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.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Saturday, February 2, 2008
TROUM "Sen" :: SOLD OUT
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
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
Friday, January 18, 2008
Troum "Sen" :: Running low
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 ...
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.
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)
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.
Friday, January 11, 2008
TROUM :: Sen :: 2xLP :: OUT NOW !!
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!!):
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
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
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
Thursday, December 20, 2007
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:
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.
- 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!
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.
Monday, October 8, 2007
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...
Cheers until next time.
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).
Cheers until next time.
Friday, August 31, 2007
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...
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).
- 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).
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