First in a long-promised series of one-sided clear vinyl-only releases on TOTE. Each disc is screen-printed on the blank-side. "Georgia natives San Agustin (David Daniell, guitar; Andrew Burnes, guitar; Bryan Fielden, drums) have performed with a multitude of notables from the improvised community, including Ken Vandermark, Thurston Moore, Loren MazzaCane and others. In this, the follow-up to their recent 3xCD boxed set (The Expanding Sea), haunting moments of introspection are enveloped in clouds of bluesy guitar notes, then swept away by great electric gales; drones rumble and shimmer in the aftermath. San Agustin is a tremendous ensemble, one that is discreetly creating a genre-defying yet archetypically American music."

limited edition of just 2000

"Violinist and violist LaDonna Smith has been on the international new music scene for well over 25 years. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, she is an active performer, educator, publisher and artist, and has been responsible for keeping improvised music alive in the Southeastern United States. Her unique style of improvisation alternates between classical and extended techniques; she explores her instrument, painting scenarios and sound pictures as she plays. LaDonna has performed at practically every major improvisation festival and many of the New Music Festivals, and has toured Europe, the former USSR, Siberia, and Japan. She has also toured North America and Europe many times as Trans Duo, with guitarist Davey Williams."

limited edition of just 2000

"Dolorous Echo"/"The Mast" (blue vinyl)
Two instrumental songs from Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Xian Hawkins. As Sybarite, he's released full-length albums on labels like Temporary Residence and 4AD and has had a number of singles and compilation tracks from labels all over the world. He is currently
working on his second full-length album for 4AD. It's upbeat, amazingly well crafted and never wears out its welcome

"The visionary ensemble Text of Light first gathered in 1999 to perform music to the films of Stan Brakhage and other members of the American Cinema avant garde of the 1950s-60s Brakhage's film Text of Light was the premiere performance and namesake of the group, whose original premise was to improvise to (rather than 'illustrate') works from this under-known era of personal expression and breathtaking visual poetry. The group features Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) and Alan Licht (guitars/devices), Christian Marclay and DJ Olive (turntables), William Hooker (drums/percussion), Ulrich Krieger (sax/electronics), and most recently Tim Barnes (drums/percussion). This beautifully packaged LP is the group's first commercial release, and features original artwork by the late, great Harry Smith

limited edition of just 2000

The first monolith appears on Earth. The apes, huddled in a valley, find the mysterious object and approach it with trepidation. With one hesitant touch, evolution is spurred, and the apes begin their ascent(/descent) to humanity with the use of tools. Territorial wars between apes are no longer fought with fists and teeth, but with bones and clubs. As the victorious ape hurls his deathclub into the air, thousands of years of evolution fly by from first tool to spacecraft.
The Monolith series combines two artists on the same one-sided, reverse-cut LP by hard-panning one recording to the right and the other recording to the left. By adjusting the panning controls on his or her turntable, the listener is free to control the degree to which the two recordings melt into one. Each edition in the series is limited to a one-time pressing of 500 picture disc LPs featuring a Monolith inspired painting by Ned Clayton and includes a CD with stereo mixes, extended versions, and bonus tracks.
Monolith: Earth is the oxymoronic pairing of dreamcore drone legends Windy and Carl and new school leaders of free rock Heavy Winged. Heavy Winged contribute one of their darkest, most oppressive tracks yet. The addition of Windy and Carl's purity creates something entirely different. It's no longer the sound of three bros busting out dark drone metal in some shed in snowy Vermont; it's now the sound of some communal artists busting out epic krautjams in the German hinterland. Primitive, vicious early man meets colossal pristine symbol of higher thought - could there be any better pairing for this Monolith?

Pre-Cave

tour only release. handmade covers.