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Inspired by Octavia Butler's prescient 90's novel predicting today's climate & wealth inequality crisis', the new LP from Trippers & Askers for Sleepy Cat Records is a laid back alt-Americana & jazz laced psychedelic folk foray into humanity's dark side, the still burning candles of hope & the difficult choices facing us all sooner than we want to admit if we want to build a more equitable, sustainable future.

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Inspired by the world building, Afrofuturist radicalism of the novel “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler, the latest Trippers & Askers LP “Acorn” blends spiritual jazz and traditional styles in ways that pose fundamental questions about the nature of “American” music. With cover art from acclaimed comic artist John Jennings - whose work includes multiple graphic novel adaptations of Butler’s work - this concept album ushers the listener through the narrative of the novel as it pertains to the very real political and emotional challenges of the present. 
Parable of the Sower was written in the 1990’s and set in 2020’s U.S. when society has collapsed for everyone but the super wealthy due to climate change, wealth inequality, religious fundamentalism, and corporate greed. The protagonist – a woman named Lauren Olamina – embodies a kind of radical hope that has nothing to do with denial. In fact, it’s a kind of hope that can only spring from the fact that she understands the severity of her and her community’s situation better than anyone else. It’s a hope that is anchored by a religion that she creates called Earthseed, a way of seeing the world that many contemporary black feminist activists and musicians such as adrienne maree brown, Toshi Reagon and so many others have taken up as a spiritual roadmap toward liberation from an increasingly unacceptable present. 
Side A of “Acorn” deals with the childhood of humanity on earth, with the discovery of Earthseed ushering us to the stars. Side B deals with a “sweet, sad and terrifying” adulthood that is oriented toward the creation of the first Earthseed community, “Acorn.” An album based on the second novel in the series, “Parable of the Talents”, is in process. 
Acorn was recorded primarily in Durham, North Carolina, and features some of the area’s finest including Andy Stack (Wye Oak, Joyero), Joseph O’Connell (Elephant Micah), Joe Westerlund (Califone, Megafaun), former Sun Ra member Ken Moshesh. Here are some words on the album from songwriter, friend and fellow traveler, Will Stratton. 
 CreditsPerformance: 
Jay Hammond | Voice, Guitars, Mandolin, Bass, Electronics 
Chessa Rich | Voice, Keyboards, Organ, Piano, Flute 
Andrew Carlson | Voice, Bass 
Joe Westerlund | Drums, Percussion 
Ken Moshesh | Percussion 
Joseph Decosimo | Fiddle 
Bako Jaf | Saz 
Mike Grigoni | Pedal Steel 
Joseph O'Connell | Pump Organ 
Andy Stack | Saxophone, Organelle 

Production: 
All Songs by Jay Hammond 
Saz by Bako Jaf recorded in Pigneto, Rome 
Engineering @ Silkworm Sound in Durham, NC by Saman Khoujinian 
Engineering @ The Rubber Room in Chapel Hill, NC by Saman Khoujinian 
Engineering @ Arbor Ridge Studios in Chapel Hill, NC by Jeff Crawford 
Engineering and Initial Mixing @ Everywhere by Jay Hammond 
Final Mixes by Scott Hirsch @ Echo Magic Studios in Ojai, CA 
Distributed by Sleepy Cat Records 
Manufactured by Blue Sprocket in Harrisonburg, VA 
Package design by Gabe Anderson 
Original Cover Artwork by John Jennings 
Produced by Jay Hammond 
© simultaneities 2021​

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WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

WHAT WE SAY

Nice to see Sam Gendel back with Sam Wilkes on another mission for Leaving Records. Anchored by a bit of hip hop bump they embark on a smooth future jazz ride, but not without them gently probing the jazz continuum for possibilities they will no doubt explore at a later date.

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The follow-up to 2018's underground jazz milestone from Los Angeles-based musicians Sam Gendel & Sam Wilkes. Music for Saxofone & Bass Guitar More Songs collects nine additional songs from the duo.

CreditsPerformed, recorded, mixed and produced by 
Sam Gendel + Sam Wilkes 
additional bass by Daniel Aged on THEEM PROTOTYPE, COLD POCKET, FLAMETOP GREEN 
Mastered by Matthewdavid McQueen 
Recorded on location at Mh Zh + Daniel's Basement + etc. 
2017-2021​

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WHAT YOUR EARS SAY & WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE

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If you need a snug sonic blanket for your lie-in, a sofa friendly soundtrack or just a long hot soak in a sound bath then head over to the new Ambalek LP for Seil Records & hit play on this Sunday suitable ambient suite.

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'Fremder' is about finding escape and solace in suburban sylvan spaces. 

Made with hand played electronic instruments: Ciat Lonbarde Deerhorn, Cocoquantus, Plumbutter, digital piano (sampled via microphone), eurorack, Novation Peak, and Elektron Digitone. Where necessary loops were made either with cassette tapes or Gauss Field Looper.

CreditsProduced & Mixed by Ambalek 
Mastered by SALZ Mastering 
Artwork by Ambalek ́s SX70 
Design by Aoki & Matsumoto 


*** 10% of our earnings go to charity. *** 
It is our goal to make the world a more optimistic place. And music is one way to reach it. But we also want to help good people do good things. So every quarter we donate 10% of our label earnings to support a small non-profit organization, as there even humble amounts can make a real difference. These are organisations in the fields of helping the environment, fighting racism or providing music education to underprivileged groups. On our social media channels we let you know every six months to which charity our donation went and help spread the word about their work.​

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"Hollywood", the brand new single from Wiki Chaves drops today and it's a perfect slice of summery Surfadelic Exotica to soundtrack all sorts of fun in the sun.

CHECK OUT THE B-SIDE AS WELL

WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY

Argentinian by nature, Californian by location and just in time for summer, along comes Wiki Chaves armed with his Ace Tone drum machine, guitars and a pleasing genre fluidity to help make those holiday hammock sessions even more chilled and those summer nights that bit steamier. He's like an iced lemonade and alcoholic fruit cocktail in one handy, multi-compartmental, recyclable thermos container. 

But this is only part of the story. Big things are happening in Wiki's world, not least becoming a parent at the same time as navigating major life/career/philosophy changes and rediscovering the joys of nature. Some people at this stage of their life dial the therapist, Wiki opted for musicology instead and is releasing an LP of tropical mantric grooves to help him and you if you press play, through life's changes & challenges. 

So jump on the couch and head over to his Bandcamp for the full therapy session whilst checking the tropical dub delights of "Pleasure Point" and the Exotica meets Surfadelic excitement of "Hollywood" released as singles through The Slow Music Movement.  

wikichaves.bandcamp.com 
wikichaves.com 
soundcloud.com/wikichaves 
instagram.com/wikichaves/

​CreditsWritten by Wiki Chaves 
Wiki Chaves - guitar and drum programming. 
Nicolás Supertino - percussion and melodica 
Nico Bruschi - bass guitar 

Produced by nico Brushchi aka Sidirum 
Mixed by Nicola Carra 
Mastered by Jerónimo Escajal 
Cover by Carmen Chaves

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Restless soul Mia Pixley is not just knocking down walls but building bridges between the disparate neoclassical & jazz worlds, fusing her convention teasing cello, sweet southern soul with easy on the ear yet thought provoking lyrics on her strikingly original & mightily accomplished debut LP.

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Mia Pixley's first full length album, "Margaret in the Wild," establishes a new home beyond Pixley and her cello – a home that is truly sowed in the earth. A lifelong nature lover, who finally found her place with the help of strikingly emotional ocean swims during the pandemic, “Margaret in the Wild” represents Pixley unapologetically planting herself alongside others. The nine-track album demonstrates Pixley opening herself to the wilds of connection, to gratitude for what she has been given, as well as, to sorrow for what she has lost, and to nature’s inspirational capacity to finally root her uprooted beginnings.​