Hard News by Russell Brown

I should note that Simon also posted a list of his favourite reissues and compilations of 2018:

Solomon Burke - The Best Of Atlantic Soul 1962-1965
Cecil Payne - Zodiac
This Kind Of Punishment - A Beard Of Bees
John Coltrane - Both Directions At Once: The Lost Album
Suzuki, Isao Trio / Quartet - Blow Up
Jirō Inagaki & His Soul Media - Head Rock
Takeo Moriyama - East Plants
Koichi Matsukaze Trio + Toshiyuki Daitoku - Earth Mother
Various - J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz From Japan 1969-1984
Charles Mingus - Jazz In Detroit / Strata Concert Gallery / 46 Selden
The Beatles - The Beatles And Esher Demos
Paul McCartney - Chaos & Creation
Dimmer - I Believe You Are A Star
Various - How Is The Air Up There? (80 Mod, Soul, RnB & Freakbeat Nuggets From Down Under)
Tohru Aizawa Quartet - Tachibana Vol. 1
John Gordon - Step By Step
Various - Spiritual Jazz Vol.8 (Japan: Part Two)
Takeshi Inomata & Sound Limited - Sounds Of Sound L.T.D.
David Axelrod - Songs Of Experience
David Axelrod - Song Of Innocence
Tony Allen - Black Voices
Roxy Music - Roxy Music Box set
Isao Suzuki Quartet + 2 - Orang-Utan
Michael Nesmith & The First National Band - Nevada Fighter/Magnetic South/Loose Salute
Thelonious Monk - Mønk
Various - Midnight in Tokyo Vol.2
Ryo Fukui - Mellow Dream
Alice Coltrane - Lord Of Lords
Eric Demarsan - Le Cercle Rouge

Thank you Russell - and here's a lovely piece of accidental synergy. Jamie Isaac's crew includes Sara Leigh Lewis' son (he does visuals), the same Sara who created the incredible AK79 images seen on AudioCulture.

Complete coincidence. Sara mentioned it after I said I rated Jamie's record.

Thank you Russell. I really appreciate the kind words, and the plug. Just to clarify the ChaCha thing. After leaving in early 1981 I didn’t get back to Auckland for about three years. I’m not sure when ChaCha’s first issue was, but I worked on some early ones at Darby St, and again later when Murray’s publishing empire moved to Ponsonby. Thanks again.

Oh! … you’re referring to the stolen iron. Yes, fixed that yesterday thanks to Chris Bourke.

Oh! … you’re referring to the stolen iron. Yes, fixed that yesterday thanks to Chris Bourke.

Yes! That part.

I knew because I was just some kid in Christchurch when the RIU Extras came out, but I recall being in the office when the plans for ChaCha were being hatched by Murray, Ngila and Max Thomson. Ngila was running her stall in the Whitcoulls corner building and really struggling at that point. Who could have guessed what she'd go on and do?

I really appreciated learning a bit more about that building in Darby Street. What a place! Geoff Steven had an office there while I was working at RIU and of course there was Denis Cohn's gallery. I also had no idea that Philip Peacocke founded Snake!

And then it was demolished and a bank tower replaced it and nothing interesting ever happened there again.

Thank you Russell - and here's a lovely piece of accidental synergy. Jamie Isaac's crew includes Sara Leigh Lewis' son (he does visuals), the same Sara who created the incredible AK79 images seen on AudioCulture.

How lovely. I hadn't got to that one yet, but I shall do so.

I can't quite recall the deets but I think HMV ownership is a bit fractured, which is partly why is survives as a brand in JP, and an essential stop at that for visiting tourists, ooops I mean diggers.

And I always enjoy some year end lists! With the reissues, we are in the 'golden' era for quality product as Egon from Now Again has noted several times so one needs to be attuned to whats coming out and available. Happened to be in a shop yesterday where the proprietor was lamenting the fall of the $AUD and having to hold off making orders, which made me think of the reissues I need to grab (Bunny Wailer comps on Dubstore, I see you). Its a cruel habit at times, but here's to more good music and good listening in 2019 !

It was 40 years ago today…
Sergeant Pepper (and Iggy, et al) taught a band to play
They’ve been going in and out of style
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile
So may I reintroduce to you
The act you’ve loved for all these years?
Toy Love
- first official gig at Zwines Jan 19, 1979

ps they played at Sgt Peppers on Jan 28th!!