THE BEST OF WHIMSICAL   - 21 TRACK COMPILATION   - Released February 7th 2011

Ever since the emergence of the Edinburgh born Whimsical Label in 1999 and their subsequent growth spurt in 2005, their artist roster has grown to an impressive and deep quality in a short period of time. With the likes of Jack Butler, Alfie Kingston, The Encierro and Natasha England releasing incredibly strong material on Whimsical or subsidiary label Platform, it is not forthright of them to release what can be deemed as simply an excellent ‘Best Of’ LP. This record makes even more sense in light of the support the label has been receiving throughout the industry via such respected institutions as XFM, NME and BBC Radio One.

The beauty of this ‘Best Of’ is immediate. The quality and diversity of the collection showcasing some enthralling sounds, demonstrating that Whimsical supports fantastic music rather than a particular ‘look’ or genre to back up it’s existence. The amount of variety contained on this LP makes it a true pleasure to listen to.

As well as including Whimsical’s biggest and crowd pleasing releases on here that have already received rave reviews from the industry such as Jack Butler’s “Velvet Prose” and Sunshine Variety Club’s “The Girl With The Crooked Smile”, there are as one might expect some beautifully crafted tracks to be admired and enjoyed over and over again. An album which takes you from 0 to 60 and back down again as quickly as you got there, making you sit up and take note of the truly excellent music. Refreshing turns such as the jazz like breezy ramblings of Natasha England on “I Casually Strolled By” contrast the more traditional Indie musings of Vegas Nights in “It Came As No Surprise” and then again to the haunting key sounds and beautiful harmonics of Emporium’s “Mind Games”. Dig deeper, and you get to see the real secret to this compilation’s appeal - it’s diversity.

If you want 21 songs that exemplify not only the richness of new music as well as the strength of a relatively experienced independent label, then you would be incredibly hard pushed to find any collection of tracks that does so as easily and as effortlessly as this one. An album which will absorb you from start to finish and surprise you on the musical voyage it takes you through.

(Mark McDermott)

The Best Of Whimsical is released on February 7th 2011

www.whimsicalrecords.co.uk

www.myspace.com/whimsicalrecords

www.platformwhimsical.co.uk

platformwhimsical@themusicelevator.com

+44 (0) 7941 815 059

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LATEST NEWS (Updated June 2010) 

JACK BUTLER have been selected to play a showcase in front of some major brand names, including Honda and Nokia. The event is organised by Ricall and takes place at the Wieden + Kennedy HQ, London E1, on June 3rd 2010. Check out the new Jack Butler profile page.   

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JACK BUTLER's debut album 'Fit the paradigm' originally hit the stores on May 11th, and gets a re-release on November 23rd. Includes the new single 'Surgery 1984' - released on October 26th. Previous single 'Hit it out the park,son'is accompanied by a rather excellent video. Take a peek and let us know what you think!

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London 4 piece The FIRM have released their debut single 'Dismal Results' on March 9th 2009. The record has received some wonderful reviews and has been gracing the Top Shop Radio airwaves over the last few weeks! Also due to be added to the H&M playlist throughout April in 24 countries accross the globe. Check out the amazing video and leave a nice comment please :)
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Dec '08:
Following a period of relative calm, there is an atmosphere of organised chaos once again here at Whimsical HQ.

Stirling 4-piece JACK BUTLER have been grafting away on their debut album which has finally been completed, and well worth the wait it is too.Due for release in early 2009, 'Fit the paradigm' will be preceded by 2 singles - the first being the ridiculously catchy 'Are you a hustler?' which is available as a digital download from December 15th. Listen to it now on the Jack Butler Myspace player!

Following our expansion from Edinburgh into the Big Smoke, we have just signed our first new act in 2 years. London band THE FIRM have been wooing crowds at gigs with a brand of post punk indie, their 'edgy poetic wall of sound' catching the attention of Whimsical's A&R man Paul Grassick who describes their performance as 'truly mesmorising'. A recording and publishing deal was swiftly inked, which will lead to their debut single 'Dismal Results' being released in early '09.

More updates soon!

Camilla Royle x (Whimsical PR dept)

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The critically acclaimed Whimsical compilation 'Elevate' gets a re-promotion this month, with a re-release on June 28th. Expecting further media reviews and airplay to appear over the next few weeks.

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Alfie Kingston's debut album 'Creatures and people's ways' gets a download release through Whimsical on December 3rd. The set includes the singles 'I will wait' and 'She's scary'.

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Two Whimsical songs have been licensed to U.S feature film 'Pinko's Place' which has just completed production. Sunshine Variety Club's 'The Girl with the crooked smile' and 'W.Fire' from Jack Butler are both included in the movies's soundtrack. 

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JACK BUTLER have released their second single for Whimsical Records - the AA sided download and ltd edition cd - 'BOY vs.BEAST'/'SURGERY 1984' came out on August 13th. The band recently performed at festivals GO NORTH and CONNECT. For more info on this great band, visit their MYSPACE 

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Check out a feature on Edinburgh labels including an interview with Whimsical in the current edition of lifestyle magazine INSTANT. www.instantmagazine.co.uk 

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Whimsical is one of the very first labels in the Uk to make use of ADSTREAM's new DMDS (Digital Music Distribution System). As part of this initial trial, Whimsical has been given the fascility to deliver its music electronically to hundreds of Uk radio stations and dj's,while being able to monitor receipt of each file.Watermarking also allows confirmation of who downloaded and listened to a track. 

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Whimsical is the first label to license its complete catalogue to new Glasgow company 'Open Ear'.This will provide a further platform for artists by way of airplay in restaurants, bars, pubs, exhibitions and other outlets. Working in conjunction with Radio Magnetic, 'Open Ear' is a specialist 'music design' consultancy offering innovative solutions to companies who use music. The world is a huge musical composition and there is a massive need for a better designed audio environment. 'Open Ear' helps companies play the right music for the right place at the right time, offering better experience for the customers, staff and also improving their brand identity. Apart from general airplay, the company will provide product placement for new releases, as well as a text message info system, so that the public can find out info on the tracks being played. Initially,'Open Ear' have designed a stream which will be played in The Lighthouse (centre for design) in Glasgow, with development to other venues in the coming months. 
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The eagerly awaited Whimsical compilation cd has finally been unleashed! 'ELEVATE - 21 pop and indie gems from the underground' features 21 great songs and productions including tracks from all Whimsical artists released during 2006 and into 2007, accompanied by numerous underground indie gems. Release date is April 2nd 2007.Read the press release in the 'Media Reviews' section.... 
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Adam Tedder is a London based singer/songwriter who released his debut single for Whimsical Records - 'It'll be soon'/'Eastern Girls' as a AA side on February 19th 2007.It was produced between London and Edinburgh by Adam, and Whimsical's Ewan McKenzie, and mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios by Adam Nunn (Radiohead, Franz Ferdinand etc). 
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Recent signings BIG LIFE DESIRE and JACK BUTLER have both had their debut singles released on Whimsical. JACK BUTLER are a 4 piece band from Stirling, Scotland who have been making a major impression in their home country, securing a place on the T Break stage at T IN THE PARK festival back in July. The 3 track single and download 'Velvet Prose' showcases an exciting blend of psychedelia and funk with swirling guitar melodies and frenzied vocals. Released on September 25th 2006,the single reached number 27 in the official Uk indie chart. BIG LIFE DESIRE are London based and have been described as ‘‘Syd Barrett meets Blur’’.Clever pop with hooks aplenty, the songs on this release are reflective,gentle and meticulously well crafted.'Your love is' (cd single and download) was released on August 21st 2006. 
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EMPORIUM had their AA single 'Wasted'/'Don't be alarmed' released via Itunes on May 15th. This follows a 7'' red vinyl version from last summer. Visit the band's Myspace page to hear more of their music. 
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A recent Whimsical signing is singer/songwriter ALFIE KINGSTON. This Bristol based artist released his debut AA single 'I will wait'/'Regard me 14 days' on April 17th via Itunes and Napster and numerous other DD stores.Check out some great feedback on this release by clicking on the 'media reviews' page. 
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Whimsical Records/Songs signed up SUNSHINE VARIETY CLUB for release and publishing.Their debut single appeared in shops and via digital download (Napster,EMusic and HMV etc) on January 16th 2006.Great pop songs with references to The Kinks and The Smiths, their AA side includes 'The Girl with the crooked smile' which picked up national airplay on BBC Radio 2 and received a glowing review on 6 Music's 'Roundtable'show, with Steve Lemaq making it his 'single of the week' during the first week of January. 
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EMPORIUM released a brand new 13 track cd on October 10th 2005 called ‘Silver Brainwaves’.
Released on Whimsical and distributed by Shellshock/Pinncale the album includes the coloured vinyl single 'Wasted'.In all good shops and available from DIGITAL online stores (ITunes,HMV etc).Check out the band's official website for some excellent media feedback on this release.
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Adverts have recently been placed in music press requesting submission of demos and finished masters for possible release on the Whimsical label, as well as song publishing by Whimsical Songs. Suitable genres:indie pop or psychedelic pop only. The emphasis is on great songs. **** We have been inundated with cds, so until further notice we cannot accept any more submissions. Please check back soon to see if we are requesting music again......