Back catalogue: Leftfield

Review: Measured Mile is a new 7" label run by regular Ace consultant and confidante Bob Stanley. The plan is to release DJ-friendly 45s that are either very rare or previously unavailable on seven-inch. On this new one come two pieces from esteemed library musicians - the well known pairing of Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett, and Dave Richmond. 'Name Of The Game' is a slow instrumental blues piece with beats ready to be plundered for hip-hop beats that once soundtracked a 1970s aftershave ad, while Richmond's 'Confunktion' is a motivational builder-upper with drums and organs aplenty.

Review: 'We Are!' was the very first opening theme for the TV anime version of One Piece, which first aired in 1999. The first analogue version of the 8cm single CD was released in November of that year. Sung by the franchise's in-house singer Hiroshi Kitadani, and bringing along with her a bursting, emphatic, nearing-on-frenzied composition, the theme instantly captures the vibe of One Piece; that of following Monkey D. Luffy and crew on serial whimsical piracies and carefree adventures, set against a more sinister backdrop of tyrannical secret police forces controlled by a World Government, in constant conflict with a Revolutionary Army.

Review: Originally formed in 1977 (the year punk supposedly died), the Mark Perry-led collective known as Alternative TV are often cited as one of, if not, the first act to marry reggae rhythms to punk rock motifs. Refusing to rest on these laurels for long, however, the group would go on to utterly defy easy categorisations over the ensuing decades, with their 1979 second album Vibing Up the Senile Man (Part One) eschewing much of the anthemic mayhem of their debut The Image Has Cracked, in favour of a more experimental free-jazz form. This early anecdotal evidence is vital when attempting to unpack their new eleventh LP Direct Action. Following on from 2015's Opposing Forces, and serving as their first project of new material in almost a decade, this latest collection opts to be their most challenging, impenetrable and unwelcoming yet. Utilising tape loops, isolated guitar passages, minimal vocals and an overall industrial-leaning quality, the fact that the group so many decades ago had their first rehearsals at Throbbing Gristle's Industrial Records studio seems like no great revelation in retrospect. Unconcerned with listener expectation or radioplay, Direct Action demands animated response yet refuses to offer any helping hand down its path of caustic, alien sonics.

Review: Gothenburg trio Amateur Hour is Hugo Randulv, Julia Bjernelind and Dan Johansson, and Gar I Kras is their fourth album. It builds on the expansive Krokta Tankar Och Branda Vanor from back in 2022, and though still experimental and out there, it might also be their most accessible and polished work yet. Dreamy lo-fi pop meets gritty electronics and sound collage throughout as damaged linger above humming basslines and grimy guitars underpin detached vocals. It's a haunting but beautiful soundtrack for outsiders who like music from the fringe but that retains a sense of human warmth and soul.

Review: The festive season can be busy, stressful and quite frankly hard work. Thank you to Joel Andrews then for serving up this perfect excuse to take half an hour to yourself and get lost in his most lush and soothing ambient sounds. The A-side is taken up entirely by 'Paradise Bird' which is rich with spring-like energies and delightful uplifting melodies. But this limited long player also offers more quiet moments of calm and introspection such as on the harp-like and heavenly melodies of 'Chamber Of The Heart.' Glorious stuff that will enrich and energise your life with its subtle and charming beauty.

Review: Apta dives deep, crafting a sonic odyssey that mirrors the ebb and flow of a psychedelic experience. Gone are the predictable structures of verse-chorus, replaced by a free-flowing exploration of texture and timbre. Modular synthesis intertwines with analogue warmth, guitars shimmer and distort and even vocals make a surprising appearance, adding an ethereal layer to the immersive soundscape. 'Shiver' and 'Awash' stand out with their post-rock leanings, showcasing Apta's ability to blend ambient textures with twirly melodies. But, the journey takes unexpected detours with moments of gritty percussion and analogue distortion mirroring the emotional turbulence of a psychedelic plunge. This is a sonic tapestry woven from diverse influences, touching on post-rock, pop ambient and kosmische, yet ultimately forging its own unique path. It's an album that demands your attention, revealing new details and hidden depths with each listen. Prepare to be surprised, intrigued and ultimately swept away by Apta's most ambitious and rewarding work to date.

Review: 7 Up is three things; a ubiquitous energy drink brand, an infamous TV show charting the upbringing and development of various children from the ages of seven upwards, and the third studio album by Ash Ra Tempel - their only collaborative piece with notorious psychologist and psychedelic drug advocate Timothy Leary. Supposedly, the sprawling psych-Moog album was named after a bottle of 7 Up that had been spiked with LSD was given to the band's lyricist Brian Barritt. This new version contains the original manuscript of the album's concept by Leary, as well as photos from the recording session in Bern.

Review: The Persona 5 Megamix Vinyl Soundtrack distils the essence of the game's legendary audio into one electrifying album. It's a curated selection that pulls from hours of jazzy, stylish and emotionally charged music that defines the whole mood and aesthetic of the game. From iconic bangers like 'Wake Up, Get Up, Get Out There' and 'Last Surprise' to atmospheric gems like 'Beneath the Mask' and 'Rivers in the Desert,' these tracks brim with hooky musical character and also plenty of narrative weight. With remixed album art by Drew Wise, this is a sleek, essential tribute to one of gaming's most unforgettable soundtracks.

Review: Part of the wider Megami Tensei video game franchise, Persona 4 is a 2008 role playing title that hit Japan, and made a huge impact, in 2008. Set in a fictional version of the Land of the Rising Sun's countryside, players adopt the character of a high school student who moves to the small town of Inaba from the city to experience rural living for 12 months. Mysterious murders ensue, and it's up to you - or whoever's got the PS2 controller - to work out what's happening. It's typically deep dive stuff for a country that has always had a very unique relationship with video games. Atlus, the developer, already had a reputation for making beloved scores for its titles, and this one is no exception, although broke the mould compared with preceding instalments in the saga. Way more upbeat, it's a mixture of bubblegum dance pop, chip music, high intensity synth rock, urban-hued J-pop, and 'toon jazz.

Review: Persona 3 Reload reimagines Atlus' iconic RPG with updated graphics, gameplay, character designs, and new music. The soundtrack pays homage to the original's late-2000s style while infusing modern elements, creating a unique blend. 'Reloaded' tracks cleverly reference the original tunes while introducing fresh elements for a captivating experience. With Persona's signature swagger, the Atlus Sound Team explores diverse genres like opera, hip-hop, and house. The Persona 3 Reload 4xLP by iam8bit features the Reloaded soundtrack on stunning Holographic Broken Glass Vinyl, ensuring the premium mastering treatment for tracks like 'When the Moon's Reaching Out' and 'Aria of the Soul.'

Review: Berlin trio AUSKLANG are back with Kairos, a second superb album that builds on their last effort, 2020's Chronos, also on Past Inside the Present, 2020. It finds the trio of Fabian Koppri, Benjamin Sohn, and Simon Ansing play with concepts of time and entropy across eight movements that balance melodic post-rock and layered ambient soundscapes. It's a deceptively complex blend of glitching electronics, drums, bass and guitar with classically inspired orchestrations that makes for something as immersive and grand as it is beautiful. As the summer fades and autumn arrives, this richly rewarding album is sure to prove a great companion as we spend more time indoors.

Review: Loren Connors and Alan Licht's performance on The Blue Hour is a rare and stunning exploration of sound and emotion. Celebrating thirty years of collaboration, the duo's first-ever set with Connors on piano is captured in this live recordings from May 5-6, 2023. The album surprises with its spacious warmth, showcasing the duo's dedicated expressionism and vast spectrum of emotion. The opening notes shimmer, leading into a stunning exchange of melodies and chords. As Connors transitions to guitar, the music deepens, creating sharp, glassy edges and a dramatic, organ-like feedback. The duo's chemistry is palpable as they lock into refrains, creating a melodic and harmonious sound reminiscent of their early days. Licht's ability to delicately place fractures of a Jackson C Frank song among Connors' blues is remarkable.

Review: Loren Connors and Alan Licht's collaborative journey spanning 30 years culminates in their eighth album, At The Top Of The Stairs, is a great example to their enduring partnership and musical evolution. Recorded live in 2018, the album features two side-long pieces that showcase the duo's ability to create ethereal, abstract soundscapes with intricate arrangements. Throughout their collaboration, Connors' ghostly blue tones and Licht's meticulously crafted feedback and harmonic patterns have formed the core of their unique sound. At The Top Of The Stairs captures the duo's ascent through layers of atmospheric tension, punctuated by Connors' thunderous waves of effects. Connors and Licht have left an indelible mark on the experimental music landscape.

Review: Dive into the stunning world of Saint Seiya with the first-ever vinyl issue of Volume 3 of the anime's cult soundtrack. Composed and arranged by Seiji Yokoyama, known for his work on Gatchaman, this album features the best music and songs from the beloved series. Saint Seiya, also known as Knights of the Zodiac, follows the heroic Knights of Bronze as they protect the goddess Athena. The series has become a massive franchise since its debut in 1986, inspiring TV series, films, video games, and more. This limited edition, pressed on stunning blue marbled vinyl, offers fans a deeper exploration of Yokoyama's iconic score. With its beautiful packaging, this release is ideal for collectors and enthusiasts.