{"title":"Left Ear","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeft Ear Records is a Melbourne based record label founded by Chris Bonato and Anthony Walsh. The label focuses on reissues and unreleased material from around the globe. In 2018 comrade Bridget Small joined the team.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a passion for uncovering hidden gems, Left Ear Records has become renowned for its dedication to unearthing forgotten musical treasures. Founded in Melbourne by Chris Bonato and Anthony Walsh, the label specializes in reissuing rare and obscure tracks, as well as releasing previously unheard material from talented artists across the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince its inception, Left Ear Records has been committed to preserving and celebrating music that may have otherwise been lost to time. With an extensive catalog of vinyl releases, each carefully curated with love and attention to detail, *Left Ear* has become a trusted source for collectors and enthusiasts alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"del-silencio","title":"Del Silencio","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor their 35th release Left Ear returns to the archives of Spanish Musician Jesús Mª Catalán and his project Respuesta Alternativa, or the Alternative Response. Unlike his previous release, the tracks from this compilation were not released at the time and the tapes only found recently, which had been lying dormant in a shoebox since their creation from the period 1987-1990. When not on the road working as a sound technician,\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJesús continued to craft atmospheric tracks in the quiet of his bedroom and later finished productions with the assistance of long-time collaborator Julián C. Pérez. Together, they captured simple themes, with the sound evolving over time. Transitioning from guitars, they incorporated vocal samples to weave enduring musical tapestries. Given Jesus’ geographic location (Spain) and the atmospheric down-tempo nature of the music, we wondered if the ‘balearic’ sounds had played a part in his productions. Jesus explains that “the distinction in the Balearic and Asturias Islands is marked by the different character of its people and the incidence of the weather, where the sea influences the Mediterranean Sea of the Balearic Islands is a calm sea. The Cantabrico de Asturias Sea is stormier”.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs a proud Asturian, Jesús was influenced by and payed homage to his surroundings, with lush breezy passages echoing calm ocean days and others reflecting sudden turns in conditions, weaving a stormier, more confronting layer into his already distinct sounds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Left Ear","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50416787947851,"sku":"2200503","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Del_Silencio_5cb2527e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726710116"},{"product_id":"cara-a-cara","title":"Cara a Cara","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1986, Uruguayan vocalist and musician Mariana Ingold took the advice of a storied Uruguayan composer and musicologist and recorded her first album (Todo Depende) for the now legendary label Ayuí\/Tacuabé. In the early ’80s, the introduction of the synthesizer fostered an experimental new approach to traditional Candombe rhythms. Ingold’s influence on the scene looms large. Pairing elegant vocals and majestic harmonies with complex arrangements, she pushed the Montevideo-specific sound — loosely termed Candombe fusion — in new directions and thrived working collaboratively with artists including Eduardo Mateo, Jaime Roos, and Hugo Fattoruso.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Left Ear Records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50448672653643,"sku":"1076454","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f30cd5fc-8174-4d26-bf47-8e37fa72b64b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727094858"},{"product_id":"wordless-song","title":"Wordless Song","description":"\u003cp\u003eMysterious Sydney songstress \u003cb\u003eJustine\u003c\/b\u003e recorded one album in ’79, which was never officially released. Left Ear have chosen two tracks for a 45 RPM 12” single, which they feel best highlights Justine’s unique vocal talents and songwriting ability. Here the crafty songstress wields melancholic soul and a funky Jazz inspired number with personal and reflective lyrics, both with an intimate and honest approach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eElusive Sydney songstress \u003cb\u003eJustine\u003c\/b\u003e (Bradley) almost entirely wrote, produced and arranged her sole LP in ’79, an album that was funded by a radio station as the beneficiary for emerging talent. The music was created specifically for radio play without any intention of being manufactured. Luckily however, a friend with ties to a pressing plant known aptly as ‘Midnite Flite’, managed to sneak into said plant one evening and press up a small number for the enjoyment of family, friends \u0026amp; those involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLeft Ear have decided to release what they consider to be the two most significant tracks from this release onto a 12” single, now for the enjoyment of all. The A-Side will feature the haunting \u003ci\u003eWordless Songs\u003c\/i\u003e, a melancholic soulful number which according to Justine explores the “capacity to comprehend a partner’s internal quest for authenticity and connection”. The B-side \u003ci\u003eMama Didn’t Tell Ya\u003c\/i\u003e is more uplifting in both tempo and arrangements comprising an extended outro, while the lyrics remain just as personal and reflective.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Left Ear","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50448917397835,"sku":"1070479","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e73d3513-5002-41a1-8a67-4c9596f737e2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727097188"},{"product_id":"dragon-man-2","title":"Dragon Man","description":"\u003cp\u003eOnly a decade ago Leong Lau remained a well-hidden Malaysian-Australian treasure, known only to small circles of Australian record collectors. In 2013 we met Leong in person at the Brisbane state library, where after a long and somewhat transcendental ‘conversation’, received his blessings to re-release his music.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2014, we reissued his sophomore album ‘That Rongeng Sound’ and later in 2021, his sole single ‘late Night Flyer. In 2024, we are going back to finish the triangle of Leong releases, with a repress of his debut 1976 album ‘Dragon Man’. A raw and electrifying album that continues to stand the test of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDragon Man might best be described musically as psyc\/rock, however the significant use of soul\/funk and jazz melodies adds a unique musical depth that makes it hard to categorise. However, what truly sets Leong apart is his distinct vocal style, delivering half sung\/half spoken lyrics in a stereotypical Aussie accent that comes across more like a sermon than what might be conceived as ‘traditional’ songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoreover, in a time where the Australian music industry and its performers’ musical styles were dictated by major labels, Leong began to break down those barriers by self-releasing his music. This rewarded Leong creative control, where he was able to dictate the musical and cultural themes, with songs like ‘Dragon Man’ and ‘Deep In The Jungle’ that both pay homage to his unique Chinese\/Malay heritage. That said, Dragon Man is both a significant musical and cultural statement that’s just as poignant today as it was then.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Left Ear Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50450989121867,"sku":"2208681","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51246138949963,"sku":"2229973","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/dragon_man_cover_17f0fa51_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727116710"},{"product_id":"late-night-flyer","title":"Late Night Flyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eLeft Ear returns where they started, further highlighting the music of the enigmatic Leong Lau. Arguably one of the most unique artists to come out of Malaysia\/Australia during the 70’s, Leong migrated to Australia to pursue an education in Engineering. He finished his degree but instead took a different ’career path’, choosing to explore his creativity. From an early age Leong had been trained in the arts including both Chinese opera and flute. Leong recalls “making flutes out of grass weeds”, as he couldn’t afford a flute. It was this DIY ethos that Leong attached to his lifestyle. He found himself promoting festivals in the infamous town of Nimbin before moving to Sydney where he would record a small body of music with the sessional musicians he was playing with daily in the venues of Sydney’s Circular Quays. Leong’s ‘Late Night Flyer’ was the single to his supposed second album, which was allegedly manufactured but unfortunately a copy of the LP is yet to surface. One thing is for certain, two tracks landed on a 7” and together with a predominantly Chilean backing band known as ‘The East-West Unity Band’ they created two raw latin influenced jazz-rock tracks that stand the test of time. The A-side a homage to the omnipresent characters that frequented the after-hours jazz clubs Leong performed at. Whereas the B-side is named after his favourite philosopher Herbert Marcuse’s novel ‘One Dimensional Man’, which sees Leong take a more psyched out approach.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Left Ear","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50988623003979,"sku":"1127941","price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/abd6f512-7450-4e67-95ba-bf15895906fc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1734527868"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_4eaebbed_thumbnail_4096_1dfeaac5-06ed-4180-bb87-e340beaf6f5a.jpg?v=1726710098","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/left-ear.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}