I’m going to try something new here. I’m writing this issue from bed, a place from which I’ve never written a Reg. I selected the music some days ago though, so it’s not really ‘laying down music’. If anything, it’s ‘standing up music’, ‘leaning music’. Possibly ‘sitting music’, but I’ll go no lower.
Once a year, I encourage readers to make a donation to the newsletter. Usually I do it in March, my birthday month, but I’ve decided to take next month off (since I'll be preeeetty busy with my day job). If you’ve enjoyed The Reg and you have the means to do so, please consider making a donation. If not, that’s cool too. You could give that money to an artist directly, or even just share the newsletter with a pal / on socials.
Peace for now! Maybe I’ll come back with an issue dedicated to ‘laying down music’.
click the cover to listen or go your own way ~~
DJ Metatron - 2 The Sky (2016)
A rare record that makes me wish I had a better grip on music production so I could understand the rabbit in the hat of this tender magic. 2 The Sky is a half-hour of deeply understated, downtempo house music that strikes a sublime balance of expression and execution. There’s an incredible life to it—it feels porous, glittering. Tears of joy feeling. Sweeping aerial shot. Truly enriching stuff.
Roots Underground - Tribesman Assault (1977)
If I could live in the 30-second drum break that opens this collection, I would. I’d pack all my things, forgo this mortal coil and just exist as a tiny cosmic speck within these rugged vibrations. Is this my favourite dub album of all-time? You oughta know by now…
Darrell DeVore - Another Song Of Civilization (1970-1990)
Last month, I shared some surplus discoveries from 2024. I had intended to include a small addendum of reissues and archival stuff, but there was simply too much cover. So here’s this: the cream of the crop. Goaty Tapes released a second instalment of archival material from Darrell DeVore, a relatively obscure figure from San Francisco’s underground. DeVore conceptualized his work as ‘sound magic’, creating tangled rhythmic grooves with predominantly outernational instrumentation. If anyone reading happens to know Madlib, please put this in his ears.
Dolly Mixture - The Fireside E.P. (1986)
Hmmm ok - a few ways to tell this little story: Dolly Mixture were a British post-punk trio with heavy reference to 60s pop and mod. Though that’s not at all what you’ll find here. The Fireside E.P. was their final release, landing roughly two years after the group had broken up; a surprise ending. It was issued by Cordelia Records (Rimarimba, R. Stevie Moore, etc.) and contains six tracks of unexpectedly sentimental, pretension-free chamber music. The title(s) and cover art suggest a cheeky humour, but the music feels so earnest and it’s all quite affecting. An oddity, a heartwarmer, a wonder. Put the kettle on and sit a spell, won’t you?
** I’m linking to the Discogs page for this one because it’s the only place I could find all the songs in a playlist online without any additional material. In case yr unfamiliar with the site, there’s an embedded Youtube player on the righthand side of the page that’ll do the trick.
ICYMI, I started a donations page. All the money I receive will go back towards music (eg. purchasing physical/digital music, merch, concert tickets, supporting other music outlets, etc.). If you’re not able to support the newsletter financially (no presh!), you might also consider liking / sharing / following on Instagram.
ALSO, I started a ~*fun*~ tracking sheet that provides transparency on donations and spending. It also includes links to my Bandcamp + Discogs profiles. This is as much about accountability as it is an experiment in tracking my own financial investments in music over a calendar year.
I’m super interested in feedback / dialogue / suggestions. If you have ideas about the newsletter, want to share music with me, have specific questions / requests, don’t hesitate to get in touch. And please: share this newsletter with a pal if you feel so inspired!
Yrs.,
Andrew P.
andrewdanielpatterson [at] gmail [dot] com