Here’s a colossal three CD set from RogueArt, collecting several live recordings from Steve Swell's Fire Into Music, a quartet who explore freely but remain in recognisably jazz territories. The ensemble consists of: Steve Swell on trombone, Jemeel Moondoc on alto saxophone, William Parker on double bass, and Hamid Drake on drums. The recordings were made between 2004-2005, in Texas and Ontario, and have been released in memory of Moondoc, who passed away in August 2021 from complications of sickle cell anaemia. It is a large set, and dense with it, so I won’t attempt any kind of close review, rather I’ll just sketch out an overview of the album.

Watcher In The Attic is a mid 70’s Roman porno film set in the 1920s. The period set  Japanese film regards, as its title suggests, a voyeur- weaving in elements of woozy disquiet, dark humour, and unsettling violence/ macabre-ness to its sleazy unfold. Here from 88 Films is a recent Blu-Ray release of the film- bringing together a new HD print, and a few extras

The second volume of music from Bear Family records looking at the heavier end of the Krautrock spectrum. This particular volume deals with the years 1977 – 1983 and looks at the hard rock bands that would go on to influence the explosion of heavy metal music that took place in the 1980s through the NWOBHM, Thrash Metal and beyond. 

Ubiquity is a three-CD set compiling together five albums released by American vibraphonist, composer, and band leader Roy Ayers in the mid-to-late 1970s.  It sees him embracing a blend of grooving jazz-funk, soul, and R&B. With the albums featured moving between more inspired/creative, and more commercial-focused fare.

Requiem For A Vampire was the 5th film directed by French cult director Jean Rollin, and his 4th vampiric-influenced production.  It’s a film that rather defines and clarifies his ideas and themes well- with moments of creepy gothic unease, fanged threat, and more leering/ at points nasty sleaze- as well as darts into the crime thriller genre. Here from Powerhouse Films- who have been reissuing the directors' work is a release of the film- coming as either a Blu-Ray or UHD disc. Taking in a new 4k print, a selection of new and archive extras, and an eighty-page booklet.

Incubus is a mid-60s blend of myth-fired fantasy, moody Bergman-like drama, and horror. It’s a decidedly arty film starring a pre-Star Trek Willam Shatner and features the Invented language of Esperanto. Here from Arrow Video- both UK and Stateside- is a new Blu-Ray or UHD release of the film- featuring three commentary tracks, and a selection of new/ archive footage.