A new sub-division from Earth Dog Records, reissuing overlooked gems from the North American underground
The ‘90s to early 2000s saw US dance music experience a uniquely innovative gold rush. Records from that period narrate a burgeoning rave-obsessed sub culture, experimenting with the psychedelic sounds of tech house and progressive, with further flirtations with trance, breaks and beyond.
Many of those era’s artefacts have been increasingly difficult to find, and even rarer to hear out in the contexts they were constructed for. Relik exists as a means to preserve the legacy of this formative era, honouring the artists and labels that helped shape an ethos and sound unique to North America, and pivotal to the Earth Dog vision, while exposing this music to a new generation of listeners.
Each reissue will be released with permission and in collaboration with the original artists.
R001: The Vortex Archives
Volume one shines a light on Gainesville’s legendary Vortex Records.
Founded in 1996 by Boyd Westerman and Kyle Hogan, lifelong underground innovators (with Boyd remaining the undisputed king of the Discogs comment section). Vortex was home to a catalog of sounds that helped define a unique tech house and progressive flavoured corner of the North American underground.
Vortex Archives compiles four of our favourite cuts from the label’s discography, that for our money showcases their unmistakable sound best; a seamless fusion of progressive house, tech house, trance and breaks.
Nearly three decades on, these tracks (and the label from where they came) are as timeless and prescient than ever. We’re honored to certify their legacy by bringing them back into circulation.
A huge thank you to Boyd for trusting us with this release and helping to bring a sample of the Vortex catalog back into the world.
Endless respect to all the OGs who archived their catalogues, continued to make incredible music and subsequently paved the way for future generations. We wouldn’t be here without you.
La Dispute is an American post-hardcore band formed in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2004. The band consists of vocalist Jordan Dreyer, guitarist Chad Sterenberg, drummer Brad Vander Lugt, bassist Adam Vass, and guitarist Corey Stroffolino. Known for their intense and emotionally charged sound La Dispute has released five studio albums to critical acclaim, including “Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair” (2008), “Wildlife” (2011), and “Panorama” (2019). Their music often explores themes of loss, grief, and human relationships through a series of interconnencted stories. La Dispute has developed a devoted fanbase and is known for the powerful, unforgettable live performances.
Jack Hamill concludes his trilogy of space saga albums with The World Overhead landing on Tiraquon Recordings on October 30, 2026, with a special limited transparent blue edition issued exclusively via Bandcamp from October 16, 2026.
Introducing the science fiction realm of Mikrosector-50 and Mr. 8040 on breakthrough electro funk 12-inch, The Love Quadrant (2009), Hamill signed to R&S Records with the double 12-inch "prequel", The Pathway to Tiraquon6 (2011), setting the stage for debut-album proper Welcome to Mikrosector-50 (2013), where Prince-inspired funk and sleek '80s synth-pop soundtracked Mr. 8040's hazardous journey home via heartbreak and drugs. By Love Beyond the Intersect (2019), Hamill's vocoded opus turned introspective, pairing gentle krautrock influences with themes of love, redemption and self-discovery, mirroring Hamill's personal life, sobriety and creative renewal. Through lockdown Hamill retreated to the countryside around Belfast to reacquaint himself with his machines, experimenting with driving acid and trance, and playing guitar, culminating in a fuzzy shoegaze meets banging IDM sound. Relocating to Amsterdam in 2024 and setting up a new studio, Hamill wrote the third installment of Mr. 8040’s saga, bringing the storyline – and himself – back to earth.
Presenting under the new moniker, Jack Tiraquon, and releasing via his own label, Tiraquon Recordings, The World Overhead is the sound of Hamill removing the guise of Space Dimension Controller and concluding the space-themed concept to move forward as the cinematic hardware musician he's always been at the core.
God of War is Douglas Dulgarian (They Are Gutting A Body Of Water), Scott Turner (hooky) and Sam Silbert (hooky, circle of fire).
It's 2007. You’re watching your older cousin play SSX tricky. How is he such a monster at this game. Dude for real what the fuck. Such style, such finesse. I know he smokes weed. Should I tell Aunt Vicky? No no no- that would ruin this moment. He is racking up points that were formerly unheard of, and with such grace. There’s no expression on his face. And considering that he just sat open mouthed at the dinner table staring into nothing for forty minutes, this revelation is more than remarkable. It seems as if he has always existed in this moment. As if his very essence was plucked from the ether. And perhaps he has. He was made for this moment.
God of War is Douglas Dulgarian (They Are Gutting A Body Of Water), Scott Turner (hooky) and Sam Silbert (hooky, circle of fire).
It's 2007. You’re watching your older cousin play SSX tricky. How is he such a monster at this game. Dude for real what the fuck. Such style, such finesse. I know he smokes weed. Should I tell Aunt Vicky? No no no- that would ruin this moment. He is racking up points that were formerly unheard of, and with such grace. There’s no expression on his face. And considering that he just sat open mouthed at the dinner table staring into nothing for forty minutes, this revelation is more than remarkable. It seems as if he has always existed in this moment. As if his very essence was plucked from the ether. And perhaps he has. He was made for this moment.
Toy Tonics Italomania Vol. 4 is a compilation dedicated to new ITALIAN DISCO. Not ITALO DISCO.
10 new tracks made by young producers from Italy, exclusively made for Toy Tonics. All songs with Italian vocals.
Made with a lot of love by
Cleeeo, Giorgio Lopez, Magnolia, Juan Soto & Sam Ruffillo, KOKO, Luca Averna, Ricardo Baez, Euro Nettuno, The Cube Guys and Paccone.
The Italomania compilation was initiated by Mathias ‚Kapote‘ Modica. Creative mind behind Toy Tonics and half italian producer himself.
The series is a manifesto to show the status of Italian disco of today.
Kapote invited the most relevant producers to show different new styles of modern Italian disco and house music.
With a wide range of influence: Live disco, indie dance, italo pop, and italo house.
Italian disco is not Italo disco. The last few years saw a big revival of the trashy pop music of the 1980s called Italo disco, mostly with English lyrics.
But this compilation is about something else. It is about this new Italian disco. Toy Tonics wants to show a new way to combine Italianity with dance culture.
The Italomania Vol. 4 Artists
Cleeeo - Come Tocchitu: A sexy and sophisticated disco house track by 22 year old newcomer DJ and producer Cleeeo. Driven by a warm, uplifting groove and strong dancefloor energy. The record is dedicated to Brazil. The vocals move between Italian and Portuguese. This creates a natural bridge between two cultures.
Giorgio Lopez - Italiani Brava Gente: Giorgio Lopez is an important player from the much talked about new music scene from Napoli.
For "Italiani Brava Gente," he teams up with Los Angeles artist Sueño. The track is a tongue-in-cheek take on the stereotypical Italian male. It pays homage to late Italodisco legend Pino D’Angiò. The story unfolds from the perspective of a foreign tourist navigating the contradictions of self-proclaimed Casanovas.
The Cube Guys - Saper Ringraziare: The legendary italo house duo shows their Italian vibes and musical taste with “Saper Ringraziare”. The track captures the warmth of summer and the infinity of urban nights. A combination of early Italo disco elements mixed with their typical groovy beats.
Magnolia - Vesuvio: Magnolia’s “Vesuvio” is a cover version of a song from the 1960s by artist E’ Zezi. While the original is more in a folk vibes, the new version is an irresistible piano house track with groovy, sun-soaked vibes. It is made for the dance floor. This track blends Mediterranean roots with the euphoric energy of modern house. Some might know the vocals already from another cover version by Nu Genea from the previous album.
Juan Soto & Sam Ruffillo - Italomexicano: What happens when a Toy Tonics artist hangs out in Mexico city and teams up with the local scene? The result is here. A blend a Toy Tonics sound and tons of vintage synthesizers and some additional production by Mexican producer talent Juan Soto.
You get "Italomexicano". A fuse of the mystique of Mexican mariachi with the magnetic pulse of Italo disco.
KOKO feat. Elena Moroder - I Can't Understand: This melancholic piano house track is a serious floorfiller! Goosebumps! Italian DJ and producer KOKO teams up with Elena Moroder on "I Can’t Understand". Elena delivers a captivating vocal performance. The track explores the misunderstandings of a relationship where emotions were never fully expressed. It blends an iconic piano melody with warm, uplifting grooves.
Luca Averna - Le Luci Della Pista: Luca Averna is a DJ, producer, and resident at the iconic Pikes Hotel in Ibiza. "Le Luci Della Pista" is an energetic track designed for peak-time Ibiza moments while keeping a strong groove and a playful spirit.
Ricardo Baez - È Venerdì: Ricardo Baez is an Italian-Venezuelan DJ and producer. He is known for his distinctive blend of house, dark electro, italo disco, and leftfield electronics. Well respected in Italy's contemporary electronic scene he has been releasing on labels such as Running Bag, Permanent Vacation, Bordello a Parigi, Correspondant, Mule music, Live at Robert Johnson.
Euro Nettuno - La Notte Chiama: These guys are hot! Part of the Polyamore Crew, one of the rising italian new disco collectives their sound mixes Italo house from the 1990ies, electro and Pop in a very cool new way.
Paccone - J'Adore Napoli: Vincenzo Paccone is a DJ, producer but also very renowned graphic designer. He is co-founder of NSS. A fashion agency that is by now one of the leading italian fashion crews. He has been also working as a designer for Circoloco Ibiza for many years and organizes some of the hottest parties in Napoli currently. He makes his official debut as a producer with “J’Adore Napoli”. It is a vibrant tribute to the house music culture born in Naples. The track draws inspiration from the late 1990s and early 2000s. And is part of a NSS campaign about the ’new coolness of the city of Napoli“.
Die Band ,The Black Heart Procession" besteht aus den beiden Hauptsongwriter Tobias Nathaniel und Pall A. Jenkins, die beide zuvor bei ,Three Mile Pilot" mitwirkten. Manchmal treten sie als reines Duo auf, zu anderen Zeiten laden sie Freunde ein, mitzuspielen. Mario Rubalcaba (Clikitat Ikitowi), Jason Crane (Rocket from the Crypt) und Kazu Makino (Blonde Redhead) wirkten an der Entstehung von ,Three" mit. ,Three", das ursprünglich im Jahr 2000 erschien, ist das dritte Album der Black Heart Procession in voller Länge. Die Klänge der Instrumente verschmelzen miteinander und untermalen den Rhythmus von Palls ausdrucksstarkem Gesang. Jeder Song scheint sich unaufhörlich vorwärts und rückwärts zu bewegen und spielt dabei mit dem Kontrast zwischen hellen Klängen und dunklen, grüblerischen Themen. The Black Heart Procession brechen Herzen mit der Verschmelzung von Klängen aus Klavier, Säge, Pumporgel, Gitarre, Trompete und Gesang sowie dem einen oder anderen ungewöhnlichen Perkussionsinstrument. Die Klänge mögen bei einigen von Ihnen Schmerz oder Freude auslösen - oder beides -, da ihre Musik von Trauer und Herzschmerz durchdrungen ist, doch es liegt ein unterschwelliges Element der Befreiung darin.
Josh Ludlow - one half of MAKE A DANCE - one of London’s most beloved duos - steps out on his own for a rare solo outing on legendary London imprint Rhythm Section International.
A late contender for EP of the year - the record meanders menacingly across four tracks of mind-altering, dissociative Brain Music, precision engineered to transport a listener and hypnotise a crowd without losing any dancefloor impact.
Interestingly, Bradley Zero (RS label boss) and Mr. Ludlow have a connection dating back to the late 2000s, when they were both drummers in rock and roll bands...almost 20 years later - a shared love of experimental electronic music has brought them back together, resulting in this spellbinding EP.
Channelling a much darker, heads down, aggressive sound than the uplifting house M.A.D have become known for, the record begins with 'Brain Music’, which serves as a Detroit techno-inspired wormhole of a track, guiding us into a parallel, inner dimension.
Time Upside Down is next up and it becomes apparent we have entered another realm entirely. The introductory bars of the song feel like a long journey down a dark tunnel. The sound design and acoustic backdrop are so evocative you can almost see it. Obnoxious bass notes reverberate through the space created by the track, slowly giving way to flurries of high-pitched, resonant acid lines - the sum of which escape easy classification. It would be lazy to call it house music, misleading to call it techno - but it’s definitely not tech house. Elements of disco, electro, post-punk, balearic and Weatherall-esque chug are all in the mix but essentially, this is its own thing - this is Brain Music.
The record continues to the penultimate track “The Kettle”, which starts off in more familiar upbeat, bongo-house territory before the calm is betrayed by a hovering intensity which grows out of nowhere before making space for a humungous bass synth melody - so big in fact that it has never once failed to elicit club-wide bass-face; which for a mid-tempo track is no mean feat. We round things off with ‘Mean Mother’, the most playful of the bunch: a Chicago house-indebted workout reminiscent of Paranoid London at their most visceral. The track feels familiar and almost safe until the synth-work is cranked up to 11, creating a cacophonous SH-101 build-up into a disco-esque drop that would get even the most reluctant raver jumping up and down for more.
Besides all the theatrics and acoustic world building, the evocative sound design and the insatiable, no-nonsense grooves - the thing that makes these tracks stand out is the attention to detail. No two fills are alike, every embellishment is EQ’d and polished to perfection - yet no immediacy is lost. The tracks feel alive, intentional and constantly evolving. Hyperbole aside - we have a serious, generational talent on our hands whose mastery of the equipment, understanding of the dynamics of the dance and unabashed
playfulness is being harnessed into something that stands out head and shoulders above the crowd.
Twenty years after the release of Anjanas, Pablo Bolivar returns to the album that marked the beginning of his distinctive and deeply emotional approach to electronic music.
Originally released in 2006, Anjanas became an important milestone in Pablo’s musical journey, introducing the atmospheric textures, hypnotic rhythms and subtle emotional depth that would shape his sound for years to come.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Pablo has revisited and remixed every track, bringing a fresh sonic perspective while preserving the essence and timeless character of the original album.
More than a look back, Anjanas 20th Anniversary is a dialogue between past and present — a personal reimagining of where it all began, seen through twenty years of experience, evolution and musical exploration.
First run of limited black and white vinyl versions of this huge cold war themed classic. Includes Devil's Dancers amongst other tracks. Huge!!
Minimal Wave proudly presents a newly remastered deluxe double album of archival material by pioneering 80s minimal electronic duo Oppenheimer Analysis. Oppenheimer Analysis formed in London, England in 1982 by Andy Oppenheimer and Martin Lloyd. Their first meeting though was at the 1979 World Science Fiction Convention in Brighton. They quickly became good friends, sharing an interest in the work of David Bowie, electronic music and early synthesizer bands such as the Human League and Soft Cell. They also shared a love of old science fiction movies, 1950s graphics and comic book imagery and a fascination with post-World War II propaganda, the politics and aesthetics of the Cold War, and the social impact of the atomic bomb. Over the next few years Andy and Martin frequented the growing club scene, including Studio 21 on Oxford Street, and became involved in the developing Futurist and New Romantic style sub-cultures. During this period Martin recorded as Analysis, both alone and with David Rome of Drinking Electricity. They released their first single, 'Surface Tension/Connections' on David's Survival label in 1981. In 1982, Oppenheimer Analysis began writing and recording together at Feedback Studio in Battersea, and performed several times at The Bell, Islington, the 1983 World David Bowie Convention in Hammersmith, the Starzone Birthday Party at Camden Palace, the 1984 European Science Fiction Convention in Brighton and other live venues. Their first demo tape and twelve song 'New Mexico' cassette were sold at gigs and by mail-order, and were reviewed in Melody Maker, Sounds and Soundmaker.
For the years to follow, Oppenheimer Analysis became recognized among electro-music aficionados as a pioneering duo who influenced countless other bands during the club and home-recording era of the early 1980s and beyond. Their cassettes became massively collectible. In 2005 they re-formed with the release of a self-titled four song 12' EP of selections from the New Mexico cassette, including 'Cold War' and 'The Devil's Dancers'. This marked the first release on Minimal Wave. Now in 2015, we're happy to present the entire New Mexico collection, newly remastered and cut to vinyl for the first time ever, to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. This first edition of 1000 copies is pressed on deluxe 'nuclear' style black and white 160 gram vinyl, housed in a glossy gatefold silver and black printed sleeve, featuring all the song lyrics on the inside of the sleeve. Release date: May 16th, 2015. This quintessential reissue has been produced in loving memory of Martin Lloyd.
Freerange is delighted to announce the 20th Anniversary Edition of Jimpster’s seminal Amour — remastered and available on vinyl for the first time.
Originally released in 2006, Amour arrived at a pivotal moment in Jimpster’s evolution, as Jamie Odell moved further into electronic and house territory while retaining the lush, downtempo, and eclectic character of his earlier work. Two decades on, Amour remains a beautifully understated record, full of warmth, musicality, and late-night appeal.
Das zweite Album von Sleepytime Gorilla Museum entstand zwischen 2002 und 2004 und spiegelt die politisch und gesellschaftlich aufgewühlte Zeit nach der Jahrtausendwende wider. Die Band verarbeitete diese Eindrücke in ihrem charakteristischen Mix aus Avant-Rock, experimenteller Komposition und theatralischer Intensität. Während der Entstehung stieß Schlagzeuger Matthias Bossi zur Band und prägte den Sound maßgeblich mit. Ein Höhepunkt des Albums ist der Song ,Phthisis", der in einem Studio in den Hollywood Hills aufgenommen wurde und zu den bekanntesten Stücken der Band zählt. Die nun erstmals in den USA auf Vinyl erhältliche Neuauflage wurde von Bassist und Produzent Dan Rathbun remastert und unterstreicht den Stellenwert des Albums als eines der zentralen Werke im Katalog von Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.
Es ist ihr drittes Studioalbum und das erste, das bei Fat Wreck Chords erschien. Mit der Verbindung von Punk und Hardcore schufen Strike Anywhere mit Dead FM einen musikalischen Stil, der eine klare Alternative zum Mainstream-Pop-Punk bot und die Underground-Szene des folgenden Jahrzehnts maßgeblich prägte. Das von Brian McTernan produzierte Album hebt sich aus der Masse politisch orientierter Veröffentlichungen hervor, indem es komplexe politische, ökologische und gesellschaftliche Themen mit zutiefst persönlichem Songwriting verknüpft. Damit setzte das Album Maßstäbe für den modernen melodischen Hardcore. "14 break-neck hardcore tracks laden with a passion rarely achieved in modern music. Seriously, this is going to melt your face_ with love." -Fat Wreck Chords 2006 Erstmals seit Erstveröffentlichung reissued, also genau 20 Jahre nicht neu aufgelegt gewesen! Für Fans von The Flatliners, A Wilhem Scream, Rise Against, Avail. Grape Coloured EU Vinyl-LP (Auflage 500), CD noch erhältlich.
We are honoured and excited to share the fourth Dream Space EP with the world: Domenic Cappello - Celestial Wave.
For more than three decades, Domenic Cappello has been at the helm of Subculture - the innovative and vastly influential Saturday night at Glasgow’s Sub Club. A true master DJ with deep rooted influences from Detroit & Chicago, Dom has consistently pushed things forward over the years and remains at the cutting edge of modern dance music.
Throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s, he put out high-quality records under various monikers on labels such as Soma, 20:20 Vision & Seventh Sign. Fast forward to recent years and Domenic has been on nothing short of a hot streak - releasing music under his own name on Craigie Knowes, Clone Royal Oak and his outstanding ‘Basement Philosophy’ LP on Alien Communications.
He brings the heat once more for this record; blurring the lines of house, techno and electro to deliver four awe-inspiring cuts of electronic music.
‘The Secret Moon Party’ sets things off, nodding to a certain Highland gathering by some of Scotland’s finest purveyors of quality tunes. A warm, gritty bassline carries the track, evolving into a symphony of precise sound design that is in equal parts playful and euphoric.
Dom’s knowledge of the dancefloor shines through on ‘Acid & Love’. This early night floor filler is the alchemy of just about everything you want to hear when things are getting going. Pure warmth and bliss throughout, also holding its place played deep into the late hours.
‘We Loved Your Ears (in memory of Keith)’ is a heartfelt tribute to the one and only Keith McIvor aka JD Twitch of Optimo. Dom wrote this track as something he thought Keith would have loved, and for this one, we’ll let the music do the talking.
Keith was, and continues to be, an enormous inspiration for us and so many others. In his memory, all proceeds from the digital sales of ‘We Loved Your Ears’ and 25% of all vinyl sales will be donated to Beatson Cancer Charity and The Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.
Closing the EP is title track ‘Celestial Wave’, which does exactly what it says on the tin. A beautiful piece of music and fitting soundtrack for star gazing, moon dancing and dreaming.
Battle of Clontarf collects a remastered series of late-90s guitar jewels by Loren Connors, most appearing on vinyl for the first time. At its center is an unrealized double 7" from 1996, Battle of Clontarf, named after the bloody battle fought outside Dublin in 1014. Gestures of blistered guitar billow, but underneath a defiant elation prevails. Loren’s partner Suzanne Langille composed and performed the poem in Part II and the song in Part V of the Clontarf sequence. The six pieces are followed by a curated circlet of recordings from around the same period, including the complete 1994 EP The Five Points (originally issued by Table of the Elements) and several other short works from the years surrounding Connors’ notable albums Airs (1999) and Lullaby (2001). These recordings occupy only a few minutes at a time, but manage to convey such vulnerability. Each seems to find its way toward the next, like a chain of small amulets.
The collection continues with the Star of Bethlehem suite from 2000, and concludes with Connors’ arrangement of Gershwin’s “I Love You, Porgy.” The latter is a personal favorite, with a breathtaking cadence that shares the beauty of Billie Holiday’s version, but transmitted from the solitude of a dream. Battle of Clontarf gathers all these scattered parcels of Connors’ work into one fluent LP, released on Recital alongside Connors’ new art book Wildweeds Vol. II in celebration of his 77th birthday in late October.
Nina Wilson, better known as Ninajirachi, is an Australian electronic producer who released her debut album I Love My Computer is a concept record built on her connection with her PC, swiping between genres of EDM, tech-house, speed garage, dubstep, and hyperpop. Wilson builds on the legacy of early-2000s and 2010s Australian electronic artists like PNAU and Flume using technology as a medium, a motif, and a mirror for reflection.
Between remixing Princess Nokia, Deadmau5 & The Neptunes, releasing on Nina Las Vegas’ NLV Records and RL Grime’s Sable Valley, Ninajirachi has performed at Lollapalooza, EDC, Laneway, Listen Out, Splendour, Falls Festival, and more and toured with Mallrat, Charli XCX, Porter Robinson and Cashmere Cat.
Nina Wilson, better known as Ninajirachi, is an Australian electronic producer who released her debut album I Love My Computer is a concept record built on her connection with her PC, swiping between genres of EDM, tech-house, speed garage, dubstep, and hyperpop. Wilson builds on the legacy of early-2000s and 2010s Australian electronic artists like PNAU and Flume using technology as a medium, a motif, and a mirror for reflection.
Between remixing Princess Nokia, Deadmau5 & The Neptunes, releasing on Nina Las Vegas’ NLV Records and RL Grime’s Sable Valley, Ninajirachi has performed at Lollapalooza, EDC, Laneway, Listen Out, Splendour, Falls Festival, and more and toured with Mallrat, Charli XCX, Porter Robinson and Cashmere Cat.
Blue System is the studio project founded by Dieter Bohlen after the break-up of the iconic synth-pop/Eurodisco duo Modern Talking. Bohlen, prolific as he is, took care of composing, writing, producing, mixing, arranging, and of course singing, while hiring session musicians for additional voices and instruments. The project ended up producing 13 albums over a span of about 10 years before being retired in favour of Bohlen's many other projects.
Hello America is the seventh album, released in 1992. It contained 11 new tracks all penned by Bohlen, of which "I Will Survive" and "Romeo & Juliet" were released as singles. The album eventually peaked at #29 on the German Albums chart. Now, after almost 25 years, we're reissuing it on vinyl for the first time.
Hello America is available as a limited edition of 2000 individually numbered copies on blue vinyl and includes an insert with lyrics.
