As the history of modern popular music grows, so does the number of reissue labels, all of which have quite a different approach to reissuing music.
Sure, as a label you want to earn in the process, but there are two very contrasting approaches to doing it. One set of reissues is in for a quick cash-in with a sloppy, even lackadaisical approach, particularly when you are re-releasing music in the form of various artist’s compilations. You make a selection based on a singular criterion, often the one where you can secure free, or copyrights from one or two original labels. Very little, or no liner notes at all, generic images, and material almost all serious collectors already have anyway - stuff you can easily access on any generic streaming service.
Then there are those labels that approach their reissue selection with zeal, knowledge, and intent to educate and enlighten, not only the listeners but themselves too. Numero Group, Cherry Red, Omnivore, and their sub-divisions are among those not-so-numerous labels with such an approach.
Another is the British label Ace with its sub-divisions. Each edition, particularly its compilations has a concept, that is done through detailed research, published with copious notes and images, and pressed with care.
One of its best series in that respect is ‘Mod Jazz’ which covers the poppier, danceable side of jazz particularly popular in the sixties. The twelve releases in the series cover not only a wide variety of artists but also a diverse aspect of what some might call ‘pop jazz.’
Middleman - Fall Apart
Labeling a band can be a tricky thing, and yes, London’s Middleman can be called punk, yet here they have enough of a melodic sense to add a few more tags, from post-punk to power pop, and you can add as you like it.
Yury Revich - Moto
Austrian composer, and multi-instrumentalist Yuri Revich, obviously works here with a modern classical realm, but the one that can reach wider audiences, and here he puts his Stradivari violin to excellent use.
Razor Braids - She
Brooklyn’s Razor Braids wear their sexuality on their sleeves with such a melodic charm and aplomb with the capability to reach quite a wide audience with this harmony-laden ditty.
The Veldt - Aurora Borealis - Remix
This revitalized shoegaze band from North Carolina came up with an excellent remix with the help of Seefeel and Elizabeth Fraser on guest vocals which as a B-side is surely on par with the original A-side version.
Dmitry Wild - Rock-n-Roll Is My Business
If you think that Wild as a surname is an indication of Dmitry’s approach here, you would be on the right track, as he takes a bit of a moody (in the right way) approach to garage rock as such.
The Wandering Hearts - Letter To Myself
This British trio works within the folky pop realm and has that very recognizable charm dominated by some heavenly vocal harmonies and some excellent melodic sense felt throughout this song.
Onceweresixty - Pills
This Italian trio started as two members took a 10-year hiatus from their previous musical venture, and then added a new member, restarting with this name, coming up with a somewhat hard-to-define indie rock that has some good substance about it.
The Peterson Brothers - Too Soon
Yes, this Austin, Texas duo is comprised of two brothers who like to mix and match funk, soul, and R&B with Americana and come up with an excellent brew that makes their latest album a must-listen.
Atlas Genius - Nobody Loves Like You
This Australian quartet is also based on a sibling synergy. After a four-year break, they are back with some harmony-dominated pop-rock that has serious chart potential if this single is any indication.
The Mysterines - Stray
Vocalist and guitarist Lia Metcalfe seems to be the driving force behind this UK band that is set to release its new album, and if this single is any indication, it is to be on a moody alt-rock side of things. The good side, that is.
Novo Amor - Same Day, Same Face
Novo Amor is Welsh producer/multi-instrumentalist Ali Lacy already has some 56 million unique listeners worldwide, and listening to this track from his upcoming album it is really easy to hear why.
Jazmin Bean - Traumatic Livelihood
Few artists come up out of nowhere fully formed, but Jazmin Bean seems to be among that rare kind as this title track from her debut album easily shows, an album full of left-field pop delights.
Grouplove - Chances
Vocalist/keyboardist Hannah Hooper and her crew might be taking chances, but seem to be taking all the right (musical) moves that will make sure that they will reach the charts and quite a few rock-oriented playlists.
Tenille Townes - As You Are
Townes has rightfully already made a name for herself and this soft, almost tingling ballad shows exactly why, and indicates that her stature will grow even further out of the standard Nashville circle.
Will Naut - Not The Day
The moment the electronic sounds start here, you realize that Will Laut is out for some serious dark left-field electro-pop. Watch out for this combination of sound artist COH and vocalist William Laut.
Dierks Bentley - American Girl
You really have to have courage, but also the capability to come up with a countrified version of Tom Petty’s classic, but in the hands (and voice of Bentley it has all the charm and quality of the original.
Ted Patterson - Luv Muscle
NYC DJ Ted Patterson has both the experience and capability gained through running dance floors to know what exactly works with his audiences, something he amply shows with this new Body Check remix.
Annika Kilkenny - Sentences
Irish singer-songwriter Kilkenny has taken the approach of starting with a series of singles. To achieve something in that manner, those singles have to be well thought out and performed in an almost perfect manner. This one is.
Susan Santos - Snakebite
Santos is out to take no prisoners, starting with the song title here, but also with some biting blues guitar and vocals to match, something her audiences have already been aware of.
Donna Lewis - The Imposter
Working here with the help of Holmes Ives, platinum songwriter, and artist Lews shows what her reputation is built on and that whoever is the imposter she sings about, she is not it.