As the 1980s drew to a close, hip hop had reached a pivotal moment. Whilst a potential for empowerment in mainstream rap had so far remained largely un-tapped, in favour of escapist music built for ...

Join us on the to celebrate the 25th anniversary of an album that blended live musicianship with beat-driven sensibilities that felt ahead of their time. How Jeff Mangum became inspired by Anne ...

In this interview, Classic Album Sundays founder Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy will be joined by Incognito band leader Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick to celebrate the 30 th anniversary of 100° and Rising. The ...

Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks stands as an ethereal masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of traditional music. Released in 1968, this seminal album takes listeners on a transformative journey ...

In April 1973, a small band of musicians from the island of Jamaica landed in a cold and dreary London to begin recording their latest album, Burnin’, for the rising British label, Island Records.

After a two successful studio albums with Rough Trade Records, the then-leading record label of indie rock in Great Britain, fans and critics alike saw The Smiths to be at the top of their game in ...

Life in Queensbridge, NY, was always going to be the beating heart of Illmatic. Although still in his late teens, Nas had already experienced more than his fair share of traumatic, life-changing ...

This revelation was frustrated by the intractability of Joyce’s estate, which repeatedly refused Bush permission to use the words as her lyrics on ‘The Sensual World’. She was forced to rebuild from ...

On this episode, Colleen tells the story behind the album featuring music that inspired a young Van Morrison and of course music from the classic ‘Astral Weeks’.

This week’s episode of Behind The Counter features Tangled Parrot in Caerfyrddin. “I’d always dreamt of doing a record shop. So, one day in 2000 I just thought, I’ll go and give it a go! Before that I ...