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Bevor Saturday Night Fever einschlug, gab es bereits Underground-Disco. DJs in ganz Amerika zogen los und fanden die passende Musik, Tänzer gingen raus und fanden die Clubs. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt, in den frühen Siebzigern, war die Disco noch der Veranstaltungsort und keine Musikrichtung. Der Sampler 'Tribal Rites Of The New Saturday Night' ist der Soundtrack zur Story in der Disco begann und eine Hommage an die Underground-Clubs von Brooklyn und Queens. Saint Etienne's Bob Stanley hat diese Sammlung wieder zusammengestellt und dabei das recherchiert, was in den Jahren 1974 und 1975 tatsächlich in den Clubs von Brooklyn gespielt wurde. 'Supernatural Thing Part 1' von Ben E. King oder 'Wake Up Everybody' von Harold Melvin waren kosmisch großartig und beide sind hier enthalten, neben Underground-Favoriten wie 'Helplessly' von Moment Of Truth oder Ivano Fossatis unglaubliches 'Night Of The Wolf' hat Fans in nördlichen Soul-, Disco- und Prog-Kreisen. 'Tribal Rites Of The New Saturday Night' malt eine Szene in voller Blüte. Dieses Album ist der Sound von Disco, bevor er von der Öffentlichkeit als Disco wahrgenommen wurde.

SOMNURI hält sich nicht an der Oberfläche fest. Der Heavy Metal der Band stapft von Genre zu Genre mit der Inbrunst und dem Selbstvertrauen einer Band, die bereit ist, die Schwellen zu allem Wahrnehmbaren und Möglichen zu überschreiten. Die Band, bestehend aus Lead-Gitarrist und Sänger Justin Sherrell, Schlagzeuger Phil SanGiancomo und Bassist Mike G, hat sich die Aufmerksamkeit von Magazinen wie Revolver Magazine, BrooklynVegan, MetalSucks, MetalHammer und anderen verdient und ihr neuestes Werk ist ein wahrer Beweis für die unersättliche Arbeitsmoral der Band, die sie als einen der aufregendsten aufstrebenden Acts des Heavy Metal zementiert.

Aufgenommen in den Gojira Silver Cord Studios, abgemischt von Justin Mantooth in den Westend Studios und gemastert von Brad Boatright bei Audiosiege Mastering, bewegt sich die Band auf „Desiderium“ nahtlos durch eine Vielzahl von Tempi und Klängen und gibt einigen ausgetretenen Pfaden neue Wege vor. Songs wie „Paramnesia“ kommen wie eine schlammige Abrissbirne daher und erinnern in ihren stärksten Momenten an Eyehategod und Crowbar. Anstelle von Moshparts zieht sich die Band zurück und lässt Sherrell ein paar cleane Vocals einstreuen, bevor sie wieder voll angreift. Sherrells Stimme ist wahnsinnig vielseitig und kann sowohl gefühlvolle cleane Vocals als auch grimmige Schreie liefern. Sie ist der perfekte Kontrast zu den Instrumenten der Band, die ein Band zwischen Sludge, Grunge, Psych-Rock und mehr weben.

The 1974 debut album Ojinga’s Own and single Basa Bongo/Black Pepper by Guyanese Afro-Folk band The Yoruba Singers has been remastered for vinyl and digital.
The Yoruba Singers formed in Georgetown, Guyana in 1971. Despite their name they were not from Nigeria, but identified strongly with the area from which so many of the African diaspora in Guyana and neighbouring regions were originally descended.

The group started adapting Guyanese traditional folk music as well as writing their own - blending a mixture of protest, social commentary, blues, and genres inspired by the times. Beginning with about 12 people sharing vocal duties, most of the early repertoire was inspired
by folk songs that started life on plantations or in religious settings accompanied by a few sparse musical instruments.


Integral to the Yoruba Singers’ sound are echoes of Obeah traditions which are very closely related to the Santería religion of Cuba and the Orisha and Shango traditions of Trinidad and Tobago. Calypso and steel band culture from nearby Trinidad and Tobago was to some extent part of the musical DNA of the group, but they were naturally also influenced by the massive volume of rocksteady and roots-reggae coming from Jamaica.

Dröhnender norwegischer Prog-Rock als Soundtrack der Hingabe an ein queeres Schwarzes Selbstbewusstsein, das keine Schonung mit sich selbst kennt! 2021 wurde Ring van Möbius vom Performer und Choreografen Harald Beharie gebeten, die Musik für seinen nächsten Soloauftritt zu schreiben.
Das Projekt wurde bald für den Preis der norwegischen Kritikervereinigung 2022 nominiert. Es entstanden aus einem gemeinsamen musikalischen Ausgangsmaterial drei ähnliche, aber unterschiedliche Werke. Erstens die Demoaufnahmen, zweitens das musikalische Ergebnis dieser Auftragsarbeit und drittens genau dieses Album. Dies ist die vollständig entwickelte Ring van Möbius-Version 'Commissioned Works Pt. II: Six Drops Of Poison'. Das norwegische Trio liefert dabei wieder eine progressive Perle, die auch 1971 hätte erscheinen können, natürlich mit Mitteln wie der rohen Kraft der Hammond-Orgel, Fender Rhodes, Schlagzeug und E-Bass-Gitarre. Ein sehr unterhaltsames, nostalgisches Vergnügen für Fans von Van der Graaf Generator, King Crimson oder Camel. Neben der CD gibt es eine Black Vinyl-Version sowie die streng limitierten Farben White und Tranparent Magenta.
Weitere Formate

Dröhnender norwegischer Prog-Rock als Soundtrack der Hingabe an ein queeres Schwarzes Selbstbewusstsein, das keine Schonung mit sich selbst kennt! 2021 wurde Ring van Möbius vom Performer und Choreografen Harald Beharie gebeten, die Musik für seinen nächsten Soloauftritt zu schreiben.
Das Projekt wurde bald für den Preis der norwegischen Kritikervereinigung 2022 nominiert. Es entstanden aus einem gemeinsamen musikalischen Ausgangsmaterial drei ähnliche, aber unterschiedliche Werke. Erstens die Demoaufnahmen, zweitens das musikalische Ergebnis dieser Auftragsarbeit und drittens genau dieses Album. Dies ist die vollständig entwickelte Ring van Möbius-Version 'Commissioned Works Pt. II: Six Drops Of Poison'. Das norwegische Trio liefert dabei wieder eine progressive Perle, die auch 1971 hätte erscheinen können, natürlich mit Mitteln wie der rohen Kraft der Hammond-Orgel, Fender Rhodes, Schlagzeug und E-Bass-Gitarre. Ein sehr unterhaltsames, nostalgisches Vergnügen für Fans von Van der Graaf Generator, King Crimson oder Camel. Neben der CD gibt es eine Black Vinyl-Version sowie die streng limitierten Farben White und Tranparent Magenta.
Weitere Formate

Dröhnender norwegischer Prog-Rock als Soundtrack der Hingabe an ein queeres Schwarzes Selbstbewusstsein, das keine Schonung mit sich selbst kennt! 2021 wurde Ring van Möbius vom Performer und Choreografen Harald Beharie gebeten, die Musik für seinen nächsten Soloauftritt zu schreiben.
Das Projekt wurde bald für den Preis der norwegischen Kritikervereinigung 2022 nominiert. Es entstanden aus einem gemeinsamen musikalischen Ausgangsmaterial drei ähnliche, aber unterschiedliche Werke. Erstens die Demoaufnahmen, zweitens das musikalische Ergebnis dieser Auftragsarbeit und drittens genau dieses Album. Dies ist die vollständig entwickelte Ring van Möbius-Version 'Commissioned Works Pt. II: Six Drops Of Poison'. Das norwegische Trio liefert dabei wieder eine progressive Perle, die auch 1971 hätte erscheinen können, natürlich mit Mitteln wie der rohen Kraft der Hammond-Orgel, Fender Rhodes, Schlagzeug und E-Bass-Gitarre. Ein sehr unterhaltsames, nostalgisches Vergnügen für Fans von Van der Graaf Generator, King Crimson oder Camel. Neben der CD gibt es eine Black Vinyl-Version sowie die streng limitierten Farben White und Tranparent Magenta.
Weitere Formate

Indonesian City Sound: Panbers’ Psychedelic Rock and Funk 1971-1974

The Pandjaitan Brothers or Panbers came from the North Sumatra minority Christian group, the Bataks, whose ancestry traces back to an island at the center of Lake Toba. As a minority group within Indonesia's Muslim-dominated society, this ethnic minority has produced top military generals, celebrity lawyers, and a legion of pop and rock superstars.

Suffice to say, some of the biggest names in the country's pop history were Bataks. Panbers fit the bill perfectly.

The band's strong Christianity belief looms heavily in the music they produce. The prominent use of the Hammond organ in their early materials is evocative of church music the band members have been around in their whole life. Bandleader Benny Pandjaitan's fills his characteristic wail with existential dread, with many utterances of the word "mengapa" (why).

Guilt is another central theme Pandjaitan repeatedly comes back to in his lyrics. But they balance it with joy, on songs such as "Come on You Dance" "Let's Dance Together" or "Haai" (a play on the word high), where references to recreational substances are plentiful.

Although they modeled themselves after the era's rock bands Beatles and fellow countrymen Koes Plus, Panbers had a unique aversion to the electric guitar. In "Jakarta City Sound," a fiery three-note guitar solo is laid so far down in the mix that they are barely audible. In "Haai" they modify the guitar to sound like a jungle instrument playing traditional North Sumatran music. In "Rock and the Sea," arguably their most well-known song globally, they decided to ditch electric guitar altogether and replace it with a sitar.

In the absence of an electric guitar, Panbers had to rely on Doan's inventive bass playing and Asido's drum works to do the heavy lifting - and boy, do they deliver (Their 1971 debut "Volume 1" saw plenty of drum breaks). In this compilation, listeners will hear recordings from Panbers' fertile four-year period - a time that produced in some of the grooviest and hardest-sounding psychedelic music in Indonesia's rock history.

For those uninitiated on the glory Panbers, consider this compilation an introduction to some of earliest and heaviest rock sound to come out of Indonesia.

Dennis White, Charlie May, and Dave Gardner return with their second outing as Quiet Places on A Strangely Isolated Place, expanding upon their deep and suitably hypnotic long-form compositions across four continuous sides of wax.

Minimal in context and retaining the untitled track approach, the trio of producers, well versed in a variety of music styles between them, leave the music and the subliminal messages contained within as the descriptor.

Finding moments of melody amongst the wide landscape of abstract sounds and samples, is the only glimpse of reality you’ll find down here.

The project of internationally acclaimed DJ Guy Mantzur, Moments, is an extensive party and label concept, connecting the elite producers with a series of gatherings.

The twelfth release of the label continues the successful realization of the vision with, Everything Nice This Morning by DJ Zombi. The two-track release includes the original version of the track, followed by the remix by Volen Sentir.

The genius of Zombi's production lies in the optimal balanceof hypnotic arrangement structure with seemingly effortless melodies. While the original cut showcases his distinctive audio palette, an alternative version takes the sonic esthetics to another level.

Volen Sentir is one of the biggest acts in the Organic House genre. Their take on Zombi's track transforms the idea into a nine-minute hypnotic journey.

Life is about moments! Please, pay attention to them!

Wisdom Teeth co-founder K-LONE returns with his second full length project, ‘Swells’: a kaleidoscopic and expansive record that looks to deep house, synthpop, leftfield R&B and beyond for a spellbinding masterwork of melodic electronica.

His debut LP ‘Cape Cira’ became the accidental soundtrack of the long strange summer of 2020 - its lush marimbas, hazy atmos and synthesised bird calls providing the ideal soundtrack for some much needed collective escapism. The record was widely deemed one of 2020’s standout electronic LPs, gaining glowing reviews in Pitchfork, DJ Mag, Mixmag and Resident Advisor, and ranking highly in end of year lists by Crack Magazine.

Approaching its follow up, the Brighton-based producer felt a fresh perspective was needed. Originally landing on the name ‘Swells’ as a secret pen-name to write the record under, the intention was to keep the project as separate as possible from ‘Cape Cira’ to avoid settling into familiar territories - but as the record took shape it became clear that it made perfect sense amongst his already diverse discography.

Like ‘Cape Cira’, there is a distinct and intentionally limited sound palette at play on ‘Swells’. Looping vocal cuts, rich cluster chords and undulating arpeggios sit front and centre here - as does the lo-fi plonk of of the CR78 drum machine. But while the record clearly takes influence from a range of vintage sound sources, its overall aesthetic is unmistakably contemporary. Sounds are not artificially degraded nor obscured under washes of sampled tape hiss. Rather, everything is processed with a gloss, hi-fidelity sheen. The record’s rhythms are bright, dry and snappy, and its melodies are processed with a neon poppy glow.

The producer’s unabashed love of contemporary pop music is most obviously exemplified by the appearance of British singer-songwriter Eliza Rose. The pair met for a session at a North London studio back in 2021, and the now Brit Award-nominated singer’s warm, emotive vocal takes became an immediate source of inspiration early in the record’s conception. As such, Rose’s voice is heard in various states of manipulation throughout its duration - initially as reduced and looped phrases, and then finally in full form on ‘With U’: a low-lit, dubbed-out slice of leftfield R&B that beckons comparisons with Tirzah, Little Dragon and even Erykah Badu.

Elsewhere, there are references to G-Funk (‘Oddball’), Autonomic drum and bass (‘Shimmer’), hip-house (‘Love Is’) and even Metronomy-era electro pop (‘Love Me A Little’).

As always, the true magic of K-LONE’s artistry is to present complex, subtle and original ideas in ways that feel familiar and immediate. Melodies are introduced as effortless earworms, only to be twisted out of shape into strange and unusual formulations. Looping rhythms unspool into washes of hazy, dubbed-out ambience before rebuilding themselves. Refined and endlessly creative, ‘Swells’ marks a captivating next step for a producer and record label that have both reliably positioned themselves at the very forefront of contemporary electronic music.

After the success of the first volume, the second SOUL FINGERS’S tribute compila&on is released on double vinyl too.

SOUL FINGERS is a wandering black music dancefloor that in 2023 reaches to celebrate 10 years lifelong. Soul Fingers mixes soul, disco and funk, with rap and La&n rhythms. In this brand new compila&on there are some pieces that have really marked great par&es since 2013.

This time featuring some carefully selected dancefloor music bombs directly from the hands of Claudio Cavallaro, the leader of the Soul Fingers console!

This new album compiles several songs made in the years following Black To Comm's classic "Alphabet 1968" album. Originally released on the seminal Type label in 2009 (and to be reissued on Cellule 75 this year) "Alphabet 1968" combined the sound of vintage shellac and vinyl loops with broken electronics and field recordings, the press release mentioning disparate influences "ranging from Moondog to Basic Channel by way of Bernard Herrmann". In a beautiful one-page review in The Wire magazine (later reprinted in his book Ghosts Of My Life) Mark Fisher compared Richter's music to JF Sebastian’s miniature automata in Blade Runner ("with their bizarre mixture of the clockwork and the computerised, the antique and the ultramodern, the playful and the sinister"), ETA Hoffmann's inventor-magicians and Auguste Villiers de l'Isle-Adam's 1886 tale of Thomas Edison's (fictitious) construction of an artificial human.

Now titled "Coh Bâle" (inspired by a strange dream) these recordings were supposed to become a follow-up to said album but for reasons unknown it never materialized and the album seemed forever lost. At the time Richter started to dive deeper into several strains of (so-called) world music aka the folk music of Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe as well as liturgical and medieval music, the Kraut-Electronica of Harmonia and several certain Mediterranean experimentalists from the 1980's who started to merge their mostly electronic and field recording based compositions with traditional musics from all over the world by way of new sampling technology.

Many of the songs for the album were recorded while travelling and at various residencies around Europe: a detuned piano in a Thessaloniki basement (Richter played at a children's birthday party there), vintage synthesizers in the GRM studios in Paris, decaying acoustic instruments found in an old Black Forest mansion, childrens' voices at a workshop in Karlsruhe's ZKM Institute; then mixed on headphones in the ICE trains running between these places and his hometown Hamburg.

"Coh Bâle" is taking inspirations from old Nonesuch Explorer and Ocora LP's, Crammed Records, 80s Mediterranean Ambient (Nuno Canavarro, Roberto Musci) combined with the DIY spirit of Deux Filles and Flaming Tunes and the playfulness of Asa Chang & Junray. The songs are both mysterious and transparent, intricate and frugal, vibrant and patient. One of the album's unexpected climaxes is a gorgeous (artificial) berimbau version of the Welsh traditional "Iechyd o Gylch".

No two songs feature the same instrumentation and many acoustic sources (pianos, flutes, wood percussion, viola, tablas, autoharp) were disassembled and later coalesced into new configurations or used as virtual instruments; later combined with samples, field recordings, electronics and (on a few tracks) autotuned vocals reminding of recent works by the likes of Claire Rousay or More Eaze.

We had to wait for a worldwide pandemic for Richter to dig deep into the vaults and finally bring these recordings to light. This is the 2nd release from his archives after the "Diode, Triode" LP which presented Musique Concrète/Acousmatic recordings made at INA/GRM and ZKM. Another massive Double-CD (MM∞XX Vol. 1 & 2) was released last year featuring collaborations with 33 artists such as Andrew Pekler, Richard Youngs, Eric Chenaux, Maja Ratkje, Radwan Ghazi Moumneh of Jerusalem In my Heart, GRM boss François Bonnet (Kassel Jaeger), Felix Kubin, Timo van Luijk (In Camera, Af Ursin), Luke Fowler and many others, showing Richter's versatility and his willingness to reinvent himself for every new release.

Marc Richter is widely known under his Black To Comm moniker, having released (at least) 12 albums under this alias in the last 20 years. He is currently signed to the Thrill Jockey label. Richter composes soundtracks for film and has worked with visual artists such as Mike Kelley and Ho Tzu Nyen. He also records as Jemh Circs and Mouchoir Étanche for his own Cellule 75 label (named in tribute to the late Luc Ferrari).

Cathalepsy ist ein Metal-Projekt aus Valparaiso, Chile, gegründet von Luigi Ansaldi, das 2006 sein Debütalbum "Fight in the sky" veröffentlichte, das in Ländern wie Brasilien und Japan großen Erfolg hatte. Leider war das Abenteuer nur von kurzer Dauer und die Band löste sich 2010 auf. Im Jahr 2019 beschloss Luigi, die Band wiederzubeleben, diesmal jedoch als Projekt, und begann, kraftvolle und energiegeladene Songs mit Texten mit starken Botschaften zu komponieren. Heavy Metal mit Herz und Wut, dies ist ein kraftvolles und wütendes Album, es ist für alle Metalheads, ohne Scheuklappen. Im Jahr 2019 schließt sich Fabián Valdés diesem Abenteuer an, ein prominenter chilenischer Gitarrist. Cathalepsy sind dabei, den Heavy Metal Fans die ganze Kraft ihrer Musik näher zu bringen! "Blood and Steel" ist der Inbegriff erstklassiger Metal-Musiker in nur einem Album mit Gästen, die von Sängern wie Tim "Ripper" Owens (KK Priest, ex-Judas Priest), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer, ex-Riot), Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Firewind), Frank Beck (Gamma Ray), Giacomo Voli (Rhapsody of Fire), Ivan Giannini (Vision Divine), Thiago Bianchi (Shaman, Noturnall), David Readman (PinkCream 69, Voodoo Circle), Sologitarristen: Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween), Ross The Boss (ex-Manowar), Glen Drover (ex-Megadeath, King Diamond, Testament), Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall), Thobbe Englund (ex-Sabaton), Jens Ludwig (Edguy), Danilo Bar (WhiteSkull), Sigurd Fylling (Legend Of Valley Doom), Keyboarder: Scott Warren (Dio, Heaven and Hell, Black Sabbath), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot). Das ist Heavy Fuckin Metal.

Vor über 20 Jahren gegründet, veröffentlichten The Wave Pictures über 20 eigene Alben (zuletzt gleich zwei in 2018), neben spannenden Nebenprojekten wie der Garage-Rock-Supergroup The Surfing Magazines, mehrere Werke mit Stanley Brinks oder Dave Tattersalls Gitarrenbeiträge für Billy Childish. All diese Arbeiten beherbergen Daves frei fliessende Quelle des Songwritings und die tiefe Zuneigung der Band für Rock'n'Roll, Blues, Jazz, Classic Rock und natürlich Daves legendäre Liebe zu guten Gitarrensoli. Inspiriert vom klassischen Neil Young, ist das neue Doppelalbum 'When The Purple Emperor Spreads His Wings' voll und ganz dem Country verschrieben, mit Cowboy-Mundharmonika, Mandoline und Daves sanften akustischen Gitarrenklängen.

The garage-y psychedelic outsider pop band Being Dead shines bright with their distinctly right-brain songcraft, mischievous humor, and implausibly great vocal harmonies. As they've graduated from curiosity to cult favorites, we've yet to encounter a single person who dislikes Being Dead. Recorded at Radio Milk, producer Jim Vollentine (White Denim, Trail of Dead, Spoon) spit-shines Being Dead's sound without diminishing their weirdo-best-friend vibes. Their penchant for idiosyncratic lyricism and musical unpredictability shines throughout the album as the duo moves between everything from garage rock and pop to Laurel Canyon-style folk.

Es ist keine Überraschung, dass der liminale Raum ein Schlüsselelement in der nächsten Phase des vierten Albums von The Devil's Trade ist, "Vidékek vannak idebenn" (ein Titel, der frei übersetzt "There Are Landscapes Within" bedeutet). Obwohl Dávid Makó (der Mann hinter dem Namen) seinen Wurzeln als Solokünstler treu geblieben ist und auch alleine ergreifende Melodien voller Dunkelheit und Schönheit liefert, brauchte er eine Erweiterung seines Universums. Mit der Hinzunahme seines langjährigen Freundes und ehemaligen Bandkollegen Gáspár Binder an den Drums und einem Live-Keyboarder machte er schließlich den dringend benötigten Schritt nach vorne und "Vidékek vannak idebenn" stellt die nächste klangliche Phase von The Devil's Trade dar.

Die mega-erfolgreiche Compost-Compilation Serie erfährt eine Fortsetzung. Nach 20 Jahren eine neue Glücklich! Rainer Trüby hat tief in brasilianisch, lateinamerikanisch angehauchter Musik gefischt und macht uns damit mehr als glücklich.

Zurück im ganz großen Stil – denn eine Pause von zwei Jahrzehnten bedeutet ja auch, dass man besser stark zurückkommt, wenn man denn zurückkommt. Aber wir reden hier ja auch von Rainer Trüby, und er hat einen ganzen Sack voller brasilianischer und brasilianisch angehauchter Leckerbissen mitgebracht! Einige dieser Leckerbissen waren auf obskuren, von Vinylsammlern ignorierten CDs vergraben, andere sind bisher noch auf keiner Compilation zu finden aber alle werden uns den Sommer über auf‘s angenehmste begleiten und „Glücklich“ machen. Nebenbei bemerkt: Das Auto ist ein VW SP2, der zwischen 1972 und 1976 von Volkswagen do Brasil hergestellt wurde.

Clear Vinyl

Die mega-erfolgreiche Compost-Compilation Serie erfährt eine Fortsetzung. Nach 20 Jahren eine neue Glücklich! Rainer Trüby hat tief in brasilianisch, lateinamerikanisch angehauchter Musik gefischt und macht uns damit mehr als glücklich.

Zurück im ganz großen Stil – denn eine Pause von zwei Jahrzehnten bedeutet ja auch, dass man besser stark zurückkommt, wenn man denn zurückkommt. Aber wir reden hier ja auch von Rainer Trüby, und er hat einen ganzen Sack voller brasilianischer und brasilianisch angehauchter Leckerbissen mitgebracht! Einige dieser Leckerbissen waren auf obskuren, von Vinylsammlern ignorierten CDs vergraben, andere sind bisher noch auf keiner Compilation zu finden aber alle werden uns den Sommer über auf‘s angenehmste begleiten und „Glücklich“ machen. Nebenbei bemerkt: Das Auto ist ein VW SP2, der zwischen 1972 und 1976 von Volkswagen do Brasil hergestellt wurde.

Habibi Funk is excited to share “Marzipan” - our first full length contemporary release courtesy of Beirut’s multi-instrumental phenom Charif Megarbane, also known as the man behind prolific Cosmic Analog Ensemble. The LP is a journey into Charif’s styling, one he terms “Lebrary”: a vision of Lebanon + Mediterranean expressed through the kaleidoscopic sonics of library music. Drawing from artists that encapsulates the HF sound, such as Ziad Rahbani, Ahmed Malek and Issam Hajali, Charif translates these influences into an LP that is equally at home in ’23. We always wondered why Charif’s music stayed under the radar for so long, that all changes with “Marzipan”.
Charif Megarbane, the staggeringly prolific producer, instrumentalist, and all-around musical mastermind returns with full LP “Marzipan.” Following his previous release of EP “Tayara Warak” in 2022, “Marzipan” is a sonic journey that seeks to capture the full scope of Megarbane’s habitus. As a composer and producer, Megarbane touts hugely versatile, sometimes volatile musicianship — his 100+ catalogue of projects (including legendary groups like the Cosmic Analog Ensemble, Free Association Syndicate, Monumental Detail, etc.) features a huge domain of sonic direction. This collection was previously developed in Megarbane’s own Hisstology label which hosts a wealth of collaborative efforts. Now, Habibi Funk represents Megarbane under his own name. Megarbane finds a sonic through-line in his surrounding soundscapes as he draws on the chaotic energy of the crowded Beirut metropolis (“Souk El Ahad”), the warm atmosphere of the Lebanese countryside (“Chez Mounir”), or the lushness of a Mediterranean beach resort (“Portemilio”). Reflecting the aural composition of his direct surroundings into kaleidoscopic instrumentation provides a unique insight into how one musical phenomenon transposes sight into sound. Habibi Funk is thrilled to share “Marzipan” and finally throttle this under-theradar phenomenon into the solo spotlight. Despite the magnitude of his catalog, Megarbane’s LP sounds as fresh—as resolutely inspired—as a debut record. “Marzipan” continues down the winding path he trod on EP “Tayyara Warak” (released Decmber, 2022) which features solid footing in the hectic city sounds Megarbane hears as home. Despite his obvious musical acumen, Megarbane’s greatest talent seems to be his open ears. In many ways, “Marzipan” is a cartographic feat — it travels and traces a journey across many dimensions (both sonic and physical). Megarbane’s instrumental catalogue is vast: toy glockenspiel, harpsichord, pedal steel, a classic Wurlitzer, et al are used liberally on the record. The resultant sound is as sprawling as the musician’s instrumental dexterity. “Marzipan’s” closing track “Bala 3anouan” can be translated loosely to “without address” — a fitting final word. Despite the entire record being a sincere testament to Megarbane’s environmental approach to music-making, the record is not bound to any particular coordinates, or any particular sound for that matter. The vastness of his influences — beloved artists like Ahmed Malek and Issam Hajali (both Habibi Funk veterans); West African funk deep cuts; European cinematic scores; et al — result in a record of somewhat unparalleled expansiveness. Floating melodies and frantic rhythmic interludes both find natural homes across “Marzipan.” The record is tinged with psychedelic elements—fuzz-drenched guitar, sliding microtonal interludes, hypnotic rhythmic breakdowns. Reflecting on his creative process, Megarbane cites a stream of consciousness approach: “It’s a very spontaneous, playful, and diary-like approach and workflow…I trust my instinct because instinct is based on experience.” Lead single “Souk El Ahad” opens the roll-out with a raucous energy, out June 12. Megarbane abstracts busy city sounds into a psychedelic framework, casting technicolor hues on everyday experience. Following is second single “Pas de Dialogue” out June 23. The track jerks the listener towards a more meditative state with lulling harpsichord and expanding, cinematic sound. “Marzipan” will be available physically and digitally everywhere on July 14, 2023. Be sure to listen for focus track “Chez Mounir” that captures the warmth of community in a joyful, laidback groove.
Uncover greater insight into the world of Charif Megarbane in the booklet accompanying the LP