A vinyl LP sleeve and disc label. A cassette sleeve (o-card) and tape.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying
27 & 28/28. Bernard Grancher, ‘Astra Lumen Solaria’ and ‘Tape X’ (both 2026)

This series ends with my favourite releases of the year so far: two contrasting albums, albeit both underpinned by synths & drum machines. LP is beautiful and dreamy, the tape more brutalist in style.

Cover art for ‘Aurès 1954’, a digital release on Bandcamp. A murky photograph of bare trees along a stretch of river, their branches reflected in the water.

#FebAudit
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25/28. Shitao, ‘Aurès, 1954’ (2023)

I love the simplicity of Shitao’s music: a hip hop inspired beat, a sample, a melody line or piano figure, sometimes a bass part, and that’s it. The Aurès is a region of Algeria, where the War of Independence was started by Berber fighters.

‘Safe In My Garden’ compilation; cover of the booklet to the CD edition (featuring original art by Candice Purwin) + the CD in its jewel case.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

Various, ‘Safe In My Garden: American pop in the shadows 1967-1972’

Bob Stanley’s 60s harmony & sunshine pop comp for Ace Records - the CD was a Christmas ‘25 present from the fam. The quality is high throughout, but so much of this stuff b2b is exhausting.

Cover art for the digital edition of ‘Kishar’ by Luca Nasciuti. A woman with sword and sandals; the middle of her body is obscured by the milky way galaxy. She seems to be standing in it.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying
24/28. Luca Nasciuti, ‘Kishar’ (2017)

Blasts of industrial noise mixed with natural sounds, like a machine rolling along an undeveloped landscape. A sense of space lifts this above similar noisescapes. Think I got this as a DL w/my Cafe Oto membership but it’s on Bandcamp too.

Cover art on Bandcamp for the digital release ‘General Purpose Electronic Sound Vol.1’. Circles spreading outwards in a ripple effect, perhaps representing a sound wave, superimposed on a photograph of a human ear. The image is tinted light blue to make the background colour of the rest of the artwork.

Cover art on Bandcamp for the digital release ‘General Purpose Electronic Sound Vol.2’ Horizontal lines superimposed on a photograph of a loudspeaker cone, as if partly seen through venetian blinds. The image is tinted green to make the background colour of the rest of the artwork.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

23/28. WHI Recordings, ‘General Purpose Electronic Sound’ Vols. 1&2 (both 2022)

“General Purpose Electronic Sound collects live improvised sessions performed by Tim Spear (Secret Nuclear) on Blast Radio.” There have been 4 volumes to date. I’m slowly catching up.

Front cover of the ‘Subtract’ EP by Earwig. A disturbing, grainy monochrome photo of a baby(?) with what appears to be a large flower where its head should be. The image is tinted pink to match the colour of the rest of the sleeve.

‘A’ side label of the ‘Subtract’ EP by Earwig. There is one track title, “your friends”. On the right is a stick drawing of a woman, wearing a mini dress with a star on it, and with the caption “kill the acid slag”.

‘B’ side label of the ‘Subtract’ EP by Earwig. There are two track titles: “out of my hands, over my head” and “slit”. On the right is a crude drawing of a star (similar to the one on the woman’s dress on the other side) with the caption “dequantify your art-bliss”.

#FebAudit
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22/28. Earwig, ‘Subtract’ 12” EP (La Di Da Productions, 1991)

The record they released just before their masterpiece (the ‘Under My Skin I Am Laughing’ LP). Love the attitude that exudes from the disc labels. Picked this up at a record fair last autumn.

Cover art for the digital edition of ‘Symphonien’ by Simon Heartfield, originally released on US label Shady Ridge Records in 2024. A blurred, colourful cityscape, as if shot through the window of a fast moving train. Text and objects are also detectable, perhaps reflected in the same window; the word ‘somnambulist’ is visible.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

21/28. Simon Heartfield, ‘Symphonien’ (2024)

Hard-to-categorise electronic album from Portsmouth-based producer. The title suggests concert hall leanings and some tracks indeed bear this out via the sounds used.

Cassette edition of ‘Insects’ released by Dustopian Frequencies; foldout j-card, label card, tape with printed shell. A variety of insects are printed on j-card and shell.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

20/28. Various Artists, ‘Insects’ (2026)

Excellent compilation on @dustopianfreqs.bsky.social inspired by the titular creatures.

Front cover of the world premiere recording of Berio’s ‘Sinfonia’ (Columbia Masterworks LP, US, 1969)

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying
(also #ClassicAlbumThursday)

19/28. Swingle Singers/New York Philharmonic cond. Luciano Berio, ‘Sinfonia’

Premiere recording from 1969 of 4 movement version. A charity shop(!) find in January. Sleeve a bit battered but vinyl in EX condition. This has long been on my wish list

Cover art for the digital edition of ‘Forces, Reactions, Deflections’ by Scanner. Released on the quiet details label in 2025. Artwork by Alex from quiet details: “influenced by the music and idea behind the album - originating from a photo from Robin Rimbaud (Scanner) which was then captured with analogue photography and processed here at quiet details studios”

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

Scanner, ‘Forces Reactions, Deflections’ (2025)

Created only from sounds made by a stainless steel staircase at his home, with “the assistance of the occasional resonant filter and sample software”. I love this kind of concept, and the results are satisfyingly creepy.

Front cover of the sleeve to the LP ‘27 Top TV Themes and Commercials’. A woman dancer in a multicoloured/paisley catsuit and red framed specs with huge lenses. The image is refracted in a psychedelic, kaleidoscopic effect to create multiple versions of the dancer.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

17/28. Alan Hawkshaw, ‘27 Top TV Themes and Commercials’ (1972)

Swinging tunes for days, arranged for small ensemble (and in some cases composed) by the keyboard maestro. Released on EMI’s Studio 2 Stereo imprint. Another buy (s/h) at the last Groovy Fayre at the Mildmay Club

Pack shot of 2 albums by Dave Clarkson. On the left, ‘A Pocket Guide to Dream Land: Faded Fairgrounds and Coastal Ghost Towns of the British Isles’ (cassette edition in DVD size case with 2 postcards) [Note: the package also includes 2 badges and a download code, not shown.] On the right, ‘A Pocket Guide to… Further Afield Recordings: Obscure Locations of the British Isles’ (CD edition inc. 3 bonus live tracks, in digipak case, with 2 postcards)

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

16/28. Dave Clarkson, ‘A Pocket Guide to…’ (2022-23)

Not new purchases, nor first listens, today. But both of these, from Dave’s evocative and beautifully presented Pocket Guide series, have been unjustly neglected since I first acquired them. This is a long overdue revisit.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

15/28. Saint Etienne, ‘The Character of Saint Etienne’ (2022)

Compilation of rare and unreleased late period St. Et (covering roughly 2014-20). The CD edition was part of the band’s Xmas ‘25 online offering.

Front cover sleeve and vinyl LP for the 2025 archive release on Trunk of ‘Ghost Story: Original score composed by Ron Geesin’. Design by Paul Flack. Soundscape score to a film directed by Stephen Weeks, released in 1974. Geesin on his approach (taken from his notes on the rear of the sleeve): “As was my usual method of working - multitracking all the acoustic instruments upon which I had some dexterity coupled with magnetic tape juggling and diverse electronics - I interwove jaunty melodies with sounds ranging from Penelope Keith’s voice emerging from creepily knocking water pipes to supernatural journeying down ill-lit corridors.”

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

14/28. Ron Geesin, ‘Ghost Story: original score’ (composed circa 1972, released 2025)

The latest from Trunk Records’ ongoing dig into the Geesin archive. Vinyl bought direct from Jonny at his Groovy Fayre last November. Ghostly sounds and jaunty pub piano (see ALT for more).

Cover art on Bandcamp for ‘Synth Sisters / Nikmis’, released by Japanese cassette label Muzan Editions. Art by Jinta Hirayama via the Yokohama Public Library: a cluster of repeating circular patterns resembling flower heads in blue, red, yellow and white on a black rectangular background, and labelled ‘No. 15’ in black text on white.

#FebAudit
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13/28. Synth Sisters & Nikmis - split tape (2019)

A digital buy on a Bandcamp Friday in 2025. The sisters bring a long and a shorter track, the long one drone-centric but with splashes of piano and low key vocals. Nikmis does his trademark pseudo-classical-with-synths thing.

‘Secrets Of Six-Figure Women’. Panel from the LP’s 3-panel fold out insert - this panel duplicates the album cover art and depicts the artist, photographed from below, wearing a smart grey jacket, about to shake the hand of an unknown person (out of shot); silver paper slip with album title and (hidden from view) a track list printed in black; rear of the LP gatefold sleeve (partly obscured), an artificially elongated shot of the wrist of the unknown person shaking hands on the front cover; a black envelope with the addressee’s name (me) in silver ink; a handwritten letter (only partially in frame).

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying
12/28. Bernardo, ‘Secrets Of Six-Figure Women’ (2025)

Self-released album (inc. 100 vinyl copies) by London-based singer-songwriter of Portuguese heritage. Came across her via Sean O’Hagan, who did a lot of the arrangements for this LP. Nice to get a personal letter w/ the LP

‘Musique Sans Fil / Viens quand tu peux, mais peux bientôt’ by Astrobal. Released for the first time as a double cassette in 2025. Two yellow cassettes with black on-shell printing and the oversized tape box and J-card in which they can be stored.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

Astrobal, ‘Musique Sans Fil / Viens quand tu peux, mais peux bientôt’ (2012 / 2005)

Two “lost” (well, previously unreleased) EPs in a variety of styles from Emmanuel Mario’s solo project. Published by French label Astra Solaria last December as a double cassette and download.

Bandcamp cover art for ‘Articles I-IV’. Black or white text (artist logo, artist name, title, year, “EU”) on a steel grey/blue background.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

10/28. The Wyndham Research Institute, ‘Articles I-IV’ (2020)

Ambient drones and occasional, barely-there spoken word. Released by the TQN-aut label (now defunct tho’ its architects instead focus on the TQ zine, which has reached issue 78 and often has music attached).

Front cover of the LP ‘Learning’ by Sophie Agnel. A monochrome photo of Sophie as a young child sitting on a stone seat against a rock wall, head bowed. Some of the fingers of her left hand are bandaged.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

Sophie Agnel, ‘Learning’ (2025)

Two solo piano improvisations recorded live at Café Oto (in 2024, I think). Bought at the same venue during a tribute/benefit concert for Sophie last year. Side B in particular is extraordinary.

The rather cheap cover art for the compilation ‘Soul Of The Machine’; a tinted photo of Alan R Pearlman playing one of the first ARP synthesizers. Released by the Alan R Pearlman Foundation. Digital and a CD edition (limited to 500 copies) available. Bandcamp like for the album: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.bandcamp.com/album/soul-of-the-machine-a-celebration-of-the-life-legacy-of-arp-founder-alan-r-pearlman

#FebAudit

8/28. Various, ‘Soul Of the Machine: A Celebration of the Life & Legacy of ARP founder Alan R. Pearlman’ (2025)

36 tracks over 3 “discs” (even in the digital edition). Starts a bit wispy but comes to life midway through disc 2. A free download when I acquired; a still reasonable $12 now.

Pack shot of the CD edition of ‘Flowline’ by John Haughey, originally issued only to subscribers to the Werra Foxma sub club. An abstract design in a rather attractive steel blue, grey and white colour palette.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

7/28. John Haughey, ‘Flowline’ (2023)

Undulating piano over sweeping, cinematic synths and occasional strings. Has been hiding in the app version of my Bandcamp collection for 2 years, a victim of the demise of Werra Foxma. Available again tho’ via the artist’s own Bandcamp.

Front cover and inner picture sleeve of the vinyl LP edition of ‘A Point Blank Dream’ by The Home Current. Released by Subexotic Records.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying
6/28. The Home Current, ‘A Point Blank Dream’ (2026)

Out today on @subexotic.bsky.social
Top work from Martin @thehomecurrent.bsky.social as per. Decent pressing by Elastic Stage. CD option too. And don’t overlook the 2 bonus tracks!
thehomecurrent.bandcamp.com/album/a-poin...

Front cover of the sleeve of the LP ‘Funky Tramway’ by Mad Unity. A colourful painting of a street scene in Brussels circa 1920; a tram is travelling along the middle of the street - but over the windows of the tram carriages, black and white photographs of the faces of the members of Funky Tramway are superimposed + hype sticker for the 2017 “remastered” reissue of the LP (though I’m not convinced any remastering was actually done)

#FebAudit
(also #ClassicAlbumThursday)

5/28. Mad Unity, ‘Funky Tramway’ (1975)

Janko Nilović and all-Belgian group / session players (inc. Dan Lacksman later of Telex on moog) have fun with the library format. LP reissue on Underdog Records (France) from 2017, found mint/sealed a week or so ago.

Cover of ‘If Not Now, When’ by Raica (digital edition). The art and design is by Emile Facey (Plant43) in collaboration with Raica.

#FebAudit
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4/28. Raica, ‘If Not Now, When’ (2025)

Released on the Silver Threads label. A digital purchase last December.

‘Mettle’. Front cover of LP sleeve, vinyl record with label stamped as the property of the BBC Gramophone Library, library requisition slip

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

3/28. Hugo Largo, ‘Mettle’ (1989)

LP on Land Records. Ex-BBC Gramophone Library copy. Bought from Umbrella Vinyl in Edinburgh about a year ago (£6)

‘Deathgames: Original Soundtrack Recording’. Music by Antoni Maiovvi. Cassette tape (“Screaming Skull” Bone White colour variant) and inner artwork of the J-Card: red-tinted drawing of a rain-soaked Times Square, NYC at night; pedestrians holding umbrellas walk along the pavements, a string of cinemas showing adult movies line the far pavement.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying

2/28. Antoni Maiovvi, ‘Deathgames’ (2025)

Latest imaginary soundtrack released by Spun Out Of Control. The uptempo tracks are proper bangers. One tape left on Bandcamp.

‘The Library Archive - Vol.4’ Released on All Things Analogue Records in 2025 Front cover of LP sleeve, postcard, record label sticker

The Library Archive - Vol.4’ Released on All Things Analogue Records in 2025 Back cover of LP sleeve - track list with detailed “library music” style descriptions of each track; album credits.

#FebAudit
#NowPlaying
New month, new series of daily unheard things in my collection.

1/28
ATA Records, “The Library Archive - Vol 4” (LP, 2025)

🎄🎁 from @robertbaldock.bsky.social