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Restoring balance to our series of earthly compilations, one that has brought to you an array of different artists, all with the collective goal of sharing the joy of exploring musical wonders with no borders, we have Earthly Tapes 04.

In keeping with the series so far, nature and electronica intertwine in unison to share a space as befitting to hedonistic dancefloor groovers as it is to homebound explorations. With this release, we have 7 wonderful artists expressing their creativity across 6 carefully curated tracks, with native roots connected to 5 different countries across South America and Europe.

2 years in the making and chopping and changing as it’s passed through the motions, what has remained is the concept behind it. On this edition, we're shining a light on a small portion of female producers within a music scene that we’re fortunate to be a part of.

Each artist that has carefully created a track for this compilation, has also contributed their beautiful crafts within the Organica/Folkloric/Downtempo scene and we’re truly blessed to be able to share them with you. The countdown to the release of this next chapter finds us coinciding fittingly with International Women’s Day.

DJ Support: Diplo, Disco Lines, Alok, MK, Low Steppa, Bob Sinclar, Groove Armada, Dennis Cruz, David Penn, Sam Divine, Adam Beyer, Calvin Harris, Hardwell, MEDUZA, Martin Garrix, James Hype, Claptone, Nicky Romero & John Summit.

Toolroom’s latest Sampler sees 4 big releases from KC Lights, Milk & Sugar & James Hurr, Crusy, and Illyus & Barrientos.

The record captures an expansive performance in Poitiers, France in November 2023. First working together in an unpredictable trio with minimalist legend and eccentric extraordinaire Charlemagne Palestine, Ambarchi and Thielemans quickly established a remarkable musical chemistry that led to an ongoing series of duo concerts, including the performance documented on their LP Double Consciousness (Matière Mémorie, 2023).

Kind Regards finds the duo refining their shared language while continuing to take risks, allowing the music’s gravitational pull to lead them from meditative calm to unexpectedly expressive passages of melodic invention and rhythmic drive.

Recorded in sparkling fidelity and carefully mixed by Ambarchi’s longtime collaborator Joe Talia, the LP contains a single unbroken performance, stretching out for over 45 minutes. Guitar and drums weave together into a symbiotic whole that nevertheless affords us ample opportunity to marvel at the highly personal approaches these two musicians have developed to their chosen instruments through decades of diverse collaboration and prolific performance. The set begins with Thielemans’ hypnotic tom patterns, around which Ambarchi’s wavering, shimmering guitar tones—achieved with the help of the rotating speaker of a Leslie cabinet—flurry and swirl. Thielemans’ drums play subtle tricks with time and perception, adding and dropping beats within repeated patterns to create an effect at once rhythmically insistent and liquified. Growing at first into a rapidly pulsing texture of brushed drums and flickering harmonics, the music builds momentum into an irregular groove over which Ambarchi’s guitar is transformed into haunting, monumental electric organ chords, strikingly recalling the Wurlitzer work of Alice Coltrane, before settling into a section of gentle portamento melody embedded into the tactile clicks and clangs of Thielemans’ percussion.

When Thielemans adopts a more traditional jazz approach to the kit in some of the set’s second half, the results are stunning, demonstrating a feel for shifting accents and sensibility to the touch of the stick on the drum or cymbal that recalls greats like Jack DeJohnette or Billy Hart (one of Thielemans’ mentors). And when Ambarchi turns up the heat, he does so in an unexpected and delightful way, letting loose a swarm of jittering delayed tones straight out of Henry Kaiser’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life, with a more active use of the guitar’s fretboard than his usual approach to the instrument allows. As the performance draws to a close after a climactic episode of distorted harmonic groans and crashing cymbals that manages to be at once thunderous and carefully attuned to detail, it is clearer than ever that, for these two serial collaborators, this is a very special pairing.

Kind Regards shows us the kind of magic that can happen when two masters who have dedicated decades to reimagining their instruments simply begin to play, following the music wherever it goes.

Brochure is a new collaboration between Gee Dee, Miles Felix, and Nick Stropko. For their debut release, they opted to cover Joking by Celine Lomez, originally featured in Soft Rock for Hard Times Vol. 7. Drenching the arrangement with synthesizers and opting to record the tune half-time, Brochure recontextualizes the song into a longing ballad.

Osprey 2 is the latest nom de guerre of Ryan M Todd aka Paul Atreides, Tom Guycot, Darklord Disco, half of Private Sea, founder of Going Home Records and an instrumental part of Universal Cave productions and parties for well over a decade. Osprey 2's Version Verrückt flips the longing ballad into a funky, driving krautrock number for Side B.

The Universal Cave crew offers their Terrace Mix as a digital only bonus track. A stripped-down strummer for the summer, the Terrace mix is scenic overlook gear for the mind's eye.

Powerful duo & Elevate label heads Pig&Dan, known for their anti-genre experimentalist production approach and releases on Drumcode, Truesoul, Soma, Terminal M, Bedrock, now join the DCLTD roster with two tracker 'I Need You/Activate.' 'I Need You' has a throbbing drum with a breaksy hop in it and industrial pulsing notes are attacked by dark, fuzzy reverb-loaded phrases, more threat than tune, until the breakdown brings a sudden flowering of euphoric melodic synth, a high, soulful, celebratory vocal and a magnificent drop. Resonant, compulsive and complex.

'Activate' is a bit faster, harder drum woven techno with high speed/pitch arps start off upbeat, but random industrial stabs, chopped vocal notes and doppler swoops add a sinister note, while hesitant, almost stifled piano chords force their way through. Bounding, power packed and disturbing.

Third instalment in the series, featuring reissues of Eddie’s early unmissable tracks!!

Following the “ALIEN DANCER EP” label owner Dove Quiete is back on Muovo Musica Records for its fourth release: a 4-tracker mixture of Acid, Bass, Electro, Punk, Techno, and a whole lot else. Written and produced by Guglielmo Prati aka Dove Quiete with two featuring with Sapo.
Mastered at Prisma Sonoro Studio By Claudio Brioschi. Milan, 2024.

Irish producer and DJ Casper Hastings returns to the label in full force with a 6-track EP titled “Recreational Murder”, unleashing a lethal mutation of electro, techno and jungle, the release showcases Casper’s versatility as an artist who garners clear-cut expertise in his field.

Nodding to its foreboding title, “Tangerine Meme” follows suit with an increased pace, woven together by squelchy synth work, wobbly bass and a gnawed up vocal scattered throughout.

“Reaper” lands with a pitched-up vocal riff opening the track; the word LSD later echoing through the ghostlike atmosphere laid out by a snappy pattern of snares and smoggy distortion. Peder Mannerfelt’s remix of the track comes as a curveball and flips the B-Side of the record, upending the previously understated but ominous tone with thundering drums, whiplike percussion and in-your-face high velocity.

“Ruthless Romance” continues on the rapid tip, this time highlighting Caspers long-running love for jungle. With a spirited UKG-tinged sample layered over clattering drums and hardcore bass lines with the celebrated genre, this is the track that brings a chunk of quick escapism. The deconstructed “Good Medicine” closes the record with the return of stabbing bleeps, intense kicks and swirling psychedelics accompanied by a grunt-heavy sample to reflect the EP's theme a sense of dread lurking behind every corner. Looping full circle to that initial cinematic feel, the final track / digital bonus “Akashita” marks his solo instalment on the label with palpable effect.

Manufactured in Dublin, Yin Yang Label 2025

From an artist in their seventies, you probably wouldn’t expect to hear an album like this. But Brazilian drumming legend Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti has been experimenting and innovating for the last half a century. As one third of cult Rio jazz-funk trio Azymuth, Mamão was at the root of the group’s ‘samba doido’ (crazy samba) philosophy, which warped the traditional samba compass with jazz influences and space age electronics. Even with his lesser known jovem guardua group The Youngsters, Mamão was experimenting with tapes and delays to create unique, ahead-of-its-time sounds, way back in the sixties. More recently Mamão recorded an album with hip-hop royalty Madlib under the shared moniker ‘Jackson Conti’.

With his first album in over twenty years, and the first to be released on vinyl since his 1984 classic The Human Factor, Mamão shares his zany carioca character across eleven tracks of rootsy electronic samba and tripped out jazz, beats and dance music. Featuring Alex Malheiros and Kiko Continentino on a number of tracks, the Azymuth lifeblood runs deep, but venturing into the modern discotheque (as Mamão would call it), Poison Fruit also experiments with sounds more commonly associated with house and techno, with the help of London based producer Daniel Maunick (aka Dokta Venom).

Take a bite of Mamão’s psychoactive Papaya and join the maestro on a weird and wonderful stroll through the Brazilian jungle.

United by a love for the music of Mamão and Azymuth, the CD and digital edition also feature the previously released remixes and dubs from some of today’s most forward-thinking producers with a penchant for percussion, including IG Culture, the 22a crew, Max Graef and Glenn Astro.

Spanish imprint Clock Poets returns with its sixth release, a nicely curated three-track V.A. that brings together Dan Andrei, Root, and label founders Marco and Javier (Clock Poets). Aptly titled Surrealism, the EP explores different shades of minimal techno and micro-house, offering a dynamic range of textures and grooves.

Dan Andrei sets the tone with 'Si Un Ecou' (A1), a stripped-back, bass-heavy roller with a raw, hypnotic energy. Laced with eerie, Hitchcockian tension, the track simmers with understated menace until a burst of heavily modulated synth chords cuts through the groove like a sudden flash of light — turning the mood on its head. Subtle yet striking creative decisions like these highlight Andrei's refined sonic evolution. On (A2), Root's 'Apophis' is a swing-heavy slice of classic micro-house. Shuffling drum patterns dart unpredictably, locking the dancefloor into a stealthy groove while growling synth textures add an air of mystique and atmospheric tension. A nod to the golden era of the genre, yet firmly grounded in the present.

Clock Poets close the EP with 'Galaxy' (B1), a sprawling 14-minute live-recorded behemoth, through microscopic sound design and intricate rhythm programming. Filtered, syncopated drum patterns weave through evolving bass stabs and delicate melodic fragments, crafting a hypnotic groove that pulls listeners deeper with every loop.

"Surrealism" is a carefully balanced record with a range of moods and styles for the lovers of thoughtful minimal dance music, and yet another compelling addition to the Clock Poets catalogue — refined and immersive.

Dirty Hands dug deep into the crypt and unearthed a hidden gem: Polant, a previously unreleased track from the early 2010s, a golden era of the Amsterdam house scene.

Known only from Polder’s live sets, this lost treasure was crafted by iconic artists of the time: Polder (Lauhaus & David Labeij) and Anton Pieete. To complete the release, Sweden’s finest Dorisburg and Parallax Deep deliver impressive remixes, sealing the deal in style

Fabio Caria is pleased to announce the launch of his new label, Hoops, a project designed to explore the intersection of house and techno through a minimalistic lens. The label's debut release, "Fabble Part One" (HOOPS001), sees Fabio collaborate with Hubble, a long-time friend and creative partner, under the moniker Fabble. This EP features three meticulously crafted tracks that fuse hypnotic rhythms and introspective textures, offering a bold sonic experience for the dancefloor, with a special guest appearance by Claudio PRC.

Catharsis (A1) opens the EP, centering a 3-note Rhodes piano atop a broken beat. Here, elements ebb and flow like a living organism, gradually filling the sonic space with psychedelic synthesizers and ominous sub-basses. Donald (A2) adopts a 4/4 framework, with a persistent kick driving the rhythm, complemented by somber pads and delicate, high-pitched pianos. Powerful sub-basses cut through the mix, establishing a groove with profound character. Persignis (feat. Claudio PRC) (B1) emerges as the EP's most dancefloor-friendly track. Its steady groove provides a foundation for a broad palette of heavily processed piano stabs, reverbed and echoed throughout the entire sonic space, evoking a profoundly emotional yet introspective atmosphere.

"Fabble Part One" establishes a compelling vision for Hoops, signalling the label's commitment to producing immersive music that resonates both on and off the dancefloor. Breaking down conventional boundaries, the release reflects the longstanding collaborative history of Fabio and Hubble, known for their ability to craft deep, atmospheric, and experimental soundscapes of timeless appeal.

As 2024 unfolds, DBB008 emerges like a breath of clarity amidst the noise. “Fresh Air” by Ober Dada—an alter ego of Keyn Acid—is a journey between the mechanical and the organic, the familiar and the unexplored. Out both digitally and as a 200-limited vinyl edition, “Fresh Air” invites listeners into a world where space expands, time is unbroken and every beat matters.
Limited 200 copies!

In September 2022, Munir and Boochie spent two days at House Sangkuriang Hotel in Bandung, capturing a series of raw, impromptu recordings. Armed with a Roland EG-101 and a microphone, they filled various corners of the hotel with spontaneous jams and Indonesian lyrics. The sessions were playful and unpredictable, each take capturing the playful energy of the moment. The result is a vibrant and unfiltered musical experience.

Budak Cinta, which translates to Slave of Love, is an album that showcases the artists’ quirky personalities and playful approach to music. With a humorous take on the ups and downs of love, the album explores the lighthearted side of romance, infusing each track with a comedic twist. It’s all about embracing the thrill and folly of being head over heels, delivered with a wink and a smile.

Repress!

Last summer, London fusionistas Lokkhi Terra joined forces with former Fela Kuti keyboardist Dele Sosimi for the four track album "Cubafrobeat", an ingenious blend of Cuban dance music and Nigerian/Yoruban Afrobeat. MoBlack Records present dope up-tempo re-imaginations of "Cubafro" by Peppe Citarella who contributes an uplifting latin jazz infused interpretation, and Armonica, Francesco Chiocci and MoBlack who serve downright tantalizing afro house renditions oozing with their respective landmark style.

The story of So-Do is both familiar and completely unique. A classically trained multi-instrumentalist with a poet’s sensibility and a passion for folk music meets a worldly bar owner with a love for psychedelia, post-punk and dub in the small town neither could bring themselves to leave. Over two years, they play dozens of shows in independent live houses across Japan, cut and self-release three singles – two 7”s and a 12” – and leave behind just eight tracks, all of which are set to be reissued for the first time forty years on.

So-Do’s Studio Works ’83-’85 collects the full output of this iconoclastic post-punk phenomenon, whose sparse, syncopated arrangements were infused with a dubbed-out flair that owed more to Dennis Bovell’s productions of Orange Juice, the Jah Wobble basslines of Public Image Limited or Adrian Sherwood’s live dubs of Mark Stewart than even they knew at the time.

Because for lead songwriter Hideshi Akuta, music offered an escape from the existential malaise of small-town life, folding a melancholy nihilism into tracks like ‘Kakashi’ and ‘Hashiru’ (which translates as ‘run’), or taking aim at the inequalities and creeping apathies of the middle classes, as he does on ‘Get Away’ and ‘Nothing’.

And if Talking Heads had CBGBs, Sex Pistols had the Roxy, then So-Do had Buddha. Influenced by Buddha venue owner and amateur producer Atsuo Takeuchi, Akuta turned So-Do’s sound towards dub, crafting playful, ironic and funky compositions that crackle with live energy at the vanguard of Japan’s nascent independent music scene.“So-Do is hard to explain,” Takeuchi says. “It’s been a struggle for years to try to find the words for our music.” The answer perhaps, is just to listen.

Both familiar and completely unique, So-Do extend Time Capsule’s genre-defining exposition of Japan’s reggae-inspired music of the ‘70s and ‘80s, as collected on the label’s two critically acclaimed Tokyo Riddim compilations, and London-based live outfit Tokyo Riddim Band.

Embracing the rip-it-up-and-start-again ethos of the early ‘80s, So-Do burned bright for a short time and then burned out. Their legacy is about to be reignited. Expect it to catch alight once more.


All songs are written & composed by Hideshi Akuta

Produced by Atsuo Takeuchi

Artwork by Ben Arfur
Liner Notes by Anton Spice, Ayana Honma, Kay Suzuki

Curated by Kay Suzuki

Licensed from Atsuo Takeuchi (Oregano Cafe)

Tape Restoration and Mastered by Mike Hillier at Metropolis Studios, London, UK

Time Capsule | TIME023 | 1983-1985 → 2025

Parade Ground march back to Dark Entries with The Hidden Side, a compilation of B-sides and unreleased material. Brothers Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly started Parade Ground in Brussels in 1981. Their Dada-laced brand of post-punk fuses propulsive drum machines and icy synths with skeletal guitar riffs and Jean-Marc’s distinct and powerful voice, pioneering the subgenre of emotional body music. The brothers met Daniel B. and Patrick Codenys of Front 242 in 1982, marking the beginning of an enduring collaborative partnership. In 2011, Dark Entries released The Golden Years, a compilation chronicling the band’s A-sides and exposing them to a new generation of EBM enthusiasts. The Hidden Side continues this mission, illuminating lesser-known facets of the band’s oeuvre. The tracks here were written between 1982 and 1989, and showcase Parade Ground’s range of styles - all cold, dark, and brooding. Tracks like “Riddle in the Stain Glass Window” and the previously unreleased “Looking Through Keyholes” see the band in menacing coldwave mode, rocking chorus-drenched bass guitar and blasts of analog synth. The band’s dancier proclivities shine elsewhere, like on “Off-Balance” or the supremely funky “Hollywood (The Sexiest Fish),” a floor-filler driven by bass guitar and thumping digital drum machine beats. Also included is “Marble Mind,” a previously unreleased latter-period track from the band recorded by Patrick Codenys at 242 Studio. The Hidden Side includes liner notes featuring lyrics and a photo of Jean-Marc and Pierre Pauly. Additionally, a newly remastered edition of The Golden Years will be released along with The Hidden Side.

2025 kicks off a new year with a new artist for Klasse Wrecks, it is with great pleasure we welcome Glasgow based DJ and producer Stevie Cox to our ranks. Stevie's second full length release is one of deep cerebral breaks and evolving technicoloured techno, 4 tracks that surprisingly weave an already defined and recognisable sound from the young artist. Dont expect over-thought and over-cooked musings though, Ms. Cox keeps it fresh, to the point and relevant with most tracks clocking in around 5 minutes. There is enough playfulness to keep the gurners smiling and enough well-thought out drumwork to keep the feet moving, this tight selection will most likely find its way into a variety of record bags during its lifespan.

After a Classic/Defected release and a string of edit projects/remix work Snips returns to his own Barbershop Records for his latest release "Blasphemy", a project drawing solely on Gospel samples from Snips' personal collection. Barbershop sticks with the theme of re-imagining the past to create something new while continually offering an alternative to todays mainstream. With Gospel music being the least commodified of its contemporaries yet the most essential element of them all, it would seem the perfect sample source for a Barbershop release and a sonically perfect fit for Snips' brand of Hip Hop, Soul & House inspired beats. From future club friendly anthems like "Feed The People" and "Feel The Spirit" to the true school Boom Bap sensibilities of "Pattersons Pilgrims" and "Never Waltz Alone" this release has all bases covered.

Re-Issue, originally released in 1986. Limited edition! It also includes a secret insert!