{"title":"Bristol Archive","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBristol Archive Records is a record label that specializes in Bristol post punk, rock and reggae music from 1977 onwards. The label, run by Mike Darby, aims to showcase the diverse Bristol Music scene and preserve its historical significance. They focus on rare, unknown or previously unreleased material, which has been digitally remastered from various formats such as vinyl, tape or cassette. Many of their original vinyl releases were limited to runs of 1000 copies or less. In addition to their music releases, they have also published books on the local scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-bristol-mod-explosion-1979-1987","title":"The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis album covers the period 1979 to 1987 and features 14 tracks. When punk rock started to fizzle out and Squat Punks started to appear on the streets, many of the UK's disaffected youths had already moved sideways into Modernism and fell in love with bands like The Jam, Secret Affair, The Purple Hearts, The Lambrettas and The Chords but lets also remember our love for The Beat, Madness and The Specials. Mod was another gang culture, to some a way of life, to some it became life. The smart, striking fashion sense, the scooters, the music; (some from the 60's, soul and Motown), some from the 70's and 80's, guitar driven power pop. Wow! Mod was the real deal. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe West Country embraced the scene and produced its own authentic Mod bands like The Reaction, Mayfair and The Newbeats. Other bands were in on the Mod tag for a period of time but could be more appropriately described as power pop \/ ska, namely, The Review, The Rimshots and Thin Air. Success for some was supporting their heroes, a good example being Thin Air (previously called Out of Order) with their 15-year-old guitarist and singer\/ songwriter Paul Sandrone, who supported The Jam at The Locarno in 1980 and The Rimshots, who played on the same bills as The Beat and The Bodysnatchers. This album is a soundtrack to an era, remembering a period in time when Top of The Pops was full of Secret Affair and The Chords together with all the Two-Tone bands. Thatcherism was killing multi-cultural Britain but to escape, it was ok to write a catchy pop song, it was ok to look smart and it was acceptable to wear a Parka, white socks, Hush Puppies and a mohair suit. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks Side A 1. Thin Air - A Thousand Burning Voices 2. The Letters - Nobody Loves Me 3. The Rimshots - Stuck in A Boat 4. The Rimshots - Little Boys and Little Girls 5. The Review - Fleet Street 6. Mayfair – Traffic 7. Mayfair - The Legend Side B 1. The Reaction - Surf- Riding 2. The Gross Club - Second Chance 3. The Newbeats - Somebody’s Girl 4. The Newbeats - Be My Girl 5. Joe Public - Hermans Back 6. The Reaction - Watching the World Go By 7. The Reaction - For All That I Am\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"White LP.","offer_id":50389741404491,"sku":"2178599","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ARC381V_3c83d09b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726370160"},{"product_id":"shape-of-things-to-come","title":"Shape of Things to Come","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor the many fans of 1960s music, we are sure this retrospective album by The Reaction will come as something of a surprise. Very rarely do you come across a band that has managed so successfully to recreate the unique electric 12 string sound of the 60s American West Coast. With seven original well crafted, self penned songs, and four cover versions once performed by the likes of The Yardbirds, The Creation, The Beatles and The Byrds, the new album \u003ci\u003eShapes of Things To Come\u003c\/i\u003e can sit very confidently alongside any other album from that era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Bristol based The Reaction were formed in the mid 1980s greatly influenced by the music and dress of the 60s, a combination that appealed to many of the Mod Revivalists of the day. With the young Mods enthusiastic support, The Reaction were quickly riding high on a wave of popularity and independent record sales. Everyone that either heard the band or were lucky enough to see their live set, were left with no doubt the band were destined for a brighter future than many of their peers. Even though they managed to gain much coveted Radio 1 airplay from the likes of John Peel and Andy Kershaw, and the backing of the Waterloo Sunset Records, their popularity was never properly harnessed. Within three years they were gone, but not thankfully without leaving behind the tracks that are now available on this album. The Reaction were of their time, with the potential to have progressed way beyond their revivalist image and following. They were unique in that they did not conform to everyone's idea of what a revivalist band of the time should be, whilst the likes of The Jam, Secret Affair and the Chords were all trying to push some 'angry young man' message, The Reaction were singing of a more idealistic world, a world of Sun, Surf and Sex and damned good at it they were too. If there is such a thing as reading between the musical lines then this is it. Listening to these tracks some 38 years after their inception - we cannot help but think 'what if'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50395623358795,"sku":"2144760","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a39fHN-A_9a0c3a57_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726469118"},{"product_id":"a-way-with-words-1980-1983","title":"A Way With Words (1980-1983)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol Archive Records have been telling the story of the incredibly diverse Bristol Music scene for many years now. The label has gained considerable success with their previous releases ‘The Bristol Reggae Explosion’ series. In 2023 they turned our attention to punk with ‘The Bristol Punk Explosion 1977-1979’ and followed that in March this year with ‘The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987’. Now they continue their attention on this Subculture - Mods - and bring you an album by The Rimshots - \u003ci\u003eA Way With Words (1980-1983)\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis features 12 tracks, seven have never been released before on vinyl or CD. Many of the UK’s disaffected youths had already moved sideways into Modernism and fell in love with bands like The Jam, Secret Affair, and The Chords but let’s also remember The Rimshots love for The Beat, UB40 and The Specials. Mod was another gang culture, to some a way of life, to some it became life and for The Rimshots it was their starting point in the music business with a love of power pop, ska, reggae, dub and dance music. The band consisting of Mike Furzeman (Guitar), Nick Waring (Drums), Simon Heathfield (Bass), Richard Bentley (Keyboards) and Mike Darby (Vocals). Mike now runs Bristol Archive Records, Sugar Shack Records and Reggae Archive Records. Success for some was supporting their heroes, The Rimshots played on the same bills as The Beat, Hazel O’Connor, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Black Roots, Talisman and The Body Snatchers. The Rimshots signed a record deal with Shoc Wave Records after only their third gig. Shoc Wave was a Dominican label specialising in soca and reggae before moving in later years onto disco. As the 70’s moved into the early 80’s the band dropped the Mod tag and became more of a power pop\/rock outfit, especially after the introduction of additional guitarist Angelo Bruschini. Angello sadly passed away from a rare form of lung cancer on the 23rd October 2023. He went on to play with The Blue Aeroplanes, Stutter and Massive Attack. A true legend of the very diverse Bristol music scene. Blessed love!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50412753191243,"sku":"2183235","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ARC382V_bc42662c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726668606"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-punk-explosion-vol-2-1977-1981","title":"The Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977-1981)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe follow up to the successful \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Punk Explosion (1977-1979)\u003c\/i\u003e album  - a twelve-track compilation entitled \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1977-1981)\u003c\/i\u003e issued on crystal clear vinyl and limited to three hundred copies. The sleeve notes are written by Tim Williams author of the 1977 Loaded fanzine. Tim talks about the transition from soul to punk, the demise of prog rock and the fashion culture that sat seamlessly alongside the music. There are three previously unreleased tracks never before available on vinyl. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Cortinas were the first. They played the Roxy Club, released two singles on Mark Perry and Miles Copeland's Step Forward label, graced the front cover of Sniffin' Glue and recorded a Peel Session. Guitarist Nick Sheppard remembers the night it all slotted into place: “I think a real turning point for us was seeing the Ramones at the Roundhouse on July 4,1976 – we started to write our own songs after that gig. We had been playing and doing gigs for about a year by then – all covers apart from one song, Tokyo Joe as I remember. After that gig we started writing stuff like ‘Television Families’. We saw people like us in the audience at that gig and it must have given us confidence.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTaking their cue, bands like Social Security (the first band on Heartbeat Records), The Pigs (whose ‘Youthanasia’ single was released by Miles Copeland's New Bristol Records), The Media, 48 Hours and Private Dicks gave Bristol one of the strongest provincial early punk scenes. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe area of Barton Hill gave us The X-Certs, who by 1978 could already pull audiences of five hundred into Trinity Hall. Though we did not realise it at the time, they effectively bridged the gap between the late 70s Bristol scene and what our American cousins like to term the UK82 bands. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn time bands from the suburbs of Bristol started to appear on the scene, Misdemeanor (who were managed by the late Dennis Sheehan U2’s tour manager for thirty plus years), Apartment from Downend (whose photo adorns the front cover) and Noiz Boiz from Weston Super Mare, the seaside town just down the road. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis compilation is designed to give all fans of punk a snapshot of what Bristol punk was all about during that period. We close side two of the album with The X-Certs Clash infused \/reggae single ‘Together’ and follow it with one of Bristol finest Roots reggae bands Talisman and their single ‘Wicked Dem’. The punky\/reggae party had truly started as we move into the 80’s Bristol stylee! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Clear LP","offer_id":50418110923083,"sku":"2187998","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1214466909_16_37010a5d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726738922"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-roots-explosion-rsd-2024","title":"The Bristol Roots Explosion - RSD 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n                            This product is a Record Store Day exclusive title 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\u003eSought after reissue in new artwork, new colour vinyl (clear) with large hype sticker. \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Roots Explosion\u003c\/i\u003e documents the West Country's take on roots reggae from the second half of the 1970s until the end of the 1980s. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n Tracks:\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Side A \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.Ethiopia Revelation - Big Roy \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.Culture - Revelation Rockers \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3. Africa (Is Our Land) - Joshua Moses \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.Times Are Getting Harder - Bunny Marrett \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.Riot - 3D Productions\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Side B\n 1\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e.Nation Integration - Rhythmites \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2. Calling For Mercy - Restriction \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3. Twelve Tribes - Zion Band \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.Dole Age (7\" Mix) - Talisman\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Clear LP","offer_id":50425169871179,"sku":"2181572","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Various_-_The_Bristol_Roots_Explosion_be53accf_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726787568"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-heavy-rock-explosion-1","title":"The Bristol Heavy Rock Explosion","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpanning nearly 25 years from the early '70s to the mid-'90s, \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Rock Explosion\u003c\/i\u003e celebrates the city's unfairly overlooked rock talent. Its 17 tracks, many of them rare and previously unreleased, also take in early space rockers Magic Muscle, punk rockers-turned-thrash metal titans Onslaught, the mighty goth-rockers Claytown Troupe, Shiva's pioneering prog-metal, the accomplished classic rock of Lautrec and Stampede, classy melodic rockers Bronz, Headmaster's saucy pin-up rock, the '90s sounds of Voodoo and Mirror Mirror, and much, much more. Additionally, the extensive, anecdote-rich sleeve notes tell the frequently eye-opening stories behind this great music, written by Robin Askew \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50434420867403,"sku":"1002700","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f8dafa49-b194-4471-b747-ed6d3b55ccb5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726888649"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-vol-2-1979-1986","title":"The Bristol Post Punk Explosion Vol 2 (1979-1986)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol is a city that has managed to not only surprise the wider world with its output but has managed to do the same to the citizens of the place. The 1980's was a decade that personified that aspect to music making out west and the second volume of the Bristol Post-Punk Explosion has managed to capture the vibe to perfection. In the post-punk cauldron Electric Guitars were boiling up a brew that is no better illustrated than in the album opener, 'Language Problems.' \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHere we have all the ingredients - plenty of off-kilter hair, scatter gun lyrics, stuttering guitars, buoyant scampering bass plunges, colour blind keyboard lines, insistent drums, and a full-on frenetic set of male and female vocal deliveries. Former Essential Bop main-man Steve Bush (see more below) made a worthy attempt at hitting the mainstream in his alliance with Christian Clarke in the classy Bush and Clarke duo. Art Objects 'Fit of Pique 'then bring us back to earth with a bump - and with some bruises:This is at times brutal, a sonic assault allied to beat poetry from Gerard Langley (later to carry this further with Blue Aeroplanes). Brother John's quick-fire, spring heel jack drumming holds the chaos together - just. The next track also features two brothers - Jon-Jo and Robin Key. The contributions of the pair to their adopted city's music cannot be underestimated. Either\/Or was a project that was sandwiched between work with Art Objects, their earlier band the Various Artists and a later in the period major label fling with the classy Love Train. TVI's really are one of the 'lost' bands of Bristol. The group included Tim Norfolk, who went on to success with The Insects, and Alan Griffiths of local post-punk bands Apartment and The Escape (more to follow) who went on to work with Tears for Fears. The sextet of goodies is closed by the full version of 'Giacometti' (Wicked Mix) by Scream and Dance, rather more in the mood that might 'typify' Bristol. It's mightily percussive, dubby, carefree, wild in the country and jazzy. Yet again this features the superb drumming of John Langley. Side two kicks off with The Escape and one of their pinnacle songs 'Eden.' This widescreen epic is chock full of drama and was one of a quartet of tracks they were recorded for, of all people, the Peter Powell Show on drive time Radio One! The band would later to sign to Phonogram and mutate into a very different beast, shorn of their claws. You want pure sound of the drums thunder? That you get from Moskow's take on the TV classic (The) 'Man from Uncle,' live and direct as the agent who shoots them dead. Distant Cousins were Bath's version of a collection of epic making young men. The emotional disturbance of 'The Search' has all the sway and swerve that stays the course. Steve Bush reappears in his Essential Bop moment describing his own song well as 'Eloquent Sounds.'  There are some resemblances to the archness of the great Magazine and that's no bad thing. A little of that fairy dust also gets poured on to the jazz-punk-funk explorations of Pete Brandt's Method in their take a chance on us 'Positive Thinking.' The ultimate bonus of this collection is to hear the early days of the phenomenon that would become the renowned producer, Nellee Hooper. His membership of the Mouth collective was given full rein in 'Ooh Ah Yeah,' a filmic flurry a la batterie that Quincy Jones or Lalo Schifrin would have been proud to score. All these tracks are gems of note in their own right - savour the lot! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide A \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. Electric Guitars - Language Problems (Demo) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2Bush and Clarke - I'm Satisfied \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.Art Objects - Fit of Pique \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.Either\/OR - I Believe In The Ant (Haarlem 1982 Mix) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.TVI's – Routine \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.Scream and Dance - Giacometti (Wicked Mix) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide B \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.The Escape – Eden \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2.Moskow - Man From Uncle (Demo) \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3.Distant Cousins - The Search \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4.Essential Bop - Eloquent Sounds \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e5.Mouth - Ooh, Ah, Yeah! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.Pete Brandts Method - Positive Thinking\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50437689442635,"sku":"2209252","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_0e9d3cf0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726933821"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-goth-explosion-the-80s","title":"The Bristol Goth Explosion - The 80's","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol Archive present an album of the cream of Bristol’s 1980s ‘Goth’ scene. With sleeve notes from Pete Webb; a member of one of Bristol’s earliest Goth bands; Necromancy, quotes from Jon Klein of Specimen and in beautiful trans red vinyl, this is another hugely valuable document of the music and scene in Bristol and the Southwest. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Bristol Goth explosion was a key part of the growth of the whole scene in the UK in many ways. Two bands on this compilation were formed in 1981: Specimen and Necromancy. Specimen made the move to London in 1982 and started the Batcave club now synonymous with the Goth story. The other; Necromancy stayed in Bristol and played and partied at the Bastille Club, a similar club to the Batcave, but a hidden and less known transgressive den for the emerging Gothic Punk scene. The Bastille was infamous; you saw Quentin Crisp partying there, Friar Tuck locked in a dancer’s cage, Stan the Man a guy in yellow speedos on roller skates gliding around the dance floor and a 70-year-old regular flashing her knickers whilst doing the Can-Can! Members of the Cure, Bauhaus and Echo and the Bunnymen passed through the club and Bristol’s beautifully preened punks waltzed to the Blue Danube by Strauss one minute and Bauhaus the next. The Bastille run by David Darling was a meeting point, party scene and the one part of the musical glue that tied these bands together. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis album features Specimen, Claytown Troupe, Fear of Darkness, Necromancy, Temple, Exit Stance and The Long March many of whom frequented the Bastille. It is an album that represents the darker side of Punk and Post Punk and then the scene that became known as Goth, but it represents the variety of musical influences and styles that were involved in those scenes. The album is dedicated to the key people, clubs and venues that contributed to its flourishing; the Bastille and its founder David Darling, music journalist Dave Massey (NME, Sounds) who supported and wrote about this scene in the mainstream and local music press at the time, the members of these bands and the people who went to the gigs and the clubs and who travelled the country looking and dressing in an incredible way. Another project instigated by Mike Darby and the wonderful Bristol Archive Records. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracklisting: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide A \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. Specimen – Stand Up Stand Out \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2. Fear of Darkness – Lay Me Down \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3. Temple – Book of Dreams \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4. Temple – Spine \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e5. Exit Stance – Conspiracy of Silence \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide B \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. Claytown Troupe – Prayer \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2. The Long March – Weakness \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3. Necromancy – Waltzing \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4. Necromancy – Save Your Praise \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e5. Exit Stance – Esthetics \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":50443439341899,"sku":"2223613","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3775507001_16_f34fe7ec_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727014564"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-1978-1982","title":"The Bristol Post Punk Explosion (1978-1982)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eToo Much Commotion\u003c\/strong\u003e - You Have Been Warned. The post-punk explosion of the late 1970s\/early 1980s is regarded as one of the most exciting periods of music making explorations in Bristol. Half a century later (gulp!), the period is now being revisited, seen as being even more relevant as there is the 2020s surge of new acts reviving and mining the seam of the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany of the original Bristol bands in question had either been featured on or been rocket-fueled inspired by the success of a local label's 1980 compilation album of bands from the city on \u003cem\u003eAvon Calling\u003c\/em\u003e, that was lauded, championed, and played to death by John Peel. John Peel rated the compilation of Bristol bands above those from Manchester and Liverpool, stating on air 'this really is the standard by which others should be judged in the future. It really is superb with not a bad track on it.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat local label releasing it was Heartbeat Records, run by Simon Edwards (who also ran Riot City). Heartbeat was part of a coterie of Bristol indies, such as Fried Egg, Wavelength, and Recreational (the latter operating out of another central destination for music lovers, the Revolver record shop). The emergent labels were tapping into the range of musical talent responding to the challenges of a new decade, the Thatcher government tearing down hard-fought-for certainties and securities, allied to the impact of punk that had shifted the shape of the musical landscape so dramatically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe quasi-psychedelic, archly poetic \u003cem\u003eEssential Bop\u003c\/em\u003e even got as far as being praised to the skies in the NME by Paul Morley. \u003cstrong\u003eArt Objects\u003c\/strong\u003e 'a beat combo fronted by a poet' became the better-known \u003cem\u003eBlue Aeroplanes\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eElectric Guitars\u003c\/strong\u003e somewhat incongruously signed to Stiff and - sadly - stiffed. \u003cstrong\u003eLatif Gardez\u003c\/strong\u003e from Gardez Darkx signed with EMI and later Virgin. He would release two albums under the name \u003cem\u003eMystery Slang\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003eTim Norfolk\u003c\/strong\u003e from the artful, wacky, and tight-fitting \u003cem\u003eShoes For Industry\u003c\/em\u003e went on to become a member of The Insects and worked with Massive Attack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat cannot be ignored all this time on when listening to so much of the \u003cem\u003eExplosion\u003c\/em\u003e album is the quality - the sheer attack of Art Objects, the angular extremities of Electric Guitars along with the caustic sneer of Fishfood. Then there is the more hipster Danceteria driven, percussive, and horny frenetic grooves of Animal Magic, in marked variance to the loose-limbed, guitarless Scream \u0026amp; Dance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is all contrasting with more electronic vox ultra uber-cool mensch and darker elements of Europeans (featuring later Specimen and Siouxsie and the Banshees guitarist, John Klein), Creature Beat, and Colortapes (who had Mike Fewins, ex of The Cortinas, in their line-up). Much can be found in the sheer lyricism of so many of the songs and groups. \u003cstrong\u003eGlaxo Babies\u003c\/strong\u003e even recently performed in Bristol in their current iteration, Dan Catsis being the sole original member.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Objects\/Aeroplanes main man Gerard Langley regarded the band in their heyday as the 'cornerstone of the Bristol scene' placing them above the Pop Group (usually ranked as being top dogs by national media, though Essential Bop regarded them as 'beatnik fascists') in that status. For Langley the Glaxos were 'both sophisticated and primitive, they were basically pre-post-punk punk. They were real man, and I loved them'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eExplosion\u003c\/em\u003e album is the tip of the iceberg of the treasure trove of goodies from the era. Archive label owner Mike Darby, who compiled it, makes that plain: \"There's easily enough for a great volume two.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTracklisting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSide One\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eArt Objects\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Hard Objects\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eGlaxo Babies\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Christine Keeler\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAnimal Magic\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Standard Man\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eElectric Guitars\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Beat Me Hollow (Demo)\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eCreature Beat\u003c\/em\u003e - \"She Won't Dance\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eShoes For Industry\u003c\/em\u003e – \"Jerusalem\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSide Two\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eEuropeans\u003c\/em\u003e – \"Europeans\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eEssential Bop\u003c\/em\u003e – \"Croaked\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eGardez Darkx\u003c\/em\u003e – \"Bliss\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFishfood\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Modern Dance Craze\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eColortapes\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Cold Anger\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eScream and Dance\u003c\/em\u003e - \"In Rhythm\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50445276938571,"sku":"2198532","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_46cd29ee_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727035604"},{"product_id":"action-ep-1","title":"Action EP","description":"\u003cp\u003eCult re-issue from this short-lived Bristol project. Their debut 4-tracks EP was self-released on Restriction Records in 1984 giving birth to a collective experience fueled by several members: Andrew Clarke (AMJ Almighty Groove, AMJ Dub Collective) Clive Smith, Rob Smith (co- founder of the influential trip hop band Smith and Mighty), plus members of Zion Band. Produced by Mad Professor at London Ariwa Studios and featuring extraordinaire trombone player Vin Gordon aka Don Drummond Jr. (The Skatalites, The Upsetters) this quintessential mini-album merged the original Jamaican reggae-dub feel with a more contemporary approach, focusing on the experience of established British bands like Aswad and Black Uhuru.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50448325050699,"sku":"1167547","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6720702f-614c-4d75-bab6-50b0f39fb875_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727089893"},{"product_id":"the-souce-of-dreams-1982-1984","title":"The Source Of Dreams 1982-1984","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol Archive Records have been telling the story of the incredibly diverse Bristol Music scene for many years now. The label has focused recently on the sub-culture of Mod, Modernism and Power Pop and recently gained considerable success with their release 'The Bristol Mod Explosion 1979-1987'.Now we turn our attention to an undiscovered Bristol band, Thin Air (who featured on the Mod Explosion) and the song writing genius of a would be Paul Weller, John Lennon, Elvis Costello - Paul Sandrone. This album covers the period 1982 to 1984 and features 12 tracks compiled in collaboration with drummer Phil Ollerenshaw. When punk rock started to fizzle out many of the UK's disaffected youths had already moved sideways into Modernism and fell in love with The Jam. Inspired by Paul Weller's song writing skills Thin Air started out life as Out of Order and supported The Jam at the Bristol Locarno in 1980 (on the day of John Lennon's death), Paul was 15 years old. The band had been formed in 1979 in a local youth club by Bill Waine (18), Phil Ollerenshaw (16) and Paul Sandrone (15), they changed their name to Thin Air in 1981 and continued with this line up until 1983 when Bill Waine left and was replaced by Simon Nicholls. Thin Air were never an authentic Mod band appealing to a strictly Mod audience, they were a Jam influenced, power pop outfit concentrating on writing edgy yet commercial, catchy pop rock music. This album is a soundtrack to an era, remembering a period in time when Top of The Pops was full of The Jam, Squeeze, XTC and Elvis Costello. Thatcherism was killing multi-cultural Britain but to escape, it was ok to write a catchy pop song, it was ok to look smart and it was acceptable to want a major record deal. Thin Air did not achieve their objectives and remarkably never even got to release a record despite the obvious quality. They cut many demos for major labels - Polydor and Magnet Records appeared especially keen - but they remained a secret of the Bristol underground scene until now. Paul Sandrone moved on in other guises from 1985, finally achieving chart success with London artiste Rassia in 1996-99 and Brighton based The Mummers in 2008-2012. Enjoy the sound of the underground 42 years later than you should have.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50454899687755,"sku":"2201696","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3598387857_10_2f4fe9c9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727186851"},{"product_id":"darkwave-the-80-s-the-dark-side-of-bristol","title":"Darkwave the 80's (The Dark Side of Bristol)","description":"\u003cp\u003eQuentin Crisp going clubbing, Friar Tuck locked in a dancer’s cage, an ageing man in yellow speedos on roller skates and a 70-year-old flashing her knickers whilst doing the Can Can on the dance floor! Members of the Cure, Bauhaus and Echo and the Bunnymen passing through and Bristol’s beautifully preened punks waltzing to the Blue Danube by Strauss. All of these events and many more were happening at a club that was legendary and at the centre of a music scene that this compilation album represents. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The Bastille run by David Darling was a meeting point, party scene and the musical glue that tied these bands together. Bands that became internationally known such as Specimen and Claytown Troupe and others that made the Bristol scene an interesting and unique one. This album features Specimen, Claytown Troupe, Fear of Darkness, Necromancy, The Escape, The Royal Assassins, Ananda Maya, Temple, Exit Stance, Our Violet Hour, The Long March, Idiot Sideshow, Unity Station and Valve. It’s an album that represents the darker side of Punk, Post Punk and then the scene that became known as Goth but represents the variety of musical influences and styles that were involved in those scenes. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e This never before documented Bristol scene is acknowledged as having been a huge influence on Bristol’s and the nations musical culture. Dedicated to the Bastille and its founder David Darling and with a sagely doff of the cap to music journalist Dave Massey (NME, Sounds) who supported and wrote about this scene in the mainstream and local music press at the time, this compilation presents the first overview of this scene. Another project instigated by Mike Darby and the wonderful Bristol Archive Records. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50462788649291,"sku":"1122118","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/98fc7949-f4f6-4a3d-8e4e-bec29f01b239_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727259675"},{"product_id":"the-best-of-heartbeat-records","title":"The Best of Heartbeat Records","description":"\u003cp\u003eHeartbeat Records was set up in Bristol in 1978 by local folkie-type musician Simon Edwards and music store owner Tony Dodds to release the debut single by Bristol punk band Social Security. John Peel dubbed 'I Don't Want My Heart to Rule My Head' \"Charmingly rustic\", but then he would. With a free button badge coming with each copy, the record sold well and despite Dodds jumping ship after its release, the label was up and running. With a few exceptions, Heartbeat largely moved away from punk into post-punk territory, serving up a dazzling array of clever, quirky bands - lots of sparse jagged guitars, busy drums and all the synths you could eat. But having said that, bands like Europeans, Apartment, The X-Certs, Glaxo Babies, The Letters, Stormtrooper, Art Objects and Affairs of the Heart, to name just several, were exploring very different styles giving the label a richly diverse roster that probably reached its peak with the release of Heartbeat's 1979 compilation Avon Calling, described by John Peel (again) as \"...really the standard by which the others must be judged in future. Because it really is superb, there are 15 tracks on the LP, genuinely not a bad one amongst them, and a lot of really good stuff.\" And that went for Heartbeat as a whole, as you'll hear on this comprehensive collection of the label's finest tracks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50470893322571,"sku":"370039","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/121ddca5-5e61-4055-9e0a-cb28fe0315e7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727384920"},{"product_id":"house-of-secrets","title":"House of Secrets","description":"\u003cp\u003eComes with a 16 page booklet, sleeve notes by Dave Massey. 15 tracks of brilliant post punk noise (like Comsat Angels, Gang of Four, Joy Division). Whereas Bristol is all too often associated with the 'Bristol Sound' of Massive Attack, Portishead and Tricky, the city has produced musicians and bands who's work goes way past that stereotype. With the release finally of Apartment's 'House of Secrets' album, music lovers will hear a classic example of this for themselves. In the mid to late 1970's the raucous-and-angry meets chorus-strewn 'new wave' sounds of New York and punk driven London were also finding fertile soil in the west of England. Hidden away right out in the suburbs of the eastern fringes of the metropolis, 3 young lads called Apartment were forging a truly international, post-punk variation of the classic guitar band trio. Guitarist \/ singer \/ songwriter, Alan Griffiths, drummer Emil, and bassist Richard White had a vision that was driven by their talent and ambition, and a burning desire to shatter the complacency of what was going on musically in Bristol and beyond. The spirit of CBGB's had infused this band, like no other from the city of Bristol's environs. In spite of the inevitable technical limitations of these home-recorded songs, enough of their power and passion shines from them and into the wonderful variety of songs. Apartment's star burned brightly for a relatively short period, but the band packed alot into their time together. They did a session for national radio in the UK, played shows in London at the legendary original site of the Marquee club, and along with releasing just the one single were also included on one of the seminal compilations of music from a city in the UK, 'Avon Calling', released on arguably the most important label at that time, Heartbeat Records. 'House of Secrets' collects that blend of organised chaos in all of its glory from a heady time in Bristol music, and all over the UK at the time. Open the door and walk on in.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471053689163,"sku":"397081","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cb70c19b-f45a-46cc-9543-9c698039974b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727389733"},{"product_id":"st-matthieu-remastered-and-reborn","title":"St Matthieu (remastered And Reborn)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFormed in 1994 by young veterans of the Bristol music scene, Mercury Rain started life unpromisingly as three guys who 'just wanted to play metal'. Ex-Crisis bassist Jon Hoare and bandmate and drummer Andy Pester had hooked up with guitarist Dion Smith, but Mercury Rain lacked both a singer and a direction until Sonia Porzier gave them both. Responding to a vocalist wanted' advert she brought to the band both a fabulous voice and a copy of Nightwish's second album 'Oceanborn'. At this time the metal female voices genre was still pretty much in its infancy, but Sonia's arrival not only filled the void behind the mike stand but also set them on the path to being possibly the best-known British band of the genre. This compilation features the album in its entirety, augmented by three cuts from previous album 'Dark Waters' ('The City Of Ys', 'Bride Of the Dark' and 'The Boat Of The Dead') and 'Incubus' and 'Amber Reflections' from the band's extremely rare 'Where Angels Fear' debut. With all tracks recently remastered, a lengthy interview with Jon and Sonia and previously unpublished photos, 'St Matthieu - Remastered \u0026amp; Reborn' emphasises what an exciting and ground-breaking album this was for the UK metal female voices genre\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471279100235,"sku":"1004381","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7c41b0cf-33bf-4854-81bd-303519ba0d5e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727398161"},{"product_id":"the-virgin-land","title":"The Virgin Land","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen you come from a small town, then as the song goes, the only thing you want to do is to get out. That certainly was the aim of Fear of Darkness. They tuned into their hearts, picked up guitars and drums and set about their business. 'The Virgin Land' is a punk-driven yell of rage from the mid-1980's, turning into a healthy racket, all straight down frantically picked and plucked T-Rex rock and roll, merging into a maelstrom slalom ride of energy and expression of youth. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 18 tracks on this 17 song album - you get 2 versions of the band's self-titled epic - pack a punch and have plenty to say. 'All Fall Down' sees FOD come over more as a Goth version of The Clash, with overtones of Gene Loves Jezebel and The Cult, reaching out with thunderbolts of spaced-out, raise the roof guitar squalls and sonic boom boy grooves, taking in a James Bond homage en route: 007 and rising. It's a feature that recurs. 'After the Fire' and 'Keys of Time' are filled with forceful, youthful, aggressive, questioning, impassioned, no playing dead, sometimes naïve but never less than enthusiastic energy. 'Inside Your Heart' oozes a more pop-rock sensibility, with a near crooning backing vocal. 'Chains and Gates' almost pre-dates the modern romantic gesture of putting locks on bridges, railings and gates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471432716619,"sku":"1029524","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b88069ec-129d-4b8b-bdcc-ec6a16798bc4_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727402731"},{"product_id":"the-lost-tapes-3","title":"The Lost Tapes","description":"\u003cp\u003eThink of the \"Bristol Sound\" and the same three or four bands tend to spring to mind however, the first widely heard example of the pioneering new sound from the West Country came with a 1989 attack on the Top Ten from South Bristol in the shape of established collective Fresh 4. Co produced by fellow Bristol pioneers Smith and Mighty, \"Wishing on A Star\" was the first exposure many people outside of Bristol got to the unique fusion of heavy bass lines, Hip Hop beats, soulful vocals and new takes on classic songs. Although \"Wishing on a Star\" cracked the Top Ten, the two follow up singles were less successful and due to disagreements with their label, a planned album never materialised and the group members went their separate ways. In the following decade Suv, Krust and Flynn would all go on to find greater success as pioneers and mainstays of Bristol's hugely successful Drum and Bass scene, writing new chapters that overshadowed their earlier success. Who can say what might have happened if a Fresh 4 album had been released on a major label at the start of the 1990s. We can't give you that lost album, but we have tracked down some long forgotten demo tapes and twenty five years later, assembled them into an album. It's not THE Fresh 4 LP, but it is filling in a gap in their story and the story of Bristol music. Side A sees some early authentic British Hip Hop with that unique Bristol twist, whilst side B aims for a then contemporary dance sound. A reminder, that Fresh 4 have more to their claim of a place in Bristol's musical history than those three singles \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50471443759435,"sku":"1025600","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/031ca37c-db8d-4732-aba6-7fd24802e9a7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727403486"},{"product_id":"hey-lord","title":"Hey Lord","description":"\u003cp\u003eStorming out of Bristol in the late 1980s, alternative goth rockers Claytown Troupe snared three major record label deals and built an enviable national following. If the band never quite fulfilled their enormous potential, they have left a remarkable recorded legacy. That's about to be completed by Bristol Archive Records with the first public release of the legendary original 'Dungeon Demos' that got the quintet signed to Island Records back in 1988. Long thought lost, these recordings were recently unearthed by band founder and frontman Christian Riou, who was surprised to find how great they still sound after all this time. A must-have for fans, the four raw and unvarnished tracks include the original versions of Claytown Troupe's first two singles 'Hey Lord' and 'Prayer', alongside 'Real Life' and 'Chiricahua Sun'. Each of these appeared in reworked form on the band's debut album, 'Through the Veil', which was released in 1989. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50471444185419,"sku":"1025601","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/83d95305-584f-40da-a39a-7b8e06050e8f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727403506"},{"product_id":"this-is-80-s-pop-out-west","title":"This is 80's Pop (Out West)","description":"\u003cp\u003eDo you think of the West Country in the 1980's as a source of plentiful pop acts? Go on, pull the other one! With the music that's normally associated with Bristol, Bath and places out west, a number of stereotypes come to mind. That can be down to the known success stories or just plain perception. There has always been a broad picture of the scope of music that has come out of the west end of the M4 and M5 in general, from the more fundamental areas of rock, indie, reggae, rap, R 'n B and dance music, through to the more arcane areas of post-punk, jazz, punk-funk, punk jazz, art-rock and even once in a while a moody singer-songwriter. But the most prominent of the acts to have been born, raised and emerged from the city of Bath itself were Tears for Fears in the 1980's. It begs the question, did any other pop-orientated acts from the region come through, and if so what happened to them? Were they any good? This prompted Bristol Archive records owner, Mike Darby, and the long-time music industry creative and journalist, Dave Massey, to go through their extensive archive of local music and see if there was an album that could be compiled of those acts' tracks that could be regarded as 'lost hits'. The 20 tracks on the compilation are worthy contenders to be heard on day-time radio, in a top line club, blasting out of a TV screen or from in a car with the windows wound down on a sunny summer's day, and just listened to by any pop fan. It's a treasure trove of glorious commercial, but savvy and sexy pop music. Get into the groove of this wonderful west of England sonic pleasure feast! It features Wadi Vision, Vicious Circle, The Works, Umo Vogue, The Big Outdoor Type, Hey Belaba, Kick City etc.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471483900235,"sku":"1015147","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0fd24b21-37cc-4225-9c90-407772d984e7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727404115"},{"product_id":"pride-before-a-fall-the-lost-album","title":"Pride Before A Fall - The Lost Album","description":"\u003cp\u003eCast your mind back to a time when new music was coming at the public in ‘waves’. First there was the ‘new wave’ of punk rock. Then 1979 and into the early 1980’s, taking its’ cue from those shorter haired thrashings, the then mighty music press in the form of Sounds came up with the laborious name of the ‘New Wave Of British Heavy Metal’ for the deluge of new rock bands that were emerging from all over the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a story that is little appreciated, bar amongst the bands’ fiercest fans, Bristol’s very own Stormtrooper were ahead of the ‘N.W.O.B.H.M’, as they had originally formed in the mid 1970’s. But they were right in there more than holding their own with the likes of Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Motorhead in terms of seeing their music released in the slip-stream of that catch-all ‘brand identity’.\u003cbr\u003eBristol as a city has no claim to being a rock stronghold, but the band didn’t let that hold their campaign back. Their passion, talent and ambition enabled them to launch themselves to gain recognition, and their hard work and blistering live shows paid off when ‘Pride Before A Fall’ became one of the singles released through the unlikely means of local Heartbeat Records operation, run by Simon Edwards in Bristol.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50471485997387,"sku":"1025602","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d0733dd5-8597-4778-84fa-aad4c932c54f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727404236"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-recorder-4","title":"The Bristol Recorder 4","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis is a Record Store Day 2018 item. It will be available to purchase from our stores from 8am 21st April. Remaining stock will be available to purchase from this page at 00.01 28th April.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLimited Edition Clear Colour Vinyl, Gatefold sleeve with 20 page magazine. 500 copies only. The Bristol Recorder is a unique combination of vinyl record and topical magazine devoted to the music and cultural life of Bristol. The ten vinyl tracks are by local and nationally recognised artists and the magazine's sixteen pages have quality articles on the city's cultural and social scene, present and past. Articles are entertaining, serious but accessible, authoritative - and also fun. Back in 1979 The Bristol Recorder was one of Bristol's most unusual musical entities and in 2018 The Bristol Recorder Volume 4 aims to restore a vinyl voice for Bristol and its music. The Recorder combines a sixteen page magazine with an LP record. The cover of the magazine is provided by the Gatefold record sleeve and this creates a unique and durable publication, also an intriguing advertising medium. It features Lice, Patrick Duff, The Gary Clail Sound System, Oliver Wilde, The Shimmer Band etc.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50471491043659,"sku":"1031101","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3aaa656f-a81b-4a21-b3b2-511a01dc9f33_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727404282"},{"product_id":"make-me-special-the-ultimate-collection-1987-1990","title":"Make me Special (The Ultimate Collection 1987 - 1990)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFinally, the work of Love Jungle in the late 1980's and early 1990's sees the full light of day through Bristol Archive Records. At the heart of this Bristol quartet was the creative and personal dynamic between guitarist, Neil Darby and singer \/ keyboardist, Angela Huggins; not an unusual thing in bands at the time. The likes of The Sundays, T'Pau, Skin Games and Eurythmics saw the musical mixed with romantic between the female singer and male guitarist (usually). Love Jungle had a small part of the elements in those acts, but had a lot, lot more to them. \u003ci\u003eAm I Good Enough?\u003c\/i\u003e has a lush Echo and the Bunnymen era sound-bed topped by Huggins vaulting vocal pyrotechnics, producing a heady, whipped cream explosion. The tougher, strident \u003ci\u003eThis Covenant\u003c\/i\u003e evokes The Cult. Love Jungle show serious rock teeth here. In total contrast \u003ci\u003eWhen I'm Gone\u003c\/i\u003e summons up something of a Sixties Phil Spector era 'wall of sound' theme and production in full folk opus mode, while the bitter-sweet summery pop vibe of \u003ci\u003ePeace and Love\u003c\/i\u003e pulls apart some of the preconceptions in the phrase. \u003ci\u003eMake Me Special\u003c\/i\u003e is a sturdy body of work that shows off a talent hacking its way through the steamy wastelands of hope, emotions, fun, disappointments and other experiences to a point of clarity and excitement. Delve in, it's worth the journey. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471555236171,"sku":"1032582","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d59ff1a2-6279-46e1-978d-11e678198a6f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727407483"},{"product_id":"bristol-reggae-explosion-best-of-the-70s-and-80s","title":"Bristol Reggae Explosion - Best of the 70s and 80s","description":"\u003cp\u003eEight years ago, Bristol Archive Records released \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978 - 1983\u003c\/i\u003e, probably the first attempt to document the development of a localised British reggae scene and capture that unique period of the late seventies and early eighties. Despite many hurdles, it was a time that allowed the music to thrive as a voice for a mostly disenfranchised black Bristolian community centred around the inner-city areas of St. Pauls and Easton. The rich vein of recordings made against the odds and ranging from roots through dub to Lovers' Rock, struck a chord with a worldwide audience and allowed us to continue our musical exploration with a further two volumes painting a vivid picture of a scene that was in danger of being forgotten and lost to history. With the first two volumes deleted and before we continue the story of Bristol reggae with further volumes, we decided we should keep many of the best tracks readily available with a single album compiled from the first three Bristol Reggae Explosions, \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Reggae Explosion - Best of the 70's and 80's.\u003c\/i\u003e This new compilation contains 17 tracks kicking off with \u003ci\u003eAfrica (Is Our Land),\u003c\/i\u003e the Dennis Bovell produced classic from Joshua Moses. It also includes the distinctive voice of Bunny Marrett, and founding members of Talisman Dennison Joseph and Dehvan Othieno who started their musical careers more than forty years ago as Revelation Rockers. Winston Minott lent his distinctive voice to Cool Runnings on the soulful \u003ci\u003ePlayhouse\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eYou Can't Pay Me\u003c\/i\u003e. Unfortunately, female voices are somewhat scarce in the reggae world, but we were able to include Sharon Bengamin's top drawer slice of Lovers' Rock \u003ci\u003eMr. Guy.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Reggae Explosion - Best of the 70's and 80's\u003c\/i\u003e is the perfect introduction to the amazing underground reggae scene that flourished without any support from major labels\u003cbr\u003e and bears testimony to the talents of the original Bristol bass sound. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471566836043,"sku":"1032586","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a9a5f74b-f065-4d7f-9860-71aa36292e3a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727408207"},{"product_id":"rated-xxx","title":"Rated XXX","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs 1978 wore on, we thanked god for the likes of UK Subs and Angelic Upstarts, and here in brizzle...the mighty X-Certs!. The X-Certs served up welcome blasts of Clash-style punk anthems. They were politically charged and passionate, friendly and down to earth, and a great live act, but for some reason their recordings were relatively few and far between. One track, \u003ci\u003eBlue Movies\u003c\/i\u003e, on Hearbeat records' 4-Alternatives EP, and another called \u003ci\u003eAnthem\u003c\/i\u003e on the same label's acclaimed \u003ci\u003eAvon Calling\u003c\/i\u003e compilation album. and that's yer lot with the original line up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLP - Limited Edition of 500 Copies. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471624180043,"sku":"1044486","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/75db5f92-97bf-4ca5-9156-61701da633ab_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727410448"},{"product_id":"the-striking-sound-of-the-cobras","title":"The Striking Sound Of the Cobras!","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe influence of Rock n’ Roll cannot be underestimated, it has permeated all aspects of British life over the last 70 years. Fashion and Art owe something to the genre, but of course its influence on music has been the most significant. Rock n’ Roll gave us such musical luminaries as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis to name but a few. But it wasn’t just the American artists that caught the attention of the record buying public, there was the home- grown talent as well, such as Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Billy Fury and even The Beatles who all tried to emulate their American heroes. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBristol four-piece band The Cobras were no exception, coming from a generation that had been weaned on the likes of Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, a style of music that was more identifiable with their parent’s teenage years than their own. Like most teenagers The Cobras were looking for their own form of excitement, an excitement they were to find in Rock n’ Roll and its many derivatives such as Californian Surf Music. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50471761215819,"sku":"1043514","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ffb4d8dc-cfd0-4f0e-9441-2bb89d0c5f34_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727411495"},{"product_id":"yellow-fever-the-best-of-apache-dropout","title":"Yellow Fever (The Best of Apache Dropout)","description":"\u003cp\u003eApache Dropout were formed in 1990 when revoltingly good-looking failed rock star Mike Crawford returned to Bristol after a distant brush with fame in the USA and met Richard Beale recently departed from Head, drunk on words at a children's birthday party. This union resulted in three albums, \u003ci\u003eHey Dopey, Live\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eMasters\u003c\/i\u003e which the press described as 'An English REM' - Mojo, 'Classic British song writing similar to Aztec Camera' - Record Collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a band they were doomed but the songs play on in a hopeless honky-tonk hotel in the land of lost legends. Imagine a down and out Exile era Rolling Stones armed with a Tascam 8 track, tincture of opium, cider, the works of Malcolm Lowry and a stack of skin flicks. In their hometown of Bristol, they are still spoken about with the hushed reverence and respect reserved for the all-time greats and this compilation serves to share these hidden gems with the new world. \u003ci\u003eYellow Fever (The Best of Apache Dropout) \u003c\/i\u003eis an album of beautifully crafted songs from the rich vaults of Bristol's vast musical history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50472503378251,"sku":"1094786","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f762e6f7-dcf6-41a5-b328-9ecd37a44a24_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727422268"},{"product_id":"every-now-and-then","title":"Every Now and Then","description":"\u003cp\u003eLike many rock bands who fell under the banner of 'The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal' Stormtrooper were far from 'NWOBHM'. Over the six years (1975-1981) that they were together, the dramatic rise from a rather naive tentative Hartcliffe School sixth form band to a confident, highly motivated, and highly drilled, technical rock combo was there for all to see. In 1980 Stormtrooper were being touted as Britain's answer to Rush, but they always retained their aggressive 'street wise' almost punk like attitude which gave Stormtrooper their unique signature sound. The five 'oldies' on this album reflect Stormtrooper's evolution over that six-year period\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50475061903691,"sku":"1108673","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1c6702da-036a-4246-a924-10d271a2ef1a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727441883"},{"product_id":"crows-nightingales-shock-best-of-me-1991-1995","title":"Crows Nightingales Shock (Best Of Me 1991-1995)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the first UK-released collection drawn from the many records put out in the early '90s by Bristol-based Anglo-Irish troubadours Me. With Me cited by NME at the time as \"effortlessly the best band in Bristol\", this new selection of the band's best work showcases the very distinctive sounds of the widely praised but often misunderstood Anglo-Irish pop-visionaries. With four gifted songwriters onboard, Me's songs were always bound to be insightful, wilful, hook-laden, bathed in soaring pop-sensibility and propelled upwards by tightly ecstatic vocal harmonies. Championed in their day (1988-1996) by the likes of John Peel, Mark Radcliffe and even Bob Harris, Me toured widely - USA, France, Czechia and UK - while putting out two richly varied double-albums and a handful of diverse and distinctive EP's. This new collection invites a new audience to hear the often unpigeonholeable talents of Me, yet also gathers a fair sample of the band's recorded output for the initiated, who may be wondering where and how to hear Me's music now. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eCrows Nightingales Shock\u003c\/i\u003e features Me's exceptional poetic-psychedelic vision to a 21st century audience, indeed, new listeners will now be able to hear why Radiohead, during their promotion of \u003ci\u003eOK Computer,\u003c\/i\u003e cited Me as a key creative influence. This new Best of Me collection highlights the group's song writing diversity: epic, tender, fevered, ahead-of-its-time, and just plain gloriously odd! Me were a band who were proud to put out all their records on pioneering Bristol indie label PopGod Records. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50475238785355,"sku":"1123920","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f977df24-b12e-4eec-81e2-d798aa47ab4a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727444953"},{"product_id":"the-three-stripe-collection-1985-1990","title":"The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis is a Record Store Day 2019 item. It will be available to purchase from our stores from 8am 13th April. Remaining stock will be available to purchase from this page at 00.01 20th April.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBristol Archive Record's 2012 compilation \u003ci\u003eThe Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990\u003c\/i\u003e re-released on Blue colour vinyl for RSD2019. 17 tracks selected and compiled by Rob Smith start with \u003ci\u003eWalk On\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAnyone\u003c\/i\u003e the two songs that announced the arrival of Smith and Mighty and heralded the coming of \"The Bristol Sound\". Smith and Mighty took musical ingredients from reggae, funk, hip hop, pop, house, soul and anywhere else that inspired them, added a huge amount of talent, skill, originality, a large portion of the Bristol vibe, some primitive digital technology and turned out cutting edge, boundary crossing dance music the likes of which had never been heard before.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2","offer_id":50482846073163,"sku":"1058449","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/6a2b7b46-9000-4bbf-9226-be1a75ff2561_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727556859"},{"product_id":"brixton-rec","title":"Brixton Rec","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a Record Store Day 2017 item. It will be available to purchase from our stores from 8am 22nd April. Remaining stock will be available to purchase from this page at 00.01 29th April.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLimited to 500 Copies on Green Vinyl. Leading lights in the 21st century UK digi dub \/ roots scene Dubkasm have built themselves a worldwide following for their brand of reggae since launching their own Sufferah's Choice label in 2003. What many fans may not realise is that even before that first Sufferah's Choice release, Dubkasm had nearly a decade's worth of recordings behind them. Unfortunately, other than a track on the 1996 \u003ci\u003eDub But West Volume Two\u003c\/i\u003e compilation album, those early recordings were the preserve of leading UK sound systems such as Aba Shanti and Jah Shaka and could only be heard played off dub plates at dances. Dubkasm have finally decided that the time is right to share the story of those early years and make a selection of those formerly exclusive tracks available for everyone to enjoy. Bristol Archive Records take the story of reggae in the city forward into the 1990s with this essential and previously unreleased selection. complete with sleeve notes, telling the story of Dubkasm's early years including rare archive photos.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50498658566475,"sku":"1009557","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/40c8cf5c-023d-4bb3-b9a5-2ea2a5f6b83f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727752532"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-punk-explosion-1977-1979","title":"The Bristol Punk Explosion 1977 - 1979","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginally released in May 2010 on CD only and entitled \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Punk Explosion 1977-1983\u003c\/i\u003e, Bristol Archive Records have decided to revisit their roots, Bristol Punk, but only focus on the original first generation of bands - a twelve-track compilation entitled \u003ci\u003eThe Bristol Punk\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eExplosion 1977-1979\u003c\/i\u003e. The sleeve notes are written by Shane Baldwin (Vice Squad drummer) who would have been motivated and influenced to form his own band by watching these Bristol punks across various venues and locations across the city. There are six previously unreleased tracks never before available on vinyl. The Cortinas were the first. They played the Roxy Club, released two singles on Mark Perry and Miles Copeland's Step Forward label, graced the front cover of Sniffin' Glue and recorded a Peel Session. Taking their cue, bands like Social Security (the first band on Heartbeat Records), The Pigs (whose Youthanasia single was released by Miles Copeland's New Bristol Records), The Primates, The Media, The Posers, 48 Hours and The Verdict gave Bristol one of the strongest provincial early punk scenes, mainly centred around the Clifton area and Barton Hill Youth Club. The area of Barton Hill also gave us The X-Certs, who by 1978 could already pull audiences of five hundred into Trinity Hall, without the aid of a safety net or record contract. Though we did not realise it at the time, they effectively bridged the gap between the late 70s Bristol scene and what our American cousins like to term the UK82 bands. As the years moved forward from 1977 bands from the suburbs of Bristol started to appear on the scene Vitus Dance, The Numbers from Yate and Apartment from Downend, a leafy suburb of North Bristol. This compilation is designed to give all fans of Punk a snapshot of what Bristol Punk was all about from the period 1977-1979. We celebrate our heroes of the time, let them be remembered for ever! Bristol Boys Make More Noise! \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Pink LP","offer_id":50513446764875,"sku":"2173956","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/VtUOe4eU_39cfcf58_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727931813"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-and-bath-pop-explosion-the-80s","title":"The Bristol and Bath Pop Explosion  The 80s","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere has always been a broad picture in general of the scope of music \nthat has come out of the Bristol and Bath areas at the west\/south west \nend of the M4 and M5. The boys (and girls) from the region have always \nmade a right old variety of noise! It hasn’t always been accompanied by \nmainstream acceptance with the resulting sales. It may surprise \nobservers that some of that heady creativity included the more \ncommercial end of straight up pop music and the ‘take’ that could be put\n on it, with the hope that acclaim and more could follow. The ‘take’ \ncould also take the genre into new dimensions. Did it lead anywhere, or \nhave any merit? Were they, the acts, any good? Did they get any exposure\n and recognition? If not, why not?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n\nThis questioning prompted the long-time music industry creative and \njournalist, Dave Massey and Bristol Archive Records owner, Mike Darby, \nto go through their extensive archive of local music and see if there \nwas an album that could be compiled of those pop\n acts tracks that could be regarded as ‘lost hits’. From their archive \ntrawl Massey and Darby uncovered pop gold. Bristol Archive has done a \nsimilar exercise with ‘lost gems’ by reggae, punk, post-punk, mod, goth \nand rock acts from the west and released several well researched and \nbeautifully presented themed vinyl ‘Explosion’ compilations. Now is the \ntime for the pop acts. \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll kinds of strategies were used by acts and their managers to promote \nthemselves. Tracks were circulated on cassette tapes in order to solicit\n interest from an industry drowning in pop. Some went further and \nactually got as far as putting out independent releases. Gigs were done \nin ‘unusual’ venues. Videos were made in whatever surroundings would \nwork. These acts have stories of ‘got so close’ and ‘what might have \nbeen’. Many of the acts were seen live, reviewed and interviewed for the\n weekly music press by Massey and other local journalists, featured on \nlocal, and in some instances national radio, and some made it on to \nlocal and national TV. Utilising the industry contacts Massey had built \nup through his writing he even ended up managing a couple of them for \ndiffering periods of time.\n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt would see an end product for some of the musicians down the line. \nSeveral of those in or contributing to a given acts’ recordings had gone\n on to work or have links with major mainstream icons such as Queen, \nBros, Pet Shop Boys, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Lisa Stansfield and \nSimply Red, or influential and acclaimed successful acts such as \nGoldfrapp, Portishead and PJ Harvey. Many of the creators of these great\n tunes were involved as writers, producers or session players, or new \ncareer directions led to them running their own prosperous businesses, \nand even down to one of their number chairing and running a local \nChampionship level football club!\n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDig a little deeper into the western region’s musical history and the \nacts from the area weren’t alone in ploughing a furrow into the field \nmarked ‘80’s Pop’. It was no wonder. The ground in that decade was \nfertile for sowing the seeds of possible pop perennials. Even down the \nroad in and near Bath, they had plenty of music emigres who settled \nthere and in the West Country having seen major league national and \ninternational success. The likes of Peter Gabriel, Midge Ure and even \nStranglers front-man Hugh Cornwall made their homes and mark in the \narea. \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut the most prominent of the acts to have been born, raised and emerged\n from, and later lived more opulently in or near the city of Bath \nitself, were Tears for Fears in the 1980’s. It begged the question for \nMassey and Darby in their initial considerations that if Tears for Fears\n could ‘make it’ big, did any other pop-orientated acts from the region \ncome through, and if so what happened to them? \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDave Massey was right in the thick of it when this West Country pop was \nbeing made in the 1980’s. He was covering this and the many genres of \nmusic in his capacity as a Bristol and West country regional \ncorrespondent. As the decade progressed, somewhat uniquely, he did so \nfor each of the weekly music papers in turn – firstly the NME, then \nSounds, followed by Melody Maker. These papers all had massive \nreadership and circulations at the time. \n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\nIn the end the 18 tracks on the CD and 11 on the vinyl editions of the \ncompilation do the ‘talking’. They are worthy contenders to be heard on \nday-time radio, in a top line club, blasting out of a TV screen or from \nin a car with the windows wound down on a sunny summer’s day, and just \nlistened to by any pop fan through whatever means they choose to enjoy \ntheir music.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt’s a treasure trove of glorious commercial, but savvy and sexy pop music. Get into the groove of this wonderful west of England sonic pleasure feast! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSIDE A:\n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e01.\tBush \u0026amp; Clarke ‘I’m Satisfied’ \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e02.\tWadi Vision ‘The Place to Be’(demo) \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e03.\tGreat Naked ‘Narrow Bed’ \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e04.\tVicious Circle ‘Sorry’ (demo) \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e05.\tHey Belaba ‘Can’t Stop Running’ (live) \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSIDE B:\n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e01.\tTania Lloyd ‘New Boy (At Number 48)’ (demo) \n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n02.\tLovetrain ‘The Way of All Flesh’ (demo)\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n03.\tThe Sidneys ‘Rage’(demo) \n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\n04.\tFrame by Frame ‘Promise Me This’(demo) \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e05.\tUmo Vogue ‘Just My Love’ (demo) \n\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e06.\tShrine of 8 ‘We All Hurt Inside’  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50543732359499,"sku":"2226714","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50543732818251,"sku":"2226715","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a4181407235_10_0627a46e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728313388"},{"product_id":"we-have-delivered-ourselves-from-the-tonal-of-towards-on-for-julius-eastman","title":"We Have Delivered Ourselves From The Tonal - Of, Towards, On, For Julius Eastman","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis publication presents a collection of essays, librettos, lyrics, memories, photos, personal anecdotes by musicians, visual artists, researchers and archivers that pays homage to the work and life of African-American composer, musician, performer, activist Julius Eastman, who was among the first composers to combine minimalist processes with elements of pop music. The book investigates his legacy beyond the predominantly Western musicological format of the tonal or harmonic and the framework of what is today understood as minimalist music.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Archive Books","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":51073119453515,"sku":"1128128","price":24.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3c65bd41-9d12-4f7e-8388-0ba2efb5d545_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1736603828"},{"product_id":"sound-clash-vol-one","title":"Sound Clash Vol One","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere have always been rivalries, competitiveness and soundings off between post Elvis era acts. In the 60's it was The Beatles v The Rolling Stones. During Britpop, Blur v Oasis, with the Mancunian sibling rivalry thrown in. However, at Bristol Archive Records we are rather more gentlemanly in our contests. We put Cousins up against Love - Distant Cousins v Lovetrain. This is the first in a prospective series of compilations that will compare and contrast the merits and outputs of two Bristol acts who may, or may not, have connected with a wider audience in their time. It may also be one of the first of its type since the infamous Track Records early 70's offerings that set The Who up against Jimi Hendrix! Private Dicks were a 1970's punk\/new wave era forerunner to the Cousins for the singer Gavin King. They had been rather cruelly referred to as 'reclaimed pub rockers with skinny trousers and ties' but had at least had seen tracks on the original and subsequent seminal John Peel acclaimed early 1980's Avon Calling compilation and a later 00's double pack. King was part of the 80's revamp with new members as a fresh entity, Distant Cousins, where they shed any connections to shoddy couture. Now there was a full-on attack - alive, direct, disciplined, with economy. The Cousins knew which buttons to push. 'The Search' taps into the Foxx era of Ultravox, skin deep flow motion systems of romance, all snippy, jagged edges. 'You Lied to Me' ties the band to an angst laden, Seagulls style Nightmares cross-buzz banner, well nailed down and Fixxed. Check the DC's hit a real pop moment with…. 'Check'. This was a full-throated, chorus-driven, amphetamine gazelle assault on Duran Duran's castle of supremacy in this zone. Lovetrain's focal point, brothers Jon-Jo and Robin Key, were major contributors to Art Objects, Various Artists and Robin had a stint with Blue Aeroplanes - all noted acts in 70's onwards hipster Bristol. But within Jon-Jo and Robin was a muse that could blend classic song writing voiced with passion and panache, allied to classy musicianship that could fill a stadium. It tips the hat to the spirit of America that can be found in the widescreen epic that is 'Dreamworld' and in the throwaway intonation and occasional quick-fire delivery found via 'Jackie'. But the guiding force is always intrinsically bittersweet British, nay English, wry observational in many respects. Lloyd Cole, Paddy McAloon and Elvis Costello swirl into the overall lyrical lexicon. Lovetrain got signed in the 80's by the Virgin label imprint Siren, which was seeing huge sales achieved by Cutting Crew and T'Pau in that big hair part of the decade. Sadly, the band put out a strong album that got somewhat lost in the morass of the other, rather too similar white bread\/AOR type acts on their roster. In this sound-clash both acts play out a dazzling score draw. Neither of them lost out, other than not fully getting the recognition they deserved from the big, bad world at the time this great music was produced.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":51183390064971,"sku":"2242313","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_f5ef4d06_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1738266205"},{"product_id":"connected-sequences","title":"Connected Sequences","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlthough other acts would be the ones to see huge worldwide success with the Bristol Sound the combination of reggae infused basslines, elements of hip hop, female and male vocals and a laid-back tempo were pioneered on Ashley Road, St. Paul's at the Three Stripe studio by Rob Smith and Ray Mighty. \"We started out in the 80's. A couple of young guys on the dole with a bit of a knack for making original DIY, Lo-Fi beats, and basslines. with just one ambition, to make a record. Everything else was a bonus and to be frank, came as a complete surprise.\" - Rob Smith. One of Bristol Archive's earliest and most satisfying releases \"The Three Stripe Collection 1985-1990\" did a great job of covering those first records, the period before Smith and Mighty signed a major deal with London FFRR and includes many important and now classic tracks that helped inspire so many artists and producers both locally and further afield. In the mid-eighties and early nineties their Ashley Road studio was a hive of activity and their open-door approach to collaboration as well as nurturing talent, would see them record with numerous local singers and musicians as well as directly inspire future members of Massive Attack, Full Cycle and Way Out West among others. Ashley Road was ground zero for the Bristol Sound. With so much collaboration and experimentation, only a fraction of the finished tracks could be pressed up and released, leaving a library of unreleased music that adds an additional layer to the story. \"Compiled from salvaged DAT tapes and cassettes, these are some of the lesser-known beats and pieces we were making at the time.\" In proper Bristolian style we have taken our time to continue documenting the Smith and Mighty and Three Stripe Story with this our follow up album, \"Connected Sequences.\" The new album was recorded between 1985 and 1992 and features a few names familiar to fans of both Smith and Mighty and Bristol Archive Records. Side A is a mixture of hip hop and reggae influenced tracks kicking off with local hip hop pioneers Kelz and Lynx on \"Rock U Boom Kick\" already demonstrating, all involved had mastered the genre and given it a Bristol spin. \"Feeling Alright\" is a perfect fusion of Dan Ratchet's sweet reggae-tinged vocals with an addictive bassline and hip hop influenced backing. The reggae hip hop fusion continues more explicitly with Rudy Lee's catchy vocal providing the counter to Kelz's rap in \"Danger.\" The first side is rounded off with a brace of reggae influenced tracks, the sample driven \"Step Forward\" rides a fine line between dance and reggae, sounding like it could veer off into a dancehall friendly heavy steppers dub at any moment whilst always staying just inside the dance music line, the reggae melodica and vocal sample never quite overwhelming the dance friendly backing track. \"Evolve Dub\" is another attempt to reconcile a reggae vocal sample and bassline with then current dance music. \"Hardly Wait\" kicks offside two with the classic Smith and Mighty sound and a collaboration with Gina Foster, with Gina's voice and a relentless bassline propelling it, this would surely have been a potential hit if released at the time. Regular Three Stripe contributor Jackie Jackson is joined by Jessica George on the upbeat and joyful \"Save Us\" while another regular Smith and mighty collaborator Marilyn McFarlane rounds off the trio of female vocals with her strong performance featuring on \"Dub Reasons\". With a couple of simple vocal hooks and driving beats combined with what would pass for discarded soundtrack elements \"Stupid Dope Rock\" hints at an unfulfilled career composing film soundtracks, if only. The album is rounded off by \"Piano Twist\" a dark and heavy instrumental that blends various elements to good effect. \"Connected Sequences\" an album of lost, unreleased Smith and Mighty - Three Stripe productions is released on limited edition clear vinyl, (300 copies), and digital download by Bristol Archive Records on 7th March 2025, distributed by Shellshock Distribution. \"Though most people will think of Massive Attack, Portishead or even Roni Size when asked about Bristol's influence on UK music in the late 80s and 90s, really none of them have had anywhere near as much of an impact as Smith \u0026amp; Mighty. With a hand in the development of jungle, dubstep and the particular of - Bristol-ness that so defined the aforementioned artists, their influence is comparable to that of the city itself.\" Crack.Side A: Hip Hop\/Reggae Side. 1. \"Rock U Boom Kick\" featuring Kelz and Lynx on the cut 2. \"Feeling Alright\" featuring Dan Ratchet 3. \"Danger\" featuring Kelz and Rudy Lee 4. \"Step Forward\" 5. \"Evolve Dub\".Side B: Dance\/House Side 1. \"Hardly Wait\" featuring Gina Foster 2. \"Save Us\" featuring Jackie Jackson and Jessica George 3. \"Dub Reasons\" featuring Marilyn McFarlane 4. \"Stupid Dope Rock\" 5. \"Piano Twist\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Clear","offer_id":51245597622603,"sku":"2231824","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP - Clear \/ Black Smoke","offer_id":51441889444171,"sku":"R9740-0399","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_b2cacb27_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1739225680"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-post-punk-explosion-vol-3-1979-1985","title":"The Bristol Post Punk Explosion Vol 3 (1979-1985)","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the beginning there was rhythm. And that is the driving force of the third epic edition of the Bristol Post Punk Explosion, a vinyl volume that focuses even more on the groove as well as a cutting edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis Explosion has a blend of local notables and lesser lights, with stories linking the likes of \u003cstrong\u003eStiff Records\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eSmith and Mighty\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eJohn Peel\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eMassive Attack\u003c\/strong\u003e, mega producer \u003cstrong\u003eNellee Hooper\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePigbag\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Pop Group\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eRoni Size\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eVice Squad\u003c\/strong\u003e and even the owner of Bristol Archive Records! To get some rhythm you need some sweat and it is \u003cem\u003eSweat\u003c\/em\u003e that set the scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTheir never previously released track ‘Crufter’ is an outlier for the later work of much acclaimed and influential \u003cstrong\u003eSmith \u0026amp; Mighty\u003c\/strong\u003e. Third in an opening trio salvo of hit those skins and pull those strings, the post departure of later mega producer Paul ‘Nellee’ Hooper version of Mouth, powered by eventual Roni Size drummer Rob Merrill, fizz and trumpet their way through a short and sweet ‘Take Your Coat Off’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBetween these tracks the artier \u003cstrong\u003eStiff Records\u003c\/strong\u003e signings \u003cem\u003eElectric Guitars\u003c\/em\u003e had their own take on skewed, contorted danceability of percussive power mixed with big, fat choruses. ‘Genghis Khan’ rampages its way into the ears taking no prisoners, with Andy Saunders’ giddy-up guitar driving progress forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCold\u003c\/em\u003e had a less common sight in the Bristol terrain at the time being fronted by a female singer\/guitarist, Lucy Ray. ‘Sectarian Killing’ is a no holds barred, punchy assault on events in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. \u003cstrong\u003eVice Squad\u003c\/strong\u003e’s drummer Shane Baldwin featured with the band as Lucy’s songwriting partner Tim Clench had been in an early version of the Squad with Shane and Dave Bateman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnimal Magic\u003c\/em\u003e add further to the gender balance through trumpeter Gill’s notable contributions to the slip and slide of ‘Get it Right,’ one of several tracks recorded for John Peel’s BBC Radio One programme. The \u003cem\u003eRimshots\u003c\/em\u003e were fronted by Archive label head Mike Darby and ‘A Way with Words’ is a swirly flashback trip of heavenly getting to the world on time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn side two there is a big mood shift in the push me\/pull you insistence within the \u003cem\u003eGlaxo Babies\u003c\/em\u003e classic ‘Who Killed Bruce Lee?’. Forget who shot JR and any old detective story, the band home in on the mystery like a dog searching for a bone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no let-up next in ‘Dry Ice Hot’ from \u003cem\u003eBirth of Sharon\u003c\/em\u003e, a gang of pin-stripes mash-up of \u003cstrong\u003eGang of Four\u003c\/strong\u003e, early \u003cstrong\u003eTalking Heads\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eCaptain Beefheart\u003c\/strong\u003e. The economically, on point \u003cem\u003eCreature Beat\u003c\/em\u003e give us the short, snappy, garage band feel-good corker that is ‘Snob Tax.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe song’s hook stays in your head like an HMRC tax return or payment deadline that cannot be avoided. The \u003cem\u003eEscape\u003c\/em\u003e then brings you back to earth as they scan the possibilities within ‘24 Hours’. This song was one of four later recorded for the BBC Radio One show hosted by Peter Powell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eNumbers\u003c\/em\u003e sported the hugely inventive guitarist Angelo Bruschini, who went on to make major inputs to the long-standing \u003cem\u003eBlue Aeroplanes\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eMassive Attack\u003c\/strong\u003e. ‘Cross Slide’ provides a delicious amalgam of classic \u003cstrong\u003eBowie\u003c\/strong\u003e and early \u003cem\u003eDirk\u003c\/em\u003e period \u003cstrong\u003eAdam and the Ants\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, the sharp lyrics and supersonic guitar work in the \u003cem\u003eRoyal Assassins\u003c\/em\u003e hits the target in ‘Song of a Bullet.’ On demos they blended punk funk, juddering juicy bass synth stabs to a dub consciousness and tribal warfare of sound. Live as a full band they were unstoppable, stretching out the grooves and firing on all cylinders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSadly, some of the Explosion album artists are no longer with us. But their music, shockwave pulses and wordsmithery as well as those others lives on, getting stronger and more significant with each year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Clear","offer_id":51589616468299,"sku":"R8150-2978","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3421467476_16_33de19b4-c6d3-4e22-94e5-f65579470b31.jpg?v=1752235632"},{"product_id":"sound-clash-vol-2","title":"Sound Clash Vol 2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt takes something special to change someone’s life and plot a course for it. It was a new age for an 18 year old Alan Griffiths when he experienced the Television and Blondie gig at Bristol’s then Colston Hall in 1978. He even gave his first ‘serious’ band an American style name – Apartment. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt would link into the motives behind this and his second group, also based in Bristol. This was to be The Escape. That escape through his music was away from suburban mundanity and that of his day job. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBristol Archive Records have decided to celebrate his musical life, seven years on from his death in 2017. This is in the form of a Sound Clash between the two bands which shows an artistic journey starting in the era of punk, through new Wave and into the early 80’s post-punk period. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn keeping with the punk\/New Wave ethos that drove the three-piece Apartment, their featured tracks on the Clash have some rawness and edge. All of the songs show off a lyrical directness and vivacity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e which is backed up by the playing. New Age blasts out of the blocks in a flurry of angled attack that viscerally thrills. Living Like This has that similar energy, in this case from the adrenalin of a scorching live show. This is a glorious snapshot in time of a band on very much top form. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlan’s absorption of the Nuggets anthologies of late 60’s and early 70’s American psychedelia and general out there weirdness found their way into a song like Distractions. This fused with a shot by both sides shake of New York explorations of the likes of Television, as the ringing guitar lines zing their way into your ears. Poison is a narcotic dream but without the drug taking - the band was never into that. But there is a lysergic launch that hits when the mid-section soars away taking the listener with it. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBroken Glass is a true epic and one of the centre-pieces of an Apartment gig. Alan recorded more than one version of this song, but this take replete with slashing Verlaine and Lloyd flavoured guitar, the Billy Ficca feel drumming and the full range of teenage angst in Alan’s voice tells the full melodrama brilliantly. The whole vibe is of CBGB’s in New York, a club that Alan had never been to and would only get to visit many years later. But he had been there ‘in his head’. Broken Glass was Apartment’s very own Marquee Moon. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eIf a musical genre’s or group’s period of prominence could be a matter of months or a couple of years, then the chance to make an impact could be less than 24 Hours. This London recorded attempt by The Escape at laying down their Comsat Angels\/Killing Joke driven groove works a treat. Bassist Stuart Morgan and drummer Emil, who had followed Alan from Apartment into this new trio, lock everything down, as they do on the follow-up, Truth Drug. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEden and Relapse Collapse were more London session productions and also songs toured extensively. The band used this recording as the backing for making a video of Eden, appropriately filmed at Ashton Court mansion, to the west of Bristol, for the BBC ‘yoof’ programme The Oxford Show in 1982\/3. The later Bath superstars Tears for Fears were on the same edition and would become Phonogram label mates as well as a future working option for Alan. Stuart would later go on to work with U2. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRelapse and another meat grinder of a tune Flowers in the Dark were typically set in the darker corners that the Escape loved to explore. The muscular Difference Between is the one home recorded Escape offering, highlighting how much Alan’s prowess at nailing a demo had moved on. Difference was one of the quartet of songs that comprised the collection that secured an eventual recording deal with Phonogram. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat pre major label period has however been captured perfectly in the sizzling sextet of goodies on this side. The band’s sizeable recorded legacy of demos and sessions is one that stands tall and stands proud, as does that of Apartment. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51767855907147,"sku":"R4567-1554","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3815869037_16.jpg?v=1746427090"},{"product_id":"three-stripe-one-uk","title":"Three Stripe One","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis album is pure, concentrated, 100% vintage Bristol Sound at its best. For those of us who were here, and even for those who weren't, it's a time portal back to those lazy days of late eighties Bristol when this music was radical and new, and we had the joy of hearing each of these tunes for the very first time. You reach a certain age and it's easy to reminisce through rose-tinted glasses. That's not the case here - we knew these were special the first time we heard them. Nearly forty years later, many, many people have followed their blueprint, and these originals have only grown in stature. It's now six decades since Dionne Warwick went into a New York studio to record her million-selling versions of \"Anyone Who Had A Heart\" and \"Walk On By\". Demonstrating admirable confidence, our Bristolian heroes tackled the brace of Bacharach and David classics - only instead of the luxury surrounding of New York's Bell Sound Studios; populated with the cream of New York session musicians, they had a tiny studio on Ashley Road with basic equipment and no budget.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey may have been short of funds and equipment, but they had an abundance of ideas and talent. \"Walk On\" starts off pretty straight, Jackie Jackson singing the hook over for 22 seconds then everything changes as the beats and bass line usher in the future of Bristol music. Just listen to all the ideas that are crammed into just over four minutes as Dionne's beloved pop\/soul classic, is turned inside out and reinvented as cutting-edge dance music. The first of the pair that was released is even more direct, \"Anyone\" jumps straight into reshaping expectations and the future of music with an instant assault of beats and bass line. \"This Is The Time\" takes \"Anyone\" and turns it into a raw hip hop outing; hip hop with a British, Bristolian twist.We close out Side A with \"Mix Me Down Maestro\" another more polished hip hop outing showcasing the lyrical talents of M.C. Kelz and the scratching talents of Lynx, it also features the reggae influence, so synonymous with Bristol's music. If side A focuses on vocals, Side B kicks off all about the beats, and bass with vocals reduced to snippets and samples, sharp, hard repetitive beats with bass lines that will swallow you up like a tsunami depositing you on a strange new shore a few minutes later. \"Clash Of The Beats,\" Killa,\" and \"Different Chapter\", tough tunes then and tough tunes now. Rob's former bandmate in Restriction, Eric \"The General\" McCarthy gives us the most obviously reggae-influenced selection, complete with \"No, No, No\" vocal sample with \"Time To Rhyme\", a nice change of pace before rounding things off and travelling almost full circle with the always popular \"Walk On (Mellow Mix)\". With money tight Three Stripe focussed on releasing singles that could recoup costs quickly, yet both this title and our previous album of unreleased material \"Connected Sequences\" amply demonstrate how easily Smith and Mighty could have pre-empted both their peers and the many who followed in their footsteps with a strong, coherent, and cutting-edge album as early as 1989. It's intriguing to speculate what may have happened if that path had been taken, for now we present this as both a compilation of essential singles that have more than stood the test of time and a \"what if\" album that could have been released in 1989. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - White","offer_id":53173889696075,"sku":"R7989-8149","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/p_27352561-375d-4700-bb77-a7f80b0ced04.jpg?v=1755120023"},{"product_id":"men-of-stone","title":"Men of Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the annals of Bristol music history Glaxo Babies could have a book and a zone of greatness all of their own. Singles and EP’s such as ‘Christine Keeler’ and ‘This Is Your Life’, along with the seminal ‘Avon Calling’ compilation John Peel recorded session version of ‘It’s Irrational’, stormed the zeitgeist of late 70’s, early 80’s UK post punk. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFour decades on, in 2025, another great leap forward brings the story to a stunning new destination with the vinyl and digital release on Bristol Archive Records in conjunction with their own imprint Liberated Sound Development of \u003cem\u003eMen of Stone\u003c\/em\u003e, the band’s first new album in some forty years. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt’s a major chapter telling of reinvention, restructuring and in no way taking stock. For this missive the Glaxo’s use not one, but two new vocalists adding their own voice to a collection of songs mainly written by long-time Glaxonian and original guitarist, Dan Catsis. Dan was also a massive part of nationally recognised\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e Bristol luminaries, The Pop Group and Maximum Joy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOther Bristol notables come into the new material’s mix with Steve Bush, main-man of former NME faves Essential Bop, contributing lyrics to the darkness descends vibe of second side opener ‘I Don’t Want to be Loved’, while Massive Attack producer and collaborator Neil Davidge adds a sonic sound-bed sheen to the track. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo of the new band members have an important Bristol back story. Bassist Steve Street was a centre-piece of studio recording at his SAM set-up in the city, and drummer Jamie Hill played with early Nellee Hooper\/later Roni Size drummer linked percussion powerhouse outfit Mouth and later with ex Pop Group\/Cortinas\/Clash driven Virgin 80’s act Head. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMen of Stone\u003c\/em\u003e is a record that nestles right in there with Glaxo’s earlier classics. It distils their past and present with plenty of other new goodies and angles to appreciate. You know it’s going to play a blinder from the full on, visceral thrill guitar attack of opening track ‘Living the Dream’. This is side-bar alt-rock heaven, a heady blend of classic LA howling blackout in a red room street love and hate meeting grunge in a dark alleyway. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere’s no time to recover. Next up, ‘Waiting for Something’ throws an edgy set of questions that will have a problem getting answers. This 2025 version of the Glaxo’s throws curveballs in every direction. Something is always happening. Vox Number One, Jim Johnson ex Monk and Canatella, has well and truly introduced himself too. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe more reflective ‘Give Me’ and ‘Anymore’ are the chance of Vox 2, Adam Tongue, to speak some truths. The many guitar colourings that Catsis has in his repertoire palette are well on show to hear, on this pairing and the atmospherically powerful side closer Drifting. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe second side of the album ploughs some group brand and ‘Bristol Sound’ terrain going back in time a little. ‘I Don’t Want to be Loved’ sets the scene garnished by very on-point swirly trumpet, followed by the harem scarem, watching the detectives, kaleidoscope glory that is ‘Stop Me Now’. This is a ride that no-one wants to get off from. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a title track ‘Men of Stone’ does what it says on the proverbial tin. The moving finger points at the black hole of shallowness and stubbornness. The chiming roar of Catsis’ guitar meshes with a band on fire. Album closer, the dramatic ‘Change is Forever’, pursues a film before your eyes and ears vendetta against anyone refusing to sign up to the maxim. This is Glaxo Babies at their most cinematic and it’s nothing short of magnificent. Chaos and Order wrapped up into a complete One. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis album is so relevant that the pleasure of it almost hurts. Let it bleed into you. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":53253401903435,"sku":"R7831-6622","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3854755362_16.jpg?v=1756207531"},{"product_id":"the-famous-five-session","title":"The Famous Five Session","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome bands come and go, others leave an impression so strong that even decades later, their songs feel like old friends you’ve just rediscovered. Crashland are one of those bands.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormed in the mid - 90s and quickly touted by NME as “Britain’s best new band,” Crashland had everything: killer songs, a compelling live energy, and a frontman in Alex Troup whose melodic instincts and lyrical heart made him one of the most quietly gifted songwriters of his generation. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis release, \u003cem\u003eThe Famous Five Session,\u003c\/em\u003e brings together five never-before-heard demos recorded in 2001 as the band regrouped after their deal with Independiente fell apart, together with the bonus of the four tracks from The Devoted ep, never before released on vinyl. Mastered and released for the first time, the five tracks on Side A represent the \"lost chapter\" of a band that in another timeline would have\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e been huge.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut let’s rewind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA formative version of the band began in Monmouth, South Wales where Alex Troup and drummer Marc Childs met at school, bonding over AC\/DC, Iron Maiden, and a shared love for making noise. But the real magic began to take shape in the mid 90s when the sound shifted, shorter songs, sharper hooks, bigger choruses. With a new name ‘Crashland’ and a new purpose, they set out with a mission: \"to offer a wake-up call you won't be able to ignore.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1997, they recorded a demo for EMI. It didn’t land a deal, but it did start circulating around London, catching ears and turning heads. That buzz led them to Independiente home of Travis, who signed the band on June 4, 1999. And from there, things started to move fast.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCrashland released three stand-out singles, New Perfume, Standard Love Affair, and Modern Animal each filled with punch, melody, and subtle lyrical detail. Modern Animal was even hailed by NME as “The Jam for the 21st Century.” Live, the band were electric, tight, frantic, full of passion and completed the 2000 NME Tour with Coldplay and My Vitriol. NME again: “Their live set is an explosion of wired, unbridled energy.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen came \u003cem\u003eGlued\u003c\/em\u003e, their debut album. Released in 2000, it was full of infectious, radio-friendly indie anthems that could stand proudly alongside the era’s best. But timing wasn’t on their side. Britpop’s moment had passed, and the UK was shifting toward the garage-rock revival spearheaded by The Strokes and The White Stripes. \u003cem\u003eGlued\u003c\/em\u003e peaking at 125 in the UK album chart, a heartbreakingly low number for an album so full of quality. From the title track to deeper cuts, Glued never had a weak moment. It was and remains an overlooked gem. Crashland left Independiente Records, undeterred and the band carried on. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 2001 with a new line-up they released the The Devoted EP on Sugar Shack Records and began work on new material, including the demos presented here. After charting at #2 on the U.S Alternative Radio Airplay Chart in 2002, talks with American major labels offered flickers of hope... but ultimately, the momentum faded. Crashland drifted apart, and Alex Troup moved to Los Angeles, where he has continued to write, record, and perform under the name Troup.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut now, to mark the silver anniversary of the tracks being committed live to 2” tape at Famous Studios in Cardiff, the story isn’t quite finished.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Transparent Red","offer_id":53319863861579,"sku":"R0678-7557","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1588473888_10.jpg?v=1757064123"},{"product_id":"phobia-1986-1988","title":"Phobia 1986-1988","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiving in the satellite town of Yate, a few miles from Bristol, was the equivalent to the Warhol situation for the members of the young indie\/Goth band, Fear of Darkness. If you didn’t get out, the options for your future life were limited, personally and professionally. It was the proverbial dead end street, a wasteland in terms of fulfilling any potential you had.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKindred spirits did. A precedent had been set shortly before by Wayne Hussey, front man and leader of The Mission. His band was aptly named given his parents strong religious beliefs. Another musician of note, Angelo Bruschini, used his talents to go on to play with local Bristol legends Massive Attack, with earlier work with Blue Aeroplanes and his own post-punk band, The Numbers. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt would by amplified by a name checking for Yate (‘the kind of a town referees come from’) by Half Man, Half Biscuit and then\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e the literary phenomenon of J K Rowling and her Harry Potter novels!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis small town back-drop gave Fear of Darkness the motivation and opportunity to make their bid for freedom and expression. The first attempt was with initial singer Dave Mac where the band attempted a fusion of The Alarm and The Clash, all rebel rousing punk attitude cries of despair and rage against the climate of the times in the mid 1980’s. Songs from this period can be heard on The Virgin Land album that was released on Bristol Archive Records.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePhase two saw the introduction of Rich Hulands and a shift towards a darker, more Goth tuned approach. It was supplemented by the addition of Angela Huggins to their ranks providing a gender and textual counter point to Huland’s edgier vibe. This preceded the similar vocal contrasts used in the mid 1990’s by Leeds gloomsters, Sisters of Mercy after Hussey’s period spent in the band.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe newly released Phobia album contains eleven songs recorded from 1986 to 1988. A first statement of intent with this new direction is in the opening track ‘Lay Me Down’. This was originally released as a single in 1987. The song is a straight into the heart and ears classic, with sonic twisting and turning leading to an epic but economical Darby guitar solo. The track exits in bright, heads-up blaze of positivity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘She Said’ has guitar pyrotechnics blasting out great shards of sound before the band show the heavier dimension to their palette. There was always a brave battle to add further ingredients into a genre that had many adherents in this time period. Fear of Darkness sometimes succeeded and sometimes fell short. But that didn’t stop them trying again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA potential lost anthem follows later in the tale that is ‘True’. It could be a story of the make me special modern age where everyone struggles with how they feel and how they are, either about themselves or someone they care about. This version of Fear of Darkness could be tough or tender, both in terms of content and conclusions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - White","offer_id":56288293421387,"sku":"R5746-9010","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3185383317_16.jpg?v=1768228996"},{"product_id":"freedom-city","title":"Freedom City","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe beginning of the 1980s wasn't a great time to be young, between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1979 and 1981 youth unemployment more than doubled to over 900,000. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany approaches were tried to tackle the problem and one of the more \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003einnovative was the Arts Opportunity Theatre a charity founded in Bristol \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eby Reynold Duncan and Yvonne Deutschman. Financed by assorted public bodies, it aimed to train young people in a range of performing arts as well as the multiple skills needed to produce, organise and put on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eshows.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOver a seven year period the Arts Opportunity Theatre put on a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esuccession of shows not only locally, but travelling as far as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContinent and trained hundreds of young people in everything from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emusic to book keeping. People who passed through the\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e collective would go on to form the core of many local bands and be involved in a large proportion of Bristol music releases, especially reggae.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first show put on in 1981 and 1982 was “Freedom City” which prominently featured Zion Band. In May 1982 the Zion Band musicians from the show went into Right Track Studio in Bristol and recorded four vocals and two dubs that would be released the following January on a 12” single.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack in 2011 Bristol Archive Records included “Twelve Tribes” on a compilation and would later also compile “Babylon Fire\/Babylon Dub”, but the other three tracks could only be found on the scarce original 12” which in recent years has rocketed in price fetching in excess of £150. We believe music should be affordable and available so 2026 sees Bristol Archive Records reissue the Zion Band “Freedom City” 12” in it's\u003cbr\u003eEntirety, complete with its original picture sleeve and insert with a limited pressing of 300 copies on black vinyl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":56295974306123,"sku":"R1003-8410","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a0114849305_16.jpg?v=1768302322"},{"product_id":"blue-eyed-boy-80-84","title":"Blue Eyed Boy '80-'84","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe name of Neil Davidge is more familiar for his seminal work with Massive Attack, the link with the dance grooves and adjustments of DNA and for film and TV music credits. By contrast the first half of the 1980’s Bristol band Big Outdoor Type was an earlier pop-tinged project with a planet of rhythm thrown in. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNeil and his writing partner, vocalist Tracey Fuller, had managed to come up with something a little more sophisticated than much of the local fare usually on offer. Music journalist Dave Massey picked up on the band and reviewed them to a national readership for Sounds. After that, well nothing much happened. Fast forward some four decades and Massey was able to compile the \u003cem\u003eBlue Eyed Boy \u003c\/em\u003ealbum for Bristol Archive Records, saying:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I was hearing terrific tracks I’d not come across before. The overall quality was so high it was too good not to see the light of day. These tracks, along with a whole mass of home, four-track and Bristol demo studio produced works, have come together in a rather\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e wonderful collection that was a delight to compile.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOpening track ‘Don’t be a Stranger’ is a beautiful blast of summery warmth that easily breezes into the ears from the off. It’s a song and arrangement that can keep you guessing as it rolls along sweetly into a place that’s a bit more dramatic but still uplifting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe next tracks are a blissful cross between Swing Out Sister’s ‘Breakout’ and the woozy sway of Associates in ‘Sulk’ mode on ‘Winters Cold’, the jive swing of ‘The Spell’, while the haunting ‘Incredible Shrinking Girl’ and the later ‘Follow Love’ are songs that echo the classic Postcard era of Sound of Young Scotland with some southern sweetening. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe camera’s lens is never out of focus and the image can always be altered. That comes into view in The Secret, a magical merging of 1967 era romanticism and explorations with that sorry for laughing sensibility from our Caledonian cousins. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFun is on the agenda too. The frisky detour that is ’Casseybottom Stomp’ is followed by the wildness of ‘Giants’. The band tune right into the early 80‘s jazz-punk-funk heritage that came through via the likes of Bristol favourites, Pigbag, Animal Magic and Maximum Joy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe more jangly angles of ‘City of Hell’ and spacious, sub psychedelic Latin lusciousness of ‘Our Last Man in Brazil’ – the latter to be found on the digital release - take that process several dance steps further. There is also a hint of the filmic element that would later inform Neil Davidge’s future career.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe spread of options is tribute to the core band during the 80’s of Tracey, Neil (swapping between guitar and bass), drummer Steve Dew and guitarist Phil Willmott. At differing stages, the group was refreshed by a second backing singer and live keyboard player Dianne Woodward; brass and, on demos, the keyboard contributions of Phil Andrews and Dave Patterson. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSteve would go on to play with the later Davey Woodward (Brilliant Corners) band The Winter Orphans, as well as contributing to albums by several other local acts. Bassist, Reg Shaw, is in the leading The Clash tribute band, London Calling!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis album collection was for so long a lost possible classic that never was. That’s not the case any longer. Dive right in, breathe the refreshing air, enjoy the view and feel the benefit of the great outdoors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":56313133859147,"sku":"R7303-7717","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a4178915072_16.jpg?v=1768502452"},{"product_id":"house-of-stone","title":"House of Stone","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are some artistic collaboration’s that are both unexpected and the fruits of that liaison very often fail to see the light of day. This was so nearly the case when it came to the Bristol and Zimbabwe collision that would be between former Bhundu Boys frontman, Biggie Tembo, and the sonic sculptors that were Startled Insects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe experiment that would yield the tracks that make up the \u003cem\u003eHouse of Stone\u003c\/em\u003e album came about after both Biggie and the group had left their respective band and label situations and needed a new way forward creatively. A totally inspired suggestion put the four individuals together, Biggie moved his family to Bristol from Harare to stay with one of the group, work commenced at the Insects studio and nine songs completed. After that, nothing happened.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree decades later an opportunity was presented for the music to emerge from the vaults. Music curator Dave Massey had worked on a Startled Insects compilation album, heard the tracks and immediately contacted Bristol Archive Records owner, Mike Darby, to\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e insist that this incredible melange of ideas to backgrounds had to be released! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDarby was moved by both the music and the back story to the making of this wonderful offering, to be released as a vinyl album. The record is both legacy for Bristol and for Zimbabwe. It would close a chapter for all concerned in its making as Biggie Tembo did not live to see his art be recognised. He died in 1995 as his own demons took him over. But nevertheless House of Stone is a soaring tribute to his talent. How the album got made ties in with its importance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs the group commented in an agile aside ‘Having seen them play a number of times in Bristol, we knew the Bhundu Boys and liked them. But the prospect of a fruitful collaboration between a wacky postpunk artsy-fartsy bunch and a fairly middle of the road African “Jit” musician seemed a bit crazy.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFurther memories for the three Insects come thick and fast.\u003cbr\u003e‘We came up with a bizarre fusion of African and Western music styles. I remember Mike Darby thinking that this would be a 'world music' album but realizing that it transcended this categorization and would like to avoid the dreaded cultural appropriation scenario.\u003cbr\u003eThe original idea behind 'Skin' (as a working title) was the idea that the colour of skin, black and white - English and African - was irrelevant to the making of the album. We were just four guys mucking around in the studio, writing and recording music.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe eight tracks on the vinyl release take the listener on a journey between the veldts and urban sprawl of southern Africa, crashing with the drum and bass dexterity synonymous to the west of England capital, with adroit musicality that infuses every multi-faceted song. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe recordings include contributions from some of the crème de la crème of local musicians. Will Gregory is well known for his work with Tears for Fears, and on a longer-term basis in the extraordinary phenomenon that is Goldfrapp. Rob Merrill likewise has credits with Massive Attack and Roni Size \u0026amp; Reprazent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBe prepared to be both soothed and confronted. This is deeply felt music, pushed by Biggie’s own personal and political experiences and beliefs merging with three Brits who were equally open to new ideas and directions. The end result is a true find, a total gem which is both unique and universal. Take this wonderful travelogue into your life and make your own destination.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Gold","offer_id":56892095791435,"sku":"R2215-1125","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a3026747773_1x1_700.avif?v=1774601318"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-meets-africa-sound","title":"The Bristol Meets Africa Sound","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt’s more than a special moment when you discover music you’ve never heard (of) before or ever knew existed. 1982 was a critical spark for the development of wider (world) musical styles, both in Bristol and the UK at large. The central event from that year was the first WOMAD festival, held in the unlikely surroundings of the agricultural themed Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet in Somerset. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne common thread in Bristol to all of these discoveries was the Ekome Dance Company and most notably Artistic Director, Barrington ‘Barry’ Anderson. Barry had also recruited musicians from African countries such as Cameroon and Ghana, from Jamaica and others from the Bristol area. This was to form the Ekome Arts Band which would offer music with either a specific African or Caribbean focus. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis kickstarted a process and practice in the West Country city where musicians brought over from African countries would collaborate with those from the locality. It is those\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e activities - a sound clash and culture clash, producing material of real depth - that constitute the three different combinations, along with one connection originating in London, that make up material on the first The Bristol Meets Africa Music Sound album, released on Bristol Archive Records. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest known of the triumvirate from Africa was the former Bhundu Boys frontman, Biggie Tembo. The experiment that would yield the tracks that make up the long lost “House of Stone” album with sonic sculptors, Startled Insects, came about after both Tembo and the group had left their respective band and label situations and needed a new way forward creatively. The Africa Sound presents a trio of songs which are a snapshot from the album, also now available on Bristol Archive Records. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Rudo” has that widescreen, cinematic and haunting call of the veldt. The textures within the track are lush, verdant and moving. “Patrice Lumumba” is a paean to the memory of the first Congolese post-independence leader, assassinated by supporters of the Belgian former colonial power. “The Curse of Columbus” is a powerful, soul searing lesson in history and the effect it has on a given belief, custom and tradition within an individual and families. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCameroonian expat Charlie Asaah Papa put together the Graffi Jazz band comprising of several stand-out local players. These included Marco Anderson on drums, Simon Preston on percussion, with Glaxo Babies members Dan Catsis and Graham Egan-Andrew on bass and guitar. The wonderfully joyous “Time” and “Home” are vibrant demos recorded at Crescent studio in Bath. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeverley Gage, one of the sisters of Grant Marshall from Massive Attack, shares vocal duties with Charlie as does another sister Jenny, who became Charlie’s partner. “Home” could equally be a tribute to where Charlie came from in Cameroon or his newly adopted city of Bristol. “Time” has an Ecclesiastes feel to the way the seasons change. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Ghanaian Ben Baddoo is another story that links into Ekome as he moved to Bristol from Gloucester to work with the troupe. It was from here he set up his first Alaha group. Under their Ben Baddoo International guise, the group recorded several songs at Emergency Plus studio in Bristol and Ben did a solo session at a new set-up at Bath University. Two of the results of those sessions, “Nyontseleniedzie” and “Yea Yoo”, are featured here. Both are hypnotic, upbeat expressions of West African percussive rhythms with Ben’s voice inter-weaving with Beverley Gage’s distinctive tones set against choppy, probing guitar and keyboards. Beverley’s brother Royston plays bass on “Nyontseleniedzie”. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe London based Ivory Coasters were also regulars at WOMAD. In one instance they were the backing band for Prince Nico Mbarga at the first festival, as well as making an appearance in their own right. The Coasters had been a ‘collision’ between London based musicians and Africans based in the capital before paths crossed further west. That link to Bristol was the release of “Mungaka Makossa”, presented here from the single on Recreational Records, the label run by Chris Parker and Lloyd Harris out of Revolver Records on the Triangle, Clifton, Bristol. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll this music shows how artist’s experiences can blend together to make an explosion of magic. Prepare to be spellbound. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrack listing:\u003cbr\u003eSIDE 1:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. BIGGIE TEMBO \u0026amp; STARTLED INSECTS: Rudo\u003cbr\u003e2. CHARLIE ASAAH PAPA \u0026amp; GRAFFI JAZZ: Home\u003cbr\u003e3. BEN BADDOO INTERNATIONAL: Nyontselensiedze\u003cbr\u003e4. BIGGIE TEMBO \u0026amp; STARTLED INSECTS: Patrice Lumumba\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDE 2:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1. CHARLIE ASAAH PAPA \u0026amp; GRAFFI JAZZ: Time\u003cbr\u003e2. BEN BADDOO INTERNATIONAL: Yea Yoo\u003cbr\u003e3. IVORY COASTERS: Mungaka Makossa\u003cbr\u003e4. BIGGIE TEMBO \u0026amp; STARTLED INSECTS: The Curse of Columbus  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57021303980363,"sku":"R8734-1194","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a0924383716_2.jpg?v=1776085045"},{"product_id":"the-bristol-and-bath-blitz-club-meets-art-school-sound-80s-explosion","title":"The Bristol and Bath Blitz Club Meets Art School Sound - 80's Explosion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 1980’s era literally changed how things looked – as well as sounded. The importance of the Blitz club (‘The Club That Had Changed the Eighties’) that had held sway in London is now being seen as a central factor in what was happening musically and stylistically. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere was an Art School impact explorative element too. The art school factor is acknowledged as providing a fertile setting for acts from the 1960’s and 70’s onwards. So it would be in the 80’s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis also applied in cities like Bristol and Bath. Music curator Dave Massey had sensed these strands having an influence on local musician’s creativity and approach. In compiling the first Bristol and Bath Blitz\/Club Meets Art School Sound - 80’s Explosion albums (one version on vinyl, one on CD) for Bristol Archive Records these became more\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e apparent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMassey looked to use songs and tracks from out west that reflect the feel, themes and actions of what was happening in that 80’s time, both locally and nationally. There was also an attempt to emulate the sheer eclecticism of a Rusty Egan DJ set list on a ‘’typical’’ Blitz club night. Previously punk and funk were certainly mixing locally in bands, as they had in the ethos of Duran Duran, a product of Birmingham clubland. The Pop Group and Glaxo Babies had already shown that and much would flow from various members as time went on. Later the emergence of Massive Attack would be very much rooted in club culture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn these recordings there are cute as well as acute pop sensibilities in the likes of groups like Vicious Circle, Wadi Vision, Hey Belaba! Creature Beat and Big Outdoor Type, plus electronic dance driven grooves with Umo Vogue, Either\/OR and the darker of the night God Bless You. By contrast it’s possible to set the utter hedonism of Nite Watch against the out of their head explorations outré, lyrical and textural of Glaxo Babies, Essential Bop and (very much multi-media) Startled Insects; the new transformation European ideals of The Escape, Distant Cousins and Europeans themselves, and the sheer film noir deliciousness of Great Naked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome of the musicians involved with these acts would go on to work with the likes of Tears for Fears, Talk Talk, Bros, Pet Shop Boys, Massive Attack, Roger Taylor (Queen), Robert Plant, U2, Goldfrapp, Roni Size and Reprazent and others. This body of work has real significance across the board.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat overall legacy from the 80’s lives on in other ways – in books, documentaries, blogs, exhibitions, even the launching of magazines in the spirit of Blitz, this one called Blitzed! Locally, it’s the music and the good times. This release represents a small part of it. As God Bless You put so succinctly and in the spirit of clubbers the world over – “we’ve only got this one life”.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Explosion album gives you two shots. When you’ve played both sides of it, you can flick the disc and once again start back at the beginning. If it’s the CD – just start again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003eVinyl Track listing:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSIDE A: -\u003cbr\u003e1. DISTANT COUSINS: Red Oasis \u003cbr\u003e2. VICIOUS CIRCLE: Temptation \u003cbr\u003e3. GREAT NAKED: Movers and Shakers \u003cbr\u003e4. WADI VISION: Pictures of You \u003cbr\u003e5. HEY BELABA: Cat Fight \u003cbr\u003e6. BIG OUTDOOR TYPE: Winter’s Cold \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSIDE B: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1. UMO VOGUE: Who’s Sorry Now \u003cbr\u003e2. EITHER\/OR: Learning How to Walk \u003cbr\u003e3. THE ESCAPE: Truth Drug (Different Mix) \u003cbr\u003e4. ESSENTIAL BOP: Kicking The Sun Around \u003cbr\u003e5. GOD BLESS YOU: Sugar \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCD Track Listing:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1. DISTANT COUSINS: Red Oasis \u003cbr\u003e2. VICIOUS CIRCLE: Temptation \u003cbr\u003e3. GREAT NAKED: Movers and Shakers \u003cbr\u003e4. WADI VISION: Pictures of You \u003cbr\u003e5. HEY BELABA: Cat Fight \u003cbr\u003e6. NITE WATCH: Get Down (Cause I Love Your Body) \u003cbr\u003e7. UMO VOGUE: Who’s Sorry Now \u003cbr\u003e8. EUROPEANS: Europeans \u003cbr\u003e9. EITHER\/OR: Learning How to Walk \u003cbr\u003e10. GLAXO BABIES: Shake The Foundations \u003cbr\u003e11. THE ESCAPE: Truth Drug (BBC Mix) \u003cbr\u003e12. STARTLED INSECTS: Thunk \u003cbr\u003e13. WADI VISION: By The Seaside \u003cbr\u003e14. BIG OUTDOOR TYPE: Winters Cold \u003cbr\u003e15. EITHER\/OR: Tension \u003cbr\u003e16. CREATURE BEAT: Debt \u003cbr\u003e17. THE ESCAPE: The Passer By \u003cbr\u003e18. ESSENTIAL BOP: Kicking the Sun Around \u003cbr\u003e19. GOD BLESS YOU: Sugar\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Transparent Violet","offer_id":57163732812107,"sku":"R5780-5581","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57163732844875,"sku":"R5780-3869","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1778837055_1x1_700.avif?v=1777549206"},{"product_id":"times-are-getting-harder","title":"Times Are Getting Harder","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor someone who had been performing since childhood in Jamaica and regularly sang with bands after relocating to the UK as well as writing several songs for other artists, Bunny Marrett was poorly served for contemporary releases. In fact his sole vinyl outing was 1980's “Times Are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGetting Harder”, a nice roots vocal with accompanying “Hard Times Dub” released on Gene Walsh's nascent Shoc Wave label.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGene was still finding his feet in the music industry and still learning the balancing act between copies pressed and potential demand. For “Times Are Getting Harder” Gene kept his costs low and did the minimum pressing run. He also kept costs down with his choice of B side using his pool of local musicians including Joshua Moses to provide a brace of dub tracks, “Running Dub” and “Creation Dub” enigmatically credited to Don Gordon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLike countless other excellent British reggae singles, the lack of proper distribution and promotion saw “Times Are\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e Getting Harder” barely sell beyond Bristol or more specifically the St.Paul's area where Bunny was well known as a pillar of the community. It's likely that “Times Are Getting Harder” is the scarcest Bristol reggae release with copies having always being difficult to find, even in Bristol. With online sellers now asking three figure sums for the occasional copy that surfaces, a properly done reissue is long overdue.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBristol Archive Records are delighted to make this classic four track slice of Bristol roots and dub readily available for the first time in forty-six years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"12\" - Black","offer_id":57378406170955,"sku":"R1648-8290","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1144297726_1x1_700.avif?v=1779198197"},{"product_id":"awakening-3","title":"Awakening","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt has long been Bristol Archive Records mission to tell the story of reggae in the city, and we plan to bring a similar level of coverage to the 1990s as we have for previous decades. To kick things off, we have chosen an album from Katsu, now mostly forgotten. They burst onto the Bristol scene in 1995 and over the next couple of years played numerous gigs at Bristol and Bath's top venues, including to thousands at the Bristol Community Festival at Ashton Court and even an appearance at Glastonbury Festival.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough their gigs received wide acclaim, and they recorded plenty of music, they only managed to self-release a four-track EP and a CD album, both of which sold in tiny numbers. Gigs live in people's memories, but physical releases that transcend generations and tend to be the key to keeping a band’s music current, an element Katsu's legacy has been lacking.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe band had originally come together as the musicians behind the first four Armagideon albums and included Phil a\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"bcTruncateMore\"\u003e former Rhythmite and member of Vin Gordon and the Authentics, Wilbert who had engineered for The Revolutionary Dub Warriors and worked with Adrian Sherwood as well as Guy who would form Dub From Atlantis. They were key members of the local reggae scene, experienced musicians and their recordings are just as good as their live shows were.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe decided their 1997 album “Awakening” deserved the release it didn't receive back then, a proper pressing run with distribution, making it available to a wider audience, doing justice to the music. Rather than copying the CD release of the original, we have gone with both the traditional and current reggae format of choice, vinyl.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe have selected eight tracks and re-sequenced them to create a very strong LP. Side A features three strong vocals, leading off with the excellent “Tenement”; the vocals are complemented by saxophone and a slight dub influence. The following two vocal cuts, “Inna England” and the title track “Awakening” head into a more roots direction. All three vocals are highly polished and could easily have come from a decade or more before, timeless, quality reggae. The A side is rounded off with a horns-driven instrumental before Side B heads into the realm of dub, the music that had originally brought the band together and at which they excelled.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bristol Archive","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":57763906060619,"sku":"R8409-6576","price":26.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1074232256_10.jpg?v=1783146274"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_17259de3_thumbnail_4096_fe2db9b6-6a60-44f7-add2-518f76557c06.jpg?v=1726000674","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/bristol-archive.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}