Tongue Master

BROKEN DOG return with their fifth album "Harmonia" Elusive duo Clive Painter & Martine Roberts re-emerge from their holed up solitary den with their fifth album called "Harmonia". It has been a long wait since their last full-length release in 2001, although both Clive and Martine have appeared to us through their associations with the likes of (The Real) TUESDAY WELD, MONOGRAPH / PACIFIC RADIO, & the international SIGMATROPIC project. Clive has also taken time out from Broken Dog to record and release the instrumental album "Rocket Science" under the guise of WOLF.

The latest Broken Dog album "Harmonia" finds the band in a dark and reflective mood; a hint of psychedelia peppers the songs and Martine's vocals are as haunting as ever. Mellow and sublime slow burners such as "I Do Not Trouble" & "The Sound Of Feeling Of Home" are sculptured gems. The album has some sparkling and glorious moments such as "Waiting For Something Big" and the much-played John Peel favourite "Radios".

BROKEN DOG'S sound has always been a trip through mellow folk rhythms and hypnotic icy soundscapes. Clive Painter's multi instrumental delivery is as focused as ever whilst Martine Roberts carves out her uniquely inimate style to chilling effect. This is a welcome return for a band much admired. "Harmonia" will not disappoint those who have been patiently waiting for this new offering from a most addictive and introspective band. What they have previously said about BROKEN DOG and their music:

" ... Broken Dog are, nevertheless, a warped, experimental version of Mazzy Star " - Q Magazine

" Is this music or is it an oil painting? Either way, this is art in the most literal sense " - MAGNET

" Martine Roberts' breathy tones remind you of an anglicised Julee Cruise " - MOJO

Hailing from Manchester, LAST HARBOUR are a secretive 5 piece collective. Their self-produced new album, "Hold Fast, Pioneer", a meticulous and beautiful UK debut, is released and unveiled on Tongue Master Records. This is the first full length, UK release from the band, following the rare 7", "Hidden Songs" and the French released "An Empty Box Is My Heart" and 2002's "The Host Of Wild Creatures", ("Bewitching."- Uncut Magazine). LAST HARBOUR have returned with an album of mature beauty and confidence that will undoubtedly capture their deserved attention within the UK.

Revolving around the core partnership of singer Kevin Craig and guitarist David Armes, this intrinsically English band have an atmospheric, cinematic sound, drawing comparisons to such luminaries as THE TINDERSTICKS and LINCOLN. With the deadpan style of Kevin Craig's vocal and the intricate compositions of guitar, piano, violin and a range of other instruments and samples, LAST HARBOUR meld together Michael Gira's late SWANS projects with LOW, NICK CAVE and TOM WAITS, resulting in a unique and unsettling soundscape.

Playing epic songs, at once harsh and intimate, using instrumentation traditionally associated with folk music, LAST HARBOUR hammer and sculpt their music into unusual and beguiling forms. This is music with a strong emotional content, both bitter and beautiful. Their obvious love of film, literature and visual art is expressed on the choice of bleak winter Eastern European landscapes that adorn the album artwork. Included with the album is a short film "The Note". Filmed by Kevin Craig, during the writing of "Hold Fast, Pioneer", this black and white short film combines stop-frame animation and painted overlays to tell the story of an unnamed protagonist with an unnameable problem in his ceiling. Inspired by Czech animation and James Whale, "The Note" features a fully improvised soundtrack from Last Harbour.

Some of the bands LAST HARBOUR have shared stages in the recent past:

Michael Gira & Devendra Banhart | Califone | Josh T Pearson (Lift To Experience) | Boxhead Ensemble | Telstar Ponies | Dirty Three | The Handsome Family

You can't get any better album debuts for a new label like ours. And we are starting with a bang and a real gem. We are proud to present a MARK EITZEL album recorded in Greece! A musical expedition that already created a buzz. Without any lengthy prologues necessary, it is safe to state that MARK EITZEL is truly one of the greatest living singer songwriters today. A fact given his 15 year or so career as a solo artist and as the lead singer with legendary Californian cult band AMERICAN MUSIC CLUB.

What will astound fans and admirers alike is this landmark album recorded in Greece in November 2001. Far removed from the trials and tribulations of his familiar US & UK stomping grounds, MARK EITZEL visits Greece as a guest to a sincere musical invitation armed with a clean slate. What was to be a humble EP turns out to be a full-blown album of re-worked songs from his chequered past-but with a twist - ¦ Western culture meets Eastern in a bold and rich interpretation of EITZEL'S songs. Lists of songs, old and recent find a new lease of life amongst the warmth of traditional Greek instruments and the talented local musicians. All under the capable arrangements of respected Greek composer and producer MANOLIS FAMELLOS this project turns out to be a remarkable re-evaluation on EITZEL'S classic songs. FAMELLOS'S ringmaster guidance, together with his cohorts unveils a fertile textured instrumentation that enhances EITZEL'S past glorious songs without being an over-elaborated affair. None of the vocal angst or intense interpretation is missing from the songs, and the results are sparkling versions of EITZEL classics such as " Last Harbour ", " Jenny " & " Western Sky " with an astonishing clarity. Listeners are also rewarded with a new-ish EITZEL song " What Good Is Love " & with him also singing a FAMELLOS composition " Love's Humming (Black Love) "."

The Ugly American " is a balanced album that taps into different periods of EITZEL'S song-writing career. This album is a coup and fans will soon know that this work is another indisputable testament to EITZEL'S song-writing skills and that it will become a sought item for years to come.

Swelling in haze of Hammond organs, Rhodes piano, trembling bells, and hypnotic guitars, Seekonk sets the mood for another album that takes you on a journey. Full of slow blooming melodies, heavy pop concoctions, and some majestic and delicate twists and turns, Pinkwood'is a collection of expansive pop songs. Seekonk is the sort of band that avoids easy categorization, while they remain immanently listenable and engaging throughout all their phases and faces.

Pinkwood'traces their trajectory with warmth of good old-fashioned analog recording. It will keep you moving right alongside them as they suspend pulse and mind with a purpose and direction that rewards with every listen. Sarah Ramey's crystal vocal delivery is so soothing, like a cool icicle, it prods & effortlessly compliments each glorious track. Continuing down an atmospheric, strangely nostalgic path, Seekonk returns with eight gracefully powerful songs about fuckin' up. This is Pinkwood' - ¦

Seekonk was formed in the cold winter months of 2002 in Portland Maine. A sleepy, forlorn & misty US Atlantic coast town: a suitable backdrop for the fans that appreciate the style of music of Low or Mazzy Star. Starting out as a three piece and playing only a handful of shows. Since then with the addition of two more members to round out the ensemble, Seekonk released their debut record For Barbara Lee'on Kimchee Records in late 2003 to rave radio and press reviews.

Not bad for a debut release! For Barbara Lee'charted as high as #22 on the CMJ Top 200. After extensive touring in the US and Canada, happily gracing the stage with such acts as: Nels Cline, Carla Bozulich, Thalia Zedek, Dead Meadow, The Radar Bros, Andrew Bird, & Picastro. Seekonk with their latest record Pinkwood'will undoubtedly ensure they are now also embraced in the UK & Europe as well.

It is quite a rare thing to find a debut album, by a non US/UK artist, to have such an impressive array of musical guest vocalists. But that is what happened in 2003, with Sigmatropic & internationally acclaimed debut: Sixteen Haiku & Other Stories'. This album had an astonishing 20 guest musicians singing the Haiku poetry of Nobel laureate George Seferis on a spellbinding musical odyssey. Diverse artists such as Robert Wyatt, Mark Eitzel, Howe Gelb, Alejandro Escovedo, Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Cat Power & Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab), to name a few, appeared on a beautiful sprawl of music created by main Sigmatropic henchman Akis Boyatzis. This haunting soundtrack-like album was exotic & far removed from the customary musical travails of the acclaimed guests. Nevertheless they all agreed in unison that they were honoured to be apart this dazzling fusion of Mediterranean folktronica with its swirly twinkly electronica. It was a challenge they enjoyed & cherished.

Armed with the international acclaim of the album Akis Boyatzis embarked on producing & writing a major part of Carla Torgerson's (Walkabouts) solo debut Saint Stranger' (Glitterhouse). His talent is etched all over this album which has some sublime moments of Can-like tinged grooves. A twee Country Folk album it isn't!

On the new Sigmatropic album Dark Outside', it is immediately apparent that Akis Boyatzis is in a buoyant mood & is making a mark as a great singer as well. The Sixteen Haiku & Other Stories is more of a themed album and as a long musical odyssey that it is, it only featured Boyatzis on several vocal tracks. On Dark Outside'Akis Boyatzis unveils a mature & compact contemporary album balanced between his own & guest artists'vocal duties. There is an additional Sigmatropic member introduced as well, vocalistAnna Karakalou, who injects a breathy & sensual tone. There is a sterling guest cast as well with vocal participations from: Robert Fisher (Willard Grant Conspiracy), Howe Gelb, Carla Torgerson (Walkabouts) & Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds / Grinderman / Vanity Set). Mixed byIan Caple (Tindersticks, Tricky), Dark Outside'is a fluid album that combines the dreamy aspects of Electronica & Rock elements together. Robert Fisher excels in participating in 2 tracks as you have never heard him before! In Song In My Wallet' he is in a Gospel toned & commanding role singing over a majestic toe-tapping groove, as in Blue Side Of The Sun we find him engaged in Eighties Power Pop mode. A sternHowe Gelb is in a Trip-Hop vibe together with Anna Karakalou in White' as Jim Sclavunos delivers Ours At Least' with the aplomb reminiscent to Michael Gira's legendary mellow' Swans phase.

But Akis Boyatzis does complement the visitors contributions with some great vocal deliveries of his own, such as on the magical & playful EE Cummings poem Maggie And Milly and Molly And May', the stark & sombre intro Position One' or the tight & spiky New Life'.

It has been a 4 year wait since the excellent Sigmatropic release Sixteen Haiku & Other Stories', but Dark Outside' delivers a cracking second shot which will undoubtedly ensure Sigmatropic cement their reputation as an innovative & creative force.

Back in 2001 SIGMATROPIC had the idea to create a sprawling and magical musical trip: a musical accompaniment to an imaginary journey. The album " 16 Haiku & Other Stories " is based on the Japanese chopped up poetry style Haiku. But this isn't just any poetry. This music is based on the work of the great Nobel laureate GEORGE SEFERIS. His Haiku poetry, in which he had adopted in his early life, was an ideal inspiration to a musical adventure that involves all the elements of nature.

The wisdom & simplicity of these short poems float around the embracing music in a carefree manner. Anyone that has travelled through the majestic Aegean and experienced the sea and stars will clearly identify with SEFERIS'S colourful observations. AKIS BOYATZIS is the nucleus of SIGMATROPIC and has created an atmospheric musical odyssey that invites this poetry wordplay. His programming skills weave an ethereal spell full of Spartan peaks and bleak terrains. The voiceovers float around like a magic wand spelling out stories about colours, nature and the seasons. The soundtrack " feel " quality of this recording is grainy and mystical and ideally compliments the masterful poetry.

After this album was released in its original format in Greek, early 2002, spurred on with its success AKIS BOYATZIS stuck his neck out enough to boldly extend an invitation to overseas musicians: to recreate the spirit of this album, retaining the same music with the same poetry translated into English. And thus here is the English version of his original dream. Eighteen vocalists from diverse musical backgrounds and from far flung cities, each choosing and singing their favourite Haiku. Each individual vocal is a sparkling testament that has enriched this international project, which features an outstanding and diverse range of cult alternative vocalists from both sides of the Atlantic, instantly making this one of the greatest albums ever to come out of Greece.

Together with SIGMATROPIC & AKIS BOYATZIS the full guest vocal line up for " 16 Haiku & Other Stories " is a truly awesome musical motley crew:
CAT POWER, MARK EITZEL, ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, ALEX GORDON (Lincoln), JOHN GRANT (The Czars), EDITH FROST, HOWE GELB, JAMES WILLIAM HINDLE, SIMON JOYNER, PINKIE MACLURE, MARK MULCAHY, LEE RANALDO, MARTINE ROBERTS (Broken Dog), LAETITIA SADIER (Stereolab),JAMES SCLAVUNOS (Nick Cave & Bad Seeds / The Vanity Set), CARLA TORGENSON (Walkabouts), ROBERT WYATT, STEVE WYNN.

* The finished album will include a little film ditty with SIGMATROPIC, & friends fooling around on the legendary island of Patmos. Apart from AKIS BOYATZIS'S " colourful " shirt and Julia the odd donkey, you will also spot CARLA TORGERSON as well. It is a little musical taster to what is on the album.

* Initial quantities of the album will carry a bonus disc that will feature alternate version and remixes that are not of the album. Artists scheduled to be on the bonus disc are ROBERT WYATT, EDITH FROST, HOWE GELB & CARLA TORGERSON.

* At the time of the album release an exclusive 12-inch single will also be issued. This limited edition single will contain exclusive vocal versions & takes that are not featured on the album. Artists scheduled to have their alternate versions featured are EDITH FROST, JAMES WILLIAM HINDLE, MARK MULCAHY & CARLA TORGERSON.