I thought I'd mention a few upcoming vinyl titles that are kind of interesting as well as point out a new section of the FAQ: Customer Blogs.

If you shop at Vortex and have a music-related web site and want your site linked from our FAQ, here's what to do:

1. Add a link to Vortex's home page (http://vortexrecords.ca/)
2. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) the address of your blog, preferably with a short description of its focus

That's it! I'll visit your site and if it's suitable I'll add a link to it from our FAQ and shoot you back an email to let you know.

Now, onto the few upcoming vinyl releases that I'd like to highlight:

Genesis - 1970 - 1975

This actually isn't a new release but it's now been deleted by Warner Brothers. As a result, the barcode will be marred and the price will be cheap, I'm guessing around $80; it was previously around $200. That's five albums spread over six 180g LPs. Here's the official description:

"Following the upgrade of the Genesis catalog with three comprehensive boxed sets of their entire studio output (plus bonus DVDs), Rhino brings the legendary band's early era back to its vinyl origins in style. Presented on 180 gram audiophile vinyl, the six-LP boxed set GENESIS: 1970-1975 features five landmark albums from the group's seminal Peter Gabriel-fronted era: Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England By The Pound and the double concept LP The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. Collected in a handsome, protective slipcase box, each of the five albums comes in its own heavyweight gatefold sleeve featuring the classic cover art faithfully reproduced from its original source. The set contains some of the band’s most adventurous albums and chronicles Gabriel's groundbreaking tenure as frontman for Genesis."

Because the item has been deleted, we can't get any more after this one incoming shipment so best to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you're interested one.

Kleenex / Lilliput - 4LP Box on Mississippi Records

"Kleenex/Liliput is one of the most influential all-female acts in punk rock history, forging a sound that paved the way for the Riot Grrl and pop-punk movements." -- Allmusic

One of our favourite labels, Mississippi Records, is releasing the complete Kleenex/Lilliput output in a 4LP box set. Here's the official description:

"One of the most unique punk bands of our time--hailing from Zurich, Switzerland. From 1978-80 Kleenex gigged around, recorded 2 7"s and toured the UK with such acts as Gang Of Four, Subway Sect, The Swell Maps and The Raincoats. In 1980, the group changed their name to Lilliput (due to pressures from the Kleenex tissue company) and continued under that moniker until their demise in 1983. As Liliput, 3 more 7"s and 2 LPs were released as the band evolved through numerous personnel changes. Finally the entire contents of the ever-popular Kill Rock Stars double CD is now available as a 4 LP set. Housed in a sturdy tip-on sleeve slipcase and includes a full color 12 page booklet."

If you'd like one, it's recommended you .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) as we're only bringing in qty to order. Pricing is still to be determined but will be under $50 and probably closer to $45.

Braids - Native Speaker

The fine folks at Flemish Eye are on the cusp of releasing Braids' debut LP, Native Speaker. It comes out tomorrow but you can stream the whole thing here or download the track Lemonade as an mp3. Sure to be on many 2011 year-end-best-of lists. Here's some press bites about the album:

"As a whole, Native Speaker is at once textural and ethereal, a boundary-pushing record that isn’t afraid to get freaky - but also isn’t afraid to be pretty." -- Uptown, 4/5 stars

"Epic!" - Montreal Mirror, 8.5/10

"Braids craft music with a nurturing patience, coaxing repeated riffs and hooks into a gradual, subtle perfection." - See Magazine, 4/5 Stars

"Braids’ forward-thinking orchestration and deeply passionate delivery makes Native Speaker a sublime debut, and it stands as the year’s first truly outstanding record." - Eye Weekly, 5 Stars

"From Raphaelle Standell-Preston's soaring, Björk-influenced vocals on minimalist club thumper "Lammicken" to twinkly, Tropicália-inflected two-stepper "Little Hand," the album is one mind-melting stunner." - Exclaim.ca,

"Less than two weeks in 2011, and Braids may already have sewn up album of the year with Native Speaker." - i(heart)music

"Native Speaker is assured and impressive." - VICE

"Smooth on the outside, savage within." - Spin Magazine, 8/10

"Stunningly assured and accomplished debut." - Toronto Star