Back catalogue: All genres

Review: This is a deluxe reissue of a real pop classic from back in 1997. ABC is a group that traces its origins back to Vice Versa, a Sheffield band formed in 1977 by Stephen Singleton and Mark White. They released the Music 4 EP after founding Neutron Records and Martin Fry, creator of the fanzine Modern Drugs, interviewed Vice Versa before later joining as synth player. By 1980, the band transformed into ABC, with Fry assuming lead vocals. The lineup included Fry, Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17, and Keith Lowndes. Though their debut album received acclaim from critics, it didn't achieve widespread commercial success. Despite this, ABC's fusion of pop and electronic elements laid the groundwork for their future iconic sound.

Review: To the delight of the 80s synth-pop faithful holding on to the decade prior, Martin Fry revived ABC in 1997 after a five-year hiatus. It's noticeable that Fry wasn't interested in repeating old tricks though, as he took the band in a new direction alongside Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory without losing that keen sense of songwriting magic that made ABC so popular the first time around. Loaded with emotionally charged reflections on life, the universe and everything, this is a welcome pressing on blue and white marble vinyl which is limited to 1000 copies.

Review: To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Dutch titan Armin van Buuren's legendary trance anthem 'Eternity,' Music on Vinyl has hooked up with his Armada Music label to release all four versions of the track on vinyl for the first time ever. Armin has remained a dedicated servant to trance even while it fell out of favour but it is now very much back in vogue so this one is sure to get back into heavy rotation again. Originally released in 2000, 'Eternity' is a joyous and uplifting sound with lashings of Ibiza sunshine, bright melodies and rushes of euphoria all making it irresistible.

Review: This reissue marks the vinyl debut of Alien Ant Farm's 2003 album, a record that captures the band's energetic blend of alternative rock and nu-metal. Produced by Stone Temple Pilots' Robert and Dean DeLeo, the album features a raw and powerful sound, with tracks like '1000 Days' and 'Drifting Apart' showcasing the band's heavy riffs and dynamic songwriting. 'Quiet' and 'Glow' offer moments of introspection, while 'These Days' and 'Sarah Wynn' deliver infectious melodies and catchy hooks. The album also includes a four-page booklet with lyrics, adding another dimension to the listening experience. This reissue is a must-have for fans of Alien Ant Farm and anyone who appreciates the raw energy and melodic hooks of early 2000s alternative rock.

Review: An artist so effortlessly apt to reinvent herself such as Laurie Anderson should be more than any other worthy of the reissue treatment. Music On Vinyl here present the legendary New York musician and performance artist's 1989 avant-garde album 'Bright Red', which followed a brief stint in the chart-worthy realm of pop. Co-produced with Brian Eno and informed by her then relationship with Lou Reed, Anderson's musings on love, landscape and death are more than submerged in Eno's proto-ambient pop and reverb techniques. It's also yet another stalwart album in vocal synthesis, with cuts such as 'Puppet Motel' showing off Anderson's longstanding penchant for gender-bending throat mods.

Review: One of the key releases of the first wave of the New Wave of British heavy metal, the self-titled Angel Witch debut full-length, has long been heralded, praised, analysed and remembered as a vital contribution to the world of metallic machinations since its initial 1980 release. Inspiring waves of black metal, thrash, death and almost any other form of sonic extremity one can lay their ears upon, the work was misunderstood by many not prepared for the monumental surge in popularity the metal scene would ride over the ensuing decades. That being said, the project had those who would fight its corner, with its credence eventually leading to the same regard as say, Iron Maiden's self-titled affair, yet channelling far darker avenues of influence. Chalk most of the genre's expansion throughout the 80s, and you'll always circle back to this monumental classic.

Review: Is Archive's Londinium one of the best trip-hop albums of all time? For some, it is. For many, it's somehow criminally unknown. This reissue 25 years on should change all that. The music of Archive, which was formed by Darius Keeler and Danny Griffiths with singer Roya Arab and young rapper Rosko John, has aged well. The soaring strings, slowly lurching beats and meditative grooves all sit up there with any of their more famous peers, from Tricky to Massive Attack. This anniversary edition includes a 4-page booklet with song lyrics and credits, plus a hidden track.

Review: Between A Rock And A Hard Place, the 1994 debut from Newark's Artifacts, is a snapshot of East Coast hip-hop with its roots in graffiti culture. Comprising Tame One and El Da Sensei, the duo delivers a mix of underground hits and gritty street anthems. While the album boasts production from heavyweights like Buckwild, T-Ray, and Redman, it's a mixed bag of standout tracks and underwhelming moments. Tracks like 'Wrong Side of Da Tracks' shine, paying homage to graffiti over a mellow backdrop with a soothing horn loop, marking it as a 90s gem. The album captures the glory parts of the era, with tracks like 'Whayback' offering nostalgic reflections on their journey into hip-hop. The reissue on 180-gram gold vinyl is a worthy nod to its legacy for this cult classic.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


From the first notes of the Talking Heads-esque opening of the title track, which has none other than The Cure's Robert Smith as guest backing vocalist, this album by the great Scottish post-punk legends The Associates has you hooked. It's littered with standout moments, but the wiry bassline which underpins the offbeat guitar on 'Amused As Always' is high up there. It manages to pull off being belligerently repetitive by offsetting any sense of monotony with sheer style. Meanwhile, frontman Billy MacKenzie - who tragically died before his time in 1997 - has a voice to rival that of Robert Smith himself in terms of tone. The Associates may not be as readily cited in the typical indie record collection - but they're probably your favourite band's favourite band. regardless, this album is going to challenge why you've resisted so long in not putting it at the heart of your collection.

Review: From the first notes of the Talking Heads-esque opening of the title track, which has none other than The Cure's Robert Smith as guest backing vocalist, this album by the great Scottish post-punk legends The Associates has you hooked. It's littered with standout moments, but the wiry bassline which underpins the offbeat guitar on 'Amused As Always' is high up there. It manages to pull off being belligerently repetitive by offsetting any sense of monotony with sheer style. Meanwhile, frontman Billy MacKenzie - who tragically died before his time in 1997 - has a voice to rival that of Robert Smith himself in terms of tone. The Associates may not be as readily cited in the typical indie record collection - but they're probably your favourite band's favourite band. regardless, this album is going to challenge why you've resisted so long in not putting it at the heart of your collection.

Review: Writers will appreciate the double play on words no doubt, and trying to figure out who wouldn't get off on the Au Pairs is part of the brain teaser here. That said, the British post punk outfit only managed to peak at 79 in the album charts with this one, so clearly back in 1982 plenty of people either felt differently to us or weren't actually listening. Rediscovering the record now confirms their ignorance. Musically, Sense & Sensuality is a far broader collection than the group's preceding work, smashing through the limitations of a genre that was in its Informed by free form jazz, theatrical cabaret, new wave and art pop, it's a wild and unarguably fun ride instrumentally speaking, while lyrics speak to personal challenges and timely political issues.

Review: Au Pairs imploded shortly after releasing this terrific second and last album of theirs. The Birmingham post-punk band are said to have burned the candle at both ends after the success of their debut and rushed into the studio to make this album. Despite internal disputes, the band managed to take their Gang Of Four-esque sound to new levels. They are more adventurous than on the preceding record as there's saxophone and synth, making for a more textured and layered approach than before. Lyrically, Au Pairs are one of the most important bands of their era. Shockingly avant-garde in the early 80s when it was released, they tackled sexuality and gender politics with ire and wit. The standout on this album: 'Sex Without Stress' - a brilliant lampooning of the societal pressure around sex.