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Potatoheadz Records come back, out of nowhere, with JCow’s ‘in my elem3nt7’. Often spotted cycling about town, it’s no secret that JCow is diligently & quietly (and not so quietly) crafting big tunes. This release is the sound of that inevitable 2020’s shut-in inspiration. Written during those periods, they are finally seeing the light of day. With focused time in the studio, some serious imagined musical landscapes are the result. Tracks designed for dance-floor breakouts and closed-eye catharsis. We’ve heard these tracks come a long way from inception. Cerebral and kinetic, each track has a unique character, functional yet bound to stand out in any set. Tracks like ‘a complex range of human emojis’ pay-no-mind in referencing the past with a sly smirk and an updated twist. Are we hacking? While the title track ‘in my elem3nt7’ conjures a certain mystical atmos - the tracks bold narrative shift midway is one hell of a notable payoff. Swerving boldly into new territory, the beats fade and return from new angles, sounds cutting and slicing through the speaker like angelic machine gun fire. The drum programming is truly used like a weapon in this one, with those majestic horn samples like calls from the ether. Exaels ‘swampbuggy’ reworking of title track on the B2 provides the perfect alternate universe, working its way from a sparse ambience into an inspired IDM-leaning breakbeat epilogue.

Kaijupop is conceived as a record created by an international
supergroup operating under the umbrella of Soft-Bodied Humans. Over the past decade, UK producer David McNamee has curated an impressive series of releases under the Blue Tapes label that highlight various aspects of minimal music, ranging from grime to gugak, American primitivism to Japanese ambient, and released his own longform minimal music under the name Cut A Lonely Figure

McNamee now unveils on vinyl his latest project, Soft-Bodied Humans, a supergroup that transcends boundaries, drawing inspiration from grime, minimalism and industrial alike. Soft-Bodied Humans brings together an eclectic ensemble of like-minded producers, vocalists, and performers, resulting in a diverse and mesmerizing album.

Collaborators on this spellbinding album include L.A. avant-garde
artist Anna Homler, rising Ugandan MC Swordman Kitala, Brazilian
artist and musician Cadu Tenorio, Japanese grime artist PAKIN,
throat-singer and doom metal auteur Abysmal Growls of Despair, and
Chicago-based producer Fire-Toolz.

This groundbreaking album explores a dynamic range, effortlessly
transitioning from abstract moments to intense sonic experiences.
While grime-inflected beats form its core, Kaijupop fearlessly mutates
and diverts this foundation into uncharted territories. The result is
an immersive sonic journey that pushes the boundaries of the genre.
With each track, the album offers a fresh perspective and an
adventurous exploration of sound.

Soft-Bodied Humans stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and experimentation. This international supergroup definitely breaks the mould of traditional music-making, delivering a groundbreaking and boundary-pushing album that will leave listeners eager for more.

"Speaker-bangin' before all else" (XLR8R) with "some of the smartest ears in the game" (Chicago Reader), "few can make a room explode like Maga Bo" (Flavorpill). A purveyor of "international sonic weaponry and rhythm knowledge" (Rough Trade), the Rio de Janeiro-based DJ/producer is a veteran pioneer of global bass music, with 20+ years of dedicated experience searching out unheralded music bumping from speaker-boxes in the world's grittiest corners, from Addis Ababa to Zanzibar.

Simultaneously, Amor (É Revolução), the new album from Maga Bo, is statement of hope through change, a call to arms, a lament, a proclamation of resistance, a shout of resilience, an exuberant yell and a deep therapeutic groove all at once. The result of a multi-decade search for rhythmic common denominators with an Afro-Brazilian-centric focus. It joins raw, natural, acoustic timbres and textures with the grit, weight and power of modern electronic production. It is where heavy dub bass pulsations sync with rhythms coaxed from drums heated over an open flame and ancestral voices rise and fall in call and response.

Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife, Arcoverde and Porto Alegre, the album counts amongst many illustrious talents from the Brazlian music scene, long time collaborators, Russo Passapusso and Roberto Barreto of Baianasystem, the legendary singer, BNegão and São Paulo based, Rosângela Macedo. Grupo Bongar and Samba de Coco Raízes de Arcoverde provide backing percussion and vocals. It also brings newer collaborators, from Recife, the amazing voice of Isaar, the fabulous guitarist, Felipe Cordeiro, as well as long-time friends, ex-Digitaldubs, Jeru Banto and Jota 3, the Mestre of Tambors de Olokun, Alexandre Garnizé, on percussion, fellow nomadic electronic roots explorer, Teleseen and the rock solid percussionist from Salvador, Icaro Sá.

Verum returns for its next musical odyssey with Macarie at the helm. The voyage begins with an entrancing bassline resonating above the surface —marking the onset of a new sensory journey. Macarie’s undeniable production prowess steers through twists and turns offering moments of contemplation intermingled with bursts of euphoria. Together we present a novel sonic landscape that blurs the boundaries between what is familiar and alien, advancing the notions of what music can be.

“My mother” says HDSN “is my biggest idol to date. She gave me the roots to grow and the wings to fly and pretty much dedicated her life to my sister and i. She has been holding herself accountable day in day out for more than twenty years to raise two kids as a single mom. Although my dad couldn´t be there she always kept the cable long and so we lacked of nothing - she literally gave us all that she got. It´s been her strength, her humbleness and her relentless effort which has made me and my sister the beautiful human beings we are today. Most importantly it was her acknowledgement of my passion for music that saw me being able to pursue what i call my destiny today. She has been my biggest supporter since day one even she couldn’t understand at first. She oftentimes called my music too “esoteric” little did we know how many peoples hearts these songs would touch on the way. From the very beginning i wanted to dedicate a song to her but as she was pretty delicate when it comes to my tracks i knew i needed to find the right notes to hit the right spots. It´s been eight years now since i started out to make music and with very much excitement i can announce i finally been able to thrill her soul. It´s with little hesitation that i dedicated this song which i ended up calling “Stronger” to her. I come from a family full of fighters, there have been many ups and downs for all of us but we stood strong to the struggle and managed to keep our shine. This goes especially for my sister as life dealt her a couple of rough patches early on. She was fighting her own war marching through the valley of death from a very young age. She never gave up though, thrived out of darkness into light like a poppy seed and now eventually became a mother, too. Life kinda neglected us over the year. I had to leave my loved ones behind to live my dream but there has always been a part of me that tried to find his way back home, which i finally stopped denying. “No Place Like Home” is dedicated to most important women in my life, my mother, my sister and her newborn child. This record is an homage to my family and the beauty that lies within our tribe.”

rand, the exciting new collaboration between pianist Jan Gerdes and electronic music producer Frank Bogdanowitz, is proud to present their debut album "Peripherie".

With Gerdes' background working alongside renowned composers such as Karl-Heinz Stockhausen, Wolfgang Rihm, and Helmut Lachenmann, and Bogdanowitz's extensive touring experience as Dr.Nojoke in the experimental minimal techno scene, rand brings together the worlds of acoustic and electronic music in a unique and captivating way.

Recorded live in 2019 at Berlin's Chez-Cherie Studios with no overdubs, the pieces were created through both improvisation and composition with Gerdes having access to three pianos during the recording process.

The resulting music is characterized by atmospheres that exist away from the conventional limelight, with musical elements blending together in a fluid indeterminacy.

The album showcases rand's ability to blur musical edges and create a wide ocean of sound, with piano and electronics taking listeners on a journey between detachment and connection.

rand's "Peripherie" represents the next step in their musical journey, following the release of EPs "I" and "II" on Bandcamp, a one-hour music improvisation for The POOL Berlin collective,
and a track on the Nonclassical label's "I hope this finds you well in these strange times Vol. 4" sampler.

The cover painting for "Peripherie" was created by Jan Gerdes, adding another layer of artistic expression to the project.

With their debut album, rand is set to make a name for themselves on the international stage and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of contemporary music.

Exciting news for music lovers! We are thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated release of a brand new vinyl by the talented Colombian artist, Lamediscos. This rising star in the Latin American electronic music scene has crafted a unique sound that seamlessly blends vintage synths, funky acid basslines, and broken rhythms, resulting in tracks that are infectious and groovy. Drawing inspiration from classic disco, breaks, and house music, Lamediscos has caught the attention of well-known artists like VTSS who praise his ability to create captivating melodies and irresistible beats.
But that's not all! This vinyl also includes two remixes one by the legendary Eddy C, a Canadian DJ and producer who has been pushing the boundaries of dance music for over three decades. Known for his unparalleled skill in remixing, Eddy C has reimagined Lamediscos' original track, infusing it with his unique style and taking it to a whole new level.
For the second remix for this special release, we also have one by label boss Lega, who gives us his own interpretation of the track, showcasing his production prowess and adding yet another layer of musical depth to the vinyl.
Stay Raw!

“In the Flesh” is the brainchild of Egyptian-born, New York-based conceptual artist Nader Sadek. Known for his impressively twisted sculptures, masks, and installations used for example by bands such as MAYHEM and SUNN O))), Sadek is now venturing into the realm of recorded music- including songwriting credits on this album! The band NADER SADEK emerges out of a collaboration between Sadek and some of extreme music’s most talented artists with its core made up out of songwriter/vocalist Steve Tucker (ex-MORBID ANGEL), CRYPTOPSY drummer Flo Mounier and Norwegian composer/guitarist Rune Eriksen (AVA INFERI, ex-MAYHEM). A host of guest-appearances lends additional weight to the musical impact of “In the Flesh” by leading artists such as Attila Csihar (MAYHEM), Travis Ryan (CATTLE DECAPITATION), Tony Norman (MONSTROSITY), Descructhor (MORBID ANGEL), and Nick McMaster (KRALLICE). “In the Flesh” is firmly based on a technically masterfully executed unique style of Death Metal with a pitch black twist that creates a multi-cultural symphonic abyss where melody and corrosion meet. As a work conceptual art “In the Flesh” is best explained like this: NADER SADEK invite you on a journey to the depths of the earth, where substances of a repulsive nature dwell. Beneath the earth’s crust, over millions of years creatures have disintegrated and decayed until taking on ghastly new life as petroleum. Like a return of the undead, petroleum and its derivates have wrought cross-cultural conflict, environmental pollution, and economic distress. With a visual and aural assault, Sadek’s new work “In The Flesh” re-interprets petroleum’s sinister insinuation into our everyday lives. Nine songs and a series of original drawings video works explore several aspects of the commodified resource we find ourselves fatally dependent on. “In the Flesh” exploits the sonic links between death metal and gasoline-dependent heavy machinery such as automobile and airplane engines. These links shaped the process of musical composition itself: The album opener, “Petrophilia”, kicks in with a sound evoking an engine starting up. Another song, “Of This Flesh (novus deus)”, follows the sonic structure of a car shifting gears. While continuing to link musical composition to mechanical transformations, other songs depart from engine-based references. The outro to the album, “Nigredo in Necromance” which is already accompanied by a video, dwells on an individual’s recognition that he must die in order to reunite with his deceased lover. The song riffs on the life-in-death of an oil-drenched society, as the lovers’ reunite in their decomposition and rebirth as petroleum. This theme also drives the track “Mechanic Idolatry”, which channels the uncanny thrust of Sadek’s recent artistic output, as live human beings provide the fuel for machines transforming themselves into flesh.

Repress!

New material from the enegmatic Mr Langestraat. TIP!

"One afternoon a couple of years ago, an excited Ronald Langestraat could barely contain himself. “I’ve started dancing!” he exclaimed. “I never did it before - I’d always admired it in the past, but just wasn’t able to move like that!” But then, at the ripe old age of 81, Ronald was gripped by the urge to respond to the rhythm and express himself in this physical way.

For a man who’s dedicated his life to music, in particular Jazz with a funky Latin inflection, it feels like an especially sage realization - like the treasure at the end of a long quest, or the princess after the end-game boss. The prize is freedom, and the shapes we make on the dance floor are mirrored in that piano solo over the stanzas - a caravan that trips from smokey basement clubs all the way to Shiva’s Tandava on the edge of the universe.

The music on this album is inspired by this revelation. Although these songs were written many moons ago, their interpretation is modern, full of renewed energy, with young, yet well-worn players. While it slots neatly into the daily music practice that Ronald adheres to, it’s a new chapter in a story that is still being written - and an invitation to get in touch with your dancing self and try out some new moves."

CALAMITA = KARKHANA members TONY ELIEH, SHARIF SEHNAOUI and Lebanese drummer MALEK RIZKALLAH join forces with the Egyptian singer AYA METWALLI - the result is the improbable meeting between free jazz / improv, punk rock & Oum Kalthoum!

CALAMITA is the "rock project" of SHARIF SEHNAOUI and TONY ELIEH, two of the most active musicians on the Lebanese experimental scene (among others projects, both are members of the "free Middle Eastern music" collective KARKHANA). SEHNAOUI comes from a jazz and improv music background, ELIEH is primarily a rock musician and founding member of the Lebanese post-punk band THE SCRAMBLED EGGS whose work in the last decade has covered many directions from pop-rock to plain experimental. They are joined by Lebanese drummer MALEK RIZKALLAH (WHO KILLED BRUCE LEE, ex THE SCRAMBLED EGGS). As trio they develop instrumental pieces that draw their inspiration from artists as diverse as Tony Conrad, Last Exit or Oum Kalthoum.

AYA METWALLI is an Egyptian singer/songwriter, composer and sound artist currently based in Beirut. Grown up in Cairo, her father would play non-stop Oum Kalthoum songs on road trips to the beach and Aya's mother; known to have the most beautiful voice in the family, she always sang at home and at family gatherings, so long before Aya was able to form her own music taste, immense amounts of Arabic classic songs and melodies already settled in her subconsciousness …

After her first EP "Beitak" in 2016, Metwalli (named "a musical enigma" by The Guardian) started to integrate more experimental and eerie sonic excursions into her avant-pop, so the collaboration with CALAMITA feels like a natural or logic step.

The roots for "Al Saher" ("stay awake") were laid when SEHNAOUI and METWALLI first worked together in "Night", a dance piece by ALI CHAHROUR which included a wide collection of Arabic songs and ancient poems, later Sehnaoui invited her to work with CALAMITA. The four met in a recording studio in Beirut, using songs by "The Voice of Egypt" Oum Kalthoum as starting point.Together they aim to fully revisit the song format and explore the possibilities of classical Tarab songs, extracted from their origins and reframed within the music of the twenty-first century. The result is a mix of various styles and influences that often seek to stretch the contrasts to towering extremes - animprobable blend between free jazz & improv, punk rock & Oum Kalthoum!