Toledo, Ohio is a horrible place where no one should be forced to visit, let alone live.

That being said, it’s a shockingly great place to find records, so I thought I’d share the four records I picked up this weekend while I was trapped in the city visiting my family.

 

Studio Ghibli Kokyo Kyokshu – Princess Mononoke Version

I bought this on impulse because I saw the cover and was all “OMG Mononoke,” but it turns out it’s not the complete Princes Mononoke score. Instead, it’s a compilation of tracks from a selection of Studio Ghibli films, including Mononoke, My Neighbors the Yamadas and Spirited Away. All of the tracks have been previously released (at least in Japan), so I guess it’s supposed to be some sort of “Ghibli Greatest Hits” collection? But if that’s the case, where’s Totoro or Nausica? It just seems like an odd compilation.

Sure looks pretty though. There are other variants of this out there, all with different covers and different colored vinyl. But since it’s a Mondo Tees release (and they apparently hate collectors/money) you can’t buy them anymore.

 

Tangerine Dream – Cyclone

First US printing, not really worth anything, but it was nice to find as part of my ongoing and insane quest to collect every single album that Tangerine Dream ever released on vinyl. Why? I don’t know. I guess I just really like sequencers. This is the first Tangerine Dream album to feature full vocals, so I’m interested to give it a listen and hear if it’s really as bad as it has been made out to be.

Side note: I bought this alongside a compilation by The Germs, so I think I really confused the clerk.

 

Earthless – Sonic Prayer Jam

Fuck yes. Psychedelic freak-out.

I reviewed a recent re-issue of Earthless’ first album a few weeks back and it pretty much blew my mind and eardrums, so when I saw this live 10″ I knew I had to pick it up. And that was before I even knew it was a sick translucent blue!

I’m listening the fuck out of this the second I get back home.

 

Shangaan Electro – New Wave Dance Music From South Africa

Oh god I hope this really is what it says it is. Discovering a whole new geographic sub-genre of new wave music would blow my freakin’ mind. I tried to check out some of the artists on it via YouTube, but the wireless where I’m staying at is shit, so I’ll have to wait until I get home.

If I find the South African equivalent of “Forever Young” I’m going to die.