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Living in the present is an album built around the work of American minimalist poet, Robert Lax (1915-2000) who is widely praised for his artistic concept of reduction, in which a pause becomes as important as the things said.

The album brings together the sound of Robert Lax reading his poetry, narrative field recordings by Nicolas Humbert and subtle yet imaginative timbres by Carina Khorkhordina (trumpet) and Miki Yui (electronics) who is also behind the final mixing of the album.

Living in the present is drawing from an archive of audio recordings originally made by film maker Nicolas Humbert while shooting a film on Robert Lax entitled Why Should I Buy A Bed When All That I Want Is Sleep?, ( Nicolas Humbert and Werner Penzel, Germany, 1999) The film was made on the Greek island of Patmos where Lax has lived withdrawn for 3 decades.

More than 25 years after the premiere of Why Should I Buy A Bed When All That I Want Is Sleep?, Humbert, Khorkhordina and Yui are revisiting the original audio material and patiently open worlds within worlds, pointing to new harmonic textures and isolating timbres, synchronizing different layers of time and traces of various locations into a new composition in its own right.

In some ways this album feels like an expansion of the work Humbert and Penzel did with Lax across six years, between 1993 and 1999, where they developed a unique intimacy in their textual-visual collaboration. On two long pieces, for each side of the album, “Where do i begin” and “One moment passes, another comes on” respectively – Yui’s electronics and Khorkhordina’s trumpet interweave beautifully with Humbert’s field recordings, in a manner that shadows the reflective reduction of Lax’s poetry. Indeed, it's no surprise that Lax’s poetry draws musicians into its orbit; it offers the curious a welcoming reduction in which only individual words and syllables represent the essence of language.

Lax’s poetry is notable for its qualities of near-stillness and its capacity to pause the reader’s thought, asking them to hold the sensuality of language for an extended, quietly revelatory moment. His readings on this album share a similar cadence, interested in settling with syllables, with single or several words, for an extended time.

Ultimately, Living in the present unfolds with unforced grace and poetics – one moment passes, then another comes on. (Jon Dale)

Off The Record (faitiche 39), the new album by French collagist Roméo Poirier, is an amusing romp through the discarded history of recording studios. It contains fourteen miniatures based on accidental recordings of studio talk, revealing things that were never meant for the public: we hear instructions from studio staff, scraps of talk between musicians, or just microphones being adjusted, as well as false notes, false starts: everyone stops. Start again: 1, 2, 3, 4!

Poirier’s approach recalls Accumulation, an artform practiced by Arman, Jean Tinguely and Daniel Spoerri that involved piling up everyday items into assemblages. The objects themselves often remained unaltered, the artistic gesture consisting in the careful curating of a distinctive selection. Poirier’s audio collages explore similar terrain. The fourteen pieces on Off the Record combine more than a thousand found sounds from studio archives into complex miniatures. The audio content of these outtakes is twisted, stretched, cut, reassembled, slowed down and accelerated. Voices cut into a microgroove, from a very old recording, intertwine with digital voices gleaned from YouTube. All of them in dialogue, engaging the listener with the impression of being part of a new music group.

Poirier uses the mundane routine of setting up before the actual recording gets underway to tell a universal story about working in a recording studio. And he manages something few achieve, transforming specialist knowledge into a narrative whose beauty goes far beyond its immediate subject. It speaks to everyone, because the story is told in a musical language that is open and accessible, evoking magical images reminiscent of Oz – a world consisting less of events than of camp hallucinations, captured in grainy black-and-white photographs. En passant, Poirier shows us how the notion of material accumulation can produce great art.

Written and produced by Roméo Poirier, mastered by Stephan Mathieu, photos by Roméo Poirier, graphic design by Tim Tetzner.

»Chitin« captures Berlin-based duo Narval (Peter Strickmann and Evgenija Wassilew) in a series of recordings made during a 2025 residency in the village of Schöppingen, Münsterland. Known for their use of everyday objects, self-built wind and percussion instruments, feedback systems, and small-scale electronics, Narval treat the performance space itself as a collaborator. In Schöppingen, this meant farmhouses, a parish church, a sculptor’s studio, and surrounding cornfields — each site imprinting its acoustics and atmosphere onto the performances. The result is a set of recordings where birds, insects, and ambient traces of rural life seep into the music, blurring the boundary between intentional gesture and environmental chance.

The title refers to chitin: the hard-yet-flexible material that forms insect shells, fungal walls, and crustacean exoskeletons. Like tape or rural matter, it is at once protective and permeable, tactile and intimate — qualities mirrored in the album’s sound world. By working with a deliberately limited palette of tools, Narval allow small sonic details to accumulate into shifting durations, giving each piece the strange, layered texture of surfaces both organic and mechanical. Chitin offers a portrait of site-specific listening where the line between instrument and environment continually dissolves.

Peter Strickmann – objects, smartphone, ceramophone, cornfield, iron bar Evgenija Wassilew – AM radio, prepared Stylophone, feedback, smartphone, Bastl Kastle, iron bar Recorded by Peter Strickmann and Evgenija Wassilew Mastered by Jacob Calland

Deux Filles were Simon Fisher Turner, former child star/teen idol and future soundtrack composer, and songwriter/technician Colin Lloyd Tucker. Turner and Tucker left an early incarnation of The The in 1981 to pursue a different musical direction.

Turner claims that the idea of Deux Filles came to him in a dream, and the novel fiction/roleplay would be strictly maintained throughout the girls' short career. As well as posing in costume for the album covers, the duo even performed live without the audience realizing that the girls on-stage were actually a pair of blokes from south London having a giggle.

Deux Filles released two highly collectable albums: Silence & Wisdom (1982) and Double Happiness (1983)

Clear Vinyl. ,A Series of Actions in a Sphere of Forever" ist eine Sammlung von neun Soloklavierwerken, die sich mit Widerstand, Resonanz und Raum mit einer ausgeprägten spektralen Sensibilität auseinandersetzen. Diese Stücke sind Nocturnes, die tief in der Stille des Winters in einem kleinen ländlichen Studio in Valens, Kanada, geschrieben wurden. A Series of Actions in a Sphere of Forever ist der Nachfolger von From Where You Came, das im Mai veröffentlicht wurde und eine RA-Empfehlung sowie die Auszeichnung ,Experimentelles Album des Monats" von The Guardian erhielt, das es als ,stille Ekstase eines Komponisten ohne Grenzen" bezeichnete.

,A Series of Actions in a Sphere of Forever" ist eine Sammlung von neun Soloklavierwerken, die sich mit Widerstand, Resonanz und Raum mit einer ausgeprägten spektralen Sensibilität auseinandersetzen. Diese Stücke sind Nocturnes, die tief in der Stille des Winters in einem kleinen ländlichen Studio in Valens, Kanada, geschrieben wurden. A Series of Actions in a Sphere of Forever ist der Nachfolger von From Where You Came, das im Mai veröffentlicht wurde und eine RA-Empfehlung sowie die Auszeichnung ,Experimentelles Album des Monats" von The Guardian erhielt, das es als ,stille Ekstase eines Komponisten ohne Grenzen" bezeichnete.

From Japan, Tokio Ono presents a stunning collection of fourth world & ambient dub explorations!

Yokohama multi-instrumentalist Tokio Ono eases into the Accidental Meetings' family with an array of Japanese folk tinged avant-dubs, drenched in beautiful texture.

The elusive artist has spent much of his life in his hometown with a view of the Yokohama waters, before settling into a new environment in Tokyo where Peel gradually took shape. The essence of a given situation emerges as you peel it away, these tracks were inspired by the accumulation of days and flashbacks of memories: layers to peel joyfully from our lives, while offering a slightly shifted and refreshing perspective on one’s surroundings. It's a dreamy journey from open to close, Ono's world engulfs you in a blissful dubbed out wormhole. Featuring a flip from the sound system royalty of Seekers International to top it off, Peel is a unique and exquisite piece of work.

Sleeve artwork created by artist Kana Ueda.

"Na Rua, na Chuva, na Fazenda" is a landmark 1975 album by Hyldon, a key figure in Brazilian soul music. His debut release was one of the top-selling albums that year, capturing the vibrant musical spirit of the 1970s and reflecting the influence of the black power movement alongside artists like Tim Maia and Cassiano. With a mix of MPB, soul, and funk, Hyldon brought his unique sound to life, collaborating with influential artists and contributing to the Brazilian music scene. With a mix of MPB, soul, and funk, Hyldon brought his unique sound to life, collaborating with influential artists like Azymuth. The album, which features the iconic title track, is a celebration of love with timeless songs like 'As Dores do Mundo', 'Na Sombra de uma Arvore' and 'Meu Patuá.' Produced by Guti Carvalho with arrangements by Hyldon and Waldir Arouca Barros, the studio band included the talented musicians from Azymuth (José Roberto Bertrami, Alex Malheiros and Ivan Conti "Mamao"), making it a memorable piece of Brazilian musical history. This album has earned cult status over the years, securing its place as one of the most coveted Brazilian records of all time. Once incredibly rare and expensive, it's now at the top of every serious collector's wishlist. After being unavailable outside of Brazil for years, it's finally been reissued - don't miss your chance to own this legendary piece of music history.

Papacha is no other then famous Pacha Ibiza resident DJ Pippi in a colloboration with Beat Access (Giuseppe Tuccillo & Ciro Bianco) from Italy.

Benimussa is the name of this tribal killer !!
Included Original mix and the “Chus & Ceballos Iberican Remix”

Eager Buyers is an observation of longing, of memory, of attempted connection, of lost innocence, and irreconcilable dreams. It"s the sound of broken promises for a bright future, where rose-tinted glasses have lost their clarity, dirtied with disaffection over time. Across this sultry, smoky, cinematic epic, JASSS attempts to process mixed feelings amidst the modern malaise. Alluringly atmospheric and cerebral, but bold and direct, with high-spec sound design, JASSS spaces each element with expert definition. Searing swathes of noise nestle with crisp breakbeats, billowing bass, dark ambience, prepared piano, phosphorescent electronics and calibrated percussion.

The downtempo legacy of Tosca continues. Originally released in 2005, J.A.C. is the fourth studio album by the Austrian duo - an album dedicated to their then newly born sons, "Joshua, Arthur, Conrad". For its 20th anniversary, which also marks !K7"s 40th anniversary, it has been fully remastered and compiled into a beautiful gatefold 2LP. Between the release of their classic Dehli 9 and J.A.C., the two entered fatherhood. As all Tosca albums relate to biographic events in the life of Huber and Dorfmeister, the birth of their sons naturally called for an album dedication. J.A.C. is perhaps the most consistent formulation of both, the carefree and melancholic sound of Tosca.

Guitar Solos is the debut solo album of British guitarist, composer, and improviser Fred Frith. It was recorded while Frith was still a member of the English experimental rock group Henry Cow and was released originally in October 1974. Voted one of the best albums of 1974 by NME critics it also attracted the attention of Brian Eno, resulting in Frith playing guitar on two of Eno‘s albums. Frith‘s never tiring spirit in creating and performing music has made him one of the most notable and creative guitar players and musicians in the scene of improvised and composed music. For the anniversary of this release we have encouraged Frith to arrange a set up similar to what he used 50 years ago to record an album of new compositions which will accompany the original record.

Barcelona born and based young composer Olivia Font's debut album, Invictam explores resilience and adaptation through a unique blend of strings, analog synthesizers, electronics, and experimental percussion. The album's narrative, guided by a transformative female voice, unfolds through long, repetitive melodic patterns that meditate on time, transience, and the passage of seasons.

This unique vision is further enriched by collaborations with British cellist Oliver Coates and actress-singer Ana San Martín, alongside a track from producer Pedro Vian himself. Preorder Invictam today and be part of this remarkable journey. Cover by Adrià Cañameras.

„Musik, die in den Schlaf wiegt und die singt, die aus neuem Blut besteht, aus sprechenden Gesten, einem unbekannten Duft, einem nicht schlafenden Vogel; Musik aus bunten Kirchenfenstern, ein Wirbel von Komplementärfarben, ein theologischer Regenbogen.“ Diese persönliche Definition, die Olivier Messiaen mit diesen Worten gegeben hat, dient als Resümee eines der wichtigsten Werke, die Messiaen in seiner ersten Schaffensperiode schuf, das Quatuor pour la Fin du Temps. Von den originalen 8-Spur-Bändern gemixt und geschnitten, bietet diese Edition ein atemberaubendes Hörerlebnis in höchster analoger Klangqualität.

Die audiophile Vinyl-Serie The Original Source präsentiert herausragende Aufnahmen der 1970er Jahre in ganz neuer Klangqualität. Dafür haben die renommierten Emil Berliner Studios die originalen Vier- und Achtspur-Bänder mit eigens für die Produktion der Serie entwickelten Technologien in 100% analoger Qualität (AAA) neu gemastert und geschnitten. Die klanglichen Unterschiede zu den Originalveröffentlichungen sind beträchtlich: Größere Klarheit, mehr Feinheiten und Verbesserungen im Frequenzgang, zugleich weniger Nebengeräusche, Verzerrungen und Komprimierungen ermöglichen ein audiophiles Hörerlebnis wie nie zuvor.

Auf 180g Vinylplatten und in einer Deluxe-Gatefold Edition mit Originalcovers und -texten werden die Exemplare dieser Serie limitiert und nummeriert veröffentlicht, begleitet von zusätzlichen Fotos und Faksimiles der Aufnahmeprotokolle und Bandkartons.

Sergej Prokofjew vollendete die Skythische Suite op. 20 im Jahr 1914, als er im Begriff war, seiner Heimat den Rücken zu kehren. Die Symphonische Suite op. 60 wurde fast zwei Jahrzehnte später komponiert, nachdem Prokofjew 1933 nach Russland zurückgekehrt war. Die biographischen Wendepunkte, an denen die beiden Suiten stehen, stellen auch ideologische Wendepunkte in Prokofjews Kunstauffassung dar. Eine Besonderheit: Die beiden Musikstücke wurden für diese Veröffentlichung erstmals von den originalen 1- Zoll-8-Spur-Bändern neu gemastert und geschnitten.

Die audiophile Vinyl-Serie The Original Source präsentiert herausragende Aufnahmen der 1970er Jahre in ganz neuer Klangqualität. Dafür haben die renommierten Emil Berliner Studios die originalen Vier- und Achtspur-Bänder mit eigens für die Produktion der Serie entwickelten Technologien in 100% analoger Qualität (AAA) neu gemastert und geschnitten. Die klanglichen Unterschiede zu den Originalveröffentlichungen sind beträchtlich: Größere Klarheit, mehr Feinheiten und Verbesserungen im Frequenzgang, zugleich weniger Nebengeräusche, Verzerrungen und Komprimierungen ermöglichen ein audiophiles Hörerlebnis wie nie zuvor.

Auf 180g Vinylplatten und in einer Deluxe-Gatefold Edition mit Originalcovers und -texten werden die Exemplare dieser Serie limitiert und nummeriert veröffentlicht, begleitet von zusätzlichen Fotos und Faksimiles der Aufnahmeprotokolle und Bandkartons.

Maurizio Pollinis Einspielung der Polonaisen, die inzwischen Klassikerstatus erreicht haben, sind nun als Teil der Original Source Serie erhältlich. Pollinis Spiel ist sowohl von herausragender Beherrschung als auch von subtiler Poesie geprägt. Seine höchste Leistung besteht darin, die Unmittelbarkeit einer inspirierten Improvisation zu suggerieren und gleichzeitig die formschöne Einheit eines vorgedachten Ganzen zu bewahren. Um eine optimale Audioqualität zu gewährleisten, wurde das Werk von den ursprünglichen 4-Spur-Bändern neu gemastert, in 45rpm geschnitten und auf zwei LPs verteilt.

Die audiophile Vinyl-Serie The Original Source präsentiert herausragende Aufnahmen der 1970er Jahre in ganz neuer Klangqualität. Dafür haben die renommierten Emil Berliner Studios die originalen Vier- und Achtspur-Bänder mit eigens für die Produktion der Serie entwickelten Technologien in 100% analoger Qualität (AAA) neu gemastert und geschnitten. Die klanglichen Unterschiede zu den Originalveröffentlichungen sind beträchtlich: Größere Klarheit, mehr Feinheiten und Verbesserungen im Frequenzgang, zugleich weniger Nebengeräusche, Verzerrungen und Komprimierungen ermöglichen ein audiophiles Hörerlebnis wie nie zuvor.

Auf 180g Vinylplatten und in einer Deluxe-Gatefold Edition mit Originalcovers und -texten werden die Exemplare dieser Serie limitiert und nummeriert veröffentlicht, begleitet von zusätzlichen Fotos und Faksimiles der Aufnahmeprotokolle und Bandkartons.

Since their reunion in 2015, Malka Family has been enchanting stages once again and releasing fabulous albums. Le Retour Du Kif (2018) and SuperLune (2022), featuring almost all of the original musicians, have marked their comeback.
Today, Planète Claire, a 16 tracks album, is undoubtedly one of Malka Family’s best works.
It was urgent for the great Funk families to return and give the new generations a lesson of kif…
Back to the Roots

In 1987, after organizing the Chez Roger Boîte Funk parties with Dee Nasty and Actuel/Radio Nova, Joseph Mannix and Isaac Ben Araz (then guitarist and trombonist of the group Human Spirit) decided to create a French-style Funk band.
The group quickly became one of the most spectacular live sensations of the 1990s.
Their self-produced debut album, Malka On The Beach, was released in 1991. Both the press and the public went crazy for these little funkateers, leading to a series of non-stop tours. Their concerts—wild, costumed performances—drew massive crowds. Warner France took notice and signed them.

Their second album, Tous Des Ouf (WEA), a true Space Opera P-Funk featuring guests like Sidney (Hip-Hop), Dee Nasty, Marco Prince (FFF), Juan Rozoff, and more, was released in 1992.

After touring the world multiple times, the band became independent again in 1995 and recorded an EP for Big Cheese Records: Fricassé De Funk.

By the late ‘90s, the rise of DJs and electronic music signaled the decline of large live bands. Due to its logistical weight—the band had over 14 members on their last tour—Malka Family was forced to part ways in 1997 after touring for their album Fotoukonkass (RCA/BMG).

But that was without counting on the resilience and extraordinary freshness of these Funk performers…

Nicola Conte & Nico Lahs return with their eagerly awaited second EP, continuing the musical journey they began with their acclaimed 12” Macumba de Oxalȧ / La Danse de l’Esprit.
This new release confirms the creative synergy between two producers who speak the same musical language: a refined blend of spiritual jazz, Afro-American rhythms and electronic sensibility, designed for the most eclectic and sophisticated dancefloors. The Tema Due project is aimed at a refined club scene, attentive to the depth and purpose of sound. Once again, Conte and Lahs are turning the dance floor into a ritual space, where body and spirit move in harmony in a musical language that not only entertains but also elevates.


In this “EP2”, Nicola Conte and Nico Lahs collaborate for the first time with the talented young Brazilian percussionist Gabriel Prado and consolidate their long-standing partnership with pianist Pietro Lusso, who plays a fundamental role in shaping the musical identity of this work. Among the tracks, “Share Your Love” stands out in particular, interpreted by Brazilian singer Nina Miranda, who brings emotional depth to a track that talks about peace, sharing and love between peoples, and is enriched by the participation of Giovanni Guidi on Fender Rhodes and synths.
“EP2” precedes the release of Tema Due’s full-length album, which is currently taking shape – a work that promises to further consolidate the duo’s shared vision, expanding their conceptual and sonic scope. To crown this creative cycle, the album will also be followed by a third EP with additional unreleased tracks, symbolically closing a trilogy of sound and vision. A coherent, intense and uncompromising musical journey, where club culture meets spirituality and artistic exploration.

Fabio Nobile is a drummer and multi-instrumentalist who has been active on the music scene for over 25 years. Today, his musical
exploration draws from the deep roots of Afro traditions and the expressive freedom of jazz—two musical cultures that are an integral
part of his identity.
Sankofa Soul is a musical project born from the encounter between jazz, African traditions, and the search for a profound connection
between past and present. The term “Sankofa” comes from the Akan language (spoken in Ghana) and means “to go back and fetch what
is good” —an invitation to look to the past to better understand the future.
In an era where music is evolving at a rapid pace, Sankofa Soul looks to a rich and multifaceted cultural heritage, while also embracing a
modern voice—a universal call to reconnect with our European origins through the lens of African legacy.
Each track on Sankofa Soul reflects Fabio Nobile’s experiences, studies, and roots, forming a dialogue between past and present, the
sacred and the profane, individuality and community.
Sankofa Soul is a heartfelt tribute to West Africa, with a special focus on Nigeria.
Zuma Rock leads us into the rich and ever-changing soundscape of West Africa—a space where tradition meets innovation, and rhythm
tells stories older than words. Here, the legacy of Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat pulses through every beat, anchoring the music in political fire and
deep ancestral roots. At the same time, the unmistakable horn section weaves a vibrant fusion of Afro-Funk and Jazz. In Zuma Rock, we
enter a dialogue between past and present—a musical return to the source.
And then appears Kalakuta Republic, a heartfelt homage to the self-declared commune that was home to the legendary Fela Kuti—a
reminder not to forget the rebellious spirit of the Kalakuta Republic. This track gives voice to the very essence of Afro-jazz, wrapped in a
hypnotic 12/8 rhythm that echoes ancient African traditions. Its immersive pulse blends seamlessly with jazz’s boundless expressive
freedom, creating a vibrant, compelling dialogue suspended between ancestral roots and modernity.
Landed in Lagos and I Read the Stars naturally embrace the distinctive sound of Manu Dibango, while Say Your Prayer Now reminds us
how the evolution of Jamaican reggae—and its cultural and musical foundations—remains deeply linked to Mother Africa.
This is Sankofa: the soul’s journey back to the past to move forward.

It began with a cassette tape entitled 'Pleased To Meet You' gifted to us at Sessa's Fasching, Stockholm show by Yann Dardenne, the multi-tasking tour manager/sound engineer/producer/merch stall worker and co-owner of Seloki Records. On first listen, the selection of underground Brazilian artists from the Seloki's roster was superb, however, one song stopped us in our tracks. The hauntingly captivating ' GOSTO MEIO DOCE' by Nina Maia and Francisca Barreto, gave us a taste of Nina's ethereal, addictive voice and we knew we needed to hear more. Born in Minas Gerais but now based in Sao Paulo, the 22-year-old has already packed a lot into a relatively short space of time. The singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer, has already collaborated on the soundtracks for six Brazilian feature films, including a track with the vocalists Maria Gadu, Iza, and Liniker. But things enter a new exciting era with this, her remarkable debut album entitled 'INTEIRA', which translates to English as 'whole'.

As much inspired by Billie Eilish and Rosalia, as Milton Nascimento and Toninho Horta and not sounding like other records coming out of Brazil, 'INTEIRA' is unique. Though rich in its Brazilian heritage, inspired by samba cancao, MPB, and the Clube da Esquina movement, it also channels influence from bands such as Portishead and Massive Attack, mixed with jazz, contemporary leftfield and electronic pop artists. Musically, it is not easily pigeonholed, with beautiful, well-crafted songs, sophisticated arrangements, eloquent vocals and intimate lyrics. Each track reflects different moments and stories from Nina's youth but with dialogues, feelings, and questions that span generations and resonate with all. This ambitious debut album is Nina's vision and sound, expressing herself without constraints and making music with her friends. Featuring a lineup of Thalin (drums), Valentim Frateschi (bass), Francisca Barreto (cello and vocals), Thales Hashiguti (viola and violin), Yann Dardenne (acoustic guitar and co-producer) and Nina on piano, Rhodes, guitar and production. The album led to a nomination in Paulista Association of Art Critics (APCA) award's 'Breakthrough Artist' category, who also listed 'INTEIRA' as one of the 50 best albums of 2024.

It also received support from Bandcamp Weekly and Jamz Supernova on BBC 6 Music. Released digitally by Seloki Records in Brazil in 2024, Mr Bongo in partnership with Seloki Records now present this new, deluxe worldwide edition that includes four additional songs. These comprise the brand-new exquisite 'MANHA', as well as an original twist on Vinicius de Moraes' classic 'Serenata Do Adeus'. Elsewhere you'll find a live recording showcasing Nina's remarkable energy on stage courtesy of 'DE DENTRO' and 'GOSTO MEIO DOCE' with the amazing musician/vocalist Francisca Barreto, where our whole story began. Here at Mr Bongo, we are honoured to release music by such a remarkable new talent - one whose musical trajectory is most certainly about to soar.

After a long moment with no Bebert Borthers release...
This Pumpin party cruiser navigate from 150 to 180 BPM.
The global ambiance is stellar, as the name of the label could suggest... with a South-Side accent :)

Quel album !!! À tel point que la belle ! a N G R r ! accepte de co∼réaliser ce fétiche vinyle volubile avec los amigos de CATAPULTE Records & Cheb Chalet. Une confiance. Une évidence.

Quel voyage !!! Seconde création enregistrée en 2007 puis réalisée uniquement en CD en 2008, cette sonique Science∼Fiction des six compagnons de MAZALDA nous transporte dans les lointaines contrées psyché & expé des années 70 & 80, gracieusement digérées & audacieusement infusées en un dédale musical global, en rafale → Viens te promener avec nous, tout doux, tout fou ← Routes de traverses, déroutes en averses !

After releasing my 300 DEGREES - "Naujas" album on Little Beat Different label, I wanted to continue the theme of making an acid-techno album, but taking out all the main elements like kick and other drum sounds, yet leaving the groove going, making it in to ambient. I have been falling asleep to this album many times my self. This sound became special to me and thanks to all of you, who have bought my previous tape and vinyl releases, it enabled me to fund and release this album on vinyl.

Ement returns to PZ Records with a seven-tracker, including a remix by Umwelt.

Balancing dark atmospheres with raw energy, the EP builds on Ement’s previous work while continuing to evolve his sound. Rooted primarily in electro, it remains versatile throughout—blending experimental textures, acid grooves, and driving techno rhythms that reflect a broad sonic palette. A personal yet club-ready release.

Lithuanian electro flagship 5ZYL follows up his debut album with a dynamic remix EP, featuring a handpicked selection of top-tier artists from across Europe. Romphea, Calagad 13, Q100, Ement, John Patter, and Cport Cistema deliver diverse and electrifying reinterpretations, each adding a unique twist to the original tracks. From deep and driving grooves to high-energy bangers, this release is set to spice up dancefloors everywhere.

12th Isle ready the first of many new releases after a break over the first half of 2025. Radx is a new collaborative endeavour between label artists X.Y.R. and Vlad Dobrovolski (½ of S A D) exploring a shared appreciation of vintage 80s & 90s synthesisers, ambient-adjacent furniture music and, er, dragons. Referencing the electronica of artists such as Kim Cascone/Hydrosphere as well as the sci-fi literature of Michael Swanwick where dragons act as living machines, the pair combine various synthesis models, pedals and samplers for an album that sits somewhere firmly between each of their solo works. From the cathedralic ascension of ‘Heavenly Shepherd of Silence’ to the back-room bean bag swirls of ‘Ovgo’s Etheric Mind’ and dense, jungle-like humidity of ‘Liminal Space’, the more ambient-leaning end of the catalogue is built upon further.

Dirkschneider And The Old Gang (DATOG) wurde 2020 ursprünglich als einmaliges Charity-Projekt ins Leben gerufen, entwickelte jedoch schnell eine Eigendynamik und formierte sich zu einer Band, bestehend aus Udo Dirkschneider (Gesang, ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (Bass, Gesang, ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (Gitarre, ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias Dieth (Gitarre, SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (Schlagzeug, U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) und Manuela Bibert (Gesang). Zwischen 2020 und 2021 sorgten die ersten drei Singles für große Aufmerksamkeit, woraufhin die Band weitere Songs schrieb und ihr Debütalbum aufnahm. Mit einem einzigartigen Gesangskonzept aus drei Stimmen, kraftvollen Riffs und stilistischer Vielschichtigkeit vereint DATOG klassischen Heavy Metal mit einer modernen, druckvollen Produktion.

Sdban Records is proud to announce the first official reissue of Coal Mining, the 1978 debut album by Dutch jazz pianist René van Helsdingen. This album marks a significant milestone-the beginning of van Helsdingen's decades-spanning career as an innovative and independent musician.

Born in 1957 in Jakarta, Indonesia, but holding Dutch nationality, René van Helsdingen began classical piano studies in the Netherlands in the early 1960s. While initially following in his family's footsteps by enrolling in mining engineering at the Technical University of Delft, his passion for music ultimately prevailed. His academic path may have diverged, but it set the stage, both figuratively and literally, for what would become an extraordinary musical career.

Coal Mining was originally released on Munich Records, a respected Dutch jazz and roots label founded by music producer and musician Job Zomer. The album features a blend of jazz influences from giants such as Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, and Bill Evans, and showcases van Helsdingen's distinctive voice as a composer and pianist at the very start of his professional journey.

The record includes contributions from a rich ensemble of musicians, including Wim Essed (bass), Klaus Flenter (guitar), Børge Ring (double bass), Henk Zomer (drums), Martijn Nesenberend (drums), Dick Pluim (bass), and even a student orchestra formed during van Helsdingen's time at Delft University.

Often mistakenly referred to as Piano, a result of the album's back cover design prominentlyfeaturing the word, Coal Mining is both a literal and symbolic title. It alludes not only to van Helsdingen's brief academic past, but to the depth and labor of jazz creation itself: layered, gritty, and forged under pressure.

A year after the album's release, van Helsdingen moved to Los Angeles to continue his jazz studies. While living in Hollywood, he shared a house with future musical collaborators including Kent Brinkley, Essiet Okon Essiet, Brian Batie, John Rigby, Edmond Allmond, David Best and John Butler. Even in the early stages of his career, van Helsdingen displayed the entrepreneurial spirit that would define his path, self-releasing albums and even pioneering an early form of crowdfunding by selling 400 ad spaces on a record sleeve to finance an LP project. After his jazz studies in Los Angeles, he performed extensively in Europe, Canada, the U.S., Australia and Asia, often traveling with his own 'Stage bus', which housedboth a stage and instruments.

In August 2018, van Helsdingen was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Despite the physical challenges brought on by the condition, he continues to perform and compose music. His openness about the diagnosis-shared publicly in a 2019 documentary-has helped raise awareness of Parkinson's and the role of creativity and improvisation as tools for resilience.

Now, nearly five decades after its initial release, Coal Mining is finally receiving a well-deserved reissue. Introducing a new generation of listeners to the raw talent and visionary beginnings of a true European jazz original.

High Focus Records is delighted to announce the return of Verbz & Mr Slipz on ‘THE WAY FWD’, the anticipated full-length follow up to their 2019 LP ‘Radio Waves’.

An album fuelled by evolution, ‘THE WAY FWD’ pays respect to the signature sonics that are synonymous with the duo; the dust laden, sample driven boom bap energies are present throughout, with a greater focus on arrangement, form and musicality this time around.

Sourcing from the many adventures both Verbz & Slipz have been on in the five years separating the 2 x LPs; experiments across genres and BPMs informing the direction of travel before they completed the circle, ‘THE WAY FWD’ combines new spirit with a dizzying timelessness; Slipz’ sophisticated brushstrokes informing Verbz’ penmanship across 12-tracks of true introspection.

With features from Cappo, Cam Thomas and additional vocals from India Shan, ‘THE WAY FWD’ has all the makings of a classic release, especially if it ends up being Verbz & Mr Slipz’ last collaborative contribution to the genre…

“New York’s Harlem River Drive is a dividing line, a highway where the rich zip past the poor,” says singer Jimmy Norman. Eddie Palmieri’s Latin-funk band of the same name tackled these hard truths, playing prisons and speaking to the common man. Ultimately, Norman and Palmieri made a powerful socio-political statement that continues to resonate to this day." Pablo Yglesias/Wax Poetics. When initially released in 1971, many critics panned Eddie Palmieri’s album Harlem River Drive. Those critics were wrong. Regardless of critical opinion, the release was not the crossover success Palmieri and Roulette Records had hoped for, at least in the immediate. Over the years the release has developed a following among listeners, DJs, and aficionados of rare-grooves. The record may have been recorded towards the end of the Latin soul era, yet it features that genre's wonderful mix of Puerto Rican soul, Spanish Harlem Latin, and New York funk. Palmieri worked with an incredibly talented crew of Latin and R&B session musicians to create this quintessential New York vibe, a synthesis of funk and Afro-Cuban sounds. Contributors include Victor Venegas from Mongo Santamaria’s band, Palmieri’s brother Charlie, an accomplished musician in his own right, Bruce Fowler who went on to join Frank Zappa’s band, Dick Meza who went on to great things with Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Celia Cruz, as well as Andy Gonzalez who’s pedigree includes recordings with Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, Willie Colon and even Chico O’Farrill. Also appearing Randy Brecker and one of the all-time greatest of the greats Bernard Purdy. An over-arching theme of Harlem River Drive is the thought that, as Palmieri puts it “The U.S. is richest country, all this immense wealth, side by side with the most intense poverty, racial prejudice; how is that possible?” A question that’s perhaps more even more relevant today than it was in 1971. A question that can be further explored with Get On Down’s reissue of this seminal recording.

Shhh. The command to be quiet is not just part of the title of one of the two sprawling compositions on this pioneering album. It's also an apt metaphor for the relaxed hypnotism and spaced-out atmosphere that define In a Silent Way, a record that pushes the boundaries of studio possibilities, artist-producer relationships, and rock-jazz chasms. Recognized as Miles Davis' first full-on fusion effort and part of his "electric" era, the 1969 landmark claims a Who's Who line-up that sends the music into an ethereal stratosphere.

Mastered from the original master tapes and pressed at RTI, this unsurpassed 180g LP edition lifts the veil on the cutting-edge assembly process that created the pair of lengthy suites. Helmed by three electric instruments, the bevelled compositions melt away all preconceived notions of "jazz," ˜rock," and "ambience," following a loose theory Davis dubbed "New Directions."

Few albums are so delicately textured. And on Mobile Fidelity's meticulous reissue, such sulcate elements pour over ink-black backgrounds on a canyon-wide soundstage. In particular, Tony Williams' inventive percussive touch – he causes the cymbals to shimmer as a pieces of silver tend to do when exposed to sunlight – is broadcast with lifelike three-dimensional qualities, the panoramic view extending to Davis' nocturnal trumpet, Wayne Shorter's ribbon-unfurling saxophone, Dave Holland's extrapolative bass, and the mosaic of keys.

If the record's only accomplishment is its introduction of guitarist John McLaughlin to the world, it alone would be enough. Yet In a Silent Way continues to bedazzle, puzzle, and inspire for myriad reasons – not the least of which is the seemingly telepathic communicative methods employed by the group's members. The line-up is great on paper, but, if it's even possible, the octet sounds even better in practice, with the instruments and tonalities conjoining in avant-garde communion like hyper-sensitive tentacles exploring the stippled landscapes of an undiscovered planet.

Diverting from expectation, tubular grooves twist, turn, and spin, sometimes piling atop of each other, always shying away from structure and melody. Ellipsoidal solos provide hesitant guidance, ranging from Chick Corea's Fender Rhodes phrases to Davis' decorative spirals. And as colour is the primary unit of currency on Davis' Sketches of Spain, laid-back episodes, geometric spaces, and quiet sensuality reign here, with the set's maverick reputation attained via musings on solitude rather than explosions of noise.


Controversial for the period, the heavily edited production of In a Silent Way blew open the once-locked doors on what producer's could attempt – and how artists could assist them. Knitted together as one would construct a cross-hatched quilt, songs contain grafts of repeat passages that provide unifying structure and experimental continuity. What a statement.

FONCEDALLE is a high-volume amplified trio, a warm wave of acid guitars fuelled by addictive bass and electronic beats. In late 2021, they released their Traboule EP and went on a tour that saw them perform 40 gigs between 2022 and 2023, half of which were in Europe. Their debut, self-titled album is set to be released in March 2024 on EXAG’ Records (BE). It's rawer, with tracks meticulously crafted and reworked live. While still exploring the realms of rock fused with machines, electronic trance, and melodic flights, the album also has its share of oppressive sections, unbridled chaos, and ambient, ethereal passages. FONCEDALLE serves as the missing link between the Manchester scene of the 80s, Gilla Band’s noise rock, Soulwax’s electronic rock, and the motoric turbines of Turing Machine. Preferring not to choose between being an open door or an impertinent product, the band chooses to concoct a recipe it envisions coming from the future rather than flipping through a book filled with references

The creative visionary behind a remarkable catalogue of widely celebrated releases and two critically acclaimed albums, Monolink returns this fall with his most thought-provoking and introspective project to date. Titled The Beauty Of It All, the multi-faceted German artist's third studio album is slated for worldwide release on September 26, 2025.
Marking a bold new chapter in Monolink's artistic evolution, The Beauty Of It All will dive deep into themes of beauty, impermanence and human connection, blending his signature fusion of live instrumentation, soulful song-writing and electronic innovation. The announcement arrives on the heels of two standout singles already this year - "Mesmerized" (January) and "Powerful Play" (March) - both of which will feature on the new album. With The Beauty Of It All, he builds on the foundations laid by his first two long players, pushing his sound into new, uncharted territory while staying rooted in the organic, humanistic qualities that have defined his career. The album is poised to be his most revealing and boundary-defying release yet; a sonic statement from an artist who continues to redefine what it means to be a modern musician.

The creative visionary behind a remarkable catalogue of widely celebrated releases and two critically acclaimed albums, Monolink returns this fall with his most thought-provoking and introspective project to date. Titled The Beauty Of It All, the multi-faceted German artist's third studio album is slated for worldwide release on September 26, 2025.
Marking a bold new chapter in Monolink's artistic evolution, The Beauty Of It All will dive deep into themes of beauty, impermanence and human connection, blending his signature fusion of live instrumentation, soulful song-writing and electronic innovation. The announcement arrives on the heels of two standout singles already this year - "Mesmerized" (January) and "Powerful Play" (March) - both of which will feature on the new album. With The Beauty Of It All, he builds on the foundations laid by his first two long players, pushing his sound into new, uncharted territory while staying rooted in the organic, humanistic qualities that have defined his career. The album is poised to be his most revealing and boundary-defying release yet; a sonic statement from an artist who continues to redefine what it means to be a modern musician.

South London singer, songwriter and cultural powerhouse Joy Crookes has today unveiled the news that her worth-the-wait second album Juniper will be released on September 26th ahead of a full UK & EU headline tour.

A stunningly candid and fearless body of work, the album reaffirms Joy as one of the UK’s most vital and original voices. A once-in-a-generation talent, Crookes delivers a record that is both emotionally raw and sonically rich; humorous, heartbreaking and profoundly human.

Following the success of her 2021 debut Skin, which earned BRIT and Mercury Prize nominations, went Top 5 in the UK charts, and drew acclaim from The Guardian, NME and many more, Joy set out to make an album that pushed her further both musically and personally.

Juniper is the result: a project defined by its depth and dynamism.

Written with a stripped-back approach and produced by long-time collaborators including Blue May (Kano, Jorja Smith), Tev’n (Stormzy) and Harvey Grant (Arlo Parks),

Juniper features standout guest appearances from Vince Staples on the incendiary ‘Pass The Salt’ and Kano on the bittersweet confessional ‘Mathematics’.

Crookes describes the record as “more nuanced” than Skin: “With Juniper, every situation is visceral and I’m very much in it. It’s me in the centre of it all.”

The title itself nods to resilience (an evergreen that thrives in harsh conditions) and the album dives deep into themes of body politics, mental health, queer love, anxiety, industry hypocrisy and the ecstasy (and terror) of falling in love.
Lead singles like ‘Pass The Salt’ and ‘I Know You’d Kill’ showcase Crookes’ lyrical agility – blending poetic detail with razor-sharp wit. Meanwhile, the euro-pop inspired ‘First Last Dance’ channels euphoric melodies to mask deep emotional struggle, and the cinematic ‘Perfect Crime’ sees Joy fully self-actualise in the style of a Western showdown.

On ‘Paris’, the closing track, Joy reflects on a formative queer relationship: “Something I feared so much finally, actually felt like love.” It’s a sentiment echoed across Juniper – a record that captures the beauty and brutality of emotional openness.

The album arrives after a period of personal upheaval for Crookes, including a mental health crisis that shadowed the album’s creation. “I was in the trenches,” she says. “But the studio became my solace. What you hear is live and direct from that time.” Despite the darkness, Juniper radiates warmth, levity, and life, powered by Crookes’ ever-restless creativity and artistic excellence. Ahead of her performance this weekend at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend event in Liverpool, followed by a slot at Glastonbury, Joy is pleased to announce a full UK & EU headline tour for the backend of the year.

In celebration of Juniper's release, Joy will head out to all major cities including Dublin, Manchester, Bristol and London where she’ll play the much coveted 02 Academy Brixton for the first time. See below for full routing and ticket info.

Phoenician Drive is a six-piece band from Brussels, blending Western rock with traditional Eastern music into a style they describe as Dune Krautrock. Oud, darbuka, and riq meet distorted guitars and pop textures, weaving connections across the Mediterranean. Inspired by East–West fusions from the 1970s (like Erkin Koray and Orient Express) and the German krautrock scene (Neu!, Can, Faust…), their music explores borderless, hypnotic landscapes rooted in both rhythm and experimentation.

Following a debut EP released on EXAG' Records in 2017, the band put out a self-titled LP and collaborated with choreographer Wim Vandekeybus in 2018. In 2019, Phoenician Drive reimagined their sound in an acoustic format, which they toured extensively for two years throughout the post-Covid period.

Between 2021 and 2022, the group returned to electric instrumentation and recorded Glow, an EP released in June 2023 via EXAG' Records. The release was celebrated with a powerful live show at Brasserie Illegaal in Brussels — a performance captured in the live album Live in Brussels '23. The record channels the band’s raw stage energy and deepens their sonic exploration of trance, tension, and Mediterranean melodies.