Welcome to Highlife Records.
Celebrating 33 & 1/3+ years of Vinyl Records, CDs and Tapes in Vancouver!
NEW RELEASES & STAFF PICKS
BEST OF 2019
Late November brings our annual "Best Of" publication. We love talking music - come by to compare notes on an excellent year in music. Sale prices in effect Friday Nov 29th & Saturday Nov 30th! DOWNLOAD HIGHLIFE BEST OF 2019 - PDF (7MBs)
Oxford American: South Carolina
Well, eclectic music fans, if it is close to winter, it is time again for the next (and this year, the 21st annual) music edition from our friends at the Oxford American magazine, out of Little Rock Arkansas and in alliance with the University of Central Arkansas. This year’s compilation - as is their recent practice - focuses on music, musicians [...]
Soul of A Nation 2 : Jazz is the Teacher, Funk is the Preacher
The thoughtful people at SoulJazz Records in London England have done it again. Their latest compilation “Soul of A Nation 2” is one of the deepest and most powerful compilations to come our way in many years, and is even stronger than the first volume from 2018. These compilations were chosen to provide a musical companion piece for an art [...]
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 [...]
NEWS & EVENTS
RECORD STORE DAY 2019
Join us this Saturday April 13th! One of the best days pf the year. Spring, records on sale, beverages...
Sunday: PRE-RECORD STORE DAY PARTY AT STEEL & OAK
Purveyors of fine beer and good music Steel & Oak are throwing a pre-record store day party this Sunday April 7th Noon to 8pm. Noon to 8pm. DJs, Gift Certificates, Beer!
In-Store: PAUL PIGAT Sunday March 17th
Paul Pigat is returning tomorrow (Sunday March 17th) to play a set at 3pm, celebrating his new album The Game (part 2 of his Boxcar Trilogy). Join us - Paul is a truly remarkable guitarist - refreshments will be served.
In-Store: Jim Campilongo & Luca Benedetti SUN FEB 17th 2pm
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17th 2pm Pleased 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.