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Audiophile 180g Vinyl 33RPM LP
All Analogue Mastering by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering!

Pressed at RTI
Impex Treatment packaging featuring a 4-page heavy-stock booklet with rare photos and new historical notes by producer/author/historian Charles L. Granata



"Although Donovan had already captivated listeners with hits like 'Sunshine Superman' (a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit in September of 1966) and 'Mellow Yellow' (#2 on the chart in December of that year), it's The Hurdy Gurdy Man issued in the fall of '68 that became a benchmark of the psychedelic era. The album artfully captured the essence of the moment with its fresh, smart and stylistic approach to songwriting, endearing melange of rock, pop, drone, folk, world and jazz overtones (coupled with deeper psychological undertones, i.e. transcendental consciousness and a yearning for an 'ideal' world).

"Musically, Donovan and producer Mickie Most made liberal use of multiple feels inspired by a wide range of styles, most remarkably the drone: a harmonic effect in which a note or chord is continuously repeated throughout a composition and commonly forms the tonality on which the piece is built. This brought an unusual and memorable quality to many tunes on the album, as did Donovan's whimsical, spiritual-esque vocals. Then, too, both 'The Hurdy Gurdy Man' and its namesake album reflect a tougher rock sound than the singer's earlier recordings."

—Charles S. Granata

Our AAA HQ-180 33.3-rpm LP was mastered from Epic Records' analog master tapes by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, plated and pressed at RTI for flat and silent surfaces and incredible detail. The 4-page insert features a new appreciation by producer, author, and historian Charles S. Granata that puts in context the positive effects of Donovan's clever, innovative writing and performances.

This re-issue of World Machine, Level 42's 1985 breakthrough album, is presented with scrupulous attention to the detail of the original UK first pressings and available in audiophile 180g pink vinyl in celebration of the album's 40th anniversary.

By 1985, Level 42 – bassist and vocalist Mark King, keyboard player/vocalist Mike Lindup, guitarist Boon Gould, drummer/lyricist Phil Gould and studio-only keyboard player Wally Badarou – were on the verge of breaking big - After a string of well-received albums, such as their pioneering jazz-funk 1981 debut or the Ken-Scott produced True Colours, the group decided, rather than work up material through jamming, to sit and write some songs for their forthcoming album.

Producing themselves, with assistance from engineer Julian Mendelsohn, this new approach meant that World Machine was the quantum commercial leap they craved. And most of that was due to the album's towering lead single, the pop-funk of "Something About You". With its expensive video seeing the group styled for the 80s, it set radio alight, becoming a Top 10 hit and charting around the world, importantly in the US. Following up with the tender ballad "Leaving Me Now" and then the bouncy funk of the album's title track as singles, the album's success was guaranteed; it reached No 3 in the UK charts and spent an amazing 72 weeks on the listings.

Coming from a diverse background of equal amounts hip hop and rock, the producer behind the alias of nrl:ndr got into dance music late in his musical career. After playing in kraut-oriented bands like So Many Mammals, parts of that group reformed into the live techno outfit Tren Né, with the goal of fusing techno elements with live drums. Playing for illegal raves with a punk-like energy, nrl:ndr has cemented his relationship with his machines in service of the dance floor.

But his solo debut on blundar is quite far removed from that scene. To understand this music, one should be aware of the conditions under which it was manufactured. Reluctant to consider himself an artist in the traditional sense, nrl:ndr makes his music free of anticipation and without apparent goals. To glean into this outré musical space is like putting one's ear to the boarded up windows of the photograph that adorn the front sleeve.

The album makes extensive use of the Roland JV-2080, a sample-based synth rack from 1996 with a distinctly clean sound. Our producer dives deep into the expansion cards (labeled after genres like “Hip Hop” and “World”) for curious and sometimes cheesy samples. But he also forces the JV-2080 to do things which are not its forte, like the arduous task of programming decent kick drums.

Another technique that is testament to his experimental view on music making, is the idea of using sketches of unfinished tracks with different time signatures, and mash them together into something new - of which the results of one of these experiments can be heard on the closing track and its bilingual conversation between ambient and tribal.

Full of stunted rhythms and eerie melodies, the unclassifiable nature of the music of nrl:ndr lies somewhere in the vicinity of IDM, classical avant garde and private press synth. From the epic opening track - echoing the post-kraut drumming style of Michael Shrieve - to juggling with chopped up vocal samples and treading into almost trap-like territories on A4, he crosses into a multitude of genres without getting his hands too dirty with nostalgia.

The annual Bonkers Music compilation returns, delivering another round of high-energy bangers. This year, the release explores a slightly evolved musical style while staying true to its signature sound. Celebrating its sixth edition, “Year VI” will be available on 12” vinyl, accompanied by a few exciting surprises.

A1. Neskeh’s “106 Cabrel” revolves around a melodic yet hypnotically repetitive lead sequence, crafted to evoke a trance-like state on the dance floor and radiate positive energy. The foundation of big, punchy kicks and a robust bassline gives it a quintessential club vibe.

A percussive break in the middle shifts the mood entirely, paying homage to Goa rhythms and shamanic rituals, immersing listeners in a more primal atmosphere. The drop reignites the momentum, enhanced by the warm tones of the beloved Minilogue, adding an almost epic dimension to the journey.

A2. Berlin’s Mike Sacchetti and Madrid’s David Meyer unite on “Agria Pachanga,” a dance energy piece that pulses with percussive drive and a subtle touch of Latin identity.

Acid-inspired arrangements swirl around classic drum machine sounds. The syncopated rhythms and pumping basslines push the track towards an agitated club atmosphere, building this song into a bold declaration of fiesta.

A3. Two friends from Guadalajara, Mexico, Leonor & Ludviq, now living in different European cities, (Barcelona & Lyon) join forces to bring you Capybara Trance, This electrifying track combines dark, driving energy with intricately sequenced melodies, a hard-hitting chugging bassline, and the unique touch of capybara-inspired sounds. Anchored by a commanding kick drum that sets an unrelenting tempo.

B1. “Nebula” is a deep, atmospheric journey through cosmic sounds and pulsating rhythms. The track blends hypnotic melodies with dark synthetic textures, evoking a sense of drifting through endless galaxies. With a strong groove and intricate arrangements, it delivers energy that fits perfectly in both morning sets and more conceptual playlists. The collaboration between Radial Gaze, Ducati Flux, and Persona RS captures the spirit of exploration, creating a versatile track that can be the highlight of any set

B2. Intruso hailing from Bogota, now based in Barcelona brings “Somos Acido” this track draws inspiration from the early 2000’s House and Trance, capturing the nostalgia and emotional resonance of his first experiences with electronic music as a child. A driving Acid bassline injects dynamic energy, making it perfectly suited for the dance floor.

B3. Argentinian born, Australia based producer Poulper teams up with Mexican maestro Hugo Vallejo to kick off this intergalactic adventure. This track weaves together acid-laced elements and an infectious rhythm, layered with haunting post-dark vocals that narrate the fiery, cosmic tale of love burning in the vast expanse of space. A bold and immersive journey into the unknown, perfect for this stellar compilation.

Cititrax proudly presents the debut LP from Another Body Found here, which is the latest moniker of A// who is well known for his pioneering work as Le Syndicat Electronique. Emerging from the French underground with a dark electro, industrial, minimal synth and wave style, he has a stark and visceral take on raw energy and haunting atmospheres. There are plenty of mechanical, hypnotic beats here with heft bass and hints of dystopian fears. The title track reimagines Bronski Beat's 'Smalltown Boy' and strips it to its emotional core, 'Lost In The Northern Lights' has a cold, urgent sound and 'Murderous Earth' is brilliantly unsettling and melancholic.

Tuskegee returns with serious intent and a fresh club weapon from a recognised statesman of house music, Junior Sanchez. Having written and collaborated with artists including Daft Punk, Armand Van Helden, Todd Terry, and Roger Sanchez, ‘Bitch U Could Neva’ pairs Sanchez with vocalist and songwriter Dave Giles II, riding high himself following link-ups with Honey Dijon, Mike Dunn, and a producer on Beyonce’s anthemic ‘Cozy’.

‘Bitch U Could Neva’ is a powerful, instantaneous trip back into the underground style and attitude shared between both artists, reflecting the vibe of Sanchez’s rise to success in the halcyon days of New York nineties clubbing, alongside Giles II’s own youth in the Chicago creative scene. Living up to the attitude of its title, ‘Bitch U Could Neva’ bumps with peak-time energy, jackhammer drums and chopped-up vocals never undermining its fundamental sensuality, an increasingly rare link between true, authentic dancefloors past and present.

The pair then look to London for a confident, stripped-back take from prestigious record collector and curator GIDEON. The founder of dance music institutions Adonis and Glastonbury’s infamous Block 9 goes deep to find the track’s potential as a minimal, vogue-adjacent house workout, scattered with telephone dial tones and an upfront disclosure; “Bitch, I’m serving.”

Back across the Atlantic, Physical Therapy and Michael Mangan team up under their Fatherhood project to give ‘Bitch U Could Neva’ a seriously bouncy redress, winding tight drums atop a rubbery bassline and paying their own Twilo and Tunnel-era tributes with cut-up vocals and an ecstatic onslaught of rave stabs.

Luke's Anger (real name Luke Sanger) delivers his first outing on Love Love, Ceiling Walker. Sanger is a relentlessly interesting hero of the underground, probably best known as a techno and electro producer and an active player in the live experimental techno scene across Europe, notably including multiple appearances at Berghain/PanoramaBar. Based out of Norwich, UK, Luke has put out a plethora of banging records for two decades in styles from across the rave spectrum on some of our favourite record labels like Tigerbeat6, Don't and Sneaker Social Club, as well as an increasing amount of more ambient-leaning releases under his real name in recent years. Recognised as a true techno stalwart, Luke has received support from the likes of Surgeon, Dave Clarke, The Advent and Jerome Hill.

This EP fits firmly into the 'banging' camp - more than a nod to classic stateside sci-fi electro stylings as well as UK dance music's bleep techno bass foundations, this is popping, caustic, mechanical phunk expertly engineered to make you shake and wiggle. Particle Swarm kicks the EP off with strung-out synth chirps and plenty of latex squelch before moving onto the bounciest number, Threshold Rider, with buoyant bassline droplets poking through a solid 808 framework. On the flipside, title track Ceiling Walker utilises rushing crescendos and fluttering analogue rhythms to keep the dancefloor in rapture while closer, Silicon Boogie, achieves maximum levels of funk by aptly juxtaposing digi vocal snippets against square wave bass.

"HARD POP Vol.2” Vinyl limited edion is the album that contains 6 essential tracks to discover the essence of Hard Pop vol.2 and Deborah, connecng the electronic world with the pop and urban dimension, maintaining the unforge&able energec and sophiscated style of the DJ and producer Deborah De Luca. The album features surprising and unreleased featuring, exclusive remixes – from Geolier to Emma Marrone – and the smashing hit “Messege For My Ex” in the “edit” version. Limited and numbered edion of only 200 units and soon 300 units of the deluxe edion on
vinyl.

Electro music heroes DJ Di'jital, Microthol, Alex Cortex and Luxus Varta step up to the plate for the TRUST XY recombination series, recreating classic tracks from the Austrian label's history in their unique styles. Volume 4 of the series has Detroit veteran DJ Di'jital cut up DJ Glow's 'Whoami' from 2002 in ghetto bass MPC fashion. Vienna electro scientists Microthol remake J/V/N Machine's 'Somewhere Tonight' in one of their rare transmissions. Alex Cortex bares his soul as a pioneering minimalist in stripping down 'Honokida' by /DL/MS/ to its harmonic core, and electro virtuoso Luxus Varta brings out the melancholy funk in Populist's 'Psychometric Profiling'.

Where's Joao Donato? It's a frequently asked question, referring simultaneously to the physical location and the musical moment he inhabits. A sampling of some of his more descriptive song titles suggests Donato's comfort with musical hybrids: "Bluchanga," "Sambolero," and "Sambongo," to name just a few. Lacking a formal genre for his style of music, Donato's is a distinct sound, immediately recognizable from the first few bars of any of his compositions. He was funky back when "funk" was a bad word (listen to either of his 1960s Brazilian LPs, Sambou, Sambou and The New Sound if Brasil, for proof). His compositions are deceptively simple, while his arrangements are harmonically complex, revealing their intricate details upon repeat listening. Today, Donato brings this flavor, now near synonymous with his name, to a new album in the Jazz Is Dead series with Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad: Joao Donato JID007. "Donato is one of the greatest Brazilian composers from that golden era. His signature style, simple melodies combined with colorful chordal progressions, establishes a new lane for Jazz Is Dead," explains Younge. "Joao is one of the most innovative Brazilian jazz composers of the last century. Creating with and learning from this maestro was one of the greatest experiences of my career."

A1 - Planet Genesis

Chronicle makes his Spatial debut in style with Planet Genesis, opening with a beautifully crisp 2-step break over light atmospheric padwork, quickly accompanied by Hot Pants snares and dancing strings. Graceful hi-hats and insanely subtle vocal usage ebb and flow in the mix while soothing melodies enter and depart at will. The breakdown offers an intense change of tone before the breaks resume and continue the journey to a destination unknown.

A2 - Crystal Clear

Very much living up to its title, Crystal Clear sees Chronicle deliver a finely tuned assortment of beats with a remarkable clarity that truly shines in the "old school brand new" sensibilities of throwback atmospheric drum & bass. Snippets of various classic breaks can be heard in the mix with a superb attention to detail, taking you back with a style quite reminiscent of the golden era of late 90's Logical Progression.

B1 - Libra

Airy pads and a rousing yet subtle melody delicately introduce Libra, as Chronicle gradually builds towards a thrilling yet thoughtful amen workout set to blissful atmospherics. With a plethora of exquisite production techniques on show, the track showcases the versatility of Chronicle, offering something new to enjoy on each listen - the layers of detail are truly impressive.

B2 - Higher Limits

Echoing whirs and clicks dance playfully around light pads in the unique DJ-friendly intro to Higher Limits, a detailed, joyful track which celebrates a bygone era with sharp, expertly edited breaks and a smooth 808 bassline to die for. Micro melodies and long waves of delicious synths add texture and depth to the mix, resulting in the perfect closing track to a superbly varied and elegantly produced debut EP.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

One of the UK’s most exciting breakout stars of the past decade, Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem emerged from cult favourite status to mainstream hero following the huge success of her empowering, truth-telling 2021 single ‘I Do This All The Time’. The song resonated intensely as a perfect example of Taylor’s affectionately termed ‘trojan horse’ or ‘salad and chips’ approach, fearlessly packing important, emotive messages into witty, resonant pop music.

Self Esteem’s wildly acclaimed second album Prioritise Pleasure quickly followed, tackling the hypocrisies and joys found in her experiences of modern day womanhood across dating, friendship, comparison culture, self love, women’s safety and sexual assault and much more. Prioritise Pleasure received Mercury Prize, BRIT Award, Sky Arts and NME Award nominations, was crowned The Guardian and Sunday Times Culture’s Album of the Year, and ‘I Do This All The Time’ was also named The Guardian’s #1 song of 2021.

Quite the opposite of an overnight success, Taylor spent a decade as one half of indie duo Slow Club before adopting the pop star persona she’d always dreamed of. She released her first Self Esteem album Compliments Please in 2019, featuring fan favourite singles ‘The Best’, ‘Girl Crush’ and more.

Gathering a passionate and vast legion of fans ever since, Taylor has appeared on The Graham Norton Show, Celebrity Gogglebox, Friday Night Live & Taskmaster, performed three times on Jools Holland including the NYE Hootenanny, graced the covers of magazines from Grazia to NME to Sunday Times Style, and is one of a handful of artists to have been playlisted across BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 Music simultaneously.

Having reached new heights of acclaim, Taylor continued to grow, diversify, and create in 2024. Branching out into the world of acting, Taylor starred in a regular role in the Sky series SMOTHERED before completing a run playing Sally Bowles in the multiple Olivier Award-winning production of 'Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club' in London's West End. Starring alongside Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters) as Emcee, the pair’s time on stage was extended due to popular demand and showcased the sheer range of talent in Taylor’s repertoire. Last year’s releases ‘Big Man’ and ‘Love Second Music First’ followed a collaboration with Becky Hill on her song ‘True Colours’.

Idas viertes Album wurde finanziert von Capitol, in 14 Studios aufgenommen, vom New Yorker Label Tiger Style veröffentlicht und ging im Jahr-2000-Trubel unter. Die 14 Songs von "Will You Find Me" sind ein unermüdliches Kompendium und Ode an Schlaf, Sex, nächtliche Gespräche und andere bettlägerige Aktivitäten. Diese erweiterte Deluxe Edition zum 25-jährigen Jubiläum kommt in der Vinylausgabe mit 34 Outtakes, alternativen Abmischungen, 4-Spur-Demos und Covers aus dem umfangreichen Fundus der Band, die sich thematisch über vier LPs verteilt. Das begleitende 24-seitige Booklet dokumentiert Ida's Major Label Album, das es nie gab, mit atemberaubenden Fotos und einem ausführlichen Essay von Douglas Wolk.

Transparent Cloudy Clear "This Water" Vinyl. Idas viertes Album wurde finanziert von Capitol, in 14 Studios aufgenommen, vom New Yorker Label Tiger Style veröffentlicht und ging im Jahr-2000-Trubel unter. Die 14 Songs von "Will You Find Me" sind ein unermüdliches Kompendium und Ode an Schlaf, Sex, nächtliche Gespräche und andere bettlägerige Aktivitäten. Diese erweiterte Deluxe Edition zum 25-jährigen Jubiläum kommt in der Vinylausgabe mit 34 Outtakes, alternativen Abmischungen, 4-Spur-Demos und Covers aus dem umfangreichen Fundus der Band, die sich thematisch über vier LPs verteilt. Das begleitende 24-seitige Booklet dokumentiert Ida's Major Label Album, das es nie gab, mit atemberaubenden Fotos und einem ausführlichen Essay von Douglas Wolk.

Deadache, released in 2008, is the fourth studio album by Finnish hard rock band Lordi. Known for their theatrical personas and horror-inspired themes, Lordi delves deeper into darker and more sinister territory with this release. The album features standout tracks like "Bite It Like a Bulldog" and "Deadache" showcasing a mix of heavy riffs, haunting melodies, and anthemic choruses. Produced by Nino Laurenne, Deadache explores a more mature sound while maintaining the band’s signature blend of hard rock and heavy metal. The album’s lyrical themes and atmospheric production bring an eerie and cinematic quality, enhancing Lordi’s monstrous aesthetic. Deadache solidified Lordi's reputation as pioneers of theatrical rock and expanded their fan base internationally. For fans of hard rock with a horror twist, Deadache is an essential listen, reflecting Lordi’s creative evolution and unmistakable style. Deadache is available as a limited edition of 666 individually numbered copies on translucent blue & white marbled vinyl.

Get Heavy, released in 2002, is the debut album by Finnish hard rock and heavy metal band Lordi. Known for their theatrical personas and monstrous costumes, Lordi burst onto the scene with this high-energy, anthem-packed release. The album features fan favorites like "Would You Love a Monsterman?" and "Devil Is a Loser," blending catchy melodies, heavy guitar riffs, and powerful vocals from lead singer Mr. Lordi.

Produced by T.T. Oksala, Get Heavy showcases the band’s ability to combine hard rock with a horror-inspired aesthetic, making it a standout debut that immediately captured attention. The album’s infectious energy and memorable hooks laid the foundation for Lordi’s unique style, setting them apart in the heavy metal scene. For fans of theatrical rock and unforgettable anthems, Get Heavy remains a must-listen and an essential part of Lordi’s legacy. Get Heavy is available as a limited edition of 666 individually numbered copies on black & white marbled vinyl.

Hermon Mehari and Tony Tixier first met in 2010, in their early twenties, in a club on Paris's Rue des Lombards for a concert with saxophonist Rodolphe Lauretta. Over the next decade, the two musicians took opposite paths, while continuing to collaborate on two continents. The American trumpeter moved to France to discover European culture and the world cultures that coexist there, while the Parisian pianist of Martinican origin spent several years in the USA, immersing himself in the roots of jazz and Afro-American music.



In June 2024, the two musicians, who had been working for fifteen years on numerous albums and collaborations, and whose musical understanding had continued to be forged in clubs, festivals, and on recordings, met again for a duet at the TOC-TOC festival in the Puisaye region, where Antoine Rajon was a collaborator. Enthusiastic about the idea, the artistic director of the KOMOS label invited them back to his home in this corner of Burgundy to record this Fender Rhodes/trumpet formula. He called on sound engineer Christian Hierro, who traveled with his mobile studio for the album recording, then mixed and produced the master in his studio in Lyon, using the best analog equipment and his expert ear.



At dusk on November 12, 2024, the duo played eight tracks in a single, direct take on a 33-minute magnetic tape.



Four unusual cover versions were carefully chosen. "Maimoun" is a composition emblematic of pianist Stanley Cowell's style, also recorded by Marion Brown. George Duke's "The Black Messiah" was captured live by Cannonball Adderley's band on an album of the same name but has never been released as a studio version. "Hello To The Wind" was created by Bobby Hutcherson in 1969, sung by Eugene McDaniels. Finally, "Laini," dedicated by the great Martinican pianist Marius Cultier to one of his daughters, is a mazurka dear to Tony's heart.



Each of the musicians also contributed a composition: Hermon with "This Is Our Fantasy," written especially for the session, and Tony with "Poem For The Oppressed," a moving composition with an explicit title. Lastly, the duo improvised two tracks, without repetition, in mutual symbiosis and echo.

SOUL SONG captures a moment without enhancement, transformation, or additives, far removed from contemporary virtual technologies.

As bassist for dance-punk outfit The Rapture, Mattie Safer cut his teeth in the music scene alongside a wave of now-legendary early 2000s NYC acts like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, LCD Soundsystem and more (a time period recently immortalized in the documentary film ‘Meet Me In The Bathroom.’) Fast-forward nearly 2 decades and Mattie has found the sweeter side of dance music as the current lead vocalist for slo-mo kings Poolside, and now he presents his 2nd solo lovetempo project on Razor-N-Tape.

Championed heavily by Gilles Peterson, lovetempo’s modern soul classic 'But I Do' gets a vinyl release with a trio of remixes. Crackazat delivers in his signature style, weav-ing the organic elements and earworm vocals of the original into a deep and jazzy mix. Lon-doner Daisybelle bumps the BPMs up a few notches and adds pulsing synths to her take, and Brazilian duo From House To Disco turn in a dubby club remix to round out the record.

Jan Akkerman (b. 1946) stands apart as a singular figure in the realm of rock and beyond. A Dutch guitarist of unparalleled versatility, he earned international acclaim in 1973 when he topped the prestigious Melody Maker readers’ poll, surpassing icons like Eric Clapton (2nd), Jimmy Page (5th), and Carlos Santana (10th). His fame, however, has never defined his artistry. For Akkerman, it’s always been about the music—any genre, as long as it resonates. He’s a lifelong improviser who approaches each performance as a new adventure. Akkerman first rose to prominence with Focus, a band that embodied the grandiose instrumental rock spirit of the 1970s. Long compositions, dazzling technique, and adventurous arrangements made them a cornerstone of progressive rock. Despite the accolades, Akkerman remained true to his calling. When asked about his success, he has always brushed it aside, preferring to let his guitar do the talking. Side 1 of this record captures Akkerman’s stunning performance on July 10, 2011, at the Nile Hall in Rotterdam. Here, he showcases his ability to take listeners on a sonic journey. The mellow “Tranquilizer” offers a relaxed groove, followed by the heartfelt ballad “You Do Something to Me,” unfolding emotion without words. In “Piétons”—a gospel-tinged blues—trumpeter Eric Vloeimans delivers a fiery solo before the leader propels the piece into uncharted territory. Side 2 brings us back to an earlier moment, recorded in July 2005 at the Paul Acket Paviljoen in The Hague. “Streetwalker” delivers a funk-driven explosion featuring alto saxophonist Benjamin Herman, while “The Zebrah” sends Vloeimans soaring into the musical stratosphere, only to have Akkerman reignite the piece with blistering guitar lines, his band driving forward like a well-tuned Mercedes on an open highway. Akkerman’s live performances are as unpredictable as they are electrifying. Whether sharing the stage with legends or newcomers, his spontaneous creativity makes every concert unique—a master class in musical freedom. Jan Akkerman remains a touchstone for guitarists and fans alike, an authentic improviser whose name still elicits one universal response from any seasoned Dutch rock enthusiast: “He’s the best guitarist in the world.” The North Sea Jazz Concert Series includes officially licensed releases that will be released as standard on 180-gram white vinyl in a sleeve of heavy paper and printed on reversed board. The records are captured in mainly black-and-white artwork by Hans Pol in his signature style of the festival with inspiration from the covers of classic older jazz releases from the Blue Note label, for example. The liner notes are written by journalist and jazz expert Jeroen de Valk. For all recordings it’s a first time ever release on vinyl!

Beverly Kills reinvent themselves on their second studio album Wishing Well. Bursting with energetic indie rock, soaring anthemic guitars, and a touch of British post-punk revival, it captures the bands' entire discography with nuance and edge. The album blends KEXP-style indie pop with poetic storytelling, capturing moments of heartbreak, euphoria, and the bittersweet ache of Swedish angst. A must-hear for fans of the raw, the cathartic and the painfully real.

All Bad, the latest album from Nick Shoulders, ultimately encapsulates everything that makes Shoulders’ inimitable form of country music so vital: a heady balance of dazzling musicianship and punk defiance, coupled with gritty eccentricity and a generational connection to the roots of the genre. With a singing style inherited from his family’s vocal lineage, Nick’s songs achieve the rare feat of imparting difficult truths while inciting a certain joyful abandon, balancing a sound forged by years of hard travel with a heartfelt reverence for the origins of country music. In the spirit of Hazel Dickens and Jimmy Driftwood, the incisive yet wildly jubilant All Bad vocally objects to the reckless destruction of the natural landscape and development run rampant, while still offering plenty of joy and dance-ready rhythms. Spanning a variety of early country styles, the album’s infectious harmonies shine alongside everything from jangling cajun waltzes to surf-rock infused bluesy ballads–all tied together by a voice seemingly out of place in this century, yet ever ready to speak up about its problems.

Released via Gar Hole Records (a label founded and co-owned by Shoulders), All Bad marks the first LP made with his longtime band, the Okay Crawdad, since 2019’s premier full-length Okay, Crawdad and their subsequent pandemic-imposed hiatus. After writing most of the album from the front seat of a tour van, the Fayetteville, AR-based musician and bandmates Grant D’Aubin (harmonies/bass), Cheech Moosekian (drums) and Jack Studer (lead guitar) recorded the album in a home studio on the banks of the mississippi river with New Orleans collaborators Ross Farbe and Sam Doores.

CITY 101 is a double dancer’s delight. The Cheques infectious ‘In The Groove’ comes with instructions over a pulsating organ-lead track. That singing Louisianian organist, Tony Nardi, would go on to form Salt & Pepper in Thailand where he recorded the funky ‘Man Of My Word’. This very 60s-style mover has crossed over from the mod scene to northern soul dancefloors and beyond.

‘Arabian Jerk’ by the Merits was a Goldwax production out of Memphis. It is a mod meets exotica gem; perfect for the belly-dancer in your life. Both of these tracks were issued at the time but now fetch very high prices – if ever available.

Trumpeter, santur player, vocalist, and composer Amir ElSaffar joins electronics performer and composer Lorenzo Bianchi-Hoesch in a new project exploring electro-acoustic spaces, maqam, microtonal harmonies, and improvised and composed structures in a modular musical composition that accommodates a variety of musical styles across genres. Together, they create an immersive sound that transcends notions of form, musical language, electronic, and acoustic categories in music. This new work will be a modular composition combining pre-determined structural elements with freely improvised sections, played live by ElSaffar and Bianchi-Hoesch. The work will explore electro-acoustic spaces in a microtonal environment that embraces the sonic spectra of multiple musical languages. Bianchi-Hoesch and ElSaffar are interested in creating a transcultural collaboration combining jazz, contemporary classical music, maqam, raga, and other musical backgrounds, inclusive of all the richness, complexity, and idiomatic expression, without compromising or oversimplifying in order to be compatible with others. They are in search of boundary-less spaces in music.

This 45 comprises two killer pop dancers with plenty of psych fuzz guitars, punchy horns and funky beats: the in-demand Christie Laume's mod anthem 'Rouge-Rouge' and Marta Kubisova's 'Tak Dej Se K Nám A Projdem Sv?t' a glorious LP-only song that has never available on a 45 before. Sister-in-law of Edith Piaf (who introduced her to the music business), Christie Laume became a ye-ye style singer in '60s France. Her mod anthem 'Rouge, Rouge' (1967) is a great song that never fails in making the dance floor shake, taken from a very rare and in-demand E.P. On the flipside we can find Marta Kubisová, one of the most popular singers in the Czech Republic in the '60s. Her 'Tak Dej Se K Nám A Projdem Sv?t' is a glorious LP-only song from 1969 that has never available on a 45 before. Expect heavy basslines, punchy horns and fuzzy guitars. Both songs are officially reissued here on a 45 for the first time.

Co-directed with Maxime Daoud (Ojard), this 7th opus was written and composed with passion and recorded with an outstanding team of musicians. The message of Barbara Carlotti's new album is direct and essential: "Cherish your future!" It is an invitation to welcome the unknown, to view our destinies with tenderness, to strive toward the future while taking care of our style, to counter life's setbacks, to chase the green ray, and to reinvent love. The goal is to liberate expression, heal the wounds of the past, articulate desire with elegance and humor, and let ourselves be moved by fleeting yet eternal joys, the sight of the ocean, or the infinite beauty of a singing voice that fills us with hope and strength in an outpouring of freedom.

In a decidedly experimental approach, Brain Damage and Emiko Ota unveil a new vision of dub, reinventing the unexpected. While the sound treatment techniques inherent to the genre remain-evolving mixes, echoes, reverbs, and bass frequencies that are almost palpable-the Anglo-Jamaican roots of the style have indeed been replaced, re-conceptualized, recomposed, and rewritten. The duo seems to engage in a musical dialogue using a novel language, tinged with Japanese spoken word, creating moments of rare intensity, as unpredictable as they are hypnotic. By allowing for controlled improvisation, Brain Damage and Emiko Ota recreate the tracks of their latest album at each performance, oscillating between introspection and exaltation. With post-dub as the pretext, they once again explore, captivate, and surprise. For fans of: Massive Attack, Björk, Lee Scratch Perry... POST-DUB. With 16 soon 17 albums and nearly 900 concerts since 1999, French dub pioneer Brain Damage collaborates with artists like Horace Andy, Big Youth, Groundation and more recently with Mad Professor and Emiko Ota. Alongside his many productions showcasing his incredible vitality and unbridled creativity, the intensity of his live performances has earned him a strong international reputation.

One of the UK’s most exciting breakout stars of the past decade, Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem emerged from cult favourite status to mainstream hero following the huge success of her empowering, truth-telling 2021 single ‘I Do This All The Time’. The song resonated intensely as a perfect example of Taylor’s affectionately termed ‘trojan horse’ or ‘salad and chips’ approach, fearlessly packing important, emotive messages into witty, resonant pop music.

Self Esteem’s wildly acclaimed second album Prioritise Pleasure quickly followed, tackling the hypocrisies and joys found in her experiences of modern day womanhood across dating, friendship, comparison culture, self love, women’s safety and sexual assault and much more. Prioritise Pleasure received Mercury Prize, BRIT Award, Sky Arts and NME Award nominations, was crowned The Guardian and Sunday Times Culture’s Album of the Year, and ‘I Do This All The Time’ was also named The Guardian’s #1 song of 2021.

Quite the opposite of an overnight success, Taylor spent a decade as one half of indie duo Slow Club before adopting the pop star persona she’d always dreamed of. She released her first Self Esteem album Compliments Please in 2019, featuring fan favourite singles ‘The Best’, ‘Girl Crush’ and more.

Gathering a passionate and vast legion of fans ever since, Taylor has appeared on The Graham Norton Show, Celebrity Gogglebox, Friday Night Live & Taskmaster, performed three times on Jools Holland including the NYE Hootenanny, graced the covers of magazines from Grazia to NME to Sunday Times Style, and is one of a handful of artists to have been playlisted across BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 Music simultaneously.

Having reached new heights of acclaim, Taylor continued to grow, diversify, and create in 2024. Branching out into the world of acting, Taylor starred in a regular role in the Sky series SMOTHERED before completing a run playing Sally Bowles in the multiple Olivier Award-winning production of 'Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club' in London's West End. Starring alongside Jake Shears (Scissor Sisters) as Emcee, the pair’s time on stage was extended due to popular demand and showcased the sheer range of talent in Taylor’s repertoire. Last year’s releases ‘Big Man’ and ‘Love Second Music First’ followed a collaboration with Becky Hill on her song ‘True Colours’.

Heidi Montag first came to prominence as a reality television personality on MTV’s “The Hills,” but the multifaceted entertainer has always credited music as her first love. Her debut album, Superficial, on which Montag worked with notable talents including L.P., Cathy Dennis, Stacy Barthe, Steve Morales, and Dave Pensado, has become a cult classic. A remix of “More Is More,” produced by Dave Audé, peaked at number 27 on Billboard’s dance charts. Montag’s one and only public performance of “Body Language” — at the 2009 Miss Universe pageant — was watched by a billion people worldwide. Hailed as “ahead of its time,” Superficial’s initial release faltered due to both promotional issues and Montag’s status as a reality star. The album has since gained praise for its pure pop sounds, which were influenced by Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, as well as for its message of empowerment. In 2018, Life&Style pronounced the album “criminally underrated.” In 2023, the Superficial track “I’ll Do It” became one of the top trending sounds on TikTok, garnering more than a billion streams and poising Montag for a musical comeback. Her most recent re-releases of the tracks “Bad Boy” and “Touch Me” have been celebrated by fans, who all have one question: “What’s next?” First time on CD and Vinyl and now in-stores!

BEATALISTICS, the soulful South-German Drum & Bass label, run by Enea and MC Fava, is celebrating its 100th release. ONEHUNDRED reflects on almost one and a half decades of label back catalogue with a 29 tunes strong 'best of' various artists digital compilation. Included are also 6 brand new tunes which are packed on a vinyl sampler In addition. Featured is orchestral DnB pioneer KEENO who puts his magic hands of 'Sarah', taken off FAVA's Destiny EP with Smote & Becca Jane Grey and rounds up the meaningful song with his cinematic trademark sound . FAVA also adds some decent chants to COMMAND STRANGE'S 'Kindness Flow, a positive and uplifting liquid roller that is going to make your soul smile for sure. Long time label friend PAUL SG, head honcho of the brilliant soul driven Austrian imprint Jazzsticks delivers one of his signature amen break soul-rollers with 'Pale White Boy'. Label boss ENEA can't be missed on here and literally delivers the 'Heat' with his contribution. Beatalistics sticks to the label philosophy and supports local talents and important label representatives DAVA and MOJOMAN.'Pictures' delivers dancefloor vibes with a deep bassline and strong vocal arrangement and proves that Dava is one to watch out for in the near future. MOJOMAN maintains a desire to dance with the hypnotizing 'Pillers of Nah', following his unmistakably melodic and hymnal style.

Samurai Music returns to the evocative sound world of Ancestral Voices for an album that splits the difference between cinematic sound design and deadly restraint at 170 BPM. Nemeton continues Liam Blackburn's exploration of ancient Celtic mysticism through snaking rhythms and snarling sound design, conjuring a high-definition sonic image of sacred groves and the druids practicing amongst them.

Blackburn's Ancestral Voices project tracks back to 2015, when he debuted on Samurai Horo with the Night Of Visions album. In stark contrast to his celebrated 140 work as Indigo, this project leaned on the inspiration of pagan spirituality to charge his vivid, advanced production style with a rich and mysterious atmosphere. While he's channelled this approach into a variety of tempos and styles, on his 2016 EP Old Earth Voodoo on Samurai Music he applied the concept to a drum & bass framework, which he returns to on Nemeton with rigorous focus.

Far from a straightforward collection of breakbeat tracks, Blackburn uses negative space and pointillist production to carve out an immersive, tense sound world around the 170 grid. He takes a widescreen approach to percussion, running from pin-prick synthesised one-shots to tumbling, organic drums you'd more readily associate with a Hans Zimmer score. Scene-building is the foremost mission across Nemeton, casting otherworldly forces in sweeps of low-end friction and dramatic melodic blooms amidst tangible real-world field recordings of flora and fauna.

Casting the mind back some 2000 years is an exercise in imagination as much as research, and Blackburn ably summons dark fantasy as he delves ever deeper into Welsh mythology with a studious zeal and avid fascination. It's that drive that makes Nemeton burst forth and take shape so powerfully, bristling with kinetic energy and a barely-concealed, strangely seductive menace that leaves a lasting impression long after the last snatch of bass has bared its teeth.

A1 - Tidal Realm

Opening with the kind of finely-honed, sumptuous ambience we know and love Aural Imbalance for, Tidal Realm slowly reveals its welcoming arc with filtered breakbeats and a captivating off-beat string melody before analogue amen breaks are expertly chopped and sliced at will for our listening pleasure. Further melodic charm is added as the soothing ambient backdrops rise like a calming mist, blanketing the scene in style.

A2 - Tears Of An Angel

Subdued breaks sleepily laze during the intro to Tears Of An Angel, gently roused to movement by a sombre backdrop of delicate pads and high pitched ambient textures. Once in full swing, the old-school breakbeats nestle perfectly over a deep, earthy 808 bassline while the atmosphere develops continually through a melodic, ethereal landscape crafted with a trademark understated panache.

B1 - Surface Area

Readying for the unexpected, a suitably eerie ambient intro to Surface Area sees Aural Imbalance flex his versatility once more as a stunningly crafted break pattern suddenly takes center stage and immediately whisks the listener on a journey to lands afar. Micro melodies and inimitable pads add depth but make no mistake - these breaks are sublime, and will inspire both the listener and the dancefloor in equal measure.

B2 - Warm Embrace

Closing out the EP we have Warm Embrace, which opens with the sounds of playful fireflies in the twilight, emitting their soft glow through the washes of inexplicably radiant FX. Old school breaks soon enter the mix, constructed with aplomb over a bed of deep, classic 808 bass perfect for the occasion. The breakdown introduces a deliciously delicate melody, adding further depth to the track perfectly before the breaks and nightlife resume their frolics.

Words by Chris Hayes (Spatial / Red Mist)

Minimal and vital
french hardcore style
Dancefloor friendly
c'est pour la vie !

A second appearance of Tammo Hesselink on the Mantis series. Fusing the spatial effects treatments of dub with the metallic clang of industrial percussion and the stark negative space of minimal, Tammo Hesselink's sonic practice continues to create compelling, complex forms. His exacting style toys with atmospheric processing and mechanised motifs in place of traditional melodic elements, unearthing nuanced expression from timbre and rhythm while delivering firm structures for advanced soundsystem immersion.

Klasse Wrecks is happy to welcome a young new producer to its ranks, hailing from the magical city of Sheffield in the North of the UK Kwake is fresh on the scene with a debut EP brimming with style and function. The 'Nucleus' EP is a well curated selection of 303 and breakbeat sprinkled dance tracks, powerful enough to move the feet but with enough consideration to inspire the mind.

B-Real of Cypress Hill and Psycho Les of The Beatnuts have joined forces for REAL PSYCHO,

a 14-track album that merges their iconic styles into a bold bicoastal fusion. B-Real, known for West Coast classics like "Insane in the Brain,"

blends his Latino-influenced rap with Psycho Les’s hard-hitting production, shaped in Queens on tracks like "Watch Out Now."

The album features guest appearances from Bay Area legend Too Short, Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter,

Demrick, and Son Doobie. Singles like "You Might Know Us" and "Lyrical Hammers"—

the latter enhanced by Carpenter’s gritty guitar riffs—offer a preview of the album’s genre-defying sound.

For vinyl collectors, REAL PSYCHO is available in four editions, including black and yellow 1LP versions

and two deluxe 2LP editions in black and limited silver marble vinyl, featuring a gatefold cover and instrumental tracks.

This collaboration celebrates hip-hop’s ability to bridge coasts, eras, and styles, delivering an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

B-Real of Cypress Hill and Psycho Les of The Beatnuts have joined forces for REAL PSYCHO,

a 14-track album that merges their iconic styles into a bold bicoastal fusion. B-Real, known for West Coast classics like "Insane in the Brain,"

blends his Latino-influenced rap with Psycho Les’s hard-hitting production, shaped in Queens on tracks like "Watch Out Now."

The album features guest appearances from Bay Area legend Too Short, Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter,

Demrick, and Son Doobie. Singles like "You Might Know Us" and "Lyrical Hammers"—

the latter enhanced by Carpenter’s gritty guitar riffs—offer a preview of the album’s genre-defying sound.

For vinyl collectors, REAL PSYCHO is available in four editions, including black and yellow 1LP versions

and two deluxe 2LP editions in black and limited silver marble vinyl, featuring a gatefold cover and instrumental tracks.

This collaboration celebrates hip-hop’s ability to bridge coasts, eras, and styles, delivering an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

B-Real of Cypress Hill and Psycho Les of The Beatnuts have joined forces for REAL PSYCHO,

a 14-track album that merges their iconic styles into a bold bicoastal fusion. B-Real, known for West Coast classics like "Insane in the Brain,"

blends his Latino-influenced rap with Psycho Les’s hard-hitting production, shaped in Queens on tracks like "Watch Out Now."

The album features guest appearances from Bay Area legend Too Short, Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter,

Demrick, and Son Doobie. Singles like "You Might Know Us" and "Lyrical Hammers"—

the latter enhanced by Carpenter’s gritty guitar riffs—offer a preview of the album’s genre-defying sound.

For vinyl collectors, REAL PSYCHO is available in four editions, including black and yellow 1LP versions

and two deluxe 2LP editions in black and limited silver marble vinyl, featuring a gatefold cover and instrumental tracks.

This collaboration celebrates hip-hop’s ability to bridge coasts, eras, and styles, delivering an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

B-Real of Cypress Hill and Psycho Les of The Beatnuts have joined forces for REAL PSYCHO,

a 14-track album that merges their iconic styles into a bold bicoastal fusion. B-Real, known for West Coast classics like "Insane in the Brain,"

blends his Latino-influenced rap with Psycho Les’s hard-hitting production, shaped in Queens on tracks like "Watch Out Now."

The album features guest appearances from Bay Area legend Too Short, Deftones guitarist Stephen Carpenter,

Demrick, and Son Doobie. Singles like "You Might Know Us" and "Lyrical Hammers"—

the latter enhanced by Carpenter’s gritty guitar riffs—offer a preview of the album’s genre-defying sound.

For vinyl collectors, REAL PSYCHO is available in four editions, including black and yellow 1LP versions

and two deluxe 2LP editions in black and limited silver marble vinyl, featuring a gatefold cover and instrumental tracks.

This collaboration celebrates hip-hop’s ability to bridge coasts, eras, and styles, delivering an album that feels both nostalgic and fresh.