Happy Xmas :: December Update

Gosh, the last update here was ages ago ... 8th October ... and I honestly, sincerely, thought that all the releases I had announced previously would be ready by the beginning of December (at the latest). Oh well, it just goes to show. So here's where we are as of 20th December '07:

1. The Troum "Sen" 2xLP is ready and will be released (by me and Drone Records to start with) on 10th January. Note that I am going away for Christmas (back to the UK) and I will not be around until the 2nd week of January. Copies have been sent to Stefan at Drone Records but no other distributor just yet. The record really does look spectacular and I hope to post some pictures when I can. The sleeve, the inserts, the pressing quality, the audio - it all works and I am very pleased with the final product.
   
2. The Bass Communion "Pacific Codex" CD/DVD-A release has hit a pretty substantial technical snag. I won't go into details but the release date has had to be set back to February 2008 (maybe even a little later). This is a blow as I was hoping to release this at the same time as the Troum 2xLP. This set was very elaborate and when one goes for such a complex thing one is always asking for trouble. The music sounds outstanding and both CD and DVD-A just sound gorgeous (as you knew it would).
   
3. The New Blockaders + DSM LP/7" should be ready by end of January 2008. The complex and heavy case-bound (tip-on style) sleeve caused huge problems at the printers. I will post news on this as soon as I know (it turns out that this is the first time they have tried to print this type of sleeve and they had [maybe still are having?] "teething problems" - oh well, can't be helped). While you're here make sure you check out The New Blockaders artists page via the Artists links on my web site. RR (of TNB) and I have been slaving to make this make have the absolutely definitive discography - no mean feat!
   

So - that's it. I have done my best - but this is a one-man show here and I can only do so much. Troum is ready, TNB/DSM soon and I hope the Bass Communion will follow as soon as possible. Because of all these forthcoming releases need to be piloted smoothly through the troubled waters of the music industry I will have to slightly postpone the next couple of releases until funds become available and the time is right.

Just so you know: Plans are afoot for an LP by APSE (this is great), an "archive" CD of all the known recordings made by the great unsigned 1980's band from Southend-on-Sea (Essex, UK) called Taming The Outback (when you hear this you'll ask yourself "why on Earth weren't this band HUGE..."), possibly a limited 7" EP by the now-long disbanded extra-ordinary Norwegian band Munch (featuring a couple of unreleased recordings), a 2xLP by Aidan Baker (E=mc17). Note that this Aidan Baker LP was announced previously as a single LP with an extra 1-sided LP. We decided to go for a full double and Aidan is recording the extra music as I write this.

I also hope to go completely bonkers and - hope hope hope - to have enough funds to release the complete recorded works of Blind Joe Reynolds (6 tracks in all - a further 2 tracks have been "lost" and never found). All these recordings were made in 1932 - just Blind Joe and his guitar. He is simply one of THE most important, talented and brilliant Mississippi Delta Blues musicians ever and a pivotal Blues pioneer (just have a look at the history books). I appreciate this would be completely left-field - even for a daft little label such as mine - but I love his music, always have. I have secured the rights and want to make this the definitive archive release of Blind Joe - with essays, pictures and, well - a completely over-the-top package (as usual). If this gets done I really really really urge you to buy a copy, this is the real deal no-nonsense 100% pure and true Delta Blues, historically significant, brilliant and hugely influential.

There may also (I hope) be an LP by Fear Falls Burning working in collaboration with Yellow6 later in the year (they will go under a new collective name). Plus the long-announced and long-delayed archive CD by The Get plus, well, who knows: More stuff by my favourite artists.

Let's hope cash flow (well, really the lack of it!) doesn't kill my little efforts. Anyway - hope you have a great Christmas. Whoops, we're not supposed to say that anymore are we? We have to say some soppy half-arsed, half-baked greeting like "Happy Holidays". B*ll*cks to all that -Happy Christmas & Happy New Year

Bill

ps: I promise to post here more regularly. Especially as we get closer to more releases.

Equation :: Blog #5

It's been a while (been very busy with general sort-of general life-stuff) but, enough of excuses ... things are finally getting closer for the next 3 Equations.
You'll notice that the "News" page has been updated with a new nifty Carousel image slide-thingy. All very fancy - but if it doesn't work on your machine just email me as I'd like to make sure the code is working for as many browsers as possible. Anyway - the next 3 releases are nearing completion...

• E=mc13 :: TROUM :: Sen. This will be a double LP (2 different editions) and a double picture disc set edition. Exact numbers not known yet. I'll only know when I get the boxes from the pressing plant
• E=-mc16 :: BASS COMMUNION :: Pacific Codex. Super-deluxe CD and DVD-A set which will be housed in a super-heavy slipcase/box and tip-on gatefold sleeve and perfect bound book with insert card.
  
• E=mc18 :: The New Blockaders + Das Synthetische Mischgewebe :: The Monosyllabic Bicycles Tri-Coloured Quadruples. LP + & 7" set. Again exact pressing numbers are not yet known but will be less than 300 (the super-heavy tip-on style sleeve [like those great old-fashioned LP's] is costing a fortune).
  

I expect they will be out sometime in November.
Cheers until next time.

Equation :: Blog #04

So many people have been e-mailing me asking why nothing has happened and when will the new releases be forthcoming? I thank all those who took the time and effort to write but the fact is things are moving: albeit slowly. In short here is where I stand...

• The new test pressings for Troum 2xLP (E=mc13) have been sent to Germany - but are currently hed-up in customs (hope that will be resolved very swiftly).
• The sleeves and inserts for the Bass Communion CD/DVD set (E=mc16) are being printed as I write ... these were complex and required much head-scratching by the printers.
• The New Blockaders LP/7" (E=c18) is now in manufacture

I will probably be releasing all these at once. Not because it's easy for me - far from it. Rather it's to do with saving money on postage which is crippling. Anyway - I've not been idle but I am trying to get over the sad sad loss of my beautiful and wonderful cat "Bandit" who was suffering from melanoma (he was about 12). I'm still not over that and miss him dreadfully.
I have also just made a facebook account (click here to see it) where you can see my ugly mug and a lot more besides (probably too much).

June Update (blog #3)

Greetings all.

Just a quick word about the current status of things.
Yes, it has been all-quiet on the Equation front recently, but we are progressing with several new releases ::

• TROUM :: 2xLP :: test pressings were rejected due to incorrect mastering and a new set of plates are being cut this week. All this means more delays ... but better to get it right than half-arsed and wrong. This will be a genuinely deluxe package (= pricey, sorry) but it will be worth every penny I guarantee!
• TNB + DSM :: LP/7" set :: currently waiting on test pressings but as the artwork is all done this should not be too long in the works. However, due to the recent unprecedented rise in postage charges by USPS I may have to wait until the TROUM is out as well as postage is now prohibitive and is making life very hard for honest small independents!
• BASS COMMUNION :: "Pacific Codex" CD/DVD-A set :: The masters are on their way to me right now - so more on that nearer the time. Needless to say we at Equation Towers are very excited about this. The exact numbers to be pressed have yet to be determined but will (most likely) be fewer than 1000. Yes - a proper CD on Equation! We originally wanted this to be a double 1-sided vinyl box set but the test pressings we had made failed to pass quality control (the frequencies were so extreme that making an analogue cut was just not going to work - we DID try, we can't do more than that).

I have a few other "irons in the fire" which will involve both vinyl and CDs. Be assured vinyl is where my true passion lies - but the recent USPS price rises, increased pressing prices (due to oil prices and other lame excuses) makes the general economics of vinyl an increasingly marginal proposition (financially). However more vinyl will be made for sure. Currently (and this list is very likely to change) we have the following in works ::

• The Get :: no title yet :: CD :: Rare material from this Southend-on-Sea [UK] post-punk band who hit the local charts with a home-made flexi disc in 1982. The band have re-formed and new recordings promised. This CD may come with a DVD-R as well (containign everything they ever did).
• Bad Losers :: "Win Again" :: CD :: great 1960's inspired garage/pop :: OK, I mentioned this earlier on the Equation site - had a catalogue number allocated (E=mc13), then I pulled it. It's back on again. Turned out the full LP had been digitally recorded (I LOVED it, trust me, it is stupendously good stuff) but the genius behind the band then went and bought a vintage analogue 8-track and decided to re-record the whole lot -again - on analgue. The fact that it will see the light of day on a digital medium seems to have been lost on them. Just for laughs we may release a 4-track 7" EP (in p/s) - but featuring some of the (great) digitally recorded tracks! Feel this has a nice odd symetry about it!
• Taming The Outback :: "Complete Recordings" :: CD. If you like Echo & The Bunnymen and other such "goth" bands you'll love this. Very early days and it might never materialize (for some very good reasons ... we'll see). This band were from Southend-on-Sea [UK] - where I'm originally from - and existed for a short-but-bright period in 1986-87. One of the very best bands ever to emerge from the area.
• APSE :: untitled :: vinyl LP. Early days yet - but we love the band and we love the prospect of releasing some of their material. Check out their 2 extremely magnificent CD's on Acuarela Records (Spain).

(These are the ones I'm allowed to tell you about - there are a few others that I would be too premature to mention as I am in very early stages).

Cheers until next time.

Bill

Equation :: Entry #01

Greetings all !

No idea if this will be of any interest to anyone but I hope to use this blog to announce new releases, the status of those in the manufacturing pipeline and other things of interest.

New Releases in the pipeline (release dates TBA) ::
Today I have just ordered 2 new releases which should be out early June(ish) ... although problems often occur and delays are normal...
1) E=mc13 :: TROUM :: "Sen" :: 2xLP
2) E=mc18 :: The New Blockaders + Das Synthetische Mischgewebe (TNB+DSM) :: "The Monosyllabic Bicycles Tri-Coloured Quadruples"

More details on these to tempt and titilate (oooh vicar!) ::
The Troum 2xLP is a reissue of the long out-of-print Staalplaat CD (released on their Mort Aux Vaches imprint in 2000 in an edition of 600 copies). This release is lightly remastered and will come with stunning new artwork by Alan McClelland (www.eyelyft.com). Alan is really making a name for himslef with his metaculous and strident images: the art on this release is going to be something special. While we are not 100% sure exactly what the pressing numbers will be - we know it will come as a double pic disc set (est. 225 copies) and a clear-vinyl set (225 copies). All copies will have inserts and be housed in a gorgeous and unique gatefold semi-circular PVC sleeve (like the sleeve for the 2x pic disc LP "Hex" by Earth).

The TNB+DSM release is quite a coup for little Equation. This will be an LP/7" set (with full picture covers). Pressing numbers have yet to be finalized but they will likely be fewer than 300 copies on heavy black 180-200g vinyl. There will be a very limited number pressed on clear vinyl too - of which most will be going to the artists themselves, we at Equation will only have a handful to sell on the web site so keep your eyes peeled on my blog as I'll announce when it will be ready here first. (I will not be taking any pre-orders for this so please don't ask). If you haven't heard of TNB then you really should have! If you do then there's no need to elaborate - except to say that - along with Organum - they are one of the most important and influential noise artists on this lovely spherical planet of ours! DSM are also hugely respected and have a long pedigree of releases stretching back to 1981 (or earlier). (I will be uploading artists pages soon so you can get a good idea of what they stand for and their work). Be warned - there are no melodies or tinkly cuty-bits on this record set. No-Sir-Eee. Nope. So if you really like American Idol (or whatever horrible variant you have in your country on this seemingly global programme) then we suggest you avoid this record like The Plague!

Postage ::
I just want to say one final word on postage. I really try to be completely honest with my postage rates. I never intentionally gouge and, to be honest, I sometimes lose money on the postage I charge as packing material prices have increased enormously. The USPS have also hiked prices (once again) - especially for shipment abroad using air (remember - if you are a good patriotic American then there's really nowhere interesting outside US borders).

Entry #02 :: Damarge box sets (E=mc04)

Equation has recently moved (from CT to MA in case you're interested). Moving was a complete bummer and was very stressfull ... however one good thing emerged from the pile of boxes and packing that has been my life for the past 3 months or so ... namely ...

I found 3 (yes THREE) copies of the Damarge box set (E=mc04). In case you didn't know I made 20 copies of this mega box-set back in 2003 (plus 3 promos, one was for John Peel [R.I.P.] ).

I thought I'd sold out - which was clearly bollocks (Q: How could you not know you hadn't sold out, you only made 20 for gawdssake? A: Because I'm a forgetful old arse). 3 new, unplayed/touched/soiled copies are sitting on my racks downstairs waiting for a good home.

This set is quite simply UNE FOLLIE EXTRAORDINAIRE - une vanite par excellent and features numerous Peter King clear vinyl lathe-cut discs.
The set consists:

• 4 x 10" E.P.'s
• 2 x 12" LP's
• 1 x square 8" (in pic sleeve) :: E=mc03 (only available in this set)
• Full colour labels (which cost over $850 to typeset and print when I could have done them myself for free - more fool me).
• all housed in a hand-made box
• 2 booklets, mini-poster, 2 badges, 2 fridge magnets plus reproduction tickets and gig flyers and 2 mini-stickers.

Each one costs $115 + postage (quite expensive) which is below cost!

You may not believe it (or care) but I actually lose money on each copy (around $100, honest!!). It cost me an arm-and-a-leg to make (mainly due to an incompetant printer who screwed me, less said about that the better).

See the dedicated Damarge web site here: www.chronoglide.com for more info.
(Pics, history and much of the audio on the records - so if you buy one you'll know exactly what you're getting ... read the blurb on this site and elsewhere).

Damarge existed between 1981 & 1985 (in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK) and featured yours truly (Herr Doktor Professor Eqvation) and 3 other Herberts (sorry, that should be 2 Herberts and Snowboy, whose musical career is, well, extra-ordinary and is regarded by those-in-the-know as Britain's best Latin-Jazz, Afro-Cuban Conga player/percussionist and is also internationally recognized as a serious and in-demand session man, producer, arranger and DJ and writer and ... and ... just check his own site if you don't believe me... www.snowboy.info ). Great sense of style too! Bless.

I don't expect there to be a huge rush for this record (which is really nothing more than a vainglorious vanity project) - but it is nice, so get 'em while you can!