Albums · Blow The Fuse https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/ home of blow the fuse music and records Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:50:15 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.blowthefuse.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BTF-music-logo_web-310x296.jpg Albums · Blow The Fuse https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/ 32 32 SEMA4 https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/sema4/ Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:06:29 +0000 https://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=1954 “Alison Rayner’s quintet has deep roots: she and Deirdre Cartwright have played together since they were both in legendary feminist prog/punk band Jam Today back in the 1970s, and their association with Brit keyboard legend Steve Lodder and saxophonist McLoughlin stretches back over 30 years. Buster Birch is the (relatively) new kid on the block, […]

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]]> “Alison Rayner’s quintet has deep roots: she and Deirdre Cartwright have played together since they were both in legendary feminist prog/punk band Jam Today back in the 1970s, and their association with Brit keyboard legend Steve Lodder and saxophonist McLoughlin stretches back over 30 years. Buster Birch is the (relatively) new kid on the block, but the close relationship between his dramatic, punchy drumming and Rayner’s rock-solid fat-toned bass is at the heart of this set of live recordings captured at The Vortex.

“The ARQ itself is a long-standing ensemble with its own accessibly idiosyncratic take on jazz-rock that’s flexible enough to capture a range of moods, from the tumbling 6/8 of Espirítu Libre to contemplative ambiance of All Will Be Well to the odd-number boogaloo of Semaphore. Everyone brings a ton of personality to the performance, from Cartwright’s fusion of jazz language and 1970s proggy wig-outs to Lodder’s rippling virtuosity and McLoughlin’s crisp, cleanly centered tone. It’s a pleasure to hear the band deliver their vision with the confidence of intent that can only be earned from long association out on the road – this recording will delight fans with its assertive vitality, and attract some new ticket sales for their next tour as well.”

 Eddie Myer, Jazzwise

 

 

Blow the Fuse Records 2025 BTF2515CD
Release date 07 March 2025
Distribution via ECN Music/Proper Music

Recorded by Paul ‘PDub’ Walton live at The Vortex, London
Mixed by Paul ‘PDub’ Walton
Mastered by Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks
Produced by Deirdre Cartwright/Alison Rayner

SEMA4 album was generously supported by Blow the Fuse supporters aka the ‘ARQ ANGELS’

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]]> Short Stories https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/short-stories/ Wed, 29 Jan 2020 01:07:05 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=1518 ‘Alison Rayner is the band’s bassist, and for some reason bass-playing jazz composers (Charles Mingus and Charlie Haden, for instance) seem particularly good at conjuring scenes and atmospheres.’ Dave Gelly, The Observer ★★★★ ‘ARQ have come up with another impeccable album featuring warm, colourful, intelligent writing and some exceptional playing’. Ian Mann, The Jazzmann ★★★★1/2 Blow […]

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]]> ‘Alison Rayner is the band’s bassist, and for some reason bass-playing jazz composers (Charles Mingus and Charlie Haden, for instance) seem particularly good at conjuring scenes and atmospheres.’

Dave Gelly, The Observer ★★★★

‘ARQ have come up with another impeccable album featuring warm, colourful, intelligent writing and some exceptional playing’.

Ian Mann, The Jazzmann ★★★★1/2

Blow the Fuse Records 2019
CD: BTF1914CD / Vinyl: BTF1914V
Release date 25 October 2019
Distributed by Proper Music
Recorded by Chris Lewis at Livingston Studio 1, London
Mixed by Chris Lewis
Mastered by Peter Beckmann at TechnologyWorks

Short Stories project generously supported by the Arts Council England and PRS Women Make Music.

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]]> A Magic Life https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/a-magic-life/ Wed, 05 Oct 2016 17:51:32 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=1021 ‘A set of pieces inspired by real-world ideas, people and situations but infused with the kind of heady imagination that transforms their resonances into a series of vivacious musical adventures.’ Roger Thomas, BBC Music Magazine ***** Jan 2017 BTF1613CD Distributed by Proper Music Recorded in Livingston Studio 1 London, Summer 2016 by Chris Lewis Release Date 18 […]

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]]> ‘A set of pieces inspired by real-world ideas, people and situations but infused with the kind of heady imagination that transforms their resonances into a series of vivacious musical adventures.’
Roger Thomas, BBC Music Magazine ***** Jan 2017

BTF1613CD Distributed by Proper Music
Recorded in Livingston Studio 1 London, Summer 2016 by Chris Lewis
Release Date 18 November 2016

Album production supported by the Arts Council’s Grants For The Arts scheme.

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]]> Flawed Heroine https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/flawed-heroine/ Fri, 05 Sep 2014 22:26:55 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=31 In a media world that can manipulate the ‘perfect’ look, the ‘perfect’ sound FLAWED HEROINE, Lund’s first album is inspired by some of the beautifully flawed people that they’ve met on their journey so far. “Fabulous album, riveting material, sublime musicianship, MERGE instantly sweeps you up in a passionate embrace of shivering guitar and intriguing […]

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]]> In a media world that can manipulate the ‘perfect’ look, the ‘perfect’ sound FLAWED HEROINE, Lund’s first album is inspired by some of the beautifully flawed people that they’ve met on their journey so far.

“Fabulous album, riveting material, sublime musicianship, MERGE instantly sweeps you up in a passionate embrace of shivering guitar and intriguing lyrics,”
MUSICIAN, March 2015 Keith Ames

Original artwork by Julia Lloyd
Produced by Jennifer Maidman

Blow the Fuse Records BTF1412CD
Distribution: Proper Notes

Album release 23 March 2015

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]]> August https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/august/ Sat, 05 Apr 2014 22:26:42 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=30 ARQ release their first album AUGUST in October 2014. “August could hardly represent a sharper reminder to the British jazz world of the breadth and depth of Alison Rayner’s often unsung talents. It’s taken a while for Alison Rayner the composer to step all the way out of the shadows. But on the strength of […]

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]]> ARQ release their first album AUGUST in October 2014.

“August could hardly represent a sharper reminder to the British jazz world of the breadth and depth of Alison Rayner’s often unsung talents. It’s taken a while for Alison Rayner the composer to step all the way out of the shadows. But on the strength of this fine album, she might have to get used to the spotlight”.

John Fordham May 2014

Blow the Fuse Records BTF1411CD
Distribution: Proper Notes

Supported by the Jazz Services Recording Subsidy Scheme.

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]]> Electric Landladies https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/electric-landladies-2/ Thu, 05 Sep 2013 22:26:22 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=29 Welcome ravers to a wonderful album of hits played by six women who really know how to put on a show! Featuring ten of their favourite chart busting tracks all recorded one night at historic Chats Palace to capture the atmosphere of one of their live gigs. Blow the Fuse Records BTF1309CD

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]]> Welcome ravers to a wonderful album of hits played by six women who really know how to put on a show!
Featuring ten of their favourite chart busting tracks all recorded one night at historic Chats Palace to capture the atmosphere of one of their live gigs.

Blow the Fuse Records BTF1309CD

ELL_CDback_smweb

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]]> Emily Remembered https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/emily-remembered-2/ Mon, 05 Sep 2011 22:25:53 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=28 Emily Remembered invokes the spirit of the late great New York jazz guitarist Emily Remler, who died of heart failure at the age of 32 in 1990. Their two distinctive voices on the guitar create an intimate guitar sound performing swing, bossa and bop arranged and written by Remler, as well as their own compositions […]

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]]> Emily Remembered invokes the spirit of the late great New York jazz guitarist Emily Remler, who died of heart failure at the age of 32 in 1990.
Their two distinctive voices on the guitar create an intimate guitar sound performing swing, bossa and bop arranged and written by Remler, as well as their own compositions and jazz standards.

Guitarists Deirdre Cartwright and Kathy Dyson met in 1984 and realised that they were the only two professional women jazz guitarists in the UK; Over 25 years later they were still the only two.

Blow the Fuse Records BTF0811CD

Recorded April 8th 2010 at the Vortex Jazz Club, London N16 and
April 9th 2010 at Lockhurst Street, London E5
Recorded, and mastered by Chris Lewis www.lewisaudio.com
Mixed by Chris Lewis and Deirdre Cartwright
Produced by Deirdre Cartwright and Alison Rayner

Photograph Pam Isherwood
Design Julia Lloyd

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]]> Tune Up Turn On Stretch Out https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/tune-up-turn-on-stretch-out/ Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:25:35 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=27 Blow the Fuse Records BTF0707CD Recorded live at The Vortex by Andy McGuiness and Mark Doffman Mixed and Mastered by Chris Lewis Produced by Deirdre Cartwright and Alison Rayner Album design and Illustration by Julia Lloyd

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]]> Blow the Fuse Records BTF0707CD

Recorded live at The Vortex by
Andy McGuiness and Mark Doffman
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Lewis
Produced by Deirdre Cartwright and Alison Rayner
Album design and Illustration by Julia Lloyd

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]]> Emma Peel Fan Club https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/emma-peel-fan-club/ Mon, 05 Sep 2005 22:25:08 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=26 The post Emma Peel Fan Club appeared first on Blow The Fuse.

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]]> The Guest Stars Selected Recordings 1983 – 1987 https://www.blowthefuse.com/albums/the-guest-stars-selected-recordings/ Tue, 05 Oct 2004 22:24:49 +0000 http://www.blowthefuse.com/?post_type=album&p=25 Original Recordings produced by The Guest Stars This recording produced by Blow the Fuse Digitally remastered by Peter J Reynolds 13 Feb 2004 Design Julia Lloyd based on original by Chrissie Conlon

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]]> Original Recordings produced by The Guest Stars
This recording produced by Blow the Fuse

Digitally remastered by Peter J Reynolds 13 Feb 2004
Design Julia Lloyd based on original by Chrissie Conlon

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