Equation Records

TROUM >> Saiws 7" out now!

2011-07-27T19:08:00.001-07:00

Here it is - finally!
E=mc27 ... pic disc by TROUM
$30 each......
Jeeez! That's Expensive? !!! "Bloody Equation price gouging good-for-nothing a**-holes ... etc etc"
Yes --- hands-up in guilt ... it IS expensive BUT I'm still selling at COST (well, I actually LOSE $0.08 per copy to be precise).
The covers cost a FORTUNE to make and ship (plus I got whacked by heavy import duties .... I guess I did my little bit for our national debt crisis...)
Liquid-Gel filled with "sand & sea" filling. Die-cut, printed gatefold.
I certainly know of no other record like this anywhere, it's unique...
179 copies as that's all I could afford to get made!
If you in USA suggest you buy direct from me or if you in Europe suggest you go direct to Drone Records. Aquarius in SF will take a few copies too...

Alan McClelland did an outstanding job on the whole thing -- concept, design and innovation.
The music works PERFECTLY.
More images below....

Troum SAIWS 7"

2011-06-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

Not really announced fully but we're doing a superb 7" pic disc by TROUM called SAIWS and is going to be housed in a sleeve you simply will not believe (printed, die-cut liquid gel pack).
This will be E=mc27 and "is a nautical single"
Designed by Alan McClelland -- this will be a genuinely unique item.
We've never seen anything like this before.
It's expensive as each sleeve cost over $15 EACH plus the pic disc record cost too.
We are making 175 copies only and will be selling at cost.
More info later.

Bill

Taming The Outback is out

2011-06-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

Took ages but I just announced the official release of this retrospective CD yesterday.
getting some great reviews -- see Record Collector, Rock-a-Rolla, Norman Records and Aquarius.
See the release page (via the Press page and others)

Price of ordinary CD is really low.
Stockists:
me (of course) ...
Drone Records (Germany)
Aquarius (USA)
Midheaven / Revolver (USA)
Beta-lactam Ring (USA)
Amazon.co.uk (via Detour Records)
SouthendPunk.com (ask for Steve)

Cheers

TAMING THE OUTBACK -- CD Out Soon

2011-03-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

After a long wait this is almost ready to go --
385 numbered copies is a really REALLY nice thick card LP-style gatefold sleeve with inner sleeve, 2-sided mini-poster and 24-page booklet packed with info and band history etc etc

There is a special boxed-set version of 75 copies containing a copy of the band's debut 1987 7inch plus a load of extras (see the web site for pics).

This is being sold as cheaply as possible and the bloody postage calculator (that just gives me grief) has been "tweaked" to make postage of the standard CD nice and cheap too.
The box set is heavy and ships at the standard LP rate.

Will be released in about 1 weeks from now.

2011 Plans

2010-12-31T20:35:00.000-08:00

Current plans for 2011 include the following...

E=mc22
Blue Sabbath Black Cheer LP+7"+CD set (both 1-sided)
Almost done.
Gonna be a beaut...

E=mc24
Taming The Outback "1986-1989" CD.
This long-in-the-making project is almost done. I had some problems with the 24-page booklet (currently being re-printed) but it all looks and sounds great! Comes in a super-thick Stoughton-style gatefold sleeve, a 2-sided mini-poster plus the aforementioned booklet. Initial copies will also come with a great sticker.
There is also going to 75-copy 7" by 7" embossed box-set version featuring 4 badges (buttons), a copy of the band's only 7" and other goodies.

E=mc25
Bad Losers
Plan to press 100-copies of this LP with proper printed labels, booklet and stuff...

E=mc27
Troum "SAIWS" pic disc 7"
We HOPE to have this in a liquid-filled (gel) sleeve. We'll see. Planning to make about 150 of these - all depends on how the sleeve comes along 9and costs!)

E=mc28 ... ????
Right now no plans ... we'll see.
The "music biz" is in a parlous state right now.
Many of my favourite record shops have shut and life is tough for many many artists and labels. We'll persevere though ...
Cheers and happy 2011

Pepe Wismeer LP now finally out.

2010-12-17T18:12:00.000-08:00

At last ...
this long-in-the-making LP is complete and available and with 100 copies in total it'll surely make the Xmas #1 in the hot top pop charts...
Seriously - it looks great.
Beta-lactam Ring have copies and Forced Exposure should be getting some copies soon.
The band have some as well.
While the records arrived in August - getting the sleeves and inserts together correctly took much longer than expected.
Comes with a 2-sided card insert, an 8-page stapled booklet and another insert explaining the rather unusual pressing process used to make the record (which cannot be re-pressed!).

I'll be on holiday from 24th Dec to mid-January 2011 - so any orders placed in this period will not be shipped until I get back to EQ-Towers.
Cheers

Pepe Wismeer - 100-copy LP coming soon

2010-08-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

Vinyl-fetishists alert.

I have just taken receipt of 100 copies of the new LP by Pepe Wismeer (this is not a person but a duo from France with quite a long pedigree of CDs, CD-Rs and some vinyl).
The LP, titled "musi" contains some sublime music.
For some amazing reason (most probably due to magic fairy dust, this has been confirme3d by real scientists...) the audio on the vinyl sounds SOOO much better than the CD copy.
This is a full-length, coherent LP with full printed labels - each numbered.

We are still working on the cover - but there will be inserts and - I hope - a small stapled booklet (we'll see) - the band are currently on holiday.

This record was pressed on standard 140g vinyl using a new process called a "Father Press" - which eliminates the need of a "Mother" plate BUT means you cannot press any more than 100 copies or so. The only way to re-press is to cut another master. So this is a unique item!
Sound quality is superb.

Cat # is E=mc26 and more details will come when I know myself.
I am hoping to coincide this release with a full re-issue of some earlier Pepe Wismeer CDs by Beta-lactam Ring later this year. Watch this space.

That's it for now - except to say the Blue Sabbath Black Cheer record (E=mc22) is still ongoing - this is a major (sorry, I mean MAJOR) effort by all involved and the final result - if it all goes according to our fiendish plans - will be spectacular (expensive ... but spectacular...)

Organum Digital Bootlegging

2010-07-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

David Jackman is very distressed to learn that ALL his work - including Valentin (which has only just been released) - has been pirated as digital downloads.
Nothing at all of the David Jackman / Organum catalog has ever been issued as digital downloads.
Nothing.
While the march of the internet is inevitable and unrelenting - we politely request that no-one uses these pirate download services.
The people involved are nothing more than criminal parasites, they do no social good at all and simply undermine everything that true independent artists and labels work so hard to achieve.
No wonder most small indie labels and artists are struggling.

On another matter - the Blue Sabbath Black Cheer release is moving forward - slowly...
But the final product is going to be spectacular (and that is a completely unbiased opinion of course).

Organum "Valentin" - pre-orders now being taken

2010-06-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

Ready to go!
After lots of work and stuff we're now ready to take pre-orders for this great addition to the amazing catalog of Organum - a discography that stretches back to 1979...

2 version are available:

"Standard" version - 233 numbered copies, heavy matte-finish picture sleeve + matching insert.
Picture Disc version - 81 numbered copies (with same insert as regular edition but no picture sleeve) + PVC pic disc bag.

If you are in Europe I recommend going to Drone so you can avoid those horrid high postage charges from USA (nothing to do with me 'guv - blame Obama or Bush or whoever).

Meditiations in Japan will be getting some copies (soon) plus Forced Exposure have copies (they supply almost everyone, everywhere). If you are in California please check Aquarius Records who will be getting copies too (I hope).

Finally, you may think the price is a little high for a 7" single: True - but this item cost a lot to design, master and manufacture - when you see it you'll appreciate why. A worthy addition to the Organum catalog.

Organum 7" out on 25th June 2010

2010-06-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

The records are all done and look outstanding.
Heavy matte p/s + matching card insert.
Each numbered - 233 copies.

There is a special picture disc version - limited to 81 copies (no sleeve but with the same insert plus a small numbered insert). These will be available only here.

Currently copies will be available via:

Mimaroglu Music Sales (USA)
Drone Records (Germany)
Malignant (USA)

I hope to get a couple of other distros on-board soon.

TROUM "Eald-Ge-Stréon" 2xLP arrived

2010-04-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

After many (I mean many) weeks of delay (technical issues left, right and center -- this magnificent artifact has finally arrived at Equation Towers. A double LP of the highest quality.

What we have here are 2 slabs of luxuriously heavy vinyl (one sky blue, the other black) and housed in what can only be described as an amazingly heavy book-style bound gatefold sleeve.
We pressed 400 copies - although some sites erroneously state 500 - all the same, no fancy special editions.

The vinyl sounds so much better than the CD (I'm not biased of course). The depth and beauty of the pulsing undulating Troum exquisiteness is simply breathtaking.

This is a joint release with Beta-lactam Ring Records (Portland OR) and both labels are hugely proud of this. A worthy addition to any collection. If you are in Europe we suggest getting your copy directly from Glit[S]ch @ Drone Records - postage on this is not going to be cheap - that's for sure.

R.Y.N. LP Out Now

2010-03-13T12:01:00.000-08:00

Finally - this LP is out!
Being sold at a low price too !
233 copies made, 5 inserts, inner bag and a great silk-screened spot-gloss outer sleeve.

Main distribution through:
Forced Exposure (USA)
Drone Records (Germany)

--------------------------
Vital Weekly described the music very well indeed with the following description:
"... sounds like a death-cart being wheeled through a medieval street"

That sums it up very well IMHO !

Details (per the listing on Equation web site) as follows:
R.Y.N. are a UK-based duo probably best known for their Astral Death CD (Unrest Productions) and an excellent 7" on Drone Records.
On this vinyl-only release R.Y.N. present 44 minutes of completely new recordings: a mix of archaic, unsettling, new and melancholy. This album took many months to record as a result of the careful attention paid to the record by the duo.
This LP provides both classic R.Y.N. darkness plus even heavier oppressive, dark, soundscapes that can only be fully appreciated on vinyl over the two side-long tracks: Archaic Techniques Of Ecstacy and Provisional Sketch Of The Mind.
Pressed on black vinyl in a spot-varnished silk-screened card sleeve (by Seizure Palace) plus pro-printed inner sleeve and 5 card inserts (housed in separate stickered inner sleeve). If you don't know their work then this is definitely worth exploring. If you do know them then this is a must.

New LP by R.Y.N. out shortly + other news

2010-03-05T19:44:00.000-08:00

Been almost a year since the last post.
I've not been (too) idle over the past few months, but I just seem to have lost the urge to 'blog' but I guess it's time to announce some new developments and things.

1: R.Y.N. 12" Vinyl LP (E=mc20) : Archaic Techniques Of Ecstacy (233 copies)
The next LP will be out in a few days at a nice affordable price. A great couple of tracks of sheer darkness by this duo from the UK famous for a couple of intense CD's and a 7" on Drone.

HEAVY oppressive, dark, soundscapes that can only be fully appreciated on vinyl over the two side-long tracks: "Archaic Techniques Of Ecstacy" and "Provisional Sketch Of The Mind". Pressed on black vinyl in a spot-varnished silk-screened card sleeve (by Seizure Palace) plus printed inner sleeve and 5 card inserts (numbered by myself, of course). It is also being retailed at a nice price ... so no reason not to explore this great band. R.Y.N. LP release details here. Or check the main Equation release page here.

2: TROUM "Eald-Ge-Streon" 2xLP (E=mc21/mt183)
This 2xLP will be available shortly and is housed in an outrageously super-heavy gatefold card sleeve. This is a joint release with Beta-lactam Ring (who released the CD version late 2009).
There will be 500 copies with a few on coloured vinyl (exact pressing details tba). I will probably be selling only a few copies here on the Equation Records web site, but not a lot - the main distributor will be Beta-lactam Ring Records -- so you are urged to visit them for details and purchasing.

3: ORGANUM 7" to be released in a couple of months (E=mc23).
The first vinyl outing by Organum in 8 years.
This work is titled "Valentin" and will be around 200 copies in full colour picture sleeve.
Equation is delighted and honoured to be releasing a work by this artist that needs no introduction.

4: Taming The Outback "1986-1989" CD (E=mc24)
With the master tapes lying idle in the vaults for over 20 years this exceptionally talented band from Southend-on-Sea (my home town in the UK) will eventually see the light of day with pristine new mastering (by Snowboy) for the very best sound quality possible. The professionally recorded LP-that-never-was will no have its debut (finally!). This is not going to be just another bog-standard CD -- Oh No!. This will is going to come in a very heavy-gauge deluxe card gatefold mini-LP style sleeve, a printed inner, a 6-panel poster, a sticker and a 16-page booklet with rare photos and an interview and history (along with lyrics).
A very limited edition version (60 copies or so) which also be made available. This will come in a 7"x7" pro-printed embossed box which will not only have the CD but also a an exact copy of the band's hyper-rare 7" plus other inserts. Only 60 will be made (around) as the record will be very limited... watch this space (promise it will be updated within a year!).
The image below is from the band's ultra-controversial promotional photo-shoot that caused an uproar in both local and national UK press. So I guess this will act as a precursor to what is to come. Dare I say -- if you love Joy Division and Echo & The Bunnymen (which you all should do if you have any sense) you're going to be in for a real treat!

Aidan Baker :: Gathering Blue :: Out Now

2009-04-28T17:05:00.001-07:00

Finally!
This is now out --- but not for long I fear.
Why? Because pre-orders from distributors were overwhelming and I am effectively sold-out, except for the few copies I have for my own modest mail order sales (as of writing this I have no more than 60 copies - split between black and sky blue editions).

The lovely Mottled Peacock Blue vinyl copies are only available via distributors (see list below) - so please support your local distributor and record shop and buy these directly from them.
(Some of these were given some limited Sky Blue copies - not sure who exactly).

Because I have to sell these limited edition copies on a first-come first served basis and I must reserve the right to limit the numbers sold to each person to prevent future eBay gouging.

I am deeply proud of this release as the music is fabulous - I think it is Aidan's strongest album - just lovely.
The following distributors were given mottled peacock blue copies (see my web site for links):

USA ~~~~~~~~~

Forced Exposure (they supply many shops)
Beta-lactam Ring
Mimaroglu Music Sales
Soleilmoon

Germany ~~~~~~~~~~

Adagio 830
Drone

UK ~~~~~~~~~~~

Norman Records

Aidan Baker :: Gathering Blue 2xLP :: Out 29th April '09

2009-04-10T19:04:00.000-07:00

Finally - after a long time and some technical problems with the printing - this 2xLP is ready and it looks and sounds GREAT! 444 copies only.
Click on the image of the sleeve on my site (or just click here) to go to the release-specific page with more info and images.
Due to a mistake by the pressing plant (not deliberate I assure you - a pure error on their part) around 55 copies were pressed on black vinyl - which really do look quite lovely. I will be selling a handful of these via mail order while Aidan Baker himself will get the rest.
The remaining copies were pressed on two types of blue vinyl (95 copies on sky blue vinyl with white fluffy bits and the rest on a beautiful mottled peacock blue - quite delightful).
It comes in a gatefold sleeve and a professionally printed 4"x6" card insert (and hand numbered by yours truly). I will be sending an email (crafted by hand - no spam rubbish) to those on my list with a "heads-up" that it will be available.

More news soon...

Apse :: Eras ... running low + Aidan Baker 2xLP

2009-02-20T19:29:00.001-08:00

First ::
Apse "Eras" LP is now running low - and it's only been about 1 week since it was officially released! Reviews have been excellent - so I think smiles all round are warranted.
Also check out the new video made for the track "Up In The Eaves" - see it here:

www.chronoglide.com/Equation_band_apse.html

I really only have about 10 yellow vinyl and 30 (or so) black vinyl copies left. That's it!
The following lovely distros & shops took copies and have them for sale about now - or very soon (all US unless stated):

Forced Exposure
Darla
Norman Records (UK)
Stickfigure Distribution
Beta-lactam Ring
Revolver / Midheaven
Trash American Style

Please support your local indie music dealer in these troubled economic times.
If the b(w)ankers can get a massive pile of government handouts - why can't fine folk who struggle hard to get great music out there get some help too? OK - enough whinging...

Other news ::
I took receipt of the new 2xLP by Aidan Baker yesterday.
"Gathering Blue" (E=mc17) has been over 2 years in the making and was quite an effort by all concerned (due to unforeseen technical issues here and there).
My hope is that it will be ready near the end of March 2009.
(I still need to collate copies, get a beautiful numbered insert card printed and so forth).
The LP features some fabulous new original material plus some major re-workings of old classics plus an incredible cover of a Joy Division classic - not to be missed.
The mottled-peacock blue vinyl looks terrific and the gatefold sleeve has come out much better than expected (the image art, the labels, it all just works beautifully - IMHO). I have not counted the exact number of copies yet - but I suspect there will be about 400 for sale (in total). There are a few (like 80 or so) sky-blue copies too (with fluffy white cloudy bits) - that edition will be for mail-order only. Watch this space!!

APSE "Eras" now available for pre-order

2009-02-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

Finally the machinery at Equation Towers is moving and the wait finally over.
The great innovative LP by APSE is now available for pre-order. A special edition of 99 copies were pressed on yellow vinyl and is available only via my mail order or the band. I am delighted with the response so far and great reviews are coming in (I'll try and post these as and when on the release page). Copies will be available from the following fine distributors (see the links page on the equation site for links):
Forced Exposure (MA)
Darla (CA)
Beta-lactam Ring (OR) (agents for Revolver/Midheaven)
Stickfigure (Gorgia)
Norman Records (UK)
Twisted Village (MA)

I suspect a few more places will have copies as well. The official release date is 14th February ... so send a loved one a loving yellow-coloured circular vinyl gift!

The Aidan Baker "Gathering Blue" 2xLP is scheduled to arrive shortly - keep your eyes peeled on my site/blog for news.

Apse "Eras" LP ready to go!

2009-02-02T18:16:00.000-08:00

Wow - time flies...
I cannot believe that it was back in June since the last blog.
I won't go into details but probably easier just to say that "life got in the way".
Anyway - the new APSE LP is ready and will be released on 14th February 2009.
They look excellent.
Lovely heavy gatefold sleeve, printed inner sleeve (always nice to have IMHO) plus a numbered printed post-card size card insert.
425 copies.
Rock-A-Rolla and Sound Projector have already given it "solid thumbs-up".

It's early days but already Forced Exposure (USA), Stickfigure (USA) and Norman (UK) are taking copies.

The Aidan Baker 2xLP ("Gathering Blue") should be arriving at Equation Towers shortly - more excitement!
So stuff the credit-crunch and lobby your Senator (or MP if you are in the UK) and try and get some of that bail-out money back into the indie music biz - and vinyl in particular!

June 08 -- Update

2008-06-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

So much for promising to keep the blog updated on a regular basis ... last update was around March, time flies ...

News of note is the APSE "eras" LP test pressings were accepted but due to issues with the printer we are getting new art done and will be getting this record pressed-up as soon as possible. I suspect we are going to see a late August release for this.

The Aidan Baker LP is being cut but artwork is not quite ready yet (printers giving me problems - again). So I hope there will be no further problems thus I suspect we are seeing a September release for this 2xLP.

Not much else to add - except I have a second cat (Onyx) - but I just call him 'Oni' for short. A sweet all-black baby boy. Very sweet and how anyone could abandon such a treasure is beyond me. He was found, nearly dead, by a local animal support group who got him well again and now I took him in to keep Ralphie company while I am away at work.

Have a nice summer.

TNB + DSM :: E=mc18 :: out now

2008-03-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

E=mc18 :: Out Now!!
The New Blockaders + Das Synthetische Mischgewebe
"Monosyllabic Bicycles Tri-Coloured Quadruples"
LP + 7" set :: super-heavy casebound sleeve, 305 numbered copies.
Very beautiful and nice.
This is going to be sold out very quickly.

Beta-lactam Ring, RRRecords, Forced Exposure and Mimaroglu Music (all USA) will have copies (I'm shipping them to these distros this week).
Drone will also have a handful.
Molehill and NEDS (both Japan) should also have some copies soon.
Check the "Distro" page on the main Equation Records site here for links.

It's been a while since I last posted - and for good reason: had some minor domestic emergencies which prevented me from doing a lot else (including some basement flooding - fortunately no Equation stock was affected).
I have also got a new darling pussy cat: a sweet little boy called "Onyx" - pure black and very beautiful. So now I have 2 cats (Ralphie being the other) and they both get along very well (which is an enormous relief). Now both insist on "helping" me construct and shrink-wrap the records. So if you find cat hairs in your copy - consider yourself lucky, nay, privileged!

The APSE and Aidan Baker 2xLP are in the pipeline - so more news on these later.
Cheers

Bass Communion :: Pacific Codex ... now you see it, now you don't

2008-02-16T17:16:00.000-08:00

The Bass Communion Pacific Codex CD+DVD-Audio box set was officially released on 11th February 2008 ...
... it was officially sold out on 13th February 2008.

I was somewhat taken aback by the incredible response to this release. In short it's been non-stop here: furiously collating, wrapping, labeling and packing copies ready for shipping (many have gone out already - the remainder will go out this week as I am currently waiting on some essential shipping supplies).
I am essentially on my own here (with a little help from my cat Ralphie, who insists on sitting exactly where you are working and don't want him to be ...) which means it takes a little longer to get things sorted. So a big thank you to all those who helped make this a success.

Note: I had to refund a number of people their money as they had already ordered a copy from Headphone Dust and we had to impose a strict 1-copy-per-customer policy --- as we wanted as many people as possible to get a copy (please, no clever-dicky remarks to the effect "well, why not press-up more" - it's really not as easy as that).

The next Equation (the extra-ordinary audio mayhem that is the LP/7" by TNB+DSM - see previous postings) will be following shortly (end February I hope) but is almost all sold out on pre-orders from distributors alone. I will have some for sale on my site, but not a whole lot and I suspect this one is going to shoot out the door almost as fast as Pacific Codex.

TROUM "Sen" :: SOLD OUT

2008-02-02T18:01:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to all of you who made this Troum release such a success. Though it was seriously hard work putting it all together [sticking, folding, colating and more sticking] ... I feel the end result made it all worthwhile and the reaction I have received so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Thanks.

As I write copies some ARE still available at the various distributors listed in my previous blog entry. Without these great partners in crime I'd have to shut-up shop and go do something else instead (like watching telly or some other equally mind-numbing pursuit). FYI :: Clear vinyl copies are still available at Aquarius Records (www.aquariusrecords.org) - although Tesco (Germany) got about 10 copies as well.

NOTE :: I do have a couple of unnumbered promotional copies left (picture disc & tan versions) that I did not have time to send to whoever - so drop me an email if you want one of these (they are complete with inserts and Velcro-fastened sleeve). Same price as the normal version.

As for new releases - well, just like London buses - you wait for ages and nothing happens - then all of a sudden a whole bunch arrives. Same thing here:
I am - right now - furiously trying to get together the Bass Communion "Pacific Codex" CD + DVD-Audio box set in time for a release date of next weekend (about 9th of February '08 - or so, I hope). Check my web site for updates (it's also a good idea to check Steven Wilson's own site too - www.swhq.co.uk). They look amazing and I am shrink-wrapping each and every one using a manual shrink-wrap kit and a heat gun (that's my - admittedly lame - excuse for the delay, and I'm sticking to it).

Finally The New Blockaders + DSM LP/7" set have all arrived at Equation Towers (in large ungainly heavy boxes) - and all I now need to do is compile and number these. I feel a release date nearer the end of February '08 is most likely. The LP sleeve is massively heavy (just superb). just like those old USA vinyl record sleeves from the early 1970's - huge massive slabs of cardboard. Gonna cost a fortune to post though.

I have also received masters for the A P S E LP which I hope to start working on as soon as my own "mini credit-crunch" has passed. I am also waiting for the master for Side D of the forthcoming Aidan Baker 2xLP "Gathering Blue".

Cheers, Bill

Troum "Sen" :: Running low

2008-01-18T17:06:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone for making Sen a success. It's only been 1 week since I announced the release of this somewhat lavish 2xLp set --- and stocks are already running low. In fact I have - at the time of writing this - only about 10 picture discs left and the coloured vinyls are both running low too.

Distributors ::
The following distributors are stocking Troum's Sen 2xLP and I urge you to shop here as they need your support ...

Adagio380 (Germany)
Aquarius Records (USA - they have the ultra-limited clear vinyl version)
Beta-lactam Ring Records (USA)
Conspiracy Records (Belgium)
Cold Spring (UK)
Drone (Germany - of course)
My Own Salvation (France)
Old Europa Cafe (Italy)
Soleilmoon (USA)
Tesco (Germany)

Note :: Not all these have received their copies yet or added this item to their stock list - but they will.

International Postage Grumbles ::
I need to emphasize this - the USPS (United States Post Office) has a crappy international service. Before May 2007 you could send packages economy (surface) - this was slow but had the distinct advantage of being cheap. Then - after some fundamentally and institutionally corrupt lobbying by big media business - the USPS removed all cheap international postage options leaving everyone with just 1 choice: air mail (= expensive). And these rates were increased by a huge amount at the same time (like rubbing salt in a wound).
This sad state of affairs is compounded by the fact that no air packages can be insured or tracked (a service even backward countries like the UK can offer). I can send things via DHL (which tracks packages) but this costs a small fortune - even after the nice discount I managed to negotiate.
So - sorry to all international customers. The USPS sucks but there is nothing at all I can do about this. The prices I charge are correct - high - but correct, and sometimes the postage charged me is even higher than what I charged! Not the best business strategy of all time but I cannot be bothered to revise my hard-won postage code. I want to direct my energies in releasing records - not farting about in dull postage calculation code...

Forthcoming ::
The Bass Communion CD/DVD-A set Pacific Codex is being constructed and shrink-wrapped. It should be out sometime the first week February. It looks incredible and represents a massive effort by everyone concerned.
The New Blockaders + Das Synthetische Mischgewebe :: The Monosyllabic Bicycles Tri-Coloured Quadruples LP/7" should be out roughly same time. The sleeves for the LP are incredible. Huge ultra-heavy casebound glossy slabs of card!! Records are great (heavy, 200g vinyl). I am still waiting on the 7" copies. I expect there to be 285 numbered copies.
The Aidan Baker 2xLP set Gathering Blue is also going to be started very soon. It will be in a beautiful gatefold sleeve (designed by Aidan) and will be limited to about 300 copies (not because I have an inexhaustable collectors fetish - but because I simply cannot afford to make any more, vinyl is costing more and more to make these days).
Also an LP by APSE - an amazing group from CT and MA - will be in the pipe soon. Not sure of all the details yet - but it will likely be housed in a gatefold sleeve and be limited to about 400 copies (or so).
Finally plans for a Various Artists compilation 2xCD set is being hatched as I write titled :: SouthendPunk.com: Rare, Vintage and Unreleased Tracks From The Southend Punk Scene 1977 to 1986 is being planned. This is a major effort, slightly obscure I grant you but good stuff, really worth checking out.

TROUM :: Sen :: 2xLP :: OUT NOW !!

2008-01-11T17:20:00.000-08:00

After numerous delays Equation is proud to announce the release of this incredible DOUBLE LP set by TROUM. It surely is the most luxurious vinyl release we have so far created. See the pictures below - it needs to be handled to fully appreciate the artifact. There are many more pictures on the release page on the Equation web site. Baraka[H] (of Troum) has said that - apart from being the best looking Troum record so far - it is probably the most beautiful LP record in his whole collection!
Just to be clear there are THREE DIFFERENT VERSIONS (stated below with pressing numbers and the price - which really is as low as I can go honest!!):

Version #1 :: PICTURE DISC SET :: 217 numbered copies :: $30 + p&p
Version #2 :: Tan 180g vinyl with halo :: 147 numbered copies :: $28 + p&p
Version #3 :: Clear 180g vinyl w/sepia haze (only available via Equation, the band or Aquarius Records) :: 97 numbered copies only :: $28 + p&p

All 2xLP sets come with 3 luxury heavy-gauge circular double-sided card inserts and a sticker (all housed in a sealed heavy 7" PVC sleeve fastened inside the gatefold), the sleeve has 2 stickers affixed to the outside and the PVC gatefold sleeve is fastened with a Velcro button.

Here are some pictures...

The three circular inserts are shown along with the gatefold opened-out.

Some more details ...........
This is a re-mastered re-issue of the long out-of-print Mort Aux Vaches CD (from 1999). The remastering now gives the work the best-ever sound quality (the band say this themselves) - which works wonderfully on vinyl.

Music Details - as written by Jim Haynes from The Wire (UK) ::
"Troum mines the nether regions of the subconscious to create waking replications of the nightly visions. Their recordings are far from mere transcriptions of dreams to tape: they are the gossamer residues of once vivid memories, passed through mesmeric filters to slowly dissolve present reality into soft focus fragments of thought. Musically, these translations fall both on the sublime and, at times, on the malevolent side of the ambient fence.

Sen is fixated on the North Sea where sheets of black ice creak under the tidal currents that roll onto a rocky beach. Troum sees no need to utter any direct references, implying their metaphors behind a bleak drone haze of guitars, bells, voice, and keyboards treated with a heavy dose of synthetic cathedral reverb. Sen reveals Troum's post-industrial background with a churning drum machine which rumbles underneath the complex tonal patterns like an antiquated seaside factory.

Troum, more so than their precedent incarnation Maeror Tri, has the potential to invoke awe through their hypnogogic expanses of droning sound. Rarely have they failed to push beyond their potential, and Sen is no exception. "

More details for your catalogue purposes upon request chronoglidesky@aol.com

Happy Xmas :: December Update

2007-12-20T17:36:00.000-08:00

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:

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.
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).
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

2007-10-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-06-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-04-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

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!