Seattle's Medical Records* has established itself over the last four years as one of the world's preeminent reissue labels with regard to synth-based music. But starting with Seefeel's Quique reissue in 2013 (a joint venture with Light in the Attic's Modern Classics subsidiary), Medical owner Dr. Troy Wadsworth has extended his grasp into shoegaze and post rock, with a particular emphasis on the output of England's legendary Too Pure Records. Coming very soon is Rollerskate Skinny's overlooked 1993 gem Shoulder Voices and in 2015 three releases from Too Pure artists Laika (Silver Apples of the Moon) and Pram (The Stars Are So Big, the Earth Is So Small...Stay as You Are and Helium). These records have been nearly impossible to find on vinyl ('90s albums tended to come out only on CD), so these reissues will be godsends for collectors longing to get these rarities on wax.

When asked what drew him toward these styles in general and to Too Pure in particular, Wadsworth said, “The early '90s was an intriguing period. Shoegaze (experimental rock) had seemed to reach its peak. 'Electronica' and IDM were in their infancy. Out of this volatile period arose a seemingly new genre of music. Under the umbrella of 'Too Pure Music' materialized the ambient/dub/'gaze of Seefeel, the hypnotic/off-kilter/childlike Pram, and the percussive overdose and mutated exotica known as Laika. These artists completely engulfed my attention as I heard each one in succession. Too strange to be popular, too beautiful to be ignored, but sadly all (except for maybe Seefeel) have floated into obscurity. Until now."

Look for the Silver Apples of the Moon reissue to come out next February, with the Pram titles due sometime in May 2015.

*I've written liner notes for Medical Records.