The Shadow Knows

Category: News

  • March Mix & New Article

    After a short break we’re back with a new article on Pressure Drop, the English duo Justin Langlands and Dave Henley who released their first two albums on Marlboro Music in Germany.

    Read the article here. Then listen to our latest mix here. It includes Justin and Dave’s productions as Pressure Drop and Blood Brothers, as well as some selections from their London Underground compilations from the early 90s and a few other related beats.

    Tracklisting:

    1. Pressure Drop – Back 2 Back
    2. Blood Brothers – Transfusion
    3. D*Note – The Scheme Of Things
    4. Marden Hill– Come On
    5. Palm Skin Productions – Like Brothers
    6. Raw Stylus  – Pushing Against The Flow
    7. A-Team – Trouble (Parts 1 & 2) 
    8. Cane Matto – Taxi
    9. Pressure Drop – You’re Mine (Leftfield Remix) 

  • Issue #2 Available In Store

    After launching last month, issue #2 of The Shadow Knows is available to purchase in store at  Readings bookstore in Carlton. It’s currently located at the back of the store at their music desk.

    Both issue #1 and #2 can also still be purchased from our online store here.

    Spread across 40 pages, issue #1 includes interviews with Anika about her new solo work, David Toop on his 1985 book Rap Attack, Mark Daniels of Marden Hill about their lost album, and a look at the career of jazz organist Brother Jack McDuff, and Australia’s record presses. Read it here.

    Across 50 pages, issue #2 includes a look at Tony Lawrence the founder of the Harlem Cultural Festival, an interview with 80s rapper B-side, Australian sound artist Philip Samartzis discusses his work in Antarctica, the true story of German record label Marlboro Music, a look at Tom Wilson’s Transition Records, and interviews with Marc of Donut Productions, Astro Sounds Records, and musician Steven Harris. Read it here.

  • Issue #2 Out Now

    Our second issue is available to read online now, or to purchase from our store. Inside you’ll find interviews with B-Side, Steven Harris, Philip Samartzis, Astro Sounds, alongside articles on Marlboro Music, Tony Lawrence and Transition Records.

  • Five of their best: Jazz organist Brother Jack McDuff

    Jack McDuff 25 Sep 1961, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA. Photo Francis Wolff (Source)

    Brother Jack McDuff was a prolific jazz organist who released over 50 albums, and appeared on session with Willis Jackson, Bill Jennings, and George Benson. 

    We previously wrote about his career, but now we’re highlight five of his best albums. Read our picks here.

  • Available to buy in-store

    You can now buy issue 1 of The Shadow Knows at Readings bookstore in Carlton. You can find it at the music desk at the back of the store, or online via their website.

    Issue 2 is currently being finalised and will be available in December.

  • Organ Donar – A jazz organ mix

    A Hammond organ – via Wiki Commons

    Our latest mix collects songs featuring the organ, including work by Dr Lonnie Smith, Giorgio Moroder, Alan Hawkshaw, and of course some Brother Jack McDuff.

    Listen on Mixcloud.

    1 – Dr. Lonnie Smith – Spinning Wheel
    2 – Memphis Black – Why Don’t You Play the Organ, Man
    3 – Jack McDuff – Oblighetto
    4 – Jack McDuff – Moon Rappin’
    5 – Giorgio Moroder – Tears
    6 – The Mohawks – The Champ (Extended Mix)

  • Five musicians who rocked the organ

    Alan Hawkshaw Plays The Philicorda (1972)

    In the 1950s organs left the church and were embraced by jazz musicians thanks to Jimmy Smith and his incredible albums and live shows. 

    There’s a long list of artists who’ve made the organ their own, and we previously touched on the work of Brother Jack McDuff, but we’ve compiled a small selection worth checking out. Read the article here.

  • Peter King — New Zealand’s lathe record cutting master

    Beatsie Boys — Aglio E Olio (1995) via Gram Vinyl

    Following our article on Australian record presses, we have written about Peter King. Master of the lathe record cutting technique, his work is popular among collectors, and continues to be celebrated around the world.

    Read our article about Peter King here.

  • The Rap Attack — Five early hip hop hits you may have missed

    Grandmaster DST, photographed by Patricia Bates for Rap Attack (1984)

    We’ve detailed five early rap singles we think are worth a look, after reading about them in David Toop’s Rap Attack book. Starting in 1979, these are truly old school.

    You can read the article here, and listen along to our mix on Mixcloud.

    1 – Joe Bataan – Rap-O Clap-O
    2 – The Younger Generation – Rappin All Over
    3 – Spoonie Gee – Spoonin Rap
    4 – The Sequence – Funk You Up
    5 – Spoonie Gee & The Sequence – Monsert Jam
    6 – The Deuce – Think About It
    7 – The Fearless Four – Rockin’ It
    8 – Fearless – Creepin’ Up On Ya

  • Film Review: Sisters With Transistors

    Maryanne Amacher in Sisters With Transistors (2021)

    Sisters With Transistors is a documentary telling the stories of several female electronic music pioneers. The film is currently touring festivals around the world, and is available to stream in some countries now.

    Read our review here.