{"title":"Blue States","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn English electronica\/downtempo music project formed in 1997 in London, *Blue States* is headed up by Andy Dragazis. With a unique blend of electronic beats and soothing melodies, Blue States has carved out their own niche in the music industry. Their sound is often compared to artists such as Kinobe, Bent, and Lemon Jelly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown for their mesmerizing live performances and captivating studio albums, Blue States has gained a loyal following around the world. Their music transports listeners to another realm, creating an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing inspiration from various genres including trip-hop, ambient, and jazz, Blue States creates lush soundscapes that are both introspective and uplifting. Their tracks have been featured in films, commercials, and television shows, further solidifying their place as influential figures in the electronica scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"restless-spheres","title":"Restless Spheres","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue States releases his long awaited fifth album 'Restless Spheres' via Memphis Industries. It's been nine years since we last heard from Blue States, the moniker for the musical outlet of Andrew Dragazis. Recorded, produced and, for the most part, played by Dragazis at his Lightwell studios in Stoke Newington, London, 'Restless Spheres' doffs its cap to the soundtracks of Budd and Morricone, to 60s Greek bands such as the Forminx, to German electronic pioneers Dieter Moebius and Michael Rother and to American minimalist composers Steve Reich and Phillip Glass. On 'Restless Spheres' Dragazis draws on all four of his previous albums to create something entirely different, an album imbued with a subtle majesty and hope filled melancholy. 'Restless Spheres' themes, for the most part, focus on the everyday, the finding of beauty in the mundane.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Memphis Industries","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50410084663627,"sku":"404818","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50410084860235,"sku":"404819","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cdf7ea40-b8b8-440e-b2d2-9c7eb3f96979_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726636483"},{"product_id":"first-steps-into","title":"First Steps Into...","description":"\u003cp\u003eblue states, memphis industries' first signing and mainstay of the label, are back with their fourth album. with 'first steps into...' blue states return whence they came - for all intents and purposes, a one-man band as on the first album, 'nothing changes under the sun'. having previously worked with vocalist tahita on the second album, 'man mountain', and turned into a full-fledged three-piece on the third, 'the soundings', blue states is again the sole work of andy dragazis, save for the able assistance of sam walker on drums and a string section. heavily treated vocal duties are shared between dragazis and serena strong. the album was recorded in dragazis' studio in whitechapel, scheduled around the next-door mosque's prayer time, and interrupted frequently by angry imams. beginning with 'allies' and its otherworldly vocal line, 'first steps into...' is melodically dense and richly textured. the album draws inspiration from vangelis, aphrodite's child, the moody blues, david axlerod, and joe meek, and dragazis weaves a rare subtlety throughout, climaxing in 'last of old england' which builds from the bells of a greek orthodox church to an string-laden climax replete with zeppelin drums. lovely.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50410764730699,"sku":"289001","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"the-sixty-year-celebration-single-1960-2020","title":"The Sixty Year Celebration Single 1960 - 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Blue Beat Label celebrates 60 years during 2020.A very special release on 7\" Vinyl for Record Store Day 2020, featuring a double A side with an exclusive Record Store Day 2020 track \u003ci\u003eBlue Beat Is Back in Town\u003c\/i\u003e by Marcus Upbeat and the very first A side ever released on the Blue Beat Label \u003ci\u003eBoogie Rock\u003c\/i\u003e by Laurel Aitken. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Beat","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50417386488139,"sku":"1090674","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/681390ca-413b-4f00-9f01-fed84c469279_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726728220"},{"product_id":"world-contact-day","title":"World Contact Day","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue States returns with his sixth album titled \u003ci\u003eWorld Contact Day \u003c\/i\u003evia Memphis Industries. The album is named after the day each year on which UFO society International Flying Saucer Bureau tries to contact alien lifeform. \u003ci\u003eWorld Contact Day\u003c\/i\u003e arrives six years after the previous Blue States album, written and recorded partly at Dragazis' Lightwell Recordings studio in Hackney featuring a combination of instrumental soundscapes and vocal songs that draw from influences as diverse as world as Morricone, Vangelis, Beak, Broadcast and The Carpenters. Songs on the new record feature guest vocals from the likes of Giampaolo Speziale and Federica Caiozzo of the Italian band, Malihini, English folk-musician, Rachael Dadd and Miami-based Allison May-Brice (The 18th Day Of May, Lake Ruth).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Memphis Industries","offers":[{"title":"White | LP","offer_id":50459305574731,"sku":"1136339","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50459304624459,"sku":"1136338","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cb4f2847-fcbe-4f31-b814-3890b1243436_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727219744"},{"product_id":"blue-beat-is-back-in-town","title":"Blue Beat Is Back In Town","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis new retrospective of one the most significant and best-loved record labels in all music will include a selection of the tracks that made The Blue Beat Label legendary. Also represented are the more recent and current chapters of The Blue Beat Label's history. Track-listing: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide A 1. Blue Beat Is Back In Town - Marcus Upbeat 2. Boogie Rock - Laurel Aitken 3. Oh Carolina - The Folkes Brothers With The Count Ossie Afro-Combo 4. One Step Beyond - Madness 5. Miss Lulu - Derrick Morgan 6. Call Me My Pet - Owen Gray 7. Oh Babe (Sick \u0026amp; Tired) with (The Carib Beats) - Ewan \u0026amp; Jerry 8. Rough and Smooth (aka Rough and Tough) - Stranger Cole \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide B 1. Get Along With You Now – Bad Manners Featuring Verona 2. Rough Rider - The Beat 3. We’ll Have A Ball - The Marvels Featuring Donna Hinds 4. She’s So Sweet - Marcus \u0026amp; The Microdots 5. Laurel’s Boogie (London Single Version) - No.1 Station 6. Help Me Make It Through The Night - John Holt 7. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) - Jools Holland \u0026amp; Prince Buster\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Beat","offers":[{"title":"Blue | LP","offer_id":50465620394315,"sku":"1103628","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c4145b62-6dc5-4571-aaa7-29e71a46b5d1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727293830"},{"product_id":"back-to-where-it-all-began-the-blue-beat-years-rsd-2024","title":"Back To Where It All Began - The Blue Beat Years - RSD 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n                            \u003cstrong\u003eThis product is a Record Store Day exclusive title\u003c\/strong\u003e and is not available to pre-order.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n                            To buy in-store: 8am, 20\/04\/2024 (Record Store Day).\u003cbr\u003e\n                            To buy online: 8pm, 22\/04\/2024. (Subject to availability).\u003cbr\u003e\n                            Don’t forget: Click 'Notify Me' to be the first to know about its availability online. It also helps us to place accurate orders so that we can please as many of you as possible on the day.\u003cbr\u003e\n                            \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeatures 24 classic Blue Beat tracks from the legend that is Prince Buster all originally released on The Blue Blue Label including Enjoy It (Enjoy Yourself), Madness, Al Capone, One Step Beyond, Judge Dread, (Judge Four Hundred Years), Rough Rider and more, all tracks are remastered from the original releases and presented on 2 x 12\" vinyl discs with printed inner sleeves, exclusive sleeve notes and packaging.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Beat","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50490857095499,"sku":"2181473","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/PrinceBuster-BackToWhereItAllBegan_a11903aa_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727677051"},{"product_id":"right-to-be-here-4","title":"Right To Be Here","description":"\u003cp\u003eCANIC AGARD, aka George Dekker was born in Jamaica in 1946. There are few Jamaican Artists with such an impressive career as George Dekker. He is not Desmond Dekker's brother, Dekker is only a stage name His career gained momentum in the late 60s when he joined the vocal group The Pioneers. The Pioneers scored hit after hit internationally and they were one of the first Jamaican acts with hit singles in Europe. Next to his work with The Pioneers , George also released successful solo material including Foey Man, Nosey Parker, Time Hard and Try Love. Throughout his career George Dekker has worked with producers Leslie Kong, Bunny Lee, Byron Lee, Joe Gibbs, Sydney Crooks and others. Within the Pioneers undoubtedly George is one the most gifted song writers in the group and continues to tour together with the other active member, Jackie Robinson and are very much in request, in UK, Mainland Europe and South American , especially Brazil. RlGHT TO BE HERE For his brand new studio solo album Right To Be Here George Dekker has teamed up with renowned producers Mafia and Fluxi. The Heywood Brothers Leroy (Mafia) \u0026amp; Dave (Fluxy) have been producing, remixing and touring for over 35 years now and have worked with a very impressive list of artists over the years ranging from touring with James Brown, Maxi Priest to doing remixes for Janet Jackson, Sting, Gypsy Kings and more. Mafia and Fluxy continue to work on productions and remain a sought after backing band and producers for artists on the international circuit. Right To Be Here the brand new studio album from George Dekker is out on July 26th on The Blue Beat Label.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Blue Beat","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50888246395211,"sku":"2208929","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50888246133067,"sku":"2208920","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_d8ddba86_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732539657"},{"product_id":"where-the-fades-meet","title":"Where the Fades Meet","description":"\u003cp\u003eMore than two decades into the ever-evolving world of Blue States, Andy Dragazis returned with album, \u003cem\u003eWhere The Fades Meet\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDragazis expands his signature cinematic sounds, placing a six-piece choir at the heart of the record. Continuing with the motif of big, atmospheric, widescreen production, but this time built around the concept of a small choir singing lead vocals in unison, the album transforms intimate songwriting into something communal and immersive.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe album marks another step in the evolution of Blue States, which has morphed over the years from a one-man project, to a live band, and now back to a studio-based solo project. Most of the album was recorded in Dragazis’ London based studio, with the choir and strings tracked separately. “Recording an album with a choir and a string quartet felt like a way of pushing myself both musically and technically – taking me out of my comfort zone” says Dragazis of the record. The choir came together after Dragazis reconnected with\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eTahita Bulmer (New Young Pony Club) who had collaborated with him on second Blue States album Man Mountain. Bulmer introduced him to vocalist Stacey Dowdeswell. Dowdeswell then helped assemble the six-piece vocal ensemble for the sessions, whose performances were largely recorded live in one take, capturing a raw, unpolished immediacy which adds to the human fragility and sense of presence at the core of the album. Bulmer herself joined the choir, marking a full-circle return to their earlier collaboration on “Man Mountain” more than twenty years ago. Even within the collective, her distinctive voice occasionally rises above the others and briefly takes centre stage. Also featured throughout the album is the acclaimed string quartet The Elysian Quartet. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhere The Fades Meet\u003c\/em\u003e stands out as one of Blue States’ most expansive and immersive works to date, balancing intricate orchestration with emotional intimacy and blurring the boundary between the personal and the universal.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Memphis Industries","offers":[{"title":"LP - Gold","offer_id":57375005704523,"sku":"R1604-8846","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/2000x2000bb_93352079-046b-43ff-a098-de4db451b1ad.jpg?v=1779186791"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_3a770283_thumbnail_4096_38bd03e2-f01a-44e9-a324-f80da2930176.jpg?v=1726636454","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/blue-states.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}