Various
XEN CUTS 3CD/4LP
No, Ninja Tune didn't invent electronic/collage music; it has simply been putting out consistently creative and delicious records for the past ten years. The first disc of this three CD collection is Ninja's contribution to hip hop. They've put out some damn fine stuff, like the Herbaliser and DJ Vadim's last albums. They've got the Quannum crew on board now, too Ñ 'nuff said. The second disc is more typical Ninja fare: jazz, funk, and enough tricknology to keep it fresh. The third disc is for the die hard folks who have everything except the "missed, flipped, and skipped" material; it features remixes by John McEntire of Tortoise, Four Tet, and Squarepusher, to name but a few of the high flyers!
3CD 26.98 4LP 42.98
SEA & CAKE
Oui CD/LP
Yes? Yes indeed. Another inward refinement for Chicago's new cafe modernists, and we couldn't possibly be more satisfied. Everything that is common and likeable about the Sea & Cake is polished and placed in its nicest arrangement yet. Also, the accomplishments of Prekop, Prewitt, and McEntire's solo work are well employed, adding subtle depth and complexity. All in all, it's beautiful. Imagine reorganising all of your favourite possessions so that they seem somehow new and still your same old favourite possessions at once. A shell game, perhaps. Mere aesthetics, maybe. But the overall effect is positive and redeeming. Charmingly subdued and suitable for framing, Sea & Cake are a true Zulu favourite. Recommended.
CD 16.98 LP 14.98
NIGO
Ape Sounds CD/2LP
If you're a fan of UNKLE, Beastie Boys, Cornelius, Money Mark or Takako Minekawa, then chances are you already have a Nigo related collaboration in your record collection. Or better yet, if your T-shirt collection includes a rare Bathing Ape print, then graphic designer-turned-musician Nigo should be your cultural architect of choice! Once available only in Japan, Ape Sounds can now be heard in our neck of the woods, thanks to Mo' Wax. Thoroughly modern music Ñ recommended at thoroughly modern Zulu!
CD 16.98 2LP 18.98
CHRISTIAN MARCLAY/ OTOMO YOSHIHIDE
Moving Parts CD
True, typologies seem kind of stiff, especially in reference to cultural production, and particularly in relation to today's common anti-methodological sensibility. Nevertheless, when it comes to Christian Marclay and Otomo Yoshihide, something needs to be said, some clarification given. While turntables often play a part in both of these artists' work, strictly speaking, they are not DJs in any conventional sense. For one, they favour sound clashes, cut-ups, experimentation, and eclecticism, instead of beats, tricks, and phat-ness. However, proper DJs or not, the superabundance of ideas on this record confirms their collective reputation. Not only for the adventurous, turntablists of all strips will find something valuable here.
CD 16.98 available october 7
GO BETWEENS
The Friends of Rachel Worth CD
Solo artists Grant McLennan and Robert Forster reunite after a 12-year absence! Joined by backing band Sleater Kinney, as well as guests Stephen Malkmus, Elliott Smith and Sam Coomes (Quasi), the duo relives its past song-writing grace by creating a fresh record with an acoustic warmth and charm. Smack-dab between rootsy Americana and current alt-country, these old school players are like a trusty pair of boots Ñ why polish their character!
CD 18.98
MOLASSES
Trilogie: Toll And Peacefull Life CD
Now at Zulu: another desolate postcard from our friends with addresses in Montreal's Mile End district. More in line with A Silver Mount Zion than Godspeed..., Molasses' second release finds songwriter Scott Chernov experimenting with the neo-classical ambience of his post-country vision. Designed as a journey through the streets of the city, this dense listen begins with the daybreak sounds of rats scuttling along the cobblestones and church bells ringing, lulling us quietly into a chamber of haunted railyards and warehouses. There, a wobbly gramophone sits on a table, holding the following items: 36 strike-anywhere matches; a spool of navy blue thread, and an ink-tipped feather. Molasses' charms crackle out.
CD 14.98 available october 7
DAMON AND NAOMI
With Ghost CD
Known best for their ethereal space-jams as the rhythm section for Galaxy 500, Damon and Naomi have steadily championed the new folk-psyche revival, which includes compatriots such as Flying Saucer Attack, Bardo Pond, and Windy & Carl. Elsewhere, Japanese acid-folk rockers Ghost gathered their pastoral billows to blow new life into the post-Can/Faust prog scene, thus making this meeting of mutual admirers inevitable! Its time to leave the planet at Zulu!
CD 16.98
TRISTEZA
Dream Signals In Full Circles CD
Temporarily leaving behind everything aggressive and bombastic, this group of hardcore punk noisemakers has even become substantially more smoothed-out and laid-back since their remarkable and already quite tranquil debut, Spine and Sensory. Still, like last time, dreamy guitars and keyboard drones float above a steady rhythm section, except now with greater confidence, cohesion, and restraint. This culminates in some downright pretty instrumental music, and we mean pretty. Shades of melancholic Õ80s pop and softer Kraut-rock add tastefully to the mix, sure to please contemporary tastes and fancies. Does punk need not be rock? You decide.
CD 16.98
PELE
The Nudes CD/LP
Materials required: Drawing board, paper, conte crayons, and charcoal.Outline: Casual sketches of guitar, bass and drums, with an emphasis on form and textural variance from these second-year Polyvinyl Records pupils. Having dazzled much of the Zulu staff with their standout entry in last year's experimental post-rock group show, Pele strengthen their allegiance with the 'inner circle' of out-rock neophytes Promise Ring, etc. Prerequisites for this course include: Pell Mell, Trans Am, and Slint.
CD/LP 16.98
AT THE DRIVE IN
Relationship of Command CD
The following transcription is entirely true, and, although used here as a blatant advertising strategy, should not be deemed cheapened by being thus reprinted: Phone rings. "Hello Zulu." "Oh hello, um...do you have...is the new At the Drive in out?" "No, it's delayed until the end of the month. We should be getting it by then." " Oh, OK, thanks. Bye." "Bye." Both parties hang up the phone. Clearly, the demand is strong. So, if you are familiar with the band, is calling them post-Fugazi OK? Get back to us.
CD 16.98
other new releases
Damien Jurado- Ghost of David CD/LP
Octant- Car Alarms and Crickets CD/LP
Bettie Serveert- Private Suit CD
Amon Tobin- 4 Ton Mantis CDEP/12"
DJ Vadim- Your Revolution CDEP/12"
Springheel Jack- Disappeared CD
Dan The Automator- A Much Better Tomorrow CD/LP
Town and Country- It All Has To Do With It CD/LP
Elevator- A Taste Of Complete Perspective CD
The Fucking Champs- IV CD
Fennesz- Live At The Revolver Club CD
Morphine- Bootleg Detroit CD
Bullfrog- S/T CD EP
Chicago Underground Trio- Flamethrower CD
Blonde Redhead- Melodie Citronique CD EP/12"
Don Caballero- American Don CD/2LP
ASHLEY PARK
Town and Country CD/LP
My first introduction to Ashley Park ended up in a 10 pound dry cleaning bill. There I was in a dim theatre near the Camden tube station, sister in tow, waiting for the brilliance to ensue, and undoubtedly with it Peggy's steady stream of happy/sad tears. I was wearing a nice olive 3-button suit, tailored by some Carnaby St. cats, my creepers and trusty wraparound shades. Well, it wasn't Peggy's tears that stained the jacket...it was mine! The tunes were dizzy. Augmented chords, I wept with every minor-fifth. This is what sunglasses are for Ñ to look good while you cry. Out now on Kindercore Records, pure Õ60s pop from local singer/songwriter Terry Miles!
CD 16.98 LP 14.98
JOAN OF ARC
The Gap CD/LP
The escalator moves up into the clouds. In the clouds, the air gets thin and dry, not unlike seaweed. Seaweed is occasionally used as wrapping paper for found objects, such as glass or stones. We have been repetitively told not to throw stones at glass houses, but we do so anyway. By chance, come in and listen to "Your impersonation this Morning of Me Last Night" by Joan of Arc.
CD 16.98 LP 14.98
