaic Terrascope have this to say about this classic album:
" Originally released in 1999, ‘Almond Tea’ by Pugwash (not the former drummer of the Man band...) is brimming with sweet melody, the tunes reminding me of ELO mixed with Radiohead, whilst some of the melodies suggest that time when Oasis wrote good songs that crawled under your skin. Opening with ‘Missing The Point’ the listener is immediately drawn into Pugwash's world and you find yourself drumming along to the tune whilst second guessing the lyrics (or maybe that is just me), the song having plenty of energy and a powerful production that allows it to soar from the speakers. Absolutely beautiful, ‘Finer Things In Life’ sounds like a Radiohead ballad, the lyrics catching hold of your heart as the music drift around them with a gentle jangle. With a lovely shuffle ‘Shine On Norvell Jefferson’ could have come straight from the White Album, the McCartney version, whilst ‘Two Wrongs’ could be a lost Brit Pop anthem its swagger tempered by the lovely ‘Getting Me Down Again’, the perfect end to side one. Throughout the album it is the song that is important and you can easily make comparisons, however the whole collection is a lesson in the art of melody and dynamics, the flow of the album perfectly judged with the melancholy beauty of ‘Always Be’ paired with the acoustic strum of ‘Could It Be The Same’ side two slowly getting louder until ‘Obvious’ releases the energy that was building, more Lennon than McCartney and definitely Psychedelic with phased guitar and plenty of attitude. Finally, ‘ Nonsense’ leads us out sounding like (pointless comparison time) like Dodgy covering a lost UK Psych tune, a great tune however your ears hear it completing another great album from Sugarbush, something I seem to be repeating in this review." (Simon Lewis)

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "Burrowing To Light In The Land Of Nod" (SUGARBUSH SB046), buy it here on vinyl, free postage!

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "Burrowing To Light In The Land Of Nod" (SUGARBUSH SB046), a brand new release on our label. Released on a CD-r only back in 2012 this album now sees its first vinyl release. An excellent introduction to this Australian band / project who are ever evolving and are building up a dedicated following worldwide. Spiritual music at its best, here set in an Acid-Folk context but as deep and honest as Roots Reggae was at exulting Rastafarianims back in the 70s. With shades of Comus, Incredible String Band, Roky Erickson and with lyrics spiritual and sincere in content. Played on a variety of unusual instruments - for western music that is - all their albums challenge and delight in equal measure. Sometimes disturbing yet with a definite beauty as well as melody and grace. Seriously limited editions will ensure that these great albums are the collectors' items of the future and simply great records for now.

£19.99 including postage anywhere in the world!

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "The Round Dance Of The Cross" (Sugarbush SB045) buy it here on vinyl

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "The Round Dance Of The Cross" (Sugarbush SB045), a brand new release on our label. Released on a CD-r only back in 2011 this album now sees its first vinyl release. An excellent introduction to this Australian band / project who are ever evolving and are building up a dedicated following worldwide. Spiritual music at its best, here set in an Acid-Folk context but as deep and honest as Roots Reggae was at exulting Rastafarianims back in the 70s. With shades of Comus, Incredible String Band, Roky Erickson and with lyrics spiritual and sincere in content. Played on a variety of unusual instruments - for western music that is - all their albums challenge and delight in equal measure. Sometimes disturbing yet with a definite beauty as well as melody and grace. Seriously limited editions will ensure that these great albums are the collectors' items of the future and simply great records for now.

£19.99 including postage anywhere in the world!

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "GOD'S GOOD EARTH" (SUGARBUSH SB043), a brand new release - buy it here on vinyl.

TRAPPIST AFTERLAND - "GOD'S GOOD EARTH" (SUGARBUSH SB043), a brand new release on beautiful autumn green vinyl, limited to only 200 copies with no repress. Our friends at the ACTIVE LISTERNER bolg say this about this seminal LP: "This isn't easy listening, this is intense participatory bordering on hallucinatory songwriting, not a million miles from the seminal and highly stoned 'Moyshe McStiff' by COB, upon which much of the resurgent acid-folk scene would regard as a touchstone.
There is a restlessness and almost palpable fear and discomfort that permeates this whole record as the brief 'Sungirl' and the very psychedelic 'Parasites' would attest to. The latter in particular with its revolving searchlight of backwards-forwards hurdy gurdy and naggingly insistent rhythm opens a psychic door that leads to an exploration of uncomfortable mental spaces. What Jim Morrison memorably referred to as 'the feeling of not quite being at home'. Times several thousand. "No More Summer Caravans" is a paean to the past with a lovely drone driving the familial reminiscences (real or imagined) that provide another unsettling narrative." £19.99 includes postage anywhere in the world!

Greek Theatre - Broken Circle, black vinyl audiophile pressing - out now, buy it here!

THE GREEK THEATRE - "BROKEN CIRCLE" (SUGARBUSH SB033), audiophile black vinyl reissue. One of the great modern day Psych / Progressive albums is now repressed on a very limited black vinyl run. The first pressing on grey vinyl is now virtually sold out. Here is another chance to pick up this amazing album on a highly lmited (200) black vinyl audiophile pressing.

-It’s a sumptuous, cinematic-style panorama all in all, that shows The Greek Theatre to be a very capable group who, whilst in thrall to some of the great sounds that’ve gone down in the past have more than a keen sense of pushing forward and carving out space to create their own individuality, their experimentalism too very much succeeding with this, at times, totally astonishing latest effort. (It's Psychedelic Baby magazine)

- I am always hesitant to throw around terms like "instant classic", but this certainly fits the bill. The album kicks off with the wonderfully titled "Fat Apple (at About Noon)", which also happens to be the longest track on the LP, clocking in at over seven minutes and it really sets the stage for this beautiful record. For the initiated fan, within the first 30 seconds you will recognize that you are in familiar territory and in for a real treat. (Active Listener Blog)

Only £19.99 including postage anywhere!

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.

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 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

The Breretons "Keep You Safe" (Sugarbush SB034) the fantastic debut album is out on vinyl now, two colours to choose from!

THE BRERETONS - "KEEP YOU SAFE" (SUGARBUSH SB034), Kent's Brother & Sister led THE BRERETONS have been plying their trade locally for many years. With this, their debut album, their are set to break out internationally. A fantastic record of English Rural Gothic Psychedelic Roots Rock with shades of Cowboy Junkies, The Walkabouts & Yo La Tengo this incredible album is set to become a modern classic. Incredible musicianship, also featuring KULA SHAKER'S Paul Winter-Hart on drums, sublime arrangements, lush strings and - above all - top notch songwriting make

this a very special record. Singer Charlotte Brereton (who is incredible live) really shines too on this LP. This limited edition comes in two colours: Blue (200 copies) & green (200 copies). £19.99 including postage anywhere.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "A SPOONFUL OF SUGARBUSH" (SUGARBUSH SB27) a Sugarbush sampler on vinyl.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "A SPOONFUL OF SUGARBUSH" (SUGARBUSH SB27), the "lost" SB027 album is finally upon us. Over a year in the making this compilation of SUGARBUSH RECORDS released artists and good friends is an excellent introduction to the label. The added bonus is that all the tracks on here are otherwise unavailable on vinyl, at the time of release anyway! So there are unreleased vinyl tracks by: DOWLING POOLE, ORGONE BOX, CHRIS RICHARDS, ROBYN GIBSON & DUNCAN MAITLAND, HANGABOUTS, WALL OF ORCHIDS (Pop

genius' Lane Steiberg's pre 8x8 project), GREEN PAJAMAS, TROLLEY, CADDY, ANDY REED as well as newcomers MALADAPTIVE SOLUTION! All fantastic tracks and housed in a sixties Pebbles sampler - type sleeve! Only £18.99 - 150 copies on green vinyl and 150 copies on red vinyl.

The Junipers "Paint The Ground" 150 copies limited vinyl pressing on brown vinyl, Sugarbush records

JUNIPERS - "PAINT THE GROUND" (SB600), the third pressing of this legendary album. This limited to 150 copies on brown vinyl. The second pressing on yellow is virtually sold out now (the first pressing sold out in an instant some years ago) so we expect this limited repress to go the same way. This is a legendary album now and that is only a few years after its first release. Every tracks is lovely and I suppose if I had to wrap up the sound in a few words it would be BYRDS- NOTORIOUS BYRD BROTHERS. However, it is so much more than that and most surely a classic on its own feet. A British Psych classic, to be sure. £19.99 including postage anywhere

THE WELLGREEN - "SUMMER RAIN" now out on Sugarbush Records, 200 copies only.

THE WELLGREEN - "SUMMER RAIN" (SUGARBUSH SB036), well what can I say about this album? Not much in words that actually conveys how effortlessly brilliant this album is, that is for starters. This is an amalgam of the best sounds that artists such as Emitt Rhodes, Blue, Bread, Big Star (yes, again!) and Paul McCartney made in the early to mid 70s. Don't get me wrong, this is a contemporary Scottish band put who have their feet firmly planted in the early 70s sounds of melodic guitar pop. The opener "Summer Rain" hits you with harmonies over a solid beat backing of simple guitars, piano and bass/drums. The second track is even better, "Maybe It's The Pressure Of The City Life That's Tearing Us Apart" is a wonderful song that reminds me of everything I love about pop. From then on there is no letting up and this album is BRILLIANT from start to finish.

To play this album please listen here:

The Junipers "Red Bouquet Fair" is now out on blue vinyl, 200 copies only.

JUNIPERS - "RED BOUQUET FAIR" (SUGARBUSH SB024), ultra limited 2nd pressing of last year's stunning album. On sky blue vinyl and limited to 200 copies only.

Reviewed here by Nathan Ford:

I'm now absolutely certain that Sugarbush Records' Markus Holler has managed to somehow implant a chip in me that relays to him exactly which albums I want him to release. His latest batch of releases are absolute perfection. There are four of them in total, but I'm just going to focus on my favourite of them today (more on the others soon).

The Junipers, for those who haven't been paying attention, are one of this decade's most important, unheralded guitar pop bands. Their previous album "Paint the Ground" is one of my favourites of the last few years. I'd previously thought of it as one of those rare, perfect pop records, but it can't quite have been as this new album is even better. While "Paint the Ground" had a lovely pastoral tinge, "Red Bouquet Fair" is much more of a classic pop album, with songs that reach back to the sixties for inspiration without sounding tied to that decade or overly reverential. It's obvious that these guys have fantastic record collections, but in no way do these songs sound like an attempt to replicate the music from those collections.

There are strong hooks on every single one of these songs, and these lads sure do know their way around a harmony; check out the lush vocal layering on "Summer Queen". Absolutely stunning. Elsewhere, they use period embellishments sparingly for maximum effect. Particularly effective is the 12 string guitar solo on "Like a Merry Go Round", while the sitar led "Her Come The Winds" is a marvelous psych-pop gem. And don't get me started on the amazing kaleidoscopic psychedelia of "Burning Pages".

And while classic harmony and psych-pop are the most obvious touchstones here, other influences rear their heads; "When the Bird Has Flown" is a lovely, moody choral harmony piece ala Midlake or the Fleet Foxes, while "Dig Me Up" brings to mind some of the brit-pop sounds of the mid nineties which have aged more gracefully than others.

Apart from the extremely solid songcraft, and those luscious harmonies, the main secret to "Red Bouquet Fair"s success is in the arrangements and production. It's all beautifully layered, with imaginative touches that create a distinctive sound for the band, while preventing any of the songs sounding samey. Or to put it in a simpler fashion, it's obvious that these songs are all the work of the same band, but each is a fresh creation which distinguishes itself from its predecessors.

It's the sort of album which should make you a little bit angry at the injustices of the world. Paradoxically, I'd also imagine that it's pretty much impossible to remain angry while listening to "Red Bouquet Fair". This should by all rights be a major label release with constant airplay and household name status for the band, and had the Junipers been around to release this 50, 40 or even 20 years ago, that may well have been the case, but we don't currently live in a world where what the Junipers have to offer is in vogue with the masses. For us lucky few though, it's a comforting, magical experience. Absolutely wonderful.

8x8 - Inflorescence SB030, 250 copies out now on opal vinyl.

8x8 - Inflorescence (Sugarbush SB030), out now is 8x8's third album and only the second to be released on vinyl. This is pure genius: A magical blend of Beach Boys and Beatles inflected Pop tunes but in a very contemporary setting and by no means derivative or inferior at all to those great artists. Considering that this is a part time project and done on a very small budget with only two persons making the music you could, and I would, argue that this is a mini-masterpiece of modern Psychedelic Pop music. Track after track transports the listener to musical places long unvisited such is the majesty of this great record. Perhaps there is a hint of DIY to the recording process that manifests itself on the first play of the record, however any qualms (and I did not have any) are blown away in seconds as the lush quality of the playing and writing hits your ears. This is simply a record that will one day be revered and the sheer talent of its main protagonist, Lane Steinberg, will be nearly elevated to genius status. That is not to take anything away from Alex Khodchenko who plays guitar and also desibed the sleeve. The two musicians recorded this record over 6000 miles as one lives in New York and the other in Ukraine! A great work lovingly pieced together by two people who have never met in person but who obviously share a great musical affinity. Buy this record, it is amazing. £19.99 including worldwide postage.

Trolley - Caught In The Darkness SB032, out now on vinyl, 250 copies only on "orange sorbet" vinyl!

Trolley - "Caught In the Darkness" (Sugarbush SB032), out now is the 2nd album by the amazing Trolley. Possibly the finest combination of Psych-Pop, Garage, Powerpop and Moptop Jangling heard in the past 20 years and in fact since the halcyon days of Voxx and Bomp records. However, Trolley have produced and album that puts even the finest records on those labels into a different context. Housed in a wonderful sleeve designed by Adam Widener (who also designed our previous Trolley sleeve - as well as our releases by Dukes of Kent and the first Greek Theatre album) and pressed on beautiful orange vinyl this is a must have album. £19.99 including worldwide postage, 250 copies offered.

THE HANGABOUTS - Illustrated Bird (SUGARBUSH SB031), the fabulous new album on vinyl by Detroit's HANGABOUTS is one of those albums that any label with a modicum of Pop sensibility will jump at the chance to release. From the same gaggle of bands on the Detroit scene that we have released previously (Nick Piunti, Chris Richards and the Subtractions) this album presents the gentle Psych-Pop side of Detroit, a city normally more associated with gritty urban toughness. No, these lads have crafted a lovely Pop record that, dare I say it, would not have sounded out of place in Big Star's cannon and even reminds me of McCartney's gentler side. Hey, even Emmitt Rhodes would surely dig this record. It is a master stroke of lush arrangements, jangling 12 and 6 string guitars, layered harmonies and, best of all, some really fantastic songs. No fillers on here, and one of the best pure pop albums I have heard in years. This is limited on vinyl to ONLY 300 copies, on see through orange vinyl. £19.99 including worldwide postage

Please listen here:

Out now: Nick Piunti "Beyond The Static", one of the finest Powerpop albums ever released. Only 250 on vinyl here!

NICK PIUNTI - "BEYOND THE STATIC" (SUGARBUSH SB025), limited to only 250 copies on blue vinyl this is Nick Piunti's 2nd album released now on vinyl for the very first time!
Challenged with following a highly acclaimed album, Nick Piunti didn't overthink the task. He just focused on writing the best songs of his life and trusting an incredible group of musicians to help execute his vision. Beyond The Static manages to be both a consummate power pop album and the distinct work of a seasoned recording artist. If you somehow combined the best qualities of Matthew Sweet, Tom Petty, and Paul Westerberg into one songwriter, Nick Piunti would be the guy. Beyond The Static is a superb effort from a music lifer at the very top of his game. If you're a power pop fan and have yet to discover all the amazing sounds currently coming out of Detroit, stop reading right now and start listening! £27.99 including postage anywhere! (by the way, if you scroll down this page you will find we do still have copies of his amazing "13 In My Head" album!

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