New Spins, Old Classics & Hidden Gems | Now Spinning Magazine
By Phil Aston • April 2025
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Welcome to the third instalment of The Review Show, our rolling round‑up of the latest (and greatest) discs to land on the Now Spinning turntable. This time the ratio tilts heavily toward vinyl, with just one lone CD fighting its corner. From sci‑fi‑soaked heavy metal and shimmering Japanese folk to a long‑lost Status Quo mix and two head‑expanding slabs of space‑rock, there’s plenty here to excite ears of every vintage.
Seven Sisters – Shadow of a Fallen Star, Part 2 (Cherry Red) – CD & Vinyl
London’s twin‑lead heroes return with a fourth album that plays like one seamless cosmic journey. The 18‑minute, five‑movement “Andromeda Descending” dominates, but there’s melody to spare, Maiden‑esque gallops and a dash of Wishbone Ash finesse. If you’ve written off “new” British metal, start here.
Status Quo – Quo Live (27 Oct 1976) – RSD ’25 2‑LP (Demon)
The first of three Glasgow Apollo shows gets a full remix and it roars. Beefier guitars, centred vocals and that infamous 4,500‑Times → Roadhouse Blues medley in all its floor‑shaking glory. Copies vanished on Record Store Day, but an 8‑CD box chronicling all three nights is imminent—hold fire if the flippers have hiked the price.
Cosmic Cathedral : Deep Water (Double LP & CD)
Prog’s dream team (Neil Morse, Phil Keaggy, Brian House, Chester Thompson) deliver widescreen spirituality: soaring vocal harmonies, vintage keys and the 38‑minute “Deep Water Suite.” Think Transatlantic warmth with Genesis‑class drumming and you’re close.
Isabelle Campbell & Mark Lanegan – Keep Me in Mind, Sweetheart (RSD)
Six previously shelved tracks steeped in dusty acoustics, noirish strings and the late Lanegan’s trademark gravel baritone. Leonard Cohen devotees, take note.
Benmont Tench – The Melancholy Season (Blue Note)
Tom Petty’s longtime keys man steps out with an understated, gospel‑tinged set that’s as comforting as an old Heartbreakers B‑side.Tench has not only shaped the sound of the Heartbreakers but has also contributed to an impressive array of recordings including Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond.
Sometime in February – Where Mountains Hide (Instrumental Prog‑Metal)
Don’t let the virtuoso billing scare you: these cinematic instrumentals favour riffs, themes and atmosphere over fretboard show‑boating. Each segue invites another spin; the blue‑splatter vinyl doesn’t hurt either.
Gillan – Magic (Demon 2‑LP Red Vinyl Reissue)
The 1982 swansong remastered with the rare out‑takes (“Breaking Chains,” “Purple Sky”) together on wax for the first time. If you missed the recent Gillan CD box, this hits the sweet spot.
TicTallica – Gods of Pangaea (Inside Out)
A concept‑metal opus from a Haken alumnus. Side A is riff heaven with growls used purely for colour; Side B turns up the extreme vocals on “The Lost Continent.” Love Opeth? Dive in.
Ichiko Aoba – Luminescent Creatures (BaDaBing!)
36 minutes of breathtaking, other‑worldly chamber‑folk. Nylon‑string guitar, woodwinds and Aoba’s gossamer voice conjure a realm that feels ancient and futuristic all at once. Limited turquoise pressing already selling fast.
Donovan Haffner – Alleviate (Indie Jazz)
Cut in two days last October, this quintet session drifts between cool‑blue balladry and modal fire. Pure atmosphere—you can almost taste the coffee.
Lord of Form – Our Shared Humanity (Skidmark)
Neall Hone (ex‑Hawkwind) leads a space‑punks‑meet‑techno assault; two side‑long jams powered by throbbing bass and phased synths.
Nigel Potter – Technofobian (Skidmark)
Double‑LP follow‑up that welds Hawkwind propulsion to modern EDM textures. Perfect companion to Lord of Form—file under “cosmic road‑trip fuel.”
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Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
