Welcome to Highlife Records.
Celebrating 33 & 1/3+ years of Vinyl Records, CDs and Tapes in Vancouver!
NEW RELEASES & STAFF PICKS
Dennis Coffey “One Night at Morey’s: 1968” + Delvon Lamarr Trio “Live at KEXP”
If you are at all like me, you might have felt that after hearing artists like Booker T & the Mgs, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, and Larry Young for years, there wasn't much still to discover from an organ /guitar / drums trio. Well here are two recent releases – recorded close to 50 years (!!!) apart – that have [...]
Orkestar Kriminal “Ryobra”
This CD is a recent release by a wild and crazy Montreal-based folk punk group, that I learned about from our local musical-literary-theatrical-comedic-social justice guru Geoff Berner. Their music harkens back to the underground cultures of Eastern Europe between WW1 and WW2 and mixes Klezmer, Rebetika, Romani, and other folk dance music traditions. Their main power comes from a dynamic [...]
Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids – “An Angel Fell”
Chicago has been the birthplace of so much crucial music that it deserves to be treated with the same respect we give to New Orleans, as a wellspring of those diverse unique voices that could only be American. I now realize that the ranks of people quintessential to this music includes (multi-instrumentalist, composer, actor, tap dancer, director, etc !!!) Idris [...]
Prince – “Piano & A Microphone 1983”
In what we hope will be the first of many posthumous releases from the Prince estate, “Prince - Piano & A Microphone 1983” gives us a stripped-down stark window into the artist's monumental talent and imagination. Recorded between his 5th album “1999” and his breakthrough 6th “Purple Rain” this intimate set brings the listener into a studio, where it is [...]
Marc Ribot – Songs of Resistance (1942-2018)
Jazz Iconoclast and guitar hero Marc Ribot’s new record (Songs of Resistance 1942 - 2018) is simultaneously one of the most culturally diverse, yet powerfully focussed, collections of music you will ever find. The cultural diversity is represented by the presence of artists such as Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tift Merritt, Syd Straw, Ohene Corneliuo, and Domenica Fossati. [...]
Peggy Lee’s Echo Painting
Peggy Lee and her ten piece band of Vancouver instrumental stalwarts have made a record for the ages. Walking the same inspiring path as Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, this band has found the beautiful spaces between jazz, folk and soundtrack music. Amongst the soaring saxophones, trumpet, violin, and pedal steel - and of course the leader's soulful cello - [...]
NEWS & EVENTS
In-Store: Jim Campilongo & Luca Benedetti SUN FEB 17th 2pm
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17th 2pm Please to invite you to another in-store in conjunction with @blueshoreatcapu : Sunday Feb 17th @ 2pm @jimcampilongo & @lucabenedetti_gtr guitar duo preview of their show that night @roguefolkclub
Derek Gripper: Live In-Store Sat. Jan 26 – 2pm
So pleased to welcome back the amazing guitarist Derek Gripper. Join us on Saturday at 2pm sharp for a lovely free preview of his St James Hall performance. Below is a clip from his last visit! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkVzlOtEOUc
BEST OF 2018
Our "Best of the Year" (2018 version) is ready for your perusal and feedback: HIGHLIFE BEST OF 2018 (1MB PDF) Hard copies available in the shop.
PARTY, SALE & PERFORMANCE WEEKEND!
Join us this weekend for the Highlife Party Vibe. Fri & Sat 20% off storewide + complimentary beverages. Saturday at 3:30pm incomparable cellist PEGGY LEE live in-store showcasing her outstanding new release Echo Painting with guest Dylan van der Schyff.
HIGHLIFE AT STEEL & OAK VINYL FAIR FRIDAY NOV 2
We'll be at the Steel & Oak Vinyl Fair this Friday Nov 2 - 7pm - 11pm River Market 810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster. Promises to be a great time with Music / Beer / Food / Vinyl. FREE to attend, but registration helps them: https://bit.ly/2OVDD0m
In-Store: GORD GRDINA Sunday June 10
Gordon Grdina live in-store this Sunday at 6pm - free - solo #Oud - new album “The Marrow”. Italian Day on the Drive!